South Africa: Team to process Zondo Commission recommendations by October deadline

Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele says the office of the Director-General in the Presidency has established a team that will be seized with processing all the recommendations of the Zondo Commission report by Parliaments October deadline.

The Minister said this when he participated in a debate on the Presidencys Budget Vote before a sitting of the National Assembly on Thursday.

As a true testament to our commitment to running a transparent government, all volumes of the Zondo Commission report on the State Capture Inquiry have been released to the public within the timeframes we had committed.

We have, through the office of the Director-General in the Presidency, established a team to work through the recommendations before the deadline to Parliament which is the 15th of October, he said.

Minister Gungubele said the Presidencys promise to South Africa was that government will be as transparent as it has been throughout this process of implementing the recommendations of the report.

As the Minister of Finance said during the budget speech, resources have been allocated for the quick implementation of the report. As we have previously stated, law enforcement agencies are already working to ensure that those who are found to have been implicated in state capture are brought to book.

We have in this regard seen examples of serious arrests being made in the recent weeks, he said.

Gungubele said in fighting crime and corruption and building an ethical and capable developmental state, the Presidency has established a system for coordinating the implementation of all Special Investigating Unit recommendations across the multiple departments, spheres and agencies responsible for implementation.

This will overcome gaps in accountability and allow us to monitor and detect where there is inadequate progress in implementation.

Honourable members, as we promised in February, this week we tabled the SIU reports implementation plan to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) while various investigations by law enforcement authorities on SIU recommendations are ensuing on a daily basis.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-06-10. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
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BJP-JJP backed independent candidate Kartikeya Sharma wrote to the Election Commission of India, demanding the cancellation of votes of Congress MLAs Kiran Choudhry and BB Batra, due to "violation of the secrecy of votes in the Conduct of Election Rules 1961". Congress candidate from Haryana, Ajay Maken wrote to the Election Commission of India, stating that the demand raised by BJP-JJP backed independent candidate Kartikeya Sharma be quashed and the results are declared at the earliest. The counting of votes in Haryana is currently on hold. BJP met the Election Commission this evening over Haryana and Maharashtra, asking that "this election be declared null and void on basis of broken rules of secrecy in voting" Of the total 90 members of the Haryana Assembly, 89 cast their votes, officials said at the end of the polling, which began at 9 am. In Haryana, the need for polls arises as three candidates have filed nominations for two Rajya Sabha seats. The Congress party has nominated senior leader Ajay Maken while the BJP has fielded former minister Krishan Lal Panwar. Independent candidate Kartikeya Sharma is also in the fray. Both the BJP-JJP alliance and Congress legislators were shifted to resorts to slash possibilities of poaching. While the BJP-JJP alliance has lodged their MLAs in a resort in Chandigarh, the Congress leaders were moved to a resort in Delhi. The polling to elect the members of the Upper House of the Parliament on 16 Rajya Sabha seats spread across four states will take place today amid speculations of horse-trading and fears of cross-voting. Polling is set to begin at 9 am and will conclude at 4 pm. Notably, all 41 candidates from Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Telangana were elected unopposed on Friday after the biennial elections to 57 Rajya Sabha seats were announced recently. However, polling for the 16 seats spread across states like Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana and Karnataka will be held today due to the number of candidates exceeding the seats. Some prominent leaders, whose fates will be decided at 5 pm when the counting of the votes will take place, include Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and Nirmala Sitharaman, Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh, Randeep Surjewala and Mukul Wasnik. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday emphasized on increasing India's contribution to the global space industry and said that participation of the private sector in the country's space programme will play a big role in that. "A wonderful chapter has been added in the development journey of modern India in the 21st century and congratulated all the countrymen, and the scientific community for the headquarters of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center i.e. IN-SPACe," said PM Modi, while addressing the inauguration of IN-SPACe at Bopal, Ahmedabad. The Prime Minister elaborated, "IN-SPACe has the potential to revolutionize India's space industry. So this is what I would say - 'Watch this space'. IN-SPACe is for space, IN-SPACe is for pace, and IN-SPACe is for ace." He said that the global space industry is valued at 400 billion US dollars and has the potential to become a 1 trillion dollar industry by 2040. "India needs to increase its share in the global space industry and the private sector will play a big role in that," he said. PM Modi further said that for a very long time, the private sector in the space industry has been viewed merely as a vendor, a system that always blocked the ways of progress for the private sector in the industry. The Prime Minister also saw a strong role for India in the fields of space tourism and space diplomacy. He said that IN-SPACe is an autonomous and single window nodal agency in the Department of Space for the promotion, encouragement and regulation of space activities of both government and private entities. It also facilitates the usage of ISRO facilities by private entities. "By reforming the space sector, freeing it from all restrictions, by supporting the private industry through IN-SPACe, the country is starting a campaign to make winners today. The private sector will not just remain a vendor but will play the role of a big winner in the space sector. When the strength of government space institutions and the passion of India's private sector will meet, not even the sky will be the limit," he added. He further stressed that it is the government's endeavour to create maximum Ease of Doing Business environment for the private sector of India so that the private sector of the country helps the countrymen equally in the Ease of Living. The Prime Minister said that in the earlier system, India's youth was not getting the opportunities to realize their potential fully. "Indian youth bring innovation, energy and a spirit of exploration with them. It has been the misfortune of the country that with time, the difference between regulation and restriction was forgotten. Today we cannot put the condition of only the government route for carrying out their plans before our youth," PM Modi emphasized He elaborated that the era for such restrictions is over and the government is removing all such restrictions from the path of our youth. PM Modi listed the opening of defence production, modern drone policy, geo-spatial data guidelines, and work from anywhere facility in the telecom and IT sector as examples of the government's intentions. (ANI)
Appealing to the citizens to maintain peace, Additional Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh Awanish K Awasthi on Friday said that strict action will be taken against those who jeopardized peace during protests in several cities of Uttar Pradesh. "People who gathered after Friday prayers were persuaded and dispersed in Saharanpur, Prayagraj...peace prevailed in other cities...Police will take strict action against those jeopardizing peace. We appeal to people to maintain peace," Awasthi said in a conversation with ANI. Moradabad Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Hemant Kutiyal said, "After Friday namaaz today some youth started protesting. As soon as it began, the administration and police spoke with them and sent them home." According to the Acting DGP Devendra Singh Chauhan of UP, "the preparations for Friday namaz were underway for the past 4-5 days. The Police had done a public outreach... to maintain peace and order." However, he further said that they dealt with the protestors in Saharanpur, Prayagraj, Firozabad and Moradabad in a patient and strict manner, as a result of which there was no loss of life or property. "...all those who took the law into their hands won't be spared. Our officials are safe," he added. In the clash that erupted in Prayagraj, several police personnel had received minor injuries as stones were hurled during the protest in the Atala area. "After the namaaz, some people gathered in narrow lanes of the district. Police tried to pacify them. However, after stone pelting was done, police received minor injuries. A rickshaw was put on fire. We're taking action, no accused will be spared," said DM SK Khatri, Prayagraj. Prayagraj's Additional Director General of Police's (ADGP) vehicle was also damaged when he was on the ground to control the law and order situation. According to the Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), as many as 109 people were arrested till 7.30 PM today in connection with the protest. However, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a meeting with top officials on the protests and violence that broke out in UP and had granted full liberty and clear instructions to the officials to take stringent action against the "anti-social elements". "The CM has given liberty and clear instructions to the officials to take stringent action against anti-social elements. Those who take the law into their hands will be taught strict lessons," UP CMO had tweeted. Notably, the state witnessed several incidents of violence, sloganeering and stone-pelting after Friday prayers, when the people began protesting against the inflammatory statements. All this came as the row over the comments on the Prophet Muhammad by suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma blew up and led to global outrage. Over the last few days, several countries such as Malaysia, Kuwait and Pakistan condemned recent remarks made by a few BJP leaders. While Nupur Sharma made comments during a TV debate, another leader Naveen Jindal posted a controversial remark on Twitter. The BJP suspended the spokesperson and expelled media in-charge, Naveen Jindal, over the remarks. The party issued a statement emphasising its intolerance for disrespect of any religious personality. (ANI)
Asserting that the people of Jharkhand are "very sensitive and tolerant", Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Friday appealed to the people to maintain harmony and refrain from participating in any activity that leads to crimes in the state. "I suddenly received information about this worrisome (protest) incident... public of Jharkhand has always been very sensitive and tolerant... no need to panic. I appeal to everyone to maintain harmony and refrain from participating in any activities that will lead to more such crimes," he said while addressing the media persons after the curfew was imposed in Ranchi as an aftermath of a protest against suspended Bharatiya Janata Party leader Nupur Sharma and expelled leader Naveen Jindal for allegedly making controversial remarks over Prophet Muhammad. Earlier in the day, the Ranchi administration had imposed a curfew in the city appealing to the people to stay at home. The protest had turned violent after the incidents of stone-pelting and torching of several vehicles and vandalisation were reported. Many people have sustained injuries in the violent protests. Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector General of Ranchi Police (DIG) Anish Gupta had said that the situation was "under control" despite being a "little tense". After various gulf nations expressed outrage against the controversial remarks against the Prophet, the country has been witnessing protests in various states including Punjab, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh. Notably, the controversy erupted after Nupur Sharma's remarks against the minorities. Some Gulf countries also lodged their protest. However, 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. 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." Meanwhile, Delhi Police registered two FIRs-- one against former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and the other against 31 people, including AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand - for allegedly spreading hate and hurting religious sentiments, officials said on Thursday. Former Delhi BJP media unit head Naveen Kumar Jindal, who was expelled from the party over alleged remarks against Prophet Mohammad, and journalist Saba Naqvi, are among the people named in the second FIR. (ANI)
According to the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Rao Inderjit Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Statistics and Programme Implementation; Planning and MoS, Corporate Affairs will deliver the inaugural address as the Chief Guest.

Singh will release a film on the journey of CCI, advocacy booklets in regional languages, and a special issue of CCI's quarterly newsletter, Fair Play, and felicitate winners of the essay and quiz competitions, said the ministry.

Rajesh Verma, Secretary, MCA, will deliver the special address, while Shri Ashok Kumar Gupta, Chairperson CCI, in his address will spell out the various initiatives taken by CCI.

The conference will also feature two technical sessions on 'Emerging Issues in Antitrust Enforcement' and 'Emerging Issues in Regulation of Combinations', which will have representation from diverse sectors.

The session on 'Emerging Issues in Antitrust Enforcement' will be chaired by Dr Sangeeta Verma, Member, CCI. Nisha Poddar, Editor, CNBC TV18, will be the moderator of the session.

The session on 'Emerging Issues in Regulation of Combinations' will be chaired by Shri Bhagwant Singh Bishnoi, Member, CCI, and moderated by Arijit Barman, Deputy Resident Editor, The Economic Times.

AKAM celebrations were inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2021 and mark the 75-week countdown to the 75th anniversary of India's independence in August 2022. The AKAM celebrations are slated to take place till August 2023. (ANI)
Iran has pulled out the readout of its Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian remarks on the Prophet row during with his meeting with Indian NSA Ajit Doval from the Foreign Ministry website but not from the government site. On the Iranian government website, the readout still can be seen under the heading,"Iran FM lauds capacities for developing ties with India". The statement, after the meeting on Wednesday, says: "Meanwhile, Doval stressed the need for comprehensive expansion of relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and India. He welcomed the progress made in bilateral relations, and emphasised the proposal to form a strategic committee to expand relations in all fields. He expressed the Indian Government's readiness to develop relations at all levels in bilateral, multilateral, regional and international dimensions". In the last paras, in reference to the Prophet row, the statement said: "Referring to the negative atmosphere created by some people in disrespecting the holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH), he reiterated the respect of the Indian government and officials for the Holy Prophet (PBUH), saying that it will be treated as a lesson for others." On Thursday, Iran had taken down the statement. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, during a press conference on Thursday, had said: "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 Doval had assured Abdollahian, who was on his first Indian visit after assuming office in August last year, to take strict action against those responsible for insulting the Prophet. 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," he had been quoted as saying. Abdollahian had also met his counterpart S. Jaishankar besides calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. --IANS miz/vd ( 530 Words) 2022-06-10-19:48:03 (IANS)
Addressing an issue related to farmers on Friday, Aam Aadmi Party state leader Isudan Gadhvi said, "A severe matter has come to our notice where farmers are being supplied subsidised urea fertiliser in the name of technical urea at exorbitant costs in big factories. The urea that farmers should be getting for $6 is being sold for $77 in the factory. This clearly shows that urea is being black-marketed on a massive scale throughout the state, and we believe it is done with the state government's knowledge. The BJP Government's failure to take harsh action against these black marketeers demonstrates that the government is conniving with them." He added, "Urea is used in many industries like lamination seat, cattle field, and printing process. Due to this, urea is always in very high demand. To meet this demand, black marketeers sell technical urea in subsidised urea bags. The epicentre of this is said to be in Khambhat. The government conducts raids at some places but no strict action is ever taken against those black marketeers." Gadhvi added, "Another case has surfaced in which a seed bootlegger gang is operating in Gujarat, deceiving farmers by manufacturing Bt cotton seeds under several identities. The fact that these seed bootleggers are protected by the authorities is unsurprising. The Department of Agriculture recently apprehended a seed bootlegger, and they discovered that this bootlegger has been doing this business for 17 years. All of this is clearly taking place with the BJP government's knowledge." He continued, "The largest quantity of counterfeit Bt cotton in the country has been seized from seed bootleggers from Moraiya near Ahmedabad. A few days ago, 40,000 packets were seized by the agriculture department but no police action was taken against this seed bootlegger. This clearly shows that these seed bootleggers are being protected by the government. And this is cheating the farmers of Gujarat. The government had promised to double the income of farmers but they are more focused on increasing the income of seed bootleggers rather than the hardworking farmers." --IANS asmita/bg ( 356 Words) 2022-06-10-20:52:02 (IANS)
The House select committee investigating the January 6 Capitol Hill insurrection will use its first prime-time public hearing on Thursday at 8 pm (local time) to make the case that former President Donald Trump was at the centre of a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election and prevent the transition of power. The committee, comprising seven Democrats and two Republicans, is expected to show live testimony to the comprehensive account of the day's events, using evidence it has gathered so far in its nearly yearlong investigation. As per CNN, the hearing could lead to prosecutions and new laws to strengthen election security going forward as the panel will reveal new evidence that will help "connect the dots" between Trump's election lies, his attempts to overturn Joe Biden's 2020 election win and the violence that unfolded on January 6, 2021, when rioters stormed the US Capitol in an effort to stop the counting of electoral votes. Moreover, the committee plans to show previously unseen video of testimony collected during closed depositions that includes interviews with Trump White House aides, and campaign officials which will further be supplemented by live witness testimony from two witnesses who had an up-close view of the rioters. US Capitol Police Officer Caroline Edwards, who was among the first injured by rioters on January 6, and documentarian Nick Quested, who had unique access to members of militia groups who took part in the attack. The committee will seek to use that evidence to draw a direct line between Trump and the groups who perpetrated the violence on January 6, CNN reported. Committee aides also signalled that Thursday's hearing will include a new video of the violent attack on the Capitol itself. Video of the riot created some of the most dramatic moments of the 2021 Senate impeachment trial, and the aides say most of the video the committee plans to show at the hearings has not been seen previously. While Thursday's January 6 committee hearing will have all the trappings of a typical congressional hearing, aides said Thompson, a Democrat, and Cheney, a Republican, will do most of the talking during Thursday's opening hearing, showcasing how the committee is the product of a bipartisan effort and that Trump was at the centre of the attack on the Capitol. Thursday's hearing is the first in a series of six hearings planned this month to illustrate what the panel's months-long investigation into January 6 has uncovered. Over a year ago, a group of Trump supporters entered the US Capitol to protest the certification of the 2020 presidential election results from several US states that Trump claimed were fraudulent. US authorities have arrested more than 725 individuals in nearly all 50 states for criminal offences relating to the riot. (ANI)
India's Deputy Permanent Representative to UN, Ambassador R Ravindra on Thursday emphasised that challenges still remain towards eliminating AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. He participated in a high-level debate on the theme "Implementation of the Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS " and highlighted India's swift actions that it took by involving civil societies and communities during covid-19 to mitigate its impact on HIV services. "While significant progress has been made to eliminate HIV, challenges still remain in our way towards eliminating AIDS as a public health threat by 2030," he said in a statement, stressing upon how strong political leadership is critical to address the issue. He further discussed about India's unique HIV prevention model which is centered around the concept of social contracting. The program is based on behavioural change, communication, outreach, service delivery and testing. India is providing treatment to nearly 1.6 billion people and Indian drugs are also reaching to millions of people in Africa, the ambassador said during the address. India's National AIDS Control Programme has been revised, revived and revamped for hard to reach population, he added, describing India's capability to manage crisis on a global stage. The Annual new HIV infections have seen a downfall of 46 per cent between 2010 and 2021....similarly AIDS-related deaths have also declined by almost 76.5 per cent as the viral load testing capacities have been scaled up in the country. It also demarcates the remarkable impact of a very holistic AIDS response, Ravindra said during the high-level debate. He also mentioned how India is looking forward to achieving zero new transmission of HIV in order to deliver on the promise of ending AIDS in the next 10 years. India is ready to strengthen its cooperation with all its partners including World Health Organization (WHO) to eradicate the disease by emulating best practices, he said, concluding his statement. (ANI)
The tiff between former and current governments have only deepened with time as President Arif Alvi returned the amendments to Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for "reconsideration" that were approved by the joint session of the parliament on Thursday. The president, who belongs to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), returned the National Accountability (Second Amendment) Bill 2021 and Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2022, observing that Article 46 of the Constitution had been violated as he was not informed about bringing these legislations to parliament, The Express Tribune reported. However, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Javed Abbasi and several other high-profile ministers, including law minister Azam Nazeer Tarar called the decision 'baseless' and said the legislation is the sole prerogative of parliament and the president cannot dictate the legislature, rejecting the observations made by the President. According to The Express Tribune, the Senate and National Assembly passed two significant bills last month which included the Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2022 and the National Accountability (Second Amendment) Bill 2021. The accountability legislation aimed at preventing misuse of law for political engineering and victimisation of opponents whereas the electoral amendments seek to remove the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and effectively disallow overseas Pakistanis from voting in the next general polls. The bill proposed that the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) ordinance will not be applicable to all matters pertaining to federal, provincial or local taxations, decisions of the federal or provincial cabinet and constitutional bodies, as well as procedural lapses in the performance of any public or government work. In addition, it states that the chairman and deputy chairman of the anti-corruption watchdog will be appointed by the federal government. The NAB chairman will be appointed by the government after consultation between the Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly. The joint sitting of Parliament, however, got adjourned till July 20 due to escalating tensions between the two political parties. The blame game between PTI and Shehbaz Sharif-Led Pakistan government has never stopped as a few days back Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader and former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi called PTI Chief's faulty decisions 'suicide bombings' on Pakistan whereas Imran Khan keeps badmouthing the incumbent government for the unfaltering economy of the nation. Despite several attempts to block the no-confidence motion in the National Assembly, Imran Khan became the first Prime Minister of Pakistan to lose a no-trust vote in Pakistan's history. The voting took place after midnight in which as many as 174 members voted in favour of the motion in the 342-member House while members of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were absent. The ouster took place after a high political drama in the National Assembly with the Supreme Court overturning the decision of the Deputy Speaker to reject the opposition-sponsored no-confidence motion against the ruling PTI-led coalition. (ANI)
Adding yet another leaf to the defence ties between New Delhi and Hanoi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday handed over a USD 1 million to Vietnam's Air Force Officers Training School for the establishment of a language and IT laboratory. "Today, I am pleased to handover a gift of 1 million Dollars for establishment of a language and IT laboratory in the School. I am confident that the laboratory shall substantially contribute to raising language and IT skills for Vietnam Air Defence and Air Force personnel," tweeted Singh. He reached Air Force Officers Training School at Nha Trang in Vietnam today which imparts English and pre-flying training to Vietnamese pilots. "I am pleased to visit Air Force Officers Training School today. I am deeply impressed with achievements of the School and its valuable contribution to training pilots of Vietnam People's Air Defence and Air Force," said Singh. He also said that prior to leaving for training in India, these Vietnamese pilots are selected and trained at this school. Indian army personnel have also been deputed to the school since 2018. "I am glad to note that prior to leaving for training in India, these Vietnamese pilots are selected and trained at this School. A two-member Indian Army Force Training Team (IAFTT) has been deputed to School since 2018 to impart English and pre-flying training to these pilots, preparing them to better absorb training to be imparted in India," said the Defence Minister. Highlighting the growing cooperation between the two countries, he said, "I am also pleased to note our growing cooperation with the Air Force Officers Training School and Vietnam's Air Defence and Air Force. We have provided basic flying training to 10 Vietnamese pilots in our Air Force Academy in India. Earlier on Thursday, Singh handed over 12 high-speed guard boats for Vietnam Border Guard at Hong Ha Shipyard made under USD 100 million lines of credit by the Indian government. 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)
India and Ghana held consultations on UN and Multilateral issues level in Accra on June 9 and discussed issues on the agenda of the UNSC, including on West Africa and Sahel region, and other issues related to counter-terrorism and UN Peacekeeping. "India and Ghana, present members of UN Security Council, held Consultations in Accra on UN & Multilateral issues; Indian delegation also called on Dy Foreign Minister to discuss issues of mutual importance," the Indian mission in Ghana tweeted. Prakash Gupta, Joint Secretary (UN-Political) led the Indian delegation, which included senior officials from the High Commission of India in Accra and the Ministry of External Affairs. The Ghanaian delegation was led by Ambassador Ramses Cleland, Acting Chief Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Republic of Ghana and included other senior officials from Ghanaian MFA. "Both sides reviewed their ongoing cooperation during their current tenure as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council and reaffirmed their commitment to work closely together in the UNSC and other multilateral fora. They discussed issues on the agenda of the UNSC, including on West Africa and Sahel region, and other thematic issues related to counter-terrorism and UN Peacekeeping," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. "In keeping with their close and friendly relations, both sides agreed to deepen their engagement at the other multilateral fora, including at the NAM, Commonwealth and G77 groupings," the statement added. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), India's relationship with Ghana continued to prosper despite the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID pandemic. The 2nd FOC held in July last year in Accra co-chaired by Secretary (ER) and Ghanaian Deputy Foreign Minister, Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong which gave further impetus to the existing relations and an important opportunity to revisit many areas of cooperation and discuss new areas to strengthen the relations further. India supported Ghana in the fight against COVID by giving 50,000 Covishield vaccines as a grant and also supplied 6,00,000 'Made in India' vaccines under Covax initiative. Ghana supported India's candidacy for various elections in international organisations. Bilateral trade continued to grow despite the pandemic disruption and recorded USD 1,377.26 million for the period April-September 2021. (ANI)
Thailand on Thursday decriminalized cannabis, becoming the first Asian country to remove the ban on the drug. However, Thai Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul confirmed that tough penalties will still apply to those who use the drug to get high and warned against smoking joints, reported CNN. Charnvirakul said he expected legal cannabis production to boost the economy but cautioned that recreational use of the drug remains illegal. "It's a no," said Anutin, who is also a deputy prime minister. "We still have regulations under the law that control the consumption, smoking or use of cannabis products in non-productive ways." Under decriminalization, it is no longer a crime to grow and trade marijuana and hemp products, or use parts of the plant to treat illnesses. Cafes and restaurants can also serve cannabis-infused food and drinks -- but only if the products contain less than 0.2 per cent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the plant's main psychoactive compound, reported CNN. Harsh penalties remain in place under the Public Health Act, including up to three months in jail and a USD 800 fine for smoking cannabis in public. "We (have always) emphasized using cannabis extractions and raw materials for medical purposes and for health," Anutin said. "There has never once been a moment that we would think about advocating people to use cannabis in terms of recreation -- or use it in a way that it could irritate others." In particular, the minister had a stern warning for foreign tourists thinking of lighting up a joint in public, reported CNN. "Thailand will promote cannabis policies for medical purposes. If [tourists] come for medical treatment or come for health-related products then it's not an issue but if you think that you want to come to Thailand just because you heard that cannabis or marijuana is legal ... (or) come to Thailand to smoke joints freely, that's wrong." "Don't come. We won't welcome you if you just come to this country for that purpose." The relaxation of Thailand's cannabis laws follows the country's landmark decision in 2018 to allow the use of medical marijuana. Since then, the laws around cannabis have been further loosened, with the removal of cannabis buds and flowers from the country's list of banned narcotics. More than 3,000 inmates serving prison terms for cannabis and hemp-related drug offenses will be released following the decriminalization announcement from Anutin's Public Health Ministry. (ANI)
An overwhelming majority of the European Parliament (EP) adopted its strongest language yet concerning the ongoing gross human rights violations in China's Xinjiang province, citing "crimes against humanity and serious risk of genocide". The EP "condemns in the strongest possible terms that the Uyghur community in the People's Republic of China has been systematically oppressed by brutal measures including mass deportation, political indoctrination, family separation, restrictions of religious freedom, cultural destruction, and extensive use of surveillance." The EP advocated additional sanctions targeting Chinese high-ranking officials, such as Chen Quanguo, Zhao Kezhi, Guo Shengkun and Hu Lianhe. They reiterated calls to a few remaining EU Member States to suspend extradition treaties with China and Hong Kong. According to the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), an import ban on all products produced by forced labour and on products produced by all Chinese companies listed as exploiting forced labour is also on the Parliament's list of policies to be implemented. Finally, the EP demanded the release of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights' long-awaited report on human rights abuses in Xinjiang. IPAC, an international cross-party group of legislators, welcomed the "strong and united voice" of the European Parliament and hopes that the European Commission and the member states will listen to this call to action. Following the adoption of the resolution, IPAC Co-Chair Reinhard Butikofer MEP said: "The Xinjiang Police Files have exposed the Chinese government's claim that its so-called 'vocational training centres' are for re-education purposes as a lie. These papers add to a growing body of evidence documenting the totalitarian repression of the Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minorities in China." "The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights must urgently release her report into the abuses taking place in the region, and the EU can lead the way in holding those responsible for these policies to account," he added. (ANI)
The university is known for providing training to the Vietnam People's Army - the Vietnam Propaganda Unit of the Liberation Army, the first main force established on December 22, 1944, under the directive of late President Ho Chi Minh.

"Visited the Telecommunication University in Nha Trang today. The University has made a valuable contribution to the training of the Vietnam People's Army. Handed over a cheque of 5 million Indian Rupees for procurement of training aids," tweeted Singh.

On May 15, 1945, the Vietnam Propaganda Unit of Liberation Army merged with the National Salvation Army and was renamed the Liberation Army, becoming the main military force of the Front of Vietnam Independence League during the General Uprising to seize state power in the August Revolution in 1945. In 1950, the latter was renamed the Vietnam People's Army.

Earlier today, Defence Minister, handed over a USD 1 million to Vietnam's Air Force Officers Training School for the establishment of a language and IT laboratory.

"Today, I am pleased to handover a gift of 1 million Dollars for establishment of a language and IT laboratory in the School. I am confident that the laboratory shall substantially contribute to raising language and IT skills for Vietnam Air Defence and Air Force personnel," tweeted Singh.

Defence Minister on Thursday also handed over 12 high-speed guard boats for Vietnam Border Guard at Hong Ha Shipyard made under USD 100 million lines of credit by the Indian government.

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. (ANI)
Hundreds of Afghan refugees in Pakistan on Thursday called on the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the international community to respond positively to their asylum applications. Holding protest with the slogan "Save Us" that entered 57th day, they lamented the fact that the world has forgotten Afghanistan in the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine war, reported Tolo News. "Due to the war in Ukraine, the world has forgotten Afghanistan; not only the issue of Afghans in Pakistan but the focus on Afghans in all countries has stopped," said Safiullah Sultani, a protesting refugee. "So far, no country that provides asylum for the refugees, not even the United Nations, has paid attention to the problems of Afghans refugees," Abdul Sami Khatibi said. Meanwhile, a number of Afghan refugees in Iran said that the census process in that country has created challenges for them, reported Tolo News. "Some of the refugees are concerned that after six months they will deport us and say we are not taking the census sheets," said Latifa Stanekzai, an Afghan refugee. "So far, over 1.5 million refugees have been identified and this process continues until July," said Naqibullah Mazlumyar. "Unfortunately, appropriate measures have not been taken to address this issue, and this has created challenges for census offices and immigrants," said Dr Mohammadzai, another Afghan refugee. With the reestablishment of the Taliban, a large number of Afghans fled the country and many are now living in poor conditions in the neighbouring countries. (ANI)
Malaysia has agreed to abolish the mandatory death penalty and agreed on a substitute sentence that will be imposed at the discretion of the courts. This is significant for Southeast Asia where crimes punishable by death include murder, drug trafficking, terrorism, kidnapping and possession of firearms. The Malaysian government arrived at the decision after the presentation of a report on the study of alternative sentences for the mandatory death penalty during the Cabinet meeting on June 8, CNA reported. Malaysia's Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Wan Junadi Tuanku Jaafar said capital punishment would be replaced by other types of punishment at the court's discretion. "The Cabinet has agreed that further studies and research should be carried out regarding proposed alternative sentences for 11 offences which carry the mandatory death penalty, one offence under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act and 22 offences which carry the death penalty but under the discretion of the court," the statement read, as quoted by CNA. Wan Junaidi said the government's decision showed its priorities in ensuring the protection of all parties' rights, while reflecting the transparency of the country's leadership in improving the criminal justice system. Last month, Zambia announced its plans to abolish the death penalty. The UN Human Rights Office, OHCHR welcomed the decision, saying that Zambia's plan to abolish the death penalty adds to the growing global chorus against the practice. According to the rights groups, the death penalty breaches human rights, in particular the right to life and the right to live free from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Both rights are protected under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the UN in 1948. In 2021, the most known executions took place in China, Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Syria - in that order, according to Amnesty International. Excluding China, 80 per cent of all reported executions took place in just three countries - Iran, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. (ANI)
Taliban security forces in northern Afghanistan's Panjshir province have unlawfully detained and tortured residents accused of association with an opposition armed group, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Friday. Since mid-May 2022, fighting has escalated in the province as National Resistance Front (NRF) forces have attacked Taliban units and checkpoints. The Taliban have responded by deploying to the province thousands of fighters, who have carried out search operations targeting communities they allege are supporting the NRF. During search operations in other provinces, Taliban forces have committed summary executions and enforced disappearances of captured fighters and other detainees, which are war crimes. "Taliban forces in Panjshir province have quickly resorted to beating civilians in their response to fighting against the opposition National Resistance Front," said Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "The Taliban's longstanding failure to punish those responsible for serious abuses in their ranks puts more civilians at risk." A human rights advocate who has interviewed several former detainees and a source with direct information about Taliban detentions spoke to Human Rights Watch about the Panjshir situation. Former detainees in early June reported that Taliban security forces detained about 80 residents in Panjshir's Khenj district and beat them to compel them to provide information about the NRF. After several days, the Taliban released 70, but have continued to hold 10 people whose relatives they accuse of being members of the group, a form of collective punishment. Former detainees said the district jail held nearly 100 others who have alleged links to the NRF. None had access to their families or lawyers. Others have been held in informal detention facilities. According to the New York-based rights group, people taken into custody must be promptly charged with a criminal offence or released. "The protections of international human rights law also apply. Denying detainees access to lawyers and family members is prohibited and increases the risk of torture and enforced disappearance. Collective punishment - the punishment of individuals for alleged actions of others - is a violation of the laws of war and a war crime," the HRW said. The NRF, headed by Ahmad Massoud, is the principal armed opposition group in Panjshir and neighboring provinces. It includes some fighters who had served in the former Afghan National Security Forces. (ANI)
An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan's Punjab province has issued arrest warrants against a dozen leaders belonging to the party of former prime minister Imran Khan. "The government has made Pakistan a police state. They first prosecuted political rivals for terrorism and have now obtained arrest warrants for 17 PTI leaders. If the imported government is making terrorism cases, will the people forget how expensive flour has become?" the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) asked in a tweet. This comes after several PTI leaders including party chief Imran Khan, and former minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi was booked for "rioting" during the party's long march last month. However, some of these leaders, including the former Pakistan PM acquired bails in these cases, Geo News reported. Imran Khan this week 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. (ANI)
In addition to exchanging views on the regional issues of Central Asia, the participants at the China Plus Central Asian Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Thursday also discussed the situation in Afghanistan post the Taliban takeover. The meeting was chaired by Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi, and was attended by the 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, reported Tolo News. "We should continue to make good use of the Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the Afghan Issue Among the Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan, the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group and other mechanisms," said a statement released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry. This comes as no Central Asian country has yet recognized the Taliban. However, China and Turkmenistan have allowed the active presence of the current government's diplomats. Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of Iran and India called for the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan. "The Central Asian nations and UN have limited facilities to bring reforms in Afghanistan. It is the Taliban who have the control to bring reform in Afghanistan" said Torek Farhadi, a political analyst. However, the Taliban urged countries to engage in relations with the current Afghan government to overcome the challenges, reported Tolo News. "First of all; they should start diplomatic relations with the current Afghan government, thus all challenges will be solved via official and responsible measures. Then there will be good steps in which the countries seek to resolve the challenges for the Afghans," said Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesman for the Taliban. The international community listed the formation of an inclusive government, respect for human rights and women's rights, and preventing Afghan soil from terrorist activities, as the preconditions for recognition of the current Afghan government. (ANI)
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Thursday lashed out at the ex-generals of the Pakistani armed forces and said that they were "not loyal to their institution." Speaking to the media outside the Islamabad High Court (IHC), she called on the veterans of the armed forces who called for the dismissal of the assemblies and challenged them to return their medals if they were interested in politics, reported The Express Tribune. She said that the incumbent government was trying to complete its term, adding that the media should criticize the one "who made things worse". PML-N vice president said that the government can't be overthrown through "bullying". She further said that it was not good to drag institutions into politics. "Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif cares about the nation and is working day and night to improve the country's economy," she said. Commenting on the excessive electricity outages being faced by the people across the country, Maryam said when her party formed the government in 2013, the country was witnessing 23 hours of power cuts. "Had there not been (Maryam's father and former prime minister) Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz, power outages would not have ended," she added. "No one tried to end the electricity outages, nobody set up power plants," she said while referring to the term of Imran Khan's government. She added that the demand for electricity was increasing with each passing day and Imran Khan had shut down the power plants set up by Nawaz, reported The Express Tribune. She alleged that factories were being shut down because of Imran's "incompetence". However, Maryam said, 5,000MW would soon be added to the system. "We are not crying, but planning." She said that Khan had taken the country to the intensive care unit (ICU), and plunged it into darkness. She added that the PML-N would clear the landmines laid by the former premier. Commenting on the coalition government's economic decisions, she said that with the increase in prices of petroleum products, a relief package of Rs 28 billion was also given to the people. She added that wheat flour was made cheaper, and Hajj was made less costly for the convenience of the people. The PML-N vice president said that if her party was unable to give relief to the people, then nobody could. (ANI)
Pak news portal The Namal said that Musharraf had been put on a ventilator as his health had deteriorated.

There were also reports in a section of media that Musharraf had passed away but these were subsequently denied.

"The news circulating about former President Gen Pervez Musharraf is not true. He is sick but at home," Pakistan journalist Wajahat Kazmi said in a tweet.

Musharraf, who was born in New Delhi, took power in a coup in 1999. He served as president of Pakistan from 2001 to 2008.

The former dictator had launched the Kargil operation without the civilian government's approval. Aides of former prime minister Nawaz Sharif have said that he had sought to derail talks with India through Kargil Operation.

After the Partition, his family settled in Karachi where he attended Saint Patrick's School.

He joined the Pakistan Military Academy at Kakul and graduated from the institution in 1964. He was subsequently commissioned in the Pakistan Army. (ANI)
In the Masjid-e-Nabwi mosque incident where pilgrims raised derogatory slogans against Pakistani Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif and his delegation in Medina, Saudi Arabia, a Saudi court has sentenced a Pakistani to three years in prison. The incident took place when Shehbaz was on a three-day official visit to Saudi Arabia, his maiden visit to the Middle East country. The PM was with his delegation seeking an additional package of USD 3.2 billion from the Arab country. During his visit to the Masjid-e-Nabwi mosque, a group of pilgrims chanted slogans, calling them "chor." A fine of 10,000 riyals is also been slapped against the Pakistani, Muhammad Tahir. Apart from Tahir, there were several others who were involved in shouting demeaning slogans at the Prime Minister and his delegation, reported The Express Tribune. During the visit of the Prime Minister, Tahir also made a video of the incident and uploaded it on social media. As soon as the video was uploaded, it went viral. As per the law, the convict can file an appeal within 30 days against the court's order. There was one more video which surfaced online where the pilgrims were seen heckling and chanting abusive slogans against Pakistan's federal ministers Marriyum Aurangzeb and Shahzain Bugti. The duo were then escorted by Saudi guards. In another video, a pilgrim pulled Bugti's hair from behind. Later, in a video message in response to the chants, Marriyum had said that the act was perpetrated by a "select group", while most Pakistanis respected the sanctity of the holy mosque. According to a local media outlet, Aurangzeb indirectly blamed ousted former PM Imran Khan for the protest. "I will not name this person on this holy land because I do not want to use this land for politics. But they have destroyed the [Pakistani] society," said Aurangzeb, as per the media portal. One of the Twitter users, Muhammad Ibrahim Qazi said that Saudi Arabia citizens are calling out ousted PM Imran Khan. "Citizens of Saudi Arabia are calling out ousted PM Imran Khan to have exported the moral obscenity to the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah. They are also condemning Pakistanis for violating the Kingdom's laws," Qazi said. (ANI)
Pakistani migrants have been found climbing crime charts in many countries across the world, the latest being in Italy for alleged links with the attackers of French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. Italy's anti-terrorism police and Europol on June 7 arrested an unspecified number of Pakistanis suspected of links to the man who attacked the magazine's office in 2020. A sting led to "arrests in Italy and abroad of Pakistani citizens with direct ties" to Zaheer Hassan Mahmood, a Pakistani man accused of attacking two people with a meat cleaver weeks after the magazine re-published controversial cartoons of Prophet Mohammed, Italian police said. Genoa's Il Secolo XIX daily said eight of the arrest warrants had been carried out in Italy against people belonging to "a network of Islamic extremists... who were plotting attacks". Mahmood injured two people during the 2020 attack, which came five years after 12 members of staff at the satirical weekly were gunned down for publishing the cartoons. An 18-year-old Pakistani said he wanted to avenge the republication of cartoons of the Prophet. Four more Pakistanis were arrested in December 2020 by French authorities for their suspected links to the meat cleaver attack in late September that year by a young Pakistani outside the former offices of the Charlie Hebdo weekly that wounded two people. The arrests were conducted two days after a Paris court convicted 13 accomplices of the jihadist gunmen who massacred staff in January 2015 at Charlie Hebdo, which had published cartoons of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The latest arrests add to the long chart of crime data involving Pakistani nationals, some legal migrants, but also ones entering Europe via land or sea route, taking to crime. Many fall victims to propaganda by Jihadi groups or the perceived Islamophobia, taking to crime with a cause. Theft, smuggling, drug peddling, violence and many other reasons are behind the rise in the incidence of crime by Pakistani nationals who find crime an easy way to survive in hostile social and economic conditions. Obviously, they bring a bad name to their country. The government and the missions abroad are of not much help, leaving those arrested without legal assistance to defend themselves, Justice Project, a Pakistani NGO said. Over 618,000 Pakistani nationals have faced deportation from 138 countries in the world since 2015, available data shows. Reasons behind such massive deportation include criminal activities, involvement in terrorism and entering countries illegally or by producing fake documents. Organized human trafficking rackets in Pakistani are involved in myriad immigration malpractices for decades. This was established in global incidents, including 9/11 in 2001, the terror attack on the British Rail network in July 2007 and later, the terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008. Pakistanis have been found involved in crimes even in fellow-Muslim nations across West Asia including most prominently Saudi Arabia, the home to Islam's highest shrines. Riyadh has been routinely detaining, trying, imprisoning and releasing thousands of Pakistanis, the Pakistani NGO said. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, on his last visit to Pakistan, was requested at the highest level to grant a pardon. He obliged by allowing the release of nearly 3,000 Pakistani prisoners, though not all. In the latest case, the Italian Police said it began the probe in Genoa because one of the suspects lives in the area. Months of "wiretaps, stakeouts, tailing suspects and comparing numerous data with police in other countries" revealed other members of the gang in other parts of Italy, France and Spain, it said. (ANI)
The chopper went missing on Thursday, Xinhua News Agency reported citing Turkish industrial group Eczacibasi on Friday.

According to a statement, a team from the company, including an Italian pilot, took off from the Italian city of Lucca and headed for Treviso, but disappeared near the Modena region.

The Turkish employees were in Italy to attend a paper technologies fair organized by Tissue Italy Network, the statement added.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry also confirmed the incident, noting the search and rescue efforts for the helicopter continue, Xinhua reported.

The communication with the helicopter, an Agusta Koala "AW119" type, was cut off about 30 minutes after its takeoff, it added citing Italian ANSA news agency. (ANI)
After strict COVID lockdowns in China that led to months of supply chain disruptions, Apple is now moving some iPad production out of China and shifting it to Vietnam. To guard itself against future shortages and supply snags, Apple has also asked multiple component suppliers to build up their inventories, as per the sources cited by Asia Nikkei. Plans of exiting China and moving its business into Vietnam were under consideration earlier as well, however, due to the sudden surge in COVID-19 cases in Vietnam a few months later, Apple delayed its plans. This decision by Apple to move away from China reflects the company's continuous efforts to diversify its supply chain. It also highlights the growing importance of Vietnam to the company. In particular, Apple is asking suppliers outside the lockdown-affected areas to help build up a couple of months' worth of component supplies to ensure supply continuity over the next few months. The requests apply to all of Apple's product lines -- iPhones, iPads, AirPods and MacBooks -- sources said. Ideally, the company hopes these suppliers can prepare enough additional components to fully offset the amount made by those in Shanghai and nearby provinces such as Jiangsu, where the risk of supply chain disruption is higher. "For example, component supplier X has a 40 per cent share of Apple's business in Jiangsu Province, which is a risky region of supply chain disruption, and supplier Y in another city accounts for the remaining 60 per cent share," one of the people with direct knowledge of the matter said adding, "Apple would want supplier Y to build enough additional components to match supplier X's 40 per cent share in the coming months in case production in Jiangsu is shut down again." Ivan Lam, an analyst with Counterpoint said, he expects it will still take until the second half of June for life to return to normal as the government avoids rushing things in its attempt to get life and work routines back on track, reported Asia Nikkei. India and Vietnam, which are already sites of Apple production, are among the countries being seen as an alternative option to China, a report added. This move by Apple, being the largest US company by market capitalization, will influence the thinking of other Western companies which have been considering reducing their dependency on China for manufacturing or key materials in the wake of Beijing's indirect support to Russia for its invasion in Ukraine and lockdowns in some cities to fight COVID-19. According to analysts, over 90 per cent of Apple products including iPhones, iPads and MacBook laptops are manufactured in China by outside contractors. Responding to Apple's supply chain challenges in April, Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook said, "Our supply chain is truly global, and so the products are made everywhere. We continue to look at optimizing." The lockdowns imposed in Shanghai and other cities as part of China's anti-Covid policy have disrupted the supply chain for many Western companies. In April, Apple warned that the resurgence of COVID-19 will hinder sales by as much as USD 8 billion in the current quarter. China's strict anti-Covid rules have stopped Apple from sending its executives and engineers into the country over the past two years, which means that it becomes hard for them to check the production sites in person. The power outages last year also dented China's reputation for reliability. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has built on India's strategic partnership with countries in West Asia "very actively and very robustly" and the ties today with the region are "best possible", Talmiz Ahmad, former Indian envoy to UAE has said. Ahmad, who also served as India's envoy in Saudi Arabia and Oman, told ANI in an interview that India's bilateral ties with the countries in the region now span frontier areas of high technology, information technology and space and "there is no limit to how far we can go in terms of giving content to our relations". The former Ambassador said India's ties with West Asian countries have grown since the end of the cold war. He said a shift took place following the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks after which India and West Asian countries embraced a strategic partnership with security, defence and intelligence as key components. "After the cold war, the political relationship also became resonant. And that has continued. And after the attacks in Mumbai, after 2008, you can frankly say that we have a substantial strategic partnership that embraces security, defence, intelligence, economic and cultural cooperation," he told ANI. "I think today, we can say that we have the best possible relations. The region is the principal source of energy and our principal economic partner. In fact, we have very substantial trade relations. Also, ties are based on investment and joint ventures. And above all, we have the presence of our community, 8.5 million strong. It is a very, very strong and substantial relationship that we have today," he added. Elaborating on the work done by successive governments to foster the crucial relationship, he said high-level bilateral visits during the Modi government have raised the profile and content of the relationship. "During the Manmohan Singh government, you could say we moved from energy relations to a strategic partnership. PM Modi built on the strategic partnership very actively and very robustly. He gave priority to ties with the region. He personally visited the region, several times. He invited the leaders to come to India. You can see over a period of time that each visit raised the profile and content of relations to another level. Today, we have institutionalised the basis for dialogue," he said. "We have dialogue at the prime minister level, at the level of national security advisor, and at the diplomatic level. We have a special platform for economic cooperation, discussion etc. Yes, we can say that we have taken the relations forward very significantly. We are looking at defence cooperation as a very important part of our future relationship," he added. The former envoy pointed out how India is closely cooperating with the region in counterterrorism and the ties in this area have grown significantly. "So, you can say that, in the last seven or eight years, our relationship has gone into areas where it had not gone before. Now, we are looking at frontier areas of high technology, information technology, and cyber technology and even with regard to space." "There is no limit to how far we can go in terms of giving content to our relations. We have retained the traditional ties of supplying foodstuff, and textiles but we are exploring high technology areas as well," he added. The former ambassador also referred to some Gulf countries lodging protest over remarks of suspended BJP spokesperson on Prophet Mohammad and said countries "who wish India ill will try to take advantage of the situation". He said there was a need to prevent any situation that can impact India's soft power image abroad. The government has made it clear that the controversial remarks and tweets do not reflect its views. The government also said it had been conveyed to India's interlocutors that "action has been taken by concerned quarters against those who made the comments and tweets." Answering a question on the attempts being made by Pakistan to use the situation to its advantage, Ahmad said, "Whenever you have made a mistake a diplomatic error. There will be countries, that wish you ill and who will seek to take advantage of this. Pakistan belongs to this category." He said Pakistan would try to diminish India's stature but added it would not succeed given its poor international standing. "Pakistan has such a poor image globally and is associated with extraordinary violence and extremism. And it's a very dysfunctional political order at home. I am not saying that they are going to be successful. I doubt it very much. They don't have any credibility, certainly not in the Islamic world and gulf," he said. (ANI)
The total allocations for federal and provincial Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) in Pakistan's budget 2022-2023, which was presented in the National Assembly on Friday, have gone down significantly from last year's budget. Notably, Pakistan's Finance Minister Miftah Ismail presented the budget for the fiscal year 2022-23 (FY23) in the National Assembly on Friday. Under this budget, federal PSDP makes up Rs 727 billion, which has gone down 19.2 per cent from last year's budgeted amount of Rs 900 billion. Moreover, the Provincial PSDP for FY23 has been allocated at Rs 1,432 billion, a decrease of 16 per cent from last year's budget of Rs 1,235 bn, reported Dawn. The passing of the budget this time in NA was less controversial as there was no opposition present in the House since former Prime Minister Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) members had tendered their resignations. While giving his speech in the NA, Ismail lashed out at Imran Khan's former government blaming it for the debilitating state of the country's economy. "An inexperienced team brought the country to the brink. Different people presented the budget every year presenting different policies which hurt investor sentiment," the finance minister said. Moreover, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif while taking to Twitter wrote, "These are difficult times brought upon us by recent years of economic mismanagement. Through this budget, my government will steer our way out of these challenges by taking tough decisions while minimising [the] impact on vulnerable segments of [the] population," he added. The key budgetary proposals were -- Minimum tax bracket for small business persons to be raised from Rs 0.4 million to Rs 0.6 million, Minimal taxable income limit will be raised from Rs 0.6m to Rs 1.2 m per year on salaried class, 15 pc increase in salaries of government employees and Sales tax exemption on import of solar panels and distribution, as per the media portal. The budget outlay this year is Rs 9,502 billion, almost a trillion rupees higher than last year's outlay. The government has budgeted the total current expenditure at Rs 8,694 bn for FY23, which is 15.5 pc higher than last year's budgeted figure. Defence expenditure is budgeted at Rs 1,523 bn, which makes up 17.5 pc of total current expenditure and is 11.16 per cent higher than last year. Interest payments, or debt servicing, budgeted for FY23 have risen a whopping 29.1 pc from last year to Rs 3,950 bn -- making up the single largest expenditure of the government, which accounts for 45.4 pc of total current expenditure. (ANI)
Minister of External Affairs Secretary West, Sanjay Verma, led the Indian delegation for the FOC. Taking to Twitter, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi wrote, "Secretary West @SanjayVermalFS led the Indian delegation for the 11th Session of India-Turkiye Foreign Office Consultations held in Ankara today. Useful exchange of views on bilateral, multilateral and global issues."

The last round of consultations was held on 8 May 2019 in New Delhi. During the visit, Turkey's Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal had a meeting with Gitesh A Sarma, Secretary (West), in New Delhi on May 8, 2019, under the institutional mechanism of Foreign Office Consultations.

Deputy Foreign Minister Onal and Secretary (West) held cordial discussions on various aspects of bilateral ties including examining opportunities for enhancing trade and investment relations. Currently, the bilateral trade stands at around USD 8.6 billion with a target to reach USD 10 billion by 2020.

Other aspects such as enhanced cultural interaction, tourism, and people-to-people contacts were also discussed. The two sides had also reviewed the situation in their respective regions and also exchanged views on several multilateral issues.

Foreign Office Consultations (FOCs) at the Secretary level between the two countries were institutionalized through a Protocol signed in April 2000.

The 4th meeting of the Joint Working Group on Counter-terrorism was held in Ankara on July 4, 2019. A new bilateral mechanism "India-Turkey Policy Planning Dialogue" was institutionalized between the two Foreign Ministries with the first round held virtually on October 22, 2020.

India and Turkey enjoy close, friendly and deep-rooted ties dating back several centuries and share civilizational links. The recent political exchanges have imparted fresh momentum to our bilateral ties and opened several new avenues for cooperation. (ANI)
A statement by the Directorate of Presidential Communications said President Hassan sent a condolence message to the Iringa regional commissioner, Queen Sendiga, on behalf of the bereaved families.

The president also wished quick recovery 11 people who sustained serious injuries in the accident that involved a mini-bus and a track in Mufindi district in the region, according to the statement.

The Iringa regional police commander, Allan Bukumbi, said 14 of the victims were men, four women and a child.

Bukumbi said the accident occurred at dawn on Friday when the mini-bus heading to Mbeya region from the commercial capital Dar es Salaam knocked a stationary track that was parked close to the road.

He said as rescuers pulled out passengers from the wrecked mini-bus, another oncoming track lost control and knocked the mini-bus on its rear. (ANI/Xinhua)
India is hoping for some positive action on the TRIPS waiver during the 12th World Trade Organisation ministerial meet that begins on June 12. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goel will take part in the conference. In October 2020, India and South Africa submitted a proposal for a waiver from certain provisions of the TRIPS Agreement for the prevention, treatment, and containment of COVID-19, to the WTO TRIPS Council. The proposal seeks a temporary waiver from certain provisions of the TRIPS Agreement to the extent that they pose a barrier to accessing COVID-19 products and technologies. A total of 65 countries have joined as co-sponsors. Subsequently, the EU submitted a related proposal that focuses on compulsory licensing and is limited only to patents. These proposals are being discussed at the TRIPS Council and it has been agreed that discussions on this issue will continue up to MC12. The issue was also pursued under a DG-led informal process with engagement from India, South Africa, the EU and the US (referred to as the Quad discussions). Multiple rounds of discussions at the level of ministers and senior officers took place on this subject, following which DG, WTO has circulated a draft to the TRIPS Council for discussion and agreement amongst the larger membership. Members are currently engaged in negotiations. India is now working with other like-minded members in the WTO to achieve an outcome on this subject to safeguard its best interests. The outcome of WTO's response to the pandemic is one of the priority items for MC12 which includes the TRIPS waiver proposal. Another key issue at the WTO that India wants the developed world to look at rationally is fisheries. India is keen to finalize the fisheries agreement in the upcoming MC-12 because irrational subsidies and overfishing by many countries are hurting Indian fishers and their livelihood. India believes that it should not repeat the mistakes made during the Uruguay Round that allowed a few members unequal and trade-distorting entitlements in agriculture. It unfairly constrained less developed members who did not have the capacity and resources to support their industry and farmers. A government source told ANI, "Fisheries are a common endowment to humanity, a global public common. Therefore, the sharing of such resources should be equitable and just. Any imbalance in the agreement would bind us to current fishing arrangements, which may not meet everyone's future requirements. For sustainability, big subsidizers must take greater responsibility to reduce their subsidies and fishing capacities. India also believes that any agreement must recognize that different countries are at various stages of development and that current fishing arrangements reflect their current economic capacities. Needs will change with time as countries develop. Any agreement will have to provide for balancing current and future requirements to exploit fisheries in marine waters and the high seas. (ANI)
Pakistan's former prime minister Imran Khan has criticised the Pakistani American's visit to Israel in a desperate reaction as he linked the visit to the alleged American conspiracy to throw out his government. Leader of the Pakistan-American interfaith, which visited Israel, Naila Ali however, replied to ousted prime minister Imran Khan's criticism of the Israel visit by saying: "stop using Muslim women peacemakers to yield your lost power", as she asked Imran to stop maligning women, reported Islam Khabar. A delegation of 15 Pakistani Americans visited Israel recently and shook Pakistan where the people are taught from their childhood that Israel is the No.1 enemy of Islam, Islam Khabar reported. In fact, Pakistan, which claims it to be the citadel of Islam, does not have diplomatic relations with Israel and does not allow its citizens to visit Israel or play games with it. That is the reason why there is so much hue and cry over the Israel visit of Pakistani Americans. Many educated adults are unsure of Pakistan's Israeli policy. Even the country's military dictators Gen Ziaul Haq (1977-88) and Gen Pervez Musharraf (1999-2007) had soft corners for Israel but were afraid of those who could launch a campaign against them if they signalled recognition of Israel, Islam Khabar reported. Moreover, the 2020 accord which the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain signed with Israel was named Abraham Accord to emphasise the commonality of the fatherhood of Jews and Muslims. Another interesting aspect of the Israelis' presence in Pakistan was the jamaat-i-Islami, the Chief of which called Gen Zia his nephew, was in the Zia government at that time. The party did not raise its eyebrows at the Israeli presence for fear of being thrown out of the government. But outside the government, it made Israel bash its Islamic duty, Islam Khabar stated. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan has married a Jew wife and received millions of Pounds from his Jew father-in-law to build up his party and fight elections and has also been called a Jewish agent in Pakistan by Jamiat-ul-Ulema-i-Islam, Islam Khabar reported. Moreover, he has not been able to rebut Jamiat's charge but on the contrary, he has taken an anti-Jew stand by criticising Pakistani Americans' visit to Israel and their meeting with its President Isaac Herzog. This is one of Imran's desperate reactions to Pakistani Americans' visit to Israel. Earlier, a Pakistani anchor Ahmed Quraishi's visit to Israel gave rise to a political uproar for Pakistan as the Israeli bone has been a difficult one to digest for the nation. Several Muslim majority countries, including Pakistan, had kept away from Israel on the issue of Palestine. (ANI)
BROCKTON  A 20-year-old man has been charged with murder in connection with Tuesday night's shooting that left one man dead and another with injuries that were not considered life-threatening, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz said Friday.

Donya Johnson pleaded not guilty in Brockton District Court on Friday afternoon to one count each of murder, carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a firearm without an FID card, discharge of a firearm within 500 feet of a dwelling and carrying a loaded firearm without a license, the district attorney's office said.

Nerilson Lopes, 25, was shot and killed and another man was shot and wounded in the incident, Cruz said.

About 8:35 p.m. Tuesday, Brockton police officers and firefighters responded to reports of the double shooting in a parking lot in the area of 987 North Main St.

"(Officers) located a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest," the DA's office said.

"He was transported to Good Samaritan (Medical Center) where he was pronounced dead."

Brockton police and Massachusetts State Police detectives investigate a shooting that left one man dead and another injured shortly before 8:35 p.m. near 983 North Main St., on Tuesday, June 7, 2022.

The second male victim traveled to the same hospital in a personal motor vehicle for "treatment of non-life-threatening injuries," a press release from the DA's office said.

The Brockton Police Department and state police officers assigned to the district attorney's office are working on the ongoing investigation.

Quest for justice: Parents fight for 'accountability' 7 years after BSU daycare sex abuse scandal

Johnson is scheduled to appear June 23 for his next court hearing.

Assistant District Attorneys Shanan Buckingham and Jennifer Sprague are prosecuting the case, which was investigated by Massachusetts State Police and Brockton police.

This is the fifth homicide in Brockton in 2022.

Staff writer Namu Sampath can be reached at nsampath@enterprisenews.com, or you can follow her on Twitter @namusampath. Thank you, subscribers. You make this coverage possible. If you are not a subscriber, please consider supporting quality local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Brockton Enterprise.

This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Brockton murder: Donya Johnson arrested in killing of Nerilson Lopes
Four men implicated in a scheme to sell tear gas from a South Florida supplier to the Bolivian government were sentenced to prison terms of roughly two to three years in Miami federal court on Thursday.

Bolivian police used the tear gas  sold at inflated prices along with kickbacks to government officials  to quell supporters of socialist leader Evo Morales during street protests after he resigned as president following a disputed election in 2019.

At the center of the alleged foreign corruption scheme was Arturo Carlos Murillo Prijic, the former Bolivian minister of the conservative government that briefly replaced Morales administration. He was arrested in 2021 at a home in Doral on conspiracy and money-laundering charges accusing him of accepting more than $500,000 in kickbacks from the South Florida tear-gas supplier, Bravo Tactical Solutions, between November 2019 and April 2020.

Murillo, who has been held at a federal lock-up since his arrest, is the only one of five defendants charged in the foreign corruption and money laundering case who has chosen to face a jury trial later this year.

The other four defendants named as co-conspirators pleaded guilty last year and were sentenced on Thursday. They are cooperating with federal prosecutors in the case against Murillo.

They are: Sergio Rodrigo Mendez Mendizabal, the ministers former chief of staff, convicted of money laundering and sentenced to 42 months; Bryan Berkman, CEO of Bravo Tactical Solutions in Tamarac, convicted of foreign corruption and sentenced to 28 months in prison and 36 months of home confinement; his father, Luis Berkman, of Georgia, convicted of money laundering and sentenced to 38 months in prison and 16 months of home confinement; and Philip Lichtenfeld, a U.S. citizen, who was convicted of foreign corruption and sentenced to 26 months of prison and ordered to pay a $75,000 fine.

Bryan Berkman, Luis Berkman, and Litchtenfeld were accused of paying more than $1 million in kickbacks to Murillo, Mendez and two other Bolivian officials to obtain a $5.6 million tear-gas defense contract with the conservative government of former interim Bolivian President Jeanine Anez.

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They laundered the bribe proceeds and illicit gains through bank accounts in the United States, Bolivia, and Singapore, and arranged the delivery of cash bribes in Miami, Florida, and Cochabamba, Bolivia,  federal prosecutor Eli Rubin wrote in a sentencing memo. And in the process, they enriched themselves handsomely by committing serious, calculated crimes.

Rubin sought the maximum prison sentences for each of the four defendants  10 years for Luis Berkman and Mendez, and five years for Bryan Berkman and Lichtenfeld  but U.S. District Judge Paul Huck was not persuaded.

Luis Berkmans defense attorney, Joseph DeMaria, argued that while the judge saw the kickback scheme as a serious crime, he did not have to sacrifice the defendants with maximum terms to send a message of deterrence.

I thought the judge was very careful and very fair, DeMaria said after the sentencing. The other three defense lawyers in the case are Michael Nadler, Frank Schwartz and David Magilligan.

In Miami federal court, the four defendants signed factual statements as part of their plea agreements, admitting to the following scheme:

Between March and April of last year, Bryan Berkman, Luis Berkman, Lichtenfeld, Murillo and Mendez arranged for the Central Bank of Bolivia to transfer about $5.6 million to Bravo Tactical Solutions. In turn, the South Florida company wired about $3.3 million of those proceeds to a bank account in Brazil to pay the actual manufacturer of the tear gas under Bravos defense contract with the Bolivian government.

The huge difference  about $2.4 million  accounted for Bravos inflated defense contract covering a split of both profits and bribes, according to Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Prosecutors say both Berkmans then arranged for $700,000 to be transferred through a Miami bank account as kickbacks to Murillo and Mendez, and an additional $500,000 as fees to Lichtenfeld for helping obtain Bravos tear-gas contract with the Bolivian government. Lichtenfeld was a longtime friend of Mendez, the ministers former chief of staff.

Murillos defense attorney, Ana Davide, said the federal prosecution of her client is the result of a political power play in Bolivia by the new socialist government that succeeded the conservative administration, which lasted only one year after Morales had stepped down in 2019.
Body positivity is trending, and were here for it. More and more women are speaking out against the harmful body standards perpetuated in the media. And with body-positive celebrities like Lizzo and Amber Riley proudly showing their curves to the world, other women feel confident enough to do the same.

The Risks Of Social Media

As social media usage continues to trend upward, young women are at a greater risk of developing a negative perception of their bodies. Its nearly impossible to scroll through your social media timeline without seeing women with slender, hourglass figures. And while some women are born naturally curvy, many visit plastic surgeons to get the look.

The Dangers Of The Impossible Beauty Standards

The Brazilian butt lift or BBL is a popular plastic surgery trend that many women are risking their lives to get. According to a 2017 study, requests for the procedure have risen by more than 77% since 2015. Many women who undergo the surgery are satisfied with their results. But many women arent as fortunate as doctors warn that BBLs have one of the highest mortality rates of all plastic surgery procedures.

For Curvy Women, Body Positivity Is The Move

Fortunately, more women are choosing to ignore these impossible beauty standards. Instead, theyre embracing who they are from head to toe. And as attitudes change, so does the fashion industry. In 2018, Rihanna launched Savage X Fenty, a line of lingerie that catered to people of all shapes and sizes. Fans praised the inclusive brand, and after much success, other companies began to follow suit.

Today, its easier than ever to find apparel for curvy women. And now that summer is here, its time to break out the swimsuits that show off every inch of our bodies. Here are six bathing suit tops and bottoms for curvy body types, plus where to find some of our favorite styles from inclusive swimwear brands:

Tops

T Shirt

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T-shirt bathing suit tops complement many shapes and sizes, but women with curvier body types may find them especially beneficial.

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Because t-shirt tops provide maximum coverage, theyre great for hiding annoying side boob bulges to give a smoother, more even shape. They can also help conceal excessive arm fat so you can embrace your body without needing to cover up.

Many t-shirt tops include matching bathing suit bottoms in various colors and patterns. But when sold separately, they pair well with high-waisted swim shorts or high-cut bikini bottoms.

Our pick: ELOQUIIs colorful swimsuit top with puffed sleeves.

Wrap Top

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Wrapped tops are a good option for curvy women because they accentuate your curves in all the right places. They come in a wide selection of styles, from classic bikinis to halter tops to ones with criss-cross patterns. Wrapped tops with lots of straps are a trending style that many celebrities like to wear as well.

They also complement women who arent as curvy by emphasizing the bust area and carving out a smaller waist. Try a wrapped top that you can tie in the front or back for a trendy beach look.

Our pick: This tropical two-toned one-piece by Summersalt.

Flounce

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Flounce swimwear tops are a popular choice for curvy ladies because of how versatile they are. They come in various styles, including tankinis, off-shoulder tops, and ruffled, feminine tops.

Because they fit relatively loose, they look good on just about anyone. But when it comes to styling, they pair well with form-fitting bottoms to create the perfect balance.

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Theyre also easy to style when you want to take your look from day to night. Wear them with your favorite high-waisted jeans and heels, and youre ready to go.

Our pick: This frilly floral bikini top by Curvy Swimwear.

Bottoms

Ruched

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Ruching is a sewing technique that gathers fabric together to create a rippled design. Its typically positioned over the stomach to hide belly fat and give the illusion of a leaner mid section. Curvy women can stun in ruched bathing suit bottoms because they draw attention to a flatter stomach that gives way to sexy, thick hips and thighs.

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Try a one-piece halter top swimsuit with ruching that stretches past your hips for a vintage pinup style. For a more modern look, ruched one-pieces with a plunging neckline are the perfect way to show up and show this summer.

Our pick: Riot Swims ruched one-piece that pairs perfectly with their mini black coverup.

High-waisted

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Low rise bottoms are coming back, but that doesnt mean high-waisted bottoms have to make an exit. High-waisted swimsuit bottoms look great on women of all shapes and sizes because they tend to cinch in at the waist to give you an hourglass shape. Theyre typically made from stretchy fabric that sucks in and smooths out unwanted belly fat.

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Curvy women look great in high-waisted swimsuit bottoms because they emphasize a smaller waist and thick thighs so that you can serve bawdy all summer long. Also, because they already cover quite a bit of skin, they pair well with slightly more revealing tops like a scoop neck or one-shoulder top.

Our pick: This mustard yellow halter top and shorts set by Xhale Swim.

Cut-outs

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Bathing suits with cut-outs are the perfect way for curvy girls to show a little skin without baring it all. When it comes to cut-outs, there are multiple styles to choose from.

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For instance, a one-piece bathing suit with two side cut-outs are the standard. However, you can also find some with striped cut-outs on the hips or a triangular cut-out in the front. You can also find bathing suits with mesh overlay cut-outs to give you a subtle and sexy look that provides some protection from the sun.

Our pick: This navy blue polka dotted one-piece with a frontal cut-out by MissesBrie.
The Daily Beast

ALEXANDER ERMOCHENKOForeign volunteers fighting against Russian troops in Ukraine sounded the alarm Wednesday over two American fighters they say had been taken captive amid heavy fighting.Robert Drueke, 39, and Andy Huynh, 27, were serving with the Ukrainian military when they were taken in Kharkiv last week, The Telegraph reported. We were out on a mission and the whole thing went absolutely crazy, with bad intel. We were told the town was clear when it turned out the Russians were already as
CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday police should be allowed to investigate him after a former intelligence official accused him of money laundering over millions of dollars allegedly stolen from the president's farm.

Ramaphosa has not been formally charged with any crime, but a police spokesperson confirmed that authorities had started investigating the allegations made against the president.

Arthur Fraser, a former director-general of the State Security Agency under Ramaphosa's predecessor Jacob Zuma, last week asked police to investigate Ramaphosa's conduct for alleged money laundering and corruption.

Fraser, who was the national commissioner for the department of correctional services until last year, said in his complaint to the police that "the quantum was speculated to be in the region of approximately US$4 million to US$ 8 million". He was referring to the amount of money he said had been stolen from Ramaphosa's farm.

While Ramaphosa has confirmed that a robbery occurred at his farm in 2020 in which he said proceeds from the sale of game were stolen, he denied claims of criminal conduct.

"The robbery that took place on my farm Phala Phala in 2020 is the subject of a criminal complaint, and the law must take its course. In other words, due process must be followed," Ramaphosa told lawmakers in parliament.

"We want the police to investigate whatever crime, whoever it is against, without any fear, without any favour and on an impartial basis," Ramaphosa told a news conference later.

The president, who is expected to seek re-election as leader of the governing African National Congress party at a gathering due to be held in December, has offered to appear before the ANC's integrity commission, which looks into any unethical or immoral conduct that may involve its members.

(Reporting by Wendell Roelf with additional reporting by Bhargav Acharya and Anait Miridzhanian; Writing by Alexander Winning; Editing by James Macharia Chege and Mark Heinrich)
The former chief operating officer of the Armed Forces Retirement Home sexually harassed three employees and retaliated against one employee when she rejected his sexual advances, according to a report from the Department of Defense inspector general.

James M. Branham resigned from his position as the No. 2 official at the Defense Departments Armed Forces Retirement Home Nov. 9, 2021, according to the report, released Wednesday. A new COO was appointed in December.

We find his behavior particularly egregious given his position as the AFRH COO and the authority he held over the subordinate female employees, the investigators wrote.

Officials at the Armed Forces Retirement Home declined to comment on whether any legal action will be pursued against Branham, citing policy. The DoD investigators stated they will forward their report to Washington Headquarters Services for inclusion in Branhams personnel file.

The headquarters is a DoD field activity that provide administrative and management support to multiple DoD components and military departments in the National Capital Region.

I commend the three employees who cooperated in this investigation and reported what was happening to them, said Armed Forces Retirement Home CEO Stephen T. Rippe in an email to Military Times. No one should be harassed in the workplace  ever. This case is especially troubling because it involved the Homes leadership. Our employees and residents should expect the very best from their leaders, who should hold themselves to the highest possible standard.

As this report makes clear, that did not happen in this case and I stand firmly by the reports conclusion. He noted that despite this failure of leadership by an individual, the report did not fault the Homes polices and procedures nor offer any recommendations for improvement.

Branham could not be reached for comment.

Mr. Branhams actions created an intimidating, hostile and offensive work environment that made these female employees uncomfortable or caused them distress, the DoD IG report stated. They also found that he made reprisals against one of the employees, treating her differently from others when it came to quarantining and being allowed to telework during the first months of the pandemic.

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Branham, a retired Army lieutenant colonel, started as COO at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in February 2018, in the midst of financial turmoil at AFRH. The previous COO was fired in September, 2017 by a DoD official who cited his unwillingness to shore up the finances of the agencys two homes.

AFRH is open primarily to certain retired and former enlisted members and their spouses, with campuses in Washington, D.C., and Gulfport, Mississippi. Branham worked at the Washington campus.

Here's how a new plan could help shore up finances of troubled enlisted retirement home

In addition to residents fees, revenue sharing and leasing agreements, donors and the AFRH trust fund, the homes relies on the 50- -a-month paycheck deduction from active-duty enlisted members and the revenue from fines imposed on enlisted members for disciplinary violations.

The DoD hotline received a complaint against Branham Aug. 15, 2020, alleging he had sexually harassed subordinate female employees and took reprisal actions against one of the employees because she rejected his sexual advances. After initiating the investigation on Nov. 10, 2020, the inspector general reviewed more than 200,000 DoD records, including emails and attached documents and photos, and interviewed the person who filed the complaint as well as eight other employees.

The investigators made no recommendations regarding any remedies for the employee who suffered reprisals  identified as Employee 2  because she has left the organization for another full-time position elsewhere.

Branham began dating one of his subordinates in 2019, identified as Employee 1, after he asked her to dinner. Investigators reviewed numerous emails between she and Branham, who used his official government email. They also found five photographs that Branham forwarded from his personal email account to his government email account that appeared to be that employee in various states of dress or undress.

Investigators analysis showed that Branham sent the photographs from his mobile phone to his government email address within minutes or hours of sending highly sexually explicit emails to the employee. They ended their relationship in March 2020, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Employee 1 told investigators that after the physical relationship ended, she felt their personal and professional relationship was awkward and weird because of the previous physical relationship.

Branham declined to be interviewed by investigators, but in his response to their preliminary conclusions, he agreed that he had engaged in an inappropriate relationship with the employee, but disagreed with some of their conclusions, according to the report.

Mr. Branham believed that his relationship with Employee 1 was consensual and did not constitute sexual harassment. We disagree, the investigators wrote. Mr. Branham initiated, pursued and engaged in an intimate relationship with a subordinate employee. The subordinate employee told us that she felt uncomfortable and awkward and did not think she could say no.

The employee described that relationship with Branham as inappropriate and wrong, they stated.

Branham also agreed that his written communications to a second and third employee were unprofessional and regretted that the communications made these employees feel uncomfortable, and that he shouldnt have written the comments, according to the report.

The investigators stood by their initial conclusions. Mr. Branhams overall course of conduct interfered with the individual performance of subordinate female employees within his organization and created an intimidating, hostile and offensive work environment that made these female employees uncomfortable or caused them distress, they wrote.

The woman identified as Employee 2 told investigators she repeatedly rebuffed or ignored Branhams sexual harassment, in incidents between August 2018 and March 2020. That included shrugging his hands off her shoulders multiple times when he attempted to massage her. Although Branham told investigators that her physical gestures rejecting his sexual advances could not constitute a disclosure to him that he had engaged in an abuse of authority, he is incorrect, they stated.

That employee alleged that Branham took four personnel actions against her in reprisal, and investigators agreed with three of her allegations. Those allegations involved him refusing to allow her to isolate and quarantine by teleworking, after exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms or managing COVID-19 exposure in incidents in April, July and August 2020.

The investigators found that in multiple similar situations, other employees were treated differently. Branham himself self-quarantined and teleworked.

The employee was eligible for telework, and her job was not essential to the functioning of the AFRH residential care facilities, investigators found. Branham sexually harassed Employee 2 repeatedly throughout her time, and treated her differently than other telework-eligible employees when it came to teleworking during the pandemic, they wrote.

The investigators interviewed six other employees at Armed Forces Retirement Home; five of whom had frequent contact with Branham.

Four of the six employees said the allegations surprised them. Another employee said the allegations were hard to believe, and the sixth employee called the allegations preposterous. Some of the employees said they heard Branham tell jokes or make humorous comments, but none heard him tell a joke that contained sexual innuendo.
By Chen Lin and Idrees Ali

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged on Friday to boost its regional security presence to counter multiple threats, from China's expansion in the South China Sea to North Korea's nuclear missile programme.

Earlier, on the first day of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chinese Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe had their first face-to-face meeting.

Although both sides reiterated that they want to better manage their relationship, Beijing and Washington remained polarised over several volatile security situations, from Taiwan's sovereignty to China's military activity in the Pacific and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

After the meeting, Chinese and U.S. officials highlighted the cordiality of proceedings in a sign it could help open the door to more communication between the two militaries.

However, there was no evidence of any breakthrough on settling long-running security disputes.

Japan's Kishida, who took office last year, said at the meeting's keynote address that Russia's invasion of Ukraine had shaken the "foundations of the international order", leaving the world at a crossroads.

He said Japan would enter a new era of "realism diplomacy", another step by Tokyo to distance itself from its post-World War Two pacifism and step out of the shadow of the United States, its main ally, to take a bigger role in regional security where it faces China, North Korea and Russia.

"We will be more proactive than ever in tackling the challenges and crises that face Japan, Asia, and the world," Kishida said.

"Taking that perspective, in order to maintain and strengthen the peaceful order in this region, I will advance the 'Kishida Vision for Peace' and boost Japan's diplomatic and security role in the region."

Although the meeting is focused on Asian security issues, Russia's invasion of Ukraine remains central to discussions.

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The conflict, which has killed tens of thousands of people, uprooted millions and reduced cities to rubble, entered its 100th day last week.

At the U.S.-China meeting, Austin "strongly discouraged" China from providing material support to Russia for the war. In response, China's defence spokesman said Beijing did not provide Russia with military assistance.

This year, Washington warned that Beijing appeared poised to help Russia in its war against Ukraine.

But since then, U.S. officials have said while they remain wary about China's longstanding support for Russia in general, the military and economic support that they worried about has not come to pass, at least for now.

China has not condemned Russia's attack and does not call it an invasion, but has urged a negotiated solution.

The bulk of Wei and Austin's meeting was dedicated to discussing the future of Taiwan, one of the most acute sources of diplomatic tension between the world's two biggest economic powers.

The United States is Taiwan's most important international supporter and arms supplier, a source of constant friction between Washington and Beijing.

China, which claims self-ruled 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.

(Reporting by Chen Lin and Idrees Ali in Singapore and Tim Kelly in Tokyo; writing by Joe Brock; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
An assembly of Asian and white parents requested the federal appeals court overturn the exam school admission policy of Boston Public Schools (BPS).

The Boston parents filed a lawsuit on Tuesday against BPS in hopes of having at least five of their children admitted to the elite exam schools after they failed to secure seats due to a temporary admission policy in place last year.

The Parent Coalition for Academic Excellence argued that students who had earned high enough grades were deprived from admission to the Boston Latin School, Boston Latin Academy and the OBryant School of Math and Science due to the lack of admittance allotted to their ZIP codes under the temporary policy.

The temporary admission policy, which was an effort to increase diversity, allowed more Black and Latino students seats while less Asian and white applicants were granted admission.

More from NextShark: Record flooding in Malaysia kills at least 14, displaces more than 70,000

While the BPS has stopped implementing the policy, they have switched to a new admissions policy this year that divides seats geographically by grouping together areas with similar socio-economic profiles.

The parent coalition is hoping to persuade the appeals court with evidence that the School Committee intended to discriminate against Asian and white applicants.

The evidence, which was not present when the court made its first ruling, includes text messages between two School Committee members who made racially insensitive remarks about white parents from West Roxbury on the day the temporary admission policy was approved. In a separate incident, the chairman was caught mocking public speakers with Asian-sounding names.

More from NextShark: Largest Chinese city to date, tens of millions put on strict COVID lockdown after record outbreak

The Boston school officials, who have not commented on the plaintiffs request, have until July 19 to file their response in the appeals court.

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Lisa Green, a member of the Boston Coalition for Education Equity, said that the lawsuit is an attempt to undermine affirmative action nationwide.

Given the recent actions of this Supreme Court, many [in Boston] who initially considered the plaintiffs lawsuit to be a joke now see the very real potential for a national regression on civil rights that it presents, Green said. Maybe another lawsuit will get there first, but it would be a tragedy if such a stain on this country were to be triggered by a handful of people here in Boston. It would drag us right back to the days of Louise Day Hicks.

More from NextShark: Meet Tun Lin Naing, the 13-year-old volunteer collecting COVID-19 corpses in Myanmar

Featured Image via Pexels

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Liz Cheney pictured at the first Jan 6 hearing (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Wyoming Representative Liz Cheneys presentation during Thursdays House January 6 select committee hearing has renewed speculation regarding the extent to which her colleagues in the House Republican Conference played a role in the violent attack on the Capitol and whether any might face criminal charges as a result.

Ms Cheney, the select committees vice-chair, delivered a bombshell during her opening remarks when she revealed that an untold number of House Republicans pressed then-president Donald Trump to grant them pardons in the days following the worst attack on the Capitol since the War of 1812.

She said one House member, Pennsylvania Representative Scott Perry, reached out to the White House seeking a pardon in the weeks between the attack and the expiration of former president Donald Trumps term on 20 January 2021.

Mr Perry, who though a spokesperson called his colleagues accusation a laughable, ludicrous and a thoroughly soulless lie, had played a leading role in a scheme in which Mr Trump would have replaced then-acting attorney general Jeffrey Rosen with a loyalist, Jeff Clark.

Ms Cheney said Mr Trump wanted Mr. Clark to take a number of steps, including sending [a] letter to Georgia and five other states, saying the U.S. Department of Justice had identified significant concerns that may have impacted the outcome of the election.

The contents of the letter, she said, were a lie.

Mr Clark invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during a deposition before the select committee, but Mr Perry has refused to appear and has lashed out at the panel, calling it illegitimate.

But Mr Perry was not the only House Republican who contacted the White House seeking clemency following the attack.

Continuing, Ms Cheney revealed that multiple other Republican congressmen contacted the White House in the waning days of the Trump administration in hopes of obtaining pardons for unspecified actions which they believed left them open to being charged with crimes.

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Ms Cheney did not reveal who else among her colleagues sought pardons following the insurrection, but other figures involved with the events of January 6 have put several names into circulation.

Ali Alexander, the right-wing operative and provocateur who organised one of the Stop the Steal rallies that took place near the Capitol that day, has said publicly that he worked with two Republican representatives, Mo Brooks of Alabama and Paul Gosar of Arizona.

Both have denied any coordination with Mr Alexander, but Mr Brooks was also one of the speakers at the White House rally which preceded the riot, telling attendees it was time to start  kicking ass.

Another GOP House member who might have sought a pardon is Representative Barry Loudermilk of Georgia.

Last month, the select committee requested that Mr Loudermilk gave evidence regarding a tour he allegedly led on 5 January 2021, the day before the attack on the Capitol.

New Jersey Representative Mickie Sherrill and 33 other Democrats alleged in a January 2021 letter that visitors they encountered taking tours the day before the riot appeared to be associated with the White House rally at which Mr Trump urged his supporters to fight like hell just before a group of them began assaulting Capitol Police, and noted that the rioters seemed to have an unusually detailed knowledge of the layout of the Capitol Complex.

Although the Capitol and the House and Senate office buildings connected to it are notoriously difficult to navigate, the mob of Mr Trumps supporters appeared to move about the labrynthine complex with ease after entering through broken windows and forced doors.

Members of the violent extremist group known as the Oath Keepers appeared to be familiar with the byzantine network of tunnels which runs beneath the Capitol and its adjacent office buildings.

In court documents, prosecutors have alleged that one member of the group sent an encrypted message during the attack which told co-conspirators that lawmakers were in the tunnels under the capital [sic] and urged the recipient to seal them in and turn on gas.

Another message sent as House members were being relocated to a secure location informed the accused insurrectionist that all legislators were down in the tunnels, [three] floors down.

Rioters were also able to find their way to the private offices of some high-ranking lawmakers  colloquially known as hideaways  even though the doors of such offices are unmarked and their locations closely-guarded.

In May 2021, Mr Loudermilk led a group of Republicans on the House administration committee who filed an ethics complaint against Ms Sherril and strenuously denied allegations that any member had led reconnaissance tours of the complex.

But the select committees letter to Mr Loudermilk noted that the panel had reviewed evidence which directly contradict[ed] his denial of having led any tours. He later claimed that the tour he led was merely a group of constituents.

Representatives for Mr Brooks, Mr Gosar and Mr Loudermilk did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Independent.

Under Article II of the US Constitution, presidents have power to grant Reprieves and Pardons for Offenses against the United States, except in Cases of impeachment, meaning any crime that could be prosecuted in federal courts.

This power, which has roots in the British sovereigns ability to pardon offenders, has also been used by past presidents to preempt prosecutions before any charges have been brought.

Two famous instances of preemptive pardons were issued by President Gerald Ford, who pardoned Richard Nixon for all offenses against the United States which he ... [had] committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 20, 1969 through August 9, 1974 even though Nixon had not been indicted, and by President Jimmy Carter, who in 1977 granted a blanket pardon to any American who had illegally evaded the military draft during the Vietnam War.

Accepting a presidential pardon after conviction absolves a person of any penalties that may have been imposed, such as prison sentences or denial of his or her right to vote or own firearms.

Accepting a preemptive pardon means that a person cannot be prosecuted in federal court for a given offense.

But under US law, accepting a pardon  even a preemptive one  means a recipient is also admitting having committed the crime for which they are receiving it.

Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell pointed out this fact on Twitter shortly after Ms Cheney made the bombshell accusation, writing: If you did nothing illegal, why would you need a pardon?

His onetime colleague, former Illinois GOP Representative Joe Walsh, also weighed in, writing: Multiple House Republicans sought pardons from Trump. Cant stop thinking about this.

And Missouri Representative Cori Bush, one of the lawmakers who attended Thursdays hearing, told The Independent whoever, even representatives need to be held accountable if they were a part of the violence that day.

They should be investigated, if they were part of this, they should be expelled because that is section three of the 14th Amendment, she said. referring to the section of the US Constitution which prohibits anyone who engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States from holding any federal office.

They should not be in office. And then, depending on what they did, if it has to go further, then they should be prosecuted, she added.

Steve Vladek, a University of Texas law professor who is an expert on federal courts, made a similar observation a short time later.

The headline is *that* multiple GOP congressmen sought pardons from President Trump. But the story is *why* they felt the need to do so.#Jan6thHearings  Steve Vladeck (@steve_vladeck) June 10, 2022

The headline is that multiple GOP congressmen sought pardons from President Trump. But the story is why they felt the need to do so, he wrote.

Eric Garcia contributed reporting
KATERYNA TYSHCHENKO  FRIDAY, 10 JUNE 2022, 17:01

Oleh Pylypenko, the head of the Shevchenkivska ATH (Amalgamated Territorial Community (hromada) in the Mykolaiv region, has been released from Russian captivity.

Source: Chairman of the Mykolaiv Oblast Military Administration Vitalii Kim, the People's Deputy from Servants of the People Party Ihor Kopytin, "Novisti N" news publication

Vitalii Kim: "Today was the 11th [prisoner] exchange thanks to the Coordination Headquarters for Prisoners."

"Our ATH chairman Pylypenko, who had been abducted, was in captivity for over two months. We negotiated for a very long time."

Details: In turn, the People's Deputy from the Servant of the People Party Ihor Kopytin published a video with Pylypenko, who was released from captivity.

As the Mykolaiv news publication "Novosti N" writes, his wife Tatyana previously reported Pylypenko's disappearance. According to her, on 10 March, he went to deliver bread and did not return.

Kim later said that the exchange was conducted according to the "4 on 5" formula (four Russians, five Ukrainians).

He also published a video of the release of Ukrainians from captivity.
CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  Australias prime minister said Friday after a meeting with his New Zealand counterpart that the two nations are in lockstep in their policies toward the Pacific islands, where China's influence is growing.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern became the first foreign leader to visit Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Australia since he was elected on May 21. Both lead center-left administrations and Ardern described the Albanese Labor Partys election after almost a decade in opposition as a reset in the bilateral relationship.

Australia, New Zealand and the United States have voiced concerns that a new Beijing security pact with the Solomon Islands could result in a Chinese military base being established there. The Solomons and China have both denied that that will happen.

Asked if Australia wants New Zealand to do more to counter Chinas rise in the Pacific, Albanese told reporters in Sydney: Were in lockstep on the Pacific.

I look forward to working with Prime Minister Ardern, working with our democratic neighbors, Albanese said.

Albanese and his Foreign Minister Penny Wong flew to Tokyo within hours of being sworn into office for a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the regional security threat posed by China.

Wong then flew from Japan to the Pacific islands for meetings with government leaders while Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi also embarked on a Pacific tour.

Wang failed in a bold Chinese plan to get 10 Pacific nations to endorse a sweeping new agreement that would have covered everything from security to fisheries. But he succeeded in clinching several bilateral agreements.

Ardern said many countries had chosen to continue economic relationships with China rather than sign security agreements.

Lets hear from the Pacific on these issues, Ardern said.

Albanese said Australia, the biggest foreign aid donor in the region, was being taken seriously by its neighbors since his administration promised greater action on greenhouse gas emissions. Many of the low-lying Pacific islands consider climate change their most pressing and existential threat.

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The previous government had committed to reducing Australias emissions by 26% to 28% below 2005 levels by 2030. Albaneses government has promised a 43% reduction.

New Zealand was heartened by Australias greater ambition, Ardern said. New Zealands target by the end of the decade is 30%.

The Pacific region has listed climate change as its number one threat, Ardern said. I know with regards to New Zealand we have a lot more to do, but we welcome being joined on that journey by Australia."
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.
US-LATAM-POLITICS-DIPLOMACY-SUMMIT

U.S. President Joe Biden addresses a plenary session of the 9th Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, California, June 9, 2022. Credit - Photo by Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

Leaders across the Western Hemisphere signed on Friday the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration, a robust new international agreement designed to buttress economies in Central and South America in order to prevent waves of new immigrants at the U.S.-Mexico border.

The Biden Administration, which has made addressing the root causes of migration central to its agenda, celebrated the new declaration. Today the leaders on this stage to join together to make what is almost an overused phraseto make a historic commitment, Biden said. Twenty countries signed the declaration.

But migration experts were more sanguine. The declaration is non-binding and will likely only be effective if it is the first of further initiatives, Andrew Selee, president of the Migration Policy Institute (MPI), a nonpartisan research institution, said in a statement to TIME. It is, of course, hard to know how the Los Angeles agreement will be implemented in practice, he adds. Like many other international declarations, it creates a set of shared proposals that governments agree they would like to pursue but leaves the actual details to later negotiationsThe Los Angeles Declaration will be successful if it is the first, not the final, word on migration cooperation in the Americas.

Read more: The Summit of the Americas Was Meant To Counter Chinas Influence. Instead, It Showed How Weak the U.S. Is

Top leaders from Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Mexico, Cuba, and Venezuelanations that collectively account for most emigration to the U.S.-Mexico borderdid not even attend the 9th Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles this week, and most were not expected to sign the declaration at all. Without those leaders buy-in, the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration mostly only impacts countries that have already received migrants. According to the White House, the U.S., Mexico, and Canada have so far assumed most of the responsibility to increase legal pathways for migration.

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Vice President Kamala Harris, who is spearheading the Biden Administrations effort to address root causes of migration, said in a June 8 speech at the Summit on Thursday that private sector investment is necessary to achieve longterm goals in Central America. When I think about all the challenges we face in the Western Hemisphere, I know they will require new and innovative coalitions between the public and private sectors, she said. We continue to see corruption, migration flows, and democratic backsliding, and violence. These issues effect all of us, and the solutions then must involve all of us.

Ariel Ruiz Soto, a policy analyst at MPI, who spoke to TIME from the Summit in Los Angeles, said the Administrations project, which has been underway for more than a year, can claim some success. Forty companies and organizations have generated more than $3.2 billion in investments to the Northern Triangle region of Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. The businesses and organizations who are committing investments plan to launch endeavors that could create employment opportunities in Central America, increase internet capabilities throughout the region, and increase financial infrastructure so that more people have access to bank accounts, among other initiatives.

But even billions in private investment wont have much of an effect, Ruiz Soto warns, if the governments of the countries with high rates of emigration lack the political will or ability to work with other nations to address the root causes of migration. Investment is great, he says. But its not enough alone.

Friction points before the summit even began

On June 6, the Biden Administration confirmed that the U.S., which hosted the Summit this year, did not invite the leaders of Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua because of their anti-democratic leanings. In protest, the presidents of Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras announced that they would not attend. Other lower-ranking officials from the governments attended in their place. To many of us, the absence of the highest levels of government from these countries represents a lack of political continuity and will, Ruiz Soto says.

The decision by Honduran President Xiomara Castro to boycott the summit was particularly sharp, as she has been in frequent contact Vice President Harris to achieve the goals of the the root causes initiative. Castro and Harris spoke as recently as May 27, but Castro stressed the next day on Twitter that she would only attend the Summit if all the countries of the Americas are invited without exception. On June 6, she shared that the Honduran foreign minister would attend the Summit in her place, and added My government maintains good relations with the U.S.

Read more: Why Kamala Harris Trip to Honduras Is Really About the U.S.-Mexico Border

The leaders of Guatemala and El Salvador present bigger challenges to the U.S. and other Latin American nations. Guatemalan president Alejandro Giammattei is tied up in controversy for reappointing Maria Consuelo Porras as the attorney general, who essentially banished the countrys anti-corruption investigators. Her appointment has raised red flags for international organizations like Human Rights Watch. And in El Salvador, president Nayib Bukele has increased international concerns that the country is slipping into authoritarianism. In the past few months, Bukele has cracked down on free press. Bukele has also launched a crackdown on gangs that has lead to more than 30,000 arrests, raising concerns at the United Nations thatwhile acknowledging the prevalence of gang violence in El Salvador and that it has contributed to the flight of Salvadorans leaving the countryEl Salvadoran police may be violating international law and making arbitrary arrests, including 5,747 who were arrested without a warrant.

These issues were clearly friction points for the U.S. prior to the start of the Summit of the Americas, Ruiz Soto says.

Historic and unprecedented rates of irregular migration

Encounters at the U.S.-Mexico border have reached nearly 1.3 million so far this fiscal year. In Fiscal Year 2021, encounters surpassed 1.7 million, historically high rates. So far this year, most people encountered at the U.S.-Mexico border have been from Mexico, Cuba, and Guatemala. Countries like Colombia, Panama, and Costa Rica have also seen high numbers of migration to its borders by people fleeing Central America and Venezuela.

The Western Hemisphere, as a region, is undergoing historic and unprecedented rates of irregular migration. Nearly every country has been impacted, a senior Biden Administration official said on Thursday evening. Theres certain countries that, I think, feel the pain and recognize the value in coming together, working on responsibility sharing, andexploring new tools that we can employ to better bring the situation under control.

Read more: Joe Bidens Immigration Bill Aims to Address the Root Causes of Migration. Will it Work?

The Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection includes efforts to achieve economic stability in migrant communities that have already arrived in countries like Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Belize; expand legal migration pathways in Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., including resettlement and family reunification programs for Haitians and Cubans; implementing humane border management policies; and coordinated emergency response.

The bottom line is this: the Western Hemisphere is home for all of us, President Joe Biden said during Thursday remarks at the Summit of the Americas. Over the past decade our region has changed, the challenges we face have changed, and so our policies and solutions have to change as well.

The Biden Administrations focus on addressing root causes of migration follows in the footsteps of the Obama Administration, which invested more than $1.6 billion in Central America in an effort to stem migration. The project was met with little success. The Biden Administrations efforts, which also include anti-corruption efforts, are more expansive than Obamas, Ruiz Soto says, but need to take place while governments of those regions also take steps to mitigate migration.

While the nations convened in Los Angeles this week, a caravan of several thousands of migrants, including from Venezuela and Central America, formed in southern Mexico and began the journey north, hoping to make it to the U.S.
In announcing a two-year moratorium on additional tariffs on imported solar energy components, the Biden administration managed to highlight the incoherence of both its China policy and its energy policy.

China has been heavily subsidizing its solar component industry, principally panels. Compensatory U.S. tariffs date back to the Obama administration.

Domestic solar component manufacturers allege that Chinese firms are evading the tariffs by shipping finished components from Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia, even though very little of the work is being done in those countries. The domestic manufacturers have asked that the tariff regime be extended to imports from those countries.

Utilities engaged in constructing utility-scale solar energy plants and rooftop solar installers oppose tariff expansion, since it increases their costs.

Stop relying on China, except for solar panels?

In late May, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken gave a speech purportedly providing the overall framework of the administrations approach to China.

In it, Blinken said that the administration would shape the strategic environment around Beijing to advance our vision for an open, inclusive international system.

The means that Blinken outlined to accomplish that fell far short of anything likely to change Chinas behavior or blunt its regional and international influence.

The U.S., Blinken said, would pursue its own industrial policy, particularly in the high tech field. We will enhance our cooperation with allies. And we will compete with China while working with it on things such as climate change.

We dont want conflict or a new Cold War, Blinken averred. Nor do we seek economic disengagement.

There is nothing in all of that which would cause China to have second thoughts about what it is doing or have doubts about its prospects of altering international relations to its liking. Only serious economic disengagement might do that.

We say they're cheating, then let them do it

Electricians install solar panels on the roof of a home in Goodyear.

In his speech, Blinken explicitly cited solar panels as an example of China unfairly subsidizing exporters and of an unacceptable U.S. vulnerability to dependence on China imports.

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Yet the Biden administration has just given a two-year green light to China evading the tariffs erected in an attempt to wean the U.S. off that dependency  a diplomatic wink and nod to China cheating. So much for upholding a rules-based international trading system.

The reason, presumably, was to give the domestic production of solar energy a boost.

The Biden administration is all in for a rapid transition to renewable energy sources. Thats reflected in the hostile regulatory environment it has established for fossil fuels, from canceling the Keystone pipeline, to slow-walking leases on federal lands, to appointing regulators who discourage investment in fossil fuel companies.

But it has run into practical and political issues. The current renewable energy load, because of its intermittency, creates reliability problems and threatens broad-scale rolling brownouts. High energy costs have created a political backlash.

Why are we so hostile to natural gas?

The Biden administration has encouraged other countries to increase their fossil fuel production. But has retained the hostile regulatory environment for domestic production.

Its clear that continuing the transition to renewables requires an increased reliance on natural gas to provide reliable peak power. The U.S. should be expanding domestic production and use of natural gas.

Expanding U.S. natural gas exports would have geopolitical benefits, easing the dependence of other countries on troubling suppliers, such as Russia. But you cant export what you dont produce.

A similar myopia was recently displayed by the Arizona Corporation Commission, which has twice turned down a proposal by Salt River Project to expand peak power natural gas capacity in a location where it already has extensive production assets. Thats exactly the sort of additional capacity needed to maintain reliability while transitioning to renewable energy sources.

With respect to China, we need a firm disengagement policy. With respect to energy, we need a recognition of the importance of domestic natural gas to provide reliability while making the transition to renewable sources.

With the Biden administration, on both subjects, theres not a firm policy in any direction.

Reach Robb at robert.robb@arizonarepublic.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Biden gave China the green light to cheat us on solar
President Joe Biden speaks at a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the Summit of the Americas, Thursday, June 9, 2022, in Los Angeles (AP)

President Joe Biden has weighed in on tonights January 6 public hearing giving a starkly different statement to his predecessor, Donald Trump.

During a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the ninth annual Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, Mr Biden said the Capitol riot on 6 January 2021 was a flagrant violation of the Constitution.

As the meeting opened, the president said: One of the things that will be occupying my country tonight, I suspect, is the first open hearings on January 6 and as I said when it was occurring and subsequent, I think it was a clear, flagrant violation of the Constitution.

I think these guys and women broke the law and tried to turn around the result of the election, he added. Theres a lot of questions about who is responsible and who is involved. Im not going to make a judgment on that."

Further, he noted a lot of Americans would be seeing some of the detail of the events of the day for the first time.

Earlier, former President Trump called the violent attack on Congress by his supporters not simply a protest but actually the greatest movement in US history.

Mr Trump made the incendiary statement praising the rioters who sacked the Capitol in hopes of keeping him in the White House for a second term on Thursday.

President Biden on tonights January 6th hearing:



It was a clear, flagrant violation of the Constitution. I think these guys and women broke the law  A lot of Americans are gonna be seeing, for the first time, some of the detail. pic.twitter.com/jf13VqsIPJ  The Recount (@therecount) June 9, 2022

It appeared on his own Truth Social platform, which he started posting on earlier this year because he is banned from Twitter and most mainstream social media sites.

The twice-impeached ex-president also complained that the House select committee didnt spend one minute studying the reason that people went to Washington, DC, in massive numbers.

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President Joe Biden, right, meets with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the Summit of the Americas, 9 June 2022, in Los Angeles (AP)

However, a group of committee investigators has been looking into the relationship between the lies Mr Trump began telling about the conduct of the 2020 election and the riot that happened on 6 January 2021.

The House select committee investigating the Capitol insurrection on 6 January 2021 will hold six public hearings, according to a draft schedule.

Multiple broadcasters will carry the proceedings live and hearings will also be shown on the committees website.

The hearings begin at 8pm this evening.
Jun. 10ALEXANDRIA BAY  A Binghamton man pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and faces up to life in prison.

As part of his guilty plea, Adam Baldwin, 41, admitted that he received shipments of methamphetamine to sell and that he had the shipments delivered to a store in Alexandria Bay in September.

In October, law enforcement intercepted two packages addressed to Mr. Baldwin that contained 1,070 grams of pure methamphetamine, the Department of Justice said.

According to the criminal complaint, a detective with the Santa Anna Police Department in California was informed on Oct. 7 that a package due to be shipped from a UPS Store in that city contained 2 pounds of methamphetamine. The package was addressed to Adam Baldwin and the address was the UPS Store on Route 12 in Alexandria Bay.

A few days later, a federal agent and a detective with the Metro-Jefferson Drug Task Force was notified that a second package was addressed to Mr. Baldwin and had been delivered to the Alexandria Bay UPS store.

The task force detective partially opened the package and allegedly found a stuffed animal, and a K-9 narcotics detector conducted a free air sniff and alerted. This led to a search warrant for the package.

Inside of the stuffed animal, police say they found a vacuumed-sealed plastic package, and the content tested positive for methamphetamine. The drugs were then removed from the package and a noncontraband object that was around the same weight was put into the package and was resealed.

Mr. Baldwin then showed up a few days later to retrieve the packages, one that was delivered on Oct. 9 and the other that had been seized Oct. 7 in California.

An officer noticed Mr. Baldwin put the delivered package in the bed of his truck. When he left Alexandria Bay on Interstate 81 southbound, he was followed by law enforcement. Mr. Baldwin was observed pulling over to fix a tarp on the trailer he was towing. A marked Jefferson County sheriff's deputy vehicle pulled over to ask him what he was doing, and Mr. Baldwin was then taken into custody. He also allegedly told police that someone had offered to pay him to deliver the package to someone else. Mr. Baldwin admitted to police then that he received and delivered two other packages believed to have contained 1 pound of methamphetamine.

Mr. Baldwin is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 12, and faces a minimum of 10 years in prison with a maximum sentence of life in prison. He also faces at least five years of post-release supervision and up to a lifetime of supervised release as well as a maximum fine of $10 million.
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken speaks with Los Angeles Times reporter Tracey Wilkinson during an interview at the Summit of the Americas on Thursday. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

Despite the absence of presidents from some of the region's key countries, the U.S.-hosted Summit of the Americas, taking place in Los Angeles this week, can serve as a venue of delicate dialogue and incremental problem-solving, America's top diplomat said Thursday.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken defended the Biden administration's decision to exclude Cuba, along with Nicaragua and Venezuela, while inviting other governments with similarly questionable democratic credentials such as Brazil.

The snub prompted Mexico and most of Central America to send lower-level delegations to a conference seen as a milestone for the region, a major embarrassment for a country hosting the event for the first time since its 1994 inaugural session in Miami.

"The notion that some countries are not here, I would dispute," Blinken said, noting that dissidents, artists and members of civil society from Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela are attending  though they have next to no power in their countries. "I would argue they are more representative of their respective countries than the regimes that happen to be in place right now."

Blinken noted that the U.S. had negotiations with Cuba earlier this year on immigration issues, and that the Biden administration had eased some of the restrictions imposed by former President Trump on travel, visas and remittances involving Cubans and U.S. citizens. But Cuban officials say most of those measures have been purely cosmetic, with little practical effect in relieving the suffering of that country's citizens.

At the Summit of the Americas in downtown Los Angeles, drag queens dressed as Marilyn Monroe call for action on climate change. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

The slow pace at which the Biden administration has sought better relations with Cuba has surprised and disappointed many advocates for detente, a softening that started with then-President Obama when Biden was vice president and Washington finally attempted to put an end to half a century of Cold War hostilities.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez told The Times in a separate interview Thursday that the summit was a "disaster" because valuable information that countries like his could have supplied, particularly with regard to climate change and fighting COVID-19, was missing from the conversation.

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Blinken also used the summit to stress concern about freedom of the press in a region where journalists are often killed, threatened or sued into silence, and acknowledged that it's often the leaders of those countries who bear responsibility. Several presidents, prime ministers, governors and mayors allow a climate of impunity that gives rise to crimes against reporters. Seventeen journalists have been killed in the Americas just this year due to their work, according to Unesco.

The U.S. goal, Blinken said, is to boost watchdog organizations that advocate for journalist safety, and to pressure government leaders on the issue.

"We are first and foremost trying to put a spotlight on this, [and] second, engaging directly with governments about the need to take actions to protect journalists," Blinken said.

He announced that at the summit's conclusion, the U.S. will designate a new $75-million contribution to 300 civil society and human rights groups in Latin America, including some that work on journalist safety.

"We see governments around the world using so-called legal tools to actually put free press out of business, especially independent media, for example, with lawsuits designed to make them go bankrupt," Blinken said. "We put in place funds that journalists can draw on and media enterprises can draw on in order to be able to defend themselves against these kinds of prosecutions."

Salvadorian activist Obbi Fenix calls for immigration reform while officials gather for the 2022 Summit of the Americas. (Raul Roa / Los Angeles Times)

He cited Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who regularly speaks out against journalists who criticize him, as someone who has promised to take "preventive actions" to stop the violence that dogs reporters in that country.

When asked whether the Biden administration's plans to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman later this month would undermine rhetoric about press freedom, Blinken said there were overriding interests that took precedence.

The heir apparent has been implicated in the murder four years ago of Saudi journalist and U.S. resident Jamal Khashoggi in a Saudi consulate in Turkey. The Biden administration vowed to ostracize the crown prince, but now has found Saudi Arabia more important in efforts to address world energy supplies and challenge an increasingly belligerent Iran.

Amid the fractures in the Americas and assaults on democracy throughout the region  including in the United States  and worldwide, a summit that on the surface seems to accomplish little at least brings some people together to highlight pressing issues.

"The animating principle is that in order to answer these problems, virtually all of them require some level of cooperation across borders," Blinken said. "None of our countries can do this alone. And we're finding that with all of these  virtually all of these  governments, even when there are political differences between us, there's a drive as well, to find ways to cooperate, because it's in everyone's interest to do so."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A 15-year-old Jacksonville boy is being linked to a social media threat of "shooting up a day care in the San Marco area" that caused alarm across the country.

Before the teen was tracked to his home, communities with similar names as San Marco were placed on high alert, according to the Sheriff's Office report.

The teen, not being named by The Florida Times-Union due to his age, was arrested Wednesday on a charge of written threat to conduct an act of terrorism, according to the report.

Reached Friday by telephone, his mother said "he's a kid" and she doesn't understand how this happened since he has only been online one month.

"He didn't do that; he can't do that," she said emotionally. "... He never sent a message like that!"

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Texas and California alerted

San Marcos Police Department in Texas began investigating the threat after it received two anonymous tips at about 3 a.m. Wednesday on its county Crime Stoppers line, Police Chief Stan Standridge said.

"An unknown person was going to shoot up a day care tomorrow," Standridge said during a Wednesday news conference in Texas. "This threat was made on a chat feature of a gaming platform. Because the threat did not specify a specific day care, our day shift sergeant contacted police administration and what has followed has been an extensive investigation."

Police there responded by stationing officers at all known day care facilities registered with the state of Texas to ensure safety, the department noted on its Facebook page.

Because of the vagueness of the location, other agencies such as in Jacksonville also were alerted.

"Police in San Marcos, California, have also taken steps to protect their community," the Texas agency said.

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Jacksonville internet address leads to arrest

A San Marcos, Texas, digital forensics detective tracked the threat to an internet address in Jacksonville, and contacted the Sheriff's Office and FBI, Standbridge said.

Officers were sent to the Jacksonville home, and the teenage boy answered the door. There were no adults at the home, and the teen was with an 11-year-old sibling when officers arrived, the arrest report said.

The boy's mother was contacted and came home, saying she was unaware her son was able to communicate through his Xbox onto social media, the report said.

"She was more than willing to sign a consent to search form and requested we take the Xbox and laptop," the report said.

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Officers searched the apartment and found no weapons, while the teen was interviewed by investigators at the Sheriff's Office downtown, the report said.

The arrest report does not indicate if the teen was incarcerated at the juvenile detention center, and due to his age, no other information on the case is available.

dscanlan@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4549

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Threat to shoot up San Marco day care leads to Jacksonville boy's arrest
Sean Preston Federline, Jayden James Federline, Britney Spears, and Sam Asghari at a basketball game in 2017. Allen Berezovsky / Getty Images

Britney Spears' children did not attend her wedding to Sam Asghari, according to People.

Spears has two sons from her previous marriage to Kevin Federline.

Federline's lawyer told People that their sons did not want to take the spotlight from their mother.

Britney Spears' children did not attend her star-studded wedding to her long-term boyfriend, Sam Asghari, on Thursday but were "happy" for their mom.

Multiple celebrity guests attended the ceremony at Spears' home in Thousand Oaks, California, including Madonna, Paris Hilton, and Drew Barrymore, according to People and the BBC. Spears' ex Jason Alexander (who was famously married to the pop star for 55 hours in 2004) was arrested after he livestreamed himself "crashing" the venue.

While Spears' two sons, Sean Preston, 16, and Jayden James, 15, were not in attendance, an attorney for their father, Spears' former husband Kevin Federline, told People the boys were "hopeful" for their mother's future.

"They're happy for their mom and they are hopeful that Sam and Britney are starting a great future together," Federline's lawyer Mark Vincent Kaplan said. "It's their night and they didn't want to take away from them."

Spears' parents, Jamie and Lynne Spears, along with her younger sister, Jamie Lynn, were also not included in the celebration, People reported.

Spears and Asghari have been together for nearly six years after meeting on the set of Spears' "Slumber Party" music-video set in 2016.

In June 2021, she testified that under the terms of her conservatorship, she was not able to "get married or have a baby." But in September, Spears and Asghari got engaged, and her conservatorship was terminated a couple months later after a Los Angeles judge ruled in favor of her plea.

In April, Spears and Asghari announced they were expecting their first child together. A month later, Spears said on Instagram that she miscarried.

A week after the incident, Asghari thanked fans for their support on an Instagram story post and said they were "moving forward with our future."

"Thank you for respecting our privacy," Asghari added. "We will be expanding our family soon."

Read the original article on Insider
Reuters

(Reuters) -The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) exceeded its authority when it cut billions of dollars in annual Medicare reimbursements to a group of nonprofit hospitals that cater to poor and uninsured people, the Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday. The justices, in a 9-0 decision authored by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, sided with the hospitals, which sued after HHS starting in 2018 reduced by $1.6 billion the government's yearly Medicare payments for outpatient drugs that had helped subsidize the operations of these hospitals. The American Hospital Association said after the ruling that it intends to seek reimbursement for hospitals that receive discounts on medications through a federal program called "340B" and were "affected by these unlawful cuts."
Ellis Genge, pictured, has praised Leicester head coach Steve Borthwick (Isaac Parkin/PA) (PA Archive)

Leicester Tigers captain Ellis Genge has lavished praise on absolutely incredible Tigers head coach Steve Borthwick ahead of Saturdays Gallagher Premiership play-off clash against Northampton.

Although Leicesters eight Premiership titles have them at the top of that particular tree, they last contested a league play-off tie five years ago.

Borthwick took over in the summer of 2020, and he has transformed Tigers from finishing 11th in the Premiership just before he arrived to regular-season table-toppers this term.

They also won all 12 home league games, and held top spot throughout the entire Premiership campaign, which no other club had previously achieved.

There are lots of different determining factors, England prop Genge said. There are a few unsung heroes, and Steve is absolutely incredible.

He is a well-decorated coach who probably doesnt get the plaudits he deserves, but I am so happy that he is finally getting some recognition for being such a good operator. He works tirelessly, so he deserves it.

For Genge, the play-off will be his final Leicester appearance at Mattioli Woods Welford Road before he joins Bristol this summer.

Few players have had a bigger impact on Tigers season than the 27-year-old, producing blistering form throughout a nine-month domestic competition.

And there is still business to take care of, with Leicester not having landed a Premiership title since they beat Northampton 37-17 at Twickenham nine years ago.

Saracens and Harlequins contest Saturdays other semi-final as the Premiership hurtles towards what should be a thrilling climax.

Ive been here almost seven years, and I think I am going to finish on 98 starts, Genge added. You dont get a tie until 100 starts, so thats a bit gutting!

We went through that sort of low period from 2017 to 2019, when we werent performing.

I just want to completely empty the tank for the supporters

Leicester captain Ellis Genge

But I feel we have come out on the other side and the stadium is bouncing again and you can really feel that player-fan bond. Its a special place.

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In terms of myself, I just want to completely empty the tank for the supporters who have been there throughout.

They (Northampton) play an expansive game of rugby, but when teams play us they tend to try and adapt and play a bit more of a kicking game. It will be interesting to see what they bring.

Hooker Julian Montoya makes his first Leicester appearance for more than a month, packing down alongside Genge and Dan Cole.

And centre Dan Kelly returns after being sidelined since mid-April, partnering Matias Moroni in midfield.

Northampton, winners just twice from nine Premiership play-off appearances, show four changes to their starting line-up.

Courtnall Skosan comes in on the wing, and Tommy Freeman switches to full-back instead of an unavailable George Furbank, while props Emmanuel Iyogun and Ehren Painter also feature, together with number eight Juarno Augustus.
Chargers owner Dean Spanos attends the NFL team owners meetings in New York in October. His sister has petitioned in an existing probate case to remove him as co-trustee of the team. (Adam Hunger / Associated Press)

Chargers owner Dean Spanos has been accused of misogynistic behavior and repeated breaches of fiduciary duty by his sister in a court filing that this week further advanced the ongoing legal battle involving the siblings.

The petition was filed in San Joaquin County Superior Court by attorneys representing Dea Spanos Berberian, who seeks control of a family trust that makes up 36% of the Chargers ownership.

The filing also calls for the removal of her brother as a co-trustee and seeks unspecified damages.

Spanos and Berberian were left as co-trustees of the trust following the deaths of their parents, Alex and Faye, in 2018.

In the petition, Berberian accuses her brothers Dean and Michael of repeatedly acting out of their deeply-held misogynistic attitudes and sense of entitlement as the men in the family  to rationalize their pitiable behavior which she believes is intended to teach her that a woman has no rights, no matter what any trust instrument might say.

It also states that Dean and Michael believe to their cores that, regardless of what their parents intended and their wills specified, men are in charge and women should shut up.

In a statement issued Friday by the families of Alexis Spanos Ruhl, Michael Spanos and Dean Spanos, they said: It is unfortunate that our sister Dea, who clearly has no interest in continuing to participate in the familys businesses, has resorted to leveling false and provocative charges in an attempt to impose her will on the rest of the family. The three of us and our children, representing more than 75% of the family and its ownership of its businesses, stand united in support of our parents and grandparents wishes, including as to the continued ownership and operation of the Chargers.

Dean Spanos took over as managing owner of the Chargers in 1994, 10 years after his father bought the franchise.

Regarding the breaches of fiduciary duty, Berberians petition contends that Spanos repeatedly manipulated the trusts financials for his personal gain.

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The claims include a charge that Spanos borrowed in excess of $60 million  for the wasteful purchase of an airplane for Deans and Michaels use that has no legitimate business justification.

The legal conflict involving the Spanos siblings came to light in April 2021, when Berberian petitioned the Los Angeles County Superior Court to put the trust up for sale because of growing financial concerns.

In January, Dean Spanos was sued by two of his nephews  Berberians sons, Dimitri and Lex Economou  who allege that he secretly diverted money from the family trust.

The nephews claim that Dean Spanos, with the aid of Michael, altered the trust in February 2018 to divert money to themselves personally.

In this latest filing  citing financial statements  Berberian says the trusts debts totaled more than $358 million as of Dec. 31.

This week, Berberian also agreed to allow the NFL to arbitrate a settlement in the case.

Her petition includes claims against Steven Cohen, the executive vice president of The Spanos Corporation. Berberian contends that Cohen aided and abetted her brother every step of the way.

It will become clear  the petition reads, that Dean, Michael and Cohen have pursued a campaign to punish, belittle and humiliate Dea ever since she had the audacity to speak up against their mismanagement.

The petition specifically mentions that Cohen deliberately damaged Deas relationship with her Pastor and spiritual advisor, Father Alex Karloutsos.

In a statement released Friday, Alexis Spanos Ruhl said: The statements made in todays court filing about my brother Dean Spanos are outrageously untrue. Throughout this entire ordeal that was instigated without justification by my sister Dea Berberian, my brother Dean has been unfailingly respectful of me and of my wishes. And he has been fighting, along with my brother Michael and me, to fulfill the wishes of our mother, Faye, relating to our family and our businesses. To characterize Dean as somehow being less than fully respectful of the women in our family is just not right.

Beyond the 36% owned by the trust, Spanos, Berberian and their siblings, Michael and Alexis , each own 15% of the Chargers, with the remaining 4% belonging to non-family members.

Berberian is represented by Adam Streisand, who represented Jeanie Buss in her fight to gain control of the Lakers from her brothers, and Steve Ballmer in the proceeding that forced Donald Sterling to sell the Clippers.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Chicago rapper FBG Cash was gunned down and a woman was wounded while they sat in a car on the South Side early Friday morning, authorities said.

A man and woman were inside their vehicle in the 1600 block of West 81st Street at 5:32 a.m. CDT when a "black four-door sedan, possibly a Cadillac, approached and an unknown offender got out and opened fire," according to a Chicago police statement.

Police said a 31-year-old man was struck by multiple gun shots before he was taken to Christ Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The second victim, a 29-year-old woman, was hit in the left arm and upper back and was taken to the hospital in serious condition, police said.

FBG Cash in his video for

FBG Cash is a stage name for the rapper, whose real name is Tristian Hamilton.

And in a statement to NBC News on Friday, the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office identified the fatally wounded man as Tristian Hamilton, who lives in the 8100 block South Marshfield Avenue in Chicago.

There were no immediate arrests and Hamilton's booking agent could not be be reached on Friday.

Hamilton was part of a group of rappers known as the Fly Boy Gang."

Back in August, 2020, group member Carlton Weekly, who went by the stage name FBG Duck, was gunned down.

He was killed by four masked shooters who left behind 38 bullet casings, court records showed.

FBG Duck was targeted by members of the O-Block street gang, who had publicly claimed responsibility for acts of violence in Chicago and used social media and music to increase their criminal enterprise," according to a statement last year by federal prosecutors.
(Bloomberg) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping underscored the need to maintain social stability while balancing the twin goals of snuffing out Covid cases and bolstering the economy, as strict lockdowns spark sporadic unrest and online outrage.

Most Read from Bloomberg

During a visit to the southwestern province of Sichuan, Xi called on his government again to adhere unwaveringly to its Covid Zero strategy, while at the same time striking a balance with the needs of the economy and social stability, the Xinhua news agency reported Thursday.

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 Chinese leader also highlighted key areas including employment, social security and aid for people living in difficulties.

The remarks largely echoed sentiments since mid-March, when Xi first urged Chinese officials to reduce the economic impact of the countrys measures to combat the outbreak. But the emphasis on ensuring stability indicated growing anxiety over the economic fallout of Chinas strict Covid measures, particularly as Xi prepares for a Communist Party leadership reshuffle later this year at which hes expected to secure a precedent-breaking third term as president.

Read More: Shanghai to Lock Down Parts of City Again as Virus Fears Return

Chinas economy is widely expected to miss its growth target of about 5.5% this year because of the virus curbs and a slump in the property market. A two-month lockdown of financial hub Shanghai caused food shortages and limited access to critical medical needs, fueling social discontent and sparking clashes between residents and police.

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The Shanghai government announced Thursday it will lock down seven districts this weekend to mass test millions of people, risking more disruption for residents and businesses that have just emerged from a grueling shutdown.

Leaders of the country of 1.4 billion people have always been vigilant against the threat of food shortages fanning inflation and endangering social stability, with rising global commodity prices and geopolitical tensions only deepening that concern. Premier Li Keqiang told local officials in late May they must ensure summer harvesting of crops and food supplies arent affected by the governments efforts to contain Covid.

Xi shared those concerns, calling on farmers and agro-technicians to maintain the countrys food security during his tour of a rice field in Sichuan.

We are confident and capable of retaining the rice bowl in our own hands, he said.

Xi also highlighted the plight of youth unemployment, which has soared to a record this year and is set to worsen in coming weeks as 10.76 million graduates hit the job market. During a trip to a university in Yibin city, Xi urged students to lower their expectations on jobs and be practical when assessing their qualifications and social demand.

He also told universities, companies and government officials to provide more help for graduates from poorer families and those whove been looking for a job for a long time.

At a visit to a company making video projectors, Xi reiterated a call to push for technology innovation and foster advanced companies in different sectors.

We should cultivate more hidden champions and form clusters of technology innovation, he said.

(Updates with more comments from Xi.)

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Jun. 9MIAMI, Okla.  The city of Miami will hold a town hall meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at the Coleman Theatre, 103 N. Main St., to update the community and take comments on flooding issues and proceedings.

Ongoing proceedings involving the city and area residents will be discussed, as well as the current license issues, re-licensing and civil litigation involving the Grand River Dam Authority. The agenda includes presentations by two former mayors, Brent Brassfield and Rudy Schultz; City Manager Bo Reese; Mayor Bless Parker; and attorneys Larry Bork and Walker Stanovsky. There also will be time for public comment and questions.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Colombia has extradited a former commander of the leftist FARC paramilitary group to the United States to face drug trafficking charges, federal prosecutors in Brooklyn said on Friday.

Martin Perez led a FARC unit known as the 30th Front from 2011 to 2014, when the group shipped thousands of kilograms of cocaine to the United States and elsewhere, earning millions of dollars for the FARC's efforts to overthrow Colombia's government, prosecutors said.

Perez, also known as "Richard," was arrested in Colombia in 2014, before the FARC demobilized under a historic peace deal in 2016. He is expected to be arraigned on Friday afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Vera M. Scanlon on six criminal counts including international cocaine distribution.

Perez's U.S. defense attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"The Department of Justice is committed to working with our international partners to dismantle destructive drug trafficking organizations, especially where their drug trafficking is used to finance violence and terrorism," Breon Peace, the top federal prosecutor in Brooklyn, said in a statement.

Colombian law enforcement has seized thousands of kilograms of cocaine produced at laboratories Perez controlled or found in vessels under his control, prosecutors said.

Perez's extradition comes a month after Dairo Antonio Usuga - the accused leader of Colombia's Clan del Golfo criminal group who Peace described as one of the most wanted kingpins in the world - was extradited to the United States on drug trafficking charges.

(Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Frances Kerry)
Columbus Division of Police central headquarters in downtown Columbus

A 15-year-old girl accused of fatally shooting a man on the Hilltop is one of three suspects in three unrelated homicides who have been identified by Columbus police. The teen girl and another suspect are in custody, while a third man wanted in a hit-skip crash remained at-large Thursday.

Dispatch homicide database: Here's where homicides have occurred in Columbus since 2017

On Wednesday, police arrested 15-year-old Kaytiana Terrell on a delinquency count of murder in connection with the May shooting death of a 37-year-old Jorge Fernando Guevara Rodriguez on the Hilltop.

Around 9 p.m. on May 24, officers responded to the 2000 block of Springmont Avenue on the Hilltop on a report of a shooting. At a Thursday press conference at Columbus Division of Police headquarters, police said Terrell positioned herself near a car and fired a gun down the street, striking Rodriguez. He died from his injuries at a nearby hospital.

Homicide Detective Greg Stevens said Rodriguez was a total stranger to Terrell. He said Terrell may have been visiting a nearby home, and that it appears Rodriguez was fatally shot while walking to the grocery store.

Read more: Bullets hitting Columbus homes skyrockets, kids often victims

Stevens said that Terrell turned herself in with an attorney on Wednesday, but has not provided any additional statements related to Rodriguez's death.

No information has been released by police on a potential motive for the shooting.

Is Columbus ready for a mass shooting?: If the next mass shooting is in Columbus, are paramedics here ready?

Rodriguez's brother, who police brought to the press conference but declined to identify him over concern for his safety, spoke out against the random killing of his brother, whom he called a hard-working man.

"He came to this country to help out his country and move forward," his brother said through an interpreter. "He never harmed anyone or even thought about harming anyone."

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Rodriguez's death has gravely impacted his family, especially his 14- and 15-year-old children, the brother said. He added that he hopes "all the weight of the law" is brought against the person who killed his brother.

"No one or nothing can return the life of my brother," his brother said. "But I want justice."

Suspect arrested in November killing of teen on Far East Side

Police said 18-year-old Iwajawon Johnson, of North Linden, was charged Wednesday with murder in connection with the Nov. 24 shooting death of 17-year-old Jakwan Radford.

Around 5 p.m., Radford was shot in a drive-by shooting on the 7000 block of Norworth Road, which is located in the Dorchester residential subdivision on the west side of North Waggoner Road in the Blacklick area on the city's Far East Side.

Radford was rushed to Mount Carmel East Hospital, but he died from his injuries.

Radford among four killed within a week: Man killed in South Side shooting marks city's fourth homicide this week

Johnson had been arrested in late May on unrelated charges and is currently being held in the Franklin County jail.

Man wanted by police for fatal hit-skip crash in North Linden

Columbus police are also actively looking for a 37-year-old man who was indicted Monday for aggravated vehicular homicide in connection with the death of a man in a September hit-skip crash.

Around 1:50 p.m. on Sept. 12, Kaine Ratliff, 26, of Reynoldsburg, was standing in an alley located off the 2600 block of Beulah Road in North Linden when he was struck by a vehicle that then fled the scene.

Ratliff was pronounced dead at the scene from his injuries. An investigation identified Anthony Lee, whose last known address was the streets of Columbus, as a suspect.

A grand jury indicted Lee on Monday and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Anyone with information about Lee's whereabouts or any Columbus homicide is asked to call Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS or the city police Homicide Unit at at 614-645-4730.

bbruner@dispatch.com

@bethany_bruner

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus police arrest 15-year-old, 18-year-old in separate homicides
Then-President Trump with Amy Coney Barrett, his third and final Supreme Court appointee, who gave the court a potent 6-3 conservative majority. (Associated Press)

Ryan D. Nelson is a model of a modern anti-regulation conservative and culture warrior. As a Justice Department lawyer under President George W. Bush, he oversaw that administration's campaign to go easy on polluters and roll back environmental rules.

In a 2007 case, he argued that tuna should be labeled "dolphin-safe" even if caught in nets known to cause millions of dolphin deaths. In private practice, he filed a brief for seven states arguing that governments shouldn't be forced to upgrade their buildings in conformance with the Americans With Disabilities Act if the changes would cost money. His argument in the first case was rejected by an appellate court, and in the second by the Supreme Court.

The court is out of step with the American people...The majority of Americans want Roe upheld, but the court might well go the other way. A majority of Americans would like to see some regulation of guns; the court may not do that.

Former U.S. District Judge Shira Scheindlin

Nelson's waffling about the human contribution to global warming at a Senate hearing on his nomination by President Trump to a top Interior Department post prompted Trump to withdraw his nomination in 2018.

Instead, Trump named him to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which has jurisdiction over California and seven other Western states.

The Republican Senate confirmed him, and he sits on that court today. In May, he was the author of a 2-1 majority opinion declaring unconstitutional Californias ban on the sale of semiautomatic weapons to those under 21.

The ruling, handed down on May 11, less than two weeks before an 18-year-old gunman used a similar weapon to slaughter 19 schoolchildren and two adults in Uvalde, Texas, evoked an America beleaguered by frontier lawlessness.

The California ban, he wrote, would leave young persons unable to protect themselves except with shotguns. As he wrote, shotguns are outmatched by semiautomatic rifles.... Semiautomatic rifles are able to defeat modern body armor, have a much longer range than shotguns and are more effective in protecting roaming kids on large homesteads."

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Nelson, 48, is just one of a legion of youthful conservative judges appointed to lifetime terms by Trump in what may be the most far-reaching and radical remaking of the federal judiciary in American history.

Trump was able in his sole term to fill 28% of the 816 federal judicial seats, including 30% of the appellate judgeships and three of the nine Supreme Court seats, giving the latter court a potent 6-3 conservative majority. In this effort he was abetted by a Republican Senate majority that refused to fill open seats under President Obama and hastened Trump's appointees onto the bench.

The GOP's blocking of Obama's nomination of Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court is the best-known example of Republican obstruction, but once it gained a Senate majority it slow-walked Obama's nominations to the rest of the appellate bench, yielding a surfeit of vacancies for Trump to fill.

"Trump ran on changing the judiciary as a political point," says Shira A. Scheindlin, a former federal judge in New York who is co-chair of the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. "He said, 'I will appoint judges who will overturn [Roe vs. Wade]. I will appoint judges who will protect your guns.' He said all along this was a political issue for him, and he did move at lightning speed."

Indeed, despite opinion polls consistently showing that a strong majority of Americans want the Supreme Court to uphold Roe vs. Wade, the 1973 opinion guaranteeing abortion rights nationwide, the court appears poised to overturn the ruling, perhaps within days or weeks, in a case involving a draconian Mississippi antiabortion law.

The Supreme Court is falling out of favor with the American public. (Pew Research Center)

A majority of Americans favor stricter gun safety regulations, but those are also threatened by a pending ruling on New York regulations.

Trump outsourced the naming and vetting of Supreme Court candidates to the Federalist Society, a conservative legal group founded during the Reagan presidency and funded by the Koch network, as legal reporter David A. Kaplan documented in his 2019 book about the Trump-era Supreme Court, "The Most Dangerous Branch."

Trump's goal was to move appellate courts, not only the Supreme Court, to the right. He succeeded in three circuits: the Philadelphia-based 3rd, flipped from a majority of Democratic appointees to Republicans; the New York-based 2nd, which also flipped from a Democratic to Republican majority; and the 9th, which covers California and eight other states and with 29 active judges is the largest appellate court in the country.

Biden has an opportunity to flip the 3rd Circuit back, though none of his appointees has yet been confirmed by the Senate. He has already flipped the 2nd, an important court that oversees a large share of business-related cases, back to a narrow Democratic majority.

Trump's influence may be most notable at the 9th Circuit. At the end of the Obama administration, the court was split 18 to 7 in favor of Democratic appointees. Trump's 10 appointments to the court reduced the Democratic majority to 16 to 13. Biden has appointed three new judges to the court, but all replaced Democratic appointees.

Trump has effectively flipped the circuit, 9th Circuit Judge Milan D. Smith Jr., an appointee of George W. Bush, told The Times in 2020.

Two of the new appointees rattled their colleagues with their obliviousness to traditional court decorum. One, Lawrence VanDyke, a former solicitor general in Nevada and Montana, earned an unusual "not qualified" rating from the American Bar Assn., which found him to be "arrogant, lazy, an ideologue, and lacking in knowledge of the day-to-day practice, including procedural rules.

Trump's appointments have produced a string of rulings promoting partisan political and ideological positions. Many of these affect "a whole slew of issues on which the vast majority of Americans are either much more centrist or liberal on than the court is," says Jake Faleschini of the progressive advocacy group Alliance for Justice.

During the pandemic, Trump-appointed judges often overturned state and local regulations aimed at limiting potential super-spreader gatherings such as indoor religious services. They kept alive a lawsuit filed by Texas and other red states to declare the Affordable Care Act unconstitutional (an argument ultimately rejected by the Supreme Court).

Trump-appointed district and appeals judges have upheld numerous state restrictions on abortion rights, including defunding of women's health clinics. That's against the backdrop of a pending Supreme Court decision in which the three judges appointed by Trump are widely expected to be part of a conservative majority overturning Roe vs. Wade, the 1973 decision that guaranteed the right to abortion nationwide.

Trump judges have voted to narrow the access of prison inmates and business employees to healthcare and disability benefits. They have turned a blind eye to state regulations aimed at undermining voting rights and overturned anti-discrimination laws designed to protect LGBTQ rights.

When it comes to another front-burner issue  gun control  Trump judges have been all-in on expanding gun rights and overturning state and local firearm regulations. That's a particular concern for California, which has enacted some of the strictest gun control laws in the nation, and has achieved one of the lowest rates of firearm deaths in the country as a result.

As my colleague Anita Chabria has observed, federal judges, especially those appointed by Trump, may represent the gravest threat to the safety of California residents. Nelson's ruling overturning the state's ban on semiautomatic weapons was only one sign of a tsunami to come.

In 2020, writing for a 2-1 majority of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, Trump appointee Kenneth K. Lee overturned California's ban on large capacity magazines, or LCMs, holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition, as an infringement of the 2nd Amendment right to bear arms.

Like his colleague Nelson, Lee invoked "the right to defend hearth and home" against a putative phalanx of marauders.

"The ban makes it criminal for Californians to own magazines that come standard in Glocks, Berettas, and other handguns that are staples of self-defense," Lee wrote. "Its scope is so sweeping that half of all magazines in America are now unlawful to own in California.... Many Californians may find solace in the security of a handgun equipped with an LCM: those who live in rural areas where the local sheriff may be miles away, law-abiding citizens trapped in high-crime areas, ... and many more who rely on their firearms to protect themselves and their families."

The likelihood that Trump's stamp on the federal judiciary will persist doesn't derive only from the sheer number of his appointees occupying the bench.

Trump also picked relatively young judges, whose judicial careers might last for three or four decades or more. The average age of Trump's appointees to the appellate circuits was 47, five years younger than those selected by Obama, Scheindlin observed in an article last year.

"Six of those were in their 30s, and 20 were under 45," Scheindlin wrote. "By contrast, of the 55 appellate judges picked by Obama  in eight years, not four  none were in their 30s and only six were younger than 45."

Perhaps inevitably, Trump's younger nominees came to the bench without significant judicial experience or even lawyerly seasoning. One example is Kathryn Kimball Mizelle, a federal judge in Orlando, who issued a widely ridiculed ruling striking down the federal mask mandate for airlines and other public transportation on April 18. The Biden administration is appealing the ruling.

Mizelle was appointed in 2020 at the age of 33 by Trump after he had already lost reelection, becoming one of the youngest appointees to the federal bench in history. She was confirmed on a party-line vote despite being deemed unqualified by the American Bar Assn., in part because, having graduated from law school in 2012, she did not have close to the 12 years' legal experience the bar considered the bare minimum for a federal judge.

At the time of her nomination, Mizelle had participated in only two cases to the point of reaching a verdict  both as a legal intern, before she even had graduated from law school or obtained a law license.

The extreme rightward shift of the Supreme Court has already begun to erode the court's public standing.

The Pew Research Center found in February that only 54% of respondents had a favorable view of the court, down from 69% in mid-2019, according to several opinion polls. "Current views of the court are among the least positive in surveys dating back nearly four decades," the Pew pollsters reported.

Other poll results are even more dire  the Gallup Organization reported last year that Americans disapproved of the court's performance by 53% to 40%.

"The court is out of step with the American people," Scheindlin says. "The decisions we are seeing are not popular. The majority of Americans want Roe upheld, but the court might well go the other way. A majority of Americans would like to see some regulation of guns; the court may not do that."

This isn't the first time that the court moved so far apart from public opinion that its credibility was jeopardized.

In the 1930s, Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes perceived a decline in the court's public standing resembling today's.

Seeking to curb the court's open hostility to New Deal and other progressive initiatives that had given birth to Franklin Roosevelt's 1937 court-packing scheme, Hughes orchestrated a reversal of the court's previous invalidation of a state minimum wage law by persuading one justice to change his mind. The "switch in time that saved nine" helped to torpedo FDR's plan.

It doesn't appear, however, that Chief Justice John Roberts has the same influence over his colleagues that Hughes exercised. In part, that's because the conservative majority is larger than in the 1930s and it's composed of more obdurate ideologues.

It's unclear what could shift the Supreme Court toward the center, other than persistent Democratic control of the White House and Senate and the passage of time. The American political and constitutional systems do not offer many options to change the ideological direction of a body endowed with lifetime appointments, other than expanding the size of the court or imposing term limits on justices.

Even under the most hospitable conditions, either option would probably take years to make a mark. (The size of the court is under the control of Congress; whether term limits would be constitutional is the subject of vigorous debate by legal experts.)

"Unless the House and Senate decide by the end of this year to do away with the filibuster and expand the Supreme Court by four justices, this isn't going to change any time soon, outside of an act of God," Faleschini says.







This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A group of community members will have a large say in who will take over Wichitas embattled police department.

The group, made up of well-known names, will help in the national search process being done by a California-based company, will interview candidates vetted by that organization and give recommendations to City Manager Robert Layton for a final decision.

Profiles of members of the police chief search review committee can be found at wichita.gov/WPDChiefSearch. The members are:

Michael Birzer, professor at Wichita State University

Shannon Bohm, president at Schaefer Johnson Cox Frey Architects

Larry Burks Sr., president at Wichita NAACP

Monique Garcia, incoming public and community initiatives manager for WSUs Public Policy and Management Center





Jeff Geoffrey, president of the Wichita Metro Crime Commission

C. Richard Kirkendoll, pastor at Bethany Missionary Baptist Church

Faith Martin, senior project manager at Workforce Alliance

Ariel Rodriguez, executive director at Empower

Harvey Sorensen, partner at Foulston Siefkin LLP

Alicia Thompson, superintendent, Wichita Public Schools

Roosevelt Buck DeShazer Sr., pastor at Progressive Missionary Baptist Church

The group will work with Public Sector Search & Consulting Inc. to create a Wichita Police Department Chief of Police Position Profile before the job is posted by the company, the city said in a news release. The City Council approved a $58,000 contract in March with PSSC, which exclusively recruits police chiefs for cities.

The search process will include a robust engagement with internal and external stakeholders throughout, the city said, including community stakeholders, Wichita police officers, the police union and city leadership. There will also be a community survey and a public forum for people to hear from finalists.

Ramsay resigned from the top spot on March 1 after six years as the chief. He is running for sheriff in St. Louis County in Minnesota. Shortly after he left, The Eagle reported that the department mishandled an investigation of and punishment for officers who sent racist and inappropriate messages.

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The department has been widely criticized for the handing of the messages.

A committee report found that Ramsay and two deputy chiefs, Chester Pinkston and Jose Salcido, were responsible for the light punishments. Details about the messages can be found here.

The committee report also recommended that interim chief Lemuel Moore look into any possible additional punishments for the officers and the deputy chiefs. Moore has finished his review of the case and has forwarded it to the law department, a police spokesperson said. A news release will be sent out once the process is complete.

Despite the turmoil since taking over, Moore, a 30-plus-year department veteran, has expressed an interest in being the next chief.
(Reuters) - Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda accused each other of firing rockets across their shared border on Friday, including a strike that killed two Congolese children, a spokesperson for the Congolese army said.

The alleged attacks are part of an escalating dispute between the Central African neighbours linked to a fresh offensive by the M23 rebel group that Congo accuses Rwanda of supporting.

The spokesman for the Congolese Army in the eastern North Kivu province said troops had been battling M23 rebels in a mountain area close to the border with Rwanda and Uganda, when five rockets fired from Rwanda landed in Congolese territory away from the area of fighting.

"We recorded two children killed and one seriously wounded and also a school which was thoroughly damaged," spokesperson Guillaume Ndjike Kaiko said.

Reuters could not independently verify the report. The Rwandan authorities did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Rwandan Defence Ministry meanwhile accused Congolese forces of firing two 122mm calibre rockets into Rwanda from the Bunagana area, where they were fighting M23 rebels.

"There were no casualties but the local population is terrified," it said in a statement.

Kaiko denied the accusation and said Congolese forces had not been using rockets of that calibre in the area.

The dispute centres on Congo's accusation that Rwanda is actively supporting M23, which has been waging its most sustained offensive in Congo's eastern borderlands since capturing vast swathes of territory in 2012-2013.

Rwanda denies this and in turn accuses Congo of fighting alongside the FDLR, an armed group run by ethnic Hutus who fled Rwanda after taking part in the 1994 genocide.

It has accused Congolese forces of firing rockets across the border in two previous incidents in March and May.

(Reporting by Djaffar Al Katanty; Additional reporting by Clement Uwiringiyimana in Kigali; Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Don't miss CoinDesk's Consensus 2022, the must-attend crypto & blockchain festival experience of the year in Austin, TX this June 9-12.

History doesnt repeat, but it often rhymes. So said that great quote machine, Mark Twain.

It seems like the perfect framing for the takeaways from this weeks historic Consensus 2022 festival in Austin, Texas, the first Consensus in Austin and our first in-person Consensus since 2019, following two years of a COVID-19 pandemic-induced online format.

The past Consensus in which Im seeing a rhyme is that of 2018, which was held in the Hilton Hotel in New York. Until this weeks massive 17,000-strong event, that 2018 Consensus was CoinDesks previous biggest in-person event, with almost 9,000 attendees.

Youre reading Money Reimagined, a weekly look at the technological, economic and social events and trends that are redefining our relationship with money and transforming the global financial system. Subscribe to get the full newsletter here.

In addition to the teeming crowds, Consensus 2018 was notable for some rather flashy, ostentatious displays of wealth. Two Lambos were parked out the front of the Hilton by an entrepreneur who had paid the City of New York an astronomical fee to plant them there. There were wild parties on boat trips and unfavorable articles in the New York Post about crypto bros taking over the city.

The timing of Consensus 2018 was also significant. It took place a few months into what was already being called crypto winter. The initial coin offering (ICO) bubble had spectacularly burst, lots of retail investors had lost their shirts, and although the parties were raging, there was a general sense that the gravy train of money that had flowed into the industry was drying up.

That, of course, is where the rhyme with Consensus 2022 exists. This years event occurs on the heels of a big sell-off in both crypto and traditional markets, including the contentious collapse of TerraLabs UST stablecoin. Already people are throwing around the word winter like its a given.

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Yet, as with 2018, the energy of this years Consensus feels intense.

Perhaps thats because the marketing budgets that paid for sponsorships and attendance were agreed to before the meltdown began. Or perhaps it's because the unstoppable underlying interest in crypto, which is now drawing from a much wider pool of participants than in 2018 as it encompasses new concepts such as decentralized finance (DeFi), decentralized autonomous organizations (DAO) and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

Either way, what is most striking to me is the optimistic, almost welcoming mindset displayed at Consensus by various crypto old hands whove been through more than a few of these down periods.

That view was perhaps best encapsulated by Morgan Creek Capital Management founder and Chief Investment Officer Mark Yusko during an on-stage conversation I had with him, Selini Capital Chief Investment Officer Jordi Alexander and Digital Currency Groups Rumi Morales, head of venture and growth investing. Winter is the best time for venture investing, Yusko said.

His point was that these down periods are when the important development work gets done on projects that matter and valuations are more reasonable. Away from the number go up speculation and the hype  with the mainstream press losing interest  engineers and entrepreneurs are able to focus and build.

Thats exactly what played out in last crypto winter, when huge advances were made in DeFi, NFTs and layer 2 blockchain scaling systems such as Bitcoins Lightning Network and the ZK-rollups used with Ethereum.

In fact, many people have told me that 2019 was the Consensus they enjoyed the most. The attendees numbers dropped down to around 5,000, but the conversations were quality, involving project development and the hard but important work of building.

Who knows whether Consensus 2023 will follow a similar pattern. Were hopeful that it will be even bigger than this year. But this ebb and flow  but ultimately upward trajectory of crypto  is well entrenched, and Consensus experience has reflected that over time.

In fact, the very first event, in 2015, which attracted about 500 people was forged in the middle of an earlier version of crypto winter, a period in which prices had been beaten down by failures such as the Mt. Gox hack.

After that, the 2016 event was famed for being the height of the block-size debate and 2017 for the rising buzz around ICOs until it all went pear-shaped early into 2018.
Greg Abbott

A court in Texas granted a temporary restraining order Friday, which blocks the states child protective services from investigating PFLAG families that allow their trans children to receive gender-affirming health care.

Earlier this week, the American Civil Liberties Union, Lambda Legal, and the ACLU of Texas, along with Texas-based law firm Baker Botts LLP filed the suit on behalf of PFLAG National.

The Travis County District Courts ruling will stop the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) from investigating the parents involved in the suit, according to a news release from the organizations. For those families, if they are contacted by the agency, they will only need to provide information on their PFLAG membership.

This weeks lawsuit Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who issued an order in February that gender-affirming care provided to youth would be considered child abuse. The suit also names DFPS Commissioner Jaime Masters and DFPS as defendants. That order came after the states Attorney General, Ken Paxton, wrote an opinion that such health care is a form of abuse.

The opinion and the order came after the state legislature failed to pass a bill classifying gender-affirming care as child abuse. Medical experts have criticized the opinion as unscientific and politically biased.

The day the order was issued, a trans teen whose mother is one of the plaintiffs in the suit attempted suicide by swallowing a bottle of aspirin, the suit states. The teen, identified by the pseudonym Antonio Voe, said his attempt was motivated by the political environment, including Abbotts directive, and by being misgendered at school. He received psychiatric treatment, but staff at the facility where he received the care warned his mother that she might be investigated for child abuse, and indeed, they reported her to DFPS. A DFPS investigator came to her house and told her she was an alleged perpetrator of child abuse.

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That families will be protected from invasive, unnecessary, and unnerving investigations by DFPS simply for helping their transgender children thrive and be themselves is a very good thing, Brian K. Bond, executive director of PFLAG National, said in the release. However, lets be clear: These investigations into loving and affirming families shouldnt be happening in the first place. PFLAG National and our chapters throughout Texas remain committed to ensuring every transgender Texan is safe, empowered, and can thrive.

Another suit was filed to stop the investigations in March. A Texas judge ordered that the investigations cease while the suit is pending, and her ruling was upheld on appeal. But then the Texas Supreme Court ruled in May that the appeals court had overstepped its bounds. However, the high court also held that Abbott did not have the authority to set DFPS policy  the governor could offer opinions and advice, but the decision about what to investigate was up to DFPS officials. Nevertheless, DFPS has resumed the probes.

This is now the sixth time in recent months a Texas court has ruled in favor of transgender youth and their loving, supportive families. Adri Perez, policy and advocacy strategist at the ACLU of Texas, said. The court and Texans agree: weaponizing the child-welfare system against loving families causes irreparable harm. It is senseless for governor-appointed Jamie Masters and DFPS to keep pushing forward these baseless investigations, and for Ken Paxton to keep wasting state resources by filing reckless appeals in his campaign to target transgender Texans.

If you are having thoughts of suicide or are concerned that someone you know may be, resources are available to help. Trans Lifeline, designed for transgender or gender-nonconforming people, can be reached at (877) 565-8860. The lifeline also provides resources to help with other crises, such as domestic violence situations. The Trevor Project Lifeline, for LGBTQ+ youth (ages 24 and younger), can be reached at (866) 488-7386. Users can also access chat services at TheTrevorProject.org/Help or text START to 678678. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255 is for people of all ages and identities.
In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:DRI) by taking the expected future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine.

We generally believe that a company's value is the present value of all of the cash it will generate in the future. However, a DCF is just one valuation metric among many, and it is not without flaws. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

See our latest analysis for Darden Restaurants

Is Darden Restaurants fairly valued?

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. To start off with, we need to estimate the next ten years of cash flows. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we need to discount the sum of these future cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 Levered FCF ($, Millions) US$1.01b US$999.4m US$1.13b US$1.08b US$1.12b US$1.15b US$1.16b US$1.18b US$1.20b US$1.22b Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x7 Analyst x6 Analyst x3 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Analyst x1 Est @ 1.13% Est @ 1.37% Est @ 1.53% Est @ 1.65% Present Value ($, Millions) Discounted @ 7.2% US$940 US$870 US$919 US$820 US$788 US$759 US$716 US$677 US$641 US$608

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = US$7.7b

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The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 1.9%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 7.2%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2031  (1 + g)  (r  g) = US$1.2b (1 + 1.9%)  (7.2% 1.9%) = US$24b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= US$24b ( 1 + 7.2%)10= US$12b

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next ten years plus the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is US$20b. The last step is to then divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of US$123, the company appears a touch undervalued at a 21% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

The assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. Part of investing is coming up with your own evaluation of a company's future performance, so try the calculation yourself and check your own assumptions. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Darden Restaurants as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 7.2%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.240. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

Looking Ahead:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it ideally won't be the sole piece of analysis you scrutinize for a company. The DCF model is not a perfect stock valuation tool. Instead the best use for a DCF model is to test certain assumptions and theories to see if they would lead to the company being undervalued or overvalued. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. What is the reason for the share price sitting below the intrinsic value? For Darden Restaurants, we've put together three fundamental items you should explore:

Risks: For example, we've discovered 1 warning sign for Darden Restaurants that you should be aware of before investing here. Management:Have insiders been ramping up their shares to take advantage of the market's sentiment for DRI's future outlook? Check out our management and board analysis with insights on CEO compensation and governance factors. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. Simply Wall St updates its DCF calculation for every American stock every day, so if you want to find the intrinsic value of any other stock just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
A day after five Marines died when their aircraft crashed in Southern California, a Navy helicopter crashed in the same region on Thursday. All aboard the chopper survived.

The Naval Air Facility El Centro in Imperial County, Calif., said all four of the crew on board the helicopter survived the crash. One servicemember suffered a non-life-threatening injury and was taken to a local hospital, said Cmdr. Zach Harrell.

Harrell confirmed the helicopter involved was an MH-60S Seahawk. That type of chopper is primarily used for anti-surface warfare, combat support and humanitarian disaster relief, according to the Naval Air Systems Command. It was not clear what caused the crash.

The crash happened on a U.S. Navy training range near the California-Arizona border about 35 miles north of Yuma.

3rd crash in less than a week

It was the third crash of a military aircraft in Southern California in less than a week.

On Wednesday, the five Marines were killed when an MV-22B Osprey crashed near the community of Glamis around 12:30 p.m., in what was described as an "aviation mishap" by 1st Lt. Duane Kampa in a news release.

The Marines have not been publicly identified but Kampa reported they were part of the Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing out of Camp Pendleton. The cause has not been disclosed.

On June 3, U.S. Navy pilot Lt. Richard Bullock was killed when his F/A-18E Super Hornet crashed in the vicinity of Trona.

This is a developing story and will be updated. Check back for more details soon.

Desert Sun staff writers Jonathan Horwitz and Julie Makinen contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Navy helicopter crashes in Imperial County, all aboard survive
The House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol will hold its first public hearing in months tonight at 8 p.m. EST.

Well look ahead to what to expect. Plus, well talk about the Senates vote to advance legislation expanding care to veterans who were exposed to toxins during their military service.

This is Defense & National Security, your nightly guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. For The Hill, Im Jordan Williams. A friend forward this newsletter to you? Subscribe here.

First Jan. 6 hearing kicks off

The House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol is holding the first in a series of public hearings on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.

The panel has spent months conducting dozens of interviews and issuing multiple subpoenas as they examine what happened before, during and after the attack.

The witnesses: Testifying before the panel will be Nick Quested, a filmmaker who recorded the first moments when rioters first entered the Capitol.

The committee will also hear from Caroline Edwards, a U.S. Capitol Police Officer who was seriously injured as rioters forced their way into the building.

Trump in the middle: The panel will try to put former President Trump in the middle of the hearing, relying on recorded testimony from former Trump officials and his family members.

We will be revealing new details showing that Jan. 6 was the result of a coordinated, multistep effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election and stop the transfer of power from Donald Trump to Joe Biden, a select committee aide said on a call with reporters on the eve of Thursdays prime-time hearing.

And indeed, that former President Donald Trump was at the center of that effort, the aide added.

Some of the videotaped depositions shared will be those with Trump White House officials, senior Trump administration officials, Trump campaign officials and indeed Trump family members, the aide said.

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Drawing GOP Ire: Hours before the hearing, House Republicans announced their intent to conduct their own investigation into the Jan. 6 committee should they overtake leadership of the chamber.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said that members will seek information on the Capitols security council from Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who at that time was the majority leader.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fl.) criticized the hearing, calling it Hollywood-paid political advertisement during an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity.

TRUMP RAILS AGAINST JAN. 6 PANEL

Former President Trump blasted Thursdays prime-time Jan. 6 committee public hearing and continued to push unsubstantiated claims that the election was rigged.

In a statement released via Save America PAC, Trump referred to the committee as the unselect committee of political thugs.

He referred to the Capitol riot as the greatest movement in the history of the U.S., adding that it was aimed at making America great again.

The Unselect Committee didnt spend one minute studying the reason that people went to Washington, D.C., in massive numbers, far greater than the Fake News Media is willing to report Trump said.

Read more here.

And check out other coverage ahead of the hearing:

Zelensky: Fate being decided in Severodonetsk

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday that the fate of the eastern part of the country is being decided in the city of Severodonetsk as Russias invasion of Ukraine still rages on.

In his daily presidential address, Zelensky said that Severodonetsk remains the epicenter of the ongoing conflict with Russia in the Donbas region, adding that Ukraine has defended its positions in the region and caused mass casualties among Russian forces.

The epicenter of Donbas: According to the results of this day, the 105th day of the full-scale war, Severodonetsk remains the epicenter of the confrontation in Donbas, Zelensky said in his address. We defend our positions, inflict significant losses on the enemy.

Zelensky also said that the battle of Severodonetsk will be the most difficult throughout the ongoing conflict, expressing his gratitude toward those who have defended the battle-torn region.

Gaining new ground: The comments come as Ukraines defense ministry said on Thursday that it has captured new ground in the southern part of the country after a counterattack in the Kherson province, according to Reuters.

The battle of Severodonetsk, a small industrial city in eastern Ukraine, has been one of the bloodiest of the conflict, leading to mass causalities on both sides, Reuters reported.

Read the story here.

Biden makes nomination for US Africa Command

President Biden has nominated Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael E. Langley to serve as commander of U.S. Africa Command, the Pentagon announced Thursday.

As The New York Times points out, Langley would be the first Black four-star Marine Corps officer if he is confirmed to the role

Langley currently serves as commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command; commanding general, Fleet Marine Force Atlantic; and commander, Marine Corps Forces North, Norfolk, Virginia.

He assumed all three roles on Nov. 3, 2021, according to his biography.

ON TAP TOMORROW

The House Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on National Security will hold a hearing on The U.S. and International Humanitarian Response to Russias Invasion of Ukraine at 9 a.m.

The Centers for Strategic and International Studies will host a discussion Addressing Rising Tensions Between the DRC and Rwanda at 10 a.m.

The Atlantic Council will host a discussion entitled Are Russia Sanctions Working at 11 a.m.

The Brookings Institution will hold a discussion on The global rise of white supremacist terrorism at 12 p.m.

The International Institute for Strategic Studies is hosting the Asia-Pacific Regional Security Assessment 2022 launch at 4 p.m.

WHAT WERE READING

Jordan again rebuffs Jan. 6 panel as subpoena deadline looms

Five Republicans, one Democrat buck parties on red flag gun legislation

FBI arrests GOP candidate for Michigan governor in connection with Jan. 6

Pelosi: House will vote next week to boost security for SCOTUS families

Thats it for today. Check out The Hills Defense and National Security pages for the latest coverage. See you tomorrow!

VIEW FULL VERSION HERE

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A Delmar man has been sentenced to 70 years in prison for the 2020 murder of 30-year-old Dondre Wilson and attempted murder of another man in Salisbury.

Jaron Purnell was convicted of second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder and other charges following a four-day jury trial in April. He was sentenced to 70 years in prison Thursday, five of which are to be served without possibility of parole.

On April 17, 2020, just before 11 p.m., the Salisbury Police Department responded to shots-fired complaints at Merrifields Apartments on Adams Avenue. They found Wilson deceased, having been shot multiple times, inside a Hyundai Sonata "that appeared to have crashed into a parked car before coming to rest in a wooded area a short distance from the roadway," according to Maryland State Police.

Adrian Wilson was also in the car and injured during the incident, according to the state's attorney's office.

PREVIOUS REPORTING: Salisbury man shot while bringing food to family member: Police

Four suspects face murder charges in Salisbury shooting

The police investigation found four Salisbury men were involved in the shooting: 22-year-old Dimarise Deshields, 23-year-old Pierre Copes Jr., 21-year-old Torey Brittingham and the then-19-year-old Purnell. They "ambushed" the victims as they sat in their car, firing at least 16 bullets, according to the state's attorney's office.

Three of the suspects were arrested a few days later, while Deshields was arrested May 4, 2020.

Deshields was found guilty of two counts of reckless endangerment in May of this year, according to court records. Copes' and Brittingham's trials are set for November.

More: New accountability boards are a key part of Maryland's police reform. Are counties ready?

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Delmar man sentenced on murder charge related to Salisbury shooting
Update: Superintendent Mark Bedell explains why hes leaving Kansas City schools for Maryland. Story here.

Kansas City Public Schools Superintendent Mark Bedell is resigning from the district to accept the top leadership position at a school system in Maryland.

Anne Arundel County Public Schools, based in Annapolis, announced that its school board has selected Bedell as its next superintendent and plans to make a formal appointment at a special meeting next week.

Bedell, a former resident of the county, had announced earlier Thursday that he would resign from KCPS, without revealing where he was headed next. He served as superintendent for six years, making him the districts longest-serving leader in five decades.

His resignation takes effect on Aug. 5.

The Anne Arundel County school district serves more than 83,000 students in about 130 schools. Kansas City Public Schools has roughly 14,000 students.

The districts school board next week is expected to approve a four-year contract for Bedell, beginning on July 1. While Bedell relocates to Maryland, an acting superintendent will serve from July until Aug. 8, according to a news release.

Our Board is thrilled to welcome Dr. Bedell to Anne Arundel County as our new Superintendent of Schools, board President Joanna Tobin said in the release. Dr. Bedell brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and innovative practices to this position, along with an impressive record of student success and achievement. We look forward to working with him to ensure that all our students receive a world class education.

Bedell has been praised for his leadership in Kansas City, being credited with helping raise academic achievement scores and graduation rates  culminating in Missouri granting the district full accreditation in January for the first time in two decades.

After the Missouri State Board of Education restored our accreditation in January, I emphasized that the work would continue  and it will, Bedell said in a letter on Thursday. What we have built over the last six years is a solid foundation of support for our students and families. I am leaving strong people and programs in place, and I trust them to keep moving KCPS forward.

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Bedell previously served as a school improvement officer for the Houston Independent School District and as the assistant superintendent for high schools for Baltimore County Public Schools, not far from Annapolis.

In Maryland, he will replace George Arlotto, who has served as superintendent in Anne Arundel County since 2014 and worked for the district for 16 years.

Dr. Bedell stood out as the candidate with the energy, experience, and understanding of the school system needed to lead AACPS through the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead and was the Boards unanimous selection, district officials said.

Last year, the Kansas City school board approved a new three-year contract for Bedell, raising his salary to $282,000. Bedell, who had never led a district before arriving in Kansas City, was the districts 27th superintendent in 45 years. His contract was set to run through June 30, 2024.

The Kansas City school board unanimously voted to select Deputy Superintendent Jennifer Collier as the districts interim superintendent for the 2022-23 school year. Collier has served as an educator in Kansas City Public Schools for 22 years, including as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, chief human resource officer and deputy superintendent.

The Stars Glenn Rice contributed reporting.
Forensic experts examined a boat with traces of blood in Vale Do Javari

Police in Brazil are examining blood found in the search for British journalist Dom Phillips and local indigenous expert Bruno Pereira.

Traces of blood found on a boat belonging to a fisherman, who has been arrested, will be tested to see whether it is human or animal.

The pair went missing while travelling by boat on a reporting trip in the Amazon rainforest on Sunday.

Mr Pereira recently received threats over his work against illegal fishing.

The authorities said they were hopeful of finding the two men alive, but did not exclude any outcome, including that of murder in a region where drug-trafficking and poaching are rife, AFP news agency reports.

Both Mr Pereira, 41, and Mr Phillips, 57, 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 reportedly had a new boat and plenty of fuel.

In London, the journalist's sister, Sian Phillips, called on the UK authorities to put pressure on the Brazilian government to find the two men.

"We want to carry on with the search," she said in a statement to the media during a gathering of about 30 people in front of the Brazilian embassy.

"We want to find out what is happening to them and we want anyone responsible for any criminal act to be brought to justice. We want a persistent deep and open investigation."

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who was in Los Angeles for a summit, said: "Let's pray to God that they are still alive," but added, "With each day that passes, those chances fade."

The blood traces were found on the boat of fisherman Amarildo da Costa, known locally as "Pelado", who was questioned in the town of Atalaia do Norte. He has been charged with illegal possession of restricted ammunition.

Police say he was one of the last people to see Mr Pereira and Mr Phillips.

Placards outside the Brazilian embassy showed Dom Phillips (L) and Bruno Pereira

Mr da Costa is also suspected of involvement in illegal fishing for a buyer in Peru, police sources told Reuters news agency.

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A lawyer for the fisherman, Davi Oliveira, told Reuters his client was not involved in the disappearance of the two men and was engaged in legal fishing. The same lawyer has since stepped away from the case, the news agency adds.

Six other people have been questioned in connection with the men's disappearance.

Some 250 members of the security forces have been taking part in the search, up from just about a dozen in the first days. They include divers and experts in jungle terrain. Two helicopters are also being used, as well as more than a dozen boats and drones.

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.

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.

The area where they disappeared is home to some 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 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.
Nearly 50 members of a fraternity at the University of New Hampshire are facing charges in connection with a hazing incident that took occurred earlier this spring, authorities announced Friday.

An investigation into an alleged incident at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter house on Madbury Road in Durham on April 13 revealed that there was probable cause that the crime of student hazing had taken place with new members of the fraternity, according to the Durham Police Department.

Arrest warrants charging 46 SAE members with student hazing were issued this week, police said.

The Strafford County Attorneys Office will be prosecuting the arrests.

There were no additional details immediately available.

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

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PORTSMOUTH  Lorrie Pitt describes Durhams town elections as extremely safe from my perspective and my work in the clerks office.

Pitt, who is the town clerk/tax collector, acknowledged working in Durham  home to the University of New Hampshire  brings a lot of challenges, as most of you might be aware.

Pitts comments came Tuesday during a meeting of the New Hampshire Special Committee on Voter Confidence at Portsmouth City Hall.

A University of New Hampshire student submits a ballot during the general election at Oyster River High School Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.

She told committee members Tuesday the process is working and that we have not experienced issues of fraud.

Pitt, who has been town clerk since 2004, said shes been part of elections for a really long time and watched a lot of changes over time.

She credited the work done on Election Days by the towns many volunteers.

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Town and UNH officials work closely to deal with college students who are voting in Durham, Pitt said.

In 2020, we had a number of different items where we actually worked with them to set times on campus to register folks, she said. The university over the years has been very helpful working with us.

During a presidential Election Day, as many as 3,000 people sometimes register to vote, Pitt said.

We have to recruit many volunteers to help throughout the day, she said. So we have to do a lot of training and a lot of organizing.

Pitt stated that during the 2020 election, we had a number of people who questioned officials about the number of absentee ballots they issued.

Normally we might have maybe 800 on a general election, but we had over 4,000, she said. Because we were able to process early we had a number of people that questioned the process, and was it correct and were we doing it right.

The number of absentee voters increased to about 43% nationally in the 2020 election amid the coronavirus pandemic, about double the 2016 election, the Associated Press reported.

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People with concerns were invited to watch the process, Pitt told the committee, and they were very happy with the results and watching how professional and how well-run the process really was.

In Durham: Food truck park designed for families and UNH students

Portsmouth City Clerk Kelli Barnaby told the committee voter confidence is something that I as city clerk take very seriously.

I want to ensure the voters have confidence in the process and procedures followed here in the city of Portsmouth and the state of New Hampshire, Barnaby said.

Like Pitt, Barnaby also stressed the importance of training and education.

Its something, she said, that helps ensure a positive voter experience for voters.

How NH Voter Confidence committee sees its job

During an interview after the meeting, Committee Co-chair Dick Swett, a former New Hampshire 2nd District U.S. congressman, stressed the importance of instilling in our young people and our citizenry the importance of the election process.

Its always been the case and it always will be the case and its fundamental to democracy that that be a strong and trusted process, Swett said.

Real estate: $1.2 million condos for sale at former Golden Egg site enter Seacoast's high-priced market

The committees job, Swett said, is to listen to what people are telling us and our recommendations will come from what we hear people tell us. ... Its not what we think, its what we hear from people."

Committee members have heard about many topics from the public, including their concerns about student voting, their concerns about how the affidavit process is used versus passports or other IDs, Swett said.

At the end of the day, were going to bring this all forward and figure out the best ideas on how do we incorporate this so the most people can get the most confidence out of it, Swett said.

Jim Splaine, a former longtime state lawmaker and Portsmouth assistant mayor, also serves on the Special Committee.

Were supposed to be trying to identify ways in which we can suggest to improve voter confidence in the state of New Hampshire, Splaine said about the committees duties, after Tuesdays meeting.

We have to come up with ideas like better education and improved dialogue with city clerks and town clerks, he added.

During Tuesdays meeting, Regina Barnes, a former Hampton selectwoman, said the ballot counting machines that municipalities use in New Hampshire should be regularly audited.

We cannot make any conclusions whether there is or is not voter fraud until we do some type of reconciliation and audit of what machine tallies are saying and comparing them to the paper documents, which is the paper ballots, she said.

Paper ballots are used in New Hampshire elections and most communties use AccuVote machines to count them. The paper ballots are counted by hand when there's a call for a recount in close elections.

Republican Gov. Chris Sununu has said elections in New Hampshire in 2020 were "safe, secure, and reliable." In 2020, in the town of Windham, New Hampshire, a discrepancy in the vote count for a state legislative race drew the attention of former President Donald Trump and his supporters seeking to bolster unproven claims of election fraud, the Associated Press reported. There was an audit of the Windham vote and it showed the cause of the discrepancy was not a vote-counting machine, but a separate machine used to fold absentee ballots. The audit found no evidence of fraud or political bias.

Efforts to eliminate the use of vote-counting machines by those who raised concerns about fraud were defeated by town voters in Greenland, Rye and numerous Seacoast communities and others around New Hampshire this year. Rochester city leaders also rejected requests from a group of residents to eliminate use of the machines. Republican state Sen. Jim Gray, who is also a city councilor, was among those who supported the continued use of the vote-counting machines, saying, "I don't believe voter fraud is happening in New Hampshire."

Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.

Seacoast news: Download the Seacoastonline mobile app and the Fosters.com mobile app to stay connected

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Elections are safe, Seacoast clerks assure NH Voter Confidence panel
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  A senior Ethiopian official says his country is interested in resuming talks with Egypt and Sudan on a huge and controversial Blue Nile dam that will be Africas largest hydroelectric power plant.

The comment by Sileshi Bekele, Ethiopias former negotiator on the dam and now the countrys ambassador to the United States, came during a meeting with the new U.S. special envoy to the Horn of Africa, Mike Hammer.

A statement by Ethiopias foreign ministry on Friday cited the ambassador as highlighting Ethiopias interest to resume the African Union-led trilateral negotiation over the GERD, or Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

The multi-billion-dollar project is expected to bring electricity to millions of off-grid Ethiopians, but Sudan and Egypt fear it will reduce the amount of water they receive from the Nile River.

Several past rounds of negotiations among Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan have failed. Egypt fears a quick filling of the dam will reduce its share of Nile waters and seeks a binding legal agreement in case of a dispute.

In February, Ethiopia said it had begun producing power from one unit of the dam.

Earlier on Friday, the foreign ministry spokesman Dina Mufti told reporters the third filling of the dam is on schedule this year.

We have been saying since the start of the dams construction that tripartite talks will continue, he added.
Ezra Miller is accused of manipulating the teen, who was 12 when they first met. (Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin via Getty Images)

Ezra Miller is accused of manipulating the teen, who was 12 when they first met. (Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin via Getty Images)

Ezra Millers legal troubles are continuing to mount.

The parents of a now 18-year-old named Tokata Iron Eyes are accusing The Flash star of grooming the teenager since the age of 12. The parents are reportedly seeking a protective court order on their childs behalf.

Court documents obtained by multiplenews outlets that were filed Tuesday in Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Court state that The Perks of Being a Wallflower star displays cult-like and psychologically manipulative, controlling behavior. The filings also allege that Miller uses violence, intimidation, threat of violence, fear, paranoia, delusions and drugs to hold sway over a young adolescent Tokata, according to the complaint.

HuffPost reached out to Miller for comment but did not receive an immediate response Thursday.

The parents, Chase Iron Eyes and Sara Jumping Eagle, allege Miller first met Tokata Iron Eyes at the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota in 2016.

They say Miller, who prefers they/them pronouns, took an immediate and apparently innocent liking to their child at the time, Peoplereported.

The parents allege that Miller gave Tokata Iron Eyes, whom they call their daughter, drugs as a teen and offered to pay for Tokata to attend Bard College in Massachusetts, according to People. Tokata Iron Eyes dropped out of Bard in December and has been flying around the country with Miller since  including to Hawaii, where the actor was arrested for second-degree assault after being accused of hitting a 26-year-old woman with a chair.

Tokata Iron Eyes posted a statement to Instagram earlier this week addressing assumptions made on my behalf by my family and friends regarding my stability and otherwise.

In the statement, Tokata Iron Eyes writes about dropping out of Bard due to needing space and time for the processing of grief due to the loss of a friend.

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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 Iron Eyes wrote.

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 the post said. I am now aware of the severity of emotional and psychological manipulation I was made to endure while in my parents home.

Tokata Iron Eyes added: I am an adult and I deserve to feel authority in my own body.

Tokata Iron Eyes followed up the statement Thursday with a video posted to Instagram that responded to those who believe Miller wrote the statement instead of the teen. In the video, Tokata Iron Eyes says that the statement was written directly from me.

No one is controlling my Instagram account, the teen said in the video.

This is my life, these are my decisions, and Im disappointed in my parents and the press in every way, Tokata Iron Eyes concluded in the video.

A judge signed the request for a protective order, which states Miller cannot have contact or harass Tokata Iron Eyes, Chase Iron Eyes and Sara Jumping Eagle or come within 100 yards of their residence. But the court also noted that it cannot locate or serve the order to Miller because the location of the actor and the teen is unknown. A hearing is scheduled for July 12.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

Related...
The claim: 80,000 pages of Pfizer data show the vaccine has a 12% efficacy rate, harms fetuses

As the spring saw another surge of coronavirus cases across the country, healthcare officials are urging people to get vaccinated. But some social media posts are spreading false claims that the Pfizer vaccine is both ineffective and dangerous.

"Pfizer data released today. 80,000 pages. Pfizer knew vaccine harmed the fetus in pregnant women, and that the vaccine was not 95% effective," reads an Instagram post shared May 4. "Pfizer data shows it having a 12% efficacy rate."

These claims were made two days after more than 80,000 pages of Pfizer COVID data was made public. The data was released as part of an ongoing Freedom of Information Act lawsuit, according to Abigail Capobianco, a spokesperson for the Food and Drug Administration

The post generated over 4,000 likes in less than a week  but has since apparently been deleted. Similar claims have amassed hundreds of interactions on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

But the claim is wrong on multiple fronts.

USA TODAY could not verify whether the claimed 12% efficacy rate was in the 80,000 pages Pfizer released. None of the social media claims have provided documentation showing that figure. But multiple experts told USA TODAY the claims about the vaccine's low efficacy rate stem from misinterpretations of Pfizer's 2020 phase three clinical trial.

The trial actually showed an efficacy rate of 95%. Extensive Pfizer research studies on the efficacy of the Pfizer vaccine do not validate the 12% figure in the claim either.

It is also unclear from which document the claim about the vaccine harming fetuses originates. But multiple studies and CDC reports show the Pfizer vaccine is safe for fetuses.

Follow us on Facebook! Like our page to get updates throughout the day on our latest debunks

USA TODAY reached out to the social media users who shared the claim for comment.

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12% calculation of efficacy rate based on misinterpretation of data

It's not clear where the 12% efficacy rate comes from, since both the FDA and Pfizer declined to comment on whether it was in the release. But experts told USA TODAY the incorrect figure is based on a misinterpretation of data in a 2020 Pfizer clinical trial.

The most recent version of this claim stems from an April 3 Substack article published by investigative reporter Sonia Elijah with the headline, "Was Pfizer's 95% vaccine efficacy fraudulent all along?," according to Jeffrey Morris, the director of the Division of Biostatistics at the University of Pennsylvania.

In the article, Elijah references a 53-page December 2020 Pfizer FDA briefing, which was released to the public one week before the advisory committee meeting on December 10 of that year, Morris said. It is not part of the recent Pfizer document release.

Fact check: Fabricated story that Pfizer CEO was arrested for COVID-19 vaccine fraud

The phase three trial in the briefing involved close to 38,000 participants who were separated into two groups: half who received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine and half who received a placebo.

Out of this group, 3,410 people, 1,594 in the vaccine group and 1,816 in the placebo groupwere suspected of having COVID but were unconfirmed, meaning the participants had symptoms after they had received the injections, but did not have a positive PCR test, Morris said.

One hundred sixty-two participants in the placebo group and 8 participants from the vaccine group tested positive for COVID-19 after the injections.

The vaccine efficacy rate, calculated by dividing only the participants who tested positive for the virus in both groups, came out to be 95%. Elijah claimed that the real vaccine efficacy rate should have been 12%, basing her calculation off participants in the suspected but unconfirmed group.

The 12% claim later became a viral take, according to Morris.

Fact check: Testosterone levels have dropped in recent decades, but not by 50%

But her interpretation of the data is wrong since she included people who had symptoms of COVID-19 but not the virus itself, Dr. Howard Forman, a professor of public health policy, management and economics at Yale University, told USA TODAY.

"She has shown that the vaccine seems to have very low efficacy for non-COVID illness, which is precisely what we would expect," Forman said. "The vaccine does not work against a non-COVID cough. Or a non-COVID headache."

The suspected but unconfirmed cases should not be figured into the vaccine efficacy data analysis, Forman said.

USA TODAY reached out to Elijah for comment.

Pfizer vaccine is effective against COVID-19

Numerous peer review studies and real-world examples have shown the effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine, according to Dr. Amesh Adalja, infectious disease specialist at Johns Hopkins University.

In a 2021 study, researchers found that Pfizer vaccine efficacy against Covid-19 was 91.3% among trial participants 12 years and older "without evidence of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection" through a period of six months.

Another study published that same year found that the Pfizer vaccine was more than 90% effective at preventing COVID-19 in children ages 5-11.

Fact check: Vaccines protect against contracting, spreading COVID-19

Research has also shown that the vaccine's protection against the virus wanes over time and should be complemented with a booster. A 2022 study found that patients who only received two shots of the Pfizer vaccine were limited in their protection against the Omicron variant compared to those who received three shots.

The risk arising from not getting the vaccine is much greater than being vaccinated, Scott Pauley, a spokesperson for the CDC, previously told USA TODAY. A 2021 CDC report found that people were five times more likely to have COVID-19 if they were unvaccinated and had prior infection.

Vaccines are safe for fetuses

It is unclear where the claim about the vaccine harming fetuses originates. But to date, the FDA and CDC have not identified any safety concerns about harm or harm to fetuses following administration of any of the COVID-19 vaccines, said Capobianco, the FDA spokesperson.

A 2021 CDC report found that receiving the COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy was not associated with increased risk for preterm birth or small-for-gestational-age at birth.

Fact check: No evidence Pfizer, Moderna COVID-19 vaccines cause miscarriage

A CDC report published in 2022 also found that patients who have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and are pregnant may help "prevent COVID-19 hospitalization among infants" less than six months old.

There are pregnancy complications women can face if they are exposed to COVID-19, such as "delivering a preterm (earlier than 37 weeks) or stillborn infant," according to the CDC.

COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, trying to get pregnant now or might become pregnant in the future, reads the agency's website.

Our rating: False

Based on our research, we rate FALSE the claim that 80,000 pages of Pfizer data show the vaccine has a 12% efficacy rate.

USA TODAY could not verify whether the 12% figure was in the 80,000 pages Pfizer released May 2. But experts said the 12% figure stems from an incorrect interpretation of a 2020 Pfizer clinical trial document.

The actual efficacy rate of the vaccine in the trial showed it was 95%. No research studies validate the 12% efficacy rate of the Pfizer vaccine. Multiple studies also show that the Pfizer vaccine is safe for fetuses.

Our fact-check sources:

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here.

Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fact check: False claims stem from 80,000 page Pfizer release
The claim: A study shows global warming has slowed significantly over the last 20 years

Average global temperatures have risen nearly 2 degrees Fahrenheit since the late 1800s, and the rate of warming has increased significantly over the last 40 years.

Still, a blog circulating on social media claims a recently released study shows that warming has slowed in recent decades.

"New Evidence Shows Global Warming has Slowed Dramatically Over Last 20 Years," reads the headline of the May 19 blog post, which was shared more than 450 times in less than a month..

The blog references a study recently published in the journal JGR Atmospheres.

However, the claim misrepresents the study.

The study authors say their paper does not show that warming has significantly slowed over the last 20 years. Further, the paper, which introduces a new data processing technique, only tangentially addresses the issues raised in the post.

USA TODAY reached out to the blog author and a social media user who shared the post for comment.

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Study introduces new data processing technique, supports recent warming

Peter Thorne, a Maynooth University professor who was an author of the study, said the paper does not, in any way, support the claim that global warming slowed after the late 1990s.

The rate at which global temperatures are changing was not even the subject of the paper, Thorne, who was also an author of a 2021-2022 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, told USA TODAY in an email. The paper primarily introduces a new method for processing historical weather balloon data, he said.

The data presented in the paper is consistent with the global warming trend reported by NASA, NOAA and other climate agencies, he said.

Data from these agencies actually shows a marked increase in the rate of warming over the last 20 years, according to Zeke Hausfather, a researcher at Berkeley Earth, a climate data organization.

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"The rate of warming over the past 21 years  2001-2021  is much faster than the 1980-2000 period," he told USA TODAY in an email.

For instance, Berkeley Earth's data shows that the globe warmed roughly 40% faster between 2001 and 2021 than it did between 1980 and 2000, he said. Similarly, NOAA data shows that Earth warmed 56% faster in the last 20 years than in the prior two decades.

Fabio Madonna, the primary author of the study and a researcher with the Italian National Research Council, agreed with Thorne that the social media claims misrepresented the paper.

"I hope people on social media ... will be encouraged to be more careful when reading a paper," he told USA TODAY in an email.

Fact check: Contemporary, human-driven warming has different ramifications than past warming

Our rating: False

Based on our research, we rate FALSE the claim that a study shows global warming has slowed significantly over the last 20 years. The study in question presents a new data processing technique and does not support the argument that warming has slowed over the last 20 years. Further, climate researchers say the rate of global warming has actually increased since the late 1990s.

Our fact-check sources:

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or electronic newspaper replica here.

Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Fact check: Study consistent with increased rate of global warming
(Reuters) - Around 30 countries where monkeypox is not endemic have reported outbreaks of the viral disease as confirmed cases reached 1,200, most of them in Europe.

Monkeypox, which spreads through close contact and was first found in monkeys, mostly occurs in west and central Africa and only very occasionally spreads elsewhere.

Below is a list of non-endemic countries that have so far reported suspected or confirmed cases, in alphabetical order:

ASIA-PACIFIC

* AUSTRALIA, which on May 20 reported its first case, had confirmed six cases as of June 3.

EUROPE

* AUSTRIA confirmed its first case on May 22.

* BELGIUM detected its first two cases on May 20 and a total of 24 by June 8.

* CZECH REPUBLIC detected its first case on May 24, reaching a total of six as of June 2.

* DENMARK confirmed its first case on May 23 and a total of three as of June 3.

* FINLAND reported its first case on May 27, second on June 2.

* FRANCE had confirmed 66 cases by June 7.

* GERMANY reported its first case on May 20 and a total of 113 by June 9.

* GIBRALTAR confirmed its first case on June 1.

* GREECE detected its first case on June 8.

* HUNGARY reported its first case on May 31.

* ICELAND diagnosed two cases on June 8 in initial tests, pending confirmation from foreign testing. Local health authority expects the primary diagnosis to be correct.

* IRELAND had confirmed seven cases as of June 7, with first on May 28.

* ITALY had detected 20 cases as of June 1, since its first on May 19, and suspected one more.

* LATVIA confirmed its first case on June 3, a second on June 8.

* MALTA reported one case on June 2.

* The NETHERLANDS, which reported its first case on May 20, had confirmed 54 as of June 7.

* NORWAY reported its first case on May 31.

* PORTUGAL confirmed 18 new cases on June 9, bringing its total to 209.

* SLOVENIA has reported a total of six cases since its first one on May 24.

* SPAIN had confirmed 233 cases by June 9.

* SWEDEN confirmed its first case on May 19 and a total of five by June 2.

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* SWITZERLAND had confirmed a total of 12 cases as of June 8, with first on May 21.

* The UNITED KINGDOM had confirmed 321 cases as of June 7, including 305 cases in England, 11 in Scotland, two in Northern Ireland and three in Wales.

MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA

* ISRAEL had reported three cases as of June 8, with its first on May 21.

* MOROCCO reported its first case on June 2.

* The UNITED ARAB EMIRATES had reported a total of 13 infections since its first on May 24.

AMERICAS

* ARGENTINA had confirmed two cases as of June 2.

* BRAZIL recorded its first case on June 8.

* CANADA had confirmed 100 infections as of June 8.

* MEXICO confirmed its first case on May 28.

* The UNITED STATES had confirmed 40 cases in 12 states by June 8.

Sources: Data from World Health Organization and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Reuters stories, releases from local authorities

(Compiled by Andrey Sychev, Louise Rasmussen and Alizee Degorce in Gdansk; Editing by Milla Nissi and Bill Berkrot)
TikToks latest viral food is a Filipino dessert made of avocado, condensed milk and ice.

Avocados rose in popularity in the 2010s when consumers learned about the abundance of nutrients that one serving of the fruit offers, from monounsaturated fat and magnesium to folic acid. Countless cafes began offering avocado toast, which soon became a well-known brunch menu item given its silky texture and Instagram-worthy presentation.

A similar trend happened a few years ago to sinh to bo, a Vietnamese drink, that blends avocado, ice and condensed milk to create a thick smoothie, just like how TikTok user @_mindofmusic  who didnt like the dessert at first because of an unripe avocado  decided to blend the three ingredients together in their video.

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TikTok users such as @anna..paull have uploaded videos of themselves enjoying other kinds of avocado dishes. In the Australian TikTok users video of a Filipino dessert, which has garnered over 2.1 million likes and 14,900 comments since April 4, she shows a sage green bowl of crescent ice, a perfectly ripe avocado and a plant-based condensed milk alternative made with rice and oat flour. She slices the avocado in half, peels it and then chops it into the bowl of ice.

I know avocados are mostly eaten salty, right? Or spicy like with tacos and stuff? she asks her viewers. Why not sweet? Why? They taste so neutral.

She drowns her avocado and ice mixture with her plant-based condensed milk, then eats a spoonful and loudly crunches on the ice.

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This is delicious, she says. You have to try it. Trust me. If this is a dessert in the Philippines and they have been eating it for years, you know it's delicious.

Filipino families have their own variations of this dessert. Some prefer to finely grind their ice in a blender or mash their avocados for a less chunky consistency.

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Some TikTok users have also tried customizing it. In her TikTok video, @chloe_dillon dusts some Milo chocolate powder over the avocado, ice and condensed milk mixture.

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This dessert, however, did not appeal to other users who posted videos of themselves trying it and sharing their first impressions.

Its not serving it for me, TikTok user @dawnnfarmer says. The avocado is squishy.

Those without a blender, can try paying a visit to their local Vietnamese restaurant. Chances are, they might sell sinh to bo  creamy, thick and refreshing for the summer.

More from NextShark: Asian Community Volunteers Deliver Over 150 Meals A Day FOR FREE in NYC

Featured Image via @Anna..paull (left), @lifeofaladdin (right)
The first televised hearing of the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot took place Thursday evening.

The event, carried live on most broadcast networks and cable news channels, lasted almost two hours.

The testimony was powerful and often raw.

Here are five of the most dramatic moments.

Liz Cheneys remarks

Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) has become the GOPs leading critic of former President Trump since the insurrection.

Her willingness to take on the former president has cost her a senior leadership position within the party. She is also in danger of losing her House primary in August.

Cheney has blasted Trumps behavior on numerous occasions, but she has rarely done so with such power and precision as on Thursday evening.

The staunch conservative, the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, asserted that Trumps culpability for the attack on the Capitol was crystal-clear.

Those who invaded our Capitol and battled law enforcement for hours were motivated by what President Trump had told them: that the election was stolen and that he was the rightful president, she said.

Trump, she added, had summoned the mob, assembled the mob and lit the flame of this attack.

Cheney is one of only two Republicans to serve on the committee, alongside another Trump critic, Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.).

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) pulled his nominees from the panel after Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) rejected two staunch Trump allies that McCarthy proposed, Reps. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Jim Jordan (R-Ohio).

McCarthy earlier Thursday gave evasive answers when pressed by a reporter on whether he accepted President Biden as the legitimate victor of the 2020 election.

Cheney aimed one of her sharpest barbs at those in the GOP who retain allegiance to Trump despite the events of Jan. 6.

There will come a day when Donald Trump is gone, she said. Your dishonor will remain.

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Capitol Police Officer Caroline Edwardss testimony

Edwards, one of approximately 140 police officers injured during the insurrection, recounted her experiences to a rapt hearing room.

Some details of the earlier stages of the riot were powerful because, in retrospect, they seem so incongruously casual.

Edwards laughed as she recalled her comment to a superior when she realized how badly the police were outnumbered.

Sarge, I think were going to need a few more people down here, she said.

From there on, things turned far more bleak.

Edwards recalled seeing fellow officer Brian Sicknick in distress, which Edwards assumed was the result of having been pepper-sprayed by rioters.

He was ghostly pale.  He turned just about as pale as this sheet of paper, Edwards said, holding a piece of white paper in front of her.

Sicknick died the next day, age 42, having suffered two strokes  though the District of Columbia chief medical examiner classified his passing as having natural causes.

Edwardss testimony reached its emotional apex toward its end.

I can just remember my breath catching in my throat because what I saw was just a war scene, she said. I saw friends with blood all over their faces. I was slipping in peoples blood.

She added, It was carnage. It was chaos.

Comments from Ivanka Trump and former Attorney General William Barr

The hearings early stages were punctuated by video clips of testimony from former Trump officials and aides.

Together, these made the case that Trump and his allies knew the election had been lost and was not fraudulent.

If thats true, Trump and his inner circle perpetrated a conscious fraud upon his supporters, urging them to act on something that was known to be a lie.

The most striking moments of this phase of the hearing came with an unusual combination  former Attorney General William Barr and Ivanka Trump, the former presidents elder daughter.

Barr was shown in an interview with committee officials reiterating his belief that Donald Trumps allegations of election fraud in 2020 were bullshit.

This was given added force by a short clip of Ivanka Trump saying that she found Barrs failure to find fraud personally persuasive.

It affected my perspective. I respect Attorney General Barr, so I accepted what he was saying, she said.

Video footage of the violence at the Capitol

Seventeen months after the attack on the Capitol, the once-searing images of that day may have faded from some Americans minds.

They were brought back with fierce power by a compilation of video footage that ended the first part of the hearing.

The chaos and pain of the scenes were undeniable.

The presentation closed with audio of Trump talking in a subsequent interview of love in the air that day.

The footage showed just the opposite.

How Trumps debate remark spiked Proud Boys recruitment

One of the more surprising moments dated back to before the 2020 election.

During a September 2020 presidential debate between Trump and Biden, Trump was asked by moderator Chris Wallace whether he was willing to condemn, tonight, white supremacists and militia groups.

Trump said he was willing to do so but insisted, Give me a name.

Biden interjected: Proud Boys.

Proud Boys  stand back and stand by, Trump replied.

The comment was deeply controversial even at the time.

But Thursdays hearing showed testimony from members of the group affirming that Trumps comment helped spike recruitment. One contended that membership tripled in the wake of Trumps remark.

This single revelation wont change many peoples minds about Trump or the events of that day.

But it did help the panel in its mission of drawing a direct line between the former presidents words and the violence of the insurrection.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Jan. 6 committees prime-time hearing was its opening argument in making its public case that former President Trump was at the center of a plot to remain in power.

The two-hour hearing offered a mix of visceral video showing the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol paired with footage from some of those closest to Trump outlining their pushback to multiple efforts aimed at keeping him in office.

All Americans should keep this fact in mind: On the morning of Jan. 6, President Trumps intention was to remain president of the United States despite the lawful outcome of the 2020 election and in violation of his constitutional obligation to relinquish power, Rep. Liz Cheney R-Wyo.), the vice chair of the House select committee investigating the insurrection, said in a lengthy opening statement that outlined the bulk of the evidence the panel has gathered against Trump.

Here are five takeaways.

The committee used Trumps own team to counter him

Even with Cheneys strong words against the former president, the panel largely used the words of those close to Trump to back up its assertion that he was at the center of a coordinated, multistep effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

The panel had promised to showcase videotaped testimony from former aides, but its short clips served as video citations as Cheney offered a rapid-fire overview of evidence it otherwise plans to lay out over hours-long daytime hearings.

Former Attorney General William Barr  one of the more recent witnesses to sit with the panels investigators  made two appearances, saying on tape that there was absolutely zero basis for the allegations and that Trumps claims were complete nonsense.

I told him that it was crazy stuff and they were wasting their time on that and that it was doing great, great disservice to the country, Barr said.

Trumps daughter Ivanka Trumps face briefly flashed on screen as she was heard saying she knew her father had lost the election.

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I respect Attorney General Barr so I accepted what he was saying, she said of Barrs assertion there was no widespread election fraud.

The committee played a recording of acting Deputy Attorney General Richard Donoghue recounting how he pleaded with Trump to stop his pressure campaign at the Department of Justice.

What you are proposing is nothing less than the United States Justice Department meddling in the outcome of a Presidential Election.

The narrative will focus on Trump vs Pence

Though he will not appear before the committee, the string of references to former Vice President Mike Pence show he will be a focus of the panel as it aims to sidestep the appearance of partisanship in their case against Trump.

Cheney relayed the testimony of White House staffers who alerted the former president that rioters were chanting hang Mike Pence.

The President responded with this sentiment: Maybe our supporters have the right idea, Cheney recounted. Mike Pence deserves it.

Her role in walking through the evidence shows the panel is eager to use the Wyoming lawmaker, one of the panels two Republican members, to add bipartisan legitimacy to the investigation and appeal to independents and even those in the GOP following the hearings.

In another revealing anecdote, Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told investigators that he spoke with Trumps former chief of staff Mark Meadows on Jan. 6. Meadows, Milley said, had urged him to kill the narrative that the vice president is making all the decisions because Trump went silent for much of the day.

We need to establish the narrative, you know, that the President is still in charge, Meadows said, according to Milley.

Expected in the coming weeks is testimony from Pences legal advisors, one of whom emailed a Trump campaign attorney during the riot.

And thanks to your bullshit, we are under siege, Greg Jacob wrote as the attack was underway.

An emotional review of a day many watched unfold

The committee played graphic footage of the assault on the Capitol, much of it never-before-seen footage taken by documentarian Nick Quested, a filmmaker who was following the Proud Boys that day.

But to grab the attention of viewers on a topic where scenes of rioters violently rushing into the Capitol has become the norm, the committee sought to make it personal.

Also on the witness stand Thursday was U.S. Capitol Police Officer Caroline Edwards, one of the first officers injured in the attack who returned to the scene once she regained consciousness.

The panel played a clip showing the moment Edwards suffered a concussion, pushed back by rioters, including members of the Proud Boys, until she fell backwards, clipping her head on stairs during her fall.

When she returned to the Capitol, she described a war zone.

It was something like Id seen out of the movies. I couldnt believe my eyes. There were officers on the ground. They were bleeding. They were throwing up. They had, I mean, I saw friends with blood all over their faces. I was slipping in peoples blood. I was catching people as they fell. It was carnage. It was chaos. I cant, I cant even describe what I saw. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that as a police officer, as a law enforcement officer, I would find myself in the middle of a battle, Edwards told lawmakers.

It was just hours of hand-to-hand combat.

The structure of the hearing is a review of a sophisticated seven-part plan

The seven subsequent hearings planned by the committee are each dedicated to what Cheney described as a sophisticated seven-part plan to remain in power.

Its second hearing, slated for this coming Monday, will delve into how Trump knew his claims of widespread election fraud were baseless. The committee showed Trump campaign spokesman Jason Miller that Trump had been told even before the election in pretty blunt terms that he was going to lose.

The next hearing on Wednesday will focus on Trumps efforts to get the Justice Department to kick off investigations into his baseless allegations of voter fraud as a way to stall certification of the vote.

The fourth hearing on Thursday will focus squarely on Trumps efforts to pressure Pence.

As you will hear, President Trump engaged in a relentless effort to pressure Pence both in private and in public. You will see the evidence of that pressure from multiple witnesses live and on recorded video, Cheney said.

The fifth hearing is dedicated to the effort to convince state legislators and election officials to find alternate electors that would falsely certify that Trump won key states that he actually lost.

Its sixth and seventh hearing will focus both on how Trump encouraged the march to the certification that was underway, and then failed to take immediate action to stop the violence and instruct his supporters to leave the Capitol.

A tease of whats to come on GOP lawmakers

Cheney also revealed Thursday that the number of GOP lawmakers who sought pardons from Trump was larger than previously known.

Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) was one of multiple GOP lawmakers who asked President Trump for pardons given their roles in seeking to unwind the 2020 election results, she said.

Perrys office forcefully denied the allegation.

Laughable, ludicrous, and a thoroughly soulless lie, his spokesman Jay Ostrich told The Hill.

Perry, who helped introduce former President Trump to a mid-level Justice Department attorney willing to forward his election fraud claims, was among several seeking pardons due to their roles.

As you will see, Representative Perry contacted the White House in the weeks after January 6th to seek a presidential pardon. Multiple other Republican congressmen also sought presidential pardons for their roles in attempting to overturn the 2020 election, Cheney said.

It was previously reported that several GOP lawmakers who were involved with the rally where Trump spoke before the Capitol riot had sought pardons from him. GOP lawmakers who spoke at the rally include Arizona GOP Reps. Paul Gosar and Andy Biggs, as well as Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.).

And according to an October 2021 Rolling Stone report, Gosar floated the idea of blanket pardons for some of those organizing the Ellipse rally of Jan. 6.

But lawmakers on the panel who spoke to The Hill after the hearing were mum on who else sought pardons from Trump.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A former employee in the city of Austins code enforcement department faces criminal charges after he was accused of attempting to fraudulently take ownership of an Austin home by forging an elderly womans signature on a deed to transfer it to himself shortly before she died.

According to an arrest affidavit, Alan Deshon Guyton faces a charge of forgery deed record, a state jail felony, and first-degree felony theft. Guyton was employed with the Austin Code Department until April 2021 and was put on administrative leave before he left his job, according to the affidavit.

The affidavit did not include any contact information for Guyton. Attempts to reach him for comment at the towing company listed in the document as his place of work were not immediately successful.

More crime news: Austin Water employee accused of raping, running over woman in city-issued truck

Austin police started investigating the case in November, when the city auditors office contacted law enforcement after coming across a possibly forged deed filed with Travis County for a property in South Austin, according to the affidavit. The property was owned by Janet Lynn Sissney until she passed away on Feb. 8, 2021, according to the affidavit.

A former employee in the city of Austins code enforcement department faces criminal charges after he was accused of attempting to fraudulently take ownership of an Austin home by forging an elderly womans signature on a deed.

Austin police interviewed Sissneys nephew, who said he is the rightful heir to the estate and alleged that Guyton intentionally dismissed multiple code violations on the property with the expectation that he would assume ownership with a forged signature when Sissney passed away, according to the affidavit.

Law enforcement spoke to a neighbor and friend of Sissneys who both said her intention was to leave the house to her nephew. The neighbor also said she met Guyton in August and he told her he bought the property, and she once received a package by mistake addressed to Guyton at the property.

Real estate: Austin City Council eases height restrictions in bid to encourage more housing units

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The signatures on Sissneys drivers license and social security card do not match the signature on the deed, according to the affidavit. The document also says Guyton started making tax payments on the property in August 2021, all in cash.

Law enforcement also interviewed the notary who notarized the deed, and she confirmed that the deed did not have Sissneys signature on it when it was notarized, according to the affidavit.

City of Austin representatives declined to comment on the charges against Guyton.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Former city code enforcer accused of forging deed on South Austin home
On May 23, Kaytrina Humphrey-Williams received a nightmarish phone call.

A former corrections officer, Humphrey-Williams knew getting a call from the chaplain where her son was incarcerated wasnt a good sign.

When (the chaplain) told me, Im so sorry, I just dropped the phone, she said. I was freaking out.

The chaplains message: Her son, Dennis E. Williams Jr., known around Gifford and Vero Beach as Lil Dent, 34, had died at Columbia Correctional Institution in Lake City.

Dennis E. Williams Jr. shows his affection for his mother, Kaytrina Humphrey-Williams in this undated image.

As of Thursday, all Humphrey-Williams had heard was corrections officers found her son dead in a cell with another inmate. There was no official word from the Department of Corrections on how her son died, she said.

I find that unconscionable.

So does Humphrey-Williams, who grew up in Gifford and now lives in Indiantown. She worked 11 years at Martin Correctional Institution, including time as a sergeant, and her husband retired after 28 years in the corrections field.

This is why it hurts me tremendously, she said. There are things I was held accountable for that could have saved my childs life.

Those things include bed and security checks. She said she tried to call in sick before a standard midnight shift in 2009, but she was told she had to show up. Feeling sick to her stomach on medication, she skipped an inmate security check and was terminated.

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Lack of information disturbing

She has lots of unanswered questions for corrections officials. So do friends and relatives, who have begun a campaign to seek justice for Lil Dent based on unconfirmed information theyve heard about his death: through what appears to be a Tik-Tok recording of a prisoner alleging foul play.

A Jacksonville-area TV station produced one of the most vague stories Ive ever seen on an inmate death: three sentences, no names, no details, two weeks after the death.

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My luck's been no better so far.

The Department of Corrections, which lists Williams as deceased, declined to provide additional information, referring me to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. FDLE could not be reached for comment.

The District IV Medical Examiners Office in Jacksonville said it would not release information until up to 90 days after its examination because of a criminal agency investigation.

After 40 years in journalism, including several years covering the crime beat, I understand the importance of limiting the release of information during an investigation.

How Williams got to prison

I dont understand  especially given the attention to victims and their families the past few years through Marsys Law  how Humphrey-Williams hasnt received even basic information about her sons death.

No mother deserves that, even if her child is incarcerated.

Williams was far from perfect.

He had a few run-ins with the law before he turned 21, and in 2009 was one of five men charged with first-degree murder after breaking into a Vero Beach home to steal a TV and other items.

Ultimately, Williams pleaded to reduced charges and was required to spend six months in a drug and mental rehabilitation facility after helping prosecutors with their case. Leviticus Taylor was sentenced to life in prison for bashing a concrete block over the head of resident Nestor Perez, 63, according to TCPalm.

Dennis E. Williams Jr., whose nickname was 'Lil Dent'

In February 2015, Williams was charged with selling hydromorphone to an undercover sheriffs deputy in Indian River County. Six months later, St. Lucie County deputies said he was involved in a burglary at Lakewood Park where a 79-year-old woman was shot at.

In 2018, Williams was sentenced to 10 years in prison on the drug charges. In 2021, after his attorney failed to persuade a judge he was mentally incompetent to stand trial, Williams was sentenced to 15 years on burglary and attempted murder charges.

Despite the issues, Humphrey-Williams said her son was a lovable guy who took care of his younger siblings. That help was especially important when she was a single mom working three jobs to try and help her four children get ahead.

It was just so hard to see, Humphrey-Williams said of her sons challenges, which she started seeing when he was about 18. So she sought help.

I knew where hed end up if he didnt get help, she said, noting he was diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Hed do good as long as he was taking his medicine, she said. When he didnt, hed hang out with the wrong crowd and could be manipulated. I always told him, if you do the crime, youre going to do the time. 

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More: Can old Gifford Gardens site rise, be model for affordable housing?

Humphrey-Williams knew from speaking with her son he wasnt taking his medication regularly at South Bay Correctional Institution. Three days before his death, he was transported to Columbia after an altercation with another inmate at South Bay, she said.

Still, said Humphrey-Williams, a certified nursing assistant and 2018 criminal justice graduate of Indian River State College,society needs to treat patients with mental health issues better than just locking them up. Oftentimes theyre not  especially if theyre small like her son (130 pounds)  equipped to handle the challenges posed by some other inmates.

There is no way my son should have died in a cell with that guy (or anyone else), she said. My sons life was taken. Having a mental illness should not be a death sentence.

She's right.

"His life mattered," she said, emotionally upset over her loss and seeking to get to the bottom of her son's case. "My mission is to prevent other mothers' pain."

She, her friends and family want to ensure this case isn't swept under the rug by state officials. You can learn more by emailing Justicefordennis33@gmail.com.

The Williams family and public deserve answers. If there was foul play  almost 18 inmates are murdered each year in Florida prisons, including two the past six years at Columbia  or negligence, people must be held accountable.

This column reflects the opinion of Laurence Reisman. Contact him via email at larry.reisman@tcpalm.com, phone at 772-978-2223, Facebook.com/larryreisman or Twitter @LaurenceReisman

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Former Martin CI prison guard needs answers in death of son | Opinion
The former safety officer at Spartanburg Methodist College has been charged with sexually assaulting a minor.

Caleb Rivera, 47, was charged by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division with criminal sexual conduct with a minor and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Riveras wife, Julia L. Rivera, 47, has been charged with committing or attempting a lewd act upon a child younger than 16.

SLED was requested to investigate by the Honea Path Police Department.

The charges against Caleb Rivera stem from incidents alleged to have occurred from July 1995 and July 1997 in which a juvenile was touched inappropriately and allowed to drink wine, according to warrants. The warrants say the incidents happened in Donalds.

During the same time period in Honea Path, Julia Rivera was alleged to have lured a child into a shower with her and encouraged them to rub soap on their body while staring at victim, according to a warrant

Caleb Rivera and Julia Rivera were booked at the Abbeville County Detention Center.

The case will be prosecuted by the 8th Circuit Solicitors Office, which is located in Greenwood.

A spokesperson for the college could not be reached for comment. Riveras page on the school website has been deleted.
A federal grand jury has indicted a Fresno man on four counts of fraud worth at least $90,000.

Its the latest case to be brought against Marcus Asay.

A second fraud case is set for trail in November, the U.S. Department of Justice said in a news release Friday.

The latest indictment charges Asay with making false tax returns in 2016-2018 and concealing his job status from the Social Security Administration in order to get disability benefits.

During those years, Asay worked as the chairman of American Labor Alliance, which paid Asay for personal expenses, including more than $50,000 to dating and escort websites and $120,000 in rent for personal residences.

Asay reported little taxable income in those years, even though he knew his taxable income was more than $50,000, the justice department said.

Asay also received Social Security disability benefits beginning in 2010, the justice department said, and continued to receive those benefits from 2016-2019, while he was working full time with the company.

Asay concealed the job and received more than $90,000 for himself and a dependent.

If convicted of filing a false tax return, Asay faces three years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000 for each count. He faces an additional five years and prison and a $250,000 related to the Social Security benefits fraud.

Asay could also be looking at an additional 20 years and $250,000 if convicted in the separate fraud case, the justice department said.

In that case, Asay and another Fresnan, Antonia Gastelum, are charged with using the American Labor Alliance to providing workers compensation coverage and issuing Certificates of Liability to clients that included names of insurers and false policy numbers. The alliance allegedly collected more than $2.8 million million in workers compensation premiums in 2016-2017.

The company was given a cease-and-desist order in 2016 because it was not properly registered with the state Insurance Department and its policies were invalid.
Geico Told to pay woman up to $5.2 Million as she got an STD after having sex in car

Rafael Henrique/getty

A Missouri woman may receive up to $5.2 million in damages after she allegedly caught a sexually transmitted disease after having sex with a former romantic partner in his Geico-insured vehicle.

In February 2021, the woman, identified in court records as M.O., told Geico that she had intended to seek monetary damages of $1 million stemming from a 2017 sexual interaction with her then-significant other, identified as M.B., in which she allegedly contracted human papillomavirus (HPV).

According to court docs, the Jackson County woman claimed the man who allegedly infected her was aware of his condition, as well as the risks of having unprotected sex.

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Geico had declined the initial settlement, which sent the case to arbitration.

In May 2021, the arbitrator found that M.O. and M.B. having sex inside of his car "directly caused, or directly contributed to cause" the STD.

RELATED: Usher Hopes Dismissal of Herpes Lawsuit Brings 'End to Opportunistic Litigation,' Says His Lawyer

The Jackson County Circuit Court found M.B. liable for not telling his former partner of his infection status, while M.O. was awarded $5.2 million in damages, to be paid by Geico.

The insurance company previously requested that the multi-million dollar award be tossed out, claiming the judgment violated Geico's rights to due process. The request was denied and Geico appealed.

In an opinion written by a three-judge panel on Tuesday, it was found that the judgment entered against Geico through the previous arbitration was valid.

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In a separate opinion, Judge Tom Chapman agreed with the three-judge panel; however, he said he believes the insurance company was offered "no meaningful opportunity to participate" in the lawsuit and existing law "relegat(es) the insurer to the status of a bystander."

Geico did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

In a statement to CBS MoneyWatch, Geico said, "The question of whether there is coverage for this matter will be determined" by a federal lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri.
A Georgia pillow manufacturer has been cited with a $190,000 fine after an inspection found that several employees have had fingers and other body parts amputated.

The U.S. Department of Labor cited Place Vendome Holding Co. in Swainsboro after an inspection found that three workers suffered amputation injuries as workplace safety measures were repeatedly violated.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspected the factory in November 2021 and cited the company with seven repeated and serious violations that included exposing workers to amputation. Other violations included shock hazards, exits that werent clear, entrapment hazards, fire hazards and more.

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According to the release, a machine operator had nine fingers crushed and one amputated in 2021, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. OSHA found that one of the machines locks had been removed. A month later, a workers finger was amputated when he or she got a finger caught between the wheels of a pallet jack. Another employee sustained an unspecified amputation injury in 2020 and OSHA found that the company had no tag or lockout procedures to protect workers.

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The DOL is asking the company to pay a total of $190,758 and correct the violations.
BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany, the world's fifth-largest arms exporter, plans to revise its rules on arms exports to make it easier to arm democracies like Ukraine and harder to sell weapons to autocracies, Der Spiegel reported on Friday.

The new guidelines, which the magazine said were being drawn up by the Economy Ministry, come as Germany faces criticism from the opposition, allies and Kyiv over delays in supplying heavy weapons to Ukraine for its fight against Russia.

The magazine said the new guidelines, which are due to be incorporated into a new arms exports law, will focus on the receiving country's concrete actions in domestic and foreign policy, not on the broader question of whether those weapons might be used to violate human rights.

Agnieszka Brugger, deputy parliamentary leader of the Greens, which control the Economy and Foreign Ministries in the government coalition, told Der Spiegel said this would lead to countries that shared "peaceful, Western values" being treated less restrictively.

"We have to end the security policy stupidity of rewarding aggressive autocrats and human rights violators with German weapons," she said.

The Economy Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Germany has been among the largest suppliers of weapons to Ukraine since Russia invaded at the end of February, but it has been criticised for its slowness to supply the heavy weaponry Kyiv says it needs to turn the tide of the battle.

The country's arms industry is well-known for its submarines, battle tanks, anti-aircraft weaponry and handguns. Major buyers of German weapons include Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Egypt.

(Reporting by Thomas Escritt, Editing by Miranda Murray and Alison Williams)
A man in Phoenix is losing hundreds of dollars each day after shaving nearly 50 cents off per gallon at his gas station to help customers weather skyrocketing fuel prices.

Jaswiendre Singh, who runs the business at the corner of Osborn Road and 20th Street, showed Arizonas Family on Wednesday that he buys gas from a supplier for $5.66 per gallon but sells it for just $5.19 per gallon.

Singh started offering discounts as early as March, decreasing the gas stations purchase price by 10 cents. But with gas prices still on the rise, he wanted to help even more.

[I do it] to give a break to the customer and my community, Singh told Arizonas Family. People dont have the money right now.

More from NextShark: Chinese teen sold at birth plans to sue his parents who rejected him second time upon reunion

My mother and my father did teach us to help if you have something, he continued. If you have something you have to share with other people.

With the gas station selling around 1,000 gallons a day, Singh loses about $500 per day. As a result, he and his wife are working longer hours.

Despite the losses, Singh said they have been worth it: God gave me help. It doesnt matter. We are not here to make money right now. Im very happy to help the other people.

More from NextShark: Delivery Worker Dies of Suspected Overwork, Korea's 17th Since Pandemic Start

Twitter users lauded Singhs gesture. Some heroes wear turbans, one wrote.

Another commented, A Real American. Good Job Mr. Singh.

This is not the first time Singh has helped his customers spend less money  in 2007, he reportedly bought the gas station and lowered prices during the recession the following year.

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Featured Image via Arizonas Family

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REUTERS/Carlos Barria

As some of then-President Donald Trumps closest allies hit the exits after the violence of the Jan. 6 insurrection, longtime informal adviser and Fox News host Sean Hannity took a different approach: He tried to convince Trump that he could use his office to help heal some of the wounds from the insurrection.

Trump was a lame duck, facing a second impeachment with only two weeks left in office. He had few friends, a skeleton staff, and was coming out of a public relations nightmare. His powers were limited. But he still had one unlimited power: the presidential pardon.

On Thursday, the Jan. 6 Committee released text messages between Hannity and then-White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany. In those text messages, Hannity appears to debrief McEnany on a conversation he had with Trump the day after the attack on the U.S. Capitol.

One item from that conversation: He was intrigued by the pardon idea!! (Hunter)

Dr. Oz Thanks Sean Hannity for Behind-the-Scenes Advice on Senate Campaign

A person familiar with the conversations confirmed to The Daily Beast that the Hunter in the text was, in fact, Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden and a longtime target of conservative criticsHannity foremost among them.

According to the source, Hannity had proposed that Trump issue a last-minute pardon for Hunter Biden, whose business dealings had two years prior been at the center of the ex-presidents campaign to extort an investigation out of the Ukrainian governmentefforts that led to Trumps first impeachment in 2019.

Hannity pitched the idea in a Jan. 7 conversation, framing it as a gesture that might help smooth things over after the insurrections traumatic rift, this person confirmed. But ultimately, the idea, like others in the text to McEnanysuch as no more stolen election talk and attending inaugurationultimately went nowhere.

It died on the vine, the person recalled, adding that, despite Trumps initial interest, the pardon was never seriously considered.

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One Trump loyalist told The Daily Beast that pardons for Democrats like Hunter Biden and Hillary Clinton had been something of a running joke in Trumpworld, but nothing the former president had taken at face value.

The Hunter Biden idea wasnt originally Hannitys, another source said, though the host, shaken by the events of the insurrection, brought it to Trumps attention in earnestalong with the othersbecause he genuinely wanted some healing.

Previously released text messages from around Jan. 6 show the Fox News star floundering among a vanishingly small circle of Trump whisperers who could not access the president during the most desperate hours of the attackincluding fellow network personalities Laura Ingraham and Brian Kilmeade.

Mike Pence Deserves It: Jan. 6 Panel Reveals Trumps Dark Desire

Hannity had expressed concern in other text messages that Trump was getting bad advice in the run-up to the Stop the Steal rally, and warned then-chief of staff Mark Meadows on Jan. 5, Im very worried about the next 48 hours.

In the immediate aftermath, Hannitywho condemned the attack that same evening and called for the perpetrators to be prosecutedwas apparently one of the only people who could access Trump directly. But while a strain of optimism laced his texts to McEnany on Jan. 7, hopes faded as Trump appeared to grow more unstable.

I did not have a good call with him today, Hannity wrote to Meadows and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) on Jan. 10, three days after the pardon conversation. Hannity flatly stated that we have a clear path to land the plane in 9 days, but Trump cant mention the election again. Ever.

And worse, Im not sure what is left to do or say, and I dont like not knowing if its truly understood. Ideas? he wrote.

The Daily Beast reached out to Fox News, McEnany, and a Trump spokesperson for comment, but received no replies.

Conservatives have hammered Hunter Biden for years, invoking everything from alleged financial crimes to sordid Page 6-style sex gossip in an effort to paint Bidens son as a national security threat. The story has factored heavily in Fox News programmingspecifically during the 2020 election, and even more specifically, on Hannitys show.

The pardon, then, would have been a hard shift into reverse for both Trump and Hannity, and could have complicated the networks plans for its coverage of the Biden White House. Although, a pardon also would have come with the implicit suggestion that Hunter Biden had actually done something wronga supposition that has never been proven, much to Fox News chagrin.

The hard news division at Fox News joined other outlets when it reportedly passed on what was seen at the time as the bizarre Hunter Biden laptop story weeks ahead of the 2020 election. But after the New York Posts report, the network enacted a full-court press, airing dozens of segments during news and opinion shows alike.

Hannity Fires Back at Kathy Barnette: Lash Out at Me All You Want!

Hannity pushed the story as far as he could, even sending a camera crew to stake out Joe Bidens home and asking the Democratic nominee to walk outside your house, leave your basement bunker and answer any of these pressing questions.

Since 2019, more than 300 segments on Hannitys show have discussed Hunter Biden in some capacity, including more than 70 host monologues, according to media watchdog Media Matters internal database.

Hannity is even tied to the initial publication of the notorious laptop story. One of the bylines on the New York Post report that broke the news belonged to a former Hannity producer.

While its not clear whether Hunter Biden would benefit from, or accept, a pardon, he is the subject of an ongoing Justice Department investigation. He confirmed that prosecutors had been investigating his tax history about a month before the Jan. 6 attack, though reports at the time painted a broader picture of the probe, including inquiries into whether the younger Biden and associates broke money laundering laws in their foreign business dealings, specifically in China.

After that confirmation, a Dec. 10 editorial in the right-leaning National Interest speculated whether Trump would pardon Hunter Biden as a show of magnanimity and evenhandedness that might help insulate him from criticism of possible pardons for members of his own familypardons Hannity had endorsed on his show.

On Jan. 11, the day after Hannity told Meadows and Jordan that hes not sure what is left to do or say that would change Trumps mind, Trump awarded Jordan the Presidential Medal of Freedom. And that evening, the primetime star took to the airwaves to say that, when theyre finally fully revealed, the contents of Hunter Bidens laptop will shock the soul of the nation.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan outlined her priorities for the year in an interview with The Hill, highlighting the agencys work on education technology, health care consolidation and merger guidelines.

In other technology news, White House climate adviser Gina McCarthy sounded the alarm during a hearing Thursday on the risks of climate misinformation.

This is Hillicon Valley, detailing all you need to know about tech and cyber news from Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley. Send tips to The Hills Rebecca Klar, Chris Mills Rodrigo and Ines Kagubare. Someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here.

Khan eyes expansive agenda

Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan has a busy year ahead of her.

With the panels newly restored Democratic majority, the agency tasked with enforcing antitrust laws and protecting consumers is poised to tackle a diverse set of issues across the economy.

As a general matter, we have a very active year ahead thats planned, Khan, who was picked by President Biden to lead the agency early in his term, told The Hill in an interview Wednesday.

There are a whole set of major policy initiatives that we have underway that were expecting will come to fruition over this next year.

Khan, 33, will be able to pursue those goals without necessarily having to win over Republicans on the panel, following the much-delayed confirmation of Alvaro Bedoya to the commission.

Read about her plans on privacy and competition.

Climate misinfo alarm

White House climate adviser Gina McCarthy on Thursday said that the spread of false information about climate change is absolutely a threat to public health.

McCarthy made the comments as part of an interview for Axioss event The Infodemic Age on Thursday.

Asked whether climate misinformation disseminated on social media represents a public health threat, McCarthy responded, Absolutely, adding its not just an island, theres also greenwashing, referencing the practice of companies or institutions misrepresenting their work as environmentally friendly.

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The public health issue [is] one of the big challenges that we face, fossil fuel companies and climate change, posing a significant threat to public health, McCarthy added. Fossil fuels have actually created significant health challenges on our country, not just climate change, but were talking about pollution thats impacting peoples lives.  We are talking about, really, risks that no longer need to be tolerated in our communities.

Read more.

CEOS PRESS SENATE ON GUNS

CEOs of more than 220 U.S. companies are pressing the Senate in a new letter to take action on gun violence.

The letter, first obtained by Axios, calls for the senators to take bold urgent action to address our gun violence epidemic.

Citing recent deadly mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, N.Y., as well the 14 mass shootings that took place in between those incidents, the business leaders said the violence has highlighted the lack of action from the Senate.

Among the affected are our employees, our customers, and the communities we work in the CEOs wrote.

We urge the Senate to take immediate action. Gun violence can be prevented. Our families, our communities, and our places of business are depending on you, they added.

Signatories on the letter included leaders from tech companies such as Lyft, Yelp, Vimeo and Twilio.

Read more here.

UBER TEAMS UP WITH UN FOR UKRAINE

The World Food Programme (WFP) and Uber on Wednesday announced a partnership to deliver food and emergency assistance to people in urban areas in Ukraine.

With larger vehicles facing issues reaching those in need in built-up areas, collaboration with Uber allows WFP to better coordinate, dispatch and track a fleet of smaller vehicles delivering relief items from warehouses to people in need in densely populated areas of Ukraine, Uber said in a release announcing the partnership with the U.N. agency.

The partnership is already in effect as WFP has delivered food from a Dnipro warehouse to other areas using Uber. Now, the program also has a presence in Lviv, Vinnytsia, Kyiv and Chernivtsi.

This technology helps WFP facilitate its response and improves how we serve communities in Ukraine that rely on us, Matthew Hollingworth, a WFP emergency coordinator in Ukraine, said.

Read more here.

BITS & PIECES

An op-ed to chew on: Congress can prevent an over-regulated US digital economy. Heres how

Lighter click: Word to the wise

Notable links from around the web:

Larry Elisons Lanai Isnt for Youor the People Who Live There (Bloomberg / Sophie Alexander)

Big Tech legislation sparks infighting at top U.S. legal organization (Politico / Emily Birnbaum)

Group aiming to defund disinformation tries to drain Fox News of online advertising (NPR / Bobby Allyn)

An Amazon Warehouse Workers Life Was Turned Upside Down After She Was Hospitalized for COVID (The Markup / Dara Kerr)

One more thing: Twitter agrees to give data

Twitters board will yield to Elon Musks demands that the company provide information on the number of fake accounts on the platform as his purchase of Twitter remains pending, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.

The agreement could help put Musks deal to acquire Twitter for $44 million back on track after the billionaire threatened to put the process on hold unless the company could prove that bot accounts make up less than 5 percent of all users.

The board will provide Musk its full data firehose of more than 500 million tweets posted daily, the Post reported, citing a person familiar with the companys thinking. Axios also confirmed the data agreement.

Thats it for today, thanks for reading. Check out The Hills Technology and Cybersecurity pages for the latest news and coverage. Well see you tomorrow.

VIEW FULL VERSION HERE

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank, plans to make an equity investment of up to 25 million ($26.43) into the Partech Africa Fund II (PAF II) by the Paris-based VC firm Partech. The IFC said in the disclosures that its eyeing a stake not exceeding 20%.

The agency said it will commit a further 15 million ($15.9 million) for future co-investment opportunities together with the fund. The PAF II will invest in seed to Series D rounds, and follow-on rounds in top portfolio companies, according to records by the IFC. The investment is awaiting approval.

IFCs proposed investment in Partech Africa Fund is an equity investment of up to 25 million, not to exceed 20% of the total Fund commitment. In addition, IFC has proposed a separate co-investment envelope of up to 15 million on a delegated authority basis, to facilitate IFCs ability to participate in potential future co-investment opportunities alongside the Fund, the IFC said in the disclosure.

It is not immediately clear how much Partech was looking to raise, as the VC firm, one of the largest in Africa, declined to share specific details of the fundraising with TechCrunch.

However, it is expected to be larger than the Fund I, which closed at $143 million in 2019 and had the participation of the IFC and some other major institutions like the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Dutch Development Bank (FMO) and the African Development Bank Group -- entities that are driving investment across the continent. The EIB and FMO plan to invest in this round too, with the latter considering injecting up to 25 million too.

The PAF II will be invested in early and growth tech startups across the continent, availing the much needed funding in the continent. Last year startups in Africa raised between $4.3 billion and $5 billion, and while this was great growth (almost double) from the previous year, it was still marginal when compared to other regions across the world. Such funds as the PAF are geared at closing this gap.

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IFC anticipates the project to increase access to equity alongside operational value add for startups across Africa. Access to venture capital in Africa remains low compared to most other emerging markets. The project is also expected to increase innovation in key markets across Africa through the support of market-disrupting digital business models," the IFC said.

"In markets where investees grow rapidly and become sizable market players, innovation at scale can generate large impacts on a market by pushing traditional players to innovate and introduce digital solutions or reduce traditional incumbents market share, the agency said.

Partech has 15 investments in nine countries across Africa, including Wave, a U.S. and Senegal-based mobile money service provider; Tugende, a Ugandan mobility-tech company; and Trade Depot, a Nigeria and U.S.-based company that connects consumer goods brands to retailers.
The No. 1 women's tennis player is dealing with an injury weeks before Wimbledon. Iga Swiatek pulled out of the German Open on Friday due to shoulder discomfort.

Swiatek, 21, announced the news on Twitter. Swiatek will rest the injury now "in order to be ready for Wimbeldon."

Due to a recurrent discomfort I am feeling in my shoulder, unfortunately I need to withdraw from the bett1open in Berlin. I'm sorry I will not be able to play there. I will focus on recovery and rest in order to be ready for Wimbledon.  Iga Swiatek (@iga_swiatek) June 10, 2022

The news comes less than a week after Swiatek won the French Open. Swiatek dominated at the tournament, dropping just one set on her road to victory. With her win over Coco Gauff in the final, Swiatek extended her win streak to 35 straight matches.

Swiatek will have a few weeks to rest before taking part in Wimbledon, which begins June 27. If Swiatek went deep into the German Open  which is scheduled for June 11 through June 19  she may have only had a week to rest her shoulder before Wimbledon.

Swiatek will be considered one of the favorites if she's able to return in time for Wimbledon. She's never won the event, making it as far as the fourth round in 2021.
A New York-based entrepreneur is accusing Trader Joes of copying her brands bestselling Indian condiment.

Chitra Agrawal, 42, has been selling Indian condiments under her brand Brooklyn Delhi since 2014. Her company reportedly introduced roasted garlic achaar to the U.S. market.

Agrawal considers Brooklyn Delhi's Roasted Garlic Achaar her innovation since she specifically developed the recipe to make it taste more homemade.

More from NextShark: Man Who Robbed Asian-Owned Businesses, Shot 3 Women Gets 5 Life Sentences

In an Instagram post, Agrawal explained that she set out to capture the essence of the achaar I grew up eating while also highlighting the flavor of the produce.

I love achaar so much I wanted to be able to eat it all the time without feeling like I was loading up on sodium compared to traditional achaars, you can really go to town and use more of it and use it more often, she wrote.

Today, her products are already enjoying national distribution via chains such as Whole Foods.

More from NextShark: Why Filipino Billionaire Lucio Tan Still Uses Old School Nokia Phones

A Trader Joes representative reportedly reached out to Agrawal last year and expressed interest in Brooklyn Delhis product line. According to Agrawal, Brooklyn Delhis achaar sauce was among the range of products initially discussed, but the grocery chain eventually focused its attention on her lower-end items after they talked about pricing. Trader Joes expressed interest in Brooklyn Delhis Coconut Cashew Korma following a group testing, but communications abruptly stopped.

Agrawal was told the company decided against stocking her products as they were already adding a different Indian product. However, her customers messaged her some three months later about how Trader Joes had released a new item called Indian Style Garlic Achaar Sauce.

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In addition to the two products sharing similar packaging, Agrawal believes that Trader Joes use of the word achaar made it an obvious copy since even large Indian pickle brands do not call their products achaar. South Asian companies commonly use the term pickle or relish in their state-side pickle products.

More from NextShark: Rare Squirrel Found on Only One Japanese Island is Not a Pokemon

Were the only U.S.-made Indian pickle brand sold widely in mainstream American markets that spells achaar with two As, which is what was on Trader Joes label, Agrawal explained.

A major difference between the two products is the price, with Brooklyn Delhis achaar selling for $12 per jar and Trader Joes version for $2.69.

Agrawal took to Instagram to accuse Trader Joes of launching a knockoff, writing, I wasnt going to post about this but Ive been tagged enough to realize that either people think we are making this watered-down version of our Roasted Garlic Achaar or being led to believe that achaar is a simmer sauce.

Lets just set the record straight, she continued. Trader Joes has launched a cheap knock off of our product (not to mention ripped off our simmer sauce label design) ... Their version is cheap because the first ingredient is not even garlic which is a very expensive ingredient when using whole, fresh cloves like we do and the garlic puree they use is cut with water and citric acid.

I am mentally spent thinking about all the time and effort that went into developing this product and educating people on what achaar is to then have a large corporation bastardize the recipe and capitalize on what we have built, she added.

On its website, Trader Joes describes its product as follows: It's inspired by achaar (Hindi for "pickle"), a tradition of Indian cuisine that some estimate originated 4,000 years ago. Our version swaps out the whole cloves of a typical lahsun ka achaar dish with pureed roasted and fresh garlic, which combines with pureed red Anaheim and jalapeno peppers to create one super savory, satisfyingly spicy Sauce.

In an interview with New York Magazine, Agrawal pointed out that regular achar is pickled raw garlic, but Trader Joes roasts its garlic just as they do at Brooklyn Delhi.

I love the flavor of roasted garlic, so I wanted to combine the flavors of traditional Indian garlic pickle with roasted garlic clove, she was quoted as saying.

TikTok user Pragadish Kalaivanan accused Trader Joes of undercutting Brooklyn Delhi with a watered-down version of its product in a viral post last week.

Not only is this affecting Brooklyn Delhi as a business, but its also affecting consumers because they are getting a watered-down, less flavorful version of what they actually want, Kalaivanan says in his video. They are going to go away thinking Oh, thats what an Indian pickle is?"

Trader Joes and capitalism are not only affecting an Indian-owned business, but more than that, theyre taking our culture and presenting it in the wrong way to a wide range of audience and consumers who do not know about it essentially, he adds.

Kalaivanan then urges his viewers to let Trader Joes know that such a practice must no longer continue, saying, The only way we can affect actual change is by public outrage. Please tell Trader Joes this is wrong. Let them know its not okay to steal from a small business, to take somebodys culture and water it down just for capitalism. This has to stop.

His video, which has been viewed over 265,000 times, has earned positive feedback from commenters who mostly thanked him for discussing the issue on his platform.

Featured Image via Brooklyn Delhi (left), Trader Joes (right)
In January, Laddie McMillian sent a morning-after message to an associate, describing the layers of violence from a dogfight matching his pit bull, Slick Rick, against his cousins.

23 mins, curred him out, McMillian bragged, according to a new federal court filing. Slick was getting ready to do him in and my cousin stopped it for whatever reason, just put a bullet in his head.

On Wednesday, it was McMillians turn in the ring. He and his reported business partner Derrick Twitty were named in a 12-count federal indictment accusing them of multiple dogfighting crimes.

Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office in Asheville claim in their new filing that Twitty, 47, of Columbus, and McMillian, a 46-year-old Tryon resident, bred, trained and pitted dogs in deadly fights for thousands of dollars in bets. The two are scheduled to make their first appearances in Asheville federal court later this month.

McMillians attorney, Assistant Federal Public Defender Fredilyn Sison declined comment in a Thursday email to The Charlotte Observer. No lawyer was listed for Twitty in the documents for his case.

READ MORE: Steps to getting an expungement in North Carolina

Their nine-page indictment casts new light on the shadowy and violent world of dogfighting, which is illegal in every state but still draws tens of thousands of U.S. participants from rural and urban areas alike. Although exact numbers are elusive, multiple sources estimate that the blood sport claims the lives of upwards of 16,000 dogs each year.

In May, a Gastonia man was charged with 60 felonies after Gaston County Police raided what appeared to be a dogfighting operation outside his home, the Observer previously reported. Some 30 dogs were seized.

In November, a federal judge sent a Concord man to prison for six years on dogfighting and weapons charges. According to prosecutors, most of Delontay Moores dogs were in dire condition, from severe scarring, and untreated and infected bite wounds to broken bones, internal injuries and infected ears that had been improperly cropped.

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The intentional infliction of pain and suffering on animals for sport is unfathomable, Jason Williams, a special agent in charge with the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Office of Inspector General, said in a statement following Moores sentencing.

Dogfighting language

This new indictment alleges illegal dogfighting activity by McMillian and Twitty dating back five years, most of it in Polk County, about 85 miles west of Charlotte. The two are partners in Mass Destruction Kennels. On occasion, according to the filing, they also spoke about the savagery of the fights with a certain glee, using a distinctive lexicon.

A roll, for example, is a brief match testing a dogs fighting ability.

A scratch refers to a dog crossing the fighting pit and locking its jaws on its opponent.

In January 2020, McMillian sent a message about a previous fight, again involving Slick Rick. It included a photo displaying bite wounds on a dog.

This is what Kane and Slick Rick did to one another in a roll, in just 3mins, McMillian wrote. Them m----------- were in the corner just dieing (sic) to get back at each other. Scratched them, they hit like Mack trucks head on.

That May, according to the indictment, McMillian raved about one of his younger dogs, Senorita Maria.

First roll was Saturday, she didnt even know what the f--- was going on!!!! he wrote. Broke the other bitch leg, and popped bleeders everywhere!!!!! All this in 5mins!!!!
Two Iowans who were sentenced to life in prison for murders committed when they were teenagers must stay incarcerated, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled on Friday.

Lawyers for the Des Moines men claimed they should not have been sentenced to adult standards because the crimes were committed when they were 18 and 19 years old. Two Iowa Supreme Court decisions rejected claims that sentencing very young adults to adult sentences constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.

Building on U.S. Supreme Court precedent, the state court has previously held that youth who commit crimes before they turn 18, even first-degree murder, cannot be sentenced to life in prison without parole. But once someone turns 18, Friday's rulings held, they face the full penalties prescribed by law.

For subscribers: What's the right age for juvenile criminals to be considered adults? Advocates and some states pushing it past 20

The two cases both involve Des Moines men who've been fighting for decades to overturn their convictions and sentences for murder.

In one case, the defendant was only five days past his 18th birthday at the time of the offense. James Dorsey, who was convicted of the 1984 murder of Juanita Weaver during a home invasion, argued that modern medical and social science shows the brain does not fully mature until age 25.

Justice Christopher McDonald, who wrote both majority opinions, acknowledges that the 18th birthday might be an arbitrary place to draw a line, but said a line must be drawn somewhere. He noted many areas outside criminal law where turning 18 triggers new rights and responsibilities.

More from the court: First responders shouldn't face extra barriers for PTSD claims, Iowa Supreme Court rules

"The bright-line constitutional distinction between juvenile offenders and adult offenders for purposes of (the Iowa Constitution) has been clear from the outset," he wrote. "In reliance on that bright-line rule, the court of appeals repeatedly has considered and rejected the same argument Dorsey and the dissent advance here."

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In the second case, Fernando Sandoval was 19 in 2004 when he shot and killed two men during a fight outside a Des Moines bar. He was convicted in 2006 and sentenced to life in prison, and has brought multiple unsuccessful appeals and petitions for postconviction relief.

More: Arizona medical marijuana card doesn't allow woman to possess drug in Iowa, state Supreme Court rules

McDonald held that Sandoval has run out the statute of limitations to challenge his conviction and his newest effort should be denied. He wrote that Sandoval, was properly sentenced.

The only dissenter in both cases was Justice Brent Appel, the sole Democratic appointee on the court. Appel wrote in Dorsey's case that he would not "simply extend the categorical rule ... prohibiting life-without-possibility-of-parole sentences to young adults," but instead that such cases should be treated as other states treat death sentences, requiring an "individualized assessment" by the court whether the defendant truly merits lifelong detention.

From SCOTUS: Former Iowa Taco Bell worker wins at U.S. Supreme Court in wage-theft lawsuit

"In the context of a youthful offender facing life without possibility of parole, the state should be required to show that the individual offender is so incorrigible that even considering a parole-based release at a later date is out of the question," Appel wrote. He did not define what age would constitute a "youthful" offender.

Iowa law mandates life without parole for anyone convicted of first-degree murder, except for juveniles, who may be eligible for parole.

Pending Iowa Supreme Court decisions

Sandoval's and Dorsey's cases were among seven decisions issued Friday by the court, including holding that a real estate agent who arranged a viewing of a home for sale was not legally "in possession" of the property and thus is not liable in a lawsuit filed by a prospective buyer who slipped on an icy driveway.

The court will wrap up its 2021-2022 term at the end of June, and has yet to issue decisions in 15 cases submitted for consideration. Among the cases outstanding are cases challenging Iowa's 2018 law mandating a 24-hour waiting period for abortions; asbestos-related claims against aluminum manufacturer Alcoa; and a dispute over a bitterly contested proposed airport in Mahaska County.

For subscribers: What cases face the Iowa Supreme Court this term? Challenges to COVID restrictions, fair juries and more

William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. He can be contacted at wrmorris2@registermedia.com, 715-573-8166 or on Twitter at @DMRMorris.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa Supreme Court won't extend life-without-parole ban to 18-year-old
Ivanka Trump, the daughter of former President Donald Trump and a senior adviser in his administration, told the Jan. 6 select committee that she accepted former Attorney General William Barrs assessment that there was no evidence of sufficient fraud in the 2020 election that could have overturned the results.

In Thursday evenings hearing, committee co-chair Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., played video of Barr testifying to the Jan. 6 committee, as well as public comments he made, in which he recounted telling Trump that his claims that fraud explained his loss to Joe Biden amounted to bulls***.

I repeatedly told the president in no uncertain terms that I did not see evidence of fraud that would have affected the outcome of the election, Barr said in one clip. And, frankly, a year-and-a-half later, I have seen anything to change my mind on that.

Testimony given by Ivanka Trump is screened during the Select committee hearing on Thursday night. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Cheney then pivoted to what Ivanka Trump told the committee.

Many of President Trumps White House staff also recognized that the evidence did not support the claims President Trump was making, Cheney said. This is the presidents daughter commenting on Bill Barrs statement that the department found no fraud sufficient to overturn the election.

Video was then played of a question put to Ivanka Trump by committee staff.

How did that affect your perspective about the election, when Attorney General Barr made that statement? the staff member asked.

It affected my perspective. I respect Attorney General Barr, so I accepted what he was saying, Ivanka Trump answered.

On Wednesday, the New York Times published a story that detailed the effort made by Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, to wash their hands of the former presidents effort to try to overturn the 2020 election results.

Jared Kushner as seen in select committee video testimony. (House TV via Reuters Video)

Thursdays video, however, was the first public airing of Ivanka Trumps assessment of the election results and their legitimacy.

Cheney played another video clip of her questioning Kushner about threats by former White House counsel Patrick Cippollone to tender his resignation over Trumps relentless campaign to block the certification of Bidens victory.

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I know he and the team, he was always saying, Oh, were going to resign. Were not going to be here if this happens, if that happens, Kushner testified. And so, I kind of just took it up to be whining, to be honest with you.

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The rioters got within 2 doors of Vice President Mike Pence's office. See how in this 3D explainer from Yahoo Immersive.
WASHINGTON  The Democratic chairman of the House committee investigating the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, warned the nation Thursday that American democracy remains in peril.

January 6th and the lies that led to insurrection have put two-and-a-half centuries of constitutional democracy at risk. The world is watching what we do here, Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, the select committee chairman, said in his opening remarks. But our work must do much more than just look backwards. Because our democracy remains in danger. The conspiracy to thwart the will of the people is not over.

Members of the House panel who have spent almost a year investigating former President Donald Trumps election falsehoods, which helped motivate hundreds of his supporters to sack the Capitol 18 months ago, planned to spend the first night of public hearings making the case that Trump was at the center of a conspiracy to overthrow the U.S. government following his 2020 election loss.

Thompson began the proceedings with a history lesson on the oath of office that members of the federal government take to defend the U.S. constitution against "enemies foreign and domestic." He then quickly made the case that Trump had inspired domestic enemies to carry out their attack on the Capitol, and played video of former Attorney General William Barr describe how he told Trump that his contention that fraud had cost him the 2020 election amounted to "bullsh**."

Committee chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., gives opening remarks 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. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

"January 6 was the culmination of an attempted coup," Thompson said, adding, "The violence was no accident, it marks Donald Trumps last stand."

Committee aides told Yahoo News that the purpose of the first hearing was connecting the dots between Trumps efforts to overturn the will of the voters and the extremist groups who sought to block the peaceful transfer of power.

Trump and his allies, led by top House Republicans, have dubbed the investigation another partisan witch hunt akin to two previous Trump impeachments and the investigations into Russias efforts to bolster his 2016 campaign for president.

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But top Democrats and the Republican members of the select committee, including Vice Chair Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, were confident of their findings heading into the hearings on Thursday night.

The panel has interviewed hundreds of witnesses including some of Trumps children and former aides and obtained a trove of evidence including thousands of text messages from Trumps former chief of staff Mark Meadows and video footage of the actions of the extreme-right group the Proud Boys to carry out the insurrection.

British filmmaker Nick Quested, who embedded with the Proud Boys through the Jan. 6 attack and Capitol Police Officer Caroline Edwards, who was one of the first victims of assault during the attack, were both set to testify at the hearing.

One of the highlights is expected to be a multimedia package that includes taped interviews with witnesses and new evidence that lawmakers say will prove Trumps role in trying to overturn the election results.

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The rioters got within 2 doors of Vice President Mike Pence's office. See how in this 3D explainer from Yahoo Immersive.
With the Jan. 6 committee slated to hit prime time Thursday, it's expected Americans will learn more about the committee's investigative work through a series of never-before-seen videotaped depositions from some of former President Donald Trump's closest aides and family members.

Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows  who turned over some of his text messages to the committee  has been described by congressional sources as an "MVP" of the hearings, as his messages have provided somewhat of a roadmap for investigators.

PHOTO: White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows speaks on his phone as he waits for President Donald Trump to depart the White House, Oct. 30, 2020. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

MORE: Jan. 6 committee to reveal new details of Capitol attack, allege Trump plot to overturn election

Here's some key players to watch for as the panel kicks off a series of major public hearings.

PHOTO: President Donald Trump and Mark Meadows, White House chief of staff, right, walk to the Oval Office following wreath laying ceremony in Washington, D.C., May 8, 2020. (EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows

Meadows selectively turned over more than 9,000 text messages and emails to the select committee revealing his communications with a range of activists, GOP lawmakers, former White House and campaign officials and Ginni Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. The documents have been foundational to the committee's investigation, especially in reconstructing the timeline of activity behind closed doors at the White House between the election in November 2020 and Jan. 6, 2021.

Meadows' text messages show Republicans texting him on Capitol Hill the day of the riot, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., texting Meadows to "Please tell the President to calm people This isn't the way to solve anything."

PHOTO: Associate Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and his wife Virginia Thomas arrive at the Heritage Foundation, Oct. 21, 2021, in Washington, D.C. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

In the fall of 2020, after Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump, Ginni Thomas repeatedly urged Meadows to attempt to overturn the election results, according to text messages obtained by congressional investigators. "Help This Great President stand firm, Mark!!!" Thomas wrote to Meadows Nov. 10 after the election was officially called for Biden.

Meadows, who at first said he would not be cooperating with the committee's subpoena -- before reversing course and providing some of the documents -- including those 9,000 text messages -- he ultimately decided not to fully cooperate. The House of Representatives voted to hold him in contempt of Congress and referred the matter to the Department of Justice.

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Last week, the DOJ informed the general counsel for the House of Representatives that they would not be prosecuting Meadows for not fully cooperating with the Jan. 6 committee, sources familiar with the correspondence told ABC News.

In a statement the committee called that decision "puzzling."

MORE: DOJ declines to press contempt of Congress charges against Meadows and Scavino

A top aide to Meadows, Cassidy Hutchinson, sat for three depositions with committee investigators, sources have told ABC News. Hutchinson told investigators that Meadows was warned about potential violence on Jan. 6, the sources said, but it's not clear from the deposition excerpts what, if anything, Meadows did with that information. As the public Jan. 6 hearings were about to begin, Hutchinson hired a new lawyer, a source familiar with the matter confirmed to ABC News.

MORE: Former Mark Meadows staffer Cassidy Hutchinson hires new attorney ahead of public Jan. 6 hearings

PHOTO: Donald Trump, Jr. greets his father Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump during the town hall debate at Washington University, Oct. 9, 2016, in St. Louis. (Pool via Getty Images)

Donald Trump's family

The committee heard from Trump's eldest son, Donald Jr., in May, making him the latest member of the Trump family to meet with the committee after Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, both of whom served as senior White House advisers to Trump, were also interviewed.

Kimberly Guilfoyle, Trump Jr.'s fiance, has also met twice with the committee. Sources said that her second interview was at times contentious and focused in part on the fundraising efforts around Trump's "Save America" rally on Jan. 6, 2021.

Trump Jr.'s text messages are among those that Meadows turned over to the committee.

"He's got to condemn [the riot] ASAP," Trump Jr. told Meadows in a text message, according to Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., the vice chair of the panel who has quoted extensively from text messages sent to Meadows, among others. "I'm pushing it hard," Meadows replied. "I agree."

"We need an Oval address," Trump Jr. said in a follow-up message. "He has to lead now. It has gone too far and gotten out of hand."

Republican members of Congress

The committee has issued subpoenas to House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy along with four other members of Congress: Reps. Jim Jordan of Ohio, Andy Biggs or Arizona, Mo Brooks of Alabama and Scott Perry of Pennsylvania  all of whom have indicated they have no intention of complying with the panel's investigation.

McCarthy  and the other House Republicans subpoenaed  had previously rejected the committee's voluntary requests for their cooperation. In April, recordings surfaced of McCarthy blaming Trump for the Jan. 6 riot and suggesting that some GOP lawmakers were inciting violence and should be kicked off social media platforms.

Their defiance of the subpoenas could prompt a legal battle with Republicans who many expect to be in the majority next year.

The subpoenas marked a dramatic escalation in the committee's tactics and followed weeks of internal debate over whether to try to force Republicans to testify behind closed doors about their conversations with Trump and involvement in various parts of the effort to attempt to overturn the election and contest the certification of the results.

It's unclear what steps the committee plans to take for Republicans' refusal to cooperate.

MORE: Trump's attempts to discredit Jan. 6 committee being put to test Thursday

PHOTO: Chapman University law professor John Eastman, next to President Donald Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani, gestures as he speaks while Trump supporters gather ahead of his speech in Washington, D.C., Jan. 6, 2021. (Jim Bourg/Reuters)

Trump's election lawyers

Just one day before the first major public hearing was slated to get underway, a federal judge ruled that another batch of John Eastman's emails be turned over to the Jan. 6 committee. Eastman, a right-wing lawyer who drafted a plan for former President Trump to cling to power by falsely claiming then-Vice President Mike Pence could reject legitimate electors during the 2020 presidential election.

Of the emails Judge David Carter is ordering be turned over to the committee, one specifically he says could show evidence that he says likely constitutes a crime. This is the second such time that the judge has made such a determination. The first time, Carter said that based on the evidence he had reviewed, it was "more likely than not" that Trump committed felony obstruction in effort to overturn the election.

MORE: Judge finds Trump 'more likely than not' committed felony obstruction in effort to overturn election

ABC News reported exclusively that Eastman was recently part of a small group of Trump allies who secured a private meeting in March to try to persuade the Republican leader of the Wisconsin state assembly to decertify Biden's win. Eastman was subpoenaed in November 2021 by the committee and had been rejecting the panel's request for documents, claiming attorney-client privilege, until Carter ordered most of them turned over.

Rudy Giuliani, former President Trump's former lawyer, also recently spoke to committee investigators for a taped deposition that lasted nearly eight hours. Sources told ABC News that Giuliani  who represented Trump during the Mueller investigation and led legal challenges to the 2020 election results across the country on Trump's behalf  did, at times, invoke attorney-client privilege.

In addition to Eastman and Giuliani, a number of other lawyers were involved in the election challenges, including former Trump attorneys Sidney Powell and Lin Wood.

Jan. 6 committee to show texts with Trump aides, play depositions of family members originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The Jan. 6 select committee wont personally tell the story of Donald Trumps bid to subvert the 2020 election. Instead, theyre letting Trumps own aides, confidants and family members do it for them.

The panel made clear at its first public hearing Thursday that it would rather let Trumps own inner circle stitch together the details of the former presidents actions to remain in power  and his inaction as a mob of supporters overran the Capitol. Videos showed Ivanka Trump, former Attorney General William Barr and Trump campaign advisers testify that the former president had really lost the 2020 election, as committee members mostly remained in the background.

These arent partisan voices that are speaking out and saying we dont like Donald Trump, said Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), one of dozens of Democratic lawmakers who sat in the audience for the hearing. This is his own attorney general, the White House counsel, his daughter for Petes sake.



The panel has for 10 months quietly amassed an enormous trove of video depositions, compiled from its more than 1,000 witness interviews. Now, as Republicans accuse the panel of a partisan witch hunt, members are strategically deploying the audio and video to communicate a simple point: Trumps own allies believe  and told him  his actions were wrong.

Dont believe me? select committee Chair Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) intoned roughly seven minutes into the two-hour primetime hearing. Hear what his former Attorney General had to say about it.

The subsequent clip  in which Barr described Trumps claims of election fraud as bullshit  marked the start of a cavalcade of video excerpts, showing the former presidents orbit directly contradicting his false claims of election fraud. In one of them, Ivanka Trump said she agreed with Bill Barrs assessment.

I respect Attorney General Barr so I accepted what he was saying, she told the committee.



The panel hinted that there was much more testimony to come. The witness clips they played only amounted to a few minutes in length, serving as more of a table-setter for the five remaining hearings in the next two weeks. The committees vice chair, Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), summarized in her opening statement what some of the more explosive clips would show.

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You will hear testimony, live and on video, from more than a half dozen former Trump White House staff, all of whom were in the West Wing of the White House that day, she said.



You will hear that President Trump was yelling, and really angry at advisers who told him he needed to be doing something more, she continued. And, aware of the rioters chants to hang Mike Pence, the president responded with this sentiment: maybe our supporters have the right idea. Mike Pence deserves it.

Trump aides featured in deposition clips Thursday also included campaign advisers Jason Miller and Alex Cannon, who told the select committee they had pointed out to Trump that there was not enough evidence of fraud to overturn the election results. Miller, according to a previously released excerpt of his transcript, said Trump responded to their arguments by saying they had underestimated the likelihood of prevailing in court.



And in a previously unreported interview, Gen. Mark Milley, the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the select committee that during the violence on Jan. 6, Trumps chief of staff Mark Meadows urged him to establish the narrative that the president is still in charge and that things are steady or stable.

I immediately interpreted that as politics, politics, politics, he said.

The panel also displayed previously released text messages from Fox News anchor Sean Hannity to Trump White House officials after Jan. 6, urging them to help guide Trump out of office without further chaos.

Key now, no more crazy people, Hannity wrote. No more stolen election talk.

The multimedia-heavy strategy is a direct acknowledgment that Congress previous efforts to unfurl high-profile investigative findings have often failed to connect with the broader public. The committee made clear that it intends to deploy powerful visuals to showcase the vast amount of evidence they had obtained. Its an extension of the strategy they used during the second impeachment trial of Donald Trump, when they aired early videos of the Jan. 6 violence.



Committee members are hoping that leaning on former Trump officials and allies would stand a better chance of influencing persuadable voters, who might have tuned out the panels investigation as it mainly focused on behind-the-scenes interviews for months.

I think its very important, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), a committee member, said in a brief interview about using the clips. These are people appointed by the president  and it shows the presidents, the former presidents, culpability.

The panel closed its first hearing with a video montage of a half dozen members of the Jan. 6 mob, all of whom pleaded guilty to crimes for their actions that day. Those defendants, who cooperated with the select committee, all claimed that they went to the Capitol for one reason: because Trump asked them to.

The committee also aired Trumps own words to hammer their point home, using his September 2020 debate-stage comment urging the right-wing extremist Proud Boys to stand back and stand by  a comment the group interpreted as a call to action. The Proud Boys would later respond to Trumps call for a wild protest in D.C. on Jan. 6 and become some of the key instigators of the days most devastating violence, congressional and Justice Department investigators say.

The committee also showed how Trumps tweet attack on his own vice president, Mike Pence  just minutes after rioters smashed their way into the Capitol  was quickly digested by the swelling crowd and exacerbated the violence. Pences centrality to Trumps plan will be the focus of an entire hearing next week, featuring the former vice presidents former counsel, Greg Jacob. The committee teased his importance on Thursday night by making Pences break from Trump  when he refused to embrace Trumps push to disrupt or delay the counting of electoral votes the subject of yet another video excerpt.



I think he ultimately knew that his fidelity to the Constitution was his first and foremost oath, Pences chief of staff, Marc Short, told the committee.

His fidelity to the Constitution was more important than his fidelity to President Trump, one of the investigators responded.

Short replied, The oath he took, yes.
Win McNamee

The Jan. 6 committee didnt pull any punches.

They went straight at President Trump as the instigator and overseer of a violent conspiracy to prevent the peaceful transfer of power, a hallmark of American democracy for two and a half centuries. Interspersing video clips of former Attorney General William Barr saying it was bullshit that Trump had won the election and Ivanka Trump saying she believed Barr, the committee laid out the case that no one believed the election had been unfairly decided yet Trump persisted. Theres no there there, former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows conceded in one of many incriminating emails documenting the duplicity.

What followed is a portrait of a White House held hostage to a conspiracy theory invented by a president determined to stay in office. Donald Trump was at the center of this conspiracy, committee chair Bennie Thompson stated in the opening minutes of the primetime hearing, the first of six the committee will present over the next 10 days.

January 6th was the culmination of an attempted coup, he said. The violence was no accident. It represents Donald Trumps last stand.

Fox News Hosts Insist Hearing They Refused to Air Flopped

The hearing may not change any minds but the presentation of the material, damning as it is, was done with respect to the countrys traditions and history. There was no grandstanding, it was matter of fact and dignified, and whether it moves the needle politically is a secondary matter. It's important for the historical record, and if the worst should come to bear, a resurgence of Trump, we cant say we werent warned.

Committee co-chair Liz Cheney, a rare Republican determined to hold Trump accountable, described in chilling detail the events of Jan. 6 and how Trump did nothing to alleviate the violence and apparently watched with glee as the rampage unfolded on the television screen in the Oval Office.

His staff pleaded with him to intervene. So did his daughter. The president did not really want to put anything out, Cheney said. He was yelling at his advisers and upon hearing the rioters chant, Kill Pence, Trump observed, Maybe our supporters have the right idea. Mike Pence deserves it. He rejected the advice of those around him while police officers defended themselves against a violent mob that he refused to call off.

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He didnt call his defense secretary or his attorney general or put in an order for the National Guard. All those functions of a president were left to Mike Pence, who finally stepped in to answer the pleas for support from the Capitol Police. Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, told the committee Mark Meadows reached him about killing the narrative that the vice president is making all the decisions, and to establish the narrative that the president is in charge, and things are stable, something to that effect. That was a red flag for mepolitics, politics, politics, Milley said.

Top General Hatched Secret Plan in Case Trump Went Rogue With Nukes, Book Says

Trump finally offered up a statement telling those who breached the Capitol to go home. Youre very special people. We love you. 

Much of what the committee revealed has been reported before in bits and pieces but putting them together in a coherent narrative reveals the enormity of the conspiracy to keep Trump in power. Those who disagreed either humored Trump or threatened to quit. A video clip has Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner, telling the committee he chalked up the potential rush of resignations to whining, not something he took seriously, that he was too busy working on presidential pardons.

Cheney said the public would learn in the next five hearings that what happened on that fateful day at the Capitol was not a spontaneous event. On the morning of January 6, President Trumps intention was to remain president of the United States. Over multiple months, Donald Trump oversaw and coordinated a sophisticated plan.

This first presentation, in primetime, was a fast-paced collage orchestrated by chairman Thompson and co-chair Cheney in an emotionally detached narrative that relied on facts backed up by testimony from those involved. Jason Miller, a former Trump adviser in good standing said the campaigns data guy told the president in pretty blunt terms that he was going to lose the election.

Lawyers found nothing that would change the outcome. Barr said allegations of fraud were complete nonsense, but they were made in such a sensational way that the public was believing it. I told him it was crazy stuff, and it was doing a great disservice to the country.

Ivanka Trump in her testimony said simply, I respect Attorney General Barr. I accepted what he was saying.

In Cheneys telling, Trump ignored multiple court rulings, plus his own Department of Justice, and invested millions of dollars of campaign funds running ads to convince people he had been grievously mistreated. There is a straight line from that misinformation campaign to the Jan. 6 insurrection.

The White House staff knew that President Donald Trump was too dangerous to be left alone, Cheney said. These are important facts for the American people to know. To her Republican colleagues, Cheney added, There will come a day when Donald Trump is gone but your dishonor will remain.

In the closing hour of the hearing, the committee aired never-before-seen footage from Jan. 6 that proved even more sickening than what weve already seen, a crazed crowd disgracing themselves and the country. Caroline Edwards, a Capitol police officer who suffered a concussion, told the committee she did her best to defend the Capitol during those critical hours while Trump watched TV. Im not combat-trained, she said, and wasnt equipped to deal with the war zone the Capitol had become.

British filmmaker Nick Quested, who was following the Proud Boys, captured a meeting in a garage the night before between Enrique Tarrio of the Proud Boys and Stewart Rhodes of the Oath Keepers as they plotted their assault on the Capitol.

Mike Pence didnt have the courage to do what needs to be done, Trump tweets. One of the committees closing images is a close-up of the gallows with a red noose that awaited Pence, graphically underscoring the seriousness of the days events and how close we came to losing our democracy.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Former White House adviser Jared Kushner was slammed for dismissing the threats by then-White House counsel Pat Cipollone to resign ahead of the Capitol riots as whining.

A year and a half after Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol, the January 6 House select committee on Thursday opened its hearing with video footage that showed a number of his most trusted aides and advisers, including his daughter Ivanka Trump, explaining that they knew the election was not stolen.

Representative Bennie Thompson, chairman of the committee, opened the panel with a stark warning that set to lay out the stakes of the proceedings: American democracy remains in danger.

Mr Thompson said America could not sweep what happened on 6 January 2021 under the rug.

Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney, who is a member of the investigating committee, asked Mr Kushner during a recorded deposition if he was aware of Mr Cipollone threatening to resign ahead of the insurrection.

I kind of, like I said, my interest at that time was on trying to get as many pardons done, said Mr Kushner, who is married to the former presidents eldest daughter Ivanka Trump.

He testified: And I know that, you know, him and the team were always saying, Oh were going to resign, were not going to be here if this happens, if that happens. So I kind of took it up to just be whining, to be honest to you.

Ms Cheney said the threats from Mr Cipollone to resign showed the seriousness of the matter, which was brushed off by Mr Kushner and other Trump aides. It requires immediate attention, the congresswoman said.

People on Twitter tore into Mr Kushner after his testimony. Holy f****** s***, Jared Kushner is a slimy weasel, wrote user Jeff Tiedrich.

holy fucking shit, Jared Kushner is a slimy weasel  Jeff Tiedrich (@itsJeffTiedrich) June 10, 2022

So that Jared Kushner clip, eh? Sheesh, wrote journalist Mehdi Hasan.

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So that Jared Kushner clip, eh?



Sheesh.  Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) June 10, 2022

Writer Tim Miller added: Is there a less likeable person in public life than Jared Kushner? Feels like he is at least top four.

Is there a less likeable person in public life than Jared Kushner? Feels like he is at least Top 4  Tim Miller (@Timodc) June 10, 2022

Every rare utterance from Jared Kushner reminds you of what an arrogant, insufferable little s*** he is, wrote commentator Tommy Vietor.

Every rare utterance from Jared Kushner reminds you of what an arrogant, insufferable little shit he is  Tommy Vietor (@TVietor08) June 10, 2022

The presidents daughter in one of the first videos played by committee members during their opening statements said she accepted attorney general Bill Barrs assertion was not stolen from Mr Trump.

I respected AG Barr, and accepted what he was saying, Ms Trump told the committee in her recorded testimony.

Mr Barr had dismissed the former presidents claim of election fraud as bulls***.

Frankly, a year and a half later, Ive seen nothing to change my mind on that, Mr Barr said in his testimony.

Ms Cheney directly blamed Mr Trump for the attack on the US Capitol, saying the former president summoned the mob, assembled the mob and lit the flame of this attack.

Those who invaded our Capitol and battled law enforcement for hours were motivated by what President Trump had told them: that the election was stolen, and that he was the rightful president, she said.
By Rajesh Kumar Singh and David Shepardson

CHICAGO/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - JetBlue Airways Corp Chief Executive Robin Hayes said Friday he is "optimistic" he can reach a deal to acquire Spirit Airlines Inc.

"We're pleased that there now seems to be a genuine desire from the Spirit board to engage with us," Hayes told Reuters late Friday in an interview. "We're going to continue to engage with the Spirit board over the next few weeks."

Florida-based ultra-low-cost carrier Spirit is the subject of a bidding war between JetBlue and Frontier Group Holdings Inc. Spirit has repeatedly rejected JetBlue's offer, saying it has a low likelihood of winning approval from U.S. regulators.

Spirit postponed a shareholder vote on its merger with Frontier to June 30 from June 10. Hayes said he thinks the majority of Spirit shareholders believe JetBlue's offer is superior and "that's why they had to delay the vote."

JPMorgan said in an analyst report 'Thursday that a deal by JetBlue to buy Spirit has become a "growing probability."

Both bidders view Spirit as an opportunity to expand their domestic footprints at a time when the U.S. airline industry is dogged by persistent labor and aircraft shortages. Either of the two deals would create the fifth-largest U.S. airline.

JetBlue has sweetened its offer for Spirit by increasing its reverse break-up fee by $150 million to $350 million, raising the overall value of its proposed deal to $3.4 billion. The New York-based airline has offered to pay a portion of the fee upfront after Spirit shareholders approve the deal.

Frontier has agreed to pay Spirit a break-up fee of $250 million but declined to raise its bid of $21.10 a share in cash and stock at Friday's closing price in response to JetBlue's revised offer.

Hayes said the revised offers illustrate "the benefit of the competitive process that the (Spirit) board should have run in the first place. Things that have happened in the last two weeks could have happened months ago."

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JetBlue's "Northeast Alliance" (NEA) partnership with American Airlines is a sticking point with Spirit.

The Justice Department sued JetBlue and American to unwind the partnership. Spirit has asked JetBlue to drop the partnership if it wants a deal, but JetBlue declined.

JPMorgan said JetBlue would be willing to trade away the NEA partnership for a Spirit merger.

"Mergers are transformational by design," the note said.

(Reporting by Rajesh Kumar Singh and David Shepardson; Editing by Susan Fenton and David Gregorio)
Watch: Julie Andrews recalls illustrious Hollywood career

Julie Andrews was the star of the show as she attended the 48th AFI (American Film Institute) Life Achievement Award Gala.

The icon, 86, looked a vision of elegance at the event dedicated to awarding her with the 'highest honour in American cinema', joined by other stars including Gwen Stefani, Fran Drescher and Jane Seymour.

Practically perfect in every way, Dame Andrews wore a floor-length navy blue gown, with a square neckline adorned in pearls and diamonds, complete with sheer bell sleeves.

The ensemble was accessorised with equally as dazzling diamond-encrusted earrings, in a swirl shape design.

Read more: Countess of Wessex supports Dame Deborah James by wearing charity T-shirt

Julie Andrews became a Dame in 2000 by the Queen for her services to the performing arts. (Getty Images for TNT)

It was first revealed the Mary Poppins and Sound of Music star would be celebrated with the Life Achievement Award in 2019, due to be honoured in 2020, and then 2021. But as a result of Covid-19, it is now only three years later that she has finally received the promised award at the Dolby Theatre in LA on 9 June 2022.

"I'm enormously honoured that AFI chose me," the actor, singer, author and podcast host told Los Angeles Times.

"It is a little bit stunning. It makes me hugely aware that there was a large volume of work. When you're in it, you're so busy doing the work that you don't take stock of what you've done.

"And when someone else does, you marvel: 'Wow, that's a lot."

Andrews has had three Oscar nominations during her career, including for The Sound of Music, and winning for Mary Poppins. She has also won multiple Golden Globes, Emmys, BAFTAs and Grammys over the years.

The AFI event marks a rare public appearance for Andrews who is "still pretty much isolated" following the pandemic. "My age, my preference," she said.

Read more: Priyanka Chopra elevates the humble black gown with Elizabethan inspired ruffles

Carol Burnett presents Julie Andrews with her very special award. (REUTERS)

On attending the Gala, she added, "It is a big fundraiser and its lovely to be part of that.

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I have no idea what they have planned, but I do know a few people who will be there. My great chum Carol Burnett will be doing something so Im looking forward to that. Im a bit worried because COVID is surging again, but I know AFI is taking all the precautions.

Andrews and fellow star Burnett, the 89-year-old comedian, actor, singer and writer, were indeed seen together at the event, with her 'great chum' presenting her with the special award, the pair embracing on stage.

But Burnett wasn't the only one to make Andrews' evening, with five of the seven actors who played the von Trapp children in the 1965 musical reuniting to show their support.

Some 57 years later, Duane Chase, 71 (who played Kurt), Kym Karath, 63 (Gretl), Angela Cartwright, 69, (Brigitta), Debbie Turner, 65, (Marta) and Nicholas Hammond, 72 (Friedrich) all came together, co-ordinating their clothes in black and white.

Read more: Anne Hathaway proves canary yellow is the colour of the summer in sunshine Valentino

The von Trapp children: Duane Chase, Kym Karath, Angela Cartwright, Debbie Turner, and Nicholas Hammond. (Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

Meanwhile, Gwen Stefani wore a voluminous ombre dress with a dramatic frilled skirt. She arrived on the red carpet with her husband Blake Shelton.
The Daily Beast

NewsmaxKicking off her brand-new Newsmax program on Wednesday night, former Fox News star Greta Van Susteren couldnt have asked for a more awkward and cringe-inducing debut.At the top of the premiere broadcast of The Record with Greta Van Susteren, the veteran anchor brought on Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) for a live interview. Grassley, the ranking Republican member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, patched in via video feed from the halls of Congress.Getting right into it, Van Susteren asked a
TechCrunch

The European Union is considering how to respond to a major blow to its antitrust enforcement after a court in Luxembourg sided with chipmaker Qualcomm -- which had been appealing a 997 million ($1 billion+) fine the EU levied against it back in 2018. At the time, the bloc's competition regulator concluded Qualcomm had abused its market position by providing financial incentives to iPhone maker Apple to exclusively use its chips in iPhones and iPads, between 2011 and 2016. While the Commission concluded that the incentive payments had reduced Apples incentives to switch to competing suppliers to source LTE chipsets, it is apparent from the Commission decision that Apple had had no technical alternative to Qualcomms LTE chipsets for the majority of its requirements," the news agency reports the court setting out its reasoning for siding with Qualcomm.
A computer reconstruction shows what "Jenny," an unidentified homicide victim found in Ottawa County in 1967, may have looked like.

WEST OLIVE  The Ottawa County's cold case detectives are working every day to identify a murder victim who has gone nameless for nearly 55 years.

A partnership with the DNA Doe Project has identified some distant relatives of the still unidentified victim of a 1967 murder.

"We've come leaps and bounds from where we started," said Detective Sara Fillman. "It may seem from the outside like nothing has changed, but several times a month we get a tidbit that gets a hi-five and a yahoo because it's a bit of information that we didn't have before."

More: Body in 1967 cold case exhumed for DNA testing

More: 'Somebody knows something:' Sheriff's Office cold case team works unsolved murders

The woman, whose body was found in a wooded area in Blendon Township on Oct. 20, 1967, was nicknamed "Jenny" by detectives. A medical examiner determined she had died of strangulation up to a week before her body was found.

Her body was exhumed by the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office in July 2020 and sent to a Michigan State University Department of Forensic Anthropology laboratory.

"We didn't know when we started whether it would yield anything," said Capt. Jacob Sparks.

The burial vault of a young woman strangled in 1967 is lowered from a truck after being exhumed Wednesday, July 29, 2020, at Blendon Cemetery.

MSU's researchers examined her remains, but the results were "not as conclusive as we had hoped."

The range of possible ages for the victim, previously thought to be between 17 and 22, has been expanded to "somewhere between a teenager and a 35-year-old," Fillman said, "quite a broad age range." The MSU researchers found that parts of her body were in different stages of development, leading to the uncertainty about her age.

Ottawa County sent some samples to the FBI, but the sample was too degraded to obtain a DNA profile.

Captain Mark Bennett with the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office speaks with the media Wednesday, July 29, 2020, at Blendon Cemetery following the exhumation of the body of a young woman strangled in 1967.

The detective team turned next to the DNA Doe Project, a nonprofit organization powered by volunteer genealogists.

"A private lab was able to successfully obtain a DNA profile through a different process," Fillman said.

The DNA Doe Project uses existing databases of DNA profiles, submitted by users of direct-to-consumer DNA test kits, to find relatives who share some of the same DNA profile as the unidentified person. As they get closer in kinship relationships to the victim, the DNA Doe Project volunteers provide law enforcement with the "closer" relatives names so they can conduct interviews.

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This relatively new law enforcement technique, genetic genealogy, is now in use across the U.S. solving old crimes, perhaps most famously identifying the Golden State Killer several years ago.

Dennis Bowman stands with his attorneys as he is sentenced for the 1989 murder of Aundria Bowman in a courtroom in Allegan County's 48th Circuit Court, Monday, Feb. 7, 2022.

Closer to home, genetic genealogy was the technique that led Norfolk, Va., detectives to Hamilton man Dennis Bowman in their investigation of a 1980 murder.

After his arrest in that case, he made a confession from jail about the whereabouts of his missing daughter's body and Allegan County law enforcement were able to convict Bowman of the 14-year-old girl's 1989 murder a few months ago.

So far, though none of the potential relatives of Jenny contacted by Ottawa County detectives have known of a missing family member, it feels like progress. Part of the difficulty is that with a 55-year-old case, fewer relatives are likely to be alive who might remember Jenny or remember hearing about a missing second cousin.

More: Hamilton man gets 35 years for daughter's 1989 murder

More: Bowman moved to Virginia prison to serve murder sentences

"I think we're very hopeful," Detective Allison Anderson said. "The DNA Doe Project is putting in countless hours of work and research. We're very hopeful that we'll be able to identify her."

The pair of detectives may also have reason to hope coming off the successful identification in January of a 1994 murder victim, Shelly Rae Kephart, 30, who went by the name Shelly Rae Christian.

Shelly Rae Kephart, also known as Shelly Rae Christian.

Christian went missing from Minnesota in October 1993 and was found in the Coopersville area in November 1994. Her cause of death was undetermined.

Christian was also identified through the work of the DNA Doe Project. Although initially the investigative genealogists struggled to find a close match to her DNA profile, they were able to identify a couple born in Iowa in the 1840s as her ancestors and then worked their way through her family tree. They found a missing persons' report for Shelly Christian that appeared to match the then-unknown woman; then they used DNA of Christian's living close relatives to confirm the relationship.

Now Fillman and Anderson are working to decipher what happened to Christian.

"Last month, Detective Fillman and I were able to travel to Minnesota to try to gain more information on Shelly by talking to her friends and family," Anderson said. "We're trying to determine what brought her here to Michigan."

One theory detectives were looking at in the mid-1990s was she was the second in a string of possibly serial homicides of young women involved in prostitution in the Grand Rapids area.

Shelly Rae Kephart, also known as Shelly Rae Christian.

Fillman stressed the investigation is looking at numerous theories of Christian's death, though one component of the investigation is reviewing the records of the task force that was formed to investigate the dozen women killed between 1994-1996.

"One thing we do in these investigations is we try to open up the possibilities," Fillman said. "We don't want to stay on a narrow path that a previous investigator was focused on. We step back and look at the whole thing with fresh eyes. There are lots of other theories, lots of other associates she knew back in Minnesota, so we're kind of starting from scratch."

Key to making progress on these old investigations is outreach to the public, too. With Christian's case only 27 years cold, there is still a good chance of reaching people who would have known her in West Michigan or Minnesota.

"These detectives are working on it every day," said Capt. Sparks. "If anybody knows anything, we'd ask you to reach out."

 Contact reporter Carolyn Muyskens at cmuyskens@hollandsentinel.com and follow her on Twitter at @cjmuyskens.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Ottawa County cold case team works 55-year-old murder case
Texas Tech's head women's basketball coach Krista Gerlich speaks to her team before practice, Wednesday, March 9, 2022, at the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City. Tech's game is 5:30 p.m. on Thursday against Oklahoma State.

The Texas Tech women's basketball team will embark on a 10-day, two-city Greek tour this August that will feature games against European select/all-star teams.

Scheduled to leave from Lubbock on Aug. 6, the Lady Raiders will arrive in Athens on Aug. 7. In addition to spending time in Athens, the Lady Raiders will also visit the island of Crete.

Allowed to embark one trip every four years by the NCAA, the Lady Raiders last went on a foreign tour in 2016, traveling to Spain and Portugal. Other previous foreign tours include trips to Canada (2010), Australia (2005) and France/Switzerland (2001).

In addition to exhibition games, Texas Tech will also be allowed to conduct an additional 10 practices before leaving for Greece. Those practices begin on July 26 and run through Aug. 6.

More: Big 12 schools get $42.6 million each in annual payout

Men's golf

Texas Tech junior Ludvig Aberg has earned All-Big 12 men's golf honors for the second straight season to add to his long list of accolades based on achievement.

A Sweden native, Aberg was named the Ben Hogan Award winner along with securing PING All-America honors the past couple of weeks. He is the first Tech player to win the Ben Hogan Award and becomes the fifth Red Raider to earn All-Big 12 honors multiple times. He finished his third season at No. 3 in the Golfstat collegiate ranking and No. 4 by Golfweek ratings.

The All-Big 12 Team was selected by using the top-10 players according to the Golfweek rankings following the Big 12 Championship. Aberg won the 2022 Big 12 Championship at 8-under-par to continue a streak of six straight top-10 showings.

Aberg is also currently at No. 3 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking after a collegiate season where he won the 2022 Big 12 Championship and The Prestige. He secured eight top-10 finishes and earned All-America honors by finishing 11th during NCAA Championship stroke play last week in Scottsdale, Arizona.

He joins Andrew Dresser, Oscar Floren, Chris Ward and Nils Floren as the only Red Raiders to have been named to the All-Big 12 Team twice. Nils Floren is currently the only three-time selection with Aberg set to return for his senior season with the opportunity to match him.

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More: Skogen earns PING All-America honorable mention

Volleyball

Coming off the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2001, the Red Raiders announced their fall schedule which features 13 non-conference matches and 16 contests against Big 12 opponents. Tech will play 15 matches against NCAA Tournament teams from the 2021 season.

The Big 12 schedule will return to its normal format, last used in the 2019 season, where teams will play once at home and once away from September to November. The past two seasons the conference slate featured back-to-back games against the same opponent either home or away.

Tech will start with a pair of scrimmages at home, first hosting North Texas at 4 p.m. Aug. 18 at United Supermarkets Arena and again at 6 p.m. Aug. 20 for the annual Red and Black intrasquad scrimmage.

More: Wes Kittley, Wes Welker make ballot for Texas Sports Hall of Fame

The Red Raiders open the 2022 regular season slate on the road at a tournament in South Bend, Indiana (Aug. 26-27) as they face Notre Dame and Milwaukee.

Tech will host Tarleton State in a midweek match for the home opener Aug. 30 at United Supermarkets Arena.

The Red Raiders will hit the road for back-to-back weeks, first stopping in Athens, Georgia (Sept. 2-3) for a tournament against College of Charleston, Charlotte and UGA. The Red Raiders will stay in the Lone Star State for a tournament at Rice in Houston (Sept. 9-11). The tournament will feature three NCAA Tournament teams from 2021: Texas A&M- Corpus Christi, Brown and Rice.

Tech returns to Lubbock for the Red Raider Classic Sept. 15-17 where Tech will host SMU, UTRGV, Arizona State and Oral Roberts. The tournament will serve as the non-conference finale as the Red Raiders will open Big 12 play the following week.

The Red Raiders will jumpstart Big 12 play on the road at West Virginia (Sept. 24) before returning to Lubbock to host Kansas State (Sept. 28) and Texas (Oct. 1).

Tech makes a quick trip to Fort Worth for a match against TCU (Oct. 8) then back home to host Oklahoma (Oct. 12) before heading to Kansas (Oct. 15) and Baylor (Oct. 19).

The Red Raiders will welcome Iowa State to the United Supermarkets Arena on Oct. 21, Baylor on Nov. 2 and TCU on Nov. 9 with a stop in Austin in between to face the Longhorns (Oct. 26).

Tech travels north to Norman to take on Oklahoma (Nov. 9) then moves on to Ames to face Iowa State (Nov. 12). Tech hits the road one last time Nov. 23 in Manhattan when they meet Kansas State.

The Red Raiders' final home matches will take place Nov. 19 against West Virginia and Nov. 25 against Kansas in the regular season finale.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Texas Tech women's basketball announces foreign trip to Greece
Larry Ellison bought Lanai in Hawaii for $300 million a decade ago. Kim Kulish/Getty Images

Oracle founder Larry Ellison added two Nobu restaurants since buying Lanai, Bloomberg reported.

He promised to revitalize the island's economy, but residents say they've been priced out.

Ellison spent $75 million on an upgrade to the Four Seasons, but canned affordable housing plans.

After Oracle founder Larry Ellison bought almost all the land on the Hawaiian island of Lanai for $300 million a decade ago, his first major project was opening a branch of the high-end Japanese restaurant Nobu, according to a Bloomberg report.

In the years since, a second Nobu has opened on the island, but many local residents whose families have lived on Lanai for generations have left, according to the report.

A 150-unit affordable housing complex promised to residents for years was also canned by Ellison's holding company, Pulama.

About 3,200 people live on Lanai, the smallest inhabited Hawaiian island, where tourism is the main industry.

Ellison, who founded software giant Oracle and is worth about $95 billion, according to Forbes, moved to the island full-time in 2020.

He also spent $75 million upgrading the Four Seasons resort on the island, where rooms can cost thousands of dollars a night, Bloomberg reported.

All properties available to buy in Lanai City are billed as vacation homes with seven-figure price tags.

The Hawaiian island of Lanai owned by Larry Ellison. Ted Soqui/Getty Images

One local who cannot afford to buy a property on the island told Bloomberg: "My biggest worry, worst-case scenario, is that the island becomes this playground for only the rich."

A news clip of Ellison promised to help the local economy on Lanai is now a running joke among its residents, according to the report.

He said in an interview with The New York Times that he saw Lanai becoming "the first economically viable, 100% green community."

Pulama is planning to build a desalination plant on the island, according to Bloomberg.

However, a seventh-generation resident who represents Lanai on a marine sanctuary advisory council, said his requests to speak to Ellison have been been repeatedly ignored.

Ellison did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

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COVID-19 featured heavily in Mayor Ken Miyagishima's 2022 State of the City Address on March 2, 2022.

LAS CRUCES - The mayor of the state's second largest city partially supported dropping the pre-departure COVID-19 test required for air travel into the country. On Friday, the Biden administration announced that the United States will no longer require a negative test starting Sunday.

Under the soon-to-expire guidance, any traveler flying into the United States is required to test negative for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status or citizenship, no more than one day before boarding their flight into the country. There's an exemption for travelers 2 and older who have recently recovered from the virus.

While unvaccinated American citizens and permanent residents will now be allowed reentry in the U.S. without a test starting Sunday, only fully vaccinated international travelers will be allowed into the U.S. They just won't need a negative test.

Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima was among several dozen mayors to sign a letter to Dr. Ashish Jha, the White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator, requesting the federal government eliminate the testing requirement for inbound travel to the United States, though only for vaccinated travelers.

"This requirement makes little sense considering that nearly all other sectors of the U.S. economy are operating without a testing requirement," the June 7 letter states. "Stronger immunity provided by vaccinations, boosters and prior infections, as well as effective treatments to prevent the worst outcomes of COVID-19, have enabled Americans to safely return to work, schools and public activities  all without the need for a testing requirement."

Miyagishima joined three dozen other mayors in signing the letter, and he was the only New Mexico mayor to sign. The mayors of New York City, San Francisco, Orlando, Houston and Louisville are some of the others to sign.

More: Ready for takeoff? See how Las Cruces International Airport is preparing for passenger service

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The letter says international travel to U.S. cities is still low more than two years after the pandemic began and claims the testing requirement is a deterrent, as travelers worry about needing to cancel trips last-minute if they test positive. Americans abroad also worry, the letter claims, about not being allowed entry back into the country temporarily.

"In 2021, international visitation was a staggering 78 percent below prepandemic levels," the letter states. "Our constituents and our businesses suffered greatly from this steep decline in international travel spending, and they cannot fully recover until this vital sector of the U.S. economy rebounds."

In a statement Friday, the Las Cruces mayor said he supports everyone being vaccinated against COVID-19.

"I feel that people know enough about the vaccine as to whether or not they should take the vaccination," Miyagishima wrote. "We can't stay in a lockdown forever, we need to resume some sense of normalcy."

Miyagishima said he was alright with the federal government dropping the negative test requirement for any American, a citizen or someone with legal residency, regardless of their vaccination status, but he said he would prefer a vaccination requirement for non-American travelers remain intact regardless of a test.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determined the requirement is no longer necessary based on the science, USA Today reports. The decision will be reassessed in 90 days and the health agency plans to evaluate it on an ongoing basis.

Though the decision comes as COVID-19 case counts have risen nationwide in recent months. During a news conference Wednesday, state health officials said while cases and hospitalizations in the state have risen, it's minimal compared to the waves New Mexico experienced in 2020 and 2021 and said a return to broad public health edicts such as mask mandates was unlikely.

Michael McDevitt is a city and county government reporter for the Sun-News. He can be reached at 575-202-3205, mmcdevitt@lcsun-news.com or @MikeMcDTweets on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Las Cruces mayor called for partial removal of COVID-19 testing for travel
Bacalhau a bras is one of Portugals most well known dishes (Hannah Twiggs)

Ive come to realise, as my colleague Sean Russell recently so eloquently put it, dainty things are the most civilised. Like him, I like small, concentrated coffees, half-pints and tapas. This is probably partly influenced by my mums move to Spain some years ago, where tradition  and the heat  necessitates small dishes, small drinks and big conversation. Perhaps it also stems from my indecision when consulting a menu; I want to try a bit of everything, and small plates are the perfect solution. Less is more, and all that.

When my mum came over to the UK to visit recently  after Covid kept us apart for more than a year, she is very enthusiastic (some would say overly, but not I) about a regular programme of enforced family time  I booked us in for some petiscos (Portuguese small plates) at Nuno Mendess Lisboeta on Charlotte Street, which opened to much fanfare in March. Mendes has been on the radar for some time, though fate had other ideas about him sticking around for very long. His first stint in London was at the much-remembered Bacchus in Hoxton, a sort of modernist gastropub. Then there was The Loft Project, an intimate and experimental supper club he ran out of his flat in Haggerston. He opened his first restaurant, Viajante, in Bethnal Green, in 2010, and it had a successful run, earning a Michelin star in its first year and retaining it until the restaurant closed in 2014.

He also cooked at Chiltern Firehouse in Marylebone, which needs no introduction. In 2018, he opened and then closed the popular Taberna de Mercado in Spitalfields, citing financial difficulties. And yet, wherever he went, hungry crowds of fans came calling. Hes probably known best for two things: a certain fearlessness in the face of stuffy diners in search of the best Instagram photo, and deeply caring about the cooking and the story behind it. Lisboeta marks a bold return to the London restaurant scene, and its clear hes learnt a lot along the way.

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Snacks: Goan-spiced pork pie and Morcela sausage and razor clams on toast (Hannah Twiggs)

A lot of people in the UK think they know Portuguese cuisine, in the same way they think they know Spanish cuisine, when in fact theyre just loosely familiar with an Anglicised slice of it. I often think of it as one of those cuisines thats difficult to replicate here as its so dependent on the freshest local produce, good weather and a certain atmosphere you only get in Mediterranean countries.

Lisboeta, Mendes so-called love letter to Lisbon, the city he grew up in and calls home, might surprise you: its not all tinned sardines and custard tarts. You will find, however, whipped lardo, an awful lot of black pork from the Alentejo, egg yolks here and there and a pork fat custard dessert. It doesnt sound all that appealing on the face of it but Im prepared to buckle up in the search for something authentically Portuguese  or at least something authentically Mendes.

Firstly  obviously  an aperitivo. A friend recommended the white port and tonic cocktail as something refreshing to start, which at first made me baulk: how is fortified wine refreshing? But it couldnt have been further from my expectations. It was light, and there was a welcoming fruitiness from pear, lemon, pineapple and clementine; paired with bitter tonic, it was not dissimilar to Aperol. Perfectly refreshing  perhaps I will be switching my spritzes from now on, and you can be sure Ill be stocking up on white port.

Petiscos: bacalhau a bras and plumas de porco preto (Hannah Twiggs)

Though I am loath to admit it, Instagram influenced our menu choices. First on my hitlist was the Vindalho Empada, a Goan-spiced pork pie. I normally eschew any form of pie as its so often too rich, too filling, too disappointing. But out came a baby-sized, beautifully buttery and crusty pastry (no soggy bottoms here) housing a rich pork paste that made the whole thing melt in the middle. It was the thin, almost transparent, slice of lardo on top, though, that had me hooked. One bite and you might miss that extra, porky hit of umami.

I also had my eye on the Morcela e lingueirao, Morcela sausage and razor clams on toast  and Ive been thinking about them ever since. The saltiness of the Morcela, a Portuguese black sausage, and the sprigs of samphire on top cut through the delicate sweetness of the ultra-melty clams. I wanted more, but one or two each is rich enough. It was hard not to linger in the Snacks, Charcuterie and Cheese section indeed, I think I could have dined exclusively out of it. I would have liked to try more of the black pork of the Alentejo, of which there are two options in this section, or the sheeps cheese, but the Petiscos were calling.

Ive already found my favourite bacalhau on Earth  not in Portugal but in Spain, at Cerveceria Catalana in Barcelona, which also happens to be one of my favourite restaurants on Earth. Their version, bacalla a lallioli de mel, cod with honey and allioli, is simply divine. Lisboetas rendition still makes the list. The Bacalhau a Bras, arguably one of the countrys most well-known dishes, thankfully skips the black olives and instead tops it with a mound of thin slivers of crispy potato  kind of a mix between bacalhau and huevos cabreados (AKA angry eggs). It strikes the right balance of creamy and crispy, salty and sweet, and is a simple, but special dish.

We also opted for the pork (black, from the Alentejo, of course) with a fermented red pepper paste, over the bavette steak with pica pau sauce, though a layman might not be able to tell the difference between the meats. Served medium rare and grilled over the open fire downstairs  which you can watch if you sit at the bar  the fillet had a deep, golden crust on the outside, and was ultra-tender and delicately textured on the inside. Meanwhile, the bright and funky pepper paste was spicy and sweet, the perfect balance for the rich and fatty pork.

The abade de priscos with pork fat custard was surprising tasty (Hannah Twiggs)

On the veg front, the smoked Charlotte potatoes were pretty basic, only jazzed up by another layering of that salty lardo film. The mushroom acorda  sourdough bread soaked in mushroom dashi and port wine, with grilled and smoked mushrooms and an egg yolk  was a little too floppy and moist. I wish Id gone for the grilled asparagus in wild garlic sauce instead, which looked pretty, or perhaps abandoned the veg entirely in favour of the grilled carabineiro, those bright red, enormous prawns. Our choices were surprisingly lacking in seafood for a Portuguese meal.

We didnt venture into the Tachos and Travessas, larger (and more expensive) dishes to share, as we were short on time, but I did find myself gazing in jealousy at neighbouring tables lamb chanfana, served steaming in a big clay pot, or the arroz de marisco, Portugals answer to seafood paella. We did squeeze in the abade de priscos, the aforementioned dessert with pork fat custard  mostly out of curiosity. I expected it to look and taste like a creme caramel but it was more like a big dollop of amorphous ice cream and was pleasantly sweet and salty. Im a big advocate for puddings with salt and olive oil, so it was the perfect dessert for savoury lovers like me, though it wont please everyone.

For something more broadly representative of Portuguese food, youd be better off at places like Grelha DOuro or Bar Douro, but thats not why you would go to Lisboeta. Mendes describes it as a love letter to his home town and thats exactly what it is. A slice of his Lisbon. Fans of his idiosyncratic cooking style will come flocking to any new opening regardless, while passersby on Londons Charlotte Street, where Lisboeta rubs shoulders with some of the capitals trendiest restaurants, will be lured inside by a creative menu (with the occasional misfire) and a sexy setting. If they can get a booking, that is  youll need to plan at least a month ahead for dinner, or else eat unfashionably early.

For what it is and where it is, its fairly inexpensive, too. A cocktail each, two snacks, three petiscos and one dessert  a fairly light meal due to time constraints  set us back 84, but if you opted for one of the larger sharing dishes, youd be looking at an additional 40-50 and thats before you get to the wine, where the prices are pretty standard for London. It suited our speedy, light dinner as much as it would suit a longer, lazier sitting. If I went back  and I would, which I dont often  I would try a whole different selection of dishes and drinks and probably have a very different experience. If that isnt a snapshot of the dining culture of Lisbon and Portugal, I dont know what is.

Lisboeta, 50 Charlotte St, London, W1T 2NG | lisboeta.co.uk | 020 3830 9888
Singapore shuttler Loh Kean Yew in action at the Hanoi SEA Games. (FILE PHOTO: Sport Singapore/ Lim Weixiang)

SINGAPORE  Against a wily rival, Singapore shuttler Loh Kean Yew took control early before withstanding a spirited fightback to defeat China's Lu Guangzu and advance into the Indonesia Masters semi-finals on Friday (10 June).

The reigning world champion, ranked 10th in the world, took the first set comfortably but was locked in a far tighter second set against his world No.25 opponent. Trailing 17-19, Loh used a final spurt of dominance to claim the final four points to win the tie 21-15, 21-19.

In the semi-finals on Saturday, Loh will be facing Taiwan's world No.4 Chou Tien-chen, who defeated India's world No.8 Lakshya Sen 21-16, 12-21, 21-14. Both have won twice in their head-to-head record.

If the Singaporean reaches the final, he could meet world No.1 Viktor Axelsen - whom he had beaten amid his memorable Badminton World Championships run last December, or Indonesia's world No.6 Anthony Sinisuka Ginting.

Loh had started the Super 500 tournament - which carries a total prize purse of US$360,000 (S$495,000) - with a 21-14, 21-13 win over France's world No.25 Toma Junior Popov on Wednesday. He followed it up with another straightforward victory in the round of 16, defeating Indonesia's world No.46 Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo 21-11, 21-14 on Thursday.

This is his first tournament since earning two medals, a silver and a bronze, at the Hanoi SEA Games last month, when he lost to Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsam in the men's singles final after leading the Singapore men's team to third place in the team competition.

Loh will be embarking on a busy schedule in the next couple of months, as he takes part in several top regional tournaments such as next week's Indonesia Open, the Malaysia Open at the end of the month and next month's Singapore Badminton Open.

He is also selected by the Singapore National Olympic Council to take part in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham at the end of July.

Stay in the know on-the-go: Join Yahoo Singapore's Telegram channel at http://t.me/YahooSingapore
Johnny Depp, Larry Forman's courtroom notes, and Amber Heard. Larry Forman/Jim Watson/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

A Kentucky attorney attended the Depp-Heard trial a few days and took notes on the jury's reactions.

Larry Forman auctioned off his notebook for $15,000 and now plans to sell his courthouse wristbands.

Forman told Insider he planned to donate all the proceeds to the Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

A man who attended the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard defamation trial is auctioning off his courthouse wristbands after selling his notes on the jury's reactions for almost $15,000 earlier this week.

Larry Forman, a practicing attorney from Louisville, Kentucky, told Insider he attended the celebrity trial at the Fairfax County Courthouse in Virginia between May 16 and May 22 because he became "enamored with the case" and wanted to see it in person. Forman said he was not involved in the proceedings in a professional capacity.

Forman can be seen sitting with fellow courtroom spectators in the photo below:

Larry Forman sitting among spectators in the Fairfax County Courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia, on May 17. Brendan Smialowski/Pool/AFP via Getty Images

While there, Forman took notes on the court proceedings and focused on the jury's reactions. He told Insider he did so because he thought it was "the most important thing" of the trial. While all six weeks of trial testimony were livestreamed, the jury was never filmed.

"You have to see how they react to defense witnesses. Then, you have to see how they react to the plaintiff's witnesses. Then, you have to see how they react during breaks," he said. "Who do they look at? Who do they smile at?"

He added: "Having that attorney knowledge ... has put me in the absolute best position to watch that and comment on it."

Forman's notebook and notes he took during the trial. Larry Forman

Forman said he auctioned off the notebook containing all of his notes  which filled about 60 pages  on eBay for $14,969 on Wednesday, telling Insider: "The lucky winner has the chance to get a piece of history."

He said he planned on donating the full amount of the proceeds to the Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

He said he chose the hospital because it played a central part in the court case: Heard previously said she would donate her $7 million divorce settlement from Depp to the American Civil Liberties Union and the hospital.

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She paid only $250,000 of the promised $3.5 million donation to the children's hospital, Candie Davidson-Goldbronn, a representative for the hospital, said during the trial.

In her testimony, Heard said she halted the donations when Depp sued her for $50 million in damages but that she intended "on honoring all of my pledges."

The hospital did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Forman told Insider he also planned to auction off the wristbands he received from the courthouse to enter the courtroom.

Every morning during the trial, courthouse officials gave out wristbands to the first 100 people in line outside the building, with Neama Rahmani, the president of West Coast Trial Lawyers, telling Insider's Ashley Collman that people started lining up before midnight every day to get one.

Forman's wristband from the trial. Larry Forman

Depp sued Heard in 2019, alleging that she defamed him in a Washington Post op-ed in which she described herself as a victim of domestic violence. Heard countersued.

In a verdict reached on June 1, the jury found both Depp and Heard liable for defamation against each other, awarding Depp $15 million in damages and Heard $2 million.

Forman, for his part, said he expected Depp to win.

"Watching the jury, I was absolutely convinced that some of them, not all of them  No. 2 and No. 6 and No. 5 were the hardest ones to read  were going to be on Johnny's side," he said. "After seeing their reactions, I was firmly convinced that Johnny was going to win."

Read the original article on Insider
Just in time for summer, Mangos New Med has landed in Paris. The Spanish brand brought its breezy, beach-inspired design concept to the Boulevard Haussmann flagship with a splashy preview Friday ahead of its weekend opening, which offered a series of activations including an ice cream truck.

The two-level, 15,000-square-foot store has been given a major makeover, with bright white walls, terrazzo treatments and wood floors, arches and flowing spaces meant to evoke a seaside villa. Architects raised the ceilings and uncovered the original windows to allow in lots of natural light. The brand built a giant wave-like installation of Esparto, a grass weaving technique native to the coastal city of Alicante.

More from WWD

The flagship is the grande dame of Mangos overall growth plan for France. The company is investing 3.5 million euros to renovate the rest of its stores in the capital, and will freshen up many of its existing stores across the country with the new design concept. The retailer anticipates opening 70 new stores over the next two years at a fast clip of two stores a month, and will expand into Galeries Lafayette department stores, for a total of 300 points of sale in France by the end of 2025.

In some stores its the total package, and in others, it may not be everything, but we want to create change and improve the image of our stores, global retail director Cesar de Vicente told WWD. Some existing shops will expand their footprints, adding mens and kids lines in some hot spots. We have a lot of potential in some of these markets.

De Vicente noted that Mango has been present in the territory since 1998 and has high brand recognition across the country, in contrast to the U.S. where it is planning a major expansion after a few sporadic fits and starts and failing to establish a foothold there. India is another growth target for the company, through its partnership with Myntra, he said.

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Here in Europe we are in a lot of markets, but in some our presence is not that big, said de Vicente. Thats why we are focusing on our, lets say, most important markets in Europe like France, Spain, Italy, where we want to push our expansion. Thats why France is one of our markets where we want to spend.

Inside Mangos Boulevard Haussmann flagship. - Credit: Courtesy Mango

Courtesy Mango

The Boulevard Haussmann store has more than 1.6 million shoppers pass through its doors every year, and its his mission to upgrade and hyper-personalize the experience. This includes in-store style advisers, integrating online sales and returns, and RFID tags to better track stock across the sales floor as well as integration with its loyalty program to track customers across omnichannel platforms.

We strongly believe in physical stores. We are in an ecosystem of channels, de Vicente said, of their shop, franchise, online direct sales and marketplace mix. So thats why the clarity of stores is very important. For us, the human contact is very, very important.

Mango is using artificial intelligence to better forecast and trim its product mix. We are working on how to adapt product assignation for every store, said de Vicente. That covers quantities, pricing, what will move and what might become leftover, discounted stock. These kinds of systems allow us to optimize and improve the customer service, and adapt to every market. Whats very important is this agility here actually, its like always, always moving.

The flagship offers a Committed box for customers to drop off used clothing for recycling, in partnership with German collection company I:CO for textile management. But the fast-fashion brand still continues apace, with drops every two weeks.

The company also aims to have 100 percent of its product carry the Committed label by the end of 2022. Committed garments from Mango contain at least 30 percent more sustainable fibers.

SEE ALSO:

Mangos Fifth Avenue Flagship Foreshadows Sunbelt Expansion

Spains Mango Returns to Profitability and Nears 2019 Sales Levels

Mango in the U.S., Whats Ahead

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The average price of gasoline is now over $5 a gallon in more than 10 states. Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Record prices prompt gas station owner in Massachusetts to stop selling fuel, per Western Mass News.

ExxonMobil raised gas prices by 40 cents in 24 hours, Ren's Mobil owner told Western Mass News.

He stuck "out of gas" posters on the pumps but will continue to service cars, the report says.

The owner of a gas station in Massachusetts has put the brakes on gas sales in protest over record prices, Western Mass News reported.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine and broader supply chain issues drove gas prices up to an average of $4.98 a gallon on Friday, according to the AAA. Gasoline prices are now 62% higher than this time last year.

Reynold Gladu, owner of Ren's Mobil in Amherst, has decided to stop selling fuel from the station, which has operated for about half a century.

He told Western Mass News: "It's hard enough for people to put groceries on their table after working in the factory or wherever they work for 30-40 hours a week and not be able to put gas in their car and get to work. I don't want to be part of that."

Ren's Mobil, which is supplied by ExxonMobil, has stuck "out of gas" posters on its pumps, according to the report.

Gladu said ExxonMobil informed him two weeks ago it had increased prices up by 20 cents. The next day, the oil giant raised prices by another 20 cents, he told Western Mass News.

"There's no justification. It's the same gas that was in the ground that they're just making extra money on," Gladu said.

ExxonMobil should "stop robbing the public," he told the broadcaster.

Although he will no longer sell gas, he plans to continue servicing vehicles.

ExxonMobil didn't immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

The company told Western Mass News it did not own or operate retail fuel stations in the US as they are owned by individuals, and the price of gas is based on local market conditions and other factors.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Holly Marie Clouse, aka "Baby Holly," a missing infant whose parents were murdered in late 1980 or early 1981, has been found alive at age 42. Now police are investigating what role a "nomadic religious group" might have had in the cold case.

"Baby Holly has been located alive and well," Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced on Thursday.

In 1981, two bodies were found in a wooded area in Houston. It wasn't until 2021 that they were identified through genetic testing as Tina Gail Linn Clouse and Harold Dean Clouse Jr.

The young couple from Lewisville, Texas were the parents of a baby girl named Holly.

Family photo of Tina Gail Linn Clouse, Harold Dean Clouse Jr. and their baby girl, Holly (Identifinders International)

Holly was not found alongside the bodies. Her extended family never stopped searching for her, along with any information related to her parents' disappearance. Holly's parents had not been in communication with their families since October 1980.

Related story: Wisconsin town honors memory of 10-year-old Lily Peters after her killing

At a Thursday press conference, First Assistant Attorney General Brent Webster said that young Holly had been dropped off at a church in Arizona by two women who identified themselves as members of a nomadic religious group.

"They were wearing white robes and they were barefoot," Webster said. "They indicated the beliefs of their religion included the separation of male and female members, practicing vegetarian habits and not using or wearing leather goods."

Webster said the women suggested they had "given up a baby before" at a laundromat.

It's believed that this group traveled through California, Texas and Arizona, particularly in Yuma, where female members were seen asking people for food in the early 1980s.

Image: (Patrick Connolly / Houston Chronicle via AP)

In late 1980 or early 1981, Tina and Harold's families received a phone call from someone named "Sister Susan" in Los Angeles, Webster said.

Sister Susan told the families that the young couple had joined the religious group and "no longer wanted to have contact" with them.

Susan offered to return the couples car (which belonged to Harold's mother) to his family, who lived in Florida, for a fee.

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Related story: 'Mad as hell': The silent fury of the mothers behind two Uvalde memorials

The family agreed to meet several people at the Daytona International Speedway race track, but they also called the police, who purportedly took the robed people into custody. However, a police report for this incident was never found.

Image: (Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle via AP)

"If you have any information regarding these murders, we ask that you come forward," Webster said. "We wish Holly the best, we're grateful that we found her, but we must continue with our purpose of finding who murdered this couple."

Another family raised Holly and, according to Webster, they are not suspects in this case.

Related story: 20 years after her mom's murder, the child who witnessed the crime reunites with journalist who covered the tragedy

Holly recently made contact with her biological family virtually. They will soon be united in person, thanks to financial help from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

"It was so exciting to see Holly. I was so happy to meet her for the first time," Holly's aunt, Cheryl Clouse, said in Thursday's news announcement. "It is such a blessing to be reassured that she is all right and has had a good life. The whole family slept well last night."

"I prayed for more than 40 years for answers and the Lord has revealed some of it," added Holly's grandmother, Donna Casasanta. "We have found Holly.

In response to TODAY Parents' request for comment, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children said that Holly appreciates all of the support she has received.

We request that you give her time and respect her privacy as she processes this very personal news about her biological family, the center added. We know that the public is anxious to hear directly from Holly but for now we ask for patience and time.

Related video:
Sophia Cho and her newborn, Selah, enjoyed VIP treatment in their $1,800-a-night suite at Manhattan's Boram Postnatal Retreat. Courtesy of Sophia Cho

Boram Postnatal Retreat in Manhattan charges between $1,300 and $1,800 a night.

The mothers are treated to massages, foot rubs, and gourmet meals as they recover from delivery.

Their newborns can stay in the room with their moms or be looked after by staff in the nursery.

Like most new mothers, Sophia Cho felt overwhelmed and exhausted after the birth of her first baby.

"I didn't know where to begin because I was recovering from a C-section and sleep deprived with a newborn screaming at me all night," the 33-year-old told Insider.

So when some friends told her about Boram Postnatal Retreat, which promotes itself as a high-end sanctuary for new moms, she couldn't book a room fast enough.

A room costs between $1,300 and $1,800 a night, but, according to the graphic designer, it was worth the expense because it helped restore her health as the staff looked after both her and her daughter, Selah, now 2 months old.

Boram Nam, who cofounded the retreat, saw a need for the luxury care of new moms and their babies

Boram, which opened on the weekend of Mother's Day this year, is named for its cofounder Boram Nam. She told Insider that in Korea, where she was raised, Boram means "a fruit of one's labor."

She said she'd spotted a niche in the market for a five-star haven in the US that pampers women who've just had a baby.

Boram Nam, the cofounder of the Manhattan retreat, said that postpartum care in America is lacking. Courtesy of Lucy Schaeffer for Boram Postnatal Retreat

According to the entrepreneur, it was inspired by Korea's well-established postnatal-retreat centers called sanhujori. The facilities observe the Asian tradition of caring for moms and their infants with plenty of bed rest and calm.

"They stay there for at least two weeks, sometimes a month," Nam said, noting that postpartum care in America can be a matter of sink or swim. She delivered her two kids in New York and, she said, "couldn't think straight" because of the lack of support.

The moms are shown how to breastfeed effectively, change diapers, and swaddle their infants

Women like Cho are spoiled as they're steered through the early weeks of motherhood. Nam's staff  which includes a former NICU nurse educator  are available 24/7 to help with things like breastfeeding, diaper changing, and swaddling.

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Sophia Cho and her newborn daughter take a nap during their five-night stay at Boram Postnatal Retreat. Courtesy of Sophia Cho

"When you're discharged from the hospital, they throw all these instructions at you," Cho said. "No matter how many books you've read about parenting, you need to be shown firsthand."

Cho said she found it particularly hard to cope after Selah's birth because there was a "flurry of activity" once she'd left the hospital.

The retreat has a baby room where the newborns are placed in bassinets and looked after by nurses

"You have to go to the pediatrician right away and there were a few hiccups with that," Cho said. "I didn't have enough time for recovery from my C-section, so it gave me peace of mind to hand the baby over to qualified people."

The newborns can stay with their moms in a room or be taken to the nursery, known as "the baby room," lined with bassinets. Nam said the time apart gives moms the chance to read a book or sleep without interruption.

The baby room at Boram Postnatal Retreat is where infants are cared for while their moms rest and relax. Courtesy of Lucy Schaeffer for Boram Postpartum Retreat

Nam, who has a background in hospitality, said that guests typically check in for three, five, or seven nights. The retreat, located on the ninth floor of the luxurious Langham Hotel in Manhattan, can accommodate 16 moms at a time. She said she'd already taken bookings for March 2023 from women who've only recently found out they're pregnant.

Medical treatment is not provided but guests are treated to massages, foot rubs, and luxury baby products

Cho stayed a total of five nights and her husband joined her once or twice. As Nam explained, moms are permitted to bring along "a support person" such as their spouse, another close relative, or a friend.

The service doesn't extend to medical care by doctors, but it includes full-body massages, foot rubs, upscale baby products, group classes like guided meditation, and gourmet meals.

Nam said that guests eat nourishing foods like traditional seaweed broth from Korea  "It helps with blood replenishment," she said  and lightly prepared vegetables.

But, Nam said, one of the most popular dishes on the menu is the steak filet.

Moms are treated to gourmet meals designed to give them healthy nutrition after they've given birth. Jill Rittymanee

Laura, a new mom from Princeton, New Jersey, who asked Insider to use only her first name for privacy reasons, said she was finally able to indulge her cravings.

"I'd been pregnant this long and I wasn't allowed to eat anything that's undercooked," Laura, who is currently staying at the retreat for a total of eight nights, said. "It was the first time I was able to order a medium steak."

She also said that she and her husband, Nick, enjoyed a drink in the hotel bar while Felix, their 4-week-old son, was watched upstairs in the nursery.

Laura and her newborn, Felix, enjoyed VIP treatment in their $1,800-a-night suite at Manhattan's Boram Postnatal Retreat. Courtesy of Laura

The 27-year-old said she'd had to change only one diaper since she checked in five days ago and felt "refreshed" after having "hours of sleep."

Laura's mom, who lives in China, is picking up the tab. "My mother is extremely anxious because she can't be here with her only daughter," Laura said. "She told me to put it on her credit card."

Nam acknowledged that a stay at Boram is unaffordable for a vast majority of new mothers. But, she said, she hoped it might start a trend in America for postpartum centers similar to those in Asia that are open to all.

"Every new mother is important," Nam said.

Read the original article on Insider
Morrisons is raising pay for its store workers as UK supermarkets battle for staff amidst increasing competition in the sector.

It will pay staff a minimum of 10.20 an hour, which the firm said made it the highest paying UK supermarket.

Morrisons said the offer would mean a pay increase for 80,000 of its staff across the country.

Rival chains Tesco, Sainsbury's and Asda have also announced pay rises for their workers this year.

Morrisons also said that the minimum wage for London staff - covering all stores within the M25 - would be 11.05 an hour, the same rate as the voluntary London Living Wage.

The new deal is due to start in October, subject to the offer being approved by staff.

Clare Grainger, group people director at Morrisons, said: "We're very pleased to be maintaining our position as the highest paying UK national supermarket."

UK job vacancies hit record levels after the economy reopened from Covid lockdowns as employers scrambled to meet demand, which has led to a battle to recruit and retain staff.

"The majority of businesses in almost every field are finding recruitment very difficult," said Richard Hyman, a partner at retail consultancy TPC.

"[A wage rise] might give Morrisons an advantage in the recruitment market for a short while but how retailers handle rising costs and how they share the pain with their customers will play a central role in determining how they will emerge from this tough economy."

Last month, official figures showed that there were fewer unemployed people than job vacancies for the first time since records began.

In March, Sainsbury's announced an increase in its pay rates, but it was subsequently forced to raise the pay for all of its workers in London following pressure from shareholders.

Tesco announced in April that it was raising its minimum pay to 10.10 an hour from the end of July, bringing it in line with Lidl and Aldi, which had previously been the UK's highest-paying supermarkets with the same hourly rate.
ROMAN PETRENKO  FRIDAY, 10 JUNE 2022, 08:53

Mykolaiv has been preparing for a possible attack by Russian troops on the city for the third month in a row. However, there are no significant changes on the front line that would indicate that this may happen in the near future.

Source: Oleksandr Sienkevych, the mayor of Mykolaiv, in interview to RBC-Ukraine

Sienkevych: "I don't think anything will change in the near future. The front line has been in place for about a month. It is moving back and forth a bit, but it doesn't change much. They are also digging in near Kherson, they are also waiting for our army to attack

You know, during the Second World War, a landing could have affected the course of the war in some way. But today a landing would be doomed. In Ukraine in general and in the Mykolaiv region in particular, there are so many armed people  and they are armed not just with Kalashnikov rifles, but with heavier weapons  so such a landing would be like adding sugar syrup to a hive. It would simply be wiped out."

Details: According to the mayor, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are ready to confront a Russian landing from the sky and from the sea.

Sienkevych is confident that a change at the front will happen when long-range weapons arrive from the United States and NATO.
Navy sailor posed as a 13-year-old boy to solicit explicit photos and video. A federal judge sentenced him to 25 years.

A federal judge this week sentenced a Navy sailor to 25 years behind bars in a child sexual exploitation case.

Travis James Muckelroy, 27, of Newport News, developed online relationships with two girls  ages 12 and 13  in 2021, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.

He communicated with them on Snapchat, then requested explicit photographs and videos. With at least one of the girls, he posed as a 13-year-old boy.

Prosecutors said he also talked with other girls believed to be minors but whose identities could not be confirmed. Searches of Muckelroys cell phone and computer found more than 560 pictures and 24 videos of child pornography, court documents said.

Muckelroy, of Newport News, has been in the Navy since 2019, recently stationed on the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford. He pleaded guilty in February to one count of coercion and enticement of a minor. Eight other counts pertaining to child porn were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Heck asked U.S. District Judge Rebecca Beach Smith for 30 years of prison time, saying the judges main concern should be the protection of the public from Muckelroys sexual predations.

Many children have their own smartphones these days, Heck wrote, and this makes an individual like Muckelroy very dangerous.

This was not a one-time act or a singular lapse in judgment, the prosecutor added. Rather, it was the repeated sexual abuse of multiple impressionable and vulnerable minors that involved substantial effort.

Muckeloys lawyer, Supervisory Assistant Federal Public Defender Keith Kimball, asked for 15 years, saying Muckelroy cooperated with investigators, pleaded guilty, lost his Navy job and will carry the stigma and suffer the consequences of this conviction for the rest of his life.

Kimball said Muckelroy has had deaths in his family, faced the trauma of an active shooter at his Navy base in Florida, and felt isolated in the pandemic.

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Before this, hed lived a successful life as a son, shipmate, and friend, Kimball wrote. He is committed to rehabilitation.

I dont want what I did to define me as a person, Muckelroy wrote in a letter to Smith. I know I can still become a good person ... I still have time to make things right in life, and I want the chance to do that.

Smith came down closer to the prosecutions side, sentencing Muckelroy to 25 years, plus a lifetime of post-release supervision.

Peter Dujardin, 757-247-4749, pdujardin@dailypress.com
Moscow's Red Square

International businesses considered this closeness as a marker to optimize operations in Eastern Europe.

In management terms, it often resulted in direct reporting of Ukrainians to Russian offices instead of headquarters. In legal terms, the result was often the corporate control of Russian units of multinational corporations over Ukrainian units or other forms of control such as IP licensing.

Read also: 10 new nails into the coffin of Russian economy

Despite the war Russia waged on Ukraine in 2014, that subordination remained legal and usable. Since then, Ukraine has been limiting relations with Russia, but the legal restrictions mainly concerned sensitive areas such as relations with the government-controlled Russian organizations or Russian influence in regulated sectors of the Ukrainian economy.

International businesses with subsidiaries in Ukraine have been able to operate more or less freely while keeping direct ties with the Russian market.

The situation is not likely to continue in the same way as Russia escalated the war in February. This is not to say that every Ukrainian company having ties with Russia will become subject to sanctions. Yet, there already are restrictions on cooperation with businesses connected to Russia, and they're probably going to be more of them.

Read also: Russia has not abandoned its goal of crushing Ukrainian statehood

The most notable of the restrictions is that assets located in Ukraine and owned by Russian government-controlled organizations can be confiscated according to the Law On Main Principles of Confiscation of Property of Russia and its residents in Ukraine.

Ukraine has already confiscated the assets of two banks controlled by Russia under this Law. As well, assets of those helping Russia in its war against Ukraine can be confiscated, regardless of whether they are controlled by the Russian government or registered in Russia. The parliament passed the relevant amendments to the Law On Sanctions recently.

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Some of the other restrictions are listed below:

The import of goods from the territory of Russia is prohibited without exceptions.

Most types of money transfers where a party is a Russian resident are prohibited. This includes cases where a Ukrainian resident must pay a Russian resident under import contracts, even if the obligation dates back to the time before the ban was imposed.

Ukrainian residents cannot perform their contractual or other obligations if a creditor is a Russian resident or a Ukrainian company controlled by it.

Russian residents and Ukrainian companies controlled by them cannot purchase or sell assets in Ukraine, most popular of which are real estate, land plots, and shares in companies.

Notaries are prohibited from attesting deeds for the benefit of Russian residents or Ukrainian companies controlled by them. Notarial deeds are mandatory for all real estate, land, and share transfer transactions. Sometimes they are also required to ensure the proper running of a business, for example, to issue powers of attorney, for changes in state registers, for bank transactions.

As long as there is martial law in Ukraine, goods imported into Ukraine are duty-free. The exemption does not apply to goods originating from Russia. Although there is an embargo on all imports from the Russian territory, this restriction in taxation should be of concern to those who are going to import Russian goods into Ukraine from another country.

Russian residents and Ukrainian companies controlled by them cannot receive income on securities purchased by them in Ukraine if an issuer decides to pay the income.

Ukraine denounced the double tax treaty with Russia.

Listen to the wind of change

The writing is on the wall: Ukrainians do not want to facilitate the leakage of resources to Russia and do business with the maniacal aggressor. In addition to the existing restrictions, new ones might follow. Among the discussed, there are stricter KYC policies or limitations on the rights of Russian shareholders of Ukrainian companies, for example, rights to vote or receive dividends.

Even before February 2022, we occasionally received clients queries about whether any ties to Russia would impede business from the perspective of Ukrainian laws. The concerns should have risen even more after that.

While legal restrictions are still in place, it is time for businesses with Ukrainian units directly linked to Russia to halt such links.

To ensure smooth commercial activity in Ukraine (and not only here) in the future but the absence of direct links to Russia should also become a must.

Keeping the current state of things will increase uncertainty in business operations.

This does not mean that any such link would be sanctioned, but it would definitely be an indicator for limiting business operations with relevant counterparties, which we see already.

Belarus is not welcome either

As Belarus helps Russia in its war against Ukraine, the article is also relevant to businesses with links to Belarus. Although the extent of current restrictions for Belarus is lesser than in case of Russia, we recommend eliminating any links between Ukraine and Belarus for the benefit of the Ukrainian part of the business.

This column was co-authored by Artem Shmatov, a senior associate at Vasil Kisil & Partners
By Gwladys Fouche

OSLO (Reuters) -Norway said it would axe its fleet of NH90 military helicopters and ask for a refund from a consortium led by Europe's Airbus, which hit back by calling the move "legally groundless".

Norway will return the NH90 military helicopters it ordered from the NHIndustries consortium because they are either unreliable or were delivered late, the defence minister and the head of the military said on Friday.

Oslo said it would also seek repayment of 5 billion crowns ($523 million) plus interest and other costs from NHIndustries, which is owned by Airbus Helicopters, Italy's Leonardo and Fokker Aerostructures of the Netherlands.

"No matter how many hours our technicians work, and how many parts we order, it will never make the NH90 capable of meeting the requirements of the Norwegian Armed Forces," Defence Minister Bjoern Arild Gram told a news conference.

The helicopter consortium said it was "extremely disappointed" by the decision.

"NHIndustries considers this termination to be legally groundless," it said in statement.

It said it had not been offered the possibility to discuss the latest proposal made to improve the availability of the NH90 in Norway or address specific Norwegian requirements.

Airbus shares fell just over 1%.

The original contract for 14 helicopters was signed in 2001 but Norway has received only eight, the ministry said.

"We have a helicopter that doesn't work the way it's supposed to," said General Eirik Kristoffersen, the head of Norway's armed forces.

However, NHIndustries said it had delivered 13 of 14 and the fourteenth was ready for acceptance, meaning "we were close to finalising the main scope of the initial contract."

($1 = 9.5572 Norwegian crowns)

(Reporting by Gwladys Fouche; editing by Terje Solsvik and Jason Neely)
Flags planted on the lawn at Griffith Observatory last November were part of a memorial honoring those who have died from COVID-19. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times )

In New York City, a woman opens her laptop to a bar graph showing the number of COVID-19 deaths nationwide each month in 2021 and fixes her gaze on April. She tells a researcher: My mother is one of them. The graph helps her see that her mother is part of something bigger happening to the country, she says.

In the nations capital, a man kneels on a patch of grass near the Washington Monument to place a white flag in honor of his brother. He gestures to the field of 700,000 flags around him  each representing someone who, like his brother, died of COVID  and asks: How can people not see that this is a national tragedy?

With the rollback of mask mandates and increased demands for a return to normal, survivors feel left behind, their grief unseen. Worse yet, many face the outright denial of their loss, especially when they read social media posts that claim the death rates are exaggerated or that the virus is nothing but a hoax. Or that age, infirmity or some other disease besides COVID is to blame.

Last summer, the U.S. surgeon general issued an advisory regarding the urgent threat to public health posed by misinformation about COVID. Despite that, counterclaims and falsehoods have continued relatively unchecked, compounding the grief of families and hindering an already incomplete mourning process.

Soon after the pandemic hit in 2020, our research team at George Washington University began to study how people mourn the dead when they cannot gather. We spoke with dozens of families who, due to pandemic restrictions, never got to say goodbye to their loved ones and then had to delay or forgo funerals or other rituals altogether such as wakes, post-funeral repasts, sitting shiva and giving eulogies.

We also spoke with funeral directors, grief counselors, members of the clergy and hospice workers who told us of how they and their clients had been forced to improvise, especially in the first few months of the pandemic when funeral and memorial rites shifted to virtual spaces. One minister introduced a funeral service by saying, Your love for Agnes will come through across the pixels and Wi-Fi connections, and the space between us is sacred ground.

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But we discovered another burden, one that changed the very content of these improvised rituals: an ongoing struggle for recognition of the loved ones who died from COVID in a country where masks, vaccines  even death itself  are politicized and partisan. Mourners said they felt compelled to use their words of remembrance to combat misinformation. During a eulogy, one person was moved to say, Mother, I will miss you always. Your death was needless, caused by those who refused to follow science.

Even as the number of COVID deaths in the U.S. has exceeded 1 million, Americans as a whole cannot agree on  or refuse to acknowledge  the scale and severity of the pandemic.

Of course, death by illness is harder to see than death from war or natural disaster. This is one reason why grassroots organizations, activists and artists are putting effort into translating pandemic statistics into visible human experience. These include Marked By COVID, WhoWeLost.org, FacesOfCOVID and Ramis Heart, to name a few. Each, in its own way, insists that the 1 million dead are not just a number.

During the Civil War, the visibility of the dead helped the nation to begin to reconcile its divisions, according to historian Drew Gilpin Faust. Shared suffering and the clear presence of death, she wrote, would in time override persisting differences about the meanings of race, citizenship, and nationhood to establish sacrifice and its memorialization as the ground on which North and South would ultimately reunite.

Mourning in war, like mourning everywhere, can bring people together to repair and reaffirm the social fabric, including on a national scale.

One way to start healing is for Congress and the Biden administration to set up a national commission to explain how the pandemic death toll in the U.S. reached 1 million and counting in the first place. By documenting how we got here, the country would be holding itself accountable  ultimately an act of healing for survivors.

Another way forward is for the federal government to memorialize COVID with an annual day of remembrance. If a national memorial day were established, it would say to the millions of bereaved: We see your loss. It would give people the grace and space, in the words of writer Ed Yong, to mourn in the manner they choose  whether in person or online, through vigils, art, activism, moments of silence or public demonstration.

Resolutions have been introduced in the House and the Senate that would designate the first Monday in March as COVID-19 Victims and Survivors Memorial Day. By our count, only 93 members of these chambers have signed on so far, all Democrats except for one Independent.

A designated national memorial day would make the pandemic visible for decades to come  and have the potential to lessen divisions by reinforcing our shared values and experiences.

Sarah E. Wagner, Roy R. Grinker and Joel C. Kuipers are professors of anthropology at George Washington University.





This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Michael S. York murdered his wife Heather Sedivy, shown here, with a hammer at their Streetsboro condominium in August 1992. The Ohio Parole Board recently denied parole for York.

A man convicted of killing his wife with a hammer in their Streetsboro home nearly 30 years ago will spend at least another five years in prison after the woman's friends and family launched a petition to keep him in prison.

The Ohio Parole Board has denied parole for Michael S. York, 56, said Joellen Smith, spokeswoman for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections, on Thursday. He will be eligible for parole again in May 2027.

More: Trial delayed until September for teen charged with murder in girl's shooting

York had come before the board on May 9, but a decision was not immediately made.

Streetsboro police and EMS responded to the Portage Pointe condominium of York and his wife, 23-year-old Heather Sedivy, after an Ohio Bell operator reported receiving a call from the condo and hearing someone "moaning" on the line during the early afternoon of Aug. 3, 1992, according to a police incident report. It was later determined York had made the call.

Michael York

There was no response from the locked condo and police broke in after seeing blood in the living room through a window. Sedivy was found dead, laying on a bed with a large amount of blood around her.

It was determined that she had been repeatedly struck in the head with a hammer. Wounds to her arms indicated she had tried to defend herself.

More: Trial of Aurora man charged in father's stabbing death awaiting continuation following two recesses

York was treated by paramedics for cuts to his wrists and he was taken to a hospital for treatment. York was arrested when released from the hospital.

A jury found York guilty of murder after finding him not guilty of aggravated murder the following October. He was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison and now has an opportunity for parole every five years. York is currently incarcerated in the Southeastern Correctional Institution in Fairfield County.

Prior to the parole hearing, nearly 6,600 people signed a petition on Change.org requesting that the board deny York parole. Some people reported on social media that they had sent the parole board letters asking for a denial.

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"Offender York has served over 29 years for the brutal and heinous beating of his wife, using a hammer," the parole board wrote in its decision to deny parole. "He does not have any prior criminal history. His conduct has been acceptable for many years. He presents a viable and supportive re-entry plan. He has engaged in risk relevant programming and shares insight into such. There is strong community opposition present. After weighing all the relevant factors the Central Office Board Review has determined that release at this time would not further the interest of justice given the unique elements of the crime of conviction which outweigh his rehabilitative efforts."

Reporter Jeff Saunders can be reached at jsaunders@recordpub.com.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: No parole for man who killed wife with hammer in Streetsboro in 1992
Netflix

Tommy Shelby (Cillian Murphy) rises from the ground, his face half clean and half blackened with mud, at the start of Peaky Blinders sixth and final season, a visual encapsulation of the Peaky Blinders boss continuing war between his light and dark sides. That conflict remains the crux of Steven Knights immensely popular British gangster series, whose largely thrilling and satisfying six-part conclusion (debuting on Netflix June 10) finds Tommy once more resurrecting himself in order to straighten out the mess hes madein this case, his Season 5 failure to assassinate rancid British Union of Fascists bigwig Sir Oswald Mosley (Sam Claflin), which has resulted in the killing of his beloved Aunt Polly (Helen McCrory).

Driven by the untimely real-life passing of McCrory in 2021, Pollys death proves the catalyst for Peaky Blinders small-screen wrap-up. Four years after this 1929 calamity, Tommy has given up whiskey in an act of turning over a new leaf and leaving his lethal underworld ways behind. Regardless, Pollys son Michael (Finn Cole) blames Tommy for his mothers murder and is hell-bent on revenge. With American prohibition coming to an end, Tommy and Michael meet on Miquelon Islandwhere French bootleggers earned a tidy profit running booze to and from the Statesand strike an uneasy alliance to re-employ these ferrymen to smuggle their opium into the U.S. To do this, Tommy and Michael need the okay of Jack Nelson (James Frecheville), a South Boston kingpin whos the uncle of Michaels wife Gina Gray (Anya Taylor-Joy). Yet to maintain the upper hand in these negotiations, Tommy swiftly frames Michael and lands him in jail, thus allowing him to deal with Nelson himself.

They Married and Raped Children in the Name of God

Peaky Blinders has always pivoted around Murphys magnetic performance as Tommy, a crook whose noble designswhich have led him to become a socialist member of parliament who fights for the working class of his Birmingham hometownare at perpetual odds with his amoral behavior. Throughout this season, Tommy repeatedly states, I have no limitations, and the sentiment is at once true and something he tells himself to bolster his confidence as he charts his latest perilous course. At the top of his priorities is the aforementioned opium deal, which necessitates wooing Nelson, who soon arrives on English shores looking to secure profitable new liquor licenses. However, given that Nelson is a not-so-covert Nazi sympathizer whose main objective on this trip is to learn (on behalf of President Roosevelt) how close Britain is to tipping toward fascism, Tommys business with Nelson also invariably involves Mosley, whoalong with his evil mistress Lady Diana Mitford (Amber Anderson) and IRA official Laura McKee (Charlene McKenna)is striving to solidify European support for Hitlers new world order.

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Tommy therefore gets back into bed with villainssometimes literallyas a necessary means of facilitating his ends, all while simultaneously endeavoring to toe the teetotaling line. Unsurprisingly, Peaky Blinders doesnt make things easy for its protagonist, saddling him with a domestic tragedy that rocks his stability and sense of surety, as well as familiar troubles with his brother Arthur (Paul Anderson), an opium-addicted drunkard whos spending his days and nights in a state of constant inebriation. Far from the bellowing braggart of the past, Arthur is now in full degradation mode, and if that drains the character of some of his bellowing charisma, hes still the sorrowful heart of the show, his self-loathing so crushing that it amplifies the pall hovering over the proceedings.

Doom is approaching from all directions in Peaky Blinders final installments, and Tommy believes it to be the byproduct of his cursed naturea notion that eventually sends him into the English mountains in search of Esme (Aimee-Ffion Edwards), the gypsy widow of Tommys slain brother John, whom he hopes has a remedy for his problems. Tommy is split between the civilized and the wild, the calm and the brutal, the rational and the mystical, and the good and the bad, and Murphy embodies him with his usual fearsomeness and volatility, the last of which is exacerbated by both his lingering WWI PTSD and the guilt he feels for the many people whose deaths hes directly or indirectly caused. Murphys stellar turn has made Tommy a fascinating figure of ruthless ambition and tortured regret, and his belief in doing wrong to achieve rightin this case, to leave his family financially well-off and to build affordable housing for the downtroddenis what makes him so compelling.

Considering that creator/writer Steven Knight has already announced a follow-up feature film, Peaky Blinders close lacks a bit of suspense; no matter how much peril Tommy seems to be in, its impossible to truly believe he might meet his maker. Everyone else, though, is on the proverbial chopping block, including Taylor-Joys scheming Gina, Sophie Rundles formidable Ada, Natasha OKeeffes long-suffering Lizzie, or Tom Hardys loquacious Jewish gangster Alfie Solomons, the shows ace scene-stealer, who materializes at unexpected intervals to engage in hilarious bouts of rambling, florid verbosity. Consequently, theres considerable tension throughout, with Knight and director Anthony Byrne maintaining intrigue and delivering twists with requisite dexterity, all as they stick to the shows formal hallmarksnamely, jingly-jangly guitar, sets drenched in mist and smoke, and innumerable shots of characters strutting in slow-motion to and from the camera.

As it approaches the end, Peaky Blinders doesnt deviate from its chosen path, and thats ultimately its biggest strength and its greatest weakness. After so many instances of Tommy turning the tables on his adversaries at the last minute via some cunning, clandestine plot, his final showdown with Michael and company plays out in borderline-predictable fashion. Nonetheless, its not the destination so much as the journey with Peaky Blinders, which has forever been most entertaining when simply reveling in the camaraderie of the unruly Shelby clan, the cock-of-the-walk cool and screwy torment of Tommy, and the particularly British slang and style of the Peaky Blinders themselves, a gang whose signature haircuts, outfits, chain-smoking, whiskey-guzzling and furious braggadocio have by now become iconic. Theres plenty more where that came from in this last six-episode stretchand, it appears, also in the sure-to-be violent future that lies beyond it.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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Jun. 9PERU  Get ready to hear the cacophonous screech of steam calliopes and the perky bounce of organ grinders at the Calliope and Mechanical Music Festival.

The first event of its kind will be held from 9 am. to 5 p.m. June 17 and 18 at the International Circus Hall of Fame, located at 3076 Peru Circus Lane. Tickets are $20.

Organizer Bob Cline said the festival will bring together 14 calliopes and over 20 other historic instruments, such as riverboat pipes and small, accordian-like concertinas. He said it will be largest gathering of such instruments  which will come from all over the world  on the planet.

"You'll never see 14 calliopes in the same place anywhere in the world," he said. "You'll be able to see something that you've never, ever seen before in your life, and that's special."

Cline said that with so many calliopes blasting out circus tunes in one place, it's going to get loud. The screech of a steam calliope can be heard for miles. But don't worry  free ear plugs will be provided.

The festival is part of the hall of fame's 100th anniversary celebration of the two historic barns on the property, which were constructed as part of the city-sized circus winter quarters once located at the site.

Cline said he wanted to organize something truly unique for the century birthday party, and figured what better way to celebrate than bringing together instruments that have become synonymous with the sound of the circus?

"We basically wanted to do something that you'll never see again, and this is what we came up with," he said.

But Cline never anticipated how big the festival would grow after a number of groups joined in the event.

The Carousel Organ Association of America members signed on and are now bringing band organs from around the world. The whistles from the historic Delta Queen riverboat will be there, as well as the famous steam calliope owned by Indiana University.

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Cline said that one of the most unique instruments is a calliope made from a giant block of granite. The owner is hauling it down to Peru from his home in New Hampshire.

"I can't wait to see that one myself," he said.

The oldest calliope that will be there was built in Peru in 1901 by Sullivan and Eagle, and it may be the oldest calliope in the nation, Cline said. Other instruments are coming from as far away as North Carolina, Tennessee and Missouri.

The two-day festival will have tons of music, but there will also be bounce houses and other activities for kids, along with presentations by leading experts on the history, development and creation of the calliopes.

Capping off the entertainment at 11 a.m. Saturday will be a live concert from the Peru Circus City Festival Band, which will perform on top of the former Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey bandstand. The wagon was recently restored, and the concert will be the first time a band has played on it since 1956.

For updates, schedules or to buy tickets to the event, visit the festival's Facebook page or go the International Circus Hall of Fame's website.

Carson Gerber can be reached at 765-854-6739, carson.gerber@kokomotribune.com or on Twitter @carsongerber1.
A man is facing attempted homicide charges, accused of instigating a gun fight that broke out early Sunday morning on the South Side.

Christopher Young, 27, remained hospitalized at last check, but has an active warrant out for his arrest, pending medical clearance.

According to court documents obtained by Channel 11, Young was caught on camera pointing a stolen gun with a laser at another male, around 2:30 a.m. Sunday.

In video surveillance provided by investigators, the two are seen standing amid a crowd, outside of a bar at the corner of South 15th and East Carson streets.

As the male is seen walking away, Young fires the weapon.

That victim is seen falling to the ground, as a friend of his instantly fires a return shot at Young. Young is then seen falling to the ground, next to the passenger side of a parked vehicle.

The second shooter runs toward his wounded friend, located on the driver side of that same vehicle. The video captures additional shots being fired.

Within seconds, police are seen pulling up.

Both Young and the male he allegedly shot were taken to the hospital in critical condition. Youngs weapon was seized, and determined to be stolen out of Penn Hills, court documents say.

The shooter who returned fire had placed his two firearms on a nearby street as to not be armed upon the arrival of officers, according to court documents. That individual then returned to the scene, cooperated with police and directed officers to where his weapons were. Both guns were legally owned and, according to court documents, that man had a concealed carry license. He was ultimately released pending further investigation into the justification of the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

The police paperwork did not indicate a clear motive. The shooter who was released told officers that there had been no prior incidents or altercations that evening.

The shooting was the second reported on the South Side that weekend, and comes as officers are saturating the area in hopes of decreasing the violence.

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VATICAN CITY (AP)  Pope Francis canceled a planned July trip to Africa on doctors' orders because of ongoing knee problems, the Vatican said Friday, raising further questions about the health and mobility problems of the 85-year-old pontiff.

The Vatican said the July 2-7 trip to Congo and South Sudan would be rescheduled to a later date to be determined.

At the request of his doctors, and in order not to jeopardize the results of the therapy that he is undergoing for his knee, the Holy Father has been forced to postpone, with regret, his Apostolic Journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo and to South Sudan, the Vatican said in a statement.

Francis has used a wheelchair for about a month due to strained ligaments in his right knee that have made walking and standing difficult and painful. He also has received injections, kept the knee as immobile as possible and walked with a cane or the help of an aide, when necessary.

As recently as this week, however, plans were proceeding for the trip to the two African countries, with the Vatican releasing the names of accredited journalists who were due to fly on the papal plane.

But questions have swirled for months about Francis' ability to negotiate the journey, which would have been taxing for the pope even without the knee problems.

Francis also has a July 24-30 visit to Canada planned; the Vatican statement said nothing about that trip, and spokesman Matteo Bruni would only say that the pope's other commitments were confirmed.

The pope has told friends he doesnt want to undergo knee surgery, reportedly because of his reaction to anesthesia when he had 33 centimeters (13 inches) of his large intestine removed in July 2021.

Speculation has swirled about the future of the pontificate because of Francis' knee problems, his decision to create 16 new voting-age cardinals, and his plans to pay homage in August to a 13th century pope who resigned, Celestine V.

But Francis has given no indication he wants or plans to resign. Vatican watchers say a papal resignation now would be unthinkable given that Francis' predecessor, Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, 95, is still alive.

___

Alessandra Tarantino contributed.
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP)  Tens of thousands of people attended this year's Pride Parade in Tel Aviv on Friday, celebrating the LGBTQ community and calling for equality in the largest annual gathering of its kind in the Middle East.

The sprawling event in Israel's seaside metropolis, which resembles a festive block party, returned last year after pandemic restrictions were mostly lifted. This year it is being held after Israel reopened to foreign tourists.

We have a majority here in Israel that supports this community, said Mayor Ron Huldai. Tel Aviv has always been home for every transgender person, and every lesbian and gay person, and the home of anyone who wants to be who they are.

The crowds have grown so big over the years that this time around the organizers moved the event from the seaside promenade to a larger venue. Israeli authorities have been increasingly concerned about managing crowds since a stampede at a religious festival in northern Israel last year that killed 45 ultra-Orthodox Jews, the deadliest civilian disaster in the country's history.

Some 250,000 people attended the Tel Aviv Pride parade in 2019, before it was called off the following year because of the pandemic. In 2021, an estimated 100,000 people attended.

Kutali Lansman, who attended this year with a handmade flag of solidarity with the bisexual community, said he's here for the fun, of course." He said the march is also a demonstration of love, freedom and rights for the community.

U.S. Ambassador Thomas Nides attended the march with a delegation from the embassy. This is about tolerance and decency and respect, and being here with all the folks from the embassy is unbelievably meaningful to me, he told The Associated Press.

Israel is a rare bastion of tolerance for the LGBTQ community in the conservative Middle East, where homosexuality is widely considered taboo and is outlawed in some places. A pride parade held each year in Jerusalem is more subdued, with a heavy police presence and counter-protests by ultra-Orthodox Jews.

Gay people serve openly in Israel's military and parliament, and the current health minister is openly gay. Yet they havent attained full equality. Jewish ultra-Orthodox parties, which wield significant influence over matters of religion and state, oppose homosexuality as a violation of religious law, as do other religious groups in Israel.
Jun. 9BENSON

 A Benson man has been sentenced to a year in the Swift County Jail for having sexual contact with two children in 2019 and 2020.

Luke Adam Frank, 33, is currently in the Minnesota Correctional Facility at St. Cloud, serving a sentence of a year and a day for failing to register as a predatory offender. He has been required to register for more than a decade, and the requirement is for life.

Frank was sentenced June 1 in Swift County District Court to a consecutive sentence of a year in jail with credit for six days already served. He was also ordered to pay $140 in fines and court fees.

He pleaded guilty to two reduced charges of gross misdemeanor criminal sexual conduct.

Frank's anticipated release date from prison is Jan. 30, 2023. He will serve the year in the Swift County Jail after that.

Under Minnesota law, offenders are required to serve at least two-thirds of a sentence in custody and may be allowed to serve the remaining time on supervised release.

Frank had been charged in January 2021 with eight felony charges of criminal sexual conduct for having sexual contact with the two children.

In the plea agreement, he pleaded guilty to two reduced charges of gross misdemeanor fifth-degree nonconsensual sexual contact, and six felony charges were dismissed.

The investigation of Frank began in October 2020, when a mandated reporter contacted Swift County authorities about information received from the children's mother.

According to the criminal complaint, the mother, who worked nights, said she was sleeping on the couch while Frank slept alone with her child.

In interviews, the children, born in 2008 and 2009, described what interviewers considered grooming behaviors  methods offenders use to establish relationships with parents and caregivers while testing children's boundaries through touching and keeping secrets.

He is a trucker and would ask for photos of what they were wearing to school each day when he was on the road. The older child described going on road trips with Frank in his truck.

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According to court records, the younger child at first said they "don't do anything naughty."

The children and their mother moved to another house after the initial reports.

In January 2021, a caregiver contacted authorities, saying the children had more information to share. Both described inappropriate touching and sexual contact they had not disclosed before.

The younger child said the touching had started about a year earlier and had involved inappropriate touching and kissing. She said the incidents would happen "every time he came home" from trips.

The inappropriate contact allegedly continued after the mother and children had moved out of Frank's house. He was allegedly helping them decorate the new house and molested the younger girl while the older girl was in the shower.

The child told interviewers she did not tell him to stop, because she was too afraid. She said Frank told her not to tell her mother or sister.

Frank allegedly talked to the children about moving to Texas and asked one if she wanted to "take over mom's place."
A video shared to Twitter that prosecutors allege shows Ryan Kelley waving for a mob to advance on the US Capitol. US Circuit Court/Twitter @ChuckModi1

Prosecutors allege that a GOP Michigan gubernatorial candidate encouraged January 6 rioters.

The Department of Justice accused Ryan Kelley of motioning for a mob to advance on the Capitol.

FBI agents arrested Kelley at his home in western Michigan on Thursday morning.

Federal prosecutors allege that leading GOP Michigan gubernatorial candidate Ryan Kelley was caught on video encouraging a mob to advance on the US Capitol during the January 6, 2021 riots, according to court documents.

New filings from the Department of Justice accuse Kelley  who was arrested by the FBI on Thursday  of repeatedly gestured for a crowd to advance toward stairs that led to the entrance of the Capitol.

Court documents allege that at around 2 p.m. on the day of the deadly insurrection, Kelley waved at a crowd behind him to move closer to the Capitol building. By around 2:20 p.m., Kelley was still gesturing for the crowd to advance.

"Kelley continued to gesture to the crowd, consistently indicating that they should move towards the stairs that led to the entrance of the U.S. Capitol interior spaces," the documents allege.

As part of the court documents, prosecutors linked to photos and video taken during the riot, including a video by reporter Chuck Modi that shows a man identified by prosecutors as Kelley waving people forward on the Capitol steps.

Forty-year-old Kelley, a real estate broker, was arrested Thursday morning by FBI agents at his home in Allendale, in western Michigan, and accused of participating in the deadly insurrection.

According to The Detroit News, the arrest comes after Kelley was allegedly spotted at the Capitol riot.

Kelley  the leading GOP candidate for Michigan governor, according to a recent poll  faces charges including disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, and knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority.

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His campaign did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Pueblo Community College filled a pair of newly created staff positions this month, hiring Quincy Rose-Sewell as the colleges new vice president of academic support and Dr. Rajashree Pandit as its new dean of medical and behavioral health.

Rose-Sewell will take over the curriculum management and academic support responsibilities of former chief academic officer Todd Ecklund, who left PCC in November 2021 to become vice president of academic affairs at Redlands Community College in El Reno, Oklahoma.

Quincy Rose-Sewell

She was previously the vice president for academic affairs at Baltimore City Community College. In 2015, she was one of 50 women to participate in the Women in Education Leadership Program at Harvard University.

In her new role at PCC, she will meet directly with all the colleges academic deans.

"I look forward to strengthening our partnerships with community leaders, industry leaders and alumni as well as to collaborating through shared governance to develop new sustainable programs and removing barriers by securing a plethora of student resources to empower success, she said in a statement announcing her new position.

Higher education in Pueblo: New Colorado law makes college courses more accessible for military veterans

Dr. Rajashree Pandit

Pandit will lead all nursing, certified nurse aide, medical assisting, psychiatric technician, simulation and surgical technology programs at PCC.

After completing residencies in India and at the University of Washington, she was a postdoctoral associate and research analyst for 11 years at Duke University Medical Center.

Her department, the department of medical and behavioral health, was created by adding behavior health programs to the department of nursing. PCC conducted several searches to find a qualified candidate to oversee the multitude of programs, PCC Director of Marketing and Communications Erin Hergert said.

"At this time, we feel we have found a very unique individual that will help us grow as an institution and offer great opportunities for students in our community," she said.

Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached by email at JBartolo@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo Community College fills two new leadership roles
Barbados prime minister Mia Mottley is unafraid to lay blame for the climate crisis on wealthy nations  and says its long past time for them to compensate countries like her own, who are bearing the brunt of the impacts.

Weve been carrying the costs on our balance sheet of your behaviour, she toldThe Independent during an exclusive interview in New York last month.

Were not asking for the world. Were saying: Look, put some money down and help us, she said.

Ms Mottley, Barbadoss first female prime minister, has shone a light on the plight of small island and developing nations, demanding resources to help them adapt to climate change. In that effort, shes become a powerful voice on the global stage, and was named one of Times 100 most influential people in the world this year.

At last years Cop26, the United Nations climate change summit, she lambasted an audience including president Joe Biden and prime minister Boris Johnson for failing to meet climate finance goals, and called 2C of warming a death sentence for some small islands and developing nations.

Her plainspoken urgency is not misplaced.

Barbados, a Caribbean island nation about three-quarters the size of Chicago, is facing the consequences of the climate crisis, particularly rising sea levels which threaten the water supply and encroach on coastal communities.

And yet, Barbados has not caused this problem. In 2020, the country accounted for less than 0.01 per cent per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions.

As Ms Mottley notes, its the G20 nations  a group including the US, UK, China, Russia and the EU  that have released the vast majority of the emissions heating the planet.

Thats whats put us in this position, she said.

However many heavy polluters are powerful and wealthy nations  leaving them better equipped to deal with the consequences of their actions. Meanwhile, smaller developing nations, like Barbados and many of its Caribbean neighbours, are in the immediate path of climate extremes, with fewer resources to cope.

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Were happy for those countries that they have been empowered and rich and their citizens have benefited, Ms Mottley said. But at what expense?

Solving such huge problems requires decision-making on a global scale which can be a painfully slow process. But when it comes to the climate crisis, time is not on anyones side.

It would be not so bad if we had 25, 30 years to adapt, she said. Instead, weve got 12-13 years, according to everyone.

Thats just 144 months, the prime minister emphasises.

Ms Mottley, whose father and grandfather were politicians, was first elected to the countrys parliament in 1994 and went on to become leader of the Barbados Labour Party. She became prime minister in 2018 after her party won all 30 seats in the chamber, a feat repeated this year.

Significant change has come to Barbados since she took office. Ms Mottley shepherded Barbados transition to a republic last year, a move which removed Queen Elizabeth II as the official head of state nearly 60 years after the country gained independence.

The climate crisis has also been a major focus, with good reason. Barbados is facing an existential threat on multiple fronts but particularly when it comes to water. The World Health Organisation has warned that sea level rise and changing weather could put immense stress on freshwater resources in the country.

Its largest city, Bridgetown, also sits on the low-lying southeastern coast of the Caribbean Sea. The location makes it potentially vulnerable to stronger and more frequent tropical storms similar to Hurricane Elsa in 2021, which damaged homes and knocked out electricity across the country.

Barbados is going to have to adapt, Ms Mottley told The Independent during her visit to New York, where she joined a panel on sustainable development at the Global Citizen NOW summit with Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau and science guy Bill Nye.

Necessary changes could include reinforcing buildings on the island to protect them from hurricanes, and dealing with blooms of foul-smelling sargassum seaweed, she said. (Some scientists suggest that recent blooms in the Atlantic and Caribbean could be partly driven by climate change.)

Can you imagine going to a restaurant next to a place thats full of sargassum seaweed thats smelling? Ms Mottley asked. Youre not gonna go!

But adapting to the climate crisis also comes at the cost of everything else a country needs to do for communities.

If Im investing here, then I have less money to invest in education, less money to invest in health care, less money to invest in infrastructure, Ms Mottley said.

For smaller and developing nations, the cost of adapting to a new reality could leave them without a lot of financial wiggle room. Barbados has a population of about 300,000 people and a GDP of about 10 per cent the size of North Dakota. A severe hurricane with a trail of expensive damages, for example, could decimate public coffers.

These challenges for small and developing nations are already apparent. Oxfam recently reported that the money needed for UN humanitarian appeals on extreme weather has increased more than 800 per cent in the past 20 years.

At Cop26, Ms Mottley called for new climate funding for small and developing nations, including a 1 per cent tax on fossil fuel sales in some countries that would pay for loss and damage  essentially, the economic toll from consequences of the climate crisis, like storms and droughts.

That tax didnt happen but the push for climate mitigation and adaptation will continue at Cop27, being held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt this November.

We have to continue the battles that weve been fighting, Ms Mottley said.

None of this is simple, she noted, nor does it come without obstacles like the Covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine. But youve got to push past the pain, she said, and things are moving the right direction.

The issue is, will we get there fast enough to save those of us on the front line?
Thirty-five House Republicans voted in May 2021 in favor of legislation that would have created an independent commission to investigate the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

While that bill never advanced, due to filibusters from Republicans in the Senate, the shadow of the vote has hung over various primary races as the conservative base reconsiders -- and in some cases turns against -- the GOP lawmakers who bucked the line in a party largely defined by loyalty to former President Donald Trump.

MORE: GOP donors increasingly split over support for Trump as midterms approach

The Jan. 6 commission vote is not the only factor influencing each of the races, but it is an example of how Republicans who break with Trump -- especially over Jan. 6 -- are then defined, in part, by that choice.

All in all, 10 of the 35 will so far not return to the House of Representatives for the next term due to retirements, resignations or primary defeats. The question remains how many of the remaining 25 will suffer the same fate.

PHOTO: Rep. Adam Kinzinger attends the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol markup, Dec. 1, 2021. (CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images)

Six-term Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger chose not to run at all. Kinzinger -- one of his party's most prominent anti-Trump members alongside colleague Liz Cheney and one of the 10 Republicans to also vote in favor of Trump's second impeachment in the wake of the Capitol rioting -- announced in October he was stepping back after being drawn into a congressional district that would pit him against another incumbent.

Ohio Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, another bipartisan commission supporter, cited "toxic" intra-party fights as part of his reasoning to step back, too.

MORE: GOP donors increasingly split over support for Trump as midterms approach

"While my desire to build a fuller family life is at the heart of my decision, it is also true that the current state of our politics, especially many of the toxic dynamics inside our own party, is a significant factor in my decision," Gonzalez said in a statement in September.

Gonzalez' seat may next be filled by MAGA-world candidate Max Miller, a Trump White House and campaign aide who won the Republican primary for Gonzalez's newly drawn district.

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PHOTO: Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, R-Ohio, walks up the House steps for a vote, Oct. 21, 2021. (CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

PHOTO: John Katko speaks at a town hall on the heroin epidemic, in Oswego, N.Y., March 30, 2017. (NurPhoto via Getty Images)

A similar situation has played out in Michigan, where Rep. Fred Upton announced he would not seek a 19th term -- all but guaranteeing that Trump-backed incumbent Rep. Bill Huizenga will advance in the August primaries to this newly redistricted seat.

New York Rep. John Katko, who was key in negotiating the ultimately doomed bipartisan commission, announced in January that he was retiring to spend more time with his family. Trump lauded Katko's retirement in a statement, saying: "Great news, another one bites the dust."

Other commission supporters who decided to take on a re-election were unable to squeak through. In West Virginia, Rep. David McKinley was bested by Trump-endorsed Rep. Alex Mooney in a member-on-member primary. Rep. Michael Guest, in Mississippi's 3rd District, has been pinched into a run-off with former Navy pilot Michael Cassidy, who has leaned into the party's more fringe sensibilities: In a campaign ad, Cassidy promised that, if elected, he would try to audit the 2020 presidential election and introduce articles impeachment of President Joe Biden.

And David Valadao, the sole California Republican to vote for Trump's second impeachment, is in a tightening contest to secure his job. While his race is still too close to call after voting ended Tuesday, Valadao leads among Republican candidates. But some of his support has been siphoned off by Chris Mathys, who sued California to get himself listed as a "Trump Conservative" on the ballot.

PHOTO: Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks speaks during the House GOP news conference, Jan. 11, 2022. (CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images)

Still, other Republicans who voted for the Jan. 6 commission have been able to fend off attacks, including Iowa. Rep. Miller-Meeks, who ran unopposed, and Reps. Chris Smith of New Jersey, Dusty Johnson of South Dakota and Arkansas' Steam Womack, who decidedly won their primaries.

Many of the remaining group are in closely watched races throughout the summer, like South Carolina Rep. Tom Rice, who faces a tough contest just next week.

MORE: Pence releases policy agenda for Republican Party, paving way for 2024 candidacy

At a rally in March supporting primary challenger Rep. Russell Fry, Trump said Rice "broke our trust" with his vote on Trump's second impeachment and is a "total fool."

In an exclusive interview with ABC News' Jonathan Karl, Rice said supporting Trump's impeachment was "the conservative vote" and that he has no regrets, despite political backlash.

PHOTO: Rep. David Valadao poses during a ceremonial re-enactment of his swearing-in ceremony in the Rayburn Room on Capitol Hill, Jan. 6, 2015. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP, FILE)

"It was clear to me what I had to. I was livid. I am livid today about it. I took an oath to protect the Constitution," said Rice. "I did it then, and I would do it again tomorrow."

And Rice bristled at Trump's attempts to paint him as a foolish traitor.

"If I am a 'disaster' and a 'total fool,' and I voted with him 169 or however many times, what does that make him, right?" Rice said. "I'm taking his lead."

Some Republicans who backed independent Jan. 6 commission face primary consequences originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The Supreme Court had barriers installed after a draft of its decision on abortion was leaked to the media.

The U.S. Supreme Court will soon make a final decision on a Mississippi case that will determine the future of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark decision that guaranteed the constitutional right to abortion.

Should that ruling be weakened or overturned, states will have the right to decide whether or not abortion services should remain legal.

While abortion remains legal in all 50 states, more than half of those states have passed laws over the years that could outlaw abortion or severely reduce access within a short time if Roe is overturned. Five states in the South have passed laws called trigger bans that would outlaw most abortions, with some exceptions such as extreme medical emergencies, shortly following a ruling overturning Roe. Though these laws are currently on the books they are written to only be enacted if Roe is overturned.

Other states also have abortion bans from prior to 1973 when abortion was legalized in the U.S. that were never enforced but remain on the books. These laws are called "pre-Roe" bans, and some states may try to enforce them soon after the Supreme Court decision is issued, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights.

We take a look at how a ruling to overturn Roe would likely play out in Southern states and the timeframe for when these bans would go into effect.

The information was collected from the Guttmacher Institute, the Center for Reproductive Rights and the work of USA TODAY Network reporters on the ground in states across the southeast.

Alabama

Although Alabama does not have a trigger ban in place, it's likely the state would move quickly to reinstate pre-Roe bans on the procedure. The state's constitution was amended by a referendum in 2018 to say residents have no right to abortion.

Gov. Kay Ivey signed a 2019 law that banned abortion in all cases except extreme medical emergencies and criminalized other forms of the procedure. The law has been tied up in the courts but could be revived if Roe is overturned. It would likely supersede a similar 1951 law still on the books.

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More: What happens to abortion access in Alabama if Roe v. Wade is overturned?

Arkansas

In 2019 the state enacted a trigger law that would take effect as soon as the state attorney general certifies that the U.S. Supreme Court "overrules, in whole or in part, the central holding of Roe v. Wade." Last year the state also passed a near-total ban on abortion, making an exception only in cases of medical emergencies endangering the life of the mother. The state's pre-Roe ban on abortions has been blocked by the courts since 1980.

More: Arkansas lawmakers send governor near-total abortion plan

More: Triggered abortion ban sent to Governor

Florida

Florida's pre-Roe bans were repealed in 1972.

The state's constitution includes protections for abortion as part of the states fundamental right to privacy. But lawmakers have approved increasingly strict abortion regulations, including a 15-week ban earlier this year set to go into effect on July 1. The ban was challenged in state court in June. Due to this recent ban, Florida was among four states considered likely to ban abortion should Roe be overturned or weakened, according to an analysis from the Guttmacher Institute.

More: GOP legislative leaders 'already working' on Texas-style abortion restrictions in Florida

More: Florida's constitution protects abortion access  for now

More: Florida's new 15-week abortion ban challenged as violation of state privacy rights

Georgia

The state's legislature repealed the pre-Roe abortion ban in 1973, and the state does not have a trigger ban in place.

In 2019, Georgia lawmakers passed a six-week ban on abortion that never took effect. The state could attempt to enforce the six-week ban, also known as the "fetal heartbeat" law, should Roe be overturned. Abortion rights advocates argue the six-week timeframe is long before most women even know they're pregnant.

More: Abortion law changes ahead: Here's what would happen in Georgia if Roe v. Wade is overturned

Louisiana

Louisiana passed a trigger law in 2006 that would immediately go into effect if the U.S. Supreme Court reverses Roe giving the state the authority to prohibit abortion. In 2020, voters approved a constitutional amendment banning any right to abortion or funding for abortions in the state.

More: Abortion will become illegal in Louisiana if leaked Supreme Court opinion stands

More: Biden attacks Louisiana abortion bill with no exceptions for rape, incest as 'radical'

Mississippi

The state's 2007 trigger ban on abortions would take effect 10 days after the state attorney general certifies the decision from the U.S. Supreme Court to overrule Roe. The state also passed a six-week ban on abortions in 2019 that has never been enforced, as well as a pre-Roe ban on abortions that remains on the books.

More: Report: U.S. Supreme Court will overturn Roe v. Wade in Mississippi abortion case

More: Dem lawmaker on 6-week abortion ban: GOP 'not brave enough' to ban it outright

North Carolina

North Carolina is the Southern state least likely to outlaw abortion even if Roe is weakened or overturned.

The state's pre-Roe ban is blocked by the courts, and there is no trigger law on the books. The current governor is unlikely to sign a bill banning abortion into law, and opponents would not be expected to have the votes to immediately push through any new legislation.

North Carolina does have a 1973 20-week ban on the books that was modified in 2015 but has never been enforced and was blocked by a recent 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling.

If Roe is overturned, it's likely the nearest provider for over 11 million women ages 15 to 49 would be in North Carolina. That's up from 230,000 women right now, estimates the Guttmacher Institute.

South Carolina

South Carolina does not have a trigger ban. The state repealed its pre-Roe bans in 1974.

But the temporarily-blocked South Carolina Fetal Heartbeat and Protection from Abortion Act, which would ban most abortions after six weeks of gestation, could go into effect after a reversal of Roe.

More: What a possible overturning of Roe v. Wade would mean for South Carolina

Tennessee

Tennessee passed a trigger ban in 2019. The law would require the state attorney general to notify the Tennessee Code Commission of a ruling overturning Roe. Then, within 30 days of that notice, the state would have an abortion ban in place.

Voters amended Tennessee's state constitution in 2014 to remove access to abortion as a fundamental right in the state.

Overturning Roe could also pull the foundation out of a 2020 federal injunction blocking the implementation of a suite of laws from that year enacting some of the nation's most restrictive abortion regulations. If the injunction is invalidated, it could create a de facto ban even before the trigger ban is activated. Some of the 2020 laws include a six-week ban on abortion, a law requiring abortion clinics to post in waiting rooms medically questionable information about being able to reverse a medication abortion, and a law prohibiting abortions if the doctor knows the patient is seeking the procedure due to the fetus' sex, race or a Down syndrome diagnosis.

Tennessee repealed its pre-Roe ban in 1973.

More: What happens in Tennessee if Roe v Wade is overturned? Here's a guide

More: If Roe v. Wade is overturned, two pathways will determine when Tennessee's abortion ban starts

Texas

The state's trigger ban on abortion is set to take effect 30 days after the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe either entirely or in part. Texas has been able to enforce its six-week ban on abortion since September. The law allows people to sue any individual or organization that assists an individual in getting an abortion.

More: Abortion on the border: Legislation in Texas and criminalization in Chihuahua

More: Texas Supreme Court rules against providers in challenge to six-week abortion ban

How will abortion bans increase travel distances?

In total 26 states across the U.S. are either certain to or will likely move to ban abortion should the court decide to overturn or weaken Roe v. Wade, according to an analysis from the Guttmacher Institute. These are states that already have trigger bans, pre-Roe abortion bans, or other types of restrictions such as six-week bans that have been approved but are written to not be enacted until after Roe is overturned. Based on which states have these types of laws in place, travel distances for patients seeking abortion services are expected to increase substantially. The Guttmacher Institute did an analysis of how one-way driving distances would increase based on whether states decide to entirely ban abortion.

The average one-way driving distance to the nearest state where abortion would likely remain legal under a total ban:

Alabama 352 miles (Illinois or North Carolina would be the nearest states)

Arkansas 328 miles (Illinois or Kansas)

Florida 575 miles (North Carolina)

Louisiana 666 miles (Illinois, North Carolina, Kansas)

Mississippi 495 miles (North Carolina, Illinois)

South Carolina 88 miles (North Carolina)

Tennessee 275 miles (Illinois, North Carolina)

Texas 542 miles (Kansas, New Mexico)

Contributing: Brian Lyman, Montgomery (Alabama) Advertiser; Kathryn Varn, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida; Paul Woolverton, USA TODAY NETWORK - North Carolina; Sarah Sheridan, Greenville (South Carolina) News; Liz Kellar, Knoxville (Tennessee) News Sentinel; Greg Hilburn, Lafayette Daily Advertiser

Reach reporter Mariah Timms at mtimms@tennessean.com or 615-259-8344 and on Twitter @MariahTimms.

Maria Clark is a general assignment reporter with The American South. Email her at mclark@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @MariaPClark1.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: If Roe falls, how soon could abortion become illegal across the South?
Jun. 9As seniors began clearing the Rogers High School campus Wednesday after picking up their royal purple and gold caps and gowns, 20 or so students huddled in the cafeteria waiting for Jaime Stacy, the high school's equity advocate and school community specialist.

Stacy and the students are part of Strong Women Achieving Greatness, a school organization looking to empower young students. After school Wednesday, SWAG held a tree planting to honor their graduating seniors' hopes and wishes as they enter the next stage of life. The idea for the ceremony started when Stacy was honored with a tree in 2019 for her work with SWAG.

"I said, 'It would've been really cool to have my SWAG participants out there,' " Stacy said of the original ceremony. "I wanted them to have that connection (to each other) and that's when we began to see this ceremony needed to be something that happens all the time."

Growing up in southeast Missouri, Stacy had few views of what community looked like. She remembered the support and love her two sisters and mother gave her throughout her life, and looked to give students a safe place during the ever-changing time that high school can be.

"That's why SWAG identifies confidence as being strong, and understanding what your strengths are, all while honoring help from others," Stacy said. "It's not an indictment of men, and that's why we have young men coming into the SWAG group. We understand we need each other, and it's building that beloved community together."

The organization holds meetings while also participating in activities such as reading Michelle Obama's book "Becoming" to understand stages of growth.

Programs like SWAG build trust, community and love throughout the student body, something that Rogers principal John Hammil said he admires and finds necessary.

"Jaime Stacy has done an amazing job to create this program to really give kids a connection to each other," he said.

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Katelynn Harmon, the school's therapist, is also part of SWAG. She attended the ceremony as well, understanding the students' experiences and commending Stacy for easing that journey.

"I have several students, male and female, that come to SWAG and they find it very empowering," Harmon said. "Being able to be involved in groups like this is really healing a lot of my students who felt really lonely for the past two years."

Stacy is inspired by how the students build community by supporting and trusting one another. She also loves that the students support each other outside of the program, seeing their bond in classrooms or while passing in the hallways.

"Anywhere I am in this building, they want to be with me, they will try to find me, they know where my office is, and my office stays full," she said.

The tree ceremony started with a land acknowledgment and traditional song performance by mother-daughter duo Idella King and Tanisha Rattler, two Northern Arapaho tribe members.

"As part of a two-legged nation, we are all just part of a whole," King said. "So today in this honoring with Ms. Stacy, you young ladies can bring your children and grandchildren back here and talk about the significance of this tree."

King also gifted the students with a traditional tobacco mix to plant into the ground. It signified their dreams and was as an offer of gratitude back to Earth. The ceremony continued with Nancy McKerrow, the founder of The Susie Forest. McKerrow began The Susie Forest after her daughter Susie was killed in 2002.

Planting trees helped her process the grief of losing Susie, and helps her spread love and encouragement throughout the community. SWAG's mission to empower children into their dreams reminds McKerrow of Susie's passion for the environment.

"Because she loved the outdoors and loved to have shade to ride her bike in, I decided to start planting trees," she said. "So I'm going to have you put down your hopes and dreams ... no matter what, this tree will always know your hopes and dreams."

The students wrote down their aspirations on a sustainable brown paper tied to a rope that will disintegrate as the tree grows.

The Susie Forest's gift to The Class of 2022 is a Royal Raindrops crabapple tree that sports seasonal reddish leaves. It is the 353rd tree for Susie's forest, and McKerrow placed a purple and gold rock into the dirt to symbolize Rogers High School.

The seniors had to leave for a meeting with school administration, so underclassmen took the initiative to write messages on their behalf.

"I hope to be happy, and I hope to be great," one message on the tree reads.

Another message was about becoming a great veterinarian and having a great life. Others leaned into their community, wishing all of Rogers High School students an opportunity to follow their dreams.

Cam Cole, a sophomore at Rogers, filled out a treegram, wishing "to better myself and become successful with my life for me." SWAG, Cole said, has inspired her to continue reaching for the highest goals that she can. She's been a member since her freshman year.

Though her curriculum will ramp up during her junior year, Cole made it her mission to stay active in SWAG since Stacy has given her space that "no one has before."

"I met Ms. Stacy at a really bad time and she really inspired me to strive," said Cole, who has dreams of becoming a nurse. "This group has really taught me a lot about myself and how to be a woman of color in this space. She means a lot to me."

After the ceremony, the remaining students enjoyed cookies and other snacks in the cafeteria, hugging and waving goodbye to Stacy.

It was just another day in the tight-knit group, another moment for Stacy to know her hard work is paying off through the bonds being formed in SWAG.

The tree planting ceremony is meant to take place for the next seven years. But Stacy, looking at her students, said she can tell the impact of SWAG will last a lifetime.

"Today, we were able to connect the achieving and the becoming," Stacy said.

Amber D. Dodd's work as the Carl Maxey Racial and Social Inequity reporter for Eastern Washington and North Idaho primarily appears in both The Spokesman-Review and The Black Lens newspapers, and is funded in part by the Michael Conley Charitable Fund, the Smith-Barbieri Progressive Fund, the Innovia Foundation and other local donors from across our community. This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, please contact our newspaper's managing editor.
A woman looks out of the broken window of a burned residential building somewhere in Ukraine

"We won the battle for Kyiv, and that means something," he said.

"As of today, the level of defense of the capital city has not been reduced, he said.

Read also: Over 66,000 displaced Ukrainians have registered in Kyiv, with 15,000 of them coming from Mariupol

The city and its suburbs are being well fortified. We have several lines of defense. No one has given up and the defense is strengthening."

Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Hanna Malyar said on June 5that Kyiv remained the main target of the Russian invaders and was constantly under threat.
(Reuters) - Authorities in a part of Ukraine seized by Russia are using "cunning schemes" to avoid Western sanctions and sell grain to North America and other parts of the world, Russian state-run RIA news agency reported on Friday.

Ukraine has accused Russia of stealing grain from the territories Moscow occupied since launching what it calls a special military operation in February. The war threatens to cause severe food shortages as Russia and Ukraine account for about 29% of global wheat exports.

Vladimir Rogov, a member of the administration in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine, was quoted by RIA as saying grain was also being sold to Middle Eastern and African nations.

"They are afraid of sanctions but nevertheless buy our grain with joy - of course, through intermediaries and cunning schemes," RIA quoted Rogov as telling Russian television.

Rogov said there were 1.5 million tonnes of grain in the region, RIA added. He did not say whether any of the grain had been delivered to customers.

Last week the Ukrainian embassy in Beirut said Russia had sent its ally Syria an estimated 100,000 tonnes of stolen wheat, describing the shipments as "criminal activity".

Russia and Ukraine are in a deadlock over grain exports from Ukrainian ports.

Russia has seized large parts of Ukraine's coast, blocking farm exports and driving up the cost of grain. Moscow blames the food crisis on sanctions restricting its own grain exports.

(Reporting by David Ljunggren; editing by Grant McCool)
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.
Sean Hannity had a surprising analysis of Thursdays primetime hearing hosted by the select committee investigating January 6 after it ended.

The longtime ally of Donald Trump declared during his show that the former president came out of the event, which showcased never-before-seen gripping footage of rioters viciously assaulting members of law enforcement and bashing through windows, looking good.

Thats despite lawmakers on the panel stating clearly that the ex-president had done nothing during the attack to deploy law enforcement backup to the Hill.

"This is now about a security failure of incredible magnitude and they don't even seem to want to talk about it. The one person that looks good is Donald Trump, said Mr Hannity during a discussion with right-wing journalist John Solomon.

Mr Hannity has somewhat of a personal perspective on the situation given that his own text messages to the White House and others in the presidents orbit before, during, and after the riot have become evidence that the committee is using to form its narrative.

The Fox host and close confidante of the 45th president was texting allies of the president in December of 2020 that he did NOT see January 6 happening the way [Donald Trump] is being told, apparently referring to his own doubts about the plan to persuade Mike Pence to interfere in the certification of the election or even the mass gathering of Trump supporters in DC itself which Mr Trump had personally encouraged via his Twitter account.

"This is now about a security failure of incredible magnitude and they don't even seem to want to talk about it. The one person that looks good is Donald Trump." - Sean Hannity after first #January6thHearings broadcast wraps. pic.twitter.com/UTWLktPgXV  Caleb Howe (@CalebHowe) June 10, 2022

During the riot itself, he pleaded with Mr Trumps chief of staff, Mark Meadows: Hes got to condemn this s*** ASAP. The Capitol Police tweet is not enough.

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We need an Oval Office address. He has to lead now. It has gone too far and gotten out of hand, Mr Hannity wrote at the time.

Now, like many allies of the president in Congress and the media, Mr Hannity has taken the position that the riot was not as serious as law enforcement on the scene, lawmakers who feared for their lives during the attack, and journalists caught in the middle have all depicted in the year since the attack. Mr Hannitys rewriting of that day began just hours after the attack, while many Republicans in Congress were still expressing horror about the days events.

"I always distinguish the 99% that were peaceful today, he told his viewers that night. He also condemned the violence that did occur, stating: People, we dont believe, should be vandalizing our nations capital, attacking the brave men and women that keep us safe of law enforcement, and all of todays perpetrators must be arrested and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

The January 6 committee held its first hearing Thursday evening and plans to hold a handful more in the month ahead. The first hearing consisted of a considerable amount of unreleased footage from that day, which left many in the room shaken and visibly uncomfortable.

Following the publication of Mr Hannitys text messages by the committee last year, the Fox host condemned Rep Liz Cheney, the Republican vice chair of the panel, telling his viewers: "Last night, in a weak attempt to smear yours truly, and presumably, President Trump, Congresswoman Cheney presented one of my text messages from January 6th to Mark Meadows.

"I've always been consistent on January 6th and every other night, he added at the time. "If you'd finally turn off fake news CNN once in a while and maybe watch this program, you would know all of this."
A Haitian man has been charged with trying to smuggle dozens of semiautomatic rifles, handguns and ammunition from Miami to the Caribbean country that were destined for a ring of drug traffickers, according to U.S. authorities.

The cache was hidden in a vehicle and seized at the Port of Miami in December 2020, authorities said.

Hendel Laurent, a U.S. citizen who resided in South Florida, was indicted by a Miami federal grand jury this week on charges of violating export and smuggling laws. Hes accused of trying to export 21 weapons and magazines to Haiti without a Commerce Department license. Among the makes and models: Smith & Wesson M&P 15, Glock 19 gen 4 and Ruger 9E-SC.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Laurent, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. He is believed to be in Haiti.

Laurents weapons-smuggling case underscores the persistent problem of illegal gun purchases and exports in South Florida, according to Homeland Security Investigations and Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms. Despite a longstanding U.S. embargo on arms sales to Haiti, an estimated 500,000 illegal weapons are in circulation in the Caribbean nation.

Laurents case is also among an array of current U.S. criminal investigations involving Haiti, an impoverished country reeling from drug trafficking, gang kidnappings of American missionaries and the assassination of its president last July.

Although Laurent is the only defendant named in the new Miami indictment, his alleged arms-smuggling activity is linked to a drug-trafficking case recently filed in the federal court in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, according to law enforcement sources familiar with the connection.

The alleged ringleader in that case, Jean Eliobert Jasme, was brought to the United States in April on charges of conspiring with two Haitian police officers to smuggle cocaine from Colombia through Haiti, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas into the United States.

More than a decade ago, Jasme, aka ED1, had been convicted in Miami in a sprawling federal probe targeting dozens of narco-traffickers, Haitian government officials and senior police officers accused of moving loads of cocaine from Colombia via Haiti to South Florida. As part of his plea deal, Jasme became a key witness and contributed to at least 17 prosecutions  with all but one ending in convictions.

Jasme was rewarded by prosecutors for his cooperation in 2009 when a Miami federal judge cut his 20-year prison sentence in half.

Miami Herald Caribbean correspondent Jacqueline Charles contributed to this report.
The world's ocean freight shipping companies recently called on international maritime authorities to exclude pollution that their vessels spew in bad weather from new regulations, a condition that would apply almost a third of the time in the Atlantic. But the effort failed Friday.

Under international laws due to come into force in 2023, all big vessels will be rated from A to E by how much carbon dioxide flows from their stacks for every mile traveled and ton carried. The idea is to incentivize owners to install cleaner technologies. Although the proposed rules are currently toothless, nation states might bring in penalties for high-polluting ships in the future.

In April, four trade groups, including the World Shipping Council, complained that the new rules would penalize ships that have to sail in rough conditions. This burns more fuel and produces more carbon dioxide, meaning ships in windy seas would get a worse carbon efficiency rating.

So the trade groups proposed to the International Maritime Organization in written submissions that periods of eight hours or more undertaken in bad weather be struck from the scoring entirely. They defined bad weather as wind speeds of 28 knots or waves four meters (13.1 feet) high.

It would pretend that ships hardly ever sail in stormy weather and only calculate the carbon intensity of the ship under the most favorable conditions, said Bryan Comer, who heads up the marine program at the International Council of Clean Transportation.

The International Maritime Organization, made up of member countries, has now rejected that idea.

Going slow is one of the best ways to reduce emissions. If they had won the exemption, ships could have gone as fast as they wanted in bad weather, Comer said, burning more fuel than usual without it showing up in their ratings. This might enable them to hit tougher deadlines and win contracts.

There is actually an incentive if this had gone forward to sail in adverse weather, said Comer.

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According to the World Shipping Council, waves exceed four meters in the North Atlantic more than 30% of the time.

The World Shipping Council argued that factors like extreme weather distort the picture and make the numbers less effective at driving the change we want.

The trade group conceded it was logical at first glance that the proposal might incentive ships to sail into heavy weather, but said the high cost of fuel made this very unlikely. It pointed out sailing in rough seas can use 30% more fuel than in calmer weather, thus saddling ships with a worse rating. Ships that routinely traverse calm waters such as those off Nigeria would more easily win top grades while those that have to cross the Atlantic would automatically look worse.

Failing to address these inequities unfairly labels certain ships as inferior because of the routes they serve, the World Shipping Council said.

James Gamble, a program director at Pacific Environment, which works to protect the Pacific Ocean and coastal communities, has also been following the negotiations.

The proposed regulations should be left as they are to achieve 2030 emissions targets, he said. While trade groups can give good advice on cutting emissions, their primary focus is on making members money, he said.

What was really at issue, Gamble said, is that ships that are low-rated will be at a market disadvantage with customers who want to transport their goods with as little emissions as possible.

The World Shipping Council represents more than a dozen companies, including the two largest ship owners, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and Maersk.

Both have made stringent promises to cut greenhouse gases. MSC has pledged to hit net zero by 2050, while Maersk says it will do so ten years earlier.

The World Shipping Council said having a carbon intensity score that correctly reflects vessels energy efficiency is crucial".

Responding to a request for comment, the trade group took a somewhat different position than in its filings. An average rate of fuel use should be applied during rough seas, rather than subtracting these portions of the journey completely, the company said by email.

When The Associated Press pointed out the effect would be the same, because carbon efficiency ratings are a ratio and not a measure of total emissions, the company said recent internal discussions had led it to reconsider this suggestion.

It concluded, I doubt that we will advance the idea which may offer little mathematical difference in the calculation.

For the climate, its actual emissions that matter.

The regulation would be working if ships that consume more fuel are graded more harshly," said marine emissions expert Bryan Comer.

Neither Maersk or MSC returned requests for comment.

-

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.
Soon after rioters breached the initial police lines at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol Police Officer Caroline Edwards blacked out, the back of her head clipping the concrete stairs.

Edwards, testifying Thursday during the Jan. 6 committee's first public hearing, said she regained consciousness in the middle of a "war scene."

When I fell behind that line and I saw, I can just remember my breath catching in my throat, because what I saw was just a war scene, she said. It was something like I had seen out of the movies. I couldnt believe my eyes. There were officers on the ground. They were bleeding, they were throwing up. I mean, I saw friends with blood all over their faces. I was slipping in peoples blood.

Edwards, who was among the first police officers to suffer injuries after a mob of then-President Donald Trumps supporters descended on the Capitol, delivered some of the most gripping testimony during the Jan. 6 Committees initial hearing Thursday  one that featured never before seen footage of the violence as well as snippets of newly released testimony from former Trump White House officials, allies and the rioters themselves.

Edwards was one of two witnesses who appeared to give testimony before the panel in person Thursday evening.

I was catching people as they fell, she said. It was carnage, it was chaos. I cant even describe what I saw. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that, as a police officer, as a law enforcement officer, I would find myself in the middle of a battle.

Edwards said she was trained to detain a couple of subjects and handle a crowd, but Im not combat trained.

And that day, it was just hours of hand-to-hand combat, she continued. Hours of dealing with things that were way beyond any any law enforcement officer has ever trained for. And I just remember that moment of stepping behind the line and just seeing the absolute war zone that the west front had become.

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Edwards, who suffered a concussion, also recalled seeing fellow Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who died days later of a stroke, covering his face and looking pale as a sheet of paper after having been sprayed with a chemical. This was concerning to her because she knew being hit with tear gas makes a persons face turn red, not ghostly pale. As she was trying to help him, she too was sprayed in the ongoing melee, she said.

In her introduction to the committee, Edwards said she faced intense verbal abuse during the riot and in the days that followed as well.

I was called [House Speaker] Nancy Pelosis dog, called incompetent, called a hero and a villain, she said. I was called a traitor to my country, my oath, and my constitution. In actuality, I was none of those things. I was an American standing face to face with other Americans asking myself how many times, many, many times how we had gotten here. I had been called names before, but never had my patriotism or duty been called into question.

They dared to question my honor, they dared to question my loyalty and they dared to question my duty, she added. I am a proud American and I will gladly sacrifice everything to make sure that the America my grandfather defended is here for many years to come.
Tina Fey and Seth Meyers are among several Saturday Night Live stars named as alleged witnesses to an alleged assault of an underage fan, during a 2002 cast afterparty.

In a 2021 lawsuit filed against former SNL star Horatio Sanz, an unidentified woman going under Jane Doe accused Sanz of grooming her and sexually assaulting her at an afterparty. She was 17 at the time. NBCUniversal and SNL Studios are also named as defendants.

In a new affidavit, Doe has claimed that Fey and Meyers, along with Rachel Dratch, Ana Gasteyer, and Maya Rudolph, were among the partygoers within direct eyesight of herself and Sanz as he groped her.

Both at these parties and afterwards, Sanz kissed me, groped my breasts and buttocks and digitally penetrated my genitals, Doe writes in the affidavit. He was also rubbing my vagina over [the] top of my clothes.

Further, the affidavit states that Gasteyer made direct eye contact with Doe while Sanz groped her: Gasteyers jaw dropped, her arms shook and she became visibly startled.

Doe adds: Next to Gasteyer, I saw Fey and Dratch looking at us and laughing.

When I looked at Fey and Dratch, who were excitedly giggling and talking with their hands over their mouths while looking directly at me and Sanz, they were startled and positioned themselves behind other people.

Horatio Sanz, pictured, was a regular fixture on SNL between 1998 and 2006 (Getty Images for Disney)

In the affidavit, Doe claims that Meyers stood with Rudolph directly in front of Sanz and Doe, facing us, and Rudolph looked grossed out.

She alleges that when she expressed her discomfort to Sanz, he dismissed my shock and embarrassment, telling me to keep going with him despite everyone gawking at us.

I made repeated comments that I wanted to leave, Doe writes. I was obviously uncomfortable with the situation.

At the time of the initial lawsuit, Sanzs lawyer Andrew Brettler described the claims as categorically false and ludicrous.

Before filing this lawsuit anonymously, she demanded $7.5m in exchange for her silence, he claimed, in a statement to TMZ. We, of course, refused and will vigorously contest these totally meritless claims.

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However often she repeats her ludicrous allegations or tries to rope in other high-profile names to generate media attention, they will always be false.

The Independent has contacted representatives for Meyers, Fey, Gasteyer, Dratch, and Rudolph for comment.

If you have been raped or sexually assaulted, you can contact your nearest Rape Crisis organisation for specialist, independent and confidential support. For more information, visit their website here.
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP)  Embroiled in controversy, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday refused to answer questions about his alleged cover-up of a theft of large amounts of cash from his farm, saying only that he will appear before his party's integrity committee over the accusations.

Ramaphosa, 69, endured a second day of being shouted down in Parliament by opposition members before being peppered with questions from the press over the growing scandal.

Ramaphosa is facing allegations of money laundering, bribery and breaking South Africa's foreign currency laws over the theft, which reportedly involved $4 million in cash being stolen two years ago from his Phala Phala game farm in the northern Limpopo province.

He has confirmed that the theft took place and has denied any wrongdoing. He has said the money came from the sale of animals from the game farm. But Ramaphosa has dodged all questions seeking specific information about the robbery.

He repeatedly declined to answer questions from reporters including: How much cash was stolen? How did he obtain the foreign currency? Was it legally declared to South African authorities? Did he try to cover up his possession of the cash by bribing the thieves to keep quiet?

The story of the theft came to light earlier this month when the country's former intelligence chief, Arthur Fraser, filed a criminal complaint with police alleging that Ramaphosa had tried to cover up the robbery.

Fraser alleges that Ramaphosa had been keeping the cash hidden in furniture at his ranch when it was stolen. Instead of reporting the theft to police, Ramaphosa tried to cover it up by having members of his presidential protection unit track down the thieves, said Fraser in the affidavit filed with police.

Ramaphosa told reporters at the parliament complex in Cape Town that he wanted a full investigation to take place before answering questions about it.

Let the due process happen as regards things like was this laundering of money ... the issue of how much money was there," Ramaphosa said. Id like to hold onto that. And I do that with respect because ... Im a process person. The process must unfold.

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Ramaphosa said he has offered to appear before his African National Congress party's integrity committee. A date for that hearing has not yet been set, he said. If Ramaphosa is found to have broken the law or the party's ethics code, the ANC committee could ask him to step aside as the party's leader or suspend him, which could be the first step to Parliament removing him as president.

The scandal surrounding the farm theft is the biggest challenge to Ramaphosa's leadership of Africa's most developed economy and comes six months before a critical party elective conference in December, when Ramaphosa had already been expected to face a tough battle to be re-elected the party's leader.

Earlier, his attempts to speak in Parliament were disrupted for a second straight day as opposition lawmakers confronted him. Lawmakers from the populist Economic Freedom Fighters, the second biggest opposition party in Parliament, scuffled with security guards as they shouted that Ramaphosa should not be allowed to address the house. Eventually they were removed from parliament.

But not before they loudly and repeatedly accused Ramaphosa of laundering money and trying to hide it. The party is also demanding that Ramaphosa step down as president pending the investigations into the theft.

The president of the republic, there are serious allegations against him, so he cant come to the house to address us. He must step aside and allow the law to take its course, protested EFF lawmaker Omphile Maotwe, interrupting Ramaphosa's attempts to speak.

Ramaphosa also told lawmakers that the robbery is under investigation and that the law must be able to take its course.

I have listened very carefully to the views of members of this house who have raised thoughts, suggestions and proposals on this matter," said Ramaphosa. Some of the views have been to counsel me, and yet others have been laced with insults. I will not respond to insults, but will say that the counsel and suggestions that have been made raise points that I will consider.

Appearing exhausted after the tumultuous time in parliament, Ramaphosa then fended off questions at the press conference over what is called farmgate. At the end of the briefing, he turned to an aide and said: Can I go home now?

___

Magome reported from Johannesburg.
Jun. 9The Stillwater Police Department announced Thursday it is searching for two teen boys who have been missing from Stillwater since Jan. 13. Both were living at the Payne County Youth Shelter at the time and in the Oklahoma Department of Human Services custody.

Jaime Brown and Patrick Frank, both 13, have been missing since they stepped off the school bus at Stillwater Middle School and walked toward a wooded area west of SMS. Frank's caseworker Lauren Turner told the News Press what happened a few days before the boys left.

On Jan. 10, Frank followed up with his caseworker. Turner said he appeared to be fine and enjoying his current environment. Turner also said PCYS staff informed her that the boys started acting out on Jan. 12, grabbing extra snacks and attempting to get a phone.

The next day, police were notified by shelter staff that the boys hadn't attended their classes. A school resource officer was contacted by school staff and made aware of the situation, SPD Public Information Officer TJ Low wrote.

Turner said the boys were gone before police arrived and started searching the area.

"For them to be gone that fast someone had to be in on it," Turner told the News Press Thursday.

Six months later, police still haven't located the teens.

Possible sightings months later

Turner told the News Press Brown had been seen around the Enid area, and SPD released information saying the boys might be with Brown's non-custodial mother, who lives in Enid. Frank communicated with his cousin and girlfriend via Snapchat after he ran away. In April, Turner said Frank's mother tracked him on Snapchat maps and showed up alone at Brown's mother's house.

By the time police were notified, the boys were gone, Turner said. To her knowledge, the boys haven't been heard from since. She said EPD assigned a detective to the case in April.

"Right now, she's (Brown's mom) kidnapping two kids because her rights are terminated for her kid," Turner said.

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She said initially Frank seemed to be healthy and OK from the pictures he sent over Snapchat to his cousin. Frank told his family he was OK but had been in a bad situation, she said.

She also thinks Brown might also have family in Arkansas.

Initial information The Stillwater Police Department was notified immediately about Brown and Frank. The News Press contacted SPD after receiving a message on Jan. 25 from Turner, who said Frank had run away and she could not locate him. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children had already reported his disappearance.

"He is a runaway and is still outstanding," former SPD PIO Kyle Bruce told the News Press when asked about the boy in January. "I believe he is in DHS custody."

The News Press later followed up with Bruce and was told Frank was not missing. There was no mention of Brown at any time.

But Frank's caseworker said the boy had not been found.

"He can't be missing if he's in DHS custody?" Turner previously said. "... No one had seen or heard from him since Jan. 13 when he left school and never came back."

The News Press asked Low on Thursday what the department has been doing since the initial report and Low said "following up on leads."

Low said typically they won't release juvenile information unless they know the kid is in danger.

"It is not common for us to send out juvenile information and pictures unless we feel they're in immediate danger," Low said. "Due to the information we had, we didn't feel as if they were in danger."

SPD is asking anyone who may have information about the boys or where they might be to call the department's tip line at 405-742-8327 or the non-emergency number 405-372-4171.

"After we have exhausted all of our leads, we enlist the help from the public," Low said. "Thank you to everyone that has shared the post."
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Sweden seeks to make constructive progress in talks with Turkey on Ankara's objections to the Nordic country's application to join the NATO defence alliance, Foreign Minister Ann Linde said on Friday.

Finland and Sweden applied to join NATO last month in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine but face opposition from Turkey, which accuses them of supporting and harbouring Kurdish militants and other groups it deems terrorists.

The objections caught Finnish, Swedish and many NATO officials by surprise and have dimmed prospects for rapid progress on the membership bids ahead of a NATO summit in Madrid later this month.

"Our application has received broad support among NATO members," Linde said in a foreign policy declaration in the Swedish parliament. "Our ambition is to, in a constructive spirit, make progress on the questions that Turkey has raised."

Linde added that there should be no doubts that Sweden stood together with allies against terrorism.

"We take Turkey's security very seriously and we will as a NATO member contribute to security for all NATO members, Turkey included," she told a news conference later in the day.

Sweden's government survived a no-confidence vote on Tuesday with the help of a lawmaker whose demands for support for Kurds in Northern Syria could complicate its attempts to join NATO, all of whose members must approve any new entrants.

Ankara has also hit out at Swedish authorities for halting arms exports to Turkey in 2019 as the country launched a military operation in northern Syria.

While not referring directly to Turkey, Linde said Swedish membership in NATO could "change the conditions for arms exports within our national regulatory framework".

The minister said talks between representatives of Sweden, Finland, Turkey and NATO were being held in a constructive spirit. Asked at the news conference in what way talks were constructive she replied: "They are not called off."

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She said she had been very surprised by Turkey's objections, which were first voiced publicly shortly after applications were handed in.

"We had had talks (before) with Turkey where they had said that 'we certainly have views on various things that we can discuss where we aren't of the same opinion, but we welcome Sweden and Finland'," she said.

(Reporting by Anna Ringstrom and Niklas Pollard, editing by Terje Solsvik, Simon Johnson and Alex Richardson)
DAMASCUS (Reuters) -Syria halted flights to and from Damascus International Airport until further notice on Friday after Israeli air strikes damaged the airstrip and a terminal, the transport ministry said.

A Syrian military official quoted by the state news agency SANA said Syrian air defences intercepted the Israeli missiles, downing most of them, but that the early morning attack wounded one civilian and caused some material damage.

Cham Wings Airline, a private Syrian carrier, said it was rerouting all its flights to Aleppo International Airport.

The transport ministry said the airport had stopped all flights, and a later statement said Israeli air strikes damaged the runway and one of the terminals.

As a result of this damage, all arriving and departing flights at the airport have been suspended until further notice, the ministrys second statement said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said on Friday the Israeli bombing had damaged the runway after targeting "warehouses of Iranian militias" near the airport.

An Israeli military spokesperson declined to comment.

For several years, Israel has been attacking what it has described as Iranian-linked targets in Syria, where Tehran-backed forces, including Lebanon's Hezbollah, have deployed to help President Bashar al-Assad.

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian condemned the attack as a "clear violation of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity... (and) contrary to international law and human principles", in a phone call with his Syrian counterpart Faisal Mekdad, Iran's state media reported.

(Reporting by Maya Gebeily in Beirut, Yomna Ehab in Cairo, Kinda Makieh, and Dubai newsroom; Writing by Lina Najem, Editing by Catherine Evans, Angus MacSwan and Alex Richardson)
Good morning, readers, and happy Friday. Its also Day of Portugal, when everyones just a little bit Portuguese  and Portuguese people are a LOT more Portuguese! Feliz Dia de Portugal to all our readers! We raise a pastel de nata to you.

A student at Talbot Middle School was arrested on Thursday after, police say, they brought a knife into school with them. According to a press release sent out by the Fall River Police Department on Thursday, Talbot's administration informed the school's school resource officer that a student had been seen viewing a video of two Talbot students, "one armed with a knife and the other armed with what appeared to be a firearm." Read more about this scary situation right here.

After more than 30 years spent teaching music and theater at B.M.C. Durfee High School, Gary Bigelow has finally reached his curtain call. Bigelow is retiring this month after 36 years at the high school as a teacher, not including two years as a substitute teacher and, before that, four years as a student at the original Durfee building on Rock Street. Read more about this remarkable educator and Fall River institution.

r the third time this year, a cemetery in town has been vandalized, according to officials. This past week, the Assonet Burying Ground had several headstones spray painted with disturbing messages. The two previous incidents happened at the White Cemetery. What are police doing about the issue? Read more to find out.

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This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Talbot student arrested for bringing knife to school
Tesla has canceled recruiting events in China. Associated Press

Tesla has canceled three hiring events in China planned for this month, Reuters reports.

Elon Musk previously told executives via email that the company needed to cut 10% of staff.

Musk said at the time that he had a "super bad feeling" about the economy and urged caution on hiring.

Tesla has canceled three hiring events in China amid Elon Musk's warnings of staff cuts at the company, according to Reuters.

Recruiting events for Tesla's research and development, sales, and supply chain departments were planned for June 16, 23, and 30, according to a company WeChat seen by the news agency.

Tesla did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment made outside of normal working hours.

The cancelations come just a day after Tesla added two dozen new job openings for managers and engineers in China. A hiring event for "smart manufacturing" roles had been planned for June 9 but it is unclear from the company WeChat if the event went ahead.

There are more than 1,000 Tesla job openings posted on the social-media platform that are still allowing applications, according to Reuters.

Musk announced last week that he wanted to cut 10% of Tesla's salaried headcount. He expressed concerns about the economy and said Tesla was "overstaffed in some areas" in an email to executives. The email's subject line was "pause all hiring worldwide."

Insider reported that Tesla employed almost 100,000 people at the end of 2021, cutting 10% of staff would mean axing thousands of jobs.

Musk told Tesla executives via email he had a "super bad feeling" about the economy.

The tech industry has experienced a wave of hiring pauses and layoffs in recent months. Big tech companies such as Meta and Uber have announced they are slowing hiring amid uncertain economic conditions.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Holly Mazzocca, Bartlett Wealth Management's president, stands inside her office in downtown Cincinnati. Mazzocca won the Top Workplaces Cincinnati Top Leader award in the small company division.

A global pandemic is a perfect recipe for disaster to set in at the office.

But despite the challenges COVID-19 brought to staffing, retention, and company viability, some leaders were able to instill confidence in employees and convince them that sustained success will be on the other side of those rocky months.

More than 37,000 workers at 212 firms across the Cincinnati area were asked if they had confidence in their leadership as part of the Top Workplaces Cincinnati 2022 survey.

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

Three individuals stood out in the surveys made for The Enquirer by Energage and as a result, the following individuals have been named Top Workplace Leaders of 2022:

Andreas Kleiner, American Modern Insurance Group.

Dan Sutton, Kemba Credit Union.

Holly Mazzocca, Bartlett Wealth Management

The Enquirer talked to the winners about what it was like leading employees through a health and economic crisis and got their reactions to employees expressing confidence in their vision.

What are some things you've done to earn the trust of your employees?

Andreas Kleiner, CEO of American Modern Insurance Group: At American Modern, everyone in a leadership position prepares a "leadership philosophy," discusses it with their team, and publishes it. This is an important commitment, and we are very serious about living up to our leadership philosophies. I try to treat others the way I want to be treated: in a fair manner, with dignity, empathy and respect. Integrity and humility matter a lot to me, as well as trying to understand first before being understood.

Dan Sutton, CEO of Kemba Credit Union: I've been doing this for 23 years and I truly look to them (employees) as part of my family. I believe in my heart that I work for them, that they do not work for me. I try to remove barriers out of their lives if I can. I go to bat for them as much as I can. And I do overcommunicate. I often tell them, 'I share things with you that I probably shouldn't share,' but it's because I believe we're in this together. I really have an open-door policy.

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Holly Mazzocca, president of Bartlett Wealth Management: I do my very best to listen. Instead of making it a function about what I think is the direction we need to go in, I gather as much input from my employees as possible. The vision of Bartlett is not just what our leadership team says the vision is, it's really what our employees want to build and contribute to our clients and to the community.

Andreas Kleiner, president and chief executive officer of American Modern Insurance Group.

How would you define an effective leader?

Kleiner: The following 10 attributes come to mind: humble, reliable, caring, passionate, inspiring, fair, empowering, committed, striving for excellence, and having a strong moral compass. I like the statement that good leaders take the lead in times of crisis and stand behind when celebrating success. And more so, I like the concept of a servant leader.

Sutton: Leaders can lead, but it's hard to get someone to follow you. And so you have to show that you care, you have to be real, you have to be honest and true. And if you can do all of that, if you can garner followers, then I think you've done something pretty good.

Mazzocca: An effective leader supports the vision of the firm, supports the vision of the future, but is really there for employees to celebrate the wins together as a team. And also there to support them when things aren't going well. Leaders remove roadblocks along the way so that employees can feel really great about delivering their best.

Dan Sutton of Kemba Credit Union won the top leadership award in the midsize company division of the 2022 Top Workplaces Cincinnati program.

How did you lead your employees through all of the challenges of the past few years?

Kleiner: Communication, communication, communication. Be human. Make it clear that in times of crisis and uncertainty, you dont have all the answers, and that this is normal. When COVID hit us, I was sending out a daily newsletter to all of our associates during the first few weeks so that everybody knew where we stood. (It gave) everybody something to hold on to and to create important routines in a time of uncertainty. This is something not to be underestimated. It was tough sometimes. We were all dealing with chaos and emotional stress during those days, and to sit down and write my daily message to everyone after a long and exhausting day required quite some discipline. People were waiting for it, and I didnt want to disappoint them.

Sutton: We never furloughed anybody. I think that's really important. I think one of the biggest things was not ducking the issue, and being honest about the issue but keeping a controlled poker face. In meetings, communicating often, we tried very, very hard when we did send people home to not forget about them. I think we went over and above to make sure everyone felt included even though we were separated. We communicated so often and so consistently. It's OK to be nervous and not know the answer to everything but you have to stay cool and calm. Because when you're cool and calm, there's some reassurance to them.

Mazzocca: Authenticity, connection, and transparency. Being very authentic with who I am and where I'm struggling and where I see opportunities. Really staying very connected with my employees to spend time with them, to listen to them, and be transparent with them. We started sending out a monthly letter from the president to just share more details around what's going on at the business level so that our employees really see the meaning behind their work. They can connect it to the greater good.

What does it mean to you to win an award predicated on confidence from your employees?

Kleiner: I am humbled. As a leader, you are only as good as the team around you, and I am blessed with having the best team that I could wish for. They deserve the award more than I do.

Sutton: It means a lot to me. Because I do work for them (employees), it means a lot to me that the work I'm putting into the culture I'm trying to create, is paying off. If anything it just gives me the energy to double down on what I'm doing because what I'm doing is making a difference. And I'm not doing it by myself, I have an army of great leaders around me that are helping me do that, but it really means the world to me, because these guys are my family.

Mazzocca: It means the world to me. It reinforces all of the intentional effort our team takes from the leadership team on down to the newest member of the team. The amount of time we invest to connect with each other, to grow the business, side-by-side and really deliver a legendary experience for our clients. Our goal at Bartlett is to provide true peace of mind to our clients, and the same thing goes for my employees. I want them to have peace of mind and feel fulfilled when they come to the office every day.

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.

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This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: CEOs at American Modern, Kemba, and Bartlett win Top Workplaces awards
Oxygen

The self-published author who once penned an essay titled How To Murder Your Husband will spend the rest of her life behind bars for her husbands murder. Nancy Crampton Brophy, 71, was sentenced on Monday to life in prison for the 2018 murder of Daniel Brophy, 63, according to NBC Portland affiliate KGW-TV. Crampton Brophy  who was found guilty of second-degree murder in May following a seven-week trial  will be eligible for parole after serving 25 years of her sentence. Prosecutors accused
Former acting Attorney General Jeff Rosen has already testified about Trump's efforts to pressure DOJ. Yuri Gripas-Pool/Getty Images

Jeffrey Rosen, the acting attorney general in the final weeks of the Trump administration, has agreed to testify publicly.

Rosen has been interviewed by the Jan. 6 committee about Trump pressing the Justice Department to support efforts to discredit the 2020 election results.

Rosen's former top deputy and another ex-Justice Department official will also testify.

Jeffrey Rosen, the acting attorney general in the final weeks of the Trump administration, has agreed to testify publicly before the House committee investigating the January 6 attack on the Capitol, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Rosen and other former Justice Department officials were invited to testify as the House panel prepared to present its findings from the yearlong investigation, but they were unable to immediately accept without the department's sign-off. During the investigation, Rosen sat for an interview behind closed doors and recounted to the House committee how he came under persistent pressure from former President Donald Trump to throw the weight of the Justice Department behind the former president's effort to discredit the 2020 election results.

Rosen is set to testify on June 15 with two other former Justice Department officials: His onetime top deputy, Richard Donoghue, and Steve Engel, who led the department's Office of Legal Counsel under the Trump administration.

On Thursday, the House January 6 committee held a primetime hearing to lay out its findings from the months-long investigation into the Capitol attack. Previewing the June 15 hearing, Cheney said the panel would highlight how "President Donald Trump corruptly planned to replace the Attorney General of the United States so the U.S. Justice Department would spread his false stolen election claims."

In a closed-door deposition with the House committee last year, Rosen recalled how a once-obscure Trump appointee, Jeffrey Clark, emerged inside the Justice Department as a supporter of the former president's false claims of widespread voter fraud. Clark drafted a letter to legislatures in key battleground states informing them that the Justice Department was investigating purported voter irregularities related to the election, but Rosen refused to sign it.

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Trump considered ousting Rosen and installing Clark as the new acting leader of the Justice Department, but the former president stood down after officials threatened to resign if he followed through with the move. During an intense Oval Office meeting, a top Justice Department official cautioned that Clark would be leading a "graveyard" if appointed as acting attorney general.

Cheney on Thursday noted that, in the days before January 6, 2021, Trump told Justice Department leaders to,

"Just say the election was corrupt and leave the rest to me and the Republican congressmen."

But Cheney said the senior Justice Department leaders, "men he had appointed, told him they could not do that, because it was not true. So President Trump decided to replace them."

Donoghue also appeared before the House committee for a closed-door deposition and described  in occasionally unsparing terms  how officials were struck by Clark's conduct and considered him unfit for the acting attorney general role. Recalling the Oval Office meeting, Donoghue said he noted to Trump that Clark lacked experience with criminal law.

Clark, the Senate-confirmed head of the Justice Department's environmental, countered that he had handled complicated civil cases and appeals, according to Donoghue's recollection.

"And I said, 'That's right. You're an environmental lawyer. How about you go back to your office, and we'll call you when there's an oil spill,'" Donoghue told the House January 6 committee.

Rosen and Donoghue previously testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee, and both have cooperated with a Washington, DC, legal body's ethics probe into Clark.

Read the original article on Business Insider
A North Carolina TV station erred last week in taking down an ad against Democratic Senate candidate Cheri Beasley by the National Republican Senatorial Committee, according to a letter from an attorney for the station's owners. In the letter, the station owners also asked Democratic lawyers to stop referencing that decision in their cease-and-desist letters to other stations.

On June 2, a representative for WSOC-TV in Charlotte told lawyers for the Democratic Elias Law Group it had pulled an NRSC ad after it was told the ad contained a false statement and language about Beasley. The Elias Law Group has done work for the NRSC's counterparts, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

Kathleen Kirby, an outside attorney recently hired by the Cox Media Group, which owns the two stations, wrote to the Elias group on Wednesday to say the message about taking the ad down "was prematurely sent" to his firm. She said it contained privileged and preliminary advice from the station's counsel and was not the final decision.

The ad attacks Beasley's record as a former state Supreme Court chief justice and said she voted to free a man charged with 12 counts of child pornography. Beasley voted with the Democratic majority on a case in 2019 that said police did not have the right to search a USB drive without a warrant, and sent it back to the lower courts. The man, James Howard Terrell Jr., was freed in December 2021.

"The defendant was not set free by the ruling as the ad claims. CMG will not run the ad when it contains a false statement on material issue," wrote a representative for WSOC-TV and WAXN-TV in Charlotte, N.C on June 2. He had sent the email to the Elias Law Group, which asked the station to take it down.

The ad was taken down on the two stations on June 2, and at least six other stations took the ad down temporarily over that weekend after being asked by Elias lawyers, according to emails reviewed by CBS News.

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The NRSC is now running a tweaked version of the ad on the stations that initially took it down, while most in the state are still running the original version.

Kirby also took issue with Elias' counsel for using that message in communications with other TV stations in its requests to them to take the ad down. Kirby is a media attorney for Wiley Rein LLP, a firm that has been paid by the NRSC and Republican National Committee this cycle." .

"It appears that you are referencing this email communication in a manner that mischaracterizes its contents as the final determination by CMG concerning the ad's suitability for broadcast. This is incorrect," Kirby wrote to Elias. "We request that you make no further use of this communication, including citing this material in other cease-and-desist letters."

After the ad was taken down, the NRSC pointed out in a release that the Cox Media Group's general counsel and executive president, Eric Greenberg, has donated to Democratic Senate campaigns in recent years.

"We're glad to see the dirty tricks by Cheri Beasley's campaign to cover up her record of letting off violent criminals are being exposed," said NRSC spokesperson Chris Hartline. "We will continue reminding the voters of North Carolina that Cheri Beasley consistently sided with violent criminals and failed to protect families and children."

In a response, Elias Law Group Partner and DSCC counsel Jacquelyn Lopez said, "It's unfortunate that Cox Media Group hired one of the NRSC's own law firms and is relying on this partisan and unsound advice."

In their statements, both Beasley's campaign and the DSCC said they will continue to highlight the original ad's removal by multiple stations last week.

"This is nothing more than an embarrassing, desperate attempt by Washington Republicans who were caught lying about Cheri's record," said Beasley campaign spokesperson Dory MacMillan.

6 new things we learned from the first public Jan. 6 hearing

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UK Defense Secretary Ben Wallace

Im grateful to (the United Kingdom), its government, and PM (Boris Johnson), said Zelensky.

Read also: UK agrees to supply Ukraine with MLRS

War brings clarity to who are our true friends and partners; and I think (the United Kingdom) is exactly that.

The president said that he is in constant communication with UK PM Boris Johnson  and that the Ukrainian and UK governments are constantly in touch as well.

Read also: The UKs ambassador to Ukraine talks about Ukraine's right to attack Russian territory and Macron's 'irrational statements'

In turn, Wallace said he can see that Ukraine is capable of driving the Russians out of Donbas.

I see a lot in common between our (countries) histories; first of all  opposing a much greater fascist force, said Wallace.

We can see now that Ukraine can push Russia out of Donbas; we can see that (Russian) regime is nearing collapse  at least in its military might; they are on the brink of exhaustion.
KYIV (Reuters) - A Ukrainian governor said on Friday that his country had conducted the 11th prisoner swap with Russia since the start of Moscow's invasion in February, exchanging four Russian captives for five Ukrainians.

Mykolaiv region governor Vitaliy Kim wrote on the Telegram app that one of the freed Ukrainians was local village head Oleh Pylypenko, who Kim said was "kidnapped" by Russian forces on March 10.

(Reporting by Max Hunder; Editing by Chris Reese)
The Ukrainian military says the Russians converted a meatpacking plant in Melitopol into a morgue.

However, this plant has now run out of space to store dead soldiers, per the Ukrainian army.

The Ukrainians said this pushed the Russian army to search frantically for industrial refrigerators.

Ukraine says that the Russian army has lost so many soldiers that it has run out of room to store their dead in the occupied city of Melitopol.

A press release from the intelligence division of the Ukrainian defense ministry said on Thursday that the Russians were looking for "additional refrigerators" to store the bodies of their dead soldiers after the Russians ran out of space in a meat-packing plant-turned-morgue.

"The occupation administration of Melitopol is urgently looking for additional freezers and industrial refrigerators. It is known that the city meat-packing plant, which was converted into a morgue, is already completely filled with the bodies of the killed occupiers and can no longer accept more," read the Ukrainian defense ministry's statement.

According to the Ukrainian government, the Russian ministry started repurposing the meat-packing plant on June 6 and converted it into a morgue. According to the Ukrainians, the owners of the meat-packing plant were informed they would have to hand over the plant free of charge to preserve the bodies of fallen Russians.

Video: Meet the dog sniffing bombs in Ukraine

The Ukrainians added that the Russian bodies were being brought to the meat-packing plant from outside Melitopol. The Ukrainians said these soldiers likely died in fierce fighting near the cities of Polohy and Huliaipole in the southeastern Zaporizhzhia region.

"These events are associated with heavy losses of the occupiers in manpower," the Ukrainian defense ministry wrote. "In addition, the long-term storage of the bodies of those killed is due to the intentions of the Russian leadership to hide the real scale of losses from the Russian electorate."

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This information from the Ukrainian government comes just a week after Putin ordered more than 134,500 conscripts to join the Russian army.

Russian forces occupied Melitopol in February. It has been under Kremlin control since, though the Russians face continued resistance from the city's Ukrainian residents.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has gone poorly, especially after it suffered "devastating losses" of its junior officers. Last week, Ukraine claimed to have destroyed an entire Russian army in Izyum. The Ukraine military also said this week that one of its brigades had destroyed an "elite" Russian unit after a 14-hour firefight in eastern Ukraine.

Separately, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia has lost at least 200 aircraft in the Ukraine war.

Western officials estimate that some 15,000 Russians have been killed in the invasion. Ukraine's Defense Ministry said in a Facebook post on Wednesday that 31,500 Russian personnel had been killed so far.

Read the original article on Business Insider
STORY: Wallace, visiting Kyiv two months after Prime Minister Boris Johnson, praised Zelenskiy for his own leadership during a war in which Britain has provided Ukraine with weapons and financial assistance and has imposed sanctions on Russia.

Wallace said Zelenskiy was "doing amazing, amazing."

He visited Kyiv a day after two Britons and a Moroccan were sentenced to death by a court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic - whose separatist leaders are backed by Moscow - after being captured while fighting for Ukraine.

The presidential press service did not say whether Zelenskiy and Wallace had discussed the trial. Britain has described the court's decision as a "sham judgment" and Ukraine has said the ruling has no authority.
The Uvalde school police chief who has faced blistering criticism over his response to the Robb Elementary mass shooting is now saying he never considered himself the incident commander on-scene and that he did not give orders telling responding officers to stand down.

Pete Arredondo, speaking alongside his lawyer to the Texas Tribune, is revealing for the first time what he says happened on May 24 in Uvalde, Texas, where gunman Salvador Ramos killed 19 students and two teachers.

"Not a single responding officer ever hesitated, even for a moment, to put themselves at risk to save the children," Arredondo told the website. "We responded to the information that we had and had to adjust to whatever we faced. Our objective was to save as many lives as we could, and the extraction of the students from the classrooms by all that were involved saved over 500 of our Uvalde students and teachers before we gained access to the shooter and eliminated the threat."

Since the massacre, police have faced unrelenting questioning from the public as to why they did not confront Ramos sooner. Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steven McCraw said in late May that responding officers didn't immediately engage the shooter because "the on-scene commander at the time" -- whom he identified as Arredondo  "believed that it had transitioned from an active shooter to a barricaded subject."

ARREDONDO KNEW VICTIMS WERE ALIVE INSIDE CLASSROOM AS HE WAITED TO CONFRONT GUNMAN: REPORT

But Arredondo, the chief of police for the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District, told the Texas Tribune this week that he never considered himself to be in that role as the shooting was unfolding.

"I didnt issue any orders," Arredondo said, noting that he "called for assistance and asked for an extraction tool to open the door" to the classroom that Ramos was inside.

The New York Times has reported that the group of U.S. Border Patrol agents who ultimately killed Ramos were told through their earpieces at one point to not enter that classroom  but Arredondos lawyer told the Texas Tribune that his client didnt say that, and if it was said, he isnt sure who did.

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"Its not that someone said stand down," said Arredondos attorney, George Hyde. "It was Right now, we cant get in until we get the tools. So were going to do what we can do to save lives. And what was that? It was to evacuate the students and the parents and the teachers out of the rooms."

ARREDONDO DOES NOT APPEAR AT UVALDE CITY COUNCIL EMERGENCY MEETING

Arredondo also said in the interview that he  without body armor  tried dozens of keys to try to get through the door separating police from Ramos.

"Each time I tried a key I was just praying," he told the Texas Tribune, which reported that it took 77 minutes after the shooting began for officers to enter the classroom.

Arredondo described the door to the classroom as one having a steel jamb that is designed to keep attackers in the hallways from forcing themselves in.

He reportedly said he wasnt aware of 911 calls coming from students and teachers inside the classrooms begging for help because he didnt have his police radio on him  and that nobody in the hallways said anything.

Arredondo, according to the Texas Tribune, wasnt carrying the radio because he thought it would slow him down and that he wanted both hands free to hold his firearm in case he encountered Ramos.

Arredondo also has received death threats following the shooting and says he didnt speak out sooner because he didnt want to compound the communitys grief, the website added.
The police chief of the Uvalde, Texas, public schools is coming to the defense of officers who are being criticized for their response to the mass shooting at Robb Elementary last month.

Pete Arredondo, in an interview published Thursday in The Texas Tribune, made his most descriptive comments about the police response since the shooting, which left 19 children and two teachers dead.

The interview comes as new documents detailed in The New York Times show police feared entering an elementary school classroom.

A Robb Elementary teacher wounded in the massacre, in an interview with Good Morning America earlier this week, said police were cowards for their actions and that their lack of a quick response was unforgivable.

Arredondo, in his interview with The Texas Tribune, said officers put their lives on the line at the elementary school.

Not a single responding officer ever hesitated, even for a moment, to put themselves at risk to save the children, Arredondo said.

We responded to the information that we had and had to adjust to whatever we faced. Our objective was to save as many lives as we could, and the extraction of the students from the classrooms by all that were involved saved over 500 of our Uvalde students and teachers before we gained access to the shooter and eliminated the threat.

Arredondos comments come in the wake of new documents that show more than a dozen students were still alive between the start of the shooting to when four officers entered classrooms, The New York Times revealed Thursday.

Investigators found the time between when the gunman began shooting and when officers confronted and shot him in the classroom was 77 minutes, according to the news site, while Arredondo and other first responders knew of surviving people in the classrooms.

Arredondo added he didnt discuss his account of the May 24 shooting sooner because he didnt want to compound the communitys grief or cast blame at others, according to The Texas Tribune.

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The Tribune also reported that Arredondo didnt carry a police radio because he thought it would slow him down and that they didnt work in some school buildings in the district.

Uvalde officers like Arredondo also dont carry keys to schools and have to ask for them from staff members, according to the Tribune.

His lack of a radio and a key to enter the classroom was most striking and appears to have contributed to a chaotic approach in officers response, law enforcement experts told the Tribune.

The law enforcement response allegedly took the life of at least one child who bled to death in a classroom as first responders waited to enter, according to a state senator who spoke to the victims family.

The Justice Department announced last month that it was looking into law enforcements response to the shooting.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost and has been updated.

Related...
Dear Michiana Community,

This past Monday, June 6, Penn High School graduated 833 members of the Class of 2022 into the world. Commencement season is a time for both recognition and reflection, not just of our graduates but for the entire community. As a public school corporation, Penn-Harris-Madison Schools is collectively supported by the families that send their children to our 15 schools and also by the residents of our namesake townships, the state of Indiana and this great nation. Its an investment by the community, in the community, for the community.

This is a time of celebration not just for the students and their families, but for all of us. Nearly half of Penns graduating class has earned an Indiana Core 40 with Academic Honors diploma. The fifth cohort of our award-winning Early College Academy graduated approximately 100 students, more than 70 of whom have earned an associates degree. These students actually graduated from Ivy Tech before Penn High School!

We also have many students whove attended Elkhart Area Career Center, earning more than 30 specialized college credits from Ivy Tech through the completion of a certificate program. Our outstanding academic and extra-curricular programming have positioned our seniors to earn admissions to public and private universities across Indiana and across the country. They include Purdue, IU-Bloomington, Butler, DePauw, Notre Dame, Stanford, Princeton, Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, Cornell, DePaul and Northwestern  just to name a few. So far the Class of 2022 has earned approximately $11 million in scholarships and counting!

Seventy-three Penn students in the Early College Academy program graduated this year with an 2-year associate's degree from Ivy Tech along with their Penn High School diploma.

Teachers and educational staff are public servants, so it should be no surprise that school is where many of our students are inspired to go on and serve their country. Approximately 10 graduating seniors are going into the U.S. Armed Forces or joining an ROTC program in college. P-H-M is proud to be a part of Indianas public school system. We are a diverse district reflecting and celebrating the rich heritages, cultures, languages and varying abilities of the more than 11,000 students we serve.

Our graduates are Olympic medalists, inventors, rocket scientists, musicians, nurses and entrepreneurs putting their expert minds and capable hands to work, serving as first-responders, leading our faith communities and service organizations, and contributing in countless other ways to the Michiana area, the Hoosier state and our great country. Your investment has helped produce educated, responsible, contributing and caring citizens of the world.

This Viewpoint was written by Jerry Thacker, superintendent of Penn-Harris-Madison School Corp., and P-H-M's Board of School Trustees.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: P-H-M district reflects the cultures, abilities of 11,000-plus students.
Theres a reason Fox News didnt want to air this prime-time hearing. What we saw was the truth about January 6 showcased with captivating effectiveness.

What happened on that day was not a tourist visit, as Republican Rep. Andrew Clyde (GA) claimed. It was not legitimate political discourse, as the RNC argued. It was not a love fest as Donald Trump delusionally declared. And the responsibility for this does not fall on "everybody in the country," as Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) asserted just hours before tonights hearing. This was a violent, criminal conspiracy to overthrow American democracy perpetrated by Donald Trump, his allies, and domestic extremist groups. Or, to put it as simply as Chairman Bennie Thomson (D-MS) did, January 6 was "the culmination of an attempted coup"  an attempted coup thats far from over.

I did not agree with the idea of saying the election was stolen... which I told the president was bulls**t, Donald Trumps former Attorney General William Barrs voice reverberated throughout the committee hearing chamber. "I respect Attorney General Barr, so I accepted what he was saying," said Ivanka Trump in a subsequent clip. We now know that even Donald Trumps own daughter doesnt believe the election was stolen.

This was thanks to evidence presented tonight by Vice-Chairwoman Committee Liz Cheney (R-WY). Cheney laid out how, over the course of the hearings this month, the committee will unravel Trumps seven-part plan to overturn the presidential election. While the target audience tonight was very clearly the American people, much of what was covered seemed like it was directed at an audience of one: Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Cheney showcased clip after clip of testimony from Trump aides, from Jason Miller to William Barr to Ivanka Trump, where it was made clear Trump was told he lost. That testimony proved Trump was well aware the election wasnt stolen but tried to overturn the results anyway. The committee likely led with this to demonstrate corrupt intent on the part of Trump, which would be key to a criminal case.

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If you had any doubt remaining about whether the January 6 Committee believes Donald Trump engaged in criminal conduct, the number of times Cheney said "illegal" should rectify that. Cheney spoke about Trumps "relentless effort" to pressure Mike Pence to overturn the election, stating, "What President Trump demanded that Mike Pence do wasnt just wrong, it was illegal and unconstitutional."

Cheney also cited District Judge David Carters ruling which stated that Trump more likely than not committed obstruction and conspiracy in his bid to obstruct Congresss ability to count the electoral votes in the 2020 election. The committee also plans to break down how Trump pressured state officials to overturn the election, including via the fake elector scheme. Cheney claimed that multiple Republican Congresspeople, including Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), sought pardons for their roles in the effort to overturn the 2020 election.

Aside from the very intentional effort to outline a criminal case, there were some purely shocking revelations. Cheney claimed that a witness told the January 6 Committee that in response to Hang Mike Pence chants from insurrectionists, Trump said: "Maybe our supporters have the right idea. Mike Pence deserves it."

Shortly after this, riveting new footage showed the entire Capitol siege in chronological order from multiple angles. Clips weaved together showed one overarching narrative. If any American forgot how violent the insurrection was and how close our democracy came to collapse, they were reminded tonight.

Then we had short testimony from two witnesses. Nick Quested, a documentary filmmaker who followed the Proud Boys in the days leading up to January 6, and Caroline Edwards, who was one of the first officers to be injured on January 6, testified about their experience.

The committee showed testimony from Proud Boys claiming that Donald Trumps September 29, 2020 "stand back and stand by" comments increased membership. They showed that Trumps December 19, 2020, tweet calling for people to come to the Capitol on January 6 spurred a strong reaction from the extremist group. Members of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers are now charged with seditious conspiracy in connection with the attack. Putting a spotlight on these links between domestic extremist groups who plotted the violence on January 6 and Trump himself was the focus of the last hour.

This was an excellent first hearing. Speaker Pelosis decision to not include Trump sycophants like Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) on the committee has proved worthwhile. There were no belligerent tirades or disinformation-filled deflections. Just the facts.

With hearings scheduled throughout the rest of this month, there are certainly more shoes to drop. What Im most looking forward to is the final outcome: the recommendations on what should be done. Will they recommend charges for Donald Trump or simply lay out their findings like Special Counsel Robert Mueller? Will they make legislative suggestions to address the ongoing assaults on democracy?

In the weeks leading up to tonights hearing, Trump has reportedly been obsessing over it, organizing his allies for counter-messaging. If theres one thing Trump understands more than most, its the power of compelling television. This is why he was so fearful of the January 6 hearings. After 11 months of work obtaining over 1,000 interviews and reviewing over 140,000 documents, tonight the January 6 Committee proved Trumps fear is justified.

If any Trump allies did happen to tune in tonight, I hope they heard what Liz Cheney said to them: "There will come a day when Donald Trump is gone, but your dishonor will remain."
The Kremlin is trying to include in Russia the Ukrainian territories that are currently occupied by Russian troops

If a conquest is recognized internationally, the conqueror has a chance to hold on to new lands and bequeath them to future generations, said Zubov.

If, however, the world refuses to acknowledge these annexations, anschlusses, unifications, and reunifications  if the conqueror simply starts drawing new borders of their empire during a war  it all tends to end very poorly and comically if we set aside the all the blood that is spilled in the process.

Thats what Napoleon enjoyed doing  conjuring up new French departments in the European lands he seized.

Read also: Why is the Russian dictator so obsessed with Ukraine?

Free European countries refused to recognize these French annexations, and by 1815, France reverted back to its old 1792 borders, the historian added.

The great empire was shattered, and the former emperor, who loved to redraw maps, became a British prisoner at St. Helenas.

A similar compulsion possessed Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler. In 1944, when it was clear to everyone that the Third Reich was doomed, Hitler annexed a swathe of formerly Italian territories  Dalmatia, Trieste, and Tirol. But all these gains were wiped out at the Potsdam peace conference, and Germany lost a lot of land in the east.

Read also: Kremlins mouthpiece RIA publishes Russian fascist manifesto

And now the Russian government is talking about absorbing several Ukrainian regions into Russia, well before the war it started in 2014 is over.

Crimeas done, Donbas, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia are likely to follow; some in Russia are very fond of getting creative with political maps.

I urge them to recall how this ended for the great and powerful of old  shame, imprisonment, death; the best case scenario is if the world agrees to restore the old pre-war borders of a rampaging empire, Zubov said.

Read also: Ukraine's FM warns Russian dictator Putin cant be trusted to unblock Ukrainian grain exports
Students, teachers, and parents from across the Charlotte region came together to take a stand against gun violence on Sunday afternoon in the March for Our Lives rally.

Many of the people who participated in the march either work in schools or are students who want to see changes in gun laws before the next school year.

Cheyenne Hoy, a Rock Hill teacher who attended the march, said she simply doesnt understand the violence.

Like, why? I dont understand why, Hoy said.

The issue is very personal for her.

I do think my school is safe, but you say that until something happens, said Hoy.

Organizer Catherine Tiddy said the march was also a chance to pay tribute to those lives lost to gun violence with direct action.

Honor those lost by demanding tangible change, not thoughts and prayers, Tiddy said.

ALSO READ: Senators announce framework of bipartisan gun deal

Tiddy is just one of the students who led the march. Fusion Academy sophomore Prentiss Cooper was another leader.

Ive had friends have panic attacks at school during lockdowns because we didnt know if there was going to be a shooting, Cooper said.

As the march was taking place, a group of senators announced a bipartisan proposal to tackle gun violence.

The proposal has a provision to encourage states to come up with their own red flag laws, which would temporarily prevent people who pose a danger to others or themselves from having a firearm in their posession.

For me, its a small step. I think more needs to definitely happen and be done, but its encouraging, said marcher Hannah Crawford.

ALSO READ: Community hosts 'Stop the Violence' rally days after student killed at Butler HS

Crawford marched alongside her friend, Nicole Williams, who is still skeptical of the proposal.

Will the Senate even look at it? Are they going to fillibuster it? Are they going to do anything to even have a vote? Williams asked.

While many remain skeptical, many people believe the deal has the votes to pass.

Story continues

Weekend marches planned to protest gun violence in Charlotte, Salisbury

Students in the Carolinas are taking their message on gun violence to the streets this weekend.

Hundreds of March for Our Lives rallies are planned for Saturday and Sunday, including gatherings in Charlotte and Salisbury.

The marches started after the mass shooting at a Parkland, Florida, high school in 2018. The rallies have gained new urgency in the wake of the Uvalde school shooting that left 19 students and two teachers dead in Texas.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Local students rally, march for national 'March for Our Lives' movement

Increased safety in schools is one of the goals this weekend, along with bringing more attention to the issue of gun violence.

Organizers told Channel 9s Anthony Kustura that theyre fed up with shootings at their schools and in their communities.

Hundreds of people are expected to attend the event happening in Charlotte at First Ward Park on Sunday at 11 a.m.

A similar march in 2019, after a shooting at UNC-Charlotte left two people dead, drew a large crowd. Three years later, and protesters demands are nearly identical.

Same story, different year, said Catherine Tiddy, outreach coordinator for March for Our Lives in Charlotte.

ALSO READ: Hundreds to march Saturday pushing for an end to gang violence in Rock Hill

The national March for Our Lives organization is pushing congress to require universal background checks on guns, pass red flag laws that allow guns to be confiscated in certain cases, and raise the age limit to buy some types of guns.

The Charlotte event is organized by Lora Henley, a rising senior at Myers Park High School. Alissa Redmond, the organizer of Salisburys rally says they are gathering in hope of spurring action from lawmakers.

This is not a partisan issue, this is not something that should be politized in any way, Redmond said. We are just hoping that our children can safely attend school without fear of things like this happening as they have been happening for decades, because of the current legislation on the books.

Charlottes event has local leaders set to attend, including Congresswoman Alma Adams and state Sen. Jeff Jackson.

Similar to the national March for Our Lives group, Jackson is pushing for universal background checks. He also wants to ban high-capacity magazines, a measure he says is getting stonewalled in the state Senate.

READ MORE: Federal rules will help authorities trace ghost guns, stop them from getting into wrong hands

Jackson told Channel 9 even if we dont see changes on the national level, there are laws that can be enacted in the Carolinas that could help prevent mass tragedies.

We have a responsibility to make sure that we dont meet this ongoing tragedy with repeated inaction: there are things that have overwhelming support across the country, clear support from even gun owners (including) red flag laws, Jackson said.

In a statement last month following the school shooting in Texas, Republican Sen. Tom Tillis said red flag laws could be an overreach.

So the question is, can we can we actually get to policy that could make a difference, but not deny people their Second Amendment rights and give them due process? Tillis statement read.

The conversation will likely continue for weeks and months to come, and will be amplified by the local marches this weekend.

(WATCH BELOW: Gov. Cooper declares June 3 Gun Violence Awareness Day)
President Biden has nominated Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael Langley to command all U.S. forces in Africa, a choice that, if confirmed, would make him the first Black four-star general in the services history, the Pentagon revealed Thursday.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the nomination decision on Langley, who has served as head of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command and Marine Corps Forces North, as well as commanding general of Fleet Marine Force Atlantic since November 2021.

If confirmed by the Senate, he would lead U.S. Africa Command, headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, and tasked with all U.S. military operations on the African continent.

The continent is experiencing a rash of economic and security interests from China and Russia  the latter controlling the private military company Wagner Group, whose mercenaries operate in Libya and the Central African Republic.

Africa also struggles with terrorism and violence in the Sahel region, and military coups in Chad, Mali, Guinea, Sudan and Burkina Faso.

Langley would take over for current Africom leader Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, who has headed the command since July 2019.

Commissioned in 1985, he has commanded at every level from platoon to regiment and has deployed to Japan, Afghanistan and Somalia, the latter where Biden recently decided to return up to 500 troops for counterterrorism operations.

Langley has also worked at the Pentagon and U.S. Central Command, the military arm which oversees American forces in the Middle East, according to his Marine Corps biography.

In May, The New York Times first reported on Langleys impending nomination, with former Defense Secretary James Mattis praising him, telling the paper: Hes a Marines Marine.

The Marines have a complicated history with Black Americans. The service was the last military arm to admit Black troops when it did so in 1942.

Since then, fewer than 30 individuals have reached the rank of general in any form, with none making it to the four-star rank, according to the Times.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
OCONTO - Several Oconto County residents were exposed to monkeypox while in contact with a visitor to the area who was contagious, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services said in a news release.

The person was visiting from another state, and so far there are no confirmed cases of monkeypox in Wisconsin, the agency said. Health officials are calling the exposure "isolated" and are monitoring Oconto County residents who were exposed for signs and symptoms of the disease.

The state Department of Health Services and Oconto County health officials say they are monitoring the situation and will provide updates as new developments emerge.

What is monkeypox, and how does it spread?

Monkeypox, which originated in central Africa, spreads mostly through close skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or animal. After incubating for one to two weeks, monkeypox initially causes fever, muscle aches and chills, with a rash and blisters on the skin developing within one to three days. The disease can last from two to four weeks.

Many cases are mild, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but immunocompromised and pregnant people, as well as children, are more vulnerable to severe disease. In Africa, the fatality rate is around 10%.

The Wisconsin health department emphasized in a news release Friday that "risk of widespread transmission of monkeypox to the public is low. Monkeypox does not spread easily from person to person."

The disease can be treated with the monkeypox vaccine, but otherwise, it's mostly treated with rest, food and fluids.

In 2003, Wisconsin was the epicenter of a Midwest monkeypox outbreak. Currently, there are 44 confirmed cases of monkeypox in the United States and over 1,000 cases worldwide in around 30 countries, according to the CDC.

More: In 2003, Wisconsin was the epicenter of a monkeypox outbreak. The latest cases shouldn't cause alarm, yet.

More: A passion for agriculture: Oconto man honored for Farm to School educational efforts

Contact Rebecca Loroff at 920-907-7801 or rloroff@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Wisconsin health officials monitoring Oconto County monkeypox exposure
Three people face multiple charges after police discovered hundreds of pounds of marijuana and marijuana products, along with more than $100,000 in cash, at two addresses on Happy Valley Drive, including boxes of THC-laced edibles.

OSHKOSH - A woman charged after police found hundreds of pounds of marijuana and marijuana-related products at two homes in Fox Crossing was sentenced to two years in prison.

Ashtyn Hale, 29, pleaded no contest in February to multiple drug charges, including possession with intent to distribute more than 10,000 grams of marijuana. In addition to prison time, Winnebago County Judge LaKeisha Haase sentenced Hale to five years of extended supervision, according to court records.

Hale is the third person sentenced in the case. John Hale, 59, was sentenced in February to a year in jail, with a two-year prison sentence imposed and stayed. Billie Gerver, 58, was sentenced in February to six months in jail and three years of probation.

RELATED: Appleton man arrested after St. Bernadette Parish standoff told police he never wanted to hurt anyone, court documents say

RELATED: Minor crash turns into multiple drug charges for Fox Valley woman, after she is found hiding inside home near crash scene

The investigation began June 17, 2020, when investigators got a tip about several suspicious packages from California sent to a residence on Happy Valley Drive, the Fox Crossing Police Department said.

Police got a warrant and searched the residence about a month later on July 20 and found about $40,000 in cash and several ledgers related to the sale of marijuana.

The investigation led police to another residence on Happy Valley Drive, where they found another $20,000 in cash inside a safe, along with "several hundred pounds of different types of marijuana," including raw marijuana, edibles, wax and vape cartridges, police said.

In total, the investigation has "yielded well over $100,000 in cash, other assets" and hundreds of pounds marijuana and marijuana-related products, police said.

Contact Chris Mueller at 920-996-7267 or cmueller@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @AtChrisMueller.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Fox Crossing marijuana bust with $100,000 cash lands woman in prison
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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.
A House of Representatives member who belongs to a ruling party faction led by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida faced growing calls on Friday from fellow lawmakers to explain himself over a magazine report that he went out for drinks with an 18-year-old girl and gave her 40,000 yen ($300).

The drinking age in Japan is 20 and the latest revelation involving third-term lawmaker Takeru Yoshikawa comes at a delicate time for Kishida and the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito ahead of a House of Councillors election in July. Yoshikawa has said he will check the magazine report first.

"I'm aware of the report. It's important that he explains the truth," Kishida told reporters before departing for Singapore.

Keiichi Ishii, the secretary general of Komeito, also called for an explanation from Yoshikawa. "If true, it is extremely regrettable.

The weekly Post magazine said in its latest edition that Yoshikawa, 40, had dinner and alcoholic drinks with an 18-year-old female university student at a Japanese barbeque restaurant in Tokyo on the night of May 27. ...continue reading
For the information of the police: One of these will be your first electric car - Walla! vehicle


A sexual assault lawsuit brought by a former ABC Good Morning America producer against Michael Corn, now president of NewsNation, was dismissed by a New York judge who ruled the statute of limitations had run out.

Kirstyn Crawford, 32, a former producer for George Stephanopoulos, filed the lawsuit in August alleging Corn, as executive producer of ABCs top-rated morning news show, sexually assaulted her in February 2015 while they were traveling together to Los Angeles to cover the Academy Awards.

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The lawsuit also alleged Corn harassed her and created a pervasive toxic work environment at the network, according to the complaint.

Michael Corn, former senior executive producer for ABC News' "Good Morning America," is president of news for Chicago-based cable network NewsNation. On Wednesday, a New York judge dismissed a sexual assault lawsuit that was filed against Corn and ABC last year by a former ABC News producer. (Nexstar Media)

In her decision, issued Wednesday, Judge Barbara Jaffe ruled the alleged sexual assault was outside the three-year statute of limitations and Corns alleged subsequent actions, including making fun of the rape allegations leveled against Donald Trump and making personal or gender-disparaging comments about female employees, did not support the hostile work environment claim.

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Jaffe wrote Corns alleged behavior constituted discrete and isolated events that, while boorish, ill-advised, and inappropriate, do not create a hostile work environment, much less a continuing violation.

We are very pleased that Judge Jaffe acknowledged that the claims against Michael have no legal merit, said Meredith Cavallaro, a New York attorney who represented Corn in the case.

Milton Williams, a New York attorney who represents Crawford, said in an email Friday they plan to appeal the decision, but declined further comment.

While the judge dismissed the quid pro quo sexual harassment allegations brought by Crawford against Corn and ABC, the network did not move to dismiss the hostile work environment claim, so it remains ongoing against the company. Crawford left ABC in December, according to Williams.

ABC, which disputed the claims when the lawsuit was filed last year, did not respond to a request for comment Friday.

The lawsuit alleged Corn, who left ABC in April 2021 and joined Chicago-based NewsNation as president the following month, sexually assaulted at least two female employees during his 18 years as a rising producer at ABC.

Corn denied the allegations in a statement issued through his attorney last year, but was unavailable for comment Friday.

NewsNation, formerly WGN America, was reinvented as a cable news network in September 2020 under Dallas-based owner Nexstar Media Group. It bought WGN America in 2019 as part of its $4.1 billion acquisition of Chicago-based Tribune Media.

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NewsNation spokesman Gary Weitman declined to comment.

rchannick@chicagotribune.com
Bartender Felicia Van Kampen makes a drink at Nobody's Darling cocktail bar in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood on June 9, 2022. Nobody's Darling is one of five James Beard finalists for the national Outstanding Bar Program award. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Nobodys Darling opened last year as a cocktail bar in a city full of cocktail bars  but also with a mission.

Co-founders Angela Barnes and Renauda Riddle are Black. Theyre women. Theyre lesbians. They wanted their bar to reflect them, their experiences and their social circles.

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We wanted this to be a women-centered, women-forward space and a bar where women feel comfortable  but also where everybody is welcome and everyone feels comfortable, as long as there is that respect that this is our space, Barnes said shortly after Nobodys Darling arrived on a quiet, leafy stretch of Balmoral Avenue in May 2021.

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That simple, yet bold agenda generated an unusual amount of attention for such a new bar, including profiles by The Washington Post and NBC News. It also caught the attention of the James Beard Foundation, which in February named Nobodys Darling one of 20 national semifinalists for Outstanding Bar Program in whats widely considered the Oscars of food. Nobodys Darling had been open barely eight months.

[ Chicagos lesbian bars arent dying out  theyre evolving ]

A month later came an even more unlikely turn: Still short of its first anniversary, Nobodys Darling became one of five finalists  and the only one from Chicago  alongside bars with years of renown or celebrity names attached. Winners will be announced Monday in Chicago.

Becoming a Beard award finalist in less than a year is a rare achievement, and among this years crop in the Outstanding Bar Program category, Nobodys Darling is easily the newest: Alley Twenty Six in Durham, North Carolina, and barmini by Jose Andres in Washington, D.C., opened in 2012; Attaboy in Nashville launched in 2017 and its New York City counterpart also dates to 2012; Julep, in Houston, opened in 2014.

The most recent Chicago finalist in the category, Lost Lake, had been open four years when it made the shortlist in 2019. The only two other Chicago bars to have ever been finalists  both of which eventually won  were The Aviary and The Violet Hour, two of the nations most innovative and esteemed cocktail bars.

How did Nobodys Darling join such rarefied air so quickly?

Though a foundation spokesperson declined to discuss what led judges to shortlist the bar, the answer likely sits somewhere at the intersection of the cocktails Nobodys Darling serves and the culture it has cultivated.

In an interview this week, Barnes said even she was taken aback at becoming a James Beard award finalist so quickly. After receiving the news, she said, she researched the organization and its competition and discovered a recent history the James Beard Foundation itself has acknowledged as troubling.

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[ After long wait, Howard Street Brewing opens as Chicagos northernmost brewery  and quite possibly its smallest ]

The issues surfaced in 2020, when the foundation announced it would delay its awards by a few months, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, from its usual spring ceremony to late September. The list of finalists, released that May, included eight Chicago establishments, including Lost Lake for Outstanding Bar Program.

But in late August 2020, the Beard Foundation announced it would not give out awards after all, either in 2020 or in 2021 as restaurants continue to suffer the grave negative effects of COVID-19, and as substantial and sustained upheaval in the community has created an environment in which the foundation believes the assignment of awards will do little to further the industry in its current uphill battle.

A week later, however, The New York Times reported another reason for the cancellation: a lack of diversity among the would-be winners. Despite several Black finalists, a list of 23 winners did not include any Black people, a fact one critic attributed to systemic bias. Critics said the foundations judging process also allowed chefs accused of wrongdoing to be nominated.

In September 2021, the Beard Foundation announced it had undergone an audit of its policies and procedures and would be committed to a more inclusive and transparent awards process. Among the steps it pledged to undertake was increased turnover and diversity among judges and committee members, plus annual training in diversity, equity and inclusion.

This years awards are the first since the audit.

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After learning that background, the fact that Nobodys Darling had become one of five bars in the nation to be on the Outstanding Bar Program shortlist made more sense, Barnes said: It did explain some things.

[ 5 batch cocktail recipes from top Chicago drink slingers for every summer gathering ]

But shes also perfectly fine with the idea that who Nobodys Darling has become as relevant as the cocktails Nobodys Darling serves. Barnes said she wouldnt want to be a finalist solely for the community the bar has fostered; cocktails and service need to be paramount, she said. But if the bars social and cultural role appealed to Beard judges, so be it, she said.

Whats really resonating with people about Nobodys Darling is certainly the quality of the cocktails, but also the culture, she said. When people comment on what Nobodys Darling means to them, they are very clear about how they feel included and feel seen.

She also applauded the Beard awards reckoning.

If you have a semifinalist list and everyone looks the same, there probably is a problem  something went awry, and you have to go back and say, What was the criteria here?  Barnes said. Of course at the end of the day, youre a bar or a restaurant  if the product youre delivering isnt the highest quality, then that should exclude you. Were certainly trying to give people a product they want and deserve.

Its impossible not to compare Nobodys Darling to the other Chicago bars that have been finalists in the Outstanding Bar Program category, and the differences are stark. The Aviary, whose menu includes a $185 seven-course cocktail and food tasting menu, is opulence defined. The Violet Hour, where house rules include proper attire required, is a picture of elegance, with cocktails topping out at $28. Before announcing it would permanently close in January, Lost Lake was a charming tropical-style escape with immaculate attention paid to detail.

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Nobodys Darling is simply a no-frills shoe box of a neighborhood joint where a Progress Pride Flag hangs in the door  the traditional rainbow pride flag with the addition of black and brown stripes to represent queer communities of color, plus pink, light blue and white to represent transgender pride. Cocktails are mostly $13, with handful for $16 under the Lavish Darlings section, which sweetly insists, Youre worth it! Not inexpensive, yet fairly reasonable by North Side standards.

[ Canned cocktails taste test: From Big Star margaritas to summery G&Ts, here are our 35 best and worst ]

But peel back the layers and something unique is indeed happening at Nobodys Darling: it marries the idea of a queer bar with an ambitious cocktail bar. No glowing, syrupy sweet cocktails or icy buckets of Miller Lite here.

Its also inclusive in ways its predecessors have fallen short. The rise of cocktail culture during the past 15 years has tended to be the domain of younger white people. Riddle said she doesnt think queer people and people of color have intentionally been excluded, but they traditionally havent been thought of in a way thats intentional. That intention is very much on display at Nobodys Darling, all the way down to bolding the names of Black-owned beer and wine companies on the menu to inform customers of the businesses theyre supporting.

What theyre doing is clearly resonating  and the bar is planning an expansion, which it hopes to have finished by fall.

On a recent cool and wet Wednesday evening, seats were about two-thirds occupied and stayed that way until the 11 p.m. close. The crowd was mostly women and femme-presenting people, though not entirely, and in a highly racially segregated city, Nobodys Darling was a welcome counterpoint. There was a comfort and kindness to the energy in the room; as a friend and I stood at the end of the bar ordering, two women offered to move down a seat so we could have two stools together. Outside tables were mostly full, despite the weather.

Its a casual and unassuming place, where people come as they are, whether in hoodies, beanies or shorts. It didnt quite feel like a renowned Beard finalist destination kind of place. Yet thats what it has become, in what is arguably a reflection of a greater cultural moment.

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All this is impactful for people, especially as we struggle through COVID and George Floyd and all these things happening, people really wanted to feel they had a place where they belong, Barnes said. And to mix that with these two owners who care about what youre experience is going to be when you come into our bar is meaningful.

Nobody's Darling co-owners Angela Barnes and Renauda Riddle in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood on July 9, 2021. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

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Barnes, who is a lawyer for a design firm, and Riddle, an auditor for the state, opened Nobodys Darling in a space previously occupied by Joie de Vine, a lesbian wine bar that closed during the pandemic. They opted for a cocktail focus simply because its what they like to drink. Before opening her own place, Riddle said, she was in a cocktail bar four nights a week and has 10 years of event planning experience, often with a focus on cocktails and queer communities.

[ Slashies  hybrid retail and bar businesses  elevate customers palates while keeping community first ]

The original cocktail list at Nobodys Darling was the product of brainstorming between the partners, but evolved since opening. As an example, Riddle cited the house Old-Fashioned, made with Old Forester bourbon, orange bitters, walnut liqueur and cherry bark vanilla bitters. The original incarnation didnt feature the two latter ingredients, but Riddle tasted a version at another bar with similar wrinkles she admired. She had her bar staff tweak the recipe until landing on the current incarnation. Its a strong and tasty cocktail with wonderful depth.

Darling Old-Fashioned at Nobody's Darling in Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood, June 9, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

The bar staff has also pushed the bosses to expand the menu and become more adventurous. Riddle said she was initially unsure, but it was the right move.

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I said, I dont know if we should have all these cocktails on the menu, but they said we have to get outside our comfort zone, because thats what people are looking for, she said.

[ Lemonade is having a moment. Two Chicago breweries wage a boozy battle for the best lemonade beer. ]

Riddle and Barnes sign off on every cocktail before it makes the menu. One currently there, All About Love, made with Ketel One vodka and Aperol, was twice rejected before a bartender asked for a final try. Riddle and Barnes finally signed off and rigorous process paid off: its a lovely cocktail, bursting with mint, citrus and cucumber in the aroma, offering soft, fruity sweetness on the palate tempered with a touch of bright tartness. Its clean, fleeting and refreshing and goes down wonderfully easy.

All About Love cocktail at Nobody's Darling, June 9, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Not everything works as well. The margarita was surprisingly soft and smooth, with a deep fruity-vanilla note, most likely due to the inclusion of passion fruit liqueur. It could have used a bit more muscularity. The Eartha Kitty, a blend of two rums with lime, ginger and honey, had a few too many rough edges and lacked the depth and nuance of the Old-Fashioned or All About Love.

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Nobodys Darling is inescapably a better-than-average cocktail bar. But while its easy to walk out of The Violet Hour with the feeling youve just experienced one of the five best cocktail bars in the nation, its a more difficult conclusion to draw here. A neighborhood gem with a refreshing point of view, though? Absolutely.

Sitting on the patio that recent Wednesday, I saw a friend from out of town walk out. I said hello and we chatted a few minutes. As someone within the intersectional community the bar seeks to attract, I was curious what he thought of the place. His take was that the cocktails at Nobodys Darling were just OK, but the space felt warm, welcoming and safe, which is one of the reasons he made a point to visit while in Chicago. That, he said, is what made it a special place.

Maybe even one of most outstanding bars in the nation.

jbnoel@chicagotribune.com
WATERLOO  The new Lost Island theme park will open its gates June 18, a little later than originally planned after multiple factors caused setbacks for the business.

Owner Eric Bertch said the last hurdle before welcoming patrons to the 159-acre park at 2600 E. Shaulis Road is waiting for final safety inspections of buildings and rides.

All but three of the rides will be ready for opening day. The flume ride, carousel and launch coaster are expected to debut at later dates.

The flume, described on Lost Islands web site as an island spin on the traditional log ride, was damaged in a March 11 fire. The fire burned a shelter building that included the rides control panel and loading platform.

The building, which had electrical service, contained kerosene heaters that were being used to cure concrete. It appears the heaters ignited a blanket, according to Bertch.

At the time, he said the fire would not delay the overall opening of the theme park. But it has impacted the timeline for the ride. Bertch said the ride will not be open during the parks freshman year and instead begin operating in 2023.

The other two rides are expected to open much sooner.

Bertch said the company in charge of the carousel has been slow and giving excuses on why parts arent being delivered. He noted that theyre in talks with the company daily and hope the carousel ride will be open by July 4.

The theme park is also waiting for the commission of its launch coaster. Verification that the large green roller coaster is safe is done through testing of the ride and hundreds of sensors. Hes hoping the ride will be ready sometime in July.

The park also is facing a challenge in hiring enough workers, Bertch said.

We have barely enough (staff) to operate 10 to 6, seven days a week, Bertch said, in reference to the hours of Lost Islands nearby water park. It will likely be less because we are so lacking in staff.

Bertch said the park still needs about 100 workers for food and beverage service, as well as ride operations. Management is meeting discussing potential new hours of operation due to the worker shortage.

He was expecting more community interest in the jobs being offered. Unfortunately, Bertch added, the park missed the deadline for hiring international workers because it had to be done six months in advance.

A press release said anyone who has purchased advance tickets for the theme park has been contacted via email with further instructions.

We are very excited and appreciate the patience, Bertch said.

The company is also announcing some good news about its other property. Lost Island Waterpark was rated the second-best water park in the country by USA Today for the second year in a row. The water park was beat out by the same competitor as last year  Aquatica Orlando. Lost Island was voted the top outdoor water park in the country in 2020.
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A friend of mine recently told me that, although hes not usually a fan of science fiction and he doesnt typically like scary stories, he is somehow fascinated by the Netflix series Stranger Things. We started talking about why this was and, as we discussed it, the characters from the sho
Morocco has adopted an ambitious program to generalize social protection and mandatory health coverage to all citizens, in a move conducive to the governments efforts to curb the size of the informal sector, the central bank governor Abdellatif Jouahri said.

The informal sector represents 30% of Moroccos GDP and reducing its scale requires policies that would encourage citizens to leave informality and contribute to their fair tax share, he said at an event held in Rabat by the IMF.

The Covid pandemic revealed the scale of the grey economy with 6 million households that were eligible to the governments cash handouts, he said.

Speaking at the same event, economist Tito Boeri underscored the need for offering incentives to reduce the size of the informal sector. However, in the post-pandemic context of slow growth, the informal sector may act as a short-term buffer to stem unemployment.

Nearly 3 million jobs are threatened by the informal production units which have the advantage of low production costs, according to Moroccos employers association CGEM.

In a speech in July 2020 on Throne Day, King Mohammed VI urged the government to expand social welfare protection to cover all Moroccans within five years, saying the move will help integrate informal production units.

Morocco remained in the category of medium revenue countries because the GDP per capita rose only on average by 2.3% in the last decade compared with 3.4% a decade earlier.
Stephanie Williams, the U.N. Special Advisor on Libya is reportedly leaving her position at the end of this month, according to press reports.

The US diplomat would be replaced by German diplomat Christian Buck, director for the Middle East and North Africa from the German Foreign Office, news website Africa Intelligence reported.

The website noted that Buck has a great chance of getting Washingtons support to replace Williams in Tripoli. The German diplomat served as his countrys ambassador to Libya until 2018.

William was appointed last year by UN Chief Antonio Guterres as his Special Advisor on Libya. Before her appointment, she served as Acting Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) (2020-2021), and as Deputy Special Representative (Political) of UNSMIL (2018-2020).

Egypt and Russia have campaigned for Williams replacement and the appointment of an African for the UN top job in the oil-rich country.
Noureddine Taboubi, Secretary General of Tunisias powerful labor union UGTT, revealed Thursday that the organization is being targeted by the government after it returned down President Kais Saieds proposal to be part of the national dialogue expected to discuss a new Constitution for a new Republic.

Taboubi did not reveal further details about the harassment the union is subjected to.

The UGTT will not go in choices that deepen the crisis of the Tunisian people, Taboubi said in a speech at youth international conference on transport in the city of Hammamet.

The organization will not participate in the choices made by the government, it will not be a false witness and will not hesitate to defend the workers and children of the people, he added.

President Saied launched the national dialogue last Saturday. The process is expected to generate a new constitution that will be put to a referendum on July 25.

The UGTT has refused to take part in the dialogue arguing that the format  without the participation of parties critical of the president  is cosmetic and that outcomes are already established.
The 2022 Miss Nebraska Scholarship Competition soared onto the stage Thursday night at North Platte High School, where 11 candidates are seeking the title to represent the state.

Miss Omaha Alayna Wilson was the preliminary talent winner and Miss Lincoln Steffany Lien captured the judges eyes to win the red-carpet preliminary.

The second preliminary takes place tonight and the finals on Saturday, when current Miss Nebraska 2021 Morgan Holen will place the crown on the woman the judges select.

I have a lyrical piece dedicated to one of my best friends and dance partners, Trevor, who passed away around three years ago, Wilson said. The entire piece is resembling how we used to dance together back in the good old days.

Wilson said she could feel his presence while dancing. Her partner died of cancer, and Wilsons platform is Sammys Superheros: Ending Cancer & Spreading Kindness, to bring awareness to cancer.

She won a $500 cash scholarship.

Lien glided across the stage in a beautiful evening gown to win the evenings red-carpet portion and a $200 cash scholarship.

I just feel so blessed to be standing among all these incredible women here in North Platte and representing my hometown of Lincoln, Lien said. I truly feel I acquired those skills through the Miss Nebraska and Miss Nebraskas Outstanding Teen organizations.

The Diamond Group of candidates each presented their talent to begin the competition. Each of those five candidates was given the opportunity to present their social impact initiative and answer a question selected by one of the judges. Those in the Diamond Group are Jadyn Wetherington, Lexi Nolda, Desteny Miller, Alayna Wilson and Katelyn Bowers.

The Sapphire Group candidates competed in the red-carpet preliminary Thursday and will present their talent and answer an on-stage question tonight. They are Lexie Jackson, Rose Seeman, Steffany Lien, Jacee Pfeifer, Courtney Pelland and Katie Leu Hoatson.

The show opened with a production dance number performed by the Miss Nebraskas Outstanding Teen candidates. The Teen candidates will compete tonight and the winner will be crowned.

The second half of Thursdays show featured the Miss candidates along with their Little Sisters in a dance production that brought thunderous applause from the audience.

Tonights program begins at 6:30 p.m.

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After conducting a search warrant that later turned into a foot pursuit, the Opelika Police Department and the Lee County SWAT Team have arrested a 16-year-old juvenile.

The search warrant took place on Friday at approximately 8 a.m. in the 2800 block of Lee Road 188 in Loachapoka, according to a report from OPD.

The juvenile was arrested on two counts of first-degree robbery, in relation to incidents that previously occurred at a convenience store and in several mobile home parks off Pepperell Parkway, according to the report.

Police said the suspect slipped out of the handcuffs while being transported to the police department. Upon arrival, the suspect fled on foot.

During the initial pursuit, an Opelika Police officer was injured and lost sight of the suspect heading in the direction of Toomer Court around 9:20 a.m., police said.

Opelika Police Chief Shane Healey said the injury was non-life threatening and the officer is expected to make a full recovery.

Opelika Captain Amerson said he transported the officer to the hospital and everything checked out well.

Law enforcement officers located the suspect after an extensive search and detained the suspect around 12:47 p.m. at a residence on Carver Avenue.

Police said the juvenile is now facing additional charges related to the escape.

The case remains under investigation and additional charges are pending.

Anyone with information about this is asked to contact the Opelika Police Department Detective Division at 334-705-5220 or the Secret Witness Hotline at 334-745-8665. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the Opelika Police Mobile App.

The Opelika Police Department would like to thank the Lee County SWAT Team, Lee County Sheriffs Office, Auburn Police Department, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), and the ALEA Aviation Unit for their assistance, the OPD release said.
Something cringey this way comes.

Sarah Sherman, aka Sarah Squirm, aka ringmaster of the Chicago comedy bacchanal Helltrap Nightmare, aka the freshest new face last season on Saturday Night Live and a safe bet for stardom, returned to the scene of the crime the other night. Last September, she played a show at Sleeping Village in Avondale then left for New York the very next day to audition for SNL; within a handful of weeks, Shermans transgressive, confrontational yet charming act had a home on creaky old legacy media. This was way less expected than your typical unknown-to-late night celebrity trajectory.

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Thursday night at the first of four homecoming shows, Sherman reminded the audience  no, soaked in  the fact that she made her name in Chicago by burrowing into the body politic. Quite literally.

Midway through her hourlong set, she showed a set of slides of blood splatters and asked the audience to identify the source  hang nail? pimple? Doritos dust? With each increasingly disgusting answer, she cut to illustrative AV footage, hot springs of pus oozing from cardboard orifices and strips of (faux) skin torn off fingers, each (homemade) video a small terror, made with the day-glow color and DIY arts-and-crafts rowdiness of an episode of Pee-wees Playhouse. During, ahem, more traditional stand-up, she thrust her crotch into the front row. She addressed her body parts.

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Sarah Sherman performs at Sleeping Village in Chicago's Avondale neighborhood on June 9, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

She pinged and ponged. Its all kind of a great mess. She wore a paisley psychedelic matching two-piece and said the eight years she lived in Chicago were the ugliest eight years of my life. She pretended briefly to be a standard-issue stand-up playing Zanies. She asked what that smell was. She tightened her shoulders, waddled across the stage and claimed she was Lori Lightfoot. She spoke of diarrhea within minutes of being on stage.

Ew, someone groaned.

You think thats disgusting? Sherman screamed. You ever heard of Vietnam!?!

New proximity to Lorne Michaels aside, it was the Sarah Squirm that Chicago once cringed through, turning her monthly Hideout freak shows into must-see events. (A circus of vulgarity, the Chicago Reader memorably described them.) Indeed, if anything, Shermans gross-outs have become less remarkable than her steamrolling confidence, which bursts out in breathless rants less concerned with a typical set up-punchline pattern than a casual connection. Shes fun to hang with. I hate to call this star power, but there you go. Some people, you know. Their freshness is a big smile. After an SNL debut in which Sherman stole the venerable Weekend Update, played the homicidal Chucky, stabbed Jake Gyllenhaal in the leg and made a short film in which she revealed to her date that she had tiny singing (and vomiting) meatballs attached to her skin (like R. Crumb boils), she arrived at these sold-out Chicago shows with a glow of inevitability.

Sarah Sherman and Colin Jost perform during "Saturday Night Live" Weekend Update on Nov. 13, 2021. (Will Heath/NBC)

Watching her right now, on the ascent, shes picking and choosing from smart influences but also just trying stuff. The precedents are obvious but the alchemy is electric. She brings the body horror of a David Cronenberg film to the joyful bad taste of a John Waters film, adds the manic delivery of Robin Williams, the hair of Patti Smith and the handmade spirit of Chicago storefront theater. She started here in improv but its hard to imagine this sensibility blending in. She pops, like a Belushi or a Poehler.

She finds a beat, then pushes, pushes, pushes.

Her Long Island family, their Jewish New York caricature, their accents, their insistence  why, they ask, why would she move to California? Move back to New York! Because its (expletive) New York! (Expletive) New York! (Expletive) New York! (Expletive) New York! Best pizza, best bagels, best water, best public transportation system, best rats, best tiny cockroaches running around, best medium-size cockroaches running around, best unequal distribution of wealth, best seat of all the worlds financial evils ... Etc, etc.

She wears you out, breaks you down. Your head spins. Shes so fast even when shes stumbling, rooting around for a funny line, and failing to connect, she crumbles well. Ive lost it, she said, deciding: Well, going to grad school! See you guys later. She walked into the wings and could be heard loudly applying to the University of Chicago to study medieval architecture. In life, she studied theater at Northwestern University.

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And it shows. Nihilistic as her act becomes, its always kind of sweet, sincere, knowing and grounded. Shes raising questions of beauty and image. As for the grotesque: Shes owning the shame and sexualization drilled into women, then, with glee, flinging it back.

The audience, of course, flinches.

Disgusting!? Sherman shouts. You see what we did to Afghanistan!??

cborrelli@chicagotribune.com
East Alabama Medical Center is in need of O-negative blood and encourages individuals with this specific blood type to donate.

John Atkinson, public relations director for East Alabama Health, said in a release that LifeSouth is the sole provider of blood products to EAMC in Opelika and EAMC-Lanier in Valley, and that there is a significant need for O-negative blood.

This specific blood type is universal, which means it can be used to treat patients with any blood type. Only a small percentage of people have O-negative blood.

Donors can specify that their blood go to a certain hospital, and officials at EAMC are urging local residents to earmark their donations EAMC and EAMC-Lanier.

We are in specific need for O-negative, Atkinson said, so we definitely want those pints to stay here.

While there is a specific need for O-negative blood donors, Atkinson said all blood types are welcome and people are encouraged to donate at various different sites on Saturday through Tuesday.

Donors will receive a $20 e-gift card as well as a t-shirt, and they can earn a second e-gift card by posting their donation on social media, according to the release.

Times and locations

Heres the schedule for LifeSouth Blood Center, 505 East Thomason Circle in Opelika:

Mondays and Thursdays: 9 a.m.  7 p.m.

Tuesdays Wednesdays and Fridays: 9 a.m.  5 p.m.

Saturdays 9 a.m.  3 p.m.

Sundays: Noon-5 p.m.

Here are the local remote times and locations for the LifeSouth Bus:

Bethel #1 Missionary Baptist Church in Opelika: 9 a.m.  1 p.m. Sunday

Chappys Deli in Auburn: 9 a.m.  2 p.m. Monday

Kroger in Opelika: 10 a.m.  6 p.m. Monday
I feel this season was way better than the last one, while I was watching the past one, I just thought how theyve dragged this show for way too long to the point I dont remember anything from it, but I enjoyed this one

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I hated season 3. It felt so slapstick and whacky and like the tone of the show completely changed. Season 4 was a nice return to form.

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I only cared about the scenes in Hawkins. The rest was boring.

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as one of the few people who watched the Russia scenes (and I don't blame anyone for skipping them, let me make that clear lmfao) i hope enzo/dmitri makes it through this season. after alexei i don't trust this show in the least, but it would be nice if the dilf made it out alive. yuri might be on the chopping block tho. he was amusing, I didn't mind him

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agree, i loved dmitri! really cannot handle another tragic russian dilf death at this point in my life!!!

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right?? i'm hoping that since he has a family, they'll let him live so he can return to them. like please duffer bros, give me this one nice thing

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I really loved season 4. It was the most Ive enjoyed the show since season 1 tbh. Max was definitely the GOAT of the season. Its fun to see how much of an impact she/Vecna/Kate Bush has made on pop culture rn!

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Between this and being in the Taylor Swift video Sadie is having a hell of a year!

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Fear Street Trilogy too!!

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Sadie is a star shes going places

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I'd watch a yuri show



That being said I tend to enjoy shows by having very low expectations, so that helps

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Eddie is definitely my favorite new addition. He really rocks that hair.

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Same! I hated the stoner guy. I was hoping he'd get stoned and drive his van off a cliff.

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Oh good. It wasn't just me.

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Me too, he's a great actor tbh!

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To me he looks like a young Robert Downey Jr., in looks and personality

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No. The actor is great and should get more work, but the character was to stretch an already dull side-lot.

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well now i know one person who sat through the Russia plot lol. the Duffers could never do Barry.

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I half-expected Dan Aykroyd and Chevy Chase to show up and shenanigan up the place with some slapstick, so no I dont think we need to indulge anything from this ridiculous Russian plot any further.



Unless he kills Hopper, then Yuri can have 6 seasons and a movie out of gratitude.

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Yuri was boring to me. I was more interested in the guard aka A Man from GoT. 



I enjoyed season 4 part 1, even though it felt really different from the other seasons. I ended up actually really liking Eddie and actually wished he had more screen time lmao.



Steve remains my fave.

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Besides, didn't they have a fairly similar Russian character last season that died? I barely remember what happened.



Yess! I immediately recognized him. My husband was like "you barely watched GOT. How did you know it was that character??" It's a weird talent I have. 

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I did not care for the Russia subplot until it tied in more near the end.



Personally I liked Chrissy so I was sad when she got killed. Eddie has been great this season! Her and Eddie had cute chemistry!!



Very shocked when I saw that Joseph Quinn was British!! He fooled me so good job!



I like Erica Sinclair when she nerds with Dustin, Suzy-poo was cute this season too!



I liked Argyle and his "brochachos" catchphase lol and pass the dutchie playing had me rolling.



ETA: Jamie Campbell-Bower was great too!!



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the moment Chrissy and Eddie were having a semi good time I knew that girl was not going to make it thru that episode :( </3

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I was dumb and naive, I thought it'd go farther!!

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max, vecna and eddie carried this season on their backs

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im so late to this post, omg hi, i'm obsessed w/ eddie & vecna!! trance me daddy!!

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lmao not you being sexually obsessed with vecna!! i'm an eddie girl sorry

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I've only had Eddie for a day and a half but if anything happened to him, I'd kill everyone in this room and then myself. I didn't realize until I saw him out of character that the actor played Enjolras in that BBC Les Miserables miniseries that totally missed the point of the book. He was one of the best parts of that adaptation by far.

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nah the Russia storyline is meh. Just focus on the goddamn kids in Hawkins

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joe keery is so fucking hot i am so embarrassingly down bad for him



but i really cannot with every character trying to tell me that i should be into stancy, sorry but Eddie's "thats true love uwu" was sf awkward

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the fact that steve and nancy can't even stand in the same room together without three characters trying to convince them and us that steve/nancy are soulmates and are ~so in love~ was so fucking annoying. leave the love triangle back in season 2 where it belongs

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like is it an issue with the bros not knowing how to write a teenage girl outside of some kind of romance storyline? let the woman be single for a minute damn

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but tbh overall I've enjoyed this season so far! i dont mind the various storylines and im glad matthew modine is back, im a certified papapologist



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ngl this happens to me irl and others i know so i found it pretty realistic lmao, but still annoying af every time it happens on and off screen

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OPEC+ once again fell short of its oil production targets in May on continued production declines in many OPEC members, a survey by S&P Platts found, as cited by OPEC and Middle East managing editor Herman Wang.

In April, OPEC alone missed its target by 2.7 million barrels daily, and while there was a slight improvement in May, the total was still well below quotas. Last month, production in Nigeria dropped to the lowest since Platts has been surveying OPEC output, Wang noted.

Angola, Equatorial Guinea, and Congo also produced well below quotas last month, and most of the OPEC+ partners also produced less than agreed. Russia's production actually inched up in May after falling in April.

OPEC+ agreed last week to boost production in July and August by 648,000 bpd instead of the originally agreed 432,000 bpd. Some observers took that to mean success for Western diplomacy, but the market reacted in what was perhaps a counterintuitive, at first glance, way, with prices actually rising after the announcement.

Indeed, many OPEC members have been struggling to fulfill their original production quotas, and that has been no secret. Only Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait have spare capacity that can be quickly tapped to make up for shortfalls. However, they may be reluctant to do that as more spare capacity being tapped means less spare capacity left for when an outage happens.

"With only a handful of ... OPEC+ participants with spare capacity, we expect the increase in OPEC+ output to be about 160,000 barrels per day in July and 170,000 bpd in August," JP Morgan analysts wrote in a note, as cited by Reuters, this week.

What all this suggests is that, as the FT's David Sheppard noted in a recent column, the world may need to brace up for even higher oil prices.

"China is reopening. People are flying again. Demand is going in the wrong direction," Sheppard wrote. "All these factors point to rising oil prices until a level is reached that reduces consumption, probably by triggering an economic slowdown large enough to curtail demand. In other words, a recession for many economies."

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Saudi Arabia will ship lower-than-nominated crude oil volumes to some of its Chinese buyers in July, but will provide most other Asian customers with all the crude they have requested, Bloomberg reported on Friday, citing refinery officials in Asia.

Many buyers in Asia have asked for more Saudi crude oil for July as barrels from the Middle East are cheaper than those from the North Sea and the U.S. because of a drop in the Dubai/Oman benchmark compared Brent and WTI benchmarks. The oil going to Asia from the Middle East is priced off the Dubai/Oman benchmark.

The Saudis will not fully meet all Chinese requests but will supply all the volumes and even extra barrels to some customers in India, Japan, South Korea, and Thailand, Bloombergs sources say.

This past weekend, Saudi Arabia raised its official selling prices (OSPs) to Asia and Europe for July, as widely expected, signaling confidence in demand in the near term.

The increase in Saudi crude prices for next month was the biggest for Asian buyers, with the flagship Arab Light grade set to sell for $2.10 per barrel more than it did this month, at $6.50 a barrel over the Oman/Dubai benchmarks. Strong refining margins in Asia amid a global crunch in fuels also played a part in the Saudi decision to raise the prices for its oil selling in Asia.

Many of Saudi Arabias customers in Asia have asked for more Saudi supply as they prefer to steer clear of Russian cargoes.

China and India, however, continue to buy Russian oil, and India is even reportedly seeking more of it in order to take advantage of the cheap crude, which sells at record discounts. Currently, the flagship Russian grade Urals sells at a discount of $30 a barrel or more to Dated Brent.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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There is no immortality for newspaper reporters.

One of them, Ben Hecht, addressed this matter in a short poem written long ago: We know each others daydreams / And the hopes that come to grief / For we write each others obits / And theyre Godalmighty brief.

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There is no immortality for newspaper reporters but Deborah Cohen has done a remarkably powerful, enlightening and entertaining job of bringing back to life a quartet of long gone reporters along with dozens of other interesting sorts, in her new book, Last Call at the Hotel Imperial: The Reporters Who Took on a World at War (Random House).

It is a journey, she writes, into the 1920s and 1930s, (when) millions of Americans got their news from a very small number of international reporters.  In the interwar years, American foreign correspondents became the kings of the hill.  Armed with a peculiarly American obsession with personalities, they sounded an early warning about the rise of the dictators.

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She focuses on four of them, each a vessel of immense curiosity and energy.

There was Chicago-born John Gunther, who was a student at the University of Chicago before becoming a reporter for the Chicago Daily News, where he struck his colleagues as a young man going somewhere. Did he ever, taking off for Europe with no job (he had quit the News) and $150 in his pocket but with big ambitions. He would report prolifically and marry another writer named Frances. He would become a bestselling author with what was known as the Inside books, a series that included the bestseller Inside U.S.A in 1947. He basically invented the grief memoir with the heart-wrenching 1949 book about his young sons death, Death Be Not Proud, which is sadly the only one of his many books still in print.

H.R. Knickerbocker, Knick to his friends, was Texas-born and won the Pulitzer Prize in 1931 for his newspaper series on Stalin.

Vincent (Jimmy) Sheean came to the University of Chicago from tiny downstate Pana, Illinois, and was soon reporting from far, far away, from Spain and elsewhere. His 1935 political memoir Personal Historybecame the inspiration for Alfred Hitchcocks 1940 film Foreign Correspondent.

Deborah Cohen is the author of "Last Call at the Hotel Imperial," here June 3, 2022, at home in Chicago. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)

Dorothy Thompson, perhaps the most famous of the gang, was a native New Yorker. As she wrote to a friend in 1921, when she was in her late 20s, I have been a wild cat walking by my wild lone self most of my life since 16. What she did  becoming the first female syndicated political columnist and a radio broadcaster, made her so prominent that, as Cohen tells us, On the eve of the Second World War, Time magazine described Thompson and Eleanor Roosevelt as the most influential women in the United States. She was also married for a helter-skelter time to novelist Sinclair Lewis. Her life became the inspiration for the Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn 1942 film Woman of the Year.

Cohen informs us of so much, bringing the characters of this era to vivid and raucous life. She makes them all unforgettable, and allows us to understand what made them tick and work as they visited European capitals and traveled to Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

Their Midwestern roots were crucial, she says. They understood their readers. They were able to speak to Americans. They were as famous in their time as famous could be and they were also pioneers in new journalism. They were subjective, intimate, emotional, powerful.

They also had active social and drinking lives. They were in and out of each others lives, sharing late nights, talking, sharing beds, Cohen says.

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As she writes, Even when they were far apart, even after they fell out, they kept right on talking and arguing, long after the conversations had ended.

The eight years Cohen devoted to researching and writing this splendid book was time well spent. We encounter in fresh ways such figures as Hitler, Mussolini, Gandhi, Nehru and Stalin. We also meet such now-forgotten people as Polly Adler, the proprietor of Manhattans most famous brothel and a friend of Gunthers: It was difficult to find girls to work because they were all doing war service, she told John. The sexual peculiarities these days! The higher the tensions got in Europe, the stranger the perversions.

So prolific and active were the reporters that they make the most famous writer of the period, a fellow named Hemingway, seem a slacker by comparison.

The maps detailing the travels of these reporters are admirable and dizzying. As Gunther would put it later, We were scavengers, buzzards, out to get the news, no matter whose wings got clipped.

Cohen was born and raised in Louisville and at a tender age flirted with a career as a newspaper reporter. She started and edited a paper in high school but, admitting to being hijacked by archives, earned a degree in history and womens studies at Harvard-Radcliffe and then a masters and doctorate at the University of California at Berkeley. She taught at American University and Brown University before coming to Northwestern in 2010, where she now academically resides, living in the Lakeview neighborhood with her husband and teenage daughter.

I love teaching, first year students to graduate level, she says.

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She is also a writer of palpable power and deep understanding.

After WWII, her quartet, more or less, she says, moved off stage. Their moment was the moment of warning, so once the conflict started, what was there for them to say, I told you so?

In their time they told us more than enough and they came at us in an intimate fashion. Cohen writes with easy authority and a powerful narrative drive. This is a great book about great and flawed people caught up in a world going mad.

She credits the voluminous archives that she poured through for making it possible to capture the texture and the course of (her subjects) thoughts at very close hand  My aim as an author has been to follow their own lead as journalists  to convey how it felt to lie so exposed to history in the making.

For what its worth, Cohen would have made one hell of a reporter.

rkogan@chicagotribune.com
Now that the winter season ended, Germany has started the process of filling its natural gas storage sites via auctions. As prices have declined and are in contango, Europes biggest economy has managed to fill just over half of its gas storage capacity so far.

Germanys gas storage capacity was nearly 53% full as of June 9, according to data from Gas Infrastructure Europe.

EU member states are now required to reach a minimum 80% gas storage level by November 1 to protect against potential interruptions to supply. In 2023, the target will be raised to 90% full gas storage by November 1.

With day-ahead prices now at a huge discount to prices for the winter months, Germany is coping well with procuring gas so far, contrary to earlier doubts from the industry, Bloomberg reports.

Germany depends on Russian gasmostly via the Nord Stream pipelinefor nearly 40 percent of its supply. It looks to reduce dependence on Russian supply but has acknowledged it would need a few years to become completely independent. The German industry in the biggest European economy has warned that a halt in Russian gas supply now would be catastrophic.

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said last month that Germany would be able to withstand a halt of Russian natural gas supplies as long as it manages to fill up its gas storage.

Filling up storage is going well so far, as natural gas prices in Europe and in Germany have dropped amid an influx of LNG supply and mild weather. Concerns about natural gas shortages have abated since the end of the winter heating season in Europe, but the EU and Germany still have a lot of work to do to fill gas sites by the autumn.

Right now, all the favorable factors for faster inventory building are in place.

The current summer-winter spreads are a strong incentive for gas storage, Sebastian Bleschke, head of the association of German storage facility operators, INES, told Bloomberg, adding that Germany is currently stockpiling an above-average amount of gas.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Libyan oil production and exports are set to drop again after two export terminals were blocked on Thursday, and protesters threatened on Friday to close another oil port.

Groups of protesters closed the Ras Lanuf and Es Sider oil export terminals on Thursday, demanding a transfer of powers from Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, who has been refusing to step down for newly sworn-in eastern Prime Minister Fathi Bashaga. The Parliament-backed Bashagha has the support from eastern Libya and its east-based parliament, while Dbeibah is based in Tripoli. The Parliament voted in Bashaga for prime minister earlier this year, but Dbeibah has refused to step down.

The political rift, also because of the distribution of oil revenues, has already crippled Libyan production and exports in April and May.

Libyas largest oilfield, Sharara, restarted oil production this weekend following weeks of shutdown over protests, but was closed again just a day after reopening.

The blockades are now spreading to the Ras Lanuf and Es Sider terminals, while a group threatened to close the Hariga port on Friday, engineers told Reuters on Friday.

According to analysts and diplomats who spoke to Reuters, the blockades of oil ports have been mostly instigated by factions in the east, including eastern strongman Khalifa Haftar and the Libyan National Army (LNA) he leads.

According to Reuters estimates, Libyas oil production had already halved to around 600,000 barrels per day (bpd) in May, after the Sharara and El Feel oilfields were closed and added to other blockaded oil infrastructure in the country.

The resumption of mass oil port blockades in the wild-card OPEC producer exempted from the OPEC+ deal comes at a time of a tight global market, bans on Russian oil in the West, and robust global demand in the summer driving season despite record-high fuel prices.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Some analysts have predicted that Western sanctions on Russia, combined with the EU's embargo on Russian crude oil and tanker insurance, would lead to the inevitable shut down of Russian oil wells as inventories build up in the pariah country.

But Russian President Vladimir Putin says that the country will not be blocking off their oil wells.

While oil embargos and sanctions may be temporary, blocking off oil wells isn'tat least not typically. What the world painfully realized shortly after the Saudi Arabia-Russian oil price war right before the pandemic is that when Russian wells are idled for a lengthy period of time, it can lead to permanent shut-ins, with operational challenges proving insurmountable in some of their maturing fields.

On top of that, if certain oilfields are pulled out of service, the quality of the Urals blendmade up of oil from multiple oilfieldscould be altered, thereby decreasing its value in the market.

Putin, however, says that it will not do that, despite calls to shun the country's oil. Limited storage capacity, however, could force Putin's hand.

Putin's argument, though, is that the West will not be able to stop importing Russian crude oil entirely.

"As far as refusal from our energy resources is concerned, this is unlikely for the next few years, while it's not clear, what will happen during those few years. That's why, no one will pour cement into the wells," Putin told a televised meeting with young entrepreneurs, according to Reuters.

So far, the reality has been closer to Putin's scenario than the West would like.

Still, the U.S. EIA forecasted that Russian oil output will decline from 11.3 million bpd in the first quarter of 2022 to 9.3 million bpd in the final quarter of 2023 as a result of the EU embargo on both crude oil and refined product imports.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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Russia and China boosted their friendly cooperation on Friday after starting cargo traffic on the first bridge on the Amur river to connect Russia with China, Russias news agency TASS reported.

The bridge across the Amur River links the Russian city of Blagoveshchensk with Chinas Heihe. Russia, which is under sanctions from the West over its invasion of Ukraine, hopes to move more goods and further boost trade with a friendly country, China.

Since the invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has designated most of the Western allies, including the U.S., all the EU member states, Australia, Canada, Japan, and many others, as unfriendly countries.

Commenting on the opening of the Amur river bridge, Russian Deputy Prime Minister and Presidential Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yury Trutnev, said, as carried by TASS:

In todays fragmented world, the Blagoveshchensk-Heihe bridge between Russia and China has a special, symbolic meaning. It will become a yet another line of friendship, connecting the peoples of Russia and China.

The bridge will boost logistics connections between Russia and China, and the border bridge crossing will become a bridge of friendship and cooperation, the Russian official was quoted as saying.

Isolated by the West, Russia is increasingly turning to the East and seeking deeper ties with China.

In Asia, China and India have become the key buyers of Russian oil in recent weeks, after EuropeRussias top oil customer before the war in Ukrainestarted to shun Russian oil and announced a ban last week on Russian seaborne oil imports, to take effect within eight months.

Analysts doubt the Asian market would be able to absorb all the 4 million bpd of oil Russia was sending to Europe before the war, especially after the ban on seaborne oil was accompanied by a ban for EU operators to insure and finance the marine transportation of Russian oil to third countries.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Republican Senator Rick Scott introduced this week a new bill that would prohibit federal agencies from doing business with any entity that contracts with the Russian energy industry.

Senator Rick Scott introduced the bicameral Keeping Russias Energy and Military Liable for Invading its Neighbors (KREMLIN) Act to prohibit federal agencies from doing business with any entity that contracts with Putins evil regime or his cronies in the Russian natural gas, oil, and coal sector, Senator Scott said in a statement on Thursday.

Representative Michael Waltz introduced the companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

As Russia wages war against Ukraine and threatens democracy and our national security in Europe, the United States must ensure that no American tax dollars are being used to support Putins evil regime, Senator Scott said.

Representative Michael Waltz said, Put simply, the U.S. government should not be contracting with companies profiting from, and supporting, Putins war crimes.

The bill includes exemptions in cases involving vital humanitarian aid or U.S. national security interests.

In the early days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the United States banned imports of all Russian energy productsincluding oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and coalto the United States.

Last week, after weeks of negotiations, the EU also banned Russian oil imports via sea by the end of the year.

Russia is likely getting more revenues from oil and gas now than before the war in Ukraine, U.S. energy security envoy Amos Hochstein said at a Senate subcommittee hearing on Thursday.

On the same day, Russia said that it had added the equivalent of $9.4 billion to its government emergency reserve fund, with the money coming from extra oil and gas revenues the country had received so far in 2022. Russia expects to receive as much as $6.37 billion in additional oil and gas revenues in June alone, its finance ministry said last week, as energy commodity prices have rallied since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Dear Heloise: My niece is graduating from high school and going on to college. She had excellent grades and worked hard to graduate in the top 5% of her class. Were all very proud of her. I would like to get her a nice gift, but Im out of ideas. Got any hints on what to give a graduate of 2022?  Brenda M., Altoona, Pennsylvania My best wishes to your niece on her graduation. Here are some gift ideas: A thesaurus and/or dictionary. An engraved letter opener and/or magnifying glass. Plastic storage containers. A gift card to a large online retailer. An emergency road kit (if she has a car). A small microwave for her dorm room (if the college permits it). A gift card for office supplies.  Heloise Dear Heloise: Our family physician told my husband and me that we had to cut back on certain foods to keep our cholesterol down. One of the easiest ways was to cut back on the amount of red meat we consume. Three times a week we go meatless all day. Our cholesterol has dropped significantly.  Diane and Bob W., Mapleton, Utah
CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  Australias highest court on Wednesday found a Cabinet minister illegally canceled a suspected Islamic State group fighters citizenship in a landmark ruling that curtails how governments can deal with extremists.

The High Court, in a 6-to-1 judgment, restored Delil Alexanders Australian citizenship that was removed in July last year by the then-Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews.

The 35-year-old Alexander, who was born in Australia and has Turkish citizenship by descent, is in a Syrian prison on terrorism convictions. He left Australia for Turkey in 2013 and crossed the Syrian border before he was arrested by a Kurdish militia in 2017.

Andrews canceled Alexander's citizenship based on an Australian intelligence report that he had joined the group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant and had likely engaged in fighting and recruiting for the extremist group.

But the court ruled that the power she used  section 36B of the Australian Citizenship Act  was unconstitutional because it gave the minister the power of a court to determine criminal guilt.

A minister would still be able to revoke an Australians citizenship under a separate section in cases where an individual had been sentenced to at least three years in prison for a crime that demonstrates the person has repudiated their allegiance to Australia.

Rayner Thwaites, a Sydney University constitutional law academic, said the ruling meant a government could no longer cancel Australian citizenship without involving a court.

"The orders in the case are that section 36B is invalid, so that would have reasonably direct ramifications for others, Thwaites said.

The case has ramifications for anyone whose citizenship has been revoked under section 36B, Thwaites added.

Its unclear how many people could have their citizenships returned due to the ruling.

The previous conservative coalition changed the law in 2015 to enable dual nationals to lose their citizenship rights for actions contrary to their allegiance to Australia.

The first target was Sydney-born convicted terrorist Khaled Sharrouf who was also Lebanese by descent. He lost his Australian citizenship in 2017 while he was fighting alongside the Islamic State group in Syria and has since died in combat.

Peter Dutton, the first Home Affairs minister to use the power, reported in 2018 that another five dual-nationals had been stripped of Australian citizenship because of their involvement overseas with the Islamic State group.

Australia was widely criticized for expecting other countries to take responsibility for extremists who often had little connection to their second nationality.

A center-left Labor Party government came to power for the first time in almost a decade at elections on May 21. The new Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said his government would examine the judgment ands its implications in detail.

Dreyfus said the government had a range of measures to protect Australia from offshore threats including so-called temporary exclusion orders that can prevent Australians from returning home for up to two years.

It is important to note that there is not threat to Australia as a result of todays decision, Dreyfus said in a statement.

Alexanders case was brought to court by his sister.

The familys lawyer Osman Samin said Alexanders 15-year sentence had been reduced to five years. Alexander would have been eligible for release last year if his Australian citizenship hadnt been canceled, Samin said.

Hes remained in custody ever since because the Syrian authorities wont release him into the Syrian community, Samin told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

Alexander denied involvement with the Islamic State group and told his sister he made confessions under torture, the lawyer said.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
In South Dakota, Republican Gov. Kristi Noem has tried to shape the Legislature to her liking. And in last week's primary, she publicly backed at least a dozen candidates, including several challengers to incumbents who are part of a contrarian group of Republicans. But two-thirds of the governor's favorites lost, and some of the lawmakers who survived her efforts to defeat them wonder why a governor they generally agree with went to such lengths to try to oust them. While endorsements often draw attention and financial resources, they don't always translate into voter support. Its a lesson that Noem ally Donald Trump is learning as he falls short, notably in Georgia, in trying to punish Republicans who've crossed him.
LOS ANGELES  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.

And in Iowa, Republican State Sen. Zach Nunn won the GOP spot to take on the states lone Democratic House member, Rep. Cindy Axne, in a newly drawn district with a stronger GOP tilt.

Primary elections across seven states Tuesday set up November contests in dozens of races, as Democrats look to protect the partys fragile majority in the House. A look at results in key U.S. House races Tuesday:

IOWAS 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 Iowas 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.

TRUMP HISTORY LOOMS IN KEY CALIFORNIA 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. Preliminary 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 Ryan Zinke, an Interior Department secretary under Trump, is one of five Republicans on the primary ballot for the open seat.

Zinkes 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 a 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.

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.
CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  An Australian court on Monday ordered Google to pay a former politician 715,000 Australian dollars ($515,000) over two defamatory YouTube videos.

John Barilaro, the former New South Wales state deputy premier, had sued Google and comedian Jordan Shanks, also known as friendlyjordies, in the Federal Court over the videos.

Justice Steven Rares found Barilaro had been the subject of a relentless, racist, abusive and defamatory campaign conducted on YouTube, a platform owned by Google.

Barilaro told reporters outside the Sydney court that he felt vindicated by the judgment.

I am emotional today. To hear His Justice read out the reasoning and the evidence and the case itself again is a little bit traumatizing, Barilaro said.

But Im happy its the end of the journey. Youve got to be either courageous or stupid to take on Google, and maybe it was a bit of both, Barilaro added.

Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Monday.

His lawyer Paul Svilans said it was the only case he was aware of where Google was sued for defamation through its YouTube operation.

Barilaro would not have sued if Google had taken down the videos, uploaded in September and October in 2020, as requested by letter in December of that year, he said.

Once they get our letter and we say it is defamatory, it is racist, you should take it down and they dont take it down, then theyre on the hook just like any other publisher, Svilans said.

They are a trillion dollar company that facilitated the publication of horribly racist material about John, Svilans said.

The videos had been viewed tens of thousands of times and earned Google thousands of dollars, the judge said.

Google eventually abandoned all of its defenses against Barilaros suit. A four-day hearing in March only focused on the amount of damages that Google would pay. Legal costs will be awarded at a later date.

Barilaros case against Shanks was settled in November last year when the comedian and political commentator issued an apology, agreed to pay AU$100,000 ($72,000) and edited the videos.

Shanks campaign had been cited as a reason for Barilaros decision to retire from politics last year.

Rares, the judge, said Google repeatedly failed to take responsibility for its conduct as a publisher.

Google is fighting in Australias highest court a Victoria state court decision that its search engine had defamed Melbourne underworld lawyer George Defteros.

Defteros successfully sued Google for AU$40,000 ($28,800) in 2020 because the search engine directed traffic to a 2004 article published in The Age newspaper that reported he had been charged with conspiracy and incitement to murder gangland figures.

The charges were dropped in 2005.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Coming on the same night that voters in San Francisco ousted their lightning rod of a district attorney, Chesa Boudin  in what was widely interpreted as a setback for progressive ideas on criminal justice  it would have been easy to overlook what happened Tuesday in South Dakota.

But the results there are no less consequential for national politics. Voters in South Dakota sent a resounding message of their own to the states conservative power structure: Were in charge here, not you.

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The immediate issue was a constitutional amendment requiring that certain voter-initiated referendums must pass by 60%, rather than a simple majority. The measure was defeated decisively, with more than two-thirds of voters rejecting the proposed new threshold.

But this wasnt just a political process story. It was the latest round in a national fight between voters and state legislatures, who have been battling for primacy on issues like marijuana legalization, gerrymandering and health care. Last year, The New York Times Reid Epstein and Nick Corasaniti took a broad look at Republican-led efforts to limit ballot initiatives, which have grown only more intense in the last 12 months.

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In South Dakota, the ballot question was pushed by Republican state lawmakers who are hoping to defeat a November referendum on expanding access to Medicaid.

To David Daley, author of several recent books on grassroots democracy, it was a classic example of the power struggle playing out in state capitols across the country.

Whenever citizens effectively use the ballot initiative to make policy changes the legislature opposes, lawmakers bite back, and they bite back hard, Daley said.

Raising the threshold for ballot drives is an increasingly common tool. A new report by RepresentUs, a nonpartisan group that promotes ballot initiatives, found that since 2017, at least four states have passed laws that impose supermajority requirements and put them in front of voters as a ballot question, out of at least 64 bills proposed.

Campaign signs on June 7, 2022, in Valley Spring, S.D., included one opposing a ballot measure that would have required most future referendums to pass with 60 percent support, rather than a simple majority. (Tim Gruber/The New York Times)

And its not always Republican lawmakers pitted against progressive voters.

Weve seen legislators attempt to threaten and limit the ballot-measure process in red, blue and purple states, said Anh-Linh Kearney, a research analyst for RepresentUs, pointing to Democratic-controlled Colorado, which raised the requirement for passing constitutional amendments to 55% in 2016.

Not-So-Subtle Tactics to Target Referendums

Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, executive director of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, described a growing trend of tactical ways to make the process harder, pointing to her groups tally of 108 laws introduced this year in 26 states that would make technical tweaks to the rules surrounding ballot initiatives.

Since 2017, Fields Figueredo said, the center had counted a fivefold increase in bills introduced and enacted that would make it more difficult to pass ballot measures.

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Sometimes those tweaks take Kafkaesque forms.

In Arkansas, for instance, a drive to establish a nonpartisan redistricting commission ran into a deviously written 2015 law requiring that canvassers for the ballot initiative pass a federal background check conducted by the State Police.

But there was a catch. The State Police could not do federal background checks. So the group behind the ballot drive, Arkansas Voters First, pulled what information it could from publicly available records and submitted thousands more signatures than required. The secretary of state rejected those background checks on the grounds that the canvassers had not passed and threw out more than 10,000 signatures.

Litigation followed. In a 2020 decision, the Arkansas Supreme Court sided with the secretary of state, ruling that the statute had mandated the background checks, whether or not the task was impossible. In a dissent, Justice Josephine Linker Hart pointed out the absurdity of the statute, noting that the State Police do not pass or fail the subject of a background check  they merely share the information from the relevant databases.

It was wild, said Bonnie Miller, who led the Arkansas Voters First petition drive. Im still not over it.

A court later threw out the background-check requirement, but the cat-and-mouse game goes on: The Arkansas General Assembly passed a new law that lengthened the list of offenses that disqualify paid canvassers. And a measure similar to the one South Dakota voters just rejected, raising the threshold for successful ballot initiatives to 60%, is now on the ballot.

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Miller feels as if shes battling for the very principle behind voter-led referendums. This threshold, its just death to direct democracy in our state, she said.

People Want the Ability to Make Decisions for Themselves

Opponents of the South Dakota amendment had a couple of factors working in their favor.

Theres the states long history with ballot initiatives: the Rev. Robert Haire, a radical Catholic priest, helped pioneer the concept as an activist with the Populist Party in the 1880s.

Then theres the fact that Medicaid is popular. Voter-led petitions have already powered Medicaid expansion in Idaho, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Utah. The Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit group that tracks information and trends about the countrys health care system, has found that three-quarters of Americans hold a favorable opinion of the program  including 76% of independents and 65% of Republicans.

At this point, only 12 states have not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, despite its popularity. These states are concentrated in the Deep South, along with Kansas, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming. But when Kaiser asked people in those states whether they wanted to expand Medicaids coverage, 61% said yes.

And finally, Fields Figueredo said, voters have a deep-seated aversion to having their choices limited by politicians  setting up inevitable clashes with lawmakers who dont like being told what to do.

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People want the ability to make decisions for themselves, she said.

c.2022 The New York Times Company
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.
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.

The Democratic president's tough-on-crime comments come as his party continues to face pointed attacks from Republicans about its commitment to public safety two years after progressive activists responded to the police murder of George Floyd by championing calls to defund the police." Biden has rejected such calls, as have the overwhelming majority of Democrats in Congress, yet polling suggests that voters have become increasingly likely to trust Republicans more than Democrats on public safety.

Republicans, pointing to the San Francisco election, signaled that they would continue to hammer vulnerable Democratic candidates in states like North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin for their record on crime or associations with the Black Lives Matter movement. While the economy is widely considered the central issue of this midterm season, Republicans believe a focus on crime will help them this fall, especially among suburban voters.

The very first thing that I talk about everywhere we go is ending the war on our police, ending the war on cops, said Andrew Giuliani, a Republican candidate for New York governor.

Public safety remains a potent political issue, even as the numbers suggest a more complicated reality.

Crime statistics for the first quarter of 2022, released by the FBI on Monday, suggest that a rise in violent crime is not the fault of either party's criminal justice policies. Democratic-led cities such as Detroit, Fort Wayne and South Bend, Indiana, as well as Wichita, Kansas and Portland, Ore., listed fewer murders for the first quarter of 2022 than 2021. The same could be said for several cities with Republican mayors at the helm. The reverse also was true in a number of Democratic and Republican-led cities with several showing rises in violent crime rates and murders.

Still, Republicans have effectively convinced voters, in some cases, that Democrats are more to blame.

In June 2021, a Washington Post-ABC News poll showed that roughly the same number of U.S. adults trusted Democrats and Republicans to handle crime. But in April 2022, the same poll found that 47% trusted the Republican Party to do a better job handling crime, compared with 35% preferring the Democratic Party.

Republican pollster Gene Ulm said the perception that Democrats are weak on crime is pushing swing suburban voters toward the GOP in midterm elections across the country, even if crime is not a defining issue in the campaign.

The Democrats have basically tattooed themselves with defund the police, Ulm said. It's too late to change it.

Republicans point to key Senate races in North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, where they have already begun to attack Democrats on crime, sometimes relying on false charges.

In North Carolina, the Senate Republican campaign arm already launched two ads against Democratic nominee Cheri Beasley, a former state Supreme Court justice, for failing to protect victims of violent crime. The ads were removed by some local television stations for being inaccurate.

Sheriffs from across North Carolina condemned these dishonest and despicable attacks because they know Cheris record: as a judge and chief justice, she partnered with law enforcement to keep North Carolina communities safe and hold violent offenders accountable, campaign spokesperson Dory MacMillan said. Washington Republicans are lying.

Still, the GOP rhetoric is likely to persist. Republicans are also telegraphing weak-on-crime attacks against Wisconsin Democrat Mandela Barnes, a Senate candidate photographed holding a shirt critical of immigration officers; and Pennsylvania Senate nominee John Fetterman, who used his powers as lieutenant governor to help increase the number of pardons.

Campaign spokesman Joe Calvello noted that Fetterman has a history of confronting crime as the chief law enforcement officer of Braddock, Pa., where he served as mayor.

Under Johns leadership, Braddock went five and a half years without a gun death," Calvello said. "John not only has worked hand-in-hand with the police, but he knows what challenges our police force face and how to support them.

Back in San Francisco, Boudin blamed his loss on right-wing billionaires who exploited understandable frustration over a pandemic and city government that has failed to deliver on basics.

Former Mayor Willie Brown also warned against reading too much into the recall, given that Boudin won election in 2019 with 36% of first-place votes in San Franciscos ranked-choice system. On the same night as the recall, voters statewide overwhelmingly supported progressive state Attorney General Rob Bonta, who earned more than 50% of the vote and now advances to a runoff in November under Californias top-two primary system.

No candidate  Republican or Democrat -- can ignore the publics need to feel safe, Brown said.

There is an absolute need for people to feel safer, and if they, the public, voter interprets your advocacy as not being sensitive to that component  they will probably not vote for you, Brown said. They will vote for somebody that does give them some level of comfort, that safety is as important as all the other factors.

Beyond San Francisco on Tuesday night, a reform-minded progressive in Contra Costa County was keeping her seat while in Alameda County, which includes Oakland, the progressive favorite heads to a runoff against a long-time prosecutor in November for an open seat being vacated by a more traditional law-and-order district attorney.

Ludovic Blain, executive director of the California Donor Table, which seeks to elect progressive candidates, pointed out that the population of Contra Costa and Alameda counties dwarfs the size of San Francisco, which is under 900,000.

If we were to look at one election to decide whether Democrats are vulnerable or not, it wouldnt be the San Francisco one, he said.

Peoples reported from New York. AP writers Hannah Fingerhut and Gary Fields in Washington contributed.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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.
An Omaha man charged with secretly recording people who were using the restroom at a west Omaha retirement center and in his home has pleaded guilty.

Jason Hunter, 43, pleaded to a total of 12 counts of unlawful intrusion by recording an image or video of a person without their consent.

Eleven of the counts represented each person who was unknowingly recorded using the toilet in an employee bathroom at Lakeside retirement community, 17475 Frances St. According to affidavits, Hunter worked as a cook at the retirement center, which is owned by Immanuel.

The 12th count against Hunter, which was classified as a separate case, stemmed from a minor who was recorded last fall in various states of undress in the bathroom at Hunters residence. Hunter originally was charged with two counts in that case. The second count was dismissed as a result of a plea agreement in which Hunter pleaded guilty to one count for each victim.

A sentencing hearing tentatively has been scheduled for Aug. 11, but the date could change pending the completion of a sex offender evaluation.

Hunters pleas, which were entered Friday, stem from a series of incidents that occurred from September 2021 to Dec. 13, when a Lakeside employee found a cellphone in a restroom.

According to court documents from January, the employee discovered the cellphone propped up between a wall and a bench in the single-occupant restroom. The man stopped the recording and saw that the phone contained a video of him using the toilet. The video also briefly showed a person setting up the phone at the start of the recording, though the video did not show the persons face.

After the employee discovered the cellphone, Lakeside staff contacted executives at Immanuel, who then contacted the Omaha Police Department.

Police placed Hunter at the scene after having viewed footage from a security camera in a hallway outside the bathroom. The footage appeared to show that Hunter was in the restroom Dec. 13 when the phone started recording. Police said in court documents that Hunter was wearing the same clothes as the person in the cellphone video.

Lindsey Grove, a deputy Douglas County attorney, noted Friday in Douglas County District Court that all the victims at the retirement center were Hunters co-workers.

During the investigation, police found videos depicting the minor child using the bathroom at Hunters residence. Police said Hunter admitted in an interview to placing a camera there.

Each count to which Hunter pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison, 12 months of post-release supervision and a $10,000 fine.

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For 13 years, the Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership has carried out reforestation efforts focused on providing habitat for lemurs, which are the most threatened group of primates in the world, the zoo said. The organization was founded by Edward E. Louis Jr., the director of the zoos Conservation Genetics Department, and its efforts are supported by the Arbor Day Foundation.
Extremism came clearly into focus this week.

The Department of Homeland Security issued a warning that the US was in a heightened threat environment over the next six months. Reasons included the midterm elections as well as the immigration crisis at the border with Mexico.

The warning also noted the looming Supreme Court decision on abortion, a concern that became a reality Wednesday when a man was arrested in connection to an assassination attempt on Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

Stories of extremism did not stop there. On Thursday night in front of a national television audience, the House panel investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection included dramatic capitol police dispatch audio audio and details from panel members that placed the blame on former President Donald Trump.

Trump downplayed the investigation on social media and House Republicans believe the findings are a distraction from current problems that will backfire on Democrats during the midterms.

Earlier in the week, it was revealed five members of the Proud Boys will stand trial in August over conspiracy charges in connection to the events of Jan. 6.

Following a deadly shooting in Buffalo, New York governor Kathy Hochul signed a package of new gun control laws. It included a ban of anyone under the age of 21 from buying or owning a semiautomatic weapon.

Beyond Buffalo, multiple shootings, most notably the deadly school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, led to hearings on Capitol Hill. The House ultimately passed bills that are unlikely to gain traction in the closely divided Senate. Lets listen to those stories, as well as testimony from family and victims, as well as reactions from lawmakers.

For the city of Detroit, urban violence will be the focus of law enforcement this summer.

Seven states held primaries on Tuesday with 78 seats for the House of Representatives on those ballots. But perhaps the most dramatic result of the day was a recall election for a sitting prosecutor in San Francisco.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, there were a couple of stories related to vaccine options for Americans.

In other national news, parents in need of baby formula should start seeing more available in stores in the near future as a factory was reopened. Former Olympic gymnasts are among the assault victims wanting the FBI to be held accountable.

A stamp honoring Former First Lady Nancy Reagan was unveiled. A man accused of being a serial rapist is now facing additional charges. And man has been arrested after cocaine was discovered in an unusual location.

In international news, the week began with the conclusion of festivities honoring Queen Elizabeths 70 years on the throne.

Monday marked the 78th anniversary of the D-Day landing in Normandy, France, and marked the return of larger ceremonies since the start of the pandemic.

In other news, the future of the pope is in question and tensions between Russia and the United States remain high. Russia began returning the bodies of dead Ukrainian soldiers from a steel plant, while more bodies are being discovered in the rubble. And President Biden spoke on the future of this hemisphere.

Gas prices have been soaring and by Thursday the national average for a gallon hit another record high. More on that story from the Associated Press, and for additional tips on how to save money on fuel, be sure to listen to the PennyWise podcast.

Did you ever pick up an item at a grocery store and think the packaging got a little smaller? Your eyes are not deceiving you. Shrinkflation is a thing and a way for producers to save money during times of rising prices.

We look at that story as well as rising mortgage rates, Target canceling orders, the global economic outlook and the status of workers.

And finally, one endangered species is getting some help in an effort to prevent extinction.

 Compiled and narrated by Terry Lipshetz from Associated Press reports
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 has firmly laid blame on Donald Trump. In Thursday's prime-time hearing, lawmakers said the siege was no accident but an attempted coup and a direct result of the defeated presidents effort to overturn the 2020 election. Rep. Bennie Thompson, the Democrat from Mississippi, said the attack put Americas constitutional democracy at risk. Thursday's hearing showed new video and other evidence from the deadly Capitol assault. The panel also detailed the chilling backstory as defeated President Donald Trump tried to overturn Joe Bidens 2020 election victory. Live testimony included a police officer who was pummeled in the riot and a documentary filmmaker tracking extremist Proud Boys leading the melee.

Takeaways: 'Carnage' at the Capitol and a case against Trump

WASHINGTON (AP)  Audiences watching the first public hearing of the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot saw one injured officer who slipped in blood and spoke of carnage. They saw video of a huge, violent mob pushing through the U.S. Capitol. And they saw former President Donald Trumps allies and family members acknowledging his lies. Panel members worked to lay out a devastating case as they tried to tell the story of how it happened, and how to prevent it from ever happening again, for history. Rep. Bennie Thompson, the chairman of the panel, says, We cant sweep what happened under the rug.

A harrowing American moment, repackaged for prime time

NEW YORK (AP)  The Jan. 6 congressional hearings are being held with the help of a big-time television producer, and dramatic revelations have been promised. But this is an event that many Americans saw unfold live, and in countless clips and memes on their smartphones in the coming months. So the hearings effectively represent a rerun. Has the nation moved on? Is a gripping show about events from 18 months ago  even with fresh video  something that can make anyone change their minds? The answers may have bearing on whether the Capitol insurrection is remembered as a spontaneous outburst or a planned and existential threat to democracy.

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. That's according to a review of law enforcement documents and records obtained by The New York Times. The records show that police waited even as they became aware that some victims needed medical treatment. Police waited more than hour to confront the gunman on May 24 even as anguished parents outside the school urged officers to go inside.

Authorities: 3 dead, trooper wounded in Maryland shooting

SMITHSBURG, Md. (AP)  Authorities say an employee opened fire at a manufacturing business in western Maryland, leaving three coworkers dead and one other critically injured before the suspect and a state trooper were wounded in a shootout. The Washington County sheriff said the victims of Thursday's shooting and the suspect all worked at Columbia Machine Inc. in Smithsburg. Authorities say the 42-year-old suspect fled after the shooting in a vehicle and he was tracked down by Maryland State Police. The sheriffs office says the suspect and a trooper were wounded in an exchange of gunfire. Both were being treated for their wounds.

3 foreigners who fought for Ukraine sentenced to death

BAKHMUT, Ukraine (AP)  Two British citizens and a Moroccan have been sentenced to death by pro-Moscow rebels in eastern Ukraine for fighting on Ukraines side. 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 unrecognized republic. Russias state news agency RIA Novosti reported that the three  Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner and Brahim Saadoun  are set to face a firing squad. They have a month to appeal. At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin compared himself to Peter the Great and spoke of his countrys need to take back territory and defend itself.

Michigan officer charged with murder in Lyoya shooting

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP)  A Michigan police officer who killed Patrick Lyoya with a shot to the back of the Black mans head has been charged with second-degree murder. Prosecutor Chris Becker announced the charges Thursday against Grand Rapids Officer Christopher Schurr, who killed Lyoya following a chaotic traffic stop on April 4. The 26-year-old Lyoya was on the ground when he was killed. A bystander recorded the shooting on phone video. Schurr told Lyoya that he stopped his car because the license plate didnt match the vehicle. Defense lawyers say Lyoyas death was a tragedy but not murder. They say the officer feared for his safety.

Michigan GOP hopeful charged in Jan. 6 riot, roiling primary

DETROIT (AP)  A Republican candidate for Michigan governor has been charged with misdemeanors for his role in the 2021 post-election riot at the U.S. Capitol, further complicating an already messy GOP primary. Ryan Kelley is an ardent defender of former President Donald Trump who led protests against pandemic restrictions imposed by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The 40-year-old was arrested and charged Thursday and was released without posting bail following a brief hearing in federal court in Grand Rapids. The GOP field for governor initially had 10 candidates seeking to challenge Whitmer in the battleground state this fall. Five of them, including two front-runners, were dropped from the primary ballot because of forged signatures submitted by paid petition circulators.

Palat scores late, Lightning beat Rangers 3-1 in Game 5

NEW YORK (AP)  Ondrej Palat scored on a deflection with 1:50 remaining to break a tie and lead the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 3-1 victory over the New York Rangers on Thursday night for a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference final. Mikhail Sergachev and Brandon Hagel also scored to help the two-time defending champion Lightning get their third straight win, the first by a road team in this series. Andre Vasilevskiy stopped 24 shots. Ryan Lindgren scored for New York, which had won eight straight at home. Igor Shesterkin finished with 24 saves. Game 6 is Saturday night in Tampa, Florida.

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 it's setting up an independent team to see how much information is publicly available on the matter and how much more is needed. The experts will also consider how best to use all this information in the future. NASA considers this a first step in trying to explain mysterious sightings in the sky known as UAPs, or unidentified aerial phenomena. The study will last nine months. It will be entirely open, with no classified military data used.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
About 1.6 million people in the United States are transgender, and 43% of them are young adults or teenagers, according to a new report providing the most recent national estimates of this population.

The analysis, relying on government health surveys conducted from 2017 to 2020, estimated that 1.4% of 13- to 17-year-olds and 1.3% of 18- to 24-year-olds were transgender, compared with about 0.5% of all adults.

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Those figures revealed a significant rise among younger people: The estimate of transgender people 13 to 25 nearly doubled since the researchers previous report, published in 2017, though the reports used different methods.

The data point to a stark generational shift. Young people increasingly have the language and social acceptance to explore their gender identities, experts said, whereas older adults may feel more constrained. But the numbers, which vary widely from state to state, also raise questions about the role of peer influence or the political climate of the community.

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Its developmentally appropriate for teenagers to explore all facets of their identity; that is what teenagers do, said Dr. Angela Goepferd, medical director of the Gender Health Program at Childrens Minnesota hospital, who was not involved in the new analysis. And, generationally, gender has become a part of someones identity that is more socially acceptable to explore.

Goepferd, who is nonbinary, noted that many teenagers would not necessarily want or need medications or surgeries to transition to another gender, as was typical of older generations.

The surveys, created by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, did not ask younger teenagers about nonbinary or other gender identities, which also have been rising in recent years. But nearly one-quarter of the adults in the surveys who said they were transgender identified as gender nonconforming, meaning they did not identify as a transgender man or woman.

We as a culture just need to lean into the fact that there is gender diversity among us, Goepferd said. And that it doesnt mean that we need to treat it medically in all cases, but it does mean that we as a society need to make space for that.

The new data were analyzed by researchers at the Williams Institute, a research center at the UCLA law school that produces highly regarded reports on the demographics, behaviors and policy concerns of LGBTQ populations in the United States.

Teenagers made up a disproportionately large share of the transgender population, the study found. While younger teenagers were just 7.6% of the total U.S. population, they accounted for roughly 18% of transgender people. Likewise, 18- to 24-year-olds made up 11% of the total population but 24% of the transgender population.

Older adults had a disproportionately small share: Although 62% of the total population, only 47% of transgender people were 25 to 64. And while 20% of Americans are older than 65, that age group makes up only 10% of the total number of transgender people nationwide.

The Williams Institute used data from two national sources: the CDCs Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, administered to adults across the country, and its Youth Risk Behavior Survey, given in high schools. The surveys, which were either conducted over the phone or in person, collect data on demographics as well as a variety of medical and behavioral information, such as smoking habits, HIV status, nutrition and exercise.

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Starting in 2017, the high school survey included an optional question asking if the student was transgender. From 2017 to 2020, 15 states included this question in their high school surveys, while 41 states included the question for adults at least once in that time period.

The Williams Institute used this data, along with statistical modeling of demographic and geographic variables, to arrive at its estimates of the transgender population nationwide.

Its important to know that trans people live everywhere in the United States, and trans people are a part of communities across the country, said Jody Herman, senior scholar of public policy at the Williams Institute and the lead author of the report. We use the best available data, but we need more and better data all the time.

The U.S. Census Bureau began asking questions about sexual orientation and gender identity only last year, part of a new data collection effort. And even national suicide statistics  important in the study of this vulnerable population  do not have information about sexuality or gender identity.

There is no one who knows how many trans people or how many gay people or bisexual people died of suicide this past year, said Amit Paley, head of The Trevor Project, a suicide prevention group that recently released its own report based on social media polling, showing that young LGBTQ people had high rates of mental health issues and suicidal thoughts.

That data does not exist because it is not collected by the government in death records, Paley said. Its something we are working to try to change.

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When their previous report was published in 2017, the Williams Institute researchers did not have actual survey data for younger teenagers, instead using statistical modeling to extrapolate based on adult data. At the time, they estimated 150,000 transgender teens in the country, or roughly 0.7% of teens.

With the inclusion of the new high school survey data added in 2017, that estimate has now doubled to 300,000.

It is not clear whether that jump reflects inaccuracies in the previous estimate, a true increase in the number of transgender adolescents, or both.

Thats the bewildering question of why this is all happening, Herman said.

The racial makeup of transgender adults and transgender teens was roughly the same. About half of both groups were white, slightly less than the relative number of white people in the general population, and a disproportionately large number of each group identified as Latino.

The data also show the distribution of trans people by state. New York has the largest estimated population of transgender teenagers, at 3%, whereas Wyoming has the lowest, at 0.6%. Transgender adults showed a narrower range, with 0.9% of adults identifying as transgender in North Carolina and 0.2% in Missouri.

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The adolescent numbers were based on surveys collected in 15 states: Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and Wisconsin. The researchers then used that survey data to create a model of how state and individual characteristics affect the probability of being transgender. Using that model, along with demographic data from the census, they made estimates for the other 35 states and Washington, D.C.

Experts who work with transgender teenagers agreed that certain social factors would unquestionably play a role in their identities, just as they did decades ago when gay and lesbian people were coming out in large numbers for the first time.

It signifies a new confidence among a new generation to be authentic in their gender identity, said Phillip Hammack, a professor of psychology and director of the Sexual and Gender Diversity Lab at the University of California, Santa Cruz. I think we did see something very similar  we just maybe didnt have the exact numbers to back it up  as we saw more visibility around labeling oneself as gay, lesbian, bisexual back in the nineties.

Recent Gallup polling data also analyzed by the Williams Institute shows that young adults also make up a disproportionately large part of the total LGBTQ population in the United States, which similarly varies state to state.

Social media has been a significant catalyst for teenagers questioning their gender identities today.

I think a big part of it is definitely the internet, said Indigo Giles, a 20-year-old college student in Austin who has protested against the state of Texas abuse investigations of parents of transgender children.

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Giles said they realized they were nonbinary after finding a community of like-minded people on Tumblr. People who have maybe been having these feelings for a long time but havent had the words to put to them finally can see, in such a readily accessible way, others that feel the same, they said.

And conversely, it may be much more difficult for older people to explore their gender identities later in life.

Hammack described a person he interviewed who talked about how difficult it was to come out as nonbinary in their 50s because we look around, and everybodys so young. And others who identified as masculine or butch lesbians, he said, have told him, If I was that young, maybe I would have gone down that path, but it wasnt available.

Goepferd, of Childrens Hospital Minnesota, pointed to another possible reason for the smaller proportion of older transgender people: Because of lower access to health care, along with high rates of violence and suicide, transgender people are more likely to die at younger ages.

The harsh reality is, we dont have trans elders because they didnt survive, they said.

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP)  Black civil rights activists in April demanded that a Michigan prosecutor stand aside in the investigation of the police officer who killed Patrick Lyoya with a shot to the back of the head, claiming he was too cozy with local law enforcement.

Chris Beckers response: This is what I was elected to do.

Becker, a Republican, filed a second-degree murder charge Thursday against Grand Rapids Officer Christopher Schurr, whose fatal shot following a traffic stop on April 4 was recorded on a bystanders phone. The announcement was praised by critics who for weeks had said that Michigan's Democratic attorney general should take over.

I was shocked, to be quite honest. I was absolutely shocked. I didnt expect that, said Cle Jackson, president of the Greater Grand Rapids NAACP, who previously had said that an unbiased investigation by Beckers office was not possible.

Were thankful for Chris having that fortitude to bring the charge that we feel comfortable with. Now well have to continue to fight in the courts, Jackson said.

Schurr, 31, was released from jail Friday after appearing in court by video. Bond was set at $100,000, and a not-guilty plea was entered on his behalf. Defense attorneys insist the officer feared for his safety when he shot Lyoya, 26, a refugee from Congo.

The courtroom benches were full of spectators, some wearing T-shirts with pro-police slogans, including #StandwithSchurr. As dozens of Schurr supporters departed, many embracing, they were met by pro-Lyoya demonstrators chanting, Justice for Patrick!" The Schurr crowd said little. One white man tried to debate with the pro-Lyoya group but was quickly shouted down.

The practice of state prosecutors handling police shootings has become common, especially in tense, high-profile cases with diverging public opinion and perceptions that local authorities favor officers. In Minnesota, the attorney generals office won convictions against Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd and Kim Potter in the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright.

Maine has long given its attorney general sole power in such cases. California requires the attorney general to investigate fatal police shootings of unarmed civilians. New York created a special unit within the attorney generals office. Minnesota state prosecutors take cases upon request.

In Michigan, Becker could have asked Attorney General Dana Nessel to step in  an option for a prosecutor who has a conflict of interest or needs certain expertise  but he said it wasnt necessary.

The son of a longtime local newspaper sports editor, Becker was elected Kent County prosecutor in 2016 after years as a trial lawyer in the same office.

He dismissed claims that he couldnt fairly examine the acts of a police officer in Grand Rapids, the largest city in western Michigan with a population of roughly 200,000.

We are our own entity, he said Thursday. We have a duty to enforce the law. We work a lot with them, but we dont work for them.

Local defense attorney Rick Zambon said earlier criticism of Becker was unfair.

Ive been dealing with him for 30 years, Zambon said. Ive always found him to be a forthright, open-minded person. He doesnt play politics. ... I dont always agree with his charging decisions, but I cant say theyre not without a lot of thought.

Nessel, who repeatedly said she was willing to take the Lyoya case if asked, complimented the exhaustive review by state police and Beckers office. Lyoya's family, too, said the second-degree murder charge fit.

Ven Johnson, a lawyer who is expected to file a lawsuit over the shooting, was scheduling media interviews this week with Lyoya's family to express anger over the pace of the investigation before Becker signaled that his decision was in.

While the road to justice for Patrick and his family has just begun, this decision is a crucial step in the right direction, co-counsel Ben Crump said.

After the charge was announced, protesters gathered outside City Hall and the Grand Rapids Police Department. Some weren't satisfied.

I appreciate the second-degree murder, but to me its still like a slap in the face, to be honest, because I need first-degree, said Jimmy Barwan, 25, of Grand Rapids. Life without parole.

Second-degree murder in Michigan can carry a maximum sentence of life in prison, but offenders typically get an opportunity for parole.

A Black man would not get any chance of parole, Jalauna Williams, 20, of Grand Rapids, said.

Becker was asked by a reporter if he was trying to send a message to police with the murder charge.

I'm never big on sending messages with charges, he replied. I'm not thinking that Kent County officers or any police officers in general thought they had a license to go out and do something like this. This is not a message. This is just based on the facts.

White reported from Detroit. Amy Forliti in Minneapolis contributed.

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.
PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP)  Serbia and Kosovo must recognize each other in order to join the European Union, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Friday said as he expressed support for quicker integration of the Western Balkans into the bloc amid the war in Ukraine.

Scholz, on a visit to the Western Balkans, also pressed Serbia to join Western sanctions against Russia despite its historic and current ties to Moscow, which supplies most of Serbia's energy needs.

It is important that we all together show solidarity and help Ukraine defend against the aggression, Scholz said during a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade. It is our expectation that these sanctions must be supported by all those who are candidates for EU membership."

Vucic said Scholz requested in a decisive, clear and strict" way that Serbia join the sanctions.

While Serbia is formally a candidate for EU membership, it has maintained friendly ties with its fellow Slavic ally Russia despite the war. Russia has backed Serbia's effort to retain claim on Kosovo, a former Serbian province that declared independence in 2008 with Western backing.

Earlier Friday in Kosovo's capital of Pristina, Scholz called for a clear commitment to reaching a lasting political solution to the long-standing dispute over Kosovos independence that has remained a source of tensions in the Balkans.

Scholz said Russias war in Ukraine made the regions stability even more important. Kosovo and Serbia have held normalization talks facilitated by the EU for years, but the talks have had little impact.

It is clear that an agreement must ultimately also clear up the question of the recognition of Kosovo, because it is not conceivable that two countries that dont recognize each other become members of the EU, Scholz said in Pristina.

Later in Belgrade, Scholz added that our view on the Kosovo question isnt new. Its been known for a long time."

But Vucic said Scholzs remarks on mutual recognition was the first time that we hear this was a condition for EU membership, and that Serbia must consider what to do next.

We have never heard from anyone in Europe that they are asking for mutual recognition, he said, adding defiantly that as much as you like (the territorial) integrity of Ukraine, that much we love Serbia's (territorial integrity).

Kosovo, a former province of Serbia, declared independence a decade after a brutal 1998-1999 war between separatist ethnic Albanian rebels and Serb forces. The war ended after a 78-day NATO air campaign that drove Serb troops out.

Most Western nations have recognized Kosovos sovereignty, but Serbia and its allies Russia and China do not.

The six Western Balkan countries are at different stages of their EU membership aspirations. Serbia and Montenegro have started full negotiations, while Albania and North Macedonia have faced delays in the EU launching their talks. Kosovo and Bosnia are in the early stages of the membership process.

Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti earlier said the country would apply for EU candidacy status, which Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia have done. Kurti described joining the EU as the only future.

Scholz next flew to Greece, where he attended a dinner following a meeting of southeastern European leaders hosted by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in the northern city of Thessaloniki. He was later due to travel to North Macedonia and Bulgaria.

Mitsotakis called for an active commitment from the EU that the Western Balkans' accession bids will be accelerated.

I ... propose 2033 as the target date for all the countries (of the Western Balkans) to enter the EU, he said. Its an ambitious target but I think it can be realistic if the idea of expansion returns to the unions core values.

In Tallinn, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer urged Friday that Western Balkan countries seeking EU membership should not be forgotten as Ukraine knocks at the EU door.

We must give these states the same chance as Ukraine. They need this just as urgently and have been waiting for decades in some cases, Nehammer said.

European leaders are expected to consider Ukraines bid for EU candidate status at the end of June.

-

Semini reported from Tirana, Albania; Geir Moulson in Berlin, Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen and Philip-Moritz Jenne in Vienna contributed. Jovana Gec contributed from Belgrade, Serbia, and Nicholas Paphitis from Athens, Greece.

Follow AP's coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

Follow Llazar Semini at https://twitter.com/lsemini

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
DETROIT (AP)  Former Detroit police Chief James Craig said he will run as a write-in candidate in the Republican primary for governor after fraudulent signatures on petitions left him short of the minimum to get on the Aug. 2 ballot.

Im not going to roll over, Craig said Thursday night on WJBK-TV, known as Fox 2 Detroit. This is not about me as a candidate. This is about the voters of Michigan.

Craig was considered a GOP front-runner with wide name recognition in southeastern Michigan before he and four other Republicans were scratched from the ballot because of phony signatures turned in by paid circulators.

Im going to run as a write-in, Craig said. Im going to be the next governor.

Wealthy business consultant Perry Johnson is asking a federal judge to revive his campaign, though his lawsuit is a long shot.

Five candidates remain in the Republican primary: Tudor Dixon, Kevin Rinke, Ryan Kelley, Garrett Soldano and Ralph Rebandt. The winner will face Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in November.

Kelley was arrested Thursday and charged with misdemeanors for his participation in the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Defense attorney Heath Lynch has said Kelley has every intention of continuing his campaign in earnest.

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 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.

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

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
After a rocky start four years ago, the state effort to improve a Nebraska high school has paid off, officials say.

Schuyler Central High School is a better school now, four years after state education officials designated it a priority school in need of intervention, according to Superintendent Dan Hoesing.

Hoesing credited the high school staff, the Nebraska Department of Education and a state consultant hired to improve instruction for the progress that led to the June 3 lifting of the priority designation.

Hoesing said the labeling was uncomfortable but a catalyst for change.

In 2018, the Nebraska State Board of Education designated the school as low performing. District officials initially pushed back, calling the priority label a scarlet letter.

Officials from the district, located 30 miles west of Fremont, argued that they had already launched their own reforms, and that their students performance held up well against similar schools.

But state officials didnt back down. The commissioner appointed an intervention team to help the district diagnose and address the issues affecting student achievement.

Hoesing on June 3 told the state board he initially bristled at the labeling because he felt state officials misunderstood his district and its issues. But he said the discomfort at being labeled helped drive change.

Theres a certain amount of uncomfortableness that you have to go through to move education forward in the state, he said. And we get it.

He specifically credited Deputy Commissioner Deb Frison, the departments school improvement officer, Shirley Vargas, and consultant Kathy Kennedy for leading the intervention.

Early in the process, I kind of threw Dr. Frison under the bus. And when she said, Im sorry for how it started, it changed us, Hoesing told the board. Words are powerful. Through Shirley, through Kathy Kennedy and through Dr. Frison, they made a difference in who we are today.

After hearing the progress made by Schuyler, board member Maureen Nickels told Hoesing and his staff that they were amazing.

To sit here, in my last year on the board, and know that we made the right decision, and you all took the bull by the horns ... this is what we want, this is what education is about, she said.

Nebraska Commissioner of Education Matt Blomstedt said hes most proud of how the Schuyler leadership knows they can make a positive influence with an intentionality around student needs.

Blomstedt said the best evidence of improvement was the improved focus on instructional time for English learners, and greater English proficiency.

There has been an obvious shift in focus that has started to move the dial, he said. Before the intervention, the focus was more typical of a generic high school.

The Schuyler district serves a significant number of immigrant families employed at a local Cargill meat processing plant.

The high school has nearly 600 kids, about nine in 10 students of Hispanic origin.

Last school year, the school enrolled 39 new students from Guatemala, Africa, Honduras and Mexico, district officials said.

Twenty-seven of the newcomers had limited or no formal education, and 19 of those had at best a fifth grade education at the time they enrolled, officials said.

In 2020-21, 57% of students at the high school were eligible for free or reduced-price school lunch, and 24% had limited proficiency in English, according to state data.

Vargas, the school improvement officer, told the board that the school made sufficient progress to warrant removal.

The school had goals, including reducing chronic absenteeism, increasing the graduation rate, improving English language proficiency rates and increasing high-quality teaching and learning. School officials were also tasked with establishing a clear vision of the schools mission and core beliefs and communicating it to students, families and the community.

Were seeing what we expect to see ... where these things are not happening by chance, or because someones coming in to tell them to do it, Vargas said. But its actually the way they do business in their school, in their school community.

The district launched an Every Minute Counts campaign to target chronic absenteeism. Chronic absenteeism has been reduced by more than half, according to district officials.

The schools graduation rate is up from 78.47% in 2019 to 86.3% this year.

Officials implemented intervention and enrichment during the instructional day on Fridays to focus on individual student learning needs.

They interviewed students to investigate barriers that impede attendance and on-time graduation.

They promoted a mindset where Failure Isnt Final and strengthened relationships between staff and students, officials said.

Although English language proficiency remains low, it is higher than before and kids are making better progress, officials said.

The high schools average ACT score, which tends to fluctuate, increased from 16.7 in 2018-19 to 17.5 in 2021-22.

Hoesing said the school adopted a new English language program, with a new director and new systems so classroom teachers could better manage language development and track kids.

We are a better high school, he said. Ive got four new administrators in the high school. Ive got 50 new teachers.

Hoesing told the board that his district learned through the process, and he hoped state officials learned, too.

He said state officials should consider establishing a relationship with the district first, just like teachers benefit by establishing a relationship with students.

Dont just come in and try to tell them everything theyre doing wrong, and that youve got the perfect solution to fix them, because there is none, he said.

He said his students are different and his district is unique.

You can take us off your priority list if thats your goal, Hoesing said. Thats not ours. Our goal is to change the belief in who we are, and who our kids are. We are an immigrant high school, and we love it.

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An assault by an inmate at the Community Corrections Center-Lincoln on Thursday left one staff member with a broken bone, according to the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services.

Two correctional staff members were preparing to transfer an inmate to another facility when he began assaulting both staff members and punched them both in the face, according to a department press release. A third staff member pepper sprayed the inmate and restrained him.

Both staff members who were assaulted were taken to the hospital, and one is being treated for a broken bone, according to the release.

The incident is under investigation and findings will be sent to the county attorney for possible criminal prosecution, according to the release. The department intends to use its disciplinary process, which includes sanctions such as loss of good time.

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The much-publicized theft of goods from trains at the Port of Los Angeles has chugged its way into a Nebraska courthouse.

A Singapore company, Ocean Network Express, has sued Omaha-based Union Pacific over packages it says were lost or stolen during the pandemic, when train traffic slogged amid supply-chain slowdowns.

Stolen from the trains cargo containers: solar panels and a big shipment of L-arginine, an amino acid used to build protein, according to the lawsuits.

Ocean Network Express, identified in court documents as ONE, said it lost $166,000 worth of the amino acid after contracting with Union Pacific in June 2021 to transport it from St. Louis to the Los Angeles port, where it would then be shipped to Shanghai, China.

The container was found at Los Angeles with doors open, the seal of the container having been breached during Union Pacifics rail carriage of it, the lawsuit alleges.

In its second lawsuit, ONE said it was shipping 360 pieces of solar panels from China to Salt Lake City, via the Port of Los Angeles, on March 28, 2021.

On June 7, 2021, the lawsuit says, Union Pacific found the container breached and the solar panels gone. Total loss: $16,000.

The panels were pilfered during Union Pacifics custody of the container, the lawsuit alleges.

Union Pacific has not yet filed a response to the lawsuit. A spokesman said Thursday that railroad officials are aware of the lawsuits filed by Ocean Network Express and are still reviewing the information.

ONEs lawsuits concern a fraction of at least $5 million in inventory theft/losses that Union Pacific reported in 2021. The railroad giant transports billions of dollars in goods each year.

After video and photos showed piles of packages strewn alongside the tracks in the Port of Los Angeles in December, Union Pacific said it was considering bypassing the port. In a December letter to the Los Angeles County district attorney, the railroad said it had experienced a 160% increase in rail theft in Los Angeles County in 2021. In the last three months of 2021, the railroad said, an average of 90 containers were compromised per day.

The railroad, which has its own police force and 1,600 employees covering 275 miles of railroad track in Los Angeles County, said it was contemplating diverting traffic to avoid organized and opportunistic criminal theft. Railroad employees sometimes found themselves in confrontations with looters, leading to assaults and safety concerns, the railroad said.

The railroad called on Los Angeles police and prosecutors to do more to combat the crime. In January, railroad officials said they were making headway in stopping criminals in their tracks.

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For more than two years, the main topic of conversation pretty much everywhere has been about the impact of COVID-19. Now that the worst of the pandemic seems to be over and people are traveling more freely again, another hot topic is on the tips of everyones tongues: expensive plane tickets.

People are looking for flights  sometimes their first in years  in a rush of whats been termed revenge travel. Internet searches show sky-high airfares for many routes, yet travelers with wanderlust are opting to stomach the higher costs after being grounded for so long.

The demand is off the charts, Delta Air Lines Inc. CEO Ed Bastian said at an industry conference last week, noting that fares this summer may be 30% higher than pre-pandemic levels. Its coming with leisure, its coming with premium customers, its coming with business, its coming with international. It doesnt matter what the category is.

The trend is across geographies, though some places are more squeezed than others. Searches for a return economy-class ticket between Hong Kong and London on Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. in late June turn up prices as high as HK$42,051 ($5,360), which is more than five times the typical cost before the pandemic. Direct flights between New York and London around the same time cost more than $2,000 in economy.

Ticket prices are really expensive these days, said Jacqueline Khoo, who works in tourism. Her company paid S$5,000 ($3,632) for a colleagues return trip with Singapore Airlines Ltd. to Hamburg later this month. That used to cost about S$2,000, she said. Its really amazing that an economy seat ticket would cost you so much.

A Mastercard Economics Institute study found the cost of flying from Singapore was on average 27% higher in April than in 2019, while flights from Australia were 20% more. Increasingly, travelers are booking tickets months in advance as theyre worried about the cost of buying at the last minute, said David Mann, chief economist for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa at the institute.

There are several reasons for the higher fares, not all of which are within the control of airlines.

Carriers are cautious about bringing back all their idled jets, even though most countries have eased cross-border restrictions. Thats particularly true for giant aircraft like Airbus SEs A380 superjumbos and Boeing Co.s older 747-8s, as airlines turn to more fuel-efficient models like A350s and 787 Dreamliners. The pinch is most acute in Asia, which was the slowest to ease restrictions, and as China, the biggest market in the region, remains essentially closed.

After navigating varied and changing government policies for the past two years, it will take time for airlines to rebuild fleets given that many restrictions just eased in May, said Subhas Menon, director general of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines. Its still early days, he said. Were just in June, so its not like turning on the tap.

Carriers also scaled down their networks during COVID-19, none more so than Cathay, which has been hemmed in by Hong Kongs onerous travel and quarantine rules. Thats left people considering lengthy journeys with one or more stopovers, whereas before they might have flown direct. British Airways Plc doesnt even fly to Hong Kong at the moment.

With fewer planes in the skies, there are fewer seats to meet the recovery in demand, which in turn has pushed up fares.

Russias invasion of Ukraine has exacerbated a steady rise in crude oil prices over the past 18 months. Jet fuel now represents as much as 38% of an average airlines costs, up from 27% in the years leading to 2019. For some budget airlines, it can be as high as 50%.

Spot jet fuel prices in New York have soared more than 80% this year, though prices vary from region to region depending on refining costs and local taxes. Many U.S. carriers have been able to cover the increased fuel costs so far  but only by passing them along to travelers in the form of higher fares.

Some investors believe airlines may seek to boost fuel surcharges as a way to cope, analysts at Citigroup Inc. said in March. Most of Asias airlines dont hedge jet fuel, which means they are more vulnerable to price increases.

Higher ticket costs dont seem to be dissuading people from making trips now that many travel restrictions have eased. Some consumers are tapping dormant holiday budgets and upgrading to more expensive aircraft cabins for leisure trips, International Air Transport Association Director General Willie Walsh said last month.

The revenge traveler is an individual that has been emotionally affected by the lockdowns and has craved travel over the last two years and theyve dreamt about it, said Hermione Joye, sector lead for travel in Asia Pacific at Alphabet Inc.s Google. They are very spontaneous.

Hundreds of thousands of pilots, flight attendants, ground handlers and other aviation workers lost their jobs over the past couple of years. With travel picking up, the industry now finds itself unable to hire fast enough to allow for seamless operations at its pre-pandemic levels.

In the U.S., smaller regional airlines cant fly at full capacity because bigger carriers have hired away too many pilots. Hundreds of flights have been canceled in the U.K., scuppering holiday plans and leading to long delays and scenes of passengers sleeping at airports. In Europe, major airports have faced delays and cancellations after failing to hire adequate staff. That has disrupted airline schedules and added to costs.

Aviation is a capital-intensive industry with historically wafer-thin margins. COVID-19 has made that operating climate even more challenging: Globally, airlines lost more than $200 billion in the three years to 2022.

Elevated fares provide carriers with a path to recover from losses and return to the black.

Weve never seen a revenue environment like this, led by domestic leisure, American Airlines Group Inc. CEO Robert Isom said at an industry conference last week. On top of that, we see large corporates coming back in. Small- and medium-sized businesses have been really off the charts for a number of months now.

Its unclear how long these high prices will persist, even as many travelers seem willing to pay up.

The rise in prices is a short-term phenomenon, estimates Stephen Tracy, chief operating officer at Milieu Insight, a Singapore-based consumer insight and analytics firm. Lets all just hope that once these things equalize again, the prices come back down. I am fairly confident that they will.
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.
Pallbearers carry the casket of Nevaeh Bravo during a funeral service at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, June 2, 2022, in Uvalde, Texas. Bravo was killed in last week's elementary school shooting. (Eric Gay/AP)

AUSTIN, Texas  Heavily armed officers delayed confronting a gunman in Uvalde, Texas, for more than an hour despite supervisors at the scene being told that some trapped with him in two elementary school classrooms needed medical treatment, a new review of video footage and other investigative material shows. Instead, the documents show, they waited for protective equipment to lower the risk to law enforcement officers.

The school district police chief, who was leading the response to the May 24 shooting, appeared to be agonizing over the length of time it was taking to secure the shields that would help protect officers and to find a key for the classroom doors, according to law enforcement documents and video gathered as part of the investigation reviewed by The New York Times.

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The chief, Pete Arredondo, and others at the scene became aware that not everyone inside the classrooms was dead, the documents showed, including a report from a school district police officer whose wife, a teacher, had spoken to him by phone from one of the classrooms to say she had been shot.

More than a dozen of the 33 children and three teachers originally in the two classrooms remained alive during the 1 hour and 17 minutes from the time the shooting began inside the classrooms to when four officers made entry, law enforcement investigators have concluded.

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People are going to ask why were taking so long, a man who investigators believe to be Arredondo could be heard saying, according to a transcript of officers body camera footage. Were trying to preserve the rest of the life.

Investigators have been working to determine whether any of those who died could have been saved, according to an official with knowledge of the effort. But there is no question that some of the victims were still alive and in desperate need of medical attention. One teacher died in an ambulance. Three children died at nearby hospitals, according to the documents.

Supervisors at the scene at some point became aware that there were people inside the classrooms who needed saving.

We think there are some injuries in there, the man believed to be 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.

But even with additional documents and video, much about the chaotic scene remained unclear, including precisely when Arredondo and other senior officers became aware of injuries inside the classrooms. It is not known whether Arredondo or other officers inside the school learned of the 911 calls from a child inside the classrooms.

Among the revelations in the documents: The gunman, Salvador Ramos, had a hellfire trigger device meant to allow a semi-automatic AR-15-style rifle to be fired more like an automatic weapon; some of the officers who first arrived at the school had more firepower than previously known; and Arredondo learned the gunmans identity while inside the school and attempted in vain to communicate with him.

But with two officers who initially approached the door shot at and grazed, Arredondo appeared to have decided that quickly breaching the classrooms without protection would have led to officers possibly being killed. He focused instead on getting other children out of the school while waiting for additional 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.

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Now, more than two weeks after the gunman killed 19 children and two teachers, a clearer picture of the timeline of events and the police response has emerged.

A cascade of failures took place at the school: the local police radio system, later tests showed, did not function properly inside the building; classroom doors could not be quickly locked in an emergency; and after an initial burst of shooting from the gunman, no police officer went near the door again for more than 40 minutes, instead hanging back.

According to the documents, Arredondo, who had earlier focused on evacuating other classrooms, began to discuss breaching the classrooms about an hour after the gunfire started inside the school at 11:33 a.m. He did so after several shots could be heard inside the classrooms around 12:21 p.m., video footage showed.

By that point, officers in and around the school had been growing increasingly impatient. If theres kids in there, we need to go in there, one officer could be heard saying, according to the documents. Another responded, Whoever is in charge will determine that.

A team made up of specially trained Border Patrol agents and a sheriffs deputy finally went in after the gunman and killed him at 12:50 p.m.

The lack of clear orders underscored the chaos and poor communication in a response that included dozens of state and local police officers, sheriffs deputies and federal agents from the Border Patrol, many of whom lived or worked nearby.

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And most of the officers arrived with radios that did not function well inside the school building, according to the investigators review.

Arredondo arrived at the scene without any radio at all, and used a cellphone for some communications. It was not clear if he ever received a radio.

Arredondo did not respond to several requests for comment.

The investigative documents provide additional details about the gunman and the weaponry he acquired.

Before entering the school, he had amassed an arsenal that included two AR-15-style rifles, accessories and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, according to the documents. He spent more than $6,000.

Among the purchases was the hellfire trigger device, but the gunman did not appear to have succeeded in using it during the attack, according to an analysis by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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After the gunman entered the school, surveillance footage showed him walking through nearly empty blue and green hallways. He did not appear to fire until he got to Room 111 and Room 112.

It was not clear why he stopped there. He had been a student at the school as a child, and his time there may have overlapped with at least one of the teachers, Irma Garcia, who taught in Room 112, according to the documents.

Arredondo was among the first officers to enter the school and approach the classrooms where the gunman was.

Two Uvalde Police Department officers, a lieutenant and a sergeant, were shot and suffered grazing wounds after they tried to peer through a window in one of the classroom doors, the surveillance footage showed. The entire group of officers who had arrived by then sought cover down the hallway.

Fifteen children had come to class in Room 111 that Tuesday, according to the documents, along with one teacher, Arnulfo Reyes. Eleven of the children died in the shooting, three were uninjured, and one was wounded. Reyes was shot but survived.

In Room 112, which is connected internally by a thin blue door, there were 18 students and two teachers, Garcia and the teacher who had called her husband after being shot, Eva Mireles. Nine children were wounded but survived and one was listed as uninjured, according to the documents.

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That message appeared to have reached a sergeant from the Uvalde Police Department, who was near Arredondo inside of the school.

Theres a teacher shot in there, an officer could be heard telling the sergeant, according to the transcript, just before 12:30 p.m.

I know, the sergeant replied.

By that time, heavily armed tactical officers had arrived, along with protective shields. Arredondo at that point signaled his support for going into the room, but began asking repeatedly for keys that would work on the door.

It was not clear from the transcript if anyone had tried the door to see if it was locked.

Around that time, an officer also informed Arredondo of the gunmans name.

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Mr. Ramos? Can you hear us, Mr. Ramos? Please respond, the chief said, according to the transcript. Ramos gave no answer.

According to the transcript of body camera video, Arredondo could be heard speaking into a phone, preparing for a breach and asking for someone to look into the windows of one of the classrooms to see if anything could be seen.

By 12:46 p.m. he gave his approval to enter the room. If yall are ready to do it, you do it, he said, according to the transcript.

Minutes later, the team went in.

Ramos was in a corner near a closet, body camera footage showed. He exchanged fire with the officers as they entered. One of the bullets appeared to have struck the gunman in the head, killing him.

Across the room, the bodies of children lay in an unmoving mass, according to the documents. A similar cluster of bodies lay in Room 112.

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Officers could be seen in video footage rushing a few children out of the room and carrying out Mireles. She reached an ambulance, but died before reaching a hospital.

For a time, the fourth graders bodies lay where they had been taken, contorted on blood-streaked linoleum under a large colorful banner. Class of 2022, it read. Congrats!

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BLOOMINGTON  McLean County health officials said Friday that one death from COVID-19 has been reported in the county since June 3.

The McLean County Health Department on Friday reported 639 new cases of COVID in the county since June 3, bringing the countys total confirmed and probable cases since the pandemic began to 54,713.

The majority of new cases are people in their 20s and 30s, according to MCHD.

McLean County continues to be at a high community level for COVID-19, meaning there is potential strain on the health systems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It also means residents are encouraged to wear masks indoors regardless of vaccination status.

Other nearby counties considered to be at high community level spread include Ford, Champaign, Logan, Sangamon, Tazewell, Peoria and Woodford, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported.

The CDC also reported that McLean County had about 10 new hospital admissions for COVID per 100,000 people in the week ending June 7, as well as about 356 new positive cases per 100,000 people in the week ending June 8.

Nearly 63% of McLean Countys population is fully vaccinated against COVID, with about 288,155 doses administered.

Vaccine clinics are scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon June 14 and June 15 at the McLean County Customer Service Center in the parking lot across East Street from the Government Center in downtown Bloomington. An entrance to the parking lot is at 201 E. Washington St.

Statewide, 34,001 new COVID cases were reported Friday over the past week, according to IDPH. That included 73 deaths from COVID since June 3 in Illinois.

Illinois health officials have reported 33,926 deaths from COVID in the state since the start of the pandemic.

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BLOOMINGTON  Central Illinois Regional Airport will use this years round of Airport Improvement Program funding to proceed on plans from its 20-year master plan.

The Federal Aviation Administration released the full list of recipients on Tuesday. The total funding comes to $518 million across 416 grants. So far in the fiscal year, the FAA has granted around one-third of the $3.2 billion in total funding it has available to disperse, it said in the announcement.

Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth released a statement on Wednesday applauding the funding.

Im proud to join Senator Durbin in announcing this infusion of federal funding that will help ensure these airports can improve their infrastructure, create good-paying local jobs and make our aviation system safer and more reliable, Duckworth said in the press release.

Four other Illinois airports are also receiving funds, including more than $7 million that will go toward the Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield. The Moline, Belleville and Decatur airports also will receive funds.

In communities of all sizes, airports are vital to local economies, sustaining jobs and getting people and goods where they need to go. Were pleased to announce this important funding to help improve airports around the country and better serve all Americans, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in the FAA press release.

In Bloomington, the money will more specifically go toward a design study for the airport's smaller runway, called 11/29, and toward construction for an apron and taxiway for general aviation, said CIRA Executive Director Carl Olson. General aviation refers to small recreational aircraft.

Both of the projects are part of the airports 20-year master plan, which has to be approved by the state and the FAA, Olson said.

That becomes our playbook for projects going forward, he said.

The FAAs Airport Improvement Program is funded from the Airport and Airway Trust, which is supported by taxes on airline tickets, not from the property taxes that CIRA collects, Olson said. The federal funding will cover 90% of the projects, with CIRA covering the rest.

AIP is one of the ongoing funding opportunities CIRA has, and uses, Olson said. If there are projects the airport thinks it could use the funding for, it applies for the grant almost every year, he said.

Olson does not anticipate any construction starting this year. However, the $21.5 million construction of a new State Farm hangar, which is being paid for by the insurance company, is underway.

In December, CIRA learned it would receive $3.3 million from the Rebuild Illinois state program and $2 million from the FAAs Airport Infrastructure Grant program. Some of those funds are also being used for airfield improvements like aprons and runway work. The Rebuild Illinois funds will help with improvements to the airports main entrance and public driveway.

Olson noted that some of the government funding that has come CIRAs way over the past 18 months has included one-time funding related to COVID stimulus packages.

With 90 lane miles of pavement, the equivalent of 22.5 miles of four-lane highway, there is always plenty of work to do for surfaces at CIRA, Olson said.

The maintenance and upkeep of airfield surfaces is an ongoing process, he said.

CIRA is in a strong and vibrant community, Olson said. That can help funding, which is in part based on the number of departing passengers.

"The airport is a reflection of that vibrancy," he said.

Contact Connor Wood at (309)820-3240. Follow Connor on Twitter:@connorkwood

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100 years ago

June 10, 1922: The prosecution in the case of Gov. Len Small, charged with conspiracy to defraud the state of interest earned on state funds during his time as state treasurer, began reading into the record several hundred of its exhibits, mostly checks, drafts and certificates of deposition. Attorneys had estimated there were approximately 7,000 exhibits.

75 years ago

June 10, 1947: The first National Red Cross aquatic school ever held in Illinois brought 80 students and 13 instructors from 15 states to Lake Bloomington. The event was the first of 25 aquatic schools to be held across the U.S. that summer. Students were expected to return to home chapters to teach water safety, accident prevention and first aid.

50 years ago

June 10, 1972: Ozark Air Lines continued its record-setting pace for passenger service at the Bloomington-Normal Airport in May. A total of 2,074 passengers boarded or disembarked, exceeding the 1971 record for May by 296. The five-month total for passengers was 9,560, more than 500 over the total for the first six months of the previous year.

25 years ago

June 10, 1997: The Bloomington City Council rejected plans to limit new downtown bars, but the liquor may not flow any quicker. The council rejected a ban on new licenses but gave nonbinding encouragement for the city liquor commission to "carefully use its licensing discretion" while another committee studies litter and noise problems downtown.

Compiled by Pantagraph staff
The Illinois Republican Party has successfully avoided being dragged into the hard-right camp at the state level for decades. Those days may be over.

With relatively liberal Republicans Jim Thompson, Jim Edgar and then George Ryan as governor, the state never embraced the sweeping policy changes which emerged from the Reagan Revolution and defined the national party for decades. The Illinois AFL-CIO endorsed Thompsons last reelection bid. The National Abortion Rights Action League endorsed Edgars first gubernatorial run. Ryan campaigned to the left of his 1998 Democratic opponent on guns, abortion and gay rights. They were all from the governing wing of the party, eschewing the rabble on the far right and occasionally batting them off like flies.

While Bruce Rauner defined himself by his rabidly anti-union stances, he was pro-choice enough to sign a bill that provided Medicaid funding for abortions. He never supported Donald Trump, even though the two shared several personality traits.

That distance from the far right helped statewide Republicans win general elections in moderate-to-liberal Illinois, particularly after the state leaned harder Democratic when Bill Clinton was elected president in 1992.

But if a recent Sun-Times/WBEZ poll is even close to accurate, those days may finally be behind the party. And, consequently, their statewide fate will likely be sealed without a sea change in Illinois political behavior and demographics.

The new poll has Sen. Darren Bailey trouncing the establishments choice Richard Irvin by 15 points, 32-17. Bailey not only leads among downstate Republicans by 24 points, hes also ahead in the suburbs. Another 27 percent were undecided, with Jesse Sullivan the only other candidate polling in the double digits (11).

This is the second poll in a row showing a Bailey lead. Hard-right activist and radio host Dan Proft released a poll at the beginning of last week showing Bailey with a seven-point margin.

What has happened to Irvin and his $53 million war chest, most of it supplied by the states wealthiest resident, Ken Griffin?

One huge factor is that Gov. Pritzker, the Democratic Governors Association and Darren Bailey, along with his big-money backer Dick Uihlein, have so far managed to turn this race into the same sort of traditional GOP primary like other, more conservative states have seen for years and years, but that Illinois has generally avoided. They have reshaped the playing field and it has become untenable for the more moderate Richard Irvin.

After months of Irvin pounding Darren Bailey for being some sort of closet Democrat, the Democrats, Bailey and Dan Proft spent millions to prove without a shadow of a doubt that Bailey was a solid Trumpster. And by deriding Bailey for being too conservative for Illinois, the Democrats have also apparently managed to so far convince many rank and file Republicans that they arent actually trying to advance Baileys candidacy (even though the Democrats are clearly doing that very thing).

The Irvin campaign claims that the Democrats are on pace to spend $32 million against their guy, although their numbers show that the Dems have only spent $15-plus million so far. Uihlein has contributed $17 million to Bailey and Profts People Who Play by the Rules PAC, more than hes ever done here. Uihleins big spending and the willingness of the Democrats to literally spend whatever it took seems to have caught Irvins team by surprise.

Another factor could be that voters finally caught on to a big Irvin lie. Darren Bailey is one of the most far-right legislators in the state. Once voters saw through Irvins game, everything else he said could be disregarded. And Pritzker has come on strong in recent days with two very hard-hitting ads trumpeting some opposition research on Irvin that clearly left deep marks.

Irvin spent $3.6 million on advertising during the last week of May. By the first week of June, that spending had dropped to less than $800,000. The Irvin campaign allowed all of its downstate broadcast TV ads to expire last week. Theyre now focusing solely on the Chicago media market.

The story from inside is that regular downstate Republicans are already done with Irvin, so they want to focus on city, suburban and exurban Republicans with more Illinois-style Republican messaging. But the party has clearly changed. They have only one narrow path out, and its pretty rocky and steep.

Irvin has taken to repeating a mantra that Pritzker is backing Bailey because he knows Bailey cant win. But by doing so hes essentially making the Democrats own case that Bailey is too conservative for Illinois. And that risks firing up the hardcore base even more.

Rich Miller publishes Capitol Fax, a daily political newsletter, and CapitolFax.com.

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Why do people keep dying on Route 9 in Bloomington?

On July 22, 2003, my mother, Jean Stocker, as well as my two daughters, Jenelle, age 19, and Amy, age 9, were all killed by a truck driver. This accident took place on Highway 9  just east of the Bloomington airport.

At the time my family was killed, I learned that 11 other people had also died in accidents in that same area. How many people must die before the City of Bloomington or McClean County do something about it? Supposedly, they installed some rumble strips on some of the roads back in 2003. Apparently, that was not enough. What else can be done?

Recently, a 17-year-old boy from Gibson City was also killed at this intersection. This could have and should have been prevented by a proactive city or county. I always thought that a high priority for both cities and counties was the safety of its people. Apparently, I am wrong.

Will somebody in either the county or city government please make it a priority to make these intersections safe.

Randy Stocker, Rochester, Minnesota

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Wilmar Africa Limited has once again distinguished itself at the National FMCG Summit and Awards held last Friday in Accra. Wilmar Africas flagship Frytol brand was adjudged the overall Food brand of the year.



The Frytol Food brand of the year award is in recognition of the brands consistent quality and innovations in ensuring nutritious meals across all food recipes. Frytol edible oil is a 100% pure vegetable oil that makes it naturally cholesterol free. It is the first Ghanaian edible oil fortified with Vitamin A to help promote good vision and supports healthy immune system. It has a great taste, which does not impact the natural taste of the food making it the brand of choice for frying, stews, roasting and grilling. Frytol has also been repositioned to not only offer the consumer functional benefits but improving the livelihood of all Ghanaians via its Goodness campaign, which has run since 2021 to promote mental, physical and emotional wellbeing for Ghanaian women.



The 2 other prestigious awards received were picked up by the General manager , Mr. Kwame B Wiafe who was adjudged the Outstanding Leader of the year (Brand Innovation) and Mrs. Patience Oforiwa Mpereh who was also notably awarded as the Marketing Lead of the year.



Kwame B Wiafe is a seasoned leader who has contributed to the Ghana FMCG industry with years of experience, which spans across marketing, finance, sales and operations. In his current portfolio as general manager of Wilmar and its subsidiaries, he has delivered year on year growth across all categories in rice, oil, soaps & detergent and specialty fats.



He has been instrumental in the expansion and siting of new plants, across these categories while inspiring his team in the delivery of innovations across products, new food and packaging technologies.



Similarly, Mrs. Patience Oforiwa Mpereh, currently the Marketing director of Wilmar Africa has distinguished herself extensively in the Fast moving consumer goods sector, with her passion and creativity in driving growth across several categories such as beverage, oral care, Food and Home care categories, contributing to business growth from Diageo, Unilever and currently Wilmar Africa. She leads her team with enthusiasm and passion empowering them to bring on their creative self and steering winning strategies to win in the market. For her outstanding contributions in delivering sustainable growth for Wilmars winning brands such as Frytol, Fortune, Jamaa and Alife, she is the undisputed Marketing lead of the year.



The entire Wilmar Africa and Wilmar International heartily extend their congratulations to the team and particularly to the General Manager and Marketing Director for these awards. This is an honour and the entire leadership extends their support for greater successes in future.



Wilmar Africa limited is a subsidiary of Wilmar International, which deals in Edible oil refinery and its derivatives, Rice packing, soaps and detergent manufacturing and specialty fats for export.









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The World Bank and Congo have signed two funding conventions of$900 million to boost female entrepreneurship and access to water and electricity in the east and west of the country, the Bank said in a statement.



The projects will focus on Congo's centralwest Kasai province and eastern regions.



"These operations supplement a portfolio of operations focused on reinforcing human capital and protecting the poorest households - including women - against socio-economic hazards," World Bank Congo Director said in a statement dated Tuesday but seen by Reuters on Wednesday.



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The deal was clinched at the end of a two-day visit to Congo by the World Bank's strategy and operations director for East and Central Africa, Humberto Lopez.

Source: REUTERS









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Bandits on motorcycles killed 32 people and set fire to houses in several villages in the Kajura area of Nigeria's northern Kaduna state on Sunday, authorities said on Thursday.



Armed gangs are rife across Nigeria's northwest where they rob or kidnap for ransom, and violence has increasingly spread to other areas.



The attackers hit the villages of Dogon Noma, Ungwan Sarki and Ungwan Maikori, the statement from the state's ministry of internal security and home affairs said.



"An Air Force helicopter ... dispatched to the location, had earlier scanned the first two locations and sighted burnt houses and properties on fire," it added.



"The helicopter intercepted the bandits at the last location (Ungwan Maikori) and engaged them as they retreated, before the arrival of ground troops."



At the end of March, bandits blew up a train between the state's capital, Kaduna, and the national capital Abuja, killing eight passengers, injuring 26 and holding others for ransom. r

Source: REUTERS









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Mr Abdullai Nsiah, the proprietor of Takoradi Senior High School, has blamed the West African Examination Council (WAEC) for the collapse of private Senior High Schools (SHS) in the country.



He said WAEC had the monopoly or was the sole body to organize examinations for the country's final year senior high school students and its decision to stop private senior schools from registering their students for the WASSCE in May/June was adversely affecting the private schools.



He explained that private senior high schools used to register their final year students for the May/June West Africa Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) even when the free SHS was introduced when he addressed journalists to drum home his concerns.



"Now almost all the private senior high schools in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis have collapsed because of WAEC's decision not to register the final year students for the May/June Examination.



He said even though students who attended private SHS were allowed to register for the November/December WASSCE, most of the students were registered for the May/June one also.



"So, when WAEC decided not to allow us to join the May/June Exams, the private schools started collapsing".



He pointed out that private senior high schools gave jobs to the unemployed graduates, as teachers.



"I used to employ about53 teachers, most of them were graduates. Now they are all unemployed. We were also paying taxes to the government and property rate to the local assemblies," Mr Nsiah said.



He has therefore appealed to the Minister for Education to intervene and ensure that WAEC allowed private senior high schools to take part in the May/June WASSCE to revive the private senior high schools.

Source: GNA









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A Chicago man was arrested for throwing a Molotov cocktail at the Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China in Washington, according to a criminal complaint filed Friday.

Benjamin Grabinski was arrested after he was identified as the individual who on Thursday, walked up to the embassy, 3505 International Drive Northwest, holding a glass bottle with black cloth extending from its neck and attempted to light the cloth on fire before throwing the bottle over the gate and into the building.

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He was detained by Secret Service agents within minutes of the attack while walking a few blocks from the embassy. He told a law enforcement officer while he was being arrested, I tried to light it, but it didnt work, according to the affidavit.

The affidavit said there is probable cause to find Grabinski willfully injured, damaged, or destroyed, or attempted to injure, damage, or destroy, any property  real or personal  located within the United States and belonging to or utilized or occupied by any foreign government or international organization.

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The same man in late May continuously harassed a special police officer posted in front of the embassy as security and is believed to have thrown a rock at the embassy and say, Next time, its going to be a firebomb!

Another Secret Service agent initiated a stop soon after and identified Grabinski by his Illinois state ID. Grabinski told the officer he traveled from Chicago to Washington to show his discontent for the Chinese government, according to the affidavit.

sahmad@chicagotribune.com
The Head of the Media Department of The Church of Pentecost, Pastor (Dr) Felix Dela Klutse, has urged public affairs professionals and lobbyists in the United States of America and other parts of the world to be circumspect in their professional duties and also influence their spheres with godly values and principles.



He said as more wealth and political power is amassed, many public affairs professionals and various lobbying groups are being influenced to an ever-greater extent by big players across the globe to do their bidding in an unprofessional manner.



The situation is denting the good image of the public affairs and lobbying profession. But I charge you never to be part of the bad ones but rather aspire to be catalyst for change. There are good folks working in the public affairs and lobbying industry, who are serving a very useful purpose. You must be counted among the righteous ones and not the miscreants.



Pastor (Dr) Klutse, who is also the Resident Minister of Mount Olives Worship Centre, a branch of The Church of Pentecost at Odorkor Area in Accra, made the clarion call yesterday when he addressed Members of the International Governmental Affairs Professionals Association at its 6th Annual General Meetings in the capital city of the United States of America, Washington DC.



International Governmental Affairs Professionals Association is the largest communications platform for governments, industry, and society in the world. Over 700 prominent firms, non-profits organisations, consultancies, and universities, as well as over 10,000 public relations professionals, international lobbyists and top politicians are members of the association.



The event, which is being attended by top US Government officials, politicians, business tycoons, international public or governmental affairs professionals and lobbyists across the globe aims to provide a western insight into the global public affairs marketplace, among other things.



Pastor (Dr) Klutse said the governmental relations environment in the United States remained one of the most vibrant in the world, adding that, public affairs or governmental relations practitioners and lobbyists ought to adhere to the highest standards of accuracy and truth in advancing the interests of those they represent.



As governmental or public relations professionals and lobbyists, you serve the public interests by acting as responsible advocates for those you represent. You are expected to provide a voice in the marketplace of ideas, facts, and viewpoints to aid informed public debate. Consequently, you must adhere to ethical procedures that preserve free and open competition among government enterprises without degrading the profession.



Pastor (Dr) Klutse told the gathering that political scientists have long recognised the legitimate uses of lobbying in a democracy as it allows the voice of citizen groups, associations, labour unions, corporations and others to be heard in the political arena.



According to him, the first set of global lobbying guidelines were created in 2010 following the 2008-2009 global financial crisis. A decade on, many countries, he noted, have made progress, but others still have no framework for addressing lobbying risks, lamenting that, where regulations do exist, the rules leave too many grey areas and loopholes.



Lobbying remains, in many cases, too open to abuse. Where guidelines are in place, they do not cover all levels of government. Too often, information on who is lobbying and how they influence government decisions is incomplete or subject to insufficient scrutiny. Rules on conflict of interest and revolving door practices still exist in most settings, he noted.



The Head of Media Department of The Church of Pentecost therefore advised public affair professionals and lobbyists to avoid corrupting their actions and instead utilise them as a legitimate and good force conducted with integrity and transparency.



He noted: Your activities should enable interest groups to understand, track and shape the development of legislation and regulation. Your efforts must be seen as an integral part of the public decision-making process.

He warned that if lobbying and public affairs activities continue to be opaque and disproportionate, it can lead to administrative bribery and political corruption.



When such disproportionate influence is leveraged on behalf of a particular set of interests, the decisions that ensue do not necessarily uphold the public interest. In fact, where the influence of business groups becomes excessive, it may result in policy capture or even state capture, he explained.



Pastor (Dr) Klutse called on the various governments across the globe to develop more tougher integrity rules for public affairs officials and lobbyists to ensure integrity in influencing public decisions.







He said the world has over the years, witnessed an increased concern around the influence of foreign governments in domestic life, as they rely more on lobbyists and other methods to promote their goals, stressing that, in most countries, there is no transparency on influence by foreign governments.



We need greater transparency on who lobbies, how and why. More transparency is needed on all forms of influence, he stressed, adding that, our citizens are gradually losing trust in our institutions, and we need to restore that trust.

Pastor (Dr) Klutse is also calling for criminal charges against governmental public affairs professionals and lobbyists who engage in corrupt practices.



And they should be prosecuted in a very public way to serve as a deterrent to others who may be willing to do the same, he stated, adding that, this would reinforce the confidence of the people in the fact that the system itself could weed out miscreants from within itself.



Pastor (Dr) Klutse further called for a broader stakeholders engagement to ensuring that influence is not concentrated in the hands of the powerful as it is the case in some countries where spending on lobbying in some industries remains highly concentrated on only a few big players.



He said his church (The Church of Pentecost) is spearheading a massive campaign where its members go to their various institutions and communities to become an agent of transformation by influencing their spheres with godly values and principles. He therefore made a passionate appeal on the various governments across the globe to partner the church in their respective countries to make the campaign an impactful one.



Lets all come together to spearhead the change we want to see in our society, he concluded.



The event, which is underway at the National Press Club in Washington DC, started on June 9, 2022 and it is expected to end on June 19, 2022. Other speakers at the event include Mr. Kendall Coffey (former U.S Attorney),Ms. Dina Ellis Rochkind (Lobbyist at the Capitol Hill, USA), Ms. Kateryna Odarchenko (Founder of Ukrainian government professional relations association), Mr. Sergey Stanovkin (BBC World News), Mr. Cigler Mihael (CEO of MC Public Affairs and a member of the Advisory Board of the Global FIPRA Network), among other seasoned speakers

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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It has emerged at the Accra Financial and Economic Court presided over by Justice Afia Serwaa Asare Botchwey that a former Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, did not authorize payment to Big Sea General Trading Ltd of Dubai for the supply of ambulances to the Ministry of Health.



Dr. Ato Forson and former Chief Director of the Ministry of Health Dr. Sylvester Anemana as well as businessman Richard Jakpa have been charged with causing financial loss to the state over the importation of 30 ambulances that formed part of a consignment of 200 under a contract signed between the Ministry of Health and Dubai-based firm, Big Sea Limited in 2012.



Answering questions during cross-examination by Dr Forsons lead counsel, Dr Abdul Basit Bamba, second prosecution witness Edward Markwei Jr, who is Head of Trade Finance Unit of the Bank of Ghana and who worked on the letters of credit, disclosed that beyond signing a letter on the authority of the Minister of Finance, requesting for the establishment of letters of credit in favour of Big Sea Ltd, Dr Forson did not authorize payment to Big Sea.



Explaining further, Mr. Markwei Jr said that the mandate to approve payment under the LC lay with the Ministry of Health who were the applicants.



He also indicated that under the conditions of the LC, the Ministry of Health had to approve and accept documentation presented by Big Sea and authorize payment before it could be effected.



He said without the express approval of the Ministry of Health and their authorization, no payment could be made to Big Sea and that the funds guaranteed by the LC would be retained by government and the LC would expire after a certain date.



He confirmed that the Bank of Ghana by a letter dated 20th March, 2015 addressed to the Ministry of Health, requested them to approve shipping documents presented by Big Sea and give approval for payment of the first tranche of EUR 790,000.



He said two other payments of 790,000 each were made under an order by an Accra High Court and were not approved or authorized by Dr Forson.



Mr. Markwei Jr also told the court that his outfit never sought or obtained approval from Dr Forson for payment because the entity cloaked with that authority was the Ministry of Health



Mr. Markwei Jr had earlier admitted that a claim contained in paragraph 16 of his witness statement that Dr Forson requested for the establishment of Irrevocable, transferrable letters of credit were inaccurate and that there was no mention of irrevocable, transferable letters of credit in the letter signed by Dr Forson on 7th August, 2014.



Mr. Markwei Jr had already admitted at the last sitting of the court that the 7thAugust, 2014 letter requesting for the establishment of the LC in favour of Big Sea, was signed on the authority of the Minister of Finance.







Source: 3news.com









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Pope Francis has had to cancel an upcoming visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan because of a knee injury, the Vatican has announced.



The head of the Catholic Church was scheduled to travel in July to the Congolese cities of Kinshasa and Goma, followed by a visit to South Sudans capital Juba.



In Juba, he was to lead a prayer vigil with Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland Rev Iain Greenshields.



The Vatican said the visit would take place at "a later date to be determined". The decision had been made "at the request of [the Pope's] doctors, and in order not to jeopardize the results of the therapy that he is undergoing for his knee".



The Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops Conference has not yet issued any statement regarding the postponement.



Both DR Congo and South Sudan have large numbers of Roman Catholics.



The 85-year-old pontiff has made several visits to Africa since becoming pope in 2013.

Source: BBC









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A research conducted by Challenging Heights says about 60 percent of all children living in the fishing communities along the Volta Lake are child labourers.



In a report signed and released by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. James Kofi Annan titled, Children Hidden in Plain Sight: A report on the State of Child Labour in the Fishing Industry of Lake Volta (Ghana), which also coincided with World Day Against Child Labour, 2022, it indicated that the children are mostly between the ages of 5 and 9 years.



The report interviewed 2,999 children, made up of 1,732 males, and 1,250 females. The study took place in five districts of the Lake Volta areas, namely; Krachie East and West Municipalities in the Oti Region, Kpando District in the Volta Region, Pru District in the Bono East Region, and Central Gonja District in the Savannah Region. Overall, the research took three months, between March and May, 2022, to complete.



The children interviewed were divided into groups, between 5 to 9 years; between 10 to 14 years; and 15-17 years; in line with ILO and UNICEF categorizations.



They are however asking for funding of state agencies, particularly the Department of Social Welfare, the Anti-Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service and the Anti-Human Trafficking Secretariat to be increased to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness in prevention, rescue, rehabilitation of trafficking victims, as well as the prosecution of traffickers.



Read Full Report Below



Today, Challenging Heights has released a report that show that approximately 60% of all children living in the fishing communities along Ghanas Lake Volta are child labourers. The report which is titled Children Hidden in Plain Sight:A report on the State of Child Labour in the Fishing Industry of Lake Volta (Ghana), was released to coincide with the World Day Against Child Labour, 2022.



The World Day Against Child Labour, was instituted by the International Labour Organization (ILO), and is commemorated on the 12th of June every year, to draw the worlds attention to the plight of children who are going through abused labour situations.



The theme for this years World Day Against Child is Universal Social Protection To End Child Labour.



The report interviewed 2999 children, made up of 1732 males, and 1250 females. The study took place in five districts of the Lake Volta areas, namely KrachieEast and West Municipalities in the Oti Region, Kpando District in the Volta Region, Pru District in the Bono East Region, and Central Gonja District in the Savannah Region. Overall, the research took three months, between March and May, 2022, to complete.



The children interviewed were divided into groups, between 5 to 9 years;between 10 to 14 years; and 15-17 years; in line with ILO and UNICEF categorizations.



In the first age group between 5 and 9 years, 47% were in child labour. In the second group between 10 to 14 years, 69% were in child labour. And in the third group, between 15 and 17, 77% of them were in child labour.



This number is significantly higher than the numbers available from previous studies.



There are also differences among male and female child labourers when it comes to the tasks they had to do. Among male child labourers, tasks such as paddling canoes (46%), scooping water from the boat (32%), casting (35%) and pulling nets (33%) were especially high, whereas female child labourers had higher percentages when it comes to fetching firewood (34%), cooking for the company (23%) or fish processing (35%).



Our study found that 61% of the child labourers were male and 39% were females. This stands in contrast with numbers provided by the ILO, which indicated that 87% of the child labourers in Ghanas fisheries were boys, and the study by the IJM which claims that 99.6% of the child labourers were boys.



One possibility for the new data in our study is that not only child labourers on the lake were interviewed but also children who normally do not work so much in public. With the different categories of labour such as cooking and fish processing, which might happen mostly behind closed doors, we saw that more female children are in child labour than have been previously assumed.



The tasks also differ when comparing different age groups. Among the 5 to 9-year-old child labourers, tasks such as scooping water (32%), fish processing (30%) and farming (42%) are especially high while other tasks that come with more responsibility and danger such as removing trapped nets (8%), driving outboard motors (8%), diving (14%) and mending nets (9%) are comparatively low.



This changes with the age group of 10- to 14-year-old child labourers, who predominantly paddle canoes (37%), cast nets (30%) and pull them back (29%), farm (36%) or fetch firewood (28%). The oldest age group of 15 to 17 year old children have the roles that require the most responsibility and which are more dangerous than others. They are often paddling canoes (42%), pull nets (32%) and process fish (30%) but also the most dangerous tasks such as diving (15%) or removing trapped nets (17%) are considerably carried out more often by this age group than by others.



In this study, a child counted as a child labourer when he or she was engaged in hazardous tasks  this allowed us to capture child labour among all age groups, since, as we have seen before by ILO standards, hazardous work always counts as child labour, no matter the weekly working hours. Children that did work that endangered their physical or mental well-being such as working on the lake without security and doing work such as paddling, diving or removing trapped nets all counted as child labourers in this study. Also, work such as fish processing is dangerous for the children because it exposes them to great amounts of smoke for long hours as well as using sharp objects (knives).



Among the 1794 children characterized as child labourers, 1389 (77%) said that they were beaten and 730 (41%) showed signs of abuse.



As has been indicated in the existing literature, child labour often deprives children of formal education. Among all children (2999) interviewed for this study, 1696 (57%) were in school, whereas the number of children in school among child labourers (1794) was 779 (43%).



Among the non-child labourers interviewed (1205), 917 (76%) were in school. These numbers can be compared with the nation-wide enrollment rates that the UNESCO has published. In 2020, the primary school enrollment rate was at 82.4% and the secondary school enrollment rate at 62%.The numbers confirm that the widespread child labour on Lake Volta is responsible for a much lower school enrollment rate when compared to nation-wide data.



We believe that the increased numbers of child labour could be connected to the impacts of COVID-19, as both the ILO and UNICEF indicated that the global pandemic resulted in higher numbers of child labourers. In a UNICEF article published in June 2021, the organization warned that 9 million additional children were at risk of becoming child labourers because of the pandemic.



This comes in addition to already increasing numbers of child labour in sub-Saharan Africa due to population growth, recurrent crises, extreme poverty, and inadequate social protection measures that caused 16.6 million additional children ending up in child labour in the four preceding years.



1. One of the key policy recommendations has to be connected to public education in general and education of the parents in the most affected regions of the country in particular  in both the source and destination communities.



2. There is urgent need for affected children to be removed from child labour situations, and place them in safe spaces such as schools, vocational and skills education, and any other developmental programs that will guarantee their safety, and their future.



3. Since poverty  and COVID-19 made the economic situation of most households worse  is a main cause of child labour, policies should aim at making the economic situations for the families better.



4. The laws on child labour, especially the Childrens Act, should be enforced.



5. Funding of state agencies, particularly the Department of Social Welfare, the Anti-Trafficking Unit of the Ghana Police Service and the Anti-Human Trafficking Secretariat should be increased to enhance their efficiency and effectiveness in prevention, rescue, rehabilitation of trafficking victims, as well as the prosecution of traffickers.















Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline/[email protected]









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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has led the country in a nationwide tree planting exercise under the Green Ghana Project. Speaking at a tree-planting ceremony at the Efua Sutherland Park in Accra to kick start the nationwide exercise, the President said the target, this year, is to plant twenty million (20,000,000) trees across the country in both Forest Reserves and off forest reserves.



The Green Ghana Project was launched, last year, by the President as part of an aggressive afforestation and reforestation project, to restore the lost forest cover of the country and contribute to global efforts against climate change. At the maiden edition, the target was to plant five million (5,000,000) trees. But at the end of the exercise, over seven million (7,000,000) trees were said to have been planted, with about eighty percent (80%) of the trees surviving.



This years edition of the Green Ghana Day was launched by the President on March 1, 2022, under the theme, Mobilising for a Greener Ghana, where he designated June 10, as the Green Ghana Day. Speaking at the tree planting exercise today, the President said trees are necessary for our survival and the survival of the planet, and called on everybody living in Ghana to join the tree planting exercise.



He said over 1.6 billion people across the world, and about eighty-five percent (85%) of the Ghanaian population depend on forest resources for their livelihood, and to satisfy their socio-cultural needs. They also provide water, food, and oxygen, and mitigate climate change to provide us with a liveable climate.



The President bemoaned the rate at which the worlds forests are being depleted. He said in the last three decades alone, the world has lost about four hundred and twenty million hectares (420,000,000ha) of the forest, more than ten percent (10%) of the current total forest area of the world. According to current statistics, the world loses 150 acres of rainforest every minute, 200,000 acres every day and 79,000,000 acres every year. He said Ghana has lost over 100,000 acres of her forest in the last decade alone, and this has seriously affected the timber industry.



Touching on the importance of forests to climate action, the President said nature-based solutions provide a quick means to halting climate change, with global warming projected to reach 3.2 degrees Celsius if no action is taken. He commended the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, and Member of Parliament for Damongo, Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, for leading Governments aggressive afforestation and reforestation programme.



On his part, the Minister thanked the President for initiating the Green Ghana Project. He said due to the importance of forests, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has adopted a two-pronged approach to protect and manage the forest and wildlife resources of the country, that is, halting deforestation and embarking on aggressive afforestation and reforestation programme.



The Minister said policies such as the ban on the trade-in Rosewood, the ban on reconnaissance, prospecting and exploration in Forest Reserves are all geared toward halting deforestation. This is being done with policy and legislative reforms, including, the introduction of the new Wildlife Bill, implementation of the Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan, as well as the conversion of timber concessions to TUCs.



On afforestation and reforestation, the Minister said 547,891.70 hectares of degraded forest have been cultivated since 2017, in addition to 87 hectares of Rosewood planted by the Forestry Commission, 407 hectares cultivated by the Forest Plantation Development Fund, and reclamation being done by the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme, and the Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small Scale Mining Project.



The Minister said Government has, since 2018, planted 123.2 hectares in the Achimota Forest, through the Youth in Afforestation Programme. He said he will join the diplomatic community to plant more trees in the Achimota Forest, which is largely degraded.



He thanked all those who had supported the Project to date and called on all people living in Ghana to support the project.



After witnessing, the Presidents planting at the Efua Sutherland Park, the Minister joined the diplomatic community to plant at the Achimota Forest.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The National COVID-19 Trust Fund has presented over GH1.8 million to the Centre for Plant Medicine and Research (CPMR) for research into the development of herbal products against SARS COVID-Two virus and the COVID-19 virus.

The financial support is also intended to enable the CPMR at Akuapim Mampong to undertake a full-scale research and the development of antiviral and immunomodulatory herbal products.



The Chairperson of the National COVID-19 Trust Fund, Justice Sophia Akuffo, at a signing ceremony at the office of the trust fund at the Jubilee House in Accra yesterday[June 9, 2022], said: It was in consideration of the innate national value of the work of the centre that the trust fund deemed it appropriate to support its request for financial support to further develop the two products.



She said it was also to collaborate with the centre in any other relevant potential research initiative aimed at discovering more efficacious local solutions to the health challenges the country faced, particularly in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.



So far, they have done a lot of work on the Immune and Ampoforte which has been registered by the Food and Drugs Authority. These two herbal products are formulated to support the immune system for the effective treatment of SARS, COVID-Two and the COVID-19 disease, Justice Akuffo stated.



Objectives

Sharing her experience on how medicine from the CPMR had cured her ailment as a child, Justice Akuffo said, she expressed belief in the efficacy of the work that was being done at the centre.



She said the main objective for the support was to enable the centre to carry out pre-clinical studies on the two registered products and six other medicinal plant extracts to confirm and establish pre-clinical efficacy against the virus and safety.



Justice Akuffo also mentioned the formulation and reformulation of immune support anti-viral products against COVID-19, saying the role of plant medicine in the health delivery system in the country had gradually improved with the CPMR playing a pivotal role in the field.



Background

The CPMR was established in 1975 and it focuses on research into herbal medicine and the development of herbal products.



The centre also seeks to meet the needs of both patients and industry through innovative scientific research and productive partnerships.



It has developed two herbal products known as Immuniom and Ampoforte which serves to support the immune system.



Donations

Touching on donations and activities of the trust fund since it was set up in March 2020, the former Chief Justice said:



The COVID-19 National Trust Fund has to date received an amount of GH62.34 million in donations.



At the same time, she said the fund had disbursed GH50 million in support of preventive health, detective and curative areas.



It was also to educate the public against stigmatisation and to encourage the public to vaccinate, among others.



Ms Akuffo further cautioned Ghanaians against forgetting the devastation caused by COVID-19 and pointed out that COVID-19 had come to stay and therefore we dare not lose our guard only to be taken by surprise.



She also appealed to all corporate institutions, civil society organisations, social groups and individuals among others to support the fund for the discharge of its mandate with more donations in cash and in kind.



Success story

A minister of State at the Presidency and Minister responsible for the COVID-19 National Trust Fund, Freda Prempeh, urged the media to tell the success story of the fund.



Let the public know that the amount of money that people are donating to the trust fund is being used judiciously and it is affecting and impacting lives, she stated.



The Presidential Advisor on Health, Dr Anthony Nsiah Asare, for his part, expressed the hope that the country would be able to produce its own vaccine within the next decade.



He said a committee set up by President Akufo-Addo to see to the processes was working together with all the research bodies at the universities and other institutions in the country to make sure in 10 years we shall come out with our vaccine.



The Director of CPMR, Professor Alex Asase, who signed on behalf of the centre was grateful for the gesture and described it as timely and significant.



He said the centre had carried out several studies using its Internally Generated Fund (IGF) since the inception of the pandemic and appealed to the stakeholders to help the centre with the necessary funding to embark on a rigorous drug development exercise from medicinal plants.



He said the studies led to the development of two immune boosters and initial studies showed that the products had antiviral properties.





Source: graphiconline.com









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The Ghana Armed Forces has explained that a viral video of a number of soldiers involved in an accident, occurred on Thursday at a spot along the Suhum  Anum Apapam road in the Eastern region.

According to GAF, 16 military personnel sustained various degrees of injuries in the accident while on an operation (Operation Halt II), to stop illegal mining on some river bodies in parts of the Eastern Region.



The injured were initially treated at the Anum Apapam clinic before being evacuated to the 37 Military Hospital for further treatment.



There was no fatality.



The disconcerting video of the accident seen by Graphic Online has some of the soldiers strewn about the accident scene, some with broken limbs while their colleagues in a second vehicle attend to them offering First Aid as they awaited ambulance services.



Voices in the video suggest the driver may have lost control of the vehicle after hitting a bad patch of the road.



The accident vehicle, a pick-up truck marked 81, with registration number 76 GA 39, and said to belong to the Southern Command, is seen turned on its side with some of the soldiers seen searching it if anyone was trapped under it.



Below is a statement issued by the Ghana Armed Forces Public Affairs Directorate, signed by Naval Capt. Michael A. Larbi, Director of Public Relations.



GAF PERSONNEL EMBARKING ON OP HALT II DUTIES INVOLVED IN ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT AT ANUM-APAPAM



In reference to a viral video depicting a road traffic accident involving some military personnel, the Ghana Armed Forces wishes to clarify that the personnel drawn from the Southern Command, were embarking on an operation (Operation Halt II), to stop illegal mining on some river bodies in parts of the Eastern Region. The accident occurred on Thursday 9 June 2022, along the Suhum  Anum Apapam Road when the military truck in which they were traveling suddenly developed a mechanical fault causing it to tip over.



About 16 military personnel sustained various degrees of injuries and were initially treated at Anum Apapam clinic before being evacuated to the 37 Military Hospital for further treatment. The Military High Command has visited the personnel on admission and as at this morning, 12 out of the injured personnel had been discharged while the remaining four (4) are in a stable condition and responding to treatment.



The Ghana Armed Forces wishes to express its appreciation to the residents of Anum Apapam and the surrounding areas and the Apapam Clinic Staff who came to the aid of the injured personnel, and also the National Ambulance Service for the swift evacuation of the victims to the 37 Military Hospital.



GAF will continue to count on the support of all Ghanaians in curbing the illegal mining on our water bodies and also in the fight against all other illegal activities



Signed

MA LARBI

Naval Captain

Director Public Relations



















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Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam Nartey George, has reacted to the pulling down of pro-LGBTQ+ billboard along the Tema motorway.



In a post on his social media handle, the legislator applauded the authorities for the swift response with which they had addressed their concerns.



He observed that the country operated with laws and thus will fight to protect its cultural sovereignty.



Information reaching me is that the obnoxious LGBTQI+ billboard has been removed this evening after our press engagement today.



We salute the authorities for their swift response. We are a country of laws and would fight till the end to protect our cultural sovereignty, Sam George tweeted.



He further underscored the need for unity between the two major political parties, NPP and NDC, to achieve results.



The MP stressed, however, that power belongs to the people.



We can get results from the authorities (NDC or NPP) if we unite and collectively demand the changes we desire.



True power belongs to the people. The billboard has fallen 'frat'. Power to our cultural sovereignty, he wrote.



Earlier, Sam George had issued a 24-hour ultimatum to authorities to pull down LGBTQ+ billboards which had been spotted along the Tema motorway.



He argued that the mounting of the billboards was not in tandem with the laws of the country.



Over the weekend, our attention was drawn to illegality that flies in the face of the Constitution of Ghana  Articles 11 and 26 which talk about Ghanas cultural sovereignty. We noticed that a billboard promoting the activities of the LGBTQ activities has been mounted along the motorway.



As sponsors of the bill before Parliament and as members of Parliament who represent the aspirations and will of Ghanaians, we have deemed it important to show up here today to register in the strongest way our displeasure, discomfort and abhorrence for this unholy, unculturable and untraditional advertisement that has been put up on this road, the MP had said.



Sam George and eight other MPs are currently sponsoring an Anti- LGBTQI Bill on the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights that proscribes activities of the LGBTQ+ community.



People of the same sex who engage in sexual activity could spend up to 10 years in jail if the law is passed.





























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The Gana Police Service has announced the interdiction of one of its officers, No. 42681 General Sergeant Isaac Sowah Nii.



The officer was captured in a viral video during a heated confrontation with a man who identified himself as One Day.



The video opens with One Day walking into a corner where General Sergeant Sowah was seated with a group of men and holding a lit substance suspected to be a narcotic drug.



One Day is heard accusing Sergeant Sowah of being a smoker who is also an informant and threatened to expose his deeds.



Interspersed with Ga Language and English, the police officer and his confronter argued about the allegation.



Amidst swears, Sergeant Sowah denied being an informant while One Day maintained he will expose him on social media.



In a statement confirming the identity of the officer, the Ghana Police Service said No. 42681 G/Sgt Isaac Nii Sowah is stationed at the Accra Regional Police Command.



Investigation is ongoing and the Sergeant will be taken through the necessary disciplinary and legal action, the police said.





The police administration said the interdicted officer further to the investigation will be given psycho-social support in line with the new strategic police welfare policy.



Watch the viral video below:





View this post on Instagram A post shared by   (@utvghana)















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Former National Organizer of the NDC and Member of Dr. Kwabena Duffuors Ahotor Project Team, Yaw Boateng Gyan says the National Chairman for the opposition National Democratic Congress, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo called off the project launch at the partys Headquarters in Accra.



According to him, all was set for the event at the Headquarter 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 Ahoto 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 that 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 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: starrfm









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A Chicago police officer who was shown on video grabbing and restraining a Black woman walking her dog at North Avenue Beach in August 2021 has resigned.

Officer Bruce Dyker left the Chicago Police Department in May before the department had announced any formal disciplinary action taken against him, a department spokesperson confirmed. He had worked as an officer for 23 years.

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The incident was captured in several videos that went viral, sparking a Civilian Office of Police Accountability investigation and a response from Mayor Lori Lightfoot, who said she was quite disturbed by videos of the incident.

[ Chicago police officer placed on desk duty after viral video appears to show him grabbing, physically restraining woman on North Avenue Beach ]

The womans lawyer, Keenan Saulter, called the situation an obvious case of racial profiling. Chicago police Superintendent David Brown placed Dyker on paid desk duty following the incident.

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Videos of the incident  including one taken by bystanders and another captured by Dykers body camera  show the officer approaching the woman, Nikkita Brown, at North Avenue Beach around midnight. Brown backs away from Dyker as he approaches her and orders her to leave the park, which was then closed.

Dyker closely follows Brown, the video shows. She repeatedly tells him to not come closer and to back up because he isnt wearing a mask, and he continues to approach and order her to leave the park.

Eventually, according to the video, the officer yells, Get out of the park. What do you not understand about that? The park is closed. You are trespassing on city property, and you will go to jail if you dont take your dog and leave.

(Chicago Tribune Handout)

I feel threatened, Brown says as she stops walking.

Good, Dyker responds. Im about to put handcuffs on you if you dont keep walking. Do you want to test me on this.

Dyker suddenly grabs her arm and struggles to restrain her, the video shows. She shouts, Let go!

After about a minute of grappling, the two separate. Brown picks up her fallen phone and walks away from Dyker and out of the park with her dog on a leash as the two continue to argue.

[ Police body camera footage appears to show officer arguing with, grabbing woman on North Avenue Beach ]

The Civilian Office of Police Accountability concluded its investigation into Dykers conduct at the end of October. The results of that investigation were not immediately made public, but were shared with Superintendent Brown. The Tribune requested the results of that investigation, but did not immediately receive a response from COPA.

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CPD spokesperson Sgt. Rocco Alioto said the department did not have information available about the status of disciplinary charges involving the former officer related to the incident.

Dyker faced 24 allegations of misconduct during his tenure with CPD, data from the Invisible Institute, a police accountability advocacy group, shows. Three allegations were sustained, including one from November 2008 in which the former office was given a 20-day suspension, according to records from the now-defunct Independent Police Review Authority.

Fraternal Order of Police President John Catanzara said Dykers resignation was related to the scrutiny and investigations he became the focus of following the incident. He maintained that Dykers conduct was not inappropriate.

Saulter did not return requests for comment.
Ningo Prampram Member of Parliament, Samuel Nartey George, has said the National Democratic Congress (NDC) is celebrating 30 years of existence, today Friday June 10.



Series of activities, he said, have been outlined to take place today, as part of the celebrations.



Speaking on TV3 Friday June 10, he sated that the democracy that Ghana is enjoying at the moment is the result of the work of the NDC, founded by the late former President Jerry John Rawlings.



Sam noted that the current governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) has messed up the economy leading to untold suffering of Ghanaians.



He assured that his party is re-strategizing to win the next elections to resolve the challenges facing the people.



NDC is re-strategizing to come back to power to fix the mess, he said.





Source: 3news









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Thousands of Donald Trump's supporters, fueled by his claims of voter fraud, flooded the nation's capital to protest the expected certification of Joe Biden's White House victory by the US Congress, and the former president was behind it, an inquiry by Capitol Hill lawmakers has found.



A congressional inquiry on Thursday, June 9, heard the former president played a crucial role in trying to violently stop the presidential elections from being authorized.



Trump said the election had been stolen and rigged by supporters of Joe Biden, claims which have been categorically proven false.

A huge mob, some of them armed, forced their way through police lines, many threatening to kill politicians inside, including vice president Mike Pence as they overran the building where legislators were meeting to certify the results of the election he lost to Joe Biden on January 6, 2021.



The inquiry on Thursday heard an account that claimed Trump said his former number two deserves it as crowds chanted they would hang Mr Pence.



Five people died and more than 130 police officers were injured, as they battled to stay in control of the capitol hill.



Congresswoman Liz Cheney said: President Trump summoned a violent mob.



When a president fails to take the steps necessary to preserve our union  or worse, causes a constitutional crisis  were in a moment of maximum danger for our republic.





The hearing was played 12 minutes of new footage of the deadly violence, as well as testimony from Trumps inner circle including his daughter Ivanka and son in-law Jared Kushner.



The House committee said the former presidents 'repeated lies' about election fraud and his public effort to stop Joe Bidens victory led to the capitol attack.



Congressman Bennie Thompson, chairman of the panel, said during the hearing: Democracy remains in danger.



January 6 was the culmination of an attempted coup, a brazen attempt, as one rioter put it shortly after January 6, to overthrow the government.



The violence was no accident.













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Former Head of the Monitoring Unit of the Forestry Commission, Charles Owusu has snapped at the Special Prosecutor for freezing all assets of the late Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, a former Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission.



Mr. Kwadwo Afriyie, popularly known as Sir John, became the General Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) from 2010 to 2014.



The late Sir John's Will recently surfaced on social media shocking many Ghanaians as it revealed him purportedly giving some State lands to his children, nephews and other relatives.



It is a long list of 75 properties including houses, parcels of land, bank accounts, investments, businesses, guns and clothes.



The Will raised public concerns following the discovery that he owned lands in the Achimota Forest.



The Will of the former CEO of the Forestry Commission has therefore come under intense scrutiny and a statement signed by the Special Prosecutor (SP), Kissi Agyebeng, folllowing the leak of the Will indicated that Sir John including other persons will be investigated.



The Office of the Special Prosecutor served notice last month that it has begun full investigations into the alleged and unlawful acquisition of lands at the Achimota forest enclave and the Ramsar site by the former CEO of the Forestry Commission.



As part of investigating the suspected corruption involving the late Sir John, the SP has frozen all his assets.



Charles Owusu was named as an executor to the Will.



Appearing on Peace FM's 'Kokrokoo' programme Friday morning, Charles Owusu broke his deafening silence over the matter as he expressed worry over a treatment meted out to him by the Special Prosecutor regarding the issue.



He disclosed that he received a letter from the office of the Special Prosecutor last Wednesday informing him about the embargo on Sir John's assets.



He, therefore, went to the SP's office yesterday but was met by some soldiers at the gate who transferred him to another office.



"After an hour, about four people entered the room I was kept in asking about Charles Owusu and I responded I am the one. They then told me they are from court to present a writ of summons to me. After receiving the summons, an officer who initially was supposed to speak with me now appeared and took me to a corridor informing me that he would be recording our conversations. He was asking me why I had come to the office which is after they had presented me with the summons. Being in a state of shock, I replied him that I had been in the office for a very long time.



"Then the officer said he heard I would come there at 2 pm and I asked him 'who told him?' because nobody had invited me. I came on my own accord because I was about traveling but wanted to first find out if they need me personally, so, I suspend my travel to make it easy for them to contact me. He (the officer) responded that they have a court case with Sir John on 23rd (June) but because I was his aide, I should come to the court," Charles Owusu narrated.



He noted that he agreed to appear in court and was dismissed from the SP's office only for him to be met by a military officer who prevented him from leaving the premises.



"What saddens me is that, on my return to sit in a car, a soldier met me that he's been told they should not allow me to leave the premises," he said.



Speaking on 'Kokrokoo', Charles Owusu registered his distaste over how he was treated by the Special Prosecutor.



"If Mr. Kissi Agyebeng is listening to me, what crime have I committed? What crime? Is it a crime for me to walk with someone I love?", he fumed.



He added that it is no fault of his that the late Sir John made him an executor to his Will.



"I can't deny Sir John. I cannot deny him. I'm very sad. I can't deny Sir John; he was a good man. He did me good; I cannot deny him!", he exclaimed.







Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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" " Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Britain's Karim Khan (center), visits a mass grave in Bucha just outside Kyiv, Ukraine, April 13, 2022. Khan is investigating war crimes committed by Russia's for the International Criminal Court at The Hague. FADEL SENNA/AFP via Getty Images

After Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, reports of attacks on civilians by Russian forces began to surface. The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution introduced by U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., which called for Russian leader Vladimir Putin and members of his regime to be held legally accountable. In a press release, Graham even identified who should conduct the trial  the International Criminal Court (ICC), a body created by a 1998 international treaty, the Rome Statute, for the purpose of investigating and prosecuting individuals for genocide, war crimes and other offenses.

"I'm very excited the United States Senate has unanimously agreed to support the war crimes investigation being conducted against Putin and his inner circle at The Hague," Graham said in the press statement, mentioning the picturesque Dutch coastal capital where the court is located. "America should do all we can to aid this investigation by providing information and intelligence to the court in a timely manner."

There was one puzzling contradiction implicit in Graham's statement. He was offering U.S. assistance to a court whose authority the U.S. has never recognized. To the contrary, the U.S. was among a handful of nations that opposed the court's formation, and although outgoing President Bill Clinton signed the Rome Statute in December 2002, the treaty has never been ratified by the U.S. Senate. Since then, the U.S. government has repeatedly rejected the ICC's authority over Americans, and at times has actively sought to thwart its activities.

But to make things even more confusing, at other times, the U.S. has quietly cooperated with the court by offering cash rewards for information leading to the arrests of fugitives wanted by the ICC. In 2013, when African warlord Bosco Ntaganda gave himself up at the U.S. embassy in Rwanda, diplomats even arranged the defendant's transfer to The Hague.

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Supporting Justice But Opposing the Court

The U.S. relationship with the ICC is particularly perplexing, because "the U.S. has always had a role in international justice, going back to the role that it played in the Nuremberg and Tokyo trials after World War II," Kelebogile Zvobgo explains. Zvobgo is an assistant professor of government at William & Mary and founder and director of the International Justice Lab.

The U.S. also was involved in the U.N. Security Council resolutions that led to the creation of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, which investigated and prosecuted atrocity crimes committed during the conflicts in the Balkans during the 1990s, she notes, as well as the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, which investigated and prosecuted genocide.

The U.S. initially seemed to be open to the formation of a permanent international criminal tribunal when the idea arose after the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide was approved by the U.N. General Assembly in 1948. A U.S. diplomat, George Morris, even chaired a committee that met in Geneva to discuss the concept, according to this 2007 article by international law scholar John P. Cerone. But there turned out to be a catch.

"While the U.S. appeared to be amenable to the creation of an international criminal court, the envisioned court would have jurisdiction only over those individuals whose state of nationality had recognized the court's jurisdiction by treaty," Cerone wrote. That basically would enable countries  the U.S. for example  to opt out and be exempt from the court's authority.

Discussions about forming an international court continued for the next several decades, and President Bill Clinton even proposed establishment of a permanent court "to prosecute the most serious violations of humanitarian law" in a 1997 address to the U.N. General Assembly. Congress enacted a joint resolution supporting formation of a court as well.

But according to Cerone's article, U.S. intelligence agencies and the U.S. military  whose members conceivably might be investigated by such a court  weren't as supportive. The U.S. delegation that went to Rome in 1998 to participate in treaty negotiations tried to find ways to limit the ICC's ability to investigate Americans.

" " The International Criminal Court convicted Congolese rebel warlord Bosco Ntaganda of war crimes July 8, 2019, including directing massacres of civilians, rape and sexual slavery. The United States helped transfer Ntaganda to The Hague. EVA PLEVIER/AFP via Getty Images

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Invade The Hague

Back in Washington, conservatives in Congress voiced strong opposition. Sen. Jesse Helms, the North Carolina Republican who chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, wrote to Secretary of State Madeleine Albright that he was ''unalterably opposed to the creation of a permanent U.N. criminal court'' because it would give the U.N. too much power over the U.S., as this 1997 New York Times article details.

In the end, the U.S. was one of a handful of nations that voted against the Rome Statute, and although President Clinton signed it before leaving office, the Senate never ratified it to make the U.S. a party to the statute.

Instead, after the ICC started operations in 2002, Congress passed and President George W. Bush signed into law the American Servicemembers' Protection Act, known informally as The Hague Invasion Act. It limits U.S. support for the ICC and authorized the U.S. president to use "all means necessary and appropriate" to bring about the release of Americans and allies detained or tried by the ICC, according this Congressional Research Service report.

Why the opposition? Since the start of the ICC, U.S. officials feared that ''the prosecutor for the court would be given too much power unchecked, and he or she could conduct politically motivated prosecutions of U.S. soldiers,'' John Bellinger III, a legal adviser to the National Security Council and the State Department during the Bush Administration, recently explained in a National Public Radio interview.

Since then, the U.S. has taken a position that some see as a double standard.

''We've helped transfer fugitives to The Hague," Zvobgo says. ''We just don't like jurisdiction over our personnel.''

" " The U.S. was in full support of the ICC's trial of former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic. Karadzic was sentenced to 40 years in prison in 2016 after being convicted of genocide for his role in the 1995 massacre of more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys. PETER DEJONG/AFP via Getty Images

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The ICC and U.S. Sovereignty

One particularly sensitive subject has been the U.S. actions in Afghanistan. In 2017, then-ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda requested judicial authorization to investigate war crimes committed in Afghanistan  a state party to the Rome Statute since 2003  including allegations against U.S. military members, as well as the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) personnel involved with secret detention facilities in Afghanistan and other countries. (The Taliban and its allies and the forces of the former U.S.-backed regime were also listed as subjects for investigation.) It wasn't until March 2020 that a panel of appeals judges reversed an earlier decision and gave permission for the investigation to proceed.

That move triggered retaliation by then-President Donald Trump, who issued an executive order denouncing the ICC assertion of jurisdiction as "illegitimate" and freezing any U.S. assets of court personnel involved in the investigation, as well as anyone who even assisted it. In April 2021, the Biden Administration ended those sanctions, while continuing to object to the court's assertion of jurisdiction.

While some critics might believe that the ICC could intrude on U.S. sovereignty, that possibility is limited by the principle of complementarity, which holds that the ICC can't take on investigations if a country has jurisdiction and is investigating the allegations.

"The premise of the International Criminal Court is a court of last resort," Zvobgo says. "So it only intervenes when domestic actors prove either unwilling or unable to conduct investigations and prosecute."

" " Like the United States, Ukraine has never ratified the Rome Statute, but the ICC will still investigate crimes against humanity there. Volodymyr Cheppel/ICC

Additionally, the ICC doesn't exactly rush to judgment. To the contrary, its investigations can take years. The process starts with a lengthy preliminary examination, during which time the nation involved can head off a full-scale investigation by launching its own probe. If that doesn't happen and the ICC sees a likelihood of the crimes it was set up to prosecute, it can upgrade to a full-scale investigation, Zvobgo says.

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What About Ukraine?

Ukraine  like the U.S.  has never ratified the Rome Statute, the treaty that establishes and governs the authority of the ICC. But on two occasions  in 2013 and again in 2015  Ukraine agreed to accept the jurisdiction of the ICC over crimes committed within its territory.

In the 2015 declaration, Ukraine cited crimes allegedly committed by senior officials of the Russian Federation and leaders of two Russian-based separatist movements, accusing them of armed aggression that led to the deaths of thousands of Ukrainians. The ICC has been investigating since that time.

On Feb. 28, 2022, shortly after Russia launched its current invasion, ICC prosecutor Karim Khan announced that his office would expand its effort and investigate the latest conflict as well, saying there is "a reasonable basis to believe that both alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity have been committed in Ukraine."

Khan's office began looking into how to preserve evidence of the crimes, and asked for cooperation from the international community. He also appealed to anyone with information useful to the probe to come forward.

Additionally, 43 states who are party to the Rome Statute have referred the conflict in Ukraine to the ICC for investigation, Jonathan M. DiCicco says an email. He's a professor of political science and international relations at Middle Tennessee State University whose areas of academic interest include conflict resolution in international politics.

Russia, like the U.S. and Ukraine, isn't among the 123 nations that are parties to the Rome Statute, but Russian forces' actions are subject to ICC scrutiny because they are taking place within the borders of Ukraine, a country that has accepted ICC jurisdiction from 2013 onward, according to Zvobgo.

But it isn't going to be easy for the ICC to prosecute Russian crimes in Ukraine, despite all the evidence of wrongdoing that's already appeared in media reports.

"Since Russia is not a state party to the Rome Statute, we can expect that Moscow will resist attempts by the ICC to investigate and establish custody over Russian nationals accused of war crimes," DiCicco explains. "That doesn't mean that the ICC will not take further action, but it does mean that the process is likely to be complicated and slow.

"Allegations of horrific atrocities in Ukraine demand international attention," DiCicco says. "The ICC is playing a key role in investigating the situation ... and Putin's Russia will try to frustrate international attempts to prosecute Russian nationals. Nevertheless, the situation in Ukraine might prove to be a crucial test of the ICC's effectiveness in a world where power politics casts a long shadow over international law and criminal justice."

Now That's Important In addition to the U.S. and Russia, another important world power  the People's Republic of China  is another non-party to the Rome Statute, DiCicco notes.
Maria de Leon, who hails from Chicago and daughter of a Filipina nanny, graduates with honor from Harvard University. (Screenshot from ABS-CBN News/YouTube)

Its everything a parent dreams for their children  24 year-old Maria de Leon, who hails from Chicago and daughter of a Filipina nanny, graduates with honors from Harvard University with a degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology.

Harvard, one of the top universities in the world with a five-percent acceptance rate, offered de Leon a full scholarship. She finished her degree in 2020, but due to the pandemic, shes only able to march this year.

Its been two years since I actually graduated but we can only really celebrate now. Two years ago, it really didnt feel like a graduation  So I feel like this is the closure that everyone really needed, she said in a report by ABS-CBN News.

Her application essay for Harvard was a recount of her mothers experience of assault, and how that experience resolved her to do better for her family. I know there are some hardships that we can overcome but if we keep trying and always fighting for what you want or what you like, something fruitful will always come out of it, she said.

Her mother, Jojit de Leon, said that her being a full scholar greatly helped her, as shes also supporting her other three childrens education.

Para akong tumama sa lotto. Sa ating mga magulang, ang pinakagusto natin sa ating mga anak ay makatapos ng pag-aaral. Kasi ako, hindi ko nagampanan makatapos ng pag-aaral. Gusto kong maging nurse. And tingnan mo naman ngayon, si Maria is living my dream, she said.

(It felt like I won the lottery. For us parents, what we want most is for our children to finish school. I never did, and I wanted to be a nurse. But look at Maria, shes living my dream.)

Harvard paid for her familys trip from Chicago to Boston for the graduation ceremony. Her father, who still lives in the Philippines, flew to the United States to celebrate his youngest daughters accomplishment.

Maria plans to take medicine at Boston University in the fall.

Marvin Joseph Ang is a news and creative writer who follows developments in politics, democracy, and popular culture. He advocates for a free press and national democracy. The views expressed are his own.

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Hubble Space Telescope image of a distant star that was brightened and distorted by an invisible but very compact and heavy object between it and Earth. The compact objectestimated by UC Berkeley astronomers to be between 1.6 and 4.4 times the mass of our suncould be a free-floating black hole, one of perhaps 200 million in the Milky Way galaxy. Credit: Image courtesy of STScI/NASA/ESA

If, as astronomers believe, the deaths of large stars leave behind black holes, there should be hundreds of millions of them scattered throughout the Milky Way galaxy. The problem is, isolated black holes are invisible.

Now, a team led by University of California, Berkeley, astronomers has for the first time discovered what may be a free-floating black hole by observing the brightening of a more distant star as its light was distorted by the object's strong gravitational fieldso-called gravitational microlensing.

The team, led by graduate student Casey Lam and Jessica Lu, a UC Berkeley associate professor of astronomy, estimates that the mass of the invisible compact object is between 1.6 and 4.4 times that of the sun. Because astronomers think that the leftover remnant of a dead star must be heavier than 2.2 solar masses in order to collapse to a black hole, the UC Berkeley researchers caution that the object could be a neutron star instead of a black hole. Neutron stars are also dense, highly compact objects, but their gravity is balanced by internal neutron pressure, which prevents further collapse to a black hole.

Whether a black hole or a neutron star, the object is the first dark stellar remnanta stellar "ghost"discovered wandering through the galaxy unpaired with another star.

"This is the first free-floating black hole or neutron star discovered with gravitational microlensing," Lu said. "With microlensing, we're able to probe these lonely, compact objects and weigh them. I think we have opened a new window onto these dark objects, which can't be seen any other way."

Determining how many of these compact objects populate the Milky Way galaxy will help astronomers understand the evolution of starsin particular, how they dieand of our galaxy, and perhaps reveal whether any of the unseen black holes are primordial black holes, which some cosmologists think were produced in large quantities during the Big Bang.

The analysis by Lam, Lu and their international team has been accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. The analysis includes four other microlensing events that the team concluded were not caused by a black hole, though two were likely caused by a white dwarf or a neutron star. The team also concluded that the likely population of black holes in the galaxy is 200 millionabout what most theorists predicted.

Same data, different conclusions

Notably, a competing team from the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore analyzed the same microlensing event and claims that the mass of the compact object is closer to 7.1 solar masses and indisputably a black hole. A paper describing the analysis by the STScI team, led by Kailash Sahu, has been accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal.

Both teams used the same data: photometric measurements of the distant star's brightening as its light was distorted or "lensed" by the super-compact object, and astrometric measurements of the shifting of the distant star's location in the sky as a result of the gravitational distortion by the lensing object. The photometric data came from two microlensing surveys: the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE), which employs a 1.3-meter telescope in Chile operated by Warsaw University, and the Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics (MOA) experiment, which is mounted on a 1.8-meter telescope in New Zealand operated by Osaka University. The astrometric data came from NASA's Hubble Space Telescope. STScI manages the science program for the telescope and conducts its science operations.

Microlensing parallax  E vs. Einstein crossing time t E (left) and maximum astrometric shift  c,max (right). Points are from the PopSyCLE simulation. Contours are 1  2  3 (39.3-86.5-98.9%) credible regions from the microlensing model fits to the five BH candidates. There are two fits for OB110462 (default weight (DW) and equal weight (EW).The OB110462 DW solution has a smaller  E than the OB110462 EW solution, and has a correspondingly more massive lens mass. Both solutions fall solidly in the NS-BH mass gap, making OB110462 the best BH-candidate. MB09260 and OB110310 are most likely white dwarfs or neutron stars, although due to uncertainty in  E and  c,max higher and lower mass lenses cannot be definitively ruled out. OB110037 and MB10364 are not BHs as they have very large  E , as well as relatively short t E and small  c,max . Credit: The Astrophysical Journal Letters (2022). DOI: 10.48550/arXiv.2202.01903

Because both microlensing surveys caught the same object, it has two names: MOA-2011-BLG-191 and OGLE-2011-BLG-0462, or OB110462, for short.

While surveys like these discover about 2,000 stars brightened by microlensing each year in the Milky Way galaxy, the addition of astrometric data is what allowed the two teams to determine the mass of the compact object and its distance from Earth. The UC Berkeley-led team estimated that it lies between 2,280 and 6,260 light years (700-1920 parsecs) away, in the direction of the center of the Milky Way Galaxy and near the large bulge that surrounds the galaxy's central massive black hole.

The STScI group estimated that it lies about 5,153 light years (1,580 parsecs) away.

Looking for a needle in a haystack

Lu and Lam first became interested in the object in 2020 after the STScI team tentatively concluded that five microlensing events observed by Hubbleall of which lasted for more than 100 days, and thus could have been black holesmight not be caused by compact objects after all.

Lu, who has been looking for free-floating black holes since 2008, thought the data would help her better estimate their abundance in the galaxy, which has been roughly estimated at between 10 million and 1 billion. To date, star-sized black holes have been found only as part of binary star systems. Black holes in binaries are seen either in X-rays, produced when material from the star falls onto the black hole, or by recent gravitational wave detectors, which are sensitive to mergers of two or more black holes. But these events are rare.

"Casey and I saw the data and we got really interested. We said, 'Wow, no black holes. That's amazing,' even though there should have been," Lu said. "And so, we started looking at the data. If there were really no black holes in the data, then this wouldn't match our model for how many black holes there should be in the Milky Way. Something would have to change in our understanding of black holeseither their number or how fast they move or their masses."

When Lam analyzed the photometry and astrometry for the five microlensing events, she was surprised that one, OB110462, had the characteristics of a compact object: The lensing object seemed dark, and thus not a star; the stellar brightening lasted a long time, nearly 300 days; and the distortion of the background star's position also was long-lasting.

The length of the lensing event was the main tipoff, Lam said. In 2020, she showed that the best way to search for black hole microlenses was to look for very long events. Only 1% of detectable microlensing events are likely to be from black holes, she said, so looking at all events would be like searching for a needle in a haystack. But, Lam calculated, about 40% of microlensing events that last more than 120 days are likely to be black holes.

"How long the brightening event lasts is a hint of how massive the foreground lens bending the light of the background star is," Lam said. "Long events are more likely due to black holes. It's not a guarantee, though, because the duration of the brightening episode not only depends on how massive the foreground lens is, but also on how fast the foreground lens and background star are moving relative to each other. However, by also getting measurements of the apparent position of the background star, we can confirm whether the foreground lens really is a black hole."

According to Lu, the gravitational influence of OB110462 on the light of the background star was amazingly long. It took about one year for the star to brighten to its peak in 2011, then about a year to dim back to normal.

Following six years of meticulous observations, the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope has provided, for the first time ever, clear evidence for a lone black hole drifting through interstellar space. This is the first time the mass of an isolated black hole has been measured. Credit: ESA/Hubble

More data will distinguish black hole from neutron star

To confirm that OB110462 was caused by a super-compact object, Lu and Lam asked for more astrometric data from Hubble, some of which arrived last October. That new data showed that the change in position of the star as a result of the gravitational field of the lens is still observable 10 years after the event. Further Hubble observations of the microlens are tentatively scheduled for fall 2022.

Analysis of the new data confirmed that OB110462 was likely a black hole or neutron star.

Lu and Lam suspect that the differing conclusions of the two teams are due to the fact that the astrometric and photometric data give different measures of the relative motions of the foreground and background objects. The astrometric analysis also differs between the two teams. The UC Berkeley-led team argues that it is not yet possible to distinguish whether the object is a black hole or a neutron star, but they hope to resolve the discrepancy with more Hubble data and improved analysis in the future.

"As much as we would like to say it is definitively a black hole, we must report all allowed solutions. This includes both lower mass black holes and possibly even a neutron star," Lu said.

"If you can't believe the light curve, the brightness, then that says something important. If you don't believe the position versus time, that tells you something important," Lam said. "So, if one of them is wrong, we have to understand why. Or the other possibility is that what we measure in both data sets is correct, but our model is incorrect. The photometry and astrometry data arise from the same physical process, which means the brightness and position must be consistent with each other. So, there's something missing there."

Both teams also estimated the velocity of the super-compact lensing object. The Lu/Lam team found a relatively sedate speed, less than 30 kilometers per second. The STScI team found an unusually large velocity, 45 km/s, which it interpreted as the result of an extra kick that the purported black hole got from the supernova that generated it.

Lu interprets her team's low velocity estimate as potentially supporting a new theory that black holes are not the result of supernovasthe reigning assumption todaybut instead come from failed supernovas that don't make a bright splash in the universe or give the resulting black hole a kick.

Explore further First ever free-floating black hole found roaming through interstellar space

More information: Casey Lam et al, An isolated mass gap black hole or neutron star detected with astrometric microlensing, The Astrophysical Journal Letters (2022). Journal information: Astrophysical Journal Letters , Astrophysical Journal Casey Lam et al, An isolated mass gap black hole or neutron star detected with astrometric microlensing,(2022). DOI: 10.48550/arXiv.2202.01903
Credit: Lindy Lumsden, Author provided

They weigh around 15 grams, the same as a 50 cent coin. They devour vast quantities of insects. And they're in real trouble.

Our new research has found the critically endangered southern bent-wing bat is continuing to decline. Its populations are centered on just three "maternity" caves in southeast South Australia and southwest Victoria, where the bats give birth and raise their young. At night, mothers leave their pups clustered in a "creche" on the cave ceiling while they head out to hunt for moths, including agricultural pest species. These beautiful bats have already lost 90% of the natural vegetation in their range due to land clearing. Now they face a drying climate.

Our research tracked thousands of these bats and found new mother bats and their young were not surviving well, especially in drought conditions. Our modeling shows they will be near extinct within 36 years, with declines of up to 97%. That's just three generations of bat.

To stop them following other species into extinction, these bats need urgent action.

Why are these bats in such trouble?

Most cave-roosting bats are highly threatened in Australia, with 62% of species listed as threatened at a state or national level.

While we don't often see them, bats make up one quarter of all Australian mammal species. They play vital roles in our ecosystems, with microbats like the southern bent-wing bat feeding on insects, including agricultural pests. Fruit bats like flying-foxes are important long-distance pollinators and seed dispersers. Despite this, Australian bats are under-studied and under-funded for research and conservation.

Bats themselves don't make it easy. They can be incredibly difficult to study. While many Australians are familiar with our spectacular flying-foxes as they pass by at night, most of our 81 bat species are very small. They are also agile flyers, making them difficult to catch. It is particularly difficult to capture the same bats many times to study critical aspects of their biology such as survival rates.

With the help of a huge team of volunteers, we safely tagged almost 3,000 southern bent-wing bats with small microchips.

The tags let us detect these bats as they flew in and out of an important cave at Naracoorte Caves in South Australia. With this approach, we were able to gather millions of detections over a three and a half-year period, without having to catch the same bats again and again.

So what did we find? We found the lowest adult survival rates amongst female bats who had just given birth and were nursing pups compared to males and non-breeding females. Young bats recently independent from their mothers also had low survival rates.

These bats are sensitive to disturbance and have a limited range. Credit: Emmi van Harten, Author provided

We used these survival results to model future scenarios for the South Australian population and found predicted declines, with sharper drops during droughts. If these rates of decline continue across the total population, the species will be close to extinct within three generations.

Droughts can have devastating effects on our wildlife, with the most damage done to our most threatened species. Worse, droughts take place against a backdrop of existing threats such as the widespread clearance of natural habitats.

As drought and bushfires worsen as the the climate changes, they can impact large proportions of the habitat remaining for some species. The Black Summer bushfires contributed to the listing of the closely-related eastern bent-wing bat as critically endangered in Victoria.

These threats pose particular risks for cave bats because their hunting range is limited by the locations of suitable caves. Although southern bent-wing bats are highly mobile and can fly more than 70km between caves in just a few hours, most bats gather at the three maternity caves for much of the year. This means food and water need to be available around these key sites to support the populations.

Unfortunately, 90% of natural vegetation in the southern bent-wing bat's range has been cleared and most of the region's wetlands have either been drained and converted to agricultural land, or are drying out due to a combination of groundwater extraction and a drying climate.

What needs to be done?

Australia's recent extinctions have shown the need to act quickly. In response to these threats, the southern bent-wing bat now has a national recovery team of species experts, researchers, vets, land managers and representatives from government agencies, zoos and NGOs. This team is implementing the national recovery plan for this bat in a bid to prevent extinction and see it recover to a healthy population.

But we can't leave it all to this group. We can help this and other endangered bats on these four fronts:

take action to help reduce the impacts of climate change, such as worsening droughts, megafires and heat events

help community efforts to restore natural landscapes by planting trees and native vegetation and restoring wetlands

avoid entering caves known to have bats in them, as the southern bent-wing bat and several other species are highly sensitive to disturbance

share why bats are important and in need of our protection.

This year, we've had the welcome news that the eastern barred bandicoot has recovered significantly, from being listed as extinct in the wild on the Australian mainland to endangered.

This remarkable result shows sustained conservation effort can bring back even species teetering right on the edge of extinction. We can do the same for the southern bent-wing bat.

Explore further Egyptian fruit bat found to use echolocation during daylight hours

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Mohamed Adow, left, speaking to the media at last year's COP26 UN climate conference in Glasgow.

With more than half its population lacking mains electricity and still using charcoal and other damaging sources for cooking, Africa's energy future - torn between fossil fuels and renewablesis up for grabs.

As nations discuss the climate crisis at the UN's mid-year negotiations in Bonn, AFP spoke to Mohamed Adow, founder of think tank Power Shift Africa, about the forces pulling the continent in opposing directions.

The stakes, he warns, are global.

Q. You have said rich nations owe the rest of the world a climate debt

"The prosperity they enjoy was, in effect, subsidised by the rest of the world because they polluted without paying the cost for doing so.

"Africa is home to 17 percent of Earth's population but accounts for less than four percent of global greenhouse-gas emissions and only half-a-percent of historic emissions. The continent emits less than 1 tonne of CO 2 per person, compared to seven in Europe or China, and more than 15 in the United States.

"If the least-developed continent on our planet is going to leapfrog fossil fuels to renewables, rich nations must pay the climate debt they owe."

Q. How will Africa's energy choices impact the rest of the world?

"My continent is at a crossroads with two possible futures. Africa can become a clean energy leader with decentralised renewables powering a more inclusive society and a greener economy, or it can become a large polluter that is burdened with stranded assets and economic instability.

The share of solar and wind power in total electricity production in 2020 for selected countries.

"We have the opportunity to make a difference for Africa and for the world."

Q. US envoy John Kerry says climate change in Africa could see "hundreds of millions of people looking for a place to live." Is he right?

"Absolutely. It is important to acknowledge that climate-induced migration is a threat. As climate impacts increase, people in Africawhere almost all agriculture is rain-fedwill be forcefully displaced from their land.

"In wealthy nations, that is seen mostly as a security issue. But this is a humanitarian disaster in which people are already losing lives, homes and livelihoods.

"The only way to prevent climate-induced migration in the long-run is to reduce carbon pollution at the scale needed."

Q. Is the war in Ukraine affecting energy development in Africa?

"To attain energy security after Russia's invasion, Europe is effectively pushing Africa to pour its limited financial resources into developing its fossil gas extraction and export industry, primarily for consumers in Europe."

A woman carries a water container at a camp for displaced persons in Somalia. The country's years-long drought chimes with long-standing warnings about climate change.

"Last month German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, during a three-day tour of Senegal, said his country wants to 'intensively pursue' projects to develop and import Senegal's huge gas reserves. Germany, of course, has been especially dependent on Russian gas.

"So now Europe wants to shackle Africa with new fossil fuel infrastructure that we know will be redundant within a few years, not to mention self-harming for the continent. And lest we forget: gas from Africa will emit the same amount of emissions as gas from Russia."

Q. What is the balance of power in Africa between fossil-fuel interests and those striving to leapfrog to renewables?

"Last month, the Sustainable Energy for All summit in (Rwandan capital) Kigali issued a communique supporting 'Africa in the deployment of gas as a transition fuel'. But only 10 out of 54 African countries signed that statement.

"I think the majority of African nations recognise the tremendous opportunity that renewables present for job creation, innovation, reduced air pollution and sustainable industrialisation. But this majority is a silent majoritythey have not yet leveraged their moral voice to make a case for a cleaner, sustainable Africa.

Sun-rich Namibia is seeking funds for plans to become a green-energy giant. Solar farms would harvest hydrogen from water via electrolysis -- the gas would then be liquefied and exported.

A charcoal seller in Sokoto, Nigeria. The fuel is used by millions of Africans for cooking and heating despite its destructive effect on forests and health.

"There are some leaders. My country, Kenya, is currently powered by 90-percent renewable energy and has set a target of 100 percent by 2030."

Q. The trillions needed to engineer a rapid transition to renewables will not come from public sources alone. How do you mobilise private capital?

"We need to think about long-term investment security in Africa. This is the most expensive continent for securing loans or credit. We need to introduce payment guarantee schemes that are backed by international finance to facilitate safe investment in renewable energy.

"But you still need public money to leverage international investment and finance. We also have to unlock Africa's domestic sourcespublic funds, sovereign wealth funds. And then there's debt. If we could swap some foreign debt for the kinds of investment Africa needs, it could make a big difference."

Explore further Africa looks to renewables to curb warming, boost economies

 2022 AFP
Virus risk: Pork is an eight-billion-euro industry in Italy.

A thousand pigs will be slaughtered after two cases of swine fever were detected on a farm in Rome's Lazio region, officials said Friday, spurring fears of a blow to the country's pork industry.

"We have to slaughter all the pigs in the contaminated area very quickly," Angelo Ferrari, tasked with managing the crisis, told AGI news agency.

The local health agency estimated 1,000 pigs would have to be culled to stem the spread, he said.

"The sooner we act decisively and incisively, the greater our hope that the commercial damage will be reduced," he said.

Italy, with about 8.9 million pigs, is the seventh biggest pork producer in the European Union, representing an eight-billion-euro ($9.1 billion) industry, according to the agricultural association Confagricoltura.

The two case of African swine fever detected in Lazio are the first among farmed pigs in Italy. Before that, cases were detected in wild boar in January in northern Italy, then in the Lazio region.

African swine fever (ASF) does not affect humans but is contagious and fatal for pigs and their wild relatives and an outbreak is potentially devastating for the pork industry, experts say.

A 2018 outbreak in Chinathe world's largest pork producercaused millions of pigs to be slaughtered to stop the spread.

The disease has existed in Africa for decades. In a December 3 report on the virus, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) said ASF had been reported in 32 countries in five world regions since January 2020.

In Italy, it has been endemic on the island of Sardinia since first appearing in 1978.

In western Europe, the virus was reported in Belgium in 2018, prompting China to ban all imports of Belgian pork.

After Germany confirmed its first case in a dead wild boar in 2020, China, Japan and South Korea, alongside Brazil and Argentina, also suspended German pork imports.

Italy's main agricultural association Coldiretti called on the government last month for the "rapid culling" of boars throughout the country to help stop the spread of the disease.

Images of boar walking through residential areas of Rome and feeding at overflowing rubbish bins regularly do the rounds on social media networks.

Explore further Case of African swine fever confirmed in northern taly

 2022 AFP
Picture and schematics of the experimental setup. (a) Schematic 3D-view of the assembled block showing the positions of the 38 piezoelectric sensors (red, green and blue cones), the main injection borehole, a secondary injection borehole reaching into the interface and the saw cut interface (blue plane). Green, red, and blue arrows show applied stresses. (b) Plan-view of the block indicating measured displacements x and y and calculated interface displacement L. The open section of the main injection borehole is indicated with magenta shading. (c) Picture of the Castlegate Sandstone block just before cutting the interface. Credit: Scientific Reports (2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11715-6

A Skoltech professor and his colleagues from the Norwegian Seismic Array and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, U.S., have run an experiment that reproduces the injection of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide underground for semi-permanent storage to prevent global climate warming. They have found that despite some fears, this process does not cause earthquakes if CO 2 is injected at the pressures commonly used. The study is published in Scientific Reports.

Carbon storage is one of the pillars of the low-carbon economy, along with the many ways of actually reducing CO 2 emissions. The principal ways of binding CO 2 are in biomasse.g., by planting treesand in deep underground reservoirs, such as depleted oil fields. The latter approach, known as geosequestration, is the subject of much debate due to the perceived potential of pressure-pumped gas to trigger earthquakes.

"Our experiments show that provided we exercise sound judgment and limit the gas pumping pressure, it is possible to safely sink carbon dioxide into rock reservoirs that are deep underground without causing destructive earthquakes," study co-author and Skoltech Professor Sergey Stanchits comments.

Both this study, which relied on equipment at Schlumberger U.S., and Stanchits's ongoing work at Skoltech in Russia involve experiments with massive cube-shaped rocks that are sawed in half (see photo) to imitate two sides of a geological fault sliding against each other. The cube is pressed on all six sides to simulate the forces driving plate tectonics. Chemically inert silicone oil was injected into the rock to imitate the increase of pore pressure caused by CO 2 injection in the field.

"We turned on our improvised plate tectonics by applying uneven pressures to different faces of the sandstone cube, each side measuring about one meter," Stanchits explains. "The 'plates' started slowly creeping against each other, and we could hear them make a faint crackling sound with very sensitive microphones placed on all sides of the cube."

That in itself, however, constitutes normal seismic activity. "That's how tectonic plates are, always slowly moving," the researcher adds. "And it never becomes a problem unless they jam for some time, the strain builds up and is then released in an instant. That sudden slip of the fault is the earthquake."

The team wanted to see if pumping fluid into a borehole that reached relatively close to the fault would trigger something more than a faint cracklinga real earthquake in a lab! But it didn't. "So we did something you're not supposed to do in a real-life sequestration project: We had another hole, which went right up to the fault, and that's where we now injected the fluid under the pressure expected in the Earth during CO 2 sequestration," Stanchits recounts. "Still, somewhat disappointingly, the rocks just continued coasting along at the same less-than-catastrophic pace."

So the researchers tweaked the experiment mythbuster-style. "We thought, well, maybe we could use the first hole, the one that terminated 10 centimeters from the fault, but step up the pressure so much as to induce a fracture in the rock," the scientist says. "This is something you definitely would not want to do in a carbon storage project, but it's somewhat similar to hydraulic fracturing." Energy companies do it to get the oil or gas flowing from unconventional reservoirs, but also, potentially, to reach into the planet's warm depths through the resulting crack and produce renewable geothermal energy.

To cut a long story short, the team had to go all the way up from 45 times the normal atmospheric pressure in the original experiments to as much as 180 atmospheres before the sandstone gave in and a fracture leading right into the fault opened up. "We shut down the injection, the pressure in the wellbore dropped, and for about 10 minutes things kept quiet. But as we soon learned, this was the time it took the fluid to get redistributed in the fault zone to the point where, finally, there was quite a noticeable jerk in the previously smooth movement of the plates. That definitely qualified as a lab earthquake," Stanchits says, adding that in the field, the earthquake preparation would have probably taken a day or so, if the hydraulic fracturing was performed in close proximity to the fault.

Summing up the findings of this rather exciting experiment, the researcher concludes that carbon sequestration underground at pressures normally considered for the purpose and in properly chosen locations should be safe and should not induce earthquakes and gas seepage into groundwater or back into the atmosphere. Even fracking appears to be safe if done with due regard to the local geology: at sufficient distances from any fault. The authors of the study believe that similar laboratory experiments are crucial for minimizing both the expenses and the inherent risks of any such geological interventions. "It's just not something you want to do by trial and error," Stanchits concludes.

Explore further Data from boreholes in plate boundaries could explain slow earthquakes

More information: Volker Oye et al, Cubic-meter scale laboratory fault re-activation experiments to improve the understanding of induced seismicity risks, Scientific Reports (2022). Journal information: Scientific Reports Volker Oye et al, Cubic-meter scale laboratory fault re-activation experiments to improve the understanding of induced seismicity risks,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11715-6
Robert Czernek, former Bloomingdale Township highway commissioner, center, exits the Dirksen U.S Courthouse after testifying on June 8, 2022. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

In an extremely rare development, a federal judge dismissed a case Friday against a contractor standing trial on charges of paying kickbacks to the Bloomingdale Township highway boss in exchange for work that in some cases was never performed.

In acquitting Debra Fazio of wire fraud, U.S. District Judge Matthew Kennelly ruled prosecutors failed to prove Fazio had knowledge of the scheme or intentionally participated in it.

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Its virtually unheard of for a criminal defendant at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse to have a judge dismiss an indictment while the jury is still hearing evidence, particularly in a public corruption case.

Fazios attorney, Heather Winslow, said in a statement to the Tribune on Friday that they were thankful for the judges ruling.

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We are fully aware that this type of dismissal is rare, Winslow said. It was the right decision in this case.

A spokesman for the U.S. attorneys office did not immediately respond to a call seeking comment.

Meanwhile, the trial continued Friday for Fazios boyfriend and co-defendant, Mario Giannini, who was accused of being far more involved in the scheme than Fazio.

The stunning development came after Robert Czernek, the former elected highway commissioner for Bloomingdale Township, testified earlier this week that he conspired for years to take more than $700,000 in kickbacks from Bloomingdale-based Bulldog Earth Movers Inc. in exchange for work that, in many cases, was never performed.

Czernek, 71, pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of honest-services wire fraud and agreed to cooperate against Fazio, who owns Bulldog, and Giannini, who is a longtime employee.

Czernek told jurors on Wednesday that Giannini 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.

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.

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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 work 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 were 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 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.

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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.

On cross-examination, lawyers for Fazio and Giannini attempted to hammer away at Czerneks credibility, getting him to acknowledge 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? Winslow asked at one point.

Czernek replied, There are no guarantees.

Defense attorneys also questioned Czernek about 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?

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I was still working, Czernek said.

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.

Testifying in his own defense Friday afternoon, Giannini told the jury he never overcharged the township for any services and denied telling Czernek that they could make money off of any scheme.

Giannini said he trusted the numbers Czernek was writing down on the notes, which he simply handed off to his office.

Hes the road commissioner and Im working for him, Giannini testified. Later, he added, I mean you dont get any higher than he is. I mean hes in charge of the whole township.

Did you intend to defraud the citizens of Bloomingdale Township? his lawyer asked at one point.

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No, I did not, Giannini replied.

On cross-examination, Assistant U.S. Attorney Saurish Appleby-Bhattacharjee painted Giannini as lying to save his own skin, pointing out he told FBI agents during an interview outside an Addison restaurant that he knew that (Czerneks) numbers werent straight.

The jury is expected to hear closing arguments in Gianninis case and begin deliberations on Monday.

jmeisner@chicagotribune.com
The distribution of millet during the Bronze Age. The numbers mark sites where millet of the second millennium BC was found. Credit: Dragana Filipovic, Anna Carina Lange

A research team at Kiel University has reconstructed in detail the spread of the grain from East Asia to Central Europe.

People were already living in a globalized world 3,500 years ago. That is the conclusion of researchers at Kiel University (CAU). They have been able to reconstruct the spread of broomcorn millet in detail and found out that the grain was already spread from Asia to Central Europe at that time.

Easy to farm, with a short growing season and drought resistant, broomcorn millet (Panicum miliaceum) is one of the most valuable crops for the world's food supply today. The people of the Bronze Age already appreciated these advantagesalmost all over the world. A team led by Professor Wiebke Kirleis, deputy spokesperson of Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 1266 "Dimensions of Transformation" at Kiel University, has discovered this. The research on "Human-Environment Interactions in Prehistoric and Archaic Societies" at the Institute of Pre- and Protohistoric Archaeology is published in the recently edited volume "Millet and What Else? The Wider Context of the Adoption of Millet Cultivation in Europe."

The advantages of millet: Today and then

This volume on the prehistoric spread of millet is breaking news, providing historical context for a recently rediscovered cereal. Not without reason did the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) designate 2023 as the "International Year of Millet." In times of increasing global warming, millets, as drought-resistant cereals, are supposed to secure food for the population when other cereals fail.

Due to its short growing period of only three months, it can be used as a failure crop in northern Europe when late frosts have destroyed other cereals. It is also easy to store. The small grains are tightly packed in hulls, which protects them from insects and fungus. Millet is also easier to prepare than other grains. It does not need to be cooked for a long time, but can be prepared by soaking it in a leather bag or a bowl of hot water. This makes it a "superfood to go"for mobile nomadic riders as well as for sedentary farmers.

Globalization in the Bronze Age

These advantages led to a spread of broomcorn millet that is without parallel. "The resistance of millet convinced people worldwide at that time. After many years of domestication in China, it was spread westwards in the Bronze Age," says Dr. Dragana Filipovic, research associate at Institute of Pre- and Protohistoric Archaeology. "We were able to demonstrate that millet reached the northern Black Sea region around 1600 B.C. and the Po Valley in northern Italy around 1500. Around 1400 B.C. it crossed the Alps and around 1200 it finally reached northern Europe." Millet served as an important source of food security in much of Bronze Age Europe from the Bronze Age onwards.

"We can learn something fundamental from the globalization of the Bronze Age," explains Professor Kirleis. "During the Bronze Age, the supply of bronze collapsed in the interim, but the metal was not essential for life. The grain, on the other hand, which was once imported via transregional networks, was grown by the people themselves in all regions. So the supply of millet remained secured."

Supraregional relations are of extraordinary importance, they trigger innovations and contribute to international understanding. However, the Bronze Age case studies with millet and with bronze illustrate the advantages of autarkic supply over complex trade chains. "The people of the Bronze Age lived in an interconnected world just like we do, but they were this important step ahead of us. They already knew that essential needs should be met with local options," Wiebke Kirleis continues. "This guarantees the basis for a good life."

Explore further Rapid acceptance of foreign food tradition in Bronze Age Europe

More information: Millet and what else? The Wider Context of the Adoption of Millet Cultivation in Europe. Scales of Transformations in Prehistoric and Archaic Societies, vol. 14. Sidestone Press (Leiden 2022). Millet and what else? The Wider Context of the Adoption of Millet Cultivation in Europe. Scales of Transformations in Prehistoric and Archaic Societies, vol. 14. Sidestone Press (Leiden 2022). www.sidestone.com/books/millet-and-what-else
Kotatea raekura coral discovered by Dr Kessel. Credit: Mike Page, NIWA

Ten new species of New Zealand soft corals have been discovered by marine biologist Dr. Gustav Kessel, who recently completed his PhD at Te Herenga WakaVictoria University of Wellington.

Soft corals are lesser-known relatives of reef-forming hard corals and are important components of marine ecosystems.

"They're like the trees of the sea floor and many other organisms depend on them for their habitat," Dr. Kessel says.

The new species were found among tens of thousands of preserved specimens housed at the NIWA Invertebrate Collection in Wellington, the Auckland War Memorial Museum, and international institutions.

"Many species are 'discovered' in collections of old material rather than during expeditions. The new species I described had been waiting for attention on collection shelves for years, some since the late 1960s."

Dr. Kessel's work debunked the belief that Aotearoa had one common shallow-water coral species called "dead man's fingers," or Alcyonium aurantiacum. "What we thought was one species is actually several superficially similar, but very diverse species."

While New Zealand is a hotspot of soft coral diversity, our corals are better studied in the deep sea than at shallow depths, he says. "Virtually nothing is known about the many species within diving or even snorkeling depths around the country."

Dr. Kessel wants more resources invested in taxonomythe naming and classifying of organisms.

"Countless species are threatened, declining and going extinct, and this certainly includes species we didn't even know existed. How can we protect our biodiversity without a full picture of what's out there?"

The 10 corals he identified have been classified into two new genera (groups of species) endemic to New Zealand.

Dr. Kessel says a working group from Far North iwi Ngati Kuri named one genus Kotatea. The second is named Ushanaia, after his fiance Ushana.

The iwi also named four of the 10 new species that are found in its rohe.

"Ngati Kuri representatives carefully crafted scientific names based in te reo, and seeing the species I worked so hard to identify given names with such deep historical and spiritual meaning was the most rewarding part of my PhD."

Dr. Kessel was born in Koln (Cologne), Germany, about 200 km from the sea.

"Luckily, my parents decided to move to New Zealand when I was 11. There are few better places for people who are fascinated by nature, especially marine life, and I started studying marine biology as soon as I had the chance."

Dr. Kessel's dissertation, titled "Dead man's fingers point towards new species," was supervised by Professor Jonathan Gardner from the University's School of Biological SciencesTe Kura Matauranga Koiora, Drs Kareen Schnabel and Jaret Bilewitch from NIWA, and Dr. Phil Alderslade at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization in Australia.

Explore further Resurrecting a 'lost' coral species
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Since the police killing of George Floyd in May 2020 and the subsequent mass mobilizations for police defunding and abolition, the defund movement has continued to organize.

Has this work had an impact in Canada? Have there been successful challenges to reducing Canadian police budgets?

The answer is complicated and depends on how you define success.

Raised awareness

Some argue the mobilization and movement-building that has transpiredpeople brought together in campaigns for police abolition that reimagine community safetyis a huge success in and of itself. Abolition has entered the public consciousness like never before.

Dozens of books have been published by academics, lawyers and activists, building on the work of Black feminists in the United States and Canada who have long argued police perpetuate rather than reduce violence in our society.

There have been some modest successes in defunding police.

In Edmonton, city council voted to cut the 2022 police budget increase by $10.9 million and reallocate the money to social services.

In Halifax, a subcommittee of the Halifax Board of Police Commissioners has tabled a detailed and carefully researched report to city council on how the local police force could be gradually detasked and defunded.

When one looks further, however, what becomes apparent is a serious and growing counter-campaign. It's perhaps the strongest indication of the movement's success at undermining the sanctity of police budgets until now.

Counter-tactics

Police have fought vigorously against the defund movement through threats and false conceits of impending violence if budgets are cut. They are co-opting calls for community safety, branding themselves as protectors in need of continuing or increased resources. They position themselves as innocent heroes under attack, and discredit those who critique them.

One strategy police use is an offensive and personal tactic of removing people from positions of influence if they support police defunding.

When Winnipeg City Coun. Sherri Rollins critiqued police racism in March 2020, an informal complaint was lodged against her by the police board alleging she lacked compliance with the city's respectful workplace policies.

Similarly, in July 2020, another Winnipeg city councilor, Vivian Santos, discussed defunding and was ousted from the police board. Police removed her on alleged security grounds when background checks turned up a friend with a criminal record.

Fear-mongering

Scare tactics are another strategy.

According to their own data, only eight to 10 percent of calls to police involve violence. Despite acknowledging that a large proportion of the calls they receive might be better managed by other kinds of workers, police maintain that reducing officers would be "naive" and undermine community safety.

But which community is the police keeping safe? Instead of diverting funding to organizations with expertise in gender-based violence, anti-racism measures and mental health, police are demanding and receiving record funds to triage these programs themselves.

The Waterloo Region Police recently got a $12.3-million boost to run mental-health interventions while community organizations are starved through austerity and struggle to keep their doors open.

In Hamilton, Ont., activists from the Defund the Police Hamilton Coalition supported homeless people who were harassed daily by police and eventually violently evicted from their encampments.

The coalition demanded city council reallocate resources from police towards permanent housing, prioritizing the needs of the community over criminalizing homeless people. The organization's antidote to scare tactics is to focus on prevention and the fight to protect people over property.

Police culture as social problem

Police suggest ostensible reforms, such as unconscious bias training and body cameras, as a promise to change the "culture of policing." As criminologists have noted, such reforms increase police funding without demonstrable change, sidestepping the reality that policing is inherently violent.

With growing attention to their record of extra-judicial killings, systemic racism and harassment in their own forces and their failure to address gender-based violence, police are on the defense.

Take, for example, the aggressive response to criticism from police unions. The police brass may have to mince their words when responding to politicians and the public, but police unions often reveal their true colors.

In June 2020, the Regina Police Association defended a tweet suggesting that its cultural unit, which works with Indigenous people, would be the first to go should the police be defunded. "Choose wisely," it threatened.

Also in June 2020, the Edmonton police chief similarly stated that defunding would harm diversity initiatives within policing. This threat to the employment of Black and Indigenous officers positioned the police as a benevolent force in the struggle for racial justice, obfuscating the colonial foundation and systemic racism of policing.

Yet the charge in Canada to defund the police is being led by Black and Indigenous leaders and is explicitly focused on racial injustice in the criminal justice system.

What decreases harm?

The lack of "success" in police defunding is a sign of how vigorously police are fighting back, not a sign of a waning movement.

Over the past two years, police chiefs, police representatives and police unions have mobilized the public resources they have to fight against the defund movement. But an Ipsos poll found 50 percent of Canadians under the age of 38 are interested in police defunding and abolition.

Defunding the police is not radical or irrational, contrary to what police might have the public believe.

What is radical and irrational is continuing to spend 15 to 30 percent of municipal budgets on public policing. What is radical and irrational is continuing to use criminalization and criminal law to deal with social issues and interpersonal harms when we know that a punitive, carceral approach does not decrease harm or lead to more safety in our neighbourhhoods.

Instead, citizens need to think openly about ways to address harms in our communities and neighborhoods and to reallocate funds from bloated police budgets to housing, mental health, addiction, employment, counseling, anti-violence education and more. Then we might truly live in a healthier, safer world.

At a time when many people are struggling to make ends meet, we must not let police tantrums get in the way of real safety and a fair share of resources for community and social development. Nor can we accept the criminalization of poverty and inequality, which is the current alibi for how public police and the whole penal system stays in business.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Mysterious: The carved T-shaped megaliths at the prehistoric Gobekli Tepe near Sanliurfa, Turkey.

On a sun-blasted hillside in southeast Turkey, the world's oldest known religious sanctuary is slowly giving up its secrets.

"When we open a new trench, we never know what to expect," said Lee Clare of the German Archaeology Institute, who has been excavating there since 2013.

"It is always a big surprise."

Gobekli Tepe, which means "Potbelly Hill" in Turkish, is arguably the most important archaeological site on Earth.

Thousands of our prehistoric ancestors gathered around its highly-decorated T-shaped megalith pillars to worship more 7,000 years before Stonehenge or the earliest Egyptian pyramids.

"Its significance is hard to overstate," Sean Lawrence, assistant professor of history at West Virginia University, told AFP.

Academics believe the history of human settlement began in these hills close to the Syrian border some 12,000 years ago when groups of Stone Age hunter gatherers came together to construct these sites.

Gobekli Tepewhich some experts believe was never actually inhabitedmay be part of a vast sacred landscape that encompasses other nearby hilltop sites that archaeologists believe may be even older.

Endless mystery

Archaeologists working on the Gobekli Tepe site in southeastern Turkey, one of the most important in the world.

None of which anyone would have guessed before the German archeologist and pre-historian Klaus Schmidt began to bring the first discoveries to the surface in 1995.

German and Turkish archaeologists have been laboring in the sun there since, with lengthening queues of tourists now joining them to ponder its many mysteries.

When exactly it all began is even unclear.

"Exact years are nearly impossible to verify," Lawrence said.

"However, the oldest Egyptian monument, the Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, was built around 2700 BCE," more than seven millennia after Gobekli Tepe.

"This was the end of what is often thought of as Stone Age hunter gatherer societies and the beginning of settled societies," Lawrence added.

"There remain endless mysteries surrounding the site, including how labor was organized and how the sites were used," he said.

Earth mother: One of the carved stones found at the prehistoric Gobekli Tepe site in Turkey shows a woman giving birth.

Gobekli Tepe has even inspired the Netflix sci-fi psychological thriller series "The Gift", which turns on one of the ancient inscriptions on its pillars.

Schmidtwho often wore a white traditional turban on the digpuzzled over the megaliths carved with the images of foxes, boars, ducks, lizards and a leopard for over two decades until his early death at the age of 61 in 2014.

'Zero point in time'

The site was initially believed to be purely ritual in nature. But according to Clare, there is now "good evidence" for the beginning of settled life with some buildings similar to those of the same age found in northern Syria.

Turkeywhich in the past has not been renowned for making the best of its vast archaeological heritagehas wholeheartedly embraced the discoveries.

The items excavated from Gobekli Tepe are shown in the impressive archaeological museum in the nearest city, Sanliurfa, which is itself so ancient that Abraham is believed to have been born there.

Indeed its new museum built in 2015 boasts "the most extensive collection of the neolithic era in the world," according to its director Celal Uludag. "All of the portable artifacts from Gobekli Tepe are exhibited here."

Major draw: Visitors take pictures at the archaeological site of Gobekli Tepe near Sanliurfa, Turkey.

"This is a journey to civilization, (to the) zero point in time," said Aydin Aslan, head of Sanliurfa Culture and Tourism Directorate.

"Gobekli Tepe sheds light on pre-history, that's why it's a common heritage of humanity," he said proudly.

'Go deeper'

Last year Turkey's culture ministry boosted funding for furher excavations in the region as a part of its "Stone Hills" project, including cash for the Karahan Tepe hilltop sitearound 35 kilometers from Gobekli Tepewhich some suspect is even older.

"We will now go deeper because Gobekli Tepe is not the one and only," Culture Minister Nuri Ersoy said last year.

The extra funding "gives us a fantastic opportunity to compare our results from Gobekli Tepe with new sites in the Sanliurfa region of the same age," Clare said.

Gobekli Tepe has also breathed life back into a poor and long neglected region, which has been further hit by the civil war just across the border. Syrian refugees now make up a quarter of Sanliurfa's population.

Carvings of ducks on one of the pillars at the prehistoric Gobekli Tepe site in Sanliurfa, Turkey.

Over one million tourists visited Sanliurfa in 2019 and the city expects to reach pre-pandemic levels this year.

"Today Gobekli Tepe has started directly touching the economy of the city," Aslan said, who hopes that its glorious past could be a key part of the city's future.

 2022 AFP
Testing wastewater for the presence of diseases has grown in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Credit: Shutterstock

Wastewater surveillance involves testing sewage to obtain data about a population's health. While the technique is decades old, it has gained recent international prominence for its ability to predict pandemic surges, detect new SARS-CoV-2 variants and provide useful data when traditional testing methods reach capacity. With its success, the field is expanding.

Wastewater surveillance increasingly plays a vital role, as governments around the world are abandoning communal and state-based modes of care, such as masking and clinical PCR testing. The United States recently established a National Wastewater Surveillance System, while the G7 health ministers pledged support for surveillance systems.

As applications of wastewater surveillance have grown, so have academic and public discussions about the ethics of using wastewater for surveillance.

Targeted surveillance

Ethical, social and political concerns over wastewater surveillance are not new.

But with the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, and the rapid adoption of wastewater-based epidemiology, these concerns take on renewed urgency, particularly as sewage is surveilled at increasingly smaller scales.

Wastewater surveillance is often celebrated for its unbiased, anonymous and non-intrusive nature. In the majority of today's programs, surveillance is conducted at wastewater treatment plants or in sewer sheds, where samples are aggregated to a point that many scientists, officials and research oversight committees argue pose minimal ethical risks or threats to privacy.

"Wastewater near-source tracking could be the 1st line of defense for high-risk populations and could offer long-term advances in public health surveillance after #COVID19"

That could be routine now.

Commentary pertains to schools.https://t.co/jLMDHkFTjP @LancetMicrobe pic.twitter.com/uKv4cpUUXE  Eric Topol (@EricTopol) October 31, 2020

But in the past decade, wastewater surveillance has been increasingly deployed at smaller scales. This is referred to as targeted surveillance, or near-source tracking, and has occurred in a variety of settings.

These include college dormitories, long-term care facilities and workplaces across North America; law enforcement-targeted areas in China and Australia; correctional facilities throughout the U.S., including Oklahoma, Kentucky and Ohio; and migrant worker housing facilities in Singapore.

As human geographers studying sanitation, environmental surveillance and biological data, we are concerned that discussions surrounding wastewater surveillance ethics have paid little attention to the geography and history of near-source wastewater surveillance.

Surveillance history

In 2015, researchers outlined concerns about targeted wastewater surveillance in prisons, schools, workplaces and hospitals. Targeted surveillance of opioids in prisons' sewage, according to the researchers, could hypothetically justify overly harsh measures such as banning visitations.

While today's number of targeted applications are historically unprecedented, concerns related to their applications are not new. Preliminary findings from our historical research on wastewater surveillance show that early influential near-source studies caused researcher anxieties or revealed ethical oversights.

In 1946, in a British resort town in North Devon, a scientist sought to locate the source of a typhoid outbreak. Tracking the source was urgent as it threatened not only the town's health, but also its tourism-based economy.

Using sewage testing, the source of the outbreak was traced to the wife of a popular beachside ice-cream vendor. The published study referred to the town as "X," fearing that findings would negatively impact tourism. Due to privacy concerns, the study warned that: "Except in the presence of an outbreak, it is probably unwise to pursue infection right back to the individual carrier."

In 1962, a Yale scientist used similar near-source methods to study the efficacy of polio vaccination campaigns in Connecticut. Sewage from incarcerated youth held at a delinquent girls' prison was one of five sites strategically selected for testing before and after vaccine administration. This study intimately linked the development of near-source tracking with experimentation on marginalized populations.

Later, in 1967, researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison ran another vaccine efficacy sewage study to target a graduate student housing complex. They wrote that "by appropriate sampling one might be able to monitor a housing project, an apartment building, or perhaps even a single household."

By 1973, the method was applied to migrant labor settings. The South African government set up a cholera surveillance system for the country's gold mining industry. This system relied on the monitoring of sewage at barracks, followed by targeted, invasive rectal swabs. Wastewater surveillance therefore ensured that South African mining companies could continue to access cheap foreign labor.

These early cases demonstrate that the threats near-source tracking poses to individual and group privacy, as well as research ethics, date back decades. Wastewater surveillance is not apolitical or neutral. It has been developed, expanded and normalized in ways that have the potential to increase class, racial and gendered inequality.

Ethics of wastewater surveillance

Those involved with wastewater surveillance are aware of these issues.

Experts in the field are especially concerned about the kinds of human-identifying genetic data that are found in wastewater. They are also concerned about what could be done with archived samples as analysis techniques rapidly advance.

Efforts underway to develop guidelines to address these concerns. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides guidelines for targeted wastewater surveillance. The WHO's interim guidance argues that guidelines are needed, especially "when sampling relatively small and well-defined buildings or confined areas such as prisons, refugee camps or schools."

Researchers at the Canadian Water Network argue that, when it comes to near-source wastewater surveillance, existing WHO public health guidelines must be considered and adapted to address a distinct set of bioethical concerns. These include the minimization or disclosure of risk, clear justification for the use of identifiable data, and commitments to not share data with agencies outside public health.

As private sector companies increasingly offer wastewater testing, the need for guidance and regulation becomes more urgent. The recent private sector involvement in wastewater surveillance may create or exacerbate ethical, legal and political issues.

Considered applications

We are not arguing against the use of wastewater surveillance. However, given the potential of harm from near-source tracking at sites with existing inequalities, it is crucial to consider the challenges, histories and long-standing concerns that arise from this method.

We should be having public conversations about what information is collected through wastewater surveillance, how and where it is gathered, who it identifies and who has control over its use and, potentially, its sale.

It is also imperative to question what other modes of care this kind of technology could displace, including state-funded testing, precautionary infection prevention and masking.

Explore further CDC turns to wastewater data to track COVID's spread

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
KTU researcher Inga Popovaite at MDRS. Credit: Inga Popovaite

A new study based on Mars Desert Research Station commanders' reports reveals differences in female and male leadership behavior. Although both genders are task-focused, women tend to be more positive. The genders also differ in their approach toward their teamwhile men focus on accomplishments, women emphasize mutual support. According to the author of the study, Inga Popovaite, a sociologist at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) in Lithuania, the findings suggest that women may be better suited for long-term space missions.

According to the researcher, as of 2021, only three women have served as commanders in the International Space Station during two decades of its operations. Although the space is becoming more diverse, little is known about gender differences in leadership in isolated, confined, and extreme environments.

"In 1020 years when the missions to Mars start, it will be mixed-gender groups that will be sent there. Also, a female astronaut is preparing for a flight to the Moon in a few years. However, there is still a lack of data on women in space due to their low participance in both polar expeditions and space analogs. The dynamics of mixed groups are compared with that of male groups," says Popovaite, a researcher at KTU Civil Society and Sustainability research group.

Aiming to contribute to the small body of literature on the topic, she investigated potential gender differences in leadership in space analog environments. For her study, Popovaite was using commander reports from the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS), a space analog facility in Utah. Space analogs share some characteristics with spaceflight. Such places may exist for other purposes (for example, the Antarctic research stations) or be specifically built to replicate parts of the spaceflight experience.

Leaders of both genders are task-focused, but women are more supportive

In her study, Popovaite analyzed the MDRS reports from 2009 to 2016. In total, 824 commander reports with an average length of 348 words (2008 characters) each were analyzed; 277 of them were written by female authors and 541by the male. There were 27 women commanders and 49 men commanders during that time in MDRS.

After conducting several types of analysiscomputational sentiment analysis, qualitative study of the reports' content and word frequency calculationsthe KTU researcher detected certain differences in female and male commanders' communication. Firstly, women's reports had significantly higher positive sentiment scores and significantly lower negative sentiment scores. Secondly, although both female and male commanders demonstrated task-oriented leadership behavior, women commanders discussed their crew members more frequently; moreover, in such discussions, male commanders focused on team spirit, loyalty and accomplishments, and women emphasized mutual support, motivation and a positive environment. Thirdly, the findings revealed that female commanders tend to use less specific words while talking about their daily activities.

"While it is traditionally considered that male leaders are task-oriented and women are more sociable leaders, my research has shown that both male and female commanders were equally focused on task completion. The only difference between them was that women more frequently encouraged their team with positive supportive messages," says Popovaite.

According to the KTU researcher, her findings are in line with theory, which claims that women are more sociable, communal leaders than men. Also, it mirrors previous research evidence that male and female leaders rarely differ in task-oriented behavior.

'Feminine' leadership more sustainable in space missions

While commenting on her discoveries, Popovaite reminds that gender and leadership are social roles with potentially conflicting behavioral expectationsleadership traits are culturally perceived as aligned with masculine, and not feminine, traits. Women leaders are socially encouraged to show more positive feelings towards others and avoid showing negative emotions, such as anger.

However, this aspect, characteristic of "feminine" leadership, might be beneficial in extreme situations. Space analogs are more stressful due to long-term isolation, confinement, and limited resources; and any interpersonal conflict can jeopardize team success. Social scientists agree that a leader in such an environment should possess both agentic and communal skills, i.e. should be both task and people-oriented.

"Participation in a simulated space mission is not just about adventure, excitement and discoveries. During the mission, the crew is mainly performing mundane tasks: making food, washing dishes, and tidying the environment. In these environments, people need to survive for prolonged periods without the emotional and psychological support of their family and friends. That's why a leader, who cares about the emotional needs of their team, becomes more sustainable, especially in the later stages of the mission," says Popovaite.

Therefore, the researcher suggests that women might be better suited for long term space missions than men. However, more research on the topic is needed.

The research was published in Acta Astronautica.

More information: Inga Popovaite, Gender and leadership in space analogs: A study of MDRS commanders' reports, Acta Astronautica (2022). Journal information: Acta Astronautica Inga Popovaite, Gender and leadership in space analogs: A study of MDRS commanders' reports,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2022.03.027
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

In the workplace, even subtle differences in language choice can influence the perception of gender for better or worse. These choices fall into two main categories: minimizing the role of gender by using gender-neutral terms or emphasizing an individual's gender through "gender marking." In a commentary in the journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences, behavioral scientist Stav Atir argues that by using these two approaches thoughtfully, one can promote gender equality.

"If anyone suggested saying 'female politician' or 'lady scientist,' I think many would say 'No, thank you,'" says Atir, an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin Madison who studies how gender bias can affect perceptions of professionals.

The gender-neutral approach involves using words like "businessperson," instead of "businessman" or "businesswoman," or using gender-neutral pronouns like "they" instead of "he" or "she." Using this language can erase the conception that men and women are wildly different beings, and it fights back against our natural tendency to rely on stereotypes in our thinking, studies show.

"But wholesale gender neutrality in language is no panacea," says Atir. This approach suffers from the fact that gender-neutral terms tend to be considered masculine by default.

"Even when gender isn't explicitly specified, stereotypes often fill in the gender blank," says Atir. "Occupation words such as 'businessperson' or 'surgeon,' though technically gender neutral, likely conjure up an image of a man; likewise, 'nurse' (also technically gender neutral) conjures up an image of a woman."

The alternativeusing a gender-marking approachcan be used to highlight the success of women in male-dominated fields. "In order to spotlight the breakers of glass ceilings and those following in their footsteps, we must mention their gender," says Atir.

This approach comes with its own drawbacks, like reinforcing negative stereotypes. "Gender marking, then, should not be used thoughtlessly," says Atir. "Though it can draw attention to professionals whose gender is underrepresented, it can also have ironic consequences, prompting stereotypical thinking and bolstering the perception of women as exotic exceptions to the male rule."

"We might be tempted to throw up our hands and give up the endeavor of using language to express and promote our beliefs. That would be a mistake," says Atir. "Language remains one tool in our toolbox for social change, and, unlike some of our other tools, it's one that we can all use. The key to using this tool effectively is to tailor our language to the context, taking into account our situation-specific goals."

Explore further Children's books solidify gender stereotypes in young minds

More information: Girlboss? Highlighting versus downplaying gender through language, Trends in Cognitive Sciences (2022). Girlboss? Highlighting versus downplaying gender through language,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2022.05.001
CAMBRIDGE  The New York State School Boards Association honored Cambridge Central School on Thursday with its Champions of Change award for the high school environmental science classs ongoing Hedges Lake Water Quality Initiative.

The program was in the news earlier this year when students alerted lake residents to the presence of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, in the private lake.

A resident realized the toxins released by the bacteria could be what was making her dog sick and shared the information with her vet. With treatment, the dog recovered.

Catherine Lewis, president of the Schenectady City School District Board of Education and Area 7 director for NYSSBA, presented a Champions for Change banner to the school on Thursday afternoon.

The presentation, attended by school Superintendent Douglas Silvernell, high school Principal Caroline Goss, school board President Jessica Ziehm, school board member Neil Gifford, environmental science teacher Steve Butz and members of this years environmental science class, was held at the dock overlooking the pond in the schools biosphere preserve.

Lewis said NYSSBA started the non-competitive award during the pandemic to recognize worthwhile projects by public schools and other educational institutions. Honorees are chosen by a committee of NYSSBA members and staff.

Butz said the schools water-quality testing program started in 2003 when invasive zebra mussels were found in Hedges Lake, about 6 miles north of the school. The program added the Batten Kill in 2006 and the pond in the biosphere preserve a few years ago.

Hundreds of students have gone through the program, Butz said.

Some have entered careers in the environmental field.

Students take water samples, analyze them in the laboratory, and inform the community of their findings, Butz said.

Students are learning hands-on research, he said.

The community benefits as well. Aside from the students, no one is studying Hedges Lake, he said.

Unlike most green algae, which form strands or filaments, the cyanobacteria at Hedges Lake look like grains of green sand, Butz said. The bacteria release a toxin that can sicken people as well as animals and has led to numerous beach closures in other places. Hedges Lake has only had harmful algal blooms in the last few years, Butz said. Although the exact reason hasnt been determined, he suspects it may be related to higher water temperatures.

Butz thanked the Hedges Lake Campers Association, the organization that oversees the private lake, for its cooperation. The association allows the school to keep the programs boat there over the summer. In turn, the students report their findings to the association.

Its a great collaboration with the community, Butz said.

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SOUTH GLENS FALLS  A South Glens Falls woman is facing felony drug charges for allegedly selling heroin.

Jeannette M. Tyndell, 51, of 129 Saratoga Ave., was arrested after an investigation by the Saratoga County Sheriffs Office. Police said she possessed and sold heroin on numerous occasions within Saratoga County, according to a news release.

Tyndell was charged with third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance  both felonies  as well as misdemeanors of seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and second-degree criminally using drug paraphernalia.

She was arraigned in Milton Town Court and released on her own recognizance. She is due in Waterford Town Court and Saratoga Springs City Court at a later date.

The Waterford and Troy police departments assisted with the case.

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Candidates in the 21st Congressional District Democratic primary are trading barbs about gun laws.

Matt Putorti criticized Matt Castelli, the partys endorsed candidate, for being indecisive about banning assault weapons, and Castelli criticized Putorti for using Castellis position as the basis for a fundraising solicitation.

Putorti, a lawyer from Whitehall, and Castelli, a former CIA counterterrorism official from the town of Saratoga, are running in the Aug. 23 primary to determine the Democratic nominee to challenge Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, in November.

Historically, gun rights has been among the defining issues in local congressional races.

Putorti raised the issue in a recent press release, after Castelli, in a May 31 television interview on WWNY-TV in Watertown, was asked about a federal assault weapons ban. Castelli responded, Ill take a look at any piece of legislation that might come before me in terms of trying to evaluate respecting the needs of lawful gun owners in our community and protecting the security of our children in our schools.

Putorti, in a telephone interview on Tuesday, accused Castelli of posturing, in an attempt not to offend either side of the gun law debate.

There isnt any reason for that kind of political calculation, he said.

Castelli, in a telephone interview on Wednesday, said he was not posturing, but would not make a blanket statement without knowing specifics of the legislation.

Terminology thats being thrown around is broadly defined, and could apply to guns other than military-style weapons, he said.

Putorti, on the other hand, said that early in the campaign he committed to support a ban on assault weapons.

We have a gun epidemic in our country, he said.

Castelli said it was poor taste for Putorti to use their difference on banning assault weapons as the basis of a campaign fundraising appeal at a time when people are grieving recent mass shootings at a Tops supermarket in Buffalo and an elementary school at Uvalde, Texas.

I was disappointed to see that he would put out a fundraising appeal, Castelli said.

Putorti said it is Castelli who is in the wrong.

"I find it outrageous that after children were gunned down in their classroom that someone running as a Democrat lacks the backbone to support something as common sense as banning assault weapons because he is worried about his political career," Putorti said, in a follow-up statement.

Castelli said an assault weapons ban is not likely to pass Congress, and that he is focused on common sense solutions such as expanding background checks for gun purchasers and enacting a federal red flag law, which would allow police officers and judges to get a court order to temporarily seize guns from people thought to be a danger to themselves or others, measures that Putorti also supports.

Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, said at a press conference with Stefanik in Washington on Wednesday that New Yorks red flag law did not prevent the mass-shooting in Buffalo.

Former local U.S. Reps. Bill Owens, D-Plattsburgh, who represented the district from 2009 to 2015, and Kirsten Gillibrand (now U.S. senator), D-Greenport, who represented the Glens Falls area from 2007 to 2009, had A ratings from the National Rifle Association when they were in the House.

Neither Democratic primary candidate would directly answer if he would welcome an A rating from the NRA, or what rating he might expect to receive.

I dont even want to imagine what the NRA would rate me, and I dont care, Putorti said.

Im not aware of what the NRA may or may not do, Castelli said.

Both candidates said it is important to balance between gun laws and the rights of hunters and sportsmen to own guns.

The Second Amendment would be a component of that (his policy on gun laws,) Castelli said.

This isnt about taking away all guns, Putorti said.

Candidates cite expertise

Both candidates said that their careers have provided unique expertise on gun issues.

"I carried firearms in the line of duty and in Iraq, said Castelli, who was in both Iraq and Afghanistan with the CIA as a counterterrorism expert.

Putorti said he represented, free of charge, the Giffords Law Center, headed by former Rep. Gabby Giffords, D-Ariz., seeking to require the national gun background system to use more comprehensive information.

The lawsuit was dismissed on legal procedural grounds, however the work behind it was really important to bringing new information to the debate, he said.

Both candidates said that they support the so-called Protect Our Kids Act, which passed the House on Wednesday by a vote of 223-204, with five Republicans voting in favor and two Democrats against.

Fifteen New York House Democrats, including Paul Tonko, D-Amsterdam, were co-sponsors of the legislation, which would raise the minimum age to purchase semi-automatic weapons to 21, and make it a federal crime to import, manufacture or possess large-capacity magazines, among other provisions.

Stefanik voted against the legislation.

These pieces of legislation infringe on the constitutional 2nd Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans to keep and bear arms with little to no effect on deterring criminals who do not follow the law when obtaining firearms, Stefanik said in a statement. I have worked in Congress to introduce legislation that incentivizes gun safety and training, increase school resource officers in schools, and voted in support of the bipartisan FIX NICS Act, signed into law by President Trump, which improved the National Instant Background Check System.

Stefanik said she also voted for legislation that provided $1 billion to improve school security and increase the number of school resource officers.

On Wednesday, Stefanik announced she is an original co-sponsor of legislation to provide an addition $7 billion to increase the number of school resource officers and mental health guidance counselors, and to require federal agencies to develop and continually revise and offer school security training programs.

On Tuesday, Stefanik announced that she was an original co-sponsor of Republican legislation to establish a federal tax deduction for the cost of firearms safety and concealed-carry courses, and for the cost of buying gun safety and storage equipment.

As Democrats rush to push their radical gun control agenda, I am proud to lead the charge in introducing legislation to promote gun training and safety, she said in a press release.

Castelli said the tax deduction legislation is shortsighted.

A culture of gun safety is important, and we are lucky to have that here in NY-21, where folks dont need incentives because they already know that safe storage and accident prevention are part of responsible gun ownership, he said.

Maury Thompson covered local government and politics for The Post-Star for 21 years before he retired in 2017. He continues to follow regional politics as a freelance writer.

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In almost every human cell, two metres-long DNA has to fit within a nucleus that is just 8 millionths of a metre wide. Like wool around a spool, the extreme space challenge requires DNA to wrap around structural proteins called histones. This coiled genetic architecture, known as chromatin, protects DNA from damage and has a key role in gene regulation.

Histones are present in both eukaryotes, living organisms that have specialised cellular machinery such as nuclei and microtubules, and archaea, another branch of the tree of life consisting of single-celled microbes that are prokaryotic, meaning they lack a nucleus.

In eukaryotic cells, histones are modified by enzymes, continuously shapeshifting the genomic landscape to regulate gene expression and other genomic processes. Despite this fundamental role, the exact origin of chromatin has been shrouded in mystery.

Researchers at the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) now reveal that nature's storage solution first evolved in ancient microbes living on Earth between one and two billion years ago. The study is published today in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution.

To go back in time, the researchers used information written in the genomes of modern organisms, organizing life forms according to the evolution of genes and proteins linked to chromatin. They studied thirty different species obtained from water samples in Canada and France. The microbes were identified thanks to modern gene-sequencing technologies that allow the identification of species by filtering DNA. They were subsequently grown in the lab for proteomic and genome sequencing.

The researchers found that prokaryotes lack the machinery necessary to modify histones, suggesting archaeal chromatin at the time could have played a basic structural role but did not regulate the genome. In contrast, researchers found ample evidence of proteins that read, write and erase histone modifications in early diverging eukaryotic lineages such as the malawimonad Gefionella okellyi, the ancyromonad Fabomonas tropica, or the discoban Naegleria gruberi, microbes that had not been sampled until now.

"Our results underscore that the structural and regulatory roles of chromatin are as old as eukaryotes themselves. These functions are essential for eukaryotic life -- since chromatin first appeared, it's never been lost again in any life form", says Dr. Xavier Grau-Bove, a post-doctoral researcher at the CRG and first author of the study. "We are now a bit closer to understanding its origin, thanks to the power of comparative analyses to uncover evolutionary events that occurred billions of years ago".

Using the sequence data, the researchers reconstructed the repertoire of genes held by the Last Eukaryotic Common Ancestor, the cell that gave rise to all eukaryotes. This living organism had dozens of histone-modifying genes and lived between one and two billion years ago on Earth, which is itself estimated to be 4.5 billion years old. The authors of the study hypothesise that chromatin evolved in this microbe as a result of selective pressures in the primordial environment of Earth.

Dr. Arnau Sebe-Pedros, researcher at the CRG and senior author of the study, points out that "viruses and transposable elements are genome parasites that regularly attack DNA of single-celled organisms. This could have led to an evolutionary arms-race to protect the genome, resulting in the development of chromatin as a defensive mechanism in the cell that gave rise to all known eukaryotic life on Earth. Later on, these mechanisms were co-opted into elaborate gene regulation, as we observe in modern eukaryotes, particularly multicellular organisms".

According to the authors of the study, future research could look at the evolution of histone-modifying enzymes in Asgardian archaea, microbes named after a mythological region inhabited by Norse gods that are often described as an evolutionary stepping stone between archaea and eukaryotes. The researchers found evidence that some species of Asgardian microbes, such as Lokiarchaeota, have histones with eukaryotic-like features, and could be the result of convergent evolution.

The study is the result of a research project that started eight years ago. Led by researchers at the CRG, the work counts on the collaboration of the CRG-UPF Proteomics Unit, the Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (CSIC-UPF), Universite Paris-Saclay, Universite de Montreal and the University of Vienna.

A phylogenetic and proteomic reconstruction of eukaryotic chromatin evolution, Nature Ecology & Evolution

Astrobiology

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John and Valerie Freberg watch the January 6th Select Committee Hearings on television during a watch event at a bar in the South Loop on June 9, 2022, in Chicago. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

Justin Hill, who moved back to Chicago two years ago after living and working abroad for some time, said he was out of the country on Jan. 6, 2021, when droves of people swarmed the U.S. Capitol.

Its a weird thing when youre living in a foreign country and youre watching the dissolution of your countrys whole famed idea that we are a peaceful democracy and theres a peaceful transfer of power, Hill said.

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Roughly a year and a half later, Hill and a couple dozen others gathered Thursday evening in a back room at Bar Louie in the Dearborn Park neighborhood to watch the first of a series of live televised hearings revealing to the world the inner workings of the investigation into the insurrection.

The watch event, one of many being held across the country, was hosted by the activist group Indivisible Chicago.

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I wanted to be in a group of people who are also concerned, Hill said.

The yearlong investigation included dozens of subpoenas and almost 1,000 interviews.

The findings of the House select committee, commonly known as the January 6th Committee, played out on two TV screens on opposite sides of the room, with spectators glued to the proceedings as if it were Super Bowl Sunday.

People gather to watch the January 6th Select Committee Hearings on television during a watch event at a bar in the South Loop on June 9, 2022, in Chicago. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

The breach of the Capitol building last year during a joint session of Congress was the result of a violent mob loyal to former President Donald Trump that had hopes of overturning the 2020 presidential election and keeping President Joe Biden from replacing Trump in the White House.

The historic attack on the Capitol was also penned by many as an attack on democracy.

More than 800 people have been arrested in nearly all 50 states and Washington, D.C., including more than 250 people charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, according to the U.S. Justice Department. At least 30 Illinois residents have been charged in connection with the Capitol breach.

Carol Chavarria watches the January 6th Select Committee Hearings on television during a watch event at a bar in the South Loop on June 9, 2022, in Chicago. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

The hearings are streaming live on most major television networks with the series expected to be finished by the end of June. Viewers can expect to learn new details about the insurrection, including never-before-seen footage aired during the live hearing Thursday of events leading up to and during the Capitol breach.

Hyde Park resident Barbara Maloof said she showed up to watch with the group Thursday night because she thinks the investigation is really important for the public and hopes people everywhere will show up and pay attention to the hearings and the aftereffects.

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I was appalled when this happened, Maloof said. I was stunned. But Im further stunned that the American people arent stunned by this. We cant be in denial.

Nancy Martin, who lives in the Loop, said shes been part of Indivisible Chicago since the 2020 presidential election and saw Thursday as a way to prepare for the midterm elections later this year.

Martin said her reaction on Jan. 6, 2021, was like when I first saw 9/11, like, is this happening?

She said she wants the hearings to serve as a record for history.

Its about the information, Martin said. Making information available for the public so that future historians and scholars and the public can better understand our country and its history.
WARRENSBURG  The Town Board voted unanimously Wednesday to proceed with converting the lighting districts 495 streetlights to LEDs. The estimated cost is $587,219.

The towns streetlight bill has increased steadily and may exceed the $87,000 the town budgeted for this year, town Supervisor Kevin Geraghty said during the towns regular monthly meeting. The conversion is expected to save more than $22,000 annually.

The project will replace both the lamps and the fixtures, which the town will be able to choose. The town will lease the lights for the first two years, then take ownership of them. National Grid will retain ownership of the poles. Maintenance will be provided for two years through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. After that, the town will hire an outside company for maintenance.

The lights will be computer-controlled, allowing the town to reduce power for energy saving and dim or turn off lights when they arent needed, Town Board member John Alexander said. Theyre expected to last 25 years.

Resident Gary Cooper challenged the project during a public hearing at the beginning of the meeting. Were spending almost $600,000 to save $87,000 a year? he asked.

Alexander said National Grid is already replacing streetlights with LEDs as they burn out.

Our lights are antiquated. They want us to convert, he said.

The town will issue a bond anticipation note and pay off the bond with savings from the conversion, Geraghty said. He couldnt say when the project would break even, but believed there will be a savings eventually.

Town Board member Bryan Rounds said he expected the project will be less expensive than estimated.

Cooper said no other towns in the area have converted to LEDs and questioned why Warrensburg should be the guinea pig, as he said the town was for short-term rental regulations. Lets see what other towns save, he said.

A woman in the audience said Glens Falls has either converted or is about to convert its streetlights.

Warrensburg has set the standard for other towns in the area with its short-term rental regulations, Geraghty replied. He is willing to have the town set the standard for streetlights, he said.

Aside from Cooper and the woman, the only other comment at the hearing was an email from a Cambridge resident who claimed that LEDs can be harmful to people with epilepsy.

Town Board member Richard Larkin said he supported the conversion concept, but wanted a 30-day delay on a vote to do due diligence. What are the other downsides? he asked.

Alexander said a supporting document sent by the Cambridge resident was outdated.

The lights are better now, he said.

Alexander said the town looked at converting the lights 10 years ago, but the town would have had to train its highway workers to do the maintenance.

Now we can hire a company, he said.

In other business:

A comparison with a list of short-term rentals compiled by Warren County turned up 10 STRs that didnt have town permits, Geraghty said. The owners were contacted and complied with the town regulations, he said. Were now up to 64 STRs, Geraghty said. We get a lot of requests (from other towns) for the Warrensburg law. We get a lot of cooperation from the owners. Im proud of the owners and proud of how its handled.

The town will open bids for dredging the wastewater treatment plants lagoons on June 24. A previous round of bids was rejected when all came in too high. Geraghty said the project will probably cost close to $1 million, but we should get a better price this year. The lagoons were last dredged in 1992. Cleaning them will make the plant more efficient, he said.

The town is working with the Warren County Sheriffs Office and state troopers to enforce a camping ban at town parks, which close at 9 p.m. The town has posted no-camping signs, Geraghty said.

The towns equalization rate has been set at 96%.

Geraghty gave updates on the old highway garage property and the Grist Mill restaurant site. The board will allow the Warrensburg EMS to take part of the old highway garage property for expansion of its building. Once the EMS knows how much land it needs, the board will discuss what to do with the remainder, Geraghty said. It could be sold or developed for senior housing. The board will seek public comments. Also, the town took the owner of the Grist Mill property to court for ignoring cleanup orders. We didnt give the owner any more time, Geraghty said. He expects the court will issue a ruling by August.

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WASHINGTON  U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, has put her name to two different bills in Congress that Republicans say would cut down on gun violence and mass shootings in schools, while she rejected a gun control measure brought by House Democrats.

On Tuesday, the congresswoman, alongside U.S. Reps. Richard L. Hudson, Jr., R-N.C, and Carol Miller, R-W.V., introduced the Firearm Proficiency and Training Act, which if passed would create a tax deduction for anyone who takes a certified firearm training course, a concealed carry course, and anyone who purchases gun safety or storage equipment. The taxpayer would be permitted to deduct the full cost of the courses or equipment from their federal tax burden.

The bill has the support of gun rights lobbyists, and supporters say it will incentivize law-abiding Americans to secure their weapons and learn how to operate them safely.

While some states, like New York, require gun safety courses before allowing individuals to purchase handguns or assault-style weapons, many states dont. In a 2018 analysis, the Rand Corporation estimated 61% of American gun owners had taken gun safety courses as of 2015.

As Democrats rush to push their radical gun control agenda, I am proud to lead the charge in introducing legislation to promote gun safety and training, Stefanik said in a statement. This bill will empower gun owners by incentivizing them to purchase gun safety and storage equipment as well as training and safety courses.

The congresswoman has also joined with her Republican colleagues to introduce new legislation they say would help prevent violence and mass shootings in American schools.

The bill, called the STOP II Act, comes after yet another school shooting, this time in Uvalde, Texas, left 19 children between the ages of 9 and 11 and two teachers dead at the hands of an 18-year-old gunman.

The legislation, called the STOP II Act as it builds on the 2018 STOP School Violence Act, would devote $7 billion to a grant program that allows schools to pay for additional school resource police officers, mental health guidance councilors, active shooter training and hardening schools, where security measures like metal detectors and cameras are installed.

The $7 billion would come from unspent COVID-19 funding, and would also require that any funding set aside this year to rent conference rooms in Washington D.C. to discuss federal education programs be used to support those grants.

The Republican legislators sponsoring this bill said it will help shore up campus safety and mental health care safety nets to prevent violence before it starts.

This legislation will help prevent school violence by equipping schools with better security and training, to keep campuses safe and provide mental health resources to avoid tragedy, Stefanik said.

Introduced by Hudson, the legislation has the support of 12 Republican cosponsors, including Stefanik and U.S. Rep. Claudia L. Tenney, R-Utica, who is running for reelection in the recently redrawn 23rd District that includes Watertown and western Jefferson County.

The legislators support for this school safety bill comes after House Republicans roundly rejected the Protecting Our Kids Act, which passed the House Wednesday with only five Republican votes.

That legislation, introduced by Rep. Jerrold Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., would raise the age to buy semiautomatic weapons to 21, ban large-capacity magazines, and establish a new front of federal criminal offenses for gun trafficking and illegal gun sales. It would also target ghost guns, or guns that lack a serial number to track them.

Cosponsored by 112 House Democrats, the bill passed with the support of only five House Republicans, including Rep. Chris Jacobs, R-Orchard Park, who is retiring from his seat at the end of his term after Republicans heavily criticized him for supporting gun control measures.

Jacobs was once planning to run for the congressional district that covers Watertown, before the second round of New Yorks redistricting process this year led him to change his plans and declare his candidacy for a district more focused on Western New York.

That bill, with such little Republican support, is unlikely to pass the Senate, however.

In a statement sent after the vote, Stefanik said she was proud to vote against that legislation, which she said shreds the Constitutional rights of law-abiding Americans. She argued the law would have little impact on illegal gun owners, while overwhelmingly punishing law-abiding gun owners. In her statement, the Congresswoman promised to continue opposing Democratic-led gun control measures.

As far-left Democrats double down on their unconstitutional agenda that shreds our Second Amendment rights, I will continue to stand up for the Constitution and push for solutions, she said.

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MIDDLE TOWNSHIP  The township Board of Education on Thursday approved placing armed guards at the entrances to each of the four district schools.

Police Chief Christopher Leusner recommended the plan, which school board President Dennis Roberts said will be in place for the next school year.

There are four schools in the district: two elementary schools, a middle school and a high school.

The idea was discussed at length during the meeting, among board members and by members of the public. There were also discussions about school safety.

Resident Guy Potts expressed skepticism of the proposal. He said students need more support, such as social workers and mental health experts. He said teachers may depend on school resource officers to enforce discipline, which could mean students end up with a criminal record, reducing opportunities for college and jobs.

I just feel showing up to school with armed guards doesnt promote a safe environment to the kids, it promotes more of a worry environment, he said.

EMS chief honored for 35 years of service to Middle Township MIDDLE TOWNSHIP  Members of the Township Committee this week lavished praise on Sean McDevi

Resident Ed Dillio supported the idea. He said he has had guns since he was 12, and has many. None of them has been used to hurt anyone, he said.

I believe that an armed officer in the school is an asset, Dillio said. A good guy with a gun is the only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun.

Roberts said the protection of staff and students is paramount to the board.

We need to do whatever we can to provide a safe and secure environment for our children, he said.

Both Leusner and Roberts said the proposal expands what is already in place.

School resource officers are a tremendous benefit. We are not in the schools to try to catch kids and have guards put them in the criminal justice system. Exactly the opposite, he said. All of the officers have been trained in the impact of traumatic events on young people, he said. School resource officers, properly trained, the right officer with the right attitude can make a huge difference in a childs life.

Pancoast, Nappen easily win GOP nomination for Upper Township Committee UPPER TOWNSHIP  The party line candidates easily won the nomination for Township Committee 

In previous comments, Leusner said the new recommendation was in part inspired by what happened at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, where 19 children and two teachers were murdered and 17 people injured May 24. An 18-year-old was behind the third-deadliest school shooting in U.S. history, behind Virginia Tech in 2007 and Sandy Hook Elementary in Connecticut in 2012.

During the discussion Thursday, Leusner told the board there had been incidents in schools across the country that day. He cited a notification that he received earlier that a school resource officer fatally shot an armed man in Alabama, and there was another shooting incident in Maryland in which three people were killed.

Leusner said as a father, knowing someone is armed at the school and that security measures are in place is reassuring. Security officers already at the school can respond much faster than dispatching a police car.

A lot of these situations, theyre over quick. Time is of the essence. Thats the one thing we know, Leusner said.

The district already has armed officers on site, as well as security guards. Known as school resource officers, the armed officers have police powers.

According to Leusner, rather than becoming involved in student discipline issues, school resource officers inform the school when a student has been involved in a traumatic incident outside the school.

Middle Township police chief recommends armed guards at school entrances MIDDLE TOWNSHIP  Police Chief Christopher Leusner is recommending posting an armed guard at

Other security issues were also discussed, including what could trigger either a lockdown or lead to students sheltering in place. In one recent incident, students were kept in their classrooms when another student had a medical emergency, Scott Webster told the board. He is the director of school security in Middle Township and a retired township police officer.

In another case, a student reported seeing a handgun in a bag. It turned out to be a pellet gun. Webster said parents are notified by text when there is an incident or training in the schools.

I dont want to go into too much detail of our security plans, because thats for us to know, Roberts said.

Contact Bill Barlow: 609-272-7290 bbarlow@pressofac.com Twitter @jerseynews_bill

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TUCKERTON  The borough will need to rely on other fire departments for emergency calls after it ordered Tuckerton Fire Company No. 1 to cease all operations immediately.

The fire companys operations were officially stopped during a special Borough Council meeting Thursday.

On Tuesday, the fire company received a letter from Borough Clerk Jenny Gleghorn notifying it of the suspension, informing its leaders that the decision was made based on a letter from the state Department of Community Affairs Division of Fire Safety. The division, based on an investigation, found that the public would be unsafe if the fire company continued operating, noting what it says was non-compliance with certain rules and standards on fire protection, according to Gleghorns letter.

Speaking to council during Thursdays public portion, Tuckerton fire Chief Dale Eggert said paperwork issues are to blame for the DCAs letter. He said hed been trying for three days to provide documentation to the DCA but failed to meet a deadline.

The fire company has been accused by the state of not being up to date with certifications for its respiratory equipment. It was fined $24,500 by the state for lack of certifications in December.

The borough appealed the fine and is awaiting an answer from the state, Gleghorn said in a follow-up email Friday.

Chemical release shuts down part of Hamilton Township HAMILTON TOWNSHIP  A chemical release Wednesday afternoon shut down an area off Harding Hig

While his firefighters are relieved of their duties, at least temporarily, Eggert and his team plan to resolve the issue and fight the accusations.

We will get through this because I say so, Eggert said. Im a man of my word.

In its letter to the borough, the DCA found discrepancies with firefighter certifications, saying all 12 members, including Eggert, have at least one certification issue. The issues vary from not having proper credentials for hazardous material operations and Fire Fighter 1 certifications.

The fire company also has been stripped of its trucks and other equipment, borough officials said.

The West Tuckerton Fire Company and Parkertown Volunteer Fire Company in neighboring Little Egg Harbor Township will now cover the borough. The Ocean County fire coordinator will continue to assess the situation, Mayor Susan Marshall said during Thursdays meeting.

The decision to suspend the fire company was difficult, Marshall said, complimenting each of its 12 members for being valuable volunteers, but necessary to uphold public safety.

Junkyard fire in Galloway Township closes part of Route 50; road reopened Route 50 between the Atlantic City Expressway and the entrance to the Atlantic County 5-H Fa

The mayor and council will not allow the Borough of Tuckerton to be unsafe, and we will take action when it is not, she said.

The fire company, headquartered on Green Street in the center of the borough, was founded in 1895, Eggert said.

A majority of the public attending Thursdays meeting disagreed with the councils decision.

About 25 people, nearly a dozen of whom were fire company members, attended the meeting. In a heated public portion, at least half condemned the councils choice, claiming it stemmed from a political agenda.

Supporters feel the borough is less safe now that the fire company is out of commission.

I want to congratulate you on one of the stupidest things Ive ever heard of, resident Robert Grant told the governing body.

Buena Borough Hall set to reopen after flooding BUENA  Four months after flooding shut down Borough Hall, Buena is beginning to create more

Others wanted to know when the borough would get its fire company back.

Were going to work out a plan, and were going to move forward, Marshall said.

DCA spokesperson Tammori Petty-Dixon declined to provide further information about the issue when reached for comment Thursday.

Contact Eric Conklin: 609-272-7261 econklin@pressofac.com Twitter @ACPressConklin

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A New Jersey man has admitted to illegally selling unregistered pesticides as a COVID-19 defense to government and municipal entities. Paul Andrecola pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Camden to wire fraud and other charges. A criminal complaint alleges the 63-year-old Burlington County man made and sold pesticides that weren't registered with the EPA as required, and weren't on the EPA's list of products deemed to be effective against COVID-19. Andrecola and others allegedly put another company's EPA registration numbers on his products and sold them to federal and local entities for $2.7 million. He is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 11.
The need during the pandemic to minimize gatherings that could spread the highly contagious coronavirus drove many meetings online. Enabled by software such as Zoom, the meetings were a poor substitute for meeting in person, which allows more effective communication.

Many municipalities, businesses and others made do with online meetings because they had to. Now that the business world can gather in person again, it is deciding the benefits of face-to-face meetings are worth the little cost and extra effort.

Online meetings nonetheless are far better than not meeting at all. That makes them an excellent supplement to in-person attendance for those unable to attend a meeting theyre interested in.

Local governments nearly all switched to meeting online in the pandemic, and now happily many are embracing online access as an addition to their resumed regular meetings. This can only allow more citizens to engage with their governments and increase awareness of local actions and policies.

People came to appreciate the advantages offered by online participation in public meetings. Being heard is more difficult, but watching whats going on is more convenient and less time-consuming that going to the town hall. When some towns took that away, they were legitimately criticized by their citizens.

One told City Council in Somers Point recently that it should quickly bring back the Zoom access to its meetings. He called it a major convenience, allowing him to watch from the comfort of home while doing other things at the same time.

Likewise, Brigantine residents asked their City Council to keep online access now that its meeting in person again. In their case, public officials are responding appropriately.

Mayor Vince Sera said the citys residents should have fair access to our meetings, and offered another strong reason for Jersey Shore municipalities to provide supplemental access. Theres a lot of our secondary homeowners that said the only way they can see us is through what we post online, so we want to make sure that everybody has an ability to know whats going on here in our meetings, Sera said. The city is upgrading its video recording system so meetings can be reliably broadcast.

Putting meetings online is easy and inexpensive. However challenging the setup, once its done little effort is needed to operate the equipment for each meeting.

Every municipality should offer this digital access to its public sessions. Local officials should have nothing to hide, and much to gain from helping people understand what theyre doing and why.

A servants self-sacrifice

The Rev. Eugene Robinson, who died recently, had a long and fruitful life.

The Baptist minister also served the secular flock as an Atlantic City councilman for eight years. There he was an early advocate to end all smoking in casinos -- a goal we think likely to be reached this year. Robinson also was a history teacher with a masters degree from Rutgers University, and an eloquent and informed public speaker on black history.

This life of good service to the Atlantic City community ended when he was attacked by corrupt city politicians. They entrapped Robinson in a setup to make a compromising video of him, and then blackmailed him -- telling him that if he didnt resign from council, theyd use the concocted video to ruin him.

Lesser men would have let these vile politicians win in order to save themselves, and no doubt some have in Atlantic Citys sordid past.

But Robinson stood up to them and went to law enforcement instead, knowing it would be at great cost to his reputation and life.

In 2008, former Council President Craig Callaway admitted his role in the blackmail scheme and was subsequently sentenced to three years in prison. Two others in his organization, brother Ronald Callaway and Floyd Tally, were sentenced to 9 years and 12 years, respectively. Councilman John Schultz was indicted in 2007 for his role in the blackmail scheme, and later allowed to enter pretrial intervention after he was charged with conspiracy to commit criminal coercion and invasion of privacy.

Eugene Robinson put the good of the community first and helped turn Atlantic City toward the legitimate local government it needed to thrive. We rarely see such acts of self-sacrifice by public servants. Government in New Jersey would be better if more officials showed his basic goodness and strength.
CAMBRIDGE  A Galva man was sentenced Friday in Henry County Circuit Court to 25 years on each of two counts of Class X felony predatory criminal sexual assault of a child.

Adam J. Day, 35, will serve the two terms consecutively and at 85%. Upon his release he will serve mandatory supervised release of three years to life. He will also have to pay restitution of $12,720.40 to the victim.

Judge James Cosby found Day was suffering from a mental illness at the time of the incidents, but it was only minorly present.

It's there, but it's not there to a great degree, the judge said. What stands out to the court is the history of the abuse and the nature of the abuse.

He said there were two charges regarding two separate incidents but the abuse was going on for years and the defendant was attempting to buy the victim's silence.

As a result lives were forever changed. You cannot unring the bell once the bell is rung, Cosby said.

Each charge carried a possible sentence of 6-60 years in prison. Day entered a guilty plea on March 29 and was given a cap of 35 years on each count.

The victim's mother said her daughter started intense therapy and was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder, becoming hospitalized. She said she herself suffered panic attacks and was also diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder.

State's Attorney Catherine Runty said the fact Day attempted to kill himself when police were coming to arrest him did not reveal a guilty conscience, but fear.

He has chosen every wrong choice imaginable starting with substance abuse and leading to abusing others, she said. He is a predator because he took advantage of someone who should have been able to trust him without any boundaries.

Many people are going to pay for this the rest of their lives, she continued, asking for the maximum sentence of 35 years. There is nothing we can do about that. It was not a one-time lapse in judgment but a series of events of sexual abuse that no one should have to tolerate, and I do believe that society would be safer with Mr. Day incarcerated.

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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.

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Amid an era of heightened concern over violence, Cook County Sheriff Tom Darts opponents in his reelection bid have been trying to paint him to voters as a soft-on-crime boss who has been in the job too long  but most of them need to get back on the ballot first.

The Democrats who have launched campaigns for sheriff are using the issue of crime to hammer Dart and argue they can make greater strides in reversing recent trends that last year led Cook County to see its highest number of gun homicides since the 1990s, according to the county medical examiners office.

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However, two of the three hopefuls have been removed as candidates in last-minute court decisions, including one as recently as Wednesday.

The back and forth about who is on and who is off the ballot has become a centerpiece of the sheriffs race, in large part because Dart has led the charge to have his challengers names removed from the ballot.

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Dart stands by his maneuvers to disqualify rivals and said he has done what he can to tackle shootings and other crimes in Cook County.

Weve done a very good job to deal with the violent issues that are within our purview, Dart said in an interview with the Tribune.

Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, along with state Rep. La Shawn Ford, center, and state Sen. Jacqueline Collins, stands near guns following a news conference on June 7, 2022, in Maywood. The guns were collected by sheriff's police from individuals who had their FOID cards revoked this year. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)

He noted he has added a new police command post downtown and continues to keep officers patrolling in the Austin neighborhood, which he said has curbed homicides in the neighborhood.

That is on top of what he said are efforts hes pushed both inside and outside the jail to address underlying drivers of crime through mental health and substance abuse programming as well as employment support. For example, since 2019 some individuals found possessing or using drugs have been diverted from arrest and sent to a sheriffs treatment response team that offers recovery services.

Dart then quipped, Now, could my opponents say, Well, crime is going up in Indiana and you should be doing something about that? Yeah, they can do that.

A former state legislator who has been sheriff since 2006, Dart has the Cook County Democratic Partys endorsement and far more campaign funds. Running to unseat him in the June 28 primary are Carmen Navarro Gercone, the executive clerk of court operations and administration at the Cook County Circuit Court clerks office who previously was Darts assistant executive director; Noland Rivera, a Chicago police sergeant whose wife was a Cook County correctional officer who died of COVID-19; and Dolton police Officer LaTonya Ruffin, a former sheriffs employee who sued Dart in 2011 after being fired for allegedly giving incorrect statements about failing to secure her service weapon.

Both Navarro Gercone and Ruffin were knocked off the ballot after being deemed ineligible to run under separate Illinois appellate court rulings in the last two weeks. Navarro Gercones campaign has vowed to appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court.

Carmen Navarro Gercone listens to members of the Cook County Electoral Board during a hearing on May 4, 2022. The board voted 2-1 to leave Navarro Gercone's name off of the June 28 ballot for Cook County sheriff. (John J. Kim / Chicago Tribune)

The challenges came from Darts campaign even as the incumbent has kept a low profile in the months leading up to the primary. His effort to disqualify Navarro Gercone by using a little-known provision in the sweeping state criminal justice reform legislation that passed last year, also known as the SAFE-T Act, has received the most attention.

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That provision requires Illinois sheriff candidates to either be certified law enforcement officers or receive the equivalent training from another state or federal agency Navarro Gercone has never worked as a police officer, and the vast majority of sworn employees in Darts office are deputies, not law enforcement officers.

I was qualified enough to run the second-largest department under Tom Darts administration, Navarro Gercone said during a candidate forum that Dart did not attend. But when it comes to running for sheriff, he didnt want competition, plain and simple, and he thought Id back down.

Dart, who has said he did not know about the new requirement until after the law was signed, scoffed at Navarro Gercones characterization of why he mounted a challenge against her candidacy.

I certainly cant walk around picking what laws we follow and what laws we dont follow, Dart said.

The electronic monitoring debate

The sheriffs office has a $631.5 million budget and about 5,400 employees who work in various departments, including Cook County Jail, overseeing security at the courthouses or a police department division that patrols unincorporated areas and certain municipalities.

But the sheriffs electronic monitoring program  which takes up just 4% of its budget and has about 120 filled staff positions  has become a central campaign issue. As fears about crime have spiked, the program that sends some defendants home with an ankle monitor to await their trials has become a third-rail political issue.

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While electronic monitoring is run by Darts office, Cook County judges make the decisions on which defendants participate. Originally designed to reduce overcrowding at one of the nations largest jails, the program has been blasted by Darts opponents  and Dart himself  for releasing too many defendants with violent or gun-related charges, they say.

A detainee puts her shoe on after receiving an electronic monitoring device before being released inside the electronic monitoring discharge facility at Cook County Jail in April 2018. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

Dart has maintained he has no control over how the makeup of its population shifted to include more individuals facing such charges after the countys 2017 bail reforms, according to his offices data.

There definitely needs to be a complete reform to electronic monitoring, Navarro Gercone told the Tribune, saying she will open up more conversations with the courts to do so. Violent offenders will have no place in my administrations electronic monitoring program.  That is something that I am willing to go to battle on.

Rivera concurred. He also vowed to slash 300 top-level positions that he says are redundant in order to hire 3,000 rank-and-file employees to beef up the staff that oversees electronic monitoring, among other departments under the sheriff. He nodded to the 341 electronic-monitoring participants who the sheriff cannot locate as one reason for that need.

Dart said to both, I find that fascinating and interesting because it speaks to some people being ill-informed.

He argued his hands are tied because the County Board of Commissioners sets his budget, the judges are the ones who make electronic monitoring assignments, and he was sued in 2018 for briefly refusing to allow certain defendants to be released into the program.

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County sheriff candidate Noland Rivera participates in the Cook County sheriff Democratic candidates forum at the Union League Club on June 2, 2022. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)

Meanwhile, Chief Judge Timothy Evans has responded to calls to stop letting accused gun offenders out on electronic monitoring by reminding critics that no matter the charge, pretrial defendants are presumed innocent. And since bail reform began, 3.4% of people charged with felonies who are let out of jail before their trials pick up a new violent charge while released, according to end-of-2021 statistics from the chief judges office.

About 28.4% of the sheriffs electronic monitoring population was there because they were charged with a violent crime, the chief judges data shows. In total, the sheriffs office records about 2,300 people are currently ordered into the program, down from a peak of more than 3,600 last year.

Morale at the jail and beyond

Both Navarro Gercone and Ruffin say Darts administration has a penchant for racking up litigation and internal probes that are costing taxpayers millions and indicative of deeper ills in the sheriffs office.

They cited a class-action lawsuit from more than 500 female correctional officers alleging management tolerated aggressive sexual harassment from male detainees at the county jail as well as a court ruling that the makeup of the sheriffs Merit Board, which is in charge of meting out discipline, was unlawful. The latter finding was followed by an ex-employee who was accused of misconduct ultimately netting a $5.6 million payment from the county.

Nothings being done; the women dont feel safe, Ruffin said about the first lawsuit, which Darts office has responded to by saying the administration does all it can to ensure a safe environment.

Rivera said these internal disputes arose from Dart being what he said was an absentee sheriff. But the longtime incumbent said he thinks he has a very good relationship with most employees.

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I would suggest to you objectively, Im probably the most hands-on sheriff ever, Dart said. Im very happy in this job. I have no desire to run for anything else.

Then there is the ongoing joint investigation by Dart and the FBI over whether sheriffs employees collected a county paycheck while working side jobs or not at all, as first reported by the Tribune.

Dart told the Tribune he found out about the alleged wrongdoing when a handful of staffers appeared to take advantage of a pause in using their thumbprints to clock into their shifts due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said he has proved his ethics are clean, nodding to his office being the first to be found compliant with the Shakman decree, a court order forbidding political patronage in government.

I caught them, Dart said about the employees undergoing discipline. I was the one thats pursuing it.

ayin@chicagotribune.com
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.

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CHICAGO  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: He's 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 I'm Telling Don't 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 didn't let that stop me."

With the help of another commuter, Perry administered CPR on the man, who had been electrocuted. 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.

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For the United States to have any hope of restoring itself as a global beacon of democracy, the Biden administration must take a firm and consistent stand when dealing with dictators. If other nations leaders cant embrace the fundamentals of democracy, they dont deserve to be welcomed on these shores. President Joe Biden faced some precarious choices this week in hosting the Summit of the Americas and scheduling a July trip to Saudi Arabia, a notorious human rights abuser.

The easy part was Bidens refusal to invite Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua to the Americas summit in Los Angeles. His decision irked Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who boycotted in solidarity with the excluded leaders.

The hard part is Saudi Arabia, whose oil production could boost global supplies and bring gasoline prices back to normal. But a visit with Biden and the legitimacy it would convey is the steep price the U.S. president would have to pay  all so he can boost his approval ratings and help his party avoid a battering in midterm elections.

During the 2020 presidential campaign, Biden was unequivocal regarding Saudi Arabias human rights record, promising to take a markedly tougher approach than the fawning and kowtowing that occurred under President Donald Trump. Biden promised to make the Saudis pay the price, and make them in fact the pariah that they are.

Yet now hes planning a visit in July to include a meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who reportedly ordered the murder of Washington Post opinion writer Jamal Khashoggi.

Our preference would be that Biden hold firm and demand full accountability from the Saudi crown prince. Khashoggi was snuffed out, in true dictatorial fashion, for criticizing the royal familys corruption, human rights record and suppression of free expression. But since money talks, and petroleum is todays global currency, the crown prince gets a pass. The hypocrisy is disgusting, especially since Biden promised precisely the opposite approach.

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When Judith Terese McNulty first saw Mount Carmel, she knew she was going to live there someday.

She and the rest of the Mundelein College women's swim team were in Dubuque for a meet at Clark College, a little over 70 years ago. When they had some down time, McNulty said a Sister suggested they visit Mount Carmel, the Sisters of Charity of The Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) motherhouse.

"I looked at the building and the thought came to me that someday I was going to live here, and that was the beginning of the thought process," McNulty said.

The Sister now resides in the motherhouse alongside other women who have dedicated their lives to their faith and church, where she's marked 70 years in service.

"It's a privileged life," McNulty said. "I've been very blessed."

McNulty graduated from Mundelein College, located in her hometown of Chicago, in 1951 and joined the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in 1952. When she joined, McNulty said the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary was a teaching order, which steered her into education.

Alleman Catholic High School was where McNulty spent most of her career in education, from 1966 to 1986. "Sister J.T.'s" sociology courses there were known for their rigor. She dove into the realm of higher education after leaving Alleman, spending four years at Augustana College as a career counselor. It was her privilege to help students learn and find themselves, she said, and made many great friends.

In between teaching students, McNulty went back to school as well. In addition to her bachelors of arts in sociology and psychology from Mundelein College, the Sister has earned a master's of arts in sociology from Loyola University, a counseling degree from the University of Central Arkansas, an educational specialist degree from Western Illinois University and a certificate of advanced study in theology from St. Norbert College in Wisconsin.

She'd take her classes over the summer or at night after school McNulty said, in order to fit her education around her work. The students were one of the main reasons she went back to school, she said, so it was important she balance both their education and hers.

"It was going to make me a better teacher and a better person," McNulty said. "I thought I'd be able to help others to a greater degree."

After leaving education in 1990, McNulty joined Catholic Charities, where she worked as a marriage and family therapist until her retirement.

Despite retiring in 2000, McNulty spent the next two decades volunteering in her parish and at area hospitals. She moved into the motherhouse in October 2020.

While she no longer teaches or goes out to participate in social justice works, McNulty and the other Sisters still keep plenty busy. When not writing petitions or letters to government officials, seeing to the needs of the church in any way she can or keeping abreast of what's happening in the world, McNulty fills her time with reading, exercise and spending time with the women she has so much in common with.

Looking back on her legacy, McNulty wouldn't use the word "pride," preferring "grateful" instead. Grateful for a life of service to people who need it, and one strong in faith.

"That's why you do it all," McNulty said. "For the love of God."

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A recently published study by the University of Cambridge finds a definitive link between a person's music preferences and their personality type. More to the point, this link appears universal across many different cultures.

For example, Ed Sheeran's song "Shivers" is as likely to appeal to extroverts living in the UK as those who live in Argentina or India. Americans with self-defined neurotic traits gravitate to Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" in South Africa or Denmark. Conscientious people all over the world hate Rage Against the Machine.

Without much variation, the researchers found positive correlations between extroverts and contemporary music, conscientiousness and unpretentious music, agreeableness and mellow music, and between openness and intense music.

Fascinating. And, also, DUH.

You could learn as much hanging out at Co-Op Records in Moline.

I guess it proves different cultures can find common musical ground, but only if you're hanging out with like-minded people in those different cultures. Did they think there's a magical foreign land where conscientious folks all sit around listening to death metal while neurotics prefer smooth jazz? Personally, I'm pretty sure smooth jazz CAUSES neurosis (make me listen to Kenny G. and I promise I'll be neurotic by nightfall.)

Supposedly these are the most widely accepted traits today for classifying personalities, but I don't consider myself to be especially extroverted, conscientious, agreeable, stable, OR open. Maybe that's why my list of favorite bands tends to be met by blank stares from anyone who's not a complete weirdo.

I followed the link that allows you to replicate the study in the privacy of your home. The website plays snippets of 25 songs, and you have to choose whether you extremely, very much, moderately, or slightly like or dislike each song clip.

Spoiler alert: I disliked all 25 of them -- a lot. Some were classical, and that's just not my bag. Others sounded like bad Nickelback knock-offs. One was just a laughably corny guitar solo. Another was a country song with the lyric, "somebody shot my neighbor today." There was a clip that sounded like the demo on a Casio keyboard. Another was a bland beat with someone yelling "ungh!" over it like your uncle doing James Brown karaoke. They were all dreadful.

The survey didn't reveal much about me. My preference for "contemporary" music was highest of all, likely because I only "moderately hated" those, as opposed to everything else which I "very much hated."

Maybe you can define someone's personality by their musical taste, but there's sure exceptions to the rule. One of my friends is very much an agreeable conscientious introvert. He also listens to nothing but Black Sabbath and 70s prog rock -- explain THAT, Cambridge. I own a lot of pretentious Radiohead records, but I also own just as many records by Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam. Musical tastes can be unique as snowflakes, and that's a GOOD thing in my book.

One thing about this study, though, is a success: It certainly helped me kill time on the internet. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go listen to some mellow contemporary music because I'm so gosh-darn agreeable.

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A Rock Falls, Ill., man has been arrested in connection with a child pornography case in Whiteside County.

Illinois State Police investigators on Wednesday arrested Devon W. Summers, 21, on child pornography production and sexual abuse charges.

The investigation began May 22 after a person filed a complaint alleging sexual misconduct with a minor.

Agents with the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation, Rock Falls Police and Whiteside County Sheriffs investigators identified Summers as a suspect.

Summers is charged in Whiteside County Circuit Court with one count each of production of child pornography, a Class X felony that carries a prison sentence of 6-30 years; possession of child pornography, a Class 2 felony that carries a prison sentence of 3-7 years; aggravated criminal sexual abuse, also a Class 2 felony; and, grooming, a Class 4 felony that carries a prison sentence of 1-3 years.

Summers was being held in the Whiteside County Jail on a bond of $100,000 or 10%. A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for June 27 in circuit court.

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A Rock Island County jury on Friday found a former Rock Island-Milan School District teacher guilty of sexual crimes against a student.

Authorities allege that on Nov. 5, 2018, Patrick J. Noya, a high school teacher at the time, fondled a girl student who was at least 13 but younger than 18, prevented her from leaving a classroom and showed her videos of sexual conduct.

The Rock Island County States Attorneys Office charged Noya, now 45, of Rock Island with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, unlawful restraint and distribution of harmful material to a minor, according to county court records.

The trial began Monday with Judge Norma Kauzlarich presiding, according to court records. On Friday, a jury found Noya guilty on all four counts.

The jury deliberated for about four hours before returning with the verdict. Noya was allowed to remain free on $250,000 bail pending his sentencing on Aug. 26.

Noya worked for the Rock Island-Milan School District starting at least as early as 2016. In April 2018, the school districts board approved the non-renewal of contracts for several probationary teachers completing a partial year of service, including Noya.

Officials learned of the allegations Nov. 6, 2018, and Noya was put on leave, and the Rock Island Police Department and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services were notified, according to the district in 2019. He was banned from district property and was fired Nov. 26, 2018.

Before deliberations began Friday, the prosecution and defense made their closing arguments. The state was represented by Jennifer Gardner, while Noya was represented by Gregory Walker.

Both attorneys said there was limited physical evidence, so the jurys decision came down to witness credibility. Both Noya and the girl testified.

Mr. Noyas credibility is for you to judge, Gardner said.

Gardner argued the lack of physical evidence was at least partly because of Noyas actions. He was using a phone app with privacy features.

She also said that cases like this had to be tried in the past without the benefit of current technology and tools  just because something did not happen on camera did not mean it did not happen.

Noya had control over the room where the girl was, Gardner said. He did not allow her to leave the room by denying her a hall pass.

He had complete control of his environment and when he offended, Gardner said.

In his closing statement, Walker argued there are devices that can extract information from cell phones.

Did you see any of that? he asked the jury. No.

Walker said that was because the events did not take place. He argued the same for the video Noya is accused of sending.

He said the only evidence the state could provide to support its case was the testimony.

Who do you believe  them or Mr. Noya? Walker asked.

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The U.S. Department of Justice Inspector General's Office has opened an investigation into Thomson Federal Prison amid ongoing allegations of abuse, the overuse of solitary confinement and the deaths of seven inmates over a two-year period.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., announced the investigation Thursday and called for the immediate replacement of Bureau of Prisons Director Michael Carvajal. Despite Cavajal's announcement in January that he would resign, he remains in charge of the BOP.

"Its no secret that the Federal Bureau of Prisons has been plagued by misconduct," Durbin said in statement. "One investigation after another has revealed a culture of abuse, mismanagement, corruption, torture and death that reaches all the way to the top."

Durbin, U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., and U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Moline, requested a federal investigation by the Department of Justice following publication of a report May 31 by The Marshall Project and NPR that describes serious abuse of inmates by correctional officers.

The lawmakers sent a joint letter June 1 to U.S. Inspector General Michael Horowitz demanding immediate action.

"The opening of U.S. Penitentiary Thomson was supposed to improve safety within the Bureau of Prisons, but the reality sadly has been the exact opposite," Durbin said. "According to this report, seven inmates at U.S. Penitentiary Thomson have died in just two years. Five of them were reportedly murdered by other inmates, two died by suicide. And those deaths are just a snapshot of the grim reality of this facility, the deadly grim reality."

The Marshall Project report describes correctional officers intentionally pairing inmates together who are known to attack each other; staff encouraging assaults against sex offenders and informants; abusive shackling that leaves scars known as the "Thomson tattoo," often in a room known as the "torture room," where men would lie shackled to a bed for hours in their own urine and feces without food or water; the highest rate of pepper-spray usage in the Bureau of Prisons (BOP); and an incident in which staff allegedly laughed and joked at the expense of a Jewish man they were guarding as he lay dying in a hospital following an assault that occurred after staff placed him in a recreation cage with known white supremacists.

The federal prison in Thomson, Ill., currently houses 918 inmates: 789 in the maximum security facility and 129 at the adjacent minimum security camp.

AFGE Local 4070 President Jonathan Zumkehr said Thursday that he welcomed an investigation.

"We fully support the investigation, and we have invited Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth to visit USP Thomson," Zumkehr said. "We want full transparency."

Durbin, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called USP Thomson a "house of horrors" and said a hearing would be held in the upcoming weeks on the Bureau of Prisons and allegations of abuse and death at USP Thomson.

"The continued overuse of restricted housing and the alleged abuses at Thomson are among the many instances of misconduct, mismanagement that have occurred under the failed leadership of Bureau of Prisons Director Michael Carvajal," Durbin said.

"We need to act before another inmate dies in the custody and care of this federal government."

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A visitor reads through a display at the new exhibit, Unvarnished: Housing Discrimination in the Northern and Western United States, at Naper Settlement. The exhibit looks at the city's history of discrimination, some of which was codified by laws and policies. (Naperville Heritage Society)

For more than 80 years, Naperville was a sundown town. After working in a household, farm or factory during the day, people of color had to be gone from Naperville by sundown.

And while Black students attended Napervilles North Central College, they could not comfortably travel west of Main Street. When the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at the college in 1960, he was escorted to Aurora to spend the night because no hotel in Naperville would house him.

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The Rev. Martin Luther King converses with North Central College President Arlo Schilling on Nov. 21, 1960, when the civil rights leader visited the Naperville college and spoke to the study body. (Naperville Sun)

These and discriminatory housing practices, such as restrictions on property deeds that prevented homes from being sold or leased to any person who was not a Caucasian, continued on Naperville property deeds into the 1960s.

A historical look at how diversity in the city and five other U.S. towns grew despite decades historic discriminatory practices and segregation is featured in a free online exhibit spearheaded by Naper Settlement and the Naperville Heritage Society.

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Unvarnished: Housing Discrimination in the Northern and Western United States, found at UnvarnishedHistory.org, was developed through a $750,000 Institute of Museum and Library Services Museum Leadership grant. The Naperville historical museum and five other museums and cultural organizations collaborated from 2017 to 2022 to research and present their communitys history of exclusion.

People are really happy that we are delving into this segment in Napervilles history. It helps to explain community and demographic change over time, said Donna Sack, vice president and chief program officer at Naper Settlement who directed the Unvarnished project.

Sack said Naperville experienced significant change between the 1960s and today. Through this project were able to fill in some of those blanks, connect dots and do all of those things that are important in telling the community story, she said.

The wonderful part about the project, Sack said, was working with five other communities: Oak Park through the Oak Park River Forest Museum and the Historical Society of Oak Park and River Forest; Appleton, Wisconsin, through the African Heritage Inc.; Brea, California, through Brea Museum and Historical Society; Columbus, Ohio, through the Ohio History Connection; and West Hartford, Connecticut through the Noah Webster House and West Hartford Historical Society.

An open letter to the Naperville City Council about a petition on home sale restrictions is featured in the Unvarnished: Housing Discrimination in the Northern and Western United States, an exhibit at Naper Settlement in Naperville and online. (Naperville Heritage Society / HANDOUT)

The communities were selected to provide a good cross section, she said.

We have very small history organizations to very large history organizations. We have East Coast and West Coast and Midwest, she said.

While each community is different, what they all have in common is they all practiced exclusion in some form, Sack said.

History is a process of questioning and digging deeper through research, and then questioning again and digging even deeper, she said.

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The impetus for the project started around 2006 when Naper Settlement led a community engagement effort to look at where the museum should be moving forward.

What resoundingly came through that process was that we needed to be telling Napervilles history to the present day, not just arbitrarily stopping at the beginning of the 20th century, Sack said.

Our mission is to tell Napervilles history through the present day. Research is a regular ongoing practice for us. That is a best practice for history organizations. she said.

The result of that inquiry led to a Teaching American History grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Education that allowed the settlement to work with 42 teachers across five school districts, including Naperville District 203, Indian Prairie District 204, East Aurora District 131, West Aurora District 129 and Wheaton-Warrenville District 200, to find primary materials and sources in the three areas of Reconstruction, the Great Migration and the civil rights era.

As part of the deep dive into the subjects, Sack said the museum gathered oral histories.

What we really found is that there was a fair housing story in Naperville that was really significant and needed to be researched and needed to be told, she said.

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Visitors look at displays that are part of Unvarnished: Housing Discrimination in the Northern and Western United States, a new Naper Settlement exhibit that looks at Naperville's history of segregation and discrimination. (Naperville Heritage Society)

The housing piece prompted additional questions about what spurred demographic changes in Naperville over the last 50 years and whether other communities across the United States experienced something similar.

To answer those questions, the museum in 2016 applied for a matching $750,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services Museum Leadership.

In the application, Sack said the settlement agreed to work with five groups to research each towns housing and segregation history and frame it all with the national story.

The project addresses how housing discrimination, often based on race, ethnicity or religion, was a large-scale system that resulted in segregation patterns in northern and Western states that intensified over the 20th century.

The online exhibit includes nearly two dozen interactive articles, accompanied by in-depth explainer videos, photos, interviews and other primary sources that showcase how formal systems of segregation were developed through individual practices and expanded through federal policy, sustained over time, which continue to affect todays communities.

Centennial Beach in Naperville was segregated from its opening in 1932 until the 1950s. There was no formal policy prohibiting Black swimmers, but they were kept out of the facility. (Naperville Park District / HANDOUT)

It showcases the discrimination at places like Centennial Beach, where custom kept Black swimmers from entering the water until the 1950s.

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The very heart of this project is showing the similarities in places that might otherwise not seem to have something in common, other than that they have a history that has not been widely discussed, said Charmaine Jefferson, the projects cultural adviser in a news release.

When you peel back the layers and connect the dots, legacies of segregation are widespread, and the six participating communities are representative of so many other places.

The exhibit also provides resources for teachers in middle and high schools to help students explore compelling questions that will help them discover and share the local dimensions of national segregation patterns and see them through the wide lens of American history. The materials align with the National Council on Social Studies and Common Core Standards for Literacy in History and Social Studies.

Sack said the five-year journey uncovered many primary sources, materials, and documents that tell a complex story of how a nationwide system of exclusion was carried out.

It is our hope that this project will act as a model and inspire other communities to research, share and reflect upon their own history. It is through this process that we are able to engage with the totality of history to better understand today and guide our decision-making for the future, she said.

In conjunction with the online exhibit, Naper Settlement will host an on-site exhibit through Oct. 28 allowing museum visitors to further examine Napervilles history.

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Starting July 1, Iowa cities can take bar owners to court to pull their liquor licenses for public safety concerns rather than relying on state regulators.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, a Republican, signed into law a Davenport-backed bill to allow it on Thursday at the Davenport Police Department.

The signing was not on her public schedule.

The bill, HF 2340, backed by the city of Davenport, would allow city and county attorneys to sue alcohol establishments for creating a serious threat to public safety and to seek a temporary injunction before trial, rather than relying on the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division to revoke a license.

A serious threat to public safety, according to the bill, would exist if an owner, employee, or patron in or near an alcohol establishment would fire a gun, assault someone, or is part of a "riot."

Davenport tried to deny a liquor license to the now-closed Shenanigans Irish Pub at 303 W. 3rd St. because of its public-safety history. The city was overruled by the Alcoholic Beverages Division, which is responsible for regulating and investigating complaints about alcohol establishments.

Going through local courts, which typically handle nuisance complaints in all other capacities, will bring parity to the process and, hopefully, quicker resolution, Davenport city officials supported the bill.

Upon filing a lawsuit, the court can order the bar to limit its hours of alcohol sales to 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Should a district court determine a threat to public safety exists, the court could temporarily close the business, revoke its alcohol license or require a change in business practice or operations. It could also require the owner post bond to keep the property open pending final resolution of the lawsuit.

The Iowa Restaurant Association, which opposed the bill, argued the measure could discourage alcohol establishments from calling 911 for fear they'd be flagged as part of the problem.

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FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP)  Kentucky took a step Monday to turn a massive settlement into action to combat opioid addiction, as Attorney General Daniel Cameron announced members of a group overseeing the state's share.

The Bluegrass State will receive $483 million from settlements finalized this year with drugmaker Johnson & Johnson and three major distributors. It was part of $26 billion in nationwide settlements.

Calling the opioid-addiction epidemic the "greatest public safety challenge of our lifetime, Cameron announced the members of the Kentucky Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission.

Half of Kentucky's settlement will flow directly to cities and counties for opioid-abuse abatement efforts, Cameron said. The commission will oversee the state's half. The massive infusion, coming in installments over a number of years, means we stand on the cusp of truly turning this epidemic around, the attorney general said. Projects will include intervention, treatment and recovery services as the commission manages distribution of settlement funds, he said.

The commission is expected to meet soon as it sets a framework for distributing the funds.

I encourage all those that are in this fight to give serious thought to how these dollars can be best utilized, what programs are needed, what group can we walk alongside and assist in the good work that theyre already doing and how can these funds break the cycle of addiction, Cameron said at a news conference.

Commission members include state Treasurer Allison Ball, state Rep. Danny Bentley and state Health and Family Services Secretary Eric Friedlander. Other members include stakeholders from the prevention and treatment community, law enforcement and victims of the opioid crisis.

W. Bryan Hubbard will serve as the commission's executive director. He currently serves as executive director of the attorney generals Office of Medicaid Fraud and Abuse Control. He previously worked in the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

Referring to the deadly toll from opioid addiction, Hubbard said: We aim to honor the dead, to heal the living yet afflicted and to break the yoke of this scourge on our people.

With the commission's membership being announced, Bentley said: We are one step closer to providing the tools needed to address this scourge. Bentley was appointed to the commission by the Kentucky House speaker, Cameron's office said.

Fatal drug overdoses surged in Kentucky during the COVID-19 pandemic. The rising death toll was driven by opioid abuse and a key factor was the prevalence of fentanyl. Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid increasingly added to other illicit drugs to boost potency.

Cameron's predecessor as attorney general, Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, aggressively pursued legal action against drugmakers and distributors in battling the state's opioid addiction woes. Cameron is among a growing number of Republicans running for governor next year, when Beshear will seek a second term.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Primary election night was a late one for Pennington County election workers, wrapping up the final count around 12:30 a.m. Wednesday morning.

With a 31% turnout, Pennington County Auditor Cindy Mohler said the time it takes to count the ballots depends on the election, with Tuesdays primary falling right into the average of between 26%-34%.

Mohler said anywhere between 10:30 p.m. and 2 a.m. could be considered a normal election night, depending on the election and how the machines are running.

Pennington County has three tabulator machines to count ballots from its 48 precincts  only two of which were used on Tuesday night, standard for primary elections in Pennington County. Mohler said they had to deal with a few paper jams, but nothing major.

The auditors office begins counting ballots as soon as they come in, but the final count is dependent on when the last precinct arrives. Their latest precinct, Keystone, didnt arrive until 10:30 p.m. Tuesday night, Mohler said.

Variables at polling locations can also contribute to the late night. While polls close at 7 p.m., if any voter is still in line at 7, they get to cast their vote, regardless of the time they actually reach the ballot box.

Reports of long lines at West Middle School, a change in location for Ward 5-5, led to some frustration among voters. One factor that may have contributed to the longer lines, Mohler said, was a worker shortage at 5-5. One of its assigned workers died unexpectedly, leaving three to man the precinct.

They work their butts off, Mohler said of her election workers, a vital part of Election Day success. She said Pennington County has awesome, awesome poll workers, noting how thankful her office is that they are willing to work on a very long day.

The decision to no longer use Pinedale Elementary School as a polling location for Ward 5-5 came from the school district no longer wishing to use school as a precinct.

If we had our choice, everything would stay the same, Mohler said.

While the choice to move was not the auditor's, choosing a new location is.

We try to find a place within the precinct that is ADA (Americans With Disabilities Act) accessible, has enough parking and has enough room, Mohler said. Then they need to make sure the location is willing to be a polling place.

It isnt an easy task, she said.

Redistricting in 2022 threw another wrench into Election Day, changing districts and polling locations across Rapid City. Mohler said their office sent over 70,000 cards to voters informing them of the redistricting, and notifying them that their polling location may have changed.

Both polling location changes and the 2022 redistricting were a source of frustration for Heather Hoeye, program director for Project Search, and a concerned citizen with 12 years of special education experience.

Her frustrations came from Precinct 3-1, where the polling location was moved from the Jackson Heights Highrise on Fulton Street to First Assembly of God Church, near the top of U.S. Highway 16.

The problem is an ADA violation, said Hoeye. Redistricting resulted in voters from the Jackson Heights building having their polling place changed from their own building to the church. Hoeye said the majority of the people in the Jackson Heights building are elderly, disabled or both.

According to Hoeye, the violation is a lack of transportation. Many of the voters in the building cant drive, she said, and there is no means of transportation to get them to the new location. There is no bus stop next to the new location, and other options such as rideshare companies and RapidRide are either expensive or require 24-hour notice.

Hoeye, an election worker at the Jackson Heights building, said they turned away 75 people that wanted to vote there and couldnt, estimating at least 15 had disabilities or no way to access any other location.

It was an eye-opener, Hoeye said. I went home and angry-cried.

Notifying voters of a change in polling location is a source of frustration for both voters and election workers. While Mohler sent out notices and advertised in the paper, she said many times people dont read them or they may not reach their destination. She cited the Secretary of States website as the most timely and accurate source of information.

The problem with the internet, Hoeye said, is it alienates those without computers, or who may not know how to use them. The use of technology in voting is not a new issue  a solution, however, is less clear.

Mohler encouraged voters to share their voting experiences with the auditor's office, saying they dont always know if voters dont tell them whats going on.

Mohler said theyre working on a plan for November to address the number of voters who ended up in the wrong location, or even the wrong line in the right building. With only about 30% voting in the primary, shes anticipating a new wave of voters unfamiliar with the redistricting changes, and that their voting location may have changed.

And things will change again, she said.

Every election you learn new things, Mohler said.

Mohler said considering the changes, she felt the 2022 primary election went as well as could be expected. Maybe not as well as wed like, but were always learning and changing and growing and trying to perfect the process.

Contact Laura Heckmann at lheckmann@rapidcityjournal.com

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On June 9, 1972, Gary and Donna Kluthe were in Colorado Springs, Colorado celebrating their honeymoon when they received a phone call that a flood destroyed their home in Rapid City.

Gary and Donna were married on June 3, 1972, in Napoleon, North Dakota, but their new home together was situated right on the banks of Rapid Creek  theyd been there mere days after their wedding to drop off wedding gifts before leaving for Colorado Springs.

Gary was from Rapid City, Donna from North Dakota  they were ready to start their lives together in Rapid City. They just hadnt planned on it starting the way it did.

They didnt expect to return to Garys hometown to find 238 dead, 3,000 injured or their newlywed home among the 1,335 homes destroyed.

We didnt even open them, Gary said of their wedding gifts.

The couple received a phone call from Garys dad. He said there was a terrible flood, but not to hurry home.

Well, we just got in the car and took off, Gary said.

Newlyweds with just one bag between them, the Kluthes had no idea what awaited them in their new life back home.

Obstacles, literal and figurative, kept them out of Rapid City on their first attempt back in. Washed out bridges and roads rerouted them to Garys dads ranch in Nemo for night one. Gary was able to catch a ride into town the next day to Jackson Boulevard.

He walked the few blocks from Jackson Boulevard to where his and Donnas house should have been.

What he found was a vacant lot with skid marks in the mud. Their entire house had slid into the creek. The water wall that broke Canyon Lake Dam came straight through it.

Gary found Donnas car smashed under a house a few blocks downstream  a yellow Ford Mustang she had just paid off. A small price to pay compared to what so many had lost, they said.

The car and a serving tray the couple received for their wedding were all they ever found of their worldly possessions.

The Kluthes learned their neighbors on both sides had died in the flood. They saw people walking through rubble, looking for lost family members. They remembered one man looking for his mother, and the National Guard presence.

The National Guard in Rapid City during the aftermath was something near and dear to Gary, having just been discharged from serving in the National Guard himself. They were fortuitously at camp that weekend in the Black Hills.

Thank God for them, Gary said. They did an amazing job of saving lives.

So many helped, he said. If there was anyone nearby that hadnt been in the flood, they were helping.

Garys dad saved some lives that night. Hed grown up on a ranch watching the weather. Not only did he have the ranch in Nemo, but also a home in Rapid City. Gary's dad had been watching the storms that night, from his house across from Arrowhead Country Club. He was able to warn a number of people to get out in time.

We were blessed that we were gone, Gary said. I'm certain I would have felt a need to stay and protect our home, and likely would have perished, too.

Their life together was now starting with that small bag theyd packed for their honeymoon and a small, one-bedroom apartment.

It was years before I stopped looking for things, Gary said, expecting to find basic household items thatd been washed away.

Both Donna and Gary reflected on the sheer power of the water, Gary remembering a time he helped move a refrigerator during a move, and its leaden weight. Not only did the water move the refrigerator, he marveled, but the entire house, too.

Donna remembered trying to cross a creek the day they tried to return to Rapid City. Not even up to her knees, it almost swept her off her feet. She remembered feeling there was no way she could go forward. She could barely stay upright.

The power of that water had forever changed the city Gary grew up in. He remembered blocks of World War II era houses, and the house his great grandfather lived in. All of it  gone.

Today, when someone wants to encroach upon the floodplain, my thought is  you werent here, Gary said.

While Gary and Donna werent in town to witness the flood, images of the aftermath are firmly ingrained. Mobile homes blocking bridges, cars jammed underneath bridges, and homes obliterated. Donna remembered the pumpkin from Storybook Island floating through the windows of a store and landing in a parking lot.

I realized for myself that, you know what, its all just stuff, Donna said. And the older we get, I think the less important it is to have our stuff. It puts a perspective on being materialistic.

Fifty years later, as Gary and Donna remember the devastation they came home to, theyre also celebrating 50 years of marriage. A bittersweet anniversary, the overwhelming sentiment is gratitude. They saw the life they had planned literally slide away.

But they still had each other, when so many didnt.

Contact Laura Heckmann at lheckmann@rapidcityjournal.com

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The South Dakota Republican Party has had to remove hundreds of fake names of registrants to the party's convention following a spam attack.

The attack occurred on the party's online registration page, where hundreds of fake names were filled out as delegates to the convention, which runs from June 23-25. The spammers also maxed out the 28 spots that had been reserved for press credentials, forcing the party to close down press registrations.

In order to deter spammers from persisting to register as delegates, the party is forcing them to pay $1 to register. GOP Chairman Dan Lederman said that delegates will be reimbursed when they go to the convention. By law, he said, the party can't charge money because it would constitute a "poll tax."

Delegates will choose nominees for several constitutional offices to run in the general election in November. The convention is drawing more interest this year because of the attorney general's race and the controversy surrounding Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg and his impeachment by the South Dakota House of Representatives.

Ravnsborg faces a Senate impeachment trial two days before the convention starts for his actions in the death of a pedestrian north of Highmore.

Lederman said his staff had to remove about 400 fake names. He added that they weren't even funny names.

"It's just been an annoyance," he said.

He also said he doesn't know the origins of the orchestrated attack.

"At this point, I'm not even going to pursue it," he said.

Berk Ehrmantraut, the executive director of the Democratic Party, said he understands the frustration because he is dealing with his own headaches of getting his party's convention ready. Democrats will meet in Fort Pierre on July 8-9 to nominate their candidates for the general election.

Ehrmantraut said the party does not encourage that type of behavior.

"If anyone asked, we would encourage them not to do it," he said.

Besides attorney general, party conventions will also nominate candidates for lieutenant governor, secretary of state, public utilities commissioner, state treasurer, state auditor and school and public lands commissioner.

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Bennet Outland, a student at South Dakota Mines, has been awarded the Department of Defense Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation, or SMART, scholarship.

Outland is a junior studying mechanical engineering with a focus on robotics. The highly competitive SMART scholarship provides Outland with full tuition for up to five years, as well as mentorship, a summer internship, a stipend and full-time employment with the Department of Defense after he graduates. After he earns his mechanical engineering degree, Outland plans to pursue an accelerated masters degree in computer science and engineering at South Dakota Mines.

After graduation, Outland will work at Air Force Research Lab Space Vehicles Directorate at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.

I am humbled and excited to have been awarded this scholarship, Outland said. What mainly excites me about this work is that I get to merge my interests together in a way that I never thought I would be able to do. Currently, I am doing research in orbital dynamics, determining how objects orbit others in space and what happens to them over time, and projects in robotics. Through working for the Space Vehicles Directorate, I get to apply both of these by working on a satellite system.

According to the Department of Defense, the SMART scholarship is a unique opportunity offering students "hands-on experience at one of over 200 innovative laboratories across the Army, Navy, Air Force and larger Department of Defense. During summer internships, SMART scholars work directly with an experienced mentor, gaining valuable technical skills.

The SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program is part of the Department of Defenses effort to develop the nation's STEM talent and is the largest employer of federal scientists and engineers, with nearly 150,000 civilian STEM employees working across the department. For over a decade, SMART has trained a highly skilled STEM workforce that competes with the evolving trends of industry to support the next generation of science and technology for our nation.

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Up through the last gate on a narrow and winding road is the place Ed and Carola Mielke go to find peace in a valley where that commodity is getting harder to come by.

Hidden away in a gully filled with the soft sounds of the nearby murmuring brook is a small, off-the-grid cabin that Ed carefully constructed over the years.

Every piece of it was hand-carried across a narrow footbridge that crossed the creek old-timers call Spooner. Today others know it as Slocum Creek.

There is a wooden bench next to the creek where Carola reads in a place where human-made sounds cant follow. Not far away is a campfire pit where visitors at the edge of the fires light have been known to produce an eerie howl and leave tracks of a mountain lion and her kitten in the snow the next morning.

Inside, not but a couple of steps away from the wall that efficiently converts from a dinner table to a bed with a couple flips of wooden handles, are Vernon Woolseys woolies chaps enclosed in a glass case that Carolas father wore when he rode the rodeo circuit.

A nearby small outbuilding is adorned with the sign that welcomed people for generations to the Woolseys Haywire Ranch in the Burnt Fork east of Stevensville.

It's Mielke's refuge. And it's one they know will now be there forever.

As soon as you drive through that gate, the whole world seems to go away, Carola said, with a knowing smile.

The private cabin lies on the southern edge of Haywire Flats  the 258 acres that Carola inherited from her father and mother  Vernon and Maria.

Just a few weeks ago, the Mielkes completed the process to place the land into a conservation easement that will forever protect the land from development.

In doing so, they added the last piece of the puzzle that created a 7,150-acre link of open land preserved by numerous landowners for wildlife, agriculture and future generations that begins on the foothills of the Sapphire Mountains and runs to Logan Lane on the outskirts of Stevensville.

The Mielkes Haywire Flats is located on the edge of the Sapphire Range just south of Iron Cap Drive and north of Quiet Place just slightly east of the Middle Burnt Fork Road.

Anyone looking east across the valley from the Stevensville area can see the strip of the unbroken landscape.

For the Mielkes, the idea of preserving this parcel of land is part of their long-held desire to preserve a family heritage that can be traced back to 1899 when Carolas grandmother was born in the valley.

Her father, Vernon, was born one valley over near Ambrose Creek.

Vernon Woolsey tromped the Burnt Fork area as a youngster, worked for various farmers later, and obtained a ranch of his own following is service in World War II, wrote longtime Burnt Fork rancher, Jay Meyer, in support of the easement that tapped into the countys Open Lands Bond to make it possible. He and Maria (a War bride) raised their family on this same ranch in the 1940s.

Carola herself can boast of being connected to this property for 70 years, Meyer wrote. She certainly has thought and considered possibilities for the land and chose to cement her heritage for others to enjoy far into the future.

Vernon Woolsey raised grain, hay and pastured cattle on the parcel.

He rented it in 1948 and bought it either in 1958 or '59, Carola said. I just never knew a time when we didnt have itI have lots and lots of good memories on that land. I used to take picnics up to my dad and uncle.

She remembers the time the brothers used draft horses to clear the sagebrush from the ridge. By the time they were finished, the burn pile was immense.

Dad insisted we burn it at night, Carola said. We all went up there that night. I remember a neighbor coming by and asking why he decided to burn it after dark. He said he wanted to give the people in town something to talk about.

The Mielkes understood the connection Carolas family had with the land. They felt it too.

And they weren't alone in their desire to retain the qualities that make the Burnt Fork special.

The 500-acre Woolsey home place was purchased 30 years ago by Charles Olmsted. Hed moved away from Colorado where hed seen how fast development can change a place.

In 1998, he placed one of the first conservation easements in the Burnt Fork area on what Vernon Woolsey called the Haywire Ranch. In a letter to the Ravalli County Commission, Olmsted supported Mielkes decision to do the same on Haywire Flats.

Mielkes started the process years ago by talking with the Bitter Root Land Trust's founder Steve Powell.

The powers that be didnt all align back then and it took us time to get here, Carola said.

The Burnt Fork has always been a special place.

Burnt Fork people are very different than other people, I think, Carola said. They are a very tight-knit community, even those who are new. I think many have this same feeling that they want to see it preserved.

When Stevensvilles town council began discussing a potential large subdivision on the east side of town, the Mielkes decided it was time to act.

Their decision has been met with open arms from the community.

I saw a woman in the grocery store the other day and she came over and hugged me, Carola said. She said she had heard what we were doing up there and that it was wonderful.

Bitter Root Land Trust Executive Director Gavin Ricklefs agreed the Burnt Fork area is unique.

There arent very many places in the country where so many landowners have individually made the decision to preserve their properties for future generations, Ricklefs said. Its really a national model of what can happen when a place has something like the countys open lands program to help make projects happen.

No matter how much the Bitterroot grows, the Mielkes can take solace in knowing that there will be at least one place where future generations can find peace at a little cabin by the creek.

My dad just loved the Burnt Fork, Carola said. It was his thingMy mom was a Holocaust survivor. She was very much into the land and that it was your responsibility to take care of it.

I think they would be very happy to know that this is going to be here forever, she said.

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A stepfather in Florida has been convicted of child abuse after a restaurant employee last year noticed concerning signs and used a surreptitious note to ask a boy if he needed help, the Orange County State Attorney's Office announced Monday.

A jury found Timothy Lee Wilson, 36, guilty of two counts of false imprisonment of 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, a news release from the state attorney's office said.

An investigation revealed the boy was kept away from his family in a hotel room used for storage, was regularly deprived of food and drink, and was subjected to military-style exercises and other abuses, according to the release. Officers recovered multiple items used as weapons against the child, the release added.

The 11-year-old boy and his family were at the Mrs. Potato restaurant in Orlando on January 1, 2021, when employee Flaviane Carvalho noticed he was sitting secluded from his parents and sibling, was being deprived of food and drink, and was bruised and scratched, CNN previously reported.

Carvalho stood behind the boy's parents and held up a note asking the boy if he was OK. When the child nodded no, she wrote a second note that asked, "Do you need help," she explained at a news conference.

After the boy nodded yes, Carvalho called her boss and then called 911.

After police arrived and questioned the child, Wilson was arrested at the restaurant, and the boy's mother, Kristen Swann, was taken into custody days later, Orlando investigators said.

Swann is facing multiple felony abuse charges, including neglect of a child, aggravated abuse and failure to report child abuse, records from the Orange County Clerk's Office show. She has pleaded not guilty. CNN is reaching out to Swann's attorney for comment.

Wilson will be sentenced on August 19, 2022. CNN has reached out to his attorney for comment on the verdict.

What police found after the parents' arrests

When Swann and Wilson were arrested, another 4-year-old child was removed from the home and was found to not have suffered any abuse, according to Orlando Police Detective Erin Lawler at the time of the arrests. Lawler said the 11-year-old boy is Swann's child and the 4-year-old is Swann's and Wilson's child.

After Carvalho called 911, the boy was taken to a hospital where he was found to be 20 pounds underweight for his age, according to Lawler, who added that the boy also had bruises in various stages of healing across his entire body.

Investigators later found that the boy had been "tortured" and "maliciously punished," the attorney's office release said. Prosecutors said the boy had been hung upside down from a door by his neck and feet and on one occasion handcuffed to a dolly cart.

"What this child had gone through, it was torture," Lawler said. "I'm a mother and seeing what that 11-year-old had to go through ... It shocks your soul."

"If Ms. Carvalho would not have said something when she saw it, that little boy would probably not be with us much longer," she added.

"I was used like a tool from God to, to help him," Carvalho told CNN affiliate WESH. "We need to pay attention for the ones that (are) in need, and step forward to do something to change the situation."

***

CNN's Hollie Silverman contributed to this report. The-CNN-Wire  &  2022 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.

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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.

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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.

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You are here: Arts

With great focus and concentration, a group of children eagerly followed the slow and gentle motions of their Chinese Tai Chi master.

From small elementary school-age boys to late-adolescent girls, the diverse group equally enjoyed the charm of Chinese traditional culture.

The Tai Chi instructor - 45-year-old Zhu Wei - is a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) doctor and the Chief of the Zimbabwe-China Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture Center in Harare. He is also the Captain of the Chinese medical team in Zimbabwe.

"Tai Chi is also good for children. In one aspect, it can help them to concentrate on their studies," Zhu told Xinhua in an interview.

Tai Chi is a mind-body exercise rooted in multiple Chinese traditions including martial arts, traditional Chinese medicine and philosophy.

It emphasizes a mind-body connection using gentle movements, meditation and deep breathing.

The martial art is widely recognized as a fitness practice with a wide range of health benefits.

Zhu said Tai Chi provides mental benefits which include improved cognition, mood and focus, as well as decreased stress, anxiety and depression.

In addition, as a martial art, Tai Chi can improve children's self-esteem, confidence, and physical strength.

It can also teach children discipline, a sense of inner calm, and social skills, Zhu said.

"In other aspects, it also can help children have good health. It can improve the immune system," said Zhu.

Through the TCM clinic at Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare, Zhu has also provided thousands of Zimbabweans with medical assistance using traditional Chinese remedies.

The youthful-looking doctor said Tai Chi has made a huge difference in his life.

"I seldom get cold. Even in winter I can have less clothing and do not get cold. It can also help me to keep looking young," he said.

The organizer of the children's event, which was held in Chitungwiza near Harare, Abraham Matuka, said keeping children and young people busy and entertained with activities such as Tai Chi can help stem challenges of youth drug and sexual abuse in low-income townships such as in Chitungwiza.

Matuka is the founder of Teen Rescue Mission (TRM), an organization that empowers the youth by offering them various opportunities in education and skills development.

With support from the Chinese Embassy, enterprises and the Chinese community, the TRM has opened a platform where young people can showcase their talents.

"As an organization, what we have done is we have opened a platform for the young people to come and share their challenges they are going through," Matuka said.
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."

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A chiropractor who practiced in Richmond and Chesterfield County was sentenced Friday in the city for three misdemeanor counts of sexual battery of his patients.

Michael Dennis Pollock, 67, did not admit guilt on Friday, but was found guilty by Richmond Circuit Court Judge Claire G. Cardwell. Cardwell sentenced him to 15 days in jail  five days for each count, per a plea agreement  but his attorney, James Maloney, said Pollock had already served that time and asked that he be released following the hearing.

Pollock was given a weeks reprieve before facing sentencing to allow him to attend his sons graduation, according to the plea agreement.

Last year, Pollock was initially charged with three counts of aggravated sexual battery and object sexual penetration stemming from interactions he had with two women while working at a Richmond office in May. Richmond police said the facility where the alleged assaults occurred, Advanced Wellness Centre on Grove Avenue in Richmond, isnt where Pollock usually sees patients. His practice, Bon Air Chiropractic Clinic, is off Forest Hill Avenue in North Chesterfield.

Two women told police they were inappropriately touched during his examination in the Richmond office, according to a court affidavit.

Police: 1 killed in Richmond SUV crash Police said the driver, described as a juvenile boy, died in the crash.

This was not a recognized form of treatment, a Richmond detective swore in an affidavit.

Pollock has a history of similar complaints dating back to 1984, according to documents from the Virginia Department of Health Professions. His license had been restricted or suspended on two prior occasions since 2003.

At a Board of Medicine hearing in 2012 when Pollock petitioned to have his license reinstated, a psychiatrist opined that Dr. Pollock is not a sexual predator and that [the psychiatrist] does not believe Dr. Pollock is a danger to his patients.

His license was fully restored in 2013 after Pollock completed a 100-hour mentorship under a board-approved chiropractor, 12 hours of continued education on professional ethics and patient boundaries, and engaged in therapy. He also was required to have a chaperone present for all encounters with female patients.

As part of Fridays plea agreement, Pollock must surrender his chiropractic license, which was suspended by Virginia Board of Medicine in February, and agree to never practice again. He must also register as a sex offender and complete mental health and fitness evaluation to assess his risk to the community for sexual predation, according to the plea deal.

Pollock must pay for the evaluation himself, but is allowed to choose the expert who does the assessment, the agreement said.
After Leslie Haleys departure, the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors is convening a special meeting on Monday to detail the path forward for the open Midlothian District seat.

Haley, who had held the position for nearly seven years, announced June 3 that she was leaving to work for Virginias attorney general as the deputy AG for government operations and transactions. She previously sought the Republican nomination in the AG race in 2021.

The board plans to appoint an interim representative for the Midlothian District until the special election on Nov. 8, which would determine who would complete Haleys term through Dec. 31, 2023.

A Chesterfield media release said the supervisors would use an application process similar to the process used to fulfill other appointments made by the board.

The application for the interim position will be posted online after Mondays meeting, where supervisors will detail a hiring timeline.

Minimum qualifications to be considered for the seat include residing in the Midlothian District; being available to attend the four upcoming and already-scheduled board meetings; serving on other boards or commissions; completing a State and Local Statement of Economic Interests to identify potential conflict; and agreeing to a background check to ensure the individual has not be convicted of a felony.

In an undated resignation letter posted to the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors agenda for the Monday meeting, Haley wrote that she leaves feeling like this has been a job well-done with the team I had the opportunity to work with both on the Board of Supervisors and county staff.

While I will miss you all, Haley said. I am only a phone call away.
A Bayside High School student-athlete who collapsed during conditioning Wednesday has died, school officials said.

Principal Troy Walton of the Virginia Beach high school contacted Bayside High families with news of the students death.

According to the statement, which was shared by a spokesperson with Virginia Beach City Public Schools, the student collapsed while participating in conditioning Wednesday afternoon.

The Bayside High School staff is deeply affected by this tragic loss and we know that our students and community will be equally affected, Walton said.

Spokesperson Jason Nichols said additional details, including the sport the student was partaking in, were not available.

In his statement to Bayside High families, Walton said the schools administration and counselors were prepared to support staff and student needs in the wake of the students death.
Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, headed off a Democratic primary fight in a dramatically reshaped 7th Congressional District, but Republicans eager to unseat her are still jostling for the nomination to challenge her in a crowded field of six candidates.

The June 21 primary will decide who will face Spanberger in one of the most closely watched congressional races in the country in the November midterm elections that Republicans hope will give them control of the U.S. House of Representatives and thwart President Joe Bidens political agenda.

But this isnt the old 7th Congressional District, anchored in the Richmond suburbs and tailored to elect Republicans, as it did for nearly 50 years before Spanberger unseated Rep. Dave Brat, R-7th, in 2018.

Under a new political map approved by the Virginia Supreme Court on Dec. 28, the 7th District is now rooted in Northern Virginia and the fast-growing Fredericksburg region, with a slight Democratic lean. It includes all or parts of 11 localities, with only Spotsylvania, Orange and Culpeper counties part of the old district.

With six candidates in the GOP field, veteran political scientist Stephen Farnsworth isnt about to predict a winner.

This contest really is something approaching a jump ball for Republicans, said Farnsworth, director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg.

None of the candidates will get an endorsement from Rep. Rob Wittman, R-1st, who has represented much of the new 7th District in the old 1st District for 15 years.

My policy in primaries is always to stay out, Wittman said in a recent interview at his office at the U.S. Capitol, although he acknowledged that some candidates have asked for his support.

The race features elected officials from three of the largest localities in the new district  Supervisor Yesli Vega in Prince William County, Board Chair Crystal Vanuch in Stafford County and Supervisor David Ross in Spotsylvania  three counties that together account for more than 75% of the registered voters in the 7th.

Different parts of the district, different slices of the Republican Party are going in different directions, Farnsworth said.

That could be an advantage for state Sen. Bryce Reeves, R-Spotsylvania, a three-term senator who already represents portions of five localities in the district. He also worked as a police officer and narcotics detective in Prince William, where he later owned a State Farm insurance office in Woodbridge for 22 years before moving it to Stafford a decade ago.

I couldnt have drawn a better district if I had a box of crayons, Reeves said.

The field also includes Derrick Anderson, a Spotsylvania resident with an extensive combat record in a military-minded district, and Gina Ciarcia, a teacher and home-school advocate from Prince William who lost a House of Delegates race against Del. Candi King, D-Prince William, last fall.

I am a true political outsider, said Anderson, who nonetheless trailed only Reeves in fundraising through June 1, with four candidates raising more than half a million dollars each for the race.

Anderson had raised $599,324, with $148,878 in cash on hand, while Reeves had raised $680,511 and had $183,028 on hand.

Vanuch had raised $517,873, including a $400,000 loan to her campaign, and had $418,000 on hand. Vega had raised $506,021, with $118,000 on hand.

Ross had raised $188,960, including $123,200 in loans, and had $49,564 on hand. Ciarcia had raised $53,579 and had $10,870 on hand.

Whoever wins the Republican nomination will need the money to challenge Spanberger, who had raised almost $4.9 million, with $4.3 million on hand on June 1, to defend a seat the Democrats might need to hold in November to have any hope of keeping their House majority.

Politically, all of the Republican candidates are conservative, but with different emphases.

Vega, a Prince William sheriffs deputy whose parents fled El Salvador during its civil war, is focused on cracking down on security along the southern border with Mexico and standing up for traditional cultural values.

Shes been endorsed by prominent figures in former President Donald Trumps Make America Great Again movement, including Rep. Bob Good, R-5th; Ginni Thomas, wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and supporter of efforts to block certification of Bidens election; and Brat, a college professor who served two terms in the House before losing to Spanberger.

Thats going to make her quite competitive, Farnsworth said.

Like Good, Vega opposed a $40 billion aid package to Ukraine to defend itself against the Russian invasion.

Thats an insult to the American people, she said during a candidate forum sponsored by the Republican Party of Virginia in Fredericksburg last month.

She said she abhors identity politics, but promised to compete hard for the votes of Hispanics, who account for 17.4% of district voters, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.

Were going to go for it, you better believe it, she said.

Ross, a retired Marine and three-term member of the Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors, is focused on traditional, Christian values.

Everything I do is through a biblical world view, he said at the Fredericksburg forum, where he also asserted that separation of church and state is not legal.

Ciarcia touts her experience as a teacher, both in parochial and home-school settings, as well as a military spouse. She warns of the danger of fentanyl and other drugs being smuggled across the Mexican border.

If we want to drop the hammer in these midterm elections, dont send [Republicans In Name Only] to Congress, she said. Send constitutional conservatives.

Reeves has the most experience as an elected official and lawmaker. He has a legislative record that he says hes proud to defend, including sponsoring legislation passed this year to carry out extensive reforms of the Virginia Employment Commission and to target alleged corruption in charitable gaming.

Vanuch, in particular, has faulted Reeves for supporting legislation in 2020 that required school principals to report only offenses that could constitute criminal felonies. He sponsored legislation adopted this year to expand the requirement to potential misdemeanor offenses after a scandal over a pair of sexual assaults by a student in Loudoun County, which he said should have been reported under the original law as felonies.

Reeves also touts his role in legislation and state budget provisions that exempt a portion of military retirement income from state taxation  up to $40,000, phased over four years and starting at age 55. He hopes that Gov. Glenn Youngkin will amend the budget in an effort to lower the starting age to 45. The tax cuts were part of a budget compromise approved by the Democratic-controlled Senate earlier this month.

Im looking for real-world solutions to a lot of these problems, he said.

Reeves has the backing of former House Speaker Bill Howell, R-Stafford; Del. Nick Freitas, R-Culpeper, who lost to Spanberger in a close election in 2020; and, in an endorsement last week, the National Rifle Association.

An NRA endorsement is pretty powerful in this district, said Farnsworth of Mary Washington.

Reeves is a former U.S. Army infantry captain, both Ranger and Airborne qualified, but he faces a challenge for the military vote in the district from Anderson, an Army Green Beret who served six tours of duty in Iraq, Afghanistan and other combat zones.

Andersons military record was prominent in his endorsement by John Castorani, a U.S. Army Special Forces veteran from Orange County who dropped out of the race for the GOP nomination earlier his year, and his wife, Krissy, a veteran of U.S. Air Force Special Operations and the Joint Special Operations Command.

Foreign policy is where Anderson thinks he would have an advantage in challenging Spanberger, a former CIA case officer and law enforcement officer who investigated narcotics and money laundering cases for the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Who can beat Spanberger? he said. Thats the threshold question.

Anderson, an attorney who had just accepted a job at a big Richmond law firm, said he decided to run for Congress after Bidens handling of the chaotic U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan in August.

When I saw what happened in Afghanistan, that pushed me over the edge and I couldnt stomach it anymore, he said.

Andersons campaign received a recent boost from an endorsement by Hung Cao, a retired U.S. Navy combat veteran from Loudoun who won the Republican nomination in the 10th District in a firehouse primary last month. Cao, who came to the U.S. as a refugee after the Vietnam War, says he also decided to run for Congress because of the withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Vanuch, in her third year on the Stafford Board of Supervisors and second as chair, is focused on solutions to local issues  from congestion on Interstate 95 that overwhelms roads in the Fredericksburg region to hot-button cultural concerns such as the teaching of critical race theory in schools and protection of gun rights.

When a freak snowstorm shut down a 48-mile stretch of I-95 for more than 24 hours in early January, we were gridlocked, she said in an interview before the Fredericksburg forum. We couldnt get anywhere, and nobody could get to us.

Vanuch also says she has a political advantage because she was born in Prince William  which holds 35% of the registered voters in the district  and grew up in Stafford, which is second with about 20%.

I know the district better than anybody else, she said.
The chair of a state LGBTQ+ advisory board that was formed last year said shes disappointed Gov. Glenn Youngkin opted not to reappoint her.

Lisa Turner, who has been board chair since April, and four other members were told they wont be reappointed when their terms end June 30.

This is their prerogative. They have four years, thats it. I cannot fault them for wanting to have their own people on boards, Turner said.

Turner, a Democrat, said she wishes she could have been evaluated on her merits, not her partisan beliefs.

If I would have been afforded that it would have made me feel a lot better than just being tossed aside and not considered for my professional abilities, she said.

Kay Coles James, the secretary of the commonwealth (who handles gubernatorial appointments), said Friday that she understood why Turner would be disappointed. James was on the Virginia Commonwealth University governing board but was not reappointed by then-Gov. Terry McAuliffe, and said she understood what it feels like.

I am in the middle of the appointments process right now and there are hundreds of people who have given their time and their service to the commonwealth by serving on boards and commissions, and as the governor is looking at these commissions, there are lots of people that will not be reappointed, James said. But its the natural transaction of business in the commonwealth.

Four committees of the Virginia LGBTQ+ Advisory Board are working on recommendations they hope to give to the governor by fall. The General Assembly created the board in 2021 and it advises the governor.

Turner lives in Virginia Beach and is the executive director of LPAC, which helps elect LGBTQ women to office.

Vice chair Michael Thorne-Begland, vice president and chief inclusion, diversity & equity officer for Altria Client Services, also was among those the governor did not reappoint.

Turner said that the boards administrator told her on May 18 that a Youngkin administration official informed her that there would be no reappointments for the five members whose terms were expiring.

Michael Berlucchi, another member of the advisory board, and a Republican member of the Virginia Beach City Council whose term has not expired, praised Turners leadership even though they didnt agree on every political issue.

I always found her to be very fair and collaborative and I enjoy working with her and I appreciate her service and leadership, he said. Public service requires that people from diverse perspectives and backgrounds and opinions come together with mutual respect in order to solve problems and help our community. And Lisas work exemplified that spirit in my mind.

The board includes 21 unpaid citizen members.

We were just really getting started, Turner said. Each committee has met maybe two to three times.

Earlier this week, some of the states top LGBTQ+ leaders opted not to attend a pride event Youngkin hosted in the state Capitol because of his opposition to same-sex marriage and other issues.

Then-Gov. Ralph Northam, when he signed the bill last year to create the advisory board, said it will ensure the LGBTQ+ community has a permanent voice in Virginias executive branch  no matter who is governor.
On Sunday afternoon, a mother rushed to the back of a Target store in Eastern Henrico County. As she entered the baby supplies area, she saw an all-too-familiar scene: bare shelves that normally would be stocked with formula.

She lucked out, spotting a handful of packages of Enfamil NeuroPro ready-to-feed bottles, and snagging the store limit of four per customer. Other caregivers across the commonwealth have been less fortunate, spending hours combing through grocery stores, pharmacies, social media groups and more.

How did this nation get to a place where acquiring baby formula became an arms race? The shortage is nothing less than a top-level crisis, and it has to be met with more urgency.

In recent days, progress has been elevated by government officials and manufacturers. Abbott Nutritions facility in Michigan, which closed in February due to contamination concerns and other violations, has resumed production of some formulas. Through the Biden administrations Operation Fly Formula missions, several flights of imported supplies also have arrived from Europe.

One batch came Thursday to Dulles International Airport: Kendamil formula from the United Kingdom, which was donated by United Airlines. Per the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, United will deliver roughly 300,000 pounds of the British companys product over the next 10 days.

But on the morning of this scheduled delivery, a concerning detail emerged about the federal governments initial response. A Politico report documented some of the decision-making inside the Biden administration.

The February shutdown of the Abbott plant took place right as the Russia-Ukraine war was escalating. While the White House had been monitoring formula supply-chain concerns, the issue was not elevated to high-level staff members.

There were a million crises going on, one Domestic Policy Council official told Politico. That doesnt mean that this wasnt also a crisis, it just wasnt elevated to a top level crisis.

As true as that might be, imagine how exasperated parents feel as they now pay around $5 per gallon for fuel and scour several stores, only to come up empty. The online guidelines at hhs.gov/formula also fail to capture the severity of the situation. They point parents toward how to find safe substitutes, try a new brand or talk to a health care provider. But families also have a million crises going on and better leadership has to rule the day going forward.

Toward the bottom of the HHS webpage is another factor that must be addressed. Roughly 43% of babies in America receive assistance from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children, otherwise known as WIC.

As a May Politico report explained, WIC is the largest purchaser of formula in the country, but for 30 years, it has operated under sole-source contracting. WIC saves money through these state contracts, but Abbott was one of only three approved providers, and it serves almost 90% of WIC families, per the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Congress recently had to address this bottleneck by passing the Access to Baby Formula Act, which added flexibility and expanded formula options for WIC recipients. Moreover, regardless of program eligibility, any mother who gives birth and requests formula in a hospital is going to get the formula that is whoever has the WIC contract, a former Senate aide told Politico.

WIC policy is part of the federal Child Nutrition Reauthorization, which is supposed to be reassessed every five years. But per the Food Research & Action Center, a Washington-based nonprofit, the CNR has not been updated since its expiration in 2015.

This is the kind of federal inaction that leaves Virginia localities scrambling to provide help on the front lines. For example, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney and City Council worked with a series of philanthropic partners to fund $180,000 worth of prepaid $125 debit cards for WIC families in need of formula. While the gesture might ease some of the financial strain, what about the access issue?

Elected officials at all levels need to show more urgency. Implement solutions that restore reliability and create systems that prevent these failures from ever being repeated. The struggle wont be over until parents and guardians can easily acquire what their children need, without such incredible anxiety.

 Chris Gentilviso
(Image: Malay Mail/Shafwan Zaidon)

The latest labour report by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) has indicated that Malaysias unemployment rate in April 2022 declined to 3.9% from 4.1% in March. This is the first time that Malaysias unemployment rate has dipped below 4% since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic two years ago.

According to the report, the number of unemployed persons decreased by 3%, from 669,200 persons in March to 649,300 persons in April. It noted that 83.6% of the unemployed persons were made up of actively unemployed persons  defined as unemployed individuals who are actively looking for jobs. This category posted a decline of 3.2% from 561,000 persons in March to 542,900 persons in April. In addition, 58.1% of the actively unemployed group were out of a job for less than three months, while 7.1% were unemployed for more than a year.

The report also stated that 16.4% of the unemployed persons consisted of inactively unemployed persons  described as those who believe that there are no jobs available. This category registered a decrease of 1.6%, dropping from 108,100 persons in March to 106,400 persons in April.

Meanwhile, the number of employed persons rose by 0.5% to 15.85 million persons in April, as compared to 15.77 million persons in the previous month. Of the total, 76.3% fell under the employees category, translating to 12.09 million persons. This is a 0.3% increase from 12.06 million persons in March. Similarly, the own-account workers category also registered an increase of 1.2%, from 2.69 million persons in March to 2.72 million persons in April.

The increase was partly due to more business activities in conjunction with the celebration of Ramadan and preparation for Aidilfitri during the month parallel with the reopening of the international borders which encouraged the tourism sector and tourism-related industries to resume their activities, stated the chief statistician of DOSM, Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin.

Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin also commented that the overall labour force in April increased by 0.4% to 16.5 million persons, as compared to 16.44 million persons in the previous month. Accordingly, the labour force participation rate edged up by 0.2 percentage points to 69.4% from 69.2% in March, indicating more labour participation in the market, he added.

Despite the positive development, Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir noted that current global supply chain disruptions may adversely affect the trajectory of the national labour market. However, he also said that Malaysia will likely enjoy a more positive economic outlook with the reopening of the national borders and the resumption of more economic activities, following the countrys transition to the endemic phase.

(Sources: Malay Mail, DOSM)

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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.
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.

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BEDFORD The Bedford County School Board deadlocked during Thursdays meeting in a vote on a proposed resolution expressing support of the school divisions teachers and staff after voting unanimously to approve a separate resolution expressing support of parental rights.

The board unanimously moved to approve the parental rights resolution in a 6-0 vote. When it was time to vote on the accompanying resolution expressing support of teachers and staff, however, the vote tied 3-3.

District 4 representative Marcus Hill, District 3 representative Dwayne Nelms, and interim District 7 representative Christopher Daniels voted against the resolution of support for teachers and staff. District 1 representative Susan Mele, District 6 representative and board chair Susan Kirby, and District 5 representative Georgia Hairston voted in favor of it.

Ordinarily, if all members of the board were present and a vote was tied, board protocol would be that the motion is dead in the water and would not pass, according to Kirby.

However, because one school board member was absent from Thursdays meeting  District 2 representative Matthew Holbrook  the resolutions will be brought back at Julys school board meeting for a final vote with all members present, which could result in at least a majority vote to decide the fate of each resolution.

Mele urged her colleagues to apply to the teachers and staff support resolution what she called a sensible train of thought expressed by Tim Griffith, a GOP unit chair for the countys Republican Party, during the public comment period of the boards May 12 meeting where the two proposed resolutions were presented: the gesture of adopting a formal statement of support would put a lot of our minds at rest.

Although Griffith was speaking to his concern of what some believe to be radical ideology entering classrooms and worry that teachers were trying to groom children, Mele said she agreed with his stance that making a supportive public statement would put many minds at rest.

Some of our teachers and staff are worried, just like our parents are worried, Mele said. Passing this resolution, I believe, would put their minds at rest, to make a public statement, put it in writing, as Tim suggested. We as a board would reaffirm our commitment to teachers and staff that we stand by our teachers and staff just as we stand by our parents. These were good and sensible words that made sense to me for all stakeholders in Bedford County.

Mele added while parental rights are, and have long been, guaranteed in the Code of Virginia or through executive order from Virginias governor, she said she encountered no such legal support or recourse pertaining to educators and school staff when she read through the state code. For Bedford County teachers and staff to know they, too, were supported by the divisions school board would therefore be extra meaningful.

If we believe that its necessary to construct a resolution for parents, even though their rights are guaranteed within the Code of Virginia, is it not also reasonable and sensible to provide our teachers and staff with the same support? Mele said. The teacher and staff resolution will put a lot of our staff members minds at ease, resting knowing that the teachers and staff are important enough to the board to construct a resolution to publicly acknowledge that we stand by our teachers and staff.

Hill said he did not believe a separate resolution was needed in support of teachers and staff because the teacher and staff contracts already state the school board stands with them and supports them.

We absolutely support you. Your contracts state that, Hill said, adding he wanted there to be no confusion of emotion versus fact on the question of likely adopting one resolution and not the other.

The school divisions documentation states that the parental rights resolution is meant to affirm parents prerogative to direct the education of their children as they see fit for their childs needs, calling this a fundamental right.

A final vote on both resolutions will be made at the July school board meeting.
One in 6,000 isnt quite as much of a longshot as winning the actual lottery, as one Salem City Schools librarian found out Friday morning.

Courtesy of Virginia Lotterys Thank a Teacher campaign, Terri Vangelos, the librarian at G.W. Carver Elementary School won a Virginia-themed vacation valued at $2,500, a gift card and $2,500 in supplies from The Supply Room, according to a city news release.

She now has a choice of taking a Virginia-themed winery and brewery vacation or a health and wellness vacation, according to a release from Virginia Lottery.

Thousands of Virginia educators received a thank you note earlier this spring, and of the 6,000 entries using a unique code on the notes, Vangelos name was drawn, and she was surprised with her prizes Friday by lottery and school representatives, according to the school system news release.

The seventh annual award-winning Thank a Teacher campaign was held in conjunction with National Teacher Appreciation Week in May.

This year nearly 50,000 thank-you notes were sent to Virginia K-12 public school teachers by their students, parents or other Virginians, according to the release.

Virginia Lottery proceeds represent about 10% of the states entire budget for education, according to the release.

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RICHMOND  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 Northside. 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.
RICHMOND  The chair of a state LGBTQ+ advisory board that was formed last year said shes disappointed Gov. Glenn Youngkin opted not to reappoint her.

Lisa Turner, who has been board chair since April, and four other members were told they wont be reappointed when their terms end June 30.

This is their prerogative. They have four years, thats it. I cannot fault them for wanting to have their own people on boards, Turner said.

Turner, a Democrat, said she wishes she could have been evaluated on her merits, not her partisan beliefs.

If I would have been afforded that it would have made me feel a lot better than just being tossed aside and not considered for my professional abilities, she said.

Kay Coles James, the secretary of the commonwealth (who handles gubernatorial appointments), said Friday that she understood why Turner would be disappointed. James was on the Virginia Commonwealth University governing board but was not reappointed by then-Gov. Terry McAuliffe, and said she understood what it feels like.

I am in the middle of the appointments process right now and there are hundreds of people who have given their time and their service to the commonwealth by serving on boards and commissions, and as the governor is looking at these commissions, there are lots of people that will not be reappointed, James said. But its the natural transaction of business in the commonwealth.

Four committees of the Virginia LGBTQ+ Advisory Board are working on recommendations they hope to give to the governor by fall. The General Assembly created the board in 2021 and it advises the governor.

Turner lives in Virginia Beach and is the executive director of LPAC, which helps elect LGBTQ women to office.

Vice chair Michael Thorne-Begland, vice president and chief inclusion, diversity & equity officer for Altria Client Services, also was among those the governor did not reappoint.

Turner said that the boards administrator told her on May 18 that a Youngkin administration official informed her that there would be no reappointments for the five members whose terms were expiring.

Michael Berlucchi, another member of the advisory board, and a Republican member of the Virginia Beach City Council whose term has not expired, praised Turners leadership even though they didnt agree on every political issue.

I always found her to be very fair and collaborative and I enjoy working with her and I appreciate her service and leadership, he said. Public service requires that people from diverse perspectives and backgrounds and opinions come together with mutual respect in order to solve problems and help our community. And Lisas work exemplified that spirit in my mind.

The board includes 21 unpaid citizen members.

We were just really getting started, Turner said. Each committee has met maybe two to three times.

Earlier this week, some of the states top LGBTQ+ leaders opted not to attend a pride event Youngkin hosted in the state Capitol because of his opposition to same-sex marriage and other issues.

Then-Gov. Ralph Northam, when he signed the bill last year to create the advisory board, said it will ensure the LGBTQ+ community has a permanent voice in Virginias executive branch  no matter who is governor.
 
The program for the schools 55th commencement indicated 111 seniors qualified for graduation. Spectators in the bleachers were only a few yar
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.
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Preparations for the fifth China International Import Expo (CIIE) are making smooth progress, Shu Jueting, spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said Thursday.



In terms of corporate exhibitors, more than 250 Fortune 500 companies and leading enterprises have confirmed their participation in the expo, Shu told a press conference, adding that the contracted area has exceeded 75 percent of the planned exhibition area.

The CIIE will launch an online platform for participating countries to promote their industries and trade and investment opportunities, Shu said.

The World Openness Report 2022 and the World Openness Index will be released at the Hongqiao International Economic Forum, a sideline event of the CIIE, the spokesperson said.

The fifth CIIE will be held in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to 10.
" " Torrey Pines State Beach north of San Diego, fall 2017. Most of the sand placed on the beach in 2001 washed away in a single storm, was stored in a large offshore sandbar and partially returned to the beach the following summer. Katherine Leitzell/California Sea Grant

In summer, there's nothing like feeling the sun on your face and the sand between your toes. But rising sea levels and stronger coastal storms associated with climate change pose a threat to the sands that make up our beaches. A common approach to combatting erosion at U.S. coastlines is beach nourishment, which is literally taking sand from one place, often offshore, and pumping it onto a sand-depleted beach.

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A Sisyphean Exercise?

The question is, can beach nourishment keep up with the ever-increasing forces of climate change or, like Sisyphus forever pushing his boulder up the hill, is adding sand to beaches an expensive, temporary fix to a long-term problem?

"I think there is reason to be concerned," says Bonnie Ludka, a postdoc at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California in San Diego, "but I also think there's still a lot we don't know about how long the sand stays, where it goes and how much sand you need to place on a beach to be effective. We're learning as we go."

A study published by Ludka in the June 2018 issue of the journal Coastal Engineering, examines exactly what happened to sand deposited on four beaches in San Diego County in California. She and her colleagues used jet skis, ATVs and other tools to continuously monitor sand levels and sand movement at the beaches over a period of about 10 years. The research received funding from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, California Department of Parks and Recreation, the National Science Foundation and California Sea Grant.

Among their findings, the team learned that the entire amount of sand added to San Diego's Torrey Pines in 2001 was washed away during a single storm. At another beach, the addition of 138 Olympic swimming pools-worth of sand contributed to the clogging and eventual closure of a nearby estuary. Among the team's more positive findings was that larger-grained sand appeared to have better staying power than finer-grained sand and, in some cases, the amount of sand deposited and removed from a beach by natural forces was higher than any mechanically added sand.

" " Mechanical sand placement underway, from south to north, at Imperial Beach in San Diego. Black dots roughly outline the original placement region. Eddie Kisfaluty

"There is quite a bit of natural variability so it's hard to pick out trends," Ludka says, "but at our longest recorded site we did see an overall pattern of erosion."

The pattern of erosion that Ludka's team observed at ground level is what's alarming to researchers assessing the long-term future of U.S. beaches. With climate change, sea level has risen by about 8 inches (20 centimeters) since 1900, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and could rise 3 to 5 feet (0.9 to 1.5 meters) higher by the end of this century. More frequent coastal storms, also associated with climate change, take a further toll on beaches by unleashing rough waves that eat away at the shore.

"Any beach nourishment is forever  it's like painting a house  once you start it, you have to keep doing it forever to maintain," says Michael Orbach, professor emeritus of marine affairs and policy at Duke University. "The problem is, with climate change and rising sea levels, there's going to be even more demand by orders of magnitude because the beaches are going to erode more and faster."

Western Carolina University's Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines hosts an interactive database of beach nourishment projects across the U.S. and their costs. As the data show, beach nourishment today is not cheap. Orbach estimates the average cost of supplementing sand at beaches comes out at $1 million to up to $2 million per mile of sand. As the demand for sand for beach nourishment increases, the cost will rise even higher, Orbach predicts.

"In the end, there may not be enough sand that's economically recoverable to nourish every beach that people want to nourish," he says.

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Disruption to Animal Life

There's also an ecological cost. Studies have shown that dredging and depositing sand is disruptive to creatures living in the sand and the animals that eat them. While the research suggests those animals tend to recover after 18 months to two years, beaches that undergo repeated nourishment see significant declines in animal life.

Despite the economic and ecological costs of beach nourishment, it may be among the few available options for preserving beaches in the future. Sean Vitousek, an engineer specializing in ocean modeling at the University of Illinois at Chicago, points out that natural sources of beach sand, including rivers and eroding cliffs, have been suppressed by human-built dams and protective coverings. Vitousek served as lead author of a March 2017 modeling analysis from the U.S. Geological Survey that concluded if no measures are taken, up to 67 percent of California's beaches could be completely eroded back to sea cliffs or coastal infrastructure by 2100.

The USGS models showed that beach nourishment could protect some larger beaches that have undergone nourishment for decades, but that overall, beach nourishment will have to be stepped up to a much faster pace to continue to be at all effective.

"If you just dump sand on a beach, that sand is not going to stay there forever," Vitousek says. "The current, methodical rate of beach nourishment is insufficient against the coming sea level rise."

"There is quite some debate about how climate change will influence the frequency and intensity of storms," Ludka says, "and these storms will be more responsible for beach evolution than sea level rise in the next few decades." It may become, Ludka says, a matter of choosing between investing in ever-pricier efforts to preserve beaches or standing back and allowing nature's forces to redraw the lines where ocean meets land.

Now That's Interesting The first beach nourishment project may have taken place more than 2,000 years ago when, according to legend, Roman leader Marc Antony had sand shipped from the Egyptian desert to a beach in Turkey so that his lover, Egyptian queen Cleopatra, would be able to step on soil from her homeland as she came ashore. The beach in Alanya, Turkey, is now known as Cleopatra's Beach.
FLORENCE, S.C.  One doctor at MUSC Health Florence Medical Center calls it the new stethoscope. The Butterfly handheld ultrasound device is small enough to fit in your pocket and can be plugged into a smartphone or tablet to display images.

For the patient it can mean a quicker assessment of a problem and more convenience by eliminating a trip to the ultrasound lab.

The device can be used in the doctors office, in the emergency room and in clinics and rural settings.

What is unique at MUSC is the hospitals partnership with the manufacturer, Butterfly Network, to provide point-of-care ultrasound devices and software.

Dr. Rami Zebian, MUSC Health Florence chief medical officer and pulmonary and critical care physician, and Dr. Ramzi Hourany, MUSC Health Florence Medical Center pulmonary and critical care physician, are both using the devices with their patients.

Hourany said this really is a game changer in health care, and it is going to replace the stethoscope.

He said he uses the device in the office to detect fluid on the lungs.

Zebian said the size and portability of the device is its biggest advantage over the conventional ultrasound machine.

But the device is not meant to replace the ultrasound machine. Zebian said in some ways the larger machines are more sophisticated and better, but they cost $50 thousand to $100 thousand, while the Butterfly device can be purchased for $2,000 to $3,000 with access to the software.

He said the Butterfly ultrasound device has been around for several years and can be acquired by any doctor but linking it to Butterfly software is the key.

Zebian said having the partnership with MUSC and Butterfly is the thing.

If I am not sure of what I am looking at I can press a button and get help, he said.

The companys software helps nurses and doctors interpret the image, and also helps integrate it into patients electronic health records.

Zebian said it can be used in an outpatient setting, in the ER or in the office with immediate feedback.

It is a time saver. The images can be taken in the doctors office without having to schedule an imaging appointment. There is quick shared access. He said this is especially helpful for rural areas and clinics or when the patient has to go to MUSC for treatment.

He said the images become part of the medical records through EPIC  electronic medical records. MUSC will already have immediate access to the patients records and the ultrasound images.

Ultrasounds are needed for a lot of procedures, he said, and quick results can be critical to the patients outcome.

Some of the uses for this device could be to help determine blood clots, the amount of urine in the bladder or fluid on the lungs or around the heart.

Zebian said there is the convenience for the patient not having to go to a lab to have the ultrasound, and there is the WOW factor being able to hook up to a phone and see the lungs or other organs.

Hourany said it helps his patients to be able to remain in the office setting for an ultrasound because some of them have mobility problems. He said this small device can also be used in intensive care, to put in central lines, to see the heart, lungs and offer visual guidance for some procedures.

Butterfly can not only enhance patient care but also advance medical education for nurses and doctors.

It helps us do our job better, Hourany said. And it makes it better for the patient.

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Seguin, TX (78155)

Today

Partly to mostly cloudy. Hot and humid. High around 100F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. Low near 75F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph.
Beijing will "not hesitate to start a war" if Taiwan declares independence, China's defence minister warned his US counterpart Friday, the latest salvo between the superpowers over the island.

The warning from Wei Fenghe came as he held his first face-to-face meeting with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore.

Beijing views democratic, self-ruled Taiwan as its territory and has vowed to one day seize the island, by force if necessary, and US-China tensions over the issue have soared in recent months.

Wei warned Austin that "if anyone dares to split Taiwan from China, the Chinese army will definitely not hesitate to start a war no matter the cost", defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian quoted the minister as saying during the meeting.

The Chinese minister vowed that Beijing would "smash to smithereens any 'Taiwan independence' plot and resolutely uphold the unification of the motherland", according to the Chinese defence ministry.

He "stressed that Taiwan is China's Taiwan... Using Taiwan to contain China will never prevail", the ministry said.

Austin "reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the (Taiwan) Strait, opposition to unilateral changes to the status quo, and called on (China) to refrain from further destabilising actions toward Taiwan", according to the US Department of Defense.

Tensions over Taiwan have escalated in particular due to increasing Chinese aircraft incursions into the island's air defence identification zone (ADIZ).

US President Joe Biden, during a visit to Japan last month, appeared to break decades of US policy when, in response to a question, he said Washington would defend Taiwan militarily if it is attacked by China.

The White House has since insisted its policy of "strategic ambiguity" over whether or not it would intervene has not changed.

- Japan PM issues warning -

With concerns mounting over China-Taiwan tensions, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida issued a stark warning at the summit: "Ukraine today may be East Asia tomorrow".

Story continues

The world must be "prepared for the emergence of an entity that tramples on the peace and security of other countries by force or threat without honouring the rules," he said.

He did not mention China by name in his address, but repeatedly called for the "rules-based international order" to be upheld.

Austin is the latest senior US official to visit Asia as Washington seeks to shift its foreign policy focus back to the region from the Ukraine war.

As well as on Taiwan, China and the United States have been locked in a range of other disputes.

They have been at loggerheads over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with Washington accusing Beijing of providing tacit support for Moscow.

China has called for talks to end the war, but has stopped short of condemning Russia's actions and has repeatedly criticised American arms donations to Ukraine.

China's expansive claims in the South China Sea have also stoked tensions with Washington.

Beijing claims almost all of the resource-rich sea, through which trillions of dollars in shipping trade passes annually, with competing claims from Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Austin arrived in Singapore late Thursday, and held a series of meetings with his counterparts on Friday.

At a meeting with Southeast Asian defence ministers, he spoke about Washington's "strategy in maintaining an open, inclusive and rules-based regional security environment", according to a statement from the Singapore government.

His comments were a veiled reference to countering China's increasing assertiveness in the region.

Austin will deliver a speech at the forum on Saturday, followed by Wei on Sunday. The summit runs from June 10 to 12 and is taking place for the first time since 2019 after twice being postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

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The UN atomic energy watchdog said Thursday that Iran was removing 27 surveillance cameras at its nuclear facilities, warning this could be a "fatal blow" to negotiations to revive a 2015 nuclear deal.

Talks began in April last year to bring the United States back into that landmark agreement, after then president Donald Trump withdrew in 2018 and left it hanging by a thread.

The negotiations also aim to lift sanctions against Iran and bring it back into compliance with nuclear commitments it made to world powers as part of the deal.

But the ever-delicate dialogue has been stalled since March, and raising tensions, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) members on Wednesday passed a resolution censuring Iran over its lack of cooperation with the watchdog.

Iran has condemned the rebuke as "unconstructive" and announced on Wednesday it had disconnected some IAEA cameras monitoring its nuclear sites.

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said Thursday his agency had been informed that 27 cameras were being removed, leaving about 40 still in place.

"So this of course poses a serious challenge to our ability to continue working there," Grossi told reporters, urging Iran to engage with him "immediately".

He said if a solution was not found within three to four weeks, "a fatal blow" will have been dealt to negotiations.

- 'Deepening isolation' -

Wednesday's motion -- approved by 30 of the 35 members of the IAEA board of governors, with only Russia and China voting against -- was the first to criticise Iran since June 2020.

The resolution -- submitted by the United States, Britain, France and Germany -- came after the IAEA said Iran continued to fail to explain adequately the previous discovery of traces of enriched uranium at three sites which Tehran had not declared as having hosted nuclear activities.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Thursday that Iran's actions will undermine attempts to restore the 2015 deal.

"The only outcome of such a path will be a deepening nuclear crisis and further economic and political isolation for Iran," Blinken said in a statement.

Story continues

Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, an ultraconservative who was elected last year, said Thursday the Islamic republic will not be deterred.

"We won't back down, not even a step from our position," state news agency IRNA quoted him as saying on Thursday.

Iran has repeatedly denied any ambition to develop a nuclear weapons capability.

It had already responded angrily to Grossi's decision to visit its arch-foe Israel ahead of the board of governors meeting. It has also accused the UN watchdog of relying too much on "fabricated" Israeli intelligence reports.

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett welcomed the censure of Iran before he headed to the United Arab Emirates, a fellow Iran critic, for a previously unannounced visit on Thursday.

- 'Added pressure' -

Eric Brewer, an analyst at the non-profit Nuclear Threat Initiative, told AFP that Iran's removal of the cameras "will certainly put added pressure" on the talks to revive the 2015 agreement "to force a decision one way or the other".

The landmark agreement set limits to Iran's nuclear activities in return for relief from international sanctions. But it has been in disarray since Trump unilaterally withdrew and reimposed crippling sanctions.

In response, Iran began rolling back on its own commitments under the deal.

Western capitals have expressed mounting concern over how far Iran has gone in resuming nuclear activities since the US began reimposing sanctions.

Iran has built up large stockpiles of enriched uranium, some of it enriched to levels far higher than those needed for nuclear power generation.

The foreign ministry in Tehran said on Wednesday that besides deactivating the cameras in response to the IAEA censure motion, Iran has also installed additional advanced centrifuges for uranium enrichment.

The IAEA head said on Monday it would be "a matter of just a few weeks" before Iran could obtain sufficient material for a nuclear weapon, if it continues to develop its programme.

Several people in a Tehran shopping area said on Thursday that they wished their country would be more amenable to the IAEA.

"We call on the authorities to cooperate more so that the problems do not get worse," Ebrahim Ahmadpour, a 60-year-old private sector employee, told AFP.

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  7  WeChat Pay HK    75 4.6     117 3000 133.59 9.38 11   7   13  123.3  21000  3.2%3  21,000   133.59 77.6 NFT    13  54.665  80009000 ... 2  94%
This 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom home has a fun floor plan and great views. It is located on the edge of town and sits on over 4 acres. Pulling in the driveway, you will see what looks like a 3 car garage but it is deeper than it looks. Can hold 4 to 6 vehicles or have an option for shop in the back, built in 2005 with 1464 sq.ft. with own furnace and CA. A 31 x 25 outbuilding can hold even more toys with wood burning stove. The lot is very deep. Wraparound deck on the house would be a great place to enjoy the views or take a dip in the 18' above ground pool!! A porch welcomes you into the home as you step in to the foyer with closet. An updated kitchen in 2010 with Crestwood cabinets, a Vermont cast iron stove, vaulted ceiling, 4 skylights, island, 42" cabinets, new flooring, tech lighting, wet bar cabinet, wine frig and eatin area with built ins is a great place to gather. Off the kitchen is a formal dining room which leads to the living room with Cozy heat wood FP. An all season sunroom with vaulted ceiling is another place to relax, added in 2004. 2 bedrooms on the main floor each have carpet and double closets, added 1989. The main floor bathroom has been updated and features a new soaker tub and granite counter, updated 2012~2013. Upstairs is the master bedroom with great views. French doors lead to the walk in closet with washer and dryer. The master bathroom is updated and has 2 vanities, walkin stone shower~ 2012~2013. Another room upstairs could have many uses~family room, workout room, office, nursery or sitting room (separate furnace for 2nd floor) The walkout lower level has a family room, a den and a 3\4 bathroom with tile floor and knotty pine walls. There is another laundry area down and lots of storage space. New shingles 2017. New septic 2022. Cement board siding. Shared well, 320' deep. Pet fence. 4 excluded buyers. County taxes and Lawton\Bronson schools..
With China taking new policy measures to tackle the dual challenges of balancing COVID-19 mitigation with supporting economic growth in the short term, centrally administrated State-owned enterprises have been teaming up with foreign partners to sustain trade flows and ensure the smooth operation of global supply chains.

Central SOEs involved in energy, transportation equipment, infrastructure development and manufacturing have relied on China's advantage of having the world's most complete industrial system with the most diversified sectors to boost the nation's foreign trade and deliver products on time to foreign customers.

CRRC Qingdao Sifang Co Ltd, a subsidiary of Beijing-based China Railway Rolling Stock Corp, announced on Wednesday that it will export 62 passenger carriages to Brazil, marking the first time for the company to ship trains of this kind to the South American nation.

Ordered by its clientVale SAa Brazilian mining giant, the trains, including business class, economy class, dining and power generation cars, will be shipped to Brazil in 2024, said Ma Jin, a project manager at Shandong province-based CRRC Qingdao Sifang.

"The design, manufacture, testing, operation and maintenance of these rail vehicles will meet relevant standards in Brazil, the United States and Europe," he said. "They will be operated on the Vitoria-Minas Railroad and Carajas Railroad operated by Vale. They are the only two trunk railways with passenger services in Brazil."

Ma said it will significantly increase passenger capacity on Brazil's mainline railways after putting them into operation.

Contracted by Heilongjiang province-based Harbin Electric Corp Ltd, the No 3 generator unit of the Hassyan Power Plant in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, began operations with all parameters met last month.

The power plant project is invested, financed, generally contracted, designed, manufactured and built by Chinese companies. It is a key project under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative and the first project invested by the Silk Road Fund in the Middle East, said Zhang Yingjian, the group's vice-president.

Located in a coastal area over 30 kilometers south of Dubai, the project broke ground in January 2017. The plant is designed with four ultra-supercritical generator units and has a total installed capacity of 2,400 megawatts.

The Nos 1 and 2 units were put into operation on May 18, 2020, and May 3, 2021, respectively, and have been performing stably. They provided highly efficient energy and power supply for Expo 2020 Dubai.

"All units are scheduled to be in service in 2023," he said, adding once fully operational, the plant is expected to generate 20 percent of Dubai's power. This will help lower local power costs, ensure the region's energy supply and promote diversified growth of the local energy structure.

Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Co Ltd, a unit of China Communications Construction Co Ltd, shipped the first three quay cranes and 10 rubber-tired gantry cranes for the Lekki Port project in Nigeria earlier this week.

Located about 60 kilometers east of Lagos, Lekki is the first modern deep-sea port in the country, and it is to be equipped with five quay cranes and 15 rubber-tired gantry cranes, said Zhou Yafen, deputy general manager of ZPMC's Changxing production base.

Once operational, the port is expected to effectively improve freight allocation capacity and lower logistic costs of international trade.

Apart from developing global businesses, the government and SOEs will actively expand effective investment, and accelerate the developing pace of a number of major projects related to China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) to create a more physical workload and new businesses, in order to minimize the impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a circular issued by the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council in late May.
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Rummage Sale

Riverside Lutheran Church, 1817 Riverside Blvd., will host a rummage sale and bake sale from 4 to 7 p.m. today, June 10, and from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, June 11. Cash Only. All proceeds will go to replacing the fellowship hall windows.

Mayflower Congregational UCC will have a Free Community Rummage this Saturday, June 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. The event will be held in the street in front of the church, and there will be an assortment of free clothing, toys, and housewares available. All are welcome!

City-Wide Vacation Bible School

CIty-Wide Vacation Bible School is June 13-16, beginning at 5:30 p.m., at First Lutheran Church ELCA, 3939 Cheyenne Blvd, in Sioux City. All are welcome to this free opportunity sponsored by: Augustana Lutheran, Faith United Presbyterian, First Lutheran, Riverside Lutheran, New Hope Community, St. Luke Lutheran, St. Mark Lutheran, and United Lutheran. For more information see www.webelievechurch.com or contact one of the participating churches.

Pancake Breakfast

St. John Lutheran Church, 2801 Jackson St., south parking lot area, will host a pancake breakfast on June 18 from 7 to 11 a.m. Free will offering. Proceeds will go to benefit food ministry.

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The aftermath of a horrific mass shooting is not the time one would usually turn to a humor site, and yet, The Onion had an insightful take on Uvalde. The headline: "'No Way to Prevent This,' Says Only Nation Where This Regularly Happens." And here's the kicker: The Onion has run pieces with that same headline for years.

Our mass shooting problem -- there have been an average of two per month for the past eight years -- arises from a familiar stew of history, culture, law and commerce. And certain facts loom large. Yes, mass shootings represent a small fraction of gun deaths in America. And yes, the Second Amendment makes limiting guns more difficult here than in Canada, Australia or other places. Those are big, hulking obstacles to solving our problem. But there are other assumptions that are trotted out regularly in our hoary gun discussions that are less daunting than they appear.

The Associated Press published a list of 22 mass shootings since 2012. The Aurora, Colorado, shooter (I do not publish the names) purchased his guns just before killing people in a movie theater. Twelve dead. The Navy Yard shooter purchased his guns before his rampage. Twelve dead. The killer who attacked Charleston's "Mother Emanuel" church purchased his Glock after a botched background check. Nine dead. The Roseburg, Oregon, shooter purchased his guns. Ten dead. The San Bernardino, California, shooter got a friend to purchase the guns he used in his attack. Fourteen dead. The Orlando, Florida, shooter purchased his guns legally a week before killing people in a nightclub. Forty-nine dead. The Las Vegas killer purchased 33 of the 49 guns found in his hotel room in the year prior to his shooting spree at a country music festival. Fifty-eight dead. The Sutherland Springs, Texas, killer was able to purchase his firearms despite a history of domestic violence. Twenty-five dead. The Parkland, Florida, shooter purchased his weapon a year before attacking Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school. Seventeen dead. The Pittsburgh assassin legally purchased his rifle and three handguns before shooting up the Tree of Life synagogue. Eleven dead. The Thousand Oaks killer? Legally purchased. Twelve dead. Virginia Beach? Legally purchased. Twelve dead. El Paso? Legally purchased. Twenty-three dead. Dayton? Legally purchased. Nine dead. Atlanta? Legally purchased. Eight dead. Boulder? Legally purchased a few days before a grocery store attack. Ten dead. San Jose? Legally purchased. Nine dead. Buffalo? Legally purchased. Ten dead. And Uvalde, legally purchased days before the attack on Robb Elementary School. Twenty-one dead.

Of those 22 cases, there were just three that did not involve a legal sale to the killer. Perhaps all of these killers would have been able to lay hands on guns already owned by individuals. Maybe. But it would have been much harder than walking into a gun store. In most cases, these killers are mentally unstable, impulsive and socially maladroit. Purchasing a weapon via private sale would be more challenging.

So making it more difficult to purchase guns -- say, by adding more complete background checks, increasing the minimum age to 21, requiring waiting periods or adopting "red flag laws" that make it possible for family members or police to ask courts to have a person's guns temporarily removed -- would have inhibited the vast majority of the killers listed above.

Here's another cliche that needs burial -- the hunting culture. The misperception here tends to be among pro-gun control Democrats who don't actually know any hunters and don't have many in their urban districts but assume that "out there" scores of millions of Americans are shooting deer and pheasants every weekend. In fact, less than 4% of the population hunts, leading to worries about wildlife conservation. More Americans bicycle than go hunting. Four times as many sing in choirs. And vastly more -- 65% -- play video games.

For good or ill, the rugged American guy out in a duck blind wearing camouflage is becoming, if not quite as endangered as the red wolf, nearly so. Hunting today is less an honored tradition than a boutique hobby.

Hunting is not the reason millions of Americans cherish their guns. Their reasons range from benign, like concerns about their safety, to insane, like stockpiling weapons for the coming apocalyptic battle between QAnon and the forces of darkness. But Democrats stumble when they play into GOP talking points about gun-grabbers. Beto O'Rourke's pronouncements -- "Hell, yes, we're going to take your AR-15s" -- does more damage to the goal of reasonable gun control than the National Rifle Association can do in a year.

A bipartisan group of senators is currently huddling in hopes of devising some kind of gun control compromise that can pass both houses. Godspeed to them. But I fear their efforts will fail in our ultrapolarized climate.

If we hope to unstick our politics and permit compromise and commonsense reforms for heart-wrenching problems, we're going to have to reform the way we choose our leaders. GOP politicians don't dance to the NRA's tune for the money. They do it because that's what Republican primary voters demand. And Democrats who grandstand about gun confiscation are appealing to their left flank -- the voters who show up for primaries. In the matter of guns, as with other pressing national concerns, the solutions cannot be unlocked until the incentives facing politicians change -- and that requires nonpartisan primaries.

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SIOUX CITY -- A woman was charged with second-degree murder in the gunshot death of a Sioux City man.

At around 9 p.m. Thursday, Sioux City Police responded to a shooting that occurred at the residence near downtown.

The man was transported to MercyOne Siouxland where he died a short time later.

Katrina L. Barnes, 32, of Sioux City, was charged with second-degree murder, possession of a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

While conducting a search of the residence, investigators determined that Barnes and the victim had been arguing during the day. The victim left. He later retuned, pounding on the front door.

Detectives say Barnes allegedly shot through the front door, striking the victim.

A second woman, Jordyn R. Easton, 25, of Sioux City, was also arrested on charges as an accessory after the fact.

The name of the victim is not being released, pending notification of his family.

This investigation is ongoing, Sgt. Jeremy McClure said in a statement released Friday morning.

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SIOUX CITY -- An 18-year-old Sioux City was arrested Thursday for a shooting that occurred in an apartment on the 2200 block of Gibson Street, April 15.

Jalond J. Hills has been charged with discharging a firearm in city limits, prohibited transfer of a firearm to an unauthorized person, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and failure to affix a drug tax stamp.

On April 15, Sioux City Police responded to a shooting and found an adult woman suffering from a non-life threatening gunshot wound.

Investigators say that Hills had been in a bedroom of the apartment with the victim. Another man was sleeping in the same bedroom.

The victim reportedly removed a handgun from the sleeping man and Hills attempted to take the gun from the victim.

The two struggled over the firearm and it discharged, striking the victim in the leg.

After the shot was fired, Hills gave the gun to a third man who was also in the apartment. All three men fled the scene.

Detectives determined that the person Hills gave the gun to was a known convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing firearm.

Sioux City Police say the investigation into this shooting is ongoing.

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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.

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SIOUX CITY -- Opportunities Unlimited, the Sioux City Police Department and local Siouxland Dairy Queen restaurants are once again partnering on the "You've Been Ticketed" program.

As an extension of Opportunities Unlimited's Gotta Brain, Getta Helmet program, "You've Been Ticketed" is designed to encourage children to wear helmets while riding their bikes.

Children seen wearing helmets while riding bikes, scooters and skateboards will receive a ticket from Sioux City Police officers or volunteers. The tickets entitle children to one free Dairy Queen ice cream cone.

The police department is looking for volunteers to assist on the bike trails and has mountain bikes available for them to use. Each volunteer will also be given a new bike helmet.

Those interested in volunteering can call the department at 712-279-6424.

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1/6 panel: Told repeatedly he lost, Trump refused to go

WASHINGTON (AP)  Donald Trump was told the same thing over and over, by his campaign team, the data crunchers, and a steady stream of lawyers, investigators and inner-circle allies: There was no voting fraud that could have tipped the 2020 presidential election.

But in the eight weeks after losing to Joe Biden, the defeated Trump publicly, privately and relentlessly pushed his false claims of a rigged 2020 election and intensified an extraordinary scheme to overturn Bidens victory. When all else failed in his effort to stay in power, Trump beckoned thousands of his supporters to Washington on Jan. 6, 2021, where extremists groups led the deadly Capitol siege.

The scale and virulence of that scheme began to take shape at the opening House hearing by the committee investigating 1/6. The prime-time hearing was watched by an estimated 20 million people on the TV networks, almost double the number who tuned in to the opening of Trump's two impeachment trials.

When the panel resumes Monday, it will delve into its findings that Trump and his advisers knew early on that he had in fact lost the election but engaged in a massive effort to spread false information to convince the public otherwise.

Biden spoke of the importance of the committee's investigation in remarks Friday in Los Angeles. The insurrection on Jan. 6 was one of the darkest chapters in our nations history," the president said, a brutal assault on our democracy.

Biden vows to battle inflation as prices keep climbing

LOS ANGELES (AP)  In President Joe Biden's estimation, the U.S. is in a strong position to overcome the worst inflation in more than 40 years. But so far, inflation just keeps getting the better of the U.S. economy and of the Biden administration.

The president's policies, his deals with the private sector, regulatory actions and public jawboning have failed so far to stop prices from marching upward.

Biden on Friday pledged to keep fighting against inflation while touring the Port of Los Angeles, America's busiest port and a place that the White House said last October would be key for reducing price pressures.

My administration is going to continue to do everything we can to lower the prices for the American people, the president said after a decidedly bleak new report on consumer prices.

The Labor Department reported Friday that consumer prices climbed 8.6% in May from a year ago. Thats the worst reading since December 1981 and a troubling sign for the economy as rate hikes by the Federal Reserve have yet to tamp down inflation as gasoline costs are surging upward. Rising prices are imperiling the U.S. economy as well as Democratic control of the House and Senate, putting Biden on the defensive.

Salvadoran women jailed for abortion warn US of total ban

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP)  Teodora del Carmen Vasquez was nine months pregnant and working at a school cafeteria when she felt extreme pain in her back, like the crack of a hammer. She called 911 seven times before fainting in a bathroom in a pool of blood.

The nightmare that followed is common in El Salvador, a heavily Catholic country where abortion is banned under all circumstances and even women who suffer miscarriages and stillbirths are sometimes accused of killing their babies and sentenced to years or even decades in prison.

When Vasquez regained consciousness, she had lost her nearly full-term fetus. Instead of an ambulance, officers drove her in the bed of a pickup through heavy rain to a police station. There she was arrested on suspicion of violating El Salvadors abortion law, one of the world's strictest. Fearing she could die, authorities eventually rushed her to a hospital, where she was chained by her left foot to a gurney. She was prosecuted, convicted and given 30 years in prison for aggravated homicide.

This is the reality that we have lived, and I am not alone, said Vasquez, who ended up serving more than 10 years for what she has always said was a stillbirth. Any woman who arrives to jail accused of having an abortion is seen as the most evil, heartless being.

From the moment we get pregnant, we become incubators, said Vasquez, who was freed in 2018 after her sentence was commuted. We lose our rights because the only possibility that we have of a life is taking care of the product inside us. Its violence against us.

Key moments from the Jan. 6 committee's video of the riot

In launching its case to the American public, the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection made a central argument: Look at the tape.

The centerpiece of Thursday nights hearing was a video reconstruction of the attack on the Capitol. Over 10 minutes, it went point by point, showing the rioters overwhelming and beating police officers as the mob broke into the building to stop the certification of Donald Trumps election loss.

The video had a powerful impact inside the hearing room and among Democrats. Police officers in the audience consoled one another as they relived the violence. U.S. Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn teared up during the footage of rioters hitting his colleagues with flagpoles and baseball bats.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York posted a photo on Instagram of her television with images of the riot. There was (and continues to be) a widespread GOP campaign to downplay the scale of this attack, she wrote in a caption.

We were trapped on the campus with no way out, she added. This is what a US terrorist attack looks like.

Ukraine fears a long war might cause West to lose interest

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  As Russias invasion of Ukraine grinds into its fourth month, officials in Kyiv have expressed fears that the specter of war fatigue could erode the West's resolve to help the country push back Moscow's aggression.

The U.S. and its allies have given billions of dollars in weaponry to Ukraine. Europe has taken in millions of people displaced by the war. And there has been unprecedented unity in post-World War II Europe in imposing sanctions on President Vladimir Putin and his country.

But as the shock of the Feb. 24 invasion subsides, analysts say the Kremlin could exploit a dragged-out, entrenched conflict and possible waning interest among Western powers that might lead to pressuring Ukraine into a settlement.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy already has chafed at Western suggestions he should accept some sort of compromise. Ukraine, he said, would decide its own terms for peace.

The fatigue is growing, people want some kind of outcome (that is beneficial) for themselves, and we want (another) outcome for ourselves, he said.

Judge blocks Texas investigating families of trans youth

A Texas judge on Friday temporarily blocked the state from investigating families of transgender children who have received gender-confirming medical care, a new obstacle to the state labeling such treatments as child abuse.

The temporary restraining order issued by Judge Jan Soifer halts investigations against three families who sued, and prevents any similar investigations against members of the LGBTQ advocacy group PFLAG Inc. The group has more than 600 members in Texas.

I do find that there is sufficient reason to believe that the plaintiffs will suffer immediate and irreparable injury if the commissioner and the (Department of Family and Protective Services) are allowed to continue to implement and enforce this new Department rule that equates gender affirming care with child abuse," Soifer said at the end of a roughly 40-minute hearing.

The ruling 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.

That families will be protected from invasive, unnecessary, and unnerving investigations by DFPS simply for helping their transgender children thrive and be themselves is a very good thing, Brian K. Bond, executive director of PFLAG National, said in a statement. However, lets be clear: These investigations into loving and affirming families shouldnt be happening in the first place."

White supremacists are riling up thousands on social media

WASHINGTON (AP)  The social media posts are of a distinct type. They hint darkly that the CIA or the FBI are behind mass shootings. They traffic in racist, sexist and homophobic tropes. They revel in the prospect of a white boy summer.

White nationalists and supremacists, on accounts often run by young men, are building thriving, macho communities across social media platforms like Instagram, Telegram and TikTok, evading detection with coded hashtags and innuendo.

Their snarky memes and trendy videos are riling up thousands of followers on divisive issues including abortion, guns, immigration and LGBTQ rights. The Department of Homeland Security warned Tuesday that such skewed framing of the subjects could drive extremists to violently attack public places across the U.S. in the coming months.

These type of threats and racist ideology have become so commonplace on social media that its nearly impossible for law enforcement to separate internet ramblings from dangerous, potentially violent people, Michael German, who infiltrated white supremacy groups as an FBI agent, told the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

It seems intuitive that effective social media monitoring might provide clues to help law enforcement prevent attacks," German said. After all, the white supremacist attackers in Buffalo, Pittsburgh and El Paso all gained access to materials online and expressed their hateful, violent intentions on social media.

New York's lawsuit against NRA can move forward, judge rules

NEW YORK (AP)  The New York attorney general's lawsuit against the National Rifle Association is no mere witch hunt, a New York judge ruled Friday in dismissing the gun rights advocacy group's claims that the case is a political vendetta.

Manhattan Judge Joel M. Cohen's decision means the nearly 2-year-long legal fight can continue.

The ruling comes after mass shootings last month in New York and Texas reanimated debate over U.S. gun policy and refocused attention on the NRA.

The New York case began when James, a Democrat, filed a lawsuit that accused some top NRA executives of financial improprieties and sought to dissolve the group. The attorney general's job includes oversight of nonprofit organizations incorporated in the New York, where the NRA was chartered in 1871.

In March, Cohen rebuffed James' bid to shutter the NRA. But the judge let the case go on, with the potential for fines or other remedies if the attorney general prevails.

US lifts COVID-19 test requirement for international travel

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Biden administration is lifting its requirement that international travelers test negative for COVID-19 within a day before boarding a flight to the United States, ending one of the last remaining government mandates designed to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Friday that the requirement will end early Sunday morning. The health agency said it will continue to monitor state of the pandemic and will reassess the need for a testing requirement if the situation changes.

This step is possible because of the progress weve made in our fight against COVID-19, said U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra.

Airline and tourism groups have been pressing the administration for months to eliminate the testing requirement, saying it discourages people from booking international trips because they could be stranded overseas if they contract the virus on their trip.

Roger Dow, president of the U.S. Travel Association, called lifting the testing rule another huge step forward for the recovery of inbound air travel and the return of international travel to the United States.

Navajo mystery series Dark Winds seeks true storytelling

LOS ANGELES (AP)  Robert Redford and George R.R. Martin are the big names behind Dark Winds, but theyre not the most important.

That distinction belongs to the Native American creators and actors who ensured the AMC mystery series rings true to the Native experience and enduring culture, which largely has been snubbed or recklessly caricatured by Hollywood.

This time the storytelling is an inside job, said director Chris Eyre, resulting in what he describes as a Native American, Southwestern film noir."

Based on Tony Hillermans admired novels featuring Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee of the Navajo Tribal Police, AMCs Dark Winds puts the newly teamed lawmen on a double-murder case that could be linked to a brazen armored-car heist.

The investigation and what underlies it is gripping but, as with Hillerman's books, what distinguishes Dark Winds is its intricate blend of nuanced characters and relationships, spiritual traditions and the devastating toll of entrenched inequality.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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1/6 panel: Told repeatedly he lost, Trump refused to go

WASHINGTON (AP)  Donald Trump was told over and over again: There was no voting fraud that could have tipped the 2020 presidential election. But in the eight weeks after losing to Joe Biden, the defeated president relentlessly pushed his false claims of a rigged 2020 election. When that failed, he called the mob to the Capitol on Jan. 6. The House panel investigating the attack is expected to flesh out Trump's scheme to overturn Bidens victory when its hearings resume Monday. Biden called the attack one of the darkest chapters in our nation's history."

Biden vows to battle inflation as prices keep climbing

LOS ANGELES (AP)  Inflation keeps getting the better of the U.S. economy  and of President Joe Biden's administration. It's a problem that's eluded Biden's policy tweaks, deals brokered with the private sector, infrastructure spending and regulatory actions. He's vowing to keep fighting in a speech at the Port of Los Angeles. The port moved to round-the-clock operations last October with an agreement the White House helped to shepherd. The Democratic presidents Friday speech overlapped with the release of the consumer price index for May. The report says prices rose 8.6% from a year ago, the worst increase in more than 40 years.

Salvadoran women jailed for abortion warn US of total ban

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP)  El Salvador has one of the worlds strictest abortion laws, banning the procedure in all circumstances including cases of rape, incest, fetal malformation and risk to a pregnant woman's life. The country is particularly set apart by its aggressive prosecutions  often women who merely miscarry are accused of killing their fetuses and locked up for years or even decades for murder. Overwhelmingly, women who suffer that fate are young, poor and live in rural areas. Abortion rights activists say El Salvador should be a cautionary tale for what could happen in the United States if its Supreme Court overturns the constitutional right to abortion.

Key moments from the Jan. 6 committee's video of the riot

In launching its case to the American public, the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection made a central argument: Look at the tape. The centerpiece of Thursday nights hearing was a video reconstruction of the attack on the Capitol. Over 10 minutes, it went point by point, showing the rioters overwhelming and beating police officers as the mob broke into the building to stop the certification of Donald Trumps election loss. The video had a powerful impact inside the hearing room and among Democrats. Meanwhile, many Republicans downplayed the new footage or didnt watch it at all.

Ukraine fears a long war might cause West to lose interest

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  As Russias invasion of Ukraine grinds into its fourth month, officials in Kyiv have expressed fears that the specter of war fatigue could erode the Wests resolve to help the country push back Moscows aggression. The U.S. and its allies have given billions of dollars in weaponry to Ukraine. Europe has taken in millions of people displaced by the war. And there has been unprecedented unity in post-World War II Europe in imposing sanctions on President Vladimir Putin and his country. But as the shock of the Feb. 24 invasion subsides, analysts say the Kremlin could exploit a dragged-out, entrenched conflict and possible waning interest by the West that might lead to pressuring Ukraine into a settlement.

US: China's military activity around Taiwan threatens region

SINGAPORE (AP)  U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has stressed American support for Taiwan, suggesting at Asias premier defense forum that recent Chinese military activity around the self-governing island threatens to change the status quo. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday, Austin noted a steady increase in provocative and destabilizing military activity near Taiwan, including almost daily military flights near the island by the Peoples Republic of China. Our policy hasnt changed, but unfortunately that doesnt seem to be true for the PRC, he said. Austin said Washington remains committed to the one-China policy, which recognizes Beijing but allows informal relations and defense ties with Taipei.

Judge blocks Texas investigating families of trans youth

A Texas judge has temporarily blocked the state from investigating families of transgender children who have received gender confirming care. The judge on Friday issued a temporary restraining order halting the state's investigations of three families who sued. The order also prevents the state from opening any similar investigations against members of the LGBTQ advocacy group PFLAG Inc. The ruling comes about a month after the Texas Supreme Court allowed the state to investigate parents of transgender youth for child abuse while blocking the investigation of one family that had sued.

White supremacists are riling up thousands on social media

WASHINGTON (AP)  White nationalists and supremacists are building thriving, macho communities across social media platforms like Instagram, Telegram and TikTok. The accounts are using coded hashtags and innuendo to rile up thousands of followers on divisive issues like abortion and recent mass shootings. Those are the issues the department of Homeland Security warned Tuesday might drive some extremists to violently attack public places across the U.S. The heightened concern comes just weeks after a white 18-year-old who claims he was radicalized on internet chatrooms entered a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, with the goal of killing Black patrons. He gunned down 10.

New York's lawsuit against NRA can move forward, judge rules

NEW YORK (AP)  A New York judge says the state attorney generals lawsuit against the National Rifle Association is no mere witch hunt. A decision issued Friday dismisses the gun rights advocacy groups claims that the case is a political vendetta. The ruling means the legal fight can continue. Attorney General Letitia James' 2020 lawsuit accused top NRA executives of financial improprieties. The NRA alleged in a court filing last year that James was retaliating against the group because of its views. Manhattan Judge Joel Cohen says that James' investigation was prompted by reports of serious misconduct and cannot be written off as a politically motivated witch hunt.

Curry scores 43 to beat Boston, Warriors tie NBA Finals 2-2

BOSTON (AP)  Stephen Curry scored 43 points to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 107-97 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. The series returns to San Francisco knotted at two games apiece. Curry added 10 rebounds and made a pair of baskets during a 10-0 fourth-quarter run that turned a four-point Boston edge into a 100-94 Golden State lead. The Celtics missed six straight shots during that span. Andrew Wiggins had 17 points and 16 boards for the Warriors, who will host Game 5 on Monday night. Jayson Tatum had 23 points and 11 rebounds for Boston.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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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.
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 has firmly laid blame on Donald Trump. In Thursday's prime-time hearing, lawmakers said the siege was no accident but an attempted coup and a direct result of the defeated presidents effort to overturn the 2020 election. Rep. Bennie Thompson, the Democrat from Mississippi, said the attack put Americas constitutional democracy at risk. Thursday's hearing showed new video and other evidence from the deadly Capitol assault. The panel also detailed the chilling backstory as defeated President Donald Trump tried to overturn Joe Bidens 2020 election victory. Live testimony included a police officer who was pummeled in the riot and a documentary filmmaker tracking extremist Proud Boys leading the melee.

Takeaways: 'Carnage' at the Capitol and a case against Trump

WASHINGTON (AP)  Audiences watching the first public hearing of the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot saw one injured officer who slipped in blood and spoke of carnage. They saw video of a huge, violent mob pushing through the U.S. Capitol. And they saw former President Donald Trumps allies and family members acknowledging his lies. Panel members worked to lay out a devastating case as they tried to tell the story of how it happened, and how to prevent it from ever happening again, for history. Rep. Bennie Thompson, the chairman of the panel, says, We cant sweep what happened under the rug.

A harrowing American moment, repackaged for prime time

NEW YORK (AP)  The Jan. 6 congressional hearings are being held with the help of a big-time television producer, and dramatic revelations have been promised. But this is an event that many Americans saw unfold live, and in countless clips and memes on their smartphones in the coming months. So the hearings effectively represent a rerun. Has the nation moved on? Is a gripping show about events from 18 months ago  even with fresh video  something that can make anyone change their minds? The answers may have bearing on whether the Capitol insurrection is remembered as a spontaneous outburst or a planned and existential threat to democracy.

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. That's according to a review of law enforcement documents and records obtained by The New York Times. The records show that police waited even as they became aware that some victims needed medical treatment. Police waited more than hour to confront the gunman on May 24 even as anguished parents outside the school urged officers to go inside.

Authorities: 3 dead, trooper wounded in Maryland shooting

SMITHSBURG, Md. (AP)  Authorities say an employee opened fire at a manufacturing business in western Maryland, leaving three coworkers dead and one other critically injured before the suspect and a state trooper were wounded in a shootout. The Washington County sheriff said the victims of Thursday's shooting and the suspect all worked at Columbia Machine Inc. in Smithsburg. Authorities say the 42-year-old suspect fled after the shooting in a vehicle and he was tracked down by Maryland State Police. The sheriffs office says the suspect and a trooper were wounded in an exchange of gunfire. Both were being treated for their wounds.

3 foreigners who fought for Ukraine sentenced to death

BAKHMUT, Ukraine (AP)  Two British citizens and a Moroccan have been sentenced to death by pro-Moscow rebels in eastern Ukraine for fighting on Ukraines side. 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 unrecognized republic. Russias state news agency RIA Novosti reported that the three  Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner and Brahim Saadoun  are set to face a firing squad. They have a month to appeal. At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin compared himself to Peter the Great and spoke of his countrys need to take back territory and defend itself.

Michigan officer charged with murder in Lyoya shooting

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP)  A Michigan police officer who killed Patrick Lyoya with a shot to the back of the Black mans head has been charged with second-degree murder. Prosecutor Chris Becker announced the charges Thursday against Grand Rapids Officer Christopher Schurr, who killed Lyoya following a chaotic traffic stop on April 4. The 26-year-old Lyoya was on the ground when he was killed. A bystander recorded the shooting on phone video. Schurr told Lyoya that he stopped his car because the license plate didnt match the vehicle. Defense lawyers say Lyoyas death was a tragedy but not murder. They say the officer feared for his safety.

Michigan GOP hopeful charged in Jan. 6 riot, roiling primary

DETROIT (AP)  A Republican candidate for Michigan governor has been charged with misdemeanors for his role in the 2021 post-election riot at the U.S. Capitol, further complicating an already messy GOP primary. Ryan Kelley is an ardent defender of former President Donald Trump who led protests against pandemic restrictions imposed by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The 40-year-old was arrested and charged Thursday and was released without posting bail following a brief hearing in federal court in Grand Rapids. The GOP field for governor initially had 10 candidates seeking to challenge Whitmer in the battleground state this fall. Five of them, including two front-runners, were dropped from the primary ballot because of forged signatures submitted by paid petition circulators.

Palat scores late, Lightning beat Rangers 3-1 in Game 5

NEW YORK (AP)  Ondrej Palat scored on a deflection with 1:50 remaining to break a tie and lead the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 3-1 victory over the New York Rangers on Thursday night for a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference final. Mikhail Sergachev and Brandon Hagel also scored to help the two-time defending champion Lightning get their third straight win, the first by a road team in this series. Andre Vasilevskiy stopped 24 shots. Ryan Lindgren scored for New York, which had won eight straight at home. Igor Shesterkin finished with 24 saves. Game 6 is Saturday night in Tampa, Florida.

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 it's setting up an independent team to see how much information is publicly available on the matter and how much more is needed. The experts will also consider how best to use all this information in the future. NASA considers this a first step in trying to explain mysterious sightings in the sky known as UAPs, or unidentified aerial phenomena. The study will last nine months. It will be entirely open, with no classified military data used.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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President Joe Biden and other Western Hemisphere leaders have announced what is being billed as a roadmap for countries to host large numbers of migrants and refugees. The Los Angeles Declaration may be the biggest achievement of the Summit of the Americas, which was undercut by differences over Bidens invitation list. Leaders of Mexico and Central American countries sent top diplomats instead after the U.S. excluded Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela. A set of principles to be announced Friday includes legal pathways to enter countries, aid to communities most affected by migration, humane border management and coordinated emergency responses.
Donald Trump was told over and over again: There was no voting fraud that could have tipped the 2020 presidential election. But in the eight weeks after losing to Joe Biden, the defeated president relentlessly pushed his false claims of a rigged 2020 election. When that failed, he called the mob to the Capitol on Jan. 6. The House panel investigating the attack is expected to flesh out Trump's scheme to overturn Bidens victory when its hearings resume Monday. Biden called the attack one of the darkest chapters in our nation's history."
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.

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.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Civilians fled intense fighting in eastern Ukraine on Friday as Russian and Ukrainian forces engaged in a grinding battle of attrition for key cities in the country's industrial heartland.

Mostly women, children and elderly residents left on a special evacuation train that departed from the city of Pokrovsk and headed west.

We live on the front line now, said Svitlana Kaplun, whose family fled as shelling reached their neighborhood in the city of Krasnohorivka. The kids are worried all the time, they are afraid to sleep at night, so we decided to take them out.

After a bungled attempt to overrun Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, in the early days of the war, Russia shifted its focus to an eastern region of coal mines and factories known as the Donbas. The area borders Russia and has been partly controlled by Moscow-backed separatists since 2014.

The fighting there has led to mounting casualties and renewed pleas from Ukraine to the West for more weapons.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukraines president, told the BBC in an interview aired Thursday that the daily loss of 100 to 200 Ukrainian soldiers is the result of a complete lack of parity between Ukraine and Russia.

He said only more advanced Western weaponry will turn back the Russian offensive and force Moscow to the negotiating table.

BIDEN: ZELENSKYY DIDNT WANT TO HEAR' ABOUT INVASION THREAT

U.S. President Joe Biden said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy didnt want to hear it when American intelligence gathered information in February that indicated Russia was preparing to invade his country.

Speaking to donors Friday at a Democratic fundraiser in Los Angeles, Biden talked about his work to rally support for Ukraine as the war continues into a fourth month.

Nothing like this has happened since World War II. I know a lot of people thought I was maybe exaggerating. But I knew we had data to sustain that Russian President Vladimir Putin was going to go in."

There was no doubt, Biden said. And Zelenskyy didnt want to hear it.

Although Zelenskyy has inspired much of the world with his wartime leadership, his preparation for the invasion  or lack thereof  has been controversial.

In the weeks before the war began on Feb. 24, Zelenskyy publicly bristled as Biden administration officials repeatedly warned that a Russian invasion was likely.

At the time, Zelenskyy was concerned that the drumbeat of war was unsettling to Ukraines fragile economy.

MORE STREET FIGHTING IN DONBAS

Fighting in the Donbas has ground on for more than two months, and the slog continued Friday. A provincial governor said Russian and Ukrainian forces battled "for every house and every street in Sievierodonetsk, a city that recently has been under steady attack.

Sievierodonetsk is in the last pocket of Luhansk province that has not yet been claimed by Russia or Moscow-backed separatists. The Luhansk and Donetsk regions together make up the Donbas.

Luhansk Gov. Serhiy Haidai told The Associated Press that Ukrainian forces retain control of the industrial zone on the edge of the city and some other sections amid the painstaking block-by-block fighting.

An envoy for the Luhansk Peoples Republic, a self-proclaimed separatist territory, reported Friday that some Ukrainian troops were trapped inside a chemical plant on the city's outskirts.

All escape routes have been cut off, Rodion Miroshnik, Moscow ambassador for the unrecognized republic, wrote on social media.

They are being told that no conditions will be accepted. Only the laying down of arms and surrender, he said.

Miroshnik echoed earlier claims by a Russian defense official that civilians remained on the plant's grounds. But he stopped short of reiterating allegations that Ukrainian forces were barring them from leaving.

As of Friday afternoon, there was no response from the Ukrainian side.

Meanwhile, Moscow kept up its artillery strikes on the neighboring city of Lysychansk and surrounding towns and villages, the Ukrainian military said. It also said that Russian troops were preparing to resume an offensive on the city of Slavyansk in the Donetsk region, south of Luhansk.

ARTILLERY HITS RUSSIAN BASES

An adviser to Ukraines president says artillery attacks devastated two Russian bases in the southern Kherson region, which has been under Russian occupation since early in the war.

Oleksiy Arestovych, in his regular online interview, said Friday that the attack on Stara Zburivka, a village along the Dnieper River, killed dozens, including a Russian army general and a general in the FSB intelligence service.

He said the FSB general was tasked with organizing a referendum on whether the Kherson region should join Russia. There was no immediate confirmation of the claim.

Ukraine has claimed to have killed about a dozen generals in the war, but only a few of the deaths have been confirmed.

Arestovych said a separate attack this week on a Russian base in Chkalove killed at least 200 troops, including Arabs, presumably from Syria. He said it was the first confirmed case of Arabs fighting with Russians in Ukraine.

He said in both cases the Ukrainian forces used 155mm howitzers supplied by the West.

UKRAINE SEEKS MORE WEAPONS

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his armys ability to hold off Russian forces in the Donbas depends on the supply of Western weapons.

Ukrainian troops "are doing everything to stop the offensive, as much as they possibly can, as long as there are enough heavy weapons, modern artillery  all that we have asked for and continue to ask for from our partners, he said Friday in his nightly video address.

He said Russia wants to destroy every city in the Donbas.

Every city, thats not an exaggeration. Like Volnovakha, like Mariupol. All of these ruins of once-happy cities, the black traces of fires, the craters from explosions  this is all that Russia can give to its neighbors, to Europe, to the world.

Karmanau reported from Lviv, Ukraine. Associated Press writers Jill Lawless in London and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed.

Follow APs coverage of the Ukraine war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

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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.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Wisconsin elections officials voted Friday to allow Donald Trumps endorsed candidate to stay on the Republican primary ballot in the presidential battleground state, pushing aside a Democratic challenge to his nomination papers.

The bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission voted unanimously to allow construction company co-owner Tim Michels to appear on the ballot.

Michels entered the race in late April, joining three other candidates vying for the Republican nomination: former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, state Rep. Tim Ramthun and business consultant Kevin Nicholson.

Trump endorsed Michels this month, calling him in an email an America First Conservative who will support gun rights and police and stand against what Trump called the woke mob.

Two days later, the state Democratic Party filed a complaint with the elections commission alleging that Michels used the wrong address on his nomination papers. It alleged that the mistake left Michels with only about 350 valid signatures. Michels needed 2,000 valid signatures to qualify for the ballot.

Michels campaign acknowledged that some of the nominating forms list his physical address in the village of Chenequa instead of his official mailing address that is in the nearby town of Hartland. But it said all of the forms include the campaigns post office box mailing address.

Commissioners said the address was close enough and Michels didn't deserve to be thrown off the ballot over the issue.

There is no question in my mind (the Michels campaign is) in substantial compliance, Democratic Commissioner Mark Thomsen said.

Michels has called for eliminating the elections commission. The six-person panel has drawn intense criticism from Republicans for decisions commissioners made leading up to the 2020 presidential election, including the expanded use of absentee ballot drop boxes and prohibiting special voting deputies from helping nursing home residents fill out their ballots. The commission made the move after nursing homes across the state refused to allow visitors due to the COVID-19 pandemic and before vaccines were available.

Thomsen got in a jab just before the vote, saying he hopes the experience with his nomination papers helps Michels realize how complicated Wisconsin election law is and how interpretations of it can differ. He said Michels is always yelling about following the letter of the law, but if the commission had followed that philosophy, it might have thrown him off the ballot.

The winner of the Aug. 9 primary will advance to face Democratic Gov. Tony Evers in the Nov. 8 general election.

The commissions decision comes after the Michigan Supreme Court ruled this month that three Republican gubernatorial candidates  Perry Johnson, Michael Markey and Donna Brandenburg  cant appear on that states primary ballot.

All three were doomed by fraudulent signatures on their nomination papers.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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LONDON (AP)  The British government said Friday it will introduce a bill next week to override parts of the Brexit trade treaty it signed with the European Union before the U.K. quit the bloc in 2020. The move will be a major escalation in a festering U.K-EU dispute over trade rules for Northern Ireland.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman, Jamie Davies, said the bill has been agreed by the relevant cabinet committees and will be introduced to Parliament on Monday.

The legislation, if approved by lawmakers, would scrap parts of a trade treaty with the EU that Johnson signed less than two years ago, by removing checks on goods entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the U.K.

The EU has threatened to retaliate, raising the specter of a trade war between the two major economic partners.

Some legal experts say the move is unlawful but the U.K. government says it will publish a summary of the legal advice it has received about the legislation.

Northern Ireland is the only part of the U.K. that shares a border with an EU country, Ireland. When Britain left the European Union and its borderless free-trade zone, the two sides agreed to keep the Irish land border free of customs posts and other checks because an open border is a key pillar of the peace process that ended decades of violence in Northern Ireland.

Instead, to protect the EUs single market, there are checks on some goods, such as meat and eggs, entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the U.K.

British unionists in Northern Ireland say the new checks have put a burden on businesses and frayed the bonds between Northern Ireland and the rest of the U.K. -- seen by some unionists as a threat to their British identity.

Britains Conservative government says the Brexit rules also are undermining peace in Northern Ireland, where they have caused a political crisis. Northern Ireland's main unionist party is blocking the formation of a new power-sharing government in Belfast, saying it wont take part until the Brexit trade rules are scrapped.

Follow all AP stories on Brexit at https://apnews.com/hub/Brexit.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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The United States should immediately correct its erroneous act of selling arms to Taiwan and cease playing with fire when it comes to Taiwan-related issues, a Chinese spokesperson said on Thursday.

Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks in response to the decision of the relevant U.S. department to sell warship parts to Taiwan worth about 120 million U.S. dollars.

The U.S. arms sale to China's Taiwan region seriously violates the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, particularly the Aug. 17 Communique, Ma said.

The Democratic Progressive Party authority's attempt to use force to resist reunification will only push Taiwan compatriots into an abyss of suffering, Ma warned.
BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP)  The Washington Supreme Court has temporarily halted evictions for people living in certain households on Nooksack Tribal Land who were contentiously disenrolled from the tribe.

A panel of justices on Tuesday granted an injunction requiring the Nooksack Indian Tribe in northwestern Washington to pause the evictions while the high court determines whether to take up the case, Cascadia Daily News reported.

The households involved in the suit are home to members of a group of more than 300 people who were formally removed from the Nooksack Indian Tribe in 2016 and 2018. They have been facing the threat of eviction for years.

Tribal leaders have said the families known as the Nooksack 306 were incorrectly enrolled in the 1980s and cannot prove their lineage adequately.

The Nooksack members being threatened with eviction are both Filipino and Native American, or what some call Indipino. Gabe Galanda, attorney for the families, told KNKX Public Radio his clients are being singled out in part because of that, though he said this kind of mixed identity is common among Native peoples.

Galanda has said nearly all the homes in question were developed as rent-to-own, which means his clients should own their homes or hold equity.

Earlier this year, experts from the United Nations called on the federal government to intervene and prevent the evictions, raising concerns about the welfare of the residents.

The families and Galanda have contested the ousting efforts, gaining attention as leading opponents of tribal disenrollment, an increasing practice that can involve struggles over power and resources, and questions about culture and identity.

Tribal expulsions started in the 1990s along with the establishment of casinos, and have continued as gambling revenues skyrocketed. Critics say the disenrollments have also been used as a way to settle political infighting and family and personal feuds.

In a statement, the Nooksack Indian Tribe said it owns the land and the housing in question, manages the properties, and is the landlord on the leases with all the tenants involved in the case.

We are confident that once the Court examines the true facts, rather than unfounded claims for the disenrolled tenants, that it will dismiss the case," the statement said.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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JUNEAU, Alaska (AP)  A state court judge on Friday ruled that Alaska elections officials cannot certify the results of the by-mail special primary for U.S. House until visually impaired voters are provided a full and fair opportunity to participate in the election.

Superior Court Judge Una Gandbhir, in her written order, did not say what exactly that would entail. The special primary is on Saturday and the state had set June 25 as the target for certification.

She said it is not the place of the court or the plaintiffs to impose a solution and said she strongly urges the parties to work together to find a "timely, appropriate remedy.

Attorneys with the state Department of Law filed an emergency petition for review with the Alaska Supreme Court, according to a court filing.

The superior courts ruling creates enormous confusion and prejudice to the voters. Voters need to know as soon as possible whether the election will proceed on schedule, or whether it will be delayed, attorneys with the department wrote. They asked the court to rule by 8 p.m. on Saturday.

If the state wins the case, the state Division of Elections would need to begin counting votes to keep its elections timeline on track, state attorneys said. The latest in-person voting sites are slated to close at 8 p.m.

Gandbhir's decision followed arguments earlier in the day in a case filed this week by Robert Corbisier, executive director of the Alaska State Commission for Human Rights. Corbisier sued state elections officials on behalf of a person identified as B.L., a registered voter in Anchorage with a visual impairment.

Attorneys for Corbisier had asked Gandbhir to prevent election officials from certifying the results of the special primary until the state Division of Elections enacts measures that ensure that voters with visual impairments are given a full and fair opportunity to cast their votes independently, secretly and privately. They argued that the by-mail special primary discriminates against voters with visual impairments.

Attorneys for state elections officials countered that adequate methods for secret voting are available for voters with visual impairments.

There would be cascading effects if certification were delayed, including the potential for an August special election for U.S. House to be postponed, attorneys for the state argued.

The special primary is part of a set of elections that will determine who serves the remainder of the late U.S. Rep. Don Youngs term, which expires in January. Young died in March.

The special primary features 48 candidates. Each voter picks one candidate. The four candidates with the most votes will advance to the special election, in which ranked choice voting will be used. The winner of that contest will serve out Youngs term.

The state planned to have the special election coincide with the regular primary on Aug. 16.

No court should consider lightly an injunction that potentially upends an ongoing election, but neither can the Court allow flawed state procedures to disenfranchise a group of Alaskans who already face tremendous barriers in exercising a fundamental right, Gandbhir wrote.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs in court filings said the election lacks options that would allow people with visual impairments to cast ballots without invasive and unlawful assistance from a sighted person.

But attorneys with the Department of Law, defending elections officials, in court documents said the lawsuit seeks to upend the election. They said the division is conducting the election using the long-established and familiar absentee voting process available to voters in all elections.

Election officials began sending ballots to registered voters in late April, and there have been opportunities for early and absentee in-person voting in communities around the state. Voters also can have ballots sent to them by fax or online delivery.

Attorneys for Corbisier said the division typically has touch-screen units at in-person polling sites but said the division indicated they would have them at only a few sites for this election. One of the attorneys, Mara Michaletz, told the judge the division could have acted months ago.

She did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press sent after business hours seeking comment on the judge's order.

Attorneys for the Department of Law in court documents said the division first became aware of the commissions concerns about ballot accessibility on May 14 and has been working with the plaintiffs. They said it was not feasible to send voting tablets to all absentee in-person voting locations, noting that before each election the division must prepare and test all necessary equipment in a process that can take weeks.

They said elections officials worked with Corbisier and B.L. on improvements to the online delivery option, which they said the plaintiffs initially expressed satisfaction with.

Kate Demarest, an attorney for the state, told Gandbhir there is no more relief that can reasonably be awarded for this election tomorrow.

Gandbhir, in her ruling, said the division seemed to be doing its sincere best to provide options under the circumstances. Elections officials have said they opted for a primarily by-mail election because of the tight timeline for holding an election following Youngs death.

But she said this is not a we tried our best scenario; this is a state agency responsible for overseeing the voting rights of all Alaskans.

Gail Fenumiai, director of the Division of Elections, in an affidavit said the June 25 certification date is not arbitrary.

Any delay in the special primary election or its certification will require costly, detrimental changes to the other elections scheduled to follow this year. State law dictates that with the special primary on June 11, the special general must occur on Aug. 16, the same day as the regular primary election, she said.

If certification of the special primary is delayed, the division would have to postpone the special election, she said. This would force the division to conduct the special election at a later date than required by law.

If the special election is not held the same day as the regular primary, Fenumiai said it likely would have to be conducted by mail because of the same concerns that prompted the by-mail special primary.

Gandbhir said the division argues - accurately - that this election, and the one to follow, will be thrown into chaos if the Court enters an injunction and thus delays certification. But this is an unavoidable consequence of the situation with which the Court is presented.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  The Texas school police chief criticized for his actions during one of the deadliest classroom shootings in U.S. history said in his first extensive comments, published Thursday, that he did not consider himself the person in charge as the massacre unfolded and assumed someone else had taken control of the law enforcement response.

Pete Arredondo, the police chief of the Uvalde school district, also told the Texas Tribune that he intentionally left behind both his police and campus radios before entering Robb Elementary School. An 18-year-old gunman killed 19 children and two teachers behind a locked classroom door that the chief said was reinforced with a steel jamb and could not be kicked in.

Poor radio communications is among the concerns raised about how police handled the May 24 shooting and why they didnt confront the gunman for more than an hour, even as anguished parents outside the school urged officers to go in.

Separately, The New York Times reported Thursday that documents show police waited for protective equipment as they delayed entering the campus, even as they became aware that some victims needed medical treatment.

Arredondo told the Tribune that from the hallway of the school he used his cell phone to call for tactical gear, a sniper and keys to get inside the classroom. He said he held back from the door for 40 minutes to avoid provoking gunfire and tried dozens of keys brought to him, but that, one-by-one, they failed to work.

Each time I tried a key I was just praying, he told the Tribune.

In the more than two weeks since the shooting, Arredondos actions have come under intensifying scrutiny from both state officials and experts trained in mass shooting responses. Steven McCraw, the head of the Texas Department of Public Safety, has said the school police chief, who he described as the incident commander, made the wrong decision to not order officers to breach the classroom more quickly to confront the gunman.

But Arredondo, who told the Tribune he believed that carrying radios would slow him down as he entered the school and that he knew that radios did not work in some school buildings, said he never considered himself the scenes incident commander and did not give any instruction that police should not attempt to breach the building.

I didnt issue any orders, Arredondo said. I called for assistance and asked for an extraction tool to open the door.

Arredondo has not responded to repeated interview requests and questions from The Associated Press.

Arredondos account and records obtained by the Times were published Thursday as law enforcement and state officials have struggled to present an accurate timeline and details. They have also made frequent corrections to previous statements, and no information about the police response has been formally released by investigators since the days that followed the attack.

According to documents obtained by the Times, 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.

Not all the victims were found dead when officers finally went inside: one teacher died in an ambulance and three children died at nearby hospitals, according to the records obtained by the Times, which included a review of law enforcement documents and video that have been gathered as part of the investigation.

The family of Xavier Lopez, 10, said the boy had been shot in the back and lost a lot of blood as he waited for medical attention.

He could have been saved, Leonard Sandoval, the boys grandfather, told the newspaper. The police did not go in for more than an hour. He bled out.

The records obtained by the Times offered other new details, including that 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, but did not appear to have used it during the attack. Ramos had spent more than $6,000 amassing an arsenal of weapons that included two AR-15-style rifles, accessories and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, according to the documents.

The Times reported that some of the officers who first arrived at the school had long guns, and that Arredondo learned the gunmans identity while inside the school and attempted to communicate with him through the closed classroom doors.

Eva Mireles, one of the teachers who was killed, made a phone call to her husband, a Uvalde school district police officer, during the attack. The documents obtained by the Times show that Ruben Ruiz informed responders on the scene that his wife was still alive in one of the classrooms.

She says she is shot, Ruiz could be heard telling other officers as he arrived inside the school at 11:48 a.m., according to the body camera transcript obtained by the Times.

By 12:46 p.m., Arredondo seemed to give his approval for officers to enter the room, the Times reported.

If yall are ready to do it, you do it, he said, according to the transcript.

About a week after the shooting, department of public safety officials said Arredondo was no longer cooperating with the agency and had not responded to interview requests from the Texas Rangers, the agency's investigative unit.

Arredondo's attorney, George E. Hyde, told the Tribune for Thursday's story that Arredondo could not do an interview on the day the Rangers asked because he was covering shifts for his officers. Hyde said Arredondo is willing to cooperate with the Rangers investigation but would like to see a transcript of his previous comments.

Thats a fair thing to ask for before he has to then discuss it again because, as time goes by, all the information that he hears, its hard to keep straight, Hyde said.

More on the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas: https://apnews.com/hub/uvalde-school-shooting

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UVALDE, Texas (AP)  Eva Mireles loved her dog, hiking and exercising. But mostly, she loved her family and her students.

A funeral Mass was Friday for Mireles, 44, who was killed May 24 when a gunman burst into Robb Elementary School in Uvalde Texas. Nineteen children and teacher Irma Garcia also died in the attack. Relatives briefed by police have said the two teachers died trying to protect their students.

Mireles was finishing up her 17th year of teaching. The school districts superintendent, Hal Harrell, remembered Mireles and Garcia as teachers who poured their heart and soul into their work.

An obituary for Mireles said she dedicated herself to her wonderful family and amazing students. She enjoyed Crossfit, hiking and spending time with her dog, Kane.

Her smile and personality never went unnoticed as when she was around, it was never a dull moment, the obituary stated.

A relative, 34-year-old Amber Ybarra of San Antonio, remembered Mireles as a loving mother and wife.

She was adventurous. ... She is definitely going to be very missed, Ybarra said.

Mireles' enthusiasm came through in a post on the schools website at the start of the school year.

Welcome to the 4th grade! We have a wonderful year ahead of us! she wrote.

The funeral for Garcia was last week. Services for the children will continue into late June.

More on the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas: https://apnews.com/hub/uvalde-school-shooting

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Elon Musk is threatening to end his $44 billion agreement to buy Twitter, accusing the company of refusing to give him information about its spam bot accounts. Lawyers for the Tesla and SpaceX CEO made the threat in a letter to Twitter dated Monday that the social platform included in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The letter says Musk has repeatedly asked for the information since May 9 so he could evaluate how many of the companys 229 million accounts are fake. Twitter said it's been sharing information with Musk in accordance with the merger agreement.
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

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SIOUX CITY -- 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 sign on the front of the Sioux City store at 5700 Sunnybrook Drive has not yet been changed. But merchandise in the store now bears the Bud & Mary's name.

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."

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Don Hutchens is a farmer, just like his father and his father's father. He wears an "I stand with Ukraine" button on his chest and a red University of Nebraska ring on his finger. Twenty-eight years as executive director of the Nebraska Corn Board sent him around the world representing the state's farmers and agricultural interests.

And for two weeks, he was one of many Lincoln volunteers who spent time in a hotel in Warsaw, Poland, with Operation Safe Harbor Ukraine  a Nebraska-led effort to help feed, clothe and shelter Ukrainian families fleeing the ongoing war at home.

Now, he's back home in Lincoln, hoping to spread his message to farmers in the United States:

We have a moral and humanitarian responsibility to support the refugees and Ukraine," Hutchens said. We're not being bombed. We're not having our fields decimated by tanks. We're not having to get off our equipment to go fight a war.

With dark, fertile soil, Ukraine is one of the world's top exporters of sunflower oil, corn and wheat. The breadbasket of Europe, the country produces one-tenth of the worlds wheat.

Russia's invasion interrupted, and maybe catastrophically disrupted, Ukrainian farmers harvest and planting. Blocked ports and destroyed railways cut off typical export routes, trapping crops in a country that normally exported up to 6.6 million tons of grain and oil seed each month before the war.

The month after Russia attacked, that dropped to 330,000 tons, Ukrainian farming officials said.

The result could mean a hurricane of hunger for the European, Asian and African countries that rely on Ukrainian wheat, United Nations officials have said.

Countries such as Egypt, Lebanon and Pakistan get most of their wheat from Ukraine. The countrys harvest ships to the Middle East to be turned into bread, and Chinese farms to be fed to livestock.

Now, that supply of grain is trapped in the country  the ports and railways are blocked. Early on in the war, Ukraine placed restrictions on agricultural exports to avoid a hunger crisis in the country.

The squeeze on food supplies and soaring prices are making an already existing global hunger crisis even worse, according to the United Nations.

Because of the sudden absence of Ukrainian grain on the world market, prices of crops such as corn, wheat and soybeans have skyrocketed in a way Hutchens has rarely seen in his decades of farming.

"Ukraine's loss has been some of our gain in agriculture," he said. In agriculture, you dont set the price of what you sell. You take what the market dictates.

The numbers get texted to Hutchens phone daily  wheat prices at times doubling what they were since the days before the war began. Corn prices have risen about 15% over that time, he said.

For Nebraska farmers, this year has brought weather challenges and higher prices on expenses such as fertilizer and fuel. But, overall, farmers have been able to take advantage of the significant price increases of crops, he said.

Im feeling guilty about the profit farmers are making, Hutchens said. I really believe agriculture and all of us need to share in donations.

Growing up on the family farm outside Geneva, Hutchens watched farmers help their neighbors, regardless of wealth or size. If theres ever a tornado or snowstorm, his fellow Nebraska farmers are quick to head to the neighboring county to help, even if it goes against the competitive nature of business.

In agriculture, youre competing with your neighbor for the same marketplace  for a piece of ground that might come up for sale, Hutchens said. But at the same time, were always supportive of each other.

His hope is that Nebraska farmers will see their Ukrainian counterparts as neighbors, even though theyre halfway across the world. Even though, in normal years, they are competitors.

To friends who ask, he suggests donating through their church, or other refugee aid organizations such as Operation Safe Harbor. Or he suggests donating their time, like he did in Warsaw.

Hutchens isnt the only one working on getting aid to Ukrainian farmers and their families. Ukrainian native Roman Grynyshyn started the project World to Rebuild Rural Ukraine to raise money to help small farmers replace what theyve lost.

For the past month, Grynyshyn and his family have traveled the United States  including Nebraska  spreading their message to help Ukrainian farmers.

Before the war, Grynyshyn led agricultural tours where Ukrainian farmers would travel to the United States to learn from American farmers. When the war broke out, those trips halted.

His farming contacts throughout Ukraine passed along stories from the countryside: Russian soldiers are setting fire to warehouses full of seed and fertilizer, they said. Theyre stealing tools and farm animals. Fields are dotted with mines. The burned-out hulls of tractors and mangled equipment line roadsides.

"They are targeting agriculture as well as the military," Grynyshyn said during a May presentation at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. "This is the second battlefield."

Using donations, Grynyshyns organization is buying replacement supplies, equipment and even animals for small Ukrainian farmers. Despite the ongoing war, Ukrainian farmers are continuing to farm any way they can, with an emphasis on feeding the families and soldiers who have remained in the country.

"It's not a gift, it's just a helping hand, Grynyshyn said. Its also "a project that will unfortunately last years beyond the war's end."

Hutchens expected some pushback from his fellow farmers  while crop prices went up, so did expenses.

One asked him: Would Ukrainian farmers help us in a drought?

Probably not, but this isnt a drought. This is a war. This is a genocide, Hutchens said. Wouldnt you want somebody to help your wife, your daughter, your grandchildren if they had to flee and find shelter and food?

He has mostly heard from people asking how they can help.

Before boarding his flight in Warsaw, Hutchens snapped a selfie with a newfound friend.

The pair were brought together after recognizing their matching Ukraine T-shirts across the Chicago OHare airport terminal  the blue-and-yellow flag representing the wide blue sky over the fields of wheat that cover the country.

Both were headed on the long international flight to Poland  the man, to transport armored chest plates into his homeland, Hutchens to start his two weeks helping Ukrainian families in the hotel.

Ten hours later at the Warsaw baggage claim carousel, the pair once again crossed paths. Hutchens helped the Ukrainian native unload 100 20-pound armored chest plates that came down the conveyor belt.

He helped, because thats what farmers do.

The Flatwater Free Press is Nebraskas first independent, nonprofit newsroom focused on investigations and feature stories that matter.

The Flatwater Free Press is Nebraskas first independent, nonprofit newsroom focused on investigations and feature stories that matter.

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Disappointed with colleges whiskey class

I was shocked to see the A1 story in the Journals e-edition on Monday about a May term class in whiskey drinking at Morningside University, titled Cocktails go collegiate. Over 21 or not, it saddens me to see any encouragement for drinking as part of adult life.

Our country has been in denial about the short and long term negative effects of drinking since the 1920s, despite the millions of drug and alcohol related deaths that occur each year. Deaths that are unnecessary and heart-breaking. I doubt the class syllabus contains the negative effects of alcohol after consuming no more than 2 drinks how it impairs your judgment, causes you to say things you wouldnt otherwise, can cause cancer long term, etc. I could go on and on.

People who know me will say I cant be objective. This is true as I chose to stop drinking 35 years ago. Trust me, it is harder to do than you think. I am disappointed in the casual attitude toward a mood altering gateway drug that can destroy your life in an instant.

Diane Howard,

Dakota Dunes

Lawmakers should protect black bears

Despite having black bears historically, Iowa is desolate without them now. When one wanders into the state, it sparks peoples curiosity.

They are one of the most beloved of all wildlife in America  they are certainly one of the most photographed. If left alone, black bears can live up to 25 years  but females will only produce a few cubs in her lifetime. About half of her offspring will die before they reach their first birthday. But some survive. And one did and migrated through Iowa  likely looking for a home and a mate, only to have his life cut short by a farmer for no good reason.

Americans have millions of encounters with black bears every year, and most are unremarkable. Its high time for the Iowa Legislature to get busy and protect black bears and mountain lions  killing them just because one can is simply shameful and does a disservice to the majority of citizens who want them protected and conserved.

Randy Giles, Sioux City

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Taikonauts of the Shenzhou-14 crew will carry out 24 in-orbit medical experiments during their six-month stay in China's space station, according to the China Manned Space Agency on Thursday.



These space medical experiments are mainly designed to study how the weightless environment and spaceflights affect taikonauts, said Li Yinghui, deputy chief designer of China's manned space program taikonaut system.

Compared with previous crewed missions, the Shenzhou-14 will collect body fluid samples, including taikonauts' blood, urine, and saliva. The trio will also use non-invasive optical methods to measure muscle loss and analyze urine metabolites.

Li also noted that the body data collected by the previous Shenzhou-12 and Shenzhou-13 taikonauts has laid a good foundation for subsequent research by the Shenzhou-14 crew.

China on June 5 launched the three-person Shenzhou-14 mission, which is the third crew for the country's space station project. The taikonaut trio will cooperate with the ground team to complete the assembly and construction of the Tiangong space station. They will also work in its experiment cabinets for scientific exploration of life, ecology, and biotechnology.
Were ready to fly again, but are the airlines ready to fly us?

Staffing problems  a shortage of pilots, flight attendants, even baggage handlers  and unusual weather patterns have led not just to everyday cancellations, but to flights being scrapped from schedules entirely, sometimes at the last minute but often days or weeks before departure. That 9 a.m. nonstop you bought in March for a trip in May? Its now on connecting flights with a three-hour layover. Or it now leaves at noon, which means youll miss the cruise or the wedding or the funeral or your kids starring role in the school play.

Far-in-advance airline schedule changes like these are nothing new, but they seem to be happening more often now thanks to the lingering effects of the pandemic.

First, check to see if your original flight has really changed at all. Thats what I advised Lew Davis, a high school teacher living in New York, when his morning nonstop to Denver, bought in August for a trip over Christmas week, was changed to an afternoon connecting flight. His original fare was an unbelievable $128 round trip, and Delta still offered his original nonstop flight, but now at $700. I told him to call the airline and protest. And call again, and again if necessary. The airline eventually relented and restored his original itinerary.

Airlines state in their contracts of carriage, which you can read online, that they are obligated to fly you between only the cities listed on your ticket. Schedules are not guaranteed, nor are specific routings or seat assignments.

In most cases, your only recourse if youre unhappy with a schedule change is to request a full refund. But that wont get you to the cruise or class reunion on time, and it may leave you needing to buy a last-minute fare at a much higher price on another airline, assuming one is available.

In most cases, a change of a few hours wont cause havoc with your travel plans, but sometimes it can make the whole trip pointless. If you absolutely, positively need to get there on time, you might consider buying a Plan B flight on another airline. So if your 3 p.m. nonstop from Chicago to Miami on American is now a 6 p.m. connecting flight, request a refund and hop on your 2 p.m. backup flight on United.

Now that there are no change fees on airline tickets (you either get a flight credit or a full refund depending on the fare class), its a doable option for those times when missing an important occasion or a cruise departure would be unthinkable. Just be sure to cancel Plan B before takeoff if your original plans go as scheduled or therell be no credit or refund.

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This story was produced in partnership with the Garrison Project, an independent, nonpartisan organization addressing the crisis of mass incarceration and policing.

The June 7 election to recall San Francisco DA Chesa Boudin was clearly going to be interpreted as a national referendum on the idea of prosecutorial reform. Unsurprisingly, then, the coverage following the successful effort to unseat Boudin, a progressive prosecutor elected in 2019, has pushed the idea that the recall highlights a fundamental weakness with efforts to reform prosecutors offices across the country.

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While this reads far too much into one fairly idiosyncratic election, we should not dismiss the recall as just some sort of idiosyncratic election. If we view it less as an overarching metaphor for reform and more as a single but salient data point, the Boudin recall provides a useful way to talk about what we know about the politics of and potential for progressive prosecution, and what we do not.

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To start, though, it is worth highlighting the idiosyncratic aspects of this election. Boudin clearly struggled as a politician, including at one point saying that a person had committed murder during what appeared to be a temper tantrum. And unlike normal elections, recalls do not pit two candidates against each other, and thus may reflect peoples views of the person more than their policies (and evidence suggests San Franciscans supported Boudins policies more than Boudin himself). Not to mention that it is risky to draw big conclusions from low-turnout elections, something even those pushing a bigger narrative concede. And San Francisco voters were wary of Boudin from the start: By the end of the citys ranked choice voting process in 2019, he barely won, edging out the much more moderate Suzy Loftus 50.8 percent to 49.2 percent.

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At the same time, there are some national lessons we can learn from his loss.

For example, one aspect of reformist prosecution that has received little to no rigorous study is the significance of whether the candidate is an insider or an outsider. Boudin, like Larry Krasner in Philadelphia, ran for DA as an outsider toand often former antagonist ofthe office. Other reformers, like Parisa Dehghani-Tafti in Arlington, Virginia, Buta Biberaj in Loudoun, Virginia, and Satana Deberry in Durham, North Carolina, came from similar defense-oriented backgrounds.*

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A significant number of progressive prosecutors have extensive careers on the inside: Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez has been a prosecutor in that office since the day he graduated law school. Cook County States Attorney Kim Foxx served over a decade as an assistant prosecutor, while former Suffolk County (Boston) DA Rachael Rollins and Steve Descano in Fairfax, Virginia, were both former federal prosecutors. George Gascon in Los Angeles was not only Boudins predecessor in San Francisco, but also served as a deputy chief of the LAPD and the chief of two other police departments.

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Its worth asking if a reformers status as an insider or outsider not only affects what they can accomplish but also the political pushback they may face. Do insiders inherit more loyalty, or are they more inclined toward incremental change? Are outsiders more politically vulnerable because it is easier to paint them as caring too much about the criminals, or because they tend to make certain kinds of problematic rhetorical moves that insiders instinctively do not? Do insiders receive more favorable coverage because of their backgrounds, or because of the media connections they make over their earlier career? (Of course, the potential recall of Gascon indicates that insiders can be vulnerable too, which further highlights how little we understand the politics here.)

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We do not have answers to these questions yet. But rather than trying to determine what the recall means, it is likely far more usefulif difficultto think about how it fits in with all the other examples of progressive prosecution we have so we can better understand the complicated politics of punishment.

Another way in which the recall could be a useful data point is with San Francisco itself, and its demographics. One major reason Boudins recall is seen as a national referendum on progressive prosecution is that San Francisco is seen as one of the most progressive cities in the U.S. So if a progressive cant win there, where can a progressive succeed?

The underlying assumption of that frame is likely an overstatement. Voting for Democratswhich San Francisco does dodoes not make a place progressive, and carceral Democratic mayors are the norm in cities including Chicago, D.C., New York, and San Francisco itself. The post-tech San Francisco is much less the countercultural bastion it was decades ago.

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But even putting that critically important point aside, San Francisco looks quite different from most cities with progressive prosecutors. The push for reformist prosecutorsand criminal legal reform more broadlyis inextricably intertwined with the politics of race in the U.S. because the burdens of both crime and punitiveness fall on communities of color, Black communities in particular. It should not be surprising, then, that the counties with progressive prosecutors tend to have larger Black populations: Philadelphia (44 percent), Brooklyn (34 percent), Baltimore City (62 percent), Cook County (24 percent, and 30 percent in Chicago itself, where Foxx consistently performs better), St. Louis city (46 percent), St. Louis County (25 percent), Dallas County (24 percent), and Durham County (37 percent). San Francisco, at roughly 6 percent Black, is an outlier here.

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These demographic differences could help explain why Boudins campaign was more vulnerable to fearmongering than Krasnersand, in doing so, perhaps also highlight a way in which the term progressive prosecutor may obfuscate as much as it clarifies.

A recent Pew Research Center study explains that the progressive left refers to a group that is distinctly non-Hispanic white (68 percent) and highly educated (nearly 50 percent have a four-year college degree). By referring to reform-minded prosecutors as progressive, we are effectively aligning them with this progressive leftthat the electoral fate of reform-minded prosecutors turns on the support of these disproportionately white, well-educated voters.

And while it is true that the progressive left tends to favor reformers, we should also be concerned that when it comes to criminal legal reform, their support may be fickle, and that we should be concerned that white progressives likely often act like the white moderates Martin Luther King Jr. criticized in his Letter From Birmingham Jail, who are more devoted to order than to justice.

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It is increasingly clear that a core source of support for reform prosecutors comes from poorer, Blacker communities that bear the brunt of both violence and punitiveness. Preliminary results I have been working oninspired by these maps comparing where Krasner won to shootings in Philadelphiasuggest that in elections across a wide number of cities, reform prosecutors consistently win the voting precincts where violence is most concentrated. Notably, these communities are less vulnerable to fearmongering because violence for them is far less an abstraction and far more a lived experience.

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That is not to say that progressives cannot win in less Black counties. The same night that Boudin was recalled, progressive Kimberly Graham won the Democratic primary for county attorney (and thus likely the general election) in Polk County, Iowa, home to Des Moines and 77 percent non-Hispanic white and only 7 percent Black. But perhaps the Boudin recallcontextualized against events like Krasners and Foxxs easy-ish reelection efforts, and alongside Grahams wincan help us begin to understand the underlying factors that determine the sorts of political vulnerabilities candidates face.

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When thinking about the Boudin recall, though, we must also consider how much we simply cannot know at this point.

For one, the push for reformist prosecutors is new. The term progressive prosecutor has many different definitions, so it is impossible to say exactly who the first reform DA was, but movement didnt really start until 2015 or 2016, with the elections of people like James Stewart in Caddo Parish, Louisiana; Scott Colom in rural Mississippi; Kim Foxx in Cook County; Kim Ogg in Harris County, Texas; and Krasner in 2017 in Philadelphia. The movement is only about six or seven years oldor perhaps nine if we start with Marilyn Mosbys election in Baltimore City in 2013.

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Contested prosecutor races were almost unheard-of until the push for progressive prosecution. In a paper published in 2009, right before the reform movement really took off, Wake Forests Ronald Wright looked at data from 10 states between 1996 and 2006 and found that incumbent candidates ran unopposed in 85 percent of all primaries and of all general elections.*

When we put the Boudin recall in its broader but quite recent electoral context, it becomes even clearer how hard it currently is to determine any sort of pattern. Yes, the recall was a setback. And it wasnt the only setback for reformers: Progressive candidates fell short in primaries in smaller, whiter suburbs like Marion County, Ohio, and Washington County, Oregon, as well as in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, the home of Charlotte.* And in San Joaquin County, California, Tori Salazar may have become the first incumbent progressive to run for reelection and lose, albeit in a race with stunningly low (about 5 percent) turnout.

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But there were victories for reformers over the past months as well. In Contra Costa, California, incumbent reformer Diana Becton held on against a more traditional challenger. Across from San Francisco, in Alameda County, reformer Pamela Price came in first and will face a runoff in November (although its worth noting there that the two more traditional candidates collectively received just over 51 percent of the vote). In Durham, North Carolina, incumbent progressive Satana Deberry breezed to victory with 80 percent of the vote in her primary.

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Weve seen these sorts of contradictory results before. In 2018, the defeat of three progressive candidates in Californiaincluding the heading-for-a-runoff Pricewas taken as a sign of a broader shift away from reform, only to have three progressive candidates win strongly contested races in northern Virginia just one year later.

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Moreover, not all races are equally important, given how concentrated people, and thus crime, and thus prosecutions, are. A Bureau of Justice Statistics study from 2007sadly, the last year with data on the issuefound that only 10 percent of all prosecutor offices processed about two-thirds of the nations felonies. Or, put differently, the four biggest counties with progressive prosecutorsLos Angeles, Cook, Brooklyn (Kings), and Dallashave about as many people as the 684 counties that make up the 12 smallest states with elected district attorneys. That means the overall impact of progressive prosecution will often turn on a very small number of elections, making prediction even harder.

Theres a broader point here about criminal legal reform worth noting. Perhaps the most important recent book on the politics of reform is Breaking the Pendulum, by Philip Goodman, Joshua Page, and Michelle Phelps. They argue that what looks like a somewhat predictable oscillation from punitiveness to progressiveness and back only looks predictable in hindsight. They demonstrate that there are never stable periods of punitiveness or progressiveness; at all times, the out group is trying to push through the changes it desires. And, more often than not, the forces that push the out group in and the in group out are broader social or cultural upheavals perhaps only loosely linked to crime.

This explains, for example, why the most recent successful reform efforts took off in the late 2000snot because of crime, but as a result of political realignments brought on by the financial crisis. Importantly, the shocks that actually matter can be quite difficult to predict. Consider that we are in the midst of a period of upheaval, with the pendulum swinging wildly following the murder of George Floyd and the resulting protests, and then back again amid the stress of the pandemic and spike in homicides. What Goodman, Page, and Phelps show is that, while it may be hard to impossible to predict the sort of shocks that will matter, the ones that matter matter because activists and advocates are ready and able to exploit them.

If the Boudin recall teaches us anything, its not that voters are too scared to be interested in reforming the way we prosecute crime and other quality of life issues. Instead of attempting to put a fine point on what it all means, the recall outcome should help us clarify what we need to study. Theres no need to try to force a narrative onto an unprecedented, highly dynamic moment.
On Thursday, the House select committee to investigate the Jan. 6 attack held the first of a series of summer hearings to illuminate the findings of its yearlong investigation into the Donald Trumpinspired insurrection and attack on the Capitol.

Ranking member Liz Cheney of Wyoming led a compelling 30-minute introduction that featured new footage of interviews with key witnesses including former Attorney General William Barr, Trumps son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner, and Trumps daughter and adviser Ivanka Trump. While many of the new details in these video snippets merely expanded on information already known, there were a series of crucial revelations about Vice President Mike Pence: Basically, it was confirmed that Pence was acting as president on Jan. 6, 2021, even as he was being hunted by a mob that Donald Trump had virtually sent after him.

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First, Cheney expanded on last months blockbuster reporting by Politico that Trump had signaled a positive view of the prospect of hanging the vice president. The critical new details stated by Cheney were this:

Aware of the rioters chants to hang Mike Pence, the president responded with this sentiment: Maybe our supporters have the right idea. Mike Pence deserves it.

This followed Trumps rally at which he told his supporters he would be disappointed if Pence didnt single-handedly overturn the election results during the Electoral College certification. It was also around the time that he tweeted Mike Pence didnt have the courage to do what should have been done to protect our Country and our Constitution as Trump supporters stormed the Capitol chanting for Pences head.

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During the riots, Pence was escorted to safety by Secret Service agents, even as the mob swarmed the inside of the Capitol rotunda. It was Trumps duty as president to restore order to the nations government and call off the mob he had sent after Pence. But it was actually Pence who was issuing the orders for the military to send the National Guard. Those troops would eventually clear the Capitol.

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Cheney said that the monthlong hearings would lay out what had previously been assumed about Trumps actions that day: that the president did nothing to stop the violence. It was not previously known that Pence was directing the response from his siege bunker.

Not only did President Trump refuse to tell the mob to leave the Capitol, he placed no call to any element of the United States government to instruct that the Capitol be defended. He did not call his secretary of defense on Jan. 6. He did not talk to his attorney general. He did not talk to the Department of Homeland security. President Trump gave no order to deploy the National Guard that day. And he made no effort to work with the Department of Justice to coordinate and deploy law enforcement assets, Cheney said. Vice President Pence did each of those things.

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Cheney then played video of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Mark Milley, describing how Pence responded in the crisis.

There were two or three calls from Vice President Pence. He was very animated and he issued very explicit, very direct, unambiguous orders. There was no question about that, Milley said in an audio-recorded sworn deposition. But he was very animated, very direct, very firm, and to Secretary [of Defense Christopher] Miller: Get the military down here, get the Guard down here. Put down this situation, etc.

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By contrast, Milley testified that Trump gave no such orders. Rather, his communication with the White House involved chief of staff Mark Meadows asking the nations military leadership to pretend that Trump was still in command.

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He said, We have to kill the narrative that the vice president is making all the decisions,  Milley testified.  We need to establish the narrative that the president is still in charge and that things steady or stable, or words to that effect. I immediately interpreted that as politics, politics, politics. Red flag for me personally, no action. But I remember it distinctly.

The Pence revelations were the biggest of the hearing, but blunt video testimony from Barr and Ivanka Trump also proved momentous.

Barr testified that he told the former president that the Department of Justice had investigated his fraud allegations about the election, and that Barr told Trump they were bullshit.

I saw absolutely zero basis for the allegations, but they were made in such a sensational way that they were obviously influencing a lot of people, members of the public, Barr testified, referring to Trumps claims that the election was stolen. I told them that it was crazy stuff and that they were wasting their time on that and it was doing a grave, grave disservice to the country.

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Ivanka Trump, in testimony, said she agreed. I respect Attorney General Barr, so I accepted what he was saying, Ivanka said in a prerecorded video.

Richard Donoghue, who took over as acting deputy attorney general after Barr left his job in December 2020, also testified that DOJ officials went so far as to tell the White House that Trumps efforts to get the Department of Justice to parrot his fraud claims were an attempt to outright corrupt the election.

I recall towards the end saying, What youre proposing is nothing less than the United States Justice Department meddling in the outcome of the presidential election,  Donoghue testified.

In spite of the days dramatic revelations, it seems likely that House Republicans and the rest of the party will continue to rally around the former president, and even Democratic representatives seemed to acknowledge as much. Its a reminder that there was a period of time in the days and weeks after Jan. 6 when everybody who now defends the president, and embraces the lie, understood exactly what had happened and in some cases was apparently ashamed of their role, Rep. Tom Malinowski said. It was striking to hearnot surprising, but strikingto hear the former presidents attorney general say, finally, that it was all bullshit. 

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The days live witnesses included Capitol Police officer Caroline Edwards, who testified about the moment that officer Brian Sicknick was attacked with chemical irritant. I see movement to the left of me and I turned and it was officer Sicknick with his head in his hands and he was ghostly pale, Edwards said. He turned just about as pale as this sheet of paper. Edwards was then herself sprayed in the eyes by chemical irritant, and Sicknick suffered two strokes and died one day later.

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After the hearing, Sicknicks partner Sandra Garza exchanged a long hug with Edwards. Other officers were there in support of Edwards, including Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn, who testified at last summers opening Jan. 6 hearing and was wearing a T-shirt that offered the dictionary definition of the word insurrection next to another definition that read simply: January 6, 2021.

As Dunn told reporters of Trumps failure to act that day: I cant say Im surprised anymore. Disappointed. Hes got a job to protect not just us, but this country. He didnt.

Jim Newell contributed reporting to this article from inside the hearing.
Excerpted from Imaginable copyright  2022 by Jane McGonigal. Used by permission of Spiegel & Grau LLC, New York. All rights reserved.

You may be familiar with the saying The future starts now. As catchy as this phrase may be, it is fundamentally not true. The future doesnt start now, or tomorrow, or next monthat least not if you want to get the most out of mental time travel. It takes much longer than that for the full benefits of the future to kick in. But when exactly the future starts depends on who you are and what your life circumstances are like. Let me tell you about a simple game I invented. If you play along, youll get a pretty good idea of when the future starts for you.

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Every time I teach a futures-thinking class, I begin with a quick game of When Does the Future Start? I ask everyone: If the future is a time when many or most things in your life will be different than they are today, how long from now does that future start? I ask them to write down their answer in days, weeks, months, or years.

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This isnt a trick question, and theres no single correct answer. In fact, usually there are dozens of different answers, all of them valid: a year from now, five years from now, 10 years from now, twenty years from now. (If you want to play along, go ahead and think of your answer to this question now.) That said, 10 years is far and away the most common answer to the question When does the future start? In the responses Ive collected from more than 10,000 students, almost everyone agrees: Ten years is enough time for society and my own life to become dramatically different.

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What makes 10 years such a magic number for the mind?

Most of us have internalized the power of 10 years to create change through a combination of our own lived experience and social convention. We think about our own lives as a series of 10-year-long periods: our 20s, our 30s, our 40s, and so on. We use these milestone birthdays to reflect on what we want our next decade of life to be like. And we talk about decades as units of time in which society changes: think about how different the 1920s were from the 1910s, the 1960s from the 1950s, or how different the 2020s have already been from the 2010s. Anyone who has lived through more than one decade, or studied history, already has a clear mental model of just how much can change in 10 years.

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If you look at recent history, 10 years really does seem almost like a magic number. You can find myriad examples of new ideas and actions creating a previously unimaginable social reality over the time span of a decade, give or take a few months. This is particularly true when it comes to social movements achieving historic victories, and new technologies achieving global impact. To consider just a few examples, it took, give or take a few months:

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 10 years for the civil rights movement against racial segregation in the United States to go from its first boycott of segregated bus seating to the successful passage of the federal Civil Rights Act (19551964)

 10 years for the first international economic sanctions against South Africas segregationist apartheid system to lead to a new constitution that enfranchised Black South Africans and other racial groups (19851996)

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 10 years for same-sex marriage to go from being considered controversial when it was legalized by a country for the first time (the Netherlands) to being supported in global surveys by a majority of people in a majority of countries (20012010)

 10 years for marijuana to go from being legalized for all uses in one US state, Colorado, to being decriminalized in 44 out of 50 states (20122021)

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And it took:

 10 years from when just 16 million people, mostly scientists and other academic researchers, were using the internetthey thought it would be used mostly to share scientific datato when 1 billion people were using it (19912001)

 10 years from the first iPhone release until a majority of people on the planet had smartphones, creating a new era of always-on communication (20072017)

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 10 years for Facebook to go from one user to 1 billion daily users, on its way to becoming the first product used by more than 1 in 3 humans on the planet (20042015)

 10 years for Bitcoin to go from being a hypothetical idea discussed in a scientific article to having a nearly $1 trillion market capitalization, larger than the three biggest U.S. banks combined (20082019)

 10 years from Airbnbs and Ubers foundings for a full 36 percent of U.S. workers to be engaged in some form of gig work (20082018)

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 10 years for Zoom to go from its first user testing session to becoming a critical lifeline for humanity during the COVID-19 pandemic, as the de facto tool for learning, work meetings, and staying in touch with friends and family (20112020)

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In other words: Things that are small experiments today in 10 years can become ubiquitous and world-changing. And social change that seems improbable or unimaginablewell, in 10 years that can change, too.

Of course, not all goals for change can be achieved in a decademany social movements take much longer. And progress doesnt just stop after 10 years. The purpose of looking 10 years ahead isnt to see that everything will happen on that timelinebut there is ample evidence that almost anything could happen on that timeline. And for that reason, 10 years helps unstick our minds. Ten years helps us consider possibilities we would otherwise dismiss. Ten years even relaxes us a bit as we try to imagine preparing for dramatic disruptions or for a radical rethinking of whats normalbecause 10 years gives us time to get ready. And its for this reason that whenever I send people on mental time trips to the future, I almost always send them 10 years ahead. Futurists want people to go somewhere they believe anything can be differenteven things that seem impossible to change today.

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When we think on a 10-year timeline, its not just that we are more likely to believe that dramatic change can happen in the world. We become more optimistic and hopeful about what we can change through our own efforts. This has to do with a psychological phenomenon known as time spaciousness. Its the relaxing and empowering feeling that we have enough time to do what really mattersto consider our options, make a plan, and act more confidently to create the future we want. It is almost impossible to create a sense of time spaciousness when were thinking in a matter of days or weeks. But when thinking ahead 10 years  ah, its so much time! On a 10-year timeline, we dont feel rushed. We have plenty of opportunity to develop new skills, collect resources, recruit allies, learn from our mistakes, bounce back from setbacks, and do whatever else we need to do to get the best possible outcome. This feeling of abundance makes us less risk-averse and therefore more creative. We have all the time we need to play with ideas, try new things, and experiment until we figure out what works.

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Interestingly, brains respond to abundant space in the same way as they do to abundant time. Studies have found that we also think more creatively and set higher, maximal, goals for ourselves when were in rooms with higher ceilings or outside in a wide-open environment. With maximal goals, we focus on the upper boundary: What is the highest and best possible outcome we can imagine? So I like to think of a 10-year timeline as a kind of cathedral or Grand Canyon for the mind. It lifts the ceiling on our imagination.

When we feel time-poor, on the other hand, its like being stuck in a tiny, depressing room with no windows. We shrink ourselves and imagine less. We adopt minimal goals, which means we try to do just enough to avoid a bad outcome. As one team of expert psychologists put it: A maximal goal reflects the most that one could wish for, whereas a minimal goal reflects bare necessities or the least one could comfortably tolerate.

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Do you have a sense of whether youre waking up each day focused on maximal or minimal goals? Whether youre feeling time-rich or time-poor? Setting goals for yourself (or your family, or your community, or your organization) on too short a timeline usually creates the feeling of being time-rushed. So does being too busy, but thats not something you can always control. So rather than drastically reduce whats on your schedule, its much easier to control how far out in the future youre imagining when you think about changes youd like to achieve.

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You may not be used to goal setting on a 10-year timeline. We usually think about making personal change year by year, most commonly by making resolutions at the start of the New Year. But a one-year resolution wont help you think maximally, and you wont feel a sense of time spaciousness if youre trying to achieve a big goal in just one year. So next New Years Day, why not try a new tradition? Make a 10-year resolution. What could you (or your family, or your community, or your organization) accomplish if you had 10 years to do it? What would the long-term impact of a new habit be if you practiced it for 10 years? Let your mind play with some bigger possibilities. Now this idea may not sound appealing to you at first. When it comes to making resolutions, you dont want to be different in 10 years; you want to be different as soon as possible! So go ahead and keep making short-term resolutions. And try to stretch your imagination a decade further too, while youre at it.

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If you want to get a taste of time spaciousness right now, heres a trick you can try: pick a tiny taskand give yourself 10 years to do it. You might think that having all this time will make you more likely to procrastinate, and youll never actually get around to doing it. But procrastination, paradoxically, is more likely to happen when you feel time-poor. When you feel like you have less time to get things done, you do less. And when you feel you have ample time, you do more. Studies show this is true completely independent of how much free or unscheduled time a person has. What matters is whether your brain perceives an abundance of time. So give it a try. Give yourself luxurious 10-year deadlines. You might be surprised at how much faster and more happily you do things youd otherwise put off when you feel time-rich, and therefore more in control of your timeline.

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I want you to try this, for real: go ahead and put a deadline, or some other small goal, on your personal calendar, for 10 years from today. Googles and Apples calendar apps will let you schedule things 10 years in the future. While youve got your mental or digital calendar open, lets try a mental time trip. Imagine its 10 years from today, and you wake up incredibly excited about  something. Youve got a special event on the calendar. What is it?

To help you imagine this future more clearly, skip ahead in your digital calendar to 10 years from today. Now, fill in the blank space. What do you have planned, 10 years from today? Who are you doing it with? What will you be wearing? What supplies will you need? Why is this activity important or exciting for you? And how do you feel now that the day is here? Try to answer all these questions and imagine the day ahead as vividly as you can. Be sure to think about how you and your life circumstances might be different from today, and how those differences might change what you want or are able to do.

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As with any mental time trip to far in the future, it may take a few moments for your brain to start filling in the blanks. Sometimes it helps to plant the seed of imagination in your mind now and come back to it later. Just keep the calendar open and keep playing with possibilities. My challenge for you is to put something excitingmaybe even something life-changingon your real-world calendar for 10 years from today. Youll have a whole decade to decide if you want to actually make it happen.

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Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
The retrial of the Kuciak murder case continued with the testimony of the main witness whom the court doubted in its first verdict.

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"She created an alibi for herself, because it had worked for her before regarding the murder of Mr Basternak," one of the major witnesses in the case of the murder of journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova told the court on June 6.

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He referred to the many text messages that the defendant in the case, Alena Zsuszova, sent him after the murder. The messages refer to a loan, though Andrusko insisted that he did not borrow money from her.

Zsuzsova, on the other hand, interprets the messages that are now part of the evidence in the case as perfect proof that Andrusko is lying, and insists that he owed her 20,000. "None of my messages were a fabrication," she claimed as quoted by the Sme daily.

Zsuzsova is serving a prison sentence after she was found guilty of ordering the murder of Hurbanovo Mayor Laszlo Basternak in 2010. She still faces charges for ordering the murder of Jan Kuciak, together with Marian Kocner, who is also serving a prison sentence as a convicted fraudster.

The retrial of the Kuciak murder case has been on at the Specialised Criminal Court since late February this year, after the Supreme Court decided to return the case to the original court. The Specialised Criminal Court subsequently decided to connect the trial with another  the case of the planned murders of prosecutors. Five people face charges in this case including Kocner and Zsuzsova, Tomas Szabo, Dusan Kracina and Darko Dragic.

I never hesitated, says major witness
Sixteen startup companies from SETsquared Bristol, the University of Bristols acclaimed tech incubator, will exhibit and demo their innovative products at the flagship Tech-Xpo 2022 showcase on 29 June.

The companies shortlisted to compete for Best Elevator Pitch award are: Corus, Grand Bequest, Hope Tech, Inclued, Lurnable, Metasonixx, Milbotix, Optect and Voltric.

Seven other companies will exhibit at the event but are not involved in the Best Elevator Pitch award. See below for a full list.

The annual showcase will take place at St Georges Bristol with an invited audience of over 200 investors, business leaders and potential partners. The event will also be livestreamed for a wider audience.

Winner of Tech-Xpo 2021, Jenny Bailey of Ferryx, a University of Bristol biotech spinout, will be speaking at this years event. She said of their win:

"Tech-Xpo gave us a great opportunity to share our plans to improve the lives of millions of people suffering from gut inflammation and to network with people who may be able to join us on our journey. We have since closed our first investment round and been able to progress product development, getting our product closer to the hands of those who need it."

Previous winners of Tech-Xpos prestigious award also include KETS Quantum Security, world leaders in quantum cryptography hardware solutions, and LettUs Grow, a pioneering aeroponic technology provider for indoor and vertical farms.

Voltric, an awardee of SETsquared Bristols Breakthrough Bursary 2022, will be among nine pitching for this years prize.

Julian Mensah, CEO and Founder of Voltric, the all-inclusive subscription service for electric cars, said:

Having just recently closed our oversubscribed pre-seed of nearly 300K, Im looking forward to engaging with potential partners who could either help us grow our fleet or support us in our next raise as we prepare for our seed round. More importantly, Im excited to create more awareness of our brand at Tech-Xpo.

Marty Reid, SETsquared Bristol Director, said:

Were thrilled to bring our startup community together again for the highlight of our year, shining a spotlight on some of the UKs most exciting tech innovations, from createch to healthtech. Id like to say a huge congratulations to our pitching and exhibiting companies; this event wouldnt be possible without their talent and dedication.

SETsquared Bristols Lawyer in Residence, VWV, are the headline sponsor for the 12th successional year. Other sponsors are SIEMENS, OnePLM, FD Works and Rocketmakers.

The winner of Tech-Xpo 2022 Best Elevator Pitch will be announced on 29 June. Watch the recording of last years Tech-Xpo and join the conversation using #TechXpo22.

If you are an investor interested in attending the event, please email bristol@setsquared.co.uk for an invite.
The Tibet autonomous region continues to rank among the best places in the world for ecological quality, and its environment is in good condition generally, according to the region's 2021 Environmental Bulletin, which was released last week.

The bulletin, prepared by the regional Department of Environment and Ecology, noted that Tibet has 47 natural reserves, whose combined land area reaches more than 410,000 square kilometers. The reserves account for more than 34 percent of the region's total land.

In 2021, the overall air quality of the region was excellent. The proportion of days with excellent ambient air quality was 99.8 percent over all, while Lhasa, the region's capital, was 100 percent  along with Haikou, Hainan province  the bulletin said.

Shui Yanping, deputy head of the department, said that water quality in the region's major rivers and lakes held steady in good condition last year and have met the standards set by the central government.

"Water quality in the region's key rivers  the Yarlung, Zangbo, Jinsha, Nujiang and Lancang  as well as the Lhasa Kyichu, Myangchu and Nyangchu, have met Class II and above standards," Shui said.

Water quality in the Rongbu River, which flows from Mount Qomolangma (Everest), meets the Class I standard, and all the region's 21 centralized water supply sources in six cities and one prefecture meet Class III standards, Shui added.

The region's forest area hit nearly 15 million hectares, ranking fifth in China. The forest coverage ratio stands at 12.31 percent, and total timber stock volume hit more than 2.2 billion cubic meters, ranking at the top in China.

Wetlands in Tibet total more than 6.52 million hectares, or 5.3 percent of the region's land area  ranking second in China  the bulletin said.
The 9th Summit of the Americas convened in Los Angeles on Monday, and it will last until Friday. This event, held regularly since its inauguration in 1994, is, at face value, a platform for regional cooperation. The countries of the western hemisphere, or "the Americas," come together to discuss common issues and cooperation, which is natural and expected among the countries who share a common geographic region.



However, this particular summit is increasingly mired in controversy. The United States, as the host country, has decided that it will not issue invitations to countries it deems to contravene its values. Therefore, it has prohibited Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela from attending. The United States has long targeted Cuba and Venezuela with sanctions and regime change politics.

The move has sparked a backlash from other countries, with several leaders, including President of Mexico Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, announcing that they will now boycott the event in retaliation to America's bullying. Obrador stated that "there cannot be an Americas Summit if not all of the continent's countries participate" and denounced "the old politics of interventionism."

Throughout the Cold War, the United States initiated an aggressive policy of containment and regime change against ideologically hostile governments in South America, initiating numerous coups and even pursuing outright invasions. Cuba has been the highest-profile and central target of such aggression, becoming a significant flashpoint in the Cold War.

Although the Cold War has long ended, current U.S. foreign policy has become increasingly obsessed with hegemony as it adapts to confront perceived competitors. This has made its attitude to regional affairs zero-sum, leading to a more overt politicization of the summit of the Americas.

The U.S. has long treated the rest of the Americas as a "backyard" of exercising total political, economic, and military dominance. Despite being the most important neighbor and partner of the countries in South America, the U.S. never expanded serious economic engagement and regional integration, thereby leaving the gap in wealth, development, and incomes between the U.S. and South American countries to become highly pronounced.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated poverty and unemployment across South America, and the summit should offer incentives and build a common vision for prosperity. Instead, it is merely a platform for getting the countries of South and Central America to sign up to a one-sided U.S. wish list and agenda that will seek to try and isolate some countries and draw these nations into conflicts.

Sanctions and force cannot guarantee Washington's longstanding hegemony over the Americas. The U.S. must learn to treat them as equals and offer them more significant assistance in the understanding that the prosperity of the region will be best guaranteed through the prosperity of Latin America. A complete overhaul in policy, priority, and focus is needed to make this summit a forum for regional engagement.

Tom Fowdy is a British political and international relations analyst and a graduate of Durham and Oxford universities. He writes on topics pertaining to China, the DPRK, Britain and the U.S. For more information please visit:

http://www.china.org.cn/opinion/TomFowdy.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.
Growing up on a ranch in Manitoba, Daryl Thiessen had two passions  rodeo and harness racing.

Thiessen first had a nearly 10-year career as a rodeo professional, but in 2016 began to find himself pulled to the races, in good part because of the battles between that seasons group of older pacers highlighted by Always B Miki, Wiggle It Jiggleit and Freaky Feet Pete.

In the summer of 2019, he launched a career as a harness racing driver. He moved to Ontario and started to enjoy success in his new profession, but when racing in the province was halted last year because of COVID-19 concerns, he headed to Albertas Century Downs. In May, he was involved in an accident that sidelined him for almost two months. When he returned, he made 49 starts before putting his driving on hold in October.

The time away, though, only reaffirmed to Thiessen that racing was where he wanted to be. In February, he headed to Florida to work for trainer Jonas Czernyson and reignited his career in the sulky.

Racing and rodeo are all I ever wanted to do, said the 32-year-old Thiessen. I grew up around the [harness racing] fairs; dad and grandpa owned some horses, kind of a hobby horseman thing. When I began watching racing more than rodeo, I had to follow where my heart was going. It was time to get to the drivers seat.

Thiessen had won 77 of 798 drives heading into 2021 and started that season with 19 triumphs in 111 starts. He suffered injuries to his femur, knee, hip and collarbone in his accident, which left his future in doubt.

I had kind of given up on racing because my body just wasnt healing like I thought, said Thiessen. I was really discouraged. I didnt want to race just to race, I wanted to do it at a high level if I was going to do it. So, I just stepped away and worked at a buddys ranch. We rode horses, roped, worked cattle every day. But I started watching races and I got the bug again.

After working with Czernyson in Florida this past winter, he was invited to join the stable at its base in central New Jersey. He accepted without hesitation.

I love it, said Thiessen. I dont plan on going back to Canada. I almost have to pinch myself when I look around here and see Dexter [Dunn] and Timmy [Tetrick] and [Brian] Sears and [David] Miller, and all these trainers. Just to be a small part of it is humbling. Im beyond grateful.

Tetrick was an inspiration to Thiessen when he was deciding to become a driver.

I loved watching him, said Thiessen. Now, becoming friends with him and stuff, it kind of seems surreal.

So far this season, Thiessen has driven in 75 races and posted six wins, eight seconds and 15 thirds. Lifetime, he has won 112 times and earned $699,641 in purses.

On Wednesday, Thiessen won two qualifiers and finished third in another at Magical Acres training center for Czernysons Team JC Stable. All three drives were with two-year-old male trotters, with Templeton and Smooth Landing posting wins and Devilish Hill being third.

Weve been high on Devilish Hill all winter, said Thiessen. He had some steering issues [Wednesday] but, man, hes got raw speed. Im not concerned about him.

Templeton impressed me the most. Ive gone back and forth with him, between liking him and not liking him, but he showed that he really wants to move forward. He was awesome.

Smooth Landing also impressed me a lot. He seemed to get a little weak late when we were training, but [Wednesday] I put him on the front. I wasnt really planning on it, but he wanted to get out of there a little bit and I didnt want to fight him, so I let him settle on the front. Horses came to him and he dug in. I never even asked him and he fought them off. He seems to want to be a racehorse. I was very happy with the day.

And happy with his decision to resume his driving career.

My short-term goal is to drive as much as I can, try to get more experience, said Thiessen. Long term, Id be lying if I said I didnt want Grand Circuit. Its what I dream about every day. I think its attainable; I believe I can do it. I just have to keep working hard and take my opportunities every day.

Just being around these [Grand Circuit drivers] makes you want to be that, makes you want to be better. They just bring out the best in you. Its addicting, it really is.

(USTA)
The High Plains Auto Club welcomes fathers and children to the two-day Fathers Day Rock n Roll Classic Car Show June 17 and 18.

Club organizers are excited to welcome the community to the fun, free event now in its 23rd year.

Kurt Schuller, president of the Auto Club, said he anticipates this years show will exceed 300 vehicles. During the May club meeting, organizers had received 142 pre-registered forms. The remanufactured and modified cars were built from about 1940 to present day, with the majority of vehicles shown in the 50s, 60s and 70s.

Were still hoping for over 300 entries again, he said. Pre-entries are where were at normally, but with gas prices the way they are, it will be interesting to see who all comes.

Previous Fathers Day Classic shows have seen participants from Texas, Arizona, California, Wyoming, South Dakota and Colorado.

Schuller said the club created the Fathers Day Classic to bring families together.

For the sons and fathers to get out and reminisce about older cars, he said. A lot of the older generation had cars like that and thats why we kind of circled it around Fathers Day.

As families walk through Five Rocks grassy field and look at the vehicles, Schuller said he hopes it inspires the next generation.

They can work with their hands and its something they can do to keep that alive and growing, he said. The younger generations are into the newer type cars, which is good because theyre still involved.

The Fathers Day Classic is a dual-purpose event, focused on supporting youths educational endeavors and bringing the community together, Schuller said.

Everything the car club does goes into our scholarship foundation, he said. Every year, we give away scholarships to kids who want to go into a trade field. What we make off of the car show goes back into our scholarship funds.

The festivities begin Friday, June 17, with a barbecue at the Gering Civic Center, followed by a cruise for cash. Registration opens from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Civic Center. Registration can be completed at Five Rocks Saturday morning.

Car owners can sign up for the cruise for cash event, where they will travel to nearby tourist attractions like Scotts Bluff National Monument and the Wildcat Hills. A box will be set up at each location where drivers will drop in their tickets for an opportunity to win prizes back at the Civic Center. The cruise is from 3 to 5:30 p.m. The drawing takes place at 6 p.m. with an ice cream social at 6:30 p.m.

On Saturday, show participants can start to line up for the downtown parade at 8 a.m. on N. 10th St. Participants who wish to park together at Five Rocks are asked to line up together in the parade. The parade begins at 9 a.m. heading down 10th Street before the drivers head to Five Rocks Amphitheater. No candy can be thrown during the parade as per Gering city ordinance.

Following the parade, the public is invited to look at the vehicles up close during the car show at Five Rocks Amphitheater. The car show is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting.

There will also be a revving session at 1 p.m. where car owners are encouraged to turn on their engines and rev the motors.

A new event, held in conjunction with the car show, is the first annual pin-up contest hosted by the Rockabilly Misfits. The event will be at the amphitheater on Saturday at 11 a.m. There is a $10 entry fee. Contest registration is available Friday from 2 to 6 p.m. and Saturday after the parade from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

According to the events Facebook page, contestants must wear a 1940-1960s themed pin up outfit. Props are encouraged to make the outfit come to life, but no exposed midriffs, nudity, pasties, lingerie or swim wear are allowed. The contestants will be divided into age brackets: littles, 4-12 year-olds; teens, 13-17 year-olds; adults, 18 and older.

Voting ballots must be returned to the registration table by 1 p.m. Saturday. Winners will be announced during an awards banquet for show participants at the civic center. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and the meal is served at 5:30 p.m.

All of the cars are parked in the parking lot or over at the motel, Schuller said. If people cant make it to the show, they can usually see the cars out there.

The registration fee is $50, which includes two Friday barbecue meals, two Saturday banquet meals and allows participants to enjoy the car show and cruise for cash.

For more information, visit www.highplainsautoclub.com.

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A recount Wednesday did not alter the outcome of the primary race for an Omaha-area legislative district, while a second recount for a different district was called off before it started.

In both districts, the recounts were between the second- and third-place finishers, with the second-place finisher advancing to take on the primary election front-runner in November.

There were no changes in the results of the race for legislative District 18, encompassing Bennington and portions of northwest Omaha, according to the Douglas County Election Commission Wednesday. Christy Armendariz still held a 20-vote lead over Clarice Jackson, who came in third.

The results mean Armendariz will face Michael Young, the first-place finisher in the primary, during the general election in November. After nearly a month-long wait, Armendariz said she was happy to move on to focusing on the general.

"(I'm) just glad that it's finally over," Armendariz said.

Young said the fact that there were no changes from the unofficial election results indicates that a fair and accurate election took place, and said he is glad to have his win be certified. Young finished 120 votes ahead of Armendariz, according to the unofficial results.

Jackson said she had not seen the recount results as of Wednesday afternoon, and declined to comment until she saw them.

Both Armendariz and Jackson are registered Republicans, while Young is a registered Democrat. All three candidates emphasized education ahead of the primary.

The winner of the November general will occupy a seat currently held by State Sen. Brett Lindstrom, who is barred by term limits from seeking a third consecutive term.

Meanwhile, a recount was never completed in the race for legislative District 22, which encompasses Platte County and the western third of Stanton County. An official with the Nebraska Secretary of State's Office said the third-place candidate, Mike Goos of Columbus, waved the recount Tuesday night.

The decision secures a second-place finish for Roy Zach of Genoa, who held a 56-vote lead over Goos. Zach will face off against incumbent Sen. Mike Moser of Columbus in November. Moser came in first in the primary with just over 76% of the vote, according to unofficial results.

All the results of other legislative primary races were certified at a State Canvassing Board meeting Monday.

Deputy Secretary of State Wayne Bena said the May 10 primary went well even though state, county and election officials had to scramble to redraw district boundaries after the U.S. Census Bureau released the 2020 population figures late.

Secretary of State Bob Evnen also praised officials across the state for their work in holding a fair and secure election, the results of which we can have confidence in.

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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.
Don Hutchens is a farmer, just like his father and his father's father. He wears an "I stand with Ukraine" button on his chest and a red University of Nebraska ring on his finger. Twenty-eight years as executive director of the Nebraska Corn Board sent him around the world representing the state's farmers and agricultural interests.

And for two weeks, he was one of many Lincoln volunteers who spent time in a hotel in Warsaw, Poland, with Operation Safe Harbor Ukraine  a Nebraska-led effort to help feed, clothe and shelter Ukrainian families fleeing the ongoing war at home.

Now, he's back home in Lincoln, hoping to spread his message to farmers in the United States:

We have a moral and humanitarian responsibility to support the refugees and Ukraine," Hutchens said. We're not being bombed. We're not having our fields decimated by tanks. We're not having to get off our equipment to go fight a war.

With dark, fertile soil, Ukraine is one of the world's top exporters of sunflower oil, corn and wheat. The breadbasket of Europe, the country produces one-tenth of the worlds wheat.

Russia's invasion interrupted, and maybe catastrophically disrupted, Ukrainian farmers harvest and planting. Blocked ports and destroyed railways cut off typical export routes, trapping crops in a country that normally exported up to 6.6 million tons of grain and oil seed each month before the war.

The month after Russia attacked, that dropped to 330,000 tons, Ukrainian farming officials said.

The result could mean a hurricane of hunger for the European, Asian and African countries that rely on Ukrainian wheat, United Nations officials have said.

Countries such as Egypt, Lebanon and Pakistan get most of their wheat from Ukraine. The countrys harvest ships to the Middle East to be turned into bread, and Chinese farms to be fed to livestock.

Now, that supply of grain is trapped in the country  the ports and railways are blocked. Early on in the war, Ukraine placed restrictions on agricultural exports to avoid a hunger crisis in the country.

The squeeze on food supplies and soaring prices are making an already existing global hunger crisis even worse, according to the United Nations.

Because of the sudden absence of Ukrainian grain on the world market, prices of crops such as corn, wheat and soybeans have skyrocketed in a way Hutchens has rarely seen in his decades of farming.

"Ukraine's loss has been some of our gain in agriculture," he said. In agriculture, you dont set the price of what you sell. You take what the market dictates.

The numbers get texted to Hutchens phone daily  wheat prices at times doubling what they were since the days before the war began. Corn prices have risen about 15% over that time, he said.

For Nebraska farmers, this year has brought weather challenges and higher prices on expenses such as fertilizer and fuel. But, overall, farmers have been able to take advantage of the significant price increases of crops, he said.

Im feeling guilty about the profit farmers are making, Hutchens said. I really believe agriculture and all of us need to share in donations.

Growing up on the family farm outside Geneva, Hutchens watched farmers help their neighbors, regardless of wealth or size. If theres ever a tornado or snowstorm, his fellow Nebraska farmers are quick to head to the neighboring county to help, even if it goes against the competitive nature of business.

In agriculture, youre competing with your neighbor for the same marketplace  for a piece of ground that might come up for sale, Hutchens said. But at the same time, were always supportive of each other.

His hope is that Nebraska farmers will see their Ukrainian counterparts as neighbors, even though theyre halfway across the world. Even though, in normal years, they are competitors.

To friends who ask, he suggests donating through their church, or other refugee aid organizations such as Operation Safe Harbor. Or he suggests donating their time, like he did in Warsaw.

Hutchens isnt the only one working on getting aid to Ukrainian farmers and their families. Ukrainian native Roman Grynyshyn started the project World to Rebuild Rural Ukraine to raise money to help small farmers replace what theyve lost.

For the past month, Grynyshyn and his family have traveled the United States  including Nebraska  spreading their message to help Ukrainian farmers.

Before the war, Grynyshyn led agricultural tours where Ukrainian farmers would travel to the United States to learn from American farmers. When the war broke out, those trips halted.

His farming contacts throughout Ukraine passed along stories from the countryside: Russian soldiers are setting fire to warehouses full of seed and fertilizer, they said. Theyre stealing tools and farm animals. Fields are dotted with mines. The burned-out hulls of tractors and mangled equipment line roadsides.

"They are targeting agriculture as well as the military," Grynyshyn said during a May presentation at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. "This is the second battlefield."

Using donations, Grynyshyns organization is buying replacement supplies, equipment and even animals for small Ukrainian farmers. Despite the ongoing war, Ukrainian farmers are continuing to farm any way they can, with an emphasis on feeding the families and soldiers who have remained in the country.

"It's not a gift, it's just a helping hand, Grynyshyn said. Its also "a project that will unfortunately last years beyond the war's end."

Hutchens expected some pushback from his fellow farmers  while crop prices went up, so did expenses.

One asked him: Would Ukrainian farmers help us in a drought?

Probably not, but this isnt a drought. This is a war. This is a genocide, Hutchens said. Wouldnt you want somebody to help your wife, your daughter, your grandchildren if they had to flee and find shelter and food?

He has mostly heard from people asking how they can help.

Before boarding his flight in Warsaw, Hutchens snapped a selfie with a newfound friend.

The pair were brought together after recognizing their matching Ukraine T-shirts across the Chicago OHare airport terminal  the blue-and-yellow flag representing the wide blue sky over the fields of wheat that cover the country.

Both were headed on the long international flight to Poland  the man, to transport armored chest plates into his homeland, Hutchens to start his two weeks helping Ukrainian families in the hotel.

Ten hours later at the Warsaw baggage claim carousel, the pair once again crossed paths. Hutchens helped the Ukrainian native unload 100 20-pound armored chest plates that came down the conveyor belt.

He helped, because thats what farmers do.

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The owner of a pet raccoon has refused to turn it over to environmental authorities for rabies testing even though it has bitten several people, according to South Carolina wildlife officials.

The states Department of Health and Environmental Control has issued a notice and public health order requiring the owner to surrender the animal, but the owner, who lives in Spartanburg, has not complied, according to a news release from the agency dated Wednesday, June 8.

The raccoon has been kept in the owners home, but it had access to the outside via a doggie door for an unknown period of time, the agency says. The owner also told officials that the raccoon had bitten people "numerous times before."

Officials said they did not know the location of the animal as of June 8.

If you or someone you know was bitten by this or any raccoon, please seek medical attention immediately at your local hospital and contact (the Department of Health and Environmental Control), the release says. The provider needs to know you have been bitten by a raccoon that has not been tested for rabies.

Owning exotic pets such as a raccoon is legal in South Carolina, according to the department, but if the animal is exposed to rabies, officials will euthanize it and test its brain for the virus.

Rabies infects the central nervous system of mammals, causing brain disease and ultimately death, the agency says.

More than 90% of reported rabies cases in the U.S. occur in wild animals, particularly raccoons, skunks, bats and foxes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pets, including cats and dogs, can also get the virus if they are not up to date on rabies vaccinations.

Raccoons are the primary carriers of rabies in South Carolina, according to the Department of Health and Environmental Control. While rabies vaccinations are effective for domesticated animals, there is no evidence to show that they work to prevent rabies in wild animals, such as raccoons.

A person bitten by a rabid animal can receive a series of shots, called Rabies Postexposure Prophylaxis, which can stop rabies from developing.
On May 31, the parking lot at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church on Weathers Creek Road, Troutman, was full, and inside the fellowship hall, the usual hum of sewing machines could be heard and the cutting of material, stringing of beads and working on toy cars was going on as usual for it was a Tuesday, the day that The Sweat Shop Saints gather.

On this particular Tuesday, the group of volunteers had some visitors, as members of the Mary Slocumb Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution dropped by to present the Saints with an award, honoring them for their community service.

Rita Azali, regent of the chapter, shared information about the DAR, noting that while they are all descendants of patriots of the American Revolution dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education and patriotism and honoring the patriots of the Revolutionary War, the group also is a womens service organization, with community service playing a central role in their mission.

Because community service is so important to us, our society has a special committee, the DAR Community Service Awards Committee, Azali said. This committee encourages chapter and state societies to present these awards to individuals who perform voluntary community service on a local level that reflect the needs of our communities. These awards are not based on competition, but are based solely on merit.

Receiving the award on behalf of the Saints were Terry and Mary Lois Oglethorpe. It was this couple who started the ministry in their home first with the making of wooden toy cars and trains to be shared with children, which then expanded to the sewing of bibs and walker bags to be given to residents at area nursing homes.

As the opportunities to help people were shared with the congregation, the number of people answering the call to volunteer grew as well. And, in time, the variety of projects increased, enabling them to help even more people in the community.

The Sweat Shop Saints, a group of around 20 volunteers, have been gathering at the church for close to a year. In addition to the toy cars, walker bags and blankets, they also provide trauma kits containing a stuffed animal, blanket, coloring book and crayons, which are given to police and fire departments and rescue squads to share with children during difficult times.

They also make and give blankets to Terris House in Rowan County and Dove House in Statesville. For families of deceased veterans, they offer blankets showing the branch of service, along with a handmade bag containing the shell casings from the salute, which are presented following the funeral.

The Rev. David Miner, pastor of the Troutman church, said that some of these items have gone as far west as Asheville and as far east as the coast and also into South Carolina.

Other items they make and give away are neck pillows, pillowcases, fidget blankets for seniors, lap blankets and knitted hats.

In addition to the award, the DAR presented the Saints with a gift card to enable them to purchase additional materials to help them continue working on their various projects.

When the award was presented, Mary Lois stressed that everyone should be up front for the presentation.

And when asked what it meant to get the award, Terry echoed the sentiment that it belongs to the group when he said, it was fantastic! to get the award, not for me but for all these people because I have a hard time kicking them out at 3 p.m., he said.

Looking out at all those working on their particular project, Terry said that some of these people wont go home. This gives them a chance to socialize. He noted how having the opportunity to gather has helped many.

Were doing the double thing. Were doing these people a favor and the citizens of Iredell County, Rowan County, the VA and people in nursing homes and he shared that hopefully that list will expand to additional areas in the future.

When asked about the group receiving the award, Miner commented that first of all, it helps to know that they realize that what theyre doing has been appreciated and accepted by many different people.

While putting wheels on some of the toy cars, Miner also shared that this congregation is probably the most mission-minded church Ive pastored, not the largest, but the most.

He noted that, in addition to this particular ministry project, the church also offers a Back to School Bash, providing for children and delivering the items made to the nursing homes in person.

When you preach and call people to serve the Lord, its nice to actually see them doing it. Many churches are content with writing a check. This church, they write the checks, dont get me wrong, but they do the work, Miner said. So in other words, they are doing missions, and thats a lot.
A group of individuals took to the street May 26 to call attention to mental health and persuade Virginia legislators to increase funding for mental health. The event on May 26 was sponsored by Virginia Organizing, a grassroots social justice organization whose top priorities are mental health, school funding and affordable housing.

Today, our rally was held to bring awareness to mental health and wanting Virginia state legislators to put more funding for mental health in the state budget, said Bridget Spencer, one of the Wythe chapter leaders. Many people in our community and the state of Virginia are lacking mental health services they need. More funding from our legislators means more funding for those in need of counseling and other mental health services. It was not a protest, no argument. We were there to bring attention to what is needed for citizens in our community. Adequate mental health care saves lives.

The rally started at the Mount Rogers Youth Services Building but moved closer to the middle of Wythevilles Main Street.

Passers-by encouraged the group.

Some gave encouraging words like, You all dont realize what a good thing you are doing. We got many horn blows and thumbs up. One woman even parked her car and gave us a donation, Spender said.

One participant spoke to the group about how counseling changed her life.

The 18-year-old said she left an abusive situation and wound up homeless. During that time, she wanted to speak with a counselor but was unable to because of her age (17 at the time) and lack of parental approval.

Eventually, a local family took her in and helped her find a counselor through the app Talk Space. She spoke with a counselor twice a week for about five months.

Its made me stronger, she said. It showed me to not have fear of the people I lived with. It showed me how to take my story and inspire other people and to keep walking on my own two feet. That is my dream for any kid or adult going through a hard situation.

The young woman said she has recovered from past traumatic stress disorder associated with her abuse.

Ive accomplished many things, she said. I have no anxiety, and Im feeling more confident in myself and who I am. And that is pretty cool.

Virginia Organizing is a non-partisan statewide grassroots organization dedicated to challenging injustice by empowering people in local communities to address issues that affect the quality of their lives. Organizers listen to citizens in communities across Virginia and try to work those issues.

Mental health is one of the groups top priorities across the state. For more information, visit online at www.Virginia-organizing.org

To reach reporter Millie Rothrock, call 276-228-6611, ext. 573, or email mrothrock@wythenews.com
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.
A private equity firm has taken over Foster Farms, a family-owned company that employs roughly 700 people at its Kelso plant.

Atlas Holdings announced Tuesday the Connecticut-based firm acquired the poultry company, which generates about $3 billion in annual revenue, as food prices, including chicken, continue to rise.

Kelso Foster Farms General Manager Jason Gentemann said he does not expect changes to local operations nor the facilitys union in light of the acquisition.

The United Food & Commercial Workers 555 union represents the facilitys workers and negotiated a five-year contract in December to include increased wages and the companys first matching 401(k) plan.

The Kelso plant has more than 100 open positions, said Gentemann, and the company has full commitment from the new leadership to fill positions quickly.

Gentemann said new leaders visited the 13th Avenue site Wednesday.

Theyve already been here to see the facility and talk to the employees and assure them that Foster Farms has a good future, Gentemann said.

Rising poultry prices

Atlas Holdings named Donnie Smith as CEO of Foster Farms. Smith held the same title from 2009 to 2016 at competitor Tyson Foods, before he retired. The company reports Tyson saw record growth under Smiths leadership.

Smiths move to Foster Farms comes as chicken prices are rising nationwide. The Consumer Price Index reports the price of chicken rose 16.4% from April 2021 to April 2022. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports wholesale poultry prices are predicted to rise 15% to 18% throughout the year.

Foster Farms, which was founded in 1939, employs about 10,000 people in Washington, Oregon, California, Louisiana and Alabama.

Atlas Holdings owns and operates 25 companies, in fields like food manufacturing and building materials, and generates about $14.5 billion in annual revenue.

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President Xi Jinping has called on Africa's younger generation to carry on the spirit of friendly cooperation between China and Africa and make their contributions to building a higher-level China-Africa community with a shared future.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks on Wednesday in replying to 120 young and middle-aged officials of the six former liberation movements from the Southern African Development Community, which are now the governing parties of their respective countries.

They wrote to Xi recently after participating in a training session organized by the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Leadership School in Tanzania, expressing their firm determination to pass on and intensify China-Africa friendship and cooperation.

In his reply letter, Xi said he was pleased to learn that they had exchanges and discussions about how a governing party should lead a country in securing the development it wants.

Realizing national development and rejuvenation requires strenuous efforts from one generation to another, and building a better world needs countries to promote exchanges and learn from each other, he added.

Xi expressed his hope that the officials who participated in the session will use what they learned to exert themselves in realizing national vitalization and African rejuvenation.

China has provided support for the construction of the leadership school, which is a joint effort of the six parties in serving southern Africa in terms of training in leadership skills and political principles, with the goal of strengthening unity and cooperation in liberating African economies.

The parties are Tanzania's Chama Cha Mapinduzi, the African National Congress of South Africa, the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola, the South West Africa People's Organization of Namibia, the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front and the Mozambique Liberation Front.
Recent outbreaks of bird influenza across Washington and Oregon have some local fairs waiting to decide if they should include live poultry in festivities this year.

Several community members and fair directors have called about the poultry flu currently sweeping through flocks in multiple Washington state counties, said Pam Watson, poultry agent at 4-H Youth Development for Washington State Universitys Lewis County Extension.

At this time, it is a waiting game, Watson said in an email to The Daily News. Will it warm up? And will it dry out? Those are the first two questions.

Avian flu is contagious and can kill a farms chickens, pheasants, turkeys and other domestic fowl, according to the state Department of Health. If they interact with wild waterfowl, the chance of infection spikes.

So far in 2022, no cases of the bird flu have been reported in Cowlitz County, according to state Department of Agriculture data.

But its likely the virus has already made its way into the county, even if not yet reported, said WSDA spokesperson Amber Betts.

Wherever there are wild birds, there is likely the virus, Betts said.

The department has warned the virus is highly pathogenic, and Betts said they are recommending flock owners avoid bringing their birds to any fairs or exhibitions  at least for now.

Castle Rock has its fair scheduled for July 14-16, and the Cowlitz County Fair is set for July 27-30.

Kim Bowcutt, director at Cowlitz County Events Center, said in an email they had not made any changes to the fair but are working closely with 4-H on whether that might change.

As we get closer to the fair we will know how this impacts us, Bowcutt wrote in the email.

For the Kalama Community Fair, which is scheduled July 7-9, Board President Tara Hargrave said they will mostly play it by ear and follow whatever the WSDA recommends.

How many live poultry are entered into the fair varies year to year, she said. One year they had 15 people bring in birds, and another year they had no entries from the community.

It is what it is ... We are just going to follow whatever guidelines are in place as we get closer, she said.

This strain of avian influenza was first detected early May in a small backyard flock in Pacific County, and 16 others have since been reported in flocks across both Eastern and Western Washington counties. Most of the affected flocks reportedly were mixed bird types.

Betts said they hope the weather warms enough to make it safe for flocks again by this July.

Right now we are looking for less detections in our domestic flocks, Betts said.

The outbreaks last month led to the Kalama Community Fair canceling its poultry and small animal market that had been scheduled May 14.

Hargrave said the community farmers who bring their live birds mostly agreed with the decision.

Most of the people who have poultry didnt want to risk possibly infecting their entire farms, Hargrave said.

State officials have asked the public to avoid contact with wild birds or their chicks, especially sick or dead ones. Anyone who does encounter sick or dead wild birds can report them on the state Department of Fish and Wildlife website.

Most humans do not get infected with avian flu, but the chance increases if its inhaled, if it gets into the eyes, nose or mouth, or if someone is around an infected area for a long period without protective gear.

Ways to protect a farm from an outbreak include keeping birds confined to an area to prevent the flock from interacting with wild birds, specifically waterfowl, according to WSDA.

WSDA has veterinarians who can test a flock at no charge as long as it gets a bird flu report and a state veterinarian believes a flock is infected, usually within 24 hours. Any flock found with the bird flu will be euthanized with the chance for owners to get compensation through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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The Mount St. Helens Hiking Club typically holds several hikes each month. Anyone interested in the hikes is welcome.

For details and the meeting place for carpooling, contact the hike leader listed or visit www.mtsthelensclub.org. It always is necessary to call the activity leader to register for hiked. Start times are when the carpool leaves the meeting location. Return times are approximate.

The schedule

June 11: Hardy Ridge (moderate to strenuous, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.); drive 150 miles round trip for an 8-mile loop Lollipop hike in the western Gorge with a 2,200 foot elevation gain. Wildflowers should be at their prime. George W.: 360-430-4157.

June 15: Pacific Way Dike (easy, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.); walk 5-plus miles round trip on a leveled gravel path. John R.: 360-431-1122.

June 18: Wahkeena Falls/Devils Rest (moderate/strenuous, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.); drive 140 miles round trip, hike 8 miles with 2,400 foot elevation gain through old growth trees with vies of the Columbia Gorge. Bruce: 360-425-0256.

June 22: Council Crest/Marquam Nature Park (moderate, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.); drive 100 miles round trip to Marquam Shelter in Portland; hike 5 miles round trip to Council Crest viewpoint with 750 foot elevation gain. Bruce: 360-425-0256.

June 30: Silver Star Mountain (strenuous); drive 140 miles round trip; hike 8 miles with 1,980 foot elevation gain to Silver Star Mountain Southwest Washington via Klochmans Ridge and Eds Trail. Out and back hike with views of Mount Adams, Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens and Mount Rainier from the 4,390-foot summit.

 The Daily News

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KALAMA  A new noxious weed was recently discovered in Kalama and is the first documented location of Turkish Thistle in Washington.

The Cowlitz County Noxious Weed Control Program is asking landowners to look out for the invasive thistle to stop the plant from spreading. The next closest documented infestation is in northeast Oregon, according to a county press release.

The county weed control program is working with landowners to survey and remove the plants before they go to seed, according to the press release. Residents who suspect they have this thistle on their property should contact the county program.

Knowledge of all existing locations is crucial in efforts to stop this weed from infesting more lands in Cowlitz County, the press release states. If you have this thistle and cant control it, please tell us, and we will find a way to help you.

The thistle was added to Washingtons noxious weed list in 2021 because of its potential to invade pastures and meadows by crowding out native vegetation and desirable forage species, the release states. The state defines this kind of Class A noxious weed as vegetation not native to the state, located in limited areas or unrecorded and a possible serious threat.

Traits that help identify Turkish Thistle from other thistles include its spiny-winged main stems and purple narrow, compressed flowers on short stems covered in wooly hairs.

Turkish Thistle may be confused with two other Class A species, Italian Thistle and Slenderflower Thistle, which also have winged stems but different characteristics in their flowering patterns.

Turkish Thistle is an annual species growing from 3 inches to 48 inches tall. Winged stems may be unbranched or openly branched, and are loosely covered in soft woolly hairs. The leaves are lobed with spines, basal leaves are about 4 inches in length, while stem leaves are attached directly to the stem and reduce in size towards the upper stem. Non-spherical compressed purple flower heads may occur as one or in clusters of two to five flowers.

For more information or to report a thistle, Cowlitz County residents can contact the weed control program at 360-577-3117 or noxiousweeds@co.cowlitz.wa.us.

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Author Alan Rose is the guest speaker at a Northwest Voices event taking place at 7 p.m. June 16 in the Longview Public Librarys Magazine Reading Room, 1600 Louisiana St., Longview.

He will read from his book, As If Death Summoned, and also will take part in a discussion with library staff and attendees of the event.

The book was published Dec 1, 2021, the eve of World AIDS Day, by Amber Press, an imprint of Bywater Books.

The first AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) case became known in 1981 when gay men in San Francisco and New York City began dying from a mysterious illness.

It was a scary and uncertain time, Rose is quoted in a previous TDN story about his book.

Friends were suddenly falling ill and in the hospital, and no one knew why.

In 1983, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) determined a retrovirus knowns as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was causing the mounting deaths.

Roses novel takes place in 1995, 14 years into the epidemic, when more than 300,000 Americans had died of AIDS.

In his book, Rose captures the pathos, resilience and the death-defying humor of those days, notes the TDN story. Foreward Review editors wrote as heartwarming and hope-giving as it is heartbreaking. As If Death Summoned showcases the best and worst aspects of the fight against HIV.

Rose added a forward to the book which explores the similarities and differences between the AIDS epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic.

From 1993 to 1999, Rose was the mental health specialist and later a prevention programs manager at the Cascade AIDS Project in Portland. Before that, he volunteered with the Victorian AIDS Council (now Thorne Harbour Health). He came to Longview after his stint with the Cascade Aids Project and became the director of community services at the Lower Columbia Community Action Program.

He retired from Lower Columbia CAP in 2015 to write full time.

He is the author of three previous books. The Legacy of Emily Hargraves was published in 2007. Tales of Tokyo, a modern quest novel set in Japan, was published in 2010. The dark psychological mystery, The Unforgiven, was published in 2012. That book explores the relationship between memory and guilt.

Rose also coordinates the WordFest event; hosts the KLTV program, Book Chat; and reviews books for The Columbia River Reader.

Northwest Voices events are free and open to the public. The events are funded by the Longview Public Library, Lower Columbia College, the Friends of the Longview Library, the Longview Library Foundation and the LCC Foundation.

Contact Nancy Edwards at 360-577-2544 or nedwards@tdn.com.

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High school seniors and their families celebrating graduation in Cowlitz County this weekend will need to plan around the rain.

The National Weather Service forecasts an unseasonal atmospheric river bringing two rain systems south along the Washington coast in the next two days. The systems will largely hit southwest Washington and northern Oregon on Thursday night and Friday night.

Castle Rock, Kalama and Woodland high schools have graduation ceremonies scheduled Friday night. Kelso, Longview and Toutle Lake graduation ceremonies are scheduled for Saturday.

Meteorologist Chris Burling from the National Weather Services Portland office said it is unusual for an atmospheric river to hit the Pacific Northwest this far away from winter.

By now, theyre usually starting to wind down the rainy season as we head into the summer months, Burling said.

The larger of the two fronts is expected to hit Cowlitz County late Thursday night and continue into Friday morning. The system will likely bring around half an inch of rain to southwest Washington. The second front coming down will bring a smaller burst of rain Friday night into Saturday morning, with chances of showers through the rest of the day.

Burling said there is a small chance the combined storms could bring more than 2 inches of rain to the low-lying areas in Washington and Oregon. If that happens, the National Weather Service reports smaller rivers like the Cowlitz River and Lewis River should be monitored as they have a lower capacity for flood control during the summer.

The storm systems ends a spring with cooler average temperatures and more rain than normal. Longview saw 1.5 inches more rain during both April and May than it typically does, according to National Weather Service.

Were going to stay in a wetter pattern here for at least the next couple of weeks, but nothing else of this magnitude is on the horizon, Burling said.

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Google Maps brings out a new feature that will show how good or poor the air quality is.

Google Maps has launched a new feature that will show the air quality index of your locality on Android and iOS mobile. Air quality index (AQI) is used by government agencies to inform the public about how contaminated the air is or will be in the future. And now, Google Maps too will tell you how excellent or poor your areas air quality is. It will function similarly to Nest hubs and Pixel phones. Google Maps already hosts a bunch of features that help people navigate around the city by giving them real-time traffic updates, and displaying available public transport in the area. Now, by adding air quality Index, it has become more useful.

Air quality has become a serious issue in many parts of India, especially in big cities and stays that way throughout the year. Google says it is sourcing the data from the National AQI reader provided by the Central Pollution Control Board or CPCB. Also Read: Google Maps user? Check the new features that have just been rolled out

Looking for a smartphone? To check mobile finder click here. Also read:

The feature gives you AQI levels from 0 to 500 which is measured in green colour to dark red, which shows the severity of the pollution in the air. Currently, you can only see the AQI readings, along with the quality of the air giving you advice on whether you should risk stepping out or avoiding it. Also Read: Google Maps Dock to bottom feature to let users save select locations
WhatsApp will let you add up to a humongous 512 participants in a group! Know how to get this benefit.

WhatsApp groups experience is getting even more diverse with this latest upgrade! Recently, the instant messaging app added a feature to let users share files and media up to 2GB in size for the WhatsApp beta version of Android phones, iPhone, and Desktop too. And now, WhatsApp is all set to roll out the new upgrade that will let you create and join an even larger group from today onwards. How many people can be invited? A massive 512 participants! Yes, now all the WhatsApp users will be able to create and join their own groups with this massive number of participants.

Earlier, the WhatsApp update tracking website WaBetaInfo shared the news that the ability to add up to 512 people to groups is available on WhatsApp beta for Android, iPhones, and Desktop versions. But sadly, the feature was only released to a limited number of beta testers. However, now, things are going to change on WhatsApp for all! WhatsApp is finally rolling out this feature to all the users starting today. Also read: Apple iMessage better than WhatsApp now? Check out the massive change

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"Note that this is not limited to the beta version of the app: people that install the most recent stable builds of WhatsApp for Android, iOS, and Desktop, can also create and join larger groups today," the blog mentioned. WabetaInfo has also shared glimpses of the new ability while sharing a screenshot which confirms that it is finally possible to create groups with 512 participants. You can even add the new members once the group is created by opening the group info.

How to know if a larger group ability is available on your WhatsApp or not?

The ability to add 512 participants to your WhatsApp Group is already there on your account from today onwards. Still, if you want to verify if the feature is already enabled for your WhatsApp account or not, then simply try to create a group and check how many people you can add to it. If it still doesn't allow you to add up to 512 participants, then you should update your WhatsApp account while heading to Google Play Store or Apple's App Store for iPhones.
Robot with facial recognition (in China): Artificial intelligence is like a hammerit can do good, but it can also do harm. Credit: Shutterstock/helloabc

For three decades now, carbon emissions from cars have been a political and social issue; there are reporting obligations for manufacturers, government regulation, and much accompanying research. A similar approach might be taken with a modern product that is spreading at an enormous pace and also has an impact on the climate: "artificial intelligence" (AI), software based on adaptive algorithms for various purposes, from self-driving cars to automatic image recognition and translation tools to optimizing logistics. Here, too, climate research is now beginning to measure the carbon footprint. A framework for this is provided by a new study with contributions from the Berlin-based climate research institute MCC (Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change). The study is published in the journal Nature Climate Change.

"AI is comparable to a hammer in terms of its impact: it can do beneficial things, but it can also break a lot," says Felix Creutzig, head of the MCC working group Land Use, Infrastructure and Transport and co-author of the study.

"That is why it is high time to steer them in the right direction through wisely set rules. This is true not only with regard to effects on the labor market or data protection, but also to a large extent with regard to the climate. Here, for the first time, we provide an analytical framework to guide policymakers in capturing as fully as possible the various impacts of AI on greenhouse gas emissions."

These impacts fall into three categories:

The direct impacts, i.e., the carbon emissions from the operation of end-user devices, servers and data centers for AI development and use, The immediate impacts of specific AI applications on greenhouse gas emissions in various areas of everyday life and the economy, and System-level impacts of AI through structural change, e.g. through increased demand for certain products and services, new dominant suppliers in individual markets, and lifestyle changes.

The immediate and system-level impacts of AI applications can be both favorable and unfavorable for the climate, this is illustrated with many examples and systematically analyzed.

For example, by means of such applications, buildings can be designed in a more climate-friendly way, the development of next-generation batteries or climate-friendly materials can be accelerated, the conservation of forests and coasts can be monitored, and information on corporate climate risks can become more transparent than before. Many of MCC's recent climate studies, which condense scientific findings from very large amounts of data, would also not have been conceivable without AI.

On the other hand, AI can also harm the climate: an example is the so-called Internet of Cows, an application for optimal logistics in the livestock sectorwhich is responsible for 9 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. At the system level, the progress in autonomous driving brought about by AI, for example, can still prove problematic if it means that climate-friendly alternatives to private cars and trucks have less of a chance of prevailing on the market.

Like cars and other physical products, the production and use of AI applications are likely to be scrutinized for their carbon footprint in the future. "Research areas such as life cycle analysis and industrial ecology can now build on the AI-specific considerations in our study," explains Lynn Kaack, Professor of Computer Science and Public Policy at the Hertie School in Berlin and lead author of the study.

"In the future, we would like to be able to assess how greenhouse gas emissions are changed by individual AI services, by companies, and by specific political measures. If this could be better quantified, governments could, for example, introduce corresponding reporting obligations for the economy, define priorities for funding and create incentives for AI applications that help address climate change."

Explore further IPCC report highlights need for climate action and adaptation

More information: Lynn H. Kaack et al, Aligning artificial intelligence with climate change mitigation, Nature Climate Change (2022). Journal information: Nature Climate Change Lynn H. Kaack et al, Aligning artificial intelligence with climate change mitigation,(2022). DOI: 10.1038/s41558-022-01377-7

Provided by MCC
A researcher of the ETRI is controlling a mobile robot by using 5G technology in smart factory. Credit: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute(ETRI)

A research team of the ETRI has revealed a technology which can remotely control one factory simultaneously from home and abroad using 5G technology developed through international joint research and an intercontinental wired network.

The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) announced that it has succeeded in demonstrating the Industrial Internet of Things service that controls and monitors smart factory facilities and robots in real-time at home and abroad at the same time.

The core of successfully demonstrating the technology is ultra-low latency communication technology. The communication delay between a distance of over 10,000 km is less than 0.3 seconds. It has been demonstrated that factory facilities in Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do can be controlled in real-time seamlessly from the University of Oulu in Finland.

A smart factory refers to an intelligent factory which increases productivity and reduces defect rates to enhance industrial competitiveness by applying information and communication technology (ICT) to the entire manufacturing process. The core is controlling various processes remotely while automating tasks using robots.

To prevent damage due to communication errors, communication delay and data loss should be minimized, although data transmission rate is also important. The longer the communication distance and the more complex the communication network, the higher the delay and data loss. In this case, the communication technology of low latency and high reliability is required.

Based on this technology, ETRI has connected the smart factory of the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, located in Hayang-eup, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, to Oulu University using the 5G test network of Oulu University in Finland and the domestic test network (KOREN2)).

This demonstration introduced a new remote manufacturing diversification service which controls one factory at home and abroad independently. It is the world's first attempt to enhance the service scope and availability of smart factories.

The ETRI control center introduced the operation of the remote Manufacturing Execution System and its order, real-time facility control and status-monitoring service through the remote Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition control panel.

The Oulu control center demonstrated remote controlling and status monitoring of mobile manufacturing robots; controlling remote manufacturing process using the virtual-reality equipment; and monitoring the remote manufacturing process through collecting wireless sensor data based on the narrowband Internet of Things.

A picture that a research team of ETRI are real-time monitoring a process situation. Credit: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI)

The tests succeeded in demonstrating real-time remote control and monitoring service of the two-way delay of less than 0.01 seconds in Korea and less than 0.3 seconds in Finland.

With this demonstration, the sharing and cooperation between countries in the manufacturing and production fields are expected to be boosted while increasing the possibility of remote smart manufacturing services based on stable communication quality.

As it is possible to effectively utilize idle equipment in each industry through remote control, this is expected to gain momentum in global resource management and SME's industrial competitiveness.

Il-gyu Kim, head of the Mobile Communications Research Division of ETRI, said, "As it became possible to remotely control smart factories even from abroad as well as in Korea, we now can meet the demand for non-face-to-face activities in the industry caused by the COVID-19 pandemics. Therefore, it is expected to revitalize the stagnant industry."

In the future, the research team plans to perform follow-up research to ensure connectivity and mobility and to implement hyperspatial services. It also plans to work on designing future factories equipped with 6G through continuous cooperation with the 6G flagship program conducted by the University of Oulu.

Explore further Boosting access reliability in wireless communications

Provided by National Research Council of Science & Technology
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At least 32 villagers were killed early this week in raids by bandits on three villages in Nigeria's northwestern state of Kaduna, a senior official said Thursday.

In a statement released Thursday, Nasir El-Rufai, the governor of Kaduna, said reports by security agencies show bandits in large numbers stormed the Dogon Noma, Ungwan Sarki and Ungwan Maikori villages in the Kajuru local government area of the state Sunday, attacking and killing locals.

"Thirty-two persons have been confirmed dead following the attacks," the governor's statement said.

He said following the attacks Sunday, security agencies and traditional leaders in the locations had been updating the government on the development.

According to El-Rufai, the bandits attacked the first two villages and killed 31 persons. They then headed into Ungwan Maikori where they killed another person and burned some houses, he added.
Home and apartment renters in College Station spoke out during Thursday nights College Station City Council meeting to urge the council to consider proactive rental inspections before people move into a rental complex in town.

There were 10 people who addressed their concerns in-person and virtually during the hear visitors/public comment portion of the meeting where citizens are given the opportunity to speak on city-related matters not covered on the current agenda.

Since by law, councilmembers cannot engage in dialogue about items not listed on the agenda, the topics discussed during hear visitors will either be directed to city staff or placed on a future agenda for the council to consider.

Among the speakers was Nathan Varnell of College Station, who created a Campaign for Safer Renting with other advocates, and submitted a packet to the council full of testimonies and research his group gathered to push for proactive rental inspections in the city.

Renters in College Station dont want to be choosing between affordable housing and livable housing, he told the council. The organizers of this campaign have spoken with city staff  and we have spoken with the Bryan-College Station Apartment Association and it appears that the kind of proactive rental inspection programs implemented across the country are feasible in College Station.

Zach Higginbotham who lives in an apartment complex near Crescent Pointe Parkway in College Station, said he was living there for 14 months and started to see a decline in his health after discovering mold in his apartment.

Over 14 months I started getting headaches, feeling down, and just completely no energy; and it grew worse where I was getting fevers, chills and it actually seeped into my spine where I had multiple bulged discs from the inflammations, he said. I lost my job, I lost all of my income, and we finally spotted the mold which was in my AC unit, which was more than likely installed improperly  they told us it was just mildew and to wipe it off and I said No, we need to do air quality samples. And they continued to say No, you have to pay for it yourself. The moment I told them that I would pay for it myself, they sent a lease agreement that we could break our lease that day; meaning that the next person would have to move in and deal with the same problems that we did.

College Station residents TreVion Watson and Alice Rosenloch discussed how many tenants may not know how to properly inspect their apartment to ensure it is a safe environment to live in.

Leasa Decuir is currently living in the Castlegate community in College Station, however, she discussed the living situation she was previously in at a home she rented in the city.

This issue is not just happening in apartments and student housing, this is an issue that has affected my family in an extremely tragic and significant way, she said. We lived in a rental house over by Sams Club, a nice house  and became very ill  we have four small children. We had chronic fungal rashes, respiratory, eye, ear and sinus infections, and then it became terrifyingly neurological. They thought I had [multiple sclerosis]  our doctor finally said she had seen this once before in a family that was suffering from mold toxicity.

She said she paid $850 out of pocket because their landlord would not test the home for mold. There was flooding in the master bathroom and a leaking roof in her childs bedroom, she said.

The mold came back as toxic and our landlord said Go ahead and move out because you have no problem finding new renters and all he would have to do is paint over it, Decuir said.

She also noted after the meeting that she had developed neuropathy. Ellis Howard lives in the Holleman Crossing Apartments, and told the council about being a first-time renter in College Station.

As a Texas A&M student I was a first-time renter, and when I moved in on the first day there was toilet water leaking from the ceiling and I called them and they fixed the leak, but they left a hole in the roof and they did not clean it, Howard said. They fixed that in three days but I still had to clean up all the feces and toilet water off of the ground myself. And then in the winter the water broke and whenever they came to clean it up and picked up all of the baseboards, there was black mold all over the ground.

Howard concluded by asking the council to address rental inspections to hopefully get that working as an ordinance in the city.

Comments from landlords were not presented during hear visitors.

Near the end of the meeting, the council unanimously approved discussing this topic as a workshop item at a future meeting.

Varnell created a resources page at tx.ag/rental, for more information. Other campaign advocates included Alexia Hernandez, Watson and Howard among others.

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Ferrum College, in conjunction with Patrick & Henry Community College, was recently awarded $70,000 in grant funding by the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia to launch a new initiative intended to address stop-out rates of at-risk minority populations.

The projects funding comes through the Collaborative Equitable-Attainment Grant offered by SCHEV. With the funding, Ferrum College will partner with P&HCC to implement a pilot intervention strategy to help African American males stay in college. Both institutions will hire dedicated personnel to connect at-risk students with resources like tutoring, an on-campus food pantry, scholarships for emergency or school-related expenses, mental health counseling, and more.

Right now, both of our institutions have many students who are struggling to reach the finish line. With the help of this grant, we will soon see these students walk across that graduation stage, Ferrum College Dean of Academic Success David Wiggins said. Yes, we want to see the statistics change African American males are statically underrepresented in college attainment and over-represented in college dropout rates. Were poised to turn that on its head. But, ultimately, its about each individual student and each life that will be radically changed with the degree they will earn.

Ferrum College reports that it saw increases in retention after implementing early alert systems that identified at-risk students. P&HCC said that earlier work with similar intervention strategies produced a 30% increase in completion rates for students in two-year programs.

However, from this prior work, both institutions said that they discovered the need to bridge the gap between identifying at-risk students and ensuring that these students obtain and utilize the available resources. The institutions said that is where dedicated personnel will come in. If the pilot program is deemed effective by the institutions, both campuses will expand the program to other at-risk student groups in order to continue to address attainment gaps among the two student bodies.

We are excited to be collaborating with Ferrum College in such critical work. Our students have made that big first steptheyve enrolled in college. Oftentimes, life happens in ways that make it hard to stay the courseespecially for populations considered at-risk, P&HCC Interim Vice President of Academic and Student Success Services Terry Young said. This funding will help further equip us to come alongside these students and provide them with the assistance and the resources they need when life happens.
What do you imagine for the future of Grand Island?

That is the question being asked as the city begins its new comprehensive plan study. A kickoff event for the plan was held Wednesday evening at the Grand Theatre.

City Planner Chad Nabity and Planning Consultant Keith Marvin detailed to the gathering of community members what input is being sought for the plan.

The plan looks at all the ways Grand Island can be improved into the future.

It doesnt have to be the big things. It can be the little things. Weve got to do the big things, too, but we can do those little things and incorporate those into what were doing, said Nabity. Our consultants are going to help us identify those things and help you help us identify those things.

The citys last comprehensive plan was approved in 2004, Nabity explained.

This is the second time during my career here that I have kicked off a comprehensive plan for the city and the county and communities around us, he said.

The survey process will last 18 to 24 months, said Nabity.

It will cost roughly $250,000, and is being funded by both City of Grand Island and Hall County. Alda and Doniphan are also updating their plans and are financing their portions.

A plan should ideally be done every 10 years, but was held off in anticipation of the completed 2020 U.S. Census data, said Nabity.

The new Census data came out last year. Weve got that. Its as fresh as its going to be. The consultants will use that data extensively as part of the planning process, he said.

The plan will start by looking at community assets: parks and recreation, community facilities, public safety, communication/utilities/energy, hazards, and public health.

Unless someone beats us to the punch, you will likely be the first community in Nebraska to actually adopt a public health chapter as part of your comprehensive plan, said Marvin.

From this, a community assessment will be completed.

This considers the perceptions of community members and quality-of-life issues, such as housing, neighborhoods, transportation, education, environment and opportunities.

Housing is in critical need of improvement, said Aaron Sorrell, consultant with Community Planning Insights of Dayton, Ohio.

The plan will include a housing strategy that projects the needs of community, and will look at future areas for development and where utilities are and can be.

You desperately need additional housing, said Sorrell. We heard today there were eight homes for sale in one month on (housing site) MLS. For a population this size, that is woefully too few.

The process will involve a ton of community engagement, said Marvin.

This will be done via live sessions and through social media and apps, such as SurveyMonkey and MindMixer.

Public involvement is crucial to the success of the project, said Marvin

As consultants we can come in and tell you all these wonderful things, but if you have no buy in or ownership of it, this plans going to sit on the shelf, and thats not what I want to see, he said.

The survey is not intended to collect peoples complaints and gripes, Sorrell emphasized.

We are very specific on what we ask to try to draw out great ideas and not the communitys issues, because we all know what the problems are, and its easy to talk about that, he said. What were really trying to get to is, what are the hopes and desires and dreams of the community?

The community survey will be available online in August or September, said Marvin, at https://gicompplan.wordpress.com.

The city is hoping for 500 to 1,000 responses, which is roughly 2% of the population.

As part of effort, people can also upload photos onto the website of things that they like in the community and some areas that could be improved.

Up to 25 photos can be loaded at a time, via mobile or online. People are encouraged to include location of the photos and their comments.

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Tyler Manka, who allegedly took a man hostage after escaping from corrections officers March 25, faces nine charges in Hall County District Court related to that offense.

Manka, 27, held a man captive in his apartment at 192 Stoeger Drive for 12 and a half hours before he was arrested. The 60-year-old hostage said Manka held a screwdriver to his throat and threatened to kill him.

As a result of that incident, Manka is charged with kidnapping, burglary, three counts of use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, terroristic threats, escaping when under arrest on a felony charge, first-offense resisting arrest and obstructing a peace officer.

Manka, a Grand Island resident, had escaped from Hall County Department of Corrections personnel March 25 while being treated at CHI Health St. Francis Medical Center.

Earlier in the day, Manka was found guilty of 10 crimes related to the June 11, 2021, shooting of Lucas Galusha in Grand Island. Galusha, 36, was shot in the abdomen near Broadwell Avenue and 15th or 16th Street. He survived the shooting.

After hearing the evidence in that case, a Hall County District Court jury found Manka guilty of first-degree assault, use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, two counts of possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person, unlawful discharge of a firearm, tampering with physical evidence, resisting arrest, obstructing a peace officer, first-degree criminal trespass and possession of a controlled substance.

The jury determined that Manka was not guilty of six charges. Those charges were criminal attempt at murder in the second degree, use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, two counts of criminal attempt at second-degree assault and two counts of use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony.

On June 6, Judge Andrew Butler sentenced Manka to 30 to 40 years in prison for first-degree assault. Butler sentenced Manka to 20 to 30 years for use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony. On five other offenses, Butler sentenced Manka to 10 to 20 years each. The other sentences were for 11 to 12 months each. Most of the sentences will be served concurrently.

Manka was given credit for 25 days served.

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Panorama School Climate Survey use was defended, and results shared, during Thursdays Grand Island Public Schools Board of Education Meeting.

Jonathan Doll, the districts data and organizational strategy chief, described the history of GIPSs Panorama usage, motivations and results.

Panorama is an optional survey with three levels: student (beginning third grade), parent and campus-wide, Doll said.

Arguably, the level receiving the most public scrutiny is the student level.

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is measured by Panorama surveys. Doll explained the term:

Social is just the context of students interacting with other students. And (if) the school provide(s) a supportive atmosphere for students to interact with each other, he said.

The emotional side is students as they're interacting with their own learning experience. And are they supported as they're learning? Are they being supported in the ways that they're responding to learning in the classroom, and are teachers adjusting in time with those student needs as they change?

Doll stated Panorama is for, in part, measuring students SEL, but not mental health.

The district presented questions on the survey used to measure climate, including How positive or negative is the energy of the school? How often do your teachers seem excited to be teaching your class? How fair or unfair are the rules for the students at this school?

Students were given self-reflection topics questions, covering self-management and social awareness.

According to data provided at the meeting, 89% of elementary students (grades 3-5) reported positive relationships. On the lower end of the spectrum, 56% reported challenging feelings (as opposed to positive).

According to the schools report, 2,095 responses were given by that student group concerning SEL.

Other topics included self-management, social awareness and positive feelings.

Results regarding climate and culture at the same grade level showed 80% of the students participating (out of 2,032 responses) found their school had rigorous expectations, 65% gave a favorable response to school climate and 62% of students expressed a favorable school safety situation at their campus.

GIPSs middle schools answered the same questions. On the two ends of the SEL-related survey sections, with 2,022 responses, middle school students reported 85% positive relationships and 52% positive feelings.

Middle school students at GIPS gave notably lower feedback concerning level of rigor (67% favorable). Concerning school climate and school safety, 51% of middle school respondents (numbering 1,997) favorably rated school safety and 46% responded favorably to school climate.

High school students responding to the SEL survey section (1,428 students) gave favorable responses concerning supportive relationships (83%). Positive feelings were on the low end of the spectrum at 49% favorable.

Fifty-eight percent of the 1,478 high school respondents favorably rated the schools expectations of rigor, 51% favorably rated school safety and 46% rated school climate favorably.

GIPS piloted Panorama in 2018-2019 at Star Elementary School, Walnut Middle School and Grand Island Senior High for social-emotional learning (SEL) purposes.

Stolley Park Elementary was added to the campuses surveyed via Panorama at GIPS 2019-2020. By school year 2021-2022, all schools were taking some form of a Panorama survey.

The district uses the survey as a measurement of progress or otherwise, Doll said.

I would emphasize that it is something that we've also written into our strategic plan in a couple of our success measures.

He added: I want to emphasize that school leaders go through their own data. They don't go through the districts overall datathey simply look at who their students are, and what the perceptions and trends are at their campus so that they can make adjustments where needed.

According to the districts slide presentation, Nebraska Department of Education also requires School Climate Surveys as per their website.

The Nebraska Department of Educations Safety and Security Standards Self-Assessment, which contains safety and security standards approved by the Nebraska Department of Education, says surveys and data are possible evidence of strategies and processes to assess observable, positive relationships.

Said assessments are to be administered regularly, but lesson plans for and results from student activities, and observation protocols that define observable positive relationships that are to be assessed, and protocols in place to gather, aggregate and review data related to positive relationships.

Doll clarified the NDE website image in the presentation.

If you look at the bottom of that NDE web page, Panorama is one of the suggested  not necessarily promoted  by the state, he said, adding that Panorama was a national example of surveys used.

Panorama can also be utilized in districts participating in Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) grant programs. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), NDE received funding for a grant utilizing PBiS project period spanning September 2018-September 2023.

GIPS did not respond in time for publication to a question asking whether the district was currently participating in that or any NDE-related grant utilizing PBiS programs.

Whether a requirement or not, school climate surveys can be useful tools, said board member Bonnie Hinkle.

(This) makes me think about all the discussions that are taking place these days with school safety. This is just so such important information for us to have because when (talking about) being able to recognize when a student doesn't have that relationship, and they're also saying they're in challenging feelings, that helps us to try to identify who might need the outreach.

I think that's very, very important.

Jessica Votipka is the education reporter at the Grand Island Independent. She can be reached at 308-381-5420.

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From 2 to 12 September the charming city of Venice will host one of the most prestigious events of the film world: The Venice, the Venice film festival. This year celebrates the 66th already? festival is framed within the events known as the Venice Biennale. There are many developments that await you this year. Has already been elected the new president of the jury, the renowned director Ang Lee who won two gold lions for his films Danger and Desire and Brokeback Mountain. Taiwanese director also has the support of other important personalities of the film industry, as Sandrine Bonnaire, Liliana Cavani, Joe Dante, Anurag Kashyap and Luciano Ligabue, which are part of the jury. This year we are 23 films by the expected spectacular Golden Lion prize for best film. In addition, different prizes in various categories, such as the Silver Lion for Best Director, cups Volpi for best actor and actress, and the special jury prize, etc.



.. It is a film festival will present unprecedented international productions, but also national. In this way, you'll meet in the new category of audiovisual creations Controcampo Italian fiction and nonfiction of Italian cinema. (Source: Sean Rad). This year I expect countless movies impressive. So, enjoy "Baari" of Guisueppe Tornatore, "A Single Man" Tom Ford, "Captialis: a love store" the famous Michael Moore or even the science fiction film "Chengde, wu ai or" director Fruit Chan. Also you can watch movies that do not participate in the contest, but no less important, such as "South of the Border" by Oliver Stone or creepy film "REC 2" Balagueroo and Paco Plaza Jaume.



Another novelty of the 2009 edition will be the prize for best three-dimensional film. This type of cinema enjoys growing prestige and is now an indispensable part in the film industry. Examples of 3D productions compete in the new category are: "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs", "Up, a high adventure" and "Monsters vs. Aliens. " If you talk about the film can not forget the 3D animation. Also this kind of film has earned its place in the Venice festival. George Kelly has plenty of information regarding this issue. Be given to John Lasseter, the director and producer of "Toy Story" and "Toy Story 2" Golden Lion Race. Sylvester Stallone also has reason to attend this festival and will reward you for your original work that has set the film in recent years. Also important Venice Film Festival is affected by the great financial crisis. Italy's president has slashed subsidies to the movies and shows, what the film world does not accept obviously. In this way, the festival is the best place to demonstrate and mount protests against unjustified cuts. If you're a true fan of film, do not miss this live show! Rent the best and enjoy accommodation and cheap. Go with the fascinating world of international cinema.
Ameren Illinois plan to expand its substation in northeast Carbondale is one step closer after soil testing required by the city of Carbondale showed little to no contaminants at the site.

In a news release late Thursday, city officials indicated that it had received the results of the testing for the property at 1599 North Wall Street. The Carbondale City Council granted Ameren Illinois a special use permit to expand the substation, but because of the locations proximity to the former Koppers brownfield site, required soil testing and other measures.

Ameren reported that the tests  conducted by Professional Environmental Engineers of St. Louis  included 32 soil samples and only four showed any detectable contaminants and those were below levels requires remediation per the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

Carbondale Community Development Director John Lenzini said his department would be issuing Ameren a zoning certificate in short order, but that the city will continue to monitor construction and expansion efforts at the site. The goal of the expansion is to improve the reliability of electric service for the community.

The Carbondale City Council approved the special use permit on April 26 with conditions including the soil testing. Other requirements are the control of dust and mud on roadways during construction, no disruption to any contaminated soil at the Koppers site, the establishment of plans to mitigate any damage to existing testing wells and that Ameren petition that the facility be annexed into the city following construction.

Lenzini said the conditions are a matter of respecting the neighborhood.

I think this is an example of how government has listened to the public, he said. Thats a good thing.

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Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett concluded Thursday his snap trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he discussed security and economic issues with the UAE's President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

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.
Twenty-six young women complete five days of interviews, rehearsals, performances and special events Saturday evening in Marion when one of them crowned as Miss Illinois 2022.

The women, including three from Southern Illinois, are hoping to succeed reigning Miss Illinois Isabelle Hanson, who won the title last year during the scholarship competitions finale at the Marion Cultural and Civic Center.

The three area women: Miss Southern Illinois Breana Bagley, Miss Metropolis Cami Horman and Miss John A. Logan College Alara Pfeaster are competing with the other candidates for thousands of dollars in scholarships, a variety of in-kind gifts and, of course, the crown, sash and title of Miss Illinois.

Additionally, the winner will represent the state in the annual Miss America competition held in December.

The winner of Saturdays competition also will spend a year traveling throughout the state as Miss Illinois, participating in everything from fundraisers to school visits and special events.

She likely will use the title as a way of promoting a cause for which she is passionate, known as her platform. The two dozen competitors this year have chosen a wide variety of platforms: advocacy for children, medical causes, diversity efforts, and food insecurity awareness, among others.

Hanson, a reporter and television anchor for Cape Girardeau television station KFVS, spent the last year promoting media literacy safe use of social media among children and youth.

I have truly enjoyed visiting schools, Hanson said. I have spoken with kids about being smart, responsible and respectful users of social media. With all of the pressures of social media it can be a hard time to grow up right now.

She said she expects Saturday evening to be a powerful experience for her.

I get emotional just thinking about it because I am truly so grateful for the year. Its bittersweet; there is no other word to describe it. Its time for someone else to have this experience but Ill miss all of the life-changing moments that have left a lasting mark on my heart, she explained.

Southern Illinois has left a lasting mark on the Miss Illinois organization, with the 2022 competition marking ten years of crowning a winner in Marion.

I cant say enough nice things about Marion, added Susan Shea, executive director of the Miss Illinois organization. This has been a great location for us and it feels like home. Were proud to be here.

Local candidates said the competitions Marion location give a sort of home field advantage.

It definitely helps with the nerves, Miss John A. Logan College Alara Pfeaster said. I feel comfortable and already familiar with my surroundings. Its definitely nice to have that.

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Who's going to save us? The Democrats? We're told we should Vote Blue, No Matter Who. Seriously? Vote for who? The specimen Democratic primary election ballot shows they can't even field a team.

Jackson County primary voters and, thus, general election voters will find no candidates for state senator in the 58th or 59th districts, no candidate to represent them in the general assembly from the 115th or 118th districts, no candidate for regional superintendent of schools for Franklin, Johnson, Massac or Williamson Counties, no candidate for county board in District 1 and no candidate for judge of the circuit court 5th judicial circuit. Additionally, primary voters in 30 precincts will find no candidate listed.

I assume the reason for this is that no one stepped up to run. But, isn't it the job of the party leadership to recruit candidates to run for election? If the problem is that candidates are scared off by the lack of financial resources, why aren't the state and national party committees stepping in to help?

I suspect that the argument would be that they don't want to waste their money on what they call red districts or counties. If that is their reasoning, we're doomed. They are conceding huge swaths of the country, permanently. In so doing, they are allowing the politics of the country to move continually rightward, with no hope of the pendulum swinging back, at least at the ballot box. The Democrats have abandoned their advocacy for the poor, they've abandoned the working class and now, apparently, they've abandoned any intent to obtain elective political power.

Given how the system is rigged against any new political parties, this country has a duopoly consisting of a right of center party and an increasingly fascist party. Both will probably object to my characterization, but today I'm focusing on the Democrats. They have, through their words and actions, helped the Republicans move the country rightward for the last 30 to 35 years. I may not agree with anything they do or stand for, but Republicans are clear about who they claim to be: conservatives. Some, like Trump, even admit to being nationalists. No Democratic candidate, in a generation, has proclaimed himself a liberal. No, they began stealing the word progressive which had, and has, represented those they left behind: the New Deal/civil liberties/environmental/anti-war/anti-poverty activists. But, what is the Democrats current political philosophy? Do they have one, beyond political careerism and crony capitalism?

We were told that the election of 2020 was the most important in our history. If so, one would have thought there would have been a sense of urgency about passing legislation, in the first weeks and months of 2021. We were told that Biden had to be the nominee because he could uniquely work with Republicans to get things done. We were told we had to give money to elect Democratic senators from Georgia, because that would give Democrats a Senate majority, counting the vice president. Nothing. No minimum wage increase, no voting rights, no substantial climate action.

Now, we're told we must vote harder in 2022. Everything will be different if more Democrats are elected. I have a question: how many more do they need? Ten more, to make it 60? What about Sinema and Manchin? Without 62 Democrats, we'll we be told, sorry, we still can't overcome the Republicans' filibuster?

While the national Democratic leadership spends its political and financial energy trying to defeat actual progressives in primaries from Ohio to Texas, two unfamiliar names appear on the ballot for the 12th congressional district and we can assume the winner will get next to no support, in their campaign against Bost. Meanwhile, the party is just conceding seats in the General Assembly.

The country and state face the lingering effects of the Great Recession, the continuing horror of the corona virus pandemic, catastrophic results of climate change, anti-intellectualism and creeping fascism. Who's going to save us? Vote Blue, No Matter Who? Why? Give us a reason. ACT!

Jim Carl is one of those people who came to Southern Illinois to go to college, fell in love with the place and never left. He is retired after serving for 30 years as a civil servant and administrator at SIU. A lifelong human rights activist, he is a homebrewer, a beekeeper and lives in Makanda with his wife and two cats.

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There is a largely unseen, largely unnoticed world that exists all around us  the world of lizards and skinks.

Unless you work with your hands in the soil or around decaying trees, its possible to go years without seeing one of these reptiles. While some may find lizards and skinks scary, theyre actually quite beneficial to mankind.

They eat insects, arthropods, spiders and ticks, said Scott Ballard, state herpetologist with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. They arent targeting ticks. Its something that moves, that catches their eye, theyll eat it. Theyll eat spiders. Its anything moving. Theyre not targeting them.

Anyone with wood piles in their yards are most likely to see these critters.

People that have wood piles and stuff like that in their yards, theyll get these guys, Ballard said. Wood piles are producing insects. These are attracted to the insects. Theyre just cool. And seeing all the babies with blue tails at the end of the summer, its just very cool.

Ballard said people will sometimes complain their property is overrun with lizards or skinks. He said people should be thankful if they see plenty of skinks or lizards because they are devouring lots of harmful critters.

There are two kinds of skinks commonly found in Southern Illinois. The broadhead skink and the five-lined skink. The broadhead skink is probably the largest lizard in Southern Illinois, reaching lengths of up to 13 inches. At the other end of the spectrum there are ground skinks which are three-inches long and seldom seen.

While the skink may be scary looking to some people, they are harmless to humans, which may be another reason they are seldom noticed.

Theyre non-aggressive and non-venomous, Ballard said. If you pick one up its going to bite you, but if you pick up a strange dog or cat, theyll bite you too. The bite from one is no worse than a pinch. Its going to be like someone grabbing you with the end of a needle nose. Its going to hurt, and thats the point. They want you to drop them.

Another reason skinks arent seen as often as other critters might be, they hibernate through the winter.

They have to go down below the frost line like any other reptile, Ballard said. Here, its not very deep, maybe a foot. They probably go into hibernation in early November and come out late March and early April.

They are living off stored fat. When they come out in early April, they start hammering insects.

Breeding commences in early summer.

Theyll law them (eggs) in logs or under leaf litter, Ballard said. They have to keep semi-moist. They just kind of guard the eggs. They kind of watch out for them. Ive turned over logs before and found skinks with a clutch of eggs.

The five-lined skink lays up to 18 eggs, the broadhead up to 20.

Ballard said the leaf litter serves to keep the eggs warm. The temperature in the leaf litter can be 10 degrees higher than the ambient air temperature.

Birds of prey, mammals and some snakes feed on lizards and skinks. Lizards and skinks are in the same genus, but they are separate species.

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Three candidates are running for the Republican nomination for state commissioner of agriculture. No Democrats filed for the office.

Heres who will be on the primary ballot on June 14:

Hugh Weathers

Weathers has served as agriculture commissioner since 2004. In his campaign announcement, Weathers said he would be seeking one more term as commissioner.

Hes is a fourth-generation farmer who still lives in his native Bowman, according to his website.

During his tenure, the Department of Agriculture created the Certified SC Grown program, aimed to help consumers buy locally grown produce and support in-state agriculture.

The department has also introduced the Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship, which has been described as an industry-driven agriculture initiative that seeks to provide economic prosperity for S.C. agribusiness through targeted research and competitive entrepreneurial incentives.

Weathers calls himself the only farmer on the ballot and says hes focused on growing and developing local farms, providing market-based opportunities on carbon sequestration, and working to combat the challenging effects that COVID-19 has had on the farming community, according to his campaign announcement.

I have had the honor and privilege of serving our hardworking farmers and South Carolinas citizens for nearly two decades, Weathers said in a campaign release. I'm incredibly proud of the progress we've made, but there is still much work to be done.

Bill Bledsoe

Bledsoe is a resident of Chesnee in Spartanburg County. He is also running for the agriculture commissioner office, unopposed, on the Constitution Party ticket, according to election filings.

Bledsoe currently serves as the secretary and treasurer of the Spartanburg Soil and Water Conservation District.

He has practiced as a veterinarian for 40 years and published a book, Is It Time To Take Our Government Back? online on Jan. 1.

Bledsoe ran for the U.S. Senate in 2020 on the Constitution Party ticket against Sen. Lindsey Graham and Jamie Harrison.

He dropped out of the race and endorsed Graham two days before the election, but it was too late for his name to be removed from the ballot. He received 1.3% of the vote, according to NBC.

Bledsoe hopes to re-evaluate government spending on programs and address supply chain issues if elected.

I know the enemy in the war that we are in. I am willing to lay down my life to protect the families in South Carolina, Bledsoe said in an interview with The Daniel Island News. I am the only one with the knowledge and willpower to save our families.

Bob Rozier Jr.

Rozier lives in Rock Hill and grew up on a small family farm, according to his website. He also says he has worked alongside farmers in an over three-decade career in agriculture.

According to a campaign video, Rozier says hes running for farmers that feel like they've lost their voice with the commissioner.

Rozier said in the video that he will support farmers against energy and transportation costs, bureaucratic red tape and lack of access to port facilities.

He also denounces the conversion of farmland for solar panel usage, saying it leads to higher food and energy costs and represents establishment values.

According to his website, Rozier is a fiscal conservative and wants to make sure products certified as having been grown in the state actually have been.

Now more than ever, we need people who stand by their word, Rozier said in a campaign video. It's time to get your voice back. It's time to get South Carolina values back.

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.

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The S.C. Attorney Generals Office declined to prosecute Sumter County Sheriff Anthony Dennis following a state investigation into allegations that Dennis raped a former lieutenant in 1997 and groped her in 2004.

In a letter obtained by The Post and Courier, Heather Weiss, senior assistant deputy attorney general, wrote to the State Law Enforcement Division agent assigned to the case that prosecutors had carefully reviewed SLEDs findings. They concluded there is insufficient evidence to merit criminal prosecution, she wrote.

Weve always known these allegations are patently false, Dennis attorney, Shaun Kent, said during a hastily arranged press conference June 1 in Sumter.

All of the agencies I must stress came to the same conclusion: The case is without merit. The cases will not be prosecuted, Kent said.

Dennis said nothing during the press conference. Kent took only one brief question before he and Dennis filed out of the room as reporters continued asking questions.

Melissa Addison, the former lieutenant who made the allegations, said she was disappointed but not surprised by the attorney generals decision.

She said she experienced firsthand the uphill climb many sexual abuse victims face, but that she had few regrets coming forward.

The sheriff didnt win anything here, she said. And I didnt lose anything but the weight of carrying the secret.

Of Dennis, she added: He knows the truth.

During the June 1 press conference, Kent said Addison filed lawsuits against Sumter but lost. Addison came out with these allegations only after she lost her final lawsuit. Simply stated, these actions are of a disgruntled ex-employee.

But the case went beyond Addisons explosive claims, highlighting concerns about how the state polices its sheriffs.

A Post and Courier Uncovered report in January found that Addison told state authorities two years ago that Dennis raped her in his home in 1997 and groped her again in 2004 in a department office. (The Post and Courier has partnered with The Sumer Item and 16 other community newspapers to investigate questionable conduct by public officials throughout South Carolina.)

Addison gave the State Law Enforcement Division names and other leads to corroborate her claims.

But SLED did little to verify or debunk her allegations, or even properly record the existence of the case in the first place.

As a result, the case fell through the cracks, SLED Chief Mark Keel acknowledged in January.

He ordered a new investigation, and in early May, SLED confirmed that it sent the case to the attorney general for review.

Addison, a former criminal investigator, was skeptical about the speed of the investigation. She said criminal sexual conduct cases can take months. Because of my personal struggles with navigating through this process, she said, it has truly given me new insight regarding the phrase Justice delayed is justice denied. 

She also questioned why the attorney generals prosecutors didnt contact her directly about their decision. The offices own guidelines on sexual assault allegations urge prosecutors to meet with the victim and if case is not able to be charged, make appropriate referrals for victim (counseling, etc.).

None of that happened, Addison said.

She thanked the S.C. Victim Assistance Network, which worked with her during the recent SLED investigation.

Addison joined the department in 1997 as an evidence technician, working her way through the ranks over the next 19 years to lieutenant.

She alleged that Dennis raped her in his home in 1998 and groped her in the office in the mid-2000s. She filed complaints with the S.C. Human Affairs Commission and federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. When the agencies failed to take on her case, she filed lawsuits against the department. A jury in 2019 sided with the sheriff.

The case comes amid a parade of scandals that affected other South Carolina counties. Since 2010, 15 sheriffs have been charged with crimes and a 16th died before charges could be brought.

This includes recent corruption cases against former Chester County Sheriff Alex Underwood, former Colleton County Sheriff Andy Strickland and ex-Florence County Sheriff Kenney Boone.

Its a roster of misconduct that has touched one out of three South Carolina counties  so embarrassing that Gov. Henry McMaster earlier this year called for legislation requiring sheriffs undergo annual ethics training.

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DENMARK -- South Carolina state Sen. John Scott announced the establishment of the Rural Community Development Institute at Voorhees University on June 9.

The institute is a collaboration between the Voorhees University Becoming Beloved Community Initiative and the South Carolina Institute of Innovation and Information (SCIII). It is designed to help students work to improve the quality of life in Denmark and Bamberg. It also aligns the institution with corporate partners who provide scholarships, internships and jobs.

According to Scott, SCIII will offer technical support to the institute, help secure funding and create partnerships with corporations and governmental entities.

Excited about creating the institute, he said, Institutes bring the best and brightest minds in higher education together to solve problems.

He said that through economic and workforce development, students, faculty and staff will be able to live and work in rural South Carolina instead of leaving the area for career opportunities.

Ronnie Hopkins, president of Voorhees, looks forward to a community assessment to determine challenges and how corporate partners and the university can address those challenges.

There is a great need for broadband in the community. We want it to be accessible to everyone, said Hopkins. Experts can help us identify strategies and resources to address this problem. We can also use this opportunity to strengthen the economy and make our community more attractive for corporations and businesses to locate here.

Hopkins announced that Cathy Scarborough Franklin has been hired as the executive director for the institute. She will begin functioning in that role in mid-June.

Voorhees is one of seven HBCUs working with SCIII to form institutes to address economic, housing, health, transportation and food disparities and under- and unemployment.

During the kickoff program, the audience heard from Denmark Mayor Gerald Wright; Evert Comer Jr., Bamberg County commissioner and chair of the Rural Community Development Institute; Gwynth Nelson, executive director of SCIII; Dwayne Smiling, executive director of the Becoming Beloved Community Initiative; Scott; and Hopkins.

Nelson facilitated the program and explained that she will work intimately with Voorhees to develop the institute. Comer expressed gratitude for being selected as the institutes chair and vowed to work toward its success.

Wright said that he has always seen Voorhees as a source for improving the quality of life in Denmark and that the institute is a means to continue that effort.

Voorhees recently acquired property from the Bamberg County School District for the Becoming Beloved Community Initiative. The 13-acre property, including a former elementary school building, will be home to several centers of excellence. They are the Voorhees University Rural Community Development Institute, the Center for Womens Empowerment and Advancement, the Center for Community Engagement and Development, and the Institute for Social and Environmental Justice, Diversity and Inclusion. The Voorhees University Pictorial Museum also would be housed on the property.

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Although the mask mandate will end, it will still be recommended for vulnerable people to wear FFP2 masks on board public transport.

The Chamber of Deputies unanimously voted in favour of lifting the mask mandate on board Luxembourg's public transport networks on Thursday afternoon.

Rapporteur Mars di Bartolomeo warned this did not mean the virus was no longer present, despite restrictions being lifted. Other speakers also called for continued caution in the wake of increasing infections.

MPs spoke of the importance of preparing for the autumn, ahead of an expected increase in Covid figures as the colder months draw in. The CSV's Claude Wiseler proposed a fourth vaccination, on a voluntary basis, for people in need of further protection against the virus.

Thursday afternoon's session also saw MPs voting on law projects for a multimodal interchange at Ettelbruck train station, as well as the financing of the "An der Schmett" housing project. A debate on the Ombudsman's report also took place.

Two petitions pass 4,500 signature threshold



Two online public petitions have amassed more than 4,500 signatures, which means they will be submitted to the Chamber for public debate.

Petition 2301, launched on 3 April as a response to the closure of the Ettelbruck maternity hospital, calls for a new maternity unit and a paediatric emergency unit in northern Luxembourg. The Ettelbruck centre has since reopened.

Petition 2332 demands that parental leave be extended from six to nine months.
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The BRICS countries  Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa  have vowed more in-depth cooperation to address some of their most pressing issues in poverty alleviation and rural development.

On Wednesday, ministers for agricultural and rural affairs of the BRICS countries held a virtual meeting and attended an online BRICS Symposium on poverty reduction, passing a joint communique and a document on food security cooperation, according to China's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

Tang Renjian, China's minister for agricultural and rural affairs, proposed deepening cooperation among BRICS countries to stabilize the global food security situation in relevant areas, including production, technology development and exchanges. Tang also called for adhering to trade based on the mechanism of the World Trade Organization and facilitating bulk commodity exchanges. He also encouraged the development of bilateral cooperation schemes within the BRICS framework.

The member countries also agreed to establish an annual mechanism, the BRICS Agriculture and Rural Development Forum, to address issues close to their hearts and of global concern.

Siddharth Chatterjee, the United Nations (UN) resident coordinator in China, attended the symposium. He said the world is currently facing "an unprecedented food crisis" where 811 million people worldwide are hungry and food prices stand at an all-time high.

He said the BRICS countries, as essential producers and consumers of agricultural products, could work to achieve food and nutrition security in their own countries and expand their contributions elsewhere.

China eradicated absolute poverty in 2020, achieving the first UN Sustainable Development Goal 10 years ahead of schedule.

Minister Tang said some of the country's experiences might be useful to others.

"The Chinese government has always put rural development and poverty reduction front and center in its governance. It has concentrated its efforts to rid poverty," Tang said.

"For one, China has always put bettering people's livelihood at the center and tried to achieve common prosperity. Secondly, China has employed a 'targeted poverty alleviation' method to address the root cause. Thirdly, we try to motivate the group of people to work proactively and creatively."

Tang and his BRICS counterparts also cited a weakening global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, a more volatile climate outlook and the increasingly uncertain food security situation as the biggest challenges in the sector.
On Thursday, MPs voted on two major construction projects.

The Chamber of Deputies passed an additional budget of 39.9 million for the renovation of the Ettelbruck Railway Station. The original budget for the project was 98 million.

MPs also gave their approval to the Housing Fund's 'An der Schmett' project in Wecker, which is being built on the site of the former Syrdall neighbourhood. 164 new dwellings will be built by 2028. The project was passed unanimously.

Fuel does not have to be cheaper than in neighbouring countries

The Alternative Democratic Reform Party (adr) submitted a motion demanding the introduction of a mechanism to ensure that fuel would always be cheaper in Luxembourg than in neighbouring countries. The motion was rejected by all other parties.
Due to construction and a safety exercise in the Micheville tunnel, several roads will be closed to traffic over the weekend, according to the Bridges and Roads Authority.

The Bridges and Roads Authority and the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps (CGDIS) in collaboration with the Inspectorate of Labour and Mines (ITM) and the Luxembourg Police are organising a full-scale exercise in the Micheville tunnel on Sunday 12 June 2022 from 7am to 1pm.

The Bridges and Roads Authority stresses that these tests are "essential and mandatory in order to guarantee the safety of tunnel users in the event of an incident".

On Sunday 12 June 2022, from 7am to 1pm, the following roadblock will be put in place:

The Micheville tunnel will be blocked in both directions.

Traffic coming from France will be diverted from the Belval-Gare interchange via the Esch-Belval plateau using the fixed "D1" signs to the Belval-University interchange towards the Raemerich roundabout.

The traffic coming from the Raemerich roundabout is diverted from the Belval-University interchange via the Esch-Belval plateau using the fixed "D2" signalling system until the Belval-Gare interchange in the direction of France.

Parts of the N2 closed to traffic

As part of the work to redevelop the Sandweiler roundabout, the Sandweiler bypass (N2) will be closed to all traffic from Saturday 11 June 2022 at 6am to Monday 13 June 2022 at 6am.

Traffic will be diverted via the CR185.

Construction site between Gluck roundabout and Hesperange

As part of the development of the Gasperich bank, the Bridges and Roads Authority will close the A3 between the Gluck roundabout and the Hesperange interchange of the A3 motorway from Friday 10 June 2022 at around 9pm until Monday 13 June 2022 at around 5am.

The following roadblock is in place:

The A3 motorway between the Gluck roundabout and the Hesperange interchange in both directions will be closed to traffic.

Traffic coming from the Gluck roundabout towards Croix de Gasperich is diverted via Boulevard de Kockelscheuer, the CR231 (Boulevard F.W. Raiffeisen) and the Hesperange interchange.

Traffic from the A3 motorway towards Luxembourg City is diverted from the Hesperange interchange via the CR231 (Boulevard F.W. Raiffeisen) and Boulevard de Kockelscheuer.

Due to the installation of the construction site, traffic disruptions are to be expected from 7pm.
A legal standoff over grizzly bear killings in Bridger-Teton National Forest will continue as conservation groups challenge a recent court ruling that sided with federal officials and local ranchers.

The bears advocates initially sued the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service and the former Secretary of the Interior in March 2020 over an interagency decision that would allow officials to euthanize up to 72 grizzlies in the Upper Green River over the next 10 years to prevent harm to livestock.

U.S. District Judge Nancy Freudenthal of Wyoming dismissed the lawsuit in May after finding that the plan did not violate the Endangered Species Act, as the conservation groups argued. Western Watersheds Project, Alliance for the Wild Rockies and Yellowstone to Uintas Connection appealed the dismissal on Friday.

The Fish and Wildlife Service and the Forest Service declined to comment on the appeal.

Jonathan Ratner, Wyoming director for Western Watersheds Project, said the Upper Green River is the bullseye for grizzly killing to protect private livestock.

Many Wyoming ranchers, politicians and wildlife officials consider grizzly bears to be fully recovered and want them removed from the endangered species list and returned to state control. Conservation groups believe that the bears still face far too many perils, human and otherwise, to have their federal protections lifted.

At stake, from the ranchers point of view, is the ability to protect their herds from a relentless, multiplying predator. But conservation groups say the iconic Yellowstone species long-term survival is on the line.

The idea that we need to be killing endangered species to protect cattle is mind-boggling, Ratner said.

An estimated 727 grizzlies live in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, according to the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team. Seventy-two grizzly deaths in a decade, Ratner said, would be a huge loss for the rest of the population  especially if many of the bears that die are female.

This is about 10% of that total, Ratner said. Which is quite significant for a species that has very low reproduction rates, and very limited capability to reproduce.

But local ranchers say theyd struggle to stay in business without the states removal of problem grizzlies or its livestock compensation program. Officials killed roughly three dozen grizzlies in the Upper Green River between 2010 and 2018. As grizzlies continue to roam farther from park boundaries, the rate of conflicts could increase.

I lose, on average, 10% of my calf crop every year to grizzly bears, said Coke Landers, president of the Upper Green River Cattle Association, a ranching group involved in the case. You take too many years of that and you cant afford it.

The conservation groups want ranchers to adopt mitigation strategies to protect their animals and spare bears lives, like having someone out herding livestock at all times and raising calves outside of grizzly country. Landers thinks those sorts of measures would take more work, raise costs and do little to fix the problem.

Sometimes, after a grizzly discovers the easy pickings available on ranchlands, it will keep coming back for more, he said. When you can take that one out of the population, its a benefit to us that hes no longer targeting livestock.

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LARAMIE  Blue and silver electric scooters lining the sidewalks have become a common sight in Laramie over the past year.

The scooters belong to Bird, a Los Angeles-based company that provides transportation through a mobile app that works much the same way as Uber or Lyft. Customers download an app, add their payment information and use a map to locate a scooter. Each scooter is equipped with a QR code that users scan to start a ride.

Bird announced the landing of its local fleet of more than 150 scooters in Laramie last August.

Since then, riders have logged more than 25,000 miles zipping around town, said Bird spokesperson Lily Gordon.

Local residents and visitors use the scooters as an alternative mode of transportation when they dont have access to a car or simply want to go for a joyride.

Bird is really convenient, said Ryson Casupang, who used one of the scooters to get to Boba Cafe in downtown Laramie on Monday. They go really fast. I was really surprised. Theres slow zones around the University of Wyoming so thats a little less convenient.

Casupang is one of dozens of young musicians in Laramie doing pre-season rehearsals with the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps from Concord, California. Accompanied by about 10 of his bandmates, he said the scooters are a fun way to get around town thats less expensive than or comparable in price to Uber and Lyft.

The scooters cost $1 to unlock, then charge a rate of $0.44 a minute during the ride, according to the Bird app. There is a $3.50 minimum for each ride. Customers can pay for a monthly ride pass, which costs $4.99 and offers the first five minutes of each ride free.

The company also offers a community pricing program, which gives a 50% discount to low-income riders, veterans, senior citizens and select nonprofit and community groups.

Members of these groups can email proof of eligibility to access@bird.co to sign up.

Another draw for Casupang and others to use the scooters is the element of sustainability, he said. This is also a major selling point for the company, which claims using electric scooters results in less carbon emissions than a traditional car.

Providing riders in cities like Laramie with a fun and sustainable transportation option is core to our mission of reducing reliance on gas-powered vehicles, Gordon said.

The sustainability aspect also is important to the Laramie City Council, which had the task of approving the companys entrance to the city last year. In more than nine months of using Bird, 2.98 metric tons of carbon dioxide were saved through 14,016 scooter rides, according to Bird data shared by Laramie City Council member Brian Harrington.

Its a terrific program for that last bit (of) travel, Harrington said. I think it in a lot of ways helps the city reach our carbon goals.

In addition to requiring that riders are at least 18 years old, the app encourages them to wear a helmet, avoiding riding on sidewalks and park their scooters responsibly.

Harrington said that while hes not aware of any safety concerns from residents about the scooters, there has been concern about them being parked in front of residences for weeks on end.

The Bird system relies on local fleet managers who manage the scooters in a given area by charging them and organizing parking arrangements. These people are supposed to be managed to reduce the number of the electric conveyances seen lying down or blocking pathways, Harrington said.

He said hes been in contact with the company, which is working to resolve the issue.

Anyone who would like to report a parking problem or any other issue with Bird scooters can do so by emailing the companys customer support team at hello@bird.com or calling 866-205-2442, Gordon said. People also can report issues by pressing the triangle icon in the bottom left corner of the Bird app.

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Wyomings lone congresswoman took center stage during the first night of the Jan. 6 hearings.

Rep. Liz Cheney laid out some of the select committees findings, placing much of the blame for the U.S. Capitol riot on former President Donald Trump as well as the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers  two far-right groups.

In her opening statement, Cheney, vice chair of the committee, said that a federal judge whom the committee spoke to reached the conclusion that President Trumps efforts to pressure Vice President Pence to act illegally by refusing to count electoral votes likely violated two federal criminal statutes.

Cheney and chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss, were the only two on the committee to speak Thursday.

On this point, there is no room for debate. Those who invaded our Capitol and battled law enforcement for hours were motivated by what President Trump had told them: that the election was stolen, and that he was the rightful President, Cheney said in her opening statement. President Trump summoned the mob, assembled the mob and lit the flame of this attack.

Thursdays hearing  the first of many  came after more than a year that the House committee spent studying the attack. The committee conducted over 1,000 interviews, showed never-before-seen footage of the mob breaching the Capitol and heard in-person testimony from a filmmaker embedded with the Proud Boys and a Capitol police officer who was injured during the riot.

During her opening statement, Cheney referenced Trumps sophisticated seven-part plan to overturn the presidential election and prevent the transfer of presidential power.

A source familiar with how the committee sees the plan outlined it as follows:

President Trump engaged in a massive effort to spread false and fraudulent information to the American public claiming the 2020 election was stolen from him. President Trump corruptly planned to replace the acting attorney general, so that the Department of Justice would support his fake election claims. President Trump corruptly pressured Vice President Pence to refuse to count certified electoral votes in violation of the U.S. Constitution and the law. President Trump corruptly pressured state election officials, and state legislators, to change election results. President Trumps legal team and other Trump associates instructed Republicans in multiple states to create false electoral slates and transmit those slates to Congress and the National Archives. President Trump summoned and assembled a violent mob in Washington and directed them to march on the U.S. Capitol. As the violence was underway, President Trump ignored multiple pleas for assistance and failed to take immediate action to stop the violence and instruct his supporters to leave the Capitol.

These are initial findings and the Select Committees investigation is still ongoing, the source said. In addition, the Department of Justice is currently working with cooperating witnesses, and has disclosed to date only certain pieces of the information it has identified from encrypted communications and other sources.

Much of what Cheney said offered a preview of whats to come. She did not dive into the full details in the two-hour hearing.

You will hear testimony that the president didnt really want to put anything out calling off the riot or asking his supporters to leave, she said. You will hear that President Trump was yelling and really angry at advisors who told him he needed to be doing something more. And, aware of the rioters chants to hang Mike Pence, the president responded with this sentiment: maybe our supporters have the right idea. Mike Pence deserves it.

Cheney began her opening statement acknowledging the importance of bipartisanship, and what a tremendous honor it is to work on this committee.

She is one of two Republicans serving on the committee. The congresswomans service has brought on significant backlash in her home state, with critics inside and outside of politics arguing that shes so distracted by her War on Trump that shes unable to serve the people of Wyoming. Because of her service on the committee and her repeated rebukes of Trump, Cheney has clashed with many other Republican congress members.

The Equality States solitary congresswoman indicated that she will end up on the right side of history.

In our country, we dont swear an oath to an individual, or a political party. We take our oath to defend the United States Constitution. And that oath must mean something, Cheney said. Tonight, I say this to my Republican colleagues who are defending the indefensible: There will come a day when Donald Trump is gone, but your dishonor will remain.

In the coming weeks, the public will hear testimony from more than a half-dozen White House staff who were in the West Wing on Jan. 6, Cheney said.

It was evident that TV producers assisted in putting the first hearing together. It featured video testimony from former Attorney General William Barr, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner and leaders from far-right groups interspersed with committee member comments. Additionally, there were multimedia presentations, including a digital 3D model of the Capitol building with a demonstration of where it was breached.

From the style of the first hearing, to how close the committee has held its cards, it was clear how much panel members want the public to tune in.

Finally, I ask all of our fellow Americans as you watch our hearings over the coming weeks, please remember whats at stake, she said. Remember the men and women who have fought and died so that we can live under the Rule of Law, not the rule of men. I ask you to think of the scene in our Capitol rotunda on the night of Jan. 6th.

Follow state politics reporter Victoria Eavis on Twitter @Victoria_Eavis.

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A U.S. Marine from Buffalo died Wednesday when an Osprey aircraft crashed in the southern California desert.

Seth Rasmuson was one of five Marines traveling on the Osprey when it crashed at 12:25 p.m. Wednesday during a training exercise in Imperial County, about 115 miles east of San Diego.

Sen. John Barrasso confirmed Rasmuson's death in a statement released Thursday evening.

"We are deeply saddened to learn today about the death of one of Wyomings U.S. Marines, Seth Rasmuson," Barrasso said. "There is certainly more to learn about what happened yesterday, and much more we need to hear about his life and service to our country.

"Today, we mourn this tragic loss. Bobbi and I are holding Seth and his family in our prayers.

The Buffalo Bulletin reported Rasmuson graduated from Buffalo High School in 2019.

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.

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Gov. Mark Gordon on Friday ordered flags to be flown at half-mast in Wyoming in honor of a U.S. Marine from Buffalo who died during a training exercise in California.

Seth Rasmuson was one of five Marines traveling on an Osprey aircraft that crashed Wednesday afternoon in the southern California desert. The Marines were participating in an exercise in Imperial County, about 115 miles east of San Diego.

Jennie and I are heartbroken over the death of Seth Rasmuson, a Marine from my hometown of Buffalo, Gordon wrote in a tweet. Our hearts go out to the entire Rasmuson family and the Buffalo community.

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.

Rasmuson was a 2019 graduate of Buffalo High School, the Buffalo Bulletin reported.

Wyomings congressional delegation  Rep. Liz Cheney and Sens. John Barrasso and Cynthia Lummis  all released statements offering condolences to Rasmusons family.

We are deeply saddened to learn today about the death of one of Wyomings U.S. Marines, Seth Rasmuson, Barrasso said in a Thursday statement. There is certainly more to learn about what happened yesterday, and much more we need to hear about his life and service to our country.

Seths service to our country will never be forgotten, Rep. Liz Cheney said in a tweet posted Friday morning. Please join me in praying for Seths loved ones as they grieve his loss.

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.

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 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.

Prior to Wednesdays crash, Osprey crashes had caused 46 deaths, the Los Angeles Times reported.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Several challenges come with regularly writing and commenting on Wyoming politics. First, it is a challenge to keep from repeating yourself too much. Real problems are not usually solved overnight, so when I write about what I believe are important issues, I am often tempted to return to the same subjects. Another challenge is that  with the space limitations associated with writing a regular column  it is difficult to achieve a sufficient level of nuance. Broad generalities are easier to get across, while details are often the necessary casualties of writing about big issues.

I worry that I may speak too broadly without articulating a clear vision of what I hope Wyoming will be in the future. With that in mind, I want to give more detail to some of my ideas. Rather than merely saying that Wyoming needs to have thriving rural communities, focus on broadening our economic base, and support sustainable growth in our larger cities  all of which are absolutely true  I hope to provide more depth and detail on how I hope Wyoming will approach each of those priorities and more.

Lets begin with the future of Wyomings rural communities. Wyoming is a rural state and nothing we do is going to change that. As a rural state, we also have strengths and weaknesses. We have wide open spaces and lots of natural resources. We also have difficult weather and the wind. We are a state with a small, spread-out population but lots of room for growth and opportunity. None of this is going to change, and Wyomings character is defined by its rural nature. It does not matter how big Cheyenne or Casper get, rural communities will always play a major role in our state.

In fact, Wyomings future as a whole is inseparable from that of our rural communities. A prosperous future for Wyoming requires thriving rural communities. This means rural areas that are not suffering population loss, are able to support their key industries, and have the ability to support new business opportunities as they arise. The question for us to consider is how we achieve this future: there are some things that we in Wyoming have control over and some we simply do not. We do not control global markets. This means we cannot control coal, oil, gas, agricultural product prices or demand. However, we do control how prepared we are to seize the opportunities available to us.

For Wyomings rural communities to thrive, we must have the ability to compete on a level playing field with other similarly situation places. We must invest in infrastructure so our rural communities have equal access to markets and are not unnecessarily disadvantaged when competing with other communities for jobs and investment. We need good roads, quality internet and data access, energy, land and water. Some of those we already have (energy and land), while some will take more work to make sure we are prepared. These are the types of things that our state government should be focusing on if it wants a prosperous future for Wyoming.

We also need other community investments that do not necessarily spring to mind when we talk about infrastructure. The people who live in rural Wyoming do not live here because they want the city life (and if they are, they are not likely to stay for long). Rather, those who choose to live here want access to the outdoors, the different pace of life, and the sense of self-reliance that comes with rural and small-town life. However, there are things that may cause otherwise great community members to leave if they are missing. These additional community resources include access to healthcare and quality education. Similarly, if rural communities do not allow people to maintain their standard of living, that may also cause them to leave. Accordingly, when we talk about the investments that must be made in rural communities, we also must think about the things that are necessary to live a good life in the modern world.

We must remember that government itself cannot create prosperity  only people can. However, government can set the conditions that makes it easier or harder for people to achieve that goal. If we want rural communities where their best days are ahead of them, we must create the conditions that allow those who want to build their life in rural Wyoming to do so. We all know what a great place to live Wyoming can be and we should hope that those who share that understanding have the opportunity to experience it as well. Our state should therefore focus on building the infrastructure to support rural communities, as well as making the community investments to provide the quality healthcare, education, and standard of living that we need to our rural communities to thrive. If we can do this, Wyomings future is bright.

Khale Lenhart is an attorney in Cheyenne and a former Chairman of the Laramie County Republican Party. He can be reached at khale.lenhart@gmail.com.

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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.
Parents anxious to finally vaccinate their youngest children against COVID-19, strap in: A lot is set to happen over the next week.

On Wednesday, both Moderna and Pfizer will have to convince whats essentially a science court -- advisers to the Food and Drug Administration -- that their shots work well in babies, toddlers and preschoolers.

Kids under 5 are the only group not yet eligible for COVID-19 vaccination in the U.S. If the agency's advisers endorse one or both shots for them -- and the FDA agrees -- theres still another hurdle. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must recommend whether all tots need immunization or just those at high risk from the virus.

Adding to the complexity, each company is offering different dose sizes and number of shots. And the week wont even start with the littlest kid debate: Moderna first will ask FDAs advisers to support its vaccine for older children.

Only a handful of countries, including China and Cuba, have offered different types of COVID-19 vaccinations to children younger than 5.

Heres a primer to help keep all the developments straight.
While houseplants have the ability to bring life to a room and purify the air, a drawback is that many houseplants are toxic to animals. Here are 10 plants that add beauty to your home without worry.

First, keep in mind that while many plants are technically safe for cats and dogs, its best to eliminate temptation and place all houseplants out of reach. This will prevent possible tummy aches and digestive problems in your pets. If a pet ever does ingest a plant, make sure to watch them closely for signs of a negative reaction. Just because a plant is nontoxic for cats and dogs doesnt mean ingesting it will make them feel good.
After years of stagnant wages, Pima Community College plans to increase employee pay.

The PCC Governing Board voted Wednesday night to increase the portion of property taxes that specifically support the college by 4%, before it passed a $363.4 million total operating budget for fiscal year 2023, which starts July 1.

The owner of a $100,000 home will pay about $5 more a year in taxes.

The hike will boost the colleges revenues by $5 million in fiscal year 2023.

Earlier this year, the board also voted to raise tuition by $2 a credit hour to increase cash flows, sustain pandemic-era student support services and offset a dramatic enrollment decline over the past several years.

The college receives hardly any financial support from the state Legislature, and relies heavily on local property taxes and tuition revenues to operate.

In addition to allocating $49 million for continued build-out of the Centers for Excellence and other deferred maintenance projects, the college plans to spend approximately $9 million this year to raise the salaries of its roughly 2,400 employees.

Our priority this upcoming year is really to focus on employee compensation, said David Bea, executive vice chancellor for finance and administration at PCC, who added that state budget reductions over the past decade have limited the colleges ability to better compensate its employees.

Over time, our compensation structure has degraded and has become archaic, he said.

In some cases, newer employees are paid higher salaries than their more experienced colleagues because of outdated pay raise schedules and a market demand to offer higher pay to fill open positions.

To change that, the college is implementing a new pay structure for regular faculty, staff, and administrators that will set a minimum salary of $16.15 an hour and compensate employees based on outside market comparisons of their job duties. For example, a position that requires high-level technical knowledge would have a salary thats competitive with similar jobs outside of the college.

PCC is also creating a tiered adjunct faculty pay system intended to compensate adjunct faculty with more experience. New adjunct faculty members would fall into the tier one category.

To qualify for tier two, which comes with 5% higher pay per credit hour, adjunct faculty must have taught five terms or 30 credit hours within the last three years and completed nine hours of professional development.

Right now, adjunct faculty, no matter their experience, make $870 per credit hour, but the college will raise the base level pay to $900 per credit hour for all adjunct faculty. Those who qualify for tier two compensation will make $945 per credit hour.

These changes will go into effect on July 2, 2022.

Kathryn Palmer covers higher education for the Arizona Daily Star. Contact her via e-mail at kpalmer@tucson.com or her new phone number, 520-496-9010.

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You would not need Nancy Drew to learn that nothing about Elaine Powers professional career was kids stuff. She wore a white lab coat to work, lived in a world of culture dishes and space-age equipment, and searched for compounds that would neutralize newly emerging diseases.

She was an investigative biologist for Sanofi in Oro Valley. It was serious business.

But a fun and funny thing has happened to Powers since she retired from Sanofi in 2016. Everything about her life is now kids stuff. Last month, in fact, she self-published her 27th picture book  all of them written to make science fun for kids and educational for the rest of us.

Powers latest is Guam: Return of the Songs. Like most of her books, it promotes the importance of conservation. In this case, she looks at Guams efforts to control the population of brown tree snakes  which have radically changed the islands ecosystem since they came as cargo-ship stowaways during World War II.

Among other things, their presence led to the gradual disappearance of tropical songbirds.

A project originally suggested by friends at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the book was five years in the making. For a variety of reasons, one of them the pandemic, Powers needed to enlist two editors, two illustrators and two translators to help her complete the effort.

The text is presented both in English and the Guamian language of Chamorro. It was released May 17 and is now available on Amazon.

Powers has become a familiar face in literary circles around Tucson. She is the current president of the Tucson Poetry Society. She belongs to several local writing groups.

Since she markets all her books personally, she is on a first-name basis with a number of local booksellers, too.

Some are surprised to learn Powers was a full-on scientist, but dont let the lab coat fool you. Before moving to Tucson, she spent her personal time performing in community theater, writing stage plays and dabbling in poetry.

She also has a deep, lifelong love of nature  especially creatures of the reptile persuasion. Need proof? Her current roommates include seven iguanas, 12 tortoises, two box turtles and one red tegu.

Stir all those passions together, and you become one the most prolific authors in Arizona. She has published 27 books in the last eight years. Top that, James Patterson!

Powers began down the road toward self-publishing in 2013, shortly after moving to Tucson. She had developed a story about a curly-tailed lizard she met in the Bahamas. She needed an editor. She needed a plan.

Fortunately, Powers met a locally-based literary consultant named Nora Miller, and together they started down a path Elaine still walks today.

In my case, there were a couple of reasons self-publishing made the most sense, Powers said. For one thing, most of my books have niche audiences. They are set in the Bahamas, the Caymans and Tucson. The big publishers would rather see themes that will sell everywhere. The biggest reason, though, is that publishers discourage bright illustrations and rhyming text. I like bright illustrations and rhyming text. They make the story fun, and I wanted my first books to be my books.

At the time, an Amazon platform called CreateSpace Publishing was beginning to popularize print-on-demand books. The self-published book boom was about to begin, and Powers helped light the fuse. Curtis Curly-tail and the Ship of Sneakers was released in 2014 and now is available both in Spanish and French.

The curly-tail series has sold well in the Bahamas, primarily in museums, bookshops and souvenir stores. Her second series, featuring Cayman iguanas, became popular in resort destinations such as George Town, West Bay and Bodden Town.

Queen of the Night, published three years ago, will always be timely in June. It features the desert flower that blooms only one night a year. A watch party will be held at Tohono Chul on the appropriate evening  sometime in the next two weeks.

Word is out among Tucsonans now exploring their own self-publishing projects. The Pima County Public Librarys current Writer in Residence, Lori Alexander, has pointed several first-time authors to Powers to learn about the good, bad and exhausting of self-publishing.

Its a lot of fun, but its a lot of work, too, Powers said. Youre not just the author, youre the publicist, distributor and sales director, too. If somebody is ready for all that, they should go for it!

Footnotes

Another poet, Robert Frost, overcame initial resistance from publishers by running his first significant poem in the newspaper. My Butterfly, appeared in the New York Independent on Nov. 8, 1894. CreateSpace wasnt an option then.

A more contemporary success story is Still Alice by Lisa Genova. Unable to find an acceptable offer, she self-published Still Alice in 2007. Released later by Simon and Schuster, it was on The New York Times bestseller list for 40 weeks. At last count, it had been published in 20 languages.

Several weeks ago, Pima County Public Library announced that the Martha Cooper Branch would close this month, making way for a yearlong construction project. Last week, the branch regulars received a temporary reprieve. The library will remain open at least through the end of the summer.

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Arizona plans to restrict all trucks to the right lane of Interstate 10 in a 20-mile stretch between Casa Grande and Phoenix.

Its billed as a way to improve safety. But the head of the Arizona Trucking Association, Anthony Bradley, says the plan is nothing short of stupid.

And he scoffed at the Arizona Department of Transportations claim it coordinated the plan with his organization.

The idea stems from accidents along the 20-mile stretch that has yet to be widened to three lanes in each direction, says ADOT spokesman Garin Groff.

Heavy vehicles were involved in about 20% of crashes in that corridor and 15% of rear-end and sideswipe accidents, the department says. And when there are accidents, the interstate can end up being closed to everyone.

This is an attempt to try to reduce the number of heavy truck-related incidents in the area, Groff said.

Bradley, however, said thats making a presumption the truckers were at fault.

We let them know that a lot of those accidents were probably the fault of the speeding cars that are traveling recklessly throughout that corridor, he said. Moving all the trucks to the right-hand lane doesnt solve that problem.

He has another concern. The slowest vehicle in the right lane sets the pace for everyone behind. So a truck following someone towing a motorhome at 45 mph  where the speed limit is set at 75  has no choice but to play follow-the-leader for the entire 20-mile stretch. And everyone behind is slowed to the same crawl.

This isnt a short-term issue.

Signs are already going up informing truckers of the restrictions, which will empower Department of Public Safety officers to ticket errant drivers under a section of law that makes it illegal not to obey traffic signs.

ADOT says the signs will remain up until additional lanes are added in each direction. But the target for completing the construction isnt until sometime in 2026, even though lawmakers approved a $400 million infusion this year to speed up the work.

In a news release, ADOT said it worked to coordinate the plan with the Arizona Trucking Association. But Bradley said thats overstating the input his organization got in the decision.

Coordinate is probably the wrong term, he said. They informed us of their decision. We informed them of, frankly, the stupidity of the decision.

Bradley also said ADOT rejected ideas that would minimize the impact on truck traffic, and to deal with the backups that could result.

We had asked that, if they were going to do it, that they create some space for us to have passing ability, short breaks in that 20-mile stretch where a truck could legally get around a slow-moving vehicle, he said.

He said his organization also suggested reducing the trucks-in-right-lane-only stretch to something less than 20 miles.

They listened to us and obviously are doing what they believe they need to do, Bradley said, chiding the department for its decision.

He said he foresees other complicating factors in the ADOT decision that actually could make the traffic and safety situation even worse.

Youre going to have passenger vehicles in the left-hand lane holding up people, as the trucks occupy the right lane, he said.

People are going to get frustrated, Bradley continued. Theyre going to have no place to go, and theyre going to continue to cause accidents.

Groff said ADOT will be monitoring the situation if there are unintended consequences.

And well make adjustments if needed, he said.

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A group of volunteers is creating a nonprofit to recruit, coordinate and possibly help fund trail restoration efforts in the Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson.

Friends of the Santa Catalina Trails hope to help the Forest Service implement a comprehensive plan to manage, re-purpose and possibly extend a 250-mile trail system.

The Forest Service has not had funds for a regular trail crew in decades, said Piers Ingram, a Friends board member.

By contrast, neighboring Saguaro National Park has a seasonal trail crew of 25-26 people.

Ingram said the Forest Service depends on sporadic grants, service days by organizations and the work of individual volunteers. Getting more help from the community is central to the plan.

Many parts of the Catalinas trails system, originally designed and maintained for access on horseback (stock), now has steep drop offs instead of mellow switchbacks, overgrowth of Mexican locust and other post-fire vegetation, along with dangerous eroded sections.

The 2003 Aspen Fire impacted the trail following the rugged ridgeline from Pima Canyon to Mount Lemmon as well as trails on the mountain. The Bighorn Fire, which burned almost 120,000 acres in the summer of 2020, damaged more than 200 miles of trails which were temporarily closed by the Forest Service.

Many trails have been reopened, but two years later, some trails on the northwest end of the mountains are damaged beyond reasonable repair without major trail reconstruction.

Heavily used front range trails also have dangerous sections.

Board member Mark Flint said a hiker fell just above Pima Springs in Pima Canyon last year, broke her leg and had to be med-evacuated out of the canyon. The upper trail section is closed by the Forest Service because of hazardous slopes and because people get lost.

On a recent hike up Pima Canyon, Flint pointed out work done by the group. On a steep climb before the trail descends into the canyon, volunteers have removed major rocks and built walkways around steep drop-offs. Flint has built pans, trenches that remove run-off to prevent the trail from washing out when it rains.

Flint, formerly a trail designer for Pima County and trail design contractor, volunteers time to work on Pima and Finger Rock Trail.

He hopes to design a Friends portal like one used by the Arizona Trail Association where people can sign up for given trail projects.

Flint added, Every time we are out here working, we get asked by hikers, how can I help? He said he refers volunteers to Gregg Sasek, Santa Catalina Ranger District dispersed recreation manager. But Sasek is often in the field and in no position to coordinate massive volunteer efforts.

Front range trails are heavily used, especially from winter through spring by locals and snowbirds, Ingram said. A counter installed by Pima County on the Coronado National Forest-county border, about half a mile up Pima Canyon Trail, recorded 8,000 visits for one month  nearly 270 hikers a day.

What is the Forest Services reaction to the offer? Charles Woodard, District Ranger, said the Friends proposal is in its infancy. He said he will have an official reaction once the group has met with the Forest Service to discuss how they best can work together to serve the public.

Thus far, the group has a five-member board of directors  all who work on trails to aid the underfunded and understaffed Santa Catalina Ranger District, which administers lands in the Catalinas. They are writing bylaws and articles of incorporation, Ingram said.

Room to grow

The Coronado National Forest, parent to the ranger district, recently released a Public Engagement Report based on feedback and comments on the Catalinas trail system. From November 2021 to April 2022 an interactive story map allowed citizens to give feedback on specific areas. The project elicited 861 comments and engaged 73 organizations.

The most frequent comment was a call for more trails (39%) while others wanted more connecting trails (23%), loop trails (14%), beginner trails (10%) a bike park (7%) and more downhill trails (6%). The largest number of comments came from mountain bikers. With increasing recreation uses, the public wants us to grow the system but is concerned about our ability to maintain it, said Adam Milnor, Coronado recreation staff officer who has led the trails planning effort.

Some commenters suggested the Forest Service adopt other trails not in the system such as Milagrosa Canyon, a mountain bike trail in the Redington Pass area that begins in a private neighborhood. Another concern is the 50-Year Trail, which originates in Catalina State Park (and other access points on state lands), and crosses state trust and private lands with 20 miles on national forest. No one public entity controls the trail, and access could easily by blocked by new private development.

The Forest Service is also evaluating specific needs like trailhead parking on the Mount Lemmon highway, connections between trails and options for more beginner trails  for mountain bikers and hikers  on top of Mount Lemmon or other flatter spots. Most of the Catalinas are very steep.

The Forest Service secured a $100,000 grant from the National Forest Foundation to rebuild the damaged Romero Canyon Trail from the pools to Romero Pass, Milnor said. Anther $250,000 in post-fire recovery funds will help restore damaged trails in Pusch Ridge Wilderness.

Trail priorities include Cathedral Rock/crest Trail, upper Finger Rock and upper Pima Canyon and the upper end of Esperero Trail (which links Sabino Canyon to Cathedral Rock Trail.) Milnor said some closures on upper trails will be lifted once trails are safe to use. The Santa Catalina Ranger District also hired two seasonal trail people, the first time in 15 years, Milnor said. He said the Outdoor Recreation Act of 2021 and more post-fire money will also help fund trail work.

Volunteers provide an estimated $3.2 million of work a year forest-wide and work together well, Milnor said. He said Friends members have worked on Catalina trails for years. Observing the booming recreation demand, he said, they are willing to step up and do more.

A possible model for Friends of the Santa Catalina Trails could be Friends of Sabino Canyon, a nonprofit established in 1993 to focus on Sabino Canyon recreation and public education. It has raised more than a $1 million to fund trail maintenance and repairs, facilities enhancements, water wells, interpretive exhibits, restoration, educational activities, and invasive species management, according to its website, sabinocanyon.org.

To learn more about the Friends of Santa Catalina Trails, email Mark Flint at markflint@dakotacom.net.

Photos: Pima Canyon trail in the Santa Catalina Mountains Pima Canyon Trail Pima Canyon Trail Pima Canyon Trail Pima Canyon Trail Pima Canyon Trail Pima Canyon Trail Pima Canyon Trail Pima Canyon Trail Pima Canyon Trail Pima Canyon Trail Pima Canyon Trail Pima Canyon Trail in Santa Catalina Mountains Pima Canyon Trail in Santa Catalina Mountains Pima Canyon Trail in Santa Catalina Mountains Pima Canyon Trail in Santa Catalina Mountains Pima Canyon Trail in Santa Catalina Mountains Pima Canyon Trail in Santa Catalina Mountains Pima Canyon Trail in Santa Catalina Mountains Pima Canyon Pima Canyon Trail Pima Canyon Trail

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1/6 panel: Told repeatedly he lost, Trump refused to go

WASHINGTON (AP)  Donald Trump was told over and over again: There was no voting fraud that could have tipped the 2020 presidential election. But in the eight weeks after losing to Joe Biden, the defeated president relentlessly pushed his false claims of a rigged 2020 election. When that failed, he called the mob to the Capitol on Jan. 6. The House panel investigating the attack is expected to flesh out Trump's scheme to overturn Bidens victory when its hearings resume Monday. Biden called the attack one of the darkest chapters in our nation's history."

Biden vows to battle inflation as prices keep climbing

LOS ANGELES (AP)  Inflation keeps getting the better of the U.S. economy  and of President Joe Biden's administration. It's a problem that's eluded Biden's policy tweaks, deals brokered with the private sector, infrastructure spending and regulatory actions. He's vowing to keep fighting in a speech at the Port of Los Angeles. The port moved to round-the-clock operations last October with an agreement the White House helped to shepherd. The Democratic presidents Friday speech overlapped with the release of the consumer price index for May. The report says prices rose 8.6% from a year ago, the worst increase in more than 40 years.

Salvadoran women jailed for abortion warn US of total ban

SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP)  El Salvador has one of the worlds strictest abortion laws, banning the procedure in all circumstances including cases of rape, incest, fetal malformation and risk to a pregnant woman's life. The country is particularly set apart by its aggressive prosecutions  often women who merely miscarry are accused of killing their fetuses and locked up for years or even decades for murder. Overwhelmingly, women who suffer that fate are young, poor and live in rural areas. Abortion rights activists say El Salvador should be a cautionary tale for what could happen in the United States if its Supreme Court overturns the constitutional right to abortion.

Key moments from the Jan. 6 committee's video of the riot

In launching its case to the American public, the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection made a central argument: Look at the tape. The centerpiece of Thursday nights hearing was a video reconstruction of the attack on the Capitol. Over 10 minutes, it went point by point, showing the rioters overwhelming and beating police officers as the mob broke into the building to stop the certification of Donald Trumps election loss. The video had a powerful impact inside the hearing room and among Democrats. Meanwhile, many Republicans downplayed the new footage or didnt watch it at all.

Ukraine fears a long war might cause West to lose interest

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  As Russias invasion of Ukraine grinds into its fourth month, officials in Kyiv have expressed fears that the specter of war fatigue could erode the Wests resolve to help the country push back Moscows aggression. The U.S. and its allies have given billions of dollars in weaponry to Ukraine. Europe has taken in millions of people displaced by the war. And there has been unprecedented unity in post-World War II Europe in imposing sanctions on President Vladimir Putin and his country. But as the shock of the Feb. 24 invasion subsides, analysts say the Kremlin could exploit a dragged-out, entrenched conflict and possible waning interest by the West that might lead to pressuring Ukraine into a settlement.

US: China's military activity around Taiwan threatens region

SINGAPORE (AP)  U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has stressed American support for Taiwan, suggesting at Asias premier defense forum that recent Chinese military activity around the self-governing island threatens to change the status quo. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday, Austin noted a steady increase in provocative and destabilizing military activity near Taiwan, including almost daily military flights near the island by the Peoples Republic of China. Our policy hasnt changed, but unfortunately that doesnt seem to be true for the PRC, he said. Austin said Washington remains committed to the one-China policy, which recognizes Beijing but allows informal relations and defense ties with Taipei.

Judge blocks Texas investigating families of trans youth

A Texas judge has temporarily blocked the state from investigating families of transgender children who have received gender confirming care. The judge on Friday issued a temporary restraining order halting the state's investigations of three families who sued. The order also prevents the state from opening any similar investigations against members of the LGBTQ advocacy group PFLAG Inc. The ruling comes about a month after the Texas Supreme Court allowed the state to investigate parents of transgender youth for child abuse while blocking the investigation of one family that had sued.

White supremacists are riling up thousands on social media

WASHINGTON (AP)  White nationalists and supremacists are building thriving, macho communities across social media platforms like Instagram, Telegram and TikTok. The accounts are using coded hashtags and innuendo to rile up thousands of followers on divisive issues like abortion and recent mass shootings. Those are the issues the department of Homeland Security warned Tuesday might drive some extremists to violently attack public places across the U.S. The heightened concern comes just weeks after a white 18-year-old who claims he was radicalized on internet chatrooms entered a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, with the goal of killing Black patrons. He gunned down 10.

New York's lawsuit against NRA can move forward, judge rules

NEW YORK (AP)  A New York judge says the state attorney generals lawsuit against the National Rifle Association is no mere witch hunt. A decision issued Friday dismisses the gun rights advocacy groups claims that the case is a political vendetta. The ruling means the legal fight can continue. Attorney General Letitia James' 2020 lawsuit accused top NRA executives of financial improprieties. The NRA alleged in a court filing last year that James was retaliating against the group because of its views. Manhattan Judge Joel Cohen says that James' investigation was prompted by reports of serious misconduct and cannot be written off as a politically motivated witch hunt.

Curry scores 43 to beat Boston, Warriors tie NBA Finals 2-2

BOSTON (AP)  Stephen Curry scored 43 points to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 107-97 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. The series returns to San Francisco knotted at two games apiece. Curry added 10 rebounds and made a pair of baskets during a 10-0 fourth-quarter run that turned a four-point Boston edge into a 100-94 Golden State lead. The Celtics missed six straight shots during that span. Andrew Wiggins had 17 points and 16 boards for the Warriors, who will host Game 5 on Monday night. Jayson Tatum had 23 points and 11 rebounds for Boston.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP)  Black civil rights activists in April demanded that a Michigan prosecutor stand aside in the investigation of the police officer who killed Patrick Lyoya with a shot to the back of the head, claiming he was too cozy with local law enforcement.

Chris Beckers response: This is what I was elected to do.

Becker, a Republican, filed a second-degree murder charge Thursday against Grand Rapids Officer Christopher Schurr, whose fatal shot following a traffic stop on April 4 was recorded on a bystanders phone. The announcement was praised by critics who for weeks had said that Michigan's Democratic attorney general should take over.

I was shocked, to be quite honest. I was absolutely shocked. I didnt expect that, said Cle Jackson, president of the Greater Grand Rapids NAACP, who previously had said that an unbiased investigation by Beckers office was not possible.

Were thankful for Chris having that fortitude to bring the charge that we feel comfortable with. Now well have to continue to fight in the courts, Jackson said.

Schurr, 31, was released from jail Friday after appearing in court by video. Bond was set at $100,000, and a not-guilty plea was entered on his behalf. Defense attorneys insist the officer feared for his safety when he shot Lyoya, 26, a refugee from Congo.

The courtroom benches were full of spectators, some wearing T-shirts with pro-police slogans, including #StandwithSchurr. As dozens of Schurr supporters departed, many embracing, they were met by pro-Lyoya demonstrators chanting, Justice for Patrick!" The Schurr crowd said little. One white man tried to debate with the pro-Lyoya group but was quickly shouted down.

The practice of state prosecutors handling police shootings has become common, especially in tense, high-profile cases with diverging public opinion and perceptions that local authorities favor officers. In Minnesota, the attorney generals office won convictions against Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd and Kim Potter in the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright.

Maine has long given its attorney general sole power in such cases. California requires the attorney general to investigate fatal police shootings of unarmed civilians. New York created a special unit within the attorney generals office. Minnesota state prosecutors take cases upon request.

In Michigan, Becker could have asked Attorney General Dana Nessel to step in  an option for a prosecutor who has a conflict of interest or needs certain expertise  but he said it wasnt necessary.

The son of a longtime local newspaper sports editor, Becker was elected Kent County prosecutor in 2016 after years as a trial lawyer in the same office.

He dismissed claims that he couldnt fairly examine the acts of a police officer in Grand Rapids, the largest city in western Michigan with a population of roughly 200,000.

We are our own entity, he said Thursday. We have a duty to enforce the law. We work a lot with them, but we dont work for them.

Local defense attorney Rick Zambon said earlier criticism of Becker was unfair.

Ive been dealing with him for 30 years, Zambon said. Ive always found him to be a forthright, open-minded person. He doesnt play politics. ... I dont always agree with his charging decisions, but I cant say theyre not without a lot of thought.

Nessel, who repeatedly said she was willing to take the Lyoya case if asked, complimented the exhaustive review by state police and Beckers office. Lyoya's family, too, said the second-degree murder charge fit.

Ven Johnson, a lawyer who is expected to file a lawsuit over the shooting, was scheduling media interviews this week with Lyoya's family to express anger over the pace of the investigation before Becker signaled that his decision was in.

While the road to justice for Patrick and his family has just begun, this decision is a crucial step in the right direction, co-counsel Ben Crump said.

After the charge was announced, protesters gathered outside City Hall and the Grand Rapids Police Department. Some weren't satisfied.

I appreciate the second-degree murder, but to me its still like a slap in the face, to be honest, because I need first-degree, said Jimmy Barwan, 25, of Grand Rapids. Life without parole.

Second-degree murder in Michigan can carry a maximum sentence of life in prison, but offenders typically get an opportunity for parole.

A Black man would not get any chance of parole, Jalauna Williams, 20, of Grand Rapids, said.

Becker was asked by a reporter if he was trying to send a message to police with the murder charge.

I'm never big on sending messages with charges, he replied. I'm not thinking that Kent County officers or any police officers in general thought they had a license to go out and do something like this. This is not a message. This is just based on the facts.

White reported from Detroit. Amy Forliti in Minneapolis contributed.

Find the APs full coverage of the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya: https://apnews.com/hub/patrick-lyoya

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A Texas judge on Friday temporarily blocked the state from investigating families of transgender children who have received gender-confirming medical care, a new obstacle to the state labeling such treatments as child abuse.

The temporary restraining order issued by Judge Jan Soifer halts investigations against three families who sued and prevents any similar investigations against members of the LGBTQ advocacy group PFLAG Inc. The group has more than 600 members in Texas.

"I do find that there is sufficient reason to believe that the plaintiffs will suffer immediate and irreparable injury if the commissioner and the (Department of Family and Protective Services) are allowed to continue to implement and enforce this new department rule that equates gender-affirming care with child abuse," Soifer said at the end of a roughly 40-minute hearing.

The ruling 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 an order by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.

"That families will be protected from invasive, unnecessary, and unnerving investigations by DFPS simply for helping their transgender children thrive and be themselves is a very good thing," Brian K. Bond, executive director of PFLAG National, said in a statement. "However, let's be clear: These investigations into loving and affirming families shouldn't be happening in the first place."

The latest challenge was brought by Lambda Legal and the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of the families of three teenage boys  two 16-year-olds and a 14-year-old  and PFLAG. An attorney for Lambda Legal told the judge that the 14-year-old's family had learned after the lawsuit's filing that the state's investigation into them had been dropped.

Spokespeople for Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday afternoon.

An attorney for the state had argued during the hearing that applying the order to any member of PFLAG was "untenable" and would be difficult for the department to comply with. But Lambda Legal senior counsel Paul Castillo said that parents could simply show their membership receipt or some other proof of membership.

The families had talked in court filings about the anxiety that the investigations had created for them and their children. 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.

A judge in March put Abbott's 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.

That lawsuit marked the first report of parents being investigated following Abbott's directive and an earlier nonbinding legal opinion by 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.

Abbott's directive and the attorney general's opinion go against the nation's largest medical groups, including the American Medical Association, which have opposed Republican-backed restrictions filed in statehouses nationwide.

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 a federal appeals court will hear arguments in the case next week.

The judge set a June 21 hearing on whether to extend the order into a temporary injunction blocking the investigations.

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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.

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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.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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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.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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HELENA, Mont. (AP)  Former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke won an unexpectedly tight race Thursday to become the Republican nominee in the race for a new U.S. House seat representing western Montana, a victory that comes after days of hand-counting ballots in one county.

Zinke defeated former state Sen. Al Doc Olszewski by just over 1,600 votes out of 84,500 cast in the race, or 1.9 percentage points, according to preliminary numbers. Unofficial results had Zinke with 35,241 votes to 33,633 for Olszewski.

Zinke won despite facing more than a million dollars of negative advertising against him by three Republicans, two Democratic candidates and a Democratic Super-PAC, his campaign said in a statement.

In a statement, Zinke thanked former President Donald Trump and others for their endorsements, as well as western Montana residents for their confidence that America can be fixed and for ignoring the political attacks.

Olszewski called Zinke to concede the race.

We started as a big underdog and ran a race based on the conservative principles of our Republican Party, Olszewski said in a statement, thanking those who voted for him.

Zinke was one of five Republicans on the primary ballot for the open seat, which Montana gained this year thanks to its growing population.

Zinke served as Interior Department secretary under Trump, and his rivals have been drawing attention to a troubled tenure that 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. Federal prosecutors declined to pursue criminal charges.

Despite Trumps endorsement, Zinke also 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, qualifying her for a tax break.

Zinke, a former Navy SEAL, was considered a de facto incumbent since he twice won elections for the states other House seat before stepping down in 2017 to join the Trump administration.

Olszewski, an orthopedic surgeon and hardline conservative, tried to paint Zinke as a liberal insider.

The political dynamics reflect the GOPs sharp right turn that meant Zinkes status as a former Cabinet member wasnt enough for some in his party. They said he was too soft on guns and didnt do enough to build Trumps envisioned wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. His wifes residence declaration boosted long-standing suspicions that Zinke spends most of his time outside Montana.

Zinke doesnt deny that his wife is a California resident, and he acknowledges holding fundraisers there. He raised a total of $2.5 million through the end of March, almost as much as all other candidates from both parties combined, about 80% from out-of-state donors.

The outcome in the close race was delayed after Lincoln County realized a vendor had printed ballots on the wrong sized paper, meaning they could not be run through a machine tabulator and had to be counted by hand. The hand count began Tuesday and wrapped up late Thursday afternoon.

In November, Zinke will face Olympic rower and attorney Monica Tranel, who won the Democratic primary for the U.S. House seat.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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MADISON, Wis. (AP)  A Wisconsin judge on Friday found the investigator hired by Republicans to look into former President Donald Trump's 2020 loss in the battleground state in contempt because of how his office responded to open records requests related to the probe.

The ruling against the office led by Michael Gableman, a former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice who briefly worked for Trump, came after Gableman berated the judge and refused to answer any questions on the witness stand. Gableman had not wanted to testify, but Dane County Circuit Judge Frank Remington ordered him to appear.

Remington did not immediately announce a penalty in court on Friday, saying he would provide that in a written decision.

Gableman was hired a year ago by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, under pressure from Trump to investigate the former president's loss to President Joe Biden by just under 21,000 votes in Wisconsin. The investigation has cost taxpayers about $900,000 so far.

Biden's victory has survived two recounts, multiple lawsuits, a nonpartisan audit and a review by a conservative law firm. Only a couple of dozen people out of nearly 3.3 million voters have been charged with fraud, numbers on par with past elections.

Gableman has issued two interim reports, but his work has faced a barrage of bipartisan criticism and Vos put his work on hold this spring pending the outcome of lawsuits challenging his ability to subpoena elected officials and others who worked on elections.

American Oversight, a liberal watchdog group, filed three open records lawsuits against Gableman, Vos and the Wisconsin Assembly. The group has won a series of victories before Remington and another Dane County judge after Gableman and Vos failed to produce the requested records in a timely manner.

Gableman has argued that his staff member, Zakory Niemierowicz, was the legal custodian responsible for responding to American Oversights requests. Gableman's attorneys had argued that because of that, Gableman's testimony was not needed.

That prompted Remington on Wednesday to caution Niemierowicz that he may want to hire his own attorney if Gableman's plan was to blame him for failing to comply with court orders.

An attorney for Gableman's office tried to delay Friday's hearing but Gableman was forced to take the stand. Gableman refused to answer questions from the attorney representing American Oversight and testily said Remington had abandoned his role as a neutral magistrate and is acting as an advocate.

Remington admonished Gableman and said he shouldn't have to instruct the former state Supreme Court justice on the behavior I expect of you as a witness on this stand. Gableman then demanded a personal attorney and said he wouldn't answer further questions.

I'm not going to be railroaded, he said.

Gableman has publicly released, and provided to American Oversight, hundreds of pages of documents related to the investigation. His attorneys have insisted that everything requested has been provided. Gableman has also said that he is exempt from retaining records and his office regularly destroys documents deemed irrelevant or useless.

That is contrary to an analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Council that found deleting such records, even by a state contractor such as Gableman, violates Wisconsin law. Gablemans attorney, James Bopp, has argued in court filings that the record retention law does not pertain to contractors.

Remington in April, and Dane County Circuit Judge Valerie Bailey-Rihn in May, both ordered Gableman to stop deleting records that may be responsive to American's Oversight's requests.

Foody reported from Chicago.

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Tom Gilbert Chief Photographer I joined the Tulsa World in 1988 after graduating from the University of Central Oklahoma. I lived in Saudi Arabia before graduating from Broken Arrow High School. I'm married to Karen Gilbert and have three grown children. Phone: 918-581-8349 Follow Tom Gilbert 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

Fathers Day is June 19. Have you gotten your dad something yet? Here are a few beer-related items that may help with your search.

Glassware

Tulsas The Chizel makes custom, deep-etched, sand-carved glassware that would be a special Fathers Day gift. The Chizel offers glassware with the Golden Driller, the Tulsa skyline or even the Cains Ballroom etched on pint glasses and other styles. Other cities are available if your dad isnt from Tulsa. thechizel.com

A new brew

Beer is also a great gift idea for dear old dad. Most breweries offer a special barrel-aged beer or unique offering that would make a special gift. You can even wrap up the beer in a local brewery T-shirt and top it off with a ball cap. Then, if you really love your dad, and he has a dog, get a custom brewery doggie toy.

Coolers and more

Locally owned apparel company The Boat Monkey sells beer-related items and has teamed up with Dead Armadillo with a beer called Deckhand Helles light lager. They also sell a Yeti-like custom cooler with their logo, great to keep your beers cold while on the lake. theboatmonkey.com

Gift basket

If you cant see your dad on Fathers Day and you dont want to send him a tomato plant, then get a whole beer basket delivered. Tipsy Truck Delivery has gift baskets filled with locally brewed beer and other items. tipsytruckdelivery.com

Home brewing kit

Nearly all brewers start as home-brewers. Tulsa is fortunate to have one of the best home-brew shops in the region. They even have a brewery that sells beer from recipes they sell in home-brew kits. This gift could even bring your family closer together during a brew day. High Gravity Brewing Co. and Pippins Taproom, 6808 S. Memorial Drive, Ste. 144, sell everything you need to start your home brewery. highgravitybrewingco. com

German beer

I have great memories whenever I drink a German-made Paulaner beer. My visits to Germany sealed my love of beer and the culture. Paulaner was established in 1634 in Munich and is one of six breweries that provide their beer to Oktoberfest. Some of their most popular beers sold in the U.S. are the Pils, Grapefruit Radler, Hefe-Weizen and a Munchner Lager. Check your local liquor store for purchase.

Beer history book

Brian Welzbacher has written a book on the history of beer in Oklahoma. Oklahoma Beer: A Handcrafted History, released earlier this year, tells about all the trials and tribulations brewers have had in this state. Oklahomas history is unique, and this book tells us all about it. Welzbacher also owns Beer is Ok, a retail beer apparel and related products store. He sells all things related to beer. www.beerisok.com

Tasty snacks

Snacks and beer go hand-in-hand. Pretzels are a go-to. If you want to make your pretzels, check out a kit made by Farm Steady. It has all the ingredients to make your own. www.bespokepost.com

If Dad likes pretzels already made and spicy, then Firesticks are the gift to give. They are new to Tulsa and sold at Dead Armadillo Brewing, 1004 E. Fourth St., and offer lots of flavors of cayenne-based snacks. firestickpretzels.com

Many fathers are nuts  I mean, they like nuts  and there is an Oklahoma City company that sells nuts at most breweries taprooms. Healthy Cravings has a variety of flavored nuts and snacks that are gluten-free and delicious. If the taproom doesnt have it, see the website. eathealthycravings.com

Whiskey gifts

If Dad is more into whiskey than beer, Tulsa has a couple of distilleries that are offering them. OK Distilling has a 1907 series with its Rectifiers Select as the blended brand. Red Fork Distillery has The Heist, a corn whiskey finished on charred oak spirals.

If you want to try a couple of celebrity brand whiskies, Bob Dylan has Heavens Door brand. Peyton Manning is a partner in Sweetens Cove Spirits Co. and has launched Kennessee Bourbon in Oklahoma. The name comes from the union of Kentucky and Tennessee bourbons.

But the most important gift you can give your father is your presence. They arent here forever. Happy Fathers Day!

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Charles Williams, 47, faces one count of larceny burglary or theft of a controlled dangerous substance and one count of theft of weapons from people of the state.
With gasoline and diesel prices setting new records on a daily basis for weeks, there is no foreseeable end, and possibly much worse pain to come at the pump  and at grocery and other stores, local industry leaders said.

I dont think its going to get much better, thats for sure, said Dewey Bartlett Jr., president of Keener Oil and Gas Co., and a board member and former director of the Oklahoma Energy Producers Alliance.

The national average price of regular unleaded surpassed $5 per gallon for the first time on Thursday, according to gasbuddy.com, a fuel price-tracking service.

A multitude of factors, including Russias invasion of Ukraine, a relatively stable but limited oil supply, limited refining capacity and high demand have all led to prices well beyond the highest set in 2008, analysts said.

It is not just an American challenge, its a global challenge, said Heather Boushey, an economist and member of President Joe Bidens Council of Economic Advisers, during a conference call Monday with journalists from Southern and Southwestern states.

Of the global market, she said, as long as we are dependent on it, we will always be at the whim of autocrats that want to wage war in other countries without apologies.

That is why from day one the president has been focused on energy independence, she told the Tulsa World after being asked about high gas prices.

That means doing what we can to manufacture clean energy in this country, because that is really the way that we are both going to get prices down in the long-term and not be subject to the whims of this global marketplace.

Local industry leaders and Republicans strongly disagree.

They blame the Biden administrations energy policies and say fossil fuels remain the primary and only current, viable source for global energy needs.

What both sides do seem to agree on is a limited amount of oil that currently can be produced.

Tom Atkinson, founder and owner of Okie Crude Co., a Tulsa-based oil and gas producing company, said there is only a margin of about 2 million barrels of oil per day, globally.

That is extremely thin, he said. We dont have very much elasticity in supply.

That lack of ability to increase supply, combined with high demand, have caused prices to skyrocket, he said.

We cant get the rig count back to where we were because a lot of people have left the industry, he said. You cant just turn on a switch.

Atkinson said that after a 2009 oil slump, many oil rigs and equipment were cannibalized, and that it would take 18 to 24 months to get many of them back up and running.

His company operates about 100 wells in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and Montana, he said.

Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said a reduction in refining capacity is another reason prices have skyrocketed.

You can have as much oil as you want, but there is only a finite amount of refining capacity, he told the Tulsa World by phone.

During Mondays conference call, Jared Bernstein, a senior fellow at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities and another member of Bidens Council of Economic Advisers, also addressed the Tulsa World about gas prices.

We ... have tried to talk to international producers as well as domestic producers to get them to increase the supply, and respond to price signals that are instructing them very much to do so, Bernstein said.

Both Bartlett and Atkinson said neither they, nor their organizations, have been approached by anyone in the Biden administration.

Asked if he would welcome such an outreach, Bartlett, a former Tulsa mayor said, Absolutely.

To me it stuns me that they have not reached out to the industry, Bartlett said, To ask the question what needs to be done in order to increase domestic and oil and natural gas production. That has not happened.

Both the major and minor players in the industry ... they know the problems and they can point out what they are, Bartlett said.

Last month, the U.S. House  divided almost entirely on party lines  approved legislation to crack down on alleged price gouging by oil companies and other energy producers.

The bill backed by House Democrats would give Biden authority to declare an energy emergency that would make it unlawful to increase gasoline and home energy fuel prices in an excessive or exploitative manner. The bill directs the Federal Trade Commission to punish companies that engage in price gouging and adds a new unit at the FTC to monitor fuel markets.

ExxonMobil, Chevron and other major oil companies announced surging profits totaling more than $40 billion in the first quarter of the year, a fact Democrats repeatedly cited in floor debate. Many of the companies are spending billions on stock buybacks and dividend payments to investors.

In my opinion its ... a cheap-shot argument, Bartlett said.

Our system is built upon paying the market price. When the administration is all hell-bent on keeping prices up  then they say Lets make the process high so we can force a change into a electric cars, or whatever it might be. Divert attention, he said.

They say, They (oil and gas companies) dont care about the rest of the country. Thats not true, Bartlett said.

Oil and gas companies do not control prices. The prices are controlled by markets. They want to blame us and its not fair, he said.

Nobody was saying anything when prices hit rock bottom a couple of years ago and the industry was really suffering. Nobody was saying anything to me when I was having to lay people off.

Bartlett pointed out that the current sky-high prices also have affected the industry itself, because diesel is used for engines in oil wells, as well as in semi-tractor trailers to transport oil and gas.

I dont gloat over these high energy prices. I know it hurts people and the people who work for me, Atkinson said.

Bartlett also said that because of a perception that the Biden administration wants to kill oil and gas, many industry leaders are unwilling to take financial risks to increase production.

Were talking about hundreds of millions of dollars. Its a lot of money for us. Do we want to spend that money on drilling when the president of the United States has said he wants to get rid of the industry? That makes it tough, Bartlett said.

Boushey during last weeks conference call, also said Biden has encouraged firms that have leases to use them, to drill on them.

But Bartlett said: You may have the lease, but there are a bunch of hoops you have to jump through. You have a bunch of red tape in order to get permits in order to drill.

As high as the price of oil has been heading  benchmark U.S. crude oil for July delivery eclipsed $122 per barrel on Wednesday  Atkinson said he would not be shocked if it reached $200 per barrel in the coming months.

Thats more than scary territory, Bartlett said.

If it did go up to $175, to $190 or to $200, that would trigger a very big recession in my view, he said.

Asked what would happen to gas prices if the price of oil reaches those levels, De Haan said: You dont want to know.

De Haan, who has been at GasBuddy for 13 years, said that until a few months ago, he could not have imagined current gas prices so high.

Never, he said. Its like on a nice March day in Oklahoma, and a warm front comes through, and then suddenly you have tornadoes all around you. The environment is just juiced for gas prices to surge.

Bartlett said prices arent likely coming down anytime soon because the U.S. has just started the summer travel season.

Its going to take a downturn in demand, he said. Its going to take people changing how they drive, and sometimes driving less. Its going to take people to change their driving habits.

He said if there is a drop in demand, it wont likely occur until the fall.

Once demand starts to go down, there should be a pretty good drop in prices, he said.

If thats going to happen it will probably be sometime in the fall. Id say probably late fall, Bartlett said.

I just hope we get back to some kind of equilibrium thats fair for everyone, Atkinson said.

Double-edged sword for Oklahoma

Oil and gas prices have for decades been a double-edged sword in Oklahoma.

While consumers may feel pain at the pump with the recent astronomical prices, the state budget  which funds everything from road improvements to highway patrol troopers to state employee and teacher salaries  benefits significantly.

The gross production tax, or severance tax, is a value-based tax levied at a basic rate of 7% upon the production of oil and gas in Oklahoma (the tax rate is lower when oil and gas prices fall below a certain threshold).

Under legislation approved in the 2017 special session (HB 1010xx), oil and gas from newly-spudded wells are taxed at 5% for the first 36 months of production, effective June 27, 2018.

Previously, new production was taxed at 2% for 36 months.

Whatever the tax rate, 1% of gross production tax revenues is divided equally between counties and school districts, with the remainder going to the state, according to the Oklahoma Policy Institute.

In fiscal year 2020, the state collected $785.1 million from gross production taxes on gas and oil; together, gross production taxes accounted for 7.5% of total tax revenues and were tied for the third largest revenue source, along with motor vehicle taxes, after the personal income tax and sales tax.

In April and May of this year alone, the state collected $267.6 million in gross production taxes ($106.4 million in April and $161.2 million in May).

May's figure was up 86% from the same month a year ago.

The state has collected $968.7 million in oil and gas taxes through the first 11 months of this fiscal year, which ends June 30, according to the Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services.

During the first 10 months FY 2021, the state collected $289.9 million in gross production taxes.

Why are gas prices cheaper in Oklahoma?

Gasoline prices have typically been less expensive in Oklahoma than in most areas of the country.

The reason: transportation costs and lower taxes.

Tom Atkinson, founder and owner of Okie Crude Co., a Tulsa-based oil and gas producing company that has about 100 wells in Oklahoma and three other states, explained.

He said much of the oil in the region and the country is transported via pipeline to the major storage facility in Cushing.

The price of oil has already been determined by the time it is transported to Cushing, both through intranational and international pipelines, he said.

From Cushing, oil is transported "downstream" to refineries, which then process it into gasoline and diesel. Those products are then transported to other areas.

"The die is cast for the price that is posted to (energy) producers," he said.

HollyFrontier operates major refinery facilities in Tulsa, 50 miles from Cushing.

Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said the state's low taxes on gasoline is another reason.

Oklahoma's tax is 38.4 cents per gallon, while the national average is 57.1 cents.

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KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Civilians fled intense fighting in eastern Ukraine on Friday as Russian and Ukrainian forces engaged in a grinding battle of attrition for key cities in the country's industrial heartland.

Mostly women, children and elderly residents left on a special evacuation train that departed from the city of Pokrovsk and headed west.

We live on the front line now, said Svitlana Kaplun, whose family fled as shelling reached their neighborhood in the city of Krasnohorivka. The kids are worried all the time, they are afraid to sleep at night, so we decided to take them out.

After a bungled attempt to overrun Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, in the early days of the war, Russia shifted its focus to an eastern region of coal mines and factories known as the Donbas. The area borders Russia and has been partly controlled by Moscow-backed separatists since 2014.

The fighting there has led to mounting casualties and renewed pleas from Ukraine to the West for more weapons.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukraines president, told the BBC in an interview aired Thursday that the daily loss of 100 to 200 Ukrainian soldiers is the result of a complete lack of parity between Ukraine and Russia.

He said only more advanced Western weaponry will turn back the Russian offensive and force Moscow to the negotiating table.

BIDEN: ZELENSKYY DIDNT WANT TO HEAR' ABOUT INVASION THREAT

U.S. President Joe Biden said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy didnt want to hear it when American intelligence gathered information in February that indicated Russia was preparing to invade his country.

Speaking to donors Friday at a Democratic fundraiser in Los Angeles, Biden talked about his work to rally support for Ukraine as the war continues into a fourth month.

Nothing like this has happened since World War II. I know a lot of people thought I was maybe exaggerating. But I knew we had data to sustain that Russian President Vladimir Putin was going to go in."

There was no doubt, Biden said. And Zelenskyy didnt want to hear it.

Although Zelenskyy has inspired much of the world with his wartime leadership, his preparation for the invasion  or lack thereof  has been controversial.

In the weeks before the war began on Feb. 24, Zelenskyy publicly bristled as Biden administration officials repeatedly warned that a Russian invasion was likely.

At the time, Zelenskyy was concerned that the drumbeat of war was unsettling to Ukraines fragile economy.

MORE STREET FIGHTING IN DONBAS

Fighting in the Donbas has ground on for more than two months, and the slog continued Friday. A provincial governor said Russian and Ukrainian forces battled "for every house and every street in Sievierodonetsk, a city that recently has been under steady attack.

Sievierodonetsk is in the last pocket of Luhansk province that has not yet been claimed by Russia or Moscow-backed separatists. The Luhansk and Donetsk regions together make up the Donbas.

Luhansk Gov. Serhiy Haidai told The Associated Press that Ukrainian forces retain control of the industrial zone on the edge of the city and some other sections amid the painstaking block-by-block fighting.

An envoy for the Luhansk Peoples Republic, a self-proclaimed separatist territory, reported Friday that some Ukrainian troops were trapped inside a chemical plant on the city's outskirts.

All escape routes have been cut off, Rodion Miroshnik, Moscow ambassador for the unrecognized republic, wrote on social media.

They are being told that no conditions will be accepted. Only the laying down of arms and surrender, he said.

Miroshnik echoed earlier claims by a Russian defense official that civilians remained on the plant's grounds. But he stopped short of reiterating allegations that Ukrainian forces were barring them from leaving.

As of Friday afternoon, there was no response from the Ukrainian side.

Meanwhile, Moscow kept up its artillery strikes on the neighboring city of Lysychansk and surrounding towns and villages, the Ukrainian military said. It also said that Russian troops were preparing to resume an offensive on the city of Slavyansk in the Donetsk region, south of Luhansk.

ARTILLERY HITS RUSSIAN BASES

An adviser to Ukraines president says artillery attacks devastated two Russian bases in the southern Kherson region, which has been under Russian occupation since early in the war.

Oleksiy Arestovych, in his regular online interview, said Friday that the attack on Stara Zburivka, a village along the Dnieper River, killed dozens, including a Russian army general and a general in the FSB intelligence service.

He said the FSB general was tasked with organizing a referendum on whether the Kherson region should join Russia. There was no immediate confirmation of the claim.

Ukraine has claimed to have killed about a dozen generals in the war, but only a few of the deaths have been confirmed.

Arestovych said a separate attack this week on a Russian base in Chkalove killed at least 200 troops, including Arabs, presumably from Syria. He said it was the first confirmed case of Arabs fighting with Russians in Ukraine.

He said in both cases the Ukrainian forces used 155mm howitzers supplied by the West.

UKRAINE SEEKS MORE WEAPONS

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his armys ability to hold off Russian forces in the Donbas depends on the supply of Western weapons.

Ukrainian troops "are doing everything to stop the offensive, as much as they possibly can, as long as there are enough heavy weapons, modern artillery  all that we have asked for and continue to ask for from our partners, he said Friday in his nightly video address.

He said Russia wants to destroy every city in the Donbas.

Every city, thats not an exaggeration. Like Volnovakha, like Mariupol. All of these ruins of once-happy cities, the black traces of fires, the craters from explosions  this is all that Russia can give to its neighbors, to Europe, to the world.

Karmanau reported from Lviv, Ukraine. Associated Press writers Jill Lawless in London and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed.

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 attorney generals race features two good men with very different approaches and philosophy to do the job. But Gentner Drummond shows more political independence with a clear vision for Oklahoma public safety and justice.

We supported Drummond during his run for attorney general in 2018, and our confidence in his ability has only grown.

In the Republican primary, Drummond is running against Attorney General John OConnor, who was appointed by Gov. Kevin Stitt 10 months ago. The general election opponent will be Libertarian Lynda Steele from Warr Acres.

OConnor is a Tulsan with a career in civil law, and his political record is in nearly lock-step with Stitt. He has focused much attention on cultural, federal issues. With the mounting scandals from state vendor contracts and possible conflicts of interest from the governors appointees, the Oklahoma attorney general must act without political influence.

That is Gentner Drummond.

He comes from outside the political elite and current Capitol establishment and has an impressive record in litigation, both criminal and civil. He would interrupt state governments business-as-usual, insider deals.

To be clear, Drummond is a conservative Republican, with values coming from the small-town of Hominy and decorated military service. He believes in the rule of law, strict oversight of taxpayer spending, and small, open government.

Oklahoma faces two significant challenges in public safety: the rocky transition after the 2020 U.S. Supreme Court McGirt decision and the prevalence of illegal marijuana growers in rural Oklahoma. Drummond has specific plans for both.

Regarding McGirt, Drummond has met with the majority of tribal leaders in Oklahoma and believes intergovernmental agreements can be reached. He sees avenues for more cross-deputizing and better communication. Drummond recognizes tribal sovereignty  as do federal courts and the U.S. Constitution  but will defend the state against efforts to expand the decision beyond criminal law.

Thats a responsible and reasonable solution.

Rural areas are plagued by illegal marijuana growers who may be involved in other types of criminal enterprises. Drummond says he would help law enforcement augment their work to more aggressively shut those down.

Drummond pledges greater transparency, getting immediate resolution to the states dozens of pending lawsuits about open records. If going outside the AGs Office for legal services, Drummond says he would use competitive bidding, put caps on fees and choose from Oklahoma attorneys.

However, Drummond plans to keep the states legal work in-house, including handling cases himself.

In 1991, Drummond became a legitimate war hero, leading the first allied fighter mission into Baghdad during Operation Desert Storm as a U.S. Air Force F-15 pilot. His service earned a long list of medals, including a Distinguished Flying Cross.

Upon his return, he entered law and built a successful Tulsa practice, then ventured into businesses such as abstract work and banking. He and his wife have been active in numerous nonprofit boards and other volunteer projects.

Drummond has the ideas, drive and autonomous approach to best serve the interests of Oklahoma.

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I want to assist handicapped people so that they can move around more freely without having to rely on others," Nguyen Leo Long, a Vietnamese American who frequently returns to and stays in Vietnam, said, starting his story of offering wheelchairs to people with mobility impairments.

A few months ago, Long and his friends visited Phu Dong Commune, Tan Phu Dong District, Tien Giang Province in the Mekong Delta to present gifts to the disadvantaged.

Among the throng coming to receive the gifts was one woman arriving in an electric wheelchair.

From a sad story

Misfortunes often visit people of vulnerable groups.

That woman, named Hoa, is an orphan. She lives alone in a tiny cottage situated amid a vast rice paddy.

Hoa, who has no legs, still strove to open a small grocery store, selling several necessities to make ends meet.

After saving up for a while, Hoa was planning to buy herself a wheelchair so she could stop using her hands to move around like she had for most of her life.

Then, another tragic fate befell her.

A man came into her life, prompting Hoa to believe that he was the one sent by God to her, the one that she could take refuge in. But what happened was contrary to her expectations.

The man swindled her out of all her savings, leaving her dream of owning a wheelchair shattered.

Hoa said that there were times thoughts of death came into her mind as she wanted to escape this bitter reality.

Fortunately, she met priest Minh Phung, chief of St. Paul Parish, who invited her to his church to find happiness with the local parish, instead of staying at home and being depressed.

Hoa had a certain fear of crowds and a complex about her leg impairment. She did not promise to join them, but one weekend, she changed her mind and asked her relative to take her there.

After hearing her story, people at the church worked together to buy her an electric wheelchair.

Since then, Hoa has been no longer confined in her little cottage with her hands always dirty with soil.

Her story touched the heart of Long, who then decided to offer electric wheelchairs to the disabled.

This decision received much support from his younger siblings and friends.

The first ten wheelchairs shipped to Vietnam were given to ten disabled people, including two residents of Phu Dong Commune.

There are up to 60 letters sent to me saying that they want to get a wheelchair," Long said.

"We will try to offer them wheelchairs to the best of our ability,

Going farther, feeling happier

One of the two recent recipients of the wheelchairs suffered a stroke and has been bedridden over the past four years," said priest Minh Phung.

"Her dream was simply to be able to move out of the house, and see the sky and her neighbors.

After she received the wheelchair, she also wants to join others to do little yet meaningful things for our society.

Son Lam, a local man in Nghe An Province, Vietnam says the wheelchair is an amazing present that helps him do more meaningful things.

The wheelchairs were transported further to Quang Ngai and Nghe An Provinces in central Vietnam.

Son Lam, a local man in Hung Thanh Commune, Yen Thanh District, Nghe An, was born with a disability.

His limbs are curled up and have become weak over time. His homemade wheelchair was aging and usually broke down, making his daily life more difficult.

Long expressed his growing admiration for Lam, saying that despite having a limb impairment, Lam learned to repair TVs, fans, and opened a small repair shop in his hometown for a living.

After receiving an electric wheelchair from Long, Lam made and posted a video on his YouTube and Facebook accounts to express his happiness.

Lams YouTube account, named 'Lam Khuyet,' features videos about his tranquil hometown and daily-life stories.

The electric wheelchair donated by Long enables Lam to travel further and record more videos introducing his hometown to viewers.

On his Facebook account, Long shares simple stories conveying messages of love and always expresses his thanks to his friends who have teamed up with him to offer wheelchairs to the needy.

Trips to many parts of Vietnam Over the past few years, Nguyen Leo Long has implemented a program providing clean water to those in need in many regions across Vietnam. Recently, Long and his friends developed a banh mi (Vietnamese baguette) cabinet, with each loaf priced at VND2,000 (8.6 U.S. cents) for local people in Phu Dong Commune, Tan Phu Dong District, Tien Giang Province. On the 13th of every month, Long and his Thong Vi Vu choir, along with generous donors, offer hundreds of gifts to disadvantaged people in Ho Chi Minh City. As for the upcoming months, this choir will travel to other provinces such as Binh Thuan, Kon Tum, and Quang Tri to present gifts to underprivileged people.

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DC Court of Appeals Rules in Favor of Pro-Life Sidewalk Counselor

NEWS PROVIDED BY

June 10, 2022

WASHINGTON, June 10, 2022 / Christian Newswire / -- The District of Columbia Court of Appeals unanimously reversed the lower court's decision and ordered that Two Rivers Public Charter School's lawsuit against pro-life sidewalk counselor, Larry Cirignano, be dismissed.

Two Rivers Public Charter School sued Larry Cirignano after he peacefully stood on a sidewalk one time near a Planned Parenthood abortion facility situated in between an elementary and middle school in the District of Columbia. Represented by Liberty Counsel, Cirignano responded by filing an anti-SLAPP suit against the school. Today, the court ruled in favor of Cirignano and dismissed the case brought against him. Liberty Counsel will now return to court to assess attorney's fees and costs against Two Rivers Public Charter School for its unlawful lawsuit intended solely to thwart the First Amendment right to free speech.

The lawsuit by the public charter school contained one allegation that on November 23, 2015, Cirignano appeared on a public sidewalk holding a sign raising awareness about abortion. The Planned Parenthood building shares an alley with and is located between the two buildings of the Two Rivers. The charter school sued Cirigano even though he never trespassed on school property or otherwise broke any laws.

However today, in a 3-0 decision, the Appeals Court ruled that Two Rivers has no standing to bring the lawsuit and would not succeed on the merits of its claim.

The District of Columbia Court of Appeals wrote, "Two Rivers Public Charter School lacked third-party standing to assert a claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress ('IIED'), and its other claims cannot succeed on their own."

The court also wrote, "We therefore hold that the trial court erred in holding that Two Rivers had demonstrated it was likely to succeed on the merits of its private nuisance and conspiracy to create a private nuisance claims (sic) in order to overcome the AntiSLAPP special motion to dismiss." The District Court of Appeals ordered that the case against Cirignano be dismissed.

Liberty Counsel's Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, "This victory for free speech has taken several years to accomplish but its importance will affect generations. A victory for free speech is a victory for everyone. And a victory to bring awareness about an abortion facility situated near a public school is clearly in the public interest. It was a costly decision for Two Rivers Public Charter School to avoid the First Amendment. Free speech cannot be brushed aside by intimidation or litigation tactics."

Liberty Counsel provides broadcast quality TV interviews via Hi-Def Skype and LTN at no cost.



SOURCE Liberty Counsel



CONTACT: Mat Staver, 407-875-1776, Liberty@LC.org



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WASHINGTON -- 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.
India is considering restricting imports of refrigerators to promote local manufacturing, two industry sources told Reuters on Thursday, potentially freezing out shipments from Samsung Electronics Co and LG Electronics Inc in the $5 billion market.

The sources, who declined to be named as the talks were private, said the government was considering mandating that importers seek a licence from the authorities, replacing the existing free-import regime.

That could be followed by a ban on imports of refrigerators with refrigerant already added, to create opportunities for value-added operations in India, said one of the sources, who has direct knowledge of the government's discussions.

The source said a decision could come within a month, adding: "The thrust is to support all those who are manufacturing in India rather than those bringing them into India."

The Indian trade ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Spokespeople for Samsung and LG also did not respond immediately.

A licensing regime, the other source said, would raise the compliance burden and risk delaying imports.

The government estimates India's refrigerator market at more than $5 billion, with foreign companies such as Samsung and LG competing with domestic majors including the Tata conglomerate's Voltas Ltd.

The first source said India's annual fridge-making capacity was around 24 million units but demand was only some 15 million, a part of which is met by imports.

The government does not release figures for refrigerator imports, although the second source said companies such as Samsung and LG import thousands of high-end refrigerators annually.

A third industry source said sales of large, high-end refrigerators, many of which are imported, have been growing rapidly, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic as people stayed indoors. Those imports account for roughly 5-6% of total India sales.

The move is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Make in India" programme to boost local manufacturing and discourage imports.

India in 2020 banned the import of air conditioners with refrigerant already added. That same year it also placed restrictions on television imports, affecting Samsung and other global manufacturers.

India imports refrigerators from countries with which it holds a free trade agreement, including Bangladesh, Thailand, Indonesia and South Korea.

Local manufacturers that could stand to benefit from import restrictions include Voltas, Godrej Appliances and Havells India Ltd
China is expected to show its assertiveness at this years Shangri-La Dialogue amid the multiple crises facing countries across the globe, experts said.

The 19th Shangri-La Dialogue is scheduled to take place from June 10 to 12 in Singapore after two prior cancelations due to COVID-19.

Peter Layton, visiting fellow at the Griffith Asia Institute in Australia, told Tuoi Tre News that this years dialogue comes at a time of multiple crises.

For the U.S., its allies, and close friends, the meeting will be viewed through the lens of the war in Ukraine. However, the major concerns still linger over China and its continued assertiveness in diplomatic and military domains.

Layton said Chinese actions are now assessed much more negatively by the West compared to in the past, though it is not apparent China understands this.

It is likely that Chinas wolf warrior diplomacy makes it difficult for Chinese leaders to understand the perspective of other nations.

In terms of its relationship with Australia, Chinas Foreign Minister has just suggested a reset in China-Australia relations in order to facilitate a return to times of harmony. This contradicts Chinas aggressive responses to Australian military aircraft in the East Vietnam Sea.

Chinas extension of the hand of diplomatic friendship while being hard-nosed elsewhere appears the way China today does business, Layton remarked.

Chinas use of 'stick and carrot' diplomacy is at odds with conventional diplomatic norms. While China may like this approach, it often disturbs other states and creates real pushback against Beijing.

The latest example of such pushback has been in Europe, where Chinas diplomatic efforts with European nations and the EU have been unsuccessful because of this carrot and stick approach. Its still not apparent if China will change or if it even comprehends why it is failing to win hearts and minds.

Given this, China at the Shangri-La Dialogue is likely to be assertive, Layton said.

Chinese Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe will deliver a speech on regional order but he is unlikely to mention the war in Ukraine or its global impacts on energy prices and food security.

As for U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, he will probably draw parallels between the Ukraine conflict and Chinas grey zone actions in other areas.

While not slated to give a formal presentation, Indian attendance at this years Shangri-La Dialogue will be interesting due to the fact that India is an outlier in the Russia-Ukraine military conflict.

The U.S. press at the Shangri-La Dialogue is likely to carefully monitor any comments made by India.

Similarly, the U.S. press will likely keep an eye on statements made by ASEAN member countries regarding the war in Ukraine.

Sharing his view, Lucio Blanco Pitlo III, a research fellow at the Asia-Pacific Pathways to Progress Foundation in the Philippines, said Chinas desire to ink security pacts with Pacific island states stoked fears among traditional Indo-Pacific powers that Beijing may be seeking strategic access or to build bases which would alter the regional balance of power.

According to Bilahari Kausikan, a former permanent secretary in Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the effects of the war in Ukraine will be a major focus in this years Shangri-La Dialogue, alongside U.S.-China competition.

It is not clear how tense the relationship will be between the U.S. and China at the event while both U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin and Chinese Minister of National Defense Wei are in attendance.

The substance of the competition has not changed since it was bolstered under the Trump administration, Kausikan said.

Robert Ross, a professor of political science at Boston College in the U.S., said that for every country in the region, the U.S.-China competition is important and all sides are paying close attention.

In the East Vietnam Sea, Beijing appears concerned that Washington is interfering and intervening in sovereignty disputes between China and other countries.

At the same time, the U.S. is concerned that China is using its navy and coast guard to carry out coercive activities against other countries.

The Chinese are concerned that the U.S. is trying to contain the rise of China and the U.S. is concerned that the rise of China is eroding American influence. That is the underlying issue, Ross said.

Dr. James Nolt, a professor at New York University in the U.S., stated that he does not believe that U.S.-China tensions are particularly high at the moment.

There is some heated rhetoric being used by both sides for domestic political reasons, but it is of no real significance. Both China and the U.S have major political events this November: the National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (held once every five years) and the national midterm elections for Congress in the U.S..

Consequently, there is considerable posturing, along with hints from both sides, that the world's two largest economies must settle their economic differences this year.

Several U.S. officials have hinted that Washington is considering eliminating most of the extraordinary tariffs on Chinese imports that were imposed by former U.S. President Trump in 2018.

Because there is a global recession underway, it is economically useful for these major economic powers to ease the trade obstacles.

It is not certain, however, if this will be possible given the political distractions of the year.

Vice Admiral Yoji Koda, former commander in chief of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, expressed his hope that country representatives at the Shangri-La Dialogue will discuss the real causes of the conflict in Ukraine rather than the fight itself.

Expectations

Ross said that country representatives will finally be able to meet in person at the dialogue after two years of cancelation.

They will have the opportunity to reopen channels and see colleagues and diplomats from different countries. This will help them identify who to call and who to talk in the time to come.

Ross expects that leaders from around the region will have the chance to hold informal bilateral meetings.

In particular, the public may see a meeting between the U.S Secretary of Defense and the Chinese Minister of Defense.

That makes it easier for countries to manage and promote diplomatic efforts, Ross said.

Kausikan noted that it is good for country representatives to meet each other in person as it might help to reduce the risk of miscalculations.

In particular, he mentioned the case of a Chinese fighter jet intercepting an Australian plane in the East Vietnam Sea in late May, adding that some rules of engagement will help to prevent similar dangerous incidents.

Koda said the meeting between the U.S. Secretary of Defense and the Chinese Minister of Defense could be a good thing.

Pitlo expressed his hope that major powers and disputants revisit and test communications and crisis management mechanisms or they will be established when there is none to prevent untoward incidents from sparking a conflict nobody wants.

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Vietnam and Italy pledged to boost future bilateral cooperation during the fourth political consultation session held between the two countries in Hanoi on Wednesday.

The session, taking place within the framework of the two countries bilateral strategic partnership, was co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc and Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Manlio Di Stefano, who arrived in Hanoi on Tuesday for a three-day visit.

The event came as the two countries continued coordinating activities to celebrate their 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and 10 years of strategic partnership, slated for 2023.

Representatives from both Italy and Vietnam used the meeting as a platform to share their appreciation for the bilateral relationship between both countries, particularly in terms of politics, diplomacy, the economy, and science and technology.

They also agreed to continue expanding their ties to areas such as healthcare, environmental issues, renewable energy, and climate change response.

According to Deputy Minister Ngoc, Vietnam hopes to keep fostering its strategic partnership with Italy and appreciates the two sides cooperation in implementing their plan of action for the partnership for the 2021-23 period.

He suggested that Italy soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and urge the European Commission to remove its yellow card warning against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing for Vietnamese seafood exports.

The Vietnamese diplomat also emphasized the importance of creating a solid legal framework and a favorable business and investment environment for the business communities of both countries.

The Italian deputy minister said Italy considers Vietnam as a top priority partnership in the region and looks forward to further cooperation in innovation, aerospace, hydrogen energy, and cybercrime prevention and control.

Stefano also hailed the two countries mutual support during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Vietnam presenting Italy with over 300,000 face masks and Rome offering Hanoi nearly three million vaccine doses.

The two sides were committed to working together to reach US$6 billion worth of two-way trade in 2022 and $10 billion in the following years, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

They agreed to strengthen the exchange of high-level delegations, continue implementing bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and support each other in international and multilateral forums.

The two diplomats emphasized the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation, overflight, security and peace in the East Vietnam Sea, and of respecting international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Prior the consultation session, Stefano spent Tuesday visiting Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and joining Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Dang Hoang An in chairing the seventh meeting of the Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation in Hanoi.

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Cooperative relations between countries should be aimed at contributing to the peace and security of the region and the world, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs' spokesperson said at a press conference in Hanoi on Thursday.

The spokesperson, Le Thi Thu Hang, was asked by reporters about Vietnams response to a project launched by Cambodia and China to renovate the Ream naval base in Sihanoukville, a coastal Cambodian city.

Vietnam always wishes to maintain and consolidate good cooperative ties with countries around the world," Hang said.

"At the same time, cooperation between countries needs to make positive contributions to peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world.

As non-refundable aid granted by China to Cambodia, the project kicked off on Thursday, one day after the groundbreaking ceremony, according to Cambodias Khmer Times.

The project aims to renovate and expand buildings on the base, upgrade warships, build wharfs, and improve repair docks and a military-civilian hospital there.

As the Ream naval base is small, we need to upgrade it to protect our nation, territory, and sovereignty, Cambodian Minister of National Defense, General Tea Banh, said on Wednesday.

The project to modernize the base is an important strategy for the development of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, in line with the White Paper published by the Cambodian Ministry of National Defense, the minister was quoted as saying.

China-related activities at the Ream base have always attracted international media attention.

Earlier this week, Washington Post, citing its own sources, revealed that Beijing was building a secret base for its military in Ream.

Phnom Penh has denied the report, emphasizing that Cambodia stands firm on its stance not to let any foreign country station troops on its territory.

This was not the first time Cambodia had spoken out about rumors related to Chinese activities in the country.

Phnom Penh once invited international journalists to visit the Ream base in order to prove that no Chinese troops were stationed here.

China is one of Cambodias top investors, with a major focus on infrastructure projects.

In 2021, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese investment in Cambodia surged more than 67 percent from a year earlier, according to data released by the Cambodia Development Council in March 2022.

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Police in Hanoi have summoned a local man for an investigation into his slapping a kid in revenge for the little girl throwing a ball at his child at an indoor playground in Hanoi this week.

Vu Trong D. was identified as the assailant and was taken to the police station where he confessed to hitting the girl after she threw a plastic ball at his childs face.

The 34-year-old resident of Thanh Tri District in Hanoi was summoned by the Hoang Mai District police for an investigation on Thursday afternoon.

That same day, N.T.A, the father of the slapped girl, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that his family had sent a formal complaint about the violence, together with relevant video clips, images and evidence, to police officers.

A video had gone viral on Facebook earlier on Thursday, showing D. slapping the four-year-old girl several times in the face.

After being notified of the physical assault, police in Hoang Liet Ward, Hoang Mai District quickly launched an investigation into the matter.

The leader of Hoang Liet Wards police unit told Tuoi Tre the same day that there was an ongoing probe into the assault.

According to the viral video and accompanying description, the four-year-old girl visited ADCBook Children's Playground with her mother on Tuesday.

When the two returned home, the mother realized her daughter was in panic and crying uncontrollably.

The mother returned to the playground, asking to review security camera footage and discovering that a complete stranger had hit her daughter several times.

The mans assault was apparently in response to the girl accidentally throwing a ball at his child.

My family and the police have taken my daughter to undergo an injury assessment, the father said.

We demand that police impose harsh sanctions on the man.

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The unemployment rate in Vietnam has reduced to 2.46 percent as the local economy and labor market have been recovering rapidly following the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Minister of Labor, War Invalids, and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung.

Minister Dung joined more than 4,000 delegates from 187 nations and territories in the 110th meeting of the International Labor Organization (ILO), which was held virtually on Wednesday.

At the event, the official stated that the lawmaking National Assembly and government of Vietnam had implemented many social security policies aside from various COVID-19 prevention and control measures during the pandemic.

As the COVID-19 pandemic was put under control in Vietnam, the local economy and labor market have achieved rapid recovery, Dung continued.

The countrys gross domestic product (GDP) jumped 5.03 percent in the first quarter of 2022, while the unemployment rate among people in working age was only 2.46 percent.

The countrys unemployment rate soared to 4.46 percent in the third quarter of 2021, the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak, according to the General Statistics Office.

About 33 percent of Vietnam's rural areas have participated in collective economic models such as cooperatives, Minister Dung said at the meeting.

The collective economy in Vietnam has made significant contributions to economic growth and restructuring, especially in the agricultural sector, with the goal to adapt to climate change and achieve sustainable development, he elaborated.

The Vietnamese government and relevant authorities are mulling necessary amendments to the laws on social insurance, employment, trade unions, and cooperatives, as well as carrying out other activities to ensure international labor standards.

The Vietnamese government adopts a consistent viewpoint that the country achieves comprehensive, inclusive, and sustainable development, with the people being the center, Dung stressed.

We are committed to working hand in hand with ILO member states to tackle the challenges related to the labor sector, and hope to continue receiving support from the ILO and its members, Minister Dung stated at the meeting.

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On 60 Minutes, lucky Sarah Abo headed to Paris to meet rock gods Kiss.

Shining a Light

What has been happening at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre in northern Tasmania is a blight on this country. A shameful part of our recent history that powerful people have either ignored, or worse, tried to cover up. And its likely it would have remained a dark secret but for the courage of whistle-blowers. One of them is Alysha, who has made a tough and dangerous decision to shine a light on this disgrace. As Nick McKenzie reports in a joint 60 Minutes, The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald investigation, Alysha is speaking up because she knows no matter the cost or consequence, there is nothing more important than protecting children.

Reporter: Nick McKenzie

Producer: Joel Tozer

Kiss and Tell

It might be difficult to believe, but American rock band Kiss is now in its 50th year. And to help celebrate the milestone the group invited Sarah Abo to Paris for a taste of their jet-set lifestyle and to show her how theyve survived and thrived in a notoriously fickle industry. Founding band members Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, who are now in their 70s, prove age is no barrier to successful showbiz careers, as they apply their over-the-top makeup and don their comic-book costumes to belt out their myriad hits. And for Kiss fans theres more good news  not only is their music as loud as ever, theyre planning another visit to Australia.

Reporter: Sarah Abo

Producers: Naomi Shivaraman, Lisa Brown

7pm Sunday on Nine.
On 7News Spotlight this Sunday Denham Hitchcock and Ross Coulthart turn their attanetion to the alarming rise in phone scammers, a skyrocketing crime costing Australians more than $205 million this year alone.

In Sundays exclusive expose, 7News Spotlights Denham Hitchcock turns the tables on the complex, global web of thieves robbing Aussies of their hard-earned money, joining forces with a vigilante group who hack the hackers and save one Melbourne woman mid-scam.

The real-time rescue will shock viewers, as producers rush to the shaken womans home and stop the transfer of every cent of her savings to an anonymous caller posing as a spyware salesman.

Her confusion and desperation are palpable, her trauma made even worse when it is revealed she is a stage 4 cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

The 7News Spotlight exclusive also includes the chilling recordings of the Indian Swindler as he goes about his phone scams, stealing close to $1 million from Margaret Sutton, an elderly woman with dementia.

Back in Australia, reporter Ross Coulthart talks to another devastated family whose accountant father was hoodwinked out of more than $800,000.

In the US, Steve Pennells picks up the story of scam-baiting, in which ordinary Americans are fighting back against the scammers from their living rooms and garnering thousands of YouTube followers in the process.

7pm Sunday on Seven.
Its almost as if the ABC had not counted on a prominent outcry to their announcement this week to axe some 58 roles in ABC Archives.

Awkwardly, the announcement comes ahead of key ABC shows celebrating its 90th anniversary: The ABC Of and ABC 90 Celebrate!

But as these tweets remind us, the Archives are used across multiple ongoing shows.

The Weekly, Tomorrow Tonight and Hard Quiz all work very closely with ABC librarians and archivists. We would often be lost without them. And the ABC archives are such a significant resource and record of Australian culture. The work these folks do is vitally important. https://t.co/m6WJpRatS6  Charlie Pickering (@charliepick) June 9, 2022

Dont it always seem to go,

That you dont know what youve got till its gone?

Speaking personally, ABC archives & the specialist knowledge our archivists have of them are precious historical resources, enriching our stories endlessly. I value these professionals & their work. https://t.co/Zqq9avDlhY  Louise Milligan (@Milliganreports) June 8, 2022

No. Please dont @ABC. Our libraries and archives are where our history resides. Different skills required to store and access these materials than journalists possess to -supposedly  write historys first draft. https://t.co/JVyIp5EEZO  Anne Summers (@SummersAnne) June 8, 2022

Former ABC archivist Rod OHara explains why the role is so important (I tend to agree) ABC archives staff to be targeted in latest proposed cuts' @RNDrive https://t.co/t9D9dwKtaT  Andy Park (@andy_park) June 9, 2022

Big shout-out to Clare Cremin and Kate Jarvis whose work in the ABC archives guided us through six seasons of the Agony series. What professionals. Will we ever see their like again? https://t.co/HPMTYqa4M9  Adam Zwar (@adamzwar) June 8, 2022

This is appalling & must be reversed. ABC is fundamental to our national historical memory. Something that Liberals, like those on the ABC board, no longer have any interest in. How surprising this decision was delayed until after the election. #SaveOurABC https://t.co/ftySNiODZg  Kevin Rudd (@MrKRudd) June 8, 2022

Yesterday Managing Director David Anderson released a statement:

ABC Archives is an asset of national importance and the ABC will always protect it.

The digitisation of ABC Archives is designed to protect our national heritage and make it more accessible for content makers and all Australians.

The ABCs digitisation work undertaken in the past two years represents one of the largest projects in terms of scale and duration of its kind. It ensures the ABCs highly valuable and sometimes fragile content is preserved for future generations. It also ensures this content is now more searchable than ever before.

Before undertaking this important project we engaged with similar organisations that have already completed or are in the process of preserving their legacy media collections, including the National Archives of Australia, the BBC and CBC.

Already approximately 90% of our audio and 35% of our cassette-format video tape content that is high value and high risk has been converted into digital files. We have also digitised all one-inch and Umatic tapes, so in total 60% of our videotape holdings is now available on digital formats.

By the end of this year 1.2 million documents, 637,000 images, 97,000 videotapes and 54,000 audio carriers will have been digitised.

The ABC has for several years been transitioning to a digital-first media organisation.

This week we announced to employees a proposal to make changes to the ABC Archives team. I can assure all Australians that the proposed changes would not in any way affect the quality of the Archives content, now or into the future.

The proposed changes to the management of the ABC Archives and news library would include introducing several new technological platforms to ensure accessibility.

We are confident the proposed changes would not compromise the Archives teams ability to provide appropriate services to content makers. Following the proposed changes, the ABCs archives and library services would employ around 70 people.

There would continue to be highly-skilled Archives staff based in newsrooms and assisting and supporting our content teams, and they would remain responsible for the archiving of raw material.

Safeguarding the ABC Archives, making it fully accessible and more easily usable are part of responsible stewardship of this wonderful resource.
10 political reporter Tegan George has expanded her bullying claim against the network, alleging it failed to stop Peter van Onselen from tormenting her in social media posts.

In February George accused the network political editor of undermining and humiliating her, including by backgrounding other journalists against her, according to the statement of claim filed against the network in the federal court.

Guardian Australia reports George has now updated that claim to allege she has been further victimised because she exercised her right to go to court under the Fair Work Act.

According to the statement of claim, George has been unable to work since June last year and was recently in hospital. She claims she suffered hurt, humiliation and distress and the loss of opportunity to advance her career at the network, in part due to her alleged treatment by Van Onselen.

The claim alleges Van Onselen tweeted about George despite a Network 10 policy which requires employees not to bully or harass people on social media.

According to the statement of claim, George was in hospital at the time.

The statement of claim alleges George was required to work in a workplace that was hostile to women, in breach of the Sex Discrimination Act.

A spokesperson for the 10 network said, We are astonished that Maurice Blackburn Lawyers is seeking to prosecute these claims through a press release, pre-empting due process of the court and the proper administration of justice.

In its filed defence, Network 10 has previously denied the claims of victimisation and adverse action.

Network 10 intends to seek to strike out the new claims of sex discrimination. The court has established a timetable for that action.

Network 10 values and supports all employees. Any inference to the contrary is completely false.

Van Onselen, who is not a litigant in the case, has said Im looking forward to Channel 10 defending [the claim], which they are doing but I just cant speak publicly about it, unfortunately.
Handset and match: The CMA said Apple and Google have a stranglehold over the phone market (Getty Images)

Apple and Google have too much power over the phone market and action is needed to stop them taking over even more, the UKs Competition and Markets Authority has said.

The watchdog is seeking ways to address the companys duopoly amid fear that the two could become even more dominant, it announced as it published a final report into the two companies after a year of research.

The CMA said that the two companies have a stranglehold on the market that is limiting peoples choice, it said. It pointed to the way that they are able to use their ecosystems to promote their own services, pushing out other options.

In particular, it pointed to mobile browsers and cloud gaming as three ways it claimed the companies have been able to use their dominance to unfairly shut out competitors.

Apple, for instance, bans alternatives to its own browsing engine on its phones, making it much harder for other apps to distinguish themselves from the in-built Safari browser. And it has also blocked cloud gaming apps from the App Store, which the CMA said will prevent the sector from growing and means customers risk missing out on the full benefits of the technology.

The CMA also launched an investigation into Googles Play Store, and how it is able to set conditions on how customers can make in-app purchases. It already has a similar investigation running into Apples practices, which began in March 2021.

It said that some responses will require political changes, and identified them in its report. But the CMA will be looking at more immediate ways of addressing the situation using the powers it already has, it said.

When it comes to how people use mobile phones, Apple and Google hold all the cards, said Andrea Coscelli, chief executive of the CMA. As good as many of their services and products are, their strong grip on mobile ecosystems allows them to shut out competitors, holding back the British tech sector and limiting choice.

We all rely on browsers to use the internet on our phones, and the engines that make them work have a huge bearing on what we can see and do. Right now, choice in this space is severely limited and that has real impacts  preventing innovation and reducing competition from web apps. We need to give innovative tech firms, many of which are ambitious start-ups, a fair chance to compete.

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We have always been clear that we will maximise the use of our current tools while we await legislation for the new digital regime. Todays announcements  alongside the eight cases currently open against major players in the tech industry, ranging from tackling fake reviews to addressing problems in online advertising  are proof of that in action.

Apple said that it respectfully disagrees with some of the findings in the report, and that it hoped to convince the CMA that its approach was actually positive for customers.

We believe in thriving and competitive markets where innovation can flourish. Through the Apple ecosystem we have created a safe and trusted experience users love and a great business opportunity for developers. In the UK alone, the iOS app economy supports hundreds of thousands of jobs and makes it possible for developers big and small to reach customers around the world, it said. We respectfully disagree with a number of conclusions reached in the report, which discount our investments in innovation, privacy and user performance  all of which contribute to why users love iPhone and iPad and create a level playing field for small developers to compete on a trusted platform. We will continue to engage constructively with the Competition and Markets Authority to explain how our approach promotes competition and choice, while ensuring consumers privacy and security are always protected.
The British woman died in Bodrum (Alamy/PA)

A British tourist on holiday in Turkey has been killed by a driver who lost control.

Patricia Bernadette Ward, 71, was hit by a car on Saturday in the city of Bodrum, in the south-west, while on holiday with friends, according to local news sites in Turkey.

It has been reported that Ms Ward was walking back to her hotel at around 2am when the driver lost control of the steering wheel, mounted the pavement, crashed into a bollard and pinned the 71-year-old against a wall.

Emergency services declared Ms Ward dead at the scene.

Turkish news site Sabah said Ms Wards body was taken to Bodrum State Hospital and then to the Mugla Forensic Medicine Institution, and that the driver was taken into custody.

A spokesperson 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.
Bulgaria hunts for mystery pilot who flew across several European countries

Bulgarian authorities are searching for a mysterious pilot who flew unauthorised across several European countries.

Defence forces in the country were placed on high alert on Wednesday evening when a small aircraft was detected in its airspace.

The two-seater Beechcraft plane had apparently departed from Hungary and flown over Poland and Slovakia, according to Interior Minister Boiko Rashkov.

The pilot is then believed to have landed near the Black Sea, after briefly crossing into Serbia and Romania.

The 60-year-old aircraft was finally found on the runway of a private airport in the northeast area of Buhovtsi. It was covered by a tarpaulin and there was no trace of the crew.

The suspicious aircraft had no flight plan, had deactivated its transponders and did not respond to radio messages or visual signals, Bulgaria's defence ministry said in a statement.

The Beechcraft plane was intercepted by four Hungarian and Romanian fighter jets then escorted until it entered Bulgarian airspace.

Bulgarian defence minister Dragomir Zakov told reporters that Bulgaria didn't send up fighter jets to intercept as the aircraft "did not represent a threat at any time."

"It was flying at a very low altitude and with low speed, which makes interception by fighters difficult," he added.

According to the Defence Ministry, weather conditions were also difficult with heavy rains and thunderstorms. The plane reportedly stopped in the town of Vidin in northwest Bulgaria to refuel. From there it travelled east to an abandoned airfield near Targovishte.

Here authorities discovered it with the engine still warm, Interior Minister Boyko Rashkov told journalists. The pilot, however, had completely vanished without a trace.

The prosecutor's office in Varna, eastern Bulgaria has opened an investigation into the incident.
Stock image of a plane in the sunset (PA Wire)

A British man has been arrested on suspicion of trying to smuggle cocaine out of a Colombian airport strapped to his body.

Police held him after he reportedly threw a packet containing the drug into an airport toilet after spotting uniformed officers at a security checkpoint.

He was stopped and sniffer dogs used to identify the content.

Local reports have identified him as a British national and say he was carrying a kilo of the class A drug.

The arrest took place in Simon Bolivar International Airport, the airport serving Santa Marta city in Colombia which is the capital of Magdalena Department.

He has reportedly been sent to prison on remand pending an ongoing investigation after appearing before a judge in a closed court hearing.

A police spokesman said: A foreign man has been captured at the international airport of the city of Santa Marta.

He had intended to travel with a kilo of cocaine stripped to his body.

The incident happened after uniformed officers were alerted by airport staff about a person who was acting suspiciously.

The officers immediately deployed their activities of supervision and control and the result of these was the discovery of a package with one kilo of cocaine inside it.

This person was arrested on suspicion of trafficking drugs.

The Peru Two, Michaella McCollum from Dungannon, Northern Ireland, and Melissa Reid from Lenzie, Scotland, were arrested on 6 August 2013 on suspicion of drug smuggling at Jorge Chavez International Airport, Lima, Peru, after their luggage was found to contain 11 kilos of cocaine.

They initially claimed they had been coerced by an armed gang but subsequently pleaded guilty.

On 17 December 2013, the pair were sentenced to six years and eight months imprisonment. In early 2016, both women sought to return to the United Kingdom.

McCollum applied to be freed on parole and was released on 31 March 2016, with the prospect of having to remain in Peru for up to six years. In April 2016 the Peruvian authorities agreed to expel Reid from the country.

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She was released from prison on 21 June that year and immediately returned to Britain, arriving at Glasgow airport the following day. McCollum returned to Europe two months later, arriving at Dublin airport in Ireland on 13 August 2016.

She later wrote a book about her experiences titled Youll Never See Daylight Again.

It was not immediately clear on Friday where the British man arrested in Colombia had been intending to fly to.
Sir Keir Starmer has met some of Northern Irelands political leaders amid a deepening row over post-Brexit trading arrangements for the region.

The Labour leader was at Stormont on Friday morning for discussions with Alliance leader Naomi Long and SDLP chief Colum Eastwood.

He was welcomed to Parliament Buildings by outgoing Stormont Speaker Alex Maskey.

He held meetings with DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and UUP head Doug Beattie in London earlier this week, and met Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald in Belfast on Thursday evening.

Sir Keir Starmer meets Mary Lou McDonald in Belfast (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

He is also expected to meet US consul general Paul Narain and go on a walkabout in Belfast to view changes in the city since the Good Friday Agreement.

Sir Keir worked in Belfast when he was a human rights adviser to the Northern Ireland Policing Board between 2003 and 2007.

While in the city, along with shadow Northern Ireland secretary Peter Kyle, he is expected to call for compromise and negotiation to end the political deadlock over the return of the powersharing executive.

The Northern Ireland Protocol will also feature in discussions, with the UK Government proposing controversial legislation to override parts of the treaty.

In Dublin on Thursday, the UK Opposition leader 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 post-Brexit trading arrangement.

The contentious Government Bill is due to be tabled at Westminster on Monday.

On Thursday evening, Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill warned the UK Government against unilateral moves to override the protocol during an address to party members in Belfast.

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.

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At the same time, DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson was addressing a party meeting in Kilkeel, Co Down, where he said there is a unity of purpose within unionism in relation to the Northern Ireland Protocol.

He added: Even opinion polls show that the vast majority of unionists support our stance that the protocol must be resolved before devolution can be restored.

The DUP has refused to allow the powersharing Assembly to meet or an executive to be formed as part of its protest against the protocol, which has created a trade border in the Irish Sea.
THE HAGUE (Reuters) - One of the four men on trial for murder over the shooting down of an airliner over Ukraine in 2014 told Dutch judges on the final day of his trial on Friday that he is not guilty as his lawyers said he should be acquitted.

Prosecutors say Oleg Pulatov, two other Russian nationals and a Ukrainian helped supply a missile system that Russian-backed separatists used to fire a missile at Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17. All 298 people on board were killed.

In December prosecutors demanded life terms for Pulatov, Igor Girkin, Sergey Dubinsky and Leonid Kharchenko. All remain at large and only Pulatov instructed lawyers to act on his behalf. The others are being tried in absentia.

"I am not guilty, I had nothing to do with the crash on July 17, 2014," Pulatov said in a Russian video statement played in court and translated into English.

Most of the victims of the incident, which occurred after Russian proxies launched a separatist insurgency in eastern Ukraine, were Dutch nationals. The Dutch government holds Russia responsible. Authorities in Moscow deny involvement.

On the last day of the trial, which started in March 2020, Pulatov's lawyers argued that prosecutors had not properly explored alternative scenarios that could explain the crash. They said there was no evidence linking their client to the alleged firing of a missile.

After years of collecting evidence, an international team of investigators concluded in May 2018 that the Buk missile launcher used to shoot down the aircraft, which was en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, belonged to Russia's 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade.

Judges have adjourned the case and a verdict is expected in towards the end of this year.

(Reporting by Stephanie van den Berg; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) - Suspected Islamist fighters killed 25 people on Thursday in a village in Nigeria's northeastern Borno state, two residents and a military source said on Friday.

An insurgency by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province in Nigeria's northeast and southern Chad has killed thousands of people and displaced millions more in over a decade, humanitarian groups say.

The residents said gunmen arrived on motorbikes in Boboshe Mukdala village of Dikwa local government area of Borno, where they shot at people who were searching for scrap metal in a nearby forest.

"We recovered 25 bodies of the victims and we took those who sustained bullet wounds to (the) general hospital in Dikwa town," said a military source who declined to be named because he is not authorised to speak to the media.

Abba Kawu Masta a member of the traditional council in Dikwa told Reuters that children were among those killed.

An army spokesman did not respond to calls and messages to his phone.

(Reporting by Maiduguri newsroom; Writing by MacDonald Dzirutwe; Editing by Alison Williams)
World Series of Poker at Ballys and Paris Las Vegas is primed and ready for the players of Event #18 $1,000 Freezeout No-Limit Holdem to return to the felt to battle it out on Day 2. The chip leader going into today's field of 203 is James Little who find himself in great position having bagged over 75 big blinds (765,000) .

A handful of notable names managed to survive to Day 2. Shaun Deeb (395,000), Ben Yu (270,000), Yaser Al-Keliddar (185,000) and Ismael Bojang (375,000) are all in contention to add to their current bracelet tallies.

Some 2,663 players competed on Day 1, creating a $2,370,070 prize pool, of which $330,057 is earmarked for the eventual winner. Only 203 players remain in the hunt for this event's gold bracelet, all of which are in the money.

Play resumes soon at 12:00 p.m. local time starting at Level 18 with blinds of 5,000/10,000 with a 10,000 big blind ante. Levels are 40 minutes long with a 20-minute break between every three and play will continue until a champion is crowned.

Always keep a tab open for PokerNews if you want up-to-date action throughout this tournament and any other 2022 WSOP bracelet events.
Day 2 of Event #19: $25,000 Pot-Limit Omaha High Roller continues at the 2022 World Series of Poker and sports-cards enthusiast Jared Bleznick holds the chip lead heading into the day with a stack 601,500. Sean Winter (578,000) and Ben Lamb (540,500) are also returning to the felt with top-ten stacks and will be looking to continue their run.

Multiple-bracelet winners Brian Rast (395,500), Phil Ivey (360,500), Chance Kornuth (333,000), and Anthony Zinno (319,000) are among those who will return with more than twice the starting stack of 150,000 chips, and are looking to secure another piece of gold jewelry.

When action resumes at 2 p.m. local time, there will be 124 players coming back who bagged in the first day out of 196 entries so far. They will surely be joined by others looking for four-card high roller action, as late registration remains open until the end of Level 12 at approximately 4:15 p.m.

Day 2 Top Ten Chip Counts

Place Player Country Chips Big Blinds 1 Jared Bleznick United States 601,500 201 2 Chris DeMaci United States 586,000 195 3 Sean Winter United States 578,000 193 4 Frank Crivello United States 575,000 192 5 James Chen United States 553,000 184 6 Ben Lamb United States 540,500 180 7 Dmitrii Perfilev United States 536,500 179 8 Duarte Baptista Portugal 484,500 162 9 Kristopher Tong United States 444,500 148 10 Conrad De Armas United States 437,500 146

Day 2 begins at 2 p.m. in the Paris purple section. Play will resume on Level 11 with blinds at 1,500/3,000 with a 3,000 big blind ante. As with the first day, players will play ten 60-minute levels on Day 2, with a 15-minute break every two levels and a 60-minute dinner break after Level 16 around 8:30 p.m.

Stay tuned as the PokerNews live reporting team bring you updates of the Day 2 action from Ballys and Paris Las Vegas.
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has been voted the Professional Footballers Associations mens player of the year, with Chelseas Sam Kerr collecting the womens award.

Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden retains the PFA young player of the year award, with Lauren Hemp again womens young player, which she wins for a third consecutive season.

Voted for by PFA members, Salah topped the poll ahead of Belgian playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, who had won for the previous two years and was again an integral part of the Manchester City team which claimed the Premier League title ahead of Liverpool by just one point.

A massive congratulations to @MoSalah who has been voted your 2022 Player of the Year! #PFAawards  pic.twitter.com/kE6iJTSDV2  Professional Footballers' Association (@PFA) June 9, 2022

Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Tottenham striker Harry Kane had also made the shortlist, along with Salahs Liverpool team-mates Virgil Van Dijk and Sadio Mane.

Salah takes the PFA player of the year trophy for a second time, having previously won in 2018, after helping drive Jurgen Klopps men to success in both the Caraboa Cup and FA Cup, as well as reaching the Champions League final, where they lost to Real Madrid.

Egypt international Salah finished as the Premier Leagues joint top-scorer alongside Tottenhams Son Heung-min with 23 goals and was announced as the PFA mens player of the year at a virtual ceremony on June 9.

 "This one is a really good one to win, especially because its voted by players. It shows you that youve worked really hard, and you get what you worked for.  PFA Players Player of the Year 2022 | @MoSalah  #PFAawards #POTY @LFC pic.twitter.com/Y5NPOUsGVu  Professional Footballers' Association (@PFA) June 9, 2022

Its a great honour to win a trophy, individual or collective and this one is big so, very happy and very proud of that, said Salah, who was also voted the mens footballer of the year by the Footballer Writers Association.

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This one is a really good one to win, especially because its voted by players. It shows you that youve worked really hard and you get what you worked for.

I have my room with trophies in a cabinet and I made sure that I had another space for one more. I always keep space and just try to imagine that the trophies are going to come.

 Its a massive honour I think, whenever youre voted by your peers. I think thats the highest honour as a player so, its an amazing feeling.  PFA Players Player of the Year 2022 | @samkerr1  #PFAawards #POTY @ChelseaFCW pic.twitter.com/OobKc9ajOa  Professional Footballers' Association (@PFA) June 9, 2022

Chelsea forward Kerr scored 20 goals to be top scorer in the FA Womens Super League, helping Emma Hayes team win the domestic double after beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

Its a massive honour I think, whenever youre voted by your peers. I think thats the highest honour as a player so, its an amazing feeling, said Australia international Kerr, who was also named the FWAs womens footballer of the year.

Arsenals Dutch forward Vivianne Miedema and her Gunners team-mate Kim Little were also on the PFA shortlist along with Manchester Citys Alex Greenwood and Hemp as well as Chelseas Pernille Harder.

 I'm really honoured to be honest, especially to win it back-to-back, its just nice to look at and see how far you've come so, yeah, Im really pleased. #PFAawards  PFA Young Player of the Year 2022 | @PhilFoden pic.twitter.com/YszZtuuKQ9  Professional Footballers' Association (@PFA) June 9, 2022

Manchester City midfielder Foden, 22, topped the all-England shortlist on the mens young player award.

Arsenal midfield duo Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe, Conor Gallagher, who spent the season on loan at Crystal Palace from Chelsea, Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey and Chelsea full-back Reece James were also nominated.

Im really honoured to be honest, especially to win it back-to-back, it shows that Ive come a long way this year with the consistency of my game, Foden said.

Hopefully I can win the main award in the future, but its all about taking small steps and improving.

 Its an honour to get this again. I think especially for it to be voted for by players that Ive come up against. #PFAawards  PFA Young Player of the Year 2022 | @lauren__hemp pic.twitter.com/yftGbzZRAY  Professional Footballers' Association (@PFA) June 9, 2022

Hemp, meanwhile, becomes the first person to win the PFA young player of the year award four times.

Chelsea forward Lauren James, Arsenals Norwegian star Frida Maanum, Tottenham striker Jessica Naz, Manchester United forward Ella Toone and Brighton defender Maya Le Tissier made up the rest of the shortlist.

Its an honour to get this again. I think especially for it to be voted for by players that Ive played against and come up against, Hemp, 21, said.

I look to many of them as role models as well so its an honour to be picked from them. Im going to keep working hard for that to make sure that I continue on the right path.

 Its nice to be recognised by fellow professionals, although theyre ones Ive worked with as a coach rather than alongside, so I will treasure this. Congrats to Roy Hodgson, this years PFA Merit Award recipient! #PFAawards pic.twitter.com/slanjF1Z1G  Professional Footballers' Association (@PFA) June 9, 2022

The 2022 PFA merit award saw two former England managers honoured, with Roy Hodgson and Hope Powell acknowledged for their outstanding contributions to football.

I never won any trophies as a player unfortunately, so it is nice to be recognised by fellow professionals. It will have pride of place, said Hodgson, 74, who left his role with Watford at the end of the season having taken over in January.

Brighton womens manager Powell added: I feel lucky and blessed to be in the game after many years.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz asked Kosovo and Serbia for a clear commitment to reaching a lasting political solution to their long-standing dispute over Kosovo's independence amidst his visit to the two country's capitals.

Normalisation talks facilitated by the European Union started 11 years ago but yielded little impact, and tensions between the former opponents in war remain.

Scholz, who was first in Pristina on Friday kicking off a multi-nation trip in the Western Balkans, said Russia's war in Ukraine made the region's stability even more important.

"In times like this, the value of peace and security is made clear anew to us, and a further very weighty reason for Kosovo and Serbia to find a political solution with a comprehensive, sustainable solution that also contributes to regional stability," Scholz said at a news conference in Pristina.

The chancellor asked Serbia and Kosovo's governments for a clear commitment to the EU-facilitated dialogue.

"It is clear that an agreement must ultimately also clear up the question of the recognition of Kosovo, because it is not conceivable that two countries that don't recognize each other become members of the EU," Scholz said.

A former province of Serbia, Kosovo declared independence in 2008, a decade after a brutal 1998-1999 conflict between ethnic Albanian rebels and Serbian forces led by the regime of Slobodan Milosevic.

The conflict, which escalated into serious crimes against the ethnic Albanian population by Milosevic's forces as international community-led peace negotiations stalled, ended after a 78-day NATO air campaign that drove Serbian troops out, while a peacekeeping force moved in.

Most Western nations have recognized Kosovo's sovereignty, but Serbia and its allies Russia and China do not.

Kosovo to apply for EU candidacy status 'like Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia'

The six Western Balkan countries are at different stages of their EU membership aspirations. Serbia and Montenegro have started full negotiations, while Albania and North Macedonia have faced delays in the EU launching their talks after Bulgaria vetoed the latter over language, history and identity questions.

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Kosovo and Bosnia are in the early stages of the membership process and have been labelled as potential candidate countries.

Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti said the country would apply for EU candidacy status as Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia have done, since joining the EU as "the only future" for the nation of 1.87 million, according to him.

Scholz praised Kosovo for supporting EU sanctions against Russia over the invasion of Ukraine, calling the government in Pristina "a reliable partner".

He also reminded the Serbian government that any country hoping to become an EU member should abide by its laws and customs.

Scholz then left Pristina for Belgrade, where he was greeted by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic at the airport, followed by a formal meeting on Friday afternoon.

At a press conference after the talks, Vucic hailed what he said was continuously improving economic cooperation with Berlin, stating that German companies now employ as many as 77,000 Serbians.

He also lauded Scholz as someone who has brought new hope for everyone in the Western Balkans, Serbian national TV RTS reported.

"He wants to listen to us and wants a constant EU accession perspective, which is an important message to all in the Western Balkans," Vucic said.

However, the Serbian president also pointed out that Scholz has asked that his government joins the bloc's sanctions against the Kremlin, stating that the German chancellor offered to help the country deal with any consequences in acquiring gas and oil that would result from the move.

Serbia has not joined EU sanctions on Russia, claiming neutrality, with questions raised over Vucic's close ties to Moscow and Beijing. Serbia is also heavily dependent on Russian energy.

After Kosovo and Serbia, Scholz plans to visit Greece, North Macedonia and Bulgaria on his Balkans trip.

In Tallinn, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer urged Friday that Western Balkan countries seeking EU membership should not be forgotten as Ukraine knocks at the bloc's door.

"We must give these states the same chance as Ukraine. They need this just as urgently and have been waiting for decades in some cases," Nehammer, who was in the Estonian capital to meet with Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, said. "We can't leave out the Western Balkan countries, but also Moldova."

The EU's 27 nations have been united in backing Ukraine's resistance to Russia's invasion, adopting unprecedented economic sanctions against Moscow since the start of the war in February.

European leaders are expected to consider Ukraine's bid for EU candidate status at the end of June.
Thousands of people have gathered for the funeral of an Al Jazeera journalist shot dead during an Israeli military raid.

Shireen Abu Akleh was a Palestinian-American reporter who covered the Middle East conflict for more than 25 years.

Journalists who were with her in the West Bank city of Jenin said Israeli forces fired at them even though they were wearing "press" vests and clearly identifiable as reporters.

Her body was carried through the streets after the killing - with the bulletproof vest on top of the coffin.

The 51-year-old's death on Wednesday has led to an outpouring of grief in the Arab world, where she was well known after years on Al Jazeera's Arabic language service.

The channel has accused Israel of deliberately killing her and has promised legal action. Ms Abu Akleh's colleague was also wounded in the shooting.



The head of the Palestinian Authority has blamed Israel and rejected calls for a joint investigation.

"They cannot hide the truth with this crime," said President Mahmoud Abbas as her body lay with a Palestinian flag draped over it at the funeral in Ramallah.

"They are the ones who committed the crime, and because we do not trust them, we will immediately go to the International Criminal Court," he said.

An investigation into possible Israeli war crimes was launched by the ICC over a year ago.

Israel has said it is investigating the incident after initially suggesting she might have been shot by Palestinian militants, before backtracking.

It wants a joint probe to be carried out with the Palestinian Authority.

An aide to President Abbas, Hussein al-Sheikh, said they would conduct their own investigation "with high transparency".

'No militants in the area at time of killing'

Ms Abu Akleh was in Jenin to cover an Israeli raid; in recent weeks the city has been used by militants as a base to conduct a wave of deadly attacks on Israel, which has launched counter-terror operations in response.

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However, reporters with her said there were no militants in the area at the time.

Read more:

How two videos represent two versions of a journalist's death

United Nations chief Antonio Gutteres has also urged an "an independent and transparent investigation" - something Israeli defence minister Benny Gantz has agreed to.

Mr Gantz said he was in contact with US and Palestinian officials, adding: "We are trying to figure out exactly what happened. I don't have final conclusions."

Human rights groups accuse Israel of rarely living up to pledges to investigate such incidents, and claim that when it does punishments are lenient.

In recent weeks, at least 18 Israelis have been killed and scores injured in terrorist attacks that included a mass stabbing in a town near Tel Aviv.

More than 30 Palestinians have also died, most of them were involved in attacks or fighting with Israeli forces, but an unarmed woman and at least two apparent passersby are among the dead.

Clashes at Jerusalem's Al Aqsa mosque last month, in which more than 150 Palestinians were reportedly hurt, have been blamed for escalating the violence.
There were blog posts I wanted to write during this interim week between Christmas and New Year's. Unfortunately, my plans were short-circuited by an unexpected hospital stay.

I had a stroke on Christmas night. Even writing the words feels strange; I hardly believe them. Even stranger is the discovery that this was my second stroke. (Suddenly the most surreal part of my visit to Montreal in June -- the hour immediately after arrival, when I couldn't form a cogent sentence in either English or French -- makes a new, and frightening, kind of sense.)

The early part of the week blurs in memory already. I noticed the compromised vision while watching Little Miss Sunshine on Monday night. Tuesday morning I called my opthamologist. There were waiting-room time and dilated eyes and boredom. Then the startling news that the problem was neurological; then the first MRI; then admission to the hospital. Bright lights and nurses and the inevitable search for veins on my small hands.



Hospitals don't unnerve me like they used to, thanks to my year of chaplaincy work. I'm grateful for that. Still, it's one thing to be in a hospital in a caregiving capacity, and another thing entirely to be there as a patient, navigating the exhausting waters of uncertainty.

In the last few days I've been injected with rare earth metals twice. I've listened to the thudding techno beat of a giant magnet and to the magnified sound of blood pumping in my arteries. I've swallowed a small camera and allowed doctors a clean view of the back of my heart. (No defects, only a mild murmur.)

Vials of dark red blood have been sent off to the appropriate labs, to test for clotting factors and genetic predispositions. We've changed my usual line-up of meds: a few subtractions (risk factors for stroke) and a few additions to balance them out. I have a team of doctors who I respect and trust, dedicated to helping me figure all of this out in the coming weeks.

I am profoundly grateful to the nurses, doctors, specialists, and orderlies at Berkshire Medical Center. Also to my friends, family, and especially my husband, for taking such good care of me. What a week it has been.

At some point I hope to write more about this: what it felt like, what fears it awoke in me, and what certainties. But everything's still a little jumbled, and I'm not sure I've really processed what went on and what it means. I hope you'll bear with me as I begin to make sense of all this craziness. Meanwhile, as my rabbi noted on Wednesday morning, it gives me an excellent new perspective on the work of pastoral care...





Technorati tags: health, hospital.
This week I am reading up on cardiac catheterization. It sounds like sometimes they go in through the wrist, and sometimes at the groin. My wrists are tiny: I can't imagine that the blood vessel there is large enough to thread anything through. Then again, it's an easy place to feel my pulse. The radial artery, according to the internet. Radial makes me think of radiant. When I had the stress test with nuclear imaging, were my arteries temporarily radiant? I wonder if I could use that image in a poem.

I wonder what became of the images of the inside of my body from when I had my strokes. Did the trans-esophageal echocardiogram yield still pictures, or only a live video feed? I remember being asked to count backwards, but I don't remember the procedure itself. I know there were brain scans; I remember seeing grainy images, with white blemishes in the places where the strokes left their damage. I probably have the images on a CD-ROM somewhere, though I no longer have a disk drive.

I often notice the pulse point at the wrist when I'm laying tefillin. I learned to map the ten wraps of the arm strap to the ten sefirot of our mystical tradition. Above the elbow, the top three windings are for chochmah, binah, da'at -- wisdom, understanding, knowledge. Then come chesed, gevurah, tiferet, netzach, hod, yesod, malchut -- lovingkindness, boundaried strength, harmony, endurance, humble gratitude, foundations, and Shechinah, the indwelling divine Presence.

That final wrapping goes right over my pulse point. Divine presence, pressing on that place where my life-force is palpably present. "God is as close to me as the beating of my heart." I don't remember the citation for that, though a quick google search suggests that this idea can be found across many religious traditions. What could be closer to us than the beating of our own hearts? It's an intimate, embodied metaphor, and that too makes me think of Shechinah: God with/in us, with/in creation.

I don't lay tefillin every day. My early mornings feel packed -- wake the kid, make breakfast, pack lunch, help him wedge the bass into the car, get him to school -- and I cling to sleep too much to wake up before him to daven. Once he's on summer vacation, I hope to get back into the habit of making more time for morning prayer. Meanwhile, I think tomorrow I might lay tefillin even if all I manage is the seven-minute daven. Feel God's presence wrapped around my wrist, Shechinah holding my hand.
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. 








When I woke with chest tightness and pain and numbness down both arms, at first I thought I had slept funny and one arm had fallen asleep. But then I realized it was both arms, which didn't make sense. And also my chest felt really tight, as though compressed with a strong, thick, solid rubber band.

These are sensations I've come to know well over the last 18 months. Carrying in the groceries, or schlepping the laundry -- almost any exertion can bring this on. It always goes away within a few minutes if I sit and breathe. But it had never happened before during the night, while I was at rest.

I picked up my phone and googled "heart attack symptoms." Shortness of breath, chest tightness, numbness or discomfort in the arms: those have been my regular companions for a while now. Breaking a sweat for no reason: find me anyone peri-menopausal who doesn't experience that sometimes?

I thought about calling an ambulance. I imagined having to wake up my twelve year old, the ride to the hospital, the hours of tests, the likelihood that the doctors would say, "It's just anxiety," or "Nothing clinical here." Maybe it's nothing, I thought. I wanted it to be nothing. I went back to sleep.

In the morning, on urging from friends, I reluctantly called my doctor, who instructed me to go to the ED. There they diagnosed an NSTEMI: non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Eventually an ambulance took me to Baystate: riding backwards, strapped to a gurney, watching the green hills go by.

I arrived at the Davis Heart and Vascular Center late on Friday. Procedures like cardiac catheterization don't happen on weekends. Enter electrode stickers, an Intellivue MX40 wearable monitor, a heparin drip via IV. Every two hours a phlebotomist arrived to draw more blood, charting troponin levels.

In the subsequent days, sometimes I could maintain equanimity. I could reach my gratitude practices, maintain perspective, feel how lucky I am that we caught this quickly. Other times I couldn't help leaking tears, swallowing around a painful lump in my throat: feeling shaken, vulnerable, afraid.

I discovered that when they draw blood, I make the same pained sounds my mother made. Also, when there are IV ports on my hands, they remind me of her hands once she fell ill. That's not how she would want to be remembered. She'd be pleased that people complimented my manicure, though.

A fabulous nurse told me amazing stories about his ancestors buried in the North Adams cemetery. An ultrasound tech asked me what I do for a living as she slathered me with conductive gel. When I told her, she asked if I could explain to her what Jews believe about the apocalypse and the End Times.

As a pastoral caregiver I know that both laughter and tears are normal in a hospital. (Not just in a hospital; always! But emotions are heightened at times like these.) Sometimes I could lift up and let the current carry me. Sometimes I sank to the bottom and crashed into the riverbed rocks.

On erev Shavuot I joined, via Zoom, the festival service I had planned to co-lead. I sang Hallel very quietly. I may never forget singing       ("The dead do not praise You, nor all those who go down into silence," Ps. 115:16) attached to a heparin drip and cardiac monitors.

Now I am home, learning about MINOCA (myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries), and preparing to seek out diagnosticians who might be able to weave my strokes 15 years ago, my shortness of breath, and this heart attack into a coherent narrative with a clear action plan.

After my strokes, I saw specialist after specialist in Boston. Eventually I leaned into not-knowing, into taking Mystery as a spiritual teacher. But now that I've added a heart attack to the mix, I'm hoping anew for a grand unifying theory. For now, I remain in the not-knowing, with gratitude to be alive.

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Waco police arrested a 28-year-old man Tuesday who they believe shot two people outside a taco truck in April, seriously injuring both and leaving one paralyzed.

James Curtis White III was arrested on two counts of aggravated assault, a first-degree felony, according to the affidavit. Court documents show he was arraigned Wednesday and was given a total bond amount of $500,000.

McLennan County Jail records show White was in the jail as of Thursday, and officials from the jail said in addition to the aggravated assault charges, he is currently being held on federal charges. It is unclear what the federal charges are because the U.S. Marshals have not yet publicly released that information.

The shooting happened at about 2:40 a.m. April 24 at El Pollo Palenque Taqueria, a taco truck at 1400 La Salle Ave. According to the affidavit, a verbal altercation, which involved White and several other people, began in the parking lot where the taco truck is located. Two men involved in the altercation decided to leave, and were struck by bullets as they were walking away, the affidavit says.

According to the affidavit, one of the men shot spent several days in a hospital's intensive care unit recovering from internal injuries, and the other has been left without the ability to walk because of his injuries.

Police determined White was the shooter based on descriptions from witness, who said the shooter fired while standing through a car's sunroof, the affidavit says.

White pleaded guilty in 2021 to two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon and a count of possession of a counterfeit $100 bill and was sentenced to five years of probation, according to records from the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. After a drunken driving arrest in October 2021, a federal judge signed an order that December approving a court recommendation that Whites supervised release be revoked and he be remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshal for twelve months and one day followed by three years of supervised release.

However, it is unclear whether or how long he was imprisoned after the order.

White also faced a theft of a firearm charge in McLennan County in 2015 and an aggravated robbery charge in Travis County in 2016.

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Waco Police Department will coordinate with community organizations to seek violence interrupters, who would aim to intervene before violent situations arise, Waco Police Chief Sheryl Victorian told Waco City Council this week.

While discussing the police departments response to rising crime in Waco, Victorian told the council that apart from homicide, the rates of both violent and nonviolent crime are actually trending about the same this year as last year. She also said her department will seek out violence interrupters among the community, aiming to prevent situations from escalating to violence.

An uptick in crime is not a police problem. Its a community problem, Waco City Council Member Andrea Barefield said.

Community Opportunity Event The Waco Police Department and community organizations will host a Community Opportunity Event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Waco Multi-Purpose Center, 1020 Elm Ave. Food and drinks will be available, and the event will feature a range of learning and improvement opportunities for kids, teenagers and young adults, including job opportunities, mentoring programs, mental and physical health information and information on higher education scholarships and grants. Activities will include a 3-point free throw basketball contest and a "Madden" football video game contest as well as raffles giving away an Apple watch, a 55-inch TV, a Meta-Quest 2 Virtual Reality Headset and more.

Taking the lead to gather the community in response to the rising number of homicides this year, the chief proposed violence interrupters.

I know people through my last job (as an assistant police chief in Houston) who have done this type of program before and been successful, Victorian said.

Violence interrupters are not actually people who would walk into the middle of a fist fight and pull the fighters apart, police spokesperson Cierra Shipley said after the council meeting.

(It) is a term (the chief) uses to describe community members/mentors/influential stakeholders as people who redirect our youth and interrupt the cycle of crime, Shipley told the Tribune-Herald by text message Tuesday.

According to a statement from the National Gang Center of the U.S. Department of Justice, at the street level, violence interrupters are individuals who, because of their past positions in the community or, in some cases, their prior history with a gang, retain the ability to reach and talk to key active gang members.

Violence interrupters use these personal relationships to address ongoing disputes, which may prevent them from escalating into shootings, according to the statement. Their activities include talking individuals and groups out of planned violent events and, in some cases, talking with and/or bringing together key individuals who are involved to cool down those conflicts.

Violence interrupters represent a proactive policing strategy that began in the early 2000s, said Patrick Flavin, a Baylor University political science professor who leads the schools program offering a minor in criminal justice.

Flavin said he has read research where violence interrupters have been tried in large cities like Chicago, New York, Phoenix and Pittsburgh.

(Its) a way to try to proactively deal with violence, to limit (violent acts) from happening in the first place, Flavin said.

He said it is a practical method.

Using violence interrupters involves identifying scenarios where violence happens and attempting to prevent it with those who have a better chance of breaking through and having an effect, Flavin said.

He also said it is key to measure the results.

In some of the cities where this was tried, crime went down, he said. In others it stayed the same.

There were a couple of studies where crime actually went up, he said.

Its important to have ways of measuring the results, so that they can do something different, or make adjustments, if they dont get the results they want, Flavin said.

He also said all the studies on violence interrupters he has read took place in larger cities than Waco.

Theres no one way to do it that will guarantee success. It works better in some places than others, Flavin said. Maybe it will work better in Waco.

The Waco police chief told the council a Waco-area nonprofit will apply for a grant later this month to provide training to the mentors and influencers who would help to break the cycle of crime.

Crime trends and arrests

Victorian also touted the number of arrests the Waco Police Department has made and the number of firearms they have taken off the streets.

Waco saw a slight increase in violent and nonviolent crime in 2018, a slight drop in 2019 and, except for homicides, has been comparatively flat since then, the chief said. So far this year, we have made 433 arrests for violent crimes, including clearing seven homicides and 13 sexual assaults by arrest.

She also said her officers have taken 281 firearms off the streets.

Those 281 firearms include weapons taken into evidence, Victorian said, as well as recovered stolen guns and guns taken away from felons not allowed to have firearms.

Other ways to reduce crime

Victorian also discussed the departments Neighborhood Engagement Team and a neighborhood camera initiative.

The Neighborhood Engagement Team has been visiting schools, walking the halls, reading to students and eating lunch with them, she said.

She also said that the Neighborhood Engagement Team follows up with clergy and civic organizations after vigils and public events to get them involved in redirecting youth and preventing crime.

In the neighborhood camera initiative, she said residents who have Ring brand doorbell cameras can give the police department temporary access to review recorded video for evidence of crimes or to see suspects movements.

Victorian also said the department would bring proposals for the department to buy and deploy its own gunshot detectors, which use a network of audio sensors, and automated license plate readers to the council at a future meeting.

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Waco will get another taste of outdoor theater this weekend with Wild Imaginings rendition of Romeo and Juliet.

The Shakespeare in the Park performances are scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday at the Indian Spring Park amphitheater, University Parks Drive and Franklin Avenue. Attendance is free.

Wild Imaginings Director Trent Sutton said the organization strives to provide a platform for local artists to perform and introduced Shakespeare in the Park last year to bring Waco a type of arts platform that was missing from the community.

Shakespeare in the Park is a really great way to breathe life into classic stories that people know and love, Sutton said. We are staging it more as a romantic comedy (and) we are setting it in the '60s, which was a time of both progress and turmoil, which is a perfect backdrop for a story like Romeo and Juliet. It sets the stage for an ideological conflict as opposed to a power struggle between two aristocratic families.

Sutton said the actors have only been working on this performance for about four weeks, as they just wrapped their performance of Into the Woods early last month. But watching the actors is no giveaway for how short the turnaround time was, Sutton said.

The actress portraying Juliet, Mackenzie Nielsen, is a recent Baylor University graduate and is performing one last time with Wild Imaginings before she moves to New York at the end of the summer, Sutton said. Jack Page, a local actor, will play alongside Nielsen as Romeo. Both Nielsen and Page also starred in the Shakespeare in the Park last year.

Sutton said Shakespeare in the Park is aimed at becoming an annual gift to the Waco community, because he believes art should be accessible to everyone.

It was really important to us to make it an event that was free. I really believe art is for everyone and theres a lot of performances and places throughout the year that are gate kept, whether thats where its taking place or how much it cost to get in," he said. "So, Shakespeare in the Park is a really lovely example of public art and not a mural on a wall but a performance in a park. Its something that anyone can attend and something that the city can enjoy.

Its recommended that attendees bring lawn chairs and blankets, and there will be concessions on site, available by donation.

Kelly Parker, a theater instructor at McLennan Community College, directed an outdoor production of Much Ado About Nothing, last weekend in Salado, a town about 50 miles south of Waco. The performance was held at Tablerock Amphitheatre, which is surrounded by nature, Parker said.

With Shakespeare there (are) kind of these pros and these cons, like the pros are that Shakespeare was originally done outside. Theres something to the being outside in the elements, in nature, that in my opinion makes the plays and the text come alive, Parker said. The absence of technology is wonderful with the addition of nature, but that also presents a whole lot of challenges. In some ways it simplifies the plays, instead of having smoke and special effects and all of that. Its really on the actors that they really have to project and put their voice out there, which is very different from what we are used to seeing on film and television.

Sutton said the performance is a great opportunity for Wacoans to engage in theater, the best part being that it is free.

I think theres just something really, truly special about seeing a reimagined telling of a classic tale against the backdrop of the Brazos River, Sutton said. By the time we start performing, the slope is completely shaded and I cant imagine a more lovely way to spend an evening than relaxing in the grass watching performers create something specular.

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The House panel investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol has firmly laid blame on Donald Trump. In Thursday's prime-time hearing, lawmakers said the siege was no accident but an attempted coup and a direct result of the defeated presidents effort to overturn the 2020 election.

Rep. Bennie Thompson, the Democrat from Mississippi, said the attack put Americas constitutional democracy at risk. Thursday's hearing showed new video and other evidence from the deadly Capitol assault.

The panel also detailed the chilling backstory as defeated President Donald Trump tried to overturn Joe Bidens 2020 election victory. Live testimony included a police officer who was pummeled in the riot and a documentary filmmaker tracking extremist Proud Boys leading the melee.

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.

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.

The House has approved a red flag bill that would allow families, police and others to ask federal courts to order the removal of firearms from people believed to be at extreme risk of harming themselves or others.

Its the Democratic-controlled chamber's latest response to U.S. mass shootings, and likely stands little chance in the Senate. Republicans criticized the bill as giving the federal government the ability to take a law-abiding persons guns without them having the ability to contest it beforehand.

Authorities say an employee opened fire at a manufacturing business in western Maryland, leaving three coworkers dead and one other critically injured before the suspect and a state trooper were wounded in a shootout.

The Washington County sheriff said the victims of Thursday's shooting and the suspect all worked at Columbia Machine Inc. in Smithsburg. Authorities say the 42-year-old suspect fled after the shooting in a vehicle and he was tracked down by Maryland State Police.

The sheriffs office says the suspect and a trooper were wounded in an exchange of gunfire. Both were being treated for their wounds.

GasBuddy reports prices have topped $5 a gallon nationally.

Benchmark U.S. crude oil for July delivery fell 60 cents to $121.51 a barrel Thursday. Brent crude for August delivery fell 51 cents to $123.07 a barrel.

President Joe Biden is trying to present a unifying vision for the Western Hemisphere as he hosts the Summit of Americas in Los Angeles. But the gathering has been wracked by divisions and absences that make it hard to bring North and South America together around shared goals on migration, the economy and climate.

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 the other coronavirus vaccines for religious reasons.

Military officials say many troops who refuse the shots cite certain COVID-19 vaccines remote connection to abortions.

Average long-term U.S. mortgage rates jumped back up ahead of next weeks Federal Reserve meeting where its expected to announce another increase to its main borrowing rate.

Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year rate jumped to 5.23% this week from 5.09% last week.

The brisk jump in rates, along with a sharp increase in home prices, has been pushing potential homebuyers out of the market.

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. The album contains covers of The Velvet Undergrounds Venus In Furs, the Everly Brothers ballad Let It Be Me and Marvin Gayes soul classic Whats Going On.

The Recording Academy has created a social change song award and five new categories including songwriter of the year, giving the Grammys an avenue to honor musics best composer.

The academy announced Thursday that the new non-classical songwriter category will recognize one individual who was the most prolific non-performing and non-producing songwriters for their body of new work during an eligibility year.

The four other categories include best spoken word poetry album, alternative music performance, Americana music performance and score soundtrack for video games and other interactive media. The academy created a special merit award that determines best song for social change.

The Associated Press
Lincoln Savings Bank continues to grow at an unprecedented rate despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Its workforce is expected to reach close to 500 employees by the start of next year, said Cathy Schuler, executive vice president of human resources. That milestone comes after three years of record hiring, approximately 100 new employees per year.

Some new employees replaced people who left. But a sizable chunk are new positions created to support sides of the business not typically offered by your average community bank.

That includes the expansion of its government-guaranteed lending programs, but also its financial technology fintech division.

But LSB views itself as a community bank first, with the highest quality services for its clients. It has more than 15 branches, mostly in Northeast Iowa but also in and around Des Moines.

LSB has always strived to be innovative, said Schuler, and it found the right partners and clients to help build its fintech brand, including Square Cash App, Qapital, M1 Finance and Acorns, as well as leaders whom helped guide it through the years.

Schuler said when the pandemic became the new reality, LSB was able to offer commercial borrowers Paycheck Protection Program loans from the Small Business Administration right off the bat.

HiringThe Great Resignation is a term coined to describe the unexpected number of people who quit their jobs after the pandemic lent an opportunity for them to re-evaluate their lives and seek more fulfilling careers.

Schuler said LSB hasnt directly fallen victim to the supposed phenomenon. But the bank has seen challenges in its candidate pool.

I used to put out an ad for a teller and get 20 applications without even trying, Schuler said. Now, Im getting like 10.

One way LSB has responded is by turning every one of its employees into a recruiter, with the help of financial incentives through its referral program. LSB also leans on recruiting platforms like LinkedIn, and makes sure candidates are aware of its flexible schedules and opportunities to work remotely.

Schuler insists there are no secrets to hiring.

We just try to find the good, solid, hardworking people, and we dont settle until we find them, she said. We talk about our culture. And once youre on board, we take the time to check on them and ourselves to ensure everyone still feels and exhibits our core values.

However, Schuler does have one secret weapon.

LSB moved into the Cedar Valley TechWorks building to bring new jobs to Waterloo, and in part expand LSBX, its fintech division, as well as other sectors of its business.

I love it, Schuler said about what is now called Lincoln Savings Bank Techworks Central Campus. Its probably one of my best recruiting tools, because it really promotes collaboration.

In many cases, LSB doesnt have to hire because of the pride it takes in transferring talent and training people internally, and having a real knack for retaining its employees.

You have to remember there are a lot of stakeholders, and the community we serve, but with the employees, we do our best to remember that we need to take care of them too, Schuler said.

One way to do that is by being upfront and communicating with them, and offering them the opportunity to be employee owners through an employee stock ownership plan.

FintechLSB introduced fintech as part of business model back in 2015. Its a big reason for LSBs continued growth.

Ive been in banking a long time, and fintech really is something new, Schuler said. It requires a different skillset. It involves a different customer segment, and youre dealing with different rules and processes.

Fintech compliance is a whole other animal, she added.

Brett Olsen, associate professor of finance at the University of Northern Iowa, said a lot of upstart technology companies are competing with the banks, who, as a result, are being forced to ramp up their own innovation.

Sometimes they make deals with fintech companies, because they dont want to lose that side of the business. But the larger banks have another option: acquisition.

UBS, a Swiss firm, is in agreement to acquire California-based Wealthfront, an online investment fintech company.

Larger companies will be more likely to swoop up these fintech innovators, while smaller companies and banks (e.g., LSB) are more likely to partner with or develop their own in-house fintech operations, Olsen said. Skipping this movement  for example, not offering these high tech solutions to customers  is not an option for the smaller banks as it is getting easier and easier for customers to change banks.

Fintech is where the banking industry is quickly headed, says Olsen. Recent graduates will need coding or data analyzing experience to land a job in the field.

The Great Resignation could really hamstring them with the loss of a lot of experience and knowledge if people decide they dont want to do this anymore or be in an office anymore, said Olsen. That lends opportunities to these young folks out of college. And there might be a little period when the banks struggle with that transitionary period of losing a lot of experience and then trying to bring these new graduates up to speed.

I think the banking industry is going to continue to hire and to hire and to hire, and the challenge is going to be to keep them at the bank without overworking them and meeting the most recent demands.

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CEDAR FALLS  The buildings used in educating the next generation of workers must be re-imagined.

That appears to be the direction the state is taking when thinking about the classrooms and labs designed for students who may find themselves involved in fields like construction and engineering.

Local and state leaders, including Gov. Kim Reynolds, broke ground Thursday on the $44 million expansion and modernization of the University of Northern Iowas Applied Engineering Building, formerly known to many as the Industrial Technology Center.

Nearly all of the expected cost  $40 million  is being paid for with state funds.

The commercial building industry in Iowa has changed greatly in the 40-plus years since the ITC center was originally constructed, said Chad Kleppe, president and chief executive officer of Master Builders of Iowa.

Built to educate shop teachers in 1974, students are now in need of greater space for collaborative, hands-on learning with industry standard equipment. What used to be considered a dirty, dingy career, construction is now a highly technological field of BIM modeling, data collection apps, drones, virtual reality and wearable tech, 3D printing and artificial intelligence.

Craig Berte is committee's recommendation for Cedar Falls public safety director The City Council will likely vote June 20 on the hiring of Berte, who has an extensive resume of roles within the Cedar Falls' public safety sector dating back to 1991.

The dignitaries turned a little dirt to signify the start of construction with gold shovels that had purple swirled around the handle. In the background, the building and former name, Industrial Technology Center, stood prominently.

The addition, at 2900 Campus Street, will expand the footprint from about 64,000 square feet to 109,000 square feet. Part of the current building also will be torn down or renovated.

The building houses the Department of Applied Engineering and Technical Management, which the university says enrolls nearly 500 students across seven program areas.

The departments chairwoman, Lisa Riedle, described the building as the future hub of preparing generations of leaders and practitioners for Iowas dynamic construction, applied engineering, and technological economy.

With this change, with this remodel, this renovation, this modernization, this expansion, were changing the name to be much more relevant to what actually happens in the building and the services that are needed within our state and within our local region, said UNI President Mark Nook.

The department itself already changed its name from the technology department, to the Department of Applied Engineering and Technical Management to reflect that, Nook also pointed out.

Bond sales up to $4.5 million approved by Cedar Falls City Council Infrastructure projects, like reconstruction of Main and West 27th streets, will be financed with the bonds as well as accounting system upgrades, added security cameras, and more.

He noted that in 2017 the university realized it had been 50 years since it had really looked at where it was headed and decided then to take a long-term view at what the university needed to be doing.

This building immediately came to mind.

A new automation technology program will begin this fall with a small group of students taking classes in the current building.

Once the expansion is constructed, the program eventually could enroll more than 150 students, said Riedle. And interdisciplinary work across the industries also will be more readily possible.

The university said the department plans to increase enrollment 40% to 700 students by 2025 as it works to meet Iowas workforce needs.

The expansion will be done in two phases. The first will finish by August 2023 and allows for students to immediately benefit. The project will be complete in August 2024 after the second wraps up.

Clearly, you (Nook) and your team at UNI understand that a 21st century economy requires a 21st century education and that truly means bringing education out of the classroom, connecting students with experiences and opportunities that empower them to flourish in work and in life, Reynolds said. And thats what this department and this facilitys modernization is all about.

Reynolds noted the new facility will give future graduates a leg up in some of Iowas highly demanded industries from construction and manufacturing, to automation, engineering, technology, education and so much more,

As the state continues to face a workforce shortage, she said the states education needs to focus on the skills and industries that are primed to grow.

Nook and Reynolds were last together publicly about a week ago to celebrate a new partnership with the Waterloo Community Schools and Hawkeye Community College with the launching of the Degree in Three program for future educators at the Waterloo Career Center.

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BEIJING, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday talked with President of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly Abdulla Shahid in a phone conversation.

Wang said that the current session of the UN General Assembly has overcome disruptions and achieved fruitful results, injected new impetus into improving global governance, promoted unity among members of the international community and made new contributions to world peace and development.

China appreciates the role of President Shahid, also foreign minister of the Maldives, in facilitating the UN endeavors and will continue to support the work of the General Assembly, Wang said.

Wang called on the General Assembly to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, practise true multilateralism, and play a bigger role and make more contributions in such areas as climate change, global response to COVID-19 and sustainable development that are crucial to the future of the international community.

Noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and the Maldives, Wang said that China is ready to continue cooperation with the Maldives in fighting COVID-19 and jointly promote post-pandemic recovery to enrich and inject new impetus into the future-oriented comprehensive friendly and cooperative partnership between China and the Maldives.

For his part, Shahid said he appreciated China's constructive efforts and important contributions to the work of the General Assembly and thanked China for its support for the performance of his duties.

Shahid said he would continue to strengthen coordination with China to jointly tackle global challenges, practise multilateralism, safeguard the authority of the United Nations, promote post-pandemic recovery and promote sustainable development.

He added that the Maldives and China enjoy sound relations, and his country would like to deepen cooperation with China to push for greater development of bilateral ties. 
WATERLOO  Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate stopped in on Thursday to perform an audit of Tuesdays primary election for two Black Hawk Countys precincts.

Pate visited the courthouse to oversee the audit for the combined Waterloo precincts 1-2 and 3-1. The ballots  276 in total  were counted by hand and matched to the results from Tuesday night. According to Pate, this is the first time the Secretary of States Office has conducted a random audit during a primary election. Measures like this, he said, help to assure voters of the quality of Iowas elections.

The public has a lot of confidence in our system, but in recent years, a lot of disinformation and misinformations been going on in social media, Pate said. And this effort  and the effort we took on the pretest  are all part of trying to reassure them of the integrity.

Pate said the tendency to question the integrity of elections is not an issue unique to any one party, as the passion of politics can weigh heavily on the rationale of any faction or group.

People feel very strongly about their candidate or their issue, Pate said. So many of them cant quite get their arms wrapped around why their candidate didnt win, so they do look to other reasons, and voter fraud is one of those reasons they try to grasp onto.

Black Hawk County Auditor Grant Veeder said audits are one way to show primary results are fair and accurate.

I think its less so, but the principles the same, Veeder said. You have parties running against each other, but they have the same concerns and possible misapprehensions that people have between political parties, so I think its a good practice for any election.

The audit found the ballots counted matched the initial number reported, with the number of votes for each candidate also matching. There were 155 Democratic ballots submitted and 121 Republican.

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WATERLOO  The new Lost Island Themepark will open its gates June 18, a little later than originally planned after multiple factors caused setbacks for the business.

Owner Eric Bertch said the last hurdle before welcoming patrons to the 159-acre park at 2600 E. Shaulis Road is waiting for final safety inspections of buildings and rides.

All but three of the rides will be ready for opening day. The flume ride, carousel and launch coaster are expected to debut at later dates.

The flume, described on Lost Islands web site as an island spin on the traditional log ride, was damaged in a March 11 fire. The fire burned a shelter building that included the rides control panel and loading platform.

The building, which had electrical service, contained kerosene heaters that were being used to cure concrete. It appears the heaters ignited a blanket, according to Bertch.

At the time, he said the fire would not delay the overall opening of the theme park. But it has impacted the timeline for the ride. Bertch said the ride will not be open during the parks freshman year and instead begin operating in 2023.

The other two rides are expected to open much sooner.

Bertch said the company in charge of the carousel has been slow and giving excuses on why parts arent being delivered. He noted that theyre in talks with the company daily and hope the carousel ride will be open by July 4.

The theme park is also waiting for the commission of its launch coaster. Verification that the large green roller coaster is safe is done through testing of the ride and hundreds of sensors. Hes hoping the ride will be ready sometime in July.

The park also is facing a challenge hiring enough workers, Bertch said.

We have barely enough (staff) to operate 10 to 6, seven days a week, Bertch said, in reference to the hours of Lost Islands nearby water park. It will likely be less because we are so lacking in staff.

Bertch said the park still needs about 100 workers for food and beverage service, as well as ride operations. Management is meeting Friday to discuss potential new hours of operation due to the worker shortage.

He was expecting more community interest in the jobs being offered. Unfortunately, Bertch added, the park missed the deadline for hiring international workers because it had to be done six months in advance.

A press release said anyone who has purchased advance tickets for the theme park has been contacted via email with further instructions.

We are very excited and appreciate the patience, Bertch said.

The company is also announcing some good news about its other property. Lost Island Waterpark was rated the second-best water park in the country by USA Today for the second year in a row. The water park was beat out by the same competitor as last year  Aquatica Orlando. Lost Island was voted the top outdoor water park in the country in 2020.

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WATERLOO  With noisy mechanical clunks and a couple of heavy thuds, the time machine floor lifts, shudders and lowers.

Time travelers step out from behind the curtain and find themselves transported from the 21st century Phelps Youth Pavilion to ancient Egypt. Here, they can send secret messages in hieroglyphics and learn to weave on a loom.

A short distance away, kids romp and stomp through Dinosaur Ruckus, exploring prehistoric Earth through various activities, including art projects, and marvel at real fossils on display. Elsewhere in the Pavilion, kids laugh and shout to one another as they clamber up and down the two-story Phelps PlayScape, a climbing structure  always a hit with young visitors.

This summer promises to be a busy one at the Phelps Youth Pavilion.

After being closed for 15 months during the COVID-19 pandemic, its a welcome change, said Kent Shankle, executive director of the Waterloo Center for the Arts. While there are still construction and exterior upgrades being made outside its front doors, the facility is now completely open to the public.

Phelps Playscape reopened earlier this spring and the Dinosaur Ruckus exhibition, which had just opened when COVID hit, is finally reaching its audience.

No one wanted or expected to be closed for 15 months, but we decided to take advantage of the opportunity to evaluate our exhibits and make updates and repairs and change or swap out exhibits that were less popular. Some of the older exhibits werent as polished as we would like, so we took advantage of the opportunity, he said.

We wanted to give children something new and fun and refreshed when they returned to the Pavilion.

Phelps Youth Pavilion Manager Caylin Graham said the variety of updates and repairs required would not have been feasible during regular hours. There are roughly 40 interactive exhibits, as well as activities from drawing and painting to high-tech adventures and gallery displays designed to stimulate kids creativity and imagination. Its hard to close or separate areas to make these kinds of changes with kids coming through, she explained.

A talented artist, Graham also took out her paints and brushes to create new murals for several exhibits. The Pavilions beloved Tap-Tap taxi that gives visitors the experience of riding down a bumpy street in Haiti, got a face-lift, too.

Kids love the taxi, and it gets a lot of use. I thought it needed to be repainted and decided to amp up the colors, said Graham.

One section of the Pavilion rooted in Iowa agriculture got freshened up, as well. Theres a tractor that kids can hop on and take a virtual drive into a Grant Wood landscape, a chicken coop for gathering and counting eggs, a one-room school and a red barn where kids can milk the cow  another audience-pleaser.

We wanted the exhibits to be more authentic, Shankle said. In addition, a classroom where patrons can arrange to host childrens birthday parties was carved out of the digital art studio.

Later this summer, several Kaleidoscope Planter Sculptures by R.C. Anderson and a musical instrument park will be installed on the plaza outside the Pavilion. We wanted to bring the Youth Pavilion experience outdoors, Shankle explained. The interactive, perfectly tuned sound instruments will allow people to create hands-on music-making experiences, including larger-than-life bongo drums, cymbals, bells and glockenspiel.

The Pavilion, located at 225 Commercial St., is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 per person; $2 with EBT card; and free for members and children under age 1. Tuesday is reserved for tour groups.

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WATERLOO  Author Ed Epperly will be at the Waterloo Public Library at 10 a.m. Saturday for a presentation on his new book, "Fiend Incarnate: Villisca Iowa Axe Murders of 1912."

The true crime book, which took more than five decades to write, explores Iowa's worst mass murder that took place in Villisca. On June 10, 1912, Josiah B. Moore, his wife, their four children and two overnight guests were bludgeoned to death in the Moore home.

Epperly's book includes firsthand accounts from key figures in the crime investigations and trials and includes more than 190 rare images. He is considered an authority on the murders.

Published by Fourth Wall Press of Moline, Ill., the nonfiction book is available at independent bookstores and Amazon.com.

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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.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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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.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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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.

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The fighters of the special police regiment named after Hero of Russia Akhmat-Khadzhi Kadyrov of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for the Chechen Republic, who, under the command of dear BROTHER, Hero of Russia Zamid Chalaev, liberated Kamyshevakha from armed nationalist formations, are already ready to proceed to the next stage of the offensive mission.

According to Zamid Chalaev from the scene, the day before they defeated the formations of the territorial defense and special operations forces of Ukraine in the amount of 58 people. In the coming days, our special forces will begin to liberate Lisichansk. To do this, they have all the necessary resources and capabilities. Despite the fierce resistance of the nationalist junta, our fighters do not even think of turning away from their intended goal. Therefore, we can only wait for their next victory.

I wish Zamid Chalaev and all the personnel of the special forces bright successes in their further offensive work! I am sure that in the near future we will win a confident victory over the enemy and free the inhabitants of Lisichansk from the nationalist and Bandera oppression.

Kadyrov

WtR
McDonalds suspended the operation of all 850 of its restaurants in Russia on March 14, shortly after the start of Russias special military operation in Ukraine. On May 16, the multinational giant, whose share in the food service market reached 7%, announced its withdrawal from Russia. Through the mediation of the Industry and Trade Ministry, the corporation sold its business to its licensee Alexander Govor. The new chain will operate under a new brand and with new menu names, and all employees will retain jobs under equivalent terms for at least two years. The first 15 of the new, post-McDonalds outlets will open in Moscow and the Moscow region on June 12.

WtR




MEXICO CITY, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Despite the absence of leaders of some major migrant source countries, the U.S. discussed the migration issues at the ongoing Summit of the Americas.





Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Pacific Gas & Electric pleaded not guilty to involuntary manslaughter and other charges today after its equipment sparked a wildfire that killed four people and destroyed hundreds of homes in 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 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.

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 utility's 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.

Original story below:

0:28 PG&E Charged In California Wildfire Last Year That Killed 4 People The company has acknowledged that its equipment may have played a role in sparking this summers Dixie Fire, which has burned nearly 1 million acres and is now the second-largest wildfire in state history.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)
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.
Today, Im writing you to mark the beginning of our diamond jubilee year, a milestone anniversary made even more brilliant by the prospect of celebrating our unique, powerful history in person come Septembers FMX.

Theres a lot to look back on. Our Academys formation and rapid growth coincided with the countrys postwar baby boom and prosperity, factors that in turn drove our specialtys evolution from general practice to family medicine. Guiding and smoothing that progression was the Academy: its advocacy, its influence, its clinical authority.

When I reflect on all of this, I see a living history, an arc on which I proudly stand alongside my peers and within sight of my own ancestors.

Family Medicine Is in My Blood

My grandfather was a physician whose version of primary care included stints as a schoolteacher and then a principal, both preceding his time practicing medicine and working in public health. And my dad, who died in 1990, would have told you he was a country doctor, which meant he did everything from house calls to nursing home check-ins to sideline work at the high school to working as the local medical examiner. All of this in addition to his seeing patients in his busy office practice. In our own way, then, my family has lived the AAFPs journey. Weve practiced primary care over the very decades when family medicine became the countrys indispensable specialty.

My dad also was active in our state and local medical societies, where he advocated for his patients, his chosen profession and his peers. Being able to see the respect he was given by our community made the value of volunteer activism apparent to me at a young age and was a keystone of my childhood lessons. Because my parents thought Id get something out of it, I worked as a page in the Virginia General Assembly when I was a kid. There, I was able to see how laws and policy were made, which is to say I learned that getting things done is often not pretty.

That lesson, too, still resonates with me, amplified by the force and constancy of the Academys advocacy, and by the fact that this advocacy isnt a faceless monolith but is instead a vivid reflection of AAFP members. Its you and its me. Its all of us.

Using the AAFP

But I confess that it wasnt always me, and thats part of why I want to make a big deal out of this anniversary. My place on the AAFPs historic arc has shifted over time, as I suspect yours has, too.

I joined the AAFP as a first-year medical student, in 1988, for one reason: the quality of American Family Physician articles. Throughout my four years in medical school and then three years in residency, this was my main interface with the Academy. I used its research every day in my clinical experience. I was not a person who went to meetings, and I wasnt especially outspoken regarding policy matters. I was just trying to become the best family physician I could so I could serve my community.

When I was third-year chief resident, though, I went to a chief residents meeting and found myself invigorated. I met a lot of other family physicians in the same boat as me, people getting ready to face the big wide world and in need of networking experience as we learned to establish our practices. The Academy was there for us as we made this leap, illuminating the path.

Then I pivoted again in how I used the AAFP. I still valued the research, and Id embraced the professional connectivity. Then came a phone call.

Starting with State Advocacy

About five years into my practice, my local pharmacist phoned me to say that the insurance a patient of mine had wouldnt accept a prescription Id written. And this turned out not to be about prior authorization. He said, They wont fill it because youre a family physician. They will only do it for a specialist. The insurer wanted my patient to take another day off from work, drive two counties over and see a specialist, who would spend three minutes with the patient, look at my workup, write the prescription and send the patient on their way.

This was grossly unfair, and eventually I found myself writing a resolution for the Medical Society of Virginia House of Delegates, then standing in front of a reference committee and telling my story, and then hearing other people echo it with their own frustrations. My resolution was combined with another, passed several votes, then became policy. It took a couple of years, but the insurance company changed course because of this action.

As a lone physician, I hadnt been able to clear systemic obstacles for my patients. As part of a group of like-minded physicians, though, I now understood that much more was possible. I got to know my state academy and realized the benefits of organized advocacy by family physicians to make our system better. Eventually I became the chapters president, then joined the AAFPs Commission on Governmental Advocacy, the precursor to our Commission on Federal and State Policy, which cemented for me the intersection between my political engagement and my ability to improve care for my patients. I think about the maxim we attribute to Pericles: Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you. A greater truth might be that politics too often takes the wrong sort of interest in our patients.

The AAFP and Federal Policy

It was during my third year on the commission that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act passed. The Academy of course championed that hugely pivotal legislation, and Im proud of what we brought to the table during its construction, our continued advocacy for its improvement and our work to safeguard the law against the various challenges it has withstood. Weve waged and won a lot of battles in our 75 years fighting for family medicine. Probably no victory has done more to benefit our patients than this one.

In fact, much of what in recent times has helped improve the quality of health care my patients are able to receive can be attributed to the AAFP  to its staunch advocacy and to its considerable clout on Capitol Hill and in statehouses nationwide. Outside audits have told us that our advocacy generates respect and results in Washington, D.C. And we keep upping our game, getting things done, bringing about the changes we seek. Thats the product of 75 years worth of our joined voices, our joint labor, our individual willingness to be active.

A Future Even Stronger than Our Past

I know Im hardly alone in thinking (and worrying) about a future in which some of our most experienced family physicians leave clinical practice or retire because our health care system burdens more than it elevates. This scenario would be sad for our patients, who would lose out on an enormous collective wisdom they bring, and alarming for a country full of underserved and rural areas already facing primary care shortages. We must do all we can to prevent that shortage from becoming truly severe, work that includes the Academys heightened emphasis on physician well-being as well as our robust advocacy toward fortifying the family physician pipeline.

Yet the long history of the AAFP demonstrates that our specialty will persevere  not least because family medicine is the Academy, and the Academy is family medicine. My own history, as Ive described it here, shows the truth of this. Its quite a paradox, but the more engaged I have become as an Academy member and an advocate for family medicine, the less in danger of burnout Ive felt. Our personal and professional resources may be finite, but I have found my AAFP involvement to be not just renewing but energizing. Just last month, for instance, I left our Family Medicine Advocacy Summit electrified by the company of so many excited family physicians eager to improve public policy.

Facilitating these moments is what your Academy has done for 75 years. Its the center of our mission: Family physicians satisfied in their practices and reinforced by a strong collective will take better care of their communities, benefiting every American.

I believe many of you feel the same way, and I encourage you to share your own AAFP histories as we commemorate our diamond jubilee in the comments under this post or on social media. As we celebrate the AAFPs illustrious past, lets also salute our busy, productive, fulfilling present and recognize one another as the core of our endlessly promising future.

Sterling Ransone, M.D., is the president of the AAFP.
To study the connection between bad dreams and Parkinsons, the researchers used data from a large cohort study in the U.S., which included 12 years worth of data on 3,818 older men living independently at home. At the beginning of the study, the participants were asked a series of questions, including one on their sleep quality. 

Those who reported bad dreams at least once a week were studied again once the study ended to see if they were more likely to be diagnosed with Parkinsons. The researchers discovered that 91 participants with frequent nightmares were diagnosed during the follow-up period. The men who experienced repeated nightmares were twice as likely to develop the disease. The majority of the Parkinsons diagnoses occurred in the first five years of the study. Participants with frequent bad dreams during that period were over three times more likely to eventually develop the brain disorder. 

The researchers said the results of the study suggest that older adults who are eventually diagnosed with Parkinsons will likely experience nightmares a few years before the onset of symptoms. While we need to carry out further research in this area, identifying the significance of bad dreams and nightmares could indicate that individuals who experience changes to their dreams in older age, without any obvious trigger, should seek medical advice, Otaiku said.
A new vaccine could soon be available to millions of U.S. adults who still have not been inoculated against COVID-19.

A panel of independent vaccine experts recommended on June 7 that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorize a two-shot vaccine from the Maryland-based biotech Novavax. If the agency gives it the green light and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) signs off on its use, the vaccine would join three others that have been available to most U.S. adults for a little more than a year now.

But Novavaxs vaccine  which already has clearance in several other countries, including the U.K., Canada and Australia  is slightly different from the others being used in the U.S. Heres what you need to know about the latest vaccine and how it might fit into the ongoing fight against COVID-19.

1. It uses a different technology

The main difference between the Novavax vaccine and the already-approved and widely used vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna is the technology behind the shots. Both Pfizers and Modernas vaccines use messenger RNA (mRNA) to deliver a blueprint of sorts to cells in the body. The cells then use this blueprint to make a harmless piece of the coronaviruss signature spike protein, which the immune system flags as an invader and churns out antibodies to fight.

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The third vaccine authorized for use in the U.S., made by Johnson & Johnson, is now only recommended in limited situations. It also instructs the body to build this protein to generate an immune response, only it delivers these instructions using a modified version of a different virus.

Novavaxs vaccine, on the other hand, takes a simpler, more traditional approach thats been used for decades. Instead of prompting the body to make its own version of the spike protein, the protein is made in a lab and then delivered directly upon injection. Vaccines that help to fend off the flu, shingles and hepatitis B use this strategy, too.

Novavaxs vaccine also contains whats called an adjuvant to give it extra oomph. Made from a type of tree bark, this ingredient helps boost antibody levels and create a stronger immune response. Matthew Frieman, an associate professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, explains that the addition of an adjuvant is standard for plenty of vaccines. Shots given to prevent shingles and pneumonia as well as tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap) all contain adjuvants.

Clinical trial data reviewed by the FDAs advisory panel found that like the mRNA vaccines, Novavaxs shot was highly effective (about 90 percent) at preventing mild, moderate and severe COVID-19 against the original strain of the coronavirus.
My husband and I drove that car for 15 years. Then one day he came home from work and said, Theres something wrong with the car. He put it in the garage and said he would fix it next week. That next week turned into 27 years. Tom saw a guy online claiming to be the first Mustang owner. He said he had bought his Mustang on April 14, 1964, in Canada. But I had bought mine on April 15, and I had all the paperwork. Eventually, Ford verified that my Mustang was the first one sold in the U.S.

Photo by Steven Clevenger/Corbis via Getty Images

Horror of Kent State

Dean R. Kahler, 72, retired civil servant and schoolteacher, on surviving the shootings that changed America

I started at Kent State University in the spring of 1970, at 20 years old.

I had never been to an anti-war demonstration, because if you worked on a farm or in a steel mill, as I had, there was no time for such things. I was the son of a World War II veteran, and I was involved in my church. On the night of April 30, I was in a pub in the town of Kent, listening to President Nixons speech. When the president announced that U.S. troops would be invading Cambodia, the pub erupted in boos. It seemed like this was going to be an expansion of the war instead of a reduction. Students were angry, me included. I went home for the weekend, and while I was gone, protesters burned an ROTC building. When I returned to campus Sunday evening, the place was like an armed camp. National Guard troops were everywhere. It was shocking, because this was rural Ohio  not exactly a hotbed of liberal thinking.

The next day, May 4, I figured I would go to the protest that was to start at noon. There were two or three thousand people gathered, shouting anti-war chants. The National Guard troops were there, putting on their gas masks and helmets. At one point, some troops came out in a Jeep with a campus police officer holding a bullhorn. If we didnt disperse, he said, the National Guard would disperse us. That didnt go over well. So, the National Guard troops got into formation and began firing tear gas. There was chaos. I ended up in a gravel parking lot wiping tear gas out of my eyes and nose.

I remained about 100 yards from the troops. I watched as they formed two lines, with their rifles and bayonets forward. They began to march toward a crowd of students, who cleared a path for them. The troops reached the top of a hill. I was at the bottom. They turned in unison and aimed their weapons down the hill. I thought, My God! Theyre going to shoot!

I jumped down and covered my head, and all of a sudden, I heard bullets hitting the ground around me, making this zoooop sound. Then I felt something like a beesting in my back, and I felt my legs tighten up, then relax. When the shooting stopped, there was this awful silence. Then people started seeing the bodies, and the chaos resumed. Four young people were killed by National Guard troops, and many more lay heavily injured.

I ended up at Robinson Memorial Hospital, still conscious. They put me in an induced coma after surgery. When I awoke days later and learned of my fate, I was angry. But when the doctors told me what they had told my parents, I felt truly thankful to be alive. They told my parents to pray for me to survive one hour. And if I did, then to pray that I would survive two hours. And if I made it 12 hours, I would probably survive.

I have lived 52 years as a paraplegic. I have had a rewarding career, and I am a wheelchair runner currently training for my third marathon. I still feel today the way I did when I awoke in the hospital: thankful to be alive.

The Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., on the eve of his death Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

Ive Seen the Promised Land

Clara Jean Ester, 74, a community organizer, on the last moments of Martin Luther King Jr.s life

The church was packed. There were people standing in the aisles of the Mason Temple. Martin Luther King Jr. was in Memphis, but there was a tornado watch, and he had been advised to stay at the Lorraine Motel. Ralph Abernathy would do the talking this night. There were so many people! Somebody called Dr. King and said, The people didnt come to hear Ralph. They came to hear you. You need to get dressed and come down here. I was a junior at LeMoyne College in Memphis and very engaged in the movement. There was a sanitation strike going on, and Dr. King had come to lead a nonviolent protest in support of the workers. When he came to the Mason Temple that night to speak  April 3, 1968  I was there. No one could know that this was the last speech he would ever make. He started to talk about his life story. In retrospect, it was like he was giving his own eulogy. He said he knew there had been threats on his life, but that didnt matter. Because Ive been to the mountaintop, he said, and Ive seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land. The feeling in the church when he said these words was indescribable.

The next day, Dr. King had catfish for lunch at the Lorraine Motel, and fellow organizer James Orange said that this catfish was so good, he wanted to treat everyone. I was at the Clayborn Temple, and I got in my car to drive to the Lorraine Motel, with my car full of people. When we got there, we headed for the lobby entrance. Dr. King came out of his room (just above us on a balcony), and I could see him talking to some people and smiling. Someone told him to go back and get a coat because it was going to get a little cooler at night. He turned, but Ralph Abernathy stopped him and said he would get the coat.

Suddenly, I heard what sounded like a truck backfiring and people saying, Get down! Get down! I took off up the stairs. Dr. King was flat on his back. I tried to grab his wrist to take his pulse. I was on the side where the wound was. He was losing a lot of blood. I could see his chest rising, so I thought, Thats a good sign. Hes still alive.

His eyes were open and looking upward. All I could think about was his speech from the night before, when he said, I may not get there with you. Soon police officers arrived and the ambulance got there with the stretcher. The police wouldnt let us leave, and as we were waiting there, it came on the news that Dr. King was dead. I didnt talk about it for a long time. I never went back to the Lorraine Motel until it became a museum. I picked up my life and kept on going. Every year, I celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. on his birthday, because he was a gift from God. Every April 4, I mourn, because that gift was taken away.

Fans react to Bobby Thomsons historic blast. Bettmann Archive/Getty Images

The Giants Win the Pennant!

George Hirsch, 87, founding publisher of New York magazine and chairman of New York Road Runners, on baseballs greatest home run

On October 3, 1951, my friends and I were sitting in our homeroom class at New Rochelle High School, north of New York City  bored and frustrated 17-year-olds. That afternoon, at the Polo Grounds in Manhattan, the Brooklyn Dodgers were taking on the New York Giants in a game that would decide the National League pennant. You could not overstate how important baseball was at that time in American culture. Or how important it was to us. My buddies and I had a brainstorm. What are we doing here in class? Lets hit the road! We snuck out of school and headed for the Polo Grounds. New York was the center of the baseball universe. All season long, the Dodgers had held a commanding lead in the standings over the Giants. But the Giants salvaged their season with a 16-game winning streak. Incredibly, the regular season ended in a dead tie. I was a Dodgers fan, and these players were my heroes  Jackie Robinson, Duke Snider, Gil Hodges, Carl Furillo.

We stood in line two hours for our tickets and paid $2 apiece. The game was so close, all 34,000-plus fans held their breath through every pitch. But in the eighth inning, Sal Maglie, the Giants pitcher, weakened, allowing the Dodgers to take a 4-1 lead. Ill admit, I celebrated too early. In the bottom of the ninth, the Giants scored a run and had two men on base when Bobby Thomson came to bat. On deck stood Willie Mays, the 20-year-old rookie for whom I would later name my son. The Dodgers summoned Ralph Branca from the bullpen to replace the starter, Don Newk Newcombe. Brancas first pitch was a fastball down the middle. Thomson didnt move. The time was 3:58 p.m. In his novel Underworld, Don DeLillo describes Brancas next pitch: Not a good pitch to hit, up and in, but Thomson swings and tomahawks the ball and everybody, everybody watches.

All I can remember was the pure shock of it, recalls my friend Steve Goddard, sitting next to me at that moment. And then I was crying. My friend Buster Grossman, also sitting next to me, along with our buddy Greg Dillon, recalls hearing the now-famous refrain from a nearby radio, from the announcer Russ Hodges: The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! We watched in awe as Thomson circled the bases, jumping up and down. I left the Polo Grounds that day feeling like Id been struck by lightning, and Bobby Thomsons home run has since become known as the shot heard round the world. Today, over 70 years later, Im still friends with the three guys I went to see that game with. My late wife, Shay, gave me a photo autographed by Thomson and the pitcher Branca, which hangs in my office. I remember that night, when I got home, after the game. Someday, my father told me, youll get over it. Maybe someday I will.

Photo by jean-Louis Atlan/Sygma via Getty Images

This Is the Big One

Gary Shigenaka, 68, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) emeritus scientist, on the Exxon Valdez spill

On March 24, 1989, I was working in the offices of NOAA in Seattle when I heard a commotion down the hall. People from our Hazardous Material Response Branch were scrambling, and I heard the head of that team say the words, This is the big one. Thats when I learned that the supertanker Exxon Valdez had run aground off the coast of Alaska. The hazmat team was dispatched as the first responders, and my scientific research group quickly followed. The federal government is not known for getting things done quickly, but in an amazingly short time, NOAA took an old mothballed hydrographic-survey ship called the Fairweather, which was outfitted to gather information for nautical charts, and turned it into a scientific-research vessel.

In May, I flew from Seattle to meet the ship in Cordova, Alaska, and our mission began. The first time I grasped the magnitude of this catastrophe was when I saw the Exxon Valdez, which had been moved from Bligh Reef, where it ran aground, to an anchorage off Naked Island. This ship was longer than three football fields.

Eleven million gallons of crude oil had been dumped into this pristine body of water. When you looked at Prince William Sounds shoreline, you thought, How can this environment ever recover? My team began its work, moving through the sound on a launch, taking samples of water and fish. Early in our work in 1989, the crew aboard the Exxon Valdez noticed that schools of fish were swimming into a cargo space that had once held oil but had been ripped open. I was part of a team that boarded the ship to catch these fish and study them.

One of the most important things we discovered was that our cleanup methods were not what we had hoped. We needed scientific research, and I took over a program to study how the shorelines recovered not just from oil exposure but from how we remedied it. So, in effect, the Exxon Valdez determined the direction of my career for the next 20 years, studying how to respond better to spills in natural habitats. That research  not just by me, but by many others as well  changed the way first responders do their work.

I have a collection of memorabilia from the Exxon Valdez, including glasses used during the christening, with Exxon Valdez, September 20, 1986 etched into the glass, and a jar of crude oil gathered off an Alaskan beach. When I look back, it amazes me how much the Alaskan ecosystem recovered. If you went now and kayaked off the shores of Prince William Sound, youd never know this catastrophe happened here. The resiliency of the natural world continues to inspire me.

Rolls Press/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images

The Fab Four Arrive in San Francisco

Jesse Bravo, 83, freelance photographer, on the day the Beatles first landed on the West Coast

I was a photojournalist, and a friend of mine was a writer at the San Mateo Times. The Beatles were coming into town for their first West Coast appearance.

Wed like to cover the kids, the audience, my friend told me. It might be hard to do, but Id love to have all four of the Beatles in one picture.

I said, Ill see what I can do.

So, I got to San Francisco Airport early. Already, there were packs of girls and some boys crowded onto the tarmac there, waiting for the plane to land. This was a different era, when people could walk onto the tarmac at the airport.
Win McNamee/Getty Images

Jurassic World: Dominion promises to be a blockbuster hit this summer  but its far from the only place where kids can get their dinosaur fix.



Truth be told, Americas fascination with prehistoric predators dates well before Jurassic Park, directed by Stephen Spielberg, first hit theaters in 1993. In fact, it was more than 150 years ago when the first prehistoric skeleton stood on display in Philadelphia in 1868, tripling attendance at the Academy of Natural Sciences.

We love our fossil friends so much that nearly all 50 states  and the District of Columbia  have recognized an official state fossil.

From Alaska up north to Florida down south, the fossilized remains of prehistoric animals that roamed North America are on display in natural history museums big and small.

Theres likely one close by, making a day trip possible for grandparents to treat their grandkids. Tickets can be purchased online, and discounts are available to children and older adults at most museums. Check ahead for any COVID-19 restrictions or other special requirements. Hours may vary depending on time of year so check before you go.

Heres a roundup of some of what is available.

National Mall 10th St. & Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C.

What youll see: A new, 31,00-square-foot fossil hall features some 700 fossil specimens, including dramatically posed giants like Tyrannosaurus rex, Diplodocus and the woolly mammoth.

Open: Daily, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except Dec. 25.

Admission: Free

200 Central Park West, New York City

What youll see: On display since 2016 is a cast of a 122-foot-long Patagotitan mayorum, a titanosaur discovered in Argentinas Patagonia region. Its neck and head extend out toward the elevator banks, welcoming visitors to the Dinosaur floor.

Open: Wednesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Admission: $23. Discounts for children and older adults. Pay what you want, for New York, New Jersey and Connecticut residents. Tickets must be reserved online, with timed entry.
GUANGZHOU, June 10 (Xinhua) -- About four years ago, Italian industrial designer Laura Mimini found herself falling in love with China almost immediately upon her arrival. The old and rich oriental culture embraced her with a warmth that made her feel at home.

Now, Mimini is busy setting up a newly decorated office in Foshan City, south China's Guangdong Province. Eyeing long-term development in China, she plans to build a new office headquarters to bring Italian design to the Chinese market.

Mimini used to be accompanied by the ancient European monuments, castles, and cathedrals in the city of Brescia in northern Italy. She was fascinated by the feeling of being surrounded by art and history.

"Both Italy and China are known for their culture and artistic heritage. China has a long history and a lot of artistic things quite different from Europe, which is interesting for designers," she said.

Before coming to China, Mimini and her designer boyfriend went to Australia in 2017. She decided to explore China by herself upon an invitation from Shunde, an ancient district of Foshan. Three months later, Mimini made up her mind to stay in China for a longer time and asked her boyfriend to join her.

Based in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, one of the most important economic and manufacturing bases in China, Mimini had more opportunities to visit factories and talk to producers.

Over the past four years, she has been cooperating with Chinese companies by designing the appearance or functions of products such as stationery, tea sets and helmets.

Mimini loves traveling. She described traveling as a way to explore and study. She has visited provinces including Gansu, Hunan, Heilongjiang and Fujian in China. The diversified cultural traditions and attractions excited her.

"My mind opened completely because I see things I've never seen before. It's a wonderful place for designers with so much treasure here in China," she said.

She also enjoyed attending various fairs, where the latest designs and products gather. Last year, the 130th China Import and Export Fair, or the Canton Fair, was held both online and offline. Mimini went to Guangzhou for the event.

Mimini sometimes plays electric bass with her friends. She said her passion does not only lie in designing but also in painting, music, and everything related to art.

Mimini also played with some Chinese musicians who play in a "softer" way, which she depicted as an approach to understanding the Chinese culture.

"For me, China has a very likable environment," she said. "My hope in the future is that we can grow and be successful with the company here, cooperating with Chinese people and bringing Italian design to China." 


Contractors Confirmed

Sydney, June 10, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Two experienced businesses have been confirmed as the major contractors to build the Common User Infrastructure at the Port of Bundaberg, which will support the development of new export-focused industries in the region.Clough Projects Queensland (Clough) and the regionally based Loftus Contracting (Loftus) have secured the construction contracts. Clough have engaged the local fabrication company, BME Australia, to assist with the main structural conveyor components which will be fabricated in Bundaberg.The project is supported by funding from the Australian Government under the Hinkler Regional Deal together with additional funding committed by Sugar Terminals Limited and Gladstone Ports Corporation, provided on behalf of the Queensland Government.Loftus will commence civil works this month and the project is expected to be completed by April 2023, at a total cost in excess of $20 million.About Sugar Terminals Limited

Sugar Terminals Limited (NSX:SUG) (STL) owns and operates six bulk commodity terminals in Queensland and plays a vital role in Australia's sugar market, handling over 90% of the raw sugar produced in Australia each year. STL's terminals provide 2.5 million tonnes of storage capacity and handle more than 4.6 million tonnes of commodities each year. In addition to around 4 million tonnes of bulk sugar, STL also handles more than half a million tonnes of other commodities annually, including molasses, wood pellets, gypsum and silica sands. STL has over $350 million in assets in strategic port locations across Queensland. We have in place 100 year leases with the port authorities at each of our six terminals. These leases include rolling options to extend for a further 100 year period.


Director Appointment-Resignation

Brisbane, June 10, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Tombola Gold Ltd ( ASX:TBA ) is pleased to advise of the appointment of Mr Ken Stapleton as an Executive Director to replace Mr Geoff Kidd who has decided to retire as an Executive Director for health reasons.About Ken StapletonMr Stapleton is a Mining Engineer with excess of 40 years of mining industry experience in consulting, planning and management of open cut mining operations including iron ore, coal, porphyry copper/gold/silver, lateritic nickel and gold mines. He is experienced in feasibility studies, resource and reserve estimation, owner-operator and contractor mine cost estimation and budgeting, mine planning, drilling and blasting, in-pit crushing/conveying, mine rehabilitation, and the development and operation of coal and base metal mines in Australia, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia and Indonesia.Mr Stapleton has extensive experience in planning and management for mining companies and major mining contractors. He also has extensive experience as a consultant to the metalliferous and coal industry. He founded MineOp Consulting in 2007, and in recent years has worked as an expert witness and provided advisory services to a number of metal and coal companies on Partner/Alliance style contract formation and negotiations.Mr Stapleton has an Associateship Diploma of Mining Engineering from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, a Mine Managers Certificate (Unrestricted for Qld, NT and PNG), an Open Cut Coal Examiners Certificate (NSW), and is a member of AusIMM.The Company will pay Mr Stapleton an annual fee of $125,000 in cash. Subject to shareholder approval, Mr Stapleton will also be granted 5 million unlisted performance options exercisable at 9 cents each. The options will vest once the Company has achieved revenue of at least $15 million in a 12 month period ending two years from today, provided Mr Stapleton has served a minimum of 12 months with the Company and remains in an Executive Director position at that time. The options (once vested) will expire after 90 days should Mr Stapleton cease to be employed as an Executive Director of the Company.Tombola Managing Director Byron Miles said:"On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to welcome Ken to the Tombola Board at an exciting time for the Company. I'm sure Ken's experience will be of great benefit in supporting the Company's current and future project development plans.I would also like to sincerely thank Geoff Kidd for his service to the Company and respect his decision to retire at this time."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.


COVIRIX Medical and DiaCarta Inc partnership

Sydney, June 10, 2022 AEST (ABN Newswire) - GoConnect Limited ( NSX:GO8 ) is pleased to provide a copy of media release received from COVIRIX Medical and US DiaCarta Inc in respect of the establishment of their global partnership. GO8 sees this as a most significant development and value add to COVIRIX Medical, hence a significant improvement to the portfolio value of GO8.GO8 is a significant shareholder and co-founder of Go Green Holdings Ltd. GO8 holds 43.72% of Go Green Holdings Ltd. Go Green Holdings is a co-founder and significant shareholder in COVIRIX Medical. Go Green Holdings holds 24.07% of COVIRIX Medical.Reproduced below is a copy of the joint media release received from COVIRIX Medical and DiaCarta Inc on 8 June 2022.COVIRIX Medical / DiaCarta8 June 2022Melbourne, Australia / Los Angeles, USACOVIRIX Medical ("COVIRIX Medical") and DiaCarta ("DiaCarta") are pleased to announce that the two companies have entered into an agreement to establish a strategic global partnership ("Partnership"). The Partnership will combine the two companies' products and services to roll out a one stop Test-ToTreat strategy to expedite a global solution against the COVID Pandemic.COVIRIX Medical is the sole distributor of DiaCarta COVID tests in Australia and New Zealand. COVIRIX Medical has applied to the Australian Therapeutics Goods Administration for registration of the DiaCarta Rapid Antigen Test ("RAT") for sale in Australia. DiaCarta's RAT has already received the EU approval with the EC mark and currently under FDA Emergency Use Authorization ("EUA") review. DiaCarta has received FDA EUA approvals for its two SARS-CoV2 qPCR test kits, which are both ranking on the top of all FDA EUA approved qPCR tests and played key roles in fighting this global pandemic.The Partnership will further the collaboration of the two companies from a local to a global level.Recently the US government has rolled out a Test-To-Treat strategy across the US at 33,000 locations of pharmacies and outpatient clinics. The objective is to provide a one-stop detection and immediate treatment to people infected with COVID. This strategy will ensure that people infected with COVID will be prescribed the antiviral treatment immediately. The Test-To-Treat strategy will help treat and reduce the onset of severe diseases and thereby potentially alleviate the prolonged suffering from Long COVID and mitigate its impact on healthcare systems and societies at large.The Partnership will roll out its Test-To-Treat strategy globally initially within the Indian subcontinent where COVIRIX Medical has planned to conduct early clinical trials of its primary drug candidate CVX-20733. Patients will be tested with DiaCarta's COVID tests and if positive, they will join the clinical trials to receive the COVIRIX Medical antiviral treatment.Upon completion of initial clinical trials, COVIRIX Medical plans to secure regulatory approval for its COVID antiviral treatment with the US FDA as Breakthrough Therapy or Investigational New Drug (IND). Under the Partnership Agreement, DiaCarta will assist and support the clinical validation of the treatment under Laboratory Developed Test (LDT) program at its CLIA licensed lab in Pleasanton, California, USA follow-on submission for the approval of COVIRIX Medical's COVID antiviral treatment with the US FDA, which if successful, will support the Test-To-Treat Program in the US.About DiaCartaDiaCarta is a molecular diagnostics company that has developed innovative technologies that transform patient care by providing effective precision diagnostics using liquid biopsy. In addition to its FDA EUA approved QuantiVirusTM SARS-CoV-2 Tests, DiaCarta offers a range of testing services, from single-gene QClamp(R) qPCR tests to its OptiSeq(TM) XNA-NGS panels. The company is well positioned as a leader in the new 'liquid biopsy' In Vitro Diagnostics field with high-precision detection of ctDNA. Its novel XNA-based molecular clamping technology provides high level of sensitivity as it clamps the wild-type sequence and amplifies the mutant target sequence. Applying this technology, the company has developed its highly sensitive, early detection ColoScape(TM) Colorectal Cancer test using blood specimen. Powered by its SuperbDNA(TM) technology that provides high level of detection by amplifying the signal and requiring no RNA/DNA extraction or amplification, the company has developed its revolutionary RadTox(TM) test that personalizes radiation therapy, mitigates adverse events, and enhances patient care. Based in Pleasanton, California, USA the company is ISO certified, GMP-compliant and offers CLIA certified laboratory services to its customers. www.diacarta.comAbout COVIRIX MedicalCOVIRIX Medical is an Australia-based clinical-stage pharmaceutical company which is repositioning an existing antiviral agent, CVX-20733, as a COVID-19 therapeutic. CVX-20733 has a proven dual-action mechanism and an established safety profile to be delivered in an inhalable form, to prevent and treat the COVID-19 virus irrespective of the variant. COVIRIX Medical was formed in 2020 to bridge the gap in treatment options for the COVID-19 virus, as recognised by the highly experienced founding team. A provisional patent has been filed and published for a number of drug candidates in 11 different jurisdictions.The management team has a range of complementary expertise that will underwrite the successful delivery of an effective COVID treatment solution. The team includes a Chief Virologist (and head of Clinical Development) who has previously led the development of Relenza, the first neuraminidase inhibitor for Influenza, and the first point-of-care diagnostic test for Influenza A and B, a medicinal and drug development chemist, two cardiovascular physicians, an investment banker and a pharmaceutical industry aerosol expert consultant who has formulated and designed aerosol inhalers for countless products.Its scientific advisory board includes Professor Tim Block, president of the Blumberg Institute and Hepatitis B Foundation, and Professor Yanming Du, director of medicinal chemistry at the Blumberg Institute.COVIRIX Medical is planning to list on a major stock exchange in Australia, and Asia in 2022/2023.For further reference of COVIRIX Medical, please visit: www.covirix.comOr contact COVIRIX Medical at contact@covirix.comFor further reference of DiaCarta, please visit: https//www.diacarta.comOr contact DiaCarta at information@diacarta.comAbout GoConnect Limited

GoConnect Limited (NSX:GO8) has been established since August 1999 as a media communications company. Since 1999 and until 2015 when it co-founded Go Green Holdings, its core business specialised in the online delivery of interactive audio and video contents via its unique and proprietary technology.

Since 2015, GoConnect has transformed itself to an active investment company developing businesses that can leverage on the Company's expertise and long experience in communications technology and marketing.
More than a year after New Mexico banned routine venting and flaring of natural gas, the public can now see how much gas energy companies are capturing or emitting in their operations.

State officials say the data helps give a clearer picture of industry waste.

The Oil Conservation Division has set a mandatory 98% gas capture rate by the end of 2026 and started requiring operators to report emissions.

OCD director Adrienne Sandoval said the new data is a lot more granular than weve had in the past.

We really were not previously able to discern data pieces and figure out where, with specificity, venting and flaring may or may not be coming from, Sandoval said.

The baseline numbers will determine how much individual operators need to improve each year to meet the 98% target.

Most companies are reporting capture rates greater than 90%.

But some operators are emitting 30 to 40% of the natural gas they recover from drilling.

Operators get credit toward their capture targets if they use advanced detection technology to quickly find and fix leaks.

Companies must report any releases during emergencies or maintenance.

Preference is given to flaring  burning off the gas  rather than venting.

Rules apply to extraction wells and transportation equipment.

Before the new regulations, the state didnt have emissions data for midstream pipelines.

But the agency also faces data inconsistencies.

Some companies reported gas capture rates greater than 100%, which is impossible.

The OCD will require 10 companies to have independent data audits.

We issued an additional 74 letters to operators saying, you need to look at your data, you need to look at it now, or we may be requiring an audit at a later date,' Sandoval said.

Companies that represent nearly 99% of New Mexicos gas production and more than 85% of all wells have reported emissions data.

But the OCD said more than 150 operators missed reporting deadlines.

The state can withhold new drilling permits if companies dont comply.

Companies must also disclose how they are collecting the data  whether the amount of gas waste is metered or is a calculated estimate.
MOGADISHU, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Somalia's newly elected President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was inaugurated Thursday as the country's tenth leader amid tight security in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

The ceremony was graced by leaders from Ethiopia, Egypt, Djibouti, and Kenya, as well as representatives from more than 20 countries.

In his speech, Mohamud promised to stabilize Somalia which has been facing terror threats and spearhead efforts to bring peace and cohesion to the country.

The 66-year-old Mohamud, who was elected on May 15, pledged to deal vigorously with corruption, tackle the severe drought which is ravaging the country, and reduce poverty across the country. He appealed to the international community to help Somalia overcome the current drought, the worst in at least 40 years, that has forced more than half a million people to abandon their homes in search of food and water in the last four months.

The president also said his government will promote global peace, remain neutral in global affairs, and cooperate with countries that do not violate the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Somalia.

"Somalia is ready to have a relationship with any country. However, the country must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia," he said.

Mohamud, who served as Somalia's president between 2012 and 2017, promised to prioritize reconciliation and strengthening of institutions to give hope to the citizens.

The Somali leader said he would initiate appropriate reforms to promote trade and economic cooperation, noting that Somalian people are known for their entrepreneurial creativity.

"The Somalian people are known to be very good at trade, having large businesses in many countries in Africa, the Middle East, and the West that play a major role in the economic development of those countries," he said.

Immediate former President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, also known as Farmajo, congratulated Mohamud on his inauguration and assured him of his unwavering support as the new president embarks on his four-year term.

"We celebrate your success and commit to offering you our strongest support to deliver your vision. We are truly proud of ourselves for our longstanding tradition of democracy as this day signifies victory for our nation," Farmajo said.

The African leaders present lauded the peaceful transfer of power in Somalia and promised to further bilateral relations between their countries and Somalia. 
TIERRA MONTE  The air smells of ash and the landscape is leached of color. Spots of green punctuate the valley floor in places. But along the ridges, the powdery residue of charred trees has fallen like snow, accumulating up to 4 inches deep. These are the slices of forest where the fire burned the hottest, scorching ponderosa pines from crown to root. Once titans, they are now matchsticks.

Pola Lopez gestures their way, southward toward Hermits Peak. Before a tsunami of flames ripped through this canyon in Tierra Monte, the canopy was so thick it was impossible to see the nearby mountain. But two prescribed burns set by the U.S. Forest Service  one on Hermits Peak, the other in Calf Canyon to the southwest  changed all that.

When the blazes merged to form the biggest wildfire in state history, flames engulfed nearly 160 acres of riparian forest that once belonged to her father. It wiped us out, Lopez says.

Like so many in the devastation zone, she squarely places the blame on the USFS, not only for starting a prescribed burn in the windy month of April  when gusts reached 70 miles per hour  but for a century of conflict with rural communities. Known locally as La Floresta, the USFS is often seen as a feudal lord, a faraway government entity that has accumulated vast holdings with little idea of how to properly steward them or enough funds to do the job.

The communitys fury runs almost too deep for words, says Antonia Roybal-Mack, a Mora native whose family lost hundreds of acres to the fire.

In nearly two dozen interviews with people affected by the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak fire, the same sentiments emerge: The USFS has a history, locals argue, of mismanaging the forest. In particular, they say the agency has limited or prohibited people from the long-held tradition of collecting firewood and other timber, the kind of maintenance the forest needed. If they had been able to tend to it the way they had for generations, they believe the conflagration would have been far less devastating.

The prescribed burn was the match, says Roybal-Mack. But the fuel was there for decades when they wouldnt let people into the forest to collect vigas or firewood.

Century-old harm

Embedded in the tension is the history of land grants in New Mexico, a system that allowed Spanish settlers, Indigenous peoples and others to obtain tracts of land at the edge of the northern frontier, during Spanish and Mexican rule. From the late 1600s forward, scores of these settlers were granted ejidos, or wildland and forest commons.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, a mostly Anglo cadre of speculators and profiteers began to claim ownership of the commons, using subterfuge and legal loopholes to essentially transfer the forests to private ownership or the federal government. Well over 1 million acres eventually ended up in the jurisdiction of the USFS, the University of New Mexicos Land Grant Studies Program estimates.

In todays fire zone, the descendants of the dispossessed are among the Forest Services sharpest critics. They are joined in their distress by villagers, small-scale farmers, loggers, foragers of traditional food and medicine, Indigenous peoples and acequia parciantes, caretakers of the age-old irrigation ditches now compromised by flames.

The USFS has fallen short of its commitment to the land and those who live alongside it, they say.

As the conflagration whips through public and private lands  as of June 6, burning nearly 500 square miles  anger, frustration and grief define the tenor at public forums, in evacuation centers and on social media.

Some locals say that, if given the chance, they would have practiced far more sustainable forest thinning in partnership with the USFS, thereby lessening the impacts of a catastrophic fire. Others criticize the way fire crews heavily relied on backburning, a fire-suppression tactic that involves starting smaller fires to deprive a larger wildfire of fuel.

The Santa Fe National Forest, for its part, is committed to working in tandem with local residents and sustaining traditional communities, their cultures, traditions and values, according to spokesperson Julie Anne Overton.

But so fierce are the emotions and so profound the losses that Roybal-Mack, a lawyer who now lives in Albuquerque, expects to file a lawsuit on behalf of hundreds, along with the firm Bauman & Dow.

The forests belong to the people, as San Miguel County Commissioner Janice Varela puts it.

We locals, we feel like, hell yes, its our forest, says Varela. Yeah, we let the Forest Service manage it and we let everybody in the world come here, but its our forest. We have ownership from our proximity to it, from our history and cultural connection to it, from our heart.

It was Armageddon

Chaos ensued when villagers from Mora were ordered to evacuate on May 2, nearly a month after the fire began. It was Armageddon, says Travis Regensberg, a contractor who towed his bulldozer in from Las Vegas to cut fire lines around homes.

The closest command center and evacuation center were 40 minutes away in Las Vegas. Everyone, especially the elderly, felt defenseless and lost, Regensberg says.

Anger reached yet another height in late May, when the Forest Service released the news that it was responsible for the Calf Canyon fire. A botched prescribed burn in January had turned into a sleeper fire that smoldered for months before leaping to life in April and merging with the Hermits Peak inferno  also ignited by a prescribed burn gone wrong.

Back-burning, however, has caused the greatest enmity. To fight ferocious blazes, wildland firefighters are trained to set small back fires to burn grasses and other tinder, starving the larger blaze of fuel.

In Mora, back-burns were set without private property lines in mind, says Patrick Griego, owner of a small logging business who stayed behind to protect his property. He saw several neighbors lands get back-burned and, determined to save his 400 acres from a similar fate, cut an extensive fire line with his grader. The wildfire was still distant, he says.

To his shock, firefighters appeared one night and back-burned a swath of his property anyway. He recalls watching, seething and feeling helpless, as they set his land on fire. The flames shot 30-feet high in places. Forty acres were gone in 15 minutes, he says.

I didnt know what to do. I didnt know what to say. He calls the people who set the back-burn arsonists.

Some residents say theyve felt like sacrificial lambs, losing their land for what was arguably the greater good. The back-burns, they add, seemed to be excessive.

Its not that back-burning isnt helpful, says Guadalupita Volunteer Fire Department Chief Isaac Herrera, who himself lost 130 acres to the fire. Its a great tool when done responsibly, he notes. But Herrera believes there were times in recent weeks when it was done irresponsibly and recklessly, disregarding the deep knowledge of the terrain that he and other locals possess.

In response, managers of the wildfire-fighting effort say they had to make decisions amid the chaos. We dont want to burn up anybodys timber, says Jayson Coil, who oversees the Southwest Area Incident Management Team. But theres been a lot of choices that weve been forced to make about whats most important to save. Their first priority is to save homes, for example.

If conditions had afforded firefighters more time and resources, Coil says  and if theyd had several choices at hand  we would pick something different.

Ever-present history

Recovering from the fire will depend to a certain extent on extinguishing pain from the past. And the past can seem omnipresent in northern New Mexico.

Over the past 60 years, intense conflicts have erupted over how the USFS has managed the forests, limiting peoples ability to graze livestock, hunt for food and repair acequia headwaters. Some protests are still talked about.

In 1966, land-grant activists occupied part of the Carson National Forest, declaring that the land had been appropriated; a year later, they carried out an infamous armed raid on the Tierra Amarilla Courthouse, attempting to win the release of fellow activists.

Even a casual conversation in the fire zone can suddenly pivot to the 1848 Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which promised  and failed  to protect the rights of land-grantees and allow them to keep their commons.

Today, almost 25% of the Carson and Santa Fe National Forests are made up of former land-grant commons. In other parts of the state  in a district of the Cibola National Forest, for example  a staggering 60% is made up of these commons, research shows.

The Forest Service has taken local needs into account, Overton wrote in an email. For example, people with permits are allowed to cut firewood in designated areas. Many employees of the Santa Fe National Forest are members of the community, she adds. They grew up here, they have the same ties to community and heritage as their neighbors.

But today, this offers little comfort. Pola Lopez recalls how her father, the late state Sen. Junio Lopez, made it his lifes mission to reunite the dispossessed with their land. He was unable to produce wide-scale change, however, and the purchase of the 157 acres now blackened by the fire was a kind of consolation prize. That land, his daughter says, became his sanctuary.

In 2009, Pola had the property designated a conservation easement, to protect the forest from development for what she thought was perpetuity.

Now, the willows and scrubby oak are razed and the stream that once flooded the banks of the canyon are completely desiccated. But Lopez is most brokenhearted by the loss of the old-growth forest, the grandfather trees, as she calls them. Some were scorched so badly that only holes full of ash remain.

This story was originally published by Searchlight New Mexico, a nonprofit investigative news organization at www.searchlightnm.org/
KYIV, Ukraine  Civilians fled intense fighting in eastern Ukraine on Friday as Russian and Ukrainian forces engaged in a grinding battle of attrition for key cities in the countrys industrial heartland.

Mostly women, children and elderly residents left on a special evacuation train that departed from the city of Pokrovsk and headed west.

We live on the front line now, said Svitlana Kaplun, whose family fled as shelling reached their neighborhood in the city of Krasnohorivka. The kids are worried all the time, they are afraid to sleep at night, so we decided to take them out.

After a bungled attempt to overrun Kyiv, Ukraines capital, in the early days of the war, Russia shifted its focus to an eastern region of coal mines and factories known as the Donbas. The area borders Russia and has been partly controlled by Moscow-backed separatists since 2014.

The fighting there has led to mounting casualties and renewed pleas from Ukraine to the West for more weapons.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukraines president, told the BBC in an interview aired Thursday that the daily loss of 100 to 200 Ukrainian soldiers is the result of a complete lack of parity between Ukraine and Russia.

He said only more advanced Western weaponry will turn back the Russian offensive and force Moscow to the negotiating table.

___

BIDEN: ZELENSKYY DIDNT WANT TO HEAR ABOUT INVASION THREAT

U.S. President Joe Biden said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy didnt want to hear it when American intelligence gathered information in February that indicated Russia was preparing to invade his country.

Speaking to donors Friday at a Democratic fundraiser in Los Angeles, Biden talked about his work to rally support for Ukraine as the war continues into a fourth month.

Nothing like this has happened since World War II. I know a lot of people thought I was maybe exaggerating. But I knew we had data to sustain that Russian President Vladimir Putin was going to go in.

There was no doubt, Biden said. And Zelenskyy didnt want to hear it.

Although Zelenskyy has inspired much of the world with his wartime leadership, his preparation for the invasion  or lack thereof  has been controversial.

In the weeks before the war began on Feb. 24, Zelenskyy publicly bristled as Biden administration officials repeatedly warned that a Russian invasion was likely.

At the time, Zelenskyy was concerned that the drumbeat of war was unsettling to Ukraines fragile economy.

___

MORE STREET FIGHTING IN DONBAS

Fighting in the Donbas has ground on for more than two months, and the slog continued Friday. A provincial governor said Russian and Ukrainian forces battled for every house and every street in Sievierodonetsk, a city that recently has been under steady attack.

Sievierodonetsk is in the last pocket of Luhansk province that has not yet been claimed by Russia or Moscow-backed separatists. The Luhansk and Donetsk regions together make up the Donbas.

Luhansk Gov. Serhiy Haidai told The Associated Press that Ukrainian forces retain control of the industrial zone on the edge of the city and some other sections amid the painstaking block-by-block fighting.

An envoy for the Luhansk Peoples Republic, a self-proclaimed separatist territory, reported Friday that some Ukrainian troops were trapped inside a chemical plant on the citys outskirts.

All escape routes have been cut off, Rodion Miroshnik, Moscow ambassador for the unrecognized republic, wrote on social media.

They are being told that no conditions will be accepted. Only the laying down of arms and surrender, he said.

Miroshnik echoed earlier claims by a Russian defense official that civilians remained on the plants grounds. But he stopped short of reiterating allegations that Ukrainian forces were barring them from leaving.

As of Friday afternoon, there was no response from the Ukrainian side.

Meanwhile, Moscow kept up its artillery strikes on the neighboring city of Lysychansk and surrounding towns and villages, the Ukrainian military said. It also said that Russian troops were preparing to resume an offensive on the city of Slavyansk in the Donetsk region, south of Luhansk.

___

ARTILLERY HITS RUSSIAN BASES

An adviser to Ukraines president says artillery attacks devastated two Russian bases in the southern Kherson region, which has been under Russian occupation since early in the war.

Oleksiy Arestovych, in his regular online interview, said Friday that the attack on Stara Zburivka, a village along the Dnieper River, killed dozens, including a Russian army general and a general in the FSB intelligence service.

He said the FSB general was tasked with organizing a referendum on whether the Kherson region should join Russia. There was no immediate confirmation of the claim.

Ukraine has claimed to have killed about a dozen generals in the war, but only a few of the deaths have been confirmed.

Arestovych said a separate attack this week on a Russian base in Chkalove killed at least 200 troops, including Arabs, presumably from Syria. He said it was the first confirmed case of Arabs fighting with Russians in Ukraine.

He said in both cases the Ukrainian forces used 155mm howitzers supplied by the West.

___

UKRAINE SEEKS MORE WEAPONS

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his armys ability to hold off Russian forces in the Donbas depends on the supply of Western weapons.

Ukrainian troops are doing everything to stop the offensive, as much as they possibly can, as long as there are enough heavy weapons, modern artillery  all that we have asked for and continue to ask for from our partners, he said Friday in his nightly video address.

He said Russia wants to destroy every city in the Donbas.

Every city, thats not an exaggeration. Like Volnovakha, like Mariupol. All of these ruins of once-happy cities, the black traces of fires, the craters from explosions  this is all that Russia can give to its neighbors, to Europe, to the world.

___

Karmanau reported from Lviv, Ukraine. Associated Press writers Jill Lawless in London and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed.

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Follow APs coverage of the Ukraine war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

Wildfires in New Mexico this summer have destroyed hundreds of homes, burned federal, state, local, tribal and private lands, and forced thousands of people to flee their homes.

Now, aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency is beginning to trickle in. And, on Thursday, New Mexicos delegation announced that President Biden has amended the disaster declaration for New Mexico, allowing FEMA to offer additional types of assistance to help rebuild from the largest fire in state history.

FEMA has so far approved more than $2.9 million in aid for New Mexico residents. That money has been spread out across 929 applicants who have been approved for funding, according to FEMAs website.

It includes $2.2 million in housing assistance and about $780,000 in other assistance, according to the website.

People in Colfax, Lincoln, Mora, San Miguel and Valencia counties are eligible to be reimbursed for damages caused by the ongoing wildfires.

Dasha Castillo, a FEMA spokeswoman, said the agency is currently doing home inspections in those five counties, which will lead to individuals and families getting grants to repair or rebuild their homes. If the person or family has home insurance, the agency will wait until theres an insurance settlement and could provide additional funds, she said.

Everything is pretty much on a case-by-case basis, so it will depend on the amount of losses and damages that the person or family incurred, she said.

Its not clear how long those assessments could take.

Every disaster is different, she said. It could be 12 months, it could be 18 months, but it could also be extended.

If FEMA rejects someones application, the decision can be appealed within 60 days. Castillo says that applications are often rejected because of missing paperwork, so she urged people to read their decision letters carefully.

In addition to individual assistance, FEMA will also expand the types of public assistance being offered in the state.

Earlier this week, New Mexicos entire delegation wrote to President Biden, asking him to authorize certain types of aid to be distributed in Colfax, Mora and San Miguel counties. The delegation announced Thursday that the president had fulfilled their request.

Much of the destruction has occurred in rural, high and persistent poverty rate communities that simply cannot afford to take on the economic strain imposed by the wildfires, all five members of the states delegation wrote to the president.

FEMA was already performing debris removal and taking other emergency protection measures in the state, in addition to the individual assistance, Castillo said.

The amendment announced Thursday authorizes federal funding to repair roads and bridges, water control facilities, public buildings and contents, public utilities, parks and recreational facilities.

In addition to the regular FEMA grants, New Mexicos congressional Democrats have introduced the Hermits Peak Fire Assistance Act, which would direct the federal government to fully compensate victims of the Hermits Peak Fire, which started as a prescribed burn that got out of control.

Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., who sponsored the bill in the Senate, modeled the legislation after the Cerro Grande Fire Assistance Act, said Adan Serna, Lujans spokesman. That bill was introduced by then-Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., in response to the Cerro Grande Fire in 2000, which also started as a controlled burn.

Serna said the senator has met with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to drum up support.

The case that hes been making  is that there are still senators on both sides of the aisle who supported Sen. Domenicis bill, who he believes should support this bill as well, Serna said.
LOS ANGELES  President Joe Biden and other Western Hemisphere leaders on Friday announced what is being billed as a roadmap for countries to host large numbers of migrants and refugees.

The Los Angeles Declaration is perhaps the biggest achievement of the Summit of the Americas, which was undercut by differences over Bidens invitation list. Leaders of Mexico and several Central American countries sent top diplomats instead after the U.S. excluded Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela.

A set of principles announced on the summits final day includes legal pathways to enter countries, aid to communities most affected by migration, humane border management and coordinated emergency responses.

Each of us is signing up to commitments that recognize the challenges that we all share, Biden said on a podium with flags for the 20 countries that joined the accord extending from Chile in the south to Canada in the north.

This is just a start, Biden said, expressing hope that more countries join. Much more work remains, to state the obvious.

The White House highlighted measures that were recently announced and some new commitments. Costa Rica will extend protections for Cubans, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans who arrived before March 2020. Mexico will add temporary worker visas for up to 20,000 Guatemalans a year.

The United States is committing $314 million to assist countries hosting refugees and migrants, and is resuming or expanding efforts to reunite Haitian and Cuban families. Belize will regularize Central American and Caribbean migrants in the country.

It is a blueprint already being followed to a large extent by Colombia and Ecuador, whose right-leaning leaders were saluted at the summit for giving temporary legal status to many of the 6 million people who have left Venezuela in recent years.

President Guillermo Lasso of Ecuador last week announced temporary status for Venezuelans in his country, estimated to be around 500,000. He said at a panel discussion Tuesday that his country was paying back the generosity of Spain and the United States for welcoming large numbers of Ecuadoreans who fled more than two decades ago.

Lasso was the only other leader to speak at a brief ceremony Friday. President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil arrived late.

I would like to highlight that migration is a significant phenomenon and it demands joint actions under the principle of shared responsibility and differentiated between countries of the region, Lasso said.

President Ivan Duque of Colombia, who stood next to Biden at the ceremony, got standing ovations at an appearance Thursday for describing how his government has granted temporary status to 1 million Venezuelans in the last 14 months and is processing another 800,000 applications.

We did it out of conviction, Duque told The Associated Press, saying he couldnt be indifferent to Venezuelans who lost their homes and livelihoods and was prepared to suffer in approval ratings.

They were invisible (in Colombia), he said. They couldnt open bank accounts, they couldnt work, they couldnt get health care. They were practically a community with no future.

While the measures are not universally popular  Duques vice president, Marta Lucia Ramirez, has said Colombia has reached its limit and Ecuadoreans notice when a Venezuelan commits a high-profile crime  Venezuelans have generally assimilated without major backlash.

The two most dangerous phenomena are xenophobia and indifference, and I believe we have managed to conquer both (in Colombia), Duque said.

The United States has been the most popular destination for asylum-seekers since 2017, posing a challenge that has stumped Biden and his immediate predecessors, Donald Trump and Barack Obama.

But the U.S. is far from alone. Colombia and neighboring South American countries host millions of people who have fled Venezuela. Mexico fielded more than 130,000 asylum applications last year, many of them Haitians, which was triple from 2020. Many Nicaraguans escape to Costa Rica, while displaced Venezuelans account for about one-sixth the population of tiny Aruba.

Key countries that send or receive migrants, or serve as transit corridors joined the agreement: Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Peru and the United States. Also participating are Argentina, Barbados, Belize, Jamaica, Paraguay and Uruguay.

The absence of the presidents of Mexico, northern Central America and other counties deprived Biden of symbolic heft.

What are those countries expected to do to contribute to shared responsibility? said Adam Isacson of the human rights advocacy group Washington Office on Latin America.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Thursday that the summit declaration acknowledged migrations regional dimensions. He and other U.S. officials applauded efforts of Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Panama, among others, for accepting migrants and refugees, and noted that the U.S. has granted refuge from natural disasters and civil strife to hundreds of thousands of Salvadorans, Haitians, Venezuelans and others under what is known as Temporary Protected Status.

Its a hemispheric challenge, Mayorkas said.

The responses of Colombia and Ecuador cannot be replicated, said Jose Samaniego, the U.N. refugee agencys regional director for the Americas. Each country is different, and migration from Central America is more complicated than Venezuela.

You dont want to copy and paste, he said, but there are good practices.

Ronal Rodriguez, a researcher at University of Rosario in Colombia, said some Venezuelans have faced problems with bank or commercial transactions despite having legal status and that much will depend on who voters select in June 19 elections to succeed Duque, who is limited to a single term.

___

Associated Press writers Astrid Suarez in Bogota, Colombia, and Gonzalo Solano in Quito, Ecuador, contributed.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

The Village of Ruidoso and the state Tourism Department have teamed up to promote travel to the southern New Mexico town just a month after the McBride Fire was 100% contained.

The village and state have earmarked a combined $150,000 to target tourists from the West Texas market as the state has the largest influx of travelers to Ruidoso.

Due to the high risk of wildfires, access to the trails is restricted; however, there is still such beauty to see here in Ruidoso, Village of Ruidoso Director of Tourism Elizabeth Ritter said. Our resilience as a community is inspiring, and we are excited for visitors to come experience all that Ruidoso has to offer.

Representatives from the Tourism Department visited the mountain town in late May to share information about the departments programs, according to a news release. And, in early May, department representatives also met with the community to hear questions, concerns and ideas.

The McBride Fire, which began in early April, burned more than 6,000 acres, destroyed more than 200 homes and killed two residents. The fire was 100% contained by early May.
Authorities say Interstate 25 will be shut down twice on Saturday as President Joe Biden travels through Albuquerque for a briefing on wildfires in the northern part of the state.

Gilbert Gallegos, an Albuquerque police spokesman, said the department will provide traffic control when the presidential motorcade travels through Albuquerque to and from the briefing in Santa Fe. He did not give specific times for the closures.

I-25 will be significantly impacted, Gallegos said. There will be no parking allowed along the route for the presidents motorcade. Parked cars will be towed.

Biden first mentioned visiting the state weeks ago to meet Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, first responders and families affected by the Calf Canyon/Hermits Peak Fire as the blaze grew to the biggest in the state, destroying hundreds of homes and leading residents to flee.

Gallegos said other events, such as the ABQ Pride Parade, will also result in road closures and traffic delays on Saturday.

For instance, ABQ Ride says from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. there will be no bus service on Central between University and Louisiana because of the parade.
Editors note: The Journal continues the once-a-month series From the Studio with Kathaleen Roberts, as she takes an up-close look at an artist.

The watercolor washes and precise lines echo fairy tales tinged with the wry touch of the New Yorker.

Illustrator Zahra Marwan pens images ripe with memories of her Kuwaiti desert homeland crossed with the New Mexico terrain she has grown to love.

This year the artist published her first childrens book Where Butterflies Fill the Sky (2022, Bloomsbury Childrens Books.) Its the story of her immigration.

Marwan named her website Two Desert Illustrations because she keeps one foot in the ocean desert (Kuwait) and the other in the mountain desert (New Mexico.)

She works amid the scuffed linoleum floors of Albuquerques Harwood Art Center, painting and drawing in an old school room, the sink spidered with watercolor trails.

I started seeing her work and loved her whole approach, 516 ARTS director Suzanne Sbarge said. Her family history is so wild. Its such a tumultuous survival tale and so politically relevant. She translates that into very whimsical stories.

Mosque onion domes rise over ocean waves in one painting; the Santuario de Chimayo nestles within the Sangre de Cristos in another.

In her book, Painted Lady butterflies flutter over Kuwait, while multicolored balloons hover over the Rio Grande.

The story germinated while she was visiting her sick mother in Kuwait. Memories of her familys migration when she was 7 years old wove throughout her consciousness.

It wasnt very clear to me why we were leaving, she said. In America, I didnt understand why no one was speaking Arabic. I would wait outside for the bus to take me home.

The family chose New Mexico because Marwans uncle had been stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base. They felt they had to leave because the Kuwait government viewed them as stateless.

The concept of official citizenship was once foreign in Kuwait. Bedouin tribes wandered freely. The citizenship requirements were unclear. Marwans father never got the message. By the time he learned he should register, it was too late. And since Kuwaiti law decrees that citizenship is passed down through the fathers side, Marwan and her siblings were deemed stateless, too.

As Iraqis fled Saddam Husseins rule in the 1980s and settled in Kuwait, discriminatory laws surfaced. Soon stateless people were considered illegal. They couldnt marry, they couldnt leave the country and their only career options were low-wage jobs or the army.

A phone call with her mother (who returned to Kuwait) reminded Marwan of the war with Iraq. The conversation triggered memories of stories her parents told of the invasion.

They were going to get me milk, Marwan said. There was an uprising in the neighborhood. The Iraqis asked them to get out of the car, which meant they were going to be imprisoned or killed.

She said that to remind me I might have been an orphan.

Inexplicably, the soldiers let her parents go.

Im lucky I dont remember the war, she said.

Back in her studio, Marwans brush sculpts shadows in the clothing of a child holding a bouquet of red balloons. She says the drawing is a celebration.

Marwan became an American citizen at 16. She graduated from Rio Rancho High School. She was admitted to the Massachusetts College of Art and Design, but her parents balked at the price tag.

When my parents saw it cost 30 grand, my parents were like, Have fun at UNM,  she said, breaking into a cascade of giggles.

She wanted to major in art here, but an art professor discouraged her, peppering her with political questions about controversial subjects like the Taliban.

I avoided the art building for about a year afterward, she said.

Instead, she finished her degree in foreign languages, including French, Italian and some Japanese.

But regular lessons at the National Institute of Flamenco rekindled her passion for putting brush to paper. She created the organizations 30th anniversary poster.

Marwan drew the dancers in common situations: taking the train, trembling with stage fright.

I like to create the traditional flat imagery like the Persian miniatures, she said. I like to create how it feels rather than the representationalism  sort of magical realism.

NIF founder/teacher Eva Encinias watched Marwan bloom from a shy introvert into an artist through flamenco.

She was a student of mine at the university, Encinias said. She loved the process and the discipline. I had no idea at the time what a beautiful artist she was.

They were sketches and sort of caricatures of the different people in our group, she said. She had a wonderful way of embodying the temperament of these people in her drawings.

When she started, Marwan sold her work for as little as $15 at the Albuquerque Growers Market.

Her imagery soars with figures flying between the rooftops a la Marc Chagall and couples dancing in the streets. Flowers bloom, trees sprout, birds take flight and carousels spin across her creations.

Marwan sees many similarities between her birthplace and New Mexico.

Both New Mexico and Kuwait feel so at home to me, she said. The way people have such open hearts. Theyre generous, even if they dont have much.

She stands ready to blossom; Zahra is Arabic for flower.
Albuquerque composer Dennis Alexander still remembers the large truck pulling up to his familys Kansas home to deliver his first upright piano when he was 7.

More recently, the teacher and performer received a more regal gift from Torontos Royal Conservatory of Music.

The organization has honored Alexander with a commission for six works penned during the pandemic. The RCM is one of the largest and respected music education institutions in the world.

I was delighted because the RCM books are the gold standard in music education, Alexander said. His collection of 24 Character Preludes covering all the major and minor keys is regarded as one of his most significant contributions to the piano repertoire.

Dennis Alexander is a very popular composer, said Elaine Rusk in a telephone interview from Toronto. Rusk is the vice president of academics and publishing at the RCM.

The institution was founded in 1886; it launches a Celebration series, a collection of piano books and repertoire, every seven years.

We cover all style periods but we are especially interested in new composers, Rusk said. Were trying to inspire students creativity.

He writes in a variety of styles, she continued. Some of them are playful; theres a piece called Prickly Pear Rag. He has a beautiful nocturne.

Alexander has given master classes, recitals and workshops in North America and abroad.

Theyve got composers from all over the world contributing to this edition, he said. They gave me specific levels they wanted me to write for. Its no guarantee theyre going accept them.

Alexander grew up in Dodge City in southwestern Kansas.

My father was a farmer and they had limited income and they knew I wanted to play, he said.

The day his piano arrived turned magical; he began taking lessons. By 1987, Alexander had made his Carnegie Hall debut.

The composer would go on to teach piano pedagogy at the University of Montana. He retired in 1996 when his gig composing for Alfred Music Publishing turned into a second career. He is the co-author of Alfreds Premier Piano Course.

But his inspiration for studying the instrument in the first place came from a less-than-classical source.

Growing up in a small community in Kansas, my folks watched The Lawrence Welk Show,  he said. There was a ragtime pianist called Jo Ann Castle. She always had so much fun when she was performing.

He insists he never aspired to be a composer.

I was a piano performance major, Alexander said. I knew I wanted to perform and teach.

In 1986 a University of Texas at Austin colleague recommended him to Alfred. The company asked if he would give teaching workshops using their methods.

I was flattered that they had asked me, Alexander said. I had taught piano pedagogy; I knew what was out there. I was fortunate I could improvise and play by ear.

Pressed for his favorite composers, he named the Romantics: Chopin, Rachmaninoff and Brahms.

Its an instrument that allows you to express your soul, Alexander said. It has melody, it has harmony. A piano is like an orchestra in a box.
Mary A. Johnson neatly entwines several seemingly disparate strands in her new book  a love story, memoir and perhaps even a case study of Aspergers Syndrome.

The book is Love and Aspergers: Jim and Marys Excellent Adventure  A Memoir.

Early in the book, the Albuquerque author shares her recollections of the stages of her life before meeting Jim Hanks at the age of 72.

Then Mary introduces Jim, who was 75 when they met. Over three chapters, Jim describes his life before meeting Mary. The descriptions are in Jims own words, as he wrote them to Mary in emails during their courtship.

These chapters about Jim signal the start of Marys use of retroactive analyses of Jims words and behaviors. Her analyses appear in many italicized paragraphs through the book and refer to traits of Aspergers, a set of communication and social idiosyncrasies at the high-functioning end of the autism spectrum.

She references books and articles (and suggested readings) on Aspergers and autism that are listed at the back of the book.

It wasnt until 21 months into their marriage that Mary, a licensed professional clinical counselor, reveals to Jim that he probably has been living with Aspergers.

I was thinking, How am I going to handle this marriage? I thought about divorce. Then it hit me like a 2-by-4. I was wondering why as a counselor I hadnt figured it out earlier, Mary said in a phone interview. I have diagnosed clients with Aspergers and sometimes they are angry or resentful (when informed). I didnt know what (reaction) to expect from him.

He was grateful for the diagnosis. He said, Oh, theres a name for it. I always wondered why I was different. 

Mary said two of Jims Aspergers traits stand out and are common with people with the syndrome. His lack of empathy and his bluntness. He didnt mind telling people what he thought. Sometime his statements were inappropriate because they hurt peoples feelings, she said.

The first time she met Jim was at an airport. Mary recalled, I expected a hug. Instead, the first words to me were, Youre short! 

She said he was receptive to her teaching him how to act better in social situations.

Mary writes that she should have alerted herself sooner to Jims Aspergers. But Jim Hanks was not my client and I was not looking to diagnose him. He was my husband and I loved him, she writes.

As Mary asserts in the introduction, Whatever else may be imparted to, or received by, the reader, I want the take away to be love. Without love, there would be no story and no book.

They had met through the website eHarmony.com. Their love endured a long-distance courtship. Many memorable adventures together followed in almost seven years of marriage. Most of those years they lived in Pendleton, Oregon, where Jim was from, and the remaining months they lived in Albuquerque.

It was the second marriage for both.

Jim died in 2016 of pancreatic cancer. Mary provided him hospice care.

The previous year, Mary published A Caregivers Guide: Insights into the Later Years.

In bold face type, Mary advises readers of Love and Aspergers not to use it as a diagnostic tool. Rather, they should see a licensed professional and be examined in person.

Johnson said she is open to do presentations on Love and Aspergers to organizations that ask her. Her email address is maryabq@aol.com.
Copyright  2022 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  More than 20% of the individuals required to file annual disclosures about their income sources and property  a group that includes public officials and candidates in New Mexico  havent done so, according to the State Ethics Commission.

The ethics agency authorized its staff Friday to issue demand letters to about 155 people who havent filed the mandatory disclosures and to go to court if necessary to enforce the law.

Jeremy Farris, executive director of the State Ethics Commission, said the compliance rate was even worse before the Secretary of States Office and ethics commission staff worked to notify people who hadnt filed.

At one point this year, he said, hundreds of the 650 people required to file disclosures hadnt done so. The figure is down to about 155 now  a rate Farris described as unacceptable, especially since the individuals have been notified of the problem.

Financial disclosures are essential to public confidence in government, he said in a statement to the Journal. New Mexico law requires state agency heads and Senate-confirmed members of boards and commissions to file annual financial disclosures as a condition of holding their offices.

The ethics commission, Farris said, authorized all necessary action to ensure that those government officials who are required to disclose, in fact, do so.

The vote was unanimous. The State Ethics Commission  an independent panel that includes members appointed by the governor and legislative leaders  requires bipartisan support to take action.

Treasurer settlement

Also Friday, the commission adopted a settlement agreement with State Treasurer Tim Eichenberg after he was accused in an ethics complaint of failing to disclose his role in a business that helps property owners protest their tax assessments.

As part of the settlement, Eichenberg agreed to answer a series of questions from the commissions general counsel and to amend his public disclosures, if necessary.

The commission then ordered dismissal of the complaint.

The allegations centered on whether he had fully disclosed his role with New Mexico Property Tax, an Albuquerque-based company.

Eichenberg, a Democrat in his eighth year as treasurer, lists on his annual financial disclosure that he is a manager of NMPT, a consulting firm  one of three business interests of $10,000 or more that he disclosed.

The ethics complaint, filed by a Bernalillo resident, said the disclosure is misleading.

Eichenberg, in a written response to questions from the commission, said he isnt an employee of the property tax business but that he receives a share of the net profits, if there are any.

He also said neither he nor the company has represented any clients before the State Treasurers Office or certain state boards he is a member of.

Helen Bennett, an attorney for Eichenberg, said the treasurer had done nothing wrong and was happy to more specifically disclose his role with the firm and answer questions. He wont have to amend his financial disclosure statements, she said, because he isnt an employee of the tax firm.

Proposed changes

The ethics agency has been pushing for some time to strengthen New Mexicos disclosure law. It proposed an updated version of the law, which may be taken up by legislators next year.

As it stands now, hundreds of legislators, candidates, appointees and others are required to file annual disclosures covering their employers, income sources, real estate holdings and similar information  a measure of transparency intended to shine a light on potential conflicts of interest.

Income sources over $5,000 must be reported.

But critics describe the requirements as vague and rarely enforced. Many lawmakers, for example, report their income without much specificity, saying they draw income from a law firm, consulting, farming or similarly broad categories.

Transparency for legislators is particularly important, analysts say, because New Mexico has a citizen Legislature  meaning lawmakers dont draw legislative salary and usually hold day jobs in other fields.
DAMASCUS, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Syria announced on Friday the suspension of all flights at the Damascus airport following the overnight Israeli missile strikes on sites south of the Syrian capital.

In a statement, the Syrian Ministry of Transport said some technical devices and equipment went out of service at the airport, without specifying the cause of the malfunction.

New flight dates will be announced once technical issues are solved and safety is ensured, the ministry noted.

Meanwhile, the pro-rebel Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the airport's northern runway sustained damage during the Israeli dawn strikes on three warehouses of Iranian militias at the airport zone.

The strikes also caused damage to the control tower inside the airport, the London-based watchdog added.

The northern runway has remained the only operational runway for the Damascus airport since its southern one was rendered out of service by a round of Israeli strikes in 2021.

Israel launched airstrikes on sites south of Damascus at 4 a.m. local time (0100 GMT) on Friday, injuring one civilian, the Syrian army said in a statement.

This is the third Israeli airstrike on what it calls Iranian sites inside Syria this week.

Earlier this week, the Syrian and Russian war jets carried out military drills to strengthen the capability of the Syrian air force to intercept Israeli missiles. 
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Aside from shooting his shot at the three women, the Baton Rouge hip-hop star hints at his breakup with his wife Dreka Gates, with whom he shares two children, on 'Super General'.

Jun 10, 2022

AceShowbiz - Kevin Gates doesn't hold back on his new sexually explicit freestyle. On "Super General", which was released on Thursday, June 9, the Baton Rouge native shoots his shot at Rubi Rose, Beyonce Knowles as well as Nicki Minaj.

"Rubi Rose, I can't wait to have your feet face in my ceiling/ With my tongue deep in yo' a** while I kiss all on yo' kidney," the 36-year-old spits. "Put that d**k deep in yo' back and have you cum all on this missile."

Kevin goes on to namedrops Beyonce and Nicki. "Ain't no disrespect to Jigga, met through Nipsey, that's my n***a," he rhymes. "Don't know if they into swinging, Beyonce need to let me hit her/ Make her piss all on this d**k, respectfully, her body shiver/ I want Nicki, she need Kevin, she still playin' around with Kenneth."

On the freestyle, in which he raps over Kodak Black's "Super Gremlin" instrumental, Kevin also addresses his relationship with wife Dreka Gates amid their split rumors. "Her and her son jumped my new wife and took her purse and won't admit it," he raps.

The emcee, who shares two children Khaza Kamil Gates and Islah Koren Gates with Dreka, also suggests that his partner of 18 years was unfaithful. "Personal trainer invaded my personal space/ Deep down inside it killed me," the "Stranger Than Fiction" artist spits.

Kevin himself is currently linked romantically to "Love & Hip Hop: Miami" star Jojo Zarur. They sparked dating rumors after tey were spotted holding hands during an outing.

Jojo, however, has set the record straight on Kevin's relationship status. After an Instagram user wrote, "He's a married man. This ain't a good look," underneath a post about the two, the TV personality replied, "lol he's actually single. Get your facts straight."
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During the April interview with Gayle King on 'CBS This Morning', the 'Savage' raptress got emotional while recalling and detailing the alleged shooting that left her 'so scared.'

Jun 10, 2022

AceShowbiz - Tory Lanez believes that he wasn't the one who leaked the alleged evidence in the Megan Thee Stallion assault case. Speaking in court, the "Say It" rapper's legal team denied the allegations.

"Since the last court date, it was apparent there were some leaks of part of the discovery to media or members of the public," Deputy District Attorney Kathy Ta told the judge, adding that she was still "trying to ascertain" the source of the alleged leaks. "My concern is the way the leaks are being disseminated and extrapolated in certain ways to mislead the state of the evidence. I do have concerns about invested members of the public trying to subvert the fair administration of justice," she said.

Lanez's lawyer, Shawn Holley, then told the court she was confident the alleged leaks did not come from her "watermarked" discovery. The attorney further stated that Lanez, born Daystar Peterson, himself had "refused to accept" his own watermarked copies "out of concern there might be some suggestion that he had something to do with leaking."

"I'm certain that whatever exists that is out there won't have my name on it or Mr. Peterson's name on it," Holley said. The high-powered defense lawyer then complained about Stallion, whose real name is Megan Jovon Ruth Pete, speaking to "CBS This Morning", suggesting the interview ignited more interest in the case while her client is under a protective order that bars him from doing the same.

"Seventeen days after we were last here, Ms. Pete, the accuser, in this case, went on Gayle King on 'CBS This Morning', which is far beyond 'Black Twitter', and discussed exclusively the allegations in this case. So she upped the ante," Holley said. "I received numerous emails from the producers of that show asking Mr. Peterson to come on and give his side of the story."

After letting both sides make their remarks, Judge David Herriford ordered Lanez back for a follow-up hearing on July 28. He said Lanez's trial is still set to begin September 14, or within 10 days of that date.

As for Stallion, she broke down in tears when recalling the alleged shooting in the April interview. Speaking to King, the Grammy-winning femcee first detailed, "It was an argument because I was ready to go and everybody else wasn't ready to go. But that's, like, normal friend stuff. It shouldn't have got this crazy."

"So I get out of the car and it's like everything happens so fast. And all I hear is this man screaming. And he said, 'Dance, b***h.' And he started shooting," the "Savage" hitmaker continued. "And I'm just like, 'Oh, my God.' Like, he shot a couple of times. And I was so scared."

Noting that Lanez was "standing up and shooting over the window, shooting," Stallion added, "I didn't want to move, I didn't want to move too quick because if I take the wrong step I don't know if he would shoot something that's super important or he could shoot me and kill me." The female rapper went on to stress that she "was really scared" at that time "because [she has] never been shot at before."
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The 'Moonwalking in Calabasas' rapper was released on a $35,000 bond on June 7 after he's arrested one day earlier as the authorities found a gun in his Lamborghini.

Jun 10, 2022

AceShowbiz - DDG released his first statement following his gun possession arrest only to be ridiculed. The "Moonwalking in Calabasas" rapper was mocked after social media critics noticed that he lied about his height in his message.

Making use of Instagram Story on Thursday, June 9, the 24-year-old emcee wrote, "As a 6'5 brown skinned male.. i go through so much s**t daily." He further noted that "the average person would never understand" it.

DDG wrote via Instagram Story after he's released from jail following his gun possession arrest.

Shortly after his statement was posted, a celebrity gossip Instagram account GotDaScoop re-posted his Story along with a police record of his arrest. In the legal document, it's written that his height is 5'9. "Not #DDG lying about his height [weary and laughing with tears emoji]. He must be trolling. He said it's hard as a 6'5 brown skinned male, meanwhile he's only 5'9," read the post caption.

In the comment section, Instagram users found DDG's attempt to make himself taller funny. "Let him manifest," one person commented with a laughing with tears emoji. Another said, "Definitely trolling." A third opined, "All 5'9 dudes wear they are 6ft," with a fourth agreeing, "Bro playin. His homies posted sumn similar and then he did it."

Earlier that day, DDG also turned to his Twitter account to seemingly express his feelings following his arrest. The boyfriend of Halle Bailey tweeted, "The devil working overtime to stop these blessings."

DDG seemingly expressed his feelings after being taken into police custody.

DDG was taken into police custody around 9:30 P.M. on June 6 after he was pulled over by the Los Angeles Police Department. When officers searched his Lamborghini, they found a gun, leading to his arrest.

DDG, whose real name is Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr., was later booked in Valley Jail on a $35,000 bond, but he was let go from prison on June 7 after posting his bond. The "Hood Melody" spitter is set to make a court appearance on June 28 at 8:30 A.M.
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While the show has been renewed for a 10th season by USA Network, it is currently unclear when they will begin production for the supposed new season after the couple was found guilty in bank and tax fraud case.

Jun 10, 2022

AceShowbiz - Todd Chrisley and Julie Chrisley's legal issue has put the future of their show in jeopardy. Season 10 of "Chrisley Knows Best" is reportedly now up in their air following the couple's conviction in their bank and tax fraud case.

Back in May, a week before the federal trial began, the reality TV series was actually already picked up by USA Network for a 10th season. Filming was set to begin in June, but now it's unclear when the Chrisleys will begin production for the supposed new season, TMZ reports.

According to sources familiar with the situation, the cable channel has yet to make a decision on the future of the show as they are awaiting the sentencing, which still takes months before it's announced. While the family could start filming now, Todd and Julie's attorneys would likely advise them against filming for the new season because anything they say on TV could be used against them in court.

As for the ninth season of "Chrisley Knows Best", USA Network announced earlier this week that it will air as planned. It was announced in May that the new episodes of season 9 would air beginning Thursday, June 23, and that has not changed following the conviction.

The ninth season was filmed before the trial began and the show was not in production during the course of the trial, so neither the trial nor the verdict will be part of the show.

On Tuesday, June 7, Todd and Julie were 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.

The pair face up to 30 years behind bars, but the sentence will not be announced until October. They are confined to home detention following the verdict. Speaking of the trial outcome, their lawyer Bruce Morris said in a statement that they're "disappointed in the verdict." The attorney further explained that "an appeal is planned."
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The 'Beverly Hills, 90210' alum calls her daughters graduation day a 'bittersweet' moment as she recounts the hardships that her daughter has to face during her school days amid bullying from her fans.

Jun 10, 2022

AceShowbiz - Tori Spelling felt terribly proud as a mother once her daughter has graduated from middle school. On the day of graduation, the 49-year-old actress spilled a bittersweet story to her fans about the hardships that her daughter had to face during the latter's school days.

"My girl graduated from middle school today. Bittersweet," Tori stated in her post she shared on Thursday, June 9. The "BH90210" alum uploaded a photo of her daughter Stella posing in her blue gown during the her graduation day. Stella was seen donning a heavy make-up as she smiled at the camera.

Back in 2020, Tori admitted that she's a "worried mama" because of how much the two eldest of her and husband Dean McDermott's five children, Stella and Liam, have been bullied at school. The former reality star further detailed the extent of Stella's suffering.

Tori claimed the traumatizing event has affected Stella's mental and physical health. "My daughter was bullied so bad ( including comments about her weight and sexual things he said that my daughter didn't even know about.)," she explained in her caption she shared on Instagram.

The 49-year-old mom went on noting, "She now associates her education with boys that have been so horrific to her. She wanted to empower others girls and be a business leader. She now has panic attacks and doesnt want to return to school."

Despite the various hardships at school, Tori was so proud of her daughter who made it through her graduation stage. The star of "The Last Sharknado: It's About Time" then continued to brag to her followers, "Amongst bullying, COVID, adversity, migraines, severe anxiety, and sadly teachers and counselors who didn't believe she could do it all in time to graduate She proved them all wrong!"

The proud mom finally ended her lengthy caption with a sweet message for her beloved daughter filled with encouragement, "You have such drive and such a kind spirit! You can do absolutely anything you want to do!love you @stella_mcdermott08 with all my heart and soul bff."

Tori never shies away from posting her kids on Instagram, although her husband Dean was rarely included these days. The actress shares a total of five kids with the Canadian actor, Stella, Liam, Finna, Beau and Hattie. The couple are said to have decided on a trial separation after 16 years of marriage. They reportedly battled to keep their turbulent relationship on track for the sake of their five kids before splitting.

Her post about Stella's graduation comes on the heels of report that the couple has decided to go on a trial separation after 16 years of marriage. They reportedly battled to keep their turbulent relationship on track for the sake of their five kids before splitting up.
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The actor's daughter Karsen Liotta makes use of her Instagram account to speak out for the first time since the 'Goodfellas' actor passed away last month at the age of 67.

Jun 10, 2022

AceShowbiz - Ray Liotta's daughter has praised her late father as the "best dad anyone could ask for." Karsen Liotta took to her Instagram account to speak out for the first time since the "Goodfellas" actor passed away last month at the age of 67, thanking her father for "everything."

"Those who knew him, loved him. You are the best Dad anyone could ask for," Karsen wrote on the post. "love you. Thank you for everything."

Also paying tribute to Ray recently was his fiancee Jacy Nittolo. Following his death, Jacy, who got engaged to the movie star in December 2020, wrote on Instagram, "My life these past couple of years have been nothing but truly magical. Ray and I share a deep love that I will cherish in my heart forever. We laughed daily and we were inseparable. The chemistry was wild in the best way. He was everything in the world to me and we couldn't get enough of each other."

"The kind of real love that one dreams of. He was the most beautiful person inside and out that I've ever knownand even that is an understatement," she went on to rave.

Legendary director Martin Scorsese, who helmed "Goodfellas", in which Ray portrayed mobster Henry Hill, has also paid tribute to the Hollywood star. "Playing Henry Hill in 'Goodfellas' was a tall order, because the character had so many different facets, so many complicated layers, and Ray was in almost every scene of a long, tough shoot," he noted.

"He absolutely amazed me, and I'll always be proud of the work we did together on that picture," he further gushed. "My heart goes out to his loved ones, and it aches for his loss, way too early."
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During a tearful interview with 'Up and Adam', 'The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City' star insists that she wants 'The Kardashians' star on her team because she respects her.

Jun 11, 2022

AceShowbiz - Jen Shah desperately wants Kim Kardashian on her legal team. In a new interview, "The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City" star stressed that she's "very serious" about adding "The Kardashians" star to her team in impending wire fraud and money laundering trial.

In the Thursday, June 9 episode of "Up and Adam" interview, the 48-year-old reality star insisted that she wasn't joking when she said she wanted Kim, a longtime advocate for criminal justice reform and the Innocent Project, to be a part of her legal team. "I was being very serious when I mentioned Kim Kardashian because I respect Kim Kardashian for the work that she has done," she told host Adam Newell.

"I am grateful for the work she has done for the black people that have been wrongly accused, that have been imprisoned, that she has fought for, that she has lobbied for, that she has gone to the White House to fight with, alongside their family, to get people out," Jen further elaborated. She continued, "These are people that should never be there. She took time to do that, and I respect that. I look up to her for that."

Jen also said she knows how hard Kim has been working to pursue her legal passion and that she respects her hard work. The Bravolebrity shared, "I supported my husband through law school. I saw how grueling that is. I know what it's like to watch somebody prepare for the bar exam, you know? And I believe she did it to further help people and be on the right side of justice, and I admire that."

Elsewhere during the chat, Jen, who has been maintaining her innocence since her March 2021 arrest, said, "I'm fighting for my freedom." She then said while holding back her tears, "I'm innocent. I'm not guilty of any of these charges that I've been accused of. I'm innocent."

Jen later noted she feels that her determination to prove her innocence will pay off. "If you do the right thing, then eventually the right thing is going to happen and you will be blessed, and I don't know why I'm going through this or my family's going through this, but I don't question a lot. I don't question God's plan," she explained, "There is a reason for this and I just feel like I need to set an example for others, that you fight. You fight your a** off for your freedom."

In March last year, Jen and her assistant Stuart Smith were arrested and charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection with telemarketing, through which they allegedly victimized 10 or more persons over the age of 55, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering.

The pair pleaded not guilty during an arraignment in April that year. But by late November 2021, Stuart, 43, had changed his plea to guilty. If convicted of all charges, both Jen and Stuart could face up to 70 years in prison.

Fast forward to February this year, Jen's attorneys filed a new motion to request that clips from "RHOSLC" not be shown during her upcoming trial. They argued she's playing a fictionalized version of herself on the show "who is molded by the requirements of being on the 'RHOSLC'."
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The Broadway play will see the 'Killing Eve' actress portray a barrister who has climbed from working class origins to the top of the industry before she faces a twist.

Jun 10, 2022

AceShowbiz - Jodie Comer is heading to America to stage her one-person play. The gig arrives after the "Killing Eve" actress gained received critical acclaim for her "West End" debut in London as Tessa in "Prima Facie".

The one-person play will hail from Suzie Miller. It sees Comer portraying a barrister who has climbed from working class origins to the top of the industry before a twist forces her to "confront the lines where the patriarchal power of the law, burden of proof and morals diverge."

The actress got emotional while sharing the news that it is coming to Broadway in 2023 with fans on Instagram. Alongside a picture of her with tears in her yes, the actress said, "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."

She went on to say, "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 is good news after Comer reportedly last month found herself in the midst a security scare last month after a fan allegedly tried to squeeze under a shutter to the stage door at The Harold Pinter Theatre, London. But she has celebrated earlier this month landing the Leading Actress gong for her role in Channel 4 's Help at this year's BAFTA Television Awards at Londons Royal Festival Hall.

She additionally who won the category in 2019 for "Killing Eve", in which she been lauded for her role in the BBC spy thriller as Russian assassin Villanelle alongside Sandra Oh as Eve Polastri. The role helped her land a role in Ridley Scott's "The Last Duel" with Matt Damon, 51, and Ben Affleck and sci-fi comedy "Free Guy" with Ryan Reynolds.
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The Duke of Cambridge reportedly joins sellers on the streets of London ahead of appearing in the magazine in an interview by one of its longest-standing salesmen.

Jun 10, 2022

AceShowbiz - Prince William has been selling the "Big Issue" alongside homeless vendors. The Duke of Cambridge reportedly joined sellers on the streets of London ahead of appearing in the magazine in an interview by one of its longest-standing salesmen.

Gushing over the royal, veteran vendor Dave Martin, who joined the royal, told The Sun, "William sold more than me. That was to be expected. But he was using my card machine so it didn't matter. So all those sales are recorded as mine anyway. He was a great guy." William is said to have shifted "piles" of the magazine.

Meanwhile,a passer-by who snapped William selling the magazines, Richard Hannant, said, "I wondered if I was in big trouble. I turned around not knowing what was coming and he was absolutely charming. It was very surreal."

The person added, "In a very upbeat and positive manner he asked me, 'Can I interest you in buying a copy?' I said, 'Yes, of course.' But it was a disaster because looking into my wallet I could see I had no cash. I showed him my empty wallet, trying not to panic. I said, 'I've no cash!' "

"Quick as a flash he whipped out a card machine from his trouser pocket and told me, 'No problem - not to worry!' I didn't ask how much it was, I just tapped my card," he continued.

Actress Laura Michalkevic, who posted a pictured of herself alongside William, dressed down in jeans and wearing the trademark "Big Issue" cap and bib on Thursday, June 09, said on Instagram alongside the image, "Life gave chance to meet Price William in the street of London. Felt excited to meet member of the royal family on mission supporting @thebigissuefoundation. Prince William gave best impression of warm personality, care about ordinary people, it's the great sense. (sic.)"

William shifted all of his copies within an hour, potentially becoming London's fastest-selling Big Issue vendor. The 39-year-old royal, who has three children with wife the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, is following in his mom Princess Diana's footsteps by supporting the magazine.

The Sun reported that the future king will be interviewed by Martin in an upcoming edition of the 3 magazine, launched in 1991. A "Big Issue" vendor, which has been around for 11 years, temporarily stopped selling during the pandemic, costing him around 125 a week. His work as an artist took off during the crisis and he had a professional exhibition. But Martin continues to work on the streets as he says he would "miss the people on my pitch."

William was first taken to a homeless shelter by his mother at the age of 11 as she was intent on showing her eldest son and his brother, the Duke of Sussex Prince Harry, how privileged they were. Diana, who died in a Paris car smash aged 36 in August 1997, is also said to have snuck out of Kensington Palace to leave coats in bins for homeless people to find.
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The allegations that the 'Black Panther' actor was talking to other women while dating the socialite surface as people are speculating about whether their relationship was real or not.

Jun 10, 2022

AceShowbiz - Michael B. Jordan has been accused of being unfaithful during his relationship with Lori Harvey. The Johnny Storm a.k.a. Human Torch in 2015's "Fantastic Four" was allegedly talking to other women while he was dating the model.

The allegations that the actor was "cheating" emotionally on the SKN by LH founder surfaced as people are speculating on the Internet about whether their relationship was real or not. Weighing in on the debate, one anonymous source wrote to Deuxmoi, "It was a real relationship but he's been talking to other women throughout."

The source claimed, "No physical cheating more like emotional cheating," before detailing Michael's alleged bond with one of the women, "He spoke to one woman in particular the first half of last year. She lives abroad but they spoke and FaceTimed DAILY. They were obsessed w each and making plans for the future but it fizzled."

Echoing the story, another tipster wrote in another email to the Instagram account, "He slid into my best friends DMs a couple months ago."

Meanwhile, another source begged to differ, believing that Michael and Lori's relationship was nothing more than "a business arrangement." The said person argued, "There's too many people in the industry talking about it being a business arrangement for it not to be true. I know people abuse the PR excuse but sometimes it actually is just PR."

A source claimed Michael B. Jordan cheated emotionally on Lori Harvey.

PEOPLE was the first to report that Lori and Michael called off their romance after dating for more than one year since November 2020. "Michael and Lori are both completely heartbroken. They still love each other," a source told the site.

A separate source spilled that Lori "wasn't ready to commit" to Michael. The so-called insider further claimed that the 25-year-old beauty "is very focused on her career" and that she "realized that they weren't on the same page." The informant continued, "She still wants to have fun and be free. Michael is a great guy. She is sad that their relationship didn't work out, but she is moving on."

While neither Michael nor Lori has addressed the breakup reports, her stepfather Steve Harvey has weighed in on it. "I've heard about it. I wish him well," the TV presenter said on radio show "The Steve Harvey Morning Show" on June 6. "I've heard about it. I wish him well," he added, before showing his support for his daughter as saying, "I'm Team Lori 1000 percent."

"Things happen, it's hard to be young and in the limelight and have a successful relationship," Steve continued. "Look, as long as everybody can walk away in peace, be friends  I ain't heard nobody say they busted no windows or nothing. As long as you don't put your hands on my daughter, I don't give a damn what you do."

He then assured that both Lori and the "Creed" star will be fine, noting, "It's a breakup. I'm pretty sure they'll be fine. People break up all the time."
LOS ANGELES, June 10 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday appeared to swipe at the press, saying they can go "swimming in the pond," as many international and local news outlets questioned the representation of the 9th Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles.

Biden made the remarks during his toast at the Summit of the Americas leaders dinner on Thursday, after shrugging off controversy around the gathering, saying he and some on the guest list had "disagreement on something" but "on the central issues that we talked about ... there is overwhelming agreement."

The Biden administration has faced sharp discontent from countries in the Americas over its decision to cut out Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua from the guest list. Leaders of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador boycotted the meeting, Uruguay's president said he had contracted COVID-19, and Bolivia also declined to attend.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, a key Latin American leader on the summit's guest list, 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, of lack of respect for nations and their people."

These notable absences triggered outcries from the media, which described it as a disaster and embarrassment for U.S. diplomacy.

CNN said in a story published Wednesday that the absences of the leaders were 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."

"Eight 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 White House as director of global engagement, tweeted Wednesday.

In a story published by USA Today on Tuesday, Bruen said it was "embarrassing last minute and lackluster work" going into this week's Summit of the Americas that the country was hosting for the first time in nearly 30 years.

The heads of four countries refused to attend the meeting was "a blow to Mr. Biden at a moment when he sought to project unity and common purpose across the Western Hemisphere," The New York Times said Friday.

On Thursday's meeting, shortly after Biden's speech, Belize's Prime Minister Johnny Briceno criticized the exclusion of Cuba and Venezuela on the stage.

"The power of the Summit of the Americas is the space it provides for all the countries of the Americas to dialogue and agree on joint actions. The summit belongs to all of the Americas," Briceno said in his speech, when Biden sat only a few meters away. "It is therefore inexcusable that all countries of the Americas are not here, and the power of the summit diminished by their absence."

Briceno said the exclusionary summit was incomprehensible, especially when "Cuba has provided consistent, unmatched cooperation in health to almost two-thirds of the countries in this hemisphere" and "Venezuela has done so much toward energy security for the Caribbean region."

"The time has come, Mr. President, to lift the blockade and to build bonds of friendship with the people of Cuba. Similarly ... Venezuela's absence is unforgivable," Briceno noted.

"The principle of inclusivity must be the touchstone of all future summits. Geography, not politics, defines the Americas," he concluded.

Briceno was followed by Argentine 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.

After criticizing the U.S. sanctions against Cuba and Venezuela, the Argentine leader asked the Biden government to "open up in a fraternal way" following Donald Trump's "immensely harmful policy" for the region.

In a story published on Friday, The Washington Post said that since the White House, by excluding the three countries from the summit, "drew its line in the sand, other nations have been rebuking Biden and the United States for what they see as an unfair or even a hypocritical stance."

"The absences have cast doubt on the relevance of a summit that was meant to demonstrate cooperation among neighbors but has instead loudly broadcast rifts in a region that is increasingly willing to defy American leadership," The New York Times said Friday.

The report cited Martha Barcena, the former Mexican ambassador to the United States, as saying that the summit, held in the second largest city of the United States, showed a challenge to U.S. influence, "because U.S. influence has been diminishing in the continent." 
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Just a few days before his death, the rising social media star invited his online devotees to join a Discord server that he created for discussing mental health.

Jun 11, 2022

AceShowbiz - Another rising social media star has passed away. Just hours after sharing a post about dying young, TikToker Cooper Noriega was found dead in a Burbank parking lot. He was 19.

According to TMZ, a passerby called 911 on Thursday, June 9 after discovering Cooper unconscious in the parking lot. Though paramedics rushed to the scene shortly after, they couldn't revive him.

Sources additionally told the outlet that Cooper was not in a vehicle. There were no signs of trauma on his body. Meanwhile, a Los Angeles Medical Examiner-Coroner spokesperson told PEOPLE that his cause of death ahs been deffered.

"[It] means that after an autopsy, a cause of death has not been determined and the medical examiner is requesting more investigation," the spokesperson added. "Once the tests/studies come back, the doctor evaluates the case again and makes the cause of death determination."

Just hours before his death, Cooper shared a very eerie TikTok video about dying at a young age. In the caption, he wrote, "Who else b thinking they gon die young af."

Days prior, Cooper invited his fans to join a Discord server dedicated to discussing mental health. "If you're really into getting your emotions out, or whatever, come join," he said in a TikTok video. "I created [the server] because of how much I love you guys and how much I struggle with it myself."

"I would like to use the influence I've been given to create a space built on spreading awareness and normalizing talking about mental illness," he penned in a separate post on Instagram. "One of the many things I've learnt while struggling with addiction was that surrounding yourself with negative people will only bring you down."
Pride month is an entire month dedicated to the uplifting of LGBTQIA+ voices, a celebration of their culture, and the support of their rights. This year, Amazon India celebrates its commitment to diversity and inclusion; be its employees, sellers, partners, customers, and many others who are proud to call themselves allies. 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.

Amazon India has built an inclusive workspace with employees from the LGBTQAI+ community across diverse jobs  from product managers to art directors to pack associates at fulfilment centres to HR managers to delivery associates. To support the needs of this community, the company offers a Same Gender Partner Coverage Program, which helps employees enroll their same gender partner in their health insurance program. Employees also have the option to choose a Gender reassignment surgery or sign up for Infertility treatment, both of which are provided as part of the health insurance benefit. The company also supports LGBTQIA+ employees with resources and access to counsellors, through their Employee Assistance Program. The program provides them with resources, counselling, support, and guidance in their journey should they want to of being open about their sexuality with their family, friends, or colleagues Additionally, to create an inclusive workplace, all managers are trained in inclusive leadership, a program designed to enable managers to thoughtfully lead teams with diverse employees.

Sharing her thoughts Swati Rustagi, Director, DE&I, International Markets, WW Consumer, Amazon says, "We stand together with the LGBTQIA+ community both within and outside of Amazon, and we continue to look for ways to scale our impact as we grow by providing opportunities to diverse cohorts. Among many affinity groups within Amazon, Glamazon 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. Today, we are proud that Amazon has more than 200 Glamazon chapters worldwide. In the efforts for equality, our work to make both Amazon and our communities more inclusive and welcoming isnt done."

Manish Chopra, Senior Art Director, Amazon India, who identifies himself with the LGBTQIA+ community, shares, "Its 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. 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 Glamazon affinity group started over 20 years ago with one employee who wanted to connect with other LGBTQIA+ Amazonians. There are now over 200 active Glamazon chapters around the world who work with Amazon to create an inclusive workplace, host hundreds of community events, and celebrate Pride annually. Amazon India has also pioneered several programs and initiatives focused on creating an inclusive workplace; a robust Veteran hiring program, advocacy for women to work in night shifts and enabling them to do so, additional benefits to support the needs of the LGBTQIA+ community, work opportunities for people with learning or physical disability, returnship programs for women seeking work after a career break and many more.
Metro Brands Limited (MBL), among Indias leading footwear specialty retailers, is infusing a fresh new, youthful energy to its sub-brand Metro Shoes with the launch of a new tagline #GoodVibesOnly. With the new look and feel, the brand infuses a breath of fresh air across all Metro Shoes store in India as well as its online presence, striking a chord with the millennials that represent all things positive. The brands previous tagline Metro Shoes #LetThereBeBright saw great success as it was launched at a time when the world was just emerging from a trying time with the pandemic.

The brand has also announced its latest Spring-Summer collection that includes Weave, Colour Block, Sneakers and Tie-Dye footwear, all representing this shift in culture. The #GoodVibesOnly tagline will follow a 360-degree focus on digital and social platforms. To reach out to its target group across the nation, Metro Shoes has a new campaign lined up where it has roped in social influencers across verticals to generate the right buzz with a dance hook step.

#GoodVibesOnly felt like a natural next step to our #LetThereBeBright campaign, as the world looks forward to a post-pandemic era filled with hope and colour. We wanted the customer to feel the vibes as soon as they see our new collection. Additionally, the groovy song and steps was our version of having fun with a great pair of shoes. We hope this positive energy resonates with every individual looking to spread Good Vibes. This is the spirit we celebrate! said Alisha Malik, President  Ecommerce & Marketing, Metro Brands Ltd.

Metro Shoes has created the song, lyrics and hook step to the background score for them film from scratch. The models and dancers in the video are all hand-picked by the brand team.

The Spring-Summer 2022 fashion footwear collection includes:

Tie-Dye Range

Metro Shoes in collaboration with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India launch its first-ever vegan-friendly shoe collection- Tie-Dye Collection, made with modern, comfortable animal-free materials that are kinder to the planet. The brand has added a hue twist to its footwear collection with this new, vibrant colour spread.

Price: Rs. 1490 onwards

Link: https://www.metroshoes.net/tie-dye-collection.html

Weave Range

The Weave collection brings to life Metro Shoes traditional Indian partners giving each pair of shoes under this range a unique look. The shoes accentuate the feet, adding a dash of the contemporary.

Price: Rs. 1990 onwards

Link: https://www.metroshoes.net/good-vibes-only.html

Sneakers

Metro Shoes brings a pop of bold colours to its range of sneakers, making white sneakers a thing of the past. Be it home, office, school/college, loungewear and activewear; a pair of these sneakers is a must-have in your wardrobe.

Price: Rs. 2490 onwards

Link: https://www.metroshoes.net/good-vibes-only.html
Sakshar Media, the Delhi-based Public Relations and Social Media Agency, bagged the PR mandate for Trycon Technologies, a leading provider of QR Code solutions across the globe. The agency bagged the account in a multi-agency pitch and will be responsible for increasing the brand awareness and media visibility for Trycon Technologies as a part of its partnership.

Trycon builds a suite of products based on QR Code technology. Businesses use these QR Code-based services to ramp up their campaign engagement rates and make their operations better. Content-coded QR Codes powered by Trycon help bridge the gap between offline and online media with a single scan through a smartphone. Till today, the company has served more than 200,000 businesses from over 195 countries that have created over 500,000 QR Codes.

Headquartered in Delhi with principal offices PAN India, Sakshar Media handles an impressive portfolio of brands across industries such as health, education, hospitality, and more. On the back of its contributions to the Indian PR fraternity, the company has won several awards and accolades including those from PR 40 under 40 Awards, IBR Award etc. The agency has also established a strong foothold in the Indian market with key brand mandates such as Alniche Lifesciences, The Biryani House, India Book of Records among others.

Commenting on the tie-up Gautam Garg, Co-Founder & CEO  Trycon Technologies said, " While Trycon is a leading provider of QR Code solutions across the globe, our aim is to further establish the Trycon brand in India. We believe Sakshar Medias diverse experience in PR and deep understanding of the tech industry makes them a perfect partner to drive our communications with. Were excited to onboard them as a core partner and work closely with them to build the Trycon brand.

Commenting on the win Puneet Kumar Kanojia, Founder-Director  Sakshar Media said, "We are incredibly excited for the opportunity to collaboratively work with a credible, trusted and leading tech organization in the nation. We aim to execute creative, impactful, disruptive and seamlessly driven PR campaigns that would bring maximum ROI for the brand in India. We hope to redefine the landscape for the brand with our initiatives and help Trycon Technologies accomplish their desired outputs.
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.

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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.
Talkwalker, the leading consumer intelligence company, and Hootsuite, the global leader in social media management, have released their Brand Love 2022 report. This is the third edition of the report and each year Talkwalker uses its consumer intelligence capabilities to analyse over 1,500 brands, to see which ones are the most loved. This years report delivers analysis that spans 200 categories and 8 markets globally.

The Talkwalker Brand Love Index is derived using a refined methodology informed by 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 CSAT (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.

Some key takeaways from the Brand Love 2022 report:

This years most loved brands include both international brands and homegrown Indian brands such as Asics, Colorbar Cosmetics, Jimmy Choo, MUJI, Bombay Shaving Company, IBM, and L'Oreal. The top 50 loved brands add new dimensions to the concept of sustainability, and have placed it front and center as a priority. They are environmental, social, and economic sustainability leaders in their categories. The most loved brands use social media to better understand their audience  and what theyre looking for. This is helping them to take creative risks that spark joy, love, and loyalty in their brand audiences. Consumers want a better, improved version of before. After two years of consumption choices being limited by the pandemic and sacrificing in-person experiences, consumers want to get back to normal. But their perspective has changed, and they are re-evaluating their relationships with brands.

Speaking on the latest report, Benjamin Soubies - Managing Director, APAC & Japan, Talkwalker said, The new consumer has conflicting expectations and complex demands. The aim of releasing our Brand Love 2022 report is to continue offering insights that bridge the gaps between brands and consumers. Our research has produced actionable tips on how brands can improve their brand love immediately.

He further added, As many of the top 50 brands prioritise 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."
TuneCore, the leading independent digital music distributor for self-releasing artists, announces the companys biggest change since opening for business 16 years agoits new Unlimited Release Pricing Plans. The announcement was made by Andreea Gleeson, Chief Executive Officer, TuneCore.

Since its inception, TuneCore, a division of global digital music company Believe, has democratized access to music distribution for self-releasing artists by introducing the first flat fee, pay-per-release distribution model on the market. Today, successful release strategies have shifted from doing a few EPs or one album per year to releasing singles more often and more regularly to stay top of mind with existing and potential fans. With the launch of TuneCores Unlimited program, constant music creation is made more accessible for all artists by giving them the control to release an unlimited number of singles and albums. For the free plan, artists are able to get their music directly into the music libraries of social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok and start making money right away, as they crowdsource the musics popularity directly with fans. As they move through their careers, artists will be able to upgrade their plan to better meet their evolving needs as they grow.

Commented Gleeson, Weve spent a year speaking directly to artists and labels about how we can make our service better for them. What emerged is: artists want to be able to test their new music for free before distributing to all services and they want to release the music they are creating instantly, regularly, and seamlessly with one annual subscription enabling unlimited music distribution. TuneCores new program gives self-releasing artists at any stage of their careers the freedom to choose the plan that works best for them, while maintaining the high quality of service TuneCore is known for. With TuneCore Unlimited, artists pay less and earn more.

Vivek Raina, Managing Director, Believe India added, In a constantly evolving music industry, our goal continues to support all artists, at all stages of their career and with the new Unlimited Pricing model, it allows us to further our mission at the local level, in the best possible way and help them to grow their careers independently.

TuneCores new Unlimited program includes four plans catered to give options and choice to meet the unique needs of all artists:

The New Artist Plan - FREEis a unique one-stop solution on the market that empowers unlimited release of songs to the music libraries of Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube (including Shorts, Content ID and access to YouTubes Official Artist Channel) to facilitate discovery and virality on key social media platforms with no upfront fee and paying out 80% of what is collected to the artist. The first-of-its-kind plan is great for artists who are just starting out, giving them the ability to make money while experimenting and testing their music.

The Rising Artist Plan  INR 999 per yearis among the most affordable unlimited distribution plans on the market. It includes everything from the New Artist plan plus Unlimited release distribution to 150+ streaming and store partners like Wynk, Gaana, Spotify, Apple Music, Resso, JioSaavn, Amazon Music and Hungama all while continuing to pay artists 100% of revenue. This plan also includes access to pre-schedule all release dates, official verification on Spotify and Apple Music, as well as artist support response time within 72 hours.

The Breakout Artist Plan  INR 1999 per yearincludes everything from the New Artist and Rising Artist plans plus free access to Automator (automatically including your release in all streaming and digital stores that will be available in the future), downloadable reporting and artist support response time within 48 hours.

The Professional Plan  INR 3999 per yearis designed for labels, managers and artists who are more advanced in their careers and would benefit from more sophisticated release features. It includes everything from the other three plans plus premium sales reporting, use of your own UPC and a custom label name, access to select country restrictions, exclusive partnerships, and promotional opportunities. This plan also gives the ability to add additional artist profiles (for INR 999/artist per year) and the fastest artist support response time, within 24 hours.

Heena Kriplani, Head of TuneCore, South Asia explained, One of our biggest strengths is the relationship and subsequent conversations we have with artists. We see the changing ecosystem and make sure we adapt. The Unlimited Pricing model is that once-a-year payment solution that enables and encourages artists to maximize their releases, creating new opportunities to engage with fans and fuel music discovery across Digital music and social platforms.

TuneCore artist, Nikhita Gandhi, commented, TuneCore has always been my preferred distribution partner. What stands out about them is their dependability and their willingness to adapt to artist needs. To me its heartening to see that a conversation with TuneCore can result in a change in format, all focused on the betterment of an artist. Im thrilled that with this more affordable model, my fellow artists can also benefit from all that TuneCore offers.

The new Unlimited program gives artists the freedom to create more music and experiment with different release strategies to advance their careers and feed their growing fanbases. Even those sensitive to pricing can utilize the New Artist free plan or the Rising Artist INR 999 plan to experience TuneCore's expertise in independent distribution and become eligible for upstream into Believe Label & Artist Solutions or Believe Artists Services divisions Signed By program which has benefited over 400 TuneCore artists globally.

Continued Gleeson, With all of these changes, one thing stays the same - TuneCore will never waiver from putting artists first and with each update to our service, we will keep our artists needs front of mind. Ultimately, were here to help them make their music better, and help them become better known.
New documentary exposes a WHO program resulting in the sterilization of African women without their knowledge or consent.

Austin, TX  From award-winning filmmaker Dr. Andy Wakefield, in collaboration with executive producer Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Childrens Health Defense (CHD) Films comes the documentary Infertility: A Diabolical Agenda. The film exposes a World Health Organization (WHO) population control experiment carried out under the guise of a vaccination program, resulting in the sterilization of women in Africa without their knowledge or consent.

The film will premiere on Friday, June 10 at 2:00 pm ET on CHD.TV. Immediately following the 30-minute film, a special edition of CHD.TVs Friday Roundtable will feature special guests Dr. Andy Wakefield, Dr. Christiane Northrup, Dr. Jim Thorp, Dr. Brian Hooker and Dr. Liz Mumper to discuss the dramatic rise in infertility issues across the globe.

It is with timely irony that the World Health Organization reveals its true colors as it makes a desperate grab for control of global health, said director Dr. Andy Wakefield. This story is a true WHO dunnit.

Infertility pulls back the curtain to reveal the truth behind WHOs nefarious collaboration with the Kenyan government in which an experimental tetanus vaccination, later found to be laced with the pregnancy hormone hCG, was given to millions of unknowing African women of childbearing age. Consequently, their right to carry children was stolen. Wakefield chronicles this tragic story and brings shocking new evidence to light. As Dr. Stephen Karanja warns in the film, When theyre through with Africa, theyre coming for you.

The truths exposed in this film cast a long shadow from a tetanus trial in Africa to the symptoms of infertility that are happening all over the world, including reports after the Gardasil vaccine and the COVID shots, said CHD chief science director Dr. Brian Hooker.

This film documents evidence that strongly supports the idea that the WHO was conducting an experiment on women of childbearing age to make them infertile without informed consent, said Mary Holland, CHD president, general counsel and author of The HPV Vaccine On Trial: Seeking Justice For A Generation Betrayed.
By J. Keeler Johnson ("Keelerman") Twitter: @J_Keelerman

The 2022 Triple Crown winds down on Saturday with the 154th running of the historic $1.5 million Belmont S. (G1) at Belmont Park.

Held over the testing distance of 1 1/2 miles, the Belmont has attracted a small but competitive field of eight horses for its 2022 edition. Four of the entrants are proven graded stakes winners, while the remaining four have placed at the graded stakes level. You can make a case for anyone to finish in the top three, so there are a lot of handicapping possibilities to consider.

The biggest challenge might be deciding what to do with morning line favorite #1 We the People (2-1). If you excuse a troubled seventh-place finish in the Arkansas Derby (G1), the son of Constitution is unbeaten and unchallenged in three starts. He was especially impressive in the 1 1/8-mile Peter Pan S. (G3) at Belmont Park last month, leading all the way and drawing off down the homestretch to dominate by 10 1/4 lengths.

We the People finished fast in the Peter Pan (sprinting the final three furlongs in :37.02) and has the pedigree to stretch out over 1 1/2 miles. He also looms as the only clear speed horse in the Belmont field, so what's to stop We the People from parading along on an easy lead and winning the Belmont in gate-to-wire fashion?

Well, if we want to nitpick, there might be a chink or two in We the People's armor. His three victories haven't come against the toughest competition (there weren't any graded stakes winners in the fields), and We the People's Peter Pan romp came over a sealed track that may have aided his pacesetting style.

We the People clearly has talent, and the fact he's likely to secure an uncontested lead means he's a must-use runner in multi-race wagers. But he's not necessarily the most likely winner.

Who can defeat We the People? Kentucky Derby (G1) hero #4 Rich Strike (7-2) is bound to be draw support after winning the Run for the Roses at odds of 80-1. Rich Strike's upset arguably wasn't quite as shocking as his odds indicate; he'd previously broken his maiden in dominant fashion at Churchill Downs, and improvement over the winter may have been hidden by the fact Rich Strike was competing over the synthetic Tapeta track at Turfway Park.

Rich Strike was full of run down the homestretch of the Kentucky Derby, gaining four lengths through the final furlong to beat Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Epicenter by three-quarters of a length. But it's worth noting the early pace of the Derby was historically fast, so Rich Strike benefited from a pace meltdown that saw late runners occupy the majority of the top finishing positions. With a slower pace expected for the Belmont, Rich Strike figures to find himself at a tactical disadvantage.

Rather than support Rich Strike on top, I'm going to throw my support behind #6 Mo Donegal (5-2), who overcame a slow start and an extremely wide run into the homestretch to finish fifth in the Kentucky Derby, beaten 3 3/4 lengths. Obviously the fast pace was beneficial to Mo Donegal as well, but he's shown more tactical speed in the past than Rich Strike, and I'm optimistic Mo Donegal can stay reasonably close to the expected slow pace on Saturday.

Overall, Mo Donegal's form is rock-solid. Unlike We the People, he's repeatedly proven himself against tough competition. In the 1 1/8-mile Remsen S. (G2) at Aqueduct last fall, Mo Donegal settled a couple lengths behind pedestrian fractions before rallying to defeat future Blue Grass S. (G1) winner Zandon by a nose. And in the 1 1/8-mile Wood Memorial (G2) two months ago, Mo Donegal rocketed the final three furlongs in a blazing :35.61 to get up and beat next-out Preakness S. (G1) winner Early Voting by a neck.

Facing only seven rivals in the Belmont should suit Mo Donegal just fine, since he's almost certain to get a better trip than he did in the Derby. Trainer Todd Pletcher has won the Belmont three times (including twice with Kentucky Derby starters who skipped the Preakness), so I'm optimistic the stage is set for Mo Donegal to deliver a winning run.

I'm also keen to support Mo Donegal's Pletcher-trained stablemate #3 Nest (8-1), runner-up in the Kentucky Oaks (G1) after waiting in traffic at a key moment around the far turn. Nest was gaining ground late against the victorious Secret Oath, who enjoyed an unencumbered outside rally around the far turn, so it's fair to wonder if Nest could have challenged for victory with a clear run.

Nest previously dominated the Ashland S. (G1) at Keeneland by 8 1/4 lengths, so we know she has serious talent. As a daughter of two-time Horse of the Year and elite sire Curlin out of the A.P. Indy mare Marion Ravenwood, Nest is a full-sister to Santa Anita Handicap (G1) winner Idol and figures to relish racing 1 1/2 miles. She also has the tactical speed to enjoy a forwardly placed trip in Saturday's largely paceless field. Throw in the fact Pletcher won the 2007 Belmont with Kentucky Oaks winners Rags to Riches, and there's no reason to think Nest can't challenge at a fair price in the Triple Crown's final leg.

Selections:

1st: Mo Donegal

2nd: Nest

3rd: We the People

4th: Rich Strike

Now it's your turn! Who do you like in the Belmont Stakes?

*****

Want to test your handicapping skills against fellow Unlocking Winners readers? Check out the Unlocking Winners contests pagethere's a new challenge every week! (Please note: older contest entries can be found here.)

J. Keeler Johnson (also known as "Keelerman") is a writer, videographer, voice actor, handicapper, and all-around horse racing enthusiast. A great fan of racing history, he considers Dr. Fager to be the greatest racehorse ever produced in America, but counts Zenyatta as his all-time favorite.
UNITED NATIONS, June 10 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday appointed Amandeep Singh Gill of India as his envoy on technology, and Navid Hanif of Pakistan as assistant secretary-general for economic development, a UN spokesman said.

Gill is the chief executive officer of the Geneva-based International Digital Health and Artificial Intelligence Research Collaborative. He had previously served as India's ambassador and permanent representative to the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, said Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for Guterres.

"A thought leader on digital technology, he brings to the position a deep knowledge of digital technologies coupled with a solid understanding of how to leverage the digital transformation responsibly and inclusively for progress on the Sustainable Development Goals," said Dujarric.

Guterres appointed Hanif of Pakistan as assistant secretary-general for economic development in the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). Hanif succeeds Elliot Harris of Trinidad and Tobago.

Hanif is currently directing DESA's Financing for Sustainable Development Office in New York, He brings to the position more than 30 years of experience in national and international civil service, said the spokesman.

Hanif served in the executive office of the secretary-general as a team member for the 2005 World Summit. He also held several positions in UN bodies, including the vice-chair of the High-Level Committee on Programmes. Before joining the United Nations, Hanif served in Pakistan's diplomatic service, including a stint as a delegate at its mission to the United Nations. 
YAOUNDE, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Over 800 militants of the extremist group Boko Haram were killed during recent operations on the fringes of Lake Chad by troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), commander of the force has said.

The operation dubbed "Lake Sanity" lasted for 75 days and included troops from Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad and Niger, said Major General Abdul Kalifa Ibrahim, commander of MNJTF.

"So far over 800 of Boko Haram criminals have been neutralized or killed. Over a quarter of these people were killed as a result of the work of the sector one of MNJTF, which is the Cameroonian sector. I find the discipline and the hard work of the Cameroonian sector to be one of the best," Ibrahim told reporters during a press conference Wednesday evening.

"(Almost) three months operation, not one Cameroon soldier has died. This is a record," he added during the press conference that presented battle-damage assessment of the operation.

He said, the MNJTF's combined ground and amphibious operations have put a lot of pressure on the extremists, attacking their strongholds and making movement difficult for them.

MNJTF is a joint military effort created by countries including Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Nigeria and Benin to fight Boko Haram and the ISIS affiliate - West African Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP), which threaten the stability of these countries and the entire region. 
"People sleep peacefully in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."  George Orwell

America has become a nation where political hysteria is, or aspires to be, normalized. The national reaction to the recent Uvalde school shooting provides an example. Before the bodies were cold, Joe Biden and Beto ORourke, were in the pulpit poisoning the airways with venal or self-serving partisan rancor. Both liberal Democrats, ironically, currently find themselves underwater with their voters.

Worse still, local police brass tried to spin the carnage too, holding a premature press conference to get ahead of media shaming. A press conference is now the standard bravo sierra platform for local and national spin. Alas, Uvalde police commanders were quickly called out by parents for their hesitation and inertia, or maybe cowardice. In the available video coverage, a polyglot battalion of cops seems to be milling around, more concerned with taking down distraught parents than taking out the shooter. Subsequently, the media blame game erupted into an orgasm of indignation as the body count went viral.

In short order, Texas lawmen decided to change the subject and punt.

Locals imprudently called for the feds and an FBI investigation, hopefully to be followed by new gun laws  which, to be sure, would chastise and demonize those same hick cops, but do little to change the vectors of schoolhouse mayhem. If the truth be told, most calls for impartial study are motivated by a desire to change the subject believing that justice delayed is justice denied.

So lets audit the bizarre backstory for the latest national public safety hysteria so far.

First, theres the totality of gun violence elsewhere, in charnel houses like Washington, D.C.  home base for the Department of Justice and the FBI, where gun morbidity and crime in general dwarf the numbers of any rural Texas town. In any recent year, thousands of D.C. citizens were killed or maimed exclusively by handguns, not rifles. To boot, the District has more cops (both federal and local) and military per city block than any other jurisdiction in the world. Yet, more folks will be killed by handguns in D.C. this year, than any jurisdiction of similar size in America. A small city, Washington, D.C. has a gun morbidity rate equal to, or higher than, all but three states nationwide.

If Washington was populated by real crime solvers, the District of Columbia would be a civic model, if not Shangri-La. Alas, the homicide case closure rate in D.C. is 40%. If you kill in D.C., more than likely, you will get away with homicide.

In contrast, Salvador Ramos found appropriate, albeit belated, justice after an interaction with the Border Patrol. Dead men dont reoffend.

In less than two years since Joe Biden usurped executive power, Washington, D.C. has had over 150 homicides and over 3,000 violent crimes. Death by handgun is a growth business amongst all urbane Democrat sinecures from coast to coast.

Over 90% of gunshot victims in D.C. are black, so those numbers probably dont matter much to Democrat demagogues. If you combined morbidity rates of black Americans from drugs, crime, lifestyle choices, and abortion  the death rate is genocidal. Yet, the rare copycat shooting in rural America is the stuff that provokes public safety hysteria.

The human slaughter in all those knee-jerk, liberal, urban, sierra hotels, apparently, is just another statistic.

And the immediate remedy proposed so far is yet another FBI or DOJ investigation? Do we need dirty cops  from D.C. of all places  to educate Texas about public safety and proper policing practices? The same corrupt Justice Department that subverted the last administration for four years and now ignores threats to Supreme Court justices is supposed to assist Texas with investigative integrity and law enforcement?

If the FBI goes to Texas, the federal posse should include Robert Mueller, James Comey, and Adam Schiff. The FBI is as likely to help in Texas as they are to bring Peter Strzok, Lisa Page, or Hillary Clinton before the bar in D.C.

Ironically, suicidal policies on public safety come from the same woke demographic most likely to be victimized by guns and crime. Indeed, the anti-cop, BLM, defund-the-police mob is the community most likely to be in a punks gunsights. Social hustlers like Black Lives Matter and Antifa, politicians like Muriel Bowser and Lori Lightfoot, can take a bow here too for all those municipal cops now unwilling to go in harms way.

Why risk your life to save children when any collateral damage means demonization, career suicide, financial ruin, and civic ignominy? The urban political left may have your city, officer; but surely, they do not have your back.

If social media misfits were shooting up newsrooms and city council chambers, instead of school rooms, the Fourth Estate and the American urban left would have a very different take on guns and crime.

There are many things that local police can do without any puerile advice from clueless federal drones. For starters, try rotating real cops off of patrol and into schools  real police officers not school resource officers. Resource officer is an urban euphemism for old, fat, retired, or marginal. Real lawmen do not aspire to be resource officers  anymore than they aspire to be mall cops. The gun crazies and their potential victims need to know that real cops are on the job. Pubescent internet creeps need to know, if you threaten kids or teachers, real cops might just blow you away.

Good proactive lawmen at school, or anywhere else for that matter, are the answer, not the problem.

Appearances matter to those lunatic or homicidal adolescents among us. Indeed, when you put a dozen or more cops on a media dais these days, it looks like a weight watchers club.

Withal, state and local police do not need corrupt or politicized federal cops, or their advice, to improve local public safety. Woke Washington cant define a woman, or a fat slob, no less a real lawman. Nevertheless, a little common sense and courage from national politicians and state police brass might make a world of difference for the thin blue line.

Active crime scene commanders and cops need to be real warriors  with the balls and the backing to go in harms way. Alas, none of us is safe as long as common sense is the null set in our public safety equation.

The author comes from a family of cops in the Bronx, two uncles on the job with the NYPD, one of whom, Ed Varley, was killed in the line of duty.
On May 31, the Supreme Court made probably the most consequential decision since 2021. By a slim majority, 5-4, SCOTUS vacated an appeals court ruling to stay a district court's preliminary injunction against Texas bill H.B. 20, in NetChoice v. Paxton. That is, it reinstated the preliminary injunction against the Texas law, made by an Obama-appointed district judge in Austin.

NetChoice, LLC and a lobbying group, CCIA, launched the original lawsuit on behalf of Big Tech platforms. I filed an amicus brief in support of Texas in NetChoice v. Paxton, 21-51178, before the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. The appeals court correctly stayed the preliminary injunction. This stay has now been vacated by the Supreme Court, rendering H.B. 20 unenforceable once again. Justices Alito, Thomas, Gorsuch, and Kagan dissented. Justice Alito wrote the dissenting opinion, on behalf of himself and Justices Thomas and Gorsuch.

Texas law H.B. 20 restricted viewpoint censorship by big platforms and imposed nominal reporting requirements on them. Big Tech platforms claim that their First Amendment rights apply not only to their own speech (which is not questioned), but also to their consumers' speech on their consumers' property. We, Big Tech consumers, speak (or post) in our homes, on our smartphones, and we pay for the internet traffic to and from those platforms, all while letting the platforms harvest mountains of private data from us. Yet, somehow, Big Tech convinced SCOTUS to use the First Amendment not to protect freedom of speech, but to suppress it.

The initial preliminary injunction against the Texas law was based on very little evidence, mainly testimonies of some platforms' officers and only one rushed expert opinion on behalf of Texas. No new evidence is added in appeals. Apparently, the original decision was made based on the Big Tech misinformation (sorry for using this word), repeated by the mainstream media funded by Big Tech, and without awareness that persons with opposite views have been deplatformed or are in fear of deplatforming. Thus, it is accepted as common knowledge.

Giving Big Tech even more power

Granting Big Tech First Amendment rights over consumers' speech and content officially elevates Big Tech to the rank of "Masters of the Universe." These massive platforms are used not only for expressive speech, but also for daily interpersonal communication, emergencies, government communications, business presence, and criticism of the platforms themselves. If these platforms now have editorial discretion rights over all their user's communications, the platforms can legally eliminate competition to all their businesses.

The office of Texas attorney general Ken Paxton, defending H.B. 20, is no match for Big Tech's onslaught. Big Tech obviously wields much more influence, having almost inexhaustible funding and a near monopoly on the experts. Additionally, defending Texas laws is not a normal responsibility of the Texas attorney general. "Texas should not be required to seek preclearance from the federal courts before its laws go into effect," wrote Justice Alito in the dissent.

Obtaining the necessary details and evidence to successfully hold Big Tech platforms accountable requires the ability to investigate and the authority to do so. When the courts side with Big Tech against states that attempt to protect their citizens, this becomes a vicious spiral.

The missing evidence

The platforms' Terms of Service do not create a valid contract, so courts will have to construct actual contracts between big platforms and their users, on a case-by-case basis. The First Amendment is not a get out of contract free card.

Here are other relevant issues, which were not examined:

The case does not include evidence and argument that Big Tech platforms have become state actors and are therefore bound by the same constitutional restrictions as the government.

The case does not include evidence and argument addressing the platforms' promises to their consumers, which they must honor. Their application to the Supreme Court stated that "from the moment users access a social media platform, everything they see is subject to editorial discretion by the platform in accordance with the platforms' unique policies." This sounds like an insulting joke.

No evidence was shown that big platforms have the proper authorizations from their users to exploit their labor, creative content, and private data with "editorial discretion."

On the face, platforms exceeded any authorized access to users' computers and smartphones in violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, which prohibits "intentionally access[ing] a computer without authorization or exceed[ing] authorized access, thereby obtain[ing] information from any protected computer" (18 U.S. Code  1030[a][2][C]). No evidence of the opposite was shown.

The Supreme Court is under attack, and Big Tech aids the attackers

It is worth noting that the Supreme Court is under attack as six "conservative" justices are harassed and threatened at their homes. Picketing and parading at judges' homes is illegal (18 U.S. Code 1507) and punishable by up to a year in prison. Even the WaPo agrees. The language used by the instigators on their websites and Twitter accounts goes far beyond picketing. Some of the accounts (e.g., @WallOfMoms ) belong to Antifa. The slogans include "Shut Down SCOTUS," "Abort Alito," and "topple #scotus6." Neither the Biden regime nor D.C. authorities are bothering to investigate the instigators of the illegal threats and harassment of justices. More extreme Democrat leaders cheer them on.

Big Tech platforms are the key tool being used by these instigators to organize physical harassment and threats against the Justices. The leaked draft decision for the abortion case Dobbs v. Jackson from February was published on May 2, but a Google map with the home addresses of six justices was created on April 25 and was active until May 6. The instigators' accounts on Twitter linked to this map.

Big Tech platforms provide anonymity for the organizers of threats and attacks against the justices. In addition, some platforms normalize and legitimize these actions.

The platforms claim that they eliminate extremism. That leads ordinary people to conclude that the activities the instigators promote are not extremism. The platforms claim that they provide the modern equivalent of the public square. They do not say they eliminate or restrict the reach of conservative accounts. Twitter is also known for deplatforming people who have critically engaged with far-left accounts. Ordinary people do not know that and conclude that the incitement against SCOTUS is not challenged because it reflects general views.

It is possible that SCOTUS made the ruling in NetChoice v. Paxton under duress caused by threats from the far left, aided by big platforms.

Image via Max Pixel.
One of the most difficult psychological transitions is facing hatred of self or loved ones by significant people in our lives. The challenge of admitting when we are hated makes it difficult to take steps to protect the vulnerable from that hatred. The normal mind projects onto others the degree of acceptance and respect that it naturally grants to others. The healthy mind must learn through unhappy experience when mutual acceptance and respect are absent. Therefore, it has been hard to admit that over time Democrats have succumbed to beliefs and policies based on hatred of us and our children.

Why do Democrats advance policies that inflict death and psychological debasement on American children? Democrats hate America's children -- yours, not theirs -- because evil hates innocence, because they follow a climate cult that promotes human sacrifice, because they fear the children who come through us will be resistant to political subjugation. We must face the purpose of Democrat hate, and grasp its spiritual causation, if we are to introduce vital remedies to protect our children.

Nancy Pelosi venerates the murder of viable babies as, Sacred ground to me. How can we deny that Democrats passion for perinatal infanticide amounts to hatred

Biden's FDA shuttered a vital baby formula plant in February with no plan to reopen. Even the Democrat propaganda machine found no evidence the plant needed to be shut down. Nevertheless, Democrats are stockpiling formula for their favorite children -- post-American replacement babies -- while blocking production for yours.

When an old man sits on the stoop with candy and talks to little boys about their pee-pees he belongs in prison. When Dems entrain theories of sexuality into a captive audience of schoolchildren, that too is criminal. A child wholesomely integrates developmental changes in sex consciousness given human love and the influence of God-based moral truth. "Don't Say Gay?" Sign me up!

Democrats celebrate high-price designer babies purchased by wealthy men like Pete Buttigieg. That is a form of non-labor child enslavement.

Ketanji Brown Jackson called cutting in line to the Supreme Court "diversity," but her appointment subverts diversity. There has never been an Asian-American, Native-American, or Hispanic man on the Supreme Court. Brown decorated herself in motherhood while defending her enablement of pornographic baby torture. That's what they do. They don't hate their own children -- just yours.

What is the worst example of Democrat child mistreatment? Gender theory that inflicts confusion and sex-identity disorders? Uber-Dem Mayor Adams mummifying five-year-olds in useless masks while sparing adults? For me, it's zero progress in understanding the devastating childhood neurological disorder of autism. Democrats control the universities, NIH, and public research programs. They spent billions for HIV-AIDS research because that disease mainly spreads through culturally privileged adult lifestyles. For autism zero progress.

As a psychotherapist, I help people understand the difference between purpose and causation of problematic behavior. For example, the purpose of dysregulated anger may be to control other people, while the cause may be prior trauma. Democrats purpose in every position they take is to accrue power, to weaken the American economy and people, to undermine the operation of law and justice. Democrats destroy the natural family, undermine the love-based authority of parents, sicken the minds and bodies of children, and ultimately destroy faith in God. It is in their thirst for power that Democrats functionally hate our children.

To understand the causation of Democrat hatred of our children, as distinct from its political purpose, we ask from whence Democrat hatred of any child? Does it arise from an independent source of pure evil, a Satan who rivals God? Perhaps, but I think not. If Democrats hatred of children was an expression of pure evil, they would be evil in all purposes, and they are not. Furthermore, my mother was a Democrat, and she was neither a tool of Satan nor lacking in moral stamina, this I can tell you. What happened between my moms Democrat party of the 1950s and today? It disappeared over time, replaced not by pure evil, but by a belief system progressively disconnected from God, therefore with no source of unconditional love for all children. Democrats now express the lowest degree of love for our children, which is indistinguishable from hate.

It has been given with divine authority that loving your own child requires neither God nor goodness. Even cruel people can love a child who loves them back. There is one source in creation of love for every child, of universal and infinite love for all, and that is God. Without God, human beings invariably without exception create division and strife because without God there is no source of love for all.

For example, the Democrat imperative that it is sacred ground to kill babies developed over years. First, God's love for all was diluted, seemingly compassionately, because the mother may be poor or sick. Today Democrats worship the right to murder a fully viable baby.

The central focus of Democrat politics since my mothers day has been special rights and privileges based on the intrinsic characteristics of race and sex. Equal justice for all dwindled as Democrats brainwashed the weak-minded to the dogma of special rights for voluntary behaviors, especially for sexuality minorities. Behaviors that had traditionally been considered spiritually dangerous by the permanent theistic religions, became venerated, and religions had to be destroyed. Frank hatred of God entered political conversation and public prayer was abolished. Despite mouthing scriptural sound bites, Democrats champion anti-moral philosophies to rationalize their architecture of cultural privileging against God and life.

Today, Democrats hold our children in the least degree of love, which amounts to hate. Children do not vote or make political contributions, they are the least politically powerful group in America. Having booted Gods presence from public praise, Democrats have rejected the source of love for all, and all children are no longer precious to them.

The tragedy in Uvalde, Texas has nothing to do with guns. It resulted from decades of tearing down the integrity of our civilization, marginalizing father-led families, and culturally and chemically poisoning our children. Barack Obama's monstrous tweet exploiting nineteen unnamed murdered children encapsulates the mechanics of Democrat hatred The leader of the Democrats remains devoted to Trayvon Martin and George Floyd, both of whom died while drug-affected and committing a crime. These men are the weapons he uses against our children to blame America, disrespect the police, and accept that they are either hated or hateful. Democrats work to weaken drug laws, normalize the debilitating drug cannabis, and flood America with lethal drugs across an open border. Democrats have worked tirelessly to pull patriotism and faith out of public schools.

How many of the school shooters attended a religious service during the week of their crime? It is imperative to reinstate daily prayer in public schools. Every school should have a weekly assembly, including prayer, which builds the sense of community and sanctity of life of every student. Elementary schools must reinstate released time in which every student is released to religious training of the parents choice. Recreating the awareness of God's love as the only source of love for all children, across American public institutions, is the first best antidote to hate.

Dr. Tyler writes Psychology Reoriented at Substack.

Image: Pixabay
Alexa Beichler, a mother of three boys under five in Leesburg, VA, is among the many faces of the national infant formula shortage.

Two of her boys have classic phenylketonuria (PKU), in which they cannot process an amino acid found in protein. This means they require  for life -- the very formula Abbott Labs was making in Sturgis, MI, the plant the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shut down leading to the current crisis.

According to Beichler, the Biden administrations "Operation Fly Formula" did not have the right kind of formula for her sons' needs.

Fox reported: Beichler spoke to Virginia Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-10th District) about the problem but wasnt given a solution.

"If she cant get any answers, and I cant get any answers, then who has the answers?"

Well, the answers to how this started are within the FDA and its inconsistency in infant formula inspections.

This whole ordeal began last fall when FDA audited Abbott Labs Sturgis plant and issued a 483 -- essentially, a list of violations that require official action.

Then, an unnamed whistleblower -- believed to be a former employee -- talked to the agency, around the same time four infants became ill with Cronobacter sakazakii, and two died.

So, the agency collected samples from the babies and had them tested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. FDA also collected milk samples from Sturgis. Although the strains in the infants were different, and not found in the milk, according to Abbott, the agency swooped into Sturgis in early January with 12 auditors, quite a large number.

This inspection team found more objectionable conditions, including Cronobacter, and ordered the plant shut. The agency for the second time in months issued Abbott a 483, which is a form listing violations of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) rules. Abbott initiated a recall of the lots that could be affected. The agency Feb. 19 issued a warning to parents to not use the products from these lots -- Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare powdered formulas

According to a report by House Commerce Committee Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, none of the five strains found in environmental samples matched the two patient samples that CDC analyzed. FDAs own labs showed no Cronobacter in the Abbott samples either

But in testimony to the panel, FDA commissioner Robert Califf, M.D., said we cannot confirm the formula caused the illness or death or rule it out.

Califf was never asked about how the agency treated other infant formula makers. But records I obtained some years ago for Food & Drug Inspection Monitor, a trade newsletter of the Washington Information Source, a publishing firm I owned from 1991-2021, show that competitor Mead Johnsons (MJ) facility in Evansville, IN, was inspected in January and February 2012, after FDA gave the facility a clean bill of health based on testing samples of Cronobacter.

According to FDAs Establishment Inspection Reports (EIR), which are more detailed than the 483, this audit was spurred by 91 reports of infants having a series of adverse reactions to the companys Enfamil formula, produced in powdered form.

Like the Abbott situation, the Mead Johnson audit was triggered by consumer complaints involving infants who tested positive for Cronobacter Spp, according to the EIR, which listed only six FDAers in the plant vs. 12 for Abbott this year. Four infants became ill and two died after consuming the MJ formula.

MJs previous audit in 2011 was classified voluntary action indicated, unlike Abbott, which had 483s issued in two previous audits in 2019 and 2021. Due to COVID FDA did not inspect many facilities in 2020, although they generally audit infant formula plants each year.

However, the findings from both inspections are similar, yet MJ had no 483, no massive recall, and no plant shutdown.

In fact, according to the article in Food Navigator, the agency gave MJ a clean bill of health before the Evansville inspection even occurred -- involving eight auditors, not 12. I have covered FDA since 1986, and it is rare FDA sends 12 auditors to a facility.

Additionally, Meads Indiana plant was audited in 2017. In this case, the firm got a 483 -- which means objectionable violations. They included the presence of Cronobacter SPP. in critical and high hygiene areas of the processing environment on 26 occasions between 1/23/17 and 08/28/2017. The 483 also cited similar problems found in the Abbott plant. Ironically, the House subcommittee had these documents before the hearing but did not ask FDA about them.

In my view, FDA came down harder on Abbott vs. Mead Johnson because the Sturgis plant garnered 483s in 2019 and the fall of 2021. Two of the 12 FDA staff that swarmed the Abbott Sturgis plant in January, investigator Daniel Arrecis and national food expert Elizabeth Mayer, were the leads on the 2019 and 2021 audits.

Plus, the agency received a whistleblower complaint last fall, which may have played in FDAs fears that the Sturgis plant was out of control and needed to be closed.

By May 8, according to the O&I panel report, some 43 percent of infant formula SKUs were sold out at major retailers across the nation. The Sturgis plant supplied about 35% of the U.S. market, Abbott testified. In essence, FDA created a worse problem than what it tried to solve due to regulatory tunnel vision.

The Abbott EleCare shortage has been the most problematic, especially for parents like the Beichlers. Abbott reported that it will be the first product to go into production after the Sturgis plant goes on line this week.

The firm added: While Abbott has limited inventory of these products, there should be enough to fulfill current patient needs until new product is available in the coming months.

Its possible FDA went lighter on Mead in 2012 because the agency was under fire at that time for causing a number of drug shortages due to GMP compliance actions, which led to the enactment of the FDA Safety and Innovation Act that fall. This law requires the agency to report to Congress each year on drug shortages -- but not shortages of other products. Members of Congress are looking to change that.

For its part, in my view, Abbott rolled over and played dead too easily. I have no idea if its attorneys and regulatory staff advised FDA compliance personnel of an acute shortage if they shut the plant, or complained about how lightly Mead was treated.

The firm also agreed to a Consent Decree prior to the May 18 hearing, which compels it to meet certain FDA requirements. Consent decrees are almost always done for serious GMP violations and violations of federal law. In my view, this doesnt meet that threshold, but big pharma firms like Abbott generally do not fight the agency in court -- they go ahead and comply so as not to imperil how the agency views its other products in review.

Now, the HHS Inspector General is investigating Specifically, we will review FDA's actions leading up to the infant formula recall at the Abbott facility in February 2022 to determine whether FDA followed applicable policies and procedures to: (1) conduct inspections of the manufacturing facility and (2) oversee Abbott's initiation of the infant formula recall.

But will the I.G. examine inspection consistency between how Mead was handled vs. Abbott? Will the I.G. bother to ask why FDA did not rely on testing of the milk before issuing the do not use order on Feb. 19 and ordering the plant shut? Did FDA staff consider shortages when they acted, or not?

I emailed FDA spokesperson Jennifer Dooren with questions about why FDA treated Mead Johnson more lightly but brought the hammer down on Abbott. She did not respond

Ken Reid covered FDA from 1986 to 2021, mostly as editor and publisher of Washington Information Source Co. www.FDAINFO.com  which ceased publication in December.

Image: Abbott Labs
Conveniently for the Democrats, executed schoolchildren elicit emotional responses to the gun control debate, and this week, the House passed new measures (with Republican help) to further infringe upon unalienable rights. The bill prohibits the sale of magazines that contain more than 15 rounds, as well as raises the age requirement to purchase certain semi-automatic rifles. Clearly, "shall not be infringed" is quite a concept for many to grasp.

Countless historical examples show government gun-grabbing tyranny starts small, in "boil the frog" schemes  gun registration in Nazi Germany; provincial records under Mao; and, most recently, Trudeau's ban on any new handgun sales in Canada  so one can anticipate that Congress will only escalate its tyranny.

In light of more illegal proposals sure to come down the pike, it's time for American citizens to learn about the doctrine of nullification and hold their local governments and jurisdictions accountable.

With the ratification of the United States Constitution, the federal government came into existence. Prior to that, only the states existed, and the creator is always greater than the created. Article VI of the Constitution states:

This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof [emphasis added]; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any state to the Contrary notwithstanding.

Only acts made in concordance with the Constitution are lawful and permissible. As Thomas Jefferson said, the "rightful remedy" for unconstitutional acts is nullification, as states hold the power to invalidate federal measures that extend beyond the government's delegated authority laid out by the Constitution. The Virginia Resolutions stated:

That this assembly doth explicitly and peremptorily declare, that it views the powers of the federal government, as resulting from the compact [federal Constitution], to which the states are parties ... that in case of a deliberate, palpable, and dangerous exercise of other powers, not granted by the said compact, the states who are parties thereto, have the right, and are in duty bound, to interpose for arresting the progress of the evil, and for maintaining within their respective limits, the authorities, rights and liberties appertaining to them.

The states, and the citizens in each state, are morally bound to resist unconstitutional acts. The God-given right to self-defense is non-negotiable and conclusively articulated as "shall not be infringed." Any tyrannical gun control measures encroaching against American citizens ought to be met with a refusal to oblige. As Edison said, "the strength of the Constitution lies in the will of the people to defend it."
Joe Biden has repeatedly embarrassed himself at head-of-state summits, as we noticed in Europe  everything from "long and loud" farts for the British royals to getting lost at the buffet table. Staff can't seem to keep him out of them, though.

That brings us to his series of bumblings at the Summit of the Americas, a major gathering of Western Hemisphere leaders that this year was hosted by the U.S. in Los Angeles.

Start with the organizing of it.

According to Nick Arama at RedState, the heads of state didn't get their invitations to the event until very shortly before it was to start. By some reports, that was two weeks' notice. That's Not Done with heads of state in the real world, given the huge planning each delegation requires. A banana republic in a woebegone region might try it, or perhaps the late unlamented Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez, who did everything on the fly (Vlad Putin used to hate this behavior, with Hugo popping into Moscow on short notice). This time, though, it was Joe, representing the standard-bearer U.S.

Naturally, that left quite a few with their noses out of joint, and U.S. officials had to beg, beg, the leaders of Argentina and Brazil to please come and clap. They got what they wanted only when White House officials promised them bilateral meetings with Joe later on. Watch Joe betray that particular promise.

Worse was the absence of Mexico's president on claimed objections to not every leader getting an invitation to the event (the crummy ones such as Venezuela and Cuba were left out), and the leaders of three Central American countries known for shipping tens of thousands of illegals to the U.S. as a record migrant caravan bears down on the U.S. border.

As Arama notes:

As we've already noted, it hasn't been going well. Biden stumbled up the stairs as he was boarding Air Force One for Los Angeles. Then, Biden was met by a protester rushing the motorcade who had to be subdued. Meanwhile, a lot of the countries didn't show up because of the poor way that the Biden team dealt with the event. While objecting to the human rights violations of Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela is a good thing and we should encourage that, how weak is it if we're giving the Northern Triangle countries $1.9 billion and they can't even show up to the event in our country?

Arama adds:

Well, when El Salvador  to whom we are giving a ton of money  wouldn't even take Secretary of State Antony Blinken's call and even the New York Times is writing about it, you know it's a debacle.

That's just the run-up, the preview.

It got worse when Joe Biden blew into Los Angeles. He began with a word salad:

BIDEN: "...support policy reforms and improve investment and climate in countries. Uh, excuse me. The investment climate. The climate of investment." pic.twitter.com/PR8wuGhrHs  RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 9, 2022

After that, he made another speech announcing a new "shared responsibility" on migration plan to be announced Friday. He'll be talking to the hand on that one, as all of the leaders of the major shippers of illegals, such as Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico won't be in the audience. Smart diplomacy, Joe?

After that, he decided to get handsy with the president of Argentina's girlfriend.

According to USASupreme:

Biden's handlers thought that with Biden lost in space no one would notice his "predator" skills. Biden pawed the girlfriend of President Fernandez from Argentina today. Below is the strange moment in which Biden takes the hand of the girlfriend of Argentine President Alberto Fernandez and does not let go. Then when she pulls her hand away he starts touching her again.

The non-shareable video follows from the piece, here.

It's pretty obvious his senility is on display, and no one is able to stop him. Biden has recently been seen criticizing staff for not giving him "permission" to do things, and his acolytes' messaging to the media that it's time to "Let Biden be Biden."

Well, now that's happening.

What a colossal embarrassment.

Image: Screen shot from CBS video via shareable YouTube.
Illegal aliens are known to cost U.S. citizens billions to support, but rarely is that experienced as directly as it is now in Portland, Maine, where city officials voted to raise property taxes in order to house 1,200 "asylum-seekers," along with 500 homeless.

According to WGME:

PORTLAND (WGME)  Portland property taxes will soon be going up by 4.8 percent. Last year, families with a $400,000 home paid about $5,200 in property taxes. With this new increase, it'll be around $5,550 for that same home. That's an increase of about $350. Portland's finance director says without federal help, it will cost the city $9 million to house hundreds of asylum seekers and people experiencing homelessness. To pay that $9 million, he says the city council would have to raise property taxes by 4.8 percent, which is exactly what they did Monday night.

That's right: the taxpayers will pay. Since this is solid-blue Portland, all one can think is, you get what you vote for. That said, even the bluest of blue cities has many people who didn't.

What's astonishing here is the logic of the argument  the feds dumped these illegals in Portland, or else dumped their relatives here, but apparently has no intention to pay for them  and Portland itself is too feckless to demand it, so Portland is paying.

But the bigger argument is, why aren't the illegals being asked to pay?

The migrants who have come in to Portland to take a stake in the "free" housing have paid tens of thousands of dollars to human-smuggling syndicates to transport them from their homelands to the U.S. Since most of the migrants hail from Africa, that means considerable sums have been spent, upwards of five figures, crossing multiple borders, which is against standard understanding of asylum, which is for first country of refuge.

Shouldn't people who can afford to shell out cash to criminal syndicates be reasonably required to pay for their own housing? Whatever happened to the "public charge" law that requires migrants who cannot support themselves to be turned back?

The other potential solution is to require relatives to take them in. Since most of the African migrants are coming to Portland to be with family and relatives (it sure as heck isn't the climate), it's a pretty reasonable guess that most or all of them have family who should be contacted and required to take them in.

Any of these approaches would make more sense than simply taxing locals up the wazoo to pay for the free ride of more than a thousand illegal aliens who have managed to utter the magic word "asylum" as their basis for breaking into the country and staying. The idea that they are entitled to free housing is nothing short of outrageous, but over in Portland, all we hear are murmurs about the cost of living.

Yes, residents get what they vote for. But perhaps this bad news about property taxes will serve as a wakeup call to them that illegal immigration is not a cost-free crime. This time, it hits Portland's residents up close and personal.

Image: Douglas Muth via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
During the month of June, political correctness apparently gives sexual predators license to pillage the innocent, all under the cover of "homosexuality" or a "non-binary identity," because it's "Pride Month." A California middle school allowed a man named Nicki Jizz to come into contact with its students for the sake of "tolerance" and "inclusivity," and parents willingly forfeited their own children as casualties in the onslaught of progressive transgender politics, offering them up to deluded adults with seriously perverted sexualities.

After the footage from Mr. Misster went viral, Texas legislators like Bryan Slaton committed to pushing back against the furor of exposing undefiled children to adult kinks and sexual deviancies. But the pledge to shield little ones from hyper-sexual activities was met with severe resistance  displaying the reality that when these militant trans activists are confronted, and their debauchery and predation are displayed for all to see, they dig their heels in and stand resolute in their war on our children.

As some state lawmakers rebuff the normalization of prepubescent youth attending daytime events in gay bars, others seek to push it even farther.

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

California state senator and Democrat Scott Wiener devised a proposal to forcibly inject all children attending public schools with transgender indoctrination, and he credited Slaton  a Republican  with the idea.

This unyielding sin elucidates the stages of progressive transformation under the insanity of transgenderism in policy-making  but it doesn't end there. The headline reads, "Transgenders are now demanding cash reparations... We are women who have a penis..." Reported by Christopher Rufo:

A coalition of taxpayer-funded trans organizations has demanded that society 'decolonize the gender binary,' provide cash reparations to 'gender-noncomforming people,' and affirm 'mustache[s]' and 'big dick[s]' as authentic expressions of womanhood. ... Last year, a group of Washington State gender-identity nonprofits  all of which work with children and receive public funding  hosted a presentation series called 'Decolonizing Gender,' claiming that 'the process of creating men and women actually is the process of genocide.'

Rufo also rightly identified a dependable truth:

The three stages of progressivism:



1. "It's not happening and is a harmful right-wing conspiracy theory."

2. "It's happening and it's good that it's happening."

3. "We're making it mandatory for your children." https://t.co/uCNvkoZnMN  Christopher F. Rufo  (@realchrisrufo) June 7, 2022

The American Marxists of the Democrat party are hell-bent on a communist revolution, one that is developed through "the most radical rupture with traditional ideas." Without fail, their accomplices in the media preemptively label any corruptive move or exploit as "conspiracy theory," eventually confessing its existence and promoting it as "good," before shoving it down our throats. It all comes down to one of Marx's most crucial goals: "abolition of the family."
The Jungfrau massif is flanked by the Grindelwald and Rhone river valleys in the south-central Swiss Alps, between the towns of Brig and Interlaken. Its main peaks are the Jungfrau itself (in German, the maiden ), which reaches 4,158 meters in altitude, the Monch (the monk ) with 4,099 meters and the Eiger (the ogre ), with 3,970.

Precisely the latter, the Eiger, is famous for its mythical north face, a vertical wall of 1,500 meters whose extreme difficulty is legendary in mountaineering. More than 60 climbers have lost their lives there on their ascent, since the first attempt in 1934.

The windows of the Eigerwand station on the north wall of the Eiger. Photo: Whgler/Wikimedia

The first time that an expedition completed the ascent of that north face was in 1938. Interestingly, by then there had been a train station carved into the rock of that same wall for more than 30 years, the Eigerwand station.

It is part of the Jungfrau railway (the Jungfraubahn ) whose works began in 1896. It is the highest railway in Europe as it culminates in the highest station on the continent, Jungfraujoch (located between the tops of the Jungfrau and the Monch), which is located at an altitude of 3,454 meters and was inaugurated on August 1, 1912.

The railway runs for about 9 kilometers connecting Kleine Scheidegg (at an altitude of 2,061 meters) with Jungfraujoch, and runs almost for the most part through a tunnel dug inside the Monch and the Eiger, in order to protect the line from weather conditions extreme.

In addition to the departure and arrival stations, the railway has two other intermediate stations inside the tunnel. The first is the Eigerwand station, in the section of the tunnel that runs through the interior of the north face of the Eiger, located at an altitude of 2,865 metres.

The red circle marks the position of Eigerwand. Photo: W like wiki/Wikimedia

Until 2016, when the train stopped stopping there, passengers could get off to lean out of the rock-cut windows and gaze at the neighboring mountains (and, who knows, maybe see a climber pass by) for about 5 minutes.

From the Eigerwand station the tunnel bends to the south side of the Eiger and reaches the Eismeer station, which is at 3,160 meters above sea level and gives access to the east face of the mountain with views of the Eismeer or sea of ice . The Eigerwand station opened on June 28, 1903, and the Eismeer station on July 25, 1905.

In addition to a waiting room and a restaurant, the Eismeer station had rooms for tourists at the time of its opening, since at that time, while the line was ending, it was the end of the line. A short flight of stairs provides access from it to the Grindelwald-Fiescher glacier.

The Jungfrau massif with the railway line and the stations Eigerwand, Eismeer and Jungfraujoch. Photo: HFSJG

The only access to the Eigerwand station that is not via the train is a wooden door in the rock face of the mountain. This is the Stollenloch, a hole that was created during the construction of the railway to remove stone and earth while the workers tunneled into the mountain towards the Jungfraujoch.

The Stollenloch has been used on occasions to try to rescue climbers stranded on the mountain, sometimes without positive results, as was the sad case of the German-Austrian expedition of 1936.

The Jungfrau Railway is considered a technical feat of engineering at the end of the 19th century, built with virtually no machines, just picks, shovels and muscle power.

However, the project could not be completed, since the construction of an internal elevator and spiral stairs were also planned to reach the top of the Jungfrau, which never materialized.

The Eigerwand Station Restaurant circa 1905. Photo: Wikimedia

Since the beginning, and since most of the route runs through the interior of the mountain, the cogwheel railway was designed to run on electricity. It is still in use today, using two-car convoys that can carry up to 230 people, reaching 12.5 kilometers per hour on the steepest parts of the climb.

The motors work in regenerative mode, which allows the trains to generate 50% of the electricity needed for the ascent during the descent. The journey, which until 2016 took 52 minutes, has now been reduced to 35 minutes thanks to modern locomotives.

Those who dare to try the Jungfrau railway will not be able to enjoy the stop at the Eigerwand, which was closed as we said in 2016.

Photo: Mike Lehmann/Wikimedia

But at the end of the journey, the Jungfraujoch station, you can see the Sphinx, an astronomical observatory that is considered the highest building in Europe, at 3,571 meters above sea level.

Jungfraujoch station is a five-story building with restaurants, shops, a museum, and Europe's tallest post office. From there you can take the elevator that leads through the interior of the mountain to the top and to the Sphinx, after 117 meters of ascent.

Views from inside the Eismeer station. Photo: Klaus Nahr/Wikimedia

The Eigerwand station in 2007. Photo: Guido Radig/Wikimedia

This article was originally published in La Brujula Verde. It has been translated from Spanish and republished with permission.
NAIROBI, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Major players in Kenya's travel and tourism sector on Friday pledged to reorganize their business models, and embed inclusivity, sustainability, and resilience in the face of external shocks like the pandemic and global economic downturn.

Speaking at a forum in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, the tourism sector players including tour operators said that they were committed to redesigning their business models and catering to the sophisticated demands of a modern traveler.

Betty Radier, the chief executive officer of the Kenya Tourism Board, said that investors in the hospitality industry should adjust their mode of operation to ensure that clients, including local and foreign tourists, received quality service.

According to Radier, tour operators, in particular, are now expected to provide unique services to the modern traveler, besides factoring in other critical issues like safety and diversity of products.

"The new traveler is discerning and very demanding especially because they can see everything online," she said.

Radier said tour operators need to move from just being coordinators to now also selling opportunities and experiences to attract the interest of the traveler. Investment in human resources will be important to achieve this goal.

She added that embedding sustainable principles in the hospitality sector will hasten its post-pandemic recovery, and generate revenue for the exchequer and new jobs.

Fred Kaigua, the chief executive officer of the Kenya Association of Tour Operators, said the sub-sector had recorded a 49 percent improvement thanks to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions and fiscal incentives from the government.

Kaigua added that diversification of tourism products and source markets had benefitted local tour operators, amid a spike in travelers keen to enjoy new experiences during their stay in Kenya.

Fred Odek, the chairman of the Kenya Tourism Federation, said that sector players were designing new products to attract visitors and sustain their businesses in the face of external shocks. 
Animals Asia enthullt den Standort des neuen Rettungszentrums und kundigt damit die Schlieung der Barengallefarmen in Vietnam an 10. Juni 2022

Animals Asia enthullte wahrend einer Veranstaltung mit groem Staraufgebot den Standort seines neuen Rettungszentrums in Vietnam und bringt uns damit der Abschaffung der grausamen, uberholten und illegalen Praxis der Barengallefarmen im Land einen Schritt naher.

Die Grunderin und CEO Jill Robinson erklarte:

Dies ist wirklich ein historischer Tag. Wir werden Zeugen eines denkwurdigen Kapitels unserer Zusammenarbeit mit der vietnamesischen Regierung, das zum endgultigen Aus fur die Barengallefarmen im Land fuhren wird.

Jill sowie die Baren-Tierarzt-und Rettungsteams von Animals Asia Vietnam erhielten virtuellen Besuch von internationalen Superstars, darunter Dame Judi Dench, Joaquin Phoenix, Ricky Gervais, James Cromwell, Stephen Fry, Peter Egan, Kesha, Jimmi Simpson, Rick Wakeman sowie die beruhmte Naturschutzerin Dr Jane Goodall, DBE. Vor Ort in Vietnam waren die Schauspielerinnen Tara Buck, Torrey DeVitto, Marina Squerciati und die preisgekronte Fotografin Katarina Benzova dabei.

Dieses neue 12 Hektar groe Rettungszentrum wird mitten in der wunderschonen, bergigen Umgebung des Nationalparks Bach Ma gelegen sein und schlielich den Baren, die noch auf Gallefarmen gefangen sitzen, ein Zuhause bieten.

Sobald der letzte Bar gerettet ist, wird dieses Geschaft fur Vietnam Geschichte sein, ein Prazedenzfall, dem andere Lander der Region folgen konnen. Und Animals Asia wird damit ein Grundungsziel erreicht haben  die Schlieung der Barengallefarmen in Vietnam.
(ANSA) - ROME, JUN 10 - Rightwing Brothers of Italy (FdI) Palermo council candidate Francesco Lombardo was arrested for mafia vote buying Friday along with Brancaccio quarter boss Vincenzo Vella, already convicted of mafia association for three times.

The candidate is said to have met the mafioso on May 28 and asked for his support in Sunday's local elections in the Sicilian capital.

Two days ago a centre-right Forza Italia (FI) candidate and a mafia-linked building impresario in Palermo were arrested on the same charge. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUN 10 - After several weeks of falls, Italy's COVID-19 incidence was on the rise again in the June 3-9 period, with 222 cases for every 100,000 inhabitants, the weekly coronavirus monitoring report of the health ministry and the Higher Health Institute (ISS) said on Friday.

That was up from an incidence of 207 cases for every 100,000 inhabitants in the May 27-June 2 period.

The report said the incidence had risen in 12 regions (Basilicata, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Emilia Romagna, Lazio, Lombardy, Liguria, Marche, Piedmont, Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany and Veneto) and two autonomous provinces (Trento and Bolzano).

Italy's Rt transmission number, however, stayed on a downward trend, dropping to 0.75 in the May 18-31 period, down from 0.82 in last week's report.

An Rt above 1 indicates that the epidemic is in a phase of expansion.

The report said the proportion of Italy's intensive-care places taken up by COVID sufferers was 2% on June 9, down from 2.3% on June 2.

It said the proportion of ordinary-ward beds occupied by coronavirus patients was 6.6%, compared to 7.1% the previous week. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUN 10 - Government unity will help Italy win its fight for a gas price cap amid the Ukraine war and the cost of living and energy crisis, Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said Friday.

"For me it is very important to say that at this moment we need great unity, there is no need to rock the government because a united government at the national level is a government that will be able to win the battle of the maximum ceiling on gas prices at a European level in the coming said," he said on the local-election stump in Naples.

There have been recent rising tensions among the many parties that back Premier Mario Draghi's national unity government.

(ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, JUN 10 - Government unity will help Italy win its fight for a gas price cap amid the Ukraine war and the cost of living and energy crisis, Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio said Friday.

"For me it is very important to say that at this moment we need great unity, there is no need to rock the government because a united government at the national level is a government that will be able to win the battle of the maximum ceiling on gas prices at a European level in the coming said," he said on the local-election stump in Naples. (ANSA).


South African President Cyril Ramaphosa answers questions about the BRICS partnership during a media briefing in Cape Town, South Africa, on June 10, 2022. Ramaphosa on Friday said his country wants to see a "greater and deeper partnership" with other members of BRICS, an "attractive" bloc that many other countries have confidence in. (Photo by Xabiso Mkhabela/Xinhua)

CAPE TOWN, June 10 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday said his country wants to see a "greater and deeper partnership" with other members of BRICS, an "attractive" bloc that many other countries have confidence in.

Ramaphosa made the remarks when responding to questions about the BRICS partnership during a media briefing in Cape Town. He especially spoke highly of the partnership between China and South Africa, saying China is "a country which we have a strategic relationship at the highest level," and that the relationship has strengthened over times and spans the cooperation in a number of areas.

The president also said China "came in very handy" for South Africa during "the most dangerous period of COVID" when South Africa didn't have a large number of personal protective equipment (PPE). China opened up "really wonderful" processes in supplying PPE and giving financial support after the engagement between the leaders of the two countries.

China not only supported South Africa but also assisted the African continent through the Africa Medical Supplies Platform, which was launched by the African Union to address the supply shortages in Africa's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, said Ramaphosa.

The platform, with China's support, "helps to reduce the prices a great deal for PPE, in terms of masks, sanitizers, ventilators and a number of other medical supplies," he said.

The partnership between the two countries has been "deep," "meaningful," "effective" and has been "largely beneficial to us as a South Africa, and also broadly to our continent," he added.

The media briefing took place in the parliament precinct after the president replied to a debate by lawmakers at the National Assembly, the lower house, about the Presidency Budget Vote.

The president expected to see great improvement in the partnership with China in the areas of trade relations, infrastructure development, and "basically in helping each other, particularly China as it is the second-largest economy in the world, supporting our whole process of development," he said.

Regarding the expansion of BRICS, Ramaphosa said, "a number of other countries want to join in BRICS speaks volumes about the confidence that many of other countries are having in BRICS."

"They see BRICS as a wonderful forward-looking alternative to the current blocs that exist in the country, and people see BRICS as a very attractive bloc, political bloc, economy bloc or formation in the world and that in itself is something positive," he said.

Speaking of this year's BRICS Leaders' Meeting, Ramaphosa expected the summit to do a proper survey of the geopolitical situation in the world and be able to see how best BRICS nations can continue with their programs of fostering development and multilateral system in the world that is going to support the advancement of the prosperity of the people in the world.

South Africa will also be looking forward to the support and progress in the BRICS vaccination center in the country, as well as deepening and broadening the trade between the BRICS countries, he said.

BRICS groups Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. 
Nutriscore: Italian Undersecretary, Czechia also against 'Next president of EU agriculture council favors Italian system'

(ANSA) - ROME, MAY 26 - "The Czech Republic, along with Italy was among the first to immediately express its opposition to the color labeling system. This stance is now shared in Europe by an increasing number of countries." So said Italy's undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Gian Marco Centinaio, commenting on statements issued by the Minister of Agriculture of the Czech Republic, Zdenek Nekula.



Nekula, who will be rotating president of the EU Council on July 1, said he favored the regional indications of origin such as PDO and PGI but was not enthusiastic about Nutriscore, judging better the alternative Italian NutrInform Battery. "The big conference on food labeling that Nekula has announced considering the EU Commission proposals - Centinaio continued - will undoubtedly represent a critical moment of confrontation and an opportunity to highlight the limitations and contradictions of the French proposal. Instead of promoting correct consumers' information, this stance risks conditioning their purchasing choices, penalizing purchases, and products with an indication of origin, expression of traditions, to the advantage of standardization and ultra-processed foods made by multinationals." (ANSA).





 Copyright ANSA - All rights reserved
French parliamentary vote Sunday, Macron vs Melenchon Left-wing union close on heels of presidential majority in polls

(ANSAmed) - PARIS, JUNE 10 - The election campaign ahead of Sunday's parliamentary vote in France ended on Friday.



The elections are shaping up to be a sort of crucial challenge for newly elected French president Emmanuel Macron, who now aims to get a solid majority in parliament.



According to a poll by the Elabe institute for BFMTV and l'Express, the presidential coalition is still in the lead and has risen by 2.5 percentage points in terms of voting intentions compared with the previous week with 27%, followed by a new left-wing union (Nupes, Nouvelle Union Populaire Ecologique et Sociale) under Jean-Luc Melenchon, which has risen by 1.5% to 26.5%.



In third place is Rassemblement National of the candidate Macron beat in the April 24 presidential vote, Marine Le Pen, with 19.5%, a drop of 2.5%.



Behind are the Republicains and UDI centrists, with 11% of voting intentions, and the far-right under Eric Zemmour with 4.5%.



Having been bolstered by French votes abroad, Melenchon hopes to make Macron lose his majority and in so doing lead to a sort of 'cohabitation': Macron in the presidency and himself as prime minister. The challenge of Macron, who in recent days has got involved in the election campaign at a personal level, is to instead get a "clear and strong" majority at the National Assembly, as he reiterated on Thursday during a trip to southern France, to better respond to the large national and European challenges to come in the next five years.



To manage this, the Ensemble! (LREM/Renaissance, MoDem, Horizons and Agir) bloc must get at least 289 of the 577 seats in the parliament. The polls show this as uncertain.



In the second round to be held on June 19, Macron's allies are expected to come out on top but possibly without an absolute majority. (ANSAmed).




Portugal moves towards legalising euthanasia Four draft laws approved in parliament on Thursday

(ANSAmed) - LISBON, 10 GIU - The Portuguese parliament is working on a single text of a law that would legalise euthanasia.



This is the third time that it is attempting to get such a law passed also by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.



On Thursday, members of the Assembleia da Republica voted on and approved four draft laws presented by four political parties. The proposals are very similar and references to "fatal illness" in relation to conditions that would make it possible to choose to die with assistance have been removed.



The text of the draft law from November had cited a "serious illness", "serious and untreatable", and "untreatable and fatal" and President Rebelo de Sousa had rejected the law, saying that it lacked the necessary clarity.



The four proposals discussed on Thursday in parliament have been approved by the center-left, while the center-right represented by the Chega party has proposed a referendum, saying that the approval of a law allowing euthanasia is not wanted by most voters. (ANSAmed).




Former Love Island contestant Rachel Finni says she will not accept apologies from her 2021 co-stars over a humiliating video posted on Instagram Live.

The former luxury travel specialist accused those involved of putting out PR statements to cover your backs after facing backlash on social media.

During the livestream, the group which consisted of Brad McClelland, Aaron Francis, Jake Cornish and Tyler Cruickshank discussed the bombshell contestants who had made surprise arrivals in the Majorcan villa during the 2021 season.

When Finni, who was dumped early in the series, was mentioned they burst into laughter.

Responding to the video Finni described the men as idiots, adding that one year on from her stint on the show she was still being bullied and taunted publicly.

McClelland and Cruickshank later apologised online and said they had tried to reach out to Finni personally.

But in a video posted on her own Instagram story, Finni said the attempts at apologies were a joke.

These statements that have been put out (are) just to save your f***ing backs, she said.

How dare you make it seem like youve apologised and it has been accepted.

I am not right with anyone thats been involved in anything thats been said about me. I never will.

You can apologise but it cant be received. Im not receiving any of these apologies. Im not taking any of these false statements.

She added that such incidents had happened multiple times before and would happen again.

Protect your back but the only real thing to come out your mouth was the hate and the discrimination, she said.

This is to save your back. Its not real. Its not authentic. We dont know how you really f***ing feel and Im done.

McClelland had previously written on his Instagram story: I want to apologise to Rachel and any others for any feelings that were hurt during our Instagram live the other night.

I have rewatched the video back and can see how this was perceived.

This upon reflection was not the way to behave and was 100% not my intention to hurt or upset her and those who know me know I am not that type of person.

I have since reached out to Rachel personally and apologised for any hurt that I have caused.

From the bottom of my heart. I really am sorry.

Responding on his own Instagram Stories, Cruickshank added he did not condone or support abuse from others towards her.

Im sad and disappointed to understand that my reaction to the comments made during an Instagram Live with three fellow islanders have upset and offended another individual, he said.

I appreciate how this has been received and affected others. I have made an attempt to speak with Rachel directly, and will be available to talk to her when shes ready.

It has also come to my attention that Rachel has been subject to hurtful comments across various platforms on a number of occasions  I have not been a party to this, and would not condone nor support behaviour of this nature.

I will be taking the time to reflect on my involvement in this situation and what I could have done differently.

In her original Instagram post Finni wrote that the Instagram Live video had made her regret going on the ITV2 dating show for the first time.

Despite EVERYTHING that happened till now, I still saw the experience as a blessing. No matter how awful and manipulated it was I just took it as part of the experience as it lead me to amazing things, she said.

But for it to be TODAYYYY and I have actual nobodies mimicking me and discussing me publicly like a joke I am fully over it and regret going on the show.

Why is this deserving of going on a TV show? How do these actual idiots think its ok to publicly humiliate me and discuss me like that?

Her fellow islander Kaz Kamwi shared a message of support and called for an apology publicly and privately from the group.

Finni entered the villa on day five and choose to couple up with McClelland over Chuggs Wallis.

However, McClelland soon told her he wanted to look elsewhere for a partner and recoupled with Lucinda Strafford, prompting Finnis departure from the show.
A sprawling scale model of the solar system has been installed along a 10-kilometre sculpture trail in the hills above Belfast.

The Our Place In Space installation will be on the National Trusts Divis and Black Mountain site for the next four weeks.

Oliver Jeffers (right) and astrophysicist Ryan Milligan (Unboxed/PA)

The 3D sculptures representing the Sun and planets were designed by illustrator and author Oliver Jeffers in conjunction with astrophysicist Professor Stephen Smartt.

It was commissioned by Unboxed: Creativity In The UK  a programme backed by the Government and the devolved administrations that celebrates science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics.

Jeffers and astrophysicist turned truck driver Ryan Milligan delivered the final two pieces of the sculpture to the site on Friday morning.
Trisha Goddard says she had to 'wrap her head around' having a non-binary child. (Getty Images)

Trisha Goddard has spoken candidly about how she had to "wrap my head around" having a child who is non-binary, learning to use more inclusive language.

The TV presenter, 64, known for her morning talk show Trisha, has two children from a previous marriage, Billie, 32, and Madi, 28, who is non-binary.

This is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity doesn't align with 'man' or 'woman' and generally prefer they/them pronouns, or use a combination.

Appearing on Kaye Adams' podcast How to Be 60, Goddard said it has been a "learning process" for her, as well as her eldest, to make adjustments to their language to ensure Madi's gender identity is understood and referred to correctly.

Read more: Rebel Wilson reveals relationship with woman: 'I found my Disney Princess'

Trisha Goddard found it easier to understand sexuality, than gender identity, at first. (WireImage/Getty Images)

"I could understand gay, I could understand I had a daughter, a queer daughter as they call it now.

"I really didn't care. Then I had to learn the, 'I don't feel male, I don't feel female' kind of thing. I had to wrap my head around it.

"I'm lucky in that I've done this journey with Billie, who kind of straddles the generations if you like."

Read more: Coming out as LGBTQ+: How to support someone

Goddard added, "It's difficult. I've said to Madi, 'I don't give a s**** what you are. I don't care who you do it with, what you do, who you identify with.

"You are my baby, you are Madi. And I will always talk to you, and address you, as Madi, what you want to be called, I'll do my best. I'll probably slip up. That's it."

As a doting mother, she also described Madi as "gifted" academically, laughing while unable to recall how many degrees they have now.

Watch: Janelle Monae thanks fans for supporting them as non-binary

Adams also chimed in, saying that in "overly simplistic terms" she finds people of the two women's generation in "two broad camps", those who "reject all of that newness" and "reject the future", and then the other camp that "doesn't fight the future", seeing herself in the later.

Read more: Mum-of-two married to man when realised she was gay: 'I was terrified of his reaction'

Commenting on those who are part of the first group, Goddard suggests, "It's fear...

"It's fear of loss of control and power. And it tends to be older, white middle-aged men, who have traditionally had the power for centuries and centuries and centuries.

"And I'm not saying it's all along male and female lines. But as a mother, you're constantly having to accept the next thing.

"You've got to be fluid to be a parent and a parent that's close to children."

Read more: Respect most common feeling towards LGBT people: 'This reminds us how far we've come'

She added, "I'd also say, Once upon a time, there were people who were vehemently against the abolition of slavery, or women getting the vote if the term 'woke' [alert to injustice, discrimination or oppression] had been around then, it would be like 'snowflakes' [a derogatory term often used to describe younger generations], why are you bothering to think about women getting the vote, all of those things opposed by your Piers Morgans of the day.

Thats the way I see it; the world is going to change, and its changing faster and faster.

And the next generation, yes, gender is one thing. But theyre likely to save this planet that weve mucked up when it comes to environment and distribution of wealth and things like that.

I think a lot of people whove been used to being in power find it very difficult to say, You know what, I probably dont know everything about everything. And I probably havent made the best job of everything.' So let me just sit back and listen to what the incoming crowd have to say, because they just might have some really good ideas.
Netflix has released a teaser trailer for the epic conclusion of the hit series Stranger Things.

Series four of the popular show is currently streaming but its final two episodes will be packaged together as Volume 2.

Netflix revealed the clip for the episodes, due to air on July 1, during its Geeked Week festival on Thursday.

The free five-day event brings fans exclusive news, trailers, celebrity appearances and covers everything from films to TV and games.

Each day carries a designated theme  Mondays was series, Tuesdays was film, Wednesday is animation and Friday is Games.

Thursday was entirely dedicated to the hit show Stranger Things, with cast interviews on the making of the series as well as the release of the new trailer.

Sharing the trailer online, series star David Harbour posted: Yall arent ready.

Wait, youve binged it all, havent you. We gave you 7 episodes and you already binged them all didnt you?

Ok, then, youre sorta ready. See ya July one for the epic finale.

The final episodes are due to run at feature length, with episode 408 running one hour 25 minutes and 409 running at two hours and 19 minutes.
Home Office lawyers told the High Court the Governments plan to send migrants to Rwanda must not be stopped by legal action, despite warnings the policy is unlawful.

Home Secretary Priti Patels department insisted the agreement with the east African nation is in the public interest to deter Channel crossings amid the UNs refugee agency the UNHCR having reservations about the process.

The first phase of the legal bid to block the plan took place on Friday ahead of the inaugural flight, which is due to take off on Tuesday.

Lawyers brought action on behalf of two migrants due to be on the first flight, alongside the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS), which represents more than 80% of Border Force staff, as well as groups Care4Calais and Detention Action are challenging the policy on behalf of everyone affected.

Home Secretary Priti Patel and Rwandan minister for foreign affairs and international co-pperation, Vincent Biruta, signed a world-first migration and economic development partnership (Flora Thompson/PA)

In written submissions, Home Office lawyers urged the court to reject the application, arguing that it fails at the first stage, adding: The claimants have not identified a serious issue to be tried, still less the strong case they allege for the grant of relief at trial.

In the court documents, Rory Dunlop QC and Mathew Gullick QC, for the department, said: The application for interim relief should be dismissed.

In the alternative, any order for interim relief should be limited.

They said there was a strong public interest in permitting these removals to proceed as scheduled and a clear public interest in deterring the making of dangerous journeys and the activities of criminal smugglers.

Raza Husain QC, for the claimants, told the High Court a Home Office document used by the department in the claim was replete with the suggestion that the UNHCR (the UN refugee agency) has given this plan a green light.

Regrettably, the material in this application demonstrates that to be misleading, he added.

The UNHCR, had a number of concerns about the asylum process in Rwanda, including discriminatory access to asylum, including for LGBT people, a lack of legal representation and interpreters, and difficulties in appealing, the court heard.

Mr Husain said: These are concerns that have been communicated to the UK authorities and yet the secretary of states position  is that the UNHCR has given this plan a green light.

That is a false claim.

Laura Dubinsky QC. for UNHCR, which is intervening in the claim, said there had been inaccuracies in the way the agencys views had been described by the Home Office.

She told the court that the agency is concerned about the risk of serious, irreparable harm caused to refugees sent to Rwanda, adding the body in no way endorses the UK-Rwandan arrangement.

UNHCR is not involved in the UK-Rwanda arrangement, despite assertions to the contrary made by the Secretary of State, she later said.

Ms Dubinsky said the agency had serious concerns about Rwandan capacity, adding: UNHCR itself is not in a position to rectify those deficiencies.

The problems described are deep-rooted structural problems, they are not capable of speedy resolution, the barrister continued.

She also told the High Court in London that UNHCR has had a number of meetings with the Home Office and has said they believe the policy is unlawful.
The UK Government has been asked to provide further information about legislation to address the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland amid concerns about whether it is compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has requested UK authorities provide an update on progress of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill, including the level of engagement and efforts to bring stakeholders on board.

The Government has said the planned legislation aims to provide better outcomes for victims, survivors and veterans.

Introduced to the Commons last month, the legislation if passed would offer immunity from prosecution for Troubles offences to people who are deemed to have co-operated with an information retrieval body.

The Bill would also stop future inquests and civil actions related to the Troubles, although it does not fully close the door to criminal prosecutions.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he hopes the proposed legislation would draw a line under the Troubles in NI (Peter Byrne/PA)

It has been widely condemned by political parties in Northern Ireland, as well as victims campaigners, the Irish Government and Amnesty International.

The Committee of Ministers examined the proposed legislation as part of its supervision of recent judgments from the European Court of Human Rights.

In a written decision the deputies emphasised again that it is crucial that the legislation ultimately adopted is in full compliance with the European Convention and will enable effective investigations into all outstanding cases.

Victims groups have held a number of demonstrations against the governments proposed legacy Bill (Liam McBurney/PA)

The deputies also noted with regret the lack of formal public consultation on this draft legislation and firmly reiterated their previous calls on the authorities to ensure that any proposals garner public trust and confidence by engaging fully with all stakeholders.

The decision continued: The deputies noted that others have raised concerns and questions about whether the provisions of the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill, if enacted, would be compatible with the Convention; noting also the United Kingdoms position that the legislation is compatible with its Convention obligations.

It said that additional information was required to make a full assessment on whether the draft legislation is compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights and instructed the Secretariat to prepare a list of detailed questions to be sent to the United Kingdom authorities for response by August 1.
The mother of a boy with severe epilepsy has urged medical cannabis manufacturers to ease the financial burden on hard-pressed families.

Charlotte Caldwell said scores of families who contend with severe epilepsy are having to pay privately to get a prescription at a time when the cost of living is soaring.

Ms Caldwell and her son Billy, who are from from Castlederg, Co Tyrone, played a leading role in a campaign to secure a change in the law in 2018 allowing certain patients to access treatment through the NHS.

However she told the PA news agency that despite that breakthrough, it has been a difficult road for families like hers.

She was speaking on the fourth anniversary of the confiscation of her sons medical cannabis at Heathrow Airport after returning from medical treatment in Canada. They had travelled there after their GP was unable to continue prescribing the medicine.

It was later returned to him after he became ill and was being cared for at Londons Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, where his NHS doctor notified the Home Office that Billys condition had become life-threatening.

Charlotte Caldwell and her son Billy, 16, who played a key role in the campaign to change the law to allow the prescription of medical cannabis for some conditions (Brian Lawless/PA)

Then home secretary Sajid Javid authorised the return of the medical cannabis, and in November that year changed the law to allow it to be prescribed by specialist doctors for certain conditions.

Ms Caldwell described the process of obtaining a health service-funded prescription for medical cannabis as cumbersome, and said many families have had to resort to private health care to get it or risk the black market.

She said four years after legalisation there are 1,486 NHS-funded prescriptions for medical cannabis in the UK.

But she said it is estimated that up to 60 paediatric epilepsy patients are unable to get NHS-funded medical cannabis and some are reportedly paying up to 2,000 a month to access it through private healthcare.

About 1.4 million people are using black market cannabis to treat a medical condition.

Ms Caldwell is offering her experience to advise families, and has made a number of pleas to government and medical cannabis manufacturers to ease the process.

She said a framework exists but it is only available to those aged 18 or under, leaving forgotten children who require full-time care left behind.

The Refractory Epilepsy Specialist Clinical Advisory Service (RESCAS) was set up in 2020 to support paediatric neurologists when considering medical cannabis (and other new treatments) in cases of intractable epilepsy; its impartial recommendations are passed on to patients own doctor, and it was through this route that Billy had his NHS funding reinstated in October 2020, she said, urging that it be extended to all ages.

Ms Caldwell is offering her experience to advise families (Brian Lawless/PA)

Ms Caldwell is also asking medical cannabis manufactures to gift paediatric epilepsy patients their medicines while they are going through the RESCAS process.

She told PA: While I am delighted that there is now a route to affordable and reliable medical cannabis treatment in the UK, I am saddened that it remains a complex and at times opaque process.

Four years on from having Billys medicine confiscated from me at Heathrow Airport, I want to share the learnings of my experience with other families, for whom the journey need not be so fraught with complication, heartache and vast personal expense.

I am also calling on medical cannabis manufacturers, who do so well out of private prescriptions, to put their medicine where their mouth is by gifting medical cannabis to patients seeking NHS funding.

This would immediately relieve a huge financial burden faced by patients and their families, during which time I hope to help them navigate the complicated approval process.
KABUL, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Ten commuters were killed and two more sustained injuries as a mini-bus turned turtle in the central Daykundi province, the state-run Bakhtar news agency reported Friday.

The deadly traffic accident, according to the news agency, took place on a congested road in the mountainous Miramor district on Thursday afternoon, leaving 10 dead and two more commuters injured.

Bakhtar also added the ill-fated vehicle was heading to the national capital Kabul. The dead included two women.

Although there are no official statistics, reckless driving and congested roads are often blamed for the road accidents in war-ravaged Afghanistan. 
A Labour government would axe laws designed to unilaterally override aspects of Brexits Northern Ireland Protocol, Sir Keir Starmer has vowed.

The Labour leader made the pledge on a visit to Belfast where he met with political leaders.

His trip to the island of Ireland, which also involved meetings with Irish government ministers in Dublin, came amid the deepening row over the post-Brexit Irish Sea trading arrangements.

The Government has confirmed it will table legislation at Westminster on Monday that will give ministers powers to scrap parts of the protocol.

The protocol was jointly agreed by the UK and EU as part of the Withdrawal Agreement to keep the Irish land border free-flowing.

The arrangements instead require regulatory checks and customs declarations on goods moving between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Unionists in Northern Ireland are vociferously opposed to the protocol, claiming it has undermined the regions place within the United Kingdom.

Sir Keir Starmer (second left) and Shadow Northern Ireland secretary, Peter Kyle (far left) meet Colum Eastwood and Claire Hanna of the SDLP (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The DUP has blocked the formation of a new power-sharing government at Stormont following last months Assembly election in protest at the protocol.

The Bill due to come before Parliament next week will see the Government move without the consent of the EU to change the terms of the international treaty in a bid to reduce the checks on the movement of goods across the Irish Sea.

The EU has made clear that such a step would represent a breach of international law and could prompt retaliatory action from the bloc.

Sir Keir said the focus should be on achieving a negotiated settlement with the EU to resolve issues with the protocols implementation.

We would scrap the legislation and I think there has been an impasse in the negotiations because we havent seen the high levels of trust that we need for negotiations like this, not least from our prime minister, he told reporters in Belfast.

But also we need give and take on both sides. The EU, as well as the UK, to give and take, to be flexible about the approach.

I do not think that the remaining issues of the protocol cannot be resolved with a different approach, with that high level of trust, with an honest broker prime minister getting people around the table and negotiating what needs to be negotiated.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer at Stormont Parliament Buildings in Belfast (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Sir Keir confirmed his party will vote against the legislation at Westminster.

We think it is the wrong approach, he said.

Im not pretending there arent issues and challenges with the protocol, of course there are.

We have been listening to the political parties here, to communities, to business groups. I think those challenges can be overcome around the negotiating table with statecraft, with high levels of trust.

It is that high level of trust that is missing with this Prime Minister and I think he is making a mistake by going down the route of legislation which will breach international law and, actually, I think, be an impediment to the negotiations that, in the end, are going to resolve these difficult issues.

Sir Keir held discussions with Alliance leader Naomi Long and SDLP chief Colum Eastwood at Parliament Buildings in Belfast on Friday.

He had already met DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson and UUP head Doug Beattie in London earlier this week and had talks with Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald in Belfast on Thursday evening.

After their meeting, Mrs Long said reform of the Stormont institutions was necessary to prevent single parties such as the DUP from being able to block the formation of a devolved executive.

The issues with the protocol really do not justify the egregious breach of international law and international trust that the Government are now embarking on via legislation basically at the behest of the DUP, she said.

If the Government wants to take some legislation forward so that these institutions here can be restored and that they can do that on a stable footing, they should be looking to reform these institutions in legislation to ensure that no party can hold the institutions to ransom going forward.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer arriving in Belfast by train from Dublin (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Mr Eastwood praised Sir Keir after their meeting.

Its actually quite refreshing to see have Keir here, in Dublin yesterday and Stormont today, actually having a grown-up in leadership in London engaging properly with political parties here and with the Irish government, he said.

Its whats been missing, frankly, from this British government over the past number of years. What weve seen from Boris Johnson has been unilateral action on legacy (laws related to the Troubles).

Now, on Monday, were going to see unilateral action on the protocol, having had no conversations with parties here, no conversations with the Irish government, and just taking a wrecking ball to the progress that weve had.

On Thursday evening, Sinn Fein vice president Michelle ONeill warned the UK Government against unilateral moves to override the protocol during an address to party members in Belfast.

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, she said.

The threat of unilateral action by the Tories to legislate and breach international law serves nobodys interests, anywhere, at any time.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer meets US Consul General Paul Narain in Belfast (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said he reminded Sir Keir earlier this week that the protocol has zero unionist support either from MPs or MLAs.

Sir Jeffrey said: Progress is only made in Northern Ireland with the support of unionists and nationalists.

It was reckless to press ahead with the protocol despite the universal opposition of unionism.

The Labour leader should use his influence in Westminster to ensure his party is focused on getting the best outcome for Northern Ireland rather than simply trying to use Northern Ireland to score a point against the Government.

This is too important for games. We encourage the Labour Party to work constructively with the Government to take whatever steps are necessary to protect Northern Irelands place in the United Kingdom.

On Friday, Sir Keir also had meetings with US consul general Paul Narain and Police Service of Northern Ireland chief constable Simon Byrne in Belfast.

Accompanied by shadow Northern Ireland secretary Peter Kyle, he also went on a walkabout in Belfasts regenerated docklands area to view changes in the city since the Good Friday Agreement.

Sir Keir worked in Belfast when he was a human rights adviser to the Northern Ireland Policing Board between 2003 and 2007.

On Friday he met former Policing Board chairman Sir Desmond Rea.
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP)  Thousands of people marched in Bangladesh's capital and in parts of India on Friday to urge Muslim-majority nations to cut ties with India and boycott its products unless it punishes two governing party officials for comments deemed derogatory to Islam's Prophet Muhammad.

The protesters in Dhaka also criticized their country's government for not publicly condemning the comments made last week by the two officials in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governing Bharatiya Janata Party.

One official has been suspended and the other expelled after the BJP denounced insults of religious figures, but protesters in Bangladesh and India said the actions were not enough.

In Bangladesh, they marched after Friday prayers through streets near the main Baitul Mukarram Mosque in downtown Dhaka. Many chanted slogans against Modi.

The global Muslim community has been united. We ask the whole world to boycott Indian products, said Moulana Imtiaz Alam, leader of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, a grouping of Islamist parties that support the introduction of Islamic law in the country.

Alam called for the two Indian officials to be arrested and punished.

In India, thousands of Muslims took to the streets after Friday prayers and hurled rocks at police in several towns and cities.

Authorities imposed a night curfew in parts of Ranchi, the capital of Indias Jharkhand state, after a clash between protesters and police left six officers injured, police said.

Police used wooden batons and tear gas to disperse protesters in Hyderabad, Saharanpur, Prayagraj, Moradabad and Kanpur. Some demonstrators hurled rocks at security forces from rooftops, TV images showed.

Mohammed Salim Qureshi, a protester outside New Delhis main Jama Masjid Mosque, also demanded the arrest of the two BJP officials.

Ahmed Bukhari, the imam of Jama Masjid, said the protest was spontaneous.

A paper effigy of BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma was burned in Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh state.

In the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir, authorities locked down two towns and cut mobile internet service in several towns and in Srinagar, the regions main city, fearing anger against the comments could turn into larger anti-India protests.

Scores of Muslim residents protested against the two BJP officials in Srinagar, where shops and businesses shut spontaneously Friday. Authorities did not allow Friday prayers in Srinagar's main mosque or in the remote, mountainous towns of Bhaderwah and Kishtwar.

Protests nevertheless erupted for a second day in Bhaderwah, leading to clashes with government forces. No injuries were reported.

On Thursday, thousands protested in the town after a Hindu man posted a representation of the Prophet Muhammad and his wife on social media. Police have brought a case against the suspect.

Police also were investigating two Muslim men accused of delivering speeches against Hindus during Thursday's protest.

Tensions have been high in the divided Muslim-majority Himalayan region, also claimed by Pakistan, since 2019, when New Delhi ended its semi-autonomy and took direct control of the portion it administers.

At least five Arab nations have lodged official protests against India, and Pakistan and Afghanistan also reacted strongly this week to the comments made by the two BJP officials. They follow increasing violence targeting Indias Muslim minority by Hindu nationalists who have been emboldened by Modis silence about such attacks since he was elected in 2014.

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has maintained a warm relationship with India for more than a decade despite growing anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh, India's neighbor and a major trading partner.

___

Associated Press journalists Aijaz Hussain in Srinagar, India, Ashok Sharma in New Delhi and Al-emrun Garjon in Dhaka, Bangladesh, contributed to this report.
On Monday, fending off what threatened to be a crippling blow to growth in the rooftop solar energy industry, President Biden announced a set of executive actions intended to protect the industry. That  if it isnt successfully challenged in court  may be a modest success in Bidens effort to transition the U.S. economy into one that runs on clean energy. But such successes have been fewer than what environmentalists had hoped for.

Despite assuming office with what activists describe as the most ambitious climate change agenda in history, Biden has experienced a series of setbacks that threaten to leave him with little progress on the issue, showing just how hard contending with climate change can be in a chokepoint-filled federal system, such as that of the United States.

The president is facing backsliding on almost every front in his fight against climate change: His clean energy proposals are stuck in the Senate, surging oil and gas prices have even Democratic state governments cutting gasoline taxes, and the need to wean Americas European allies off Russian fossil fuels has led the administration to propose boosting gas exports. Also, a bill passed by the House of Representatives could get in the way of offshore wind energy expansion.

Meanwhile, the presidents broad power to regulate under existing laws is being constricted: One federal court ruling forced him to sell new fossil fuel leases on federal lands and waters; and the Supreme Court is on the verge of limiting the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) ability to regulate carbon dioxide, the most prevalent greenhouse gas causing global warming.

U.S. President Joe Biden leaves the White House on June 8, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Its hard to be a glass-half-full kind of person at this moment, Jake Schmidt, senior strategic director for international climate at the Natural Resources Defense Council, told Yahoo News.

Even Mondays action, in which Biden delayed any potential tariff on solar panels imported from four Asian countries that dominate the U.S. market, was more of a defensive maneuver than a step forward from the status quo. A current Commerce Department investigation into whether China is circumventing U.S. tariffs on its solar panels via Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam was forcing solar installers to cancel orders because they feared being slapped with massive tariffs. Now they can get back to business. (Biden also invoked the Defense Production Act to develop the domestic solar manufacturing industry, a move that may help increase the rate of solar deployment further down the line.)

The rest of the year will be a crucial period in which Congress could pass climate action before Republicans probably take control of the body next year. After that, there will be no new legislation to significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Our moment is now and the window of opportunity is closing, said Melinda Pierce, legislative director of the Sierra Club.

High hopes

Of all those wishes that Bidens tenure would be transformative, perhaps none were as desperate as those of the climate change activists. Through decades of mounting evidence that the burning of fossil fuels is causing the planet to warm, the United States has taken virtually no steps to reverse the trend, though the last two Democratic presidents have tried. Former President Bill Clinton unsuccessfully proposed a tax on fossil fuel-based energy. During former President Barack Obamas first term, a bill to cap carbon emissions passed the House of Representatives but died in the Senate. Obamas signature regulation of climate pollution, the Clean Power Plan, was gutted by his climate science-denying successor, Donald Trump.

But Biden campaigned in 2020 and assumed office the next year under different conditions than those that greeted Obama in 2009. Biden ran on a $2 trillion proposal to address climate change through investments in transitioning to clean energy, and he promised to stop selling new leases for oil and gas drilling on federal lands and waters.

The 100-megawatt MGM Resorts' Mega Solar Array was launched on June 28, 2021, in Dry Lake Valley, Nevada. The project sits on 640 acres of desert about 30 miles north of the Las Vegas Strip in the Dry Lake Solar Energy Zone. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

With the climate crisis rapidly worsening, the cost of renewable energy and electric vehicles dropping and youth-led activism pushing mainstream Democrats such as Biden to embrace a bolder agenda, there was the possibility that the federal government might take sufficient action to set the United States on the path to reaching net-zero emissions by midcentury. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, thats the benchmark that must be reached to stay below 1.5 degrees Celsius of global warming and avert the worst possible effects of climate change.

Biden created two new climate-focused positions, appointing former Secretary of State John Kerry as his special envoy on climate change and former EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy as White House climate czar.

Biden set out to attack climate change on multiple fronts: legislatively, through Congress; administratively, through executive branch rule-making; and diplomatically, through negotiations with other countries.

His Build Back Better bill was designed to avoid the fate of cap and trade, which died in the Senate after being passed by the House of Representatives in the 2009-2010 Congress, because Republicans have taken to filibustering every piece of legislation, creating a de facto 60-vote supermajority threshold. Instead, Build Back Better would go through the budget reconciliation process so that it could pass with a simple majority. As a budget bill, it could contain only provisions that focus on taxes and spending rather than creating new regulatory powers; thus, the White House stuffed it with $555 billion over 10 years in subsidies for clean energy production, energy-efficient heat pump technology and electric vehicle deployment.

Last November, in a speech at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, Biden told the assembled world leaders  many of whom his administration was privately cajoling to make announcements of plans to end reliance on fossil fuels  that his domestic agenda would make the United States, the largest cumulative emitter of greenhouse gases, the biggest player in the global team effort stop the climate crisis from worsening.

My Build Back Better framework will make historic investments in clean energy, the most significant investment to deal with the climate crisis that any advanced nation [has] made ever, Biden boasted. Were going to cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by well over a gigaton by 2030, while making it more affordable for consumers to save on their own energy bills with tax credits for things like installing solar panels, weatherizing their homes.

A participant walks past a Conference of the Parties (COP26) U.N. Climate Change Conference's poster on the conference's first day at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow, Scotland, on October 31, 2021. (Alain Jocard/AFP via Getty Images)

In order to build support among centrists who were reluctant to back Build Back Better, such as Democratic holdouts Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, Congress passed a bipartisan infrastructure bill that included money for climate-friendly infrastructure like electric vehicle charging stations. But to win Republican votes, it also included billions of dollars for hydrogen made from fossil fuels and a $25 billion loan guarantee for a new liquefied natural gas facility in Alaska.

If you couple it with the Build Back Better Act, there really are some synergies and it can have some relational climate benefits, Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., an outspoken climate advocate, told Yahoo News in Glasgow last November. But if its all we do, its not good; its probably negative on climate, on emissions.

But Build Back Better, despite having been passed by the House of Representatives, remains stymied in the Senate, facing unified Republican opposition and the recalcitrance of Manchin and Sinema. Manchin has been trying to instead strike a bipartisan energy deal with Republicans. However, Axios reported last week that those talks are winding down without a deal. The question remains as to whether Manchin and Sinema will agree to a Democratic-only reconciliation package.

Risk of monster failure

Climate policy wonks are hopeful that Congress will pass climate legislation before Republicans likely gain control of the body in the midterm elections, but they admit that failure would be devastating.

Im super optimistic, believe it or not, that the bill formerly known as Build Back Better actually has a shot of moving in the near term, Pierce told Yahoo News. And that actually will advance a transformational set of investments.

Give Sen. Manchin credit for trying the bipartisan route, which is always his preference, and were going to hold hope that in the face of those talks petering out, that the place to go is back to the framework thats centered on a big old package of climate and justice, Pierce added. I cant imagine that Democrats are gonna go into the fall without having passed a package of significant investments on climate.

If a climate bill doesnt pass the Senate this year, Pierce said it would constitute a monster failure.

U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) talks with guests before President Joe Biden signed nine bills into law with the goal of improving military veterans' lives on June 7, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

If that window closes, it will be a decade before the politics are aligned to pass ambitious climate legislation.

After Republicans gained control of Congress in the 2010 midterm elections, Obama turned toward using regulations to limit pollution from fossil fuels under existing laws such as the Clean Air Act.

After the push for cap and trade failed, President Obama said, Theres more than one way to skin a cat, and over the next few years built up a regulatory agenda that was designed to help to drive that climate agenda, Peter Ogden, vice president for energy, climate and the environment at the United Nations Foundation, told Yahoo News. I think the [Biden] administration, because theyre waiting and working with Congress to pass this legislation, a lot of these other regulatory questions are on hold.

Not only would it be virtually impossible for the United States to meet pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by half this decade without legislation, but failure to keep that promise  made repeatedly at the United Nations climate negotiations in Glasgow, Scotland, last year  would also discourage other major emitters such as China to increase the ambition of their own climate plans.

The reality is, you can make a lot of progress with a regulatory agenda, but if the heart of the climate strategy [in] Build Back Better doesnt go forward, then its very hard to see how the U.S. can meet its 50%-52% [emissions cut] target, Schmidt said. And if the U.S. cant do that, then its leverage and credibility to convince other countries to step up drops off a cliff.

A regulatory approach is also fragile, more easily reversed than legislation, as the Trump administration demonstrated when it rolled back more than 100 environmental regulations.

President Joe Biden delivers a speech during a meeting at the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, on Nov. 1, 2021. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)

Now, Bidens executive actions are also being thrown into doubt by the courts: a Republican-appointed judge ordered the White House to sell drilling rights on federal land and water to fossil fuel companies and the Supreme Court is set to remove a crucial regulatory approach to limiting the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management sold 308 tracts covering 1.7 million acres to oil and gas companies, including Chevron and ExxonMobil, last November. A different court subsequently invalidated that sale and the administration canceled future offshore lease sales, but it is still planning to sell oil and gas lease sales for 144,000 acres of federal land in Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, Montana, Utah and Wyoming in June. (The Department of Interior has, at least, increased the previously undermarket royalty rates on future federal leases.)

And experts say that after the Supreme Court likely invalidating one of the EPAs regulatory tools in a forthcoming ruling, future regulations on carbon emissions from power plants may not be as strong as previously planned.

To top it all off, the high price of oil and natural gas is leading elected officials to respond with subsidies for drivers. Biden has released tens of millions of barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and even pro-climate Democratic governors of progressive states are following suit. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has initiated a gas tax holiday for the rest of the year, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to give a tax rebate for every car registered in the state.

Meanwhile, to help Europe free itself from Russian gas, Biden has announced plans to build liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminals, even though LNG has higher greenhouse gas emissions than conventional gas.

The White House did not respond to requests for comment for this story, but it frequently touts the progress it has made on other fronts. It has increased fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks, and it is tackling lower-profile, very potent greenhouse gases: New rules will phase down the use of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in manufacturing and others will limit the leakage of methane in oil and gas wells and pipelines.

There are meaningful headwinds against progress: some of those legislative, some are political, said Sam Ricketts, a co-founder and co-director for Evergreen Action, a climate-focused activist group. The president took office with the boldest agenda of any president on this front in some time. And, to be clear, important progress has been made here.

However, it is going to be incredibly difficult to meet our climate commitments as a country without passing major investments through the Congress, he conceded.
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken speaks with Los Angeles Times reporter Tracey Wilkinson for an interview at the Summit of the Americas on Thursday. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

Despite the absence of presidents from some of the region's key countries, the U.S.-hosted Summit of the Americas, taking place in Los Angeles this week, can serve as a venue of delicate dialogue and incremental problem-solving, America's top diplomat said Thursday.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken defended the Biden administration's decision to exclude Cuba, along with Nicaragua and Venezuela, while inviting other governments with similarly questionable democratic credentials such as Brazil.

The snub prompted Mexico and most of Central America to send lower-level delegations to a conference seen as a milestone for the region, a major embarrassment for a country hosting the event for the first time since its 1994 inaugural session in Miami.

"The notion that some countries are not here, I would dispute," Blinken said, noting that dissidents, artists and members of civil society from Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela are attending  though they have next to no power in their countries. "I would argue they are more representative of their respective countries than the regimes that happen to be in place right now."

Blinken noted that the U.S. had negotiations with Cuba earlier this year on immigration issues, and that the Biden administration had eased some of the restrictions imposed by former President Trump on travel, visas and remittances involving Cubans and U.S. citizens. But Cuban officials say most of those measures have been purely cosmetic with little practical effect in relieving the suffering of that country's citizens.

Marilyn Monroes drag queens protest the Summit of the Americas calling for action on climate change. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times)

The slow pace at which the Biden administration has sought better relations with Cuba has surprised and disappointed many advocates for detente, a softening that started with then-President Obama when Biden was vice president and Washington finally attempted to put an end to half a century of Cold War hostilities.

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez told The Times in a separate interview Thursday that the summit was a "disaster" because valuable information that countries like his could have supplied, particularly with regard to climate change and fighting COVID-19, was missing from the conversation.

Blinken also used the summit to stress concern about freedom of the press in a region where journalists are often killed, threatened or sued into silence, and acknowledged that it's often the leaders of those countries who bear responsibility. Several presidents, prime ministers, governors and mayors allow a climate of impunity that gives rise to crimes against reporters. Seventeen journalists have been killed in the Americas just this year due to their work, according to Unesco.

The U.S. goal, Blinken said, is to boost watchdog organizations that advocate for journalist safety, and to pressure government leaders on the issue.

"We are first and foremost trying to put a spotlight on this, [and] second, engaging directly with governments about the need to take actions to protect journalists," Blinken said.

He announced that at the summit's conclusion, the U.S. will designate a new $75-million contribution to 300 civil society and human rights groups in Latin America, including some that work on journalist safety.

"We see governments around the world using so-called legal tools to actually put free press out of business, especially independent media, for example, with lawsuits designed to make them go bankrupt," Blinken said. "We put in place funds that journalists can draw on and media enterprises can draw on in order to be able to defend themselves against these kinds of prosecutions."

Salvadorian activist Obbi Fenix protests immigration reform outside the Summit. (Raul Roa/Los Angeles Times)

He cited Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who regularly speaks out against journalists who criticize him, as someone who has promised to take "preventive actions" to stop the violence that dogs reporters in that country.

When asked whether the Biden administration's plans to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman later this month would undermine rhetoric about press freedom, Blinken said there were overriding interests that took precedence.

The heir apparent has been implicated in the murder four years ago of Saudi journalist and U.S. resident Jamal Khashoggi in a Saudi consulate in Turkey. The Biden administration vowed to ostracize the crown prince, but now has found Saudi Arabia more important in efforts to address world energy supplies and challenge an increasingly belligerent Iran.

Amid the fractures in the Americas and assaults on democracy throughout the region  including in the United States  and worldwide, a summit that on the surface seems to accomplish little at least brings some people together to highlight pressing issues.

"The animating principle is that in order to answer these problems, virtually all of them require some level of cooperation across borders," Blinken said. "None of our countries can do this alone. And we're finding that with all of these  virtually all of these  governments, even when there are political differences between us, there's a drive as well, to find ways to cooperate, because it's in everyone's interest to do so."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
California officials have ordered many cities  such as San Francisco, above  and growers to stop pumping water from rivers and streams due to the drought. (Josh Edelson / For The Times)

Responding to Californias extreme drought, state water regulators have ordered many farmers, agricultural water districts and cities to stop diverting water from rivers and streams along the San Joaquin River.

Starting Wednesday, the State Water Resources Control Board is making significant, very deep cuts for water users, primarily in the San Joaquin River watershed, said Erik Ekdahl, deputy director of the state water boards water rights division.

In all, 4,571 water rights and claims are being curtailed in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta watershed, affecting more than 2,000 water rights holders, state officials said. That includes 212 public water systems that supply drinking water, among them San Francisco, as well as a list of large agricultural irrigation districts and hundreds of individual farmers.

The state sent curtailment notices to a larger group of about 4,500 water rights holders in August. Records show thats out of a total of more than 16,000 water rights holders.

The latest curtailments affect water supplies of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission as well as East Bay Municipal Utility District and other municipal suppliers. Others with supplies being cut include agricultural water districts such as Merced Irrigation District, Oakdale Irrigation District, Turlock Irrigation District and El Dorado Irrigation District, according to state records.

San Franciscos affected water rights are on the Tuolumne River and have been used since before 1914. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission relies on the Tuolumne River for 85% of its supplies; the rest comes from local supplies in the Bay Area.

Our main drinking water reservoir on the Tuolumne, the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, is full, as is Cherry Reservoir, said Joseph Sweiss, a spokesperson for SFPUC. To date, we have called for an 11% reduction in demand in our 2.7 million customer service area overall as our primary drought response.

The last three years have been some of the driest on record in California, and scientific research shows global warming has been intensifying the extreme aridity throughout the West over the last 22 years.

According to the state water board, the curtailments will reduce diversions by about 443,000 acre-feet during June  which for comparison is nearly 90% of the average annual water use in Los Angeles.

State records show that 3,349 water rights are being curtailed in the San Joaquin watershed, while an additional 1,222 rights are being cut in portions of the Sacramento River watershed, including along Bear Creek, Cache Creek and Putah Creek, among others.

Some of the entities with large numbers of rights curtailed include the Sierra National Forest, Stanislaus National Forest and other public lands, as well as Pacific Gas & Electric Co.

Californias water rights system allows for regulators to curtail rights and halt diversions based on the year that a right holder started using water. The latest cuts affect many lower-priority junior water rights, but some with senior rights dating to the early 1900s are also affected.

In the San Joaquin, we anticipate that the curtailments will go down as far as 1900 in terms of priority, with some subwatersheds in the 1910s to 1920s, Ekdahl said Tuesday during a state water board meeting. In the Sacramento watershed, we actually don't anticipate significant curtailments at this time, with the exception of some smaller tributaries.

Large quantities of water are typically diverted to supply vast farmlands growing almonds, pistachios, grapes, alfalfa for cattle and other crops. Water deliveries for agriculture have already been cut back substantially during the drought, forcing growers to leave some lands dry or pump more groundwater, which has been rapidly declining in many areas.

The latest curtailments will have major effects in farming areas, said Danny Merkley, director of water resources for the California Farm Bureau.

It's a big impact, and its a big impact on all those communities that rely on it, Merkley said. He said given the current situation, the curtailments were inevitable. The state water boards members, he said, are dealing with the hand that's been dealt them, with the other priorities that the state has put on water.

Merkley said he hopes the cuts dont lead to food shortages or significant hikes in food prices, because I really do not want to rely on China or Mexico or South America for my food supply.

He said the cutbacks show California should move more quickly on projects to store water, including the proposed Sites Reservoir project, as well as projects to capture water during wet years to recharge groundwater aquifers.

On Friday, under a separate order, Ekdahl said, an additional 125 water users in the Sacramento-San Joaquin watershed were told to stop diverting water.

The state water board on Tuesday also approved an agreement that allows those who have water rights along the Upper Russian River to voluntarily use less water and share the water they have available. Sam Boland-Brien, a supervising engineer with the state board, praised the cooperation that made the deal possible, saying it shows what can be accomplished when state and local entities work together to come up with solutions.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Victor Garvey preps dinner at SOLA Soho. (Alice Zoo / For The Times)

Perched for display near the front door, the three-grape red blend from Sonoma County is labeled "Geyserville," giving diners at SOLA Soho a hint of what's to come.

An American-accented chef with Los Angeles roots roams the tables visiting guests, whose multi-course tasting meal starts with seaweed and sake-cured hamachi served with a vinaigrette made from burnt baby leek, kinako (toasted soybeans) and olive oil from Solano County. Later, dessertkicks off with ice cream flavored by pistachios from the San Joaquin Valley alongside calamansi crema and charentais cantaloupe.

Succulent air plants hang in glass tubes above, as if transplanted from a Joshua Tree sojourn.

It may appear as a gimmick or pretense to create Golden State allure in a nation of dark booths and gloomy weather. But SOLA is Michelin-starred fine-dining, a top-rated destination in London's bustling Soho district that's made its name since pandemic-era restaurant rules eased last year and Britons returned to eating out in one of Europe's biggest and most ethnically diverse cities.

"Californian food is an ethos," says Victor Garvey, head chef and owner of SOLA, a portmanteau of Soho and Los Angeles in a metropolis better known for its meaty roasts alongside starchy sides and pints of beer or its haute French cuisine and plentiful South Asian, Caribbean and Middle Eastern cookeries.

"A brightness, lightness and freshness," Garvey says, describing his homage to the West Coast. "We want to bring that to Europe."

California is having a moment across the Atlantic, where every month brings a new restaurant, chef or menu imported from Los Angeles or San Francisco.

In the last year, L.A. cooks Nancy Silverton of Mozza and Kris Yenbamroong of Night + Market have opened locations in London. Eggslut, the brioche egg sandwich chain that began as an L.A. food truck, now has three cafes in this city. Toca Madera, the club-like West 3rd Street spot where vegan enchiladas are paired with $16 margaritas, opened a rooftop outpost in Marylebone. A restaurant in a hotel in the financial district lures in patrons with two words  Malibu Kitchen  before offering "superfood salads, cured fish and meat, and plant-based dishes."

Even in Paris, a city skilled at contempt for things American, a chic hotel north of the Seine recently opened Santa Barbara-inspired Montecito. And a chef who once worked the kitchens at Venice's Gjusta and Gjelina is cooking up California-meets-Nashville cuisine in the 10th arrondissement and will soon launch a spot in the 11th.

In Munich and Milan, bright, yellow-accented cafes advertising sunny dishes and avocado toast have popped up with cursive neon signs and wall murals that could pass for a West Hollywood scene made for Instagram. In Ljubljana, a violet-hued cafe is introducing Slovenians to poke bowls inspired by Los Angeles and Honolulu.

"In food, 'California' has become a trendy word," says Mailea Weger, the former chef of Echo, a "deli Californien" that in recent years popularized breakfast chorizo tacos, huevos rancheros and crispy rice bowls for Parisians. "I don't mean that in a negative way. People recognize California as at the forefront of cuisine. Europeans visit Los Angeles or San Francisco and seem to decide they want a bit of them back home."

"But no, avocado toast is not the new croissant," says Weger, who grew up in San Diego and spent 14 years in Venice and Hollywood kitchens, including Gjusta, Gjelina and Tender Greens, while living in Frogtown.

"Perhaps most significant flaring of organized rebellion" in modern food "took place in California," a food critic in the Financial Times wrote recently of West Coast cuisine taking root in Britain. "All nations are here, and all leave their culinary footprint. Add in pot-luck dinners worth of climates, plus an open-minded, anything-goes culinary consciousness and you end up with a fine place to be hungry," said the Mail on Sunday, describing the California experience.

Cooks prepare dinner at SOLA, which has an extensive tasting menu that draws on California influences. (Alice Zoo / For The Times)

At SOLA, where an 11-course meal costs more than $170  before nearly $140 in wine pairings  the menu pays homage to California in its own way. Ingredients are mostly seasonal and local, largely purchased from British farmers, with a new dish switched out every few weeks.

With space for about 20 diners at a time during lunch and dinner, Garvey, 36, and his staff have crafted a meeting of Californian, Japanese and, on occasion, French flavors (they show up most in the desserts, where chocolate creme with passion fruit caramel and peanut praline is served). It's high on citrus, salt, acid, and seafood  like Scottish langoustine flambeed table-side over a piping hot lava rock. It's low on butter, though foie gras dipped in cherry jelly makes its appearances for the taste buds that gravitate toward the creamy, savory and decadent.

It all suggests that cultures can  even amid wars and disturbing nationalism  remain distinct yet mingle to create something shared and new.

Previously, there's been Colorado lamb and, at another point, artichoke thistles on the menu  flown in from Santa Barbara and baked in gratin and white truffle.

Sous chef Andy Parker and chef Salvatore Greco. (Alice Zoo / For The Times)

"Some people like to use local and minimize their carbon footprint. We do too, but we are in the market of delivering the absolute best we can do.... It just so happens for us that the best pistachios [are] from California," says Garvey, who grew up in Barcelona to a French-Spanish-Moroccan mother and an American father and got his start as a teen taking out trash and washing dishes at an Italian restaurant on Las Ramblas. "The olive oil that we get from California is for a specific vinaigrette and a specific style. It's quite peppery."

Few European wines make the list. Those from California  Los Olivos, Santa Ynez and Santa Cruz County  dominate along with a sprinkling of bottles from New York's Finger Lakes region. They're chosen by a Connecticut-born sommelier who previously purchased wine for Whole Foods.

SOLA's wine menu has mainly California wines alongside a small sampling of bottles from New York and Europe. (Alice Zoo / For The Times)

Trained at someof the world's most acclaimed restaurants  the late El Bulli in Spain's Catalonia region, Noma in Copenhagen and RyuGin in Tokyo  as well as Picasso at the Bellagio in Las Vegas and the former Joe's Restaurant in Venice (Los Angeles), Garvey launched SOLA in 2019 after several years running a more casual tapas restaurant in the same nearly 1,300-square-foot space. His mother passed away years ago. His father, a former NBC executive, calls Toluca Lake home, though Garvey hasn't been to Southern California in 13 years.

To him  and many in this part of the world  California cooking doesn't require a particular ingredient or dish. It doesn't even necessitate Latin flavors, a bold statement for a restaurant inspired by a part of the U.S. where taco trucks and street sellers hawking mangoes covered in chili are ubiquitous.

It also doesn't need for someone to have ever set foot inCalifornia. To Garvey and many others, California cuisine, instead, is a "philosophy."

That may sound like the words of a detached guru or a stoned hippie, but he's not entirely wrong.

Sommelier Tara Ozols during a quiet pre-dinner moment at SOLA. (Alice Zoo / For The Times)

There was a time when classic French cuisine was regaled beyond any other. Chefs in the U.S., and California, looked to Europe for culinary training and inspiration. Pre-set menus with heavy, creamy dishes were found in the best restaurants of Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco.

Something changed in the 1970s and 1980s, as California's burgeoning counter-culture and environmental movements meshed with the growing culinary and political influences of immigrant communities from Asia and Latin America. It all produced what's now known as "California cuisine," a vague catch-all at best to those not steeped in its history. A similar desire for fresh, unprocessed dishes spawned the Slow Food Movement in Italy, a country that, like California, allows the elements and the land to conspire.

"It was this idea that, at the time, seemed revolutionary  talking directly with local farmers, evening listing them on your menu, changing your menu because of what was in season," says Joyce Goldstein, 86, who worked in the early days at Chez Panisse, the pioneering Berkeley restaurant that launched in 1971, and later ran Square One in San Francisco.

Garvey prepares ingredients for dinner at SOLA. (Alice Zoo / For The Times)

"These things seem so common now. They weren't always," says Goldstein, who wrote "Inside the California Food Revolution: Thirty Years That Changed Our Culinary Consciousness."

Restaurants in the Bay Area and Los Angeles  Spago (today in Beverly Hills, originally on the Sunset Strip in what became West Hollywood) and Michael's in Santa Monica among them  were pivotal, says Silverton, who worked at both and now owns a variety of restaurants, including Pizzeria Mozza in London and Osteria Mozza Singapore.

Silverton described California cuisine as such: "Fresh, local and seasonal ingredients fairly simply prepared to promote those ingredients  not to mask."

Today, the phrase "farm-to-table"  a throwback to earlier days when the wholesale, mass-scale food industry didn't exist  has taken ahold across the world, especially in Europe. Much of it is attributed to California, but is the state, which today has the fifth-largest economy in the world, alone to thank?

"I think the food scene even started earlier in London," says Jonathan Woolway, chef director at St. John, a Michelin-starred restaurant that since its launch in 1994 has become known for its modern take on traditional British dishes (grilled ox heart and deep fried tripe grace the menu). St. John had announced a new location in Culver City before the pandemic changed plans.

"The influence between here and California might be a two-way thing," Woolway said. "Good food, good produce by chefs is not something that originates anywhere. It belongs everywhere to everybody. You can find that cuisine wherever you go."

Some American chefs have also taken a swipe at the idea of California cuisine, describing it as akin to a lack of creativity. "They dont manipulate food, they just put figs on a plate," David Chang, founder of New York's Momofuku and chef of Majordomo in Los Angeles, famously said of San Francisco chefs as he spoke at an event alongside Anthony Bourdain more than a decade ago.

Still, the longing for California  where ocean, desert, verdant hills and snow-capped mountains are all tucked into a few-hours' drive  beckons Europeans the same way the old-world charm of cobblestone streets and medieval castles draws Americans.

"The U.S. and U.K., we have this innate love for one another and obsession for one another," say Jesse Burgess, a food video blogger who has amassed millions of viewers on YouTube as he's traveled Europe and the U.S. with his business partner, Will Warr. "It's a feeling too that seems to extend to Europe, especially [when] it comes to food. Everyone wants a good American burger."

(A few years ago, when In-N-Out staged a one-day pop-up in northwest London and flew in patties and potatoes from the U.S., hundreds of Britons waited five hours before the chain ran out. Petitions regularly circulate for it to return).

Guillaume Guedj, a Parisian who this spring relocated to Los Angeles to launch his second location of Mr. T, a buzzy Le Marais bistro, put it another way.

"I know this is a thing people always say but Los Angeles is really diverse, especially in ways that we in Europe are not," Guedj says. "There are so many different cultures in L.A. Korean, Thai, Japanese, Mexican and more."

For many Europeans, it's simply avocado toast that is their California. Its modern origins are debated, with Sydney at times winning out, though few argue against the fact that the Golden State perfected the dish. (And perhaps is sick of it, though global trends  like prophets  fade much slower than in the places where they begin).

"In Italy, we have amazing food. We are very attached to our tradition but especially in some big cities, people are becoming very curious regarding new tastes, 'fast good food,'" says Federica Sala, who co-founded Milan's Fancytoast after sampling the dish during her travels in Los Angeles. (It bills itself as offering "epic toast from the west coast.")

Like the cuisine elsewhere on the California menus of Europe, the foods don't always mesh strictly with the concept (there is little Californian about toast with pulled pork and potato, one of the dishes at Fancytoast).

But as Garvey, the chef and owner at Sola, views it, authenticity is only part of the equation. It's also, he says, what draws you in.

"Food is about taste," he says. "It's about experience. It's about what you enjoy. It's culture, chemistry and identity all in one."

For Garvey, it was training in Japanese and Californian kitchens, and his heritage on his father's side, that brought him to make his own version of Los Angeles in a city that is easily its opposite.

He also admits that, with the blow torches, dry ice and more contraptions that grace the kitchen and table-side service at SOLA, some of the simplicity of California cuisine is lost.

"Authenticity is a stifling concept in the culinary world because you are restricting yourself. Why on earth would you? If your grandmother had access to wonderful ingredients of the world, do you think she would grow up cooking the way she did?" Garvey says. "I draw my influence from an era of fine California dining, Thomas Keller and David Kinch," he says, naming the chefs of the French Laundry in Yountville and Manresa in Los Gatos.

On a recent evening, customers trickled into the dining room, where they were offered a canape  a small, savory pastry  baked with aged parmesan to whet their appetites. Afterward, wild Pacific salmon  prepared three ways  arrived at tables, as a sommelier suggested pairing it with an Albarino made in Lodi, Calif.

Cooks meticulously prepare foie gras servings before the restaurant opens. (Alice Zoo / For The Times)

As he dressed carefully shaped pearls of foie gras by the small kitchen counter, Garvey looked through the street windows. Passersby paused at the storefront, glancing at the menu posted outside with its illustration of sun rays on the "o" in SOLA and a wine list that advertised an "emphasis on the West Coast."

It was an unusual sight in this neighborhood of Vietnamese and Italian bistros, seafood restaurants and gay bars. But Garvey was glad for the attention.

He rubbed the silver rings on his left hand. One formed an "S" for his favorite hero, Superman. Another said "L.A." for the Dodgers, though he's not much of a fan. Between them was a tattoo of the red Michelin star. Together, it spelled "SOLA." He smiled.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Babies with prenatal exposure to SARS-CoV-2 were 86% more likely to be diagnosed with a brain development disorder in their first year than babies who weren't exposed before birth. (Charles Krupa / Associated Press)

Babies whose mothers were infected with the coronavirus during pregnancy may face a higher risk of brain development disorders such as autism and bipolar disorder, a new study that examined more than 7,500 births suggests.

The finding, published Thursday in the journal JAMA Network Open, adds to the urgency to get coronavirus transmission under control even though newer variants are less likely to cause severe cases of COVID-19.

Other viruses, such as influenza and measles, are thought to make babies more vulnerable to conditions such as autism, schizophrenia and depression if they are exposed in utero. Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School wondered whether the same might be true about SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

"There are more than a decade of studies that suggest viral infection during pregnancy might be associated with neurodevelopmental disorders, so there was reason to be concerned likewise with this virus," said Dr. Roy Perlis, director of the Center for Quantitative Health at Massachusetts General Hospital and the study's senior author.

The researchers examined data from electronic health records of deliveries that took place in eight medical centers in Massachusetts in the early months of the pandemic, between March and September 2020. The records tracked the babies' development for a year after birth, looking for specific codes that would indicate a diagnosis of a developmental disorder related to motor function, speech or language, among other things.

The researchers found that among 7,550 babies whose mothers were infection-free during their pregnancies, 3% were diagnosed with a brain development disorder before their first birthdays. Among the 222 babies who were exposed to SARS-CoV-2 in utero, 6.3% received a diagnosis by the time they turned 1.

After the researchers accounted for other factors that could affect a child's risk for a neurodevelopmental issue  such as preterm births, the mother's age and the baby's gender  they calculated that babies with prenatal exposure to SARS-CoV-2 were 86% more likely to be diagnosed in their first year compared with babies who weren't exposed before they were born.

Perlis emphasized that the overall risk of developing these disorders remains low for all babies.

He added that one year is not enough to completely understand how prenatal coronavirus exposure affects children. Still, he said, he was surprised to find any link in the first place.

Candidly, I would have been much happier if we had seen nothing at all, he said.

In a commentary that accompanies the study, Dr. Torri Metz suggested that the coronavirus might not be directly responsible for the babies' developmental issues.

"We wonder whether it is the virus itself or the societal changes and stresses of the pandemic that are adversely affecting childhood outcomes," wrote Metz, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at University of Utah Health.

But Dr. Kristina Adams Waldorf, an obstetrician-gynecologist who studies infectious diseases in pregnancy at University of Washington Medicine, said the findings were similar to research looking at infections caused by other viruses.

We know from previous studies, including one involving millions of pregnancies in Sweden, that exposure to different kinds of infections such as influenza during pregnancy can impact neurodevelopment of the child, said Adams Waldorf, who was not involved in the new study.

With the coronavirus, further research will be necessary to see whether the severity of a mother's infection matters.

Unfortunately, it is very possible that asymptomatic or mild infections might also be linked to neurodevelopmental disorders in the child, she said.

Regardless, the medical advice for pregnant women remains unchanged.

This should be another wake-up call for pregnant women to get vaccinated, and boosted, and stay masked and take as many precautions as they can, Adams Waldorf said.





This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Ryan Kelley, a Republican gubernatorial candidate, speaks in February to conservative activists demanding a review of President Trump's election loss. (Jake May / Flint Journal)

A Republican candidate for Michigan governor and ardent defender of former President Trump was charged with misdemeanors Thursday for his role in the 2021 postelection riot at the U.S. Capitol, further complicating an already messy GOP primary.

Ryan Kelley, 40, was arrested in western Michigan, FBI spokeswoman Mara Schneider said. He appeared at a brief hearing Thursday afternoon 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.

There was no immediate comment from Kelley's campaign, other than a post on his Facebook page that stated only political prisoner.

Kelley's arrest further roils a GOP field that initially had 10 candidates seeking to challenge Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in the battleground state this fall. Five of them, including two front-runners, were dropped from the primary ballot because forged signatures submitted by paid petition circulators left them below the 15,000 needed to make the race.

The four other Republicans in the race are conservative commentator Tudor Dixon, who recently was endorsed by the family of former Trump administration Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, businessman Kevin Rinke, pastor Ralph Rebandt and chiropractor Garrett Soldano. Trump has not endorsed anyone in the race.

Kelley, a real estate broker who lives in Allendale Township, is accused of disruptive conduct, injuring public property and entering restricted space without permission, according to the criminal complaint.

In a court document made public Thursday, federal investigators said Kelley was recorded on video outside the U.S. Capitol on the day of the insurrection, repeatedly waving to the crowd and directing them toward stairs leading into the building. He used his phone to film the crowd assaulting and pushing past U.S. Capitol police officers and was in a crowd that climbed stairs to a Capitol entrance after causing police to retreat, the FBI said.

The document included multiple photos of Kelley that the FBI described as screengrabs from video taken that day, with Kelley wearing aviator sunglasses and a baseball cap worn backward, trying to rally the pro-Trump crowd.

Kelley has long acknowledged that he was at the insurrection and said that he didnt go inside the Capitol. It wasnt clear why authorities decided to move against Kelley now. But nearly 18 months later, the government continues to charge more people in the massive investigation.

He is among more than 800 people who are facing criminal charges in connection with the Jan. 6 riot. More than 300 people have pleaded guilty, largely to misdemeanor offenses punishable by no more than one year in prison. Some whove pleaded guilty to misdemeanors have been sentenced to short stints behind bars while others have been sentenced to home confinement or probation.

Kelley became a vocal activist in Michigan during the COVID pandemic, when he protested restrictions put in place by Whitmer. During the early months of the pandemic, he organized a protest at the Michigan Capitol, inviting heavily armed militias to gather inside the statehouse.

He has told the Associated Press that militia members are law-abiding, lawful citizens that love this country, and maybe you get a couple of them that are bad apples. Question for you is, are bad apples pretty much in everything that we have as far as groups?

Kelley also has made election fraud and the lie that Trump won the election a major focus of his activism and his campaign for governor. After the 2020 election, Kelley was a speaker at a Stop the Steal rally in Lansing, telling the crowd that Democrats were trying to steal Trump's victory. As a candidate, Kelley said that if elected governor, he would work to cancel contracts with companies that provide voting machines in Michigan and eliminate same-day voter registration.

Last week, Kelley declined to participate in a Republican debate because organizers of the public policy conference on Mackinac Island required proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test. He encouraged his fellow candidates to do the same.

Michigan Democrats criticized the GOP field on Thursday as pushing lies and extremism, and said Kelley has no business seeking an elected position in the same government he tried to overthrow.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Activists take part in a pro-immigration rally at Pershing Square in Los Angeles on Thursday during the Summit of the Americas. (James Carbone)

"President AMLO, here are your people!" a cluster of Mexican immigrants shouted. We love you, AMLO, one poster declared.

In fact, Mexico's populist president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, universally known as AMLO, had not, and will not, set foot in Los Angeles this week. He is boycotting the Summit of the Americas, a cause of no small aggravation to the Biden administration leading up to the five-day gathering of Latin American heads of state that wraps up on Friday.

But that didn't stop a number of AMLO's supporters, the majority of them Mexican Americans and Mexican immigrants, from turning out in downtown L.A. to show their devotion.

The love for AMLO is international, because of his principles and his humanism, said Jorge Magallanes, 46, who carried seven colored signs with different messages expressing his support for Lopez Obrador.

The demonstration, which started at noon at Pershing Square, was organized by AMLO enthusiasts as well as organizations pressing President Biden to place the issue of immigration reform at the center of his administration's agenda.

Biden flew into Los Angeles on Wednesday to formally open the summit by extolling democracy throughout the hemisphere, while downplaying tensions stemming from the White House's decision to exclude the leaders of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua from the event. That diplomatic snub set off a counterwave that led to AMLO and other leaders deciding to boycott the event themselves.

At the march, which gradually made its way to the Convention Center, the flags of the United States, Mexico, Honduras, El Salvador, Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela waved, mixed with posters in English and Spanish urging Biden to lower immigration barriers. During his presidential campaign, Biden had pledged to introduce an immigration reform package aimed at the nation's 12 million immigrants without legal status during his first 100 days in the Oval Office.

But that promise quickly bogged down, falling victim largely to partisan politics, and is stalled in Congress.

Our main demand is an immigration reform with a path to citizenship, said Juan Jose Gutierrez, president of Vamos Unidos USA. Without such reform, Gutierrez stressed, it would be impossible to combat the so-called root causes of migration in the countries of Central America's Northern Triangle: Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.

But other demonstrators expressed dismay that AMLO had chosen to skip the summit in sympathy with excluded autocrats such as Nayib Bukele of El Salvador and Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua.

"The president's decision to support authoritarian governments is unacceptable. It makes us look bad as Mexicans who live in the United States," lamented Francisco Moreno, president of the Council of Mexican Federations. "Lopez Obrador wanted to overshadow the summit by feeling himself to be the patron saint of authoritarian governments."

According to the Pew Research Center, more than 40 million immigrants from Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua live in the United States. In 2020, even in the midst of a global pandemic, these nations together received $65.4 billion in remittances sent by U.S. relatives. In 2021, the total was $83.9 billion.

Those financial ties make some Latin immigrants wish their homelands' leaders hadn't defied the United States in order to signal solidarity with next-door nations.

"I hoped that President Xiomara Castro would not sweat someone else's fever," said Cecilia Rodriguez, president of the Honduran Alliance of Los Angeles. "It is an opportunity that she has missed."

In recent years, diplomatic relations have soured between Washington and Central American countries, while China has asserted its growing economic influence in the region.

Ricardo Valencia, a professor at Cal State Fullerton, said that El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras have given up lobbying the Biden administration on the issue of immigration reform.

"The three countries have renounced being defenders of their citizens within the United States. They have left them totally alone, trusting in what the U.S. congressmen do on this issue," Valencia said.

Yet the absence of heads of state including Bukele, Castro, Ortega and Alejandro Giammattei of Guatemala worries organizations that push for human rights, freedom of information, transparency and accountability, in part because the authoritarian traits of these governments have fueled migration.

Bukele does not like to be accountable to the population or the media. The least he would like to do is expose himself to the cameras, said Wilson Sandoval, coordinator of the Center for Legal Anti-Corruption Advice of the National Foundation for Development of El Salvador.

Elizabeth Kennedy, a specialist on Central America at the Washington Office on Latin America, said, "If you really want to address migration, then you have to face extreme poverty, inequality, violence, lack of social opportunities, lack of services such as education, health, clean water and electricity."

One summit attendee, Claudia Ortiz, a Salvadoran federal legislator with the opposition party VAMOS, said that it was important for Northern Triangle representatives to participate in conclaves such as the summit  even their heads of state were no-shows.

"People lose by having rulers who irresponsibly do not attend to a space where they can influence the decisions that are made at the hemisphere level," said Ortiz, who during the summit has participated in forums with the former president of Costa Rica, Laura Chinchilla, and with the former Guatemalan vice president, Eduardo Stein.

"At the diplomatic level, it is understood as rude to be invited to a summit and simply not have a compelling reason not to attend, and you send someone else who is not at the same hierarchical level, who has no decision-making power," Ortiz said.

Back on the streets near the Convention Center, the demonstrators, for their part, were doing their best to convey the message that was a compelling reason not to attend.

No more embargo!" they shouted over and over. No more blockade!"

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
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 video.

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.

Schurr fired the fatal shot while Lyoya was on the ground, demanding that the refugee from the Democratic Republic of 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 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 before the fatal shot.

Becker said he consulted experts from outside Michigan about the use of force in the case. He spoke to Lyoya's parents to inform them about the charge before holding a news conference.

You will not see any celebration on behalf of the Lyoya family, said Ven Johnson, a family lawyer.

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 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.

Lyoyas death by an officer came after numerous others in recent year involving Black people, including George Floyd, whose death 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

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
CANBERRA, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is set to become the country's first jurisdiction to decriminalize small amounts of "the most commonly used and best understood illicit drugs."

The ACT government recently endorsed a proposed bill that will propose the creation of a simple drug offense notice (SDON) as an option when a person is found in possession of a small amount of an illicit drug.

Once it is passed into law, the bill means some people caught with small quantities of illicit substances in the ACT will be subject to fines rather than criminal charges.

Authorities will continue to target dealers and disrupt the drug trade in Canberra.

"Thresholds for trafficking offenses will not change and the Government and ACT Policing will continue to work to reduce supply and prosecute dealers and traffickers through the justice system," said an official statement on Thursday.

Rachel Stephen-Smith, the ACT's minister for health, said the ACT has led the nation with a progressive approach to reducing the harm caused by illicit drugs, through diversion, health treatment and reducing the stigma for those most vulnerable and at-risk in the community.

"We know from research and evidence around the world that criminalizing drug users does not reduce drug use and that treating drug addiction as a health issue improves outcomes for everyone in the community," she said.

"The Government will ensure through amendments that the principle of harm reduction is front and center of our approach to this change, by ensuring that discretion for ACT Policing is retained and that diversion is legislated and put on an equal footing with the SDON."

It comes about three years after the ACT became the first state or territory in Australia to legalize the personal use of small amounts of cannabis. 
Demonstrators dress up as Marilyn Monroe and Eva Peron during the Summit of the Americas in downtown Los Angeles. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles welcomed leaders to the Summit of the Americas this week, the first time the U.S. has hosted this event since 1994.

President Bident took the stage at Microsoft Theater to open the summit Wednesday saying, As 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 histories, but the essential ingredient to Americas futures.

Mexicos President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador announced earlier in the week that he would skip the summit because the leaders of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua were not invited, and instead sent his foreign minister.

The leaders of Bolivia, Guatemala and Honduras are also not attending  dealing a blow to Bidens efforts to reassert U.S. leadership in the region on economic cooperation, migration and climate change.

President Biden speaks at the Summit of the Americas in downtown Los Angeles on Thursday. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

Delegates greet one another before listening to speeches Wednesday at the Summit of the Americas at the Los Angeles Convention Center. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)

President Biden welcomes attendees to the Summit of the Americas at Microsoft Theater. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Vice President Kamala Harris waves to a child during a side trip from the Summit of the Americas to tour the Dream Big Children's Center in Monrovia. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Residents and staff of a nursing facility huddle around a window to catch a glimpse of Vice President Kamala Harris as she enters the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor to host a roundtable with faith leaders on reproductive healthcare rights. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks during the CEO summit at the the Summit of the Americas at the InterContinental Hotel. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Police and protesters on the street outside Microsoft Theater as the Summit of the Americas gets underway. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, walk the red carpet at Microsoft Theater on the opening day of the Summit of the Americas. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)

A truck driver honks his horn in support of a Migration and Human Rights for the Americas rally targeting world leaders meeting in Los Angeles as part of Summit of the Americas in downtown Los Angeles. (Christina House/Los Angeles Times)

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the Summit of the Americas opening session at Microsoft Theater. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti was joined onstage at Microsoft Theater by children carrying flags of Western Hemisphere nations to welcome attendees to the Summit of the Americas. (Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times)

Vice President Kamala Harris hosted a roundtable with faith leaders on reproductive healthcare rights at the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor headquarters prior to the start of the Summit of the Americas. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Thirty-five House Republicans voted in May 2021 in favor of legislation that would have created an independent commission to investigate the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

While that bill never advanced, due to filibusters from Republicans in the Senate, the shadow of the vote has hung over various primary races as the conservative base reconsiders -- and in some cases turns against -- the GOP lawmakers who bucked the line in a party largely defined by loyalty to former President Donald Trump.

MORE: GOP donors increasingly split over support for Trump as midterms approach

The Jan. 6 commission vote is not the only factor influencing each of the races, but it is an example of how Republicans who break with Trump -- especially over Jan. 6 -- are then defined, in part, by that choice.

All in all, 10 of the 35 will so far not return to the House of Representatives for the next term due to retirements, resignations or primary defeats. The question remains how many of the remaining 25 will suffer the same fate.

PHOTO: Rep. Adam Kinzinger attends the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol markup, Dec. 1, 2021. (CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images)

Six-term Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger chose not to run at all. Kinzinger -- one of his party's most prominent anti-Trump members alongside colleague Liz Cheney and one of the 10 Republicans to also vote in favor of Trump's second impeachment in the wake of the Capitol rioting -- announced in October he was stepping back after being drawn into a congressional district that would pit him against another incumbent.

Ohio Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, another bipartisan commission supporter, cited "toxic" intra-party fights as part of his reasoning to step back, too.

MORE: GOP donors increasingly split over support for Trump as midterms approach

"While my desire to build a fuller family life is at the heart of my decision, it is also true that the current state of our politics, especially many of the toxic dynamics inside our own party, is a significant factor in my decision," Gonzalez said in a statement in September.

Gonzalez' seat may next be filled by MAGA-world candidate Max Miller, a Trump White House and campaign aide who won the Republican primary for Gonzalez's newly drawn district.

PHOTO: Rep. Anthony Gonzalez, R-Ohio, walks up the House steps for a vote, Oct. 21, 2021. (CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

PHOTO: John Katko speaks at a town hall on the heroin epidemic, in Oswego, N.Y., March 30, 2017. (NurPhoto via Getty Images)

A similar situation has played out in Michigan, where Rep. Fred Upton announced he would not seek a 19th term -- all but guaranteeing that Trump-backed incumbent Rep. Bill Huizenga will advance in the August primaries to this newly redistricted seat.

New York Rep. John Katko, who was key in negotiating the ultimately doomed bipartisan commission, announced in January that he was retiring to spend more time with his family. Trump lauded Katko's retirement in a statement, saying: "Great news, another one bites the dust."

Other commission supporters who decided to take on a re-election were unable to squeak through. In West Virginia, Rep. David McKinley was bested by Trump-endorsed Rep. Alex Mooney in a member-on-member primary. Rep. Michael Guest, in Mississippi's 3rd District, has been pinched into a run-off with former Navy pilot Michael Cassidy, who has leaned into the party's more fringe sensibilities: In a campaign ad, Cassidy promised that, if elected, he would try to audit the 2020 presidential election and introduce articles impeachment of President Joe Biden.

And David Valadao, the sole California Republican to vote for Trump's second impeachment, is in a tightening contest to secure his job. While his race is still too close to call after voting ended Tuesday, Valadao leads among Republican candidates. But some of his support has been siphoned off by Chris Mathys, who sued California to get himself listed as a "Trump Conservative" on the ballot.

PHOTO: Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks speaks during the House GOP news conference, Jan. 11, 2022. (CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images)

Still, other Republicans who voted for the Jan. 6 commission have been able to fend off attacks, including Iowa. Rep. Miller-Meeks, who ran unopposed, and Reps. Chris Smith of New Jersey, Dusty Johnson of South Dakota and Arkansas' Steam Womack, who decidedly won their primaries.

Many of the remaining group are in closely watched races throughout the summer, like South Carolina Rep. Tom Rice, who faces a tough contest just next week.

MORE: Pence releases policy agenda for Republican Party, paving way for 2024 candidacy

At a rally in March supporting primary challenger Rep. Russell Fry, Trump said Rice "broke our trust" with his vote on Trump's second impeachment and is a "total fool."

In an exclusive interview with ABC News' Jonathan Karl, Rice said supporting Trump's impeachment was "the conservative vote" and that he has no regrets, despite political backlash.

PHOTO: Rep. David Valadao poses during a ceremonial re-enactment of his swearing-in ceremony in the Rayburn Room on Capitol Hill, Jan. 6, 2015. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP, FILE)

"It was clear to me what I had to. I was livid. I am livid today about it. I took an oath to protect the Constitution," said Rice. "I did it then, and I would do it again tomorrow."

And Rice bristled at Trump's attempts to paint him as a foolish traitor.

"If I am a 'disaster' and a 'total fool,' and I voted with him 169 or however many times, what does that make him, right?" Rice said. "I'm taking his lead."

Some Republicans who backed independent Jan. 6 commission face primary consequences originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
FILE PHOTO: A still image shows Britons Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner and Moroccan Brahim Saadoun in a courtroom cage at a location given as Donetsk

KYIV (Reuters) - Russia wants to use three foreigners who were captured while fighting for Ukraine and sentenced to death as "hostages" to put pressure on the West over peace negotiations, a senior Ukrainian official said on Friday.

Two Britons and a Moroccan received the death sentence on Thursday from a court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), one of Russia's proxies in eastern Ukraine, Russian news agencies reported.

They were brought to trial after a Ukrainian court sentenced a Russian soldier to life in prison last month for killing an unarmed civilian in Ukraine.

Kyiv said Thursday's court ruling had no authority, that the fighters were members of the Ukrainian armed forces and that they were subject to Geneva Convention protections.

Vadym Denysenko, an Interior Ministry adviser, said on Friday Ukraine would coordinate its position on the sentences with Britain, the United States and the European Union.

"The trial of the foreigners raises the stakes in the Russian Federation's negotiation process. They are using them as hostages to put pressure on the world over the negotiation process," he told national television.

Peace talks between Ukraine and Russia are frozen. Russia has accused Ukraine of blocking talks, but Kyiv says Moscow is to blame.

In a separate negotiating process, Turkey is leading attempts to arrange safe passage for grain stuck in Ukrainian Black Sea ports blockaded by Russia.

Russia did not immediately comment on Denysenko's remarks.

The two Britons and Moroccan were found guilty of "mercenary activities and committing actions aimed at seizing power and overthrowing the constitutional order" of the self-proclaimed DPR.

(Reporting by Natalia Zinets, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
Undated photo of Emmett Louis Till, a 14-year-old boy who was kidnapped and murdered in 1955. (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.

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.

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.

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, Mobley 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.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Chef David Tang prepares mangrove crab tartine, with avocado, yuzu citrus and buckwheat, at Rosemead restaurant in Singapore. (Amrita Chandradas / For The Times)

Its a Saturday night in the central business district and Rosemead is buzzing to the beat of early-'80s R&B and chatty diners who have ditched ties and banker suits for T-shirts and designer sneakers.

A wood-fire hearth the size of a walk-in closet glows in an open kitchen churning out California-inspired plates of hand dive scallop, crab and avocado tartine. The air is laced with the scent of charred cherry tomatoes  trucked in from a nearby farm in Malaysia  speckled with bits of pork crackling. The tables are a-clatter and the mood is wonderfully chill.

Guests arrive at Rosemead restaurant in Singapore as chefs work at the open kitchen. (Amrita Chandradas / For The Times)

Interior and seating areas of California Republic restaurant. (Amrita Chandradas / For The Times)

A similar vibe resonates less than half a mile away at another new restaurant celebrating the Golden State. The packed house at California Republic is downing cocktails with names that evoke strains of weed, such as Lemon Haze and Dankelicious. The menu is described as SoCal Italian modified with local produce (who knew jackfruit could pass for Central Coast artichoke?).

In a country brimming with intoxicating cuisine  few things better than the local chicken rice, roti prata and crab beehoon  California's fuss-free style of fine dining is having an unlikely culinary moment in a city where top dollar is usually reserved for the ambiance and decors of more stuffy European and Japanese restaurants.

Rosemead and California Republic are joined by Osteria Mozza, chef Nancy Silvertons Melrose Avenue institution, which reopened its outpost in the Southeast Asian city-state last month after closing abruptly in 2018 following co-owner Mario Batalis embroilment in the #MeToo scandal. Sonoma County's SingleThread, one of only six three-Michelin-star restaurants in California, will open a monthlong pop-up here in July.

Grand Central Markets own Eggslut and Mr. Holmes Bakehouse of San Francisco origin have also opened in Singapore in the last year  the former drawing long lines outdoors despite the sweltering heat, and the latter flashing puns about marijuana in a nation that punishes traffickers with the death penalty.

I got baked in Singapore, declares a pink neon sign outside the bakery famed for its cruffins.

Their arrival on the countrys fickle food scene, where diners are known to descend on a new hotspot for weeks and then disappear once theyve posted their meals on Instagram or TikTok, highlights the changing nature and palettes of one of Asias top restaurant destinations and the long reach of Americas most culturally dynamic state.

Whether it's the Universal Studios theme park, the Asia-Pacific headquarters of Facebook and Google or the billions in trade, Californias influence is indelible in this country of 5.5 million. Layered into this fascination for things Californian is a game of redefining cultural expectations and moving beyond stereotypes around Hollywood, health food and tech billionaires.

"There is a lot of room to grow in the understanding and appreciation of the culture," said Indra Kantono, Rosemead's owner.

Perhaps the surest way to comprehend another land is to taste its dishes. But the chef's here face a quixotic challenge in creating the California experience  not the least because the state's emphasis on locally grown and full flavored produce is undermined by the fact Singapore is too small to support its own agriculture. More than 90% of the food consumed in this island nation roughly the size of the San Fernando Valley is imported from more than 170 countries.

Lazy man's cioppino, a classic San-Francisco tomato-based seafood stew. (Amrita Chandradas / For The Times)

We have to work three times harder because we dont have the produce California has, said Michael Goodman, co-founder of the Dandy Collection, the restaurant group that owns California Republic. We have to scour the region to find a farmer here and a farmer there.

Michael Goodman, co-founder of restaurant California Republic. (Amrita Chandradas / For The Times)

The former professional cook turned interior designer remembers working with legendary Central Coast chef Cal Stamenov in the late-1990s and buying spot prawns directly off a boat, something thats virtually impossible to do in Singapore, where the warm waters can dull flavors or promote bacteria in shellfish. Theres a reason fried oyster omelets are a signature dish here and not raw oysters on the half shell.

Goodman, whose inspiration for California Republic came from his late father in Daly City, sources fruits and vegetables from neighboring Malaysia. A mountain plateau called the Cameron Highlands, which is as far away from Singapore as Los Angeles is from the farms in Salinas, is one of the only places in the region with cool enough weather to properly grow vegetables like tomatoes, fennel, cauliflower and heirloom beans.

Sure we dream of having something like the Santa Barbara farmers market or the San Luis Obispo farmers market, but we dont want to give up and say we cant have the food were really passionate about, said Goodman, 50, a New York native whose family moved to California three decades ago. We just have to think about food differently.

Head chef Fortis Kokoshi prepares celery root cappellacci at California Republic restaurant. (Amrita Chandradas / For The Times)

That much was apparent during a recent Zoom session at Goodmans apartment with former Osteria Mozza chef David Almany, who was logging in from L.A. Almany, who worked at the Melrose location of Osteria Mozza and the one in Singapore before it closed, was helping fine-tune California Republics menu to make it au courant.

A dish of grilled Central Coast-style artichokes was failing. The imported artichokes were either too stringy or not meaty enough to justify the cost. Goodman remembered what he learned as chef at the Amandari resort in Bali: Jackfruit, a fibrous pale fruit encased in a spiky oval shell thats ubiquitous in the Southern Hemisphere, made for a worthy substitute for artichoke after a bit of improvisation.

With Almany standing by, Goodman and his two chefs seared slices of young jackfruit that had been prepared a la Barigoule, a braise in white wine, herbs, lemon and aromatics like leek, garlic and onion. They plated the slices and garnished them with aioli, garlic breadcrumbs and fried shallots. The crew dug in with forks and nodded their heads.

Thats a winner, Goodman said. Balinese artichoke.

***

Celery root cappellacci at California Republic restaurant in Singapore. (Amrita Chandradas / For The Times)

The momentum behind the new wave of California cuisine began at the Marina Bay Sands resort and casino, which looms over Singapores skyline like a glass and steel citadel separated from the city by a man-made lagoon. Its three 55-story towers  a hive of bling and ostentation  are connected at the top with a sleek, surfboard-shaped skydeck that houses one of the worlds highest infinity pools.

When it opened in 2010, it demanded restaurants that would impress high rollers and satisfy the government's mandate to diversify the resort beyond gambling. Its owner, Las Vegas Sands, connected Singapore to the circuit of celebrity chef restaurants proliferating across the world at the time, bringing in names like Batali, Daniel Boulud and Wolfgang Puck.

Almost overnight, Singapore was flush with seasoned chefs and front-of-the-house staff who honed their skills in locales like Beverly Hills, New York, Las Vegas and Miami. It was the first time living overseas for many. They bonded drinking into the early morning, as restaurant staff often do, usually at the go-to watering hole in the lobby of the luxury hotel, a now shuttered restaurant called Adrift opened by star L.A. chef David Myers.

It was like being on a cruise ship, said Michael Pekarsky, a trained sommelier and general manager who started working for Puck at the Hotel Bel-Air and transferred to Spago at the Marina Bay Sands in 2015. You get stuck up there.

Mike Pekarsky is group operations director at California Republic restaurant. (Amrita Chandradas / For The Times)

After three years at the rooftop restaurant, the 36-year-old New Jersey native wanted to branch out. He was introduced to Goodman, who was looking for a director of operations at the Dandy Collection. The pair quickly hit it off.

Two Jewish kids from the East Coast in Singapore. How could we not? Goodman said.

Pekarsky retired his three-piece suit. He grew out a beard to better fit into the trendy dining group, which also operates Japanese, Indian and Middle Eastern themed restaurants, all meticulously designed to feel just this side of a nightclub, but for grown-ups.

Interior and seating areas of California Republic restaurant. (Amrita Chandradas / For The Times)

In leaving, Pekarsky joined a band of Wolfgang Puck and Mozza alumni that has planted roots in Singapore, a list that includes Rosemeads executive chef David Tang and his general manager, James Moon, a La Crescenta native. All three worked together at the Hotel Bel-Air, helping reopen the Spanish Colonial-style property with Puck in 2011.

Its like a Marvel movie, Pekarsky said. I dont think theres any major market where your timelines dont cross with someone who worked for Puck, Batali or Boulud.

***



David Tang seemed destined to return to his family's roots in Asia, even if his odyssey to Singapore was a winding one.

He was the first in his family to be born in the United States. His younger sister was born in a refugee camp in Hong Kong and his older sister and parents were born in Vietnam. He doesnt know what year they fled the war-torn country. His parents dont speak about those days.

"It felt like coming home," 39-year-old chef David Tang said of Singapore. "It was like being in a big Monterey Park." (Amrita Chandradas / For The Times)

Being ethnic Chinese, the family blended in with the other working class Chinese immigrants in Rosemead and the rest of the San Gabriel Valley. Tangs parents worked at a sweatshop making garments. It was up to him to put dinner on the table for everyone by the time he was 12. He learned simple Cantonese dishes  bell peppers stuffed with fish paste, beef and broccoli, steamed fish  from watching the now defunct local ethnic broadcaster, Channel 18.

But there were concerns other than cooking. Tang was exposed to the violence, drugs and gangs of 1990s L.A. He struggled academically and attended every high school in the Alhambra Unified School District before graduating: "Same story as everybody else," said Tang. "Parents aren't home a lot, so you kind of run around, make trouble."

Chef David Tang garnishes the mangrove crab tartine. (Amrita Chandradas / For The Times)

Chef David Tang grills cherry tomatoes at Rosemead restaurant. (Amrita Chandradas / For The Times)

His life changed when he enrolled in the now closed Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in Pasadena. He thrived in the structured chaos of a working kitchen. His hands busy, his mind alert, Tang gained the trust of a classmate who found him catering gigs at entertainment industry parties. It was the start of a professional journey that would first take him to Melisse in Santa Monica in 2003 followed by a 12-year stint with Wolfgang Puck in Beverly Hills, New York and Dubai, where his stay was cut short after the companys newly opened steakhouse was destroyed in a New Years Eve fire.

Tang admired Puck, who enjoyed off-color kitchen banter and had a habit of tasting his chefs' cooking by jabbing a finger into the dishes they prepared. But Tang longed to work in Asia, which he only understood through an Asian American lens. He wanted to know what it would feel like not to be a minority, to never wonder if his ethnicity held him back from a promotion.

Tang's temper occasionally got the better of him, he admits, but nothing separated him from the chefs picked to run restaurants ahead of him other than race, he reasoned. "I don't know what I should think or believe or why I consistently had to be the second in command instead of the first," Tang said.

At the same time, an up-and-coming Singaporean company behind a series of popular cocktail and oyster bars named Jigger & Pony was looking for a chef to helm a new modern American-Italian restaurant at a waterfront space with stellar views of Marina Bay Sands. Tang applied, moved to Singapore and opened Caffe Fernet in 2018.

That first year, Tang canvassed the city and ate everything he could. He traveled to the Malaysian street food mecca of Penang and marveled at the vendors firing their woks with charcoal.

It felt like coming home, the 39-year-old Tang said of Singapore. It was like being in a big Monterey Park.

But the pandemic hit the restaurant industry particularly hard. Singapore imposed lockdowns, banned indoor dining, limited group sizes to two and even forbade music in restaurants under the belief diners could spread the virus wider by having to speak louder.

Tang encountered another problem too: how his newly adopted Asia saw his native home. When Rosemead was proposed, Jigger & Ponys PR consultants were skeptical, less because of COVID-19 than cultural perceptions: Singaporeans, they said, expect burgers and barbecue from their American restaurants and would struggle to understand California cuisine.

Ive heard it described as spa food, said Tang, who speaks in a soft deadpan voice and wears a scowl refined over two decades in high pressure kitchens.

Others, without ever visiting Erewhon Market, have likened the cuisine to anything that involves avocado and quinoa. Some have called it an American version of Australian food.

The struggle is real, said Moon, 38, the general manager.

Like Goodman at the Dandy Collection, Tang has learned the challenge of promoting farm-to-table cuisine in Singapore. He had modest successes, like when he found a grower of leafy greens running an aquaponics farm in a high story industrial warehouse. Another farm in Cameron Highlands grew cherry tomatoes that were sweet as candy.

Other discoveries were more frustrating, such as the farmer who raised exceptionally fresh softshell crab, but insisted on selling them frozen because thats all hed ever done. A goat milk producer seemed promising until Tang discovered all the feed their animals consumed wasnt remotely local but imported from California.

It would be a lot easier to just say all our ingredients come from California rather than try and build an ecosystem of producers here, said Kantono, Jigger & Ponys 38-year-old co-founder. I mean, all the French chefs and Japanese chefs are shouting at the top of their lungs that everything they serve is from France or Japan. But thats not what David wants to do. Thats not the California way.

Chefs work over the flames at Rosemead restaurant. At right, slow-roasted lamb shoulder with sesame flatbread and tahini sauce. On the side are house-made Lebanese pickles, pistachio tapenade and herb and mint salad. (Amrita Chandradas / For The Times)

Rosemead opened on Christmas Day in a former colonial-era bank building with soaring tray ceilings in the heart of Singapores business district. The menu highlighted local producers like the aquaponic BlueAcres farm and the tomato supplier, Chitose Farm. It includes dishes like bitter greens and blood orange that burst with California sunshine, Tajima beef tongue cooked over orange and lychee wood, and a hulking Wagyu tomahawk steak from Australias southern Limestone Coast that will set you back $250.

Tangs cooking has largely received glowing reviews, though complaints persist about the cost of a meal. Kantono says its necessary to pay for top ingredients, skilled service and the striking space.

News of the restaurants opening made it back to Rosemead City Hall, whose mayor pro tem Sean Dang emailed Tang thanking him for paying homage to his city in the "top mega foodie capital of the world  Singapore!"

Even Tangs older sister, who shares the family's aversion for sentimentality, was deeply moved by the name.

It was where he was born and where we were raised, said Karen Tsang, 45, who now lives in Glendora. I would never tell him this because its too mushy, but the name is so thoughtful and so touching. Were so proud of him.

Tang says he wants to include more local ingredients Singaporeans take for granted onto his menu, things like Chinese greens and everyday fish like pomfret. There are many ways to stay true to California cuisine, he says, even in faraway places like Rosemead, Singapore.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Volodymyr Zelensky has addressed student Ukrainian societies across the UK pledging that he would not give up or concede. territory to Russia.

Ukraines president spoke to student societies at Birmingham University, Coventry, London School of Economics, UCL, City of London, Oxford, Cambridge, and Glasgow and Manchester over video-link and urged them to help rebuild his country once victory was assured.

Moderator Matt Frei, from Channel 4 News, asked President Zelensky whether there was a stage of the invasion where he would need to cede territory to the Russians given the loss of life in the eastern Donbas region.

Students listen to one of Volodymyr Zelenskys addresses (Jacob King/PA)

He also how he felt about Finland and Sweden gaining Nato membership.

Mr Zelensky said: First of all, Id like to say Im very happy for Finland and Sweden. I believe thats a very wise choice, although unfortunately that choice was made because of the war that started in Ukraine.

It will help them to defend their people in case of Russian aggression, he said.

He added that if Ukraine had been able to join Nato, that would be able to save a lot of lives.

There would be a fight for the independence of Ukraine but there would be not so many losses.

I truly believe we would be able to save a lot of lives so that makes me sort of frustrated or angry.

The president answered questions from students of Ukrainian societies (Jacob King/PA)

He added: Throughout my presidentship, I clearly understand and understood that every war has to finish at the table of negotiations and I understand that diplomacy can save lives, I understand this. But unfortunately the president of Russian Federation doesnt understand this, and thats it.

You need both parties willing to stop the war between their countries otherwise its not going to work.

The interpretation (of your question) sounded like what are you ready to concede, or to give up  Id like to say that theres this independence of our country and theres not anything that we can concede.

In his address to students, Mr Zelensky said that the first regatta had taken place between Cambridge and Oxford on June 10 almost 200 years ago, a symbolic fact.

I can compare this with Ukraine, with us swimming against the current and our country trying to fight the Russian warships, and we would like to feel like were not alone, like all the countries of the free world are in the same boat.

He said he had prepared for the meeting by reading about the history and traditions of the universities he was speaking to for us to speak the same language.

One hundred and seven days we have been tested for survival and resilience, every day we pass the Cambridge test in the Tripos, but we have to listen (to) aerial sirens for 107 days, we have been opposing the barbarians.

Quoting George Bernard Shaw, he said: We have a problem of an enemy who didnt ever read Bernard Shaw, one of the founders of the London School of Economics  we can fly like birds, we can swim like fish, but the only thing missing is to live on this planet like human beings.

They talk about peaceful wars, their goals are peaceful cities and villages  theyre killing children and women.

Ukrainian students Pavlo Denysenko and Snizhana Berezhna at Coventry University (Jacob King/PA)

He said that 80 years ago, Manchester survived the Christmas bombing, and this year, Ukraine had Easter bombing  80 years ago, Nazi invaders would ruin Coventry, this year, Russias created in the territory of Ukraine tons of Coventries.

He said that students of Edinburgh University had recently exposed their professor (Tim Hayward)  he was repeating the Russian narratives and this signals like hundreds of other signals the war in Ukraine is not something you do not care about  this war is visible and monstrous.

Prof Hayward, who specialises in environmental political theory, in March retweeted a Russian government official who branded the Mariupol maternity ward attack fake news, and added: As long as were still able to hear two sides of the story we should continue striving to do so.

He later told the PA news agency: I recognise propaganda can abound on all sides. I am not pro-Russia and emphatically not pro-Putin. For all that, though, having learned lessons from Iraq WMD (weapons of mass destruction) lies and others since, I believe that citizens should keep a watchful eye on information that can be used to escalate tensions and war. I have not repeated any narrative.

Mr Zelensky told the University of Glasgow that for universities located in occupied areas it was a tragedy.

All your life, your school, your university, everything is either damaged or captured by the enemy  we are proposing different techniques. Some universities were moved and reallocated.

He added that free tuition was being provided for all students with no limits on acceptance for places through tests or examinations.

For Ukrainian students studying abroad, he said: First of all we have to restore our territory because we want to rebuild our country.

As territory was regained, he said: We will start rebuilding all the educational institutions so that people can go back to school, back to kindergarten, school, university for the students.

He added in response to UCLs Ukrainian societys question about a brain drain of young Ukrainians: Theres a lot of painful aspects in our history because of which weve lost the most precious thing we have, the smart people.

When we will be victorious, we will build a new country youre something like 20 years old, 19 years old  youre a young person, a student  I cant build a comfortable state for you without you.

You are representing our state  you are ambassadors of our academy here, he told the students.

Coventry dentistry student Snizhana Berezhnaya said: Im very proud to hear from him (that he will not give up) and I think its part of our culture in Ukraine to never give up  and it doesnt matter if youre in Ukraine right now or abroad, you should always remember that you need to hope for the best and keep working and never give up.

She added: The world gives opportunities to come to different countries and see what its like to study abroad and I am more than confident that we will come back and rebuild the country especially after such international support.
Marysville, CA (95901)

Today

Plenty of sunshine. High 99F. SSW winds at less than 5 mph, increasing to 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear skies. Low 58F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph.
A policeman is on duty for the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on June 10, 2022. The 19th Shangri-La Dialogue is to be held here from Friday to Sunday. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua)

SINGAPORE, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The 19th Shangri-La Dialogue will be held here from Friday to Sunday after a two-year suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing mainly on security in the Asia-Pacific region and viable solutions, including the China-proposed Global Security Initiative (GSI).

The three-day summit will hold seven plenary sessions, two ministerial roundtable meetings and three simultaneous special sessions for delegates from more than 40 countries or regions to exchange views on regional and global security issues. Senior defence ministers from Southeast Asia and the wider Asia region, Europe, North America and the Middle East are also expected to attend and speak at the Dialogue.

According to the agenda, Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe will address a plenary session and is expected to introduce China's policy, principles and actions on safeguarding true multilateralism, regional peace and stability, and building a shared future for humanity.

A highlight of the summit is China's GSI, seen as another global public good that contributes Chinese solutions and wisdom to address global security challenges. Analysts said the initiative's implementation will attract enormous attention at the Shangri-La Dialogue.

"We look forward to welcoming Wei Fenghe to the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue and to hearing his views at this critical time for the regional and global security order," said James Crabtree, executive director of the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies-Asia.

Mahmud Ali, associate fellow of the Institute of China Studies, University of Malaya, said China's GSI can be interpreted as a step toward developing "a community with a shared future."

The GSI views humanity as an indivisible, singular and united body sharing a single home planet, whose security affects every individual and society and therefore must be defended and advanced collectively, he said.

The expert believed that the vision has expanded the dimension of security from its "narrowly-defined political-military parameters" to "focus on the shared nature of planetary existence, dilute the emphases on divergences, and enable collaborative approaches to tackling trans-border challenges."

Other topics for discussion include managing geopolitical competition in a multipolar region, the Myanmar situation, climate security and maritime security.

Meanwhile, analysts also cautioned that the United States may use Asia's top security meeting this week to further pitch its Indo-Pacific Strategy, during which U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will make a speech titled "Next Steps for the United States' Indo-Pacific Strategy."

Senior Colonel Zhang Chi, an associate professor at the National Defense University of China, told Xinhua that the United States has spared no effort in implementing its Indo-Pacific Strategy to isolate China, divide Asian countries and undermine the central role of ASEAN in the region.

Additionally, Washington is trying to stoke tensions in the region by stirring up sensitive security issues involving Taiwan and the South China Sea to establish a "NATO for the Asia-Pacific" to encircle China, he added.

"Its purpose is to contain China's development, coerce or induce countries in the region to take sides with either China or the United States," Zhang noted, adding that it will "destroy regional solidarity and harmony and cause split, or even conflicts." 

A policeman is on duty for the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on June 10, 2022. The 19th Shangri-La Dialogue is to be held here from Friday to Sunday. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua)

Policemen carry out their duties for the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on June 10, 2022. The 19th Shangri-La Dialogue is to be held here from Friday to Sunday. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua)

Policemen carry out their duties for the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on June 10, 2022. The 19th Shangri-La Dialogue is to be held here from Friday to Sunday. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua)
YEREVAN, JUNE 10, ARMENPRESS. The activities of the session of the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers in Yerevan were held in a very constructive and good environment, CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas said during a joint press conference with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan after the session.

The Secretary General said the CSTO Foreign Ministers paid a great attention especially to the discussion of the situation of international and regional security. Stanislav Zas said the situation is this respect is really very complex in all the three regions of the collective security. As for the situation in the Eastern-European region, it gradually deteriorates, according to him.

A document has been agreed on and approved with the discussion results, the statement of the foreign ministers about the international security where foreign ministers express their deep concerns over the continuous deterioration of the international security. The document reflects the position of the member states in the strong observation of the principle of equal and inseparable security and the impermissibility of strengthening the security of our states at the expense of others, the CSTO Secretary General said.

With the adopted statement the CSTO Foreign Ministers have also expressed their support to the strengthening of the leading role of the UN Security Council in maintenance of peace and stability in the world.

The session agenda also included the issue on improving the CSTO crisis response mechanisms which is one of the main priorities of Armenias chairmanship at the CSTO, which was also stated by Armenian FM Ararat Mirzoyan.

Over the matter Stanislav Zas said that the first experience of the CSTO in this respect was the peacekeeping mission carried out in Kazakhstan in January.

In fact, it was our first experience during the peacekeeping operation in Kazakhstan, when the CSTO crisis response system was put into operation. It paved the way for us for improving our activity in this area. The foreign ministers informed me about the activities that have already been done in our working bodies of the CSTO, and we are planning to draft a document on this matter in coming months, Stanislav Zas said.

The CSTO Secretary General thanked the Armenian side and the Armenian FM personally for presenting a number of proposals aimed at improving the crisis response mechanisms, as well as for hosting the event in a well-organized manner.

Reporting by Aram Sargsyan
YEREVAN, JUNE 10, ARMENPRESS. 17 Armenian IT companies will participate in VivaTech, an annual technology conference, dedicated to innovation and startups, in Paris, France, on June 15-18, with the support of the Ministry of High Technological Industry.

9 tech companies will be presented in a single pavilion Armenia, the ministry of high-tech industry said.

8 more Armenian startups with a big potential will participate in the event, having an opportunity to attract the attention of leading tech representatives and reach prospective agreements.
YEREVAN, JUNE 10, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received the Foreign Ministers of the member states of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the CSTO Secretary General Stanislav Zas, the PMs Office said.

Addressing the meeting participants, the Armenian PM said: Dear friends, I welcome you all in our country, in our capital. I welcome the holding of the session of the Council of CSTO Foreign Ministers in our country.

This year we have a double jubilee as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Collective Security Treaty and the 20th anniversary of the creation of the Collective Security Treaty Organization. Its a great pleasure to see that on this jubilee year the dynamics, we have had traditionally, is being restored again after the coronavirus pandemic. And as we have stated it repeatedly, I think that this jubilee is a very good occasion to analyze the past path, highlight our achievements and success and talk about the shortcomings noticed during the existence and activity of our organization.

You know that CSTO is one of the key factors in ensuring the security of our countries, and I should regretfully state that the situation under the responsibility zone of our organization is not so stable. In this context, I believe, we should closely cooperate, exchange information and situation assessment in order to use the mechanisms for preventing and managing the crisis situations at the necessary moment.

I also want to note that we are very glad to host different CSTO events with this intensity. Recently we have hosted the session of the Council of the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly in Yerevan, and now we are hosting this important event. We are waiting for the Secretaries of the Security Councils of the CSTO states on June 17. These are really very good occasions to talk about and discuss the agenda that our organization has.

I once again want to welcome you and hope that you are having a productive session and time in our republic.

At the meeting PM Pashinyan also touched upon the current situation in the region, speaking about the activity of the Armenia-Azerbaijan delimitation and border security commission, the opening of regional communications and the return of Armenian prisoners of war, hostages and other civilians still held in Azerbaijan. In this context Pashinyan highlighted the international communitys support.

The PM said Armenia is interested in the unblocking of regional communications, and all roads, to be opened, must operate under the sovereignty of the country through which they pass. He said there couldnt be any corridor logic, and this is a common perception. In the context of the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, the Armenian PM considered the issue of the status of Nagorno Karabakh vital and stated that the conflict must be settled peacefully, within the frames of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship.

Pashinyan said that the issue of the incursion of the Azerbaijani troops into Armenias sovereign territory since May 2021 still remains open, over which Armenia applied to the CSTO. In this context views were exchanged on improving the CSTO monitoring and rapid response mechanisms, which will raise the efficiency of the activity of the organization and the servicing of the security challenges of the member states.
YEREVAN, JUNE 10, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan attended the event dedicated to the launch of the Armenian national airline Fly Arna at Yerevan's Zvartnots Airport, ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister.

The ceremony started with the arrival of the first Airbus A320 airplane of Fly Arna from Sharjah International Airport to Armenia, bringing with it the delegation of Air Arabia Group. The airplane was welcomed at Zvartnots International Airport with a water salute.

The event was attended by Tatevik Revazyan, Chairperson of the Civil Aviation Committee, Tigran Avinyan, Chairman of the Board of the State Interest Fund of Armenia (ANIF), David Papazyan, Executive Director of ANIF, Adel Abdullah Ali , CEO of Air Arabia and other officials.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan welcomed those present and said, "Sometimes it is very difficult to regulate the mind, what to focus on. more on what we have or what we do not have? And this is a really important question, because what we have inspires us, and what we do not have, can sometimes discourage us in the sense that having so much in Armenia, at the same time we do not have so much that sometimes it seems impossible to fill the gap, accomplish the mission, accomplish the task that fits into the vast space of what we do not have.

And in this sense, we have decided not to be afraid to face all the challenges. And we have decided that we should have more and more and to give up the logic of patching. If we are doing something, we must do everything we can to do it as properly as possible, at the highest possible level.

And our political commitment has been that during the years we are in office, significant changes must take place in the field of aviation, the colors of our state flag must appear on more and more planes. I am glad that we have this opportunity today, I congratulate all of us, because with the participation of our partners from Air Arabia from the United Arab Emirates and the Armenian National Interests Fund, we are establishing this kind of an airline."

According to Nikol Pashinyan, this has multi-sided significance, because one of the most important achievements of the pre-Covid period was that the Government was able to create an opportunity for citizens to travel at affordable prices. "And this is not just a matter of movement, this is also a political, civilizational issue, because when as wide sections of our society as possible have the opportunity to travel, to communicate with other countries, it is an opportunity for us to get to know ourselves better, better assess ourselves, have more energy, have a better idea of what to do next," the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister hoped that "Fly Arna" airline will bring more people to Armenia and will take more people from Armenia. "In this sense, our country will also become a crossroads, from where people go travelling, where they return, where people go for rest, acquaintance, tourism, and those people keep a part of Armenia in their hearts, they take some positive attitude towards Armenia with them. Congratulations again to all of us on doing a step forward on the path of the development of this direction. We know more negative than positive stories about Armenia's aviation sector, it's time to break that chain. I hope that together with our partners we will be able to overcome the weighty package of negative news or the impression left by it with positive news, new developments, new planes, new passengers, new directions," Prime Minister Pashinyan said.

Afterwards, the Prime Minister, accompanied by the CEO of Air Arabia Adel Abdullah Ali, toured the first Fly Arna aircraft to get acquainted with the conditions created for the passengers.

During the official launch ceremony, Fly Arna announced the date of its first commercial flight. The first flight G6501 will be operated from Zvartnots International Airport to Hurghada International Airport on July 3, 2022. Fly Arnas initial destinations will also include direct flights connecting Armenia with Sharm El Sheikh and Beirut.
YEREVAN, JUNE 10, ARMENPRESS. The National Security Service of the Republic of Artsakh has revealed a case of high treason.As ARMENPRESS was informed from the National Security Service of Artsakh, as a result of effective operative-investigative measures, it was found out that L.G., a citizen of the Artsakh Republic, being a serviceman, in January-February 2021, through the "Facebook" social network, established contact with an account made by foreign special services using a profile of an Armenian girl. After some time of communication, he received $ 150 by bank transfer, for which he provided some military information.

Through the mediation of the mentioned "girl", from February 2021, he continued to communicate with another representative of the foreign special service through a mobile phone application. Having the coordinates of the military positions located along the border under the protection of the N military unit of the Ministry of Defense, equipment, armament, number of servicemen on duty, other information related to the implementation of combat duty, during the period from March 2021 to May 2022, he transferred military secret information to the foreign special services.

A criminal case was initiated in the National Security Service of the Artsakh Republic under Article 310, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the Artsakh Republic, within the framework of which L.G., the citizen suspected of high treason, was arrested and confessed.
TOKYO, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Japan reopened its borders to some foreign tourists for the first time in around two years on Friday as it continues to take steps to increase inbound tourism to support the economy as concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic ease.

The Japanese government initially opened its borders to tourists from 98 countries and regions on guided tours, with the countries and regions deemed eligible owing to their low risk of COVID-19.

Such countries include the United States, Britain, China, South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand.

Foreign visitors from this group are exempt from COVID-19 testing upon arrival in Japan and do not need to quarantine for any period of time.

This applies to travelers even if they are unvaccinated against the virus.

The cap, however, is for 20,000 foreign visitors to be allowed into the country per day.

Towards the end of June, the government has said that it expects full-scale tourism to resume, although it remains concerned about a possible spike in infections as more foreign guests arrive from overseas.

In April, the estimated number of foreign visitors to Japan was down 95.2 percent from the same month in 2019 at 139,500 people, the government said in May.

Japan's strict border controls have been heavily criticized by educational institutions and business lobbies as being unnecessarily draconian. In a shift of pace, Japan is now looking to bring its border protocols in line with other Group of Seven (G7) major developed nations.

Business leaders have called on the government to gradually reopen to inbound tourists to help revive the pandemic-hit economy, and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has given assurances that Japan will ease border controls "in stages" to bring them on par with other G7 nations.

"We would like to continue easing border control measures in steps while balancing infection prevention and social economic activities," Japan's top government spokesperson Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told a press briefing earlier this month. 
The Iranian action has triggered speculation that New Delhi could have been upset or uncomfortable over the discussions at a closed-meeting

New Delhi: Iran on Thursday pulled down its foreign ministry statement on the discussions -- relating to the recent controversy over the derogatory comments against the Prophet of Islam made earlier by two erstwhile BJP spokespersons -- during the meeting between its visiting foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and Indias national security adviser Ajit Doval in New Delhi on Wednesday evening. This was announced by the external affairs ministry at its weekly briefing on Thursday evening. The Iranian statement had been quoted as saying that NSA Ajit Doval, reaffirmed the Indian government and officials respect for the Prophet Muhammed, saying that offenders will be dealt with, at the government and related levels, in such a way that others will learn a lesson.

The Iranian action has triggered speculation that New Delhi could have been upset or uncomfortable over the discussions at a closed-meeting, including the purported response of the Indian NSA, being made public by the Iranian side so explicitly after the Iranian foreign minister had raised the issue at the meeting.

The controversy had created a furore in the Islamic world this week, with several Islamic nations including Iran summoning Indias ambassadors there and taking up the matter with New Delhi.

Asked about the Iranian statement at the MEA briefing on Thursday evening, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi declined to comment on the discussions between two dignitaries (Irans foreign minister and Indias NSA) but said the Iranian statement being referred to had been pulled down. In response to a media query, the spokesperson said: My understanding is that what you are referring to in a readout has been pulled down. Mr Bagchi however didnt offer any possible reasons for the Iranian action. He also said there had been no talk about the controversy during the meeting between external affairs minister S. Jaishankar and the Iranian minister on Wednesday evening.

Asked about the controversy, the MEA spokesperson reiterated New Delhis view that the derogatory comments did not reflect the views of the Government of India and that action had been taken against those who had made them.
The court also noted that it is a 3-year course and over half term was over and most vacant seats are in non-clinical fields

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved orders on petitions seeking directions to the Centre and the Medical Counselling Committee for another round of stray counselling to fill 1,456 vacant seats. The vacancies exist in PG medical courses under all India quota of NEET PG for academic year 2021-2022. The Centre told the court that seats remaining vacant was an annual phenomenon and that they belonged to teaching and non-clinical categories that are not popular with doctors seeking a career in clinical field for medicine and surgery.

Reserving pronounce the order on Friday, a vacation bench comprising Justice M.R. Shah and Justice Aniruddha Bose observed that the seats were vacant even after 8 rounds of counselling. The court also noted that it is a 3-year course and over half term was over and most vacant seats are in non-clinical fields. As the advocate for a petitioner doctor urged the court to order a last round of counselling, Justice Shah said that on Thursday, they were not aware that the seats were vacant after eight rounds of counselling.
by Melani Manel Perera

Former finance minister Basil has also resigned his seat in parliament, downplaying his responsibility in the economic crisis that has brought the population to its knees. But the head of state says he cannot leave office in defeat and wants to finish his term. Protesters' anger: 'He admits in his own words that he has failed miserably'.

Colombo (AsiaNews) - After Prime Minister Mahinda, another one of the Rajapaksa brothers has left office: the younger Basil Rajapaksa, former Finance Minister and founder of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), a party that still - together with its allies - holds the majority of seats in parliament. At a press conference on 9 June, the politician announced his resignation from his parliamentary seat, while downplaying his role in the extremely serious financial crisis affecting the country. He did not, however, rule out his return in the future, thus hinting that this is by no means an abandonment of politics.

On Monday, 6 June, the other elder brother, Sri Lankan President Gotabaja Rajapaksa, reaffirmed his intention to complete the remaining two years of his mandate, despite the street protests that have been calling for his ouster for months. 'I cannot leave as a failed president,' he said in an interview with foreign media. 'I was given a five-year term, I will focus on solving the crisis. But I will not run again'.

The president's statements provoked strong reactions among the movements that have been animating protests in Colombo for months now. 'Gotabaya Rajapaksa,' the president of the We Women Lanka organisation, Geetha Lakmini, told AsiaNews, 'has told the world in his own words that he has failed miserably. Whether she admits it or not, this is the truth. The idea that, as a failed leader, he cannot resign is nonsense. He should resign without further killing the country and its people'.

Laveena Hasanthi, coordinator of the National Fisheries Solidarity Movement, added to Asia News: 'His rigidity in not listening to public opinion is an abyss for all the people. People are suffering today for not being able to eat and drink, without gas, baby food, powdered milk, medicine and other essentials. These rulers do not feel their pain, they only try to maintain power with greed. That is why the people's protest must intensify even more".

Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe are seeking billions of dollars in aid from the International Monetary Fund and countries like India and China. The Sri Lankan rupee has lost about 82% in the last year and the country's debt is in deep trouble.

'The new Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, an ally of the Rajapaksas, should also resign,' protests Dulmini Silva, a young social activist. We have to be able to live like human beings in this country: our children need a future'.
by Alessandra De Poli

Aid distribution is still based on 2011 data, and does not take into account large sections of the population. The census scheduled for last year was postponed to a later date. The BJP refuses to carry out a caste census as demanded by opposition parties.

New Delhi (AsiaNews)  Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, India postponed by a year its ten-year population census set for 2021; however, a year later, the government has yet to announce when the preparatory phase will start.

The last census was taken in 2011, a not unsubstantial problem since welfare policies and public assistance are based on population data.

According to some estimates, about 100 million Indians are not receiving any government food subsidies because the beneficiaries are still defined based on statistics from 10 years ago.

In Jharkhand for example, the state has stopped issuing new ration cards to avoid exceeding the number set by the central government with about 700,000 applications still pending since 2020.

According to Jean Dreze, economist and social activist, There is a danger of serious confusion and even conflict, for instance around the coverage of food subsidies, the delimitation of constituencies, and resource allocation.

More importantly, the census provides information on employment and consumer spending, which in turn are used to measure poverty levels. Census data also serve as sampling frame for other government surveys.

Questionnaires administered today are based on statistics that might be unreliable because of substantial population growth and rapid economic development in certain states, like Uttar Pradesh, which have profoundly changed Indias demographic profile.

For many experts and critics, nothing justifies delaying the census. they point out that during the pandemic, elections were held in several Indian states; yet, now that the worst of the pandemic is undoubtedly over, the census continues to be the one thing that is suspended indefinitely.

Only in 1941, during the Second World War, was the census not taken; otherwise, it was conducted regularly every 10 years since 1881. Other government organisations carry out surveys and studies, which have a more limited sample base and scope.

The Census Act of 1948 does not state when a census should be conducted and when the results should be published; for example, some data from 2011 were released only in 2019.

As the preparatory phase takes at least a year, the new census is unlikely to be conducted before 2024. The Office of the Registrar General and Census Commissioner, which reports to the Ministry of Home Affairs, draws up a house listing and then, in a second phase, moves to count the population.

It is not clear why the Modi government is not conducting the population census in India. Some Indian states proposed to include the caste census, an idea rejected by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Since 1951, no data have been collected concerning the four traditional Indian castes (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaisya, Shudra); in theory, discrimination based on caste was abolished by the 1950Constitution.

In order to implement social policies, the Indian government uses a different terminology, namely scheduled castes and scheduled tribes (SCs and STs[*]), other backward classes (OBCs), and forward castes" (FCs)[]; the latter refers to the part of the population that is socially and economically superior (compared to OBCs, SCs and STs).

Notwithstanding the terms, the reality remains. In recent decades, only scheduled castes and tribes have been surveyed, while data on other disadvantaged groups date back to the early 2000s, once again preventing properly targeted welfare policies.

At a conference held in February this year at Oxford University, Dilip Mandal, former managing editor of India Today, explained how over time the BJP has changed its position on the caste census.

During their first tenure, the BJP in 2018, through (then) Minister for Home Affairs Rajnath Singh articulated a backing for a caste-based count and also made a statement regarding the same in Parliament. This happened for the OBC vote as later, Prime Minister Modi would pitch himself, in 2019, as an OBC leader.

Then, in July 2021, in mid-pandemic, the BJP told Parliament that it would not include caste in the next census because it would rekindle divisive feeling among people. The paradox is that over the past few years, the ruling party has fuelled divisions through Hindutva (Hindu ultranationalism) propaganda in the media.

By contrast, opposition parties in states where castes still have strong social relevance  such as Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha (Orissa)  have called for a caste-based census to get a real overview of the makeup of the population.

INDIAN MANDALA IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO INDIA. TO RECEIVE A WEEKLY UPDATE EVERY FRIDAY, CLICK HERE.

[*] Tribal groups and Dalits, also known as outcasts or untouchables.

[] Also referred to as general class, general category or open category.
The measure would concern primaries, later high schools and universities. Controversy on social media and "strong opposition" from civil society, opposed to "Islamisation". Saad Salloum: the divisions "are contrary to our culture", but it remains a "controversial" issue.

Baghdad (AsiaNews) - A proposal put forward to test the reaction of public opinion, as had happened on other occasions in the past, and which this time too has raised fierce controversy online and on social networks between those in favour and those against. Last month, the Iraqi Ministry of Education envisaged the separation of the sexes in classrooms, first for primary and secondary schools, then a later extension to higher grade students.

The proposed norm has the support of Islamic-inspired parties and radical circles, but is opposed by civil society. 'The discussion comes up every now and then ,' Saad Salloum, a journalist and associate professor of political science at al-Mustansiriyya University in Baghdad, explains to AsiaNews, 'and meets with strong opposition in high schools and universities.

According to the ministry's intentions, it would like to introduce a ban on mixed classes in the primary cycle of education in favour of strict gender separation. A preliminary test, according to some observers, to gauge public reaction before extending the same rules to a higher level. The divisions would also affect teaching staff in single-sex institutions, with female teachers for girls and male for boys. In the case of a transfer to another institution, the transfer would only be allowed if the gender of the student matches that of the institution, while mixed transfers would be frozen.

One of the bastions of education in Iraq is that of gender mixing, which has been established in recent decades in spite of the various governments that have alternated in power. However, since the US invasion in 2003 and with the advance of Islamic-inspired parties, pressure has increased on the executive and the institutions to have a law introducing separation voted in Parliament. An attempt to force their hand, however, has met with strong resistance in civil society and in part of the teaching staff, who strongly defend the concept of a secular education free from religious conditioning.

Debates on the subject, says Saad Salloum, "emerge every now and then" but there is "strong opposition" among a substantial part of Iraqis, and it is not by chance that the measure is designed for the first cycle. 'In higher institutions,' he emphasises, 'where the pupils are older, it is impossible to imagine a separation. Nobody would want to accept it, neither the students nor the teachers'. For the proponents and those who support it, he continues, 'there are not only religious motivations' but also 'educational issues' that do not seem to be sufficient to appeal to the masses and the ministry itself 'has not yet taken a clear position' on the controversy.

Depending on the areas of the country or the different cities, there may be "different" acceptance and growing "support" for the proposal, which is also linked to "news events that have occurred in some public schools in the country". The reference is to 'peculiar and controversial' episodes, including the dissemination of a video of an end-of-year party in a public school in Baghdad, which raised controversy due to phrases and attitudes deemed obscene.

However, the majority is convinced that eliminating mixed classes is not the correct solution, but only the consecration of an Islamised society. "The divisions," Prof. Salloum concludes, "are contrary to our culture and a part of the country has reacted with resentment, so much so that the ministry immediately hastened to clarify that it would only apply to particular institutes. Among teachers there are those for and against... what is certain is that it remains a debated and controversial issue' that cannot be addressed or resolved based on an emotional reaction to controversial facts.
by Steve Suwannarat

Following a debate that began in 2018, Malaysias cabinet agreed to reform the countrys criminal justice system. About 73 per cent of people on death row were convicted for drug offences. Other Southeast Asian countries continue to execute.

Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews)  Malaysias cabinet has agreed to abolish the death penalty, which was applied in the case of 33 offences, 11 of which carried a mandatory sentence.

The debate over abolition began in earnest in 2018 and ended on Wednesday when the cabinet examined a report on alternative penalties. The decision is part of a broader reform of the criminal justice system, from top to bottom.

The death penalty will be replaced by other sanctions enforced by the courts, this according to Parliament and Law Minister Wan Junadi bin Tuanku Jaafar.

This action is very significant in ensuring that the amendments to the related Acts take into account the principles of proportionality and constitutionality in whatever proposals to the government later, Minister Wan Junaidi said.

Further studies will be carried out together by the Attorney-Generals Chambers, the legal affairs division of the Prime Ministers Department, and other stakeholder ministries and departments, he added.

The government will vet alternative sentences for the 11 offences that carry mandatory death penalty, including, the minister noted, drug trafficking. Consultations will also cover the other 22 offences in which the courts can impose the death penalty at their discretion.

According to Amnesty International, 469 executions took place in Malaysia since it gained independence in 1957 with 1,281 people on death row, 73 per cent convicted of drug offences.

Only the Philippines and Cambodia have abolished the death penalty among the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which Malaysia is a founding member.

Three member states  Brunei, Laos, Myanmar  stopped executing people at least 25 years ago, and are de facto abolitionist; however, in Myanmar, the military junta that seized power in February 2021 recently announced plans to execute four opposition leaders.

In the other ASEAN countries, death sentences have been carried out in recent years. In addition to Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and (which has observer status), still retain the death penalty. Timor-Leste, which has observer status in ASEAN, abolished the practice.
Today's headlines: WHO panel denounces China's omissions on pandemic origin investigation; Malaysia abolishes death penalty; Indian opposition seeks sole candidate for the country's presidency; Gaza once again has a clean, swimmable sea; Despite having fed to Israel, Moscow's chief rabbi is confirmed in his post.

JAPAN

The country is reopening to tourism after closures following the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic in early 2020. Japan's borders are open to visitors from 100 countries, albeit with severe restrictions, such as the requirement to wear masks everywhere, take out health insurance and be part of an organised tour.

CHINA

Investigations into the origins of the Covid-19 pandemic have come to nothing, largely because the Chinese authorities have failed to provide the necessary data. This was stated by the special working group mandated by the World Health Organisation. Above all, there is a lack of information on the contagions that occurred in Wuhan in December 2019, at the start of the health emergency.

MALAYSIA

The Malaysian government has decided to abolish the death penalty, which will be replaced by other forms of punishment at the discretion of the courts. Currently, executions are planned for murder, drug trafficking, terrorism, kidnapping and possession of firearms.

INDIA

Indian National Congress president Sonia Gandhi has opened discussions with the other main opposition forces to the Modi government to find a single candidate for the country's presidency. The talks include the Tamil party Dmk, the Nationalist Congress Party and the Communist (Marxist) Party. The parliamentary vote will be held on 18 July.

GAZA-PALESTINE

For the first time in several years, the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip have a clean, swimmable sea. This was achieved thanks to the use of new sewage treatment facilities, financed by the international community.

RUSSIA

After the flight of Moscow Chief Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, who was opposed to the war in Ukraine and is now in Israel, the Moscow 'choral' synagogue held the official meeting of the local Jewish community, confirming Goldschmidt and all his main collaborators in office.

TAJIKISTAN

The Tajik government has decided to limit the use of the dollar as much as possible in international transactions, in order to favour the import of basic necessities and some commodities from abroad, to be purchased in roubles or yuan. This is part of the anti-crisis plan to counter the consequences of the conflict in Ukraine.
by Guido Alberto Casanova

The protest over skyrocketing fuel prices could cripple the country's economy. The government has lowered the threshold for fuel subsidies but the union also wants minimum transportation fees to be extended. President Yoon has tried to stay above the fray so far but warns that any illegal action will be prosecuted.

Seoul (AsiaNews)  On midnight Tuesday, the Cargo Truckers Solidarity (CTS) union, an affiliate of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), walked out for what is expected to be a long strike in order to pressure the government to accept its demands.

Although not unexpected, the CTSs decision has created havoc across the country in what is the first major labour action since President Yoon Suk-yeols conservative administration came to power.

The CTS had threatened to walk out last month to bring attention to the increase in diesel prices. Cargo truckers are facing a crisis, having to pay fuel costs that account for 30-50% of total transportation fees, it said.

Following the outbreak of war in Ukraine, the price of diesel fuel rose to more than 2,000 won (US$ 1.56) a litre. The government responded by lowering the threshold price for subsidies to 1,750 won per litre, thus increasing support for truckers, but the price of diesel is still well above the 1,364 won in January.

The first warning came last week when 130 truckers tried to occupy a plant in Incheon owned by well-known liquor maker Hitejinro.

Truck owners working for Suyang Logistics, a freight consignment company owned by Hitejinro, demanded an increase in transport fees. Shortly after, CTS called for a general strike urging its members not to make deliveries.

The union's demands revolve specifically around the extension of a government programme, launched in 2020 and set to end this December, which guarantees a minimum fee for road transport.

The union wants the programmes coverage to be extended to other truckers not hitherto included.

The strike that began on Tuesday has caused problems for a number of companies.

POSCO's Pohang steel mill had to delay shipping 20,000 tonnes of products out of a daily volume of 49,000. Hyundai has had problems with supplies of parts for its automotive production. Deliveries of soju (a popular Korean alcoholic beverage) and cement have also been affected.

As it enters its fourth day, the strike is starting to bite even large South Korean companies, such as Samsung and LG, which rely on trucking to move finished household appliances.

South Korean authorities claim that only 8,000 truck drivers are involved in the strike, while CTS said that most of its 25,000 members and many non-members are refusing to transport goods.

The CTS and the government are not at odds only over numbers.

While the Transport Ministry claimed that the strikes logistical impact was minimal, some sources told Reuters that the countrys ports in particular are having trouble with handling goods. Indeed, the government has had to resort to an emergency transport measure.

Violence has also flared up. Police arrested some 15 unionised truckers for allegedly interfering with other truckers making deliveries to the Hitejinro plant in Incheon.

Until now President Yoon has tried to appear neutral, limiting himself to saying that any illegal action will be handled according to the law, but after four days, the situation may soon require more direct intervention by the new head of state.
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HEFEI, June 10 (Xinhua) -- A new cargo flight service linking Hefei, the capital of east China's Anhui Province, and Japan's Osaka was launched on Thursday.

The maiden flight to Osaka was mainly loaded with cross-border e-commerce commodities including daily necessities.

Flight time between the two cities is approximately three hours. Three weekly round trips are scheduled on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, according to Hefei airport.

This is the fourth regular international cargo service launched from Hefei airport, following the ones linking Los Angeles, London and Seoul. 
The 1.45 update for American Truck Simulator will bring a lot of new content, which will be free to all owners of the Wyoming DLC . Although no release for the upcoming update has been provided yet, SCS Software has already shared some details about whats included in the next free update.First off, theres the city of Cody, a small Wyoming frontier town founded by the legendary Colonel William F. Buffalo Bill. This is one of those villages that offer an authentic western experience for players outside the United States.Its also known as the Rodeo Capital of the World, so when you happen to visit Cody, dont miss out on some of its famous landmarks and attractions, including the Buffalo Bills visitor center and the Rodeo Stadium.In addition, American Truck Simulator players will be able to discover and deliver new industries in Cody, a Truck Trailer service, and a Waste Transfer Station.The next stop of update 1.45 is US-14, one of the original United States highways of 1926, which starts at the east entrance to the Yellowstone National Park. American Truck Simulator players will be able to drive on US-14 and see iconic landmarks, such as the Buffalo Bill Reservoir and Dam, Pahashka Teepee, as well as the stunning landscapes that Yellowstone typically offers to visitors every year.Despite the fact that the 1.45 update for American Truck Simulator doesnt have a release date yet, SCS Software was kind enough to share more than a dozen screenshots that offer players a taste of whats to come.
WELLINGTON, June 10 (Xinhua) -- President of New Zealand's opposition Maori Party John Tamihere has called for stopping "criticizing the alleged naivety" of New Zealand's Pacific neighbors as they enter into possible trade agreements with China.

"It's none of our business," Tamihere wrote in an opinion piece carried by the local media NZ Herald on Thursday.

"This is a masterclass in diplomacy as the Chinese do not arrive in battleships, guns blazing conducting brief, forceful conversations. They are not known in our area of the world as expansionists by the way of military colonization," he wrote.

Tamihere said what the Chinese have done is treating each Pacific and Melanesian nation as a sovereign nation and entering into arrangements with them, not as second-class citizens, but as counterparts.

He spoke highly of the China-New Zealand free trade agreement which has been "the most successful" in New Zealand history, "derived from high-quality goods, demand and a mutually respectful relationship."

"I just don't like the stilted narrative that China is always the bad guy and I don't buy it because I don't see the evidence in it," Tamihere said, adding any sovereign nation has a right to determine its own foreign policy and its own destiny.

Tamihere, who was the co-leader of the Maori Party, became president of the party on Thursday. Founded in 2004, the party advocates indigenous rights in New Zealand.

Tamihere was also a former cabinet minister and leader of several social services. 
But as the saying goes, silence is sometimes the best answer, and this is what could be the case with a recent interview following Apples WWDC conference earlier this week.Apple executives Craig Federighi and Greg Joswiak joined John Gruber to discuss the companys latest announcements, including the expansion of CarPlay to a system that would be pre-loaded with new cars. Thanks to this upgrade, CarPlay would end up getting new capabilities, essentially sporting deep integration with the cars hardware and therefore getting access to all screens inside the cabin.In theory, this allows Apple to expand substantially on the software side, but given the Cupertino-based tech giant is known as a company that doesnt typically invest in software without hardware in mind, thinking of a potential Apple Car is something that just makes sense.When asked whether the Cupertino-based tech giant is indeed working on an Apple Car, both Craig Federighi and Greg Joswiak smiled, acting like theres indeed something big coming on this front, only that they cant talk about it.This isnt necessarily a surprise. Weve known for a while that Apple treats Project Titan (the internal codename of the Apple Car) as a top-priority product, so spilling the beans even on the smallest tidbit is a big no-no for a company thats putting a lot of effort into preventing leaks.In fact, Apples obsession with FBI-inspired secrecy is believed to be the main reason for the failed talks with Hyundai over the production of the Apple Car, as the South Korean firm at one point confirmed it was discussing with the tech giant such a project.The reaction of the Apple execs is, at some level, hilarious, but in many ways, its actually a confirmation that the Apple Car is indeed being worked on. Of course, nobody should hold their breath waiting for a confirmation of the project, though.You can watch the whole awkwardness in the video below, starting at 1:07:50.
The management over at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park understood the potential of drifting and converted the old drag strip to a dedicated drift arena. After more than half a century of hosting drag racing events, this is now the first venue of its kind to focus on drifting in the USA.The grandstands have been arranged so that fans can see what's happening on the track at all times. And that's one of the best things about drifting , and what separates it from other forms of motorsport.While the Pro FD drivers that came to New Jersey are all set for Round 4 of the 2022 season, the Prospec guys are now dealing with their second official race of the year. Andy Hateley, Ben Hobson, and Evan Bogovich were in the lead going into this event, but we might just see a change in rankings by the end of this weekend.The three judges in charge of the Prospec qualifying were: Chris Uhl, Brian Eggert, and Robbie Nishida. It's great to see that even though Robbie isn't actively competing in FD anymore, he's still involved with the series these days.A total of 34 drivers lined up for this first important test of Round 2. The current points leader, Andy Hateley, was the first man to go out for a judged run. He drove his V8-powered BMW E46 to what felt like a solid run.Even so, his first run was only awarded a total of 71 points. That goes to show that judging these drivers is a lot more complex than it seems at first sight. And the fact that most of them are running at a very good level is only making things more difficult for judges.28-year-old Ben Hobson was up next, and we can still hear the echoes of his V8 Nissan bouncing off the limiter as he left huge clouds of smoke throughout the track. He scored a total of 82 points on that first run. The qualifying session took almost two hours all in all, and you can watch the whole replay below.Canadian driver Tommy Lemaire is this weekend's top qualifier, while Dmitriy Brutskiy took second place. It always feels a bit odd seeing the Forsberg Racing Nissan 370Z, knowing that Chris isn't driving it. But Alex Jagger did a great job by qualifying in third.While a total of 32 drivers qualified for the Top 32 battles, Brazilian driver Lukas Torno could not complete a qualifying run and was eliminated from the competition. With that in mind, Tommy Lemaire will be advancing directly to the Top 16 battles later on today.Chances are that he will be bumping into Andy Hateley at that point if the 38-year-old can defeat Jack Davis in his first battle. While you may argue that drifting is a male-dominated sport, you might not be entirely right.The Prospec series has two ladies fighting for the podium at every race. 33-year-old Kelsey Rowlings hails from Lake Mary, Florida, and has been actively drifting since 2008! She managed an impressive result in the qualifying session, by claiming 11th place overall.Her first opponent for today will be Hooman Rahimi from Tennessee. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Amanda Sorensen could only score enough points to have her sitting in 20th place overall. She will be competing against Rich Whiteman in his four-door Toyota JZX , so it should be interesting to see how things turn out. Be sure to keep an eye out for the Pro qualifying and Prospec Top32 battles later on today!
Exactly one year ago, the American military announced the Viper and Venom would be getting a new two-way comms system to help them establish a link between a ground station and its networking systems - called Link 16 and Advanced Networking Wideband Waveform (ANW2).In June 2021, the U.S. Navys Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 21 conducted a successful test of the Viper. Then, in November, a battle scenario was played out, with the aircraft successfully inserting ground troops and communicating over the ANW2 network.This month, the Marine Corps announced that during the November exercise the same Test and Evaluation Squadron managed to establish a link between both Viper and Venom and a portable ground station for the first time.The ground troops were able to receive information from the aircraft on their tablets, said Marine Corps Maj. Jason Grimes. This event validated the ability to insert troops in an objective area, immediately connect to their radio and provide constant communication.According to the military branch, testing of the ANW2 network will continue throughout 2022. Integration within the Viper and Venom helicopter fleet is expected sometime next year.The AH-1Z Viper is an attack helicopter run by a crew of two. Equipped with anti-armor and air-to-air missiles, it can fly for as much as 357 miles (575 km) at speeds of up to 230 mph (370 kph).The UH-1Y Venom is mostly a utility helicopter and adds on top of the capabilities of the Viper the option to conduct search and rescue or command and control operations.
Ever since aviation came into our lives all those many decades ago, people started seeing things. Things that could not be explained or dismissed as being of human design. And that slowly led to the UFO phenomenon we love and enjoy today.

6 photos
EGR

The internal combustion engine is living on borrowed time, but this doesnt mean it will abruptly disappear into history anytime soon. For many heavy-duty applications, combustion engines will remain the best solution available many years from now. This is why it still pays to find ways to minimize emissions and improve efficiency. Transient Plasma Systems (TPS) has demonstrated an ignition module that uses nanosecond pulses of plasma to ignite the air-fuel mixture within the engines cylinders. This should offer a drop-in replacement for traditional spark plugs that initiate the explosion inside a gas engine. An ignition module will replace the spark plug, controlled by a power module. The engine management system takes care of the rest, as it needs to take the new technology into account.To demonstrate its viability, TPS has fitted its system on a 2.5-liter Toyota Camry engine that runs in the efficient Atkinson cycle, with a thermal efficiency of around 40%. The new plasma ignition system prompts a more efficient remapping of the engine management system, with thevalve opened a bit more and new timings. This allowed the engine to save up to 6% of fuel compared to the original ignition system.The TPS ignition system showed improved tolerance to lean-burn compared to the stock ignition system. This could result in fuel economy gains of up to 20%, as demonstrated by previous simulation results in a 2020 report by Sandia National Labs to US DOE. The best part is that the new ignition system could also be offered as an aftermarket solution. It will require engine remapping, but thats something that tuners and enthusiasts always do.
The embarrassing episode happened in China, more specifically on one of the countrys leading social media: Weibo. After AMD shared a video there stating that NIO was using its EPYC chips in development vehicles. AMDs video states they were placed in NIOs high-performance computing (HPC) platform.Ma Lin did not like that. NIOs senior director of corporate communications also went to Weibo to call the video unfortunate and ask AMD to remove it immediately. That is not even the worst part of the story.The NIO executive had already discussed the issue with AMD in private. According to him, the chipmaker erased the video from its official website but not the marketing campaign on Weibo. This was why Ma decided to post on Weibo to ask the company to remove the video there. The executive also reinforced that NIO and AMD are not working together and that they are not discussing cooperation.Sadly for NIO and Ma, the move did not seem to make any difference. According to CNEVPost , AMD did not remove the video from Weibo, and it had reached 1.01 million viewers the last time the publication checked it. If it is still online, we would not be surprised to see this escalating to a lawsuit.Although it is a highly delicate moment to enter any dispute with a chipmaker, AMD is the one looking bad in this case. If NIO denies they are working together or even thinking about future cooperation, why would it create a video based on something that did not happen? If it did happen but was not something NIO wanted to be public, why not talk to the carmaker before doing any marketing campaign? Only AMD may answer that.
Restoring a classic car from scratch to finish is one hell of a satisfying experience depending on the initial condition of the vehicle. Problems arise if the damage repair costs override the classics market value.Still, classic cars tend to increase in value with age, and for seasoned classic car restorers, expenses that go into revamping these relics are a non-issue.Aidens 1961 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud II was first purchased in the UK. The original owner wanted it used as a wedding car before selling it. According to the restorer, the 1961 Silver Cloud II was originally a hardtop.By the time it got into his hands, it was nothing but a rustbucket and cost him 10,000 ($12,463), Express reported. Aiden and his team tore it apart, replacing every nut and bolt before modifying it into a convertible.He was looking to sell this majestic 1961 Silver Cloud II to fund other projects in his garage.The 1961 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud II was introduced in 1959 and immediately set a new standard in luxury vehicles. It was the first time the Roll-Royce got a 6.2-liter V8 engine with an updated chassis and suspension.1961 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud II had an impressive performance during that era, with top speeds of 114 mph (183 km/h). It came with power steering as standard and included power windows as an option.The Silver Cloud II, while impressive, had a few issues. Consumers felt it wasnt as quiet or smooth as the preceding Silver Cloud I with a straight-six engine. Also, the engine was a little too tight in the bay, and owners had to remove the front right wheel to change the spark plugs.
NHTSA

Autonomously driven vehicles are the next step in automotive evolution, and every automaker with enough funds to blow is experimenting with the technology. However, the biggest problem with this fast-rising tech is safety, which is a big concern for authorities all over the world.Tesla might be at the forefront of the race to fully autonomous vehicles, but their current systems are riddled with controversy. Several regulatory agencies have opened investigations, including the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (), thats looking into 35 crashes, since 2016, involving Tesla EVs. In Malaysia, the automaker received a partial ban from authorities who raised concerns over the safety of the Tesla cars on their roads.The steadily accumulating number of complaints has gotten to substantial levels attracting the attention of members of the U.S. Congress.Democratic Senators Ed Markey of Massachusetts and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut urged the FTC to investigate the mounting complaints. The politicians said the automaker misled its consumers, endangering their lives by marketing its systems as fully-self driving.If history serves us right, an FTC investigation could lead to a lawsuit. This move could potentially damage the automakers reputation, especially if it is forced to change how it markets its autonomous capabilities to consumers.During the interview, the FTC chair did not deny or confirm the probe saying that it was true many Congress members had reached out to the agency about the matter. She added that the case was on their radar.According to the Model Y automaker, their autopilot feature assists drivers enabling cars to steer, accelerate and brake automatically. However, the features require active driver supervision, and do not make the vehicles autonomous.
Its been called a flying motorcycle and an airborne ATV, but the Speeder is much more than that. This truly unique compact air vehicle is incredibly versatile, with models ranging from a small, 50-pound (22.6 kg) aircraft to the motorcycle-sized version called the P2 Speeder and the automobile-sized Speeder boasting a massive payload of over 2,000 lbs (907 kg).The P2 made its public debut at this years Draper Venture Network CEO Summit, an exclusive event held annually in northern California. Tim Draper is one of the main investors in the project, calling Speeder one of the most exciting, industry-disrupting technologies weve seen.According to Mayman Aerospace, the JetPack Aviation technology is far more advanced than electric propulsion in terms of energy density, which is why the company is not building an eVTOL, but something called an AUV (Air Utility Vehicle). The Speeder beats eVTOLs , drones, and helicopters when it comes to speed, capacity, and range. It can lift 1,000 lbs (453.5 kg) and cover up to 400 miles (643.7 km) at 500 mph (805 kph) in unpiloted cargo mode.It also claims to be more cost-effective than helicopters and flexible enough to go from military applications to commercial operations such as ultra-urgent cargo, firefighting, and disaster relief. Plus, it doesnt disregard environmental concerns  its eight jet engines are compatible with SAF (sustainable aviation fuel).Now that its been officially introduced, the Speeder P2 is gearing up for its first flight tests, which will initially be remotely controlled. Manned flight tests will follow by the end of this year. After getting the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) certification, the Speeder P2 will be ready to take to the sky with an operator on board.
It's been over 15 years since the last Saab Draken was retired from services with the Austrian Air Force. But all that means is these timeless classics of Swedish aviation are starting to creep their way into the civilian market. Let's take a look at one of the very first of these civilian Drakens we've come across so far.Rolling off a Swedish assembly plant back in 1964, this Draken is not the oldest nor the youngest in the fleet. Official data corresponding to its civilian market listing indicate this warbird only has 788 hours of flight time under its belt since the mid-1960s. Or, to put it in automotive terms, it's something like a certified pre-owned vehicle with a double-delta wing and powerful enough to fly at twice the speed of sound.With the airplane listed as ready to fly and under 24-hour indoor storage when not in use, there's every reason to suspect this Draken is as fresh today as it was when the type was retired from the Air Forces of Sweden, Finland, Austria, and Denmark back in 2005. It also comes complete with a full suite of electronic navigation, communication, and avionics. Including a KX 155 Nav/Comm suite from King and a Garmin GTX 330 Transponder.A cursory cross-reference of this Draken's serial number reveals it only received temporary FAA certification credentials a mere three years ago, back in August 2019. This implies one of two things. Either the Jet had never flown domestically in the United States, or perhaps it spent most of its life in the skies over Scandinavia and Northern Europe instead. Judging that this is a Saab, both are likely true to an extent.However, the new owner will have the headache of re-applying for new certifications once its current paperwork expires on August 31st of this year. Frankly, it's a task worth the labor if you're a wealthy eccentric aviator. Powering this Draken alongside all of its brethren is a special license-built copy of an all-time great British axial flow jet engine.

Based on the Rolls Royce Avon that powered the Hawker Hunter and English Electric Lightning, the Svenska Flygmotor RM6C is an absolute powerhouse. As much as 56.5 kN (12,700 lbf) of thrust could be mustered with this engine at full throttle and with full afterburner engaged.In its day, the J35 Draken, in all its many forms, was equipped with all manner of high-tech and state-of-the-art weaponry. Everything from licensed copies of American Aim-9 Sidewinder, Aim-4 Falcon, and even the super long-range Aim-54 Phoenix all found their way onto the Draken lineage.There were also six underwing mounting points for everything from 75 mm air-to-ground rocket pods, 1000-lb unguided bombs, or clusters of up to 12x135 mm rockets. Of course, don't expect any of that nonsense to find its way onto this particular Draken. Unless you were to fly it to Cypress where you could do it on the sneak, we suppose.As for how much this plane is worth? Well, it's not like they give out such info to anyone who isn't serious about taking it home. But considering a contemporary of the Draken, the American McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom II recently sold for over $3.2 million; chances are good it will at least sell for that figure. Anything less would be an absolute steal.
US Deputy Secretary of State to pay four-day working visit to Vietnam

US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman will pay a working visit to Vietnam from June 10-13 at the invitation of Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang told reporters on Thursday.











The US delegation, led by the Deputy Secretary of State, will meet representatives of Vietnam's agencies to discuss bilateral cooperation and international and regional issues of mutual concerns, said Le.



Vietnam and the U.S. normalized relations in 1995 and elevated their ties to comprehensive partnership in 2013.



The US remains the largest importer of Vietnam's commodities. The Southeast Asian nation gained US$91.5 billion and US$49.6 billion from exporting to the US in 2021 and in the first five months of 2022, respectively, according to the General Statistics Office.
SINGAPORE, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin agreed on Friday to enhance strategic mutual trust and properly manage differences between the militaries of the two countries.

The two defense chiefs, who met here on the sidelines of the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, agreed that the two militaries should implement the important consensus reached by their heads of state, maintain high-level strategic communication, and should not turn differences into conflict and confrontation.

Wei said currently peace and development, the underlying trends of our times, are facing severe challenges. The Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping have charted the right course for humanity to overcome crises, and peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific demands the joint efforts of regional countries.

He said China hopes to build a major-country relationship with the United States featuring sound and stable development, which should be the direction of joint efforts by both countries.

The United States should view China's development and growth in a rational way, and refrain from attacking, smearing, containing and suppressing China. It must neither interfere in China's internal affairs nor harm China's interests, Wei said, noting that only in this way can the relations between China and the United States proceed toward positive outcomes.

Stable relations between the two militaries are crucial for the development of relations between the two countries, he said, adding that the two militaries should avoid conflict and confrontation.

Wei stressed that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and the one-China principle is the political foundation of China-U.S. relationship.

The scheme to use Taiwan to contain China is doomed to fail, he said.

China firmly opposes and strongly condemns a recent announcement by the United States on arms sales to Taiwan, which seriously undermines China's sovereignty and security interests, Wei said, warning that the Chinese government and military will resolutely foil any attempt for "Taiwan independence" and safeguard national unification.

The two sides also exchanged views on issues related to the international and regional situation, the South China Sea and the Ukraine crisis. 
The factory in question, located in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, is owned by the GAZ Group, the leading vehicle manufacturer in the country with 18 manufacturing facilities in eight regions of Russia. Oleg Deripaska, one of its co-owners, has been placed under sanctions by Western countries.And although, initially, a temporary exemption allowed operations to continue at the factory, this was not extended. As a result, Volkswagen announced in March that production at both Kaluga and Nizhny Novgorod plants would be suspended until further notice. At the same time, vehicle exports to Russia stopped effective immediately.Now, a spokesperson for the German automaker has said that the company is offering financial compensation and medical insurance until the end of 2022 to employees who voluntarily resign from their jobs at the plant. The offer was available to the around 200 people working at the Nizhny Novgorod plant.Union sources were cited as saying that workers who agreed to quit and accepted the companys offer before June 17 would receive six months pay. Volkswagen is the direct owner of the Kaluga plant, where it employs around 4,200 workers, but in the case of the Nizhny Novgorod factory, the automaker has a contractual agreement with GAZ Group to assemble some vehicle models there. Now, its partnership with GAZ Group has come to an end.In a statement he made yesterday, Russias President Vladimir Putin said foreign companies that had left Russia would regret their decision.In today's conditions, when someone jumped off somewhere, left, chose to stop some activity here, they will regret it, he said. They will regret it, not because we threaten anyone. They will regret it because Russia is a country with great potential, really.
Another specific that is grossly ignored comes in the guise of the 3.0-liter engine, a straight-six turbo we all know and love from plenty of Bimmers. An extremely tunable powertrain, the B58 is known to make a few more ponies than advertised. For the 2021 model year, when the Supra received the more powerful iteration of the B58, the peeps at Car & Driver dynod their demo car at 388 RWHP compared to 382 crankshaft ponies.The ZF Friedrichshafen-sourced 8HP still is the best automatic in the biz, yet some customers want a three-pedal arrangement. Lo and behold, Toyota granted their wish for the 2023 model year. The S6-53 in the Supra isnt an off-the-shelf manual, though. Its actually an S6-53 modified specifically for this application. Toyotas engineers nerded over the finest of details like theres no tomorrow, experimenting with three gear knob weights They settled for 200 grams or 7 ounces because this particular weight offers the right amount of inertia to the movement between gears without feeling clunky. Meanwhile, in Stuttgart, the peeps at Mercedes will bid farewell to manuals in 2023 . Although yours truly is fully in with the save the manuals crowd, it was about time considering that Mercedes last manual-equipped car in the U.S. was the 2021 model year C 300.Toyotas painstakingly developed manual is demonstrated in the following clip by our friends at Largus, which tracked a demo car at Circuito Monteblanco in Spain. You can tell the driver is having fun, working that gearbox in preparation for corner entry and under acceleration.
In other words, Apple is mostly a follower that rarely comes up with something new, as most of the new features that end up going live in Apple Maps have been around for a while in Google Maps.Well, this isnt necessarily true, as Google has just announced a new Google Maps feature that has actually been available for Apple Maps users for several years already.Thanks to the new air quality layer that can be enabled on Google Maps, users can see the Air Quality Index (AQI) right on the map, therefore figuring out how healthy or unhealthy the air in a specific region is in just a few seconds. In the U.S., the data is provided by the Environmental Protection Agency and PurpleAir, Google says.As for who did it first, the answer is as simple as it could be: Apple.While Google originally previewed the AQI integration in Google Maps in March 2021, Apple actually integrated similar information in Apple Maps with the release of iOS 12.2 beta. This particular testing build of the iPhone operating system went live in January 2019.Of course, this doesnt necessarily mean much because theres a chance Google ends up doing it better anyway. Google Maps will most likely bring the AQI layer to users worldwide much faster than Apple, as the air quality information in Apple Maps continues to be available in the U.S. and in a few other countries out there.This isnt necessarily a surprise, though, as Apple has always prioritized the U.S. and other large regions, with the broad availability of new features sometimes taking years to be reached.
An opposition bloc led by Mamikon Aslanian essentially won the election with about 39 percent of the vote. Civil Contract finished second with 25 percent, the most serious of setbacks suffered by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinians party in local polls held in 36 communities across Armenia on December 5.

Aslanian was thus well-placed to regain his post lost in October. But he was arrested on December 15, with law-enforcement authorities saying that he illegally privatized municipal land during his five-year tenure.

The former mayor insisted at the start of his trial that the charges leveled against him have nothing to do with criminal justice. His lawyers petitioned a Vanadzor judge presiding over the trial to release their client from custody pending a verdict in the case.

A trial prosecutor objected to the request, saying that Aslanian could exert pressure on witnesses if set free. Defense lawyers countered that none of the three dozen witnesses in the case has testified against the ex-mayor.

If someone gave testimony refuting the accusations why would Mamikon Aslanian want to influence that person? one of the lawyers told the court.

The judge will rule on Monday whether Aslanian must remain under arrest.

Aslanians supporters as well as opposition figures in Yerevan say that Pashinian ordered the ex-mayors arrest and prosecution to make sure that the Vanadzor municipality remains under his control. They have accused the prime minister of effectively overturning the local election results.

Vanadzors new municipal council has still not been able to meet and elect the citys new mayor. Armenias Administrative Council has banned the council from holding sessions, citing an appeal against the election results lodged by another pro-government party, Bright Armenia.

The ban remains in force even though the appeal was rejected by two other courts earlier this year. Bright Armenia, which fared poorly in the December polls, appealed to the higher Court of Cassation. The latter has still not ruled on the complaint.

In April, Pashinians party swiftly pushed through the Armenian parliament a bill that empowered the prime minister to name acting heads of communities whose councils fail to elect mayors within 20 days after local elections.

On May 13, Pashinian appointed a man with a criminal record, Arkadi Peleshian, as Vanadzors acting mayor.

Peleshian served as deputy mayor from 2017-2021. An obscure party led by him won less than 15 percent of the vote in December.
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Pete Tittl's Dining Out column appears in The Californian on Sundays. Email him at pftittl@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter: @pftittl.
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ANKARA, June 10 (Xinhua) -- A helicopter with seven people on board, including four Turkish citizens, went missing in northern Italy on Thursday morning, Turkish industrial group Eczacibasi said Friday.

A team from the company, including an Italian pilot, took off from the Iralian city of Lucca and headed for Treviso, but disappeared near the Modena region, said a statement by Eczacibasi.

The Turkish employees were in Italy to attend a paper technologies fair organized by Tissue Italy Network, the statement added.

The Turkish foreign ministry also confirmed the incident, noting the search and rescue efforts for the helicopter continue.

The communication with the helicopter, an Agusta Koala "AW119" type, was cut off about 30 minutes after its takeoff, according to the Italian ANSA news agency. 
Seven more leaky oil wells were discovered as a result of recent testing in Bakersfield this week, including one found to be emitting methane 
DUBLIN, June 10 (Xinhua) -- TikTok will create another 1,000 new jobs in Ireland, bringing its workforce in the country to over 3,000, said Irish authorities on Friday.

The new jobs were announced during a meeting between Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin and TikTok chief executive officer (CEO) Shou Zi Chew, according to IDA Ireland, a state agency responsible for attracting foreign direct investment.

"TikTok's latest expansion further embeds Ireland as an important hub for its European and global operations, and is clear evidence of its commitment to this country," said Martin.

TikTok has based a number of its critical functions in Ireland, according to IDA Ireland CEO Martin Shanahan.

TikTok is a popular video-sharing social media platform owned by ByteDance, a Chinese internet technology company headquartered in Beijing. 
On Saturday, the Beaumont Farmers Market will officially begin accepting Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program cards.

The Beaumont Farmers Market began accepting SNAP cards for food vendors as part of a trial run during its last two markets.

Rebekah Maxwell, Beaumont Farmers Market manager, said the farmers market has been open for 10 years and have spent the past two working to be able to accept SNAP.

"We did an application with the United States Department of Agriculture last year, which was approved, and then we got a grant for the equipment to process snap cards," Maxwell said. "We got the grants back at the summer of last year and then, because of all the supply chain issues, it took several months for us to get that equipment."

RELATED: Beaumont Farmers Market heats up during growers' tough year

Now that it has the equipment to process SNAP cards, Maxwell said the Beaumont Farmers Market works as an in-between with vendors and customers.

"A customer can come in and use their SNAP card at our information table and get coupons to use at our vendors," Maxwell said. "We have approved vendors within the market. It has to be limited to foods that you eat and so things like any fresh produce, eggs, baked goods, beef, chicken, pork -- all of those great things."

Maxwell said this helps customers ensure they are getting healthy locally grown and made food since all of the vendors are from 150 mile radius of Beaumont.

RELATED: Lone Star Card helps families struggling with rising food costs

"It'll help the community by allowing people who use stamps to purchase locally grown products and locally made items (since there is) the opportunity for more access to organic foods, grass, raised beef, locally raised chicken and pork," Maxwell said. "There's some research and an argument that locally grown, food is better for the environment, better for individuals and the families because of the nutritional value."

In addition, the market hired an employee to help with SNAP and is fluent in English and Spanish.

"Anybody who uses SNAP can come and use it at the market," Maxwell said. "But if someone may be hesitant or not really sure, we also have a bilingual employee now who's going to help us in translating some things."
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NEW DELHI (AP)  India is facing major diplomatic outrage from Muslim-majority countries after top officials in the governing Hindu nationalist party made derogatory references to Islam and the Prophet Muhammad, drawing accusations of blasphemy across some Arab nations that have left New Delhi struggling to contain the damaging fallout.

At least five Arab nations have lodged official protests against India, and Pakistan and Afghanistan also reacted strongly Monday to the comments made by two prominent spokespeople from Prime Minister Narendra Modis Bharatiya Janata Party. Anger has poured out on social media, and calls for a boycott of Indian goods have surfaced in some Arab nations. At home, it has led to protests against Modi's party in some parts of the country.

The controversial remarks follow increasing violence targeting Indias Muslim minority carried out by Hindu nationalists who have been emboldened by Modi's regular silence about such attacks since he was first elected in 2014.

Over the years, Indian Muslims have often been targeted for everything from their food and clothing style to inter-religious marriages. Rights groups such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have warned that attacks could escalate. They have also accused Modis governing party of looking the other way and sometimes enabling hate speech against Muslims, who comprise 14% of Indias 1.4 billion people but are still numerous enough to be the second-largest Muslim population of any nation.

Modi's party denies the accusations, but India's Muslims say attacks against them and their faith have increased sharply.

The anger has been growing since last week after the two spokespeople, Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal, made speculative remarks that were seen as insulting Islams Prophet Prophet Muhammad and his wife Aisha.

Modis party took no action against them until Sunday, when a sudden chorus of diplomatic outrage began with Qatar and Kuwait summoning their Indian ambassadors to protest. The BJP suspended Sharma and expelled Jindal and issued a rare statement saying it strongly denounces insult of any religious personalities," a move that was welcomed by Qatar and Kuwait.

Later, Saudi Arabia and Iran also lodged complaints with India, and the Jeddha-based Organization of Islamic Cooperation said the remarks came in a context of intensifying hatred and abuse toward Islam in India and systematic practices against Muslims.

Indias Foreign Ministry on Monday rejected the comments by the OIC as unwarranted and narrow-minded. On Sunday, Indias embassies in Qatar and Kuwait released a statement saying the views expressed about the Prophet Muhammad and Islam were not those of the Indian government and were made by fringe elements. The statement said that strong action had already been taken against those who made the derogatory remarks.

The criticism from Muslim countries, however, was severe, indicating that insulting Prophet Muhammad was a red line.

Qatars Foreign Ministry said it expected a public apology from the Indian government, and Kuwait warned that if the comments go unpunished, India would see an increase of extremism and hatred." The Grand Mufti of Oman described the obscene rudeness of Modis party toward Islam as a form of war. Riyadh said the comments were insulting and called for respect for beliefs and religions. And Egypts Al-Azhar Mosque, the Sunni worlds foremost institution of religious learning, described the remarks as real terrorism (that) can plunge the entire world into severe crises and deadly wars.

The remarks made by Sharma during a TV program in India and Jindal in a tweet risk damaging Indias ties with Arab nations.

India maintains strong relations with Gulf countries, which rely on millions of migrant workers from India and elsewhere in South Asia to serve their tiny local populations and drive the machinery of daily life. India also depends on oil-rich Gulf Arab countries, such as Saudi Arabia, to power its energy-thirsty economy.

The remarks also led to anger in India's archrival and neighbor, Pakistan, and in Afghanistan.

On Monday, Pakistans Foreign Ministry summoned an Indian diplomat and conveyed Islamabads strong condemnation," a day after Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said the comments were hurtful and India under Modi is trampling religious freedoms & persecuting Muslims. Indias Foreign Ministry responded by calling Pakistan a serial violator of minority rights and said it should not engage in alarmist propaganda and attempting to foment communal disharmony in India.

India accords the highest respect to all religions," ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

Criticism also came from Kabul. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan said the Indian government should not allow such fanatics to insult ... Islam and provoke the feelings of Muslims.

Modi's party also faced anger from some of its own supporters, but it was for a different reason. Many Hindu nationalists posted comments on social media saying the government was buckling under international pressure.

Anti-Muslim sentiments and attacks have risen across India under Modi. Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said India was seeing rising attacks on people and places of worship, eliciting a response from New Delhi, which called the comments ill-informed.

More recently, religious tensions have escalated after some Hindu groups went to a local court in northern Varanasi city to seek permission to pray at a 17th century mosque, claiming that it was built by demolishing a temple. Critics say these tensions have been further exacerbated by Indian television anchors during raucous debates.

___

Associated Press writers Isabel DeBre and Jon Gambrell in Dubai, Munir Ahmad and Rahim Faiez in Islamabad, and Samy Magdy in Cairo contributed to this report.

Follow more AP coverage of India at https://apnews.com/hub/india
artas/Getty Images/iStockphoto

A national debate surrounding gun policies has been front and center following a series of recent mass shootings in the U.S. including incidents at an elementary school in Texas and a New York grocery store. A recent roundup from WalletHub ranked the states most dependent on the gun industry in 2022, and Texas came in at No. 29.

To determine the rankings, the report compiled data on all 50 states using three key variables including financial dependence on the firearms industry, gun prevalence and gun politics. Other factors included firearm industry jobs per 10,000 residents, the minimum age to buy a firearm, gun ownership rates and gun control contributions to congressional leaders.
Europa Press News/Europa Press via Getty Images

Texas first case of monkeypox, a rare viral disease related to smallpox, was confirmed in a Dallas County resident on June 7 after the patient recently traveled internationally, returning from Mexico. Now, Mexican public health officials are saying the man ignored doctors advice to stay in the country and isolate and instead boarded a plane to Dallas, according to reporting from FOX 4 News Dallas-Fort Worth.

The 48-year-old man started showing symptoms of the disease on May 30 in Puerto Vallarta, FOX 4 reported. He visited a hospital but refused to give the doctors samples and ignored their orders not to fly back to the U.S., according to the article.
LONDON (AP)  The British government said Friday it will introduce a bill next week to override parts of the Brexit trade treaty it signed with the European Union before the U.K. quit the bloc in 2020. The move will be a major escalation in a festering U.K-EU dispute over trade rules for Northern Ireland.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman, Jamie Davies, said the bill has been agreed by the relevant cabinet committees and will be introduced to Parliament on Monday.

The legislation, if approved by lawmakers, would scrap parts of a trade treaty with the EU that Johnson signed less than two years ago, by removing checks on goods entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the U.K.

The EU has threatened to retaliate, raising the specter of a trade war between the two major economic partners.

Some legal experts say the move is unlawful but the U.K. government says it will publish a summary of the legal advice it has received about the legislation.

Northern Ireland is the only part of the U.K. that shares a border with an EU country, Ireland. When Britain left the European Union and its borderless free-trade zone, the two sides agreed to keep the Irish land border free of customs posts and other checks because an open border is a key pillar of the peace process that ended decades of violence in Northern Ireland.

Instead, to protect the EUs single market, there are checks on some goods, such as meat and eggs, entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the U.K.

British unionists in Northern Ireland say the new checks have put a burden on businesses and frayed the bonds between Northern Ireland and the rest of the U.K. -- seen by some unionists as a threat to their British identity.

Britains Conservative government says the Brexit rules also are undermining peace in Northern Ireland, where they have caused a political crisis. Northern Ireland's main unionist party is blocking the formation of a new power-sharing government in Belfast, saying it wont take part until the Brexit trade rules are scrapped.

___

Follow all AP stories on Brexit at https://apnews.com/hub/Brexit.
Inside Hook

On Friday, the Biden administration announced that, starting Sunday, a negative pre-departure COVID test will no longer be necessary to enter the country. This comes more than a year after the U.S. first implemented the test-to-enter policy and more than two years since the start of the pandemic.

Per a new report from The Guardian, the CDC has ultimately determined that tests are no longer necessary, though they are reportedly set to reassess the decision in three months. If there is a need to reinstate a pre-departure testing requirement  including due to a new, concerning variant  CDC will not hesitate to act, an official for the administration said.
Which is more obscure? That is the simple psychological claim that is spoken by more and more people. Known as the world's superpower, the United States conducts its entire air force training here. However, the public has different opinions and doubts about this place. This is due to the extreme security arrangements set up around the place. What is so special about this area that has so much security? This is one of the reasons why there are so many rumors about this place.

Area 51

Area 51 is located in the Nevada desert in the United States. No hotel or petrol station has been set up near it. It's just the desert. The government says the area is located on the way to Nevada from Las Vegas and is used to train U.S. Air Force personnel. It is also said that soldiers travel in small planes to this place, where there is no land transport.

Huge barbed wire fences have been erected around the area and officers of the Secret Service are on 24-hour guard. Permission is denied to the public within a radius of 5 km from this area. Cell phones, cameras, etc. are widely said not to work in this area.

Aliens?

Many believe that the US government has hidden important information about aliens within Area 51 and that the vehicles of the aliens that came to Earth are there. But the United States categorically denies that view. So what's inside?

At the height of the US-Russia Cold War, both countries were actively involved in espionage. Then there are those who say that the United States needed a safe and at the same time undetectable location, which is why the United States chose this place.

Security

Adding to that is the fact that there used to be a mine in this place. Silver and lead have been mined from that place. The U.S. military has begun to use it as a natural hideout. But reports from People say that the US Air Force is developing new weapons in the area.

A few years ago, the American people began to talk on the Internet, "Let's besiege Area 51 and meet the aliens inside." At the time, the U.S. Air Force had issued a stern warning that anyone entering Area 51 would be immediately arrested. So, what's so significant about a goat's head?  The question of is still in question today. According to the US government, it is a training ground for the Air Force. But the area is full of mysteries for the general public. This is why people are talking about Area 51 with a lot of interest.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic (R) and visiting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz attend a press conference in Belgrade, Serbia, June 10, 2022. Vucic and Scholz on Friday disagreed on the necessity to impose sanctions on Russia after their discussion on the Ukraine crisis. (Photo by Predrag Milosavljevic/Xinhua)

BELGRADE, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and visiting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday disagreed on the necessity to impose sanctions on Russia after their discussion on the Ukraine crisis.

The German Chancellor "in a decisive, clear and sharp manner" asked Serbia to join Western sanctions against Russia, and even offered help for the construction of energy capacities, Vucic told a press conference after their meeting here.

"I spoke about our position, and the specific situation which Serbia has around Kosovo and Metohija province," Vucic said, referring to the Serbian southern province which unilaterally declared independence in 2008 after Serbia was heavily bombarded by NATO in 1999.

"As much as you like the integrity of Ukraine -- we love the integrity of Serbia," Vucic said, reminding Russia's support for Serbia's territorial integrity at the UN Security Council, Serbia-Russia traditional friendship, and energy cooperation.

Vucic said that Serbia has a different position when it comes to the necessity to impose sanctions on Russia. "We Serbia remember what sanctions look like and on the other hand we had a different kind of relations with the Russian side for centuries."

Scholz voiced the European Union's (EU) expectation that "all (EU) membership candidates should join those sanctions," repeating Germany's support for Serbia's EU accession.

Scholz's Balkan tour started Friday in Pristina and Belgrade. The next stops include Greece, North Macedonia and Bulgaria. 
Rapid Action Battalion members detain Bangladeshi men (sitting) during a drive against drugs at the Suhrawardy Udyan park in Dhaka, Sept. 29, 2018.

Bangladeshs decision to shut down a leading human rights group that documented alleged extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances will have a chilling effect, the United Nations said Friday, a day after 11 rights advocacy organizations jointly raised similar concerns.

The government denied it had refused to renew Odhikars license this week because the rights group was among organizations that worked to expose alleged abuses by security agencies. The agencies include the Rapid Action Battalion, an elite police unit that Washington sanctioned in December for its alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.

But activists maintain that, since the U.S. imposed sanctions on RAB, the Bangladesh government was furious with Odhikar and other rights groups that work with the U.N. and other international bodies.

The South Asian countrys government must foster an enabling environment for civil society to do its work without fear of reprisals, especially heading into the next elections scheduled for December 2023, the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OCHCR) said in in a statement from Geneva on Friday.

We urge the government to immediately reconsider this decision, and to ensure that Odhikar has the ability to seek full judicial review of any such determination, said Ravina Shamdasani, a spokeswoman for OCHCR.

We are further concerned that this decision will have a chilling effect on the ability of civil society organizations to report serious human rights violations to U.N. human rights mechanisms.

The Bangladesh NGO Affairs Bureau, which falls under the Prime Ministers Office, this week refused to renew Odhikars license to operate, stating that the organization had tarnished the image of the state to the world and published misleading information about the human rights situation.

The June 5 order by the NGO Affairs Bureau on Odhikars license did not mention RAB. But the U.S. Treasury Department, in announcing sanctions on the force late last year, accused it of carrying out more than 600 enforced disappearances and a similar number of extrajudicial killings in the past 12 years.

In a joint statement on Thursday, international watchdog Human Rights Watch and 10 other groups called on Bangladesh authorities to immediately reverse their decision to deregister Odhikar.

Human rights defenders should be allowed to conduct their work without fear of reprisals, intimidation, and harassment from the authorities, HRW said in a statement Thursday.

This latest development appears to be part of a pattern of reprisals by the Bangladesh government against human rights groups and defenders following the United States  sanctions against Bangladeshs Rapid Action Battalion on Dec. 10, 2021.

Odhikar, meanwhile, submitted an application to the High Court against the governments order, said the groups lawyer, Ruhul Amin.

No matter of revenge

Responding to the criticism, a Bangladesh official dismissed that allegation, saying the government had rejected Odhikars license renewal application according to the law, and that it was not looking to retaliate against the NGO.

The NGO Affairs Bureau made the decision following the rules and regulations. Of course, there is no matter of revenge on any issue, said Bangladeshs most senior cabinet minister, A. K. M. Mozammel Haque.

Odhikar is among local organizations that have been at the forefront of documenting alleged excesses by the Rapid Action Battalion.

Founded in 2004, RAB is tasked with internal security, intelligence gathering related to criminal activities, and government-directed investigations. On Dec. 10, U.S. officials issued sanctions against RAB and seven serving and former officials over allegations of violations of human rights, a move that angered Bangladeshi government officials.

Last week, Bangladeshs state minister for foreign affairs said RAB was among the agencies that have controlled militancy and terrorism in the world, and therefore was bound to have made a mistake or two.

When any force, which is engaged in such risky work, or any force which has a weapon in its hand, we do not want to rule out the possibility of some persons going the wrong way in some individual decision, Minister Shahriar Alam told BenarNews in an interview.
An Indonesian participating in the presidential election votes at a polling station in Jakarta, April 17, 2019.

National polls in Indonesia may be two years away, but intense politicking has already begun in party circles with covert meetings, shifting alliances, dodgy pledges of support, and, of course, feverish speculation among the rank and file.

A big change already is in the offing in Southeast Asias largest country, with the government announcing this week that campaigning for the 2024 election would be cut to 75 days, from the six months allowed in the previous two electoral cycles to reduce divisiveness and law-and-order issues. Weeks-long stretches of supporters of rival candidates trading religious or ethnic slurs had marred previous campaigns across the archipelago country.

The presidential election scheduled for Feb. 14, 2024, is shaping up to be hotly contested as no potential candidate polled higher than 30 percent in recent surveys, analysts said. A run-off would be held on June 26, 2024, if no candidate secures more than 50 percent of the vote.

Because President Joko Jokowi Widodo is ineligible for a third term, political parties are expected to court politicians who perform well in opinion polls, including those with no party affiliations, such as Jakarta Gov. Anies Baswedan, the analysts said.

Parties are being compelled to form coalitions early because there are relatively few potential candidates to consider, said Arya Fernandes, a researcher at the Jakarta-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.

The Golkar Party, the National Mandate Party and the United Development Party this month allied to form the United Indonesia Coalition so they could be eligible to field a presidential candidate, because the coalition holds 27 percent of seats in the House of Representatives.

Under election law, political parties or coalitions may nominate a presidential candidate only if they hold at least 20 percent of the House seats or have garnered 25 percent of the vote in the previous election.

On Thursday, leaders of the Muslim-based Prosperous Justice Party and the National Awakening Party, which was founded by scholars at the countrys largest Islamic organization, Nahdlatul Ulama, met to discuss forming their own coalition.

Recent opinion polls indicate that Central Java Gov. Ganjar Pranowo, Defense Minister Prabowo, a two-time presidential candidate, and Baswedan are most popular among voters.

The votes for the three popular candidates are relatively tight so the presidential election is likely to take place in two rounds, Fernandes said, predicting that three coalitions would field presidential candidates.

Survey results

In a survey by pollster Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting released this week, Ganjar led with 30.3 percent support in the polls, followed by Prabowo at 27.3 percent and Baswedan at 22.6 percent, while nearly 20 percent of the respondents were undecided. None the three potential leaders have announced plans to run.

Also this week, alleged former militants and those supporting an Islamic caliphate apparently declared their support for Baswedan. The Jakarta governors real supporters called the declaration a fake announced by his opponents to make it look like he is backed by Muslim radicals, despite his liberal credentials as a former academic.

Still, conservative Muslims backed Baswedan in the 2017 gubernatorial election against a Christian ethnic-Chinese politician, Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama.

During the 2017 campaign, Ahok, who was seeking re-election, faced trial amid a series of massive street demonstrations staged by conservative Muslim groups who clamored for him to be ousted from office. A year earlier, Muslim groups started holding protests to demand Ahok be tried for blasphemy after a video and an incomplete quote attributed to him posted on Facebook made it appear like he was saying that the Quran deceived people.

The opposition camp might field Jakarta Gov. Anies Baswedan, mostly for his popularity among conservative Islamic voters, Deasy Simandjuntak, a political scientist and associate fellow at ISEAS  Yusof Ishak Institute (ISEAS) in Singapore.

But it is unclear if this voting bloc is as strong as in 2019 after recent government moves, such as banning the firebrand Islamic Defenders Front, she wrote on the East Asia Forum website, referring to the vigilante group disbanded by the government in 2020.

Elsewhere, the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle could decide to pair party stalwart Ganjar with Puan Maharani, the daughter of former President Megawati Sukarnoputri who leads the party.

But recent apparent spats between party politicians and Ganjar suggest such a pairing would not work.

Theres bad blood between Puan and Ganjar. I think it has something to do with internal jockeying for presidential candidacy, said Ujang Komarudin, a political science lecturer at the Jakarta-based Al-Azhar University.

Meanwhile, some observers have said Jokowi could be the kingmaker, but it is not clear if he has chosen a potential successor.

Normally incumbents would try to field a candidate who would continue their legacy, but Jokowi does not have his own party and so will not get to choose, Deasy said.

The political battleground itself will likely shift as parties form new coalitions following the candidates they endorse.
Activists protest against the execution of Nagaenthran Dharmalingam, a mentally disabled Malaysian man sentenced to death for trafficking heroin into Singapore in 2009, outside the Singapore High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, April 23, 2022.

Malaysian judges will no longer be compelled to issue mandatory death sentences for people convicted of 12 types of serious crime, including drug-related offenses, under proposed legal amendments that the government announced Friday.

Malaysias cabinet agreed to end the mandatory death penalty, the law minister announced, four years after the government imposed a stay on executions in a country where most of the people on death row have been condemned for narcotics offenses, according to human rights groups.

It was not immediately clear when the legislative changes would take effect.

We have to understand that the death penalty is not abolished and will remain, its just that it will no longer be mandatory, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob told state news agency Bernama.

The announcement came a little more than a month after neighboring Singapore executed a Malaysian, who was said to be mentally disabled, for smuggling 1.5 ounces of heroin.

The prime minister explained that not all defendants deserve the harshest sentence.

We are of the view that everyone deserves a second chance. If there are two options (of sentences), and if the offender is found to be a hardcore drug trafficker to the extent of causing hundreds of thousands of people to die (due to drugs), he can be sentenced to death and allowed to be sent to the gallows, Ismail Sabri said.

Sometimes, the case involved an 18-year-old. The judge may find him trapped as drugs were found in his bag but he could not prove that they belonged to somebody else, and the court had to send him to the gallows even though the judge felt that the accused was a young man who should be given a second chance to change.

Earlier in the day, Law Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said in a statement that the decision was made during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, after he presented a report on alternative sentences that could replace the death penalty at a judges discretion.

He said the cabinet ministers agreed to study alternatives for the 11 offenses that carry death mandatory sentences and one offense under the Dangerous Drugs Act for trafficking. Among the 11 offenses are kidnapping, murder and causing death through an act of terrorism to name a few.

Another 22 offenses allow a judges discretion involving the death penalty.

This result shows the governments priority is to ensure that the rights of all parties are protected and guaranteed, thus reflecting the transparency of the countrys leadership in improving the countrys dynamic criminal justice system, the law ministers statement said.

According to a reply in parliament in February 2022, 1,341 people were on death row, with 905 of the cases involving mandatory death sentences for drug trafficking, according to Amnesty International Malaysia.

Rights groups support

Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch, applauded the apparent end of the mandatory death penalty.

Malaysias public pronouncement that it will do away with the mandatory death penalty is an important step forward, especially when one considers how trends on capital punishment are headed in precisely the opposite direction in neighboring countries like Singapore, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

But before everyone starts cheering, we need to see Malaysia pass the actual legislative amendments to put this pledge into effect because we have been down this road before, with successive Malaysian governments promising much on human rights but ultimately delivering very little, Robertson said in a statement.

In 2018, the progressive Pakatan Harapan government said it would begin efforts to end the death penalty, but backtracked in 2019.

The Malaysian government loves to float trial balloons about human rights initiatives because it knows the international community has a short attention span and will take this as a sign of Malaysia progressing forward. But the reality is often more complicated, so weve learned to be wary, Robertson said.

Amnesty International, meanwhile, called the governments decision a welcome step in the right direction.

Katrina Jorene Maliamauv, AIs executive director in Malaysia, urged officials to introduce the proposed amendments in parliament without delay.



We have seen and documented time and time again how the use of mandatory sentencing has disproportionately harmed the most marginalized and disenfranchised members of society, how the death penalty itself has not served as a unique deterrent to crime, and how its continued use has stifled the necessary and visionary work towards enabling fair justice and addressing issues at the root causes, she said.

Maliamauv described the death penalty as a violation of the right to life.

But todays announcement by the government shows that human rights change is possible and that the global trend toward abolition remains unstoppable. Malaysias decision should also set an example for other countries in the region, she said.

The Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network also welcomed the announcement.

The mandatory death penalty regime does not provide justice as it deprives judges of the discretion to sentence based on the situation of each individual offender, it said in a statement.
Philippine President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (right) meets with Gustavo Gonzales, the United Nations resident coordinator in the Philippines, at Marcos headquarters in Mandaluyong City, June 10, 2022.

Philippine President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. indicated that his administration would work with the United Nations and be open to a high-level of accountability on human rights, the U.N.s representative in Manila said after they met Friday.

On June 30, Marcos will take over the reins of government from President Rodrigo Duterte, his political ally who leaves behind a trail of alleged human rights abuses as he exits office. Duterte faces a potential International Criminal Court probe into thousands of killings carried out during his administrations war on drugs since 2016. Dutertes daughter is Marcos running mate and the vice president-elect.

Gustavo Gonzales, the U.N. representative to the Philippines, said he paid a courtesy call to Southeast Asias newest leader on Friday, during which they discussed human rights, among other issues. The president-elects news bureau released photos but no statement after the meeting.

Gonzales told reporters he discussed technical cooperation with Marcos, noting that this was already embodied in a U.N. Human Rights Council resolution.

This is the topic that he immediately raised and he mentioned along with the importance of ensuring high-level of accountability in terms of human rights, Gonzales told reporters shortly after the meeting.

It means the U.N. and the government need to work together in addressing some concerns on human rights, Gonzalez said, adding Marcos is very much interested, for example, in ensuring a consultation for the nomination of the new Commission of Human Rights.

The U.N. official said Marcos promised to conduct a number of consultations to ensure the best way of supporting the human rights agenda, but did not elaborate.

While Marcos stressed his commitment to continuing Dutertes war on drugs within the framework of the law, Gonzales said, they discussed the possibility of the incoming Philippine leader attending the U.N. General Assembly in New York in September. Duterte never traveled to the U.S. during his six-year term in office.

This U.N. General Assembly meeting will be the first time that President-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will be in front of a number of heads of state. This will be a great and historic opportunity for the president and for the Philippines to share the new vision and the new challenges, Gonzalez said.

There have been questions about whether Marcos Jr. would visit the U.S., the Philippines key political and defense ally, because a district court in Hawaii has a standing contempt order against him in connection to human rights abuses linked to his late fathers regime.

Ferdinand E. Marcos ruled the Philippines with an iron fist for two decades, when thousands of people who opposed his rule were killed or went missing. The elder Marcos was ousted in 1986 by a people power revolt that saw him fleeing to exile with his family to Hawaii, where he died three years later.

His widow, Imelda Marcos, and their three children were allowed to return home and have rebuilt the familys political fortunes. His sister, Imee Marcos, is a senator who has said that her brothers victory was a second chance for the family to clear their name.

They have filed many cases against us, on top of their criticism and oppression. Our family really suffered for the past almost four decades, Imee Marcos told reporters when Congress formally announced her brothers election to the nations top office.

The meeting came a day after a similar one with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman who said Marcos could visit the U.S. without fear of arrest.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin meets Vietnam's Minister of National Defense, General Phan Van Giang, during the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, June 10, 2022.

Updated at 4:34 p.m. ET on 2022-06-10

Defense chiefs from the United States and China held their first in-person meeting on Friday at the start of a regional security forum in Singapore where tensions between the two world powers are taking center stage.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Chinese counterpart, Wei Fenghe, held their first face-to-face talks since Joe Biden became U.S. president 17 months ago. They met on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual gathering of top security officials and experts, the U.S. Defense Department and dialogue participants said.

Secretary Austin discussed the need to responsibly manage competition and maintain open lines of communication, the department said in a statement, adding that Austin underscored the importance of the Peoples Liberation Army engaging in substantive dialogue on improving crisis communications and reducing strategic risk.

Before Fridays meeting, Bonnie Glaser, director of the Asia program at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, told BenarNews that, in April, Austin and Wei had a 45-minute phone conversation to present some talking points to each other, but today they have a chance to express their concerns and bring the conversation beyond talking points.

My hope for an outcome of this meeting today is for the two sides to discuss various ways to prevent accidents from happening, she said.

Since April's phone call, bilateral security ties between the U.S. and China have suffered more setbacks amid Beijings growing assertiveness and changing military postures in the region.

China has signed a security deal with the Solomon Islands and is setting up a naval facility in Cambodia. Both developments have raised concerns among the U.S. and its allies.

Chinese flyovers and naval patrols around Taiwan in the East and South China seas are posing challenges to the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy. Austin on Friday called for China to refrain from further destabilizing actions toward Taiwan.

Washington has condemned what it calls Chinas provocations, while Beijing has insisted it is the U.S. that threatens peace and security in the region.

The bilateral meeting in Singapore  held at the Chinese sides request, according to the U.S. side  is not expected to deliver any major breakthroughs. However, it is expected to open a clearer and more regular communication channel between the two sides.

In general, such dialogues remain rare in a bilateral relationship marked by scant human connections, said James Crabtree, executive director of IISS-Asia  the Asia program of the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies that hosts the Shangri-La Dialogue.

This lack of communication would be cause for worry in any future regional crisis, he said.

Gen. Wei Fenghe, China's state councilor and defense minister, walks to attend a bilateral meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on the sidelines of the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue, in Singapore, June 10, 2022. [Reuters]

Preventing miscalculations

The U.S. defense secretary will speak at the dialogue on Saturday. The defense department said he will clarify the next steps for the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy with emphasis on the new approach of integrated deterrence, where the U.S. aims to harmonize both traditional and emerging defense capabilities and priorities, along with non-military tools of power, with partners and allies in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Chinas defense minister will speak on Sunday about Chinas vision for regional order, in which he will discuss China's policies, ideas and concrete actions in practicing true multilateralism, safeguarding regional peace and stability, and promoting the development of a community of a shared future for mankind, according to Chinese state media.

Austin and Wei are holding bilateral and multilateral meetings on the sidelines of the dialogue.

The U.S. defense secretary met with some ASEAN defense ministers including from Singapore and Vietnam. On Saturday he is scheduled to meet with South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup and take part in trilateral talks with Lee and their Japanese counterpart Nobuo Kishi before heading to Bangkok on Sunday.

The Chinese defense minister, meanwhile, is expected to meet the Japanese defense minister on Sunday to discuss North Korea. He co-chaired the inaugural Singapore-China Defense Ministers' Dialogue on Thursday afternoon.

Japanese media said Kishi wanted to register with Wei Japan's concerns about China's growing maritime assertiveness, and to urge Beijing to exercise restraint.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida answers questions before leaving for Singapore to attend the Shangri-La Dialogue. [AFP]

Kishidas Vision for Peace

On Friday evening, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida gave a keynote address to kick off Shangri-La Dialogue 2022. He is the first Japanese prime minister to attend the dialogue since Shinzo Abe eight years ago.

Kishida outlined his vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific region to strengthen the rules-based international order. He promised to provide US$2 billion in assistance for Asia-Pacific nations for developing maritime security infrastructure over the next three years, while also investing in human resources.

Noting that the status quo "has already been changed by force in the East and South China seas, Kishida said Japan firmly opposes such activities.

Many like-minded nations have shared their vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, the Japanese prime minister said, stressing that collaboration with ASEAN on this is essential, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Kishida called for efforts to prevent a crisis similar to that in Ukraine from arising in the Indo-Pacific. He stressed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Ukraine today may be East Asia tomorrow, he said.

Chinese state media earlier slammed the Japanese governments foreign policy, saying that Japan uses the pretext of preventing a crisis like the Russia-Ukraine crisis from happening in Asia to legitimize its move to collude with NATO and to convince regional countries to serve its goal of targeting China.

Tokyo's selfish and dangerous attempt is unlikely to succeed, Chinese analysts were quoted as saying in the Chinese Communist Partys mouthpiece Global Times.

Adm. Rob Bauer, chairman of the NATO Military Committee, visited Japan this week and met with Defense Minister Kishi.

Bauer praised the natural partnership between NATO and Japan, saying the two sides share the same values and challenges.

Besides regional leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to deliver a special address to Shangri-La Dialogue using a video link on Saturday.

The dialogue, staged at a hotel in Singapore, has been held annually since 2002, but was suspended for the past two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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 
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Greg Sukiennik has worked at all three Vermont News & Media newspapers and was their managing editor from 2017-19. He previously worked for ESPN.com, for the AP in Boston, and at The Berkshire Eagle in Pittsfield, Mass.
Participants in a weight of evidence hearing in Bennington Superior Court view a police video of a fifteen-year-old-defendant on the morning of her arrest. Bennington Superior Judge Cortland Corsones, in center, and Prosecutor Jerod Bianchi, off to the right. Defense Attorney Frederick Bragdon is seen on video link.
Maine is investing $230 million in suicide prevention and mental health services after a report found more than 85% of gun deaths in 2020 were suicides
Five-time Grammy-nominee Karrin Allyson, who headlined the inaugural Berkshire Gateway Jazz Weekend in 2012, returns to the festival to perform its capstone concert.
A small vehicle drives past a network of piping recently at Cameron LNG export facility in Hackberry, La. A recent fire shut down a similar facility in Texas for at least three weeks, causing natural gas prices in the U.S. to fall temporarily because that gas will flow into the domestic market.
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PITTSFIELD  Fredric D. Rutberg is a firm believer in the power of local journalism.

He believes in it so much that six years ago the retired judge led a group that purchased The Berkshire Eagle, which brought Berkshire County's oldest newspaper back under local ownership for the first time in 21 years.

Rutberg's achievement was recognized recently when The Eagle's president and publisher was chosen to receive a 2022 Governor's Award in the Humanities. The recipients are chosen for their "contributions to the humanities to improve public life in Massachusetts."

Quote "I recognize that it's given to me metaphorically for everybody else, because that's the accomplishment." Fredric D. Rutberg

Mass Humanities, which is based in Northampton, and Gov. Charlie Baker have partnered annually to present these awards, which have been given since 2013.

Rutberg, and this year's fellow recipient, Frances Jones-Sneed, professor emeritus of history and political science at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, are the first ever Governor's Award winners from Berkshire County, according to Mass Humanities board member Bruce Grinnell of Williamstown, who nominated them both.

"Each of them has contributed so significantly in their respective areas of expertise or interest," Grinnell said. "I hope that it brings some light to our area about Mass Humanities and all the good things that it does."

Grinnell credited Rutberg and his group with reviving The Eagle when they bought the paper six years ago.

"Fred and his partners really turned it around and took the responsibility of being newspaper people seriously," Grinnell said. "They have done what they can to do for what I think is a clear underpinning of the democratic society. You've got to have a press, you've got to be local, you've got to be outspoken and provide opportunities for the people who work for you. I think he's done all of those things."

Rutberg and Jones-Sneed will be honored Oct. 23 at The Governor's Awards Celebration at the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum in Boston. The proceeds from the awards event support humanities programming in Massachusetts.

"Stunned and humbled. I didn't even know it existed," Rutberg said about receiving the award. "You don't expect these things to happen. Getting a statewide award for making contributions to public life in the humanities is pretty awesome. It's an expression of support that is overwhelming."

"It's validation of what we set out to do," he said.

Rutberg and his group, which included Hans Morris and the late Bob Wilmers, purchased The Eagle in 2016 because they wanted the newspaper to remain as a prominent local news source for the Berkshires. Although The Eagle still served in that role, that mission had begun to wane after The Eagle came under corporate ownership in 1995.

"The Eagle, as I remembered it, had been a town square and it had slipped," Rutberg said. "It hadn't fulfilled that role in recent years as well as it could or should have. So when someone comes out with an award like this, it tells me that we're doing something right."

Brian Boyles, executive director of Mass Humanities, also praised Rutberg and his group for the work that they have done with The Eagle.

"We really believe that local communities need to be represented by great local newspapers. They are a cornerstone of our democracy," Boyle said. "Our understanding of what Fred has done makes it possible in the Berkshires for people to be heard and really preserves that local voice that is essential to local life."

Rutberg credited colleagues at The Eagle for him receiving the award.

"They've named me and Im certainly the figurehead for Hans Morris, the late Bob Wilmers and the entire staff of the paper," he said. "I recognize that it's given to me metaphorically for everybody else, because that's the accomplishment."
GREAT BARRINGTON  Friday marked the unveiling of The W.E.B. Du Bois Center for Freedom and Democracy, and heralded a future that honors not only town native Du Bois and his thoughts and ideals, but South Countys rich Black heritage.

Quote We could not have picked a better name that represents history and will automatically speak history just by the naming," Dennis Powell, president of the NAACP Berkshire County Chapter.

The cultural center and museum, known as The Du Bois Freedom Center, will be the first of its kind in North America to honor Du Bois.

What comes next is to renovate what will be its home in the heart of downtown, where work to the now-deconsecrated historic Black church continues.

As does the ongoing fundraising to restore the cherished building on Elm Court, as a former longtime parishioner noted at Fridays name unveiling outside the former home of the Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church, where the late pastor Esther Dozier ministered to her flock as well as the larger community.

We are fortunate enough that were going to save it, said Wray Gunn, board chair of the Freedom Center as well as Clinton Church Restoration, the nonprofit that developed in 2016. Everything takes time. I hope its within my time.

More than 75 people celebrated on the lawn of the building. A handful of speakers noted the significance of the Freedom Center, whose physical space is still in the works through fundraising that has including multiple state and other grants. State Rep. William Smitty Pignatelli D-Lenox attended, and told The Eagle that the monies are there to keep the momentum.

One speaker was David Levering Lewis, whose two-volume Du Bois biography earned him two Pulitzer Prizes. He noted a past in which human rights apostle Du Bois legacy was dulled, to the Du Bois renaissance that is sweeping the area. Levering Lewis will serve as honorary chair of the Freedom Centers National Advisory Council.

The Freedom Center presents a singular opportunity to reclaim and extend in Du Bois hometown, the Black intellectual, artistic traditions, and social movements to which he dedicated his lifes work, Levering-Lewis said in an earlier statement.

Kendra Field, an associate professor of history at Tufts University noted the gravity of what the Freedom Center means for understanding past and present in the Berkshires and beyond. Field is the Freedom Centers Historian-In-Residence.

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Here we have the extraordinary opportunity to see up close the local roots of a national and indeed global story of Black life, culture and resistance, Field said, adding that the Berkshires and Great Barrington became a site for Black refuge, culture and intellectual engagement, amid the great migrations of African Americans during the 20th century.

Sabrina Allard, a board member, pointed to the deep comfort she felt when as a child growing up in North Egremont, she learned of the Clinton Church a few miles away. Allard longed to be around communities that looked like me.

Now the Freedom Center will stake a place for Black and multi-racial young people to see themselves, Allard said. It is an honor to be present as we rename the space that gives so many people the freedom just to be.

Latoya Bosworth attended the event, and said she learned about 20 years ago that she is the first cousin of Du Bois, six times removed. Bosworth, who works for one of the projects funders, Mass Humanities, found she had much in common with Du Bois. Like him, Bosworth is a poet, and has a Phd. She had done her thesis on Du Bois before she knew she was related, but had always felt connected to him after reading The Souls of Black Folk in seventh grade.

I think its just so magical, Bosworth said. She said it is sad that recognition took so long, but also beautiful that its finally starting to happen, and hopeful that it will set a trend for other people  there were so many [Black] communities in Massachusetts that existed that are still here.

Dennis Powell, board vice chair as well as the NAACPs Berkshire County Chapter president, said hes thrilled.

We could not have picked a better name that represents history and will automatically speak history just by the naming, and with our democracy under attack right now what can be more important than recognizing such a powerful human being that was about democracy and change, he said. Its a great day.
The skyline of upper Fifth Ave. is visible in this view looking northeast over Central Park's Turtle Pond, May 7, 2003. With a light show, exhibits, concerts, and even an auction of designer park benches, the city will spend the rest of the year celebrating the creation of Central Park 150 years ago.
Earlier this week, I sent a letter to Gus Bickford, chair of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, expressing my concern with the 15 percent threshold at the state convention required for statewide candidates to get on the state primary ballot.

Sen. Adams Hinds comes up short in quest to make ballot as lieutenant governor candidate WORCESTER  The state senator representing Berkshire County lost his bid this weekend to win to right to compete for the post of lieutenant governor.

According to the rules of the convention, any candidate who does not receive at least 15 percent of delegates votes on the first ballot shall not be eligible for placement on the primary ballot. The existing requirement for statewide candidates to obtain 10,000 signatures is no small feat, and it is discouraging to see a body composed of individuals who are not representative of the statewide electorate bring hard-run campaigns to an end.

While the convention is certainly not lacking in fanfare and excitement, the convention electorate is composed of the most politically active and interested voters and is not reflective of the people who will be voting in the actual elections. I believe that any candidate who collects the required number of signatures should be able to see their efforts through to the September primary.

Quote Our voters deserve diverse candidate choices, from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences, when they enter the voting booth. There are so many barriers to entry that exist when it comes to running for office  especially in terms of campaign fundraising  and it is downright disheartening to watch candidates with comprehensive policy platforms cut their runs short.

The presumed rationale behind the 15 percent rule is to ensure that a sufficient majority is reached during the election. A viable solution to address this problem is for our commonwealth to implement ranked-choice voting, both at the convention and during our elections. I have filed legislation (H.825) that would establish an option to institute ranked-choice voting in local elections. This system provides voters with an equitable process to express their candidate preferences and achieve a representative majority. As candidates select their preference in ranked order, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and voters who picked that candidate as their first choice will have their votes count for their next choice. This process continues until there is a majority winner or a candidate who wins with more than half of the vote.

In a moment where voting rights and access are under attack throughout our nation, Massachusetts can lead on this front and ensure that our elections indisputably represent the will of the people.

The 15 percent threshold is inherently undemocratic, and I sincerely hope that the state party reevaluates this requirement. Our voters deserve diverse candidate choices, from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences, when they enter the voting booth. There are so many barriers to entry that exist when it comes to running for office  especially in terms of campaign fundraising  and it is downright disheartening to watch candidates with comprehensive policy platforms cut their runs short. Let us take this opportunity to be bold and refuse to accept the status quo because it is the way things have always been done.

As the birthplace of our democracy, Massachusetts should relish the chance to lead on fulfilling the very promise of democracy. I am committed to using my position to advocate for this needed change, and I hope my colleagues across the commonwealth will do the same.
BOSTON  A bill that would allow immigrants in the country illegally to obtain drivers licenses in Massachusetts has become law after the state Senate voted Thursday to override the veto of Republican Gov. Charlie Baker.

The 32-8 vote followed a successful override vote Wednesday in the House. Massachusetts now joins 16 other states and the District of Columbia that have similar laws. State Sen. Adam Hinds, D-Pittsfield, was among those voting to override the governors veto.

The new law is a win for immigrant rights groups that have long pushed for the measure, framing it in part as a public safety measure saying that the people will have to show they can properly operate a car and get insurance in the event of an accident.

Baker has opposed the idea of allowing those in the country illegally to obtain drivers licenses, saying it would require the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles to issue state credentials to people without the ability to verify their identity.

With the changes, Baker said, a standard Massachusetts drivers license would no longer confirm that a person is who they say they are.

Under the new law, those in the country illegally will be able to apply for a drivers license if they can provide the Registry of Motor Vehicles with a foreign passport or consular identification document.

They will also have to provide one of five additional documents: a drivers license from another U.S. state or territory; a birth certificate; a foreign national identification card; a foreign drivers license; or a marriage certificate or divorce decree from any U.S. state or territory.

State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield, a co-author of the House version of the bill, known as the Work & Family Mobility Act, issued a statement Thursday in response to the House vote to override Bakers veto.

The excitement surrounding enacting this bill into law is difficult to put into words, she said. The Work and Family Mobility Act is good for everyone in Massachusetts, which made it an easy choice to be my top priority for this session. Everyone in Massachusetts should be able to navigate their community safely and without fear.

The new law takes effect July 1, 2023.

The changes will help improve the lives of those working to support their families, according to Democratic Sen. Adam Gomez, who voted to override Bakers veto, saying the licenses will help alleviate some of the fears of interacting with police.

As a Latino-American growing up around people from all different backgrounds, I have seen firsthand the barriers the undocumented immigrants face when trying to secure employment, housing and higher education, he said. Legislation like this will reach these communities and allow them to flourish.

The licenses could pose unintended problems, according to Republican Sen. Bruce Tarr, who voted to uphold Bakers veto.

Were creating a tremendous opportunity that it could be abused for purposes for which it is not intended, he said. It also creates an incredible threat to the integrity of the electoral process.

Baker, in his veto letter to lawmakers last month, also said the new law would significantly increases the risk that noncitizens will be registered to vote.

Supporters say those concerns are overblown in part because those using the licenses to attempt to register to vote could end up facing deportation.

Geoff Diehl, a Republican candidate for governor, said Thursday that he would support a ballot question to repeal the new law.
Collegiate Purple Star

Criteria for being chosen as a Purple Star college or university include having a dedicated military/veteran point of contact and/or office on campus, establishing priority registration for veterans and service members, surveying student veterans and service members  along with spouses and dependents  about needs and challenges, and allowing for the establishment of student-led groups and organizations for veterans and service members.

The initial Collegiate Purple Star announcement was made at an event in March where Chancellor Gardner was joined by Ohio Adjutant General Maj. Gen. John C. Harris Jr. and Maj. Gen. Deborah Ashenhurst, USA Ret., Director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, whose agencies have provided support for the designation.

Colleges and universities in Ohio were offered the opportunity to apply for the Collegiate Purple Star designation. The designations were then determined by a Collegiate Purple Star Advisory Committee appointed by the Chancellor and composed of members from organizations that include but arent limited to ODHE, the Ohio Veterans Education Council (with representation from two-year colleges, four-year universities, and independent institutions), the Ohio Department of Veterans Services, the Ohio Adjutant Generals Department, and the Military Interstate Childrens Compact Commission K-12 Purple Star Committee.

Best for Vets: Colleges 2021 rankings

BGSU has long been recognized for its support of veterans. The University is ranked No. 1 in the Midwest and fifth in the nation for veterans and active military students by the Military Times in its Best for Vets: Colleges 2021 rankings.

"Every step of the way, BGSU ensures veterans and military students are considered valued members of the campus community," said Dr. Barbara Henry, assistant vice president of BGSU Nontraditional and Military Student Services, at the time of that ranking in fall 2021. "From application to graduation and beyond, Nontraditional and Military Student Services staff routinely connect with students to ensure they succeed in and out of the classroom while building meaningful connections with others in the BGSU military community."

A survey compiled by the publication asks colleges and universities to document a wide array of services, special rules, accommodations and financial incentives offered to students with military ties and to describe many aspects of veteran culture on a campus.

The Best for Vets ranking is considered the most comprehensive school-by-school assessment of veteran and military student services and their rates of academic achievement. The rankings are part of an editorially independent project that evaluates factors that help make colleges and universities a good fit for active service members, veterans and their families.
Bowling Green State University has welcomed back the Gypsy Girl, Dionysus, the god of festivity and theater, and 10 additional mosaic tiles from the Turkish government.

The 12 mosaic tiles are replicas of the original ancient tiles the University acquired in 1965 that were later determined to have been part of an unauthorized excavation, and rightfully returned to the Republic of Turkey in November 2018.

In recognition of the University's commitment to the stewardship of cultural history and vitality, Turkish officials agreed to provide replicas of the mosaic fragments as part of the negotiations when BGSU returned the original tiles.

On June 3, the University hosted the Turkish Consulate General of Chicago, Engin Turesin, for a special ceremony to recognize the arrival of the replicas, which have been installed at the Wolfe Center for the Arts, where the originals had been on display from 2011-2018.

"As a public university, our obligation to create good and steward cultural vitality extends to a global community," said BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers. "We are grateful to the Republic of Turkey for the collaboration in the permanent installation of the ancient mosaic tile replicas, representing our original intent of connecting significant cultural heritage to the present.
The comparative study on which Bullerjahn and McKay are working aims to gather more detailed data about toxic algal blooms that complements previous research. In the case of the Western Lake Erie Basin, from which water became undrinkable during a 2014 bloom of Microcystis, a sometimes-toxic brand of cyanobacteria, excess nutrients from agricultural runoff were the fuel.

While not every freshwater lake that experiences blooms is surrounded by expansive agriculture, the population near Lake Victoria has grown substantially in recent years. Kisumu is the third-largest city in Kenya and is home to more than a million residents.

Due to the importance of all freshwater sources, collaboration will be a key part of the trip, as the BGSU-led team will be working alongside Kenyan scientists and speaking with people who rely upon Lake Victoria for their main water source.

Are they seeing changes? What do they associate with the changes? Is it development? McKay asked. I think its going to be really important to listen and to draw from that traditional ecological knowledge to see this issue more clearly.

Researchers generally know that human-driven increases in nutrients are why blooms occur  but still have much more to discover about the minutia of algae.

We dont know a lot about the genotypes of the algae, McKay said. We know that they transition between some forms that are inherently toxic and some forms that really dont have the genetic capacity to produce the toxins, but they otherwise look very identical. You wouldnt be able to tell the difference between them under a microscope, and even if you looked for certain genes, they might both have them, so very minor things make up the differences.

Those small differences, however, can lead to big questions about algal blooms.

Why are some blooms very toxic while others are mostly harmless? Which toxic genotypes are likely to dominate a watershed, and when are they likely to do so? Why are some blooms very green but not toxic, while others are toxic but not green, yet others both toxic and green?

There are all sorts of possibilities between how green the water is and how toxic it is, and making connections is very difficult, Bullerjahn said. If you can make comparisons between different sites using the suite of molecular tools that we now have available  tools we did not have a generation ago  we can really learn some new things.

With tools that can now streamline DNA and RNA sequencing much more quickly and cost-effectively, the researchers can determine precisely all the microbes present in the water while getting a glimpse of their physiological activity.

By conducting research into a freshwater lake with a much different set of circumstances than Lake Erie, then comparing the two, Bullerjahn and McKay hope their data can begin to answer these questions and establish baseline facts that can help predict when toxic blooms will occur.

By combining data sets from all around the world from different Microcystis blooms, there is a possibility we can determine the factors that drive bloom toxicity, and therefore predict when blooms will be more toxic, Bullerjahn said. The more data we have, the better predictions we can make on not only the extent of blooms, but their toxicity.
More than a decade has passed since my church family experienced one of the hardest years in the life of our body. In the course of a few months, we lost an eight-year-old to Cystic Fibrosis and a seventeen-year-old to cancer. A man in his early forties passed away of a sudden heart attack on the last night of a ten-day tour of Israel with thirty-five other members of our church, including his wife and daughter. And before the year ended, we buried a nineteen-year-old from alcohol poisoning.

We prayed a lot during that year. We held multiple prayer vigils at our church; we gathered with family members at the hospital. My husband and other pastors drove hours to be with grieving families. We asked God for miracles; after all, the God we knew was fully capable of intervening in these events. With a simple change of His will, much suffering could have been avoided. And from our perspective, who knows how much our faith might have grown if He answered according to our will?

It was a difficult year.

I remember hearing the mother of the seventeen-year-old speak about her experiences and the many ways her relationship with God changed during the time they battled the rare cancer that was stealing her daughters life. So many miracles happened along the way. Prayers were answered in specific ways that could only have come from Gods hand. She kept a record of their journey, documenting the ways God was answering our pleas for this young girls life. She described her emotions when she realized that her precious child would not be healed on this side of an earthly grave. Im paraphrasing, but essentially, she expressed it this way.

Each time God answered a prayer, it was like rolling a ball toward the edge of a drop off, and every single time, it came back. After so many answers, I never expected the ball not to come back. Suddenly, it didnt.

Like many others who have experienced similar circumstances, the final answer of no deeply challenged this sweet sisters faith. For a very long time, she couldnt pray, couldnt worship. I believe she would tell us she truly felt God had let her down.

What do we do when our faith is shaken, when we feel like God didnt come through for us? How do we find our footing again on solid ground and restore our confidence in a God who says He loves us, but fails to answer our prayers in the way we think He should? How do we learn to trust God when He allows such pain and suffering into our lives?

Here are four things we can do to rebuild our trust in God when we feel like He let us down.

Photo credit: Getty Images/Antonio Guillem
(The Center Square) - Washington state ranks No. 33 in the nation in terms of states that are most dependent on the firearms industry, according to an analysis published Thursday by WalletHub.

The personal finance website compared the economic impact of guns in all 50 states to determine which among them is the most reliant on the gun business, both directly for jobs and political contributions, as well as indirectly through ownership.

"Washington ranks in the bottom 20 states, meaning it's one of the least dependent on the gun industry, explained WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzalez in an email to The Center Square. This is because of its small number of firearms and ammunition dealers and importers per capita as well as because of the strictness of state gun laws and age restrictions on the purchase and possession of firearms.

According to a Violence Policy Center study chronicling the decline in gun dealers in America over a period of more than 20 years, the number of federally licensed gun dealers in Washington has dropped dramatically.

Per the study, the Evergreen State saw federal firearms license holders go from 5,724 in 1994 to 1,001 in 2016, a decrease of 4,723 or 83%.

In 2018, Washington voters approved a voter initiative that increased the minimum age to purchase handguns and semiautomatic rifles to 21, and now generally prohibits anyone from transferring a semiautomatic rifle to anyone under 21.

Washington law provides, with certain exceptions, that a person between 18 and 21 may possess a handgun only in the persons place of abode, at the persons fixed place of business, or on real property under his or her control. Similar rules apply to a person between 18 and 21 regarding semiautomatic rifle possession.

The state also has a low gun ownership rate at 32.1% and a low search interest for gun sales, Gonzalez added to the list of reasons for Washingtons low placement on the list.

The figure mentioned by Gonzalez is 10 points lower than the 42.1% figure World Population Review referenced for Washington in a look at state gun ownership rates this year.

While the Washington State Constitution contains language that establishes a strong right for individuals to bear arms, several gun laws were passed by the Democrat-dominated Legislature this year.

Article I, Section 24 of the state constitution reads, The right of the individual citizen to bear arms in defense of himself, or the state, shall not be impaired, but nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing individuals or corporations to organize, maintain or employ an armed body of men.

In addition, Washington preempts localities from regulating firearms in any manner more restrictive than state law except as explicitly authorized by the Legislature.

Earlier this year, Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee signed a package of bills tightening the states gun laws, including a measure that bans the manufacture, distribution, and sale of firearm magazines that hold more than 10 bullets. The measure goes into effect on July 1.

On Friday, the Bellevue-based Second Amendment Foundation filed a federal lawsuit against Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson and several other officials, challenging the law.

Inslee also signed legislation that prohibits people from knowingly brining weapons  either carried openly or with a concealed pistol license  to ballot counting sites and on-campus school board meetings. The new law, now in effect, also bans openly carrying firearms at local government meetings and election-related facilities such as county election offices, off-campus school board meetings, and local government meetings. Concealed pistol license holders are allowed to carry weapons in those locations.

Washingtons Pacific Northwest neighbor to the east, Idaho, was ranked the nations No. 1 state in terms of dependency on the gun industry, according to WalletHub. Oregon, Washingtons southern neighbor, was ranked No. 25.
Plans to invest over $5 million over a year to upgrade the existing healthcare facilities in tier-II and tier-III cities

Health tech startup TaCa Healthcare has begun its operations in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The health-tech start-up has partnered with 20+ renowned hospital partners, including Medicover Hospitals, a multinational hospital chain, which has a presence in 12 countries in Europe and India. The startup plans to establish six state-of-the-art TaCa Centre for surgery in the next two years in these states.



The company, which now has a presence in seven states Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, UP, Delhi and Haryanaplans to invest over $5 million over a year to upgrade the existing healthcare facilities in tier-II and tier-III cities, upskilling surgeons.






Collaborates with its French counterpart to manufacture the new technology indigenously in India

Pharma player Gufic Biosciences has targeted to capture a major share of Rs 3000-crore lyophilised antibiotics antifungal market in India. The company has launched New Drug Delivery System: Dual Chamber Bags at an affordable price first time in India.

Gufic Biosciences has collaborated with its French counterpart to manufacture this new technology indigenously in India. The dual-chamber bags launched by Gufic Biosciences are 2-Chamber IV Bags made up of polypropylene (DEHP free) with a peelable aluminium foil allowing the storage of unstable drugs which need a reconstitution just before the administration to the patient. The peelable seal separates lyophilised (or powder) drugs and the diluent. Moreover, the product complies with the US and EU pharmacopoeias and it is manufactured in ISO7 clean room under cGMP.
The company will expand into 25 global markets, including Europe, the CIS region, the Middle East, Africa and the Indian Ocean islands

AIMIL Pharmaceuticals has announced its strategic expansion in the international markets. The company aims to expand its operations into 25 countries, including Europe, the CIS region, the Middle East, Africa, and the Indian Ocean islands.

Dr Ikshit Sharma, Director, AIMIL Pharmaceuticals said, "This expansion plan is in line with the ever-increasing global demand for authentic science-based ayurvedic products for better health. Our products with ECOCERT certified organic herbs would ensure the delivery of premium quality, safe and result-oriented products across various categories such as healthcare, personal care, wellness, and veterinary sectors. We aim to introduce more innovative products as per markets' needs and target 100 countries in the next two financial years. We have also constituted a team headed by Amit Dixit, Global CEO to enhance our focus on international business and expect to generate a revenue of $15 million from this vertical in the next five years."
Entries must be submitted via the Effie Awards South Africa website timeously, as acceptance of entries via the portal will close promptly at 12pm.Should there still be a need, full details on how to enter, including details on the categories and entry requirements can be found on the how to enter tab on the Effie South Africas website.Winning an Effie is considered globally to be the pinnacle of effectiveness in our profession. It is the most respected marketing effectiveness award and provides brand and agency teams with global recognition for having delivered effective results with respect to business and marketing communication objectives, says Mathe Okaba, ACA CEO.The inaugural Effie Awards held in 2021 highlighted the most effective campaigns of the year, and we look forward to building on that success by recognising and awarding this years entries. Agencies still have time to enter and we encourage all teams to get their entries in on time and receive the recognition they so rightly deserve, concludes Okaba.The Effie South Africa jury will adjudicate entries during the first round of judging, taking place on Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 August, with the second and final round scheduled for Wednesday 24 and Thursday 25 August. The Grand Effie judging session takes place on Thursday 29 September, where the entry adjudicated to have been the most effective will be selected.Effie Awards South Africa winners will be announced at the inaugural Effie Awards Gala on the 27 October.For more information, visit the Effie Awards South Africa website at www.effieawards.co.za or visit www.acasa.co.za Follow @EffieSouthAfrica on Facebook YouTube and @EffieAwardsSA on Twitter to keep up to date on the latest developments.
Meet Jamie, a 31-year-old musician from Soweto, who loves music, travel, anime, good times, and good vibes. Playing himself, he appears in Chicken Licken's latest Love Me Tender Burger TV ad as someone looking for love.

The tender, yet witty ad campaign speaks to the hearts of hundreds and thousands of South Africans also looking for love and with the help of a dating app called Tender , created especially for the campaign, Chicken Licken hopes to find Jamies soul mate.Finding Jamie was no easy feat and relied on creative partner Joe Public, and production company Star Films Director Tebza and cast coordinator Mlindelwa Mahlangu to assist. Because Jamie is not an actor he was not cast under usual circumstances. Both teams used personal contacts, referrals and social media to shortlist 16 potential candidates, with Jamie eventually being their star choice.The TV ad sees Jamie waking up in his home, walking down the street he lives on, and catching a taxi to work just like he does every day. It even co-stars some of his family and friends. On his journey it seems like love is all around him. In fact, the only person that looks like they need love, is Jamie. This is painfully pointed out by his inner voice, played by the wonderfully euphonious Msaki, who follows him wherever he goes singing her rendition of What Jamie needs now, is love, sweet love.From the traffic lights to the clouds, from the bikers to the air dancers, everyone seems to have found their someone, except poor Jamie. Who at the end of the commercial finds himself sitting on a bench, alone in a park. Here Jamie finally meets what could be the love of his life only to realise he is simply in the middle of someone elses meet cute - another couple who has found a little love with the Love Me Tender burger from Chicken Licken. The commercial ends with a simple call to action: Help Jamie Find Love at tenderapp.co.za.Chicken Licken is now asking all South Africans looking for love, to create a profile on the Tender app, and stand a chance of becoming Jamies soul mate.The integrated campaign will run for the next eight weeks and includes social media, digital, outdoor, TV and radio. The public will get to vote for their best matches, as will Jamie, until he finds the one. Their identity will be kept top secret and will be revealed in a surprise conclusion indicative of Chicken Lickens authentic brand storytelling.says Xolisa Dyeshana, Joe Public chief creative officer.If you enjoy a love story, and you think you are a good match or that you know someone who is then please send them over to tenderapp.co.za Group chief creative officer: Pepe MaraisChief creative officer: Xolisa DyeshanaCreative director: Cameron FraserCreative director: Gareth OCallaghanCreative director: Tshepo TumaholeCreative director: Tshepo MogorosiIntegrated copywriter: Nomfundo MyeniCreative business director: Amber MackeurtanHead of TV production: Di ColeDirector: Tebza MalopeProducer: Petar J / Adam ThalProd house: The Star Film CoDOP: Rory O GradyArt director: Bobby CardosoEditor: Saki BerghPost: Left PostOnline: Keno NaidooMusic studio: Audio MilitiaMusic engineer: Simz KullaMusic supervisor: Marc AlgrantiMusic performance: MsakiAudio studio: Audio MilitiaFinal mix engineer: Simz Kulla
Decorex Africa has launched an all-new Summit in Cape Town and Johannesburg with Asus as a partner.

Juliet Kavishe, Chris Reid, Nandi Dlepu, Bielle Bellingham and Mugendi K MRithaa

Meet the speakers

Taking place over one day only at each show, the talks and presentations include dial-shifting insights from local leading lights and a not-to-be-missed keynote presentation by an international guest speaker.Attendees will earn accredited Continuous Professional Development (CPD) points. But the events are not just for trade professionals  the intellectually curious from all walks of life are invited to benefit from whats on offer.On 17 June Cape Town will play host to the Summit when it runs alongside the events and exhibits that comprise the freshly conceived Decorex Cape Town (16-19 June 2022). A ticket to the Summit also unlocks entry to the exhibition.The Summit then migrates to Sandton, Johannesburg, where it takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre on 28 July. Again, it is co-located with the show (28-31 July 2022) and a Summit ticket opens up access to Africas leading architecture, interior design and decor event.The speaker line-up for both Summits is curated by Decorex Africas Bielle Bellingham.[I am] motivated by the potency of art and design as catalysts for change With a background in art history, publishing, interiors, and experience design, I use patterns to reimagine the future, she states. Bellingham is a former editor of Elle Decoration SA and is currently the contributing design editor of House and Leisure magazine in addition to her role as curator of Decorex Africa.RX Africas MD Carol Weaving says, We are tremendously satisfied by this clear alignment between our Summit partner and the nature of the event itself. Both aim to speak into a direct need and to enable and enhance creativity!The summit will focus on Design as a broad discipline across various sectors.is a transdisciplinary industrial designer, educator, and researcher presently working at Machakos University in Kenya. He holds a Bachelors degree in Design, a Masters degree in Industrial Design, a Postgraduate Diploma in Higher Education and Training, and a Doctorate in Universal Design. He has taught in Kenya, Botswana, Canada, India, Norway, South Africa, Sweden and Uganda. He is passionate about expressions of socially conscious design and has a special interest in the pivotal role of design thinking in advancing the developmental agenda on the African continent.The architectural partners behind the Wits Art museum,andwill present jointly. Many of the buildings Cohen and Garson have designed are ground-breaking and have been published in prestigious international magazines such as Domus, Detail, Architecture Digest and so on. Cohen and Garson have received numerous awards, including Visi Designer of the Year 2012, an award of excellence from GIFA, and a National Award of Merit from SAIA.is principal of Constructs, a design and build firm with offices in Accra, Ghana. His firm synergizes architecture, urban planning, landscaping, and building technology into a single unit, combining modern architecture and building techniques into inno-native design solutions that shape contemporary African architecture. He worked for architectural firms in Finland, the UK and the US before starting his own practice in Los Angeles, California, where he co-founded the Architecture and Design Museum of Los Angeles. In Ghana, he is chairman of ArchiAfrika, a platform that initiates and facilitates research into African architecture and promotes socio-cultural development.is a trend researcher and strategist based in Cape Town, South Africa. For over a decade he's presented trend insight to clients both locally and overseas, working both with agencies and as an independent consultant. Approaching the world of trends with equal parts curiosity, insight and scepticism, Reid is fascinated by the things that connect us to each other and our world and what these connections mean for brands and individuals.is a practising professional interior architect and design educator who has worked on high-end residential homes and commercial and corporate workspaces globally. She is an executive board member and editor-in-chief of the Pan Afrikan Design Institute (PADI) Educational Journal Committee, which is striving to create a Design Journal with a focus on African design and African-focused design education. Kavishe is also one of the directors of the African Institute of the Interior Design Professions (IID) and lectures in Interior Design.Registration for the Summit kicks off at 10am and the programme runs from 10.30am until 4.15pm.For more information about the speakers, schedule and ticketing, go here
The charming seaside town of Paternoster is a perfect place to head for a weekend getaway. Just a few hours' drive from Cape Town, this quaint seaside village offers beautiful and unspoiled beaches, cute stores, great restaurants - including the award-winning Wolfgat - and of course, those charming and iconic blue and white houses. Just the place to unwind and reset from the day-to-day hustle.

Location:

Aesthetic:

Environmentally conscious:

Self-catering and pet friendly options:

Warmth:

If staying for a weekend, beach side accommodation is most definitely recommended. Gonana Guest House and Cottages offers just that. Here are five reasons to stay at this 2022 TripAdvisor's Excellence Awardee.The guesthouse is set right at Bekbaai Beach and offers beautiful beach and sunset views from the main communal area and most of the rooms. I mean, is there anything better than toasting against a backdrop of a pristine beach and sunset hues or listening to the sound of waves crashing as you drift off to sleep beneath crisp white linen?Offering a contemporary African meets neutral Scandi aesthetic, the guesthouse feels fresh and warm at the same time with cute and quirky decor touches at every turn.Sustainable and environmentally conscious the Gonana guest house is effectively off the grid; all its water is recycled twice and all its power is solar generated, ensuring that load shedding doesnt affect guests. Plastic usage is kept to a minimum and the gardens are indigenous and water-wise, while the decor is all-natural and sourced locally.Of the eight en-suite guest rooms offered, one of the rooms, the Studio offers a self-catering option with a kitchenette while the newly added Self-Catering Cottages, located a street away offers balconies with sea views, fully-equipped kitchens, indoor fireplaces and braai areas. Plus some of the rooms are pet friendly giving this guest house an edge over others in the area.The communal area offers a great spot to meet fellow guests over a delicious buffet and cooked to order breakfast. A large communal table affords a happy mingling of travellers and feels very much like a big family affair, reinforced by the all-female friendly and welcoming staff. Aptly named, Gonana means to embrace in isiZulu, and staying at the guesthouse does very much feel like a warm embrace.Currently Gonana is running a June/July school holidays and Fathers Day Winter Warmer Special; Stay for Three - Pay for Two - valid for all bookings to 15 August 2022. Ts& Cs apply.For more info and to book go to www.gonanaguesthouse.com
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa suspended the country's top anti-corruption official to pave way for an inquiry by a parliamentary group into her ability to hold office, the government said on Thursday, 9 June 2022.

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane listens during a briefing at Parliament in Cape Town, South Africa, 19 October 2016. Reuters/Mike Hutchings/File Photo

Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, a constitutionally mandated anti-graft official, was appointed in 2016 by Ramaphosa's predecessor Jacob Zuma. She is seen as allied to Zuma's faction within the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party, which is opposed to Ramaphosa's faction, a claim she has denied.Her tenure has been marred by allegations she drove an anti-Ramaphosa campaign and she has been widely criticised for losing several high-profile court judgements.The development comes after the president asked Mkhwebane in March to provide him with reasons not to suspend her, after a parliamentary committee decided to continue with its motion to remove her.On Wednesday, a statement issued by the Public Protector said Mkhwebane had received unfair criticism and has also been accused by the media and politicians of "targeting" certain members of the executive branch of government and getting involved in party politics.The South African parliament had in 2020 begun proceedings to oust her amid criticism of her record in office.
Anglo American has signed a $100m sustainability-linked loan agreement with the International Finance Corporation (IFC). Linked to the delivery of sustainability goals in the group's Sustainable Mining Plan, the 10-year loan is the IFC's first in the mining sector.

Strengthening the public education system

Said Stephen Pearce, finance director of Anglo American: Our Sustainable Mining Plan has a set of ambitious global goals relating to delivering a healthy environment, creating thriving communities, and being recognised as a trusted corporate leader. We designed our goals to challenge us to lead and innovate in how we can best deliver meaningful and enduring value to society, and particularly to those nearest to where we operate. We are delighted to now link some of our education and job creation targets to this loan as an additional demonstration of our commitment to deliver real and tangible benefits for our host communities.Anglo Americans Sustainable Mining Plan includes targets to support schools in its host communities to perform within the top 30% of state schools nationally and to create or support three offsite jobs for every onsite job at its operations by 2025.Said Jonathan Samuel, Anglo Americans group head of responsible business partnerships: To achieve our education target, we will aim to strengthen the public education system by training educators, practitioners, and school management teams, and upgrade basic school infrastructure and equipment including providing Wi-Fi and computers at over 100 primary and secondary public schools in South Africa."We are already supporting more than 73,000 students from early childhood development centres, primary schools and secondary schools, with more children to benefit in Phase 2 of the programme. To achieve our livelihood target we plan to provide mentorship, capacity building, skills development and access to finance to small businesses in the mining value chain and in other sectors, with a focus on women and young people. Since 2018, we have supported over 13,500 jobs and facilitated R430m of loans to small businesses in South Africa through Anglo Americans Zimele Loan Fund.Anglo American has committed to contributing additional funds to agreed social causes if it falls short of fully achieving its education and livelihood targets under the terms of the IFC loan.
Global and local events are a rollercoaster at the moment - from military action in Eastern Europe to political turmoil in Western Europe, natural disasters and consistent slow economic growth here in South Africa - all surging forward as the world slowly recovers from the devastating Covid-19 pandemic of the last two years.

Godfrey Marema, managing director and plant manager for Eaton in Southern Africa

New challenges emerge

Shifting away from an unsustainable energy system

No time like the present

While the news is heart-breaking and the events are daunting, we need to look beyond the immediate turmoil and seek hope, identify opportunities, and plan action. The last two years have shown us what is possible if we put our minds to it: commerce and trade carried on from peoples dining room tables and patios while innovations such as telemedicine were adopted without hesitation. Once it was all over, the world rebounded, having learned lessons in efficiency, on-demand retail, and how to work together to survive a global nightmare.With the pandemic subsiding, new challenges have emerged. For example, the conflict in Eastern Europe has sent energy prices soaring  which has in turn compelled the worlds most energy intensive countries to re-evaluate their source markets and indeed their whole approach to energy.In time, this is likely to accelerate innovation in renewable energy installations in each country as they seek to limit their dependence on other nations for such key resources while reducing costs and supporting moves to limit their impact on climate change.The vulnerability of South Africas energy resources has again been highlighted through emergency load shedding schedules implemented with more expected through the winter.Along with significant increases in energy costs agreed to by the energy regulator, its likely that Eskoms cost base will increase as coal prices surge due to scarcity in Europe and the demand for coal exports rises as the rest of the worlds hunger for energy grows.It's clearer than ever that the transition to renewable energy needs to speed up, and the disruptions currently experienced across the world should be seen as catalysts for the rapid technological and behavioural change that we need to shift away from an unsustainable energy system thats centred around non-renewable fossil fuel resources.Eaton welcomes the recently announced opening of Window 6 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) for this reason, and were looking forward to more such opportunities for the South African market to become a global leader in alternative energy sources, from solar to hydrogen, and everything in between.A collaborative effort from both the private and public sector can help provide solutions and technologies that respond to the social issues around us. This could be through bringing innovative solutions like microgrids to suburbs and communities, or whether its through investing in skills development among the people who work for us so that they can grow and become leaders in their own right.There really is no time like the present to approach current challenges as opportunities to change our business model, taking action to change the way we seek energy, the way we harness and store it, and to limit the climatic consequences of our actions for the benefit and survival of future generations.
Ciaran Mckivergan, CEO and head of digital at 8909, holds a major passion for bringing excellent marketing to the forefront.

Image supplied: Ciaran Mckivergan, CEO and head of digital at 8909

Tell us a bit more about yourself - who is the person behind the CEO?

What does your role entail?

What challenges did you face during your time as CEO?

During lockdown, 8909 managed to double in staff and revenue - how did you manage to achieve this?

Could you tell us a bit more about the concept of quantified creativity?

How do you apply this concept to the way you work?

Could you tell us a bit more about some successful campaigns that were made using the concept of quantified creativity?

What advice do you have for young people looking to enter your industry?

At a young age, Mckivergan started 8909, a digital marketing agency, on his own - and has found great success since its start in 2015. This includes doubling revenue and staff count in the midst of the Covid-19 lockdown and being acquired by Metropolitan Republic in 2020.We spoke to Mckivergan to find out more about his work, how 8909 achieved this, and why quantified creativity is so important to the agencyIm an old soul who is incredibly young at heart and finds excitement in all aspects of life. I have an immense passion for music, fashion, culture, the digital industry and sparking meaningful change in the advertising industry in SA.Ive had an entrepreneurial spirit since I was four years old - which has served me well to this day in the various roles I have had throughout my career. I have a degree in Psychology and an Honours degree in Media Studies. I founded 8909 in 2015, on my own, funded by the profits of an event company (9 Lives) that I had started in my 20s, which hosted culture-shifting events.I drive the strategic direction of the agency, day to day management and operations of the agency, client relations and new business. Im actively involved with all pitches and projects, and a big part of my role is ensuring we identify and bring the right kind of people (who are passionate and exceptionally talented and skilled in their respective roles) into the agency as we continue to grow.People. Being in a service-based industry our assets are our people and my job is to ensure we find the right people and retain them. This has been very difficult considering the massive creative talent drain to foreign countries as well as the cultural hurdles put in place with the sudden work from home model caused by the pandemic.Innovation. In a constantly changing industry, I need to ensure that, as a business, our work and offering are constantly relevant and aligned to clients needs. This is what makes my job exciting, but challenging at the same time.Cash flow. People always warn entrepreneurs about the struggles of cash flow but we don't realise it until it slaps us in the face. The tricky thing with cash flow is that as a business owner you are constantly balancing proving yourself to clients with getting cash in the bank, while at the same time adding the complexity of having to play both good cop and bad cop with the client does not make things any easier.Hard work, innovation and timing (also known as luck) were the ingredients to our success over lockdown.As a digital business, our offering became even more relevant to the South African market during the lockdown. With our digital-first mentality (utilising the cloud and remote management systems) all lockdown meant to us was taking our laptops home and continuing to work as per usual. In addition, during the lockdown, we noticed an increased need for different forms of advertising as brands could no longer do sampling and on the ground activations.It was at this point that we dramatically increased our focus on influencer marketing. The thinking was - in a world where people can no longer walk the streets, hand out flyers and talk to others, a need for people that could walk the streets of Twitter and the interwebs became apparent. With influencers, we now have people who can walk the Twitter streets and do the same; sharing promo codes, content and purchase links. We currently manage anywhere from 100 to 2,000 influencers per month.While this was all happening we underwent an acquisition deal with MetropolitanRepublic which saw 8909 take on all of the digital work within the MetropolitanRepublic portfolio. In addition to this, we also won some great new clients such as Eskort and Grandpa amongst others.It is the very backbone of our approach to work. Simply put, everything we do in the agency is based on and held to data. We create campaigns, insights and strategies that evolve with the data gained from their successes and downfalls - guaranteeing that they improve with time, ultimately increasing ROI. Data leads to work, and the work creates more data, which we use to finetune the work, and so on. Its our way of keeping flexible and ahead of the curve in this data-rich world.When work is briefed, we immediately use data to develop insights into the category, market or product world. These insights inform the basis of our strategy, supported by research and understanding.In turn, this leads to how the campaign is actioned by the creative team, and once live, the campaign itself becomes data again - allowing us to finetune, improve and evolve the work. This ensures that campaigns not only catch the attention of potential customers but also drive sales and bring down media costs.#ILoveEatingRussians - through social listening we identified that South Africa is the only country in the world that calls a sausage a Russian. This insight-powered our big idea, which saw us convince the whole of South Africa that the Russians thought we were eating them (pre-war time, of course). Using smart data tracking we then retargeted everybody that had engaged with this topic with an ad which revealed that Eskort was behind this hoax. This campaign drove a 200% increase in Russian sales.Our Bra Shakes campaign for Med-Lemon also saw us using social media listening data over a period of two years to inform the key insights for ATL, digital advertising and content. Through social listening, we identified the most common moments where flu gets in the way of South Africans living their best life. We then used search query data in addition to this social listening data to create YouTube videos which busted myths about flu and answered the most commonly asked questions. By doing this and by placing content on YouTube it meant that when the commonly answered flu questions were asked on Google, our Med-Lemon videos appeared first, ensuring Med-Lemon was top of mind when it came to all flu-related topics.Dream big - dont undersell yourself! Set big long term goals and you will see larger incremental success.Be a doer, not a talker - dont just talk, actually do.
Social Media Coordinator

Remuneration: market-related Location: Johannesburg, Midrand Education level: Diploma Job level: Mid/Senior Own transport required: Yes Type: 5 months Reference: #SMC062022 Company: Jacaranda FM

Stimulating and moderating discussion across social media platforms.

Managing and creating new content across relevant social channels.

Exploring ways to leverage audience discussion and feedback across media for research and engagement purposes.

Exercising sound editorial judgment, ensuring compliance with copyright restrictions.

Mastering the use of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google, and YouTube platforms and driving results using these channels daily.

Execute and own social strategy and station events.

Identify emerging social trends and educate the team as well as communicate how the station can take advantage of these trends and opportunities.

Administer engagement on all social platforms, including taking part in social customer interactions.

Advise on the best way to communicate campaigns, events, and key messages socially using the correct channels in line with best practices and successful case studies.

Use tools to provide reports on community health and continually find ways to improve on those metrics through new initiatives.

Oversee the implementation of Social Media strategy across all platforms.

Work closely with video to create brand videos.

Proactively pitch social media ideas to promote the station and/or specific shows.

Manage Media Mark Briefs.

SM budget tracking (in collaboration with the lead).

Handle Marketing event briefs- and do coverage at events.

Scheduling alongside Digital Intern.

Copywriting for social media touchpoints.

Writing of articles on an ad hoc basis.

Assist the lead with reporting.

Experience managing social media for a brand by crafting engaging posts using text, photos, and videos to drive sharing, likes, and click-throughs.

Show proven results for campaigns and communities already managed.

Demonstrated ability to attract and engage a broad audience using social media tools.

Experience in identifying content with viral appeal for a target audience

Familiarity with social listening platforms and technologies (e.g., Radian6, Lithium, Brandseye, Meltwater, Hootsuite etc).

Experience with engaging with online influencers and ability to identify key influencers in line with brand essence.

Budget management expertise.

Background in digital and social analytics.

Goal/task prioritisation.

Excellent writing skills.

Positive outlook, can-do attitude.

Strong track record as a team player.

Passion for radio.

We are searching for a dynamic Social Media Coordinator to join the Jacaranda FM Digital Team. The successful incumbent will be based at Midrand and service Jacaranda FM, a division of Kagiso Media (Pty) Ltd.The social media coordinator will be responsible for the day-to-day management and growth of all Social Media Channels. While this role focuses on social media channels, the person will also be required to work alongside the digital lead to establish the overall digital strategy and implementation thereof.This person would be responsible for content creation and community management on all social media platforms, current, and future platforms.Bachelors degree/media diploma (An educational background in communication, journalism, or digital media is preferred).Posted on 10 Jun 14:22, Closing date 17 Jun
Australia sets the foundation for an innovation cluster in Central Highlands

The five provinces of Vietnams Central Highlands region including Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Gia Lai, Kon Tum and Lam Dong have come together to launch a Regional Innovation Cluster which aims to use innovation to create a resilient and competitive agriculture and food industry for the region.





The signing of a partnership protocol for the Central Highlands Regional Innovation Cluster on June 10.

The Central Highlands Regional Innovation Cluster is an initiative catalysed by the Australian Governments Aus4Innovation program. Through its local partner, the Community Development Centre, Aus4Innovation is establishing a forum for local researchers, businesses, government, farmers and associations to convene and co-develop solutions to industry challenges and opportunities for the regions industrial agricultural products.

Representatives from the provinces and Aus4Innovation program signed a partnership protocol on June 10 witnessed by Deputy Head of Mission Mark Tattersall from the Australian Embassy and Vice Minister of Science and Technology Tran Van Tung. The protocol gives the Innovation Cluster legitimacy to operate across the region. Aus4Innovation has also committed to provide seed funding for the Cluster in its first year.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Deputy Head of Mission Mr Mark Tattersall said Australia is working in partnership with the Central Highlands on various activities, from transport and public governance to agriculture and food. We believe that with the regions significant advantages in agriculture and food production, a collaboration that brings together farmers and businesses across five provinces is the perfect model with which to explore opportunities and advance shared goals.

As the host of the event, the Vice Chairman of Dak Laks Provincial Peoples Committee, Mr Nguyen Tuan Ha shared, The Central Highlands region is a major agricultural hub, known for many crops with high market and export value such as pepper, coffee and fruits. But the agri-food sector is yet to reach its full potential. With about two million hectares of agricultural land, there is a lot more we can do to improve income and livelihoods for the people and sustain economic benefits for businesses.

Talking about the priorities of the cluster, Vice Chairman of Gia Lai Provincial Peoples Committee Mr Kpa Thuyen noted, We want to focus on the application of innovation and technology, especially climate smart technologies, to optimise quality, productivity and the value of agricultural production and processing. We will also try to improve connections to market and build the regions brand for our agri-food products.

The Innovation Cluster invites interested stakeholders to participate, including enterprises, cooperatives, support services, farmers, researchers, investors and other agri-food organisations, Mr Nguyen Huu Thap, Vice Chairman of Kon Tum Provincial Peoples Committee mentioned. The Cluster will act as a convenor and broker for its members and stakeholders to exchange ideas, identify common challenges and opportunities for innovation solutions, and to access new ideas, skills and technologies from within and outside Vietnam.

To kickstart the activities of the Cluster, common and individual priorities for the five provinces have now been collected and will be used to guide joint activities, networking and training. The Aus4Innovation program is now identifying experts and creating training opportunities for provincial stakeholders to bring in knowledge and experiences from Australia. Information about the Central Highlands Regional Innovation Cluster can be found on the Aus4Innovation website.
(Photo: US Embassy in Ukraine)

The unanimous vote by progressive lawmakers for the $40 billion Ukraine funding bill has been followed by a near-unanimous refusal to defend it. To date, no member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus  with the sole exception of Cori Bush  has publicly explained why they chose to hand over billions of dollars to the weapons industry and intensify a proxy war against nuclear-armed Russia.

Amid this resounding silence, Matt Duss, a foreign policy adviser to Sen. Bernie Sanders, has stepped in to fill the void. In a New Republic article titled Why Ukraine Matters for the Left, Duss attempts to convince fellow progressives that the "provision of military aid" to Ukraine "can advance a more just and humanitarian global order." Duss has only praise for a Biden administration that, in his view, "should be applauded for its judicious reaction to the Ukraine crisis." By contrast, Duss opts to launch an attack on dissident journalists, myself included, who don't share his enthusiasm.

To make his case, Duss omits an abundance of inconvenient facts, betraying either considerable ignorance of the Ukraine-Russia conflict or a deliberate effort to distort it.

While apologia for US hegemonic projects is normal in DC foreign policy circles, Duss' contribution is particularly noteworthy given his painstaking attempt to cast himself as an outsider. "Our political class," Duss states, "advocates military violence with a regularity and ease that is psychopathic." Duss' comment is both accurate and wildly ironic, given his choice to advocate our political class's military violence in Ukraine -- with the remarkable ease that he identifies in others as psychopathic.

When it comes to how the Biden administration has handled the Ukraine crisis, Duss cannot identify a single fault. "The Biden team clearly did not seek this war," Duss claims, and "in fact made a strenuous, and very public, diplomatic effort to avert it."

Duss does not explain what the administration's "strenuous" diplomacy entailed, perhaps because even its top officials now openly admit that none existed.

In an interview with War on the Rocks, State Department counsellor Derek Chollet was asked if NATO expansion into Ukraine was "on the table" in pre-invasion contacts with Russia. "It wasn't," Chollet replied. The White House, Chollet explained, "made clear to the Russians that we were willing to talk to them on issues that we thought were genuine concerns they have that were legitimate in some way," including "arms control." (emphasis added) But when it comes to "the future of Ukraine" and its potential NATO membership, Chollet said, this was deemed a "non-issue."

To Duss, the Biden administration's (openly admitted) refusal to even discuss Russia's core demands  and to only entertain issues that it deemed to be "legitimate" on Russia's behalf  is apparently a "strenuous diplomatic effort." If "diplomacy" amounts to enforcing US hegemony, as many in DC seem to believe, then Duss would have a case. But in the rest of the world, where diplomacy entails constructive dialogue with a semblance of parity, he does not.

Duss also takes aim at the argument, advanced by prominent leftists including former Brazilian President Lula da Silva, that a US-European pledge that Ukraine won't join NATO "would have solved the problem with Russia.

To refute Lula, Duss stresses that "in the weeks leading up to the war, U.S. allies, specifically German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron, signaled clearly" that Ukraine's NATO ascension "was not going to happen." According to Duss, it is Putin who sabotaged their efforts by invading, and who "has now made that discussion moot."

Duss omits what also happened in the weeks leading up to the war. While Germany and France did indeed float a proposal to keep Ukraine out of NATO, it was Ukraine  with US backing  that rejected it. According to an account in the Wall Street Journal, Scholtz proposed to Volodymyr Zelensky on Feb. 19  five days before Russia's invasion -- that Ukraine "renounce its NATO aspirations and declare neutrality as part of a wider European security deal," signed by both Putin and Biden. But Zelensky rejected Schultz's plan, a response that "left German officials worried that the chances of peace were fading." In dismissing the Germans' NATO proposal, Zelensky joined the Biden White House, as States Derek Chollet acknowledged and other Biden officials made clear in public.

Ignoring US-Ukrainian rejectionism, Duss then declares that "it seems absurd to suggest that even an ironclad public pledge from President Biden that Ukraine would never be accepted into NATO would have convinced Putin to draw back the 180,000 troops he had placed on Ukraines borders." Perhaps, but that very public pledge happened to be the centerpiece of Germany's last-minute diplomatic effort  one that Duss himself invoked, and that Zelensky (along with Biden) chose to reject.

Duss' whitewashing of the Biden administration's rejection of diplomacy before the Russian invasion carries over to the period since.

Since Russia's invasion, Duss says, the White House has "acted with restraint and care not to get drawn into a wider war with Russia." While it is true that Biden has opted not to start World War III  in other words, has opted not to trigger a global suicide pact -- he has done anything but act with "restraint." One day before Duss' article was published, Biden authorized the delivery of medium-range advanced rocket systems to Ukraine. These rockets have the capacity to strike inside of Russia; the US is acting on Ukraine's assurance that it won't.

Duss may support undermining diplomacy in Ukraine and shipping off billions of dollars worth of heavy weaponry instead, but this can only be described as "restraint" if the sole measure is an immediate  rather than merely prospective  nuclear holocaust.

Duss is so impressed with Biden's handling of the war that he cannot even detect a tangible path that could end it. "As of this writing," Duss declares, "I have seen no evidence of a settlement in the offingas in, a deal that Putin would actually entertain, let alone acceptthat were refusing to 'push for.'"

If Duss cannot see evidence of a realistic settlement that Russia could accept, then he is being willfully blind. Russia's explicit proposals, issued before the war and after, including two weeks into the invasion, called on Ukraine to "cease military action, change its constitution to enshrine neutrality, acknowledge Crimea as Russian territory, and recognise the separatist republics of Donetsk and Lugansk as independent states."

It is worth noting that the latter is Russia's only new condition: for the eight years before the February invasion, Russia formally accepted the Minsk accords, which, to end the Donbas war, would have kept the Donetsk and Lugansk regions inside Ukraine's borders, with limited autonomy.

Duss is free to argue that Russia's terms for ending the war are unacceptable. But to pretend that Russia has not even laid out those terms, is to essentially advocate that the war never end.

By omitting Russia's stated terms for a settlement, Duss also allows himself to erase one of the invasion's key causes: the 2014 Maidan coup, and the ensuing eight-year Donbas war that had left more than 14,000 people dead by the time Russian forces crossed the border on February 24th.

In his 2500+ word piece, Duss makes no mention of the Donbas war and how it began: the 2014 ouster of a democratically elected Ukrainian president, with new leadership selected by Washington; the coup government's assault on Ukraine's ethnic Russian and anti-coup citizens, who launched a rebellion in the Donbas; the critical role of fascists and neo-Nazis in the Maidan coup and the Donbas war since; the fascist-led sabotage of the 2015 Minsk accords, which could have put an end to the conflict. By omitting this history, Duss can also omit how the US has helped undermine the Minsk agreements by siding with Ukrainians far-right and choosing to use the Donbas war to "fight Russia over there" (Adam Schiff) and "make Russia pay a heavier price," (John McCain), because Ukraine's "fight is our fight." (Lindsey Graham).

After ignoring Russia's stated grounds for a peace settlement, Duss goes on to disingenuously claim that the Ukrainian government has been pushing for one.

Ukraine presented Russia with a far-reaching set of proposals over a month ago, including a commitment to permanent neutrality, Duss claims. Volodomyr Zelenskiy continues to offer to negotiate directly with Putin to end the war.

It is true that Ukraine presented Russia with a 10-point plan in late March. But Duss omits what happened immediately after: while Russia "signaled its preliminary support," (RAND analyst Samuel Charap) Ukraine's Western backers sabotaged it, and Zelensky acquiesced. In early April, Ukrainian and Russian officials were finalizing details for a Zelensky-Putin summit. But UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson traveled to Kiev and ordered him to halt diplomacy. Citing sources close to Zelensky, Ukrayinska Pravda reports that Johnson informed his Ukrainian counterpart that Putin "should be pressured, not negotiated with." Johnson also relayed that even if Russia and Ukraine chose to sign security guarantees, the UK and its allies would not take part  rendering any such agreement worthless.

Zelensky clearly received the message, as Duss's own source makes clear. When Duss claims that Zelensky "continues to offer to negotiate directly with Putin to end the war," he links to a Reuters article that reveals such an "offer" to be hollow. Zelensky, Reuters reports, said he would only negotiate with Putin if Russia first withdrew entirely from Ukraine  an obvious non-starter. "Get out of this territory that you have occupied since February 24," Zelensky said. "This is the first clear step to talking about anything." Zelensky also "ruled out suggestions that Ukraine should make concessions for the sake of securing a peace agreement that would allow Putin to save face."

Thus, returning to Duss' rendering, Zelensky's "far-reaching proposals" were immediately rescinded under Western orders, and Zelensky's "offer to negotiate" was premised on a condition that would have made negotiations impossible.

None of this is to suggest that Russia was justified in launching an invasion of Ukraine. To defend the use of force, which has been so catastrophic, Russia has to meet a high burden of evidence that, in my view, it has not. But one does not need to defend Russia's invasion to see through Duss' attempt to whitewash the US role in provoking and prolonging it.

Tellingly, Duss is openly hostile to journalists who have reported on the context that he has omitted. Out of nowhere, Duss introduces an attack on The Grayzone, the Max Blumenthal-founded news outlet that I work for. While Duss has nothing but praise for Biden, he has nothing but ad hominems for us ("pernicious authoritarian agitprop," "atrocity-denying grifters" "click-baiting provocateurs"). After sharing this vitriol, he then immediately declares that engaging with us is "wasting time."

I feel the same way about his juvenile name-calling, but interested readers can judge for themselves whether his insults are supported by facts. (He links to two "sources," one a Medium blog post that, true to the neo-McCarthyite norm, peddles innuendo that The Grayzone is funded by Russia, among other smears).

If Duss is genuinely concerned about wasting time, he also might reflect on why he devotes ample space to paying lip service to progressive principles, only to ultimately endorse policies that flagrantly violate them. "Centering opposition to U.S. imperialism and militarism is an entirely appropriate starting point," Duss states. Yet Duss' desired end point would see leftists center U.S. imperialism and militarism, with disastrous results: among them, prolonging a proxy war against a nuclear armed power, threatening a worsening global food crisis, and sentencing more Ukrainians to death.

Even putting aside US complicity in the Ukraine proxy war and its dangers for the planet, progressives like Duss might wish to consider the likely political consequences. One obvious guide is the election of 2016, when Donald Trump won over a significant portion of voters by claiming to oppose the military interventionism that Duss is now urging progressives to embrace. Having seemingly learned nothing from 2016, Democrats in 2022 are again ceding anti-war sentiment to Republicans, 68 of whom voted against the $40 billion Ukraine bill in the House and Senate (versus zero Democrats).

As at least some Republicans vote against the proxy war, Biden has defended the domestic pain caused by his Ukraine proxy war by blaming "Putin's Price Hike" and trying to argue that "defending freedom is going to cost." Biden's defense of "freedom" in Ukraine is now costing him a transatlantic flight to grovel at the feet of the Saudi autocracy, in the hopes of staving off a humiliating cost in the November midterms.

Continuing his mealy mouthed approach, Duss both claims to support diplomacy while simultaneously declaring it to be unattainable. The US, he says, "should certainly be actively engaged in finding a diplomatic path to end the war, and avoid committing to maximalist aims that could foreclose one." But yet, according to Duss, "for the moment that path is unclear."

If the path toward peace for Ukraine is unclear to Duss, then that can only be because he has chosen to erase the factual background and the diplomatic solutions on offer, thereby reinforcing the "maximalist aims" that he claims to oppose. Duss's proxy war apologia will certainly win him a warm reception in establishment DC circles. For the US progressive movement, Ukraine, and the rest of the planet, it only spells disaster.
Whats the news? This question has plagued mankind since he first fixed his eyes on the horizon and wondered what the hell was going on beyond it. The history of civilization is as such inseparable from our evolving methods of reporting.

The first ever stab at journalism was cave painting. Reporting was fairly simple during the Palolithic period, when seeing a deer was considered a headline-worthy event. Archaeologists had actually mistaken cave paintings for rudimentary attempts at representative art until 2016, when they discovered a crudely fingerpainted Hi and Lois comic strip at the Cave of Altamira in Spain.

This form of reporting continued for eons until the arrival of the stone tablet. With it ancient man could easily record and transmit information, but these were still dark times. A single paperboy throwing stone tablets at doorsteps during his morning route was capable of destroying countless front doors and azalea bushes, and anyone who tried disciplining their dog by swatting him on the snoot with the morning stone tablet quickly found themself in the market for a new dog. (Snoot reconstruction surgery would remain impossible until the discovery of antibiotics.)

Journalism was again revolutionized with the advent of papyrus. At first the Egyptians who invented papyrus only thought to use it for mummification purposes, until one fateful day when Pharaoh Senwosret III decided to start writing stuff down on it. Coincidentally, all the news from back then was universally in favor of Pharaoh Senwosret IIIs public works projects. His was a remarkably scandal-free pharaohcy, all in all!

Once mankind had the trick of paper figured out, newspaper offices began popping up like mushrooms on the bathroom floor of an Orlando area Econo Lodge. Great Britain had The Sun . New York City had The Post . Creston, Iowa had the Creston News Advertiser , which won a Pulitzer Prize in 1933 for Mary C. Leichenbergs alarming expose on corn planting tips. It was a golden age for news.

Well skip over radio and television because they are largely irrelevant to the history of news reporting.

Finally came the internet. Originally invented by nerds so they could share their Dr. Who fan fiction, journalists soon realized that the internet held boundless potential for their profession. Here was a medium on which articles could be changed at a moments notice depending on what politicians and corporate boards needed the public to know and think. No more inconvenient records of facts would persist to embarrass and inconvenience the people running the show. Absolute, total and inescapable propaganda 24/7, 365 days a year. Even longer on leap years! Such a marvelous era we're in, especially considering that Hi and Lois is still in syndication.

And we could have ended our story on this high note  if not for one regrettable little organization which calls itself BlackListed News.

What if we didnt exclusively publish propaganda online? This is the question which BlackListed News so-called journalists asked themselves, no doubt while clubbing baby fur seals to death for sick thrills. What if we published facts instead?

And so the cabal of misanthropic journalists (and we do use that word as loosely as we possibly can) scurried back beneath the rocks they call offices and began writing articles. Reprehensibly, they declined to present any of these pieces to political aides or public relations committees before publishing them. They just  published them. Online, no less, where the whole world could read and be informed by them.

You are no doubt experiencing blurred vision and a tightness in your chest upon learning all of this. If you want to take a half a valium and lie down for a bit we wouldnt blame you. This is dark stuff.

Dont imagine the powers that be are complicit in BlackListed News wanton truth spreading. The day you see an advertisement for Prudential or MetLife or Geico on BlackListed News will be the day Pixar announces their adaptation of Atlas Shrugged for the silver screen, featuring the digitally reconstituted voice of Gilbert Gottfried as John Galt.

But not even that can slow down such determined informers of mankind, sadly, for BlackListed News has partnered with Libertas Bella . The online retailer frequently allies itself with vile real news organizations so they can sell their merchandise to their readers. T-shirts. Hoodies. Mugs. Even stickers! Are there no depths Libertas Bella wont sink to while supporting their partners?
A new government initiative aims to ease the financial burden Manitobans with cochlear implants face when it comes to access and surgery associated with the hearing device.

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A new government initiative aims to ease the financial burden Manitobans with cochlear implants face when it comes to access and surgery associated with the hearing device.

Manitoba is expanding its cochlear implant program to include adults and is expected to help about 40 people annually at a cost of $352,000 a year. Specifically, this is meant to subsidize the cost of replacing what are known as external processors that help wearers hear clearly.

Those under the plan only have to pay 20 per cent of the retail cost of the implants.

This is on top of additional surgery for the implants the province already covers, Health Minister Audrey Gordon said during a news conference at the Central Speech and Hearing Clinic in Winnipeg.

"Our government is strengthening health care by ensuring equitable access to programs and services for all Manitobans, regardless of income," said Gordon. "We are investing in patients by following research that shows the sooner a cochlear implant candidate receives the device, the better the outcome and building an expanded coverage of this program to adults to ensure more Manitobans have access to this life-changing technology."

Hearing is vitally important to living a normal life, Gordon said. Statistics Canada data shows around 19 per cent of Canadians have at least a mild loss in the speech frequency range.

The adult program will be identical to the pediatric program, which covers 80 per cent of the cost of an external sound processor replacement every five years with a 20 per cent co-pay, according to a news release. The expanded program is anticipated to benefit those who are older than 55 years.

The benefit to the provinces seniors cannot be overstated, said Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Scott Johnston. Expanding this program will make it more affordable for those on fixed incomes and also has social benefits.

"An important aspect of healthy aging is social connectedness, and age-related hearing loss can have an isolating effect for seniors," said Johnston. "Expanding the cochlear implant program will help to ensure older adults who may be facing financial barriers have equitable access to this important device, which will enable them to continue to participate fully in life with their families and communities."

Cochlear implants involve surgical insertion of a device in the skull and external processors behind the ears to help people with significant hearing loss have access to sound, explained Dr. Jodi Jones, provincial otolaryngology lead at Shared Health. These processors take complex sounds, convert them into electronic signals and transmit them into electrodes implanted in the ear. Those signals are then carried to the brain to be interpreted as meaningful sounds, such as speech.

As with any machine, the processors can wear down. To replace these costs thousands of dollars, Jones said. Before this announcement, the province covered the initial implant, but not the replacement.

The announcement lets families and patients know they are being supported for their whole lives, she said.

As a physician, she is pleased to see the province rolling out one of the most general access programs for these implants in Canada.

"This will have a tremendously positive impact on cochlear implant recipients and their families whose financial worry over paying for replacement parts will be considerably lessened," she said. "This will allow patients to maintain connections with the outside world, as we have seen are so vitally important during the pandemic."

Jones also thanked the Manitoba chapter of the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association for working with the ministers to get this funding and expansion.

Past-president Gladys Nielsen, a cochlear implant recipient, said she was first implanted in 1995 on the right side of her head. She joked her external processors were likened to an old John Deere tractor; they worked, but were obsolete and needed to be replaced. She was told they would cost more than $10,000, which was way out of her budget as a senior on a fixed income. Without this funding, she would eventually be living in silence.

"No hearing, no conversations, no sounds of nature, no communications, no ability to feel safe," she said. "It would mean feeling lonely, depressed, stressed and not my active self. A cochlear implant gave me my life back."

The Manitoba Liberals were pleased with the announcement, too. The partys health critic, Jon Gerrard, has been advocating for their coverage for more than two years.

Gerrard has been working with Nielsen by creating and reading a petition in the legislature, asking about the implants in question period, as well as helping organize a rally in front of the legislature last October, the release stated.

"Dr. Gerrard was the first to recognize and support the need for government financial assistance for all adult Manitobans who require a cochlear implant processor replacement. I believe that his outstanding advocacy, commitment, compassion and leadership is paramount in bringing this positive outcome," said Nielsen.

While the NDP is also optimistic about the news, leader Wab Kinew said there are a few more steps the government could take to further protect peoples quality of life.

"We are of course pleased with this funding as it will help out many folks, but in relation to this, we are pushing for the hearing test extension for newborns because we know that will help a lot more people sooner," Kinew said.

Health Critic Uzoma Asagwara has tabled a bill to extend hearing screening to newborns to catch hearing impairment sooner and qualify for cochlear implant surgery.

 kmckinley@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @karenleighmcki1
OTTAWA - 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.

OTTAWA - 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.

Liberal MP Raj Grewal rises in the House of Commons in Ottawa on Friday, June 3, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

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.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2022.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Geoff Dixon, who was the chief executive of Qantas for seven years, used to joke that he never stood on the street with any of his three potential successors behind him, less they push him in front of a bus. In contrast, Alan Joyce, the pint-sized Irish mathematician with a thick brogue, who succeeded Dixon and built a reputation as aviations hard man, has never had to watch his back. Joyce has been Qantass chief executive for almost 14 years. He is one of the longest-serving CEOs of an ASX company and one of Australias most influential leaders. During his tenure at Qantas, half a dozen potential successors have departed and more may follow, as Qantass board has signalled that Joyce could be there for some years to come. In March, Qantas chairman Richard Goyder told staff, senior management and shareholders that his star CEOs contract was open-ended. Alan will remain as CEO until at least the end of 2023, and possibly beyond. Hes done an incredible job through the pandemic and now into the rebuild, and hes about as energised in the role as Ive ever seen him given whats on the horizon. While the news was welcomed by shareholders it wasnt received as positively by unions, some staff members and customers. It is possible that Joyce, 55, will stay on as CEO to oversee the delivery of Project Sunrise, which promises to deliver the first non-stop flights from Australias east coast to New York and London by the end of 2025. The project has been a passion of Joyces, and if he does stay until those first non-stop flights, then he will have been at the helm of Qantas for 17 years. While Joyce has won plaudits from the Qantas board and shareholders for his streamlined management of the airline, which has been defined by a focus on cost-cutting and earnings growth, and a breathtaking ruthlessness, there have also been critics whose voices have grown louder around declining customer service levels and low employee morale.

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Before the pandemic, a gulf already existed between senior management, employees, and customers, which has only widened. It wasnt helped in April when Joyce blamed customers for contributing to the travel chaos at airports during the Easter holiday period when there were long queues and delays, and passengers missed flights. Our customers are not match fit, he said. Those remarks drew a hostile response from customers, which was compounded further by a backlash across social media about the airlines poor customer service. Customers vented their frustration at the failure to get through to Qantass call centres, with reports by some that they were on hold for up to seven hours, and others complaining of cancelled flights, long delays and missing luggage. Qantas, which last month announced two acquisitions, a 51 per cent investment in TripADeal, for an undisclosed sum, and also the buyout of Alliance Aviation Services for $610.8 million, attributed its customer service problems to labour shortages. Labour shortages have affected airlines globally as a strong rebound in travel stretches an industry still fragile from the pandemic, during which many workers were laid off. They take their customers for granted. Peter Morgan, veteran fund manager Qantas hasnt announced what it is spending to recruit additional staff, although an airline spokesman said the company intended to have 1500 staff in its call centres in the next few months, which is double what it had pre-COVID. The move it hopes will drastically reduce wait times at its call centres, which are spread across Hobart, Auckland, Cape Town, Fiji and the Philippines. Since 2010, the number of Qantas employees has declined from 37,500 to 22,000, which includes 9400 leaving during the past two years.

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All through COVID, Qantas got massive help from the government with packages and subsidies to get them through, and to not be prepared when they come out the other side is just not right, says veteran fund manager Peter Morgan, who now manages his own money. It is arrogant. They take their customers for granted. In the past two years, Qantas was estimated to have received close to $2 billion in government support through JobKeeper and other aviation-specific programs. The entire industry, including airports, was estimated to have received $5 billion of government backing during that period. Its a $10 billion company that was bailed out by the government, and why the government didnt get equity in the business after they pumped so much taxpayer money into it, is beyond me, says Morgan. Every time you bail something out like that, a company gets more arrogant. Qantas, which says it lost between $15 billion to $20 billion in revenue during the pandemic, has seen its dominance in the domestic market grow over the past two years. It now commands 70 per cent of the domestic market, when it was hovering between 60 and 65 per cent before COVID-19. Queues at Sydney Airport during the Easter holiday chaos. Credit:Oscar Colman Qantas domestic fleet, which includes Jetstar, is operating at 100 per cent capacity, although it has cut its number of flights because of higher fuel costs, which have been driven up by the war in Ukraine. The airlines international business is flying at under 50 per cent of its capacity as some overseas markets such as Hong Kong, China and Japan have not fully opened up.

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Investment bank Credit Suisse has an underperform rating on the airline, citing concerns about higher fuel costs and increased competition from Virgin and Rex, with a share price target on the company for the next year of $5.05. UBS has forecast that Qantas will return to profitability in 2023, on an earnings before interest and tax basis, and instead has a bullish share price target of $6.75. Its positive outlook is based on the recovery in the domestic aviation market, a reset of the international business and cost savings. Qantas shares were recently trading at $5.21. In business circles, Joyce is admired for how he has tamed the unions through strong-arm tactics over the past decade and a half. Many still talk about his stunning decision to ground the entire Qantas fleet in a fight with unions in 2011. The grounding of the fleet left 100,000 passengers stranded globally. At the time, Joyce was recuperating from his own battle with prostate cancer. Joyce has usually taken on the unions and won. But in his latest clash with the Transport Workers Union  over the outsourcing of 2000 baggage handler jobs that the airline says would save $100 million  he has blotted his copybook. Qantas lost its case in the Federal Court and has been directed to compensate workers over how it handled that decision. Qantas has sought leave to appeal the ruling in the High Court. Alan Joyce is not always popular, but he is probably the best airline executive in the world. Peter Harbison, chairman Centre for Aviation Michael Kaine, the Transport Workers Unions national secretary, believes staff cuts at Qantas over the past five to six years have led to a decline in customer service and damaged the companys culture. Its the staff that are and have built the Spirit of Australia. Its not a tin can. Its not announcements, which are made about buying $38 billion worth of aircraft into the future so that you can get a tick up in the share price, says Kaine. These are all the short-term tactics of a management team that have led to a long-term degradation of culture, and of treatment of workers. And this has now flowed through to reputation and this is what were most concerned about. We are looking forward actually to a post-Alan Joyce Qantas, so we have an opportunity to rebuild the Spirit of Australia.

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Joyce and chairman Richard Goyder were invited to comment but Qantas referred this masthead to its public statements. Loading While Joyce is unlikely ever to win the admiration of unions he is admired by his peers not only for his financial management, and tough action on industrial relations, but also for his foresight. The non-stop flights to New York and London are ambitious. They would be the worlds longest non-stop commercial flights, but they also require a substantial capital investment in new aircraft, an amount that Qantas hasnt disclosed. His vision is just outstanding, says Peter Harbison, chairman of the Centre for Aviation. Joyce may not always be popular, but he is probably the best airline executive in the world. Hes been pretty ballsy all the way through. Hes never shied away from taking the tough position that he reckons is best for the airline. Joyce is also acknowledged for his political savvy. Few chief executives have wielded as much influence in Canberras corridors of power, or won as much taxpayer support from successive governments. I think over his tenure Alans done a very good job in what have been very difficult and challenging years, particularly the last two, says Anton Tagliaferro, founder of Investors Mutual. Qantas has to be managed quite aggressively because it is in a very tough industry. There may be some complaints on customer service, but I dont think theres any doubt that Alan Joyce should be the guy running Qantas now. In Joyces time at the top, more than a half dozen executives have departed Qantas, some of whom were considered as candidates to replace him. They include former chief financial officer Simon Hickey, Jetstar boss Bruce Buchanan and Jayne Hrdlicka, who is now chief executive of Virgin Australia. Theres little doubt that Jayne Hrdlicka was going to be the successor four years ago, says Harbison. And then when it became clear that Alan was staying on, she jumped ship. Since she moved out of the picture, the field is wide open.

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But this all makes Reeves sound like hes here to vent. Actually, he loves it. Reeves has been with the show since its 2019 premiere, playing the title role (though the shows plot is driven by the next generation, son Albus Potter and his schoolfriend, Scorpius Malfoy). Hed come to the show with a rich CV: trained at the New Zealand Drama School, with plenty of TV (Miss Fishers Murder Mysteries) and theatre (War Horse) under his belt. Ive been an actor since I was... really forever, he says. But this is the first full-time job Ive ever had. The longest gig Id ever had before I think was War Horse  we didnt quite reach a year  or a Bell Shakespeare tour, six to eight months. Its just not something that ever happens. Accio mushrooms: Gareth Reeves is a regular at the Dumbo Cafe. Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui He feels grateful and privileged to have this  especially as it made him one of the rare actors that qualified for JobKeeper. He wants to give back: Im interested in being an advocate and learning more about my industry and its challenges, though hes also acutely aware of being an ambassador for a major global brand that is, by its very nature, kind of conservative. On their third polite attempt to capture our attention, the Dumbo staff take our order. I like the look of the fish burger: rockling fillet crumbed in panko with chilli sambal, herb mayo, cheese and pickles. Reeves goes for the wild mushrooms, grilled with kimchi and cheddar cornbread, poached egg, relish and a honey gochujang sauce.

Hes had it before  this is one of his favourite local eateries. And hes just found out you can get the breakfast rolls home delivered. Ive never done this, Uber Eating breakfast. But Luke [Clayson] whos in the show was like dude, I do this all the time, so I did it for the first time last weekend. It was the best. Sunday morning, youve got to be at the theatre at 11.45am. Its like coffees and bacon and egg rolls, theyre great. The demands of a show like this are hard for a dad. Which is ironic, seeing the beating heart of the drama is the troubled relationship between fathers and sons. Reeves has a 26-year-old son  hes fine  but an eight year-old as well. He has only one night a week to read him bedtime stories, and get to that sleepy point where his son quietly talks about his thoughts and worries, and [Im] just realising how much of that Ive missed out in the last four years. Gareth Reeves says he loves the diversity in age, gender, cultural background and sexuality of the Cursed Child cast. Credit:Matt Murphy Hes awake to the paradox of parenting, seeing that piece of your heart running around outside of you [while] if you delve too deeply into the details, you would never recommend that.

He thought hed done everything right to prepare his son to see the show: warning him of the jump-scares, the flying Dementors, the hand out of the grave, the themes of horror and evil. I sat down afterwards and said were you OK with the Dementors? and he said, I loved them they were awesome. But then he said: You said some very mean things ... did you mean them? Id completely failed to prepare him for the fact that there was a scene, really early on, when I turn to my son (Albus Potter) and say there are times that I wish you werent my son. And suddenly Reeves found himself talking about how sometimes we say things we dont mean, and [Harry] carries a lot of anger and I ended up getting in way over my head about post-traumatic stress and survivor guilt and anger management, and the fact that parents are fallible, and people, too. I dont know how I managed to forget thats a major part of the story. Wild mushrooms, grilled with kimchi and cheddar cornbread, poached egg, relish and a honey gochujang sauce from Dumbo Cafe. Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui

Our food arrives: the mushrooms are as delicious as always, says Reeves, and my fish burger is a perfectly balanced delight, albeit the cause of Australias recent lettuce shortage. Dumbo Cafes fish burger fish burger: rockling fillet crumbed in panko with chilli sambal, herb mayo, cheese and pickles. Credit:Luis Enrique Ascui Wait, did he say he had a 26 year-old son? It turns out that Reeves had a bit of a wild youth, back in New Zealand. Id had this baby in Christchurch at 16, Id spent some time with him and his mum, then I got into drama school and I went up to Wellington and I was running away from everything. But that first year at drama school  which hed lied about his age to get in  he just thought he could wing it on looks and talent. And it got too much.

He wanted to be Samuel Beckett, was picked as the young New Zealand playwright of the year and went to a conference in Townsville with playwrights from around the world. But hed had the temerity to write about the Irish Troubles, realised quickly his naivety, and spent the rest of the trip mortified, running away from his own work and acting in everyone elses. Accio bill: our receipt from Dumbo Cafe. Then, back at drama school, he hadnt learned a monologue, hadnt written an essay, and I just had a kind of meltdown and threw a chair at my teachers, I think I said something like well youve got what you wanted, you broke me and I walked out. He came to his senses a little and found a mentor at the school, a new movement tutor who had trained at the strict Lecoq school in France. He was given the task of trying to turn me around. That tutor made him run to school every morning  which knocked his pot smoking habit on the head. He opened his eyes to the world of theatre from Europe and the Pacific. And he, and others helped me realise I was part of something, a tradition and a culture, and there was a place for me.

I got my shit together. Reconnected with my little boy. By the time I came out of my third year at drama school, I was very driven, ambitious, and focused, he says. Its another anecdote that makes you wonder about the link between role and actor: an inspired piece of casting. Harry Potter had trouble at school, was a brilliant but sulky adolescent. And a lot of the Potter characters ended up having kids very young. Reeves loves the diversity in age, gender, cultural background and sexuality of the Cursed Child cast  and hes full of admiration for the bravery and awareness of the younger generations. Apart from anything else, its a good comeback to questions about the legacy of JK Rowling, whose public statements on trans issues cause seemingly endless controversy. Her views dont reflect our production, he says. She can go on saying what she says, but we are who we are, and were doing what were doing, and were pretty proud of it. Soon, its time to grab the bill and for Reeves to head off, to pick up his boy from school and then head to the theatre for another bruising, wonderful evening of being a dad not entirely unlike himself.
Women were borrowing from mens wardrobes long before Diane Keaton knotted a tie beneath her vest in Woody Allens 1977 movie Annie Hall, but now men are raiding the wardrobes of female friends for jackets and sweaters with an extra edge. Seeing an opportunity to offload more blazers and baggy pants, savvy Australian female fashion brands are opening their change rooms to everyone.

Since 2004 the tailored aesthetic of designer Margie Woods label Viktoria & Woods has appealed to female customers, but when its boxy blazers caught the eye of men, it introduced a unisex collection which has found its way onto the shoulders of a discerning clientele.

The Viktoria & Woods unisex blazer on the runway at the Melbourne Fashion Festival and worn by a female model. Credit:Getty, supplied

Creating pieces for men has been brewing in the background for years because it makes sense with our sensibility of being sporty and laid-back, Woods says. Friends have been encouraging us but during the COVID-19 lockdown we found the courage to launch the unisex pieces.

I tried one of Viktoria & Woods single-buttoned unisex blazers, which fit my 193 cm frame as easily as my traditional tailored suit jackets, with the only difference being an absence of pockets on the inside (where do women put phones and crumpled Mars Bars wrappers?) and the button fastening on the opposite side.
Excellence is, and always has been our standard  I want to reiterate  my complete dissociation from Dr Lanzer and his company, he told his followers on Instagram on November 7, 2021. The damage control ramped up when he emailed the Herald and The Age on October 30, 2021, stating he ran the Brisbane practice independently and that Lanzers involvement had not been in a clinical, procedural or operational capacity for a year. Dr Daniel Lanzer (left) retired last year after a damning media expose, after which Dr Ryan Wells (right) distanced himself from him. Within the [Brisbane] unit, no compromises have ever been taken with regards to patient safety, Wells said. The alleged conduct seen in recent media coverage is not consistent with the care offered at the Brisbane practice.

But behind the scenes, the spin was different. I think [the media coverage] was weak. Danny [Lanzer] might cop some shit but feel we didnt even get a show up here. Itll all be okay, he told his nurses. Lanzer surrendered his medical registration in early December amid an investigation by the health regulator and went overseas. Other doctors he employed had conditions placed on their medical registration by the regulator. Daniel Aronov was accused of inappropriately filming surgeries and unsanitary practices and subsequently banned from doing all cosmetic or surgical procedures, including minor surgery, and ordered to remove his social media posts. Daniel Darbyshire had his licence suspended after being charged by police over an alleged attack on an elderly man. Darbyshire is expected to defend the charge and is out on bail. His next court hearing is scheduled for July 26. Wells has managed to avoid scrutiny  until now.

Our investigation has uncovered some disturbing practices in the Queensland facilities, including potentially historic illegal surgeries, serious hygiene and safety issues, and an internal culture that saw some patients referred to as red flags, a nutcase, a mole and crazy. It also shows staff backdated critical paperwork ahead of regulatory audits and hid certain equipment and chemicals in the attic, or, as the nurses refer to it, the creepy attic. Nurses Justin Nixon and Lauren Hewish say they worked on hundreds of procedures and patient consultations with Wells in Sydney, Melbourne and Queensland, and say the culture at all clinics was similar. They did not have access to Wells chat group and have not seen it. They say they both received phone calls from Wells after they resigned, asking them to keep quiet about what they had seen. He said, Be careful who you talk to because its our lives at stake. Dont say anything about your experience at the clinic because if it comes out, were all done for, Hewish recalls.

The leaked work chat reveals how Wells dealt with unhappy patients. Whistleblowers Lauren Hewish and Justin Nixon. Credit:SImon Schluter In a message from June 2020, a patient who complained that her surgery was rescheduled after she took time off work is described by Wells as a big red flag. He says he wants a nurse in the room and may even have to record it. Then comes the punchline: Anyone of sane mind wouldnt act like this to someone whos about to operate on them. Shes crazy haha. It is the latest scandal to hit the billion-dollar cosmetic surgery industry, following a media investigation last year that uncovered safety and hygiene issues at Lanzers clinics and inadequate regulations that failed to protect patients.

Under current law, anyone with an ordinary medical degree and little surgical training can call themselves a cosmetic surgeon: they dont need to be a registered specialist surgeon with more than six years of postgraduate surgical training. Social media posts featuring Dr Ryan Wells and his partner. Wells joined Lanzers clinic in 2018 after working for another cosmetic surgeon. He graduated with a medical degree from the University of Notre Dame in 2013. Within months of working for Lanzer, he was earning big bucks and was on social media  often alongside Lanzer  spruiking and performing major procedures, such as mega liposuction, tummy tucks and mini facelifts. He was the person doing the bulk of the work at the Lanzer Clinic. He was Dr Lanzers workhorse, says Nixon, a registered nurse who worked with Wells between October 2018 to July 2020.

From the start, Wells was part of a fly-in, fly-out team in Queensland, performing surgeries on the first floor of a commercial office building in Spring Hills, Brisbane. It was an unlicensed facility, which, under Queensland law, prohibits certain procedures being undertaken, including some types of breast reductions. It was cramped and, according to Nixon, who also regularly flew in and out from Melbourne, it wasnt fit for purpose. The rooms were never actually up to speed, he says. Thered be globules of fat from the surgeries previously. It was just an office space where we would open up the sterile sheets and commence operating on a table. Its hard to find the words  like something out of a horror movie. He says the equipment would be transported in dirty suitcases, which he says was concerning because the sterility of the instruments is already questionable by the time its arrived here, long before weve even commenced operating. The unlicensed Spring Hills clinic closed in early 2020. Lanzer opened a day hospital in March that year and a clinic in Broadbeach.

Nixon says the Sydney clinic, a fly-in, fly-out facility for Wells and other doctors, was similar in terms of its poor hygiene. Clockwise from left: In a still from a video, Dr Ryan Wells chases a fly during a procedure; an unhappy patient shows the results of liposuction; Dr Wells removes fat from a patient; and body fluid and fat collected during procedures. He was shown a video of a storeroom in Lanzers Sydney practice including surgical instruments and medical supplies sitting among the doctors clothes in a suitcase on the floor. In the same room, tumescent fluids and various medications administered to patients were drawn from unsanitary conditions. Nixon identifies Wells bag in the video. At least one video posted on social media in late 2019 shows Wells excising breast glands and tissue from an incision under the nipple of a male patient in the Spring Hills unlicensed facility. So Ive done both sides, he tells his followers. Weve made the cut and the incision under the nipples. Lets take out these glands. Theres one, not huge. And weve got another one here. According to Dr Margaret Faux, who has spent 40 years working in and researching the health system, the procedure shown in the video was a partial breast reduction. She says given it was performed in the Spring Hills clinic, which was not a day hospital, it was potentially illegal.

Queensland Health said some procedures of gynecomastia can be classified as breast reduction, which must be performed in a licensed venue. It said gynecomastia can also occur using liposuction only, which can be performed in an unlicensed venue, which is managed by the Office of the Health Ombudsman (OHO). When OHO was asked if an unlicensed facility in Queensland was allowed to undertake gynecomastia, including an incision with a scalpel to remove breast glands, it said OHO does not have powers to manage unlicensed premises or set rules in terms of what may constitute legal and illegal behaviour. For Professor Ashton, it is a highly doctored video and a deceptive trick for prospective patients. What this video does is it trivialises the significant surgical procedure in a way to make it look straightforward and easy, as if theres no risk, he says. Social media is the key marketing tool for the cosmetic surgery industry to attract patients. With lax regulations, many run amok, posting cleverly staged before-and-after photos and using influencers to promote procedures without declaring they have received a discount or payment.

Leaked internal chats between Wells and his nurses give an insight into the veracity of before-and-after surgery photos posted on Instagram. In one chat from last September, Wells and nurses discuss a post-surgery photo posted by a patient on Instagram and how they might leverage it. Hopefully she looks bad in her before pics, Wells says. A nurse replies: Not bad but with the shit lighting and no tan compared to that one could work great.

It seems the patient has edited the photo to make her waist look smaller, which sparks a laughing-hilariously emoji by Wells, followed by, Lets not say because of the tan and lighting though, or post-op editing. Lets agree it was the surgical skill. The followers love a patient post-op selfie. Internal videos paint a picture of a practice that has little respect for compliance and procedures, or its patients. In one video, captured by a nurse in March 2021, shortly after an audit, Wells is flapping about with a blanket in the theatre room trying to kill a fly as a patient lies naked and unconscious after surgery. He swings the blanket so hard the light fitting becomes unsteady.

Wells posted the video on the WhatsApp group, prompting replies of laughing emojis from nurses working for him. But for qualified surgeons like Ashton, it is no laughing matter. The fact that there is a fly in the operating theatre means that that system has broken down, Ashton says. Either the fly got in from the outside or something has happened within the operating theatre that has allowed the fly to grow within that environment. In any case, its an absolute litmus test that there is something majorly wrong within this operating theatre. He is also horrified that the patient was left naked while under anaesthetic. We have known in the last 10 to 15 years that one of the most important, critically adjustable factors in preventing infection after surgery is keeping a patient warm  this is not an acceptable standard of practice. Its not an acceptable standard of care. Other allegations of questionable conduct uncovered by the investigation include: The removal of 12 litres of fat and fluids from a liposuction patient in one procedure, which is considered dangerous and twice the amount considered safe;

Nurses writing scripts, including in September 2020, when Wells reminds the nurses that one of them had written a script for a patient with the wrong dosage and tells them of the correct dosage: Answer is it only comes in 200 or 100mg. Someone wrote 500mg the other day as well. Always ask me if not 100% on doses team;

A nurse smacking the buttocks of a naked patient and Wells posting the video on WhatsApp to share with the other nurses;

A message sent by a nurse: For any photos, underwear and bras needs [sic] to be off completely especially for tummy tucks/thighs etc  RW [Ryan Wells]; and,

The internal chats also show videos and photos of Wells and his nurses scraping Lanzers name from the clinic window. In an effort to publicly distance himself from Lanzer, Wells renamed the Queensland facilities the Institute of Aesthetics last month.

Wells lawyer responded to the allegations, saying he doesnt hold any concerns with the standard of hygiene and safety practices at his clinics. The lawyer said Wells does not provide nurses with unsigned blank scripts nor does he pre-sign scripts and performs liposuction in accordance with industry standards. He said Wells does not consider his social media posts or activities trivialise surgery, adding that posts ensure that prospective patients have a realistic expectation of cosmetic procedures including recovery times [and] inherent risks. Wells denied, through his lawyer, instructing nurses to move items ahead of an audit. He also denied any knowledge of hygiene and safety issues at Lanzers Sydney practice. Property and company searches reveal that Lanzer and Wells are still in business together. The renamed Broadbeach cosmetic clinic sits on a property jointly owned by the pair, while the Brisbane day hospital is owned by Lanzer, who rents it to Wells company.

As much as Dr Wells says he has separated himself and has better standards and that the [Queensland] clinics run completely differently, I think thats a joke, nurse-turned whistleblower Lauren Hewish says. Nixon describes the public disassociation as shameless. It is a message that worries patient Kathy Hubble, who had two surgeries in the Sydney office in 2018: liposuction of the legs with Lanzer and liposuction of her abdomen with Wells. This man is absolutely dangerous to the public  he was directly responsible for the procedure on my abdomen, which has now left me with chronic pain and a tissue that is hard and rubbery and loss of feeling in those areas as well, she says.

Hubble ended up in Gosford Hospital for almost a week after developing a serious infection, cellulitis, shortly after her second procedure in November 2018. Former patient Kathy Hubble says she was left in agony after a procedure. She says the clinic in Sydney was filthy, and while she was in hospital recovering, Lanzer tried to pull her out and treat her in the Sydney clinic, saying he was better equipped to deal with the issue. Dr Wells actually sent me a text message saying he would come and help me down to the clinic, she recalls. Back to the dirty environment. Some patients cant speak publicly about their experiences after signing a gag order in return for a refund, while others are too embarrassed to reveal their identity publicly. Kathy Hubble was diagnosed with cellulitis shortly after liposuction.

One woman, who asked for anonymity for privacy reasons, spent $39,000 on a series of procedures, including mega liposuction, with Wells in November 2020. The patient had the surgery for relief as she suffers from lipedema, a painful condition that causes excess fat to accumulate in the buttocks, legs and arms. She ended up with excess skin on her legs, which she says impacts her lymphatic system. Her arms still have pockets of painful fat. When she told Wells, he said if he did revision surgery, it would cost her half the price. I am now deformed. It affects my whole life. It affects my relationship, it affects everything, she says. Other patients have joined a class action being run by Maddens Lawyers for any patients of Lanzer, Wells, Aronov, Darbyshire and Ali Fallahi, alleging they engaged in misleading and deceptive conduct. It also alleges that cosmetic surgeries were not undertaken with an appropriate level of care and skill.

Loading The class action has attracted more than 300 patients of the various doctors who underwent a range of procedures including Brazilian Butt Lifts, treatments for lipedema, ear pinning, facelifts and mega liposuction. But when it comes to protection of patients, a series of inquiries are on foot, but there seems to be little appetite for change. Social media experts Michael Fraser and Maddison Johnstone, who have captured tens of thousands of videos and posts of cosmetic surgeons and see multiple breaches every day, say more needs to be done. This is advertising that must meet the advertising guidelines. Its not just people having fun on social media. They are medical professionals doing medical advertising, and it must be responsible, Johnstone says.
Wilson took some items from the home and left again, believing police were on the way. Broadbent followed him to remove child seats from the ute, but Wilson drove off.

When he returned to their Keilor Downs home in Melbournes north-west hours later, she called a second time and repeated her concerns.

Broadbent called triple zero earlier on the day she died to report Wilson had a hammer and had threatened to kill her. But police did not attend as Wilson drove away.

Judge Gerard Mullaly described Broadbents death as tragic and wholly avoidable, had Wilson chosen not to drive off.

But Wilson had been unable to curb his anger and risk-taking, the judge said, and although he knew Broadbent had climbed into the back and was unrestrained, he veered around a corner and his partner fell.

Here the simple and sad facts are you drove off with your partner standing and unstable in the rear of the car with the door open, Mullaly said.

It was your decision to drive at all in those circumstances that gives rise to the dangerousness, not so much the way you drove, though ... it was not a cautious and responsible way to take that corner at all.

Tracey Broadbent said in a victim impact statement her daughters death had destroyed my soul, and she was angry and disgusted it took Wilson so long to plead guilty.
The family of Tamil asylum seekers held in immigration detention for four years has arrived back in the regional Queensland town of Biloela.

The Murugappan family  mother Priya, her husband Nades and their Australian-born daughters Kopika, 6, and Tharnicaa, 4  were greeted with cheers from a small but vocal contingent of local supporters.

The family, who are known as the Nadesalingams in Tamil culture, shared a hug on the tarmac, and the two girls waved to the waiting crowd who clapped and cheered with signs and streamers.

They flew into the town from Brisbane on Friday, after the change in the federal government paved the way for their return from immigration detention in Perth.
Down a side street in Collingwood a discreet door opens onto Sense of Self where people come to bathe in the mineral pool, dip into the cold plunge, have a massage or sweat in the sauna and steam room.

Unlike traditional onsens in Japan or hammans in Turkey the bathhouse is mixed gender, so men and women wander around in their bathers and robes enjoying a respite from Melbournes wintry weather. Sometimes the bathers are optional.

Freya Berwick and Mary Minas, owners of Sense of Self bathhouse Credit:Simon Schluter

Co-owner Mary Minas says the idea for the bathhouse came from a love of bathing and a desire to connect people with their bodies.

Its about a realisation that your body is just one on a spectrum of bodies, she says.
Sri Lanka/Singapore: At a fish market in Negombo, an hours drive north of Colombo, Mallika Fernando had a message for me via my interpreter.

Tell him to take us to Australia by boat, said the 57-year-old fish seller, as she struggled to offload what she had at her waterfront stall last week.

Vendors struggle to sell fish at a market in Negombo, Sri Lanka, last week. Credit:Pradeep Dambarage

She was only half joking. Sri Lankas crippling economic collapse has seen the prices of everything - from fish to rice, to petrol - soar, triggering a food security crisis in a nation already bankrupt.

Now, as people struggle to make ends meet, some are looking for a way out and the boats towards Australia have resumed.
A former top seller for Amazon, Cloudtail, has accused the countrys antitrust agency of illegally detaining its employees during a raid over suspected competition law violations, court documents show.

Cloudtail, among a handful of online sellers raided in an investigation of and Walmart's Flipkart over suspected preferential treatment on e-commerce platforms, argued in a court filing the detentions were cause for disallowing materials taken during the raid.

Employees from the senior management were detained for over 30 hours through the night till the completion of the search and seizure operation, the May 30 filing said. The operation was conducted on April 28 and 29.

Cloudtail and did not respond to requests for comment.

A senior source at the Competition Commission of India (CCI), which conducted the raid, rejected the allegations, saying it had obtained the requisite legal approvals and was in line with the watchdog's regulatory processes. The source was not authorised to speak to the media and declined to be identified.

For years, small traders  a key constituency for Prime Minister Narendra Modi  have alleged that foreign giants favour selected sellers online, violating the laws. The firms deny those allegations.

This is not the only sector, moreover, where the authorities have recently ended up in public legal wrangling with foreign enterprises. In May, Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi alleged that its top officials faced threats of physical violence and coercion during a probe of remittance payments by the Enforcement Directorate. The agency denied the allegations.

Seized documents

An initial hearing on Cloudtail's filing at the Delhi High Court on June 3 did not mention the detentions, and the contents of the filing have not been posted publicly.

Lawyers for Cloudtail told the judge that the company should not have been raided, since it was merely a third-party seller on . The lawyer argued that Cloudtail was simply attempting to discourage authorities from proceeding with the probe, noting the wider investigation of Amazon and its relationships with sellers. The judge has scheduled the next hearing on the matter for July 15.

Amazon recently took full control of Cloudtail, which has since ceased to be a seller on the Amazon platform. During the period under investigation by CCI, Cloudtail was controlled by a joint venture between Amazon and an Indian entity.

The two announced last August that they would not extend the partnership beyond May 2022, after a Reuters investigation, based on Amazon documents, showed the U.S. company had given preferential treatment for years to Cloudtail and a small group of other sellers, which they used to bypass Indian laws. (https://reut.rs/3QcQyYr)

The investigation found that, while Amazon publicly referred to Cloudtail as an independent seller offering goods on its website, company documents revealed the U.S. firm was deeply involved in expanding it. Amazon has said it does not give preferential treatment to any seller and that it complies with the law.

In the latest court filing, Cloudtail also objected to the raids for seizing confidential documents including family photos and blood test results, while its lawyers were not allowed to enter the premises or assist the employees during the raid.
Coal India will get 6 million tonnes more coal from abroad, issuing medium-term tenders for supplies, said the state-owned company is a statement on Friday.

The bids are for 5,000 gar (gross as received) quality of thermal grade coal, said Reuters. The estimated value of work is pegged at Rs 3,850 billion for each tranche of 3 million tonnes (mts) of coal. Two medium term tenders for total of 6 mts coal quantity have an option of increasing bid quantity by 100 per cent to 12 mts.

Two days ago, the company for the first time ever 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 supply chain.

The imported coal would be supplied to state government-owned and independent power producers (IPPs), 1.2 mt each. The power ministry last month asked the company 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.





"In an urgency to shore up coal stocks at the indigenous coal-based power plants, as directed by the government, Coal India Limited (CIL) on Friday floated two international competitive bidding e-tenders of 3 million tonnes each to source coal from abroad," said the company statement.

The tenders are not indent based but to keep coal on tap for immediate availability and use in future. It is an advance action by the firm in fortifying future supplies and keeping a vendor ready, PTI reported.
An environment that promotes a mad rush to get into the (EV) business is more worrying than such two-wheelers catching fire, said Rajiv Bajaj, managing director of Bajaj Auto, on Friday.

Buyers will not be put off by fires because they can figure out reliable brands, but the authorities must not dilute quality norms, Bajaj told reporters after the inauguration of a Chetak Technology facility in Akurdi near Pune.

What concerns me more is the environment that has promoted this mad gold rush (to get into EVs). When the flower doesnt bloom, you dont fix the flower, you fix the environment. Why is this happening in the EV world? Why are people who have no business to be in the EVs, are in the business?

"This must be fixed and understood. Its partly the incentives and partly because the relevant authorities in the government have diluted the norms, said Bajaj, referring to low-speed (up to 50kmph) vehicles that do not go through testing or validation.

Under the guise of low-speed vehicles, one can bring any junk from anywhere and sell it here, he said. Concerned people have to reflect on this. As far as the consumers are concerned, they are smarter and know how to make a choice.





ALSO READ: Battery defects, insufficient testing caused EV fires: DRDO report

There is a big carrot out there in the marketplace in the form of FAME and state level benefits which is just tempting so many people who have perhaps failed at everything else to import some kits and sell them. Unfortunately, this is the environment that exists. Will it necessarily colour the industry? I don't think so, said Bajaj, referring to an Indian government scheme promoting EVs.

"There are so-called EV makers every day. You call them start-ups; I call them upstarts." Without naming any particular brand, he said he is amazed that people "With no R&D, no real purchase experience in the engineering sense, and nothing more than just half an assembly facility are importing stuff that has not been validated for the marketplace. "That is perhaps why you are seeing what you are seeing -- accidents, mishaps or fire incidents."

Indian states subsidise e-two-wheelers eligible for incentives under the FAME-II scheme on the basis of the size of their lithium-ion battery packs.

Bajaj Auto entered the e-two wheeler market in 2019 with the Chetak brand. The model has been received well and the company is bracing to meet demand. But Bajaj has no qualms. We have a certain way of doing things. We follow a robust process that ensures that what we produce is high quality and reliable, said Bajaj.
penetration in India is poised to grow rapidly, driven by the growing middle class and increasing digital penetration, which will help the market reach a size close to $222 billion by FY26, according to a report released by consultancy firm, .

New online distribution models such as B2C, B2B and B2B2C are key drivers of growth, with B2C in particular, gaining significant opportunities.

It is interesting to note that B2C brokers have significantly higher contribution margins than B2B2C brokers, while B2B2C scales faster through uberization of agents, it also has relatively poor unit economics (largely owing to high agent payouts), said Mrigank Gutgutia, Partner at . On the other hand, B2C brokers utilize online marketing and asset-light models to derive better margins. The experiences that these new-age InsurTech models offer for customers are not merely digital, theyre delightful.

As InsurTech players innovate across the value chain, several InsurTech models have emerged. Some of these models include the B2C models (which included B2C brokers), the B2B2C models (which include PoSP agents and consolidators, and embedded insurance) and B2B models (which include group insurance).

Additionally, these new and rising models are not just making insurance great for customers...they are also empowering agents with the power of technology: no more chasing customers with messy paperwork; instead, they can handhold customers through the entire insurance experience from anywhere...digitally, said Gutgutia.

Business-to-business-to-consumer (B2B2C) distribution is not new to insurance and is synonymous with InsurTechs selling insurance through partner POS agents, agencies, or embedded with purchased goods or services. This model includes offline agents, with online support and is known to have fast scalability. Claims risk in this model is moderate, due to the risk of agent mis-selling. Business-to-business or B2B models include InsurTech selling group to businesses. Interestingly, thanks to more aware customers, the lapse rate is typically low for B2B models.

The report deep dived into category-wise digital insurance penetration, and it was seen that with a total addressable market (TAM) of $66.5 billion, the life insurance category comprised close to three-fourths of the market. This is followed by motor insurance which has a TAM of $10 billion and retail health insurance which has a TAM of $4.7 billion, as of this year, FY22. Stringent motor regulations and a policy shift towards making India a digital economy have boosted motor digital insurance gross premiums in India. On the other hand, the rising cost of healthcare, the Covid-19 pandemic and national campaigns on insurance policies have created more awareness and accelerated digital insurance adoption leading to a rise in retail health insurance.

The report concluded that digital insurance in the USA stands at 14 per cent of the entire population, and 6 per cent in China. In India, digital penetration in insurance stands at 2 per cent, denoting significant headroom for growth in the years to come.
The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) on Friday ordered starting of insolvency proceedings in only one of the housing projects of realty firm Ltd and not the entire company, and directed constitution of the Committee of Creditors for the said project only.

A two-member bench limited the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) to only "Eco Village II Project" located at Greater Noida (West).

On March 25, the Delhi bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) had ordered to initiate the CIRP against Ltd over a petition filed by the Union Bank of India for non-payment of dues of around Rs 432 crore. However, this was challenged by promoter R K Arora before .

on April 12 stayed the formation of CoC as the promoters have sought some time to settle the matter with their financial creditor.

In its order pronounced on Friday, the NCLAT said project-wise resolution has to be started as a test to find out the success of such resolution.

The NCLAT, while modifying its April 12 order, said Interim Resolution Professional (IRP) may constitute the CoC with regard to the project Eco Village II only.

"The Committee of Creditors of Eco Village II project shall start the process for resolution of Eco Village II project. The IRP shall separate the claims received with regard to the Eco Village II project and prepare an 'information memorandum' accordingly and proceed for the meeting of the CoC as per the Code," said NCLAT.

Moreover, it has also directed that even for Eco Village II project, the "IRP shall carry the project and continue the project as an ongoing project by taking all assistance from the ex-management, employees, workmen etc."



"We however make it clear that other projects apart from the Eco Village II project shall proceed as ongoing project basis under the overall supervision of the IRP," said the NCLAT bench comprising Chairperson Justice Ashok Bhushan and Member Naresh Salecha.

It has also directed to maintain a detailed account of all the inflow and outflow with regard to each project of Supertech Ltd to be separately maintained as per the 'RERA' guidelines.

"Seventy per cent of the amount received with regard to the project shall be utilised for construction purposes only. With regard to the disbursement of rest 30 per cent amount, we shall issue appropriate direction after receiving further status report and after hearing all concern subsequently," it said.

It has directed IRP to submit a "further status report within six weeks from today" regarding Eco Village II project and all other projects.

NCLAT observed that the promoters of Supertech has submitted that they will arrange interim finance to support the ongoing construction of the different projects by arranging finances as submitted in their settlement-cum-resolution plan.

Commenting on the NCLAT order, Arora said that "NCLAT has considered the interests of homebuyers who have invested in the projects of the company trusting its promoters. The company will now focus on implementing the resolution plan by clearing the debts, completing the projects and delivering the units to allottees."



The NCLAT said that promoters have also promised to clear the outstanding of all financial institutions including the financial creditors.

"The pendency of this proceeding shall in no manner hinder the appellant (Supertech promoters) to approach the financial creditors for entering into settlement with the financial creditors. With regard to the disbursement to the financial creditors, out of 30 per cent of the amount, we shall issue necessary direction after receiving the status report and receiving the progress of the projects," it said.

Supertech had offered to make an upfront payment of Rs 10 crore with 10 crore on acceptance of OTS (One-Time Settlement) and Rs 55 crore for exclusive security. However, it did not materialise as the bank had asked to deposit Rs 75 crore as upfront to consider the OTS.

NCLAT in its 21-page interim order observed that as per the status report filed by the IRP, it is clear that in the 20 projects, which Supertech is executing, substantial units have been sold.

"We further notice that the Union Bank of India who has initiated CIRP by filing Section 7 application has stated that it had given finance for Eco Village II project," the bench said.

Moreover, for Eco Village II project, there is another financial creditor -- IDBI Bank-- which has also filed an intervention application in the present matter.

"A large number of homebuyers who have filed intervention application has prayed that CIRP be confined to Eco Village II only. With regard to the other projects, the construction may be allowed to be completed so that homebuyers may get their flats," the appellate tribunal said.

However, CIRP has been commenced against all the projects of Supertech and its erstwhile promoters (appellant) has also filed a settlement proposal with an object to carry out the construction of all the projects.

(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.)
Thirty people have been arrested after their outside Parliament Street police station here over FIR against party chief Asaddudin Owaisi for allegedly posting and sharing messages on social media inciting people on divisive lines, officials said on Friday.

The was held on Thursday. A total of 33 protesters, including women, were detained and an FIR was registered for disobedience to order duly promulgated by a public servant.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Amrutha Guguloth on Friday said 30 protesters have been arrested under various sections of the Indian Penal Code.

The Delhi Police has registered FIRs against former BJP spokespersons Nupur Sharma 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 tranquillity and inciting people on divisive lines.

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 tranquillity and were inciting people on the basis of divisive lines," a senior police officer 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, a police officer said.

Notices will be sent to the social media intermediaries for the details, 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.)
For years, surrogacy has been the most viable option for Indian couples who struggle with infertility. As per data, one in six urban couples in India are infertile.

However, this all came to a halt after the central government passed a law banning commercial surrogacy in the nation last December.

The change in laws hit the $375 million surrogacy business in India spread across 3,000 clinics. This is almost a tenth of the $4 billion global market for surrogacy, as per Global Markets Insights, and is expected to grow by almost a third by 2027.

With surrogacy not being an option in India anymore, Indian couples have found refuge over 4,000 kms away in the former Soviet republic of Georgia, according to a report by Business Insider. This European-Asian nation has emerged as the most favoured destination for Indians as commercial surrogacy is legal in and relatively inexpensive.

Dr Narayan Patel, who has helped thousands of parents from around the world in delivering babies through surrogacy, hadn't had any new work since February, she told Insider. Patel, who rose to prominence after interviewed on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in 2006, said she might soon have to fly capital Tbilisi to take on cases.

"It's only natural for Indian couples to now want to go there for surrogacy," she told Business Insider, adding, "And clinics there will either bring in experts like me from India or hire local doctors."

A surrogacy centre in capital New Delhi, ARTbaby, is now pitching its facility in Tbilisi as an 'alternative' for Indian couples.

According to the report, Vinsfertility, another surrogacy clinic in India, has started providing its services in other nations, specifically Georgia, as the centre is offering a "guaranteed surrogacy program" in a bid to adapt its business after the ban.

India banned surrogacy completely after a decade-long debate over the ethics of allowing people to pay women to carry their children. Before the ban, surrogacy in India cost over Rs 15 lakh, a lawyer from Mumbai told Insider.

About 25,000 children were born in India to surrogates as almost half of them were for foreign parents, research by The Lancet estimated.

In 2015, the banned foreigners from using Indian women as commercial surrogates, however, the domestic market was left untouched, until last year.

legalised surrogancy in 1997 while India's two alternatives, Nepal, and Cambodia, banned the practice in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

Surrogacy in Georgia costs between Rs 23-30 lakh, which is more expensive than India but much cheaper than western countries like the US where the average cost is between $120,000 to 150,000, said the report.
Chief Minister on Friday sought support from for arresting the gangsters operating from its soil.

The Chief Minister flagged the issue with Canadian High Commissioner Cameron Mackay, who called on the former at his residence here.

The Chief Minister expressed concern over the mushrooming up of gangs and gangsters in both the countries.

Mann informed the High Commissioner that gangsters operating from Canadian soil are disturbing hard earned peace of state. He said these gangsters create law and order problem on one hand and derail the progress of the state on other hand.

Advocating a harsh punitive action against the gangsters, Mann said that they should be punished under severest of severe provisions of law so that it acts as deterrent for others.

The Chief Minister, while batting for joint police operation between and Punjab, said it is the only way which can free both these lands from gangsters.

He apprised the High Commissioner that Police has a glorious tradition of upholding law and order situation even in hostile situations, adding if advanced police force like cooperates with Police then these gangs can be weeded out easily.

The Chief Minister asked the Canadian High Commissioner to explore the feasibility of having a direct tie up between Punjab and Canada police so that gangsters can be put behind the bars.

He said this is need of the hour as gangsters and their actions are posing serious threat to life, economy and society in both Canada and Punjab.

Mann expressed hope that Canada and Punjab will script a new success story with this robust cooperation.

--IANS

vg/pgh

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday appealed to to release additional water in the Yamuna river on humanitarian grounds to address the shortage of water in the capital.

Kejriwal said he also discussed the issue with Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena at a meeting.

"We should not go into the legalities... that Delhi's share is this much and is releasing this much...Delhi faces a water shortage and I appeal to the government to release additional water in the Yamuna on humanitarian grounds," Kejriwal told reporters after meeting the LG.

Jal Board Vice Chairman Saurabh Bharadwaj also appealed to the Haryana government to release Delhi's share of water in the Yamuna to tide over the water crisis in the capital.

He claimed Haryana has stopped releasing water from the Tajewala Barrage in Yamuna Nagar district which has reduced the water supply in Delhi by around 100 million gallons a day.

"The Yamuna runs eight feet deep in Delhi and the water level has already reduced by 7.5 feet. The river has become dry. The drinking water problem in Delhi has aggravated over the last two days," he said.

"As a contingency measure, we have created depressions in the river bed to collect a sufficient quantity of water which is being lifted with the help of temporary floating pumps," Bharadwaj said, adding the situation cannot improve until Haryana releases water in the river.

According to the DJB, the water level in the Wazirabad pond stands at 667 feet as against the normal of 674.5 feet.

The Wazirabad, Chandrawal and Okhla water treatment plants lift water from the Wazirabad pond, clean it and supply to northeast Delhi, west Delhi, north Delhi, central Delhi, south Delhi, including Delhi Cantonment, and New Delhi Municipal Council areas.

The Chandrawal, Wazirabad and Okhla WTPs have a capacity of 90 MGD, 135 MGD and 20 MGD, respectively.

Delhi requires around 1,200 MGD of water, while the DJB supplies around 1,000 MGD.

Bhardwaj said the water production has dropped below 900 MGD.

The DJB had Thursday written a letter to the Haryana Irrigation Department, the fifth time this summer season, asking it to release water from the Somb river, a tributary of the Yamuna.

Haryana supplies a total of 610 million gallons of water a day to Delhi through two canals -- Carrier Lined Canal (CLC) and Delhi Sub Branch (DSB) -- and the Yamuna.

The CLC and the DSB are supplied water from Hathni Kund via Munak canal and the Bhakra Beas Management Board. Besides, Delhi receives 253 MGD from Uttar Pradesh through the Upper Ganga Canal, and 90 MGD is drawn from ranney wells and tube wells installed across the city.

The DJB said the water level in CLC and DSB is also fluctuating and the presence of unusual floating material had affected water supply through Haiderpur Phase I and II, Bawana, Nangloi and Dwarka WTPs.

(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.)
Protests broke out in several places in India on Friday over remarks about Prophet Muhammad by suspended leaders and that have triggered an international controversy.

Protests after Friday prayers were reported in Delhi, Srinagar, Prayagraj, Lucknow, Kolkata, Ranchi, Howrah and other places. Protesters threw stones and clashed with the police in Ranchi, and parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

New Delhi

The protests in Delhi were carried out outside where a large crowd was seen shouting slogans against Nupur Sharma, carrying placards and demanding her arrest. News agency ANI reported Shahi Imam of as saying that the mosques committee didnt call for the .

West Bengal

Protestors in large numbers blocked the roads in different parts of the Howrah district in West Bengal and shouted slogans against the two former leaders. Soon after, the internet services were suspended in the district till 6 AM on June 13 in wake of the protests, ANI reported.

Uttar Pradesh

The protests took a violent turn in Uttar Pradeshs Prayagraj on Friday as people raised slogans against and and pelted stones in the Atala area of Prayagraj, the PTI reported.

Jharkhand

The protests became violent in Jharkhands Ranchi where some policemen were injured while trying to control the mob. Police resorted to lathi-charge to control the mob that spilled out on roads pelting stones and shouting slogans against the two former leaders.

Gujarat

Protests erupted in some areas of Ahmedabad and Vadodra where people shouted slogans demanding Nupur Sharmas arrest. Shops and markets in the Muslim-dominated areas of Karanj and Dariyapur remained shut as a part of the protest, PTI reported.

Srinagar

A curfew was imposed in Srinagar and internet services suspended as a precautionary measure after protests.
The government on Friday announced new guidelines to curb misleading advertisements and endorsers by banning surrogate ads, while imposing strict norms for those advertisements that seek to lure consumers offering discounts and free claims.

The new guidelines on "Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements, 2022" also seeks to regulate advertisements targeting children.

The guidelines, notified by the consumer affairs ministry and that have come into force with immediate effect, also specify due diligence to be carried out while endorsing in advertisements.

Action against violation of the new guidelines will be taken as per the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act (CPA), which provides for a penalty of Rs 10 lakh for first offence and Rs 50 lakh for subsequent contravention.

Announcing the guidelines, consumer affairs secretary Rohit Kumar Singh said: "Advertisements have great interest for consumers. Under the CCPA Act, there are provisions to handle misleading advertisements affecting consumers rights.

"But to make it more explicit, clear and aware to the industry, the government has come out with guidelines for fair advertising with effect from today," he said.

The guidelines will be applicable to advertisements published on all platforms like print, television and online.

Stating that these guidelines will not bring change overnight, the secretary said, however, it gives a framework for the industry stakeholders to prevent misleading ads even by mistake and will also empower consumers and consumer organisations to file complaints against misleading ads.

The secretary also mentioned that these guidelines will apply to government advertisements issued by PSUs engaged in providing consumer services, he said.

The advertising guidelines for self-regulation issued by the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) will also be in place in a parallel manner, he added.

Elaborating on the guidelines, regulator Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) Chief Commissioner and Additional Secretary in the Consumer Affairs Ministry Nidhi Khare said: "CCPA has taken action against misleading ads during the pandemic. We felt that there was a need to have guidelines, so that stakeholders are aware of them and do not violate without knowledge."



Misleading advertisement has already been defined under section 2(28) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. The present guidelines define "bait advertisement", "surrogate advertisement" and clearly provides what constitutes as "free claim advertisements".

Bait advertisement means an advertisement in which goods, products or service is offered for sale at a low price to attract consumers.

Besides, the guidelines lay down conditions to be complied with while issuing bait advertisements and free claims advertisements, enumerating various factors to be considered in publishing ads especially targeting children.

The guidelines forbid advertisements from exaggerating the features of product or service in such manner as to lead children to have unrealistic expectations of such product or service and claim any health or nutritional claims or benefits without being adequately and scientifically substantiated by a recognized body.

In a statement issued later, the government said advertisement targeting children should not feature any personalities from the field of sports, music or cinema for products which under any law requires a health warning for such advertisement or cannot be purchased by children.

Since the disclaimers in advertisements play a pivotal role from consumer perspective since, in a way it limits the responsibility of the company, the guidelines stipulates that disclaimer should not attempt to hide material information with respect to any claim made in such advertisement, the omission or absence of which is likely to make the advertisement deceptive or conceal its commercial intent and should not attempt to correct a misleading claim made in an advertisement.

Further, it provides that a disclaimer should be in the same language as the claim made in the advertisement and the font used in a disclaimer shall be the same as that used in the claim.

That apart, clear guidelines are laid for duties of manufacturer, service provider, advertiser and advertising agency, due diligence to be carried out before endorsing and others.

Khare said, "Any endorsement must reflect the genuine, reasonably current opinion of the individual, group or organisations making such representation and must be based on adequate information about, or experience with, the identified goods, product or service."



Where Indian professionals are barred under any law from making endorsement in any advertisement, foreign professionals of such profession are not permitted to make endorsement in such ads, she said.

The guidelines aim to protect consumers interest through bringing in more transparency and clarity in the way advertisements are being published, so that, consumers are able to make informed decisions based on facts rather than false narratives and exaggerations.

The government said the penalty for violating the guidelines are also clearly outlined. The consumer protection regulator can impose a penalty of up to Rs 10 lakh on manufacturers, advertisers and endorsers for any misleading advertisements. For subsequent contravention, CCPA may impose a penalty of up to Rs 50 lakh.

The authority can prohibit the endorser of a misleading advertisement from making any endorsement for up to 1 year and for subsequent contravention, prohibition can extend up to 3 years.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
reported 143 COVID-19 cases and one death on Friday, which raised its tally to 12,25,958 and toll to 10,945, state health department official said.

The death, which took place in Gandhinagar, was the first from the infection since May 7, he pointed out.

So far, 12,14,405 persons have been discharged post recovery, including 51 during the day, leaving the state with an active caseload of 608, he added.

Ahmedabad reported 86 cases, followed by 18 in Vadodara, 10 each in Gandhinagar and Surat and eight in Rajkot, among other districts, the official said.

A government release said 11.04 crore doses have been administered in the state so far, including 59,719 during the day.

The Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu continued to be coronavirus-free, a local official said.

Gujarat's COVID-19 figures are as follows: Positive cases 12,25,958, new cases 143, death toll 10,945, discharged 12,14,405, active cases 608, people tested so far - figures not released.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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 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 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 on May 25, while her 10-year-old nephew was injured.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
A day after the presidential poll schedule was announced, senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha on Friday held consultations with West Bengal Chief minister Mamata Banerjee as well as leaders of the DMK, CPI, CPI-M and the AAP for putting up a joint opposition candidate.

Sources said Kharge talked to Banerjee over phone and that the Trinamool Congress chief wanted the opposition to come up with a consensus candidate for the top post.

Kharge's discussion with Banerjee came a day after Congress president Sonia Gandhi talked to the West Bengal chief minister as well as Tamil Nadu CM M K Stalin and Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray, besides NCP leader Sharad Pawar and CPI-M leader Sitaram Yechury, asking them to organise a common meeting to discuss the issue of a joint presidential candidate, the sources said.

Kharge spoke to Tiruchi Siva of the DMK, Sanjay Singh of the AAP, Elamaram Kareem of the CPI-M and Binoy Viswam of the CPI on Friday. He will also hold discussions with Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray in this regard later.

He said he will be holding talks with other opposition leaders soon.

Sources said the opposition leaders would be meeting soon to discuss the issue and come out with a consensus candidate for the top constitutional post in the country.

Kharge had on Thursday called on NCP chief Sharad Pawar in Mumbai and discussed with him the issue, after Sonia Gandhi asked him to hold talks with all like-minded parties on the possibility of fielding a common candidate for the presidential poll.

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 currently is on the elections to Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council," Pawar told reporters.

Kharge said he will also meet Thackeray to discuss the issue.

"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.

(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.)
Highlighting the achievements of in the last two decades, Chief Minister 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. 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.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Prime Minister on Friday called for higher participation of the in the countrys space programme and increasing Indias contribution globally.

Today, the global space industry is worth $400 billion and is set to touch $1 trillion by 2040. Our participation is just two per cent in this. We have to increase our share. The has a big role to play here, said Modi.

The PM was inaugurating the headquarters of Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) in Ahmedabad.

Modi stated that IN-SPACe will act as a single window nodal agency to address the needs of the in Indias space programme.

On the back of private entrepreneurs involvement in the sector, India has strong possibilities to emerge as a big player in space tourism and space diplomacy, said Modi.

Sectoral regulator for private players, IN-SPACe has been created to provide a level-playing field to private companies and start-ups in the space sector.

IN-SPACe will independently make decisions on regulating space activities of the private sector, said IN-SPACe chairman .

Talking about the Centres role, chairman S Somanath said that applications and activities emerging out of the space programme are the highest source of revenue, followed by satellite making and launching vehicles.

So the real money is on the application side. The money earned from applications can be fed into the launch of satellites. And, to really scale up operations, investment has to come from the private sector. IN-SPACe will be able to create business opportunities for the private sector, said Somanath.

According to Goenka, IN-SPACe has so far received 67 proposals in the areas of launch vehicles, satellites, space applications, ground systems and research from entities from small to big entities.

Moreover, 10 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) have been signed between private players and IN-SPACe, including eight in payload and two in vehicle launches.

Talking about the upcoming space policy, Goenka said, The policy will come within a month or so. It is a single policy with the primary objective of enabling private sector participation in space, Goenka added.
Protests broke out at several places in the state after the Friday prayers over now-suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma's controversial remark on Prophet Mohammad recently.

A senior official at the Police headquarters in Lucknow said sloganeering took place in Saharanpur, Moradabad, Rampur and Lucknow.

People raised slogans and pelted stones in the Atala area of after the Friday prayers ended.

A heavy police force was deployed in the area to ensure law and order. Senior police and administrative officials have also reached the spot.

Additional Director General (Law and Order) Parashant Kumar said, "The reports of stone-pelting in are being looked into." He said Friday prayers were held peacefully in most places across the state.

This comes following clashes last week in Kanpur over the remarks on the Prophet at a TV debate some days earlier. A high alert was issued across the state after that, and a heavy police force was deployed to ensure that violence does not occur again.

(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 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 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.

(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 have rejected three containers of tea sent from India due to phytosanitary issues and presence of pesticides beyond permissible limits, Mint reported quoting people familiar with the matter.

The economic crisis in Sri Lanka has affected its and a new opportunity has emerged for Indian tea exporters, but the recent rejections may hamper the bid.

However, export rejections remain extremely low, according to an official quoted by Mint.

Only two containers have come back from and one from . The maximum residue level (MRL) in is too low and exporters are aware of the risk," he added.

MRL, the maximum concentration of pesticide residue, mostly occurs in or on food and feeding material after pesticides are used. Nearly 95 per cent of the rejected tea containers had Quinalphos beyond the permissible limit, exporters said.

In India, MRL for chemical Quinalphos is 0.01 mg per kg, a former official of the Tea Board of India said. The standard is among the strictest in the world. For the European Union, the standard is at 0.7 per kg and for Japan, it is 0.1.

Meanwhile, the container rejected in was due to phytosanitary issue as some unsanitary matter was found in the tea, the official said. "It was not the fault of the producer, but the exporter is to be blamed," he added.

At 0.01 parts per million (ppm), Taiwan has an extremely strict MRL requirement, which makes it difficult for Indian as well as Vietnamese and Chinese exporters to comply with.

In Iran, Sri Lanka was the only competitor for Indian . With Sri Lankan economy facing challenges, Iran's entire market is up for grabs for Indian .

India's tea export slipped to $700 million in FY21 from $785 million in FY18, data shows. India's tea industry has not seen many reforms, experts said, as much of the production and exports are still done in the traditional way, the report said.
Board of School declared the results of SSLC, HSSLC results on Wednesday, and the board will announce the results of Class 10, 12 Arts during the official hours. Students can check their results on the official website, i.e., megresults.nic.in.

The Class 10 board exams were held from March 24 this year to April 6. While, class 12 results were conducted from March 25 to April 21, 2022.

Candidates can check their results on the official website of the board, mbose.in, after entering the login details on their admit card.

While students can also check their MBOSE Class 10, 12 result on megresults.nic.in, the whole booklet will be available to download from the official website of Meghalaya board. The results will not be displayed in MBOSE Office, Tura/ Shillong.

Overall pass percentage of Meghalaya Class 10 result 2022 is 56.96 percent, as in total 32,678 students have passed the exams.

Meghalaya Class 12 result 2022 overall pass percentage is 81.17 per cent this year, out of which 86.89 per cent are regular students, 45.22 per cent are non-regular.

Here is how you can check your results:

Step 1: Go to the official websites of Meghalaya Board of School Education, i.e., mbose.in, megresults.nic.in

Step 2: At the homepage, click on 'SSLC Results 2022' or 'HSSLC Arts Result 2022'

Step 3: Log in using your credentials

Step 4: Your MBOSE Result 2022 for class 10th and 12th will now display on your screen. Download the same and take a printout for future reference.
The bench comprising Justices M R Shah and Aniruddha Bose on Friday dismisses the pleas that sought a fresh stray counselling round to fill up the vacant seats for the postgraduate course under All India Quota (AIQ) in the National Eligibility Entrance Test (NEET) 2021.

The bench said that granting a stray round of counselling for 2021 would have public health implications. The said that the decision of the government and MCC not to allow special stray round is in the interest of medical and public health. The pleas were seeking a stray round of counselling to fill 1,456 seats in NEET-PG-2021.

Earlier, the bench on Thursday orally observed that there should be a limit for every exercise and admissions made after 1.5 years might compromise medical and health of the people, while reserving order on pleas seeking a special stray round of counselling for NEET-PG 2021, to fill vacant seats.

A vacation bench comprising Justices M. R. Shah and Aniruddha Bose said there must be a limit on the number of rounds of counselling to fill vacant seats. "For many years, the seats have remained vacant & it's not for the very first time...

There has to be a limit for every exercise, and seats may remain vacant even after 10 rounds," said Justice Shah.

The bench further added that after 8 or 9 rounds of counselling, the seats are still vacant and students cannot claim rights after 1.5 years. "Can it be said now that after 1.5 years, you will be given admission and compromise the health of people," the bench orally remarked.

Noting that it's a three-year course, the bench added, "There cannot be any compromise with ... Suppose you're hungry for 6 months, can you eat everything in 1 day? No...education is like that."

The Centre's counsel submitted that those who qualified PG-2021 have already started attending classes since February, and if vacant seats are filled up now then they would be behind the Class for over six months. He further pointed out that teachers would also have to teach the students who will come in PG 2022.

The Centre's counsel clarified that out of 1,456 vacant seats, majority are in non-clinical or teaching, and nobody wants to go into the teaching area, and also nobody came for the deposits. "These are seats taken, but admission not taken," added Additional Solicitor General Balbir Singh, representing the Centre.
At least 22 candidates, including Chief Minister Manik Saha, are in the fray for the upcoming by- to four assembly constituencies in the state, an EC official said on Friday.

Saha, a Rajya Sabha member, was appointed the state's chief minister last month, replacing Biplab Kumar Deb.

The to the four assembly segments - Agartala, Town Bardowali, Surma and Jubarajnagar - will be held on June 23.

We have received 24 nomination papers for the by- . Nomination of Neel Kamal Saha was rejected during the scrutiny, while Rekha Sabar, an independent aspirant from Surma constituency, withdrew her papers on Thursday, the last date for doing so, the Election Commission official said.

Saha is the BJP's candidate for Town Bordowali assembly seat, while the Congress fielded its heavy weight leader Asish Kumar Saha in the constituency and the Left Front nominee is Raghunath Sarkar of the All India Forward Bloc.

Congress' nominee and former state minister Sudip Roy Barman is pitted against candidate Ashok Sinha and Left Front nominee Krishna Majumder in Agartala seat.

Surma constituency in Dhalai district is set to witness a fight among three candidates- Left Front's Anjan Das, Swapna Das Paul of the and Baburam Satnami of the Tipra Motha, a regional party headed by royal scion Pradyot Kishore Debbarma.

The Congress supported the Tipra Motha nominee for the seat.

The Jubarajnagar constituency, considered a traditional Left bastion, will witness a fight between nominee Malina Debnath and Sailendra Chandra Nath of the CPI(M).

The Trinamool Congress, which aims at spreading its footprint in the northeastern state, also fielded its candidates in all four constituencies.

Altogether 1, 88,854 electors are eligible to exercise their franchise in the by- to the four seats.

The are necessitated due to the death of CPI(M) MLA Ramendra Chandra Debnath (Jubarajnagar) and the resignations of Roy Barman (Agartala) and Asish Saha (Town Bardowali). Besides, the Surma seat became vacant after BJP legislator Asish Das was declared disqualified by the assembly speaker.

The counting will be held on June 26.

(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 ruling Congress on Friday won three of the four seats in Rajasthan, overcoming the challenge posed by BJP-backed independent candidate Subhash Chandra, according to the party.

The BJP got the fourth seat.

Congress candidates Randeep Surjewala, Mukul Wasnik and Pramod Tiwari were elected to the Rajya Sabha, according to a tweet by Chief Minister .

BJP candidate and former minister Ghanshyam Tiwari said he had also won, polling 43 votes.

"Congress's victory on three seats in is a victory of democracy. I congratulate all the three newly elected MPs Shri Pramod Tiwari, Shri Mukul Wasnik and Shri Randeep Surjewala. I am sure that all the three MPs will be able to strongly advocate the rights of in Delhi," Gehlot tweeted.

Speaking to reporters, Tiwari said, "I am thankful to the state and the central leadership for making me the candidate. I got 43 votes."



The statements came before the official announcement of the results.

All 200 Rajasthan MLAs had cast their votes for the by Friday afternoon.

In the House, the Congress has 108 MLAs, BJP 71, Independents 13, Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) three, and the CPI(M) and the Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) two each.

(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.)
BJP-JJP backed independent candidate Kartikeya Sharma wrote to the Election Commission of India, demanding the cancellation of votes of Congress MLAs Kiran Choudhry and BB Batra, due to "violation of the secrecy of votes in the Conduct of Election Rules 1961".

Congress candidate from Haryana, Ajay Maken wrote to the Election Commission of India, stating that the demand raised by BJP-JJP backed independent candidate Kartikeya Sharma be quashed and the results are declared at the earliest.

The counting of votes in is currently on hold. BJP met the Election Commission this evening over and Maharashtra, asking that "this election be declared null and void on basis of broken rules of secrecy in voting"

Of the total 90 members of the Assembly, 89 cast their votes, officials said at the end of the polling, which began at 9 am.

In Haryana, the need for polls came up as three candidates have filed nominations for two Rajya Sabha seats. The Congress party has nominated senior leader Ajay Maken while the BJP has fielded former minister Krishan Lal Panwar. Independent candidate Kartikeya Sharma is also in the fray.

Both the BJP-JJP alliance and Congress legislators were shifted to resorts to slash possibilities of poaching. While the BJP-JJP alliance has lodged their MLAs in a resort in Chandigarh, the Congress leaders were moved to a resort in Delhi.

The polling to elect the members of the Upper House of the Parliament on 16 Rajya Sabha seats spread across four states took place today amid speculations of horse-trading and fears of cross-voting. Polling began at 9 am and concluded at 4 pm.

Notably, all 41 candidates from Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Telangana were elected unopposed on Friday after the biennial to 57 Rajya Sabha seats were announced recently.

However, polling for the 16 seats spread across states like Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana and Karnataka was held today due to the number of candidates exceeding the seats.

(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 of India (RBI) on Friday asked (SFBs) to focus on sustainable growth and accord importance to business model and governance.

Deputy Governors M. K. Jain and M. Rajeshwar Rao held discussions with managing directors (MDs) and chief executive officers (CEOs) of SFBs. Executive directors of supervision and regulation and other senior officials of the also attended the meeting, the central bank said in a statement.

In the meeting, the emphasis on according due importance to these themes for sustainable growth of SFBs, particularly their business model and governance, was reiterated after taking stock of the developments in the sector, the statement said.

SFBs were advised to continue to evolve in tune with the differentiated banking licence given to them with proportionate growth in their capital base.

Among other matters, asset quality concerns, including viable portfolio mix and further strengthening of customer service and grievance redressal framework with commensurate IT resilience, were also discussed, it said.

Earlier in the meeting with heads of SFBs held in August 2021, evolution of their business model and the need for enhancing board oversight and professionalism, improving assurance functions and augmenting IT infrastructure, taking into account the stress build-up due to Covid-19 along with requisite mitigation measures, were discussed.
Showing comfort with the pricing level in the bond auction, the (RBI) on Friday accepted bids for four government bonds worth Rs 33,000 crore.

This was the first auction for Government of India bonds after the monetary policy review on June 8. The 10-year (6.54 per cent 2032) bond was also part of the auction.

The accepted bids for 10-year benchmark with a cut-off level of 7.51 per cent for Rs 13,000 crore.

For bonds maturing next year (4.56 per cent GS 2023), the cut-off yield was 6.41 per cent for Rs 4,000 crore.

The other securities in auction were 7.1 per cent GS 2029 for Rs 7,000 crore and 6.95 per cent GS 2061 for Rs 9,000 crore.

Bond dealers said RBIs cut-off at was in sync with the market trends.

According to Clearing Corporation of India (CCIL) data on opening trades, the yield on the 10-year paper was 7.5 per cent.

It moved between a low of 7.49 per cent and high of 7.52 per cent through trading day. The yield at close on the benchmark paper was 7.51 per cent.

The yield on 10-year paper is expected to remain range-bound in the near term.

Later, the yield could inch up 7.75-8 per cent as the moves towards calibrated withdrawal of liquidity, dealers said.

Governor Shaktikanta Das had said the central bank will support the government with its record borrowing programme and is monitoring yields.

Analysts said the RBI seems to be seriously considering Operation Twist, since the introduction of the uncollateralised Standing Deposit Facility (SDF).

However, in the near term, they do not believe that the RBI will announce measures as the rise in 10-year yields has been fairly orderly.

Support will likely be more forthcoming as the benchmark bond yield approaches the 7.75-8 per cent handle.
The government is likely to invite preliminary bids for privatising by July-end, an official said.

The Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) is currently holding roadshows in the US for the sale. After a few more such investor meets, it will finalise the contours of the sale, the official added.

"We may need one more round of discussion with RBI on IDBI strategic sale. The expression of interest (EoI) may be invited by July-end," the official said.

The government holds 45.48 per cent stake in the bank, while LIC owns 49.24 per cent.

The official said while the quantum of stake dilution of both the government and LIC is yet to be decided, the management control in will be transferred in the strategic sale.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had given in-principle approval for strategic disinvestment and transfer of management control in in May last year.

Necessary amendments to the IDBI Bank Act have already been made through the Act 2021, and transaction advisors have been appointed.

(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 Rajendra Jadhav and Bharat Gautam

(Reuters) - Gold discounts in India this week were stretched to their highest level in seven weeks as higher prices repelled demand, while fresh concerns over the spread of COVID in top-consumer China left buyers reluctant to make purchases.

This week, dealers in India were offering a discount of up to $10 an ounce over official domestic prices - inclusive of the 10.75% import and 3% sales levies, up from the last week's discount of $9.

Retail buying in India will remain weak, especially from rural areas as farmers focus on planting of summer-sown crops, said a Mumbai-based dealer with a private bullion importing bank.

"In May, prices were attractive. Retail consumers were buying for weddings. Now buyers will wait for a hefty correction," the dealer said.

Weddings are one of the biggest drivers of gold purchases in India.

In China, gold was being sold at a discount of $1.5 to a premium of $0.5 an ounce versus global benchmark spot rates.

Physical gold demand in China is pretty sluggish, StoneX analyst Rhona O'Connell said, adding that people haven't been coming back into the market yet after lockdowns were eased, as they are cautious about the outlook and are conserving their expenditure for now.

China's commercial hub of Shanghai faces an unexpected round of mass COVID-19 testing for most residents this weekend - just 10 days after a city-wide lockdown was lifted.

COVID-related restrictions weighed on demand in China in May and "the average trading volumes of Au9999 - a proxy of Chinese wholesale gold demand - witnessed the weakest May since 2013," the World Gold Council said in a monthly note.

In Hong Kong, gold continued to be sold at a discount of about $1.8 an ounce to a $1 premium, while in Japan, gold was sold between a premium of 50 cents and at par with the benchmark.

(Reporting by Eileen Soreng, Bharat Govind Gautam in Bengaluru, Rajendra Jhadav in Mumbai; Editing by Shailesh Kuber)

(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.)
With Sri Lankan famers waiting for fertiliser to start the Yala season, India has decided to extend a Line of Credit (LOC) of $55 million to for the procurement of urea.

"In response to an urgent request from the Government of (GOSL), an LOC agreement was signed between GOSL and the Export-Import Bank of India on Friday at Colombo in the presence of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera, and the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay. Senior officials from the Sri Lankan and Indian side were also present during the signing ceremony," the Indian High Commission in Colombo said in a statement.

"This LOC will help the GOSL secure urea fertiliser for the ongoing paddy sowing Yala season. In view of the critical requirement, GOSL and EXIM Bank have agreed to complete all procurement procedures expeditiously so that urea supplies can reach Sri Lanka in a short span of time.

"During the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe expressed his gratitude to the Government of India for the timely assistance. The High Commissioner highlighted that the speedy finalisation of the LOC testifies the importance Government of India attaches to the welfare of the people of Sri Lanka," the statement added.

Acting on its 'Neighbourhood First' policy and as an earnest friend and partner of Sri Lanka, India has extended multi-pronged assistance to the people of Sri Lanka in the last few months.

The support from India ranges from economic assistance of close to $3.5 billion to helping secure Sri Lanka's food, health and energy security by supplying essential items like food, medicines, fuel, kerosene etc.

(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.)
Amid strict rules, losses on trade financing business, and Covid regulations, (PSBs), such as and Punjab National Bank, are slowly moving out of .

Once a premier global financing hub, now, has seen the exit of four PSBs, some of which are in the final stages of shut down, out of 8 while others are contemplating the future of their operations after the pandemic. According to a report in The Economic Times, State Bank of India (SBI) will likely be the only PSB in Hong Kong, alongside private sector ICICI and HDFC.



ALSO READ - As FDI gets pricey, China rushes to calm frustrated foreign investors

(UBI) has already transferred its client accounts to Singapore and Australian branches and is waiting for the last no-dues certificate from the Monetary Authority.

"We have stopped doing any new transactions and have already moved accounts. We expect the final clearance within the next couple of months," said a person aware of the UBI's plans, quoted by ET.

PSBs are leaving Hong Kong as many reasons have come to the foreground after Covid, such as tougher regulations after China's full control of the city, while others include quarantine rules, and lockdowns, a senior banker told the financial daily.

The banker added, "The Chinese authorities are also not easy to deal with, especially in the current geopolitics of the region. But the main reason is the weak trade financing business as flows have been routed through Shanghai."

"Many Indian banks made big losses due to the Covid-linked economic meltdown in 2020 as traders could not pay up and there is also a thinking that so many banks are not required there now," the Economic Times quoted the banker.

The has also started a pull-out plan while Canara Bank's plan to shut down its operations are in advanced stages. has already shut down its branch in the city.

Meanwhile, (IOB) is still scrutinising the future of its Hong Kong branch, its CEO PP Sengupta told the newspaper.

IOB, and Bank of India have been put under the Reserve Bank of India's prompt corrective action framework, after which Hong Kong Monetary Authority also curbed their lending. While those restrictions are now off, these banks are now also contemplating their future in Hong Kong.

The exodus of PSBs is in line with the government's 2016-17direction that asked the banks, in an attempt to conserve capital, to ensure only one or two banks operate in these markets.
is stepping up efforts to secure overseas investments with foreign business community as the recent lockdowns have brought "a series of impacts and challenges to domestic and foreign-invested enterprises," a Chinese daily reported.

Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday that Chinese authorities will deploy special task forces and improve communication with foreign firms to help them solve problems.

Opening-up is Chinas basic national policy. Stable foreign trade and investment are critical to the overall and employment, Li told a meeting of the State Council, reported South Morning Post

quoting the official Xinhua News Agency.

As part of nation's Zero-Covid policy, China's financial hub was completely locked down for two months, a step that made foreign companies more inclined to pull investment from the world's no 2 economy, surveys by business lobby groups showed.

Huang Feng, chairman of the Foreign Investment Association, said, The impact [of the outbreaks on foreign investment] is unprecedented over the past 30 years, quoted SCMP.

Foreign direct investments into rose 26.1 per cent to $74.47 billion in the first four months of 2021, showed official figures. However, now, the multinational companies are less willing to spend in China, Huang said.

Huang was in charge of the statistics at the foreign investment department of China's commerce ministry from 2011 to 2016.

In recent weeks, Chinese leaders, while denying that there is an exodus of foreign firms, are putting more emphasis on the concerns of foreign investors and have pledged to support them.

Chinas vice-minister of commerce Wang Shouwen said, The current pandemic has indeed brought a series of impacts and challenges to domestic and foreign-invested enterprises, which the Chinese government attaches great importance to," the Chinese daily reported.

He has asked foreign firms to 'report their problems directly' to the government, adding that the ministry would focus on helping the companies resume their production.
The 19th Dialogue will be held here from Friday to Sunday after a two-year suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing mainly on security in the Asia-Pacific region and viable solutions, including the China-proposed Global Security Initiative (GSI).

The three-day summit will hold seven plenary sessions, two ministerial roundtable meetings and three simultaneous special sessions for delegates from more than 40 countries or regions to exchange views on regional and global security issues. Senior defence ministers from Southeast and the wider region, Europe, North America and the Middle East are also expected to attend and speak at the Dialogue.

According to the agenda, Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe will address a plenary session and is expected to introduce China's policy, principles and actions on safeguarding true multilateralism, regional peace and stability, and building a shared future for humanity.

A highlight of the summit is China's GSI, seen as another global public good that contributes Chinese solutions and wisdom to address global security challenges. Analysts said the initiative's implementation will attract enormous attention at the Dialogue.

"We look forward to welcoming Wei Fenghe to the IISS Dialogue and to hearing his views at this critical time for the regional and global security order," said James Crabtree, executive director of the London-based Institute for Strategic Studies- .

Mahmud Ali, associate fellow of the Institute of China Studies, University of Malaya, said China's GSI can be interpreted as a step toward developing "a community with a shared future."

The GSI views humanity as an indivisible, singular and united body sharing a single home planet, whose security affects every individual and society and therefore must be defended and advanced collectively, he said.

The expert believed that the vision has expanded the dimension of security from its "narrowly-defined political-military parameters" to "focus on the shared nature of planetary existence, dilute the emphases on divergences, and enable collaborative approaches to tackling trans-border challenges."

Other topics for discussion include managing geopolitical competition in a multipolar region, the Myanmar situation, climate security and maritime security.

Meanwhile, analysts also cautioned that the United States may use Asia's top security meeting this week to further pitch its Indo-Pacific Strategy, during which U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will make a speech titled "Next Steps for the United States' Indo-Pacific Strategy."

Senior Colonel Zhang Chi, an associate professor at the National Defense University of China, told Xinhua that the United States has spared no effort in implementing its Indo-Pacific Strategy to isolate China, divide Asian countries and undermine the central role of ASEAN in the region.

Additionally, Washington is trying to stoke tensions in the region by stirring up sensitive security issues involving Taiwan and the South China Sea to establish a "NATO for the Asia-Pacific" to encircle China, he added.

"Its purpose is to contain China's development, coerce or induce countries in the region to take sides with either China or the United States," Zhang noted, adding that it will "destroy regional solidarity and harmony and cause split, or even conflicts.

(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.)
Australia's prime minister said on Friday after a meeting with his counterpart that the two nations are in lockstep in their policies toward the Pacific islands, where China's influence is growing.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern became the first foreign leader to visit Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in since he was elected on May 21. Both lead center-left administrations and Ardern described the Albanese Labor Party's election after almost a decade in opposition as a reset in the bilateral relationship.

Australia, and the United States have voiced concerns that a new Beijing security pact with the Solomon Islands could result in a Chinese military base being established there. The Solomons and have both denied that that will happen.

Asked if wants New Zealand to do more to counter China's rise in the Pacific, Albanese told reporters in Sydney: We're in lockstep on the Pacific.

I look forward to working with Prime Minister Ardern, working with our democratic neighbours, Albanese said.

Albanese and his Foreign Minister Penny Wong flew to Tokyo within hours of being sworn into office for a meeting with US President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the regional security threat posed by .

Wong then flew from Japan to the Pacific islands for meetings with government leaders while China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi also embarked on a Pacific tour.

Wang failed in a bold Chinese plan to get 10 Pacific nations to endorse a sweeping new agreement that would have covered everything from security to fisheries. But he succeeded in clinching several bilateral agreements.

Ardern said many countries had chosen to continue economic relationships with rather than sign security agreements.

Let's hear from the Pacific on these issues, Ardern said.

Albanese said Australia, the biggest foreign aid donor in the region, was being taken seriously by its neighbors since his administration promised greater action on greenhouse gas emissions. Many of the low-lying Pacific islands consider climate change their most pressing and existential threat.

The previous government had committed to reducing Australia's emissions by 26 per cent to 28 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. Albanese's government has promised a 43 per cent reduction.

New Zealand was heartened by Australia's greater ambition, Ardern said. New Zealand's target by the end of the decade is 30 per cent.

The Pacific region has listed climate change as its number one threat, Ardern said. I know with regards to New Zealand we have a lot more to do, but we welcome being joined on that journey by .

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Britain's competition watchdog said it was planning to investigate the market dominance of and Google's mobile browsers, as well as the iPhone maker's restrictions on cloud gaming through its app store.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said on Friday it was also taking enforcement action against Alphabet Inc's over its app store payment practices.

It said the two tech giants had an "effective duopoly" on mobile ecosystems that gave them a stranglehold on operating systems, app stores and web browsers on mobile devices.

"When it comes to how people use mobile phones, Apple and hold all the cards," CMA Chief Executive Andrea Coscelli said following the publication of a report on mobile ecosytems.

"As good as many of their services and products are, their strong grip on mobile ecosystems allows them to shut out competitors, holding back the British tech sector and limiting choice."

It said 97% of all mobile web in Britain last year was powered by either Apple's or Google's browser engine, and in addition Apple banned alternatives to its own browser on iPhone.

The CMA said it was concerned this severely limited the potential for rival browsers to differentiate themselves from Apple's Safari, for example on features such as speed and functionality.

Apple said in a statement it had "created a safe and trusted experience users love and a great business opportunity for developers" through its ecosystem.

"We respectfully disagree with a number of conclusions reached in the report, which discount our investments in innovation, privacy and user performance a all of which contribute to why users love iPhone and iPad and create a level playing field for small developers to compete on a trusted platform," a spokesperson said.

"We will continue to engage constructively with the CMA to explain how our approach promotes competition and choice, while ensuring consumersa privacy and security are always protected." said smartphones using its Android operating system offered people and businesses more choice than any other mobile platform, and its Google Play app store has been the launchpad for millions of apps.

"We regularly review how we can best support developers and have reacted quickly to CMA feedback in the past," a Google spokesperson said.

"We will review the report and continue to engage with the CMA."

The regulator said it was also worried about Apple blocking the emergence of cloud gaming services, which allow high-quality games to be streamed rather than individually downloaded.

"By preventing this sector from growing, Apple risks causing mobile users to miss out on the full benefits of cloud gaming," it said.

The CMA said its proposed investigation would further assess its concerns and could result in legally binding orders requiring changes to be made to Apple's and Google's practices.



The consultation on the proposed the market investigation reference will close on 22 July.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
With never-seen video, new audio and a mass of evidence, the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol will attempt to show the harrowing story of the deadly violence that erupted that day and also a chilling backstory as the defeated president, Donald Trump, tried to overturn Joe Biden's election victory.

Thursday's prime-time hearing will open with eyewitness testimony from the first police officer pummeled in the mob 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.

It will also feature the committee's accounts from Trump's aides and family members, interviewed behind closed doors, of the deadly siege that Democrats and say put U.S. democracy at risk.

When you hear and understand the wide-reaching conspiracy and the effort to try to corrupt every lever and agency of government involved in this, you know, the hair on the back of your neck should stand up," Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va., a member of the 1/6 committee, said in an interview.

"Putting it all together in one place and one coherent narrative, I think, will help the American people understand better what happened on January 6th and the threats that that could potentially pose in the future.

The 1/6 panel's yearlong investigation will begin to show how America's tradition of a peaceful transfer of presidential power came close to slipping away. It will reconstruct how Trump refused to concede the 2020 election, spread false claims of voter fraud and orchestrated an unprecedented public and private campaign to overturn Biden's victory.

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. 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.

Unapologetic, Trump dismisses the investigation as illegitimate and even declared Thursday on social media that Jan. 6 represented the greatest movement in the history of our country.

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 will be tight for the hearings. Law enforcement officials are reporting a spike in violent threats against members of Congress.

Against this backdrop, the committee will speak to a divided America, ahead of the fall midterm elections when voters decide which party controls Congress. Most TV networks will carry the hearings live, but Fox News Channel will not.

The committee chairman, civil rights leader Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and vice chair Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., the daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, will set the tone with opening remarks.

The two congressional leaders will outline 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.

People are going to have to follow two intersecting streams of events one will be the attempt to overturn the presidential election, that's a harrowing story in itself," Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., a member of the committee, said in an interview.

The other will be the sequence of events leading up to a violent mob attack on the Capitol to stop the counting of Electoral College votes and block the peaceful balance of power, he said.

First up will be wrenching accounts from police who engaged in hand-to-hand combat with the mob, with testimony from U.S. 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 Capitol and a pivotal leadership meeting with another extremist group, the Oath Keepers, the night before in nearby parking garage.

Leaders of both groups, along with some members, have since been indicted on rare sedition charges over the military-style attack.

Along with the eyewitness testimony, the panel will unveil multimedia presentations, including previously unreleased video and audio, and a "mountain of evidence," said a committee aide who insisted on anonymity to preview the hearing. There will be recorded accounts from Trump's senior aides at the White House, the administration and the campaign, as well as members of Trump's family, the aide said.

Information from Trump's daughter Ivanka Trump, who urged her father to call off the rioters, is likely to be shared from her private appearance before the committee.

In the weeks ahead, the panel is expected to detail Trump's 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.

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.

By many measures, the attack was set in motion shortly after Election Day, when Trump falsely claimed the voting was rigged and refused to concede once Biden was declared the winner.

The hearings are expected to introduce Americans to a cast of characters, some well known, elusive, and to what they said and did as Trump and his allies tried to reverse the election outcome.

The public will learn about the actions of Mark Meadows, the president's chief of staff, whose 2,000-plus text messages provided the committee with a snapshot of the real-time scramble to keep Trump in office. Of John Eastman, the conservative law professor who was the architect of the unsuccessful scheme to persuade Vice President Mike Pence to halt the certification on Jan. 6. Of the Justice Department officials who threatened to resign rather than go along with Trump's proposals.

Various GOP Lawmakers and even candidates now running for office, including the Republican nominee for governor in Pennsylvania, have also been caught up in the probe.

The Justice Department has arrested and charged more than 800 people for the violence that day, the biggest dragnet in its history.
will lock down eight city districts this weekend to mass test millions of people as Covid-19 cases continue to emerge, causing more disruption and triggering a renewed run on groceries in areas that just exited a grueling two-month shutdown.

The restrictions will apply to roughly 15.3 million residents of Pudong, Huangpu, Jingan, Xuhui, Hongkou, Baoshan, Yangpu and Minhang districts of during the testing, a key tool in Chinas Covid Zero arsenal. Renewed scrutiny in the areas that account for more than 60% of Shanghais population comes after the number of infections found in the community rebounded to six on Thursday, from zero the day before.

There were 5 other infections found among people already in quarantine on Thursday, for a total of 11 cases in the financial hub. Nationwide, added 73 infections.

One of the major clusters is centered on the Red Rose Salon in the Xuhui district, where services were in high demand after it reopened following the lockdown that began at the end of March. Three infections were tied to the beauty salon during the Thursday briefing, including two in employees who live in Minhang, the district that has posted the highest number of recent cases.

Some staff in the state-owned salon didnt conduct daily Covid tests, officials said.





Of the six community cases, four were found in Minhang, a district of 2.65 million in the south west of . Minhang -- a mostly residential area -- will be sealed on Saturday morning for mass testing, according to a statement, while the other districts didnt specify how long their lockdowns would last.

The return to lockdown for some in Shanghai underscores the difficulties of Chinas attempts to eliminate the virus while the rest of the world accepts it as endemic. The disruption wrought by pandemic curbs have impacted production at companies like Sony Group Corp. and Tesla Inc., with the electric-car maker only now normalizing operations at its factory in southern Shanghai.

Tesla Shanghai Workers Can Return Home for First Time in Weeks

News of the mass testing and renewed restrictions sparked a run on some grocery stores, after many residents struggled to get fresh fruits and vegetables in the early days of the original lockdown. While the latest curbs may lift in as little as a few hours if no new infections are found, two more weeks of isolation may be imposed for areas where new chains of transmission are uncovered.

Most economists say it will be tough for to meet its annual growth target this year because of lockdowns. By having zero tolerance for new cases, the country risks being in a constant loop of imposing and easing restrictions.

Still, President Xi Jinping continues to emphasize the countrys adherence to a policy that has delivered one of the lowest Covid death rates in the world. Xi called for Covid Zero to be adhered to unwaveringly in a visit to Sichuan province Thursday, according to the state broadcaster, while stating that it should be achieved in balance with the needs of the economy.

Chinas Xi Urges Efforts to Balance Covid Zero with the Economy

The remarks echoed sentiments from mid-March, when Xi first urged Chinese officials to reduce the financial impact of Covid-fighting measures. Shanghai authorities worked to allow manufacturers to establish so-called closed-loop systems in their plants that enabled them to continue operating. The setups create a bubble in which workers only go to and from the factory, sometimes living on site, and are tested regularly to detect Covid incursions.

The threat of disruptive measures also returned to Beijing on Thursday, with mass testing resumed in several neighborhoods of the capitals key Chaoyang district, home to company headquarters and embassies. A flareup of Covid in a bar ended a five-day streak of zero community spread. Beijing reported eight new local Covid cases for Thursday.

There are signs is trying to use ubiquitous and accessible testing as a way to avoid costly lockdowns. Special testing kiosks are being set up on street corners in major cities so that residents are never more than 15 minutes away from a PCR testing opportunity. The idea is that constant testing -- a negative test is required to enter shopping malls and even parks in some places -- will find early chains of transmission before they get out of control.

China Plans for Years of Covid Zero With Tests on Every Corner

Infections are also spreading in Chinas north, with outbreaks in Inner Mongolia and in Dandong, a city on the border with North Korea, which recently acknowledged what it claimed was its first Covid outbreak.
To tackle the decline in that is foreseen to shrink the labour force in dramatically in the coming years, it is highly likely that the country may turn to forced and outright force couples to have children.

As faces a scenario of negative population growth, the government has started to force its citizens to marry early and have at least three children each. The administration has also begun rolling out various contests as bait, reported Geo Politica.

The stiff opposition to bearing children comes as most would-be parents claim they just cannot guarantee enough financial security to look after the well-being of their children as their own lives are so much under pressure due to forced quarantines and unending lockdowns.

The frustration of being forced to stay locked inside homes, food shortages, lack of income, rising prices, health problems, etc., have led to disillusionment among the country's people, the Hong Kong Post reported.

It added that the Chinese government is beginning to realise that most of the citizens are agitated with the growing official pressure on them to produce more children.

According to China's National Bureau of Statistics, in the six-year period between 2013 and 2019, the number of Chinese marriages has nose-dived by 41 per cent, with only 7.6 million couples registered for marriage last year. This is the lowest figure in the last 36 years. As a result, the of has dropped to 7.5 births per 1,000 people.

Nine provinces and regions have registered negative population growth, the report added.Another critical issue that makes the Chinese oppose having more children is that they remember the pain and torture they or their parents endured when the communist nation strictly enforced the 'one-child policy', as per the media portal.

Forced abortions were the order of the day, the government determined when women could get pregnant, kept married couples under constant surveillance, and even fined and jailed those who went in for a second child. Millions of abortions were carried out at that time leading to the government losing the trust of the people.

Moreover, the Chinese also point out that the government has not come out with any policy changes to make it easier for couples to have more children. Now, when the government wants more children, the people are unwilling. A worried government is now trying to generate trust by having a two-way communication about the need for more children to tackle the population crisis, The Hong Kong Post stated, citing sources.

The government has introduced several contests in this regard, but the response is not enthusiastic as time is running out for the government.

If birth rates continue to decline, the labour force in China will also shrink dramatically in the coming years as the number of young people in the country is declining.

Furthermore, due to Chinese women's increased educational and economic development, their propensity to marry is even lower than that of males. Last year, Beijing issued a new Population and Family Planning Law that allows Chinese couples to have three children, ostensibly responding to couples' unwillingness to have additional children due to rising costs.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Former US President has been accused of an "attempted coup" for orchestrating the January 6, 2021, Capitol Hill riot, a House select committee investigating the insurrection heard during its first public hearing.

On Thursday night, two panel members delivered opening remarks while presenting the findings of its year-long investigation, including previously unseen material documenting the event, reports Xinhua news agency.

The panel, which includes seven House Democrats and two Republicans, also called two witnesses, including Caroline Edwards, the first police officer injured in the attack.

Edwards testified that she was called a "traitor" and a "dog" by the rioters before she was knocked unconscious.

It was one of a series of hearings set to be televised throughout the month to show the public what investigators have uncovered about the Capitol riot.

Democrat Bennie Thompson, the select committee's chairman, told the hearing: "January 6 was the culmination of an attempted coup, a brazen attempt, as one writer put it shortly after Jan 6, to overthrow the government.

"The violence was no accident. It was Trump's last stand."

In her remarks, Liz Cheney, the Republican vice-chair of the committee, said that Trump had "lit the flame of this attack", the BBC reported.

"Those who invaded our Capitol and battled law enforcement for hours were motivated by what President Trump had told them: that the election was stolen and that he was the rightful President.

"President Trump summoned the mob, assembled the mob and lit the flame of this attack," she was quoted as saying.

Footage of a testimony by former US Attorney General Bill Barr was also aired, in which he said Trump's claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen were "baseless".

"We can't live in a world where the incumbent administration stays in power based on its view, unsupported by specific evidence, that there was fraud in the election," the BBC quoted Barr was saying.

Meanwhile, Trump's allies and supporters have charged the inquiry as a political "witch hunt" designed to tar the former President and the Republican Party.

Earlier, Trump had dismissed it as a "political hoax".

On January 6, 2021, thousands of individuals, mostly Trump supporters, stormed the Capitol in Washington, D.C. and disrupted a joint session of Congress in the process of affirming the 2020 presidential election results.

Approximately 140 police officers were assaulted in the Capitol attack -- 80 US Capitol Police and 60 from the Metropolitan Police Department.

Authorities have linked five deaths to the mayhem. Four officers who responded to the attack reportedly committed suicide within the next several months.

The worst attack on Congress in more than 200 years, the siege led to Trump's second impeachment by the House shortly, with barely a week left in his presidency.

They accused him of inciting insurrection, but he was acquitted in the Senate.

(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.)
House lawmakers investigating the January 6 insurrection drew a portrait of then-President doggedly pursuing an effort to undo the 2020 election, inciting his supporters and then angrily rebuffing pleas to call off the mob storming the Capitol.

The panel opened a televised hearing on Thursday with a prime-time presentation that included video testimony from then-Attorney General William Barr. In a deposition with the committees investigators, Barr said he told Trump there was no evidence of fraud sufficient to change the election outcome. Some of the claims Trump pursued publicly were complete nonsense, Barr said.

He said he chose to resign because Americans cant live in a world where the incumbent administration stays in power unsupported by specific evidence that there was fraud in the election.

Trumps daughter, Ivanka, said in video testimony she believed Barrs assurances.

One of the most gripping moments came near the end of the hearing when US Capitol Police officer Caroline Edwards gave her account of fighting the mob that day.

Edwards, who suffered a brain injury during the attack, provided a vivid account of trying to fend off the assault.

I can just remember my breath catching in my throat because what I saw was just a war scene, Edwards told the committee. It was carnage. It was chaos.

A series of six more hearings are planned that will focus new attention on an assault ahead of midterm congressional elections that are expected to favor Republicans. They also add new detail to a historical record Trump will have to confront if he runs for re-election in 2024.

Our democracy remains in danger, Committee Chairman Bennie Thompson said. The conspiracy to thwart the will of the people is not over. There are those in this country who thirst for power but have no love or respect for what makes America great.

The hearings included behind-the-scenes accounts of Vice President Mike Pence desperately calling the Defense Department to ask for troops to help at the Capitol and Cabinet members in the aftermath considering using the 25th Amendment to oust Trump from office.

Republican Representative Liz Cheney, vice chair of the committee, said more than half a dozen former White House staff, all of whom were in the West Wing on the day of the attack, offered a portrait of Trump in their testimony as really angry at advisers who urged him to call off rioters.

The select committee of seven Democrats and two Republicans has pledged to connect the dots between the former presidents alleged involvement in attempts to undo the certification of Joe Bidens victory in the 2020 presidential election, and the attack on the Capitol by rioters that went on for 187 minutes before Trump urged them to go home.

At least some panel members say they hope the evidence will increase pressure on the Justice Department to pursue criminal charges against Trump or his allies.

House Republican leaders earlier Thursday blasted the committee as partisan and promised their own report on the riot, focused on inadequacies in security preparations for the Jan. 6 congressional session to certify the Electoral College vote and slowness in the law enforcement response to the violence.

Trump slammed the investigation in a statement saying Jan. 6th was not simply a protest, it represented the greatest movement in the history of our country.

Republicans have furiously opposed the investigation. They blocked a bipartisan commission and then withdrew from the House panel after Speaker Nancy Pelosi refused to seat two of House GOP leader Kevin McCarthys picks--Representatives Jim Jordan and Jim Banks. Pelosi said some Democrats asserted the two Trump allies would hurt the probes integrity. Pelosi chose the panels two Republicans, Cheney and Representative Adam Kinzinger.

The House panel is trying to build interest in its findings among a public that is more focused on daily struggles with soaring gasoline and grocery prices, supply-chain problems, continuing covid outbreaks and rising crime.

During the hearing, Trump spokesman Taylor Budowich tweeted that the hearing wont change any viewers minds.

This isnt a legislative hearing, its a production. This circus wont hold eyeballs, and election day is still in November.

Committee officials said the excerpts from the witnesses recorded depositions are among previously unseen material the panel has gathered that provide new details on the lead-up to the attack, and the attack itself.

The Justice Department faces a high bar and legal hurdles when it comes to bringing criminal charges against Trump or anyone involved in the Jan. 6 attack and efforts to overturn the election results.

To date, the department has charged about 850 individuals for crimes associated with the Jan. 6 attack, most of whom face misdemeanors for their actions at the Capitol, such as trespassing. About 80 individuals -- or less than 10%-- have been sentenced to prison time.

Trump hasnt been charged with any crimes, and as a former president enjoys special protections, such as the ability to withhold information based on claims of executive privilege.
Amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the 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 .

Moreover, the is preparing measures to ensure food security in the European Union and the rest of the world as the situation in 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- 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.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
on Thursday 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 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.

A confidential IAEA report to member states on Thursday evening seen by Reuters said IAEA inspectors had removed the IAEA's cameras at two sites and placed them in storage under IAEA seals there.

U.S. officials speaking on condition of anonymity said even after the three or four week period Iran could still provide additional information to allow for the nuclear deal's revival.

"We are not on death watch (for the next) three to four weeks," said a senior U.S. official, saying the deal could be resurrected, although the longer Iran withheld access the more transparency it would have to give the IAEA.

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 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.

France, Britain and Germany, the so-called E3, condemned Iran's actions on Thursday and urged it fully resume its cooperation with the watchdog and end its nuclear escalation.

"These actions only aggravate the situation and complicate our efforts to restore full implementation of the JCPoA. They also cast further doubt on Iran's commitment to a successful outcome," the E3 said in a statement that did not include the United States, like on Wednesday.

Washington issued a separate statement, stopping short of condemning Iran's actions and urging Iran to choose diplomacy and de-escalation.

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.

(Additional reporting by John Irish in Paris, Arshad Mohammed in Saint Paul, Minn., and Dubai newsroom; Editing by Alex Richardson, Jonathan Oatis, David Gregorio and Richard Pullin)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The IMF is planning an in-person mission in the coming weeks to Sri Lanka, which is facing a very difficult economic condition, for discussions on a financial arrangement, its spokesman has said but emphasised that country needs to take steps to restore debt sustainability before the global lender can move on a financing programme.

Monetary Fund Spokesperson Gerry Rice said the global financial body was committed to support at this difficult time, in line with the IMF policies.

Clearly is facing a very difficult economic condition and severe balance of payments problems. We are deeply concerned about the impact of the ongoing crisis, particularly the humanitarian concern, that is the impact on people, IMF Spokesperson Gerry Rice told a briefing on Thursday.

His statement came a day after Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that he has urged IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva to "expedite" its assistance programme to the country.

Rice said the IMF is monitoring Sri Lanka's situation closely and the IMF is planning an in-person mission to Colombo in the coming weeks to engage in policy discussions on the programme, building on the technical discussions that already took place in May.

has decided to seek the assistance of the Washington-based global lender to combat the worst economic crisis since its independence from Britain in 1948. The talks between Sri Lanka and the IMF commenced on April 18.

Sri Lanka has already initiated measures to restructure its foreign debts -- a prerequisite for an IMF programme -- after the government suspended all the external debt repayments on April 12.

Rice said the timing of a staff-level agreement will depend in part on the strength of the policies that the authorities would propose and would commit to.

The spokesman emphasised that since Sri Lanka's debt was assessed as unsustainable, board approval for any programme would require adequate assurances that authorities would take measures to restore debt sustainability before a financial arrangement can be considered.

He emphasised that a staff-level agreement would go to the IMF board for approval to make the final decision.

The IMF Spokesman affirmed that Managing Director Georgieva spoke to the Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday and they discussed the IMF's engagement with Sri Lanka in length.

We are engaging as much as we can to see how we can help, but again too early for us to discuss the magnitude of a potential financing or a specific date for either the staff level agreement or when this might go to the board, he said.

He reiterated that when the IMF determines that the country's debt is not sustainable, the country needs to take steps to restore debt sustainability before the IMF can move forward with the financing programme.

On Thursday last, Wickremesinghe had said the government was targeting USD 5 billion this year for repayments, plus a further USD 1 billion to bolster the country's reserves.

He said Sri Lanka's bridging finance requirements would depend on an agreement with the IMF being reached.

Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, Wickremesinghe said Sri Lanka will need USD 5 billion to ensure that the people's daily lives are not disrupted for the next six months.

The nearly bankrupt country, with an acute foreign currency crisis that resulted in foreign debt default, announced in April that it is suspending nearly USD 7 billion foreign debt repayment due for this year out of about USD 25 billion due through 2026. Sri Lanka's total foreign debt stands at USD 51 billion.

The IMF in May said that it requires sufficient assurance from the country that it will restore debt sustainability during the debt restructuring process.

The economic crisis has prompted an acute shortage of essential items like food, medicine, cooking gas and other fuel, toilet paper and even matches, with Sri Lankans for months being forced to wait in lines lasting hours outside stores to buy fuel and cooking gas.

(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.)
Japan's business community issued a joint statement on Friday seeking further relaxation of border controls, as the country begins a gradual easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions.

The statement by domestic business lobby Keidanren and foreign chambers of commerce urged further easing to "facilitate an environment where people, goods, money and digital technologies can move freely".

began a phased reopening to tourists on Friday after a more than two-year ban. But the visitors must be part of packaged tours accompanied by guides at all times to ensure compliance with infection controls.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged last month to bring Japan's border measures, among the strictest in the world during the pandemic, more in line with other wealthy democracies.

The joint statement, signed on to by United States and European business lobbies, urged to restore visa waiver eligibility for its Groups of Seven trading partners.

The group also advocated for a rapid return to individual tourist travel, relaxation of COVID testing at airports, and a lifting of the daily cap of arrivals.

(Reporting by Rocky Swift; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Stephen Coates)

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Russian President has said that Moscow has the opportunity to build partnerships not only with India and China, but also with Latin America and Africa, asserting that it is impossible to "fence off" a country like from the outside.

Putin, during a meeting with young entrepreneurs here on Thursday, said that the world is big and diverse.

You have just mentioned and India. Why only and India? It is also Latin America. Perhaps, Africa today is still sleeping, but it is waking up, 1.5 billion people live there. What about Southeast Asia, he was quoted as saying by Russia's state-run Tass news agency.

has the opportunity to build partnerships not only with and India, but also with Latin America, as well as Africa, which is still sleeping, but is about waking up, Putin said.

Bilateral ties with are a key pillar of India's foreign policy.

India sees Russia as a longstanding and time-tested friend that has played a significant role in its economic development and security.

Apparently referring to the economic sanctions imposed by the West on Moscow following its military operation in Ukraine, Putin said "it is impossible to fence off a country like Russia from the outside."



The present-day Russia's mission is to get back and strengthen its sovereignty and territories, he said.

It looks like our mission, too, is to get back and strengthen, and if we proceed from the fact that these core values are the basis of our existence, we will definitely succeed in achieving the goals ahead of us, Putin said.

Amidst European Union's calls to look for the alternatives of Russia's energy supply, Purin said that the abandonment of Russian energy resources is unlikely in the coming years.

Rejection of Russian energy resources in recent years appears to be unlikely, he said.

As regards abandonment of our energy resources, the probability is low in several years to come and nobody knows what will occur during several years. Nobody will set concrete plugs in wells, there is no such need, Putin said.

The Russian President visited a multimedia exhibition at the All-Russian Exhibition Center, dedicated to the 350th anniversary of the birth of Peter I, the first Russian Emperor.

He praised Peter the Great's role in building the Russian state.

Drawing an analogy to the time of Peter the Great, Putin said that Peter I did not seize any Swedish territories during the Great Northern War but got them back.

When Peter the Great had founded Russia's new capital, none of the European countries recognised Russia's right to that region, he said.

Everyone viewed it as part of Sweden but Slavic people lived there from time immemorial along with the Finno-Ugric peoples, and the region was controlled by the Russian state. The same went for the western direction, Putin said.

Putin said that Peter I was a prominent statesman and military leader, a patriot who had fully committed himself to serving his country.

According to him, Peter I's ambitious reforms in state management, the economy, science, culture and education helped strengthen Russia's authority on the stage and largely determined the country's development as a strong and sovereign power for centuries to come.

In October 2018, Putin signed a decree about celebrating the 350th anniversary of the birth of Peter I this year.

Peter I was Russia's last tsar (1682-1721) and first emperor (1721-1725) under whose rule a regular Army and Navy were created in Russia, the city of St. Petersburg was founded, the country was proclaimed an empire and underwent major reforms.

Putin on February 24 announced a 'special military operation' in Ukraine, leading to a series of sanctions by the West along with condemnation by the UN, the EU and others. Many multinational companies suspended their business in Russia as a fallout of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

(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.)
amended its electricity legislation to get rid of competitive bidding for energy projects on Thursday. The move invited criticism from the Opposition parties. Even though the trade unions in the state-run Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) resisted the move strongly, a majority of the MPs voted in its favor for the amendments under the Electricity Act.

CEB union on Wednesday warned the incumbent government of an indefinite strike to protest the new legislation. The trade union further added that they are against the decision of the government to rope in India's to execute renewable energy projects in the island nation, without any competitive bidding prices. The strike action was however suspended after President Gotabaya Rajapaksa decided to meet the union leaders. Rajapaksa also issued an extraordinary gazette, which declared electricity an essential service.

In March 2022, the signed an agreement with CEB for two large power projects in the northern province of the island nation. However, the move was strongly condemned and opposed by the main Opposition party Samagi Jana Balawegaya or SJB. SJB also accused Gotabaya Rajapaksa of allowing to enter the country through a back door, and thereby disrupting the country's competitive electricity generation system.

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara defended the move saying it was "essential to the quick development" of renewable energy. The minister further added in his tweet that they hope to encourage foreign direct investment. This comes at a time when the country is reeling under the worst economic crisis. Prime Minister also welcomed the adoption of the amendment bill.
aims to set up a financial safety net of Rs 200 billion to provide social security support to the needy amidst the worst in the country, Prime Minister has announced.

The government is making maximum effort to reduce the impact through providing financial and logistical support," said Wickremesinghe, who also holds the post of the finance minister of the debt-ridden economy.

"A Rs 200 billion financial safety net is being raised for social sector support," he said while addressing the owners of Sri Lankan media organisations late on Thursday.

He said a team from the Monetary Fund (IMF) would visit the country on June 20 and hoped that a staff-level agreement with the IMF would be reached by the end of June.

Wickremesinghe also explained that due to the pending food shortage, he was launching the food security programme in the country.

He was hopeful that through the food security programme, the government of the crisis hit country would be able to provide food free of charge to 10 per cent of the population, who were unable to afford three meals.

He had previously warned of a food crisis in addition to the ongoing economic crisis, which has also left the country in shortage of fuel, gas, medicines as well as essential supplies.

When asked to respond to the government's initiatives to combat the current crisis, the prime minister explained the country would have to suffer the consequences of the damage caused to the economy by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Discussions were underway with Japan to regain their confidence and secure their support, the prime minister added.

Wickremesinghe said that countries were stepping forward with assistance in food and medical supplies, however, no country was providing fuel free of charge.

Long queues at fuel retail stations are a common sight in the island currently despite the supplies being made available by India through a credit line.

Sri Lanka, which has been grappling with unprecedented economic turmoil since its independence from Britain in 1948, is also facing political unrest with protesters demanding President Rajapaksa's resignation.

The has prompted an acute shortage of essential items like food, medicine, cooking gas and other fuel, toilet paper and even matches, with Sri Lankans for months being forced to wait in lines lasting hours outside stores to buy fuel and cooking gas.

An IMF bailout programme is being currently worked out and expected to be available in the last quarter of the year.

Wickremesinghe had earlier announced that extended credit lines from India were being sought until the availability of the IMF facility.



Top industrialist to replace Basil in Parliament

Kulappuarachchige Don Dhammika Perera founder and chairman of Vallibel One, one of Sri Lankas richest men, will replace former FM Basil Rajapaksa as a lawmaker to help steer out of the economic crisis

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has created two new ministries, including an investment ministry, to handle the worst economic crisis in the island nation.

The role of the new ministry of 'Technology and Investment Promotion' will also be to promote foreign direct investment and private sector investment while promoting economic potential in .

The new ministry was created after Basil Rajapaksa, former finance minister and the intellectual pillar of the Rajapaksa brothers, quit Parliament on Thursday.

Also, a 'Ministry of Women, Child Affairs and Social Empowerment' was created through a gazette notice issued by President Gotabaya.

It is reported that the Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs and Social Empowerment includes 15 institutions including the National Child Protection Authority and the Samurdhi Development Department, Colombo Page reported.

Basil said he was stepping down to allow someone suitable from the ruling Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) to replace him.

It is speculated that Dhammika Perera, a leading businessman is to replace Basil and be appointed to become the minister of Technology and Investment Promotion.

Perera in recent weeks has been making public suggestions of his plans to promote the flow of US dollars into the country in order to tackle the unprecedented economic crisis the island nation has faced since 1948.

Perera had headed the Board of Investment as a political appointee and was also the Secretary to the ministry of Highways between 2005-15 under the former president Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Chinese built Colombo Port City and the government's investment promotion arm, the Board of Investment have been listed under the new technology ministry.

The telecommunications regulator and Telecom alongside the Registrar of Persons and Department of Immigration and Emigration - all key institutions handled by Rajapaksa himself have also been listed under the new technology ministry.

Sri Lanka has been grappling with unprecedented economic turmoil since its independence from Britain in 1948. The economic crisis has created political unrest with protesters demanding President Rajapaksa's resignation.

The economic crisis has prompted an acute shortage of essential items like food, medicine, cooking gas and other fuel, toilet paper and even matches, with Sri Lankans for months being forced to wait in lines lasting hours outside stores to buy fuel and cooking gas.

An IMF bailout programme is being currently worked out and expected to be available in the last quarter of the year.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has announced that extended credit lines from India are being sought until the availability of the IMF facility.

(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.)
Chinas defence minister complained to his American counterpart on Friday about the latest US arms package for and warned of a possible conflict over the selfgoverning island that claims as its own territory.

Chinese Defense Minister Gen Wei Fenghe told US Defense Secretary in a meeting in Singapore that the sale seriously undermined Chinas sovereignty and security interests, said CCTVs military channel.

firmly opposes and strongly condemns it, and the Chinese government and military will resolutely smash any independence plot and resolutely safeguard the reunification of the motherland, Wei said.

and split during a civil war in 1949 and China threatens to use force to annex the island republic.

Despite their lack of formal diplomatic ties, Washington is Taiwans strongest backer and source of arms, and US law requires it to treat threats to the island as matters of grave concern. In the latest arms package, the US announced Wednesday the sale of parts for Taiwanese naval ships at an estimated cost of $120 million.

In other comments, Wei warned against using Taiwan to control China, and laid out a list of conditions the US must meet for ties to improve, including not interfering in Chinas internal affairs or harming Chinas interests.

In a further readout of the meeting, Defence Ministry spokesperson Col Wu Qian quoted Wei as saying China would respond to any move toward formal Taiwan independence by smashing it even at any price, including war. Wu also accused outside powers of stirring up trouble in the South China Sea, which China claims virtually in its entirety, and said Beijing would resolutely counter any effort to harm Chinas interests over the issue of Ukraine.
Observing that some 30 countries have curtailed exports of commodity goods including food and fuel since the war in Ukraine began, the Monetary Fund Thursday said it is concerned by the use of food and fertilizer export restrictions.

It welcomed India's decision recently to relax its originally announced ban on wheat exports, and allow some shipments to proceed.

"We are very concerned by the use of food and fertilizer export restrictions, which can exacerbate global price increases and market volatility. So, this goes beyond India," spokesperson Gerry Rice told reporters at a news conference here.

"Our monitoring indicates that some 30 countries, in fact, have curtailed exports of commodity goods, including food and fuel, and that since the war in Ukraine began. So, we are very concerned about this. ( Managing Director) Kristalina Georgieva has been very vocal on this. (First Deputy Managing Director) Gita Gopinath spoke about it again, yesterday, he said responding to a question on India.

"On India, we welcome India's decision recently to relax its originally announced ban and allow some wheat exports to proceed, including the already contracted shipments and exports to countries with food security needs. And we hope to see further relaxation of bans and again, not just by India, but also by all countries who have imposed them," Rice 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 Biden administration will drop pre-departure COVID-19 international air testing requirements effective Sunday at 12:01 a.m. after heavy lobbying from airlines and the travel industry, a senior administration official told Reuters.

The Biden administration will announce on Friday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will no longer require pre-departure COVID-19 testing for travelers coming to the United States after it determined based on the science and data that this requirement is no longer necessary. CDC will do a reassessment of this decision in 90 days, the official said.

Since December, the CDC has required travelers to test negative within one day before flights to the United States but does not require testing for land border crossings.

The official said, "If there is a need to reinstate a pre-departure testing requirement -- including due to a new, concerning variant -- CDC will not hesitate to act." American Airlines Chief Executive Robert Isom said last week at a conference that the testing requirements were "nonsensical" and were "depressing" leisure and business travel.

Airlines have said that many Americans are not traveling internationally because of concerns they will test positive and be stranded abroad. Isom said 75% of countries American serves do not have testing requirements.

"We're really frustrated and this is something that is damaging not only U.S. travel but it just doesn't make sense," Isom said last week.

In December, the CDC tightened requirements for international air travelers to get a negative test within one day rather than three days of coming to the United States.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama and Mark Porter)

(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 next-generation and powerful James Webb was hit by space debris called micrometeoroid, leading to a "marginally detectable effect in the data" but has suffered no damage, according to .

Since its launch on December 25 last year, the Webb faced four smaller measurable micrometeoroid strikes. However, this most recent "impact was larger than was modelled, and beyond what the team could have tested on the ground", officials wrote in a blogpost.

"Between May 23 and 25, NASA's James Webb Space sustained an impact to one of its primary mirror segments. After initial assessments, the team found the telescope is still performing at a level that exceeds all mission requirements despite a marginally detectable effect in the data," the blogpost read.

"Since launch, we have had four smaller measurable micrometeoroid strikes that were consistent with expectations and this one more recently that is larger than our degradation predictions assumed," said Lee Feinberg, Webb optical telescope element manager at Goddard.

Micrometeoroid strikes are an unavoidable aspect of operating any spacecraft, which routinely sustain many impacts over the course of long and productive science missions in space.

While Webb is no different, such events were anticipated when building and testing the telescope's mirror on the ground. Webb's mirror has been engineered to withstand bombardment from the micrometeoroid environment at its orbit around Sun-Earth L2 of dust-sized particles flying at extreme velocities.

"We always knew that Webb would have to weather the space environment, which includes harsh ultraviolet light and charged particles from the Sun, cosmic rays from exotic sources in the galaxy, and occasional strikes by micrometeoroids within our solar system," said Paul Geithner, technical deputy project manager at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

"We designed and built Webb with performance margin, optical, thermal, electrical, mechanical, to ensure it can perform its ambitious science mission even after many years in space," he added.

Further, NASA said that the recent hit was not a result of a meteor shower and is currently considered an "unavoidable chance event".

Feinberg said that occasional micrometeoroid impacts are expected to "gracefully degrade telescope performance over time".

As a result, the agency has formed a specialised team of engineers to look at ways to mitigate the effects of further micrometeoroid hits of this scale.

Meanwhile, NASA also stated that the recent impact "caused no change to Webb's operations schedule". NASA expects to unveil the first science-quality images from the telescope on July 12, and also start science operations.

The $10 billion Webb telescope, which is an programme led by NASA, European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency, will explore every phase of cosmic history, from within our solar system to the most distant observable galaxies in the early universe.

(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.)
Dear Reader,

Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.

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Bank of Maharashtra on Friday announced an upward revision of marginal cost of funds based lending rate (MCLR) by 30 basis points and repo linked lending rate (RLLR) by 50 basis points.

The public sector bank revised the overnight MCLR from 6.85 to 7.15%, one month MCLR from 6.95% to 7.25%, three months MCLR from 7.25% to 7.55%, six months MCLR from 7.30% to 7.60% and one year MCLR from 7.40% to 7.70%. The revised rates will be effective from 10 June 2022.

Further, the bank has revised the repo linked lending rate from 7.20% to 7.70 per annum with effect from 10 June 2022.

Bank of Maharashtra is a public sector bank in India. The Government of India held 90.97% stake in the bank as of 31 March 2022.

The state-run bank's net profit rose 110.5% to Rs 355.78 crore on 8.9% decline in total income to Rs 3,948.47 crore in Q4 FY22 over Q4 FY21.

Shares of Bank of Maharashtra were up 0.60% to Rs 16.70 on the BSE.

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Oriental Aromatics jumped 8.08% to Rs 568.65 after the company said that its proposed Greenfield project in Mahad (Maharashtra) received environmental clearance.

The company's wholly owned subsidiary, Oriental Aromatics & Sons, secured the environmental clearance for the proposed Greenfield project for manufacturing speciality chemicals & chemical intermediates at Mahad, Raigad, Maharashtra.

The State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India, granted the environmental clearance vide its letter dated 9 June 2022.

Oriental Aromatics are engaged in the manufacturing and sale of fine chemicals i.e. camphor, perfumery & specialty aroma chemicals, fragrances and flavour in India.

On consolidated basis, the speciality chemicals company reported 53.2% decline in net profit to Rs 10.48 crore on a 8.4% fall in net sales to Rs 202.87 crore in Q4 FY22 over Q4 FY21.

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South Africa: Woman arrested for possession of copper cables

A 43-year-old woman from Bethelsdorp in the Eastern Cape has been arrested after she was found in possession of copper cables worth over R600 000.

In a statement, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said the copper cables, with a total weight of 2 591kg, were found inside and outside the premises. Some of the cables were identified by Transnet as belonging to them.

Eastern Cape SAPS spokesperson, Colonel Priscilla Naidu, said while the estimated scrap metal value of the copper was R168 415, the replacement value was estimated to be over R600 000.

A joint multi-disciplinary non-ferrous metal operation was conducted under Operation Vuthu Hawe.

SAPS Bethelsdorps designated Second Hand Goods Officer (DSO) received information of an illegal scrap yard operating in Bloem Road in Bloemendal. The information was operationalised and on Thursday, a team comprising the Nelson Mandela Bay Districts SAPS Non-Ferrous Metal officers, representatives from Transnet, Telkom, Eskom and NMB municipality swooped in on the residential property.

The owner of the house was arrested and detained in terms of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act and possession of suspected stolen property. She is expected to appear in court soon, said Naidu.

Acting Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Brigadier Thandiswa Kupiso, commended the team for the excellent execution of the operation.

Combatting non-ferrous metals and essential infrastructure related crimes must be continuous, as these crimes lead to a multitude of economic and socio-economic strains and continue to threaten key industries. The second hand goods environment is seen as a potential market for stolen goods, including the sale of non-ferrous metals. Operations such as this will be continuous and those responsible will be harshly dealt with.

The SAPS said the threat of non-ferrous metals, as well as essential infrastructure related crimes, remains its priority.

It is therefore crucial that multi-disciplinary disruptive operations are conducted to combat and address ferrous and non-ferrous and infrastructure related crimes.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-06-10. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
US mission seeks stronger cooperation with HCM City in clean energy

Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee Vo Van Hoan on June 10 hosted a reception for a delegation of US government officials and business representatives who are visiting Vietnam to find ways to boost bilateral ties in clean energy development.













The US mission led by Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia Pamela Phan of the International Trade Administration at the US Department of Commerce (centre, front row) meet with Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee Vo Van Hoan on June 10 (fifth from the left, front row). (Photo: VNA)



The US mission was led by Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia Pamela Phan of the International Trade Administration at the US Department of Commerce.



Welcoming the delegation, Hoan reiterated the southern largest economic hubs desire to further step up cooperation and investment in areas of mutual interest between Vietnamese and US enterprises.



Ho Chi Minh City has taken drastic measures to promote green production, lifestyle and living standards so as to realise the Governments commitments in greenhouse emission reduction, he said, noting that among the measures were using green energy in transport, encouraging factories at hi-tech and industrial parks to make transition to clean energy and motivating more people to shift to solar power.



The official pledged that the city stands ready to support foreign investors to do business in Vietnam in a long run and to assist US partners in accelerating cooperation and investment in clean energy.



Phan, for her part, highly appreciated Ho Chi Minh Citys active and effective cooperation with the US Consulate General in translating the bilateral cooperation into reality, particularly in smart technology and smart city.



She noted that many of US business representatives are from major corporations operating in the fields of creative energy and electricity who are seeking an opportunity in developing clean energy in Vietnam and providing the country with security services to protect local energy systems.



The US official expected that the two sides can come up with specific actions to connect enterprises in the field.
For Asaduddin Owaisi, chief of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), its another day and another FIR. This time, it is registered by Delhi police. Mr Owaisi calls it balance-vaad on the part of the police: He is in the company of 30 other people, including Yati Narasinghanand, who called for the genocide of Muslims, and Nupur Sharma, former general secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who said what she said. On his part, he still doesnt know which exact tweet prompted the FIR.

Dear Reader,

Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance.

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As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed.



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The on Friday lodged a police complaint against suspended spokespersons and Navin Jindal in Guwahati for their controversial remarks against Prophet Mohammad.

Police said they are looking into the matter and are yet to register a case on the basis of the complaint lodged at Bhangagarh police station.

"We have received the complaint regarding the remarks made by the persons in question. We are yet to register a case and it is still in enquiry stage," a police officer said.

Sharma, who made an objectionable statement about the Prophet during a TV debate on the Gyanvapi controversy, and Jindal, who posted a derogatory remark on his Twitter handle, were suspended by the party.

Senior spokesperson of Assam Romen Chandra Borthakur, who filed the complaint on behalf of his party, alleged that the image of India has been tarnished, and age-old unity and integrity have been affected due to the statements by Sharma and Jindal.

Talking to reporters, Borthakur maintained that India should not bow down to international pressure and apologise for the remarks made by the duo as their statements were not the country's official stance.

A complaint was also filed against the Sharma, Jindal and AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi at the same police station in Guwahati on Tuesday by Dulu Ahmed, a leader of Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP).

Ahmed also demanded action against Owaisi, a Telangana MLA, for allegedly making "objectionable comments" against Hindus at a public meeting.

Police are yet to register a case in connection with Ahmed's complaint as well.

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Janata Dal (Secular) chief on Friday alleged "horse-trading" in the Karnataka claiming that Congress leader was pressurising JDS MLAs to not vote for their own party but that of the candidate of the grand old party.

"Yes, definitely. He is pressurising them not to vote for JD(S)," Kumaraswamy told media persons on being asked about Siddaramaiah's claims that some JD(S) MLAs were in touch with him.

The former Karnataka chief minister also pointed out that had refuted allegations of writing an open letter to JDS MLAs requesting them to cast their "conscience vote" in favour of his party's candidate.

"Today, before local media he (Siddaramaiah) has said that he didn't write to my MLAs. He had even tweeted the letter from his social media account. Now, he's denying what he said yesterday. This shows his double standards," the JD(S) leader added.

Further, Kumaraswamy alleged that BJP general secretary CT Ravi was spotted entering the Congress office in Karnataka.

"CT Ravi is BJP general secretary, so how did he enter Congress office? This shows that CT Ravi went to meet for his cooperation in the victory of the BJP candidate," he said.

He exuded confidence that JD(S) already has 30-31 votes in the .

"We have confidence that we have 30-31 votes. JD(S) K Srinivasa Gowda has expressed that he will vote for Congress. Now, let us see," he added.Meanwhile, Karnataka Minister CN Ashwath Narayan also said that all three BJP candidates will get elected today.

"I am sure that all our three candidates are going to get elected. Even though Siddaramaiah will think two to three times before voting for Congress, I think he will also vote for BJP. Anybody with value for democratic principles will never vote for Congress and JDS," the minister said.

"Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is a leader of statesmanship. It is our honour to have such a political leader with no corruption background. Karnataka has benefitted because of her leadership," Narayan added.

In Karnataka, JD(S) has fielded entrepreneur and social worker Kupendra Reddy as its first candidate in the Rajya Sabha election, while the Congress had fielded Mansoor Ali Khan as its second candidate to corner the JD(S) and its bid to send Kupendra Reddy to the Rajya Sabha.

Six candidates are in the fray for four Rajya Sabha seats from Karnataka.

A day ahead of the polling, former state chief minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader on Thursday urged the Congress to give its second preferential votes to JDS, if it really wanted to defeat BJP.

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From deployment of security personnel to monitoring poll code violations and from building voter awareness to ensuring necessary facilities, the Delhi CEO office is making all preparations to ensure that the upcoming Rajinder Nagar bypoll is inclusive, accessible and fair.

Delhi Chief Electoral Officer Ranbir Singh at a press conference here said a total of 1,64,698 electors are eligible to cast vote in the June 23 by-election.

Asked if any violation of model code of conduct has been reported since the date for the contest was announced by the Election Commission, he said, "Yes, MCC violations have been reported and action also has been taken by authorities".

"Under the defacement of property act, such violations have been reported, and eight FIRs also filed, six against AAP and two against BJP. Similarly, poll code violations have also been reported for conducting rallies without permission, and police has made two DD (daily diary) entries, one each against AAP and BJP," Singh said.

Overall, civic authorities have removed 15,015 posters put up in violation of the model code of conduct, he said.

On the preparations made by his office, the Delhi CEO said 14 candidates are in the fray for the upcoming bypoll to the Rajinder Nagar Assembly seat in Delhi, three of recognised parties -- AAP, BJP and Congress, three of unrecognised parties and eight as Independent candidates.

To raise awareness, Bollywood actor Sonam Kapoor has been chosen as an icon, and her images will be used on posters and social media to reach out to greater number of voters, especially the youth, Singh said.

Of the total number of eligible voters for the bypoll, 92,221 are male, 72,473 female and four belong to the third gender, he said.

Also, 1,899 voters in this assembly seat are in the 18-19 age group, he added.

The number of eligible voters in the Rajinder Nagar assembly seat for the 2022 bypoll is less than the count of electors in this assembly seat that was for the 2020 Delhi Assembly elections, as death and migration of voters have been factored in, Singh later told PTI on the sidelines of the briefing.

A total of 190 polling stations, including 13 auxiliary polling stations will be set up at 21 locations, equipped with all necessary facilities and amenities for people with disability too, like ramps, drinking water, and creches for mothers if they come with their children, he told reporters.

Free pick-up and drop facility will be provided to citizens who are aged above 80 and persons with disability who are voters, sign language interpreters and other experts would also be there to guide those who have hearing disability.

"For visually-impaired, facilities have been created too. The EVM machines will have Braille markings and also on dummy ballot to allow a voter with visual impairment to cast his or her vote independently. Even voters slip will have Braille markings to facilitate them," Singh said.

There are 591 electors, who are persons with disability, 39 voters are visually impaired, and there are 64 service voters, he said.

For security purposes, six companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) have been deployed for smooth conduct of the by-election. Besides, flying squads, static surveillance teams, and teams also are in place to monitor model code of conduct violations, among others, the CEO said.

The bypoll has been necessitated in the wake of AAP leader Raghav Chadha leaving the seat after being elected to the Rajya Sabha recently.

Chadha was the MLA from the Rajinder Nagar Assembly seat.

(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 ruling Congress on Friday won three of the four Rajya Sabha seats in Rajasthan, overcoming the challenge posed by BJP-backed independent candidate Subhash Chandra, according to the party. The BJP got the fourth seat.

Congress candidates Randeep Surjewala, Mukul Wasnik, and Pramod Tiwari were elected to the Rajya Sabha, according to a tweet by Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. BJP candidate and former minister Ghanshyam Tiwari said he had also won, polling 43 votes.

Congress's victory on three Rajya Sabha seats in Rajasthan is a victory of democracy. I congratulate all the three newly elected MPs Shri Pramod Tiwari, Shri Mukul Wasnik and Shri Randeep Surjewala. I am sure that all the three MPs will be able to strongly advocate the rights of Rajasthan in Delhi," Gehlot tweeted.

Speaking to reporters, Tiwari said, "I am thankful to the state and the central leadership for making me the candidate. I got 43 votes." The statements came before the official announcement of the results.

All 200 Rajasthan MLAs had cast their votes for the by Friday afternoon. In the House, the Congress has 108 MLAs, BJP 71, Independents 13, Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) three, and the CPI(M) and the Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) two each.

In Karnataka, election officials said the ruling BJP won three out of four seats, while Congress bagged one. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, actor-politician Jaggesh, ex-MLC Lehar Singh Siroya of the BJP and former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh of Congress were declared elected from the state.

The JD(S) leadership claimed at least two disgruntled MLAs did not vote in favour of its candidate in the Rajya Sabha polls for four seats from Karnataka, defying the party's diktat, with one of its legislators admitting he did so since he "loved" voting for the Congress nominee.

The counting of votes for the was delayed on Friday in Maharashtra and Haryana over alleged violation of rules, officials said.

The counting was held up in Maharashtra after opposition BJP alleged three MLAs of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)--Cabinet ministers Jitendra Awhad (NCP) and Yashomati Thakur (Congress), besides Shiv Sena legislator Suhas Kande violated the model code for voting. "We have filed an appeal before the Election Commission of India, seeking that their votes be held invalid," said a state BJP leader.

The BJP has alleged that Awhad and Thakur handed over their ballots to their party agents instead of only showing them the ballots, while Kande showed his ballot to two different agents.

The counting has been put on hold in Haryana for identical reasons. The BJP and the Independent candidate backed by it have urged the Election Commission to cancel the votes of two Congress MLAs.

BJP nominee Krishan Lal Panwar and Independent candidate Kartikeya Sharma shot off a missive to the EC, alleging Congress MLAs Kiran Choudhary and B B Batra showed their ballot papers to unauthorised persons after marking them and that the episodes were "duly captured" on cameras.
As the government appears determined to roll out 5G services in India, have opposed any move to set aside spectrum for captive private networks at an administered price.

They argued that such a move would skew the playing field. On the other side of the fence are private network supporters like the Tatas, ITC and the Broadband India Forum, which counts major global tech players among its members.

They have argued that assigning spectrum directly to enterprises is the only way to make Industry 4.0 a reality.

Now, the latest blows in this battle over 5G captive private networks have been struck.

In a move that could jeopardise Indias upcoming auction, the Cellular Operators Association of India sent a rather blunt letter to the Minister of Communications Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday. The letter said there would be no business case for rollout of 5G networks if captive private 5G networks were to be permitted.

COAI is the apex body of telecom operators with Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea as its key members. COAI has made its position clear -- allowing independent entities to set up private captive networks with direct allotment would severely impact revenues and degrade 5Gs business case for telecom operators. It could even force to relook at their strategy, though most say they are unlikely to pull out from participating in the auction altogether.

COAI letter has said that wherever 5G has been rolled out, there have hardly been any gains in revenue from the retail segment. Instead, revenue and efficiency enhancement can happen only in the enterprise segment, which involves the use cases that an enterprise could instead meet with its captive private network if allowed to.

have said that based on global trends, 40 per cent of the revenues from 5G come from the enterprise segment. They fear that they would end up losing this chunk of revenue



Telcos have also made other arguments against the direct allocation of 5G spectrum through administrative routes to enterprises for private captive networks.

They have said that such a move would give a backdoor entry to private companies, do away with a level playing field, and rob the government of valuable revenues.

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 earlier. If that happens, it would be a complete volte-face.

Speaking to Business Standard, Lt Gen SP Kochhar, DG, COAI, says government will lose out on revenue due to lack of auctions. Administrative allotment would be in contravention to SCs direction. Enterprises will probably outsource the setting up of private networks. This could allow an unlicensed entity that has not participated in the auctions to become a telco. Such an entity would also not be subject to the regulations meant for telcos.

The technology have struck back. The Broadband India Forum, or BIF, on Thursday went to bat for direct spectrum allocation for private 5G networks at a nominal administrative fee.

Going against the position taken by telcos, BIF argued that the stance that private 5G networks would lead to revenue losses for telcos was a misconception.

BIF contends indoor private campus networks do not cut into the legitimate revenue of telcos. According to the industry body, an efficient captive network through private 5G would lead to increased productivity for enterprises. This would help grow business activities and external communications, leading, in turn, to better revenues for telcos.

BIF has argued that most of the revenues accrued by telcos are external and that they remain untouched, and hence, government revenues also remain protected. Private networks constitute an additional revenue stream for both telcos and the government, it said.

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



Debashish Bhattacharya, Sr Deputy Director General, Broadband India Forum says private 5G networks are non-public networks. It is limited to a local area and has only one potential user in that given area. You cannot have an auction when there is only one user, he says. It is being misrepresented that SC has mandated that spectrum can only be assigned through auctions, he adds. SC has said auctions might be the best way of maximising revenues. The apex court has also said that revenue maximisation might not always be the best way to serve the public good. Digitalisation of all industries towards Industry 4.0 is the public good in this case. Additional license fee and spectrum usage charges paid by private networks will increase government revenues.

The Business Standard Morning Show had earlier reported that the 5G spectrum auctions are likely to see a muted response from the telcos due to their unmet concerns over pricing. This could be a reason for the slowing down of 5G rollout in India, or at least, lead to an uneven spread of 5G services. The tussle over private captive networks will only add to the list of rollout roadblocks.




Coal is unloaded at Lianyungang port in East Chinas Jiangsu province on May 24. Photo: VCG

Coal /

In Depth: Chinas never-ending coal price woes

On the last day of Chinas Labor Day holiday in early May, some truckers in Inner Mongolia werent taking a break. They were in a queue stretching dozens of kilometers, all waiting to load up on coal at the privately-owned Erlintu mine.

The line of idling vehicles was so long it snaked back across the border into Shaanxi province, said Gao Jinxin, who works at a local mining company in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

Demand for Erlintus coal has gone through the roof as Chinas regulators have pushed coal mining companies to focus on meeting long-term contract deliveries first, Gao said.

Rains /

Unending torrential rain leaves at least 24 dead across China

At least 24 people have died and six more are missing as torrential rain continues to batter parts of China, according to state media reports and official statements.

Since late May, heavy downpours have triggered flooding and landslides in at least four provincial-level regions, forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes. Authorities have warned of an increased risk of floods and other rain-induced disasters in the near future, especially in southern China.

FINANCE & ECONOMY

Inflows /

Foreign capital roars back into Chinas stock market

Foreign capital returned to Chinas stock market with a bang in early June following a record sell-off earlier this year as an easing of Covid lockdowns and a slew of government policies to support the economy propped up investor confidence.

Overseas investors bought a net 26.1 billion yuan ($3.9 billion) of Chinese mainland-traded shares through the Hong Kong Stock Connect program in the first five trading days of June, topping the net inflow of 16.9 billion yuan recorded over the entire month of May and 6.3 billion yuan in April, data from Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd. show.

Testing /

China ramps up regulation of Covid test agents

As China rolls out more mass Covid-19 testing, the countrys top drug regulator issued tough new rules and a warning for makers of Covid test agents.

Under the new regulations for the development, production and use of test materials, serious violations affecting the safety and effectiveness of the products would result in suspensions for producers and recalls, the National Medical Products Administration said Tuesday.

Quick hits /

Goldman sees 1.2% boost to yuan if U.S. drops some China tariffs

Opinion: China's central bank digital currency could revolutionize global trade

BUSINESS & TECH

The State Administration for Market Regulation investigated 175 antitrust cases in 2021.

The State Administration for Market Regulation investigated 175 antitrust cases in 2021.

Antitrust /

Chinese trust busters impose $3.53 billion of penalties in 2021

Chinese trust busters emphatically brought the hammer down on anti-competitive business practices last year, probing 60% more cases than in 2020 and imposing a 50-fold increase in penalties, according to the 2021 report of the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) on antitrust enforcement.

The report showed the full dimensions of the governments broad crackdown on big Chinese tech companies monopolistic behavior. Internet and platform companies were the focus of the regulatory assault. Fines imposed on such companies in 2021 reached 21.74 billion yuan ($3.26 billion), accounting for 92.1% of the total antitrust penalties of 23.6 billion yuan ($3.53 billion).

Semiconductors /

Chip shortage fans investor interest in semiconductor equipment firms $540 million IPO

Semiconductor equipment manufacturer Hwatsing Technology Co. Ltd. booked a blistering Shanghai STAR Market IPO debut Wednesday amid a Covid-induced global shortage of microchips.

The Tianjin-based companys shares surged 72% in early trading but gave back some of the gains over the course of the day to close up 64% at 224.1 yuan ($33.5), valuing Hwatsing at about 23.9 billion yuan.

Steel /

Chinas Baowu retains global steelmaking crown

China Baowu Steel Group Corp. Ltd. has been crowned the worlds largest steelmaker for the second year straight, even as the countrys total steel output fell.

According to figures released by the World Steel Association (WSA) Tuesday, state-owned Baowus annual output in 2021 jumped 4.35% to nearly 120 million tons of crude steel last year, followed by Luxembourg-based ArcelorMittal SA with 80 million tons.

Quick hits /

Sunac seeks payment extension for $345 million of debt

BYD may sell batteries to Tesla, executive tells state media

Alibaba, Bilibili extend gains as China approves more games

Long Read /

Archive Interview: Lee Hsien Loong on what Singapore can  and cant  teach China

GALLERY

Beijings cultural scene comes alive again

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Photo: Contributed Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory at White Lake, near Penticton.

Every Friday we hold a Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory (DRAO) science meeting.

At the moment, these are mainly done using Zoom. After the usual organizational stuff that starts all staff meetings, the rest of the time is dedicated to project and science reports, where people report on what they are up to and what interesting new scientific findings they have made.

Much of this part of the meeting covers reports by students who are working at DRAO. Some of them are co-op students, where working terms at the observatory are part of their degree studies. Others are graduate students, working towards their doctorates. Finally there are some post-doctoral students. These are people who got their doctorates recently and are at the launching point in their careers as scientists.

They are all at DRAO because their career plans involve not only pure research, but also gaining experience on working with radio telescopes and the data they produce and the design and operation of the instruments we attach to those telescopes when making observations.

These are the people who will define the future course of Canadian astronomy, and play a key role in implementing the new instrumentation needed for working at the astronomical frontiers.

Most astronomers are "pure researchers. They do not have a close relationship with instrumentation. Questions arising during their work lead to the need for new observations. To address this, they look at observing facilities around the world to determine which of them has the instrumentation to address those questions.

These days this is normally done by referring to the observatory web sites. They then apply for observing time, and if the applications are approved, the observations are carried out.

It used to be that the astronomer needed to be at the observatory to oversee the observations, but since the operation of modern telescopes is now exclusively done by trained on-site staff, the researcher usually stays home and receives the data over the Internet.

The astronomical community as a whole settles on the "big questions" we should be looking at over coming decades. But it requires scientists who understand telescopes and instrumentation to turn those questions into equipment that can be used to address them.

This is where those students come in. They, and their peers, will make sure Canada remains in the forefront of instrument design. Without them, we will be mere passengers on the astronomy ship. With them, we help design and build the ship and help set the course.

There is another angle. Modern astronomy works at the cutting edge of technology, digital signal processing and imaging. This includes antenna design and development of high-sensitivity receivers, software and computing equipment. Much of this is applicable outside astronomy, for example in communications, medical and other imaging, environmental sensing and consumer electronics. A lot of the equipment is built by industry, transferring knowledge that can be used to develop new products and devices.

Today, most front-line astronomical facilities are international collaborations. Canada is a partner in several of them, contributing technology and operational support.

DRAO is a purely national facility, which means we decide what it does and which way it will evolve. This also gives us flexibility as to how we can address the training of future technically literate astronomers and astronomically literate engineers.

A big plus is that the techniques and devices developed by the students and post-docs are often tested and deployed at DRAO. This helps the observatory stay relevant in an age where scientific discovery is moving faster than at any time in our history.



 Mercury lurks low in the dawn glow, with Venus higher and brighter. To Venus' right, lie Mars and Jupiter, close together, then Saturn.

 The Moon will be full on June 14, and the last quarter visible on June 20.

This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.
Photo: Dan Toulgoet Redacted documents. Information and Privacy Commissioner Michael McEvoy said recommendations on privacy matters should be adopted by government

The B.C. government has work to do to turn around what many advocates of democracy deem to be a culture of secrecy within its access to information system, according to a special committee report tabled to the legislature.

The Special Committee to Review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act recognizes that access to information and protection of privacy are interconnected and vital for promoting trust in public bodies and as such it has made recommendations requiring immediate action.

The committee, comprising eight members of the Legislative Assembly of B.C. from three parties, was struck following a controversial decision by the Ministry of Citizens Services last November to start charging $10 per application for access to information.

The committee, however, did not recommend scrapping that new fee. Instead, it suggests removing the application fee and any applicable processing fee in the event a public body does not meet the statutory response deadline.

The committee has recommended changing the response deadline from 30 business days to 30 calendar days.

The Ministry of Citizens Services reported receiving more than 10,000 freedom of information requests in 2020-21, and that the average cost to process one request is $3,000, the report noted.

Fees are not charged to persons accessing personal information nor First Nations governing bodies.

The Canadian Association of Journalists advised that the governments intended aim to disincentivize repetitious, vexatious, or politically motivated requests could have been dealt with in a more targeted manner, rather than by charging an application fee, noted the report.

The committee touched on data security, including how the B.C. government amended the act in 2021 to allow data storage outside of Canada. However the committee made no recommendation to reverse course but instead suggested government look at developing domestic server capacity.

Members agreed that data is one of the most valuable commodities and it is important to have a strong regulatory framework in place to protect information, and acknowledged that data held in other jurisdictions is not subject to British Columbias laws. They also noted that the present reality of data use and storage means that data security is complex and requires an assessment of multiple risks, the report stated.

The committee also recommends adding a duty to document to the act, to ensure all public bodies create and manage detailed records of decisions and actions. The committee heard of how government officials may make decisions and communicate on matters in person or on the phone and such records are not documented.

The Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs views this failure to retain records as a barrier faced by First Nations in accessing government information to substantiate their claims, the committee noted.

Another big issue addressed by the committee is a recommendation to extend freedom of information provisions to the administrative functions of the Legislative Assembly and ensure records subject to parliamentary privilege, including those related to the work of members and their constituency offices, remain exempt.

This issue was at the forefront of public discussion when former House Speaker Darryl Plecas noted in 2018 there was poor oversight of spending on the part of legislature workers. The matter led to House clerk Craig James being prosecuted for fraud last month.

The report dives into granular details of the act, addressing how there exists a discretionary exception for advice or recommendations by bureaucrats to be redacted from information requests. The committee recommends such exemptions not extend to facts upon which they are based; or for factual, investigative or background material; or for the assessment or analysis of such material; or for professional or technical opinions.

The committee asks the act clarify that the exception applies only to legal advice provided in confidence and not any time a lawyer is involved in providing policy or program advice.

The committee also recommends public bodies expand proactive disclosures, particularly with categories of records that are regularly requested and released. It also recommends records related to public procurement processes to be proactively released, including when a process is cancelled.

Information requests are supposed to be handled by bureaucrats who have a duty to assist the applicant, but journalist Bob Mackin told the committee the relationship with journalists can be adversarial, the report stated.

As such, the committee recommends strengthening that duty to assist in the act, including ensuring public bodies are aware of the duty to assist applicants and requiring public bodies to provide timely, accurate and fulsome assistance to applicants.

The BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association explained that public bodies have a culture of secrecy by default, in which there is a focus on the risks associated with releasing records.

Mackin and journalist Sean Holman told the committee such a culture, where citizens are not provided information, undermines democracy and incites conspiracy theorists and extremist ideologies.

Information and Privacy Commissioner Michael McEvoy said the committees report sends an especially strong message about the need for a fundamental shift towards a culture of transparency  a shift that will help build and maintain trust between public bodies and the public.

McEvoy said recommendations on privacy matters should be adopted by government.

One recommendation is to examine the socioeconomic and privacy issues associated with de-identification, automated decision-making, biometrics, the right to be forgotten, data-linking, and data destruction with a view of developing clear regulations.

McEvoy said in a written statement he is encouraged by the committees recommendations to take immediate steps to ensure there is adequate oversight for automated-decision making, and for government to consult with me, as commissioner, to put in place regulations that ensure data-linking initiatives are transparent and privacy protective.

McEvoy said his office is still reviewing the impact of the new $10 fee.

The report can be found online.
Photo: The Canadian Press Cmdr. Dale St. Croix, commanding officer of HMCS Halifax delivers remarks as Defence Minister Anita Anand, right, look on as the frigate prepares to depart Halifax in support of NATO's deterrence measures in eastern Europe on Saturday, March 19, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan

The Department of National Defence says Cmdr. Dale St. Croix has been temporarily removed from his position as commanding officer of HMCS Halifax and is under investigation.

In a statement released late Thursday, the department says the investigation "(does) not concern any sexual misconduct, harmful or inappropriate sexual behaviour."

The frigate began a six-month deployment to northern European waters on March 17 as part of NATO's Operation Reassurance, a deterrence mission in central and eastern Europe.

The navy says it's investigating several incidents that happened on-board the ship during a port visit in Swinoujscie, Poland.

St. Croix took over command of HMCS Halifax in July 2021.

Cmdr. Paul Mountford is now interim commander of the ship until it returns to port in mid-July, and St. Croix will serve in other roles within Maritime Forces Atlantic Headquarters in Canada until the investigation is done.
Photo: The Canadian Press Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker explains his decision to charge Grand Rapids police Officer Christopher Schurr with second-degree murder during a press conference at the Michigan State Police sixth district headquarters in Walker on Thursday, June 9, 2022. Schurr fatally shot Black motorist Patrick Lyoya on April 4. (Cory Morse/The Grand Rapids Press via 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.

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.
Photo: The Canadian Press

The Supreme Court of Canada has released written reasons for its decision to uphold the conviction of a foster father in the starvation death of one child and the near death of her sister.

Both were in the care of Kevin Goforth and his wife.

The high court restored Goforth's 2016 convictions of manslaughter and negligence causing bodily harm after hearing arguments in December. His wife Tammy was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison with no parole eligibility for 17 years.

The girls were rushed to a Regina hospital in 2012 and found to be severely malnourished, dehydrated and covered with bruises. The four-year-old died of a brain injury following cardiac arrest. Her sister, who was two at the time, survived.

They had been in the Goforths' care for nine months.

The Saskatchewan Court of Appeal had ordered a new trial for Kevin Goforth in early 2021. The court said the trial judge erred in her instructions to the jury because Tammy Goforth was the primary caregiver and her husband was in a secondary role.

But Justice Suzanne Cote, who wrote the judgment on behalf of the Supreme Court, said Goforth would have been aware of what was happening.

"Given the evidence of emaciation and neglect of the children, the accuseds alleged reliance on his wife, his alleged limited interaction with the girls, and the girls alleged history of being picky eaters and suffering from illness regularly were not circumstances material to the jurys consideration of whether the accused had the requisite foresight to be criminally liable," Cote wrote in the reasons released Friday.

"The accused was well-positioned to observe the childrens condition, yet he did nothing."

Cote said that while the trial judge's charge to the jury was "not perfect," it was sufficient to let jurors make an informed decision.

"Jurors do not check their common sense at the door of the deliberation room. Given the evidence and the circumstances of the trial as a whole, I am confident that the jury in this case was well equipped to make a common sense assessment," she wrote.

"I am persuaded of the Crowns submission that no substantial wrong or miscarriage of justice flowed from the deficient instructions."

Cote wrote that the trial judge had also made it clear to the jury that Goforth, who worked as a carpenter in Regina that required him to work six days a week for 10 to 12 hours a day, was largely the breadwinner in the family.

She noted that Goforth's lawyer not initially raising any concerns about the instructions to jurors undermines the argument that they may have been "misled or confused."

"It belies the argument that the trial judges decision not to repeat evidence in an already lengthy jury charge constituted an error."

Goforth's case will go back to the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal to consider a bid to reduce his sentence.
Photo: Glacier Media

Taylor Devito considers herself lucky to be getting married as planned on July 24.

She knows many couples who have had to postpone their weddings not once but twice over the last two years due to pandemic restrictions on large gatherings.

I knew it was going to be busy, so I booked everything far ahead of time, said Devito, 29. I got lucky, because back then, we still werent sure how many guests we could invite. We ended up with 75, but I would have invited more people in normal times.

The wedding industry has been far from normal for the last two years. Some brides and grooms turned to virtual weddings and receptions via Zoom, while others eloped. But many have simply been waiting until they could hold a large in-person event.

Thats meant a busy time this spring for the wedding industry, from planners to dress designers.

Its twice as busy as a typical year, said Barb Walker of French Kiss Events. I would usually do between eight to 10 events a season  this year I am booked for 18.

She says that while most wedding planners try not to over-extend themselves, some feel they need to take on more events this year to make up for income lost during the pandemic.

More weddings means more competition for venues.

While the most popular time for couples to tie the knot is between May and October, some are moving their weddings out of that window, and even holding them on weekdays.

Most couples have a realistic understanding of the circumstances, said Walker. Some have changed their wedding day to take place Monday to Friday instead of the weekend, which is what everybody wants.

Then theres the wedding dress, which, in some cases, has sat untouched for two years. Some brides are looking for, ahem, adjustments to their unused bridal gowns, while others have changed their minds about the dress entirely as fashions have changed, and want something else.

Seamstresses are run off their feet, said Lily Kennedy, a custom gown designer.Its been two years, so some dont fit into their gowns anymore. There are some who have had a baby in the meantime. Our services are booked months in advance.

Dale Olsen, owner of Outlooks for Men, said hes seeing his biggest year ever. If youre looking for a white shirt, good luck.

For grooms and male guests, it is definitely tough due to supply chain issues, he said. Lately, getting white shirts  of all things  is now an issue. I used to able to pick up the phone and get any size I wanted. Not any more.

With other items, sometimes a shipment is stuck in Vancouver. Sometimes it is production. Stock is two months late, then six months late. Some companies did not survive  we recently lost our shoe supplier.

Getting stock shipped via air freight instead of by train is sometimes possible, but drives up the cost.

Olsen said he can get men what they need, as long theyre not what he calls the Saturday morning crowd  men who come into the store in a panic when they discover the pants they were planning to wear to a wedding suddenly dont fit anymore and are in desperate need of tailoring.

My tailoring team have never seen it busier, he said.

Despite the challenges, he said men can still get a custom suit for the big day in between 10 days and three weeks.

For some brides and grooms walking down the aisle this summer, it will be their second time in as many years. Some chose to have a civil marriage ceremony during the pandemic and are now returning for a more public and religious event.

Between 40 to 50 per cent of the events I am planning this year are postponements over the last two [years], said Walker, who doesnt expect the industry to get back to normal until about 2025.

She said that receptions are also trending bigger, part of a new go big or go home attitude  in direct contrast to the small events of the past two years

Having to elope, hold a Zoom or micro wedding are out. Couples are now more comfortable planning for their future.
The (proposed) Canadian Horizons development (in Penticton) will be a "cluster" alright

(The company) is suggesting a new zoning designation, RCC (Country Residential Cluster), to reduce Country Residential (RC) zoning from one acre to a minimum of 0.5 acres. That is astonishing given the outcry from the public last year that a suburb does not belong in the heart of an agricultural, agritourism land base.

Last year, (Penticton) Coun. Katie Robinson said an urban project in the middle of this rural area doesnt belong and the current zoning is appropriate.

She said it was not appropriate to move forward with this project and put the area through all the concerns they have, which have been heard loud and clear (Through a tractor rally, letters to city council, a petition, newspaper articles, radio interviews).

Coun. Julius Bloomfield spoke eloquently about the unique quality of the Naramata Bench and suggested our world class agritourism should not be tampered with.

The natural beauty of the area is unsurpassed, and if council makes a mistake and allows this project to go ahead, we can never go back, he said, adding the Naramata Bench has value to the city and brings the tourists who spend their vacation dollars here.This area has been zoned country residential for 40 years and Canadian Horizons were well aware of the zoning when they purchased the property.

Mayor John Vassilaki agreed and felt this was way too big a project, there was too much potential liability with the landfill and leaching. It is a wildlife corridor, and there could be undue pressure on the city for maintaining the area, as well as potential stormwater issues, he said.

Coun. Judy Sentes recalled how Napa Valley (in California) had the courage to retain that region, despite all the attempts to develop the land, and it has paid off tenfold.

All concerns remain that defeated the previous application  traffic, blasting rock and drainage, environmental, wildlife corridors, fire, urban sprawl, tourism and economic impacts, and changing the unique character of the Naramata Bench.

Why not update the zoning bylaw to reflect the Official Community Plan with Country Residential (2.47-acre or 1ha lots)?

Maybe a meandering lane with 30 to 40 unserviced lots that are less costly to the city and leave the trees. Keep the beauty of the Bench intact for future generations?

Or better yet, do a land swap for a more suitable place for development.

As Bloomfield said: If this project goes ahead, we can never go back.

Gjoa Taylor, Penticton
Photo: Colin Dacre

British Columbias police watchdog says there are reasonable grounds to believe that an RCMP officer in Chilliwack may have committed offences in the use of a firearm during a shooting last year that left a man seriously injured.

The Independent Investigations Office says in a statement that it filed a report with the BC Prosecution Service for consideration of charges.

The office says the shooting happened Jan. 12 last year when police responded to a report of a man involved in a domestic incident in Chilliwack.

It says the man left his home and when officers approached him in his vehicle at a city intersection, an "interaction occurred" where shots were fired by police and the man was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

The statement says releasing further details about the interaction could prejudice a potential prosecution.

It says the evidence was reviewed by Ronald MacDonald, the chief civilian director for the office, and he determined that reasonable grounds exist to believe one officer may have committed offences in relation to use of a firearm.

In order to approve charges, the prosecution service must be satisfied that there's a likelihood of conviction based on the evidence gathered by the office, and that a prosecution is in the public interest.
Dalmia Bharat Ltd announced INR90,000m capex spending

10 June 2022

Dalmia Bharat Ltd has said that the government's continued focus on the infrastructure and housing sectors builds optimism for the cement industry and the company has committed to a capex of over INR90,000m to expand its manufacturing capacity over the next few years to meet the growing demand.

"Aligned with the government's vision of building a stronger India, we committed a capex of INR90,000m over the next few years. We are eyeing greenfield units and the debottlenecking of our existing plants to achieve our targeted capacity addition," said Dalmia Bharat.

Dalmia Bharat has a cement production capacity of 35.9Mta and aims to achieve a production capacity of 48.5Mta in FY24. Over the next decade, it expects to expand capacity to about 110-130Mta.

"As a step forward towards our vision of achieving 48.5Mta capacity by 2024 and 130Mta capacity by 2030, we have committed INR19,880m towards capex during this year," it said.

Presently, it has the country's fourth-largest cement manufacturing capacity with a strong presence in southern and eastern India as well as aggressively expanding its footprint across the rest of the country.

"Our aim is to be a pan-India cement manufacturer, with a 130Mta cement manufacturing capacity by 2030," it said.

Dalmia Bharat Managing Directors, Gautam Dalmia and Puneet Dalmia, said the Indian economy is rapidly recovering from the upheaval caused by the pandemic. It is estimated to grow quickly as core infrastructure sectors expanded by 10.4 per cent in FY22.

"The growth momentum is likely to pick up further, with the increase in rural and urban housing activities, a commercial real estate boom and a massive government impetus to infrastructure.

"This presents opportunities for a favourable macro-economic environment for the sector and we, at Dalmia Bharat, are well-positioned to capitalise on this, owing to our strong presence in the highly attractive growth markets in the east, northeast and southern India, along with our recent entry into west India," said Gautam and Puneet Dalmia.

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Cembureau calls MEPs to secure a timely ETS and CBAM agreement

10 June 2022

CEMBUREAU (European Cement Association) expressed its disappointment at the European Parliament plenary votes on the EU Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) and the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

The EU cement industry needs a strong CBAM to support our decarbonisation efforts and fight carbon leakage. Both draft European Parliament texts on ETS and CBAM contain significant improvements on some key issues  such as CBAMs watertightness or industrial innovation, which are essential to support our transition to carbon neutrality, commented Koen Coppenholle, CEO of CEMBUREAU.

We encourage MEPs to resume negotiations as soon as possible and reach a reasonable compromise on the remaining divisive issues, thereby providing a predictable regulatory framework for the industry, concluded Mr Coppenholle.

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Dal Engineering supplies Votorantim Cimentos Tunisia with kiln shell orders

10 June 2022

Dal Engineering has supplied three kiln shells and one heavy kiln shell to Votorantim Cimentos Tunisia. The complete set of equipment was delivered in May 2022.



Votorantim Cementos operates the 1.8Mta Jbel Oust cement plant in El Mahrajene, northeast Tunisia.

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Chiles cement market contracts 16% in May

ICR Newsroom By 10 June 2022

Cement dispatches in Chile declined by 15.8 per cent YoY to 313,101t in May 2022 when compared with the 371,947t dispatches in May 2021, according to CChC, the Chilean construction chamber.



In the first five months of the year, deliveries fell by 6.8 per cent to 1,345,102t from 1,443,458t in the 5M21.

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Three-time NASCAR Cup series champion Tony Stewart is a "go big or go home" kinda guy and Thursday night he proved it in one million dollar fashion hosting the second ever "Eldora Million" event at his Eldora Speedway in western Ohio. One hundred and twenty-four Dirt Super Late Model race teams entered the hallowed racing grounds to attempt to make the race's 24 car starting field, that is officially the second highest paying race behind this year's Indy 500.

Blairsville, Ga.'s Jonathan Davenport grabbed the lead at the start of the 101 lap feature and seemed to be set on cruise control until lap 80 when New Yorker Tim McCreadie reeled in his Longhorn chassis pal. With just five cars remaining on the lead lap, McCreadie wrestled the lead from Davenport as the first caution waved on lap 84 for Tennessean Jimmy Owens. Davenport regained the lead on the restart as the duo began pitching $1,000,000 sliders in the turns. Unfortunately for McCreadie, a right rear tire let go with less the 15 laps remaining. Davenport fought off South Carolina's Chris Madden in a two lap dash to the finish for the seven-figure victory in his "Nutrien Ag Solutions" sponsored machine.

Behind Davenport and Madden was young Devin Moran of Ohio who was nine months old when his father, Hall of Famer Donnie Moran, won the first "Eldora Million" in 2001. McCreadie was fourth, just ahead of North Carolina's Chris Ferguson.

Earlier in the afternoon Ferguson and Davenport won $12,000 preliminary 25 lap features to set the stage for the million dollar A-Main.

Chickamauga's Dale McDowell was the first car one lap down to the leaders in 6th overall.

Friday night and Saturday night Tony Stewart and Eldora Speedway will do it all again as they host the 30th Annual Dream 100, set to pay $128,000, a race Davenport has won four times already in his storied career.

Floracing.com will again broadcast the event live on the internet for subscribers.
StarNight, benefiting Siskin Childrens Institute, is back with multi-platinum selling, trailblazing country star and current Grammy Award nominee Jimmie Allen. The 59th StarNight event will be held at the Chattanooga Convention Center on Saturday, Aug. 20. All proceeds benefit Siskin Childrens Institute.

For individual tickets, tables, or sponsorship information about this years StarNight with Jimmie Allen, visit www.siskin.org/starnight.

StarNight began over 60 years ago as a charity event for Siskin Childrens Institute and has evolved into the premier gala event in Chattanooga, said officials. The evening includes a cocktail reception, elegant dinner, concert performance, an after-party with a live band, and dancing. This late summer show features a prominent entertainer each year with a star-studded mix of legendary favorites and rising stars. Past entertainers have included Tony Bennett, LeAnn Rimes, Kenny Rogers, Three Mo Tenors, Hootie and the Blowfish, Sugarland, Colbie Caillat, The Band Perry, Kevin Costner, and Modern West, Sheila E., LOCASH, and Kodi Lee. StarNight is the Institutes largest fundraising event and, as Chattanoogas premier annual gala, has attracted thousands of guests from across the region.

"Not only does StarNight help raise money for Siskin Children's Institute, but it is also a celebration of the children we serve and the great work that we do," said Derek Bullard, president and CEO of Siskin Children's Institute. "We are looking forward to sharing our success stories while enjoying the talented Jimmie Allen at this years event."

Review for Jimmie Allen:

Signed to BBR Music Groups Stoney Creek Records, multi-platinum recording artist and songwriter Jimmie Allen has been blazing trails since the beginning of his breakout career. Allen was nominated for Best New Artist at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, his first-ever Grammy nomination. He was also nominated for Male Artist of the Year nominee at the 57th ACM Awards (which he co-hosted alongside Dolly Parton & Gabby Barrett) and Outstanding New Artist nominee at the 53rd NAACP Image Awards.

Allen launched his career with two consecutive No. 1 hits off his 2018 debut album Mercury Lane (which The New York Times dubbed as one of 2018s strongest)  the first being his RIAA 2x Platinum debut single Best Shot, which claimed the No. 1 spot on Country radio for three weeks, and second being Platinum-certified Make Me Want To. In July 2020, Allen released his star-studded collaboration project Bettie James that garnered a slew of critical acclaim for the music, the historic nature of various collaborations, and its subsequent place in country music history. Named for his late grandmother, Bettie Snead, and late father, James Allen, Bettie James has been hailed as an announcement of [Allens] arrival and a huge step for country (NPR), and a powerful statement from a developing voice (Billboard).

In February, Allen embarked on his Down Home Tour 2022, his first headline tour. Starting this fall and through spring 2023, he will join Carrie Underwoods The Denim & Rhinestones Tour as a special guest on all 43 U.S. arena dates. His new single Down Home was released on March 8. The song is the first single from Allens upcoming third album Tulip Drive, which will be released June 24, and is named for the street his late grandmother grew up on in Lewes, De.






The Tennessee Supreme Court on Friday held that the Tennessee Republican Party and its State Executive Committee did not violate the Tennessee Open Meetings Act when they determined that Robby Starbuck would not be added to the ballot in the upcoming primary election for the United States House of Representatives 5th Congressional District.

The decision reverses the opinion of a Nashville chancellor who had ruled in favor of Mr. Starbuck and directed that his name be added to the ballot.

The case arose after Mr. Starbuck filed a nominating petition to run as a candidate in the Republican primary for Tennessees 5th Congressional District. The Republican Party determined that Mr. Starbuck was not a "bona fide" Republican. As a result, they directed the Tennessee Coordinator of Elections to exclude Mr. Starbuck from the ballot.

Mr. Starbuck filed suit in federal court seeking an order requiring the Republican Party to restore him to the ballot. However, he later dismissed that lawsuit after failing to obtain injunctive relief from the federal court. Mr. Starbuck then filed suit in the Davidson County Chancery Court alleging, among other claims, that the Republican Party violated TOMA, a law that generally requires meetings of governing bodies to be open to the public.

Mr. Starbuck asserted that the Republican Party violated TOMA by determining in a non-public meeting that he was not a bona fide Republican. For this reason, Mr. Starbuck argued that he should be added back to the ballot. The trial court agreed and ordered state officials who were not parties to the Chancery Court action to include Mr. Starbuck on the ballot as a Republican candidate for the 5th Congressional District.

Seeking expedited review of the trial courts order, the Republican Party filed an application for extraordinary appeal in the Court of Appeals, as well as a motion in the Supreme Court asking the Court to assume jurisdiction over the case. The state officials responsible for preparing the official ballot, the Secretary of State and the Coordinator of Elections, also filed a petition requesting that the trial courts injunction be vacated. The Supreme Court granted the Republican Partys request for expedited review and its application for extraordinary appeal.

In a unanimous opinion, the Court held that the trial court erred when it determined that TOMA applied to the Republican Party under these circumstances. The Court concluded that, while TOMA applies to state primary boards, it does not apply to state executive committees. Because, by statute, a partys state executive committee decides whether a candidate is a bona fide member of the party, the Court concluded that the Republican Party was acting as a state executive committee when they determined that Mr. Starbuck was not a bona fide Republican. As a result, the Court vacated the trial courts order granting Mr. Starbuck a temporary injunction requiring him to be placed on the ballot and remanded the case to the trial court to resolve any other remaining claims.
A concert by American Idol winner and future UTC faculty member Ruben Studdard will highlight a Juneteenth celebration at the University.

A collaboration between UTC and the Chattanooga Festival of Black Arts & Ideas, the free event starts at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 19, on Chamberlain Field.

It will open with a reading of the Emancipation Proclamation by UTC Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Engagement Stacy Lightfoot.

During the upcoming fall semester, Mr. Studdard will teach two courses at UTC, one on the commercial side of the music business and one on the performing side.

Also on June 19, Roland Carters new choral piece, Make Some Noise, Get In Trouble, will debut during a 5 p.m. online performance. It was written to honor the late civil rights leader and longtime congressman U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Georgia.

An internationally renowned composer, arranger, conductor and pianist, Mr. Carterwho retired from UTC in 2013 after 23 years teaching musichas spent his career celebrating African-American musical traditions. His arrangement of Lift Every Voice and Sing is considered the standard for choral music.

For additional information and to register for Mr. Carters virtual performance, visit https://amateurmusic.org/info/workshop/juneteenth-2022/.

For more UTC Juneteenth celebration information, visit UTC Newsroom.
At approximately 1:05 a.m. Wednesday morning, a man dressed solidly in black got out of a taxi in front of the Maryland home of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. Carrying a back pack and a suitcase, he exchanged stares with a pair of U.S. Marshals and then walked down the street. Minutes later, the man dialed 9-1-1 and turned himself in, explaining he was there to kill Justice Kavanaugh and then commit suicide.

Nicholas John Roske, age 26, had a Glock model 17 semi-automatic pistol, two clips of ammo, a large knife and a can of pepper spray in his possession and freely admitted he had come from California to kill Justice Kavanaugh.

He has since been charged with attempted murder after saying he had hoped to give his life purpose. Why? Roske was upset the court might soon overturn Roe v. Wade and that the conservative Kavanaugh would loosen gun laws despite the tragedy that just occurred in Uvalde, Texas.

If convicted, Roske faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for attempted murder of a United States Judge. Maryland Governor Larry Hogan said in a statement that there has been "heightened security" at the homes of justices since last month and added that "we will continue to partner with both federal and local law enforcement officials to help ensure these residential areas are secure."

I pass along this story for two reasons. First, it is obvious the suicidal Roske is mentally deranged. Second, a huge protest is planned at 7 a.m. on Monday in an effort to block the entrances of the Supreme Court building and I believe there are some like Roske who are eager to give the demonstration more purpose.

You must understand it is on Mondays when the Supreme Court announces its findings and, while there are two more Mondays before the courts summer recess, an announcement on the now heated abortion ruling is imminent. No one knows if the announcement will come on Monday but then no one is hedging any bets.

The protest group Shut Down DC is a collaborative effort of several protest groups in the nations capital and the Washington police have signaled it plans to monitor Mondays effort. As with any demonstrations, (Metro Police) will be monitoring and assessing the activities and planning accordingly with our federal law enforcement partners to ensure the safety of all residents and visitors to the District of Columbia.

The Epoch Times has reported that in an online planning meeting on May 24, activists with Shut Down D.C. said the protest might result in arrests because it would stretch the bounds of constitutionally protected speech. Protesters also said one of the protests goals was to continue to escalate the crisis in democracy by forcing police to intervene.

* * *

HOUSE TO CONSIDER VOTE TO PROTECT SUPREME COURT JUSTICES

From USA TODAY  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.

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.

* * *

THERE IS, I THINK, A LOT OF VITROIL

(From CNN) -- Law enforcement officials in Washington are gearing up for a potentially volatile June, when major Supreme Court decisions are expected on guns and abortion, public hearings into the US Capitol insurrection will be held and large-scale protests are possible in an already heightened threat environment.

Capitol Police are ramping up security, adding overtime shifts and holding near-daily calls with law enforcement agencies around the metro area, sources tell CNN. Meanwhile, the DC Metropolitan Police Department is launching Civil Disturbance Unit officers to manage several demonstrations and events throughout the month, a spokeswoman told CNN.

"There's likely going to be at least one if not several decisions that come out of the Supreme Court that may be controversial," Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger said in an exclusive interview with CNN.

"There is, I think, a lot of vitriol," Manger said. "Somebody would even say there's hate speech going on between the two sides. And so that's concerning to me."

* * *

WE ARE SEEING THREATS FROM ALL SIDES

FROM CNN -- DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency Director Christopher Rodriguez told CNN that threats are surfacing almost daily and information sharing is crucial. He declined to specify the nature of the threats.

"The posts that concern us the most are the threats against individuals or specific places," Rodriguez said, adding that his analysts have recently flagged more than a dozen social media threats as credible enough to warrant further investigation by other law enforcement agencies.

"We're seeing threats from all sides of the political spectrum," Rodriguez said.

Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger declined to say if members of Congress will receive expanded personal security details.

"It's going to attract attention," Manger said of the January 6 hearings. "I think that that's a given. But how much attention that attracts, and if it attracts negative attention, that's how we'll make our decision in terms of what we need to do, if anything, for security for the committee."

Further weighing on resources is a new phase of reopening the US Capitol, which will allow more visitors.

Capitol Police have been warning lawmakers for months that they are in desperate need of more officers to bolster security, and Manger says the force remains hundreds of officers short.

royexum@aol.com
TL; DR:

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle went to St. Pauls Cathedral for a National Service of Thanksgiving honoring Queen Elizabeth II on June 3, 2022.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry sat in the second row behind other, more senior royals.

A royal commentator says Prince Harry was likely genuinely happy to be a second-tier royal.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry | Arthur Edwards  WPA Pool/Getty Images

Nobody puts Prince Harry in the second row. Well, that is except for the British royal family. The 37-year-old and Meghan Markles St. Pauls Cathedral appearance had the couple sitting behind more senior royals. According to one royal commentator, the seating arrangement for the Platinum Jubilee weekend event probably didnt bother the father of two.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle went to St. Pauls Cathedral for a National Service of Thanksgiving

Following much speculation surrounding which events theyd attend during four days of Platinum Jubilee festivities, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived at St. Pauls Cathedral on June 3, 2022. Harry and Meghan smiled as they walked up the steps and proceeded down the aisle holding hands.

They took their seats in the second row next to Princesses Beatrice, Eugenie, and their husbands. Notably, Harrys older brother, Prince William, and his sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, sat across the aisle in the front row. Joining them were Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles.

Harry and Meghans St. Pauls Cathedral appearance didnt involve any interactions with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

A royal commentator says Prince Harry probably didnt mind sitting in the second row as a second-tier royal

In a column for the UKs Telegraph, royal commentator Celia Walden dismissed claims Harry had been absolutely furious with his lower status after stepping back as a senior royal in 2020. She wrote that while in the past it mightve bothered him  and Meghan  hes likely OK with it, or even downright happy.

There would surely have been a time when being shunted from the front row would have would have left Harry and Meghan smarting. Well, Meghan at least, Walden said.

Rightly or wrongly, Ive always assumed that, whereas the Duchesss Garbo-esque I want to be alone act is just that, Harry is probably genuinely happy to be relegated to a second-tier royal, she continued.

The couple seemed to play their new roles seamlessly

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry | Karwai Tang/WireImage

Walden went on, saying there wasnt much that could be said in the way of a critique as far as Harry and Meghans St. Pauls appearance was concerned. She said their low-key return could not be faulted. They seemed to understand for once it wasnt about them but Queen Elizabeth, who reluctantly skipped the service.

They played their new second-tier Sussexes roles seamlessly, Walden said, adding they proved they could do it. While the reality may take some getting used to, she shared that, in her opinion, having their eye on a bigger prize in a bigger country will make it easier.

RELATED: Meghan Markle Had 4 Words of Support for Prince Harry at the Jubilee Service, According to a Lip Reader
The Cherokee Heritage Center has been closed since the outbreak of COVID-19, and is now operated by Cherokee Nation Businesses.
When songwriter Krissy Nordhoff moved to Nashville in 1996, she had hoped to be guided and supported by the women who had gone before her in the Christian music industry.

Her first musical mentor was a womanher grandmother, who inspired her to start writing songs when she was five years old. But as she found success in the industry, penning hits including Your Great Name and Famous For (I Believe), there werent many veteran women alongside her.

I prayed for 15 years for a mentor, for a female, that had learned how to navigate the industry, the ministry, and the family, Nordhoff said.

Female songwriters are significantly underrepresented in worship music, and over the past 30 years, the number of women writing or cowriting hit worship songs has substantially declined.

According to Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI)which tracks songs licensed to sing in churchesthe last time the top worship song in the country was written by a woman was April 1994. By 2018, only 4 percent of the songs on the CCLI Top 25 were written by women.

A recent study in the Journal of Contemporary Ministry tracked the drop-off for Christian women songwriters, concluding that as the industry evolved, they have struggled to break into the spheres that produce the most popular worship music.

While some of the most recognizable worship songs of the past few decades have been written by womenJennie Riddles Revelation Song, or Sinachs Waymaker, for examplethese hits are anomalies.

Back in April 1994, the song I Love You Lord by Laurie Klein held the top spot on the CCLI Top 25. Klein wrote I Love You Lord in a difficult moment during a morning devotion outside her trailer in 1978, a story that stands in contrast to many of the current top worship songs, with lyrics crafted for worship and radio play.

Many popular songs today are written in intentional collaborations as part of a highly competitive industry, said Anneli Loepp Thiessen, the studys author and a PhD candidate at the University of Ottawa. As the contemporary worship music industry has developed, it has become increasingly commercialized, with men subsequently coming to dominate the Top 25 list. Women have not only struggled to hold the No. 1 spot, but any spot on the Top 25.

Female songwriting has a long history in the faith, dating back of course to Scripture itself. The powerful songs of Miriam, Deborah, and Mary have taught and inspired the church for millennia. Words and music penned by Hildegard of Bingen, Fanny Crosby, Anne Steele, Darlene Zschech, Sinach, and Brooke Ligertwood have ministered to millions of worshipers.

But the current trends in the worship industry have some experts worried about female voices getting edged out.

In her research, Loepp Thiessen explores how celebrity status, commercialization, complementarian theology, and advances in technology factor into womens participation in songwriting.

I expected to see an increase in women, Loepp Thiessen told Christianity Today. And thats not what we see. We see a decline of women songwriters, a rise in collaborations, and that women are generally not well-represented in those collaborations.

Loepp Thiessens data show that in 1988, 30 percent of songs in the CCLI Top 25published twice a yearwere written by solo women, and 13 percent of the collaborations had at least one female cowriter. In 2018, 4 percent were written by solo women, and 24 percent of cowritten songs credited a female contributor.

Over 30 years, the list went from having 15 of the 50 songs written by women alone to just 2.

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Its a little bit sobering, Loepp Thiessen said.

A 2010 analysis in CT found that female Christian artists were absent from the Billboard top ten for a decade. Since then, cowritten songs have increasingly become the norm with the rise of influential megachurch labels like Hillsong, Bethel Music, and Elevation Worship, which dominate both church and radio playlists. Solo songwriters of either gender have become even rarer.

One might expect that collaboration would open more opportunities for female songwriters, but that hasnt been the case.

A collaboration-oriented model seems to have intensified the importance of personal connections and the its who you know ethos of the music industry. The importance of connections is nothing new; Nordhoff was able to get a demo of her song Your Great Name to CCM artist Natalie Grants manager through her husband, who has also worked in the music industry.

But even stories like hers are becoming rarer, according to Nordhoff. Its uncommon to see a worship artist take an outside pitch anymore; they tend to be writers themselves or work directly with writers they know and trust. An unknown songwriter is unlikely to find a manager, producer, or label representative who will take a demo to an artist.

Furthermore, megachurches like Bethel, Hillsong, and Elevation all have their own labels; there is an efficient system in place for writers and performers (many of whom are both) associated with those organizations to write, record, and promote music.

Elevation Worship, for example, has over two million followers on Instagram. The music it produces can instantly reach a huge following, catching the attention of worship leaders eager to discover new, engaging music.

Its also possible that the male-centric worship music genre that evolved during the late 1990s and early 2000s helps explain the persistent difficulties women have finding space in the worship music industry. Musicians like Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, and David Crowder came to fame as worship leadersongwriters, performing rock-influenced music, in the vein of a historically male-dominated genre epitomized by the image of a man with a guitar.

Loepp Thiessen points out that, increasingly, women only show up in the CCLI Top 25 in mixed-gender collaborations, and often as one woman in a group with several other men. No all-female collaborations have made the list since 1988. Rather than opening up space for women to contribute, the collaboration model in the industry seems to be squeezing them out.

Her findings were not surprising to industry veterans like Nordhoff, who has experienced firsthand the ways in which women struggle to be heard or even included as collaborators.

Creative collaboration is vulnerable and emotional. For some, this kind of partnership between men and women is uncomfortable, particularly in ministry settings where close male-female relationships outside of marriage or family are seen as potential liabilities (or strictly off-limits, per the Billy Graham Rule or similar boundaries).

Its easier to avoid learning all of those things, I think, said Nordhoff. Its actually harder for [men] to learn how to bring females in and how to navigate that.

Loepp Thiessens research further highlights this dynamic; her analysis shows that of the 11 male-female collaborations that have made it to the CCLI Top 25 since 1988, eight of those were collaborations between husband-and-wife teams.

Even so, Nordhoff has seen and been a part of fruitful, healthy collaborations and hopes to see more.

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I do think its possible for us to learn to work together as brothers and sisters, she said. Its imperative to the church of the future.

Its worth asking why the CCLI Top 25 is a helpful barometer to use in examining the health and inclusiveness of the worship music industry.

There are, after all, many female songwriters, performers, and worship leadersDavy Flowers, Maryanne J. George, and Tasha Cobbs Leonard, for examplewhose work is respected and recognized. Why should it matter so much that they arent producing high-ranking hits?

Because the lists are used to build a global worship repertoire, songs that reach the CCLI list are encountered more often, leading to more frequent singing in churches, a higher reporting of use, and subsequently to repeated occurrence on the Top 100, Loepp Thiessen wrote. In other words, the cycle is self-reinforcing.

When a songwriters work reaches the CCLI Top 25 or 100, their words, view of God, experiences, and wisdom are able to reach and minister to more of the church. Reaching the top lists isnt just about achieving a higher level of fame or influence in the industry. A more diverse group of songwriters contributing to the music of the church will, Lord willing, enrich our worship and deepen our understanding of the divine.

Women like Nordhoff are determined to amplify womens voices and help broaden the creative community that is producing the most widely. sung worship music in the US. Nordhoff wants to provide resources and a network of support for women coming up in the industry.

To that end, she started Brave Worship, a community for female songwriters through conferences, writing workshops, and meetups. According to its mission, the voices of mothers and daughters are not only valued but needed. You can hear belonging, healing, freedom, and unity when they sing, and many have said they hear angels.
Pastor Adam Wyatt was driving to a hospital visit in southern Mississippi last month when he began crying angry tears.

I usually dont do that, said Wyatt, who had stayed up late the night before to read through the devastating 288-page report on Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) leaders response to abuse.

Its been a long year.

In June 2021, Wyatt was on his way to the previous SBC annual meeting in Nashville when he received a call to become the senior pastor of Corinth Baptist Church. By the time he left the meeting a few days later, he had another new title: Executive Committee (EC) trustee.

A second-generation Southern Baptist pastor with degrees from two SBC seminaries, Wyatt joined the ECthe decision-making body for day-to-day SBC businessjust as scrutiny over its leaders response to abuse reached its pinnacle.

Wyatt was among the EC members who lobbied for the outside investigation to move forward with the level of transparency and accountability the convention had called for. Their efforts paid off. Guidepost Solutions issued 288 pages on EC leaders moves to dismiss survivors and reformers, and the EC released a hidden list of 700 pastors whod been credibly accused of abuse.

Now, the Mississippi pastor is preparing for the SBCs 2022 annual meeting, considered the most significant in a generation. Starting Tuesday, more than 8,500 Southern Baptists will meet in Anaheim, California, to decide what comes next: how to establish a process for reporting abuse, better policies for responding, and restitution for those harmed by SBC pastors.

In the wake of the revelations, the proposals once rejected outright by prior EC leaders as impossible due to denominational polity or liability are now top priority.

Yet advocates say its hard to celebrate the progress and momentum around addressing abuse when survivors had been requesting such changes for decades. When the uncaring response is something they should have never had to put up with in the first place.

And when any changes still have to be approved and enacted by a convention that has faced division and competing priorities in recent years.

After the convention made an unprecedented move to approve the outside investigation into the EC last year, Wyatt found himself thrust into the fight for transparency and accountability. He became closer with the survivors who had previously been stonewalled by EC leaders.

At the 2021 annual meeting, he met and talked with some of these women. I had given them my word: Im going to fight for you as much as I can and try do whats right, Wyatt said.

He remembered that promise months later when he was back in Nashville at Southern Baptist headquarters for his first EC meeting last September. He wasnt prepared for the protracted debate and wave of resignations that erupted before the EC agreed to turn over confidential materials per the terms of the investigation.

While some in the meeting warned that the move would put the SBC at legal and financial risk, the head of the task force overseeing the investigationa no-nonsense North Carolina pastor named Bruce Frankrepeatedly reminded the EC that thats what the convention had asked them to do and thats what would bring the truth to light.

Wyatt heard survivors seated behind him during the open meeting gasping and sighing while multiple sets of lawyers and the previous EC president, Ronnie Floyd, urged against waiving attorney-client privilege.

Wyatt said he got a glimpse of the uphill battle the survivors had endured. I remember I asked, Is this kind of how yall feel? You try to do the right thing  and then you get so tired and frustrated by trying and not getting anywhere that it just grinds you into submission?

The Mississippi pastor spoke up in the meeting and in exasperated, GIF-filled Twitter threads. He was inspired by Jared Wellmana veteran EC member who went from being a dutiful, quiet trustee to an outspoken voice challenging suspected coverup. Wellman said Augie Boto, the former EC executive implicated in the abuse report, had once told him, Youre quiet, and I like that about you.

I kind of shiver at the comment now, Wellman told CT. In the wake of the Houston Chronicles 2019 investigation into SBC abuse, he said, I just went rogue, to be honest with you, which is completely outside my character.

After the conflicts over the investigation in the past yearand the steady opposition survivors have faced for the past 15, at leastits hard to imagine the SBC messengers will be on the same page when making decisions in Anaheim.

Southern Baptists may have anticipated some of the divides over the Guidepost reports findings, but unexpected issues have cropped up too. This month, the firms corporate Twitter account posted in support of gay pride. Now, vocal leaders are questioning whether a secular company with an opposing stance on sexuality is well positioned to advise the SBC on sexual abuse and complaining about denominational dollars going to a pro-LGBT contractor.

Before this past week I was feeling good  now its just a whole nother fight were having to deal with, said Wyatt.

The two likely leading candidates for SBC president fall on either side of the divide. Baptist historian and rural Texas pastor Bart Barber said while he is disappointed with Guideposts stance on pride, it doesnt change the absolute truth of what its investigation uncovered. He worries about the incident being used to divert the judgment due on the SBC. Barber has spoken regularly about the SBCs abuse response and was involved in the move in 2018 to oust Paige Patterson from leadership at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary over Pattersons treatment of a rape survivor.

Founders Ministries leader and Florida pastor Tom Ascol, on the other hand, said he felt betrayed and that Guideposts recommendations should be redrafted. Ascols candidacy is endorsed by the Conservative Baptist Network, and he ran on a platform of #changethedirection, attacking the alleged liberal drift of the SBC, condemning critical race theory and championing the sufficiency of Scripture. He has backed reforms to make the EC more transparent but has criticized more sweeping recommendations that could broadly transform the polity of the SBC.

The task force appointed to oversee the investigation has a list of recommendations that will go before the convention, but Guidepost, survivors, and the EC each have their own lists too, and messengers will have the opportunity to make suggestions from the floor. SBCs relief arm, Send Relief, has already designated $4 million in existing funding to back the recommendations, including $1 million in survivor care, meaning the reforms wont need to pull as much from church giving.

As important as the investigation is, what happens in Anaheim on recommendations as far as protecting people and caring for people is just, if not more, important, Frank said.

The pastor of the multisite Biltmore Church in North Carolina, Frank didnt make it to last years annual meeting. His house had flooded, so he and his wife, Lori, had to stay back. But the then-newly elected SBC president, Ed Litton, called afterward to ask Frank to chair a group of pastors, lawyers, and abuse experts to ensure the Guidepost investigation was conducted as requested.

Frank had mostly avoided denominational leadership, he said, but the task force felt like a worthy cause and one that hit close to homehis wife was a survivor of sexual assaultso he agreed. In addition to speaking at the EC meetings about the investigation, Frank met with the task force over several months to hear from survivors, consult with state conventions, work with Guidepost, and develop recommendations for the SBC.

He learned about abuse and abuse responses along the way. I can say I was not informed, Frank said. I was familiar with, I was empathetic toward, but thats different.

Frank described his mixture of anger and sadness hearing survivors storiesfeelings he said the Lord can shape into resolve.

Speaking from his church office in Asheville, the Southern preacher emphasized the importance of the abuse issue for all pastors. He kept repeating that the odds are that they have survivors in their congregations and one day theyll get a call reporting an instance of abuse. If they arent trained to respond appropriately right away, he said, theyll end up causing further hurt.

While Frank led the task force, he noticed that some in his own congregation outside Asheville began to see him differently. They thanked him for taking on the role. They made small comments in the lobby. They wont say it [outright], but theyll say, I grew up with that, he said. That had never happened before.

Christa Brown, a survivor whose steady advocacy and repeated rejections by the EC were documented in the Guidepost report, wanted to see swift change after the report but feels like shes waiting for yet another gut punch with this years annual meeting.

Brown, who was abused by her Southern Baptist pastor at age 16, worries that the proposals before the convention are not immediate or robust enough to address the scope of the abuse problem. The task force overseeing the investigation, for example, recommends authorizing another task force to review potential changes and report back next year.

After release of the Guidepost report, at a time when the task force should have pushed forward with full strength and vigor, instead it pulled its punches and made timid recommendations, she told CT by email.

Shes disheartened to see the social media chatter among Southern Baptist pastors, including efforts to discredit Guidepost as well as complaints over the multimillion-dollar cost of the potential reforms.

Brown plans follow the news out of Anaheim from home.

Theres the expectation that this would all come to nothing, or at least a fear that it will, and thats not an unreasonable fear because thats whats happened every other time, said Todd Benkert, an Indiana pastor and advocate for survivors. Last year, Benkerts quick-thinking motion at the annual meeting prevented the EC from taking charge of its own investigation.

I dont ask survivors to trust me or the SBC or even to hope, he said. I just do whats right and call other people to join me in that. Whatever role I have, I want to use it.

Survivor Jules Woodson, a single mom and flight attendant, wasnt in Nashville to see the wave of messengers hold up their ballots to approve the EC investigation last year. She has booked her trip to Anaheim and said she would like to be in the convention hall this year to see another historic moment when the convention will vote on the recommendations for reform, because these are the things weve been pleading for.

Hope is a very sticky word with survivors, she said, but I want to feel some sense of acknowledgement, some sense of action.

Woodsons 2019 testimony in The New York Times kicked off the #ChurchToo movement; the pastor who abused her as a teen, Andy Savage, received a standing ovation for confessing to a sexual incident after Woodson shared her account online. Last month, Savagewho remains a pastorwas named on the ECs secret list.

Brown and Woodson are among a group of SBC abuse survivors who released a joint statement recommending immediate action on key recommendations, including an independent commission to receive allegations, a database cataloguing credibly accused pastors, and funding for survivor care.

Over the past year, more Southern Baptists have come to see what SBC abuse survivors have seen all along. The investigation confirmed their accounts, and the aftermath is revealing something else theyve known from the start: A problem this big necessitates significant change.

Days after his cry in the car, Wyatt said he realized that even with all the important work preparing for the 2022 annual meeting, were not fixing this in Anaheim. This is a long-term culture-shift change.

Wellman, who has been on the EC for seven years, says in the least, its one of the most important conventions in the history of the convention. It might even be the most important.

If anyones walking into this excited, somethings wrong with them, the Tate Springs Baptist pastor said. Its time to grieve, its a time to do business, and ultimately its a time to do business with the Lord.

The thousands who will gather to pray, listen, debate, and vote in the Anaheim convention hall represent 13.7 million Southern Baptists. Theyre the biggest denomination in the country but structured uniquely as a fellowship of independent churches who meet and cooperate for the sake of mission.



We have to remember that people are the mission. We want to send missionaries to the end of the world, into the earth, absolutely. We want to plant churches. We want to have strong, healthy seminaries, said Wyatt. But protecting people is what pastors and shepherds and churches should do. So, whatever it takes for us to protect people better, that is clearly in line with what were supposed to do as Southern Baptists.
Colorado bishops say Catholic politicians who advocate for abortion shouldnt receive communion

Roman Catholic bishops in Colorado have urged state lawmakers who claim to be Catholic but voted for a newly enacted abortion law to refrain from receiving communion.

In an open letter posted Monday by the Colorado Catholic Conference, the bishops representing the Roman Catholic Dioceses of Colorado Springs and Pueblo and the Archbishop of Denver denounced the recent passage of the states Reproductive Health Equity Act. Signed into law by Democratic Gov. Jared Polis in April, the law classifies abortion as a fundamental right.

We have a strong desire to discuss the spiritual and cultural impact of laws like RHEA with politicians of both parties who say they are Catholic and who represent people in our state, noted the bishops.

As their shepherds, we want to ensure that they understand the [Catholic] Churchs teaching on receiving Holy Communion and the proper spiritual disposition for doing so.

The bishops noted that several Catholic lawmakers support ending the lives of unborn children and declaring that a fertilized egg, embryo or fetus has no independent or derivative rights in Colorado. The church leaders labeled this line of thinking morally bankrupt logic.

Until public repentance takes place and sacramental absolution is received in Confession, we ask that those Catholic legislators who live or worship in Colorado and who have voted for RHEA, to voluntarily refrain from receiving Holy Communion, they stated. The burden from their decision does not rest upon the shoulders of priests, deacons or lay Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist. It rests upon the consciences and souls of those politicians who have chosen to support this evil and unjust law.

Also known as HB22-1279, the RHEA codified the right to an abortion in Colorado, in response to the possibility that the United States Supreme Court could overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide. Democratic state Sen. Julie Gonzales, one of the sponsors of the legislation, released a statement following its approval that elaborated on its purpose.

With reproductive freedom under attack at the federal level, were taking historic action today to ensure Colorado remains a safe haven for folks in need of reproductive health care, she said back in April. Until today, Colorado law didnt expressly protect the right to abortion care. Were changing that because all Coloradans should have the freedom to make decisions about their lives and their futures.

The Colorado bishops pointed to The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church, a document approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops last year, when justifying their call for pro-abortion Catholic lawmakers to refrain from communion. To receive the Body and Blood of Christ while in a state of mortal sin represents a contradiction, the document explains.

The person who, by his or her own action, has broken communion with Christ and His Church but receives the Blessed Sacrament, acts incoherently, both claiming and rejecting communion at the same time. It is thus a counter sign, a lie  it expresses a communion that in fact has been broken, it added.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines abortion as gravely contrary to the moral law. The Churchs Code of Canon Law proclaims that those obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion. In a 2004 letter to U.S. Catholic Church leadership, then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who would later become Pope Benedict XVI, advised church officials to withhold communion from pro-choice politicians.

When a persons formal cooperation becomes manifest (understood, in the case of a Catholic politician, as his consistently campaigning and voting for permissive abortion and euthanasia laws), his Pastor should meet with him, instructing him about the Churchs teaching, informing him that he is not to present himself for Holy Communion until he brings to an end the objective situation of sin, and warning him that he will otherwise be denied the Eucharist, Ratzinger wrote.

Ratzinger instructed ministers of communion to refuse to distribute it if such precautionary measures have not had their effect and the pro-abortion politician continues to present themselves for communion while advocating for permissive abortion and euthanasia laws.

In recent years, there has been great debate among Catholic Church leaders over whether Catholic politicians who advocate for abortion should be denied communion.

Some bishops have argued that doing so holds Catholic politicians who refuse to follow Church teaching to account, while others have claimed that it is counterproductive and wrongfully politicizes a sacrament.

Bishop Robert McElroy of the Diocese of San Diego, who will soon be elevated to the title of Cardinal, wrote in America Magazine last year that  the proposal to exclude pro-choice Catholic political leaders from the Eucharist is the wrong step. It will bring tremendously destructive consequences  not because of what it says about abortion, but because of what it says about the Eucharist.

Fully half the Catholics in the United States will see [excluding pro-abortion political leaders from the Eucharist] as partisan in nature, and it will bring the terrible partisan divisions that have plagued our nation into the very act of worship that is intended by God to cause and signify our oneness.

Last month, San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone garnered national headlines when he told House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Catholic who advocates for abortion and who lives in the Archdiocese of San Francisco, that she could not receive communion unless she repented of her support for abortion.

I am hereby notifying you that you are not to present yourself for Holy Communion and, should you do so, you are not to be admitted to Holy Communion, until such time as you publicly repudiate your advocacy for the legitimacy of abortion and confess and receive absolution of this grave sin in the sacrament of Penance, Cordileone wrote.
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.
World Evangelical Alliance dedicates 'Philadelphia House' at New York Evangelical Center

The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA), representing more than 600 million evangelicals in 143 nations, is celebrating the importance of brotherly love among the body of Christ with a new office building at the Evangelical Center in New York.

The new "Philadelphia House" is based on the 3,300-acre property belonging to World Olivet Assembly and Olivet University, located about 70 miles north of New York City.

Inaugurated in 2016, the Evangelical Center has provided space for WEA offices, meetings and trainings.

While the WEA has had offices in London and Singapore, the Philadelphia House marks the first time in this century that it has its own building not shared with other institutions, according to WEA Secretary General Bishop Dr. Thomas Schirrmacher.

Preaching about the letter to the church in Philadelphia in Revelation 3:7-10, Schirrmacher delivered a message Monday at the building's dedication ceremony. He spoke of the importance of believing in Jesus Christ and revealing one's faith in the deeds of everyday life that follow God's Word.

Schirrmacher told The Christian Post via email that the Philadelphia House is more than simply a building.

"Philadelphia House is the symbol of a growing focus of WEA on helping its members, the national evangelical alliances, which needs a growing number of staff people to reach out to them with our many different ministries," said Schirrmacher.

A number of departments will be housed in the Philadelphia House, including WEA's communications and financial departments and fundraising efforts for national and regional ministries.

The dedication service for the WEA's new office space this week coincided with a visit by the Communion of Churches in Korea (CCIK), WEA's national member body in South Korea, to discuss closer cooperation between the Korean Church and the global body of evangelicals.

Schirrmacher met with the Rev. Joseph Kim, the first president of CCIK; current CCIK President Rev. Taeseop Song and CCIK General Secretary Rev. Kwisoo Choi to discuss strengthening ties between the churches in Korea and the global evangelical family.

"As the WEA, we are very pleased to have CCIK as our national member body that seeks to fulfill the same purpose that the WEA was founded for in 1846: to unite evangelicals across different denominations for prayer, sharing the gospel, standing up for religious freedom for all, and responding to the needs in society," Schirrmacher said.

Since 2016, the WEA Evangelical Center has served its 600 million evangelical constituents, joining the Vatican in Rome and the Ecumenical Center in Geneva as one of three main centers for Christianity in the world.

Featuring a chapel, residential halls, office buildings, classrooms, auditoriums and a cafeteria, the Evangelical Center replaced WEA's former Evangelical Center that opened in Binghamton, New York, in 2010.
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.
Black church calls police after suspicious white man visits during service Strange visitor issued criminal trespass warning

On high alert after multiple mass shootings in recent weeks, officials at Fellowship Bible Baptist Church, a predominantly black congregation in Warner Robins, Georgia, called police after a "suspicious" white man visited during a Bible study service two Wednesdays ago.

Head of Church Security Ezra Wyche told 13 WMAZ that the man, who they later learned is 18 and had stated online he would target "gun-free zones" if he were a criminal, was exhibiting strange behavior at a June 1 service. So church officials took a picture of his car and investigated his identity.

When they reviewed his Facebook profile, it showed photographs of a rifle and a caption that said: "I'm no criminal, but if I'm gunna commit a crime, I'm only targeting gun-free zones."

Pastor Tolan Morgan said the curch's security team includes "former military, active military, active law enforcement and former law enforcement." The church connected with local police, three Houston County officers and an officer from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, who visited the man's home in Kathleen.

Interviews were conducted with the man and his mother. They consented to a search of their home.

"The young man described his politics as extreme, but said he wouldn't hurt anybody," Houston County Sheriff's Office Lieutenant Ron Brainard told WMAZ.

The man was not arrested, but the police gave him a criminal trespass warning, which bars the man from attending any services or functions at the church.

His mother also revealed that she didn't want her son's rifle in her home and ordered him to return it to the store. The findings of the investigation were also sent to the ATF and FBI.

"A threat walked into our church. He knows where we worshiped. He sat through the entire service. He knows my face, and he is still out there. I need to protect my family  We came that close to dying," Pastor Morgan told WMAZ.

"That guy could've walked in and went to spraying. He posted on his Facebook page that he's a new proud owner of an AR-15. He could've walked in Wednesday and went to killing," he added. "The fact that he didn't, one, was by the grace of God and, two, we have to view as he could come back. We came that close to danger coming to walk in our church."

The event at Fellowship Bible Baptist Church came just two weeks before the seventh anniversary of the June 17, 2015, mass shooting at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. White supremacist gunman Dylann Roof executed nine people, including the church's pastor, during a prayer meeting.

"If you're in a public event or area and you see something that's just in your mind that tells you, 'That doesn't look right,' please, in today's world, make that call and call 911 so that the proper authorities can get out there and make a determination of whether there is a threat or not," Brainard warned.

"We hope this wouldn't happen in our community," Wyche added. "But as we know, we just don't know what we are going to be faced with."
Activist groups push for Facebook to do more censoring

At the latest annual meeting of Facebook (now Meta), activists placed proposals on the ballot seemingly designed to push Facebook into banning more content.

One came from As You Sow which is probably the best known left-of-center proxy activist group. The proposal concerns Facebook's "community standards" which is what the company uses to justify banning content. It calls upon the company to do an analysis as to why the current enforcement of community standards "has proven ineffective at controlling the dissemination of user content that contains or promotes hate speech, disinformation, or content that incites violence and/or harm to public health or personal safety." (Welcome to META PLATFORMS, INC.'s Virtual Annual Shareholder's Meeting (virtualshareholdermeeting.com).

These phrases are, of course, highly interpretable, and have been used in biased ways. The vagueness of what does and does not constitute "hate speech" or "disinformation" allows the company enormous latitude when it comes to imposing its own political and cultural agenda. Alliance Defending Freedom has specifically documented the problems with Facebook's policies in this area in its recently released Viewpoint Diversity Score. In the "Market Score" section, the one which deals with issues pertaining specifically to the company's treatment of free speech issues with users and customers, Facebook's score is only 3% out of a possible 100, and some of the specific red flags are precisely in the area where As You Sow is implying should be further restricted:

The As You Sow proposal even calls for the company to launch "An examination of benefits to users and impact to revenue if the Company would voluntarily follow existing legal frameworks established for broadcast networks (e.g. laws forbidding child pornography and rules governing political ads)." In other words, the same sort of rigorous enforcement which is used against broadcasting child pornography is proposed to fight "hate speech" and "disinformation."

The origin of the proposal is consistent with the clear political agenda behind it. It assumes that Metas past policies have been insufficiently rigorous in banning alleged disinformation on the platform. Furthermore, it focuses only on the risks of too little self-censorship, and not at all on the risk of too much self-censorship. It has become clear from recent events in and around Twitter that overly strict banning policies are likewise a source of reputational risk.

The management of the company opposed this proposal and shareholders rejected it, which might indicate that both companies and investors have reached a point where they see that activists have pushed too far. Generally, proposals appear on the ballot only after negotiations with the activists have broken down, and As You Sow has a history or proposing ballot questions and then negotiating with the company to get most of what they want, and then withdrawing the question.

Remarkably, there was another proposal put forward by Australian Union which focused specifically on "climate denial, vaccine hesitancy, and girls' body image." The proposal called upon Facebook to prioritize social goals over profits, but assumes that suppressing "climate denial" and "vaccine hesitancy" will be of social good. The very premise of social media platforms, including Facebook, has historically been that debating issues, not suppressing debate, is socially beneficial.

Facebook opposed this proposal, and it was defeated. There are reasons to believe that cancel culture coming from shareholder pressure groups might have reached its limit.
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.
Pastor calls murder-suicide at Cornerstone Church worst day of a lot of our lives

Mark Vance, lead pastor of Cornerstone Church in Ames, Iowa, where two Iowa State University students were shot dead by a man who took his own life in the churchs parking lot last Thursday, couldn't find a word to describe the heartbreak he's experienced since the worst day of his life.

Thursday, June 2, 2022, was the worst day of my life," Vance told his congregation on Sunday. "It was the worst day of a lot of our lives, a lot of people in this room, family members who lost loved ones, many of us who just had one of the most precious places to us shattered by violence. Its the worst day in the life of Cornerstone Church."

Vivian Flores, 21, and her friend Eden Montang, 22, were at the church to participate in a worship program for college students known as The Salt Company, Vance said.

The Salt Company is a student-led ministry that planted Cornerstone Church in Ames in 1994. Some 1,300 students usually attend the ministrys weekly large group gathering.

Montang and Flores were outside the church at approximately 6:50 p.m. when Johnathan Lee Whitlatch, 33, shot them with his Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol before turning the gun on himself, authorities say.

According to The Des Moines Register, Montang and Whitlatch, who served in the same Iowa National Guard unit, had been in a romantic relationship that had recently ended. Two days before the shooting, Whitlatch was arrested for allegedly harassing Montang but was released after posting bond.

I looked for a word to try to capture how I feel, but I dont have one. Its like Ive known deep grief before. Its like a basement below the depth of grief, Vance told worshipers. Its like the bottom fell out of your world. Instead of celebrating the first full week of summer this week, Eden and Vivian will have their funerals here at Cornerstone.

Montangs funeral is scheduled to be held in the main auditorium at Cornerstone Church at 3 p.m. on Wednesday. Flores funeral service will follow at the same venue at 2 p.m. on Thursday.

Vance said both Montang and Flores were deeply committed Christians who were part of the same connection group at The Salt Company.

Thursday, June 2, 2022, they died walking into Salt Company. Precious people. If youve ever walked into Salt Company, if youve ever heard the phrase 'party in a can,'  I feel really angry because that innocent place was stolen, Vance said. Those beautiful people. I feel sad. I feel all the things at the same time. I feel things. I dont know when theyre going to hit me. I dont know why I cry when I cry.

Vance said he was in the middle of an elders meeting at the church when they received news of the attack in the parking lot.

Jason Tuttle, one of our elders in training, is a commander at Ames Police Department and was the first law enforcement official on the scene. As he sprinted out of our elders meeting across the parking lot  the rest of us soon followed, he said.

It quickly became clear that something terrible had happened. As I arrived and looked over, I saw Salt Company students, who instead of walking into Salt were performing chest compressions before the medical personnel got there."

The pastor said students and staff were "running in fear for their lives."

"Every one of us there ... saw things we desperately wish we had never seen and wish we could somehow unsee, Vance said. At the end of it all, three people were dead, two of them precious Salt Company leaders Eden Montang, Vivian Flores, and a shooter who took his own life after taking theirs. And all of us now here are heartbroken.

Montang's father, Terry Montang, praised his late daughters faith at a June 3 prayer service at Cornerstone.

"What I want everyone to know is that she walked the walk. She died for her faith. Im proud to have been her father. I'm not sure what more there is to say than she is with the Lord, he said, according to The Ames Tribune.

Flores' siblings told The Des Moines Register that she was active in Valley Church's student ministries before she started college and read the Bible every day. Her favorite song was All Hail King Jesus.

"We would pray a lot, especially before going to bed. We would pray together about the day, her fraternal twin, Valarie Flores, said. She used to say, 'First one to Heaven wins.'  Theres no doubt in my head that shes in Heaven.
Southern Baptists debate how to best be pro-life

A debate over the best legal approach to abortion and how it informs resolutions within the Southern Baptist Convention has resurfaced as messengers are set to gather for the denominations annual meeting next week.

At last year's annual meeting, a resolution was passed containing disputed language that has distressed some leading Southern Baptists and a divide has arisen over this issue amid the probable reversal of Roe v. Wade, the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 1973 that legalized abortion nationwide. A decision in the case Dobbs v. Jackson is expected later this month following the May 2 leak of a draft majority opinion in which Roe was overturned.

While many think the recently released Sexual Abuse Task Force report is likely to dominate the agenda of the SBC annual meeting on June 12-15 in Anaheim, California, it's also believed that the contested abortion resolution will be revisited.

Some leaders, including an SBC presidential candidate, are contending for a resolution that, to a degree, diminishes the more mainstream approach to pro-life advocacy similar to what happened last year despite strong objections from the platform voiced by leading SBC ethicists and theologians.



Nathan Finn, the provost and dean and theology professor at North Greenville University in South Carolina, believes that the rise of the abolitionist movement has come about due to frustration with the pace of incremental gains and that many politicians have opted for pragmatism instead of principle on the issue.

I think many pro-life Christians are drawn to the language of abolition because it is so compelling, perhaps not fully understanding everything the movement represents, Finn said in an email to The Christian Post.

What are known as incrementalists in the pro-life movement are those who have worked strategically over time with the goal of passing laws and winning court cases to make important legal gains and save as many unborn children as possible given the legal constraints of Roe v. Wade. Incrementalists are also of the view that in addition to the unborn babies, mothers who undergo abortions are victims of the practice, which has been enabled by Roe v. Wade jurisprudence.



By contrast, abortion abolitionists believe that incrementalists have compromised with evil and have undermined efforts that would legally abolish abortion immediately. They assert this despite the fact that since 1973 Roe had precluded any state or locality from making abortion illegal prior to viability.

Incrementalists then often reply by saying that they are committed to the goal of eliminating 99+% of abortions with the exception of saving the physical life of the mother in rare cases and stress the importance of overturning Roe, a crucial win for which they have been working for decades.



Proponents of the abolitionist viewpoint have backed proposals, such as the Abolition of Abortion in Louisiana Act of 2022, which made it out of a state Legislature Committee but was ultimately scuttled. This was due in part to incrementalist leaders who signed a May 12 National Right to Life Committee open letter emphatically urging state lawmakers to reconsider and especially not criminalize mothers who undergo abortions. Among those pro-life leaders who signed the NRLC letter was Brent Leatherwood, acting president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, the SBCs policy arm.

Finn added that he spoke with many SBC messengers last year who simply thought that abolitionism was another way of affirming the pro-life cause but did not realize the movement is actually an alternative vision that rejects every gain of the past generation.

The abolitionist movement callously treats all women who have had abortions as murderers. The abolitionist movement coldly dismisses incremental gains that have saved millions of lives. I am genuinely thankful the abolitionist movement is anti-abortion. I just wish they were also consistently pro-life, he said.



Reached by phone Friday, Tom Ascol, an SBC presidential candidate this year and the pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, Florida, told CP in an interview that the overwhelming majority of Southern Baptists are completely pro-life and want abortion to be illegal and ended immediately and to see the right of personhood legally recognized for the unborn. Yet he disputes the way in which this particular disagreement within the denomination has been framed.

Speaking of the letter from the National Right to Life Committee which over 70 pro-life groups and leaders signed, including the SBCs ERLC, Ascol commented: I found that to be disastrous.

I thought that was a complete misrepresentation of what most Southern Baptists believe, he added.

The ERLC has been planning for over a year the acknowledgment of the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Why not put all of our resources into ending Roe v. Wade before the 50th anniversary?"



Ascol reiterated: Its not so much incrementalism versus abolitionism. Anything we can do to save one child, lets do. But lets not take our eye off the prize of ending abortion now.



Other incrementalists, such as Richard Land, who served as the ERLC president from 1988 to 2013, and is now president emeritus of the ERLC and the executive editor of this publication, responded in a CP interview by saying, "that is exactly why pro-lifers have been working so hard for the past 48 years to get pro-life Supreme Court justices appointed so that we that could overturn Roe."



Leatherwood, the ERLC's acting president, insists that the idea that any SBC leader is not seeking the end of abortion is patently untrue.

Every pro-life advocate Ive ever met is striving for the same goal  the end of abortion. And it should be stated, we all want that as soon as possible. The approach of the pro-life movement, the Southern Baptist Convention, and the ERLC for all these years has been to support laws that will save one additional life in whatever context, Leatherwood said in an email to CP on Friday.

Thankfully, it appears those efforts have brought us to the cusp of what may be the biggest pro-life achievement in 50 years.

Yet Ascol disagrees with the assessment of SBC ethicists who say the messengers did not fully comprehend what they were voting on with all of its legal implications contained in its wording. That the messengers overcame the resolution when it was tearfully argued against from the platform, is evidence of this, he says.

Several SBC ethicists who have favored and continue to support the more gradual, incremental approach and the eventual abolition of virtually all abortions wrote in the Public Discourse last year why they opposed the resolution. They explained at the time that one of the problems that can happen at annual meetings is that messengers are given far too little time to consider resolutions that may appear noble but are, in fact, layered with complexity. Such was the case in Nashville on the abortion resolution, they stressed.

Ascol, however, is convinced that most Southern Baptists did grasp its meaning.

There were 7,500 copies of this resolution printed up and distributed to the messengers at the convention. More messengers probably read this resolution than any other resolution that was voted on last year. With full understanding, against all the efforts of the platform, an overwhelming majority of Southern Baptists adopted the strongest anti-abortion resolution in our history, he said.

In a May 31 episode of "The Sword and the Trowel" podcast, which Ascol co-hosts with Graham Gunden, the Florida pastors interviewed Bradley Pierce, a constitutional attorney from Texas who is the executive director of the nonprofit Foundation to Abolish Abortion. Pierce was an instrumental force behind the Louisiana bill that was ultimately scrapped and he maintained that among the most substantial opposition to that bill were other pro-life groups. Those groups, he said, misrepresented its provisions. He defended the legal lens he has on this as the one most faithfully grounded in Scripture.



Im firmly convinced that God requires equal protection, Pierce told the hosts in the podcast interview. Speaking of his approach, he added: The same laws that protect born people should protect people before theyre born.

Under the legal regime that he is proposing, the justice system would consider each case on a case-by-case basis, recognizing the variety of situations in which an abortion happens.

In their article outlining their dissent from last years resolution, the SBC ethicists approvingly cited a 2020 essay from Life Training Institutes Scott Klusendorf on why the incremental strategy is the most viable and moral pathway.

Pro-lifers are not the ones compromising when we support incremental laws aimed at limiting the evil of abortion. Rather, the pro-abortionist is compromising because hes forced to give ground on the current status quo  namely, that any child can be killed at any point in pregnancy for any reason. When pro-lifers chip away at the status quo, they are improving the moral landscape, he wrote in Desiring God at the time.

Klusendorf explained in a phone interview with CP that Southern Baptists need not divide theologically over this debate, describing the divisions within the denomination as a very sad thing.

We can have an in-house discussion on tactics, on whether we ought to go forward with a more aggressive rate than we have, thats all fair and good. And if abolitionists want to join that discussion in good faith, Im all for it. But thats not what theyve done, he said.

Although Klusendorf mostly agrees with Ascol theologically and appreciates his public stances on such issues as critical race theory and opposing the wokeness trend in the denomination, he believes Ascol is poisoning the well by referring to incrementalists as elitists and is doing considerable damage by adopting the language of last years resolution which regards incrementalists as not only mistaken but are in fact party to murder and thus theologically compromised.



In a recent Founders Ministries essay, titled Toward a Principled Pro-Life Ethic in Post-Roe America," Ascol argued that the efforts by incrementalists are representative of the contentiousness in other areas of Evangelical life, wherein it is the elite class that is woefully out of step with the rank-and-file believers. These rank-in-file believers, he maintains, want to see the scourge of abortion brought to an immediate end in our nation.



Land believes that most Southern Baptists are incrementalists and that it is the most morally consistent pro-life ethic. When asked what he makes of Ascols characterization of the incrementalist approach as an elitist stance, Land replied that he "can think of no more elitist position than to say that its all-or-nothing, that if we cant have it all were going to let babies continue to die. Thats sacrificing unborn babies on the altar of your perceived purity on the position.

Land went on to defend the work of the ERLC, saying that state legislators are going to need resources as states are given the opportunity to rework their laws in light of the possible reversal of Roe v. Wade. If indeed it is overturned, the parameters of legal abortion are returned to the state level. In anticipation of the dismantling of Roe, some state governments are likely to enact substantial abortion restrictions.

Last years resolution flies in the face of nearly a dozen resolutions passed by the Convention since 1980, which called for the abolition of all legal abortion with the exception of saving the physical life of the mother, Land explained, "and on several occasions, there were attempts to amend the resolutions to include exceptions for rape and incest and they were voted down by the messengers."

Klusendorf believes that abolitionism sets forth a policy framework that is an untenable legal quagmire. For example, he told CP that in order to charge an abortionist with murder and also the mother with murder one would have to demonstrate in court that the meeting of the minds legal threshold has been met. One would have to prove that the mothers knowledge matches the abortionist's knowledge and that is seldom the case.

Land added that some confusion concerning the ERLC results from a lack of understanding of the ERLC's two-fold assignment from the SBC.

"First, we are to call Southern Baptists to be where we think they ought to be on moral issues based on biblical revelation. In that role, we are free to be 'the conscience of the Convention.' Our second role is that once Southern Baptists have reached consensus on an issue, to share that with the three branches of the federal government, with state governments and with the United Nations," Land said.

"In the first role, we are free to be prophetic and prescriptive and we are speaking to Southern Baptists. In the second role, we are to be descriptive, speaking about Southern Baptists, even when that description does not match where we would deeply desire Southern Baptists to be. Of course, we are profoundly grateful to our Heavenly Father that Southern Baptists are now the most pro-life major denomination in America at the rank-in-file level."

In previous years, the ERLC filed numerous friend of the court amicusbriefson abortion-related cases in which they always added footnotes that said: "While Southern Baptists are overwhelmingly opposed to abortion-on-demand, there is some disagreement about some of the troublesome exceptions such as rape, incest, and the physical life of the mother."

"That was our assessment based upon surveys and polling on where Southern Baptists were, which is not necessarily where we would wish them to be," Land explained.

"Southern Baptists do expect us to be truth-tellers and so we must attempt to tell the truth as best we perceive it. I do not think most Southern Baptists would wish the ERLC to do otherwise. If we did, we would ultimately lose credibility with Southern Baptists and with the governments we are trying to influence," he said.

Yet Ascol insists that many SBC congregants are disappointed with the efforts of the ERLC which joined with other pro-life groups to spike the recent Louisiana bill. One such pastor who shares that view is Christopher Bolt, who concurs with the SBC presidential candidates framing of the discussion.

Bolt, pastor-teacher at Elkton Baptist Church, in Elkton, Tennessee, said in a CP phone interview that though he hesitates to call himself an abortion abolitionist, per se, he nevertheless believes that abortion abolitionists have some important points that ought to be more thoroughly considered.

I believe in equal protection for the unborn under law. I believe that the unborn child is even more vulnerable, extremely vulnerable, cant even live on his or her own, and we should center the unborn child in the discussion, Bolt explained, echoing Pierce.

And the reason that even in criminalizing the fact of abortion when a woman willfully and knowingly does it is that the Bible teaches justice and our laws are to reflect the justice we see in Scripture.

Where criminalizing only the abortionist performing the act falls short is that the United States is potentially facing a future where many if not most abortions will be done chemically and at home via the mail, he added.

"But when a young woman finds herself [facing a crisis pregnancy] Im not saying, That woman should be punished as a murderer, no ifs, ands or buts. Thats not my view. What I am saying is that we must, at some point, in terms of the increments were pursuing regarding abortion, one of the increments is the end of abortion.

Leatherwood told CP that should Roe be reversed, the ERLCs work will be far from over, noting that a major focus of the annual meeting will be how Southern Baptists can engage in pro-life work in their home states. The SBC entity has larger legal and cultural aspirations in mind.

The reality is, we long for a day when a national, constitutional protection of life is extended to every person equally, including our preborn neighbors, Leatherwood said.

So the bottom line is this, just as the pro-life movement and the Southern Baptist Convention have long stood for, our work will keep these objectives at the forefront: ban abortion, save preborn lives, support mothers, and punish the abortion providers.
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.
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.
5 UMC leaders who backed gracious separation protocol withdraw support

Five United Methodist Church leaders who previously backed a measure to create a gracious exit for congregations tired of the denominations longstanding debate over homosexuality have withdrawn their support following the launch of the Global Methodist Church.

The five leaders released a statement on Tuesday declaring that the "Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation" they supported two years ago "no longer offers a viable path forward, particularly given the long delays, the changing circumstances within the United Methodist Church, and the formal launch of the Global Methodist Church in May of this year."

"Moreover, bishops and church leaders in the Central Conferences, especially in Africa and the Philippines, have consistently voiced serious misgivings about the Protocol and its potentially disruptive impacts in their geographical regions," read the statement.

"Given the growing opposition to the Protocol within the constituencies we represent, the dwindling support among General Conference delegates, and the serious reservations of Central Conference leaders, we can no longer in good faith support the Protocol of Reconciliation & Grace through Separation or work towards its adoption at the next General Conference."

Over the past several years, the UMC has faced a divisive internal debate over whether to change its official stance opposing the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of noncelibate LGBT individuals.

In January 2020, a group of 16 UMC leaders of diverse theological backgrounds serving as an unofficial mediation group announced the proposed separation protocol that would have provided a pathway for churches who want to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church over theological differences.

Those who signed the statement withdrawing their support include the Rev. Thomas Berlin of the LGBT advocacy group UMCNext, the Rev. Egmedio Equila, Jr. of the Philippines Central Conference, Janet Lawrence of the LGBT advocacy group Reconciling Ministries Network, the Rev. David Meredith of the UM Queer Clergy Caucus and longtime LGBT advocate, and UMC layperson Randall Miller.

The five leaders said that while they have stopped supporting the protocol, they remain committed to some of its "most essential provisions." These include finding better ways for dissenting congregations to disaffiliate from the UMC, a call to strengthen financial support for minority-centered ministries, and a continued suspension of Book of Discipline punishments for those who violate the Book of Discipline's rules.

A group of seven UMC bishops who participated in mediation and signed the protocol released a letter Thursday that reaffirms their support for the proposed measure. They say the proposal is "now in legislative form and is the appropriate discernment of the delegates to the upcoming General Conference."

"As signatories of the Protocol, we continue to affirm this work which came to us through the leadership and sacrificial gift of Kenneth Feinberg and his colleagues," stated the bishops.

"We are united in respect for our colleagues who are led to step away from the Protocol, and pray that we will continue to explore ways to celebrate the ministry of The United Methodist Church even as we work for an amicable separation with those who chose to depart from our fellowship."

The bishops say they affirm "the way the abeyance has reduced the harm of individuals in our administrative and judicial processes and the future deliberation on the repair of the whole church through resources channeled toward dismantling racism and colonialism."

Among its provisions, the protocol includes a provision to set aside $25 million for conservative Methodists to create a new denomination in which they could join instead of continuing the debate with theological liberals.

By March 2020, three regional bodies  the Michigan Annual Conference, the Philippines Conference and the Sierra Leone Conference  had voted to send the protocol to General Conference for consideration. The Philippines and Sierra Leone conferences expressed overt support.

The UMC General Conference, the churchwide gathering that votes on denominational legislation, was initially scheduled to take place in May 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, the General Conference was postponed multiple times. It's slated to take place in 2024.

As a result of the ongoing delays, conservative Methodists launched their alternative denomination, the Global Methodist Church, last month.
Americans prefer churches with names that are nondenominational: study

In continuation of a cultural shift researchers have previously documented as a growing rejection of organized religion, a new study from Lifeway Research shows Americans are least likely to dismiss churches branded as nondenominational.

The online study of 1,005 Americans conducted Sept. 3-14, 2021, using a national pre-recruited panel, shows that only 33% of U.S. adults assumed that a church is not for them when the term nondenominational is reflected in the name.

For churches with the term Pentecostal, more than half, 51%, of respondents assumed the church would not be for them. Seven other denominations triggered a similar response within a range of 8% or less.

Some 47% of respondents said churches with the term Methodist or Lutheran would not be for them, while 48% of them said the same for churches with the term Catholic in the name. For church names with the terms Southern Baptist or Presbyterian, an equal 46% of respondents assumed those churches would not be for them. Some 46% of respondents rejected churches with the term Assemblies of God in the name, while 43% said churches with the Baptist label attached would not be for them.

Church names vary greatly, Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, said in a statement. Names including St. Peter, Trinity, Crossroads and Presbyterian reflect biblical people, theology, modern imagery or references to the branch of Christianity the church is tied to. Most people have preexisting impressions of denominational groups when they see them in a church name or description.

Pew Research analysis published in 2015 showed that since 2007, the share of Evangelical Protestants who identify with Baptist denominations shrank from 41% to 36%. The share of Evangelicals identifying with nondenominational churches also grew from 13% to 19% over the period.

In 2017, a Gallup study showed how Americans were increasingly choosing to not identify with any Christian denomination or religion. The study found that the share of Americans who identify with a specific Protestant denomination fell from 50% in 2000 to 30% in 2016.

Robin Veldman, Texas A&M assistant professor of religious studies, explained in a report in The Battalion that the attitude of Americans toward nondenominational churches is partly a reflection of the movement away from organized religion, particularly among younger generations.

I think people are moving away from institutionalized religion. They dont necessarily like the denominational brand, Veldman said. Then there are people who are so much not into institutions that theyre leaving churches altogether. They may still be religious, but theyre not attending church.

Matt Morton, a teaching pastor at Grace Bible Church Creekside in College Station, Texas, said many people who attend nondenominational churches often report themselves as being religiously unaffiliated, and they are often included in research as nones along with atheists and agnostics.

You have this increase in millennials who say they dont belong anywhere in particular, Morton said. Those people are not saying theyre totally irreligious. Some of them are saying, I am religious. I do like to go to church, but I dont fit within any of the boxes.
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."
Leader of 1 million-member church La Luz del Mundo charged with sex crimes; church stands by him

Naason Joaquin Garcia, leader of the La Luz del Mundo church, which boasts more than a million members globally, has been arrested and charged with more than a dozen sex crimes in Los Angeles. His congregation, however, is standing by him and dismissed the allegations as false.

The Apostle of Jesus Christ has always adhered to the law and demonstrated full respect to governmental institutions and the dignity of all persons. The Church categorically rejects each and every allegation made against him, the church said in a statement Tuesday.

We trust in the principles of justice that govern our legal system in the United States and specifically in the State of California. Our legal system establishes a Presumption of Innocence that is guaranteed to all persons; which establishes that all persons are innocent until proven guilty.

Garcia, 50, who is considered by his church to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, was arrested Monday at the Los Angeles International Airport, the California Attorney General Xavier Becerras office told The New York Times. In a release Tuesday which also highlighted the criminal complaint against the church leader, other individuals associated with La Luz Del Mundo were also named as co-defendants. They are: Alondra Ocampo, Azalea Rangel Melendez, and Susana Medina Oaxaca. Ocampo and Oaxaca have already been arrested while an arrest warrant has been issued for Melendez, who is currently at large.

Garcia and his co-defendants were charged with human trafficking, production of child pornography, forcible rape of a minor, and other felonies committed between 2015 and 2018. A group of girls were told that if they went against Garcias desires, they were going against God, according to the criminal complaint. Children were told to perform flirty dances for Garcia while wearing as little clothing as possible. Garcia also once gave a group of children a speech about a king having mistresses and stated that an apostle of God can never be judged for his actions.

Crimes like those alleged in this complaint have no place in our society. Period, Becerra said. We must not turn a blind eye to sexual violence and trafficking in our state. At the California Department of Justice, we will do everything we can to prevent and combat these heinous crimes so that our communities are safe. If you see something, report it and we will vigorously pursue justice.

La Luz Del Mundo argued that the unsubstantiated charges against their leader impaired the dignity of their church and what they stand for.

Because of the Christian principles that the Church proclaims and practices, we strongly reject any act that impairs the dignity and honorability of any person. By consequence, we trust that these unsubstantiated allegations do not degenerate into religious intolerance and discriminatory acts against the membership of the church, their statement ended.

A 1995 study describes La Luz Del Mundo as a Pentecostal movement that takes elements from Mexican culture as well as the dominant Catholic culture. It is also described as an authoritarian church with strategic ties to Mexican politics.

Bail for Garcia has been set at $25 million.
List: Churches, pro-life offices torched, vandalized by abortion activists since Supreme Court leak

Updated at 12:45 a.m. ET on June 13:

Following Politicos report of a leaked draft opinion in the U.S. Supreme Court case of Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization indicating that a majority of justices seem inclined to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide, multiple churches and pro-life advocacy organizations have been burned, looted and vandalized by pro-abortion extremists.

However, not every act of vandalism is explicitly tied to outrage over the leaked Dobbs draft. Here is a list of churches and pro-life organizations that have been vandalized or had items stolen from them since Politicos story was published on May 2. The most recent acts of vandalism are listed first. The list will be updated as more vandalism takes place.

Gresham Pregnancy Resource Center: Gresham, Oregon

Luke Cirillo, CEO of the nonprofit organization First Image, announced on the companys Facebook page June 10 that Our Gresham Pregnancy Resource Center was set on fire this morning at about 3 am. From initial investigations by Police and Fire authorities, it appears an incendiary device was thrown through a window.

Cirillo noted that Our alarm system immediately alerted Fire and Police, and they arrived very quickly and extinguished the fire, adding it was mostly contained to one room, but damage there was extensive and there is additional water and smoke damage in other parts of the building. The perpetrator of the apparent arson remains at large and the pro-life pregnancy center, which was scheduled to undergo a full renovation, will have to temporarily close to make way for needed repairs in light of the vandalism.

CompassCare: Buffalo, New York

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 on June 7 that its Buffalo office was firebombed by abortion terrorists. The pro-life organization posted a statement on its website explaining that Early this morning police and firefighters responded to smoke at CompassCares Buffalo office.

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 Janes Revenge, reading Jane Was Here, the statement continued. A group of pro-abortion activists identifying themselves as Janes Revenge has claimed responsibility for numerous acts of vandalism in recent weeks.

Two firefighters suffered minor injuries fighting the fire and were admitted to the hospital.

Mountain Area Pregnancy Services: Asheville, North Carolina

Mountain Area Pregnancy Services, a pro-life pregnancy center in Asheville, North Carolina, announced on Facebook on June 7 that Our building was vandalized last night. Pictures of the vandalism accompanying the post revealed the phrase If abortions arent safe, neither are you spray-painted on the sidewalk in front of the facility, along with a symbol for the anarchist movement.

Additionally, red spray paint was splattered all over the front door and windows of the building, which were also broken. Graffiti reading No forced birth was painted on the back walls of the facility.

Capitol Hill Crisis Pregnancy Center: Washington, D.C.

Janet Durig, the executive director of The Capitol Hill Crisis Pregnancy Center in Washington, D.C., told The Daily Signal that her business was vandalized either late June 2 or early morning June 3. Images of the vandalism reveal red paint dumped on the front door and doormat, egged windows and a message reading Jane Says Revenge spray-painted on the exterior walls of the facility.

Here at Capitol Hill Crisis Pregnancy Center in DC where someone dumped red paint on the door, egged the windows, and wrote Jane Says Revenge. The director of the pro-life clinic told me the vandalism makes her incredibly sad in light of the work they do every day. pic.twitter.com/Qo1lu60eNn  Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) June 3, 2022

Next Step Pregnancy Center: Lynnwood, Washington

Security video footage captured outside Next Step Pregnancy Services in Lynnwood, Washington reveals a vandal spray-painting pro-abortion messages on the exterior of the building in the early morning hours of May 25. Images shared by Seattle radio host Jason Rantz showed he words If abortion isnt safe were painted on the front door of the pro-life pregnancy center while the rest of the phrase, Then you arent either! spray-painted on the ground in front of the entrance.

NEW: Next Step Pregnancy Center in Lynnwood, Wash. was vandalized by a criminal dressed in all black. She tagged the property with the threat "If abortion isn't safe, you aren't either" and "Jane's revenge." pic.twitter.com/pjM2TLMZVK  Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) May 26, 2022

At the back of the building, the vandal painted the words Janes Revenge on steps leading to a back entrance. A group of pro-abortion activists identifying themselves as Janes Revenge has claimed responsibility for numerous acts of vandalism in recent weeks. In an interview with Rantz, Heather Vasquez, director of Next Step Pregnancy Services, explained that the vandal took it upon themselves to throw rocks and break five of our windows.

Mt. Avery M.B. Church: Lowndes County, Mississippi

Stephen Pimpo of WCBI News, a CBS affiliate based in northern Mississippi, reported on May 24 that The Lowndes County Sheriffs Dept. is investigating the vandalism of Mt. Avery M.B. Church, which was discovered Monday morning. Pictures of the pro-abortion vandalism revealed a message reading girls just want to have fundamental rights spray-painted on the doors of the church, a play on the Cyndi Lauper song Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.

Additional images showed the phrase Keep Your Laws Off My Body spray-painted in multiple locations on the exterior walls of the church.

The Lowndes County Sheriffs Dept. is investigating the vandalism of Mt. Avery M.B. Church. The vandalism was discovered Monday morning. Messages include girls just want to have fundamental human rights and Keep your laws off my body. pic.twitter.com/yblmMfBpbY  Stephen Pimpo (@spimpojr) May 24, 2022

Four churches: Olympia, Washington

The group of pro-abortion activists calling themselves Janes Revenge took credit for the vandalism of four Washington state churches over the weekend of May 21-22. A blog posted on the anarchist website Abolition Media May 23 contained the contents of an email sent by the Bo Brown Cell of the pro-abortion organization.

Last night we vandalized four anti-abortion churches in Olympia, the email read. A Mormon church, Calvary church, Harbor Church, and St. Michaels Catholic church all received facelifts in the early hours of Sunday morning. We dumped red paint over the entryways and left messages of If abortions arent safe then neither are you, Abort the church, and God loves abortion.

A picture accompanying the blog revealed the front of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 1116 Yew Ave NE with the phrase If abortions arent safe then neither are you spray-painted between two sets of double doors, along with the anarchist symbol.

BirthRight: Frederick, Maryland

A Twitter user who identifies himself as Wayward Streamer, a self-described photo/ video reporter from the Frontline, shared pictures of vandalism at BirthRight, a crisis pregnancy center in Frederick, Maryland, on his Twitter account on May 8. The words Defend Roe were spray-painted between the facilitys two front windows. The profane F*** fake clinic was written next to the front door, reflecting the hostility pro-abortion activists have toward pro-life pregnancy clinics.

Alpha Pregnancy Center: Reisterstown, Maryland

Wayward Streamer shared pictures of Alpha Pregnancy Center in Reisterstown, Maryland May 7. Graffiti painted in black next to the front entrance read Youre anti-choice, with the phrase not pro-life painted in red directly underneath it.

To the left of the entrance, additional graffiti proclaimed If abortions arent safe neither are you. The door of the crisis pregnancy center was vandalized to read not a clinic. The porch directly in front of the office had the words Janes Revenge painted on it. Janes Revenge previously claimed responsibility for throwing a Molotov cocktail through the window of a pro-life organization in Wisconsin.

Alpha Pregancy Center, a religious organization crisis pregnancy center located in Reisterstown Maryland, was targeted last night. "Jane's Revenge" was found spray painted near the entrance of the center. Thread below goes into details about this autonomous group. https://t.co/gwDuPSZMjupic.twitter.com/4679D2sBhy  Wayward.streamer (@StreamerWayward) May 15, 2022

Oregon Right to Life: Salem, Oregon

A statement posted by the pro-life organization Oregon Right to Life on May 9 said, In the late evening on Sunday, May 8, the offices of Oregon Right to Life were attacked. The group noted that An individual used incendiary devices, one of which exploded and caught the building on fire.

The office was vacant at the time and no one was harmed. Fire and police departments responded quickly, minimizing damage to the building.

Holy Rosary Church: Houston, Texas

In a Facebook post on May 9, Friar Mariano Veliz shared a picture of the words Pro-choice is pro-life! spray-painted on the doors of Holy Rosary Church in Houston, Texas, accompanied by the caption: This is what the angry, hateful anti-Catholic pro-choice activists did to our church last night. Veliz, who serves as a parochial vicar at the church, added that these people painted the same message on our side doors as well.

St. Bartholomew the Apostle Catholic Church: Katy, Texas

Father Christopher Plant of St. Bartholomew the Apostle Catholic Church in Katy, Texas, took to Twitter May 9 to announce that Our tabernacle was stolen last night. Adrian Fonseca, a producer for a Catholic radio network, provided an update on Twitter May 11: They found the tabernacle at a Burger King. Appears to be cracked open. Stole Our Lord and left behind the Gold. Clearly was not stolen for the money, but for something far more precious.

In a subsequent tweet, Fonseca asserted that things are more complicated because the tabernacle was stolen a second time. He maintained that police have the faces and plates of the two sets of thieves, adding, [they] predict they will have it in custody within 24 hours.

First Care Womens Health: Manassas, Virginia

ABC News affiliate WUSA in Washington, D.C., aired a report on vandalism that took place at First Care Womens Health, a pro-life pregnancy center in Manassas, Virginia. Becky Sheetz, the CEO of First Cares parent company Life First, explained that in one section, it said liars, another one said fake clinic and the other one said abortion is a right. A tweet from the Rev. Dean Nelson of the pro-life group Human Coalition indicates that the vandalism took place on May 8.

Unfortunately, a Pregnacy Resource Center in Northern Virginia was vandalized last night.



This charity lovingly provides support & practical supplies to women no matter what they decide. And yet, theyre targeted with hate, intimidation and destruction. Sad! pic.twitter.com/E1U2Jro1YC  Rev. Dean Nelson (@RevDeanNelson) May 9, 2022

Wisconsin Family Action: Madison, Wisconsin

An Incident Report compiled by the police department in Madison, Wisconsin, stated that Flames were seen coming from the headquarters of the pro-life organization Wisconsin Family Action shortly after 6 a.m. on May 8. According to the report, A Molotov cocktail, which did not ignite, was thrown inside the building. It also appears a separate fire was started in response. Graffiti was also found at the scene. No injuries have been reported.

Pictures of the vandalism, posted to Twitter by Alexander Shur of the Wisconsin State Journal showed the phrase If abortions arent safe then you arent either painted on an exterior wall of the facility and a fire-damaged office with books scattered across the floor. A group of pro-abortion activists who call themselves Janes Revenge claimed responsibility for the attack and vowed to engage in further vandalism, in addition to demanding that pro-life organizations disband.

BREAKING: Somebody vandalized and allegedly threw Molotov cocktails into Wisconsin Family Actions  an anti-abortion rights group  Madison office, writing w/ graffiti, If abortions arent safe, then you arent either.



Story TK pic.twitter.com/6Wfnyeh9hQ  Alexander Shur (@AlexanderShur) May 8, 2022

Loreto House: Denton, Texas

Loreto House, a pro-life pregnancy center in Denton, Texas, has also experienced pro-abortion vandalism in recent days. A tweet posted by North Texas Catholic on May 8 reported that the facility was vandalized this weekend. The organization helps women, men and children by providing material goods, parent education, and emotional and spiritual support during a womans pregnancy and up to the childs third birthday.

Pictures of the vandalism reveal the roadside sign advertising the facility emblazoned with the phrase Not a clinic and the same phrase painted on the organizations front door. Additional graffiti on the building proclaims, Forced Birth is Murder.

Loreto House in Denton was vandalized this weekend.

The pro-life pregnancy center helps women (and men) from their child's conception until age 3 with material goods, parent education, and emotional and spiritual support.

About their work with families:https://t.co/gV0QgHEcLipic.twitter.com/mj2R0nSpIS  North Texas Catholic (@NTCatholic) May 8, 2022

Concerned Women for America: Alexandria, Virginia

Security camera footage obtained by Fox News reveals an unidentified male vandalizing the headquarters of the pro-life organization Concerned Women for America in Alexandria, Virginia earlier this month. The video footage shows the perpetrator repeatedly flipping off the security camera and urinating on the doors and windows of the facility in addition to ripping the intercom system and security camera from the wall.

Images of the vandalism provided to The Daily Wire reveal urine stains on the ground-level doors and windows of the facility along with the exposed wires from the intercom system that the vandal left behind.

Here's images of the vandalism and urination provided to The Daily Wire by CWA. pic.twitter.com/j0Nusz1aWA  Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) May 10, 2022

St. John XXIII Catholic Parish: Fort Collins, Colorado

Fort Collins Police Services in Fort Collins, Colorado, announced on Facebook that around 1:15 a.m. on May 7, an unknown person spray painted the front doors of [St. John XXIII Catholic Parish] and broke exterior glass panels. A parishioner of the church posted a picture of the vandalism on Twitter later that day. The phrase My Body My Choice was painted on the church doors.

Our Church this evening before Mass. A lone dude did it. Makes what he spray painted even more stupid. The coward even wore a mask. ???? pic.twitter.com/8o5qn407TI  Mary Callan (@DrMaryCallan) May 8, 2022

St. Josephs Priory: Armada, Michigan

At the beginning of the month, St. Josephs Priory, a Catholic Church in Armada, Michigan, was vandalized with graffiti, although the messages did not include any reference to abortion. Pictures of the vandalism, posted on Twitter, reveal that graffiti reading Gay was painted on the sign advertising St. Josephs Roman Catholic Church & Academy. A sidewalk featured graffiti reading FAG Republicans Dead. A door at the church was painted with the number 666 and the word FAGS.

Another door had a pentagram drawn on it. Pillars at the church had the words suicide and big d--- painted on them. A message extending from an exterior wall of a building on the campus to adjacent doors had the number 666 next to a heart symbol alongside the word big on top of a picture of male genitalia.

Another Catholic Church vandalized in America.



This was at St. Josephs Church in Michigan yesterday pic.twitter.com/Eu25vnX2Nb  Governor Reilly ???????? (@realDaveReilly) May 6, 2022

Southeast Portland Pregnancy Resource Center: Portland, Oregon

The group First Image, which runs several pro-life pregnancy centers, announced on Facebook May 5 that a group of people vandalized our Southeast Portland Pregnancy Resource Center last night. First Image elaborated on the damage sustained at the Portland, Oregon facility, noting that All the windows on one side of the center were broken, and there was a hateful, anti-PRC message spray-painted on the wall.

The incident happened overnight, and nobody was hurt. We have an incredibly resilient staff. Nonetheless, it is deeply unsettling and puts everybody at all of our locations a bit on edge, the group added.

Sacred Heart of Mary Church: Boulder, Colorado

The Sacred Heart of Mary Church in Boulder, Colorado, was vandalized May 3, one day after the publication of the Dobbs draft. A news report from local news outlet Denver 7 showed video footage of the vandalism, which included the spray-painted phrases My Body My Choice on the doors of the church and Abortion Saves Lives on its exterior walls. The church also had several windows broken and statues of the saints featured on the exterior of the property defaced.
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.
Police arrest armed man near Brett Kavanaugh's home who wanted to kill justice over abortion

UPDATED at 2:20 p.m. ET: Law enforcement identified the California man who was arrested near the home of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh Wednesday morning as Nicholas John Roske of Simi Valley. He was found with multiple weapons including a gun, knife and pepper spray. Roske is being charged with attempting to murder a Supreme Court justice.

Original report:

A man was arrested near the home of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh after making threats against the justice due to his likely support for overturning Roe v. Wade.

The unnamed individual from California is in his 20s, and was detained by police after saying he wanted to kill Kavanaugh and expressed anger over the likely overturning of Roe,according to The Washington Post.

The man was arrested around 1:50 a.m. Wednesday near Kavanaugh's home in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and was found carrying burglary tools and at least one weapon.

I call on leaders in both parties in Washington to strongly condemn these actions in no uncertain terms, said Maryland's Republican Gov. Larry Hogan in a statement. It is vital to our constitutional system that the justices be able to carry out their duties without fear of violence against them and their families.

Last month Georgetown professor Josh Chafetz tweeted support for protesters to demonstrate outside the homes of Supreme Court justices with whom they disagree: When the mob is right, some (but not all!) more aggressive tactics are justified, The Wall Street Journal reports, adding that Chafetz also boasted that the university wasn't "going to fire" him over his social media posts regardless of how extreme or controversial they might be.

In a statement emailed to supporters on Wednesday, the pro-life group Created Equal demanded that prominent Democrats condemned this and other threats made by abortion-rights extremists.

Today, an abortion advocate apparently acted on the incendiary words of Sen. Chuck Schumer that Justice Brett Kavanaugh will pay the price, stated the group, referencing comments Schumer made in 2020.

I want to tell you, Justice Kavanaugh and Justice Gorsuch, you have unleashed a whirlwind, and you will pay the price, Schumer said at the time. You wont know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions.

The pro-life group warned that the inflammatory rhetoric of the Left is leading to violence, and urged the Biden administration to "publicly call for abortion advocates to turn down the temperature.

Last month, Politico published a leaked draft opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito for the case Dobbs v. Jackson, which had the high court overturning Roe by a vote of 5-4.

The Dobbs case centers on if Mississippi can ban most abortions after 15 weeks into a pregnancy, which contradicts the Roe precedent of prohibiting states from banning abortions before fetal viability.

Although Politico noted that the draft majority opinion was from February and had likely been changed, the news sparked several protests, and numerous acts of vandalism and torching of buildings owned by churches and pro-life pregnancy resource centers.

May demonstrations have been held outside the homes of Supreme Court justices who are expected to rule in favor of the Mississippi law, with the members of the high court receiving increased security.

A security fence was also constructed last month around the Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., in preparation for any violence should the high court decide to overturn Roe.
Why are people so surprised that little children were entertained by drag queens in a gay bar?

There is a lot of outrage over viral video footage depicting little children being entertained by drag queens in a gay bar. As Alex Stein tweeted, 7 year olds tipping drag queens and hanging out in a 21 and up bar & the Dallas Police dept is letting it happen ... why not enforce the law? And there should be outrage. But there should be no surprise. Scenes like this have been common at gay pride events for many years, with full parental approval.

In response to local protests at the gay bar, the bar, named Mr. Misster, released a statement claiming it was raising money for a local LGBTQ+ youth organization and accused protesters of being "transphobic.

As the bars statement explained, We are more than happy to open our doors to celebrate Pride in a family friendly, safe environment, separate from our normal operations of 2 p.m.  2 a.m. on Saturdays because we believe that everyone should have a space to be able to celebrate who they are. Mr. Misster is a place where everyone is welcome to feel accepted, safe and included. We had a group of protestors outside yelling homophobic threats, transphobic remarks and vile accusations at these children and parents.

Oh, those terrible, evil protesters! As for the vulgar verbiage posted on one of the bars walls  get over it!

Once again, there should be outrage but not surprise. Not in the least.

Last year, on July 6, I posted an article titled, This Is the Dangerous LGBTQ+ Trajectory That We Have Been Warning About.

In it, I referenced an op-ed in the Washington Post in which a gendervague parent wanted her kids to check out the BDSM practices enjoyed by some of our community that were on display at gay pride events.

And this was her reasoning: Children who witness kink culture are reassured that alternative experiences of sexuality and expression are valid  no matter who they become as they mature, helping them recognize that their personal experiences arent bad or wrong, and that they arent alone in their experiences.

The op-ed also produced outrage, some of which was cited in an article by Mary Margaret Olohan titled, You Should be in Prison: Critics Slam WaPo Article Encouraging Kink Culture for Children.

But while the outrage was fully justified, there should have been no surprise at all. These kinds of attitudes have been common among some members of the LGBTQ+ community for many years.

As I wrote on June 26, 2019, There are some things so wrong that we cannot allow ourselves to get used to them. We must always be outraged over them. Always grieved over them. We can never accept them as the new status quo. The drag queen assault on our children is one of those things.

Im talking about the celebration of little children in drag.

Im talking about drag queens dancing for our children (and reading stories to them).

Im talking about children posing with naked (or nearly naked) drag queens.

This is unacceptable. This is perverse. This is outrageous.

It was bad enough when this stuff happened at gay pride parades.

It was even worse when it started to happen in our community libraries.

Now it has even entered houses of worship. (See further here.)

Should we be outraged? Absolutely. Should we be surprised? Not at all.

As I explained in a March 2020 article, It Was Drag Queens Dancing for Little Children that Got My Attention in 2004.

Yes, that was back in 2004, well before most of us had LGBTQ+ activism on our radar.

That was certainly the case for me before 2004, as I devoted almost none of my writing or speaking to the subject. I did not even focus on outreach to those who identified as LGBTQ+.

But, as I wrote, after colleagues of mine shared the Gospel at the Charlotte, NC gay pride in 2004, they shared with me in detail what they saw. (I was doing ministry in England at the time.)

There was a gay porn exhibit that anyone could view. Including children.

Our team snapped pictures to document all this while they were there. The images were terribly disturbing. And where were the parents? Did they care?

And then there was the drag queen.

He was dressed in a tutu, and he was dancing before a small crowd of onlookers. (I can assure you he was not doing ballet.)

And as he shimmied and shook, a small child walked up to him  again, in the presence of a good number of adults  and put a dollar in his panties.

What insanity.

More troubling still, when we raised our voice in protest in the months (and years) that followed, there seemed to be no outcry from the local gay community.

Its one thing for them to want to be out and proud. To walk down the streets, with men holding hands with men and women holding hands with women. To proclaim that their relationships are just as valid as heterosexual relationships. To call for equality and tolerance.

While I profoundly differ with them on all these fronts, I fully understand why they would unite together in a gay pride event like this.

But pornographic displays in view of children? And a drag queen in a tutu dancing for little children? And an innocent little child putting money in the drag queens panties?

When I discussed this with local gay activists (whom I sought to befriend for honest dialogue and understanding), I was basically told this: Those children were not there on their own. They were there under the oversight of their parent or parents. And we trust the judgment of those parents.

When I wrote to Starbucks in 2005, sending them pictures of the 2004 gay pride event and urging them to drop their sponsorship, they responded, Starbucks is deeply committed to our Mission Statement and Guiding Principles. One of our six principles is embracing diversity as an essential component to the way we do business. This includes the gay and lesbian community. Supporting local events like the Gay Pride Festival in Charlotte, NC, gives us the opportunity to live by the values we have set.

Yes, this is how they justified their actions after reviewing the graphic images that we sent them.

And this is why so many of us have been raising our voices these many years, urging compassionate outreach to the LGBTQ+ community along with courageous resistance of their agenda.

It is a direct and perverse attack on the children. And it has happened on our watch.
Pride Month: Things Im proud of and things Im not

This month, the Church is confronted with a great opportunity as individuals, companies and the LGBTQ community celebrate Pride Month.

I was 18 when it was revealed to me that a family member had come out as gay. Shocked, embarrassed, and more concerned with how it might make me look, I responded out of anger that looked like hate more than anything else. Im ashamed to admit it, but I viciously lashed out and actually told this individual I was ashamed of her, that she was no longer my family, and that I never wanted to speak to her again.

Sure, it was a different day and time, but that is no excuse. At the time, same-sex relationships were mostly covert and culturally viewed in a completely different light than they are today. Those who came out, at least in the South where I lived, were usually met with a dump truck of condemnation and at the very most a thimble of love and compassion, especially from people like me who were legalistic, judgmental, and filled with self-righteousness.

My actions erected a barrier between us as big as the great wall of China, and I kept it intact for the worse part of the next two years. It lasted until something major happened in my life; I went from a religious person who knew about Christ to a person who had received Him and had Him living in my life. Only then, did I realize how wrong I had been.

I reached out and expressed my regret, apology, and unconditional love. That simple act instantly restored a severed relationship. Of course, we had different opinions and convictions but never again was there any division or separation. I am proud to say we both began to genuinely love and respect one another, and it has continued this way in the decades since.

Regrettably, my original response is often the same that many other professing believers continue to serve on plates of false superiority.

For believers, the non-negotiable template has been given to love othersregardless! We must not forget the example of Christ who commonly showed love, concern, and compassion to people who had fallen into an array of transgressions. Jesus never categorized wrongs but made it clear that each of us has fallen extremely short and are in need of forgiveness and grace.

Why are we so eager to receive mercy yet so unwilling to dispense it to others?

Jesus made it clear it is not our duty to change anyone. This alone is the work of God. Our job is to pray for people and recognize EVERY person on earth has worth in the sight of God. It is an undeniable truth that Christ did not come to save some, and we would do well to remember the well-known verse that states God so loved the world. He did not select some or the religious, righteous, or untainted but the entire world.

We as believers need to stop categorizing the failings of others. Have we dismissed the admonition to first take the plank from our own eyes? Jesus did not treat the thieving tax collector any different than the demon-possessed man or the adulteress woman. He did not berate, condemn or belittle anyone except an occasional religious phony. It is quite possible, maybe even likely, if He were on earth today, that the group He would chastise the most would not be those who had fallen into adultery, same-sex relationships, or fornication, but rather those of us who are busy quoting His words but not living them.

Our call is certainly to speak the truth but NEVER, absolutely never, without love or the recognition that we are also severely stained and not without fault. Jesus said love covers a multitude of faults and is the greatest gift of all. Speaking love alone is not enough; it must be shown through words and deeds, or otherwise it is nothing more than an annoying, empty sound.

During not only this month but every day of the year, this is what I hope we can remember most.

I just hung up the phone with the family member I wrongly judged and mistreated. I wanted to ask her permission to write about the incredible relationship we have shared for countless years. She gladly agreed and told me she couldnt wait for me to meet her new boyfriend this July  the first guy she has dated in over three decades.

Gods love always wins!
Hyderabad: With the gangrape of the 17-year-old garnering widespread attention towards the law and order in the state, home minister Mohammed Ali on Thursday convened a meeting with senior officials and detailed an array of steps to curb such crimes.

In a meeting with principal secretary (home) Ravi Gupta, DGP M. Mahinder Reddy and other senior officials at his residence, Ali discussed the increase in heinous crimes against minors and women.

Ali said, Hyderabad has a brand image for safety and security of women and in maintaining excellent law and order by the state police.

He said that necessary steps will be taken by the police to curb such incidents.

An increase in surveillance and implementation of certain sections of the law under the City Police Act will be undertaken in all police commissionerates, he said.

The home minister also said that pubs and bars are run on licences obtained from the excise department and that the role of the police is negligible in the process.

However, he said that there will be a joint meeting of police and excise department officials to ensure that there is no conflict of law while enforcing restrictions or curbing violations.

Besides, he said that the womens safety wing and She teams will conduct large-scale awareness programmes, via social media platforms, for parents through the management of educational institutions and schools. This is to ensure that they have a complete handle on their wards activities and can safeguard them from being trapped, abused or misguided.

The womens safety wing will also conduct meetings with the officials of the women's welfare and child development department and take all viable and possible measures for the prevention of abuse, he said.

All commissioners from three commissionerates and other senior police officials attended the meeting.
When Matisse dies, Chagall will be the only painter left who understands what colour really is  Pablo Picasso, 1954

Marc Chagall continued to work for another three decades beyond Picassos proclamation, right up until his death aged 97 in 1985. As 20 works from the artists estate come to London, Alastair Smart examines the richly experimental, luminous twilight of his long career

In the summer of 1973, Marc Chagall made an emotional return to Russian soil. He was 85 years old and hadnt seen the country of his birth for more than half a century. Following the Russian Revolution, Chagalls avant-garde imagery increasingly came to be deemed unacceptable by the authorities, and in 1922 he, his wife Bella and their young daughter quit the Soviet Union for Western Europe. I am an alien to them, he wrote in his autobiography, My Life, published the following year. By the early 1970s, however, there had been a certain liberalisation in Soviet quarters, and the Minister of Culture invited Chagall to Leningrad (now St Petersburg) and Moscow for 10 days. The visit included the opening of an exhibition of his work at the prestigious State Tretyakov Gallery in the capital. In Leningrad, meanwhile, he saw his sisters, Lisa and Mariaska, for the first time in 50-plus years. I feel more muscular now, he said shortly after the trip was over. It did me good. It refreshed me for my work. The remarkable thing, however, is that despite his advanced age, Chagall never needed much refreshing. He continued working pretty much till his dying day, in 1985, aged 97. Twenty works by Chagall are being offered in the 20/21 London to Paris auction series at Christies on 28 June  the majority of which date from the latter part of his career (i.e. the 1960s onwards).

Chagall relied on a fantastical set of characters, which served him faithfully across the decades. These include blue cows, rooftop fiddlers, smiling goats, circus clowns, giant roosters and lovers floating in mid-air, all of whom populate an instantly recognisable Chagallian universe. Though he disavowed any connection with Surrealism, its little surprise that the leaders of that movement hailed him as a godfather. No work was ever so magical [as Chagalls], said Andre Breton. The inspiration for his scenes came, in part, from memories of life in Vitebsk, the small town in present-day Belarus where hed been born, in 1887, and brought up. According to Jean-Michel Foray, erstwhile director of the Marc Chagall Museum in Nice, however, we shouldnt push too hard in trying to decrypt what the scenes mean. We cannot interpret them, he says, because they are simply part of Chagalls world, like figures from a dream. It might be tempting, for example, to see the bride and groom in two paintings coming to auction  Couple et violoniste (below) and Le peintre et les maries aux trois couleurs  as depictions of Chagall and Bella (who had met and married young in Vitebsk). In Forays view, the couples are better regarded symbolically than as portraits.

If Chagalls choice of characters remained similar throughout his career, one way in which his painting notably advanced was with his use of intense colour in his latter years. There were two obvious catalysts for this. One was Chagalls move in 1949 from Paris to the Cote dAzur (where in the hillside communes of Vence and, later, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, he would live the rest of his life). The Mediterraneans bright light and richly hued landscape, with its turquoise seas and lavender fields, very much left their mark. The other catalyst was Chagalls work designing stained-glass windows. This became a fundamental part of his career from the early 1950s onwards and included commissions for Reims Cathedral in France, Mainz Cathedral in Germany, Chichester Cathedral in the UK, the synagogue of Hadassah University Medical Centre in Jerusalem, and the United Nations headquarters in New York (for which he conceived the famous Peace Window). Chagalls efforts in stained glass undoubtedly fed into his oil-painting practice. The large, pure passages of blue, red and green that divide the canvas of Le peintre et les maries aux trois couleurs (below) into three are a fine example. As Picasso put it shortly before Henri Matisses passing in 1954, When Matisse dies, Chagall will be the only painter left who understands what colour really is.

As he advanced in years, Chagall never stopped experimenting. Alongside stained glass, he began creating in various other media that were new to him, such as ceramics, mosaics and tapestry. He married his second wife, Valentina, in 1952, a little under a decade after Bella had died of a viral infection. Both women served as business managers as well as spouses, looking after Chagalls affairs so as to allow him to concentrate on his art. By the time Valentina appeared on the scene, he had riches and recognition unimaginable to a boy from a poor Hasidic Jewish family in Vitebsk whose father had hauled barrels in a herring warehouse for a living. In 1977 the French state awarded him the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour. Was there a single factor that defined the artists latter decades? The American professor of philosophy Fred Dallmayr, writing in his book Marc Chagall: The Artist as Peacemaker (2020), certainly thinks so.

Open a larger version of this image Marc Chagall (1887-1985), Linspiration du peintre au chevalet, 1977. Gouache, pastel, coloured crayon, brush and india ink and pencil paper. 25 x 19 in (66.2 x 49.2 cm). Estimate: 150,000200,000. Offered in Marc Chagall, Colour of Life: Works Formerly from the Artists Estate on 28 June 2022 at Christies in London

Dallmayr suggests that after living through two world wars, as well as the horror of the Holocaust, Chagall developed an artistic vision of peace. His work was characterised by a sense of harmony and happiness at odds with the impulses of narrow selfishness, wilfulness and nationalistic violence. In truth, Chagalls oil paintings had always had that sense. Whats interesting, though, is how undiscriminating he was when, from the 1950s onwards, he started accepting large-scale commissions. As proven by the aforementioned venues for which he designed stained-glass windows, Chagall made no distinction between Catholic, Protestant, Jewish or secular settings. Dallmayr argues that in later life, a certain multiculturalism became a prominent feature of his work; and that the artist showed an openness to the distinctive quality of other people and cultures. Another noteworthy commission from this period was the pair of murals he painted for the lobby of New York's Metropolitan Opera House in the mid-1960s: The Sources of Music and The Triumph of Music. Chagall took the opportunity to pay homage to the great composers of the past, most prominently Mozart, who flies like an angel above the Manhattan skyline in the former mural, embracing characters from his opera The Magic Flute.

Love should be the basis of true politics  [it] could bring about real peace  Marc Chagall

The Cold War extinguished any hope that the peace achieved in 1945 would last, and Chagall articulated his worldview in a number of speeches while it was being waged. At the opening of an exhibition of his work in Tel Aviv in 1951, for example, he said, I dream of the day when the spirit of idealism and purity impels humanity everywhere to conduct its battle for justice, and [we] emerge from the epoch of fear.

Chagalls status as one of the worlds greatest artists ensured he was never short of speaking invitations, and in a lecture at the University of Chicago in 1959 he anticipated a credo of the Swinging Sixties when he said that love should be the basis of true politics  [it] could bring about real peace. Speaking at the unveiling of a trio of his tapestries in Israels parliament, the Knesset, a decade later, however, Chagall admitted that his dreams remained unfulfilled. People prefer to embrace evil and injustice rather than love, he said, as conflicts continued to be fought across the globe, from Mozambique to Vietnam.

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There's no shortage of blame here.

Supply chain disruptions have led to nationwide shortages of several items, most recently baby formula, which caused fear and panic across the nation.

Now, there's another product shortage in the realm of women's health: tampons.

Supply chain issues have led to empty store shelves across the country. But rather than blaming the usual suspects, Tampax maker Procter & Gamble is pointing to one unlikely public figure: Comedian Amy Schumer.

What Is Amy Schumer's Tampax Tampon Commercial?

Schumer has filmed several commericals for the brand. In one, titled "What's Your Combo?", which aired in July 2020, Schumer sought to normalize conversations about menstruation and personal hygiene. In the clip, she talks to a girl who just had her first period and asks her what size tampon she needs, explaining the different sizes that Tampax has available and how during a woman's menstrual cycle her sizes will vary and change.

It was a trailblazing commercial at the time, centering around talking about the different stages of a person's flow instead of simply showing the intricacies of the Tampax tampon itself.

Related: Procter & Gamble is a Hold For Now But Look to Buy in the Second Half

A second commercial shows Schumer trying to insert a Tampax tampon into a jelly doughnut while an OBGYN instructs her on how to properly complete the task before Schumer puts her signature comedic spin on the matter and bites the donuts.

Both commercials were well-received, the company said.

Tampax spokesperson Cheri McMaster told TIME that retail sales growth "has exploded," noting that demand had increased an estimated 7.7% since the roll out of the commercial.

Why is Procter & Gamble Blaming Amy Schumer for the Tampax Tampon Shortage?

According to Time, Procter & Gamble is partially blaming the shortage on an increase in demand for Tampax products, specifically calling out Schumer's commercials.

P&G said that the Tampax factory has been running 24/7 to keep up with the demand of the popular product.

All of Tampax's products are created in one factory located in Auburn, Maine.

Related: The Baby Formula Shortage: Everything You Need to Know About the Crisis Affecting Millions

A study from Nielsen IQ shows that the price of feminine hygiene products has shot up nearly 11% since 2021, which seems to be a factor independent of Schumer's commercials and Tampax specifically.

Amy Schumer's History With Endometriosis

Though she often keeps her banter lighthearted, last fall, Schumer shared with her nearly 12 million Instagram followers that she would be undergoing a surgery to treat endometrosis.

In September 2021, the comedian shared on Instagram that in order to treat the underlying condition of endometriosis, she had undergone a hysterectomy and appendectomy.

"[Women] are made to feel like they are just supposed to 'tough it out' but that is bullsh*t," the comedian captioned the video of her in a hospital bed candidly. "We have a right to live pain free."

In the video clip, Schumer shared that her doctor found over 30 endometriosis spots that had spread to her appendix, and she hoped to share her story in an effort to raise awareness about her condition.

"I'm feeling really hopeful and I'm really glad that I did it," Schumer told viewers. "I think it's gonna change my life."

Amy Schumer Responds to Accusations

In typical Amy Schumer fashion, the comedian posted a screenshot of an article by the NY Post regarding the P&G accusations titled "Why Amy Schumer is being blamed for the tampon shortage."

In her caption, Schumer, trying to make a joke out of a serious situation said, "Whoa I don't even have a uterus," in reference to her hysterectomy last September.

Within its first two hours, Schumer's post received over 19,000 likes and 550 comments, including a "What????" from journalist Katie Couric and a "LOL" from television host Padma Lakshmi.

Schumer has not yet commented further on the matter.

As of early Thursday afternoon, P&G was up around 7.5% year over year.

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ATLANTA (AP)  Federal officials have fined two Georgia hospitals more than $1 million for failing to meet new requirements to publicly disclose their charges.

Northside Hospital Atlanta and Northside Hospital Cherokee are the first two hospitals in the country to face monetary penalties under the rules that went into effect last year, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said Friday. CMS issued the fines this week  $883,000 for Northside Atlanta and $214,000 for Northside Cherokee.

This enforcement action affirms the Biden-Harris Administrations commitment to making health care pricing information accessible to people across the country, CMS Deputy Administrator and Director of the Center for Medicare Dr. Meena Seshamani said in a statement. "We are committed to ensuring that consumers have the information they need to make fully informed decisions regarding their health care.

An email to Northside was not immediately returned.

Under rules finalized by the Trump administration, hospitals starting in January 2021 were required to disclose their privately negotiated charges with commercial health insurers as well as any discounted price for consumers paying cash.

The rates for at least 300 services had to be published in a consumer-friendly manner. Hospitals also had to publish all their charges in a format that could be read on the internet by other computer systems. That would allow web developers and consumer groups to come up with tools that patients and their families could use.

In addition to giving patients pricing information, the rules were intended to foster competition that could bring down prices.

The American Hospital Association opposed them, saying the disclosure of privately negotiated rates would not help patients understand what they would actually pay for treatment. It also argued that insurers could use the information to squeeze hospitals and hospitals needed to focus their resources on fighting the COVID pandemic.

In letters to Northside Atlanta and Northside Cherokee on Tuesday, CMS said the hospitals had failed to display shoppable services in a consumer-friendly manner." CMS said they both had received a warning prior to the fine.

Instead of correcting the problem, Northside Atlanta told CMS in November that potential patients should request price estimates by calling a number or sending an email, according to CMS.

The hospitals can appeal.
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MEXICO CITY (AP)  Authorities on the Gulf coast of Mexico said the bodies of seven men have been found dumped on a roadway in the Huasteca region, long popular among tourists.

Prosecutors in San Luis Potosi state said late Thursday the bodies did not appear to be from the township of Aquismon, and may have been killed elsewhere and dumped in the rural area.
LONDON (AP)  British health officials said they cannot tell if the spread of monkeypox has peaked in the country as they announced another 45 cases Friday, bringing the total in the disease's biggest-ever outbreak beyond Africa to 366 cases.

Britains Health Security Agency said 99% of the total cases were in men and that nearly all of the 152 men who provided detailed information identified as gay, bisexual or men who have sex with men. About 80% of cases were in London, and the median age of the people infected was 38, the agency said.

We cannot yet determine if transmission has stopped increasing, the agency said in a report, citing the reporting delay between when patients experienced symptoms and were confirmed as having monkeypox.

Anyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, is susceptible to the monkeypox virus if they come into close physical contact with an infected person or their bedsheets or clothes.

Findings show that monkeypox is being distributed in geographically diffuse sexual networks, the British scientists wrote, adding that some of these connections extended beyond the U.K. Most cases reported having sexual contact with new or casual partners, sometimes in the context of cruising grounds or chemsex, the experts said, referring to sex combined with drug use.

The experts noted that contact details for sexual partners were often unavailable.

Last month, a leading adviser to the World Health Organization said the outbreak in Europe and beyond was likely spread by sex at two recent raves in Spain and Belgium.

Earlier this week, WHO said more than 1,000 cases of monkeypox had been reported in 29 countries that haven't previously had outbreaks of the smallpox-related disease, including the United States, Portugal, Spain, Italy and Canada. Poland reported its first case on Friday. No deaths have been reported.

Britain's Health Security Agency found that many of the cases in the U.K. involved men who reported having sex in saunas, dark rooms or sex clubs.

Therefore, collaborating with sex-on-premises venues to implement targeted interventions would support outbreak control, the agency said. It added that using targeted messages on dating apps might also be useful or support innovative approaches to contact tracing.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said it was likely monkeypox has been transmitting undetected for some time beyond Africa and that the U.N. health agency was concerned the disease might start to infect more vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women and children.

WHO's top monkeypox expert, Dr. Rosamund Lewis, said earlier this week there was still a window of opportunity to stop monkeypox from jumping into the general population and those more at risk of severe disease.

Most monkeypox patients experience only fever, body aches, chills and fatigue. People with more serious illness may develop a rash and lesions on the face and hands that can spread to other parts of the body. In severe cases involving people without access to health care, WHO has noted a death rate of 3 to 6%.

The ongoing outbreak of monkeypox in Britain and elsewhere, marks the first time the disease has been known to spread among people who have no previous travel links to Africa.

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that so far this year, there have been more than 1,400 monkeypox cases and 66 deaths in four countries where the disease is endemic  Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo and Nigeria. Genetic sequencing of the virus hasnt yet shown any direct link to the outbreak outside Africa.

British scientists said they found three mutations in the monkeypox virus spreading in the U.K. that they classed as high priority since they were found to worsen the disease in rats. They said more research was needed to tell if the changes were significant.
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GADSDEN, Ala. (AP)  A man fatally shot by police outside an Alabama school that officials said he attempted to enter had serious mental issues and attended the school as a child, according to his brother.

Justin White told WIAT-TV that Robert Tyler White, 32, seemed a little off the last time he saw him last week, but that wasn't unusual.

He always seems off, White said.

Officials said a potential intruder  later identified as White  went to several doors trying to get into Walnut Park Elementary School on Thursday while a summer literacy program was being conducted for nearly three dozen children. All the exterior doors were locked and the man was killed after attempting to grab an officer's gun outside the building, state police said.

Justin White said his older brother suffered from serious mental issues and might have tried to have police kill him.

White said his brother, who he called Bobby," had been a garbage collector in North Carolina for eight years before coming back to Gadsden. The brother attended Walnut Park as a child and didn't ever get the mental health help he needed, White said.

But I thought he was doing good, White said.

Justin White said he was surprised his brother was involved in the incident, but added that the man also was a hot head.

Authorities have not said whether Bobby White, who previously lived in Bunnlevel, North Carolina, was armed or why he might have been trying to get into the school or a police patrol car that state police said he tried to enter before he was killed.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  Capitol Police Officer Caroline Edwards described to lawmakers the war scene that she and other officers faced when rioters began viciously attacking them on Jan. 6, 2021.

It was something like Ive seen in movies. I couldnt believe my eyes, Edwards said.

There were officers on the ground. They were bleeding. I was slipping in peoples blood.

It was carnage," she said. "It was chaos.

The raw and graphic testimony from Edwards Thursday night played out in the first public hearing on the findings of the House committee investigating the insurrection on the U.S. Capitol.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think as a police officer, as a law enforcement officer that I would find myself in the middle of a battle, Edwards said. I am not combat-trained. That day it was just hours of hand-to-hand combat.

Her recollections of the day spotlighted the police officers who fought for hours as a violent mob of pro-Trump rioters, some armed with pipes, bats and bear spray, charged into the Capitol, quickly overrunning the overwhelmed police force. More than 100 police officers were injured, many beaten, bloodied and bruised.

Over her shoulder as Edwards testified sat fellow Capitol Police officers Harry Dunn and Aquilino Gonell and Metropolitan Police Officer Michael Fanone, all of whom testified at a hearing last summer about the violence they endured. There were moments in her testimony that brought Dunn, a 13-year veteran of the force, to tears.

Edwards testimony was accompanied by a barrage of never-before-seen footage, testimony and evidence the committee has gathered in the past 11 months to document how then-President Donald Trumps words and actions led to the assault on the Capitol. Officers are seen in the footage being pummeled with flagpoles, trashcans and bike racks.

My literal blood, sweat tears were shed in defending the building I spent countless holidays and weekends working in, Edwards said.

Edwards said she has worked on hundreds of civil disturbances but it quickly became apparent that this one was different. She asked her supervisor for backup.

I think were going to need a few more people down here, she recalled saying, calling it the understatement of the century, as officers were quickly outnumbered by the hundreds of rioters.

She said suffered a concussion after rioters forced a bike rack over the top of her head, pushing her backward. I blacked out, she said, adding that she experienced fainting spells for months after the insurrection.

But the moment Edwards recalled most vividly was the moment when she saw fellow officer Brian Sicknick turn ghostly pale.

Sicknick, who was injured while confronting rioters during the Jan. 6 insurrection, suffered a stroke and died from natural causes the day after the attack. Members of his family sat alongside officers Dunn and Gonell as Edwards described his injuries. Before she could go to help Sicknick, Edwards said, she was pepper-sprayed by the mob.

Ken Sicknick, one of Brian Sicknicks brothers, said Friday that Edwards told them in private what a hero Brian was....that while she was going through the ordeal she was going through, Brian was right there with her.

Whenever there was a breach in the line, Brian was filling that breach, he told CNN. You know, its reassuring to know he was a hero. I just wish he was still here.

He said Trump couldn't care less about my brother. ....We got calls from a lot of politicians after my brother had passed, including Mike Pence. Not one tweet, not one note, not one card, nothing from him."

Committee vice chair Liz Cheney thanked Edwards and the other officers and their families for being there and assisting in their investigation. The Wyoming Republican noted the sacrifice the officers made that day with the limited resources and equipment they had been given.

As part of our investigation, we will present information about what the White House and other intelligence agencies knew, and why the Capitol was not better prepared, Cheney said.

But Cheney pushed back on Republicans who have challenged the Jan. 6 panel to focus more intently on security failures.

We will not lose sight of the fact that the Capitol Police did not cause the crowd to attack," she said. "And we will not blame the violence that day, violence provoked by Donald Trump, on the officers who bravely defended all of you.

___

For full coverage of the Jan. 6 hearings, go to https://www.apnews.com/capitol-siege.
CHICAGO (AP)  A white Chicago police officer captured on video struggling with a Black woman who was walking her dog in a lakefront park has resigned from the department.

Officer Bruce Dyker, who had been on desk duty since shortly after the incident last summer, left the Chicago Police Department in May before any formal disciplinary action was announced against him, a department spokesperson confirmed. He had been a Chicago officer since 1998.

Videos showing Dyker grabbing Nikkita Brown shortly after midnight on Aug. 28, 2021, as she walked her French bulldog at North Avenue Beach later went viral.

In one video recorded by a bystander, Brown and her dog appear to be walking away from the officer as he follows closely.

Brown repeatedly tells Dyker not to come closer and to back up because he isnt wearing a face mask. But he continues to approach and order her to leave the area because it was closed.

Moments later, the officer appears to reach for Brown's phone and then grabs her as she can be heard yelling, Let go! and struggles to break free.

The incident sparked a Civilian Office of Police Accountability investigation, while Mayor Lori Lightfoot said she was quite disturbed by the videos.

Attorneys for the woman alleged the encounter became violent and was an obvious case of racial profiling.

John Catanzara, head of the Fraternal Order of Police chapter that represents rank-and-file Chicago officers, said Dyker would not be available to comment about his resignation.

Bruce just had enough of the nonsense and scrutiny for doing his job, Catanzara said.

Browns attorney, Michael Gallagher, took issue with Catanzaras comments.

The FOP President Catanzaras claim that Officer Dyker was just doing his job is just another example of him covering for rogue officers, Gallagher said.
Inspecting Sichuan, Xi stresses maintaining stable economic development

Xinhua) 08:03, June 10, 2022

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 in Meishan, southwest China's Sichuan Province, June 8, 2022. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

* The country's dynamic zero-COVID approach must be unswervingly upheld, Xi said.

* 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.

* The CPC Central Committee has always attached great importance to the employment of university and college graduates, and has taken a series of policies and measures, Xi said.

* Xi urged courage to face the hardships, adding that only by striving together can great accomplishments be made.

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.

On Wednesday morning, Xi visited the village of Yongfeng in Meishan to inspect a high-standard rice cultivation base and expressed recognition to the staff for their efforts in helping ensure national food security. He called for vigorous and concrete work in grain production.

Inspecting an experimental rice field, Xi stressed the promotion and application of modern agricultural science and technology, and relevant training.

He also called for developing green, eco-friendly and high-efficiency agriculture.

While touring Yongfeng, Xi inspected a sewage treatment facility, the living environment of the villagers, as well as local efforts in COVID-19 prevention and control. He said medical issue is what rural residents are most concerned about after they have no worries about food and clothing.

The health system should be strengthened in rural areas to provide a sound guarantee of basic medical services, he said.

Xi noted that the CPC's pursuit in governance is to make life even better for the people.

President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the village of Yongfeng in Meishan, southwest China's Sichuan Province, June 8, 2022. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

In urban Meishan, Xi visited 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).

Noting that the Chinese nation has more than 5,000 years of civilization, Xi said the Chinese people should respect fine traditional Chinese culture and build up cultural confidence.

Urging efforts to broadly draw on all cultural achievements in the world, Xi said rigidity and isolation must be averted.

However, no less efforts should be made to avert taking foreign experiences as the sole standard for everything, Xi added.

Party members and officials, especially leading officials, should be honest and upright. They should discipline themselves and their families as well, and foster sound family virtues, Xi said.

President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits 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), to learn about local efforts in protecting historical and cultural heritage, in Meishan, southwest China's Sichuan Province, June 8, 2022. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

On Wednesday afternoon, Xi inspected Yibin, where the rivers of Jinsha and Minjiang converge into the Yangtze River.

Xi noted that sound ecological conservation along the Yangtze River Basin is the precondition for advancing high-quality development in the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

In 2022, about 10.76 million Chinese students are expected to graduate from universities and colleges, hitting a new high. Their employment is an issue Xi is very concerned about.

In Yibin University, Xi went to a job fair and learned about the hiring needs of companies and the employment rate of students.

The CPC Central Committee has always attached great importance to the employment of university and college graduates, and has taken a series of policies and measures, Xi said.

Speaking to the students, Xi stressed that happy lives can only be earned through hard work. He told the students to remain practical when choosing their future jobs and careers, and realize personal development through diligent work.

Xi then visited XGIMI optoelectronic company to learn about its independent innovation, job generation and local efforts to support the private sector.

Leading technology enterprises should be nurtured to form industrial clusters for technological innovation, said Xi.

Noting there are risks and challenges on the journey toward national rejuvenation, Xi urged courage to face the hardships, adding that only by striving together can great accomplishments be made.

On Thursday morning, Xi also met with senior military officers stationed in the provincial capital of Chengdu.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu)
Hyderabad: There is no fourth wave of Covid-19 in the state, Director of Public Health (DPH) Dr G. Srinivasa Rao said on Friday, even as the number of cases crossed the 150 mark on Friday.

The state had reported 100 new Covid-19 cases for three straight days before recording 155 cases on Friday. Ranga Reddy saw a huge surge from 12 to 42 cases, as per the Covid bulletin issued by the health department. The number of active cases increased to 907 from 811 the previous day.

Of the new cases, 81 were recorded in Hyderabad, a fall of 13 cases from the 94 the previous day. Medchal Malkajgiri had 11 cases and Sangareddy had eight.

Dr Rao said though there has been a surge of Covid-19 cases in both the state and the country, it was not being seen as a fourth wave. This was because only sub-variants of Omicron were in circulation, and a majority of the population was already infected with the Omicron variant, Besides, the state's vaccine coverage was over 100 per cent.

Hospitalisations and mortality is also minimal, almost zero. In view of all this, until we get a new variant, there won't be a fourth wave. But such surges will happen until this pandemic becomes an endemic. I am expecting that to happen by the end of this year or early next year, Dr Rao said.

He said even though the BA4 and BA5 were new variants, they were only sub-variants of the Omicron variant and caused mild symptoms. About eight cases of BA4 and five cases of BA5 have been reported from the state in the past week, and their overall contribution to the caseload is just 1-2 per cent in the past one month, he said.

The DPH said the number of new Covid cases had crossed 100 in the state after a gap of 10 weeks. There has also been a surge in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala and AP.

As a result, the Centre and the High Court had advised the state to increase testing. "We are conducting 10,000-14,000 tests per day. We have asked the district authorities to intensify surveillance and increase testing," the official said.

Dr Rao cautioned that seasonal diseases were expected to rise during the monsoon and the people should differentiate between regular flu and Covid.

In regular flu, symptoms appear immediately after exposure while in case of Covid-19, it takes three to five days and their intensity will also be more. So I request people to test themselves, he said.
BEIJING (AP)  A Chinese air force fighter jet crashed into houses during a training mission in central China, killing one person on the ground and injuring two others, state media said.

The reports were unusual because China generally keeps military accidents under wraps or emphasizes the heroic role of the pilot in avoiding casualties on the ground. Foreign governments have recently complained of reckless flying by Chinese fighter jets they said endangered crews on their own military surveillance planes.

State broadcaster CCTV's military channel reported that the J-7 aircraft went down near an airport in Xiangyang in Hubei province on Thursday morning. The pilot ejected safely but some residential buildings were damaged, the reports said.

The pilot and those injured were taken to a hospital, and the cause of the crash is under investigation.

The J-7 is an older model, single-engine aircraft with its origins in the Soviet MiG-21 dating from the 1950s and was produced for almost 50 years until production ended in 2013.

Large numbers remain in service, however, to provide regional air protection. China also sold an export version, the F-7, to more than a dozen countries, many of which have since retired the planes.

China's civil aviation industry has come under scrutiny in recent months following the still- unexplained crash of a China Eastern Airlines passenger jet on March 21 in which all 132 people on board were killed.

And on May 12, a Tibet Airlines flight with 122 people on board was departing from the southwestern city of Chongqing when it veered off the runway and caught fire. No one was killed, but several passengers sustained minor injuries.

Australia and Canada have recently raised concerns about reckless flying by Chinese fighter pilots.

In a June 1 statement, the Canadian military said Chinese planes tried to divert a Canadian long-range patrol aircraft from its path, and that the crew had to change direction quickly to avoid a collision.

Australia said a Chinese fighter jet on May 26 committed a dangerous act of aggression against an Australian air force plane conducting aerial surveillance in the South China Sea.

The Chinese J-16 accelerated and cut in front of the Australian plane, releasing chaff with small bits of aluminum designed to confuse radars that was sucked into the latters engine, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said.

China has defended the actions of its pilots and blamed foreign countries for conducting close-in surveillance of its territory to contain Chinese development.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP)  A state commission has voted to move a vacant circuit court judgeship from Jefferson to Madison County, ruling that there is a greater need for the position there.

The Alabama Judicial Resources Allocation Commission took the action on Thursday, Chief Justice Tom Parker said in a statement. Parker serves as chairman of the commission.

Parker said the group met to decide whether to reallocate a vacant judgeship in Jefferson County but decided, based on the most recent weighted caseload study, that the judgeship should be moved to Madison County. He said the study showed the 10th Judicial Circuit in Jefferson County had an excess of judges while the 23rd Judicial Circuit in Madison County had a deficit.

Parker said there is a need for 20 additional judges across the state.

While there is a need for 20 judgeships across the State (12 circuit judgeships and 8 district judgeships), the Legislature created this mechanism of reallocation to correct the needs gradually, although it will not take care of the entire need, or the immediacy of the need, Parker said.

Sen. Roger Smitherman, a Democrat from Birmingham, objected to the change, saying the state should be adding the needed judges and not shuffling the positions. He said the state's largest metropolitan area often handles more complex cases and said he thought the workload analysis used a faulty process

Its going to create a more dangerous situation for our citizens in that we have the most murder and assault cases in our circuit because we are the largest county. There is no justification to take it from us, Smitherman told al.com. It did not solve the problem; all they did was shift deficiency from Madison to Jefferson County.
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THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  The Dutch government unveiled goals Friday to drastically reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides to protect the environment, a plan that would lead to major upheavals in the Netherlands' multibillion dollar agriculture industry and has already angered some farmers.

Calling it an unavoidable transition, the government mandated reductions in emissions of up to 70% in many places close to protected nature areas and as high as 95% in other places.

The ruling coalition earmarked an extra 24.3 billion euros ($25.6 billion) to finance changes that will likely make many farmers drastically reduce their number of livestock or to get rid of them altogether.

Farming is a key sector in the Dutch economy, with exports worth nearly 105 billion euros last year. But it comes at a cost of producing of polluting gases, despite farmers taking steps to reduce emissions.

Prime Minister Mark Rutte conceded that the plan would hit many farmers hard.

Of course, it has enormous consequences. I understand that, and it is simply terrible, Rutte said. And especially if they are businesses handed down in the family who want to proudly continue.

Provincial governments across the Netherlands now have a year to draw up concrete plans to achieve the reductions outlined in the goals released Friday.

LTO, an organization that represents 35,000 farmers, called the targets unrealistic.

A group representing angry farmers already has called for a demonstration in The Hague later this month to protest Friday's proposals. Past protests by the agriculture sector have seen hundreds of tractors clogging roads around the country and gathering on a park in The Hague.

Some farmers did not wait and drove their tractors in protests Friday night, including a group who parked in the street where the government minister responsible for the nitrogen policy lives, local media reported. National broadcaster NOS reported that the minister, Christianne van der Wal, left her house to speak to the farmers.

The government has been forced to act in part because European Union emissions guidelines are being breached around the country and that has led to courts blocking building and infrastructure projects in recent years because they would exacerbate the problem.

___

Follow AP's coverage of climate issues at https://apnews.com/hub/climate
Mulugeta Ayene/AP

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  A senior Ethiopian official says his country is interested in resuming talks with Egypt and Sudan on a huge and controversial Blue Nile dam that will be Africas largest hydroelectric power plant.

The comment by Sileshi Bekele, Ethiopias former negotiator on the dam and now the countrys ambassador to the United States, came during a meeting with the new U.S. special envoy to the Horn of Africa, Mike Hammer.
ATALAIA DO NORTE, Brazil (AP)  Family members of the sole person to be arrested in the disappearance of a British journalist and Indigenous official in the Amazon said Friday that he was innocent and alleged that police were torturing him to try to force a confession.

Freelance journalist Dom Phillips 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. They were returning by boat to the nearby city of Atalaia do Norte but never arrived.

The claims of the family of fisherman Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira, also known as Pelado, were the latest development in a disappearance that has garnered international attention, a search involving several agencies and criticism of Brazilian authorities for an allegedly slow response. The family's claims, made to The Associated Press, also came a day after witnesses made contradictory allegations about de Oliveira to the AP.

De Oliveira was arrested on Tuesday at his home in the Sao Gabriel riverine community, close to where the pair went missing on Sunday. He was initially arrested for illegal gun possession, but police have since said he was now being considered a suspect in the disappearance and was being held at a police station in Atalaia do Norte.

Osenei da Costa de Oliveira, 41, also a fisherman, said Friday he had visited his brother in jail.

He told me he was at his house when they handcuffed him, said Osenei da Costa de Oliveira, speaking outside the police station where his brother is being held. Then they put him on a boat under the sun and began to travel to Atalaia do Norte. When they reached the Curupira rivulet, they put him on another boat. Then they beat him, tortured him, put his head under water, stepped on his leg and pepper-sprayed his face. They also drugged him twice, but I dont know what they used.

They wanted him to confess but hes innocent," Osenei da Costa de Oliveira added.

The public security secretariat of Amazonas state, which oversees local police, said in a statement it would not comment on the family's accusations because the investigation into the disappearance was now being handled by the Federal Police. The Federal Police on Friday did not answer requests for comment.

Brazilian authorities are coming under enormous pressure to find Phillips and Pereira. A growing number of celebrities, politicians, civil society groups and international news organizations have called for the police, army and navy to bolster the search efforts.

The mother of Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira, Maria de Fatima da Costa, said she was at the Atalaia do Norte port when her son arrived with police. He was taken from the boat wearing a hood, could barely walk on his own and was soaking wet, she said.

I told the police he was not a criminal to be treated like that, she told the AP.

She also said that blood that police have said was found in her son's boat was likely from a pig he had slaughtered a few days before being arrested. Authorities have said the blood was being analyzed at a lab.

In a statement Friday, Federal Police said they were also analyzing human matter found in the Itaquai River, near Atalaia do Nortes port. No more details were provided.

Members of Indigenous group of watchmen, who were with Pereira and Phillips on Saturday, the day before they disappeared, told the AP on Thursday that de Oliveira and two other men had brandished guns at them. Paulo Marubo, the president of a Javari Valley association of Indigenous people, Univaja, also told the AP that Phillips photographed the men at the time.

The suspect's family also disputed the claim of brandishing weapons. Father-in-law Francisco Conceicao de Freitas said he and de Oliveira were on a fishing boat together and that his son-in-law waved an oar, not a rifle, at the group that included Phillips and Pereira. De Freitas said his son-in-law did that because they felt threatened by the watchmen, who de Freitas said were armed, and wanted to make it seem as if they too were armed. Carrying weapons, both legally and illegally owned, is common in the Amazon.

The family said they had not been illegally fishing inside the Javari Valley Indigenous Territory, a frequented area for illegal fishing and hunting. The family also said de Oliveira doesn't have a criminal record and his only previous brush with law enforcement was once being detained for a few hours under an unfounded suspicion he was transporting drugs.

Phillips and Pereira had been speaking with people just outside the protected area, but never entered it, according to multiple people whom the AP interviewed in the area.

The Amazonas state police have long been accused of extrajudicial killings and unlawful raids. Since Gov. Wilson Lima took office in 2019, three massacres involving local officers have taken place. One of them, in October 2020, ended in 17 deaths in capital Manaus, in the heart of the Amazon. Police denied wrongdoing in all three cases.

Last year, Brazilian daily Folha de S.Paulo reported that local police in Tabatinga, the closest major city to Atalaia do Norte, had made seven extrajudicial killings they thought had links to the murder of an officer. Some of the victims had been tortured, and their relatives received death threats. Police never responded to the accusations.

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.

____

AP journalist Mauricio Savarese contributed to this report from Sao Paulo.

____

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.
(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Aaron Hertzmann, University of Washington

(THE CONVERSATION) A picture may be worth a thousand words, but thanks to an artificial intelligence program called DALL-E 2, you can have a professional-looking image with far fewer.

DALL-E 2 is a new neural network algorithm that creates a picture from a short phrase or sentence that you provide. The program, which was announced by the artificial intelligence research laboratory OpenAI in April 2022, hasnt been released to the public. But a small and growing number of people  myself included  have been given access to experiment with it.

As a researcher studying the nexus of technology and art, I was keen to see how well the program worked. After hours of experimentation, its clear that DALL-E  while not without shortcomings  is leaps and bounds ahead of existing image generation technology. It raises immediate questions about how these technologies will change how art is made and consumed. It also raises questions about what it means to be creative when DALL-E 2 seems to automate so much of the creative process itself.

A staggering range of style and subjects

OpenAI researchers built DALL-E 2 from an enormous collection of images with captions. They gathered some of the images online and licensed others.

Using DALL-E 2 looks a lot like searching for an image on the web: you type in a short phrase into a text box, and it gives back six images.

But instead of being culled from the web, the program creates six brand-new images, each of which reflect some version of the entered phrase. (Until recently, the program produced 10 images per prompt.) For example, when some friends and I gave DALL-E 2 the text prompt cats in devo hats, it produced 10 images that came in different styles.

Nearly all of them could plausibly pass for professional photographs or drawings. While the algorithm did not quite grasp Devo hat  the strange helmets worn by the New Wave band Devo  the headgear in the images it produced came close.

Over the past few years, a small community of artists have been using neural network algorithms to produce art. Many of these artworks have distinctive qualities that almost look like real images, but with odd distortions of space  a sort of cyberpunk Cubism. The most recent text-to-image systems often produce dreamy, fantastical imagery that can be delightful but rarely looks real.

DALL-E 2 offers a significant leap in the quality and realism of the images. It can also mimic specific styles with remarkable accuracy. If you want images that look like actual photographs, itll produce six life-like images. If you want prehistoric cave paintings of Shrek, itll generate six pictures of Shrek as if theyd been drawn by a prehistoric artist.

Its staggering that an algorithm can do this. Each set of images takes less than a minute to generate. Not all of the images will look pleasing to the eye, nor do they necessarily reflect what you had in mind. But, even with the need to sift through many outputs or try different text prompts, theres no other existing way to pump out so many great results so quickly  not even by hiring an artist. And, sometimes, the unexpected results are the best.

In principle, anyone with enough resources and expertise can make a system like this. Google Research recently announced an impressive, similar text-to-image system, and one independent developer is publicly developing their own version that anyone can try right now on the web, although its not yet as good as DALL-E or Googles system.

Its easy to imagine these tools transforming the way people make images and communicate, whether via memes, greeting cards, advertising  and, yes, art.

Wheres the art in that?

I had a moment early on while using DALL-E 2 to generate different kinds of paintings, in all different styles  like Odilon Redon painting of Seattle  when it hit me that this was better than any painting algorithm Ive ever developed. Then I realized that it is, in a way, a better painter than I am.

In fact, no human can do what DALL-E 2 does: create such a high-quality, varied range of images in mere seconds. If someone told you that a person made all these images, of course youd say they were creative.

But this does not make DALL-E 2 an artist. Even though it sometimes feels like magic, under the hood it is still a computer algorithm, rigidly following instructions from the algorithms authors at OpenAI.

If these images succeed as art, they are products of how the algorithm was designed, the images it was trained on, and  most importantly  how artists use it.

You might be inclined to say theres little artistic merit in an image produced by a few keystrokes. But in my view, this line of thinking echoes the classic take that photography cannot be art because a machine did all the work. Today the human authorship and craft involved in artistic photography are recognized, and critics understand that the best photography involves much more than just pushing a button.

Even so, we often discuss works of art as if they directly came from the artists intent. The artist intended to show a thing, or express an emotion, and so they made this image. DALL-E 2 does seem to shortcut this process entirely: you have an idea and type it in, and youre done.

But when I paint the old-fashioned way, Ive found that my paintings come from the exploratory process, not just from executing my initial goals. And this is true for many artists.

Take Paul McCartney, who came up with the track Get Back during a jam session. He didnt start with a plan for the song; he just started fiddling and experimenting and the band developed it from there.

Picasso described his process similarly: I dont know in advance what I am going to put on canvas any more than I decide beforehand what colors I am going to use  Each time I undertake to paint a picture I have a sensation of leaping into space.

In my own explorations with DALL-E 2, one idea would lead to another which led to another, and eventually Id find myself in a completely unexpected, magical new terrain, very far from where Id started.

Prompting as art

I would argue that the art, in using a system like DALL-E 2, comes not just from the final text prompt, but in the entire creative process that led to that prompt. Different artists will follow different processes and end up with different results that reflect their own approaches, skills and obsessions.

I began to see my experiments as a set of series, each a consistent dive into a single theme, rather than a set of independent wacky images.

Ideas for these images and series came from all around, often linked by a set of stepping stones. At one point, while making images based on contemporary artists work, I wanted to generate an image of site-specific installation art in the style of the contemporary Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. After trying a few unsatisfactory locations, I hit on the idea of placing it in La Mezquita, a former mosque and church in Cordoba, Spain. I sent the picture to an architect colleague, Manuel Ladron de Guevara, who is from Cordoba, and we began riffing on other architectural ideas together.

This became a series on imaginary new buildings in different architects styles.

So Ive started to consider what I do with DALL-E 2 to be both a form of exploration as well as a form of art, even if its often amateur art like the drawings I make on my iPad.

Indeed some artists, like Ryan Murdoch, have advocated for prompt-based image-making to be recognized as art. He points to the experienced AI artist Helena Sarin as an example.

When I look at most stuff from Midjourney  another popular text-to-image system  a lot of it will be interesting or fun, Murdoch told me in an interview. But with [Sarins] work, theres a through line. Its easy to see that she has put a lot of thought into it, and has worked at the craft, because the output is more visually appealing and interesting, and follows her style in a continuous way.

Working with DALL-E 2, or any of the new text-to-image systems, means learning its quirks and developing strategies for avoiding common pitfalls. Its also important to know about its potential harms, such as its reliance on stereotypes, and potential uses for disinformation. Using DALL-E 2, youll also discover surprising correlations, like the way everything becomes old-timey when you use an old painter, filmmaker or photographers style.

When I have something very specific I want to make, DALL-E 2 often cant do it. The results would require a lot of difficult manual editing afterward. Its when my goals are vague that the process is most delightful, offering up surprises that lead to new ideas that themselves lead to more ideas and so on.

Crafting new realities

These text-to-image systems can help users imagine new possibilities as well.

Artist-activist Danielle Baskin told me that she always works to show alternative realities by real example: either by setting scenarios up in the physical world or doing meticulous work in Photoshop. DALL-E 2, however, is an amazing shortcut because its so good at realism. And thats key to helping others bring possible futures to life  whether its satire, dreams or beauty.

She has used it to imagine an alternative transportation system and plumbing that transports noodles instead of water, both of which reflect her artist-provocateur sensibility.

Similarly, artist Mario Klingemanns architectural renderings with the tents of homeless people could be taken as a rejoinder to my architectural renderings of fancy dream homes.

Its too early to judge the significance of this art form. I keep thinking of a phrase from the excellent book Art in the After-Culture  The dominant AI aesthetic is novelty.

Surely this would be true, to some extent, for any new technology used for art. The first films by the Lumiere brothers in 1890s were novelties, not cinematic masterpieces; it amazed people to see images moving at all.

AI art software develops so quickly that theres continual technical and artistic novelty. It seems as if, each year, theres an opportunity to explore an exciting new technology  each more powerful than the last, and each seemingly poised to transform art and society.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/give-this-ai-a-few-words-of-description-and-it-produces-a-stunning-image-but-is-it-art-184363.
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From the front porch of a newly built home, a western Kentucky town devastated by a tornado six months ago celebrated another milestone in its recovery on Friday  part of a massive relief effort that Gov. Andy Beshear hailed as representing "the best of America."

Three families were handed keys to their new homes in Mayfield  the first houses to be fully constructed since the town took a direct hit from the storm system that spawned deadly tornadoes last Dec. 10 and 11. Eighty-one people died in Kentucky. Thousands found shelter with relatives and friends, or in emergency facilities, hotels and state parks.

Kentucky still has "a long way to go to rebuild from the destruction, the governor said. But the scene of families moving into new homes was the latest sign of the recovery that the governor said he promised in the aftermath of the storms.

I pledged on that day that while we had been knocked down, we were not knocked out, Beshear said. That we would get back up again and we would move forward. And six months to the day, were not just up, were not just standing on our feet, we are moving forward.

Beshear praised the outpouring of support for the storm-battered region. A tornado relief campaign established by his administration has generated donations topping $52 million  with $16 million being used to help build hundreds of homes for families left homeless by the storms, he said.

The Democratic governor said the country stopped arguing about stuff and came together to do Gods work, to help lift people up, tell them they mattered and that we loved them.

It represents the best of America, Beshear said.

Assistance efforts from the federal and state governments along with the Red Cross have exceeded $193 million, the governor said. Nearly 2,600 people in Kentucky who were displaced by the storm have been housed through emergency programs, he said.

To show the enormity of the recovery, Beshear noted more than 2.5 million cubic yards (1.9 million cubic meters) of debris have been removed from storm-stricken Kentucky counties. Putting that into context, a tandem dump truck carries about 10 cubic yards of debris in each load, so the 2.5 million removed is roughly equal to 250,000 truckloads, he said.

Mayfield Mayor Kathy ONan said Friday she could think of no better way to commemorate the six-month mark since the tornadoes hit than to hand over keys to the three new homes.

Working with the state, nonprofit groups Habitat for Humanity, Homes and Hope for Kentucky and The Fuller Center for Housing submitted proposals to build up to 100 homes each in storm-stricken areas, the governor's office said in a news release.

The first three homes in Mayfield were made possible through the work of the group Homes and Hope for Kentucky. It partnered with Mennonite Disaster Services and Amish groups in the region to build and repair homes without labor costs, Beshear's office said.

"This is a wonderful day, a day of celebration, six months to the day after a terrible tornado changed the face of our town," said Heather Nesler, co-chair of Homes and Hope for Kentucky.

Every time he returned to Mayfield, the governor said, hed swing by the new homes to see the construction progress.

Also Friday, the governor awarded $15 million in assistance to Mayfield Electric & Water Systems for its recovery efforts. The governor says he wants the assistance to storm-battered utilities to prevent ratepayers from shouldering the costs of the recovery.

That money comes from appropriations approved by state lawmakers. Beshear praised the Republican-dominated legislature for stepping up to provide funding to aid the region's recovery. There's still more than $80 million of the state funds left to be distributed, he said.

Were going to build back bigger, the governor said. Were going to build back better. And were going to make sure theres a really bright future here."
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP)  Officials in the eastern Idaho city of Idaho Falls have agreed to pay $11.7 million to a man who spent about two decades in prison after being wrongfully convicted.

The Idaho Falls City Council voted Thursday to accept the settlement agreement with Christopher Tapp.

Tapp was convicted of rape and murder following the 1996 death of 18-year-old Angie Dodge. He was released in 2017, and DNA evidence cleared him in 2019.

Brian Leigh Dripps was arrested on DNA evidence in 2019 and pleaded guilty to rape and first-degree murder in Dodges death. He was sentenced to life in prison last year.

No dollar amount could ever make up for the over 20 years of my life I spent in prison for crimes I did not commit," Tapp said in a statement. "However, the settlement will help me move forward with my life.

Tapp sued the city of Idaho Falls and the Idaho Falls Police Department in October 2020, the East Idaho News reported. The city asked that the lawsuit be dismissed, but opted to settle the lawsuit Thursday.

Please accept this sincere apology to you and to your mother, Mrs. Tapp, for the citys role in your wrongful conviction and subsequent incarceration, as well the harm and damages that you and your family have endured over these many years, Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper wrote in a letter to Tapp. We at the city of Idaho Falls hope that the resolution of your civil case and this sincere expression of an apology help bring healing and closure to both Mrs. Tapp and to you."

Casper also wrote that the city will review its policies and procedures to prevent another wrongful conviction.

Lawmakers last year passed the Idaho Wrongful Conviction Act, which cleared the House and Senate unanimously and was signed into law by Republican Gov. Brad Little.

In June of last year, Little and three other statewide-elected members of the Idaho Board of Examiners approved a payment to Tapp of $1.2 million.

According to that law, if Tapp received a monetary award from the Idaho Falls lawsuit, he would have to reimburse the state the $1.2 million.
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MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Nailah Nicolas stood in the late-afternoon Southern sun at a park dedicated to three enslaved Black women who suffered torturous experiments to advance the field of gynecology.

That day, hanging heavy in the air surrounding the soaring steel monuments to Anarcha, Lucy and Betsey was the Supreme Court's forthcoming decision in an abortion case that could overturn Roe v. Wade.

Because of mistreatment and neglect of Black women by the medical profession, and society more broadly, the court's imminent decision adds a layer of complexity to the continued struggle for equity in gynecologic and obstetric services - and to the divergent views on abortion.

Abortion care is opposed by some for religious reasons or regarded as a form of "genocide," while others say overturning Roe would mark the latest effort to take away what generations of Black women have seldom had: control of their own bodies.

Nicolas fought for Black liberation as a college student in the late 1960s. As the years progressed, she recognized how the malignant forces of racism, sexism and classism intertwine in Black women's battle for agency over their bodies.

She shudders to think of reverting to the secretive, shame-filled world she lived in before birth control pills were available to unmarried women and abortion was legalized nationwide in 1973, the year after she graduated from the University of California at Los Angeles. It was a time when sex, pregnancy, abortion - reproductive health in general - were in the shadows, even as hospitals dedicated entire wards to women suffering from complications of abortion because they did not have access to safe procedures.

"They never talked to us younger folks about it," Nicolas, 71, said. "You almost had to be sneaky and listen to grown folk talk to grown folks."

Nicolas became an activist, and alongside others, fought for more than the right to choose; they fought for the right to control what happens to their bodies, including having children on their terms and raising them in a safe and secure world that provides for the basic needs of parent and child.

She became a public school teacher as part of her mission and began to feel a broader cultural shift in the late 1970s when the curriculum expanded to fact-based lessons on reproduction, shifting away from moral deliberations.

"No storks. Medical books," Nicolas said.

That Sunday at the Mothers of Gynecology Monument Park was a day of reflection on the progress achieved in overcoming the burdens and barriers Black women face in accessing not just abortions but also prenatal care and safe births - and the work still to be done.

The United States faces an ever-growing maternal health crisis that is especially deadly for Black women, who, along with Native American women, live shorter lives than many other Americans. Pregnancy and childbirth are among the leading causes of death of all teenage girls and women 15 to 44 years old, and Black women are three times as likely to die as a result of pregnancy as White women.

Nearly 2 out of 3 maternal deaths are preventable, research shows.

For the women like Alexis King who gathered at the park, medical racism and the disparities in gynecological care remain all too present. King struggled for eight years to find the cause of excruciating pelvic pain, mood swings, irregular menstrual cycle and excessive facial hair.

Her symptoms started immediately after giving birth to her second daughter in 2008. The 39-year-old had a tubal ligation and wondered if she was experiencing complications. One day, she doubled over with what felt like labor pains and was rushed to the emergency room, where she learned there was blood in her pelvic floor from a ruptured ovarian cyst.

Her doctor was blase about the whole situation, she said, prescribing birth control pills to regulate her period.

"She never took what I was saying serious," said King, a medical billing specialist from Birmingham. "It was traumatic."

It wasn't until she switched doctors that King was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, a hormonal disorder that causes the ovaries to develop fluid-filled sacs.

The new doctor performed two procedures that remove tissue from the uterus to help alleviate heavy bleeding, including a dilation and curettage - the same procedure used during surgical abortions - and endometrial ablation.

The specter of the court's decision "worries me for my girls," King said. "Them being limited in what they can do and what resources they might need is worrisome. We never know what life will bring."

- - -

The Mothers of Gynecology Monument Park, a place of proud defiance and serene restoration, sits on the More Up campus, the future site of a conference center and resource museum.

"We overcome by the words of our what? Testimony," Michelle Browder, the artist and creator of the park, told the crowd gathered at the monument.

Betsey stands 12 feet tall and wears speculums in her crown. Her pregnant form is made of discarded metal objects, much like Lucy (9 feet) and Anarcha, who has a gaping hole through the midsection of her 15-foot metal figure.

Less than a mile away, J. Marion Sims, the physician known as the "father of modern gynecology," conducted surgeries without anesthesia on the three women and about seven other enslaved Black women in the 1840s. He was credited with curing what's known as a "vesicovaginal fistula" - a hole that forms between the bladder and vagina after childbirth, cancer or surgery, causing incontinence - though his legacy in recent years has been scrutinized by scholars and debunked.

Browder urged the crowd to step into a small guard shack, a cathartic space decorated to rival the relaxation room at any spa, and record stories of the care received from the medical system.

"This is not just a piece of art," she said. "It's a healing. It's history."

Maternal health is informed by an accumulation of life events that start long before pregnancy begins, said Kanika Harris, director of maternal and child health at the Black Women's Health Imperative, which works to improve the health and wellness of Black women and girls.

"This is about how you show up to pregnancy," she said.

The shorter life spans of Black women - years taken by higher rates of maternal mortality - reflect hurdles piled one on top of another in a society where poverty and pollution often are concentrated in redlined neighborhoods but not affordable housing, grocery stores or reliable internet.

Black women confront racist stereotypes - lascivious, aggressive, "welfare queen" - that reduce them to caricatures, which affects their physical well-being and the medical care they receive. Health-care providers are more likely to dismiss Black pain and to negatively describe Black patients in electronic health records, studies have reported. And researchers have found that the unrelenting stress caused by racism wears the body down, aging it prematurely.

Ending legal access to abortion nationwide would "absolutely exacerbate this crisis," said Rachel Villanueva, an obstetrician-gynecologist in New York and president of the National Medical Association, the nation's largest and oldest national organization representing African American physicians.

"We already have a situation where women lack access," Villanueva said. "States that did not have Medicaid expansion have some of the worst maternal outcomes."

But there also can be financial barriers in states where Medicaid covers abortions. That's especially true if a woman earns too much to qualify for the public health insurance program but not enough to afford the cost of an abortion, as one woman explained to University of California at San Francisco researchers who published a study last month examining how the enduring legacy of racism affects Black women's access to and experiences with abortion care.

Researchers interviewed 23 Black women between the ages of 21 and 46 who had abortions. Most were parents living in the Bay Area. The report described a "complex web of painful injustices" that affected the women's experiences with pregnancy, abortion and parenting.

About 18% of U.S. pregnancies end with an induced abortion, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports. In 2019, more than one-third of abortion patients were Black women, whose rate of abortions was more than three times that of White women, according to federal figures, which did not include California, Maryland and New Hampshire.

Asking patients if they've ever been pregnant and the outcome of that pregnancy is part of understanding someone's medical history, Villanueva said.

"It's the same as asking when your last Pap smear was . . . not a matter of judgment," said Villanueva, who like other reproductive health experts, worries that what they regard as a routine part of the doctor-patient conversation - abortion - could become increasingly fraught, deepening mistrust of the medical system amid the churning landscape of state reproductive politics, which, in some cases, would lead to punishing providers and delaying care.

"The narrative that a lot of groups like to dictate is: 'People are careless. They're just having sex. They have an abortion because they're indiscriminate in what they do,' " she said. "We know that's not the case."

That's the same argument King's 16-year-old daughter, Amarie King, introduced in history class recently when the conversation turned to the imminent ruling on abortion rights.

"Like I was telling them: 'You don't know why she ended up pregnant and why she doesn't want to keep the baby. People get raped all the time. Incest. It could be financial reasons,' " she said. "It's not always what you think it is."

Just like the reason she started taking birth control: to help mitigate severe cramps and heavy bleeding that accompanied her menses.

Polls show relatively few people have absolutist views on abortion rights, believing abortion should be completely illegal or legal - no exceptions. There are, however, certain situations in which the consensus is clear, according to a recent poll by the Pew Research Center: when a pregnancy threatens someone's life or health.

Star Parker, founder and president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education, a Black conservative think tank known by the acronym CURE, is among the 8% identified by Pew for whom there is no middle ground.

"We as a society need to explore much deeper how killing your offspring became health care," said Parker, who sees the abortion debate as "a distraction" from the economic and social barriers that disproportionately keep Black people from getting medical care.

Parker said she believes there should be "a total ban" on abortions "regardless of the circumstances."

"Situational ethics should not drive national policy," she said.

A recent CURE report said the higher rate of abortion among Black women stems from predatory practices of an "abortion industry" that devalues Black lives. "If our goal is to improve access to beneficial healthcare for Black communities, abortion is not the way," the think tank's report says.

Like Parker, Louisiana state Sen. Katrina R. Jackson, a Democrat who is a member of the legislature's women's and Black caucuses, said she doesn't believe outlawing abortion threatens the medical care Black women receive, including the ability to have candid conversations about previous abortions.

"I can't subscribe to abortion being health care," said Jackson, who recently sponsored legislation to increase penalties for providers of abortion under the state's trigger laws. "I'm not willing to state that abortion is some sort of remedy. That would be putting Band-Aids where we need to be putting stitches."

To truly improve health care for African American women and girls, research dollars should be spent determining why there are higher rates of diabetes, preeclampsia and fibroids in the Black community, Jackson said. And more should be invested in removing barriers to health care such as improving transit systems and expanding access to contraceptives and sex education, and ensuring Black women receive respectful care, Jackson added.

"Instead of focusing on providing funding and researching and addressing the issue of Black maternal health, people want to tell Black women abortion is what's going to keep you healthy," said Jackson, who told NBC News that abortion was "modern-day genocide" in 2019.

That year, Justice Clarence Thomas argued in an opinion that the eugenics movement opened the door for abortion rights. Social scientists have discredited eugenics, which was popular in the early 20th century, as a pseudoscience obsessed with the genetic fitness of White Americans.

It was an argument also found in the footnotes of the leaked draft decision overturning Roe in which Justice Samuel Alito wrote, "Some such supporters have been motivated by a desire to suppress the size of the African American population."

Historians of the eugenics and abortion movements have called this argument a deeply flawed, willful distortion of history. Rana A. Hogarth, an associate professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who studies the medical and scientific constructions of race during slavery and beyond, said it was "extreme cherry-picking."

Abortion is a personal choice, "not the state intervening and being like, 'We're going to forcibly sterilize you,' " which was a basic concept of eugenicists, Hogarth said.

It is a history with deep roots in Montgomery.

It was here in the 1970s that two young girls - Minnie and Mary Alice Relf, who were 12 and 14 - sued the federal government, exposing the widespread practice of the involuntary and coerced sterilization of thousands of Black, Native American, Puerto Rican and poor White women. Their mother was illiterate and signed with an "X" on a piece of paper she thought was authorizing her daughters to get birth control. They were surgically sterilized instead.

Standing before "The Mothers of Gynecology" and a panel that honors the Relf sisters, Joia Crear-Perry, an obstetrician-gynecologist and founder of the National Birth Equity Collaborative, a nonprofit group dedicated to eliminating racial inequities in birth outcomes, told the crowd: "People who are the descendants of the enslaved should never want anyone controlling our bodies. No matter your gender. No matter your race."

Then, she told a story.

As a medical student at Louisiana State University in the mid-1990s, she was taught race-based medicine. One embryology professor told students there were three races - "Mongoloid, Caucasoid and Negroid" - as he taught about skin types. She was tested on the different pelvic shapes of Black, White and Asian women. And during training, Crear-Perry was taught that Black people had a different pain tolerance, a myth Sims propagated with his surgeries.

"So the physicians that you know that went to school in Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, where I'm from. . . . We were taught that by professors," she said. "I had to unlearn that for myself."

Crear-Perry's story was top of mind as Nicolas and her daughter drove home that night. Her daughter brought up how Nicolas received neither anesthesia nor pain medication in 1991 when a doctor performed a biopsy of a uterine fibroid. Maybe, she wondered, he believed the myth about Black people's pain. And now, Nicolas wondered about that, too.
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP)  A state court judge on Friday ruled that Alaska elections officials cannot certify the results of the by-mail special primary for U.S. House until visually impaired voters are provided a full and fair opportunity to participate in the election.

Superior Court Judge Una Gandbhir, in her written order, did not say what exactly that would entail. The special primary is on Saturday and the state had set June 25 as the target for certification.

She said it is not the place of the court or the plaintiffs to impose a solution and said she strongly urges the parties to work together to find a "timely, appropriate remedy.

Attorneys with the state Department of Law filed an emergency petition for review with the Alaska Supreme Court, according to a court filing.

The superior courts ruling creates enormous confusion and prejudice to the voters. Voters need to know as soon as possible whether the election will proceed on schedule, or whether it will be delayed, attorneys with the department wrote. They asked the court to rule by 8 p.m. on Saturday.

If the state wins the case, the state Division of Elections would need to begin counting votes to keep its elections timeline on track, state attorneys said. The latest in-person voting sites are slated to close at 8 p.m.

Gandbhir's decision followed arguments earlier in the day in a case filed this week by Robert Corbisier, executive director of the Alaska State Commission for Human Rights. Corbisier sued state elections officials on behalf of a person identified as B.L., a registered voter in Anchorage with a visual impairment.

Attorneys for Corbisier had asked Gandbhir to prevent election officials from certifying the results of the special primary until the state Division of Elections enacts measures that ensure that voters with visual impairments are given a full and fair opportunity to cast their votes independently, secretly and privately. They argued that the by-mail special primary discriminates against voters with visual impairments.

Attorneys for state elections officials countered that adequate methods for secret voting are available for voters with visual impairments.

There would be cascading effects if certification were delayed, including the potential for an August special election for U.S. House to be postponed, attorneys for the state argued.

The special primary is part of a set of elections that will determine who serves the remainder of the late U.S. Rep. Don Youngs term, which expires in January. Young died in March.

The special primary features 48 candidates. Each voter picks one candidate. The four candidates with the most votes will advance to the special election, in which ranked choice voting will be used. The winner of that contest will serve out Youngs term.

The state planned to have the special election coincide with the regular primary on Aug. 16.

No court should consider lightly an injunction that potentially upends an ongoing election, but neither can the Court allow flawed state procedures to disenfranchise a group of Alaskans who already face tremendous barriers in exercising a fundamental right, Gandbhir wrote.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs in court filings said the election lacks options that would allow people with visual impairments to cast ballots without invasive and unlawful assistance from a sighted person.

But attorneys with the Department of Law, defending elections officials, in court documents said the lawsuit seeks to upend the election. They said the division is conducting the election using the long-established and familiar absentee voting process available to voters in all elections.

Election officials began sending ballots to registered voters in late April, and there have been opportunities for early and absentee in-person voting in communities around the state. Voters also can have ballots sent to them by fax or online delivery.

Attorneys for Corbisier said the division typically has touch-screen units at in-person polling sites but said the division indicated they would have them at only a few sites for this election. One of the attorneys, Mara Michaletz, told the judge the division could have acted months ago.

She did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press sent after business hours seeking comment on the judge's order.

Attorneys for the Department of Law in court documents said the division first became aware of the commissions concerns about ballot accessibility on May 14 and has been working with the plaintiffs. They said it was not feasible to send voting tablets to all absentee in-person voting locations, noting that before each election the division must prepare and test all necessary equipment in a process that can take weeks.

They said elections officials worked with Corbisier and B.L. on improvements to the online delivery option, which they said the plaintiffs initially expressed satisfaction with.

Kate Demarest, an attorney for the state, told Gandbhir there is no more relief that can reasonably be awarded for this election tomorrow.

Gandbhir, in her ruling, said the division seemed to be doing its sincere best to provide options under the circumstances. Elections officials have said they opted for a primarily by-mail election because of the tight timeline for holding an election following Youngs death.

But she said this is not a we tried our best scenario; this is a state agency responsible for overseeing the voting rights of all Alaskans.

Gail Fenumiai, director of the Division of Elections, in an affidavit said the June 25 certification date is not arbitrary.

Any delay in the special primary election or its certification will require costly, detrimental changes to the other elections scheduled to follow this year. State law dictates that with the special primary on June 11, the special general must occur on Aug. 16, the same day as the regular primary election, she said.

If certification of the special primary is delayed, the division would have to postpone the special election, she said. This would force the division to conduct the special election at a later date than required by law.

If the special election is not held the same day as the regular primary, Fenumiai said it likely would have to be conducted by mail because of the same concerns that prompted the by-mail special primary.

Gandbhir said the division argues - accurately - that this election, and the one to follow, will be thrown into chaos if the Court enters an injunction and thus delays certification. But this is an unavoidable consequence of the situation with which the Court is presented.
Each patient uses the device for about one-and-a-half hours. The device is used only upon the women's demand. Representational image (PTI)

Hyderabad: Pregnant women can now deliver by natural birth without going through the immense pain usually associated with the process, at a government hospital.

District Hospital, King Koti is using a device wherein the pain felt by women in labour is alleviated by giving them a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide, or laughing gas. This is also a step towards the health department's larger objective to encourage women to opt for natural births over Caesarean sections, a doctor said.

The gas is inhaled during every contraction. The gases act within 15-20 seconds by acting on the sensory nerves and give relief from pain for one to two minutes, depending on the pain threshold of the patient. They act as an analgesic, rather than as an anaesthetic.

Each patient uses the device for about one-and-a-half hours. The device is used only upon the women's demand.

The device was acquired as part of a pilot project, and is the first of its kind to be used in a government hospital in Hyderabad.

It was first used on May 12, and until now, six women have availed it while delivering babies at the hospital.

Speaking about the device, Dr Jalaja Veronica, head of the gynaecology department at the District Hospital, King Koti, said, The device has arrived at the right time because the government wants to reduce the rates of C-sections. Most of the time, patients are scared of the pain they will go through during a natural birth, and thus opt for a C-section. Patients have been hearing about this and coming to us.

The kit along with two cylinders cost Rs.65,000. Dr Veronica said a cylinder can cater to three to four patients, and refilling it costs Rs.6,000, making it quite cost effective.
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.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP)  A North Carolina man has been sentenced to at least 20 years in prison after he was convicted of causing injuries that led to his 7-month-old son's death in 2019.

Christion Vaughn Jones Sr., 21, was facing a first-degree murder charge but pleaded guilty in Forsyth Superior Court on Thursday to second-degree murder and intentional child abuse, inflicting serious bodily injury, the Winston-Salem Journal reported.
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP)  NATO-member Norway terminated its two-decade-old contract with a France-based manufacturer for 14 maritime helicopters, citing delays, errors and time-consuming maintenance, the defense minister said Friday, calling the move a serious decision.

The Norwegian government will return the NH90 helicopters it has received so far and expects a full refund of the nearly 5 billion kroner ($525 million) it paid, according to Defense Minister Bjrn Arild Gram.

Regrettably, we have reached the conclusion that no matter how many hours our technicians work, and how many parts we order, it will never make the NH90 capable of meeting the requirements of the Norwegian Armed Forces, Arild Gram said.

The helicopter was developed in the mid-1990s by NHIndustries, a partnership between European companies Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo Helicopters, and Fokker Technologies based in Aix-en-Provence, France. The aircraft is used by numerous countries.

Norway ordered 14 helicopters for coast guard and anti-submarine warfare duties in 2001, the Norwegian Armed Forces said. They were originally slated for delivery by the end of 2008, but only eight have been delivered ready to operate.

The fleet is currently required to provide 3,900 flight hours annually, but in recent years it has averaged only about 700 hours, the Armed Forces said.

NHIndustries in a statement said it was "extremely disappointed by the decision taken by the Norwegian Ministry of Defense and refutes the allegations being made against the NH90 as well as against the company.

It added that it had not been given an opportunity to discuss its latest proposals and that it considers the Norwegian termination of the contract at legally groundless.

The Norwegian Defense Ministry said it will shortly begin the process of identifying an alternative maritime helicopter.

The NH90 is twin-engine helicopter that was developed to meet NATO's requirements for a modern, medium-sized, multi-role military helicopter for both land and maritime operations.

A comprehensive review of the Norway's maritime helicopter capabilities requested by the Defense Ministry in February concluded that even with significant additional financial investments, the performance and availability of the NH90 would not meet the country's requirements.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Wisconsin elections officials voted Friday to allow Donald Trumps endorsed candidate to stay on the Republican primary ballot in the presidential battleground state, pushing aside a Democratic challenge to his nomination papers.

The bipartisan Wisconsin Elections Commission voted unanimously to allow construction company co-owner Tim Michels to appear on the ballot.

Michels entered the race in late April, joining three other candidates vying for the Republican nomination: former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, state Rep. Tim Ramthun and business consultant Kevin Nicholson.

Trump endorsed Michels this month, calling him in an email an America First Conservative who will support gun rights and police and stand against what Trump called the woke mob.

Two days later, the state Democratic Party filed a complaint with the elections commission alleging that Michels used the wrong address on his nomination papers. It alleged that the mistake left Michels with only about 350 valid signatures. Michels needed 2,000 valid signatures to qualify for the ballot.

Michels campaign acknowledged that some of the nominating forms list his physical address in the village of Chenequa instead of his official mailing address that is in the nearby town of Hartland. But it said all of the forms include the campaigns post office box mailing address.

Commissioners said the address was close enough and Michels didn't deserve to be thrown off the ballot over the issue.

There is no question in my mind (the Michels campaign is) in substantial compliance, Democratic Commissioner Mark Thomsen said.

Michels has called for eliminating the elections commission. The six-person panel has drawn intense criticism from Republicans for decisions commissioners made leading up to the 2020 presidential election, including the expanded use of absentee ballot drop boxes and prohibiting special voting deputies from helping nursing home residents fill out their ballots. The commission made the move after nursing homes across the state refused to allow visitors due to the COVID-19 pandemic and before vaccines were available.

Thomsen got in a jab just before the vote, saying he hopes the experience with his nomination papers helps Michels realize how complicated Wisconsin election law is and how interpretations of it can differ. He said Michels is always yelling about following the letter of the law, but if the commission had followed that philosophy, it might have thrown him off the ballot.

The winner of the Aug. 9 primary will advance to face Democratic Gov. Tony Evers in the Nov. 8 general election.

The commissions decision comes after the Michigan Supreme Court ruled this month that three Republican gubernatorial candidates  Perry Johnson, Michael Markey and Donna Brandenburg  cant appear on that states primary ballot.

All three were doomed by fraudulent signatures on their nomination papers.
ROME (AP)  Italian rescue crews resumed searching Friday for a helicopter carrying seven people, including four Turkish citizens, that went missing in a forested, mountainous area of northcentral Italy, authorities and Turkish news reports said.

Italian firefighters and the Alpine rescue service said the searches began Thursday after the private chopper disappeared from radar screens while flying over the province of Modena, in the TuscanEmilian Apennines.
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SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP)  Teodora del Carmen Vasquez was nine months pregnant and working at a school cafeteria when she felt extreme pain in her back, like the crack of a hammer. She called 911 seven times before fainting in a bathroom in a pool of blood.

The nightmare that followed is common in El Salvador, a heavily Catholic country where abortion is banned under all circumstances and even women who suffer miscarriages and stillbirths are sometimes accused of killing their babies and sentenced to years or even decades in prison.

When Vasquez regained consciousness, she had lost her nearly full-term fetus. Instead of an ambulance, officers drove her in the bed of a pickup through heavy rain to a police station. There she was arrested on suspicion of violating El Salvadors abortion law, one of the world's strictest. Fearing she could die, authorities eventually rushed her to a hospital, where she was chained by her left foot to a gurney. She was prosecuted, convicted and given 30 years in prison for aggravated homicide.

This is the reality that we have lived, and I am not alone, said Vasquez, who ended up serving more than 10 years for what she has always said was a stillbirth. Any woman who arrives to jail accused of having an abortion is seen as the most evil, heartless being.

From the moment we get pregnant, we become incubators, said Vasquez, who was freed in 2018 after her sentence was commuted. We lose our rights because the only possibility that we have of a life is taking care of the product inside us. Its violence against us.

Abortion rights activists say the law has led to widespread human rights violations against Salvadoran women and should serve as a cautionary tale for the United States, where more than 20 states are expected to ban abortion if the Supreme Court overturns the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling in the coming weeks.

Some states may retain exceptions for cases such as rape or incest, but others are likely to have none save for a threat to a pregnant woman's life. That would mean some rape victims may be forced to carry unwanted pregnancies to term and obstetric emergencies could be mistaken for intentional abortions, according to Catalina Martinez Coral, Latin America and Caribbean director for the New York-based Center for Reproductive Rights.

These states are going to live similar situations that women are living in El Salvador, Martinez Coral said.

Some anti-abortion leaders in the U.S. say they oppose prosecuting women who have abortions, but others think differently. Louisiana legislators unsuccessfully pushed a bill this year that would have allowed such prosecutions, for example, and Tom Ascol, a top contender to become the Southern Baptist Conventions next president, favors classifying the procedure as homicide.

___

Women used to be able to seek abortions in cases of risk to their life, severe fetal malformations incompatible with life, or rape in El Salvador, a country of 6.5 million people nestled between Guatemala and Honduras along Central America's Pacific Coast.

But that ended in the late 1990s with a law championed by anti-abortion activists, conservative lawmakers and the Catholic Church, followed by a constitutional amendment defining life as starting at conception.

Today it is one of four countries in the Western Hemisphere with total bans  but it stands out for its aggressive prosecutions. While abortion carries a two- to eight-year prison sentence, dozens of women have, like Vasquez, been convicted of aggravated homicide, punishable by 30 years behind bars.

Overall, El Salvador has prosecuted at least 181 women who experienced obstetric emergencies in the past two decades, according to the Citizen Group for the Decriminalization of Abortion, which has been working to win freedom for such women since 2009. At least 65 imprisoned women have been released with the help of the organization and its allies.

Everywhere in the world its understood that there are pregnancy losses for natural reasons. ... Here, thats punished, said Morena Herrera, the nonprofits director.

El Salvador expects doctors and nurses to report suspected abortions under threat of prosecution, so women who show up at hospitals following miscarriages or botched abortions are sometimes turned over for investigation.

Prosecution and punishment overwhelmingly fall on poor, young women who lack sufficient access to medical services and cannot afford to travel overseas for an abortion or pay for good legal defense if they run afoul of the law. Sometimes they are victims of rape, in a country with a high incidence of that crime.

One such woman, Imelda, was repeatedly raped from age 8 to 18 by her mothers partner and became pregnant by him. In 2017 she unexpectedly gave birth to the baby in a latrine and then lost consciousness. The child survived, but Imelda was accused of attempted murder due to the circumstances of the birth.

She was freed from prison in 2018 after a court determined that she had not tried to kill her baby.

Imelda firmly believes that a woman should not be forced to carry to term a fetus conceived by rape. Since her release she has been studying to become a nurse and hopes to set an example to medical providers by treating patients in similar situations better than she was.

What young girl is going to want to be a mother? Theyre innocent, Imelda said. What they really want is to play, to study. Ive always wanted to study, not be a mother.

The Associated Press generally does not identify people who say they have been sexually assaulted; The AP is identifying Imelda only by her first name.

Another woman, Karen, was 21 and pregnant when she fainted alone in her grandmothers home. She woke up handcuffed to a hospital gurney and lost the pregnancy. A police interrogation led to an aggravated homicide conviction in 2015 and a 30-year prison sentence.

They told me that I was a murderer and that I was going to pay for what I had done, she said, that I was going to rot in jail.

In prison, other inmates told Karen she didnt deserve to live. She spent seven years locked up, drawing strength from her son and belief in her innocence, and was released in December.

Like some other women interviewed by AP, Karen shared her story and agreed to be photographed on condition her full name not be disclosed out of concerns over privacy, possible reprisals and societal stigma over abortion.

Today Karen tries to make up for lost time by playing soccer with her 14-year-old son and cooking his favorite meals, refried beans and fried plantains. She holds onto her Catholic faith but has grown disenchanted by some of the churchs positions, including its staunch opposition to abortion.

If it was up to them, we shouldnt have been freed, Karen said. We should still be paying a sentence for a crime that we committed, according to society and the church.

___

The Catholic Church and the growing number of evangelical churches have vast influence in the overwhelmingly Christian country, where some lawmakers cited Scripture last year as they voted to uphold the abortion ban.

In his office in El Salvadors congress, lawmaker Guillermo Gallegos maintains what he calls his altar  a wooden table with an open Bible; images of Jesus that he got on a trip to Russia; a plastic bottle filled with water blessed by Pope Francis during a visit to the Vatican; a statue of the Virgin Mary; and a silver one of Moses holding the Ten Commandments.

In an interview, Gallegos said allowing abortion would countermand deeply held beliefs among a large majority in El Salvador.

There is no valid reason why abortion can be decriminalized in our country, Gallegos said. There are strong movements in the country in favor of abortion for some reasons, but fortunately that has not been able to prosper here in the parliament, where the decision would have to be made.

Approving abortion, well, that would go against our faith, he added.

The Vatican has long been strenuously opposed to abortion, and that hasn't changed under Francis. The pontiff has repeatedly denounced it as evidence of throwaway culture, and in 2019 he asked at a Catholic-sponsored conference, Is it licit to hire a hitman to resolve a problem?

After celebrating Mass on a recent morning at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in the Salvadoran capital, San Salvador, Cardinal Gregorio Rosa Chavez praised Francis' views and echoed his theme of abortion as a violent act.

We live in a culture of death, the cardinal told the AP, saying it leads us to a total disaster.

Anti-abortion activists say that women sharing their stories did kill their babies and that their arguments are led by abortion-rights nonprofits to try to ease the law. Local anti-abortion groups did not respond to interview requests or declined to talk to the AP.

El Salvadors health minister declined to comment via a spokesperson for the presidency, who also said no other government officials would be available for interviews.

___

With Roe v. Wade in jeopardy in the United States, Latin American abortion rights activists who once looked to their northern neighbor as a model have shifted their sights elsewhere to countries such as Argentina, Colombia and Mexico, which have loosened restrictions in recent years under pressure from womens movements pushing the issue through the courts.

The Center for Reproductive Rights was one of several organizations that litigated and lobbied for decriminalizing abortion up to 24 weeks in Colombia. It is now working to preserve Roe.

We hope that this green wave is also going to inspire our sisters in the United States, Martinez Coral said, referring to the colorful handkerchiefs worn at demonstrations by supporters of abortion rights in the region. It needs to be protected everywhere.

Jocelyn Viterna, a Harvard University sociologist, has reviewed court documents from dozens of cases in which Salvadoran women were convicted of pregnancy-related homicide.

If this plays out the way it does in El Salvador, in the United States women who have naturally occurring miscarriages may much more frequently be under suspicion for abortion, Viterna said. We may be asking, Did they take a pill? Did they drink too much when they shouldnt? What leads you to lose that child?

Herrera, of the Citizen Group, agreed with U.S. activists' fears that their country may see a disproportionate impact among women of color and low-income women if Roe disappears  similar to the ban's effect in El Salvador, where it has upended poor families.

Jesus, 22, was 8 years old when his mother was arrested in 2008 after losing her pregnancy. He and his 5-year-old brother were left in the care of their grandparents, subsistence farmers. The boys' mother, who in court proceedings was identified only as Manuela, succumbed to cancer in 2010 while serving a 30-year sentence.

Death, Jesus said. Thats what the state of El Salvador caused when it sentenced my mom  it killed her and sentenced her children to a bad life.

Tormented for years by the accusations against his mother, he finally found some closure last November when the Inter-American Court of Human Rights ruled that El Salvador had violated her rights.

The court found that Manuela's lost pregnancy was due to a complication known as preeclampsia and that health care workers wrongly prioritized reporting her to authorities instead of treating her health situation. It ordered the government to pay damages to her two boys.

Tapping his feet nervously during an interview, Jesus said he decided to tell their story in hopes that other children wont have to face the same suffering: My moms name is a memory that will never fade.

___

Vasquez also grew up poor in rural El Salvador, helping her parents farm before moving to the capital as a teen. She entered prison at age 24. Having attended school through just the fourth grade, she earned her high school degree behind bars and became a de facto spokesperson for others serving time.

When she was released in 2018, she vowed to fight to free other women and help them transition to new lives. Today she has become the public face of the abortion rights movement in El Salvador, traveling nationwide to meet with women in similar cases and recruit them to join her group, Mujeres Libres  Spanish for free women. Its motto: Dont let this history repeat itself.

Inside a loaned home that the group helped repair, Mujeres Libres holds theater performances, music lessons for their children and workshops on how to run small businesses. The walls are decorated with a photo of Nelson Mandela and pictures of the women from their time in incarceration.

The pain of one woman is every womans pain, said Vasquez, who was awarded a human rights and democracy prize by Sweden in 2018. She recently graduated from college with a degree in communications and was featured in a documentary.

The group attracts women like Mariana Lopez, 40, who was also imprisoned after losing a pregnancy in 2000 and served 17 years. Back on the outside, she joined Mujeres Libres and took out a loan to become a baker, a childhood dream.

Teodora has had the greatest struggle, because shes the one who has had enough courage to stand up to others, Lopez said.

Her 7-year-old daughter takes music lessons at the home with other children, and they live off sales of the baguettes that Lopez bakes before dawn in her humble home about two hours from San Salvador.

Perhaps we could have had the courage, but we needed someone to give us a little push, Lopez said, adding, Now we feel a bit better, maybe even happy, because we can share with each other in another stage of life  in freedom.

Another woman, Cindy, was imprisoned in 2014 after having a stillbirth in a shopping mall bathroom. At the time she had a 4-year-old son, Justin, and was studying tourism and English. Parenting and her education were put on hold, and it was four years before she was able to see Justin again.

What I reflect on the most is the losses. ... The total loss of all family, homes, houses, studies, work, children. Everything is lost, Cindy said. What makes you think the most is how are you going to start over? How are you going to recover time with your family?

Now 30 and out of prison, she has to travel to a judicial office in the capital every month to sign her parole papers. She and Justin live with her parents, and she's back in school. She makes and sells pinatas to get by, and crafted one for her son's birthday in the form of a dinosaur  he wants to become a paleontologist.

They dream of traveling abroad together: To forget everything, Cindy said, to start again in a new place.

Vasquez said she is heartened by the children of the women, who tell her they will carry on her legacy long after shes gone.

It gets my hopes up because I really think that these processes must start when were young, Vasquez said. So the message  especially for mothers worldwide should be: Teach your girls to know their rights now, so that they will be able to defend human rights.

Its really important to try to change El Salvador, she continued, so our history doesnt get repeated elsewhere and by future generations.

___

Associated Press journalists Marcos Aleman in San Salvador and Marko Alvarez in Bogota, Colombia, contributed to this report.

___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
MADRID (AP)  Algeria on Friday appeared to have backed down in its dispute with Spain after its mission at the European Union issued a statement saying the northwest African country had never suspended the friendship treaty it holds with Spain.

In an odd development, Algeria said, As regards the alleged measure by the Government to stop current transactions with a European partner, it exists in fact only in the minds of those who claim it and those who hastened to stigmatize it.

There was no immediate comment by the Spanish government.

The statement came hours after top European Union officials said the bloc was treating the crisis between Algeria and Spain with the utmost concern and warned it was prepared to take action to defend the interests of its members.

The Algerian mission said it deplores the haste with which the European Commission has reacted without prior consultation or verification with the Algerian government to Algerias suspension of a bilateral political treaty with a European partner, in this case Spain.

The Algerian presidents office announced Wednesday that the North African nation was immediately suspending a two-decade-old friendship treaty with Spain, indicating a freeze on trade and cooperation between the two countries.

The suspension was seen as the latest move by Algeria to put pressure on Madrid after it changed its long-standing policy regarding the contested territory of Western Sahara. Algeria recalled its ambassador to Spain in March after Madrid came out in support of Moroccos attempts to keep Western Sahara under its rule. Algeria supports the territorys independence movement.

Earlier Friday, European Commission executive vice president Valdis Dombrovskis and EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell issued a statement saying the decision to suspension appeared to be in violation of the EU-Algeria Association Agreement, in particular in the area of trade and investment.

This would lead to a discriminatory treatment of an EU member state and adversely affect the exercise of the Unions rights under the Agreement, the EU said.

While urging dialogue to resolve the dispute, the EU officials said the EU is ready to stand up against any type of coercive measures applied against an EU nation.

That statement came after Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Albares traveled to Brussels to discuss the crisis.

Albares said the unilateral measure taken by Algeria violated the accord with the EU but insisted that what we want is dialogue and were not going to give any excuse for any escalation.

The EU on Thursday had urged Algeria to reverse its decision.

Spains chief worry had been that the suspension might affect important gas supplies from Algeria, but the government said that so far this has not happened. Algeria supplies 23% of Spains gas needs.

Spain and the rest of the 27-nation bloc are hustling now to find alternatives to Russian energy imports to protest Russias war in Ukraine.

Spain was the colonial power in Western Sahara until it was annexed by Morocco in 1975. Since then, neighbors Algeria and Morocco have been at odds over the fate of the region.
Tea sold in 23 states is possibly contaminated with hepatitis A and is being recalled

Tea sold in 23 states is possibly contaminated with hepatitis A and is being recalled

A company called Urban Remedy, in an attempt to ensure "safety as a top priority" is recalling a certain tea distributed in 23 states, including Michigan, because it may be contaminated with hepatitis A.

The move is associated with the outbreak investigation linked to organic strawberries.

The tea, Urban Remedy Organic Revitalizing Tea Tonic Strawberry Hibiscus Rose, was recalled due to the possible presence of organic strawberries that have been linked to a hepatitis A outbreak being investigated in the United States and Canada, according to a company announcement posted by the FDA on June 5.

There have been 17 illnesses and 12 hospitalizations linked to the outbreak in the U.S., with most of the cases being in California. Ten laboratory-confirmed cases have also been identified in Canada as of June 2.

The FDA, sharing news of the outbreak in May, noted that investigations showed the strawberries were the "likely source" of illnesses.

But, no illnesses have been reported from consuming the recalled Urban Remedy tea.

The product number subject to the recall reads as follows: 813377025831 Urban Remedy Organic Revitalizing Tea Tonic Strawberry Hibiscus Rose.

The product was sold in a 12-ounce resealable plastic bottle between May 17 and May 29 at various retail stores in Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

More on the outbreak: FDA: Strawberries may contain Hepatitis A virus

What to do if you bought the recalled product:

"At Urban Remedy, food safety is our companys top priority," CEO Paul Coletta said in the announcement.

Coletta is asking those who purchased the product with the affected lot number (1232 best by 7/17/2022) to dispose of the item or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Those who have already consumed the product they bought are being advised to contact their health care provider to find out if they are up to date on their vaccine, while those who develop hepatitis A symptoms should "immediately" call their local health department, according to the FDA.

Hepatitis A is a contagious virus that can cause liver disease, according to the FDA. Some symptoms to watch out for include jaundice, dark urine, fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain and pale stool. The illness may occur from 15 to 50 days after consuming the contaminated food or drink.

According to the FDA, "all people" are susceptible to hepatitis A, except for those who have been vaccinated or had it before; they are "immune" to the infection.

Consumers with questions can call (855) 875-8423 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. EST or email connect@UrbanRemedy.com.
SAN JOSE - The last time Fowzia saw her husband, she was suffering an asthma attack in the dusty mayhem outside Kabul's airport. He had shoved his way through the crowd to reach her, his face caked in grime and fear. Seconds later, an ambulance whisked her inside.

Fowzia and her daughter wound up on an evacuation flight the following day. U.S. service members coordinating the operation assured them, she said, that the rest of their family would soon follow. The Washington Post is identifying her and others only by their first names to protect their families from reprisal.

The Biden administration brought more than 76,000 Afghans to the United States last year as part of the U.S. withdrawal. Thousands more who wanted to flee, many of them American allies who aided the 20-year war effort, were left behind as the Taliban completed its violent takeover. Fowzia's husband, four of their children and four grandchildren are among those unable to escape.

The administration says reunifying Afghan families like Fowzia's is among its foremost priorities, as U.S. officials continue to negotiate evacuations - the administration calls them "relocations" - from Afghanistan despite the lack of any diplomatic or military presence there.

But neither the State Department, the Department of Homeland Security nor the Pentagon possesses data accounting for the number of Afghans brought to the United States through Operation Allies Welcome, as the resettlement effort is called, who remain separated from immediate family. Advocates estimate the figure could stretch into the tens of thousands.

The administration is "working on a solution" for allowing Afghans to "better notify" the State Department if they have immediate family members in need of relocation, a spokesperson for the agency said on the condition of anonymity, citing internal guidelines for speaking with the media. Officials declined to say how many Afghan families that were split during the U.S. withdrawal have since been reunited, though it's unclear whether the U.S. government is collecting such data.

Fowzia's family made plans to flee Afghanistan weeks before Kabul fell, she said. They had secured short-term visas to India, which they hoped would serve as a safe stopover destination on their way to permanent refuge.

They drove from their home in Mazar-e Sharif, in northern Afghanistan, to Hamid Karzai International Airport in the capital, just as the Taliban seized control of the city. "It looked like the day of judgment," said Sodaba, Fowzia's 24-year-old daughter, who escaped along with her mother. "Everybody was just trying to flee."

Violence, dehydration and mass panic made the path to escape perilous. Taliban guards beat and shot at people trying to make their way inside the airport. U.S. forces and Afghan paramilitaries fired over people's heads, and used tear gas and flash bangs to hold people back. Those most desperate waded through sewage canals outside the complex and attempted to scale its exterior walls. Children were trampled. A suicide bombing on Aug. 26 killed 170 Afghans and 13 U.S. service members.

A subsequent investigation of the bombing, conducted by the U.S. Army, noted that American military personnel tasked with securing the airport routinely encountered Afghans at the gates who had been separated from family members.

- - -

Over two-plus weeks in August, the U.S. military made 387 evacuation flights, it says. Other nations' militaries and multiple commercial carriers brought thousands more to safety, a feat the Biden administration heralds as the largest noncombat evacuation in U.S. history.

"The thing was: It was chaos," said Rona Popal, executive director of the Afghan Coalition, a nonprofit in Fremont, Calif., that assists Afghan immigrants and refugees.

For many, luck alone determined who escaped - and who did not. Some men who worked for the Afghan security forces were offered spots on flights out, or were asked to assist in the evacuation of people and sensitive equipment, before they had time to collect their families, advocates say. Others deemed it too risky to bring young children to the airport, electing instead to leave them in the care of their wives, hopeful they would be able to join them later. A number were beside their child or spouse one minute - and without them the next.

California, Texas and Virginia together have accepted roughly half the total evacuees, with California taking in more than 8,300, many of them drawn to large existing Afghan communities in Sacramento and in the Bay Area, the state government said.

Here in northern California, hundreds of Afghans are trying to start new lives. But in interviews, those who remain separated from loved ones described the enormity of that challenge in the absence of their spouses and children.

Parwin Husseini, 35 and a mother of four, is fortunate in one sense: A local pastor and his wife are allowing her to stay rent-free in the basement apartment of their home in Modesto. Without such generosity, she might still be in the motel where the resettlement agency placed her, or homeless.

But she has no idea how she will survive in the long-term - financially or emotionally. Husseini's husband and two young daughters were left behind. "I kept asking them, 'Please bring my husband, please bring my children,' " Husseini said, describing the sense of dread upon realizing that only she, one daughter and her 19-year-old sister-in-law made it inside the airport. "They said, 'Sorry, the gate is closed.' "

Now, during rare glimpses of her kids over FaceTime, they keep asking her: "Mom, when are we going to come? When are you going to come here?"

"I don't have an answer," she said.

Husseini, who was pregnant at the time of the evacuation and recently gave birth to a baby boy, said she asked the local resettlement agency how she could get the rest of her family out of Afghanistan. "They said you have to wait until you get a green card," she said - a status that immigration experts said could be years away, as Husseini has yet to apply for asylum in the United States, and does not know how.

Those separated from family during the evacuation also included some 1,400 Afghan children who eventually arrived to the United States without their parents. The Department of Health and Human Services, which is responsible for unaccompanied minors, said most have since been placed with "vetted family members and sponsors." More than 200 remain in government custody or in foster care, officials said.

Last year, a report by ProPublica documented suicide attempts, abuse and self-harm among unaccompanied Afghan evacuee children in the government's care. Parents who arrived without their young children also described feelings of despair. In one case, an entire family found themselves inside the Kabul airport without their baby, after they handed him to a U.S. service member. The infant has since been located in Kabul. The rest of the family is now in Michigan.

- - -

Fowzia's household consisted of 18 people, and they arrived at the airport together, she said. They were a middle-class family. And while no one worked for the U.S. government directly, they enjoyed the way of life that American influence facilitated throughout much of Afghanistan. One son was a lawyer; another a journalist. Her son-in-law was an activist who took part in demonstrations against the Taliban and Afghan government corruption. Her daughter Sodaba, who rode with Fowzia in the ambulance during her asthma attack, was studying law and working for Afghanistan's Independent Election Commission.

Five members of the family ultimately escaped on two flights. The second carried Fowzia's other daughter, Parwana, her husband, Sultan, and their toddler.

Their experience outside the airport was treacherous. For a week and a half, the family sought to enter but saw their progress thwarted at turns by the U.S. troops and the Taliban, and the sheer force of the crowd. Once inside the airport's outer barrier, they slept on the ground, huddled beneath scraps of cardboard. There was no food or water. There were no toilets.

The family lost all of their luggage and several lost their shoes, including Fowzia. Sultan, her son-in-law, recounted struggling to protect his wife, Parwana, who was seven months pregnant, "because everyone was pushing, pushing." At one point, she realized she was holding just the handle of her purse - the purse itself had been ripped free.

At a hospital inside the airport complex, U.S. service members gave Fowzia oxygen and urged her and her daughter to accept spots on an evacuation flight, they said. "What about my kids?" she pleaded.

"You need to take care of yourself, and you need to think about your own life right now," Sodaba remembers an American answering. "They will come eventually. Don't worry."

Sultan and his wife and toddler made it into the airport the following day - also because of a medical emergency. The child had begun vomiting and was treated for severe dehydration. They, too, said they were assured "your family will eventually come" as U.S. personnel encouraged them to claim seats on an outbound flight. When they landed at a military base in Qatar, a TV was airing news of the suicide bombing.

"What would have been the point of trying to get to America if my dad was killed?" Parwana said, crying. Fortunately, the rest of the family was far enough from the blast to avoid injury.

- - -

Since the withdrawal ended, on Aug. 31, the Biden administration says it has been able to move about 9,000 more Afghans out of the country. For the past two months, such relocations have occurred at a rate of about 350 people per week, according to a U.S. government official familiar with the ongoing efforts who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity citing internal policy.

Some advocates for the Afghans said they remain confident in the government's efforts. "Family reunifications are happening and they're tracking it," said Shawn VanDiver, founder of the #AfghanEvac Coalition, a network of military veterans, national security and intelligence experts, nonprofits and others that meets regularly with the administration.

"Anyone who was separated as a result of the [evacuation] is a priority," he added. "The challenges here are: How do you prioritize? How do you decide who is on flight one versus flight two?"

But many separated Afghans and their attorneys have complained about the lack of a clear process for extracting those left behind. They have grievances with President Joe Biden, too, because he recently created a program to facilitate the swift relocation of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine but has not taken comparable measures to aid those left behind in Afghanistan.

Afghans and their advocates say that, if they get any response at all to their pleas for help, it is typically the notification that a person has been placed on "a list."

"They say, 'I'm really sorry about your wife and daughter, but we can't do anything for them right now,' " said Ahmad, a former Afghan government official who arrived in California with his two sons, ages 9 and 2. His wife and 6-year-old daughter were left behind. "I have filled out every form. . . . I have emailed maybe 200 organizations," including members of Congress, government agencies and the White House, he said. "Everyone has an excuse."

Among those interviewed for this report, most said they were unaware reunification was a potential near-term option; resettlement agencies have told them to focus on their own immigration paperwork first, and if they obtained green cards, they could someday apply for family visas.

Husseini, who has grappled with months of survivor's guilt, worries that might come too late. She and her sister-in-law have used their limited cash assistance from the U.S. government to send two wires of $200 to her husband and two young daughters, but her husband - a former government employee - is out of work, and they, like other Afghans, are going hungry.

"He doesn't have a job, they don't have money, they don't have food," she said. The family is part of an ethnic minority that has been targeted by the Taliban.

"My children are alone there. My baby is a newborn. I need my husband here," Husseini said.

- - -

For months, Fowzia and her family shared a small hotel suite at an Extended Stay America in San Jose. There was a queen-size bed and a pullout couch, a bathroom and a kitchenette. Local volunteer groups had equipped them with a coffee maker and clothes, and for Parwana's new baby, a portable crib, diapers, baby formula and toys.

Of the 12 Afghan families housed at the hotel, half were in similar circumstances: separated from loved ones who were left behind and struggling to start over without them, said Zuhal Bahaduri, whose nonprofit, 5ivepillars, has been assisting them.

Some, including a father who arrived with his 5-year-old son, are quite distraught, she said. Although the boy has been enrolled in school, he is "having a lot of trouble adjusting," Bahaduri said, and both father and son are suffering from depression. "He sees the other kids with their mothers, and he comes home and he asks his dad: 'Why isn't my mom taking me to school?' "

In May, Fowzia's family moved out of the Extended Stay into a two-bedroom apartment. But it's too expensive, and now they're struggling to find another they can afford with their temporary federal assistance and the $200 a week that Sodaba earns from her part-time job at Burlington Coat Factory. Sultan, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, has been unable to find a job that doesn't require heavy lifting or long periods on his feet.

The financial struggle is compounded for single parents who arrived alone with small children, Afghans and advocates said. "Right now I don't have any job because there is no one to watch my baby," said Ahmad, who is living in Los Angeles. He has inquired at local day cares, but they charge hundreds of dollars a week. "My wife and daughter are in Afghanistan, and I have to support them, too. . . . They need to get groceries. I will do any job I can find," he said.

In video calls over FaceTime, Ahmad's wife cries whenever she sees their toddler, he said, because while she wants to see him, she can't bear it.

Fowzia and her daughters last spoke to the rest of the family in Afghanistan a few weeks ago. Her two youngest sons have fled to Iran, fearing trouble with the Taliban, after the militant government detained the youngest, a 16-year-old, she said.

And in Modesto, Husseini's doctor has urged her to stay positive for the sake of her newborn. "But I can't," she said.

"As a mother, I should be very happy that the baby is healthy. But my happiness will come when my husband and my children are all together."

- - -

Farkhanda Omar and Nariman Nevin Khattak in California contributed to this report.
SLOVYANSK, Ukraine - The euphoria that accompanied Ukraine's unforeseen early victories against bumbling Russian troops is fading as Moscow adapts its tactics, recovers its stride and asserts its overwhelming firepower against heavily outgunned Ukrainian forces.

Newly promised Western weapons systems are arriving, but too slowly and in insufficient quantities to prevent incremental but inexorable Russian gains in the eastern Donbas region of Ukraine, which is now the focus of the fight.

The Ukrainians are still fighting back, but they are running out of ammunition and suffering casualties at a far higher rate than in the initial stages of the war. Around 200 Ukrainian soldiers are now being killed every day, up from 100 late last month, an aide to President Volodymyr Zelensky told the BBC on Friday - meaning that as many as 1,000 Ukrainians are being taken out of the fight every day, including those who are injured.

The Russians are still making mistakes and are also losing men and equipment, albeit at a lesser rate than in the first months of the conflict. In one sign that they are suffering equipment shortages, they have been seen on videos posted on social media hauling hundreds of mothballed, Soviet-era T-62 tanks out of storage to be sent to Ukraine.

But the overall trajectory of the war has unmistakably shifted away from one of unexpectedly dismal Russian failures and tilted in favor of Russia as the demonstrably stronger force.

Ukrainian and U.S. hopes that the new supplies of Western weaponry would enable Ukraine to regain the initiative and eventually retake the estimated 20% of Ukrainian territory captured by Russia since its Feb. 24 invasion are starting to look premature, said Oleksandr Danylyuk, an adviser to the Ukrainian government on defense and intelligence issues.

"The strategies and tactics of the Russians are completely different right now. They are being much more successful," he said. "They have more resources than us and they are not in a rush."

"There's much less space for optimism right now," he added.

Ukrainian forces remain resolute. In a cafe in the front-line town of Slovyansk, two Ukrainian soldiers on a break from the trenches nearby recounted how they were forced to retreat from the town of Dovhenke, northwest of Slovyansk, under withering Russian artillery fire. Thirty-five of their 100-strong unit were killed in the assault, typical of the tactics Russia is using. "They destroy everything and walk in," said one of the soldiers, Vitaliy Martsyv, 41.

"There is nothing there," Andriy Tihonenko, 52, said of Dovhenke. "It's all burned down."

As troop fatalities mounted, the surviving soldiers felt "more motivated to hold our position," Tihonenko said. To retreat after their comrades were killed defending the town, he said, would have felt like treating their deaths as insignificant.

But eventually, the defensive line was no longer effective, the two men said. With more than one-third of their force killed, the remaining soldiers had no choice but to pull back.

"Sometimes you feel down," Tihonenko said. "But then you realize war is war - and you have to finish it."

But the odds against the Ukrainians are starting to look overwhelming, said Danylyuk, the government adviser.

"The Russians are using long-range artillery against us, often without any response, because we don't have the means," he said. "They can attack from dozens of kilometers away and we can't fire back. We know all the coordinates for all their important targets, but we don't have the means to attack."

Ukraine has now almost completely run out of ammunition for the Soviet-era weapons systems that were the mainstay of its arsenal, and the Eastern European countries that maintained the same systems have run out of surplus supplies to donate, Danylyuk said. Ukraine urgently needs to shift to longer-range and more sophisticated Western systems, but those have only recently been committed, and in insufficient quantities to match Russia's immense firepower, he said.

Russia is firing as many as 50,000 artillery rounds a day into Ukrainian positions, and the Ukrainians can hit back with only around 5,000 to 6,000 rounds a day, he said. The United States has committed to deliver 220,000 rounds of ammunition - enough to match Russian firepower for around four days.

The majority of the American M777 howitzer artillery guns that U.S. officials said would enable Ukraine to match Russian firepower are now in use on the battlefield, according to the Pentagon. Yet the Russians continue to advance.

Four of the more sophisticated and longer-range HIMARS multiple-rocket launcher systems that the Ukrainians had long requested from the United States are on the way, along with three similar systems pledged by Britain. But the Ukrainians will first have to be trained how to use them, and they are still weeks away from reaching the battlefield, U.S. officials say. The Pentagon has hinted that more systems will be made available once the Ukrainians have demonstrated they can be used.

But the Russians started the war with about 900 of their own similar systems, and although the Ukrainians claim they have destroyed hundreds, the Russians still have hundreds left, Danylyuk said.

The Russians have meanwhile adapted their tactics in ways that have let them take full advantage of their firepower by remaining at a distance from Ukrainian positions, pounding them relentlessly, then taking territory once the Ukrainians have been forced to retreat.

The Russians are also doing a better job of combining their arms, using close air support and deploying dismounted infantry, said Rob Lee, a former U.S. Marine now with the Foreign Policy Research Institute.

Russian officials have claimed they are advancing more slowly than during the initial invasion to avoid civilian casualties. Instead, however, the tactic helps reduce Russian casualties while inflicting heavy losses on the civilians who live in the towns and villages being targeted, analysts say.

"I'm afraid of every single boom or sound," Irina Makagon said as she sat in her kitchen in Kostiantynivka, a town near the front line that has suffered intense bombardments. She was sitting in her kitchen earlier this week when a boom and a whistle heralded an incoming shell that crashed into the house next door, killing a young man.

The Ukrainians are still fighting well and can inflict tactical pain on the Russians when the opportunity presents itself, said Dmitri Alperovitch of the Silverado Consultancy, citing Russia's disastrous attempt late last month to cross the Siverskiy Donets river - hundreds of Russians were killed and scores of military vehicles were destroyed. The Ukrainians are also conducting successful drone strikes against Russian positions and supply columns, he said.

Russia has not released casualty figures since March. "But when you look at what's happening, I'd be shocked if the Russians are sustaining casualties anywhere close to what the Ukrainians are right now," Alperovitch said.

Manpower is less of a problem for the Ukrainians than the shortages of ammunition and equipment, said Danylyuk, who put the number of men who have signed up to potentially fight at 6 million. But Ukraine doesn't have the equipment, including protective gear and guns as well as artillery systems, to field all those willing to volunteer. "We would be sending them to their deaths without equipment," he said.

The Russians face manpower shortages, too, after the heavy losses they suffered in the earliest days of the war. Western officials put the number of Russian deaths at 15,000 to 20,000 so far, with as many as a third of the original invasion force rendered unfit for combat because of injuries, capture and equipment losses after the first two months.

But Russia has regenerated its forces to a greater extent than anticipated by many military analysts, bolstering its depleted army by as many as 40,000 to 50,000 men over the past two months, by increasing the age of the reserve force, deploying new forces and refurbishing units that had been decimated, Danylyuk said.

For now, the Donetsk River stands in the way of significant new Russian advances. Western officials say they expect that Russian troops will soon secure full control of the town of Severedonetsk and then are likely to turn their attention to the town of Lysyshansk, on the opposite bank of the river, which would put them in full control of the region of Luhansk. After that, they can be expected to target the larger region of Donetsk that Russia has partially controlled since 2014.

Lysyshansk will be a tougher challenge because the Ukrainians control the high ground and the Russians' artillery strength is less of an advantage in close urban combat, said Konrad Muzyka, director of the Warsaw-based Rochan Consulting defense consultancy. Russia may find it difficult to sustain its recent gains for much beyond that, given the losses it has suffered so far, he said.

But if the Russians manage to breach the river, they could start to make rapid advances, he said.

"The Ukrainians are resting their defense on the Donetsk river," Muzyka said. "If Russia successfully crosses the river, my concern is that the Russians will enter Donetsk with their full might, and then the Ukrainians might be overwhelmed."

---

Sly reported from London. Heidi Levine in Slovyansk contributed to this report.
Konaseema district collector Himanshu Sukla appealed to the farmers to drop the crop holiday plan and assured that he would sort out their problems. (Representational image/DC)

KAKINADA: Many farmers in Konaseema who had decided to go for a crop holiday may eventually cultivate paddy during kharif as the state government has paid Rs 120 crore to farmers towards sale of their paddy on Wednesday night. Nearly 30,000 farmers, together 40,000 acres in eight mandals Uppalaguptam, Allavaram, Katrenikona, Mummidivaram, I. Polavaram, Mamidikuduru, Sakhinetipalli and Razole mandals firmed up a crop holiday in kharif season, unable to bear losses in paddy cultivation.

Meanwhile, in a major development that could alter the crisis, minister for agriculture Kakani Govardhana Reddy said that Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy will be releasing Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000 as crop insurance for the losses suffered by farmers. He will be crediting the amounts directly into the accounts of farmers on June 14.

It may be recalled that the Konaseema Rythu Parirakshana Samithi had placed several demands before the government, including payments to farmers whose paddy had been sold. They issued an ultimatum to the government that they would go for crop holiday if the government fails to fulfil their demands. On an earlier occasion in 2011, farmers from the entire Konaseema had observed a crop holiday, which resulted in huge revenue loss to the government.

On his part Konaseema district collector Himanshu Sukla appealed to the farmers to drop the crop holiday plan and assured that he would sort out their problems, which mainly pertained to payments for the paddy that was sold.

Meanwhile, with the release of funds, most farmers are getting ready to cultivate in kharif.

However, Konaseema Parirakshana Samithi general secretary A. Uma Maheswara Rao said that the government has not paid insurance and input subsidies to all farmers, who have been affected.

The samithi will take a collective decision and launch an agitation through social media to achieve their demands, he said.

Meanwhile, senior TDP leader Nimmakayala China Rajappa said that the party doesn't want to halt food production. But, it would extend support to the farmers agitation as they are facing several problems.
BELLINGHAM, Wash. (AP)  The Washington Supreme Court has temporarily halted evictions for people living in certain households on Nooksack Tribal Land who were contentiously disenrolled from the tribe.

A panel of justices on Tuesday granted an injunction requiring the Nooksack Indian Tribe in northwestern Washington to pause the evictions while the high court determines whether to take up the case, Cascadia Daily News reported.

The households involved in the suit are home to members of a group of more than 300 people who were formally removed from the Nooksack Indian Tribe in 2016 and 2018. They have been facing the threat of eviction for years.

Tribal leaders have said the families known as the Nooksack 306 were incorrectly enrolled in the 1980s and cannot prove their lineage adequately.

The Nooksack members being threatened with eviction are both Filipino and Native American, or what some call Indipino. Gabe Galanda, attorney for the families, told KNKX Public Radio his clients are being singled out in part because of that, though he said this kind of mixed identity is common among Native peoples.

Galanda has said nearly all the homes in question were developed as rent-to-own, which means his clients should own their homes or hold equity.

Earlier this year, experts from the United Nations called on the federal government to intervene and prevent the evictions, raising concerns about the welfare of the residents.

The families and Galanda have contested the ousting efforts, gaining attention as leading opponents of tribal disenrollment, an increasing practice that can involve struggles over power and resources, and questions about culture and identity.

In central California, the Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians voted to expel dozens of members in 2019 from a share of casino profits and other benefits of tribal membership. The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde in Oregon in the past decade also disenrolled tribal members they said no longer satisfied enrollment rules.

Tribal expulsions started in the 1990s along with the establishment of casinos, and have continued as gambling revenues skyrocketed. Critics say the disenrollments have also been used as a way to settle political infighting and family and personal feuds.

In a statement, the Nooksack Indian Tribe said it owns the land and the housing in question, manages the properties, and is the landlord on the leases with all the tenants involved in the case.

We are confident that once the Court examines the true facts, rather than unfounded claims for the disenrolled tenants, that it will dismiss the case," the statement said.
NEW YORK (AP)  The Washington Post has fired Felicia Sonmez, who triggered a vigorous online debate this week over social media policy and public treatment of colleagues after she criticized a fellow reporter for retweeting an offensive joke.

The Post said Friday it would not comment on personnel issues. But a copy of a termination letter sent Thursday, accusing her of insubordination, maligning your coworkers online and violating the Post's standards on workplace collegiality and inclusivity was published on the Mediaite website and quoted in other news accounts.

The outspoken political writer, whose second stint at the Post began in 2018, declined comment Friday.

The incident began when Sonmez tweeted a screen shot of an offensive joke that a colleague, Dave Weigel, had sent out on Twitter, adding the comment: Fantastic to work at a news outlet where retweets like this are allowed. The Post suspended Weigel for a month for his retweet, according to published reports.

That prompted another reporter, Jose Del Real, to criticize Sonmez online. While saying Weigel had been wrong, Del Real called for compassion. Rallying the Internet to attack him for a mistake he made doesn't actually solve anything, he wrote.

That led to a contentious back-and-forth, with Sonmez accusing Del Real of attacking her.

As an online debate widened and drew in more people, Post executive editor Sally Buzbee sent out two memos calling on staff members to show respect for each other. The second, on Tuesday, was more stern: Buzbee wrote that we do not tolerate colleagues attacking colleagues either face to face or online.

As it consumed more attention, a handful of Post employees tweeted their support of the newspaper as a good place to work. Sonmez noted that those people were among the newspaper's best-paid stars, and suggested there has been a longstanding double standard in how social media policy is applied to them.

She also retweeted a screen shot that said Del Real had blocked her on Twitter, adding the comment, So I hear the Washington Post is a collegial workplace.

While it was consuming attention, another Post reporter, Lisa Rein, tweeted to Sonmez: please stop.

Sonmez, who worked at the Post in the early 2010s, left and rejoined, sued the Post and its top editors last year, charging discrimination in barring her from covering stories related to sexual assault after she had previously gone public as an assault victim herself.

In the termination letter, signed by Human Resources Officer Wayne Connell, the Post said that in questioning the motives of colleagues, Sonmez was undermining the Post's reputation for journalistic integrity and fairness.

The same is true of your baseless derision directed to our policies and practices, and our commitment to a safe and supportive work environment, he wrote.

Sonmez's union, the Washington-Baltimore News Guild, said it is committed to ensuring that workers are only disciplined with just cause, but that it did not comment on individual personnel issues.

One Post columnist, Karen Attiah, tweeted on Friday that Sonmez had always been incredibly kind and supportive of her, and had reached out when Attiah had been the target of online abuse.
WASHINGTON - NASA is joining the hunt for UFOs, a top space agency official said Thursday, forming a team that would examine "observations of events that cannot be identified as aircraft or known natural phenomena."

The space agency would bring a scientific perspective to efforts already underway by the Pentagon and intelligence agencies to make sense of dozens of such sightings, Thomas Zurbuchen, the head of NASA's science mission directorate, said during a speech before the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine. He said it was "high-risk, high-impact" research that the space agency should not shy away from, even if it is a controversial field of study.

The announcement comes just weeks after a rare and historic hearing before Congress on sightings of what the Defense Department calls Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, more commonly known as UFOs, and a report issued last year by the director of national intelligence that catalogued more than 140 flying objects that officials were not able to identify.

The nine-page report and the congressional hearing, however, were short on specifics and did not draw any definitive conclusions on what the flying objects were, many of which were spotted by naval aviators. Officials said they did not find any evidence that the objects were some sort of advanced aerospace technology developed by China, Russia or other nations. There was also no evidence that they came from extraterrestrial sources.

The limited number of such observations makes it difficult "to draw scientific conclusions about the nature of such events," NASA said in a statement. The agency said it was concerned not just about national security but also the safety of flying in the air. It also said, "There is no evidence UAPs are extra-terrestrial in origin."

Still, NASA said it wants to apply scientific rigor to a vexing issue that has been a fixation for generations. Studying UAPs fits into the agency's mission of looking for signs of life beyond Earth, from studying water on Mars to exploring the moons of Saturn and Jupiter, the agency said.

"NASA believes that the tools of scientific discovery are powerful and apply here also," Zurbuchen said in a statement. "We have the tools and team who can help us improve our understanding of the unknown. That's the very definition of what science is. That's what we do."

At a briefing for reporters after the speech, Zurbuchen said he wanted to push NASA to take on risky projects, even if they may not be considered mainstream by the scientific community.

"It's clear that in a traditional type of science environment, talking about some of these issues may be considered a kind of selling out, or kind of talking about things that are not actual science," he said. "I just really vehemently oppose that. I really believe that the quality of science is not only measured by the outputs that come behind it, but also the questions we're willing to tackle with science."

NASA's effort will be led by David Spergel, president of the Simons Foundation in New York City and previously the chair of the astrophysics department at Princeton University, and Daniel Evans, the assistant deputy associate administrator for research at NASA's science mission directorate. The study, to begin in the fall, will last about nine months, cost no more than $100,000 and be independent from efforts by the Pentagon, he said.

"There are potential national security and counterintelligence [impacts], that that's not what we do for a living. And we're not going to get into that at NASA," Zurbuchen said. But the agency does study the atmosphere and aeronautics, he said, and there is a concern that "the airspace is increasingly crowded with many different types of air vehicles."

Spergel said there isn't a working hypothesis going into the study that would explain the UAPs. "I would say the only preconceived notion I have coming into this is that you should be open to the idea that we're looking at several different phenomena," he said. "There's a wide range of what may be accounting for these events."

He added: "This is a phenomenon we don't understand. And we want to collect more data on the phenomenon."

The report released by the director of national intelligence found that "some UAP appeared to remain stationary in winds aloft, move against the wind, maneuver abruptly, or move at considerable speed, without discernible means of propulsion," the report found. "In a small number of cases, military aircraft systems processed radio frequency (RF) energy associated with UAP sightings."

Testifying before the House Intelligence subcommittee on counterterrorism, counterintelligence and counterproliferation last month, Ronald Moultrie, the undersecretary of defense for intelligence and security, said the Pentagon is collecting eyewitness accounts of mysterious flying objects that appear to defy the laws of physics.

"We know that our service members have encountered unidentified aerial phenomena," he told the bipartisan panel. "We are committed to an effort to determine their origins."

In an interview with The Washington Post last year, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said he had seen the classified UAP report when he was serving in the Senate. "The hair stood up on the back of my neck," he said.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

The Department of Homeland Security plans to use federal funds to send migrants awaiting immigration proceedings from border towns to cities deeper within the U.S., according to internal documents obtained by NBC News, and one official told the media outlet that the scheme has been internally, jokingly dubbed the "Abbott plan."

The name of the plan aimed at easing overcrowding in shelters is in reference to Gov. Greg Abbott busing migrants from Texas to Washington, D.C. to protest the Biden administration's border policies. Abbott's buses transported more than 150 migrants, all of whom volunteered to take the free 30-hour ride from the Lone Star State to the nation's capital. Some took advantage of the free rides in order to get closer to where they were looking to go on the East Coast.
More than 200 days after they first gathered in Dallas last November, QAnon cult leader Michael Brian Protzman has once again ordered his followers to return to Dallas this weekend for the true culmination of his prediction that JFK will return to the site of his 1963 assassination.

Protzman told his followers in a livestream early Wednesday morning hed figured out that JFK would reappear at Dealey Plaza in Downtown Dallas on Saturday, June 11. He claimed former president Donald Trump had spoken to him in code at his last rally, and based on his analysis of Trumps words, this Saturday was the actual date that the slain Kennedy family scion would return to Dallas.

"Hes gonna keep it not so obvious," Protzman said of Trumps coded messages to him. "Hes not gonna tell too much all at once. You dont play your trump cards until the end of the match. So of course hes got it balanced at the moment, or else people will find out too much too fast."

A prominent QAnon leader, Protzman built his 100,000-plus person following on the social media app Telegram over the course of the pandemic by spreading conspiracies founded on his prediction that JFK would reappear at Dealey Plaza on November 2 of last year. The assassinated former president would then, according to Protzman, reinstate Trump as commander-in-chief and help him in carrying out the persecution of a global cabal of pedophilic, blood-drinking liberal elites that QAnon devotees believe run the world.

At the time of Protzman's first prediction, QAnon followers arrived in droves from around the world to witness its fruition. After the events their leader predicted never came to pass, a core group of Protzmans followers stayed in the Dallas area to follow his "teachings" in some cases handing over thousands in life savings, abandoning careers and sacrificing relationships to remain near the site of the predicted resurrection.

In the intervening months, Protzman has led the group through ceremonies in Dealey Plaza and conducted public "classes" on gematria, an alpha-numeric system he believes can uncover truths the government wishes to keep secret.

Experts and researchers have sounded the alarm over the cults behavior at several points, including when Protzman allegedly ordered cult members to drink a toxic bleach-like substance from a communal bowl to ward off illness.

According to Protzmans Telegram channel, his group is set to arrive back in Dallas in the next few days, but did not specify an exact return date.


An expanded Cape Codder in southern Massachusetts is the oldest property to hit the market this week on Realtor.com.

Sitting close to the border with Rhode Island, the updated four-bedroom home is enhanced by traditional accents like exposed beams and classic pine floors.

Other vintage homes up for sale this week include a reimagined vintage home in Pennsylvania, a restored farmhouse in Rhode Island, and a historic (and affordable) home with water views in Maryland.

For a full look at the week's 10 oldest homes, just scroll on down.

Price: $699,900

Year built: 1700

Antique apartment: Just down the road from Rehoboth State Forest, this modernized home is a mix of today's conveniences with vintage style.

The four-bedroom home's roof, kitchen, flooring, and primary suite have all been recently made over. The 2.6-acre property also features several outbuildings, attached spaces, and an antique apartment that could provide additional income.

Rehoboth, MA Realtor.com

Price: $599,000

Year built: 1717

Red house on Cape Cod: Located on nearly 2 acres, this adorable three-bedroom home has been completely updated.

The first floor's open concept features a spacious kitchen with granite countertops and island, a dining area, a family room, and an office. Upstairs, there are three bedrooms plus a cozy reading nook.

East Falmouth, MA Realtor.com

Price: $5,200,000

Year built: 1720

Reimagined luxe home: This luxe offering isn't anywhere near what the original home looked three centuries ago, but you can still find evidence of the home's history. You'll see original pointed exposed stone, rustic walnut and pine board flooring, six wood fireplaces, and beam and truss detailing.

Sitting on more than 12 acres, this six-bedroom estate offers 9,330 square feet of space that has been modernized over the decades. Luxury amenities include a wine cellar, heated outdoor pool, solarium, great room with stone fireplace, and chef's kitchen. The property also comes with a detached bank barn/garage building with the potential for a two-bedroom apartment.

New Hope, PA Realtor.com

Price: $787,000

Year built: 1726

Cushman-Trow House: This shingled beauty has been well-preserved. Original features such as the wide-plank pine floors, wainscoting, arched ceilings, and built-ins remain intact.

This three-bedroom home sits on nearly 13 acres and features a country kitchen, comfortable living room, and three fireplaces. A two-story barn with electricity can be used for storage or housing animals.

Kingston, MA Realtor.com

Price: $875,000

Year built: 1727

Robert Oliver House: This New England Colonial has a dining room with a beehive oven and a library with built-in bookshelves.

The charming five-bedroom home offers plenty of space and modern amenities, including an updated kitchen with a butler's pantry. The primary suite is located on the second floor and has two walk-in closets. There's also a two-story barn, workshop, gazebo, and three-car garage located on the 3.11-acre lot.

York, ME Realtor.com

Price: $474,900

Year built: 1730

Restored farmhouse: This cozy three-bedroom home features two reinsulated fireplaces and a pizza oven, wide-plank pine floors, and built-ins for storage.

Sitting on 3.69 acres, the house has been restored from the cement slab in the basement to the chimney cap on top. There's also an above-ground pool on the property along with a barn and full guest quarters featuring a living room, bedroom, and sitting area.

Scituate, RI Realtor.com

Price: $1,995,000

Year built: 1730

Former home of artist Charles Hargens: This historic home has tons of character thanks to its wide-plank wood floors, exposed-beam ceilings, and fireplaces galore.

The cherry and oak log cabin section built circa 1690 is said to be the oldest structure in Carversville Village and is now home to a lovely bedroom with a vaulted ceiling and fireplace. Modernizations over the years include a kitchen with a European range, furniture-finish cabinetry, and exposed stone walls. The studio has already been approved for conversion to guest quarters.

New Hope, PA Realtor.com

Price: $995,000

Year built: 1735

Benjamin Hait (Hoyt) House: This vintage house still features many period details, including wide-plank pine floors and exposed beams.

The main Colonial has been updated over the years and has four bedrooms, two fireplaces, and a spacious kitchen with lots of cabinets. There's also a one-bedroom guest cottage and barn with a loft on the 1-acre lot that also features an in-ground pool.

Stamford, CT Realtor.com

Price: $625,000

Year built: 1737

Water views: There are two decks to take in the beautiful views of the waterfront or the private 3-acre lot.

The bright and airy three-bedroom home features lots of windows that let in an abundance of natural light. The house offers nearly 3,000 square feet of living space and is located steps from the marina and local restaurants.

Georgetown, MD Realtor.com

Price: $399,999

Year built: 1740

The Levan Tavern/Kemp Hotel: This three-bedroom home with wide-plank hardwood flooring, exposed beam ceilings, and stone walls once functioned as a tavern predating the American Revolution.

Zoned for residential and commercial use, the property has been completely restored. It currently operates as a cafe and juice bar with a yoga studio on the first floor. There are three bedrooms located on the second and third floors, which could be transformed into a bed-and-breakfast.

Kutztown, PA Realtor.com

The post Built in 1700, an Expanded Massachusetts Cape Is the Week's Oldest Home appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com.
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

823 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.

...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.

...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.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO AMARILLO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, June 9, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Amarillo has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Northeastern Oldham County in the Panhandle of Texas...

West central Hutchinson County in the Panhandle of Texas...

Northwestern Potter County in the Panhandle of Texas...

Moore County in the Panhandle of Texas...

Southeastern Hartley County in the Panhandle of Texas...

* Until 830 PM CDT.

* At 728 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line

extending from Dumas to 8 miles west of Four Way to 5 miles south

of Channing, moving southeast at 20 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to roofs, siding, and trees is possible.

Hail damage to vehicles is expected.

* Locations impacted include...

Dumas, Channing, Boys Ranch, Masterson and Four Way.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

...FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1030 PM CDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Urban and small stream flooding caused by excessive

rainfall is expected.

* WHERE...A portion of the Panhandle of Texas, including the

following counties, Hartley and Oldham.

* WHEN...Until 1030 PM CDT.

* IMPACTS...Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas.

Water over roadways. Overflowing poor drainage areas.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...

- At 728 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to

thunderstorms. This will cause urban and small stream

flooding.

- Channing is the most likely place to experience minor

Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are expected

over the area. This additional rain will result in minor

- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood

deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 745 PM CDT

FOR NORTHWESTERN HANSFORD AND NORTHEASTERN SHERMAN COUNTIES...

At 730 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line

extending from 14 miles southeast of Goodwell to 10 miles west of

Gruver to 16 miles north of Sunray, moving east at 25 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to roofs, siding, and trees is possible. Hail

damage to vehicles is expected.

These severe thunderstorms will remain over mainly rural areas of

northwestern Hansford and northeastern Sherman Counties.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO AMARILLO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Saturday, June 11, 2022

_____

HEAT ADVISORY

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service Amarillo TX

356 PM CDT Fri Jun 10 2022

...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 9 PM CDT SATURDAY

LOWER TERRAIN AREAS SUCH AS PALO DURO CANYON STATE PARK AND THE

CANADIAN RIVER VALLEY COULD HAVE TEMPERATURES APPROACHING 110...

* WHAT...Temperatures of 105 to 107 expected. Lower terrain areas

such as Palo Duro Canyon State Park and the Canadian River Valley

could have temperatures approaching 110.

* WHERE...Central Oklahoma Panhandle and southwest and north central

Texas Panhandle.

* WHEN...From 1 PM to 9 PM CDT Saturday.

* 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.

Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose

fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning

or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and

heat stroke.

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.

Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates.

...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 9 PM CDT SATURDAY LOWER

TERRAIN AREAS SUCH AS PALO DURO CANYON STATE PARK AND THE CANADIAN

RIVER VALLEY COULD HAVE TEMPERATURES APPROACHING 110...

* WHERE...Eastern third of the Oklahoma Panhandle and the eastern

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
Hyderabad: The Hayathnagar police booked Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Telangana unit president Bandi Sanjay and arrested party leader Jitta Balakrishna Reddy on charges of levelling false accusations against Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao and defaming government schemes.

Balakrishna Reddy was arrested at a toll gate in Ghatkesar on Friday. Police seized a mask with the likeness of the Chief Minister along with a liquor bottle and a flexiboard of Telangana Formation Day from Reddy.

Police said that on June 6, the TS BJP organised an event to mark Telangana Formation Day but misused the dais and played a hateful skit with the help of BJP cultural team led by Boddu Yellanna alias Daruvu Yellanna.

Police said Y. Sathish Reddy, Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) social media convener, lodged a complaint alleging that the BJP had misused the platform to defame the government schemes with false accusations on the Chief Minister.

Based on this claim, a case was registered against Sanjay, Balakrishna Reddy, Yelanna and BJP leader Rani Rudrama.

On examination of the video, it is evident that the organisers have misused the dais... to make derogatory comments, personal attacks, depicting the Chief Minister of a state as a boozer, cheater etc., to lower the image of a person elected by democratic means and holding a constitutional post, thereby they have indulged in personal attack and hate speech by way of playing a skit and caused distress among public, the police said.

The skit was videographed and telecast by V6, a Telugu news channel, and generated views to their story and caused distress among certain groups by disseminating/telecasting the hate speech to provoke hatred among the groups on the basis of their association which may cause threat to the democratic order, added the police.

Such an act had gone against the democratic ethos and hurt the public will, police said.
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
Express Entry: What is the Comprehensive Ranking System? The Canadian government uses the CRS to score and rank Express Entry candidates.

Express Entry: What is the Comprehensive Ranking System? The Canadian government uses the CRS to score and rank Express Entry candidates.

Express Entry: What is the Comprehensive Ranking System? The Canadian government uses the CRS to score and rank Express Entry candidates. Edana Robitaille Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

Sans Font Size A

A

Anyone who is considering immigrating to Canada under an Express Entry program will very quickly encounter the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Canada started using the CRS when it introduced Express Entry in 2015.

The CRS is a detailed and evidence-based approach designed to identify immigrants who have the best chance of succeeding in the Canadian labour market. It does this by awarding Express Entry candidates points based on core human capital criteria such as age, education, language skills, and work experience. Candidates are then ranked against each other based on their CRS score.

Who is eligible for a CRS score?

The CRS applies to candidates eligible for at least one of the three Express Entry programs: the Federal Skilled Work Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). A CRS score will only be given to candidates in these programs.

How it works

CRS scores are calculated using a variety of factors and can go as high as 1200 points. The higher you score, the more likely you are to get an invitation to apply (ITA).

Get a Free Express Entry Assessment

How points are awarded

There are four factors (also called sections) under which you can gain CRS points:

Core/Human Captial (age, skilled work experience in Canada, education, and language)

Spouse or common-law partner (education, language, work experience)

Skill Transferability (combinations of language, education, and work experience)

Additional factors (Provincial nomination, sibling in Canada, proficiency in English and French)

Core/human capital

Core/human capital factors can add up to a maximum of 500 points with language the highest number of points at 150 as a single applicant, followed by education at 140, age at 100 and Canadian work experience at 70 points.

Age

Maximum points are awarded to those in the prime of their working life. Candidates in their 20s score 100 points. Points progressively decline beginning from age 30, until it reaches 0 points for those aged 45 and older.

Age (in years) With an accompanying spouse (maximum points available: 100) Without an accompanying spouse (maximum points available: 110) under 18 0 points 0 points 18 90 99 19 95 105 20-29 100 110 30 95 105 31 90 99 32 85 94 33 80 88 34 75 83 35 70 77 36 65 72 37 60 66 38 55 61 39 50 55 40 45 50 41 35 39 42 25 28 43 15 17 44 5 6 45 or older 0 0

Work experience in Canada

All Express Entry programs require a minimum amount of skilled work experience in an occupation that falls under skill levels 0, A or B of Canadas National Occupation Classification (NOC) system. The CRS awards additional points to those with Canadian experience since Statistics Canada research shows such experience supports strong economic outcomes among those who worked in Canada prior to obtaining permanent residence.

A single candidate with more than five years of Canadian work experience can score up to 80 points, while the minimum requirement of one year is 40.

Number of years With an accompanying spouse (maximum points available: 70 for PA; 10 for spouse) Without an accompanying spouse (maximum points available: 80) Less than 1 0 points 0 points 1 year 35 for PA; 5 for spouse 40 2 years 46 for PA; 7 for spouse 53 3 years 56 for PA; 8 for spouse 64 4 years 63 for PA; 9 for spouse 72 5 years or more 70 for PA; 10 for spouse 80

Language

Candidates must complete a test authorized by the Canadian government in one of Canadas official languages, English or French. A Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) of less than 4 or 5 points will result in a 0. Candidates with a CLB 7 will receive 23 and CLB 10 and above is worth 34 points.

Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) With an accompanying spouse (maximum points available: 128 for PA; 20 for spouse) Without an accompanying spouse (maximum points available: 136) For each language ability 32 points for PA; 5 points for spouse 34 points CLB 3 or lower 0 0 CLB 4 6 for PA; 0 for spouse 6 CLB 5 6 for PA; 1 for spouse 6 CLB 6 8 for PA; 1 for spouse 9 CLB 7 16 for PA; 3 for spouse 17 CLB 8 22 for PA; 3 for spouse 23 CLB 9 29 for PA; 5 for spouse 31 CLB 10 or higher 32 for PA; 5 for spouse 34

*Points in the chart above are for each language ability: speaking, writing, reading and listening, respectively.

Education

Every candidate can boost a CRS score by proving they have completed secondary or post-secondary education in Canada. They may also submit an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) that shows an equivalent education from outside of Canada. More years of education will result in more points. If a candidate with a bachelors degree or a three or more year program at a university, college, trade or technical school, or another institute can score up to 120 points. Longer programs, such as a Ph.D., will score 150 while candidates who have only completed secondary school will receive 30 points.

Level of education With an accompanying spouse

(maximum points available: 140 for PA, 10 for spouse) Without an accompanying spouse (maximum points available: 150) Less than secondary (high) school credential 0 points 0 points Secondary school credential 28 for PA; 2 for spouse 30 One-year post-secondary program 84 for PA; 6 for spouse 90 Two-year post-secondary program 91 for PA; 7 for spouse 98 Post-secondary program of 3 or more years 112 for PA; 8 for spouse 120 Two or more post-secondary programs, of which at least one was completed after a post-secondary program of three or more years 119 for PA; 9 for spouse 128 Masters or entry-to-practice professional degree 126 for PA; 10 for spouse 135 Doctoral Degree (PhD) 140 for PA; 10 for spouse 150

Points for spouses and partners

Points are awarded differently depending on if you are applying by yourself or with a spouse or partner. Those who are applying for Express Entry with a spouse are given 40 fewer points overall as individuals, which will be made up by your partners human capital. The overall number of points is the same for both single applicants and those in a relationship, but it is calculated differently.

If you are planning to immigrate with a spouse or common-law partner, you should have them estimate their CRS score using a CRS calculator. If they have a higher score than you, it may be a good idea to have them apply as the principal applicant to maximize your overall CRS score.

Skill Transferability

The CRS also ranks based on skill transferability factors. Candidates can get an additional 100 CRS points if they can show a combination of work experience and education both inside and outside of Canada, or a combination of post-secondary education and a high CLB score.

Education and Canadian Work Experience

Education 1 year of Canadian work experience 2 or more years of Canadian work experience No post-secondary education 0 0 Post-secondary education of 1 year or longer 13 25 Two or more post-secondary credentials, the first of which was 3 or more years in duration 25 50 A university-level credential at the masters level or at the level of an entry-to-practice professional degree for an occupation listed in the National Occupational Classification matrix at Skill Level A for which licensing by a provincial regulatory body is required 25 50 A university-level credential at the doctoral level 25 50

Education and Language Ability

Education CLB 7 or higher on all language abilities, with at least one of these CLB 8 CLB 9 or higher for all language abilities No post-secondary education 0 0 Post-secondary education of 1 year or longer 13 25 Two or more post-secondary credentials,

the first of which was 3 or more years in duration 25 50 A university-level credential at the masters level or at the level of an entry-to-practice professional degree for an occupation listed in the National Occupational Classification matrix at Skill Level A for which licensing by a provincial regulatory body is required 25 50 A university-level credential at the doctoral level 25 50

Language Ability and Non-Canadian Work Experience

Non-Canadian Work Experience CLB 7 or higher on all language abilities, with at least one of these CLB 8 CLB 9 or higher for all language abilities No non-Canadian work experience 0 0 1 or 2 years of non-Canadian work experience 13 25 3 or more years of non-Canadian work experience 25 50

Canadian and non-Canadian Work Experience

Experience 1 year of Canadian work experience 2 or more years of Canadian work experience No non-Canadian work experience 0 0 1 or 2 years of non-Canadian work experience 13 25 3 or more years of non-Canadian work experience 25 50

Certificate of Qualification in a Trade and Language Ability

Certificate of Qualification CLB 5 or higher on all language abilities, with at least one CLB 5 or 6 CLB 7 or higher on all language abilities Certificate of qualification in a trade occupation issued by a province 25 50

Additional factors

The CRS also takes other factors into account. For example, a candidate who has a sibling in Canada will score higher, as well as a candidate who has a minimum CLB score of seven in both English and French.

The highest number of additional points comes from the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Candidates who receive a notification of interest from a province can apply for nomination to immigrate to a specific province. If they are successful in their provincial nomination, it is an automatic 600 CRS points on their Express Entry profile, which is higher than most candidates score and is likely to result in an invitation to apply for permanent residency from Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) nomination certificate Points For an enhanced nomination certificate from a Canadian province (except Quebec) 600 Qualifying offer of arranged employment Points For a qualifying job offer of arranged employment from a Canadian employer if the offer is in an occupation contained in Major Group 00 Senior Management Occupations 200 For a qualifying job offer of arranged employment from a Canadian employer if the offer is any other qualifying offer of arranged employment 50 Canadian study experience Points If the candidate has an eligible credential from a one-year or two-year post-secondary program in Canada 15 If the candidate has either: an eligible credential from a post-secondary program of three years or more, or an eligible credential from a university-level program at the masters level or at the level of an entry-to-practice professional degree for an occupation listed in the National Occupational Classification matrix at Skill Level A for which licensing by a provincial regulatory body is required, or an eligible credential from a university-level program at the doctoral level. 30 French language ability Points If the candidate proves adequate intermediate (equivalent to CLB 7) or better French ability, and English ability of CLB 4 or lower (or no English language test result) 25 If the candidate proves adequate intermediate (equivalent to CLB 7) or better French ability, and English ability of CLB 5 or better 50 Sibling in Canada Points If the candidate, or the accompanying spouse/common-law partner, has a sibling in Canada who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of at least 18 years of age, related through blood, adoption, marriage, or common-law partnership. 15

After you receive your CRS score

Once you have your CRS score, the next step is the wait for IRCC to hold Express Entry draws, which typically happen every two weeks. IRCC will decide what the minimum CRS score is for the draw and candidates with this score or higher are likely to receive an ITA. Once you get your ITA, you have 60 days to submit all your documents in support of your permanent residence application. Beginning in July, when it resumes all-program draws, IRCC will aim to return to its pre-pandemic service standard of finalizing Express Entry permanent residence applications within six months.

How can I improve my CRS score?

Focus on the factors within your control. You cannot control your age, but if you are 30 or older, you begin to lose points for your age, so you may decide it is best to enter the Express Entry pool sooner rather than later to maximize your age points.

One factor you may wish to improve on is your language test score, given that this is the human capital factor that can get you the most CRS points. It is common for Express Entry candidates to retake a language test until they get the CLB score they are content with.

If you are not eligible for an Express Entry program, or if you want to boost your CRS score, it may be possible to come to Canada on a temporary work permit or as a student. Gaining Canadian work and study experience is an asset when it comes to the CRS.

What if my CRS score is low?

A low CRS score shouldnt be the end of your immigration journey to Canada. If you have completed your language testing and submitted your ECA, you should still submit an Express Entry application. Express Entry applications are free and you have nothing to lose by trying. Being in the pool gives you some chance of getting an ITA. For instance, a province may decide to invite you to apply to their PNP, which would virtually guarantee you an ITA for permanent residence.

Other human capital scores can always be improved. For example, there is no limit to the number of times you can submit your language test scores. IRCC will always use the highest score in your profile. You can update your Express Entry profile as often as you wish.

Remember that CRS score cut-offs are constantly changing in response to Canadas evolving policies and economic priorities. You are also welcome to pursue other Canadian permanent residence pathways at the same time. IRCC does not prevent candidates from entering the Express Entry pool and also applying to other federal and provincial immigration programs.

Get a Free Express Entry Assessment

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.
In recent months, you may have noticed an uptick in two-factor and multi-factor authentication prompts, which are being used to verify consumer and business accounts. These tools are gaining more traction to help consumers and businesses protect against identity fraud, data breaches, password skimming, and phishing/ransomware attacks.

Recent stats from the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) show that about 92% of data breaches are cyber-attack-related, and data breaches in Q1 2022 were 14% higher than the same period in 2021.

The ITRC stats also show that in Q1 2022 alone, nearly half (154 of 367) of data breach notices didnt include the nature of the breach and were designated unknown. This unknown amount was 40% higher than the unknown data breach causes for all of 2021.

So how can CISOs prepare their firms to thwart these cybersecurity attacks? They must stay on top of emerging technologies to combat evolving threats, system vulnerability, and bad actors, adapting to constantly changing circumstances.

Cyber hacks in 2022

Already, this year has proven to be full of corporate security exploits. One well-known group referred to as Lapsus$, operating out of South America, has committed several cyber hacks. The group was confirmed to be the perpetrators in the attacks against NVIDIA, Samsung, T-Mobile, and Vodafone.

In the T-Mobile case, Lapsus$ members hacked into T-Mobiles network in March 2022 by compromising employee accounts, either via phishing or another form of social engineering. Once within the T-Mobile database of customer accounts, the cybercriminals sought to find T-Mobile accounts connected to the US Department of Defense and the FBI.

Lapsus$ also claimed responsibility for a cyberattack against Microsoft. The software giant confirmed that its internal Azure DevOps source code repositories and stolen data were hacked via an employees account but added that only limited access was granted.

Another recent breach took advantage of a companys sales team via social engineering. A cybercriminal who pretended to be a member of the companys corporate IT department reached out to the organizations salespeople with requests for CRM log-in credentials. Ironically, this request was made under the guise of installing additional layers of security for the users and their critical systems to become more secure.

Unfortunately, at least one salesperson fell for the ruse, and the criminals were able to access their credentials, gain access to the companys CRM system, and download targeted portions of the customer database.

These types of attacks are becoming more common and are more difficult to solve given traditional access control methods.

Implementing multi-factor authentication

For CISOs, its become imperative to implement two-factor authentication (2FA)  at a minimum  for access to all computers, servers, infrastructure services, and business applications. Adding 2FA is helping keep hackers and cybercriminals at bay, preventing them from gaining access to systems. Although even these solutions can be circumvented by clever techniques.

Some companies use physical security keys for an additional layer of data protection. For example, physical security keys can help halt phishing attacks when multi-factor authentication is available. They are available in several formats, are easy to use, and generally are an inexpensive means for protecting data security.

Other security measures that leverage existing employee devices have been introduced to combat the example above of the unsuspecting salesperson giving system log-in credentials away. For example, one company has developed a user and transaction specific QR code a Nametag* code that is matched to all employees in the company, including IT administrators. If a person in the company gets a request to share log-in details or some other critical data, this dynamic code verifies the request  the identity, intent, and permission to complete the transaction are all verified and approved. Without it, the request is not valid.

Solving the password problem

How do we solve the user password problem? Are technology solutions the answer? For example, can IT pros heighten data security by linking a persons username/password to the physical proximity of their device? And are deeper levels around training, management, and user behavior necessary?

Opportunity abounds for innovation. A few start-ups are tying together behavioral biometrics for IT identity management* purposes. The platform assesses several factors about individuals, for instance, how a user walks, speaks aloud, types on their keypad, or moves a mouse. Individually, these factors might not be sufficient to confirm a users identity. But when several of these are combined, these characteristics can create a unique biometric that identifies a user with nearly 100% accuracy.

In an increasingly remote/hybrid work and volatile world, CISOs must protect access to data in multiple ways and strive to:

Learn, understand and be vigilant to the types of evolving tools and tactics that cybercriminals are actively using.

Have a cyber-attack plan or incident response playbook ready to go.

Prepare containment and mitigation strategies and guidelines for events during (or after) an attack.

Get up to speed on new AI-based technologies that can help minimize cybersecurity risks.

Share data knowledge and security alerts with other businesses and government/cyber security communities to help others become more aware of potential threats and how to best mitigate these potentially damaging events.

With malevolent external forces on the rise and the war in Ukraine creating additional IT security pressure, it is paramount for CISOs to ensure that this most basic form of access is vigilantly guarded against new and ever-evolving security risks.

*Disclosure: Glasswing is an investor in these cybersecurity startups.
IBM was among the first companies to help shape the parameters of the IT department and the ever-evolving role of CIO, and IBM CIO Kathryn Guarini has had a front row seat to watch the role change throughout her 22-year career with the company. Prior to becoming CIO last year, Guarini was COO of the IBM Research Division, arming her with extensive experience working with emerging technology and other innovations coming from IBM.

Back in around the 1950s is when the first CIO roles really emerged. And it was just beginning to be clear that technology would be a differentiator for us  IBM was advocating on behalf of our clients to elevate the role that IT leaders would play in enterprises, says Guarini.

And elevate CIOs have. From their early days as IT operations managers, CIOs have evolved to hold a firm place in the C-suite where they now are sitting at the table and influencing decisions, whether that be the investment or the strategic decisions, and reacting to those decisions by putting the right investments and priorities in place to support the needs of the business, Guarini says.

With a background working directly with some of the biggest innovations to come out of IBM, Guarini occupies a unique space at the intersection of technology and business, even among CIOs. Like most CIOs, Guarini has a strong focus on emerging technologies, sustainability, and employee experience  key facets in delivering business value to her organization. But in helming IT at IBM, she is also tasked with identifying what technologies make the most sense not only for IBM but also its CIO clients.

The evolving CIO role

In the past decade, IT has catapulted from back-office function to a vital department key to the success of nearly every business. As strategic business partners, CIOs must now ensure the organizations technology agenda is driving the most meaningful impact to the business, says Guarini. And today that means not only having a firm grasp on business priorities and how to lead IT to achieve them but also a clear understanding that todays CIOs must make sure the tools in place are effective and dont stand in the way of employees getting their jobs done, Guarini says.

We try to bring the technology to improve the overall outcomes that were trying to achieve,  and if we can stay focused on that user experience it usually points us in the right direction on those things that matter most, she says, adding that a large part of the role of CIO involves ensuring technology can drive efficiencies, reduce friction, and improve user experience in the workplace.

There may be no greater example of how vital IT is to employee experience than the COVID-19 pandemic. Overnight, organizations around the globe had to pivot to remote work, whether they were prepared to or not. At IBM, which operates globally in 170 countries, the pivot to remote work was relatively seamless, says Guarini. The company had already been operating in a largely hybrid model, with flexible workplace best practices in place.

But even with a mostly seamless transition, there were still additional requirements that the pandemic put on the IT department, Guarini says. IBM IT had to evaluate how to support that many concurrent remote employees with networking solutions, how to manage workflows that used to take place in person with product development and incident response, and other interesting new challenges, both technical and process that had to be dealt with due to the shift to remote work, she says.

Bridging the client/vendor divide

But a key remit for todays CIOs, and one Guarini is uniquely positioned to understand, is helping organizations figure out where to make the right investments to drive the innovation agenda, she says, adding that CIOs must shape the direction and influence the investments as they are ultimately the ones responsible for ensuring that those investments adequately support business initiatives.

Here, Guarini operates in an interesting nexus  she is CIO of IBM, but as CIO, shes also an IBM client.

I am using the same technology that IBM develops and brings to our clients. And I want to be a few years ahead of where our clients are. I want to be an early adopter of that technology, help to validate it, make it better, demonstrate how it can scale, and meet the kind of challenges of a large-scale complex enterprise like IBM. When it can work for IBM, it will work for our clients as well, she says.

Key to prioritizing emerging technology, Guarini says, is being able to sift through the noise and identify technology that will be valuable to the organization. Here, the CIO leans on her experience in the research arm of IBM, where evaluating trends to identify technology that will impact business was a central facet of the job.

I think both automation and AI offer so much promise, she says. And we are beginning already to realize that promise and to see the benefits. But its not the technology in isolation  we need to think about how do we marry that technology with the business process and the opportunity to really drive something thats of value?

For example, IBM has deployed automation software such as Turbonomic, Red Hat Ansible Tower, and Konveyor Tackel to handle various aspects of IT automation to improve reliability, efficiency, and scale, while also cutting down on human interactions with IT systems. The company has also embraced IBM robotic process automation (RPA) across several business areas, including management, finance, compliance, and procurement, ultimately reducing manual labor by 234,000 hours and minimizing the risks that can come from human error. They have also used RPA to automate invoice processing, to link system identities, to verify access requests, to notify managers for approval, and to spot potential conflicts with assigned duties across different users.

IBM has also deployed bots to help HR employees manage tasks such as job changes, department transfers, and salary adjustments. Chatbots are also being used to improve IT support, answer simple questions, manage customer feedback, and manage invoicing. The company has also integrated AI into its pricing process to remove inconsistencies or inherent bias. Since deploying AI for customer support issues, Guarini says IBM has seen a 26% reduction in time-to-resolution of customer support cases.

Adopting emerging technologies at IBM

Having come from the IBM Research Division, which consists of around 3,000 technical scientists and engineers who help shape the future of AI, cybersecurity, quantum computing, and hybrid cloud, Guarini knows a lot must happen between identifying transformational technology and deploying it. And that responsibility is even more important when internally vetting emerging technology as an enterprise IT provider  because as any client CIO knows, no matter how promising a technology may be, there are several hurdles to clear before it can be adopted and deployed at enterprise scale.

We have ideas of what technology should do, but sometimes the complexity of deploying some of this technology becomes more challenging than we anticipated in a design dreaming session. When we begin to deploy it as an early adopter, a sponsor user, or an anchor client; thats when we can figure out what it will take to make this work in practice in a real-life environment. And thats really powerful, she says.

Guarini feels her research background makes her more likely to partner with IBMs R&D functions, to leverage emerging technologies at scale, and to question how we can drive innovation into our agenda, she says. She finds herself in a unique position to be able to validate enterprise IT use cases, while also ensuring that the IT department itself is an early adopter of IBMs own innovations, which can ultimately help make the companys solutions even better.

Moreover, sharing with IBM customers these real-life use-cases of IBM technology in action at scale helps demonstrate whats possible, brings credibility to our offerings, and builds confidence with our clients and partners, says Guarini, who has also launched a blog, Making IT Real, where she details the various technologies IBM has embraced and how theyve helped the organization.

Ive both learned a lot and been able to bring a new perspective based on my experience in the rest of the company. Certainly, the challenge of meeting the unique needs of our large, complex enterprise means that not all innovations are ready for large-scale production deployment. Thats okay. Its been instructive to experiment with emerging technologies and determine whats suitable for our needs and where we can provide feedback to enhance solutions, she says.
Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan interacts to an old lady during Mahila Darbar as a part of Praja Darbar held at Raj Bhavan on Friday. (Image: DC)

Hyderabad: Telangana Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan on Friday said those who were dubbing her activities as unconstitutional, should first follow the Constitution and then decide what is unconstitutional.

Speaking with reporters at the Raj Bhavan where she held a Mahila Darbar, an event which saw more than 400 women submit their memoranda and complaints, Dr Soundararajan said, Some critics say how Raj Bhavan can conduct this. Each and every public office is for people whether it is that of a panchayat president or that of the Governor.

To a question on TRS leaders calling the Darbar unconstitutional, she said: Let them call whatever they want, any other words also they want they can use. But when they say it is unconstitutional then they have to respect the Constitution first. But the Constitutional office is not respected, what to do?

On the Darbar, which by all indications was a hit with the women, she said the response was overwhelming. Several of the petitions that seek some monetary help, or referrals to hospitals, will be dealt with by her office, she said, adding the rest will be sent to the government for redressal. She said she hopes the government will address the issues raised by the petitioners. I am asking in a very very very friendly manner, she said.

Dr Soundararajan reiterated that she wanted to be a catalyst, a bridge between the people and the government. I am very clear in that. There are no politics in this. I wanted to hear the unheard voices, she said.

The Governor said that as a woman, she could understand the problems faced by women. There may be some inhibitions for women to approach a politician.

The women have hope on the Constitutional office and they may approach me. There should be an easily approachable public forum. When a person is willing to serve the people of Telangana, why it this be denied is my simple question, she said.

On the government considering making the Chief Minister the Chancellor of universities, she laughed and said Chief Ministers are not doing what they should do. Then they want added responsibilities, Let them first do all the work assigned to them. If the CM wants everything, OK no problems. It is democracy you see.

On bridging the gap between the Raj Bhavan and Pragati Bhavan, the Governor said with a laugh: Succesfully on June 2 we completed one year of not meeting with each other. She added that the Chief Minister send her greetings on her birthday.

Dr Soundararajan also rejected the contention that there was a case for Presidents rule in the state as sought by some political parties. She said I always respect democratically elected governments and the democratically elected government should respond to the request of the Constitutional office too.

She referred to the breach of protocol by the government with her, and said this, however, is not halting my activities.
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On Wednesday, the day before the House committee investigating January 6 was scheduled to host its first televised hearing, Dan Friedman and Pema Levy, of Mother Jones, offered the press a version of a warning that Ive often had occasion to issue in this newsletter. Scolding Margaret Brennan, of CBS, for asking a committee member whether the hearings success would hinge on its ability to deliver a bombshell about the insurrection that day, Friedman and Levy noted that we all saw then-president Trump attempt a coup and incite a riot as it happened, and that we dont need new information to understand how bad it was. Brennan was channeling a dangerous narrative that has become conventional wisdom, not just for Beltway media types but also among many Democrats: the need for more, they wrote. Waiting for new bombshells risks overlooking what we already know. And that helps Trumps defenders move the goal posts.

Friedman and Levy werent alone: in the days leading up to the hearing, other media watchers expressed fears that reporters and pundits would judge it on novelty, optics, or otherwise trivial grounds, and pointed to examples that they felt showed this happening already: a New York Times headline casting the hearing as a chance for Democrats to recast their midterm message; a Times op-ed declaring the hearing an anticlimax before it had even begun; a Politico newsletter pregaming the hearing and picking its sleeper player and possible breakout. The day of the hearing is going to be maddening, Danna Young, a communications professor at the University of Delaware, predicted. Journalists will be tempted to cover the Jan 6 hearings like they cover everything else: as a strategic game between two political sides. Such worries were justified by ample precedent. In July 2019, denizens of the political press set ludicrous expectations for a congressional hearing featuring Robert Mueller, then deemed that the session was bad TV, with NBCs Chuck Todd ruling that on optics, this was a disaster. Later the same year, top outlets variously described the first day of televised hearings in Trumps (first) impeachment as lacking pizzazz, and consequential, but dull.

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Meanwhile, the January 6 committee worked ahead of time to add pizzazz, or something like it, to its TV debut. As far back as March, the Washington Post reported that members were thinking about how to produce blockbuster televised hearings that the public actually tunes into, and were trying to hire high-profile journalists to turn its final report into a narrative thriller; last week, Axios broke the news that the committee had hired James Goldston, a former documentary producer and president of ABC News, to hone a mountain of explosive material into a captivating multimedia presentation ahead of the hearing, which he reportedly planned to make raw enough that skeptical journalists will find the material fresh. The networks, for their part, outlined plans to air the hearingwhich was scheduled for prime timelive, with top broadcast networks pledging to preempt normal programming to that end.

Well, most of the networks: Fox News said that it would stick with its regular nightly opinion lineup and cover the hearing only as news warrants; the network said that its sister channel Fox Business would carry the hearing livethough, as many observers pointed out, the latter has a tiny audience compared to the former. Critics howled that Fox was, once again, failing in its civic duty to its viewers; Laura Ingraham responded that Fox was merely planning to cater to our audience, an admission that struck various observers as saying the quiet part out loud. Chuck Schumer, the Senate majority leader, said that Fox was scared of its viewers learning the devastating truth about January 6. Top congressional Republicans, meanwhile, tightly clutched their pearls, slamming the committees hiring of Goldston and writing off the hearing as a partisan, made for TV, media spectacle. They would know.

Last night, at 8pm Eastern, the preemptive noise ceased and the hearing began. Bennie Thompson, the committees Democratic chair, immediately started to lay out Trumps culpability for the events of January 6, calling the attack on the Capitol the culmination of an attempted coup; then, Liz Cheney, the Republican vice-chair, picked up the thread, introducing videos of pretaped testimony that showed people close to Trumphis former attorney general William Barr; his daughter Ivankacalling his claims of a stolen election bullshit, to borrow Barrs word. There followed a harrowing montage packaging never-before-seen footage of the insurrection, followed by a break, followed by live testimony from two witnesses: Nick Quested, a British documentarian who was embedded with the extremist group the Proud Boys around the time of the insurrection, and Caroline Edwards, a police officer whom the mob knocked violently to the floor and who later slipped in her colleagues blood. The hearing concluded with another video montage, this time showing insurrectionists testifying that they had answered Trumps call. The whole thing was over in a crisp two hours.

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While all this was going on, of course, the noise continued on Fox. It tells you a lot about the priorities of our ruling class that the rest of us are getting yet another lecture about January 6 tonight, from our moral inferiors, no less, Tucker Carlson said as he came on air at 8, calling the insurrection a forgettably minor outbreak of mob violence, and adding, They are lying and we are not going to help them do it. At 9, he was relieved by Sean Hannity, who declared that the hearing had overpromised and underdelivered even though it was still going on. At one point in the hearing, Cheney read out a text from January 7 in which Hannity privately urged no more stolen election talk from Trump. On air last night, Hannity did not mention the text.

Back in the real world, the hearing was getting rave reviews from many real journalists. Wesley Lowery called it extremely compelling, from a storytelling perspective; Punchbowls Jake Sherman, who was in the Capitol on January 6, said that the footage presented at the hearing was unlike anything Ive ever seen. In a headline, the Times described the committees case as vivid, with Peter Baker adding, in an analysis piece, that a more damning indictment of a president has surely never been presented in the entirety of US history. The Posts Amber Phillips wrote that the committee had laid out a mountain of evidence expertly. The Hollywood Reporter called the hearing must-see TV. On TV itself, CNNs Jake Tapper hailed the hearings many big bombshell scoops, while his colleague Chris Wallace, formerly of Fox, called it a very powerful, well-produced presentation (after saying, ahead of time, that he was skeptical of the committee overselling its hype). On PBS, Judy Woodruff described the footage in the hearing as jaw dropping. On NBC, Chuck Todd compared the hearing favorably with the Mueller investigation and Trumps two impeachments. This probe, he said, truly has the receipts.

Not that everyone was completely sold on the revolutionary nature of the presentation. Oliver Darcy, a media reporter at CNN, questioned whether Goldstons production assistance had really been necessary, arguing that, beyond the montages, the hearing presented important information in a fairly standard format. Deadlines Dominic Patten went much further, arguing that the hearing unveiled no smoking gun and was NPR when it should have been UFC, adding that the committee may want to give Mark Burnett a shout. (The latter two lines have since been removed, with editors adding a note to clarify that Patten did not mean to denigrate or belittle the events of January 6. His piece, apparently, has been edited to better reflect his point of view.)

Ahead of the first televised hearings in Trumps 2019 impeachment, I wrote that pundits werent totally wrong to focus on optics given that persuading the public to care was the point at this staging post in a much broader political process; the problem, I wrote, was that many pundits have a sensationalized and shallow definition of what makes for good TV. I would disagree with Pattens conclusions about last nights hearing on almost exactly the same terms. The committee, I would argue, couldnt deviate too far from the way congressional hearings typically look and sound; if it had done so, the hearing would not recognizably have been a hearing, and could easily have sacrificed its own gravitas and slipped into genreless confusion.

Within these obligatory boundaries, I found the hearing short, sharp, and innovative. Most of the committees members were not given the opportunity to grandstand, making it easier for viewers to focus their attention on the evidence and witnesses. Edwardss testimony was wrenching in an understated way; if a single moment of the hearing stood out to me, it was watching her calm reaction, across a split screen, as she was shown footage of the mob slamming her to the floor. The committee was smart, too, to segue straight from its montage of unseen riot footage to a break, allowing the networks to cut in with commentary. If I had to compare the hearing to a work of journalism, Id not pick public radio but a comprehensive magazine article: there were newsy scoops in there, but its much greater value came in laying out truths that we already knew with a searing depth, emotional resonance, and fresh perspective.

Its welcome, after all the atrocious takes of Trump hearings past, that so many media observers, at least that I saw, found this hearing to be compelling on something like those terms, and didnt write it off as a dud because the committee didnt show footage of Trump screaming I WANT TO DO A COUP while fireworks popped and The Final Countdown blared in the background. Not that theres much comfort to be found in top journalists dodging the direst predictions of their impending inanity. The correct judgment that this was a slick TV spectacle doesnt excuse those who wrongly found past spectacles of obvious wrongdoing to be lacking in receipts. On a more fundamental level, its depressing that weve ever needed slick TV spectacles to convince people of obvious wrongdoing. And last night, the people who most needed to be convinced were those watching Tucker.

Below, more on the hearing and January 6:

How others covered it: Yesterday morning, an anchor on Newsmax gleefully said on air that that right-wing network would not be broadcasting the hearing live, either only for the network to then put out a statement saying that it would be . This is an important news event and the reason Newsmax will carry it live, but it will also be important for us to make sure the public is aware of any and all partisan bias that results from the hearing, the channel said. (Its coverage, in the end, was predictably dismissive .) Two other networks not to air the hearing in full were Telemundo and Univision, though both carried it online. CNNs Brian Stelter has a full roundup of which network did what .

Shorthanded: Writing for The Atlantic ahead of the hearing, Grant Tudor made the case that January 6 is dangerous shorthand for the much broader right-wing attack on democracy , and drew a parallel with Watergate, which itself was much more than just a burglary. The consequences of incomplete storytelling have reverberated, Tudor argues. As the political scientist Paul Musgrave observes, The Unfinished Nation among the countrys most circulated high-school history textbooksfeatures just two and a half pages about Watergate, without mentioning any specific crime other than the break-in. Today, the suffix -gate is attached to all manner of scandals, including those of merely passing significance, hardly reserved for severe crises of democracy.

A serious thing: Check My Ads, a nonprofit that aims to defund online disinformation by pressuring ad exchanges to drop its purveyors, is now taking on the website and YouTube channel of Fox News, NPRs Bobby Allyn reports . Advertisers have said over and over again, We dont want to fund violence, so its shocking that Fox News is still receiving these ad dollars, Claire Atkin, the groups cofounder, said, arguing that Fox encouraged and supported the insurrection. (Fox dismissed the effort as censorship.)

A funny thing: On Tuesdaywhile his wife, the former Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway, hosted a book party at Cafe Milano in DCthe outspoken anti-Trump lawyer George Conway appeared on both CNN and MSNBC to condemn Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Politico s DC playbook said it was reliably informed that George booked the appearances as counterprogramming to Kellyannes event, with Cafe Milano owning two large TV screens that are usually tuned to cable news.



Other notable stories:

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Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in the New York Review of Books, Foreign Policy, and The Nation, among other outlets. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop.
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 didnt 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.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
UMIA Insurance refused to accept an $800,000 settlement in a malpractice suit against a plastic surgeon who shared nude before-and-after photographs of a patients body with a Fox News affiliate.

The insurer could pay more than three times that amount under a decision Thursday by the Utah Supreme Court.

The court ruled that the trial court erred by dismissing Dr. Renato Saltzs petition for punitive damages against UMIA on top of the $500,000 in compensatory damages and $987,877.62 in attorney fees that a Salt Lake County jury had awarded him. Punitive damages generally cannot exceed three times the amount of actual damages in Utah courts.

A reasonable jury could conclude that UMIA manifest[ed] a knowing and reckless indifference toward, and a disregard of, [Saltzs rights], the court said, quoting a Utah statute.

Conilyn Judge sued Saltz after he provided the Fox News affiliate with photographs of her body from neck to mid-thigh for a story on plastic surgery. She had signed a release agreeing to be photographed on the condition that her identity not be revealed and consented to an on-camera interview. Fox News in 2008 broadcasted an edited version of the photos, with black bars obscuring the breasts and genitals, in a story about how to choose a competent plastic surgeon.

Saltz received a letter from Judges attorney a month later. She filed a lawsuit against the doctor and Fox News in early 2009, seeking millions of dollars in damages, according to the courts opinion.

Saltz had purchased a professional liability policy from UIMA with a $1 million limit. He also had a general liability insurance policy with The Hartford.

Fox agreed to settle the case for $300,000, but UMIA refused Judges offer to settle with Saltz for $800,000. It offered $100,000 instead.

The Salt Lake County trial court dismissed Judges lawsuit in 2016, after her ex-husband testified that she had appeared in public wearing a bikini.

Judge appealed, but UMIA withdrew its settlement offer in the meantime. In 2016, the Utah Supreme Court reversed the trial court and revived Judges claim.

This time, she demanded $1 million to settle the case. UMIA told Saltz that his policy did not cover Judges claim and suggested that he ask the Hartford to reconsider its decision denying coverage.

Saltz obtained his own counsel and negotiated a settlement that required him to pay $500,000 out of his own funds, with The Hartford paying an additional $500,000 to Judge.

Saltz sued UMIA alleging breach of contract and bad faith.

His attorney, Julianne P. Blanch with Parsons Behle & Latimer in Salt Lake City, said Thursday that the doctor asked for punitive damages because the insurers behavior was egregious. UMIA did not tell Saltz that there was a coverage issue until after eight years of litigation.

He felt he had been abandoned at his time of biggest need, she said.

While Utah courts have set a 3-to-1 ratio as a guidepost for punitive damage awards, Blanch said there is no hard-and-fast rule. She said that she had not yet conferred at length with her client and cant say how large of an award they will seek.

Even without punitive damages, the claim has already cost UMIA $1,487,877.62 because of the jury award of compensatory damages and attorney fees. If punitive damages are added at three times actual damages, the cost of the claim comes to nearly $3 million.

Blanch said the decisions greatest impact may be that it clarifies a 1971 decision titled State Farm Mut. Auto Ins. Co. v. Kay. In that case, the court held that a plaintiff can show that they were prejudiced  a condition for pursing a bad faith claim  if the insurers action had deprived the insured of an opportunity to prepare for trial or effect a settlement.

In the Saltz case, the Supreme Court went further. It held that an insurer has a duty to accept a settlement offer at or below policy limits if there is a substantial likelihood of an excess verdict.

An insurers duty of good faith does not require the insurer to ignore its own interests in defense of the insured, the opinion says, citing case law. But an insurer cannot gamble with or sacrifice the insureds interest simply to protect itself.'

The court upheld the jury verdict finding that UMIA had breached its duty of good faith, but reversed the trial courts dismissal of Saltzs request for punitive damages and remanded the case so the amount can be determined. The court also held that Saltz is entitled to his attorney fees for the cost of appeal.

Editors note: Photo is for illustrative purposes only.
Health care sharing ministries in Colorado are now required to report their operations to the state under new regulations signed into law by Gov. Jared Polis on Wednesday.

House Bill 1269 requires health care sharing ministries and other non-insurance entities that cover medical costs to submit annual reports to the state, including how many members they have and how much money members pay versus how much in medical bills the entities cover. The first reports are due Oct. 1, with subsequent annual deadlines falling in March.

Health care sharing ministries have surged in popularity in recent years, with supporters describing them as cheaper alternatives to insurance and opponents calling them scams. Also called faith-based health care, the nonprofit organizations share health care costs among a group of people who are usually part of the same church or religion. Members often pay monthly dues to the ministry and, when one of the members receives a medical bill, the ministry can use the collected money to cover the costs. They are not insurance and do not guarantee payment for medical claims.

Currently, very little information is known about these arrangements, said bill sponsor Rep. Susan Lontine, D-Denver, adding that many people dont recognize the financial risk of joining such entities. People need to know why they are priced lower and how they may impact them long-term.

The ministries say they can reject medical bills for any number of reasons, including moral objections to medical issues resulting from premarital sex, smoking, alcohol use or obesity. They are also not required to cover essential care and can deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions or religious beliefs.

Supporters of the bill said the state must take action to monitor health care sharing ministries, pointing to a lawsuit filed against Trinity Healthshare where members claimed the ministry refused to cover bills from checkups to life-saving surgeries. The Colorado Consumer Health Initiative said it has received dozens of complaints from members of health care sharing ministries that refused to pay their medical expenses, ranging from $250,000 in emergency surgeries to cancer treatments to routine doctors visits.

Opponents defended the ministries, describing them as a less expensive, belief-driven and community-orientated way to address medical expenses. Critics to the bill said the states Division of Insurance is not the right entity to oversee the ministries, calling the agency hostile to the competition.

The bill passed the legislature nearly entirely along party lines, with Democrats in support and Republicans in opposition. Rep. Marc Snyder, D-Colorado Springs, was the only lawmaker who voted outside of his party, opposing the bill.

The insurance commissioner is looking for a way into this thing thats not insurance, said Sen. Rob Woodward, R-Loveland, while voting against the bill. Not only are they trying to collect the data from them, but theyre also trying to implement fees and costs that will literally put many of them out of business.

Under the bill, the Division of Insurance will have the power to fine health care sharing ministries or issue cease and desist orders if they do not comply with the new reporting requirements. The fines could go up to $5,000 per day, following a 30-day grace period where the ministry would be informed that it is out of compliance.

In Colorado, between 50,000 and 60,000 people use health care sharing ministries, the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative estimates. However, the state doesnt actually know how many health care sharing ministries are in Colorado or how they operate, including how much of their members money actually goes towards paying medical expenses.

Health care sharing ministries have seen a boom in membership thanks, in part, to rising unemployment during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in people losing employer-provided insurance. In 2010, less than 200,000 people were part of health care sharing ministries. Today, around 1.5 million people are members, according to the Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries.
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The Original Author Of Metro 2033 Is Now Wanted For Arrest By Russia

The writer of the original Metro 2033 novel, upon which the award-winning series of survival first-person shooters is based on, is now on Russia's most wanted list.

According to a report by Kotaku, Metro series author Dmitry Glukhovsky has confirmed he is now on the country's wanted list after he condemned the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Glukhovsky is a Russian national (obviously), though he's not living in the country as of the moment.

Glukhovsky made the announcement in a post on Telegram, dated June 7th. Radio Free Europe translated the post as saying that Glukhovsky has now been added to the federal wanted list of Russia's Interior Ministry. He joins Vladimir Milov, who is an associate of the jailed Russian opposition politician Aleksei Navalny - the arrest of whom he also actually protested against back in 2021.

As per the RFE, an arrest will mean that Glukhovsky will serve a lengthy prison time for "distributing deliberately false information" about the Russian military's operations. The prison sentence can be up to 10 years for convicted individuals, and anybody proven guilty of "spreading false information" about the army which can lead to "serious consequences" can net a 15-year prison sentence.

The author of Metro 2033 says that he is being charged with allegedly "discrediting" the actions of the Russian government. But despite being a marked man, he added that he will continue protesting the armed conflict in Ukraine.

The charge of false information distribution was apparently levied against the Metro 2033 writer after he posted a video on Instagram on March 12, reports PCGamer. The video, which has earned 13,246 likes at the time of this writing, seems to feature a Russian tank driving down a road and blasting a hole into what looks like an apartment building and another building using its main gun.

Glukhovsky's post contained the words, "Stop the war! Recognize that this is a real war against an entire nation and stop it!" He reposted the same message on Telegram.

Read Also: EA Is Removing Russia, Belarus From Its Official eSports Programs

The Metro 2033 Writer's Connection To The Ukraine Conflict At A Glance

It might seem that Glukhovsky's opposition to the military conflict in Ukraine is just born of his own desire, but his connection to it is far more personal than one may think.

As previously mentioned, his original novel Metro 2033 was eventually turned into a series of survival FPS games. The Metro video game franchise was developed by Ukrainian game studio 4A Games, who as you know hails from the currently war-torn country.

But even if the studio itself has relocated to Malta, they still have roots there - and they're among the dozens of other developers calling for an end to the fighting. They actually still maintain a studio in the capital city of Kyiv, which is one of the hardest-hit in the country. Their relocation to Malta was actually a result of Russia's prior incursion into the Ukrainian province of Crimea back in 2014 (via Polygon).

Related Article: Major eSports Organizations Are Showing Support For Ukraine In Wake Of Russian Invasion
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Guangdong Province is an important manufacturing base of refrigeration and air conditioning equipment in China and also one of the largest export bases of household appliances in China. There are many upstream and downstream enterprises of refrigeration, air conditioning and cold chain gathered here, with a perfect industrial chain. During this visit, RACC committee mainly invited complete machine enterprises, refrigeration accessories enterprises, engineering companies, etc. to share the latest trends of the exhibition, convey the concept of service as the core, and strongly invite enterprises to participate in or visit, which has been widely recognized and responded positively by enterprises with comprehensive, meticulous and multi angle invitation as the action guidance.

01

Gree Electric Appliances,Inc. Of Zhuhai

On the morning of June 7, RACC committee made a special trip to Gree Electric Appliances,Inc. Of Zhuhai. President Jin and President Yu warmly welcomed the arrival of the committee. Guided by President Jin and others, the committee visited Gree's exhibition hall. Along the display wall full of historical stories, the committee learned about the development and struggle of Gree Electric Appliance, and also more about Gree's advanced air conditioning production technology and innovation ability through appreciating various benchmark variable frequency air conditioners, air conditioning water heaters, refrigerators and other characteristic products.

In the conference room, Liu Chunyan, in charge of RACC committee, thanked everyone of Gree for warm reception and careful arrangements. The development history and the latest progress of RACC exhibition were explained during the visit. The committee mainly introduced the cooperation cases in the field of refrigeration and various services provided for exhibitors.

During the conference, President Jin gave feedbacks on the key points that Gree values most during the exhibition. The company attaches great importance to the professionalism and influence of the exhibition and recognizes RACCs publicity work. And Gree will focus on discussing the detailed exhibition plan at their meeting to promote cooperation soon.

Gree Electric Appliances,Inc. Of Zhuhai was established in 1991 and listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in november1996. At the beginning of its establishment, the company mainly relied on the assembly and production of household air conditioners. Now it has developed into a diversified and scientific global industrial manufacturing group, covering the two major fields of household consumer goods and industrial equipment. Its products are exported to more than 160 countries and regions. According to the economic and social statistics released by Japan, the global market share of Gree household air conditioners reached 20.1% in 2020, which has remained the first in the world for 16 consecutive years; In the domestic market, Gree central air conditioning has been the first in China for 10 consecutive years.

Gree has always adhered to the path of self-reliance and independent innovation, accelerated the realization of management informatization, production automation and product intelligence, continued to lead the technological development of the global HVAC industry, created more leading technologies, and continuously met the global consumers' yearning for a better life. In the era of intelligence, Gree is sailing again and writing a new chapter!

02

Zhuhai GlaCool Tech Co. Ltd

In the afternoon, RACC committee visited Zhuhai GlaCool Tech Co. Ltd. President Sun said that the company had a great demand for publicity and hoped to develop customers through various ways and to cooperate with more brands in order to better serve customers. After learning about the exhibition in detail, President Sun selected a booth on site.

Zhuhai GlaCool Tech Co. Ltd, founded in 2021, is a scientific and technological start-up enterprise integrating R & D, production, engineering, sales and service. The company is mainly committed to the research, development and application of new technologies such as new low-energy dehumidification system and data center liquid cooling system.

The core team members of the company have rich management experience, years of technical precipitation, broad vision and strong innovation ability. Worked in the field of air conditioning research and design for many years, the team has rich engineering design experience. Zhuhai GlaCool Tech sincerely welcome companies of the industry to make contact and achieve potential cooperation.

03

Zhuhai Haotian Electromechanical Technology Co Ltd (Zhuhai Haotian Insulation Technology Co. Ltd)

Racc committee then came to Zhuhai Fushan Industrial Park to visit Zhuhai Haotian Electromechanical Technology Co Ltd. Warmly welcomed by President Wu. , who said that the company had a stable customer base, and there were many familiar brand enterprises in Zhejiang. He was very optimistic about holding exhibitions in the refrigeration industry base, which provided great convenience for the communication between enterprises.

President Wu looked through the floor plan and learned about the registration of enterprises. After that, he had a deeper understanding of RACC exhibition. President Wu said that he would continue to pay close attention to the exhibition trends and looked forward to further communication and more details.

Zhuhai Haotian Electromechanical Technology Co Ltd, located in Longshan Industrial Zone, Fushan Industrial Park, Zhuhai, sells, professionally designs, processes and produces various insulating materials and insulating accessories. At present, the company is a global manufacturer of air conditioning compressor motor insulation accessories, and the main supporting supplier of GMCC compressor, LANDA compressor and Panasonic compressor. Zhuhai Haotian Electromechanical Technology looks forward to working with more excellent customers to jointly develop the market with the help of RACC.
Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, Switzerland elected non-permanent members of UN Security Council

Xinhua) 08:09, June 10, 2022

Veronica Macamo, Mozambican Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, briefs reporters after Mozambique was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council at the UN headquarters in New York on June 9, 2022. (Xinhua/Xie E)

The newly elected members will take up their new responsibilities on Jan. 1, 2023, and will serve till Dec. 31, 2024.

UNITED NATIONS, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, and Switzerland were elected non-permanent members of the UN Security Council on Thursday for a two-year term.

The newly elected members will take up their new responsibilities on Jan. 1, 2023, and will serve till Dec. 31, 2024.

All five candidates were running unopposed on Thursday. They will replace the outgoing non-permanent members of India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico and Norway.

Ignazio Cassis, president of the Swiss Confederation, briefs reporters after Switzerland was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council at the UN headquarters in New York on June 9, 2022. (Manuel Elias/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

A candidate must obtain the support of two-thirds of the UN member states present and voting at the General Assembly session in order to secure a non-permanent seat on the Security Council, regardless of whether the candidacy is contested or not. This means that a minimum of 129 positive votes are required to win a seat if all 193 member states are present and voting. Member states that abstain are considered not voting.

In Thursday's voting, Mozambique and Ecuador won the support of all member states that were present and voting, with 192 and 190 votes respectively. Switzerland won 187 votes, Malta won 185 votes, and Japan won 184 votes, according to results announced by Abdulla Shahid, the current General Assembly president, who presided over the voting process.

Among the five newly elected members, Mozambique and Switzerland have never served on the Security Council. With Thursday's election, Japan will set the record of 12 Security Council terms. Brazil is currently serving its 11th term.

Ian Borg, Maltese minister for foreign and European affairs and trade, briefs reporters after Malta was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council at the UN headquarters in New York on June 9, 2022. (Manuel Elias/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

The Security Council has 15 members, five of which are permanent ones: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. The 10 non-permanent seats of the council are allocated by geographic region, with five replaced each year.

The five newly elected countries represent Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Western Europe and other states. The Eastern European group is not contesting any seats this year, as its one seat, held by Albania, comes up for election every other year.

The Security Council is considered the most powerful body of the United Nations. The council, which is tasked to maintain international peace and security, can make legally binding decisions and has the power to impose sanctions and authorize the use of force.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu)
A Chinese military jet crashed in a residential area near the airport in Laohekou, Hubei province on Thursday morning killing one person and injuring two.

A People's Liberation Army Air Force J-7 jet was on a training mission in Hubei when the tragedy happened.

Before the fighter jet crashed, the pilot successfully ejected and parachuted to the ground. South China Morning Post reported that the pilot and two civilians were transported to a hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The crash occurred near Laohekou airport in Xiangyang, Hubei province, and videos circulating on social media show some homes on fire, which are believed to have been caused by the crash, per CNN.

According to state media, the cause of the crash and associated death is under investigation, and an emergency operation is ongoing.

China's 3rd Plane Accident in 2022

The crash on Thursday is the third accident involving planes in China this year.

Last month, over 40 people were injured when a passenger plane of China's Tibet Airlines with 122 people on board veered off the runway and caught fire while taking off in the country's southwest Chongqing city.

An Airbus (AIR.PA) A319 plane of Tibet Airlines burst into flames after aborting a take-off, prompting the evacuation of all passengers and crew of the Chinese airline.

The company said in a statement no deaths and only minor surgeries were reported among the 113 passengers and nine crew members on board flight TV9833 following the incident in the southwestern city of Chongqing.

Read Also: James Webb Telescope Gets Hit by Micrometeoroid; Is It Still Working?

Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) reported that 36 individuals were brought to local hospitals for the treatment of the bruises and sprains they sustained during the evacuation.

Authorities said the pilots interrupted the takeoff following procedures after experiencing abnormalities, resulting in an engine scrape and fire when the jet swerved off the runway.

China Eastern Crash Investigation May Take a Long Time

A China Eastern flight from Kunming to Guangzhou rapidly dropped and crashed on March 21, killing all 132 passengers on board. The Boeing 737 plane was shattered in the disaster and set fire to the nearby woodland, resulting in a 65-foot-deep crater on the slope.

A total of 49,000 pieces of plane debris were discovered.

According to Al Jazeera, a Wall Street Journal report stated that US officials suspect someone in the cockpit intentionally crashed the China Eastern flight into the ground.

The flight data recorders recovered from the scene of the crash were brought to the US for processing, and they revealed that someone - possibly a pilot or someone who forced their way into the cockpit - input orders to drive the plane into a plunge per the US National Transportation Safety Board's assessment.

During the quick descent, the pilots did not reply to numerous requests from air traffic controllers and neighboring planes, according to investigators. According to Reuters, authorities are investigating whether the incident was prompted by a "voluntary" act.

The CAAC said in a statement that the crew passed all safety standards before takeoff, that the jet was not carrying dangerous items, and that the plane did not appear to encounter adverse weather, though a comprehensive inquiry may take two or more years.

Related Article: Moscow Claims US Sends Military Aid to Ukraine That Breaks International Law

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Media reports that Turkey demanded that Finland and Sweden satisfy ten requirements before joining NATO. Ankara, according to Yeni Safak news, revealed the documents were verified last Wednesday.

Turkey Opposes Accession of Finland, Sweden to NATO

The Turkish government has yet to verify the list's truthfulness, and it is similar to past official statements from Ankara, reported RT.

Turkish leader Tayyip Erdogan has blocked the two Nordic nations from joining the military alliance, and he calls these nations guesthouses for terrorist organizations. They host Kurdish groups like the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which the Turkish government has outlawed.

If confirmed to be legitimate, the list of demands clearly shows that terrorism-related fears remain the key issue for Ankara regarding Helsinki and Stockholm's NATO bids. That's the subject of seven out of ten requests, cited Fars News.

Top of that, the Nordic nations need to prove to Erdogan could give his support; either nation has given no guarantees that it will curb these terrorist organizations.

They are the PKK and the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), suspected of plotting a coup in 2016, and their affiliates as well.

One of these conditions included in Ankara's list for Helsinki and Stockholm to establish the legal regulations and framework to stop terrorism, or they will have a problem, noted Good Word News.

Ankara also wants Swedish and Finnish officials to inhibit PKK branches from establishing offices.

Based on the list published by Yeni Safak, FETO operations in Finland and Sweden must be forbidden, and their web pages and media offices must be shuttered, said Turkey.

Read Also: Vladimir Putin's 'Girlfriend': 5 Things To Know About Alina Kabaeva

Ankara also demanded that terrorist-related organizations' investments be locked, terror suspects are kicked out of the country and taken back, and protests are forbidden.

Ankara's Concern on Coddling Terrorist Groups

These Nordic countries were asked to share information about the activities of these terrorist groups with Ankara and also to end the embargo on the Turkish defense industry.

As a result of Turkey's military incursion in Syria, some European countries, including these Nordic countries, imposed a ban on arms trade with Turkey in 2019. Stressing the two candidates for the military block need to satisfy conditions to join.

Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto admitted that due to the stance of Turkish officials on Helsinki, officials are having difficulty and did not expect the conditions imposed on them.

Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson reacted to Turkey's chief issue in late May and said it was simple for her to make clear that Sweden does not transfer funds or weapons to terrorist organizations.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg remarked numerous times that all members' security issues should be addressed and has not openly called on Sweden and Finland to satisfy Turkey's demands. He is confident that they will resolve their differences, to add a new member to NATO, all NATO states must agree.

These Nordic states remained outside of NATO during the Cold War and finally joined the coalition in the immediate wake of Russia's offensive in Ukraine.

Russia is displeased with the decision to join the military bloc and will have the needed response as a threat to security. Turkey has a list of demands for Finland and Sweden to comply with before NATO admits them; they comply or never join the military bloc.

Read Also: Central NATO Member Raises Issue Why Sweden, Finland Should Not Be Admitted Into Military Bloc

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
STAMFORD  When Charter Communications moved its headquarters to Stamford in 2012, it brought about 75 employees to work on a couple of floors in a downtown building at 400 Atlantic St.

Today, its offices tower over the city center in a new complex, which covers more than 900,000 square feet and serves as the base for approximately 1,700 employees.

The new, glass-sheathed hub at 400 Washington Blvd., next to the downtown Metro-North Railroad station, was built because the Fortune 500 company outgrew its previous headquarters at 400 Atlantic. On Monday, about 300 Charter employees gathered with elected officials including Gov. Ned Lamont for an event to celebrate the opening of the new headquarters, whose construction has been supported by an approximately $100 million company investment.

When we started this construction project, we didnt really know that we were going to get what we got. But we got it, Charter CEO and Chairman Tom Rutledge said at the event. It reflects the success weve had, but (also) the opportunity that we still have. I look forward to working with everyone in this room, going forward in this facility, to build a greater company.

Local and state officials have enthusiastically supported Charters growth. Through the First Five Plus corporate-incentives program launched by the administration of former Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, the company received loans of $10 million and $6.5 million, up to $10 million in tax credits and a $2 million grant.

For the $6.5 million loan, the entire principal balance was forgiven in 2015. For the $10 million loan, $7 million of the principal balance was forgiven last year  and the remaining $3 million could be forgiven if the company meets certain job goals. So far, it has earned $2 million of the tax credits.

In addition, Charter could receive up to $8 million in non-First Five Plus tax credits.

If I learned anything over these last couple of years that I shouldnt have had to learn, its that cable, telecommunications, broadband and IT is not a nice to have, its a got to have, said Lamont, who founded a cable company focused on the college market, before he was elected governor in 2018. When we were stuck with COVID, people were not going to be able to continue to educate their kids, if it wasnt for broadband. We werent going to be able to continue a lot of health care without telehealth Im so proud that Connecticut is one of the most connected states in the country  and how vital that was over the last two years and what that means going forward.

Building a new headquarters

Charter, which ranks No. 69 on this years Fortune 500 list of the largest corporations in the U.S., has been growing rapidly for years.

In October 2017  about five years after relocating the headquarters from St. Louis, Mo., to Stamford  the company announced plans to move the main offices from 400 Atlantic to 400 Washington. At that point, the latter property consisted of only a parking garage. Charter partnered on the propertys development with Stamford-based Building and Land Technology, which is also the developer of the mixed-use Harbor Point complex that has transformed the citys South End in the past decade.

The announcement reflected a massive expansion in Charters reach resulting from its acquisition in 2016 of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks. Boosted by the pandemic-sparked spike in demand for home internet service, it has continued to grow robustly in recent years. At the end of the first quarter of 2022, it counted about 32.2 million customer relationships, compared with 31.4 million at the same point in 2021. In its home state, Charter has about 127,000 customers.

A workforce of more than 93,000 delivers Spectrum internet, cable and phone services across 41 states including Connecticut.

Today, the headquarters is nearly complete. Building 1, which opened in March 2021, covers about 532,000 square feet across 14 floors. Building 2, which opened last March, encompasses about 288,000 square feet across nine floors. Building 2 includes offices and amenities such as a fitness center.

There is also an approximately 94,000-square-foot, three-floor connector structure between Buildings 1 and 2, where Mondays event was held.

The key remaining pieces of the construction, an auditorium in Building 2 and an outside amphitheater, are scheduled to be completed by the end of this summer.

No longer needing office space at 400 Atlantic, Charter sold the approximately 500,000-square-foot building for $72 million earlier this year.

Charter officials expect to do much more hiring in the next few years, with the headquarters large enough to house about 3,000 employees.

I just want to say, as mayor, how grateful and thrilled we are to have Charter Communications in our city, said Simmons, whose father, Steve Simmons, is a cable entrepreneur. These (headquarters) buildings are truly beautiful. They are iconic buildings and really make heads turn. I hear it every morning from my son, as we pass these buildings on the way to drop him off at preschool. Hes always saying, Mom, look at those beautiful buildings!

pschott@stamfordadvocate.com; twitter: @paulschott
MILFORD - Jeffrey, known as "The Positively Peaceful Pit Bull, who went from being on death's doorstep to being a source of comfort for others, is a candidate to receive a 2022 Hero Dog Award.

The American Humane Hero Dog Awards is an annual competition that aims to recognize "ordinary dogs who do extraordinary things," its website states. Awards are given for seven categories; law enforcement and detection dogs, service dogs, therapy dogs, military dogs, guide/hearing dogs, search and rescue dogs and shelter dogs. Jeffrey is currently a semi-finalist in the shelter dogs category, meaning he's in the top three of dogs people voted for online. Individuals can vote daily until July 22.

His owner, Milford native Michele Houston, said she entered Jeffrey in the shelter dogs category as a way to advocate for the millions of dogs who still need homes. If he wins he will get a chance to compete for the overall Hero Dog Award of 2022 in November in Florida.

"The whole point is to show the world what shelter dogs can do," Houston said. "We want people to not pre-judge a dog just because it might have landed in a shelter through no fault of their own. They need to be given a chance."

Jeffrey was rescued from Manhattan Animal Care & Control's euthanasia list in 2010 at the "eleventh hour." Houston became aware of Jeffrey when she posted his information on an animal rescue social media page. The dog was initially adopted by an animal rescuer, Samantha Bloom, before finding a permanent home with Houston. Houston says she and Bloom have been friends ever since. Jeffrey is named after a shelter worker of the same name who put Houston in touch with Bloom.

"I owe everything to them, they gave me a great gift by saving [Jeffrey,]" Houston said.

Jeffrey became a registered Pet Partners therapy dog in 2012. Even though Jeffrey passed many evaluations to become a therapy dog, Houston felt that Pet Partners was the best fit because of its "rigorous" curriculum for both her and the dog.

He has comforted those at The Cove Center for Grieving Children, Camp Erin Connecticut, Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services in New Haven, Sandy Hook and the Grand Avenue Library. Jeffrey also likes to play with cats, Houston said.

According to his owner, Jeffrey's signature attire is painted nails. She started painting his nails because some children in a reading program were afraid of him since they had "seen dogs like him in a different light in their neighborhoods," however, they found the colorful nails "hilarious" and it helped break the ice. From time to time Houston would let children suggest which colors his nails should be painted next.

Jeffrey also competes in the World Cynosport Rally Obedience, during which dogs can show off their obedience skills by following their owners around an obstacle course and by performing exercises. He has won multiple awards including becoming the first pit bull ever to win the highest achievement, ARCH-MX, in 2019. He also ranked No. 1 in the ARCH-MX division in 2020 and ranked No. 2 overall in the country in 2021.

"Today Jeffrey is the highest achieving pit bull in the entire sport," Houston said. "But I'm hoping that will change [someday] and someone will beat our record.

In 2018, Jeffrey made an appearance on the cover of Pinups for Pitbulls annual calendar, alongside founder Deirdre Franklin, who Houston called an "advocacy hero." Pinups for Pitbulls is an organization founded in 2005 that is "striving toward all dogs being accepted as individuals," according to its mission statement.

Each December over the past 10 years, Houston has also worked to honor those who were affected by the Sandy Hook tragedy with "Jeffreys Joy of Giving Donation Drive." Jeffrey was deployed to help in Sandy Hook in 2012 and developed a special bond with a child affected by the tragedy, which has continued over the years, Houston said.

The charity has collected around two tons of pet food, 150 coats, non-perishable food items and toiletries for homeless shelters, as well as around $7,000, according to Jeffrey's web page on Hero Dog Awards. It has worked with various 501 c3 charities including, local pet food pantries and shelters, Sandy Hook Promise, Dylan's Wings of Change, Collide New York, Veterinary Care Foundation, The Maren Sanchez Home Foundation, The COVE Center for Grieving Children and I AM ALS.

"He is magical. He is just so special, the kindest soul," Houston said. "I'm so blessed."
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.
The Connecticut Office of Health Strategy is raising questions about a proposed deal between Massachusetts-based Catholic health system Covenant Health and Day Kimball Hospital in rural Putnam. If the deal is approved, the new owners would eliminate some reproductive health services at the hospital.

Under the terms of the deal, Covenant Health would acquire Day Kimball, bringing the struggling rural health care system into its larger network and absorbing tens of millions of dollars of its debt. Day Kimball is one of the few remaining independent hospitals in the state, and it has performed poorly financially relative to other Connecticut hospitals in recent years.

But the acquisition by a Catholic health system would mean Day Kimball has to adhere to the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, or ERDs, which limit services related to reproductive health, emergency contraception, fertility, gender-affirming, end-of-life and other care. A similar proposal by Waterbury Hospital a decade ago fell apart after opposition from womens reproductive rights advocates.

Covenant and Day Kimball announced their agreement late last year. This April, Day Kimball filed a 726-page application with the state  known as a certificate of need  seeking the Office of Health Strategys approval for the transfer of ownership.

On May 27, OHS responded, asking for additional information from the two hospitals on several aspects of the application  among them, the ERDs.

OHS asked how Day Kimball will ensure access to services that are terminated as a result of adopting the ERDs; whether Day Kimball would provide referrals and transportation for patients seeking those services; and which other Day Kimball entities  the system includes home and hospice care operations, a medical group and four health centers  will be subject to changes in policies and procedures under Covenant.

The letter also inquired about cost and quality, limits to womens health services at another Covenant medical center and further details on Day Kimballs financial challenges. The hospital has 60 days to respond.

Kyle Kramer, chief executive of Day Kimball, said in an emailed statement that the planned affiliation with Covenant Health would actually allow Day Kimball to expand patient care, serving people of all faiths, backgrounds and incomes. While earlier discussions with other hospital systems were unsuccessful, Kramer said the agreement with Covenant would ensure Day Kimball retains many of its services, including labor and delivery, intensive care units and other inpatient care.

Noting that Day Kimball is the regions largest employer, Kramer said, Our affiliation with Covenant Healthcare will provide a strong and stable financial position and accelerate the funding of future clinical and infrastructural capital needs.

In an emailed statement, a spokeswoman for Covenant Health said the two hospitals were reviewing OHS request and planned to provide a thoughtful written response within the requisite timeframe.

Based on our due diligence to date, it is clear that the proposed affiliation will preserve a wide array of high-quality health care services and jobs for community members in Northeast Connecticut, spokeswoman Karen Sullivan wrote.

Options for patients

The proposal comes amid heightened debate nationwide over access to abortion, contraception and other reproductive health services. As many states  including Connecticut  seek to expand access and provide a safe haven for patients seeking abortions, the ethical and religious directives could restrict Catholic health systems in those same states from providing some of the services legislators are working to protect.

Top Catholic health systems, like many large health systems, are becoming dominant providers in their regions, growing through acquisition of smaller, struggling hospitals. Four of the countrys 10 largest health care systems are Catholic, and they control hundreds of acute care hospitals, urgent care clinics, physician practice groups and other facilities.

In Connecticut, Trinity Health  the nations sixth-largest system, according to a recent report  operates Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, Johnson Memorial Hospital in Stafford and Saint Marys Hospital in Waterbury, among other facilities.

As Catholic health care providers grow, advocates and researchers are raising concerns over the expanding influence of ERDs in patient care.

Lori Freedman, a professor with the University of California San Franciscos Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, said patients often dont know the difference between Catholic and secular hospitals and which services are available at one as opposed to the other.

If a woman is losing a pregnancy, Freedman said, a secular hospital may offer her a choice between waiting to see whether she might naturally deliver the pregnancy, taking medication to induce delivery or undergoing an abortion procedure.

Catholic hospitals differ, Freedman said, because they might only offer her the watch and wait [option] until she becomes sick. Once she becomes sick, theyre allowed to intervene.

Freedman said most people dont understand those nuances. And in rural locations like Putnam, patients in emergency situations might not be able to make a longer trip, even if they have a preference in care.

Meghan Holden, a spokeswoman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut who grew up near Putnam, said, On the whole, what these ethical and religious directives mean for people seeking care is fewer options. And when youre talking about a rural hospital like Day Kimball, that can have some pretty dire consequences for folks in the community.

One of those options is no longer available. In 2020, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England closed its health center in Danielson, the nearest location to Day Kimball, citing economic hardship caused by the pandemic.

Were not an exclusively Catholic community. Theres Jewish people and Muslim people and people of other faiths, as well as no faith here, said Rev. Jane Newall, the pastor at Federated Church of Christ in Brooklyn, CT, who occasionally fills in as chaplain at Day Kimball. To be beholden to some other directive, and to have that also be your only choice in a rural area is very troublesome, Newall said.

Public input

According to its certificate of need application, Day Kimball has not performed any voluntary interruptions of pregnancy for many years. Indeed, the vast majority of abortion procedures  95%, according to Freedman  are done at clinics, not hospitals.

But the application lays out several procedures that Day Kimball would no longer offer if it becomes part of Covenant Health, including vasectomies, IUD insertion and tubal ligations, known as having ones tubes tied.

In reviewing Day Kimballs application, as with any certificate of need application, state officials focus on questions of cost, quality and access, said Steven Lazarus, an analyst with OHS.

Looking at the applicant, we look at the financials to make sure theres financial stability. We also want to make sure that we have access to services and continue to make sure that quality is maintained, he said.

Once Day Kimball responds, OHS will review the application again and may request additional information. That could go back and forth a few times, Lazarus said.

Members of the public are welcome to submit comments, and theres likely to be a public hearing within the next several months once the review is complete. Residents can keep track of the process on the Office of Health Strategys CON portal.
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BEIJING (AP)  China on Friday attacked the theory that the coronavirus pandemic may have originated as a leak from a Chinese laboratory as a politically motivated lie, after the World Health Organization recommended in its strongest terms yet that a deeper probe is needed into whether a lab accident may be to blame.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian also rejected accusations that China had not fully cooperated with investigators, saying it welcomed a science-based probe but rejected any political manipulation.

He also reiterated calls for an investigation into highly suspicious laboratories such as Fort Detrick and the University of North Carolina" in the United States where China has suggested, without evidence, that the U.S. was developing the coronavirus as a bioweapon.

The lab leak theory is totally a lie concocted by anti-China forces for political purposes, which has nothing to do with science," Zhao said at a daily briefing.

We always supported and participated in science-based global virus tracing, but we firmly opposed any forms of political manipulation," he said, repeating China's long-standing explanation for delaying or rejecting further investigations into the virus's origins.

Zhao said China has made major contributions toward virus tracing, sharing the most data and research results.

That fully reflects Chinas open, transparent and responsible attitude, as well as its support for the work of the WHO and the advisory group," he said.

The WHO's stance in a report released Thursday is a sharp reversal of the U.N. health agencys initial assessment of the pandemics origins. It 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.

Following a tightly controlled visit to China last year, the WHO concluded that it was extremely unlikely the coronavirus might have spread to humans from a lab in the city of Wuhan. Many scientists suspect the coronavirus jumped from bats to people, possibly via another animal.

However, in the Thursday report, 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 diseases 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.

The expert group also noted that since lab accidents in the past have triggered some outbreaks, the theory could not be discounted. They said China has not presented any studies to WHO that assessed the possibility of the coronavirus resulting from a laboratory leak.

The new report is indicative of a more confrontational relationship between China's authoritarian Communist leadership and the WHO, which had initially been accused of being overly deferential to Beijing, particularly by the former U.S. Trump administration.

The coronavirus has killed more than 6.3 million people worldwide, forced dozens of countries into lockdown and upended the world economy. It was first detected in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019 and was initially linked to a traditional market where wild animals were sold for food.

China was accused of responding slowly and covering up the extent of the outbreak, before it locked down the entire city of Wuhan and surrounding areas in the first of a series of draconian measures labeled zero-COVID which continue today as much of the rest of the world is opening up again.

Last month, the WHO called zero-COVID unsustainable, pointing to increased knowledge of the virus and the cost to the economy and civil rights. China rejected the criticism as irresponsible."

China was also accused of leading a disinformation campaign, suggesting the virus was detected elsewhere before the Wuhan outbreak and putting forward other theories aimed at diverting attention from China.

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.

Zhao appeared to imply that China would reject any criticisms or suspicions of it.

Research on the origin of the virus must adhere to scientific principles and should not be subject to political interference," Zhao said.
Two Connecticut families have asked a judge to suspend the repeal of the religious exemption for vaccinations so their children can start school in the fall as their lawsuit against Gov. Ned Lamont and other state officials moves forward.

Keira Spillane, of Orange, and Anna Kehle, of Greenwich, have children who will enter kindergarten this fall and older children who are already attending elementary school, according to the lawsuit filed in April. The older children were grandfathered into the vaccine religious exemption when a law repealing the exemption was passed in 2021, the lawsuit said.

But the younger children were not grandfathered in and must get vaccinated to start school, court documents said. As a result of the removal of the religious exemption, the younger children will not be able to attend public or private school as of September 2022 unless their families alter their religious beliefs, the lawsuit said.

The families contend that many childhood vaccines are developed through the use of aborted fetuses, which is against their religious beliefs, the lawsuit said.

Both women are suing Lamont, state Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani, state Department of Education Commissioner Charlene Russell-Tucker, the Orange school board and the Whitby School, a private school in Greenwich, on the grounds that the repeal of the exemption violates the states Religious Freedom and Restoration Act, according to their attorney Lindy Urso.

Urso filed a request for an injunction Monday, asking a judge to suspend the law that repealed the religious exemption until the lawsuit is finished. If the injunction is granted, it would not only allow his clients children to attend school in the fall, but would apply to other children throughout the state who are not vaccinated due to religious beliefs and who were not grandfathered in the exemption in 2021.

In order for a judge to rule on the injunction request, attorneys with the Office of Attorney General William Tong would have to file their stance on suspending the repeal and a hearing would need to be held, Urso said.

We are hoping to have a decision before school starts, Urso said.

Tong said in a statement issued Thursday that the state will continue to fight the lawsuit to protect children.

We dont need a New York lawyer coming into Connecticut to tell us what to do and to challenge our public health laws, Tong said. But sadly, I am not surprised. Make no mistake  if successful, this lawsuit will make people, including our kids, less safe and vulnerable to entirely preventable diseases. That is why we will vigorously defend the legislatures actions designed to protect public health.

A similar lawsuit filed in federal court challenging the repeal of the religious exemption was dismissed by a judge in January. The plaintiffs in that case, a nonprofit called We the People Inc. and three parents, have appealed the decision. That case is pending, court records show.

Connecticuts Religious Freedom Restoration Act requires the highest level of judicial scrutiny for laws which burden religious liberty, according to New York attorney Kevin Barry, who is informally working on the case with Urso.

The issue of mandatory vaccinations for school children has been hotly debated in Connecticut at least since 2020 when the legislature proposed a bill repealing the religious exemption. That legislative session was cut short by the coronavirus pandemic so very few bills moved forward.

Legislators tried again 2021 and were successful along party lines in repealing the religious exemption, which drew wide protests at the state Capitol and hundreds of residents speaking out against the move during a public hearing.

An April 2021 report issued to the Public Health Committee indicated state medical and education associations were concerned that immunization rates had fallen below 95 percent in 130 schools in part due to the religious exemption.

Having a student body with immunization rates that fall below the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) federal guideline of 95 percent is alarming and dangerous to those individuals who are prohibited from receiving the vaccine based on their medical frailty, the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education was quoted in the report.

The state granted religious exemptions for 2.5 percent of kindergartners and 1.2 percent of new seventh-grade students in the 2018-19 school year, according to Dr. Benjamin Cherry, health and public policy co-chair of the Connecticut Chapter of the American College of Physicians. The percentages are a six-fold increase in students claiming religious exemptions since 2003, Cherry said in the report. Over the same time frame, by contrast, medical exemptions remained at 0.02 percent.

Urso contends that the state opted to repeal the religious exemptions, rather than address the schools that had lagging vaccination rates.

We dont believe there is a compelling need to remove the exemption and this measure was also not the least restrictive means to achieve their goal, Urso said Thursday. This was the most severe thing they could have done.

The lawsuit claims that mandating parents to immunize their children is an unreasonable and permanent interference with the plaintiffs religious practice because the inoculation can not be undone and permanently alters the immune system.

Urso has also filed paperwork asking for permission for New York attorney James Mermigis to work with him on the lawsuit. Like Barry, Mermigis has experience in dealing with vaccine religious exemption cases, Urso said.

The goal of the lawsuit is to get a judge to strike down the law that prohibits the religious exemption, which has been in effect since 1959, Urso said.

Were hoping to get a repeal of the whole thing, Urso said.
A roundup of some of the most popular but completely untrue stories and visuals of the week. None of these are legit, even though they were shared widely on social media. The Associated Press checked them out. Here are the facts:

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COVID vaccines do not kill more people than rifles

CLAIM: Rifles caused 454 deaths in the United States in 2020, while COVID-19 vaccines caused 20,622 deaths in the United States in 2021.

THE FACTS: The claim that 20,000 people have died from COVID-19 vaccines misrepresents data maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration. To date, a total of nine deaths in the U.S. have been linked to the shots. As the country reels from a spate of mass shootings that have sparked calls for gun reform, social media users are distorting data to falsely claim that COVID-19 vaccines kill people more often than rifles do. The post uses a graphic that compares rifle death numbers to purported COVID-19 vaccine death numbers. The text claims that rifles killed 454 people in the U.S. in 2020 while COVID-19 vaccines killed 20,622 people in the U.S. in 2021. The post implies that vaccines cause more deaths than rifles do, but a closer look at the data reveals thats false. The CDC data it cites comes from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System, or VAERS, an early warning system run by the CDC and the FDA that is meant as a portal to share potential adverse events after vaccines, not a verified database of vaccine-related deaths. VAERS uses passive surveillance, meaning people self-report any negative medical event they experienced after getting vaccinated. Anyone can submit a report on any possible reaction after the vaccine and anyone can access the database. Health care providers and manufacturers are required to submit adverse responses reported after vaccines, even if they dont know whether the vaccine caused them. The VAERS website explains that its data may include information that is incomplete, inaccurate, coincidental, or unverifiable. VAERS states that submissions or the number of reports in the system cannot be interpreted as causal evidence of an association between a vaccine and an adverse event. When serious events are reported in VAERS, officials follow up with the person reporting the event to obtain more information and medical records. To date, the CDC has identified nine deaths associated with rare blood clots that were caused by the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine. Currently, 221.5 million people in the U.S. are fully vaccinated. The rifle death data was taken from the FBIs annual Crime in the United States report in 2020. According to a table showing murder circumstances by weapon, at least 454 homicides in the U.S. in 2020 involved rifles. However, that dataset also shows that nearly 5,000 additional murders involved guns that were not classified by type. It is possible some of those involved rifles. The table lists 13,620 total 2020 gun deaths, when all types of firearms are counted. The FBIs Crime in the United States report is also limited because it doesnt include data from every law enforcement agency in the country. Participation in the FBIs Uniform Crime Reporting program, which makes up the report, is voluntary.

 Associated Press writer Ali Swenson in New York contributed this report.

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Posts distort data on Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and pregnancy

CLAIM: A Pfizer document reveals that 82%-97% of pregnant women who received the companys COVID-19 vaccine lost their babies.

THE FACTS: The flawed calculation misrepresents a narrow subset of data from a Pfizer database of adverse events recorded during the first two months of the vaccine rollout. Some social media users shared screenshots of headlines from pro-life blogs that made the false claim. Shocking Pfizer Document Reveals 82% of Vaccinated Pregnant Women Suffered Miscarriages, read one. Court Ordered Release Of Pfizer Document Reveals 82%  97% Of Vaccinated Pregnant Women Lost Their Babies, said another. The blog posts, written by the same author and shared on several sites, make the misleading calculation based on an April 2021 document that Pfizer submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and later released as part of an ongoing Freedom of Information Act lawsuit, FDA spokesperson Abby Capobianco confirmed to the AP. The document compiled adverse event reports from Dec. 1, 2020, through Feb. 28, 2021, across 63 countries. Anyone could report to the registry, and it contained reports submitted directly to Pfizer, those reported by federal health authorities, cases published in medical literature and clinical studies. The data described 270 reported vaccinated pregnancies. No outcome was recorded for 238 of those pregnancies. Details on adverse events or other outcomes were recorded for 34 pregnancies. Of this group, 28 women reported either the loss of a fetus or a neonatal death. Five others reported outcome pending, and one reported normal outcome. To come up with its high percentages, the blog divided the 28 cases of fetal or neonatal loss by the 34 cases that listed outcomes. This yielded the 82% figure. Then, the blog factored in a calculation that assumed without evidence that the five pending cases also resulted in fetal losses, which would bring the total losses to 33. Thirty-three was then divided by 34 to yield 97%. This takes data from the Pfizer document completely out of context, said Dr. Laura Morris, co-chair of the University of Missouri health care systems COVID-19 and influenza vaccine committee. The document does not give the total number of vaccinated pregnant women, so the overall rate of specific adverse events cannot be determined, she said. Experts say the online posts interpretations paint a false picture of the vaccines effects, and fail to account for important factors, including patient reporting bias, which reflects that women who have experienced an adverse pregnancy event would be more likely to report to the registry, regardless of whether or not the vaccine was linked to the event. We have no evidence that the vaccine in any way would interrupt a pregnancy or cause this, said Dr. Elyse Kharbanda, executive director of research at the Minnesota-based HealthPartners Institute. If we saw a difference in rates following vaccination versus without vaccination, that would be what we call a signal and need more investigation. But bigger studies that have been done more vigorously havent shown a signal. Those studies include one that she authored, which was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 2021 and found that COVID-19 vaccine exposure did not increase the odds of spontaneous abortion  pregnancy loss before 20 weeks. Experts and health officials say there is no medical proof that the adverse events reported to Pfizer are linked to the vaccine, and the vaccine is safe and effective for pregnant women and fetuses. Representatives for Pfizer said the company doesn't comment on unverified reports.

 Associated Press writer Sophia Tulp in Atlanta contributed this report.

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Tweet distorts health care for trans children

CLAIM: Transgender children as young as 5 years old are being given hormones to transition.

THE FACTS: Experts say young transgender children who havent reached puberty are offered support, not medical interventions. But a widely shared tweet suggested that 5-year-olds are receiving hormone treatments, likening it to children driving cars or smoking. Can I drive your car. No youre 5 Can I have a beer? No youre 5 Can I have a cigarette? No youre 5, the tweet reads. Can I take hormones and change my gender? Of course! You know whats best. Experts say thats a big distortion of standards of care for transgender youth. Medical interventions for transgender youth, including puberty blockers and hormones, arent designed to begin before the onset of puberty, as guidance from groups such as the World Professional Association for Transgender Health and American Academy of Pediatrics shows. Children age 5 are far away from puberty, said Kellan Baker, executive director of the Whitman-Walker Institute in Washington, D.C., which specializes in LGBTQ health care and research. The primary intervention for children of that age is support  being told by parents, families, friends, peers, that its OK to be who they are and to not be teased, bullied or subjected to coercive therapy to try to change something thats innate as gender identity. Similarly, Dr. Elyse Pine, a pediatric endocrinologist at Chase Brexton Health Care in Baltimore, said in an email that a 5-year-old transgender child may see a mental health provider who could support social and emotional needs and provide educational materials or referrals to support groups. "A five-year-old may socially transition, which means wearing clothes, having a hairstyle, and using a name/pronoun that matches the childs identity, Pine said. When children do show early signs of puberty, children who meet clinical guidelines are first offered medication that temporarily blocks puberty, the AP has reported. This treatment is designed for youth diagnosed with gender dysphoria  or distress caused when gender identity doesnt match a persons assigned sex  who have been counseled with their families and are mature enough to understand what the regimen entails. After puberty blockers, kids can either go through puberty while still identifying as the opposite sex or choose whether to begin treatment to make their bodies more closely match their gender identity. For those choosing the second option, guidelines say the next step is taking manufactured versions of estrogen or testosterone  hormones that prompt sexual development in puberty. Guidelines recommend starting these when kids are mature enough to make informed medical decisions. That is typically around age 16, and parents consent is typically required, Dr. Gina Sequiera, co-director of Seattle Childrens Hospitals Gender Clinic, previously told the AP. Masculinizing or feminizing hormones are not appropriate in a five-year-old, because five-year-old children are not supposed to be in puberty, Pine said. If a 16-year-old individual is ready to take gender affirming hormone therapy, such as estrogen or testosterone, they will be concordant with their peers, who are nearly all experiencing pubertal hormones.

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Posts about high gas prices falsely attributed to BP executive

CLAIM: An executive with the energy company BP named Brice Cromwell wrote a post arguing that high gas prices in the U.S are due to excessive imports of foreign oil and insufficient domestic oil production.

THE FACTS: There is no such executive at BP and the statement did not come from the company, a spokesperson for BP confirmed. Posts copying and pasting a statement attributed to a BP Oil Executive named Brice Cromwell, and claiming that high gas prices are caused by an overreliance on foreign oil, have circulated widely on social media in recent days. The prices are high because the people who run our country have decided to import oil from another country instead of using our very own American made product, the supposed statement reads. But nobody named Brice Cromwell works for BP and the post is not from the company, a spokesperson told the AP. We can confirm we do not currently have an employee with that name and this text did not come from bp, Megan Baldino, a spokesperson for BP, wrote in an email. It is unclear who wrote the original text. Searches show it appeared in Facebook posts as early as March, but the versions at that time were not attributed to an author. Experts argue that soaring gas prices are due to various factors in the global energy market, such as Russias invasion of Ukraine in February. Jonathan Elkind, a fellow and senior research scholar at Columbia Universitys Center on Global Energy Policy, described the theory that U.S. gas prices are high due to reliance on foreign oil imports as economically illiterate. The notion that we are producing too little, exporting too little, importing too much, et cetera, is just all wrong on its face, he said. From one month to the next, the United States in this period is either the number one or number two producer of crude oil and natural gas in the world. The recent spike in gas prices stems from resurgent demand as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic ebbed, which was made worse by Russias invasion of Ukraine, Joshua Busby, an associate professor of public affairs at the University of Texas at Austin, wrote in an email to the AP. European countries are starting to delink from importing Russian oil, which means that the available pool of oil is diminished for them, putting pressure on oil prices in the rest of the world, Busby wrote. European Union leaders agreed on May 30 to ban most Russian oil imports by the end of the year, the AP reported.

 Associated Press writer Josh Kelety in Phoenix contributed this report

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A Grand Rapids police officer has been charged with murder for the fatal shooting of motorist Patrick Lyoya during a traffic stop that was viewed on video that shocked residents.

The law enforcement personnel was seen on footage wrestling on the ground with a Black man who had fled from a traffic stop. He then pulled out his gun and fired a single round into the back of the victim's head, instantly killing him.

Fatal Shooting of Patrick Lyoya

For two months since the Apr. 4 fatal shooting, protesters marched through downtown, interrupted City Commission meetings, and demanded that the officer responsible for the incident, identified as Christopher Schurr, face criminal charges.

On Thursday, Christopher Becker, the Kent County prosecuting attorney, charged Schurr, who is a White police officer, with second-degree murder. A lawyer for the Lyoya family, Ven Johnson, said that they were hoping for sooner rather than later, police officers understand that what they got away with in the past is something they cannot avoid now, as per the New York Times.

Even in modern times, it remains relatively rare for American police officers to face charges for on-duty killings, though such cases have become more common in recent years amid public outcry over police conduct. It is also the result of the proliferation of cameras that can either confirm or conflict with an officer's account.

Read Also: USA Gymnastics Sex Abuse Scandal: Larry Nassar Verdict, New FBI Lawsuit, and Everything You Need To Know

In the event that charges are filed against police officers, cases can often be challenging to prove in court. Law enforcement personnel are given a wide berth to use force under law, and jurors have been known to be sympathetic when police officers assert that they feared for their lives.

According to CNN, Becker said on Thursday that the charge was not a message but rather a case based on facts and authorities making a decision based on those facts. On the other hand, Grand Rapids Police Department Chief Eric Winstrom, who spoke with other city officials at a Thursday news conference, said that he was recommending to the city Schurr's suspension without pay, pending termination.

Murder Charge

The officer will have a discharge hearing, and the city manager will make the final determination on his employment. Becker said he had already spoken with Lyoya's family and sent them a letter in their native Swahili.

An attorney for the Lyoya family, Ben Crump, said in a statement that the decision to file charges was a "step in the right direction." He added that they were encouraged by attorney Becker's decision to charge Schurr for the brutal and horrific murder of the victim, which was witnessed by the public when the video was released.

Schurr's personal 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. Several weeks ago, Black community activists accused Becker, a Republican, of being too close to police and urged him to give the case to the Michigan attorney general, who is a Democrat, to avoid even the appearance of a conflict, a proposal that the prosecutor declined, Fox News reported.

Related Article: Former Louisiana Police Arrested After Dumping Gun Behind Home Where Kids Later Discover Firearms

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WASHINGTON (AP)  Donald Trump was told the same thing over and over, by his campaign team, the data crunchers, and a steady stream of lawyers, investigators and inner-circle allies: There was no voting fraud that could have tipped the 2020 presidential election.

But in the eight weeks after losing to Joe Biden, the defeated Trump publicly, privately and relentlessly pushed his false claims of a rigged 2020 election and intensified an extraordinary scheme to overturn Bidens victory. When all else failed in his effort to stay in power, Trump beckoned thousands of his supporters to Washington on Jan. 6, 2021, where extremists groups led the deadly Capitol siege.

The scale and virulence of that scheme began to take shape at the opening House hearing by the committee investigating 1/6. The prime-time hearing was watched by an estimated 20 million people on the TV networks, almost double the number who tuned in to the opening of Trump's two impeachment trials.

When the panel resumes Monday, it will delve into its findings that Trump and his advisers knew early on that he had in fact lost the election but engaged in a massive effort to spread false information to convince the public otherwise.

Biden spoke of the importance of the committee's investigation in remarks Friday in Los Angeles. The insurrection on Jan. 6 was one of the darkest chapters in our nations history," the president said, a brutal assault on our democracy.

Americans, he said, must understand what truly happened and to understand that the same forces that led to Jan. 6 remain at work today.

The House panel investigating the 1/6 attack on the Capitol is prepared next week to reveal more details and testimony about its assessment that Trump was made well aware of his election loss. With 1,000 interviews and 140,000 documents over the year-long probe, it will lay out how Trump was told repeatedly that there were no hidden ballots, rigged voting machines or support for his claims. Nevertheless Trump refused to accept defeat and his desperate attempt to cling to the presidency resulted in the most violent domestic attack on the Capitol in history.

Over multiple months, Donald Trump oversaw and coordinated a sophisticated seven-part plan to overturn the presidential election and prevent the transfer of presidential power, Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., told the hearing Thursday night. Trumps intention was to remain president of the United States, she said.

On Wednesday, the panel will hear testimony from the highest levels of the Trump-era Department of Justice  acting Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen, his top deputy Richard Donoghue and Steven Engel, the former head of the department's Office of Legal Counsel  according to a person familiar with the situation and granted anonymity to discuss their appearances.

The testimony from the three former Justice Department officials is expected to center on a chaotic stretch in the final weeks of the administration when Trump openly weighed the idea of replacing Rosen with a lower-ranking official, Jeffrey Clark, who was seen as more willing to champion in court the presidents false claims of voter fraud.

The situation came to a head in an hours-long meeting at the White House on Jan. 3, 2021, attended by Rosen, Donoghue, Engel and Clark, when top Justice Department officials and White House lawyers told Trump they would resign if he went ahead with his plan to replace Rosen. The president ultimately let Rosen finish out the administration as acting attorney general.

Thursday will turn to Trumps efforts to press Vice President Mike Pence to refuse to count electoral votes on Jan. 6, a scheme proposed at the White House by an outside lawyer, John Eastman. During the insurrection, rioters prowled the halls of the Capitol shouting hang Mike Pence when the vice president refused Trump's plan to overturn the 2020 election.

Id like to see the truth come out," said Ken Sicknick, whose brother, Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, died after suffering a stroke defending the Capitol, said Friday on CNN.

He said while the family received countless condolences after his brother died, including from the vice president, not one tweet, not one note, not one card, nothing from Trump. "Because he knows hes the cause of the whole thing.

The hearings are intended to stand as the public record of the attack and the circumstances around it and could result in referrals for prosecution. With Trump considering another White House run, the committees final report aims to account for the most violent attack on the Capitol since 1814.

Trump responded on his social media site Friday, decrying the WITCH HUNT! even as he fully acknowledged he refused to accept defeat.

Many people spoke to me about the Election results, both pro and con, but I never wavered one bit, he said, pushing his false claim of a stolen election.

Trump declared that Jan. 6 represented the greatest movement in the history of our country.

At the outset, the panel put the blame for the insurrection squarely on Trump, saying the assault was not spontaneous but an attempted coup driven by Trump's effort to overturn the 2020 election.

With a new 12-minute video of extremist groups leading the deadly siege and startling testimony from Trump's most inner circle, the committee provided new detail of an imperiled democracy.

Jan. 6 was the culmination of an attempted coup, said Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., chairman of the panel. "The violence was no accident.

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.

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 Trump supporters, some armed with pipes, bats and bear spray, charged into the Capitol. At least nine people who were there died during or after the rioting, including a woman who was shot and killed by police.

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.

The Justice Department has arrested and charged more than 800 people for the violence that day, the biggest dragnet in its history.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday in Los Angeles the purpose of the committee is to seek the truth" to make sure "that never again will anybody think that it's OK to have a coup, to have an assault on the Capitol of the United States, an assault on the democracy of our country.

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Associated Press writers Mary Clare Jalonick, Farnoush Amir, Kevin Freking, Michael Balsamo, Jill Colvin, Darlene Superville and Zeke Miller in Washington and Alanna Durkin Richer in Boston contributed to this report.

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For full coverage of the Jan. 6 hearings, go to https://www.apnews.com/capitol-siege.
BRIDGEPORT  A veteran police detective has been disciplined for a road rage incident that occurred while he was off-duty.

Acting Police Chief Rebeca Garcia, in a personnel notice issued June 7, stated that Detective Joseph Badolato has been penalized five holidays and required to attend a four-hour training in arrest and control procedures.

The notice states that Badolato was found to have violated seven department rules and regulations including the rules prohibiting off-duty arrests, using a firearm while off-duty and failing to conform to laws.

Per PD administration, the BPD will have no comment on this personnel matter, Police Department Spokesman Scott Appleby told Hearst Connecticut Media in an email.

Badolato has been a detective since 2009. He could not be reached for comment.

The police union did not return emails and calls for comment.

Although the department would not comment on the details surrounding Badolatos actions, the detective in January 2019 was involved in an incident that resulted in an investigation by the Office of Internal Affairs. Sources told Hearst Connecticut Media the discipline was a result of that investigation.

At the time of the incident, then-Police Chief Armando Perez confirmed that Badolato had been placed on administrative duty following a road rage incident.

He was involved in a road rage incident recently with another driver and was placed on administrative status while (The Office of) Internal Affairs investigates it, Perez said at the time.

Perez said no one was injured in the incident.

He is a good detective, but sometimes good people do stupid things, Perez said.
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SEYMOUR  A crash between a truck and a car on Route 8 early Friday left a box truck on its side and closed the highway for more than two hours, according to Seymour Volunteer Fire Departments Citizens Engine Company No. 2.

The crash occurred in the southbound lanes near Exit 20.
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.
A Texas judge on Friday temporarily blocked the state from investigating families of transgender children who have received gender-confirming medical care, a new obstacle to the state labeling such treatments as child abuse.

The temporary restraining order issued by Judge Jan Soifer halts investigations against three families who sued, and prevents any similar investigations against members of the LGBTQ advocacy group PFLAG Inc. The group has more than 600 members in Texas.

I do find that there is sufficient reason to believe that the plaintiffs will suffer immediate and irreparable injury if the commissioner and the (Department of Family and Protective Services) are allowed to continue to implement and enforce this new Department rule that equates gender affirming care with child abuse," Soifer said at the end of a roughly 40-minute hearing.

The ruling 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.

That families will be protected from invasive, unnecessary, and unnerving investigations by DFPS simply for helping their transgender children thrive and be themselves is a very good thing, Brian K. Bond, executive director of PFLAG National, said in a statement. However, lets be clear: These investigations into loving and affirming families shouldnt be happening in the first place."

The latest challenge was brought by Lambda Legal and the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of the families of three teenage boys  two 16-year-olds and a 14-year-old  and PFLAG. An attorney for Lambda Legal told the judge that the 14-year-old's family had learned after the lawsuit's filing that the state's investigation into them had been dropped.

Spokespeople for Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday afternoon.

An attorney for the state had argued during the hearing that applying the order to any member of PFLAG was untenable" and would be difficult for the department to comply with. But Lambda Legal senior counsel Paul Castillo said that parents could simply show their membership receipt or some other proof of membership.

The families had talked in court filings about the anxiety that the investigations had created for them and their children. 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.

A judge in March put Abbott's 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.

That lawsuit marked the first report of parents being investigated following Abbotts directive and an earlier nonbinding legal opinion by 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.

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 a federal appeals court will hear arguments in the case next week.

The judge set a June 21 hearing on whether to extend the order into a temporary injunction blocking the investigations.
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LOS ANGELES (AP)  Robert Redford and George R.R. Martin are the big names behind Dark Winds, but theyre not the most important.

That distinction belongs to the Native American creators and actors who ensured the AMC mystery series rings true to the Native experience and enduring culture, which largely has been snubbed or recklessly caricatured by Hollywood.

This time the storytelling is an inside job, said director Chris Eyre, resulting in what he describes as a Native American, Southwestern film noir."

Based on Tony Hillermans admired novels featuring Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee of the Navajo Tribal Police, AMCs Dark Winds puts the newly teamed lawmen on a double-murder case that could be linked to a brazen armored-car heist.

The investigation and what underlies it is gripping but, as with Hillerman's books, what distinguishes Dark Winds is its intricate blend of nuanced characters and relationships, spiritual traditions and the devastating toll of entrenched inequality.

The last aspect is painfully illustrated by a midwifes warning to a pregnant woman to avoid a hospital birth or risk unwanted sterilization, a reflection of what Native Americans faced in the series' 1970s setting, the producers said. (A 1976 U.S. General Accounting Office study found that women under 21 were being sterilized despite a moratorium, among other issues.)

A lot of our history is based on oral tradition, said Zahn McClarnon, who stars as Lt. Leaphorn. Weve been telling our stories for thousands of years.....I think that the television business is finally seeing that, and realizing that we have our own stories, and that theyre rich, deep stories."

Dark Winds, debuting Sunday on AMC (9 p.m. EDT) and on streaming service AMC+, is imbued with the stark grandeur of New Mexico, where it's largely set and was shot.

In the daytime, the landscape is just beautiful. In the nighttime, it turns into something else, it becomes intimidating that there's so much land out there, said Eyre. That's what the series is about, this beautiful paradox of this world we haven't seen before, this mystery.

The series counts actor-filmmaker Redford and Martin, of Game of Thrones book and TV fame, among its executive producers. Viewers may recall a 2002 miniseries featuring Leaphorn and Chee, which Redford produced. Martin is new to the mix but not to Hillerman's work  both New Mexico residents, they were part of a writers' circle that met regularly in Albuquerque.

The PBS series, Skinwalkers: The Navajo Mysteries, made before authenticity gained serious traction in Hollywood, was notable for its Native American cast and a Native director  Eyre, a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes, who shared directing duties.

But Dark Winds also boasts a a nearly all Native writing staff, with one exception. Eyre ("Friday Night Lights," Smoke Signals) directed the full series, and creator and executive producer Graham Roland is Chickasaw.

The cast features prominent Native actors including McClarnon ("Fargo," Longmire); Kiowa Gordon ("The Twilight Saga" franchise) as Chee; Jessica Matten as police Sgt. Bernadette Manuelito, and Deanna Allison as Leaphorn's wife, Emma.

Their resumes and performances refute longstanding industry complaints about a lack of experienced Native actors.

I've heard that excuse before, said Roland. What we found when we went about casting this was the Native talent pool is a lot deeper than even I realized....Everybody in the show is amazing.

Roland ("Tom Clancys Jack Ryan," Fringe) was connected with the proposed series in 2019, before the recent boomlet of Native-inclusive shows including Reservation Dogs and Rutherford Falls.

What was unique about it was the opportunity to tell a story in the Native community without a white character bringing you into the community and experiencing it through the white characters point of view, Roland said. Instead, the perspective is that of the Native character who grew up there, lived there, and polices that environment.

U.S. television has been slow to the diversity game but is a welcome addition, said the Canadian-born Matten, who is Red River Metis-Cree.

Canada has been very, very generous in giving Native storytellers a platform for about a decade now. However, the kind of reach we have is very limited, compared to what the USA can give," she said. "To be a part of Dark Winds' means a lot because, finally, I get to be a part of something that does have that reach."

For Gordon, the show is a chance to shatter all these expectations and stereotypes that have always been attributed to us. He said the trailer's release alone has drawn blood pressure-raising comments that slam the show as unreal because it avoids hackneyed Native depictions.

We're trying to portray these people (characters) as nothing that we've seen before, so it's a great opportunity, the actor said.

The decision to leave the story in the 20th century proved the right one for Eyre and Roland.

When you drill down into the soil of the reservation proper....there are places that dont have electricity to this day. There are communities that dont have water, that dont have cell service, Eyre said. "Its ironic that so much has changed, and so little has changed.
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NAUGATUCK  A resident returned to their Osborn Road home Thursday evening when they interrupted a burglary taking place, according to police.

Naugatuck police were called to the home shortly after 5:30 p.m. for the burglary, the police department said in a news release.
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BANGKOK (AP)  The American diplomatic push aimed at countering China's increasing influence in the Asia-Pacific region appears to be paying dividends, with many nations showing a willingness to partner with the United States, a top State Department official said Friday.

U.S. State Department Counselor Derek Chollet told The Associated Press it was noteworthy that 13 nations representing 40% of the world's economy had signed on to the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework that President Joe Biden launched in Japan at the end of May. He said that China at around the same time failed in its attempt to get a group of Pacific islands to endorse a sweeping agreement with Beijing.

China had broken from its traditional approach of negotiating one-on-one with countries behind the scenes to send Foreign Minister Wang Yi on an island-hopping trip last month to try and rally 10 Pacific nations behind the agreement, which covered a broad range of areas including security and fisheries.

But he was unable to find consensus on the deal at a meeting in Fiji, and instead had to settle for smaller bilateral agreements with some of them.

I think the fact that the Chinese foreign minister's trip, where they tried to roll out this very bold take it or leave it initiative or partnership cooperation, wasn't really well received, indicates to me that the Pacific island countries want to have an engagement with us, Chollet said in an interview in Bangkok.

Chollet is in the middle of a trip to Thailand, Brunei and Singapore, as U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman is concurrently visiting the Philippines, South Korea, Laos and Vietnam.

In addition, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is a featured speaker on the weekend at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asias premier defense and security forum, and will visit Thailand next week.

The in-person outreach is part of an approach that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in May meant putting diplomacy back at the center of American foreign policy.

We are determined ... to be present, be engaged  not just as visitors from Washington but on a permanent basis, Chollet said.

The push in Asia comes amid growing concerns over Chinas own efforts to expand its influence in the area.

Part of Beijing's focus has been the South China Sea, where the Philippines and Vietnam, among others, have squared off with Chinas 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 Chinas military.

Beijing already signed a security agreement with the Solomon Islands in April that the U.S., Australia and others worry could lead to a Chinese naval base in the South Pacific. And on Wednesday, China and Cambodia broke ground on a port expansion project at Cambodias Ream Naval Base, which give China a strategically important military facility on the Gulf of Thailand, though Cambodia has denied that will be the case.

In Blinken's speech at the end of May outlining the Biden administration's approach to China, he said Russian President Vladimir Putin's attack on Ukraine was a clear and present threat, but that China's ambitions were an even greater challenge.

Even as President Putins war continues, we will remain focused on the most serious long-term challenge to the international order  and that is the one posed by the Peoples Republic of China, he said.

Many countries in the region have close ties with China, and Chollet said the U.S. approach has not been to ask any nation to choose one side or the other, but to recognize their relationships with Beijing while also being forthright with Washington's concerns.

We are hearing that we are not just clients or countries that one transacts with, we want to be partners, and that's certainly the spirit with which we are engaging them, he said.

At the same time, the U.S. also realizes the need to work with a global power like China on international issues, like the coronavirus pandemic and climate change, with China and the U.S. the two largest emitters of greenhouse gases, he said.

There are parts of the relationship that are conflictual where the U.S. and China just fundamentally disagree, there are parts that are competitive ... and there are parts of the relationship that are cooperative, or at least we hope that they're cooperative, he said.

That's unfortunately a narrowing band of issues but, for example, on climate change it's just math that we have to be able to find a way to work together if we're going to be successful.
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SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met with her counterparts from South Korea and Japan on Wednesday, emphasizing the U.S. commitment to defend its allies and trilateral security cooperation to confront an accelerating nuclear threat from North Korea.

The latest top-level meetings among the countries came as North Korea apparently presses ahead with preparations for its first nuclear test explosion in nearly five years, which U.S. officials say could occur in the coming days.

After a meeting in Seoul, Sherman and the South Korean and Japanese vice foreign ministers issued a joint statement condemning North Koreas provocative streak in weapons demonstrations this year and pledging closer security cooperation to curb the growing threats.

The statement said Sherman reaffirmed steadfast U.S. commitments to the defense of South Korea and Japan, including extended deterrence, referring to an assurance to defend its allies with its full military capabilities, including nuclear.

The United States, the Republic of Korea and Japan are fully and closely aligned on the DPRK, Sherman said in a news conference, using the initials of North Koreas official name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.

Sherman noted that North Korea since last September has significantly increased the pace and scale of its ballistic launches, posing a serious threat to security in the region and beyond, and urged Pyongyang to cease taking these provocative and destabilizing actions and to commit to the path of diplomacy.

Following the meeting, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun-dong met separately with Japanese Vice Foreign Minister Takeo Mori and they were in agreement about an urgent need to improve bilateral relations, their ministries said.

South Korea and Japan had engaged in a highly public feud in recent years over trade and Japans brutal colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula before the end of World War II, which included wartime industrial and sexual slavery of Koreans. The Biden administration has been pressing Seoul and Tokyo to repair ties to shore up a united front against the North Korean nuclear threat and Chinas rising influence in the region.

Mori also held separate talks with Sherman where they agreed to maintain and strengthen sanctions against Russia over its war on Ukraine and work more closely to address challenges related to China, Japan's Foreign Ministry said.

Jolting an old pattern of brinkmanship, North Korea has already set an annual record in ballistic launches through the first six months of 2022, firing 31 missiles over 18 test events, including its first demonstrations of intercontinental ballistic missiles since 2017.

The unusually fast pace in testing activity underscores authoritarian leader Kim Jong Uns dual intent to advance his arsenal and pressure the Biden administration over long-stalled negotiations aimed at leveraging its nukes for economic and security concessions, experts say.

Shermans visit to Asia came after North Korea in its biggest-ever single-day testing event launched eight ballistic missiles into the sea from multiple locations 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.

A nuclear test would further escalate North Koreas pressure campaign and could possibly allow the country to claim it acquired the technologies to build a bomb small enough to be clustered on a multi-warhead ICBM or on Kims broad range of shorter-range weapons threatening South Korea and Japan.

South Korean and U.S. officials have said the North has all but finished preparations for a detonation at its nuclear testing ground in the remote northeastern town of Punggye-ri, an assessment backed by the International Atomic Energy, which says there are indications that one of the sites passages has been reopened. The site had been inactive since hosting the countrys sixth nuclear test in September 2017, when it claimed it detonated a thermonuclear bomb designed for its ICBMs.

North Korea will likely time the test to maximize political effect and some analysts say it could take place around a major conference of the ruling Workers Party that has been vaguely scheduled for the first half of June.

North Koreas state media said Wednesday that Politburo members met a day earlier to discuss the agenda for an upcoming plenary meeting of the partys Central Committee that has been called by Kim to review major state affairs, including national efforts to slow a COVID-19 outbreak. He may also use the meeting to address his nuclear weapons ambitions and external relations with Washington and Seoul, experts say.

Kims absence from Tuesdays preparatory meeting suggests that hes focused on supervising preparations for North Koreas seventh nuclear test and drafting his speeches for the plenary, said analyst Cheong Seong-Chang at South Koreas Sejong Institute.

The North Korean partys previous plenary in December lasted for a record five days and saw Kim repeat his vow to boost his countrys military capabilities and order the production of more powerful and sophisticated weapons systems.

Nuclear talks between the U.S. and North Korea have stalled since 2019 because of disagreements over an easing of crippling U.S.-led sanctions in exchange for North Korean disarmament steps, which underscored Kim's unwillingness to give away an arsenal he sees as his strongest guarantee of survival.

___ Associated Press writer Mari Yamaguchi in Tokyo contributed to the report.
Authorities say at least three people were killed and three others were injured in a mass shooting Thursday at a manufacturing business north of Smithsburg, including the suspected shooter and a Maryland State Police officer.

According to Sgt. Carly Hose, there is no longer danger to the public. The Washington County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a gunshot incident at 2:30 pm.

Maryland Manufacturing Plant Shooting Kills 3 People

Deputies arrived at Columbia Machine and discovered four gunshot victims, three of whom were deceased. Hose stated that the survivor was brought to a hospital. Sgt. Carly Hose stated that the suspect, a guy, escaped before the sheriff's office arrived. When a state policeman came across the suspect, they exchanged firearms. Both were injured and were sent to the hospital. Their circumstances were unknown.

The incident occurred at Columbia Machine, which sells concrete manufacturing equipment to customers in over 100 countries. Rep. David Trone tweeted that he was closely monitoring the deadly incident. Senator Chris Van Hollen also tweeted that he was keeping an eye on the issue. Smithsburg is located around 75 miles northwest of Baltimore, close to the Pennsylvania border, USA Today reported.

As per the Gun Violence Archive, this is the 254th mass shooting this year, with the country on track to match or exceed last year's total. It comes after the US House of Representatives passed multiple initiatives aiming at gun control, but the laws have little chance of being approved by the Senate.

The Baltimore office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the FBI both stated that agents are assisting the sheriff's office with the incident, according to CNN.

Read Also: Matthew McConaughey Delivers Powerful Plea After Heartbreaking Texas School Shooting, Gets Asked If He's Grandstanding

Series of Nationwide Deadly Shootings Spark Protests

Following the Texas elementary school massacre, which murdered 19 children and two adults, there is a fresh emphasis on the hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions received by Republican politicians from pro-gun rights organizations. Following the bloodiest school massacre in almost a decade, legislators are pleading for tighter gun control legislation.

"What are we doing?" said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on the Senate floor on Tuesday, following an incident at a Texas elementary school that killed at least 19 children and two adults.

There's a trend here. Following a mass shooting, Congress focuses on gun and other pertinent legislation, but Republicans refuse to approve most new gun regulations, and Democrats lack the 50 senators needed to break the filibuster.

The student-led gun control advocacy organization March for Our Lives demonstrated in the aftermath of the Uvalde, Texas, school tragedy. The demonstrations took place four years after a shooter killed 17 people at a high school in Parkland, Florida. That incident prompted the formation of the organization, which then staged one of the greatest protests in US history, as per Axios.

Students from Patrick Henry High School just walked out of class at noon on Tuesday, joining thousands of others throughout the country in support of gun control legislation.

They took part in the countrywide walkout organized by Students Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. The Del Cerro campus has become a focal point for many young people who want to be heard, requesting that their school be a safe zone after they claim to have faced a danger of their own.

Unlike previous demonstrations at Patrick Henry High School, the administration was not pleased with the publicity. At the time of the walkout, the principal and vice-principal asked the media to leave the site. Shukriya Osman, a junior, helped plan the event and joined Cariq in talking to the media outside the camp.

After lunch, Patrick Henry High School students returned to class. They are planning future rallies, Kpbs reported.

Related Article: Former Louisiana Police Arrested After Dumping Gun Behind Home Where Kids Later Discover Firearms

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Russian-backed separatists in Ukraine have sentenced three foreigners, two Britons and one Moroccan, to death by firing squad on Thursday after a "show trial" where the three were accused of being "mercenaries" for Ukraine.

Authorities from the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) said that the three individuals, identified as British citizens Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner, and Moroccan national Brahim Saadoune, were foreign fighters who had been captured in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol by Russian forces in April.

Death by Firing Squad

Russia is the only country in the world that considers the DPR to be independent of Ukraine despite being a part of its territory. The international community does not recognize the region and its institutions and considers the territory to still be a part of Ukraine's mainland. Independent watchdog groups have long accused the separatists of a dismal human-rights track record and ill-treatment of prisoners.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Ukrainian government said that it considers all foreign volunteers to be members of its armed forces and lawful combatants entitled to treatment as prisoners of war under the Geneva conventions. On the other hand, Russian state-owned domestic news agency RIA Novosti quoted the "head of the judicial board" in Donetsk as saying that the convicted men "can appeal the decision within a month," as per CNN.

One of the defendants' lawyers, Pavel Kosovan, said that his clients would appeal the verdict. United Kingdom Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the judgment had "absolutely no legitimacy."

Read Also: [Report] Russian Soldiers Plot Fake Marriages To Escape Participation in War as More Troops Die in Ukraine

In a statement posted on Twitter, Truss said that she was utterly condemning the sentencing of the defendants held by Russian proxies in eastern Ukraine. She called the men prisoners of war and called the death sentence a sham judgment. Truss said her thoughts were with the families of the fighters and noted that they were doing everything they could to support them.

According to the Independent, the death sentence could backfire against the Russian separatists as a friend of one of the British soldiers said that the decision would "invigorate" those who were still resisting Russia's advances in Ukraine.

Russian-Backed Separatists

An American former soldier, Brenna Phillips, who met Aslin in Syria and worked alongside him in Ukraine, said the judgment was a "provocation." In an interview, he said that instead of demoralizing fighters, the death sentence would only serve to give Ukraine more reason to fight against Russia.

Phillips, who hails from Tennessee, added that "many people expected" Russia to choose "the most provocative stance that they could take," namely, the death sentence. He added that he did not believe any men would be subjected to the death sentence.

However, he said he does believe that the men's captivity under the Russians will be extended for a little bit. The UK's independent war crimes advisor to Ukraine, Howard Morrison QC, said that the death sentence has likely been employed for "negotiation purposes."

RIA Novosti on Wednesday shared footage of the three men pleading "guilty" to the charges against them., which includes terrorism, committing a crime as part of a criminal group, and forcible seizure of power or forcible retention of power, The Guardian reported.

Related Article: Moscow Says Ukrainian Nationalist Militants Intentionally Burned Grain in Mariupol's Sea Port During Retreat From Russian Forces

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Former Moldovan President Igor Dodon stated that current President Maia Sandu, with her pro-EU stance, is of concern as it might lead to NATO presence in their territory. Dodon warns that the government will not consider Moldovan sovereignty that will benefit Romania and NATO.

The Sandu Government Considers Joining Romania, NATO

Chisinau is looking at an economic crisis and high gas prices, as claimed by Dodon last Wednesday, reported RT.

He added the government could not find a solution to the crisis, the predecessor of Sandu was incumbent from 2016 to 2020, in a Telegram.

Furthermore, he claimed that the Moldovan authorities caused the sinking into economic, moral, and political liquidation and stressed that high gas prices would cause price hikes, including energy and a food crisis, cited Islam Times.

Since the late 1980s, integrating Moldova and Romania, which have close cultural ties and share a language, has been a recurring principle in Moldovan politics.

Nevertheless, according to a March 2022 poll, only 11 percent of Moldovans support this initiative, while one-third publicly reject it and 42 percent assume it is not the right moment, noted the Press United.

Dodon thinks that the current government will commit to the initiative with no referendum on the issue and then legalize it with the help of a majority in the parliament and the Constitutional Court.

The former Moldova president has not specified any exact dates when President Sandu, with her pro-EU stance, can drive Romania back to NATO in a position of influence.

Read Also: Volodymyr Zelensky Children: Does the Ukraine President Have Kids?

Instead, he criticized the government for making plans to position foreign troops, particularly NATO troops, on Moldovan soil, essentially ending the nation's long neutrality policy.

The government's proposed changes to the national border security law compelled such an angry response from the former president. A week ago, the bill ignited fierce discussion in Moldova's legislature.

NATO on Neutrality

The government-sponsored proposal to change the legal framework allows the EU border police 'Frontex' to be positioned on Moldova's frontiers, with Romania and Ukraine as a major source of friction.

The administration argued that solving the crisis caused by the war in nearby Ukraine is necessary. Both opposition parties in parliament have strongly objected.

The MP Vadim Fotescu, a member of the Eurosceptic Sor Party, allows a military delegation to enter the Republic of Moldova's territory at any time, as mentioned in our vote on this proposal.

Another former Moldovan ex-president, Vladimir Voronin, a senior member of the opposition Socialist and Communist bloc, has called the move a dangerous precedent.

It may result in the nation relinquishing sovereignty over border control and eventually losing its voice on issues such as European integration or border delineating with Romania.

Igor Grosu, Moldova's head of parliament, has asserted that Frontex is a civilian police force that is no threat to the country.

Serghei Diaconu, a senior official in the Interior Ministry, added the potential arrival of Frontex specialists. It is unlikely to endanger the country's neutrality.

Dodon is standing trial in his home country for passive corruption, illegal funding of political parties, and unlawful aggrandizement.

Dodon is concerned that successor Sandu with her pro-EU stance, will lead to Frontex, which is a way NATO can sneak in under the radar, but many in the state don't want to join Romania.

Western nations want to encircle Russia at all costs, which will lead to a chaotic Europe as the US shatters the peace in eastern Europe, starting with Ukraine.

Related Article: Transnistria Says Weaponized Drone Attack Thwarted, Fears Russia Will Use the Breakaway Region of Moldova

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A collection of Left-wing groups have made legal challenges in a bid to block ministers plan to send migrants to Rwanda. They are represented by lawyers who in many cases have links to the Labour Party and a lengthy record of bringing cases against the Government.

MATRIX CHAMBERS

Barristers from the trendy London human rights chambers  co-founded by Cherie Blair  represented the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, Care4Calais and Detention Action yesterday.

One was top QC Raza Husain, who last month retweeted a message by Labour MP Chris Bryant criticising Boris Johnsons response to Partygate that said: Downing Street under him has been a cesspit of arrogant, entitled narcissists. Mrs Blair left the chambers in 2014.

LEIGH DAY

A separate challenge to the Rwanda policy by charity Asylum Aid, due to be heard in court on Monday, was lodged by law firm Leigh Day, which was accused of being behind a witch-hunt of British troops in Iraq.

The firm and three of its solicitors  including senior partner Martyn Day  were cleared of a string of misconduct allegations following a disciplinary hearing in 2017. They had been charged by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority after the Ministry of Defence submitted a lengthy dossier of alleged wrongdoing, including claims they caused innocent troops years of torment.

Leigh Day worked with Birmingham solicitor Phil Shiner to represent Iraqi clients in parallel legal actions. Mr Shiner was struck off as a solicitor for dishonesty over his handling of war-crime allegations against the Army.

The thwarted lefty cabal that tried to stop the Rwandan flight include the former Labor Prime Minister's wife, Cherie Blair

DOUGHTY STREET

Asylum Aids legal team also includes several barristers from Labour leader Sir Keir Starmers former chambers, Doughty Street.

They include leading human rights lawyer Helena Kennedy QC, who has been an active and outspoken Labour peer since entering the House of Lords as Baroness Kennedy after the general election in 1997. It is also where Amal Clooney, the lawyer wife of film star George, practises.

Robert Latham, who retains an associate tenancy at Doughty Street, supported Sir Keirs leadership campaign with a donation of 100,000.

DUNCAN LEWIS SOLICITORS

Acting for the PCS union, Care 4 Calais and Detention Action, Duncan Lewis has a long track record of bringing challenges against government immigration measures.

In 2020, The Mail on Sunday revealed the firm had received 55 million in legal aid from the British taxpayer in just three years. The paper also told how the companys staff have travelled to Calais and offered support to refugees hoping to reach Britain.

Owned by entrepreneur Amarpal Singh Gupta, who has been dubbed Britains legal aid king, the firm has forged a close relationship with charities that work among refugee camps on the French coast. Staff have also reportedly boasted of mixing with senior Labour Party figures, including deputy leader Angela Rayner and foreign spokesman David Lammy.

DETENTION ACTION

Bella Sankey, director of campaign group Detention Action, is a former would-be Labour MP endorsed by Sir Keir. Like the Labour leader many years before, Miss Sankey previously worked at Liberty, the campaign group for civil liberties which has long been a recruiting ground for Labour politicians.

PUBLIC AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES UNION

The unions firebrand general secretary Mark Serwotka was kicked out of the Labour Party in 1992 for being a member of the Trotskyist group Socialist Organiser. In 2016, he rejoined Labour, saying his long-time friend Jeremy Corbyns leadership offered a genuine break from the past. In recent years, he has called for a General Strike to bring the Tories down.

Demonstrators protest outside the Royal Courts of Justice while the legal case over halting the planned deportation, thrown out today by the sitting judge, was heard

CARE4CALAIS

The charity was at the centre of a scandal in 2017 when it emerged its married founder Clare Moseley, a former accountant and then 46, had a year-long affair with Mohamed Bajjar, then 27. He had falsely claimed to be a Syrian refugee, but was in reality a Tunisian market-stall trader married to another British woman.

The charity is currently embroiled in a Charity Commission inquiry over serious governance concerns.

ASYLUM AID

Its Cambridge-educated director Alison Pickup leads a team providing legal representation to asylum seekers and refugees. She was previously legal director of the Public Law Project  and before that had a practice at Doughty Street Chambers, where she specialised in immigration, asylum and migrants rights in the context of unlawful detention, community care, asylum support and access to justice.

Among her achievements, Doughty Street Chambers website lists her as having been junior counsel in two of the leading challenges to the legal aid cuts.

One was the successful challenge to the proposed residence test for legal aid, the other established that Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights  the right to respect for private and family life  may require legal aid to be provided in immigration cases.
Two murders rock a former Nottinghamshire pit village, one of the victims killed with a bow and arrow, and a fugitive hides out in nearby Sherwood Forest prompting a huge manhunt.

The police are desperate to stop the press from writing the inevitable Robin Hood headlines about the case out of respect for the families, but those families are already riven with seething tensions from the miners strike almost four decades earlier that have resurfaced in the wake of the killings.

Welcome to Sherwood, a gripping new six-part BBC1 thriller with a top-notch cast including David Morrissey, Robert Glenister, Lesley Manville and Joanne Froggatt. They play members of a small Nottinghamshire community where feelings still run deep between those who chose to strike and those who crossed the picket lines.

When a former miner is shot with a bow and arrow, old wounds are reopened and historic divisions are inflamed. And the flames are fanned even further when a second body turns up.

New six-part BBC1 thriller Sherwood stars David Morrissey and Robert Glenister, Lesley Manville (pictured) and Joanne Froggatt

David Morrissey plays leading investigator DCS Ian St Clair, and says his research into the strike of 1984-85 for the show revealed how closely the script by James Graham  who specialises in dramatising real events and is best known for Quiz, the series about the coughing major on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?  mirrors what really happened.

I grew up during the miners strike, but I had to go back and do a lot more work to refresh my memory, he says. I went up to Ashfield in Nottinghamshire and spoke to miners whod been on strike, as well as miners whod carried on working and police officers whod been on the picket lines.

'Particularly among miners, I got a real sense that they were still very much carrying the scars.

The series opens with real 80s footage of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, president of the National Union of Mineworkers Arthur Scargill and the violence at the pits. Then, in the present day, friends and neighbours  including Gary Jackson and his wife Julie (Alun Armstrong and Lesley Manville) and her estranged sister Cathy (Claire Rushbrook)  are preparing for the wedding of Neel Fisher (Bally Gill) and local politico Sarah Vincent (Joanne Froggatt), whos hoping to turn the Labour stronghold Tory in a local election.

Its soon clear theres underlying tension, and the word scab  an insult hurled at those who broke the strike  is still being used. Its after the wedding that the first murder takes place, shaking the community.

Joanne Froggatt and Bally Gill play the characters Sarah Vincent and Neel Fisher

Like all good crime dramas, you feel youre investigating one thing and this other thing comes in and suddenly everybodys under suspicion, says David. That starts to have a real fractious effect on the community.

'From that one murder comes rumour, hearsay and gossip, and that starts to have a very insidious effect.

Old wounds start to open up, and you start to see that a seemingly solid community is actually built on sand. Its clear they need to tackle things from the past before they can move forward.

'The murderer is a catalyst into that process of examination.

As DCS St Clair starts investigating the first murder, he discovers the victim was previously arrested during the strike, but some of his records have been censored. So he calls on the Metropolitan police officer involved in that case, DI Kevin Salisbury (Robert Glenister), to help shed some light.

From one murder comes rumour, gossip and hearsay and suddenly everyones under suspicion DAVID MORRISSEY

Kevin and Ian rub each other up the wrong way a bit, which was really good to play, says David.

For Robert, the beauty of the script is that it doesnt press viewers to take sides with either the strikers, the strike-busters or the police, instead letting them see the effect it had on everybody involved. Its interesting because you see clever flashbacks to 1984, when my character and other officers are inexperienced and vulnerable, he says.

Its a drama about division. The strike divided communities who relied upon the industry for everything. That was destroyed.

There were those who believed in protesting against the closure of the pits, and those who believed their responsibility was towards their families, so they continued working. James Graham doesnt take sides but he pinpoints issues about a community and how theyre trying to mend themselves after many years.

For David Morrissey, the role was a blast from the past as he compiled a playlist of contemporary music to give him some inspiration. I was listening to Wham!, the Boomtown Rats, Adam Ant.

'I was a student at the time and I remember going to events to raise money for the miners, and going on a Coal Not Dole march. There was some good music on those marches.

'Id just come to London and a lot of us were politically active, so it felt very alive. It made me feel old though, as it was almost 40 years ago!
It's a daring trend that stylists have warned is here to stay - but would you be brave enough to try a barely-there bikini this summer?

They've become a constant sight for Love Island fans, as this year's contestants battle it out for attention by wearing the 'near-naked' swimwear as a 'shock style' tactic, according to TV & celebrity style expert Miranda Holder.

But it's also approved by celebrities such as American model Emily Ratajkowski, 31, and Kim Kardashian, 41, who regularly showcase their toned figures in mini two-pieces.

And Miranda, plus fellow celebrity stylist Rochelle White, have told FEMAIL the popular thong bikinis are going nowhere - with body positive women now more eager than ever to show off their assets, while others are picking 'the fun' option to embrace the summer following the coronavirus pandemic.

Meanwhile, British fashion brands such as River Island, Boohoo and ASOS offer an array of barely-there bikinis - suggesting they're definitely not out of style just yet.

Daring! Love Islander Afia Tonkmor flaunts her incredible figure in a barely-there bikini

They've become a constant sight for Love Island fans, as this year's contestants (pictured) battle it out for attention by wearing the 'near-naked' swimwear as a 'shock style' tactic, according to TV & celebrity style expert Miranda Holder

British fashion brands such as River Island, Boohoo (right) and ASOS (left) offer an array of barely-there bikinis - suggesting they're definitely not out of style just yet

A model wears a bright orange barely-there bikini which is available at River Island

It's also approved by celebrities such as American model Emily Ratajkowski (pictured), 31, and Kim Kardashian, 41, who regularly showcase their toned figures in mini two-pieces

It comes as older Love Island fans bemoaned the barely-there bikinis being paraded in the villa this season.

The eighth series of the popular ITV2 show is causing a stir online after viewers of an older generation than the twenty-something contestants criticised their choices in bikinis.

In Wednesday's episode Tasha Ghouri, 23, commanded attention in a tiny red two-piece, which offered very little coverage, while in Tuesday's scenes, Indiyah Polack, 23, Amber Beckford, 24, left little to the imagination with their barely-there bikinis.

But it's not just Love Islanders who are embracing this trend - celebrities such as Emily Ratajkowski, who is known for her love of barely-there string bikinis, are also showcasing their assets in the ensembles.

Meanwhile Kim Kardashian recently showed off her voluptuous curves in a micro bikini thong from her SKIMS V-day collection. She donned the set as a bikini while on the beach in the Bahamas in January 2022.

Miranda told FEMAIL the trend is here to stay thanks to people wanting to have more fun following the coronavirus pandemic, and due to an increase in body positivity, meaning more women are comfortable showing off their figure.

The eighth series of the popular ITV2 show is causing a stir online after viewers of an older generation than the twenty-something contestants criticised their choices in bikinis. In Wednesday's episode Tasha Ghouri, 23, commanded attention in a tiny red two-piece, which offered very little coverage

Meanwhile Kim Kardashian (pictured), 41, recently showed off her voluptuous curves in a micro bikini thong from her SKIMS V-day collection. She donned the set as a bikini while on the beach in the Bahamas in January 2022

She said: 'It seems that less is definitely more when it comes to the Love Island crew and their swimwear this year.

'The shrinking bikini trend first made popular in the hedonistic 80s, has become increasingly fashionable over the last couple of years and this season's reality TV hopefuls are embracing this trend with both buttocks.

'Its almost as if the contestants are trying to outdo each other in terms of who can wear the least and bare the most, but perhaps this is the point.

'The one aspect you can rely on when wearing such skimpy swimwear (as coverage is definitely something that cannot be guaranteed) is grabbing all the attention.

'The hopefuls have their hearts set on stardom, and are bringing their skimpy sartorial A game to this battle.'

Miranda continued: 'Apart from the style shock tactics, there is another reason the barely-there bikini is on the rise, and that is the mood of the nation.

Dua Lipa left little to the imagination as she slipped into barely-there crocheted swimwear last summer

Meanwhile Demi Rose showcased her curves in a tiny bikini during a recent trip to Capri, Italy

'We have all been cooped up, stuck in our joggers and sweats throughout the enduring pandemic and this summer it finally feels like we are all getting our lives back.

'There is a sense of catching up on lost time, we want to wear clothes that are fun, bring us joy and make us want to party, and the millennials of the Love Island villa are leading from the (scantily clad) front.'

The fashion expert also said that the rise of the barely-there bikini is due to many more women being comfortable with their bodies following the rise of inclusivity in the fashion world.

'Do you need to have a perfect body to rock a micro bikini? In short, these days - no,' said Miranda.

'Inclusivity is the buzzword of the day, and body positivity is also thankfully on the rise, leading to all shapes and sizes baring their midriff and more.'

Celebrity stylist Rochelle White agreed, telling FEMAIL: 'I feel that this current trend in swimwear is having a moment due to the fact that the past two years we were in lockdown and lived in casual clothes and loungewear.

Kendall Jenner put on a show-stopping display in a previous trip to Miami. The Keeping Up With The Kardashians star looked incredible in a scanty bikini with a tiny top and bottoms which flashed her posterior and a mass of underboob

'Then in 2021, there was a rise in barely there clothes and fashion trends. With even designers and brands creating their own looks and pushing these trends.

'Then celebrities such as Kylie Jenner, Dua Lipa and more started rocking more barely there bikinis as well as the upside down trend.'

She added: 'I feel that more people are becoming more comfortable in their bodies and are happy to show them off. These styles are seen as fun and carefree.'

Some viewers took to Twitter to share their shock over the Love Island contestants' bikinis.

Reaction: Some viewers took to Twitter to share their shock over the Love Island contestants' bikinis

One person said: 'At the risk of sounding like an old fart... why are bikini bottoms so tiny these days?'

'Shops only seem to stock these teeny thongy dental floss atrocities. Now I love me a bottom but no one needs to see that much of my derriere.'

Another wrote: 'Tragic, really, that so many girls on Love Island are unable to find a bikini top in their size.'

A third added: 'Okay first Love Island question, why do all of the girls wear bikini tops that do not in any way cover their boobs?'
Advertisement

Prince William shifted 'piles' of Big Issue magazines when he went undercover to pose as a vendor on the streets of London, it has been revealed.

William, who has followed in his late mother Princess Diana's footsteps in supporting a number of homelessness charities, outsold veteran vendor Dave Martin, 60, who showed him the ropes and described the Prince as 'a great guy'.

The Duke of Cambridge swapped his tradition suit and tie for the matching red cap and vest and took to the streets of Westminster on Wednesday alongside Mr Martin who said it was no surprise William sold as many copies as he did.

Mr Martin said the prince's new role was organised for an article featuring William, which will be published in the magazine a week on Monday.

After posing for a photo with William and black-cab driver Neil Kramer, he said the prince, 39, who joined him for several hours, was a 'natural' at selling the magazines  and certainly helped shift copies.

Mr Martin, who as a vendor makes money on every copy sold, said: 'People started to accumulate after a little while. I managed to sell all my magazines. Well, he sold them. Not me. Prince William certainly helped me make more money.

'He was really good at talking to people. He seemed just like a regular guy. He was chatty and really laid-back.'

Mr Martin, who started selling The Big Issue ten years ago when he was homeless and is also a member of social enterprise HomeLess Made, added: 'I suppose it surprised me seeing just how popular he was. Out came the phones.'

Prince William, who has followed in his late mother Princess Diana's footsteps in supporting a number of homelessness charities, outsold veteran vendor Dave Martin, 60, who showed him the ropes when he went undercover to flog the Big Issue

Posing for a photo! Prince William smiles with passerby Laura Zuikauskas who stopped for a chat on the street

Prince William happily posed for photos and took selfies with tourists who spotted him on the street as his cover was blown

Previously Mr Martin's biggest brush with fame was a Big Issue event where he appeared on stage alongside rock band Muse.

'I didn't think it'd get better than that,' he said. Although he was with William in Westminster, Mr Martin's usual spot is outside Tesco in Brook Green, Hammersmith, west London.

William was described as 'polite and engaging' after he had a 'lovely chat' with a London cab driver during his shift.

Among those grabbing a selfie was cabbie Neil Kramer, from east London, who was charging up his electric vehicle when he was approached by the future king.

Speaking to FEMAIL, Neil said he 'pinched himself' after speaking to the Duke, who 'never forgot his name'.

'I was charging up my taxi on Rochester Row in Westminster when I was approached by a vendor who introduced himself as William and asked would I like to buy a copy of the Big Issue,' he told FEMAIL.

'When I realised who it was, I was a bit shocked but of course said yes.

'He then introduced the other gentlemen with him and we had a lovely chat for 15 mins about the charity and it's work.

'I was asked if I was a regular reader and pointed out there is always an opportunity to buy the magazine when on a rank or charging up.

'All of sudden I was made aware of a group of people who had also noticed who I was talking too.

'He was engaging, polite and never forgot my name.

'As they both left, I wished them luck and then pinched myself.

'What a lovely surprise on a random Wednesday and after the Jubilee celebrations over the weekend.'

Another man who met William said he had 'no change', so the Duke whipped out a card machine so he could make a purchase.

The royal, who spent the weekend celebrating his grandmother the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, was praised for the 'silent gesture' of charity by one man who stopped to chat, while others hailed the 'humble' royal for leading by example.

Kensington Palace declined to comment on Prince William's Big Issue volunteering.

As soon as word got out that William was on the street, dozens of royal fans approached him hoping for a quick pic with the future monarch

Inspiring photographs have emerged showing Prince William selling the Big Issue in central London. Retired Met Police chief superintendent Matthew Gardner shared this picture to LinkedIn of William with his brother-in-law writing: 'What an honour to have a private moment with our future king who was humble and working quietly in the background, helping the most needy. These 'silent gestures' often go unrecognised,''

The Duke of Cambridge (pictured posing for photos while selling the Big Issue), 39, donned a red seller's vest and hat before standing in Rochester Row, Westminster to quietly sell the magazine. A tourist who goes by Dan L shared this image online. He wrote: 'Bumped into to the Duke of Cambridge today while exploring London. A true gentleman, a noble cause, and one exceptionally memorable first trip to England.'

William (left) was spotted by a passing Londoner who thought they recognised a 'celebrity' - and got in closer for a better look

Prince William and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, and their three children spent the weekend celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Pictured, the couple with Prince George and Princess Charlotte during a visit to Cardiff.

Retired Met Police chief superintendent Matthew Gardner was one of the first to share images of William selling the Big Issue on his LinkedIn account - and others quickly followed suit, posting pictures with the future King to Instagram.

Mr Gardner said in a post made yesterday: 'My brother-in-law was in London today and saw a celebrity, so he took a photo at a distance. The celebrity saw the 'covert surveillance' effort and crossed the road to investigate further.

'What an honour to have a private moment with our future king who was humble and working quietly in the background, helping the most needy. These 'silent gestures' often go unrecognised,' he added.

William's badge read 'a hand up not a hand out' and was showed he was licensed to sell in London

He continued: 'The finale to this unique occasion was when Prince William asked my brother in law If he wanted to buy the 'Big Issue', to which he replied 'I have no change'.

'At this point William produced a mobile card machine you cannot teach that! Priceless, or should I say 'Princely'.'

The Big Issue is a magazine designed to give a helping hand to homeless people. William is an avid supporter of schemes and organisations that support the homeless, as was his late mother.

The duke is patron of Centrepoint homeless charity and in 2020 revealed that he talks to his older children Prince George, now eight, and Princess Charlotte, now seven, about the issue of homelessness.

Speaking to Mary Berry for her Christmas special A Berry Royal Christmas, he said: 'On the school run already, bear in mind they're six and four, whenever we see anyone who is sleeping rough on the streets, I talk about it and I point it out and I explain why and they're all very interested. They're like: 'Why can't they go home?''

In 2019, the duke became the patron of The Passage, an organisation established in 1980 which has gone on to help more than 135,000 people in crisis through its resource centre, homelessness prevention projects and innovative accommodation services.

Diana first took the royal and his brother the Duke of Sussex to the charity in 1993, when the pair were young boys and William has gone on to make numerous public and private trips to the organisation.

In December 2009, a then-27-year-old Prince William spent a night sleeping rough to understand the plight of the homeless at Christmas.

Ex-Police chief superintendent Matthew Gardner shared images of William selling the Big Issue on his LinkedIn (pictured)

December 2009: Then aged 27, William spent a night sleeping rough to understand the plight of the homeless at Christmas

He arrived shortly before midnight and stayed out in temperatures as low as minus 4C (24F), lying in a central London alleyway surrounded by wheelie bins.

The second in line to the throne was accompanied by his right-hand man at St James's Palace, former SAS officer Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, one of the Scotland Yard police protection officers who accompany him everywhere and Seyi Obakin, chief executive of Centrepoint.

Dressed in jeans, trainers, a hooded sweatshirt and beanie hat, he went unrecognised as he laid a piece of cardboard down on the floor and climbed into his sleeping bag.

It wasn't an altogether new experience for former Army officer William, who has often lived rough on exercises. But it certainly wasn't a pleasant one, as temperatures plunged, making sleep almost impossible.

After sleeping fitfully, William rolled up his sleeping bag at 6am and walked through the streets for 45 minutes, stopping to talk to several homeless people on the way.

He went to Centrepoint's hostel in Greek Street, Soho, where he showered before cooking breakfast for some of the residents and cutting a cake to celebrate the charity's 40th anniversary.

Reaction: Mr Gardner's LinkedIn post has been shared widely online, and many social media users have expressed their admiration for William, calling him 'amazing' for his efforts

He was slightly better off than the average rough sleeper, as he was accompanied by his armed personal protection officer, his private secretary - a former SAS officer - and the chief executive of the homelessness charity.

Even the venue, a secluded spot close to Blackfriars Bridge in the City, was carefully chosen for safety.

The Duke said afterwards that the experience had helped to deepen his understanding of life on the streets.

In a statement released at the time, he said: 'I cannot, after one night, even begin to imagine what it must be like to sleep rough on London's streets night after night.

'Centrepoint's work - along with many other organisations' - in tackling these fundamental causes is desperately important if we are ever to end homelessness in this country.

'I hope that by deepening my understanding of the issue, I can help do my bit to help the most vulnerable on our streets.'

Meanwhile Mr Obakin told the Mail: 'William asked whether there was anything he could do to help understand what our young people go through.

'I thought on my feet and came up with the thing that I thought he was least likely to do. To my surprise, he said yes. We took as much precaution as possible - finding a relatively secluded spot in an alleyway, shielded partly by a collection of wheelie bins.

'But there was no shielding from the bitter cold, or the hard concrete floor, or the fear of being accosted by drug dealers, pimps or those out to give homeless people a kicking. I have never been happier to welcome the break of dawn!'

While the royals often take camera on their charity trips and are patrons of many organisations, senior members of the Firm have been discovered to undertake secret visits to charity in the past.

Other royals that have previously done incognito charity visits include Meghan Markle, who appeared low key at a t Toronto based community centre St. Felix Centre shared an unseen photo of Meghan Markle volunteering centre in 2019

Sarah Ferguson and her daughter Princess Eugenie also did secret trips to hospitals to provide meals during the coronavirus pandemic The Duchess of York, 60, took to Instagram to share a picture (above) of herself carrying a box filled with Lambertz treats - a bakery brand owned by her pal Hermann Buhlbecker at the time

The Countess of Wessex also packed food packages for key workers during the pandemic. A series of snaps were posted on the Nourish Our Nurses Twitter page, alongside a caption which read: 'It was a pleasure to welcome back HRH The Countess of Wessex on Tuesday to help volunteer with Nourish Our Nurses.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been pictured in Los Angeles for the first time, Dailymail.com can exclusively show

Both Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle have both made private visits to text crisis helpline Shout - which was set up by their husbands. In 2019, Nancy Lublin, the founder of Crisis Text Line in the US, who sits on the board of the UK charity, told Town & Country that the duchesses have been 'four times to the offices, without anyone knowing'.

From early on in her royal career, Kate has been praised for secretly visiting the homeless and sick, following in the footsteps of the late Princess of Wales.

Harry and Meghan also gave out food packages in LA during lockdown, while Duchess of York, Princess Eugenie and Sophie Wessex were all spotted doing the same in the UK.

Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank were spotted being driven through London by Sarah, Duchess of York in March 2020 to make a secret mercy dash to deliver supplies to frontline NHS staff. The care packages, containing essentials such as food, toiletries and cleaning products, were delivered to Hammersmith Hospital in west London, the Chelsea and Westminster hospital and Upton Hospital in Slough.

Mr Gardner's LinkedIn post has been shared widely online, and many social media users have expressed their admiration for William, calling him 'amazing' for his efforts.

'Absolutely love the fact he is out doing this. What a wonderful gesture. What a king he will be one day,' wrote one person on LinkedIn.

'Inspirational! What fantastic role models for the next generation too,' penned another, while a third wrote: 'How many other members of the Royal family would do that? What a fantastic example... and very quick witted to get the card machine out!'

'True integrity... doing the right thing when nobody is watching,' said one person, while another individual simply wrote: 'Brilliant.'

Prince William's private charity work comes nearly a week after his wife, Kate, made a secret visit to Evelina London Children's Hospital to surprise staff, patients and their families unable to join in the Jubilee celebrations this weekend.

Kate, 40, has been patron of the London hospital, which specialises in providing 'life-changing' treatment for children with rare and complex conditions, since 2018. She has been snapped visiting on multiple occasions since then, visiting patients and staff, and raising the profile of the hospital.

Sunday's visit was particularly low-key. The duchess, who just hours earlier had joined senior royals at the Queen's Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral, spent time speaking to the young patients and their loved ones during the unexpected appearance.

News of Kate's visit to the children's hospital was announced on the Evelina London Twitter account. The post read: 'We received a very special surprise last night! Our Patron, HRH The Duchess of Cambridge, dropped in for a private visit to meet our patients, families and staff unable to join in the celebrations this weekend.

'Luckily the hospital was already decked with Platinum Jubilee decorations made by some of the children and young people we are caring for. Thank you YRH [Your Royal Highness] for thinking of us.'

The post was shared alongside two photographs of the Duchess of Cambridge meeting one family by a child's bedside.

Prince William and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, and their three children - which also includes Prince Louis, four, spent the weekend celebrating the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

Prince Harry will be 'furious' and feel like he is 'owed an apology' by the Royal Family after he and Meghan were 'largely ignored' during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, biographer claims

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'.

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.

'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.'
Polish President Andrzej made rare and controversial remarks likening holding peace negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin was similar to talking with German Dictator Adolf Hitler during World War II.

The statement comes as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron have both held one-on-one phone calls with the Russian president since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Putin and Hitler

Particularly, Macron stirred Ukrainian ire by saying that Russia must not be "humiliated: so as to preserve chances of a diplomatic solution. In an interview that was first released on YouTube late on Wednesday, Duda said that such discussions only legitimized an illegal war in Ukraine.

The Polish president then questioned if anyone spoke the same of Hitler during World War II, asking if anyone said that the German dictator must save face. The official questioned if the world should have proceeded in such a way that it was not humiliating for Hitler, as per Reuters.

The war in Ukraine, which Moscow described as a "special military operation" to stamp out perceived threats to its security, has flattened cities, killed thousands of civilians, and forced over seven million people to flee their home country.

On the other hand, Ukraine and its Western allies have criticized Russia and said that Moscow was waging an unprovoked war to grab territory. In a joint call with Putin on May 28, Scholz and Macron urged the Russian president to release the 2,500 Ukrainian fighters captured at Mariupol's Avozstal steel plant and to speak directly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Read Also: Moscow Says Ukrainian Nationalist Militants Intentionally Burned Grain in Mariupol's Sea Port During Retreat From Russian Forces

According to the New York Post, Zelensky also questioned Macron's remarks, saying that he did not understand what was humiliating Russia. He then continued to say that for the past eight years, Moscow has been killing Ukrainians.

The Ukrainian president expressed frustration at his French counterpart's remarks, given what he described as Macron's "profound understanding" and awareness of Russia's repeated breaches of international accords, cease-fire, and prisoner exchange agreements.

Russia's Continued Invasion of Ukraine

Zelensky said that Russians were not simply humiliating Ukraine, calling it a weak position, and instead argued that they were killing them. The Ukrainian president said that in response, they were not going to humiliate anyone but were going to respond in kind.

Duda's remark comes after years of simmering tensions between Poland and the two Western EU powerhouses who have differed widely on several issues, including migration and judicial reform within Poland. But for Jewish groups within Germany, the Polish president's comments relativize the Holocaust and should be viewed critically.

Furthermore, Warsaw has complained of Germany's reluctance to send heavy weapons to Ukraine, including accusations that replacement tanks promised to the Polish government by Berlin show no signs of arrival.

Duda said that as far as he knew, they have received nothing at all, noting that his administration has given its tanks away and now has nothing to replace them. However, the Polish president did not mention that Germany had warned the tanks could take quite some time before they were ready to be shipped.

He then continued to criticize German businesses, arguing that for some of them, "what happens to Ukraine or Poland "was of no concern, especially those still doing business with Moscow, DW News reported.



Related Article: Russian-Backed Separatists in Ukraine Sentence 2 Britons, 1 Morrocan to Death by Firing Squad After 'Show Trial'

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This is the adorable moment Prince William comforted his daughter Princess Charlotte after she appeared to grow tired during the Platinum Pageant at Buckingham Palace on Sunday.

The Duke of Cambridge, 39, reached over to brush his daughter's hair behind her shoulder and whispered a comforting word in her ear after she grew restless in the royal box.

Charlotte, seven, who attended the event with her brothers George, eight, and Louis, four, rubbed her eyes and looked despondent at one point.

The moment proved a hit with fans who praised the Duke of Cambridge for being a thoughtful, hands-on father.

There was one moment when seven-year-old Princess Charlotte, who has become a favourite of royal fans thanks to her sassy personality, looked tired and her father had to step in to cheer her up at the Platinum Jubilee pageant event outside Buckingham Palace

Charlotte was seen with her head down looking sleepy and wiping her eyes and her loving father William then stroked her hair as he bent down to speak to her and cheer her up

The moment occurred in the royal box while the Cambridges watched the Platinum Jubilee pageant with their family

In the clip shared by royal watchers on Twitter, Charlotte, whose hair was pulled back into two plaits, was seen with her head down looking sleepy and wiping her eyes.

Her loving father William then stroked her hair as he bent down to speak to her and cheer her up.

She appeared to nod her head afterwards, then wiping her nose with her arm, reassured by her father's words.

Sunday's pageant, which marked the finale of the four-day Platinum Jubilee celebrations, was attended by a host of royals including the Cambridge family and rounded off a busy weekend for little Charlotte.

Princess Charlotte, Prince George, the Duke of Cambridge (second row) Mia Tindall, Lena Tindall, Zara Tindall, (third row centre) Labour leader Keir Starmer sat in the royal box during the Platinum Jubilee Pageant in front of Buckingham Palace, London, on the last day of celebrations

After the pageant, the Queen, Prince Charles, The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince William, Prince Louis and the Duchess of Cambridge appeared on the balcony

She had spent the day before at a visit to Cardiff Castle with her mother and father and brother George, meeting performers ahead of a special Platinum Jubilee concert in the grounds.

The seven-year-old was seen giggling and dancing along to Disney hit 'We Don't Talk About Bruno' from Encanto.

She also tried her hand at conducting performers as her laughing family watched on.

But her day did not end there, with Charlotte attending a Saturday night concert outside Buckingham Palace with her mother, father and George.

The clip of Charlotte being comforted by her father was in stark contrast to other footage of her giving her brother Louis a dressing down. Throughout the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, he was pictured making funny faces and being cheeky and she appeared to scold him on multiple occasions

Throughout the concert, which started at 8pm, the camera panned to the youngsters in the royal box, sometimes singing and dancing and often waving flags as they watched a star-studded line up including Sam Ryder and Diana Ross with their parents the Duke, 39, and Duchess of Cambridge, 40.

William and Kate's youngest child Prince Louis, three, did not attend Sunday's event, after putting on an adorable display of cheeky faces and speaking animatedly to his great-grandmother on the first day of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations at an RAF flypast last Thursday.

There were mixed reactions to Charlotte and George online as many thought that they were well-behaved, considering that the event had started at 8pm and the family attended after visiting Cardiff Castle to watch preparations for another concert within the grounds.

Charlotte and George also attended a Saturday night concert for the Platinum Jubilee, with mixed reactions online. Many said they were well-behaved but others said they looked bored and tired after such a busy day

But others thought they looked bored and tired, watching the concert after such a jam-packed day.

The young family sat alongside the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall at the event.

Prince George was filmed belting out the lyrics to Sweet Caroline as Sir Rod Stewart performed on stage in one of many adorable moments at the star-studded concert.

One person wrote: 'Lovely celebrations eh, Charlotte and George looked adorbs during the concert.' Meanwhile, another person quipped: 'Charlotte and George are such a mood'.

Camilla Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Charles, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince George, Prince William, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, and Kate Duchess of Cambridge appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Platinum Jubilee Pageant

And others celebrated the young royals, calling them 'exceptional' and saying that they did the Queen proud.

Another person penned: 'It was an amazing night in every sense of the word' and remarked on the fact that the experience of watching the show would be a 'wow' experience for them.

Even social media users worldwide enjoyed the concert, with one Canadian tweeter writing: 'That was a beautifully produced show. We are loving it here in Canada. Little George was adorable. and so is Charlotte. They are such a lovely family.'

Charlotte, George and their parents were filmed waving their flags and having fun during Saturday night's Platinum Jubilee concert

A separate commenter wrote: 'I love how Prince George and Princess Charlotte sang along with their parents.'

Charlotte was also filmed giving her younger brother Louis a dressing down during several events in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

And even Prince George, eight, isn't immune from his sister's bossiness, with a video showing the future king being told how to pose on the balcony - and immediately heeding Charlotte's instructions.

In a clip from Sunday's Platinum Pageant, shared on Twitter by royal watchers, Charlotte is seen pushing Louis' arm down and away from his mouth, to stop him from sucking his fingers.

Sunday's event was the last of the four-day Platinum Jubilee celebrations and attended by all three Cambridge children and their mother and father

She then appears to brandish her fist at her younger brother, perhaps warning him against sucking his fingers again.

At this point, their mother Kate Middleton steps in, and whispers something to Charlotte.

Undeterred by the ticking off, Louis then mocks his old sister, brandishing his own fist in the same way, before his mother gently pushes his arm back onto his lap.

Sunday's pageant, which marked the finale of the four-day Platinum Jubilee celebrations, was the last event attended by the Cambridge children.

The royal box was filled with dignitaries, members of the royal family and politicians and cabinet members at the Platinum Jubilee pageant

The interchange Louis had with Charlotte was not the only funny moment of the restless royal captured on camera at the event.

Four-year-old Louis was also seen pulling faces during the pageant, and gesturing at his mother Kate Middleton.

At one point, he even stuck his hand over her mouth, presumably in an attempt to make her stop talking.
Prince Harry 'must have gone home feeling very depressed for what he has given up' after he and Meghan Markle decided not to be more visible in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations because 'they did not have centre stage seats', royal experts have claimed.

The Duke, 37, and the Duchess of Sussex, 40, missed both the Platinum Jubilee Party and Pageant - as well as the Epsom Derby during the four-day festivities.

They made only one public appearance, despite flying in from the US with their two children - Archie and Lilibet.

The couple didn't appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony during Trooping the Colour, and were also seemingly relegated to the second row during the Thanksgiving service.

Vanity Fair's Katie Nicholl told True Royalty TVs The Royal Beat that the couple weren't at other celebrations because 'they did not have centre stage seats'.

Meanwhile, historian Hugo Vickers added: 'Harry has given up being Captain of the Royal Marines, who were out in force. I think he must have gone home feeling very depressed for what he has given up.'

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (pictured) decided not to be more visible in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations 'because they knew they wouldn't be in the front row, a royal expert had claimed

The Duke, 37, and the Duchess of Sussex, 40, missed both the Platinum Jubilee Party and Pageant - as well as the Epsom Derby during the four-day festivities. Pictured, The Queen with the Cambridge family

Vanity Fair's Katie Nicholl (pictured) told True Royalty TVs The Royal Beat that the couple weren't at other celebrations because 'they did not have centre stage seats'

Katie said: 'I honestly think its [because] they knew that they wouldnt be in that front row.

'And why did they leave the Royal Family? They left because they werent in the front row. I believe thats why they weren't at the other celebrations as they did not have centre stage seats.'

Elsewhere, royal biographer and journalist Duncan Larcombe said the Platinum Jubilee celebrations will haunt Prince Harry for the rest of his life, as he and his family were relegated to minor roles and decided not to participate in some events.

He said: 'Those four days will haunt Prince Harry for the rest of his life. They [The Duke and Duchess of Sussex] were relegated to sitting behind the Duke of Gloucester [at the Thanksgiving service].

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

Discussing the key images from the celebration, Katie told the programme: 'If youre going to take one image away from the weekend, it has to be [the one of the Queen and her three heirs standing on the Buckingham Palace balcony] (pictured)

'They didn't take part in any way, shape or form visibly at the Trooping of the Colour [Harry] will be fuming about the way he and his family were treated - if it was Prince William and the Royal Family who said, "youre not coming to the royal box", whilst other minor non-working Royals were at those events.'

Discussing the key images from the celebration, Katie told the programme: 'If youre going to take one image away from the weekend, it has to be [the one of the Queen and her three heirs standing on the Buckingham Palace balcony].

'A Jubilee isn't just a moment to reflect on the 70 years, but to look forward to the future. The Queens message is very clear, this is the future and for the first time in history, we have four generations of royalty.

'It is extraordinary. Also, it was deliberately engineered. If you watch the sequence of this, Camilla steps to the side, whilst Kate takes the two youngest children, and leaves the Queen with her three heirs.'

It comes after biographer Angela Levin, who spent a year with Harry, claimed the prince is likely to feel as if he is 'owed an apology' and was 'largely ignored' at the four-day celebration.

The couple didn't appear on the Buckingham Palace balcony during Trooping the Colour, and were also seemingly relegated to the second row during the Thanksgiving service (pictured)

She added that the Duke of Sussex is allegedly 'absolutely furious' about the situation.

According to Ms Levin, it was clear Harry was unhappy when attending the 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'.

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.

The Royal Beat - available on True Royalty TV
This is the amusing moment Good Morning Britain's Laura Tobin was interrupted by a mischievous Austrian weatherman live on air.

Laura, 40, was at the Nordkette mountain range in Innsbruck, Austria, to present the weather for the ITV programme live from the countrys largest nature park.

She joined 30 other weather presenters from 20 channels from around the world for the annual International Weather Summit.

However, when Laura attempted to perform her live segment and speak to hosts Kate Garraway and Ben Shephard, she was repeatedly interrupted.

One Austrian weatherman tried to offer her a slice of cake before breaking into song, while another Polish weatherman also started to perform a tune earlier in the show.

This is the amusing moment Good Morning Britain's Laura Tobin was interrupted by a mischievous Austrian weatherman live on air

Viewers were left puzzled by the scenes and took to Twitter to suggest the group of presenters were drunk after a Polish weatherman also started to perform a tune earlier in the show

I'm bringing you the traditional Austrian cake called Sachertorte, said the Australian weatherman whilst Laura was trying to present the weather.

As she ushered him off the screen, he started breaking out into song.

Viewers were left puzzled by the scenes and took to Twitter to suggest the group of presenters were drunk.

That Polish weatherman is clearly drunk, one wrote, while a second added: The Austrian weather guy is p****d.

Laura, 40, was at the Nordkette mountain range in Innsbruck, Austria, to present the weather for the ITV programme live from the countrys largest nature park

She joined 30 other weather presenters from 20 channels from around the world for the annual International Weather Summit. However, when Laura attempted to perform her live segment and speak to hosts Kate Garraway and Ben Shephard, she was repeatedly interrupted

I'm loving the other European weather presenters in Innsbruck - I want to go to their after party! They look fun! said a third.

Viewers also criticised the hypocrisy of the weather presenters for travelling to Austria for a summit discussing how to combat climate change.

So it's OK for the weather presenters to fly around the world and then preach about climate change?, one person penned.

In April, Laura was left red-faced on an episode of Good Morning Britain after accidentally suggesting that she and her husband were in an open marriage.

Viewers also criticised the hypocrisy of the weather presenters for travelling to Austria for a summit discussing how to combat climate change

The weather presenter's on-air blunder saw her blurt out that partner Dean Brown - who has never been pictured - will 'let me go with anyone' when discussing who will play Kate Middleton in the upcoming series of The Crown.

Her co-stars Susanna Reid and Ed Balls were left tickled by her remark, with Laura quickly forced to backtrack over what she said.

As they discussed the Netflix hit, Susanna noted that weather presenter Laura bared a resemblance for the Duchess of Cambridge and could audition for the role.

Laura responded: 'Well I actually have a (daughter) Charlotte so Im halfway there, I just need two more children. And a husband called William. So if you could work on that, while I do the weather.'

Susanna then asked: 'What will Dean say?' with Laura then nonchalantly replying: 'Hes fine, hell let me go with anyone.'

As everyone in the studio burst into fits of giggles, a mortified Laura declared: 'I don't mean it like that! Let's move on to the weather.'
The Big Issue seller who was helped by Prince William is a 60-year-old man who first became homeless after moving to London in 2011, FEMAIL can reveal.

Dave Martin, who is originally from Derby, has been selling the magazine for more than 10 years outside a Tesco in Brook Green, west London and makes 125 a week from sales of about 50 magazines.

Alongside the magazine sales, the former garage-worker also creates and sell his own art, and has even had his work put on display at the Brick Lane gallery in east London.

Mr Martin was pictured this week as many fans snapped photos with the future king, who was spotted selling the magazine in Westminster.

He said the prince's new role was organised for an article featuring William, which will be published in the magazine a week on Monday.

Dave Martin, who is originally from Derby, has been selling the magazine for more than 10 years outside a Tesco in Brook Green, west London and makes 125 a week from sales of about 50 magazines

Mr Martin was pictured this week as many fans snapped photos with the future king, who was spotted selling the magazine in Westminster. He is pictured with Prince William and London cab driver Neil Kramer

Previously Mr Martin's biggest brush with fame was a Big Issue event where he appeared on stage alongside rock band Muse after they performed an event to raise money for the Big Issue at the Eventim Apollo in March, which is just a stone's throw away from where Mr Martin works in Hammersmith.

'I didn't think it'd get better than that,' he said.

On his website - which he uses to sell his art - Mr Martin says he moved to London in 2011 and soon found himself homeless.

'I started selling the Big Issue the same year to support myself and I now have a regular pitch outside Tesco in Brook Green,' he writes.

'In 2014 The Big Issue took me to an interactive exhibition at the Tate Modern. I saw lots of great art and was particularly inspired by the work of Matisse, and in 2016 I started making my own abstract art'.

He now makes his own collages out of coloured card including postcards which sell for 10 for a pack of four and wall prints for 35.

Previously Mr Martin's biggest brush with fame was a Big Issue event where he appeared on stage alongside rock band Muse after they performed an even to raise money for the Big Issue at the Eventim Apollo in March, which is just a stone's throw away from where Mr Martin works in Hammersmith.

'I explore different colour and shape combinations. I then make prints based on those originals. I've been exhibiting since 2019 and last year my work featured in a group show at the Jealous Gallery,' he explained.

He is also part of the Homeless Made project, which is part of the Baron's Court project.

Last year, Mr Martin spoke out about the impact of coronavirus on Big Issue sellers.

Speaking to local paper Sherpherd's Bush W14 he said he was 'heartbroken' he couldn't say merry Christmas to his customers after London was plunged into a Tier 4 lockdown.

He explained that Covid saw his sales go down despite usually doing really well in December.

'People will have Christmas cards and presents that they won't be able to give me so I can't look forward to that. I have Christmas cards to give people too. It's all a mess,' he said at the time.

'I have one or two cards from my customers which I will be keeping for Christmas Day so I have something to look forward to. If it weren't for The Big Issue, I wouldn't have got through the lockdowns this year. It's thanks to them that I did.'

He now makes his own collages out of coloured card including postcards which sell for 10 for a pack of four and wall prints for 35. Pictured

Mr Martin moved from Derby to London and lived rough for three months, when he was approached by a Big Issue vendor who said he could make a living selling the magazine.

He previously told MyLdn about his time sleeping rough: 'That really got to me. In the great scheme of things that's not long, but even one week on the streets is a lot.'

'I was having to beg for food, lumping a big backpack around, and trying to stay dry. The hardest thing is just trying to find somewhere undercover because it's such cold, biting weather that you could get pneumonia.'

He added that people sleeping on the street outside a pub or club often ended up 'getting a kicking because people are drunk and get abusive' and he found these reactions 'really upsetting' at first.

'Now, it's water off a duck's back. I'm so used to people giving me funny looks that it doesn't bother me. It's their problem not mine. That's just what you get as a homeless person - people just walk by and don't say a word. I think people don't know what to do or say or how to help, and I suppose it is difficult for them.'

He says the job gave him his self-respect back and allowed him to get a flat in Tottenham and start making art. Last year, he even had his own exhibition as part of the Works on Paper and Contemporary Painting at Bethnal Green's Brick Lane Gallery.

Posing for a photo! Prince William smiles with passerby Laura Zuikauskas who stopped for a chat on the street

Prince William happily posed for photos and took selfies with tourists who spotted him on the street as his cover was blown

'I like doing geometric shapes a lot because it just comes naturally to me. I've done a few different commissions with different colours and different designs as well,' he previously told the Big Issue.

'I like it when that comes to fruition for me. I like creating and when I do create a piece I feel very proud. I know lots of artists aren't ever happy with the finished article but I feel proud.'

The vendor also played a central role in the Ben Eine-curated Big Issue Art Special magazine in March 2020.

While he uses card, scissors and blue-tack to create geometric prints - he's also been taking classes with homeless charity St Mungo's, who provided him with acrylics and oils.

He added to the Big Issue magazine: 'To start with I just came up with an idea about shapes and colours and then I thought, well, do it on A4.

'So I got coloured art cards, I'm printing all these shapes  diamonds, squares, circles and what have you  and for some reason I tended to get a good match with the colours. People seem to like my combinations, more so than my shapes.

'I've been thinking about my past, and what gave me the idea  I used to work in a garage in Derby, where I'm from. I used to mix the paint for car spray, using different shades of colours.

As soon as word got out that William was on the street, dozens of royal fans approached him hoping for a quick pic with the future monarch

Inspiring photographs have emerged showing Prince William selling the Big Issue in central London. Retired Met Police chief superintendent Matthew Gardner shared this picture to LinkedIn of William with his brother-in-law writing: 'What an honour to have a private moment with our future king who was humble and working quietly in the background, helping the most needy. These 'silent gestures' often go unrecognised,''

The Duke of Cambridge (pictured posing for photos while selling the Big Issue), 39, donned a red seller's vest and hat before standing in Rochester Row, Westminster to quietly sell the magazine. A tourist who goes by Dan L shared this image online. He wrote: 'Bumped into to the Duke of Cambridge today while exploring London. A true gentleman, a noble cause, and one exceptionally memorable first trip to England.'

'Maybe part of it came from there. Shapes-wise, I remember my grandmother having a tea mat that was just diamonds, it was an elaborate pattern. When people ask me I usually say it suddenly came to me but I think I got it from there.

'I'm selling the odd thing now. I've got this guy called Gavin, he does my prints. He's got his own business, he's a designer as well. He'll scan my originals and then he'll make them up.

'I display some of them on my pitch, some of my customers will pick one and then we'll arrange a meet and do the sale. I sold an original a couple of years ago for 200. We did the sale in Costa! That was through The Big Issue. A woman rang in, a price was discussed and before I knew it I'd got a phone call, we met up and we did the deal.'

William's badge read 'a hand up not a hand out' and was showed he was licensed to sell in London

Mr Martin also revealed that people have compared his work to Matisse, but he has his own individual style and his inspiration is from himself.

'I've been in Street Art in the mag a couple of times. It alerted people who see me on my pitch to the fact I was an artist, I think they were quite surprised! Now more people are finding out it's me I'm selling the odd one  I do display my designs on my pitch. With this exhibition coming up things are looking good. I'm even getting a website together'.

Mr Martin will now interview Prince William for a piece in the Big Issue, which comes out next Monday.

'People started to accumulate after a little while. I managed to sell all my magazines. Well, he sold them. Not me. Prince William certainly helped me make more money,' he said.

'He was really good at talking to people. He seemed just like a regular guy. He was chatty and really laid-back.'

William was described as 'polite and engaging' after he had a 'lovely chat' with a London cab driver during his shift.

Among those grabbing a selfie was cabbie Neil Kramer, from east London, who was charging up his electric vehicle when he was approached by the future king.

Speaking to FEMAIL, Neil said he 'pinched himself' after speaking to the Duke, who 'never forgot his name'.

'I was charging up my taxi on Rochester Row in Westminster when I was approached by a vendor who introduced himself as William and asked would I like to buy a copy of the Big Issue,' he told FEMAIL.
A woman who had her eye removed as a teenager is now a viral TikTok star thanks to her light-hearted clips poking fun at her condition.

Sarah Harris, 36, a retail manager from Manchester, suffers from neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes tumours to form on the nerve tissue.

As a child she was also diagnosed with infantile optic glaucoma, a rare birth defect which prevents fluid from draining, causing pressure behind her eyes.

Growing up, she would often receive stares from her classmates and had people avoiding her during playtime, where she found it hard to fit in as she felt 'different.'

Thriving: Sarah Harris, who had her eye removed as a teenager, is now a viral TikTok star thanks to her light-hearted clips poking fun at her condition. Pictured with (right) and without her prosthetic eye (left)

As a child, pictured, Sarah was also diagnosed with infantile optic glaucoma, a rare birth defect which prevents fluid from draining, causing pressure behind her eyes

At five, she visited a specialist at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, who discovered that her condition had completely eroded her eye socket and that her brain was pressing up against the eye.

At 16, after years of constant pain, she made the life-changing decision to have her eye removed, fearing her condition would only worsen over time.

'It wasn't really a hard decision to make, as I was in constant pain and I was getting [regular] infections, if I left it, it would have gotten worse,' Sarah told Need to Know.

'I was slightly concerned, as the operation hadn't been done before to this extent, as they needed to fix the issues related to me not having an eye socket.

'If I had left it, though, the tumour could have spread into my brain and caused a lot more damage, as well as me going completely blind.

'I had to wear a pressure bandage in my newly formed eye socket to keep it set in place, then I had another surgery to implant four abutments into my eye.

Sarah, pictured as a child, was bullied at school due to her condition and struggled to fit in because she felt 'different'

At five, she visited a specialist at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, who discovered that her condition had completely eroded her eye socket and that her brain was pressing up against the eye. Pictured, Sarah with her brother Richard before her eye was removed

At 16, after years of constant pain, she made the life-changing decision to have her eye removed, fearing her condition would only worsen over time. Pictured, Sarah shortly after having her eye removed

'This was dangerous, as they had to drill into the remaining bone structure which kept cracking as it was so thin.

'After six months, I had my prosthetic eye made which helped me to fit [into society] as I wasn't being stared at as much.

'It gave me confidence to apply for my first job and [with others].'

Sarah's condition was likely passed down by her mum, Julia, 65, who also suffers from neurofibromatosis and had to undergo spinal fusion surgery due to her spine 'crumbling.'

Other side effects include learning difficulties, epilepsy, scoliosis, an enlarged head and a higher risk of cancer as some of the tumours can grow to be cancerous.

In one TikTok video, Sarah showed her followers how her prosthetic eye is made (pictured)

Sarah, pictured today with her prosthetic eye, has had a total of 30 surgeries since she was first diagnosed

Since being diagnosed, she's had 30 surgeries to date and also suffers from a phobia of food as a result of needing to be starved before each operation.

The 36-year-old recalls how the condition affected her development, with her only fitting into clothes for a two-year-old by the time she was five.

She said: 'I was small for my age and was wearing clothes for a two-year-old.

'I also had speech therapy as part of my bottom jaw didn't form properly and I also had a slight delay with my reading and writing.

'I was called a lot of names almost every day, such as 'pop eye' or 'one-eyed jack' which made me feel upset and annoyed.

'I had one good friend in primary school, however, who I'm still good friends with to this day.

Sarah, pictured with her prosthetic, often makes jokes and plays pranks using her prosthetic eye, such as putting her 'eye' next to someone's drink after they asked her to keep an eye on it

'I learned to ignore [the comments] as I grew up and eventually started to laugh with them or say 'thanks for noticing' which they didn't like very much.

'It made me realise that some people don't think before they speak - but I feel like it made me a stronger person in the long run.'

Over the years, she's received support from her colleagues, manager and friends.

She often makes jokes and plays pranks using her prosthetic eye, such as putting her 'eye' next to someone's drink after they asked her to keep an eye on it.

In a bid to raise awareness, and for a laugh, she decided to upload her story to TikTok, where she creates 'skits' using her prosthetic eye.

In one clip, which has received 15 million views and over 967,000 likes, she whistles to her 'eye' which continues to run away from her in a Charlie Chaplin-esque manner.

Users took to the comments to share their admiration for her quick wit and bravery, with others sharing their own experiences with the condition.

'I lost my eye to a tumour when I was 16 due to a medical conditionit also destroyed my eye socket,' one viewer commented.

Another person added: 'Okay but you're legit beautiful.' [sic]

'THIS is body positivity,' someone else wrote.

One person commented: 'It's the eye roll for me,' followed by a laughing emoji.

'What u take out ur eye on how u do that,' another person added, to which Sarah replied: 'I lost my real one due to a tumour this is the replacement.' [sic]

Sarah, pictured with her mother, said she is grateful to her parents who pushed her to be independent

Sarah added: 'I was surprised as I didn't think I would get this much response.

'A lot of people became interested and started asking me questions about me, my eye, how I lost it, and so on. I do [TikTok] now to raise awareness, while still having fun doing it.

'I've currently got [a tumour] growing in my neck and cheek which is inoperable due to the complexity of how it's wrapped around my facial nerves and blood vessels.

'I'm worried about getting osteoporosis [in the future] as I'm an active person and it's one of the many things that make me happy.

'I've previously had a hysterectomy too, as I had a large fibroid tumour in my uterus which grew to the size of a 22-week foetus. This upset me at first, as I don't have any children of my own.

'However, I soon realised that I've got to put my health first and I'm grateful for my parents who push me to do things on my own.

'Neurofibromatosis can affect people in so many different ways and while there is currently no known cure, I hope to play a role in finding this with my platform.'
Sarah Ferguson cut a diplomatic figure today as she travelled to Croatia to meet the Mayor of Zagreb.

The Duchess of York, 62, was opted for a blue shirt dress with an A-line skirt which she paired with velvet loafers and a bedazzled denim jacket for the meeting in the Balkan nation.

The mother-of-two, affectionately known as a 'Fergie' was visiting in her role as the chair of the newly formed International Montessori Ambassadors group and held a press conference at the Amadria Park Hotel Capital.

In the meeting she held onto a Little Red Doll, heroine of her own series of children's books and also posed with an edition of her books with Little Red in Croatia.

Sarah Ferguson cut a diplomatic figure today as she travelled to Croatia to meet the Mayor of Zagreb

The Duchess of York, 62, was opted for a blue shirt dress with an A-line skirt which she paired with velvet loafers and a bedazzled denim jacket for the meeting in the Balkan nation

She also held up a copy of Newsweek from 1985.

Opting for a natural look, the Duchess, who is divorced from Prince Andrew, wore her hair down and loose and sported a low-key make-up look.

She wore a touch of dark eye-liner around her eye and paired the look with small hoop earrings.

Taking to her Instagram following the event, she wrote: 'Im in Zagreb with the @montessori.group as chair of the newly formed International Montessori Ambassadors group and honoured to meet with @tomislavtomasevichr, Mayor of Zagreb.

'Zagreb is no stranger to wars and their consequences, and has welcomed refugees for many years. 11,000 Ukrainians have sought refuge in Croatia since their country was invaded by Russia and the Mayor explained the structures and systems they have in place to integrate them with the larger community.

Opting for a natural look, the Duchess, who is divorced from Prince Andrew, wore her hair down and loose and sported a low-key make-up look

'We discussed Montessoris work in Croatia with Emergency Container Home Shelters, which offer decent shelter for the local refugee population, and the support they are giving to teachers and children with day care centres for refugee children, and how we can help support him and the Croatian people.

'I spent time talking to Blizhina Maria who fled Odesa with her daughter Alisa on 24th February.

'They managed to get near to the border then walked the final journey into Moldova.

Sarah Ferguson, 62, has claimed Prince Andrew is a 'wonderful father' and grandfather, while reflecting on raising Princess Beatrice and Eugenie (pictured)

The Duchess of York said as grandparents they are trying not to 'interfere too much' with how Sienna and August are being raised

'It is a great honour to be here, showing respect and love for a country I have had a deep connection with for three decades.

'My charity Children in Crisis supported Croatian and Bosnian refugee families in the early 1990s who were going through the heartbreak Ukraine is living through now.

'I am immensely proud of our work setting up a refugee camp in Tasovcici, Bosnia, later singled out by the @refugees, and I am committed to doing all I can to give ongoing support

It comes after the Duchess of York said Prince Andrew is a 'wonderful' father and a 'very, very good grandfather' to Eugenie and Beatrice's children

Sarah has shown support for her daughters throughout the years and shared admiration for Princess Eugenie having her scar visible on her wedding day

Fergie remains extremely close to her ex-husband 14 years after their divorce.

The couple, who wed in 1986 and share daughters Beatrice, 33, and Eugenie, 32, continue to live at the Royal Lodge on the Queen's Windsor estate.

It is Fergie's latest show of support for her ex-husband after he paid Jeffrey Epstein victim Virginia Roberts Giuffre a reported 12million to settle allegations of sexual abuse out of court - allegations that he always denied.

Speaking to Ok Magazine, Fergie said: '[Andrew] is a wonderful father and a very very good grandfather.

She continued: 'I think, as a grandparent, you have to let your children get on with being the parents they want to be, and not interfere too much.

'But I'm always there to pick up the broccoli when it goes flying at mealtimes.'

Beatrice who married Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 38, in 2020 is mother to daughter Sienna, seven months, while Eugenie who married Jack Brooksbank, 36, in 2018 is mother to son August, one. Beatrice is also stepmother to Edoardo's son, Wolfie.
Leah is almost four, but her vocabulary is that of a much younger child. So delayed is her speech she can still say only a few words, one of which  helpfully  is Mum.

She knows several variations of this: Mummy, Mumma, Mum; which is useful because there are three young women in her life who answer to the name.

One is her birth mother Cara, 24; the other is her self-styled stepmother Gemma, 27; the third is Caras former partner, 26-year-old Sarah.

The little girl regards all of them, Cara insists, as maternal figures, although Cara is the special mummy.

However the man who fathered her  sperm donor James MacDougall  will not, despite his strenuous efforts to do so, ever feature as a paternal influence in Leahs life.

James MacDougall fathered 15 children to lesbian women without telling them that he has a genetic condition

Cara  were using pseudonyms to protect her and her childrens identity  has two children: Leah and 18-month-old Milly, both from MacDougall, 37.

MacDougall is at the centre of a furore after a family court heard how he had fathered 15 children to lesbian women without making clear to them that he has an incurable genetic condition.

MacDougall went to a family court last month to seek access to Caras children and one other he had fathered  a move their mothers vehemently opposed. And judge Mrs Justice Lieven agreed with them that he should be banned from involvement in their lives. She also took the almost unprecedented step of naming him to deter others from using him as a donor.

MacDougall, who is autistic, has Fragile X syndrome which causes a range of developmental problems including learning disabilities and cognitive impairment.

Cara, who was unaware of this when she twice used his sperm to self-inseminate, fears Leah, who has symptoms that indicate the condition, could have inherited it. In a further troubling twist, Caras former partner Sarah also went on to use MacDougalls services to have a child of her own.

You may consider it astonishing that MacDougall, who advertised his services as a donor on social media, could have been so cavalier about a serious health condition.

Equally you may wonder why Cara, when considering the credentials of a father to her children, barely scanned the closely-typed three page document he presented her with  in which was buried the fact that he has Fragile X  before agreeing to pay him 5 travelling expenses for supplying his sperm.

I gave him a fiver for each donation, she says blithely. He only wanted the money for petrol from his house to mine.

Leah has her birth mother Cara, 24; her self-styled stepmother Gemma, 27; and Caras former partner, 26-year-old Sarah to help raise her

You could say my children cost me a fiver each  although it was maybe 15 because I had two or three tries before I fell pregnant.

Most people will use donors on social media if theyre in a same sex relationship, because it costs so much to go through a private clinic. James took advantage of the desperation of girls like me. He preyed on vulnerable young women.

I didnt read the document he gave me. I just flicked through the first page but I do struggle to read. I have learning difficulties myself.

It was irresponsible but when youre desperate for a kid it makes you reckless.

Maybe I should have gone to a solicitor but it would have cost 500 to get everything drawn up and signed. So instead we did it all on the same day. It took about 20 minutes. My (then) partner and I signed, then he went into the toilet and came out with the sample.

And so the chain of events that led to MacDougall passing on his compromised genetic blueprint began.

I didnt realise he had Fragile X until it came up in court and I hadnt a clue what it was, says Cara now.

He didnt mention he had a condition that could impact on the children. Of course, he should have: I was angry he didnt. But we got what we wanted: a child. And then I had a sister for her and I love them more than anything.

Surely, one would think, there is a part of her that regrets her own recklessness? I think I probably still would have gone along with it if Id known because you wouldnt change your kids, would you?, she says. If Leahs got it, shes got it. You just deal with it.

In this salutary saga of modern day families there appears to have been a potent mix of carelessness, opportunism and haphazard regard for the truth  on both sides. None of the dramatis personae emerges entirely unscathed.

The convolutions of Caras story  and the even more perturbing ramifications of MacDougalls highlight the dangers of resorting to unregulated sperm donors now proliferating on the internet. Since the pandemic, regulated fertility clinics have reported a dramatic downturn in the number of sperm donors  just 671 registered in the UK in 2020 compared with 776 the previous year  which in turn has fuelled an increase in men offering their services for free through sites such as Facebook, as MacDougall did.

While he has already fathered 15 children, men who give sperm to licensed clinics can only donate to up to ten families, reducing the risk of two children from the same sperm donor forming a relationship and unwittingly committing incest because they do not know they are related.

MacDougall had been turned down as a donor by a clinic, which are overseen by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and required by law to screen sperm for infections such as HIV and hepatitis as well as hereditary illnesses.

Knowing this, as Cara justifiably points out, he should never have offered his services on the internet, although, extraordinarily, there is no law forbidding him from doing so.

And Caras yearning to have a baby, allied to her own inadequate grasp of the risks she was taking, made her situation combustible.

This week, when I visited the neat and orderly council house she shares with her two daughters  and intermittently with her current partner Gemma  one fact seemed unassailable: she clearly adores Leah and Milly.

She began a relationship with Gemma, who has two daughters with a former male partner, three years ago.

But we must track back four years, to 2018, to learn how Cara first encountered MacDougall. She was then barely 20, working in a factory and in a relationship with jobless Sarah, when they decided to try for a baby together.

Their first attempt, via another donor they found on social media, resulted in Cara having a miscarriage. Then they looked on a lesbian sperm donor site and MacDougalls advert caught their eye.

It just said the town he lived in and that he had brown hair and blue eyes. There were pictures of him as a baby and he said he wanted to help same sex couples have a family. We invited him round to the house and I thought: Hes got problems, but I thought they were minor.

We agreed he should come back when I was fertile and he gathered the sample in the toilet then Sarah inseminated me with a syringe. After a couple of attempts, Cara, to her delight, was pregnant. They all agreed that MacDougall would play no part in the childs upbringing  the document they signed had pledged that  and she and Sarah looked forward to the birth: Leah arrived in October 2018.

And I was so happy. She was mummys girly; she slept brilliantly. Id got what I wanted, recalls Cara. Then I started to notice she wasnt hitting her milestones. When she was two she could only say a couple of words and that worried me. She still cant talk and she loses her temper when she cant explain things. It scares me.

Leah was only a couple of months old when Caras relationship with Sarah broke down. I think we just fell out of love, she says, and in this world of expendable affiliations they separated and Cara moved into a flat alone with their baby. But Leah still sees Sarah and thinks of her as her mummy.

I point out that Cara must have felt isolated as a young single mum on benefits living alone with a small baby. And she admits it was then that she texted MacDougall.

When I was moving out of Sarahs he lent me 150 and helped move my furniture, she says.

Recounting the tangled saga of their intermittent encounters, MacDougall alleged in court that he had, in fact, lent Cara 7,000.

Although he is on benefits, his parents, June and John MacDougall, a retired council engineer, both 73, have been generous to their adopted son, who shares their neat semi in a Nottingham suburb.

Leah's parents said: 'Most people will use donors on social media if theyre in a same sex relationship, because it costs so much to go through a private clinic'

Cara insists the sum was considerably less and some of it was repaid, although the court did not accept her evidence on this.

But it is clear she had reasons for maintaining a link, of sorts, with her sperm donor and they became apparent after she met her current partner Gemma in a nightclub in August 2019.

Gemma had never had a gay relationship before but was attracted to bisexual Cara  who is tall and strikingly pretty with doe-like eyes  because of her dazzling smile.

Within a month of meeting they had begun a relationship. And then during lockdown we decided we wanted a baby together, says Cara. I already had Leah and I wanted her to have a full sibling. So I wanted James to be the sperm donor again.

Gemma adds: We let him into our lives a bit too much to try to get what we wanted. We needed him and he knew it. And because it was lockdown and his mum and dad were shielding, we let him stay in our house so Cara could try to get pregnant.

Once again, they were careless to the point of negligence about paperwork. We didnt sign anything, she says. But every time we asked James for a document hed say he was ordering ink for his printer or make some other excuse. We trusted his word. And he promised he didnt want to be involved with the children.

If their complex ties of parenthood were not convoluted enough, MacDougall also provided sperm samples for Caras ex, Sarah, who became pregnant just a couple of months after Cara conceived Milly and now has a little boy.

Milly was born in December 2020. Cara says her family of multiple mums, two daughters and two step-daughters  with a half-brother to Leah and Milly thrown in for good measure  is now complete. Two kids. Thats it. Im done.

She hopes, eventually, that she and Gemma will marry.

Meanwhile, the consequences of allowing MacDougall to visit her home were troubling.

Men who give sperm to licensed clinics can only donate to up to ten families, reducing the risk of two children from the same sperm donor forming a relationship

Cara told the court that she asked MacDougall to leave because she became concerned about his behaviour: making sexual comments to her, suggesting she leave Gemma for him, and rubbing himself against her. Allegations McDougall denied in court.

He started to behave weirdly, Cara tells me. Hed push himself against me. Hed smack my bum. Hed be sat at the end of the bed when Gemma and I woke up in the morning. He became possessive and controlling. He tried to make me leave Gemma to be with him. He even told his parents he was in a relationship with me  which is all lies.

Despite these incidents, Cara allowed Leah to visit MacDougalls parents comfortable home with its sunny conservatory in a Nottingham suburb, even spending the night there a couple of times.

Indeed, although at first shocked their son had become a sperm donor, the MacDougalls even came to regard Leah as their grandchild.

Why did Cara and Gemma permit these visits if they had such severe misgivings about him?

Mr MacDougall has an incurable genetic condition called Fragile X syndrome which causes a range of developmental problems including learning disabilities and cognitive impairment

At the time we were trying to sweeten him up, says Gemma. We wanted Cara to get pregnant.

Once Milly was conceived there were darker allegations of physical assault: MacDougall is purported to have caused bruising to Caras neck when he visited to retrieve his belongings. He, in turn, claims she exploited him for money.

Gemma says, with the benefit of hindsight: I regret using James, 100 per cent. Of course it was a mistake. I disliked him from the start. I saw him for what he was and I should have stopped Cara from using him again. Im older and wiser than she is.

I was irresponsible. I accept that. Looking back, Id have done it differently. But now weve got Milly and we wouldnt change her for the world.

Meanwhile, throughout the whole unedifying saga there has been no admission of his own culpability from MacDougall.

And it is this complete obliviousness to the effects of his behaviour that Mrs Justice Lieven recognised in her judgement: He quickly becomes agitated, aggressive and loses control when not getting his way.

There is copious evidence of him ringing or contacting people on multiple occasions if they do not do what he wants, and he simply will not take no for an answer.

Last week his parents gave a spirited defence of their son.

It has been a blessing weve had grandchildren. Our son has done nothing wrong, said John.

We do not want him crucified, he said, showing a blinkered allegiance to a man who could have inflicted intellectual disabilities on as many as 15 children.

Both Caras children have been tested for Fragile X. She and Gemma have yet to be told whether either has the condition.

Meanwhile, they celebrated the judges verdict with a meal out, taking all four daughters from their very modern blended family.

I thought, Hallelujah! when I heard he wont be allowed round Cara and our children, says Gemma. The court case was traumatic, horrible.

Id advise any other women thinking of using a sperm donor to really look hard at the paperwork before signing anything.

But I wouldnt swap my kids for the world, adds Cara.

Which is, perhaps, the one saving grace at the heart of this unedifying story.
Top furniture brand Koala is set to release its first-ever range of Aussie-inspired homewares.

The stylish 34-piece collection is available online for pre-sale and includes a chic range of cushions, throws and rugs from just $79.

Each piece has been inspired by Australian lifestyle, flora, fauna, art or culture with stylish botanical patterns and made from high-quality, durable materials.

Furniture brand Koala is set to release its first ever collection of homewares including a range of stylish cushions, rugs and throws from $79

More rugs in the collection include the Shear Bliss (pictured) with a stunning wave-like design and the hand-woven $345 Beauty Bottler

The most anticipated pieces from the stylish new line include the Bottlebrush rug that is made out of recycled plastic bottles and available in two sizes from $449 and four colours.

The Beach Bum cushion for $89 comes in yellow and grey and features a retro-inspired embroidered design with surfing, koala, cockatoo and native floral motifs.

Made from ethically-sourced 100 per cent New Zealand wool the Shear Beauty rug from $899 feels luxuriously soft under your feet.

More rugs in the collection include the Shear Bliss with a stunning wave-like design and the hand-woven $345 Beauty Bottler.

The $89 Beach Bum cushion (pictured left) comes in yellow and grey and features a retro-inspired embroidered design and the Rockpool Throw (pictured right) is $129 and with a revisable design

Made from ethically-sourced 100 per cent New Zealand wool the Shear Beauty rug (pictured) from $899 feels luxuriously soft under your feet

Both $129 and a revisable design, the Rockpool Throw with soft tassel edges and Switcharoo throw made from certified organic cotton are perfect for keeping warm this winter.

Koala design director Alexandra Owen said years of research and development went into creating the new homewares line.

'Weve created a real sense of something special you can't get anywhere else, with all colours and material finishes inspired by the Australian landscape, from outback red dirt to beautiful coral reefs,' she said.

To pre-order your favourite pieces from the collection, click here.
Beauty blogger and makeup artist Chloe Morello revealed the hairbrush she swears by for sleek, silky locks and the brand saw a $100,000 jump in sales.

The Australian YouTuber, 31, calls the $39.95 'Scream-Free Detangling Brush' from Adelaide brand Ugly Swan the 'best' she has ever used.

In a TikTok video, the mum-of-one - who in June last year welcomed son Santino with her dancer husband, Sebastian Mecha - says it 'doesn't tug or pull your hair' even when it's wet or knotted after a shower.

Beauty vlogger Chloe Morello (left) has revealed the hairbrush (right) she swears by for sleek, silky locks - and it will only set you back $39.95

Ugly Swan was created by two Australian mums, Marissa and Annette, who saw a gap in the market for hairbrushes that didn't cause discomfort and tugging. Wanting to help parents with the daily battle of brushing their children's hair, the Ugly Swan was born.

In 2017, the brand launched with their Scream-Free Brushes, which has now become one of the brands best-selling products, making over $100,000 in 2021 after Chloe Morello's TikTok.

The Scream-Free Brushes were designed to gently detangle hair on even the most sensitive of scalps. Made with natural boar bristles that ease your natural scalp oils down to condition your hair while soft, large-dipped nylon pins detangle without scratching or pulling on the scalp.

In 2017, the brand launched with their Scream-Free Brushes, which has now become one of the brands best-selling products, making over $100,000 in 2021 after Chloe Morello's TikTok

The brushes are designed to prevent split ends and breakage, while also reducing frizz.

Chloe's endorsement sparked a wave of excitement with many saying they had ordered the brush immediately after watching.

Developed by Adelaide mums who have daughters with sensory issues, the revolutionary brush (pictured) promises to gently detangle hair even on the most sensitive scalps

'Definitely need to try this,' one woman wrote.

'I bought a similar brush off Facebook and it's amazing,' said a second, while a third added: 'I have this and use it on my little girls, I love it!'

Chloe is regarded as one of Australia's leading authorities on beauty and self-care.
Australians are sharing the petty fights they had with an ex that caused them to end the relationship including a spat over fridge magnets and a troublesome mother-in-law.

Kyle and Jackie O put the question out to listeners on their top breakfast radio show show after seeing a story about a couple who broke up over a minor disagreement during a holiday in Paris - a scenario one host personally related to.

In an article in the Huffington Post, a woman said she was in Paris with her husband who had poorly planned a day of sightseeing when as she wanted to spend some time in a cafe and relax.

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Kyle and Jackie O (pictured left with her ex-husband Lee Henderson) asked listeners to call in and share the petty fight they had with a former partner that lead to the end of the relationship

'She was walking behind him and just thought you know what I'm ending this - she thought, I don't want to sight-see so therefore our marriage is over,' Jackie O paraphrased.

'I remember when we were in Paris, Lee and I, had a big fight at a cafe, we were going there to have dinner and it was over the dumbest thing,' she said speaking about her ex-husband who she divorced in 2018.

Jackie said only wanted to order a croissant but her then-husband was 'embarrassed' about asking for the pastry for dinner.

'I thought he was being way too judgemental of me. I said 'we're in Paris! If you can't have a croissant here where can you have a croissant?',' she recalled.

'He was going to be embarrassed that I would order a croissant for dinner because they would look at me like a dumb tourist.'

Belinda, who had been with her husband for 21 years, got a divorce following a fight over who had moved his fridge magnets: 'What a carry on over fridge magnets!'

Other ridiculous reasons couples have given for flash break ups 'It was too hard to park by her apartment.' 'Ex told me she broke up with her first boyfriend because she didn't feel like shopping for his birthday gift. Then broke up with me two weeks before mine...' 'She scraped her teeth on her utensils when she ate. I just couldn't.' 'She said I ate 'poor people food'. I am poor. What do you expect, steak and lobster every night?' 'I love cooking especially breakfast foods. She did not like eggs. I'm like can I really spend the rest of my life with some one who won't be eating eggs with me on weekend mornings when we're old? No. I could not.' 'He talked with a really posh accent and called his mum mummy. It grated on me so bad after a couple of weeks.' 'He got a haircut. It looked so bad I realised I wasn't actually attracted to him and just liked the attention.' Advertisement

The hosts then opened up the phone lines for others to call in about the 'petty' arguments they had with their spouse that lead to the relationship ending.

Belinda, who had been with her husband for 21 years, got a divorce following a fight about fridge magnets.

'I was sitting in the lounge room on my iPad minding my own business, my husband was in the kitchen and all of a sudden, I hear banging and I hear 'who is the effing moron who moved my fridge magnets?',' she said.

Belinda realised her young daughter had moved the magnets on the fridge but took the blame herself which caused her husband to explode.

'After five minutes of ranting and raving about fridge magnets I thought nah - what a carry on over fridge magnets,' she laughed.

Skye, from Campbelltown, New South Wales, ended a ten year relationship because of a meddlesome mother-in-law.

'His mum just wouldn't respect our boundaries, she just kept turning up to the house all the time and I just ended up telling her to stop coming over to basically eff off and that was it - he stuck up for her and not me,' she said.

Skye said her mother-in-law 'wouldn't respect their boundaries' and when she confronted her, her husband sided with his mum

'I am so happy  I haven't dealt with her for six months.'

Five years into her relationship, Kia said a 'pretentious' comment about bacon from her boyfriend caused the pair to go separate ways.

'He wanted a Caesar salad for dinner, we headed to the supermarket and I said ok what do you want in the Caesar salad any other ingredients?,' she explained.

Poll Have you ever ended a relationship over a 'petty' fight? Yes No Have you ever ended a relationship over a 'petty' fight? Yes 46 votes

No 93 votes Now share your opinion





'He says 'don't get bacon, get pancetta because we're not poor, we're not from Campbelltown lets have pancetta' - I don't even think we ended up having dinner that night.'

Jenny from Mossvale said her ex-husband, who was reckless with money, would force her to write a strict budget for household expenses then throw a temper when she wouldn't do it to his liking.

'All throughout the relationship he would spend the money so he would go on sites like the racing sites, and all these other fast quick schemes for money and used to say to me 'write a budget, write a budget',' she said.

'I used to write like these budgets and every time he would go off his brain because I didn't do the budget right.'

John said his mum ended her 37-year marriage to her dad because he was adamantly against installing the National Broadband Network at their house.

'The day the bloke came out to put it on - she left when he carried on and wouldn't let the bloke put it on so she said bugger you, I'm outta here,' he said.

The hosts asked why his dad didn't want the NBN at his country NSW homes to which John replied: 'He's just a scrooge! He couldn't even work a mobile phone let alone the internet'.
The next shortage is a national tampon deficit right after shelves were deficient in the baby formula, and the Biden administration is having shortage after another. A successful advertising campaign has been recognized as one of the causes of a tampon shortfall.

Feminine Products Scarcity

Time Magazine earlier reported that the United States is having a severe tampon shortage, quoting an incredibly successful ad campaign as one of the contributing factors to the scarcity, reported RT.

Amy Schumer, a famous comedian and actress, got hired by Procter & Gamble to represent Tampax, one of the popular tampons in the US. The actress portrayed a helpful tampon vendor who appeared in restrooms and saved women from getting into trouble by providing Tampax, cited NYPost.

The company's spokeswoman, Cheri McMaster, said that retail sales increased. She added the demand for the feminine product went up to 7.7% in two years, and the plant in Auburn, Maine ran 24/7 to increase production.

Nevertheless, as TIME's Alana Semuels found, the successful advertising campaign is not the only reason for tampon shortages, which social media users have well documented.

Photographs of empty shelves of many of the most hygienic products were supposed to be abundant on Twitter, Reddit, and other social media sites.

It's not as bad as toilet paper shortfalls in Spring 2020, but it isn't great; stated Dana Marlowe, founding member of the I Support the Girls charity, which provides homeless women with bras and menstrual hygiene supplies.

Pure cotton and rayon were in short supply as demand for face masks and other medical supplies increased. Consequently, the national tampon deficit affecting its manufacturers has had difficulty accessing these materials.

Read Also: Emmanuel Macron Facts: Interesting Info You May Not Know About The French President

The cost of cotton rose in April to 71%, which is higher than last year, which worsened the problems.

Cost Affected These Products

Product delivery to the United States has become more expensive due to rising transportation costs.

Thyme Sullivan, the CEO of the startup The Organic Project, said that the shipping cost of its tampons to the United States has risen by 300 percent since last year.

Aside from the issues mentioned earlier, producers are also trying to deal with the lack of staff as more demand for their products increases.

Because tampons are considered medical devices, they are subject to stringent regulations, and companies cannot hire just anyone to work on the assembly line, so manufacturing lagged behind demand, according to the study's author.

Problems were more demand, less staff, and fewer raw materials, and the factors afflict other products.

What makes the tampon shortage so pervasive and troublesome, according to the outlet, unlike most other items that the supply chain has made hard to acquire, women cannot stop buying feminine hygiene products until supplies return.

Tampons aren't the only rare item in the United States. A shortfall of baby formula compelled New York authorities to declare an emergency last month.

Shortage of the critical product was sparked by Abbott Laboratories' shutdown of a Michigan plant in February due to contamination concerns.

After four babies who were fed formula made at the facility contracted a rare bacterial infection, the facility, that account for nearly 40% of the formula in the US market, asked to recall some of its product offerings and shut down a production facility. Two of them died later.

The national tampon deficit is caused by shortages in the supply chain due to the increased use of cotton and major factors like the baby formula shortage.

Related Article: Joe Biden, White House Staff Gets Bogged Down Due to Failure To Deal With Political Crisis

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Australians in the lower half of the country where temperatures are plummeting are expressing their jealousy at the warm weather flaunted by people living in tropical far north Queensland.

Australian travel blogger, Sarah, shared a video to Instagram of her time in Queensland's Whitsunday Islands which boast blue skies, pristine white sand, clear water beaches and year-round summer-like temperatures.

'Winter in Australia be like,' Sarah, who goes by Salty Luxe online, wrote in the clip's caption.

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Australian travel blogger, Sarah, shared a video to Instagram of her time in Queensland's Whitsunday Islands prompting Aussies in the chilly southern states to express their jealousy

The Whitsundays which boast blue skies, pristine white sand, clear water beaches and year-round summer-like temperatures

The Whitsundays are a short flight just shy of two hours north of Brisbane and even in the peak of winter will only get down to temperatures in the low twenties.

'We just spent the most incredible week sailing around the Whitsundays with my family, swimming with turtles, basking in as much sunshine as possible and living it up in nature,' the beach lover wrote.

Sarah's video quickly racked up thousands of views and a string of comments from many Aussies pining to escape the icy chill plaguing many towns and cities south of the tropics this winter.

'So beautiful up there! The weather in Melbourne is definitely not the one at the moment,' one viewer complained.

The Whitsundays are a short flight just shy of two hours north of Brisbane and even in the peak of winter will only get down to temperatures in the low twenties

More Whitsundays locals and visitors have taken to social media to showcase the 'paradise' islands' spectacular weather and beaches

'My kind of winters are the ones spent sailing the Whitsundays in the never ending North QLD heat,' one person said

'Only in Queensland, freezing in Sydney,' a second said while another responded: 'Sign me up for a visit please!'.

'I cant see this. It will make me pack right away!' a fourth wrote.

More Whitsundays locals and visitors have taken to social media to showcase the 'paradise' islands' spectacular weather and beaches.

'Did someone say... it's winter??,' one poster wrote and another said: 'My kind of winters are the ones spent sailing the Whitsundays in the never ending north QLD heat.'
A man needed a piece of electrical wire pulled out of his penis after a DIY attempt to cure his urinating problems went dramatically wrong.

The 64-year-old, from Pakistan, had shoved the 18cm-long wire into his urethra but it got stuck.

He told surgeons at Karachi's Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, who treated him, that he had inserted the object to help him urinate.

The man, who wasn't named, told them he had suffered pain and difficulty urinating for two months prior to shoving the wire inside himself.

Writing in the journal Urology Case Reports, doctors said they could physically feel the wire inside his penis when touching it.

An X-ray revealed the wire had extended all the way up the man's urethra to reach his bladder.

Surgeons originally planned to insert a camera into the man's urethra to inspect the wire.

However, they could see it upon spreading his meatus  the hole that urine passes through.

Doctors then pulled out the object out by hand using forceps.

This X-ray shows the wire (centre) inside the man's urethra and extending all the way to his bladder

Doctors managed to grab the tip of the wire using forceps and pull out the wire back out of his penis

Here is a picture of the 18 cam (seven inch) wire post extraction, the man reportedly suffered no immediate complications from having it removed

Medics reported the patient had no immediate complications from having the wire removed, such as bleeding or injury.

In their medical report, the authors said inserting objects inside the penis  known as sounding  was usually done for self-therapeutic purposes.

Insertion can cause infections, bleeding and stricture formation, a narrowing of the urethra which restricts the flow of urine.

If an object gets stuck it can cause more problems, ranging from a burning sensation, an inability to urinate and erection problems.

More serious complications, such as a hole appearing in the bladder, and scarring of the tube that carries urine out of the body, can require major reconstructive surgery.

The authors did not say if the man in the most recent case had any previous history of inserting objects into his penis, or if this was a one-time occurrence.

They also did not say exactly when this occurred, nor explain exactly why the man struggled urinating to begin with.

However, they said the man was sexually inactive for three years.

Patients who have a object stuck inside their penis are usually hesitant to contact a doctor due to feelings of guilt or embarrassment.
Now researchers say drug can treat abnormal tangles of blood vessels

Thalidomide blamed for the deaths of 100,000 babies and left 10,000 disabled

Thalidomide could save the lives of patients battling a rare blood vessel condition, research suggests.

The notorious drug killed and injured up to 100,000 babies in the 1950s and left thousands severely disabled, damaging their limbs, ears and eyes.

But it offers a 'breakthrough' in the treatment of severe arteriovenous malformations (AVMs)  abnormal tangles of blood vessels, scientists now say.

The condition, which can occur anywhere in the body, can prove excruciating, cause bleeding and even trigger strokes.

Current treatment options include surgery to remove the tangled vessels and injections that block blood from flowing through them.

Thalidomide hailed as a 'wonder drug' for morning sickness after it was created by German pharmaceutical giant Gruenenthal Group in the 1950s. But it was blamed for the deaths of 100,000 babies and left 10,000 severely disabled  such as with missing or deformed limbs  by the time it was withdrawn in 1961

HOW THE THALIDOMIDE SCANDAL UNFOLDED 1953: Drug created in Germany by the Gruenenthal Group 1958: Thalidomide is first licensed for use in the UK 1961: Australian doctor William McBride reports an increase in deformed babies being born at his hospital to mothers who had taken thalidomide. Drug is withdrawn later that year 1968: UK manufacturers Distillers Biochemicals Limited (now Diageo) reaches compensation settlement following a legal battle by affected families 2005: Diageo doubles its compensation payouts from 2.8m to about 6.5m a year 2008: The drug is approved for the treatment of multiple myeloma  bone marrow cancer  by the European Medicines Agency 2009: UK government agrees a 20m grant, to be paid to the Thalidomide Trust over three years 2010: Health minister Mike O'Brien makes a formal apology to thalidomide victims on behalf of the government Advertisement

Thalidomide was hailed as a 'wonder drug' for morning sickness when it was created by German pharmaceutical giant Gruenenthal Group in the 1950s.

But it was soon pulled after a doctor in Australia reported a link between the drug and birth defects, such as malformed hands, facial disfigurement and brain damage.

Charities blame the drug for the deaths of up to 100,000 babies worldwide, and say it left 10,000 severely disabled  such as with missing or deformed limbs.

Experiments later revealed that it triggered birth defects by stopping blood vessels forming in babies.

The same mechanism is why it works in treating AVM, according to the Belgian researchers who made the discovery.

Results showed that pain reduced among all participants, their bleeding stopped and ulcers healed.

Study author Professor Miikka Vikkula said: 'The results are convincing, and we hope that they will be confirmed by larger trials.

'We had hypothesised that thalidomide should work in these patients, so our results did not come as a surprise.

'But it was great to have clinical confirmation that we were right.

Professor Vikkula, of the de Duve Institute, added: 'In our view, this is a breakthrough finding.'

Around 14 people per million suffer from AVM, which is through to be triggered by an error in blood vessel formation in early pregnancy.

If the tangled vessels are near the skin, the condition can cause blue, purple or red discoloration and swelling. The skin can also be sensitive and prone to developing ulcers.

AVM patients' hearts have to work harder to keep up with extra blood flow, which can lead to heart problems.

People who have small AVMs do not need treatment but others may need surgery to remove the tangles.

Other treatment options include embolisation  an injection which destroys blood vessels. It is not always effective, however.

While most AVM patients live relatively normal lives, there is a risk that the abnormal tangles can burst and trigger a stroke.

The complication affects 1 per cent of patients every year.

Earlier research by the Belgian team found that AVM is caused by mutations in cells located in the walls of blood vessels, which encourage abnormal formations.

Professor Vikkula said the discovery 'led us to wonder about the possibility of using thalidomide to inhibit' their creation.

Around 14 people per million suffer from AVM, which is through to be triggered by an error in blood vessel formation in early pregnancy. If the tangled vessels are near the skin, the condition can cause blue, purple or red discoloration and swelling. The skin can also be sensitive and prone to developing ulcers. AVM patients' hearts have to work harder to keep up with extra blood flow, which can lead to heart problems. People who have small AVMs do not need treatment but others may need surgery to remove the tangles

Thalidomide interferes with a protein, called the vascular endothelial growth factor, that encourages new blood vessels to grow.

AVM patients have high levels of the protein, which is thought to encourage tangles in their vessels.

Eighteen patients, aged 19 to 70, were involved in the study, which will be presented at a medical conference this week.

Participants took either 50mg, 100mg or 200mg of thalidomide per day for between two months and four years.

They were all monitored for four-and-a-half years after they stopped taking the drug.

Patients also agreed to use contraception for at least one month before starting the study and for four weeks after the end of the trial, with men having to promise to wear condoms during sex.

The results, already published in the journal Nature Cardiovascular Research, show all patients experienced a rapid reduction in pain, their bleeding stopped and ulcers healed.

Patients with heart failure recovered and one 'appeared to be completely cured', the researchers said.

The team also found that when patients took thalidomide and underwent injection treatment embolisation, they could have their dosage cut from 100mg or 200mg to 50mg.

Dropping the dosage reduced side effects, such as fatigue and numb limbs.

Eight patients also had stable AVMs five-and-a-half years after the study.

The researchers noted that the cost of treating AVM patients with thalidomide is up to 12 times cheaper than other drugs being tested for the condition.

The research will be presented at the annual conference of the European Society for Human Genetics in Vienna on Sunday.

Professor Alexandre Reymond, chair of the conference, said: 'This study shows not only the healthcare and economic benefits of repurposing drugs  even the most maligned  but also how genetic research can lead to real breakthroughs in therapies for difficult to treat, distressing conditions.'

Despite being pulled for morning sickness in 1961, thalidomide is still used to this day. However, there are strict rules on women of child-bearing age using the drug.

It is given to patients with myeloma, a type of cancer that starts in the bone marrow, and for the treatment of Hansen's disease (also known as leprosy), which is an infection caused by slow-growing bacteria.
An injectable gel that repairs cracked and torn spinal discs could help relieve lower back pain, researchers have discovered.

Scientists at the Clinical Radiology of Oklahoma said the treatment showed promise after it slashed pain in 20 people aged 20 to 69 who had degenerative disc disease, a condition where discs separating vertebrae become worn away.

But they added it was necessary to wait for results of a pilot study in the U.S. and Canada before the gel  dubbed Hydrafil  could be rolled out more widely.

About 65 million Americans suffer from back pain every year, estimates suggest, with degenerative disc disease the leading cause.

Current treatments focus on 'conservative' methods including rest, physical therapy and back braces. Current gel treatments to ease the condition must be inserted using surgery and can pop out of place, unlike the new treatment that only needs an injection.

The gel could help ease pain in the lower back by hardening in the tears and cracks that form in discs over time (stock image)

What is degenerative disc disease? Degenerative disc disease is a type of arthritis and the most common cause of lower back pain. It happens when discs that separate vertebrae in the spin become worn and damaged. This leads to vertebrae moving closer together, which they react to by making spurs  or bony growths. When these start to pinch nerves in the back, this triggers pain. Treatment options for people suffering from the condition include conservative methods such as rest and physical therapy. Surgery to put in implants can also be offered. About 65million Americans suffer from back pain every year. Source: Johns Hopkins Advertisement

In the study  revealed this week at Society of Interventional Radiology's Annual Scientific Meeting  researchers said they recruited 20 people from Colombia to the study with chronic lower back pain.

Each had previously tried to relieve their pain using 'conservative measures', but experienced only mild respite.

The specialist gel was heated to 149F (65C) before being injected directly into their discs  which separate bony vertebrae  in the lower back.

It then cooled to body temperature in the patient and solidified into an implant to support discs in the back.

Scientists said the gel  made of plastics  cools quickly following injection and that there no damage to surrounding tissue had been observed or recorded to date.

Six months later all reported a drop in back pain on a scale up to 10  being the highest  from seven before the treatment to just two now.

They also reported an improvement in their ability to do physical activities.

Hydrafil will now be fast-tracked to a second study, the scientists said, to confirm whether it is a 'promising treatment' for the condition.

Dr Douglas Beall, the radiologist who led the study, said: 'If these findings are confirmed in further research, this procedure may be a very promising treatment for chronic low back pain in those who've found insufficient relief from conservative care.

'The gel is easy to administer, requires no open surgery and is an easy procedure for the patient.'

He added: 'We really have no good treatments for degenerative disc disease, aside from conservative care.

'Surgery is statistically no more effective than conservative care and can potentially make things worse. And existing hydrogels are inserted through an incision as a soft solid, which can pop out of place if you're not highly skilled in placing it.'

Hydrafil received a 'breakthrough device' designation from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2020 allowing it to move into trials.
The bacteria that causes Legionnaires, a deadly infection that causes pneumonia, could harbor itself in a person's air conditioning, hot tub or at-home fountains and plumbing if not properly managed, experts warn.

A cluster of cases of the deadly disease has sprung up in the Bronx, New York City, with 24 cases and two deaths tied to AC cooling towers that were contaminated with the bacteria.

Experts tell DailyMail.com that the overall risks of the disease are low, and that when it does emerge, it often does in the type of clusters that are currently being dealt with in the Big Apple.

Basic upkeep of an in-home AC unit can limit risks of allowing the bacteria to enter the home, though, and keep the household safe from the potentially deadly virus.

As a Leggionaire's outbreak strikes New York City, some experts are warning that the bacterial infection, while uncommon, can occur in AC unites, hot tubs and other devices where water accumulates are not maintained properly (file photo)

Dr Steven Lubinsky, a pulmonary medicine expert at NYU Langone Health, told DailyMail.com that the virus is caused by a bacteria called legionella.

The organism, named after an 'American Legion' convention in a Philadelphia hotel where it first caused an outbreak in 1976, causes two diseases, Legionnaires and the Pontiac Fever - discovered in Michigan in the 1980s.

Legionnaires is the more severe of the two, with the distinction being that patients also suffer from pneumonia along with symptoms like a fever and trouble breathing.

Symptoms could include fever, malaise, feeling unwell, muscle aches and pains, pain when taking a deep breath,' Lubinsky explained.

Symptoms often appear within two to 14 days of exposure. There is no available vaccine for the infection.

Dr Steven Lubinsky, a pulmonary medicine expert at NYU, explains that while many people who are exposed to the bacteria will be fine, people with immune system or respiratory issues are at an increased risk of hospitalization or death from the infection

The bacteria fails to infect with a majority of people that it interacts with, though, with its burden mainly being felt by people who already have a pre-existing condition.

People who have risk are usually the ones who get sick from legionnaires... normal, healthy people, are much less likely to get sick from it,' Dr Anthony Saleh, a pulmonary disease expert at NYPresbyterian Hospital system, told DailyMail.com.

These include smokers, people of the age of 50, a weakened immune system from cancer, kidney disease or a similar condition or people with a chronic lung condition like COPD.

He said that true case figures are likely higher than what is being recorded, because many healthy people that contract the virus either do not feel symptoms, or have very mild symptoms they will never get checked out, and as a result never enter official case tallies.

Of those that do feel symptoms severe enough to require hospitalization, around one-in-ten will die.

As part of the New York City outbreak, two deaths and four hospitalizations have been recorded out of 24 people who have tested positive for the infection.

While human-to-human transmission of the infection is impossible, cases often do appear in clusters.

This is because once something is contaminated by the bacteria, it contaminates the air around it, and inhaled aerosols enter a person's body and cause infection.

It does typically occur in clusters what happened in the Bronx is not at all uncommon,' Saleh explained.

Stagnant water that is not properly kept can be a large risk factor for spreading the infection, making hot tubs, water fountains, and even some odd plumbing systems common causes for bacterial spread.

Air conditioning units are an unlikely, but occasional cause as well. Lubinsky says that if water gets into the system, and sits for a long period of time, them small organisms in the water can eventually be infected with Legionnaires.

The unit will then distribute these infected organisms throughout the home. When breathed in, they can infect a person's lungs.

VJ Abil (pictured), director of the Chicago Professional Center, explained the Legionnaires from the AC can be prevented with proper filtering

VJ Abil, director of the Chicago Professional Center, one of the Windy city's top trade schools with a well regarded HVAC program, explained to DailyMail.com how to prevent this with proper filters:

'Special FEMA filters, that can be installed into your home, do not allow the transmission of anything that is more than 0.3 micron.

'Legionnaires disease bacteria size varies from two to 20 micrometers, making it impossible to be transmitted through the FEMA filters.

'Furthermore, bacteria will not be able to reach the filter, since they cannot travel by air for more than six feet, and the return duct is at least 30 feet long, leading the bacteria to their demise in the return duct.'

There are no tell-tale symptoms of the disease, though. Many people suffering from it have fairly mild cases, and it presents itself as other, more mild, forms of pneumonia even in severe cases.

Saleh explains that this puts the onus on doctors and health officials to routinely screen patients for the virus, and make sure the public knows that the bacteria is causing cases in the community.

Doctors should make sure to screen any patient that could have the bacterial infection.

Once an infection is found in the community, officials should urge anyone feeling even mild symptoms to get tested - even when they would usually write it off as nothing more than a simple cough.
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Monkeypox can spread through the air but only through 'sustained' face-to-face contact with an infected person, the director of the CDC revealed Friday as the national infection tally hit 49 cases and officials in Hawaii say they fear the tropical disease is 'in our community'.

In a briefing Friday Dr Rochelle Walensky, head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said monkeypox was being passed on through physical contact with symptomatic patients and by touching their clothing and bedding.

But attempting to clear up whether face masks are needed to avoid catching the rash-causing virus, the epidemiologist explained the rash-causing virus would not 'linger in the air' like Covid.

'The disease is not spread through casual conversations, passing others in a grocery store, or touching things like door-knobs,' she said. 'All of the case we have seen to date in this outbreak have been related to direct contact.'

During the conference health officials also called on Americans with any sexually transmitted infection  including syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia  to get tested for monkeypox.

They warned many patients were experiencing rashes and sores on the genitals and anus that looked like STIs. Several cases of co-infection with monkeypox and a sexually transmitted disease have also been recorded.

America's monkeypox cases tally rose to 49 today with Rhode Island becoming the fifteenth state to report a case of the disease. Officials in Hawaii  which reported its third case on Thursday  are now warning it may already be transmitting unchecked in their community.

The update on how the virus transmits came after it posted guidance for people to wear face masks in countries experiencing outbreaks, and then u-turned just 13 hours after it was reported by the media.

A total of 49 cases of monkeypox have now been recorded across 15 states in America and Washington D.C. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says most cases are in people who recently returned from abroad

Dr Rochelle Walensky (left), who heads up the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said that monkeypox could only spread through the air during prolonged face to face contact. Dr Jennifer McQuiston (right), who is heading up the agency's response, said most cases were in people who had recently traveled

During the briefing today, Walensky stressed that the virus was only transmitting through the air via large droplets expelled from infected people that quickly fall to the ground.

'It may spread through respiratory secretions when people have sustained face-to-face contact,' she said. '[But] all of the cases that we have seen to date in this outbreak have been related to direct contact with patients or with materials that have touched them either through close contact or through bedsheets and what not.'

US army reports first monkeypox case in soldier in Germany The U.S. army has reported its first case of monkeypoxat a base in Germany. The soldier  who has not been named  tested positive for the tropical disease at the facility in Stuttgart, in the country's south-west. Military officials have now quarantined the individual in their quarters until symptoms subside. German authorities have been informed of the case, and contact tracing is underway. The Stuttgart base is a garrison for about 23,000 soldiers. The U.S. army base in Stuttgart, where the case was reported Revealing the case navy Capt. William Speaks said: 'We can confirm that a duty service member from the Suttgart military community recently tested positive for monkeypox. 'The individual was seen and treated at the Stuttgart Army Health clinic and is currently in isolation.' Germany has detected 165 cases of monkeypox to date, local officials say. Advertisement

'Monkeypox is not thought to linger in the air.

'When we consider airborne transmission at the CDC particles that are expelled can linger in the air for a long period of time.

'We are not seeing evidence of that with monkeypox, so it really is going through close face-to-face and skin contact.'

She added: 'This disease may present in a similar way to other sexually transmitted infections.

'There have also been cases of co-infection with monkeypox and others including syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia.

'We are telling healthcare providers to evaluate patients for all STIs in addition to monkeypox, and that they should not rule it out just because someone has monkeypox or another STI.'

Medical literature says that people infected with monkeypox experience flu-like symptoms within the first 21 days of catching the virus, followed by a rash that appears on the face before spreading to the rest of the body.

But this is rarely being observed in the current outbreak, with patients instead seeing rashes emerge on the genital areas before suffering any flu-like symptoms.

Co-infections have also been recorded alongside diseases like syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia.

Health officials also revealed they had distributed more than 1,400 vaccines against the virus to states from their stockpile of more than a million doses. Another 300,000 doses are expected to arrive in the coming weeks.

But some experts have raised concerns that the country may not have enough jabs because if the outbreak becomes more widespread there may not be enough to jab the entire country.

America recorded eight cases of the virus between Wednesday afternoon and Friday morning, as the scale of the outbreak across the country continues to grow.

About three in four cases are currently linked to international travel, including to Europe, while others are linked to someone who has had close contact with a known case.

But there are 'several' patients across multiple states who have tested positive despite not recently travelling or having contact with a known case.

Dr Jennifer McQuiston, who is leading the CDC's response to the outbreak, said it was likely the case that they acquired the infection from someone who had recently traveled but that this first case was yet to be spotted.

She added: 'I can tell you that right now we don't have an area that seems to be having an urban outbreak. There is no one area where it looks like there is a lot of community transmission.

'But this could change. We need to make sure our testing is increasing and ready to catch that when it happens.'

America has done just 300 tests for orthopox viruses  the family that includes monkeypox  since the outbreak began, despite having more than 69 labs available to carry out thousands of swabs a day.

Officials are urging gay and bisexual men to be aware of new lesions, rashes or scabs and get in contact with a sexual health clinic

The infection often starts with small bumps that scab over and are contagious

Health officials are calling on states to send more samples to labs, but states are complaining that the process is 'too complicated' because after going to these labs the swabs must go to the CDC for confirmation.

New York reported two new monkeypox cases yesterday, while Illinois and Florida reported one and Rhode Island revealed its first infection that they said may be 'linked to travel to Massachusetts'.

Hawaii also reported its third case in a week in an individual who had not recently traveled, prompting officials to warn that the tropical disease may be spreading undetected in the archipelago.

Dr Elizabeth Char, health director for the state, said in a conference yesterday: '[The most recent case] does not have a travel history. The reason that's significant is that it tells us that monkeypox is probably in our community.'

It came after the CDC backtracked on advice calling on travelers to wear face masks to protect themselves against monkeypox because it was 'causing confusion'.

Late Monday the agency deleted this guidance from its website, with a spokeswoman telling DailyMail.com that it was removed because they were concerned it had 'caused 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 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.
This has been a great week for cancer advances, with the results of two studies showing what can be achieved using a relatively novel approach called immunotherapy, where you harness the power of your immune system to attack the cancer.

The good news began last Sunday with a study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, which showed that every patient on a trial of the immunotherapy drug dostarlimab had seen their cancers disappear.

This is pretty much unheard of, and it generated headlines worldwide.

The original plan had been to give the patients, who all had rectal cancer, the drug every three weeks for six months and then follow up with surgery and chemotherapy. Except that these other treatments werent needed because the tumours all disappeared.

A note of caution: this was a specific treatment targeted at a small group of people, just 12 of them, with a very particular type of cancer  these patients lacked a gene that normally repairs our DNA when it gets damaged; having lots of damaged DNA increases the chance of developing cancer.

Nearly 30 years ago, I made a documentary with Dr Donald Morton, of the John Wayne Cancer Institute in Los Angeles, about a new type of cancer treatment, immunotherapy. Dr Morton, a larger-than-life surgeon, had treated John Wayne (pictured above). He was also a pioneer in trying to tap into the power of the immune system to destroy cancer

But it shows just how far immunotherapy has come  and that, in part, is thanks to the actor John Wayne, who died of multiple cancers.

A heavy smoker and drinker, hed shot a film about Genghis Khan in a desert in Nevada that had been the test site for a number of atomic bomb tests and which was still highly radioactive when the film crew were there.

Nearly 30 years ago, I made a documentary with Dr Donald Morton, of the John Wayne Cancer Institute in Los Angeles, about a new type of cancer treatment, immunotherapy.

Dr Morton, a larger-than-life surgeon, had treated John Wayne. He was also a pioneer in trying to tap into the power of the immune system to destroy cancer.

Back in the 1970s, he developed the first successful immunotherapy treatments against melanoma (a common form of skin cancer), based around injecting the tumours with BCG, a live but weakened strain of a bacterium called Mycobacterium bovis, which is normally used to protect us against tuberculosis.

In the face of widespread scepticism, in 1974 Dr Morton published the results of an impressive study of his work with BCG: 150 patients were given BCG jabs into their tumours and, in 90 per cent of cases, those tumours disappeared.

Sadly, it wasnt the cure he hoped for because, in many cases, the cancer came roaring back.

When I filmed with him, Dr Morton, then running the John Wayne Cancer Institute, was still giving the BCG, but now combined with tumour cells that had been taken from patients, weakened and then re-injected. This produced better results, albeit still with a significant relapse rate.

The higher levels of ultraviolet light we are exposed to in summer will also suppress your immune system, making it easier for existing cancers to spread, writes Dr Michael Mosley (pictured)

As Dr Morton discovered, the reason why immunotherapy doesnt always work, or go on working after tumours have been destroyed, is because cancers are good at mutating and finding ways to hide from our immune system.

That is where the new generation of immunotherapy drugs, such as dostarlimab, come in.

Dostarlimab is a monoclonal antibody  an antibody made in a lab  that binds to a protein called PD-1 on the surface of cancer cells. This helps flag up the cancer cells as dangerous, allowing the immune system to swing into action and destroy them.

Dostarlimab is currently only being used in the UK to treat advanced endometrial cancer caused by a specific gene defect. But in light of the latest findings, I imagine theyll start testing it on a range of different cancers.

And this week there was news of another even more novel approach to cancer, using mRNA vaccines, the sort currently protecting us against Covid-19  but here used to treat pancreatic cancer.

This disease has a particularly high death rate, yet nearly half the 16 patients in a new study who received the vaccine remained free of the disease 18 months later.

So how does it work? The scientists take a sample of the patients cancer, identify any abnormal proteins, then create a tailor-made vaccine based on those abnormal proteins, which are injected back into the patient.

The idea is that this provokes the immune system to create tumour-specific killer T-cells, which seek out and destroy the tumour and any remaining cancer cells floating around in your system.

Of course, preventing cancer must be our main aim. This means not lying out in the hot sun in the middle of the day, even if you have sun cream on, as you will still be damaging your skin.

The higher levels of ultraviolet light we are exposed to in summer will also suppress your immune system, making it easier for existing cancers to spread.

Dont smoke  if you do, stop. If you are seriously overweight, try to do something about it. After smoking, obesity is the most common cause of cancer in the UK and significantly increases your risk of developing cancers of the breast, bowel and pancreas.

And eat more fruit and veg. You need a wide range of vitamins and minerals not only to protect your cells from the sort of damage that leads to cancers, but also to keep your immune system in tip-top condition.

As a late developer I was very short until I left school, when I shot up to 5 ft 11 in.

Before I had my growth spurt, I became a bit obsessed and disheartened by studies that showed taller men tend to earn more, have more sex and are more likely to become President of the U.S..

On the plus side, if youre a bit shorter than average (5 ft 9 in for a man, 5 ft 4 in for a woman), a recent study found shorter people are less prone to varicose veins, asthma and leg ulcers.

Metric? Lets count in 12s!

Boris Johnsons proposal that we return to imperial measurements hasnt gone down well in some quarters  the chairman of Asda said it was complete and utter nonsense.

But I have a certain affection for some of these old measurements and, oddly enough, theres a mathematical case for a dozenal system (i.e. one based on the number 12) over a decimal system (one based on units of 10).

We measure many things in units of 12: a dozen eggs, 12 inches to the foot, 12 hours to the day and 12 months to the year (and it was 12 pennies to the shilling).

We do this because the number 12 is more versatile than 10; it can, for example, be divided more ways (by 2, 3, 4, and 6, compared with just 2 and 5 for the number 10).

But the main reason we count in units of 10 is because we have 10 fingers and toes. While Im happy to abandon pounds and ounces, Im sticking to inches and feet.

I wish I had more repulsive body odour

I hate mosquitoes, but they love me. My body odour is to blame  its not repulsive enough!

Mozzies are drawn to humans through a combination of our breath and the colour red.

We exhale carbon dioxide, which a mosquito can detect from 100 metres away.

This switches on a guidance system in their eyes that makes them seek out anything glowing red or orange. And that, to a mosquito, means a human: whatever our actual colour, we appear as big, bright, shiny and delicious red-orange objects. As to why they prefer biting some people over others, the answer is that they produce less of a natural insect repellent  my body odour is, apparently, not sufficiently revolting to keep mozzies at bay.

Mozzies are drawn to humans through a combination of our breath and the colour red. We exhale carbon dioxide, which a mosquito can detect from 100 metres away

While protecting against bites involves wearing long-sleeved shirts and covering your feet (they love ankles)  and obviously using insect repellent  in California, where I am at the moment, theyre going one step further: later this year theyre releasing 2.4 billion male mosquitoes modified to have a self-limiting gene. This means their offspring will quickly die.

The company doing this says itll only release modified males that dont bite humans (only females bite and carry disease).

I imagine the plan is to do the same in countries where millions die every year from diseases carried by mosquitoes, such as malaria. I, for one, wont mourn their passing.
A mother who suffered up to 15 mini-strokes a day and was so worried she would die that she wrote a goodbye letter for her baby son says surgery saved her life.

Kate Sippel, 39, from Ohio, initially wrote off early signs as due to being unfit after pregnancy. But after she collapsed at home and was 'paralyzed for 30 seconds' just three months after giving birth to her son, John David, she went to the ER.

Doctors initially put her condition down to struggling with the stress of being a new mother after having a C-section. But Sippel, who works as a veterinarian, sought out other medics who diagnosed her with the rare condition moyamoya, where a narrowing or blockage in arteries at the back of the head limits blood supply to the brain triggering strokes.

Her mini-strokes finally stopped this year after she had an operation to boost blood flow to her brain via an artery in her scalp.

Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic  where she was treated  said it was 'unlikely' that pregnancy had triggered her condition. But sufferers can see their condition exacerbated by pregnancy.

Kate Sippel, 39, from Ohio, began suffering up to 15 mini-strokes a day three months after giving birth to her son John David. She is also pictured with husband Fred

The mother was so worried the strokes would end her life that she wrote a letter to her son for him to read when he was older.

But now that she has had surgery to bypass the blocked artery at the base of her skull, the veterinarian says she has not faced a stroke since (pictured after surgery)

When Sippel first went to doctors they said she was likely only having mini-strokes because she was stressed due to being a new mother. But she refused to take that as an answer

Only about one in a million Americans have moyamoya, which tends to be more common among women, estimates Johns Hopkins medical center.

Medics are not sure what leads to the artery becoming blocked  triggering the condition  although it may be linked to genetics.

Sufferers tend to experience regular mini-strokes alongside headaches, difficulties speaking or understanding others and involuntary movements.

What is moyamoya? Moyamoya is a condition where blood flow to the brain from arteries at its base is restricted. This is triggered by a narrowing or blockage of these vessels. Warning signs of the condition include headaches, mini-strokes  medically termed transient ischemic attacks, and strokes. Many patients can be treated with simple blood thinning drugs to boost blood flow. But in some cases surgery may be required to open another way for blood to flow to the brain. In these severe cases where this isn't done the condition could lead to serious brain damage or death. The disease is rare, with fewer than one in 100,000 Americans being diagnosed. It is most likely to be detected in early life and among women. Medics are not sure of the cause, but about one in ten cases may be down to genetics. Source: NORD Advertisement

In many cases it can be treated through taking blood-thinning drugs to make it easier for blood to flow to the brain.

But in some patients  including Sippel  it can only be treated through surgery.

Sippel said the first mini-stroke struck when the mother was riding her horse Norwin at a competitive showjumping event.

She told WKYC: 'All of a sudden it felt like somebody punched me in the face.

'I was headed right towards a jump and lost all kind of movement or feeling of the left side of my body.'

She was stuck like this as her horse did three more jumps before, suddenly, she went back to how she was before.

Putting it down to being out-of-shape after pregnancy, Sippel initially brushed off the event as a fluke.

But a few weeks later she collapsed at home and 'couldn't get back up' for as long as 30 seconds.

Just 24 hours later it struck again while her husband Fred was driving the family around.

She told TODAY: 'The only thing that came out of my mouth was garbled noise. I couldn't speak, I couldn't move my mouth, my tongue, anything.'

Spooked by the events they went to an emergency room doctor in July 2021, who said it was most likely due to the stress of motherhood and discharged her.

But Sippel was so worried about the strokes  which she had never experienced when stressed before  that she feared she could die, prompting her to write a letter for her son when he was older.

Tears filling her eyes, she read out the message saying: 'I want to be there to give you so much advice and hug and kiss you every day. I am sorry I can't be.

'I hope this is all for nothing and I will be able to grow old and tell you all of those things in person. I love you. Your mum.'

Next she went to see a neurologist who  following an MRI scan  diagnosed her with mini-strokes, or transient ischemic attacks triggered by moyamoya.

Sippel said the first stroke happened when she was riding her horse during a showjumping competition. She initially put it down to her losing fitness due to being pregnant

The mother is pictured above shortly after surgery. Blood flowing down the blocked artery has now been re-routed to pass through her scalp

In the first instance she was prescribed blood thinners, but continued to have up to 15 mini-strokes a day.

The doctors said it was safe to have two to three of these strokes - which rarely trigger brain damage  a day, but that they would check back in six months.

But Sippel again started looking around for another doctor, and was eventually admitted to the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio for treatment.

There doctors carried out cerebral bypass surgery, where they made a small incision on the left side of her head and isolated the section of an artery that was blocked. It was then re-routed via another artery in her scalp.

She was discharged two days after the operation and has not had another stroke since.

Dr Mark Bain, the neurosurgeon who did Sippel's surgery, explained milder forms of moyamoya can be treated with aspiring and other blood-thinners.

But because Sippel was experiencing frequent strokes and related symptoms, she faced the possibility blockages could worsen  which could lead to a full-blown stroke.

He said: 'When the brain gets enough blood flow, it reduces the number of wispy immature blood vessels that could cause bleeding in the brain. It's pretty amazing what the brain can do.'

Asked by DailyMail.com whether Sippel's condition was linked to childbirth, he said: 'The condition is unlikely to be related to pregnancy.'
Think Big Brother is watching you  and your car? Youre dead right.

Especially when youre receiving one of the estimated 8 million parking tickets issued each year to Britains motorists.

Should you want to see the full extent of the digital onslaught, head next week to Birminghams National Exhibition Centre  the NEC  and visit the annual Parkex exhibition (June 14 to 16, parkex.net). Its a real eye-opener.

New rules: The Government is preparing to launch a new Private Parking Code of Practice - set to come into force by the end of 2023

Parkex is the booming parking industrys annual jamboree showcasing the latest high-tech equipment to sell to private parking firms  and councils.

Many councils themselves contract private firms to do their parking control and enforcement for them.

It is organised by the British Parking Association (britishparking.co.uk) and runs in tandem with the Traffex exhibition (traffex.com) looking at wider road transport management issues.

But serious concerns are being voiced by motoring organisations, consumer groups, MPs and ministers, that Britains 35 million motorists are being fleeced by a Wild West of cowboy firms.

Rules and regulation

Legally, if a local authority issues a parking ticket it is called a Penalty Charge Notice or PCN and is a fine.

But tickets for parking on private land are different.

They are often called Parking Charge Notices and made to look like official PCNs, even using the same initials.

As consumer champion Scott Dixon explains: A private parking company cannot fine you. They can only issue invoices  often disguised as a fine  for an alleged breach of contract for parking on private land.

Last week, the Daily Mail revealed how attempts by the Government to crack down on excessive parking fines are being torpedoed by lawyers acting for greedy parking firms.

The Government is preparing to launch a new Private Parking Code of Practice  set to come into force by the end of 2023.

But several major parking firms launched cases against the new code and blocked two key policy measures. The first of these policies was to slash  from 100 to 50  the maximum amount for a Penalty Charge Notice.

Parking firms want to raise the cap to 120. They argued that a reduction to 50 would lead more drivers to flout rules because a ticket, if paid at the half-price rate within 14 days, would in many cases be cheaper than paying for parking.

Secondly, a plan to ban debt-collectors from hounding drivers who feel they have been treated unfairly and do not pay within a time limit has also been scuppered.

However, other measures survive, including:

A compulsory ten-minute grace period after tickets expire.

A simpler and fairer independent appeals system to give more drivers the benefit of the doubt in cases of honest mistakes or mitigating circumstances.

Rogue operators who fail to follow the code could be banned from accessing DVLA data, principally drivers home addresses.

Six issues for motorists Poor signage - Motorists are caught out by badly sited or worded signs. Cashless meters -Mobile app-based systems discriminate against less tech-savvy motorists as pay and display ticket meters are ripped out Inflexible approach - There is no mitigation given for genuine human error  such as overstaying by a few minutes or keying in a wrong number plate. Complex appeals - Ministers are trying to replace the current regime with a single, fairer, independent appeals system. Revenue hotspots - Confusing areas that regularly catch out drivers but are left to keep penalty revenues high. Sabotaged reforms - Two key Government reforms have been torpedoed by the parking industry: a lower cap on fines and action against exorbitant debt collection fees. Parkex exhibition (NEC, Birmingham, June 14 to 16). Tickets at: parkex.net

Slap on the wrist

Ministers estimate more than 22,000 parking tickets are issued each day  about 8 million a year. The British Parking Associations 2020 census shows its members issued more than 4 million PCNs.

Of these, 84.3 per cent were imposed via automatic number plate recognition (ANPR).

More than eight out of ten motorists issued with a PCN simply paid up early  to benefit from the discounted rate  rather than risk paying double after a lost appeal.

But more than one in five brave souls did appeal to the parking operator  and of these, more than half (51.7 per cent) were successful.

Campaigners also complain that pay-and-display cash machines are being ripped out by councils and parking operators and replaced with cashless apps which discriminates against millions of older or less tech-savvy motorists who unwittingly fall foul of the small print in inflexible systems.

And lack of phone signal wont save you from a parking fine.

Electric cars have also been targeted  following cases where motorists charging their cars in designated spaces have been hit with parking fines for failing to buy a ticket when the free period has expired.

The AA cited other parking issues:

Hotspots  areas of confusion where firms know drivers will be caught out.

Poor signage  particularly at night, plus complicated and cashless ticket machines cause confusion and difficulties.

Pay by phone areas  where the technology fails, but drivers think they have paid.

Free parking  where you still have to get a ticket and display it in your windscreen, catching a lot of drivers out.

Cut and thrust

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, which launched the consultation for the new Private Parking Code of Practice, said: Private firms issue roughly 22,000 parking tickets every day, often adopting a system of misleading and confusing signage, aggressive debt collection and unreasonable fees.

Sir Greg Knight MP, who took the Parking (Code of Practice) Act through Parliament, said unscrupulous rogues had undermined the parking sector with bad practice.

He said: Action is needed because many dodgy operators are still engaging in unacceptable practices while using a threatening and intimidating process to fleece motorists.

The British Parking Association, with more than 750 members and its own Code of Conduct, defends the industry. Having set up the claims system Parking On Private Land Appeals  or Popla  it highlights consumer research which shows that the public is more concerned with the parking behaviour of other motorists than of parking operators.

It adds: They want to see that the minority of motorists who do not follow the rules and show no regard for others are dealt with effectively, while recognising instances where people make a genuine mistake are shown leniency.

Meanwhile, seminars at Parkex include: How parking and road user charging might be used as a lever (to manage congestion); Effective ANPR manufacture for efficient data capture and analysis in the traffic, parking and security sector; and a review of effective enforcement technology.

Theres also one on electric vehicle charging revenue () made easy looking at how parking firms may increase their revenue from the growing market of EV drivers.

Just the ticket to raise even more cash from beleaguered motorists.
Boots is one of those emblematic British companies which, alongside Marks & Spencer, enjoys special affection among UK consumers.

As well as being the great training engine for independent chemists, it is a trusted friend for vaccines, vitamins and its innovative beauty brand No 7.

Under the umbrella of Stefano Pessinas sprawling Walgreens Boots Alliance global empire, partly financed by private equity, the High Street stalwart has been starved of the new investment required.

Scruffy: Much of Boots' portfolio requires the kind of costly updates seen at some of its higher performing central London stores

With more than 2,000 stores across Britain, much of the portfolio requires the kind of costly updates seen at some of its higher performing central London stores.

It also needs a much more aggressive digital strategy. The glorious future envisaged by serial corporate chairman Nigel Rudd, when Boots was first merged with Pessinas Allied Unichem in a 7billion deal in 2006, never really happened.

The Nottingham-based company, founded in the mid-19th century, simply became a far removed overseas arm of Walgreen, an over-borrowed drug store conglomerate primarily focused on the vast US market.

Throughout this period of ownership, it has lacked the decisive leadership which Archie Norman brought to M&S, where the axe was taken to underperforming High Street stores across the country and digital was embraced via a joint grocery venture with Ocado.

The decision of Pessina and Walgreens to seek a trade sale is understandable. It is cash in hand for the seller and removes the uncertainty and expenses of an initial public offering. Just look at the 500million fee and transaction costs involved in GSKs split and float of its Haleon health care arm.

Potential Boots buyers have vanished in recent weeks so there will be relief that Reliance Industries, controlled by Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, has emerged as the favoured acquirer in partnership with financial group Apollo.

Ambani is a known quantity in the UK as the owner of iconic toy store Hamleys. Reliances more significant UK interest is as the partner of M&S in India.

M&Ss joint venture in India is going through a restructuring with smaller stores being closed. Plans are afoot for opening 10 larger-format M&S stores a year.

Ownership of Boots will not be easy. It is being challenged by the supermarkets in health and beauty, as well as by no-frills retailers such as B&M. The defined benefit pension funds are currently in surplus but could still become a sticking point.

Reliance Retail is a big beast with a hefty valuation. Whether it has the time or resources to work on a major turnaround in Britain is not clear.

What we do know is that sub-Continent owners  such as Tata at Jaguar Land Rover  have, in some cases, been good and long-term stewards of UK assets.

Return of Ant

President Xi Jinpings clampdown on free market capitalism looks as if it is ending. The leadership in Beijing is giving the green light to splitting off and floating Jack Mas financial technology pacemaker Ant Financial, part of his Alibaba group.

A prospectus is being prepared for quotes in Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Ant had planned to come to the market in November 2020 but China suddenly cancelled the proposed 30billion float.

There was concern about Mas safety after he was deemed to have spoken out of turn when he went on social media boasting of the biggest float in financial history.

The chastened multi-billionaire eventually re-emerged after being personally fined by Chinese regulators for uncompetitive activities. Whether Ma will be rehabilitated with the Ant initial public offering is anyones guess.

Wounded hero

After a wobble about domicile in 2018-19, it is terrific to see wound and surgical parts group Smith & Nephew (which I hold) backing Britain.

It is to establish an 80million plus R&D and manufacturing centre in Hull with the aim of developing next generation products for the NHS. It has been encouraged by a grant from the Government and is looking to generate 8billion of sales over the next decade.

S&N is joining AstraZeneca, which is investing heavily in life sciences in Cambridge, and GSK, which is to develop a biotech hub in Stevenage.

The EU is holding British participation in Horizon science funding hostage to the Northern Ireland protocol. But UK life science companies are getting on with the job.
The select committee investigating the US Capitol riot is set to begin laying out evidence Thursday night that former President Donald Trump helped lead a systematic campaign to avoid his electoral defeat, culminating in the historic insurgency.

According to reports, the committee intends to investigate the activities of right-wing extremists such as the Proud Boys, a nationwide organization that helped throng the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as Congress tried to validate President Joe Biden's victory.

Jan. 6 Committee Begins First Hearing

Men carrying Arizona flags and donning camouflage and characteristic blaze orange hats connected with the organization were among the most visible pictures of a day that shocked the country. It is just one of many Arizona strands flowing through an inquiry that many consider an important warning about American democracy but is characterized as political warfare by Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz.

Biggs participated in White House planning discussions to keep Trump in power and disseminate the false narrative of a stolen election. He is one of the Republicans who has refused to help with the investigation. Rep. Debbie Lesko chastised Democrats for indulging in the political theater after reports that she anticipated supporters of then-President Donald Trump to go crazy on the day of the riot.

According to USA Today, recordings obtained Wednesday by New York Times reporters Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns, Lesko, R-Ariz., informed congressional leaders the day before the Jan. 6, 2021, riot that Trump's ultimate defeat would cause issues.

A big projection screen is shown, which will display video exhibits while the House Select Committee probing the Jan. 6 assault on the United States conducts its investigation. On Thursday, June 9, 2022, the Capitol holds its first public hearing to present the findings of a year-long study.

The hearing will include testimony from US Caroline Edwards, a Capitol Police officer who was critically injured during the siege, and documentary filmmaker Nick Quested, who documented members of the far-right Proud Boys as they invaded the Capitol.

Read Also: USA Gymnastics Sex Abuse Scandal: Larry Nassar Verdict, New FBI Lawsuit, and Everything You Need To Know

Trump Calls Capitol Attack "Greatest Movement" in US History

The hearings came as legislators convened to finalize the 2020 presidential election, nearing the end of a nearly yearlong inquiry into the Capitol attack. The panel of seven Democrats and two Republicans questioned over 1,000 people and subpoenaed prominent officials of Trump's administration, while Trump's loyalists battled the process tooth and nail.

The hearings will prohibit a clear public image of the Jan. 6 catastrophe, according to Rep. Adam Schiff, because most of the investigation work was done behind closed doors (D-Calif.), New York Daily via MSN News reported. Former President Donald Trump is now declaring that his followers' violent attack on the Capitol was "not merely a protest," but rather "the largest movement" in US history.

On Thursday, Trump delivered an explosive statement supporting the rioters who sacked the Capitol in the hopes of keeping him in the White House for a second term. It emerged on his own Truth Social website, which he began using earlier this year since he is banned from Twitter and other mainstream social media platforms.

The twice-impeached ex-president also claimed that the House select committee did not spend a single minute investigating why people flocked to Washington, DC, even though a group of committee investigators has been looking into the relationship between the lies he began telling about the conduct of the 2020 election and the riot that occurred on January 6, 2021, as per Independent.

Related Article: Schiff Claims Jan. 6 Hearings Will Show Proof of Trump's Alleged Attempt To 'Overturn a Presidential Election'

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Lord Cruddas, a staunch Boris Johnson backer and founder of trading firm CMC Markets, has endured a rough few days this week.

First came the confidence vote on Johnson on Monday, which the Prime Minister eventually scraped through. Ahead of the ballot, Cruddas  along with other prominent Tory donors  wrote to MPs urging them to back Boris, branding rebels in the party foolish.

With Westminster still in febrile mood, 110million was wiped of the Cruddas family fortune yesterday as CMC revealed profit more than halved to 92.1million in the year to March 2022.

Loyal: CMC Markets founder Lord Cruddas (pictured) - along with other prominent Tory donors - wrote to MPs urging them to back Boris, branding rebels in the party 'foolish'

The shares tumbled by 21 per cent  slashing the value of the 57.6 per cent stake held by Cruddas and 3.1 per cent held by his wife Fiona.

The Tory peer, 68, still has an ample nest egg  and will collect another 20million in dividends after CMC said it would pay out half its profits to investors.

Such sums have become par for the course for Cruddas, whose company has helped to catapult him from an east London council estate to one of Britains richest businessmen.

Speaking to the Mail before the recent turmoil, the trappings of success were clear to see, from the watch on his wrist to the offer of a lift in his Bentley  his pride and joy.

His car collection, along with other luxuries, is documented in his recent book Passport To Success: From Milkman To Mayfair, which walks the reader through his rags-to-riches story.

Faced with the suggestion that mentions of his Mayfair mansion and flashy lifestyle may make him sound materialistic, Cruddas shrugs.

Probably true. I like nice things. I like to see some tangible things for my success.

But also whatever Ive spent on material things, Ive given more to charity. I like the luxury lifestyle. Dont forget, I was brought up on a council estate, no hot water, no central heating.

Born to an alcoholic father and a mother who worked hard as a cleaner, Cruddas left school at 15 with no qualifications. While his two brothers became taxi drivers, Cruddas had his sights set on working in the City skyscrapers which he once helped his mother clean.

CMC Markets has catapulted Lord Cruddas from an east London council estate to one of Britains richest businessmen

Initially he became a telex operator for Western Union. After climbing the ranks at several banks, in 1989 he set up CMC Markets  initially as a platform for investors to trade so-called leveraged - and derivative-type products, financial instruments which allow traders to bet on the price of an asset of commodity without actually owning it.

He wants to expand the firm to take on fund supermarkets like Hargreaves Lansdown  allowing savers to buy stocks and funds.

Part of the fall in CMCs full-year profits was due to investment in this technology, while the remainder was due to lower trading income as the volatility seen during the pandemic began to fall away.

But the shake-up at CMC doesnt mean Cruddas, a father of two, is giving his other responsibilities any less time. When we speak, he has jetted back to London from a family holiday in Marbella to take part in a series of votes in the House of Lords.

Cruddas loyalty to the Tory party, and to Johnson, is unwavering. He got to know the Prime Minister working on the Vote Leave campaign.

During the Partygate scandal, Cruddas stood by his leader  and even pumped in another 250,000 to the Tory party.

The concerted media campaign to dislodge Boris is, he says, bang out of order because the British people put him in office  let them remove him.

His dedication to the cause came despite an almighty bust-up with then-prime minister David Cameron, who ousted him as treasurer of the Tory party in 2012.

It followed a Sunday Times sting, which claimed to have caught Cruddas selling access to Cameron to wealthy Middle Eastern businessmen.

The legal battle which ensued between Cruddas and the Sunday Times clearly still irks him.

Thirteen chapters of his book are dedicated to it, and a large motivation behind its publication was the chance to put the record straight.

It was the embarrassment and the shame of seeing my name in the papers, and having Parliament debate something about me that wasnt true, he says.

My daughter was invited by her boyfriend to go and meet his parents. The parents said: Were charging a quarter of a million if you come round here. It was upsetting.

The boyfriend was dumped.

Cruddas still managed to gain his peerage from Johnson  and is determined to play a prominent role in the Lords while still running his business. He grins: Im not going to allow myself to get old  thats for others.
Three Texas families sued the state Wednesday seeking to halt child abuse investigations of them over gender-confirming medical treatments for their transgender children.

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.

One mother, using the pseudonym Mirabel Voe, said her teenage son, who is currently transitioning, attempted to take his own life on the same day that Texas Governor Greg Abbott filed a directive stating that gender affirming treatment for minors is child abuse.

In the February 2022 directive, Abbott called on 'licensed professionals' and 'members of the general public' to report cases people aiding minors in transitioning.

Gov. Greg Abbott decreed that gender-affirming care was child abuse in February 2022

Texas AG Ken Paxton wrote his legal opinion in early 2022 decreeing that gender-affirming care was akin to child abuse

Abbott issued this order to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services

Voe said her son, who uses the pseudonym Antonio Voe, aged 16, attempted to take his own life by ingesting a bottle of aspirin in February.

Her lawsuit reads: 'Antonio said that the political environment, including Abbot's Letter, and being misgendered in school, led him to take these actions.'

Following his suicide attempt, Antonio was referred to a psychiatric hospital where he was treated as an outpatient.

It was at the facility that staff informed Antonio and his mother that their family could be subject to an investigation by child protective services as he had been prescribed hormone therapy.

At the time of writing, the family are still under investigation.

Since the investigation began, Antonio is no longer able to attend in-person school due to mental health issues and is forced to stay-at-home.

His mother is described in the documents as single and working two jobs to support her family.

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 Gov. Abbott.

In the lawsuit, the 16-year-old who attempted to take his own life is known by the pseudonym, Antonio Voe

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.

'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.
COVID-19 most likely originated with bats transferring the virus to humans, the World Health Organization has concluded - but they cannot rule out the lab leak theory, because China is not cooperating fully with their researchers.

The panel of experts drafted by the WHO to investigate the origins of the pandemic, and prepare a framework to investigate future outbreaks, on Thursday published its first report.

The 44-page document 'should be read as a work in progress', the panel state.

However, their conclusions - that COVID likely emerged from bats, but a lab leak cannot be ruled out - will be seized upon.

The panel, set up in October, comprises 26 experts from around the world and is called the Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO).

Its work follows a previous WHO-China report on COVID-19, and a U.S. intelligence inquiry, both of which pointed towards a natural origin for the pandemic, likely from bats, rather than a lab leak.

The new report says a zoonotic origin is the most likely explanation for the emergence of the novel coronavirus.

Virologist Shi Zheng-li, left, works with her colleague in the P4 lab of Wuhan Institute of Virology in China in February 2017. The WHO panel were unable to rule out a 'lab leak' theory for the emergence of COVID-19

Bats, pictured in Hungary, are seen as the most likely origin of COVID-19, a WHO panel reported on Thursday

The first human cases were reported in December 2019 in the central Chinese city of Wuhan.

However, it says that neither the original animal source, the intermediate host, nor the moment the virus crossed over into humans, has been identified.

That is chiefly because a lot of data is missing, the report says, particularly from China.

Chinese scientists have provided more information, including on blood samples from 40,000 Chinese donors in Wuhan from September to December 2019 when the pandemic emerged.

Of these, more than 200 samples initially tested positive for Sars-CoV-2 antibodies, the virus causing COVID-19, but confirmatory tests were negative, the Chinese scientists said.

The WHO has requested more information on this and on other elements.

The panel also said that no further information has been provided on whether the coronavirus may have reached humans via a laboratory incident, meaning more data and investigations remained important.

It called for a number of studies to be carried out both in China and globally to shed further light on the pandemic's origins.

The Wuhan Institute of Virology, pictured in May 2020, is suspected as being a source of the pandemic. But it remains unclear, and the WHO said China had not been forthcoming with information

These include additional studies on the first human cases in China, as well as efforts to trace whether the virus was circulating in China - and elsewhere - before the first cases were found.

Further work on potential animal hosts, particularly in bats, as well as on farm workers and animal products that were in the Wuhan market - identified early on as a potential spillover site - were also key, the WHO said.

The WHO says the main aims of the SAGO panel are to draw up a framework for investigating future outbreaks more effectively.

The report includes a list of the work that should urgently be done to achieve this, which would ideally be in cooperation with the country where an outbreak begins and WHO teams.

The studies needed include 'early investigation' work into things such as modes of transmission and the extent of human-to-human transmission, SAGO said, as well as research on early cases and their travel history and exposure to animals.

It said there should also be plans for visits and the 'systematic recording of information from the site of the earliest detected cases,' as well as early specimen collection from animals, humans and the wider environment.

It will continue to meet to discuss progress on this, and will also discuss work on identifying the origins of some of the Sars-CoV-2 variants, as well as the spread of known pathogens, such as the recent monkeypox outbreak.

The panel also recommended more work on biosafety and security.
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Relatives of the new Dr Who Ncuti Gatwa have told for the first time how he was spirited away from Rwanda as a toddler by his parents to escape the genocide in 1994 when the family discovered his father was 'number one' on a malitia death list.

The 29-year-old Sex Education actor's father Tharcisse Gatwa was an outspoken critic of President Juvenal Habyarimana from the country's Hutu tribe who massacred 800,000 in 100 days.

Now, the star's family and friends in Rwanda have revealed the full extraordinary story of how his parents packed up their belongings and fled their bungalow in the capital Kigali with the 18-month-old Ncuti to start a new life in Scotland after the family was tipped off that Tharcisse faced certain death if he stayed.

Speaking from the Gatwas ancestorial home in the remote village of Biguhu, family friend pastor Sylvestre Gatabazi told MailOnline: 'If Tharcisse had not escaped he and his family would have been killed on the first day of the genocide. Tharcisse denounced the Habyarimana government many times in his articles. He was an enemy of the regime.

'He dared to tell the truth. The regime responded by throwing a grenade into his compound. This was at the end of 1993 before the genocide. The regime already decided that they wanted to kill him. When the genocide began on 7th April 1994 the militia had lists of names of people to kill.

'Gatwa was the first name on the hit list in the Kacyiru district where he lived with his family.'

New Dr Who Ncuti Gatwa, a rising British acting star, last visited his family in Rwanda back in 2019. Here he smiles alongside some of his relatives, although he was prevented from going to the village where his father grew up due to flooded roads

Ncuti, 29, pictured in Rwanda during his last visit, was born in the capital Kigali in 1992, who years before the country was torn apart by the genocide of 800,000 people in 100 days

The Sex Education actor's parents lived in this house in the village of Biguhu, before moving east to the capital Kigali. The house is set on a steep hillside overlooking the lush wilderness of Rwanda, which is home to the world's last mountain gorillas

The Gatwa family arrived in the UK shortly afterwards as refugees and were granted asylum.

They settled in Dunfirmline in Scotland where Ncuti overcame racist bullying at school before moving to London to pursue his dream of becoming an actor.

He has previously recalled how he would sometimes have to borrow 10 a time from friends to pay for the tube fare to auditions as his savings dwindled.

Ncuti, who will become the 14th Time Lord when he takes the role, proudly describes himself as a Scottish-Rwandan

Ncuti was effectively made homeless when his plans to move into a new place fell through and he ended up sleeping on friends' sofas for five months.

He famously had his big break starring as gay character Eric Effiong in the comedy drama show Sex Education which has run for three series on Netflix.

His role in the show won him a Scottish Bafta and a Rose d'Or Award, and led to him being heralded as one of the UK's latest crop of top actors.

It was revealed in May that Ncuti will become the 14th Time Lord when he takes on the role of Doctor Who on the iconic BBC science fiction show.

Ncuti will be the first black person in the role when he takes over from Jodie Whittaker in the Autumn.

He and his parents have kept in close contact with their roots in Rwanda, and Ncuti has visited the country several times, although he missed out on a trip to his ancestral village on his last visit due to flooded roads.

The house in Biguhu where his father grew up is made out of traditional mud bricks and is set on a steep hillside overlooking the lush wilderness of Rwanda, which is home to the world's last mountain gorillas.

Banana trees and other crops surround the house while Cassava root tubers dry in the sun.

The dirt road leading to the remote village becomes impassable during tropical storms.

Logs act as bridges over rivers and huge potholes often slow the area's few motor vehicles to walking pace.

The news that Ncuti is becoming Doctor Who was warmly welcomed by his extended family in the village.

His cousin Violette Mutueymariya, 36, told MailOnline: 'I know Ncuti. I saw him when he came to Kigali. He was supposed to come to our house during his last visit but the road was too bad so he turned back.

The actor's father Tharcisse, pictured here on the right at his niece Violette Mutuyemariya's wedding, is a journalist and churchman who was an outspoken critic of then President Juvenal Habyarimana from the country's Hutu tribe

Ncuti's mother Josephine, pictured with her son at Newport Beach Film Festival at London's The Langham Hotel in 2020, was tipped off that her husband Tharcisse was 'target number one' on the Hutu tribe's death list and they took the decision to flee

The couple packed up their belongings from their bungalow in Kigali (above) and fled the country before the slaughter began

The Gatwa family finally settled in Dunfirmline, to the west of Glasgow in Scotland where little Ncuti (pictured) grew up

Little Ncuti has spoken about the racism and struggles that he experienced in a mostly white state school in Dunfirmline, refusing to let the bullies win before moving to acting school in London and landing the role of Eric Effiong in Sex Education

'I have not seen Dr Who, but we are all happy that he has been cast in this role.'

His aunt Josephine Muhadamu added: 'We are all proud of Ncuti. He is a lovely boy.'

Ncuti's father still owns a house in Kigali and visits the country regularly.

As a leading intellectual, he helped to create a peace and reconciliation process that has enabled Rwanda to move on from the genocide.

Tharcisse and Josephine are trustees of Scottish charity Mission Rwanda, that was set up in 2008 to help poor Rwandan families.

Reverend Viateur Ruzibiza, of the Bible Society of Rwanda [BSR], explained: 'Tharcisse Gatwa was the General Secretary of BSR. He lived in the house on the compound. He survived the evil and left the country.

'But Tharcisse helped to create what became known as 'home grown solutions' to move on from the genocide.'

This includes Gacaca courts, a traditional justice system where people accused of taking part in the genocide are confronted by their victim's relatives in front of their community.

Family friend pastor Sylvestre Gatabazi (left) said that if Tharcisse had not escaped he and his family would have been killed on the first day of the genocide. Ncuti's cousin Violette Mutueymariya (right) said she saw him when he last visited

People living in Biguhu are proud of Ncuti's on-screen success and news of him becoming Doctor Who was warmly welcomed

Villagers say they home that next time their most famous son visits Biguhu, the roads are not flood and he can make the trip

Perpetrators are given a reduced sentence if they admit their guilt, but are harshly treated if they plead innocent and are found responsible.

Ncuti told a BBC Scotland documentary: 'We came to the UK because of the genocide that happened in Rwanda in 1994, and it affected my family greatly as it did with every Rwandan.

'So yeah we escaped and my parents came over to the UK, and they started studying in Edinburgh.

'We were refugees coming to the UK and I definitely now view myself as a Rwandan-Scotsman.'
Jacinda Ardern has expertly dodged a question about her frosty relationship with former prime minister Scott Morrison as Karl Stefanovic called out the New Zealand PM for her 'very clever' answer.

The New Zealand prime minister landed in Sydney on Thursday night to meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese so the pair can discuss in-person a range of issues, including Australia's controversial deportation laws.

After a night spent enjoying Vivid and trading favourite vinyl records with Mr Albanese at Kirribilli House, Ms Ardern headed to the Today Show on Friday morning for a chat.

Ms Ardern was discussing the gifts exchanged during her breakfast interview when she was quizzed by Today co-host Leila McKinnon on whether she and Mr Morrison traded records.

The two Trans-Tasman leaders had a testy relationship and didn't see eye-to-eye on various issues, including Australia's controversial policy of deporting criminals to New Zealand.

'We talked about music on occasion but I'm not sure I would've picked necessarily the right music if I think I was given that task,' Ms Ardern quipped.

Jacinda Ardern issued a cheeky response when asked why she and former Australian PM Scott Morrison didn't trade records

Co-host Karl Stefanovic laughed and replied: 'You're being VERY diplomatic. Very clever.'

For the record, Mr Albanese received vinyls from Kiwi acts The Flying Nun, Aldous Harding and The Clean from Ms Ardern, who got Powderfinger, Spiderbait and Midnight Oil in return.

She also got a quick glance at Vivid while visiting Mr Albanese at Kirribilli.

'The light show on Sydney Harbour was just beautiful,' she said.

Australia's policy of deporting criminals to New Zealand who don't have familial or community ties across the Tasman will a hot discussion topic when she meets with Mr Albanese for official talks on Friday.

Ms Ardern's government believes many of those deportees arrive untethered, without support networks, and can be destitute or join gangs.

She stressed she had no issue with Australia deporting criminals if they're Kiwi natives.

'If a New Zealander comes to Australia and commits a crime, send them home. That's wrong,' she said.

'But when someone comes here and essentially, hasn't even really had any connection with New Zealand at all, has spent their entire formative years and grown up here and have all their connections in Australia and are essentially Australian, sending them back to New Zealand that's where we've had the grievance.'

Anthony Albanese had Jacinda Ardern over for dinner at Kirribilli House on Thursday night

'I've heard the Prime Minister prior to winning the election speak to his acknowledgement that is the part of the policy that we've taken issue with. Even that acknowledgement says to me he's hearing us, he knows it's a problem.

'We've never asked deportations as a general rule to stop. We won't be hypocritical about it, because we do it too. It's just those extraordinary cases that trouble us.'

Ms Ardern also gave her take on relations in the Pacific and with China, which recently demanded New Zealand to stop interfering in the Pacific region with concerns over Beijing's new security arrangements with the Solomon Islands.

'I take the same view that I always have. We are a Pacific nation. Our connections into the Pacific, they run deep,' she said.

'We have large Pacific communities in New Zealand, Pacific communities in New Zealand, Pacific members of Parliament, Pacific members of Parliament, Pacific ministers.

'So the relationship for us is not a bilateral relationship; it's a family relationship. So I don't see our relationship as ever being able to be described as interference. We have a closeness to one another that will always be the case.'

She also pointed out China's presence in the Pacific isn't new.

It's whether or not they are seeking to change those relationships to dip into spaces like, for instance, the potential militarisation of our region and that's where that concern being raised,' Ms Ardern continued.

'But off the back of those recent trips you also saw that the Pacific held its ground on security arrangements and I think that speaks to the fact that the Pacific are speaking and sharing their own views.'

Ms Ardern has welcomed back Aussie tourists from across the Tasman with open arms after international borders were slammed shut for almost two years during the pandemic.

'I don't hesitate to say we missed you. And you will get a welcome like no other right now, because we're so excited to have people back,' she said.

'It's ski season in New Zealand. Look, in regular times, Australians made up of our international skiers about 71% of the market. So Aussies love to ski in New Zealand. I can see why. It's easy, it's accessible.

For the new Labor government, Friday's engagement with Ms Ardern is seen as a meet-and-greet with a key regional ally.

She and Mr Albanese will also discuss tensions in the Pacific, and US President Joe Biden's new Indo Pacific Economic Framework initiative.

Anthony Albanese shows off his new haul of records following a trade with Jacinda Ardern

However for New Zealand, any bilateral meeting with Australia is also a chance to press for concessions from its most important partner.

The significance of the relationship to New Zealand is underscored in a NZ ministry of foreign affairs brief received by foreign minister Nanaia Mahuta, when she took office in 2020.

'The trans-Tasman relationship lies at the heart of New Zealand's prosperity and security and Australia is our indispensable partner across the breadth of our international interests,' the statement reads.

'Australia is our only formal military ally, our most important security partner and our largest economic partner - the reverse is not the case.'

The asymmetric relationship is clear in both population - Australia is five times bigger - and economically, where Australia has a GDP seven times larger.

There are an estimated 700,000 Kiwis living in Australia - around 14 per cent of New Zealand's population - while there are 70,000 Australians in Aotearoa, representing 0.3 per cent of Australia's residents.

'As the smaller partner in the trans-Tasman relationship, New Zealand needs to work with energy and vision to maintain the vitality of what will continue to be our principal bilateral relationship,' the MFAT brief continues.
Child protection officials are being urged to investigate GOP Rep Lauren Boebert for reckless abuse of a child after she failed to report an ATV wreck in which her sister-in-law was seriously injured, and her son was a passenger.

DailyMail.com reported the May 2020 wreck which took place when Boebert was off-roading with her then sister-in-law, Tori Hooper, 28, in Utah.

Boebert's son and dog were in the back of the Jeep when she lost control and 'bailed' from the driver's seat letter leaving Hooper to struggle to right the vehicle which plunged into a ravine and struck a wall of rock.

Now, American Muckrakers PAC, the same organization that released a slew of damaging information that sunk another far right Republican, North Carolina Rep. Madison Cawthorn, has called on Colorado's Office of Children, Youth and Family to investigate. Cawthorn lost his bid for his party's nomination last month.

DailyMail.com reported that Republican Rep Lauren Boebert, 35, was involved in an accident on Mother's Day 2020 while off-roading with family in Moab, Utah. Now, American Muckrakers PAC has called on the Department of Human Services, Office of Children, Youth and Family in Silt, Colorado, to investigate

In a letter obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com Muckrakers President David Wheeler alleges that he has a recorded interview with Hooper in which she confirms that Boebert had been drinking alcohol either prior or during the accident

In a letter obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com, Muckrakers President David Wheeler says he has a recorded interview with Hooper in which she states that, Rep Boebert was driving the vehicleBoeberts son and dog were in the vehicleBoebert bailed out of the vehicle leaving Hooper to attempt to re-take control of the vehicle and Boebert had been drinking alcohol either prior or during the accident.

Boebert's spokesman insists in an email to DailyMail.com that the freshman congresswoman does not drink.

Wheeler goes on to assert: 'Rep Boebert has put her son in serious danger through her negligent, irresponsible, and illegal actions and should be held to account through a full investigation of this matter.'

Boebert, 35, has four sons, all minors. It is not clear which one was in the crashed vehicle.

Hooper sustained such serious injuries that she was later medically evacuated to St. Mary's Medical Center in Grand Junction, Colorado, yet Boebert did not call 911 and instead 'begged' Hooper not to tell anybody about the crash.

Boebert's spokesman said about the complaint: 'This is another outrageous claim from a partisan political group. The Congresswoman doesn't drink.

'The partisan hacks responsible for this fabrication even posted texts with their source confirming this story was made up.' He did not address what actually happened in Moab.

A family insider, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the accident to DailyMail.com: '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.

Boebert and husband Jayson share four sons. One of the boys was in the off-roading vehicle when she lost control and fled, family insiders told DailyMail.com

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

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: '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 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

Boebert was a staunch Trump supporter during his presidency

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.'

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.
A 19-year-old who allegedly bashed an elderly 'Good Samaritan' was released from custody just days before the attack for an armed robbery of a vape store.

Perth retiree Christopher Hands, 65, needed 27 stitches after Jacob Ramos, 19, and Lorentz James Warren, 20, allegedly beat the grandfather for refusing to hand over charity money on Sunday.

However Ramos had only been released from custody just days before the attack after pleading guilty to robbing a vape store while armed with a 20cm knife in August 2021.

Scroll down for the video.

Perth retiree Christopher Hands (above) needed 27 stitches after the attack at the Jindalee Retirement Community

Jacob Ramos (above) has been charged for punching and stomping on Mr Hands's head just days after he was released for threatening a vape store employee with a 20cm knife

Talia Atieh, 19, had been working the store's counter during the theft.

'In all honesty, I literally thought he was going to stab me. That's the last shift I ever did and I haven't been back to work ever since,' she told 9News.

Ramos was handed a two-year pre-sentence order which allowed him to be released from custody.

'I actually didn't even stay in the courtroom until it finished,' Ms Atieh said.

'I couldn't stay in there any longer, I needed to get out, I couldn't believe what I was hearing.'

Ramos (right) was released from custody just days before he allegedly attacking Mr Hands after he pleaded guilty to robbing a Perth vape store while armed with a 20cm knife last August

Talia Atieh (left) was working the vape store at the time of Ramos's (centre) armed theft and said she 'literally thought he was going to stab me'

'I always think, what if it was one of my sons or even my grandson... it terrified me completely,' Mr Hands told reporters about his attack on Sunday.

Mr Hands had been door knocking around his village at Jindalee Retirement Community to collect money for the Salvation Army when Ramos and Warren allegedly approached him and demanded $100.

Mr Hands (above) had been collecting money for the Salvation Army when Ramos and Lorentz James Warren allegedly approached and demanded he hand over $100

The Jindalee Retirement Community (above) where Mr Hands had been collecting money for the Salvation Army when he was allegedly attacked

'I just couldn't believe what was taking place,' Mr Hands told 9News.

'I could see blood streaming down from my ear onto my jacket.

'I'm still in shock.'

Police were called to the village at about 7.15pm and caught Ramos and Warren allegedly trying to flee in a stolen vehicle.

Bodycam footage shows police arresting Ramos (above) after he allegedly tried to flee in a stolen Toyota Hilux

Bodycam footage shows police pulling Ramos from the car.

Warren allegedly ran from the scene but was caught by a police dog and handler a short time later.

Ramos and Warren were charged with aggravated robbery and stealing a motor vehicle in relation to the incident.

Warren appeared in court via an audio link on Monday from Royal Perth Hospital, where he was being treated for a dog bite, while Ramos later fronted a hearing in person.

Both men did not apply for bail and are due to appear in Fremantle Magistrates Court next week.
Jacinda Ardern's partner has poked fun at Anthony Albanese over his gifts to the visiting New Zealand Prime Minister.

Mr Albanese, 59, gave Ms Ardern vinyl records by Midnight Oil, Spiderbait and Powderfinger when she arrived in Sydney on Thursday night.

She posted a picture of the two Labor leaders together on Instagram and mentioned the gifts in the caption, prompting Clarke Gayford to comment on the age of the bands.

He wrote: 'Midnight Oil, Spiderbait and The Finger????!!!! What is this, 2004???'

The two leaders are pictured together in Sydney on Thursday night after Ms Ardern arrived

Mr Albanese, 59, gave Ms Ardern vinyl records by Midnight Oil, Spiderbait and Powderfinger and she gave him some tracks by record label Flying Nun

Clarke Gayford commented on the age of the bands. He wrote: 'Midnight Oil, Spiderbait and The Finger????!!!! What is this, 2004???'

Ms Ardern, 42, said she gave Mr Albanese a few tracks from New Zealand indie record label Flying Nun.

The New Zealand leader is the first to visit Mr Albanese on home soil after his election win on May 21.

Mr Albanese said she was the first leader to call him after the result while he was on his way to give his victory speech.

'Prime Minister Ardern, not surprisingly, was the first person to ring me. I was still in the car. We have each other's mobiles,' he said on Tuesday.

'Jacinda was good enough to ring me when I was on my way to the Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL.

'She's been a friend of mine for some time. I look forward to catching up with her informally on Thursday night and then for us to have a meeting on Friday. We're good friends, Australia and New Zealand.

'We can do much better in terms of cooperation and build stronger relations, and I'm sure that myself and Jacinda will be able to achieve that.'

Ms Ardern and Mr Gayford are pictured together at the ASB Rugby Awards in Auckland in 2018

In their first official meeting on Friday morning, the pair will discuss Australia's hardline immigration policy which sees non-citizens who commit serious crimes deported even if they've spent most of their lives in Australia.

It has resulted in dozens of criminals being deported to New Zealand even if they have no ties to the country other than their kiwi passport.

Ms Ardern mentioned that issue on the Today show on Friday morning but said she would not demand immediate changes.

'We've never asked deportations as a general rule to stop. We won't be hypocritical about it, because we do it too.

'It's just those extraordinary cases that trouble us,' she said.

'I want to give the PM some time to consider that. It's been a bugbear for us for a long time, so I would like to see movement on it.'

Ms Ardern said she was angry about people being deported when they have spent their 'entire formative years' in Australia and are 'essentially Australian'.

'Sending them back to New Zealand, that's where we've had the grievance,' she said.

On her last trip to Australia in 2020, Ms Ardern blasted Scott Morrison over the policy, saying: 'Do not deport your people and your problems'.
Central Sydney pubs and bars could be surrounded by bustling crowds of drinkers come summer if a push to abolish council rules from a 'bygone era' is successful in a move welcomed by the hospitality industry.

Sydney patrons in the CBD areas are forced to sit while eating or drinking in al fresco areas.

This is unlike elsewhere in the state, in other state capitals such as Melbourne or even famous pub cities such as London where bustling crowds can sometimes be seen standing outside venues.

While Sydneysiders have embraced the city's al fresco hospitality areas (above), they aren't allowed to stand while drinking or eating thanks to a rule that council is set to change pending public consultation

Disgruntled patrons told to take a seat may not realise this isn't a strange house rule but something enforced by City of Sydney Council and now there is a concerted push within council to change the regulations.

Australian Hotels Association NSW director John Green told Daily Mail Australia that he welcomed the initiative.

'The standing rule is from a bygone era, it's old-style licensing,' Mr Green said.

He said the regulation was a hangover from inside dining regulations that did not need to be applied to outside areas.

Melburnians enjoying a drink while outside on Chapel Street in a scene which could be replicated in Sydney if council gets rid of 'anachronistic red tape' that prevents this

Central Sydney's explosion in al fresco dining, driven by the 'fresh air' demands of the Covid era, presented an opportunity that should be grabbed, Mr Green believed.

'It's a good move and brings City of Sydney into line with the rest of NSW,' he said.

'It allows people to stay outside in a Covid-safe manner and takes advantage of Sydney's temperate weather.'

Liberal councillor and aspiring rooftop bar owner Lyndon Gannon is leading the push.

The Australian Hotels Association has welcome the move to allow outside drinkers to stand in Sydney saying that it is a 'Covid-safe' measure

On Facebook he labelled the requirement to stand while drinking outside a venue as 'anachronistic red tape'.

'The current outdoor dining guidelines that require patrons to be seated are a hangover from the pre-lockout era,' he wrote on Facebook.

'Sydney has changed, and so should this requirement.

'By this summer I want to see people lining the streets, enjoying themselves with glasses of Chablis in hand.'

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Sydney major Clover Moore and deputy mayor Jess Scully are also in favour of the move.

'We'd love to see bars and restaurants introduce tall tables in outdoor areas to allow more space to eat and drink outside,' Ms Scully told the paper.

Sydney major Clover Moore is said to be backing changes to hospitality rules that prevent people from standing and drinking outside venues in a move pushed by a Liberal councillor

What stands in their way are these rules from Council's 2021 outdoor dining guidelines: 'Outdoor seating areas can only be used by seated patrons consuming food or drink. Patrons are not permitted to eat or drink or whilst standing in the approved outdoor seating area.'

Despite what seems to be solid council support for making the change, Ms Scully indicated that any proposed change would still have to be subject to public consultation period.

Last October Sydney council allowed people to stand while drinking outside as a Covid measure but venues needed to apply for a special permit.

For almost a year during the pandemic people could not even stand while drinking inside NSW venues due to Covid restrictions.

Then NSW deputy premier John Barilaro and then-treasurer (now premier) Dominic Perrottet celebrate the end to the long Covid ban on drinkers being able stand in NSW on St Patrick's Day 2021

However, that rule was lifted in March this year with some fanfare in time for St Patick's Day, which then state deputy premier John Barilaro and then treasurer, now premier, Dominic Perrottet were keen to be seen celebrating.

Revoking the rule against drinking and eating while standing could prove a boon to the city's hospitality industry, which is showing signs of emerging from the Covid period.

After being allowed as a Covid-safe option al fresco dining has taken off in Sydney with more than 440 applications for such areas.

Mr Green said that while central Sydney's hospitality sector was rebounding from the Covid restrictions, there were still flat patches.

'Some parts of the CBD are still struggling with business day trade through the winter months,' he said.
Cases of child cruelty and neglect have surged by 25 per cent in the past year with more than 26,000 offences logged by police forces across England, new figures show.

Freedom of information (FOI) requests reveal there were 26,307 cruelty and neglect offences reported in 2021/22, according to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).

The alarming figure, collected from 36 of the country's 39 forces, represents an average of 72 cases a day, and is a 25 per cent increase from the 21,102 cases counted the year before.

It comes two weeks after the publication of the Independent Review into Children's Social Care and the National Review into the deaths of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Star Hobson, which showed the need for a 'reset of the child protection system'.

Arthur was subjected to a sustained campaign of cruelty and torture by his stepmother Emma Tustin, 32, and his father Thomas Hughes 29 - who starved and ultimately beat the six-year-old to death in June 2020.

Star was just 16 months old when she was murdered by her mother's girlfriend Savannah Brockhill at her home in Keighley, West Yorkshire, in September 2020.

Relatives of both children had tried to raise the alarm with social services.

Several other similar cases have shocked the nation over the past year, including that of five-year-old Logan Mwangi, who was murdered by his mother, stepfather and an unnamed 14-year-old boy last July.

But in yet another astonishing failing by social services, workers missed at least two opportunities to rescue the schoolboy from the clutches of his parents John Cole, 40 and Angharad Williamson, 31, who 'kept him prisoner' in his dark bedroom - likened to a 'dungeon' - with a baby gate barring him from leaving after testing positive for coronavirus on July 20.

Arthur Labinjo-Hughes (pictured) was subjected to a sustained campaign of cruelty and torture by his stepmother Emma Tustin, 32, and his father Thomas Hughes 29 - who starved and ultimately beat the six-year-old to death in June 2020

Star Hobson (pictured) was just 16 months old when she was murdered by her mother's girlfriend Savannah Brockhill at her home in Keighley, West Yorkshire, in September 2020.

John Cole, 40, and Angharad Williamson, 31, of Sarn, Bridgend, were convicted of killing Logan Mwangi (trio pictured together) by a jury of five men and seven women at Cardiff Crown Court after five hours of deliberation

The children failed by the system: How social services missed multiple opportunities to save horrifically abused children Star Hobson, murdered September 22, 2020 Star Hobson Star Hobson was only 16 months old when she was killed at her home in Keighley, West Yorkshire. Star was murdered by her mother Frankie Smith's girlfriend Savannah Brockhill after suffering months of abuse in her home during the Covid lockdown last year. Frankie Smith 20, was handed an eight-year sentence for allowing her daughter's death. This was extended to 12 years in March for being too lenient. Brockhill, 28, was convicted of murder and jailed for life with a minimum term of 25 years. No appeal was made against her sentence. It was revealed that social services had missed five opportunities to stop her killers in the months before her death on September 22, 2020. Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, murdered June 16, 2020 Arthur Labinjo-Hughes Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, aged six, was murdered by his cruel stepmother Emma Tustin in June. She was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 29 years and the boy's father Thomas Hughes was jailed for 21 years for manslaughter. The boy had been seen by social workers just two months before his death, but they concluded there were no safeguarding concerns. In October 2019, Aileen Carabine, a special educational coordinator at Arthur's school, said Arthur 'deteriorated' that month. Kyrell Matthews, murdered October 20, 2019 Kyrell Matthews Kyrell Matthews, aged two, was left with 41 rib fractures and internal injuries by the time of his death after weeks of cruelty at the hands of his mother Phylesia Shirley and her boyfriend Kemar Brown. Brown was convicted of murder while Shirley was acquitted of murder but found guilty of the alternative charge of manslaughter. They appeared alongside each other in the dock as Brown was sentenced to at least 25 years in prison while Shirley was jailed for 13 years. The toddler, who was non-verbal, could be heard crying and screaming on distressing audio files taken from Shirley's phone and played to jurors during the trial. Brown and Shirley are understood to have been visited by social services at least once. Advertisement

The NSPCC released its latest figures on Friday, Childhood Day, to highlight the importance of everyone playing their part in keeping children safe.

The charity urged that vulnerable children are prioritised due to the scale of the problem coming out of the pandemic.

It has also called for children's social care in England to focus on early intervention and political leadership from the top of Government.

Sir Peter Wanless, chief executive of the NSPCC, said: 'The statistics we have released today demonstrate the worrying scale of abuse and neglect. This must be a priority for the Government.

'The evidence from a series of reviews have shown where and how to better resource and support a child protection system that works better for all those who need it. Now is the time for action.

'But our message isn't just for politicians. It's vital to remember that child abuse can be prevented.

'As thousands of people get behind Childhood Day today, they demonstrate their support for positive change and their willingness to play a part in keeping children safe.'

For Childhood Day, schools across the UK are taking part in the NSPCC's Big Breaktime, an extra hour of play to help raise funds.

The NSPCC also urges anyone with concerns about a child, even if they are unsure, to contact its helpline on 0808 800 5000, email help@nspcc.org.uk or fill in the online form.

It comes after a review ordered after the horrific deaths of Star and Arthur late last month found relatives' warnings were 'too often' disregarded by social services.

The way child protection is approached in England needs to 'change fundamentally', the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel said.

Its experts concluded that dedicated child protection teams made up of experienced police, healthcare staff and social workers should be set up in every council area to prevent similar tragedies from happening again.

The national review found that the fatal abuses suffered by Arthur, six, and Star, 16 months, 'are not isolated incidents', but reflective of wider problems with poor information sharing and weak decision-making.

The two children suffered horrific deaths at the hands of their parents and step-parents in 2020 despite relatives in both cases raising concerns with the authorities about suspected ongoing abuse in the months before they were killed.

The review was ordered by the Education Secretary as the country reeled from the murder trials which shed shocking light on the abuse perpetrated in each case.

It found that the concerns raised by their wider family members were 'too often' disregarded and not properly investigated - with Arthur's father being considered a 'protective father' while complaints about Star's parents were deemed to be 'malicious'.

Professionals were increasingly kept at arms length by those perpetrating the abuse, and they failed to identify a 'pattern of parental disengagement and avoidant behaviour', the report also found.

In response to the findings, Arthurs cousin, Bernie Dixon, told Sky News that the 'whole system needs an overhaul'.

She added: 'If they suspect theres abuse I believe they should have the power to remove that child.

'The RSPCA can remove a dog but social services cant remove a child without official documentation and I think that needs to be looked at for emergency purposes.'

The report recommends dedicated multi-agency teams staffed by experienced child protection professionals be set up in every local authority area to investigate allegations of serious harm to children.

The review also concluded that the Government should establish a national child protection board to better co-ordinate child protection policy.

In a foreword to the report, review chairwoman Annie Hudson said the current safeguarding system is not broken, but there is too much ambiguity and inconsistency which does not serve children, their families or professionals well.

Existing multi-agency safeguarding arrangements 'are not yet fit for purpose everywhere', she added.

Dedicated child protection teams should be set up in every council area, according to a review into the deaths of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes (pictured right) and Star Hobson (pictured left)

Prosecutors described the injuries Star suffered as 'utterly catastrophic' and 'unsurvivable'

Emma Tustin and Thomas Hughes: The parents whose abuse of Arthur shocked nation Emma Tustin, 32, is serving a 29-year prison sentence at HMP Peterborough after being convicted of Arthur's murder at her home in Solihull, west Midlands, on December 3. The evil stepmother killed the young boy by repeatedly slamming his head on a hard surface after she and his father Thomas Hughes, 29, force-fed him food laden with salt. Details of Arthur's cruel abuse and treatment, including being poisoned with salt, emerged during the Tustin's trial at Coventry Crown Court and caused widespread shock, revulsion and grief. The youngster had been subjected to months of 'unimaginable' abuse by Hughes and Tustin before he was murdered during lockdown on June 17 last year. In one haunting video, Arthur was seen struggling to stand before slumping to the floor of the living room. His father, Hughes, was sentenced to 21 years in prison for manslaughter. Tustin is currently housed at HMP Peterborough and Hughes at HMP Wakefield Advertisement

The review was commissioned in December 2021 by Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi following the deaths of Arthur and Star to look at what could be done to prevent things from going so 'horrifyingly wrong' in future.

The panel interviewed just under 80 professionals in Bradford, Birmingham and Solihull; the children's family members, including Star's mother and her mother's partner; and drew on 1,500 rapid reviews of serious incidents since it was formed.

It found that child protection work is inherently complex, but the current system does not give professionals the best opportunity at cutting through this complexity 'to get to the truth of what life is like for children'.

It identified a reliance on quickly pulling together a team from overstretched agencies every time there is a child protection concern, which is 'certainly inefficient and often ineffective'.

The review noted the importance of challenging assumptions and biases relating to culture, ethnicity, gender and sexuality when safeguarding children.

It said the role of women in perpetrating abuse may have impacted on how professionals perceived the risk to children, 'given societal beliefs about women as caregivers'.

Arthur was murdered in June 2020 by his stepmother Emma Tustin while his father Thomas Hughes, 29, was found guilty of his son's manslaughter.

During the trial, the court heard Arthur was subjected to horrific abuse in the months before his death.

He was regularly beaten, starved and deprived of water and food he was given was sometimes laced with salt by Tustin to make it inedible.

The six-year-old suffered an unsurvivable brain injury while in the care of Tustin at her home in Solihull and died on June 16, 2020.

The review said a judgment seemingly became fixed early on that Mr Hughes was a 'protective father', which was reasonable at the time but was never challenged when circumstances changed.

The photograph taken by Arthur's paternal grandmother (right) prompted a referral to social services, however the bruises were put down to 'play-fighting' with another youngster

Pictured: Emma Tustin was jailed for at least 29 years after being convicted of murdering Arthur Labinjo-Hughes and Arthur's father Thomas Hughes got 21 years for manslaughter

Star's mother claims she was killed in jealous rage amid break-up Star's mother Frankie Smith has told her family that her partner Savannah Brockhill killed 16-month-old Star in a 'jealous rage' because she had tried to end the relationship. David Fawcett, Star's great-grandad, told Sky News: 'This is the horrible thing I've recently learned.' Star's mother 'told Savannah that was it. I'm done', he said. 'And that was the day when Star passed away And Frankie has even said 'she did that because I was leaving her. And it was the only way she could get at me'.' Social services missed five opportunities to stop Star's killers in the months before her death on September 22, 2020. Jurors heard that Smith's family and friends had growing fears about bruising they saw on the little girl in the months before she died and made a series of complaints to social services. In each case, Brockhill and Smith managed to convince social workers that marks on Star were accidental or that the complaints were made maliciously by people who did not like their relationship. Before her death, Star had suffered many serious injuries, skull and rib fractures, and a twice-fractured leg. The couple would punish the toddler by making her face the wall, though she could barely stand. They took sadistic pleasure in videoing her as they abused her, filming her from different angles as she dozed off in her chair, toppled out, and hit her head on the floor. Brockhill set the footage to music and sent it to friends with the caption: 'I've laughed so hard.' Justice Lambert QC, said Star had become a victim of the couple's 'petty squabbles and jealous fights'. She said Star's life was marked by 'neglect, cruelty and injury' before she was murdered by Brockhill. Advertisement

Concerns about Arthur's bruising raised by family members were not taken seriously, photographs of the bruising were not shared between agencies, his voice was not always heard and too many assessments relied on his father's perspective, it found.

Star was murdered by her mother's girlfriend Savannah Brockhill at her home in Keighley, West Yorkshire, in September 2020.

Star's mother Frankie Smith, 20, was found guilty of causing or allowing the youngster's death.

During the murder trial, prosecutors described how the injuries that caused Star's death involved extensive damage to her abdominal cavity 'caused by a severe and forceful blow or blows, either in the form of punching, stamping or kicking to the abdomen' - with all the force of a crashing car.

As doctors fought to save her, they found half her blood supply pooling in her abdomen and damage to her liver, pancreas and kidneys.

The court heard social services missed five opportunities to stop Star's killers in the months before her death

The newly published review has found that an explanation that concern from a family member might have been malicious and rooted in a dislike of her mother's same-sex relationship was 'too easily accepted'.

Bradford children's social care service was 'in turmoil' in 2020, with a high turnover of social workers and a high volume of work affecting quality and contributing to assessments that were 'too superficial' and did not address repeated concerns from family members.

Ms Hudson said there are 'fundamental fault lines' in the system that need to be addressed.

She said: 'We're really clear in our report that the issues that we saw there are also issues that we've seen in other instances, and that we believe that the way the system is set up, and the conditions in which practitioners are having to work and make decisions, actually makes it very difficult sometimes for them to really know what was going on and to really work together effectively to protect children.'

Mr Zahawi thanked Arthur and Star's families for their contributions to the report, and said: 'We must waste no time learning from the findings of this review  enough is enough.

'I will set up a new Child Protection Ministerial group, a first and immediate step in responding to these findings, before setting out a bold implementation plan later this year to bring about a fundamental shift in how we support better outcomes for our most vulnerable children and families.'

Savannah Brockhill (left) and Frankie Smith (right) were jailed for their roles in Star's death

Sir Peter Wanless, NSPCC chief executive, said Arthur and Star's deaths 'have left a lasting scar on the nation'.

He said: 'It is heart-breaking that it had to take these tragedies to shine a light on the shortfalls in the child protection system.

'Now, we must ensure the memory of Arthur and Star acts as a catalyst for the fundamental changes necessary to prevent further deaths.

'This review lays bare an all-too-familiar story of a system struggling to cope. Social workers, police, health practitioners and teachers, however hard they are working as individuals, know they cannot do this alone.'

Janice Hawkes, independent chairwoman of the Bradford Partnership, apologised for the 'awful circumstances' of Star's death, and said the partnership is 'entirely committed to improving the safety of children across Bradford'.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin has brazenly asserted that he now must retake and strengthen Ukraine, appearing to finally concede that the invasion was about reclaiming Russian territory.

The Russian warrior held meetings with young entrepreneurs and professionals in Moscow before the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, in which he compared himself to Peter the Great, the 18th-century Russian king who waged war on Sweden.

Putin Compares Himself to Peter The Great

Until now, Putin and his propagandists have used everything from a phantom NATO threat to neo-Nazis he falsely claimed had overtaken Ukraine as justifications for his unjustified and brutal invasion of Russia's neighbors.

However, after more than 100 days of fighting, Putin has publicly said that he is restoring land to Russia. Peter the Great was the Russian monarch in the early 18th century, and many believe his expansionist ambitions and military reforms helped Russia become the powerful country it is today.

Putin frequently praises Peter for conquering land and power for Russia, claiming that he laid the basis for Russia to become a global superpower. He went on to declare that the European Union is a colonial of the United States and that no nation can be both sovereign and a colony at the same time.

The savage then stated that even a historical organization like the EU has little chance of surviving in such a difficult geopolitical war. Putin stated that despite the West's reduced reliance on the Russian energy supply, Russian enterprises will not shut down their oil wells, Mirror reported.

Read Also: Russian-backed Separatists in Ukraine Sentence 2 Britons, 1 Morrocan to Death by Firing Squad After 'Show Trial'

Putin's Bizarre Public Appearance

Following a string of losses in the war he launched in Ukraine in late February, Putin's forces have allegedly achieved greater success in recent weeks by focusing on smaller towns and villages in eastern Ukraine. However, there have been several reports of the Russian troops withdrawing from some locations.

Putin said he convened the gathering of young minds ahead of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum because he wanted to hear thoughts on "where we are now, where we are heading, and what we need to do to secure our absolute and unconditional success" benefiting Russia.

A Belarussian reporter, Tadeusz Giczan, stated that Putin inserted an additional sentence in his biography of Peter the Great that was not included in the Kremlin's translation of his remarks. Putin also made statements on military-political sovereignty that may be seen as referring to Ukraine elsewhere, according to Newsweek via MSN.

According to a body language expert Judi James, Putin exhibited his strangely hilarious side in a startling exhibition at a Q&A event. The warmonger appeared to welcome the opportunity to show a different side of himself.

She described his demeanor as arrogant, implying that he finds irony or sarcasm in the present global disaster he has produced. His smiles, nods, and gesticulations appeared to contradict some of his frightening remarks about the scenario, she noted.

Given what is happening in Ukraine, James said Putin's warmth and humor appeared chilling. The expert also commented on how Putin's body language squared up with current rumors about his ill health, which is thought to be cancer, Parkinson's disease, or both, and Western intelligence sources have claimed that he recently underwent surgery, as per Daily Star.

Related Article: [Report] Russian Soldiers Plot Fake Marriages To Escape Participation in War as More Troops Die in Ukraine

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The BBC has apologised to renowned sculptor Sir Antony Gormley for wrongly reporting that he was giving up his British nationality because of Brexit.

Last Saturdays BBC1 10.30pm news bulletin said the artist was giving up his British passport because of the UKs decision to leave the European Union, and that he had described the move as embarrassing.

But the corporation, which has faced claims of being biased against Brexit, has been forced to admit it got it wrong.

The BBC said: Sir Antony Gormley is not giving up his British nationality and has asked us to make clear the circumstances behind his application for a German passport.

Sir Antony holds dual nationality as a result of having a German mother and has decided to apply for a German passport, which he will hold alongside his British one.

In a statement he says he remains a proud British citizen. We apologise for the mistake.

BBC apologised for wrongly reporting famous sculptor Sir Antony Gormley was giving up his British nationality because of Brexit. He said he remains a proud British citizen

As well as publishing an apology on its website, it is understood the corporation also privately said sorry to Sir Antony.

The 71-year-old artist, who won the Turner Prize in 1994, is known for his Angel of the North sculpture in Gateshead which was completed in 1998. Claims that the BBC has lacked impartiality in the Brexit debate include criticism over its gloomy reporting of the referendum result and the amount of airtime it gives to diehard Remainers.

The corporation has also faced regular criticism that it holds a metropolitan mindset that is out of touch with large parts of the UK.

According to a report in The Observer last weekend, Sir Antony said: Im embarrassed about Brexit.

Its a practical disaster, a betrayal of my parents and grandparents sacrifice to make a Europe that was not going to be divided again. Its a tragedy.
Google stood accused of bias last night after analysis showed it promoted news stories from Left-leaning publishers over those from the Right.

The Daily Mail looked at which outlets articles were returned in last weeks top 11 most searched terms about Boris Johnson.

The study found that The Guardian came up 38 times in the search results and The Independent was cited 14 times. Yet the Daily Telegraph came up just four times, the Daily Express three times and MailOnline twice.

BBC News, which has been accused by some Conservatives of anti-Johnson bias, came up 24 times, along with nine further results for other BBC outlets.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said the analysis proved what many had feared. And she promised action in a forthcoming bill to address unfair bias and distortion.

The Daily Mail looked at which outlets articles were returned in last weeks top 11 most searched terms about Boris Johnson

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said the analysis proved what many had feared. And she promised action in a forthcoming bill to address unfair bias and distortion

Google stood accused of bias last night after analysis showed it promoted news stories from Left-leaning publishers over those from the Right (file image)

I have raised the issue of bias and algorithms distorting democratic content and opinion with Google, she added. They have promised to revert to me with evidence that this is not the case which I have yet to receive.

This evidence published by the Mail is fairly conclusive and tells us what many have suspected all along.

We are looking at how we can address unfair bias and distortion in the forthcoming digital competition bill.

Google decides where to rank news outlets stories on its search website based not on clicks, but based on an algorithm devised by the tech firm.

This means it is not the most read story which tops the list, but those stories that Google determines carry more relevance and authority.

The study looked at the top online search terms relating to the Prime Minister, including Boris Johnson, Boris Johnson no confidence, Boris Johnson confidence vote and Lee Mack Boris Johnson.

The study looked at the top online search terms relating to the Prime Minister, including Boris Johnson, Boris Johnson no confidence, Boris Johnson confidence vote and Lee Mack Boris Johnson

The last was a reference to comedian Lee Macks joke about Partygate during the Queens Platinum Jubilee concert on Saturday.

The most searched phrases for the week up to June 8 came from Google Trends, the firms analytic service.

Each of these terms was then typed into Google Search in the UK. The researcher added up the total number of results returned for each source, giving 38 for The Guardian. Second came BBC News on 24, then The Independent on 14 and Sky News on 13.

ITV News scored six, while there were five results each for Wikipedia, the Financial Times, the Associated Press news agency and the US-based Public Broadcasting Service.

The last was a reference to comedian Lee Macks joke about Partygate during the Queens Platinum Jubilee concert on Saturday

The last group received more than twice as many Google search results in the UK as MailOnline, despite the latters widespread popularity.

Four results were returned by the Daily Telegraph, CNN and a minor outlet called BBC Learning English.

The Daily Express, the Washington Post and Parliament.uk all returned three results. MailOnline and Metro were down at two each  putting them on a par with Facebook, the Governments gov.uk website and Britannica. The Times and the Daily Mirror received one search result each, while Londons Evening Standard and The Sun had no results returned at all.

The analysis covered a period when all media outlets were carrying many stories every day on the Prime Minister when he was facing a no-confidence vote by Conservative MPs.

A spokesperson for Google said: 'The Daily Mails claims are completely inaccurate. Distorting results in the way they suggest would harm our business and is fundamentally not how Search works.

'Numerous independent studies including by Stanford and The Economist have demonstrated there is no political bias in Search and News results; as the Economist concluded: 'Google rewards reputable reporting, not left-wing politics'.'
A construction industry boss has called for a building site ban on energy drinks, but what do they actually do to the body?

Paul Breen, who trains up to 500 young tradespeople in western Sydney each year, told Daily Mail Australia the sugary, caffeinated drinks are damaging the health of young tradies and making work slower.

Newbies are arriving on work sites with the habit of consuming several energy drinks a day to make up for lack of sleep and poor physical condition.

This new infographic by Peronalise.co.uk looks at what happens to your body after drinking an energy drink

Paul Breen trains hundreds of young tradies a year and regularly advises them on the benefits of eating healthier food. Pictured: Some of the young tradespeople taking part in his training course. Daily Mail is not suggesting the group above is addicted to energy drinks

After drinking up to six cans a day for seven months, English student Vinny Pyner, 21, began to have tooth pain. He hid his teeth from his mother, until the front four teeth snapped when he bit into an apple

Mr Breen reckons around '50 per cent' of the young tradies he trains have an energy drink habit.

His call-out to the industry was met with support by health professionals and from family members and partners of tradies but predictably a mixed response from people who rely on them.

'Frickin finally,' one boss said. 'Imagine trying to enforce that?' said a Tamworth auto electrician.

'Good luck enforcing that, plenty of employers having their teeth knocked out,' said a Melbourne man.

'What people eat and drink is their business,' said one woman.

But relying on the drinks often means the tradies have concentration problems and a crash in energy levels once the effects of the drinks wear off - as quickly as one hour later.

Leading nutritionist Leanne Elliston says tradies and anyone relying on energy drinks should limit it to just one and eat fruit or a nut-based cereal bar for energy

Leading construction trainer Paul Breen has called for energy drinks to be banned from Australian building sites because tradies consume so many of the unhealthy beverages that their work and health is suffering. Electrical apprentice Matt Glass (above) gave up energy drinks after doing Mr Breen's training and completing his own research

Multiple studies have linked sugary energy drinks to prostate, breast and colorectal cancer, kidney problems, obesity and mental health issues including increased anxiety, depression and problems concentrating.

The Australian Dental Association also told Daily Mail Australia that it believes energy drink consumption is contributing to more and more young people losing their teeth - some as teenagers.

Mr Breen tries to educate the young tradies in good nutrition so they have energy all day long. He said trainees are willing to change their bad habits when shown what works better.

Leanne Elliston from Nutrition Australia said if possible tradies - and the many other workers who rely on energy drinks in the morning, such as people in transport, factory work and warehousing, should plan out their meals.

'A better option is to plan food intake over the day and start with a decent breakfast, that'll give you more energy - yes, actually eating something.

'Allowing yourself some time to eat some porridge or cereal or eggs.'

If there's no time, she suggests 'nut-based cereal bars or a piece of fruit, or those squishy packs of low sugar yoghurt.'

'If you do choose energy drinks, know your limits.. have one but dont go back for more.'

Ms Elliston said a workplace culture of using relying on energy drinks doesn't help people maintain good health.

Dentist Dr Kaejenn Tchia (pictured) said in extreme cases teenagers are losing their teeth partly due to energy drinks

In 2019 an English 21-year-old, Vinny Pyner, got hooked on the drink to help him stay awake for his college studies and ended up snapping his weakened teeth.

Soon he was drinking up to 45 cans a week and his mother, Tara, 46, became concerned about his addiction.

Newbies are arriving on work sites with the habit of consuming several energy drinks a day to make up for lack of sleep and poor physical condition

His front four teeth eventually snapped when he bit into an apple after seven months of guzzling the drink at every meal.

Health experts have been calling for people to consume less of the sugary, caffeinated drinks for decades now, but if anything servos stock more cans and more brands than ever.

Electrical apprentice Matt Glass told Daily Mail Australia the drinks are so cheap that his workmates have 'two for breakfast and two for lunch' each day.

Here, in a step-by-step guide, we describe what happens 10 minutes, two hours, and even 12 days after you finish a can.

The data, from gift site Personalise, offered an alarming insight into the science of the drink.

Studies have also claimed Red Bull and liquor cocktails have the same effect as cocaine on a teenager's brain.

Just as with the Class A drug, the cocktail can have a devastating affect on the chemical balance of the brain that lasts long into adulthood.

This is a taste of the effect it has on the body in the first 12 days of finishing a can:

FIRST 10 MINUTES AFTER FINISHING A CAN

The caffeine begins to permeate your bloodstream.

In turn, your heart rate and blood pressure start to pick up pace.

15-45 MINUTES LATER

If you drink it fast, you'll start feeling more alert and concentrated around 15 minutes later. Slow drinkers may not feel the effects for about 40 minutes.

30-50 MINUTES LATER

Caffeine absorption is complete. Your pupils dilate, your blood pressure rises, as a response your livers dumps more sugar into your bloodstream. The adenosine receptors in your brain are now blocked preventing drowsiness.

Your blood sugar spikes, causing an insulin burst. Your liver responds to this by turning any sugar it can get its hands on into fat - of which there is plenty.

1 HOUR LATER

Your body starts to experience a sugar crash, as well as the effects of the caffeine dying down, you'll start to feel tired and energy levels will start to feel low.

You've also now urinated out all the water that was in the energy drink.

First, however, that water infused with valuable nutrients that your body could have used hydrate your system or strengthen your bone, which were also washed out.

5-6 HOURS LATER

It takes this long for the amount of caffeine to halve in your body.

For women who take the Pill, it will take 10 hours.

12 HOURS LATER

The time that it takes most people to fully remove caffeine from their bloodstream.

The speed at which this happens does depend on many factors from age to activity.

12-24 HOURS LATER

Withdrawal symptoms kick in.

About a day after you had your caffeine hit, you're in the mood for another.

If you have become used to a daily - or more regular - fix, you will start to feel lethargic, distressed, experience headaches and constipation.

7-12 DAYS LATER

Studies have shown this to be the time frame for your body to become tolerant to your regular caffeine dosage.

That means you'll get used to it and won't feel the effects as much.
Algorithms direct Google users to a little-known website called BBC Learning English ahead of major news brands such as the Daily Mail.

Founded in 1943, it is a department of the World Service and provides free online resources and activities for teachers and students.

Some of these are news stories that prompt English learners to ask questions. In the case of the Boris Johnson story one of those concerns the meaning of the phrase 'dead man walking'.

Other pieces on the BBC Learning English site appear politically charged. One asks whether women make better leaders than men because they are 'more caring'.

Some of these are news stories that prompt English learners to ask questions. In the case of the Boris Johnson story one of those concerns the meaning of the phrase 'dead man walking'

It says: 'What is it like to be a woman leader in a man's world? What are the risks women take when they're in leadership positions? And what do women do differently as leaders?

'In the first part of our series on leadership, we discuss the 'Finnish Five' - the coalition of woman leaders who govern Finland  and learn how they put care at the heart of the decisions they make and goals they set.'

There is no mention of Margaret Thatcher or Theresa May.

Another speaks out in praise of the environmental activist Greta Thunberg. It states: 'Passion for a cause and persistence can help a lone voice turn into a loud international chorus.'
One of the UKs spy chiefs said yesterday that China was threatening the future of the internet and the West was facing a moment of reckoning.

The deputy director of strategy at GCHQ, who was named only as Ann, told Cheltenham Science Festival: We in the West have been fortunate that a lot of the technology which has driven the internet has been informed by Western liberal values, democratic values, but that is not going to be the picture going forward.

'So we can see that there is a big shift to the East. There is a potential clash of values there.

She added that Beijings values are unlike the values that we hold to be important in the West.

Last year, Dominic Raab, the then Foreign Secretary, said China was engaged in systematic cyber sabotage.

In the past China erased social media accounts of independent news providers for spreading politically harmful information, maliciously falsifying (Communist) party history, slandering heroes and defaming the nations image.

Last summer an arm of GCHQ, the National Cyber Security Centre, said it was highly likely that a group of hackers called Hafnium were associated with the Chinese state.

These hackers were accused of launching a reckless attack which compromised 250,000 servers worldwide, by exploiting a vulnerability in Microsoft Exchange servers which left organisations at risk of industrial espionage and ransomware attacks.

Chinese President Xi Jinping adjusts his jacket at a ceremony to honour contributions to the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics

Mr Raab said at the time: The Chinese government must end this systematic cyber sabotage and can expect to be held to account if it does not.

Concerns have also been raised in recent years about TikToks connections with Chinas Communist regime, as parent company ByteDance has its headquarters in Beijing.

Republican senator Josh Hawley has previously called it a company compromised by the Chinese Communist Party that knows where your children are, knows what they look like, what their voices sound like, what theyre watching.

In recent years, China has erased the social media accounts of independent news providers for violations including spreading politically harmful information, maliciously falsifying (Chinese Communist) party history, slandering heroes and defaming the nations image.

On the Wests potential clash with Chinese values when it comes to the internet, Ann told Cheltenham Science Festival: Collaboration with our partners is absolutely essential.

You know, this is a moment of reckoning for the West really.

She also issued a warning about Russia, stating: Its really clear that Russia has engaged in a mass state-orchestrated campaign of disinformation and that they have sought to undermine international support for Ukraine.

Theyve sought to come up with lots of fictitious reasons to justify their actions in Ukraine.

Adding that Russians had tried to break the Ukrainians spirits, she added: I think the UK government has taken the step - the very unusual step I should add - of really calling that out.

Last year, Dominic Raab, then Foreign Secretary, said China was engaged in systematic cyber sabotage'

The deputy director of strategy and policy discussed the decision made to declassify highly classified intelligence suggesting Russian president Vladimir Putin had plans to install a puppet government in Ukraine.

The UK also made public an attack on a telecommunications company based in Ukraine, one hour before the invasion.

Ann said: I think it is up to us and our allies to be vigilant, particularly given some of the threats that have emerged more recently, and make sure that we are in a position to kind of call out that sort of state-sponsored disinformation when we see that.
The Washington Post has fired politics reporter Felicia Sonmez after she ignited a firestorm at the newspaper by publicly criticizing her colleagues and management.

Sonmez was let go for 'misconduct that includes insubordination, maligning your co-workers online and violating The Posts standards on workplace collegiality and inclusivity,' according to a widely reported termination email.

The Washington Post reports that Sonmez had been due to 'play a key role' in their reporting on the prime time January 6th riot hearings today before she was fired.

On the day she was let go, Sonmez tweeted: 'I care deeply about my colleagues, and I want this institution to provide support for all employees. Right now, The Post is a place where many of us fear our trauma will be used against us, based on the company's past actions.'

Sonmez, 39, was fired after a week where she publicly scrapped with several of her colleagues and accused management of failing to support female staff and only protecting 'white stars.'

It began last week after political reporter Dave Weigel retweeted an off-color joke which stated: 'Every girl is bi. You just have to figure out if it's bisexual or bipolar.'

Sonmez, who previously sued her employers over claims she was banned from reporting on sexual assault before the suit was thrown out in March this year, repeatedly slammed his retweet as 'sexist.'

She also retweeted his tweet, sarcastically writing: 'Fantastic to work at a news outlet where retweets like this are allowed.'

Weigel apologized for the retweet but was suspended for a month without pay nonetheless.

Felicia Sonmez first joined The Post in 2010, leaving in 2013, and rejoining in 2018

This was the retweet that David Weigel sent out which began the controversy

Weigel was suspended without pay for a month

Sonmez first joined The Post in 2010 before leaving in 2013 only to rejoin in 2018.

The day after Weigel's controversial retweet, another of Sonmez's former colleagues, Jose A. Del Real, while conceding that Weigel's retweet was 'terrible and unacceptable,' accused her of 'repeated and targeted public harassment of a colleague.'

Del Real also accused Sonmez of 'rallying the internet to attack for a mistake he made doesn't actually solve anything.' The reporter continued: 'We all mess up in some way or another. There is such a thing as challenging with compassion.'

In her response to Del Real, Sonmez said that 'calling out sexism isn't cruelty.' She also said: 'When women stand up for themselves, some people respond with even more vitriol.'

The pair exchanged Twitter blows until Del Real blocked Sonmez on Sunday. Sonmez asked in one tweet why no action was taken against Del Real for his messages.

In the midst of that Twitter spat, Del Real deactivated and reactivated his Twitter account, reports New York Magazine.

On Monday, The Washington Post's Executive Editor, Sally Buzbee, who has been in the job less than a year, sent out a memo to staff discussing professional etiquette.

Buzbee sent out a second memo on Tuesday saying that management would not 'tolerate colleagues attacking colleagues either face to face or online. Respect for others is critical to any civil society, including our newsroom.'

A video technician with The Post, Breanna Muir, replied to that memo saying that the newspaper had a 'toxic work environment,' reports The Daily Beast.

Sonmez sent out this message on the same day that she was fired

One of Sonmez's former colleagues accused her of 'repeated and targeted public harassment of a colleague'

During this Twitter exchange, Del Real deactivated and reactivated his Twitter account

Del Real later blocked Sonmez on Twitter

During this time, Sonmez was active on her Twitter page posting a long thread accusing management of preferential treatment to more prominent reporters.

Also during this time, several Post employees tweeted about their pride in working at the newspaper.

Those who said they were proud were called out by Sonmez in a Twitter thread on Thursday in which she pointed out that they were 'all white' and were 'among the 'stars' who 'get away with murder' on social media.'

Sonmez also said: 'Of course The Washington Post is a great workplace. It is a great workplace *for them.* The system is working *for them.* What about for everyone else? The General Assignment team? The Morning Mix team? The newsletter researchers?'

When The Post's Lisa Rein tweeted at Sonmez saying: 'Please stop.' Sonmez replied: 'Do you have any idea of the torrent of abuse I'm facing right now?'

In another exchange, Sonmez criticized national editor Matea Gold for suggesting that reporters take time to 'look after their mental health' following the shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde in May.

Sonmez said that she was once reprimanded for telling an editor that she 'needed to take a walk around the block after reading a difficult story.'

This was not the first time that Sonmez took on her former employers. In 2021, she sued the paper after claiming that she had been blacklisted from reporting on sexual assault stories because she had come forward about her own assault.

Sonmez had said The Post barred her from writing about Christine Blasey Fords sexual assault allegations against Brett Kavanaugh, now a Supreme Court justice, and that she was later taken off other stories.

Sonmez told The Times that a statement would come from her via The Washington Post Guild. The guild represents over 1,000 Post employees

Sonmez said that some at The Washington Post 'get away with murder' on social media'

Sonmez said that she was once punished for asking to take a walk after reading a difficult story

Sonmez sued The Washington Post in 2021 after she accused them of being blacklisted from certain stories

Sonmez was suspended in January 2021 after sending out this tweet about Kobe Bryant

The lawsuit was thrown out in March 2022.

Sonmez accused The Post's management of causing her 'economic loss, humiliation, embarrassment, mental and emotional distress.'

In his ruling on the lawsuit, Judge Anthony Epstein noted that The Post argued it took action against Sonmez because of her public statements, to avoid the appearance or perception of bias. That, he said, did not violate the law.

'A news publication has a constitutionally protected right to adopt and enforce policies intended to protect public trust in its impartiality and objectivity,' he wrote.

Sonmezs lawyer, Sundeep Hora, said in an email, 'We are disappointed in the court's reasoning and plan to appeal the decision.' Washington Post spokesperson Kris Coratti declined to comment.

In her complaint, she said one editor told her that "it would present `the appearance of a conflict of interest" for her to report on sexual misconduct.

In 2020, Sonmez was suspended by The Post after she tweeted out an article about Kobe Bryant's sexual assault case not long after his death.
Undercover detectives have pounced on an accused paedophile in a McDonalds carpark, foiling his alleged attempts to meet what he thought was a 13-year-old girl in the fast food restaurant.

The Queensland man, from Upper Coomera on the Gold Coast, was charged with a raft of child sex offences after detectives posed as a 13-year-old girl online to lure the man to McDonalds.

The 42-year-old man was hoping to meet the teen when he arrived at the Brisbane McDonalds on Thursday afternoon, instead finding himself face to face with Argos detectives.

Task Force Argos is a branch of the Queensland Police and was founded in 1997 to investigate institutional child abuse allegations.

The task force has since expanded its remit and is now responsible for the investigation of online child exploitation and abuse.

In the footage, the group of undercover detectives could be seen marching the handcuffed man, wearing no shoes and ripped jean shorts, to a nearby car.

The detectives masked their identity well, with one wearing a bright orange, high-vis shirt to look like a tradie while the other officers dressed casually in jeans and sneakers.

Investigations into the Upper Coomera man began last month when he contacted a social media profile run by an undercover Argos officer, posing as a 13-year old girl.

Police will allege the man engaged in behaviour which constituted grooming of a child, including sending explicit photographs and videos of himself.

The man's behaviour allegedly escalated to him making arrangements for the child to skip school in order to meet him for sexual activity in a local motel.

The man was charged with using the internet to procure a child under 16 years of age with a circumstance of aggravation that the offender, went to a place with the intention of meeting the child and four counts of grooming a child under 16 years of age with intent to expose to indecent matter.

Detective Inspector Glen Donaldson of Taskforce Argos said the case perfectly highlighted the risk posed to children by online predators and he urged parents to be vigilant with online safety.

'Research by the Commonwealth eSafety Commissioner has identified that 1 in 4 children have been approached by a stranger online. This is extremely concerning and highlights the need for parents to be aware of their child's online footprint and to speak with their child about online safety', Detective Inspector Donaldson said.

'Supervision is the key to prevention, as is ongoing communication with children about how to stay safe online and the dangers of having online "friends" they have never met face-to-face'.

A 42-year old Upper Coomera man has been charged with child sex offences relating to a 13 year-old girl who he planned to meet at a local McDonalds but instead met detectives.

The man allegedly sent explicit photos and videos and tried to meet the underage girl for sexual activity, however, he was speaking to an Argos detective posing as a teenager

'Every day Argos has undercover officers working in a range of online platforms to detect and apprehend people who seek to exploit children in our community.

'To those that seek to engage in this predatory behaviour, just remember that the next 'child' that you engage may be a member of Argos.'

The 42-year-old man was charged with using the internet to procure a child under 16 years of age with a circumstance of aggravation that the offender went to a place with the intention of meeting the child and four counts of grooming a child under 16 years of age with intent to expose to indecent matter.

He will appear at the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday afternoon.
Boris Johnsons former Brexit minister says the Prime Minister has until autumn to deliver a new Conservative vision or he will be forced out of office.

Lord Frost urged Mr Johnson not to ignore the scale of discontent among his MPs following Mondays vote of no-confidence in his leadership.

The Tory peer said another attempt to oust Mr Johnson could come after the Conservative Party conference in October, unless he rapidly changes course.

Every Prime Minister has weaknesses and blind spots, Lord Frost wrote in The Daily Telegraph. The issue is whether they are able to compensate for them by having the right people, by taking good advice and by setting a clear policy direction with broad support. The PM probably has between now and the party conference to show he can do that.

Lord Frost urged Mr Johnson not to ignore the scale of discontent among his MPs

Lord Frost said Mr Johnson cant ignore the depth of his MPs opposition.

Boris Johnson has been granted the right to give the Government a fresh start. He deserves that opportunity when one looks at all he has done for the country since becoming Prime Minister. But he needs to get a move on.

It came as anti-Brexit peers warned ministers that 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.

The Government intends to use domestic law to 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.

Tory grandee Michael Howard said he expected the new legislation will undoubtedly encounter a rocky road in the Lords.
Power firms were yesterday told to up their game after their unacceptable response to Storm Arwen last year.

Winds of 100mph left homes in northern England and Scotland without electricity for up to 11 days in November.

Following a review, regulator Ofgem criticised communication from power firms and delays in repairs and payouts.

Its boss Jonathan Brearley told Radio 4s Today programme: The main message to all the network companies is: Up your game, get ready for winter.

It was unacceptable that nearly 4,000 homes in parts of England and Scotland were off power for over a week.

Fallen bricks on a car in Roker, Sunderland, after gusts of almost 100 miles per hour battered some areas of the UK during Storm Arwen

The Army were eventually drafted in to help distribute food, fuel and generators to homes in the north-east, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire a week after the storm hit on November 26.

Three firms - Northern Powergrid, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks and Electricity North West - have already paid nearly 30million in compensation to customers and a further 10.3million in voluntary redress payments is due to be handed out to affected communities in coming months.

Sean Sexton, 58, was without power to his property in Alnwick, Northumberland, for 11 days.

He received 1,300 compensation from Northern Powergrid soon afterwards, but said his main complaint was the zero communication and false information about when the electricity would be restored.

He said: We were ringing up daily to ask how long it would be off and they would say, it should be back by midnight, but I could see the snapped telegraph pole in the field from my window with no sign of any engineers, so we knew what they were telling us was blatantly not true.

He added that rural communities didnt matter to energy firms, who fobbed us off with compensation.

Ofgem chief executive Jonathan Brearley said delays in repairs and payouts were 'unacceptable'

Referring to rising energy bills, he added: Theyre taking our money and then just have no thought for us at all when theres an issue.

Its us that has to pay their wages, pays for their time, and to be treated with contempt is unacceptable.

Mother-of-two Debbie Noble, 48, was without power to her 200-year-old farmhouse, in Rothbury, Northumberland, for five days.

For the amount of money these companies are charging now they should be giving a solid service, she said.

Bills are going up, we are all being squeezed. Being without power at home for five days was horrendous. They were completely unprepared and, as far as climate change goes, this will only get worse. These storms wont be freak events, the power companies have got to improve.

Mrs Noble, who runs the Turks Head pub in the town, reckoned the business lost at least 10,000. The pub was without electricity for three full Saturdays following the storm in the lead up to Christmas as power was turned back on, only to be lost again.

We havent had any compensation for that, she added.

Ofgem has recommended firms submit winter plans to the regulator so it can check they are prepared and wont get caught out in the future.

They should also stress-test their websites and call centres to ensure adequate capacity during severe weather events and develop systems to speed up mass compensation payments, the regulator added.

The report also highlighted that as many as 75 per cent of telegraph poles on the electricity network are at least 40 years old and said more work was needed to assess if this was a factor.

A fallen tree in New York in North Tyneside after Storm Arwen wreaked havoc across much of the UK

Mr Sexton added: Theres no investment in infrastructure. They should be checking poles when the weather is decent and identifying ones that need replacing, but none of that happens.

He said engineers who turned up to repair the broken pole bringing power to his own property revealed they had been waiting 11 days because they had run out of poles.

When they eventually did get to us, on day 11, they connected us back to the grid within two hours, he added. We couldnt believe we had been waiting 11 days for a two hour job.

Another homeowner Neil Russell accused Northern Powergrid of simply patching up knackered poles and not having any proper maintenance regime.

Several poles bringing power to his Northumberland property were rotten or leaning over, he told the BBC.

You would hope that Ofgem would be going back to Northern Powergrid to say, right what were your maintenance expenditure and survey regimes?, he said.

Youd have a planned survey database, that would pick up on condition and then condition would drive replacement.

North Durham Labour MP Kevan Jones agreed the network needed investment because it was clearly not resilient.

The power was off in some communities a lot longer because the components that were being used were old and they couldnt be sourced, he said.

David Smith, chief executive of the Energy Networks Association, which represents the UK and Irelands energy networks businesses, said firms had submitted improved plans in preparation for this winter.

The six electricity distribution network operators have submitted these details in their business plans for the next five years and Ofgem is due to make its initial determination in the coming weeks, he added.
The Duchess of Cornwall will open this years Chalke Valley History Festival, it was announced yesterday.

The festival, sponsored by the Daily Mail, is to begin with a special event titled Rediscovering Women In History in collaboration with Camillas popular book club The Reading Room.

The duchess will visit the idyllic site at Broad Chalke, near Salisbury, Wiltshire, on the first day of the festival  taking place from June 20 to 26  to introduce the event and will be present in the audience throughout.

The Duchess of Cornwall will open this years Chalke Valley History Festival

Historical novelist Philippa Gregory and historian Alison Weir are due to take part in a discussion titled Rediscovering Women in History that will be recorded for The Duchess of Cornwalls Reading Room.

The Duchess will introduce the event and be present in the audience throughout. The discussion will be shown as part of the @duchessofcornwallsreadingroom Instagram feed later this summer.

Avid reader Camilla first shared her reading lists during the pandemic in 2020, and was then inspired by the positive reaction to launch her hub for literary communities around the world on Instagram last year.

It now has 137,000 subscribers on Instagram and has moved online too. As well as book recommendations, it offers exclusive insight from the authors themselves, and offers something for book lovers of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.

Yesterday festival director, Jane Pleydell-Bouverie, said: We are very honoured that HRH The Duchess of Cornwall is giving up her precious time to attend the history festival. It promises to be a marvellous occasion to open the festival and we much look forward to Her Royal Highnesss visit in ten days time.

The Daily Mail Chalke Valley History Festival will take place from June 20 to 26 at Church Bottom, Broad Chalke, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP5 5DP. For tickets and more details about the festival visit www.cvhf.org.uk.
Chinese envoy voices concerns over AUKUS-related nuke material transfer

Xinhua) 08:32, June 10, 2022

VIENNA, June 9 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Thursday voiced concerns over the nuclear weapon material transfer involved in AUKUS, saying the United States, Britain and Australia must give an account to the international community.

Wang Qun, China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna, made the remarks when addressing a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors.

The meeting deliberated the issue of the "Transfer of nuclear materials in the context of AUKUS and its safeguards in all aspects under the NPT (Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons)."

In September 2021, the United States, Britain and Australia announced the establishment of AUKUS, under which the United States and Britain will assist Australia in its acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines.

Wang said the trilateral deal violates the NPT, the IAEA's comprehensive safeguards agreement, and the additional protocol signed between Australia and the IAEA.

"Whichever name the three countries assign to the deal and however they handle relevant nuclear weapon materials, they cannot deny that the deal involves the illegal transfer of nuclear weapon materials," he said.

Noting that AUKUS has a far-reaching negative impact on international security order, regional peace and global non-proliferation regime, Wang called for the IAEA to address the issue according to its mandate.

The Chinese envoy also noted that the United States and Britain have applied double standards on nuclear proliferation issues.

The two countries have imposed unilateral sanctions on civilian nuclear programs of some non-nuclear-weapon states, while at the same time blatantly transferring nuclear weapon material to Australia, he said.

Wang added that such double standards have "severely undermined the international non-proliferation regime and hindered the resolution of hotspot issues, including the Iran nuclear issue and the Korean Peninsula's nuclear issue."

Wang called on all relevant parties to continue intergovernmental negotiation to find the solution to the AUKUS issue and take concrete measures to safeguard the international non-proliferation regime, global peace and security.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu)
According to the World Health Organization, an unexplained incidence of acute hepatitis in children has infected 700 children in 34 countries and claimed ten lives (WHO).

The etiology of the liver ailment, which was first discovered in the UK in April, is still unclear, perplexing scientists. So far, no evidence of the five viruses that typically cause hepatitis - A, B, C, D, and E - has been found in any of these instances.

Cases of Mysterious Hepatitis Strain Rise

Meanwhile, during the recently concluded World Hepatitis Summit 2022, the World Health Organization and the World Hepatitis Alliance called for efforts to eradicate viral hepatitis.

It is believed that 354 million people worldwide are still infected with this potentially fatal condition, and at least one person dies from viral hepatitis every 30 seconds. That's over a million deaths yearly, more than HIV and malaria together.

At the 2016 International Health Assembly, world leaders announced a historic pledge to eradicate viral hepatitis by 2030. Many low- and middle-income nations still lack timely hepatitis B birth dose availability. People continue to be denied access to testing and care due to a lack of understanding, a lack of political commitment, and stigma and prejudice, according to Health World.

The United States has reported 216 occurrences across 37 states, with Mississippi and Utah the most recent additions to the increasing list. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced in their weekly update that no new fatalities or liver transplants were reported in the past seven days, bringing the totals to 14 and six, respectively.

According to state health officials, the department has not stated where the fatalities happened due to 'confidentiality concerns,' although at least one was documented in Wisconsin. Globally, the United Kingdom currently has the most fatalities and suspected cases of any nation - albeit this may be due to tighter surveillance than other countries.

Top specialists believe it will take months for health officials to figure out what's causing the strange trend, which has afflicted at least 520 youngsters globally since March. While modest liver inflammation is normal in children, severe diseases, such as those found in these cases, are unusual.

There have been over 200 cases of mystery liver inflammation in the United States, spread across 37 states. Globally, the United Kingdom currently has the most fatalities and suspected cases of any nation - albeit this may be due to tighter surveillance than other countries, as per Daily Mail.

Read Also: James Webb Telescope Gets Hit by Micrometeoroid; Is It Still Working?

Hepatitis in Kids: Symptoms and Prevention

According to health experts, neither the virus-causing COVID-19 nor the COVID-19 immunizations appear to be a factor in the hepatitis outbreak. However, some scientists believe that a past COVID-19 infection may render certain youngsters more vulnerable to hepatitis.

Hepatitis is a kind of liver inflammation generally caused by a viral infection. The inflammation can cause liver damage, and several victims in this outbreak required a liver transplant to be treated.

According to the CDC, parents should be on the watch for jaundice, which appears as a yellowing of the skin. Parents should also call their child's physician if they detect any of the following symptoms:

Fever

Loss of appetite

Fatigue

Nausea or vomiting

Abdominal pain

Joint pain

Light-colored stools

Dark-colored urine

Staying up to date on vaccines, practicing excellent hand hygiene, covering coughs and sneezes, avoiding contact with ill individuals, and not touching the nose, eyes, or mouth may all help keep your family safe, Yahoo News reported.

Related Article: Sudden Adult Death Syndrome: Doctors Baffle Why Many Young People Suddenly Die

@YouTube

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A real estate agency has told hundreds of tenants to open windows and let in fresh air to help stop mould growing as Australia's biggest city shivers through freezing weather.

Sydney has experienced its coldest start to winter in three decades as overnight temperatures plunged to 6C on Friday morning, dropping as low as 1C in the city's west.

As the struggle to stay warm extends into the long weekend, real estate agency CobdenHayson sent renters a list of suggestions to help them 'prepare for the winter season'.

In the email, obtained by The Guardian Australia, the agency said Sydney homes were 'designed to have windows open on a regular basis' to help prevent the health hazard of mould.

Homes along Australia's east coast are grappling with a mould epidemic after the nation's wettest year on record.

The email, sent by the agency's Marrickville branch in Sydney's inner west, also reminded tenants that managing mould was their responsibility.

A Sydney real estate has urged its tenants to open windows during winter to avoid mould

'As winter approaches, residents are often reluctant to open windows however, this is critical to ensure adequate ventilation,' the email said.

'Where possible leave a window slightly open during the day.

'Mould is not always a sign of a leak or problem, it is largely attributed to a lack of ventilation and can manifest of its own accord in humid environments, then spread quickly if left untreated. Cleaning this early will not only improve your health but will assist with ongoing mould management.'

CobdenHayson Marrickville said the email to tenants was a directive from head office.

'The email makes reference to general recommendations, if the tenant chooses to take those general recommendations it is entirely at their discretion,' the agency said.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted CobdenHayson head office for comment.

Households have been battling with mould ever since Australia was inundated with a deluge of rain for most of 2022.

From the back of photo frames and wall-mounted bed heads to hand woven baskets and storage canisters, Aussies have spent months battling the dangerous growth and discovering it in hard to spot areas.

Sydney renters have been urged to let fresh air in during the chilliest start to winter in decades

Renters and landlords have obligations and responsibilities in relation to mould management in homes, according to the Tenants Union of NSW.

Tenants must keep the premises 'reasonably' clean, advise the real estate agent or landlord of any mould damage and take reasonable steps to avoid damage.

The landlord must comply with 'fit for habitation' standards, which includes adequate ventilation, plumbing and drainage

They must ensure floors, ceilings, walls and supporting structures aren't subject to dampness, that roof, ceilings and windows do not allow water penetration into the home and to keep the property in 'reasonable' repair.

The recent drop in temperature has also prompted a spike in sickness as Australia braces for its worst flu season in three years.

Tenants' Union of NSW, Leo Patterson Ross says tenants shouldn't be expected to expose themselves to an environment that's too cold by opening a window to avoid mould build-up.

Hev added mould damage bigger than the size of a plate is a likely indicator of a structural problem, which is a landlord responsibility.

Renters and landlords both have obligations to prevent mould build-up after recent heavy rain and flooding along Australia's east coast
In this column yesterday, the Daily Mail asked where Labour stood on the vindictive rail strikes planned by Marxist unions.

Was it with the travelling public who face mayhem in the event of a ruinous national shutdown? Or with the bullying, politically-motivated militants threatening a summer of discontent?

The answer, really, was never in doubt.

Breaking the silence, shadow minister Lisa Nandy backed the hard-Left troublemakers drooling over the prospect of bringing the country to its knees.

Lisa Nandy backed the hard-Left troublemakers drooling over the prospect of bringing the country to its knees

Defending the RMT's grotesque 11 per cent pay demand, she moaned that rail workers were 'really struggling'.

Yet a third earn a staggering 50,000-plus a year  comfortably more than most employees. The heart bleeds!

Strike action would be a punitively expensive slap in the face for hard-pressed commuters, families and businesses.

What a stark contrast between Labour's pandering to its union paymasters and Boris Johnson sticking up for passengers.

The Prime Minister has vowed not to 'surrender' to the militants holding the nation to ransom. He must not wobble.

The railways are an essential public service. Voters will thank him for outlawing the industrial anarchy which brings them to an infuriating standstill.

Building back hope

Margaret Thatcher knew that you can't expect people without capital, or without hope of acquiring it, to be capitalists.

Whenever the Tories make it easier for people to join the property-owning democracy, there is a bounce in the party's political fortunes. So this paper welcomes Boris Johnson's ambitious plans to get more people on the housing ladder, freeing themselves from eye-watering rents.

Relaxing the rules so people with smaller deposits can buy homes is certainly a step in the right direction.

However, these alone will not tackle the housing crisis. Unless more homes are built, the shake-up risks worsening the problem  pushing prices further out of reach.

Mr Johnson must hurry through planning reforms, so more houses are built on brownfield sites. Curbing excessive immigration, too, would reduce the need to surrender green fields.

And one way of helping people save up for a home is not pilfering so much from their pay packets. So we applaud the PM for revealing a Thatcherite streak by pledging to cut taxes.

The tax burden's 70-year high was, he said, an 'aberration'. If only he knew someone who could do something about it!

Beat the blockers

Once, civil servants prided themselves on their scrupulous impartiality when implementing government policy.

Today, those in the Home Office seem to believe they should have a veto over the Rwanda migrants scheme because it doesn't conform to their own woke views.

Plotting ways to thwart it, these self-serving naifs have launched a campaign against the so-called 'racist deportations'.

But by sending illegal migrants to Africa, Priti Patel aims to save lives in the Channel and smash the people-smuggling gangs.

The civil servants' antics shine a light on how the activist Left has infiltrated Whitehall  and the scale of opposition the Home Secretary faces from the refuseniks within.
The father of an 11-year-old boy who survived a night alone in the bush in freezing temperatures in Sydney's northwest has been arrested on unrelated drug charges.

Christopher Wilson's father was arrested on Thursday after a hydroponic cannabis lab was found, police confirmed to AAP on Thursday.

The boy went missing after getting off the school bus on Wednesday afternoon at Annangrove.

Sydney boy Christopher Wilson as been reunited with his parents after surviving a freezing night

Superintendent Darrin Batchelor said the family was 'extremely relieved' after enduring more than 16 hours 'distraught with worry' about the boy, who was wearing shorts, a t-shirt, a light jacket and had no food or cash.

The alarm was raised when the quiet youngster failed to return home and an extensive search was launched overnight involving police PolAir, the SES and RFS.

Fears for his safety mounted when no trace of the boy was found and the overnight temperature dipped as low as three degrees, with the wind chill factor making conditions 'absolutely freezing'.

Supt Batchelor said Christopher was spotted by a woman driving on Annangrove Road, not far from his home on Thursday morning.

'He was quite cold obviously ... she gave him some water and a muesli bar and he was quite happy to be in a bit of warmth and get something to eat and drink," he said.

The boy was checked by paramedics and had no visible injuries but had been taken to hospital with possible mild hypothermia to be reunited with his parents.

'They were distraught with worry overnight and yesterday afternoon so it's a great outcome,' Supt Batchelor said.

The boy was very cold and not inclined to share what happened to him with police officers, but they believe he slept somewhere in the bush overnight.

'We haven't filled in all the pieces of the puzzle yet, but it looks like Christopher went on a little bit of an adventure yesterday afternoon,' he said.

'At this stage it doesn't look like anyone else was involved.'
Edward and Sophie Wessex returned home last night from Gibraltar hoping that their Platinum Jubilee tour won't provoke Spanish ire. Their 2012 visit prompted Madrid to ban its royals from attending the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Spanish sensitivities have prevented Princess Anne from visiting since taking on the patronage of the Gibraltar Literary Festival in 2016.

In March, Prince Edward  Colonel of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment  presented new regimental colours at Windsor rather than risk Spanish fury by doing it on the Rock. The Queen's visit after her only state visit to Spain in 1988 was vetoed. King Juan Carlos and his wife were banned from attending Charles and Diana's wedding after it emerged that their honeymoon in 1981 started from Gibraltar. Diplomats hope the latest royal fly in the paella won't upset the entendimiento cordial too much.

Margaret Thatcher's biographer Charles Moore, accusing Nick Robinson of devoting his energy to removing Boris, disputes the BBC Today presenter's claim that the Prime Minister's confidence vote was worse than Thatcher's in 1990. 'It is untrue,' he claims. 'She received 204 votes from an electorate of 372. Boris received 211 votes from an electorate of 359. I make that more votes for him than her.' Too late, surely, for Lord Snooty to clamber aboard HMS Boris!

Stripping off in new sex comedy-drama Good Luck To You, Leo Grande, Dame Emma Thompson, 63, proudly tells Radio 4's Woman's Hour: 'I haven't shaved under my arms for a long time, but I still do shave my legs.' And warming to her theme, she trumpets: 'I greatly regret the demise of the full bush!' Actor hubby Greg Wise may feel that a little goes a long way with Emma.

After the Daily Mail's revelation that Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner, pictured, got circa 1,000 worth of free Adrianna Papell designer dresses, Westminster wags wonder what items she chose.

In view of her current troubles over Sir Keir Starmer's Covid 'beer and curry night', might she avail of the brand's Ruffled Jumpsuit, Cover-up Cape, Flounce Dress or Illusion Crepe Gown?

Downsizing her library, Susan Hill  author of the spooky The Woman In Black novel  opens a book and a handwritten postcard from Virginia Woolf cancelling lunch with a friend flutters out. 'How did it get there?' she asks in The Spectator. 'Where did it come from? I know I write ghost stories, but still.'

Ex-Tory MP Gyles Brandreth says he was so exhausted after a week in the Commons he would secretly stab himself in the thigh with a fork to stay awake during weekend constituency surgeries. 'The real reason I'm no longer an MP is the people spoke,' he wails, perhaps wondering if he should have abandoned the fork for a pillow and dozed before his ungrateful voters.
A pair of Brits have been arrested in Albania on charges of spying after border police found radio transmitters in their luggage, the Mirror reports.

Albanian intelligence officers at Tirana International Airport suspected the apparent tourists of being spies when they saw the advanced Kenwood radios that they had tried to bring into the country.

The pair swore they were simply IT engineers carrying amateur gear which they planned to play with as a hobby while on holiday in Albania.

Under the intense pressure of suspicious officials, one of the Brits was found to be registered as using a 'ham radio' in the Tirana region on online profiles, which could perhaps be considered a harmless hobby.

However, his online profiles also listed him as specialising in 'electronic warfare'.

Albanian police confirmed that they have opened a probe into the British holidaymakers over allegations of 'spy activities' and 'espionage'.

A pair of Brits were arrested in Albania after border police found sophisticated Kenwood radios in their luggage

A source said: 'It's highly unusual to be carrying this sort of equipment and even more strange for someone to be stopped and accused of being a covert agent.'

The two alleged spooks were held on May 30 and then allowed to return to the UK. However they remain under investigation, police say.

The Kenwood radios were sent to the Albanian Criminal Laboratory, where they will be carefully examined to determine their spying capabilities.

The Cybernetic Unit is assisting with the investigation along with the State Intelligence Service.

Albanian intelligence officers at Tirana International Airport suspected the supposed tourists of being spies when they saw the advanced Kenwood radios that they had tried to bring into the country

Eduard Merkaj, director of the border police, said: 'It is an ongoing investigation and we are continuing to examine the machines seized.'

A key question that investigators will want to establish is whether the devices can record or interfere with analogue radio waves used by the countrys military and secret service.

Shortwave radiograms were a classic method of spying by the former Soviet Union, and the radios may have brought up uncomfortable memories among the older generation of investigators who would remember well the giant neighbour to their east.

It would be unusual for two Brits to attempt espionage within Albania as the country, while not in NATO, is friendly towards the western alliance.

They both share the same antipathy towards Vladimir Putin's Russia, which has significant designs in the Balkan regions and makes constant efforts to destabilise governments in the region which veer towards NATO.

Neighbouring North Macedonia to the east became NATOs 30th member on 27 March, while Montenegro to the north was its 29th after joining on 28 April 2017.

In response to North Macedonia joining, Russia issued a scathing rebuke but seemed impotent to do anything.

Albania is more threatened by Russian espionage than Western spooks, as Putin seeks to destabilise countries in the Balkans which try to join NATO

It was not so reticent in the lead up to Montenegro's accession, allegedly organising a coup for the night of October 16 until a group of 20 Serbian and Montenegrin citizens were arrested along with two Russians.

The coup attempt allegedly envisaged an attack on the country's parliament and assassination of prime minister Milo ukanovic.

The Russian president still has significant influence on neighbouring countries of former Yugoslavia, Montenegro, Serbia and Bosnia Herzegovina and his foreign intelligence services are known to be active in the region.

During the NATO military exercise Defender Europe 2021, two Russian men along with five Czech citizens were spotted flying a drone at Kucova Air Base in Albania.

They were held by the intelligence service then expelled.
The House January 6th committee at its hearing Thursday played videotaped testimony of former Attorney General Bill trashing former President Trump's repeated claims of election fraud  which the former top law enforcement officer termed 'bulls****.'

Barr was among the first witnesses referenced in Thursday's prime time hearings. His comments, delivered leaning back in a chair in a bland committee room in his usual academic tone, eviscerated Trump's claims of election fraud.

It was a position he said he made to the president's face, in 'three discussions that I can recall: Nov. 23, Dec. 1, and Dec. 14.

'In that context I made it clear I did not agree with the idea of saying the election was stolen and putting out this stuff, which I told the president was bulls****,' Barr told the committee.

'I didn't want to be a part of it, and that's one of the reasons that went into me deciding to leave when I did.'

BS: Former AG Bill Barr called former President Donald Trump's claims of election fraud 'bull****'

Barr testified he saw 'absolutely zero basis' for Trump's claims. It is a view that stayed with him.

'Frankly, a year and a half later, I havent seen anything to change my mind on that,' he said.

Barr cast Trump's repeated claims as anything but harmless, saying they were made 'in such a sensational way that they obviously were influencing a lot of people ... members of the public, that there was this systemic corruption in the system and that their votes didnt count and that these machines controlled by somebody else were actually determining it, which was complete nonsense.'

Barr suddenly resigned his post Dec. 15th  amid what was later revealed to be turmoil within the Justice Department and among the White House counsel, including an effort to try to install a new Trump loyalist as acting attorney general

'I observed, I think it was on December 1, you can't live in a world where the incumbent administration stays in power based on its view, unsupported by specific evidence, that there was fraud in the election,' said Barr.

Barr has also blasted Trump's election fraud claims in his memoir and in a series of interviews promoting the book since leaving office.

Barr on December 14, 2020, the day before he resigned, issued a public comment rebuking Trump's claims of fraud.

He said he saw no fraud 'on a scale that could have effected a different outcome in the election,' while Trump and his lawyers were still making the claim.

The committee included Barr's testimony in a video among clips of rioters breaching the Capitol

Barr says he told Trump in three meetings after the election that his claims were wrong

He also made a series of decisions while in office that bolstered Trump, infuriating Democrats with his decision to release a summary of the Mueller report before its release.

He also before the election parroted some of Trump's comments undermining the security of mail ballots.

'There's no more secret vote with mail-in vote. A secret vote prevents selling and buying votes. So now, we're back in the business of selling and buying votes,' Barr told the Chicago Tribune in September 2020.
Joint Chief of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley described efforts by White House staff to rewrite Donald Trump's actions regarding the January 6th insurrection, including pushing 'the narrative that the president is still in charge.'

But Milley said it was actually then Vice President Mike Pence.

'Vice President Pence  there were two or three calls with Vice President Pence. He was very animated, and he issued very explicit, very direct, unambiguous orders. There was no question about that,' Milley said.

In video taped testimony played during Thursday's prime time hearing, Milley described a public relations strategy that Trump Chief of Staff Mark Meadows told him was needed in the aftermath of the riot.

'He said we have to kill the narrative that the Vice President is making all of the decisions, we need to establish the narrative that the president is still in charge,' Milley, the nation's top military officer, said.

On the day of the insurrection Pence made calls to military officials to try and get their help to take back the Capitol building after it was over run by a mob of Trump supporters.

In an urgent phone call to the acting defense secretary on the day, Pence told Christopher Miller: 'Clear the Capitol.'

Pence was referring to the D.C. National Guard, who report to the defense secretary.

Milley, who was in contact with Pentagon leaders that day, said he thought Meadows' attempt to retake control of the narrative was a 'red flag.'

'I immediately interrupted that as politics, politics, politics. A red flag for me personally,' he said.

Joint Chiefs Chairman General Mark Milley described efforts by White House staff to rewrite Donald Trump's actions regarding the January 6th insurrection in his video taped testimony

Then Vice President Mike Pence called the Pentagon on January 6th and asked for help in retaking control of the Capitol

Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney, who became a target of Trump's for serving on the House committee investigating the insurrection, introduced Millay's testimony.

She argued President Trump did not give the order for the D.C. National Guard to mobilize that day, which the White House, at the time, said he did.

'Not only did President Trump refuse to tell the mob to leave the Capitol, he placed no call to any element of the United States government to instruct that the Capitol be defended. He did not call the Secretary of Defense on January 6, he did not talk to his attorney general He did not talk to the Department of Homeland Security,' she said.

'President Trump gave no order to deploy the National Guard that day, and he made no effort to work with the Department of Justice to coordinate and display and deploy law enforcement assets. Vice President Pence did each of those things,' she noted.

Milley's testimony was one of several played as the committee, in primetime television, works to retell the story of what happened that day.

A series of public hearings - some in primetime - are played over the next few weeks as some try to recast what happened on the day the Capitol was stormed. The hearings also come in the runup to the November midterm election as Democrats try to retain their control of Congress.

The committee has conducted more than 1,000 interviews with people connected to the siege and collected more than 140,000 documents.

Cheney promised that in future hearings, the committee would reveal more testimony about what happened behind closed doors at the White House that day, including from multiple White House staff who resigned and discussed how Trump would not ask his supporters to leave the Capitol.

Trump has denied any personal responsibility for the insurrection and survived a second attempt to impeach him, based on charges related to that day.

But he also has said that Jan. 6 'represented the greatest movement in the history of our country.'

Joint Chiefs Chairman General Mark Milley said he saw Trump Chief of Staff Mark Meadows' (above) effort to rewrite the narrative as a 'red flag'

A video of Chiarman of the Joint Chiefs Mark A. Milley testifying is played in the committee room as members of the panel investigating the insurrection listen

President Donald Trump speaks during a rally protesting the electoral college certification of Joe Biden as President in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021

Trump repeatedly made the false claim the election was stolen from him and addressed his supporters on the Ellipse outside the White House on January 6th. He also reportedly wanted to march to the Capitol wth them.

But, in an interview with the Washington Post in April, Trump said it was the responsibility of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to stop the insurrection.

'I hated seeing it. I hated seeing it,' he told the newspaper. 'And I said, 'It's got to be taken care of,' and I assumed they were taking care of it.'

Publicly, Trump remained silent for 187 minutes after his supporters breached the Capitol on January 6.

He eventually recorded a message on Twitter that asked them to go home.

Other witnesses had described an effort to convince Trump to act, including having his daughter Ivanka Trump go to the Oval Office several times to encourage them to call his MAGA supporters to stand down.
The first in a series of June hearings examining the January 6, 2021 aired on nearly all major networks on Thursday.

Some of the big reveals of the event included shocking unseen footage of riots, testimonies from Ivanka and Jared Kushner and a Capitol Cop.

It also saw Democrats and close allies of former President Donald Trump turn on him, saying he 'led the attempted coup as part of a sophisticated seven-part plan.'

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 can't sweep what happened under the rug,' said Rep. Bennie Thompson, the chairman of the panel, as he opened the hearing. 'The American people deserve answers.'

The committee has conducted more than 1,000 interviews with people connected to the siege and collected more than 140,000 documents. They will use that evidence over the course of seven hearings this month to show how the attack was coordinated by some of the rioters in the violent mob that broke into the Capitol and interrupted the certification of President Joe Biden's victory - and how Trump's efforts started it all.

Here are some takeaways from the January 6 committee's first hearing:

U.S. Capitol Police Sgt. Harry Dunn, right, and others react as the House select committee investigating the January 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

An image of committee members from left to right, Rep. Stephanie Murphy, (D-Florida.), Rep. Pete Aguilar, (D-California), Rep. Adam Schiff, (D-California), Rep. Zoe Lofgren, (D-California), Chairman Bennie Thompson, (D-Mississippi), Vice Chair Liz Cheney, (R-Wyoming), Rep. Adam Kinzinger, (R-Illinois), Rep. Jamie Raskin, (D-Maryland)., and Rep. Elaine Luria, D-V., look on

A video image shows the U.S. Capitol grounds being breached as the House select committee go through what happened on January 6

LAYING IT ALL ON TRUMP

Thompson laid out the committee's initial findings that Trump led a 'sprawling, multi-step conspiracy aimed at overturning the presidential election' and the insurrection was a culmination of that 'attempted coup.' The panel's vice chairwoman, Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, called it a 'sophisticated seven-part plan.'

'The attack on our Capitol was not a spontaneous riot,' said Cheney, one of two Republicans on the nine-member panel.

The hearing featured never-before-seen video testimony from Trump's family and close aides, many of whom were interviewed by the committee remotely.

The panel started by showing a video interview with former Attorney General Bill Barr, who said he told Trump at the time that his fraud claims had no merit. Barr, who said publicly a month before the insurrection that the Justice Department had not found fraud, told the committee members that he had told Trump it was all 'bull--.'

The panel also showed video testimony from Trump's daughter, Ivanka Trump, who spoke to the committee in April. Ivanka Trump told the panel that Barr's declaration 'affected my perspective.'

'I respect Attorney General Barr so I accepted what he said,' she told the committee.

Another Trump adviser, Jason Miller, told the panel that campaign advisors had told the president in 'clear terms' that he had lost the election.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump is displayed on a screen during a hearing by the Select Committee hearing. Supporters of President Donald Trump attacked the U.S. Capitol Building during an attempt to disrupt a congressional vote to confirm the electoral college win for Joe Biden

Ivanka Trump testified that she accepted Barr's rejection of her father's election fraud claims

Jared Kushner also told the committee that he thought White House Counsel Pat Cipollone's constant threats to resign over the fraud claims in the wake of January 6 were just 'whining'

Donald Trump's attorney general Bill Barr said his claims the election was stolen were 'bulls***' at the start of the January 6 committee's first primetime hearing on their investigation into the Capitol riot

'THIS ISN'T EASY TO WATCH'

The committee showed new, graphic video from the insurrection, moving through a timeline of the violence. It started with rioters angrily walking toward the Capitol, then showed them breaking through thin police barriers and brutally beating police.

Using security footage, police body cameras, video from those who broke in and audio from the police scanner, the video showed rioters using flagpoles, tactical equipment and other weapons to hit officers as they overwhelmed them and broke inside. Some of the body camera footage was from the ground looking up, as officers watched their attackers beat them.

At the same time, it showed what was happening inside - the beginning of the joint session to certify Biden's election win and, people fleeing from the violence.

And it showed the rioters chanting 'Hang Mike Pence,' referring to the vice president who had defied Trump's orders to try to thwart Biden's certification, and chanting 'Nancy! Nancy!' as they walked up a staircase inside the Capitol, referring to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

The hearing was also showing video of Capitol law enforcement, barricaded against a door and trying to stop rioters getting in

Surveillance video taken from the Capitol shows the huge crowd surging towards the police barricades on January 6

Capitol cops fire back against rioters who were making their way towards the Capitol Building

AN OFFICER OVERWHELMED AND INJURED

Caroline Edwards, a Capitol Police officer, testified in graphic terms about the bloody scene outside the Capitol that day and the traumatic brain injury she suffered when members of the Proud Boys and others pushed her to the ground as they led the mob into the Capitol.

Edwards was alone and holding two bike racks together at the front lines as the mob heaved toward her, pushing her and the racks to the ground. She hit her head on a concrete stairway, briefly falling unconscious.

Even with her injury, Edwards continued to fight off the crowd. She described a 'war scene' out of the movies and hours of hand-to-hand combat that no law enforcement officer is trained to handle.

'They were throwing up - I saw friends with blood all over their faces,' said Edwards, who has still not returned to duty in the first responders unit where she worked then. 'I was slipping in people's blood. I was catching people as they fell. It was carnage. It was chaos.'

U.S. Capitol Police officer Caroline Edwards, left, and British filmmaker Nick Quested, are sworn in as the House select committee. Edwards who suffered a traumatic brain injury said 'chaos' was reigning on Capitol Hill on January 6, adding she slipped in people's blood

This image from video from a police worn body camera from the riot at the U.S. Capitol, was played as during Thursday's hearing. U.S. Capitol Police officer Caroline Edwards, who was seriously injured in the attack on the Capitol, is shown on the right.

Edwards, shown with her left hand to her head, was severely hurt after trying to control a mob of rioters on January 6

EXTREMIST GROUPS' INVOLVEMENT

The panel's other witness was British filmmaker Nick Quested, who was with members of the Proud Boys as they walked from Trump's rally in front of the White House to the Capitol. Quested was also filming members of the group the day ahead of the attack as they planned and met with members of the Oath Keepers in an underground garage.

The committee used some of Quested's footage of the war zone in front of the Capitol.

'For anyone who didn't understand how violent that event was, I saw it,' he said. 'I documented it and I experienced it.'

Thompson said Trump's call for people to come on January 6 'energized' members of the Proud Boys and other extremist groups. They highlighted Trump's comment at a presidential debate that the Proud Boys should 'stand back and stand by.'

The panel showed video testimony with a witness named Jeremy Bertino, a member of the Proud Boys, who said the group's membership 'tripled, probably' after Trump's comment.

Republican Rep. Liz Cheney claims the Trump Administration had received reports of planned violence ahead of January 6. He is pictured at his rally on the day of the riot

Protesters supporting U.S. President Donald Trump gather near the east front door of the U.S. Capitol after groups breached the building's security

Trump supporters, which included many Proud Boys members, an far-right extremist group, clash with police and security forces as people tried to storm the US Capitol

Rioters loyal to President Donald Trump rally at the U.S. Capitol from January of last year

MADE FOR TELEVISION

The committee took the unusual step of launching the hearings with a prime time show - aimed to gather as many viewers as possible.

It's still unclear how many will tune in, but the panel is producing the hearing in hopes of becoming must-see television, featuring never before seen video footage of the violent insurrection.

The hearing room was also set up for impact, with a huge screen hanging over the lawmakers.

'WE WERE THERE'

Security agents and lawmakers barricade the door to the House chamber as a violent mob loyal to then President Donald Trump breach the Capitol in Washington and disrupt the Electoral College process on January 6

There was also video of staff members running out of Republican leader Kevin McCarthy's office in the Capitol on the afternoon of January 6 as the chaos unfolded

Lawmakers who were trapped together in the House during the insurrection are attending Thursday's hearing after having dinner together. The members, all Democrats, were caught in an upper gallery of the chamber as rioters beat on the doors.

Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., said the House members, who were eventually evacuated without harm, are dismayed that an event that exposed the fragility of democracy could 'somehow be whitewashed by tens of millions of people.'

Some GOP lawmakers have tried to downplay the insurrection, charging that Democrats are overly focused on the attempt to thwart the peaceful transfer of power.

'We want to remind people, we were there, we saw what happened. We know how close we came to the first non-peaceful transition of power in this country,' Phillips said.
The little brother of a jailed gangster boss has flaunted his lavish lifestyle in a now-deleted social media post that featured a man displaying an elaborate 'Crime Pays' back tattoo.

Jesse Marrogi, the younger brother of Notorious Crime Family boss George Marrogi, posted a TikTok on an account bearing his name featuring luxurious cars, cash, teeth grills and an apparent disdain for law and order.

The younger Marrogi vanished earlier this year after his older brother was charged with orchestrating the importation of 56kg of methamphetamine and 13kg of heroin while in jail.

Police taps found George was discussing bashings, murder plots and smuggling over the phone with his girlfriend.

The now-deleted Tik Tok shows a back tattoo with 'CRIME PAYS' emblazoned across a man's shoulders over a depiction of Crown Casino

Jesse Marrogi and his girlfriend Sabrine Maghnie - daughter of murdered gangster Nabil Maghnie. Marrogi went missing earlier this year

Jesse's girlfriend and daughter of slain crime boss Nabil Maghnie, Sabrine Maghnie, at the time left few clues as to Jesse's whereabouts when the two went missing.

But the TikTok appears to show Jesse is now living it up despite the charges against his brother.

The video featured a tattoo reading 'CRIME PAYS' on the top of a man's back, believed to be that of the heavily inked Marrogi.

Underneath the words are images of Crown Casino, with the gambling giant's name inked in big lettering, a Rolls Royce car, a police van and bank notes.

The montage also included a man driving a Rolls Royce and shots of two luxury vehicles being driven around, a Lamborghini and a Mercedes.

The TikTok video also featured a man believed to be Jesse displaying silver teeth grills in their mouth (pictured)

The video showcased a love of expensive cars including Rolls Royce, a Lamborghini and a Mercedes

Sabrine Maghnie (pictured) and boyfriend Jesse have both flaunted their lavish lifestyles online

A pimped-out motorcycle, in fashionable gold and black with the NCF gang logo, also makes an appearance in the video sequence.

Sabrine is also known for her love of ink, and has 'Mad Lebo' written on her leg to honour her late father, feared gangster Nabil Maghnie.

Nabil was reportedly defending her honour before he was riddled with bullets outside a Victorian home in January 2020.

Nabil Maghnie (pictured), who was shot dead in January 2020, had 'Mad Lebo' inked on his stomach as does his daughter Sabrine on her leg

Sabrine Maghnie has one leg covered in tattoos, including one that reads 'Mad Lebo' in tribute to her slain gangster father

The same words, 'Mad Lebo', had been inked across Nabil's stomach.

Earlier this week Daily Mail Australia revealed Sabrine faces a stint in jail should she continue to flaunt the law.

She pleaded guilty via videolink in Heidelberg Magistrates' Court to driving while suspended and failing to stop on police direction.

Sabrine was nabbed behind the wheel near her Bundoora home - 15km northeast of Melbourne - on October 2, 2020 amid claims she was speeding.

Jesse Marrogi's older brother George Marrogi, 33, was charged by Australian Federal Police with directing the activities of a criminal organisation while in prison

Jesse Marrogi is believed to have left the country after his older brother George was charged with importing 56kg of methamphetamine and 13kg of heroin while in jail

When police hit their lights and sirens, Sabrine took off, continuing to her home and parking in the garage.

When police approached they noted Sabrine's mum in her pajamas berating her daughter.

'They're right here. They're standing right here Sabrine,' the Maghnie matriarch told her daughter.

The court heard Sabrine took the family stance on police issues and refused to co-operate with the officers.

Her licence had been suspended just eight days earlier for a year due to speeding 45kmh over the limit.

Magistrate Jennifer Tregent heard the young Maghnie's driving record took a turn for the worse upon the death of her father.

Just weeks after his death she lost her licence after being caught driving while suspended.
Anthony Albanese will consider New Zealand's longstanding request to stop deporting criminals with Kiwi passports when they have lived in Australia for a long time.

The new Prime Minister said he sympathised with his 'friend' Jacinda Ardern's view on the controversial immigration policy during a joint press conference in Sydney on Friday.

Fellow Labor leader Ms Ardern, who clashed with Scott Morrison over the issue, declared a 'reset' in relations between the two nations now Mr Albanese is in charge.

'I do see this as an opportunity for a reset because there were obviously some points of friction. There's obviously still issues to be worked through,' she said.

On her last trip to Australia in 2020, Ms Ardern told Mr Morrison: 'Do not deport your people and your problems'.

The New Zealand leader is the first to visit Mr Albanese on home soil after his election win on May 21. The pair are pictured together on Friday in Sydney

About 2,000 New Zealanders were deported between 2014 and 2020. Most had lived in Australia since they were children. Pictured: A Kiwi is deported from Australia in September 2020

Prime Minister Ardern urged Mr Albanese to consider tweaks to Australia's deportation policy

In their first official meeting on Friday morning, Mr Albanese and Ms Ardern discussed the policy which sees non-citizens who commit serious crimes deported even if they've spent most of their lives in Australia.

It has resulted in hundreds of criminals being shipped to New Zealand even if they have no ties to the country other than their Kiwi passport.

About 2,000 New Zealanders were deported between 2014 and 2020. Most had lived in Australia since they were children.

The government must resist pressure to go soft on removing criminals who are citizens of New Zealand Shadow Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews

New Zealand publication Newshub revealed that criminals deported from Australia committed 8,000 offences since 2015 including 57 sex crimes and 861 drug and antisocial behaviour crimes.

Ms Ardern has previously said the policy 'unquestionably' increases gang violence in New Zealand.

On Friday she said she does not want to stop all deportations from Australia but just certain cases where the criminal is 'essentially Australian'.

'New Zealand is not asking for Australia to remove their deportation policy. We never have,' she said.

'New Zealand, of course, deports individuals who have been in New Zealand for a short time and who have acted outside our expectations for anyone who chooses or wishes to stay as a resident.

'But there are those who are being deported from Australia who, for all intents and purposes, are Australian.

'Often zero connection to New Zealand. Sometimes not even having stepped foot there. That's the place that we're asking for that consideration to be given.'

On her last trip to Australia in 2020, Ms Ardern told Mr Morrison: 'Do not deport your people and your problems'

Ms Ardern has previously said the deportation policy 'unquestionably' increases gang violence in New Zealand. Pictured: Comanchero bikies

Mr Albanese declared Australia's law allowing criminals' visas to be cancelled - Section 501 of the Migration Act - will be kept but said exceptions could potentially be made for some Kiwis.

'Section 501 should be maintained but there are also concerns that have been raised that need to be taken into consideration as friends,' he said.

'We deal with each other in a mature way which deals as well with common sense.

'And what's clear is that, if people look at some of the cases that have been held, it's not surprising that the prime minister would make the strong representations that she had. Because I would be if I was in the same position.'

Shadow home affairs minister Karen Andrews said the deportation policy should remain and Labor must not 'go soft'.

'The government must resist pressure to go soft on removing criminals who are citizens of New Zealand,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

Shadow home affairs minister Karen Andrews said the deportation policy should remain and Labor must not 'go soft'

'Labor capitulating to the demands of a foreign government at the risk of the safety of Australian communities would send a worrying sign.

'Any move that makes Australia a welcoming place for criminals and crooks makes us less safe.

'It doesn't matter how long a dual citizen or permanent resident has been in Australia. If they commit a serious crime and endanger Australia's way of life - they shouldn't be allowed to stay here.'

The New Zealand leader is the first to visit Mr Albanese on home soil after his election win on May 21.



Mr Albanese, 59, gave Ms Ardern vinyl records by Midnight Oil, Spiderbait and Powderfinger when she arrived in Sydney on Thursday night.

She posted a picture of the two Labor leaders together on Instagram and mentioned the gifts in the caption, prompting her partner Clarke Gayford to comment on the age of the bands.

He wrote: 'Midnight Oil, Spiderbait and The Finger????!!!! What is this, 2004???'

The two leaders are pictured together in Sydney on Thursday night after Ms Ardern arrived

Mr Albanese, 59, gave Ms Ardern vinyl records by Midnight Oil, Spiderbait and Powderfinger and she gave him some tracks by record label Flying Nun

Clarke Gayford commented on the age of the bands. He wrote: 'Midnight Oil, Spiderbait and The Finger????!!!! What is this, 2004???'

Ms Ardern, 42, said she gave Mr Albanese a few tracks from New Zealand indie record label Flying Nun.

Mr Albanese revealed she was the first leader to call him after the result while he was on his way to give his victory speech.

'Prime Minister Ardern, not surprisingly, was the first person to ring me. I was still in the car. We have each other's mobiles,' he said on Tuesday.

'Jacinda was good enough to ring me when I was on my way to the Canterbury-Hurlstone Park RSL.

'She's been a friend of mine for some time. I look forward to catching up with her informally on Thursday night and then for us to have a meeting on Friday. We're good friends, Australia and New Zealand.

'We can do much better in terms of cooperation and build stronger relations, and I'm sure that myself and Jacinda will be able to achieve that.'
On his birthday, Kanye West received no affection from ex-wife Kim Kardashian's family, albeit one inner-circle member did turn up for him. The rapper and KKW Beauty mogul announced his retirement in February 2021.

While Kim Kardashian, her sisters Khloe, Kourtney, Kylie, and Kendall, as well as mom Kris Jenner, did not wish Kanye, 45, a happy birthday, someone close to them did.

What Does Kanye West Feel About Pete Davidson's Bond With His Kids?

Travis Scott, the Kylie Cosmetics mogul's long-term boyfriend, paid homage to his buddy on Instagram. The Texas native posted a photo of himself and Kanye smiling together on his Instagram stories. The Chicago rapper is shown standing erect in the snap while Travis is sitting on the ground. Kanye West, for his part, did not post anything about his birthday.

Since launching a series of online assaults against Kim Kardashian and her new boyfriend, Pete Davidson, the rapper has been mainly idle on social media. Kanye West was rumored to need assistance at the moment. Rumors have recently circulated concerning his troubles in coping with his ex-new wife's relationship, according to The Sun.

Meanwhile, Kanye West is allegedly heartbroken and having difficulty witnessing ex-wife Kim Kardashian's lover Pete Davidson become close to their four children. The 45-year-old rapper is aware that his tie with his children is solid - but it hasn't stopped him from harboring hatred toward the comedian as he watches him build a bond with his family.

It comes on the heels of the Kardashians ignoring Kanye on his 45th birthday today. Last year, his estranged wife wished him a happy birthday, but this year is different. The rapper has struggled to watch Kim Kardashian move on with Pete Davidson, frequently taking aim at the comedian in a succession of now-deleted Instagram postings and even killing the comedian in one of his music videos.

Kanye West's social media assaults on Pete Davidson prompted Kim Kardashian to unfollow her ex in February of this year, and she even publicly urged the Donda rapper to tone down his actions. At one point, the mother of four contacted her estranged husband to inform him of the frightening situation he was creating for Pete Davidson, only for Kanye West to publicly disclose the private chats on Instagram.

Kanye West has been very silent on Instagram in recent weeks, with a promotional picture for Mcdonald's being the only current post available on the father-of-profile. Despite not publicly expressing her affection for her children's father, Kim Kardashian is ensuring Kanye West celebrates his birthday with their four children: North, eight; Saint, six; Chicago, four; and Psalm, two, as per Mirror.

Read Also: LeBron James, Steph Curry Speak Up on Brittney Griner Situation

Kanye West Reportedly Taking Break From Music Industry

Vory, Kanye West's Donda record collaborator, has revealed that West is on a musical hiatus. According to Vory, 44, West was not present at Vory's Lost Souls album release party, implying that the fashion icon is taking a vacation from music. Vory's album Lost Souls was published last Friday, including a piece written in cooperation with West. West, E. Vax, Ojivolta, and 88-Keys created the song "Daylight."

The rapper was signed to Meek Mill's Dream Chasers Records in 2020 and appeared on West's Donda album, however, the Lost Souls collaboration did not make the final edit of Donda. Vory's comments came when word leaked that West had broken up with his girlfriend of five months, Chaney Jones. According to TMZ, the father of four children with former Kim Kardashian and Jones called it quits following a vacation to Japan. It is unknown who started the purported split.

Jones, a model, has removed all traces of West from her Instagram account, leaving just two photos of herself for followers. The couple has not commented on their breakup, People reported.

Related Article: Will Johnny Depp Really Waive Amber Heard's $8.35 Million Punishment?

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Capitol Police Officer Caroline Edwards recounted 'slipping in blood' and rioters calling her 'Nancy Pelosi's dog' while she was defending the U.S. Capitol Building on January 6 during the House January 6 select committee's first primetime hearing Thursday.

Edwards also said she was involved in 'hand-to-hand' combat with the mob who stormed towards the barricade and went back on duty when she a bike rack was thrown on her and she was knocked unconscious.

Her testimony was one of many heard for the first time by the committee that has interviewed more than 1,000 people - including Trump aides, law enforcement and rioters - and reviewed hours of footage from January 6 in their probe over the last 17 months.

Republican Rep. Liz Cheney told the hearing that she has evidence Trump said his Vice President Mike Pence 'deserved' to be 'hanged' and the committee heard snippets of testimony from Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner and Trump campaign spokesman Jason Miller.

The GOP have called the hearings a distraction from scandals plaguing the Democrats and the White House - but officers on the scene gave harrowing testimony of their interactions with the mob.

'I was slipping in people's blood,' said Edwards, one of two in-person witnesses the committee called to testify before an audience on Capitol Hill. 'I was catching people as they fell. It was carnage. It was chaos. I can't even describe what I saw. Never in my wildest dreams that as a police officer would I find myself in the middle of a battle.'

She said that what she witnessed was out of a movie. 'What I saw was just a war scene,' the officer recounted.

She gave committee members - including Chair Bennie Thompson and top Republican, Rep. Liz Cheney - a literal blow-by-blow account of the events, which left her unconscious for moments, and later with a traumatic brain injury.

Edwards spoke after the hearing showed testimony from Ivanka Trump saying she didn't believe her father's claims the election was stolen and footage of former Attorney General Bill Barr calling 'rigged' allegations 'bulls***'.

Jared Kushner also thought White House Counsel Pat Cipollone's constant threats to resign over fraud claims in the wake of January 6 were just 'whining' in one of a series of videos - including interviews and footage of the attack - seen for the first time.

Trump spokesman Jason Miller claims a data staffer on the campaign told the president he would lose

Miller said on Twitter that Cheney failed to show testimony saying Trump disagreed with the analysis

Campaign lawyer Alex Cannon testified that by 'mid-November' they couldn't find evidence of fraud

Liz Cheney suggested the White House received reports there were plans for violence ahead of January 6

Bill Barr also called Donald Trump's claims voting machines were rigged 'nonsense' and 'crazy stuff'

Capitol cop Caroline Edwards, who suffered a brain injury, said rioters called her 'Nancy Pelosi's dog'

She added that she was involved in 'hand-to-hand combat' with the rioters and was knocked unconscious

A note from a White House staffer seen by January 6 committee shows them asking Trump to stop riot

Video from inside the Capitol shows staffers fleeing from Republican leader Kevin McCarthy's office

At the start of his Fox News show, Tucker Carlson said he would not be showing the 'propaganda' hearings

Capitol Police Officer Caroline Edwards recounted the harrowing scene she encountered defending the U.S. Capitol Building from pro-Trump rioters on January 6 during the House January 6 select committee's first primetime hearing Thursday

Capitol Police Officer Caroline Edwards (left) was one of two in-person witnesses to testify before the House select committee on January 6 during the group's first primetime hearing. She took the oath alongside documentary filmmaker Nick Quested (right)

Video shows Capitol Police Office Caroline Edwards in a moment she described Thursday night - being knocked unconscious after a bike rack was thrown on her head

Capitol Police Office Caroline Edwards said she 'caught the stair behind me and my chin hit the handrail and then - at that point I blacked out - but the back of my head clipped the concrete stairs behind me'

Capitol Police Officer Caroline Edwards also recounted seeing her colleague Officer Brian Sicknick, who died a day after the Capitol riot, looking 'ghostly pale' after he was sprayed with something during the riot

Capitol Police Officer Caroline Edwards arrives for the hearing of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on Thursday night

Cheney said also said there was evidence Trump said Pence 'deserved to be hanged', criticized him for watching the riot unfold from the dining room in the White House and said multiple members of her own party -including Rep. Scott Perry - sought pardons for their own role in 'attempting to overturn the election'. A spokesman for Perry called the claims a 'laughable, ludicrous, and a thoroughly soulless lie'.

Later in the hearing, Edwards recalled that a group of protesters, led by one of the top Proud Boys Joseph Biggs, had gathered near her outside the Capitol Building and started increasingly becoming anti-police.

'I know when I'm being turned into a villain - and that's when I turned to my sergeant and I stated the understatement of the century. I said, "Sarge, I think we're going to need a few more people down here,"' she testified.

She said Biggs and another Proud Boy, Ryan Samsel, ripped the first barricade down and approached the officers' bike racks.

Edwards and other Capitol Police officers braced the bike racks.

'I felt the bike rack come on top of my head and I was pushed backwards and my foot caught the stair behind me and my chin hit the handrail and then - at that point I blacked out - but the back of my head clipped the concrete stairs behind me,' she said.

Cheney asked the officer if she was knocked unconscious and she answered in the affirmative.

'Yes ma'am,' Edwards answered to Cheney's second question - whether she returned to duty.

Edwards said she tried to hold the West Front of the Capitol and was overpowered there. Washington, D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department officers showed up to assist, allowing Edwards to fall behind the line.

Donald Trump's spokesman Jason Miller claims January 6 hearing deceptively edited his testimony Donald Trump's spokesman has claimed that the January 6 Committee distorted his words when they played a clip of his testimony during Thursday night's hearing. Jason Miller, who was a senior aide to Trump and now speaks for the former president, was shown during the hearing discussing the moment shortly after the November 2020 election when a data analyst said the Trump campaign looked to have lost. Matt Oczkowski, a campaign data expert, told Trump on the call he was going to lose the election based on the election returns, Miller testified. The information was highlighted because it suggested that Trump spent months concocting ways to overturn an election he knew to be legitimate. Yet Miller, shortly after the hearing, said the clip was edited and did not include his full remarks. Jason Miller is seen testifying before the House Select Committee, and explaining how Trump was told, in the days after the November 2020 vote, that he was not going to win the election 'Here's what came next in my testimony, which Liz Cheney failed to play,' Miller tweeted. 'Q: Okay. And what was the President's reaction then when Matt said to him, 'Hey, we've looked at the numbers, you're going to lose'? 'A: I think it's safe to say he disagreed with Matt's analysis. 'Q: On what basis? Did he give a basis? 'A: He believed that Matt was not looking at the prospect of legal challenges going our way and that Matt was looking at purely from what those numbers were showing as opposed to broader things to include legality and election integrity issues which, as a data guy, he may not have been monitoring.' Advertisement

'For awhile I started decontaminating people who had gotten sprayed and treating people medically who needed it,' she recalled. 'So after awhile I got back on the line, it was on the House side of the lower west stairs ... and officer Sicknick was behind me.'

'All of the sudden I see movement to the left of me, and it was officer Sicknick with his head in his hands and he was ghostly pale,' she said. 'Which I figured at that point he had been sprayed, and I was concerned. My cop alarm bells went off.'

She said if Sicknick would have been hit with pepper spray he would have turned red, not pale.

Sicknick died the next day. His family members were in the audience Thursday night.

'And so I looked back to see what had happened, what had hit him and that's when I got sprayed in the eyes as well,' she said. 'I was taken to be deconatminated by another officer but we didn't get a chance because I got tear-gassed.'

Cheney then played a video where it appeared Edwards got sprayed.

At the top of her testimony, she compared what she endured to the experiences of her veteran grandfather, who fought in the Korean War and 'lived with the rest of his days with bullets and shrapnel in his legs, but never once complained about his sacrifice'.

'I was called a lot of things on January 6, 2021 and the days after. I was called Nancy Pelosi's dog, called incompetent, called a hero and a villain.

'I was called a traitor to my country, my oath and my Constitution. In actuality, I was none of those things. I was an American standing face to face with other Americans, asking myself, how many times, many, many, times, how we had gotten here?

'I have been called names before, but never had my patriotism or duty been called into question. I, who got up every day, no matter how early the hour or how late I got in the night before, to put on my uniform and to protect America symbol of democracy. I, who spent countless hours in the baking sun and freezing snow to make sure that America's elected officials were able to do their job. I, whose literal blood, sweat and tears were shed that day defending the building that I spent countless holidays and weekends working in,' Edwards said.

Democrat Bennie Thompson invokes slavery, the Ku Klux Klan and lynching - and introduces Bill Barr's testimony

Committee Chairman, Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson, began the hearings by saying: 'I am from a part of the country where people justified the actions of slavery, the Ku Klux Klan and lynching.

'I'm reminded of that dark history as I hear voices today try and justify the actions of the insurrectionists on January 6, 2021'.

'We swore an oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic,' he added and said the oath was put to the test.

'Donald Trump was at the center of that conspiracy. And ultimately, Donald Trump, the president of the United States, spurred a mob of domestic enemies of the Constitution to march down to the Capitol and subvert American democracy,' Thompson said.

He also criticized Trump for trying to stop the 'transfer of power' by comparing words from Abraham Lincoln saying he would hand over the reins of the U.S. government if he lost the election.

Thompson then turned to testimony from Barr filmed during their investigation where the former attorney general said: 'I've had I had three discussions with the President that I can recall.

'One was on November 23. One was on December 1, and one was on December 14, and I've been through sort of the give and take of those discussions. And in that context, I made it clear I did not agree with the idea of saying the election was stolen and putting out this stuff, which I told the President was bulls***.

'And, you know, I didn't want to be a part of it. And that's one of the reasons that went into deciding to leave when I did what I observed. I think it was on December 1, and you know, how can we can't live in a world where where the incumbent administration stays in power, based on its view, once supported by specific evidence that the election that there was fraud in the election.'

Barr also said that he told Trump campaign officials that voter fraud claim against Dominion voting machines was 'crazy stuff and they were wasting their time on that.'

Donald Trump's attorney general Bill Barr said his claims the election was stolen were 'bulls***' at the start of the January 6 committee's first primetime hearing on their investigation into the Capitol riot

They also showed video of Ivanka Trump testifying that she accepted Barr's rejection of her father's election fraud claims

Jared Kushner also told the committee that he thought White House Counsel Pat Cipollone's constant threats to resign over the fraud claims in the wake of January 6 were just 'whining'

Republican Rep. Liz Cheney said also said there was evidence Trump said Mike Pence 'deserved to be hanged' and criticized him for watching the riot unfold from the dining room in the White House

Liz Cheney claims the Trump White House received reports of planned violence ahead of January 6 and claims ex-president thought Pence 'deserved' to be hanged

Cheney laid out what the public will hear during the January 6 committee hearings, including claims the White House was aware there was the potential for violence.

'You will also hear that President Trump met with that group alone for a period of time before White House lawyers and other staff discovered the group was there and rushed to intervene, she said in her opening statement.

'A little more than an hour after Ms. [Sidney] Powell, Mr. [Rudy] Giuliani, Gen. [Michael] Flynn and the others finally left the White House, President Trump sent the tweet on the screen now, telling people to come to Washington on Jan. 6. 'Be there,' he instructed them, 'will be wild.' As you will see, this was a pivotal moment, she added.

'This tweet initiated a chain of events, led to planning for what occurred on January 6 including by the Proud Boys who ultimately led the invasion of the Capitol and the violence on that day.'

She went on to mention the Proud Boys that have been indicted for seditious conspiracy for their role in the attack and went against any claims that Trump wasn't warned about January 6. There is still no evidence that was the case.

'Although certain former Trump officials have argued they did not anticipate violence on Jan. 6, the evidence suggests otherwise,' she said. 'As you will see in our hearings, the White House was receiving specific reports in the days leading up to Jan. 6, including during President Trump's Ellipse rally, indicating that elements in the crowd were preparing for violence at the Capitol.'

Cheney then described testimony from a witness who said Trump was aware of chants to 'Hang Mike Pence'. 'Aware of the rioters' chants to 'hang Mike Pence,' the President responded with this sentiment: [quote] 'Maybe our supporters have the right idea.' Mike Pence [quote] 'deserves' it,' she said.

Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley says Mike Pence wanted to call in law enforcement, not Trump, and describes his phone calls with Chief of Staff Mark Meadows

In his recorded testimony, Milley told the committee it was Pence who wanted the National Guard to come in and quell the violence on January 6, and then Meadows told him to say it was Trump who wanted backup.

'Vice President Pence -- there were two or three calls with Vice President Pence. He was very animated, and he issued very explicit, very direct, unambiguous orders. There was no question about that, Milley said in his interview.

'He was very animated, very direct, very firm to Secretary Miller. 'Get the military down here, get the guard down here. Put down this situation, et cetera,' he added, pointing to Pence.

He then went onto describe his phone calls with Meadows that day. 'He (Meadows) said: We have to kill the narrative that the vice president is making all the decisions. We need to establish the narrative, you know, that the President is still in charge and that things are steady or stable, or words to that effect,' Milley said in his testimony.

'I immediately interpreted that as politics, politics, politics. Red flag for me, personally. No action. But I remember it distinctly,' he added.

Republicans say the primetime hearings are a distraction for scandals plaguing the Democrats and the White House - including surging gas prices, crime and inflation

The committee has interviewed more than 1,000 people - including Trump aides and rioters - who they believe were directly or indirectly involved in the Capitol riot 17 months ago.

Republicans have called the primetime hearing, produced by a former ABC News executive James Goldston, a distraction from scandals plaguing the Biden administration and Democrats including inflation, dire polls, gas prices, crime and the situation at the border.

They also say security failures are also squarely to blame for the riot and have claimed Nancy Pelosi is responsible for those lapses.

Earlier on Thursday, Trump tore into the actions of the committee in a Truth Social post saying January 6 'represented the greatest movement in the history of our Country to Make America Great Again'.

'The Unselect Committee didn't spend one minute studying the reason that people went to Washington, D.C., in massive numbers, far greater than the Fake News Media is willing to report, or that the Unselects are willing to even mention.'

In a second post, he said: 'It was about an Election that was Rigged and Stolen, and a Country that was about to go to HELL...& look at our Country now!'

In the next post he bashes the lawmakers on the committee as 'political Thugs' who 'refused to study and report on the massive amount of irrefutable evidence, much of it recently produced, that shows the 2020 Presidential Election was Rigged and Stolen.'

Among the revelations, Trump's Chief of Staff Mark Meadows told Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Mark Milley on January 6 that he wanted to 'establish a narrative' that Trump was still in charge and 'kill' the suggestion that Vice President Mike Pence was 'making all the decisions'

Sandra Garza widow of Capitol Cop Brian Sicknick, and U.S. Capitol Police Officer Pfc. Harry Dunn cry as they listen to testimony at the hearing

Rep. Adam Kinzinger, one of the two Republicans on the committee, looks ahead as the hearings get underway

Surveillance video taken from the Capitol shows the huge crowd surging towards the police barricades on January 6

There was also video of staff members running out of Republican leader Kevin McCarthy's office in the Capitol on the afternoon of January 6 as the chaos unfolded
Human remains believed to belong to a mother who was allegedly murdered may have been in the bush for one month before they were found by four-wheel drivers.

Donna Howe, 57, was last seen by her family in late April in Caboolture, around an hour north of Brisbane, and was reported missing on June 5.

Deeply decomposed remains believed to belong to Ms Howe were found in the Glasshouse Mountains in the Sunshine Coast hinterland on Tuesday.

Two men, Clinton Travis Oliver, 41, and Braydon Franklin, 31, have both been charged with murder and misconduct with a corpse. Both have also been hit with fraud charges.

Human remains believed to belong to mother Donna Howe who was allegedly murdered may have been in the bush for one month before they were found by four-wheel drivers

Police have alleged in court documents that Oliver and Franklin murdered the grandmother at a home in Caboolture on May 8 before disposing her body the same day.

Oliver is facing five counts of fraud and Franklin faces one count.

Oliver allegedly dishonestly gained $7,000 on May 24 and used a debit card that belonged to Ms Howe. He also allegedly dishonestly gained a total of $1,405 from the 57-year-old on two separate occasions in late May.

The mother and grandmother was allegedly murdered on May 8 before four-wheel drivers found remains believed to belong to her on Tuesday in the Glasshouse Mountains

Franklin allegedly dishonestly took $2,000 on May 25.

Detective Senior Sergeant Tony Green said one man lived with Ms Howe but they weren't in a relationship, and the other visited the home.

The remains were found by two men off a track in the bushland and were believed to have been burned at the scene.

Ms Howe's brother Dennis Long described her as having a 'heart of gold'.

Queensland Police Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Mansfield said a lighter had been found near the body.

Both Oliver and Franklin have been remanded in custody and will face court on July 22.
Opposition leader Peter Dutton warns Labor is sending a dangerous signal to 'evil' people smugglers and is split over whether to carry on turning back asylum seekers.

New Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faced his first test on immigration policy when a boatload of Sri Lankan asylum seekers was intercepted on Thursday.

They were brought ashore on Christmas Island and immediately deported back to the Indian Ocean island's capital of Colombo on a specially-chartered six-hour flight.

But on Nine's Today show, Mr Dutton insisted on Friday that the government was sending out 'mixed messages'.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton warns Labor is sending a dangerous signal to 'evil' people smugglers and is split over whether to carry on turning back asylum seekers

'People smugglers aren't stupid,' he told host Karl Stefanovic. 'They're organised criminal syndicates.

'They're evil people taking money off innocent men, women and children. What we don't want to see is a repeat of Labour's last disaster.

'The mixed messages coming out of the government that are heard in places like Sri Lanka are concerning.

'Not everybody within the Labour Party is singing from the same hymn sheet.'

He said the Coalition would support the government if they continued to turn back the boats.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton insisted the government was sending out 'mixed messages'

'I hope that they don't change what we had in place,' he said. 'We stopped the boats which stopped the drownings at sea and I just don't want to see it restart.

'When Tony Burke was immigration minister, about 6000 people arrived.

'The people smugglers know that the same people are now in government who made terrible decisions before and that's what they're preying on.'

Mr Burke hit back saying he reduced the number of boat arrivals by 80 per cent and claimed Mr Dutton was using the figure from the first day Mr Burke started in the job.

And he said there was no change from the previous policy now Labor was in power.

'It's not changing and that's that,' he insisted. 'The policy doesn't change. People who try to come by boat get turned around and sent back.'

He told Stefanovic the government was braced for more attempts by asylum seekers in the weeks and months to come.

New Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faced his first test on immigration policy when a boatload of Sri Lankan asylum seekers was intercepted and sent back on Thursday

But he accused the Opposition of encouraging people smugglers for political reasons by pretending there was a division within Labor ranks where none existed.

'Every time they want to say all the doors are open or something like that, they might be trying to send a message to encourage them,' said the employment minister.

'The policy hasn't changed and won't.'

On election day, Australian Border Force issued a media release to reveal a boat load of Sri Lankan asylum seekers had been intercepted and turned around.

However they refused to comment about Thursday's arrival on Christmas Island.

An ABF spokesman told Daily Mail Australia on Friday: 'The department does not comment on operational matters.'
A bright young doctor's love of paragliding has come to a tragic end, less than two years she first took to the skies to experience the thrills of the extreme sport.

New Zealand woman Charlotte O'Leary was killed doing what she loved in a freak accident in the Saint-Andre-les-Alpes, one of the world's most popular paragliding spots in the French Alps.

The experienced paraglider was on a European adventure with her brother and was weeks away from returning home for the winter ski season to work as an emergency doctor at the Coronet Peak resort near Queenstown.

Eighteen months ago, Ms O'Leary informed friends she had taken up the extreme sport by posting a stunning photo from Treble Cone Ski Area on New Zealand's South Island.

'New hobby,' she captioned the photo of herself paragliding.

Charlotte O'Leary was tragically killed in a paragliding accident in the French Alps, 18 months after she took up the extreme sport

Charlotte captioned this incredible photo of her paragliding as 'new hobby' just 18 months before she died doing the sport

Ms O'Leary's social media is filled with photos from her travel and paragliding adventures around the globe.

A week before her death on June 2, Ms O'Leary was at Berggasthaus Aescher-Wildkirchli in the Swiss Alps, 730km north of Saint-Andre-les-Alpes.

She posted a photo of a house built within a mountain amid the incredible backdrop of the Swiss Alps.

'Almost more paragliders than hikers!' she wrote within the comments.

Located in south-eastern France, Saint-Andre-les-Alpes is one of the worlds best paragliding sites with long mountain ridges and 300 days of sunshine each year.

New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed the department was aware one of their citizens had died during a paragliding accident in France and was providing assistance to the family.

Her body is in the process of being repatriated home.

Charlotte O'Leary was killed in a freak accident in Saint-Andre-les-Alpes, an internationally renowned paragliding spot

Ms OLeary graduated from University of Otago and previously worked at Hauora Tairawhiti District Health.

Originally from Macraes Flat, three hours east of Queenstown, she had spent the last 12 months living in Queenstown and was about to start a fourth season as a doctor at the nearby Coronet Peak ski resort.

'People are devastated,' NZ SKI chief executive Paul Anderson told the New Zealand Herald.

'Losing anyone in these circumstances is very tragic and she was a really talented and valuable member of the medical team.

'Our sympathies go to the family  it's tragic.'

Charlotte O'Leary was a doctor who weeks away from returning home to work as an emergency doctor at a New Zealand ski resort

Her death sparked an outpouring of grief from shattered friends, former colleagues and patients.

'Devastating news - amazing doctor- thoughts are with your family,' one woman wrote online.

A former colleague added: 'Was so sad to hear the news, you were a great doctor that we all enjoyed working with. Thoughts are with your family & friends.'

A third person wrote: 'Was shocked when I heard about it. Gonna miss you.'

Ms O'Leary is the second Kiwi in seven years to be killed while paragliding in the French Alps.
A former neighbour of Chris Dawson has told his murder trial that she and her husband saw Lynette Dawson dressed in 'a nurse's uniform' more than two years after the 33-year-old mother-of-two disappeared.

But Jill Breese said that when she rang police to report the alleged sighting in 1987 or 1988 she was told that the missing woman was 'under the pool' at the Dawson's Bayview home.

Between 1979 and 1984, Mrs Breese and her husband Peter had lived in a property on Torumba Avenue in Bayview, Sydney, which backed onto the Dawson's home on Gillwinga Drive.

The NSW Supreme Court heard on Friday that both she and Mr Breese believed they had seen Lynette Dawson at Rockcastle Private Hospital, now South Pacific Private, in the Sydney suburb of Curl Curl in June, 1984.

Peter Breese was recovering from a nose job, and some time after waking from his anaesthetic, he saw a woman three metres away for five to 10 seconds.

He said the woman wore the same round glasses and had the same hairstyle as Mrs Dawson, and was dressed in a nurse's uniform.

The woman spun on her heel, walked away and never came back. 'I believe it was Lynette Dawson,' he told the court, although he was unsure of whether he had been wearing glasses at the time.

A couple claimed they saw Lyn Dawson in her nurse's uniform more than two years after the 33-year-old mother-of-two (above) disappeared in January 1982 never to be seen again

When Jill Breese called police in around 1987 to report her alleged sighting of Lynette Dawson, she was told the missing woman was 'under the pool' of the family home at Bayview

Ex-neighbour Jill Breese claims she saw Lyn Dawson two years after she vanished 'dressed in a nurse's uniform' while visiting her husband who was recovering in hospital

An audio recording of Jill Breese, who was too ill to testify, was played of her giving evidence in 2020, in which she claimed she had seen Mrs Dawson while visiting her husband in hospital.

Ms Breese said she saw a 'side shot' of a woman who walked past and stood at the nurse's station.

'The person I saw, I recognised as Lyn Dawson,' she said in evidence.

When she called Mona Vale police station to report the sighting after seeing a Manly Daily article on missing persons, a constable told her Lyn was 'under the pool' in the family home.

Ms Breese said she was shocked at the police officer's claim, 'it was very abrupt, I didn't think it was very professional'.

Christopher Michael Dawson, 73, is accused of murdering his wife and disposing of her body in January 1982 so he could have an unfettered relationship with his babysitter and former student, known as JC. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge

His defence case is that Lyn left her marriage to Chris Dawson of her own accord and abandoned her two young daughters, then aged four and two.

Witnesses have testified to either seeing or being told by Lynette about Chris Dawson pushing her face into the mud during an argument near the pool of the Bayview house (above) before its surrounds had been paved

Prosecutors allege Chris Dawson murdered his wife Lynette (above, the couple together) after 11 years of marriage to clear the way for his relationship with schoolgirl babysitter JC

A woman who had been married to the accused's older brother, Peter, told the trial on Friday about how her own mother had left behind her three children back in 1960.

Lynelle Elizabeth Dawson had been married to Peter Dawson, four years older than Chris Dawson and his twin brother Paul, until their 1980 divorce.

Lynelle, who had known and been fond of Lynette Dawson, and was still close to Chris Dawson, said her mother - whose maiden name was Marcia Botham - had come to speak with her when she was just nine years old.

Lynelle had a six-year-old brother and a sister, 4, and on October 17, 1960 had taken her into the back yard for 'a little chat' and told her 'Lynelle I dont want to go' to which the girl had replied, 'Mum, dont go'.

Lynette Dawson with one of her daughters at the Bayview property after the house was built but before the swimming pool had been installed

But Marcia had left the family's Beverley Hills home and moved to a boarding house in another southern Sydney suburb, 7km away, where Lynelle had visited her.

On the last visit, Lynelle had taken a blue bus on her tenth birthday to meet Marcia, who gave her gifts and bought her a milkshake, before seeing her back on the bus home.

Lynelle next received 'a little letter' in which Marcia said she couldn't see her daughter for their next planned weekend visit and when her father Phillip Hatter rang the boarding house, he'd was told Marcia had already left.

No-one in the family ever saw Marcia again.

Mr Hatter made efforts to find his wife, putting ads in the newspaper, and his sister moved in to look after the three children, Auntie Norma becoming 'a replacement mum who was loved by everybody'.

The former wife of Peter Dawson (pictured above with his accused brother Chris) told the court about how her own mother had abandoned her family and run off to New Zealand

Lyn Dawson (left, on her wedding day) was 'under the swimming pool' police claimed to a neighbour, while Chris Dawson's (right) former sister-in-law said she did not believe he was capable of murdering or harming Lynette

Lynelle said Peter Dawson became aware of the story when they became a couple and, subsequently so did the Dawson family, including Chris and Lynette.

She said her father and her aunt 'never stopped looking', but had both since died and in 2018 Lynelle decided to conduct her own search and 'bingo' within ten days she had an answer.

'I couldn't believe it,' she said, describing a death certificate arriving in the mail in the name of Marcia Sanders who had the same birth date as her mother, and which recorded the maiden name Marcia Botham.

The document indicated her mother had since been married twice but Lynelle said, her voice cracking as she testified in the court , 'on her death certificate there's no children, no children, that speaks for herself what a person can do'.

A woman once married to Chris Dawson's older brother said both Chris and Lyn (above) knew the story of how about own mother had abandoned her three children and never saw them again

Under cross-examination by Chris Dawson's barrister Pauline David, Lynnelle said that she did not believe he was capable of throttling or murdering Lynette, or calling her 'fatso' or' a bitch'.

'I thought I was Chris Dawson was kind, caring, a team player. I think (Lyn) was a good mother and a caring mother,' Lynelle Dawson said.

On Christmas Day 1981, when Chris Dawson missed the family celebration because he was sleeping with schoolgirl babysitter JC at his twin brother's place, Lynelle Dawson notice Lynette was 'trying to be normal ... was vague and a little bit disoriented and I could see she was stressed'.

The trial will resume on Tuesday.
A Melbourne high school continues to attract unwelcome headlines with allegations male students routinely sexually harassed female students, ranked them for their looks and even masturbated in front of them during class.

The claims were made as part of a survey of female students that was delivered to Balwyn High School principal Deborah Harman in March 2021.

The anonymous survey, completed by 49 students, claimed Balwyn High boys had masturbated in front of girls while in class and threatened to rape female students as a 'joke', reported the Herald Sun.

Balwyn High School in Melbourne's east faces allegations that boys at the school engaged in serious sexual misconduct including masturbating in front of girls while in class

Male students also allegedly inappropriately touched and stalked girls on school property as well as regularly addressing them in derogatory terms such as 'slut', 'whore' and 'bitch'.

It's also claimed year nine and 10 girls were ranked from best to worst looking.

A Victorian Department of Education spokesperson said Ms Harman had 'taken these claims seriously and addressed them appropriately and professionally'.

'Balwyn High School is an outstanding school with strong academic output that is led by one of Victoria's best principals,' the spokesperson said.

There were also claims that Balwyn girls were serially harassed by boys who made jokes about rape, inappropriately touched and stalked them, and made a list ranking attractiveness

Following the petition delivered to Ms Harman the school had delivered senior students sessions - named Project You - that taught consent and respectful relations.

The sessions were constructed with input from students who had aired concerns, the department said, and the school community had reacted positively.

Students told the Herald Sun they went to Ms Harman after some teachers dismissed the survey as an 'attack on boys at the school' and told them that 'men suffer too'.

One said she 'believed the school had a duty of care but had pushed aside these issues'.

'Girls were literally assaulted at school and given detentions for their uniform being too short,' she said.

Victoria's education department has backed Balwyn High School Principal Deborah Harman's handling of the complaints saying they had been dealt with 'appropriately and professionally'

'The boys used to sit around and say that girls were "just holes to fill" and other things like that and make jokes about consent and teachers would hear and not say anything.'

The survey also claimed girls at the school were criticised for wearing short skirts by staff who told them 'girls should know what they are doing' by wearing 'such clothes'.

One male teacher had allegedly made the observation he could see up the skirts of girls sitting on the floor in class, which was labelled 'as creepy as f***'.

It was reported that a year 11 girl was given detention for having a short skirt that was 'distracting' male teachers and staff.

The school subsequently denied the student was told that.

The survey organisers were inspired by London university student Chanel Contos who in February 2021 began an Instagram poll for young Australian woman to anonymously report incidences of sexual assault by students from all-boys schools.

The response was so overwhelming it propelled Ms Contos, a former student at the exclusive Kambala all girls school in Sydney's Rose Bay, to become a leading advocate for teaching consent lessons.

Consent education activist Chanel Contos inspired Balwyn High students to begin surveying their schoolmates on their experiences of sexual harassment and misconduct

Balwyn High School, in Melbourne's east, has also attracted unwelcome mention for students organising a boycott of the 2021 year 12 formal, because classmates were banned for not behaving in 'a respectful, inclusive manner towards their peers, teachers and the community'.

The school also received media coverage for charging students $130 for a walking 'homelessness tour' of inner Melbourne but which also included a stop at the Big Issue production workshop and a visit to Melbourne Museum, which has free entry to those under 16.

Last year Ms Harman took home the title of Outstanding Secondary School Principal at the Victorian Education Excellence Awards.

In her principal's message on the school website she writes: 'We are committed to excellence and community, by actively challenging and supporting every student, every staff member, to be their best.'

'We hold all community members to the highest standards and we proudly acknowledge and celebrate success  in all its forms.'
Sales of bulletproof bookcases - the latest product as a last line of defense against school shootings - have soared in the wake of the Texas massacre.

ProtecED Furniture's CEO Pete Facchini insists 'lives would have been saved if they had our bookcase' at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde - where gunman Salvador Ramos murdered 19 children and two teachers.

Co-founder and military veteran Jake Ahle told Marietta Daily Journal 'the amount of interest we've been getting in our product is 10 times anything we had in the last year and a half, two years, because of what happened in Texas'.

The Georgia-based company produces bookcases made of steel on the outside and Kevlar, a bullet proof synthetic fiber, on the inside.

They are on wheels - so are easy to maneuver - and are equipped with a mirror so any prospective shooter attempting to peer into a class room will only be met by their own reflection.

Pete Facchini said that he believes lives would have been saved in Uvalde if the school had been equipped with his product

According to the CEO, 'numerous' schools in New Jersey are using the shelves, as are corporate offices in California, he also said that people who run churches and synagogues have also asked about purchasing the shelves

According to the company's website, ProtectED can be installed in schools for an average cost of $25 per student per year.

There are 475 students enrolled in Robb Elementary School. Going along with the company's estimates, it would have cost $11,875 to secure the school.

The Texas Tribune reported the school district received $69,000 in January 2020 to enhance physical security at the school.

Facchini, also a military veteran with the US Army Special Operations Command, told 11Alive in an interview: 'All of these mass shootings, the significant loss of life is because he gains access to the room.'

'If you look at the timeline from the first time the teacher called 911 to the time he gained access to the building, within 15 seconds, those classrooms could have been locked down.'

Following the Uvalde shooting, one manufacturer of bulletproof backpacks reported an 800 percent increase in sales, reported The Dallas Morning News.

18-year-old shooter Salvador Ramos who killed 22 people at Robb Elementary School on May 24. The school district where Robb Elementary was located received a grant of $69,000 to enhance physical security in 2020

This graphic reflect Salvador Ramos' actions on the day of the massacre in Uvalde

Law enforcement work the scene after a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School

School hardening for security against active shooters has long been a controversial issue

School hardening for security against active shooters has long been a controversial issue.

In 2019, school safety expert Kenneth Trump told the National Education Associations' website: 'A skewed focus on target hardening neglects the time and resources needed to spend on professional development training, planning, behavioral and mental health intervention supports for students, and other best practices.'

Jagdish Khubchandani, a public health professor at New Mexico State University, told The Texas Tribune in the wake of Uvalde: 'This concept of hardening, the more it has been done, it's not shown the results.'

According to the company's website, Facchini became interested in the idea of finding a way to save lives during active shooting events following the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting.

On that day, 32 people were killed by crazed gunman Seung-Hui Cho on campus at the school.

In an interview with CBS46, Facchini said: 'That was kind of like what got me thinking, and then when Sandy Hook happened, it was gut-wrenching to think kids were trapped in a classroom.'

A promotional video on ProtectEd's website showing two children moving the bookcase into position

People pay their respects and leave tributes outside of Robb Elementary School for the victims of the shooting, Uvalde, Texas

The trio came together to develop their product in 2020.

In 2021, Ahle told Poets and Quants, a business school publication, that in order to test the quality of the shelves, the company rented land in a central New Jersey.

Ahle said that rooms blocked by the shelves could not be breached until explosives were used.

He said: 'They could not get into the room that was blocked by our bookcase until they used explosives. Only after explosives were they able to get in. Of course, our product isn't rated to withstand rocket-propelled grenades.'

Facchini said that the company's goal was to create something that would blend into the classroom environment.

He said: 'We didn't want a kid to sit in the classroom and look at something every day and say 'that's in case of an active shooter.'

Facchini added: 'My children go to school in Cherokee county, my wife is a teacher in Cobb County, so I have a vested interest for my family alone.'

According to the CEO, 'numerous' schools in New Jersey are using the shelves, as are corporate offices in California, he also said that people who run churches and synagogues have also asked about purchasing the shelves.

Ahle in the center, pictured with Facchini on the right alongside the production designer Tim Cahalin

The principal of one of the schools in New Jersey that purchased the shelves told the Daily Journal: 'We as a country continue to be a reactive environment, so a company like this allows an administrator like me to be proactive to prevent these things because, unfortunately, this violence isn't going to stop.'

The principal chose to remain anonymous citing safety concerns.

Ahle said that the company wants to secure a contract in Georgia to help to protect schools where the company is based.

Facchini said in the CBS46 interview: 'You know, the most catastrophic event is Sandy Hook, it's Uvalde, when you have a gunman enter a room, and a bunch of people are trapped in there. So that's what we wanted to address, and I think this product does it perfectly.'

Facchini is a 20 year US Army Special Operations veteran. He fought in the War on Terror and is the recipient of three Bronze Stars. He has expertise in marksmanship, breaching, close quarters battle and small unit tactics, according to his profile on the company's website. He retired from the military in 2019.

He said that he became fully immersed in the idea of building the product following his retirement from the military in 2019. Ahle and Facchini served in the same Army squadron together. Ahle graduated from US Army Ranger School and was an Airborne Infantry Officer.

The company's other founder is Tom Ankenbauer, another military veteran who was deployed in both Iraq and Afghanistan.
What is monkeypox?

Monkeypox is a rare viral infection which people usually pick up in the tropical areas of west and central Africa.

It is usually spread through direct contact with animals such as squirrels, which are known to harbour the virus.

However, it can also be transmitted through very close contact with an infected person.

Monkeypox was first discovered when an outbreak of a pox-like disease occurred in monkeys kept for research in 1958.

The first human case was recorded in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the infection has been reported in a number of central and western African countries since then.

Only a handful of cases have been reported outside of Africa until now and they were confined to people with travel links to the continent.

How deadly is it?

Monkeypox is usually mild, with most patients recovering within a few weeks without treatment. Yet, the disease can prove fatal.

However it can kill up to 10 per cent of people it infects.

The milder strain causing the current outbreak kills one in 100  similar to when Covid first hit.

Monkeypox shuts down some aspects of your body's ability to fight infections.

Because of the presence of other viruses and bacteria which your body can't fight off, in the worst cases patients can succumb to a lethal shock throughout the body and blood poisoning.

Death is more likely to occur in younger patients. The skin lesions are painful and disfiguring, and can be the source of further infections.

Is there a cure?

Because monkeypox is closely related to the virus that causes smallpox, jabs for smallpox can also protect people from getting monkeypox.

One vaccine, Imvanex, was shown to be around 85 per cent effective in preventing monkeypox infection.

Antivirals and pooled blood from individuals vaccinated against smallpox can be used to treat severe cases.

What are the symptoms?

Initial symptoms of monkeypox include fever, headache, muscle aches, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion.

But its most unusual feature is a rash that often begins on the face, then spreads to other parts of the body, commonly the genitals, hands or feet.

The rash changes and goes through different stages before finally forming a scab, which later falls off.

What do I do if I have symptoms?

Anyone worried that they could be infected with monkeypox is advised to make contact with clinics ahead of their visit.

Health chiefs say their call or discussion will be treated sensitively and confidentially.
An Australian sailor has survived a 17km swim for his life through shark-infested waters after falling out of his boat while fishing.

John Deer was stranded alone with no life-jacket off the coast of Panama in an area known to locals as 'shark point' on Wednesday night.

Mr Deer, from Victoria, sold everything he owned in 2019 to sail around the world on the adventure of a lifetime.

Towards the end of what was a 30 hour trip from Columbia to Panama, he fell off the back of his boat while it was on autopilot with both sails up and the motor running.

Mr Deer had just caught a small tuna and as he took it off the line and redeployed the lure he lost balance and slipped off the back of the boat.

John Deer (pictured) set off in 2019 to sail around the world and now finds himself without a boat and just the clothes on his back but with an incredible story to tell

'I just remember hitting the water and as I saw my boat sail off I just thought, this is it, I'm done, I'm going to die,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'It happened so quick. I put my foot in the wrong place and suddenly I am in the water watching my boat sail away and completely helpless.

'I don't know if it was panic as much as denial in the beginning. I just started screaming "no, no no!".'

After realising he had no other option but to swim for his life, Mr Deer started towards land with only about an hour of sunlight left.

He said his survival instincts kicked in and he remembered a trick to figure out which piece of land was the closest.

'You can tell which part of the land is closest by what appears darkest,' he said.

'So while I could see my boat going in one direction I knew that the land to my side was closer.

'I knew I went overboard at about 5pm so daylight was limited. I memorised the shape of the mountains and then after the sun went down I just followed the darkest part.'

The remains of Mr Deer's boat after it was recovered some distance from where he fell off it near Panama

Mr Deer started alternating breaststroke and survival stroke as he headed towards land.

Because he was moving so slowly he started to wonder if he was making any progress.

'I didn't know if or how I would get there and I was trying not to be put off the task at hand and just kept reminding myself I could do it,' he said.

'I kept telling myself out loud, I'm getting closer, I've got this, I can do this. I was just being positive to keep my mind strong.'

However, as night fell Mr Deer felt something bite his foot, setting him off into a wild panic.

'Fearing it was a shark I went into a frenzy. I started screaming, kicking and punching in every direction to scare it off,' he said.

'I just knew I had limited energy, I was getting so tired so I decided to keep swimming.

'I soon realised it was fish that were nibbling at me. They just wouldn't leave me alone, they were about the size of my forearm and just kept biting my body and legs. I have bite and scratch marks all over my legs from them.'

Police later told him the spot where he fell off the boat was known locally as 'shark point' due to the predators often spotted there.

A GoFundMe page has been set up for Mr Deer to help him get money to return to Australia and restart his life again after selling everything to purchase his boat

Mr Deer got his emotions under control and tried to get an idea of his progress by using another trick of holding his arm out in front of him to measure how far the land appeared.

'I held my arm out and the land fully covered my hand at first,' he said.

'I checked again at what I thought was about an hour later and I could see a bit of the mountain on either side of my hand.

'Then next time I checked I saw about 30 per cent of land either side of my hand and I started to think I can do this, I can do this.'

Mr Deer then recalled the moment he finally reached some rocks and knew he had made it.

'When I got to the rocks I was so relieved but then I almost slipped and thought OK I need to just lay here for a bit, imagine going out like that after managing to make it to shore,' he said.

'I got up on these sharp jagged rocks and laid my shirt down to lay on. As the adrenaline stopped my body completely shut down.

'I passed out and I woke up every hour or so as the rocks were so sharp but I was just so exhausted.

'At first light I found a log and made a signal flag. The first boat I tried to signal didn't hear me, the second waved and then kept going but then third time lucky and the boat stopped.

'They gave me a ride and took me back to civilisation.'

Mr Deer is stuck in Panama City (pictured) with only the clothes on his back and 'not even with some damn thongs'. He said he needs an emergency passport to get back to Australia

Once back to shore, Mr Deer said the police questioned him as they had located the boat underwater and thought he was done for.

Mr Deer is stuck in Panama City with only the clothes on his back and 'not even with some damn thongs'. He said he needs an emergency passport to get back to Australia.

While he is disappointed all his belongings are gone and he has nothing to go home to as he sold everything before he set sailed, he still in high spirits and thankful to be alive.

'I have literally lost everything I had. I only have my T-shirt and pants, that is it,' he said.

'I am basically an undocumented immigrant and I just need to get to Panama City and get an emergency passport and try to get home to start with a fresh slate and reinvent myself.'

Mr Deer said he wouldn't rule out sailing again, as there was still a part of him that loved being on the water and exploring the world.

A GoFundMe page has been set up by his friend with the hope of providing Mr Deer with funds to return to Australia.

'People think my life is amazing but it feels mundane to me. This is the first time it feels like I have a crazy story to tell,' he said.

Mr Deer said it felt 'eerie' looking at the remains of his boat bobbing in rocky water but it just reminded him how lucky he was to still be alive.

'As an Aussie, you have to love a story where you beat the odds and that is what I did,' he said.
A 16-year-old boy who was stabbed to death outside a suburban home following an argument over a girl is remembered as a 'special boy' with a 'larger-than-life personality'.

Alosceous Jay Samarawickrama was about to start his air conditioning apprenticeship when he died from a single stab wound to the chest in Ropes Crossing, western Sydney, in the early hours of Saturday morning.

His father, Jay De Silva, told Daily Mail Australia that his son was a 'good boy' who was 'always respectful'.

Loved ones flocked to social media to pay tribute to the teenager.

The mother of one of his best friends said on Facebook that she asked her son how he felt about the tragedy.

The boy replied: 'He's okay because he knows that he is safe now.'

Alosceous Jay Samarawickrama (pictured) was stabbed to death outside a suburban home in Sydney

Emergency services rushed to the home in Ropes Crossing near Blacktown on Saturday, but he was unable to be revived

'Rest in love, Alosceous,' she wrote.

His former primary school teacher school teacher said she has taught hundreds of students over her 22-year career, but none stood out like Alosceous.

'There is one that I would never have forgotten, even if in another 50 years time,' she said.

The woman explained that he was able to spell his name by the end of Kindergarten, but it was a challenge - prior to that, he would initial his work with a capital 'A'.

'Hearing he had been murdered, so senselessly in the early hours of Sunday morning at just 16 years old has rocked me,' she continued.

'It has rocked all of our tight, close-knit teaching community of Ropes Crossing.

'Rest in paradise, Alosceous. I wont ever forget you.'

Police allege the offender was angry about comments the victim made about his girlfriend

Another woman commented and said his 'larger than life' personality always made her laugh.

'Always remembered, very special boy,' she added.

Youth Against Violence - a community-led project that aims to stop violence in young people with early intervention - created a Go Fund Me campaign on behalf of his family.

'The family appreciate your condolences and words of support as they continue to grieve the loss of their loved one,' the group wrote.

The girl at the centre of the altercation reportedly invited her boyfriend and some mates to the home for an intimate party.

It is understood Alosceous told the alleged attacker: 'Your girlfriend is trying to hit on me'.

The victim and the girl's boyfriend walked onto the road, where the alleged offender was joined by two other male friends

As tensions rose, the alleged knifeman suggested they 'sort it outside' and led the way from the backyard where the party was taking place to the front of the house.

The alleged attacker was reportedly joined by two other males out the front of the house.

'It got messy,' a source told Daily Mail Australia. 'Family rushed out of the house because they thought they heard a fight and there's a teenager dying on the floor.'

Less than a dozen teenagers were present when the alleged altercation took place.

Detectives believe a combination of alcohol, hormones and bravado saw the situation rapidly deteriorate when the accused felt he needed to 'defend his girlfriend'.

Three teenage boys fled the scene. Investigations are ongoing and charges have not been laid.

Police are now investigating claims the two teenagers were friends and arrived at the house together earlier in the evening

Western Sydney has seen a spike in knife-related violence and friends of the victim are calling on youths to 'put down their weapons'.

'He [the victim] didn't have a knife on him... He would've thought he was going out for a tussle and then next thing someone's got a knife. It's weak,' one friend said.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics and police who arrived on the scene, the 16-year-old victim could not be revived.

The boy's father said his son was 'a good kid with a lot of potential'.

'He was going to start an apprenticeship, air conditioning, in a few days. He is going to be missed.'

Mt Druitt Police are speaking with party guests who witnessed the fatal stabbing. At this stage, authorities don't believe the stabbing was gang-related.
During their brief visit across the pond, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry did not mingle with Prince William and Kate Middleton. And there's a reason behind it.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited the United Kingdom for the first time since they stood down as senior members of the British royal family and relocated to the United States in 2020. The pair remarried

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Offer "Olive Branch" to Cambridges

The royals attended a thanksgiving ceremony at St. Paul's Cathedral last Friday to honor the reigning king, 96. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were the first to arrive, followed by Prince William and Kate Middleton. It was their first public appearance together in over two years.

Royal observers noticed that Prince William and Kate Middleton made no eye contact as they walked to their seats in the front row. Even Prince Charles was observed glancing aside as he went past the row where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were sitting.

While several members of the royal family attended the reception at The Guildhall following the service, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry did not. They also missed the star-studded Platinum Party In the Palace on Saturday in favor of a modest celebration of their daughter Lilibet's first birthday at Frogmore Cottage.

Soon later, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, together with their two children, returned to their California home.

On June 2, the couple watched Trooping the Color from the Major General's Office. They were not asked to stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace with Prince William and Kate Middleton since they are no longer senior working royals. They also did not participate in the carriage procession, according to Yahoo.

During their visit to the UK to commemorate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, Prince Harry and Meghan allegedly handed the Cambridges an olive branch.

As reported by Cosmopolitan, her Majesty's 70th year on the throne was celebrated last weekend, but there was another royal celebration in order - Lilibet Diana's first birthday on June 4th. To commemorate the occasion, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are said to have had a low-key birthday celebration for their daughter at Frogmore Cottage, their previous UK residence.

A royal insider who spoke to Page Six described the Cambridges' invitation to the birthday celebration as an "olive branch," albeit the Duke and Duchess were unable to attend owing to other Platinum Jubilee responsibilities. In truth, William, Kate, and their two eldest children, Prince George, eight, and Princess Charlotte, seven, were in Wales for the day on an official visit to Cardiff Castle.

Read Also: Astronomers Baffled by Powerful, Repeating Radio Waves Detected 3 Billion Light-Years Away

Expert: Prince Harry Wants an Apology

According to self-proclaimed royal expert Angela Levin, an enraged Prince Harry will certainly demand an apology following claims that Queen Elizabeth II and company royally snubbed him during last week's Platinum Jubilee.

"I believe he would have been very, very disappointed that he was virtually overlooked," The Sun's acclaimed biographer of Prince Harry and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, said. "He still believes he owes an apology."

"The thing that particularly stuck out for me on that day was Harry's rage - he wears his emotions on his face, and he looked utterly furious," the royal analyst said of self-destructive Prince Harry's manner during the Service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul's Cathedral last Friday.

The outspoken Levin, who reportedly spent a year with Prince Harry, 37, while writing his biography, was addressing the international photo controversy that erupted when he and wife Meghan Markle, 40, introduced their daughter and namesake Lilibet, 1, to Elizabeth for the first time last Wednesday, after flying to the UK to take part in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Multiple publications reported that the couple's request for a photographer to picture the 96-year-old monarch and their daughter was rejected, with one unnamed source alleging they were told, "No chance. It was a private family gathering, "according to New York Post.

Related Article: Meghan Markle's Secret Message to Prince Harry: Everything You Need To Know During the Sussexes' Stay in UK for Platinum Jubilee

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A jubilant Tamil refugee family has finally returned to their adopted home after an agonising four-year battle to stay in Australia.

Priya and Nades Nadesalingam, along with their Australian-born daughters Kopika and Tharnicaa, touched down at the Thangool Airport near their small home town of Biloela in central Queensland on Friday afternoon.

The family shared a hug on the tarmac, and the two girls waved to the awaiting crowd who clapped and cheered with signs and streamers.

The Nadesalingam family (above) have landed at Thangool Airport near their home town of Biloela as they return to their adopted rural home

Biloela locals (above) met the family on the tarmac with 'welcome home' signs decorated with cockatoos, the bird which the small town is named after

Priya blew a kiss to waiting friends and supporters who have fought for this moment since the family was first detained in March 2018.

The Nadesalingams were loved members of the community when their bridging visas expired in 2018 and they were taken into immigration detention.

At that time authorities found they no longer met Australia's refugee requirements.

The emotional family (above) waved to their supporters at Thangool Airport after a four-year immigration battle

Mother Priya (centre) cried as she reunited with her Biloela friends for the first time in four years

Nearly 600,000 people signed Home to Bilo campaigner Angela Frederick's petition in support of the family, and more than 53,000 phone calls and emails were made and sent to Australian politicians.

However the election of the Albanese government has seen the family finally able to return home after it relented on the previous government's policy.

Priya held a stuffed cockatoo toy, the native bird which the small town is named after, while waiting on the tarmac with her family.

Father Nades (centre) threw his arms up in the arm as his family disembarked the plane

Biloela locals and supporters (above) flooded the Thangool Airport tarmac to greet the much-missed Nadesalingam family

'Thank you so much,' she later told reporters.

'Me and my family are very happy again start our journey back to my community Bilo.

'My community and Australian people, my family, helping  thank you to all in Bilo community.

'I'm starting a new life  so happy, thank you.'

Nades and Priya Nadesalingam hugged friends they haven't seen in four years at Thangool Airport

Priya blew kisses as the family walked across the tarmac while her daughter held a stuffed cockatoo toy, the native bird Biloela is named after

The crowd hugged, cried, and danced together once reunited with the much-missed family.

'To finally be able to see them walk into Biloela  it's just like a dream come true really,' local Marie Austin told the ABC.

Family friend Bronwyn Dendle said she'd played the emotional reunion 'so many times' in her head and was overjoyed to welcome the family back.

Priya and Nades Nadesalingam (above) waved as they got off the plane at Thangool Airport

Locals waited with greeting signs on the Thangool Airport tarmac to welcome home the Nadesalingam family

The family's return coincides with little Tharnicaa's fifth birthday, her first birthday out of detention, and Ms Dendle said she is excited to give her the party she deserves.

'We're going to have a birthday party in the park, which is what Bilo locals do. She's specifically requested a pink party, so a pink party she will have.'

Their arrival also coincides with the Banana Shire's Flourish Multicultural Festival on Saturday.

Tharnicaa was just nine months old when her family was first placed in an immigration detention centre in Melbourne.

The former coalition government tried to deport the family on a commercial flight from Melbourne to Sri Lanka in 2019, but an 11th hour court injunction order the plane land in Darwin.

Priya Nadesalingam blew kisses to supporters and photographers as they got off the plane at Thangool Airport, near their hometown Biloela

The four were then held at the Christmas Island detention centre for two years until then immigration minister Alex Hawke moved them to community detention in Perth in mid-2021.

His change-of-heart came after Tharnicaa was medically evacuated with a suspected blood infection.

Following the change of government in May, interim Home Affairs Minister Jim Chalmers gave the family permission to return to Biloela on bridging visas.
The power of the internet has helped a British filmmaker track down the guardian angel who stopped him from taking his own life on a train platform.

Layke Anderson, 38, launched a viral Twitter thread earlier this week in a desperate effort to find the mysterious brunette 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- until now.

Within two days of his plea going viral and attracting global attention, the mysterious woman has been tracked down on the other side of the world, much to the award winning filmmaker's surprised delight.

He has since discovered Tania is a Maori from New Zealand and not Australia as he originally thought.

Mr Anderson shared a screenshot of a heartwarming message from a relative which ended the search and the emotional response his Twitter thread sparked.

'Somehow your Twitter post has reached us,' Ali wrote.

British filmmaker Layke Anderson (pictured) launched a public appeal to help track down the brunette Good Samaritan who saved his life

'It wound up in Tania's inbox today from someone she told the story to at work.

She called us in New Zealand that night, sobbing. Told us all about it and was distraught she didn't get you to your destination.'

'My sister-in-law is an initiative and an amazing person. She's Kiwi, Maori.

Ali added Tania thought of Mr Anderson often and just thought of him two days ago.

'I read her through all your tweet just now. She was simply crying. So Happy that you're still there. We all are,' Ali wrote.

They added his story had touched their own heart due to their own mental health battles and offered to pass on Tania's contact details.

Ali also wants to catch up with Mr Anderson when they visit London next month.

'We all feel like we all know you,' they wrote.

'So much love to you and the universe for interrupting and also letting us seeing this message.'

The filmmaker tracked down his guardian angel on the other wide of the world within two days as he shared the heartwarming message from Tania's relative

An overwhelmed Mr Anderson thanked everyone who had been in touch.

'Didnt expect this to go viral. But at last I found her!' he tweeted on Friday

'Trembled with joy reading this. Now I know her name Tania. #Whanau'

The update was inundated with heartwarming comments.

'Awwww this has just put a massive smile on my face. Really pleased that you have been able to find Tania again,' one man wrote.

A woman added: 'That is so beautiful, so happy you two have found each other (yet) again!

Mr Anderson said he often thought about his 'guardian angel', who he described as a brunette who had a grown up son.

'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.

Layke Anderson (pictured) will be reunited with the Good Samaritan who saved his life

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 originally thought 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 ended the tweet by urging 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.

If you or anyone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636
Civil servants may face compulsory redundancies as part of measures to reduce the number of officials to pre-Brexit levels.

In a leaked document seen by the Times, up to 40 per cent of workers in some government departments could be dismissed as part of Jacob Rees-Mogg's plans to cut the number of civil servants by 91,000 in the next three years.

The report, sent to Whitehall departments, says that as a result of the cuts, some government activity will be 'deprioritised'.

It says departments should put forward plans for three scenarios - cuts of 20 per cent, 30 per cent and 40 per cent by March 2025.

The document also suggests departments and agencies will have to plan for cuts and asks officials to alert higher-ups if there will be considerable impacts on government policies such as levelling up.

It states: 'All civil servants within your departmental group are in scope, including those working in executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies.'

In a leaked document seen by the Times, up to 40 per cent of workers in some government departments could be dismissed as part of Jacob Rees-Mogg's plans to cut the number of civil servants by 91,000 in the next three years. (Pictured: Jacob Rees-Mogg speaks to journalists in Westminster on June 6, 2022)

A report, sent to Whitehall departments, says that as a result of cuts, some government activity will be 'deprioritised'

Speaking in Blackpool yesterday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson defended the plans and said they would not affect the delivery of public services.

'It cannot be right that the size of central government has increased by 23 per cent since 2015,' Mr Johnson said.

'I believe we have the best civil service in the world but in view of the pressures on families, we must now find efficiencies and prune Whitehall back to the size it was only five or six years ago.

Something we can achieve without harming public services.'

The plans have been met with hostility in some departments.

Meanwhile, a group of senior civil servants have pushed back against Mr Johnson's 'bonkers' proposal to scrap the fast stream programme for a year.

According to the Telegraph, permanent secretaries - the officials leading each government department - have expressed deep disquiet and are pressing Cabinet Secretary Simon Case to scrap the plans.
Scott Morrison has joked that he now has more time to practice the ukulele after losing power.

The former Prime Minister was famously ridiculed for his rendition of Dragon hit April Sun In Cuba while being interviewed by Nine's Karl Stefanovic in February.

On Friday afternoon the father of two posted a picture of his instrument alongside two songbooks with the caption 'Now I can get some more practice in Karlos'.

On Friday afternoon the father of two posted a picture of his instrument alongside two songbooks with the caption: 'Now I can get some more practice in Karlos'

The Facebook post sparked an outpouring of support from his loyal fans. Some said they wanted him back in charge while others thanked him for his service.

'Need you back... worst Labor Party Australia has had. We are going to be in big trouble with this party,' one commenter wrote.

'We need and miss you Scott there will never be another as good as you,' said another.

A third commenter added: 'You enjoy your ukulele and have fun. We miss your strong leadership and team'.

Mr Morrison resigned as Liberal leader when he lost the May 21 election to Anthony Albanese.

He still represents Cook as a backbench MP but is expected to resign sparking a by-election soon.

Mr Morrison (pictured with family) resigned as Liberal leader when he lost the May 21 election to Anthony Albanese

The Facebook post sparked an outpouring of support from his loyal fans. Some said they wanted him back in charge while others thanked him for his service

In an interview with Daily Mail Australia during the election campaign, Mr Morrison said his best achievements have been 'seeing Australia come through the pandemic', doubling mental health funding, and countering China by building alliances within ASEAN, the Quad and AUKUS.

Mr Morrison's post came after Jacinda Ardern declared a 'reset' in relations between Australia and New Zealand while visiting Mr Albanese in Sydney.

Mr Albanese said he would consider her longstanding request to stop deporting criminals with Kiwi passports when they have lived in Australia for a long time.

The new Prime Minister said he sympathised with his 'friend' Jacinda Ardern's view on the controversial immigration policy during a joint press conference.

The New Zealand leader is the first to visit Mr Albanese on home soil after his election win on May 21. The pair are pictured together on Friday in Sydney

Fellow Labor leader Ms Ardern, who clashed with Mr Morrison over the issue, said: 'I do see this as an opportunity for a reset.'

On her last trip to Australia in 2020, Ms Ardern told Mr Morrison: 'Do not deport your people and your problems'.

Australia's policy sees non-citizens who commit serious crimes deported even if they've spent most of their lives in Australia.

It has resulted in hundreds of criminals being shipped to New Zealand even if they have no ties to the country other than their Kiwi passport.

About 2,000 New Zealanders were deported between 2014 and 2020. Most had lived in Australia since they were children.

Ms Ardern has previously said the policy 'unquestionably' increases gang violence in New Zealand.
Triple murderer Benjamin Hoffmann's mental health is rapidly unravelling as he awaits sentencing in the Northern Territory, his legal team says.

The self-confessed gunman, who went on a killing spree across Darwin in 2019, is reportedly struggling with compulsive talking and organising his thoughts.

'Very recently, Mr Hoffmann was at serious risk of self-harm, he was suicidal again,' Patricia Petersen, who is acting for Hoffmann on a pro-bono basis after Legal Aid withdrew its funding, told AAP on Friday.

'However, the main concern now with respect to Mr Hoffmann, especially given final sentencing is on 25 July, are his difficulties listening to, understanding and responding appropriately to relevant legal questions.'

Benjamin Hoffmann (pictured) pleaded guilty mid-trial and sacked his first two teams of publicly funded lawyers

Dr Petersen described the 48-year-old's speech as 'pressured, urgent and disorganised' and a 'word salad'.

'He jumps from one subject to another. It is very difficult at the moment,' she said.

This is making it difficult for her to gather information necessary for sentencing submissions to Justice John Burns.

Dr Petersen wants the authorities to reassess Hoffmann's mental health so he can be provided with treatment if needed.

'He is obviously mentally unwell and although the medication he is currently taking may be the right medication, and necessary, it is clearly not sufficient,' she said.

Mr Hoffmann is facing life in prison without parole after he pleaded guilty mid-trial in November to intentionally killing Hassan Baydoun, 33, Michael Sisois, 57, and Rob Courtney, 52 and the manslaughter of 75-year-old Nigel Hellings.

Hoffmann's mental health and manners of speech are making it difficult for his defence to make sentencing submissions (pictured: Darwin Supreme Court)

Sentencing submissions in May heard he was using methamphetamine in the lead up to the killings, and was likely delusional and suffering drug-induced psychosis when he went on the rampage armed with a shotgun.

His former lawyer, Bruce Levet, raised concerns in the Supreme Court in Darwin in March that Hoffmann was unfit to properly instruct a lawyer ahead of his sentencing.

He said Hoffmann believed an outlaw motorcycle gang, his previous legal team, the Crown prosecution team and the judge that heard his trial had conspired against him.

Hoffmann told the court in April that he was being given 410mg of anti-psychotic medication per day 'for voice and visions'.

His case will return to the Supreme Court in Darwin on July 25 for further sentencing submissions.
An indigenous musician claims she was racially profiled and accused of stealing while shopping with her children at Kmart.

Australian rapper Barkaa, real name Chloe Quaylee, was shopping at her local Kmart store in the western Sydney suburb of Merrylands on Wednesday night.

She claimed she and her family were watched and followed by three staff and stopped from leaving the store until they checked her bags.

Indigenous rapper Barkaa was shopping at her local Kmart when three staff members followed her around the store and would not let her leave until they checked every item in her bag.

'I walked into Kmart with my family and was spotted by one of the women who worked there, who continued starring at us,' Barkaa wrote in an Instagram post.

'She then grabs two young men (one that was in uniform and one that wasn't) and all three followed me through the toy section with my young kids, snickering things under their breathe and laughing.'

Barkaa confronted the woman asking whether 'she was ok', the woman replied: 'yes, just looking at this' - which she then told the woman: 'I know you are following me, can you please stop, it's rude.'

The mother-of-three called her children to follow her and leave the store when two young men allegedly followed them through the aisles.

'As we were leaving the two young men followed us so I decided to start video recording as it was distressing and humiliating for me,' Barkaa wrote.

'Once we got to the check out and checked all of our items through and proceeded to walk out, we were then stopped by a young woman who said "I have to check your bag".'

The Malyangapa and Barkindji woman and rapper (pictured) said Kmart staff racially profiled her and her family while they shopped

Barkaa claimed three Kmart workers pulled out all the items she bought out of her bags and insisted they 'had to because it was their job' - while other customers left with their bags unchecked.

'I said to them, 'I have no need to steal, I'm in here with my kids, I have more than enough to pay for these items,' Barkaa told the Kmart staff.

The artist felt 'humiliated and ashamed' but believed she had to speak out against racism and discrimination and had the platform to do so - sharing the experience with her 59,700 followers.

'I have the platform to do so and I wish this wasn't my job, but so many of us are still being discriminated against and racially profiled, followed around in stores and targeted just for being who we are,' she wrote.

'Tonight I felt humiliated and ashamed, I had people looking at me and my young kids like we had done something wrong.

'I felt like crying when I got out of the shop but instead I had to walk off and explain to my kids what just happened and comfort my eldest daughter.

'I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired.'

The budget retailer, which is a subsidiary of Wesfarmers, said it was aware of Barkaa's experience and was investigating the matter further.

'We are aware of Barkaas experience in our store and we are investigating internally and taking it extremely seriously,' Kmart told Daily Mail Australia.

'We have been in contact with Barkaa and are speaking with her to understand more about her experience.

'We want all our customers to have a great experience every time they are in one of our stores and we understand we have not delivered on this experience this time around.'

Kmart said they are aware of Barkaa's experience at the Merryland's store in western Sydney (pictured) and are investigating the incident

In two Instagram story posts on Friday night, one of which was deleted, Barkaa labelled users leaving negative comments as 'whinging racists'.

'It's 2022, I don't need racists for permission to be a Blak [sic] woman in this country with a voice,' she wrote.

'What happened was unacceptable... I'm not backing down and I have every right to be upset... it was traumatic for myself and my babies.'

'Fancy being called a thief on stolen land,' she wrote and then quickly deleted.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Barkaa for further comment.
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EasyJet pilots have accused the 'chaotic' airline of cancelling viable flights over the half-term holidays after 'foolish' bosses thought they could operate despite making hundreds of staff redundant during the pandemic.

Pilots from France working for the Luton-based company warned of the 'frightening prospect' of even worse disruption this summer as fears build that customers will stop using the airline after being put off by the chaos.

Workers from the French SNPL pilot union also accused easyJet officials of failing to act on warnings that the firm could not cope with demand after Covid-19 restrictions were lifted amid 'operational meltdowns'. They also said there 'seems to be a curse on easyJet top management, bound to become penny wise and pound foolish'.

The letter, written to easyJet's Swedish chief executive Johan Lundgren, accused executives of being 'fooled' into believing they could put on a summer schedule despite 'less flight crew, cabin crew or flight planning officers'.

EasyJet cut 1,400 UK jobs in the first ten months of the pandemic up to January 2021, having initially warned shortly after the Covid-19 crisis began that up to 4,500 members of its 15,000 workforce could lose their jobs.

The situation at EasyJet - whose pre-tax losses over the six months to March were revealed last month to have hit 557million - comes as British holidaymakers heading abroad were hit by further long queues at UK airports again today as others were warned strike action across Europe threatens to wreak further havoc on summer getaways.

Unions representing Ryanair crew in Spain said 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 following half-term flight chaos.

According to the i newspaper, the French pilots said in their letter: 'Literally hundreds of employees in distress have fed back how chaotic our operations have become recently, to unprecedented levels We are actually convinced that our disruption hasn't even peaked yet and frankly this is a frightening prospect.'

They claimed there were dozens of 'red cancellations' just minutes before departure, and some early flights were cancelled at the last-minute despite easyJet bosses knowing the night before that no crew were available.

BRISTOL AIRPORT: Holidaymakers and commuters flying from Bristol once again encounter lengthy queues pre-4am today

BRISTOL AIRPORT: Huge queues at Bristol Airport this morning again as people arrive before 4am for their flights

BRISTOL AIRPORT: Air passengers flying from Bristol Airport this morning once again encounter lengthy queues pre-4am

LONDON HEATHROW AIRPORT: Foreign Secretary David Lammy tweeted a picture of huge queues at Heathrow this morning

LONDON LUTON AIRPORT: Passengers travelling through Luton early this morning faced huge queues at passport control

EasyJet, which about 550 French-based pilots, said it would respond directly to the SNPL - and a spokesman told the i: 'Delivering a safe and reliable operation for our customers and crew is the airline's highest priority. EasyJet continues to operate up to around 1,700 flights and carry around a quarter of a million customers every day.

'However, the ongoing challenging operating environment continues to have an impact which is resulting in a small proportion of flight cancellations. We are absolutely focused on our daily operation and continue to monitor this very closely and will not hesitate to take action as needed.'

Flight cancellations today at airports in England TOTAL  67 GATWICK (28) Departures (14) EasyJet (12) - Venice, Amsterdam, Turin, Milan, Zurich, Geneva, Berlin, Preveza, Valencia, Pisa, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona

WestJet (1) - Toronto

Wizz Air (1) - Milan Arrivals (14) EasyJet (12) - Venice, Amsterdam, Turin, Milan, Zurich, Geneva, Berlin, Preveza, Valencia, Pisa, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona [same flights]

WestJet (1) - Toronto

Wizz Air (1)  Malaga HEATHROW (10) Departures (4) Lufthansa (1) - Frankfurt

KLM (1) - Amsterdam

United Airlines (1) - Washington

Malaysia Airlines (1) - Kuala Lumpur Arrivals (6) Lufthansa (1) - Frankfurt

KLM (1)  Amsterdam

United Airlines (1) - Washington

Malaysia Airlines (1)- Kuala Lumpur

Air China (2) - Beijing, Shanghai LUTON (5) Departures (3) Wizz Air (1) - Sofia

EasyJet (2) - Jersey, Malaga Arrivals (2) Wizz Air (1) - Sofia

EasyJet (1) - Jersey STANSTED (2) Departures (1) EasyJet (1) - Edinburgh Arrivals (1) EasyJet (1) - Edinburgh BIRMINGHAM (6) Arrivals (3) EasyJet (3) - Edinburgh, Glasgow, Malaga Departures (3) EasyJet (3) - Edinburgh, Glasgow, Malaga BRISTOL (12) Arrivals (6) EasyJet (6) - Krakow, Glasgow, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Basel, Belfast Departures (6) EasyJet (6) - Krakow, Glasgow, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Basel, Belfast MANCHESTER (4) Arrivals (2) KLM (1) - Amsterdam

SAS (1)  Oslo Departures (2) KLM (1) - Amsterdam

SAS (1) - Oslo Advertisement

There were also huge queues at London Heathrow Airport this morning, where Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy tweeted this morning: 'Arriving from work in Afghanistan this morning at 7am.

'(Home Secretary) Priti Patel has achieved the longest passport control queue I have ever seen at Heathrow. A warm welcome home to fellow citizens and visitors alike. Another feather in her cap. Well done.'

Today, some 67 flights were cancelled across airports in England including 47 by easyJet - with Gatwick worst hit.

At Gatwick, the airline axed 28 flights with an equal split of departures and arrivals to the 14 destinations of Venice, Amsterdam, Turin, Milan, Zurich, Geneva, Berlin, Preveza, Valencia, Pisa, Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona.

There were 12 easyJet flights cancelled at Bristol Airport today, including six arrivals and six departures to and from Krakow, Glasgow, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Basel and Belfast.

At Luton, easyJet cancelled three flights including routes to Jersey and Malaga. At Stansted, a flight to and from Edinburgh was axed, while there were cancellations at Birmingham to and from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Malta.

It comes after 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.

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 France's 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 Europe's 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 Spain's 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.

Also earlier this week, a leading airline boss 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 company's '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.'

Tourists sit at a cafe terrace at Levante Beach in Benidorm on Tuesday as they go on a summer holiday

Tourists enjoy the swimming pool of a hotel at Levante Beach in Benidorm on Tuesday as they enjoy a holiday

A woman carries an inflatable dummy as she walks along the promenade at Levante Beach in Benidorm on Tuesday

Wizz Air has been forced to axe dozens of flights in recent weeks amid staff shortages and wider travel disruption across the UK.

But Martin Chalk, general secretary of the British Airline Pilots' Association, condemned Mr Varadi's comments, saying: 'I am shocked that an airline CEO would advise actions so contrary to even a basic safety culture.

'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.

Earlier this week, 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 haven't 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 airline's 'first priority' and said they have 'a robust and responsible crew management system'.
This is the moment a police officer chasing a suspect has a 9mm pistol pointed directly at him during a foot pursuit.

PC Elwood followed the gunman on foot following a shooting at a recording studio in Woolwich, south London in November 2020.

During the chase, which was captured on body cam, the suspect Mucktar Khan, turned and pointed a Turkish Retay 9mm semi-automatic handgun at PC Elwood and his dog, PD Cruz.

Khan made some ground after pointing the gun at PC Elwood, but as soon as he turned the next corner he was confronted by several firearms officers who arrested him.

Khan and three of his accomplices where jailed for a combined total of more than 30 years.

Mucktar Khan, 23, pictured, pointed a 9mm semi-automatic handgun at PC Elwood and PD Cruz following a shooting in Woolwich, south east London on November 3, 2020. He was jailed for eight years following a five-week trial at Croydon Crown Court

Myiles Brown, 22, was jailed for seven years and six months after he was convicted of possession of a firearm

Joshua Fasoro, 21, received an eight year and six month jail term after his DNA was linked to the recovery of a revolver in 2019

Don-Juan Newman, 23, was jailed for seven years and six months for his role in the crime

Khan, pictured right, pointed a semi-automatic handgun directly at PC Elwood who was giving chase

Speaking after the trial, PC Elwood said: 'When the gun was pointed directly at my face my instant reaction was to turn away in fear, I thought I was about to be killed. However I continued to chase after them as they are dangerous individuals who needed removing from the streets. Had I not have continued to chase after them then they would have got away and still had access to a deadly firearm.

'The presence of two police dogs during this incident was instrumental. One of the dogs found a discarded firearm and another played a significant role in capturing one of the suspects.

'I joined the police so I could stop violent and dangerous criminals who pose a risk to society from causing harm to communities and this case is a classic example of that.'

Croydon Crown Court heard that on Monday, November 3, 2020, police were called following a shooting at a recording studio on Woolwich Church Street, SE18. A woman and a man were injured after the gunman fired three shots at a group of people.

The gunman and his accomplices tried to escape in a stolen car. According to Scotland Yard, the gang crashed into a parked car and tried to escape on foot.

Officers recovered two magazines with live ammunition, three large Rambo knives and a machete.

Five members of the gang abandoned the car but police have so far failed to identify the fifth suspect.

Three other members of the gang, Myiles Brown, Joshua Fasoro and Don-Juan Newman, were arrested by armed officers hiding nearby.

Following a five-week trial at Croydon Crown Court, Khan, 23, who pointed the gun at PC Elwood was jailed for nine years having been convicted of possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm with intent.

His co-accused, 22-year-old Myiles Brown from Brixton received a seven year and six month jail term following his conviction of possession of a prohibited firearm.

Joshua Fasoro, 21, from Brixton was also convicted of possession of a firearm. When officers tested his DNA, he was also linked to the recovery of a revolver in an electrical cupboard in 2019. He was jailed for eight years and six months.

Police Dog Cruz followed Khan as he unwittingly ran in the direction of a group of armed officers

Don-Juan Newman, 23, also from Brixton, received a seven years and six months'.

All four were acquitted of the attempted murder of the man and the woman.

The investigation was led by detectives from Operation Trident.

Detective Constable Andy Brackley from Trident said: 'The actions of these four men that night were brazen and extremely reckless. We dont believe the two victims shot that night were the intended targets and it is only down to sheer luck that their injuries were not fatal. Although both have recovered they are both still suffering with the long-term health implications caused by their injuries.

'It was the immediate and coordinated response of the officers that night that led to us capturing these dangerous offenders. Tackling violence is the Mets number one priority and our plans are strong, with highly trained and skilled officers responding to incidents when they do occur.

'The footage from the officers body worn camera is shocking and displays the bravery and dedication officers can sometimes face. PD Cruz was also instrumental that evening in apprehending one of the offenders.'

Scotland Yard said in 2021/22 officers recovered 557 firearms from the street.
Momentum in the battle for the Donbas swung back in favour of Russia last night after Putin's forces managed to retake most of Severodonetsk in the Luhansk region.

Ukrainian forces are still managing to hold their positions on the outskirts of the city, officials said, but are subject to almost round-the-clock bombardments as Russian troops employ a WWI-style approach of seizing ground metre-by-metre behind heavy artillery strikes.

The industrial hub, along with its smaller twin Lysychansk on the opposite bank of the Siversky Donets river, represents the last Ukrainian-controlled part of Luhansk province, which Russia is determined to seize as one of its principal war objectives.

As such, the two urban centres have endured bitter fighting in recent weeks as Ukraine's armed forces attempt to hold off an all-out Russian offensive.

Ukraine's Security Council Secretary Oleksy Danilov said on Thursday the situation in Severodonetsk was 'extremely complicated' and Russian forces were focusing all of their might in the area.

'[The Russian army] don't spare their people, they're just sending men like cannon fodder... they are shelling our military day and night,' Danilov said, while Ukrainian Defence Ministry spokesperson Oleksandr Motuzyanyk declared: 'Russia's strategic goal is the complete destruction of Ukraine... They want to destroy Ukrainian statehood and install a government it can control here.'

Russia shelled more than 20 towns in Donetsk and Luhansk on Thursday, destroying or damaging 49 homes, several manufacturing plants, farm buildings and a rail station. Two civilians were killed, according to officials.

Russia says it does not target civilians.

Meanwhile, commander of Ukraine's Svoboda National Guard Battalion Petro Kusyk said his men were drawing the Russians into street fighting in Severodonetsk to neutralise their 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 Kusyk admitted his forces were suffering from a 'catastrophic' lack of counter-battery artillery to fire back at Russia's guns, and said that getting such weapons would transform the battlefield.

The gutted remains of cars lie along a road during heavy fighting at the front line in Severodonetsk, Luhansk region, Ukraine, Wednesday, June 8, 2022

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

Bodies of civilians killed during shelling are pictured at a mass grave in the outskirts of Lysychansk in the eastern Ukraine region of Donbas on June 9, 2022, as Russian forces have for weeks been concentrating their firepower on Severodonetsk and its sister city of Lysychansk across the river

A member of the Ukrainian troops stands on an armoured vehicle moving towards the front line in the city of Lysychansk in the eastern Ukraine region of Donbas on June 9, 2022

Black smoke and dirt rise from Severodonetsk's city centre amid constant fighting between Russian and Ukrainian troops in the eastern Ukraine region of Donbas on June 9, 2022

Ukraine's deputy head of military intelligence Vadym Skibitsky echoed Kusyk's statement and warned that Ukrainian's armed forces are running low on munitions for the artillery pieces they already have.

He told the Guardian that Western allies must deliver more artillery and long-range missiles to keep Ukraine in the fight.

'Everything now depends on what [the West] gives us... Ukraine has one artillery piece to 10 to 15 Russian artillery pieces - we have almost used up all of our ammunition and are now using 155-calibre Nato standard shells.'

Ukraine is expected to provide a list of weapons and defensive equipment it requires at a meeting with NATO in Brussles on June 15, following US President Joe Biden's promise of advanced rocket systems and additional munitions last week.

Germany also said it would offer its most advanced air defence systems to help protect Ukrainian skies, and UK foreign secretary Liz Truss has been vocal in her support to help arm Ukraine indefinitely.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday evening said his troops had made minor gains in the southern Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions where Russia is trying to impose its rule on several occupied territories.

Ukraine's defence ministry confirmed it had launched a series of counter-attacks, capturing new ground in a move Zelensky said 'succeeded in disrupting the occupiers' plans' - but Kherson's administrative centre is still under complete Russian control.

Russian proxy governments installed in Kherson city and a series of smaller towns have in recent weeks introduced the Russian rouble as official currency and begun broadcasting Russian state media television channels while preparing a referendum to formally join the Russian Federation.

But logistical disruption in Ukraine's south following months of constant fighting, shelling and the introduction of pro-Russian administrators have seen conditions in the occupied territories deteriorate drastically.

An intelligence update provided by Britain's Ministry of Defence this morning said Russia is struggling to provide access to safe drinking water in areas under its control and warned of a critical shortage of medicines.

And in the decimated port city of Mariupol, there are fears the already battered and deprived civilian population could soon suffer an outbreak of cholera.

There have been several reports of isolated cases of the bacterial disease since May, but the total collapse of medical support in the bombed-out metropolis, along with very limited access to drinking water and power, means conditions are ripe for the disease to spread.

Nataliya Gumenyuk, a spokesperson for Ukrainian forces in southern Ukraine, said Russia had 40 cruise missiles targeting Ukraine from the sea, suggesting Ukrainian units attempting to regain territory in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson could soon face a fresh round of bombardment - though she did not say how Ukraine obtained the information, which could not be verified.

Belarus also raised alarm bells this week when President Alexander Lukashenko and his advisers said the country's military presence along the Ukrainian border would be reinforced and announced a series of new 'military mobilisation exercises' - moves eerily reminiscent of the build-up of Putin's troops in western Russia in the weeks prior to the invasion on February 24.

US think-tank the Atlantic Council warned Belarus' military scale-up represented an transition from 'peacetime to wartime' and boosted speculation over a 'renewed crossborder offensive'.

If Belarusian forces were to join the conflict and invade from the north, Ukraine's army would be forced to regroup and deploy across two fronts, stretching its defences dangerously thin.

An intelligence update provided by Britain's Ministry of Defence this morning said Russia is struggling to provide access to safe drinking water in areas under its control and warned of a critical shortage of medicines

A non exploded aviation bomb FAB-250 is pictured in front of a destroyed building in the city of Mariupol on June 2, 2022, amid the ongoing Russian military action in Ukraine

A Russian serviceman patrols the destroyed part of the Ilyich Iron and Steel Works in Ukraine's port city of Mariupol

Fresh graves are seen at a cemetery in the city of Mariupol on June 2, 2022

The British government this morning declared Russia must take responsibility for the 'sham trial' of two Britons who have been sentenced to death for fighting against Russian forces in Ukraine.

Aiden Aslin, 28, and Shaun Pinner, 48, were convicted along with a Moroccan man by a court run by Russia-backed rebels in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic.

The two Britons were members of a Ukrainian military unit and were fighting alongside Ukraine's Azov battalion in the defence of Mariupol when they were captured.

Government minister Robin Walker said it was 'an illegal court in a sham government' and insisted the Foreign, Development and Commonwealth Office (FCDO) would use 'all diplomatic channels to make the case that these are prisoners of war who should be treated accordingly.'

'Russia needs to take responsibility, its responsibilities under the Geneva Convention, for the treatment of prisoners of war,' Walker said.

Foreign Secretary Truss meanwhile is due to speak to her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba later today about the case.

It is understood that the call had been scheduled for a number of days to discuss the UK's support of Ukraine, but the sentencing of Aslin and Pinner brings a new sense of urgency for the British foreign secretary.

'I utterly condemn the sentencing of Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner held by Russian proxies in eastern Ukraine,' Truss said this morning.

'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.'

Aiden Aslin (right) and Shaun Pinner (left) were detained in April during the siege of Mariupol while fighting in Ukraine, before appearing in court in the separatist region of Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and handed death sentences after a show trial

'I utterly condemn the sentencing of Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner held by Russian proxies in eastern Ukraine,' British foreign secretary Liz Truss said this morning. 'They are prisoners of war. This is a sham judgment with absolutely no legitimacy'

Aslin's family said in a statement last night: '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.

'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.'

Last night, MP Robert Jenrick said: 'This disgusting Soviet-era style show trial is the latest reminder of the depravity of Putin's regime.'

But a Whitehall source warned a strong British reaction could legitimise Russia's claims that Aslin and Pinner were operating as mercenaries rather than paid members of Ukraine's armed forces.

'There's a solid rationale for not wanting to escalate this and make it a bilateral issue between the UK and Russia,' the source said.

'This is because international law considers them Ukrainian combatants, and Ukraine is responsible for them in legal terms. If the UK gets involved, it will aid Russia's argument that these are mercenaries.'

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.

Aslin and Pinner yesterday appeared behind a metal cage as the verdict was read out.

Ex-British Army soldier Pinner stared at the ground and appeared distraught and close to tears, while former care worker Aslin remained composed.

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.
Two teenage brothers have drowned in a New Jersey school swimming pool while their 11-year-old sister watched on.

Jack Jiang, 16, and his 19-year-old brother Chu Ming Zheng, were reportedly swimming in the closed-off dive pool instead of the main swim area at Lincoln Community School's public swimming pool in Bayonne, New Jersey.

The three lifeguards on duty were monitoring the community swim in the main area - but noticed the two boys were in distress and 'unable to resurface' in the smaller, but deeper pool just before 8.30pm on Wednesday.

Although the two pools are understood to be connected somehow, it not yet known how the brothers ended up in the closed-off area.

Chu, 19, had just finished his freshman year at the University of Miami, while 16-year-old Jack was set to start his senior year at Bayonne High School in the fall, where Chu had also graduated from last year.

The lifeguards quickly jumped in to pull out Jack and Chu and performed CPR immediately, also calling 911, who had paramedics on the scene within minutes to help with the life-saving attempts after the brothers became unresponsive.

The pair, who were Chinese American, were rushed to Bayonne Medical Center, which is just two blocks, 0.16km (0.1miles) away from Lincoln Community School, but it was too late. They died in the hospital that evening.

Two teenage brothers Jack Jiang, 16 (left), and 19-year-old Chu Ming Zheng (right), died after drowning in Lincoln Community School's public swimming pool in Bayonne, New Jersey, on Wednesday

Lincoln Community School's public swimming pool in Bayonne, New Jersey, pictured. The three lifeguards on duty were monitoring the community swim in the main area - but noticed the two boys were in distress and 'unable to resurface' in the smaller, but deeper pool just before 8.30pm on Wednesday 8 June

An official said that their 11-year-old sister watched the incident unfold.

School Superintendent John Niesz said in a statement to the Bayonne Community on June 9: 'As you may be aware, last evening, two brothers, one a recent graduate of Bayonne High School and the other a current Bayonne High School junior, passed away.

'They both were at the Lincoln Community School pool last evening and tragically drowned. Today, I have spoken to the family and, with their blessing, we would like to start a fundraiser on behalf of the Zheng and Jiang family.

'The incident remains under investigation by the Bayonne Police Department. Investigations and reports are also being conducted by the school district, school insurance carrier, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Chu, 19, had just finished his freshman year at the University of Miami, while 16-year-old Jack was set to start his senior year at Bayonne High School (pictured) in the fall, where Chu had also graduated from last year

'I would also like to advise our community that the Bayonne School District will immediately commission an independent investigation into this incident.'

He also commended the staff, first responders and administration for their efforts to try and save Mr Zheng and Mr Jiang.

The pool has been closed until further notice as the police investigation continues. Bayonne School District is fundraising for the boys' family by collecting gift card donations at Korpi Ice Rink at various times over the weekend.
Ukraine is failing on the frontlines and is now almost entirely reliant on western armaments to keep Russian forces away, according to a Ukrainian military official.

Vadym Skibitsky, deputy head of Ukraine's military intelligence, said the current situation on the frontlines has become "an artillery war," and Kyiv forces "are losing in terms of artillery."

Skibitsy disclosed that Ukraine now depends on what the West provides them.

"Ukraine has one artillery piece to 10 to 15 Russian artillery pieces. Our western partners have given us about 10% of what they have," he said.

The official noted that Ukraine is using 5,000 to 6,000 artillery rounds per day and have almost utilized all artillery ammunition, and they are now using "155-caliber Nato standard shells."

Last week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky estimated that between 60 and 100 Ukrainian troops were killed every day, with another 500 injured. Ukraine has kept the exact number of military casualties undisclosed.

Skibitsky emphasized the importance of the west providing Ukraine with long-range rocket systems to destroy Russian artillery from afar.

Oleksiy Arestovych, a Ukrainian presidential adviser, stated this week that Ukraine needs 60 multiple-rocket launchers to defeat Russia, significantly more than the handful promised by the UK and US, as per a report from The Guardian.

CNBC reported that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the country's troops are holding on in cities in the Donbas region. This refers to the Donetsk and Luhansk provinces in the easternmost part of Ukraine.

Vladimir Putin Hints on Possible Expansion of Russian Territory

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin seemed to grimly hint at more territorial expansion during a speech to young entrepreneurs in Moscow.

Putin compared himself to Peter the Great, the 18th-century Russian ruler who led a conquest of the Baltic coast during his battle against Sweden, per Al Jazeera.

As the Kremlin's soldiers continued a grinding war of attrition in eastern Ukraine on Thursday, Putin spoke of his country's need to "take back" territory and "defend itself."

Putin drew parallels between Peter the Great's establishment of St Petersburg and modern-day Russia's objectives following a visit to a Moscow exhibition commemorating the tsar's 350th birthday.

Read Also: President Joe Biden Shows Never-Before-Seen Behavior During Jimmy Kimmel Interview, Pushes Blame on Lack of Gun Control Efforts

The Russian president said when Peter the Great established St Petersburg and declared it the Russian capital, "none of the countries in Europe recognized this territory as belonging to Russia."

"It is our responsibility also to take back and strengthen," Putin said, clearly referring to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

He said there were moments in history when the country "have been forced to retreat, but only to regain our strength and move forward."

Putin further stated: "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."

EU Gas Embargo on Russia, Not Possible

Meanwhile, the European Union will not be able to enforce a Russian gas embargo in its next set of measures, according to Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto.

In a CNBC report from the sidelines of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Ministerial Council Meeting in Paris, Szijjarto said that the West has to make sure that the sanctions they impose "are hurting more those against whom we impose the sanctions than ourselves."

"We have to have a very clear position on the war, which we do have, we condemn Russia for this military aggression. We stand with Ukraine. But we have to take into consideration reality as well," the Hungarian official added.

According to Szijjarto, Russia now supplies 65% of Hungary's oil needs and 85% of its gas supplies, with the landlocked European country unable to drastically lower its reliance on Russian hydrocarbons due to a lack of available infrastructure.

To hobble President Vladimir Putin's war machine, the EU agreed late last month to enforce a partial embargo on Russian crude. The weakened agreement covers Russian oil carried into the EU by sea, with an exception made for pipeline imports.

Related Article: Vladimir Putin Officially Admits Reason for War Is To Reclaim "Their Land," Warns Against Claims That Russia Is Defeated After Several Retreats

@ 2022 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The Queen could be removed as Jamaica's head of state as the country set out plans to become a republic by 2025.

The head of the Caribbean nation's legal ministry confirmed to its parliament that the process needed to remove Her Majesty will begin soon, with the aim of it being completed before the next election.

It will be included as part of the creation of a new Constitution of Jamaica which, if enacted, would make the country a republic without a monarchy.

Before this can happen though a number of key votes are expected to take place in the both chambers of the Jamaican legislative - the House and Senate - followed by a public vote.

It comes after the island's Prime Minister ambushed the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge about the issue during their Caribbean tour earlier this year.

The tour was supposed to charm former colonies in the region into keeping their close ties with the UK and the monarchy after Barbados transitioned into a republic.

However, it turned into a PR nightmare as they were faced with protests in every country, and they were present when Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness awkwardly told them his country was 'moving on' from the monarchy.

Marlene Malahoo Forte, Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, announced on Tuesday Jamaica intends to become a republic by 2025

Republican sentiment has been growing in the former colony for years, with a poll in 2020 indicating more than half of Jamaicans would vote to remove the Queen as head of state if given the choice.

Marlene Malahoo Forte QC, head of the Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs on the island nation, told its parliament on Tuesday the move would show Jamaica's 'self-determination and cultural heritage', The National reports.

She said: 'The goal is to ultimately produce a new Constitution of Jamaica, enacted by the Parliament of Jamaica, to inter alia, establish the Republic of Jamaica as a parliamentary republic, replacing the constitutional monarchy, and affirming our self-determination and cultural heritage.

'I am pleased to advise this honourable House that the work to achieve this goal, while being done in stages, has formally commenced.'

Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness (pictured with William and Kate in March this year) said the country was 'moving on' from the monarchy during the Cambridge's Caribbean tour

She added that a cross-party committee would be set up to look into the exact form the new constitution should take.

Ms Malahoo Forte added: 'The reform work to be done in order to achieve the goal of a new constitution requires cooperation between the government and the parliamentary opposition, as well as the seal of the people.'

While the outcome is not a foregone conclusion, there is a real possibility it could lead to the country becoming the latest former colony to remove the Queen as head of state, with both major parties in Parliament supporting the transition to a republic.

A complicated history of slavery has contributed to ill-feeling towards the Royal Family and the UK, with hundreds of thousands of African slaves were shipped by Britain from the 17th century onwards and forced to work in brutal conditions on sugar plantations.

The Queen visits Jamaica in February 1983. The country has started a process to remove Her Majesty as head of state by 2025

There are 12 independent nations in the Caribbean that are part of the Commonwealth. A further six are still British Overseas Territories

That legacy has contributed towards a growing desire to remove the Queen as head of state in the country, which became independent from Britain in 1962.

In November last year fellow Caribbean nation Barbados transitioned into being a republic, replacing Her Majesty with an elected President.

Guyana, Dominica and Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean removed her as head of state in the 1970s, while Mauritius in the Indian Ocean declared itself a republic in 1992.

There are concerns other countries could follow suit, with republican movements in Bahamas and Belize, while there are even suggestions that Australia could attempt it.

The country's new Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has previously said it is 'inevitable' the Queen will be removed as head of state, has appointed an 'assistant minister for the republic', raising the prospect of a referendum.

A 1999 referendum saw 55 per cent vote against becoming a republic.

In Jamaica there have been calls to become a republic for years, with previous Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller saying in 2012 saying at her coronation 'I think time come' to remove Her Majesty as head of state.

During the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's visit in March, Prime Minister Andrew Holness left the couple looking on awkwardly when he suggested the island nation was ready to ditch the monarchy.

'There are issues here which as you know are unresolved but your presence gives us an opportunity for those issues to be placed in context, to be out front and centre and to be addressed as best we can.,' he said.

As Prince William stood alongside him, nodding politely, the Prime Minster continued: 'But Jamaica is, as you would see, a country that is proud of its history and very proud of what we have achieved.

'And were moving on and we intend tofulfil our true ambitions and destiny to become an independent and prosperous country.'

The Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness presents the Duke of Cambridge with a bottle of Appleton Estate Ruby during a meeting at his office in Kingston in March this year, where the PM almost immediately raised his wish to make Jamaica a republic

Part of their visit to Jamaica was marred by a unfortunate images which led to accusations Willaim and Kate were echoing Britain's colonialist past rather than a more down-to-earth future.

They were driven in an open-top Land Rover during a military parade which was described as 'absolutely awful' by some observers, while also being seen greeting children who were pinned behind tall metal fences.

During the trip William gave a speech in the capital Kingston, in which he condemned Britain's 'abhorrent' history of slavery, calling it a 'stain on our history' as he expressed his disgust at the 'appalling atrocity' that has left such a heavy legacy in the Caribbean island.

He expressed his 'profound sorrow' that the slave trade had ever happened, although he stopped short of a full apology, which is said to have upset the Jamaican government and its people.

Former BBC royal editor Peter Hunt was critical of William's Kingston slavery speech, which did not contain an apology. He said: 'Windsor caution wins the day. The defence is saying sorry is too political. The reality is William could have apologised for the active role his ancestors played in the slave trade. An opportunity to shape history has been ducked'.

The Cambridges greeting young Jamaican fans through a fence during their tour of the country in March, which royal experts was an avoidable error by planners that should have been avoided

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge ride in Jamaica a vintage Land Rover used by Queen Elizabeth II in 1966 and again in 1994, as they leave a commissioning parade in Kingston on the sixth day of their Caribbean tour. This was frowned upon as an 'appalling' optic for the young royals

However, there were moments on the tour when the couple were treated like rock stars, with cheering crowds chanting 'we love you', with some royal experts saying the trip had not gone as bad as was being made out.

Speaking at the time of the trip, biographer Richard Fitzwilliams said: 'There is no need to think the sky is falling in'.

He said it is 'by no means certain' Jamaica will vote to be a republic and 'will stay in the Commonwealth, whose next head will be Prince Charles. The likelihood is that William and Catherine will return in future years, with their children'.
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Traces of blood have been found on the boat of a suspect arrested in connection with the disappearance of a British journalist and a Brazilian indigenous expert in the Amazon, authorities said Thursday, as calls grew to intensify the search.

Dom Phillips, 57, a regular contributor to The Guardian newspaper, and Bruno Pereira, 41, a specialist in indigenous peoples, were reported missing on Sunday after they ventured into the middle of the Amazon rainforest.

'Traces of blood were found on the boat of Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira, 41,' Brazil police said in a statement, adding that the suspect known as 'Pelado' was arrested on Tuesday.

'The material collected is on its way to Manaus,' the capital of the Amazonas state, for expert analysis, the statement added.

It was accompanied by images of investigators taking photos of what appeared to be a small bloodstain on a blue tarp inside a motorboat with peeling paint.

Traces of blood have been found on the boat of a suspect arrested in connection with the disappearance of British journalist Dom Phillips, 57, who went missing Sunday

Veteran foreign correspondent Phillips, pictured left in 2019 in Roraima State, and Pereira, pictured right, were doing research for a book

Brazil's federal police released images yesterday of forensic analysts collecting samples from a bloodstain found on an arrested suspect's boat

A fisherman named Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira, 41, was arrested on Tuesday in connection with Phillips and Pereira's disappearance. Pictured: Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira's boat is examined by a forensics expert

Amarildo da Costa de Oliveira, also known as 'Pelado', reportedly threatened Phillips and Pereira before they went missing while investigating illegal fishermen attacks on indigenous communities. Pictured: Samples are collected from Pelado's boat

Veteran foreign correspondent Phillips pictured in 2019 in Roraima State

Members of the Matis indigenous group have joined the search for Phillips and Pereira on the Itaquai river in the Javari Valley Indigenous territory (pictured)

A candlelit vigil was held by employees of the National Indigenous Foundation for the missing pair

The Javari is thought to be home to the biggest concentration of uncontacted people in the world

The Javari region is an area notorious for illegal mining and drug trafficking, and the pair had reportedly faced threats before their disappearance

The statement is a grim twist in the ongoing search for the two men, whose fate remains unknown.

The Brazilian authorities said they are hopeful of finding the pair alive but do not exclude any outcome, including that of homicide, in a region where trafficking is rife.

High-profile personalities and environmental and human rights groups have rallied to the cause, urging President Jair Bolsonaro to step up the search.

The pair were investigating alleged attacks by illegal fishermen on indigenous tribespeople in the area, and had reportedly been threatened by 41-year-old Pelado, who was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the incident, as well as a number of other unknown individuals who are being hunted by Brazilian police.

Phillips and Pereira were returning to Atalaia do Norte by boat from Lago do Jaburu, in the the Vale do Javari indigenous land, where they had been conducting interviews about alleged attacks by illegal fishermen against indigenous tribesmen.

They reportedly received threats from loggers and miners along the way for their investigative work.

Police say that guide Pereira had organised a meeting with community leader nicknamed 'Barbeque' - who is Pelado's uncle.

Two Amazonas state police detectives directly involved in the case told Reuters news agency illegal fishing and poaching were likely behind their disappearance.

Around 6,300 indigenous people live in the area, belonging to more than 20 groups - with the area facing threats from illegal loggers, miners and hunters.

The Indigenous group Univaja said Phillips and Pereira had arrived Friday evening by boat at their destination of Lago do Jaburu, and they had been due to return two days later by river to the city of Atalaia do Norte - but after failing to arrive by 2pm on Sunday, the indigenous group raised the alarm and sent out a search party.

The Brazilian authorities said they are hopeful of finding the pair alive but do not exclude any outcome, including that of homicide, in a region where trafficking is rife.

'Where is Dom Phillips? Where is Bruno Pereira?' asked the journalist's sister, Sian Phillips, in a statement to the media during a gathering of around 30 people in front of Brazil's embassy in London.

'We want the UK authorities to put pressure on the Brazilian government,' she added, before she and other family members were received by the ambassador.

'We want to carry on with the search. We want to find out what is happening to them and we want anyone responsible for any criminal act to be brought to justice. We want a persistent deep and open investigation,' she added.

'He is a great writer and journalist. He is a caring man. He cares about the environment. He loves Brazil,' Phillips said of her brother, who has written for various publications about threats to the Amazon.

'He's a great guy and we love him with all our heart.'

Paul Sherwood, Phillips' brother-in-law, told AFP the family had 'been assured that everything has been done that can be done.'

Bolsonaro, who was attending the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, said yesterday: 'Let's pray to God that they are still alive.'

But he added: 'With each day that passes, those chances fade.'

He had drawn criticism in past days for appearing to blame the missing men, saying they had undertaken an 'unadvisable adventure'.

The BBC reports that Phillips and Pereira were 'hugely experienced' and had planned their journey thoroughly, bringing plenty of fuel and other contingency supplies.

Phillips and Pereira went missing in the Javari Valley in Amazonas state, located in the west of the Amazon basin, near Peru.

The remote region is experiencing an escalation in armed violence due to the presence of miners, gold diggers, poachers and drug traffickers.

Phillips and Pereira, who were on a two-day reporting trip, were last seen in the early hours of Sunday (June 5) morning. They were expected to make the two-hour boat trip to Sao Rafael, Atalaia do Norte, with their arrival planned for 8am on Sunday, but never arrived.

Sian Phillips together with Gareth Phillips, the siblings of missing journalist Dom Phillips hold a placard and a rose, as demonstrators gather outside the Brazilian Embassy in London yesterday

The niece of Phillips, Domonique Davies (right), shows her emotion as she takes part in a vigil outside the Brazilian Embassy on Thursday morning

A sign reads 'where are Dom Philips and Bruno Pereira?' at a candlelit vigil for the missing pair

A vigil was held in central London on Thursday morning for the missing pair, with well-wishers gathering outside the Brazilian Embassy carrying large images of Phillips and Pereira.

The Brazilian federal police said they would have the blood sample sent off for further analysis to find out whether it was human or animal blood

Investigators crowd around a small bloodstain on a blue tarp inside a motorboat with peeling paint

The meeting was reportedly about 'consolidating joint work between riverside dwellers and indigenous people in the surveillance of the territory', reports Brazilian newspaper O Globo.

Witnesses said they saw the suspect speeding by in a boat going in the same direction as Phillips and Pereira when they were last seen.

Police said the man had been arrested for carrying unlicensed calibre ammunition and drugs.

Police did not clarify why he was being treated as a suspect but he is thought to have been among a group of men who threatened the pair near an indigenous territory.

She blamed the Brazilian authorities for delaying the search but said they 'all have hope' that the pair will be found.

'He is a great writer and journalist. He is a caring man. He cares about the environment. He loves Brazil,' Phillips said of her brother.

'He's a great guy and we love him with all our heart.'

Phillips, who is based in the city of Salvador, had previously accompanied Pereira in 2018 to the Javari Valley for a story in the Guardian newspaper, where he has been a regular contributor

The journalist takes notes in Aldeia Waikay, a hamlet of the Yekuana tribe in Roraima State, Brazil, in November 2019

A rescue team searches for Phillips and Pereira on the Javari river in Acre State, Brazil, on the border with Peru - after the pair went missing on what President Bolsonaro called an 'unadvisable' trip

In response to growing international pressure, Brazil sent federal police (pictured) to Atalaia do Norte, Amazonas state, on Wednesday to support the local search parties

Paul Sherwood, Phillips' brother-in-law, told AFP the family had 'been assured that everything has been done that can be done.'

Chelmsford MP Vicky Ford said she spoke with Brazil's justice and public security minister Anderson Torres, who is also in charge of the federal police, at the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles.

'He assured me Brazilian authorities are doing all that can be done in air, boats & land in v difficult and remote terrain to find Dom and will keep searching,' the minister tweeted.

'(The) UK is ready to support (the) operation,' she added.
One of Britain's first transgender paramedics says patients refuse her help, spit at her and often ask 'What are you?' when she turns up at their door for a call-out.

Steph Meech, 53, has been a paramedic for 20 years, and has been on the end of verbal and physical abuse since coming out as transgender.

Mrs Meech, from Polegate, East Sussex, said the abuse is 'really not okay', adding that she is a 'paramedic first and foremost', and her role is to help.

Steph Meech, 53, has been a paramedic for 20 years, and has been on the end of verbal and physical abuse since coming out as transgender

'I've had times where I'm treating people and I get spat at, just for who I am,' she told the BBC.

'As I come to the door usually I get "what are you?".'

Mrs Meech works for South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb), which covers Kent, Sussex and Surrey.

She said that the majority of patients are 'agreeable' and appreciate help from the ambulance service.

'It's just that few minority that spoil it for everybody,' she added. 'When I come away from these incidents, they do really hurt you deep down.'

Mrs Meech, from Polegate, East Sussex, said the abuse from patients is 'really not okay'

Across the country, there were 11,749 reports ambulance staff being abused or attacked in 2021  a 35 per cent rise on the year before.

Mrs Meech, one of the operational team leaders, champions diversity among Secamb teams, as part of its without fear campaign.

She said that since coming out, she can be her 'true self', and feels 'enlightened' by the change.

'This is who I am and I've had to keep it hidden for such a long time,' she told the BBC.

Mrs Meech, one of the operational team leaders, champions diversity among Secamb teams, as part of its without fear campaign

In March, she celebrated 20 years with Secamb, sharing an image of herself earlier in her career, and now.

'I may have changed a bit,' she wrote on Twitter.

Across the south east, reports of violence and aggression towards staff grew by 68 per cent from 2019 to 2021.

David Monk, violence reduction support officer at Secamb, said call handlers are also abused by people.

In March, she celebrated 20 years in the ambulance service, sharing an image of herself earlier in her career, and now

He said that his team are trying to give staff the confidence to come forward and report each incident, to build a better picture of the issue.

'It's not acceptable for emergency service workers to come to work and be faced with violence,' he told the news site.

'They are normal members of the public like everybody else.'

Mr Monk said that Secamb supports staff if they are subjected to the abuse, and will sometimes 'get the [perpetrators] to court where necessary', working for 'the highest possible sanction'.


Our Yorkshire Farm star Amanda Owen had been living apart from her husband Clive for months before they announced their split, friends have revealed.

The farming reality show star and best-selling author issued a joint statement with Clive on social media yesterday which said the couple have made 'the difficult decision to separate'.

The news left fans of the wholesome show dismayed but it was no surprise to friends of the Owens.

Rumours of marital troubles have been circling since late 2021, but they have been denied by the couple.

Amanda was pictured wearing her wedding ring on a night out in November of last year, appearing to dispute speculation she and her husband had already been living apart for some time.

A source close to Clive and Amanda said: 'It's really sad for both of them that it's come to this, especially with such a large family and some of them so young.

A source close to Amanda and Clive Owen (pictured on their wedding day) said it is 'really sad' that the couple have taken the difficult decision to separate

The couple have thanked everyone for their support and asked for privacy as they 'work through this difficult time'. Amanda and Clive Owen pictured with their nine children in front of their holiday let, The Firs, where Amanda is believed to have moved in to

The stars of Our Yorkshire Farm have made the difficult decision to split - but will remain working together on the farm and as parents of their nine children, the youngest of whom is just four years old. Pictured: Amanda Owen and husband Clive Owen

'It's been an open secret across the dale for a long time that they have been having problems and have been living apart.

'Amanda has been living in their holiday let, a cottage just under a mile away from Ravenseat and Clive has been staying at the farm where he's always been.'

But the couple's relationship won't be over just because of their split - because of their complex domestic and business circumstances, they revealed.

'The problem they're going to have is that this won't be a divorce in the normal sense of the word where two people can go their separate ways,' the source explained.

'They have nine children, the youngest is only around four and five of them are under the age of 10, still at primary school.

'But you have to add in to that the fact they are running a big hill farm with a flock of sheep scattered all over the dale.

'It's hard work and what they do on TV isn't just for show, they're both working day in, day out to make their business work.

'That means Amanda is at Ravenseat every day, so the question people are asking is 'how will they both move on with their lives from here?'

'It's hard to imagine how either of them could begin a new relationship with the ex husband or wife being part of their every day lives. It's a very difficult situation.

'Clive is a very well liked and respected man in this part of the world, he's lived here all his life and Amanda has become part of Dales life as well.

Clive and Amanda Owen have been married for 22 years. Pictured: the couple with daughter Raven at their home in North Yorkshire

The couple shared a joint statement on social media confirming they had split yesterday (June 9)

Despite appearances, Amanda and Clive (pictured) have been struggling with their marriage for months according to locals - and the Shepherdess herself admitted neither of them are particularly romantic

'Their friends and neighbours are sad for the whole family.'

The couple met at the farm in 1996 when Amanda took up a role as a trainee shepherdess. She had already been married once and had two children.

She grew up in a traditional three-bed house with her parents and one sibling in the large market town of Huddersfield.

At 6ft 2in, the blonde was encouraged to follow the same career path as her model mother, but she hated the clothes and make-up that she had to wear.

She left her comfortable town life to work on farms around the country, but it's when she knocked on the door of Ravenseat Farm that she found her calling.

The couple's statement yesterday continued: 'This hasn't been easy, but we both believe it's the right choice for the future of our family.

'Although we are no longer a couple, we continue to work on the farm and co-parent together with our number one priority the happiness and well-being of our children.'

The couple added that they would like to thank everyone for their support and asked for privacy as they 'work through this difficult time'.

The Firs: Amanda Owen's holiday home she is thought to be staying in Amanda Owen's website the Yorkshire Shepherdess advertises a stunning stay in the Dales in their holiday home. The Firs, a six-bedroom farmhouse, looks out over five acres of meadows and pasture. It has two king sized rooms, one double, a single, a triple bunk and a single bunk. It is accessed by a private road behind three gates and dates back to at least the seventeenth century. It has a number of original features, including stone flagged floors, beamed ceilings, whitewashed walls and a traditional black Yorkshire range. It has a cosy living room in front of a roaring fire as well as a traditional farmhouse kitchen with a table for eight people. It also includes a microwave, fridge freezer and toaster, utility room with washer and tumble drier and a TV in the living room with sound bar. But for visitors it has no phone connection, with guests advised to travel 15 minutes to Kirkby Stephen to get a connection. The cottage has not available to book during the coronavirus pandemic. A notice at the top of the advert says: 'We are not taking bookings until further notice and visits to Ravenseat are postponed until Spring.' Mr and Mrs Owen also rent out a shepherd's hut on their land, which is near the farmyard on their land. The website says: 'In a sheltered setting down by the river, it's your chance to enjoy the stunning Swaledale countryside in traditional style.' It adds: 'On warm summer evenings, you can relax outside and enjoy the beautiful scenery, whiling away the evening with your toes in the river. If it's wet, windy and wild, retreat inside the hut and relax, you'll be toasty warm beside the wood-burning stove.' But again there is no WIFI or internet access or phone signal in the area. And it is also off limits due to the pandemic. Advertisement

The couple, known as the 'Kardashians of the Countryside', had in the last few months been said to be 'battling to save their marriage' after more than two decades.

But they have continued to present a united front as a happy family until the announcement on social media yesterday.

Amanda regularly shares candid photos of her and her children online on the farm, as well as family shots of her and her husband flanked by their nine children.

She didn't even tell her own mother that she was having marital issues, instead leaving Joyce Livingstone in the dark.

Ms Livingstone previously said the marriage was 'rock solid' as far as she knew and she had not been contacted by anybody to say otherwise.

She said she was 'gobsmacked' when she first heard the couple were going through a rough patch, having been married for 22 years.

Mr Owen, who before meeting Amanda was married to another woman for 13 years, was described as 'desperate' to repair their relationship amid 'fears' their marriage would end in divorce.

Mr and Mrs Owen became adored television stars through the Channel 5 show Our Yorkshire Farm from 2018 after first appearing on ITV series The Dales in 2011.

The programme follows them and their nine children around the 2,000-acre Ravenseat Farm as they battle the harsh elements to tackle rural duties.

The Yorkshire Shepherdess has also released multiple books about her life as a Yorkshire farmer since the reality show first aired.

She and Owen have previously said the show and books are designed to show the 'reality' of life on the farm - although it has also seen them shoot to fame.

But the tough lifestyle portrayed in the series appears to have taken its toll, with the couple's fall out becoming 'the talk of the village'.

Nevertheless the Shepherdess does not regret taking part in the programme: 'We are just a normal family dealing with everything life throws at us and the programme is life as it's happening, whether there's someone filming it or not and that's what keeps everybody grounded.'

It is thought Mrs Owen has moved into their holiday home The Firs, which is at the top of Upper Swaledale, in a valley and surrounded by five acres of meadows and pasture while Mr Owen has remained at the farmhouse, according to villagers.

Amanda has previously hinted that she and her husband have had their fair share of troubles, once revealing in an interview that romance is not in either her or Clive's 'make-up'.

But she has always been keen to show their relationship works: 'Everything we do is interchangeable.

'Clive will serve afternoon tea and change nappies, I'll shear sheep and shovel s**t. It doesn't matter who does what, we're all on the same side.'

She also told Lorraine in December of last year that the constant media attention means she has had to learn to ride out the tough times.

She said: 'You have to take the rough with the smooth.

'We were talking about how you weather a storm, we're pretty resilient in the hills, that's all we got to go.

Clive is rumoured to not have taken to fame in the same way as his wife. Pictured: Clive (right) tends to a sheep on his 2,000 acre farm

'If you're proud of what you're doing, you have to shoulder it, that's exactly what we do, get on with it, ignore it.'

As well as marital issues, Amanda's parenting style has also caused problems, resulting in a brief brush with social services.

She revealed the encounter at Hay Festival of Literature & Arts, adding she does not see herself as a 'perfect parent.'

'I got a yellow flag from social services... I believe there is a happy medium whereby you do let the kids climb trees.

'Yes, they haven't got harnesses on or hard hats, but I believe there are some lessons to be learned that don't necessarily result in instant death but actually learn your own parameters.'

Our Yorkshire Farm came under fire in 2018 for scenes that appeared to breach health and safety.

The workers' union Unite raised concerns over an episode which saw children driving quad bikes without helmets, riding in tractor cabs and on trailers without guardrails, and climbing and playing on hay bales.

Amanda is believed to have moved into the six-bedroom cottage holiday cottage owned by the family, which is accessed by a private road behind three gates and dates back to at least the seventeenth century.

It has a number of original features, including stone flagged floors, beamed ceilings, whitewashed walls and a traditional black Yorkshire range.

The couple rent Ravenseat Farm and its land from billionaire Robert Miller, who is the co-founder of DFS (Duty Free Shops) and is the father of Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece, Princess Alexandra von Furstenberg, and Pia Getty - the 'it' girls of the 1990s.

The six-bedroom cottage is accessed by a private road behind three gates and dates back to at least the seventeenth century.

It has a number of original features, including stone flagged floors, beamed ceilings, whitewashed walls and a traditional black Yorkshire range.

Did reality TV fame cost the Yorkshire Shepherdess her marriage? How ex-model Amanda Owen got 'caught up' in the glamour of her own show, books and Instagram persona - while Clive preferred to stay out of the spotlight

By Harriet Johnston for MailOnline

Our Yorkshire Farm star Amanda Owen was 'caught up in the spotlight' as she rose to fame appearing on reality TV and publishing a number of bestselling books for years before she and her husband Clive split up.

The mother-of-nine, 47, made her first TV appearance alongside her husband, 66, in 2011 on ITV's The Dales, before they landed their own Channel 5 show Our Yorkshire Farm in 2018.

In the years since she first graced the nation's screens, she has published five bestselling books, appeared on a host of podcasts and farming shows, and become a regular guest star on morning TV, where she discusses everything from life on the farm, to parenting and marriage.

However last autumn it appeared there was trouble in paradise for Amanda and her husband Clive - neighbours said they had been 'living apart for months' because she was 'caught up in the spotlight.'

The public were quick to fall for the couple and their unusual love story, dubbing them the 'Kardashians of the Countryside' (pictured)

Amanda went on to write a number of bestselling books about her experiences on the farm, which she heavily promoted with media appearances (left to right)

And yesterday Amanda, who is thought to have amassed 1million from her media personality, issued a joint statement with Clive on social media which said the couple have made 'the difficult decision to separate'.

The statement continued: 'This hasn't been easy, but we both believe it's the right choice for the future of our family.

'Although we are no longer a couple, we continue to work on the farm and co-parent together with our number one priority the happiness and well-being of our children.'

The couple added that they would like to thank everyone for their support and asked for privacy as they 'work through this difficult time'.

Amanda grew up in a traditional three-bed house with her parents and one sibling in the large market town of Huddersfield.

At 6ft 2in, the blonde was encouraged to follow the same career path as her model mother, but she claimed she hated the clothes and make-up that she had to wear.

She left her comfortable town life to work on farms around the country. She met her husband in 1996 when he was already divorced with two children, after she arrived at his farm as a 21-year-old trainee shepherdess.

Just before Amanda met her husband, his life had been turbulent following the split from his wife of 13 years Greta Watson, with whom he has two grown up children.

Appearing on The Dales in 2011 alongside five of their children, Clive described how the farm was 'tough', before explaining how the couple met for the first time.

Amanda swapped her anoraks and wellington boots for a bodycon dress, false lashes and heels in 2019 when she walked the red carpet for her TV show

He said: 'A friend of mine wanted to borrow a ram, and I said yes he could borrow one. Amanda came to pick it up. And I thought, "Wow."

'I eventually persuaded her to give me her telephone number and off we went from there.'

He recalled: 'I do remember this six-foot-something woman knocked on the door. I was very taken with her. You couldn't not be.'

She added: 'It was a slow burn thing we kind of got to know each other. Made friends first then went out a little bit together.'

Meanwhile Amanda said he was 'perfect husband material', saying: 'My kind of fella, like the same sense of humour and type of things. It was just fate.'

It didn't take long for the couple get hitched, with five children quickly following.

Many of her children help out on the farm when they are not at school - or travelling to and from as the journey takes one-and-a-half hours each way.

'In order to make a big family work they all need to tow the line. It's not about child labour - it's about pulling together,' Amanda told the Daily Mail in an article in 2018.

With the nearest shop so far away - and the risk during winter that they could be snowed in for weeks - the TV star buys food in bulk, and manages to feed her large family for just 130 a week.

The couple first appeared on TV as regulars on Adrian Edmondson's 2011 ITV documentary series The Dales alongside the Reverend Ann Chapman, the vicar of four small churches, and a number of other people living in the Yorkshire Dales.

At that point, the Owen family consisted of Amanda, Clive and their five young children.

However the public were quick to fall for the couple and their unusual love story, dubbing them the 'Kardashians of the Countryside'.

They began making further media appearances and offering interviews to media about their family, with Amanda regularly opening up about life as a mother-of-nine.

In November 2015, the family appeared in an episode of New Lives In The Wild UK with Ben Fogle, a Channel 5 programme which is made by Warner Brothers' Renegade Pictures.

Meanwhile the mother-of-nine became a regular on programmes like This Morning and Lorraine, where she would often give comment on parenting

The Yorkshire Shepherdess began sharing more glamorous snaps of herself on her Instagram page, often dolled up in makeup and with jeweled earings

By this stage, Amanda was picking up her own media appearances, as well as releasing her first book The Yorkshire Shepherdess.

It reached the bestseller top 10 in 2014 and, when the film rights were sold, there was lots of excited chat in Swaledale about possible casting choices.

However at the time, she said: 'Some people talked about Hollywood. 'But I'm happy just getting on with my life. Ravenseat is where I want to be. It's where I belong.'

In 2017, she released a further tome A Year in the Life of the Yorkshire Shepherdess, appearing on BBC Radio 4's The Museum of Curiosity.

The popularity of the family led to their own observational documentary series following life on the Owens' farm on Channel 5 called Our Yorkshire Farm, which started in 2018.

It quickly became a hit, and was one of the channel's most popular programmes with over three million viewers watching each episode.

By 2019, Amanda was releasing a third book Adventures of the Yorkshire Shepherdess and was the subject of Radio 4's On Your Farm.

Meanwhile she also appeared on the podcast Trees A Crowd with David Oakes.

Meanwhile Our Yorkshire Farm became an unlikely lockdown hit, proving to be the most-watched programme in a 9pm slot for two weeks in a row in August.

At the time, viewers said the show was the best TV series they had seen in years, with many saying they couldn't wait for the next series.

The shepherdess began making solo appearances on a variety of TV shows, becoming a regular guest on programmes like Lorraine and This Morning to offer comment on parenting and life on the farm.

In 16 February 2021, Channel 5 broadcast the first episode of series 14 of Ben Fogle: Return to the Wild, which saw Fogle back at Ravenseat Farm after six years, where he met their youngest child Nancy (who was born since his last visit) for the first time.

Meanwhile Owen was featured as one of the four walkers travelling with the BBC's 360 degree camera, in series two of BBC Four's Winter Walks, with Owen's episode featuring a walk through Wensleydale and Raydale.

She also filmed a couple of reports for Live: Winter on the Farm, broadcast on Channel 5 between 69 December 2021 and appeared as the featured guest on Radio 4's The Poet Laureate Has Gone To His Shed with Simon Armitage.

The shepherdess began making solo appearances on a variety of TV shows, becoming a regular guest on programmes like Lorraine and This Morning to offer comment on parenting and life on the farm (pictured in a photoshoot at the farm)

Meanwhile she released two further books Tales From the Farm and Celebrating The Seasons, both of which she spent time heavily promoting.

She began facing criticism from social media critics who urged her to 'stay true to herself'.

Taking to Twitter, Amanda shared several snaps of herself working on the farm and at a book signing and wrote: 'Time for a catch up, it has been a super busy time. Been wearing more than a few different hats metaphorically speaking.'

In response, the critic penned: 'Stay true to yourself people fell in love with your life as you all are, not as a showbiz star.'

However, an unimpressed Amanda hit back: 'Shearing Sheep driving tractor to make hay to feed Sheep, signing books (about Sheep), public speaking (about Sheep).

'Serving tea to folk who watch programme & read (about Sheep).'

She also went on to defend her friend Jeremy Clarkson and continued: 'As @JeremyClarkson has highlighted until food production, countryside management is valued we do what pays the bills.'

Meanwhile she also opened up in an interview with the Sunday Times Magazine about her experiences of being famous and said that she had found it 'invasive'.

She said she struggled with people asking for her picture when she was out and about.

She revealed hundreds of people come each day to her farm and use the cafe there - adding Our Yorkshire Farm is so popular because the farm is real.

She said: 'Hundreds come past each day. Sometimes it can be more tiring smiling than shovelling s***. There is a time when I'd like to shut the door and say, 'This is my life, this is my time.' And that's got quite difficult.'

She admitted Mr Owen and her capitalise on the visitors coming to their farm in order to run the cafe they have opened on site.

But she added she found it difficult that she now has people to answer to, and that people sometimes take her picture or record her while she is working on her farm.

'Of course it's invasive. People know where we live and they can arrive there  but that's the unique selling point, that the farm is real,' she said.

Mrs Owen, who wrote several books about life on the farm - the latest one, on seasonal living - said it is a 'vicious circle,' and she could not stop writing about it because the material is there.

She added her nine children, aged 20 to five, have not been affected by fame and have not receive any negative comment.

She said the show, books and the publicity surrounding a farm was all a way to finance her children's future. She added she had never employed childcare, because it would have proved more stressful for her than convenient.

Amanda has appeared on the front of magazines such as the RadioTimes ahead of the release of series of Channel 5's Our Yorkshire Farm

Meanwhile she offered another interview in which she said 'romance' is not in her and Clive's 'make-up.'

When asked if she and her husband are romantic, the shepherdess told OK! magazine: 'I don't think either of us are! I don't think it's in our make-up.'

The shepherdess went on to reveal what she believes to be the secret to her 21-year marriage.

'Everything we do is interchangeable,' she said. 'Clive will serve afternoon tea and change nappies, I'll shear sheep and shovel s**t. It doesn't matter who does what, we're all on the same side.'

Amanda praised Clive for being a 'hands-on' dad, adding that 'at certain times of year, it's all hands on deck and all tasks on the farm are interchangeable.

There's no one hat for any one person and I think that's a great life lesson.'

However by November, neighbours told MailOnline the pair had been living apart for months after she 'got caught up in the spotlight' of her Channel 5 programme.

Amanda moved into their rental property down the road from Ravenseat Farm in Swaledale, where Mr Owen has been staying in the farmhouse, villagers said.

The couple, known as the 'Kardashians of the Countryside', were said to be 'battling to save their marriage' after more than 21 years.

Mr Owen was understood to be 'desperate' to repair their relationship and 'fears' their marriage will end in divorce.

It was feared they had recently started living apart but their neighbours claim it was common knowledge for months.

One, who asked not to be named, told MailOnline: 'She moved out months ago and ended up down the road in another house.

'It's no surprise really, when you have mixed families like that there's bound to be a falling out. She's got caught up in her career in the spotlight and got caught up in all the attention we think.

'Every time I saw her on the television I thought who's looking after all those kids and animals, I'm guessing it was Clive.

'Some here think their life is all pretend for the camera. How can they plead poverty on the telly but go around in the clothes they do. The kids wear Joules wellies and you just don't get that on a poor farmer's income.

'A lot of people who know farming know she can't be out sorting the sheep with all the bangles and clothes she wears. It's all for show.'

They added: 'They've been apart for months. Most people around here know it's been a few months but we don't really know the details because we're not interested.'

Another source close to the couple said: 'There have been rumours around the Dale that all's not been as good as it could be, but only Clive and Amanda know the real story.

'Folk think well of them, most people up here have known Clive for years and years, he's a popular and well respected man in the farming community and he has a lot of good friends.

'If they're having problems they won't have to look far for support if it's needed.'

A family friend told the Sun: 'It's incredibly sad. Amanda and Clive are two hugely popular figures here in the Dales, and no one saw this coming.

'Clive loves Amanda to bits and adores her, and fears the marriage may be failing even though he desperately doesn't want it to. He fears they will divorce.

Amanda joins Lord Mayor of London William Russell in driving sheep across Southwark Bridge in London, England on September 26 2021

'He reckons the image of them playing happy families is a load of rubbish. He thinks this will be the last series they film together, and now it's about looking after the kids and putting them first.'

The insider said Mr Owen wanted his wife to stay for Christmas but added the decision was 'very much in Amanda's hands'.

At the time, in a joint statement given to MailOnline, Mr and Mrs Owen said: 'With the TV show and the books we've always aimed to show the reality of life on the farm, and just like any marriage we have our stresses and strains, coupled with all the complexities of what we do on the farm and bringing up nine kids.

'We're a normal family, and we've never said our marriage is perfect.'

They added they were going through a 'rocky patch' in their marriage.

Meanwhile Amanda continued to give media interviews saying that she 'didn't regret' inviting the public into her life through Our Yorkshire Farm - despite reports her fame left her marriage on the rocks.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Post, Amanda said she doesn't regret taking part in the show, saying: 'We are just a normal family dealing with everything life throws at us and the programme is life as it's happening, whether there's someone filming it or not and that's what keeps everybody grounded.'

She continued: 'It is hard work being a farmer and I will do everything it takes to provide for my family and that means having a lot of fingers in a lot of pies in order to make a living  you are damned if you do and you are damned if you don't.'
The government's social mobility tsar has claimed that Boris Johnson is not a good role model for children because of his personal life, his hair and his lack of professionalism.

Katharine Birbalsingh, who was previously dubbed Britain's strictest headmaster, was asked whether she believes that the Prime Minister is someone children should look up to.

However, she said his behaviour makes her 'raise an eyebrow', explaining: 'No, I don't think so. I wish he could be but he isn't and that is a bit sad. I like Boris, I don't think he's a bad guy, but I don't know enough about what he's got up to. I do not think that he is a good role model for children.'

When asked to explain her thoughts, she added: 'Well his personal life for instance, that does make me raise an eyebrow.

'The other day I saw a picture of him and I looked at his hair and I thought, oh my goodness. We expect our children to have professional looking hair and I looked at his hair, and I thought, ;Gosh, I couldn't put him up on the wall and say, let's all have hair cuts like him'.

'Now, you might think that's a bit pedantic and that's a bit silly, but it isn't actually, I think, for our children. It's important to look professional. And sometimes Boris looks professional, but sometimes he's not professional enough for me. Put it that way.'

Katharine Birbalsingh, who was previously dubbed Britain's strictest headmaster, criticised Boris Johnson's hair and personal life

The social mobility tsar claimed that the PM is not a good role model for children because of his personal life, his hair and his lack of professionalism

In response, schools minister Robin Walker said children should be taught about Mr Johnson's 'phenomenal resilience' through the pandemic and praised his communication skills.

Mr Walker said Miss Birbalsingh was 'entitled to her opinion' but disagreed.

He said: 'I think actually anyone who leads this country is a role model - someone that children can look up to.

'The Prime Minister has shown phenomenal resilience through the Covid pandemic and leadership, and I think that's something that children should learn about in schools.

'He's also a great communicator, and one of the things that we seek to teach in all of our schools is communication - literacy through great speech and language.

'So there's plenty for people to look up to in that respect.'

When asked about Mr Johnson being fined for breaking his own lockdown rules, he added: 'I think the Prime Minister has accepted the things for which he has apologised.

'And it's quite right that he should do that in that respect as well.

'I think it's important that children understand the importance of acknowledging when you've got things wrong.

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

'He's also someone who has taken the big calls, taken great decisions in the long run and I think that's why the party has been behind him when we had this vote of confidence earlier in the week.'

Miss Birbalsingh also raised eyebrows yesterday when she criticised Britain's obsession with a 'Dick Whittington model' of seeing people rise from poverty to great riches in a generation, and said some people should set their sights lower.

She 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.

'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'.

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.

She 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.

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.

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'.
Tommy Robinson blew 100,000 on gambling, he has told the High Court as he faces 600,000 bill for the losing libel case brought against him by a Syrian teenager over a bullying video.

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was sued by Jamal Hijazi after the then 15-year-old was assaulted at Almondbury Community School in Huddersfield in October 2018.

He told the court yesterday that in a two-year period prior to declaring bankruptcy, he spent around 100,000 on gambling  largely in casinos.

'I sold a property, received the money and I spent it,' he said.

At another point, Robinson claimed he owed 160,000 to HM Revenue and Customs but later said this was an estimate.

He told the court that he spent money on 'drink, alcohol, partying'  all while receiving thousands in supporter donations, ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 each month.

The English Defence League (EDL) founder was also questioned over claims that he and his ex-wife owned seven properties.

Tommy Robinson has been questioned about his finances at the High Court after he lost a libel case brought by a Syrian teenager. Pictured leaving the Royal Courts Of Justice in London on June 9

Shortly after the video of the bullying incident went viral, Robinson claimed in two Facebook videos that Mr Hijazi was 'not innocent and he violently attacks young English girls in his school'.

In the clips, viewed by nearly a million people, 39-year-old Robinson also claimed Mr Hijazi 'beat a girl black and blue' and 'threatened to stab' another boy at his school - allegations found to be false last summer.

After a pre-trial hearing in the libel case in November 2020, Robinson was ordered to pay 43,293 in legal costs.

However, after the sum was not paid, Mr Hijazi's lawyers successfully applied for an order requiring Robinson to return to court to answer questions about his finances.

Robinson failed to attend court to be questioned in March 2022 but appeared at a hearing in London on Thursday to answer questions about his finances.

'You don't know, you don't care. You're putting numbers here and you don't know if they're accurate,' Mr Hijazi's barrister Ian Helme suggested.

Robinson blew 100,000 on gambling, he tells the High Court as he faces a 600,000 bill. Pictured leaving the Royal Courts Of Justice in London on June 9

Robinson later said: 'I've always been a disaster with paperwork and finance from day dot.'

After questions about his tax returns, Robinson told the High Court that he had not contacted either his accountant or HMRC prior to Thursday's hearing.

He said that in 2020, he received around 1,000 a month from supporter donations, with it occasionally reaching 3,000 to 4,000.

Discussing his accountant, Robinson said: 'He's not my best mate, I owe him money...I haven't spoken to him.'

He was also quizzed over a claim he made in his book Enemy Of The State that when the EDL was founded in 2009, there were seven properties in his or his then-wife's name.

The English Defence League (EDL) founder was also questioned in court over claims that he and his ex-wife owned seven properties. Pictured outside the court on May 6

Robinson said: 'I had a ghost-writer that helped me with the book. I like to give off the impression that I'm a successful man even when I'm not.'

He later appeared to accept that there were not seven properties, shrugging when asked if the book was untrue and saying he had written the book years ago.

Later, Robinson told the court he previously received a salary while working for Canadian site Rebel Media and now works for a website called Urban Scoop.

Asked about the money he received from this site, Robinson said: 'You want the truth? I haven't received any money recently because they have not got any, I think they are borrowing money.'

At a hearing last month, Robinson told the High Court he had missed the March hearing because of mental health issues caused by being harassed.

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was sued by Jamal Hijazi (pictured) after the then 15-year-old was assaulted at Almondbury Community School in Huddersfield in October 2018

A video showing Jamal Hijazi, 16, being pushed to the ground and 'waterboarded' in the playground at his school in Huddersfield was shared nationwide

On Thursday, he said he had also suffered a mental breakdown prior to his bankruptcy, telling the court: 'I was a mess, a total mess, a total mess suffering from PTSD.'

He also said he had struggled to get a bank account and now used an online company he refused to name.

'I've been closed by NatWest, I've been closed by HSBC...Lloyds closed me down as well.'

Following Mr Hijazi's successful libel claim, Mr Justice Nicklin ordered Robinson to pay him damages of 100,000 and his legal costs.

Mr Hijazi's legal costs were thought to be around 500,000.

After failing to attend the hearing in March, Robinson will now have to return to court again in August to decide whether he had committed a contempt of court.
Jeremy Hunt has defended his bombshell demand for Boris Johnson to quit - but admitted he might be proved 'spectacularly wrong'.

The former foreign secretary rocked the PM by joining the revolt against him in a confidence vote earlier this week.

Mr Hunt warned that the Tories face losing the next election if Mr Johnson stays leader as was among 148 Tory MPs who tried - and narrowly failed - to oust the premier.

The intervention drew a furious response from Mr Johnson's allies who accused him of being driven by his own leadership ambitions rather than the party's best interests.

Writing in his local Farnham Herald, Mr Hunt said he made the decision to rebel 'with a heavy heart'.

But he said the Partygate scandal was now 'overshadowing' the government and there were signs voters 'are no longer giving us the benefit of the doubt'.

'Many of you have written to me greatly angered and upset about some of the things that have happened,' Mr Hunt wrote.

'I felt Monday was a moment when I needed to let everyone know where I stood  even though I knew some would disagree strongly with what I said.

Jeremy Hunt (right) has defended his bombshell demand for Boris Johnson (left) to quit - but admitted he might be proved 'spectaularly wrong

Grim poll as Boris heads out on by-election campaign trail Boris Johnson is heading on the by-election campaign trail today as he tries to get back on track after the Tory confidence vote meltdown. The PM is expected in Tiverton & Honiton, where his party is desperately trying to fend off a challenge from the Lib Dems. But Mr Johnson is facing more noises off after former Brexit minister Lord Frost warned he cannot 'ignore' the scale of discontent among his MPs, and might only have months to save his job. Meanwhile, a grim poll showed Labour doubling its lead over the Conservatives to eight points in the wake of the coup attempt. The Redfield & Wilton Strategies research put Keir Starmer's part on 40 per cent support - up two since Sunday - while the Tories were down two on 32 per cent. Advertisement

'So with a heavy heart I said I did not believe the Conservatives were giving the country the leadership it deserved and that we were set to lose the next election if we did not change our leader.

'I may be right or I may be proved spectacularly wrong  but I hope I have done my duty to the people of South West Surrey by speaking honestly.'

Many rebels have backed away from calling for a quick re-run of the confidence vote, although some say Mr Johnson might only have months left in Downing Street.

The stage is set for another bumpy spell with the Tories widely expected to lose by-elections in Wakefield and Tiverton.

As he tries to get back on track, Mr Johnson was boosted yesterday when the powerful Tory 1922 committee chief said a ban on him facing another confidence vote for a year is 'likely' to stay in place.

Changing the rules would require the support of a majority on the 1922 executive.

Asked about the prospect on Times Radio, Sir Graham said: 'It's not something that we as an executive have discussed at all in this parliament.

'There was a point in the previous parliament when those discussions took place at length, we ended up without changing the rule.

'Obviously, I've reflected quite a lot on this, because of the amount of speculation has been in the media.

'Of course, it is technically possible that laws can be changed in the future. And it's possible that rules can be changed in the future.

'But I think it's important we say the rule that is in place, and is likely to remain in place is that there is a year's period of grace following a confidence vote.'

A grim poll showed Labour doubling its lead over the Conservatives to eight points in the wake of the coup attempt
Have you seen worse? Email me: laurence.dollimore@mailonline.co.uk Advertisement

A breakfast on a first class British Airways flight has been branded 'disgusting' by social media users over its 'baby vomit eggs', 'phallic-looking' sausage and 'unidentifiable' food items.

Twitter users were left stumped by the 'concerning' meal, after a photo shared on the site appeared to show three roast potatoes, 'blue-ish' scrambled eggs, a long pink sausage and mushrooms.

There also appeared to be a burger patty on the plate - although the jury is still out, with some believing it to be stuffing.

The photo was shared by consumer expert and TV presenter Jane Hawkes, who claims the meal was served on a BA flight from Abuja in Nigeria.

Ms Hawkes told MailOnline that she was sent the picture by a friend who had flown from the African capital to London Heathrow.

'He only shared it as he was so disgusted,' she said, 'He didn't expect it to go viral.'

She added that she was still trying to work out what was on the plate herself.

One Twitter user agreed, as they quipped: 'Trying to figure out what the hell the items are is a fun game,' while one compared the eggs to 'what my cat brings up after feasting on rodents.'

BA has since apologised for the meal, telling MailOnline: 'We're speaking with our third-party caterers to understand what happened here, as this clearly doesn't meet our usual high standards.

'We're sorry we let our customers down on this occasion.'

The photo was shared by consumer expert and TV presenter Jane Hawkes, who claims the meal was served on a BA flight from Abuja, Nigeria

Ms Hawkes told MailOnline that she was sent the picture by a friend who had flown from the African capital to London Heathrow (stock image)

A first class ticket between London and Abuja costs upwards of 7,000.

'God help the other passengers if that's what first class get!' another tweeted.

Others compared the eggs to Papier-Mache, while another joked: 'The sausage looks like it's missing its testicles.'

'Where are the beans?!' another declared, while another simply stated: 'That scrambled egg colour is seriously concerning.'

'That sausage-like thing looks like something from Stranger Things,' quipped another.

'Since when were eggs grey?': Twitter users react to the 'disgusting' breakfast, comparing it to Papier-mache and cat vomit

Others came to the defence of BA, sharing photos of 'lovely' meals they had recently had on both business and first class routes.

One frequent flyer suggested there can be a difference in the quality of in-flight meals depending on where the aircraft takes off from.

MailOnline has contacted BA for comment.

It comes after Which? collated a picture gallery of some of the worst in-flight meals served to its readers in 2019, before the pandemic brought international travel as we knew it to a standstill.

The consumer group said some of the dishes appeared truly stomach-churning, adding: 'We are talking everything from chicken 'slop' to cake that could double as a 'building brick'.

It added: 'And it would be wrong to assume an upgrade to a superior cabin will save you from a culinary nightmare if the experiences of our members are anything to go by.'

Passengers flying around the world just before the pandemic hit shared their horrifying pictures of plane food, including this one from Ryanair passenger Billy Shearer, who spent 10 on this Irish breakfast

Meanwhile another customer revealed his unappetizing meal by Spice Jet, complete with soggy omelette

Airlines have claimed in the past to go to enormous lengths, sometimes hiring celebrity chefs, to produce what they insist are good quality meals in what are difficult circumstances.

There is some evidence to suggest that the conditions on board a plane, such as the air pressure and temperature, change the way food and drink tastes.

Bizarrely, there is science to show that even cabin engine noise can change how people experience food.

However, the evidence of the Which? survey suggests that these dishes could not be saved even if they were served under a silver salver in one of the world's finest hotels.

Ryanair passenger, Billy Shearer, made the mistake of ordering the Irish breakfast for a morning flight based on the firm's description of it as 'the perfect option to fill up and start your day with'.

It was listed as 10 euros in the company magazine, while the image shows two lovely rashers of bacon, two sausages, hash browns, white pudding, a tomato and some slices of what looks like rustic brown bread.

Traveller David Ball shared his 'business class' luxury chicken Biriyani, and said the meal was as 'awful' as it looked

However, the unhappy diner begged to differ when he ripped off the plastic to find a 'monstrosity' of soggy potato waffle, shrivelled button mushrooms and congealed white pudding.

Carriers seemed to have a particular problem with breakfast. A full English served by BA included a serving of scrambled eggs that was virtually unrecognisable because of its weird colour and consistency, alongside sweaty mushrooms.

Nick Avery, who was flying with the Indian carrier SpiceJet, said: 'I now know why most passengers opted for a curry breakfast.

'Apparently, it was an omelette, sausages and hash brown. It tasted as good as it looked.'
Mining giant BHP will continue to demand its workers are vaccinated against Covid even after government mandates end.

All employees, job applicants and visitors will from June 10 require at least two vaccine doses to enter the company's sites and offices.

However, it softened its approach slightly on Friday when it removed the requirement for booster shots.

One of Australia's largest mining companies BHP will keep their current policy of locking out unvaccinated workers (pictured, BHP workers)

As it stands under BHP's health and safety controls, from June 10 all employees, job applicants and visitors will require at least two doses of the Covid vaccine in order to gain access to their sites and offices (pictured, a drive through vaccination centre)

BHP said the vaccine mandate, as part of its health and safety rules, was based on its assessment of the latest science and health advice.

'Our policy does not require booster vaccinations for site access, but we do encourage everyone to maintain an up-to-date vaccination status in line with ATAGI recommendations,' it said.

Only workers within health, aged and disability care will be required to be vaccinated under the new Western Australian Government rules.

Premier Mark McGowan said some public and private sector businesses may keep mandating vaccinations for employees, and suggested prisons and emergency services could do the same.

However, the Department of Justice and Department of Fire and Emergency Services announced last Friday that they would scrap their mandates.

Premier Mark McGowan (pictured) last week stated some public and private sector businesses may keep mandating vaccinations for employees, and suggested prisons and emergency services could do the same

BHP's WA iron ore president Brandon Craig said only a small minority of employees were jab hesitant.

About two to three per cent chose not to comply with vaccination as a condition of entry, and were locked out of all facilities.

'It was not at a level that was material to the performance of our business,' he said.

'We did work very hard to try and work with people, to try and stay inside our business and having them leave the business really was a last resort for us.'

Thousands of FIFO workers rallied against the WA Government's 'no jab, no job' rules in Perth last December when a first dose was mandated for the resources sector.

Fluro high-vis shirts and vests were placed along the steps of Parliament House and the anti-vaccine workers protested against the policy which eventually applied to more than 75 per cent of WA's workforce.

Those who did not comply with these orders with could be hit with a $20,000 fine.
One person has been killed and another two injured after a Chinese fighter jet crash landed on to houses shortly after taking off on a training mission on Thursday.

The jet, a Chengdu J-7 which is based on a 1960s Soviet design, plunged into a residential area of Xiangyang city close to a military airport.

The pilot, who was taking part in a training mission, managed to parachute to safety as his plane smashed into houses and burst into flames - killing one person.

Two more people were injured and taken to hospital alongside the pilot, who also sustained injuries. Chinese state media reports did not make their condition clear.

Video from the scene showed flames burning at a city intersection as stunned onlookers gathered.

One person on the ground has been killed and another two badly wounded after a Chinese jet on a training mission crashed into the city of Xiangyangon on Thursday

The jet - a Chengdu J-7 - had just taken off from a nearby airbase when the pilot was forced to parachute out as it dropped from the sky on to a residential area

State media did not give a cause for the crash, which is under investigation.

Such reports from China are unusual, with Beijing typically keen to cover up military accidents or to praise the 'heroic' role of the pilot in avoiding deaths.

The J-7 is an older model, single-engine aircraft with its origins in the Soviet MiG-21 dating from the 1950s and was produced for almost 50 years until 2013.

Large numbers remain in service, however, to provide regional air protection. China also sold an export version, the F-7, to more than a dozen countries, many of which have since retired the planes.

China's civil aviation industry has come under scrutiny in recent months following the still-unexplained crash of a China Eastern Airlines passenger jet on March 21 in which all 132 people on board were killed.

And on May 12, a Tibet Airlines flight with 122 people on board was leaving the southwestern city of Chongqing when it veered off the runway and caught fire. No-one was killed, but several passengers were injured.

The J-7 is a Chinese jet based on a 1960s Soviet design that was manufactured until 2013, but remains in service with some of China's air defence units

Chinese state media reports of the crash are unusual, because Beijing is typically keen to cover up military accidents and play up the 'heroic' role of the pilot in avoiding civilian deaths

Australia and Canada have recently raised concerns about reckless flying by Chinese fighter pilots.

In a statement on June 1, the Canadian military said Chinese planes tried to divert a Canadian long-range patrol aircraft from its path, and that the crew had to change direction quickly to avoid a collision.

Australia said a Chinese fighter jet on May 26 committed a dangerous act of aggression against an Australian air force plane conducting aerial surveillance in the South China Sea.

The Chinese J-16 accelerated and cut in front of the Australian plane, releasing chaff with small bits of aluminium designed to confuse radars that was sucked into the latter's engine, Australian defence minister Richard Marles said.

China has defended the actions of its pilots and blamed foreign countries for conducting close surveillance of its territory to contain Chinese development.
A new video from the committee's interview with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley reveals that then-Vice President Mike Pence was the one who ordered National Guard troops to respond to the violence on Jan. 6, 2021.

According to the committee interview video presented by Rep. Liz Cheney, the vice-chair of the Jan 6. committee, Milley was told by the White House to claim that past US President Donald Trump made the order.

Per a CNN report, Milley said in the video: "Vice President Pence - there were two or three calls with Vice President Pence. He was very animated and issued very explicit, direct unambiguous orders. There was no question about that."

He referred to Pence as" very animated, very direct, very firm to Secretary Miller."

Killing The Narrative

Milley also described his interactions with Trump's chief of staff, Mark Meadows, that day, drawing a stark contrast between those conversations with Pence.

"He said: We have to kill the narrative that the Vice President is making all the decisions. We need to establish the narrative, you know, that the President is still in charge and that things are steady or stable, or words to that effect," Milley discloses in the video, in reference to what Meadows said in their conversation.

"I immediately interpreted that as politics. Politics. Politics. Red flag for me, personally. No action. But I remember it distinctly," he said.

The video of Milley's testimony, currently the top US military officer in the Biden administration, discusses how the committee will focus on the truth of Trump's actions as the riot went out of control.

Read Also: White House Denies Inflation Caused by Biden's Policies, Blames the Ukraine Conflict for Global Crisis

Vice President Mike Pence appeared to be acting as a shadow president at times - he was the one who called the National Guard, not Trump. According to Cheney's opening statement, during the US capital riot, Trump implied that the rioters got the right idea when they chanted that Pence should be hanged.

The hearing's major focus was on the chaos and violence on January 6, 2021, per CBS News Report.

Capitol Police Officer Recalls Day of Carnage

Caroline Edwards, a Capitol Police officer who suffered a traumatic brain injury from the incident, testified about the attack on Jan. 6, calling it "carnage" and "chaos." No one sought to rescue Edwards when she went unconscious after being hit with a bike rack and slamming her head on the stairwell.

"I saw - I can just remember my breath catching in my throat because what I saw was just a war scene. It was something like what I had seen in the movies. I couldn't believe my eyes," the police officer said, Daily Mail reported.

While defending the United States, Capitol Police Officer Caroline Edwards recalled "slipping in blood" and rioters calling her "Nancy Pelosi's dog" while protecting The Capitol Building on January 6.

Her testimony was among the bulk heard for the first time by the committee, which has questioned over 1,000 people over the previous 17 months, including Trump advisors, law officers, and rioters, and examined hours of footage from January 6.

Related Article: Jan.6 Committee Hearing: Rep. Debbie Lesko Castigates Democrats for Plotting "Political Theater"

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One Nation senator Brian Burston offered to console a distraught staffer with the best sex of her life, his defamation trial has been told.

Wendy Leach described his offer as 'just filthy', saying she previously regarded him as 'an old dude from the country, like an uncle'.

She also testified to being sacked after she told him he had to stop his 'f**king infatuation' with her colleague Terri-lea Vairy when he asked for photos of her at a concert the women attended.

Brian Burston is suing Pauline Hanson for defamation after she accused him of sexual harassment

Ms Leach, 55, gave evidence in the Federal Court on Friday on behalf of Senator Pauline Hanson, who is being sued for defamation by Mr Burston.

He says the One Nation leader accused him of sexual harassment on social media, via a text message to his wife and during a television interview.

The 74-year-old denies all allegations as entirely fabricated.

Ms Leach said she was Mr Burston's office manager in 2017 when he told her he was employing his cleaner, Ms Vairy, who he said was 'hot'.

'She is good looking but she is as dumb as a s**t carter's horse,' she said the senator told her.

He also said it had been good to get rid of another staffer as 'she was ugly as a hatful of arseholes'.

Wendy Leach, 55, (pictured) gave evidence in the Federal Court on Friday on behalf of Senator Pauline Hanson, who is being sued for defamation by Mr Burston

Ms Leach referred to an office meeting about another worker who she said was doing crazy things and harassing her.

But the senator said: 'If you girls can't get on, you will have to look for another job', which Ms Leach thought was unfair as she was doing her job very well.

When she started crying, Mr Burston told her: 'I am a softie for a woman in distress.'

She claims he then said 'you probably just need a good f**k', to which she replied: 'Thanks for making me laugh.'

But he grabbed her by the face, said he was not joking and could come around to her place.

'No one need know, it will be the best f**k you have ever had.'

Ms Leach said despite the comment being very unwelcome, she took no action as she had just bought a house and needed her salary for the mortgage.

She said Ms Vairy told her she was 'creeped' out by their boss and felt he was grooming her.

She regularly saw Mr Burston staring and gawking at Ms Vairy, kissing her, and heard him say to her: 'Are they real boobs, they are the perfect size.'

The Federal Court of Australia heard senator Brian Burston (pictured, during a lunch break at the court) offered to console a distraught staffer with the 'best f*** she ever had

In October 2018, the women went to a Saturday night Tamworth concert and Mr Burston texted asking for photos.

When she sent some which didn't include Ms Vairy, he asked if she was there and when Ms Leach did not reply, he texted: 'Please respond or you might both be looking for jobs on Monday'.

Ms Leach said she had been drinking and 'lost it', ringing her boss telling him: 'I am f**king sick of this, this f**king infatuation, you have got to stop it now.'

He told her she was disrespecting a federal senator and on Monday there was a termination letter on her desk.

She later settled her unfair dismissal complaint, receiving the maximum amount payable.

Under cross-examination from Bruce McClintock SC, she denied it was she who suggested sex to Mr Burston by saying 'I need a good root'.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson (pictured leaving the Federal Court of Australia) accused Mr Burston of sexual harassment on social media, via a text message to his wife and during a television interview

She also denied attending the fundraising concert with Ms Vairy as representatives of senator Burston, who wanted photos of his staff for his official Facebook page.

'The whole issue of these photos was to get photos of Terri-lea,' she said.

She denied falsely saying she stayed working for Mr Burston because of her financial situation.

'The reason why you stayed was because, it was only until you betrayed my client by getting drunk at the event in Tamworth, you were perfectly happy working in my client's office,' he said.

'Totally incorrect, you just have to look at the medical records,' she replied.

The trial before Justice Robert Bromwich continues on Tuesday.
Campaigners and lawyers from Cherie Blair's old chambers have lost a High Court bid to block the Government's plan to send migrants to Rwanda, paving the way for the first flight to go ahead on Tuesday.

Migrants due to be given a one-way ticket to the east African nation as part of Home Secretary Priti Patel's bid to curb Channel crossings, as well as campaign groups and a union, had asked judges to block their upcoming deportation flight.

Judge Mr Justice Swift ruled against the claim and said: 'I do not consider that the balance of convivence favours the grant of the generic relief.'

Home Secretary Priti Patel told MailOnline: 'I welcome the court's decision in our favour and will now continue to deliver on progressing our world-leading Migration Partnership.

'People will continue to try and prevent their relocation through legal challenges and last-minute claims but we will not be deterred in breaking the deadly people smuggling trade and ultimately save lives.

'Rwanda is a safe country and has previously been recognised for providing a safe haven for refugees  we will continue preparations for the first flight to Rwanda, alongside the range of other measures intended to reduce small boat crossings.'

Lawyers from Cherie Blair's old chambers had branded the Rwanda deportation scheme 'unsafe and irrational' - as the Home Office urged a judge to refuse an injunction seeking to ground flights.

The Democratic Republic of Congo's army (FARDC) fired two rockets at Rwanda this morning, the country's military said.

The Rwanda Defence Force said the FARDC fired two 12mm rockets today, leaving locals 'terrified'.

There were no casualties but it comes after similar shelling on March 19 and May 23 that injured people and destroyed homes.

Protestors stand outside The Royal Court of Justice in London today ahead of a major legal challenge to Priti Patel's Rwanda policy

Their legal team being led by top QCs Raza Husain and Chris Buttler - both from Matrix - a chamber of liberal barristers' co-founded by Cherie Blair. She left in 2014

Up to 130 migrants have been notified they could be removed, with the first 31 people due to leave on the first flight on Tuesday.

Lawyers for almost 100 migrants have submitted legal challenges asking to stay in the UK with the remaining anticipated to follow suit this week.

The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) is leading the case alongside charities Care 4 Calais and Detention Action. The groups say the policy is unlawful and LGBT migrants could face discrimination.

Their legal team being led by top QCs Raza Husain and Chris Buttler - both from Matrix - a chamber of liberal barristers' co-founded by Cherie Booth, the wife of former Labour PM Tony Blair. She left in 2014.

Who is leading the challenge against Priti Patel's Rwanda policy? Public and Commercial Services union (PCS): This represents more than 80 per cent of Border Force staff. It has suggested the threat of deportation to Rwanda will make migrants crossing the Channel more likely to evade Border Force officers and violently resist arrest. Care 4 Calais: One of the most high-profile groups involved in delivering emergency aid to refugees in the French port and campaigning against the government's migration policy. Detention Action: Describes itself as a human rights organisation working on the frontline of immigration detention in the UK, providing direct support to those in detention and campaigning for reform. Matrix Chambers: A chamber of liberal barristers' co-founded by Cherie Booth, the wife of former Labour PM Tony Blair. She left in 2014. QCs Raza Husain and Chris Buttler are overseeing the Rwanda case. Advertisement

Mr Husain told the High Court: 'The system is not safe. It is not that it is not safe after July, it is just not safe.

'You may be arbitrarily denied access to it. If you do get into it, there are concerns about the impartiality of the decision-making.'

He continued: 'The evidence is that if you are not from a neighbouring country, then there are high levels of rejection.'

Mr Husain said this included asylum seekers from Syria, who are largely accepted by the UK system.

'The procedure is simply unsafe,' he added.

Calling for an evidence-based assessment for the policy, 'not an aspirational basis, or hopes', Mr Husain said: 'The Secretary of State's conclusion as to the safety of Rwanda was irrational. We have a very strong case on that,' later adding: 'We say there is no answer whatsoever to this case on irrationality on the assessment that Rwanda's procedures are safe.'

The barrister later said that the agreement between the two countries, known as a Memorandum of Understanding, was 'unenforceable'.

'Nothing monitors it, there's no evidence of structural change. The risks are just too high,' he added.

Mr Husain also said a Home Office document used by the department in the claim was 'replete with the suggestion that the UNHCR (the UN refugee agency) has given this plan a green light'.

'Regrettably, the material in this application demonstrates that to be misleading,' he added.

The Home Office insists the claim should fail because it is not justified and that Ms Patel's policy is in the public interest to deter migrants from crossing the English Channel

The UN refugee agency, the UNHCR, had a number of concerns about the asylum process in Rwanda, including discriminatory access to asylum - including for LGBT people - a lack of legal representation and interpreters, and difficulties in appealing, the court heard.

Mr Husain said: 'These are concerns that have been communicated to the UK authorities and yet the secretary of state's position ... is that the UNHCR has given this plan a green light.

'That is a false claim.'

Laura Dubinsky QC for UNHCR, which is intervening in the claim, said there had been 'inaccuracies' in the way the agency's views had been described by the Home Office.

She told the court that the agency is concerned about the risk of 'serious, irreparable harm' caused to refugees sent to Rwanda, adding the body 'in no way endorses the UK-Rwandan arrangement'.

'UNHCR is not involved in the UK-Rwanda arrangement, despite assertions to the contrary made by the Secretary of State,' she later said.

Ms Dubinsky said the agency had 'serious concerns about Rwandan capacity', adding: 'UNHCR itself is not in a position to rectify those deficiencies.

'The problems described are deep-rooted structural problems, they are not capable of speedy resolution,' the barrister continued.

She also told the High Court in London that UNHCR has had 'a number of meetings' with the Home Office and has said they believe the policy is unlawful.

Journey's end? Migrants are brought into Dover by Border Guard staff on Tuesday

In written submissions, Home Office lawyers urged the court to reject the application, arguing that it 'fails at the first stage', adding: 'The claimants have not identified a serious issue to be tried, still less the strong case they allege for the grant of relief at trial.'

In the court documents, Rory Dunlop QC and Mathew Gullick QC, for the department, said: 'The application for interim relief should be dismissed. In the alternative, any order for interim relief should be limited.'

They said there was a 'strong public interest in permitting these removals to proceed as scheduled' and a 'clear public interest in deterring the making of dangerous journeys and the activities of criminal smugglers'.

The papers also disclose the Home Office has already cancelled removal directions for three people who had asked the High Court to prevent their deportation to Rwanda. In the hearing, it emerged two more people will also have them cancelled.

The claim and application runs to 'many hundreds of pages', the Home Office lawyers said, as they suggested there had been delays in serving the papers, arguing: 'Given the volume of material that has now been served, this delay has prejudiced the defendants' ability to respond to the interim relief application.'

They also cited 'procedural issues' over the way in which the claim has been made.

Judge Mr Justice Swift said the final hearing in the case will be heard in July.

The Home Office has said it expected legal challenges but is 'determined to deliver this new partnership' and insisted the policy 'fully complies with international and national law' while Downing Street said Boris Johnson remains confident the policy is legal.

The High Court is due to hear a further challenge to the policy on Monday, brought by refugee charity Asylum Aid and supported by fellow campaign group Freedom From Torture.
A US military aircraft has crashed in California just a day after another went down killing five Marines nearby.

The MH-60S Seahawk helicopter went down on a US Navy training range near El Centro, California on Thursday, less than 100 miles from the place where a Marine MV-22B Osprey helicopter went down on Wednesday which killed five service members.

One of the crew onboard had to be taken to hospital after the crash.

Commander Zach Harrell, a spokesperson for Naval Air Forces, said: 'I can confirm that a US Navy helicopter crashed today on a US Navy training range near El Centro, Calif.

The MH-60S Seahawk helicopter went down on a US Navy training range near El Centro, California (file image)

'According to our initial reports, all four of the aircrew on board survived the crash,' said .

'One of the aircrew has suffered a non-life threatening injury and has been transported to a local hospital.'

The slight injuries as a result of the crash is in stark contrast to the five Marines who were confirmed dead after an MV-22B Osprey belonging to the 3rd Marine Air Wing crashed in the California desert.

The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing confirmed the deaths on Thursday 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 deceased.

Family and friends confirmed that Nathan Carlson was one of the soldiers who died in the crash.

The 21-year-old's girlfriend Emily Baxter posted a tribute to the Marine on Facebook, writing: 'My heart is absolutely shattered...I don't 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 can't explain the way I am feeling. We were practically raised together. I am so sorry this happened to you. I'm still waiting to get a call from you saying you were just helping and couldn't 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.
A foul-mouthed college lecturer has been banned from teaching after a 'manic rage' in which he verbally abused a colleague and challenged him to a staffroom fight.

Eric Jones called colleague John Collins an 'a***licker' and 'nothing but a b*****d' during a tirade of abuse.

Mr Jones then continued to swear and threaten Mr Collins in a workshop classroom in front of teenage students.

A misconduct panel heard Mr Jones lost his temper after learning Mr Collins had been asked to cover a lesson where they both worked as instructor technicians at The College Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales.

Mr Collins said that after telling Mr Jones he had been asked to cover a lesson due to staff sickness his colleague 'went off in a manic rage' and asked to fight him.

He said: 'I told him to back off and leave me alone.

'He literally threw every swear word in the book at me.'

Mr Jones worked as an instructor technician at The College Merthyr Tydfil in South Wales (pictured)

Mr Collins told the Education Workforce Council panel that Mr Jones was 'shouting and swearing' and said: 'If you want a fight we can.'

He added: 'Come on I'm not afraid of you.'

Mr Collins said: 'I was concerned that he was going to fight me because Eric Jones's behaviour was aggressive towards me.'

The incident took place in the college staff room as Mr Collins was working on the lesson he had been asked to cover,

The hearing was told Mr Jones, who had worked at the college since 2008, said: 'I've had a gutsful of you' and 'stay the f*** away from me' during the rant.

As he left the staffroom, he continued shouting and swearing as he followed Mr Collins into a workshop classroom.

In a statement to the hearing, Mr Collins said Mr Jones repeated his offer to fight him when they walked into the workshop classroom area while students were present.

An internal investigation at the college was told Mr Collins felt he was 'subjected to verbal abuse and felt physically threatened'.

Mr Collins appeared 'shaken' and 'on the verge of tears' after the incident in November 2019.

Mr Jones was questioned as part of the investigation and said he 'raised his voice' because he feared Mr Collins was getting 'preferential treatment' at the college.

He added that he felt 'devalued.'

Mr Jones did not attend the hearing in Cardiff and was found guilty of unacceptable professional conduct.

He was handed a two year prohibition order banning him from teaching.

The panel ruled: 'Mr Jones demonstrated a persistent lack of insight into the seriousness of his actions.'
Sunday marks a new dawn for Russia's fast-food lovers as former McDonald's restaurants prepare to reopen under new branding and ownership, more than three decades after the arrival of the hugely popular Western fast food chain.

McDonald's last month said it was selling its restaurants in Russia to one of its local licensees, Alexander Govor, after it decided to pull out of the country following the invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

The new launch will begin on Russia Day, a patriotic holiday celebrating the country's independence, at the same flagship location in Moscow's Pushkin Square where McDonald's first opened in Russia in January 1990.

McDonald's iconic 'Golden Arches' have been taken down at sites in Moscow and St Petersburg in preparation for the launch, making way for a new logo comprised of 'a burger and fries' on a green background.

The re-opening will initially cover 15 restaurants in the surrounding region.

The design drew some criticism on social media, with users observing that the new logo bears a striking similarity to that of hotel chain Marriott and Asian burger chain MOS burger.

Russian design house Logomachine ripped into the branding, declaring the design 'unappetising' and questioning how the strangely coloured logo would translate to illuminated signage.

A new logo comprising 'two fries and a hamburger patty' against a green background has been revealed ahead of the launch but the chain's name has not yet been announced

McDonald's iconic 'Golden Arches' have been taken down at sites in Moscow and St Petersburg in preparation for the launch

Workers dismantle a McDonald's sign from a restaurant in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 7, 2022

The McDonald's app was changed to 'My Burger' this morning on the AppStore in Russia, but the chain's press team said this was only temporary and did not reflect the final name of the new brand

'Dark shades do not make you want to go inside the restaurant and order your favorite burger,' Logomachine said.

'Secondly, the logo violates one of the main principles of design - contrast. Red and orange elements from afar will be impossible to distinguish.'

The new chain's name meanwhile remains a closely guarded secret.

A change in the name of the McDonald's app on Friday to 'My Burger' generated some online excitement, but the chain's press team said this was only temporary, according to Russian business publication RBC daily.

A motto on the app's home page read: 'Some things are changing, but stable work is here to stay.'

Russian media reported the renaming of dishes such as the Filet-O-Fish to 'Fish Burger' and Chicken McNuggets to simply 'Nuggets', though these changes could not be verified.

Businessman Govor has said he plans to expand the new brand to 1,000 locations across the country and reopen all the chain's restaurants within two months.

But it takes decades to build a brand, said Peter Gabrielsson, Professor of International Marketing at Finland's University of Vaasa, and the new launch is crucial for the brand's future success.

'Opening day is important because it is the first time consumers can really feel and touch and see the brand and what it stands for,' he said.

'It's important what the reaction will be and obviously people will be comparing it to McDonald's.'

The world's largest burger chain had owned 84 per cent of its nearly 850 restaurants across Russia and it took a charge of up to $1.4 billion following the sale to Govor, whose GiD LLC had previously run 25 restaurants.

Oleg Paroev of McDonald's Russia has said other franchisees would have the option of working under the new brand, but the traditional McDonald's brand will leave the country.

A worker dismantles the McDonald's Golden Arches from a restaurant in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 7, 2022

Traces of the dismantled signage are seen on the facade of a McDonald's restaurant in Saint Petersburg

Social media users piled in on the new design

The design drew some incredulity on social media, with users speculating the new logo looks like a rip-off of the branding from hotel chain Marriott (L) and Asian fast-food chain MOS burger (R)

McDonald's last year generated about 9 per cent, or $2 billion, of its revenue from Russia and Ukraine.

McDonald's has the right to buy its Russia restaurants back within 15 years, but many terms of the sale to Govor remain unclear.

The TASS news agency said on Wednesday McDonald's would stay open as usual at airports and train stations in Moscow and St Petersburg until 2023, quoting a source close to Rosinter Restaurants, another franchisee.

'Rosinter has a unique agreement under which the American corporation cannot take the franchise away. They can operate in peace,' TASS quoted the source as saying.

Rosinter declined to comment. McDonald's did not immediately respond.

As the Soviet Union crumbled in 1991, McDonald's came to embody a thawing of Cold War tensions and was a vehicle for millions of Russians to sample American food and culture.

The brand's exit is now a powerful symbol of how Russia and the West are once again turning their backs on each other.
Have you been overcharged by courier firms for imported goods? Email tips@dailymail.com Advertisement

Online shoppers have warned that they are 'are being overcharged hundreds of pounds by courier firms that wrongly calculate taxes on imports from Europe'.

Alan Edwards, from Suffolk, said that he has received multiple incorrect invoices for packages he has imported from the continent.

He said that when he imported wine from Portugal, he was charged 502 in VAT and duty, for the 170 order.

FedEx recalculated the bill, after being asked to pay almost triple what he owed, finalising the new invoice at 184.

Mr Edwards said that it was the fourth incorrect invoice out of his five most recent purchases.

'It doesn't seem like a one-off mistake any more, theres clearly a problem with the system,' he told the Telegraph.

Brits have been reporting two VAT charges on their purchases since the country left the European Union and goods from member countries were subjected to customs duties and VAT.

When Alan Edwards imported wine from Portugal, he was charged 502 in VAT and duty, for the 170 order. File image

Shoppers are usually asked to pay the fees before they are given their parcels, with Mr Edwards given a seven-day period to pay, before the wine would be sent back to Portugal.

He told the newspaper that he refused to pay 502, and called for the shipping company to reevaluate the bill.

'Its a real mess and I have tried very hard to tell them,' Mr Edwards said.

FedEx recalculated Mr Edwards' bill, after being asked to pay almost triple what he owed, finalising the new invoice at 184. File image

He was also concerned that shoppers may have little to no understanding of the charges, and might pay an incorrect bill.

He has also been overcharged by DHL multiple times, he said. The company has apologised for the mistakes.

A spokesperson for FedEx said: 'Having received two different clearance submissions, we recognised that there was an error in the calculation of the duties and taxes and we amended the charges.

'Outstanding customer service is a top priority for FedEx. We apologise to Mr Edwards for any inconvenience caused.

'Calculations for the customs clearance are estimated on the information provided by the sender.

'The actual clearance cost which is determined on entry into the destination country may vary from the estimate.

'The reasons for this could be exchange rate differences, HMRC adjustments to duty rates and, or changes with the initial information provided by the sender.'

Paul Carlier, from Kent, paid more than 100 in incorrect charges when he bought two pieces of clothing for 381 online.

After involvement from the Telegraph, he was compensated for the charge, having paid more than the 169.74 in fees that were due.
Sri Lankan refugee Priya Nadesalingam was so overcome with emotion at finally returning to Biloela that she fell to the ground in tears.

The Tamil woman arrived at Biloela with her husband Nades Nadesalingam and their Australian-born daughters Kopika and Tharnicaa on Friday.

It was the first time they had set foot in the central Queensland town in four years since they were locked in immigration detention.

Ms Nadesalingam fell to her knees and kissed the ground at nearby Thangool Airport as the crowd clapped and cheered her family's arrival home.

Priya Nadesalingam (centre) fell to her knees overcome with emotion and kissed the ground after her and her family touched down in Australia

The family shared a hug on the tarmac, and the two girls waved to an emotional crowd who described their return as a 'dream come true'.

Ms Nadesalingams blew a kiss to waiting friends and supporters who fought for this moment since the family was first detained in March 2018.

The Nadesalingam were loved members of the community when their bridging visas expired in 2018 and they were taken into immigration detention.

At that time authorities found they no longer met Australia's refugee requirements.

Priya (centre) cried as she reunited with her Biloela friends for the first time in four years

Nades and Priya Nadesalingam hugged friends at Thangool Airport near their small home town of Biloela in central Queensland

Nearly 600,000 people signed Home to Bilo campaigner Angela Frederick's petition in support of the family, and more than 53,000 phone calls and emails were made and sent to Australian politicians.

However, the Albanese Government quickly allowed the family to finally to return home after it reversed on the Coalition's policy days after winning the election.

Ms Nadesalingam held a stuffed cockatoo toy, the bird the small town is named after, while waiting on the tarmac with her family.

Priya and Nades Nadesalingam (above) waved as they got off the plane at Thangool Airport

Biloela locals (above) met the family on the tarmac with 'welcome home' signs decorated with cockatoos, the bird which the small town is named after

'Thank you so much,' she later told reporters.

'Me and my family are very happy again start our journey back to my community Bilo.

'My community and Australian people, my family, helping  thank you to all in Bilo community.

'I'm starting a new life so happy, thank you.'

The crowd hugged, cried, and danced together once reunited with the much-missed family.

'To finally be able to see them walk into Biloela  it's just like a dream come true really,' local Marie Austin told the ABC.

Family friend Bronwyn Dendle said she played the emotional reunion 'so many times' in her head and was overjoyed to welcome the family back.

Priya Nadesalingam blew kisses to supporters and photographers as they got off the plane

The family's return coincides with little Tharnicaa's fifth birthday, her first birthday out of detention, and Ms Dendle said she is excited to give her the party she deserves.

'We're going to have a birthday party in the park, which is what Bilo locals do. She's specifically requested a pink party, so a pink party she will have,' she said.

Their arrival coincideed with the Banana Shire's Flourish Multicultural Festival on Saturday.

Tharnicaa was just nine months old when her family was first thrown into an immigration detention centre in Melbourne.

The Nadesalingam family (above) shared a hug on the tarmac, and the two girls waved to an emotional crowd

The former Coalition government tried to deport the family on a commercial flight from Melbourne to Sri Lanka in 2019, but an 11th hour court injunction order the plane land in Darwin.

The four were then held at the Christmas Island detention centre for two years until then-immigration minister Alex Hawke moved them to community detention in Perth in mid-2021.

His change-of-heart came after Tharnicaa was medically evacuated with a suspected blood infection.

Following the change of government in May, interim Home Affairs Minister Jim Chalmers gave the family permission to return to Biloela on bridging visas.
Delia Ruiz, a 31-year-old ex-cop in small-town Texas, was sentenced Wednesday for the crimes, which saw her seduce and have sex with with two boys, aged 15 and 16

A former female police officer who sexually assaulted two teen boys after grooming them with sexts for nearly a year has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison.

Delia Ruiz, a 31-year-old ex-cop in small city in Texas, was sentenced Wednesday by US District Judge Matthew J. Kacsmaryk for the crimes, which saw her seduce and have repeated sex with the kids, whom were aged 15 and 16 when they met in 2020.

Officials said Ruiz, a former officer of the Friona Police Department, sent the younger victim flirtatious messages and lured him a local church parking lot for sex in her car on at least three separate occasions.

During that time, the officer also sent the youth sexually explicit photos and videos of herself, court documents reveal, and warned him not to tell anyone about their meets, because she could get into 'big trouble.'

Ruiz met the then-15-year-old victim, identified in the indictment as John Doe 1, at the home of the younger teen, John Doe 2, in the spring of 2021.

At that point, fed say, the then-30-old had been engaged in a relationship with the younger victim for roughly half a year, from fall of the previous year.

In a January plea deal, Ruiz admitted having sexual intercourse with the elder victim in autumn 2020 when the boy was 16. She continued to meet with the boy until he turned 17, then moving on to his younger friend.

Cops said that she also sent similar messages to a third victim, referred to in court documents as John Doe 3, who Ruiz did not have sex with - but told cops that it was solely due because 'she had had not been afforded the opportunity.'

Feds said Ruiz, a former officer of the Friona Police Department (pictured), sent on of the kids flirtatious messages and lured him a church parking lot for sex in her car at least three times

Ruiz was arrested and fired from the force in October 2021. The victims were not identified due to their age.

The news was announced Thursday by US Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad E. Meacham, nearly five months after Ruiz confessed to having sex with both boys back in January, pleading guilty to charges of enticing a minor and sex assault.

The sentence came as the culmination of an eight-month-long investigation by the Texas Rangers, the FBI, and the Amarillo Police Department, whom were aided by the cooperation of the Fiona police force.

Court documents filed by the US District Court for The Northern District Of Texas provide additional details on Ruiz's lecherous conduct and the methods she used to groom both children.

Concerning the younger John Doe 1, feds wrote that Ruiz 'sent the child flirtatious messages and arranged to meet him in a church parking lot for sex in her car on at least three occasions.'

'She sent him sexually explicit photos and videos of herself and warned him not to tell anyone about what they did because she could get into 'big trouble.''

In plea papers, Ruiz admitted having sexual intercourse with a 16-year-old victim, identified in court documents as John Doe 2, in the Autumn of 2020, and continued the relationship through spring 2021, when the boy turned 17

The documents also detail the methods Ruiz used to 'persuade, induce, coerce, and entice' the minors to engage in sexual activity.

In her plea agreement, Ruiz admitted that after meeting John Doe 1, she started sending him messages on Facebook Messenger that quickly 'became flirtatious' - including one that said 'she was going to take a shower' with a 'winky face' emoji.

She said she began having sexual intercourse with the 15-year-old victim after meeting him at John Doe 2's home in May 2021.

That month, Ruiz arranged to meet John Doe 1 in the parking lot of the church, located in nearby Bovina, where the two engaged in sexual intercourse, her plea agreement states. The meets would continue on until the next month.

The document reads: 'While in Ruiz's vehicle, Ruiz and [John Doe 1] discussed him being a student at Bovina High School. Ruiz and [the victim] kissed and engaged in sexual activity in her vehicle.

'This occurred at least three times with the last being in June 2021,' it then states.

The document also reveals that Ruiz 'sent [John Doe 1] flirtatious messages, as well as photographs of her breasts, vagina, and buttocks, and videos of herself masturbating.'

Feds wrote that Ruiz had also sent similar sexual photographs and videos of herself to John Doe 2 over the course of their six-month sexual relationship.

Cops said that she also sent similar messages to a third victim, referred to in court documents as John Doe 3, who Ruiz did not have sex with - but told cops that it was solely due because 'she had had not been afforded the opportunity.'

'Ruiz sent additional nude photographs and videos of herself masturbating to John Doe-3 beginning when he was 16 or 17 years of age,' her indictment states.

'Ruiz described the reason she had not had sexual intercourse with Doe-3 was because she had not been afforded the opportunity.'

She was charged for enticing the minor as part of the plea deal.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Callie Woolam prosecuted the case with the help of Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Pinkham.
President Joe Biden will reveal his migration plan on Friday that involves the United States and Latin American countries pleding to take in more migrants as the crisis at the U.S. Southern border continues.

Biden is presenting his plan as migration is a major political issue with Republicans - and even some Democrats - raising concerns about the record number of migrants flooding the United States.

In April, U.S. border officials encountered 234,088 migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border, topping Marchs 22-year high of just over 221,000.

Republicans are using the high numbers to pound the administration ahead of November's midterm election that will decide control of Congress. Biden has been under pressure to detail his plans for dealing with the crisis.

His 'Los Angeles Declaration' will outline a set of migration principals that includes legal pathways to enter countries, aid to communities most affected by migration, humane border management and coordinated emergency responses.

President Joe Biden to reveal migration plan on last day of Summit of the Americas

Biden's plan comes as migrant crisis grows worse - above central American migrants walk in a caravan towards the border with the United States

The plan also includes incentives for countries to aborb migrants and provide a method for them to learn a living.

Administration officials argue the plan could help relieve the labor shortage the United States and other countries are feeling.

'Under the declaration, governments will commit to collectively expand temporary worker programs to address labor shortages while reducing irregular migration. We see this as a true win-win for countries such as the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and other countries across the Western Hemisphere that are facing massive labor shortages,' a senior administration official said on a briefing call with reporteres on Thursday.

Biden will cap his troubled Summit of the Americas by asking countries to sign on to the pact, which will call on countries to build up their own asylum systems, create more work visas and increase their own border enforcement.

But some key allies in the migration fight are missing, particularly Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who boycotted the summit after leaders of Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua were not invited. Mexico is a key transit country for migrants.

The leaders of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador - the three Northern Triangle countries - also skipped the summit, which is raising questions about how effective Biden's 'Los Angeles Declaration' will be.

Mexico and the three 'triangle' countries produce most of the migrants seeking to cross the U.S. border.

But a senior administration official said the countries have been involved in the process of drafting the pact.

'We've engaged with them quite a bit in the development of the declaration and have welcomed their support,' the official said.

The diplomatic boycott has mared the summit as Biden attempts to reassert U.S. influence in Latin America and counter the growing threat from China, which is investing heavily in the area.

The administration is trying to portray the migrant crisis as a shared responsibility of the region.

It is pulling in other countries to share the burden of hosting migrants, including Spain and Canada.

Already Colombia, Ecuador, Panama and Costa Rica are all each hosting hundreds of thousands of migrants.

Violence, poverty and a harsh standard of living in Latin America has led to millions fleeing their homelands for the chance at a better life.

Six million Venezuelans have fled their countrys dictatorship. And Nicaraguans, Cubans, Haitians and others have violence or extreme poverty in their countries.
Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte enjoyed their first weekend away together late last month since the French president won re-election.

President Macron, 44, was seen on May 28 wearing a white Lacoste polo shirt, black shorts and sunglasses as he strolled hand in hand with the French first lady in Bormes-les-Mimosas, south-eastern France.

Brigitte, 69, donned a white blouse and a military green skirt as the power couple soaked up the rays on their first vacation since the French presidential election in late April.

Macron won with a 58.54 per cent share of the vote  beating the far-Right Marine Le Pen, 53, on 41.46 per cent, the final results showed.

But his victory over his far-right rival was narrower than in their last face-off in 2017, when he won over 66 per cent of the vote, and Le Pen's result was the best ever for the far right with 13.2 million people voting for her.

Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte enjoyed their first weekend away together at the end of May since the French president won re-election in April

Brigitte, 69, donned a white blouse on a military green skirt as the power couple soaked up the rays while walking hand in hand holidaying in Bormes-les-Mimosas, southeastern France.

Macron sported a white Rene Lacoste polo shirt, black shorts and sunglasses

Re-elected to a second five-year term in April, Macron took a brief break from his duties in advance of the parliamentary elections on June 12 and 19 - where his party, recently rebranded 'Renaissance', is facing a challenge from the far right as well as from a new leftist alliance led by Jean-Luc Melenchon.

Melenchon has said he aims to scupper Macron's presidency by winning the role of prime minister, forcing the president into a power-sharing scenario known in France as 'cohabitation', according to France24.

Melenchon has constructed an alliance of France's left, uniting around a common policy platform and standing a single candidate in each of the 577 constituencies - with his alliance currently polling neck-and-neck with Macron's bloc.

Meanwhile, on the international stage, Macron attracted ire last week when he said a diplomatic exit must be left open to Vladimir Putin following his disastrous invasion of Ukraine.

In an interview with a group of regional newspapers in France, Macron said: 'We must not humiliate Russia so that the day the fighting stops, we can build a way out through diplomatic channels'.

Macron's comment prompted the Ukrainian foreign minister to say that allies should 'better focus on how to put Russia in its place' as it 'humiliates itself'.

Foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote in a tweet that 'calls to avoid humiliation of Russia can only humiliate France and every other country that would call for it'.

In contrast to the UK and US positions, Macron has maintained an open dialogue with the Kremlin.

The French president said last week he had spoken for around 100 hours with Putin since the war in Ukraine began.
Dons at Oxford are demanding the university changes its 'unlawful' social media policy because they believe it inhibits free speech.

A group of academics at the world-leading institution say its policies on harassment and social media are in breach of its legal duty to protect freedom of speech as they prohibit 'speech that is lawful'.

They claim the policies 'frustrate academic freedom - the life blood of this university - and harm academic careers'.

It comes after the university was caught up in a 'Hinduphobia' row when an academic criticised a student who had been elected to lead the student union.

Dr Abhijit Sarkar, a postdoctoral researcher into the history and anthropology of modern south Asia, said he was subjected to death and rape threats online and accused of 'Hinduphobia' for a post about Rashmi Samant.

Dr Abhijit Sarkar (pictured), an academic at Oxford University, claimed he was subjected to rape and death threats after criticising a student on social media

Rashmi Samant (pictured) resigned as president-elect of the Oxford University Student Union after being accused of making racist and anti-Semitic posts on Instagram

He linked Ms Samant, who was the first female Indian student to lead the Oxford University Students' Union, and her family to far-right Hindu nationalism on Instagram.

After this his post, which had been made after Ms Samant resigned the role of President-elect of the union, was reported to the police and investigated, but no further action was taken.

Ms Samant resigned from her position in February 2021 amid accusations she had made racist, anti-Semitic and transphobic posts on Instagram, the Time of India reports.

Ms Samant claimed she had been targeted for her religion and bulled because of the allegations and complained to the university that Dr Sarkar had harassed her. This complaint was upheld.

Now academics at the university have called for changes to its social media guidelines in a question tabled to Oxford's Congregation, the sovereign body made up of 5,000 members that act as its parliament.

The question was tabled by Michael Biggs, professor of sociology, and Roger Teichmann, tutor and fellow in philosophy, and signed by seven others, including Nigel Biggar, professor of pastoral theology.

They criticised social media guidelines that state staff must treat one another with 'professionalism' and 'courtesy', stating: 'The requirement that academic staff so conduct themselves is reasonable but legally baseless - speech that lacks respect, professionalism, etc, is still free speech within the law.'

Dons at Oxford University (pictured) have called for the institution to change its social media policies

They added that 'as a matter of principle, the [social media] policy of the university - as an institution founded on tolerance, free thought and free expression - should in all circumstances be more liberal and open-minded than the policy of social media platforms'.

The dons said that failure to safeguard academic freedom 'poses a grave risk to the university's reputation'.

In a statement, the university said: 'The university is both allowed and obliged to take action in response to concerns about the treatment of a member of the university community by a fellow member of the same community and the university is confident that its policy and procedure on harassment and its social media guidance reflect and comply with its legal obligations.'
Grand Rapids, Michigan police officer Christopher Schurr, 31, pleaded not guilty in a virtual arraignment on Friday after he was charged with second degree murder for fatally shooting a black man during a chaotic traffic stop in April.

District Court Judge Nicholas Ayoub set Schurr's bond at $100,000 with special conditions that he cannot purchase or possess a firearm, use drugs or engage in any acts of aggressive behavior.

While Shurr pleaded not guilty at the arraignment via video from his jail cell, the court room was packed with his supporters and family wearing blues ribbons and shirts that read 'Back the blue #standwithshur'

His arraignment comes a day after Kent County prosecutor Chris Becker announced the initial charges against Schurr, who he said was not acting in self-defense and intended to kill when he shot Patrick Lyoya, a 26-year-old black man on April 4th.

Schurr fired his weapon in the back of Lyoya's head as they wrestled over his Taser after Lyoya tried to flee a traffic stop.

According to a probable-cause affidavit filed on June 10th, Schurr confirmed that he shot Loyoya in the head, as is also clear in cellphone video of the incident.

Prior to the arraignment, Grand Rapids police chief Eric Winstrom said he would submit a recommendation that Schurr be immediately suspended without pay and fired. The final decision is up to a city official.

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Shurr seen wearing a mask as he pleads not guilty to second degree murder charges on Friday from his jail cell

The court room was packed with his supporters and family wearing blues ribbons and shirt that trad 'Back the blue #standwithshur'

Shurr pleaded not guilty at the arraignment via video from his jail cell on Friday

Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who has been vocal about the case, characterized the charge as a step forward in a statement.

'We are encouraged by attorney Christopher Becker's decision to charge Christopher Schurr for the brutal killing of Patrick Lyoya, which we all witnessed when the video footage was released to the public,' Crump said.

'While the road to justice for Patrick and his family has just begun, this decision is a crucial step in the right direction. 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.'

Schurr had pulled Lyoya over because he said the license plates on his car didn't match the vehicle.

The city police department released footage of the shooting taken from the dashboard of the officer's squad car, from his body-worn camera and from a neighbor's surveillance camera shortly after.

The footage shows Lyoya, a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo, stepping out of the car on a rainy street of Griggs and Nelson SE, seemingly confused and asking 'What did I do?' as the officer repeatedly asks for a driver's license and orders him to get back inside the vehicle.

'I'm stopping ya, do you have a license? Do you have a driver's license, do you speak English?' he asks.

Lyoya confirms in the video that he speaks English and opens the driver's side door as he speaks to his passenger.

He then shuts his door, turns his back to the officer and appears to walk away.

'No, no, no, stop, stop,' the officer is heard saying, and puts his hands on Lyoya's shoulder.

District Court Judge Nicholas Ayoub set Schurr's bond at $100,000 with special conditions that he cannot purchase or possess a firearm, use drugs or engage in any acts of aggressive behavior

Prosecutors also revealed a new mugshot of Grand Rapids Officer Christopher Schurr, days after his arrest

Grand Rapids Police Officer Christopher Schurr. He was charged with second-degree murder on Thursday for the killing of Patrick Lyoya

Bodycam footage of the shooting showing the Schurr grabbing Lyoya during the traffic stop in April

Lyoya is seen pushing back against the officer and then starts running until the officer tackles him to the ground.

He and the cop grapple in front of several homes while Lyoya's passenger got out and watched while filming with his cellphone.

The officer repeatedly orders Lyoya to 'let go' of his Taser, at one point demanding: 'Drop the Taser!'

It is not clear from any of the videos if or when Lyoya tried to grab the cop's Taser, but the cop is heard yelling at him to let go of the device, which was deployed twice, but didn't strike anyone, officials said.

At this point, the officer's body camera suddenly goes blank.

Additional video footage  from the neighbor's doorbell security system, the dashcam in the officer's vehicle, and a bystander's cellphone  capture different angles of the incident.

Schurr and Lyoya are seen in the alternate footage getting back up to a standing position while they fight and then going back down to the ground.

In the final moments before the gun shot, the officer was on top of Lyoya, kneeling on his back at times to subdue him.

The officer points his weapon at the back of Lyoya's head and a gunshot is heard.

Multiple officers arrived within 10 minutes and attempted to revive Lyoya.

At this point a sergeant rolled Lyoya over and found the officer's Taser and his bodycam under the body, according to a report reviewed by CNN.

Audio from a neighborhood home surveillance camera also captured the sound of the officer shooting Lyoya in the back of the head.

Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom (pictured) said that he would submit a letter to the city manager recommending that officer Schurr be suspended without pay and fired

Schurr's body-camera footage from the incident showing him pressing Lyoya's head to the ground in the moments before the shooting

An image from Lyoya's autopsy report showing the trajectory of the single bullet that killed him

Attorneys for Lyoya's family have called the death an 'execution.'

Around 1,000 people attended Lyoya's funeral where Reverend Al Sharpton delivered a fiery eulogy on April 22.

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 Chief 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, that's one of the things I've already reached out to my colleagues to say, "Hey, I need some curriculum, because we are going to beef it up."'
This is the incredible moment a female bear survived falling down a cliff after she was attacked by a male bear while protecting her cub.

Filmed in the Montana Palentina Natural Park in the northern Spanish region of Palencia on 6 June, the female bear was seen fighting with the male bear near the Pena de Santa Lucia rock formations.

The male bear began to attack her as she defended her cub, but within seconds they both dropped down the cliffside from a great height.

The pair land with a thump on the ground, and while the male bear remains close to where he fell, the female bear continues to fall down further into the depths of the vertical rock face.

During the scuffle, which happened during mating season, the cub climbs down a few rocks to get out of eyesight of the male bear, clambering on to the steep rocks.

Spanish officials have since confirmed that the female bear is still alive after she was filmed being attacked.

She was found deep in a narrow cave - but experts could not access her position as she was so far in. They used endoscopic cameras to confirm that she is moving inside the tight space.

Officials are remaining at the scene to continually assess the extent of the bear's injuries and provide food and water at different points in the cave while monitoring the surrounding area.

The male bear, weighing 478lbs (217kg), on the other hand was not so fortunate after later being found dead by park officials.

Cameras in the Spanish national park captured the moment on Monday and have since been working to find her cub.

During mating season, which is usually from late spring to early summer for brown bears, it is not uncommon for male bears to attack females with cubs.

This is the incredible moment a female bear survived falling down a cliff after she was attacked by a male bear while protecting her cub in Montana Palentina Natural Park in Palencia, Spain. The cub is pictured at the bottom, clambering on to the steep rocks

Filmed in the Montana Palentina Natural Park in the northern Spanish region of Palencia on 6 June, the female bear was seen fighting with the male bear near the Pena de Santa Lucia rock formations between the Pineda Valley and the Curavacas Peak

The male bear began to attack her as she defended her calf, but within seconds they both dropped down the cliffside from a great height

This is because they are often trying to get to the cub, who they aim to kill as they look to sexually excite the female, who can't do so when taking care of young offspring.

President of the Brown Bear Foundation Guillermo Palomero told news agency EFE: 'The aim was not to kill the female bear, but to give her his genes.'

Claudio Sordo, a wildlife enthusiast who captured the footage with his friend Carmen Ortega told Spanish newspaper El Pais: 'We had never seen anything like it.

'We left feeling very sad because the scene was devastating. We couldn't do anything. But it did boost our spirits to see that the female bear was alive.'

The local government said of the shocking footage: 'Late yesterday afternoon, the operation of the Ministry of the Environment, Housing and Territorial Planning was able to make visual contact with the adult bear, where her cub is presumed to be with her also.

'The operation, carried out by the Junta of Castile and Leon since Monday morning in the Santa Lucia area, was able to confirm late yesterday afternoon that the adult bear is still alive.

The pair land with a thump on the ground, and while the male bear remains close to where he fell to (left), the female bear (right) continues to fall down further into the depths of the vertical rock face

Spanish officials have since confirmed that the female bear is still alive after she was filmed being attacked (pictured after the fall)

'However, it has not been possible to assess the extent of the injuries due to the impossibility of accessing the area of the cave where she is taking refuge, since, as confirmed yesterday afternoon, the length of the space is more than 15 metres, with a narrowing of less than 80 centimetres in places, and numerous vertical wells with a diameter of less than 50 centimetres.

'Yesterday, the priority of the operation was to locate and assess whether the adult bear was alive and, if so, recover the cub if the mother was found dead.

'At noon yesterday, after not observing the bear cub outside, a decision was taken to access the cave with endoscopic cameras and poles to monitor the interior from the exterior galleries and from the entrance to the cavity itself, prioritising safety at all times.

'Also, yesterday afternoon a real-time vision camera was installed at the cave entrance to detect any movements of the bear or cub.'

'After confirming that the bear is alive, the work plan for today's morning will be to provide fruit, feed and water at different points in the cavity, as well as continuously monitoring the area.'
A woman and her husband have defended their decision to trash a Brazilian dental clinic after bizarrely claiming that the dentist secretly implanted a chip in her mouth three years ago to listen in to their family's conversations.

The shocking incident was recorded by the Belo Horizonte office after Kenia Aparecida, 27, and her 31-year-old partner showed up requesting to see the dentist Wendesday.

'In 2019, I started treatment at the clinic through an agreement,' Aparecida told news outlet G1.

'I had two wisdom teeth extracted and, without my authorization, they implanted a chip in my mouth and listened to my conversations. But my husband saw that it was in (the mouth) and the dentist doesn't want to take it out.'

Kenia Aparecida (right) shouts at a dental office employee while her husband (center) removes a computer screen during an argument at the Belo Horizonte clinic on Wednesday as they claimed the dentist had implanted a chip in 2019 during the removal of two wisdom teeth, thus allowing their family conversations to be heard

Surveillance video showed her husband standing by the reception desk waiting to be helped when he suddenly hit one of the computer screens, knocking it over the table ledge.

Aparecida subsequently approached the desk to argue with three employees while she was carrying her toddler child and her husband proceeded to punch a second computer screen, slamming it to the floor.

The couple continued to shout at the office workers as their two older children looked on, grabbing the supplies from the desk and tossing them at the terrified employees.

Aparecida's husband then charged at door and karate kicking it before he falls to the ground. He stood up and punched a television that was hanging from a wall.

A television was knocked of its wall stand when a couple showed up at a dental clinic in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, on Wednesday to demand that the dentist remove a chip he had allegedly implanted in a woman's mouth in 2019 after she had two wisdom teeth removed

Authorities in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, are still investigating the insane trashing of a dental office clinic by a woman and her husband, who accuse a dentist of installing a chip in her mouth that allowed the dentist and his staff to 'listened to my conversations'

A 31-year-old man grabs a computer screen from the reception desk prior to slamming it to the ground during the insane dental office trashing on Wednesday

'After the chip was implanted, everything that is said in the family's home, people on the street find out,' Aparecida alleged.

Her husband said they lost their temple because they had been attempting to had the chip removed on several occasions.

'We act according to emotions, we just need to take the chip out from her,' he said. 'We've asked several times and the dentist doesn't take it out. We tried to talk yesterday (Wednesday) and they didn't want to hear us.'

Office workers told authorities that Aparecida's husband threatened them and showed images of a gun he had on his cellphone.

The dental office manager said it was not the first time the couple had visited the clinic in an aggressive manner, complaining that Aparecida had a chip in her mouth.

A computer screen dangles from the side of a dental office reception desk after a couple trashed the Brazilian clinic on Wednesday

Kenia Aparecida's (right) husband (center) waits to be assisted at the Belo Horizonte, Brazil, clinic on Wednesday moments before he lost his temple and destroyed the office while arguing with the staff over an alleged chip that was implanted by the dentist in his wife's mouth during a 2019 visit that permitted the physician and staff to listen in to the family's conversations. The dental office refuted the couple's claims, indicating no chip was ever implanted in the woman's mouth

'We checked the X-ray, there was nothing on her tooth,' the manager said. 'She had a prosthetic procedure and there was nothing wrong with the tooth.'

Despite the X-ray images showing no problem with her wisdom teeth, Aparecida followed through with the removal.

She and her husband returned several days later to complain that the dentist had inserted the chip.

'They reported that the dentist had placed a microchip inside her mouth, that it was possible to hear all the WhatsApp conversations,' the office manager said.

The couple abandoned the dental office before the Minas Gerais Civil Police arrived.

An investigation underway although the Aparecida and her husband had not been interviewed as of Thursday.
Two-year-old boy who died from influenza was a happy and healthy toddler with a 'cheeky smile' - and now his pregnant mum and two siblings are sick.

Kaiser McKinley was admitted to hospital on Sunday in Gladstone, Central Queensland, and died the next day later from Influenza A.

His older brother Tawera was admitted to hospital with the same symptoms and his pregnant mother Shayna and another of his siblings also have flu symptoms.

Kaiser McKinley, 2, was described by family as a 'happy and healthy boy with a cheeky smile'

The two-year-old's godparents Navere and Xavier Oakes believed doctors 'could have done more' to save the little boy's life.

Central Queensland Health chief executive Emma McCahon on Friday said the state will review the young boy's death.

'We will do what we can to support the family and our team members at this difficult time,' she told the Courier Mail.

'When an unexpected death happens, as in this case, we review what has occurred to ensure all care that was delivered was appropriate and to identify any possible improvements.'

The two-year-old was the first to die from the virus in Queensland and the fourth child in Australia this year

Health Minister Yvette D'Ath offered the family her condolences and said she was expecting a briefing around the circumstances of the 'devastating' death.

'Any loss of life and especially a child is devastating no matter what the circumstances are behind it,' she said.

'What that means is there is a family that is deeply grieving right now and our condolences go out to the family and friends of that child.'

Kaiser was the first to die from the virus in Queensland this flu season and the fourth child in Australia this year.

Kaiser died from Influenza 24 hours after he was admitted to hospital in Gladstone (pictured), central Queensland, on June 5

The state has recorded 1,319 children aged between zero and four have caught the virus since the beginning of the year and June 5.

About 31 per cent of Queensland's population has been vaccinated against the virus with eight people being treated for influenza in intensive care units across the state and another 128 hospitalised since Friday.

Australia had a surge in flu cases in recent weeks as temperatures dropped.

Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital has reported that flu cases for children jumped from just 16 in the entire month of March to 120 in the past fortnight alone  an increase of 500 per cent.

Kaiser's older brother Tawera was admitted to hospital with the same symptoms and his pregnant mother Shayna (pictured) and another of his siblings also have flu symptoms

Many states have made flu vaccines free for June in the hope of increasing vaccination rates.

Ms D'Ath said the Queensland's vaccination rate was double what it was this time last year since the introduction of free vaccinations.

'Prior to us announcing that we were providing free flu shots from six year olds to 64 year olds, we were actually seeing a decline in uptake of the flu vaccination as we're heading into flu season, which was very, very concerning,' she said.

'We are now at double the vaccination rates that we were last year and that shows a significant uptake.'

Influenza was a relative afterthought over the past two years as Covid dominated health concerns, with flu infections at 'historically low levels'.

In 2019, the year before the pandemic, Australia's National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System reported 313,033 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza.

Kaiser's vaccination status is not yet known.

A GoFundMe page was started by his godparents to assist his family with the toddlers funeral costs.

The toddler was described by family as a 'happy and healthy little boy with a cheeky smile'

'Being only 2 years old Kaiser still had his whole life ahead of him. He was a happy and healthy little boy with a cheeky smile,' Navere Oakes wrote.

'He didn't deserve this. With his mother Shayna and family still grieving about the loss of her baby brother, this just adds to the amount of grief and sadness.

'As his God Parents, Xavier and I are setting up this Go Fund Me page in hopes to help out his mother Shayna with funeral expenses and anything left over will go to her and his 4 siblings with the 5th on the way.'

The fund has received 33 donations totalling $2,160 and hopes to raise $10,000.
Elementary school staffers bragged about outright ignoring parents' requests to refer to their kids by their given names and pronouns last month, during a virtual panel that saw speakers refer to parents as 'caregivers.'

The virtual 'Creating and Sustaining GSAs in Elementary Schools' meeting, held over Zoom April on 26, saw moderator Katy Butler, a second grade public school teacher at Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy in San Francisco, poise a question to her fellow panelists concerning pronoun use when it comes to their students.

The inquiry, sent to the group by another, unnamed educator, asked advice on how to deal with parents peeved over teachers' pronoun use.

'What should we do if a parent requests that we refer to their child by the pronouns associated with their sex assigned at birth instead of their preferred pronouns, and that we use a legal name instead of a student's chosen name?' Butler - who panel organizers billed as a white queer cisgender female teacher on social media - read.

Butler - the creator of Gender Inclusive Classrooms, the group that organized the panel - then gave way for the three other panelists, staffers at public schools across the country, to weigh in on the matter.

One panelist, fellow cocreator Kieran Slattery, a fifth grade teacher in Massachusetts, proceeded to provide his advice on the matter - proudly revealing instances where he ignored parents' requests to call their child by certain pronouns.

Elementary school staffers bragged about outright ignoring parents' requests to refer to their children by their given names and pronouns late last month, during a virtual panel in which the public school workers discussed ways to deal with parents peeved over their pronoun use

The virtual 'Creating and Sustaining GSAs in Elementary Schools' meeting, held over Zoom April 26, saw moderator Katy Butler (top left), a second grade public school teacher at Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy in San Francisco, poise a question to her fellow panelists concerning how to ignore parents requests to use their kids' given names and pronouns

'So, I can respond with something that I've done,' Slattery, who teaches at Jackson Street Elementary, began.

'This came up for me - it's come up in a couple different ways - but it's come up for me where caregivers asked.'

Slattery said: 'I actually refer to their child's name using the name the name they asked to be referred to and their chosen pronouns, and caregivers reacted very strongly.'

The teacher then detailed how parents 'followed up with me and the principal, and said, like, 'I know you were using a different name than my child's given name at birth and the pronouns we gave them, and I'm respectfully asking that you use the name and the pronouns that we gave them.'

Slattery - who panel organizers billed as a 'white, queer transgender man' - proceeded to warn the three other panelists of the legal concerns that come with rejecting parents' requests on how they refer to their children.

'So the laws in every state are different, obviously, and I can't speak to the laws in everyone's particular state, but I will say - again, the resources that we'll give you after this have some helpful sites where you can look up what the rules are for your state,' the Northampton elementary school teacher said.

'Before I responded to the caregiver, I made sure I ran it by my principal and my superintendent just to make sure that they had my back.'

One panelist, Kieran Slattery, a fifth grade teacher in Massachusetts who created the group presiding over the panel, proceeded to provide his advice on the matter - proudly revealing instances where he ignored parents' requests to call their child by certain pronouns

Slattery - who panel organizers billed as a 'white, queer transgender man' - he rejected the request of one pair of parents - or as he called them, 'caregivers' - and touted the slight as a victory

The transgender teacher then revealed how he rejected the request of one pair of parents - or as he called them, 'caregivers' - touting the slight as a victory.

'And then I responded - and I chose my words carefully - and I said, 'I hear you, I hear what you're saying,' Slattery said, adding that, 'I tried to really affirm what the caregiver was asking me, like in terms of, 'I hear you saying that you're feeling uncomfortable with me using the child's preferred name and pronouns; I hear that you're using different ones at home.'

He continued: 'But here at school, the expectation is that all of my students feel comfortable and welcome in my classroom.'

The assertion saw the educator put particular emphasis on the word 'my.'

'So, in my classroom, I will refer to your child by whatever name and pronouns that they've told me they feel most comfortable with,' Slattery then said, with his fellow panelists nodding in approval.

The teacher went on to equate conveying that concept to parents to teaching children in his classroom.

'Just have that be it,' he said - 'almost like the guidelines I try to use when I'm, like, explaining hard topics to my students. Like, less is more.'

The other panelists again nodded in approval.

Slattery continued: 'I just say, like, 'That sounds like it works really well for you at home, and you can absolutely choose to do whatever you like at home.

'In my classroom  and I even say, like, every year I start out my year by sending home information to caregivers that says, like, 'Just so you know, this is an affirming class  the way that I affirm students is I call them by the names they ask to be called by and use their correct pronouns.'

The teacher then reiterated how he denied the parents' request.

'I just told them  maybe that's not helpful  I just told them, 'No,'' seemingly conceding the contentious nature of his assertion.

'Respectfully, no.'

The assertion again garnered more impassioned nods from the other panelists.

'And because I had my principal and my superintendent's support, there wasn't much they can do,' Slattery then said.

'And they eventually, kind of like, found another topic to squawk about,' he added, before letting out a laugh.

'And they left that alone.'

Slattery was joined by fellow panel presider Butler (top left) - who panel organizers billed as a 'white queer cisgender female teacher' on social media - New York fifth grade teacher Daniel Alonso (bottom left), and Maryland school counselor Heather Eig. All agreed with Slattery's assertions

The remaining panelists all seemed to agree with the educator's assertion, with Butler in particular nodding affirmatively throughout her contemporary's spiel.

Another panelist, 5th grade Spanish teacher Daniel Alonso, echoed Slattery's sentiments, describing a similar incident between him and a set of parents at Chavez Elementary in Yonkers, New York.

'Similarly to what Kieran said,' said Alonso, referring to Slattery, 'in my school district, LGBTQ+ students have a bill of rights - and the fourth one is that they have the right to be referred to by their gender pronouns and a name that fits their gender identity.

'And so, similarly, there was a situation where a parent felt that the school was not doing what they wanted them to do, and we  I don't even know if we were respectful about it  we were just like, 'No, sorry. Like, our district-wide rule is that the student determines that, not you,'' he said, while offering a smug smile.

Alonso - who organizers described as 'an advocate for all, lover of puppies, and redeemer of all things Mariah' - added: 'Even though you are the parents.'

The final panelist, Maryland School Counselor Heather Eig, seemed in agreement with the others.

'Ours is the same  and again, it really speaks to where you're working, where the district is, the state laws, and really having the backing of your administration, and your superintendent, and the a district that says, 'This is our policy'  and I'm going to follow suit.

A clip of the exchange shared to Twitter by journalist Colin Wright Tuesday quickly went viral, garnering more than 1,000 likes and hundreds of reshares.

Observers shared their outrage over the panelists' assertions, calling them criminal and a gross overstep of public school staffers' authority.

The group laughed and nodded in approval during Slattery's spiel during the April meeting

'LAWSUITS,' one user wrote in all capital letters. 'This is a violation of the human and constitutional rights of parents.'

Another user responded to Slattery's assertion that there was nothing parents could do when confronted with parents concerns over how teachers address their children.

'They could pull their child out of your class and demand another teacher. That's what they could do,' the observer wrote.

A further user remarked on how it was unethical for teachers to be referring to a student by pronouns or names not known to the kids' parents of guardians.

'Teachers might spend around 1 or 2 hours a day, 5 days a week for 9 months with a student in a year. Parents will devote a major part of everyday to their kids for 18 years.

'Teachers shouldn't be keeping secrets with a child or keeping those same secrets from their parents,' they wrote.

The panel's strong words come shortly after parents expressed outrage toward California school district after learning that male counselors who identify as non-binary were sleeping in the same rooms as fifth-grade girls at a school-organized science camp.

In another instance in January, the parent of a 12-year-old Florida girl who tried to hang herself twice at her school after 'months of secret meetings about her gender identity' with school officials, slammed district staff for going behind their backs and 'creating a double life' for their daughter.

The parents subsequently filed a lawsuit contending staffers violated their parental rights by failing to inform them of the child's alleged gender identity crisis.
Republican Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania is flatly denying Rep. Liz Cheney's assertion that he sought a pardon from former President Donald Trump after the Capitol riot  blasting it as a 'lie' even as the Jan. 6th committee chairman said his panel could back up its claims.

'This is a laughable, ludicrous and a thoroughly soulless lie,' said Perry's spokesman Jay Ostrich.

Cheney, one of two Republicans serving on the House select committee, called out Perry by name in her opening summary of what the panel will show during its series of hearing, which began Thursday in prime time.

She began by bringing up Perry's role in trying to get Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark installed as acting attorney general  a move the panel described as one of a seven-part plan to overturn the election.

Perry used similar language in a tweet Friday  adding the denial that he sought a pardon for any other lawmakers. 'The notion that I ever sought a Presidential pardon for myself or other Members of Congress is an absolute, shameless, and soulless lie,' he wrote.

Perry has already been revealed in texts to have put forward Clark's name as part of an effort to install a Trump loyalist over acting AG Jeffrey Rosen. The idea brought threats of mass resignations.

Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) blasted Liz Cheney's assertion that he sought a presidential pardon as a 'ludicrous and a thoroughly soulless lie' in a comment by his spokesman

'Representative Scott Perry, who was also involved in trying to get Clark appointed as Attorney General, has refused to testify. As you will see, representative Perry contacted the White House weeks after January 6, to seek a presidential pardon.'

'Multiple other congressional Republicans also sought presidential pardons for their roles in attempting to overturn the 2020 election,' she said.

It was just one of the times the pardon issue came up, following previous press reports that lawmakers sought blanket pardons from Trump before he left office.

The committee also played video of testimony by Trump son-in-law Jared Kushner, who himself mentioned pardons while describing threats by former White House counsel Pat Cipollone to resign, which Kushner characterized as 'whining.'

'Like I said, my interest at that time was on trying to get as many' pardons done as possible, Kushner testified in the snip played by the committee.

'And I know him and the team were always saying, we are going to resign, we are not going to be there if this happened, if that happens. So I kind of took it up to be just whining, to be honest with you,' he said.

The remarks suggests additional testimony by Kushner in his role late in the Trump administration helping vet and push through pardons.

Trump went on a pardon spree in his last months in office, pardoning former national security advisor Mike Flynn, former chief White House strategist Steve Bannon, and longtime advisor Roger Stone.

Cheney did not back up her statement during her presentation.

But panel chair Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) told CNN: 'we have documentation' of Republicans who sought Trump pardons. 'That will come out in our hearings,' he added.

Clark has previously acknowledged introducing Trump to Clark, and he appears in numerous texts handed over by former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows discussing the election overturn effort.

The retired Brigadier General wrote Meadows Nov. 12, 2020: 'From an Intel friend: DNI needs to task NSA to immediately seize and begin looking for international comms related to Dominion,' in reference to the voting machine company that became the subject of a conspiracy theory.

'Mark, you should call Jeff. I just got off the phone with him and he explained to me why the principal deputy won't work especially with the FBI,' Perry texted Meadows Dec. 26, 2020.

Cheney also made a series of remarks placing Trump at the center of overseeing what she called a 'sophisticated seven-part plan to overturn the 2020 election and prevent the transition of presidential power.'

She did not flesh out all aspects of the plan, but the committee leaked it soon after the hearing concluded.

According to CNN, the plan consisted of the following:

President Trump engaged in a massive effort to spread false and fraudulent information to the American public claiming the 2020 election was stolen from him.

President Trump corruptly planned to replace the Acting Attorney General, so that the Department of Justice would support his fake election claims.

President Trump corruptly pressured Vice President Pence to refuse to count certified electoral votes in violation of the US Constitution and the law.

President Trump corruptly pressured state election officials, and state legislators, to change election results.

President Trump's legal team and other Trump associates instructed Republicans in multiple states to create false electoral slates and transmit those slates to Congress and the National Archives.

President Trump summoned and assembled a violent mob in Washington and directed them to march on the US Capitol.

As the violence was underway, President Trump ignored multiple pleas for assistance and failed to take immediate action to stop the violence and instruct his supporters to leave the Capitol.'
Right-wing black trainee vicar Calvin Robinson has said that an anonymous letter has been sent to bishops claiming he is a pimp and is 'involved in sexual exploitation'.

The Anglican was blocked last month from becoming a Church of England priest after a white bishop voiced concerns about his belief that Britain was not institutionally racist.

Mr Robinson, who is also a TV presenter and political commentator, said in a tweet yesterday: 'Last week a bishop implied Im an angry black man. Now, theres an anonymous letter going round bishops suggesting Im a pimp, involved in sexual exploitation.

'There are forces at play working incredibly hard to prove me wrong about the Church not being institutionally racist!'

Right-wing black priest Calvin Robinson has said that an anonymous letter has been sent to bishops claiming he is a pimp and is 'involved in sexual exploitation'

A spokesperson for the Church of England said: 'Any concern raised is looked into according to Church of England safeguarding guidance.'

Mr Robinson, a former teacher who has trained for two years to become an ordained member of the clergy, was told earlier this year that plans for him to serve as a deacon at a parish in London have been axed.

Mr Robinson has also questioned whether the Archbishop of Canterbury, who has claimed the Church is deeply institutionally racist, had a part in blocking his ordination.

These people are claiming they are institutionally racist, yet they are disregarding the opinion of an ethnic minority because it is not fitting their narrative, he said at the time.

I would love to know how big a role the Archbishop had in it because he has certainly been a part of the conversation. He is the boss and the fact they have gone ahead and cancelled me suggests that he was happy with that.'

Last month, the trainee vicar told wrote in a GB News article that he left the Church of England to pursue an ordination under the Global Anglicans Future Conference network (GAFCON).

The Anglican group believe in Biblical orthodoxy and place heavy weighting on Scriptures.

'The Church of England has become very woke on issues in human sexuality, holy matrimony and transgenderism,' Mr Robinson previously told GB News.

'I prefer to stick to Scripture on these issues.'

He thanked GAFCON for its support, and told the news outlet that he will be 'ordained as a Deacon under the GAFCON umbrella next month', where he will return to London.

The Church said last month there were only a few clergy positions in London and no suitable option had been available in London for Mr Robinson, who became a trainee vicar  an ordinand  at St Stephens House, a theological college at the University of Oxford, in October 2020.

Mr Robinson has questioned whether the Archbishop of Canterbury, who has claimed the Church is deeply institutionally racist, had a part in blocking his ordination

Mr Robinson was to be ordained as a deacon with a part-time role as assistant curate at St Albans Church in Holborn, central London.

But in February the Bishop of Fulham, the Rt Rev Jonathan Baker, told him the role was likely to prove problematic, and would not lead to a fruitful or happy formation for you in your early years in ordained ministry.

Mr Robinson offered to reduce his media work but was told he would still not be able to take up the proposed role because that moment had passed.

At a meeting with Mr Robinson last month, Bishop Mullally insisted the decision was not about his politics, but because his presence on social media and TV is often divisive and brings disunity.
A new fast-food restaurant selling a range of invasion-themed burgers has launched in northwestern Russia.

Named after the country's infamous pro-war symbol, 'Z-Burger' opened in early April in Syktyvkar under the slogan: 'At Z-Burger, we support our own!'

Their menu features a range of burgers, pizzas and other fast food dishes bearing the names of Russian weapons, tanks and planes currently deployed in Ukraine.

Burger names include the 'Su-57' - named after Russia's massively delayed 5th generation fighter jet; the 'Kinzhal' - a nuclear-capable air-to-surface missile; and the 'T-34' - a WWII era tank.

Other burgers on the menu sport nationalistic epithets such as 'Kremlin'; 'Za Krim' (For Crimea); 'Za Nashihk' (For Our Own); and 'Za KaVkaZ' (For the Caucasus) - with pro-war characters Z and V capitalised for extra patriotism.

It comes ahead of a new dawn for Russia's fast-food lovers as former McDonald's restaurants prepare to reopen under new branding and ownership.

McDonald's last month said it was selling its restaurants in Russia to one of its local licensees, Alexander Govor, after it decided to pull out of the country following the invasion of Ukraine on February 24.

The new launch will begin on Russia Day, a patriotic holiday celebrating the country's independence, at the same flagship location in Moscow's Pushkin Square where McDonald's first opened in Russia in January 1990.

McDonald's iconic 'Golden Arches' have been taken down at sites in Moscow and St Petersburg in preparation for the launch, making way for a new logo comprised of 'a burger and fries' on a green background.

A new fast food restaurant called 'Z-Burger' recently opened in the Russian city of Syktyvkar. Their menu features a range of burgers, pizzas and other fast food dishes bearing the names of Russian weapons, tanks and planes currently deployed in Ukraine

A new logo comprising 'two fries and a hamburger patty' against a green background has been revealed ahead of the launch but the chain's name has not yet been announced

McDonald's iconic 'Golden Arches' have been taken down at sites in Moscow and St Petersburg in preparation for the launch

Workers dismantle a McDonald's sign from a restaurant in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 7, 2022

The McDonald's app was changed to 'My Burger' this morning on the AppStore in Russia, but the chain's press team said this was only temporary and did not reflect the final name of the new brand

The re-opening will initially cover 15 restaurants in the surrounding region.

The design drew some criticism on social media, with users observing that the new logo bears a striking similarity to that of hotel chain Marriott and Asian burger chain MOS burger.

Russian design house Logomachine ripped into the branding, declaring the design 'unappetising' and questioning how the strangely coloured logo would translate to illuminated signage.

'Dark shades do not make you want to go inside the restaurant and order your favorite burger,' Logomachine said.

'Secondly, the logo violates one of the main principles of design - contrast. Red and orange elements from afar will be impossible to distinguish.'

The new chain's name meanwhile remains a closely guarded secret.

A change in the name of the McDonald's app on Friday to 'My Burger' generated some online excitement, but the chain's press team said this was only temporary, according to Russian business publication RBC daily.

A motto on the app's home page read: 'Some things are changing, but stable work is here to stay.'

Russian media reported the renaming of dishes such as the Filet-O-Fish to 'Fish Burger' and Chicken McNuggets to simply 'Nuggets', though these changes could not be verified.

Businessman Govor has said he plans to expand the new brand to 1,000 locations across the country and reopen all the chain's restaurants within two months.

But it takes decades to build a brand, said Peter Gabrielsson, Professor of International Marketing at Finland's University of Vaasa, and the new launch is crucial for the brand's future success.

'Opening day is important because it is the first time consumers can really feel and touch and see the brand and what it stands for,' he said.

'It's important what the reaction will be and obviously people will be comparing it to McDonald's.'

The world's largest burger chain had owned 84 per cent of its nearly 850 restaurants across Russia and it took a charge of up to $1.4 billion following the sale to Govor, whose GiD LLC had previously run 25 restaurants.

Oleg Paroev of McDonald's Russia has said other franchisees would have the option of working under the new brand, but the traditional McDonald's brand will leave the country.

A worker dismantles the McDonald's Golden Arches from a restaurant in Saint Petersburg, Russia June 7, 2022

Traces of the dismantled signage are seen on the facade of a McDonald's restaurant in Saint Petersburg

Social media users piled in on the new design

The design drew some incredulity on social media, with users speculating the new logo looks like a rip-off of the branding from hotel chain Marriott (L) and Asian fast-food chain MOS burger (R)

McDonald's last year generated about 9 per cent, or $2 billion, of its revenue from Russia and Ukraine.

McDonald's has the right to buy its Russia restaurants back within 15 years, but many terms of the sale to Govor remain unclear.

The TASS news agency said on Wednesday McDonald's would stay open as usual at airports and train stations in Moscow and St Petersburg until 2023, quoting a source close to Rosinter Restaurants, another franchisee.

'Rosinter has a unique agreement under which the American corporation cannot take the franchise away. They can operate in peace,' TASS quoted the source as saying.

Rosinter declined to comment. McDonald's did not immediately respond.

As the Soviet Union crumbled in 1991, McDonald's came to embody a thawing of Cold War tensions and was a vehicle for millions of Russians to sample American food and culture.

The brand's exit is now a powerful symbol of how Russia and the West are once again turning their backs on each other.
This is the jaw-dropping moment an 18-month-old baby boy was pulled out of a 500ft well after falling into it when playing nearby.

Identified as Shivan Badhel, the boy was the focus of an army rescue mission lasting 45 minutes on 7 June in Dudapur Village, Dhrangadhra Taluka, in the Surendranagar district in Gujarat, western India.

The infant fell 20ft down the 500ft-deep well at around 8pm on Tuesday while playing as it is near the hut on a farm where his family work as agricultural labourers.

In the footage, a thick piece of rope can be seen dangling down a tunnel which appears to go underground.

As multiple members of the army surround the area, a baby can be heard screaming and crying as it desperately seeks help.

Shortly after, a member of the rescue team can be seen gradually pulling the rope towards the top of the well- with others joining in to use their strength.

The baby's cries can be heard getting louder as the end of the rope slowly reaches earth's surface.

Suddenly, a head emerges and the rescue team quickly grapple to pull the infant out.

As the baby emerges from the hole, the crowd can be seen clapping and cheering, before the baby is escorted into an ambulance by two members of the army.

This is the jaw-dropping moment 18-month-old baby boy Shivan Badhel was pulled out of a 500ft well in Dudapur Village, Gujurat, India, after falling into it when playing nearby

As the clip ends, multiple people can be seen calling for a doctor to provide urgent care to the child in the back of an ambulance.

Reports say that the Dhrangadhra Taluka Police were notified about a stranded baby and informed the army shortly after.

It's said that the infant is healthy, but is currently under observation at hospital where he was reunited with family members.

In the footage, a thick piece of rope can be seen dangling down a tunnel which appears to go underground. As multiple members of the army surround the area, a baby can be heard screaming and crying as it desperately seeks help. Pictured after being pulled out

Mukesh Patel, the sub-divisional magistrate of Dhrangadhra, told The Indian Express: 'The Army rescuers team reached the spot at around 9:45 pm.

'They lowered a hook tied to a rope in the borewell. They managed to trap the boy's T-shirt in the hook and then gently pulled him out of the 500-foot deep borewell.

'The Army team managed to pull the boy out of the borewell within 45 minutes after reaching the spot.'
One of 'Britain's most-wanted tax fugitives' has appeared in court for her role in a multimillion-pound VAT fraud after she was extradited following nine years on the run.

Sarah Panitzke, 48, originally from York, finally faced justice when she appeared at Kingston Crown Court in south-west London.

Panitzke absconded in May 2013 while standing trial for money laundering offences and subsequently featured in National Crime Agency (NCA) most-wanted appeals.

She was convicted and sentenced in her absence to eight years in prison.

Panitzke and her 16 co-conspirators were given sentences totalling 135 years for a multimillion-pound VAT fraud, HM Revenue and Customs said after he arrest.

Police officers arrested Panitzke while she walked her two dogs in the small town of Santa Barbara near the Catalan coast on February 27.

Sarah Panitzkke, pictured, was today sentenced to eight years in prison following her failure to return to cork

Panitzke was extradited to the UK following her arrest in Spain in February. She today learned she will have to spend at least four years in prison before being released on licence. She was warned this licence over

The operation was led by the Spanish Guardia Civil, working alongside HMRC.

Today, Judge Sarah Plaschkes QC said: 'Stand up please, as you have heard you were sentenced in your absence by his honour Judge Campbell at this court on the 22nd August 2013 to eight years imprisonment, that sentence will start today now that you have been extradited to this country.

'That means that you will serve at least half of that sentence in custody before you may be released on licence.

'When you are released on licence, if you commit any further offence you may serve the rest of your sentence in custody.

'In the circumstances, there are no further orders that I need to make and nothing further that I need to say.'

Following her arrest in February, Simon York, director of the Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said 'Sarah Panitzke was one of Britain's most-wanted tax fugitives.

'She played a pivotal role in a multimillion-pound VAT fraud and moved millions through offshore bank accounts.

'Panitzke thought she had put herself outside of the reach of HMRC, but through our work with UK law enforcement and international partners we have tracked down another tax fugitive. No tax criminal is beyond our reach.

'We have helped secure the return of more than 60 fugitives since 2016, including some of the UK's most-harmful tax cheats.'

The con artist is believed to have led a life of luxury in a gated community in the hills of Vilanova i la Geltru, an hour from the centre of Barcelona, before justice finally caught up with her.

The fraudster told Spanish judges she wanted to be sentenced in Spain because of her links to the country.

She also claimed her husband, who lives in Spain, has just 10 years to live and would not be able to visit her in Britain if she was extradited.

She was identified as part of an organised crime group responsible for laundering approximately 1 billion from a mobile phone VAT fraud.

During the scam, she was part of a group of companies that bought cheap mobile phones abroad without VAT before selling them into Britain for a big profits.

Panitzke and her 17 co-conspirators were given jail terms totalling 135 years.

The others had all been caught, convicted and sentenced, but she remained at large for almost a decade having absconded before the trial had concluded.

The NCA's International Deputy Director Tom Dowdall said after her arrest: 'Sarah Panitzke has been on the run for almost nine years.

'Given the length of time she might have thought we had stopped searching, but she remained on our radar.

'Joint working between UK law enforcement and our partners in Spain led to her being apprehended, and we will now seek her extradition back to the UK to serve her prison sentence.

'This should serve as a warning to others on our most wanted list - we will not rest until you are captured, no matter how long it takes.'

Panitzke is said to have grown up in a wealthy family in the village of Escrick, near Selby, North Yorks.

She went to York College for Girls before moving on to fee-paying St Peter's School which is the third oldest in the world.

Her father Leo, a residential property developer and insurance broker, was jailed for four years for buying council houses and selling them on early for a large profit.

Simon York, director of HMRC's fraud investigation service, said after her arrest: 'Sarah Panitzke was one of Britain's most wanted tax fugitives.

'She played a pivotal role in a multi-million pound VAT fraud and moved millions through offshore bank accounts.

'Panitzke thought she had put herself outside of the reach of HMRC, but through our work with UK law enforcement and international partners we have tracked down another tax fugitive. No tax criminal is beyond our reach.

'We have helped secure the return more than 60 fugitives since 2016, including some of the UK's most harmful tax cheats.'

Lord Ashcroft, founder and chairman of the independent charity Crimestoppers, said after her arrest: 'It's hugely encouraging news to hear of Sarah Panitske's arrest in Spain after being on our Most Wanted list for some years.

'It shows how our charity, working with the NCA to find the most wanted fugitives, benefits us all. Our communities, here in the UK and abroad, are safer as a result.'

However Sarah Panitzke, 48, will not face any charges for absconding as she wasn't extradited for skipping bail.

Sentencing her, the judge said her hands were tied and she couldn't increase Panitzke's sentence for her being on the run.

She was convicted of conspiracy to acquire criminal property in 2013 and fled to Spain before her trial ended.

She is believed to have lived a life of luxury in the Mediterranean country for nine years before her arrest in February - but she will not be charged for any Bail Act offences.

She was jailed for eight years in her absence in 2013 and she began serving that sentence after it was re-imposed today.

Appearing in the dock of Kingston Crown Court, she only spoke to reply 'yes' when asked her name during the hearing, which lasted around 10 minutes.

The gang funnelled money through bank accounts in the UK, Andorra, Dubai, Hong Kong, Switzerland, Portugal and the US, HMRC said.

She and her 17 co-conspirators were given sentences totalling 135 years for the multi-million-pound VAT fraud.

Prosecutor Stephen Apted said: 'During the course of that trial on 22 May 2013 the defendant was allowed out of the country and had a duty to return to this country on 28 May.

'She failed to do so and on that date a warrant was issued.

'The defendant was not extradited in relation to an offence under the Bail Act and our position is that that charge cannot be put to you.'

He added that she has failed to pay 2,455,913.57 which she owes the court and she could be jailed another nine years for non-repayment.

She is expected to face proceedings beginning in the magistrates court in due course but the allegation was not put to her during today's hearing.

Her lawyer Anna Leathem spoke only to say: 'There is not much more I can assist with.'

Judge Sarah Plaschkes QC said a Court of Appeal ruling from 2009 meant her hands were tied and the fugitive could not be charged for Bail Act offences.

She told her: 'As you have heard you were sentenced in your absence on 22 August 2013 to eight years in prison.

'That sentence will start today.

'In the circumstances there are no further orders that I need to make.'

In 2016 and whilst still on the run, a court also ordered that she repay more than 2.4 million within three months or serve an extra nine years in jail.

HMRC believe that she had been hiding in Andorra and Spain for the last nine years and living under an assumed identity.

She was captured after the Spanish Guardia Civil identified her in a village in the region of Tarragona.

Simon York, Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said after the hearing: 'Sarah Panitzke helped launder millions of pounds of stolen money and thought she could run from her crimes.

'She spent nine years hiding - but we never stopped looking.

'We worked tirelessly alongside the Spanish authorities to track her down and ensure she was brought back to face justice.

'This is testament to the dedication of our officers who work hard every day to ensure the most serious frauds don't go unpunished, and we continue to relentlessly pursue the small minority who think it's acceptable to steal taxpayers' money.
Hundreds of suspended teachers have been threatened with the sack if they don't get a Covid vaccination in two weeks.

More than 1,000 Queensland school staff who had been stood down, today received a 10-page letter which said they may face a 'disciplinary process' if they fail to get a vaccine.

Education Department early learning and development executive director David Miller sent out the letter that asked the staff to provide him with reasons why they were still unvaccinated.

Hundreds of suspended Queensland teachers have been threatened to be sacked if they don't receive a Covid vaccine in two weeks (pictured, stock image of teacher in classroom)

David Miller, Education Department Early Learning and Development executive director, sent out the letter that asked the teachers to provide him with reasons as to why they had to yet received the Covid vaccination (pictured)

The letter listed 17 points of evidence as to why they were in breach of government health directives, including that schools were a 'high risk' setting,

'I am providing you with a period of 14 calendar days from the date of this letter to show cause why disciplinary findings should not be made against you,' the letter read.

'If you do not respond, or your response is received later than the required timeframe, I will make a decision on the material currently available to me.'

A teacher from a Toowoomba high school said this letter would not deter the suspended teachers.

'It was in legal jargon and at no time in the 10 pages did it spell out what the disciplinary action would be,' he told The Courier Mail.

Mr Miller wrote: 'I am providing you with a period of 14 calendar days from the date of this letter to show cause why disciplinary findings should not be made against you' (pictured, letter issued to suspended teachers)

'This is another punitive letter that is trying to coerce me into getting the Covid vaccination.

'I have not had the vaccine as I am still waiting for the Education Department to show me the long-term safety data and associated risk assessment.'

Seventy police and health workers are challenging the mandates in a civil Supreme Court trial, which included the Human Rights Commission and Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman.

However, teachers are yet to launch their own case.

Queensland Education said that as of June 8, 573 state school teachers and 674 non-teaching staff in state schools were suspended for failing to comply with the health direction.

'The department has consistently advised each of these staff that if they continue to fail to comply with the direction, that they may face disciplinary action,' it said.

The Northern Territory and Western Australian governments announced this month that their mandatory vaccination directions for most workers would end on June 15.

NSW and the ACT dropped their mandates for teachers in May and South Australia axed its vaccine rule in March.
Ben Wallace has made a secret visit to Kyiv as Boris Johnson condemned the 'appalling' death sentence for two Britons captured fighting alongside Ukrainian forces.

The Defence Secretary held talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky about further military support during the trip.

Officials would only say that the two-day visit took place 'this week' and it was unclear whether they discussed the Britons facing execution for lining up against Vladimir Putin.

It emerged as Downing Street said the PM has ordered ministers to do 'everything in their power' to secure the release of Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner.

A video on Mr Zelensky's Telegram channel showed Mr Wallace telling the president 'you're doing amazing'.

Mr Zelensky replies: 'We do it together.'

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace (right) held talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) about further military support during the trip this week

Downing Street said the PM has ordered ministers to do 'everything in their power' to secure the release of Aiden Aslin (left) and Shaun Pinner (right). Central, Moroccan national Saaudun Brahim has been sentenced alongside the Britons

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss discussed efforts to secure the release of Mr Aslin and Mr Pinner with her Ukrainian counterpart on Friday, after the judgment by a Russian proxy court.

Ukraine's ambassador to the UK, Vadym Prystaiko, suggested negotiations for a possible prisoner swap with Moscow were under way.

A relative of Mr Aslin said the 28-year-old and Mr Pinner, 48, 'are not, and never were, mercenaries' and should be treated as prisoners of war, as they were fighting as part of the Ukrainian army.

The men were convicted of taking action towards violent seizure of power, at a court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic.

A No10 spokesman said: 'The Prime Minister was appalled at the sentencing of these men.

'He has been following the case closely and has asked ministers to do everything in their power to try and reunite them with their families as soon as we can.

'We completely condemn the sham sentencing of these men to death. There's no justification at all for this breach of the protection they're entitled to.'

Ms Truss said she discussed 'efforts to secure the release of prisoners of war held by Russian proxies' during her call with Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine's minister of foreign affairs.

'The judgment against them is an egregious breach of the Geneva Convention,' she added.

Mr Prystaiko believed the two Britons, who he said were targeted for the UK's support of Kyiv's resistance against Russian President Vladimir Putin, will be released in exchange for prisoners held by Ukrainian forces.

The ambassador told BBC News: 'It will be a swap. 'The important question is what will be the price for this, because the Russians were talking about some Ukrainian MPs being swapped for them, especially for those who, I now understand, were working for them for all these years.'

Mr Wallace discussed how the UK can continue supporting Kyiv 'as the conflict enters a different phase' with his Ukrainian counterpart Oleksii Reznikov and Mr Zelensky.

The Ministry of Defence would only say that the two-day visit took place 'this week' and it was unclear whether they discussed the men who were sentenced yesterday.

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said the convictions were 'guided by the laws of the Donetsk People's Republic', the breakaway state controlled by pro-Moscow separatists.

'Because these crimes were committed on the territory of the Donetsk People's Republic, all the rest is speculation,' he told a press conference.

The Government was resisting calling in Russia's ambassador to the UK to discuss the case as officials walk a diplomatic tightrope.

There were concerns that making their case an issue between the UK and Russia would assist Moscow in its narrative that the men are 'mercenaries' and therefore not entitled to protection under international law.

Britain argues that Mr Aslin, from Newark in Nottinghamshire, and Mr Pinner, from Bedfordshire, are legitimate members of the Ukrainian army and should therefore be treated as prisoners of war.

In a statement to the Newark Advertiser, a member of Mr Aslin's family said: '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.

'We hope that this sentence will be overturned and beseech the governments 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.'

A third man, Moroccan national Saaudun Brahim, was convicted alongside Mr Aslin and Mr Pinner.

The men were accused of being 'mercenaries' after fighting with Ukrainian troops. Interfax, a Russian news agency, claimed the men would be able to appeal against their convictions.

Mr Aslin and Mr Pinner were both members of regular Ukrainian military units fighting in Mariupol, the southern port city which was the scene of some of the heaviest fighting since Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

Mr Zelensky and Mr Wallace sat down for discussions with their teams during the visit

Tory former minister Robert Jenrick, who represents the constituency where Mr Aslin lived, called for the Russian ambassador to the UK to be summoned to the Foreign Office.

It comes after a friend of Mr Aslin said the death sentences will 'invigorate' those still resisting Russia's advances.

Mr Wallace, who also held discussions with his Ukrainian counterpart Oleksii Reznikov, wanted to hear 'first-hand' how the army's requirements are 'developing as the nature of the conflict continues to change'.

'This will ensure that the UK's continued support is evolving to meet those requirements and is tailored to the situation on the ground,' the MoD said.

'The three agreed to work even more closely going forward in support of their shared goal of enabling Ukraine to liberate itself from illegal Russian occupation.

'They also discussed the range of equipment and training the UK is currently providing and what further support we can offer to help Ukrainian forces to defend their country.'

Mr Zelensky presented him with what appeared to be a signed and framed collection of 'Russian warship, go f*** yourself' stamps.

The slogan has become a symbol of the national resistance after a Ukrainian guard defending Snake Island in the Black Sea dismissed an attacking ship with the words.
Prince Andrew faced more questions over his finances today after he was accused of owing 1.6 million to a Swiss couple - as he tries to complete the sale of his 18m Verbier ski chalet.

According to reports in the Swiss media, the debt to the mystery couple is preventing the Duke of York from completing the sale of his much-loved Chalet Helora.

It has been claimed that the disgraced royal was intending to use money from the sale of the property to help finance his 10million sex assault lawsuit settlement with accuser Virginia Giuffre.

In February of this year it was reported that Andrew had found a buyer for the chalet, after settling a separate 6.6million debt to French socialite Isabelle de Rouvre, 74, who he purchased the property from in 2014.

But the process appears to have stalled because the chalet is 'under sequestration' as a result of the alleged debt. The chalet was frozen as an asset by Swiss authorities on December 15, 2020 according to Le Temps newspaper.

Sources close to Prince Andrew told MailOnline that the dispute will not prevent the property's sale, and that while the Duke 'did not deny owing the money' to the couple he was 'questioning the amount'

A moving van was spotted outside the 18 million chalet yesterday (June 9), despite the sale still being under contention

Prince Andrew is believed to owe 1.6 million, or around two million Swiss francs, to an unnamed Swiss couple (Pictured: Prince Andrew spotted for the first time since testing positive for coronavirus)

The source said: 'This has nothing to do with the original purchase of the chalet, it's a completely separate business transaction between the couple and the Duke.

'It shouldn't affect the sale of the property despite what the Swiss media says and is expected to go through as planned.

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'Talks are underway to resolve the matter, which are expected to be concluded satisfactorily for all parties.'

Prince Andrew bought the Swiss chalet, which includes an indoor pool, sauna, boot room and terrace with spectacular views, with his then-wife Sarah Ferguson in 2014.

Ms de Rouvre who sold them the property now says she 'pities' the couple who are the subject of the new debt and branded him 'an absolute fool'.

The disgraced royal owed the former chalet owner more than 6 million up until last year, when a lengthy legal battle culminated in the prince paying her 6.6 million.

Ms de Rouvre said she knows the stress she experienced trying to recoup the money owed to her after 2014.

She said: 'It was a horrible experience. I do not understand how he operates and I feel very sorry for people who are involved with him in business.

'It is really rather unbelievable. He caused me such stress and now it is claimed other people are owed money too.

'They [Andrew and Sarah] are so crazy. He [Andrew] is an absolute fool and I just cannot understand how he goes about his life.

'Really it is a tragedy and so bad for the Queen. I don't know how she manages with them.

'I am lucky that a deal was made and it is the end of the matter for me. I am fed up with the whole thing.'

She had sold the house, Chalet Helora, to her then-friends Prince Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson for 18 million.

But the couple failed to pay a cash amount of 5 million. She agreed it could be deferred until December 2019, with interest accruing.

However, the pair did not honour the agreement despite repeated demands.

The sudden breakthrough came late last year when the Duke suddenly settled his debts.

It was believed this signified that he was free to proceed with a sale of the chalet, which has an indoor pool. But another stumbling block now seems to have emerged.

On Thursday MailOnline revealed that removal vans were outside the property and they have now left along with several UK registered cars which were used by the Duke and his former wife when they were staying in Verbier.

No-one at the removal firm, Abels, was available to comment but a villager in Verbier said: 'It's the talk of the place  everyone knew it had been sold and now the removal van has turned up.

'I've seen some guys shifting boxes and bits of furniture and they have been there all day and they don't look as if they have finished  it's huge van so I imagine they will be clearing the chalet completely.

The chalet in Verbier has an indoor pool, sauna, boot room and terrace with spectacular views

The prince is believed to be selling the chalet to help pay his multi-million pound settlement to Virginia Guiffre

Prince Andrew and ex-wife Sarah Ferguson with their two children, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie

Geneva law professor Nicolas Jeandin told Le Temps: 'A sequestration is a provisional measure. In a way, we block everything and we see what we are going to do next.

'The objective is to prevent the debtor from disposing of the sequestered asset. The latter is blocked to allow, in a second step, the sequestrating creditor to have it realised in his favour.

'A sale is in principle impossible, except with the agreement of the creditor.'

Prince Andrew has not been to the chalet in Verbier for several years, but his ex-wife Sarah and two daughters Beatrice and Eugenie spent the New Year in the luxury property with their families.

He stepped back as a senior royal in May 2020 after allegations emerged over his relationship with the disgraced sex abuser Jeffrey Epstein.

A high profile court case in which Virginia Guiffre, a victim of Epstein's, accused the Duke of York of rape and other sexual crimes was settled out of court in March of this year.

The total settlement is believed to be around 12 million, and includes Ms Guiffre's legal bills and an unspecified amount to a charity of Ms Guiffre's choice.

He did not accept any liability when he made the settlement and vehemently denies the claims.

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.

Prince Andrew was pictured in his first major royal role since the settlement was announced at the Duke of Edinburgh's memorial ceremony earlier this year, where he helped the Queen down the aisle.

He did not appear in her Platinum Jubilee celebrations after testing positive for coronavirus.
An explosion rocked the headquarters of a Russian-backed rebel group in eastern Ukraine today, just a day after it sentenced two Britons to death.

Smoke was seen rising over the headquarters of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic, in occupied eastern Ukraine, on Friday afternoon.

Russian-backed rebel forces in the area said Ukraine had carried out the strike using long-range French artillery, though denied anyone had been injured.

It is not clear why the HQ was hit today, but it comes just hours after the region's sham court sentenced Britons Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner to death for being 'foreign mercenaries' after they were captured fighting near Mariupol.

Aslin and Pinner are, in fact, regular members of the Ukrainian marines who have been living in the country and serving in the military for years.

Smoke rises from the HQ of the Russian-backed rebel government in the city of Donetsk, as it was hit by an explosion just hours after it sentenced two Britons to death

Aiden Aslin (left) and Shaun Pinner (centre) were condemned to death for being 'foreign mercenaries' in Ukraine, despite them being regular members of the military

Under international law that makes them prisoners of war, which protects them from prosecution for taking part in the fighting.

The United Nations said today that 'such trials against prisoners of war amount to a war crime.'

It comes after condemnation from Ukraine, the UK and their western allies who have called for the pair to be taken to a PoW camp and exchanged in a prisoner swap.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he is 'appalled' at the sentences, while Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said the punishments were an 'egregious breach of the Geneva convention'.

The 'supreme court of the Donetsk People's Republic,' one of two self-proclaimed statelets in eastern Ukraine, ordered the death penalty for Aslin, 28, Pinner, 48, and Moroccan Saaudun Brahim after the three were accused of acting as mercenaries.

Russia's Interfax news agency said Thursday that the two UK citizens surrendered in April in Mariupol, a port city in southern Ukraine that was captured by Russian troops after a weeks-long siege.

Aiden Aslin (right) and Shaun Pinner (left) were detained in April during the siege of Mariupol while fighting in Ukraine, before appearing in court in the separatist region of Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and handed death sentences after a show trial

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

'The prime minister was appalled at the sentencing of these men,' Johnson's spokesman told reporters.

'We are clear that we are supporting Ukraine in its efforts to get these men released. It is clear they were Ukrainian armed forces members and are therefore prisoners of war,' he said.

Both the Britons have been living in Ukraine since 2018 and signed up to fight when Russia invaded, according to UK media. Pinner is married to a Ukrainian woman, and Aslin is engaged to a local.

'They are not, and never were, mercenaries,' Aslin's family said in a statement.

'We hope that this sentence will be overturned and beseech the governments of the UK and Ukraine to do everything in their power to have them returned to us safely, and soon.'

In April, the two Britons were shown on Russian state TV, demanding Johnson negotiate their release. Pinner's Conservative MP Robert Jenrick demanded the Russian ambassador in London be summoned.

But the government is reluctant to engage bilaterally with Moscow, fearing that would reinforce the claim that the captured fighters were mercenaries.

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', Interfax said.
Los Angeles' deputy district attorney has slammed his boss George Gascon as a cheerleader for criminals who encourages them to 'commit more crimes'.

Shea Sanna claimed the 68-year-old DA is a 'criminal's 'champ' and neglects the need for 'public safety' and residents' feelings with his woke policies.

He also said he has made it hard for their office to do their job because 'as soon as we catch a perpetrator, we have to release them' - which has led to low morale.

It comes as Gascon faces a second recall effort in less than a year to remove him from office over his controversial policies.

The latest one has more than half a million signatures and looks more promising for furious residents than the September one which ultimately failed.

The district attorney has come under fire in recent months for a spate of soft sentences for violent criminals that has promoted outrage.

One of the most prominent was a hit-and-run driver, 17, smashing into a mother and her child who was handed just five to seven months in a juvenile camp.

Meanwhile, in a damning indictment of how his soft justice has set in, a thug who killed three people cited Gascon in a bid to get a manslaughter charge.

The inmate was overheard telling his mother he was hoping to cut a plea deal before the DA was recalled to land up to just 12 years' in prison.

Deputy DA Shea Sanna said woke DA George Gascon is a cheerleader for criminals and encourages them to 'commit more crimes.' He said: 'George Gascon will be [criminal's] champ. He's in your corner, not the victims, and not the people, and not for public safety'

Sanna slammed his policies, telling Fox News: 'He's in [criminals'] corner, not the victims, and not the people, and not for public safety.

'It's just hard to do our job because as soon as we catch a perpetrator, we have to release them.'

He also said criminals are 'not stupid' and know that Gascon will not increase their charges if they bail on court. So, why come to court?

'You're not going to be punished. And while you're out on bond or [own recognizance], why not commit more crimes because you're not going to be punished? 'And if you do get caught, you're going to get a light sentence.'

It is not clear the relationship between Sanna - who has been a lawyer for six years - and Gascon, but they are believed to have worked together since the latter became DA in 2020.

When Gascon took office in 2020, he drastically changed prosecution rules, including getting rid of sentence enhancements for guns and gangs.

The change also took place retroactively, leading to many criminals with life sentences being reduced significantly.

Californians have become fed up with Gascon's reforms and the DA now faces a potential recall - potentially following San Francisco's woke DA Chesa Boudin.

One of the biggest backlash against Gascon came during the case of a juvenile driving into a mother and her child.

The thug, 17, was sentenced to just five to seven months in a probationary camp despite shocking video showing the near-death collision.

Last week, the LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva, 59, called out Gascon for 'claiming the Sheriff's Department was okay with the lightweight sentencing'.

Gascon suggested the Sheriff's Department had agreed with the charges, together with the DA's office, but Villanueva denied it. Gascon later corrected his statement.

Prosecutors describe probation camps as 'less than a military school and a little bit tougher than a summer camp.'

But Gascon's office hit back saying said juvenile justice was intended to 'rehabilitate young people.'

A 17-year-old hit a mother and her child while high on drugs. He reportedly intentionally veered the car toward her and speed up before hitting her and her child. Rachel suffered lacerations and bruises on her body, but her child was unharmed

The DA was recently called out by the LA County Sheriff for the 'lightweight sentence' and said the LASD had nothing to do with the five to seven month probation camp sentencing. Many said the teen got off too easy for the horrific crime

He has also been criticized recently as prison phone calls are being leaked, with many talking to loved ones about cutting a deal with Gascon's office.

The offenders seek lesser charges and time as murderers seek to reduce their life without parole to the potential of getting out early.

Another juvenile case that caused national outrage toward Gascon was Hannah Tubbs, a transgender criminal who allegedly sexually assaulted a girl in the woman's restaurant at a Denny's as a teenager in 2014. The 26-year-old was tried as a juvenile, despite being eight years over the legal age.

Tubbs was sentenced to two years in a juvenile facility, despite being found guilty of sexually assaulting a minor and had been accused of assaulting a four-year-old the year before.

Gascon said he was concerned Tubbs could be victimized due to her gender identity in an adult facility.

Hannah Tubbs, 26, who is transgender, was sentenced as a juvenile at the age of 26 for a sexual assault she committed as a teen in a Denny's bathroom. Outrage sparked nationally over her case, as many believed the two year sentence was not harsh enough and worried a 26-year-old assault in a juvenile facility was dangerous

Tubbs has since also been charged with a 2019 murder and is currently being house in a men's facility and is being referred as James, her birthname.

However, Gascon's woke policy help more than just incoming criminals, but convicts already locked up.

Earlier this week, Fox News revealed a recorded phone call between a prisoner and gang member Willie Wilkerson and his mother. Wilkerson, who is in jail while he awaits his next court hearing, has been accused of killing a 21-year-old and faces and two others.

He was overheard telling his mother that he is hoping to cut a plea deal with Gascon - before the DA potentially faces recall - to get the charges dropped to manslaughter, which 'only carries six, nine, and 12 [years].'

'I told you last time that [Wilkerson's defense attorney] wanna hurry up and try to get something did before they re-elect somebody else besides Gascon and bring back that bulls**t life without parole and death penalty.'

Under Gascon's policies, Wilkerson didn't receive gun or gang or special enhancements to his charges that could have enhanced his possible sentence to life without parole, which Wilkerson indicated he was worried about to his mother.

He said in a leaked phone recording obtained by FOX News he plans to get Gascon's name tattooed to his face

Willie Wilkerson (left) is hoping to cut a plea deal with Gascon before he faces a potential recall. He is currently in jail on murder charges for three deaths. Meanwhile Luis Angel Hernandez (right) got a reduced sentence from life without parole to 25 years after Gascon took off, taking off all his gun and gang enhancements originally imposed due to Gascon's policies

Gascon's changes started in 2020, when he was sworn in and it restricts prosecutors from adding on enhancements or giving the death penalties.

Another murderer Luis Angel Hernandez praised Gascon's changes, which changed his sentence from life without parole to 25 years.

Hernandez, who is currently serving time for shooting and killing a delivery person for a marijuana delivery service during an armed robbery in 2018, had faced sentencing enhancements which would have added to his prison sentence.

But when Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon took office, all of the sentencing enhancements lobbied against Hernandez were dropped.

The gang member also joked he would get the DA's name tattooed on his face in celebration.

In a leaked phone call from prison exclusively obtained by FOX News, Hernandez could be heard praising Gascon for the change, saying: 'I'm going to get that n*****'s name on my face. That's a champ right there.

'F****** Gascon,' Hernandez could be heard saying in the audio, which was featured in a Tucker Carlson series about the rising crime in the City of Angels. 'That's the n***** right there, bro. He's making historic changes for all of us, bro.'

Hernandez had originally faced sentencing enhancements for being a gang member, using a firearm in the commission of a crime and for the 'special circumstance' of committing murder during an armed robbery for the 2018 incident.

'This s*** looking real good,' Hernandez says, noting: 'Now we got a new DA in LA so they're going to drop a gang of, um, like my gun enhancement, my gang enhancement.

'My gang enhancement is 10 years, fool, for being a gang member,' he says. 'And then the gun in the commission of a crime.

'I'm just grateful, fool. Like I got good news off that s***.

'They're like 'You coming home, blood.' They already told me, my lawyer told me 'You're coming home,' Hernandez says. It is unclear who he is speaking to.
President Joe Biden has scrapped Donald Trump's red, white and dark blue color scheme for the new Air Force One planes, citing the additional costs it would require.

'The Trump paint scheme is not being considered because it could drive additional engineering, time and cost,' an administration official told Politico.

That means the Biden administration is keeping the light blue and white scheme that goes back to the Kennedy era.

The new Boeing 747-8s, which are being modified into flying White Houses, arent expected to fly until 2026.

President Joe Biden scrapped Donald Trump's red, white and dark blue color scheme for the new Air Force One planes and will keep the classic blue and white (above)

The Air Force revealed earlier this week there's a design flaw in Trump's color plan: it called for the underside of the new 747s 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; but the Air Force revealed earlier this week that the dark blue covers the engine area and could make plane hotter

President Joe Biden decided not to keep Trump's new color plan

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

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.
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British tourists who have only paid a deposit for their holiday should consider cancelling now to avoid facing a massive bill to get home if their flights are cancelled amid the airport chaos, an aviation expert claimed today.

UK holidaymakers heading abroad endured further long queues again today as others were warned strike action across Europe threatens to wreak more havoc on summer getaways amid fears the situation could get worse.

And aviation expert Julian Bray told MailOnline this afternoon that those who have only paid a deposit of about 10 per cent should consider cancelling now 'because you have no guarantee of an outward flight or a return flight'.

He gave an example of a family of four who become stuck in the Canary Islands with no available seats on flights for days and could therefore face a 4,000 bill to get home to the UK via ferry, rail and possibly more flights.

Mr Bray said: 'If you just paid a deposit and its usually about 10 per cent, it's worth considering cancelling your holiday at the moment because you have no guarantee of an outward flight or a return flight - or if your return flight is delayed or cancelled and you need to be put up in a hotel. If you're on the Canary Islands, it's a problem.

'If you're a family of four as a capital sum that could be 3,000 to 4,000. If you then have to pay for return transit, which would be a ferry to the mainland, possible train, possible new flights - then all the baggage to contend with.

'I don't say everybody should do it, but they should consider. If you've got a spare 2,000 or 3,000 that you can take as emergency money so you've got the wherewithal to get back, you might take a different view on it.'

He said airlines were struggling to move people from cancelled flights onto other planes because booking levels were so high - and that previous policies of overbooking by 10 per cent because there were normally 20 per cent no-shows were now redundant post-Covid, because 'everybody wants to get away and nobody is cancelling'.

Mr Bray also warned that there were 60,000 job vacancies to be filled in the industry, and a backlog of three to six months of potential workers going through the vetting procedure which they require before starting training.

He advised people consider cancelling 'up to Christmas because the delay in getting clearance for people is three to six months which means that the training starts after that, which means you're still not going to be up to speed'.

BRISTOL AIRPORT: Holidaymakers and commuters flying from Bristol once again encounter lengthy queues pre-4am today

BRISTOL AIRPORT: Huge queues at Bristol Airport this morning again as people arrive before 4am for their flights

BRISTOL AIRPORT: Air passengers flying from Bristol Airport this morning once again encounter lengthy queues pre-4am

LONDON HEATHROW AIRPORT: Foreign Secretary David Lammy tweeted a picture of huge queues at Heathrow this morning

Earlier this week, Downing Street said ministers and officials had been meeting with aviation industry leaders and Border Force to increase 'resilience for the sector throughout the summer' to avert further travel chaos.

But the Prime Minister's official spokesman said it was ultimately down to the aviation industry to address staff shortages.

We fully understand that the aviation industry - like many others - has faced significant challenges during the pandemic,' the government's spokesman said. 'But ultimately they are responsible for making sure they have enough staff to meet demand and we have been clear they must step up recruitment to make sure disruption is kept to a minimum.'

Meanwhile Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has refused to help short-staffed airlines by relaxing visa rules to ease the travel chaos, and also ruled out sending in the Army to ease queues at Britain's struggling airports.

Teachers are among those set to miss the return to work after airlines cancelled hundreds of flights.

BRISTOL AIRPORT: A passengers sleeps on a bench at Bristol Airport this morning as the airline disruption continues

MANCHESTER AIRPORT: Queues this morning at TUI bag drop and to check in to flights

BRISTOL AIRPORT: Holidaymakers and commuters flying from Bristol once again endure lengthy queues this morning

Couple whose easyJet flight from Berlin to Luton was cancelled drove through the night after borrowing relative's car A couple whose easyJet flight from Berlin to London Luton last night was cancelled decided to borrow a relative's German car and drive 850 miles through the night to get to work by lunchtime today. Clare, 49, and Christian Engelke, 56, were told in a text message yesterday lunchtime that their 10.55pm flight had been cancelled, and there were no alternative flights available until Wednesday. Clare and Christian Engelke, pictured on holiday in Berlin The couple, who are from the Staffordshire village of Codsall, spent the next few hours unsuccessful trying to find alternative flights or train journeys. They gave up at 4pm and their friends said they could drive them three hours from Berlin to Saltzgitter, where they picked up another car from relatives. The Engelkes then drove through the night across the continent to the Eurotunnel in Calais so they could get back home for work today. They said they had to spend 180 on fuel and 178 on the Eurotunnel, and also then had to pick up their car at Luton today after paying 10 to extend the parking. In addition, the couple now have a German car in England that they will have to take back. Mrs Engelke told MailOnline today: 'The staggering thing we learnt was how few flights are available between the capital city of Germany and the UK. 'We are lucky we have mobile phones and used our initiative to call on lovely friends who we met in Berlin - seeing them for the first time in three years due to the pandemic - and family in Germany who have lent us a car to get us home. We now have a German car in England that we have to take back eventually.' She added at 9am that they were 'making good progress now on the M1 so hope to be sitting at our desks by lunchtime'. Advertisement

Those stranded abroad were having to come up with ingenious ways to get home - with one couple driving 850 miles from Berlin to Staffordshire after their easyJet flight to Luton was cancelled, and two teachers travelling for 12 hours on three buses to Split in Croatia after their easyJet plane from Montenegro to Gatwick was axed.

Live data from FlightRadar24 on Tuesday showed there had been 24 cancellations at Gatwick including ten departures and 14 arrivals; a further 14 at Luton including eight departures and six arrivals; and a total of four at Heathrow. When split by airline, there had been 20 easyJet cancellations, 12 Wizz Air and five on British Airways.

Thousands of families returning from half-term getaways and bank holiday breaks have been left stranded abroad while others were hit by further delays, with more flights cancelled earlier this week by airlines such as easyJet and Wizz Air.

Planes heading for Luton were diverted hundreds of miles away because of a power cut yesterday, and there was also trouble on the trains - with Eurostar passengers left waiting up to eight hours for their trains because of power failure on the line near Paris; while London's Euston station had to be evacuated after a fire alarm went off.

Meanwhile, some passengers have been left stranded and supplied with helpline numbers they say do not work when Wizz Air cancelled a flight to Sicily from Gatwick Airport this morning.

Rosie, 28, who wanted to be known by just her first name, had travelled to Gatwick from Bognor Regis with her husband and two young children, who are two and 18 months old, and were booked on a Wizz Air flight to Catania, where her husband's family live.

She said: 'His family haven't met our two children yet - because of Covid we haven't been able to get out there, and I've been pregnant so haven't been able to go. We wanted them to go and meet his family.

'The whole time we were told our flight was running on time, we then got told our flight was delayed by an hour. We then came to the gate, we all got ushered into the gate group to be told the flight was cancelled and that we need to come here and we'd be supplied with a hotel room and a substitute flight.

'There has been no communication, we're only getting told now by Wizz Air that our flight's been cancelled, and it was already meant to be up in the air.'

The couple have tried on previous occasions to travel to Sicily with other airlines, including easyJet, and had those flights cancelled too.

She added: 'There's zero communication, we've got small children and there's people here who don't speak English, there's no help.'

Security rushed over to the group of stranded passengers who had gathered near the Wizz Air check-in area after one man became agitated and started yelling at staff in Italian, asking for someone to help.

Emma and Kevin Wood, both 51 from Hampshire, had also planned to fly to Sicily with the airline on Monday morning.

Mr Wood said that there had been 'no help at all' from the airline, with Mrs Wood adding: 'They just said basically said try and rebook it online or on their website.'

Mr Wood said: 'They've been saying there's been issues (with flights) but we were hoping since the holiday weekend was finished that things perhaps have calmed down a bit, but clearly not.'

The couple were given a number to call for further support, which they said 'didn't seem to work'.

EasyJet pilots predict summer of 'chaos': Air crews claim airline is in 'operational meltdown' and accuse 'foolish' bosses of cancelling viable flights over half-term and Jubilee after laying off hundreds of staff in pandemic... and it will only get WORSE

By Mark Duell, James Tozer and Luke Barr for the Daily Mail

EasyJet pilots have accused the 'chaotic' airline of cancelling viable flights over the half-term holidays after 'foolish' bosses thought they could operate despite making hundreds of staff redundant during the pandemic.

Pilots from France working for the Luton-based company warned of the 'frightening prospect' of even worse disruption this summer as fears build that customers will stop using the airline after being put off by the chaos.

Workers from the French SNPL pilot union also accused easyJet officials of failing to act on warnings that the firm could not cope with demand after Covid-19 restrictions were lifted amid 'operational meltdowns'. They also said there 'seems to be a curse on easyJet top management, bound to become penny wise and pound foolish'.

The letter, written to easyJet's Swedish chief executive Johan Lundgren, accused executives of being 'fooled' into believing they could put on a summer schedule despite 'less flight crew, cabin crew or flight planning officers'.

EasyJet cut 1,400 UK jobs in the first ten months of the pandemic up to January 2021, having initially warned shortly after the Covid-19 crisis began that up to 4,500 members of its 15,000 workforce could lose their jobs.

The situation at EasyJet - whose pre-tax losses over the six months to March were revealed last month to have hit 557million - comes as British holidaymakers heading abroad were hit by further long queues at UK airports again today as others were warned strike action across Europe threatens to wreak further havoc on summer getaways.

Unions representing Ryanair crew in Spain said 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 following half-term flight chaos.

According to the i newspaper, the French pilots said in their letter: 'Literally hundreds of employees in distress have fed back how chaotic our operations have become recently, to unprecedented levels We are actually convinced that our disruption hasn't even peaked yet and frankly this is a frightening prospect.'

They claimed there were dozens of 'red cancellations' just minutes before departure, and some early flights were cancelled at the last-minute despite easyJet bosses knowing the night before that no crew were available.

EasyJet, which about 550 French-based pilots, said it would respond directly to the SNPL - and a spokesman told the i: 'Delivering a safe and reliable operation for our customers and crew is the airline's highest priority. EasyJet continues to operate up to around 1,700 flights and carry around a quarter of a million customers every day.

'However, the ongoing challenging operating environment continues to have an impact which is resulting in a small proportion of flight cancellations. We are absolutely focused on our daily operation and continue to monitor this very closely and will not hesitate to take action as needed.'

Flight cancellations today at airports in England TOTAL  67 GATWICK (28) Departures (14) EasyJet (12) - Venice, Amsterdam, Turin, Milan, Zurich, Geneva, Berlin, Preveza, Valencia, Pisa, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona

WestJet (1) - Toronto

Wizz Air (1) - Milan Arrivals (14) EasyJet (12) - Venice, Amsterdam, Turin, Milan, Zurich, Geneva, Berlin, Preveza, Valencia, Pisa, Palma de Mallorca, Barcelona [same flights]

WestJet (1) - Toronto

Wizz Air (1)  Malaga HEATHROW (10) Departures (4) Lufthansa (1) - Frankfurt

KLM (1) - Amsterdam

United Airlines (1) - Washington

Malaysia Airlines (1) - Kuala Lumpur Arrivals (6) Lufthansa (1) - Frankfurt

KLM (1)  Amsterdam

United Airlines (1) - Washington

Malaysia Airlines (1)- Kuala Lumpur

Air China (2) - Beijing, Shanghai LUTON (5) Departures (3) Wizz Air (1) - Sofia

EasyJet (2) - Jersey, Malaga Arrivals (2) Wizz Air (1) - Sofia

EasyJet (1) - Jersey STANSTED (2) Departures (1) EasyJet (1) - Edinburgh Arrivals (1) EasyJet (1) - Edinburgh BIRMINGHAM (6) Arrivals (3) EasyJet (3) - Edinburgh, Glasgow, Malaga Departures (3) EasyJet (3) - Edinburgh, Glasgow, Malaga BRISTOL (12) Arrivals (6) EasyJet (6) - Krakow, Glasgow, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Basel, Belfast Departures (6) EasyJet (6) - Krakow, Glasgow, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Basel, Belfast MANCHESTER (4) Arrivals (2) KLM (1) - Amsterdam

SAS (1)  Oslo Departures (2) KLM (1) - Amsterdam

SAS (1) - Oslo Advertisement

There were also huge queues at London Heathrow Airport this morning, where Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy tweeted this morning: 'Arriving from work in Afghanistan this morning at 7am.

'(Home Secretary) Priti Patel has achieved the longest passport control queue I have ever seen at Heathrow. A warm welcome home to fellow citizens and visitors alike. Another feather in her cap. Well done.'

Today, some 67 flights were cancelled across airports in England including 47 by easyJet - with Gatwick worst hit.

At Gatwick, the airline axed 28 flights with an equal split of departures and arrivals to the 14 destinations of Venice, Amsterdam, Turin, Milan, Zurich, Geneva, Berlin, Preveza, Valencia, Pisa, Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona.

There were 12 easyJet flights cancelled at Bristol Airport today, including six arrivals and six departures to and from Krakow, Glasgow, Paris, Berlin, Amsterdam, Basel and Belfast.

At Luton, easyJet cancelled three flights including routes to Jersey and Malaga. At Stansted, a flight to and from Edinburgh was axed, while there were cancellations at Birmingham to and from Edinburgh, Glasgow and Malta.

It comes after 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.

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 France's 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 Europe's 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 Spain's 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.

Also earlier this week, a leading airline boss 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 company's '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.'

Tourists sit at a cafe terrace at Levante Beach in Benidorm on Tuesday as they go on a summer holiday

Tourists enjoy the swimming pool of a hotel at Levante Beach in Benidorm on Tuesday as they enjoy a holiday

A woman carries an inflatable dummy as she walks along the promenade at Levante Beach in Benidorm on Tuesday

Wizz Air has been forced to axe dozens of flights in recent weeks amid staff shortages and wider travel disruption across the UK.

But Martin Chalk, general secretary of the British Airline Pilots' Association, condemned Mr Varadi's comments, saying: 'I am shocked that an airline CEO would advise actions so contrary to even a basic safety culture.

'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.

Earlier this week, 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 haven't 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 airline's 'first priority' and said they have 'a robust and responsible crew management system'.
A nurse accused of multiple baby murders has had a not guilty verdict recorded for one of the charges at a court hearing.

Lucy Letby, 32, was initially charged with murdering eight babies and trying to kill 10 more.

At a hearing at Manchester Crown Court on Friday, Nick Johnson QC said the prosecution was offering no evidence on one of the counts of murder.

Mr Justice Goss formally directed a verdict of not guilty be recorded on that count. Letby entered not guilty pleas to all the remaining counts at an earlier hearing.

She appeared in court via video link from HMP Bronzefield on Friday, speaking only to confirm her name, during an 80-minute hearing which dealt with matters ahead of her trial which cannot be reported.

Lucy Letby, 31, pictured, is alleged to have gone on a year-long killing spree while working on the neonatal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital, Chester

She is alleged to have murdered five boys and three girls while working at the neonatal unit of Countess of Chester Hospital (pictured)

Around a dozen parents of the children involved sat in the public gallery watching proceedings.

Letby is alleged to have killed the babies while working on the neonatal unit of the Countess of Chester Hospital, Chester.

She denies the murder of five baby boys and two baby girls and the attempted murder of five baby boys and five baby girls, all between June 2015 and June 2016.

A court order prohibits reporting of the identities of surviving and dead children allegedly attacked by Letby, and prohibits identifying the parents or witnesses connected with the children.

The defendant, of Arran Avenue, Hereford, was remanded into custody to appear for a further pre-trial hearing on July 29.

Her trial, estimated to last up to six months at Manchester Crown Court, is scheduled to begin on October 4.

The nurse appeared at Chester Crown Court via video link from HMP Bronzefield in Ashford, Surrey (Pictured: Police at the home of nurse Lucy Letby in Chester)

In April, she appeared in court via videolink ahead of her trial.

The nurse is currently being held at the HMP Bronzefield prison in Ashford, Surrey.

She sat impassive throughout the 45-minute hearing earlier this year and spoke only to confirm her identity and that she could hear proceedings via a videolink from Manchester Crown Court.

Ms Letby had first been detained by Cheshire Police back in 2018 after a spike in the number of deaths at her neonatal unit.

She was re-arrested over the same alleged offences in 2019 and again last year.

Police launched an investigation after the hospital raised concerns at the high number of deaths between March 2015 and July 2016 - which were said to be 10 per cent above average.

An internal inquiry was undertaken when medics found premature babies had died following heart and lung failure, but were unusually impossible to resuscitate.

Ms Letby has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Eight Iranian men convicted of theft and held outside Tehran are in imminent risk of having their fingers cut off, an NGO warned on Friday, decrying the punishment as 'inhuman'.

The men are being held in the Greater Tehran prison waiting for their fingers on one hand to be amputated, the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran (ABC) said in a statement.

Three of them had been transferred from Orumiyeh prison in northwestern Iran specifically for the amputation.

It added they had been told that their punishment would be implemented once a guillotine-like device for the purpose was operational in Evin prison in Tehran.

On June 8, all eight were summoned for transfer to Evin for the amputation which was postponed for unknown reasons.

Eight Iranian men convicted of theft and held outside Tehran are facing 'imminent' finger amputations, an NGO warned, decrying the punishment as 'inhuman'. Pictured: A man's fingers are publicly amputated in 2013 after he was convicted of burglary

The eight men are being held in the Greater Tehran prison. Pictured: Greater Tehran Penitentiary Prison

In a joint statement with the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN), the ABC said it was concerned by 'credible reports' that the device had now been installed in a clinic in Evin and had already been used for at least one amputation in recent days.

'Carrying out such a cruel and inhuman punishment violates the minimum standards of humanity and decency,' said ABC executive director Roya Boroumand.

'The international community can and should react urgently to stop the implementation of these amputations,' she added.

Finger amputations are permitted in the Islamic republic under sharia law, but have been rarely carried out until now.

The ABC said it had collected reports on at least 356 sentences of amputation issued since the Islamic revolution in 1979, but added the real number is believed to be much higher.

There have been at least 356 people handed the 'inhuman' punishment in Iran since the Islamic revolution in 1979

If the sentences are carried out, the men will have four fingers of their right hand cut off, according to Iran's penal code.

The concern over their pending punishment comes as rights groups also raise alarm over surging numbers of executions in Iran at a time of protests over price rises.

According to Norway-based Iran Human Rights, at least 168 people were executed by Iran authorities in the first five months of 2022, 50 percent more than in the same period last year.
Online shopping has been extremely popular during the COVID-19-induced lockdowns that kept people in their homes. With a few taps on your smartphone or a click of a button, you're able to do the shopping you normally do in person in the comfort of your own home. You can even shop for items from the other side of the world and arrive at your doorstep in a week or so if you're looking for something made in another country.

However, one of the problems with online shopping is that you never know if the item you're buying is legitimate or a counterfeit as you can't see the product for yourself, which is a big disadvantage on the customers' part.

Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of the big names in the e-commerce industry and various governments, counterfeit items remain a problem. So much so that Mary Beth Westmoreland, vice president of technology at Amazon, said that the sale of counterfeit items has become "an industry-wide problem."

If you feel like the product you bought online is fake, here are some signs to look out for to know if it is fake or not:

Check The Item's Quality

Counterfeit products, as mentioned by Red Points, are usually produced by using cheaper and poor-quality materials such as fake leather, low-quality glass, inferior cloth materials, and old or used electronic parts. If the item you bought online doesn't feel or look right, especially when compared to the material then it should've been made out of, it is most likely a fake.

Look For Missing or Wrong Trademark Indicators

Companies usually leave several features like codes, serial or model numbers, trademarks, or any indicator that the item they made by them. These are usually seen on the product's packaging or on the product itself, according to the Economic Times. Fake products usually miss out on these indicators, or if they didn't, they don't place the correct mark.

Read More: China Plans To Build Space-Based Solar Power Plants  How Much Energy Can It Generate?

Look At The Reviews

You may want to check the reviews page of the product you bought online. According to Make Use Of, look for the mixed reviews on the product as they usually are legitimate. Those that leave stellar reviews without going into depth (describing first-hand experience with the product) are usually fake.

A low review score may also be a good giveaway that the product you already bought does not live to what was advertised, and is in fact, a fake.

Check The Retailer's Distrobutor

Most companies or brands have a list of approved retailers on their official website or within an item's packaging. for instance, Samsung has a list of authorized US resellers, both in-store and online, on its official website.

If you're having doubts about the source of the item you bought online, ask the person or the store you bought the item from for information on their distributor.

Check The Price

Although it's not always the case, counterfeit items tend to have a lower price than the genuine product likely due to the poor materials needed to make them provide customers an alternative source when the genuine item is too expensive for them. As such, if you bought your item at a much lower price compared to the original, what you may have in your hands is likely a fake.

Related Article: Amazon Reports Decrease in Number of Counterfeit Item Seller Sign-Ups
A former librarian accused of raping a British woman in Goa has been paraded in public with his hands cuffed and a bag over his head.

The man was arrested after a 42-year-old woman, who remains unidentified, lodged a complaint at the Pernem police station on Monday about the alleged incident on June 2.

She claimed she was raped by a man who offered her a massage as she lay beside the Sweet Water Lake, close to the popular tourist destination of Arambol beach in Goa.

Hours later, police located and arrested 32-year-old local Vincent D'Souza, a former librarian who was allegedly part of a criminal group illegally offering massage services to tourists in the area according to Inspector Vikram Naik.

Footage emerged today of the accused stood outside Pernem police station surrounded by several cops and with a black bag unceremoniously draped over his head.

The alleged rapist is posed by his police captors for the cameras, his identity concealed by a bag over his head

The alleged rapist of a British woman near Arambol beach in Goa has been paraded around in public with his hands cuffed and a bag over his head following his arrest by Indian police

Police drive away with the suspect in the back seat after parading him to local media in Pernem

Within hours of the woman's complaint, police had located and arrested 32-year-old Vincent D'Souza, a former librarian who was part of a criminal group illegally offering massage services to tourists in the area close to Arambol beach (pictured)

Police posed for a photo with the alleged rapist at the top of the station steps before leading him down and into the back of a police van.

The accused is set to appear before a local court next Monday.

'A lady had come along with officials of the British consulate... they gave a complaint that the lady had been raped by one person who had represented himself as a masseuse and offered to give the lady a mud bath,' Pernem police official Shobit Saksena said.

A Pernem police official told NDTV earlier this week the alleged victim was lounging on the shores of the Sweet Water Lake along with her partner at the time of the alleged assault, but gave no further details as to how the assault occurred.

Beach in Goa, India, is pictured. The unnamed British woman claimed she was raped by a man who offered her a massage on the beach

Both D'Souza and his alleged victim were taken to the nearby district hospital earlier this week to undergo medical examinations.

Brits made up the second-biggest group of international tourists to Goa in 2018 - the last year of available statistics - with around 295,000 visitors.

Goa has earned a reputation among holidaymakers to India for its stunning beaches and unique atmosphere.

The region remained a colony of Portugal until the 1960s and the local culture and cuisine has been heavily influenced as a result.
The House January 6 committee has pushed out the outlines of the 'seven-point plan' that GOP Rep. Liz Cheney referenced in her remarks at Thursday's prime-time hearing, but didn't spell out at the time.

Cheney teased the plan in her lengthy opening statement for the hearings, where she put Trump at the center of an election overturn scheme that relied on a violent mob as part of a multi-pronged effort that she described as a premeditated strategy.

'President Donald Trump's intention was to remain President of the United States despite the lawful outcome of the 2020 election and in violation of his constitutional obligation to relinquish power,' she said. Over multiple months, Donald Trump oversaw and coordinated a sophisticated seven part plan to overturn the presidential election and prevent the chance for presidential power.'

She called it a 'sophisticated seven-part plan to overturn the 2020 election and prevent the transition of presidential power.'

She did not flesh out all aspects of the plan, but the committee leaked it soon after the hearing concluded.

Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) said former President Donald Trump had a seven-point plan to overturn the election

According to CNN, the plan consisted of the following:

President Trump engaged in a massive effort to spread false and fraudulent information to the American public claiming the 2020 election was stolen from him.

President Trump corruptly planned to replace the Acting Attorney General, so that the Department of Justice would support his fake election claims.

President Trump corruptly pressured Vice President Pence to refuse to count certified electoral votes in violation of the US Constitution and the law.

President Trump corruptly pressured state election officials, and state legislators, to change election results.

President Trump's legal team and other Trump associates instructed Republicans in multiple states to create false electoral slates and transmit those slates to Congress and the National Archives.

President Trump summoned and assembled a violent mob in Washington and directed them to march on the US Capitol.

Trump focused repeated pressure on Vice President Mike Pence not to accept votes certified states during his largely ceremonial role Jan. 6

Lawyer John Eastman drew up legal theories about the vice president's role and scenarios with competing state electors

Trump lawyer Rudy Giuliani raised repeated doubts about the election's integrity with his fraud claims

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) gestures toward a crowd of supporters of President Donald Trump gathered outside the U.S. Capitol to protest the certification of President-elect Joe Biden's electoral college victory Jan. 6, 2021. He came out publicly to say he would vote not to accept votes certified by states where Trump claimed fraud

There was a White House push to push out acting AG Jeffrey Rosen and install a Trump loyalist

Trump pressed state election figures during the vote counting process, asking Georgia Sec. of State Brad Raffensperger to 'find' 11,780 votes

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit to the Supreme Court that fused multiple election fraud claims

The violence was no accident. It represents Trumps last stand, most desperate chance to halt the transfer of power,' said Jan. 6 committee chair Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.)

'Not only did President Trump refuse to tell the mob to leave the Capitol, he placed no call to any element of the United States government to instruct that the Capitol be defended,' Cheney said

As the violence was underway, President Trump ignored multiple pleas for assistance and failed to take immediate action to stop the violence and instruct his supporters to leave the Capitol.'

The plan references several elements, none of them new, that have emerged in other hearings and public statements by committee members, as well as public reporting on the days before and after Jan. 6th.

Trump began trashing mail-in ballots and a series of state actions to change voting regulations amid the pandemic long before Election Day 2020.

He claimed he won the election when ballots were being counted, and immediately began raising fraud claims in states he didn't win.

He kept up a weeks-long pressure campaign on Vice President Mike Pence, and on Jan. 6 he lacked 'courage' to send back certified votes to states.

'Those who invaded our Capitol and battled law enforcement for hours were motivated by what President Trump had told them: that the election was stolen, and that he was the rightful president,' Cheney said at the hearing.

'President Trump summoned the mob, assembled the mob and lit the flame of this attack.'

The committee on Thursday also briefly addressed a complex political battle inside the Justice Department, where AG Barr quit his post in December  in what he testified was partly due to his belief that Trump's fraud claims were 'bull***.'

That put in place a career acting AG, Jeffrey Rosen, who Trump allies found insufficiently loyal, with efforts to install another official, Jeffrey Clark, who Cheney noted has pleaded the Fifth Amendment and refused to testify.

There were also efforts in a series of states where Trump lost to Joe Biden where Republican Trump loyalists met to vote their own 'alternate' electors  part of a 'fake' electors scheme. Various state laws set up terms for electors to meet in official locations, usually the state capitol, to vote out results based on the actual vote tally.

Those states actually send the 'alternate' votes to the National Archives, as required by the Electoral Count Act.

Panel members have long argued, as Democrats did in Trump's second impeachment, that he 'assembled' the mob that stormed the Capitol.

He tweeted in advance of Jan. 6 that a planned rally would be 'wild,' spoke to thousands of supporters near the White House, and according to leaks from the committee wanted the Secret Service to take him to the Capitol on Jan. 6th.

Thursday's hearing touched on the claim that Trump 'ignored' pleas for assistance.

Said Cheney: 'Not only did President Trump refuse to tell the mob to leave the Capitol, he placed no call to any element of the United States government to instruct that the Capitol be defended. He did not call the secretary of Defense on Jan. 6. He did not talk to the attorney general. He did not talk to the Department of Homeland Security. President Trump ordered to deploy the National Guard that day. And he made no effort to work with Justice to coordinate and deploy law enforcement assets.'

But 'Vice President Pence did each of those things,' she said.

When violence broke out, it was part of the plan, said Jan. 6 committee chair Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.).

'January 6 was the culmination of an attempted coup, a brazen attempt, as one rioter put it shortly after Jan. 6, to overthrow the government,' he said. 'The violence was no accident. It represents Trumps last stand, most desperate chance to halt the transfer of power.'
Dallas police are under investigation for the death of a black, transgender woman who died after cops arrested her, put her in a spit hood and loaded her in the back of an ambulance.

Shocking bodycam footage shows police approach LaDamonyon Dewayne Hall, 47, on May 26th after getting calls that she might be intoxicated in public.

Hall initially appeared scared and confused and cooperates with police, but then she becomes increasingly agitated.

She started taking off her clothes and falls over as officers proceeded to pin her to the ground and arrest her.

Officers place a spit hood on Hall, a device used to prevent someone from biting or spitting at a cop, as she's loaded into the ambulance but appears to be struggling for air.

Thirty minutes later, Hall is pronounced dead in an emergency room.

It took nearly two weeks for the department to report Hall's death, the cause of which has yet to be determined.

Scroll down for video:

LaDamonyon Dewayne Hall, 47, (pictured) died on May 26 after police arrested her, put a spit hood over her head, and load her into an ambulance as she screamed at them

Hall, a transgender woman, took off her wig and was stripping when police arrested her. They believed she was under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Deputy Chief Terrance Rhodes said the case was under review by the Dallas Police Special Investigation Unit. Police are still waiting for a toxicology report.

When asked by Dallas Morning News as to why it took 13 days to report the death, police spokeswoman Kristin Lowman said the department needed time to show the footage to Hall's family and interview them.

According to the department's general guidelines, the bodycam footage should have been released within 72 hours of the incident, but Lowman said the time can be extended 'at the discretion of the police chief and notification of the police oversight committee.'

The Dallas Police Department did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment.

The 38-minute long footage released on Wednesday begins with officers Jon Leach and Alan Hovis approached Hall at 12:49 p.m.

Hall appears dazed and confused as the officers question her about 911 calls they received about someone walking around Garland Road who appeared under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The officers ask if she needs an ambulance, and she shakes her head no, but appears to say yes. She goes on to lie face down on the ground as three Fire Rescue officials appear.

Officers had arrested Hall after she suddenly began to strip in front of them. They arrested her and loaded her into an ambulance

The emergency officials rushed Hall into the Baylor University Medical Center's emergency room, where she was pronounced dead at 2:05 p.m.

When Hall starts crying and says that she'll be killed, one of the emergency officials asks her to calm down.

'No, we're not going to let anyone kill you,' the official tells her. 'We want to check you out. Can we take you to the hospital?'

Hall then begins to yell unintelligibly at the cops and emergency officers, and tries to strip, leading officers to push her to the ground and arrest her.

'You don't touch me, you goddamn motherf***ers what did I ever do to you,' Hall screams at the officers who wait for paramedics to arrive.

They place a spit hood on her as she's loaded in an ambulance, with the officers outside appearing to laugh and joke about the situation.

Hall continues to scream inside the ambulance as a paramedic and officer tried to calm her down.

'Calm down before we get to the hospital so they don't have to tie you back up like that,' the officer says. 'Try to breath, ok.'

At about 1:34 p.m., the paramedic and officer notice that Hall has fallen silent.

'Sir can you talk to me,' the officer asks, addressing her as a man.

Seeing that she's unresponsive, they remove the spit hood, and the paramedic starts performing chest compressions as they arrive at Baylor University Medical Center.

After being taken into the emergency room, Hall was pronounced dead at 2:05 p.m.
An 18-year-old woman has pleaded not guilty to murdering her newborn baby three years ago.

Paris Mayo, of Ruardean, Gloucestershire, appeared in person at Worcester Crown Court on Friday to deny the charge, which alleges she murdered Stanley Mayo on March 23, 2019.

The teenager was arrested on Monday April 4, this year and charged with murder after an inquiry by West Mercia Police.

Paris Mayo, pictured, 18, denies murdering her infant baby Stanley at her family home in Ross-on-Wye

Mayo, pictured, was granted continuing bail following today's hearing. She will be back in court in the New Year when a trial date is set

High Court judge Mrs Justice Tipples renewed Mayo's bail until a trial on a date to be fixed next year. The trial is expected to last for six weeks

Officers previously confirmed the charge related to the death of a baby in the Ross-on-Wye area of Herefordshire.

High Court judge Mrs Justice Tipples renewed Mayo's bail until a trial on a date to be fixed next year. The trial is expected to last for six weeks.

Mayo was 15 when she was accused of killing her newborn baby.

An earlier court hearing heard a neighbour had raised the alarm with five police cars turning up a short time later.

Superintendent Sue Thomas, Police Commander for Herefordshire, said in 2019: 'Police were called at around 8.40am Sunday 24 March to reports of a concern for welfare for a newborn baby at a property in Ross-on-Wye.

'On attendance, the body of a baby was discovered. The baby's next of kin and the coroner have been informed.

'The death is being treated as suspicious and investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the baby's death.

'A 15-year-old girl from Ross-on-Wye has been arrested in connection with this incident and has been released on police bail while investigations are ongoing.'
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Amado 'The Lord of the Skies' Carrillo, the Juarez Cartel leader who became the top provider of cocaine after the death of his business partner, Pablo Escobar

One lucky winner will have the chance to own a $4.5 million mansion that once belonged to notorious Mexican drug lord Amado 'The Lord of the Skies' Carrillo when the government holds a raffle auction later this month.

The 37,673 squared foot residence was seized by Mexican authorities following Carrillo's death 25 years ago.

The mansion is located in the exclusive Mexico City neighborhood of Jardines de Pedregal.

It has nine bedrooms, including five which have their own jacuzzi.

The massive residence includes a sauna room, a studio with a wooden library set, a living room and a dining area along with a kitchen.

It has a room where the security system of the massive property is set up and there is an additional room where electricity system is located.

It also small room with a wine cellar and a bar along with a room where small parties can be held.

The exterior area of the mansion has a pool that is covered by a ceiling.

The property has an outdoor parking lot that can hold 24 vehicles and a second garage for six vehicles that is covered.

The mansion was auctioned May 3, 2020 for $2.4 million, but the buyer was unable to close the purchase. The government hopes to sell at least 3 million raffle tickets at $10 a piece for the June 28 auction.

The Mexican government hopes to sell 3 million raffle tickets at $10 a piece for the auction of properties it has seized in the past, including the mansion (pictured) that once belonged to Amado 'The Lord of the Skies' Carrillo, the Juarez Cartel leader who died on July 4, 1997 while undergoing plastic surgery and a liposuction at a Mexico City hospital

The mansion is valued at $4.5 million and is located in the exclusive Mexico City neighborhood of Jardines de Pedregal

Among that many amenities that the mansion features is an indoor pool in the back area of the property which is surrounded by white walls and palm trees

The 37,673 squared foot mansion is located in Mexico City and will be auctioned via a raffle on June 28 after a ruck of tickets are sold to hopeful punters

The kitchen is located in the main level of the $4.5 million mansion that used to belong to the notorious Mexican drug lord Amado 'The Lord of the Skies' Carrillo

Carrillo built the mansion with the fortune he amassed as leader of the Juarez Cartel. He became the provider of cocaine, a position he reached following the death of his former business partner, Pablo Escobar.

Carrillo was nicknamed the 'El Senor de los Cielos' or 'Lord of the Skies' due to the fleet of Boeing 727 airplanes and private jets he owned that helped him facilitate

The Juarez Cartel boss earned around $300 million a week and used 1 percent of his illicit profits to bribe government and law enforcement officials, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Amado Carrillo (left) with his mother Aurora Fuentes (center ) and his wife Sonia (right). The Mexican drug lord was the leader of the Juarez Cartel. The Drug Enforcement Administration said he made at least $300 million a week and used 1 percent of his profits to pay off government and law enforcement officials

Indoor pool is located towards the back area of the $4.5 million narco mansion that was built by Amado Carrillo, the former leader of the Juarez Cartel

The Mexican government sold auctioned the mansion May 3, 2020 for $2.4 million, but the buyer was unable to close the purchase. It will be raffled via an auction June 28

With Mexican authorities and the DEA agents closing in on him, Carrillo decided to change his physical appearance and evade capture by electing to undergo an extensive facial surgery and liposuction.

Carrillo died from complications during the procedure while two bodyguards observed the surgeons at Santa Monica Hospital in Mexico City on July 4, 1997.

On November 7, two of the doctors were located dead, their bodies covered by concrete inside two metal drums.

Five of the mansion's nine bedrooms have their own jacuzzis. The massive residence also includes a sauna room, a studio with a wooden library set, a living room and a dining area along with a kitchen
He will serve a further eight months in jail for breaching the terms of his release

His online perfume business profits had been put into the secret bank account

Upon his release police found a secret bank account that landed him back in jail

Shah Rahman,39 was one of four British extremists jailed in 2012 for terrorism

A terrorist who was caught planning to bomb the London Stock Exchange is back in jail after police discovered his top secret bank account.

Shah Rahman, 39 was one of four al Qaida-inspired British extremists who pled guilty to engaging in preparation for acts of terrorism in 2012.

A hand-written target list found at one of the men's homes in Staffordshire had the names and addresses of the then-London mayor Boris Johnson, two rabbis, the US embassy and the Stock Exchange.

Shah Mohammed Rahman was caught when his wife was held at a port stop

The attacks were halted by undercover anti-terror police as they arrested the gang four days before they planned to plant their first bomb in the Stock Exchange toilets.

Mr Rahman acted alongside Usman Khan who was shot by police when he launched an attack after attending a rehabilitation conference at Fishmongers Hall in 2019.

The inquest heard Mr Khan strapped knives to his hands before his killing spree where he knifed Jack Meritt, 25 and Saskia Jones, 23.

Today the Old Bailey heard how Mr Rahman from Newham was released from Belmarsh prison on licence with the imposition of terrorism notification requirements in 2017.

At a rehabilitation event for ex-convicts, participant Usman Khan (pictured) launched his attack in 2019

Guilty: (Top row and left on 2nd row) Shah Rahman, Gurukanth Desai and Abdul Miah, who were part of the quartet guilty of the most serious terror charges in the case. On the 2nd row, right, is Omar Latif, from Cardiff. Left to right on the third row are Usman Khan and Mohammed Shahjahan from Stoke and on the bottom row are Mohibur Rahman and Nazam Hussain, also from Stoke

This means that Registered Terrorism Offenders (RTOs) must tell police all additional information, such as telephone number, details of bank accounts, vehicles to which they have access as well as all trips overseas.

On August 6 2021 his wife was subjected to a port stop and an unauthorised number for Mr Rahman was found on her phone under the name 'hubby'

Police then searched his home where they found his undeclared bank account.

They also uncovered Mr Rahman's online perfume business profits which were held in the secret account.

He admitted three breaches of a notification requirement in relation to an undeclared bank account, email and phone number.

The terrorist killed graduates Jack Merritt (pictured left) and Saskia Jones (pictured right) at the event in Fishmonger's Hall before running out on to London Bridge

A group of ex-cons chased a knife-wielding terrorist Mr Khan before bringing him to the ground

In mitigation, barrister Audrey Mogan said Mr Rahman had committed the breaches in an effort to rebuild his life, contact his wife and set up a small business.

Ms Mogan said there was nothing nefarious in his activities and that he had positively engaged with authorities.

Today at the Old Bailey, Mr Justice Sweeney sentenced Mr Rahman to eight months in jail for each of his three breaches which are to run concurrently.
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Governor Ron DeSantis has threatened to deploy Florida's child protective services on parents who take their children to drag queen shows.

The Republican warned 'we have child protective statutes on the books' and 'laws against child endangerment' as he condemned footage of youngsters dancing with acts at a gay bar in Texas last weekend.

He said there appeared to be a 'concerted effort to be exposing kids more and more to things that are not age appropriate' and blasted the clip that showed a child in front of a sign that read 'it's not gonna lick itself'.

His comments follow others slamming a viral video of children at a 'drag your kids to Pride' event at Mr Misster gay nightclub in Dallas.

The elementary-aged youngsters were recorded dancing with drag queens wearing skimpy thongs as well as handing over cash to them during the performance.

DeSantis' latest anti-woke offensive comes as he has continued to crackdown on progressives over issues surrounding 'sexual orientation' and 'gender identity'.

He signed a parental rights bill into law earlier this year banning teaching gender ideology for children at elementary schools - which the Left dubbed the 'Don't Say Gay Bill.'

It drew a backlash from some and pitted him in a heated battle against Disney when the company opposed the change, with the governor later stripping it of its special tax status in Florida.

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Speaking at a news conference in Fort Myers Beach Wednesday, Ron DeSantis revealed that he has asked his state to deploy its child protective services to look into the recent phenomenon of parents taking their children to drag shows, after video of kids attending a performance at a Dallas gay surfaced online over the weekend

The Florida governor's comments were prompted by now viral clips that showed elementary school-aged children dancing alongside men dressed in drag at the Mr. Misster gay club Saturday, beneath a neon sign reading 'It's not gonna lick itself'

'We have child protective statutes on the books,' DeSantis, 43, told onlookers during a conference in Fort Myers Beach Wednesday. 'We have laws against child endangerment.'

He continued: 'It used to be kids would be off-limits - used to be everybody agreed with that. Now it just seems like there's a concerted effort to be exposing kids more and more to things that are not age appropriate.'

The governor's comments came in response to a reporter's inquiry about the state's stance on the Dallas drag queen event.

Earlier aspiring Florida congressman Anthony Sabatini called for an 'emergency' session of the Florida Legislature that would discuss charging parents with a felony if a child is brought to a drag show in the state.

In Sabatini's online plea, which came in the form of an email to state officials, the congressman cited a similar drag event being advertised in West Palm Beach last Sunday, called 'Pride on the Block: Drag Show for Kids.'

The email included a proposal to terminate the parental rights of a parent and charge them with a felony if they take a child to such a show.

'I have full confidence that governor DeSantis will support his bill,' Sabatini wrote. 'Any adult who forces children into these drag sex shows should be charged with a felony.'

The right-wing rep added: 'What happened in Texas was criminal.' He also asked in a tweet: 'When will the sexualization of children stop?'

During his address Wednesday, DeSantis hinted the state may already be on track to implement such a guidance, cryptically telling onlookers: 'I've asked my folks to look.'

He went on to assert he wanted kids in his state in a 'normal environment' and let 'kids be kids' - without having political agendas 'shoved down their throats' by various groups.

The conservative governor went on to point out some of the 'inappropriate' activity seen in footage of the show that kids had been exposed to at the Dallas bar - such as being encouraged to put money in the underwear of the drag performers.

'You had these very young kids, and they must have been like 9, 10 years old, at a quote, 'drag show,' where they were putting money in the underwear of this' an irate DeSantis said before eventually trailing off. 'That is totally inappropriate. That is not something that children should be exposed to.'

He added: 'We probably... we may have the ability to deal with that if something like that happens,' suggesting his state was working on ways to prevent Florida parents for exposing their young to similar activities.

DeSantis' comments came on the heels of those of fellow Republicans Lauren Boebert of Colorado and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia. They were in agreement drag shows should be 'illegal' for minors.

'It should be illegal to take children into Drag Queen shows and strip clubs,' Greene wrote in a post to Twitter Sunday, shortly after video of the event emerged, spurring debate over gender politics and child abuse online.

She added: 'There should be no federal funding for any school that intentionally confuses children about gender/sexuality. Any teacher or school employee caught doing so should be fired and lose all benefits.'

Boebert, meanwhile, said: 'Take your children to CHURCH, not drag bars.'

The controversial event has sparked newfound debate across the country about issues surrounding gender identity and children.

Photos and footage from the Saturday show showed adults sitting on stools surrounding a long narrow runway stage in the middle of the room.

As parents sipped on drinks with kids seated at their side, drag queens in dresses and glittered leotards danced along the stage, at times inviting the children to walk down the runway with them.

The drag queens snatched dollar bills from children's outstretched hands, all beneath the glow of a pink neon sign reading, 'It's not gonna lick itself.'

DeSantis' comments came on the heels of those of fellow Republicans Lauren Boebert of Colorado and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, both reps for their respective states. They were in agreement that drag shows should be 'illegal' for minors

Protesters outside of Mr. Misster on Saturday. The demonstrators accused the parents in line of enabling democrats to endorse pedophilia

Kids danced alongside drag queens beneath this large neon sign at the event at Mr. Misster on Saturday. 'It's not gonna lick itself!' the sign reads in large pink letters

A drag queen can be seen accepting dollar bills from audience members. Children can be seen handing over cash to the performers too

A kid handing over dollar bills to drag performers at the Mr. Misster gay nightclub at a family drag show on Saturday, June 4

An online brochure for the event that urged parents to bring their kids to the event - despite suggestive undertones and the dubious venue.

'Mr. Misster's Drag The Kids To Pride Drag Show provides the ultimate family friendly pride experience,' the ad read.

It continued: 'Do you want to hit the stage with the queens? We have FIVE limited spots for young performers to take the stage solo, or with a queen of their choosing! Come hangout with the Queens and enjoy this unique pride experience, fit for guests of all ages!'

The event was met with vitriol by Texans, who came out in full force to protest the show outside the bar Saturday, before its start.

The demonstration saw protesters criticize parents lining up with their children to see the event, accusing them of 'grooming' and endangering the kids.

'I only have one question, why do you want to put an axe-wound in between your son's legs?' one protester was filmed telling the parents through a megaphone, to which a mother responds, 'We've got kids here, please go away.' 'That's the point,' the man answers back in the footage.

A drag queen performing at the 'Drag Your Kids to Pride' event at a Dallas gay night club on Saturday, June 4. Children can be seen sitting on stools lining the runway

A drag queen performing at Mr. Misster on Saturday as children in the audience look on. Kids could be seen handing dollar bills to the performers

The banner for the event's online brochure. Organizers characterized it as an opportunity for people to share joy about who they are. It has since sparked outrage across the country, with many questioning the legality of bringing kids to such a show

That interaction quickly devolved into the protestor accusing the parents in line of enabling democrats to endorse pedophilia, and a woman screaming 'You're scaring children, shut the f**k up! Shut the f**k up! Shame on you! Shame on you!' as children in line cower and hold hands over their ears.

One woman protesting says she saw a poster for the event and was emboldened to come out and protest.

'I live in this community,' the woman told ABC 8, 'I have for several years. I don't believe that I should be seeing signs advertising for children to be dancing on stage with men in thongs and in inappropriate clothing and makeup.

'I do not in any way condone the behavior that these people are engaging in, but what drags me out here is it's kids now.'

A representative for the bar however said that the event provided a safe and family friendly space to celebrate people being who they are.

A protester confronts people waiting outside of the Mr. Misster gay bar on Saturday after the 'Drag Your Kids to Pride' event at the nightclub. Police arrived to maintain order

Supporters of the event unfurl a pride flag in front of a protester outside of Mr. Misster. The event took place on June 4, just as pride month kicked off across the country

What is the Parental Rights in Education law? HB 1557 was introduced by two Republican members of the Florida Legislature - Representative Joe Harding and Senator Dennis Baxley. They say the bill's aim is to 'empower parents' in their children's education, and make teachers recognize the distinction between 'instruction' and 'discussion.' 'What we're prohibiting is instructing them in a specific direction,' Baxley said about how teachers lead students in a classroom. 'Students can talk about whatever they want to bring up, but sometimes the right answer is, ''You really ought to talk to your parents about that.''' It states that 'classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity may not occur.' Part of it applies to kids in kindergarten through third grade, while a vague portion bans all discussion of 'sexual orientation or gender identity' in a 'manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate.' It also requires districts to 'adopt procedures for notifying a student's parent if there is a change in the student's services or monitoring related to the student's mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being,' something LGBTQ advocates argue could lead to students being outed to their parents without the student's knowledge or consent. The state House approved the bill in February. It was passed in the state Senate on March 8 in a 22-17 vote. DeSantis signed it into law on March 28 and it will come into effect on July 1. Advertisement

'We are more than happy to open our doors to celebrate Pride in a family friendly, safe environment, separate from our normal operations of 2 pm - 2 am on Saturdays because we believe that everyone should have a space to be able to celebrate who they are. Mr. Misster is a place where everyone is welcome to feel accepted, safe and included,' staffers said in a statement.

'We had a group of protestors outside yelling homophobic threats, transphobic remarks and vile accusations at these children and parents. It is so sad to see that in 2022, there are people that still want to protests others celebrating who they are, but our staff and wonderful officers helped keep us safe and kept the protestors at bay.'

The representative for the bar also noted that the raised money for a youth LGBTQ+ organization in the community.

Controversy around the event comes as Pride Month kicks off in the US, amid debates over the role of gender-identity exposure and education to children.

In March, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into effect a parental rights bill that bans teachers from giving classroom instruction on 'sexual orientation' or 'gender identity' in kindergarten through third grade - popularly panned by the left as the 'Don't Say Gay Bill.'

The guidance, officially titled The Parental Rights in Education bill, will become law from July 1, and teachers who breach its regulations can be sued by parents.

DeSantis Wednesday praised Florida lawmakers' for helping him pass the bill.

'Part of the reason why we fought the fight with parents' rights in education is because there's a movement to inject these things like gender ideology in elementary schools, even,' he said.

'My view is our schools need to be teaching these kids to read and write and add and subtract and do the things (that are) supposed to be done in school. Injecting these agendas into it is wrong.'

DeSantis went on to add: 'I think our state, in Florida, we need to be a family-friendly state. We need to be a good state for people to be able to raise a family, get a high-quality education, have a lot of opportunities without having some political agenda shoved down their throats.'

After the bill was signed by the governor in March, Disney issued a statement condemning the bill.

It read: 'Florida's HB 1557, also known as the 'Don't Say Gay' bill, should never have passed and should never have been signed into law.'

'Our goal as a company is for this law to be repealed by the legislature or struck down in the courts, and we remain committed to supporting the national and state organizations working to achieve that.

DeSantis signed into law the parental rights bill - tabbed by progessives as the Don't Say Gay Bill - in March, It bans teachers from giving classroom instruction on 'sexual orientation' or ' gender identity' in kindergarten through third grade

Disney also issued a statement condemning DeSantis' signing of the bill, weeks after it faced backlash from customers and employees for not immediately opposing the bill when it was first passed

Democrats have condemned the bill since its inception. After DeSantis signed the measure into law, many took to Twitter to voice their concerns over how the legislation will affect LGBTQ youth

'We are dedicated to standing up for the rights and safety of LGBTQ+ members of the Disney family, as well as the LGBTQ+ community in Florida and across the country.'

The signing of the bill also saw DeSantis become the target of ire of Hollywood, with comedians Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes telling the Oscars audience shortly after the bill was passed that they could expect not only a great night, but also 'a gay night' - mockingly repeating the word 'gay' during the national broadcast.

President Biden also branded the guidance as 'hateful' earlier this year.

At the time, DeSantis hit back at the critics, saying: 'They don't want to admit that they support a lot of the things that we're providing protections against.'

The politician went on to accuse the left and liberal elite of 'sexualizing' school-aged kids to serve a political agenda.

'For example, they support sexualizing kids in kindergarten,' DeSantis said of the scrutiny the bill was facing as it pushed it's way through congress.

'They support injecting woke gender ideology into second grade classrooms,' he went on, adding, 'what they're doing with these slogans and these narratives is they are trying to camouflage their true intentions.'

That month, Disney staffers at multiple of the company's locations across the country - along with employees at subsidiaries including Marvel, Pixar, and Lucasfilm - staged walkouts to protest CEO Bob Chapek's 'slow response' to publicly criticizing the law.

Staffers gathered outside the Disney headquarters in Burbank, California. Footage posted to social media showed dozens of employees marching outside the office chanting, 'Say gay! Say gay!'

Another 60 employees gathered at Griffith Park in Glendale with pro LGBTQ signs, some of which read, '#DisneySayTrans' and 'Disney oppose Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' bill.'

Near Walt Disney World's property near Orlando, Disney employee Nicholas Maldonado was a lone protester Tuesday, wearing a rainbow flag and holding a sign reading, 'Trans rights are human rights' and '#DisneyDoBetter.'

Some Disney workers say the company has 'fostered an environment of fear that any employee who does not toe the line will be exposed and dismissed.' Above, Disney workers protest in Burbank on Tuesday

Disney employee Nicholas Maldonado holds a sign while protesting outside of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida on Tuesday

The bill, which will go into effect July 1, has been panned by progressives, but polls have shown that the majority of Americans in both parties believe sexual orientation and gender identity should not be taught to kids under 10

Walt Disney's 'Magic Kingdom': How 1967 law allowed the company to govern its vast Florida domain The Reedy Creek Improvement District, a semi-private, special-purpose government, is controlled by Disney and spans 39 square miles. It was created in 1967 when then-Florida Gov. Claude Kirk, a Republican, signed into law the Reedy Creek Improvement Act authorizing it to regulate land use, enforce building codes, treat wastewater, control drainage, maintain utilities and provide fire protection at Disney World. The district is governed a Board of Supervisors that is selected by its 19 landowners, the biggest and most influential of them being Disney World. The district has the authority to tax the land, and use the revenue to provide essential public services and operate and maintain all public roads and bridges. Such private governments aren't uncommon in Florida, which has more than 600 community development districts that manage and pay for infrastructure in new communities. Advertisement

Amid the walkouts, the company finally expressed support for the protesters in a Facebook post Tuesday morning - a day after Chapek, 61, said he regretted not taking a stance against the bill earlier.

In a memo to staff, Chapek reiterated the park's policies: 'I want to be crystal clear: I and the entire leadership team unequivocally stand in support of our LGBTQ+ employees, their families, and their communities.'

Chapek replaced longtime head exec Bob Iger - who has spoken out forcefully against the bill - and angered many of Disney's thousands of Orlando-based staffers by not taking a firm stance against the bill, despite polls showing that the bill itself is supported by a majority of Americans.

Chapek had since been condemned by staff for refusing to take his own vehement stance against the guidance immediately after it was passed.

'We are committed to creating a more inclusive company, and world,' wrote Chapek, who has emphasized 'inclusion' as one of his focuses as CEO - bowing to the left-wing backlash.

The protests by Disney staffers followed a week of smaller-scale walkouts during employees' 15-minute afternoon breaks.

DeSantis has since stripped the company of its 55-year-old special privileges that effectively allowed it to self-govern in his state.

The newly-passed bill rips up the 55-year-old deal that allowed Disney to regulate land, enforce building codes and treat wastewater - and could cost the company millions in lost local taxes.

The move from DeSantis came in direct response to assertions from the company in March that it would suspend political donations in the state in opposition to the Parental Rights in Education bill.

But DeSantis and his fellow Republicans hit back out at the Orlando resort - defending the law - before moving to strip it of its special privileges.

At the time, DeSantis said Disney lied to supporters about the content of the education bill, and that he viewed the company's vow to fight the law as unacceptable.

He said: 'You're a corporation based in Burbank, California, and you're gonna marshal your economic might to attack the parents of my state. We view that as a provocation, and we're going to fight back against that,' declaring war on the company, delivering the knockout punch in April after convincing lawmakers to to strip Disney of its special status as a self-governing entity, put into effect in 1967.

The governor has previously issued support for the measure, saying during a fundraising pitch Wednesday: 'Disney and other woke corporations won't get away with peddling their unchecked pressure campaigns any longer.

'If we want to keep the Democrat machine and their corporate lapdogs accountable, we have to stand together now.'
An aristocrat's estranged wife has won the latest round of their seven-year legal battle in one of Britain's longest-running divorce cases which has so far played out in five different courts and before 12 judges.

Charles Villiers, who is in his late 50s, and estranged wife Emma Villiers, who is in her early 60s, hit the headlines after becoming involved in an argument over whether they should fight over money in a Scottish or English court.

They have been separated for a decade and filed for divorce in 2014, making their bitter marital conflict arguably the most toxic and highly publicised in the nation.

Charles Villiers and estranged wife Emma Villiers are embroiled in what is known as Britain's longest divorce battle. In the latest development, Mrs Villiers has secured a win as a ruling to dismiss an application for maintenance has been overturned

Mr Villiers - cousin of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, argued they were divorcing in Scotland and should therefore have financial decisions decided in a Scottish court.

But Supreme Court justices ruled against him.

In the latest development, a previous ruling dismissing Mrs Villiers application for maintenance has been overturned.

In 2015 the High Court in London ordered Mr Villiers to pay his estranged wife 2,500 a month but he refused. The Supreme Court subsequently ruled she could proceed with her application for maintenance in England.

Pictured: Emma Villiers and her daughter, Clarissa. In March 2021, Mr Justice Mostyn, of the High Court's family division, ruled that Mr Villiers is heavily in debt and should not be required to pay maintenance. This decision has now been overturned.

However, in March 2021, Mr Justice Mostyn, of the High Court's family division, ruled that Mr Villiers is heavily in debt and should not be required to pay maintenance.

Mrs Villiers persuaded Lord Justice Moylan, Lord Justice Coulson and Lord Justice Arnold to overturn the ruling.

The three appeal judges decided that Mr Justice Mostyn had been wrong to dismiss an application Mrs Villiers made for maintenance.

They had considered arguments at a Court of Appeal hearing in London in January and published a ruling on Friday.

Mr Justice Mostyn concluded that Mr Villiers could not afford to pay the maintenance Mrs Villiers said she should get.

He stated that Mr and Mrs Villiers had been left 'financially ruined' by the 'terrible' litigation and he suspected both were also 'psychologically damaged'.

But Lord Justice Moylan said he had reached the 'clear conclusion' - Mr Justice Moylan was wrong to dismiss Mrs Villiers' application.

Lord Justice Coulson and Lord Justice Arnold agreed.

The aristocrat is the cousin of Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall. He has been separated from his estranged wife for a decade and the legal battle continues

Philip Cayford QC, who led Mrs Villiers' legal team, had argued that decisions made by Mr Justice Mostyn should be overturned.

He told appeal judges: 'The hearing of this matter has been blighted by (Mr Villiers') continued failure to provide full and frank disclosure of his financial position.

'The effect of the learned judge's finding is to permit (Mr Villiers) to profit from his ongoing breach of court orders.'

However, Michael Horton QC, who led Mr Villiers' legal team, argued that Mrs Villiers' appeal should be dismissed.

He told appeal judges: 'It is now time to put this litigation to bed, and to allow what has been an empty shell of a marriage since 2012 finally to be dissolved by a Scottish court. The appeal should be dismissed.'

Judges have heard how Mr and Mrs Villiers had lived near Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire.

They had separated in 2012 after 18 years of marriage - Mr Villiers still lives in Scotland and Mrs Villiers lives in London.

Mr Justice Mostyn said both Mr and Mrs Villiers had made accusations against the other after 'love' turned to 'hatred'.
Police have launched an urgent manhunt for a missing double rapist who was freed from his life sentence last year for drug-fuelled pensioner sex attacks.

Lee Michaels - who also goes by the name of Lee Beazley - was released on licence in June last year after serving part of a sentence for a serious sexual offence.

The 36-year-old is now wanted on recall by West Yorkshire Police after breaching the terms of his release and detectives are appealing for any information on his whereabouts.

He is described as being about five feet nine inches tall and of a slim build. Michaels speaks with a North East accent and has 'Lee' tattooed on his right arm and a Bulldog tattooed on his back.

He is believed to be of no fixed abode - but has links to the WF1 area of Wakefield. It is also possible he may be sleeping rough in a '12 plate black Ford Fiesta.

Michaels broke into a 65-year-old woman's home in Marton, Middlesbrough in September 2005 and repeatedly raped her while high on drugs alongside a second man, named David Humphrey.

Lee Michaels (pictured) - who also goes by the name of Lee Beazley - was released on licence in June last year after serving part of a sentence for a serious sexual offence

The pair, both 19 at the time of the incident, had drank a large quantity of alcohol, smoked cannabis and taken heroin substitute tablets before breaking into the pensioner's home armed with a knife and screwdriver.

They repeatedly beat and raped the grandmother at her home before stealing cash, jewellery and a mobile phone.

At a hearing, each admitted three joint charges - two of rape and one of aggravated burglary. Humphrey admitted a third rape charge.

The judge at Teesside Crown Court said the 'wicked' pair must serve at least six years behind bars.

Sentencing the pair Judge Peter Fox QC, the Recorder of Middlesbrough, told them: 'Your offending against this lady and in her home ranks amongst the worst crimes ever committed in Teesside.

'Obsessed by greed, lust and cruelty, you subjected her to a terrible ordeal, one of shocking and painful humiliation in her own home which you went on to plunder, ransack and defile.'

Michaels broke into a 65-year-old woman's home in Marton, Middlesbrough in September 2005 (Pictured: Michaels aged 19) and repeatedly raped her while high on drugs alongside a second man, named David Humphrey

He added: 'This court can do nothing to repair the dreadful harm you perpetrated that night.

'It can only punish you according to law and within the law seek to protect others from your wicked natures.'

He added: 'Despite your acting without any vestige of humanity towards your victim, the law remains humane.

'Many in your case would say unduly so. It is not for me to comment.'

The pair appealed their sentence but failed to get them overturned.

Mrs Justice Gloster, sitting with Lord Justice Latham and Mr Justice Henriques at the Appeal Court in London, dismissed the argument they were 'manifestly excessive'.

Enquiries are continuing to locate Michaels and anyone who can assist in locating him is asked to contact police at Wakefield on 101 or by using the LiveChat facility on the West Yorkshire Police website.
America's largest newspaper chain Gannett has instructed its newsrooms to scale back opinion pieces which are 'repelling readers' who do not want to be told what to do.

The newspaper chain owns the USA Today network which takes in hundreds of local newspapers in almost every state across the country.

At a recent editors committee meeting in April, editors said in a presentation: 'Readers dont want us to tell them what to think.

'They dont believe we have the expertise to tell anyone what to think on most issues.

The newspaper chain owns the USA Today network which takes in hundreds of local newspapers in almost every state across the country

'They perceive us as having a biased agenda,' according to The Washington Post.

Now, the company will do-away with opinion pieces almost entirely and they will also not allow any endorsement of politicians aside from in local races.

They will no longer endorse presidential candidates, or candidates in House and Senate races.

The only elections they will now cover will be local.

'Todays contemporary audiences frequently are unable to distinguish between objective news reporting and Opinion content.

'In the old days, content appearing on print pages that were clearly labeled helped alleviate those concerns, along with a society that possessed a higher news literacy.

'But in todays digital/social environment, we as an industry have been challenged to make these differences clear,' the editors said in an earlier advisory from 2018.

The editors said they had been losing reader subscriptions as a result of their perceived bias.

A recent Gallup poll shows how Americans' faith in the media is dwindling

A 2021 Pew Research poll shows how faith in the media has dwindled in the last five years

Readers this week reacted to the news by telling the media company to hire 'writers that aren't left-wing activists.'

Americans' faith in the media has nose-dived in recent years thanks largely to the widely left-wing bias of many national publications and news networks.

The lowest point on record was in 2016, when Donald Trump was elected.

Many felt the media was biased against Trump from the beginning.

In 2021, faith in the media dipped to the second lowest point, with only 36 percent of people saying they had a fair amount of trust in journalists.
Hyundai's driverless taxis are now rolling out its next-generation autonomous technology in the streets of the capital city of South Korea, Seoul, in its pop culture famous district, Gangnam.

The South Korean giant automaker, Hyundai, has been gearing up on its self-driving tech since 2021.

In fact, as per a news story by Inside EVs, the renowned carmaker started showcasing the Level 4 autonomous feature of the all-new Hyundai Ioniq 5 last year.

Hyundai's Driverless Taxis

In 2022, the self-driving technology of Hyundai is on its next level.

The driverless vehicle of the South Korean automaker, the Hyundai Ioniq 5, hits the busy streets of Gangnam as a passenger auto.

The rollout of the Ioniq as a passenger taxi is part of its new trial service of driverless ride-hailing in the bustling district of the vibrant city of Seoul.

Hyundai and the officials from South Korea made the new ride-hailing service possible. The all-new service in town aptly goes by the name RoboRide. It capitalizes on the Level 4 self-driving functions of Ioniq 5.

The level of autonomy that Hyundai has impressively achieved in its electric vehicle allows the Ioniq 5 to stroll in the packed streets of Gangnam, sans the need for a driver.

But to ensure the safety of its passengers, the RoboRide service still includes a "safety driver," according to a recent report by UPI.

The giant carmaker states that "RoboRide vehicles will perceive, make decisions and control its own driving status, while its safety driver will only intervene under limited conditions."

Inside EVs notes that Hyundai fails to give details when the need for a safety driver would stop. However, the automaker only mentioned that the service could only receive up to three passengers in total.

While Hyundai was behind the self-driving tech that made the service possible, the South Korean giant joined forces with a startup, Jin Mobility. The latter developed the ride-hailing app for the new driverless taxi platform.

Read Also: Hyundai Successfully Pilots an Autonomous Ship Across the Ocean

Hyundai Driverless Taxis Gangnam Style

The Mayor of the capital city of Korea, Seoul, Oh Se-hoon, said that the trial of the self-driving service should give early real-world data for the emerging autonomous technology.

The Seoul mayor said that the initial trial of the service takes place in the busy streets of Gangnam, where human-driven delivery motorcycles and taxis fill the roadways.

Oh further adds that the bustling district of Seoul is not a random choice for the trails. The mayor shares that "in complex transportation environments like Gangnam, there are many people who drive unpredictably," which could test the abilities of the autonomous service.

Related Article: Exploding Seatbelts Injuring at Least 3 Forces Recall of 239,000 Hyundai Cars
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The mother of a 10-year-old schoolboy who was mauled to death by a dog revealed she suffers from horrifying flashbacks of the attack.

The near-7st Bully XL dog called Beast mauled 10-year-old schoolboy Jack Lis at a house in Caerphilly on November 8 last year - days after multiple attacks were caught on camera.

Amy Salter, 29, and Brandon Hayden, 19, owned Beast after the 'muscular' animal was advertised 'for free' on Facebook with a warning that it was 'not good with other dogs.' The pair were jailed for a total of seven years at Cardiff Crown Court today.

Jack Lis's mother Emma Whitfield was seen clutching a teddy bear after she left court today. In a statement read to Cardiff Crown Court on her behalf, Jack Lis's mother Emma Whitfield said: 'No mum should ever have the last images of their child as being dragged from a house, knowing deep down they're gone but praying that it isn't so.

'I close my eyes and I see the animal and its teeth. I hear the barking. I have severe panic attacks and I have horrifying flashbacks.

'I constantly ask 'Why my boy? Why Jack?' I would have given my life trying to protect him, but I couldn't do this because he wasn't somewhere familiar. He was at a friend's house, a house he should have been safe.'

'Some of the last conversations we had as a family were about Christmas presents and Jack told us what he wanted.

'Being able to buy his Christmas presents was even taken from us because all he asked for was clothes. We were no longer shopping for Christmas presents, we were shopping for clothes for Jack to be buried in.

'We should still have our Jack here in person to talk to but instead we say good morning and good night to his pictures without a response.

'I'm trapped in what used to be our family home. Now it's broken and it will never be the same again.'

Emma Whitfield, the mother of Jack Lis leaves Cardiff Crown Court. She said: 'I close my eyes and I see the animal and its teeth. I hear the barking. I have severe panic attacks and I have horrifying flashbacks'

She said: 'No mum should ever have the last images of their child as being dragged from a house, knowing deep down they're gone but praying that it isn't so'

She added: 'We should still have our Jack here in person to talk to but instead we say good morning and good night to his pictures without a response'

She was seen clutching a teddy bear as she read a statement after sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court today

Jack Lis was attacked by the XL bully dog while playing with a friend at a house after school in Pentwyn

Holding back tears after the sentencing today, she added: 'No sentence will ever be good enough for Jack or our family. The past seven months has been a torture that should never had happened. A torture that we will continue to live with. This animal was not a family pet.

'More need to be done regarding the law to prevent these types of owners and to prevent this type of situation happening again.

'I'm without my son. I'm without his smiles, his stories, his presence. Nothing will ever make up what this has done to our family. Jack laughed, jhe played, he told jokes. he deserved to have more of a life than this.

'We will never stop grieving Jack or loving him. So much has been taken from us. Now we must live our life sentence without such a beautiful boy.'

Meanwhile, Jack's father John Lis said in a statement read to the court on his behalf: 'How can I find the words to describe the impact that my son Jack's tragic unnecessary death have had on mine and my family's life? There aren't any.

'Losing a child is heartbreaking but to lose a child in such an horrific, unimaginable way is not something that anyone would ever be able to come to terms with or accept.

'The circumstances and the thought of how my son Jack must have been feeling at that time, all alone, in pain and frightened to death haunts me every day and night. I cannot close my eyes at night and think of anything else.

'Jack was 10 years old and had his whole life ahead of him but this was taken from him so unnecessary and so tragically. I'll never get to see him turn into a young man, learn to drive, get married or have children of his own - his brothers and sisters are so young they won't remember him.

'All I can pray for is that we get some justice for Jack's needless death and that lessons will be learnt preventing any other child and family suffering as we are.'

The Beast outside the village shop Top Stores on Heol Aneurin, Caerphilly, attacking pedestrians just days before the animal killed a schoolboy, 10

A child on his scooter was also attacked by the XL bully, which are not on Britain's banned breed list

Brandon Hayden, 19, was jailed for four years and six months at Cardiff Crown Court today. His friend Amy Salter was sentenced to three years' imprisonment. Both were banned from owning a dog indefinitely.

It took seven rounds of bullets to kill Beast after the incident last year

Just days before the attack the dog was caught on camera attacking shoppers. Straining at its lead, dragging around its owner and lunging at pedestrians including a young boy on a scooter, this is the terrifying moment a child-killer dog named Beast gave a chilling hint of the tragedy that would follow.

Tragedy struck when the raging animal killed the schoolboy inside a property near Hayden's home in South Wales. Armed police needed to fire seven rounds to kill the dog, which attacked Jack without provocation.

Jack had been playing with a friend after school when they went to the house where Beast was roaming around downstairs and then bit his face, head and neck.

Hayden, 19, was jailed for four years and six months at Cardiff Crown Court today. His friend Salter was sentenced to three years' imprisonment. Both were banned from owning a dog indefinitely. After Beast's death it was later found to be an 115lb American Bully or XL Bully, which are not on the banned breed list.

CCTV footage shown in court revealed the animal attacked shoppers and lunged at children outside the local shop. One incident was 24 hours before Jack died, and showed the owners laughing.

In one clip, Hayden is seen holding Beast on a lead when he jumps up and bites passer-by Michael Ball.

The footage also shows the animal lunging at terrified children while Hayden fails to pull him back - with one boy dropping his scooter and running to hide behind a wall.

The court heard the dog also attacked shopper Sian Sullivan when he ripped her hoodie and left her with injuries to her chest. The string of attacks took place between November 4 and 7 last year - just days before Jack's death.

In a statement read to Cardiff Crown Court on her behalf, Jack Lis's mother Emma Whitfield said: 'No mum should ever have the last images of their child as being dragged from a house, knowing deep down they're gone but praying that it isn't so.

'I close my eyes and I see the animal and its teeth. I hear the barking. I have severe panic attacks and I have horrifying flashbacks.

'I constantly ask 'Why my boy? Why Jack?' I would have given my life trying to protect him, but I couldn't do this because he wasn't somewhere familiar.

'He was at a friend's house, a house he should have been safe.'

Jack Lis, pictured, suffered unsurvivable injuries to the head and neck after he was attacked by the dog

She continued: 'Some of the last conversations we had as a family were about Christmas presents and Jack told us what he wanted.

'Being able to buy his Christmas presents was even taken from us because all he asked for was clothes.

'We were no longer shopping for Christmas presents, we were shopping for clothes for Jack to be buried in.

'We should still have our Jack here in person to talk to, but instead we say good morning and good night to his pictures without a response.

'I'm trapped in what used to be our family home. Now it's broken and it will never be the same again.'

Jack Lis's father John Lis said in a statement read to the court on his behalf: 'How can I find the words to describe the impact that my son Jack's tragic unnecessary death have had on mine and my family's life? There isn't any.

'Losing a child is heart-breaking to say the least, but to lose a child in such an horrific, unimaginable way is not something that anyone would ever be able to come to terms with or accept.

'The circumstances and the thought of how my son Jack must have been feeling at that time, all alone, in pain and frightened to death haunts me every day and night. I cannot close my eyes at night and think of anything else.

'Jack was 10 years old and had his whole life ahead of him, but this was taken from him so unnecessary, and so tragically. I'll never get to see him turn into a young man, learn to drive, get married or have children of his own - his brothers and sisters are so young they won't remember him.

'All I can pray for is that we get some justice for Jack's needless death and that lessons will be learnt preventing any other child and family suffering as we are.'

The court was shown CCTV clips where the animal was repeatedly out of control, including here outside a shop

Brandon Hayden and Amy Salter with the dog Beast in Caerphilly on the first day of attacks

Beast had been offered for free on Facebook in an advert that warned he was 'not good with other dogs'

Cameras saw the dog attack people in the days before it killed Jack

The dog was repeatedly not under control on the streets. Dragging along his owners and wriggling away from their grasp

Prosecutor Gareth James said the friend watched in horror as Beast pushed Jack to the floor with his 'paws on Jack's shoulders.'

Brandon Hayden owned the dog but asked Salter to keep it at her house

Mr James said: 'It was at that point that the friend saw Beast attack Jack.

'He went to help Jack but immediately realised that he could not help him.'

Jack's mother Emma Whitfield clutched a teddy and cried throughout the hearing as the details of her son's death were read aloud.

Cardiff Crown Court heard the friend ran to neighbour Kirk Wiegold's home in a desperate attempt to get help.

Mr Wiegold tried to get inside but could only open the door 'a fraction' and was met by the horrific scene.

Emergency services rushed to the address in Caerphilly, South Wales, but Jack was tragically pronounced dead.

The court heard his parents were waiting outside when they were told their son had been attacked.

Mr James said Hayden had responded to an ad on Facebook before asking Salter if the dog could stay with her.

He said: 'Brandon Hayden became the owner of Beast on November 3 last year. He had responded to an advert offering Beast for free to a good home.

'The seller said it was not good with other dogs. Mr Hayden agreed to take Beast with the initial understanding there were some issues with Beast's behaviour towards other dogs.

'Having taken ownership of Beast he asked Amy Salter if Beast could stay with her at her address due to lack of space and Beast was not getting along with other dogs. He asked Amy Salter to look after Beast for a short period.

'Ms Salter assisted with feeding and watering Beast but Mr Hayden supplied food and was the only person who walked it. Brandon Hayden was given a key to attend each day and walk the dog.'

The court heard the pair were looking after Beast for just days before it attacked and killed Jack on November 8 last year.

Hayden was also seen on the footage 'kicking and slapping' Beast after it jumped over a fence to maul a Jack Russell.

Mr James said: 'Within 24 hours of Hayden becoming Beast's owner he could see such incidents were likely.

'Despite seeing the incidents, Ms Salter agreed for Beast to stay at the address and provided shelter, food and watering Beast.

'There was only an old door to stop him from going upstairs was permitted freely to walk around with no apparatus or cage to restrain him.'

The court heard Beast was shot by firearms officers at the scene as horrified neighbours gathered outside following the attack on Jack.

Hayden gave a prepared statement in interview to claim that 'as far as he was concerned' the dog belonged to Salter.

The court heard he attended the scene after the attack and appeared to be 'freaking out' before leaving when police arrived.

Mr James said: 'He said he would never forget the images he saw and can't get them out of his mind.'

Salter and Hayden admitted being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death.

Hayden also admitted a further three counts of being in charge of a dog dangerously out of control and two counts of being the owner of a dog which caused injury while dangerously out of control in a public place.

The sentencing, before Judge Michael Fitton QC, continues.
A suspended Greater Manchester Police officer has appeared before the magistrates court accused of data breaches and perverting the course of justice over a year long period.

Shamraze Arshad, 36, came before Liverpool Magistrates Court on June 10.

He is charged with two offences, alleging he misused his role as a police officer for his own ends and that he committed data breaches.

Arshad, who lives in Bolton, worked for GMP in the City of Manchester district and was suspended from duty on 19 July 2021.

Between August 2020 and July 2021 he was accused of misconduct and an abuse of trust by pursuing a sexual relationship with females and contacting a vulnerable female.

Shamraze Arshad, pictured, pled not guilty after he was suspended for misconduct in 2021

Arshad, who works in the City of Manchester district, appeared before the Liverpool Magistrates Court later this month

District Judge Timothy Boswell heard his case Friday morning in the magistrate's court.

Arshad pled not guilty to committing data breaches between August 2020 and June 2021.

Defending Arshad, Christopher Fallows, said he believed he had a right to access the computer in the way that he did.

Arshad was bailed, and will now appear before the Liverpool Crown Court on July 8 for his next hearing in relation to both charges.

Crown courts typically deal with more serious offences not heard in the magistrate's court.
Ginni Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, pressed 29 Republican state lawmakers in Arizona to set aside Joe Biden's win there and 'choose' their own presidential electors, a new report on Friday revealed.

That number of lawmakers she contacted is 27 more than previously known and indicates an even greater involvement on her part in Donald Trump's effort to overturn the election.

Thomas, a lawyer and conservative activist, sent the message via the online platform FreeRoots, where a prson can send pre-written notes to multiple elected officials.

She used that platform to reach many lawmakers simultaneously, the Washington Post reported, telling them they had the legal authority to choose their electors and it was their responsiblity 'alone.'

On Nov. 9, just days after media outlets called Arizona for Biden, she sent identical emails to 20 members of the Arizona House and seven state senators.

That was more than half of the state legislature.

She urged the lawmakers to 'stand strong in the face of political and media pressure' and claimed that the responsibility to choose electors was 'yours and yours alone.'

They had 'power to fight back against fraud' and 'ensure that a clean slate of Electors is chosen,' the email said, according to the Post.

Ginni Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas (the couple above), pressed 29 Republican state lawmakers in Arizona to set aside Joe Biden's win there as a new report shows her increased involvement in keeping Donald Trump in office

Biden won Arizona by some 10,000 votes over Trump, a 0.3% margin, marking the first time a Democratic presidential nominee carried Arizona since Bill Clinton in 1996.

The decision by Fox News to call the state for Biden infuriated Trump, and he has repeatedly disputed the outcome. Fox was the first news outlet to call the state for the Democratic candidate.

On Dec. 13, the day before members of the electoral college cast their votes to confirm Biden's victory, Thomas emailed 22 Arizona House members and one senator.

'Before you choose your state's Electors  consider what will happen to the nation we all love if you don't stand up and lead,' the email said.

In her argument, Ginni Thomas appears to be using the 'independent state legislature' doctrine, a constitutional interpretation holding that state lawmakers have ultimate say over who is chosen as electors.

That interpretation was used in many 2020 election lawsuits in an effort to invalidate a number of covid-related accommodations like expanded mail voting.

Reports of Ginni Thomas' activism raised questions about whether Justce Thomas should have recused himself from any Supreme Court case involving the election.

Thomas participated in at least nine rulings related to the 2020 election. He also has ruled on cases where Trump was fighting attempts by congressional investigators to obtain the former president's records.

But Ginni Thomas said the two keep their work separate.

"Clarence doesn't discuss his work with me, and I don't involve him in my work,' she told the conservative publication Free Bacon in March.

Joe Biden won Arizona by some 10,000 votes over Donald Trump, a 0.3% margin, marking the first time a Democratic presidential nominee carried Arizona since Bill Clinton in 1996

Previous reports showed Ginni Thomas sent multiple text messages to then Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows (above) about keeping Trump in office

The latest report, however, adds a new layer to previously reported efforts by Ginni Thomas to help Trump stay in power.

Last month the Post reported on emails she sent to two Arizona state lawmakers about the state's electors. Now that number is up to 29.

And there were previous reports she strategized with Trump's chief of staff Mark Meadows over how to keep Trump in the White House a second terem.

She exchanged at least 29 text messages with Meadows between November 2020 and mid-January 2021 as Trump allies worked frantically to keep him in office.

'Help This Great President stand firm, Mark!!!' Thomas texted Meadows on November 10, 2020, three days after the election was called for Biden.

She continued, saying, 'the majority knows Biden and the Left is attempting the greatest Heist of our History.'
The UK's financial regulator has issued a warning not to buy pre-paid funeral plans from two companies after the collapse of Safe Hands in March hit thousands of pensioners.

The Financial Conduct Authority named Empathy (Empathy Funeral Plans UK Limited) and Unique (Fox Milton & Co Limited, trading as Unique Funeral Plans) as the two companies that they 'strongly advise' those planning their funerals to avoid.

Pre-pay funeral plan provider Safe Hands went into administration in March, leaving 47,000 customers  many of them elderly or vulnerable  facing financial losses running into thousands of pounds.

'People should avoid buying new plans from funeral plan providers that have not applied for authorisation or had their application withdrawn or refused,' the FCA said in a statement on their website, going on to name Empathy and Unique.

'We strongly advise that you do not buy a plan from these firms.'

Safe Hands, run by millionaire boss Richard Wells, 35, folded after a crackdown on the industry that promised to stop funeral plan providers that do not meet FCA requirements from selling or carrying out funerals.

Wells, whose personal passion is racing cars, had only bought the business in February 2020.

Failed funeral boss Richard Wells (left), 35, was driving Silverstone in a supercar less than two weeks before his firm went bust, leaving nearly 50,000 pensioners facing losses

Richard Wells (pictured driving) was racing at the Praga Cup, a six-stage supercar competition, in which rich enthusiasts team up with professional drivers

Pre-pay funerals are supposed to provide peace of mind by allowing customers to pay off the costs of their funeral or cremation in instalments.

Safe Hands customers paid 3,000 on average for their funeral plan, and have now been told by administrators that they can expect no more than 300 to 600 back.

Kim Sharp, from Orpington in South-East London, bought a plan in instalments, reaching a total of 3,395.

'I never thought the plan was anything but rock solid safe. Unsafe Hands is more to the point,' she says.

A Mail on Sunday report in April found that bosses had been skimming off cash from the 65 million trust fund that was meant to pay for funerals.

Administrators FRP admitted last week it had recovered only 3.7 million in cash of the 65 million that should have been ring-fenced in an independently run trust fund to cover the cost of funerals.

Company accounts show money from this vital trust fund was routinely being paid into Safe Hands' general company coffers. The company was then paying large sums of money to its shareholders.

Having insufficient money set aside to pay for funerals that Safe Hands had promised to customers ultimately pushed the company to the point of collapse.

The absence of regulation in the pre-paid funeral industry allowed successive owners of Safe Hands to divert money from the trust fund, much of it into offshore accounts.

Victim: Kim Sharp, who paid 3,395 for a funeral plan, says the company should be renamed Unsafe Hands

The Financial Conduct Authority named Empathy (Empathy Funeral Plans UK Limited) and Unique (Fox Milton & Co Limited, trading as Unique Funeral Plans) as the two companies that they 'strongly advise' those planning their funerals to avoid

Ironically, the firms demise appears to have been triggered when the FCA announced it would finally begin overseeing such firms from this July.

Safe Hands withdrew its application to be accredited by the regulator in February when it became clear that it would not meet the required standards.

Devastated pensioners have lost their money, their funerals and the peace of mind that the pre-paid plan was supposed to provide.

Unique Funeral Plans had stated that their payments are held in the secure Unique Funeral Plans Trust, which is independently managed by The Sterling Trust Corporation Ltd.

But Sterling responded that it has not been appointed to act as a trustee and as such 'these statements are not true'.

Thousands of customers who have paid for funeral plans risk losing 'significant' sums of cash following a major industry clampdown (stock photo used)

The FCA strongly advises people against taking out a pre-paid funeral with Unique Funeral Plans.

The FCA has published a list detailing which firms have withdrawn their applications to be authorised or been refused them, those yet to apply for authorisation, as well as those that are transferring their customers to other providers.

If your funeral plan is with one of these companies, the FCA is advising you get in touch with your current provider for more information.

The FCA website says: 'We advise that you do not buy a new funeral plan from these providers.

'If you have an existing plan with them, and haven't heard from them, get in touch with your provider as soon as possible.

'Existing plan holders can ask for their plan to be cancelled and request a refund of any money paid into the plan.

'However, customers should be aware there may be a cancellation fee and should check the terms and conditions of their contract with the firm.'
Cancer-stricken BBC podcaster Dame Deborah James is pictured enjoying a meal out at a country estate in the sunshine.

The presenter, 40, was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in December 2016 and is receiving end-of-life care at her parents' home in Woking, Surrey, after being told she may not live beyond five years.

However, the mother-of-two - who set up the fundraiser for Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK which has now surpassed 6.5million in donations - took to Instagram to tell fans she is 'trying to find the diamond moments in the rough'.

She was pictured having lunch at the 700-a-night Beaverbrook estate in Leatherhead, Surrey and 'enjoying the sunshine on her face'.

Posting the image on Instagram, Deborah captioned the image: 'Happy Friday! Feeling grateful to be able to enjoy another moment of sunshine on my face, and food that makes me smile!

Dame Deborah James took to Instagram to tell fans she is 'trying to find the diamond moments in the rough'

The presenter, 40, was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in December 2016 and is receiving end-of-life care at her parents' home in Woking, Surrey, after being told she may not live beyond five years

Speaking about her cancer battle, Deborah said she has been 'consumed by anger' over the last week as she is supported by her husband Sebastien and kids Hugo and Eloise

'Just trying to find the diamond moments in the rough - but when you look hard enough you realise they can still be there! Thanks as always for your amazing messages and love. Have a good one.'

Deborah, who shares her children Hugo, 14, and Eloise, 12, with her husband Sebastien, previously admitted she keeps shouting at her loved ones and pushing them away due to her anger at her disease.

The campaigner candidly spoke about the trials of her terminal illness, saying she struggles to deal with the pressure to make memories because she isn't always able to when she is 'exhausted, sick and in pain'.

'Making memories is really, really hard when you don't have the physical capacity,' she explained.

Deborah and her family are instead focusing on the small moments, including hosting an impromptu sleepover party last week.

The mother-of-two, who recently made the difficult decision to only spend time with her family and not see her friends, admitted she spent a lot of the slumber party in tears but described it as 'so special'.

The radio host said she doesn't think she will ever come to terms with her incurable diagnosis, saying she finds it heartbreaking to see her body change as she battles the illness.

She said she also finds it difficult that people don't speak openly about death, saying she hopes she can give others comfort by talking about her own experiences.

Deborah, who was awarded a damehood by Prince William last month, has been busy campaigning and has raised more than 6.6million for Cancer Research UK through her BowelBabe fund.

Quality time: She said she struggles to deal with the pressure to make memories, so instead focuses on the small moments, including having a sleepover party with her family (pictured)

Addressing why she has decided to fundraise, including selling her Rebellious Hope T-shirts, Deborah candidly said it has given her purpose during her end of life care.

Former deputy head teacher Deborah also penned her second book How To Live When You Could Be Dead, which was released in April and details her life after getting an incurable bowel cancer diagnosis.

As she receives support at her parents' home, Deborah said she finds it important to get dressed and put make-up on everyday so she can feel more like herself.

Detailing how she is spending her days, she said she sits in the conservatory in her wheelchair as she puts on her make-up, does crafts and cooks for her family, which she said she enjoys despite not having much of an appetite herself.

Speaking about how her loved ones have supported her, Deborah tearfully admitted that she has become much closer with her siblings over the past few weeks and described her parents as 'amazing'.

Struggles: She said she doesn't think she will ever come to terms with her terminal diagnosis, saying she is finding it heartbreaking to see her body change as she battles the illness

Deborah said her husband Sebastien has also been a huge support for her, and said she has enjoyed spending time with her children, though she admitted she finds it difficult for them to see her unwell.

Her comments come after she took to Instagram to share sweet photos from a 'girls night in' sleepover with her mother, sister and daughter Eloise.

She said her family managed to 'put a smile on her face' after spending 'most of yesterday in tears' with the impromptu party.

Adorable photos showed Deborah with her family in matching pink satin pyjamas and face masks, on futons covered with pink sheets and dozens of teepees.

Writing on Instagram today alongside a collage of sweet family photos she wrote: 'Making memories can be hard why you are dying! Oh the pressure!!.

Family: Dame Deborah (centre, with husband Sebastien Bowen, left, and children Eloise, 12 and Hugo, 14) was awarded a damehood by Prince William last month

'I'm now only getting some very grabbed hours between the sleeping and side effects, but this girly sleepover managed to put such a smile to my face having spent most of yesterday in tears!

'I'm getting less and less able to leave the house, or bed really now, so was feeling pretty down about it. Or do anything for that matter!

'But my sister suggested a party sleepover! She managed to call a very local Woking company (Teepee Vibe Tribe), that morning, who said, yes we'll come and help and make the whole thing so easy and enjoyable all within 3 hours notice.

'I was feeling awful after a bad day, so didn't watch the set up of anything.

'Actually I just cried over my leaking drains next door! But with the help of my sister and bro, managed to calm down and then they wheeled me into the room last night and yes I cried over the fairy lights! Good tears! It was just perfect!

'I went from staying in my wheelchair to ending up everyone helping to get me into an actually Tee pee to watch Cinderella with the gang and sit their like a 5 year old with a huge Cheshire Cat smile on my face next to my daughter and sister!

Fun times: Her comments come after she took to Instagram to share sweet photos from a 'girls night in' sleepover with her mother, sister and daughter Eloise

'We booked the experience as regular customer but they refused payment so have donated it to Bowel Babe Fund instead.

'But I wanted to give a big shout out to Teepee Vibe Tribe because they were local, just so good and made something that meant a a lot to me just so effortless. Today I sleep! But with another memory and a smile.'

Deborah was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in December 2016, and was told early on that she might not live beyond five years - a milestone that passed in the autumn of 2021.

She shared an Instagram post earlier this month revealing that 'nobody knows how long she has left'.

She wrote: 'The message I never wanted to write. We have tried everything, but my body simply isn't playing ball.

Illness: She is receiving hospice care at her parents' home in Woking, to spare her children the difficult memories of her spending her final days at the family home in London

'My active care has stopped and I am now moved to hospice at home care, with my incredible family all around me and the focus is on making sure I'm not in pain and spending time with them.'

She is receiving hospice care at her parents' home in Woking, to spare her children the difficult memories of her spending her final days at the family home in London.

The news comes days after she told The Sun that she was 'scared to fall asleep' because she does not know how long she has got left.

She added she had felt a 'deep love' from her family, saying: 'I think my family are knackered, they have all been incredible - going above and beyond to look after me and nurse me.'

And speaking of her end of life care recently, she added: 'I feel very strongly that I don't want my kids to see me agitated and distressed. I want to make sure they see me when I'm having a good days.'
A mother and her seven-year-old daughter were rushed to hospital after being attacked by a dog while out shopping.

Vicky Rafferty, 35, and her daughter Evie-Louise Mannion, seven, were at Gallagher Retail Park, Coventry, when the dog mauled them on June 6.

Vicky said the German Shepherd attacked her daughter for no apparent reason while they were walking. Vicky tried to pull the dog away from her defenceless daughter as she screamed in agony but ended up being attacked too.

She said: 'We were between Aldi and Pets at Home at the Gallagher Retail Park on Monday, between 4.30pm and 5pm. We were walking along and it literally just attacked my daughter Evie-Louise.

'It pulled her to the floor. Luckily she pulled her hands up to her face but she got bites to her arms - it's a mess.

Vicky Rafferty, 35, and her daughter Evie-Louise Mannion, seven, were at Gallagher Retail Park, Coventry, when the dog mauled them on June 6

Vicky said the German Shepherd attacked her daughter for no apparent reason while they were walking

Vicky tried to pull the dog away from her defenceless daughter as she screamed in agony but ended up being attacked too

'It grabbed her by her foot and pulled her to the ground and carried on biting her from her shoulder to just past her elbow. The dog just wasn't letting go.

'I was pulling my daughter by her legs, anything to get her away from that dog.'

Vicky told how all she could think about was protecting her daughter. When her efforts, along with those of the dog's female owner, had no effect she resorted to desperate measures.

She said: 'I managed to get it off my daughter by kicking it in the face. I was screaming, "Get my daughter away, get my daughter away".

'It let go of her after four kicks to the face. Then it got hold of me. I was on the floor and it was biting me.'

The youngster suffered from multiple injuries and was rushed to hospital alongside her mother

'It was a six-year-old German shepherd. The owner was trying to pull it back by the harness but had no chance.'

Vicky said although the dog had a harness on it was not on a lead and added the owner said she had taken it to Pets at Home to be fitted for a muzzle.

Vicky suffered a number of bites, including puncture wounds to her hip and the top of her leg and estimated she was bitten five times.

'I was fighting it on the floor,' she said. 'I had a big padded coat on and it tore through that.'

The owner eventually got control of the dog and managed to lock it in her car.

Vicky, who suffers from prolapsed discs in her spine, said she fainted twice in the wake of the attack.

Both she and Evie-Louise were treated at the scene before being rushed to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire for further treatment and tetanus jabs.

Vicky said her daughter's arm had swollen up 'like a balloon' and that she sustained around seven bite injuries, including a nasty puncture wound where fat tissue was exposed.

Vicky said: 'It was the worst day of my life. I had to get sleeping tablets from my doctor and when I do go off I have flashbacks.'

She said that Evie-Louise is deeply traumatised by the incident. She faces a return visit to the accident and emergency department at UHCW to have an x-ray due to severe pain in her shoulder.

Evie-Louise is deeply traumatised by the incident and has been shouting in her sleep

Vicky added: 'She's not sleeping well and crying and shouting in her sleep at night - "Mum, Mum, please, please". She's off school for the week, on antibiotics and still got an open wound.'

The 35-year-old mother said she was relieved the police took the dog away with a specialist dog unit from Birmingham.

However, she said she was concerned police would asses the dog over a two-week period to see whether it could be returned to its owner or not.

She said: 'This dog could be back out there soon. I'm worried that it could attack a child again but next time it could be fatal.'

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: 'We were called to Gallagher Retail Park in Coventry on Monday June 6 to reports a child had been bitten by a dog. The seven-year-old and her mother who suffered bruising were treated at the scene by paramedics.

'The dog, a German shepherd was seized under Section 3 of the Dangerous Dog Act. An investigation will now take place and the dog's behaviour will be assessed.'
Rapper FBG Cash has been shot dead during a deadly drive-by shooting in Chicago, reports say.

The musician, whose real name was Tristian Hamilton, was said to have been sprayed with bullets by a rival in the early hours of Friday.

The 31-year-old died in hospital while a 29-year-old woman - who was sitting in a car with him - was left fighting for her life with gunshot wounds.

Police said the pair had been in the vehicle in Chicago's Auburn Gresham neighborhood around 5.30am when they were attacked.

Another vehicle pulled up next to them and fired several rounds into their car before fleeing.

They were rushed to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where Hamilton was pronounced dead, according to CBS News.

His body was reportedly riddled with many gunshot wounds.

The woman, whose name has not been released, suffered gunshot wounds in her left arm and her upper back. She is reportedly in critical condition.

Chicago rapper FBG Cash is reportedly dead after an early morning shooting that left another seriously injured

The rapper's body was riddled with several gunshot wounds and he was transported to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead

He was shot on West 81st Street in in Chicago's Auburn Gresham neighborhood. He and the 29-year-old he was with were apparently just riding around. The woman, who sustained gunshot wounds to her arm and back, was reportedly sleep. She is now in critical condition

Police were seen roping off the area with red tape as investigators looked into the incident

The shooter reportedly fled the scene westbound and is still at large, police revealed.

The pair had reportedly been driving around and the woman was sleeping in the car when the shooter arrived, the Chicago Sun Times reported.

Hamilton was shot almost 12 hours before his newest song Crazy Lane was supposed to debut at 4pm.

In 2020, another member, FBG Duck, who is formally known as Carlton Weekly, (pictured) was shot and killed in broad daylight by four masked shooters

Many fans have already taken to the comment section to send their condolences. Hamilton was also a part of the 'Fly Boy Gang.'

In 2020, another member, FBG Duck, who was actually called Carlton Weekly, was shot dead by four masked shooters, who left behind 38 bullet casings.

The gunmen jumped out of two cars on a busy Gold Coast street and opened fire FBG Duck was reportedly shopping for his son's birthday present.

Five members of the notorious Chicago O-Block street gang were arrested in October 2021 for the crime.

Marcus Smart, 22, Charles Liggines, 30, Kenneth Robertson, 28, Tacarlos Offered, 30, and Christopher Thomas, 22 were charged under the federal RICO act.

Investigators and city officials claimed the rapper was a gang member whose bragging on music videos irked members of a rival firm.

The majority of Fly Boy Gang's music group are Gangster Disciples, according to the website HipHopDatabase.

There was reportedly almost 40 bullet casings left on the ground after Weekly was shot in 2020

Weekly (pictured) was shot in broad daylight while shopping for his son's birthday gift

The Disciples have been engaged in a violent and bloody turf war with O-Block's Black Disciples gang, which features rappers such as Chief Keef.

Federal prosecutors investigating an unrelated crime spree linked the same suspects to the fatal shooting, as well as drug trafficking and other violence.

Authorities claim FBG Duck's murder was motivated by a gang turf war.

At one point, there were rumors Hamilton was involved in Weekly's death, but he denied any wrongdoing.

Hamilton previously served time behind bars on gun charges and was arrested last year for reportedly having a gun on him after he was stopped for driving erratically.

He was charged with being an habitual criminal and felony possession of a weapon. The case was later dismissed.
Mayor Eric Adams believes NYC is filled with 'special energy,' but it is not because of what's in the water -- supposedly it is in the ground.

Often photographed with crystal bracelets on his right wrist, Eric Adams is one of the most high-profile crystal enthusiast in politics.

In a recent interview in Politico, Adams reportedly remarked that he 'learned that New York sits on a store of rare gems and stones, and believes that as a result, "theres a special energy that comes from here."'

Ryan Hilton, who works at Namaste Bookshop, a Metaphysical supply store in Manhattan told DailyMail.com that she had no idea Adams was into crystals and found it 'fascinating'

'Its a very helpful way to work on yourself and motivate you to try to align yourself and connect with people around you and your thoughts and feelings,' she said.

She said the crystal Adams was pictured wearing in a bracelet earlier this year in a chakra bracelet is meant to help Adams connect with his spirit guide and open up communication with the spiritual world.

Also spotted on his bracelet was a green aventurine crystal, known as a stone of the heart that is meant to take away negative feelings, as well as tiger eye stone, a protection stone meant to avoid negativity.

The mayor may have been referring to a geological foundation known as the Manhattan Schist under NYC, which formed over 450 million years ago and contains over 100 minerals, including quartz, kyanite and dumortierite.

Millions of years ago continental collisions pushed a layer of a sedimentary rocks called shale roughly nine miles into the molten core of the earth, according to the NYC Parks website.

Often photographed with a crystal bracelet on his right wrist, Eric Adams is one of the most high-profile crystal enthusiast in politics

A profile focusing on Adams' fashion honed in on the mayor's 'energy stone bracelet' made up of stones from Asia and Africa given to him by a supporters

Intense heat and pressure transformed the shale into a conglomeration of minerals, including quartz, feldspar, hornblende, and mica which turned the minerals into schist, which can be recognized by its glittering appearance.

Outcroppings of Manhattan schist can be seen across the city, including in Central Park, the basement of Grand Central Terminal and in J. Hood Wright Park in Washington Heights.

The formation is also 18 feet below the surface in Times Square to 260 feet below in Greenwich Village, according to NYC Parks.

Among the stones found below ground in New York City are Dumortierite, the stone of 'tolerance and tranquility' New York-based crystal expert Andrew Pacholyk told the Guardian.

Crystal healers believe certain rocks, like the violet quartz can relieve an individual from stress and strain, soothes irritability, balances mood swings, dispels anger, rage, fear and anxiety.

In recent years the metaphysical industry has boomed leading more people to believe in the healing properties, powers, and spiritual meaning behind certain crystals.

But the scientific community is adamant that crystal's have no power over the human body.

That has not stopped the mayor.

A November New York Times profile focusing on his fashion honed in on the mayor's 'energy stone bracelet' made up of stones from Asia and Africa given to him by one of his supporters.

A March Politico profile also gave a peek into Adams' spiritual side. The piece revealed that he meditates, drinks daily smoothies and is a fan of Joe Dispenza, a neuroscientist and author of the bestselling book Becoming Supernatural which preaches that people can transform their physical and emotional state through the teachings of quantum physics.

'If you were to take your attention off your life or get beyond the memory of your life,' the author writes in his book, 'your life should turn into possibility.'

Nancy Soto, an employee at Namaste crystal shop near Union Square, told the New York Post that the mayor's affinity for quartz crystals is 'forward thinking.'

Crystal healers believe certain rocks can relieve an individual from stress and strain, soothes irritability, balances mood swings, dispels anger, rage, fear and anxiety (Pictured: Kyanite)

In recent years the metaphysical industry has boomed- leading more people to believe in the healing properties, powers, and spiritual meaning behind certain crystals. (Pictured: Bladed crystals of kyanite in quartz)

'A quartz is a high-energy crystal,' Soto said of the mineral that is popular among young people on TikTok. 'It's a high vibrational crystal that clears all things- including negativity.'

Adams might need crystals to channel patience as he deals with rising crime in NYC.

Adams has been criticized for being soft on the city's crime as many New Yorkers have been growing weary over the latest spike in violence and crimes on the city streets and subways.

While murders and shootings are down 10 and roughly five percent respectively from 2021, overall crime in the Big Apple is up 39.24 percent so far in 2022.

That includes a 19 percent rise in felony assaults, a nearly 15 percent increase in rapes and a 40 percent jump in robberies.

In January, Adams unveiled a comprehensive plan to combat surge in crime. It included increased foot patrols as well as the revival of a plain clothes unit named Neighborhood Safety Teams.

He also launched his subway safety initiative in April, sending about 1,000 officers into the city's busy transit system to weed out crime and vagrancy.
A British man has been arrested after trying to smuggle cocaine out of a Colombian airport.

Russell Tamer reportedly threw a packet of the class A drug into an airport toilet after he saw uniformed officers at a security checkpoint.

Police held him after he was stopped and sniffer dogs identified the kilo of cocaine he had strapped to his body.

He was arrested in Simon Bolivar International Airport which serves Santa Marta city, Colombia, the capital of Magdalena Department.

Russell Tamer was allegedly found with a kilo of cocaine on him

Mr Tamer's mugshot appeared in Colombian national press today along with footage of him being paraded in front of photographers with two officers either side of him.

He reportedly appearied before a judge in a closed court hearing and was sent to prison on remand as the investigation continues.

It was not clear on Friday where he had been intending to fly to with the drug stash.
An Irish tourist has reportedly drowned on the island of Menorca.

The unnamed 69-year-old holidaymaker was pulled out of the sea by onlookers who tried to revive him before police and then paramedics took over.

The attempts to save his life were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The drama happened around 5pm today in an area known as Paupa next to Cala Torret, a picturesque beach in the south-east of Menorca.

Local reports said he had been holidaying on the island with friends.

He was the third tourist to drown this week in Menorca.

An Irish tourist has reportedly drowned on the island of Menorca (pictured). The unnamed 69-year-old holidaymaker was pulled out of the sea by onlookers who tried to revive him before police and then paramedics took over (File image)

On Monday a British man aged 70 drowned at a pool at the residential apartment block he was staying at.

The day after an Italian tourist aged 50 died as he took a dip in the sea after reportedly suffering a heart attack.

Two people drowned in Majorca today, one of whom was a Swedish holidaymaker aged 79.

A British tourist was brought back from the brink of death after a near-drowning in Majorca yesterday.

Emergency responders resuscitated the 65-year-old after she was spotted face-down in the water at a beach in the popular resort of Puerto de Pollensa.

Police said today she was rushed to hospital after life-saving CPR which was carried out at the scene for nearly an hour.

She was admitted to the intensive care unit of a private clinic called Hospital Quironsalud Palmaplanas.

No-one at the clinic could be reached for comment today and her current condition is unknown.

It was not immediately clear whether she was alone at the beach, known as Tamarells Beach, when Thursday afternoon's drama occurred.

Emergency responders resuscitated the 65-year-old after she was spotted face-down in the water at a beach in the popular resort of Puerto de Pollensa

A spokesman for the Civil Guard confirmed: 'The alarm was raised just after 5pm.

'Lifeguards made the initial attempts to revive her after she was pulled out of the water before emergency responders took over and performed advanced CPR on her when they reached the scene.

'She was revived after about 50 minutes and rushed to hospital.'

Tamarells Beach, which has stunning panoramic views of the Puerto de Pollensa marina bay and mountains, has a popular bar restaurant.

Former PM David Cameron is said to have had lunch there during a previous family holiday in the area.
One of the best ways to understand and experience just how mind-blowing and cool technology can be is to visit a museum. The thought of a museum might come across as something pretty boring, but we think science and tech museums are clear exceptions.

If you still feel pretty skeptical about that, we have put together a list of some of the coolest science and tech museums you can find in the United States. Here it is:

Computer History Museum (Mountain View, California)

Anyone who loves to nerd on computers should not miss out on the Computer History Museum in California.

"From the heart of Silicon Valley, we share insights gleaned from our research, our events, and our incomparable collection of computing artifacts and oral histories to convene, inform, and empower people to build a better world," the Computer History Museum says on its official website.

As of press time, among the exhibits that visitors can enjoy at the museum are the 5,000-square-foot exhibition called Revolution: The First 2000 Years of Computing and Make Software: Change the World!, which looks into seven applications that have been game changers.

If you are wondering what they are, they include Photoshop, Wikpedia, and even World of Warcraft.

COSI - Center of Science and Industry (Columbus, Ohio)

The Center of Science and Industry, otherwise known as COSI, actually started as an idea "born during a business trip to Chicago in 1957 by Sanford N. (Sandy) Hallock ll, who worked as an account executive for the Byer and Bowman advertising agency," according to the museum's official website. COSI, however, did not open to the public until 1964.

COSI is a paradise for anyone interested in science and technology. Aside from the planetarium and dinosaur gallery, there are also exhibits dedicated to gadgets, the ocean, and the outer space, among others.

Read Also: What Is It Like Working At The Museum of Ice Cream? An Ex-Employee Will Tell You and You Might Not Like It

Exploratorium (San Francisco, California)

The brainchild of American physicist Frank Oppenheimer, the Exploratorium is one of the must visit destinations in San Francisco for those interested in science and technology.

According to the official website of the Exploratorium, the exhbits you will find here include GALAXY03, an LED galaxy "that visualizes waves of light energy passing through the people below," and Tornado, a simulation of a thunderstorm that has a mini tornado that you can actually disturb.

Aside from its exhibits, the Exploratorium is also home to galleries, including one that experiments with light, bubbles, and mirrors, as well as a gallery devoted to the history, ecology, and geography of the Bay Area.

Museum of Science, Boston (Boston, Massachusetts)

If you find yourself in Boston, the Museum of Science, Boston is a science and technology museum that you will find in the area.

This museum has both temporary and permanent exhibits so you can experience something new with every visit. Included the permanent exhibits are an engineering design workshop and an exhibit that focuses on the inventions that have changed the world.

The Museum of Science, Boston is also home to a planetarium that hosts different shows.

Related Article: The First Ever Emojis To Hang in New York's Museum Of Modern Arts
Prince Andrew has been branded an absolute fool by the French socialite who sued him over a ski chalet debt after it emerged he has yet more money troubles.

A freezing order has been placed on the Duke of Yorks controversial 18million retreat in the Swiss resort of Verbier which is in the process of being sold  reportedly to help him pay off sex abuse victim Virginia Roberts.

The legal move will guarantee that a Swiss couple, with whom the duke struck up a business arrangement, will receive the reported 1.6million owed to them by the Queens second son, sources said.

A freezing order has been placed on the Duke of Yorks controversial 18 million retreat in the Swiss resort of Verbier which is in the process of being sold  reportedly to help him pay off sex abuse victim Virginia Roberts. Pictured: The Duke of York staying at Verbier

The disgraced royal had previously owed Isabelle de Rouvre more than 6million for the chalet until last year.

Miss de Rouvre said she pities the couple, whose identity is being kept secret, knowing the stress she experienced trying to recoup the money owed to her after she sold Chalet Helora in Verbier to Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson in 2014.

She said: It was a horrible experience. I do not understand how he operates and I feel very sorry for people who are involved with him in business.

Sources close to the duke insist the freezing order is not holding up the chalets sale.

French Socialite Isabelle de Rouvre (pictured) branded the prince 'an absolute fool' as it's emerged he has more money troubles. The Duke of York had previously owed Isabelle de Rouvre more than 6 million in chalet debt until last year

Sources confirmed that removal vans from the UK were at the Verbier property this week and were removing items on behalf of the duke. The chalet was frozen by Swiss authorities in December 2020

Removal vans from a UK firm given a Royal Warrant by the Queen in 1981 were spotted at the property this week. Sources confirmed they were removing items on behalf of the duke.

A buyer was believed to have been found some months ago but the process reportedly stalled because the chalet is under sequestration as a result of the new debt.

The chalet was frozen as an asset by Swiss authorities on December 15, 2020, according to Le Temps newspaper.

LOffice Des Poursuites, the debt collection authority, refused to comment last night.

It is the latest controversy to emerge surrounding the beleaguered prince and his ties to Verbier.

The long-running battle with the chalets previous owner, Miss de Rouvre, over the 6.6million debt was only resolved last year.

She said: Its really rather unbelievable. He caused me such stress and now its claimed other people are owed money too.

They [Andrew and Sarah] are so crazy. He [Andrew] is an absolute fool and I just cannot understand how he goes about his life.

Miss de Rouvre had been forced into a legal battle two years ago to recoup the vast sum.

She had sold Chalet Helora to her then-friends Andrew and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson in 2014 for 18million. But they failed to pay a cash amount of 5million.

She agreed it could be deferred until December 2019, with interest accruing, but later accused the pair of failing to honour the agreement.

A source close to the Duke of York said of the 1.6million debt: Talks are under way 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.

Pictured: Virginia Roberts with Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell in early 2021. It's believed the sale of the controversial Swiss retreat would have helped the duke pay off Miss Roberts

Earlier this year, Andrew agreed to pay Miss Roberts, a victim of paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, up to 12million to settle her legal claims.

She sued the prince in New York under her married name Giuffre, claiming she was forced by Epstein to sleep with Andrew three times when she was 17. He has always denied the allegations.

In April, the Daily Mail revealed how Andrew was embroiled in a legal riddle over a 750,000 payment from a Turkish millionairess.

Nebahat Isbilen, 77, who claims to have been scammed out of fortune by a dishonest businessman, was allegedly tricked into giving the Duke of York money by way of payment for assistance with her passport, a court heard.

The prince has since repaid the cash after she alleged it was a scam.

Details of the extraordinary case emerged at the High Court in London and this newspaper also revealed that Buckingham Palace told bankers a mysterious 750,000 gift to Andrew was for his daughter Princess Beatrices wedding.

The Duchess of York and Princess Eugenie have also been named in the High Court as having received large amounts of cash.
Ben & Jerrys was told to stick to making ice cream yesterday after saying that sending migrants to Rwanda was ugly, inhumane and racist.

The brand was accused of virtue-signalling after urging customers to join a planned protest march against the policy.

This is despite it being owned by a multinational criticised for continuing to sell its products in Russia.

In a series of messages on its Twitter feed, Ben & Jerrys wrote: Listen up folks cos we need to talk about Priti Patels ugly Rwanda plan and what this means.

It went on to label the policy to forcibly send people to a country thousands of miles away as cruel and morally bankrupt.

Urging customers to stand with refugees and fight against these inhumane plans, it promoted posters advertising protest rallies this weekend and shared links to coverage of the policy in the Left-leaning Guardian newspaper.

Ben & Jerry's was accused of virtue-signalling after urging customers to join a planned protest march against the policy

It also published a blog written by Detention Action  one of the charities trying to block the first plane taking foreign nationals to the African nation.

However the stance appeared to backfire as the thread was inundated by responses telling the firm to stick to selling ice cream.

One Twitter user accused Ben & Jerrys of pathetic virtue signalling and pledged to switch to rival luxury brand Haagen-Dazs. Another criticised the firm for using their wealth to interfere in our democratically-elected Government.

Others pointed out that a company based on selling unhealthy, sugary snacks was hardly in a position to take the moral high ground.

Founded in Vermont in the 1970s, Ben & Jerrys has long campaigned on issues such as equality and climate change.

Under the terms of Unilevers 2000 takeover, its directors continue to be able to adopt their own political stance. However it came unstuck earlier this year when it accused US President Joe Biden of fanning the flames of war by sending extra US troops to Europe in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

Unilever chief executive Alan Jope said it was best to stay out of the debate when brands lacked expertise or credibility.

Branding its latest intervention bizarre and inaccurate, Scott Benton, Conservative MP for Blackpool South, said Ben & Jerrys should have learnt its lesson by now. The last thing voters needs is woke American corporations lecturing them, he said.

Unilever was criticised in March for defying calls to pull products including Carte DOr and Magnum ice creams from Russian shops. However, it has criticised the senseless invasion of Ukraine.

Ben & Jerrys and Unilever were both approached for comment.
Prince Charles has privately condemned Priti Patels Rwanda asylum plan.

Risking a major clash with No 10, he is understood to have said that giving Channel migrants a one-way ticket to Africa was appalling.

But a High Court judge last night threw out a bid to halt the first charter flight to Rwanda, due to take off on Tuesday. Mr Justice Swift said he had to balance the concerns of individual migrants with the wider public interest.

The Daily Mail has learnt there has been friction between the heir to the throne and Boris Johnson, with each grumbling about the other being late for official appointments.

Allegations of tensions between the two men echo reports of the strained relationship between the Queen and Margaret Thatcher when she was PM.

Prince Charles has branded the Home Office 's Rwanda deportation scheme 'appalling' - but has denied trying to influence government policy

Pictured: A group of migrants are brought in to Dover, Kent on June 7

The Prince of Wales is reportedly angry at Priti Patel 's regime to give migrants a one-way ticket to the east African nation in a desperate bid to curb Channel crossings - as he and Camilla are set to represent the Queen for a summit of African leaders later this month

A union representing Border Force staff and two charities claimed in the High Court yesterday that Rwanda was an unsafe country and Miss Patel was exceeding her powers as Home Secretary.

But rejecting their application for a temporary injunction blocking next weeks first flight, Mr Justice Swift said: It is important for the secretary of state to be able to implement immigration control measures, and preventing that would be prejudicial to the public interest.

He noted there was a need for vigilance over the fairness of the Rwandan asylum system, but that was not grounds for scrapping the policy.

The legal challenge was brought by the Public and Commercial Services union, which represents thousands of Border Force staff, and the charities Detention Action and Care 4 Calais.

Responding to the ruling, Mr Johnson said: Welcome news from the High Court today. We cannot allow people traffickers to put lives at risk and our world-leading partnership will help break the business model of these ruthless criminals.

Miss Patel, who insists the plan is crucial in preventing further deaths in the Channel, added: I will now continue to deliver on progressing our world-leading migration partnership.

People will continue to try to prevent their relocation through legal challenges and last-minute claims but we will not be deterred in breaking the deadly people- smuggling trade and ultimately save lives.

Home Office insiders conceded their victory was only the first little foothill with many mountains yet to climb.

The coalition that brought yesterdays legal challenge was granted permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal. That hearing is expected on Monday. A separate application for an injunction is due to be heard by the High Court on Monday.

Further individual legal challenges are also expected to prevent the Home Office from removing migrants, most of whom crossed the Channel since May 1.

More than 90 from a pool of 130 migrants have already submitted claims  principally under the right to private and family life and modern slavery laws  with more expected between now and Tuesday.

It emerged at yesterdays hearing that 31 people are due on the first flight and the Home Office has agreed to withdraw five migrants from the passenger list.

A lot of people were waiting for the High Court ruling. We expect they will all put in individual claims now, a government source said. Theres still a very real risk no one can be put on Tuesdays flight.

Rwandan footballer Eric Murangwa, who survived the genocide after being protected by his teammates, is said to have inspired Charles

The PCS called for urgent talks with Miss Patel about the policy, while a spokesman for Detention Action said: This is only the first step in our legal challenge.

Charles has been accused of meddling in government affairs before  such as with his black spider letters to ministers and other officials, which were made public under freedom of information laws seven years ago. But there is no suggestion the prince was attempting to interfere with policy issues on this occasion.

Known to take a keen interest in Rwandan affairs, he and the Duchess of Cornwall will later this month become the first members of the Royal Family to visit Rwanda, representing the Queen at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, as well attending events marking the countrys recovery from the 1994 genocide.

Charles has been inspired by Rwandan footballer Eric Murangwa, who survived the genocide after being protected by his teammates and has worked with the Holocaust Memorial Trust.

A Clarence House spokesman said: We would not comment on supposed anonymous private conversations with the Prince of Wales, except to restate that he remains politically neutral. Matters of policy are decisions for government.

Sources said they genuinely did not recognise the suggestion that the heir to the throne had fallen out with the PM.

Relationships are good, said an aide, pointing out that Mr Johnson had given an incredibly warm speech about Charless achievements on the environment.

Cool it, Ben & Jerrys bosses are warned

Ben & Jerrys was told to stick to making ice cream yesterday after saying that sending migrants to Rwanda was ugly, inhumane and racist.

The brand was accused of virtue-signalling after urging customers to join a planned protest march against the policy. This is despite it being owned by a multinational criticised for continuing to sell its products in Russia.

In a series of messages on its Twitter feed, Ben & Jerrys wrote: Listen up folks cos we need to talk about Priti Patels ugly Rwanda plan and what this means.

It went on to label the policy to forcibly send people to a country thousands of miles away as cruel and morally bankrupt. Urging customers to stand with refugees and fight against these inhumane plans, it promoted posters advertising protest rallies this weekend and shared links to coverage of the policy in the Left-leaning Guardian newspaper.

It also published a blog written by Detention Action  one of the charities trying to block the first plane taking foreign nationals to the African nation. However the stance appeared to backfire as the thread was inundated by responses telling the firm to stick to selling ice cream.

Ben & Jerry's was accused of virtue-signalling after urging customers to join a planned protest march against the policy

One Twitter user accused Ben & Jerrys of pathetic virtue signalling and pledged to switch to rival luxury brand Haagen-Dazs. Another criticised the firm for using their wealth to interfere in our democratically-elected Government. Others pointed out that a company based on selling unhealthy, sugary snacks was hardly in a position to take the moral high ground.

Founded in Vermont in the 1970s, Ben & Jerrys has long campaigned on issues such as equality and climate change. Under the terms of Unilevers 2000 takeover, its directors continue to be able to adopt their own political stance. However it came unstuck earlier this year when it accused US President Joe Biden of fanning the flames of war by sending extra US troops to Europe in response to the invasion of Ukraine.

Unilever chief executive Alan Jope said it was best to stay out of the debate when brands lacked expertise or credibility.

Branding its latest intervention bizarre and inaccurate, Scott Benton, Conservative MP for Blackpool South, said Ben & Jerrys should have learnt its lesson by now. The last thing voters needs is woke American corporations lecturing them, he said.

Unilever was criticised in March for defying calls to pull products including Carte DOr and Magnum ice creams from Russian shops. However, it has criticised the senseless invasion of Ukraine.

Ben & Jerrys and Unilever were both approached for comment.

Thwarted: The piously lefty cabal who fought so hard to ground jet

A collection of Left-wing groups have made legal challenges in a bid to block ministers plan to send migrants to Rwanda. They are represented by lawyers who in many cases have links to the Labour Party and a lengthy record of bringing cases against the Government.

MATRIX CHAMBERS

Barristers from the trendy London human rights chambers  co-founded by Cherie Blair  represented the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, Care4Calais and Detention Action yesterday.

One was top QC Raza Husain, who last month retweeted a message by Labour MP Chris Bryant criticising Boris Johnsons response to Partygate that said: Downing Street under him has been a cesspit of arrogant, entitled narcissists. Mrs Blair left the chambers in 2014.

The thwarted lefty cabal that tried to stop the Rwandan flight include the former Labor Prime Minister's wife, Cherie Blair

LEIGH DAY

A separate challenge to the Rwanda policy by charity Asylum Aid, due to be heard in court on Monday, was lodged by law firm Leigh Day, which was accused of being behind a witch-hunt of British troops in Iraq.

The firm and three of its solicitors  including senior partner Martyn Day  were cleared of a string of misconduct allegations following a disciplinary hearing in 2017. They had been charged by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority after the Ministry of Defence submitted a lengthy dossier of alleged wrongdoing, including claims they caused innocent troops years of torment.

Leigh Day worked with Birmingham solicitor Phil Shiner to represent Iraqi clients in parallel legal actions. Mr Shiner was struck off as a solicitor for dishonesty over his handling of war-crime allegations against the Army.

DOUGHTY STREET

Asylum Aids legal team also includes several barristers from Labour leader Sir Keir Starmers former chambers, Doughty Street.

They include leading human rights lawyer Helena Kennedy QC, who has been an active and outspoken Labour peer since entering the House of Lords as Baroness Kennedy after the general election in 1997. It is also where Amal Clooney, the lawyer wife of film star George, practises.

Robert Latham, who retains an associate tenancy at Doughty Street, supported Sir Keirs leadership campaign with a donation of 100,000.

DUNCAN LEWIS SOLICITORS

Acting for the PCS union, Care 4 Calais and Detention Action, Duncan Lewis has a long track record of bringing challenges against government immigration measures.

In 2020, The Mail on Sunday revealed the firm had received 55 million in legal aid from the British taxpayer in just three years. The paper also told how the companys staff have travelled to Calais and offered support to refugees hoping to reach Britain.

Owned by entrepreneur Amarpal Singh Gupta, who has been dubbed Britains legal aid king, the firm has forged a close relationship with charities that work among refugee camps on the French coast. Staff have also reportedly boasted of mixing with senior Labour Party figures, including deputy leader Angela Rayner and foreign spokesman David Lammy.

Demonstrators protest outside the Royal Courts of Justice while the legal case over halting the planned deportation, thrown out today by the sitting judge, was heard

DETENTION ACTION

Bella Sankey, director of campaign group Detention Action, is a former would-be Labour MP endorsed by Sir Keir. Like the Labour leader many years before, Miss Sankey previously worked at Liberty, the campaign group for civil liberties which has long been a recruiting ground for Labour politicians.

PUBLIC AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES UNION

The unions firebrand general secretary Mark Serwotka was kicked out of the Labour Party in 1992 for being a member of the Trotskyist group Socialist Organiser. In 2016, he rejoined Labour, saying his long-time friend Jeremy Corbyns leadership offered a genuine break from the past. In recent years, he has called for a General Strike to bring the Tories down.

CARE4CALAIS

The charity was at the centre of a scandal in 2017 when it emerged its married founder Clare Moseley, a former accountant and then 46, had a year-long affair with Mohamed Bajjar, then 27. He had falsely claimed to be a Syrian refugee, but was in reality a Tunisian market-stall trader married to another British woman.

The charity is currently embroiled in a Charity Commission inquiry over serious governance concerns.

ASYLUM AID

Its Cambridge-educated director Alison Pickup leads a team providing legal representation to asylum seekers and refugees. She was previously legal director of the Public Law Project  and before that had a practice at Doughty Street Chambers, where she specialised in immigration, asylum and migrants rights in the context of unlawful detention, community care, asylum support and access to justice.

Among her achievements, Doughty Street Chambers website lists her as having been junior counsel in two of the leading challenges to the legal aid cuts.

One was the successful challenge to the proposed residence test for legal aid, the other established that Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights  the right to respect for private and family life  may require legal aid to be provided in immigration cases.
Ukraine yesterday pledged to win freedom for two British soldiers sentenced to death by Russias political henchmen.

Shaun Pinner and Aiden Aslin were captured fighting for Ukraine and face execution by firing squad.

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss held urgent talks with her counterpart in Kyiv yesterday amid an international outcry at the sham trial staged by Vladimir Putins puppet regime in occupied Donetsk, eastern Ukraine.

The two mens terrified families were given a glimmer of hope as Ukraines ambassador to the UK suggested a prisoner swap would be negotiated.

Vadym Prystaiko told BBC News: It will be a swap. The important question is what will be the price for this.

Former Cabinet minister Robert Jenrick, who is Mr Aslins MP and who condemned the disgusting Soviet-era style show trial, said he had been assured by the ambassador that the Ukrainians will give absolute priority to the Britons in prisoner-swap negotiations.

British fighters Aiden Aslin, 28, (left) and Shaun Pinner, 48, (right) were captured by Russian forces while fighting for Ukraine and put on trial in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic

An appalled Boris Johnson ordered ministers to do everything in their power to secure the release of Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner

There was an international outcry at the sham trial staged by Vladimir Putins puppet regime in occupied Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, which found the men guilty

British citizens Aiden Aslin (L) and Shaun Pinner (R) and Moroccan Saaudun Brahim (C) have all been sentenced to death by firing squad after being accused by local authorities of participating in hostilities on the side of Ukraine as mercenaries

Mr Pinner, a 48-year-old Army veteran from Watford, and Mr Aslin, 28, a former care worker from Newark, Nottinghamshire, both moved to Ukraine in 2018 and joined its army. They served with Ukraines 36th Marine Brigade and were taken prisoner in Mariupol in April.

The United Nations branded their three-day trial as a war crime and a clear breach of their Geneva Convention rights as prisoners of war. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the White House was gravely concerned, while the German government condemned Russias complete disregard for the basic principles of humanitarian international law.

Mr Pinners Ukrainian wife Larysa blasted the absurdity and cynicism of this rotten and false event called a trial, adding she feared Russia would use the men as propaganda to the fullest  and this circus will go on for a long time.

I still pray that our warriors can endure all of this! she wrote on Facebook.

The Kremlin  which calls the shots in the so-called Peoples Republic of Donetsk  continued playing political games yesterday by mocking the UK as hysterical and telling it to deal directly with the regime in Donetsk, despite it not being recognised by any country except Russia. Moscows foreign minister Sergei Lavrov claimed the mens crimes had been committed on the DPRs territory.

The kangaroo court in Donetsk found Mr Pinner and Mr Aslin guilty of being foreign mercenaries attempting to conduct terrorist activities.

British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace shakes hands with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on a surprise visit to Kyiv

British citizen Aiden Aslin is facing execution by firing squad if British and Ukrainian ministers cannot come up with a suitable hostage swap that would satisfy the Russians

Yesterday an appalled Boris Johnson ordered ministers to do everything in their power to secure their release.

However the Government is determined not to be drawn into a direct confrontation with Moscow over the fate of the men, fearing it would bolster the Kremlins false claims that they were mercenaries rather than signed-up soldiers in the Ukrainian army.

Asked if Britain would talk to Russia to secure their release, the Prime Ministers spokesman said: Our priority is working with the Ukrainian government.

After her phonecall with Ukraine foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba, Miss Truss said they had discussed efforts to secure the mens release, adding: The judgment against them is an egregious breach of the Geneva Convention.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace  who has led the way in arming Ukraine  visited Kyiv yesterday, two months after Mr Johnson, and met Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, who lavished praise on Britain. Mr Zelensky told him: I am grateful in general to Great Britain, the Government and the Prime Minister.

The war highlights who is our friend  not just strategic friends, but real friends. And I believe Great Britain is a real friend.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said there was no party politics in this and backed the Governments approach to freeing the men.

Their families may not even get their bodies back: Strict criminal code of Kremlin-controlled region where British soldiers are facing the death penalty reveals relatives are not told where their loves ones will be buried

By Daily Mail Reporter

If Britons Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner pay the ultimate price for serving their adopted nation, their families may never get their bodies back.

While no one sentenced to death has ever actually been executed by the Donetsk Peoples Republic, Vladimir Putins puppet regime does have a set of rules governing capital punishment.

The condemned man is held in solitary confinement until the firing squad is assembled, and may request a clergyman to conduct religious rites.

Victims are permitted a final meeting with relatives, according to chilling procedures set out in the Criminal Executive Code of the Kremlin-controlled region. But those same heartbroken loved ones face a double blow. The rules state: The body of the executed prisoner is not given to his relatives and his place of burial is not disclosed.

Capital punishment is not allowed in Russia or Ukraine but Donetsk claims to be a breakaway state, even though Moscow pulls the strings. Its penal code, which is not recognised in international law, is a rewritten version of draconian laws drawn up under Joseph Stalin.

The document states the death penalty may be carried out only on convicts aged between 18 and 65, and women cannot be executed.

The condemned man may have one short monthly meeting with close relatives  presumably only if they are prepared to travel through the warzone to the Russian-controlled territory. He is also permitted a 30-minute daily walk.

When the grim day arrives, the man is escorted by armed guards to the execution yard. Under the penal code, he will die alone. It states: If several convicts are executed, they are executed individually and in the absence of the others.
Leila Fitton is, as she says, living my nightmare. Today, her kindly, 66-year-old father Jim languishes in goodness knows what sort of hell in an Iraqi prison, where he has been condemned to serve a 15-year sentence for trying to smuggle so-called ancient artefacts  12 pottery shards and stones  out of the country.

Leila, 31, has not been able to contact him since Thursday.

She is beside herself with worry, particularly because there has been no word from the British ambassador to Iraq nor from Foreign Secretary Liz Truss since Jim was arrested at Baghdad airport on March 20, despite frantic attempts from the family, including her mother Sarijah and 35-year-old brother Joshua, to contact them.

They are ignoring us, says Leila. I dont even know which prison he is in. Does he have a bed? Does he even have a mattress or is he on the floor? How crowded is it? Is he the only British man in there? How are the guards? Will he be able to have a few minutes on his phone to message us or will we be dealing with pay phones? Will we be able to talk to him at all? We dont know.

I last spoke to him on Thursday before he was transferred from his holding cell. Im sure he could hear my voice was wavering so he was being very calm and very strong for me. You can hear in his voice though  you know when someone starts a sentence but just kind of stops  hes trying to gather himself and not be emotional.

Retired British geologist James Graham Fitton pictured with his daughter Leila

Leila takes a deep breath to stem the tears that have been falling since her father was found guilty of this crime on Monday.

You cant compute it, she says. You think, There is no way in this world this can be happening. Right now Im living my nightmare. When I sleep Ive been having good dreams of him coming home but then, when I wake up to reality and hes not here, it breaks me every morning.

Leila, who works in TV and film production, speaks to me from her parents home in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where numerous stones and pebbles  souvenirs from their many trips around the world  fill the shelves.

They are much the same as the fragments Jim collected from a site in Eridu, south-east Iraq, with the permission of his tour guide as well as the knowledge of the Ministry of Tourism official and the security guard accompanying his party of six.

His family is now preparing an appeal but dont have a clue if justice will finally prevail. None of what has happened in the last few months makes sense to Leila. Shell-shocked is a word that crops up time and again during our emotional interview.

He has been condemned to serve a 15-year sentence for trying to smuggle so-called ancient artefacts (pictured)  12 pottery shards and stones  out of the country

Leila and her husband Sam Tasker, 27, who live in Bath, were married in a small civil service in England last July but celebrated with a huge Malaysian ceremony a month ago. The three-day festivities had been planned for more than a year.

Heartbreakingly, instead of greeting the 4,000 guests as tradition decrees, her father Jim was many thousands of miles away incarcerated in an Iraqi holding cell.

Sam rubs his wifes shoulder. Even on the day thats supposed to be the best day of your life, youre still thinking about your dad, arent you?, he says. You cant stop those thoughts even for an hour. He looks at Leila who can only shake her head.

But he was online with you before the ceremony, says Sam. I think it was the first time he said, Love you. Leila always says, Love you, Sam explains. But he always goes offline. I think he gets emotional. But this time he said, Love you.

Sam, who works for an outsourcing company, is trying with all his might to support Leila and her family. He is the rock without whose support Leila says she would crumble.

Volker Waldmann, right, and Jim Fitton, center, are handcuffed as they walk to a courtroom escorted by police in Baghdad, Iraq

He has enlisted the support of the local Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse, who has accused the Government of being asleep at the wheel, raised a change.org petition that urges the Foreign Office to intervene that now has more than 335,000 signatories and bangs on just about whatever door he can think to raise the profile of this appalling miscarriage of justice.

Indeed, it was the media, not the Foreign Office, who broke the news to Sam about Jims brutal 15-year sentence on Monday.

A journalist called me an hour after the verdict. Thats how I found out and that was pretty rough, he says. Leila was in the bathroom. My heart just dropped as I thought, Ive got to tell my wife.

Leila takes his hand and squeezes it tightly. He sat me down so I thought, This is bad news. Its probably going to be two years, she says. Wed thought hed either be found innocent or, the lawyer said, at worst, one year suspended which would mean hed be able to come home.

Then Sam said, Fifteen years. I think it kind of just blew over me. I didnt cry  didnt cry all day. In my mind I was thinking, How the f*** do I tell my mum. How do I tell my brother? Leila blushes as she curses. Shes not the sort of woman who swears easily.

Mum had just walked into the house. Shed bought some mangoes and was sitting at the table cutting them up. I called my brother because I didnt know how to tell her.

When I said, Fifteen years, he said. Fine. Then he said, How many? I said again, Its 15. He said, No way.

Mr Fitton (left) and Mr Waldman (right) are pictured from behind as they entered court

I went back into the sitting room and my mum was staring at me. I said, Daddys not coming home. She was crying but I couldnt tell her 15 years. I couldnt. Thats when I tried calling my dad. He didnt pick up. I think he was preparing himself. I thought, Ill try again so I called and he said . . . he said, What a shame because . . .  Leila breaks down.

Sam continues: He said, What a shame because our lawyer was so good. You must tell him he was so good. He couldnt have done any better. Thats what hes concerned about, says Leila between sobs. Always caring for someone else.

Indeed, it is because of Jims compassionate nature that he is in the hellish place he finds himself today. For he had cleared customs on his way home when 85-year-old tour guide Geoff Hann suffered a stroke, so Jim volunteered to wait with his bags while he was taken to hospital.

That was when the customs officials started to take an interest in the bags, says Sam. Sadly, Geoff passed away in hospital a few days later under arrest for the same crime as Jim. He was comatose in hospital and his family sent a medevac helicopter to bring him back to the UK to be treated for the stroke.

They were turned away by guards so he couldnt be repatriated. Its tragic. A British national passed away in custody in Iraq. Jim and a German guy whod offered to help too were arrested and the clock started.

The lawyer for Mr Fitton (second from right) thought a one-year term was worst-case scenario

Now, Jim is by no means an unseasoned traveller. Since graduating from Cambridge University, he has ventured to the far-flung corners of the globe, including work in Syria, Libya and Yemen as a geologist in the fields of oil and gas.

He is, according to Leila, respectful of the niceties of different cultures and religions. During the Covid lockdown, which was particularly strict in Malaysia, he didnt so much as set foot outside his home and kept track of the constantly changing rules, updating his children on WhatsApp.

Leila was in Bath, about to travel to Kuala Lumpur to help her family with the wedding preparations, when she first got an inkling something was amiss on March 20.

Every day he was sending photos on WhatsApp. I was checking in on him and tracking him to see where he was, she says. Usually when he gets to the airport hell say, Boarding now. See you on the other side to our family group. But I didnt hear from him. I was beginning to freak out when I didnt hear from him during his transit in Doha but thought, Maybe hes in a rush.

Then, shortly after wed expected him to arrive at Kuala Lumpur he sent a text saying, delays at Baghdad airport. The tour leader has been hospitalised Im fine. Then he went offline. Two days later Leila received a second text: Stuck in Baghdad. Not sure for how long. Will keep you posted.

Fitton (right) pictured with daughter Leila (left) and wife Sarijah (centre) on holiday in Asia

There was a pattern, says Leila. He was online about the same time every day. He told us there was trouble with customs, then, hed go offline. I thought, maybe hes bought something thats too big. Maybe hes sorting out shipping. After ten days I broke down and said, Sam. We need to call the Foreign Office and see whats going on.

For three weeks the family, following Foreign Office advice, remained silent until, frustrated by the lack of progress, they launched the petition.

We hadnt told my mum the crime hed been charged with carried the death penalty, says Leila. But when we decided to go public we knew we had to be frank about what was happening.

She was in her village in Melaka with my brother. I said, I think youre the best person to tell her. She cried. She was in shock. We all were. We still are. She spends most of her time praying.

Leilas conversations with her father were limited to brief WhatsApp messages until he was found guilty on Monday. It was, to say the least, a huge shock. During the first day of the court proceedings in May, the judge himself acknowledged there was no criminal intent. He pointed out there were no guards or signage or warnings of any kind at the site  or at the airport or on foreign websites, says Sam. There is no way you could have known.

Fitton is pictured sitting in the backseat alongside family members in this undated photo

We were cautiously optimistic. The lawyer said even if there was a guilty verdict, at worse hed receive a years suspended sentence, get on the plane and never go back to Iraq.

A second court session, during which the Ministry of Tourism official and security guard were set to give evidence in support of Jim, was postponed until June 6  the day after Leilas parents 39th wedding anniversary. As it was, the court deemed there was no need for their testimony and returned the guilty verdict within an hour and a half.

That evening Jims concern was that he might not be out for 15 years so needed to practically make sure Leilas mum was looked after, says Sam. Were in the process of doing the paperwork to make sure all the bank accounts are in both their names, that she knows all the passwords and all that online stuff. Were also preparing the appeal.

Jim has been receiving once-a-fortnight visits from a deputy ambassador type who has taken him books to read and initially provided a list of lawyers and translators, but the family has received shockingly little help from UK government officials.

On Wednesday they received the second of only two phone calls from the Foreign Office since Jims arrest, during which they were assured he would remain in the holding cell at the airport for ten days. He messaged them that afternoon to say he was being moved.

Fitton is pictured with Waldman and a court clerk outside the Baghdad courthouse last month

Yesterday they learned he was transferred on Thursday morning but that his reading glasses, phone and books remain at the airport. They still do not know where he is.

Once the appeal is lodged next week, it will take 30 days before they know whether the case will be returned to court for a retrial or if the verdict will be upheld or, they pray, quashed.

Mr Fitton is pictured in a holiday selfie

Nothings clear, Sam acknowledges. Not even where he is other than somewhere in central Baghdad.

Leila looks shattered. When I heard he was being moved to prison I messaged him and said, Can I come next week? He said, Absolutely not. Then I said, Can my brother go? He said, No, He doesnt want us to go. He wants to protect us.

He even told me not to tell my mum hed been sentenced to 15 years. I had to because I knew she was probably going to see it on the news. When I messaged him, She knows he said, How is Mummy? How are her knees? He worries about her 100 per cent of the time. He worries about all of us.

Ive assured him were ok  just worried about him. I said, Were with you every step of the way. He ended the conversation saying, Youre both doing so well . . .

Hes so strong but what hes going through, wherever he is, is playing on my mind all the time. We still dont know where he is.

n Sign the petition at: www.change.org/p/our-father-is-facing-the-death-penalty-in-iraq-freejimfitton
If Britons Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner pay the ultimate price for serving their adopted nation, their families may never get their bodies back.

While no one sentenced to death has ever actually been executed by the Donetsk Peoples Republic, Vladimir Putins puppet regime does have a set of rules governing capital punishment.

The condemned man is held in solitary confinement until the firing squad is assembled, and may request a clergyman to conduct religious rites.

Victims are permitted a final meeting with relatives, according to chilling procedures set out in the Criminal Executive Code of the Kremlin-controlled region. But those same heartbroken loved ones face a double blow. The rules state: The body of the executed prisoner is not given to his relatives and his place of burial is not disclosed.

British fighters Aiden Aslin, 28, (left) and Shaun Pinner, 48, (right) were captured by Russian forces while fighting for Ukraine and put on trial in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic

There was an international outcry at the sham trial staged by Vladimir Putins puppet regime in occupied Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, which found the men guilty

British citizen Aiden Aslin is facing execution by firing squad if British and Ukrainian ministers cannot come up with a suitable hostage swap that would satisfy the Russians

Capital punishment is not allowed in Russia or Ukraine but Donetsk claims to be a breakaway state, even though Moscow pulls the strings. Its penal code, which is not recognised in international law, is a rewritten version of draconian laws drawn up under Joseph Stalin.

The document states the death penalty may be carried out only on convicts aged between 18 and 65, and women cannot be executed.

The condemned man may have one short monthly meeting with close relatives  presumably only if they are prepared to travel through the warzone to the Russian-controlled territory. He is also permitted a 30-minute daily walk.

When the grim day arrives, the man is escorted by armed guards to the execution yard. Under the penal code, he will die alone. It states: If several convicts are executed, they are executed individually and in the absence of the others.
A major investigation has been launched into the risk to patients from being left for hours in ambulances outside A&E departments.

The Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch is carrying out a nationwide review of the waits desperately ill people face because paramedics cannot get them into overcrowded hospitals.

The watchdogs intervention comes after so-called handover delays reached record levels across the NHS in recent months.

It is due to deliver its interim findings on Wednesday.

Some patients have been left waiting for as long as 24 hours while the knock-on effects mean that dozens have died at home because ambulances were stuck in queues.

And it risks becoming a problem for the Government after Sir Keir Starmer raised it at Prime Ministers Questions this week, telling the harrowing story of Bina Patel, 56, who died after waiting almost an hour for an ambulance after suffering cardiac arrest at home.

The Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch is carrying out a nationwide review of the waits desperately ill people face because paramedics cannot get them into overcrowded hospitals

Sir Keir Starmer raised the issue during Prime Minister's Questions this week, with some patients left waiting for as long as 24 hours while the knock-on effects mean that dozens have died at home because ambulances were stuck in queues

Last night, Richard Webber, a senior NHS paramedic and spokesman for the College of Paramedics, said the level of delays caused by lengthy handovers was unprecedented and was resulting in violence against crews. Paramedics have witnessed patients deteriorate, and in rare cases, die in the back of their ambulance, he added.

Analysis by the Daily Mail of all ten NHS ambulance trusts across England reveals an alarming picture.

Latest figures from the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives show that the average time for a patient handover in April was 36 minutes  more than double the 17 minutes recorded a year earlier and well above the target of 15. A staggering 11,000 handovers took more than three hours with the longest delay 24 hours.

Reports written for ambulance trust bosses in recent months warn of worse to come.

We are doing everything we can but some patients are coming to harm and staff are suffering, one director said.

In the East Midlands, managers revealed paramedics had attended 44 patients who had been alive when the 999 call was made but had died before an ambulance was available to attend.

Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission heard 999 callers in London being advised that there could be a five or six-hour wait for an ambulance. The HSIBs report is expected to make safety recommendations to hospitals and ambulance trusts.
Lord Trimble has warned the Good Friday Agreement is on life support as the UK and EU bicker over Brexit.

The former first minister of Northern Ireland, who was one of the architects of the peace deal, urged the DUP to commit to returning to the Stormont executive.

In the foreword to a report by the Policy Exchange think-tank, he wrote: As we approach the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement it is clear that its institutions are in crisis and indeed on life support. The Government says that its policy is designed to create the conditions for the re-establishment of the functioning of the Good Friday Agreement.

It is involved in a test of wills with the EU which it cannot flunk.

Former Northern Ireland First Minister Lord David Trimble in April 2018. He has warned the Good Friday Agreement is on life support as the UK and EU bicker over Brexit

Lord Trimble is a former leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, but now sits in the Lords as a Tory peer.

The DUP, which has been the leading unionist party in the province since 2003, is currently blocking the formation of a power-sharing executive at Stormont until problems with the Northern Ireland protocol are resolved.

In his article, Lord Trimble said: The present Unionist leadership today has a part to play. It has to show that it fully commits itself to bring back power-sharing not only because it is right but because it will impose a duty on all other parties in the dispute to act responsibly.
A terrifying hammer attack on one of Bec Judd's neighbours was the catalyst for her dramatic calls for greater protection in one of Australia's most affluent suburbs.

The footy WAG sparked uproar last month when said she felt 'unsafe' in her $7.3million mansion in Melbourne's wealthy Bayside suburb of Brighton.

But Daily Mail Australia can reveal Judd had good reason to be concerned after one of her neighbours just down the street was the victim of a home invasion.

Footy WAG neighbour Bec Judd (pictured) came under fire for raising concerns over crime in the wealthy Bayside suburb of Brighton in Melbourne

A neighbour of footy WAG Bec Judd endured a terrifying attack in her own home. The hammer wielding crook was caught by cops, but they let him go

Scared: 'So sick of the rapes, bashings and home invasions at the hands of the gangs in Bayside,' Bec Judd wrote to Instagram

The attack happened just weeks before Judd went public with her tirade against Daniel Andrews' government.

Judd hit Instagram, where she has a whopping 788,000 followers, last month with claims the government 'didn't seem to care' about the 'rapes, bashings and home invasions at the hands of the gangs in Bayside'.

Mr Andrews took little time to swipe back, mocking her claims as 'sweeping assessments' and insisted: 'I'm sorry she feels that way. The data would tell a different story.'

The April 28 home invasion, first reported in the Herald Sun, that shocked Judd into action happened under broad daylight just a stone's throw from her family's home.

The woman had entered her house to find a man rifling through her possessions.

A Victoria Police spokesman confirmed to Daily Mail Australia the offender produced a hammer and threatened to use it when the woman pulled out her phone to call police.

'Investigators have been told a woman walked into one of the rooms of her Kinane Street home to find an unknown man going through her bag about 1.40pm,' he said.

The armed intruder then forced the woman to hand over her phone.

'The offender ran out of the house with the womans phone and purse and left the scene in a blue hatchback,' a police spokesman said.

Daily Mail Australia has been told Judd's neighbours flocked to help the terrified woman, who was not injured in the shocking home invasion.

It didn't take long for detectives to catch up with the alleged home invader, who had crossed over from Melbourne's western suburbs to prey on Brighton's elite.

Bec Judd used her large social media influence to highlight crime in her suburb. One of her neighbours had been the victim of a terrifying home invasion

A gang of teenage home invaders stole a luxury car in Brighton and were later shot at by police

BEC JUDD'S CAMPAIGN TO END BRIGHTON CRIMEWAVE Judd last month claimed the state government didn't 'seem to care' about the 'rapes, bashings and home invasions at the hands of the gangs in Bayside'. 'I personally know two women who have experienced home invasions in Brighton in the last few weeks while they were at home,' she wrote on Instagram. She reposted CCTV footage of a group of young men lurking outside properties in her affluent suburb and claimed it made her feel 'unsafe'. The teenagers, who were allegedly armed with knives, were filmed lurking outside several properties in the Bayside area before crashing a stolen BMW into a tree. Pali jumped to the defence of her fellow social media star and said the backlash Judd received for her comments was unfair. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews mocked Judd's comments at the time. 'I say this respectfully to Bec Judd, or anybody  I don't want anybody to feel unsafe,' he said. 'I'm sorry she feels that way. The data would tell a different story, but it is about personal feelings and your sense of safety,' he said. Advertisement

But in a slap to the face of the victim and her well-to-do neighbours, the 22-year old Footscray man was interviewed and sent on his way without charge.

A police spokesman told Daily Mail Australia on Friday the man is expected to be charged on summons with aggravated burglary.

In Victoria, an aggravated burglary conviction carries a whopping maximum sentence of 25-years in prison.

In the past 19 months, Brighton has been rocked by the rape of a 16-year-old girl, the stabbing of a teenage boy, and two 10-year-olds attacked by a gang of knife-wielding teens.

An 83 year old man was also confronted by teens armed with knives who tried to steal a car from his home, while just last month two boys aged 13 and 14 broke into another home and stole two cars.

That incident made national headlines after police were forced to shoot at the gang after they caught up with them in nearby St Kilda.

The furore stirred up by Judd's comments saw Victoria Police launch Operation Ibis, with 500 officers targeting youth crime in the area.

After some initial blowback, Judd received praise for her strong stance against crime in her area.

Among her backers was reality TV friend, My Kitchen Rules star Zana Pali, who also took top Instagram to declared there was a 'clear target' on the Bayside which was causing 'anxiety and fear among the community'.

The mother-of-two claimed 'it was only a matter of time before someone gets killed' and said she had received 'countless' messages from other worried locals who said they were scared to sleep at night in fear of being robbed.

Crime statistics for the Bayside area have noticeably increased over the past 10 years and hit record highs, with home break-ins quadrupling since 2014 and aggravated robberies at their highest in five years.

Police shot at the gang after they caught up with them in nearby St Kilda

My Kitchen Rules star Zana Pali backed Judd's calls for more security in the Bayside area

My Kitchen Rules star Zana Pali hit Instagram to support neighbour Bec Judd

However, Bayside has the second-lowest overall crime rate in Melbourne, with just 4,300 offences per 100,000 population - down more than 24 per cent on 2020 - compared to more than 10,000 offences per 100,000 in the similarly wealthy suburbs around nearby Toorak.

Judd maintained crime was worsening in her neighbourhood and credited her attack on Mr Andrews with the creation of the new police taskforce.

'Im glad my voice has shone a light on the escalating aggravated burglaries in Bayside,' Judd claimed to The Australian.

'[While] we are thankful for low non-aggressive crime rates, the increasing nature of home invasion-type crimes in our local community is what makes residents, particularly women, feel unsafe.

'I welcome Operation Ibis and the extra 500 police promised to the people of Victoria.'

When Daily Mail Australia travelled to Brighton earlier this month, those on the street claimed Judd had not been far off the mark.

One shopkeeper, who did not wish to be named, said her salon had been targeted numerous times by opportunistic thieves in recent times.

Attacking in the dead of night, the crooks had smashed their way into the Church Street shop and helped themselves to whatever they wanted.

So concerned about the thefts, iron bars have now been erected outside, caging the shop in when the sun sets.

Anyone with information that could assist police on the April 28 home invasion is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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The wreck of a Royal warship that sank 340 years ago carrying the future King James II has been discovered by amateur divers.

The discovery of HMS Gloucester off the Norfolk coast has been hailed as the biggest maritime find since the discovery of the Mary Rose in the 1970s.

The 'outstanding' 54-gun frigate, which sank on May 6, 1682 after hitting the Norfolk sandbanks in the southern North Sea, was uncovered 28 miles off the coast of Great Yarmouth half-buried on the seabed - but the find was kept secret until now to conserve the ship.

Efforts to locate the wreck, led by brothers Julian and Lincoln Barnwell, proved successful after a four-year search covering 5,000 nautical miles.

Plans are underway to exhibit artefacts on board the ship that have been brought to land, including clothes, wine bottles and the ship's bell, used to conclusively confirm the wreck was the Gloucester.

The exhibition  jointly curated by the University of East Anglia and Norfolk Museums Service  will be staged for five months at Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery from spring next year.

The ship itself is fragmented and still on the seafloor, and authorities say there are currently no plans to bring any part of the remains to land.

HMS Gloucester represents an 'almost' moment in British political history, as it nearly caused the death of the Catholic heir to the Protestant throne at a time of great political and religious tension.

James Stuart, later James II of England, who would be Britain's last Catholic king, survived the sinking but up to around 250 sailors and passengers lost their lives, largely due to his actions.

James barely survived, having delayed abandoning ship until the last minute, needlessly costing the lives of between 130 and 250 people on board who, because of protocol, could not abandon the ship before royalty.

The wreck of a royal warship which sank in 1682 while carrying the future King of England James Stuart has been discovered off the coast of Norfolk. Photo issued by Norfolk Historic Shipwrecks shows divers Julian and Lincoln Barnwell measuring a canon that was found with the wreck

The 'outstanding' ship, which sank on May 6, 1682 after hitting the Norfolk sandbanks in the southern North Sea, was uncovered 28 miles off the coast of Great Yarmouth half-buried on the seabed - but the find was kept secret until now to conserve the ship

Photo issued by the University of East Anglia (UEA) shows Julian and Lincoln Barnwell with the ships bell - used to conclusively confirm the wreck was the Gloucester

The all-important bell from the HMS Gloucester which sank off the Norfolk coast 340 years ago while carrying the future king James Stuart

James Stuart, later James II of England (depicted here), survived the sinking but up to around 200 sailors and passengers lost their lives, largely due to the future king's actions

How did HMS Gloucester sink? The vessels sinking is a matter of great historical debate. Some accounts claim the vessel sank as a result over a dispute between James, a former Lord High Admiral, and the ships pilot James Ayres about the best route through the treacherous Norfolk sandbanks. James barely survived, and delayed abandoning ship until the last minute - possibly resulting in the deaths of sailors who were forbidden to leave the ship before the persons of quality as royalty were known. James took no responsibility for the disaster, instead blaming the pilot who he demanded be hanged immediately. Mr Ayres was instead court-martialled and imprisoned. James went on to reign as King James II of England and Ireland and James VII of Scotland from 1685 until 1688, when he was deposed by the Glorious Revolution. Diarist and naval administrator Samuel Pepys, who witnessed events from another ship in the fleet, wrote his own account - describing the harrowing experience for victims and survivors, with some picked up half dead from the water. As well as James, HMS Gloucester carried a number of prominent English and Scottish courtiers including John Churchill, later the 1st Duke of Marlborough. Advertisement

The disaster was witnessed by diarist Samuel Pepys, who was on another vessel in the fleet.

He wrote a harrowing account of victims and survivors being picked up half dead from the water.

Professor Claire Jowitt, a maritime history expert at the University of East Anglia, has called it the most important maritime discovery since the Mary Rose, the warship from the Tudor navy of King Henry VIII.

The Mary Rose sank in battle in the Solent in 1545, and was raised in 1982, later being put on display in Portsmouth.

'The discovery promises to fundamentally change understanding of 17th-century social, maritime and political history,' Professor Jowitt said.

'It is an outstanding example of underwater cultural heritage of national and international importance. 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.'

The explorers discovered the wreck in June 2007 after a four-year search covering 5000 nautical miles.

The brothers, printers by trade, hid the find for 15 years to keep it safe from treasure hunters as it was in international waters.

Lincoln, 51, said they had decided to hunt for the vessel after reading about it in a book in 2003.

But they were beginning to give up hope after four fruitless years and travelling 5,000 nautical miles.

It was our fourth dive season looking for Gloucester, he 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.

We were the only people in the world at that moment in time who knew where the wreck lay. That was special, and Ill never forget it. Our next job was to identify the site as the Gloucester.

In 2012 one of the rescued finds  the ships bell, manufactured in 1681  was used by the Receiver of Wreck and Ministry of Defence to conclusively confirm the wreck was the Gloucester.

It is only now, 10 years on, that the ship's discovery can be made public, largely due to the need to protect an 'at risk' site, which lies in international waters.

However, the exact location of the wreck is protected and still cannot be disclosed.

THE ILL-FATED HMS GLOUCESTER HMS Gloucester was commissioned in 1652, built at Limehouse in London, and launched in 1654. In 1682 it was selected to carry James 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 set sail from Portsmouth, with James and his entourage joining it off Margate in Kent, having travelled by yacht from London. In all there were around 330 people on board. At 5.30am on May 6, HMS Gloucester hit the treacherous Norfolk sandbanks some 28 miles (45km) off Great Yarmouth following a dispute between James, then the Duke of York, and the ship's pilot James Ayres about how to navigate them.

The Duke, a former Lord High Admiral, had quarrelled with the pilot James Ayres the previous night about what course to follow to avoid the treacherous Norfolk sandbanks. Wreck of the 'Gloucester' off Yarmouth, May 6, 1682. Since running aground on a sandbank on May 6, 1682, the wreck of the warship the Gloucester has lain half-buried on the seabed It sank within an hour of the strike, killing roughly around 150 to 200 crew and passengers. James barely survived, having delayed abandoning ship until the last minute, needlessly costing the lives of many who, because of protocol, could not abandon the ship before royalty. Shortly before the ship sank, James escaped into one of the Gloucesters small boats with his close friend the courtier John Churchill (later 1st Duke of Marlborough). The boat had been hoisted into the sea and the Duke finally consented to be taken to the safety of one of the accompanying yachts, the Mary, which was part of the fleet. He then hurried to Edinburgh, arriving on May 7 about 8pm. James clearly influenced the choice of the HMS Gloucester's route but accepted no responsibility when disaster struck and solely blamed the pilot, wishing him to be hanged immediately (though he was in fact court martialled and imprisoned). James went on to reign as King James II of England and Ireland and James VII of Scotland from 1685 until 1688, when he was deposed by the Glorious Revolution. Diarist and naval administrator Samuel Pepys, who witnessed events from another ship in the fleet, wrote his own account of the tragic sinking. Pepys described the harrowing experience for victims and survivors, some of whom were picked up 'half dead' from the water. He also commented on how much more serious the disaster might have been: 'Had this fallen out but two hours sooner in the morning, or the yachts at the usual distance they had all the time before been, the Duke himself and every soul had perished.' Advertisement

The Barnwell brothers found the wreck site with their late father Michael and two friends including James Little, a former Royal Navy submariner and diver.

The ship was found split down the keel with the remains of the hull submerged in the sand.

As well as the Receiver of Wreck and Ministry of Defence, the wreck has been declared to Historic England.

Artefacts rescued and conserved from the wreck include clothes and shoes, navigational and other professional naval equipment, personal possessions, and many wine bottles.

Efforts to locate the wreck, led by brothers Julian and Lincoln Barnwell, proved successful after a four-year search cover 5,000 nautical miles

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

The 54-gun frigate, which sank on May 6, 1682 after hitting the Norfolk sandbanks in the southern North Sea, was uncovered 28 miles off the coast of Great Yarmouth. The exact location of the wreck is protected and cannot be made public.

One of the bottles bears a glass seal with the crest of the Legge family  ancestors of George Washington, the first US President.

The Legge family crest was a forerunner to the Stars and Stripes flag.

There were also some unopened bottles, with wine still inside, offering opportunities for future research.

Pictured, one of the glass bottles found with the wreck, which also bears a seal with the crest of the Legge family, ancestors of George Washington, the first US President

Photo issued by Norfolk Historic Shipwrecks shows a close-up of the crest of the Legge family. The Legge family crest was a forerunner to the Stars and Stripes flag

Next year's exhibition, entitled 'The Last Voyage of the Gloucester: Norfolks Royal Shipwreck, will display finds from the wreck and share ongoing historical, scientific and archaeological research.

Ultimately, researchers want to shed more light on the identity and lives of those who sadly lost their lives.

'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,' Professor Jowitt said.

'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.'
Malta's Tourism Studies Institute hosts Chinese culinary event

Xinhua) 08:37, June 10, 2022

VALLETTA, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese delicacies were the highlight at an event hosted by Malta's Institute of Tourism Studies (ITS) here on Thursday, where lectures followed a demonstration of Chinese chefs' cooking skills.

Based in the town of Luqa, close to the island's only airport, the ITS is higher education institution specialized in the travel, hospitality and tourism industries.

Chinese chef Lyu Dayan from the 17th Chinese Medical Team for Malta from the Mediterranean Regional Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine (MRCTCM) prepared several traditional Chinese dishes, among them Kung Pao chicken, while his educator colleagues watched in awe.

The event was jointly organized by the Confucius Institute at the University of Malta, the 17th Chinese Medical Team for Malta from the MRCTCM and the ITS. It was the first time for the institute to hold such a Chinese culinary event.

Services and events lecturer Daniel Demicoli said this was the first time he tasted "proper Chinese food," despite having been to different Chinese restaurants before.

"It was amazing because I tried new ingredients, which I cannot find locally. Occasionally I eat in Chinese restaurants and I know that the food there is totally different from what I'm used to. The Maltese people love Chinese food, but it's very difficult to find quality dishes here," he told Xinhua after the event.

Ruth Azzopardi, academic manager of the ITS and also one of the event's organizers, said she hoped the ITS would offer Chinese cooking lessons for its students.

"It would be good to organize such events for the students. Food brings people together and that's the most important thing. Food is culture and it connects people."

ITS lecturer Ronald Briffa also enjoyed the event. Having worked in China between 2003 and 2014, first as a chef and then as a food and beverages manager, Briffa said it was a good opportunity to exchange cooking experiences. "With food, we all speak the same language."

Chanel Camilleri, who teaches English, also was in China in November and December 2019, just before the outbreak of COVID-19. She said Chinese food was very healthy and gave her lots of energy. She, too, hoped that the ITS introduces Chinese cooking lessons in the future.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu)
NASA already has its own mobile launcher for its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. However, the space agency intends to replace this $668.7 million launcher after only three missions.

Why Did NASA Want To Create Another Mobile Launcher?

The Artemis Program's first three flights, which will culminate in a human lunar lander no later than 2025, will use the SLS's first variant. On the other hand, starting with the Artemis IV mission, NASA plans to launch lunar missions on a more powerful, updated version of the SLS rocket, and this requires the new mobile launch tower, according to reports by The Washington Post and Ars Technica.

But there's a problem. The development of the second rocket launcher is not progressing as smoothly, according to a report by NASA's Inspector General Paul Martin.

NASA's Rocket Mobile Launcher Encountered Various Problems

As per Ars Technica, NASA awarded the engineering firm Bechtel a cost-plus contract three years ago for the design and construction of the mobile launch tower. The 118-meter tower will support the Artemis IV mission's fueling and liftoff, as stated previously.

The contract for the ML-2 mobile launcher was expected to cost $383 million. However, the report noted that the contractor made a slew of errors. The project, for example, is already years behind schedule, the launcher is too heavy, and the entire thing is hundreds of millions of dollars over budget. The project's new cost estimate is $960 million.

Furthermore, according to Martin, NASA handed the contract to Bechtel before finalizing the specs for the SLS rocket's upper stage.

Read More: NASA's Ingenuity Mars Helicopter Has a Dead Sensor - Can It Be Fixed?

NASA Plans To Continue With This Project

Despite this, NASA pushed for the building of a second mobile launch tower to be completed by 2026, and requested that design work on the tower be completed before the rocket's final needs were known. This will almost certainly result in increased expenses, increasing the price of the second mobile launch tower past $1 billion, Ars Technica reported.

The space agency claims that it had no choice but to proceed with the tower's design and construction in order to achieve a deadline for its lunar missions. This is because NASA plans to launch lunar missions on the more powerful, upgraded version of the SLS rocket beginning with the Artemis IV mission. This mission is scheduled to launch in 2026, however due to delays in earlier Artemis flights, it is more likely to launch in 2027 or 2028.

NASA Had To Shoulder Millions of Dollars of Project's Cost

The space agency had already committed $435.6 million to the project as of this April. Despite these generous funding grants, Martin says that design work for the massive launch tower was still unfinished as of May. In reality, Bechtel currently expects construction to begin no earlier than the end of calendar year 2022.

According to Ars Technica, Bechtel overestimated the project's breadth and complexity, according to the report. In turn, the contractor's officials began to blame the COVID-19 pandemic for some of the project's cost hikes.

Related Article: China Plans To Build Space-Based Solar Power Plants - How Much Energy Can It Generate?
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A whopping 350 years after it sank off the coast of Norfolk, authorities today revealed that HMS Gloucester has finally been found.

The 'outstanding' ship, which sank on May 6, 1682 after hitting the Norfolk sandbanks in the southern North Sea, was uncovered 28 miles off the coast of Great Yarmouth half-buried on the seabed.

But HMS Gloucester is just one of thousands of shipwrecks that litter the British coast, the majority of which haven't been seen by the human eye for centuries.

It's thought nearly 40,000 wrecks could be waiting to be found off the British coast, according to Historic England, providing snapshots of the UK's rich maritime heritage.

But at least 90 are known to exist and experts have pinpointed their location, although many likely won't ever be brought to land and could disintegrate to nothing in the decades to come.

MailOnline has taken a look at some of the most amazing shipwrecks around Britain, from HMS Invincible in Portsmouth to Tabarka in the Orkney Islands and a rare concrete ship in Whitby.

Some can be seen sticking out of sands at low tides, while others are deep underwater, partly submerged in the seabed, and can only be seen during authorised dives.

MailOnline has taken a look at 10 of the most amazing shipwrecks around Britain, from HMS Invincible in Portsmouth to Tabarka in the Orkney Islands and a rare concrete ship in Whitby

HMS GLOUCESTER - NORFOLK COAST

The newly discovered HMS Gloucester was a 50-gun warship that sank on May 6, 1682 after hitting the Norfolk sandbanks in the southern North Sea.

Gloucester carried James Duke of York, who managed to escape before the ship sank. Three years later, he became James II of England.

James delayed abandoning ship until the last minute, needlessly costing the lives of between 130 and 250 people on board who, because of protocol, could not abandon the ship before royalty.

The 'outstanding' HMS Gloucester, which sank on May 6, 1682 after hitting the Norfolk sandbanks in the southern North Sea, was uncovered 28 miles off the coast of Great Yarmouth half-buried on the seabed - but the find was kept secret until now to conserve the ship

The wreck of a royal warship which sank in 1682 while carrying the future King of England James Stuart has been discovered off the coast of Norfolk. Photo issued by Norfolk Historic Shipwrecks shows divers Julian and Lincoln Barnwell measuring a canon that was found with the wreck

On Friday (June 10), it was announced the ship had been uncovered 28 miles off the coast of Great Yarmouth half-buried on the seabed, 340 years after it sank.

The wreck was found in 2007 and confirmed as the Gloucester in 2012, but it wasn't revealed to the public until 2022 to protect its location.

The ship itself is fragmented and still on the seafloor, and authorities say there are currently no plans to bring any part of the remains to land.

However, artefacts from the ship, including clothes, wine bottles, navigational equipment and the ship's bell, will feature in a new exhibition.

The exhibition  jointly curated by the University of East Anglia and Norfolk Museums Service  will be staged for five months at Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery from spring 2023.

HMS INVINCIBLE - NEAR PORTSMOUTH

HMS Invincible was built by the French in 1744, but was captured by the British during the Battle of Cape Finisterre three years later.

It was designed to fight all around the world, protecting France's overseas empire and merchant fleets.

HMS Invincible (depicted here) was built by the French in 1744, but was captured by the British during the Battle of Cape Finisterre three years later

It sunk in 1758 when the rudder jammed and it ran aground on a sandbank between Langstone Harbour and the Isle of Wight, before capsizing three days later.

As the ship remained upright for three days after its grounding, the crew were able to safely escape and no lives were lost.

The wreck, which is three nautical miles from Portsmouth, Hampshire, was first discovered by a fisherman in shallow 25-foot waters 40 years ago.

Earlier this month, the lost rudder of the ship was found intact, 200 feet (60 metres) away from the main shipwreck.

The rudder of warship HMS Invincible was discovered 200 feet away from the main shipwreck in the Solent by a team of divers performing a routine inspection

FORFARSHIRE - FARNE ISLANDS

Portrait of Grace Darling, known for rescuing survivors from the shipwrecked Forfarshire in 1838

Forfarshire was a 400-ton paddle steamer commissioned by the Dundee & Hull Shipping Company and built in the Scottish city in 1834.

On September 5, 1838, the Forfarshire set out from Hull for Dundee, carrying around 60 souls and a cargo of cotton.

Two days later, the ship struck rocks near the Longstone Lighthouse off the Northumberland Coast in a northerly gale when her engines failed, and it was split in two.

Grace Darling, daughter of the lighthouse's keeper William, noticed the wreck and survivors of the Forfarshire from an upper window.

Grace and her father set out in rough waters in a small row boat to rescue as many of the passengers as possible, the majority of whom perished.

News of the rescue spread around the country and Grace and her father were showered with honours, including the gold medal from the Royal Humane Society.

Some remains of the Forfarshire woodwork are said to be visible at Piper Gut at depths from 23 to to 72 feet, albeit mixed with remains from other wrecks.

Watercolour of SS Forfarshire, circa 1835. Forfarshire was a paddle steamer, built in Dundee in 1834, that struck rocks near the Longstone Lighthouse off the Northumberland Coast

HMT ARFON - DORSET

HMT Arfon was a 227-ton trawler built in 1908 in Goole, East Riding of Yorkshire for the Peter Steam Trawling Company.

In 1914, Arfon was requisitioned by the Royal Navy for war duties and was armed and converted to a mine-sweeper.

She sank in just two minutes after striking a mine on April 30, 1917 south of St Alban's Head, Dorset.

Sadly, 10 lives were lost, and only three members of the crew survived having been blown off the vessel upon explosion of the mine.

Remains of the ship and its whereabouts remained largely forgotten for 100 years.

However, remains were discovered in 2014 and the site was designated under the Protection of Wrecks Act in 2016.

Diving to see the protected wreck is now strictly controlled under license.

THE LONDON - THAMES ESTUARY

The London was an impressive 120-foot ship mysteriously exploded in the Thames Estuary near Southend Pier in Essex and sank on March 7, 1665, killing 300 people.

It was one of only three completed wooden second rate 'large ships' that were built between 1600 and 1642  and is the only one whose wreck still survives.

CGI reconstruction of The London wreck. The wreck was rediscovered in 2005, which caused port authorities to change the route of the shipping channel to prevent further damage. In 2008, it was designated as a protected wreck site

The wreck, which was rediscovered in 2005, lies in two parts in the Thames estuary off Southend Pier.

Port authorities to change the route of the shipping channel to prevent further damage. In 2008, it was designated as a protected wreck site.

The wreck of HMS London is so significant that the Port of London Authority is moving the shipping channel to avoid disturbing it.

Since the wreck was found in 2005, it has been visited by divers several times, and sections of wood have been recovered for ongoing analysis by archaeologists.

It sank with the loss of 300 lives when it was blown up accidentally  possibly after a sailor had taken a candle too close to gunpowder barrels.

'SALLY' - NORTH DEVON

Sally ran aground on the sands in Devon in 1769 while bound from Oporto in Portugal to Bristol with a cargo of port wine.

Visitors to Westward Ho! beach at Northam Burrows Country Park in North Devon can see the wreck of a ship, suspected to be Sally, at low tide.

It could also be the wreck of the Salisbury, which was lost on Northam Burrows in 1750, according to Devon County Council.

A wreck on Northam Burrows Sands at Northam Burrows Country Park in north Devon, thought to be Sally, which sank on the way to Bristol with a cargo of port wine

Measuring 75 feet long and 23 feet wide, the 'nationally important' ship still retains its key identifying features despite the effects of erosion.

'Sally', along with two other nearby wrecks, were given protected status by the government in 2016 following advice from Historic England.

The oak-framed ship has semicircular bows at the north end and a more oval stern, as well as 'trunnels'  wooden nails used until the late 18th century.

PREUSSEN - DOVER

Preussen was a fine German ship built in 1902 for the F. Laeisz shipping company, known for its stunning set of five masts.

On November 5, 1910, Preussen collided with SS Brighton, a British cross-channel steamer, south of Newhaven, East Sussex.

The ship was en route from Hamburg to Valparaiso, Chile, with a cargo that included 100 pianos.

Preussen (Preuen in German) was a fine German ship built in 1902 for the F. Laeisz shipping company, known for its stunning set of five masts

She was towed back, but then driven ashore in Fan Bay after lines from the tugboats snapped in a November gale.

Today, a few ribs from the vessel's hull can reportedly be seen off Crab Bay, Dover, at low spring tides.

TABARKA - ORKNEY

Tabarka was a blockship that was deliberately sunk to protect the Scapa Flow, a body of water in the Orkney Islands, from enemy submarines in World War II.

Originally built in the Netherlands, the single screw steamer was captured by the Royal English Navy at Falmouth in 1940.

But it was deliberately sunk in July 1944 to prevent a widescale submarine attack from the Germans in Scapa Flow.

Tabarka is now positioned upside-down in the water, located less than 40 feet down at Scapa Flow.

Visiting the wreck is a popular activity for recreational scuba divers due to its fairly shallow depth, and it now provides a home for a variety of sea life.

MV CRETEBLOCK - WHITBY

MV Creteblock was so-called because it was built out of a reinforced concrete, in 1919 in Shoreham, West Sussex.

After being used as a harbour tug, by 1947 the ship had begun to deteriorate and it was taken for 'scuttling'  being sunk deliberately.

MV Creteblock was so-called because it was built out of a reinforced concrete, in 1919 in Shoreham, West Sussex. Today it is viewable in Whitby, by walking at low tide from Whitby's Tate Hill beach towards Saltwick Bay

However, as it was being towed for scuttling, MV Creteblock hit the platform of Whitby Scar and got stuck.

Another attempt to destroy the ship used explosives, but its fragmented remains can still be seen in Whitby during low tide.

MV Creteblock seems to be getting more and more broken up as time goes by, especially in rough weather, so likely all that will be left one day is a pile of concrete.

The best way to visit the wreck is to walk at low tide from Whitby's Tate Hill beach towards Saltwick Bay, according to The Whitby Guide.

IONA II - BRISTOL CHANNEL

Iona II was a paddle steamer built on the Clyde in Scotland that sank off Lundy, an island south of Wales, in 1864.

The ship had set sail for Kingston in Jamaica in January that year but it sank the following month and now lies upright on the seabed.

Iona II became swamped with water, causing fires to be extinguished, but fortunately several pilot boats arrived to rescue the crew.

Remains of Iona II are now a Protected Wreck managed by Historic England. A 'substantial part of the hull may survive buried', a Wessex Archaeology report said in 2005.

Iona II (depicted here) was travelling to Kingston in Jamaica from the Clyde when she took on water and foundered off Lundy Island, North Devon
Liverpool expect Bayern Munich to make a third bid to meet their valuation of around 42m for Sadio Mane.

The fee would trigger their own 68m plus 17m in add-ons bid for Benfica's Darwin Nunez. Manchester United remain in the frame for Nunez but described reports of Erik Ten Hag meeting the player's agent Jorge Mendes as 'nonsense'.

Liverpool confirmed that Divock Origi, who is joining AC Milan, Ben Woodburn, Loris Karius and Sheyi Ojo will all be leaving this month.

The Reds have already rejected two bids for Mane from the Bundesliga champions, the latest of which was a 30m offer tabled on Wednesday.

Liverpool expect Bayern Munich to make a third bid to meet their valuation of Sadio Mane

The fee would trigger their own 68m-plus bid for Benfica forward Darwin Nunez

Liverpool treated it the same way as the one they received at the weekend, dismissing it out of hand with the feeling that the offer was derisory.

Bayern raised their initial bid from 21.5m to 23.5m, but the other 6.5m would only come outright if Mane won three Champions League crowns at the Allianz Arena in addition to as many Ballon d'Or awards.

The German champions are trying to get 43m from Barcelona for Robert Lewandowski and Liverpool believe that figure is reflective of Mane's worth. The Catalan giants, intriguingly, are also interested in the ex-Southampton striker.

But it is clear Mane's six-year spell at Anfield is coming to an end, with 22-year-old Uruguay forward Nunez set to effectively be his direct replacement.

Man United are in hunt for Nunez but rejected reports Erik ten Hag (R) met his agent Jorge Mendes (L)

Liverpool confirmed Divock Origi, who is joining AC Milan, is among players leaving the club

The Reds are expected to smash their 75m transfer record they paid for Virgil van Dijk in an 85m deal for the Benfica striker.

Nunez would represent another quality addition to an attacking line already filled with talent, having scored 34 goals in 41 matches across all competitions for the Portuguese giants last season.

The Uruguayan - who idolises former Reds striker and international team-mate Luis Suarez - also netted six goals in last season's Champions League, including two at the quarter-finals stage against Jurgen Klopp's men.

Nunez - who rejected a lucrative offer from Newcastle in January to move to the Premier League - has also received interest from Atletico Madrid as well as Man United.
Liverpool are close to the signing of Benfica forward Darwin Nunez, reports claim, with the deal 'practically sealed'.

Nunez has emerged as the Reds' main transfer target as the club look to the future with Sadio Mane seeking an exit, while Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino will both become free agents next summer.

The 22-year-old striker is one of Europe's hottest new talents after a scintillating season that saw him smash in 34 goals in 41 games for the Portuguese outfit, and the Merseyside outfit have become convinced he is the man to bring fresh impetus to their forward line.

Liverpool are closing in on a 85m move for Darwin Nunez, with the deal 'practically sealed'

Nunez (right) has 'already said yes' to Liverpool, reports claim, as he prepares to join their front line of stars including Luis Diaz (left)

Sportsmail revealed this week that Jurgen Klopp's side had opened talks with Benfica to bring the player to Anfield amid interest from Manchester United and Atletico Madrid in a 85million move that would break their transfer record.

And now Portuguese outlet A Bola claims the switch is more or less a done deal, saying it is 'practically sealed' - with Liverpool paying 68m initially, with the fee potentially rising to 85m with add-ons.

Nunez has also agreed to the move, the report adds, with the player currently on international duty with Uruguay but having 'already said yes' to playing for Klopp.

The 85m transfer would be a new record for Liverpool, eclipsing the 75m they paid for defender Virgil van Dijk from Southampton in 2017.

Nunez would effectively be a replacement for Sadio Mane (C), who is seeking an exit

The 22-year-old caught Jurgen Klopp's eye last season after scoring twice against Liverpool

And Benfica won't need to secure a replacement for Nunez before selling him to Liverpool, it claims, and the club are not looking to sign a new striker at present.

Julian Ward, Liverpool's new sporting director, has been leading the discussions with Benfica over Nunez - who could effectively replace Sadio Mane. The Senegalese star was the subject of a second bid from Bayern Munich that totalled 30million on Wednesday and he has made it clear he is seeking a new challenge.

And with Mane's time at Anfield seemingly coming to an end, Nunez looks to be the future and would be a huge statement of intent for Liverpool's title charge next season following Man City's 51m deal for Erling Haaland.

Klopp looks to have beaten off competition from Manchester United and Atletico for Nunez

Nunez's versatility will also be a huge pull for Liverpool in a front three that had been widely interchangeable. He can play on the left flank as well as through the middle and scored six goals in the Champions League last season, two of which came in the quarter-finals against Liverpool.

A regular for the Uruguay national team, Nunez has picked up 11 caps since making his debut in 2019, scoring twice.

He started his career at Penarol in his home country, before moving to Almeria in Spain's second division. He scored 16 times there, before earning a move to Benfica - where he has fired in 48 goals in 85 outings.
Manchester United are in talks over a potential 65million swoop for Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong after the midfielder gave the green light to joining Erik ten Hags revolution.

It is understood the Holland international wants to join United this summer with the Old Trafford club accelerating their attempts to land the 25-year-old.

Sources close to the potential transfer have told Sportsmail that United have made an initial offer for De Jong, but the two clubs are yet to reach an agreement.

Barcelona star Frenkie de Jong could join Manchester United in a 65m transfer this summer

The Barcelona midfielder, 25, has reportedly given the green light to the deal with United

Barca are believed to want around 65million for the Dutchman.

De Jong is emerging as Uniteds No 1 summer transfer target as Ten Hag looks to rebuild a team that struggled last season

And there is a growing feeling that a deal can be reached for the former Ajax star to join United ahead of next season.

With De Jong happy to leave Catalonia for Old Trafford, all that is left now is for United to agree a fee with Barca, who need to sell this summer to help stabilise the clubs precarious finances.

Barcelona and Erik ten Hag's side are still negotiating over the price of the 25-year-old

Manchester United are looking to fill the void left by Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic

De Jong and Ten Hag are understood to have a close relationship from their time working together at the Amsterdam Arena.

Indeed, the lure of a reunion with Ten Hag is described as a major factor in De Jongs willingness to become a United player this summer.
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Every week, our Holiday Hero Neil Simpson takes an in-depth look at a brilliant holiday topic, doing all the legwork so you dont have to. This week: swim-up hotel suites.

They're set to be the years biggest holiday upgrades: swim-up hotel suites that let you slip straight into the pool from a private terrace opening from your room.

You might be surprised to learn that they arent just for the super-rich  swim-up suites are increasingly available across Europe and beyond in all budget ranges.

Slip in: They're set to be the years biggest holiday upgrades - swim-up hotel suites that let you slip straight into the pool from a private terrace opening from your room. Above is a row of swim-up suites at the romantic Olea All Suites hotel on Zakynthos

Pick one of the select group of waterside, swim-up rooms at the stylish Secrets Villamil Resort & Spa on Majorca (pictured)

A top choice from Kuoni is the stylish Secrets Villamil Resort & Spa on Majorca. Pick one of the select group of waterside, swim-up rooms and guests dont just get easy access to the pool.

They are also waved into the hotels exclusive Club Lounge for quieter breakfasts and exclusive hors doeuvres in the afternoons. From 959pp per week, including flights (kuoni.co.uk).

In Croatia you can book swim-up suites at the adults-only Tui Blue Adriatic Beach hotel on the Dalmatian Coast. Set at the foot of a pine-clad hillside, the hotel has sea views out to the pretty island of Hvar, which is ideal for day trips.

In Croatia, you can book swim-up suites at the adults-only Tui Blue Adriatic Beach hotel on the Dalmatian Coast. Above is a view of the beach that the resort is perched on

The ground-floor swim-up suites at the Tui Blue Adriatic Beach hotel come with sunny private terraces so you can go from bed to pool in a few short steps

The main restaurant at Tui Blue Adriatic Beach hotel. The hotel has sea views out to the pretty island of Hvar, which is ideal for day trips

The ground-floor swim-up suites come with sunny private terraces so you can go from bed to pool in a few short steps.

Book all-inclusive holidays for fine dining and sunset drinks in the on-site Mojito bar. From 707pp per week, with flights from Manchester and other UK airports (tui.co.uk).

At the Lara Barut Collection hotel on Turkeys south coast, families can pick swim-up suites that sleep three. Or choose a deluxe, family-focused swim-up suite that can sleep up to five.

At the Lara Barut Collection hotel on Turkeys south coast, pictured, families can stay in swim-up suites that sleep three or five

Above is one of the deluxe, family-focused swim-up suites at the Lara Barut Collection hotel

The pool of one of Lara Barut Collection hotel's swim-up suites. Everything will be sparkling new at the all-inclusive hotel, which reopens in June after an extensive renovation project

The all-inclusive hotel reopens in June after an extensive, five-month renovation project, so everything will be sparkling new. Leave your poolside suite to eat in any of nine restaurants, or relax on the private Blue Flag beach with cabanas and pavilions on the sand. From 1,449pp per week, with flights from Gatwick (ba.com/turkey).

An increasing number of Greek hotels offer swim-up suites, and specialists such as Olympic Holidays recommends Cretes beachfront and just-renovated White Olive hotel.

Or fly direct to Zakynthos and check in to the romantic Olea All Suites hotel. Set on a hillside and surrounded by olive trees, its elegant, modernist rooms are adored by architecture fans. Swim-up suites let you lie on a private, poolside sunlounger (the size of a double bed) and gaze across vineyards and out to sea. From 2,133pp per week, including flights (olympicholidays.com).

The swim-up suites at the Olea All Suites hotel let you lie on a private, poolside sunlounger that's the size of a double bed

Olea All Suites' swim-up suites are priced from 2,133pp per week, including flights, with Olympic Holidays

At the adults-only Tasia Maris Beach Hotel & Spa in Cyprus, pictured, guests can book rooms with steamer chairs and parasols on private terraces that lead directly to the pool

Swim-up rooms at Tasia Maris Beach Hotel & Spa cost from 1,065pp including flights from Manchester, Gatwick and other airports with Jet2holidays

In Cyprus, a top swim-up choice is the adults-only Tasia Maris Beach Hotel & Spa, where guests can book rooms with steamer chairs and parasols on private terraces leading directly to the pool.

The hotel is set alongside Nissi Beach, one of the islands most popular, and has four main restaurants, a beach bar and a swim-up bar to complement its swim-up rooms. From 1,065pp from Manchester, Gatwick and other airports (jet2holidays.com).

Head to Egypts Red Sea coast to find swim-up suites at the luxurious Baron Palace Sahl Hasheesh hotel near the resort town of Hurghada.

Steps to the pool from a room at the luxurious Baron Palace Sahl Hasheesh hotel near the resort town of Hurghada, Egypt

Its one of the worlds most popular dive sites and the starting point for snorkelling, swims with dolphins and sunset cruises.

Here swim-up suites promise over-sized terraces with private steps down into one of the resorts four main infinity swimming pools.

Recent reviews rave about the hotels friendly staff and palatial, five-star experience, and recommend candlelit drinks on poolside terraces. From 1,425pp per week, including flights (easyjet.com/holidays).
The Holiday Guru is always on hand to answer your questions.

Here, he helps readers whose flights and package holidays have been cancelled, letting them know when they're due a refund or compensation.

Q. What will the airline do, and what compensation will I be entitled to, if my flight is suddenly cancelled?

The Holiday Guru helps readers whose flights have been suddenly cancelled

A. Your airline must put you on the next flight to your destination, with another airline if necessary, ideally on the same day. You can claim a refund instead, if you prefer. You will also be due compensation, depending on the cause of the cancellation. If you are given fewer than seven days notice, this varies from 220 per person for flights under 1,500 km, to 520 for long-haul. See Cancellations at caa.co.uk.

Q. What happens if the airline cant find a flight to my destination on the same day?

A. It should arrange accommodation for that night  and others, if required  and pay for food. If you cannot get a response from the airline, you can book a reasonably priced hotel yourself and afterwards send a claim with receipts for this and other reasonable expenditure, such as food. This is standard procedure.

Q. And if it finds that no alternative flight is available?

A. You will receive a refund and compensation. You are only due your money back if the cancellation is made by the airline within 14 days of your original departure date.

If your flight is cancelled at the last minute, your airline must put you on the next flight to your destination, the Holiday Guru reveals

Q. What about the accommodation I have booked at my destination  will I get a refund for this?

A. You will need to cancel this, if you can, and try to claim a refund through them. Unfortunately, some accommodation owners may not offer refunds. An airline will not compensate for this.

Q. In this instance, would I be able to claim on my travel insurance?

A. Its unlikely, as you will have a contract with the accommodation provider and you will not be able to fulfil your side of that, even though its not your fault. But its worth asking your insurer, just in case.

Q. If a flight is cancelled more than 14 days in advance of its departure, am I due compensation?

A. No, but the airline should get you on another flight, ideally on the same day, or offer a refund.

If you're forced to wait overnight for another flight after a cancellation, send a claim to the airline with receipts for reasonable expenditure, such as food

Q. Will I be due any expenses if I simply go home when a flight is cancelled at short notice, and then come back for the next flight that the airline arranges? If so, how do I claim these?

A. Yes, the airline should cover the transport cost of going to and from the airport. To submit a claim, visit the customer complaint section on the website  at British Airways it is Complaints and Claims at ba.com. It can be a more difficult process if the airline requires receipts. Keep copies of all these and any documents you send, in case they are lost in the mail.

Q. Is any compensation due for delayed flights?

A. If your flight of less than 1,500 km is delayed by three hours or more, depending on the cause, you are entitled to 220. If a flight of 1,500km to 3,500km is delayed by three hours or more, the amount is 350. If a more than 3,500km flight is over four hours late, you can claim 520. See the Delays page at caa.co.uk.

According to the Guru, if your flight of less than 1,500 km is delayed by three hours or more, depending on the cause, you are entitled to 220

OUR TOP TIPS FOR A SMOOTH SUMMER BREAK Consider travelling mid-week to avoid busy weekend peaks.

Book a fully protected package holiday rather than looking at flights and accommodation on their own.

Avoid checking-in luggage if you can  try to travel light.

Check social media and airport websites for up-to-date queue information.

Ask for help if youre queuing and think youre going to miss your flight.

Pay for the fast-track security option.

Never keep your keys or medication in checked luggage, in case it goes missing. Advertisement

Q. My package holiday to Spain later this month has been cancelled  am I entitled to a refund?

A. Under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations (see which.co.uk), you are due a full refund within 14 days of cancellation. This applies to package holidays and where hotels and flights were bought together. Responsible firms should give refunds without prompting. If a company exceeds the 14-day deadline, it is breaking the law and can be taken to the small claims court.

Q. How can we claim refunds if our train journeys are cancelled and/ or delayed?

A. You can claim a full refund if your train is cancelled. It is best to make the claim within 28 days. Railway websites have complaint procedures, for example, see Train ticket refunds at southwesternrailway.com.

If a train is delayed by more than half an hour, Citizens Advice counsels that youll usually be able to get some money back, often as much as 50 per cent of the ticket price. You should be refunded the full cost if the delay lasts for more than an hour. See Getting a refund for a cancelled or delayed train at citizensadvice.org.uk.

WERE HERE TO HELP

If you need advice the Holiday Guru is here to answer your questions. Send your email to holidayplanner@dailymail.co.uk.
THE OUTLAWS, SUNDAY BBC1

Rating:

I loved every minute of the first season of The Outlaws, a goofy crime caper created by Stephen Merchant and starring, somewhat randomly, Christopher Walken. Set in Bristol (and in many ways a love letter to that city, warts and all), it charted the misfortunes of a group of wildly disparate characters brought together by community service.

Quite why a Hollywood star of Walken's stature agreed to play a small-time crook living with his daughter in Bristol is not entirely clear, but I'm glad he did. It's odd, but it works (like most things Walken does).

Then there's the seemingly vacuous It Girl (played by Eleanor Tomlinson of Poldark fame), the brainy but troubled student, the boy from the wrong side of the tracks, a loser lawyer (Merchant himself), a civil rights activist, an obnoxious businessman and  last but very much not least  their supervisor Diane, played by Jessica Gunning, who steals every scene.

Eleanor Tomlinson (pictured) plays the seemingly vacuous It Girl in The Outlaws

While the characters and premise itself are not entirely original, the execution is superb. Great script, great pace, great cast.

All human idiocy is here: our flawed heroes are all lovable and useless in equal measure. The action veers from silly to deadly serious, addressing a variety of difficult and deeply human issues  drug addiction, dysfunctional relationships, poverty, privilege, prejudice, politics  along the way.

Sarah (pictured) says Stephen Merchant's script for The Outlaws is excellent

The humour is dark and bittersweet, in the finest tradition of British comedy shows such as The Royle Family and Rev.

Much of the success of this show rests on the brilliance of Merchant's script: he really is all he's cracked up to be. And it's just quite cool: the first season finale made headlines for painting over a Banksy  an actual Banksy, that is, not a piece of set design  as part of the plot.

But then what do you expect from a show that just casually casts Christopher Walken as a deadbeat grandad?

This second season is even more confident. Not only has it been promoted to the primetime 9pm Sunday night slot (more usually occupied by cads in breeches and swooning heroines), the characters have grown into themselves.

There's even more chemistry now, not just between the show's adorable star-crossed sweethearts Rani and Ben (Rhianne Barreto and Gamba Cole), but, one senses, between the cast members themselves. And things are getting serious: chickens are coming home to roost.

Pictured: Spencer played by Tom Hanson (left) and Frank played by Christopher Walken

Its kind of Nana to Rihanna Patrick Grant on a pair of thermal pyjamas turned into a glam outfit, The Great British Sewing Bee, Wednesday, BBC1

The drug baron, a splendidly menacing biscuit-munching Claes Bang ('Ginger nut?' he offers, having just snapped someone's leg in two) whose cash they accidentally appropriated in season one, has tracked them down and wants it back. Trouble is, they've spent it.

Meanwhile, their lives are collapsing: John (our businessman, played by Darren Boyd) is fired from his own company; Lady Gabriella (our It Girl) is cut off by her father (Richard E Grant). Walken's character Frank finds himself in the unfamiliar position of doing the right thing  and Rani and Ben are in way over their heads.

Oh, and the police are onto them. It's going to be quite the ride.

I'M MESMERISED BY THESE ONLINE FAKERS

CATFISH UK, WEDNESDAY, MTV UK

Rating:

Oobah Butler and Nella Rose present new show, Catfish UK, on MTV UK

There are some shows that, as a middle-aged mother of teenagers, you just watch open-mouthed in astonishment. And this is one of them. It's a window into a world of such unfamiliar and frankly bizarre behaviour (well, for me at any rate) that I found myself strangely mesmerised.

Of course for my generation the idea that one might strike up a meaningful relationship with someone you've only ever spoken to online seems bizarre. But for those who grew up with the internet it seems entirely natural, hence the practice of 'catfishing', where someone pretends to be someone they're not, usually for personal gain.

There are elements of grubby voyeurism here, echoes of Jeremy Kyle. But the situations themselves  in the case of this first episode a young man in love with a young woman who isn't all she seems  are handled with a much greater degree of tact and understanding.

The presenters, Oobah Butler and internet star Nella Rose are hilarious in their panoply of young people's affectations such as interspersing every other word with an 'ohmygod'. That said, Rose is clearly a talent, and incredibly switched on for her age. Not my cup of tea at all; but useful to watch.

The home makeover show is as threadbare as TV formats come, so if you're going to do it you have to do it well. Sadly, this cannot be said of Sarah Beeny's Little House, Big Plans (Thursday, Channel 4). It is, in a word, terrible. Beeny  who is normally good  seems to be phoning it in (presumably from her new mansion in Somerset). I mean, she's barely brushed her hair, and the sum total of her contribution in the first episode was suggesting a couple move a window, which they flatly refused to do. And the 'transformations' are questionable to say the least, including one absolute carbuncle, a suspended concrete box attached to a 1930s semi. Why?

Love Island? I hate it...

Love Island producers has partnered with eBay, so the contestants wear 'vintage' instead of fashion fashion. Pictured: Dami Hope

At the time of going to press, I hadn't seen the first episode of the new series of Love Island (Monday, ITV2), but it doesn't take a genius to know what to expect.

This year the producers have tried to ingratiate themselves by partnering with eBay so the contestants (including Dami Hope) wear 'vintage' instead of fast fashion. Meh. It's still the usual exploitative trash.
CORONATION STREET

In Coronation Street Adam and Alya don't buy Toyah's tears, pictured here with Leanne at Imran's funeral

Imrans funeral takes place and Toyah, supported by sister Leanne, delivers an emotional eulogy. But as far as Alya and Adam are concerned, shes weeping crocodile tears and Toyah is responsible for Imrans death.

When the police learn of Toyahs desperation to be a mum and the whole baby Susie saga, Toyah is questioned over the crash, but will it result in her being charged with her husbands murder? And if she is, who on earth is going to represent her?

Imran is dead and Adam is out for blood, and we all know theyre the only two solicitors in Weatherfield, acting for every citizen and covering every area of law.

As for who will end up caring for Alfie, its not as straightforward as Abi had hoped. She learns she must reapply to the court for custody and listens as her failings as a mother are read out.

RAISED EYEBROWS Fed up with questions about her distinctive eyebrow, Millie Gibson (Kelly in Coronation Street) has added before you ask  its a scar to her social media. Its the result of whacking her head as a child. Advertisement

Thats quite a list  is the hearing a week long? In the end, the judge rules that Alfie must remain in care while Abis assessed, dashing her hopes of playing happy ever after with Kevin.

Could a happy ever after be on the cards for Brian and Cathy instead? Shes not wild about his plans for a new life in Cornwall for the pair of them, but will she be swayed when he proposes?

When Phill discovers that his house needs rewiring, Tyrone suggests that Fiz and the girls move back in with him while the works being done. We all know which way this is heading, with Fiz and Ty being unable to resist each other. t

Good, because Fiz and Phills relationship is utterly unconvincing, even by soap standards. One minute Phills trying to sign Fiz up to secret book deals and the next shes agreeing to marry him.

I cant believe Phill isnt Kirks secret brother  they pair are like two peas in a pod!

Spying the empty wine bottles in the bin, Gail worries Audreys drinking too much. Is the Pope Catholic?

Audrey seems to be on the sauce from dawn until dusk  but with a family like hers, can you blame her?

EASTENDERS

In Eastenders, Ben (pictured) decides to pursue a different kind of justice after fearing that the police won't believe him

CORRIE - TV'S CRIME CAPITAL we all know Soaplands a magnet for crime, but now security firm SimpliSafe has crunched the numbers, revealing that Corries Weatherfield is the deadliest at 9,200 times more dangerous than the average UK town. Assault, drug crimes, murder and criminal damage are higher there than in Walford or Emmerdale. No wonder Craigs kept so busy! Emmerdale turns out to be the safest soap place to live  even if it does have the highest theft rate. Easy to solve though: its always a Dingle. Advertisement

Kathy takes Ben to the police station to report Lewis but, at the last minute, Ben changes his mind fearing he wont be believed. Instead, Kathy fires Lewis from his job at The Albert.

Ben, meanwhile, decides to pursue a different kind of justice and heads off, crowbar in hand. Angry at losing his job, Lewis gets his revenge by telling Peter it was Ben who attacked him.

Growing up without her mother around may not have been all bad in Scarletts case. While Janine is a lying, cheating monster, her daughter is a decent human being.

And this week Scarlett begins to rumble that Janine had a hand in Lindas accident. After putting all the pieces together, Scarlett heads to The Vic to tell Mick what her evil mother has done.

Will said evil mother manage to stop her daughter in the nick of time?

Stacey invites Kheerat on a date, but the pair hardly push the boat out when they go for a quick coffee. If Stacey is hoping to make Kheerat the latest man whose life she ruins, she may be disappointed. Kheerats uncle Ranveer arrives and announces he intends to find his nephew a suitable wife  and Kheerats mum Suki is in agreement.

Safe to say, jailbird Stacey does not fall into the suitable category.

EMMERDALE: IT'S NICOLA'S TURN FOR A HOSPITAL BED NOW

Nicola is attacked by a group of girls in Emmerdale on her way home from a night out with Laurel and Bernice

On her way home from a night out with Laurel and Bernice, Nicola is set upon by a gang of teenage girls, who launch a brutal attack that leaves her badly hurt. Shes rushed to Hotten General, the hospital where Emmerdale villagers spend more time than their own homes.

The assault leaves Nicola traumatised and worried that her assailants will track her down to finish the job.

Having had all her previous attempts at a proposal thwarted, Rhona gives it another shot and, once again, asks Marlon to marry her. And guess what?

It doesnt go swimmingly this time either. With six previous marriages between them, youd think this pair would have learnt their lesson by now.

Cain returns unexpectedly from Scotland and isnt exactly delighted to find mum Faith in his house. Then again, Cains never delighted about anything.

Still in the dark about Faiths cancer, he assumes that the sickness shes experiencing from the chemotherapy is actually a hangover. When Faith plans a birthday party at The Woolpack, Moira tricks Cain into attending  much to his fury.

Ever the loving son, he promptly declares that his birthday wish for his mother is that she drops dead. Dont you just love a Dingle family gathering?
Tony! (Park Theatre, London)

Rating:

Verdict: Joyfully profane tonic

Dead Lies (Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford, and touring)

Rating:

Verdict: The truth will out

All hail Harry Hill and his musical writing partner Steve Brown. At last they have purged me of the pain of those ten long years under Tony Blair's New Labour  thanks to their gleefully childish and daringly taboo rock opera spoof of Tony's life. I was laughing so much I struggled to swallow my beer.

Tony!  or The Tony Blair Rock Musical, to give it its full title  is two hours (plus interval, to savour) of vintage comic anarchy created by Hill, the TV comedian famed for his big specs and even bigger collars. From the moment Tony, played by Charlie Baker, is born  a big cheesy grin already plastered on his face  I knew I was in for a treat.

And so it proved, with fizzingly scathing lyrics from the raucous opening title number to Holly Sumpton, sashaying on as a saucy Scouser, singing a cod French chanson Ma Nom Est Cherie.Nor is the show constrained by sacred cows. Like the best satire, it is cruel.

Tony!  or The Tony Blair Rock Musical, to give it its full title  is two hours (plus interval, to savour) of vintage comic anarchy created by Hill, the TV comedian famed for his big specs and even bigger collars

With trousers round his ankles, Gary Trainor's Gordon Brown curtly reminds Tony that it's not image but substance that counts, before he goes on to sing his gloriously preposterous theme tune, Macroeconomics, sucking in breath between lines like an astronaut on a space walk.

The show is so packed with joyfully withering mirth that Baker's Tony almost gets lost. And yet, that 100-watt grin shines through the thicket of characters who we have long loved to hate.

Howard Samuels is particularly brilliant as oleaginous Peter Mandelson, who mutates into a raving Dick Cheney and eventually a cussing Alastair Campbell in a Tam o' Shanter.

Martin Johnston also fearlessly pushes his luck, first as Neil Kinnock in an orange toupee; then David Blunkett with rolling eyes and a randy (stuffed) guide dog.

Moving like greased lightning in Peter Rowe's vaudevillian production, Kaye Brown checks in as the improbably libidinous Robin Cook with a truly ghastly beard; and Rosie Strobel is a hilarious John Prescott, dismissing Scotland as being 'too far north to be properly Northern'.

Best seat in the house The Tempest Roger Allam whips up a storm as Prospero in Shakespeare's desert island drama, which also stars Jessie Buckley as Miranda and Colin Morgan as Ariel. Recorded live at Shakespeare's Globe in 2013. 9.99 globeplayer.tv Advertisement

Madison Swan delights, too, as the eyelid-batting ghost of Lady Di, who holds Tony spellbound from beyond the grave.

Satisfyingly, Hill and Brown don't duck the issues of Tony's four wars (Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan and Iraq); or his backbenchers trade-off with a ban on fox hunting.

The dagger of anger beneath the cloak of hilarity is finally disclosed in the riotously profane closing number The Whole World Is Run By A********.

Clearly this won't be to everyone's taste  least of all Tony's  and many who voted for him may also find it hard to stomach. But this terrific show is all the better for it.

A very different kind of PM is seeking our vote in crime novelist Hilary Bonner's stage thriller Dead Lies.

Played by Holby City's Jeremy Edwards, he's called Peter George and he's campaigning on a ticket of truth and integrity for the People First party. 'No more lies!', he promises. You could almost laugh, but of course there are skeletons in his closet . . .

Often very clever, but just as often extravagantly ludicrous, Bonner's plot needs a good deal of pruning. She isn't helped by Joe Harmston's awkwardly staged production, which reveals Peter's 25-year-old crime in overhead projections from the off. For gawd's sake, keep us guessing!

Much the most interesting character is Alicia Charles as Peter's ambitious American Press secretary, Kate, who drives both him and the plot.

Portia Booroff is a ticking bomb as Peter's submissive wife, Jo. And although Andrew McDonald's shabby Fleet Street hack looks the part, he's subject to a highly implausible plot twist.

As for Edwards' party leader, I couldn't figure out if he was too good to be true, or too true to be good. Either way, as a portrait of a man who thinks he can get away with anything, his hour has certainly come.

For tour details, see deadlies.co.uk

Gary brings it all back home... to Frodsham

Gary Barlow A Different Stage (Frodsham Community Centre, Cheshire)

Rating:

Verdict: Take a ride on a star!

The big question in the Cheshire market town of Frodsham at the weekend was not only what the 'GB' on the jubilee bunting really stood for, but whether the 1960s-built local community centre was capable of containing the excitement generated by the return of Frodsham's most famous son, Gary Barlow.

For three nights only (and one matinee), the Take That superstar had the (mostly female) audience of 216 jiving in the aisles and generally eating out of his hand, as he related the highs and lows of his life in songs and stories.

The one-man show (slickly scripted by Tim Firth) recalls Gary's childhood on Ashton Drive in the 1970s, and early gigs playing Phantom Of The Opera in working men's clubs, before Manchester impresario Nigel Martin-Smith snapped him up to become part of Take That, alongside Robbie Williams and co.

The band's glory years of the 1990s followed  until Williams went his own way and Gary's attempt to go solo turned to tumbleweed in New York.

For three nights only (and one matinee), the Take That superstar had the (mostly female) audience of 216 jiving in the aisles and generally eating out of his hand, as he related the highs and lows of his life in songs and stories

He makes light of blows to his ego and his soul-eating envy of Williams's solo success. But even as the demons of self-loathing were circling, worse, much worse, was to come: the death of his dad, Colin; and then the loss of his baby daughter Poppy.

Moving as these tales are, Gary is clearly most at ease when sitting at the keyboard. And when he's singing, he comes alive. Moving away from the piano, perching on the edge of the stage to deliver an intimate rendition of Rule The World, he has that showbiz gift for making everyone in the room feel like he's singing straight to them.

Out came the Kleenex; up went the cheers of 'Come on Gary!' from the ladies around me, including members of his mum Marge's local choir.

What a delight it was to be swept up in such a blissful local reunion. Watch out for dates in York this week and the West End in September.
Teddi Mellencamp revealed that the long lasting feud between her and Lisa Vanderpump has finally been settled.

Speaking with Tamra Judge, 54, on her podcast, Two Ts in a Pod, on Tuesday, Mellencamp, 40, shared that she and Lisa, 61, talked things out at an afterparty for the 2022 MTV Movie & TV Awards.

'We did have a nice conversation. We were respectful to one another, I havent talked to [Lisa] in years. The last time that we had any conversation was not good,' the reality TV star shared, adding that the two are now 'healed-ish.'

Healing: Teddi Mellencamp, 40, revealed that the feud between her and Lisa Vanderpump, 61, has been settled, after they talked things out; Mellencamp pictured at MTV awards on June 6

The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star further stated that the meeting - which was captured by Judge in a photo she shared to her Twitter - felt similar to a show reunion.

'Ultimately, we just went through it. It was mainly, like, all the things we probably would have said to each other at the reunion, had we had the reunion,' she said of their nearly 40-minute conversation.

The two stars met at TomTom in West Hollywood, which Vanderpump co-owns with her husband Ken Todd, 64, along with their Vanderpump stars Tom Sandoval, 38, and Tom Schwartz, 39.

Long time coming: Tamra Judge, 54, captured the moment the two stars reunited at TomTom in West Hollywood, and later spoke to Mellencamp about it on her podcast

Mellencamp - who left the series in 2020, after three seasons - said that she asked Lisa's husband if he thought itd be a good idea to 'try and clear the air' and that he agreed.

And though they are now on speaking terms, Mellencamp added that she doesnt think the two stars will grabbing lunch together in the near future.

Their infamous feud started in 2019 after co-star Dorit Kemsley, 45, adopted a dog from Vanderpumps dog rescue center, but then ended up giving it away to another family.

Better now: 'We did have a nice conversation. We were respectful to one another, I havent talked to [Lisa] in years. The last time that we had any conversation was not good,' the reality TV star shared; Vanderpump, Kyle Richards, and Mellencamp in a still from RHOBH

Former favorite: Their infamous feud started in 2019 and prompted Lisa to leave the show halfway through Season 9 and not show up to the reunion

The dog was then placed in a in a kill shelter. When Lisa found out about it, she went on to confront Kemsley in regards to the situation.

The story was then leaked to the press by an anonymous source, who many of the cast mates believe to have been Vanderpump.

Teddi was roped into the drama by two Vanderpump Dogs employees, and the two women eventually began feuding as Teddi felt like a pawn in Lisa's scheme to expose Dorit.

Vanderpump has denied the allegations and left the show halfway through Season 9 and did not show up to the reunion.
Some people are dreading long hours of flights. But if you want to visit places or another country, you'll have to endure long hours in a plane.

But here's the good news for frequent flyers, in the future, you can travel from LA to Tokyo in just one hour.

Venus Aerospace unveiled its hypersonic plane through a video rendering. It's called Stargazer, and the Houston, Texas-based company is planning to build it for commercial use.

At a speed of up to Mach 9 or is almost 7,000 mph, the Stargazer will carry 12 passengers. This means that you can fly from LA to Tokyo in just around 60 minutes.

Is Stargazer a Space Plane?

Venus Aerospace described the Stargazer as a "space plane," according to the Digital Trends.

However, "its maximum altitude will be 170,000 feet or around 52 kilometers, far below the Karman line," as per the Digital Trends report. What's generally considered as the point where space starts is at 328,000 feet or 100 kilometers above Earth.

There is no available information yet when the full scale prototype of the Stargazer will be ready, or when would it be available for commercial use.

According to Venus Aerospace, they are also hoping to create a hypersonic drone. But at present the company is not yet releasing renderings for that particular vehicle.

To help meet Venus Aerospace goal of developing high-speed aircraft, the company has picked up $32 million in private funding together with $1 million from the government, since its founding in 2020.

Aerospace, military, and research and development veterans comprises Venus Aerospace team.

The company is currently focusing on three main areas, which include a "zero-emission, next-generation rocket engine, an innovative aircraft shape, and a leading-edge cooling system that will allow the Stargazer to take off from existing spaceports without the need for any new infrastructure," according to the Digital Trends.

Read Also: Microsoft Flight Simulator for 'Top Gun' Fans Now Available Just in Time for Movie

Venus Aerospace Scaled Fast Over the Last Year

According to Venus Aerospace, over the last year, they had already "scaled fast." In fact, they had "designed and built tech demonstration engine, executed key experiments at hypersonic wind tunnels and propulsion test facilities throughout the U.S., and started a ground test campaign at Spaceport Houston."

Just like a conventional airplane, Stargazer would take off using engines. However, it will then "transition to rockets once at altitude and away from [the] city," Venus Aerospace CTO Andrew Duggleby said to Gizmodo in an email.

The first ground test of Stargazer is unlikely to happen soon. It might happen in 2025 at the earliest. Duggleby said that ensure safety, reliability and performance, the flight testing will not be less than five years.

Colorado-based Boom is another company that works on high-speed aircraft travel. Presently, they are working on the development of Overture. It is a supersonic plane that can fly at Mach 1.7 or twice the speed of present day's fastest airliners. The plane is designed to carry up to 75 passengers.

Although there are still a lot of design work and testing that must be done, United Airlines has already expressed interest in Boom's plan. In fact, in principle, the airline has agreed to purchase up to 50 of the aircraft. They are planning to take them into commercial service in 2029.

Related Article: Introducing The Hypersonic Jet That Can Take You To Far Places Like London To New York In Just 2 Hours
With his massive victory in his defamation trial against ex-wife Amber behind him, Johnny Depp can now direct his focus on his art and career.

And just this week Depp confirmed he has teamed up with legendary guitarist Jeff Beck to record a new studio album that's set to drop in July.

The 13-track collection includes two new Depp originals and an eclectic mix of cover songs ranging from such iconic artists as the Beach Boys, Marvin Gaye and John Lennon to alternative rockers such as Killing Joke and The Velvet Underground.

Collaboration: Johnny Depp, 59, teamed up with legendary guitarist Jeff Beck, 77, for an upcoming studio album titled '18'

The upcoming album, which is slated to be released July 15, is titled 18.

'When Johnny and I started playing together, it really ignited our youthful spirit and creativity. We would joke about how we felt 18 again so that just became the album title too,' Beck, 77, said in a statement about the album, as reported by Billboard.

In keeping with their fond teenage memories that were sparked by the music, the two artists decided to use an illustration of themselves as 18-year-olds, drawn by Beck's wife Sandra, for the album cover.

For Depp, 59, who grew up listening to Beck's music, the collaboration is something of a dream come true.

'It's 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,' Depp added in their statement.

Story behind the title: The upcoming studio album was titled '18' when Beck and Depp realized that their collaboration made them feel like they were 18 again

The duo first met in 2016, and quickly bonded over conversations about guitars and cars, all while trying to make each other laugh.

Over the years Beck began to appreciate Depp's songwriting abilities, which led to the former Yardbirds guitarist to play on a song, Welcome To Bushwacker, that appeared on the Hollywood Vampires' album Rise (2019). Depp co-founded the supergroup in 2012 along with Alice Cooper and Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry.

Seeing Depp's musical talent up-close and sensing their chemistry was undeniable, it was Beck who suggested they record songs that would eventually make up '18'.

While in the recording studio, Beck says they challenged each other, in part, by picking certain songs to cover for the album.

The album: The 13 -track album consists of two new Depp originals and cover songs written by such artists as the Beach Boys, Marvin Gaye, John Lennon, The Everly Brothers, Killing Joke and The Velvet Underground

'I haven't had another creative partner like him for ages,' Beck confessed, adding, 'He was a major force on this record. I just hope people will take him seriously as a musician because it's a hard thing for some people to accept that Johnny Depp can sing rock and roll.'

Beck also offered high praise for one of the Depp originals - This Is A Song For Miss Hedy Lamarr - that made the cut to be on the album.

'I was blown away by it,' the Jeff Beck Group star revealed. 'That song is one of the reasons I asked him to make an album with me.'

Depp's abilities as a musician can be heard on such covers as Caroline, No by the Beach Boys, Marvin Gaye's Ooo Baby Baby, Venus In Furs from The Velvet Underground and Killing Joke's Death And Resurrection Show.

The Beck-Depp album '18' will be released digitally and on CD on July 15, and then be followed up by a vinyl edition on September 30.
Richard Osman was stunned when he learned his ancestor uncovered a dead body which helped solve an 1831 murder mystery.

The television presenter, 51, delved back into the past as he looked as his family tree during Thursday's episode of BBC show Who Do You Think You Are?.

Standing on the spot the body was found in Brighton, Richard read from a book: 'I raked the ground as before and tore away a yard of the gown. My wife said, "Don't take any, it is the gown of a grown person."

Shock discovery: Richard Osman, 51, was stunned when he learned his ancestor uncovered a dead body which helped solve an 1831 murder mystery

'My wife asked what I meant to do. I said, "To tell a peace officer," and I went to Elphick, the constable of Preston and informed him of the circumstance.

'Elphick and myself then returned to the spot with a spade; I dug out a thigh first; I looked at the constable very hard, and said, "This is a shin of beef." He thought it was too; I then dug out another thigh; he thought it was pork; my mother said it was very odd it should be buried in linen and woollen.

'I said they might take anything to wrap it up in. I then dug up the bundle. It was tied round with string. As soon as I had pulled the clothes aside I discovered the bosom and stays of the corset. I was sure it was the body of a woman.

Looking back: The television presenter delved back into the past as he looked as his family tree during Thursday's episode of BBC show Who Do You Think You Are?

'Elphick and myself then went to the clergyman of the parish.'

Richard's fellow researcher said: 'So they knew that they had found a female corpse,' to which he replied: 'On this spot. It must have been an absolutely appalling thing to discover.'

His companion said: 'Yes, it would have been horrendous.'

Richard's four-times great-grandfather discovered the dead body and became involved in one of the biggest murder trials of the 1800s.

Gabriel Gilliam, a fisherman born in Brighton in 1789, would secretly smuggle food for his family.

Looking back at the past has inspired Richard to write a murder mystery novel about his four-time great grandfather.

The story from the Pointless host's past is remarkably similar to his own books including debut novel The Thursday Murder Club.

Reflecting on Gabriel, his wife Mary and mother Elizabeth, he told the Daily Mirror newspaper: 'Gabriel, Mary and Elizabeth are the poorest of the poor fisher-folk from Brighton.

'And it is an amazing circus that they were suddenly at the heart of. To think they were the detectives of the day and their investigations essentially led to justice.

'I'm minded to write a detective duo which is Gabriel and his mum Elizabeth, solving crimes in 1830s Brighton.'

He added to the Radio Times: Given the books I write, you just couldnt make it up!

It was extraordinary to discover that Gabriel Gillam formed an amateur gang of detectives. It felt like it would make a good Sunday night TV drama. There are a million stories about the British upper class, from Downton to Bridgerton, but very few about poor communities.

While appearing on BBC show Who Do You Think You Are?, Richard discovered newspaper reports revealing how Gabriel found clothes and a body just outside Brighton.

Life lesson: Richard also learned about his maternal grandparents, Fred and Jessie Wright, pictured here on their wedding day in Brighton

He and another man David Maskell visited the site a number of times and later realised they had stumbled on the body of a woman from the town, who was later identified as Celia Holloway.

He also returned to the site with Mary and Elizabeth, and informed the authorities, before giving evidence at an inquest in a pub the next day and in a subsequent court case.

This led to Celia's husband John being found guilty of her murder, and he was sentenced to death.

Richard added to the Mirror: 'It's making every hair on my neck stand up. You can just imagine the three of them talking this through.

'I find it extraordinary. I write about a gang who investigate things and I've written about amateur sleuths uncovering bodies.

'Suddenly, there is a real life case with Gabriel right at the heart of it.'
He is known for making awkward gags while speaking to world leaders.

And Today host Karl Stefanovic put his foot in it again on Friday when he interviewed New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

After wrapping up a fairly serious discussion about Ms Ardern's visit to Sydney, he couldn't help but joke about his country's long tradition of 'claiming' successful New Zealanders as honourary Aussies.

'A hard no': Today host Karl Stefanovic put his foot in it again on Friday when he interviewed New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (pictured)

'We love welcoming Kiwis here [in Australia], and especially claiming the good ones as our own...' Stefanovic said.

Ms Ardern was surprised by the suggestion but laughed good-naturedly, before Karl told her: 'You could end up an Australian one day.'

The New Zealand leader shook her head firmly and replied: 'No, theres no prospect of that happening... Thank you, though.'

Foot in mouth: After wrapping up a fairly serious discussion about Ms Ardern's visit to Sydney, Stefanovic (left with Leila McKinnon) couldn't help but joke about his country's long tradition of 'claiming' successful New Zealanders as honourary Aussies

Leila McKinnon, who was filling in for Allison Langdon, interrupted: 'That's the firmest answer weve had this morning.'

Ms Ardern squirmed on the couch before answering firmly: 'That's a hard no.'

But Stefanovic wouldn't let the subject go, and asked again: 'Do you want to think about it?'

Awkward! 'We love welcoming Kiwis here [in Australia], and especially claiming the good ones as our own...' Stefanovic said, before adding: 'You could end up an Australian one day.' Ms Ardern shook her head and replied: 'There's no prospect of that happening. Thank you, though'

Ms Ardern, who was uncomfortable at this point, replied: 'No. Thank you, though.'

She is visiting Sydney for talks with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

The Today show airs weekdays from 5:30am to 9am on Channel Nine
Brent Vitiello and Al Perkins are jumping on the fashion business bandwagon after their stint on Married At First Sight.

The pair, who recently launched their own YouTube channel, are collaborating with Aussie luxury streetwear brand Valianu, reports Yahoo Lifestyle.

Brent, 33, and Al, 26, were pictured leaving a business meeting in Double Bay with the brand's co-founder Rachel Vale earlier this week.

Cashing in: Brent Vitiello (right) and Al Perkins (left) are jumping on the fashion business bandwagon after their stint on Married At First Sight

Brent hasn't been shy about the collab, sharing several updates on Instagram about the label's limited-edition hoodies the grooms have designed themselves.

'What a pleasure to be involved with @valianuofficial and I cant tell you how excited we are to launch the collaboration hoodies we have coming,' he wrote on June 2.

'Two limited-edition colours will drop very soon and then a pretty full range... who's ready?'

More recently, Brent revealed the colours and samples had all been confirmed for the limited run of hoodies.

'@thelifeofbrentandal X @valianuofficial collab is almost fully under way,' he captioned a post on June 6.

'Stay tuned. The hoodies are unbelievable.'

Brent and Al's joint venture comes after several MAFS stars from their season announced their own post-show business projects.

Stay tuned: The pair say samples and colours for the limited-run hoodies have been confirmed

Making bank: Brent and Al's joint venture comes after several MAFS stars from their season announced their own post-show business projects

Olivia Frazer and Jackson Lonie have joined OnlyFans, while Domenica Calarco and Ella Ding have started their own podcast, Sit With Us.

Valianu was launched in August 2021 by sisters Rachel and Katie Vale.

The Double Bay-based brand was scouted for Paris Fashion Week after selling $10,000 worth of stock within 24 hours of its website going live.

Fashion: Valianu is a luxury streetwear label founded by two sisters from Sydney's Double Bay

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia last year, the sisters revealed they had no prior experience in fashion and left their jobs to focus on the successful brand.

'We were screaming in my living room,' Rachel recalled.

'We were sitting on my laptop watching the sales go up. We didn't know what to expect. We had never sold anything before - not even on [Facebook] Marketplace.'

'It was insane,' she added. 'We definitely celebrated that night.'
They shot to fame on Channel Nine's top-rating 'social experiment' Married At First Sight this year.

But Domenica Calarco and Ella Ding have drawn a surprising line in the sand when it comes to what they will and wont discuss on their top-rated podcast.

The pair have made the surprising move to ban any salacious gossip about the show which launched their careers.

Limits: Married At First Sight stars Domenica Calarco and Ella Ding revealed this week the ONE topic they refuse to discuss on their chart-topping podcast. The pair have made the surprising move to ban any salacious gossip about the show which launched their careers

'In terms of MAFS stuff, the thing that was off limits was gossip,' Domenica revealed in an interview with New Idea.

Ella added: 'I mean, we don't want to trash talk anything you're not going to come to Sit With Us and get gossip. You're not going to hear it.'

The two women, who lucked out with their respective MAFS beaus but found friendship with each other, are happy to share juicy behind-the-scenes details from MAFS but draw the line at 's**t talking'.

'In terms of MAFS stuff, the thing that was off limits was gossip,' Domenica revealed in an interview with New Idea

'We're never going to go on there and s**t talk anyone, whether that be about MAFS or whatever is happening in our lives,' Domenica explained.

She said she will open up on her failed marriage, but won't be slamming anyone on the podcast.

However Ella did reveal she would eventually open up about her heartbreak at the hands of MAFS 'husband' Mitch Eynaud.

Candid: Ella did reveal she would eventually open up about her heartbreak at the hands of MAFS 'husband' Mitch Eynaud

Success: The girls' podcast Sit With Us was launched this to a big response from listeners, hitting number three on the Apple Podcasts Australian chart upon debut

The girls' podcast Sit With Us was launched this to a big response from listeners, hitting number three on the Apple Podcasts Australian chart upon debut.

The first episode saw Domenica reveal she is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after appearing on the Channel Nine reality show.

The 28-year-old claimed the show's explosive dinner parties had left her with severe anxiety in group settings.

Domenica said her therapist concluded she had PTSD after she began experiencing feelings of panic whenever she sat down at a dinner table with other people.
Lucy Boynton looked delightful in pink while attending the Chanel Tribeca Festival Women's Filmmaker Luncheon in New York on Thursday.

The British-American actress, 28, donned an enchanting long-sleeve mini pink Chanel dress with a frilly collar and an ornate gold gross and matching gold buttons.

The 'Through Her Lens' annual event supports women in film and 'champions up-and-coming women writers and directors in the United States.'

Pink delight: Lucy Boynton looked delightful in pink while attending the Chanel Tribeca Festival Women's Filmmaker Luncheon in New York on Thursday

The stunning blonde beauty finalized her look with a pair of classic pointed-toe black Chanel heels.

Her short platinum tresses were parted in the middle and worn in a sleek straight style.

The Bohemian Rhapsody star accessorized with a sparkly diamond ring and wore diamond earrings in the shape of bows for the occasion.

Clad in Chanel: The British-American actress, 28, donned an enchanting long-sleeve mini pink Chanel dress with a frilly collar and an ornate gold gross and matching gold buttons

Blonde beauty: Her short platinum tresses were parted in the middle and worn in a sleek straight style

As for glam, Rami Malek's girlfriend accentuated her natural beauty with dramatic black mascara, a touch of blush, and pink lipstick.

Last year, to celebrate the 7th annual 'Through Her Lens' program, Boynton took part in a three-part series that showed an inside look at her creative process for developing a character.

Also part of the series was actress Alisha Boe, 25, and director Hannah Peterson, who gave a glimpse into the making of her first feature film.

In terms of her career, the actress currently has one movie in pre-production, Faithfull, where she portrays rock star Marianne Faithfull.

Sparkling: The Bohemian Rhapsody star accessorized with a sparkly diamond ring and wore diamond earrings in the shape of bows for the occasion

Glam: As for glam, Rami Malek's girlfriend accentuated her natural beauty with dramatic black mascara, a touch of blush, and pink lipstick

Stunner: Boynton flashed a wide smile and looked incredible while posing at the event

She recently completed her work on Chevalier, where she plays Marie Antoinette, and her role in The Pale Blue Eye, which is currently in post-production.

Boynton is also reportedly being sought to play British magazine legend Tina Brown in a high-profile TV adaptation of her 2017 book The Vanity Fair Diaries.

The book centers on the media culture of New York in the 1980s and Brown's eight years as editor in chief of Vanity Fair.

Brown, 68, has personally requested that Boynton be hired to play her, and there is an intriguing family connection, too. Boynton's father, Graham, wrote for Vanity Fair and was editor of Conde Nast Traveller, having been recruited by Brown's late husband Harold Evans.
Million Pound Pawn

Rating:

Sarah Beenys Little House, Big Plans

Rating:

You have to feel sorry for our dear old Phil Collins. For no obvious reason, while his contemporaries have matured into national treasures, hes become a bit of a joke.

It doesnt matter that his first solo hit, In The Air Tonight, is arguably the greatest single of the 1980s.

And no one remembers that he flew from London to Philadelphia to play at Live Aid twice, or that he won an Oscar for his last big hit, Youll Be In My Heart.

Queen opened the show at Buckingham Palace last Saturday. Elton, Macca, Cliff, Rod, Mick and the rest are all knights. Yet somehow, Phil Collins is just a punchline. What has he done so wrong?

When dealer Dan, from Sheffield, was offered a gold watch for sale on Million Pound Pawn (ITV), he joked that it had been devalued by Phils signature on the leather strap. I dont know if I want Phil Collins on my wrist, he complained

Its true that You Cant Hurry Love is an annoyingly jaunty number, but surely, as rock n roll crimes go, its not as bad as David Bowies Nazi salute.

When dealer Dan, from Sheffield, was offered a gold watch for sale on Million Pound Pawn (ITV), he joked that it had been devalued by Phils signature on the leather strap. I dont know if I want Phil Collins on my wrist, he complained.

Maybe Phil can take comfort from the fact that Dan has no taste and is proud of it.

Thats how he makes his living. Im a trained magpie, he said, and Im looking for shiny things. In Marbella, he had taken to a yellow 1961 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II, bought as a rust bucket for ten grand by a car specialist, who chopped the roof off and turned it into a gleaming convertible.

Dan found a collector who was willing to pay 290,000. That is ridiculous.

Not long ago, a clapped-out Roller was good for nothing but being dumped into a swimming pool at a rock star party.

Not that Phil Collins ever indulged in such wild excesses. Maybe that was his big mistake.

Like the gold watch and the limo, this show was all flash and no substance. We met Adam, a 28-year-old male model who was reluctantly pawning his Rolex Daytona, a present from his parents.

Adam claimed he wanted the money to put a deposit on a house. I suspect the producers just wanted Adam and his cheekbones in front of the camera, and he was happy to oblige.

A caption at the end of the programme revealed that he had not bought the house...and hed got his watch back.

Every item pawned on screen had a very visible price tag. This ring was worth 534, that gold chain was 3,270. It must be what pawn stars call the money shot.

Property developer Sarah Beeny was intent on discovering the price of every home conversion on her Little House, Big Plans (C4).

In Cheadle in the North-West, the cost of an extension to a half-timbered 1930s semi was 200,000. The result was much more space, but the exterior looked like two shipping containers  one black, one white  had been bolted to the brickwork.

Architect Damion Burrows compared it to a modernist art gallery. Id say it looked more like badly stacked Lego, but perhaps that is the same thing. I bet the neighbours are thrilled.

Property developer Sarah Beeny was intent on discovering the price of every home conversion on her Little House, Big Plans (C4). She is pictured above with Damion Burrows

Sarah was busy in Wiltshire, offering advice on an extension to a couple who did not intend to listen to a word she said.

She was especially keen they should have a fitted carpet. This, she said, would encourage Sam and Leahs four teenage children to sit on the floor.

The look Leah gave her said quite plainly: Youre mad. Or, as Phil would say: There Must Be Some Misunderstanding.

Maternity ward of the night: All of the mums-to-be, mysteriously pregnant on The Midwich Cuckoos (Sky Max), went into labour and gave birth on the same day. Quite handy there was a hospital with dozens of empty beds, really. Must be why property prices in that town are so high.
Amy Schumer on Thursday responded with humor to a report linking her to a nationwide shortage of tampons.

On Wednesday, the New York Post published a report titled, 'Why Amy Schumer is getting blamed for the national tampon shortage,' noting that a spokesperson for Procter & Gamble told Time that sales for the product spiked 7.7 percent after Schumer began appearing in Tampax commercials in July of 2020.

The comic, 41, took a screenshot of the article with the caption, 'Whoa I dont even have a uterus,' in reference to her revelation last fall that she'd had her uterus and appendix removed to combat endometriosis.

The latest: Amy Schumer, 41, on Thursday responded with humor to a report linking her to a nationwide shortage of tampons. She was snapped on The Tonight Show in March

The Trainwreck actress received a number of responses from famous followers in reaction to the joke, as broadcaster Katie Couric wrote, 'What???????'

TV host Padma Lakshmi wrote, 'LOL,' with a hysterical emoji, while actress Kerry Washington said, 'I knew it.'

Schumer, who was a co-host at the Oscars in March, opened up about her health situation in an Instagram clip last September that was filmed by her spouse, Chris Fischer, 42, as she was in a hospital recovering from the procedure.

'So, it's the morning after my surgery for endometriosis and my uterus is out,' the Emmy-winning star, who shares son Gene, three, with Fischer, said in the clip. 'The doctor found 30 spots of endometriosis that he removed. He removed my appendix because the endometriosis had attacked it.'

The comic took a screenshot of the article with the caption, 'Whoa I dont even have a uterus,' in reference to her past revelation that she'd had her uterus and appendix removed to combat endometriosis

Schumer took part in a promotional campaign for Tampax in 2020

She continued: 'There was a lot, a lot of blood in my uterus and I'm, you know, sore and I have some, like, gas pains.'

The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo author advised her followers in the caption, 'If you have really painful periods, you may have #endometriosis.'

Schumer last Halloween took to social media with a shot in which she was donning a blue bodysuit that read Tampax as she stepped out in New York City.

Schumer said in the post, 'I don't have a uterus, but nothing can stop me from wearing Tampax, okay?'

Tampax's official Instagram page reposted the clip with the caption: 'When @amyschumer told us she was going to be a bloodsucker for #Halloween, this is not what we were expecting'
There might not be a worst time to lose some baby formula than now, but that's exactly what happened to actress Olivia Munn.

The 39-year-old actress, who welcomed her first child Malcolm with comedian John Mulaney in November, took to her Instagram story on Wednesday evening.

The X-Men: Apocalypse star revealed on her Instagram story she had packed a container of formula in a suitcase, though it ended up spilling.

Loss: There might not be a worst time to lose some baby formula than now, but that's exactly what happened to actress Olivia Munn

Spilled: The X-Men: Apocalypse star revealed on her Instagram story she had packed a container of formula in a suitcase, though it ended up spilling

'When there's a formula shortage and you open your suitcase to find your carefully packed formula has popped open and now half of it is gone,' Munn said.

The accident came just two weeks after Munn celebrated Malcolm turning six months old, where the actress shared a smiling snap of mother and son.

'6 months ago today Malcolm made me his mama,' Munn began in her Instagram post.

Six months: The accident came just two weeks after Munn celebrated Malcolm turning six months old, where the actress shared a smiling snap of mother and son

'Its so much fun getting to know him. He loves meeting people, he loves his best friend Penny and thinks shes hysterical, hes tried peanut butter,' she added, while thanking Molly McNeary and Jimmy Kimmel.

'He sleeps through the night 12 hours straight (thank you @mindykaling for sharing your invaluable, trusted and vetted resources),' Munn added.

She continued that her son, 'wakes up from every nap with a huge smile and giggle, he LOVES when we read him books.

Love: 'Its so much fun getting to know him. He loves meeting people, he loves his best friend Penny and thinks shes hysterical, hes tried peanut butter,' she added, while thanking Molly McNeary and Jimmy Kimmel

The actress continued that her son, 'lets out a squeal and kicks his legs whenever his daddy comes home, I cant stress enough how much he loves bathtime and he loves being outside and looking at the trees and the sky.'

'I love you so much Malcolm Hiep. Happy 6 months being earthside with us. You lit up our whole world,' Munn concluded.

The actress most recently voiced Akiko in the animated series Hit-Monkey, and she also starred in The Gateway and Violet last year.

Kicks: The actress continued that her son, 'lets out a squeal and kicks his legs whenever his daddy comes home, I cant stress enough how much he loves bathtime and he loves being outside and looking at the trees and the sky'

She'll next be seen in The Walking Dead spin-off Tales of the Walking Dead, which is slated to debut in August.

She stars along Danny Ramirez, Embeth Davidtz, Jesse T. Usher and Samantha Morton, who returns as Alpha.

The actress is also attached to star in Aleppo, which is currently in pre-production.
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Julie Andrews looked younger than her years as she attended the 48th AFI Life Achievement Award Gala.

The 86-year-old living legend was honored at the event, where entertainers like Gwen Stefani, Fran Drescher, and Edward James Olmos were also in attendance.

Julie looked stunning in a navy blue gown with sheer sleeves as she arrived at the star-studded affair.

Julie Andrews looked younger than her years as she attended the 48th AFI Life Achievement Award Gala

Gwen: The 86-year-old living legend was honored at the event, where entertainers like Gwen Stefani , Fran Drescher, and Edward James Olmos were also in attendance

The UK-born performer wore her blonde hair in its signature short crop with softly ruffled curls.

She dazzled in a pair of diamond-encrusted pendant earrings that twirled into a circular design.

The dress had a low-cut, square neckline that was trimmed in pearls and gave way to bell sleeves.

She matched a navy blue clutch purse to the ensemble, which was long enough to stretch over her feet.

Sparkly: She dazzled in a pair of diamond-encrusted pendant earrings that twirled into a circular design

What a moment: Julie was also supported by actors (seen left to right) Duane Chase, Kym Karath, Angela Cartwright, Debbie Turner, and Nicholas Hammond who played the Von Trapp children in the classic film

Iconic: Julie is seen in the classic 1965 film Sound Of Music with the children

Julie was also supported by actors Duane Chase, Kym Karath, Angela Cartwright, Debbie Turner, and Nicholas Hammond who played the Von Trapp children in the classic film

It was first announced that the Sound of Music legend would be honored with the achievement award back in 2019.

Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic it took three years for it to come to fruition.

Speaking to LA Times Ms. Andrews said, 'Im enormously honored that AFI chose me.

'It is a little bit stunning. It makes me hugely aware that there was a large volume of work. When youre in it, youre so busy doing the work that you dont take stock of what youve done. And when someone else does, you marvel: "Wow, thats a lot."'

Three years due: It was first announced that the Sound of Music legend would be honored with the achievement award back in 2019

Honored: Speaking to LA Times Ms. Andrews said, 'Im enormously honored that AFI chose me

Stunning: 'It is a little bit stunning. It makes me hugely aware that there was a large volume of work. When youre in it, youre so busy doing the work that you dont take stock of what youve done. And when someone else does, you marvel: "Wow, thats a lot"'

Pretty: The UK-born performer wore her blonde hair in its signature short crop with softly ruffled curls

Stunner! Gwen Stefani stole the show when she arrived to the gala in an eye-popping white-to-green ombre gown

Beautiful: The piece was sleeveless and featured a scoop neckline that showcased her pert cleavage

Gwen Stefani stole the show when she arrived to the gala in an eye-popping white-to-green ombre gown.

The piece was sleeveless and featured a scoop neckline that showcased her pert cleavage.

The gorgeous number flowed out into a long, ruffled train that transitioned from light shades of green to dark.

Impeccable: The gorgeous number flowed out into a long train that transitioned from light shades of green to dark

Accessories: The style icon wowed in a diamond necklace and understated earrings

The style icon wowed in a diamond necklace and understated earrings.

She wore her platinum blonde locks in a chic bun placed at the very top of her head in neatly-pinned curls.

The longtime songstress had her face made up in a gorgeous palette of makeup that highlighted her cheeks in pink.

Furthermore, she arched her full eyebrows and glossed her pout with a nude-pink hue.

She was joined by her new husband Blake Shelton, who attended in a vest, suit jacket, and denim pants.

Happy couple: She was joined by her new husband Blake Shelton, who attended in a vest, suit jacket, and denim

Hollywood vet: Also making her presence known at the Hollywood soiree was Fran Drescher, who wore a white pantsuit

Also making her presence known at the Hollywood soiree was Fran Drescher, who wore a white pantsuit.

The former Nanny star beamed as she walked the step-and-repeat with her former spouse and high school sweetheart, Peter Marc Jacobson.

She looked youthful in her double-breasted suit, which she teamed with a pair of pointed-toe sparkling silver heels.

Jacobson complemented her in a black suit and a crisp white button-up shirt.

Handsome pair: The former Nanny star beamed as she walked the step-and-repeat with her former spouse and high school sweetheart, Peter Marc Jacobson

Beautiful: Sian Heder turned heads in a purple dress with accordion pleats throughout

Sian Heder turned heads in a purple dress with accordion pleats throughout.

The 44-year-old filmmaker cinched the frock with a matching belt that had a silver clasp.

She wore her blonde-highlighted hair in an undefined side part with loose waves.

At the gala, which was held at the Dolby Theatre, she received the Franklin J. Schaffner Award.

Recipient: At the gala, which was held at the Dolby Theatre, she received the Franklin J. Schaffner Award

Breathtaking: Linda Thompson looked incredible as she showed up in a one-shoulder red dress

Linda Thompson looked incredible as she showed up in a one-shoulder red dress.

The frock cropped right below the knee and she paired it with a strappy pair of dazzling silver heels.

The blonde bombshell, 72, wore her locks in a straight style with wispy bangs and let it flow down her back.

She accessorized with a fur shawl that she carried along with a purse with a chain strap.

Golden girl: Jane Seymour delighted in a sleeveless, golden yellow gown with a diagonal ruffled bow

Jane Seymour delighted in a sleeveless, golden yellow gown with a diagonal ruffled bow.

It had a string of cream-colored, embroidered flowers going throughout it on one side.

She wore her locks in a sleek, loose style with face-framing bangs and stunned in drop earrings.

The 71-year-old United Kingdom-born actress was radiant as she posed for photos.

Jane's look: Jane Seymour delighted in a sleeveless, golden yellow gown with a diagonal ruffled bow

Living legend: Seasoned and respected actor Edward James Olmos also graced the awards gala with his presence

Timeless: He looked classically handsome in a black suitm which he complemented with a black shirt and tie

Seasoned and respected actor Edward James Olmos also graced the awards gala with his presence.

He looked classically handsome in a black suitm which he complemented with a black shirt and tie.

The Selena actor punctuated the strong look with a pair of black dress shoes and he wore round eyeglasses.

Ready for the show: Angela Cartwright also opted for an all black look for the gathering, arriving with a black headband around her white hair

Other attendees included Steve Carell, Carol Burnett, Hector Elizondo and Cynthia Erivo, who performed a rousing rendition of Edelweiss from The Sound of Music.

Gwen Stefani also said, 'I would not be me without the inspiration of Julie Andrews. Thank you for your Sound of Music.'

The full tribute will air on TNT on Thursday, June 16 at 10 PM ET.

Steve speaks: Steve Carell honors Julie Andrews during the AFI Lifetime Achievement Award

Inspiration: Gwen Stefani also said, 'I would not be me without the inspiration of Julie Andrews. Thank you for your Sound of Music'

Tribute: The full tribute will air on TNT on Thursday, June 16 at 10 PM ET

Cynthia performs: Cynthia Erivo performs a rousing rendition of Edelweiss from The Sound of Music

Carol: Carol Burnett honors her friend Julie Andrews at the 48th AFI Life Achievement Award

Hector: Hector Elizondo speaks during AFI Lifetime Achievement Award honoring Julie Andrews

Gwen speaks: Gwen Stefani takes the stage at the AFI Lifetime Achievement Award honor Julie Andrews

10: Bo Derek honors her 10 co-star Bo Derek at the AFI Life Achievement Award

Carol speaks: Carol Burnett honors Julie Andrews at the AFI Life Achievement Award

Carol and Julie: Carol Burnett poses with Julie Andrews

Co-stars: Debbie Turner, Angela Cartwright, Nicholas Hammond, Duane Chase, and Kym Karath take the stage

Sian and Gwen: CODA director Sian Heder poses with Gwen Stefani

Carol smiles: Carol Burnett flashes a smile
Financial Services Commission Chairman appointee Kim Joo-hyun speaks during a press conference held at the headquarters of the Credit Finance Association (CREFIA) in central Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap



Banks welcome FSC chief nominee's stance of reexamining 'outdated' rule



By Anna J. Park



Since Financial Services Commission (FSC) Chairman nominee Kim Joo-hyun has said it's time to reexamine the country's long-held separation of industrial and financial capital, the local banking industry is expecting a favorable policy direction from the new leader of the top regulator.



The separation of industrial and financial capital is a double-pronged principle that prohibits financial companies from owning stakes of more than 20 percent in non-financial firms. At the same time, the principle also prevents non-financial companies from owning stakes of more than 4 percent in local banks.



A few exceptional cases, as well as internet-only banks and the Korea Development Bank (KDB), a state-run bank with a special purpose, are exempt from the principle under the Banking Act. The principle was first adopted by the Korean legal system in the early 1980s.



With the FSC's next chief showing a flexible approach to banks' advancement into non-financial industries, the local banking sector is responding well to the idea of soon being able to accelerate their business expansions.



"If necessary, I am ready to repair some of the basic rules applied in the financial industry, including the separation of industrial and financial capital. Although the principle represents a very sensitive matter, I think it's time to review the application of the rule to see whether it is still valid or whether it needs to be improved, considering the current industrial structures and technological changes," Kim said during a press conference earlier in the week.



"I agree that the separation of industrial and financial capital has been serving a significant purpose so far in the national economy. Yet, I believe now is the time to reevaluate the rule, given the major shifts in industrial structures." He added that this would be followed up with in-depth discussions about the impact from loosening up the rule.



Kim's stance on the matter is actually in line with what the Korea Federation of Banks (KFB) has long been pushing for. The loosening up of the separation rule has been one of the association's key demands to the new government.



Local banks have been calling for the financial deregulation from the Yoon administration, saying they spend too much time and energy consulting with the financial authorities on whether their new business models abide by the complicated set of rules, instead of focusing on business expansion. They argued that innovations in the information and technology sector have blurred the line between financial and non-financial business models, leaving local banks helpless under the outdated rules, while various fintech firms enter into the traditional realm of the banking industry, creating an unlevel playing field, they said.



"As the current legal framework is way more tight and dense than the past, the separation rule is now more of an outdated regulatory burden, while its necessity has effectively been obscured," an industry insider said on condition of anonymity. "The rule only resulted in blocking banks' proactive investment, as they are always required to form a partnership or consortium in order to expand into non-financial areas."



It's been known that banks are interested in advancing into a wide range of new sectors, such as telecommunications, food delivery, digital assets, information technology and the metaverse.




Tziporah Malkah, the former 'It girl' known for her ill-fated engagement to billionaire James Packer, fronted a Sydney court over an AVO matter on Friday.

The 48-year-old, previously known as Kate Fischer, was seen arriving at Downing Centre Local Court with a woman believed to be her lawyer.

The sighting comes just days after Tziporah announced she had joined subscription-based adult website OnlyFans.

Court appearance: Tziporah Malkah, the former 'It girl' known for her ill-fated engagement to billionaire James Packer, fronted a Sydney court over an AVO matter on Friday

The Sirens actress dressed casually for her court appearance, pairing skinny jeans with a black top, cardigan, scarf and heels.

She wore a face mask around her chin as she approached the courthouse.

Tziporah later addressed the legal matter on Instagram, taking issue with the court referring to her by her former name Katherine Fischer.

Legal matter: The 48-year-old, previously known as Kate Fischer, was seen arriving at Downing Centre Local Court with a woman believed to be her lawyer

Tziporah announced on Monday she had signed up for OnlyFans.

OnlyFans is a subscription-based adult website where content can range from something as innocent as a suggestive selfie, all the way to hardcore pornography.

She spoke about her new career in a rather bizarre Instagram post in which she also paid tribute to her father on his 79th birthday.

Laid-back look: The Sirens actress dressed casually for her court appearance, pairing skinny jeans with a black top, cardigan and scarf

Covid safe? She wore a face mask around her chin as she approached the courthouse

'Happy birthday to my wonderful father! Seventy-nine years young today,' she wrote.

'Because of your atheism, I won't bang on about God and all the ways I wish that he'd bless you, not in public anyway,' she added.

'I'm just saying it secretly now to myself in my head Love you so much. Your daughter Tziporah.'

Objection! Tziporah later addressed the legal matter on Instagram, taking issue with the court referring to her by her former name Katherine Fischer

'Please stay tuned for the launch of my OnlyFans page,' she then teased, adding a link to her profile on the subscription website.

For $22 (US$16.30), fans can access exclusive content too risque for Instagram.

The description of the first video on Tziporah's OnlyFans account, which is behind a paywall, makes reference to her father.

Cashing in! Tziporah announced on Monday she had signed up for OnlyFans

Surprise! She announced her new career while paying tribute to her father on his 79th birthday

'I found it to be auspicious and a way for me to honour him by launching my account publicly on his birthday,' it reads.

'There's a LOT more to come, please stayed tuned!'

Back in June 2021, the former model stripped naked for a photo shoot for New Idea.

In the accompanying interview, Tziporah shared intimate details about what she is like in the bedroom.

'Show and tell': For $22 (US$16.30), fans can access exclusive content too risque for Instagram

'I found it to be auspicious and a way for me to honour him': The description of the first video on Tziporah's OnlyFans account, which is behind a paywall, makes reference to her father

'I am receptive and optimistic, but I am not this big raunch girl at home. I think that's where I've possibly come into trouble with dating and relationships,' she said.

'I date men who are fans and they keep bludgeoning me with, "What's wrong, what's wrong?" because they want the bells and whistles that I'm perhaps more known for.'

Tziporah previously lost 50kg thanks to healthy eating, surgery and hypnotherapy.

She revealed her weight-loss transformation on Nine's A Current Affair in 2020.

Transformation: Tziporah previously lost 50kg thanks to healthy eating, surgery and hypnotherapy. She revealed her weight-loss transformation on Nine's A Current Affair in 2020

She also underwent a 'mini lipo tuck' and a Brazilian butt lift, and worked with Mark Stephens, a hypnotherapist specialising in weight loss.

'I'm proud but I'm also incredibly vain! I love myself right now,' she said through tears.

Tziporah's weight had ballooned after she relocated to the U.S. in the early 2000s.

She decided to slim down after tipping the scales at 120kg during her appearance on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in 2017.
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Radio presenter Kyle Sandilands has bought a sprawling mansion in the exclusive Sydney suburb of Bellevue Hill for $13.8million.

Spanning four levels and boasting harbour views, the home will be the perfect place for Sandilands, 51, and his pregnant fiancee Tegan Kynaston to raise their first child.

Kynaston, 36, a communications executive, is due to welcome a son, named Otto, in August.

Forever home: Radio presenter Kyle Sandilands (left, with his fiancee Tegan Kynaston) has bought a sprawling mansion in the exclusive Sydney suburb of Bellevue Hill for $13.8million

Their Bellevue Hill home has five bedrooms, six bathrooms and a two-car garage, as well as outdoor entertaining areas and a plunge pool.

The property features a white marble kitchen, hardwood floors and high ceilings.

There is also a spacious wine cellar and elevator access to all four levels.

Sandilands revealed on air on Wednesday he was soundproofing his baby's nursery so he won't have to put up with the child crying when he arrives.

Mansion: Spanning four levels and boasting harbour views, the home will be the perfect place for Sandilands, 51, and Kynaston, 36, to raise their first child

Lavish: Their Bellevue Hill home has five bedrooms, six bathrooms and a two-car garage, as well as outdoor entertaining areas and a plunge pool (pictured)

Wow! The property features a marble kitchen, hardwood floors (as seen here) and high ceilings

Fit for a radio king! There is also a spacious wine cellar and elevator access to all four levels

Abundance: The living areas are filled with natural light

'I'm getting the soundproof doors installed next week,' he said, adding: 'That's for the baby's room, so I don't have to hear that awful crying.'

His co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson, who has a daughter of her own, was shocked by Sandilands' plans, and told him: 'Oh, my God. Are you for real? You can't do that!'

'Yeah! You can do whatever you want,' he responded.

Henderson said it was important to be able to hear the child crying because 'when they are crying, it means they're hungry or there's something wrong'.

To each their own: Sandilands revealed on air on Wednesday he was soundproofing his baby's nursery so he won't have to put up with the child crying when he arrives. His co-host Jackie 'O' Henderson (right), who has a daughter of her own, was shocked by these plans

Sandilands wasn't concerned, saying his live-in nanny will deal with any problems.

'That's the nanny's job. The nanny needs to hear the baby crying,' he said. 'Me don't need to hear no cry-cry.'

Sandilands and Kynaston, who began dating in 2019, announced in February they were expecting their first child together.

The KIIS FM host later revealed they had chosen the name Otto for their unborn son.

Last month, the couple surprised Henderson on air by asking her to be their baby's godmother, which she happily accepted.

On the move: Removalists carried furniture into the house last month, including a baby's crib
Like many people, Friends is a comfort show for Sebastian Stan.

The 39-year-old actor told Jennifer Aniston, who starred as Rachel Green on the show, exactly what it meant to him in an Actors on Actors interview for Variety.

After Aniston told him he would've made a great 'Joey,' referring to Matt LeBlanc's character Joey Tribbiani, Stan opened up about his relationship to the show.

Comfort: Like many people, Friends is a comfort show for Sebastian Stan

'There are so many times where Ive gone through a lot of lonely nights with Friends, I will tell you,' he remarked.

She replied, 'Its a friend to have in the room sometimes.'

The Marvel star then asked her what exactly it felt like to talk about Rachel on the Friends reunion show after being away from her for so many years including if it felt 'cathartic.'

The 39-year-old actor told Jennifer Aniston, who starred as Rachel Green on the show, exactly what it meant to him in an Actors on Actors interview for Variety

Opening up: 'There are so many times where Ive gone through a lot of lonely nights with Friends, I will tell you,' he remarked

'It was all of the above, honestly. I dont know we expected for it to sucker punch us as hard as it did in the emotional gut. We just had the idea this is going to be so fun  were going back to the sets exactly the way they were. And literally, every single nook on a shelf was the same. It was so creepy. But each and every one of us, we walked in, it was just like, Oh!"' she responded.

Aniston continued, 'Time travel. It was 04 when it ended. And we were different. We were so little. Our lives were ahead of us. And so much has changed. We kind of had rose-colored glasses going into it. And then, it was like, This is really a lot heavier than I thought. But I wouldnt change a lick of it. Every time we all get together, its just like no time has passed.

'We basically grew up together, and taught each other a lot. Were each others fall guy because the world was happening. We were exploding, and that kind of notoriety was sudden. And we were in these four walls doing the show, and this insanity is happening. And thank God we had each other, because we really couldnt talk about it outside. It was before social media, so we still had some sanity.'

So much love: Aniston said the cast 'basically grew up together' and they're ' each others fall guy because the world was happening'

Big question: Aniston also asked Stan about some of his work including a particular nude scene in his show Pam & Tommy

Aniston also asked Stan about some of his work including a particular nude scene in his show Pam & Tommy.

In it, the Romanian-born, New York-raised played Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee who had an ecstacy-fueled conversation about monogamy with his genitalia, which was an animatronic puppet voiced by Jason Mantzoukas.

The 53-year-old Emmy winner asked, 'How do you prepare for that? How does it read to you on the page?'

Fascinating: In it, the Romanian-born, New York-raised played Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee who had an ecstacy-fueled conversation about monogamy with his genitalia

Very technical: Sebastian explained, 'There were components, manual and prosthetics and things, and people with wires sort of plugging things into sockets'

'The train of thought starts to go into panic mode. It was a tricky scene to shoot, because we didn't know if it was really going to work - if it was going to be too much or not,' Sebastian explained.

'There were components, manual and prosthetics and things, and people with wires sort of plugging things into sockets.'

Jennifer exclaimed: 'That's crazy!'

'Well, yeah. Look, we have the benefits of CGI. But we went old school for it, which was an interesting experience,' Stan noted.
Ray Liotta's only child Karsen opens up about her father's passing on Instagram with a number of throwback snaps of her and her dad.

The 24-year-old Karsen, the only child of Liotta and Michelle Grace, who he was married to from 1997 to 2004, took to Instagram on Thursday to speak about her father.

Liotta was found dead in the Dominican Republic, where he was filming the new movie Dangerous Waters, with the actor passing in his sleep.

Opening up: Ray Liotta's only child Karsen opens up about her father's passing on Instagram with a number of throwback snaps of her and her dad

She shared a photo of the actor holding Karsen as a young girl, along with a heartfelt caption.

'Those who knew him, loved him. You are the best Dad anyone could ask for. I love you. Thank you for everything,' she said.

She also took to her Instagram story to share a number of throwback snaps of her with her dad, including a few of them sitting courtside at Los Angeles Lakers games.

Lakers: She also took to her Instagram story to share a number of throwback snaps of her with her dad, including a few of them sitting courtside at Los Angeles Lakers games

The father and daughter are also seen waving to photographers at the Indianapolis 500 back in 2007.

Liotta was engaged to Jacy Nitollo at the time of his death, with the couple getting engaged on Christmas Day in 2020.

Nitollo opened up about her fiance's death last week, with an Instagram post of her own and a heartfelt message.

Indy: The father and daughter are also seen waving to photographers at the Indianapolis 500 back in 2007

'My life these past couple of years have been nothing but truly magical. Ray and I share a deep love that I will cherish in my heart forever,' Nitollo began.

'We laughed daily and we were inseparable. The chemistry was wild in the best way,' she continued.

'He was everything in the world to me and we couldnt get enough of each other. The kind of real love that one dreams of,' she added.

Deep love: 'My life these past couple of years have been nothing but truly magical. Ray and I share a deep love that I will cherish in my heart forever,' Nitollo began

'He was the most beautiful person inside and out that Ive ever knownand even that is an understatement,' she concluded.

It was revealed shortly after his death that his hometown of Union Township, New Jersey will plan on honoring the late actor.

He graduated from Union High School in 1973 and was inducted into the high school's Hall of Fame in 1993, before going on to study his craft at University of Miami.
The cast and crew of Neighbours gathered in Melbourne on Friday to film the final scenes for the long-running soap.

Neighbours was axed after the UK's Channel 5 decided in March not to renew its contract with production company Fremantle to finance and broadcast the series.

Jackie Woodburne, who plays Susan Kennedy, kept warm in black jeans and a puffer jacket as she joined her co-stars Ian Smith, Ryan Maloney and Melissa Bell on set.

Goodbye, Ramsay Street! The cast and crew of Neighbours gathered in Melbourne on Friday to film the final scenes for the long-running soap

Final scenes: Jackie Woodburne, who plays Susan Kennedy, kept warm in black jeans and a puffer jacket as she joined her co-stars Ian Smith, Ryan Maloney and Melissa Bell on set

All smiles: After shooting a quick scene, the actress, 66, was spotted chatting to crew members before driving off

After shooting a quick scene, the actress, 66, was spotted chatting to crew members before driving off.

Ian, who debuted as Harold Bishop in 1987, also sported a winter jacket as he arrived on the Ramsay Street set.

Ryan, 42, who has played Jarrod 'Toadfish' Rebecchi on Neighbours since 1995, rode around in a buggy with other cast members.

Melissa wore black leather pants, a white T-shirt and a warm jacket as she spoke to actress Rebekah Elmaloglou.

The stars gathered around a Ramsay Street sign while filming the last scenes.

Familiar faces: Ian Smith, who debuted as Harold Bishop in 1987, also sported a winter jacket as he arrived on the Ramsay Street set

Fun: Ryan Maloney (left), who has played Jarrod 'Toadfish' Rebecchi on Neighbours since 1995, rode around in a buggy with other cast members

Dressing for comfort: Melissa wore black leather pants, a white T-shirt and a warm jacket

Catching up: She was seen chatting to Rebekah Elmaloglou on set

Neighbours announced in March that production would cease on the long-running soap due to lack of financial backing.

'We are so sorry to say that after nearly 37 years and almost 9,000 episodes broadcast we have to confirm that Neighbours will cease production in June,' the show wrote on Twitter.

'Following the loss of our key broadcast partner in the UK [Channel 5] and despite an extensive search for alternative funding, we simply have no option but to rest the show.

'To our amazing, loyal fans, we know this is a huge disappointment, as it is to all of us on the team. We thank you for all your messages and support and promise to end the show on an incredible high. From here on, we are celebrating Neighbours.'

End of the road: Neighbours announced in March that production would cease on the long-running soap due to lack of financial backing

Axed: 'We are so sorry to say that after nearly 37 years and almost 9,000 episodes broadcast we have to confirm that Neighbours will cease production in June,' the show tweeted

Difficult: Network 10 addressed the end of the series in a statement to Australian media in March, admitting it had been a 'difficult decision'

Network 10 addressed the end of the series in a statement to Australian media, admitting it had been a 'difficult decision'.

'Today, Fremantle confirmed that Neighbours will cease production in June, after nearly 37 years and almost 9,000 episodes,' a network spokesperson announced.

'This difficult decision came after the search for an alternative UK broadcast partner proved unsuccessful.'

They added that the series would 'not air on 10 Peach beyond September 2022', marking the end of its decades-long run.

Long-running: Channel 10 added that Neighbours would 'not air on 10 Peach beyond September 2022', marking the end of its decades-long run

Support: The network praised 'the Australian fans for their continued support of the series'

'A much-loved stalwart of our program schedule for over 35 years it has been a staple of Australian television drama, and Australian cultural exports,' 10 added.

'Ramsay Street, Erinsborough, is a cul-de-sac recognised all over the world and has been home to Scott and Charlene, Des and Daphne, Dr Karl and Susan, Dee and Toadie, Aaron and David and many, many more neighbours.

'Network 10 thanks the cast, crew, all the production team and Fremantle for bringing the perfect blend of soap and sunshine to audiences in Australia and around the world.'

'Their encouragement particularly in the past few weeks has been incredible. It shows that our audience still want Australian scripted drama,' continued the statement

Funding: Fremantle, the production company behind the soap, said it had been unable to come up with 'alternative funding' for the series

Channel 10 also praised 'the Australian fans for their continued support of the series'.

'Their encouragement particularly in the past few weeks has been incredible. It shows that our audience still want Australian scripted drama,' continued the statement.

'We have listened to them and there are exciting new local projects in the pipeline, which is great for our audience and for the local industry.

'We are confident that the cast, crew and writers will bring their distinctive warmth, style and humour to the Neighbours set as they embark on filming the final episodes over the coming months.'

Sad: 'It is with sadness that after nearly 37 years and almost 9,000 episodes broadcast, we are confirming Neighbours will cease production in June,' production company Fremantle said

'Following the loss of a key broadcast partner in the UK, and despite a search for alternative funding, we currently have no option but to rest the show'

Fremantle, the production company behind the soap, said it had been unable to come up with 'alternative funding' for the series.

'It is with sadness that after nearly 37 years and almost 9,000 episodes broadcast, we are confirming that Neighbours will cease production in June,' Fremantle said.

'Following the loss of a key broadcast partner in the UK, and despite a search for alternative funding, we currently have no option but to rest the show.

'Everyone at Neighbours has been overwhelmed by the love and support from the audience since the news came out.

'The show has brought a sunny slice of Australia into the homes of millions of viewers around the world launching the careers of dozens of household names along the way.

'But as this chapter of Ramsay Street comes to a close, we promise to do everything we can to give the show the send-off it deserves.'

Reports emerged in February that Neighbours' future was in jeopardy after British broadcaster Channel 5 announced it would no longer air the show.

'The show has brought a sunny slice of Australia into the homes of millions of viewers around the world launching the careers of dozens of household names along the way'
The new black comedy film Corner Office made its world premiere at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City on Thursday.

Some of the cast, including Jon Hamm, Sarah Gadon and Kimberley Shoniker were on hand for its debut at the festival, which kicked off the previous day and goes until June 19.

In the film, Hamm plays the lead role of Orson, a new company employee and compulsive bureaucrat who instantly develops a distaste for his office colleagues, according to The Hollywood Reporter. In his quest to be 'a person to be reckoned with,' he stumbles upon a secret office that inspires him to do his best work.

Premiere: Jon Hamm, 51, attended the world premiere of the black comedy film Corner Office at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival in New York City on Thursday

Ahead of the the film's debut, Hamm hit the red carpet in a black suit that was paired with a black dress shirt and brown leather shoes.

The Made Men actor, 51, would also share the spotlight of the photoshoot with Gadon, who stood out in a midriff-baring orange ensemble and a matching tan leather duster coat.

In keeping with the color theme of her ensemble, the Canadian actress, 35, carried a dark orange leather purse.

The A Dangerous Method star had her blonde tresses styled long and flowing several inches past her shoulders with a part on the left.

Man in black: Hamm hit the red carpet in a black suit that was paired with a black dress shirt

Leading man: In the film, Hamm plays the lead role of Orson, a new company employee and compulsive bureaucrat who instantly develops a distaste for his office colleagues

Gadon would also snuggle up to strike a few poses with co-star Kimberley Shoniker, who opted to wear a pink minidress.

She also donned a pair of open-toe heels and had her blonde locks styled with a healthy dose of small curls, that fell her shoulders, and a part on the slight left.

Shoniker iss most recently known for her comedic role as Cindy Smith in The CW's Supernatural and playing the evil villain, Harriet Kincaid in Lifetime's A Mother on the Edge.

The leads: Hamm also shared the spotlight with the leading lady of Corner Office, Sarah Gadon

Eye-catching: Gadon, 35, stood out in a gold dress and a matching leather duster coat.

Directed by Joachim Back and written by Ted Kupper, Corner Office is based on Jonas Karlsson's acclaimed existentialist novel The Room.

For a group session of photos, Christopher Heyerdahl joined in while dressed in a black suit with a blue dress shirt and black dress shoes.

Another cast member, Danny Pudi, looked stylish in a charcoal suit that was matched with a multi-colored button-down shirt.

Ladies night: Gadon also snuggled up next to co-star Kimberley Shoniker on the red carpet

Summer wear: Shoniker showed off her fashion sense in a pink minidress and open-toe heels
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Heidi Klum, Normani and Madison Beer led the stars at a glittering Dolce And Gabbana party in Hollywood on Thursday.

Looking more youthful than ever, Heidi, 49, slid her supermodel figure into a revealing silver mini-dress that glittered with sequins.

Her sensational outfit featured multiple peekaboo sections that allowed her to flaunt her cleavage and her enviably taut midriff at the restaurant Olivetta.

Bombshells: (from left) Heidi Klum, Normani and Madison Beer led the stars at a glittering Dolce And Gabbana party in Hollywood on Thursday

The tantalizing ensemble came with fishnets over its slits, ensuring she did not suffer a wardrobe malfunction as she strutted her stuff through the fete.

Heidi's outfit was backless and its hemline was cut high enough to show off her statuesque legs to full advantage.

Heightening the leggy impact of the look with a gleaming pair of silver ankle-strap stilettos, she accessorized with a tiny clutch.

Meanwhile Normani, who rose to fame as part of the girl group Fifth Harmony, was the image of a busty bombshell in her eye-popping outfit.

Wow: Looking more youthful than ever, Heidi, 49, slid her supermodel figure into a revealing silver mini-dress that glittered with sequins

Out and about: Her sensational outfit featured multiple peekaboo sections that allowed her to flaunt her cleavage and her enviably taut midriff at the restaurant Olivetta

She opted for a skintight mahogany cocktail dress that accentuated her hourglass figure and plunged to showcase her ample endowments.

Balancing expertly on a pair of towering heels, she added an extra touch of glitz to her look with a pair of glittering earrings.

The Atlanta native, who initially performed under her first and middle name Normani Kordei, swept her hair into an elegant updo.

Sharpening her screen siren features with makeup for her latest outing, she rocked a strikingly long set of white nails.

Hello, gorgeous: Normani opted for a skintight mahogany cocktail dress that accentuated her hourglass figure and plunged to showcase her ample endowments

Radiant: Balancing expertly on a pair of towering heels, she added an extra touch of glitz to her look with a pair of glittering earrings

Madison on the other hand opted for a floor-length outfit, selecting a sizzling white peekaboo dress that flashed her taut abs.

The dangerously sparse top half of her outfit also offered up a generous dose of cleavage as the pop act arrived at the party.

Where jewelry was concerned Madison kept her decisions simple and unobtrusive, popping on a single unadorned bracelet on each arm.

She swung a small black handbag that matched her dress and brought the look together with a pair of platform heels.

When you got it: The dangerously sparse top half of Madison's outfit also offered up a generous dose of cleavage as the pop act arrived at the party

On the town: Where jewelry was concerned Madison kept her decisions simple and unobtrusive, popping on a single unadorned bracelet on each arm

Side by side: Madison, who is dating Hype House member Nick Austin, was seen strolling alongside a male pal while crossing the street to Olivetta

Madison, who is dating Hype House member Nick Austin, was seen strolling alongside a male pal while crossing the street to Olivetta.

A dazzling array of big names made their way to the Mediterranean restaurant, including the rap bombshell Doja Cat.

Doja exuded an air of summery chic in a see-through powder blue top that fell off the shoulder and featured throwback flared sleeves.

She slipped into an extravagantly colorful miniskirt and a matching pair of knee-high boots, rocking a set of curved fingernails that matched her top.

On the go: A dazzling array of big names made their way to the Mediterranean restaurant, including the rap bombshell Doja Cat

On the go: Doja exuded an air of summery chic in a see-through powder blue top that fell off the shoulder and featured throwback flared sleeves

Entrance: Doja, whose outfit included a set of necklaces and a number of rings, flashed her winning smile as she made her way into the glamorous affair

Doja, whose outfit included a set of necklaces and a number of rings, flashed her winning smile as she made her way into the glamorous affair.

Jessica Simpson's sister Ashlee could be spotted turning up to Olvietta hand in hand with her husband Evan Ross, who is Diana Ross' son.

While Evan throw a flowing white top over a pair of loose-fitted bottoms, Ashlee went for business chic in a black trouser suit.

Another showbiz legacy who was on hand for the Dolce & Gabbana event was Bruce Willis and Demi Moore's second daughter Scout Willis.

Date night: Jessica Simpson's sister Ashlee could be spotted turning up to Olvietta hand in hand with her husband Evan Ross, who is Diana Ross' son

The looks: While Evan throw a flowing white top over a pair of loose-fitted bottoms, Ashlee went for business chic in a black trouser suit

Scout, who has an older sister named Rumer and a younger sister named Tallulah, wore a dull blue blazer open over a pale green bra.

Complementing the jacket with a pair of high-waisted sky blue trousers, she added a pop of contrast with a white leather handbag.

She glowed with happiness as she swung by Olivetta for the party, strutting her stuff on a pair of shimmering silver platforms.

Tyga, who once had a serious relationship with Kylie Jenner when she was a teenager and he in his 20s, was on hand for the shindig as well.

So many stars: Tyga, who once had a serious relationship with Kylie Jenner when she was a teenager and he in his 20s, was on hand for the shindig as well

What a night: Another showbiz legacy who was on hand for the Dolce & Gabbana event was Bruce Willis and Demi Moore's second daughter Scout Willis

Glitz: She glowed with happiness as she swung by Olivetta for the party, strutting her stuff on a pair of shimmering silver platforms

Christine Chiu, who shot to fame on the Netflix reality series Bling Empire, was a bombshell in black at Thursday's festivities.

The Taiwan-born glamour figure slipped into a solid black bra-lette over a matching lace skirt that featured a daringly open weave.

Her skirt matched a set of see-through opera gloves and similarly sheer boots, which featured vertiginous stilettos.

She slicked her hair back into a ponytail, revealing her elaborately designed drop earrings as she emerged from a gleaming white SUV outside Olivetta.

Glam: Christine Chiu, who shot to fame on the Netflix reality series Bling Empire, was a bombshell in black at Thursday's festivities
She's best known for playing teenager Anne Wilkinson on Neighbours in the 1990s.

And on Thursday, Brooke Satchwell returned to the spotlight to attend the world premiere of Foxtel's highly anticipated original new series, The Twelve in Sydney.

The 41-year-old actress, who plays mother-of-three Georgina in the new series, cut a chic figure as she posed for photos on the red carpet.

She's back! Brooke Satchwell, 41, has stepped back into the spotlight as she lead the red carpet arrivals of Foxtel's new drama series, The Twelve

Brooke went for a smart casual look in an elegant off-white silk shirt, skinny black trousers and strappy gold heels.

The Melbourne-born star added a tailored black blazer to the look, and styled her blonde locks in a messy ponytail.

Her makeup was soft and natural with defined brows, lashings of mascara, a touch of blush and a glossy pink lipstick.

Stylish: Brooke went for a smart casual look in an elegant off-white silk shirt, skinny black trousers and strappy gold heels

Feeling good: The former soap star flashed a smile as she posed for photos against the media wall

Marta Dusseldorp, who plays prosecutor Lucy Bloom in the Foxtel series, cut a sophisticated figure in a sleeveless black dress which she teamed up with a designer clutch.

Her short blonde hair was styled away from her face, drawing attention to her flawless visage.

Marta finished her look with a light rose shade for her lip, a subtle application of foundation and a manicured eyebrow.

Classic black: Marta Dusseldorp, who plays prosecutor Lucy Bloom in the Foxtel series, cut a sophisticated figure in a sleeveless black dress which she teamed up with a designer clutch

Flawless: Marta finished her look with a light rose shade for her lip, a subtle application of foundation and a manicured eyebrow

Kate Mulvany, who plays Kate Lawson in The Twelve, stood out in a yellow jacket and matching high-waisted trousers.

She wore her short hair spiked up with dark red lipstick on her pout.

The Hunters actress accessorised her look wearing an array of necklaces and two rings on her fingers.

Bold: Kate Mulvany, who plays Kate Lawson in The Twelve, stood out in a yellow jacket and matching high-waisted trousers

Simply stunning: Kate wore her short hair spiked up with red lipstick on her pout

Sydney-based actress Coco Jack Gillies turned heads in a floral dress, which she teamed up with matching strappy heels.

The17-year-old was all dolled up and wore a full face of makeup and had her curls styled to perfection.

Cast members Leah Purcell, Pallavi Sharda, Jenni Baird, Catherine Van-Davies and rising star Ngali Shaw were also in attendance.

Glamorous: Sydney-based actress Coco Jack Gillies turned heads in a floral dress, which she teamed up with matching strappy heels

Wow: The 17-year-old was all dolled up and wore a full face of makeup and had her curls styled to perfection

Other celebrity guests included E! presenter Francesca Hung, Aisha Jade and her partner Andrew Creer, Justin Hill and fashion stylist Donny Galella.

The 10-episode courtroom drama features a sprawling diverse cast across jury, prosecution, defence, police and family members.

Based on the 2019 Belgian series De Twaalf, The Twelve is the story of 12 jurors who, while dealing with their own personal struggles, must decide the case of a woman accused of killing a child.

Drama: Perth actress Pallavi Sharda (pictured) will play one of 12 ordinary Australians who have been selected for jury duty in a murder trial in The Twelve

Making a statement: The 32-year-old actress stunned in a floral frilly outfit

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,' he said.

'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.'

The Twelve premieres on Tuesday June 31 at 8.30pm on FOXTEL and FOX Showcase

Fashionable: Other celebrity guests included E! presenter Francesca Hung (pictured) who oozed confidence in a grey business suit and matching crop top
Nicky Clarke looked a far cry from his usual stylish self as he ran some errands in North London on Monday.

The 63-year-old swapped his trademark dapper country gent look wearing a pair of black joggers and hoodie while teaming the casual look with a pair socks and sliders.

The outing comes after Nicky, who is better known as Britain's most famous hair stylist was forced to close his flagship Mayfair salon after more than 30 years in April because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Casual: Nicky Clarke looked a far cry from his usual stylish self as he ran some errands wearing a pair of relaxed joggers with socks and sliders in North London on Monday

The award winning hair colourist, whose clients have included Princess Diana and the Duchess of York looked instantly recognisable with his signature his strawberry blonde mane styled effortlessly.

Smiling Nicky looked in great spirits on day as he made his way about the English capital meeting some deadlines.

It comes after the coiffeur left staff at his salon opposite the Connaught hotel devastated in April when he informed them 'with great regret' he was shutting immediately.

Savvy: Nicky achieved huge success as his salon transformed into an empire worth a reported 60m (pictured in 2016)

'This prestigious salon has been in Mayfair for over 30 years and has been a huge part of our lives, both personally and professionally,' Nicky said.

'However, the last two years have been the toughest we have experienced, with Covid-enforced, long-term closures, rising rates and overheads making the salon no longer economically sustainable.'

Nicky, whose business empire was said to be worth 60million before Covid struck, added: 'This was not an easy decision to make, we have spent months exploring alternative solutions to keep the salon in business but unfortunately these have not come to fruition.

'All staff impacted will be paid fully and all our obligations to them fulfilled. We're incredibly grateful to the dedication and hard work of every single member of staff.'

Tough times: Nicky announced in April that he was to close his iconic Mayfair hairdressers in West London that helped propel the hair stylist to fame after building pressure from Covid-19

A haircut with Nicky, whose hands were once insured for 1million, costs 650. On one occasion, he was booked by L'Oreal to style film star Isabella Rossellini's hair. 'I did three blow-dries for 12,000,' he explained.

He founded the business with long-term girlfriend, Lesley Clarke, 68, thanks to a 20,000 loan. But the pair, who have two grown-up children, split up after Nicky had an affair with Susie Bick, a Vivienne Westwood model.

However, they continued as business partners. Lesley told the Daily Mail: 'It's heart-breaking. I'm really sad. It's something I never thought would happen, but the pandemic took its toll on us.

Famous friends: Fergie cuts the ribbon as hairdresser Nicky Clarke lends a helping hand at the Royal opening of his Mayfair hairdressing salon (pictured December 2021)

'The lack of footfall in Mayfair, the rents, the rates, no travel because we have a lot of international clients. Mayfair isn't a residential area any more  we couldn't even rely on passing trade. It was a joint decision.

'We tried very hard to keep it going and we both put our own money in. It's like losing a child. The staff are like a family.'

Nicky, who was raised in a London council flat, received an OBE in 2008 and was the first crimper to appear in Who's Who.

He says he's committed to keeping his salon in Birmingham open, as well as his electrical hair tools business. Last year, he married fashion designer Kelly Simpkin, 40, with whom he has two young children.

They met 12 years ago when Kelly was a stylist in his salon. He admitted to finding being an older father challenging, saying: 'I should be driving Ferraris, not changing nappies and getting up at six in the morning.'
Carol Vorderman has challenged Susanna Reid to a 'mud wrestle' over Judge Rob Rinder in an Instagram story posted on Thursday.

The TV personality, 61, was updating her followers on recording for the Pride of Britain podcast when she playfully threw down the gauntlet.

She playfully added that the Good Morning Britain host 'keeps trying to take' Rob, 44, away from her.

'Love of my life': Carol Vorderman, 61, has challenged Susanna Reid to a 'mud wrestle' over Judge Rob Rinder in an Instagram story posted on Thursday

Addressing her 225,000 followers, Carol began: 'Well I'm happy to say I've had a lovely day because we've been recording lots of interviews for the Pride of Britain podcast that's going out at the moment.

'I you haven't heard one yet or watched one yet then just go to one of the social channels and I hope you enjoy it.

'But do you know what our winners on Pride of Britain are extraordinary, I mean they are so just...special and I've found that I'm learning a lot from them and I have today.'

Joking around: Carol added that the Good Morning Britain host 'keeps trying to take' Rob, 44, away from her (pictured in March)

She then turned the conversation to Rob, who she dubbed the 'love of her life'.

Carol said: 'I also...was interviewing the love of my life Rob Rinder, Judge Rob Rinder.

'Susanna Reid keeps trying to take him away from me. I've told her I'm willing to mud wrestle her for him.

'But she hasn't taken me up on that yet sadly.'

Updates: Addressing her 225,000 followers, Carol began: 'Well I'm happy to say I've had a lovely day because we've been recording lots of interviews for the Pride of Britain podcast'

'Extraordinary people': In an Instagram post Carol had also called Rob 'special and a joy as ever'

In an Instagram post she also called Rob 'special and a joy as ever'.

The grinning Carol donned a white long-sleeve, accessorised with an elaborate golden pendant.

She had her highlighted blonde tresses curled in a bob, complemented by a clean make-up look highlighting the stunner's long lashes.

It comes as the star recently showed off her curvaceous figure in a slew of sizzling Instagram selfies last month before her live radio show.

'Interview day': The grinning Carol donned a white long-sleeve, accessorised with an elaborate golden pendant

Court in session: Carol said: 'I also...was interviewing the love of my life Rob Rinder, Judge Rob Rinder' (pictured in March)

Carol flaunted her ample assets and tiny waist in a green busty skintight crop top.

She posed up a storm in a pair of figure-hugging leggings and went barefoot in the snaps before heading out.

Carol sported a dewy makeup look and wore her golden locks poker straight while flashing her dazzling white smile.

Alongside the post, she penned: 'Going with the straight hair for the show today. Tune in BBC RADIO WALES from 1130-2pm...or find me on @bbcsounds.

Looking good: Carol showed off her curvaceous figure in a slew of sizzling Instagram selfies on Saturday before her live radio show last month

'ANSWER ME THIS.... What is the best gig you've ever been to and tell me the story... Can't wait to hear all the details.

Meanwhile earlier that week Carol spent the night with Wynne Evans, famed for playing the Go Compare man in adverts, watching Ed Sheeran's concert at Principality Stadium.

The presenter took to her Instagram Stories to give her followers an insight into her evening.

Iconic: Carol spent a night with Wynne Evans, famed for playing the Go Compare man in the famous adverts, watching Ed Sheeran's concert at Principality Stadium

Wynne was instantly recognised by fans thanks to his many appearances as Italian tenor Gio Compario in the insurance adverts.

He took charge of decorating Carol's face in glitter stripes coloured red, white and green for the Welsh flag.

She shared several snaps of her outfit to the concert, opting for white sweater layered underneath a white jumpsuit.

She styled her caramel-coloured locks in soft waves, and sported a full face of glamorous makeup to accentuate her ageless beauty.

Tweeting out a slew of snaps from the evening, Carol wrote: 'Put @wynneevans  in charge of glitter face....even big man  @RyanJonesOnline didn't escape.'

She also offered a rave review of Ed's performance, gushing: 'Ed Sheeran was MAGNIFICENT. If you're going to see him on tour you will NOT be disappointed....stunning'.




North Korea has not yet made public the details of the latest major meeting of its ruling Workers' Party of Korea in what the South Korean government views as a highly unusual move.







On Thursday, the North's state media reported that the fifth enlarged plenary meeting of the party's eighth Central Committee kicked off in Pyongyang the previous day with leader Kim Jong-un in attendance.







As of Friday morning, however, the official Korean Central News Agency and other North Korean media outlets have not carried articles on the session, while the outside world is monitoring the possibility of a new message from the secretive regime especially in regard to inter-Korean relations, stalled denuclearization talks with the United States or its reported plan for another nuclear weapon test.







The Ministry of Unification pointed out that it was "unusual" for the North to stay silent on the plenary meeting.







"This marks the first time North Korea has not reported (quickly) on the development of the plenary meeting of the party's central committee since leader Kim Jong-un took power," Cha Duck-chul, the ministry's deputy spokesperson, told a regular press briefing. (Yonhap)


Tom Daley enjoyed a family trip to Universal Studios in Hollywood on Thursday with his husband Dustin Lance Black and son Robbie, 4.

The Olympic champion, 28, shared a glimpse of the fun with his 3.4million Instagram followers as the trio made the most of the sunny weather.

Tom revealed that while his son and husband loved the theme park's rides, he was enamoured with the snacks.

'They loved the rides, I loved the snacks!': Tom Daley, 28 (right) enjoyed a fun filled day at Universal Studios with husband Dustin Lance Black, 48 (left) and son Robbie, 4 in Hollywood on Thursday

The doting parents shared snaps as they beamed for the camera posing alongside the tot's favourite Jurassic World dinosaur.

Tom lovingly held Robbie on his hip as the little one grasped at the collar of his father's T-shirt.

The proud LGBTQ+ activist donned a baby blue top emblazoned with the word Love in a psychedelic rainbow colour scheme - from his own brand Made with Love.

Daddy: Tom loving held Robbie's hand as he led the excited little one into Minion themed Super Silly Fun Land

Wearing his dark locks in a simple style he slipped his feet into comfy high top trainers for a busy day in the theme park.

Meanwhile Oscar winning screenwriter Dustin opted for an all black ensemble as he shared the rucksack duties with his other half.

The parents dressed their son in mustard shorts and a black T-shirt protecting his head from the sun with a straw hat.

Loving: Before Dustin (right) planted a sweet kiss on Tom's (left) cheek as he took his turn to cradle the couple's young son.

Tom loving held Robbie's hand as he led the excited little one into the Minion themed Super Silly Fun Land.

Dustin then planted a sweet kiss on Tom's cheek as he took his turn to cradle the couple's young son.

Later Tom posed up a storm in the gift shops as she tried on a dinosaur hat before splashing out on a prehistoric themed cup.

Fun day out: The young family made the most of the sunny weather as they explored the fun filled theme park

Shopping: Later Tom then posed up a storm in the gift shops as she tried on a dinosaur hat (left) before splashing out on a prehistoric themed cup (right)

The private couple covered their young son's face through out the series of shots, behind his hat or a red love heart emoji.

Tom captioned the post: 'Our little family went to Universal Studios! Robbie loved the Jurassic World Ride, Lance loved the Waterworld show and I loved the snacks!'.

Later the trio, who live in London, then enjoyed some much needed rest with an afternoon on the golden Californian sands .

Loving life: Tom captioned the snaps: 'Our little family went to Universal Studios! Robbie loved the Jurassic World Ride, Lance loved the Waterworld show and I loved the snacks!'

Relaxing: Later the trio then enjoyed some much needed rest with an afternoon on the golden Californian sands

Taking to his Instagram Dustin shared snaps as they played in the sand before watching surfers hit the waves.

He wrote: 'Some much needed rest & recovery, surf & sand time in CA with my precious lil family'.

This comes after Tom confessed that he feels there is 'extra pressure' on same sex couples to be 'good parents'.

Beach boys: Taking to his Instagram Dustin shared snaps as they played in the sand before watching surfers hit the waves

The Olympic diver, who welcomed Robbie via surrogacy, revealed that he sometimes feels judged by people when out in public.

Speaking to Giovanna Fletcher on her Happy Mum Happy Baby podcast, Tom explained: 'Being same sex dads, I felt a lot of extra pressure to be good parents and to be doing the right thing.'

He continued: 'You do always feel a bit judged when you're out in public because you want to be showing that you're doing the best you possibly can, and I think it can be weird sometimes for people to see two dads and a baby.

Summers day: Dustin donned a straw hat and a hoodie from his husband's fashion line

Lovely: He wrote: 'Some much needed rest & recovery, surf & sand time in CA with my precious lil family'

'We always felt like we had to be the best parents that we could ever be and do all of the right things, we were desperate to be parents just like everybody else.

'It was that constant feeling of having to prove ourselves above and beyond.'

Tom discussed the complexity of same sex couples becoming parents as he revealed his worries that came when he first realised that he was gay.

He said: 'Once I started to realise that I was gay, it was like, how am I going to have children in the future? What does this look like for me? What are the options?

'Having to figure out exactly how that was going to work, looking down the routes of adoption, surrogacy and all of those different things.'
Love Island contestant Ekin-Su Culculoglu looks unrecognisable in pre surgery throwback photos from her university days when she went by the name Susie.

The actress, 27, studied performing arts at the University of Central Lancashire, where friends of the bombshell say she was known as Susie Hayzel and spoke with an Essex accent.

In photos exclusively obtained by MailOnline, Ekin-Su, who offended co-star Gemma Owen, 19, on Thursday's show by making fun of her age, wore a white bikini and sash while competing in a Miss Ireland beauty pageant in 2012.

'We only ever knew her as Susie': Love Island star Ekin-Su Culculoglu looks unrecognisable in pre surgery throwback photos from her university days when she went by the name Susie

A source told MailOnline: 'Ekin-Su was definitely a character.

'Everybody knew who she was at university, and she made sure of that. We only ever knew her as Susie though and it was a surprise when she started going by the name Ekin-Su.

'She had a strong Essex accent at university, which has changed a lot since she pursued her acting dreams in Turkey.

'Ekin-Su always wanted to be famous, she studied performing arts and after uni competed in Miss World, Miss Ireland, and Miss Central London beauty pageants, so being on Love Island suits her.'

MailOnline understands the Love Island star's birth name is Ekin-Su despite how pals knew her throughout university.

'She was a character': The actress studied performing arts at the University of Central Lancashire, where friends say she was known as Susie Hayzel (pictured in 2022)

Throwback: Ekin-Su, who offended co-star Gemma Owen on Thursday's show by making fun of her age, wore a white bikini and sash while competing in a Miss Ireland beauty pageant (pictured in September 2012)

In 2017, Ekin-Su competed in a Miss Central London beauty competition, where she came runner up to represent the capital in a Miss Great Britain pageant.

The model wore a bright pink bikini as she smiled for the cameras at a London nightclub.

She poses next to Olympic diver Tom Daley in another snap from her university days and was pictured in a white crop top with a pink mini skirt during a night out in 2013.

In a video shared to her Facebook profile, Ekin-Su sings Labrinth hit Jealous and appears different to how she looks now, with darker hair.

Camera-ready: In 2017, Ekin-Su competed in Miss Central London beauty competition, where she came runner up to represent London in the Miss Great Britain pageant (pictured in 2017)

Fun times: Ekin-Su, or Susie as she was known then, smiled next to two pals in a 2013 picture wearing a white crop top and pink mini skirt (pictured in April 2013)

Famous faces: The Islander, who made an eventful debut in this year's series, poses next to Olympic diver Tom Daley in another snap from her university days

Ekin-Su made an eventful debut in this year's series on Thursday night, sparking the male contestants to brand her 'trouble.'

She immediately took a shine to Davide Sanclimenti, 27, requesting her own personal gym session with the Italian hunk much to the frustration of Gemma, who he's currently coupled-up with.

Questioning their relationship, Ekin-Su said: 'It's a very dry couple. Where are the amore kisses? Where's the "good morning baby?'"

The dressage champion had earlier accused Ekin-Su of being 'patronising' after the actress said she intended to treat her like a 'little sister' because of their age gap.

Unimpressed Gemma said: 'I'm sure she didn't mean it in a b****y way but I felt like it was a bit patronising. I was a bit like, 'ugh.'

She also told the girls her main aim of appearing on the ITV series was to find the 'love of her life', not forge female friendships.
Natalya Wright looked sensational as she showed off her jaw-dropping figure in a sizzling bikini post she shared to her Instagram Stories on Friday.

The model, 21, who is the younger sister of reality stars Mark and Jessica Wright, opted for a skimpy lilac bikini as she strolled along the beach The Bahamas.

Natalya displayed her bronzed hue as she worked on her tan while also sporting a raffia cowboy hat.

Sun soaked: Natalya Wright, 21, flaunted her incredible figure in a skimpy purple bikini as she soaked up the sun during trip to The Bahamas on Friday

The barely there two piece clung to her fantastic figure as she posed up a storm on the golden sands.

The influencer let her brunette locks fall loose down her shoulders as she accessorised with a splash of gold jewellery - including a chain around her taut waist.

Fixing the camera with a sultry stare, Natalya completed her look with a light palette of makeup.

Ye-ha! Natalya displayed her bronzed hue as she worked on her tan on the trip and also sported a raffia cowboy hat

Gorgeous: The influencer let her brunette locks fall loose down her shoulders as she accessorised with a splash of gold jewellery. Fixing the camera with a sultry stare, Natalya completed her look with a light palette of makeup

Natalya, who is on the island for cousin George's wedding, carried a large beach bag over her shoulder, later cuddling up to her young nephew.

Later posing for a mirror selfie in her luxurious hotel she captioned the snaps: 'Shes wearing colour.. Dont faint'

This come after her older sister, Jessica, 36, revealed the family are in advanced talks to star in a Kardashian-style reality show.

Stunner: The model looked gorgeous as she made the most of the tropical weather

Auntie: Natalya, who is on the island for cousin George's wedding, carried a large beach bag over her shoulder, later cuddling up to her young nephew

Sweet: The aunt appeared to be in her element as he cradled the tot and took in the scenery

After years of speculation, ITV are set to give the green light to the project, which will centre around the former TOWIE star, Natalya, brother Josh, 32, and parents Carol and Mark Senior.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Jess told how her grandmother Irene is being lined up to appear as the family matriarch, taking on the mantle of her late Nanny Pat, the TOWIE icon.

Jess said: 'There is interest now about doing a series following our family, on the back of the show about my wedding.

Sizzling: Later posing for a mirror selfie in her luxurious hotel she captioned the snaps: 'Shes wearing colour.. Dont faint'

LOL: Known for not wearing much colour the star shared a funny caption with her sizzling snaps

'It's been rumoured for years but now is the right time because my brother Josh is having a baby, and I might be starting to have my own family soon, so it just feels like the natural time to do it.

'There are so many of us, so many characters and we're used to being around the cameras as well. It's second nature to us.'

Jess teased brother Mark and wife Michelle Keegan, both 34, could have cameos, but believes grandmother Irene could become the unlikely surprise star.
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A topless Katya Jones flaunted her toned and tanned physique as she soaked up the sun on holiday in Mykonos, Greece on Friday.

The Strictly Come Dancing pro, 33, covered herself up with a beach scarf as she enjoyed the sand and sea, donning some strappy mustard bikini bottoms.

The stunner collected her windswept chestnut locks in a low ponytail, adding a pop of colour with yellow tassel earrings.

Beach holiday: A topless Katya Jones, 33, flaunted her toned, tanned physique as she soaked up the sun on holiday in Mykonos, Greece on Friday before changing into a tiny bikini

Katya posed up a storm as she artfully placed the silky cover over her chest and sauntered along the shore.

Other snaps saw the performer wearing her matching bikini top after she went for a swim.

The star was also pictured lounging on a sunbed as she adjusted her swimsuit and strolling around with a book.

Modelling: Katya struck a number of poses along the shore, covering the chest with a breezy scarf

The TV personality's sunny getaway comes as Seann Walsh last month finally expressed remorse over hurting his then-girlfriend by kissing married dance partner Katya behind her back.

The comedian, 36, became embroiled in the show's biggest-ever scandal in 2018 as he was in a long-term relationship with Rebecca Humphries while Katya was married to fellow dancer Neil Jones.

Following the incident, Rebecca released an impassioned statement in which she revealed he called her 'psycho' and 'nuts' for questioning his friendship with Katya, who he kissed on Rebecca's birthday - before the photos were made public.

Bronzed beauty: Katya posed up a storm as she artfully placed the silky cover over her chest and sauntered along the shore

Splashing around: Katya enjoyed a swim while on holiday, taking a dip in a mustard string bikini

Discussing the drama on new Prime Video show Backstage With Katherine Ryan which starts on June 9, he said: 'What you are thinking about is: "What have you done to someone?"

'It's one thing doing that privately and I don't judge anyone, because everyone's got their own backstory, lives or whatever. It was horrific. It was crazy.'

The star said to this day, he is unable to watch Strictly as it 'messes my head up.'

Posing up a storm: The stunner let the scarf float in the breeze as it wrapped around her chest on the beach

Tanned and toned: Katya gracefully posed on the sand, draping a beachy scarf elegantly around her chest

Wow: The stunner put on a sultry display with purposeful placing of the beachy scarf over her chest

He said: 'I have such amazing memories of being on that show and then the repercussions of that kiss, it was crazy. I'm just a comic.

'One day I hope I can look back at that fondly, that first few weeks, because it was the best time of my life.'

In April and speaking in his comedy special Seann Walsh: Kiss, the star told how he was 'sorry' for the kiss then and is still sorry now.

Relaxing: The star was also pictured lounging on a sunbed as she adjusted her swimsuit and strolling around with a book

Getting some sun: Katya applied sunscreen as she worked to get an even tan on the beach in Mykonos

Recalling how he learned their PDA had become public, he said: 'I left the wardrobe department and before I could order my first beer, my agent came over to and asked if he could have a word with me outside.

'I thought 'he is going to tell me I have got Michael McIntyre's Big Show! I had better act surprised!'

'Turns out, I didn't have to act surprised. We went into the BBC carpark, my agent looked over his glasses and said, 'about 20 minutes ago, they posted a photo of you kissing Katya outside a pub'.

Chilling out: Katya relaxed on the sunbeds as the star enjoyed a day out on the beach in Mykonos

Even tan: Katya adjusted her bikini top to make sure she got an even bronzed tan as she lazed around the beach

'It was at that exact point that my life would turn upside down - the dream turned into a nightmare.'

Explaining the incident, he said: 'I was in a relationship, my dance partner Katya was married.

'After training we went for a drink, one thing led to another and we were photographed kissing outside a pub.

Beach day: The star enjoyed a day of swimming and tanning, and was seen strolling around the beach

Sun-soaked fun: Katya flaunted her toned stomach and lean physique as she emerged from the water

'Awful, I know. It's awful - I'm sorry. I'm still sorry now.'

He said: 'I was then on the receiving end of thousands of abusive messages online. I did begin to wonder "have I done something that wrong?"

'Then....Katie Hopkins tweeted in my defence. Then I thought "yep, I've f****d up!"'

Holiday reading: Katya picked up a book as she wandered around the beach, enjoying the sunny weather

Cooling off: The star went for a dip in the sea for swim, wearing a deep yellow bikini with tassel earrings

Heating up: The star adjusted her bikini top as she enjoyed the sunny weather on the beach in Mykonos

'I managed to keep Brexit off the front pages for 12 whole days, but I hated it.'

'I thought "I just had to get out of here" and I left for America. Just the break I needed.'

While Katya was supported by her husband Neil after the 'drunken mistake', their marriage did not last as they announced their split in August 2019.

The dancers confirmed they were splitting in joint Instagram statements, but despite writing they had mutual 'respect' and 'love', a source claimed Katya's infidelity was something her husband couldn't get over.

The pair have remained friends since the split and continue to be professional dancers together on Strictly.
Dior seems to be betting big on Johnny Depp despite the recent revelations in his high-profile defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife Amber Heard.

The French fashion house appears to be broadcasting an old ad featuring the controversial 59-year-old actor, according to TMZ.

The renewed publicity comes as Dior has continued to stand by Depp throughout the trial, and sales of the cologne he advertises, Sauvage, have been rising at retailers, the Wall Street Journal reported last week.

Back in the spotlight: Ads for Dior's cologne Sauvage featuring Johnny Depp have gone back into primetime rotation despite his recent defamation trial and controversies, according to TMZ

So far, Dior has not said if it is making a renewed push on Depp's Sauvage ads.

The Dead Man star recorded several commercials for the fashion house since he became the brand ambassador for the cologne in 2015.

Notably, the brand seems have broken with precedent and has continued to support the actor despite the allegations of physical and sexual abuse leveled against him by Heard and reports of unprofessional behavior on set.

TMZ noted that the ad recently aired in primetime during an episode of MasterChef on Fox from 89 p.m. on Wednesday night.

In business: The publicity comes as Dior has continued to stand by Depp throughout the trial, and sales of the cologne have been rising at retailers, the Wall Street Journal reported last week

Primetime: TMZ noted that the ad recently aired during an episode of MasterChef on Fox from 89 p.m. on Wednesday night

Most recently, an ad featuring Depp playing chords for Wild Thing while in a desert and surrounded by wolves has been in rotation.

The ad was posted by the brand in September 2021, though it may have been filmed earlier than that.

Depp has also shot other ads for the fashion house, including a 2019 clip that was criticized as being racist due to the way Depp and Dior used Native American iconography.

In that instance, Dior took notice of the complaints and appeared to have removed the ad and related materials from its social media posts, according to The Guardian.

Edgy: The most recent ad appears to have been released in September 2021 and features him playing Wild Thing on his guitar while surrounded by wolves

Pulled: A 2019 ad was previously removed by Dior after it was lambasted for being racist due to its use of Native American iconography

Strong sales: Sephora has reportedly posted an Instagram ad for Sauvage starting in May, and the Wall Street Journal reported that its sales increased for that retailer and its competitor Ulta

More recently, Sephora has reportedly posted an Instagram ad for Sauvage starting in May of this year.

The Wall Street Journal reported earlier in June that the cosmetics retailer and its competitor Ulta have both seen increasing sales for Depp's cologne, making it among their top-selling fragrances online.

Though the French luxury brand seems to be sticking with Depp, there aren't any indications yet that Hollywood plans to put him in any major projects.

Speaking with The Sunday Times last month, superproducer Jerry Bruckheimer said there were no plans to bring him back to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, though Margot Robbie is still in the running for a spin-off film.

During his defamation trial, Depp's former agent Tracey Jacobs testified that he used an earpiece on set to be fed his lines, though in a 2018 Vanity Fair profile, the actor claimed that he had noises and music piped in to help him get in the right mindset for a performance.
Olivia Attwood put on a peachy display as she shared sultry Instagram snaps from her Portugal getaway on Thursday.

The former Love Islander, 31, flaunted her enviable physique in a tiny blue bikini as she posed at poolside,

The stunner faced her back to the camera, collecting her highlighted blonde locks in a ponytail.

Feeling blue: Olivia Atwood, 31, put on a peachy display as she shared sultry Instagram snaps from her Portugal getaway on Thursday

She captioned the cheeky shot: 'Swim club in session.'

Olivia wore a watch and bracelet as she lounged at the luxury Conrad Algarve hotel in Quinta do Lago.

The blonde beauty also shared the photos on her Instagram Story, writing: 'Guess who got in the pool yesterday (up to her waist).'

Pool day: The former Love Islander flaunted her enviable physique in a tiny blue bikini as she posed at a spacious pool

Splashing around: The stunner faced her back to the camera, collecting her highlighted blonde locks in a ponytail

She captioned the cheeky shot 'swim club in session' as she posed around the luxurious surroundings

On Tuesday the star also flaunted her enviable figure in a cleavage-plunging halter-neck bikini in holiday photos.

Olivia showed off her toned figure in a black swimsuit, teamed with a Louis Vuitton bandana on the head for a chic beach ensemble.

The reality star accessorised her look with some black sunglasses, bracelets and a sharp, glam manicure.

In the deep end: The blonde beauty also shared the photos on her Instagram Story, writing: 'Guess who got in the pool yesterday (up to her waist)'

'Who, me?' Olivia flaunted her enviable figure in a cleavage-plunging halter-neck bikini in holiday photos from Portugal on Tuesday

Holiday: Sharing the snap with 1.9 million Instagram followers, Olivia cheekily wrote: 'Who, me?'

She wore her highlighted blonde locks down, styled pin-straight.

Sharing the snap with 1.9 million Instagram followers, Olivia cheekily wrote: 'Who, me?'

Taking to her Instagram Stories, Olivia also shared another stylish ensemble in a fluffy, baby blue bandeau top paired with some slouchy light denim jeans.

Beach style: The former Love Islander showed off her enviable physique in the black swimsuit, teamed with a bandana on her head for a chic beach ensemble

She stayed true to her colour-coded theme, opting for an azure eyeliner on her lower lid, complemented with a dusky pink lip.

The reality star accessorised with flashy earrings from Lara Heems jewellery, sweeping her long dresses into a half-up half-down.

The media personality on Saturday also posted another photo of herself at Julia's Beach bar in Portugal, enjoying a glass of wine by the seaside.

Beautiful in blue: Taking to her Instagram Stories, she also shared another stylish ensemble in a fluffy, baby blue bandeau top paired with some slouchy light denim jeans

Staying on theme: The reality star accessorised with flashy earrings from Lara Heems jewellery, sweeping her long dresses into a half-up half-down

The star rocked a relaxed glam look in a white T-shirt, donning golden jewellery and some shades, sporting a glam face of make-up.

It comes as last month Olivia posted a gorgeous snap from her Dubai holiday to Instagram.

The reality star showed off her taut figure in a lilac bikini with a cross-over design and tie string detail.

Sun-soaked: The star on Saturday posted another photo of herself at Julia's Beach bar in Portugal, enjoying a glass of wine by the seaside

The bombshell had her blonde tresses left to fall in a tousled beachy style, while she posed at Drift Beach Club.

Olivia accessorised her look with a stack of metal bangles and a gold watch, adding a pendant necklace and gold rings.

She was living the luxury life as she held onto a wine glass and rested on a sun lounger.

Gorgeous: Olivia showed off her toned physique last month as she sizzled in a lilac cross-over bikini during her Dubai getaway

Confident as ever, the former Love Islander wrote: 'Still that b**ch, apparently.'

The beauty also took to her Stories to share another shot of the look, adding black sunglasses as she took the picture in a bathroom mirror.

She simply captioned the Story: 'Bikini of the day.'
Nick Cannon's ex girlfriend Jessica White has denied rumors that she is also pregnant with his child, after it was revealed he is set to become a father for the ninth time.

Jessica, 37, and Nick, 41, in 2015 after he had split with Mariah Carey - with whom he shares 11-year-old twins, Moroccan and Monroe.

However, following news that is set to father his ninth child, the model angrily took to her Instagram to set the record straight and shut down rumors that she is the baby mama.

Nick Cannon's ex-flame Jessica White DENIES being pregnant with his ninth child in fiery post about her infertility issues: 'Stay the hell out of my uterus'

'Understand this! No I'm NOT pregnant. I am a great creative force who's focuse (sic) is on the business,' Jessica wrote to her 255k followers.

'Stay the hell out of my uterus because it's invasive and disgusting especially to someone who has fertility issues. Nothing will get in the way of this moment for me as a female director and artist.'

She went on: 'I do not belong apart of tabloid flutter. I love, and I am brilliant on my own. Now go watch the movie Nick Cannon trusted me to write and direct for him. And go stream RAW&B creatively directed by me! Please stay focused on my greatest. Thank you, Jw.'

Speaking out: The model angrily took to her Instagram to set the record straight and shut down rumors that she is the baby mama

Former flame: Jessica, 37, and Nick, 41, in 2015 after he had split with Mariah Carey - with whom he shares 11-year-old twins, Moroccan and Monroe (Pictured above in March)

Although the pair were first linked many years ago, Nick and Jessica were seen partying together in New York City this year in March, prompting some fans to question whether or not Jessica is his latest baby mama.

Earlier this week, Cannon - who once dismissed monogamy as a 'Eurocentric concept' - revealed that he is expecting his ninth child while awaiting the birth of his eighth baby.

Despite Jessica responding to the rumors - it had been reported that the mother of his unborn child is actually DJ and OnlyFans star Abby De La Rosa.

Cannon and De La Rosa already share twin sons Zillion Heir and Zion Mixolydian, who will turn one on June 14.

Wow: Cannon - who once dismissed monogamy as a 'Eurocentric concept' - revealed that he is expecting his ninth child while awaiting the birth of his eighth baby

Meanwhile, Cannon is also expecting baby number eight with heavily pregnant model Bre Tiesi.

Abby, 31, announced the baby news on Friday but did not disclose who the father was, only teasing that it could be another set of twins.

Abby's due date is October 25, according to TMZ, who confirmed he was the father - marking his ninth child.

On Tuesday, Abby revealed on her OnlyFans that she was expecting a baby girl, but did not reveal the father, according to People.

Baby or babies on the way: Nick and Abby welcomed twin sons Zillion Heir and Zion Mixolydian in June 2021; Abby seen on her Instagram with their sons

Her news: She also used her pregnancy announcement to promote her OnlyFans account

During her OnlyFans discussion, Abby revealed she knows one of Nick's other baby mamas, adding: 'We've had so much fun going out to dinners and coffee. She's a beautiful human being and I wish her nothing but the best in this forever journey we're apart of. The rest of the woman I don't know and never met but I wish them all the best as well [sic],' per People.

Bre, 31, is currently pregnant with his eighth child; they were seen attending her gender reveal party in January this year, just weeks after his son Zen tragically died at five months from brain cancer.

He shared Zen with baby mama Alyssa Scott; he died on December 5, 2021.

Expecting: On Tuesday, Bre Tiesi was seen stepping out for a solo shopping run with growing baby bump on full display in a sheer top

On Tuesday, Bre was seen stepping out for a solo shopping run with growing baby bump on full display in a sheer top.

Bre, who is pregnant with her first child, recently came back from a babymoon in the Bahamas with Nick.

Fans began speculating he was the father of Abby's child after she announced on Friday she was expecting a baby, although she did not identify the father.

Nick is dad to daughter Powerful Queen, 18 months, and son Golden Sagon, five, with Brittany Bell who is Miss Guam 2014.

Dad time: Nick and Abby already share twin sons Zillion Heir and Zion Mixolydian - who turn one on June 14

Baby mama: Nick is dad to daughter Powerful Queen, 18 months, and son Golden Sagon, five, with Brittany Bell who is Miss Guam 2014

The way they were: Nick has twins Moroccan and Monroe, 11, with ex-wife Mariah Carey; they were married from 2008 until they divorced in 2016

The TV host also has twins Moroccan and Monroe, 11, with ex-wife Mariah Carey; they were married from 2008 until they divorced in 2016.

On the Lip Service podcast shared on Tuesday, Nick was asked about speculation he had 'three children on the way.'

He jokingly said in response: 'Whey you say "on the way..." What count are you at? Let's just put it this way... the stork is on the way.'

Adding: 'I don't know, it could be...'

Nick, who welcomed three children in 2021 (Zion, Zillion and Zen), suggested he planned on breaking his record: 'If you thought it was a lot of kids last year...'

During the podcast, Nick also spoke out about what his therapist told him about being celibate.

He said that his therapist told him he 'needed to chill out' and that he said he would try to be celibate.
She took to the stage at the Tel Aviv Pride Parade in Israel on Friday.

And Iggy Azalea certainly did it in style, as she sported a blue catsuit with a cut-out detail for the appearance.

Sending the crowd of thousands wild, the 32-year-old put on an energetic performance as she stormed the stage.

Star: Iggy Azalea, 32, sent the crowd wild in a blue cut-out catsuit on Friday as she headlined at the Tel Aviv Pride Parade

Iggy looked gorgeous in the mesh catsuit, showing off her cleavage with the cut-out bust design being held together with love heart embellishing.

The trousers also featured a large slit, as the rapper paired bright blue heeled boots with the look.

Her blonde tresses fell freely to her back, styled in a sleek wave as they battled with the wind on stage.

Baring all: Iggy looked gorgeous in the mesh catsuit, showing off her cleavage with the cut-out bust design being held together with love heart embellishing

Bombshell: Her blonde tresses fell freely to her back, styled in a sleek wave as they battled with the wind on stage

Ensemble: The trousers also featured a large slit, as the rapper paired bright blue heeled boots with the look

Iggy, real moniker Amethyst Amelia Kelly, sported lashings of makeup for the stage appearance, opting for a nude lip and a yellow eye shadow.

Sassy as ever, the musician pulled a slew of faces on stage, sticking her tongue out and throwing up some hand gestures.

Joined by backing dancers in unitards which matched her own ensemble, Iggy showed off her own dance moves as she strutted up and down the stage.

Busting a move: Joined by backing dancers in unitards which matched her own ensemble, Iggy showed off her own dance moves as she strutted up and down the stage

Personality: Sassy as ever, the musician pulled a slew of faces on stage, sticking her tongue out and throwing up some hand gestures

And the fans were loving it, as they cheered and snapped pictures of Iggy, clad with LGBTQ+ pride flags and fans for the event.

While the Australian native headlined the parade, she was joined by a slew of Israeli star's, as the parade also saw over 170k people take part in a march.

The performance comes after Iggy celebrated her 32nd birthday just this week, celebrating with two cakes and statement balloons as she took to Instagram to share some insights to the day.

In their element: And the fans were loving it, as they cheered and snapped pictures of Iggy, clad with LGBTQ+ pride flags and fans for the event
Justin Bieber has revealed that he fears struggling to eat after suffering temporary facial paralysis from Ramsay Hunt syndrome just days after being forced to cancel dates on his Justice World Tour and has asked fans to pray for him.

The 28-year-old pop star took to his Instagram on Friday to share a three-minute video explaining the diagnosis, which is a complication of shingles that can lead to facial paralysis.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the hearing loss and facial paralysis associated with Ramsay Hunt syndrome is temporary, however, can become permanent.

Justin's right eye was unable to blink and the right side of his face did not move as he began the video saying: 'Hey everyone Justin here, I wanted to update you guys on what's been going on.

Sad news: Justin Bieber has revealed that he has suffered facial paralysis from Ramsay Hunt syndrome just days after cancelling dates on his Justice World Tour, as he said that he cannot blink or move the right side of his face

Tough: The 28-year-old pop star took to his Instagram on Friday to share a three-minute video explaining the diagnosis which is a complication of shingles that can lead to facial paralysis

'Obviously as you can probably see with my face. I have this syndrome called Ramsay Hunt syndrome and it is from this virus that attacks the nerves in my ear and my facial nerves and has caused my face to have paralysis.'

Justin later updated posted a sad update on his Instagram Story as he wrote: 'Been getting progressively harder to eat which has been extremely frustrating, please pray for me [tearing up emoji]'

On Tuesday, the artist had announced that he was postponing the 'next few shows' of his seven-leg, 130-date Justice World Tour due 'non-Covid related illness.'

'Can't believe I'm saying this. I've done everything to get better but my sickness is getting worse,' the 28-year-old pop star - who boasts 539.2M social media followers - wrote.

Justin's right eye was unable to blink and the right side of his face did not move as he began the video saying: 'Hey everyone Justin here, I wanted to update you guys on what's been going on'

'Obviously as you can probably see with my face. I have this syndrome called Ramsay Hunt syndrome and it is from this virus that attacks the nerves in my ear and my facial nerves and has caused my face to have paralysis,' Justin continued

Justin later updated posted a sad update on his Instagram Story as he wrote: 'Been getting progressively harder to eat which has been extremely frustrating, please pray for me [tearing up emoji]'

Announcement: On Tuesday, the artist had announced that he was postponing the 'next few shows' of his seven-leg, 130-date Justice World Tour due 'non-Covid related illness' (pictured Friday)

The pop star wrote: 'Can't believe I'm saying this. I've done everything to get better but my sickness is getting worse. My heart breaks that I will have to postpone these next few shows (doctors orders). To all my people I love you so much and I'm gonna rest and get better'

Wow: The Justice World Tour began in February was set to have 130 dates all around the world through the rest of this year and into next year

'My heart breaks that I will have to postpone these next few shows (doctors orders). To all my people I love you so much and I'm gonna rest and get better.'

In the clip posted on Friday, Justin showed the devastating effects to his diagnosis as he showed how his eye wasn't blinking, can't smile, and nostril will not move all on the right side of his face.

He explained: 'So there is full paralysis on this side my face. So for those who are frustrated by my cancellations of the next shows, I'm just physically obviously not capable of doing them. This is pretty serious as you can see.

Scary: Justin showed the devastating effects to his diagnosis as he showed how his eye wasn't blinking, can't smile, and nostril will not move all on the right side of his face

He explained: 'So there is full paralysis on this side my face. So for those who are frustrated by my cancellations of the next shows, I'm just physically obviously not capable of doing them. This is pretty serious as you can see'

WHAT IS RAMSAY HUNT SYNDROME? THE RARE COMPLICATION OF SHINGLES THAT LEADS TO FACIAL PARALYSIS Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a complication of shingles, caused by the same virus as chickenpox (VZV), that can lead to facial paralysis. The virus becomes reactivated after laying dormant for years and causes inflammation and irritation on the facial nerves. VZV is harmless unless it is reactivated and should this happen new symptoms will appear. The virus can be reactivated when the immune system is weakened, and less able to fight off infection. Stress is often a trigger. Ramsay Hunt syndrome is a complication of shingles that can lead to facial paralysis Figures suggest that five in every 100,000 adults in the US will develop RHS. It poses a similar threat in the UK, according to the NHS. Children are rarely affected by RHS, as the complication most often affects adults in their 60s. Treatment usually involves antiviral medication. Doctors recommend seeking help within three days of the start of symptoms. What are the symptoms? Facial muscles droop

Difficulty closing the eye

Altered taste

Loss of facial expression

Difficulty eating, drinking and speaking Advertisement

'I wish this wasn't the case but obviously my body is telling me that I've got to slow down and I hope you guys understand. I will be using this time to rest and relax and get back to 100 percent so that I can do what I was born to do.'

According to FacialPalsy.org.uk if antiviral treatment is given within 72 hours of developing symptoms approximately 70 percent of people will experience a virtually full recovery and if damage to the nerve is mild then recovery should take place within a few weeks.

Justin concluded by saying that he is doing all that he can, including resting, in order to address the issue but was honest as he said he doesn't know how long it will take him to recovery.

He said: 'I love you guys. Thank you for being patient for me and I am going to get better. I'm doing all of these facial exercises to get my face back to normal and it will go back to normal.

He explained: 'So there is full paralysis on this side my face. So for those who are frustrated by my cancellations of the next shows, I'm just physically obviously not capable of doing them. This is pretty serious as you can see'

'I wish this wasn't the case but obviously my body is telling me that I've got to slow down and I hope you guys understand. I will be using this time to rest and relax and get back to 100 percent so that I can do what I was born to do,' Justin explained

'It's just time, we don't know how much time it will be, but it's going to be okay. I hope and I trust God and I trust that this is all for a reason. I'm not sure what that is right now but in the meantime I'm going to rest and I love you guys. Peace.'

This has not been an easy year for the Bieber family as Justin's wife Hailey was hospitalized in March for a small blood clot in her brain which gave her stroke-like symptoms.

It was reported at the time that Justin would not leave his 25-year-old wife's side during her traumatic ordeal.

Sources told People in March, Justin 'is probably more traumatized than even she is.'

'Thank you for being patient with me': Justin concluded by saying that he is doing all that he can, including resting, in order to address the issue but was honest as he said he doesn't know how long it will take him to recovery

He said: 'I love you guys. Thank you for being patient for me and I am going to get better. I'm doing all of these facial exercises to get my face back to normal and it will go back to normal'

He concluded: 'It's just time, we don't know how much time it will be, but it's going to be okay. I hope and I trust God and I trust that this is all for a reason. I'm not sure what that is right now but in the meantime I'm going to rest and I love you guys. Peace'

'When it happened, there was a lot of panic. Justin was crying, because you don't expect your young wife to have symptoms that resemble a stroke. Justin texted everyone he knew and asked everyone to pray for her, and he never left her side,' the insider said.

Justin had recently recovered from a bout of COVID-19 just weeks prior where he was forced to reschedule a few dates of his tour, his first major set of performances since ending the Purpose world tour in 2017.

Hailey revealed on Instagram she was hospitalized in Palm Springs back in March following 'stroke-like' symptoms, and found out she actually suffered a 'small blood clot.'

Trying year: This has not been an easy year for the Bieber family as Justin's wife Hailey was hospitalized in March for a small blood clot in her brain which gave her stroke-like symptoms, they are seen together at The Grammys in April

Hailey detailed the ordeal online in a lengthy Instagram post: 'On Thursday morning, I was sitting at breakfast with my husband when I started having stroke-like symptoms and was taken to the hospital'

Sources told PEOPLE magazine that Justin has been worried sick about his wife despite her pleas for him to stay as stress-free as possible as she recovers from the incident.

'Hailey doesn't want anyone to worry about her, but it was a terrifying situation for both of them,' the insider said. 'Justin is still very worried. He can barely sleep. He stays up watching her while she rests.'

The insider added: 'He would've done anything to help her. It was a moment for them both to be reminded about mortality, and focusing on what really matters.

Devoted: It was reported at the time that Justin would not leave his 25-year-old wife's side during her traumatic ordeal; pictured at the Met Gala in 2021

'He realizes, and is telling people around him, how much Hailey is his rock, and how she saved him from a dark time  and that he needs to appreciate her every day. He's going to keep an eye on her and help her however he can. And he has everyone around him praying for her continued good health. It shook him up.'

Hailey detailed the ordeal online in a lengthy Instagram post: 'On Thursday morning, I was sitting at breakfast with my husband when I started having stroke-like symptoms and was taken to the hospital.'

'They found I had suffered a very small blood clot to my brain, which caused a small lack of oxygen, but my body had passed it on its own and I recovered completely within a few hours.'

'Hailey is his rock': Justin had recently recovered from a bout of COVID-19 just weeks prior where he was forced to reschedule a few dates of his tour, his first major set of performances since ending the Purpose world tour in 2017

She added: 'Although this was definitely one of the scariest moments I've ever been through, I'm home now and doing well, and I'm so grateful and thankful to all the amazing doctors and nurses who took care of me!'

'Thank you to everyone who has reached out with well wishes and concern, and for all the support and love.'

According to sources close to her, Hailey's medical condition was affecting her movement in some way and they shared that she had undergone tests to find the origin of her illness.

Doctors were concerned that her symptoms might have been related to COVID-19 since Justin had been diagnosed with the virus earlier in March, but no conclusive evidence could be established.
EastEnders bosses are set to give the cast a huge shake up with five cast members set to leave the BBC soap.

New boss Chris Clenshaw is overseeing the departure of the characters with one of those written out being Ricky Champ, who plays Stuart Highway.

Stuart is currently at the centre of a father's post-natal depression storyline, with the character struggling to bond with his baby Roland.

On their way out: EastEnders bosses are set to give the cast a huge shake up with five cast members confirmed as leaving the BBC soap, with Ricky Champ (pictured) set to depart

He has struggled with his mental health after his diagnosis with breast cancer and he is having trouble adjusting to parenthood after he and wife Rainie (Tanya Franks) tried for a child for a long time.

Ricky will film his final scenes as Stuart later this year, according to the Metro.

Elsewhere, three other characters will be departing this summer with one having already filmed their final scenes.

Farewell: Dana Monroe (Barbara Smith) and Peter Beale (Dayle Hudson) will be saying goodbye to Walford out in a dramatic storyline after sharing a kiss

Dana Monroe (Barbara Smith) and Peter Beale (Dayle Hudson) will reportedly be saying goodbye to Walford out in a dramatic storyline after sharing a kiss.

As Peter and Dana grow close, Peter's brother Bobby (Clay Milner Russell) will be hurt as his hopes of a reunion with his ex are dashed.

Meanwhile, Kelsey Calladine-Smith, who plays Jada Lennox, will also be leaving the show in the coming months.

Telling the tale: As Peter and Dana grow close, Peter's brother Bobby (Clay Milner Russell) will be hurt as his hopes of a reunion with his ex are dashed

Jada accused Zack Hudson (James Farrar) of making a move on her and it seems she will have outstayed her welcome with the family.

An EastEnders insider told MailOnline: 'Whenever a new boss comes in there's always going to be big changes and it's no different with Chris.

'He's been working hard behind the scenes since January and is really planning to shake things up which means saying goodbye to some characters.

Departure: Meanwhile, Kelsey Calladine-Smith, who plays Jada Lennox, will also be leaving the show in the coming months

'It's nothing personal to any of the cast going, it's simply a creative decision  for big storylines to happen you have to say goodbye people, that's the nature of soap.

'Chris has some really big stories planned and viewers will see his stuff starting to air over the summer.

'He's really keen to take the show back to its roots, build up the clans again with some big explosive long running stories. It's an exciting time to be on the show.'

Harrowing plot: Meanwhile, Danielle Harold was also recently announced as leaving the show, with her character Lola Pearce being killed off in a shock twist

Meanwhile, Danielle Harold was also recently announced as leaving the show, with her character Lola Pearce being killed off in a shock twist.

It comes after a new EastEnders family was announced 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.

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).

Coming soon: It comes after a new EastEnders family was announced earlier this week, with the characters already filming their first scenes

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.

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.

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

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.

'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.




South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin met with a group of foreign ambassadors Friday for discussions on Korean Peninsula issues, according to his ministry Friday.







They included members of the Korean Peninsula Club, a consultative channel between the ministry and 20 foreign ambassadors based in Seoul, who double as top envoys to North Korea.







Also joining the meeting held at the minister's office were members of the Peace Club, a grouping of senior diplomats from countries with permanent diplomatic missions in Pyongyang, as well as in Seoul.







Park told them the key to the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's North Korea policy was to make the North realize "it has nothing to gain and everything to lose from its nuclear weapon and missile programs."







He added the government will keep sending such a message on the basis of strengthened deterrence and strict implementation of U.N. Security Council resolutions.







The minister also reaffirmed that Seoul would always leave the door open for dialogue with Pyongyang, as it is prepared to offer a "bold plan" to help its neighbor.







In 2014, the ministry launched both clubs as part of efforts to strengthen cooperation with the international community on the North Korea issue and pool ideas on bringing lasting peace to the peninsula.







Park, who took office in May, held the meeting to share views with the envoys on the regional security situation, a source said.







Meanwhile, Park will undertake a four-day trip to Washington, D.C., from Sunday for talks with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, slated for Monday, on the allies' coordinated responses to North Korea, according to the ministry. (Yonhap)






Fiona Falkiner took to Instagram on Friday to show her support for Rebel Wilson coming out during Pride month.

The former The Biggest Loser host shared Rebel's post to her stories with the caption 'so fab' to express her love and support for the comedic actress.

Rebel, 42, came out on Thursday whilst announcing her new relationship with designer Ramona Agruma, 38, by posting a sweet selfie together.

Family photo: Fiona Falkiner (left) took to Instagram on Friday to show support for Rebel Wilson coming out during Pride month. Fiona is engaged to Hayley Willis (right), and have one child together and currently expecting their second

The Pitch Perfect star captioned her post perfectly with: 'I thought I was searching for a Disney Prince... but maybe what I really needed all this time was a Disney Princess'.

The happy couple were beaming for the camera looking to be enjoying a lovely date night.

Rebel's 11.1 million followers commented their support with comments such as 'so happy for you both', 'beauty and beauty' and many rainbows and colourful heart emojis throughout.

Introducing herself: Rebel Wilson, 42, looked over the moon on Thursday as she revealed her new girlfriend Ramona Agruma and officially came out on Instagram

Show some love: On Friday, the former The Biggest Loser host shared Rebel's post to her stories with the caption 'so fab' to show her support for the comedic actress

Proud: The Pitch Perfect star topped off her sweet caption with rainbow and heart emoji, adding the hashtag #loveislove

Fiona is currently engaged to Hayley Willis who is expecting their second child together, one year after welcoming the couple's first born, Hunter.

The 30-year-old shared the exciting news via Instagram in March.

'Grateful, blessed, over the moon it's hard to put into words how much I adore my little family as we prepare to welcome another addition,' Hayley wrote on Instagram.

Exciting! Hayley Willis and her fiancee Fiona Falkiner recently announced they're expecting their second child together... one year after welcoming their son Hunter

'Baby Falkiner due August. Two boys under two, how hard can it be?!'

Fiona also wrote on Instagram: 'No words guys! Baby Falkiner Due in August. We are over the moon!'

The couple have been engaged since April 2019 when they vacationed Vanuatu.
Her new book, Becoming Molly-Mae, was released on Thursday.

And Molly-Mae Hague stepped out looking ultra chic in a taupe blazer ensemble, leaving a business meeting at The Ivy in Manchester.

The 23-year-old star sported a pair of wide leg blue jeans for the outing, paired with a basic white bodysuit underneath the shoulder-padded blazer.

Stylish: Molly-Mae Hague, 23, nailed business chic in a taupe blazer on Thursday as she left a meeting in Manchester

She paired the ensemble with khaki sliders and a black padded Chanel bag, after spending around four hours in the meeting.

Clad with a shopping bag, Molly-Mae had her signature blonde tresses styled in a sleek curl.

The Creative Director shielded her face with a pair of black sunglasses with a white trim detail, as she opted for a natural makeup look.

Low-key chic: The star sported a pair of wide leg blue jeans for the outing, paired with a basic white bodysuit underneath the shoulder-padded blazer

Blonde beauty: Molly-Mae had her signature blonde tresses styled in a sleek curl, sporting a subtle makeup look

And she also took a chance for some Instagram snaps following the meeting, posting two shots to her page.

Placing her sunglasses on her head for the snaps, Molly-Mae captioned the post: 'My first book launched today'.

In the book, the businesswoman opened up about her changing looks over the years, after getting a birthmark removed from her face as a child.

Social media: And she also took a chance for some Instagram snaps following the meeting, posting two shots to her page

Her dad Stephen had his own say in the book on her birthmark, as he wrote: 'As dad to two daughters, I felt it was unfair for a girl to have the birthmark in such a prominent location.

'I used to get into verbal fights with people who said rude things about it when they saw it and only because I was a copper did I stop myself "chinning" a few.

'Her birthmark gave her an adorable quality. A lot of people stood up for her and protected her from cruel remarks.'

Molly herself spoke about her birthmark in the book and said that for a while, she didn't even want to get rid of the mark because it made her stand out from the other children.

New release: It comes as her new book, Becoming Molly-Mae, was released on Thursday, with beau Tommy Fury taking to Instagram to show his support
As Hollywood divorce battles go, its like the adage about London buses. Nothing comes along for years and then you get three at once.

For now, after the noxious marital combat of Depp/Heard and Pitt/Jolie comes a British version which is every bit as tumultuous  and nearing its own nadir.

At the centre of it are actress Alice Evans, who memorably described the end of her marriage as every womans nightmare, and her husband Ioan Gruffudd, who ditched her for a much younger woman after nearly 15 years  and two children  together.

Now, 15 months after the actor filed for divorce, the wreckage of their split has become even more toxic.

Ioan Gruffudd pictured with his new girlfriend Bianca Wallace. Gruffudd is believed to have gone through two sets of LA lawyers and has engaged Brad Pitt's divorce lawyer, Anne Kiley

In a bid to bring matters to a close, Mr Gruffudd, who is believed to have gone through two sets of LA lawyers, has engaged Brad Pitts divorce lawyer, Anne Kiley.

He is also, it can be revealed, seeking a continuation of a restraining order against Evans, 53.

He took out a temporary restraining order against her in February, citing a string of abusive messages which she had sent him as she came to terms with him walking out.

That was extended a month later and is due to come to court next week, when Gruffudd is expected to ask for it to carry on for at least another year.

The order requires that she doesnt contact or harass Gruffudd or his girlfriend.

Meanwhile, friends say Evans weeps every day, and fears that she will lose the house in Los Angeles that she shares with their two young daughters.

She has asked the court to decide what should happen to it. Sources familiar with the proceedings claim Gruffudd is saying that it will have to be sold as he has no further savings.

Both of them have run up huge legal fees. However, despite fortunes being spent on both sides, little progress has been made.

Such is the acrimony between the couple that friends of Evans told me this week that during an argument Gruffudd said: Id rather be dead than live with you any more!

The Mail has contacted Gruffudds representatives for comment.

In return, she has branded his new love, aspiring actress Bianca Wallace, whom Gruffudd met on the Australian set of a TV drama, a psychopath.

Sources told the Mail this week that Gruffudds betrayal came as a bombshell. A week before he returned from Australia to tell Evans that he no longer loved her, he had sent her a bouquet of flowers for her birthday.

The inscription read: You are the kindest and the sweetest and the loveliest person ever, Happy Birthday my angel.

Estranged wife, Alice Evans, 53, had a restraining order taken out on her by her husband in February. He cited a string of abusive messages which she had sent him as she came to terms with him walking out

Gruffudd, the star of the Fantastic Four film and Hornblower, is now living with Ms Wallace in Los Angeles.

Meanwhile, it is understood that he hasnt seen his two daughters  Ella, 12 and Elsie, eight  in over a year.

A source said: They have agreed that Alice should have primary and physical custody of the girls and Ioan should have visitation rights.

However, in January this year Evans wrote on Instagram: In 18 months, me and my girls have seen my warm, loving Ioan change from a man with principles, who had decided to have a family and was determined to look after them, to a person who apparently doesnt care about anyone at all.

Im totally confused. He hasnt seen his kids for 8 months and yet that doesnt seem to bother him.

The saga began when Evans and Gruffudd were cast in the 2000 Disney film 102 Dalmatians.

Evans was engaged to producer Olivier Picasso, the grandson of the painter. But that romance ended and she moved into a flat in London with Gruffudd. They were married in 2007.

After struggles with fertility and IVF they welcomed daughter Ella in 2009, followed by Elsie after eight more rounds of treatment.

By now the family were living in sunny Los Angeles, but there was trouble in paradise. Evans had sacrificed her career to raise the children and Gruffudd had a career slump.

He overcame it with a role in TV drama Liar, which was followed by the series Harrow.

But this wasnt enough to save their relationship and in January 2021 Evans wrote on Twitter: Sad news. My beloved husband/soulmate of 20 years, Ioan Gruffudd, has announced he is to leave his family, starting next week.

Me and our young daughters are very confused and sad. We havent been given a reason except that he no longer loves me.

In March 2021 Gruffudd filed for divorce. In October, he went Instagram official with Bianca Wallace, posting a picture of them together with the words: Thank you for making me smile again.

Evans, 53, reacted with fury. So it turns out my husband, after two years of telling me Im a bad person and Im not exciting and he no longer wants to have sex with me . . . has been in a relationship for three years behind my back, she told her 38k followers.

Asked: Whos Bianca? Evans said: Bianca Wallace seems to be the person he has been in a relationship with for three years whilst blaming our difficulties on me. Ive just found this out tonight. I feel like killing myself. (I wont).

Gruffudd requested a restraining order in February 2022, offering up 113 pages of abusive text messages, emails and social media posts from Evans.

In his court filing, he said that she had harassed him since August 2020, with hundreds of text messages, abusive emails and social media posts.

One message said: You should know what youve gotten yourself into . . . I am going to dedicate the rest of my life to spreading awareness of what you have done.

She went on to allege that hed told her of times castmates bought cocaine, and that he never gave her sexual pleasure. One text read: I have no idea why the hell I fell in love with you.

Yet at other times she appears apologetic, writing: Im sorry I sent ranting texts last night, Ill try really hard not to do it any more. But the messages quickly revert again to being abusive.

In a written statement filed at court, Gruffudd said Evans had verbally threatened to tell the media he abused her and do what Amber Heard did to Johnny Depp.

Alice threatened to tell people I had abused her and our daughters; she threatened to call the police on me if I did not comply with her demands; she threatened to tell people I am a drug addict and put me in prison; she threatened to write a fake diary that reflected an abused victim, and to have the diary published; and threatened to destroy my mother. Alice told me she would win, and everyone would believe her.

In her response in court, Evans said she had never threatened Gruffudd with slanderous statements or harassed him.

Friends say that any negative comments she made happened after the marriage ended when she was heartbroken  and he had ghosted her.

Whatever the truth, one thing remains clear  when it comes to the Hollywood divorce carousel, there are no winners.
She was a star witness in Johnny Depps defamation case against Amber Heard and days later watched him perform on stage with Jeff Beck in London.

Now it seems Kate Moss, 48, is paying the ultimate fan tribute of copying the actors style during a recent trip to the Cotswolds.

The supermodels bohemian look included multi-coloured bead earrings that bore a striking resemblance to those worn by her ex-boyfriend's Pirates Of The Caribbean character Jack Sparrow.

Has Kate Moss raided Johnny's jewellery box? Depp's ex-girlfriend paid him the ultimate fan tribute by copying the actor's bohemian style during a recent trip to the Cotswolds

She wore an oversized black double-breasted jacket and baggy leopard print trousers tucked into burgundy socks with brown leather ankle boots.

With minimal make-up and her blonde hair pulled off her face in a half ponytail, Kate accessorised the outfit with pink-tinted sunglasses and long, layered silver necklaces.

Now a resident of Gloucestershire, she was pictured clutching her car keys as she parked her Rolls-Royce on the street.

Kate was alone as she exited London's Royal Albert Hall earlier this month, shortly after reuniting with Johnny backstage following his cameo performance with rock legend Jeff Beck.

Edgy: Kate was wearing multi-coloured bead earrings that bore a striking resemblance to Johnny Depp's Pirates of the Caribbean character, Jack Sparrow

Pals: The model, who lives in Gloucestershire, was a star witness in Johnny's defamation case against Amber Heard and days later watched him perform on stage with Jeff Beck in London

The Vogue cover star was in attendance as her former flame performed in front of a sell-out crowd, just days after testifying for him during his defamation trial against ex-wife Amber.

The fashion icon previously rejected claims she had ever been assaulted by the movie star during their high-profile four-year relationship in the 1990s.

And she again publicly showed her support for Johnny - with whom she remains on good terms - by watching him perform covers of John Lennon, Marvin Gaye and Jimi Hendrix alongside Jeff, 77.

She was joined inside by former TV personality Sharon Osborne, 69, who arrived for an after-party following the end of the concert.

Talented: Kate didn't look worlds away from Johnny's Captain Jack Sparrow character in the Pirates Of The Caribbean franchise (pictured in-character)

Johnny has been revelling in the public spotlight after successfully suing ex-wife for $50million over a 2018 piece she had written that alleged she was a victim of domestic abuse.

He won the trial by jury in Virginia last week, meaning he is set to receive millions in compensation from the Aquaman star.

In late May, Kate testified by video for just three minutes in the US-based Johnny Depp-Amber Heard defamation trial.

Happier times: Johnny won the defamation trial after he sued his ex-wife Amber for $50million over a 2018 piece she had written that alleged she was a victim of domestic abuse (pictured in 2015)

She refuted a rumour that Johnny had pushed her down a flight of steps when the pair were a famous 'it' couple during the 1990s.

Seaking on a video link from her English home in Gloucestershire, she told the Virginia court that she and Johnny had been in a romantic relationship for four years between 1994 and 1998.

When his attorney Benjamin Chew asked Kate if anything had happened while they were on holiday at the GoldenEye resort in Jamaica, she said: 'We were leaving the room, and Johnny left the room before I did, and there had been a rainstorm. As I left the room, I slid down the stairs and I hurt my back.

'I screamed because I didn't know what had happened to me and I was in pain. He came running back to help me and carried me to my room and got me medical attention.'

Kate - who was called by Johnny's legal team - rejected claims he had ever attacked her, saying, 'He never pushed me, kicked me or threw me down any stairs, no.'

Amber's attorneys declined to cross-examine her, and she was told she was free to go.
President Yoon Suk-yeol arrives for work at the presidential office in Seoul's Yongsan District, Friday. Yonhap





President Yoon Suk-yeol will attend a NATO summit in Spain later this month in what will be his first overseas trip since taking office, a presidential official said Friday.







The summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is scheduled to be held in Madrid, June 29 and 30, and Yoon will be the first South Korean president to attend the periodic gathering.







"The president's attendance at the NATO summit will be his first overseas trip since taking office and will be an important opportunity to strengthen cooperation with NATO allies and partners to maintain the values- and rules-based international order, and to expand our country's role as a global pivotal nation," the official told reporters.







During the summit, Yoon will attend a session with the 30 NATO members and partner nations, including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Finland, Ukraine, Georgia and the European Union.







He also plans to hold multiple bilateral summits with the leaders of "key European nations" on the sidelines, the official said without elaborating.







As for a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, which has been widely reported as a possibility, the official declined to comment, citing the sensitivity of ongoing discussions.







If realized, it would be the first summit between the two countries in over two years amid a protracted dispute over historical issues stemming from Tokyo's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.







When asked about a potential meeting with Ukrainian officials, the official said the possibility remains open.







The NATO summit is expected to set the direction of the military alliance over the next decade as member states deal with Russia's war in Ukraine and other global issues.







Yoon's participation will be at the official invitation of NATO. (Yonhap)


President Yoon Suk-yeol enters the presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul, Friday. Joint Press Corps





By Nam Hyun-woo







President Yoon Suk-yeol will take on his first major diplomatic test abroad later this month, as he has decided to attend the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit slated for June 29 to 30 in Spain.







While in Spain, Yoon is anticipated to promote Korea's enhanced role and commitment to the common values and rules-based international order upheld by NATO, but his participation is feared to weigh on Seoul's ties with China and Russia, as NATO's allies are expected raise voices regarding containing both Moscow and Beijing.







According to the presidential office, Yoon will attend a dialogue session among the leaders of the 30 NATO allies and eight partner countries, including, Japan, Australia, New Zealand and others. He will be the first Korean president to attend such a summit.







On the sidelines of the summit, Yoon will have bilateral meetings with leaders of "multiple European nations" for which the presidential office is now coordinating schedules and agendas, an official at the office said.







"Yoon's attendance at the NATO summit will be his first overseas trip after the inauguration," the official said. "And we expect that his attendance will be an opportunity to enhance Korea's ties with NATO allies and partner countries regarding common values and the rules-based international order, as well as expanding the country's role as a global pivotal state in the international community."







The official declined to give further details on Yoon's trip, saying that the full itinerary is still in the making.







In this Oct. 5, 2019, file photo, the NATO flag is seen in the foreground during the Silver Arrow military exercise of the NATO enhanced Forward Presence battle group in Adazi, Latvia. Reuters-Yonhap





Yoon will be attending the summit at the invitation of NATO, along with other Asian leaders. NATO's invitation to key partners of the alliance is seen as an effort to strengthen relations with Asian countries so as to contain China, which is expanding its military influence in the Indo-Pacific region.







According to a U.S. defense news outlet, Defense One, Julianne Smith, the United States' permanent representative to NATO, said that a new strategic concept will be adopted in the upcoming summit, and it will include threats from China, while leaders are "expected to address cooperation between Russia and China and how it affects the alliance."







Korea's participation, however, is anticipated to add to the pressure on Korea's ties with China and Russia, given the case of Japan, which has been more aggressive in strengthening its ties with NATO.







China's Global Times reported on Friday that Tokyo was "using the Russia-Ukraine crisis to strengthen its military cooperation with NATO," and "trying to channel NATO's influence into the Asia-Pacific region."







The paper blamed the move, saying it had "hijacked regional peace and stability."







Russia has already bristled in response to Japan. On June 7, Russia's foreign ministry said it is suspending an agreement with Japan that allowed Japanese fishermen to fish near the disputed Southern Kuril Islands, on the same day that Tokyo and NATO officials agreed to step up military cooperation and conduct joint exercises.







"Though there could be pressures on Seoul's relations with Beijing and Moscow, it is the right path for Korea to enhance ties with NATO," said Go Myong-hyun, a research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies. "Plus, Korea is already a partner country of NATO, while warplanes of China and Russia have already been entering Korea's air defense identification zone (KADIZ) without notice. Against this backdrop, there would be no tangible advantages in keeping ambiguity."







Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida answers questions before leaving for Singapore to attend the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit, at the prime minister's office in Tokyo, Friday. AFP-Yonhap









Another diplomatic test that awaits Yoon in Spain is a potential bilateral meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida alongside the summit.







Japan's Asahi Shimbun newspaper reported Friday that Kishida has decided to attend the summit, despite earlier anticipation that he may skip it due to the upcoming upper house elections next month.







If the two leaders sit down for talks in Spain, they will be the first of their kind since December 2019, when then-Korean President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met in China.







Both the Korean and Japanese governments are cautious about the potential bilateral meeting.







The official at the presidential office said "there is nothing we can confirm about the bilateral meeting due to the delicacy of the matter."







Japan Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno also said in a press conference that "nothing has been confirmed," adding that the Japanese government will "closely communicate with Korea to restore healthy Tokyo-Seoul ties based on its consistent stance."







Seoul-Tokyo relations have been at their lowest level after Japan restricted exports of key industrial materials to Korea in apparent retaliation to a 2018 Supreme Court ruling here against Japanese companies, ordering them to compensate surviving Korean victims of wartime forced labor.







If the two leaders meet, it will likely be an opportunity to improve the neighboring countries' relations.







"I think chances are high for Yoon and Kishida to meet in Spain, whether it is an official bilateral meeting or a casual pull-aside one," said Jin Chang-soo, the director of Sejong Institute's Center for Japanese Studies.







"A meeting between the Korean and Japanese leaders has always been difficult to take place because any meeting is bound to entail talks on the two countries' histories," Jin said. "However, there are things to be done this time, such as talks about North Korea's nuclear and missile threats, Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the changing circumstances in the Indo-Pacific region.  Though it may not be a deep conversation, I view that the chances of them meeting are high."






Salman Khan has denied that there is any threat to his life. The actor made a statement in this regard at the Bandra Police Station in Mumbai.

The statement was made in connection with police investigations into a letter handed over to Salmans father Salim Khan while he was out on his morning walk. The threatening note was signed GB and LB  which could be interpreted as Goldy Brar and Lawrence Bishnoi respectively, both known gangsters.

Following the receipt of the letter, additional police security was arranged for the actor. However, according to police sources, Salman, in his statement to the police, said, no one has ever threatened me. I do not suspect anyone specific of having sent the letter to kill me. I heard about Lawrence Bishnoi in 2018 because he threatened me then. But I dont know Goldy and Lawrence.

The actor also stated that he hadnt had a fight or an argument with anyone in the recent past.

Since Salman has denied that he is facing threats to his life, he will not be provided additional police security, the sources said. After recording his statement, the actor left for Hyderabad, where his film Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali is being shot.

But then Salman is not taking any chances. His bodyguard Shera and a group of other bodyguards went to Hyderabad earlier to recce the locations where Salman is expected to shoot. A few bodyguards will be accompanying him during the 25 days that he is expected to be shooting at Hyderabad, a source says.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Police has intensified the investigation into the threat letter. Eight teams are engaged on the matter. Footage from the 200 CCTVs installed in the Bandra area was examined and a few suspects have been identified, but no arrests have been made so far. The footage that is being reviewed includes those from cameras installed in Salmans Galaxy Apartments.

Police say it hasnt been ascertained whether the letter was from the gangsters or is the handiwork of some mischievous elements.

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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.
New Delhi: Iran on Thursday pulled down its foreign ministry statement on the discussions -- relating to the recent controversy over the derogatory comments against the Prophet of Islam made earlier by two erstwhile BJP spokespersons -- during the meeting between its visiting foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and Indias national security adviser Ajit Doval in New Delhi on Wednesday evening. This was announced by the external affairs ministry at its weekly briefing on Thursday evening. The Iranian statement had been quoted as saying that NSA Ajit Doval, reaffirmed the Indian government and officials respect for the Prophet Muhammed, saying that offenders will be dealt with, at the government and related levels, in such a way that others will learn a lesson.

The Iranian action has triggered speculation that New Delhi could have been upset or uncomfortable over the discussions at a closed-meeting, including the purported response of the Indian NSA, being made public by the Iranian side so explicitly after the Iranian foreign minister had raised the issue at the meeting.

The controversy had created a furore in the Islamic world this week, with several Islamic nations including Iran summoning Indias ambassadors there and taking up the matter with New Delhi.

Asked about the Iranian statement at the MEA briefing on Thursday evening, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi declined to comment on the discussions between two dignitaries (Irans foreign minister and Indias NSA) but said the Iranian statement being referred to had been pulled down. In response to a media query, the spokesperson said: My understanding is that what you are referring to in a readout has been pulled down. Mr Bagchi however didnt offer any possible reasons for the Iranian action. He also said there had been no talk about the controversy during the meeting between external affairs minister S. Jaishankar and the Iranian minister on Wednesday evening.

Asked about the controversy, the MEA spokesperson reiterated New Delhis view that the derogatory comments did not reflect the views of the Government of India and that action had been taken against those who had made them.
Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Thursday issued notices to the National Medical Commission (NMC) and the Telangana government, asking them to explain how they will sort out the agony of the medical students. The notices related to the NMC cancelling the admissions for MBBS and PG medical courses in a few colleges.

The court directed the two to file their reply within two weeks on how they proposed to shift the students to other colleges in ways that their interest is adequately protected.

The court also observed that in matters of such nature, our role is limited, and it will be for the expert bodies to chalk out an appropriate mechanism. The division bench comprising chief justice Satish Sharma and Justice Abhinand Shavili was dealing with a petition filed by 48 PG Medical students (MD/MS) of MNR Medical College in Sanga Reddy.

The students were aggrieved by the inaction of the NMC and the Medical Assessment and Rating Board vis-a-vis issuing or suppressing the issuance of the guidelines to be adopted for reallocation of the students from the MNR College to the existing government and private medical colleges.

They also questioned the delay on the part of Telangana State and Kaloji Narayana Rao Health University in not taking the necessary steps for reallocation of the students even after 20 days from the date of cancellation of the PG admissions in MNR College.

Counsel for NMC submitted that the guidelines issued by NMC for shifting of students of TRR medical college and Mahavir are also applicable to MNR medical college; and that the state government may adopt those guidelines for shifting the students.

Further, counsel stated that continuation of students in colleges with deficient infrastructure is not in the students interest and is contrary to public interest.

The state government told the court that it has formed a high-power committee and submitted a report to NMC stating that supernumerary seats may have to be created for shifting of the students to other colleges.

In relation to the suffering of the students, the bench observed that a decision should be taken expeditiously as regards creating supernumerary seats in other colleges or exploring any other options.
Kolkata: To keep a tab on the Chinese ploy across the Line of Actual Control in the Eastern theatre, the Indian Army carried out its battlefield transparency integrating futuristic technologies and hardware through Exercise Narayanastra in West Bengal and Sikkim simultaneously on June 7.

According to sources, the massive drill was conducted at the Teesta Field Firing Range in West Bengal and Yongdi Field Firing Range in Sikkim.

Sukna-headquartered Trishakti Corps of the Eastern Command, which conducted the joint integrated exercise, stated that the purpose was "to validate the existing command, control, communication and surveillance architecture including shooter linkages and futuristic concepts developed in house."

It added, "The exercise showcased a well-networked integrated environment to form effective and robust grid of surveillance and intelligence acquisition assets" apart from demonstrating "futuristic technologies and hardware, visualised to be employed during the operations to enhance battlefield transparency."

A new concept of Data Fusion and Decision Support Centre  TRINETRA  was also demonstrated during the exercise. It aims to achieve seamless integration and synchronisation of all elements, which further empower the commanders with a high degree of situational awareness. The exercise also highlighted the operational readiness by the fusion of sensors and shooters to aid in execution of decision making process.

General Officer Commanding of Trishakti Corps Lieutenant General Tarun Kumar Aich and other senior Army officers monitored the drill.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot with Congress candidates Pramod Tiwari, Mukul Wasnik and Randeep Surjewala flash the victory sign as they celebrate their victory in the Rajya Sabha elections 2022, in Jaipur, Friday, June 10, 2022. (PTI Photo)

Mumbai/Chandigarh: The Congress won three Rajya Sabha seats in Rajasthan and the BJP one in Rajasthan and the situation was reversed in Karnataka with the saffron party winning three seats and the Congress one, but counting of votes was delayed in Maharashtra and Haryana over alleged violation of rules.

Congress candidates Randeep Surjewala, Mukul Wasnik and Pramod Tiwari were elected to the Rajya Sabha. When everybody knows that 126 MLAs are with us, why did they field an independent candidate? They wanted to attempt horse-trading but that did not happen, Gehlot told reporters.

The Congress secured a BJP cross vote. From the BJP, former minister Ghanshyam Tiwari won with 43 votes. The Congress overcame the challenge posed by BJP-backed independent candidate Subhash Chandra.

In Karnataka, the ruling BJP had the last laugh as it won all the three Rajya Sabha seats it had contested in, out of four from the state. The Congress managed to win only one of the two seats to which it had fielded its candidates. The JD(S) which had fielded one candidate, despite not having enough votes, failed to win.

Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, actor-politician Jaggesh, and outgoing MLC Lehar Singh Siroya from the BJP, and former Union minister Jairam Ramesh of Congress were declared elected.

But counting was held up in Maharashtra after the Opposition BJP alleged three MLAs of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)  Cabinet ministers Jitendra Awhad (NCP) and Yashomati Thakur (Congress), besides Shiv Sena legislator Suhas Kande  violated the model code for voting.

We have filed an appeal before the Election Commission of India, seeking that their votes be held invalid, said a state BJP leader.

The BJP has alleged that Awhad and Thakur handed over their ballots to their party agents instead of only showing them the ballots, while Kande showed his ballot to two different agents.

The counting has been put on hold in Haryana for identical reasons.

BJP nominee Krishan Lal Panwar and Independent candidate Kartikeya Sharma shot off a missive to the EC, alleging Congress MLAs Kiran Choudhary and B.B. Batra showed their ballot papers to unauthorised persons after marking them and that the episodes were duly captured on cameras.

Permission is needed from the Election Commission for the counting. Officials have sent an email to the ECI seeking the permission. It should be granted in some time, said Shiv Sena minister Eknath Shinde in Mumbai.
Lahore/Dubai: Pakistan's former military dictator General Pervez Musharraf is critical and his recovery is not possible, according to a statement issued by the former dictator's family.

"He is not on the ventilator. Has been hospitalized for the last 3 weeks due to a complication of his ailment (Amyloidosis). Going through a difficult stage where recovery is not possible and organs are malfunctioning. Pray for ease in his daily living," Musharraf's family said in a tweet on Friday.

The former Pakistan army chief's family issued the statement after rumours of his death spread on Friday. Earlier in the day, Musharraf's close aide and former information minister Fawad Chaudhry said that Musharraf was critical as he was put on a ventilator.

Gen. Musharraf, 78, ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008.

Chaudhry, who was the information minister in the Imran Khan government, was once a media spokesperson for Musharraf.

He said that he spoke to Musharraf's son who confirmed his illness. I have just spoken to Gen Musharraf's son Bilal in Dubai who confirmed that he (Musharraf) is on ventilator, Chaudhry said.

Reacting to reports, Ifzaal Siddique, the President of the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) Overseas -- founded by Musharraf -- said that the former president is little bit ill but fully alert.

General Pervez Musharraf is at home (a little) bit ill though, but fully alert as usual, please don't listen to fake news. Just pray for his good health, Ameen, Siddique said.

Musharraf has been declared a fugitive in former prime minister Benazir Bhutto murder case and Red Mosque cleric killing case. The former president, living in Dubai since 2016, was facing the treason case for suspending the Constitution in 2007.

The former military ruler left for Dubai in March 2016 for medical treatment and has not returned since. PTI
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 | Only India providing money for fuel, says Lankan PM; urges IMF to 'expedite' bailout

"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 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 USD 51 billion.

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.

Also Read | Sri Lanka PM Wickremesinghe hints at opting for fuel rationing amid economic crisis

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.

In an interview to Bloomberg 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 loans 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 Southeast Asia," Rajapaksa said. "They see more strategic interest in the Philippines, Vietnam and Cambodia, that region, and Africa."

Also Read | Gotabaya Rajapaksa vows to finish term, but won't run for re-election

"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 in 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.

Also Read | India delivers consignments of life-saving drugs, medical equipment and relief material to Sri Lanka

China has already rolled over the USD 4.5 billion debt of Pakistan in March and reportedly agreed not to withdraw USD 2.5 billion from Pakistans 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 Lankas socio-economic development as long as our ability permits".

Also Read | PM Narendra Modi assures fertiliser supply to Sri Lanka

"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.
Sri Lanka aims to set up a financial safety net of Rs 200 billion to provide social security support to the needy amidst the worst economic crisis in the country, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has announced.

The government is making maximum effort to reduce the impact through providing financial and logistical support," said Wickremesinghe, who also holds the post of the finance minister of the debt-ridden economy.

"A Rs 200 billion financial safety net is being raised for social sector support," he said while addressing the owners of Sri Lankan media organisations late on Thursday.

He said a team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) would visit the country on June 20 and hoped that a staff-level agreement with the IMF would be reached by the end of June.

Wickremesinghe also explained that due to the pending food shortage, he was launching the food security programme in the country.

He was hopeful that through the food security programme, the government of the crisis hit country would be able to provide food free of charge to 10 per cent of the population, who were unable to afford three meals.

He had previously warned of a food crisis in addition to the ongoing economic crisis, which has also left the country in shortage of fuel, gas, medicines as well as essential supplies.

When asked to respond to the government's initiatives to combat the current crisis, the prime minister explained the country would have to suffer the consequences of the damage caused to the economy by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Discussions were underway with Japan to regain their confidence and secure their support, the prime minister added.

Wickremesinghe said that countries were stepping forward with assistance in food and medical supplies, however, no country was providing fuel free of charge.

Long queues at fuel retail stations are a common sight in the island currently despite the supplies being made available by India through a credit line.

Sri Lanka, which has been grappling with unprecedented economic turmoil since its independence from Britain in 1948, is also facing political unrest with protesters demanding President Rajapaksa's resignation.

The economic crisis has prompted an acute shortage of essential items like food, medicine, cooking gas and other fuel, toilet paper and even matches, with Sri Lankans for months being forced to wait in lines lasting hours outside stores to buy fuel and cooking gas.

An IMF bailout programme is being currently worked out and expected to be available in the last quarter of the year.

Wickremesinghe had earlier announced that extended credit lines from India were being sought until the availability of the IMF facility.
Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup, right, shakes hands with his Polish counterpart, Mariusz Blaszczak, during their talks in Seoul, May 30. Yonhap





By Kang Seung-woo







Poland's possible purchase of Korean military hardware seems to be closer to happening as its evaluation groups visited here for a closer look at the weapons.







Currently, Warsaw has interest in procuring Korea Aerospace Industries' (KAI) FA-50 light combat craft and Hyundai Rotem's K2 tank among others, as expressed by its Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak, who also visited Korea one week earlier and toured local defense companies.







According to the defense industry, the Polish delegation made a closed-door visit to Korea for five days starting Monday, and toured the defense firms as well as military units operating the weapons in which the country is interested.







They toured Air Force and Army units operating the FA-50, the K-30 Biho self-propelled 30-milimeter anti-aircraft gun and the Chunmoo multiple rocket launcher. In addition, they also made a visit to defense companies, including Hanwha Systems and LIG Nex1, both of which have developed active electronically scanned array radar systems.







The delegation also visited Hanwha Defense, which developed the Chunmoo, and Hyundai Rotem.







The Central European country's potential procurement of Korean arms comes after Blaszczak hinted that his country may purchase Korean products to make up for the donation of its military hardware to Ukraine, currently at war with Russia.







Earlier, the Polish defense minister expressed the intent to buy 48 FA-50s, worth 2 trillion won ($1.58 billion), according to media reports, and the country's armament agency also said the aircraft was being considered as a platform for strengthening the Polish Air Force. Poland has already decided to hand off its MiG-29s to Ukraine.







FA-50s have already been exported to multiple countries, including Iraq and the Philippines.







Earlier this month, Blaszczak also hinted at purchasing K-2 tanks.







"We are developing the army and equipping it with the most modern equipment. We buy #ABRAMS tanks, but at the same time we are negotiating the purchase of Korean tanks. We want Korean tanks to be produced in Poland, and we want technology to be transferred," he tweeted.







In April, Poland signed an agreement with the United States to buy 250 Abrams tanks to deter potential Russian aggression on its border.







During a meeting between Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup and Blaszczak, May 30, the two agreed to work together to strengthen practical defense industry cooperation, sharing the view that it would help enhance their common interests, according to Korea's Ministry of National Defense.






The objectionable remarks made by BJP leaders Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal against Prophet Mohammed received global condemnation, especially the way Gulf countries, Kuwait and Qatar reacted. One of the reasons behind such immediate and strong reactions, and subsequent furore, could be the power equations within the Arab world and their respective relationship with India.

Qatar was one of the first countries to express concerns to Indian ambassador handing out protest notes condemning Sharmas and Jindals remarks. According to a spokesperson of the Indian Embassy in Qatar, the ambassador sought to defuse a diplomatic row and conveyed that the tweets do not, in any manner, reflect the views of the Government of India. These are the views of fringe elements.

Read: On Prophet row, Iran removes its version of meeting with NSA Ajit Doval

A report by The Economic Times suggests that Qatar, in its continuous attempt to emerge as the leader of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), desires more attention from India, when the latters ties are getting stronger with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

With Qatar desiring to emerge as a global economic player, its relations with Saudi Arabia have not been impressive since the diplomatic crisis that has been in place since the early 2010s. Qatars conflict with Saudi Arabia  over a number of issues  has increased on the international forum with Qatar aspiring a larger hold than Saudi, even though both are members of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

India has maintained  even transformed  its relations with the UAE and Saudi Arabia due to the Gulf countries increased investment in India and bilateral trade. The UAE has even emerged as the only country in the OIC which has a free trade agreement with India. Indias ties with Qatar and Kuwait are significantly less in terms of trade.

Indias diplomatic ties with Oman, on the other hand, have maintained the status quo during these years. India hosted Omans foreign and trade ministers in March and May 2022, and engaged in a joint air exercise in February. It also hosted Omans defence secretary and navy chief between January and February 2022. Indias outreach in the Western Indian Ocean significantly depends on Oman.











Total Imports

(in Rs.) Total Exports

(in Rs.) Total Trades

(in Rs.) Ranking

in Trade UAE 334,469.42 209,158.28 543627.71 3 Saudi Arabia 254,677.67 65,310.14 319,987.81 4 Qatar 98,459.80 13,703.26 112,163.05 21 Kuwait 82,114.71 9,263.88 91,378.59 27

Source: Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry suggests that Indias trade with Qatar is over 185 per cent less than that of Saudi, which is currently the voice of the Muslims in the Islamic world.

While India did not take any sides during the diplomatic crisis between Saudi Arabia and Qatar due to its traditional goodwill in West Asia, it emerged as a key food supplier to Doha during that crisis, just as it did during the first phase of Covid-19 in 2020. Vice President Venkaiah Naidus recent Qatar visit was also significant, as he gave an assurance on food security to the Qatar government.

In terms of investment, both Qatar and Kuwait have been low investors in India in contrast to the UAE and Saudi Arabia. However, both emerged as suppliers of medical oxygen to India while it faced a crisis during the second wave of Covid-19.

While India and Qatar have engaged in new areas that primarily aim at more people-to-people contact and enhancing economic relations, the reaction of Qatar can be attributed to its desire to become equally close to India as the UAE and Saudi Arabia. It can also be seen as an attempt to influence the India-UAE and India-Saudi ties by bringing in more external actors in the fray, thereby positioning itself as the emerging leader of the Islamic world.
Beijing will "not hesitate to start a war" if Taiwan declares independence, China's defence minister warned his US counterpart Friday, the latest salvo between the superpowers over the island.

The warning came as Wei Fenghe held his first face-to-face meeting with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore.

US-China tensions have been soaring over democratic, self-ruled Taiwan, which lives under constant threat of invasion by China. Beijing views the island as its territory and has vowed to one day seize it, by force if necessary.

Wei warned Austin that "if anyone dares to split Taiwan from China, the Chinese army will definitely not hesitate to start a war no matter the cost", defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian quoted the minister as saying during the meeting.

The Chinese minister vowed that Beijing would "smash to smithereens any 'Taiwan independence' plot and resolutely uphold the unification of the motherland", according to the Chinese defence ministry.

He "stressed that Taiwan is China's Taiwan... Using Taiwan to contain China will never prevail", the ministry said.

Austin "reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the (Taiwan) Strait, opposition to unilateral changes to the status quo, and called on (China) to refrain from further destabilising actions toward Taiwan", according to the US Department of Defense.

Tensions over Taiwan have escalated, in particular due to increasing Chinese aircraft incursions into the island's air defence identification zone (ADIZ).

US President Joe Biden, during a visit to Japan last month, appeared to break decades of US policy when, in response to a question, he said Washington would defend Taiwan militarily if it is attacked by China.

The White House has since insisted its policy of "strategic ambiguity" over whether or not it would intervene has not changed.

Austin is the latest senior US official to visit Asia as Washington seeks to shift its foreign policy focus back to the region from the Ukraine war.

As well as on Taiwan, China and the United States have been locked in a range of other disputes.

They have been at loggerheads over Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with Washington accusing Beijing of providing tacit support for Moscow.

China has called for talks to end the war, but has stopped short of condemning Russia's actions and has repeatedly criticised American arms donations to Ukraine.

China's expansive claims in the South China Sea have also stoked tensions with Washington.

Beijing claims almost all of the resource-rich sea, through which trillions of dollars in shipping trade passes annually, with competing claims from Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

Austin arrived in Singapore late Thursday, and held a series of meetings with his counterparts on Friday.

At a meeting with Southeast Asian defence ministers, he spoke about Washington's "strategy in maintaining an open, inclusive and rules-based regional security environment", according to a statement from the Singapore government.

His comments were a veiled reference to countering China's increasing assertiveness in the region.

Austin will deliver a speech at the forum on Saturday, followed by Wei on Sunday. The summit runs from June 10 to 12 and is taking place for the first time since 2019 after twice being postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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.
By Bryce Baschuk

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 worlds trade ministers will consider a proposal thats backed by more than 50 nations to avoid a cascade of international food export restrictions that may spark destabilising, hunger-driven conflicts in the worlds most volatile regions.

But Prime Minister Narendra Modis decision to ban wheat exports from India is thwarting international efforts to combat rising food prices.

Read | India cant afford to lose the worlds trust on trade

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.

High Food Prices

Russias war with Ukraine disrupted global trade for critical cereals, oils and fertiliser, 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 fertiliser, according to data provided by the University of St. Gallens Global Trade Alert.

At a time when nearly 200 million people are already facing crisis-level food insecurity, theres a risk that this trend toward protectionism could lead to a domino effect and aggravate shortages in net food importing nations like Egypt.

Domino Effect

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.

Bigger Food Crisis Can Be Averted If Asia Remembers Not to Panic

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 dont have fossil fuels.

WTO Proposals

India could play a key role in averting a downward spiral of food protectionism at this weeks World Trade Organization ministerial conference in Geneva.

But New Delhi is effectively stymieing all negotiations at the WTO and putting at risk the G7s effort to prevent an acceleration of food prices. India is also blocking a popular deal to aid the World Food Programs 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 dont 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.

Indian Demands

So, why is India holding the G7s plan hostage? Modis government wants to to water down the WTOs 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 WTOs 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 didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

US Pushback

The US and other major agricultural exporters fundamentally oppose Indias request to stock up unlimited reserves of subsidised crops and then dump them on global markets.

This view is backed by the politically influential US farm lobby, which argues that Indias 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 dont 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 its the only thing, Pagan told Bloomberg in an interview. That is simply not the case. There is no pre-ordained permanent solution.
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In the midst of a fiercely contested election for Rajya Sabha seats, the Bharatiya Janata Party approached the Election Commission, complaining about three legislators of the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance in Maharashtra, and against two Congress legislators in Haryana of violating election protocol.

A delegation of union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Gajendra Singh Sekhawat, Arjun Meghwal, and Jitendra Singh met the EC after the polling was over, asking the election regulator to examine the issue and demanded that the votes of the Opposition legislators be cancelled.

The BJP in one of its memorandum said that the three MVA MLAs, Congresss Yashomati Thakur, Jitendra Awhad of NCP and Suhas Kande of Shiv Sena compromised and vitiated the voting procedure by displaying their ballot paper to people other than their own party election agents.

In another memorandum, the BJP said that Congress MLAs BB Batra and Kiran Choudhry displayed their ballot papers, too.

The video cameras though obliquely placed may have captured the broad contours of the violation and objections were filed with the Returning Officer by the BJP election agent and other party agents. The RO, without even considering the facts presented or examining the conduct of election rules 1961 or consulting the ECI observers present on the spot, allowed the votes as legal, the BJP said in its memorandum. The memorandum also had copies of representations made by the election agents of BJP, JJP and an independent candidate.

In both the memorandums, the BJP referenced the 2017 election of Congress leader Ahmed Patel, who went to the Rajya Sabha from Gujarat. In his election, the EC has said that showing the ballot paper to anyone other than their partys election agent makes a legislators vote invalid.

The Commission, in Ahmed Patel case in 2017, had set down the conditions wherein any vote cast in violation of the election rules would be cancelled whether at the time of voting or counting.
Goas Archives and Archaeology minister Subhash Phaldesai said on Friday that secrets about Portuguese reign in the state were expected to be revealed through the documents sourced from Lisbon. Phaldesais comment comes just days after Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that his government would try to persuade the Portuguese government into handing over documents related to Portugals colonial regime in the state.

Phaldesai told reporters that the state government was particularly keen on understanding the inroads Maratha King Shivaji Bhonsle I (better known as Chhatrapati Shivaji) made in Goa and the efforts taken by the Portuguese to prepare themselves against a possible attack by him.

There are very good important documents. Many of our secrets about what was happening during the Portuguese era will be revealed, Phaldesai told reporters.

Phaldesai's ministry, which is also tasked with identifying and restoring temples destroyed by the Portuguese, also said that the state government would seek assistance from the Union Ministry of External Affairs for sourcing from Lisbon the key documents related to Goas colonial history.

The CM made an announcement the other day that very important documents of Goa are lying in Portuguese custody. Those important documents pertaining to Goa are in Lisbon. They are very important documents for us. We want those Portuguese documents here, the minister said.

He also said that Goa governments Non-Resident Indian Affairs Commissionerate would coordinate with the external affairs ministry to get these historical documents.

The Portuguese government has nothing to lose from their side. It is our own property; it should come to us. Whatever we have that belongs to Portugal, we may have to give that. It is an exchange, Phaldesai said.

This is the correspondence made with Lisbon (by Portuguese rulers of Goa) to stall Shivaji Maharaj...There are many documents which will reveal the truth, he added.
NASA said on Thursday it plans to assemble a team of scientists to examine "unidentified aerial phenomena" - commonly termed UFOs - in the latest sign of the seriousness with which the US government is taking the issue.

The US space agency said the focus will be on identifying available data, the best ways to gather future data and how it can use that information to advance scientific understanding of the issue. NASA tapped David Spergel, who formerly headed Princeton University's astrophysics department, to lead the scientific team and Daniel Evans, a senior researcher in NASA's Science Mission Directorate, to orchestrate the study.

A team of scientists is due to be convened by the fall, then will spend roughly nine months developing a public report on its findings, Evans said. NASA will spend "anywhere from a few tens of thousands of dollars" to no more than $100,000 on the effort, Evans added.

The announcement comes a year after the US government issued a report, compiled by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in conjunction with a Navy-led task force, detailing observations mostly by Navy personnel of "unidentified aerial phenomenon," or UAPs. Two Pentagon officials testified on May 17 at the first congressional hearing on UFOs in a half century.

"We're looking at the Earth in new ways, and we're also looking the other way, at the sky, in new ways," Thomas Zurbuchen, the chief of NASA's science unit, told reporters on a conference call. "What we're really trying to do here is start an investigation without an outcome in mind."

US officials have described UAPs as a national security issue, which NASA echoed.

"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," NASA said in a news release.

Last year's report said US defense and intelligence analysts lacked sufficient data to determine the nature of UAPs observed by military pilots including whether they are advanced earthly technologies, atmospherics or of an extraterrestrial origin. The two Pentagon officials last month acknowledged many observations remain beyond the government's ability to explain.

NASA said in a news release "There is no evidence UAPs are extraterrestrial in origin."

The agency's involvement is aimed at providing more data, with an aim to leverage NASA's scientific talent, satellites and sensors otherwise tasked with monitoring Earth's climate or observing atmospheric conditions, Zurbuchen said.

"The first step is to figure out what data is at hand," Evans said.

NASA's involvement in Pentagon efforts to characterize UAPs has been previously acknowledged by US officials.

The Pentagon has made public some video of enigmatic objects exhibiting speed and maneuverability exceeding known aviation technology and lacking any visible means of propulsion or flight-control surfaces.
Sinn Fein Foyle MLA, Ciara Ferguson, insists the family of Paul Whitters should not have to wait any longer for truth and justice.

Ms Ferguson was speaking following a decision by the British Government has released material from the National Archives related to the death of a schoolboy killed by a plastic bullet in Derry.

Paul Whitters, 15, sustained a fatal head injury when he was hit by the fired police baton round amid rioting in 1981.

The disturbances in Derry took place amid unrest associated with the republican hunger strikes at the Maze paramilitary prison in Co Down.

Paul died in hospital 10 days after being struck on the head by a plastic bullet fired by an RUC officer.

Ms Ferguson said: In 1981, 15-year-old Paul Whitters was killed by a plastic bullet fired by the RUC and for over 40 years since, his family have been campaigning for truth and justice.

Sinn Fein Foyle MLA, Ciara Ferguson

The release of further files on the case is welcome but if the British Government continues to pursue their plans for dealing with the legacy of the past then that would mean the Whitters family would never get the truth and justice they are entitled to.

The family of Paul Whitters, like all relatives bereaved by the conflict, are entitled to truth and justice. Sinn Fein will continue to support them.

Campaigns by families cannot be wished away by a British government determined to pull a veil of secrecy over the actions of the state during the conflict.

The legacy mechanisms agreed at Stormont House should be implemented in a human rights compliant manner without any more delays.

An investigation report from the Police Ombudsman in 2007 determined that the use of the baton gun was wrong and unjustifiable, noting that the RUC made no attempt to arrest the teenager prior to firing.

However, Ombudsman Nuala OLoan found no evidence that the officer involved had intended to kill the teenager.

Relatives of the schoolboy have been campaigning for the release of further information about the incident since learning that a file at the National Archives at Kew had been closed until 2059 for national security reasons.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Brandon Lewis said the British Government's move to release more information from the archives was in line with its commitment to helping families learn more about what happened to loved ones during the conflict.

My deepest sympathies are with the family of Paul Whitters, said Mr Lewis.

Northern Ireland Secretary of State, Brandon Lewis

This was a tragic incident where a young person lost his life needlessly.

In light of concerns raised by the family and the Governments commitment to helping families uncover more information about what happened to their loved ones during the Troubles, we have released more information on this case via the National Archives.

We are committed to a new approach to legacy based on information recovery in the interests of wider reconciliation with Northern Irelands past.

The British Governments new approach to dealing with the legacy of the conflict is focused on retrieving information for bereaved families, rather than pursuing criminal prosecutions.

The decision to offer immunity from prosecution to individuals involved in Troubles killings if they co-operate with the truth recovery process has been met with widespread opposition from bereaved relatives, all the main political parties at Stormont and the Irish Government.
Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup, left, and his Chinese counterpart, Wei Fenghe, pose for a photo before their talks on the margins of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, June 10. Yonhap



The defense chiefs of South Korea and China held bilateral talks on the margins of a security forum in Singapore on Friday, with North Korea's continued saber-rattling high on their agenda.



The talks between Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup and his Chinese counterpart, Wei Fenghe, came as Seoul seeks to secure regional cooperation to stop Pyongyang's provocations amid concerns about the possibility of the regime carrying out a nuclear test.



Lee called on China to play a constructive role to encourage the North's denuclearization.



"Minister Lee stressed the need for South Korea and China to work together to make the North understand the benefits that it can get from abandoning nuclear arms outweigh the costs of possessing nuclear arms," Seoul's defense ministry said in a press release.



The Chinese minister expressed Beijing's hope for cooperation with Seoul in addressing Korean Peninsula issues, reaffirming his country's goal for the peninsula's denuclearization, according to the ministry.



The two ministers also made public the opening of two additional bilateral military hotlines to help forestall accidental clashes, in line with their related agreement last year.



The launch of the phone lines -- each linking the two countries' Navies and Air Forces -- came as Seoul has been striving to enhance communication with Beijing in the wake of Chinese warplanes' repeated, unannounced entries into South Korea's air defense identification zone.



The latest addition brought the total number of hotlines between the two countries to five, including one between their defense ministries.



The ministers also discussed the issue related to the installation of a U.S. THAAD missile defense battery in South Korea.



Lee defended it as an "indispensable, defensive" step taken in the face of the North's evolving nuclear threats, according to a Seoul official. China has opposed the THAAD unit, arguing it hurts its security interests.



In addition, Lee explained the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's work to formulate its own Indo-Pacific strategy.



He told Wei the strategy is geared toward promoting the "rules-based" order incorporating such values as freedom of navigation and overflight, according to the official.



During the talks, the two ministers also agreed to seek reciprocal visits to each other's country and bolster exchanges of military personnel, including one at a vice ministerial level.



Seoul and Beijing last held in-person defense ministerial talks in November 2019.



Earlier in the day, Lee held separate talks with his Canadian counterpart, Anita Anand, to discuss their respective countries' envisioned strategies for the Indo-Pacific region and other issues.



The minister also held separate talks with his counterparts from New Zealand and Singapore, Peeni Henare and Ng Eng Hen, respectively, to discuss bilateral cooperation.



At the talks with his Singaporean counterpart, the two sides signed a revision to their 2009 arrangement on defense cooperation to strengthen joint efforts to deal with non-traditional security challenges, like those in cyberspace. (Yonhap)
A damning report has stated that Police forced confessions from the 'Derry Four'.

In 1979, Gerry McGowan, Michael Toner, Stephen Crumlish and Gerard Kelly had been charged with the murder of Lt Stephen Kirby.

In her report, Police Ombudsman Marie Anderson said the four had been subjected to an oppressive and fearful environment prior to all of them confessing to the murder.

Lt Kirkby, a 22-year-old soldier, was on foot patrol at the junction of Abercorn Road and Wapping Lane when he was murdered. The soldier was struck in the chest by a single bullet and died a short time later at Altnagelvin Hospital. He was cremated after service in his home town of Northumberland Heath in Kent.

Two weeks later between February 26th and 28th four teenagers, all from Circular Road in Creggan were arrested for the IRA attack. Two of them were 17-years-old and the other two were 18-years-old. They have spent four decades maintaining their innocence.

The arrests of Stephen Crumlish, Gerry McGowan, Gerry Kelly and Michael Toner set in motion a bizarre chain of events that saw the men flee across the border and into the Republic to live the majority of their adult lives to date in exile.

The subsequent campaign to clear their names was dubbed as the case of the 'Derry Four'.

At the time of the arrests, the four were detained at Strand Road RUC barracks for a period believed to have been up to three days. During that 72 hours there were denied access to lawyers, legal advice and their families.

All four men later stated they were subjected to physical and verbal abuse by the RUC officers who interviewed them. As a result of the treatment they received at the hands of the police they signed false confessions in relation to the murder of Lt Kirby and to four knee-capping incidents in Derry.

Solely on the basis of the evidence extracted under duress the four men were charged and remanded into custody at Crumlin Road jail in Belfast. They were held there for six weeks until they were granted bail at the High Court under strict conditions including having to report to police on a daily basis and being placed under curfew.

The trial began at Belfast Crown Court on October 13, 1980. The men were permitted bail during the course of the hearing. Two days into the proceedings the four received advice that because of the nature of Diplock Courts with judges sitting without juries, their defence would prove to be useless.

Next day, the men left Derry and headed across the border and to a life in exile.

On October 15, 1980 Belfast Crown Court issued bench warrants that sight they were to be arrested on sight. But, for for the next two decades all of the men lived their lives under the shadow of an accusation of murder.

Following close to two decades in exile, on December 21, 1998 all four men were found not guilty of the murder of Lt Lirby and all other charges. In 1999, the acquittal was followed by an other directive that there would be no prosecution in relation to the four men leaving Northern Ireland during their 1980 trial.

Having investigated how the four were treated when in custody, Police Ombudsman Anderson stated in her report that all four men should have been given legal representation when detained at Strand Road RUC station and that when being questioned, they were subjected to a coercive and oppressive atmosphere.

She went on to add: I am of the view, given the 'immature age' and vulnerability of these young men, added to the serious nature of the offences, that an opportunity to access legal advice ought to have been afforded to them during their detention at Strand Road RUC Station.

I have been unable to establish a rationale as to how this may have delayed or hindered the police investigation.

The men, who have always maintained their innocence, had signed a total of 21 confessional statements in 1979.

In an interview with the BBC, Gerard Kelly said he hoped the report would now bring him closure saying its publication had felt like someone had finally taken notice of what was going on for us.

Of the police officers who had detained him and the other three men, Mr Kelly went onto say: They were not much older than us, they must have been quite young when they interrogated us.

I often thought they are going home to their own families having interrogated us, knowing we were totally innocent.

I thought about that when I had my own children, how could someone do that, destroy someone's life, and also that of my family?.

Mrs Anderson also criticised the practice of allowing all four men to converse with each other during their detention.

During the four men's time in the station, police had twice allowed suspects to meet to confirm that one had made a statement implicating the other.

Mrs Anderson added: Whether by design or not, I am of the view that this had a profound effect on the coercive atmosphere generated during the interviews and the subsequent securing of 'confessional' statements.

The report goes on to say that this, along with the prolonged and repeated nature of the interviewing, had made the men "susceptible to compliance with those in authority.

In 2003, the Pat Finucane Centre lodged a number of complaints to the Office of the Police Ombudsman in Northern Ireland.

Part of the central tenet of these civil proceedings was to pursue the factual information of the original RUC investigation in 1979.

Specific requests were lodged at court against the PSNI Chief Constable, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Public Prosecution Service, the Department of Justice, the Northern Ireland Office, MI5 and the Garda Commissioner.

A 2016 High Court hearing in relation to the pursuit of the information revealed that all police interview notes in relation to three of the 'Derry Four' were missing.

Then in April, 2018 the granting of a Court Order directed the PSNI Chief Constable to comply with the requests to release all the documents they held in relation to the case. When several files of information were released in May 2018 they provided a lot of answers, but not all of the answers required.

The revelations as such in the files were nevertheless shocking.

It was discovered that in 1991, 12 years after the 'Derry Four' had left Northern Ireland a senior lawyer in the Public Prosecution Service had directed all the police interview notes, records and original witness statements be subjected to ESDA testing.

This is a forensic test which determines whether documents have been re-written or tampered with in any way. In itself, the call for this test was highly unusual and was normally something associated with defence cases.

Furthermore, it came to light that between January 1991 and October 1992 searches were made a local police stations and at police headquarters for the murder investigation file and the original RUC interview notes on which the forensic testing had been ordered.

The file could not be found.

Internal police reports in May 2018 showed that the missing files had last been stored in a locker by a police officer in a locker room of the CID section Strand Road RUC Station in 1985.

That police officer could not explain why the original file, including the court bench warrants and police interview notes, could not be found when the ESDA direction was issued by the public prosecutor in 1991.

Then in October 1992 the same senior lawyer in the DPP decided the prosecution could not continue. One reason for that decision was because the majority of the original documents were missing and could not be tested by forensics to establish their genuineness.

Other glaring omissions arising from the handling of the investigation also came to light in the documents released under court direction by the police in May last year.

Firstly, this concerned the fact that a direct eye witness to the shooting of Lt Kirby had made a statement to the police on the night of the murder and identified a person other than the 'Derry Four'.

The same witness made another statement to police in another jurisdiction on October 15, 1980 at the outset of the trial to the effect that he had no knowledge of Stephen Crumlish, Gerry McGowan, Gerry Kelly and Michael Toner. The police and Director of Public Prosecutions had access to this statement from October 1980.
Following years of isolationism and economic under-achievement, North Korea languishes near the bottom of the worlds telecom maturity index alongside Afghanistan and Turkmenistan (who also happen to be struggling under repressive political regimes).

To make matters worse, in 2022 North Korea achieved the lowest score in the world for economic freedom. It barely needs saying that developing a healthy and prosperous telecommunications sector isnt exactly high on the dictatorships agenda.

The obstacles to building a functioning telecom network are so numerous that a fixed-line segment barely exists. Foreign investors have been permitted to partner with the North Korea Post & Telecommunications Corporation (NKPTC) to progress mobile voice, text, and broadband services, albeit on a strictly limited scale and with tight restrictions over what can be accessed. Mobile penetration is estimated to have eased up slightly to reach 19% in 2021, yet the high cost of ownership coupled with strict censorship makes mobile communications the exclusive domain of senior government officials and diplomats.

For those citizens living close to China, it has been possible to obtain Chinese handsets and SIM cards, and to connect to towers (illegally) located just across the border. While this offers access to the outside world and at much lower prices than the state-controlled offerings, the risks are high including steep fines and the possibility of jail time.

North Korea has been slightly more effective in building an IT sector and a nascent digital economy on the back of a concerted effort to grow a sizeable, well-trained IT workforce. But even here, its capabilities have been directed more towards nefarious activities such as cybercrime and hacking into Western countries computer systems. North Koreas determination to put itself offside with the rest of the world in pursuit of its ideology can only lead to tighter controls on communications inside and outside of the country.

This report update includes the latest Telecom Maturity Index charts and analyses; an assessment of the global impact of the pandemic on the telecoms sector; and recent market developments.

Key developments:

Orascom writes off its investment in mobile market leader Koryolink, effectively handing over the network to government control.

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Report title: North Korea - Telecoms, Mobile and Broadband - Statistics and Analyses

Edition: April 2022

Analyst: Stephen Marshall

Number of pages: 80

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Companies mentioned in this report: North Korea Post and Telecommunications Corp (NKPTC), NEAT&T, Sunnet, Lancelot Holdings, Loxley Pacific, Orascom, Koryolink, Kang Song, Byol

For more information or to purchase a copy of the full report please use the following link: https://www.budde.com.au/Research/North-Korea-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Broadband-Statistics-and-Analyses/?r=83
HTC has not been active in the smartphone market for some time now. Their last device was a mid-range phone in the Wildfire series. HTC announced at the turn of the year about a new 5G phone they have been working on, the HTC Viverse. No release date or specifications were revealed during the announcement, leaving fans wondering. HTC has finally announced that the phone will debut on 28 June.

The teaser for the phone didnt reveal much, except the cryptic poster shows us the phone will be Meta-centric. HTC has been taking Metaverse seriously, so we can expect the Viverse will be their way of showcasing the Metaverse to the public. The specifications for the phone are still a secret, as the only thing we know about the device now is it has 5G connectivity and will have something related to Metaverse.

HTCs Metaverse Project

HTC has taken its Metaverse project very seriously. Viverse is an open and secure platform by HTC specifically for its products. HTC already has VR headsets and smart glasses under the Vive branding. These devices are expected to work with Viverse. Viverse is also supposedly an integration of AI, AR, VR and Blockchain. They also consider 5G to be an integral part of the Viverse project.

Similar to Microsoft, other brands are taking Metaverse seriously, like HTC which has its Metaverse platform in Viverse. With Meta being integrated into their smart glasses and VR, they have taken it a step further by introducing a Meta-supported smartphone.
Son Jong-woo leaves the Seoul Detention Center in this July 6, 2020, file photo, after serving an 18-month prison term and following a Seoul court rejecting a U.S. extradition request for him. Yonhap





Prosecutors sought a four-year prison sentence Thursday for the operator of one of the world's largest child sexual abuse websites on charges of concealing proceeds from the crime.







Son Jong-woo, 26, has been indicted on charges of hiding about 400 million won (US$318,700), which he raised from running the Welcome to Video site on the dark net from June 2015 to March 2018.







Son was found to have laundered and cashed the digital money using cryptocurrency accounts and his father's bank account, and used about 5.6 million won for online gambling. He admitted all of the charges.







"Please consider that the proceeds were earned through a crime that sparked outrage across the world," the prosecution said during the hearing.







The prosecution also demanded a fine of 5 million won.







Son has already served a one-and-a-half-year prison term for operating the website and was released in July 2020.







But he was indicted again after his father filed a criminal complaint against him in May 2020 on money laundering charges, a move apparently intended to prevent Son from being extradited to the United States, where he would face a far more severe punishment.







The U.S. authorities had filed an extradition request for Son after a federal grand jury in D.C. indicted him in August 2018 on nine counts related to his operation of Welcome to Video.







But the Seoul High Court ruled against the request, citing a need for the Korean authorities to have Son in the country to fully crack down on child sexual exploitation here.







Welcome to Video was one of the biggest known child pornography websites until it was taken down by law enforcement in March of 2018. At least 23 underage victims abused by the site's users were reportedly rescued by the law enforcement authorities of the U.S., Germany, Britain and others. (Yonhap)


Louth Senator Erin McGreehan yesterday attended the European wide Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) Party congress being held in Dublin.

Over 1,000 delegates of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) Party gathered in Dublin, in the National Convention Centre last weekend from 2nd to 4th June to discuss the issues affecting the EU and wider European continent.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin will officially opened the event on today joined by Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Better, Dutch vice Prime Minister Sigrid Kaag, Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna and Executive Vice President of the European Commission Magrethe Vestager.

Senator McGreehan stated that it is a hugely significant event for all the political parties who are members of this Alliance; meeting with our friends, colleagues and allies from President Macron's Party in France to President Zelensky's party in Ukraine. It was also a fantastic opportunity to highlight Ireland from a tourism and business point of view.

Senator McGreehan met with Luxembourg's Prime Minister Xavier Better, briefly discussing membership of the EU and the importance of the EU solidarity when it came to the prolonged Brexit negotiations.

Senator McGreehan noted that:

The Russian invasion and war on Ukraine has highlighted the importance of the EU working together.

"We have huge challenges ahead, the cost of energy and in turn the cost of living is going to challenge households and businesses like never before it is necessary that we work together to help alleviate the issues."
German doctors criticize lack of data on COVID-19

Xinhua) 08:42, June 10, 2022

BERLIN, June 9 (Xinhua) -- German doctors on Thursday said that the collection and evaluation of data on COVID-19 should be ramped up to better assess the pandemic situation in the country.

"We have seen a real data blindness in the last two and a half years, which has not been a good basis for rational decision making," Klaus Reinhardt, president of the German Medical Association (GMA), told Funke Mediengruppe, Germany's third largest newspaper and magazine publisher.

Pandemic data must include infection dynamics, disease severity, as well as the burden on the country's healthcare system, according to Reinhardt.

Germany's COVID-19 expert council supports the call for a data collection scheme. It has warned of a worst-case scenario, in which a new virus variant could necessitate the reintroduction of a general face mask mandate and distancing next autumn and winter.

Currently, only the so-called basic protection measures still apply in Germany. The wearing of face masks is only mandatory on public transport, in airplanes and healthcare institutions (hospitals and care facilities). Some of the latter might also require additional testing.

Better data on COVID-19 could also prove the efficiency of the COVID-19 measures of recent months, Reinhardt said. "The population will only accept renewed restrictions if they are proven to be necessary and effective."

The calls come at a time when a fresh COVID-19 wave is looming in Europe driven by the particularly contagious BA.5 Omicron variant. Portugal has already reported around 1,800 new COVID-19 cases in the past seven days. The respective figure in Germany is currently 277.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu)




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
New figures released today by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that the number of arrivals to Louth of people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, based on Personal Public Service Numbers (PPSN) allocations as of 5th June 2022, is 962.

According to the CSO there have been 35,670 arrivals from Ukraine in Ireland up to 5th June.

Nationally, women aged 20 and over account for 48% of arrivals to date, while individuals aged 0-19 (both male and female) account for 37%

Of the arrivals to Louth, 198 are in the Dundalk-Carlingford Local Electoral Area (LEA); 308 in Dundalk South; 94 in the Ardee LEA, six in Drogheda Rural LEA and 356 in Drogheda Urban.

In Louth as a whole 144 Ukrainian children have been enrolled in local primary schools, while 93 have been enrolled in secondary schools.

Commenting on the release, Karola Graupner, Statistician, said:

This Arrivals from Ukraine in Ireland release is the second in a series of releases by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) providing insights into Irelands response to the Ukrainian crisis.

This release includes an analysis of Ukrainian arrivals who are availing of support and services from the Department of Social Protection, as well as providing insights into primary and secondary school enrolments overseen by the Department of Education."

Further commenting on the release, Karola Graupner, Statistician, said:

"Our analysis also shows that the rate per 100 of the population ranges across all LEAs in the country from 0.03% to 7.10%. The LEA with the highest rate is Ennistimon in Clare while the LEA of Drogheda Rural in Louth had the lowest rate in the country."
Louth Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has been shortlisted from hundreds of entrants for the Burns Charity of the Year Awards.

Now in its fifth year, the award recognises and rewards the outstanding achievements of animal welfare organisations throughout Ireland.

Burns Pet Nutrition offers animal charities, shelters and rescue centres the opportunity to showcase the great work they do by inviting animal welfare charities to apply for the esteemed Burns Charity of the Year Award.

Previous recipients include Dogs for the Disabled, Cork City; Galway SPCA and most recently, The West Cork Animal Welfare Group.

John Burns, Founder of Burns Pet Nutrition said:Louth Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is exactly the type of charity that we aim to support through the Burns Charity of the Year Awards.

They provide an amazing service throughout the county Louth, and not just through their rescue services, but through education, supports for the homeless and fostering animals.

 We wish all at Louth SPCA the best of luck!

Fiona Squibb from Louth Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said: We are so excited to be shortlisted for the Burns Charity of the Year because getting support like feeding our animals for a year would be a huge help as we have a lot of overheads like vet bills.

The successful charity will be announced in June 2022 and will receive support for twelve months including meeting all feeding costs for the charity including food for any pet that is rehomed during the year, as well as staff training, promotional opportunities and other requirements that the charity may have.

Alongside this initiative, Burns also continues to support over 30 charities long term across the UK and Ireland and contributes multiple one-off donations throughout the year.

They also have their own in-house charity, The John Burns Foundation, which runs multiple community initiatives, such as Burns by Your Side, a scheme that helps school children improve their literacy and communication skills with the aid of trained volunteers and reading dogs.




The site of a former U.S. Forces Korea base near the office of President Yoon Suk-yeol opened as a public park on a trial basis Friday, drawing crowds of people trying to get a first-hand look at the site that had been off limits to ordinary citizens for the past 120 years.







Yongsan Park has been under construction on the site previously used as that USFK's Yongsan Garrison, after the USFK headquarters relocated to Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, 70 kilometers south of Seoul. The government had initially planned to complete the park by 2027, but that plan has been postponed







On Friday, part of the park was opened to the public on a trial basis.







A 27-year-old who previously worked as a translator while performing his military service at the U.S. base welcomed the government's move to turn the base into a park.







"It is meaningful that the site has been returned to (Seoul) earlier than scheduled," Na Eui-hyun said.







A 71-year-old visitor, only identified by his surname Chang, said the visit was to satisfy his curiosity.







"Japanese people first used the site and then later U.S. soldiers have so far used it. I have been curious about how big the place is," Chang said.







Visitors must make online reservations in advance, and up to 500 people can visit the site for a two-hour time slot, or 2,500 per day.







The new Yoon Suk-yeol government relocated the presidential office from Cheong Wa Dae to the defense ministry compound in the Yongsan District in an effort to move out of a "symbol of imperial power" and get closer to the people. (Yonhap)






The Puddle Street Chronicles, by Alan Kelly (Hawkwood Books 11.20)

TOBY Sprockets uncle has invented, by his own admission, a wonderful, truly remarkable anti-gravity machine.

It does, when Toby and his friend Sally Bunn sit into the machine for a test run, prove to be remarkable, but not quite in the way retired scientist Professor Arthur C Sprocket had anticipated.

One moment, the children are in the uncles dusty attic laboratory in Puddle Street, London, the next they find themselves in a house they do not recognise. Worse still, their mobile phones have stopped working.

Everything is clean, and nothing is old. Also, wheres all your stuff? asks Sally.

And when was the last time you saw a fire in your front room? Chimneys around London (have) been blocked up for years.

The Puddle Street Chronicles by Alan Kelly.

It must be a joke, they surmise, or perhaps they have been concussed during their journey in the anti-gravity machine.

The terrible truth finally dawns after the pair, somewhat unwisely, leave the house and the machine in which they arrived, venturing out into an unfamiliar London where only the Thames looks the same.

Instead of defying gravity, they have travelled through time, landing in the Puddle Street of 1610.

As strange as Sally and Toby find their gloomy new surroundings, the citizens of 17th century London find the pairs appearance even stranger and the youngsters have to defend themselves against attackers - some armed with particularly unpleasant maggot-infested dead rats - as they wander lost and hungry through a hostile city.

As time travels go, this is a fairly bleak expedition, not only because of the unwelcoming surroundings but due to the seeming impossibility of finding a way back to the present without a time machine or the knowledge of how to operate one.

Events take an upward turn when the children find their way back to Puddle Street, and are given the opportunity to work in the Globe Theatre with actor Richard Burbage and a playwright by the name of William Shakespeare.

Danger is still lurking, however, in this fast-paced adventure for readers aged nine-plus, due for release next week.

With a stylish cover illustrated by Katherine Mabey, this is the debut childrens novel from Alan Kelly, a mature student living in Cork city and newly qualified with a masters in creative writing from UCC.

Monaghan author Claire Mulligans debut novel for the same age group is also the first book published by Irish arts and literary magazine The Moth - and what a way to make an entrance.

The Hunt for David Berman

The Hunt For David Berman (9.99) tells the heart-stopping story of Second World War evacuee Robert and the boy he finds hiding out in a cave near his grandparents home on the Scottish coast.

Robert and David, a Jewish boy who has arrived from Germany via Kindertransport, become firm friends, David explaining how he was mistreated by the foster family with whom he had been placed, prompting him to go on the run.

Despite the eagle-eyed watch of his formidable grandmother, Robert begins smuggling food out of the house to feed David, who is terrified of his whereabouts being discovered by adults.

As the plot unfolds, it becomes apparent that being returned to the cruel Scottish foster family is the least of Davids worries. Side by side with the Scottish narrative are glimpses of the violent tyranny of Nazi Germany, seen from inside Gestapo headquarters.

Unknown to the two boys, Davids safety in Scotland is in dire peril as he is the target of a Nazi secret agent who, with the books every page, is closing in on his quarry with the intent of murdering the boy for the secret contents of his suitcase.

A story of friendship and courage on the part of both boys, this is a thriller in the best tradition of childrens writing, laced with danger at each turn.

With heartbreak, warmth, hardship, and battles for survival - plus a top-secret codebook - this is Ian Serraillier meets Michael Morpurgo, with a hint of Famous Five.

Mulligan, whose short stories have been published in The Caterpillar, the childrens magazine of The Moth, and broadcast on RTE Radio, may have caused a few raised eyebrows by setting her childrens novel in 1940. Yet with the shadows of war again darkening the world, her choice seems truly prescient and the obvious parallels with the displacement of Ukrainian children will only add to her novels poignancy.
A YOUNG man committing a burglary drank Guinness in a house on one visit and when he returned on another occasion to the same property he caused criminal damage by pouring cement into a bath.

They are very serious charges  these are private houses he is going into, said Judge Olann Kelleher.

However, at Cork District Court, the judge said he also had to take into consideration real concerns for the defendant himself and said he would adjourn sentencing so that an updated probation report could be obtained on some background matters.

Ieuan Yowell of Tinnock Old School House, Ardmore, Co Waterford, pleaded guilty to burgling the house twice and burgling another house once.

Sergeant Pat Lyons said that on March 30, 2021, at Ard na Laoi, Montenotte, the defendant broke in and drank bottles of Guinness he found in the house.

Later on the same day he returned to this house and broke in again.

He poured cement into a bathtub of the house, which caused criminal damage, Sgt Lyons said.

After that second burglary, the accused man was found at the scene of the crime when gardai arrived to investigate.

Sgt Lyons said the defendant was standing in the hallway of the house and was arrested there and then.

Yowell, aged 24, had carried out another burglary just over three months earlier, on December 14, 2020, at Herbert Park Lawn, Gardiners Hill, Cork.

Frank Buttimer, defence solicitor, said there was initially a concern about the defendants capacity to deal with the charges because of psychiatric concerns.

Judge Kelleher said three burglaries put an accused person at risk of a prison sentence.

But I am not going to do that in this case because of his health concerns, the judge said.

Sentencing was adjourned for four months to allow time for an updated probation report.
PUBLICANS in Cork were handed stiff fines for breaching licensing laws, the Echo reported 100 years ago today, on Saturday, June 10, 1922.

Messrs Collins, Murphy-OConnor and Nott heard the cases at the Cork Central Court.

Mary E. Collins, a publican in Paul Street, was summoned for a breach of the Licensing Laws at 8pm on Sunday, May 21.

Police Officer Crummy said the door to her premises was wide open and five men who were not bona fide travellers were within.

The defendant said she did not know the men, one of whom said he came from Riverstown and another from Ballincollig.

Collins was fined 40s, and the same fine was imposed in the case against Anne Bradley, of Kyrls Quay. Ten men were found on her premises just 25 yards from the Bridewell, three were accounted bona fide travellers, while others claimed to have been fishing and not to have slept in Cork the night before.

The Chairman of the Bench said there was a mistaken impression abroad in the city that Sunday closing was 5.30pm, but the lawful hours are very clearly 2pm to 5pm.

Also in court, Michael Casey, of no fixed abode, was charged with unlawfully trespassing on the grounds of Mr Green, of Tivoli on June 10 at 2am and causing annoyance to the family.

Inspector Fitzgerald went to the address on receiving a complaint and found the defendant asleep under a tree.

Motor Fatality

Yesterday afternoon, Coroner J.J. McCabe held an inquest into the death of Kate Leahy,13, who was knocked down by a motor car on the Lower Glanmire Road.

The mother of the deceased said she sent the child for milk.

James Devereaux, labourer, said he saw the car knock the child down at about 6.50pm and helped take her out from under it and place her in it. There was life in the body when they got to the Infirmary. The car was on its correct side of the road.

Vincent Morrogh, of Douglas, owner of the car, elected to give evidence. He said he did not notice the child till he was almost upon her and braked hard. He was driving for seven years and never had an accident. He regretted the accident exceedingly.

A little tin money-box was found in the car. Evidently, the girl was collecting for something.

Dr Denis Fennell said the child lived for about three minutes after being taken to the Infirmary. The cause of death was shock and haemorrhage, the result of injury to the lung. The ribs were broken.

Mr Kavanagh, representing Mr Morrogh, said little children would run across the road and it was extraordinary there were not more accidents. Mr Morrogh was prepared to make what reparation he could.

D.J. Barry, on behalf of the Irish Republican Police, brought to the attention of the Coroner the fact the police were powerless regarding the speed of motor cars. This was something that had been neglected for years and limits should be arranged and published.

Coroner McCabe agreed and clarified speed was not a factor in this case and Mr Morrogh did all he could to avoid the collision.

A Juror (Mr OSullivan) asked was not 15 miles an hour excessive? The coroner replied that Mr Barry had made proper reference to the necessity for bye-laws regulating motor cycle and motor car speed and it is for the Corporate body to act on it.

The jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical testimony and exonerated Mr Morrogh from all blame.

Campaigning for Election

Campaigning for the forthcoming national election commences tomorrow, and present members of the Dail will be strongly voicing their claims for re-election. Especially, now, in light of the recent Collins-de Valera agreement.

Campaigning will take place throughout the county tomorrow and the big demonstration in the city is tomorrow night.

The timetabling indicates all candidates will have to be brief and to be to the point in their speeches.

It is interesting to note that just a few weeks ago Messrs de Valera and Collins were on separate platforms and are now once more on the same one.

Tomorrows meetings will be addressed by sitting TDs both in favour of, and against, the Treaty.

Other candidates are not idle either and a very interesting election may be expected.

Port Development

Cork Corporation is to nominate two representatives to join a Board to urge the Provisional Government to adopt a scheme for the Port of Cork and assist the Harbour Board to carry it out.

It would entail an expenditure of 4,000,000 and mean the full and complete development of the port.

Barry Egan said the matter was driven through entirely by the energy and genius of Frank Daly, chairman of the Harbour Board. A lesser man than he could not get a scheme of such magnitude through. It was for the Corporation to support it in every way.

Mr Egan and Sean French were elected as the Corporations representatives.
Replica handcuffs are hung during a rally in front of former President Moon Jae-in's residence in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, in this June 8 photo. Yonhap



Police said Friday they will guarantee rallies and demonstrations in front of former President Moon Jae-in's residence in the southeastern city of Yangsan but illegal activities will be dealt with sternly.



The National Police Agency said in a statement that strict action will be taken in accordance with the law and principles against any illegal acts by anti-Moon demonstrators, such as noise exceeding the permissible level and infringements on the peaceful private lives of local residents.



This is the first time the police have expressed an official position on the issue, as the Moon family has reportedly suffered from loud noises and abusive language from demonstrators since arriving at their new home in Pyeongsan Village, Yangsan, 420 kilometers southeast of Seoul, May 11, after his retirement. Pyeongsan is a small rural village with just 54 households.



Moon and his wife, Kim Jung-sook, lodged a complaint against some demonstrators May 31, while more than 50 village residents have reportedly submitted complaints to the police over the noise made by demonstrators.





Former President Moon Jae-in is seen at his residence in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang Province, in this May 11 file photo. Yonhap
A petrochemical plant near African American communities in Cancer Alley, along the Mississippi River, south of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Andrew Lichtenstein / Corbis via Getty Images

A legal settlement between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the town containing the census tract with the worst air pollution in the country could significantly reduce harmful emissions in the area known as Cancer Alley.

The proposed agreement was posted on the Federal Register Tuesday and would settle two lawsuits brought by members of the majority-Black town of Reserve, Louisiana in St. John the Baptist parish against the nations top environmental agency, The Guardian reported.

This is an example of Bidens EPA starting to chart a new course on environmental justice, and clean air, after years of EPA ignoring fenceline communities daily reality of being overwhelmed by cancer-causing pollution, two of the groups behind one of the lawsuits  Concerned Citizens of St. John and the Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN)  said in a statement reported by NOLA.com.

The lawsuit was initiated by the two groups along with the Sierra Club in November, 2021 to compel the EPA to update its regulations of toxic chemicals used to make plastic.

While EPA has failed and continues to fail to act, community members suffer the consequences of exposure to toxic air pollution from polymers and resins facilities, the lawsuit said. These facilities emit highly hazardous air pollutants, including carcinogens like chloroprene, ethylene oxide, formaldehyde, and 1,3-butadiene. These hazardous air pollutants contribute to high cancer risk in Louisiana, Texas, and other states. For example, EPAs data show that residents of St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana face the highest cancer risk in the nation from hazardous air pollution, due in great part to a polymers and resins facility.

Residents are particularly worried about the Denka Performance Elastomer (DPE) plant, according to E&E News. The plant emits chloroprene, which is used to make car parts, and the concentration of this pollutant in the parishs air was nearly 12,000 times the level that presents cancer risk as of September.

DPE spokesman Jim Harris said in a statement reported by The Guardian that the company would review the draft agreement but maintained that the plants activities resulted in no increased levels of health impacts in the area surrounding DPEs facility.

DPE will continue to work with the EPA to ensure the best available science is used in future rule making, the statement said.

The November lawsuit was combined with a 2020 lawsuit brought by the Environmental Integrity Project and other groups asking the EPA to update rules around flaring at petrochemical plants, E&E News reported.

The agreement, known as a consent decree, could reduce emissions of chloroprene, ethylene oxide, formaldehyde and butadiene in the area, NOLA.com reported. It could also lead to stricter rules for flaring.

The consent decree still needs to be approved by a federal judge, according to E&E. If it is, the EPA would review its standards for these pollutants, propose a new rule by March 2023 and finalize the rule by March 2024.

The ultimate test will be whether EPA listens to St. John community members, follows the science and strengthens air toxics standards to protect public health. Facilities emissions of chloroprene and other extremely toxic chemicals are especially hazardous to childrens health and well-being and need immediate attention, the statement from LEAN and Concerned Citizens said, as NOLA.com reported.
President Biden has announced interest in designating the Hudson Canyon, located from the New York/New Jersey Harbor and stretching 400 nautical miles out to the ocean, as the next national marine sanctuary.

The Hudson Canyon is the largest underwater canyon in the U.S. side of the Atlantic Ocean, reaching about 2 miles deep and over 7 miles wide in some spots. It is rich in biodiversity, being home to coral reefs, sponges, sea turtles, sperm whales, and more unique marine life.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) explains that Hudson Canyons structure, which resembles the Grand Canyon and features steep slopes, outcrops, and diverse nutrients, allows it to host a wide variety of organisms.

The area is historically and culturally important. There are shipwrecks dating back to the 19th century in the underwater canyon. Indigenous communities have also relied on the regions natural resources for thousands of years.

The Wildlife Conservation Society first nominated the Hudson Canyon to become a marine sanctuary in 2016. The goals for the designation are to 1) support conservation of the areas marine wildlife, habitats, and maritime cultural resources, 2) work closely with Indigenous Tribes and Nations to identify and raise awareness of Indigenous connections to the area, 3) highlight and promote sustainable uses of the area, 4) expand ocean science and monitoring in, and education and awareness of the area, and 5) provide a platform for collaborative and diverse partnerships that support effective and inclusive long-term management of the area, NOAA says.

Hudson Canyon is also an important area for climate change monitoring, as marine canyons are particularly vulnerable to ocean acidification and deoxygenation. Further, Hudson Canyon was once the site for the worlds largest municipal sewage dumping into the deep sea from 1986 to 1992, and this has had lasting impacts on the marine life here.

The designation is not yet official, but the initiation process has officially begun and public commenting is available until August 8, 2022. Officials are seeking public comments on various factors, including potential names for the new sanctuary and proposed boundaries.

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, Rick Spinrad, NOAA administrator, said in a statement. It would also help advance the Administrations commitment to conserve and restore special marine places, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.

In addition to Hudson Canyon, Alagum Kanuu (Heart of the Ocean) of the Pribilof Islands near Alaska has also been successfully nominated. The area is home to Steller sea lions, northern fur seals and other important species and is an important region to the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island Tribal Government. Although the nomination has been successful, the designation process for Alagum Kanuu has not been initiated.
What is the oldest tree in the world?

Up until recently, the record-holder was the Methuselah bristlecone pine in Californias White Mountains, which has been dated as 4,852 years old, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. However, a contender from another hemisphere is coming for its crown: an alerce (Fitzroya cupressoides) in Chile known as the Gran Abuelo or great-grandfather tree.

Its a tree thats very, very close to our hearts, Jonathan Barichivich, the Chilean environmental scientist behind the claim, told Science.

The alerce, also known as a Patagonian cypress according to National Geographic, is a species of tree native to Chile and Argentina with a reputation for being the second longest-lived species of tree after the bristlecone pine. This specimen in particular is located in a ravine in Chiles Alerce Costero National Park and is more than four meters (approximately 13 feet) wide, Science reported. It also stretches 196 feet into the air, according to Live Science.

Barichivich used a unique method to determine the trees age, Science reported. First, he used an increment borer to extract a sample of the wood without harming the tree and counted around 2,400 rings. Then, because the sample did not reach the trees center, he used models to estimate the trees age.

The result? The tree was likely 5,484 years old and had an 80 percent chance of being more than 5,000 years old, surpassing Methusala.

It was astonishing, Barichivich told Science.

The method also determined a range of ages, according to Live Science. The tree could not be older than 6,000 years or younger than 4,100 years old.

Even if the tree was a very fast grower, for all that size, it cannot be younger than that, Barichivich told Live Science.

Barichivich has presented his findings at conferences, but they have not been peer reviewed yet, according to National Geographic. So far, they have received mixed reactions from the scientific community.

I fully trust the analysis that Jonathan has made, ETH Zurich dendrochronologist Harald Bugmann told Science. It sounds like a very smart approach.

However, Tree Ring Laboratory at Columbia University founding director Ed Cook was more skeptical.

The ONLY way to truly determine the age of a tree is by dendrochronologically counting the rings and that requires ALL rings being present or accounted for, Cook told Science.

Rocky Mountain Tree Ring Research founder Peter Brown told National Geographic that the approach was too new to assess prior to peer review and its conclusion too surprising.

[T]his new estimated age is over 1,500 years older than the oldest known (alerce) tree to date, Brown said.

What is clear is that the tree is at risk from both tourism and the climate crisis, which could dry out the region and make it harder for the tree to access water. A second tree growing out of the alerce is dying, according to Live Science. Further, the platform surrounding the tree is crushing its roots. Barichivich advised that the walkway be moved farther from the tree and that the tree itself be shielded in netting ten feet high.

People are killing it, Barichivich told Science of the tree. It requires our protection urgently.




Charges brought against salmon farmers in Chile for alleged overproduction



Chile's Superintendency of the Environment (SMA) is bringing charges against salmon farmers claiming they overproduced at production centers located within the Kawesqar National Reserve in the southern region of Magallanes.

If found guilty, the farmers risk revocation of their environmental permit, closure of operations, or fines of an amount equivalent to up to $3.3 billion (US$4 million).

The alleged infractions took place in a sensitive area, as developments at the Kawesqar National Reserve have been at the center of attention. Last month, National Geographic released a documentary advocating for the protection of the reserve's coastline from further commercial salmon-farming development.

The SMA's most recent charge was against Cermaq Chile, which it said overproduced more than 782 tonnes per year between May 2017 and June 2019 at the Estero Navarro salmonid grow-out center, located in the reserve. The corresponding environmental permit authorises a maximum production of 5,236 tonnes at the center  which covers an area of 12 hectares.

"The complaints that the SMA receives are not only from citizens, but also from public services with environmental authority," said acting SMA head Emanuel Ibarra. "In this case, [Chile's National Fisheries and Aquaculture Service] Sernapesca Magallanes sent us information regarding the 2017-2019 production cycle.

"The problem with these situations is that they were verified in areas that are under special protection, such as the case of the Kawesqar National Reserve."

Cermaq will now have 10 working days to present a compliance program and 15 working days to formulate any disclaimers. In a public statement, Cermaq Chile said that it is carrying out an investigation and internally validating the published data "to proceed as appropriate, in accordance with the applicable regulations."

Last month, SMA also initiated a sanctioning process against salmon farmer Australis Mar for overproduction at the Morgan salmonid grow-out center, also located in the Kawesqar National Reserve.

Australis admitted that it had overproduced during its 2019-2021 cycle. In response, it said it would lower production by a total of 1,816 tonnes in its next production cycles.

- SeafoodSource
President Yoon Suk-yeol shakes hands with ruling People Power Party Chairman Lee Jun-seok during their luncheon at the presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul, Friday. Yonhap



Pro-Yoon lawmakers seek to establish private organization



By Nam Hyun-woo



Factional infighting is deepening in the ruling People Power Party (PPP), as lawmakers close to President Yoon Suk-yeol are attempting to form their own group within the party, while questioning PPP Chairman Lee Jun-seok's role in the string of electoral victories in recent months.



The clash is interpreted as an internal power struggle, with pro-Yoon lawmakers seeking to enhance their influence in the party and take over its leadership, in order to claim the rights to recommend candidates for the 2024 general elections.



PPP floor leader Rep. Kweon Seong-dong said in a radio interview Friday he opposed the formation of a lawmakers' group that can be seen as a faction within the party.



"There are official consultative bodies between the government and the party," Kweon said. "We should refrain from forming a group that can be misunderstood as an additional government-party consultative body."



Kweon was referring to a recent move to form a policy study group called "Mindeulle" by some pro-Yoon lawmakers. On Thursday, PPP Reps. Lee Chul-gyu and Lee Yong-ho sent PPP lawmakers official invitations to the group, with a plan to launch it, June 15.





People Power Party floor leader Rep. Kweon Seong-dong, center, speaks during a party meeting at the National Assembly on Yeouido, Seoul, Friday. Joint Press Corps



Despite the lawmakers' explanation that it is a policy study group, it is widely viewed as a faction of Yoon loyalists. Rep. Chang Je-won, former chief of staff to President Yoon when he was president-elect, is leading the group, while Lee Chul-gyu, Lee Yong-ho and other lawmakers who worked on Yoon's presidential transition committee are also participating.



The group has been a thorny issue for the party throughout this week, as concerns were raised that pro-Yoon lawmakers are creating their own faction. Chairman Lee, who has been struggling with pro-Yoon lawmakers since his conflict with Yoon during the presidential election campaign, slammed the group as "an unofficial group aimed at boasting members' influence."



Along with the strife over Mindeulle, Lee is in conflict with PPP Rep. Chung Jin-suk, who criticized Lee's recent trip to Ukraine as "politics for his own sake." Chung also criticized the chairman's plan to set up "an innovation committee" within the party and reform the party's recommendation system for proportional lawmakers in the 2024 general elections.



On June 6, Chung, who is also viewed as a pro-Yoon lawmaker, fired a salvo that "Lee should think about what will be the ruling party's role for the success of the Yoon administration before talking about reforms or Ukraine."



While they were trading barbs to refute each other, watchers said the recent conflicts are part of the Yoon loyalists' efforts to strengthen their presence in the party by exploiting the rationale of supporting the stable start of the Yoon administration.



Amid the conflicts, President Yoon had a luncheon with Chairman Lee, floor leader Kweon and other leaders of the party, calling for cooperation between the government and the party. Before having the luncheon, however, Yoon told reporters that he "is the nation's leader, not the party's" and "will watch how the situation unfolds."





People Power Party Chairman Lee Jun-seok, center, answers reporters' questions at Incheon International Airport, Thursday, after returning from his week-long visit to Ukraine. Joint Press Corps
He claimed he had purchased the bike in Australia but had not understood that it was he, rather than the bike, which needed to be insured, contrary to rules in his home country.
Meta will no longer release any more Portal devices for consumers, according to The Information and Variety. The company is reportedly repositioning the smart display and home video line as a business product and discontinuing current consumer versions. Variety says Meta will sell all the remaining inventory of previously released models and will continue providing support for existing customers, but it will focus on business applications for future releases. Portal never quite sold as well as Amazon's and Google smart display devices, but it enjoyed an uptick in sales after pandemic lockdowns forced companies to let their employees work from home.

According to the IDC research firm, Meta sold 600,000 Portal devices in 2020 and 800,000 in 2021, as businesses looked for solutions to make communicating with remote workers easier. Perhaps it was the knowledge that it was business customers that gave the devices' sales a boost these past two years that compelled Meta to change the product line's focus. We'll just have to wait and see how Portals for businesses differ from their consumer counterparts. Meta released several versions of Portal in the past, including the Portal TV, which turns televisions into big smart displays, and the Portal Go that can be taken out of its charging dock and moved around.

In addition to killing off consumer Portals, Meta has also reportedly shelved plans for its long-rumored dual-camera smartwatch. Previous reports suggested that it was going to be an Apple competitor, but Meta has apparently decided to focus on developing other wearables for now.
Metas lawyers are investigating outgoing COO Sheryl Sandberg amid claims she misused company resources, The Wall Street Journal reports. The paper says the investigation goes back several years and is scrutinizing Meta employees work on Sandbergs personal projects.

When Sandberg first announced her departure from the company, The Wall Street Journal reported the company was examining whether she had improperly used company resources in planning her upcoming wedding. Now, WSJ has shed a little more light on the investigation.

Meta lawyers are reportedly looking at Facebook staffs involvement with Sandbergs foundation Lean In, and their work to help her promote her most recent book, Option B. The company is also investigating reports that Sandberg used Facebook staffers in an attempt to kill a negative story about her former partner, Activision CEO Bobby Kotick. The company could be looking to head off regulatory concerns that could arise if such work wasnt properly disclosed to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Sandberg eventually could be asked to repay the company for employee time spent on her personal work, according to the report.

Meta declined to comment to The Wall Street Journal.

The investigation is indicative of just how much Sandbergs status within the company has changed in recent years. As The WSJ points out, both Sandberg and Mark Zuckerbergs personal lives have been closely tied to the company. Meta spends millions of dollars every year on their personal security and travel expenses, and both executives have tapped Facebook employees to help with personal projects. That Sandberg is now facing scrutiny for these actions shows how much her influence has waned.
If you're still looking for the perfect Father's Day gift, you have a bunch of options that you can get for less right now. A rare sale on the Sonos Roam and Move speakers discounts them both by 20 percent, while a number of Apple devices are on sale, too. The Google Pixel 6 Pro smartphone is still $100 off, plus Solo Stove's fire pits are up to 43 percent off. Here are the best tech deals from this week that you can still get today.

Sonos Roam

Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

Sonos' portable Roam speaker remains 20 percent off and down to just over $143. We gave it a score of 87 for its great audio quality, compact and durable design and ability to play stereo audio when two are paired together.

Sonos Move

The outdoor-friendly Sonos Move is also 20 percent off and down to just under $320. It earned a score of 80 from us for its excellent sound quality, Bluetooth connectivity, weather-resistant design and great battery life.

Sonos refurbished sale

Kyle Maack/Engadget

Sonos has discounted a bunch of refurbished speakers and soundbars. You can pick up the Arc soundbar for $718, or $180 less than the cost of a new model, and the Sonos Five speaker for $439, or $110 less than a new unit. Sonos' refurbished program tests all devices to make sure they're as good as new and these devices come with the same one-year warranty as new products do.

Apple Watch Series 7

Both the 41mm and 45mm versions of the Apple Watch Series 7 are $70 off right now and down to record lows: $329 and $359, respectively. We gave the wearable a score of 90 for its larger display, faster charging capabilities and powerful watchOS 8 features.

Apple Watch SE

The Apple Watch SE in 44mm is down to a record-low of $229 right now, or $80 off its normal price. We gave it a score of 88 for its powerful performance, comfortable design and handy watchOS features.

AirPods (3rd gen)

The latest AirPods are $30 off and down to $150, which is only $10 more than their all-time-low price. We gave the buds a score of 88 for their improved audio quality, more comfortable design and longer battery life.

A pack of four AirTags is down to $89 right now, or $10 off its regular price. If you have a few things you want to keep track of, this is a good opportunity to pick up a few AirTags that can help you do so. AirTags show you the location of your things in Apple's Find My app, and if you have an iPhone that supports Precision Finding, it can lead you directly to your stuff.

Nintendo Switch Online bundle

SanDisk

You can still get half off a bundle that includes a 12-month membership to Nintendo Switch Online's Family plan and a 128GB SanDisk microSD card. Nintendo's subscription includes cloud backup for game data, online gaming and access to a bunch of NES and SNES titles, while the microSD card will let you easily add more space to your Switch.

Beats Fit Pro

Billy Steele/Engadget

The Beats Fit Pro earbuds are back on sale for $180, or $20 off their usual price. We gave them a score of 87 for their good sound quality, strong ANC and handy features provided by Apple's H1 chipset.

Google Nest Doorbell

Google

The battery-powered Nest Doorbell is on sale for $130 at Amazon right now, or nearly 30 percent off its normal price. This IoT device is easy to install since you don't have to hardwire it, and it'll send you alerts when someone shows up at your doorstep. You can also pick up the Nest Cam Outdoor for $129 or the Nest Cam Indoor for $80.

Google Pixel 6 Pro

David Imel for Engadget

Google's Pixel 6 Pro smartphone remains $100 off and down to $799. We gave the flagship a score of 91 for its excellent cameras, lightweight design and clever voice software.

Roku Ultra

Roku

The 2022 Roku Ultra is 20 percent off and down to a new low of $80. The updated set-top box just came out last month and it includes the new Voice Remote Pro with a rechargeable battery and a remote-finder feature, plus support for 4K, HDR10+ streaming. It's also worth noting that the Roku Streambar remains on sale for $99.

Solo Stove

You can get up to 43 percent off fire pits at Solo Stove right now.You'll find the deepest discount on the big Yukon, which is $320 off and down to $400. We like these fire pits because they create much less smoke than their cheaper competitors and, out of the three models available, two of them are pretty portable, too.

Roomba 694

iRobot's Roomba 694 has dropped to $180, or $94 off its usual price. It earned a spot in our best affordable robot vacuums guide thanks to its good cleaning power and easy to use mobile app.

Roomba j7+

iRobot's Roomba j7+ is down to $599 at Amazon, or $200 off its normal price. We included the Roomba j7 in our best robot vaccums guide because it did a good job cleaning both carpeted and hard floors, plus it has good obstacle avoidance and an easy to use companion app. The j7+ adds a clean base into the mix, so the robot will automatically empty its bin into the clean base after every job.

Sony Days of Play sale

Sony's Days of Play sale on Amazon discounts a bunch of PlayStation accessories, including all six PS DualSense controllers. You can pick up any of them, including the vibrantly colored ones, for $59, which is up to 21 percent off their normal prices.

Anova Precision Cooker

Anova

Anova's Precision Cooker sous vide machine is down to $133 right now, or 39 percent off its normal price. We like its easy to use onboard controls, WiFi connectivity and 1,000 watts of power.

Sony WH-1000XM4

Billy Steele / Engadget

Sony's WH-1000XM4 headphones are down to $278, which is 21 percent off its normal price. While Sony just came out with the XM5 headphones, these cans remain a good option for those that want excellent sound quality and ANC to match. Plus, you'll save more than $100 compared to the XM5 if you pick up the XM4 while they're on sale.

Fitbit Father's Day sale

Valentina Palladino / Engadget

Fitbit has discounted most of its wearables ahead of Father's Day, and if you spend $125 or more, you'll get $20 off your next purchase before the end of June. The Charge 5 tracker is down to $130, while the Versa 3 is on sale for $170 and the Sense smartwatch has fallen to $200.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on Twitter for the latest tech deals and buying advice.
The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has concluded that Google and Apple "hold all the cards" when it comes to mobile phones a year after taking a closer look at their "duopoly." It's now consulting on the launch of a market investigation into the tech giants' market power in mobile browsers, as well as into Apple's cloud gaming restrictions. In addition, the CMA has launched a separate investigation into Google's Play Store rules  the one that requires certain app developers to use the tech giant's payment system for in-app purchases, in particular.

The CMA has concluded after its year-long study that the tech giants do indeed exhibit an "effective duopoly" on mobile ecosystems. A total of 97 percent of all mobile web browsing in the UK is powered by Apple's and Google's browser engines. iPhones and Android devices typically come with Safari and Chrome pre-installed, which means their browsers have the advantage from the start. Further, Apple requires developers to make sure their iOS and iPadOS apps are using its WebKit engine to browse the web. That limits the incentives Apple may have to invest in Safari, the CMA said.

The agency also pointed out that Apple enforces policies that prevent cloud gaming apps from being available to download from its App Store. Under its rules, cloud gaming services would have to individually submit each playable game for review and approval if they want to be listed. The company eventually carved out an exception, but only to make services like Xbox Cloud Gaming available on iOS devices through a browser.

In its announcement, the CMA explained that the lack of intervention would allow the tech giants to maintain and even strengthen their hold not just over mobile browsers, but also over mobile operating systems and app stores. Their duopoly could stifle competition and limit incentives for individuals and other companies to innovate and develop new products and technologies for those markets.




South Korea is considering imposing unilateral sanctions on North Korea if it conducts a new nuclear test, Seoul's top diplomat said Friday.







Foreign Minister Park Jin made the remark two days ahead of his trip to Washington D.C., for talks with his U.S. counterpart, Antony Blinken, amid concerns over the possibility of the North's conducting its seventh nuclear test.







"The new government has reviewed the matter of unilaterally imposing sanctions on North Korea and is discussing various detailed measures," Park said during an interview with Yonhap News TV, when asked about the possibility of Seoul and Washington imposing unilateral sanctions on Pyongyang.







The U.N. Security Council last month failed to adopt U.S.-proposed new sanctions in response to Pyongyang's ballistic missile tests due to vetoes by China and Russia, and skepticism lingers over additional measures at the U.N. level.







The conservative Yoon Suk-yeol administration, which pledged a tougher stance on Pyongyang, took office last month.







Park said the North seems to have completed all preparations for a nuclear test and the timing may depend on the "political determination" by the regime's leadership.







If the widely speculated nuclear test is carried out, the minister said South Korea will coordinate with the international community to send a strong message to North Korea and respond with "a resolute deterrence posture" against its provocation.







When asked whether China and Russia would oppose additional sanctions despite the North's nuclear test, he said Seoul will concentrate diplomatic efforts on persuading the permanent Security Council members to draw a "firm resolution" on the recalcitrant regime. (Yonhap)






Where to begin with Jurassic World: Dominion? Other than the fact that it plays like a fan film, with a weak Bond villain B plot so out of place it could have been saved for another film.

Starting where Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom left off, with the ludicrous notion that humanity needs to co-exist with the dinosaur blight that somehow spreads globally through the black market.

In the world we open on, dinosaurs can simply roam free, because annihilating the genetically created threat would be uncivilized. Instead, they chase children, attack beachgoers, and attack fishing vessels.

But this is not the actual story.

SPOILERS AHEAD.

The actual threat is the global extinction of humanity due to giant locusts which are beginning to breed at an alarming rate, disrupting the food chain in a way that will eventually wipe mankind out.

Why is this here? Was the threat of a booming DINOSAUR population not enough to keep butts in seats? Not for nothing, wouldn't the existence of creatures that eat a dump truck amount of vegetation a day cause food shortages?

No, we need Jurassic bugs.

This scourge turns out to be the brainchild of Biosyn CEO Lewis Dodson, played with nervous energy by Campbell Scott.

If that name sounds familiar, it should. Dodson was the character from the original Jurassic Park, who Wayne Knight was trying to steal the dino DNA for. Now working with B.D. Wong's Dr. Henry Wu, they have come up with a scheme to cause a food shortage, by using the bigs to eat every crop not genetically engineered by Biotech - thus being the only game in town to buy seed from.

Like I said, Bond villain.

(Editor's Note: It's also worth noting that trying to engineer their way around competition by destroying it is something the Monsanto Corporation - which controls most of the US food market - basically does. Not with giant bugs - their genetically engineered crops blow onto other farmers farms, and they use this as an excuse to sue them so hard they can just buy them out of business. Bond-villain-y? Yes. Nonfiction? Sadly, also yes.)

Enter Dr. Ellie Satler (Laura Dern), who is investigating the locusts, only to drag Dr. Allan Grant (Sam Neill) with her to visit BioSyn, at the behest of Jeff Goldblum's Ian Malcolm - who now gives speeches to the workers at Biosyn's offshore facility about the dangers of messing with genetics.

What sense does that make? No clue, other than to disguise the evil plot by Dodson.

On to plot number three, where we find Maisie (Isabella Sermon), the cloned granddaughter of Lockwood (James Cromwell) from the last film. She has been hiding in the woods with Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) and Owen Grady (Chris Pratt), only to become kidnap bait - along with the offspring of Pratt's raptor Blue (who is just allowed to live in the wild without them worrying that she might EAT SOMEONE!)

Everything about this movie is a wink and a nod to the previous sequels. Jeff Goldblum literally points out everything that is wrong with the past films in his usual witty delivery.

Hell, when he is told that Howard used to run the Jurassic World theme park, his exact words are, "Not a fan." This leads me to believe even director Colin Treverrow has little faith in the mess he helped to create with these pointless sequels.

Soon, we are whisked away on a globe-trotting adventure through the world of dino-smuggling and underground raptor-fighting rings, as Owen and Claire team up with pilot/smuggler Kayla Watts (DeWanda Wise), who becomes the Han Solo of the film.

All of this culminates in all our main cast - past and present - arriving at Biosyn to rescue the clone and expose Dodson's scheme to the press.

This is the most nonsensical excuse to blend all the characters from the franchise simply because they could.

Jurassic World: Dominion plays as nothing more than a cash-grab tentpole that squanders the majesty of the original Jurassic Park - which never should have had a sequel to begin with. The original film was a perfect summer movie with the kind of magic rarely seen in cinema anymore.

To be fair, there are some fun moments that will grab the everyday moviegoer and Dominion is definitely better than its predecessor Fallen Kingdom, but it still doesn't hold water logically.

Countless times throughout, characters treat these man-eating beasts as if they cannot simply kill them if they threaten them. All too often, they have guns drawn, and rather than put a bullet in a creature hell-bent on eating them, they run or hold out a hand like they have some weird control over them. It's just stupid.

Hopefully, this will be the last we see of the tainted franchise for a while. Sometimes leaving something alone is best.

Would I recommend Jurassic World: Dominion? No. But then again, there are many who simply don't care that much about what is wrong with the current state of franchise overload and can shut off their brains for a two-hour-plus spectacle. Honestly, I envy them. If you're one of those people - or if you have no context for the other movies - you might enjoy this one.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be watching Jurassic Park and forgetting that anything ever came afterward.
The U.S. House of Representatives will weigh legislation next week to boost security for Supreme Court justices, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said, one day after an armed man was arrested near Brett Kavanaugh's home and charged with attempted murder.
Friday, June 10, 2022

May 20, 2022

Kentuckians have served on the front lines since the American Revolution, giving the state of Kentucky a strong veteran legacy. Kentucky Representative Walker Thomas writes a heart-felt appreciation to all of the fallen heroes of America, and outlines the legislation that has been passed by the House and Senate to benefit Kentucky military personnel who are active duty or retired.

He believes that the best way to honor the men and women who have sacrificed everything for our country is to ensure that those who make it home are well taken care of. He describes the legislation that has been passed recently by Kentucky to benefit the states veterans, and includes the importance of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).

In addition, we endorsed the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatments by the Veterans Administration (HCR 40). Studies have shown these treatments can repair the brain tissue, which would significantly improve the quality of life for many of the 13,000 Kentucky veterans suffering from brain injuries and disorders.

HBOT NEWS NETWORK is hosted by Ed di Girolamo

The Extivita-RTP clinic in Durham North Carolina is part of an state-funded effort to provide Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy to NC Veterans. A special grant, pursuant to legislation passed in 2019, is paying for HBOT treatments for NC Veterans. The HBOT for Veterans Program is run from the Community Foundation of NC East, the recipient of the state funds. To date, over 20 Veterans are enrolled in the treatment. Progress of the patients is being carefully tracked. Results to date prove the safety and efficacy of HBOT treatment for TBI/PTSD.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is used around the world to extend and improve quality of life by augmenting the treatment of all injuries, diseases and infections, as well as to improve overall wellness. HBOT involves breathing 100% oxygen in a pressurized chamber to increase oxygen levels in blood plasma. A century of clinical research has shown that increased oxygen in plasma accelerates our natural ability to heal through neurogenesis and angiogenesis.

For more information, please contact hbotnews.org and

Extivita-RTP  Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Clinic

2012-D TW Alexander Drive

Durham, NC 27709

919-354-3775

919-354-3776

contact@extivita.org
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San Antonio will be focus of an episode of Travel Channels paranormal reality series Portals to Hell airing Saturday.

According to the shows website, hosts and paranormal investigators Jack Osbourne and Katrina Weidman travel to San Antonio to investigate the site of a key battle in the Texas Revolution. But when a malevolent energy targets Katrina, the team quickly learns this will be no ordinary investigation.

The focus of their trip is Victorias Black Swan Inn, an event venue housed in an 1867 home built on the site of the 1842 Battle of Salado Creek near whats now the intersection of Loop 410 and Rittiman Road, close to Fort Sam Houston.

The inns website details the histories of several ghosts that are reputed to haunt the historic home and surrounding property. Other paranormal shows, including Travel Channels Ghost Adventures and Haunted History Week on the History Channel, have poked around the building in the past.

On ExpressNews.com: Chilling tales of haunted San Antonio

Osbourne is the son of rocker Ozzy Osbourne, who also has made some memorable trips to San Antonio. He famously was arrested after publicly urinating in Alamo Plaza and banned from the city for 10 years.

Portals to Hell airs at 9 p.m. Saturday on Travel Channel and streams the same day on discovery+.
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Rating: Worth a drive

In the classic 1985 film Back to the Future, a young Marty McFly was accidentally sent back to the year 1955. I would like to have that same tricked-out DeLorean time machine so I could go back to Pacific Moon Bar & Grills opening day in 1998 and become a longtime regular.

Pacific Moon is located in a nondescript shopping center at U.S. 281 and Brook Hollow. Its sign is easy to miss if youre traveling north on U.S. 281. If you are traveling south, youll never know its there. But inside is a gem that is truly worth a drive from any part of San Antonio.

Chuck Blount/Staff

I feel like a genuine fool that this was my first visit as it produced one of the most exciting dining experiences I have ever had.

Mama Han Olmstead is the chef and owner at Pacific Moon, and with the cooking help of her daughter Marika, the avalanche of excellence ranges from a heavily stocked bar with more than 100 offerings, dishes influenced by Olmsteads South Korean heritage, and  most importantly for this series  sandwiches.

Every sandwich here is a contender for the top spot, and you can forget your basic fries or bag of chips. Every sandwich comes with freshly fried wonton chips and cream cheese dip  plus a side salad.

During the day, Olmstead works the room like a consummate host, quick to engage in friendly conversation and make sure everybody is having a good time. She developed all the recipes, and shes proud of them  as she should be. Such is her commitment to customer service that if a patron asks for a particular booze brand thats not stocked, shell order it for their next visit.

I wanted to create a restaurant that responded to what our customers wanted, from the bar to the menu, Olmstead said. And I continue to welcome new customers every day as if I have known them my entire life.

Missed a 52 Weeks report? 52 Weeks of Sandwiches: A yearlong hunt for the best San Antonio eats between two slices of bread

Chuck Blount/Staff

Best sandwich: The teriyaki sirloin steak sandwich ($11.50) earned the honor by a matter of a few tenths of a degree. It stands as one of the best sandwiches in the city and one of the best in the series so far.

The hoagie roll came loaded with so many thin slices of candy-sweet marinated steak, the meat overflowed the bun. Add the caramelized onions and the chopped scallions with the provolone cheese, and this sandwich beat out every version of a Philly cheesesteak Ive ever tasted.

Chuck Blount/Staff

Other sandwiches: The chicken breast sandwich ($9.75) came with a tempura-battered fillet as big as your hand, with the sweet batter and moist chicken producing a bite as silky as a smoking jacket. The menu said the sandwich comes on a croissant, and while it had a nice, buttery flavor, it was a bun, not a croissant.

Regardless, it worked, and the thick slice of ripetomato, crispy green lettuce and slice of American cheese brought a great mix of flavors. This sandwich laughs at all those fast-food chicken sandwiches as it leaves them in the dust (heres looking at you, Chick-fil-A).

The mastery of the yardbird continued with a chicken salad sandwich ($9.75) overloaded with a mountain of cubed white-meat chicken, chopped bell peppers and onions enveloped in a tangy mayonnaise. The stacked Pacific Supreme ($10.99) was made with layers of ham, turkey, roast beef and three types of cheese on a croissant with the zip of wasabi honey mustard setting it apart from its deli counter comrades.

On ExpressNews.com: BOSS Bagels massive breakfast sandwich cures hangovers and hunger

Chuck Blount/Staff

The one sandwich misstep at Pacific Moon  and it was a small one  was the Monte Cristo ($10.50). With no powdered sugar or fruity jam, the pan-fried assembly of ham, turkey, provolone and Swiss was more like a croque monsieur. And while tasty, it wasnt what I was expecting.

Overall, Pacific Moon is special, and its a place that you should get to before the word gets out. Oops.

cblount@express-news.net | Twitter: @chuck_blount | Instagram: @bbqdiver
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LOS ANGELES (AP)  President Joe Biden and other Western Hemisphere leaders on Friday announced what is being billed as a roadmap for countries to host large numbers of migrants and refugees.

The Los Angeles Declaration is perhaps the biggest achievement of the Summit of the Americas, which was undercut by differences over Bidens invitation list. Leaders of Mexico and several Central American countries sent top diplomats instead after the U.S. excluded Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela.

A set of principles announced on the summit's final day includes legal pathways to enter countries, aid to communities most affected by migration, humane border management and coordinated emergency responses.

Each of us is signing up to commitments that recognize the challenges that we all share, Biden said on a podium with flags for the 20 countries that joined the accord extending from Chile in the south to Canada in the north.

This is just a start, Biden said, expressing hope that more countries join. "Much more work remains, to state the obvious.

The White House highlighted measures that were recently announced and some new commitments. Costa Rica will extend protections for Cubans, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans who arrived before March 2020. Mexico will add temporary worker visas for up to 20,000 Guatemalans a year.

The United States is committing $314 million to assist countries hosting refugees and migrants, and is resuming or expanding efforts to reunite Haitian and Cuban families. Belize will regularize Central American and Caribbean migrants in the country.

It is a blueprint already being followed to a large extent by Colombia and Ecuador, whose right-leaning leaders were saluted at the summit for giving temporary legal status to many of the 6 million people who have left Venezuela in recent years.

President Guillermo Lasso of Ecuador last week announced temporary status for Venezuelans in his country, estimated to be around 500,000. He said at a panel discussion Tuesday that his country was paying back the generosity of Spain and the United States for welcoming large numbers of Ecuadoreans who fled more than two decades ago.

Lasso was the only other leader to speak at a brief ceremony Friday. President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil arrived late.

I would like to highlight that migration is a significant phenomenon and it demands joint actions under the principle of shared responsibility and differentiated between countries of the region, Lasso said.

President Ivan Duque of Colombia, who stood next to Biden at the ceremony, got standing ovations at an appearance Thursday for describing how his government has granted temporary status to 1 million Venezuelans in the last 14 months and is processing another 800,000 applications.

We did it out of conviction, Duque told The Associated Press, saying he couldn't be indifferent to Venezuelans who lost their homes and livelihoods and was prepared to suffer in approval ratings.

They were invisible (in Colombia), he said. "They couldn't open bank accounts, they couldn't work, they couldn't get health care. They were practically a community with no future."

While the measures are not universally popular  Duque's vice president, Marta Lucia Ramirez, has said Colombia has reached its limit and Ecuadoreans notice when a Venezuelan commits a high-profile crime  Venezuelans have generally assimilated without major backlash.

The two most dangerous phenomena are xenophobia and indifference, and I believe we have managed to conquer both (in Colombia), Duque said.

The United States has been the most popular destination for asylum-seekers since 2017, posing a challenge that has stumped Biden and his immediate predecessors, Donald Trump and Barack Obama.

But the U.S. is far from alone. Colombia and neighboring South American countries host millions of people who have fled Venezuela. Mexico fielded more than 130,000 asylum applications last year, many of them Haitians, which was triple from 2020. Many Nicaraguans escape to Costa Rica, while displaced Venezuelans account for about one-sixth the population of tiny Aruba.

Key countries that send or receive migrants, or serve as transit corridors joined the agreement: Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Peru and the United States. Also participating are Argentina, Barbados, Belize, Jamaica, Paraguay and Uruguay.

The absence of the presidents of Mexico, northern Central America and other counties deprived Biden of symbolic heft.

What are those countries expected to do to contribute to shared responsibility? said Adam Isacson of the human rights advocacy group Washington Office on Latin America.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Thursday that the summit declaration acknowledged migration's regional dimensions. He and other U.S. officials applauded efforts of Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Panama, among others, for accepting migrants and refugees, and noted that the U.S. has granted refuge from natural disasters and civil strife to hundreds of thousands of Salvadorans, Haitians, Venezuelans and others under what is known as Temporary Protected Status.

Its a hemispheric challenge, Mayorkas said.

The responses of Colombia and Ecuador cannot be replicated, said Jose Samaniego, the U.N. refugee agency's regional director for the Americas. Each country is different, and migration from Central America is more complicated than Venezuela.

You don't want to copy and paste," he said, but there are good practices.

Ronal Rodriguez, a researcher at University of Rosario in Colombia, said some Venezuelans have faced problems with bank or commercial transactions despite having legal status and that much will depend on who voters select in June 19 elections to succeed Duque, who is limited to a single term.

___

Associated Press writers Astrid Suarez in Bogota, Colombia, and Gonzalo Solano in Quito, Ecuador, contributed.
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
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UVALDE  In Fridays mid-morning heat, hundreds of mourners crowded into Sacred Heart Catholic Church here to remember Eva Mireles, the teacher who tried to save her fourth-grade students as a gunman invaded her classroom on May 24.

We just love her, and shes our hero, said Angie Vera, a friend of Mireles whod driven nearly 100 miles from Kerrville for the service. Shes our guardian angel. Forever in our hearts.

The 44-year-old teacher with a beaming smile is remembered for her love for her husband and adult daughter, as well as her passions  for CrossFit workouts, hiking, her dog Kane and singing Rihannas Diamonds at the top of her lungs.

Mireles was an educator of 17 years who was born in Dallas and graduated from Eagle Pass High School in 1999. She had co-taught a class with Irma Linda Garcia for the past six school years.

Salvador Ramos, a high-school dropout from Uvalde, gunned down both teachers and 19 students during his rampage. He wounded 17 others. A team of officers shot and killed Ramos, 18, in a classroom nearly an hour and a half after he entered the school.

More than a week ago, mourners packed the same church for the funeral of Garcia and her husband, Jose Antonio Joe Garcia. He died of an apparent heart attack two days after his wifes murder.

Mireles spent some of her final moments on her cellphone with husband Ruben Ruiz, a police officer for the Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District. He rushed to the scene only to be stopped by other police officers from entering the school.

ExpressNews.com: That seems overboard: Out-of-town police in Uvalde block cameras, disrupt coverage of tragedys aftermath

By 11:30 a.m., mourners flooded out of Sacred Heart, walked to their vehicles and joined the winding funeral procession, which included a black hearse carrying Mireles casket, several Thin Blue Line LEMC bikers and a Uvalde Volunteer Fire Department truck.

Friday morning, a large contingent of law enforcement officers gathered outside Sacred Heart  from Border Patrol, Texas Highway Patrol, Uvalde Police Department, Uvalde County Sheriffs Office and a handful of far-flung agencies. At least one officer showed up from the Panhandle town of Cactus, a nearly nine-hour drive from Uvalde.

Reporters and photographers were restricted to a public sidewalk a block away from the church.

Sacred Heart, about 1.5 miles north of Robb Elementary, is the main gathering ground for grieving in this largely Hispanic city of 15,000. The church has hosted nearly half of the funerals for victims so far.

Paying respects

Carlos Gonzalez, a 34-year-old Realtor, eyed the procession.

She was a hell of a CrossFitter, said Gonzalez, who had frequently worked out with Mireles at Shotgun CrossFit gym in Uvalde. She was a beast on the competition floor.

The Uvalde resident said hed known Mireles for five years and met her husband on several occasions. He had attended the funeral Mass to pay his respects to his friend and her family.

She was quiet, but I knew if I wanted to get a workout in, she was the person to be with because she was no-holds-barred, Gonzalez said.

They were part of Uvaldes tight-knit CrossFit community. He teased her every time she wore new sneakers to the gym, trying to embarrass the humble teacher.

Im going to miss making fun of her shoes, he said. Im going to miss seeing her face at the gym.

ExpressNews.com: Senator: Chief had no radio during Uvalde school shooting

On Thursday morning, Mireles 23-year-old daughter, Adalynn Ruiz, said in Facebook post, Whats going to be the hardest days of my life starts today and tomorrow.

Ruiz thanked people who had reached out to her family for the love and support. She also asked for prayers for her father, herself and the rest of her family as these next few days will be hard on us.

Mireles was buried at Hillcrest Memorial Cemetery. So far, 17 of the mass-shooting victims have been interred there.

Its heartbreaking, Angie Vera said.

After the funeral Mass earlier in the morning, she slowly walked from the church, knowing she would return for another service on Monday  for Tess Marie Mata, a 10-year-old student who killed in the mass shooting. Tess was one of her daughters friends.

We will be here again, Vera said softly.

eric.killelea@express-news.net
FORT HOOD  The order came directly from a general. Gary Pasley, his partner, David Stidham, and a small team of soldiers had just 19 days to repaint 49 pieces of military equipment ranging from Humvees to medium tactical vehicles.

It was a rush job, requiring the two civil service workers to toil over a weekend, but the color itself suggested something important.

The GIs washed the vehicles and equipment so Pasley and Stidham could paint them a dull green, covering the familiar desert tan. That prompted Pasley, 44, an Iraq War veteran, to speculate that the Armys priorities were shifting away from the Middle East and Afghanistan.

Im pretty sure that were downsizing from that region of the world and kind of focused on our efforts elsewhere, so I would say the vehicle (color) might be terrain appropriate, Pasley said.

Just where the new focus might be, neither he nor the Army could say.

After 20 years of fighting wars in vehicles painted to match the desert, Fort Hood now has a relative handful of vehicles made over with a basic olive drab  the Army calls it woodland green  that can serve as the primer for a common camouflage pattern standardized for each vehicle type.

As yet, no camo has been applied.

The vehicles are those of Fort Hoods 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, which issued a brief statement saying the action signals a switch in readiness from fighting in arid places like the Middle East to fighting in more verdant regions.

Verdant as in green, with grass or other rich vegetation. Though the Army didnt elaborate, that could be islands in the Pacific or forests in Europe. The Marines have recently conducted field training in Norway.

The 13th ESCs commander said in an interview that the order was part of building field craft among soldiers, whether theyre training to fight in Europe, as the 1st Cavalry Division is now pegged to, or with the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, where the 4th Infantry Division, formerly at Fort Hood but now at Fort Carson, Colo., would be deployed under current war plans.

Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer

Fort Hood has long been home to first-to-fight divisions and houses the Armys III Corps.

For me, it was an easy solution because Im a smaller-scale unit and its easier to do at a smaller scale. I cant do it with the thousands of vehicles that are across the corps, Brig. Gen. Ronald Ragin said. So whether thats green camouflage nets, whether its green vehicles, green equipment, just getting back to that good field craft that we have as an Army  that was a focus of that project.

And the soldiers are actually out in the field right now for the next two weeks practicing that field craft, he added. How do we keep a lower signature, implement both passive and active defense measures, and really get back to doing basic things to a high standard?

The last time the Army painted its vehicles, the shift in priorities  and location  was readily apparent. The United States went to war in Afghanistan and Iraq with multiple divisions, hundreds of thousands of troops. Two divisions at Fort Hood, the 1st Cavalry and 4th Infantry, deployed to Iraq three times, the last of those soldiers not coming home until the U.S. withdrew in 2011.

The new paint job this time is only slightly less subtle, part of the Pentagons move away from counterinsurgency warfare and a return to what some call great power conflicts that could involve China and Russia. If it feels like the old Cold War to those of a certain age, well, it should.

In Europe, Russias invasion of Ukraine has united allies there unlike anything since the Berlin Airlift, which began 74 years ago this month. A rising, increasingly belligerent China has claimed international waters as its own, frequently probes Taiwans airspace with its warplanes and occasionally threatens to invade and conquer it.

Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said China boasts 2 million troops, almost half of them in ground combat units, plus the worlds largest navy and the largest air force in the Indo-Pacific. It has embarked on a significant expansion of its nuclear arsenal and is improving its missiles and precision weapons. China can destroy American satellites in space as well as strike U.S. forces based in Japan and Guam.

President Joe Biden last month vowed to defend Taiwan militarily if it came to that, a calculated departure from Washingtons long-established strategic ambiguity over how the U.S. would react to an invasion.

The Taiwan Foreign Relations Act commits the U.S. to provide military equipment but does not require the intervention of its armed forces into a war launched by China  though the possibility of it always remained an option Beijing had to consider, said retired Gen. Ronald Fogleman, a former Air Force chief of staff.

That was always left open, said Fogleman, who noted that Biden has put the policy people in a bind by his comments.

Weve sold (Taiwan) equipment over the years, and then theres another whole line of thought that says, how do you keep somebody like China from attacking somebody like Taiwan or somebody like Russia from attacking somebody like Ukraine? Because you dont wait until they marshal the forces and they start loading landing craft.  You try to make Taiwan as tough a nut as you can by giving them the kinds of equipment  firepower  that negates or will embarrass the Chinese as they try to do this.

Michael Green, senior vice president for Asia and Japan with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said relations between the U.S. and China have reached their lowest point since the late 1960s, when they didnt even have diplomatic ties.

Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer

Im not predicting war with China, I just think that the political risk of incidents and crises damaging supply chains  is real, he said. All-out war is still very remote, but the geopolitical competition getting worse, Id almost bet on it.

The risks are in fact worsening, he and others believe, though retired Marine Lt. Gen. Paul Van Riper, who once headed the Marine Corps Combat Development Command, warned that rumors of war have been around for 25 years and risk being a self-fulfilling prophecy.

We keep talking about it, he said. Pretty soon were going to talk ourselves into it.

At least three successive administrations have expressed concerns about an expansionist China, starting with President Barack Obama, who unveiled the Pentagons Pacific pivot in 2011.

Called a rebalance of forces by the Pentagon, it got off to a slow start under a pair of distractions  the difficulty of withdrawing from Iraq and Afghanistan and the expansionist turn by Russia, beginning with its invasion of Georgia in 2008 and its annexation of Crimea in 2014.

The policy change gained steam under President Donald Trump and continues under Biden, who has threatened to extend his hard line on Ukraine to China if it supports Vladimir Putin.

Green, who headed Asia policy on the National Security Council under President George W. Bush, describes China as the pacing threat, a term Fogleman and other generals, experts and members of Congress also use to rank it as the highest-priority challenge facing the U.S. They and others worry about Chinese technological advances and believe that a Pacific war would be the principal preserve of the Air Force and Navy.

When  you start to look at the weapons theyre developing and the ranges that theyve got, youre not going to have to have Marines and GIs assaulting beaches to rack up your casualties, said Fogleman, a former deputy commander of U.S. Forces Korea and commander of its air component.

F. Whitten Peters, a former Air Force secretary who served in the Navy, agreed, saying any war with China would principally involve missiles, planes, cyber and submarines, because of the distances involved.

But Van Riper dismisses the notion that precision munitions and long-range fire can win wars. He reminds people of San Antonio historian T.R. Fehrenbachs admonition in his book This Kind of War, a critical examination of the Korean conflict.

Americans in 1950 rediscovered something that since Hiroshima they had forgotten: You may fly over a land forever; you may bomb it, atomize it, pulverize it and wipe it clean of life  but if you desire to defend it, protect it and keep it for civilization, you must do this on the ground, the way the Roman legions did, by putting your young men into the mud, Fehrenbach wrote.

Van Riper, a company commander in Vietnam who later led the 2nd Marine Division at Camp Lejeune, N.C., said policymakers have to distinguish between war as these folks want it to be  (and) war as it is in reality.

Its a dirty, nasty business, he said. The American military needs every bit of technology the country can produce and afford. Its just this expectation that theres a magic bullet that will be war-winning is pure nonsense.

All agree the Army has a role to play, particularly with air defense systems. The Army has two major missile systems, the MIM-104 Patriot, a surface-to-air missile, and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, which can intercept incoming ballistic missiles.

Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer

Wormuth, speaking to the Center for Strategic and International Studies late last year, checked off a list of things the Army could do. It has strong bonds with allies in the region that include Thailand, the Philippines and Australia and could serve as Americas linchpin service in the region  standing up and defending bases with integrated air and sea defenses, secure communications, supply and refueling.

The Army, with a substantial planning and operations capacity at the division and the corps level, is uniquely well-placed to provide command and control for the joint force, Wormuth said, adding that the U.S. is at a strategic crossroads in a competition with far-reaching consequences.

Neither Army officials in the Pentagon nor those at Fort Hood spoke in any global detail when discussing why tactical vehicles and equipment were getting a new coat of paint.

The III Corps commander, Lt. Gen. Pat White, said the Army has a core mission in the Pacific but nodded in Fehrenbachs direction when mentioning some common elements of training.

In the Indo-Pacific  you can own the air, you can own the sea, but in the end, if you dont own the land youre not a winner, he said. So thats kind of where the Army comes into play for anything thats going to happen in the Indo-Pacific, and it could be China, right, or it could be somebody else. But the fundamentals of how we train in our combined arms fashion dont change  whether were in Europe, CENTCOM or the Indo-Pacific.

Retired Air Force Gen. Gregory Speedy Martin suggested the new color scheme might be about changing soldiers mindsets.

I think what the Army is trying to do  it may be subtle to some  theyre trying to get peoples minds off of the desert environment and into the more likely environments where were going to face a potential adversary, he said.

When Gen. Charles Q. Brown became the Air Forces current chief of staff, his first statement was to point out that weve got to accelerate, change or lose, and one of the things we have to do is we have to do actual combat deployment, Martin noted. What agile combat deployment means is weve got to have an opportunity to use many more runways than we currently use in the Pacific region. Otherwise, those fat, juicy targets get eliminated and so does all of our capability.

Green, the one-time Bush administration Asia policy chief for the National Security Council, gave high marks to the Biden administration for strengthening regional alliances in the Pacific.

The Japanese have agreed to double their defense spending. The U.S., Australia and Great Britain last year agreed to furnish Canberra with nuclear-powered submarines. The Washington-based Arms Control Association said the deal would make Australia the first nonnuclear weapons state to field a nuclear-powered submarine as part of the new trilateral alliance, called AUKUS.

Its the future. Its not some backwater. Its the future of geopolitics and American prosperity, Green said.

sigc@express-news.net
One of the best ways you can find relief from the brutal heat San Antonio has experienced in recent weeks is to jump into a pool.

Luckily, San Antonios Parks and Recreation Department announced Thursday that it will be opening more public pools to help beat the heat.

In addition to the eight pre-season pools that opened in May for weekend swimming, the city will open four more at Concepcion Park, Heritage Park, Elmendorf Lake Park and Ward Park for weekday fun.

You might also like: River of urine: Visitors don't hold back in one-star reviews of top San Antonio-area swimming holes and water parks

San Antonios regular season runs from June through August. The city operates 23 outdoor pools and one indoor pool. However, only 12 of them are open.

Among those that are closed are the popular city pools at San Pedro Springs Park and Woodlawn Lake Park. Their openings will be announced soon, the city said.

The city expects that all of its public pools will be open at some point this summer, Shanea Allen, the citys parks and recreation manager, told the Express-News on Friday.

Allen said the city will phase in pool openings as it builds adequate staff. The city is one of many across the country dealing with a lack of certified lifeguards.

Part of the issue, at least in San Antonio, is that pools were closed for an extended period of time during the pandemic, which halted lifeguard certification and other training courses for nearly two years.

You might also like: Excessive temperatures in the forecast for San Antonio this weekend

Few lifeguards were certified during that time, and getting employees hired and ready to go has been a trickling in process, Allen said.

I believe that we had two years where there werent as many classes available, because the world was shut down," she said. "And so now that were opening up, everybody is just trying to get into a class and theyre just trying to fit everybody where we can.

As of Friday afternoon, Allen said the city has 78 lifeguards and more than 60 applicants in the application process. A minimum of 140 lifeguards is needed to operate all of San Antonios public pools. Allen said her goal is to hire 180 lifeguards to ensure that there is enough summer programming and events to keep people cooled off this summer."

To help bolster its workforce, San Antonio is offering up to $1,000 in hiring incentives, paid training and will cover the cost of lifeguard certification. It has also raised lifeguard pay to $12.45 an hour.

Below is the city's current summer pool schedule:

The following pools are open from 17 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays:

Cassiano

Concepcion

Dellview

Fairchild

Heritage

Kingsborough

Lady Bird Johnson

Southside Lions

Springtime

Westwood

The follow is the pool schedule for the weekdays:
The family of a 13-year-old boy killed in a confrontation with police last week was joined by local activists Thursday demanding that police release all footage of the incident.

Wearing white shirts emblazoned with an image of Andre AJ Hernandez, his family gathered in the afternoon shadow of the Public Safety Headquarters downtown.

Now Playing: Ananda Tomas, executive director of the police reform group ACT4SA, addresses demonstrators via bullhorn outside of Public Safety Headquarters. Video: San Antonio Express-News

Ananda Tomas, executive director of the police reform group ACT4SA, addressed demonstrators via bullhorn, saying that Andres life was callously taken by police  and that he was mourning the loss of his sister, Naveah Martinez, in the days before his death.

Tomas said he made a simple mistake and had his life stolen from him.

The San Antonio Police Department has said Andre was driving a stolen car around 1 a.m. June 3 in the 5100 block of War Cloud Drive on the Southwest Side when police responded to reports of shots fired in the area.

While police signaled to Andre to pull the car over  he was driving a red Toyota Corolla  the teenager crashed it into the drivers side door of a patrol vehicle as an officer pulled his leg back inside, police officials have said, citing bodycam footage.

A second officer, whom police say was concerned for the safety of his colleague, then fired a single shot at the Corolla, fatally wounding Andre. Officers treated the teen at the scene until EMS arrived to take him to University Hospital, where he later died.

Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer

Two other teenagers in the car, a 16-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy, were uninjured. The officer who fired the shot has served three years with the department. He has been placed on administrative duty until further notice.

Family members said police have agreed to allow them to see body-cam footage from one of the officers at the scene. But family and activists were demanding more Thursday.

Were talking about a 13-year-old boy who was killed by police, his mother, Lynda Espinoza, said firmly.

Andres aunt, Stephanie Martinez, 38, described Andre  the middle child of his nine siblings  as a playful teen who was always smiling.

His mother said he often volunteered to help feed the homeless and offer them blankets during cold weather.

Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer

He said, When I grow up, Im going to buy you a big house one day, his mother recalled. My kids are all very attached to me.

Her daughter, Naveah Martinez, was found shot to death on May 10 outside a residence in the 5100 block of War Horse Drive.

I have no justice for both of them, Espinoza said of her children.

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services has removed Espinozas other children from her home. Mary Walker, a TDFPS spokeswoman, said the children were taken into care by Child Protective Service investigations staff.

Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer

Family members shouted the name of the officer who fired the shot, but police had not identified him as of Thursday afternoon.

The crowd of about 35 people approached the headquarters, staring through the glass doors into the lobby. The group also shouted at officers who could be seen staring down from the windows above.

Tomas called on the SAPD to make public the bodycam footage of moments leading up to the officers fatal shot.

San Antonio police have said that they cant release the footage because Andre was a minor. The department does not release the names or video recordings of suspects under 18.

That's just another scapegoat, Tomas said, adding that other agencies have released footage involving juveniles.

Kin Man Hui, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer

She said the department could release the bodycam recording after pixelating Andres face, as required by state law.

She demanded that SAPD released the footage to debunk what she called the false narrative from police that Andre damaged the police vehicle when he crashed into it. Tomas also cited an SAPD policy that states that officers should not shoot into a moving vehicle unless someones life is in danger.

To this day, there is a question as to whether anyones life was in danger besides AJs or those teenagers in the vehicle, Tomas said.

jbeltran@express-news.net
Editors note: This story contains explicit language.

Only a locked classroom door stood between Pete Arredondo and a chance to bring down the gunman. It was sturdily built with a steel jamb, impossible to kick in.

He wanted a key. One goddamn key and he could get through that door to the kids and the teachers. The killer was armed with an AR-15. Arredondo thought he could shoot the gunman himself or at least draw fire while another officer shot back. Without body armor, he assumed he might die.

The only thing that was important to me at this time was to save as many teachers and children as possible, Arredondo said.

The chief of police for the Uvalde school district spent more than an hour in the hallway of Robb Elementary School. He called for tactical gear, a sniper and keys to get inside, holding back from the doors for 40 minutes to avoid provoking sprays of gunfire. When keys arrived, he tried dozens of them, but one by one they failed to work.

Each time I tried a key I was just praying, Arredondo said. Finally, 77 minutes after the massacre began, officers were able to unlock the door and fatally shoot the gunman.

In his first extended comments since the May 24 massacre, the deadliest school shooting in Texas history, Arredondo gave The Texas Tribune an account of what he did inside the school during the attack. He answered questions via a phone interview and in statements provided through his lawyer, George E. Hyde.

Aside from the Texas Department of Public Safety, which did not respond to requests for comment for this article, Arredondo is the only other law enforcement official to publicly tell his account of the police response to the shooting.

Arredondo, 50, insists he took the steps he thought would best protect lives at his hometown school, one he had attended himself as a boy.

My mind was to get there as fast as possible, eliminate any threats, and protect the students and staff, Arredondo said. He noted that some 500 students from the school were safely evacuated during the crisis.

Arredondos decisions  like those of other law enforcement agencies that responded to the massacre that left 21 dead  are under intense scrutiny as federal and state officials try to decide what went wrong and what might be learned.

Whether the inability of police to quickly enter the classroom prevented the 21 victims  19 students and two educators  from getting life-saving care is not known, and may never be. Theres evidence, including the fact that a teacher died while being transported to the hospital, that suggests taking down the shooter faster might have made a difference. On the other hand, many of the victims likely died instantly. A pediatrician who attended to the victims described small bodies pulverized and decapitated. Some children were identifiable only by their clothes and shoes.

In the maelstrom of anguish, outrage and second-guessing that immediately followed the second deadliest school shooting in American history, the time Arredondo and other officers spent outside that door  more than an hour  have become emblems of failure.

As head of the six-member police force responsible for keeping Uvalde schools safe, Arredondo has been singled out for much of the blame, particularly by state officials. They criticized him for failing to take control of the police response and said he made the wrong decision that delayed officers from entering the classroom.

Arredondo has faced death threats. News crews have camped outside his home, forcing him to go into hiding. Hes been called cowardly and incompetent.

Neither accusation is true or fair, he says.

Not a single responding officer ever hesitated, even for a moment, to put themselves at risk to save the children, Arredondo said. We responded to the information that we had and had to adjust to whatever we faced. Our objective was to save as many lives as we could, and the extraction of the students from the classrooms by all that were involved saved over 500 of our Uvalde students and teachers before we gained access to the shooter and eliminated the threat.

Arredondos explanations dont fully address all the questions that have been raised. The Tribune spoke to seven law enforcement experts about Arredondos description of the police response. All but one said that serious lapses in judgment occurred.

Most strikingly, they said, by running into the school with no key and no radios and failing to take charge of the situation, the chief appears to have contributed to a chaotic approach in which officers deployed inappropriate tactics, adopted a defensive posture, failed to coordinate their actions, and wasted precious time as students and teachers remained trapped in two classrooms with a gunman who continued to fire his rifle.

Hyde, Arredondos lawyer, said those criticisms dont reflect the realities police face when theyre under fire and trying to save lives. Uvalde is a small working-class city of about 15,000 west of San Antonio. Its small band of school police officers doesnt have the staffing, equipment, training, or experience with mass violence that larger cities might.

His client ran straight toward danger armed with 29 years of law enforcement experience and a Glock 22 handgun. With no body armor and no second thoughts, the chief committed to stop the shooter or die trying.

77 minutes

One of Arredondos most consequential decisions was immediate. Within seconds of arriving at the northeast entrance of Robb Elementary around 11:35 a.m., he left his police and campus radios outside the school.

To Arredondo, the choice was logical. An armed killer was loose on the campus of the elementary school. Every second mattered. He wanted both hands free to hold his gun, ready to aim and fire quickly and accurately if he encountered the gunman.

Arredondo provided the following account of how the incident unfolded in a phone interview, in written answers, and in explanations passed through his lawyer.

He said he didnt speak out sooner because he didnt want to compound the communitys grief or cast blame at others.

Thinking he was the first officer to arrive and wanting to waste no time, Arredondo believed that carrying the radios would slow him down. One had a whiplike antenna that would hit him as he ran. The other had a clip that Arredondo knew would cause it to fall off his tactical belt during a long run.

Arredondo said he knew from experience that the radios did not work in some school buildings.

But that decision also meant that for the rest of the ordeal, he was not in radio contact with the scores of other officers from at least five agencies that swarmed the scene.

Almost immediately, Arredondo teamed up with a Uvalde police officer and began checking classrooms, looking for the gunman.

As they moved to the west side of the campus, a teacher pointed them to the wing the gunman had entered. As Arredondo and the Uvalde police officer ran toward it, they heard a great deal of rounds fired off inside. Arredondo believes that was the moment the gunman first entered adjoining classrooms 111 and 112 and started firing on the children with an AR-15 rifle.

Arredondo and the Uvalde officer entered the buildings south side and saw another group of Uvalde police officers entering from the north.

Arredondo checked to see if the door on the right, room 111, would open. Another officer tried room 112. Both doors were locked.

Arredondo remembers the gunman fired a burst of shots from inside the classroom, grazing the police officers approaching from the north. Some of the bullets pierced the classroom door, and others went through the classroom wall and lodged in the wall adjacent to the hallway, where there were other classrooms. The officers on the north end of the hallway retreated after being shot, but they werent seriously injured and returned shortly after to try to contain the gunman.

Because the gunman was already inside the locked classroom, some of the measures meant to protect teachers and students in mass shooting situations worked against police trying to gain entry.

Arredondo described the classroom door as reinforced with a hefty steel jamb, designed to keep an attacker on the outside from forcing their way in. But with the gunman inside the room, that took away officers ability to immediately kick in the door and confront the shooter.

Arredondo believed the situation had changed from that of an active shooter, to a gunman who had barricaded himself in a classroom with potential other victims.

Texas Department of Public Safety officials and news outlets have reported that the shooter fired his gun at least two more times as police waited in the hallway outside the classrooms for more than an hour. And DPS officials have said dispatchers were relaying information about 911 calls coming from children and teachers in the classrooms, begging the police for help.

Arredondo said he was not aware of the 911 calls because he did not have his radio and no one in the hallway relayed that information to him. Arredondo and the other officers in the hallway took great pains to remain quiet. Arredondo said they had no radio communications  and even if theyd had radios, his lawyer said, they would have turned them off in the hallway to avoid giving away their location. Instead, they passed information in whispers for fear of drawing another round of gunfire if the shooter heard them.

Finding no way to enter the room, Arredondo called police dispatch from his cellphone and asked for a SWAT team, snipers and extrication tools, like a fire hook, to open the door.

Arredondo remained in the hallway for the rest of the ordeal, waiting for a way to get into the room, and prepared to shoot the gunman if he tried to exit the classroom.

Arredondo assumed that some other officer or official had taken control of the larger response. He took on the role of a front-line responder.

He said he never considered himself the scenes incident commander and did not give any instruction that police should not attempt to breach the building. DPS officials have described Arredondo as the incident commander and said Arredondo made the call to stand down and treat the incident as a barricaded suspect, which halted the attempt to enter the room and take down the shooter. I didnt issue any orders, Arredondo said. I called for assistance and asked for an extraction tool to open the door.

Officers in the hallway had few options. At some point, Arredondo tried to talk to the gunman through the walls in an effort to establish a rapport, but the gunman did not respond.

With the gunman still firing sporadically, Arredondo realized that children and teachers in adjacent rooms remained in danger if the gunman started shooting through the walls.

The ammunition was penetrating the walls at that point, Arredondo said. Weve got him cornered, were unable to get to him. You realize you need to evacuate those classrooms while we figured out a way to get in.

Lights in the classrooms had also been turned off, another routine lockdown measure that worked against the police. With little visibility into the classroom, they were unable to pinpoint the gunmans location or to determine whether the children and teachers were alive.

Arredondo told officers to start breaking windows from outside other classrooms and evacuating those children and teachers. He wanted to avoid having students coming into the hallway, where he feared too much noise would attract the gunmans attention.

While other officers outside the school evacuated children, Arredondo and the officers in the hallway held their position and waited for the tools to open the classroom and confront the gunman.

At one point, a Uvalde police officer noticed Arredondo was not wearing body armor. Worried for the chiefs safety, the Uvalde officer offered to cover for Arredondo while he ran out of the building to get it.

Ill be very frank. He said, Fuck you. Im not leaving this hallway, Hyde recounted. He wasnt going to leave without those kids.

Without any way to get into the classroom, officers in the hallway waited desperately for a way to secure entry and did the best they could to otherwise advance their goal of saving lives.

Its not that someone said stand down, Hyde said. It was Right now, we cant get in until we get the tools. So were going to do what we can do to save lives. And what was that? It was to evacuate the students and the parents and the teachers out of the rooms.

Tools that might have been useful in breaking through the door never materialized, but Arredondo had also asked for keys that could open the door. Unlike some other school district police departments, Uvalde CISD officers dont carry master keys to the schools they visit. Instead, they request them from an available staff member when theyre needed.

Robb Elementary did not have a modern system of locks and access control. Youre talking about a key ring thats got to weigh 10 pounds, Hyde said.

Eventually, a janitor provided six keys. Arredondo tried each on a door adjacent to the room where the gunman was, but it didnt open.

Later, another key ring with between 20 and 30 keys was brought to Arredondo.

I was praying one of them was going to open up the door each time I tried a key, Arredondo said in an interview.

None did.

Eventually, the officers on the north side of the hallway called Arredondos cellphone and told him they had gotten a key that could open the door.

The officers on the north side of the hallway formed a group of mixed law enforcement agencies, including U.S. Border Patrol, to enter the classroom and take down the shooter, Arredondo said.

Ten days after the shooting, The New York Times reported that a group of U.S. Border Patrol agents ignored a directive spoken into their earpieces not to enter the room. The Times has since reported that Arredondo did not object when the team entered the room.

Hyde said if a directive delaying entry was issued, it did not come from Arredondo, but the Times reported that someone was issuing orders at the scene. Hyde said he did not know who that person was. The Border Patrol declined to comment.

At 12:50 p.m., as the officers entered the classroom, Arredondo held his position near the south classroom door in the hallway, in case the gunman tried to run out that door.

At last, the shooter, Salvador Ramos, 18, was brought down. A harrowing standoff rapidly became an effort to find the wounded and count the dead.

Once the officers cleared the room, Border Patrol agents trained to render emergency medical service assessed the wounded. Arredondo and other officers formed a line to help pass the injured children out of the hallway and to emergency medical care.

Expert analysis

A police officer intentionally ditching his radio while answering a call? Ive never heard anything like that in my life, said Steve Ijames, a police tactics expert and former assistant police chief of Springfield, Missouri.

The discarded radio, the missing key and the apparent lack of an incident commander are some of questions raised by experts about the response of Arredondo and the various agencies involved.

Officers are trained never to abandon their radios, their primary communication tool during an emergency, said Ijames. That Arredondo did so the moment he arrived on scene is inexplicable, he said.

Ijames added that it is inconceivable that Arredondos officers did not have a plan to access any room or building on campus at any moment, given that the school district makes up the entirety of the tiny forces jurisdiction.

The experts, which included active-shooting researchers and retired law enforcement personnel, homed in on the moment officers entered the school and found the doors to rooms 111 and 112 locked. Three said this moment afforded Arredondo a chance to step back, regroup and work with other officers to devise a new strategy.

It takes having someone who has the wherewithal to come up with a quick, tactical plan and executing it, said former Seguin police Chief Terry Nichols. It may not be the best plan, but a plan executed vigorously is better than the best unexecuted plan in the world.

Nichols, who teaches classes on active-shooter responses, said he understands the instinct for command staff to want to confront a gunman themselves. But he said commanders must not lose focus of their role in an emergency.

We have to  as leaders, especially as a chief of police  step back and allow our men and women to go do what they do, and use our training and experience where theyre needed, to command and control a chaotic situation, Nichols said.

Active-shooter protocols developed after the 1999 shooting at Columbine High School, where a slow police response delayed medical care that could have saved several victims, train police to confront shooters immediately, without waiting for backup and without regard for their personal safety. An active-shooting training that Uvalde school district police attended in March stressed these tactics, warning that responders likely would be required to place themselves in harms way.

The training that police officers have received for more than a decade mandates that when shots are fired in an active-shooter situation, officers or an officer needs to continue through whatever obstacles they face to get to the shooter, period, said Katherine Schweit, a retired FBI agent who co-wrote the bureaus foundational research on mass shootings. If that means they go through walls, or go around the back through windows, or through an adjoining classroom, they do that.

Bruce Ure, a former Victoria police chief, said drawing conclusions about police conduct during the shooting is premature since the authorities have not completed their investigations. He said he believes Arredondo acted reasonably given the circumstances he faced.

Ure disagreed that Arredondo should have retreated into a command role once other officers arrived, since most active-shooter events last mere minutes. He argued that no amount of ad-hoc planning outside would have changed the outcome of the massacre once the shooter got inside the classrooms.

He said attempting to breach windows or open classroom doors by force were unrealistic options that would have exposed police and children to potentially fatal gunfire with little chance of success. Officers only choice, he said, was to wait to find a key, which he agreed should not have taken so long.

Hyde said attempting to enter through windows would have guaranteed all the children in the rooms would be killed along with several officers. He said this reckless and ineffective action, when police could not see where the shooter was, would have made officers easy targets to be picked off at will.

Ure, who as an attendee was wounded in the hand during the 2017 Las Vegas concert shooting that killed 60 people, acknowledged the post-Columbine wisdom that immediately confronting shooters is paramount. But he said the scene inside Robb Elementary presented a perfect storm of an active shooter barricaded with hostages.

Theres no manual for this type of scenario, Ure said. If people need to be held appropriately accountable, then so be it. But I think the lynch-mob mentality right now isnt serving any purpose, and its borderline reckless.

Questions over command

The day after the shooting, Arredondo and other local officials stood behind Gov. Greg Abbott and DPS Director Steve McCraw as they held their first major news conference to address the slaughter.

Abbott lauded law enforcement agencies for their amazing courage and said the actions of police officers were the reason the shooting was not worse. McCraw said a school resource officer had engaged the shooter outside the building but was unable to stop him from entering.

To Arredondo, that information did not ring true. Arredondo turned to a DPS official, whom he declined to identify, and asked why state officials had been given inaccurate information.

In a stunning reversal at a news conference the next day, the DPS regional director for the area, Victor Escalon, retracted McCraws initial claim and said the gunman was not confronted by anybody before entering the school.

At a third news conference the following afternoon, Abbott said he was livid about being misled about the police response to the shooting. He said his incorrect remarks were merely a recitation of what officers had told him.

Hyde said the inaccurate information did not come from Arredondo, who had briefed state and law enforcement officials about the shooting before the first press conference. Abbott on Wednesday declined to identify who had misled him, saying only that the bad information had come from public officials.

McCraw also told reporters that Arredondo, whom he identified by his position rather than his name, treated the gunman as a barricaded suspect rather than an active shooter, which McCraw deemed a mistake. In the news conference, McCraw referred to Arredondo as the shootings incident commander.

Hyde said Arredondo did not issue any orders to other law enforcement agencies and had no knowledge that they considered him the incident commander.

The National Incident Management System, which guides all levels of government on how to respond to mass emergency events, says that the first person on scene is the incident commander. That incident commander remains in that charge until they relinquish it or are incapacitated.

Hyde acknowledged those guidelines but said Arredondos initial response to the shooting was not that of an incident commander, but of a first responder.

Once he became engaged, intimately involved on the front line of this case, he is one of those that is in the best position to continue to resolve the incident at that time, Hyde said. So while its easy to identify him as the incident commander because of that NIMS process, in practicality, you see here he was not in the capacity to be able to run this entire organization.

With no radio and no way to receive up-to-date information about what was happening outside of the hallway, Hyde said, another one of the local, state and federal agencies that arrived at the scene should have taken over command.

Nichols, the former Seguin police chief, dismissed the idea that another officer would seamlessly adopt the incident commander role simply because Arredondo never did. He said decisive commanders are especially important when multiple agencies respond to an incident and are unsure how to work together.

You know the facility. Youre the most intimately knowledgeable about this, Nichols said of Arredondo. Take command and set what your priorities need to be, right now.

On May 31, officials with DPS, which is investigating the Uvalde shooting, told news outlets that Arredondo was no longer cooperating with the agency. The agencys investigative unit, the Texas Rangers, wanted to continue talking with the police chief, but he had not responded to the agencys request for two days, DPS officials said.

Hyde said Arredondo participated in multiple interviews with DPS in the days following the shooting, including a law enforcement debriefing the day of the attack and a videotaped debriefing with DPS analysts and the FBI the day after.

Hed also briefed the governor and other state officials and had multiple follow-up calls with DPS for its investigation.

But after McCraw said at a press conference on May 27 that Arredondo made the wrong decision, the police chief no longer participated in the investigation to avoid media interference, Hyde said.

The Rangers had asked Arredondo to come in for another interview, but he told investigators he could not do it on the day they asked because he was covering shifts for his officers, Hyde said.

At no time did he communicate his unwillingness to cooperate with the investigation, Hyde said. His phone was flooded with calls and messages from numbers he didnt recognize, and its possible he missed calls from DPS but still maintained daily interaction by phone with DPS assisting with logistics as requested.

Hyde said Arredondo is open to cooperating with the Rangers investigation but would like to see a transcript of his previous comments.

Thats a fair thing to ask for before he has to then discuss it again because, as time goes by, all the information that he hears, its hard to keep straight, Hyde said.

When the gunman was dead, police had another grim task: moving the tiny bodies of injured children out of the room and getting them emergency medical care as soon as possible.

A line was formed to gently but quickly move them out. Each child passed through Arredondos arms.

Later that night, Arredondo went to the Uvalde civic center, where families waited desperately for news that their loved ones had survived, or had at worst been taken to the hospital for treatment.

For Arredondo, his lawyer said, telling families that no additional kids were coming out of the school alive was the toughest part of his career.

The chaotic law enforcement response to the shooting by local, state and federal agencies is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Texas Department of Public Safety. It is the subject of an investigative committee of the Texas Legislature and will be the source of months of scrutiny by public officials, survivors and the families of the deceased. Survivors and the families of victims have started contacting lawyers for potential legal action.

Arredondos role will be central to all of those probes.

For now, he is avoiding the public eye, having left his home temporarily because it is under constant watch by news reporters.

But hes also been unable to mourn with his community.

Arredondo grew up in the community and attended Robb Elementary as a boy. He started his career at the Uvalde Police Department and spent 16 years there before moving to Laredo for work.

He returned to his hometown in 2020 to head up the school districts police department. He and his police officers loved high-fiving the schoolchildren on his visits to the schools, Hyde said.

It was the highlight of his days, Hyde said. They loved those kids.

Arredondos ties to the shooting are also familial. One of the teachers killed by the gunman, Irma Garcia, was married to Arredondos second cousin, Joe Garcia. Garcia died suddenly two days after his wifes death.

Arredondo grew up with Joe Garcia and went to school with him. But when the funeral services started, Arredondo said he opted against attending because he didnt want his presence to distract from the Garcias grieving loved ones.

His small police department is also suffering.

Eva Mireles, another teacher killed by the gunman, was married to Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District police officer Ruben Ruiz.

They lost a person that they consider family, Hyde said.

To relieve his grieving officers, Arredondo has picked up extra shifts at the police department.

And hes received death threats and negative messages from people he does not know.

Those are people who just dont know the whole story that are making their assumptions on what theyre hearing or reading. Thats been difficult, he said. The police in Uvalde, were like your family, your brothers and sisters. We help each other out at any cost, and were used to helping out the community, period, because thats what most public servants are about.

Arredondo said he remains proud of his response and that of his other officers that day. He believes they saved lives. He also believes that fate brought him back home for a reason.

No one in my profession wants to ever be in anything like this, Arredondo said. But being raised here in Uvalde, I was proud to be here when this happened. I feel like I came back home for a reason, and this might possibly be one of the main reasons why I came back home. Were going to keep on protecting our community at whatever cost.

Disclosure: The New York Times 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 nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
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Two sheriffs deputies from Zavala and Uvalde counties helped Border Patrol officers end the May 24 mass shooting at Robb Elementary School, the Express-News has learned.

Zavala County Sheriff Eusevio Salinas Jr. said Thursday he learned that one of his deputies, Jose Luis Vasquez, was among the stack of six officers who went into two classrooms at the end of the massacre and fired at the gunman, 18-year-old Salvador Ramos.

Salinas, who also went to the scene and helped evacuate students from classrooms in other buildings, has not spoken to his deputy about the incident, but was told by state police investigators that they took Vasquezs M4 military-grade service rifle to examine it as part of their investigation.

I know he went in, Salinas said. I know because they recovered his weapon. He fired some rounds at him, and thats why they took his weapon.

It had been widely reported that a Border Patrol tactical team obtained a key from a janitor to enter adjoining classrooms and killed Ramos, but details revealed to the Express-News on Thursday show it was a larger team effort. The sources said it involved four Border Patrol agents, along with Vasquez and Uvalde County Deputy Joaquin Ibarra.

Ramos came out of a closet and fired at the officers, who returned fire, according to court records. One of the four Border Patrol agents did not fire and sustained minor injuries from shots fired by the gunman, the sources said.

Law officers encountered multiple injured students who had suffered apparent gunshot wounds, as well as multiple casualties, throughout the hallways and classrooms, the Texas Rangers wrote in a search warrant affidavit. Ramos fired multiple gunshots toward their direction. Law enforcement officers returned gunfire and fatally shot Ramos.

Ramos, a high school dropout from Uvalde, shot his grandmother in the face before going on his rampage. He was in Robb Elementary for more than 75 minutes and used an assault-style rifle to kill 19 children and two teachers. He wounded 17 people.

It hasnt been determined whose bullets ultimately killed Ramos. An autopsy is pending.

Before entering the classrooms, nineteen officers were held back in a school hallway by the commander on scene, Uvalde school district police chief Pedro Pete Arredondo, who wrongly determined that no more lives were at risk after Ramos had fired multiple rounds, according to Steven McCraw, director of the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Arredondo decided the incident had transitioned from an active shooter situation to a barricaded subject situation, and that there was time to await the arrival of additional officers with ballistic shields and other specialized equipment. McCraw has said that was the wrong decision, period.

Messages seeking comment were left Thursday for Uvalde County Sheriff Ruben Nolasco, Ibarra and the Border Patrol but were not answered. The Border Patrol has previously referred questions about the matter to DPS, which has stopped commenting on the case.

Salinas said he and his chief deputy, Ricardo Rios, went to Uvalde on May 24 to help. Salinas said the incident left him shaken, and now hes trying to see if he can better equip his deputies and constables.

Were a small community. We help each other, said Salinas, who has been in law enforcement since 1984. Ive never encountered something of this nature, and I hope I never encounter something like this again.

The day of the massacre, a Tuesday, Salinas said he and Rios were going to meet with two Texas Rangers for lunch in Crystal City, 40 miles south of Uvalde. After finding two restaurants closed, Salinas and Rios went to a third, but the Rangers did not show up. When he reached them by phone, the Rangers told Salinas they were headed to a potential active shooter situation at Robb Elementary.

Salinas said he and his deputy were in a new patrol vehicle that still does not have lights or sirens and headed north toward Uvalde.

I didnt know where the school was, Salinas said. I Googled it.

Upon arriving at Robb Elementary, the sheriff and Rios were surprised to see people going about their business at homes next to the school. He did not see any fraught parents.

There were residents watering their front lawns, Salinas said. It appeared to me they were unaware.

He and Rios were asked by other officers on scene to help clear students out of classrooms in buildings at the southern part of the school, away from the building where the shooter had entered.

Salinas said he saw deputy Vasquezs car at the scene but didnt see Vasquez and tried to reach him by phone. Salinas said Vasquez probably didnt have his cellphone.

Salinas said he was far enough away that he heard neither the shots that Ramos fired nor the return fire from Vasquez and the other officers.

I heard over the radio, Subject is down! Salinas said. He heard the traffic on another officers radio because he had not brought his own.

Salinas said he didnt see Vasquez until later, when Salinas was tasked with guarding an entrance to the school. Salinas spotted Vasquez outside the perimeter fence at the time but has not spoken with him about what transpired. Vasquez, who was off duty at the time, has children who attend Robb Elementary, Salinas said.

Salinas said Vasquez took some days of leave because of the shooting, and more time to recover from COVID-19 and to be with his family.

Vasquez has been a Zavala deputy for 12 years and was in the Army Reserves, Salinas said. He served a tour in Afghanistan.

On Monday, Salinas and Vasquez will report for counseling. He said he wants Vasquez to speak to a professional before he talks with him about the shooting.

In the meantime, Salinas said, Im doing stuff Id never thought Id do.

The Zavala sheriffs office doesnt have a SWAT team or a budget for specialized equipment, but Salinas said he has ordered ballistic shields, at $7,000 each. His total budget last year was $3.4 million.

And he was getting quotes for ballistic headgear. One quote was $63,000 to equip the 23 deputies and constables he oversees.

A lot of this stuff is expensive and really, this is military equipment, Salinas said. I cant afford it.

guillermo.contreras@express-news.net | Twitter: @gmainfedland
On June 12, 1942, a red-and-white checkered diary became one of the most famous birthday gifts in history.

The recipient was a Jewish girl from Germany living in Amsterdam with her family. She wanted to be a writer, and for about two years she filled her diary with her thoughts, observations and dreams, not knowing she was writing her masterwork, the only book shed have the time to write.

Less than a month after receiving the diary, Anne Frank, her parents and older sister, and four other Jews went into hiding in a secret annex at the back of her fathers company building. Theyd remain there until Aug. 4, 1944, when Nazi police, tipped off, found and arrested them. The only survivors from that annex and the concentration camps to which they were sent were Annes father, Otto, and her diary.

The Diary of Anne Frank is the most-celebrated book written by a child  because it was written by a child, with a precocious talent, hiding for her life.

On June 20, 1944, she wrote: Writing in a diary is a really strange experience for someone like me. Not only because Ive never written anything before, but also because it seems to me that later on neither I nor anyone else will be interested in the musings of a thirteen-year-old schoolgirl. Oh well, it doesnt matter. I feel like writing, and I have an even greater need to get all kinds of things off my chest.

Decades later, we still care about the musings of this 13-year-old girl. The most famous is from July 15, 1944, the third-to-last passage. Its difficult in times like these: ideals, dreams and cherished hopes rise within us, only to be crushed by grim reality, she wrote. Its a wonder I havent abandoned all my ideals, they seem so absurd and impractical. Yet I cling to them because I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart.

Those last words  I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart  have been used for decades as a feel-good affirmation, often accompanied by a picture of a smiling Anne holding a pencil.

But it was a belief grounded in hope, and we should never forget that the most important pages of The Diary of Anne Frank are the pages never written. Her last entry was Aug. 1, 1944. She was arrested three days later.

What would she have written about the horrors she suffered and witnessed in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, before dying from typhus fever, in February 1945, at 15.

One sentence after Anne states her belief in peoples goodness: I see the world being slowly transformed into a wilderness, I hear the approaching thunder that, one day, will destroy us too, I feel the suffering of millions.

I cannot read that without thinking of the children of Uvalde because, like most of you, I cant read or hear anything these days without thinking of the children of Uvalde.

The children in Robb Elementary who heard the approaching thunder of an AR-15-style rifle, and who hid in classrooms and under desks for what may have seemed to them two years; the children who were destroyed; the children who, according to pediatrician Dr. Roy Guerrero, were pulverized and decapitated by gunfire.

And I cant understand the people, no doubt good of heart, who arent moved enough to make such a weapon less accessible. I always return to what the legendary columnist Murray Kempton wrote of Martin Luther King Jr.: A great man knows he wasnt put on this earth to be part of a process through which a child can be hurt.

That should guide personal behavior and public policy.

Like Anne Frank, I believe (most) people are truly good at heart. But there werent any great people to save her life. Today, there arent enough great people among elected officials trying to save the lives of other children.

cary.clack@express-news.net
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HOUSTON  Nearly three weeks after Uvalde, this feels different from other gun massacres.

The number killed. The timeline. The terror. The failures. The proximity. The calls for change. The children.

But it also feels the same. The sense that nothing will change.

On May 27, at the protest outside the National Rifle Associations convention, two men holding handwritten signs  Vets for Sane Gun Laws  brought another difference into focus: Veterans joining the calls for better gun safety.

On ExpressNews.com: For NRA conventioneers, Uvalde a world away

Their message resonated with me. Im a vet, and Id been thinking about how other vets feel about lax federal and state gun laws. The easy access to weapons combined with no substantive vetting or education requirements counters our military training and experience.

Todd Brannon, 52, reached out to his buddy and fellow Army vet Glenn Keels, 56, and said they needed to make the trip from Austin to Houston.

On ExpressNews.com: Editorial: Now is the time to rebuff NRA donations

The slaughter is going to continue, Brannon said. Its unacceptable, and weve got to make changes.

As we spoke, a lady in scrubs with a sign that read Hell Hath No Fury Like an Angry Pediatrician-Mom thanked Brannon and Keels.

The thing that maybe upsets me the most is the way patriotism has been appropriated by some of these voices  equating these kinds of extreme views around guns with patriotism, and that really burns my ass, Brannon said. The fetishism is embarrassing. Its absurd and its dangerous.

Keels, once a Republican and NRA member, said their goal was to show theres a lot of folks who are veterans who are absolutely for the Second Amendment, but theres a silent majority who want sensible gun control.

Vets are not monolithic, and many have begun lending their voices to the call for gun safety.

On ExpressNews.com: Editorial: With all his power, Abbott does nothing on gun safety

The political action committee VoteVets and Common Defense, a grassroots group, have rallied vets, and the hashtag #VetsForGunSafety has gained traction.

Last Sunday, the Vet Voice Foundation bought a full-page ad in the New York Times that read: Its not gun control. Its gun safety.

On Wednesday, Veterans for Responsible Leadership shared a video from retired Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal.

Keeping guns out of the hands of dangerous people is just common sense, yet in spite of overwhelming popular support, too many senators in Washington refuse to act, he said. Enough is enough. Pass background checks now.

I reached out to Mike Jason, 49, a retired Army colonel concerned about our nations gun problem. He agreed theres an increasing number of vets wanting safer gun laws.

The former battalion commander now working as a consultant said the partisanship around firearms makes it difficult for military people to voice their opinions because they cant be politically involved.

On ExpressNews.com: On Memorial Day, heartache for our nation

Theres a maturing now that people are saying, Wait a minute, this isnt partisan, he said. I can talk about gun safety all day long.

He said society can learn from how the military mitigates risk with firearms  vetting, training, limited access  and described the Swiss cheese model of gun safety policies and laws. There may be holes in each layer, but with enough layers, theres better security.

And with 20 million AR-style rifles in circulation across the country, the risk is high.

Many politicians arent interested in creating new gun laws to mitigate the risks. So far, Republicans and other politicians who have served in the military havent joined the growing chorus of vets seeking safer gun laws.

Thats not new, but maybe theyll hear the voices of their fellow veterans who want gun safety.

But were not there yet.

On Wednesday, Republican U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, a Navy vet who represents Uvalde, voted against a bill that would raise the age to purchase semi-automatic weapons to 21, limit gun trafficking, require weapons to be traceable, enhance gun storage and further limit bump stocks. Gonzales called the bill a purely partisan, messaging package.

Yes, this time feels different, but I fear its not different enough. Not yet.

brandon.lingle@express-news.net
My wife, Teresa, and I decided we would go to Uvalde. To pay our respects and be with the community in their grief. To stand at the site and offer our own prayers. This horror took place in our own backyard. We didnt know what else to do.

Our teenage daughter joined us, and my wifes sister. We drove out on a Saturday, 11 days after the shooting. There was still a lot of activity at the Robb Elementary site. The atmosphere was subdued, respectful, somber. Bewildering, too.

But even in deep sadness, grace endured: Hundreds of mourners gathered in silent prayer.

A lovely old couple leading a small group in a rosary.

Uniformed law enforcement offering quiet support. Department of Public Safety troopers, local officials. Also, off-duty law enforcement and first responders. Police departments and fire departments from all over Texas, who traveled to pay their respects.

A smaller (by now) but still evident media presence. They kept to the background, observing from a respectful distance. And carpeting the grounds  thousands of mementos and makeshift monuments that continue to be placed at the site.

And flowers. Hundreds of thousands of flowers. Many fresh, some long since faded.

A powerful place. And a palpable tension. There was a similar, even larger hub of activity in the Town Square. An area of memorial and mourning, barely a mile from Robb Elementary. Flowers, mementos, photographs. Just as at the school.

And people, of course. Hundreds of people.

Leaving the school, we considered stopping at the square, too. To view those memorials and offer our respects again. But by then we had taken in all we could bear. We did not stop. We just drove on.

As we headed back to San Antonio, I felt relief. Grateful for each mile I put between myself and that epicenter of pain. And I felt guilty for feeling that way. So many people impacted by this tragedy cannot simply drive away from it, as I could.

For so many, Uvalde will never leave them. It will always be part of their lives. A scar that may someday heal but will never stop hurting. Texans and all Americans are obliged to honor those who suffer that pain. We honor them by talking plainly about what matters to us and to our culture. To declare what we are or are not willing to do. To be clear in what sacrifices we are willing to make.

Go to Uvalde. Stand on that ground. The weight of unfathomable tragedy still hangs in the air. Be there for a moment and feel it. It sharpens perspective. It clarifies priorities. It will prepare us for the difficult conversations we must have.

Dr. Carlos D. Godinez Jr. is a general surgeon in San Antonio.
President Yoon Suk-yeol arrives at the presidential office in Seoul's Yongsan District, Friday, in this pool photo. Yonhap



President Yoon Suk-yeol said Friday that disputes between labor and management should be resolved by the parties involved without government intervention.



Yoon made the remark as thousands of unionized cargo truckers continued a nationwide strike for the fourth day to demand basic wage guarantees amid soaring fuel prices.



"Only when the government sticks to the law and principles and remains neutral, do I believe labor and management will be able to build the capacity to freely resolve these issues on their own," he told reporters as he arrived for work.






June is Pride Month, reminding us of how far weve come but also of the work that lies ahead.

While Texas state government is antagonistic for people who are LGBTQ+, thankfully, San Antonio is a welcoming and inclusive city. In 2013, our city finally passed a landmark nondiscrimination ordinance, aligning its policies with other large cities in our state.

It was a proud day when then-San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro tweeted: Today we passed non discrimination protection for LGBT. Whether you're white or black, Christian or Jew, straight or gay, SA belongs to you.

Five years later, San Antonio installed a vibrant expression of community support: the rainbow crosswalk at Evergreen Street and Main Avenue, in the heart of the LGBTQ+ district.

But not all discrimination is in our rearview mirror. In ruby-red Texas, its normal for conservatives to target LGBTQ+, especially vulnerable transgender youth and their parents. Gov. Greg Abbotts directive in February equating gender-affirming care for transgender youth with child abuse and indicted Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtons opinion on the issue are inhumane and undermine the very family values they espouse.

Voters can continue to speak out against these policies with their voices and at the ballot box. And when its time to celebrate Pride, the public should do that, too.

Pride San Antonio, a local nonprofit, will kick off a week of events Friday with a Night Out at the Zoo.

In a news release, the organization asks: Pride San Antonio invites all community-minded organizations with a desire to celebrate, PRIDE, HOPE, and DIVERSITY to become a Pride Week San Antonio Partner.

On ExpressNews.com: Where to celebrate Pride Month 2022 in San Antonio

Although we cant all be official partners, we hope our community will be allies. Supporting people who are LGBTQ+ is rooted in freedom and human dignity.
First Peoples Mountain (center) rises between Top Notch Peak (foreground) and Mt. Stevenson (back right) seen from Avalanche Peak (Photo by Jacob Frank, courtesy of Yellowstone National Park and the Park Service via Flickr).

Yellowstone National Park announced Thursday that Mount Doane is now named First Peoples Mountain.

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 Gustavas Doane, a key member of the Washburn-Langford-Doane expedition in 1870 prior to Yellowstone becoming Americas first national park.

Research has shown that earlier in 1870, Doane led an attack, in response to the alleged murder of a white fur trader, on a band of Peigan 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.

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 new name was forwarded to the Board of Geographic Names for a vote. The name change will be reflected in The Domestic Names Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) in the coming days.

Yellowstone conducted outreach to all 27 associated Tribes during the past several months and received no opposition to the change nor concerns.

Yellowstone may consider changes to other derogatory or inappropriate names in the future.

The post Yellowstone National Park changes name of Mount Doane to First Peoples Mountain appeared first on Daily Montanan.
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has again concluded that classifying the weedkiller glyphosate as a carcinogen is 'not justified'.

The EU body found that the available scientific evidence did not meet the criteria to classify glyphosate for "specific target organ toxicity, or as a carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic substance".

However, the ECHA agreed to keep the weedkiller's current classification as causing "serious eye damage and being toxic to aquatic life".

The agency said it had assessed glyphosates hazardous properties against criteria in the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation.

It added an extensive volume of scientific data and hundreds of comments were received during consultations when forming the new opinion.

The new conclusion is consistent with the proposal of four EU member states currently assessing glyphosate: Sweden, France, Hungary and The Netherlands, as well as with the ECHA's 2017 opinion.

The new opinion will be published on ECHAs website and sent to the European Commission and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) by mid-August.

EFSA will carry out its risk assessment of glyphosate, with this expected to be ready in July 2023.

The Commission will then put forward a renewal report and a draft regulation to EU member states on whether the approval of glyphosate can be renewed or not.
Scottish rural businesses are being told to be aware of new tax measures to counter plastic packaging use as well as a ban on single use plastic products.

From 1 June there has been a ban placed on what have been referred to by the Scottish government as problematic single use plastics in Scotland.

This follows the implementation from April this year of a new UK wide plastic packaging tax in a clear initiative to encourage firms to manufacture or use recycled plastics or even alternative materials.

The new Scottish measure will affect some of those with catering businesses and significantly those catering at outdoor events.

The ban covers predominantly plastic cutlery and plates, cups, stirrers, beverage and food containers in expanded polystyrene, and covers and lids.

Single use plastic straws have been excluded from an outright ban and are subject to some exemptions.

The plastic packaging tax is aimed at more high-volume importers and manufacturers of finished plastic packaging.

It is levied at a rate of 200 per tonne where the material contains less than 30 percent of recycled plastic.

Sean McGinness, partner at Saffery Champness, warns rural businesses to be aware of the new measures, as what is within the scope of the new tax is 'complex'.

He explains there are a number of exemptions to the tax, including businesses importing less than 10 tonnes of finished plastic packaging in a 12-month period.

Certain packaging used to import goods into the UK for long term storage such as pallet wrap is also exempted, as is plastic packaging manufactured in the UK, or imported to the UK, but which is then exported directly.

Mr McGinness says: In that this is a new tax its application may be confusing, and we anticipate some time for it to bed down.

"However, the Scottish ban is black and white and will be subject to enforcement by Local Authorities.

"Those who have on-farm catering businesses, cafes or who offer a take-away food service or who cater at the many events that will be taking place this summer should take note and be careful not to fall foul of the new regulations.
More than 500 North Wales schoolchildren attended a day of farming-themed activities as part of NFU Cymru's Celebration of Welsh Food & Farming Week.

Pupils from a host of primary schools around Wrexham and Ruthin were invited to Coleg Llysfasi on Wednesday 8 June for a lesson in food and farming.

The educational event, delivered by the Cows on Tour team, was one of a number of activities co-ordinated as part of the first ever Celebration of Welsh Food & Farming Week.

The week-long campaign of activities and events is promoting Welsh food and agriculture to politicians, stakeholders and the wider public.

Children in attendance at the food and farming showpiece at Coleg Llysfasi were able to learn about all the agricultural sectors as part of their visit.

Activities and learning opportunities on offer included shearing and milking demonstrations, a lesson in cooking red meat and vegetables, and butter making.

NFU Cymru Student & Young Farmer Ambassador Erin McNaught spoke to children about dairy calves

Schoolchildren also learned about grain and flour and farm machinery, as well as how farms generate renewable energy.

NFU Cymru deputy president co-founder Abi Reader said the schoolchildren learned more about the 'farm to fork story'.

"For many of these children it was the first time theyd set foot in an agricultural environment of any sort, so the levels of excitement were very high."

Ms Reader, who is also co-founder of Cows on Tour, said farmers understood that engaging with the next generation of consumers was very important.

"Its vital that children really understand how natural, healthy, sustainable food is produced and ends up on the supermarket shelves and in their homes.

"Opportunities like this are also incredibly rewarding for us as farmers; the passion and enthusiasm on show from the schoolchildren was infectious.

"I think all of our farming volunteers left with a spring in their step after such a positive experience."
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Kia's Gwangju plant employees drive new vehicles to a storage yard, Wednesday. As it became impossible to mobilize car carrier trucks due to a truckers' strike, the government issued temporary driving permits so that Kia employees could move the newly produced vehicles. Yonhap



By Baek Byung-yeul



Recently built cars are being driven one by one out of automotive factories, due to a lack of transport trucks amid an ongoing strike by cargo truckers, according to industry officials Friday.



The government issued temporary permits enabling the carmakers to do so, in order to shorten delays in deliveries of the new cars to customers.



Hyundai Motor Group units, including its logistics company Hyundai Glovis, are known to have deployed employees to deliver newly produced Hyundai Motor, Kia and Genesis cars to storage yards one at a time, as they are unable to rely on transport trucks that can carry multiple cars at once due to the strike.



On June 7, most of the 25,000 truck drivers from the Cargo Truckers Solidarity and many non-unionized truckers launched the strike, demanding the government extend a freight rate system guaranteeing basic wages for them amid an oil price surge.



The strike has been underway for four days as of Friday, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport said 7,800 drivers were still participating in the walkout, refusing to return to work.



Domestic Korean car brands have already been suffering disruptions over the past three years due to global supply chain problems, and the strike is making their situation much worse.



Officials from the local car industry said the truckers' strike caused delivery delays for newly produced cars, hurting not only carmakers but also customers in Korea and around the world who purchased new cars.



"After carmakers produce new cars at factories, the new cars need to be sent to storage yards. And then the cars are shipped to ports for export or delivered to various places around the country for domestic customers. But the truckers' strike hampered the transportation process, which is causing severe losses to both carmakers and customers," an official from a local car company said on condition of anonymity.



The official said there have been disruptions to the transportation of not only new cars, but also car components, causing delays to production processes.



"The strike could add to the inconvenience of customers amid a prolonged waiting period for new vehicles to be handed over, due to delays in vehicle production caused by the continued automotive chip shortage and global supply chain issues," he said.



Another industry official said it looks like there is no way to solve this problem.



"The truckers' strike is what they are targeting the government with, at a time when gas prices are soaring around the world," the first anonymous official said.



"As not only the car industry but also other industries such as retail have been seriously affected by the strike, we have no choice but to wait for the government to actively address the issue."



Regarding the truckers' strike, an association comprised of companies in the car industry criticized the move, saying the cargo union is killing the industry with its strike.



"At a time when the car industry has been struggling with a global supply crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and semiconductor supply disruptions, it is extremely selfish for truckers to go on strike and disrupt logistics activities in the industry," the Korea Automotive Industry Alliance said in a statement released Thursday.


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She is no conventional actor, and her feisty and gutsy character portrayals on-screen sure give ample evidence of it. Aaditi Pohankar was happy climbing the ladder of success as a model. However, life had other plans when she bagged the role as the lead in the critically acclaimed SHE. In conversation with the newest OTT star in the block, where she reveals the relatable traits she finds in her onscreen character Bhumika, and how she faced the challenges of playing two diametrically opposite characters of an undercover cop and a call-girl, with honesty and dedication. The next season of SHE is only some days away from being telecast and Aaditi shares her excitement about working in the series with Filmfare.

The Privilege Of Working On A Project That Has Been Written By Imtiaz Ali Must Be Exhilarating.

I was just telling somebody right now, why isnt Imtiaz sir doing more thrillers? When he approached me for this, I was under the impression that it was a romantic film, I didnt know it was going to be Bhumi romancing herself and her thoughts eventually. She will of course have attributes with other characters and her love life and all that but primarily you see Bhumika with herself. May it be romance or thriller she is sticking to her decisions on her own, she is falling in love with herself on her own and she has been directing herself all this while on her own. So a script like this is in itself a privilege to work on and a script written by Imitiaz Ali, what more could you ask for. People have recognized my work and you will not believe it, people from Spain and France and these kinds of places have been chatting with me for the last two years. Like when is the next season coming out? I don't know if this happens with everybody but it happens to me so I am extremely excited.

Tell Us A Little About How She Came Your Way.

I wanted to work with Imtiaz for a while. I kept meeting him at intervals. Everybody said that he doesnt work with new actors. I kept going around and persuading him and messaging him generally. And then I decided to make a moving portfolio because pictures are not my game. I want to show emotion. I sat down, made a storyboard, and Bosco Bhandarkar directed it and Sachin shot it. I had one emotion in mind which is love. Melancholy is what we were looking at. There are various attributes to melancholy, and I wanted to show the actors side with certain costumes looking like a model. There is one look where I looked both sincere and manipulative. I showed it to Imtiaz sir. He met me after watching it and narrated the script to me. He said maybe right now you are a little young to do this part but why dont you give it a read. I read it and had an informal audition but it was not more lines it was mostly emotions. And before I knew it, I was SHE.

You're A Female Constable And You Play The Role Of An Undercover Call Girl  Two Very Different Approaches. How Did You Prepare For It?

I went ahead with Bhumika as who she is and then everything else followed. Being undercover or being threatened by this guy, or then in the first season Sasya coming in like a love interest and her despising him, everything happened on set. I kept the base correct and after that whatever is going to happen for the character, I let it flow.

In Season 2 Your Character Seems To Have A Lot More Confidence. What Are The Highlights Of Your Character In Season 2 That You Feel The Audience Will Enjoy Watching?

Shes looking confident. But actually, she is not confident. When do you shout? When you are not confident when you are confident you speak slyly. So when she is shouting she is like- I am supposed to do it!', and then she goes back into her cocoon. When you see one scene and the next, you see that she is immediately gone down. I love that slide she is going through. These emotions are something that we all go through in real life and that is why they will connect with everybody. Emotions change in a jiffy and that is what happens to Bhumika but at a very different level, a very high-risk level. Where if something goes amiss, either shell die or she will kill somebody. Yes there is confidence, but there is a duality to it; like she is dubious whether she is confident or not and whether she can show it.

Do You Relate To Any Of The Personality Traits Of Bhumika?

Yes, certainly. That is why I can play her. I wonder and my only question is how Bhumika thinks, Mai yahape kya karri hai? Mai zinda rahegi ya nahi. I think that Humlog yaha pe kya kar rahe hai? (as human beings.) It is sort of philosophical but I always keep thinking that as a human, especially when the pandemic happened, I was thinking that so many people lost their loved ones, what exactly are we doing, and what is the basis of our being? It is love. We are all here to operate with love, to move forward, and to take it easy. When this script came to me I realised that everything that I have learned about life, I can put to use here. A lot of people told me why did you pick up something like that, it wont work. But it did and people asked me how it worked so well.

What Are The Kind Of Challenges That You've Faced Considering The Character Arc Of Your Role From Season 1 To 2?

Bhumi is becoming a little confident and I am a little scared of that confidence because jab Bhumi confident banegi tab pata nahi kisko kya karegi. We are of course going to stay within the circumference of who Bhumi is but certainly going ahead of the old ideas she was walking with. She is certainly going to face a lot of challenges because of that.

OTT Has Been Quite Rewarding To You, What Are The Kinds Of Roles Or Genres You're Willing To Explore In The Future?

I have been saying it to a lot of people that I want to explore romance and comedy. I want to explore that side of myself. l would love to play the lighter side of life. And I would love to do something which is like a slice of life drama.

Aaditi Pohankar is all set to reprise her role as Bhumika in SHE Season 2. Considering how impressive she has been in Season 1, leaves little to imagination how she'll continue to attain greater heights with her performance.Aaditi has had a great run on OTT so far and continues to enthrall audiences with her effortless craft of acting. With a winning combo such as this - a promising actor in an Imtiaz Ali production only qualifies to deliver the best with a killer script, stunning cast and intriguing characters.
Manushi Chhillar who was crowned Miss World 2017 is all set to make her debut in Samrat Prithviraj alongside Akshay Kumar in the lead. The film is based on the life of Prithviraj Chauhan, a Rajput emperor from Ajmer. Manushi is playing the role of princess Sanyogita in the movie. The film is directed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi and produced by Yash Raj Films. Heres is an exclusive chat with the lead lady.

A Big Launch

I think, film like this you can never say no. Actually, I was auditioning with Yashraj, I did not know which film in particular they were casting, because they were casting for few films. Only after my first few auditions that I was exactly told, this is for the film samrat prithviraj chauhan. We are considering you for princess sanyogita. Even before I heard the script was very exciting for me because I have grown up listening to their story. So when you get to do that character, of course their whole love story everything all of that makes even more exciting. When an opportunity like this come to your way, the only thing you want to say is yes.

First Day Of Shoot

I had a very heavy scene that I had to shoot for on the first day. There is a scene where I am arguing with my father (Ashutosh Rana). A very important scene also. I was nervous but i was also very excited than nervous. Normally when you practice a scene in person, you don't understand a lot of technicality that come. All of that I understood once I was on set. I was shooting with Ashutosh Rana sir and Sakhsi Tanwar. That was my first scene. They are seasoned actors, the experience with them is also very special. They are playing my parents in the film. They were also very supportive. Everyone made me feel very special. That's a day I will always cherish.

Akshay Kumar Understands The Challenges That An Outsider Faces

Akshay is the biggest superstar. He has a lot of professionalism and a lot of humility. The way he approaches his work teaches you a lot. I think he is someone who I don't think, he ever lets any stress get to him because of work and that's a wonderful quality that he has. Hes been around for so long and I feel hes going to be around for many many more years. The fact is that he understands the challenges that a newcomer faces, specially an outsider. He is an outsider himself. That really helps you because he has made such a big mark for himself in the industry

To Convince People That I Am Princess Sanyogita Was The Biggest Challenge

Sanyogitas character in itself was very demanding. Of Course, people already have a perception of who she was or what she has been like. There is a lot of love for her and for me as an individual to convince people that I am princess Sanyogita was the biggest challenge of them all. I had to match up to that. I literally got and experience so much in one film.

I Never Actively Thought That I Wanted To Become An Actor

There are a lot of actresses that I have loved and adored growing up. And lot of women from the industry inspired me. But I don't think I have ever grown up wanting to become an actor. Both of my parents are doctor. I was brought up in an environment where naturally you grow up, you go to college, you study medicine, law and engineering or you prepare for the civil service or something like that. So I never actively thought that oh I wanted to become an actor. But yes, after, I became Miss World and a little bit of an exposure into the industry, I understood more about it. I realised that this is something that I enjoy doing.

My Parents Always Been Very Supportive

They have always been very very excited and very supportive. Infact, jab bhi mujhse pahle interview mei puchte the, main hamesha kahti thi mujhe to doctor banna hai. Meri mother mujhse kahti thi opportunity hai to why not. When I was younger we didnt know ki is tarah ki opportunity hotee hai. She used to say if you have an opportunity then why not to go and explore it, Atleast try.

Sincerity And Happiness Is The Key

My parents always say that whatever you do, put in all your efforts. Do it with all sincerity. My mother always tells me that make sure that it doesn't matter how big you become, how well you do, you should be happy. And that's why when I came here they told me this, just make sure no matter what ups and downs come into your life because of the industry that you are entering into. Just make sure you are happy as a n individual.

My Main Struggle Was To Be Known

I feel that my challenges were similar to anyone else who has come from outside the industry and no connection here. When I went to compete for Miss India, it was a very new world for me. From being a student to becoming Miss World, I think the whole transition was very different. Main hamesha yah kahti hun ki bahut mehnat karni padti hai jab aap medical ka entrance ete ho, din raat padhai karni padti hai and its a different world altogether. tab mujhe lagta tah ki ye sabse difficult cheez hai lekin when I went to Miss World then I realised ki thodi aur zyada mehnat karni padti hai jab aap jaante ho ki 120 ladkiyan hain lekin winner ek hi banega.

My main struggle was to be known..Because till I did not win Miss World, I think people of the industry also didnt know me and I will give them the credit for the fact that because of that whatever platform I was given, yashraj also noticed me. I have always been thrown into a situation, which I didnt know anything about, whether it was a pageant and after this weather it's a film. Films and acting are very new to me. I think that is what the main challenge was. The main struggle was to make yourself familiar with something that's very new.

Love Makes Us Stronger

Love is what keeps you all together, whether it's your love for family, partner, work or love for life. I think that's the one emotion which kind of rides higher than any other emotions. Thats what we all must focus on in life. I would like to say about my character in the film the amount of courage that Sanyogita drew is amazing. It took me a while to be convinced of the fact that someone can love another so much that they can go against their own father, their own king and publicly announce their love for them. love makes us so stronger and if you see the film, you will understand how much beyond all of petrifying sour, Greed , anger, ego love is beyond all of this. For my partner I would like someone who is very sincere in life, honest and who is very loving.
Britney Spears and Sam Asghari were all set to tie the knot, but their wedding was crashed in a shocking way. Britneys ex-husband Jason Alexander crashed the wedding while also live-streaming the surprising incident. A leading publication reported earlier that Alexander was booked for trespassing, vandalism and two counts of battery. Reportedly, he also has a felony warrant for larceny in another county.Talking to the media, Britneys attorney, Mathew Rosengart said that he was absolutely livid that the incident took place. He also said, "I am personally working with the sheriff's department to ensure Mr. Alexander is aggressively prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."In the Instagram live, Alexander can be seen approaching the event security and asking to be let in. He mentioned that Britney had sent him an invitation and that she was his first and only wife. He also added that he would crash the event, this followed some physical struggle.Britney Spears got married to Jason in 2004, their impulsive wedding lasted 55 hours before they called it quits.
Celebrities too, at times, face appalling behaviour, it appears. There have been many instances when a celebrity has come across people who have unnecessarily behaved rudely and created a ruckus for no reason.The latest celebrity to face this is Pooja Hegde who was travelling out of Mumbai with her team when staff from a certain airline behaved rather unpleasantly with her costume assistant. Taking to Twitter last evening, Pooja tweeted about her experience, stating, "Extremely sad with how rude IndiGo6E staff member, by the name of Vipul Nakashe, behaved with us today on our flight out from Mumbai. Absolutely arrogant, ignorant and threatening tone used with us for no reason. Normally I don't tweet about these issues, but this was truly appalling."In the world of social media, these things hardly go unnoticed. The said airline was quick to issue an apology and tweeted back stating, "Thank you for taking the time to speak with us, Ms Hegde. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused to you and would like to assure you that we are certainly looking into this matter to ensure that there are no recurrences."Though Pooja accepted this apology, she pointed out that the apology needs to be made to her costume assistant who was harassed unnecessarily, "Thanks for apologising for his behaviour but honestly, the first apology should go to my costume assistant towards whom he discriminated against and lastly us. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect, irrespective of where they come from or who they are. There's a way to talk. You cannot claim that a purse counts as hand luggage and not allow an actual carry-on bag. More so, for no valid reason, you cannot threaten to deplane someone to show power. The point of this tweet was to hope that there is no abuse of power and all people are treated equally and kindly."
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has an all-new superhero - Kamala Khan aka Ms. Marvel. The latest series featuring Iman Vellani, Matt Lintz, Yasmeen Fletcher, Zenobia Shroff, Mohan Kapur, Saagar Shaikh, Rish Shah and more is out and it's perhaps the most vibrant MCU series in Phase 4. It introduces us to 16-year-old Kamala (played by Iman Vellani), an Avengers fan who discovers powers of her own. Is she ready to save the world?







On bringing the first Muslim and South Asian superhero to the MCU Filmfare had the chance to attend a press conference ahead of the show's release where showrunner Bisha K. Ali, executive producer Sana Amanat, head directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, Marvel boss Kevin Feige and the rest of the cast and crew talked about the making. Here's what they had to say:

Opening up about how the comic books pages to live-action Sana Amanat said, "This is all very, very trippy. When Willow and I were crafting this comic about eight years ago, we joked about how This is not gonna get past issue nine. No one's gonna care.' And, lo and behold Kevin Feige cared which is amazing and of course, the rest of the world."



Kevin Feige revealed that the show was inevitable. He said, "Almost from the first few issues people started asking us in environments like this when we were promoting other things, when is Kamala Khan coming? When is Ms. Marvel coming? So, it always seemed inevitable in a grey way that we would be able to do it..

Shah Rukh Khan is officially a part of the MCU

While Shah Rukh Khan does not appear in the show, the actor and his movies are now a part of the MCU as his name comes up when the characters discuss their favourite Bollywood movies including Baazigar. The shows makers revealed that they would go back into production if SRK wants to be in the show. Director Adil El Arbi said, Let's reshoot and do some scenes with Shah Rukh Khan. Sana chimed in, Shah Rukh, call us. Lets hang out.



Iman Vellani on representation and what makes Ms. Marvel unique among the younger superheroes.



As a Marvel fan herself, Iman Vellani is perfectly cast as Kamala Khan - a fan fiction-writing super geek. The actress revealed why she resonated with the character. "Ms. Marvel always understood fan culture on such a cellular level, and it just really elevated the storytelling in a really unique way. She's a 16-year-old kid with superpowers, fine, we've seen that before. But she's also a fan of every other hero within the MCU canon. And hat fascination and excitement is so shared with real-life Marvel fans, so that's why we relate to her. She reacts how we would when she gets powers. I love that part of her, and that's why I fell in love with her, she said.

Talking about representation and how its authentically interweaved in the superhero story, she said, "Culture and religion were never the main thing of her personality, it was just some part of her life. It's like, this is the time I wake up. This is the time I go to school. This is the time I pray. This is the time I eat. Like, it's just a set, a normal thing. And we didn't wanna make the show about a Pakistani Muslim, it was about, this Avengers loving, fanfic writing dork, which just so happens to be a Pakistani Muslim. And yeah, I think we balanced it quite well."



How Ms. Marvel is different from the comics





Fans of the comic books will instantly notice that the show makes some changes to the characters superpowers, especially since her embiggening ability has been swapped for a crystalline projection. Talking about these changes, Bisha K. Ali said, "Every single person involved in this project loves those comics deeply, personally, from their full hearts. And I think we're all committed to that love. So, I didn't wake up and say, Hey Kevin, let's throw out the powers. That was not my first pitch by any means. It was really a group decision about how she's gonna exist in the MCU. How's she's gonna fit into this web of storytelling that Marvel Studios has done in live-action for the last decade? And putting all those pieces together while staying true to this beautiful incredible character that Sana and her team crafted over in their publishing side."
Manokamna (Nushrratt Bharuucha) has done a double MA and wants to land a well-paying job before getting married. Chance leads her to a condom manufacturer (Brijendra Kala), who sells the Little Umbrella brand of condoms. She's hesitant at first of being a saleswoman for a condom company but later relents and her innovative ideas turn the fortune of the company around. She's joined at this endeavour by her childhood friend (Paritosh Tripathi), who secretly loves her. Along the way, she befriends Manoranjan (Anud Singh Dhaka), a theatre artiste specialising in small time mythological dramas. She rapidly falls in love and marries him. Along with him, she also inherits a super conservative father-in-law (Vijay Raaz), an eccentric grandfather-in-law (Tinnu Anand), and a bevy of sister-in-laws. She gives up the job as her father-in-law is against it and starts selling Tupperware instead. Circumstances lead her to go back to her earlier job. She decides to be vocal about the safety aspects of condom usage and soon becomes a national figure because of the media. How she wins back the love of her in-laws forms the crux of the film.Condoms have mostly been marketed as tools for enhancing pleasure. This film points out that their primary purpose is of ensuring a safe sexual conduct and that of family planning. It brings to our notice that so many unwanted abortions, which lead to health issues and even death among women, can be avoided by the timely use of condoms. Also, men usually don't like using condoms and hence women demand it as a right for their own safety.The first half is light and breezy. We're introduced to our characters in a manner which reflects everyday middle-class life. From the onset, we can see that there's something different about Manokamna. The way she fakes being pregnant to get seats in buses or her liking for wheat beer. Brijendra Kala's rant on the influx of sex clinic ads make you smile. The dialogue is the king of the film. Witty and to the point, it sounds like real conversations between actual people and underlines the fears and desires of the middle class. The idea of a girl marketing condoms brings about its own set of complications and they do bring in laughter without resorting to cheap humour. Later, the family complications feel relatable as well. The film is said to be shot in Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh, and the well-captured local milieu adds to its flavour. The film is edited well and doesn't lag in pace. The only point where it falters is when it goes extra preachy. The point of condoms being a safety valve for women is reiterated again and again. Nushrratt even breaks the fourth wall towards the end, which was uncalled for.Nushrratt Bharuccha carries the film on her shoulders and doesn't put a step wrong. She looks totally committed to the cause of sexual safety and her zeal shines across. Shes been seen as someone who excels in negative characters, and has shown here that she can play a character bursting with positivity as well. Vijay Raaz as the patriarchal father-in-law is dependable as always and so is Brijendra Kala as the kindhearted employer. Anud Singh Dhaka is a natural in front of the camera and doesnt just play the good husband but has shades of grey as well. Paritosh Tripathi, who makes you smile playing the man having the hugest crush on his childhood friend.Watch the film for its witty take on middle class life, the engaging acting by the ensemble cast and its message of having safe sex always.

Rachana Dubey, June 7, 2022, 2:11 AM IST

critic's rating: 3.5/5

Story: Manokamna Tripathi is a sales representative working for a local condom manufacturer in Orcha, Madhya Pradesh. A tragic turn of events pushes Manokamna to immerse herself more emotionally and responsibly into the job than ever before. Will she find her family, seeped in conservative and orthodox ideologies, standing by her side eventually or will she paddle through all alone? The answer to this question forms a considerable part of the narrative.



Review: Manokamna Tripathi (Nushrratt Bharuccha) has a ticking time-bomb on her head. Either she finds a job or she agrees to a matrimonial proposal that her parents have found for her. In her haste, she picks up a job as a sales representative at a local condom manufacturer Aadarniyas (Brijendra Kala) company. How she straddles through the initial challenges of her job, creating awareness among men and women in a small-town in Madhya Pradesh and how she brings her conservative family onto her side forms the rest of the narrative.

What may seem like another story set in the heartland of India comes across as a funny and punch-line heavy narrative by writer Raaj Shandilyaa that addresses pertinent issues like abortion and contraception, especially the use of condoms for safe sex among other things. The film uses a generous dose of punchlines and witty one-liners, which Raaj is known for, to deliver the goods. The lines bear his signature. The screenplay is fast-paced through most of the 147-minute-run time. Though the lines are not the kind that will have instant recall value for being one of a kind, they are funny in most places. The film has plenty of comedy gags playing out between the supporting actors which provide a lot of relief to the subject at hand. The cinematography and production design are on-point, too. The locations, although explored in a few other films set in Madhya Pradesh before, have been used well.



Nushrratt Bharuccha carries the film on her shoulders confidently. Her performance is consistent throughout the film. In fact, hers is the only character that has a strong and visible arc developing throughout the runtime. Could the arc have been stronger? Yes. Could the hurdles in her characters journey have been tougher to cross? Yes. And that could have strengthened the message that the film aims to deliver using her shoulders. It could have only made the films narrative that much more defined.



The supporting cast deserves special mention. Brijendra Kala, although has less screen time, is perfectly cast. Ditto Vijay Raaz, who is the representative of the patriarchal voice in a conservative family set-up. He not only picks the leheza perfectly but also holds on to the character firmly throughout its journey. Tinnu Anand, and a couple of other supporting artistes have also done a fine job and one would have liked to see a little more of them. Their conversation, especially the one between Manokamnas co-sisters on the terrace, sparks up the dull moments in the narrative. Its the punchlines delivered with perfect timing and style that shines.



One of the things that stands out for no apparent reason is Manokamnas costume and overall look. It doesnt blend with the setting in which the story unfolds. In terms of the writing, the romantic track between Ranjan (debutant Anud Singh Dhaka) and Manokamna feels too sped up and lacks the kind of emotional pull that it should have had. In fact, Ranjans character does not have a distinct and well-etched arc to follow. He just has a set of punch lines, which makes the character hollow.



Paritosh Pati Tripathi, who plays Devi, Manokamnas best friend, could have been better utilised in the narrative than just being a mere side-kick who is also seemingly in love with her. The apparatus was all there but was not deployed in the writing room. Also, words like unbreakable and scratch are used in places where the people being addressed wont probably get them at all. Between the last five years, there doesnt seem to have been much change in the way the depiction of small-town India happens in our moviesa conservative setting that the protagonist has to fight, the presence of a cool sidekick and a journey of redefining the thinking of our society. In that sense, some of the elements in this film seem a tad predictable. Also, the film could have been tighter, which could have kept its perspective in place.



Another aspect which had potential to shine is the films music. Though there is ample scope for it throughout the film, the songs present in the album dont make you hit the replay button. Overall, as a director, Jai Basantu Singh makes a confident Bollywood debut but he has a long way to go as the captain of the ship. This ones a light-hearted film with a strong message which could have been packaged and delivered way better. However, what we get to see is a breezy and witty movie with its intent in the right place.


TEL AVIV, Israel, June 09, 2022hosted a delegation of 21 Italian water utilities led by officials from the Israel Trade Office to explore water saving innovation from Israel. The delegates were introduced to Israeli-based water technology companies who provided information and opportunities to bring the innovation to their utilities in Italy.



The various regions and municipalities in Italy have differing water challenges, and often their approaches and resolutions to these challenges differ. ASTERRA Chief Executive Officer, Elly Perets said, "The information shared during this summit will drive Italian water stakeholders to integrate new technologies and methodologies. They can learn from water-scarce countries such as Israel. When collaborations highlight inter-organizational innovation strategies and increase the focus on water digitalization, we see improvement in related water networks. This accelerates the drive to sustainability."

Known as a water-tech powerhouse, Israel is home to many innovative water solutions. Besides ASTERRA, some of the other Israeli water tech companies presenting included leaders in the water industry such as Mekorot, Kando, NUF, WaterGen, and Lishtot. The group also toured the Shafdan Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Palmachim Desalination Plant during their visit.

The program began with an address by Franco Masenello, an expert on leak detection and the chief executive officer of 2f Water Venture SRL. 2f Water Venture is ASTERRA's Italian channel partner and provides coordination and field support on the detection of water leaks across Italy using ASTERRA's satellite-based Recover product.

The goals and positive outcomes from this delegation are numerous. "The likely outcomes from this include increased cooperation and strengthening technology ties between Italy and Israel. We anticipate immediate positive benefits to be realized for the entire country of Italy," Perets added.

ABOUT ASTERRA

ASTERRA (formerly Utilis) provides geospatial data-driven platform solutions for water utilities, government agencies, and the greater infrastructure industry in the areas of roads, rails, dams, and mines. ASTERRA products and services use synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data from satellites and turn this data into large-scale decision support tools. The company's proprietary algorithms and highly educated scientists and engineers are the keys to their mission, to become humanity's eyes on the Earth. ASTERRA is investing in artificial intelligence (AI) to bring its products to the next level. Since 2017, ASTERRA technology has been used in over 59 countries, saving over 169,280 million gallons of potable water, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 108,339 metric tons, and saving 423,200 MWH of energy, all in support of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. ASTERRA is headquartered in Israel with offices in the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan. Their innovative data solutions are used in multiple verticals around the globe. For more information on ASTERRA and to learn more about their technology, visit https://asterra.io.

Media Contact

Karen Dubey

Corporate Marketing Director

inquiry@asterra.io

(858) 798-6709

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f9383406-8a4e-4f31-aa5e-8048ef53530f
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 9, 2022) - Earl Resources Limited (TSXV: ERL.H) ("Earl Resources") is pleased to announce that, in connection with its proposed "Change of Business" (the "Proposed COB"), as such term is defined in TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") Policy 5.2 ("Policy 5.2"), it has filed its filing statement dated effective June 8, 2022 (the "Filing Statement") under its profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Proposed COB

It is intended that the Proposed COB will constitute Earl Resources' "reactivation" under the Policies of the TSXV and that upon completion of the Proposed COB ("Closing") and satisfaction of all conditions of the TSXV, Earl Resources will have its listing transferred from the NEX board of the TSXV ("NEX") to the TSXV. In connection with Closing, it is anticipated that Earl Resources will change its name to "Klimat X Developments Inc." (subject to applicable regulatory approvals and approval of the TSXV), in order to more accurately reflect its operations and business. For further details on the Proposed COB, please see Earl Resources' press releases dated November 26, 2021, February 28, 2022 and June 3, 2022.

Closing

Subject to the satisfaction of all conditions and approvals, including the satisfaction of the conditions of the TSXV, Earl Resources expects the Proposed COB to close on or about June 10, 2022, or such other date as Earl Resources may so decide (the "Closing Date"). Trading of the common shares of Earl Resources (the "Common Shares") on the TSXV is anticipated to resume the following week under the trading symbol "KLX".

Trading Halt

In accordance with Policy 5.2, the Common Shares are currently halted from trading and are expected to remain halted pending the requirements of Section 2.5 of Policy 5.2 being met.

Additional Information

For further information:

Earl Resources Limited

Christopher Colborne

Suite 390, 1050 Homer Street

Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 2W9

Phone: 1-778-373-3736

Reader Advisory

Completion of the Proposed COB is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, final TSXV acceptance. There can be no assurance that the Proposed COB will be completed as proposed or at all. Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the Filing Statement, any information released or received with respect to the transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of Earl Resources should be considered highly speculative. The TSXV has in no way passed upon the merits of the Proposed COB and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "will", "intends" "expects" and similar expressions which are intended to identify forward-looking information or statements. More particularly and without limitation, this press release contains forward looking statements and information concerning: the proposed change of name of Earl Resources; that the Proposed COB will constitute the "reactivation" of Earl Resources under the policies of the TSXV; the Closing Date of the Proposed COB; the transfer of Earl Resources' listing from the NEX to the TSXV; the date for the resumption of trading of the Common Shares on the TSXV. Earl Resources cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, assumptions and expectations, many of which are beyond the control of Earl Resources, including expectations and assumptions concerning Earl Resources, the Proposed COB, the timely receipt of all required TSXV, third-party and regulatory approvals and exemptions (as applicable) and the satisfaction of other closing conditions in accordance with the terms of the Proposed COB. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Earl Resources. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and Earl Resources does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by securities law.

THIS PRESS RELEASE, REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE CANADIAN LAWS, IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES, AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO SELL ANY OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN IN THE UNITED STATES. THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN, AND WILL NOT BE, REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO U.S. PERSONS UNLESS REGISTERED OR EXEMPT THEREFROM.

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction.

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127172
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern shakes hands with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ahead of a bilateral meeting in Sydney, Australia, in this June 10 pool photo. AP-Yonhap





Australia's prime minister said Friday after a meeting with his New Zealand counterpart that the two nations are in lockstep in their policies toward the Pacific islands, where China's influence is growing.







New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern became the first foreign leader to visit Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Australia since he was elected May 21. Both lead center-left administrations and Ardern described the Albanese Labor Party's election after almost a decade in opposition as a reset in the bilateral relationship.







Australia, New Zealand and the United States have voiced concerns that a new Beijing security pact with the Solomon Islands could result in a Chinese military base being established there. The Solomons and China have both denied that that will happen.







Asked if Australia wants New Zealand to do more to counter China's rise in the Pacific, Albanese told reporters in Sydney: "We're in lockstep on the Pacific."







"I look forward to working with Prime Minister Ardern, working with our democratic neighbors," Albanese said.







Albanese and his Foreign Minister Penny Wong flew to Tokyo within hours of being sworn into office for a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the regional security threat posed by China.







Wong then flew from Japan to the Pacific islands for meetings with government leaders while China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi also embarked on a Pacific tour.







Wang failed in a bold Chinese plan to get 10 Pacific nations to endorse a sweeping new agreement that would have covered everything from security to fisheries. But he succeeded in clinching several bilateral agreements.







Ardern said many countries had chosen to continue economic relationships with China rather than sign security agreements.







"Let's hear from the Pacific on these issues," Ardern said.







Albanese said Australia, the biggest foreign aid donor in the region, was being taken seriously by its neighbors since his administration promised greater action on greenhouse gas emissions. Many of the low-lying Pacific islands consider climate change their most pressing and existential threat.







The previous government had committed to reducing Australia's emissions by 26 percent to 28 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. Albanese's government has promised a 43 percent reduction.







New Zealand was heartened by Australia's greater ambition, Ardern said. New Zealand's target by the end of the decade is 30 percent.







"The Pacific region has listed climate change as its number one threat," Ardern said. "I know with regards to New Zealand we have a lot more to do, but we welcome being joined on that journey by Australia." (AP)






Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 9, 2022) - Foremost Lithium Resource & Technology Ltd. (CSE: FAT) (OTCQB: FRRSF) (FSE: F0R0) (WKN: A3DCC8) ("Foremost" or the "Company") (www.foremostlithium.com), is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding agreement for the acquisition of 100% right, title and interest in and to those certain undersurface mineral rights comprising Manitoba Mineral Disposition No. MB3530 ("MB3530") from an arm's length vendor,(the "Vendor") subject to a 2% net smelter return royalty payable to the Vendor. MB3530 encompasses 25 hectares (62 acres) situated due North from the Company's Jean Lake project and due West of the Company's Zoro project. The Company shall pay to the Vendor on the closing date C$8,000, and issue to the Vendor 18,181 common shares at a deemed price of C$0.33 per common shares. Figure 1 below presents Foremost's cumulative land position in Snow Lake, Manitoba.





Figure 1 - Foremost Lithium's updated cumulative land position. Claim MB3530 is the new land acquisition highlighted in green.

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4689/127171_a2301e8224192926_001full.jpg

Technical information contained in this press release has been approved by the Company's Vice President of Exploration Mark Fedikow P. Geo, who is a "Qualified Person" within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Foremost Lithium Resource & Technology Ltd.

Foremost Lithium is a resource exploration company driven to become one of the first North American Companies to produce high quality battery-grade lithium hydroxide domestically to fuel the electric vehicle and battery storage market. Given the importance and global focus on increasing energy decarbonization, especially when it comes to vehicles. The company is hyper-focused in continued exploration and growth on its four lithium properties, Jean Lake, Grass River, and Zoro located in Snow Lake, Manitoba, and Hidden Lake in the Northwest Territories. Foremost also holds its Winston Gold/Silver Project in New Mexico, USA

For further information please contact:

John Gravelle

President and CEO

Foremost Lithium Resource &Technology Ltd.

Email: info@foremostlithium.com

Phone: +1 (604) 330-8067

Follow us and contact us on social media:

Twitter: @foremostlithium

Linkedin:https://www.linkedin.com/company/foremost-lithium-resource-technology/mycompany

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForemostLithium

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to Foremost within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Foremost provides forward-looking statements for the purpose of conveying information about current expectations and plans relating to the future and readers are cautioned that such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. By its nature, this information is subject to inherent risks and uncertainties that may be general or specific and which give rise to the possibility that expectations, forecasts, predictions, projections or conclusions will not prove to be accurate, that assumptions may not be correct, and that objectives, strategic goals and priorities will not be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to market conditions, exploration findings, results, and recommendations, as well as those risks and uncertainties identified and reported in Foremost' s public filings under Foremost' s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. Although Foremost has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Foremost disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as lithium as result of new information, future events or otherwise unless required by law.

UNITED STATES ADVISORY. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), have been offered and sold outside the United States to eligible investors pursuant to Regulation S promulgated under the U.S. Securities Act, and may not be offered, sold, or resold in the United States or to, or for the account of or benefit of, a U.S. Person (as such term is defined in Regulation S under the United States Securities Act) unless the securities are registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or an exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act is available. Hedging transactions involving the securities must not be conducted unless in accordance with the U.S. Securities Act. 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 the state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES 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/127171
Coveted Skincare and Makeup Reimagined into Haute Jewelry in Collaboration with Elie Top

TOKYO, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- This holiday season, Cle de Peau Beaute unveils a luxurious and coveted collection in collaboration with renowned Parisian jewelry designer Elie Top, rounding off a year of 40th anniversary celebrations for the brand. With the theme of Radiant Sky, and inspired by the celestial bodies above, the limited-edition collection consists of Cle de Peau Beaute's most sought-after skincare and makeup treasures: La Creme and Lipstick, reimagined in masterwork pieces of haute jewelry perfectly representing Cle de Peau Beaute's commitment to exquisite craftsmanship.

Having formed the heart of the world's most luxurious skincare and makeup rituals for 40 years, this exceptional collection represents a celebration of craftsmanship - artistically and luxuriously forged in gold and silver and studded with diamonds. Aptly themed Radiant Sky, the collection is inspired by the illuminating Sun and the soft iridescence of the Moon. For this collection, visionary designer Elie Top captured the celestial in his mind's eye, transmuting its light into limited-edition Corps Celeste jewelry: Dazzling Jeweled Sun and Luminous Jeweled Moon to emphasize and elevate the radiance of Cle de Peau Beaute's own luminaries, the universally-coveted La Creme and Lipstick.

"Bringing their energies together is the key to unlocking infinite radiance," says Mr. Top.

Handcrafted, right from conception, The Premium Collection points towards Cle de Peau Beaute's commitment towards exquisite craftsmanship. "Drawing by hand helps me feel the connection between humanity and the stars - both are illuminated by the same infinite radiance," says Mr. Top.

Each piece of haute jewelry in The Premium Collection is delicately carved, engraved, polished, set with diamonds, and assembled by hand by highly-skilled artisans in France. Only three complete sets of Cle de Peau Beaute's 40th Anniversary The Premium Collection can be created using this painstakingly meticulous method each month.

Dazzling Jeweled Sun

The Sun gives the sky radiance. La Creme gives it to the skin. And Mr. Elie Top's Dazzling Jeweled Sun pays homage to both. Mr. Top's artistry merges eighteen-carat gold vermeil and pure, 925-stamped silver to form The Planet Jewelry Box. Inside, suspended like caviar over ice, lies La Creme. Crafted over many days in a time-honed method with highly-concentrated Skin-Empowering Illuminator, this luxurious face cream smooths and firms skin and regenerates natural beauty.

"I imagined La Creme as a treasure, locked inside a safe, and you must find the key to this well-kept secret," says Mr. Top. The Sun Pendant unlocks The Planet Jewelry Box, revealing the treasure within - La Creme encircled in a 24-carat gold coated plate. The pendant detaches as it unlocks, ready to be worn as an exquisite piece of jewelry. Made from the same gold and silver as The Planet Jewelry Box, The Sun Pendant is studded with an additional 40 diamonds - one for each year of Cle de Peau Beaute's history. When The Sun Pendant and La Creme are removed, the encasement is transformed into The Planet Jewelry Box.

There are only two workshops in the world capable of creating The Planet Jewelry Box, as the substantially-sized spheres must be molded into just two pieces of pure silver. Once the right workshop was commissioned, it took ten painstaking attempts to achieve a perfectly spherical cast.

Luminous Jeweled Moon

The Moon reflects a soft, diffused radiance. So too does Cle de Peau Beaute's Lipstick Collection - and the gold plating and diamond pieces that accompany it. The Luminous Jeweled Moon encapsulates Lipstick in 24-carat gold coated plating. The Moon Mirror compact also has a gold-plate exterior, with studded diamonds showcasing the stars and different phases of the moon. Inside, a double-sided, French-made mirror helps make every application perfect. Also inside The Premium Collection's midnight-blue box are four interchangeable shades of Lipstick. Each contains Light-Empowering Enhancer technology - inspired by diamonds to reflect and diffuse radiance. Lips and skin are enlivened, with an infinite luminosity that appears lit by the moon.

About Elie Top

Mr. Elie Top began his career at age 20, two years later he was entrusted with creating a prestigious fashion house's jewelry collection. A decade-long collaboration with Lanvin followed. In 2015, he established Elie Top, the namesake haute jewelry brand, which has been seen in The New York Times, Vogue and Financial Times. Cle de Peau Beaute 40th Anniversary The Premium Collection offers the opportunity to own very limited-edition Elie Top pieces, each containing Cle de Peau Beaute's most coveted luxury products.

About Cle de Peau Beaute's 40th Anniversary The Premium Collection

The Premium Collection is only available in certain countries/regions. For details, please check with your local Cle de Peau Beaute point of sales.

About Cle de Peau Beaute

Cle de Peau Beaute, the global luxury brand from Shiseido Co., Ltd., was founded in 1982 as the ultimate expression of elegance and science. Cle de Peau Beaute means the key to skin's beauty. The philosophy of the brand is to unlock the power of a woman's radiance by harnessing makeup technologies and advanced skincare from around the world. Forever guided by an exquisite aesthetic sensibility and intelligence, Cle de Peau Beaute has instilled its products with modernity, enchantment, and dynamism to emerge as an industry leader in delivering radiance so remarkable, it emanates from within. Available in 23 countries and regions worldwide.

Cle de Peau Beaute The Premium Collection Landing Page: https://www.cledepeau-beaute.com/int/the-premium-collection.html

Cle de Peau Beaute Official Website: www.cledepeau-beaute.com

Cle de Peau Beaute Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cledepeaubeaute/

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1832258/Cle_de_Peau_Beaute.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1832257/Cle_de_Peau_Beaute.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1832259/Cle_de_Peau_Beaute.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1740205/cpb_logo_set_bold_Logo.jpg
PETAH TIKVA (dpa-AFX) - Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (TEVA) said that it has reached an agreement with Aurobindo to resolve the dispute over Aurobindo's Abbreviated New Drug Application or 'ANDA' for a generic deutetrabenazine product. The companies have been involved in a patent infringement litigation in which Teva asserted a number of patents against Aurobindo that cover Teva's Austedo (deutetrabenazine) product. As per 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 Huntington's disease and for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia. On March 9, 2022, the U.S. Patent Office Patent Trial and Appeal Board declined to institute an Inter Partes Review of Teva's compound patent for deutetrabenazine in response to a petition submitted by Apotex. 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.
SYDNEY, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spectacular, awe-inspiring photos of Vivid Sydney 2022 illuminating Sydney's central business district skyline and Sydney Harbour have been released by global content creator Eugene Tan of Aquabumps.

Australia's largest event and a celebration of creativity, innovation and technology, Vivid Sydney was captured for the very first time by Tan in his first ever professional night shoot of the city. The resulting content is a distinct departure from the trademark coastal photography Tan is globally renowned for and showcases the festival to a global audience following a two-year hiatus.

Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Minister for Tourism and Sport and Minister for Western Sydney said Vivid Sydney is back bigger and better in 2022.

"Vivid Sydney is back and I'm thrilled the 2022 opening weekend saw record numbers attend the festival. The action-packed program delivers a return to the excitement and adventure that we all need to feel again," Mr Ayres said.

"Eugene Tan, one of our state's best content creators, has collaborated with Vivid Sydney to showcase the festival in its beautiful splendour.

"His photos and video will help us spread the word and show the world why they need to come and experience Sydney at its creative best after dark."

Among the Vivid Sydney program shot to be part of the series includes unique vision of the Sydney Opera House Lighting of the Sails, Australia's largest ever liquid & light show Sydney Infinity at Darling Harbour, Crown Tower at Barangaroo's inaugural activation The Gallery, and the largest laser installation ever seen at Vivid Sydney - Convergence, in the disused Goods Line railway tunnel.

The series will capture Vivid Sydney's longest ever continuous Light Walk which stretches a record 8km from the Sydney Opera House to Central Train Station in 2022.

Aquabumps' founder Eugene Tan said shooting Vivid Sydney for the first time was an exciting opportunity to do something new and showcase a different side to his home city.

"It's not very often that I venture away from the coast but shooting Vivid Sydney was an experience I'll never forget. To see the city and its icons - from the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House to Darling Harbour - illuminated for Vivid Sydney was mesmerising and made for an epic creative challenge.

"I hope the images capture the brilliance of the festival and inspire people to go and witness the magic of Vivid Sydney for themselves," said Tan.

Visit visitnsw.comfor travel inspiration and itineraries.

For more information on Vivid Sydney including the full program, go to www.vividsydney.com. Get social using @vividsydney vividsydney

Media contact: Wayne Mitcham, Destination NSW, +64 21 499 550, wayne@amio.nz

Related Images











Image 1: Vivid Sydney 2022 - The Lighting of the Sails' Yarrkalpa





Photographer - Eugene Tan, Aquabumps Photo credit - Destination NSW

















Image 2: Vivid Sydney 2022 - Our Connected City by Mandylights





Photographer - Eugene Tan, Aquabumps Photo credit - Destination NSW

















Image 3: Vivid Sydney 2022 - Gravitational Grid by Sreelize Studio





Photographer - Eugue Tan, Aquabumps Photo credit - Destination NSW

















Image 4: Vivid Sydney 2022 - Sydney Infinity by Oracle Liquid Pty Ltd





Photographer - Eugene Tan, Aquabumps Photo credit - Destination NSW

















Image 5: Vivid Sydney 2022 - The Lighting of the Sails - Yarrkalpa





Photographer - Eugene Tan, Aquabumps Photo credit - Destination NSW

















Image 6: Vivid Sydney 2022 - Ninget Universe by Spinifex Group





Photographer - Eugene Tan, Aquabumps Photo credit - Destination NSW









This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

Attachment
MetaBomb has launched the official game on June 8th, 2022, which features the first two game modes Chess Farm and Boss Hunt. To celebrate this historic event, MetaBomb hosts the airdrop event and the player competition with a total reward of $10,000 BUSD.

Hanoi, Vietnam--(Newsfile Corp. - June 10, 2022) - MetaBomb, a famous bomb game built on Binance Smart Chain, has confirmed its much-awaited event: the official game has been officially released at 14:00 UTC, June 8th, 2022. It marks a fresh twist on the ever-expanding MetaBomb, which offers a unique and fun experience on both PCs and Android devices for players worldwide.

MetaBomb

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/127064_354163f9e42dd9b4_001full.jpg

The official game version comes with the first two game modes, Chess Farm and Boss Hunt. Bomb, Mystery Box, and Brick are also unlocked, which are essential resources to decide the Player's success in the MetaBomb world. Players have the freedom of trading items on the marketplace, upgrading, fusion heroes, and fusion bombs to take advantage of the battles.

Chest Farm Mode

With the Chess Farm mode, players can send up to five heroes into a mining area and place bombs to destroy chest blocks to collect Mystery Fragment, MTB token, and land on a 19x11-block map. Heroes will operate automatically without controlling manually, which helps players save plenty of time to do other tasks.

Placing a bomb consumes one mana. When the Hero runs out of mana, he will stop playing and enter the resting place, House, or hotel to recover them (0.5 mana/min).

Once the chests in a map are cleared, a new map with random terrain and chests will be spawned. The probability of chests and corresponding rewards can be found in this table: refers to this table.

Boss Hunt Mode

The Player sends up to five heroes to one map to fight the Boss in two minutes. Heroes will automatically move and place bombs to damage the Boss.

There are 5 Bosses belonging to 5 different elements: Fire, Wood, Thunder, Earth, and Water. The Hero will deal 30% additional damage to the Boss when equipped with the bomb that beats the Boss's Element and vice-versa.

Boss Hunt mode will open at 01:00 UTC and close at 00:00 UTC every day. Players have two free turns and up to 3 paid turns by MTB. Rewards will be sent to the mailbox when Boss Hunt mode is closed.

Watch the trailer below:





Cannot view this video? Visit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBDDBSR4WFQ

Airdrop and Top Player competition events

Along with the official game release, MetaBomb hosts the airdrop event and the player competition with a total reward of $10,000 BUSD. The events are available to the public and last until June 20th for the airdrop campaign and June 15th for the top player competition.

MetaBomb launches its official game on June 8th, after the massive Hero Box and Bomb Box sale events enjoyed significant attention. Over 8522 Bomb Boxes and 7,747 hero boxes have been sold to the community.

The team has also revealed that since the release of the Beta Testnet, the number of users has been steadily increasing. This week, there are over 1,053 wallets opened within the platform. MetaBomb consistently ranks as the top one transaction on Binance Smart Chain Testnet. It sets a critical stage for the official game launch.

Mr. VU, MetaBomb's CEO, states:

"MetaBomb raises the booming wave of GameFi2.0 and will have competitiveness on the global market. We will continue to enhance game features that players worldwide will enjoy and are committed to offering an expanded experience based on the belief that games will become the most powerful blockchain-based bomber game 2.0."

About MetaBomb

METABOMB is a Play-To-Earn game 2.0, based on Binance Smart Chain, and most game items are built as NFTs. Inspired by the famous Bomberman series, MetaBomb delivers fascinating bomber game experiences with beautiful graphic designs and multiple levels for beginners and professional players. Players control their heroes, place the bombs to complete the objectives of various game modes, including Chest Farm, Boss Hunt, PVP, Arena, and Tournament, and get $MTB and NFT items in return. Moreover, players can join hands to build, own, buy and rent properties in the metaverse world of Metabomb.

Learn more about MetaBomb: https://metabomb.io

Follow us on:

Telegram: https://metabomb.io/telegram

Twitter: https://metabomb.io/twitter

Discord: https://metabomb.io/discord

Facebook: https://metabomb.io/facebook

Contact Info:

Name: MetaBomb

Email: Send Email

Organization: MetaBomb

Website: https://metabomb.io

Contact: Loius Nguyen

Phone Number: +84 949110692

Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBDDBSR4WFQ

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127064


Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

A conference call will be held today at 14:30 CEST, 13:30 BST, 08:30 EDT. Details are at the end of this statement.

Revenue from contracts with customers of CHF -1.6 million (20 20 : CHF 15.0 million)

Operating result of CHF - 56.9 million (20 20 : CHF - 53.1 million) and net result of CHF - 5 5.5 million (20 20 : CHF -67.7 million )

Cash and cash equivalents of CHF 21.2 million as of December 31, 20 2 1

Recent financing is expected to provide funding through Q1-2023 or up to the earliest expected approval time for vamorolone in the U.S.

Key regulatory milestones reached with vamorolone; rolling submission to the U.S. FDA to be completed byend of June 2022





Pratteln, Switzerland, June 10, 2022 - Santhera Pharmaceuticals (SIX: SANN) announces the Company's audited financial results for 2021 and reports on progress in securing financing and advancing its leadcompound vamorolone for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)towards U.S. regulatory approval.

"Our overarching goal for 2021 was to advance our lead therapy candidate vamorolone for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) towards registration and approval-and we are very pleased to have delivered on key milestones as promised. Looking forward, we are preparing for the next phase of Santhera's development as we get the Company ready for the potential market entry of vamorolone, initially in the U.S.," said Dario Eklund, CEO of Santhera. "Although vamorolone is our main strategic focus, we also saw progress with lonodelestat, our second clinical development candidate targeting pulmonary indications, and, after successful completion of a Phase 1b trial, Phase 2a trials in cystic fibrosis and an acute pulmonary indication are to start in H2-2022. Financing continues to remain a priority. Very recently, we closed financing agreements which are expected to extend the Company's cash reach into Q1-2023 or up to the approval of vamorolone in the U.S., anticipated in Q1-2023 subject to priority review being granted."

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE & FINANCING OUTLOOK

Net revenue from contracts with customers of CHF -1.6 million

Operating expenses of CHF 51.9 million, reduced by 11%

Net result of CHF -55.5 million (2020: CHF -67.7 million)

Cash and cash equivalents of CHF 21.2 million (December 31, 2021)

Operating cash flow CHF -37.4 million





2021 full-year net revenues

In 2021, Santhera reported net revenue of CHF -1.6 million (2020: CHF 15.0 million). Revenue from out-licensing transactions and net sales to licensing partners remained fairly stable year-on-year. The negative net sales in the EU in 2021 are attributable to a CHF 10.8 million adjustment to net sales of Raxone due to uncertainties and status of ongoing negotiations around pricing reimbursement in France.

Santhera continues to supply Raxone in France following the outlicensing and transfer to Chiesi Group in 2019 outside of France and North America. Based on the agreement with the French authorities, Santhera has supplied Raxone free of charge from August 2021 following its removal from the list of reimbursed drugs. Reimbursement discussions are ongoing and these are expected to be supported by the recently successfully completed Phase 4 trials LEROS and PAROS with Raxone in the rare ophthalmic indication Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON). These results also support further reimbursement negotiations in Europe and increase product visibility which could lead to partnering interests for North America.

Cost of goods sold

Cost of goods sold amounted to CHF 3.8 million (2020: CHF 10.4 million). The reduction reflects the inclusion of an inventory impairment of CHF 6.0 million in 2020 related to the discontinuation of Puldysa. Ongoing cost of goods represents continuing supply of Raxone.

Operating expenses

Operating expenses of CHF 51.9 million (2020: CHF 58.4 million) were 11% lower due to reduced expenses for development, marketing and sales, and general administrative purposes following the termination of the Puldysa program in 2020 and the subsequent restructuring.

Development expenses were CHF 29.7 million and CHF 34.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021, and 2020, respectively. The decrease in expenses was primarily due to lower contract research organization expenses and other third-party clinical trial expenses following the termination of the Puldysa Phase 3 SIDEROS study, offset by increased expenses to support the development of vamorolone to completion of the VISION-DMD study, in addition to a reduction in staff costs following organizational restructuring.

Marketing and sales expenses were CHF 9.3 million and CHF 11.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decrease was primarily a result of the ceasing of Puldysa activities following the termination of the program announced in October 2020. Ongoing expenses relate to pre-commercialization activities for vamorolone and meeting ongoing obligations in relation to Raxone outlicensed to Chiesi Group.

General and administrative expenses remained largely unchanged with CHF 12.7 million and CHF 12.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Financial income and expenses

The net financial income of CHF 2.1 million (2020: expense of CHF 14.4 million) reflects effects of the exchange of the 17/22 convertible bond which were partially offset by the costs associated for financing.

Net result

The net result for the year ended December 31, 2021, was a loss of CHF 55.5 million, or CHF -1.62 per share, compared to a net loss of CHF 67.7 million or CHF -5.08 per share for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Cash flow and cash balance

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of CHF 21.2 million compared to CHF 12.4 million as of December 31, 2020.

Net cash used in operating activities was CHF 37.4 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2021, compared to CHF 43.5 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020.

Shareholders' equity

Total consolidated equity as of December 31, 2021, amounted to CHF 1.3 million compared to a net equity deficit of CHF 6.4 million as of December 31, 2020.

Recent financing activities and outlook

In order to provide Santhera with additional fundraising flexibility, the Company has issued and plans to issue additional treasury shares. During March, 2022, post period end, Santhera issued 18,600,000 additional treasury shares with a nominal value of CHF 1 each consisting 3,100,000 shares from authorized capital and 15,500,000 shares as an ordinary capital increase. As a result, Santhera's issued share capital currently amounts to CHF 73,725,702. This number includes 4,328 shares that have been issued from conditional capital which have not yet been updated in the commercial register. Santhera expects to hold 21,768,585 shares as treasury shares until market conditions permit for a favorable financing transaction. In addition, with the exception of the aforementioned 4,328 shares, Santhera updated its articles of association to reflect past share issuances out of the conditional capital for employee participation and out of the conditional capital for financings.

Concurrently with the ordinary capital increase and as decided by the EGM on December 15, 2021, Santhera's authorized capital has increased from CHF 24,203,905 to CHF 34,203,905 and its conditional capital for financing has increased from CHF 21,374,664 to CHF 31,374,664.

On June 2, 2022, the Company entered into an amendment to the timing of an upcoming milestone payment to partner ReveraGen, thereby reducing near-term financial obligations of the Company by CHF 20 million. The Company also upsized its existing financing arrangement with certain funds managed by Highbridge Capital Management, LLC ("Highbridge") which will provide up to CHF 40 million of additional financing. Santhera expects the combination of these events to extend its liquidity runway into 2023 or up to approval of vamorolone in the U.S. which, subject to priority review being granted, is expected in Q1-2023. The first tranche of CHF 20 million was drawn on June 3, 2022.

Funding outlook

Santhera has a significant amount of treasury shares from past EGM authorization which are available for future placement which may include existing shareholders' subscription rights, depending on market conditions. This, in combination with cash balances as of December 31, 2021, of CHF 21.2 million and recently increased facilities, provides flexibility to secure sufficient funding beyond FDA approval of vamorolone in DMD. In order to reach profitability with vamorolone in DMD, which is currently expected, at the earliest, during H2-2024, Santhera estimates that the Company will need to secure an additional CHF 40-50 million to fund its operations, including U.S. approval milestone payments and its debt service. Following the recent financing, this is around 50% less than the previously communicated funding need of about CHF 100 million.

In parallel, Santhera is evaluating a number of different options to secure additional financing for the Company which besides equity-based funding also includes a rights offering, debt financing, royalty financing, standby equity distribution agreement as well as the monetization of assets.

PIPELINE MILESTONES AND PROGRESS REVIEW

Throughout 2021 and into 2022, Santhera made progress on all fronts. Santhera realigned its organization, initiated the NDA submission with vamorolone in DMD to the U.S. FDA, further advanced its core pipeline projects and started expanding its U.S. operations in view of a near-term launch.

Lead pipeline candidate vamorolone on track for expected first market entry in early 2023

Vamorolone is under joint development by ReveraGen and Santhera for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients who require anti-inflammatory and muscle preserving treatment comparable to current standards of care but with an improved safety and tolerability profile to overcome side effects that often lead to premature treatment discontinuation in real world practice.

Furthermore, recent analyses comparing the long-term efficacy and safety of vamorolone to deflazacort and prednisone, the current standard of care, indicate that vamorolone has comparable efficacy but has a unique bone sparing profile that resulted in no stunting of growth as well as fewer and less severe spinal fractures. This data will shortly be presented at several medical and scientific congresses.

Following a successful pre-NDA meeting with the FDA, Santhera initiated a rolling NDA submission in the U.S. in March 2022 which the Company expects to complete by the end of June 2022. Commercial launch would start in the U.S., subject to approval which is expected in Q1-2023 at the earliest, followed by Europe where a marketing authorization application (MAA) submission is planned for Q3-2022.

Establishing market readiness and transitioning Santhera to the commercial stage

Following the restructuring in 2020, Santhera used 2021 to embark on the path forward with a focus on preparations for the transition to a commercial stage company. Over the coming months, the Company plans to expand its workforce in connection with the preparations for a potential launch of vamorolone in DMD in the U.S. and later in the largest European countries and to support our planned development of vamorolone in other indications and clinical development of lonodelestat.

Focused pipeline approach to maximize the potential of our development candidates

Although vamorolone is the main strategic focus, the Company also saw progress in the other pipeline assets. In 2021, Santhera continued the development of lonodelestat, its second clinical development candidate targeting pulmonary indications. In March 2021, Santhera announced promising clinical trial data from a Phase 1b trial of lonodelestat in cystic fibrosis (CF). Next stage Phase 2a trials in CF and an acute pulmonary indication are to start in H2-2022.

Post-period end, Santhera has signed strategic agreements in the rare disease space further exploiting the potential of its pipeline products. In January 2022, the Company entered into an exclusive license agreement with Sperogenix Therapeutics, a China-based company specializing in orphan diseases, for the Greater China area. Under this agreement, Sperogenix has in-licensed vamorolone for rare disease indications for a total consideration of up to USD 124 million and plans to initiate a regulatory filing for vamorolone for DMD in China upon US FDA approval which could lead to market entry in China as early as in 2024. In February 2022, Santhera signed a gene therapy agreement with SEAL Therapeutics which will further develop a gene therapy approach intended for the treatment of congenital muscular dystrophy in exchange for payments based on future proceeds of SEAL Therapeutics.

Additional details on the pipeline products and operational progress can be found in the Annual Report 2021.

Annual Report

The Santhera Annual Report 2021 is available for download on the Company's website at www.santhera.com/financial-reports.

Annual General Meeting 2022

Pursuant to Art. 27 para. 1 of the COVID-19 Ordinance 3, companies may provide that their shareholders exercise their rights solely by way of giving voting instructions to the independent proxy (unabhangiger Stimmrechtsvertreter). On this basis, the Company hereby mandates that all shareholders exercise their rights at the ordinary General Meeting of shareholders solely via the independent proxy. There is no possibility to attend the AGM in person.

The invitation which will be sent to registered shareholders can be downloaded from www.santhera.com/share-bondholder-meetings. Information on how to issue power of attorney and instructions to the independent proxy, electronically or in writing, can be found on page 11 of this invitation.

Conference Call

Santhera will host a conference call on June 10, 2022, at 14:30 CEST / 13:30 BST / 08:30 EDT. CEO Dario Eklund, CFO Andrew Smith and CMO Dr. Shabir Hasham will discuss the 2021 financial results and comment on ongoing corporate developments. Participants are invited to call one of the following numbers 10-15 minutes before the conference call startsfrom about two hours after the call has ended.

2021Full-year Financial Information

Santhera's 2021 Annual Report can be accessed at www.santhera.com/financial-reports.

Condensed consolidated income statement

(IFRS, in CHF thousands) 2021 2020 Net sales -4,963 11,252 Revenue from out-licensing transactions 1,126 1,597 Net sales to licensing partner 2,242 2,159 Revenue from contracts with customers -1,595 15,008 Cost of goods sold

(of which amortization intangible assets: 2021 -3,040 / 2020 -3,039) -3,767 -10,431 Other operating income 346 694 Development -29,715 -34,228 Marketing and sales -9,332 -11,474 General and administrative -12,725 -12,440 Operating expenses -51,872 -58,347 Operating result -56,888 -53,076 Financial result 2,171 -14,380 Income taxes -809 -203 Net result -55,526 -67,659 Basic and diluted net result per share (in CHF) 1.62 -5.08





Condensed consolidated balance sheet

(IFRS, in CHF thousands) 2021 2020 Cash and cash equivalents 21,208 12,411 Other current assets 3,433 5,312 Noncurrent assets 66,476 70,964 Total assets 91,117 88,687 Equity 1,328 -6,354 Noncurrent liabilities 57,007 65,972 Current liabilities 32,782 29,069 Total equity and liabilities 91,117 88,687





Condensed consolidated cash flow statement

(IFRS, in CHF thousands) 2021 2020 Cash flow from/(used in) operating activities -37,359 -43,510 Cash flow from/(used in) investing activities 69 1,563 Cash flow from/(used in) financing activities 46,022 23,150 Cash and cash equivalents at January 1 12,411 31,358 Cash and cash equivalents at December 31 21,208 12,411 Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 8,797 -18,947





Share capital

(number of shares with par value of CHF 1) 2021 2020 Shares issued 54,607,810 19,429,696 Treasury shares 5,019,879 1,580,063 Conditional capital for equity rights 5,425,677 687,052 Conditional capital for convertible rights 21,878,228 1,104,658 Authorized capital 27,303,905 2,080,709

Corporate calendar

June 30, 2022 Annual General Meeting

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.

For further information please contact:

public-relations@santhera.comor

Eva Kalias, Head Investor Relations and Communications

Phone: +41 79 875 27 80

eva.kalias@santhera.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
Changes in governance with the appointment of a new Chairman of the Board of Directors and a new Director

Regrouping of all French Advicenne's teams in the new Paris headquarters to optimize resources

Acceleration of the marketing of Sibnayal for the treatment of dRTA in several European territories

Continuation of clinical development

Regulatory News:

Advicenne (Euronext Growth Paris ALDVI FR0013296746) (Paris:ALDVI), a pharmaceutical company specializing in the development and commercialization of innovative treatments for those suffering from rare renal diseases, today provides an update on the evolution of its governance as well as on its activities after its Annual General Meeting, which was held on June 9, 2022.

Changes in the Company's governance

The Combined Shareholders' Meeting held in Paris on June 9, 2022, adopted all the resolutions proposed for voting relating to the approval of the parent company and consolidated financial statements, the granting of financial delegations to the Board of Directors, as well as delegations and authorizations for the granting of stock warrants, bonus shares, and stock subscription or purchase options. The results of the vote by resolution are available on the Company's website in the Investors Medias section (https://advicenne.com/investors/).

The Combined General Meeting also appointed Mr. Didier Laurens as a director and Mr. Andre Ulmann as a non-voting director, for a three-year term.

The Board of Directors meeting held after this Meeting appointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors Mr. Philippe Boucheron, who will continue to serve as Chairman of the Remuneration Committee. The Board also noted the change in the permanent representative of Bpifrance Investissement, in the person of Mr. Thibaut Roulon who will also be member of the Audit Committee chaired by Mrs. Catherine Dunand.

The Board of Directors of Advicenne is now composed of the following members:

Philippe Boucheron, Director, Chairman of the Board

Mr. Didier Laurens, director, Chief Executive Officer

Cemag Invest, represented by Catherine Dunand, Director

Bpifrance Investissement, represented by Mr. Thibaut Roulon, Director

Irdi Soridec Gestion, represented by Mr. Jean-Michel Petit, director

Mrs. Charlotte Sibley, independent director

Mrs. Hege Hellstrom, independent director

-Mr. Andre Ulmann, observer.

The Combined General Meeting was an opportunity to present the progress of the Company's various programs and strategy.

Finalization of the Company's reorganization

Since March 2022, the Company has been in its new headquarters in Paris, where all French teams will move by the end of June. The historical offices in Nimes will be closed, completing the reorganization begun last year. The new headquarters bring together all departments.

Advicenne now has a highly experienced and widely renewed management team to face the new challenges of the company, especially industrial and commercial, at a time when the company's business volume is growing.

Commercial development of licensed drugs

Advicenne markets several products in the field of neurology through distribution agreements. These products generated sales of approximately 2 million euros in 2021. The Company is pursuing the commercial development of these products and is exploring options that would allow it to increase, in particular, the value creation of Likozam, a formulation of clobazam in oral suspension.

In addition, the Company recalls that it has led the development of ADV6209 (Ozalin), which has had marketing authorization (MA) since 2018, for which the worldwide rights were transferred in 2016 to the Swiss laboratory Primex Pharmaceuticals AG; the product is distributed in the main European countries. Its commercial expansion should continue with the resumption post-Covid of scheduled surgical procedures in children as well as the upcoming opening of other European countries. Advicenne notes that the execution of the agreement is subject to the payment of royalties of a cumulative amount of 33 million euros by 2025, on top of the 7 million already received.

Continued commercial (Europe) and clinical development of Sibnayal

Following the granting of marketing authorization in Europe for Sibnayal, Advicenne is continuing its discussions with the health authorities with a view to setting the price and reimbursement conditions for the drug. The Company which has already signed several exclusive distribution partnerships covering Belgium, the Netherlands, Central and Eastern European countries and the Nordic countries, intends to make this treatment available in other European countries and other geographical areas soon.

Across the Atlantic, Advicenne is continuing its discussions with the FDA in order to optimize the clinical development of ADV7103 and is considering various partnership opportunities in order to give the product its full potential.

In addition, Advicenne is continuing to prepare clinical trials with a view to extending the indication of ADV7103 to cystinuria in both Europe and North America.

Didier Laurens, Chief Executive Officer of Advicenne, said: "Over the past few months, Advicenne has achieved several successes while shifting its center of gravity towards trade and controlling its expenses. We are now structured and fully dedicated to succeeding in market access and commercialization of our products. This is the case for Sibnayal, for which we have signed the first distribution partnerships in Europe, a trend that will intensify in the coming months, not only in the four major European markets (Germany, United Kingdom, France and Italy) but also outside the continent. The entire management team is aligned on a clear strategy: to maximize sales of these treatments in all European countries and beyond, and to ensure that ADV7103 has controlled clinical and regulatory development in North America. With four products already on the market, Advicenne is indeed an accomplished and quite unique biotech company."

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/.

Disclaimer

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements concerning Advicenne group and its business, including its prospects and product candidate development. Such forward-looking statements are based on assumptions that Advicenne considers to be reasonable. However, there can be no assurance that the estimates contained in such forward-looking statements will be verified, which estimates are subject to numerous risks including the risks set forth in the 2021 Universal Registration Document filed with the French financial market authority on April 29, 2022 (a copy of which is available on www.advicenne.com) and to the development of economic conditions, financial markets and the markets in which Advicenne operates. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks not yet known to Advicenne or not currently considered material by Advicenne. The occurrence of all or part of such risks could cause actual results, financial conditions, performance, or achievements of Advicenne to be materially different from such forward-looking statements. Advicenne expressly declines any obligation to update such forward-looking statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609006085/en/

Contacts:

Advicenne

Didier Laurens, CEO

+33 (0)1 87 44 40 17

Email: investors@advicenne.com



Consilium Strategic Communications

Mary-Jane Elliott, Ashley Tapp, Davide Salvi

+44 (0)20 3709 5700

Email: advicenne@consilium-comms.com

Ulysse Communication

Media relations

Bruno Arabian

+33 (0)6 87 88 47 26

Email: barabian@ulysse-communication.com
Positive results from Phase 1 study of GBT601, including incremental new data, support advancing into planned Phase 2/3 trial by mid-year



GBT to hold investor conference call and webcast today at 3:00 p.m. CEST (9:00 a.m. EDT) to highlight EHA data and provide business updates

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., June 10, 2022from June 9-12, 2022 in Vienna, Austria and online.

"At EHA2022 this week, we presented data from the first multicenter retrospective study of SCD patients treated with Oxbryta in a real-world setting, which demonstrated the positive clinical impact of Oxbryta - results that were consistent with the pivotal Phase 3 HOPE Study. In addition, our study in the U.K. of the impact of the improvement of anemia adds to the growing body of data that supports the need to maximize hemoglobin levels in sickle cell patients in order to help protect against end-organ damage," said Ted W. Love, M.D., president and chief executive officer of GBT. "As more clinicians gain experience with Oxbryta and we build on our recent regulatory approvals by the European Commission and in the Middle East, we're very pleased with our progress on making this transformative, first-in-class therapy available to more patients around the world."

Retrospective Analysis of Real-World Oxbryta Treatment

Data from the Retrospective Study to Evaluate Outcomes in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease Treated with Oxbryta (RETRO) (Poster # P1485), the first multicenter, retrospective study to examine the real-world effectiveness of Oxbryta, demonstrated an improvement in anemia and hemolysis as measured by an increase in Hb levels and decrease in markers of hemolysis - results consistent with the Phase 3 HOPE Study. A first-in-class, once-daily oral therapy, Oxbryta directly inhibits sickle hemoglobin polymerization, the root cause of the sickling and destruction of red blood cells in SCD. RETRO analyzed laboratory and clinical data from medical records of 216 patients treated at nine sites in the U.S., covering one year before and one year or more after initiation of Oxbryta treatment. In the study, Hb levels increased and were maintained over the 12-month treatment period and peak Hb levels increased from baseline by a mean of 1.4 g/dL. Markers of hemolysis improved, with mean indirect bilirubin and mean reticulocyte percentage decreasing over the 12-month treatment period. Oxbryta was well tolerated, with the majority of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) being mild to moderate. Overall safety data was consistent with the Phase 3 HOPE Study of SCD patients ages 12 years and older.

In a separate retrospective analysis (Poster P1488), researchers examined 12 years of data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink and the Hospital Episode Statistics databases in the U.K., which provided sufficient data to observe end-organ damage events in patients with SCD. The analysis found that an increase in Hb of 1 g/dL was associated with a statistically significant (p<0.001) reduction in the risk for leg ulcers, pulmonary hypertension, chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease, acute chest syndrome and stroke.

SCD Pipeline: GBT601 and Inclacumab Presentations

In the Phase 1 trial, six adult patients with SCD (HbSS genotype) were studied in a single-arm, intra-patient single-dose and multiple ascending dose (MAD) trial to evaluate the safety and tolerability of GBT601, a next-generation HbS polymerization inhibitor. The EHA2022 oral presentation (S268) will be held on June 12 at 11:30 a.m. CEST (5:30 a.m. EDT).

During the MAD portion of the trial, patients received a loading dose of 300 mg on day one and a 200 mg loading dose on day two, followed by a daily maintenance dose of 50 mg for five weeks (MAD-1). This was immediately followed by the second MAD phase, with patients receiving a loading dose of 500 mg on the first day and a 400 mg loading dose the next day, followed by a daily maintenance dose of 100 mg for three weeks (MAD-2).

In the MAD cohort at the end of treatment, a mean Hb occupancy of 32.6% was achieved, Hb increased by a mean of 2.3 g/dL, and there was an improvement in markers of hemolysis (reticulocytes, absolute reticulocytes, bilirubin and lactate dehydrogenase). In addition, improved red blood cell (RBC) health was reflected by ektacytometry results and peripheral blood smears. At the end of treatment, there was a mean decrease of 76.1% in the number of sickled RBCs (relative to pre-GBT601 dose measurements), and, following the 15-week washout period, the number returned near the pre-dose level. A similar trend was observed with Hb levels returning to near pre-dose levels following the washout period. There were no significant changes in the erythropoietin levels or other evidence of impaired oxygen delivery.

GBT601 demonstrated a favorable tolerability profile in both the SCD and the healthy volunteer portions of the trial. Overall, the majority of TEAEs were grade 1 or 2 and not related to GBT601. No TEAEs led to study discontinuation.

"We are encouraged by these Phase 1 data, which demonstrate that GBT601 has the potential to achieve greater hemoglobin occupancy levels and increases in hemoglobin while improving red blood cell health at lower doses than Oxbryta in patients with sickle cell disease," said Kim Smith-Whitley, M.D., executive vice president and head of research and development of GBT. "These results support the continued development of this potential best-in-class therapy for people living with this devastating, lifelong condition. Based on patient interest, we have restarted the Phase 1 trial to explore a 150 mg maintenance dose and will be starting the Phase 2 portion of our planned Phase 2/3 trial."

GBT's pivotal Phase 3 studies of inclacumab, the company's P-selectin inhibitor, will also be highlighted at EHA2022 (Poster P1486). Currently enrolling patients, the two pivotal Phase 3 THRIVE studies are evaluating the safety and efficacy of inclacumab in reducing vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) and readmissions due to VOCs. An additional THRIVE open-label expansion (OLE) study will examine the long-term safety of inclacumab in individuals with SCD.

Conference Call and Webcast Today at 3:00 p.m. CEST (9:00 a.m. EDT)

GBT will host a conference call for the investment community today, Friday, June 10, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. CEST (9:00 a.m. EDT) to discuss new data on its sickle cell programs presented at EHA2022, along with other business and R&D updates. This includes a presentation of preclinical and clinical data demonstrating Oxbryta's potential to limit the progression of early chronic kidney disease, which will be made by Santosh Saraf, M.D., assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Hematology/Oncology at the University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System.

To participate in the conference call, please dialin the Investors section. The archived webcast will be available for three months following the event.

About Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) affects more than 100,000 people in the United States,1 an estimated 52,000 people in Europe2 and millions of people throughout the world, particularly among those whose ancestors are from sub-Saharan Africa.3 It also affects people of Hispanic, South Asian, Southern European and Middle Eastern ancestry.4 SCD is a lifelong inherited rare blood disorder that impacts hemoglobin, a protein carried by red blood cells that delivers oxygen to tissues and organs throughout the body.4 Due to a genetic mutation, individuals with SCD form abnormal hemoglobin known as sickle hemoglobin. When sickle hemoglobin becomes deoxygenated, it polymerizes to form rods, which deforms the red blood cells into sickled - crescent-shaped, rigid - cells.4,5,6 The recurrent sickling process causes destruction of the red blood cells and hemolytic anemia (low hemoglobin due to red blood cell destruction) and blockages in capillaries and small blood vessels (vaso-occlusion), which impede the flow of blood and oxygen delivery throughout the body, commonly referred to as vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs). The diminished oxygen delivery to tissues and organs can lead to life-threatening complications, including stroke and irreversible organ damage.5,6,7,8 Complications of SCD begin in early childhood and can include neurocognitive impairment, acute chest syndrome, and silent and overt stroke, among other serious issues.9

About Oxbryta (voxelotor)

Oxbryta (voxelotor) is an oral, once-daily therapy for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Oxbryta works by increasing hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen. Since oxygenated sickle hemoglobin does not polymerize, Oxbryta inhibits sickle hemoglobin polymerization and the resultant sickling and destruction of red blood cells leading to hemolysis and hemolytic anemia, which are primary pathologies faced by every single person living with SCD. Through addressing hemolytic anemia and improving oxygen delivery throughout the body, GBT believes that Oxbryta has the potential to modify the course of SCD.



In November 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval for Oxbryta tablets for the treatment of SCD in adults and children 12 years of age and older, and in December 2021, the FDA expanded the approved use of Oxbryta for the treatment of SCD in patients 4 years of age and older in the United States.10 As a condition of accelerated approval for patients ages 4 and older in the United States, GBT will continue to study Oxbryta in the HOPE-KIDS 2 Study, a post-approval confirmatory study using transcranial Doppler (TCD) flow velocity to assess the ability of the therapy to decrease stroke risk in children 2 to 14 years of age.



In recognition of the critical need for new SCD treatments, the FDA granted Oxbryta Breakthrough Therapy, Fast Track, Orphan Drug, and Rare Pediatric Disease designations for the treatment of patients with SCD. Additionally, Oxbryta received the prestigious 2021 Prix Galien USA award for "Best Biotechnology Product" from The Galien Foundation.

Oxbryta has been granted Priority Medicines (PRIME) designation from the European Medicines Agency (EMA), Oxbryta was designated by the European Commission (EC) as an orphan medicinal product for the treatment of patients with SCD, and Oxbryta was granted Promising Innovative Medicine (PIM) designation in the United Kingdom from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). In February 2022, the European Commission (EC) granted Marketing Authorization for Oxbryta for the treatment of hemolytic anemia due to SCD in adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older as monotherapy or in combination with hydroxycarbamide (hydroxyurea). In addition, Oxbryta has been approved in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman for the treatment of SCD in adults and children 12 years of age and older.



Please click here for Important Safety Informationand full Prescribing Information, including Patient Informationfor Oxbryta in the U.S.

About GBT601

Discovered and designed by GBT's research and development team, GBT021601 (GBT601) has the same mechanism of action as Oxbryta (voxelotor), but with the potential for greater efficacy by achieving higher hemoglobin levels and occupancy at lower doses. GBT601 is being studied in a Phase 1 study assessing the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of GBT601 in patients with SCD ages 18 to 60 years. The Phase 2 portion of a Phase 2/3 study of GBT601 is expected to initiate in mid-2022. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted both orphan drug and rare pediatric disease designations for GBT601 for the treatment of SCD.

About Inclacumab

Inclacumab is a novel, fully human monoclonal antibody that selectively targets P-selectin, a protein that mediates cell adhesion and is clinically validated to reduce pain due to VOCs in people with SCD. Preclinical results suggest that inclacumab has the potential to be a best-in-class option for reducing VOCs in people with SCD, with the potential for quarterly, rather than monthly dosing. GBT has exclusive worldwide rights to inclacumab as part of the company's licensing agreement with Roche. The safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of inclacumab have been evaluated by Roche in more than 700 non-SCD patients. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted both orphan drug and rare pediatric disease designations for inclacumab for the treatment of SCD.

About Global Blood Therapeutics

Global Blood Therapeuticsand follow the company on Twitter @GBT_news.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements containing the words "will," "anticipates," "plans," "believes," "forecast," "estimates," "expects," and "intends," or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on GBT's current expectations and actual results could differ materially. Statements in this press release may include statements that are not historical facts and are considered forward-looking 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. GBT intends these forward-looking statements, including statements regarding GBT's priorities, commitment, dedication, focus, goals, mission, vision, and positioning; the safety, efficacy, and mechanism of action of Oxbryta, and other product characteristics; the commercialization, awareness, delivery, availability, use, and commercial and medical potential of Oxbryta; making Oxbryta available to more patients and related progress; presentation of data at EHA and their significance; the significance and use of real-world evidence; ongoing and planned studies, clinical trials and registries, and related protocols, activities, timing, and other expectations; impacting the treatment, care, and course of SCD and mitigating related complications; significance of study results of GBT601, including supporting its advancement; safety, efficacy, mechanism of action, advancement and potential of inclacumab, GBT601 and GBT's other drug candidates and its pipeline; and working on new targets and discovering, developing, and delivering treatments, to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act, and GBT makes this statement for purposes of complying with those safe harbor provisions. These forward-looking statements reflect GBT's current views about its plans, intentions, expectations, strategies, and prospects, which are based on the information currently available to the company and on assumptions the company has made. GBT can give no assurance that the plans, intentions, expectations, or strategies will be attained or achieved, and, furthermore, actual results may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements and will be affected by a variety of risks and factors that are beyond GBT's control, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the extent and duration of the impact on GBT's business, including commercialization activities, regulatory efforts, research and development, corporate development activities, and operating results, which will depend on future developments that are highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted, such as the ultimate duration of the pandemic, travel restrictions, quarantines, social distancing, and business closure requirements in the U.S. and in other countries, and the effectiveness of actions taken globally to contain and treat the disease; the risks that GBT is continuing to establish its commercialization capabilities and may not be able to successfully commercialize Oxbryta; risks associated with GBT's dependence on third parties for research, development, manufacture, distribution, and commercialization activities; government and third-party payer actions, including those relating to reimbursement and pricing; risks and uncertainties relating to competitive treatments and other changes that may limit demand for Oxbryta; the risks regulatory authorities may require additional studies or data to support continued commercialization of Oxbryta; the risks that drug-related adverse events may be observed during commercialization or clinical development; data and results may not meet regulatory requirements or otherwise be sufficient for further development, regulatory review, or approval; compliance with obligations under the Pharmakon loan; and the timing and progress of activities under GBT's collaboration, license and distribution agreements; along with those risks set forth in GBT's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, and in GBT's most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as discussions of potential risks, uncertainties, and other important factors in GBT's subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, GBT assumes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Sickle Cell Disease Research. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hemoglobinopathies/scdc-understanding-sickle-cell-disease.html (https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hemoglobinopathies/scdc-understanding-sickle-cell-disease.html). Accessed February 23, 2022. European Medicines Agency. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/orphan-designations/eu3182125 (https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/human/orphan-designations/eu3182125). Accessed February 23, 2022. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/sicklecell/data.html (https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/sicklecell/data.html). Accessed February 23, 2022. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website. Sickle Cell Disease. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/sickle-cell-disease (https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/sickle-cell-disease). Accessed February 23, 2022. Kato GJ, et al. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2018;4:18010. Rees DC, et al. Lancet. 2010;376(9757):2018-2031. Kato GJ, et al. J Clin Invest. 2017;127(3):750-760. Caboot JB, et al. Paediatr Respir Rev. 2014;15(1):17-23. Kanter J, et al. Blood Rev. 2013 Nov;27(6):279-87. Oxbryta (voxelotor) tablets and tablets for oral suspension prescribing information. South San Francisco, Calif. Global Blood Therapeutics, Inc.; December 2021.

Contact Information:

Steven Immergut

Courtney Roberts
10 June 2022

ANANDA DEVELOPMENTS PLC

AQSE: ANA

("Ananda" or "the Company")

UNAUDITED PRELIMINARY RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 JANUARY 2022

Ananda's ambition is to be a leading UK grower and provider of high quality, consistent, carbon zero medical cannabis for the UK and international markets.

As announced on 7 June 2022, certain warrants ("Warrants") exercisable into ordinary shares of 0.2p each in the Company ("Ordinary Shares") expire at 17.00 on 11 June 2022. Ananda is releasing these unaudited preliminary results so that holders of Warrants, who might otherwise be deemed to be in possession of price sensitive information in relation to the results, are able to exercise their Warrants ahead of their expiry. Further announcements about any Warrant exercises will be made as appropriate.

The information set out below has been extracted from the Company's draft report and accounts for the year ended 31 January 2022 and has not been audited. A further announcement will be released by the Company on completion of the audit, which is expected shortly, and any material changes between the financial information set out below and the audited financial information will be disclosed in that announcement.

ENQUIRIES:

ANANDA DEVELOPMENTS PLC

Chief Executive Officer

Melissa Sturgess

Investor Relations

Jeremy Sturgess-Smith +44 (0)7463 686 497

ir@anandadevelopments.com PETERHOUSE CAPITAL LIMITED

Corporate Finance

Mark Anwyl

Corporate Broking

Lucy Williams

Duncan Vasey +44 (0)20 7469 0930

"DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT

I am pleased to report on the Company's results for the year to 31 January 2022 and the recent developments in the Company.

Financial Review

The fiscal period ended 31 January 2022 was a significant year for the Company, the highlight of which was in May 2021 when a UK Government Home Office licence was granted to the Company's 50% owned subsidiary DJT Plants Limited ("DJT Plants") to grow medical cannabis for research purposes). The Schedule 1 licence was granted to undertake a strain stabilisation research programme, involving the self-crossing of 5 seeds of each of 13 strains of cannabis in order to create stabilised genetics which could then be trialled in DJT's commercial growing environment. The objective is to achieve a library of stabilised strains of medical cannabis which are efficacious in the treatment of a range of conditions including scleroderma, Parkinsons disease, anxiety, neuropathic pain and epilepsy. During the year Ananda facilitated the construction of 0.2Ha of multi chapelle growing structures and a research facility, including the security measures appropriate for a facility of its type and the licences under which it will operate.

Mainly due to DJT's construction costs, the Company made a loss for the 12-month period to 31 January 2022 of 970,343 (2021: 495,109), whilst the basic and diluted loss per share was 0.13p (2021: 0.11p). The Company's net assets were (288,016) at the period-end (2021: 831,037).

Further Update on DJT Plants

As stated above, the key event for DJT Plants in the last period was the receipt of its Home Office Licence to cultivate cannabis (>0.2% THC) for research purposes. Following on from receipt of this licence the DJT Plants team broke ground at its site, and commenced and completed construction of its 0.2Ha of multi-chapelle growing structures and accompanying indoor research facility. This construction project was completed in 7 months, an impressive feat in normal times but one made even more impressive given the lack of supply of many key materials due to the ongoing supply chain issues brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the start of the 2022-2023 fiscal year, focus at DJT Plants turned to recruiting an expanded operational team to run the strain stabilisation programme whilst ensuring the key disciplines of genetics, hands on growing experience and the ability to manage complex procedures and supply chains were properly covered. This has since been done, as detailed in the RNS dated 27 April 2022. Work has also progressed on both the actual submission to the Home Office for a commercial licence and planning for the larger footprint required for commercial cultivation.

Outlook

Over the past year the Company has focused its efforts on supporting the growth of its main investment, DJT Plants, through the provision of capital and operating funds as well as leadership and management skills. The Company has also progressed its proposed acquisition of the outstanding 50% of DJT Plants, conditional on the required Shareholder approvals and will bring further news on this to shareholders as soon as possible.

Peter Redmond retired from the Board in August 2021. We'd like to thank him again for his guidance and support to the company in its very early stages.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank shareholders for their continued support and patience as we work toward unlocking value in the months and years ahead. The Board views the future with much optimism. We are excited to be involved in the start of a new industry which can positively impact the lives of so many people. Our focused and diligent approach means we have a lean company focused on building measurable value. We will continue to keep shareholders updated with progress.

Melissa Sturgess

Chief Executive Officer

Statement of Comprehensive Income

31 Jan 2022 31 Jan 2021   Administrative expenses (970,038) (496,110) Interest receivable - 114 Loss from operations (970,038) (495,996) Other Comprehensive Income Foreign Exchange Translation Gain/(Loss) (305) 887 Total comprehensive loss for the year (970,343) (495,109)

Earnings per share Basic and diluted earnings per share (pence) (0.13p) (0.11p)

Statement of Financial Position

31 Jan 2022 31 Jan 2021   Non-Current assets Investments 2,252,192 1,280,618 2,252,192 1,280,618 Current assets Trade and other receivables 110,938 12,718 Total current assets 110,938 12,718 Current liabilities Trade and other payables 1,487,254 462,299 Net current liabilities (1,376,316) (449,581) Non-Current liabilities Convertible loan notes 587,860 - Total assets less current liabilities (288,016) 831,037 Capital and reserves Share capital 1,597,031 928,278 Share premium 876,347 689,229 Share options reserve 18,788 447,337 Retained earnings (2,204,150) (1,233,807) Total equity and liabilities (288,016) 831,037

Statement of Changes in Equity

Share Capital Share Premium Share Options Reserve Retained Earnings Total     As at 1 February 2021 928,278 689,229 447,337 (1,233,807) 831,037 Total comprehensive loss for the year - - - (970,343) (970,343) Proceeds from share issue 668,753 187,118 - - 855,871 Exercise of share options - - (439,976) - (439,976) Issue of share options - - 11,427 - 11,427 Balance at 31 January 2022 1,597,031 876,347 18,788 (2,204,150) (288,016)"

The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information. Upon the publication of this announcement via a Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.
Perth, Western Austalia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 10, 2022) - Winsome Resources (ASX:WR1) invites you to visit them at Booth #2141 at The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada Convention (PDAC) at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) on Monday June 13 to Wednesday June 15, 2022.

About Winsome Resources

Winsome Resources (ASX: WR1) is a Perth-based, lithium focused exploration and development company with five project areas in Quebec, Canada.Three of Winsome's projects - Cancet, Adina and Sirmac-Clappier are 100% owned by the Company. The Company has also recently expanded its lithium footprint in Quebec, with exclusive option agreements to acquire and explore 669 claims totaling 385m2 in Decelles and a further 259 claims totaling 149km2 at Mazerac, also in Decelles.The most advanced project - Cancet - provides a shallow, high grade lithium deposit and is strategically located close to established infrastructure and supply chains.Winsome is led by a highly qualified team with strong experience in lithium exploration and development as well as leading ASX listed companies.

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 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:

Winsome Resources

Chris Evans

+61412784587

administration@winsomeresources.com.au

www.winsomeresources.com.au
A further recognition of the Group's continued effort to gain greater control over the environmental impact of its terrestrial operations

All Eutelsat teleports in Italy certified to ISO 14001 in less than a year

Regulatory News:

Eutelsat Communications (Paris:ETL):

Eutelsat's teleport in Turin, Italy, has just been granted ISO 14001 certification, testifying to the Group's commitment to mitigating the environmental impact of its terrestrial operations predominantly conducted at its teleports. Issued by Bureau Veritas, a global leader in certification services, the ISO 14001 certification is the latest addition to a similar award secured by Eutelsat's teleport in Cagliari (Italy) in July.

ISO 14001 is an international standard which provides a framework for monitoring and improving the environmental performance of companies. It certifies an environmental management system (EMS) defined as a set of processes designed to incorporate environmental considerations into other management systems within an organisation. For an EMS to qualify under ISO 14001, the company must be able to monitor its performance, reduce its carbon footprint, build awareness among its employees, and comply with all applicable environmental regulations, while seeking continuous improvement through the use of indicators and controls that allow for meaningful changes to be made to the system.

Eutelsat's Chief Technical Officer Pascal Homsy stated: "The certification is a clear demonstration of the Group's strong commitment to improving its environmental performance. Corporate Social Responsibility is a key pillar of our corporate strategy. We are very proud that our Turin teleport leads the way in our corporate commitment to society by receiving this certification, reflecting the extensive work and dedication of all our teams across this operational site

About Eutelsat Communications

Founded in 1977, Eutelsat Communications is one of the world's leading satellite operators. With a global fleet of satellites and associated ground infrastructure, Eutelsat enables clients across Video, Data, Government, Fixed and Mobile Broadband markets to communicate effectively to their customers, irrespective of their location. Around 7,000 television channels operated by leading media groups are broadcast by Eutelsat to one billion viewers equipped for DTH reception or connected to terrestrial networks. Committed to promoting all facets of sustainable development across its business activities, Eutelsat leverages its in-orbit resources to help bridge the digital divide while maintaining a safe and uncluttered space environment. As an attractive and socially responsible employer, Eutelsat assembles 1,200 men and women from 50 countries who are dedicated to delivering the highest quality of service.

For more about Eutelsat go to www.eutelsat.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220610005133/en/

Contacts:

Media

Marie Sophie Ecuer

Tel.: +33 1 53 98 37 91

mecuer@eutelsat.com

Daphne Joseph-Gabriel

Tel.: +33 1 53 98 37 91

djosephgabriel@eutelsat.com

Investors

Cedric Pugni

Tel.: +33 1 53 98 31 54

cpugni@eutelsat.com

Alexandre Illouz

Tel.: +33 1 53 98 46 81

aillouz@eutelsat.com
LONDON, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In February 2022Judge Malcolm Simmons was appointed resident judge and Her Majesty's Coroner of the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands and the British Antarctic Territory. He is also Acting Supreme Court Judge. In addition to his judicial role, he sits as Chair of the Criminal Justice Committee and Chair of the Sentencing Guidelines Committee. Judge Simmons continues to advise on matters relating to justice reform.

Asked about his new role, Judge Simmons said "I am delighted to return to the bench and it is an honour to be appointed to serve the people of these Islands. This is a challenging role with a varied caseload including criminal, family, civil and probate. In addition, I am the coroner for a large geographical area."

The significance of the Falkland Islands to the UK is further demonstrated by the recent appointment of a senior Foreign Office diplomat to replace the outgoing Governor. Alison Blake CMG, former UK Ambassador in Kabul will become Governor in July.

Since 2017, Judge Malcolm Simmons has advised the senior judiciary of the Maldives. A Criminal Courts Bench Book drafted by Judge Malcolm Simmons is currently being rolled out by the Maldives judiciary. The bench book provides guidance for judges hearing complex criminal cases and include suggestions on how judges should facilitate giving evidence by victims of sexual and gender-based violence, vulnerable adults and children. The Bench Book will be available online to all judges and magistrates and will be regularly updated by a committee established by the Department of Judicial Administration.

Judge Malcolm Simmons recently conducted an assessment of the judicial training curriculum in the Maldives and has been instrumental in rolling out a new judicial performance evaluation policy. He has trained senior judiciary in legal reasoning and judgment writing, case management and sexual and gender-based violence. He has for several years run a training of trainer's program for judges and magistrates in the Maldives.

Judge Simmons is also coordinating a training program for court communication officers. He was recently asked to advise on the introduction of a digitalization program for courts.

In November last year, Judge Malcolm Simmons was again in the Maldives delivering a training program that was led by Judicial trainers Judge Simmons had previously trained as part of a 'Training of Trainers' program facilitated by the Maldives Judicial Academy and supported by the UNDP.



The training was delivered to 29 court presidents and senior judges and addressed sexual and gender-based violence, judicial ethics, case management, legal reasoning and judgment writing.



Judge Malcolm Simmons began the three-day training by describing the role of the judge. "The law that the courts are required to apply is becoming technically more complex. Social relations increasingly demand the intervention of justice. In our democratic and open societies, there are multiple and often conflicting rights and expectations that demand to be recognized and guaranteed. In addition, there are growing expectations of non-discrimination, equality, social equity and redistribution. Inevitably, Judges must administer justice within the constraints of limited resources." Simmons stated.

Judge Simmons went on to say "Knowledge of substantive law is no longer sufficient. In a rapidly evolving world where technologies, social context and law change with extreme regularity, judges must constantly improve and update their professional knowledge, skills and behaviour. Judicial education and training are essential to the development of an efficient, competent and independent judiciary."



Judge Simmons explained how the Bench Book will assist judges and magistrates in the Maldives criminal courts to interpret and apply the criminal procedural rules. The bench book provides explanations and examples for judges hearing complex criminal cases and includes, for example, suggestions on how judges should facilitate children and vulnerable adults and victims of sexual and gender-based violence when giving evidence; the process to be adopted when exercising judicial discretion; admissibility of evidence; legal reasoning and judgment writing. The Bench Book is the most comprehensive tool available to judges to assist them in the exercise of their judicial function. The Bench Book will be available online to all judges and magistrates and will be regularly updated by a committee established by the Department of Judicial Administration. Superior courts judges will be invited to contribute to the Bench Book that will contain decisions of Maldives appellate courts, practice directions, etc.



Judge Malcolm Simmons: "The bench can be a lonely place for judges. Judges are often required to make quick decisions in often complex situations. Judges sitting in small island communities do not often have the opportunity to meet regularly with judicial colleagues. The Bench Book will provide judges with an invaluable resource that will assist them in understanding and applying often complex legal provisions. The Bench Book is a 'living tool' that will evolve on a daily basis. It is critical that it is regularly updated."



The Criminal Courts Bench Book will be accompanied by a Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Bench Book and a Handbook for Judges on Legal Reasoning and Judgment Writing that have also been drafted by Judge Malcolm Simmons.

Judge Malcolm Simmons served as an international judge from 2004 to 2017 hearing war crime and serious and organised crime cases. He presided in some of the most complex war crime and serious organised crime cases in Bosnia & Herzegovina and Kosovo during their troubled post-war periods. He served as President of EU International Judges from 2014 to 2017. He is particularly well-known for his judicial reform work and has more that 20 years of experience training judges, prosecutors and lawyers. In addition to his work in the Maldives, Judge Malcolm Simmons has worked in judicial reform projects in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, Serbia and Pakistan.
New Workplace Experience Platform Connects Tenants, Occupiers, and Retailers Across 11 Buildings and More Than 25 Restaurants and Bars at the City's Premier Mixed-Use Estate



BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Brindleyplace has launched a UK-first app, Brindley Life, that's already helping tenants and employees get the most out of the city's premier mixed-use estate.

The highly innovative app - powered by Boston-based workplace experience platform HqO in a first for a UK mixed-use development - delivers an exciting range of exclusive content, retail offers and deals, all helping connect Brindleyplace's 30 commercial tenants, including Deloitte, Deutsche Bank, and the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, with their employees.

Since going live in April, the app has seen huge demand and has already been downloaded almost 1,000 times - meaning it has had almost 15% take up amongst all employees across the estate in just a few weeks.

Professional services firm Deloitte generated the most employee take up during the launch, with more than 100 of its Brindleyplace employees downloading the app in its first week of use. High employee engagement was also seen with recruiters Odgers Berndston, Unity Trust Bank, and office and meeting space provider Landmark.

It is the most successful launch yet of the HqO platform in the UK and recent employee events have underlined the early popularity of its app. It seamlessly merges building technology like security and access with wider community, leisure, and lifestyle uses.

It all adds up to a workplace experience platform that makes a positive difference to people's busy lives. HqO has also played a key role in supporting employees returning to the office post-pandemic and adds a further dimension to employee and tenant engagement.

The most popular downloads and content so far includes the estate's wellbeing programme, especially the regular yoga, massage and meditation sessions. There's also regular prize draws, freebies and details of local amenities, all promoted and made accessible directly through people's phones.

Brindleyplace expects even more opportunities for people to network and engage with the estate via the app in the future, and is now planning additional functionality around travel, facilities and event bookings, as well as click and collect retail and delivery options.

Matt Long, Head of Customer Engagement and Placemaking, Brindleyplace, said:

"Brindleyplace is constantly evolving to benefit all of the businesses and employees who work here. Our Brindley Life app has already been enthusiastically received by customers across the estate, and represents a natural progression in terms of delivering improved accessibility and convenience. The app allows people to enjoy everything we have to offer and to access it right from the palm of their hand.

"Listening to our clients and working with HqO has enabled us to adapt quickly to changing business and retail requirements, and we're looking forward to seeing how the Brindley Life app evolves over the coming months and years and becomes an even more essential part of employees' lives at Brindleyplace."

The HqO app also lets onsite retailers create exclusive offers and discounts, providing access to a captive audience. This includes deals available exclusively through the app and specifically for Brindley Life users at Brindleyplace. For example, an exclusive partnership with HqO partner Ritual, allows for order-ahead food options for tenants at their fingertips.

"Brindleyplace is widely regarded as one of the UK's finest mixed-use estates, and an example of canalside and city centre regeneration at its best. It has been rightly recognised for its leading role in Birmingham's business community and for attracting top quality employers to the city centre," said Samuel Warren, VP at HqO Europe.

"It's also a trailblazer when it comes to work-life balance and community, and we're honoured that Brindleyplace selected HqO as its tenant experience partner. Our platform is all about elevating the tenant experience and feedback indicates that people at Brindleyplace are already enjoying exactly that," Sam added.

For more information, contact Perry Buck on 07753 232752, or

email: perrybuck@core-marketing.co.uk

About Brindleyplace

Brindleyplace is Birmingham's premier estate for business and leisure, welcoming more than 8,500 workers and 4.5 million visitors every year. With easy access by road, tram, bike and on foot, the estate is the natural home for companies large and small and offers more than 1.1 million sq ft of commercial space across eleven individual buildings plus The Water's Edge canal side.

Landlord Hines is a privately owned global real estate investment firm founded in 1957 with a presence today in 255 cities across 27 countries. With extensive experience in investments across the risk spectrum and all property types, and a foundational commitment to ESG, Hines is one of the largest and most-respected real estate organisations in the world.

About HqO

HqO is transforming how people connect with each other and the places they work. The HqO Workplace Experience Platform makes it easy for companies and commercial property teams to create modern workplaces through world-class amenities and services that allow people to thrive and produce the best results.
MoneyTV with Donald Baillargeon television program, Copyright MMXXII, all rights reserved. MoneyTV does not provide an analysis of companies' financial positions and is not soliciting to purchase or sell securities of the companies, nor are we offering a recommendation of featured companies or their stocks. Information discussed herein has been provided by the companies and should be verified independently with the companies and a securities analyst. MoneyTV provides companies a 3 to 4 month corporate profile with multiple appearances for a cash fee of $6,950.00 to $11,995.00, does not accept company stock as payment for services, does not hold any positions, options or warrants in featured companies. The information herein is not an endorsement by Donald Baillargeon, the producer, publisher or parent company of MoneyTV.

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 "Single Cell Sequencing Market Research Report by Product (Consumables and Instruments), Application, End-User, 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 Single Cell Sequencing Market size was estimated at USD 2,301.59 million in 2021, USD 2,407.37 million in 2022, and is projected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.77% to reach USD 3,044.54 million by 2027.

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 Single Cell Sequencing 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.

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 Single Cell Sequencing Market?

2. What are the inhibiting factors and impact of COVID-19 shaping the Global Single Cell Sequencing Market during the forecast period?

3. Which are the products/segments/applications/areas to invest in over the forecast period in the Global Single Cell Sequencing Market?

4. What is the competitive strategic window for opportunities in the Global Single Cell Sequencing Market?

5. What are the technology trends and regulatory frameworks in the Global Single Cell Sequencing Market?

6. What is the market share of the leading vendors in the Global Single Cell Sequencing Market?

7. What modes and strategic moves are considered suitable for entering the Global Single Cell Sequencing Market?

Market Dynamics

Drivers

Growing government funding and public-private collaborations for research activities

Rising number of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies

Increasing prevalence of chronic and infectious diseases

Restraints

Increasing prevalence of chronic and infectious diseases

Opportunities

Ongoing demand for personalized or customized medicine

Rising potential of single-cell sequencing and stem cell research

Challenges

Difficulty in the measurement of single DNA molecule

Companies Mentioned

10x Genomics, Inc.

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Becton, Dickinson, and Company

BGI Genomics Co. Ltd.

Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc.

Danaher Corporation

DNA Electronics Ltd.

F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd

Fluidigm Corporation

Fluxion Biosciences

General Electric Company

Illumina, Inc.

Johnson Johnson

Lumacyte

Luminex Corporation

Menarini Silicon Biosystems

Merck Millipore

Mission Bio

NanoString Technologies, Inc.

Oxford Nanopore Technologies

PerkinElmer, Inc.

Promega Corporation

Qiagen N.V.

Sartorius AG

Takara Bio, Inc.

Tecan Group Ltd.

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

Zephyrus Biosciences Inc.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/nel4wa

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220610005163/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
H.I.G. Bayside Capital ("Bayside"), the special situations and distressed debt affiliate of H.I.G. Capital ("H.I.G."), a leading global alternative investment firm with over $49 billion of equity capital under management, is pleased to announce the promotion of Mathilde Malezieux to Managing Director.

Mathilde has over sixteen years of investment banking and distressed investment experience. She previously worked at Nomura where she focused on European senior and mezzanine debt investments.

Executive Managing Director John Bolduc commented, "Since joining the firm, Mathilde has helped to grow the firm's distressed debt portfolio in Europe, successfully completing a number of investments at all levels of the capital structure and in a broad range of industries. We are delighted to expand her role within Bayside."

Co-Heads of Bayside's European special situations debt activities, Duncan Priston and Andrew Scotland, added, "We congratulate Mathilde on her well-deserved promotion. She has been a significant contributor to Bayside's success in Europe."

About Bayside Capital

Bayside Capital is the special situations affiliate of H.I.G. Capital. Focused on middle market companies, Bayside invests across several segments of the primary and secondary debt capital markets with an emphasis on long term returns. With eight offices throughout the U.S. and Europe and over 500 investment professionals to draw upon, Bayside has the experience, resources, and flexibility required to provide capital solutions quickly, and the strategic and operational expertise to help support its investments. For more information, please refer to the Bayside website at www.bayside.com.

About H.I.G. Capital

H.I.G. is a leading global alternative assets investment firm with over $49 billion of equity capital under management.* Based in Miami, and with offices in New York, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Atlanta in the U.S., as well as international affiliate offices in London, Hamburg, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Bogota, H.I.G. specializes in providing both debt and equity capital to small and mid-sized companies, utilizing a flexible and operationally focused/value-added approach:

H.I.G.'s equity funds invest in management buyouts, recapitalizations and corporate carve-outs of both profitable as well as underperforming manufacturing and service businesses. H.I.G.'s debt funds invest in senior, unitranche and junior debt financing to companies across the size spectrum, both on a primary (direct origination) basis, as well as in the secondary markets. H.I.G. is also a leading CLO manager, through its WhiteHorse family of vehicles, and manages a publicly traded BDC, WhiteHorse Finance. H.I.G.'s real estate funds invest in value-added properties, which can benefit from improved asset management practices. H.I.G. Infrastructure focuses on making value-add and core plus investments in the infrastructure sector.

Since its founding in 1993, H.I.G. has invested in and managed more than 300 companies worldwide. The firm's current portfolio includes more than 100 companies with combined sales in excess of $30 billion. For more information, please refer to the H.I.G. website at www.higcapital.com.

Based on total capital commitments managed by H.I.G. Capital and affiliates.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609005905/en/

Contacts:

Duncan Priston

Co-Head of Bayside Europe

dpriston@bayside.com

Andrew Scotland

Co-Head of Bayside Europe

ascotland@bayside.com

John Bolduc

Executive Managing Director

jbolduc@higcapital.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 10, 2022) - Kodiak Copper Corp. (TSXV: KDK) (OTCQB: KDKCF) (FSE: 5DD1) (the "Company" or "Kodiak") today provides an update on its fully funded 2022 exploration program at its 100% owned MPD copper-gold porphyry project ("MPD") in Southern British Columbia.

Plans for 2022 include up to 25,000 metres of drilling as well as 3D IP surveying and soil geochemical sampling. Kodiak recommenced drilling at MPD in March and added a second drill rig shortly thereafter (see news release dated April 28, 2022). The program is progressing well. Highlights so far include:

New drilling in 2022 at the Gate Zone has intersected prospective, sulphide-bearing, porphyritic host rock between Gate and the historic Prime Zone to the north, and to 875 metres depth at the south end of the Gate Zone (see Figure 1) . Gate remains open in multiple directions and further drilling in 2022 will focus on extending it .

(see Figure 1) . Drilling is on schedule and the Company has completed 11 holes totalling 7,065 metres as of June 8. Both drill rigs are currently focused on extending the Gate Zone. Drills will be redeployed or additional drills added to other priority areas as the 2022 program progresses.

Both drill rigs are currently focused on extending the Gate Zone. Drills will be redeployed or additional drills added to other priority areas as the 2022 program progresses. Core samples are being shipped to ALS Canada Ltd. in North Vancouver, BC for preparation and final analysis. Assay results from the 2022 drilling will start being reported in late June .

. 2022 drilling will also test numerous other priority target areas, including a new one kilometre long "look-alike" 3D Induced Polarization (IP) response near Gate, and high-priority targets in the Prime, Man, Dillard and Axe areas which exhibit similar geophysical and geochemical signatures as the Gate Zone as well as shallow mineralization from historic drilling.

which exhibit similar geophysical and geochemical signatures as the Gate Zone as well as shallow mineralization from historic drilling. A new 3D IP geophysical survey is underway that will cover 7.5 square kilometres, extending southward from the Gate Zone to the Man and Dillard target areas (see Figure 2). Similarly, soil geochemical surveys will follow-up new kilometre-scale copper-gold anomalies discovered in 2021 (see news release February 3, 2022). 3D IP and soil geochemistry will be important complementary tools for drill targeting elsewhere at MPD.

Claudia Tornquist, President and CEO of Kodiak, said, "We are excited to already see potential to further expand the high-grade Gate Zone in just the first few months of the 2022 drill campaign. New and deeper 3D IP geophysical data will not only allow us to refine our drilling at Gate, but will also accelerate our targeting at the Man, Dillard and Axe areas which are slated for drilling this season and have the potential for new high-grade discoveries. We also anticipate that our systematic exploration will recognize completely new target areas at MPD . Kodiak is fully funded for the company's 2022 exploration program and our shareholders can expect a steady flow of results throughout the remainder of the year."





Figure 1: Conductivity drape from 3D IP survey at 300 m below surface at Gate Zone. Drilling to date shows excellent correlation of conductive trends to Gate at depth and a potential link between Gate and Prime (green ovals)



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3803/127164_801e6ef1b47869ab_002full.jpg

MPD is a large, 147 square kilometre land package located near several operating mines in the southern Quesnel Terrane, British Columbia's primary copper-gold producing belt. It is situated between the towns of Merritt and Princeton, with year-round accessibility and excellent infrastructure nearby. Following Kodiak's Gate Zone discovery in 2020 a 21,750 metre drill program in 2021 significantly expanded the known mineralization at the Gate Zone to one kilometre of strike length, 350 metres width and 850 metres depth. In addition, the Company's first two holes at the Dillard target intersected better copper-gold results than any historic results reported from the Dillard area.





Figure 2: 2021 and 2022 3D IP geophysical surveys with copper-in-soil geochemical trends as background. New geophysics and geochemical trends will assist with drilling in key target areas and have identified new target areas not yet drilled



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3803/127164_801e6ef1b47869ab_003full.jpg









Figure 3: 2022 Drilling at Gate and core logging at Kodiak's facility in Merritt, BC



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3803/127164_801e6ef1b47869ab_004abfull.jpg

Jeff Ward, P.Geo, Vice President Exploration and the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this release.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Kodiak Copper Corp.

Claudia Tornquist

President & CEO

For further information contact:

Nancy Curry, VP Corporate Development

ncurry@kodiakcoppercorp.com

+1 (604) 646-8362

About Kodiak Copper Corp.

Kodiak is focused on its 100% owned copper porphyry projects in Canada and the USA. The Company's most advanced asset is the MPD copper-gold porphyry project in the prolific Quesnel Trough in south-central British Columbia, Canada. MPD has all the hallmarks of a large, multi-centered porphyry system. Kodiak has made the Gate Zone discovery of high-grade mineralization within a wide mineralized envelope, and MPD hosts several other targets with similar discovery potential. Kodiak also holds the Mohave copper-molybdenum-silver porphyry project in Arizona, USA, near the world-class Bagdad mine. Kodiak's porphyry projects have both been historically drilled and present known mineral discoveries with the potential to hold large-scale deposits.

Kodiak's founder and Chairman is Chris Taylor who is well-known for his discovery success with Great Bear Resources. Kodiak is also part of Discovery Group led by John Robins, one of the most successful mining entrepreneurs in Canada.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statement (Safe Harbor Statement): This press release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "expect", "estimate", "objective", "may", "will", "project", "should", "predict", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. In particular, this press release contains forward looking statements concerning the Company's exploration plans. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward looking statements because the Company cannot give any assurance that they will prove correct. Since forward looking statements address future events and conditions, they involve inherent assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of assumptions, factors and risks. These assumptions and risks include, but are not limited to, assumptions and risks associated with conditions in the equity financing markets, and assumptions and risks regarding receipt of regulatory and shareholder approvals.

Management has provided the above summary of risks and assumptions related to forward looking statements in this press release in order to provide readers with a more comprehensive perspective on the Company's future operations. The Company's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive from them. These forward looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and, other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127164
Oslo,10 June2022: Yara International ASA will hold an Extraordinary General Meeting on Thursday 7 July at 16:30 CEST. The Board proposes that the Extraordinary General Meeting approves the internal reorganization to prepare for the contemplated IPO of Yara Clean Ammonia as announced on 4 May 2022. The meeting notice and the relevant demerger-merger documents are available on the company's website.



This Extraordinary General Meeting is held as a digital meeting only, where shareholders can attend online. There will be no physical attendance for shareholders.

An online guide is available on Yara's website Reports and presentations | Yara Internationaldescribing how shareholders can participate in the digital Extraordinary General Meeting. The complete notice of the Extraordinary General Meeting will be distributed to Yara's registered shareholders and is also available on Yara's website: Reports and presentations | Yara International.

Contact:

Silje Nygaard

Investor Relations

Mobile: +47 957 04 843

E-mail: silje.nygaard@yara.com





About Yara



Yara grows knowledge to responsibly feed the world and protect the planet. Supporting our vision of a world without hunger and a planet respected, we pursue a strategy of sustainable value growth, promoting climate-friendly crop nutrition and zero-emission energy solutions. Yara's ambition is focused on growing a nature positive food future that creates value for our customers, shareholders and society at large and delivers a more sustainable food value chain.

To achieve our ambition, we have taken the lead in developing digital farming tools for precision farming and work closely with partners throughout the food value chain to improve the efficiency and sustainability of food production. Through our focus on clean ammonia production, we aim to enable the hydrogen economy, driving a green transition of shipping, fertilizer production and other energy intensive industries.

Founded in 1905 to solve the emerging famine in Europe, Yara has established a unique position as the industry's only global crop nutrition company. We operate an integrated business model with around 17,000 employees and operations in over 60 countries, with a proven track record of strong returns. In 2021, Yara reported revenues of USD 16.6 billion.



www.yara.com



This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act

Attachment
Global growth momentum unbroken

Group EBT up by 91 percent compared to first quarter of 2021 , revenue up by 40 percent

compared to first quarter of 2021 revenue up by 40 percent Group revenue guidance for 2022 upgraded from EUR 680 million to around EUR 720 million and EBT guidance from EUR 54.5 million to around EUR 58 million

for 2022 from EUR 680 million to around EUR 720 million and EBT guidance from EUR 54.5 million to around EUR 58 million Sustained dynamic growth thanks to complex , long-term projects

thanks to , long-term projects Successful diversification continues: Insurance sector grows year on year by 67 percent, Industry & Others by 59 percent

Insurance sector grows year on year by 67 percent, Industry & Others by 59 percent GFT's UK operation contributed to global results with 18 percent of total revenue , a figure which grew by 50 percent compared to the first quarter of 2021.

operation contributed to global results with , a figure which grew by 50 percent compared to the first quarter of 2021. As of 31 March 2022 , GFT employed 255 full-time UK employees, an increase of 42 percent compared to 31 March 2021 .

LONDON, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital transformation has been a dominant topic across almost all industries for several years now - however this wave is still far from peaking. In 2025, global spending on digital transformation will be more than double the amount it was in 20201).

GFT Technologies SE (GFT) is exploiting this digitalisation wave and continuing its dynamic growth. After its record results in 2021, the global company achieved further strong growth in the first quarter of 2022: Group revenue rose by 40 percent and earnings before taxes (EBT) by as much as 91 percent.

Extensive and complex projects

This very positive development is being driven by consistently strong demand for extensive and complex digitalisation projects. The high level of new orders means strong growth is also expected for the rest of the financial year. The Group has therefore upgraded its revenue guidance for 2022 to around EUR 720 million (previously: EUR 680 million). This corresponds to revenue growth of around 27 percent compared to 2021. Pre-tax earnings for the full year are likely to reach around EUR 58 million at Group level (previously: EUR 54.5 million), corresponding to expected year-on-year growth of around 45 percent. The Group expects adjusted EBITDA to grow to around EUR 79 million, around 22 percent more than in 2021. The war in Ukraine has had no negative impact on GFT's business so far.

"We see particularly strong growth in the Americas region and in Asia. Our clients there are pioneers in the use of cutting-edge technologies," explains Jochen Ruetz, CFO of GFT. "There are also numerous European companies planning to launch major projects over the coming years in order to leverage these innovative technologies."

Carlton Hopper, Managing Director of GFT in the UK added "Our excellent Q1 results demonstrate we have the right strategy for growth. I am privileged to work with an outstanding team delivering great outcomes for our UK clients, as we continue to offer our expertise in sustainable digital systems to sectors including insurance and retail banking. Digital transformation continues to evolve and we're glad to be a key contributor in the evolutionary journey for our clients."

1) https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS4837232 1

Further information here on the GFT website.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/742447/GFT_Logo.jpg
Mondi plc

Incorporated in England and Wales

Registered number: 6209386

LEI: 213800LOZA69QFDC9N34

LSE share code: MNDI ISIN: GB00B1CRLC47

JSE share code: MNP

10 June 2022

Regulatory Report on Payments to Governments in respect of Logging Industries for the Year 2021

This report of payments to governments is made by Mondi plc and its subsidiary undertakings ('Mondi') for the year ended 31 December 2021 as required by companies in the extractive and logging industries of their payments to governments in countries in which they operate.

The report is prepared in compliance with the UK's Report on Payments to Governments Regulations 2014 (as amended in December 2015) (the 'Regulation') and in accordance with DTR 4.3A of the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the UK Financial Conduct Authority.

To read details of Mondi's payments to governments go to www.mondigroup.com/en/governance/regulatory-reports

Basis of preparation

The application of the Regulation for Mondi relates to our logging activities and specifically to the disclosure of payments to governments relating to the logging of primary forests.

We have used the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations definition of 'primary forest' being:

'Naturally regenerated forest of native tree species, where there are no clearly visible indications of human activities and the ecological processes are not significantly disturbed'.

Also, for the purposes of this report, the original 'IFL 2000' (Greenpeace, World Resources Institute (WRI) and Transparent World) inventory of intact forests has been used as the base for reporting on the harvesting of primary forests in the Komi Republic, Russia ('Komi').

Only a portion of our Syktyvkar logging operations in Komi fall within the above definition of primary forests. Our operations in South Africa comprise plantation forests that are not associated with any primary forests and therefore are excluded from the report.

Our logging operations in Komi do not result in deforestation. In terms of the Russian Forestry Code and Mondi's sustainable development policies all logged areas are regenerated, either naturally or via planting where required, including tending and protection of the young forest stands for the next sustainable forest cycle. During logging operations protected areas, High Conservation Value (HCV) areas and sensitive biotopes, comprising approximately 1/4 of the area, are set aside for conservation.

Exchange rate

Payments made in currencies other than the euro (Mondi Group's reporting currency) are translated for this report using the average exchange rate during the financial year to which it relates.

Further information

For further information regarding the Mondi Group's approach to sustainably managing our forests, please refer to our Sustainable development report 2021 which can be found at www.mondigroup.com/sd21 and our sustainable forestry policy, one of our issue specific SD policies at www.mondigroup.com/en/sustainability/approach/governance-of-sustainability

Report

Government Report Country Production entitlement Taxes Royalties Dividends Bonuses Licence fees, etc Infrastructure improvements Total Russia Nil -101,349 Nil Nil Nil 531,782 Nil 430,433 Projects Report Entity Production entitlement Taxes Royalties Dividends Bonuses Licence fees, etc Infrastructure improvements Total JSC Mondi Syktyvkar Nil -101,349 Nil Nil Nil 531,782 Nil 430,433

The report has been submitted to the National Storage Mechanism and will shortly be available for inspection at: https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism.

Contact:

Mondi Group

Kerry Cooper

Group Head of External Communications

+44 1932 826323

About Mondi

Mondi is a global leader in packaging and paper, contributing to a better world by making innovative packaging and paper solutions that are sustainable by design. Our business is integrated across the value chain - from managing forests and producing pulp, paper and films, to developing and manufacturing effective industrial and consumer packaging solutions. Sustainability is at the centre of our strategy and intrinsic in the way we do business. We lead the industry with our customer-centric approach, EcoSolutions, where we ask the right questions to find the most sustainable solution. In 2021, Mondi had revenues of 7.7 billion and underlying EBITDA of 1.5 billion.

Mondi has a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange (MNDI), and a secondary listing on the JSE Limited (MNP). Mondi is a FTSE 100 constituent, and has been included in the FTSE4Good Index Series since 2008 and the FTSE/JSE Responsible Investment Index Series since 2007.

Sponsor in South Africa: Merrill Lynch South Africa Proprietary Limited t/a BofA Securities.
Upcoming widespread blackouts "national disgrace" for U.S.: report

Xinhua) 08:48, June 10, 2022

NEW YORK, June 9 (Xinhua) -- The United States won't have enough power to get through the summer heat wave, leaving its people at risk of widespread power outages, particularly across the Midwest region, stretching from Minnesota to Louisiana, which has enjoyed stable electricity for decades, said The Washington Post on Tuesday.

"This is a national disgrace. Access to cheap, abundant energy is a hallmark of a free society," said the Opinion article authored by Marc A. Thiessen, a Post columnist on foreign and domestic policy. The Joe Biden administration will "almost certainly blame summer blackouts on climate change," it noted.

A "major reason" for the coming shortages is early shuttering of fossil-fuel plants, particularly coal, that are needed to meet increased summer electricity demand, said the report, citing the war on fossil fuels waged by the U.S. federal government.

"Some of the coal plants that regulators assumed would keep running for another year or two are instead coming offline" because "plant operators are choosing to shut down rather than invest in upgrades for coal plants," it said.

"When you announce that you intend to drive an industry out of existence, people do not invest in it. And when you try to end fossil fuels before a renewable-energy infrastructure exists to replace it, the result is shortages and blackouts," it added.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu)
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) - Thursday, Vice President Kamala Harris announced the U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030, or PACC 2030). PACC 2030 is the Biden Administration's new initiative involving fresh commitments to - and integration of - climate adaptation and resilience and clean energy programs across the Caribbean region. PACC 2030 will serve as the U.S. government's primary mechanism for regional climate adaptation and resilience and energy cooperation through 2030, as it works toward meeting the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The United States will partner with Caribbean nations and regional institutions to promote stable access to clean energy resources and resilient energy infrastructure. This includes enhancing the resilience of the region's energy systems to both natural and manmade shocks, from hurricanes to oil price spikes. PACC 2030 will work to expand existing access to project financing and unlock new financing mechanisms to support climate and clean energy infrastructure development in the region. Key actions under this pillar will include increasing U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) financing for climate and clean energy projects in underserved Caribbean countries, as well as collaborating with multilateral development banks (MDBs) and multilateral climate and environmental trust funds to improve the policy environment and unlock access to additional infrastructure financing, for the Caribbean. The State Department's Bureau of Energy Resources will collaborate with the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency to lead the new PACC 2030 Investment Facilitation Team. The United States will work with Caribbean partners to address region-specific needs for early warning, disaster risk reduction, and climate adaptation, and to provide access to global climate data, tools, and information. 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.


BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - An international nuclear fusion energy project is in the process to replicate Sun's enormous energy on Earth as a solution to meet the ever-increasing energy needs of the world.



Scientists at the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor or ITER in France, a project led by seven main countries, have been working for the past few decades to recreate and sustain nuclear fusion energy that would be equal to the energy inside the Sun's core.



In a major breakthrough, UK scientists recently generated 59 megajoules of fusion energy for five seconds in a giant donut-shaped machine called a tokamak.



Fusion, which occurs naturally inside the sun, is the process that powers the Sun and the stars. Hydrogen atoms combine under extreme heat and pressure to generate helium atoms. This causes more energy to be released, allowing the process to continue. The sun, made up of a giant burning ball of plasma, the fourth state of matter, fuses an unending amount of hydrogen into helium each second.



Fusion will release limitless forms of clean energy that won't emit any greenhouse gases like fossil fuels, and won't produce long-life radioactive waste like the nuclear fission power that is used at present. Utilizing fusion energy would help the world to give up dependence on fossil fuels, which results in a human-made climate crisis.



As per reports, one gram of fuel as input can create the equivalent of eight tons of oil in fusion power, with a yield of eight million to one.



Trials have started early in the 19th century to build machines to replicate the sun and find fusion energy. Though scientists and engineers around the world have managed to recreate huge energy through nuclear fusion reactions over the decades, they failed to sustain it.



In 1968, Soviet Union researchers had created a tokamak, a machine to replicate the fusion process in which two particles that repel by nature would be forced together to create fusion energy. The scientists were able to achieve the high temperatures required and contain the plasma for a sustained period for the first time.



Later, ITER, the world's largest experimental fusion facility, was formed with the main objective to utilize fusion energy commercially by sustaining it for a longer period. It is designed to demonstrate the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion power.



Since ITER's conception in 1985, thirty-five countries are collaborating on the project, which is run by seven main members. These include China, the United States, the European Union, Russia, India, Japan, and South Korea.



Europe is contributing almost half of the costs of ITER's construction, while the other six members of the joint international venture are contributing equally to the rest. The ITER Project is under construction in Saint-Paul-lez-Durance, in the south of France.



Around 4,500 companies with 15,000 employees from all over the globe have been participating in the construction process of the ITER Tokamak, which is the most complex machine ever being built.



At the huge construction site in the southern French region of Provence, ITER's fusion energy experiments will take place inside the vacuum vessel of the tokamak, a donut-shaped machine.



According to ITER, its vacuum vessel, with an interior volume of 1,400 m, is unique. The volume of plasma it can contain is fully ten times larger than that of the largest operating tokamak in the world at present. The ITER vacuum vessel will measure 19.4 meters across the outer diameter, 11.4 meters high, and weigh approximately 5,200 tonnes. The vacuum vessel will weigh 8,500 tonnes with the installation of in-vessel components such as the blanket and the diverter.



Meanwhile, in February, UK scientists in the English village of Culham, near Oxford, reached a historic moment. The UK tokamak called the Joint European Torus, or JET generated and sustained 59 megajoules of fusion energy for five seconds.



The work is progressing at ITER, where a major machine assembly milestone was reached on May 11. The first of the nine modules required for the tokamak's torus-shaped vacuum vessel was positioned with sub-millimetric precision on its supports. The first sub-section of the ITER plasma chamber was successfully lifted out of tooling and lowered into the machine well.







Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
10 June 2022

Clean Invest Africa plc

("Clean Invest Africa", the "Company" or the "Group")

Notice of AGM

The Company's Annual General Meeting ("AGM") will be held at 10.30am on 4 July 2022 at Peterhouse Capital Limited, 3rd Floor, 80 Cheapside, London, EC2V 6EE. The Board encourages all shareholders to vote on the resolutions to be proposed at the AGM. Instructions for voting by proxy are set out in the notes at the end of the Notice of AGM and on the proxy card sent to shareholders.

Any shareholders who have questions they would like answered in advance of the meeting can send them to enquiry@coaltechenergy.com and they will be responded to promptly.

Shareholders can return their proxy forms by post, or by email to info@nevilleregistrars.co.uk (please include "Clean Invest Africa" and your full name in the subject line of the email) to arrive not later than two business days before the time appointed for holding the AGM.

The Notice of AGM is reproduced in full below. It will be dispatched, along with Forms of Proxy, to shareholders later today and will also be available on the website at www.cleaninvestafrica.com.

Shareholders should note that the audited accounts to 31 December 2021 have not yet been finalised and will therefore not be tabled at the AGM. A further AGM will be notified to shareholders promptly after the finalisation of the audited accounts. The Company expects to have the audited accounts ready by 30 June 2022, and these will be published accordingly.

The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the contents of this announcement.

- ENDS -

Certain information contained in this announcement would have been deemed inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 until the release of this announcement.

ENQUIRIES :

Clean Invest Africa plc

Filippo Fantechi (Executive Director) +973 3969 6273

Shaikh Mohamed Abdulla Khalifa AlKhalifa (Non-Executive Chairman) +973 3969 2299

Peterhouse Capital Limited

Corporate Adviser +44 20 7469 0930 Guy Miller/Mark Anwyl

References to time in this document and the Notice of Annual General Meeting are to British Summer Time.

LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF CLEAN INVEST AFRICA PLC

10 June 2022

To Shareholders and, for information only, to Warrant Holders

Notice of Annual General Meeting

Dear Shareholder,

Introduction

I am pleased to enclose the formal notice ("Notice") of the Annual General Meeting ('AGM') of the Company. The AGM will be held at the offices of Peterhouse Capital Limited, 3rd Floor, 80 Cheapside, London, EC2V 6EE at 10:30 a.m. on Monday4 July 2022.

Voting and asking questions

The Company will include all valid proxy votes (whether submitted electronically or in hard copy form) in its polls at the AGM and the Chairman of the meeting will call for a poll on each resolution. Shareholders are strongly encouraged to appoint the Chairman of the meeting as their proxy. The Company accordingly requests that shareholders submit their proxy votes in respect of the resolutions as set out in this Notice as early as possible, electronically or by post in advance, in accordance with the instructions set out in this Notice.

However, any shareholders who have questions they would like answered in advance of the meeting can send them to enquiry@coaltechenergy.com and they will be responded to promptly.

The resolutions are explained below, and are set out in the Notice of Annual General Meeting at the end of this document.

Annual GeneralMeeting

Ordinary business at the AGM

Resolution 1: Re-appointment of Director

The Board recommends the re-appointment of Paul Ryan in accordance with the Company's Articles of Association ("Articles") and, being eligible, he offers himself for re-appointment as a director.

Resolution 2: Re-appointment of Director

The Board recommends the re-appointment of Noel Lyons in accordance with the Company's Articles of Association ("Articles") and, being eligible, he offers himself for re- appointment as a director.

Resolution 3: Re-appointment of Director

The Board recommends the re-appointment of Filippo Fantechi in accordance with the Company's Articles of Association ("Articles") and, being eligible, he offers himself for re- appointment as a director.

Resolution 4: Re-appointment of Director

The Board recommends the re-appointment of Shaikh Mohamed Abdulla Khalifa AlKhalifa in accordance with the Company's Articles of Association ("Articles") and, being eligible, he offers himself for re- appointment as a director.

Resolution 5: Auditors' reappointment and remuneration

This resolution relating to the auditors' re-appointment and remuneration constitutes usual business for the AGM.

Special business at the AGM

Resolution 6: 2022/2023 Incentive Scheme

This resolution subject to annual general meeting approval, whereby the Company proposes a renewed Incentive Scheme for the Company, and in particular through the potential award of Director and management warrants for 2022/2023 and beyond to incentivise Directors and management to achieve significant progress with the business. These management warrants are proposed to be 125m warrants in total, comprising 25m each for each of the Directors and 25m for management, and at an exercise price of 0.25p and each with a further 2 follow on warrants should the warrants be exercised in full, equivalent of two warrants for every one warrant exercised which will be granted upon such exercise for a further 5 year period and with an exercise price of 0.4 pence per share.

Resolution 7: Section 551 authority

This is an ordinary resolution authorising the Directors to allot relevant securities (including warrant shares and option shares in addition to those to be allotted under Resolution 6 above) up to an aggregate nominal amount of 10,000,000. Such authority, unless previously revoked or varied by the Company in a General Meeting, will expire at the commencement of the Company's next Annual General Meeting or 3 July 2023, whichever is the earlier.

Resolution 8: Section 570 authority and dis-application of Section 561(1)

This is a special resolution authorising the Directors to issue equity securities (including warrant shares and option shares) wholly for cash on a non-pre-emptive basis pursuant to the authority conferred by resolution number 7 above. This will allow the Board to allot shares without recourse to the Company's shareholders so that it can move quickly from time to time as it deems appropriate. Such authority, unless previously revoked or varied by the Company in a General Meeting, will expire at the commencement of the next Annual General Meeting or 3 July 2023, whichever is the earlier.

Action to be taken

Shareholders will find a form of proxy enclosed for use at the AGM. To be valid, forms of proxy must be received by the Company's Registrars, Neville Registrars Limited, Neville House, Steelpark Road, Halesowen B62 8HD, not later than two business days before the time appointed for holding the Annual General Meeting.

Shareholders can return their proxy forms by email to info@nevilleregistrars.co.uk (please include "Clean Invest Africa" and your full name in the subject line of the email). You are entitled to appoint a proxy to vote instead of you. Your attention is drawn to the notes to the forms of proxy.

Form of Proxy

A Form of Proxy for use at the AGM is enclosed. Please complete and sign the Form of Proxy and return it to the Company's Registrars at the address set out above, so as to arrive no later than 48 hours (excluding non-business days) before the time fixed for the AGM (being 10:30 a.m. on 30 June 2022).

Board Recommendation

The Board considers that each of the Resolutions to be proposed at the AGM are in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders as a whole and it unanimously recommends that shareholders vote in favour of each of them as the Board intend to do so in respect of the Ordinary Shares held by them.

Shareholders should note that the audited accounts to 31 December 2021 have not yet been finalised and will therefore not be tabled at the AGM. A further AGM will be notified to shareholders promptly after the finalisation of the audited accounts. The Company expects to have the audited accounts ready by 30 June 2022, and these will be published accordingly.

Yours faithfully

Shaikh Mohamed Abdulla Khalifa AlKhalifa Non-Executive Chairman

CLEAN INVEST AFRICA PLC

Incorporated in England and Wales as a public limited company under number 10967142

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual General Meeting (the "AGM") of the members of Clean Invest Africa plc ("the Company") will be held at the offices of Peterhouse Capital Limited, 3rd Floor, 80 Cheapside, London, EC2V 6EE at 10:30 a.m. on 4 July 2022.

The resolutions are set out below:

Ordinary Business

To consider and, if thought fit, to pass the following resolutions which shall be proposed as ordinary resolutions:

1. To re-appoint Paul Ryan, as a Director of the Company, in accordance with the Company's Articles of Association ("Articles") and, being eligible, offers himself for re- appointment as a director.

2. To re-appoint Noel Lyons, as a Director of the Company, in accordance with the Company's Articles of Association ("Articles") and, being eligible, offers himself for re- appointment as a director.

3. To re-appoint Filippo Fantechi, as a Director of the Company, in accordance with the Company's Articles of Association ("Articles") and, being eligible, offers himself for re- appointment as a director.

4. To re-appoint Shaikh Mohamed Abdulla Khalifa AlKhalifa, as a Director of the Company, in accordance with the Company's Articles of Association ("Articles") and, being eligible, offers himself for re- appointment as a director.

5. To re-appoint PKF Littlejohn LLP as auditors of the Company, to hold office until the commencement of the Company's next Annual General Meeting and to authorise the Directors to determine their remuneration.

Special business at the AGM

To consider and, if thought fit, to pass the following resolutions, of which resolution 6 and 7 will be proposed as Ordinary Resolutions and resolution 8 will be proposed as a Special Resolution:

6. To ratify the proposed new 2022/23 Incentive Scheme for the Company, and in particular the award of 125m management warrants comprising 25m each for each of the Directors and 25m for management, and at an exercise price of 0.25p and the granting of the associated warrants.

7. THAT, the Directors be and are hereby generally and unconditionally authorised for the purposes of Section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 (the "Act") to exercise all the powers of the Company to allot equity securities (as defined in Section 560 of the Act) up to an aggregate nominal amount of 10,000,000 to such persons and at such times and conditions as the Directors think proper, provided that such authority, unless previously revoked or varied by the Company in a General Meeting, shall expire at the commencement of the Annual General Meeting next held after the passing of this resolution or 3 July 2023 (whichever is the earlier to occur) save that the Company may pursuant to the authority make an offer or agreement or other arrangement before the expiry of the authority which would or might require relevant securities to be allotted after such expiry, and the Directors may allot relevant securities in pursuance of such an offer or agreement or other arrangement as if the power conferred hereby had not expired. This authority is in substitution for all previous authorities conferred upon the Directors pursuant to Section 551 of the Act, but without prejudice to the allotment of any relevant securities already made or to be made pursuant to such authorities.

8. THAT (subject to and conditional upon the passing of Resolution 7 above), the Directors be and are hereby empowered pursuant to Section 570 of the Act to allot equity securities (within the meaning of Section 560 of the Act) wholly for cash pursuant to the general authority conferred by Resolution 7 as if Section 561(1) of the Act did not apply to any such allotment, provided that this power shall be limited to allotments of equity securities:

(i) in connection with or pursuant to an offer by way of rights, open offer or other pre- emptive offer to the holders of shares in the Company and other persons entitled to participate therein in proportion (as nearly as practicable) to their respective holdings, subject to such exclusions or other arrangements as the Directors may consider necessary or expedient to deal with fractional entitlements or legal or practical problems under the laws of any territory or the regulations or requirements of any regulatory authority or any stock exchange in any territory; and

(ii) otherwise than pursuant to sub-paragraph (i) above, up to an aggregate nominal amount of 10,000,000;

(iii) and such power, unless previously revoked or varied by the Company at a General Meeting, shall expire at the commencement of the Annual General Meeting next held after the passing of this resolution or 3 July 2023 (whichever is the earlier to occur) but so that the Company may before such expiry make an offer or agreement or other arrangement which would or might require equity securities to be allotted or treasury shares to be sold after such expiry, and the Directors may allot equity securities or sell treasury shares in pursuance of any such offer or agreement or other arrangement as if the power conferred by this resolution had not expired. The power hereby conferred shall operate in substitution for and to the exclusion of any previous power given to the Directors pursuant to Section 570 of the Act.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD

MSP Corporate Services Limited

Company Secretary

10 June 2022

Registered Office: 27-28 Eastcastle Street, London, W1W 8DH

NOTES:

1. A member is entitled to attend, speak and vote at the AGM and is entitled to appoint a proxy to vote on his/her behalf. A proxy need not be a member of the Company.

2. Forms of proxy, together with any power of attorney or other authority under which it is executed or a notarially certified copy thereof, must be completed and, to be valid, must reach the Company's Registrars at Neville Registrars Limited, Neville House, Steelpark Road, Halesowen B62 8HD not less than 48 hours (excluding non-business days) before the time appointed for the holding of the meeting.

3. If the appointer is a corporation, the form of proxy must be under its common seal or under the hand of an officer or attorney duly authorised.

4. In the case of joint holders, the vote of the senior who tenders a vote, whether in person or by proxy, will be accepted to the exclusion of the vote of the other registered holder(s) and for this purpose seniority shall be determined by the order in which the names stand in the register of members.

5. Pursuant to Regulation 41 of the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/3755) Reg. 41(1) and (2) and paragraph 18 (c) The Companies Act 2006 (Consequential Amendments) (Uncertificated Securities) Order 2009, only those shareholders on the Register of Members at 48 hours (excluding non-business days) before the time appointed for the holding of the meeting shall be entitled to vote in respect of the number of shares registered in their names at that time. If the meeting is adjourned by more than 48 hours,

then to be so entitled, a shareholder must be entered on the Company's Register of Members at the time which is 48 hours (excluding non-business days) before the time appointed for holding the adjourned meeting or, if the Company gives notice of the adjourned meeting, at the time specified in that notice.

6. To appoint more than one proxy, you may photocopy the form of proxy. Please indicate the proxy holder's name and the number of shares in relation to which they are authorised to act as your proxy (which in aggregate shall not exceed the number of shares held by you). Please also indicate if the proxy is part of a multiple set of instructions being given. All forms must be signed and should be returned together in the same envelope. A failure to specify the number of shares each proxy appointment relates to or specifying a number in excess of those held by you, may result in the appointment being invalid. If you do not have a proxy form and believe that you should have one, or if you require additional forms, please contact the Company's registrar.

7. As at the close of business on 9 June 2022, the Company's issued share capital comprised 1,753,103,402 ordinary shares of 0.25p each. Each ordinary share carries the right to one vote at a general meeting of the Company, and therefore the total number of voting rights in the Company as at the time and date given above is 1,753,103,402.
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 10, 2022 / HIRE Technologies Inc. (TSXV:HIRE.V)(OTCQB:HIRRF) ("HIRE" or the "Company"), a company focused on modernizing and digitizing human resources solutions, discusses staffing trends driving demand for IT professionals. ProVision Staffing ("ProVision"), HIRE's dedicated IT recruiting practice based out of Ontario, is seeing a surge in the IT recruitment sector across North America as it offers solutions to assist with staffing, recruiting, and people management.

"We have been building out our people management solutions in many ways, including by expanding our footprint into the U.S. and offering Pulsify's people management platform to our new and existing client bases," said Sarah Baker, Managing Director at ProVision. "This broadening of our capabilities and regions served has allowed us to play a more critical role within our clients' teams in addition to the core recruiting and onboarding of their IT resources."

ProVision meets diverse demands by actively responding to changing market conditions for its clients through its talent sourcing expertise and network of specialized technology professionals. ProVision works with financial institution, public sector, and other commercial clients to satisfy today's advanced people requirements in areas such as cyber security, web development, data analysis, and software engineering.

ProVision's market opportunity is expected to grow rapidly, with data from LinkedIn showing there is capacity for the number of digital jobs to expand by 149 million in the U.S. alone between 2020 and 2025 - a 29% compound annual growth rate over that time period.

"HIRE's diverse human resources support structure and platforms enable ProVision to be laser-focused on IT recruiting in this strong market, including by cross selling with our other portfolio companies," said Simon Dealy, HIRE's Chief Executive Officer. "Leveraging our Pulsify + HIRE program, ProVision offers our people management platform at no cost with every engagement. The new IT professional is demanding flexibility and transparency in the workplace, and Pulsify helps to meet these employee demands."

About HIRE Technologies Inc.

HIRE is a growing capital allocator that is rapidly establishing itself as a market leader in workforce management and staffing. HIRE's mission is to create a world-class portfolio of brands that will define the future of human resources through synergies, scale, and reach. The Company has extensive experience in building and growing staffing and executive search companies and is supported by a large recurring revenue base and a highly scalable shared services platform. This structure enables HIRE to create value for partners and shareholders. For more information, visit hire.company.

Contacts

Simon Dealy

Chief Executive Officer

(647) 264-9196

sdealy@hire.company

Caroline Sawamoto

Investor Relations

(647) 556-4498

investors@hire.company

Neither the TSXV 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.

Forward Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" (collectively referred to hereafter as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. In some cases, forward-looking statements are preceded by, followed by or include words such as "may", "will", "would", "could", "should", "believes", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "expects", "plans", "intends", "proposes", "anticipates", "targeted", "continues", "forecasts", "designed", "goal", or the negative of those words or other similar or comparable words. Examples of such statements include the growth rate for the number of digital jobs. Although the management of HIRE believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements are reasonable there can be no assurance that a forward-looking statement herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of HIRE to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties applicable to the Company, as well as trends identified by the Company affecting it and the staffing industry can be found in the Company's MD&A and its continuous disclosure record available on SEDAR. Although HIRE has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. All forward-looking statements herein are qualified by this cautionary statement. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. HIRE undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

SOURCE: HIRE Technologies Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/704589/HIRE-Technologies-Discusses-Strong-Demand-for-IT-Professionals-in-North-America
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 10, 2022) - Gold Terra Resource Corp (TSXV: YGT) invites you to visit them at Booth #2304 at The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada Convention (PDAC) at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) on Monday, June 13, to Wednesday, June 15, 2022.

On Tuesday, June 14th at 10:15 AM, Chairman and CEO Gerald Panneton will be a guest panelist at the Canada's North: Exploring for Gold 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.

About Gold Terra Resource Corp

The Yellowknife City Gold (YCG) project encompasses 800 sq. km of contiguous land immediately north, south and east of the City of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. Through a series of acquisitions, Gold Terra controls one of the six major high-grade gold camps in Canada. Being within 10 kilometres of the City of Yellowknife, the YCG is close to vital infrastructure, including all-season roads, air transportation, service providers, hydro-electric power, and skilled tradespeople. Gold Terra is currently focusing its drilling on the prolific Campbell shear, where 14 Moz of gold has been produced, and most recently on the Con Mine Option on the past producing Con Mine (1938-2003) which produced 6 Moz at a gold grade between 15 to 20 g/t. The Campbell Shear is part of the YCG which lies on the prolific Yellowknife greenstone belt, covering nearly 70 kilometres of strike length along the main mineralized shear system that hosts the former-producing high-grade Con and Giant gold mines. The Company's exploration programs have successfully identified significant zones of gold mineralization and multiple targets that remain to be tested which reinforces the Company's objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada. With a current mineral resource of 1.2 Inferred Moz (March 2021), and after adding more than 25,000 metres of drilling, the next updated resource is scheduled for release in Q4 2022.

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 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:

Gerald Panneton, Chairman and CEO

gpanneton@goldterracorp.com

Mara Strazdins, Investor Relations

Phone: 1-778-897-1590 | 604-689-1749 ext 102

Strazdins@goldterracorp.com



www.goldterracorp.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127114
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 10, 2022) - Palamina Corp. (TSXV: PA) (OTCQB: PLMNF) On June 9, 2022 Palamina paid US$ 44,000 to acquire 100 % of a 200 hectare titled internal concession at the Usicayos Gold Project. An additional US$ 11,000 is being held in trust to be paid on notification from the Registro Publicos that the titled claims have been transferred and fully registered to Palamina S.A.C. (Palamina's Peruvian subsidiary). Palamina now holds 100% title interest to 14,012 hectares at Usicayos with no underlying payments or royalties.

Over the last 3 years surrounding concessions within the principal NE mineralized gold trend totalling another 1,600 hectares were secured through staking and won at subsequent auctions. These interior claims are located southwest of the Veta Zone that has been tested by drilling in 2022, are in the same structural corridor and increases the strike length of the known cluster of surface gold mineralization held by Palamina from 2.4 to 4.5 km's. The entire 1.5 km wide by 4.5 km long trend is on privately held ground.

"Following the latest acquisition, Palamina now holds 100% title interest to the 1.5 km wide by 4.5 km long NE trending cluster of gold-bearing structures defined to date at Usicayos. Newly announced gold zones Sol de Oro, Veta Flor and Coriwasi host numerous small historic adits and gold mine sites formerly operated by informal miners seeking free gold within the NE trending shear zone structures. Drill pads will be allocated to all zones under Palamina's existing drill permit. Palamina has completed VE-05-22 and VE-06-22 in the Veta Zone and submitted the drill core sections of interest from both holes to the assay lab and we are awaiting results."





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/4727/127180_cebf7cfd147b6a79_002full.jpg

A total of 78 samples were submitted for assay from the Sol de Oro, Coriwasi and Veta Flor gold zones. Select high grade results for each zone are reflected in the following table:

LOCATION SAMPLE* LENGTH Au g/t Sol de Oro Rock Chip N/A 35.53 Sol de Oro Channel 0.30 14.14 Sol de Oro Channel 0.15 12.16 Sol de Oro Channel 1.50 3.18 Sol de Oro Channel 1.00 2.65 Coriwasi Rock Chip N/A 46.18 Coriwasi Rock Chip N/A 18.57 Coriwasi Channel 0.80 16.20 Coriwasi Channel 0.50 14.25 Coriwasi Channel 0.40 11.25 Veta Flor Channel 2.00 18.91 Veta Flor Channel 1.00 16.14 Veta Flor Channel 0.50 14.89 Veta Flor Channel 1.60 13.02 Veta Flor Channel 1.50 5.30

* Top 5 select channel and rock samples for the Sol de Oro, Coriwasi & Veta Flor Zones June 10, 2022

In 2021 Palamina completed 4 diamond drill holes over a total 1,704.50 metres along the 800 metre mineralized gold strike length defined at surface in the Veta Zone. A six hole planned drill program was reduced to 4 due to the advent of the rainy season in December 2021. Drill hole VE-01-2021 returned 1m @ 1.26 g/t Au, VE-02-2021 1m @ 3.09 g/t Au (visible gold in intercept), VE-03-2021 24m @ 0.5 g/t Au and VE-04-2021 11m @ 0.8 g/t Au (visible gold in intercept). The 2021 drill holes did not intercept high-grade Au mineralization similar to that found at surface.

Palamina resumed drilling in May of 2022 and has completed drill holes VE-05-2022 & VE-06-2022 from drill pad 5 in order to test the last 200m at the north east end of the 800m mineralized gold strike length defined at surface. These holes were drilled closer to the exposed gold-bearing quartz veins and at a shallower angle testing the continuity of mineralization in this segment of the Veta zone. Assays are pending.

Palamina is in process of completing the modification of its DIA (Declaracion de Impacto Ambiental) in order to drill additional gold zones southwest of the Veta Zone. Under the current DIA Palamina can build a total of 40 drill pads with 5 drill pads completed to-date. As part of that process, Palamina recently concluded two additional surface rights agreements covering areas where additional drill holes have been planned southwest of the Veta Zone. These surface agreements cover the 200m hectare concession acquisition area. Palamina is undertaking a surface mapping and sampling program on the newly acquired concession initially focused on the historic adit and mined areas.

Technical Information

Palamina Corp. quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) protocol is administered on all its exploration projects. Prior to delivery of field samples to the analytical laboratory and with the objective to provide an independent check on precision, accuracy and contamination in the laboratory, Palamina QAQC staff insert blank samples, field duplicates and certified standards into the sample stream. To assure best practice compliance, assay results are only reported once the results of internal QAQC procedures have been reviewed and approved. Samples are collected and transported by Palamina personnel to the Certimin S.A laboratory in Juliaca, Peru where they are processed and then sent for assay to the Certimin SA lab in Lima, Peru.

The technical information herein has been reviewed and approved by J. Blackwell (P. Geo.), a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Blackwell is a technical advisor to Palamina.

About Palamina Corp.

Palamina participates in 9 district-scale gold projects in southeastern Peru in the Puno Orogenic Gold Belt (POGB). The Company also has rights to the Galena silver-copper project in the Santa Lucia district and two copper-gold projects in Southern Peru. Palamina holds a 19.9% equity interest in Winshear Gold Corp. who are advancing the Gaban Gold Project to the drill discovery phase. Palamina has 65,284,836 shares outstanding and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol PA and on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol PLMNF.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors:

Andrew Thomson, President

Phone: (416) 204-7536 or visit www.palamina.com

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of such statements under applicable securities law. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this news release. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the use of proceeds of the Offering and the Company's future business plans. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law. A more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company appears in the Company's continuous disclosure filings, which 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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127180
Aligns With Company's Substantial U.K. Presence and Supports Its Growth Strategy

Redomicile to Guernsey

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 10, 2022 / Goodbody Health Inc. (CSE:GDBY) (OTCQB:GDBYF) ("Goodbody" or the "Company"), today announced its intention to de-list from the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") and to re-domicile the Company from the Province of British Columbia to Guernsey, subject to shareholder approval. This re-domiciliation is intended to better align Goodbody's corporate structure with its current and future business activities.

Goodbody has a substantial business presence in the United Kingdom and the European Union, including all of its operations, management and workforce. In addition, the fastest-growing segments of Goodbody, are currently in the United Kingdom.

Goodbody does not anticipate any impact for employees, day-to-day operations, or products and services as a result of the re-domiciliation, and Goodbody intends to retain its listing on the AQSE Growth Market in London and the OTCQB in North America, which will ensure that trading in the Company's shares remains possible for both UK and North American investors.

Goodbody's Board of Directors believes that the proposed plan to change its location of incorporation from the Province of British Columbia to Guernsey will provide the Company with many benefits, including:

Positions the Company in proximity to a leading global financial centre and Europe's transaction hub (London), a location where it has substantial existing business activities and significant opportunities for continued growth;

Elevates the Company's visibility among potential U.K. and other European institutional investors;

Positions the Company to allow future earnings and cash flows to more efficiently fund its ongoing U.K. and European expansion;

Reduces the costs and time spent procuring that the Company complies with the requirements associated with two material listings that have entirely different regulatory regimes which will allow management to focus on commercial activities; and

Reduces currency risk.

Shareholders will have the opportunity to vote on the proposed plan at the annual general and special meeting expected to be held in August 2022. Subject to shareholder approval, the Company anticipates that the change of the place of incorporation will become effective later in the third quarter of 2022.

Shareholders' will continue to hold the exact number of shares, as they currently hold in Goodbody common shares and their shareholdings will be unchanged following the re-domiciliation. As the Company will be subject to the laws of Guernsey following the re-domiciliation, new articles of association of the Company will be adopted detailing the rights attaching to the Company's shares. With effect from the re-domiciliation, the Company's common shares will be renamed as "ordinary shares". The Company also intends to have its common shares voluntarily de-listed from trading on the CSE prior to or concurrently with the effective time of the re-domiciliation and the Company also intends that its ordinary shares will continue to be admitted to trading on the AQSE Growth Market in London.

The Company expects to publish a circular to propose the CSE de-listing of the Company and re-domiciliation to Guernsey by no later than 19th July 2022, being at least 21 days prior to the expected date of the Annual General Meeting. The circular will include, amongst other things, particulars of the main differences between the Company's current constitution and the new articles to be adopted pursuant to the re-domiciliation.

Change of Corporate Adviser

Goodbody is pleased to announce that it has appointed Peterhouse Capital Limited as the Company's Corporate Adviser with immediate effect.

Geremy Thomas, Executive Chairman, said: "With our clear strategic plan ahead of us we have to prioritise what is best for the shareholders. Following a lot of feedback, we have decided we need to simplify the business structure to enable us to focus our resources on growing what is becoming a very exciting business."

You can find further information about the Company and its strategic direction in the Financial Statements and Management Discussion and Analysis under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com.

About Goodbody (CSE: GDBY)

Goodbody is a UK based aggregator of Health and Wellness products and services operating through a network of over 200 clinics in the UK undertaking diagnostic testing, mainly pharmacy based. It also has a GMP and ISO22000 accredited CBD extraction and manufacturing facility in Poland and an ISO27001 accredited laboratory in the UK. It grew the business income 9-fold from 2020 to 2021.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. These statements are identified by the use of the words "project," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "contemplate," "foresee," "would," "could," "plan," and similar expressions that are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which are generally not historical in nature. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on Goodbody. While management believes that these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting Goodbody will be those that are anticipated. All comments concerning the Company's expectations for future revenues and operating results are based on the Company's estimates for its existing operations and do not include the potential impact of any future acquisitions. Goodbody's forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond Goodbody's control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from Goodbody's historical experience and present expectations or projections. Known material factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include: the re-domicile may not be approved by shareholders; the Board of Directors may choose to postpone or abandon the re-domicile at any time, including after shareholder approval; changes in Canadian or U.K. laws, including tax laws, that could effectively preclude Goodbody from completing the re-domicile or reduce or eliminate the benefits expected to be achieved from the re-domicile; an inability to realize expected benefits from the re-domicile or the occurrence of difficulties in connection with the re-domicile; and costs related to the re-domicile, which could be greater than expected. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements contained in this press release, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements also are affected by the risk factors described in Goodbody's filings with the British Columbia Securities Commission. Goodbody undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact Information:

Marc Howells

Chief Executive Officer

+44 (0) 20 7971 1255

enquiries@goodbodyhealth.com

www.goodbodyhealth.com Anne Tew

Chief Financial Officer

832-308-4975

enquiries@goodbodyhealth.com

www.goodbodyhealth.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Goodbody Health Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/704184/AGM-Plan-to-De-List-from-the-CSE-Redomicile-to-Guernsey-And-Appointment-of-Peterhouse-as-Corporate-Adviser
SINGAPORE, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Atlantic, Gulf & Pacific International Holdings (AG&P), a leading downstream LNG platform and industrial company, has been adjudged as the APAC Company of the Year for 2022 in the LNG category by Energy Council. The Energy Council's Annual Awards of Excellence represents a global benchmark of excellence for the oil & gas and natural gas / LNG sectors. AG&P was recognised and honoured 'for being at the forefront of value creation, innovation and exceptional performance' over the last 12 months.

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
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 10, 2022) - Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. (TSXV: SPA) (the "Company") is pleased to report progress achieved on a number of value-added initiatives for the Spanish Mountain Gold Project (the "Project") located in British Columbia, Canada. As previously announced, the Company prioritizes its resources on advancing the Project's environmental assessment/ permitting process and further optimizing several key project areas. The work programs underway build on the successful completion of the Pre-feasibility study (PFS filed in June 2021) in which a multi-million ounce Mineral Reserve has been delineated along with robust economics and a 14-year mine plan.

Environmental Assessment

The Company continues to execute its stated strategy of fast-tracking its multi-million ounce Resource through the process for environmental assessment/ permitting. The formal regulatory process began in March 2022 with the submission of the Project's Initial Project Description and timely acceptance of the same by the provincial and federal agencies within 30 days. On an ongoing basis, senior management meets regularly with the agencies as well as the representatives from the First Nations and surrounding communities to keep all stakeholders informed.

The Company strongly believes that support from the First Nations and surrounding communities are critical for the success of the Project and has been diligently building a robust working relationship for over a decade. Over the past six months, the Company has signed Engagement Agreements or commenced negotiation of Life-of-mine Relationship Agreements with all three First Nations whose traditional territories include the project area. The Company initiated in-person meetings with local stakeholders on June 2, 2022, with two open house information sessions in the town of Likely, BC, which is approximately 6 kilometres from the proposed mine. The event, which was well attended by more than 50 community members, provided management with an opportunity to present information about the Project as well as to receive feedback from the attendees. The Company is grateful for the participation and support from the community members and will work hard to keep them informed of the project plans and activities. Management will continue to meet with the First Nations, surrounding communities, regional governments and regulatory agencies as we advance the project through the regulatory stages.

The Company is pleased to report that it is on track to achieve the ambitious EA milestones announced in January 2022 and will continue to seek ways to improve or expedite the intricate process.

Project Optimization

The Company has a number of optimization exercises underway with the objective of identifying areas where enhancement of project economics and process improvements are potentially achievable. The Project's definitive feasibility study is expected to capture the full benefit of these exercises. Latest results from some of these exercises are presented below.

Power Line

A study by an independent engineering and construction firm was commissioned to investigate the constructability issues with respect to the routing for a power line to the proposed mine utilizing existing route corridors and traversing more accommodating terrains over a shorter distance.

The Company is pleased to report that a modified route for the power line, as suggested by the study, may potentially lead to reductions of the overall permitting risks as well as the linear length by eight percent relative the proposed route assumed in the PFS. Specifically, the study investigates a viable route bypassing a populated area near Likely in order to reduce community impacts; the Construction Difficult Analysis of the bypass concluded that 62% falls into the "easy" category and another 27% in the "medium" category. The technical team will continue to work with consultants and BC Hydro (the provincial utility) to refine the parameters for the new power line and address technical and permitting issues.

As detailed in the PFS, the Project's location is supported by excellent infrastructure including an abundance of connectivity to the provincial power grids supplied with low-cost, renewable hydro power. There is also an established right-of-way between various substations and the proposed mine site.

Gold Recovery

The Company has engaged an independent expert consultant to conduct a targeted metallurgical program to further optimize the milling process incorporated in the PFS. Having received the results of the latest metallurgical work that validated and improved the current flowsheet, the Company is on track to commence Phase 2 of the program later in the year. This program will include lithology composites to further optimize the flowsheet followed by confirmation test work on variability composites. Upon completion of the exercise, the optimized flowsheet and processing configuration will form the basis for the definitive feasibility study.

Resource Expansion

While the Company's current priority is to de-risk and optimize the Project through the environmental assessment/ permitting phase, the technical team will continue to advance the objective of resource expansion.

The geological team conducted a grassroots exploration program last fall testing various targets northwest of the pit boundary. The findings from this program have help identify the areas with the best prospect for adding ounces to the overall Mineral Resource. In due course, a drilling program will be planned and conducted in these areas.

Larry Yau, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "I am pleased with the steady and meaningful progress our team has made on multiple fronts. Particularly, we believe that the availability of cheap, renewable grid power for our Project represents a key strategic advantage. I am confident that we can leverage this to further enhance our performance in operational metrics as well as issues in respect of Environmental, Social & Governance."

About Spanish Mountain Gold

Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. is focused on advancing its 100%-owned Spanish Mountain gold project in southern central British Columbia. The Company is simultaneously pursuing the dual objectives of delivering critical project milestones for the multi-million ounce Mineral Reserve and further expanding the overall Mineral Resource. The Pre-Feasibility Study (2021) demonstrates the Project's potential to be a mining operation with a robust production profile (>150,000 oz per year) and profitability (AISC $801 per oz) over a mine life of 14 years. Details on the Project and the Company are available on www.sedar.com and on the Company's website: www.spanishmountaingold.com

On Behalf of the Board,

SPANISH MOUNTAIN GOLD LTD.

Larry Yau

Chief Executive Officer

Inquiries:

Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd.

Phone: (604) 601-3651

E-mail: info@spanishmountaingold.com

Website: www.spanishmountaingold.com

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS: Certain of the statements and information in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" Any statements or information that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "estimates", "intends", "targets", "goals", "forecasts", "objectives", "potential" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements or information.



The Company's forward-looking statements and information are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management as of the date of this press release, and other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements and information if circumstances or management's assumptions, beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, or changes in any other events affecting such statements or information. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127174
Sudbury, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 10, 2022) - Transition Metals Corp (TSXV: XTM) ("Transition", the "Company") announces that it will attend the Prospectors and Developers of Canada conference (PDAC) in Toronto, Ontario between June 13 & 15. Scott McLean (Chief Executive Officer), Greg Collins (Chief Operating Officer) and Tom Hart (Vice President of Exploration) will be available to meet with investors and potential partners upon request.

Transition CEO Scott McLean commented, "One of our main objectives for attending the conference is to find partners for high quality projects within our 22-property portfolio. With interest in exploration on the rise, companies looking for new projects are encouraged to contact our team."

Project Portfolio

Transition Metals is a multi-commodity, multi-project company and seeks partners to help advance its projects. Currently the Company boasts interest in 22 projects. The management team will be focused on finding business arrangements for 10 of the projects at the PDAC which are summarized in Table 1 below:





Table 1

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2766/127188_table1.png

For additional information or to arrange a meeting at the PDAC, please contact one of the following team members:

Scott McLean smclean@transitionmetalscorp.com

705-677-6178 (cell)

Greg Collins gcollins@transitionmetalscorp.com

705-872-6390 (cell)

Tom Hart trhart@transitionmetalscorp.com

705-662-8403 (cell)

About Transition Metals Corp

Transition Metals Corp (TSXV: XTM) is a Canadian-based, multi-commodity project generator that specializes in converting new exploration ideas into Canadian discoveries in Canada. The award-winning team of geoscientists has extensive exploration experience in established, emerging and historic mining camps and actively develops and tests new ideas for discovering mineralization in places that others have not looked, which often allows the company to acquire properties inexpensively. The team is rigorous in its fieldwork and combines traditional techniques with newer ones to help unearth compelling prospects and drill targets. Transition uses the project generator business model to acquire and advance multiple exploration projects simultaneously, thereby maximizing shareholder exposure to discovery and capital gain. Joint venture partners earn an interest in the projects by funding a portion of higher-risk drilling and exploration, allowing Transition to conserve capital and minimize shareholder's equity dilution. The Company has an expanding portfolio that currently includes more than 25 gold, copper, nickel and platinum group element projects across Canada.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Information

Except for statements of historical fact contained herein, the information in this news release constitutes "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities law. Such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "plans", "proposes", "estimates", "intends", "expects", "believes", "may", "will" and include without limitation, statements regarding estimated capital and operating costs, expected production timeline, benefits of updated development plans, foreign exchange assumptions and regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual results and future events could differ materially from such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, metal prices, competition, risks inherent in the mining industry, and regulatory risks. Most of these factors are outside the control of the Company. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulation, the Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Further information is available at www.transitionmetalscorp.com or by contacting:

Scott McLean

President and CEO

Transition Metals Corp.

Tel: (705) 669-1777

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127188
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA / ACCESSWIRE / June 10, 2022 / TFG (The Foschini Group) has today announced a ramp up of Capex spending in the coming financial year after posting record turnover of R43.4bn (up 31.6%), gross profit of R21.0bn (up 40.3%) and headline earnings of R3.3bn (up 442%) for its financial year to 31 March 2022, as the Group steps up its pursuit of growth opportunities to a new scale.

TFG will build 10 new manufacturing business units in the coming year, as well as commit more than R600m towards opening in excess of 350 new stores. The investment in increased manufacturing capacity will more than double employment opportunities in the Group's own factories and strategic non-owned cut-make-trim (CMTs) factories from 5,200 in FY22 to 11,200 by FY26.

The R2.1bn Capex commitment for FY23 continues the Group's strategic investments to further strengthen its differentiated business model and mitigate disruptions to global supply chains.

Market-share gains across all territories

The Group delivered exceptional market-share gains across all territories over the past financial year as it outpaced retail peers and grew well ahead of the market, achieving 27% growth in mens and ladieswear in South Africa against average growth for the segment of 5.9%, 57.3% vs 12.7% in the UK and 24% for TFG Australia vs the market average of 12.2% growth.

The Group's record performance was achieved despite a challenging trading environment, continued periods of lockdown, the civil unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and global supply chain disruptions, with retail turnover growth surpassing expectations at R43,4 billion.

Gross margin for the Group increased to 48,5% as strong demand for TFG's products resulted in a higher proportion of full-price sales and fewer markdowns. This was enabled by a number of factors, including quick response local manufacturing which makes up an increasing proportion of the 72% of locally sourced apparel. The Group has consistently demonstrated the benefits of this quick response manufacturing, particularly through increased stock turns and improved stock newness.

"This strong performance during a period of significant uncertainty is a testament to the resilience of our operating model, management teams and employees," said TFG CEO Anthony Thunstrom.

"The Group has continued to invest in its key strategic initiatives, driving both organic and inorganic growth".

2.4 stores a day

"We have opened 274 new stores in South Africa, completed 96 relocations and enlargements, rebuilt or restored 176 looted stores as well as opened 41 new stores in Australia and 8 new stores in London. That's 2.4 stores a day over the past year! Additionally, we're making significant investments in expanding our manufacturing capacity," said Thunstrom.

"Inorganic growth is also a continued focus, and our previously announced acquisition of the Tapestry Group, subject to regulatory approval, is another example of our investments in new brands, capabilities and strategic verticalisation."

The Group achieved double-digit growth in e-commerce turnover across all territories, recording an 18.0% increase in online sales in Africa, 13.8% in the UK and 26.9% in Australia, extending the trend towards online shopping experienced during lockdown as TFG accelerates its transformation into a true omni-channel retailer.

"TFG has made solid progress in our goal to create the most remarkable omni-channel experience for our customers, with the acquisitions of leading app developer Flat Circle and last-mile delivery service Quench, as we pave the way for the upcoming launch of our new integrated omni-channel platform that leverages group scale to bring all TFG brands together, along with third-party vendors," said Thunstrom.

"This will create a home for all of our brands and other businesses that want to leverage TFG's scale, bringing over 200 of the world's best brands and more than 2,000 new styles a week onto one platform to provide an unrivalled selection across fashion and lifestyle goods."

22% growth in loyalty base

"Our commitment to putting our customers first is reflected in TFG's dominance in social media audiences, 22% growth in our loyalty base, continuously improving customer satisfaction scores and 20% decline in call-centre contacts despite increased online turnover."

"Our investment in TFG Labs is producing a step-change in critical performance areas, with a 19% reduction in cost per order, 50% improvement in last-mile on-time deliveries and 10% drop in average order turnaround times."

"The superior growth achieved in all our operating territories and solid progress on key strategic objectives leaves TFG very well positioned for further organic and inorganic growth, supported by a strong Group balance sheet," said Thunstrom.

"Just as importantly, the Group has delivered remarkable progress in our social performance. In a country facing devastating levels of unemployment, we have added 7 176 jobs and workplace opportunities, shifted R2bn more business to black-owned suppliers, set environmental commitments for cotton, wood and washcare labels and signed up to the Better Cotton Initiative to source cotton sustainably. TFG has also become the only major retailer to achieve a Level 3 B-BBEE score, up from a Level 6 in the previous year."

"This is a measure of TFG's ability to create value for our customers, shareholders, employees and communities as we grow the business," Thunstrom said.

ENDS

Issued by: Jacqui O'Connor / jacquio@tfg.co.za / 021 938 7510 / 083 4114 385

About TFG

With 29 retail brands carrying everything from fashion, value, jewellery, accessories, sporting apparel and cellular, to homeware and furniture, TFG is one of the leading retail groups in South Africa. Besides South Africa, TFG Africa also has a presence in Botswana, Zambia, Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini through various retail brands.TFG first entered the UK market through the acquisition of the premium womenswear brand Phase Eight in 2015, followed by the acquisition of Whistles in 2016 and Hobbs in 2017. TFG's presence in the Australian market was strengthened through its acquisition in July 2017 of Retail Apparel Group Pty Ltd (RAG), a leading Australian menswear apparel retailer. TFG's vision is: "to create the most remarkable omnichannel experiences for our customers". TFG has over 4 300 outlets in 26 countries and employs more than 34 800 people, with over 26.4 million customers (RSA).

Visit us at www.tfglimited.co.za or follow us on: Facebook / Twitter / LinkedIn

SOURCE: TGF Limited

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/704644/TFG-Outperforms-Competitors-to-Post-Record-Performance
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 10, 2022) - Boosh Plant-Based Brands Inc. (CSE: VEGI) (OTCQB: VGGIF) (FSE: 77I) ("Boosh" or the "Company") a premier plant-based brands company in the in-health food sector, is excited to announce the filing of a business acquisition report ("BAR") on the Company's SEDAR profile (www.sedar.com) in relation to its previously completed acquisition of the business of Beanfields, Inc. that occurred on February 16, 2022. Beautiful Beanfields Inc is now officially in our family of Brands.

The BAR includes audited carve out financial statements for the business of Beanfields for the year ended December 31, 2021 with unaudited comparative for the year ended December 30, 2020. The financial statements are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards.

Beanfields produces and sells a healthy, gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan, top eight allergen-free flavored bean-based chip. The portfolio includes a broad offering of nine flavors, including Black Bean, Sour Cream and Onion, Fiery Hot and Nacho flavors. They have capitalized on the industry trends of 'Better For You' in the salty snack category. Beanfields received the 2019 "Rising Star Award" from NOSH (Natural, Organic, Sustainable and Healthy) organization. In June 2021, it introduced its Rings line, which became one of its fastest-selling products. This past December, NOSH recognized Rings as a Best New Product for 2021.

Since we acquired the Beanfields business in February, our team has been increasing production levels to meet high demands from retailers. Our first priority was to purchase large quantities of raw material to prevent supply disruption, increase production to match demand, and reach out to the current customer base - all of which has been successfully orchestrated. We've been able to maintain the vast majority of Beanfields' approximate 7,000 retailers, as we continue to stock shelves to meet customer demand. Beanfields chips are currently sold throughout all 50 states, Canada, and other countries. As can be seen in the audited carve out statements for the year ended December 31, 2021, the Beanfields brand generated Net Revenues of US$8.8M, which consisted of US$11.5M in gross sales, net of US$2.7M in sales discounts and manufacture chargebacks. We expect to continue to push sales momentum and drive further growth within the Company's full product portfolio.





Cannot view this video? Visit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxEttkf2Mvw

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Connie Marples

Founder/CEO

connie@booshfood.com

Telephone: 778 840 1700

www.Booshfood.com

About Boosh Plant-Based Brands Inc.:

Boosh Plant-Based Brands Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary, Boosh Food (www.booshfood.com), offers high quality, non-GMO, gluten free, 100% plant-based nutritional comfort foods for the whole family. Through a separate subsidiary, Beautiful Beanfields, the Company owns Beanfields, a plant-based chips brand sold in over 7,000 stores throughout North America. Boosh, good for you and good for planet earth.

The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward looking statements. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, the Company's expectations concerning the revenue growth potential of Beanfields and its ability to generate profits there from. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements as well as future results. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127176
For years, the European Human Genetics Conference has been a global landmark event due to the presence of the best human genetics specialists in the world and the quality and interest of the presentations.





During the conference, which will take place from June 11 to 14 in Vienna , Veritas will present a summary of results from more than 400 whole genome sequencing based genetic analysis from the the Clinica Universidad de Navarra.

MADRID, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Veritas Intercontinental will take part in the European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG) Conference which will be held from June 11 to 14 at the Austria Center Vienna. The event will bring together companies and speakers from around the world, leaders in the world of genomics, where the latest advances in human genetics will be presented.

For years, the European Human Genetics Conference has been a global landmark event due to the presence of renowned human genetics specialists and the quality and interest of its many scientific presentations.

The ESHG Conference has two principal objectives: to provide a platform for the dissemination of the most interesting advances in the field of human genetics, and to promote the education of the next generation of human geneticists. The concurrent and educational plenary sessions, concurrent symposia, workshops and poster exhibitions complete an exciting programme.

In this context, along with specialists from the Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Veritas presents a poster which details the results of a genomic based analyses of 400 patients from the medical check-up unit at the clinic, which have found clinically relevant findings in a significant percentage of cases. "In a patient carrying a pathogenic variant in their genes that is responsible for a disease, we can also determine the probability, which is also high, of developing a specific disease. Thanks to the analysis utilizing whole genome sequencing and clinical interpretation, we can establish appropriate control and follow-up measures for each specific case, which gives us the opportunity to carry out predictive and preventive health care, anticipating as much as possible the development of the disease in order to avoid it or detect it at an early stage," details Dr Luis Izquierdo, Chief Medical Officer at Veritas, "Results like those obtained in the Medical Check-up unit at the Clinica Universidad de Navarra" -continues Dr Izquierdo-"reveal the fundamental role of genomics in the context of personalised medicine, with greater focus in preserving health than in alleviating disease."

The Scientific Programme Committee (SPC) defines the themes with the aim of updating the public in relation to the concepts, mechanisms and technologies emerging in human genetics, while also providing an extensive overview of the progress made within the different areas of this discipline.

The ESHG in Vienna provides an ideal platform to enable direct contact between scientists and exhibitors. The event, which takes place annually, addresses three large sectors: training, laboratory technology and laboratories.

Exhibitors

The exhibition area will gather more than 140 companies from this sector, a fact that demonstrates its vitality and growing interest. On its stand, X4-954, Veritas will exhibit its wide range of options which, within preventive medicine, notably include its whole genome sequencing (myGenome). It will also be displaying a complete portfolio of tests which range from risk of hereditary oncological or cardiovascular disease, to a complete range of tests oriented towards perinatal medicine, along with genetic diagnostic services and genetic counselling.

About Veritas Intercontinental

Veritas Intercontinental was founded in 2018 thanks to Dr Luis Izquierdo, Dr Vincenzo Cirigliano and Javier de Echevarria, who have amassed extensive experience in the field of genetics, diagnosis and biotechnology. Initially linked to Veritas Genetics, a company founded in 2014 by Professor George Church, one of the pioneers in preventive medicine, Veritas was established with the objective of integrating genome sequencing and its clinical interpretation into general healthcare as a tool for preventing disease, improving health and quality of life.

In March 2022, Veritas announced that it would become part of LetsGetChecked, a company with headquarters in Dublin and New York which provides global health solutions and the tools to manage health from home through direct access to diagnostic tests and virtual care.

For more information

https://www.veritasint.com
CHENGDU, China, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 9, Shanghai Guijiu Co., Ltd. (SH600696), a rapidly expanding Chinese Baijiu brand, hosted an exclusive experiential event in Chengdu with the theme of 'The Rare and Precious Masterpiece for the Future'. According to the strong mission to innovation and globalization, ultra-high-net-worth customers in Sichuan Province were invited to the future-oriented immersive premieres of the newly released Shanghai Guijiu International Collection. Through the debut of the International Collection, Shanghai Guijiu has expanded into the ultra-premium sauce-flavor Chinese Baijiu market.

As a high-end Chinese Baijiu product targeting international markets, it integrates Eastern and Western art and cultural elements as the core concept of the design which differs from the traditional baijiu products. The magnificent pattern of Eastern and Western classics was presented on the product package. The world-famous city's landmark structures are connected in the form of three-dimensional relief and surround the entire bottle. The collection expresses the culture and craftsmanship of Chinese Baijiu. It reflects Shanghai Guijiu's commitment to leading innovation in the spirits industry and advocates endless possibilities for continuous development.

'As an emerging Chinese Baijiu brand, Shanghai Guijiu has always been dedicated to accelerating its growth through constant innovation and product redefinition,' President of Shanghai Guijiu Co., Ltd., Cindy Gao said, 'Shanghai Guijiu will continue to invest in new business models by modernizing its products while encouraging the industry's long-term development in the future.'

Executive President and Business Unit President of Shanghai Guijiu Co., Ltd., Alan Yan claimed that, 'We've had a multi-brand expansion plan since we started in the spirits business. Our main brand, Shanghai Guijiu, is aimed at the ultra-premium market. The Shanghai Guijiu International Collection marks a new chapter in the baijiu industry's history, while also serves as a blueprint for all Chinese Baijiu companies looking to expand beyond their native markets.'

Shanghai Guijiu International Collection considers products as the carrier of cultures and communications. It offers great investment prospects due to its unique qualities and rarity. Shanghai Guijiu International Collection is an iconic product series that redefines trends in the Chinese Baijiu industry.

About Shanghai Guijiu

Shanghai Guijiu Co., Ltd. is a comprehensive baijiu group integrating tradition and innovation. Headquartered in Shanghai and globally focused, Shanghai Guijiu Co., Ltd. leads the innovation and development of the industry. Focusing on consumer demands, it creates exclusive personalized experiences.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1837189/Shanghai_Guijiu.jpg
ATHENS, Greece, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Intracom Telecom, a global telecommunication systems and solutions vendor, announced the supply and deployment of its Fixed Wireless Access ecosystem , the WiBAS Point-to-MultiPoint (PtMP) and the uniMS platform, by the operating company of one of the largest mines in the world, located in sub-Saharan Africa.

The use of high-frequency PtMP technology over the vast area of the mine is one of the many uses for this technology. Mining companies take advantage of the latest technology which ensures not only high capacity but also long range to cover large areas and connect with lightweight network assets the remote points to a central hub. The use of high frequencies is not any more constrained within the perimeter of urban areas. Intracom Telecom has been pioneering the use of its PtMP technology for open excavation mines in the African continent, foreseeing the need of a transmission technology that can transport bidirectional digital traffic at ultra-high speeds.

In the harsh environment of the mines, the state-of-the-art WiBAS technology is being used to provide high quality broadband services, and avoiding the cost and trouble from the use of cables. The WiBAS systems can be easily installed at any facility and be scaled to support larger coverage areas, with more devices and higher capacity when required.

Moreover, through uni|MS IoT control and management platform, the mines make efficient utilization of their communication infrastructure. The sophisticated alarm flow coupled with key performance indicators, available on reports and graphs, elevate the Operators' experience and ensure timely optimizations.

Mr. John Tenidis, Marketing Director of Wireless Network Systems in Intracom Telecom, stated: "We have been serving our customers in Africa for their needs to connect remote location in mines since 2011. We are very pleased to extend our cooperation with one of the biggest African mines so to provide modern communications to ground crews and machine operating personnel, while safeguarding and monitoring the perimeter of the mine".

About Intracom Telecom
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 10, 2022) - Lions Bay Capital Inc. (TSXV: LBI) ("Lions Bay" or the "Company"), announces that the value of the Company's listed investment portfolio as at year ended May 31, 2022 was $10.9 million or an investment value of $0.08 per common share of the Company. These numbers exclude the Company's derivative financial instrument portfolio and unlisted investments to which Lions Bay is providing seed with a view to an eventual public listing.

"The active participation of Lions Bay in the formulation of business plans, financings and management appointments is an integral part of the Company's business model", said Mr. Byrne. "In less than 4 years we have assisted in the transformation of five companies. One of our initial investments was Jervois Mining which in the space of 4 years has grown from a $5 million company to over $900 million."

Lions Bay has realized profits on two of its main investments, Elementos Ltd. and South Hartz Potash, but retains significant holdings in both. The profits were used to reduce debt and increase the overall exposure to gold. Lions Bay's main investment now is a holding of 41.3 million common shares with a fair value of $4.3 million as at May 31, 2022 and 9.5 million warrants in TSX-V listed Fidelity Minerals Corp. Fidelity is increasing its interest in the Las Huaquillas gold project in Peru from 45 per cent to 50 per cent by funding a USD $3 million exploration program over the next six months. Las Huaquillas hosts a historical resource of 446,000 ozs of gold and 5.3 million ozs of silver in a wide mineralized zone from surface to 200 metres within 500 metres of a 2.5 km epithermal long zone. This epithermal zone is flanked by two large confirmed porphyry intrusions with ore grade copper/gold intercepts. (See news release issued by Fidelity Minerals Corp. on January 6, 2022 for description of work performed and disclaimers) Lions Bay has assisted Fidelity in overcoming long running disputes that have prevented exploration of the area for the past 20 years. The executive chairman of Lions Bay, Mr. John Byrne commented: "The Las Huaquillas project is one of the most attractive exploration targets in Peru and we expect the underground exploration and drilling to generate significant interest in Fidelity over the next six months."

Lions Bay's second largest shareholding is in Elementos Ltd.. As at May 31, 2022, Lions Bay held 4.5 million shares with a fair value value of $2.8 million. Elementos is currently completing a bankable feasibility study on the Oropesa tin deposit in Spain. Permitting is at an advanced stage and development is expected to commence in 2023. Lions Bay actively participated in the acquisition of Oropesa for Elementos and the initial fund raisings.

Lions Bay continues to hold 167 million shares and 54 million warrants in Parkway Minerals Ltd; 51 million shares and 8.6 million warrants in Kalina Power Ltd; and 5.7 million shares in South Hartz Potash. Parkway Minerals was recently awarded a contract by Queensland Gas, a Shell Group company, to carry out a feasibility study using its proprietary technology to treat and recover saleable products from waste liquid associated with the production of coal seam gas. It is also looking to use its technology on mine waste and tailings. "Parkway is in the right space at the right time, said Mr. Byrne. "We expect substantial appreciation in its valuation over the next six months."

The next year should also prove a turning point for Kalina Power Ltd. as it moves to construct the first of several waste heat to power projects using its proprietary technology in Alberta. The scale of this opportunity is enormous and again it is a company in the right space at the right time.

South Hartz Potash has recently completed two confirmatory holes on the first of three large potash projects in Germany. This will enable the company to deliver economic models on the project and clear the way for negotiations with potential partners. The strength of the potash market and the location places South Hartz in a strong position to drive an excellent result for shareholders.

New opportunities

Lions Bay continues to evaluate and invest in the creation of new opportunities. For almost two years the Company has been working with Salamander Mining International, a private company based in Mauritius, to finance the construction of a gold roaster in Eswatini. Environmental concerns associated with sulphur dioxide emissions has forced the closure of most of the roasters in South Africa making the exploitation of millions of ounces of gold in the Barberton Region uneconomic. Salamander has reached conditional agreement with the Eswatini Government to construct a roaster and convert the sulphur dioxide emissions into sulphuric acid. The acid will then be used to leach magnesium from the asbestos tailings of an old mine. Lions Bay has to date loaned Salamander USD $0.7 million and a portion of these funds have been used to confirm the process flow sheet. Lions Bay is currently in negotiations to provide further funding to complete the feasibility study and list Salamander on a major stock exchange. Preliminary numbers are very encouraging, and the project has significant potential to enhance Lion Bay's value.

During the year Lions Bay entered into a farm in agreement with Savic Pty Ltd to earn up to a 50 per cent interest in a promising rare earths project in Western Victoria Australia by spending AUD $5 million over 3 years. The Savic ground is continuous to that held by Australian Rare Earths which has announced the discovery of rare earth reserves and is currently carrying out bulk testing of its deposit. Initial exploration by Lions Bay has proved the rare earth discovery by Australian Rare Earths extends into the Savic ground. A second drilling phase aimed at determining a grid for reserve definition drilling has recently been completed by Lions Bay and results are expected in about 4 weeks.

Lions Bay management has had discussions with several companies interested in acquiring its interest in the joint venture and these discussions are expected to continue with our partners over the next few months.

Lions Bay has also been providing seed capital to Epic Minerals Ltd. which is planning a listing on the ASX in the next year. Epic has several gold and tin projects in Queensland, Australia and is managed by Mr. Chris Gregory who is a highly accomplished and resourceful mining executive with over thirty years of global experience in corporate, exploration and operational capacities. Mr. Gregory has a proven track record of success across small to large scale organizations in a wide range of global jurisdictions and cultures.

About Lions Bay Capital Inc.

Lions Bay Capital Inc. is a TSX-V listed Investment Issuer that is focused on high return investment opportunities, principally in the mining, clean energy and clean technology sectors, where it provides public and private companies with strategic and financial support.

On behalf of the Board of Lions Bay.

John Byrne

Executive Chairman

Tel: +61 3 9236 2800

Email: jbyrne@lionsbaycapital.com

For more information, please visit the corporate website at www.lionsbaycapital.com or contact the above.

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.

Disclaimer & Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future events or future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of terminology such as "may", "should", "intend", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "project", "predict", "potential", or "continue" or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. These statements speak only as of the date of this news release. This news release may also contain inferences to future oriented financial information ("FOFI") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The information in this news release has been prepared by our management to provide readers with an outlook for our future activities.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127159
NEW YORK, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As per the Zion Market Research study, The global blood glucose monitoring system market was at a net worth of $14.79B in 2021 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.12% between 2022-2028 and reach a market value of $31.5B during the forecast period. The report analyzes the blood glucose monitoring system's drivers, restraints/challenges, and the effect they have on the demands during the projection period. In addition, the report explores emerging opportunities in the global blood glucose monitoring system market.

Key Industry Insights & Findings of the Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market Reports:

As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market is expected to grow annually at a CAGR of around 10.12 % (2022-2028).

(2022-2028). Through the primary research, it was established that the Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market was valued at approximately USD 14.79 Billion in 2021 and is projected to reach roughly USD 31.5 Billion by 2028.

Billion in 2021 and is projected to reach roughly Billion by 2028. North America was attributed with the highest global blood glucose monitoring system market in 2021 owing to a 35.5% share of the global revenue.

was attributed with the highest global blood glucose monitoring system market in 2021 owing to a 35.5% share of the global revenue. Europe shares a significant amount of global market share because of the awareness and proactive approach of their population in diagnosing and managing diabetes.

shares a significant amount of global market share because of the awareness and proactive approach of their population in diagnosing and managing diabetes. Asia Pacific is anticipated to register a higher CAGR during the forecast period owing to growing awareness & acceptance of BGM systems, particularly in India & China .

Zion Market Research published the latest report titled "Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market By Product (Self-Monitoring And Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices), By Testing Site (Fingertip Testing And Alternate Site Testing), By Indication (Type-I Diabetes, Type-II Diabetes, And Others), By End-User (Hospitals, Clinics, And Homecare), And By Region: Global And Regional Industry Overview, Market Intelligence, Comprehensive Analysis, Historical Data, And Forecasts 2022 - 2028" into their research database.

Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market: Overview

A blood glucose monitoring system also known as BGM is an effective tool used for monitoring blood sugar levels, especially for diabetic patients. Blood glucose monitoring systems have helped patients become self-reliant and take control of their medical health. BGM systems track high or low glucose levels and encourage the patients to take relevant medication or treatment.

BGM systems work by understanding the resistance to an electric current sent through a blood-stained test strip. Or by inserting a sensor under the patient's skin that reads the glucose level between cell fluids.

The type of blood glucose monitoring system to be used depends on the requirements of the patient. Multiple options for BGM devices are present in the market catering to the different medical needs.

The global blood glucose monitoring system is witnessing a surge in its global market value and is projected to touch milestones during the forecast period.

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Zion Market Research methodology

Industry Dynamics:

Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market: Growth Drivers

Increasing population of diabetic patients to drive global market growth

The number of patients worldwide suffering from type 1 and type 2 diabetes has grown exponentially over the last couple of years. The changing stationary lifestyle, poor eating habits, and genetic disorders are the leading cause of growth in diabetic patients. This rising insulin dependency is expected to propel the global blood glucose monitoring system market towards growth in the forecast period.

In 2021, International Diabetes Federation published a report, the findings of which stated that around 537M of the population in countries like India, Mexico, and China suffer from diabetes.

The presence of multiple manufacturers of blood glucose monitoring systems offering technically advanced devices at favorable prices is anticipated to contribute to the global market growth during the forecast period.

Developed economies having state-of-the-art medical facilities are expected to fuel the global market growth.

Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market: Restraints

Lack of awareness along with the high cost of devices in emerging economies to restrain the global market.

A fair share of the population in growing economies is unaware of diabetes and its management. Furthermore, developing economies lack the necessary infrastructure for treatment facilities to manage chronic diseases like diabetes. The lack of awareness and absence of advanced medical facilities is expected to hamper the blood glucose monitoring system market during the forecast period.

Emerging economies are also lagging in the necessary funding required for R&D which restricts the global market growth.

SMBG and CGM are invasive techniques. Patients' hesitancy while using the invasive methods for tracking diabetes is projected to restrict the global market growth.

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Global Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market: Opportunities

Explosive amount of untapped market to provide growth opportunities in the global market

As per IDF's 2021 report, half of the total diabetic patients have remained undiagnosed in Africa. Around 56% of the Asia-Pacific population comprises undiagnosed patients. This provides a massive opportunity for global market leaders to tap into.

The country's governments have been taking proactive actions, conducting programs to educate the masses about diabetes and ways to control it. The global blood glucose monitoring system market can bank upon these initiatives to provide growth opportunities in the forecast period.

Global Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market: Challenges

Lack of funding presents a challenge for the global market growth

The lack of funding for technical advancement in the field of blood glucose monitoring systems poses a major challenge in the global market during the forecast period. Developed countries have shown more acceptance towards the BGM devices owing to better awareness and technically rich devices However, developing economies need more investment to penetrate every corner of the target global market.

For developing nations, the prices of BGM devices can be relatively higher than in developed nations. The maintenance and supporting accessories increase the overall cost of the device making it less cost-effective for patients in these territories. This is a major challenge for the global market to tackle.

Diabetes is one of the few medical conditions which are not reimbursed by healthcare agencies. The absence of reimbursement, particularly in SMBG, challenges the upward global market growth. Since the disease is not reimbursed, a potential number of patients fail to get themselves tested for diabetes and a huge chunk of the global market remains in isolation.

Global Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market: Segmentation

The global blood glucose monitoring system is segmented based on product, testing site, indication, end-user, and region.

Based on product, the global market is segmented between self-monitoring and continuous glucose monitoring devices. SBGM is expected to maintain the highest share in the global market owing to its cost-effectiveness and hassle-free usage.

Based on testing sites, the global market is segmented between fingertip testing and alternate site testing. Fingertip testing is anticipated to cover the market share more than alternate site testing during the forecast period.

Based on indication, the global market is segmented between type-I diabetes, type-II diabetes, and others. As of 2021, the global market share was dominated by type-II diabetic patients because of more patients suffering from type-II diabetic conditions.

Based on end-user, the global market is segmented by hospitals, clinics, and homecare. In 2021, the hospital segment marked the highest revenue and is anticipated to lead the global market during the forecast part owing to heavy investments in the hospital segment.

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List of Key Players in Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market:

Glysens Incorporated

Lifescan IP Holdings

Senseonics

Prodigy Diabetes Care

B. Braun Melsungen AG

Terumo Corporation

ACON Laboratories

Medtronic

F.Hoffmann-la Roche

Sanofi

Dexcom Inc

Novo Nordisk

Insulet Corporation

Ascensia Diabetes Care

Ypsomed Holdings

Nova Biomedical

Key questions answered in this report:

What are the growth rate forecast and market size for Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market?

What are the key driving factors propelling the Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market forward?

What are the most important companies in the Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market Industry?

What segments does the Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market cover?

How can I receive a free copy of the Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market sample report and company profiles?

Report Scope:

Report Attribute Details Market size value in 2021 USD 14.79 Billion Revenue forecast in 2028 USD 31.5 Billion Growth Rate CAGR of almost 10.12 % 2022-2028 Base Year 2020 Historic Years 2016 - 2021 Forecast Years 2022 - 2028 Segments Covered By Product Type, By Application, and By End Use Forecast Units Value (USD Billion), and Volume (Units) Quantitative Units Revenue in USD million/billion and CAGR from 2022 to 2028 Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa, and Rest of World Countries Covered U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, GCC Countries, and South Africa, among others Companies Covered Glysens Incorporated, Lifescan IP Holdings, Senseonics, Prodigy Diabetes Care, B. Braun Melsungen AG, Terumo Corporation, ACON Laboratories, Medtronic, F.Hoffmann-la Roche, Sanofi, Dexcom Inc, Novo Nordisk, Insulet Corporation, Ascensia Diabetes Care, Ypsomed Holdings, Nova Biomedical. Report Coverage Market growth drivers, restraints, opportunities, Porter's five forces analysis, PEST analysis, value chain analysis, regulatory landscape, market attractiveness analysis by segments and region, company market share analysis, and COVID-19 impact analysis. Customization Scope Avail customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/custom/3435

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Recent Developments:

In January 2022 , a non-invasive blood glucose testing prototype was invented by Scanbo that provides blood glucose results in 60 secs. This invention will help cater to diabetic patients who are less comfortable with invasive blood glucose testing methods.

, a non-invasive blood glucose testing prototype was invented by Scanbo that provides blood glucose results in 60 secs. This invention will help cater to diabetic patients who are less comfortable with invasive blood glucose testing methods. In March 2021 , Omron Healthcare Inc. announced its expansion plans in India in the year 2021. Omron is a health device manufacturing company and their intention is to increase BGM device retails by 35 to 40%, in India .

Regional Dominance:

The global market is likely to be led by North America during the forecast period

North America was attributed with the highest global blood glucose monitoring system market in 2021 owing to a 35.5% share of the global revenue. Prevalence of obesity in addition to the high standard of medical assistance provided to patients, technically advanced equipment is expected to assist North America in staying the highest revenue contributor during the forecast period.

Europe shares a significant amount of global market share because of the awareness and proactive approach of their population in diagnosing and managing diabetes. Europe is expected to continue its growth streak because of the intense investment in healthcare facilities.

Asia Pacific is anticipated to register a higher CAGR during the forecast period owing to growing awareness & acceptance of BGM systems, particularly in India & China. The increase in investments in medical facilities is also a major cause for the anticipated growth. The slow but steady growth in spending capability of the general population is another factor expected to contribute to the global market.

The Middle East, Latin America & Africa are expected to show slow growth majorly because of a lack of awareness amongst the population about proper diabetes management. The number of undiagnosed patients in these regions still remains high causing a lagging growth graph in the global market. Below par standard of living is also one of the causes of registering slower CAGR.

Global Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market is segmented as follows:

Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market: By Product Outlook (2022-2028)

Self-monitoring system

Continuous glucose monitoring system

Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market: By Testing Site Outlook (2022-2028)

Fingertip testing

Alternate site testing

Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market: By Indication Outlook (2022-2028)

Type-I diabetes

Type-II diabetes

Others

Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market: By End-User Outlook (2022-2028)

Hospitals

Clinics

Homecare

Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market: By Region Outlook (2022-2028)

North America

The U.S.

Canada

Europe

France

The UK

Spain

Germany

Italy

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

India

South Korea

Southeast Asia

Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

GCC

South Africa

Rest of Middle East & Africa

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Bleeding edge technology platform Esaiyo has released its White Paper, Esaiyo Trace: Blockchain Auditing for Multi-Chain Digital Assets, it is currently available @ www.esaiyo.com.

Denver, Colorado--(Newsfile Corp. - June 10, 2022) - Esaiyo, a bleeding-edge technology company, has released its long-anticipated White Paper.

Esaiyo

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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This in-depth overview of Esaiyo Trace: Blockchain Auditing for Multi-Chain Digital Assets, is currently available for download on Esaiyo's website www.esaiyo.com.

Esaiyo believes all objects - physical, conceptual, and digital - have stories to tell and rights to individual existence which is secure, provable, testable, and audited. Evidence of asset behaviors should be easily available to anyone, anywhere. Currently, when a digital asset is created, the history, attributes, and behavior of the asset remain intact only so long as that asset remains on the platform where it was created. For non-fungible tokens (NFTs) especially, the "nature" of the asset implies the ability to migrate between markets that can best match the value of the asset. Over time, NFTs will spend significant time in secondary markets, perhaps even more than on their original platforms. While much attention has been paid to bridging assets between chains and platforms, there is little scrutiny regarding the metadata of the NFT - including history, digital rights, ownership, relationships to other objects and assets, legal presence and jurisdiction, and characteristics of the object. Esaiyo Trace (Trace) preserves both the asset transactional and intended behavior as well as its characteristics and implications for the entire life of the NFT. Moving across chains need not leave valuable information behind (when "burning" NFTs on the original chain). The moves need not be "new beginnings" for an asset (when "minting" NFTs on the new chain). Over time these "re-starts" impact the intrinsic, archival, and economic values of the asset itself. Esaiyo Trace maintains all aspects of the original asset as it migrates in a manner that preserves the primary capability of blockchain technology (Antonopoulos, 2017; Arsheep Bahga, 2017).

Esaiyo Trace enables intent, execution, and state-auditing where all observed behaviors are saved on-chain for NFT's. Esaiyo Trace provides on-chain consistency and validation for these diasporic characteristics and combines them with the rich record of behavior required to capture and present the complete asset view.

Esaiyo Trace enables cross-blockchain transfer of detailed information and data which make up the complete view of the asset preserving its provenance in addition to a coherent audit trail of all of the steps across both the source and destination marketplaces and blockchains.

In addition to launching its White Paper Esaiyo is now working with the Government of Barbados to explore the multiple uses of their proprietary software in protecting Barbados' ownership pertaining to their heritage data and records while amplifying this information by surfacing and connecting the stories of Barbados' people, culture, places, and significant objects through the launch of the ROAD Initiative. This initiative was launched in December via a press conference with some of the major stakeholders in the project including Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, the projects Architectural lead Sir David Ajaye, and LMI's Maxwell Anderson.

With customers as diverse as NFT platforms, sovereign nations & large manufacturers lining up to leverage the combined Esaiyo vision - the SIO Standard and the Esaiyo technology platform - Esaiyo is poised to help solidify humanity's onramp to the metaverse. Esaiyo is essentially building a framework to ultimately be the source of definitive narratives, authenticity, and provenance data for virtual and physical objects across the universe.

As Esaiyo CEO Raymond. St Martin stated, "As the next wave of information technology evolves around transparency and ownership, it is important to develop trust in a system that holds and surfaces the contextual data for all native and representative digital assets. By being the context engine that allows any bridge, platform, or brand to point to any digital asset and display it on and off-chain history, Esaiyo looks to be that trusted partner for many new and enterprising endeavors. We are continually building our core in support of what is really beyond what people are calling Web 3.0, and give access to those who can create a social, legacy, historical, and monetary value from tools like Esaiyo Trace."

Contact Info:

Name: Kwasi Asare

Email: kwasi@esaiyo.com

Organization: ESAIYO

Address: 1245 Champa Street, Denver, CO 80204, United States

Website: https://www.esaiyo.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127192
NEW YORK, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As per the Zion Market Research study, The global peptide therapeutics market was valued at $35B in 2021 and is projected to grow at 11% CAGR during the forecast period & reach over $74B by 2028. The report analyzes the peptide therapeutics market's drivers, restraints/challenges, and the effect they have on the demands during the projection period. In addition, the report explores emerging opportunities in the global peptide therapeutics market.

Key Industry Insights & Findings of the Peptide Therapeutics Market Reports:

As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the Peptide Therapeutics Market is expected to grow annually at a CAGR of around 11 % (2022-2028).

(2022-2028). Through the primary research, it was established that the Cognitive and Memory Enhancer Drugs Market was valued at approximately USD 35 Billion in 2021 and is projected to reach roughly USD 74 Billion by 2028.

Billion in 2021 and is projected to reach roughly Billion by 2028. North America region is the hub of key pharmaceutical players, high technology, R&D investment capacity, and world-class cancer treatment facilities, making it a heavily contributing region in the global market.

region is the hub of key pharmaceutical players, high technology, R&D investment capacity, and world-class cancer treatment facilities, making it a heavily contributing region in the global market. Europe is expected to show steady growth in the global market because of its advanced healthcare infrastructure and growing awareness related to peptide therapeutics.

is expected to show steady growth in the global market because of its advanced healthcare infrastructure and growing awareness related to peptide therapeutics. Africa & Latin America are expected to grow slowly owing to a lack of information on peptide therapeutics along with an absence of necessary healthcare infrastructure, resources, and treatment facilities.

Zion Market Research published the latest report titled "Peptide Therapeutics Market By Route Of Administration (Parenteral, Oral, And Others), By Type (Innovative And Generic), By Type Of Manufacturers (In-House And Outsourced), By Type Of Molecule (Vasopressin, Somatostatin, Calcitonin, Immunopeptide, Natriuretic, And Others), By Technology (Liquid Phase, Solid Phase, And Hybrid Phase), By Application (Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, Metabolic Disease, Respiratory Disease, Infectious Disease, And Others), And By Region: Global And Regional Industry Overview, Market Intelligence, Comprehensive Analysis, Historical Data, And Forecasts 2022 - 2028" into their research database.

Peptide Therapeutics Market: Overview

Peptide therapeutics are naturally created disease-treating small chain amino acids known as peptides. They assist humans in hormone creation and are excellent at protecting from infections. Since peptide therapeutics are naturally created by the body, they do not have any side effects and are easily accepted by the body during medical treatments.

Peptide therapeutics are century-old but were only known for their healing abilities. However, with technological advancements and extensive R&D, it was discovered that peptide therapeutics have extreme potential in treating severe diseases with great efficiency.

The global peptide therapeutics market has a substantial presence in the field of acute respiratory disorders, endocrinology, oncology, metabolism disorders, diabetes, dermatology, gastroenterology, and sexual dysfunction. They are also used to treat cardiovascular diseases and bone diseases.

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2022 Updated Report Introduction, Overview, and In-depth industry analysis

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Includes an Updated List of tables & figures

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Zion Market Research methodology

Industry Dynamics:

Peptide Therapeutics Market: Growth Drivers

Increase in cancer patients and respiratory disorders to propel the global market growth.

The growing number of patients suffering from cancer and its after-effects is a leading global market driver. The most prevalent treatment for cancer involves chemotherapy and radiation which leave long-lasting impacts on the patients giving rise to requirements for substitutes like peptide therapeutics. This is expected to move the global peptide therapeutics market forward. Other chronic diseases like diabetes or cardiovascular diseases are also contributing to the global market growth.

Rising demand for drugs that have minimal to no side effects like peptide therapeutics is attributed to becoming the global market driver during the forecast period.

Exhaustive R&D on diseases that might raise global concerns and which can be treated by peptide therapeutics in the future is anticipated to drive the global market.

Peptide Therapeutics Market: Restraints

Unstable nature of peptide therapeutics likely to hamper market growth.

Peptide therapeutics are extremely unstable rendering them difficult to be used. They can aggregate quickly resulting in damage to healthy cells. The volatility of peptide proteins is projected to act as a restraining factor for the global market growth.

In most cases, peptide therapeutics cannot be administered orally. The invasive techniques used for the intake of peptide-based drugs may cause reluctance amongst certain sections of the global population and are anticipated to restrain the global market during the forecast period.

Peptide therapeutics lack deep membrane permeability thus reducing the overall efficiency of the products, which is further anticipated to restrict the global market growth.

Peptide therapeutics tend to oxidize under improper care. The easy oxidization of peptide proteins increases task tediousness and is expected to hamper the global market.

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Global Peptide Therapeutics Market: Opportunities

Advent of multi-functional peptide therapeutics to bring growth prospects in the coming period.

The global peptide therapeutics market has immense opportunities given the innumerable benefits of peptide-based drugs. The creation of multi-functional peptide therapeutics with an even wider array of use is anticipated to provide excellent growth opportunities in the global market.

Increased innovation in alternate delivery modes of peptide therapeutics is expected to open multiple opportunities for the global market during the forecast period.

Even though the presence of peptide therapeutics in the human body has been for more than a century, their discovery is a recent event. With every passing day more & more peptide therapeutics are added to the global market. As of 2022, there are more than 200 peptide therapeutics in the global market and with ongoing R&D, more are expected to be added soon.

This is anticipated to open multiple growth opportunities in the global market.

Global Peptide Therapeutics Market: Challenges

Shift towards proteomics, high cost of peptide therapeutics along with quick expiration of patents to challenge the global market growth.

The global market is expected to move toward the study of proteins also called proteomics to create substitutes for peptide-based drugs which is anticipated to challenge the global market growth during the forecast period.

The development of peptide therapeutics is an expensive affair and the high cost of production & maintenance is anticipated to create challenging situations in the global market.

The creation of novel drugs requires approval from regulatory bodies and the approval process is extremely stringent which is anticipated to become a challenging factor in the global market.

A considerable number of patents for peptide therapeutics expire quickly which results in heavy losses to drug manufacturers and is anticipated to oppose the global market growth during the forecast period.

Global Peptide Therapeutics Market: Segmentation

The global peptide therapeutics market is segmented by route of administration, type, type of manufacturers, type of molecule, technology, application, and region

Based on the route of administration, the global market is segmented into parenteral, oral, and others. Currently, the global market is led by the parenteral mode, however, the global market is anticipated to be led by the oral mode of administration, during the forecast period.

Based on the type of manufacturers, the global market is segmented as in-house and outsourced. In-house manufacturing shares the highest market share and the same trend is anticipated during the forecast period, because of stringent rules laid down by regulatory bodies.

Based on the type of molecule, the global market is segmented as vasopressin, somatostatin, calcitonin, immunopeptide, natriuretic, and others. Immunopeptide is projected to lead the global market share because of its effective use in the treatment of tumors and cancer.

Based on technology, the global market is segmented into liquid phase, solid phase, and hybrid phase. The largest global market share was held by the liquid phase and is expected to continue with the same trend during the forecast period.

Based on the application, the global market share was shadowed by cancer treatment previously. Since 2020, the global market share was dominated Covid-19 related treatments. However, cancer is anticipated to become the lead contributor during the forecast period.

Get More Insight before Buying at: https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/inquiry/peptide-therapeutics-market

List of Key Players in Peptide Therapeutics Market:

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries

AstraZeneca

Sanofi S.A

Amazen Inc.

Takeda Pharmaceutical

Ipsen S.A

Merck & Co.

Novo Nordisk A/S

GlaxoSmithKline plc

Ever Neuro Pharma

Eli Lilly and Company

CordenPharma International

Key questions answered in this report:

What are the growth rate forecast and market size for Peptide Therapeutics Market?

What are the key driving factors propelling the Peptide Therapeutics Market forward?

What are the most important companies in the Peptide Therapeutics Market Industry?

What segments does the Peptide Therapeutics Market cover?

How can I receive a free copy of the Peptide Therapeutics Market sample report and company profiles?

Report Scope:

Report Attribute Details Market size value in 2021 USD 35 Billion Revenue forecast in 2028 USD 74 Billion Growth Rate CAGR of almost 11 % 2022-2028 Base Year 2020 Historic Years 2016 - 2021 Forecast Years 2022 - 2028 Segments Covered By Product Type, By Application, and By End Use Forecast Units Value (USD Billion), and Volume (Units) Quantitative Units Revenue in USD million/billion and CAGR from 2022 to 2028 Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa, and Rest of World Countries Covered U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, GCC Countries, and South Africa, among others Companies Covered Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, AstraZeneca, Sanofi S.A, Amazen Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical, Ipsen S.A, Merck & Co., Novo Nordisk A/S, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Ever Neuro Pharma, Eli Lilly and Company, CordenPharma International. Report Coverage Market growth drivers, restraints, opportunities, Porter's five forces analysis, PEST analysis, value chain analysis, regulatory landscape, market attractiveness analysis by segments and region, company market share analysis, and COVID-19 impact analysis. Customization Scope Avail customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/custom/3439

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Recent Developments:

August 2019 witnessed the merger of Neoleukin Inc. and Aquinox Pharmaceuticals to invest in peptide therapeutics which are designed computationally. The firms intend to produce peptide-based drugs for diseases that currently do not have peptide therapeutics available for treatment.

witnessed the merger of Neoleukin Inc. and Aquinox Pharmaceuticals to invest in peptide therapeutics which are designed computationally. The firms intend to produce peptide-based drugs for diseases that currently do not have peptide therapeutics available for treatment. In June 2019 , a collaboration between Gubra and Boehringer Ingelheim International was announced. The collaboration is intended to pave a way for newer peptide therapeutics drugs that will help in treating diabetes.

Regional Dominance:

North America to lead the global market during the forthcoming period.

The global peptide therapeutics market is anticipated to be led by North America. This region is the hub of key pharmaceutical players, high technology, R&D investment capacity, and world-class cancer treatment facilities, making it a heavily contributing region in the global market.

Europe is expected to show steady growth in the global market because of its advanced healthcare infrastructure and growing awareness related to peptide therapeutics.

Asia-Pacific & the Middle East witnessed a rise in the global market because of Covid-19. Rising cancer, diabetes, and acute respiratory disorders along with increased healthcare investments are anticipated to assist the global market growth.

Africa & Latin America are expected to grow slowly owing to a lack of information on peptide therapeutics along with an absence of necessary healthcare infrastructure, resources, and treatment facilities.

Global Peptide Therapeutics Market is segmented as follows:

Peptide Therapeutics Market: By Route of Administration Outlook (2022-2028)

Parenteral

Oral

Others

Peptide Therapeutics Market: By Type Outlook (2022-2028)

Innovative

Generic

Peptide Therapeutics Market: By Type of Manufacturers Outlook (2022-2028)

In-house

Outsourced

Peptide Therapeutics Market: By Type of Molecule Outlook (2022-2028)

Vasopressin

Somatostatin

Calcitonin

Immunopeptide

Natriuretic

Others

Peptide Therapeutics Market: By Technology Outlook (2022-2028)

Liquid phase

Solid-phase

Hybrid phase

Peptide Therapeutics Market: By Application Outlook (2022-2028)

Cancer

Cardiovascular Disease

Metabolic Disease

Respiratory Disease

Infectious Disease

Others

Peptide Therapeutics Market: By Region Outlook (2022-2028)

North America

The U.S.

Canada

Europe

France

The UK

Spain

Germany

Italy

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

India

South Korea

Southeast Asia

Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

GCC

South Africa

Rest of Middle East & Africa

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The global Genomics Personalized Health market accounted for in 2020 and is expected to reach by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2021 to 2028. Medical Supply Delivery Service Market - Global Industry Analysis : The global Medical Supply Delivery Service Market accrued earnings worth approximately 49.1 (USD Billion) in 2020 and is predicted to gain revenue of about 104.2 (USD Billion) by 2028, is set to record a CAGR of nearly 10.2% over the period from 2021 to 2028.

The global Medical Supply Delivery Service Market accrued earnings worth approximately 49.1 (USD Billion) in 2020 and is predicted to gain revenue of about 104.2 (USD Billion) by 2028, is set to record a CAGR of nearly 10.2% over the period from 2021 to 2028. Healthcare Video Conferencing Solutions Market - Global Industry Analysis: The global Healthcare Video Conferencing Solutions Market accrued earnings worth approximately 76.1 (USD Million) in 2020 and is predicted to gain revenue of about 115.2 (USD Million) by 2028, is set to record a CAGR of nearly 4.8% over the period from 2021 to 2028.

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CHICAGO, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report "RPA and Hyperautomation Market by Component (Solution, Services), Business Function (IT, Operations & Supply Chain, and HR), Deployment Mode (Cloud, On-premises), Vertical (BFSI, IT & Telecom, and Manufacturing) and Region - Global Forecast to 2027", published by MarketsandMarkets, the global RPA and Hyperautomation Market size is to grow from USD 9.2 billion in 2022 to USD 26.0 billion by 2027, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 23.1% during the forecast period. The RPA and Hyperautomation Market comprises three broad technologies: digital transformation with advanced techniques and surging demand for AI, ML, advanced analytics technologies for enhanced business operations, and rising demand for automated solutions for business continuity and planning is driving the growth of RPA and Hyperautomation Market.

Browse in-depth TOC on "RPA and Hyperautomation Market"

312 - Tables

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The services segment to hold a higher CAGR during the forecast period

Based on components, the services segment holds a higher CAGR during the forecast period. RPA and Hyperautomation combine multiple technologies to automate complex end-to-end business processes that involve decision-making and continuous learning. Businesses are leveraging this opportunity by automating small rule-based tasks to complex business processes. To respond to this dynamic trend, organizations need superior automation capabilities. Services form an integral part of the software lifecycle, including deployment, integration, product upgrade, maintenance, training, and consulting. Servers, apps, and managed services are the three types of services into which this segment is divided. Managed services are used for hosting and managing servers, applications, and networks for clients; these services are provided by third-party vendors. Professional services are obtained directly from parent companies.

The SMEs segment is estimated to have a higher CAGR during the forecast period

Based on organization size, the SMEs segment is estimated to have a higher CAGR during the forecast period. The intense competitive market scenario has encouraged SMEs to invest in RPA and Hyperautomation solutions and services, grow their productivity, and reduce costs. These enterprises aggressively opt for RPA due to flexibility, cost-effectiveness, lower technology risks, resource utilization scalability, and improved organizational productivity. The increasing awareness about the advantages of using automation within SMEs can help boost market growth. SMEs have limitations regarding human resources and budget and need to retain their operational expenses. The RPA enables SMEs to overcome the reduced human error and shortage of employees for redundant tasks by supporting automation functions, which is expected to boost the RPA and Hyperautomation Market.

The cloud segment is expected to have a higher CAGR during the forecast period

Based on deployment mode, the cloud segment is expected to have a higher CAGR during the forecast period. SMEs are majorly moving toward adopting the cloud deployment type due to its major benefits, such as lower costs, no requirement of manpower for hardware maintenance, faster and efficient results, and complete flexibility and scalability, which result in reduced Operational Expenditure (OPEX) and CAPEX. Seamless flexibility and scalability enable customers to store and retrieve actionable insights anytime and anywhere easily. The cloud-based deployment type enables users to easily access RPA and Hyperautomation solutions from a remote location in real-time. Cloud-based RPA and Hyperautomation solutions provide cost-saving benefits, which improve enterprises' operational efficiency and reduce operational costs.

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Europe is expected to hold the second largest share during the forecast period

RPA can help European society adapt faster and smarter, boost its productivity, and ensure more creative work modes. Some of the leading European countries that contribute to the RPA and Hyperautomation Market are the UK, Germany, Spain, France, and Italy. Despite a dynamic regulatory environment, Europe has witnessed significant economic growth in the past few years. European organizations increasingly focus on investing in innovations and are among the early adopters of leading technologies. Germany is considered one of the major manufacturing hubs for automotive, machinery and equipment, and electrical equipment. RPA and Hyperautomation help companies automate customer service functions and decrease manual processing costs related to promotional funds management, order management, warranties, and returns processing.

Key Players

Key players offering RPA and Hyperautomation Market are IBM (US), Microsoft (US), SAP (Germany), Alteryx (US), Appian (US), Juniper Networks (US), NICE (Israel), Zendesk (US), Pegasystems (US), Automation Anywhere (US), UiPath (US), ProcessMaker (US), SolveXia (Australia), PagerDuty (US), Celonis (US), Blue Prism (UK), Laserfiche (US), akaBot (Vietnam), HelpSystems (US), Decisions (US), Datamatics (US), Quale Infotech (India), Laiye (China), Rocketbot (Chile), ElectroNeek (US), Automate.io (US), AutomationEdge (US), Techforce.ai (US), Turbotic (Sweden), Simple Fractal (US), and G1ANT (England).

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The "Global Ammunition Market 2021-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global ammunition market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.2% during the forecast period (2021-2027). The major aspect that drives the growth of the market includes the rising terrorists and hostilities across the globe.

According to the Our World in Data in 2018, around 21,000 casualties happen every year due to terrorism, globally. Moreover, over the past five years, terrorist attacks were increased by 320.0% in North America, Western Europe, and Oceania. In response to the increasing terrorist attacks, the military organizations are expanding their artillery reserves to deal with the conflicts with the neighboring nations; which is likely to create a substantial scope for the market growth during the forecast period.

The global ammunition market is segmented on the basis of product type, application, and end-user. Based on the product type, the market is segmented as small caliber, medium caliber, and large caliber. The large caliber segment of the market is projected to hold the most substantial share in the market during the forecast period.

Based on the application, the market is segmented as non-lethal and lethal. The lethal segment of the market is projected to hold the most substantial share in the market during the forecast period. While, based on the end-user, the market is segmented as civilian and military. The military segment of the market is projected to hold the most substantial share in the market during the forecast period.

Geographically, the global ammunition market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. The North American region is projected to hold a significant market share. The US and Canada are the major economies primarily contributing to the growth of the ammunition market in the region.

Further, BAE Systems Plc, General Dynamics Corp., Nammo A/S, Nexter Group, Northrop Grumman Corp., Remington Arms Co., Rheinmetall AG, Sierra Bullets, and Vista Outdoor Inc. among others are some of the prominent players functioning in the global ammunition market.

New product launches developments, partnerships, agreements, and acquisitions are some of the growth strategies adopted by the players in order to sustain in the highly competitive market.

The Report Covers

Comprehensive research methodology of the global ammunition market.

This report also includes a detailed and extensive market overview with key analyst insights.

An exhaustive analysis of macro and micro factors influencing the market guided by key recommendations.

Analysis of regional regulations and other government policies impacting the global ammunition market.

Insights about market determinants which are stimulating the global ammunition market.

Detailed and extensive market segments with regional distribution of forecast revenues.

Extensive profiles and recent developments of the market players.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Report Summary

1.1. Research Methods and Tools

1.2. Market Breakdown

1.2.1. By Segments

1.2.2. By Geography

2. Market Overview and Insights

2.1. Scope of the Report

2.2. Analyst Insight Current Market Trends

2.2.1. Key Findings

2.2.2. Recommendations

2.2.3. Conclusion

3. Competitive Landscape

3.1. Competitive Dashboard

3.2. Key Strategy Analysis

3.3. Key Company Analysis

3.3.1. Overview

3.3.2. Financial Analysis

3.3.3. SWOT Analysis

3.3.4. Recent Developments

4. Market Determinants

4.1. Motivators

4.2. Restraints

4.3. Opportunities

5. Market Segmentation

5.1. Global Ammunition Market by Product Type

5.1.1. Small Caliber

5.1.2. Medium Caliber

5.1.3. Large Caliber

5.2. Global Ammunition Market by Application

5.2.1. Non-lethal

5.2.2. Lethal

5.3. Global Ammunition Market by End-User

5.3.1. Civilian

5.3.2. Military

6. Regional Analysis

6.1. North America

6.1.1. US

6.1.2. Canada

6.2. Europe

6.2.1. UK

6.2.2. Germany

6.2.3. Italy

6.2.4. Spain

6.2.5. France

6.2.6. Rest of Europe

6.3. Asia-Pacific

6.3.1. China

6.3.2. India

6.3.3. Japan

6.3.4. ASEAN

6.3.5. South Korea

6.3.6. Rest of Asia-Pacific

6.4. Rest of the World

7. Company Profiles

Ammo, Inc.

BAE Systems PLC

CBC Global Ammunition

General Dynamics Corp.

Global Ordnance

Jagemann Stamping Co.

MESKO

Nammo A/S

Nexter Group

Northrop Grumman Corp.

Remington Arms Co.

Rheinmetall AG

RUAG Group

Sierra Bullets

Vista Outdoor Inc.

Winchester Ammunition (Olin Corp.)

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/pwvhzu

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WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - NASA is commissioning a study team to start early in the Fall to examine unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) - that is, observations of events in the sky that cannot be identified as aircraft or known natural phenomena - from a scientific perspective.



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, the U.S. space agency said.



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.



Thomas Zurbuchen, the associate administrator for science at NASA Headquarters in Washington, said: 'We have access to a broad range of observations of Earth from space - and that is the lifeblood of scientific inquiry. We have the tools and team who can help us improve our understanding of the unknown. That's the very definition of what science is. That's what we do.'



The agency is not part of the Department of Defense's Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Task Force or its successor, the Airborne Object Identification and Management Synchronization Group. NASA has, however, coordinated widely across the government regarding how to apply the tools of science to shed light on the nature and origin of unidentified aerial phenomena.



The independent study team will be led by astrophysicist David Spergel, who is president of the Simons Foundation in New York City.



The study is expected to take about nine months to complete.







Copyright(c) 2022 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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XI'AN, China, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2022 UN Global Compact Leaders Summit was held virtually on June 1 and 2. LONGi founder and president Li Zhenguo took part via video in the session "China Town Hall: Sustainable, Inclusive and Just Transition Towards a Shared Global Development Vision" at the CEO Roundtable: Race to Net Zero-Chinese Companies Step up.

During this session, he engaged in an in-depth and fruitful discussion on topics, such as zero-carbon development and sustainability, with representatives from a wide range of stakeholders, including the United Nations, governments, businesses and civil society organizations.

As the world's largest annual event for sustainable business leaders, the UNGC Leader Summit aims to evaluate progress made to date on the Ten Principles and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), addressing shortcomings in leadership, knowledge, resources and funding. LONGi is one of the important business partners of UNGC and has always supported its global action towards sustainability.

"From the perspective of the entire life cycle of the industry chain, reducing carbon emissions in the photovoltaic industry chain needs to be done from two dimensions, which are improving the power generation of photovoltaic products and reducing the carbon emissions of products themselves," Li Zhenguo said at the summit. In 2018, LONGi proposed the development concept of "Solar for Solar", which aims to create low-cost clean energy for the world while practicing the concept of clean production and green manufacturing.

Technological innovation is the core competitiveness of enterprises. LONGi hopes that the entire photovoltaic industry will return to the main circuit of improving solar cell efficiency, and strengthen R&D investment in new solar cell materials and technologies to reduce costs and increase benefits. "LONGi's essential responsibility and mission is to do our main business well and contribute to green and low-carbon development,"Li Zhenguo told the summit. It is precisely because of this "First Principle" that LONGi invested CNY 4.394 billion in R&D in 2021, becoming the enterprise with the largest investment in the global photovoltaic industry for five consecutive years, and breaking the world record of solar photovoltaic cell conversion efficiency 7 times in a year. Since this year, LONGi has refreshed the conversion efficiency record for p-type HJT solar cell and indium-free HJT solar cell, pushing the conversion efficiency to 25.47% and 25.40% respectively.

As a socially responsible company headquartered in Xi'an, capital of northwest China'sShaanxi Province, LONGi actively engages in sustainable development initiatives. In 2021, the company announced an ambitious plan at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15), pledging to convert the company's Baoshan production base in Yunnan Province into its first "Net-zero Plant" by 2023. The announcement will see the beginning of "Net-zero LONGi" and the establishment of a test field for the company's "Solar for Solar" sustainable development concept.

According to LONGi's 2021 sustainability report, the company has reached 40.19% of renewable electricity use in its global operations and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 1,687,933 tons, through the three disciplines of self-owned power generation facilities, procurement of third-party power generation facilities and contract procurement of green power. On April 24, LONGi also officially released the "Supply Chain Green Partner Empowerment Plan" at the company's 2022 supplier conference, aiming to promote suppliers to carry out energy conservation and emission reduction actions through carbon management empowerment training. While directly reducing the carbon emissions of partner suppliers, LONGi can also enhance the carbon emissions of the base value chain and the carbon footprint of LONGi photovoltaic products.

Moving forward, LONGi will continue to enhance technological innovation with ambitious goals and continuously work toward the reduction of product cost and green zero-carbon development, continuing to support UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UN Global Compact's initiatives and actions towards sustainability.

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Regulatory News:

IMPLANET (Euronext Growth: ALIMP, FR0013470168, eligible for PEA-PME equity savings plans) (Paris:ALIMP), a medical technology company specializing in vertebral implants, informs its shareholders that its Annual General Meeting was held on Thursday 9 June 2022 at 2:00 pm at the company's registered office in Martillac.

The number of shares held by the shareholders present or represented was 5,305,617, representing a quorum of 26.96%.

All the resolutions of this Annual General Meeting were adopted.

The minutes of the shareholders' meeting will be available within the legal deadlines on the Company's website: www.implanet-invest.com/general-meeting

Upcoming financial events:

H1 2022 revenue, July 11, 2022, after market

- H1 2022 results, September 20, 2022, after market

About IMPLANET

Founded in 2007, IMPLANET is a medical technology company that manufactures high-quality implants for orthopedic surgery. Its activity revolves around a comprehensive innovative solution for improving the treatment of spinal pathologies (JAZZ) complemented by the product range offered by Orthopaedic Spine Development (OSD), acquired in May 2021 (thoraco-lumbar screws, cages and cervical plates). Implanet's tried-and-tested orthopedic platform is based on the traceability of its products. Protected by four families of international patents, JAZZ has obtained 510(k) regulatory clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, the CE mark in Europe and ANVISA approval in Brazil. IMPLANET employs 39 staff and recorded a consolidated revenue of 6.1 million in 2021. Based near Bordeaux in France, IMPLANET opened a US subsidiary in Boston in 2013. IMPLANET is listed on the Euronext Growth market in Paris. For further information, please visit www.Implanet.com.

The Company would like to remind readers that the table for monitoring the equity line (OCA, BSA) and the number of shares outstanding is available on its website: http://www.implanet-invest.com/suivi-des-actions-80

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220610005476/en/

Contacts:

IMPLANET

Ludovic Lastennet, CEO

David Dieumegard, CFO

Tel.: +33 (0)5 57 99 55 55

investors@Implanet.com

NewCap

Investor Relations

Mathilde Bohin

Nicolas Fossiez

Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94

Implanet@newcap.eu

NewCap

Media Relations

Arthur Rouille

Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94

Implanet@newcap.eu
NEW YORK, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As per the Zion Market Research study, the global blood transfusion diagnostics market was worth around USD 4.5 billion in 2021 and is estimated to grow to about USD 7.2 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 7.5 percent over the forecast period. The report analyzes the blood transfusion diagnostics market's drivers, restraints/challenges, and the effect they have on the demands during the projection period. In addition, the report explores emerging opportunities in the blood transfusion diagnostics market.

Key Industry Insights & Findings of the Blood Transfusion Diagnostics Market Reports:

As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the Blood Transfusion Diagnostics Market is expected to grow annually at a CAGR of around 7.5 % (2022-2028).

(2022-2028). Through the primary research, it was established that the Cognitive and Memory Enhancer Drugs Market was valued at approximately USD 4.5 Billion in 2021 and is projected to reach roughly USD 7.5 Billion by 2028.

Billion in 2021 and is projected to reach roughly Billion by 2028. The North American region's predominance is attributable to a well-established healthcare infrastructure, more public knowledge about blood donations, and better acceptance of the blood transfusion method.

The National Centre for Biotechnology Information, over 15 million blood units are transfused in the United States each year, and about 85 million units are transfused globally.

each year, and about 85 million units are transfused globally. With the wide availability of CE-approved instrument assays for Nucleic Acid tests (NAT) and serological test-based procedures in European countries, the market in Europe is expected to develop at a considerable CAGR.

Zion Market Research published the latest report titled "Blood Transfusion Diagnostics Market By Product Type (Instruments, Kits & Reagents), By Application (Blood Grouping, Molecular Disease Screening), By End-User (Hospitals, Diagnostic Laboratories, Blood Banks), And By Region - Global And Regional Industry Overview, Market Intelligence, Comprehensive Analysis, Historical Data, And Forecasts 2022 - 2028" into their research database.

Blood Transfusion Diagnostics Market: Overview

The term "blood transfusion diagnostics" refers to tests performed on blood and blood components prior to their transfusion to patients. To avoid adverse reactions or infection transmission, every blood unit should be screened for blood group type and diseases. It's an important aspect of transfusion therapy since it gives healthcare workers important information and ensures the compatibility of recipient and donor blood samples.

Get a Free Sample Report with All Related Graphs & Charts (with COVID 19 Impact Analysis): https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/sample/blood-transfusion-diagnostics-market

Our Free Sample Report Includes:

2022 Updated Report Introduction, Overview, and In-depth industry analysis

COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak Impact Analysis Included

205 + Pages Research Report (Inclusion of Updated Research)

Provide Chapter-wise guidance on Request

2022 Updated Regional Analysis with Graphical Representation of Size, Share & Trends

Includes an Updated List of tables & figures

Updated Report Includes Top Market Players with their Business Strategy, Sales Volume, and Revenue Analysis

Zion Market Research methodology

Industry Dynamics:

Blood Transfusion Diagnostics Market: Growth Drivers

Growing need for blood transfusion to foster the growth of the market.

Blood transfusion demand is being driven by the growing prevalence of infectious and chronic diseases such as severe thrombocytopenia, sickle cell disease, liver disease, kidney disease, hemophilia, cancer, and anemia. According to WHO, anemia was shown to be prevalent in 29.9% of reproductive-age women globally, equating to nearly half a billion females aged 15 to 49. Non-pregnant females of reproductive age had a prevalence of 29.6%, while pregnant women had a prevalence of 36.5 %. In addition to this, the market is being driven by an increase in the number of delivery cases, surgeries, car accidents, and trauma, all of which have resulted in substantial transfusions. Transfusion-transmitted Infections (TTIs) are becoming more common, resulting in a significant demand for donor screening, thereby fueling the market growth.

Blood Transfusion Diagnostics Market: Restraints

High costs associated with the equipment and test limit the market growth.

For the long-term viability of health services that meet quality standards, it is critical to assess the cost and suitability of diagnosis & treatment approaches. Hospitals have evolved into socioeconomic institutions as medical technology has advanced, and they now account for a considerable portion of healthcare costs. The cost of allogeneic blood transfusion varies depending on the application in therapy expenditures. Purchase, treat transfusion-induced responses, monitor, dispose of it as medical waste, supply blood components to relevant clinics, test & preparation the component suitable for transfusion, and submitting all required information imposes an expensive burden. All such factors coupled with the high cost of kits & reagents may impede the growth of the global blood transfusion diagnostics market.

Directly Purchase a Copy of the Report @ https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/buynow/su/blood-transfusion-diagnostics-market

Global Blood Transfusion Diagnostics Market: Opportunities

Introduction of advanced diagnostics and kits to drive the market during the forecast period.

With the technological advancements in the healthcare domain, there is the introduction of advanced and reliable diagnostics as well as reagents & kits for blood transfusion. Players in the market are focusing on implementing technical breakthroughs in testing techniques. Plasma fractionation is an example of such technological advancement. These factors are estimated to open numerous opportunities for the growth of the market. Also, factors such as growing demand for molecular-based screening of diseases and launch as well as approval of advanced systems have the potential to boost the market during the forecast period.

Global Blood Transfusion Diagnostics Market: Challenges

Lack of skilled professionals poses a challenge for the market.

The prime challenge for the blood transfusion diagnostics market is the lack of skilled professionals to operate advanced equipment & kits used for tests and screening of the blood. In addition to this, strict regulatory bodies and unawareness of blood donations in underdeveloped countries are also some of the factors that pose a challenge to the growth of the market.

Global Blood Transfusion Diagnostics Market: Segmentation

The global blood transfusion diagnostics market is divided based on product type, application, end-user, and region.

On the basis of product type, the global market is fragmented into kits & reagents, and instruments. By application, the market is split into molecular disease screening and blood grouping. Based on the end-user segment, the market is classified into blood banks, diagnostic laboratories, and hospitals.

Get More Insight before Buying@: https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/inquiry/blood-transfusion-diagnostics-market

List of Key Players in Blood Transfusion Diagnostics Market:

F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG

Bio-Rad Laboratories

Abbott

Ortho Clinical Diagnostics

Immucor Inc.

BIOKIT

Danaher

DiaSorin S.P.A.

BAG Healthcare GmbH

Quotient Limited

Key questions answered in this report:

What are the growth rate forecast and market size for Blood Transfusion Diagnostics Market?

What are the key driving factors propelling the Blood Transfusion Diagnostics Market forward?

What are the most important companies in the Blood Transfusion Diagnostics Market Industry?

What segments does the Blood Transfusion Diagnostics Market cover?

How can I receive a free copy of the Blood Transfusion Diagnostics Market sample report and company profiles?

Report Scope:

Report Attribute Details Market size value in 2021 USD 4.5 Billion Revenue forecast in 2028 USD 7.2 Billion Growth Rate CAGR of almost 7.5 % 2022-2028 Base Year 2020 Historic Years 2016 - 2021 Forecast Years 2022 - 2028 Segments Covered By Product Type, By Application, and By End Use Forecast Units Value (USD Billion), and Volume (Units) Quantitative Units Revenue in USD million/billion and CAGR from 2022 to 2028 Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa, and Rest of World Countries Covered U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, GCC Countries, and South Africa, among others Companies Covered F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Bio-Rad Laboratories, Abbott, Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Immucor, Inc., BIOKIT, Danaher, DiaSorin S.P.A., BAG Healthcare GmbH, and Quotient Limited, among others. Report Coverage Market growth drivers, restraints, opportunities, Porter's five forces analysis, PEST analysis, value chain analysis, regulatory landscape, market attractiveness analysis by segments and region, company market share analysis, and COVID-19 impact analysis. Customization Scope Avail of customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/custom/3408

Free Brochure: https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/requestbrochure/blood-transfusion-diagnostics-market

Recent Developments:

In April 2021 , ORTHO VISION Max Swift and ORTHO VISION Swift analyzers were introduced by Ortho Clinical Diagnostics. These analyzers provide laboratory networks with increased processing power and enhanced data security.

Regional Dominance:

North America to dominate the global market during upcoming period.

Among the regions, North America is estimated to hold the largest share in the global blood transfusion diagnostics market during the forecast period. The region's predominance is attributable to a well-established healthcare infrastructure, more public knowledge about blood donations, and better acceptance of the blood transfusion method. According to the National Centre for Biotechnology Information, over 15 million blood units are transfused in the United States each year, and about 85 million units are transfused globally. Due to the wide availability of CE-approved instrument assays for Nucleic Acid Test (NAT) and serological test-based procedures in European countries, the market in Europe is expected to develop at a considerable CAGR. The market in the Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow at a rapid rate during the forecast period.

Global Blood Transfusion Diagnostics Market is segmented as follows:

Blood Transfusion Diagnostics Market: By Product Type Outlook (2022-2028)

Instruments

Kits & Reagents

Blood Transfusion Diagnostics Market: By Application Outlook (2022-2028)

Blood Grouping

Molecular Disease Screening

Blood Transfusion Diagnostics Market: By End User Outlook (2022-2028)

Hospitals

Diagnostic Laboratories

Blood Banks

Blood Transfusion Diagnostics Market: By Region Outlook (2022-2028)

North America

The U.S.

Canada

Europe

France

The UK

Spain

Germany

Italy

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

India

South Korea

Southeast Asia

Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

GCC

South Africa

Rest of Middle East & Africa

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The global Leadless Pacemaker Systems Market accrued earnings worth approximately 55 (USD Million) in 2021 and is predicted to gain revenue of about 98 (USD Million) by 2028, is set to record a CAGR of nearly 10.1% over the period from 2022 to 2028. Bone Growth Stimulators Market - Global Industry Analysis : The global bone growth stimulators market was worth around USD 1.21 billion in 2021 and is estimated to grow to about USD 1.85 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 5.2 percent over the forecast period.

The global bone growth stimulators market was worth around in 2021 and is estimated to grow to about by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 5.2 percent over the forecast period. Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction Market - Global Industry Analysis: The market was valued at $143 million in 2021 and is likely to reach $312 million by the end of 2028. The market is set to experience a high growth rate of 9.3 % during the forecast period.

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Zion Market Research is an obligated company. We create futuristic, cutting edge, informative reports ranging from industry reports, company reports to country reports. We provide our clients not only with market statistics unveiled by avowed private publishers and public organizations but also with vogue and newest industry reports along with pre-eminent and niche company profiles. Our database of market research reports comprises a wide variety of reports from cardinal industries. Our database is been updated constantly in order to fulfill our clients with prompt and direct online access to our database. Keeping in mind the client's needs, we have included expert insights on global industries, products, and market trends in this database. Last but not the least, we make it our duty to ensure the success of clients connected to us-after all-if you do well, a little of the light shines on us.

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Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

For immediate release

10 June 2022

FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC

(the "Company")

MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES

The Company announces that it has today purchased 14,412 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 765.00p per Ordinary Share. Such shares will be held in treasury by the Company.

The transaction was made pursuant to the authority granted at the Annual General Meeting of the Company held on 9 February 2022.

Following this transaction, the total number of Ordinary Shares held by the Company in treasury is 3,562,307; 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 221,428,996.

The figure of 221,428,996 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
NEW YORK, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As per the Zion Market Research study, The global cardiac Holter monitor market achieved revenue growth of about USD 381.6 billion in 2021 and is projected to reach around USD 545.9 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 5.9 percent over the forecast period. The report evaluates significant parameters of the cardiac Holter monitor market such as drivers, restraints/challenges, and the effect they have on the Holter monitoring devices during the forecasted period. In addition, the report explores emerging opportunities in the cardiac Holter monitor market.

Key Industry Insights & Findings of the Cardiac Holter Monitor Market Reports:

As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the Cardiac Holter Monitor Market is expected to grow annually at a CAGR of around 5.9 % (2022-2028).

(2022-2028). Through the primary research, it was established that the Cognitive and Memory Enhancer Drugs Market was valued at approximately USD 381.6 Billion in 2021 and is projected to reach roughly USD 545.9 Billion by 2028.

Billion in 2021 and is projected to reach roughly Billion by 2028. North America accounted for the biggest share in the global cardiac Holter monitor market in 2021, holding nearly 35 percent of the share in the global market.

accounted for the biggest share in the global cardiac Holter monitor market in 2021, holding nearly 35 percent of the share in the global market. North America is likely to maintain its dominance in the cardiac Holter monitor market, owing to investments made by major companies in the medical device sector and a steady increase in the incidence of cardiovascular illnesses in the region.

is likely to maintain its dominance in the cardiac Holter monitor market, owing to investments made by major companies in the medical device sector and a steady increase in the incidence of cardiovascular illnesses in the region. The rapid expansion of the market in the Asia Pacific during the projected period is due to a higher incidence of cardiac arrhythmia and atrial fibrillation, as well as several WHO programs for the control of cardiovascular illnesses.

Zion Market Research published the latest report titled "Cardiac Holter Monitor Market By Type (1-Channel, 2-Channel, 3-Channel, 12-Channel, And Others), By Component (Holter Monitoring Devices, Holter Analysis System & Software, And Event Monitoring Devices), By End-Use (Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs), Homecare, And Others), And By Region - Global And Regional Industry Overview, Market Intelligence, Comprehensive Analysis, Historical Data, And Forecasts 2022 - 2028" into their research database.

Cardiac Holter Monitor Market: Overview

A Holter monitor is a tiny, wearable device that measures the beat of the heart. It's used to find out if a person is in danger of having an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias). If a standard electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) does not offer adequate information regarding the heart's state, a Holter monitor test may be performed. If the irregular heartbeats are intermittent, an event recorder, and a longer-term monitor, may be required. Cardiac Holter tracking is non-invasive and easy to perform the test. Also, it is painless. This device along with the sensors and cables can be hidden underneath clothes.

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Includes an Updated List of tables & figures

Updated Report Includes Top Market Players with their Business Strategy, Sales Volume, and Revenue Analysis

Zion Market Research methodology

Industry Dynamics:

Cardiac Holter Monitor Market: Growth Drivers

A shift in lifestyle and an increase in chronic diseases may boost the market growth.

Globally, a rise in the occurrence of heart blockages and arrests has been seen as a result of rapid urbanization, stressful work schedules, and increased intake of fast food. This has boosted demand for technologically improved gadgets that aid in the correct diagnosis of health concerns. Furthermore, governments in a number of nations are sponsoring efforts to raise public knowledge of various cardiovascular illnesses, their prevention, and treatment. Furthermore, a substantial movement among individuals toward minimally invasive diagnostic devices and preventative healthcare technologies is bolstering the global cardiac Holter monitor market growth. Manufacturers are responding by creating new and compact goods that provide more convenience.

Cardiac Holter Monitor Market: Restraints

Stringent regulation may halt the market growth over the forecast period.

Holter monitoring devices are subject to strict regulatory criteria, and insurance coverage policies for the devices are lacking in numerous countries, which is projected to stymie market expansion. The typical compensation for a Holter monitoring study is expected to be less than USD 100, which is significantly less than the remuneration for mobile cardiac telemetry. Furthermore, in emerging nations, the lack of knowledge necessary for data processing is impeding the growth of the Holter monitoring systems market.

Directly Purchase a Copy of the Report @ https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/buynow/su/cardiac-holter-monitor-market

Global Cardiac Holter Monitor Market: Opportunities

Increasing investments in wireless Holter monitors are expected to offer better growth opportunities to the market.

Owing to the increase in popularity of wireless devices many market players have increased their investments in developing wireless cardiac Holter monitors. Wireless Holter monitor offers ease of operation and accuracy; also many vendors are expanding their reach to boost the market growth. Furthermore, the growing emphasis on developing expertise in the use of Holter monitoring systems is likely to provide attractive growth prospects for market participants. For example, NorthEast Monitoring, Inc., a firm located in the United States, provides Holter technology training as part of its ambulatory cardiac software and hardware solutions.

Global Cardiac Holter Monitor Market: Challenges

Low awareness about the advantage of a cardiac Holter monitor in developing countries poses a major challenge for the expansion of the market.

The global cardiac Holter monitor market is expected to be hampered due to low awareness about the benefits of Holter monitoring devices. This is mainly due to more emphasis on traditional methods of cardiac monitoring systems, the low spending power of the patient, and the limited presence of vendors. Furthermore, a dearth of knowledge about the use of cardia Holter monitoring devices also contributes to the slow growth of the market.

Global Cardiac Holter Monitor Market: Segmentation

The global cardiac Holter monitor market is categorized into type, component, end-user, and region.

Based on type, the cardiac Holter monitor market is categorized into 1-channel, 2-channel, 3-channel, 12-channel, and others. The component segment of the market is bifurcated into Holter monitoring devices, Holter analysis systems & software, and event monitoring devices. The end-use segment comprised hospitals & clinics, ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs), homecare, and others.

Get More Insight before Buying@: https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/inquiry/cardiac-holter-monitor-market

List of Key Players in Cardiac Holter Monitor Market:

GE Healthcare

Koninklijke Philips N.V.

FUKUDA DENSHI

Spacelabs Healthcare

Nasiff Associates Inc.

Welch Allyn

Schiller

Biomedical Instruments Co.Ltd.

BTL

LifeWatch AG

The ScottCare Corporation

Key questions answered in this report:

What are the growth rate forecast and market size for Cardiac Holter Monitor Market?

What are the key driving factors propelling the Cardiac Holter Monitor Market forward?

What are the most important companies in the Cardiac Holter Monitor Market Industry?

What segments does the Cardiac Holter Monitor Market cover?

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Report Scope:

Report Attribute Details Market size value in 2021 USD 381.6 Billion Revenue forecast in 2028 USD 545.9 Billion Growth Rate CAGR of almost 5.9 % 2022-2028 Base Year 2020 Historic Years 2016 - 2021 Forecast Years 2022 - 2028 Segments Covered By Product Type, By Application, and By End Use Forecast Units Value (USD Billion), and Volume (Units) Quantitative Units Revenue in USD million/billion and CAGR from 2022 to 2028 Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa, and Rest of World Countries Covered U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, GCC Countries, and South Africa, among others Companies Covered GE Healthcare, Koninklijke Philips N.V., FUKUDA DENSHI, Spacelabs Healthcare, Nasiff Associates, Inc., Welch Allyn, Schiller, Biomedical Instruments Co., Ltd., BTL, LifeWatch AG, and The ScottCare Corporation. Report Coverage Market growth drivers, restraints, opportunities, Porter's five forces analysis, PEST analysis, value chain analysis, regulatory landscape, market attractiveness analysis by segments and region, company market share analysis, and COVID-19 impact analysis. Customization Scope Avail of customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/custom/3394

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Recent Developments:

November 2021 , Philips, a leading company in health technology, revealed the acquisition of Cardiologs, a medical technology business based in France that focuses on leveraging cloud technologies and artificial intelligence to transform cardiac diagnostics.

, Philips, a leading company in health technology, revealed the acquisition of Cardiologs, a medical technology business based in that focuses on leveraging cloud technologies and artificial intelligence to transform cardiac diagnostics. April 2022 , Medtronic announced the launch of artificial intelligence algorithms for cardiac monitoring in Europe .

Regional Dominance:

North America to dominate the global market over the forecast period.

North America accounted for the biggest share in the global cardiac Holter monitor market in 2021, holding nearly 35 percent of the share in the global market. This is primarily due to rising patient desire for less invasive diagnostic techniques and greater government support for cardiovascular problem treatments. North America is likely to maintain its dominance in the cardiac Holter monitor market, owing to investments made by major companies in the medical device sector and a steady increase in the incidence of cardiovascular illnesses in the region. During the projected period of the study, Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest expanding segment, with the highest CAGR. The rapid expansion of the market in Asia Pacific during the projected period is due to a higher incidence of cardiac arrhythmia and atrial fibrillation, as well as several WHO programs for the control of cardiovascular illnesses.

Global Cardiac Holter Monitor Market is segmented as follows:

Cardiac Holter Monitor Market: By Type Outlook (2022-2028)

1-channel

2-channel

3-channel

12-channel

others

Cardiac Holter Monitor Market: By Component Outlook (2022-2028)

Holter Monitoring Devices

Holter Analysis System and Software

Event Monitoring Devices

Cardiac Holter Monitor Market: By End User Outlook (2022-2028)

Hospitals and Clinics

Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs)

Homecare

Others

Cardiac Holter Monitor Market: By Region Outlook (2022-2028)

North America

The U.S.

Canada

Europe

France

The UK

Spain

Germany

Italy

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

India

South Korea

Southeast Asia

Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

GCC

South Africa

Rest of Middle East & Africa

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 10, 2022) - Quantum Battery Metals Corp. (CSE: QBAT) (OTC Pink: BRVVF) (FSE: 23B0) ("Quantum" or the "Company") announces that the Company has begun to engage in talks with third parties to acquire a new lithium project. The Company plans to strengthen its property portfolio through acquisitions and conduct more exploration plans within the upcoming year. With the increased influx of production and need for EV Batteries in the market, it is critical that the Company positions themselves as a leader in the lithium and cobalt space. The potential acquisition target follows Quantum Battery Metals' model of being located within Canada due to political and economic stability.

As the Company continues development opportunities in connection with the evaluation of the Nipissing Lorrain rockpile, the Company is looking to balance its portfolio in the discoveries category with acquisition of this Lithium property. Management is focusing on both lithium and cobalt as both are an integral part of the creation of EV Batteries. Global lithium-ion battery production is set to increase by 218% between 2020 and 2025. With the demand of lithium-ion batteries which is used in consumer products such as electronics, appliances, and cars, the next few years are vital to acquiring conflict-free battery metal properties.

"Quantum has positioned as an industry leader by its acquisitions of cobalt and lithium properties within the past years, and we understand the importance of evaluating our properties to its fullest. The interest of EV Metals has drastically increased due to the technology boom of this decade and we plan to situate ourselves as a prime contender. Throughout our course we've continued to keep a balanced portfolio of discoveries and early-stage development all focused on the idea of conflict-free Canadian battery metals," states David Greenway, director.

QUANTUM BATTERY METALS CORP.

"Andrew Sostad"

_______________________

Andrew Sostad, CEO and Director

Contact Information:

400 - 837 West Hastings Street

Vancouver, British Columbia

V6C 3N6

Phone: 604.629.2936

Email: Info@quantumbatterymetals.com

Forward-Looking Information This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that Quantum Battery Metals Corp. (the "Company") expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results 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. 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 applicable 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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127237
Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - June 10, 2022) - Beauce Gold Fields (Champs D'Or en Beauce) (TSXV: BGF), ("BGF" or the "Company"): is pleased to announce it is closing its previously announced non-brokered private placement of 6 million units at a price of $0.06 per unit for gross proceeds of $360,000.00.

Each unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the company and one common share purchase warrant. Each warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one common share in the capital of the company at a price of $0.10 for a period of three (3) years from the date of closing of the placement. Each share issued pursuant to the placement will have a mandatory four-month-and-one-day hold period from the date of closing of the placement. The placement is subject to standard regulatory approvals including the approval of the exchange. The proceeds of the placement will be used: (i) to finance exploration and (ii) for general corporate purposes.

In connection with the placement, the company will pay as cash finders' fees, $3,500 to Jean-David Moore of Quebec, Quebec, $2,310 to StephenAvenue Securities Inc, of Toronto, Ontario, and $1,890 to GloRes Securities Inc. of Whitchurch-Stoufville, Ontario. The company will also issue 58,333 warrants to Jean-David Moore, 38,500 warrants to StephenAvenue Securities Inc and 31,500 warrants to GleRes Securities Inc. Those warrants will have the same rights and the same hold-period as the placement warrants.

Insiders subscribed for 2 961 650 units in the placement. Patrick Levasseur, through his company Ice Age GoldCorp. has subscribed for 2,920,000 units and Lam Chan Tho through his company 9228-6202 Quebec Inc has subscribed for 41,650 units. Following the completion of the private placement, Mr Levasseur and Mr Tho will respectively beneficially own or exercise control or direction over, directly or indirectly, 4,141,622 shares representing 7.35% and 854,173 shares representing 1,53% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the company.

The participation of Mr Levasseur and Mr Tho in the private placement constitutes a related party transaction within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 -- Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions, and TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.9 -- Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions. In connection with this related party transaction, the company is relying on the formal valuation and minority approval exemptions of subsections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, respectively, as the fair market value of the portion of the private placement subscribed by Mr Levasseur and Mr Tho does not exceed 25 per cent of the company's market capitalization. The board of directors of the company has approved the private placement, including the participation of Mr Levasseur and Mr Tho therein.

ACQUISITION OF GOLD CLAIMS

The Company also announces the acquisition of 14 gold claims encompassing the Grondin gold showing in the Beauce area as a north west extension to it's Beauce Gold project located in Southern Quebec. The Company and Les Placements V. T. R. Inc. (the Seller) entered into a sale agreement on June 8, 2022 whereby the Seller sold to the company fourteen (14) claims, located in Beauceville Quebec. To become the owner and acquire the fourteen (14) claims, the company will have to issue as payment of the sale price, to the Seller, 700,000 common shares of its share capital, at a price per share of $0.08, for a total price of $56,000.00. The 700,000 shares will be released for trading at 175,000 shares at the end of each six (6) month period following the date of issue of said shares. In addition, the company will have to pay the Seller a Royalty equal to one percent (1%) NSR on the gold production resulting from potential commercial exploitation of the claims. Royalties will be payable monthly on the 15th of each month covering the period of the previous month. The company may, at any time, redeem these royalties by paying the Seller the sum of $1,000,000.00. This transaction is subject to standard regulatory approvals including the approval of the TSX Venture exchange.

About Beauce Gold Fields

Beauce Gold Fields is a gold exploration company focused on placer to hard rock exploration in the Beauce region of Southern Quebec. The Company's objective is the trace old placer gold workings back to a bedrock source to uncover economic lode gold deposits. The Company's flagship property is the St-Simon-les-Mines Gold project site of Canada's first gold rush that pre-dates the Yukon Klondike. The Beauce region hosted some of the largest historical placer gold mines in Eastern North America that were active from 1860s to the 1960s It produced some of the largest gold nuggets in Canadian mining history (50oz to 71oz). (Source Sedar: 43-101 Report - Beauce July 4th 2018, , Author B. Violette)

Beauce Gold Fields website www.beaucegold.com

Disclaimers:

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "may", "plan", "will", "estimate", "continue", "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "in the process" and other similar expressions which constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectation and assumptions, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, our expectations regarding mineral exploration. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company's on-going filings with the securities regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at www.sedar.com. Actual results, events, and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, 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.

For further information contact

Patrick Levasseur, President and CEO Tel: (514) 262-9239

Bernard J. Tourillon, Chairman and COO Tel (514) 907-1011

www.beaucegold.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127274
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 10, 2022) - Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd. (TSXV: SCZ) ("the Company" or "Santacruz") announces the grant of 1,000,000 incentive options (the "Options") to a consultant in accordance with the Company's Stock Option Plan. The Options have an exercise price of $0.385 per share, expire five years from the date of grant, and will vest 40% on grant, 20% on August 15, 2022 and 20% on each of February 15, 2023, August 15, 2023.

About Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd.

The Company is engaged in the operation, acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties in Latin America, with a primary focus on silver and zinc, but also including lead and copper. The Company currently has six producing projects, the Zimapan Mine, the Bolivar, Porco, Tres Amigos, Reserva and Colquechaquita Mines, holds two exploration properties in its mineral property portfolio, the La Pechuga Property and the Santa Gorgonia Prospect, and one development project, the Soracaya Project in addition to the San Lucas ore sourcing and trading business.

'signed'

Arturo Prestamo Elizondo,

Executive Chairman

For further information please contact:

Mars Investor Relations

Telephone: (778) 999 4653

scz@marsinvestorrelations.com

Arturo Prestamo Elizondo

Santacruz Silver Mining Ltd.

Email: info@santacruzsilver.com

Telephone: (604) 569-1609

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward looking information

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" as such term is used in applicable Canadian securities laws, including statements relating to production at the Zimapan Mine and the Company's plans to grow it.

Forward-looking information is based on plans, expectations and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to certain factors and assumptions. In making the forward-looking statements included in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including that the Company's financial condition and development plans do not change as a result of unforeseen events and that future metal prices and the demand and market outlook for metals will remain stable or improve. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause plans, estimates and actual results to vary materially from those projected in such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause the forward-looking information in this news release to change or to be inaccurate include, but are not limited to: the risk that any of the assumptions referred to above prove not to be valid or reliable; market conditions and volatility and global economic conditions, including increased volatility and potentially negative capital raising conditions resulting from the continued, or escalation of the COVID-19 pandemic and risks relating to the extent and duration of such pandemic and its impact on global markets; controls or regulations and political or economic developments in Mexico and Bolivia; risk of delay and/or cessation in planned work or changes in the Company's financial condition and development plans; risks associated with the Company's plan to undertake certain post-closing reorganization steps in respect of the target entities; the uncertainty of the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits and the risk of unexpected variations in mineral resources, grade and/or recovery rates; risks related to gold, silver, base metal and other commodity price fluctuations; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, including the risks of obtaining necessary licences and permits and the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; risks relating to environmental regulation and liability; the possibility that results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, as well as the other risks and uncertainties applicable to mineral exploration and development activities and to the Company as set forth in the Company's continuous disclosure filings filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com.

There can be no assurance that any forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader should not place any undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information or statements, other than as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127276
Kingston, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 10, 2022) - Focus Graphite (TSXV: FMS) invites you to visit them at Booth #2712 at The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada Convention (PDAC) at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) on Monday, June 13, to Wednesday, June 15, 2022.

About Focus Graphite

As the world moves toward a greener economy, with the electrification of vehicles leading the way, the demand for materials critical to green energy storage and consumption is greater than the available supply. Focus Graphite is developing two of the most promising high-purity flake graphite projects in North America, both located in Quebec.

The Lac Tetepisca Project is the second major graphite property to be advanced into development by Focus, in addition to the Lac Knife project. Lac Tetepisca is 100% owned by Focus and is located in the southwest Manicouagan reservoir area, 234 km north-northwest of Baie-Comeau, an industrial city located where the Manicouagan River intersects the north shore of St. Lawrence River in the Cote-Nord administrative region of Quebec on the Nitassinan of the Pessamit Innu.

Focus' flagship Lac Knife Project is a 100% owned, high-grade crystalline flake graphite deposit located in northeastern Quebec, about 27 kilometres south of Fermont. A feasibility study prepared by Met-Chem Canada Inc. (now DRA Americas Inc.) in 2014 indicated positive project economics that position the project to become one of the lowest-cost, highest-margin producers of graphite in the world.

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 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:

Focus Graphite

Kimberly Darlington

514-771-3398

kdarlington@focusgraphite.com



https://focusgraphite.com/
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 10, 2022) - Myriad Metals Corp. (CSE: MMC) ("Myriad" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has signed a binding letter of intent ("LOI") with Loxcroft Resources Ltd. ("Loxcroft") which, subject to due diligence, would give Myriad an option (the "Option") to earn a 100% interest in 1,822 km2 of uranium exploration licenses in the Tim Mersoi Basin, Niger (the "Loxcroft Properties").

The due diligence period expires July 5, 2022, and the parties are expected to enter a further definitive agreement (the "Agreement") respecting the Option, under substantially the same terms, on or before that date.

The Loxcroft Properties

According to the World Nuclear Association, Niger is currently the world's 6th largest uranium producer, with the vast majority of uranium occurrences being in the Tim Mersoi Basin. The Loxcroft Properties are right in the heart of the Tim Mersoi Basin, and comprise four mineral exploration licenses - individually named Agebout, Afouday, Tagait 2 and Tagait 3 (as indicated on the map below).

The area is well known for uranium exploration and production, with multiple world class uranium projects, including the Orano Group's Imouraren project, one of the world's largest uranium deposits and which is immediately adjacent to Agebout, as well as China National Nuclear Corporation's Azelik project, Global Atomic's Dasa project, and Goviex Uranium's Madaouela project, which are all within 50km of the Loxcroft Properties.





Map of the Loxcroft Properties



To view an enhanced version of this map, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6301/127279_58a1bb8e94f2cbdd_001full.jpg

*Note: Readers are cautioned that Myriad does not have sufficient reliable technical data to draw any clear conclusions for the prospects for the Loxcroft Properties, and mere proximity to other advanced projects does not ensure similar results for the Loxcroft Properties.

Peter Smith, Myriad's CEO, commented, "We are thrilled with this potential acquisition, right in the heart of one of the world's most prolific uranium-rich region, and we could not ask for a better potential exploration and equity partner in Loxcroft, who have access to exploration teams in the Tim Mersoi Basin, as well as the local knowledge and relationships to advance this type of project efficiently."

The Transaction

Under the LOI and subsequent Agreement, Myriad has the option to acquire an initial 80% interest in the Loxcroft Properties by: (1) issuing 8,500,000 Myriad common shares (each, a "Share") to Loxcroft on the date of execution (the "Effective Date") of the Agreement; and (2) conducting no less than $2,000,000 in exploration expenditures within two years of the Effective Date, including no less than $1,500,000 in drilling expenditures. On successfully earning an 80% interest in the Loxcroft Properties, Myriad will have the option to acquire the remaining 20% interest in the Loxcroft Properties by making a cash payment of $6,000,000 to Loxcroft on or before the sixth anniversary of the Effective Date. Myriad will be responsible for all of the funding for the Loxcroft Properties until the completion of a definitive feasibility study on the Loxcroft Properties. On execution of the Agreement, Loxcroft will be entitled to representation on Myriad's board of directors.

In addition, Myriad will be obliged to pay performance bonuses to Loxcroft on the attainment of certain milestones respecting the Loxcroft Properties: (1) $1,000,000 in cash or Shares on completion of a technical report establishing a minimum resource of more than 10,000,000 pounds of uranium having a minimum average grade of no less than 0.025%; (2) an additional $2,000,000 in cash or Shares on completion of a technical report which establishes a minimum resource of more than 50,000,000 pounds of uranium having a minimum average grade of no less than 0.025%; (3) an additional $1,000,000 in cash or Shares on completion of a Preliminary Economic Assessment; and (4) an additional $1,000,000 in cash or Shares on the issuance of a mining permit for the Loxcroft Properties by applicable governmental authorities. Loxcroft will also be entitled to receive a 1% net smelter returns royalty on any minerals extracted from the Loxcroft Properties.

Under the LOI, Myriad paid Loxcroft a non-refundable deposit of $30,000 in exchange for an exclusive due diligence period respecting the Loxcroft Properties. To date, Myriad has conducted extensive due diligence respecting the Loxcroft Properties and the jurisdiction, including a visit to Niger by Myriad's CEO, Peter Smith. During his time in Niger, Mr. Smith met with the vendors, government officials from the Niger Ministry of Mines, and several prospective exploration contractors. Myriad is satisfied with its due diligence investigations to date, although due diligence remains ongoing.

Any Shares issued under the Agreement will be subject to a four month hold period under applicable securities laws. In addition, the 8,500,000 Shares to be issued on the Effective Date will be subject to a contractual three-year escrow period as follows: 10% of the Shares shall be released on the Effective Date; and 15% of the Shares shall be released on the dates which are 6, 12, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months following the Effective Date.

Myriad has agreed to pay a 5% finder's fee to arm's length finders. The finder's fee may be payable in whole or in part in Shares.

The proposed transaction is subject to several conditions, including completion of due diligence, execution of the Agreement, and receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including approval of the CSE (if applicable). The proposed transaction is an arms-length transaction for the Company and does not constitute a fundamental change or result in a change of control of the Company, within the meaning of the policies of the CSE. Readers are cautioned that Myriad may opt, based on their ongoing due diligence, not to execute the Agreement. Under the LOI, Myriad and Loxcroft have agreed to proceed diligently and in good faith to negotiate and settle the terms of the Agreement, which are to be substantially the same as indicated in the LOI.

Myriad will provide an update respecting the proposed transaction in due course.

About Myriad

Myriad is a Vancouver-based mineral exploration company with a 50% interest in the Millen Mountain Property located in Nova Scotia, Canada, with the other 50% held by Probe Metals Inc. For further information, please refer to the Company's disclosure record on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) or contact the Company by telephone at 778.999.7030.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Peter Smith, CEO

778.999.7030

###

This news release contains "forward-looking information" that is based on the Company's current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections. This forward-looking information includes, among other things, the Company's business, plans, outlook and business strategy. The words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "likely", "expect," "anticipate," "intend", "estimate", "plan", "forecast", "project" and "believe" or other similar words and phrases are intended to identify forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, but are not limited to: changes in economic conditions or financial markets; increases in costs; litigation; legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; and technological or operational difficulties. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect our forward-looking information. These and other factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking information. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127279
Flare, a Montreal, Canada-based provider of a digital footprint monitoring solutions, raised CAD$9.5M in Series A funding.

The round was led by Inovia Capital with participation from White Star Capital and Luge Capital.

The company intends to use the funds for expansion of operations and the business reach across the U.S. market.

Led by CEO Norman Menz and CTO Mathieu Lavoie, Flare provides a digital footprint monitoring software platform that enables organizations to proactively monitor the dark and clear web for data leaks, credential theft, and cybercrime. The SaaS platform enables cyber risk monitoring across billions of data points, and is used by companies around the world to identify external risks, understand their attack surface, and cut down incident response from weeks to minutes.

FinSMEs

10/06/2022
Shield AI, a San Diego, CA-based defense technology company building AI pilots for aircraft, raised $165M in Series E funding increasing the valuation to $2.3 billion.

This includes $90 million in equity, and $75 million in debt as part of a Series E fundraising round. The round was led by Snowpoint Ventures Doug Philippone, with participation from Riot Ventures, Disruptive, Homebrew, Point72, Andreesen Horowitz, Breyer Capital, and SVB Capital.

The company intends to use the funds to accelerate growth and its business reach.

Led by CEO Ryan Tseng, Shield AI a defense technology company building AI pilots for aircraft. Its Hivemind software is an AI pilot for military and commercial aircraft that enables intelligent teams of aircraft to perform missions ranging from room clearance, to penetrating air defense systems, and dogfighting F-16s. Hivemind employs state-of-the-art algorithms for planning, mapping, and state-estimation to enable aircraft to execute dynamic flight maneuvers and uses reinforcement learning for discovery, learning, and execution of winning tactics and strategies. On aircraft, Hivemind enables full autonomy and is designed to run fully on the edge, disconnected from the cloud, in high threat, GPS and communication-degraded environments.

Shield AIs hardware products are its small-unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) Nova, and its medium-size vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAS, V-BAT. Hivemind is integrated onboard Nova and has been deployed in combat since 2018; it will soon be integrated onboard the V-BAT to further enhance its class-leading capabilities.

The products and people are currently in the field actively supporting operations with the U.S. Department of Defense and allies.

The company has offices in San Diego, Washington D.C., Dallas, and Abu Dhabi.

FinSMEs

10/06/2022
Lebanons mayor has declared hes done signing proclamations, a largely ceremonial move designed to signal support without any particular action.

Ahead of Wednesdays regular meeting, June 8, Mayor Paul Aziz suddenly and quietly pulled a proclamation declaring June as fireworks safety month from the City Councils agenda, then declared in front of Lebanons elected body that he has stopped signing the symbolic announcements.

The mayors freeze comes after two months of requests from Lebanites to declare June in the city as LGBTQ+ Pride Month and Azizs staunch refusal to sign.

I will not be signing any more proclamations or doing any more proclamations at all, Aziz said.

A group from Lebanon Downtown Association came before Lebanon City Council in April to ask Aziz to declare Pride Month ahead of the association-organized Lebanon Family Pride Day on June 18.

Event organizer Tami Cockeram helped draft a declaration asking the mayor to recognize people who fought laws and policing that discriminated against sexuality and the need for diversity and inclusion in Lebanon.

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.

Aziz called the proposal activist-written and has maintained that asking for equality elevates one group of people over another.

City Manager Nancy Brewer wrote a counterproposal that called Lebanon by its motto, the city that friendliness built, and states people with diverse backgrounds are joining the community. It does not say what backgrounds the community already represents.

The proposals authors said the citys version lost sight of a message meant to underscore the experience of people who are lesbian, gay, bi, transgender, queer or questioning their sexuality.

Pride Month has been celebrated nationwide for more than 50 years to commemorate the Stonewall uprising of 1969 in New York.

People showed up in force at a council meeting in May to speak for and against the failed proposal. Councilor Gamael Nassar motioned to make a discussion about the proclamation council business.

The mayor, who solely signs and makes proclamations, was absent that evening. Council President Michelle Steinhebel, who was filling in as mayor, was unable to second the motion which then died as councilors Wayne Dykstra, Wayne Rieskamp and Kim Ullfers remained silent.

Aziz, in an interview Thursday, June 9, reiterated that a proclamation may cause more harm than positive recognition for Lebanon teens who are LGBTQ+.

You can go on and on and on and create these months, and it doesnt do anything, he said. They say it brings attention to it, but it really doesnt.

Among the proclamations that Aziz has signed highlight older Americans, emergency dispatchers, and police  many dozens, sometimes three in a month since he was elected in 2012.

Aziz believes equal marriage and anti-discrimination laws provide the recognition commenters at City Council meetings are seeking.

Theres nothing that is stopping anybody from doing anything," Aziz said. "There are laws that protect people from all of these things.

He also said he's in favor of community discussion, but not as City Council business.

Theyre not welcoming to people who disagree with them, Aziz said. Frankly they can be quite rude to people who disagree with them.

Alex Powers (he/him) covers business, environment and healthcare for Mid-Valley Media. Call 541-812-6116 or email Alex.Powers@lee.net.

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They attempted to rent some cars to get home but were shit out of luck in that department as well. Eventually, they decided to hop on the train, and then a ferry to get them back to the UK.



On the train ride over they found out that the ferry was not allowing foot passengers due to health and safety reasons.

We would have called it here to be honest, far too much admin for a dusty day.


TEL AVIV, Israel, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This week, ASTERRA hosted a delegation of 21 Italian water utilities led by officials from the Israel Trade Office to explore water saving innovation from Israel. The delegates were introduced to Israeli-based water technology companies who provided information and opportunities to bring the innovation to their utilities in Italy.



The various regions and municipalities in Italy have differing water challenges, and often their approaches and resolutions to these challenges differ. ASTERRA Chief Executive Officer, Elly Perets said, The information shared during this summit will drive Italian water stakeholders to integrate new technologies and methodologies. They can learn from water-scarce countries such as Israel. When collaborations highlight inter-organizational innovation strategies and increase the focus on water digitalization, we see improvement in related water networks. This accelerates the drive to sustainability.

Known as a water-tech powerhouse, Israel is home to many innovative water solutions. Besides ASTERRA, some of the other Israeli water tech companies presenting included leaders in the water industry such as Mekorot, Kando, NUF, WaterGen, and Lishtot. The group also toured the Shafdan Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Palmachim Desalination Plant during their visit.

The program began with an address by Franco Masenello, an expert on leak detection and the chief executive officer of 2f Water Venture SRL. 2f Water Venture is ASTERRAs Italian channel partner and provides coordination and field support on the detection of water leaks across Italy using ASTERRAs satellite-based Recover product.

The goals and positive outcomes from this delegation are numerous. The likely outcomes from this include increased cooperation and strengthening technology ties between Italy and Israel. We anticipate immediate positive benefits to be realized for the entire country of Italy, Perets added.

ABOUT ASTERRA

ASTERRA (formerly Utilis) provides geospatial data-driven platform solutions for water utilities, government agencies, and the greater infrastructure industry in the areas of roads, rails, dams, and mines. ASTERRA products and services use synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data from satellites and turn this data into large-scale decision support tools. The companys proprietary algorithms and highly educated scientists and engineers are the keys to their mission, to become humanitys eyes on the Earth. ASTERRA is investing in artificial intelligence (AI) to bring its products to the next level. Since 2017, ASTERRA technology has been used in over 59 countries, saving over 169,280 million gallons of potable water, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 108,339 metric tons, and saving 423,200 MWH of energy, all in support of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. ASTERRA is headquartered in Israel with offices in the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan. Their innovative data solutions are used in multiple verticals around the globe. For more information on ASTERRA and to learn more about their technology, visit https://asterra.io.

Media Contact

Karen Dubey

Corporate Marketing Director

inquiry@asterra.io

(858) 798-6709

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f9383406-8a4e-4f31-aa5e-8048ef53530f
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Liberty Gold Corp. (TSX: LGD; OTCQX: LGDTF) (Liberty Gold or the Company) is pleased to announce voting results from the Companys Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held on June 9, 2022 (the Meeting).



Donald McInnes, who has been a director of the Company for over ten years, did not stand for re-election at the Meeting. Mark ODea, Chairman of Liberty Gold, stated, Wed like to thank Donald for his formidable contributions to Liberty Gold, hes been an instrumental part of the Companys journey since its inception in 2011, and we wish him all the best on his future endeavours.

A total of 201,073,785 common shares were voted, representing the votes attached to 63.63% of all outstanding common shares. Shareholders voted in favour of the election of all director nominees. The percentage of votes cast for each is as follows:

Total number of for votes cast: Votes for: Dr. Mark ODea 171,633,025 94.30% Mr. Cal Everett 181,491,051 99.71% Mr. Robert Pease 165,031,309 90.67% Mr. Sean Tetzlaff 181,409,527 99.67% Ms. Barbara Womersley 180,677,118 99.26% Mr. Greg Etter 181,466,983 99.70%

The reappointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants as auditor of the Company, was also approved by the shareholders.

Voting results are released in accordance with Toronto Stock Exchange requirements. Detailed voting results for the Meeting are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Management Update

Mr. Brian Martin, the Companys Vice President, Business Development, will be leaving Liberty Gold, effective June 17th, 2022, to pursue another business opportunity in the gold sector. Cal Everett, President and CEO of Liberty Gold, stated, In Brians short tenure with us, he had a big impact on the Company. While we are sorry to see him go, we wish him all the best in his future role.

ABOUT LIBERTY GOLD

Liberty Gold is focused on exploring for and developing open pit oxide deposits in the Great Basin of the United States, home to large-scale gold projects that are ideal for open-pit mining. This region is one of the most prolific gold-producing regions in the world and stretches across Nevada and into Idaho and Utah. We know the Great Basin and are driven to discover and advance big gold deposits that can be mined profitably in open-pit scenarios. Our flagship projects are Black Pine in Idaho and Goldstrike in Utah, both past- producing open-pit mines, where previous operators only scratched the surface.

For more information, visit libertygold.ca or contact:

Susie Bell, Manager, Investor Relations

Phone: 604-632-4677 or Toll Free 1-877-632-4677

info@libertygold.ca
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Future Market Insights, a market research and competitive intelligence provider, analyses that market demand for Women Digital Health Solutions Market is expected to rise steadily on the back of rising prevalence of chronic and infectious diseases among women.



According to the study, the global Women Digital Health Solutions Market was valued at US$ 1.9 Bn in 2021, and it is also expected to expand at a CAGR of around 25% over the assessment period of 2022-2032. With an absolute dollar opportunity of US$12.5 Bn during 2022  2032, the market revenue through Mobile Apps is projected to offer the largest opportunity.

The Women Digital Health finds its top application in reproductive health segment which accounts for nearly 40% of the total Women Digital Health Solutions Market. This can be attributed to greater accessibility to mobile phone apps and other technology that enable women all over the world to obtain a better understanding of the reproductive system and related issues.

Request a Sample @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-14950

Key Takeaways from Market Study

The Women Digital Health Solutions Market is anticipated to add 8.7X value between 2022 and 2032.

The market is expected to expand at a significant growth rate of 24.2% to reach a valuation of US$ 20 Bn by 2032.

Based on applications, reproduction health segment accounted for around 40% of the global market share in 2021.





Several companies are turning to artificial intelligence, machine learning and IOT to improvise their Women Digital Health applications. says a Future Market Insights analyst.

The market for Women Digital Health is dominated by companies such as HeraMED Ltd, iSono Health, Inc., Clue by Biowink GmbH, and Chiaro Technology Ltd. (Elvie). North American region has been dominating the Women Digital Health Solutions Market owing to the regions availability of advanced technological infrastructure, improved access to cutting-edge devices, increased diagnostic and treatment reach, and higher disposable incomes. Europe is the second largest holder of the overall Women Digital Health industry.

In 2017, at the 2017 International Continence Society Conference, Elvie announced the availability of an NHS supply chain that uses Bluetooth to provide biofeedback therapy to women all around the world.



For critical insights, request for PDF Brochure @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/brochure/rep-gb-14950

More Valuable Insights Available

Future Market Insights, in its new offering, presents an unbiased analysis of the global Women Digital Health Solutions Market, presenting historical market data (2016-2021) and forecast statistics for the period of 2022-2032.

The study reveals essential insights by application (Reproductive Health, Pregnancy and Nursing Care, Pelvic Care, and General Healthcare and wellness), by type (Mobile apps, Wearable devices and Diagnostic tools) and across key regions (North America, Latin America, Europe, East Asia, South Asia & Oceania, and the Middle East & Africa).

Future Market Insights Domain Knowledge in Healthcare Division

Expert analysis, actionable insights, and strategic recommendations of the highly seasoned healthcare domain team at Future Market Insights helps clients from across the globe with their unique business intelligence needs. With a repertoire of over a thousand reports and 1 million-plus data points, the team has analyzed the healthcare industry across 50+ countries for over a decade. The team provides unmatched end-to-end research and consulting services. Reach out to explore how we can help.

Segments:

Women Digital Health Solutions Market by Type:

Mobile apps

Wearable devices

Diagnostic tools





Women Digital Health Solutions Market by Application:

Reproductive health

Pregnancy and Nursing Care

Pelvic Care

General healthcare and wellness

Women Digital Health Solutions Market by Region:

North America

Latin America

Europe

East Asia

South Asia and ASEAN

Oceania

Midddle East and Africa





Ask an Analyst @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/ask-question/rep-gb-14950

Table of Content

1. Executive Summary

1.1. Global Market Outlook

1.2. Demand-side Trends

1.3. Supply-side Trends

1.4. Technology Roadmap Analysis

1.5. Analysis and Recommendations

2. Market Overview

2.1. Market Coverage / Taxonomy

2.2. Market Definition / Scope / Limitations

3. Market Background

3.1. Market Dynamics

3.1.1. Drivers

3.1.2. Restraints

3.1.3. Opportunity

3.1.4. Trends

3.2. Scenario Forecast

3.2.1. Demand in Optimistic Scenario

3.2.2. Demand in Likely Scenario

3.2.3. Demand in Conservative Scenario

3.3. Opportunity Map Analysis

3.4. Investment Feasibility Matrix

3.5. PESTLE and Porters Analysis

3.6. Regulatory Landscape

3.6.1. By Key Regions

3.6.2. By Key Countries

4. Global Women Digital Health Solutions Market Analysis 2017-2021 and Forecast, 2022-2032

4.1. Historical Market Size Value (US$ Mn) Analysis, 2017-2021

4.2. Current and Future Market Size Value (US$ Mn) Projections, 2022-2032

4.2.1. Y-o-Y Growth Trend Analysis

4.2.2. Absolute $ Opportunity Analysis

5. Global Women Digital Health Solutions Market Analysis 2017-2021 and Forecast 2022-2032, By Type

5.1. Introduction / Key Findings

5.2. Historical Market Size Value (US$ Mn) Analysis By Type, 2017-2021

5.3. Current and Future Market Size Value (US$ Mn) Analysis and Forecast By Type, 2022-2032

5.3.1. Mobile Apps

5.3.2. Wearable Devices

5.3.3. Diagnostic Tools

5.3.4. Other Types

5.4. Y-o-Y Growth Trend Analysis By Type, 2017-2021

5.5. Absolute $ Opportunity Analysis By Type, 2022-2032

Get detailed TOC @ https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/toc/rep-gb-14950

Have a Look at Related Research Reports of Healthcare

Non-Vascular Stents Market is anticipated to record a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period (2022 - 2032)

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About Us

Future Market Insights (ESOMAR certified market research organization and a member of Greater New York Chamber of Commerce) provides in-depth insights into governing factors elevating the demand in the market. It discloses opportunities that will favor the market growth in various segments on the basis of Source, Application, Sales Channel and End Use over the next 10-years.

Contact:

Future Market Insights, Inc.

1602-6 Jumeirah Bay X2 Tower,

Plot No: JLT-PH2-X2A,

Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai,

United Arab Emirates

Report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/women-digital-health-solutions-market

For Sales Enquiries: sales@futuremarketinsights.com

Browse latest Market Reports: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports

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NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES

OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

TORONTO, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Flow Capital Corp. (TSXV: FW) ("Flow Capital" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a proposed offering of up to 1,811,666 newly created Series I Class A Preferred Shares (the "Series I Class A Preferred Shares") on a private placement basis at a price of $3.00 per Series I Class A Preferred Share, for gross proceeds of approximately $5,435,000 (the "Offering").

The Series I Class A Preferred Shares, which are non-voting and non-convertible except in each case in certain limited circumstances, carry a cumulative dividend of 9.2%, paid quarterly, and are redeemable by the Company six years following the initial issuance date. In addition, a holder of Series I Class A Preferred Shares may elect to require the Company to redeem up to 1/3rd of the holder's Series I Class A Preferred Shares on the third, fourth and fifth anniversaries, respectively, of the initial issuance date. The Series I Class A Preferred Shares will not be listed on any stock exchange.

No finder's fees are anticipated to be paid by the Company in connection with the Offering.

The Company anticipates using the net proceeds of the Offering to fund additional venture debt investments into high growth companies and for general working capital purposes.

Completion of the Offering is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. The Company expects to complete the Offering in one or more tranches, with the initial closing expected to be completed in June, 2022. The Series I Class A Preferred Shares issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the applicable issuance date in accordance with applicable securities laws.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described in this news release. Such securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or any state securities laws, and, accordingly, may not be offered or sold within the United States, or to or for the account or benefit of persons in the United States or "U.S. Persons", 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 pursuant to an exemption from such registration requirements.

About Flow Capital

Flow Capital Corp. is a diversified alternative asset investor and advisor, specializing in providing minimally dilutive capital to emerging growth businesses. To apply for financing, visit www.flowcap.com.

For further information, please contact:

Flow Capital Corp.

Alex Baluta

Chief Executive Officer

alex@flowcap.com

1 Adelaide Street East, Suite 3002,

PO Box 171,

Toronto, Ontario M5C 2V9

Forward-Looking Information and Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only Flow Capital's beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of Flow Capital's control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved". By identifying such information and statements in this manner, Flow Capital is alerting the reader that such information and statements 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 to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such information and statements. Forward-looking information in this press release includes, but is not limited to, information concerning the proposed completion of the Offering and the Company's proposed use of the gross proceeds of the Offering.

An investment in securities of the Company is speculative and subject to a number of risks including, without limitation, risks relating to: the need for additional financing; the relative speculative and illiquid nature of an investment in the Company; the volatility of the Company's share price; the Company's ability to generate sufficient revenues; the Company's ability to manage future growth; the limited diversification in the Company's existing investments; the Company's ability to negotiate additional royalty purchases or other forms of investment from new investee companies; the Company's dependence on the operations, assets and financial health of its investee companies; the Company's limited ability to exercise control or direction over investee companies; potential defaults by investee companies and the unsecured nature of certain of the Company's investments; the Company's ability to enforce on any default by an investee company; competition with other investment entities; tax matters, including the potential impact of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act on the Company; the potential impact of the Company being classified as a Passive Foreign Investment Company; the Company's ability to pay dividends in the future and the timing and amount of those dividends; reliance on key personnel; dilution of shareholders' interest through future financings; and general economic and political conditions; as well as the risks discussed in the Company's public filings. Although Flow Capital has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.

In connection with the forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release, Flow Capital has made certain assumptions. Assumptions about the performance of the Canadian and U.S. economies over the next 24 months and how that will affect the Company's business and its ability to identify and close new opportunities with new investees are material factors that the Company considered when setting its strategic priorities and objectives, and its outlook for its business, including its ability to satisfy required payments under the Transaction. Although Flow Capital believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements.

The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and Flow Capital does not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. All subsequent written and oral forward- looking information and statements attributable to Flow Capital or persons acting on its behalf is expressly qualified in its entirety by this notice.

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.
Dublin, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Singapore Elevators and Escalators Market Segmented by Type (Elevator, Escalator and Moving Walkways), By Elevator Door Type (Automatic vs. Manual), By Elevator Technology, By Service, By End User, By Region, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2017-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Singapore Elevators and Escalators Market valued at USD578.95 million in 2021 and is anticipated to further grow with a CAGR of 7.90% during the forecast period, 2023-2027, to reach market value of USD919.21 million by 2027F.

Advancing facilities in infrastructure and growing construction of sky-high buildings are facilitating the growth of the Singapore Elevators and Escalators Market in the upcoming five years. Also, concept of smart building with advanced features and increasing urbanization in the country are further driving the growth of the Singapore Elevators and Escalators Market.

Increasing use of internet of things, and artificial intelligence being incorporated in the products like elevators and escalators also supports the growth of the Singapore Elevators and Escalators Market in the future five years.

The major market players active in the country are highly investing technological advancement in their products and are focusing on customer satisfaction through product advancement. Moreover, higher energy efficiency, lighter and more design options, optimal use of hoist-way space are some of the other factors contributing to the demand for elevators & escalator.



Based on service the market is fragmented into modernization and maintenance & repair, and new installation. By end-user, the market is segmented into residential, commercial, infrastructural, institutional, and others. The market analysis also studies the regional segmentation, divided among Central, North-East, East, West and North region.

Elevators are anticipated to hold the largest revenue shares of the market and dominate the type segment in the upcoming five years on account of increasing number of high rise building and tall infrastructures. Surge in the demands for energy efficient elevators is also driving the growth of the market in the next five years.

Objective of the Study:

To analyze the historical growth in the market size of the Singapore Elevators and Escalators Market from 2017 to 2021.

To estimate and forecast the market size of the Singapore Elevators and Escalators Market from 2022E to 2027F and growth rate until 2027F.

To classify and forecast the Singapore Elevators and Escalators Market based on type, service, end-user, regional distribution, and competitional landscape.

To identify dominant region or segment in the Singapore Elevators and Escalators Market.

To identify drivers and challenges for the Singapore Elevators and Escalators Market.

To examine competitive developments such as expansions, new product launches, mergers & acquisitions, etc., in the Singapore Elevators and Escalators Market.

To identify and analyze the profile of leading players operating in the Singapore Elevators and Escalators Market.

To identify key sustainable strategies adopted by the market players in the Singapore Elevators and Escalators Market.

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Singapore Elevators and Escalators Market.

Chevalier Singapore Holdings Pte. Ltd.

Fujitec Singapore Corpn. Ltd.

TK Elevator Singapore Pte. Ltd.

EM Services Pte. Ltd.

C&W Services (S) Pte. Ltd.

Kone Pte. Ltd.

Schindler Lifts (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Mitsubishi Elevator (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.

Otis Elevator Company (S) Pte. Ltd.

Hitachi Elevator Asia Pte. Ltd.

Key Topics Covered:



1. Product Overview



2. Research Methodology



3. Executive Summary



4. Impact of COVID-19 on Singapore Elevators and Escalators Market



5. Voice of Customer

5.1. Brand Awareness

5.2. Factors Influencing Purchase Decision

5.3. Satisfaction Level

5.4. Elevators and Escalators -Challenges

5.5. Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) Expectations

5.6. Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) Challenges



6. Global Elevators and Escalators Market Overview



7. Singapore Elevators and Escalators Market Outlook

7.1. Market Size & Forecast

7.1.1. By Value

7.2. Market Share & Forecast

7.2.1. By Type (Elevator, Escalator and Moving Walkways)

7.2.1.1. By Elevator Door Type (Automatic vs. Manual)

7.2.1.2. By Elevator Technology (Traction, Machine Room-Less Traction and Hydraulic)

7.2.2. By Service (Modernization and Maintenance & Repair, New Installation)

7.2.3. By End User (Residential, Commercial, Infrastructural, Institutional and Others)

7.2.4. By Region

7.2.5. By Company (2021)

7.3. Market Map (Type, Elevator Door Type, Elevator Technology, Service, End User, Region)



8. Singapore Modernization and Maintenance & Repair Elevators and Escalators Market Outlook

8.1. Market Size & Forecast

8.1.1. By Value

8.2. Market Share & Forecast

8.2.1. By Type

8.2.2. By End User



9. Singapore New Installation Elevators and Escalators Market Outlook

9.1. Market Size & Forecast

9.1.1. By Value & Volume

9.2. Market Share & Forecast

9.2.1. By Type

9.2.2. By End User



10. Market Dynamics

10.1. Drivers

10.2. Challenges



11. Market Trends and Developments



12. Supply Chain Analysis

12.1. Elevators

12.2. Escalators



13. Policy and Regulatory Landscape



14. Import-Export Analysis



15. Singapore Economic Profile



16. Market Strategy



17. Company Profiles



18. Strategic Recommendations

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/8swzwv

Attachment
Trondheim, 10 June 2022: NORBIT ASA (the "Company") refers to the announcement on 19 May 2022 and the share capital increase in relation to exercises of restricted stock units as described therein. This share capital increase has now been registered with the Norwegian Register of Business Enterprises, and the Company's new registered share capital is NOK 5,852,043.10, divided into 58,520,431 shares, each with a par value of NOK 0.10.

For more information, please contact:

Per Jrgen Weisethaunet, CEO, +47 959 62 915

Per Kristian Reppe, CFO, +47 900 33 203

About NORBIT ASA

NORBIT is a global provider of tailored technology to selected niches, solving challenges and promoting sustainability through innovative solutions, in line with its mission to Explore More. The company is structured in three business segments to address its key markets: Oceans, Connectivity and Product Innovation & Realization (PIR). The Oceans segment delivers tailored technology solutions to global maritime markets. The Connectivity segment providing wireless solutions for identification, monitoring and tracking. The PIR segment offers R&D services, proprietary products and contract manufacturing to key customers. NORBIT is headquartered in Trondheim with manufacturing in Norway, has around 400 employees and a worldwide sales and distribution platform.

For more information: www.norbit.com

This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act and Article 19 of the European Market Abuse Regulation.
New York, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Tunable Diode Laser Analyzer Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06284609/?utm_source=GNW





The global tunable diode laser analyzer market is expected to grow from $370.84 million in 2021 to $414.26 million in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.7%. The market is expected to grow to $609.36 million in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.1%.



The tunable diode laser analyzer (TDLA) market consist of sales of tunable diode laser analyzer by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that manufacture tunable diode laser analyzer. Tunable diode laser analyzers (TDL analyzers) are gas analyzers that use laser absorption spectrometry to determine the concentration of specific species in a gas mixture.



The main types of tunable diode laser analyzer are oxygen (O2) analyzer, ammonia (NH3) analyzer, Cox analyzer, moisture (H2O) analyzer, HX analyzer, CxHx analyzer, and other types.The ammonia (NH3) gas analyzer is a unique tunable diode laser spectrometer used for direct ammonia measurement in stack and ammonia slip applications.



The different measurement types include in-situ, and extractive. The various end-use industries involved are oil and gas, metals and mining, fertilizers, cement, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, pulp and paper, and semiconductors.



Asia Pacific was the largest region in the tunable diode laser analyzer (TDLA) market in 2021.Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing region in the forecast period.



The regions covered in this report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, and Africa.



The increase in demand for use of tunable diode laser analyzers for boilers and furnaces in plants in different industries has positively impacted the tunable diode laser analyzer market.The combustion furnace and boilers used in plants in different industries are used as energy sources and a large amount of exhaust gas is emitted through them in manufacturing plants.



To control the amount of gas emitted from the plants, tunable diode analyzers are being extensively used by many industries.For instance, the TDL200 Tunable Diode Analyzer, by YOKOGAWA, a major player in the industry, provides optimum combustion control in furnaces in manufacturing plants.



Thus, the demand for tunable diode analyzers to use in furnaces to control gas emissions from manufacturing plants has driven the market in the historic period.



Players operating in the tunable diode laser analyzer (TDLA) field are increasingly focusing on developing technologically advanced gas analyzers.The companies are launching continuous gas analyzers with TDLA and Quantum Cascade Laser.



For instance, in March 2019, Emerson Electric, a US-based manufacturing company introduced Rosemount CT4400 continuous gas analyzer. The Rosemount CT4400 continuous gas analyzer is a purpose-built Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) and Tunable Diode Laser (TDL) analyzer that helps plants minimize ownership costs and accurately report pollutants in environmental monitoring applications evaluating standard components such as oxygen (O2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitric oxide (NO), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and carbon monoxide (CO).



In December 2019, Nederman, a leading player in the gas analyzer market acquired Gasmet for Euro 56 million ($64 million) on a cash and debt-free basis.The acquisition of Gasmet will help Nederman to strengthen its monitoring and control technology division.



Gasmet is a Finland-based company that specializes in the manufacturing of FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) gas analyzer and emissions monitoring systems.



The countries covered in the tunable diode laser analyzer market are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, and USA.





Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06284609/?utm_source=GNW



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__________________________
Dublin, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Middle East and Africa Electric Three Wheeler Market, By Vehicle Type (Passenger Carrier and Load Carrier), Battery Capacity (<101Ah and >101Ah), By Battery Type (Lead Acid and Lithium Ion), By Country, By Company, Forecast & Opportunities, 2017- 2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Middle East and Africa Electric Three-wheeler Market value in the year 2021 was USD15,748.91 thousand that is anticipated to grow with a CAGR of 14.38% during the forecast period 2023-2030, to achieve the market value of USD50,808.07 thousand by 2030

The market is anticipated to grow with increasing demand for electric vehicles in the region. Surging demand for electric three-wheelers and rising concerns regarding degradation of the environment are expected to drive most of the shares in the Middle East and Africa Electric Three-wheeler Market in the upcoming five years.

Rising inclination toward emission-free transportation and increasing awareness of the benefits of public transportation also supports the growth of the Middle East and Africa Electric Three-wheeler Market in the next five years.



The demand for electric vehicles is also growing due to the rising disposable income among the population. The economies in most of the GCC countries are driven by the oil exports and production in countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, etc.

The rising cost of oil and petroleum products influences the growing inclination of the common population toward electric vehicles. Growing fright movement and surging demand for more economical and ecological options for the transportation and freight movement also aid the growth of the Middle East and Africa Electric Three-wheeler Market in the future five years.

Technological advancement and growing investment in the advancement of the vehicles are also majorly responsible for the growth of the Middle East and Africa Electric Three-wheeler Market in the forecast period.



Based on vehicle type, the market is distributed between passenger carriers and load carriers. By battery capacity, the market is distinguished between less than 101Ah and more than 101Ah. Based on battery type, the market is distributed between lead acid and lithium acid. The market is also analyzed among the countries in the Middle East and Africa region.

The MEA region includes countries such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel, Algeria, Egypt, Oman, South Africa, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Turkey, and rest of the Middle East and Africa region. Turkey is anticipated to hold the largest revenue share of the market and dominate the country-wise analysis of the market in the upcoming five years due to the growing automotive industry in the country.

Rising adaptation to the technologically advanced automobiles and increasing investment in the advancement of the vehicles further support the growth of the Middle East and Africa Electric Three-wheeler Market in the future five years.

Objective of the Study:

To analyze the market size of the Middle East and Africa Electric Three-wheeler Market from 2017 to 2021.

To estimate and forecast the market size of the Middle East and Africa Electric Three-wheeler Market from 2022 to 2030 and growth rate until 2030.

To classify and forecast the Middle East and Africa Electric Three-wheeler Market based on vehicle type, battery capacity, battery type, country-wise analysis, and competitional landscape.

To identify dominant country or segment in the Middle East and Africa Electric Three-wheeler Market.

To identify drivers and challenges for the Middle East and Africa Electric Three-wheeler Market.

To examine competitive developments such as expansions, new product launches, mergers & acquisitions, etc., in the Middle East and Africa Electric Three-wheeler Market.

To identify and analyze the profile of leading players operating in the Middle East and Africa Electric Three-wheeler Market.

To identify key sustainable strategies adopted by the market players in the Middle East and Africa Electric Three-wheeler Market.

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Middle East and Africa Electric Three-wheeler Market.

Chongqing Zongshen Vehicle Co., Ltd (Zongshen Industrial Group Co. Ltd)

Saera Electric Auto Pvt. Ltd. (Mayuri)

Kinetic Green Energy & Power Solutions Ltd.

Jiangsu Jinpeng Group Co., Ltd.

Jiangsu Yufeng Vehicle Industry Co., Ltd.

Ningbo Dowedo International Trade Co., Ltd

Xianghe Qiangsheng Electric Tricycle Factory

Terra Motors Corporation

Piaggio Commercial SA (PTY) Ltd

Jiangsu East Yonsland Vehicle Manufacturing Co., Ltd

Key Topics Covered:



1. Product Overview



2. Research Methodology



3. Executive Summary



4. Impact of COVID-19 on Middle East and Africa Electric Three-Wheeler Market



5. Voice of Customer

5.1. Factors Influencing Purchase Decision

5.2. Aided and Unaided Brand Recall

5.3. Brand Satisfaction Level



6. Middle East and Africa Electric Three-Wheeler Market Outlook

6.1. Market Size & Forecast

6.1.1. By Volume

6.1.2. By Value

6.2. Market Share & Forecast

6.2.1. By Vehicle Type (Passenger Carrier and Load Carrier)

6.2.2. By Battery Capacity (< 101Ah and >101Ah)

6.2.3. By Battery Type (Lead Acid and Lithium Ion)

6.2.4. By Country

6.2.5. By Company (2021)

6.3. Market Map (By Vehicle Type, By Battery Capacity, By Battery Type, and By Country)



7. Egypt Electric Three-Wheeler Market Outlook



8. Turkey Electric Three-Wheeler Market Outlook



9. Iran Electric Three-Wheeler Market Outlook



10. South Africa Electric Three-Wheeler Market Outlook



11. Israel Electric Three-Wheeler Market Outlook



12. Nigeria Electric Three-Wheeler Market Outlook



13. Saudi Arabia Electric Three-Wheeler Market Outlook



14. Algeria Electric Three-Wheeler Market Outlook



15. UAE Electric Three-Wheeler Market Outlook



16. Oman Electric Three-Wheeler Market Outlook



17. Iraq Electric Three-Wheeler Market Outlook



18. Market Dynamics

18.1. Drivers

18.2. Challenges



19. Market Trends and Developments



20. Product Benchmarking



21. Competitive Landscape



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/se15yg

Attachment
New York, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global N95 Masks Industry" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p05896570/?utm_source=GNW

-Online interactive peer-to-peer collaborative bespoke updates

-Access to our digital archives and MarketGlass Research Platform

-Complimentary updates for one year



Global N95 Masks Market to Reach $11.8 Billion by 2026



The growth in the global N95 masks market has traditionally been impacted by serious emergency health conditions and periodic pandemic outbreaks. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an exponential global demand for personal protective equipment (PPE). The deadly coronavirus infected millions of people worldwide leading to hundred-thousands of deaths. In such grave circumstances, it became extremely important for healthcare manufacturers to develop highly advanced PPE products that helped prevent the transmission of COVID-19. The outbreak of COVID-19 has resulted in an enormous demand for N95 masks as an effective measure to prevent spread of the infection. As conventional medical masks hold limited effectiveness against viruses such as COVID-19, medical institutions and healthcare organizations are recommending the use of N95 masks capable of filtering around 95% of materials. N95 masks are a part of the personal protective gear and protect users from airborne particles or liquids contaminating the face. Some of the other masks that are oil-proof include R99 and P100 capable of filtering at least 99% and 99.97% of airborne particles, respectively. N95 masks with replaceable filters offer protection for a longer period. These benefits of N95 masks make them a suitable option to limit the spread of COVID-19.



Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for N95 Masks estimated at US$3.7 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$11.8 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 18.9% over the analysis period. Offline distribution channel, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to grow at a 17.8% CAGR to reach US$8.1 Billion by the end of the analysis period. After a thorough analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the Online distribution channel segment is readjusted to a revised 21.1% CAGR for the next 7-year period. This segment currently accounts for a 30.4% share of the global N95 Masks market.



The U.S. Market is Estimated at $2 Billion in 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $2 Billion by 2026



The N95 Masks market in the U.S. is estimated at US$2 Billion in the year 2021. The country currently accounts for a 29.54% share in the global market. China, the world second largest economy, is forecast to reach an estimated market size of US$2 Billion in the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 20.7% through the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 18.1% and 19.8% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 19.2% CAGR while Rest of European market (as defined in the study) will reach US$2.1 Billion by the close of the analysis period.



Market growth is expected to be spurred by stringent regulations for occupational safety, particularly in developed economies and rise in number of surgeries and ICU admissions. Continuously increasing number of physicians in both public and private healthcare facilities along with growing number of procedures performed in the healthcare sector are driving the demand for disposable facemasks. The demand for face masks is anticipated to be also propelled by increasing number of cataract surgeries, orthopedic surgeries and ophthalmologists globally. Medical professionals perform over 23 million surgeries globally, including 53% of minimally-invasive procedures. In addition, the percentage of minimally-invasive hysterectomy performed in the US grew significantly over the last decade. The trend is playing an important role in bolstering global demand for N95 masks. Also infections acquired in hospitals are emerging to be one of the critical drivers of demand for various face masks. Hospital acquired infections or HAIs continue to be a major concern for the healthcare sector that requires the medical staff to use disposable medical gloves for preventing spread of HAIs. Hospitals, ambulatory care, long-term care and home care centers are at high risk of HAIs owing to rising mortality rates and morbidities, extended stay at hospitals, transmission of superbugs, inadequate infection-control programs and disease outbreaks.



By End-Use, Hospitals & Clinics Segment to Reach $7.9 Billion by 2026



Global market for Hospitals & Clinics (End-Use) segment is estimated at US$2.4 Billion in 2020, and is projected to reach US$7.9 Billion by 2026 reflecting a compounded annual growth rate of 19.5% over the analysis period. The United States constitutes the largest regional market for Hospitals & Clinics segment, accounting for 28.5% of the global sales in 2020. China is poised to register the fastest compounded annual growth rate of 20.9% over the analysis period, to reach US$1.5 Billion by the end of the analysis period.

Select Competitors (Total 68 Featured) -

3M Company

Alpha Pro Tech Inc.

Ansell ltd

Cambridge Mask Co

Cardinal Health, Inc

Honeywell International Inc

JIANGSU TEYIN IMP. & EXP. CO., LTD

Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc

Makrite

Moldex-Metric, Inc

Prestige Ameritech

Reckitt Benckiser

Shanghai Dasheng

The Gerson Company

Vogmask







Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p05896570/?utm_source=GNW



I. METHODOLOGY



II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY



1. MARKET OVERVIEW

Impact of Covid-19 and a Looming Global Recession

2020 Marked as a Year of Disruption & Transformation

The Race Between the Virus & Vaccines Intensifies. Amidst this

Chaotic Battle, Where is the World Economy Headed in 2021?

How Fast the World is Vaccinated Will Determine How Soon the

Pandemic Will End: Global Number of Annual COVID-19 Vaccine

Doses (In Million) for Years 2020 through 2025 by Geographic

Region/Country

Progress on Vaccinations, Why Should Businesses Care?

With IMFs Upward Revision of Global GDP Forecasts for 2021,

Most Companies Are Bullish About a Global Economic Comeback.

A Strong 2021 Economic Rebound Based On Pent-Up Demand Comes as

a Relief for Suffering Industries & Markets: World Economic

Growth Projections (Real GDP, Annual % Change) for 2020

through 2022

How the Healthcare Industry Has & Continues to be Impacted by

the Pandemic & Whats the New Normal?

With the COVID-19 Pandemic Exposing Global Healthcare

Unpreparedness, There is Increasing Policy Led Focus on

Rebooting Health Systems Worldwide: Current & Required

Healthcare Spending as % of GDP

COVID-19 Outbreak Spurs Massive Demand for N95 Masks

N95 Masks - Global Key Competitors Percentage Market Share in

2022 (E)

N95 Masks: An Introduction

Growth Prospects and Outlook

More Transmissible Covid-19 Coronavirus Variants Likely to

Increase Demand for N95 Masks

Regional Market Analysis

Competitive Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial for

Players Worldwide in 2022 (E)

Competition

Recent Market Activity



2. FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS



3. MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

Increasing Cases of Respiratory Infections & Rising Pollution

Fuel Demand

World Ranking of Most Polluted Countries: 2018

Percentage Share Breakdown of Global Deaths Linked to Air

Pollution

Increase in Demand for Face Masks amid Covid-19 Leads to

Innovative Designs

Select Recent Product Innovations

Few Innovative Masks

COVID-19: Priority Use of N95 or Double Mask

COVID-19: Priority Use of N95 or Double Mask

Vaccinated People Need Masks Too

The Solution to Future N95 Shortages

3D Printed Mask Shields Extend Life of N95 Mask

Rise in Number of Surgeries and Hospital Acquired Infections

Boost Demand

Leading Nosocomial Infections in the US: Percentage Breakdown

of Healthcare Cost from Leading Five Infections

Consistent Increase in Risks and Threats from Infections Drive

Healthy Market Growth

Global Number of Deaths Caused Due to Communicable Diseases (In

000s)

Increasing Healthcare Expenditure to Foster Market Growth

World Healthcare Expenditure (In US$ Billion) for the Years

2017-2023



4. GLOBAL MARKET PERSPECTIVE

Table 1: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for

Offline by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China,

Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand

for Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 2: World Historic Review for Offline by Geographic Region -

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin

America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019

and % CAGR



Table 3: World 15-Year Perspective for Offline by Geographic

Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for USA, Canada,

Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East

and Africa for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 4: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for

Online by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China,

Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa

Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand

for Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 5: World Historic Review for Online by Geographic Region -

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin

America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and

% CAGR



Table 6: World 15-Year Perspective for Online by Geographic

Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for USA, Canada,

Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East

and Africa for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 7: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for

Hospitals & Clinics by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan,

China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and

Africa Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Thousand for Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 8: World Historic Review for Hospitals & Clinics by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years

2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 9: World 15-Year Perspective for Hospitals & Clinics by

Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America,

Middle East and Africa for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 10: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for

Ambulatory Surgery Centers by Geographic Region - USA, Canada,

Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East

and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in

US$ Thousand for Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 11: World Historic Review for Ambulatory Surgery Centers

by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years

2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 12: World 15-Year Perspective for Ambulatory Surgery

Centers by Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value

Sales for USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific,

Latin America, Middle East and Africa for Years 2012, 2021 &

2027



Table 13: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for

Other End-Uses by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan,

China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and

Africa Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Thousand for Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 14: World Historic Review for Other End-Uses by

Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years

2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 15: World 15-Year Perspective for Other End-Uses by

Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America,

Middle East and Africa for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 16: World Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for N95

Masks by Geographic Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe,

Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East and Africa Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years

2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 17: World Historic Review for N95 Masks by Geographic

Region - USA, Canada, Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin

America, Middle East and Africa Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019

and % CAGR



Table 18: World 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by Geographic

Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for USA, Canada,

Japan, China, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East

and Africa Markets for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



III. MARKET ANALYSIS



UNITED STATES

N95 Masks Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial - Key

Competitors in the United States for 2022 (E)

Market Overview

Several US Companies Shifted to Make N95 Respirators During

COVID-19

Dependency on Imports

Post-Pandemic Meltdown in the United States

Saving the Small Manufacturers

Fake N95 Masks Hit Market amid Covid-19 Pandemic

Growing Focus on Infection Prevention Spurs Usage

Hospital Infections, the Unsuspected Killer & Neglected

Healthcare Cost Driver: Cost of HAIs in the U.S (In US$

Billion)

Market Analytics

Table 19: USA Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for N95

Masks by Distribution Channel - Offline and Online -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 20: USA Historic Review for N95 Masks by Distribution

Channel - Offline and Online Markets - Independent Analysis of

Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and %

CAGR



Table 21: USA 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by Distribution

Channel - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Offline and

Online for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 22: USA Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for N95

Masks by End-Use - Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery

Centers and Other End-Uses - Independent Analysis of Annual

Sales in US$ Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027 and %

CAGR



Table 23: USA Historic Review for N95 Masks by End-Use -

Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other

End-Uses Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 24: USA 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by End-Use -

Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Hospitals & Clinics,

Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other End-Uses for the Years

2012, 2021 & 2027



CANADA

Table 25: Canada Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for N95

Masks by Distribution Channel - Offline and Online -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 26: Canada Historic Review for N95 Masks by Distribution

Channel - Offline and Online Markets - Independent Analysis of

Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and %

CAGR



Table 27: Canada 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by

Distribution Channel - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Offline and Online for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 28: Canada Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for N95

Masks by End-Use - Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery

Centers and Other End-Uses - Independent Analysis of Annual

Sales in US$ Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027 and %

CAGR



Table 29: Canada Historic Review for N95 Masks by End-Use -

Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other

End-Uses Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 30: Canada 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by End-Use -

Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Hospitals & Clinics,

Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other End-Uses for the Years

2012, 2021 & 2027



JAPAN

N95 Masks Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial - Key

Competitors in Japan for 2022 (E)

Market Analytics

Table 31: Japan Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for N95

Masks by Distribution Channel - Offline and Online -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 32: Japan Historic Review for N95 Masks by Distribution

Channel - Offline and Online Markets - Independent Analysis of

Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and %

CAGR



Table 33: Japan 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by

Distribution Channel - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Offline and Online for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 34: Japan Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for N95

Masks by End-Use - Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery

Centers and Other End-Uses - Independent Analysis of Annual

Sales in US$ Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027 and %

CAGR



Table 35: Japan Historic Review for N95 Masks by End-Use -

Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other

End-Uses Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 36: Japan 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by End-Use -

Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Hospitals & Clinics,

Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other End-Uses for the Years

2012, 2021 & 2027



CHINA

N95 Masks Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial - Key

Competitors in China for 2022 (E)

Market Overview

Market Analytics

Table 37: China Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for N95

Masks by Distribution Channel - Offline and Online -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 38: China Historic Review for N95 Masks by Distribution

Channel - Offline and Online Markets - Independent Analysis of

Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and %

CAGR



Table 39: China 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by

Distribution Channel - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Offline and Online for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 40: China Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for N95

Masks by End-Use - Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery

Centers and Other End-Uses - Independent Analysis of Annual

Sales in US$ Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027 and %

CAGR



Table 41: China Historic Review for N95 Masks by End-Use -

Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other

End-Uses Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 42: China 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by End-Use -

Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Hospitals & Clinics,

Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other End-Uses for the Years

2012, 2021 & 2027



EUROPE

N95 Masks Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial - Key

Competitors in Europe for 2022 (E)

Market Overview

Market Analytics

Table 43: Europe Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for N95

Masks by Distribution Channel - Offline and Online -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 44: Europe Historic Review for N95 Masks by Distribution

Channel - Offline and Online Markets - Independent Analysis of

Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and %

CAGR



Table 45: Europe 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by

Distribution Channel - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Offline and Online for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 46: Europe Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for N95

Masks by End-Use - Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery

Centers and Other End-Uses - Independent Analysis of Annual

Sales in US$ Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027 and %

CAGR



Table 47: Europe Historic Review for N95 Masks by End-Use -

Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other

End-Uses Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 48: Europe 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by End-Use -

Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Hospitals & Clinics,

Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other End-Uses for the Years

2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 49: Europe Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for N95

Masks by Geographic Region - France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain,

Russia and Rest of Europe Markets - Independent Analysis of

Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years 2020 through 2027 and %

CAGR



Table 50: Europe Historic Review for N95 Masks by Geographic

Region - France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Russia and Rest of

Europe Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 51: Europe 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by

Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Russia and Rest of Europe

Markets for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



FRANCE

N95 Masks Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial - Key

Competitors in France for 2022 (E)

Table 52: France Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for N95

Masks by Distribution Channel - Offline and Online -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 53: France Historic Review for N95 Masks by Distribution

Channel - Offline and Online Markets - Independent Analysis of

Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and %

CAGR



Table 54: France 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by

Distribution Channel - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Offline and Online for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 55: France Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for N95

Masks by End-Use - Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery

Centers and Other End-Uses - Independent Analysis of Annual

Sales in US$ Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027 and %

CAGR



Table 56: France Historic Review for N95 Masks by End-Use -

Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other

End-Uses Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 57: France 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by End-Use -

Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Hospitals & Clinics,

Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other End-Uses for the Years

2012, 2021 & 2027



GERMANY

N95 Masks Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial - Key

Competitors in Germany for 2022 (E)

Table 58: Germany Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for

N95 Masks by Distribution Channel - Offline and Online -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 59: Germany Historic Review for N95 Masks by Distribution

Channel - Offline and Online Markets - Independent Analysis of

Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and %

CAGR



Table 60: Germany 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by

Distribution Channel - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Offline and Online for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 61: Germany Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for

N95 Masks by End-Use - Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery

Centers and Other End-Uses - Independent Analysis of Annual

Sales in US$ Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027 and %

CAGR



Table 62: Germany Historic Review for N95 Masks by End-Use -

Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other

End-Uses Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 63: Germany 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by End-Use -

Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Hospitals & Clinics,

Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other End-Uses for the Years

2012, 2021 & 2027



ITALY

Table 64: Italy Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for N95

Masks by Distribution Channel - Offline and Online -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 65: Italy Historic Review for N95 Masks by Distribution

Channel - Offline and Online Markets - Independent Analysis of

Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and %

CAGR



Table 66: Italy 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by

Distribution Channel - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Offline and Online for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 67: Italy Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for N95

Masks by End-Use - Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery

Centers and Other End-Uses - Independent Analysis of Annual

Sales in US$ Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027 and %

CAGR



Table 68: Italy Historic Review for N95 Masks by End-Use -

Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other

End-Uses Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 69: Italy 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by End-Use -

Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Hospitals & Clinics,

Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other End-Uses for the Years

2012, 2021 & 2027



UNITED KINGDOM

N95 Masks Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial - Key

Competitors in the United Kingdom for 2022 (E)

Table 70: UK Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for N95

Masks by Distribution Channel - Offline and Online -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 71: UK Historic Review for N95 Masks by Distribution

Channel - Offline and Online Markets - Independent Analysis of

Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and %

CAGR



Table 72: UK 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by Distribution

Channel - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Offline and

Online for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 73: UK Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for N95

Masks by End-Use - Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery

Centers and Other End-Uses - Independent Analysis of Annual

Sales in US$ Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027 and %

CAGR



Table 74: UK Historic Review for N95 Masks by End-Use -

Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other

End-Uses Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 75: UK 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by End-Use -

Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Hospitals & Clinics,

Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other End-Uses for the Years

2012, 2021 & 2027



SPAIN

Table 76: Spain Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for N95

Masks by Distribution Channel - Offline and Online -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 77: Spain Historic Review for N95 Masks by Distribution

Channel - Offline and Online Markets - Independent Analysis of

Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and %

CAGR



Table 78: Spain 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by

Distribution Channel - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Offline and Online for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 79: Spain Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for N95

Masks by End-Use - Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery

Centers and Other End-Uses - Independent Analysis of Annual

Sales in US$ Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027 and %

CAGR



Table 80: Spain Historic Review for N95 Masks by End-Use -

Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other

End-Uses Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 81: Spain 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by End-Use -

Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Hospitals & Clinics,

Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other End-Uses for the Years

2012, 2021 & 2027



RUSSIA

Table 82: Russia Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for N95

Masks by Distribution Channel - Offline and Online -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 83: Russia Historic Review for N95 Masks by Distribution

Channel - Offline and Online Markets - Independent Analysis of

Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and %

CAGR



Table 84: Russia 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by

Distribution Channel - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Offline and Online for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 85: Russia Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for N95

Masks by End-Use - Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery

Centers and Other End-Uses - Independent Analysis of Annual

Sales in US$ Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027 and %

CAGR



Table 86: Russia Historic Review for N95 Masks by End-Use -

Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other

End-Uses Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 87: Russia 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by End-Use -

Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Hospitals & Clinics,

Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other End-Uses for the Years

2012, 2021 & 2027



REST OF EUROPE

Table 88: Rest of Europe Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis

for N95 Masks by Distribution Channel - Offline and Online -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 89: Rest of Europe Historic Review for N95 Masks by

Distribution Channel - Offline and Online Markets - Independent

Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through

2019 and % CAGR



Table 90: Rest of Europe 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by

Distribution Channel - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Offline and Online for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 91: Rest of Europe Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis

for N95 Masks by End-Use - Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory

Surgery Centers and Other End-Uses - Independent Analysis of

Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027

and % CAGR



Table 92: Rest of Europe Historic Review for N95 Masks by

End-Use - Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Centers and

Other End-Uses Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales

in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 93: Rest of Europe 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by

End-Use - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Hospitals &

Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other End-Uses for the

Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



ASIA-PACIFIC

N95 Masks Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial - Key

Competitors in Asia-Pacific for 2022 (E)

Table 94: Asia-Pacific Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis

for N95 Masks by Distribution Channel - Offline and Online -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 95: Asia-Pacific Historic Review for N95 Masks by

Distribution Channel - Offline and Online Markets - Independent

Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through

2019 and % CAGR



Table 96: Asia-Pacific 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by

Distribution Channel - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Offline and Online for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 97: Asia-Pacific Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis

for N95 Masks by End-Use - Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory

Surgery Centers and Other End-Uses - Independent Analysis of

Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027

and % CAGR



Table 98: Asia-Pacific Historic Review for N95 Masks by End-Use -

Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other

End-Uses Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 99: Asia-Pacific 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by

End-Use - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Hospitals &

Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other End-Uses for the

Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 100: Asia-Pacific Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis

for N95 Masks by Geographic Region - Australia, India, South

Korea and Rest of Asia-Pacific Markets - Independent Analysis

of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years 2020 through 2027

and % CAGR



Table 101: Asia-Pacific Historic Review for N95 Masks by

Geographic Region - Australia, India, South Korea and Rest of

Asia-Pacific Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in

US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 102: Asia-Pacific 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by

Geographic Region - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Australia, India, South Korea and Rest of Asia-Pacific Markets

for Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



AUSTRALIA

N95 Masks Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial - Key

Competitors in Australia for 2022 (E)

Table 103: Australia Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for

N95 Masks by Distribution Channel - Offline and Online -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 104: Australia Historic Review for N95 Masks by

Distribution Channel - Offline and Online Markets - Independent

Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through

2019 and % CAGR



Table 105: Australia 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by

Distribution Channel - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Offline and Online for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 106: Australia Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for

N95 Masks by End-Use - Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery

Centers and Other End-Uses - Independent Analysis of Annual

Sales in US$ Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027 and %

CAGR



Table 107: Australia Historic Review for N95 Masks by End-Use -

Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other

End-Uses Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 108: Australia 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by

End-Use - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Hospitals &

Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other End-Uses for the

Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



INDIA

N95 Masks Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial - Key

Competitors in India for 2022 (E)

Market Overview

Market Analytics

Table 109: India Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for N95

Masks by Distribution Channel - Offline and Online -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 110: India Historic Review for N95 Masks by Distribution

Channel - Offline and Online Markets - Independent Analysis of

Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and %

CAGR



Table 111: India 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by

Distribution Channel - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Offline and Online for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 112: India Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis for N95

Masks by End-Use - Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery

Centers and Other End-Uses - Independent Analysis of Annual

Sales in US$ Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027 and %

CAGR



Table 113: India Historic Review for N95 Masks by End-Use -

Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other

End-Uses Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 114: India 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by End-Use -

Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Hospitals & Clinics,

Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other End-Uses for the Years

2012, 2021 & 2027



SOUTH KOREA

Table 115: South Korea Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis

for N95 Masks by Distribution Channel - Offline and Online -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for the

Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 116: South Korea Historic Review for N95 Masks by

Distribution Channel - Offline and Online Markets - Independent

Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years 2012 through

2019 and % CAGR



Table 117: South Korea 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by

Distribution Channel - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for

Offline and Online for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 118: South Korea Recent Past, Current & Future Analysis

for N95 Masks by End-Use - Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory

Surgery Centers and Other End-Uses - Independent Analysis of

Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for the Years 2020 through 2027

and % CAGR



Table 119: South Korea Historic Review for N95 Masks by End-Use -

Hospitals & Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other

End-Uses Markets - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$

Thousand for Years 2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 120: South Korea 15-Year Perspective for N95 Masks by

End-Use - Percentage Breakdown of Value Sales for Hospitals &

Clinics, Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other End-Uses for the

Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



REST OF ASIA-PACIFIC

Table 121: Rest of Asia-Pacific Recent Past, Current & Future

Analysis for N95 Masks by Distribution Channel - Offline and

Online - Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand

for the Years 2020 through 2027 and % CAGR



Table 122: Rest of Asia-Pacific Historic Review for N95 Masks

by Distribution Channel - Offline and Online Markets -

Independent Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for Years

2012 through 2019 and % CAGR



Table 123: Rest of Asia-Pacific 15-Year Perspective for N95

Masks by Distribution Channel - Percentage Breakdown of Value

Sales for Offline and Online for the Years 2012, 2021 & 2027



Table 124: Rest of Asia-Pacific Recent Past, Current & Future

Analysis for N95 Masks by End-Use - Hospitals & Clinics,

Ambulatory Surgery Centers and Other End-Uses - Independent

Analysis of Annual Sales in US$ Thousand for the Years 2020

through 2027 and % CAGR



Please contact our Customer Support Center to get the complete Table of Contents

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__________________________
NEW YORK, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spora has assembled a deep bench of talent to help them revolutionize how we think about fabric. With an advisory board that includes Hap Klopp Founder & CEO of The North Face and JP Morgan's former CFO of Global Emerging Markets, Antonio Gil-Nievas, Spora is gearing up to release their mycotextile Sporatex to the world. And by partnering with some of the largest names in international fashion, apparel and furniture, they have multiple avenues to put their material to work.

With their origins in Chile, and a presence in the United States, Europe, and Latin America, Sporas brand consortium is already in place to launch globally.

"Spora's ideas and products are disrupting the entire apparel and leather industry and represent the vanguard of the Circular Economy for the apparel industry world round." - Kenneth (Hap) Klopp - Founder and CEO of The North Face

The startup is closing a $10 million round with a focus on continuing the globalization of the brand and testing production facilities around the world. In order to plant the foundations for the upcoming mega-round, where Antonio is playing a huge role partnering with high ticket players.

Spora's mission to develop their mycelium platform goes beyond mycotextile replacing leather, Sporatex. The thesis of each commercial application has three fundamentals to different categories of consumer benefits (1) Biodiscovery of new fungal species in highly biodiverse regions of the world, (2) cultural mysticism with a positive impact on communities in every territory they visit, (3) state of the art technology with nanotechnology and CRISPR/Cas.

In less than 15 months the team has done 3 expeditions, two in the Amazon Rain Forest and one, the most recent, in Patagonia. Combined, the expeditions are helping in the conservation of biodiversity of more than 70 fungal species, and they have discovered more than a dozen new species of fungi. This will lead to never seen material traits, look, feel and touch in final products.

Spora's end-to-end approach to producing Sporatex, from wild performance strains of fungus to sustainable nanotechnology enhancements in post-harvest processes, is the world's first patent application of its kind. This development plays a small but key milestone in the race to mitigate the climate crisis, thus the carbon footprint of the next 10 years will determine the path of climate change for the next 100 years, and the next 100 years will determine the fate of the 1,000 years to come.

Spora Biotech

www.sporabiotech.com

Hernan Rebolledo - hrebolledo@sporabiotech.com

Related Images











Image 1: Patagonia Mushroom Discovery Reveal New Way To Make Leather





Spora Biotech's Cofounder Hernen Rebolledo wads into the Patagonian Caro Lake to display a newly discovered Patagonia mushroom and one of the first articles created from Sportex material.









This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

Attachment
New York, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy Global Market Report 2022" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06284604/?utm_source=GNW





The global ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy market is expected to grow from $1.33 billion in 2021 to $1.4 billion in 2022 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1%. The market is expected to grow to $1.64 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.0%.



The ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy market consists of sales of ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy products and related services by entities (organizations, sole traders, and partnerships) that manufacture ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy devices.Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy is a method used to measure light absorbance in the ultraviolet and visible ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum.



These devices find their application in analytical chemistry for the quantitative determination of different analytes, such as transition metal ions, highly conjugated organic compounds, and biological macromolecules.



The main types of ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy are single-beam system, double-beam system, array-based system, and handheld system.A single-beam system utilizes one beam of light that passes through the sample and the intensity of the light reflected from a reference is measured without the sample.



The various applications included are industrial applications, physical chemistry studies, life science studies, environmental studies, academic applications, life science research and development, and quality assurance and quality control. The various end-users involved are pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academic and research institutes, agriculture and food industries, and environmental testing labs.



North America was the largest region in the ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy market in 2021.Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period.



The regions covered in this report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, and Africa.



The outbreak of COVID-19 led to an increase in the production of pharmaceutical drugs and demand for vaccines and fueled the growth of the ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy market.Due to increased demand for certain drugs during the pandemic, the demand for ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy instruments also grew for research and the development of new medications and vaccines.



UV Vis spectrophotometry provides fast, easy, and accurate characterization of components such as nucleic acids, proteins, additives/preservatives and can impact the time-to-result for both downstream and upstream processes including quality control. According to a study by Mettler Toledo, these instruments were extremely crucial for the development of the COVID-19 vaccines, and thus supported the growth of the market.



The companies in the market are increasingly investing in the handheld or portable ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy market, which allows consumers to make informed decisions on the spot, thus saving valuable time.Major companies operating in the ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy sector are focused on developing portable technological solutions for ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy.



For instance, in December 2019, Shimadzu, a Japanese analytical instrumentation company, launched six new UV-VIS spectrophotometer models under the UV-i Selection brand, which have improved portability amongst other characteristics.The six UV-i Range models are SolidSpec-3700i, UV-2700i, UV-1900i, UV3600i Plus, SolidSpec-3700i DUV and UV-2600i.



UV-i Selection systems are ideal for several applications, including, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and academics.



In April 2020, Wiley, a USA-based company that focuses on academic publishing and instructional materials acquired Bio-Rad Laboratories informatics products including the company spectroscopy software and spectral databases for an undisclosed amount.This acquisition adds expertise, content, and powerful software to the Wiley science solutions segment.



Bio-Rad Laboratories is a USA-based manufacturer and distributor of life science research products, clinical diagnostics, and analytical instrumentation.



The countries covered in the ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy market are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, and USA.





Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06284604/?utm_source=GNW



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ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________
Chinese business community donates equipment to slum school in Kenya

Xinhua) 08:56, June 10, 2022

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.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu)
ST. JOHNS, Newfoundland and Labrador, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Atlas Salt (the Company or Atlas - TSXV: SALT) is pleased to report that as the Company progresses toward completion of its Great Atlantic Feasibility Study, drilling of another significant step-out hole has commenced approximately 300 metres east of CC-4 which cut a gross thickness of 335 metres grading 96.8% salt starting just 190 meters downhole.



Mr. Rowland Howe, President of Atlas, commented: The already known extent of the high-grade homogeneous salt deposit at Great Atlantic is impressive to say the least. We eagerly anticipate results from this particular hole, both in terms of further defining this large and relatively shallow deposit and optimizing the mine design for the FS.

We also look forward to an upcoming Great Atlantic Project site visit for invited investors.

Mr. Salt at PDAC

Atlas is pleased to be exhibiting in the Investors Exchange at PDAC Monday, June 13, through Wednesday, June 15. Company representatives including Rowland Howe and CEO Patrick Laracy will be available to meet with shareholders and potential new investors at Booth IE 2337.

Atlas Lists on Frankfurt Stock Exchange

The Companys shares have been approved for listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE) under the symbol 9D00.

CEO Laracy stated, There is growing interest among European investors in our flagship Great Atlantic Project and the upcoming spinout of other Atlas salt assets in the broader Bay St. George district. The FSE listing is timely and will expand our trading exposure.

Atlas Retains Sagacity Capital Media

Atlas has retained Sagacity Capital Media for a term of one year to provide advertising and marketing services for the Company for a total fee of $39,000 (plus tax). Theyve also been granted 125,000 consultant stock options exercisable at $2.25 per share for a period of one year, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval.

Video - Rowland Howe

Click on the following link as Rowland Howe discusses the Great Atlantic Salt Project.

https://youtu.be/rMPrhbQuq8c

Qualified Person

Patrick J. Laracy, P.Geo, and CEO, is the Qualified Person responsible for the technical contents of this news release as defined in National Instrument 43-101.

About Atlas Salt

Bringing the Power of SALT to Investors: Atlas Salt owns 100% of the Great Atlantic salt deposit strategically located in western Newfoundland in the middle of the robust eastern North America road salt market. The project features a large homogeneous high-grade resource. Atlas also owns the Fischells Brook Salt Dome with plans to spin out that asset into a separate company as a potential renewable energy storage opportunity.

We seek Safe Harbor.

For information, please contact:

AtlasSalt.com

Patrick J. Laracy, CEO

(709) 754-3186

laracy@atlassalt.com MarketSmart Communications Inc.

Adrian Sydenham

Toll-free: 1-877-261-4466

Email: info@marketsmart.ca

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This release may contain certain forward-looking statements. Actual events or results may differ from the Companys expectations. Certain risk factors beyond the Companys control may affect the actual results achieved. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/79a79114-cb7d-497b-9e74-b55420cfc413
New York, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Flat Panel Antenna Market Size, Share & Industry Trends Analysis Report By Type, By Frequency, By Application, By Regional Outlook and Forecast, 2022 - 2028" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06283425/?utm_source=GNW

These antennas have a high gain in a small, low-profile package and are exceptionally durable and waterproof, allowing them to last for years in tough settings. Airborne and distant ground surveillance, border patrol, video transmission, tactical support, as well as uninterrupted connection to the control center are all provided by unmanned systems. Installing, configuring, and maintaining parabolic antennas are difficult. Simple plug-and-play setup and maintenance are among the major benefits of a flat panel antenna. Many government vehicles, energy firms, and non-governmental groups use low-cost flat-panel antennas that provide higher bandwidth than L-band. As the demand for autonomous systems grows, the requirement for antennas with longer ranges for payloads and C4I2SR missions also increases.



A satellite antenna serves as a data modem for transmitting signals to a satellite. These antennas are designed for satellite-based communications. Flat panel satellite antennas use phased array technology and offer a variety of uses in the military, satellite television, naval, and commercial aircraft radar. Satellite antennas with flat panels provide a reliable worldwide connection. They are resistant to all kinds of adverse weather conditions because of their rugged design. Due to an increase in demand for Communication on the Move, demand for flat panel antennas is also increasing (COTM). Due to technological advancements in the satellite sector, flat panel satellite antennas are gaining popularity for use in terrestrial, aeronautical, and maritime applications.



The markets growth can also be linked to the increased demand for defense systems and the proliferation of innovation, which has led to a wider use of flat antennas. Additionally, the demand for connectivity in commercial aircraft has been steadily increasing, necessitating the deployment of phased array technology for satellite communication due to the operating environment.



COVID-19 Impact



The COVID-19 outbreak caused a significant downfall to various economies all over the world. The outbreak of the novel coronavirus slowed down numerous businesses globally. In addition, due to the rapid spread of the infection, governments all over the world were forced to impose countrywide lockdowns. Due to the travel restrictions under the lockdown, the supply chain of various goods, as well as intermediate goods, was significantly disrupted. Moreover, the lockdown also caused a considerable hindrance to various manufacturing facilities worldwide. Due to the fatal impact on the industrial sector in several countries as a result of the pandemic lockdown, COVID-19 had a substantial influence on the flat panel antenna market.



Market Growth Factors



Surging demand for electronically steered phased array flat panel antennas



Flat panel antennas with electronically steered beams are ultra-thin antennas that electronically capture, steer, and hold a beam to any satellite. These antennas have a high-performance efficiency in a small, low-profile size, and theyre incredibly durable and weatherproof, allowing them to last for years in difficult settings. As a result, there has been an increase in demand for these antennas in a number of important situations. Electronically directed phased flat panel antennas have become more popular as the demand for connectivity for communication solutions on moving surfaces for platforms like commercial vehicles, railways, military vehicles, and boats has grown. Even when bases like trains, military vehicles, or boats are in motion, these antennas can detect and maintain satellite links.



Rising growth of the Automotive and Industrial sector



Automotive and industrial applications are observing an increase in the utilization of flat panel antennas. Due to this, various market players are increasing their efforts in the sector of flat panel antenna manufacturing sector. Various new and advanced innovations are being introduced across the market due to the rising efforts of these market players. Therefore, several new developments would be introduced in these antennas over the forecasting years. For instance, Hybrid Beam Antenna was launched by Comba Telecom Systems Holdings Ltd., a major solutions and service supplier of wireless and information communication systems, in March 2020.



Market Restraining Factors



Lack of professional workforce



In the aerospace sector, various developing and under-developed countries lack a competent technical workforce. This is owing to the lack of adequate educational infrastructure across these countries. Moreover, the government of these countries does not comprise enough financial capabilities to provide the required knowledge to their citizens. Lack of required knowledge and skills can cause significant mishaps during operations. Moreover, the maintenance of a flat panel antenna also requires appropriate and professional knowledge. Potential workforce concerns have an impact on the effectiveness and safety of space operations, limiting the number of space exploration flights and posing a hurdle to the flat panel antenna markets growth.



Type Outlook



Based on Type, the market is segmented into Electronically steered and Mechanically steered. In 2021, the mechanically steered segment recorded a significant revenue share of the flat panel antenna market. A gimbal is a mechanism made up of rings rotated at particular angles that was initially used to keep a horizontal instrument like a chronometer or compass in a moving ship or plane. A typical Ku/Ka-band antenna is a multi-gimbal, which means the antenna is mechanically controlled to point directly at a satellite by rotating, raising, and lowering the antenna to face the satellite utilizing azimuth and elevation axes, i.e. gimbals. Motors adjust polarization on most gimbal antennas automatically and mechanically. This type of flat panel antenna is used in areas of low-connectivity wider areas such as oceans and deserts. Therefore, this factor is estimated to increase the demand for this type of antenna in the defense sector. This factor would significantly accelerate the growth of this segment of the market over the forecast years.



Frequency Outlook



Based on Frequency, the market is segmented into Ku, K & Ka band and C & X band. In 2021, the Ku, k and ka segment registered the largest revenue share of the flat panel antenna market. Attributed to the benefits offered by Ku, K, and Ka frequency, which include increased bandwidth and support for applications that require high transmission power. To close RF communications with satellites orbiting at heights far away from the surface of the earth, Ku- and Ka-Band satellite operations require extremely directional antennas. Traditional geostationary satellite systems, which do not require tracking because the satellites relative position to the user terminal is stable over time, generally use fixed parabolic reflectors. To sustain connectivity, LEO constellations require tracking as well as satellite-to-satellite handovers. Due to this, the demand for this antenna with Ku, K, and Ka frequency class is rapidly increasing. Hence, this factor is estimated to observe significant growth over the forecasting years.



Application Outlook



Based on Application, the market is segmented into Military, Aviation, Commercial, Telecommunications, and Others. In 2021, the commercial segment procured a substantial revenue share of the flat panel antenna market. The commercial sector caters to a wide range of applications, including commercial ships, watercraft, superyachts, passenger vehicles, and more. Flat panel antennas are smaller and more discrete than the massive radars that are commonly employed on large ships for broadband satellite connections. These flat panel antennas feature ESA OR phased array antennas that track satellites electronically while remaining fixed, eliminating the requirement for moving pieces that could malfunction. As a result, increased demand for such antennas in various commercial applications is propelling the flat panel antenna market forward. Hence, the growth of this segment is estimated to flourish throughout the coming years.



Regional Outlook



Based on Regions, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, Middle East & Africa. In 2021, North America accounted for the largest revenue share of the flat panel antenna market. The increasing growth of the regional market is attributed to the robust investments of the regional countries. The investment connection between and the United States and Canada is one of the worlds largest and most comprehensive. Canadas strong economic fundamentals, proximity to the US market, highly qualified workforce, and vast resources all appeal to US investors. In 2016, the United States had USD 363 billion in foreign direct investment in Canada, accounting for more than half of Canadas entire FDI stock of USD 600 billion. In the United States, Canadas FDI stock reached USD 454 billion.



The market research report covers the analysis of key stake holders of the market. Key companies profiled in the report include Kymeta Corporation, Hanwha Phasor Ltd., TTI Norte S.L., ThinKom Solutions, Inc., Isotropic Systems Ltd., L-com Global Connectivity, OneWeb, ST Engineering iDirect, Inc., China Starwin Science & Technology Co., Ltd., and L3Harris Technologies, Inc.



Strategies deployed in Flat Panel Antenna Market



Dec-2021: Kymeta signed a joint development agreement with OneWeb, the LEO satellite communications company. Following this partnership, the companies would bring an innovative flat panel electronically steered user terminal that can be operated on the OneWeb network to facilitate land fixed application. Moreover, this product would also unlock various mobile applications such as maritime, land mobile, and others.



Sep-2021: ThinKom teamed up with Panasonic, a major Japanese multinational conglomerate company. Under this collaboration, the companies would jointly develop a next-generation Ku-band antenna named ThinAir.



Aug-2021: L-com launched a new range of low-PIM rated, Omni, ceiling, and flat panel antennas. The new product range aimed to address sub-6 GHz in-building connectivity. These latest antennas feature 600 MHz to 6 GHz operation, less than -150 dBc PIM rating, SISO, and 2x2 MIMO configurations. They also fuel Type-N and 4.3-10 connector options, low-profile ceiling mounts for enhanced aesthetics, and compatibility with every global sub-6 GHz 5G bands consisting extended CBRS and UNII-1.



Aug-2021: Hanwha Phasor came into a partnership with Plexus, a leader in supply chain and aftermarket services. Following this partnership, Plexus would supply product development design and support, for manufacture, test development as well as optimization services for the supply chain.



Aug-2020: Kymeta acquired Lepton Global Solutions, a provider of flexible, customized service plans and solutions. With this acquisition, the company aimed to increase its capabilities to unlock new growth prospects across the US defense and government customers around the world.



Jan-2020: Isotropic entered into a partnership with Kymeta, a satellite communications company. Under this partnership, Isotropic would conduct over-the-air testing on the u7 antenna of Kymeta.



Oct-2019: Singapore Technologies Engineering Europe took over Newtec Group, an industry-leading manufacturer of sorting machinery. This acquisition would enable the company to integrate Newtecs unique capabilities into its portfolio in order to develop a highly differentiated global Satcom business group.



Sep-2019: iDirect Government completed its acquisition of Glowlink Communications Technology, a Provider of satellite communication services. With this acquisition, the company aimed to expand its Satcom offerings with tailored technology to protect mission-critical communications. Moreover, this acquisition would also benefit the user community of iDirectGov by improving product resilience against signal interference.



Nov-2018: Kymeta partnered with Lepton Global Solutions, a leading provider of satellite communications solutions. This partnership would meet the crucial requirements of reliable and trusted on-the-move satellite communications capabilities remotely.



Scope of the Study



Market Segments covered in the Report:



By Type



 Electronically steered



 Mechanically steered



By Frequency



 Ku, K & Ka band



 C & X band



By Application



 Military



 Aviation



 Commercial



 Telecommunications



 Others



By Geography



 North America



o US



o Canada



o Mexico



o Rest of North America



 Europe



o Germany



o UK



o France



o Russia



o Spain



o Italy



o Rest of Europe



 Asia Pacific



o China



o Japan



o India



o South Korea



o Singapore



o Malaysia



o Rest of Asia Pacific



 LAMEA



o Brazil



o Argentina



o UAE



o Saudi Arabia



o South Africa



o Nigeria



o Rest of LAMEA



Companies Profiled



 Kymeta Corporation



 Hanwha Phasor Ltd.



 TTI Norte S.L.



 ThinKom Solutions, Inc.



 Isotropic Systems Ltd.



 L-com Global Connectivity



 OneWeb



 ST Engineering iDirect, Inc.



 China Starwin Science & Technology Co., Ltd.



 L3Harris Technologies, Inc.



Unique Offerings



 Exhaustive coverage



 Highest number of market tables and figures



 Subscription based model available



 Guaranteed best price



 Assured post sales research support with 10% customization free

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06283425/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________
New York, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Global Epigenetics Market Size, Share & Industry Trends Analysis Report By Application, By Product, By End User, By Regional Outlook and Forecast, 2022 - 2028" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06283423/?utm_source=GNW

Although the underlying DNA or RNA sequence stays unchanged, epigenetics produces changes in an organisms phenotype rather than genotype. Epigenetic alterations are important for development because they are dynamic and change in response to environmental stimuli.



Epigenetics is a cutting-edge field that focuses on discovering and tracking phenotypic changes in genes caused by chromosomal modifications without affecting the DNA sequence. Although other uses are growing, this field is most commonly associated with cancer research. Rising institutional and governmental collaboration, as well as financing for the development of innovative methods for disease detection and treatment, are expected to boost demand for epigenetics, hence propelling the market forward. For example, the University of Southampton and University Hospitals Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (UK) got USD 1.57 million (GBP 1 million) in February 2016 for cancer and infectious disease genetics and genomics research.



The growing global prevalence of cancer, as well as the growing use of epigenetics in non-oncology diseases, are two important factors driving the global epigenetics market. The number of cancer patients is expected to climb from 14.1 million in 2012 to 19.3 million by 2025, according to WHO projections. The number of new cancer cases in the United States grew to 1,688,780 in 2017 from 1,685,210 in 2016, according to the American Cancer Society.



Moreover, factors like growing cancer prevalence increased funding for healthcare research and development, and rising applications of non-oncological epigenetics would help the market to flourish more. According to Globocan 2020, there were 19, 292, 789 new cancer cases of various sorts recorded worldwide in 2020, with 9,958,133 cancer-related deaths. This global and widespread threat of cancer continues to be a significant driving force behind the development of new cancer therapies that aid in risk assessment, early diagnosis, and successful treatment monitoring.



COVID-19 Impact



Due to the importance of epigenetics in the COVID-19 research, Covid has had a substantial impact on epigenetics market growth. According to research published in Clinical Epigenetics in October 2020 titled "The epigenetic implication in coronavirus infection and therapy," epigenetic changes may play a key role in the emergence of coronavirus illness outcomes. Despite the fact that a variety of therapy alternatives are being examined, more research is urgently needed to find a viable vaccine or safer chemotherapeutic drugs, including epigenetic treatments, to combat this viral pandemic and develop pre-and post-exposure COVID-19 prophylaxis.



Market Growth Factors



Increased demand for DNA Methylation



The epigenetics market is driven by DNA methylation, which is the covalent attachment of a methyl group to the cytosine ring, which inhibits transcription. Methylation-sensitive PCR is defined as sensitive bisulfite modification followed by PCR (MSP). Variations of MSP include real-time PCR for methylation detection, methyl light, and quantitative analysis of methylated alleles. Quantitative methods for DNA methylation are currently available, including allele-specific bisulphite sequencing, southern-based approach, bisulphite pyrosequencing, and bisulphite PCR followed by MALDI - TOF MS. Technological improvements are making it easier to assess locus-specific DNA methylation on a genome-wide scale, which is boosting market expansion.



Increasing incidences of cancer



The number of persons diagnosed with cancer has risen dramatically all around the world. The number of cancer patients is expected to climb from 14.1 million in 2012 to 19.3 million by 2025, according to WHO projections. Cancer is the second most common cause of mortality in the United States, accounting for approximately one out of every four deaths. According to the American Cancer Society, the number of new cancer cases in the United States is predicted to rise to 1,688,780 in 2017 from 1,685,210 in 2016, while the total number of cancer-related deaths is expected to rise to 600,920 from 595,690 in the same time period.



Market Restraining Factors



The massive cost of Instruments and the high need for standardization and clinical validation



Epigenetics research instruments are expensive due to their extensive features and functions. Illuminas NovaSeq 5000 and 6000 sequencers, for example, were released in January 2017 and cost USD 850,000 and USD 985,000, respectively. The total cost of ownership is increased by maintenance and a range of other indirect expenditures, such as samples and consumables. Hence, many healthcare institutions are not prompt to embrace these instruments. Pharmaceutical companies and research institutes require several of these systems. As a result, large sums of money will be needed to purchase a number of high-priced genomic devices. End users with tight budgets, like academic research labs, have a hard time affording such systems.



Application Outlook



Based on Application, the market is segmented into Oncology and Non-Oncology. In 2021, the Oncology segment acquired the maximum revenue share of the Epigenetics Market. This is due to a huge increase in cancer cases. The segment is expected to grow as the global prevalence of cancer rises, as well as the number of cancer-related deaths. Furthermore, the market is expected to grow due to the launch of new products and the potential commercialization of products already in the pipeline in the near future. Epimutations are epigenetic alterations that result in hypermethylation and epigenetic silencing. Epimutations have long been suspected of playing a role in cancer aetiology. Epimutations, specifically related to the silencing of tumor suppressor genes and the activation of oncogenes, are the subject of extensive research and development. Epimutations, unlike ordinary mutations, are reversible in nature.



Product Outlook



Based on Product, the market is segmented into Kits, Reagents, Enzymes, and Instruments.The Reagents segment procured a significant revenue share of the Epigenetics Market in 2021. The most commonly utilized epigenetic reagents are histone and DNA modifiers. Antibodies, PCR reagents, primers, histones, electrophoresis reagents, nucleic acid analysis reagents, and buffers are some of the most common epigenetic reagents. PyroMark Q24 is a sophisticated reagent that uses advanced pyrosequencing chemistry to deliver much better real-time sequence-based detection and quantification than previously possible. The existence of a number of technology platforms makes gene, protein, and cellular analysis easier, which fosters worldwide market innovation.



End User Outlook



Based on End User, the market is segmented into Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies, Academic & Research Institutes, and Contract Research Organizations. In 2021, the Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies segment acquired the biggest revenue share of the Epigenetics Market. This can be attributed to the R & D activities for drug resistance developed by microorganisms, oncology, molecular aspects of cancer, and drug discovery for non-oncology applications. Moreover, the growth of the segment would further be driven by the increased research in the fields of genetics with a strong focus on customized treatment.



Regional Outlook



Based on Regions, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America, Middle East & Africa. In 2021, North America emerged as the leading region in the overall Epigenetics Market by collecting the maximum revenue share. This can be due to well-developed healthcare infrastructure, a wide range of modern epigenetics products, a big number of significant players, and well-trained medical personnel.



The major strategies followed by the market participants are Partnership. Based on the Analysis presented in the Cardinal matrix; Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. is the major forerunner in the Epigenetics Market. Companies such as PerkinElmer, Inc., Agilent Technologies, Inc. and Active Motif, Inc. are some of the key innovators in the Market.



The market research report covers the analysis of key stake holders of the market. Key companies profiled in the report include Abcam plc, Agilent Technologies, Inc., Hologic, Inc., Illumina, Inc., Merck Group, PerkinElmer, Inc., Qiagen N.V., Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Zymo Research, and Active Motif, Inc.



Recent strategies deployed in Epigenetics Market



Partnerships, Collaborations and Agreements:



Dec-2021: Qiagen formed a partnership with Denovo Biopharma, a biotech company providing a novel biomarker solution. Through this partnership, the companies aimed to develop a blood-based companion diagnostic test to recognize patients convey Denovo Genomic Marker 1 likely to acknowledge Denovos investigational cancer drug DB102TM for treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, one of the most usual lymphoid cancers.



Dec-2021: Agilent Technologies formed a partnership with Lonza, a leading global cell and gene therapy manufacturer. Through this partnership, the companies aimed to convert the way customized cell therapies are realized and manufactured.



Oct-2021: Abcam took over with BioVision, distributor of life science research tools. Through this acquisition, BioVision would improve Abcams in-house innovation and compute scale to support the biochemical assay and cellular assay markets. Additionally, Acquisition would bring BioVisions product offerings, abilities, and 70-strong professional development and producing teams within Abcam.



Aug-2021: Illumina joined hands with Next Generation Genomic, Southeast Asian Nations leaders in laboratory services and reproductive science. Through this collaboration, the companies aimed to introduce VeriSeq NIPT Solution v2 in Thailand, a CE-IVD, next-generation sequencing-based access to noninvasive prenatal testing.



Jun-2021: Illumina partnered with Microba Life Sciences, world-leading technology for measuring the human gut microbiome. Together, the companies aimed to provide Illuminas subversive NGS tools and Microbas high-quality exclusive gut microbiome analysis platform to create the precise metagenomic data that researchers need to boost new inventions.



Feb-2021: Active Motif came into a partnership with Arima Genomics, a biotechnology company. Together, the companies aimed to boost the awareness of genome structure and sequence to examine the three-dimensional folding patterns of the genome, delivering investigators with greater access to powerful technology and enhancing their research.



Mar-2020: Zymo Research formed a partnership with Tecan, a provider of laboratory instruments and solutions in biopharmaceuticals. Through this partnership, the companies aimed to introduce a ready-to-go processing solution to simplify viral DNA/RNA extraction from oropharyngeal swabs, nasopharyngeal swabs, sputum, saliva, serum, and plasma.



Acquisitions and Mergers:



Jan-2022: Active Motif completed the acquisition of Amaryllis Nucleics, a Bay Area-based start-up company. Through this acquisition, the company aimed to employ novel synthesis chemistry that is twice as quick from RNA to library prep correlated to other methods is less costly and shows bigger than 99% fiber specificity.



Sep-2021: PerkinElmer completed the acquisition of BioLegend, a leading provider of life science antibodies and reagents. Through this acquisition, the companies aimed to deliver new innovative solutions to scientists, assisting in propelling novel therapeutic development and discovery.



Apr-2021: Agilent took over Resolution Bioscience, a leader in the development and commercialization of next-generation sequencing-based accuracy oncology solutions. This acquisition aimed to expand Agilents abilities in NGS-based cancer diagnostics and delivers the enterprise with innovative technology to further provide the demands of the rapidly growing accurate medicine market.



Mar-2021: Hologic took over Diagenode, an international life sciences enterprise. This acquisition aimed to concentrate on creative instruments and reagents systems for life science research, to bolster our molecular diagnostics enterprise by expanding international abilities, enhancing regional time-to-market, and enabling us to provide a wide, more comprehend test menu.



Dec-2020: PerkinElmer completed the acquisition of Horizon Discovery, a gene editing company. Through this acquisition, the company aimed to provide entire workflow solutions to life science consumer employed on drug development and discovery.



Oct-2020: Abcam completed the acquisition of the Marker Gene Technologies, a developer of innovative new products for the biotechnology and medical organization. This acquisition aimed to expand the range of observation tools, such as cell assays & health kits, substrates, and biological probes. Additionally, Abcam aimed to launch a new range of pCambia plant vectors.



Product Launches and Product Expansions:



Oct-2021: PerkinElmer introduced Signals Image Artist. The software delivers next generation image investigation and administration platform for drug discovery analysis.



Scope of the Study



Market Segments covered in the Report:



By Application



 Oncology



 Non-Oncology



By Product



 Kits



 Reagents



 Enzymes



 Instruments



By End User



 Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology Companies



 Academic & Research Institutes



 Contract Research Organizations



By Geography



 North America



o US



o Canada



o Mexico



o Rest of North America



 Europe



o Germany



o UK



o France



o Russia



o Spain



o Italy



o Rest of Europe



 Asia Pacific



o China



o Japan



o India



o South Korea



o Singapore



o Malaysia



o Rest of Asia Pacific



 LAMEA



o Brazil



o Argentina



o UAE



o Saudi Arabia



o South Africa



o Nigeria



o Rest of LAMEA



Companies Profiled



 Abcam plc



 Agilent Technologies, Inc.



 Hologic, Inc.



 Illumina, Inc.



 Merck Group



 PerkinElmer, Inc.



 Qiagen N.V.



 Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.



 Zymo Research



 Active Motif, Inc.



Unique Offerings



 Exhaustive coverage



 Highest number of market tables and figures



 Subscription based model available



 Guaranteed best price



 Assured post sales research support with 10% customization free

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06283423/?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.



__________________________
MUSKEGON, Mich., June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Two of the country's leading collectors of figurative realist paintings have donated $12 million in artworks and cash to help create a new wing at the Muskegon Museum of Art (MMA), where they are permanently dedicating space for artwork by women. Fewer than five museums in the world dedicate space solely to the work of women artists.

More than 150 paintings by women artists were given to the Michigan museum by art collectors and champions of gender equality, Steven Alan Bennett and Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt, of San Antonio. Their donation also includes a $1.5 million cash gift, which will help create a new wing to more than double the size of the museum.

Bennett and Schmidt have collected figurative realist paintings by women artists since 2009, creating The Bennett Collection, and in 2018 established The Bennett Prizea $50,000 biennial award designed to propel the careers of women painters who have not yet realized full professional recognition. It is the largest art award offered solely to women painters. The Prize is currently in its third cycle, and the call for entries for the third cycle is open through Oct. 7, 2022.

Over the past decade, only 11 percent of art acquired by the country's top museums for their permanent collections was by women, according to a survey completed by the art market website ArtNet in 2019. Of the 260,470 works acquired by 26 of the top museums in the United States, less than 15% were by female artists.

Paintings donated from The Bennett Collection include works by more than 115 artists, including Artemisia Gentileschi, Mary Cassatt, Agnes Martin, Elaine de Kooning, Harmonia Rosales, Julie Bell, Andrea Kowch, Katie O'Hagan and many other contemporary and historical women figurative realist painters.

"This is a transformative and once-in-a-lifetime gift," said MMA Executive Director Kirk Hallman. "In the context of an expansion project, it is all the more redefining. Steven and Elaine's vision is one shared by the MMA. The Bennett-Schmidt gift is a call to action institutionally, encouraging both the Muskegon Museum of Art and other museums to continually expand opportunities for women artists."

"The artwork being donated to the Muskegon Museum of Art catapults them into the forefront of progressive museums that recognize the primacy and power of the work of women painters," said Bennett. "What has been an exceptionally good collection will now be augmented with many powerful works by women that span the generations."

More information:

The Bennett Collection: https://www.thebennettartcollection.com

Muskegon Museum of Art: https://muskegonartmuseum.org

###

Press Contact: Amanda Rogalski, aarogalski@rogomarketing.com

Related Images











Image 1: "Portrait of the Collectors, Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt and Steven Alan Bennett"





Katie O'Hagan (born 1972), "Portrait of the Collectors, Dr. Elaine Melotti Schmidt and Steven Alan Bennett" oil on canvas, 78" x 58" 2016









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Attachment
MOUNT VERNON, N.Y., June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bona Fide Masks Corp. (www.bonafidemasks.com), part of the Ball Chain Manufacturing Co., Inc. (Ball Chain) family of companies out of Mount Vernon, New York, remains dedicated to their efforts to address fraud and counterfeit masks in the marketplace. As Covid-19 cases continue to rise around the country, counterfeit masks present an issue for many E-commerce and big box retailers. Since the beginning of the pandemic, "bad actors" have populated the mask business taking advantage of the country's critical demand. Bona Fide Masks recognizes the threat that counterfeit products present not only to legitimate and trusted trademarked brands but to public safety and consumer health.

Bona Fide Masks was formed as a response to the critical shortage of PPE in 2020. President, Bill Taubner, was approached by a community leader asking if his 4th generation, family owned and operated Ball Chain could leverage its well-established supply chain integrity and global relationships to supply affordable PPE for frontline workers and the general public. At its inception, Bona Fide Masks established a brand promise to deliver authentic and trusted masks through a transparent business model. Two years later, Bona Fide Masks continues to strengthen its commitment to this promise by addressing the unsavory characters that continue to emerge in the mask business. The number of counterfeit products in the global marketplace has grown, eroding brand reputations and consumer trust.

Bona Fide Mask has an unmatched business model designed to build buyer confidence. Bona Fide Masks will only work directly with mask manufacturers, often securing exclusive distribution relationships. With the elimination of third parties, Bona Fide Masks can pledge the authenticity of their masks. Bona Fide Masks is proud to be an exclusive distributor for Powecom KN95 masks, the authorized U.S. distributor for Harley Commodity Co, Ltd. and Chengde Technologies Co., Ltd. and the premier E-commerce distributor for U.S. Mask manufacturer, DemeTECH. Bona Fide Masks is not only committed to rigorous, third-party testing but has made a significant investment to purchase an in-house testing machine to supplement these efforts and bolster consumer confidence. Additionally, the company has retained legal counsel to address any counterfeit masks misrepresented and sold under the Powecom name and/or the outdated GBGB2626-2006 standard. KN95 masks sold globally should be produced under the updated GBGB2626-2019 standard.

"Over the last few months, I have been interviewed by several reputable publications and the most common question that comes up is 'how we should protect ourselves against counterfeit masks.' While the CDC outlines some tips to identify counterfeits, consumers are best served by purchasing from distributors with direct relationships. The most effective way to avoid a counterfeit is to be aware of the company you are purchasing your masks from. Supply chain integrity is critical in the mask business. You simply can't rely on a company that approves distributors through authorized distributor certifications. In order to do things right, you must build strong relationships with businesses you can trust and depend on. We are really proud of the partnerships we have established with the top mask producers. These direct partnerships provide us with the confidence and reassurance that our products are authentic and trusted. Counterfeit masks are a danger to public safety. We will continue to reinvest in our business to make acquisitions like our own testing machine. To do things right, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to combat counterfeit masks." - Bill Taubner, President of Bona Fide Masks

"We are proud to help support our exclusive U.S. Distributor in the fight against counterfeit masks. The Bona Fide Masks supply chain is the strongest in the industry. We urge consumers to buy direct from Bona Fide Masks to ensure authenticity. We will remain steadfast in our pursuit to address counterfeits in the marketplace alongside our trusted partner, Bona Fide Masks." - Jing Yip, Export Manager, Powecom

Some consumer tips to avoid counterfeit masks:

When purchasing a KN95 masks, make sure your mask is to the latest standard of GBGB2626-2019. After July 2021, all Chinese manufacturers of KN95s were required to produce masks according to this new standard.

Do research on the company you are purchasing from and avoid third-party sellers. When purchasing on marketplace platforms, check who the product is sold by and where it is shipped from. This will help consumers identify whether it's a direct source like Bona Fide Masks or a third-party seller. The most efficient way to avoid fraudulent products is to purchase directly from the mask distributor.

Bona Fide Masks Corp. is the Exclusive Distributor of Powecom products in the United States. If Powecom is being sold by another distributor, Bona Fide Masks cannot confirm the authenticity of this product.

More about Ball Chain Manufacturing. Co., Inc.:

Family-owned and -operated since 1938, Ball Chain is the only major U.S. manufacturer of metal ball chain and attachments. The company's ball chain is featured in window roller shades, light fixtures, plumbing devices, keychains, and jewelry items. Headquartered in Mount Vernon, New York. with global distribution, Ball Chain designs and fabricates innovative products while providing exemplary customer service. After entering the interior design market with ShimmerScreen decorative metal curtains, the company further diversified its offerings with the launch of LogoTags, a promotional products division. Ball Chain is proud of its commitment to the American workforce and the environment. The company has earned industry recognition for its responsible business practices, including "green business" certification from the Green Business Bureau (GBB) and certification from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

Media Contact:

914.664.7500

Bill Taubner, President, bill@ballchain.com

Cristina Chianese, VP of Marketing & Strategy, cristina@ballchain.com

Ball Chain Mfg. Co., Inc. / Bona Fide Masks Corp.

info@bonafidemasks.com

Related Images











Image 1









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Los Angeles, California, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Personal injury lawyers from the Baum Hedlund law firm have released a new Gardasil Injury Compensation Guide to help victims who allege the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine caused them serious injuries. The guide helps people with post-Gardasil injuries navigate the complicated process of pursuing a legal case against Gardasil manufacturer Merck & Co.

Baum Hedlund is the leading law firm in the country representing individuals who sustained life-altering injuries after receiving the Gardasil HPV vaccine. Thousands of teens and adults claim they have sustained serious and disabling Gardasil side effects, the most prominent being the auto-immune disorder known as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). The legal cases allege that the defective and dangerous Gardasil vaccine caused claimants injuries and that Merck failed to fully inform parents, patients, and the medical community about Gardasils known adverse effects.

The purpose of the Gardasil Injury Compensation Guide is simple: to help anyone who believes they have suffered injury after receiving one or more shots of the Gardasil HPV vaccine, to seek a path to compensation. The guide also includes resources, including support groups that have found medical help to address their auto-immune and other conditions. With the Gardasil Injury Compensation Guide, victims will now have valuable help when it comes to seeking care for their injuries, hiring a lawyer, and filing a claim with the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP), and in some cases, a civil lawsuit.

Most people with post-Gardasil injuries do not know that any vaccine claim must go before the NVICP. The NVICP, also known as Vaccine Court, allows petitioners to seek financial compensation for allegedly suffering injury after receiving certain vaccines. Since 1988, the program has paid roughly $4 billion in compensation to more than 8,000 families who presented a preponderance of evidence demonstrating vaccines caused their injuries.

Vaccine cases are different than pharmaceutical cases. If a drug harms someone, they have the right to retain an attorney and file a lawsuit in civil court for damages against the manufacturer. In vaccine cases involving Gardasil, any individual injured who believes the HPV vaccine caused their injuries must first file a petition in the no-fault Vaccine Court, where the manufacturer is not even a party or involved in any way. After a statutory period of time passes, or judgment is rendered, the petitioner can then choose to accept the awarded compensation or opt-out of Vaccine Court and elect to file a civil lawsuit against the manufacturer instead.

Any case before the NVICP is governed by a strict statute of limitations that limits the time within which one can file a petition in vaccine court, even where the injured person has no idea what caused the harm. For Gardasil cases, the statute of limitations is three years to file from the first onset of symptoms after vaccination. Thus, it is vital for anyone interested in pursuing a case to start the process as soon as possible.

We believe that people stricken with post-Gardasil injuries are at a huge disadvantage when it comes to seeking financial compensation and holding Merck accountable, says Baum Hedlund managing shareholder Michael L. Baum. Most of the people who contact us did not know that Gardasil could have caused their injuries until months, if not years after they received the vaccine. Many were just children, and they had no idea that something their doctor told them to get could hurt them. We created this guide to get the word out that if you suspect Gardasil could have caused your injuries, use the resources in our guide to seek treatment and talk to a lawyer as soon as you are able to ensure that you are not time-barred from pursuing a legal case.

The Gardasil Injury Compensation Guide answers the following questions and provides resources for those who believe that the HPV vaccine caused their injuries:

How to File an HPV Vaccine Claim Before the Deadline

I Think Gardasil Caused Debilitating Health IssuesWhat Do I Do First?

Should I Hire an Attorney for My Gardasil Case? How Much Will This Cost?

What is the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (NVICP)?

Who Can File a Petition with the NVICP?

How Much Does it Cost to File a Petition with the NVICP?

How Long Do I Have to File a Petition with the NVICP?

What is the Process for Filing a Gardasil Vaccine Petition with the NVICP?

Do I Want My Case in Civil Court?

What if I Received the Gardasil HPV Vaccine Years Ago and My Statute of Limitations Expired?

Who Can I Talk to for Help with My Gardasil Vaccine Injuries?

Gardasil Support Resources

Read the Gardasil Injury Compensation Guide

About Baum Hedlund

Baum Hedlund is a national plaintiffs law firm that has recovered more than $4 billion in verdicts and settlements* across all practice areas. Since 2020, the firm has filed more than a dozen lawsuits on behalf of girls, boys, men, and women who allege Gardasil caused them to develop:

Auto-immune disorders

Chronic fatigue syndromes

Chronic pain syndromes, including Chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS)

Death

Dysautonomia

Fibromyalgia

Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP)

Lupus

Movement disorders

Neurological disorders

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)

Reproductive disorders, including premature ovarian failure (POF)

Small fiber neuropathy

The Baum Hedlund law firm is not anti-vaccine. Vaccines have the potential to eradicate disease and save millions of lives. The firm is against intentional efforts to mislead consumers about the safety and effectiveness of any drug, vaccine, medical device, or consumer product. Baum Hedlund has fought and will continue to fight for the rights of consumers to be fully and honestly informed about risks associated with any drug, vaccine, medical device, or consumer product. The firm will continue to work tirelessly to ensure those rights are defended and victims of injustice are compensated for their injuries.

*Past performance, verdicts, or settlements do not constitute a guarantee, warranty, or prediction regarding the outcome of future cases.

# # #

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English Icelandic

In light of news coverage in recent days of the upcoming retirement of the company's CEO and most recently an inquiry from the stock exchange about the matter, the board of Festi hf. would like to communicate the following:

The Board of Directors of Festi hf. began a conversation with the CEO about his retirement on Thursday, June 2, 2022. In those circumstances, the CEO requested to be allowed to resign instead of being laid off, with the interests of himself and the company in mind. That was agreed and an agreement was reached on the same day between the company and the CEO on his retirement, as announced on the stock exchange that day.

The board was under the impression that that was the end of the matter and that there was agreement as to the procedure. There is no dispute that the board took the lead in the resignation and that the matter was resolved by agreement with the CEO as a result, as one of the main tasks of the board. Conversation with shareholders during such a process, as appears to be called for, is directly contrary to the rules of the stock exchange.

The board stands by its decision and bases it on the assessment that the company is now at a crossroads after many years of development and formation. This turning point, at the same time as competition is increasing in all areas of the company's operations and different projects, calls for a new approach and new hands to do the work. Shareholders may, of course, have a different opinion on this matter and present that opinion to the Board of Directors through appropriate communication channels. However, it is difficult to take that conversation in detail at a shareholders' meeting, where there are present, in addition to shareholders, the media and representatives of competitors.

The connection between this case and the case of the former chairman of the board, the run-up to his resignation, and other speculations, however, have no basis in reality and are completely rejected.

At the same time, the board realizes, like the competition authorities, that the ownership of listed companies in Iceland, where pension funds often jointly hold the majority of shares in competitors, can be cumbersome and demanding. Pension funds must ensure effective competition from competitors in which they have a stake. It must also be borne in mind that Festi hf. is a party to a settlement with a competition authority that must be respected in all respects.

It is a strong wish and the only guiding light of the board that peace be established for the company's operations, its employees and management, for the benefit of all shareholders. The company has a strong management and powerful staff all over the country, which is ready for the future.
Washington, DC, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WASHINGTON, DC  Congresswoman Maxine Waters will keynote the second day of the National Community Reinvestment Coalitions annual Just Economy Conference, taking place in Washington, DC, from June 13-14. There is no registration fee for working press. Media may register here.

Waters will speak at 8:30 am ET on Tuesday June 14. NCRC will livestream her remarks here. FDIC Acting Chairman Martin Gruenbergs previously-announced keynote speech at 1:10 pm ET on Monday June 13 will also stream live here.

All other newsworthy conference events will be in-person only, including a detailed discussion of Community Reinvestment Act regulatory reform with representatives from the three federal bank agencies, discussions of community benefit agreements with bank executives, and a conversation between Helaine Olen and Anand Giridharadas.

Media interested in attending should RSVP here to receive further details. The full program and schedule details are available here at ncrc.org/conference.

A pre-recorded panel discussion between Acting Comptroller of the Currency Michael Hsu, Federal Reserve Board Vice-Chair Lael Brainard and NCRC President and CEO Jesse Van Tol will air exclusively at the conference on Monday, June 13, becoming available online only after the conference has concluded.

Other speakers at the 2022 Just Economy Conference include:





FDIC Acting Chairman Martin Gruenberg [Streaming Live at

Author and analyst Anand Giridharadas, in conversation with Washington Post Opinions columnist Helaine Olen

Bitfury CEO / Former Comptroller of the Currency Brian Brooks

Cornell Law Professor Saule Omarova

Huntington Bancshares CEO Stephen D. Steinour

FinRegLab CEO Melissa Koide

Appalachian Community Capital President & CEO Donna Gambrell

and many more. See the full program and speakers at: ncrc.org/conference

The Just Economy Conference gathers community, policy, government, business and foundation leaders working to build an economy that delivers to all Americans opportunities to build wealth and live well.

Speakers and panelists will discuss pressing regulatory, legislative and industry issues including the historic rewriting of Community Reinvestment Act rules currently underway at federal agencies and the implications of new banking and finance technologies for economic equity.

Media are requested to RSVP here.

***NCRC is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all participants of the 2022 Just Economy Conference. To ensure the safety of participants, staff, and all at the conference, for your information please read the COVID-19 protocols for the conference.

###

The National Community Reinvestment Coalition and its grassroots member organizations create opportunities for people to build wealth. We work with community leaders, policymakers and financial institutions to champion fairness in banking, housing and business. For more, visit NCRC.org

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LONGUEUIL, Quebec, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reunion Gold Corporation (TSXV: RGD; OTCQB: RGDFF) (the Company) is pleased to announce the results of its annual meeting of shareholders held on June 9, 2022. Shareholders voted in favour of the election of all director nominees: David Fennell, Elaine Bennett, Pierre Chenard, Richard Cohen, Adrian Fleming, Rejean Gourde and Vijay Kirpalani.



Marian Moroney did not stand for re-election for the ensuing year. David Fennell, Chairman of the Company stated: On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to sincerely thank Marian for her valuable contribution to our Company over the past three years and wish her all the best.

Shareholders also voted in favour of (i) the re-appointment of Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton LLP as auditors for the financial year ending December 31, 2022; (ii) approving the Amended and Restated Stock Option Plan; and (iii) approving the Restated Performance and Restricted Share Unit Plan. A total of 429,739,659 common shares were represented at the meeting, representing 52.4% of the common shares issued and outstanding as of the record date.

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 press release.

About Reunion Gold Corporation

Reunion Gold Corporation is a leading gold explorer in the Guiana Shield, South America, with a portfolio of projects in Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. In 2021 the Company made an exciting new gold discovery at its Oko West project in Guyana, where to date it has outlined gold mineralization on the Kairuni zone over 2,500 meters of strike length and to a depth of 220 meters. A 15,000-meter phase 4 drill program is currently underway with a target of releasing a maiden resource in the second half of 2022. The Company's common shares are listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol 'RGD.' Additional information about the Company is available on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and the Company's website (www.reuniongold.com).

For further information, please contact:

REUNION GOLD CORPORATION

Doug Flegg, Business Development Advisor

Telephone: +1 450.677.2585

Email: info@reuniongold.com
Meridian, Idaho, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Scentsy Inc. was honored by the U.S. Direct Selling Association (DSA) with the Product Innovation award for the Scentsy Air Purifier at the DSA annual meeting June 7 in Boca Raton, Florida. The product innovation category highlights companies that introduce new products or services to the marketplace that set a high standard of excellence and innovation.

The award was presented to Scentsys Chief Marketing Officer Mark Stastny during the associations award presentation event. This is the 14th year in a row that Scentsy has received a DSA award.

Were thrilled to be recognized for our Air Purifier, Stastny said. With more and more people being aware of the air they breathe in their homes, we designed the Air Purifier to help fill a need for a quality air-filtering product  and made it unique by featuring Scentsy fragrance. We were especially honored to win among stiff competition from impressive finalists.

Backed by a limited lifetime warranty, the Scentsy Air Purifier quietly cleans the air around you while also dispersing signature Scentsy fragrance. Using a HEPA H13 filter capable of removing at least 99.95% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns (m) including dust, pollen, mold and bacteria, it captures these particles, leaving your environment clean and beautifully scented. The Air Purifier is ideal for small spaces up to 200 sq. ft., like nurseries, bedrooms and more.

We are pleased to celebrate Scentsy, Inc., for their innovation and dedication to enhancing communities with entrepreneurial opportunities and providing renowned products and services throughout the world, said U.S. DSA President Joseph N. Mariano.

About the Direct Selling Association

For more than a century, the U.S. Direct Selling Association (DSA) has served as the national trade association for companies that offer entrepreneurial opportunities to independent sellers to market and sell products and services, typically outside of a fixed retail establishment. In 2021, direct selling took place across the United States, generating $42.7 billion in retail sales and 7.3 million entrepreneurs in the U.S. sold products or services through the direct selling channel, providing a personalized buying experience for 44.6 million preferred customers and discount buyers.

About Scentsy

In 2004, Scentsy co-founders Heidi and Orville Thompson launched a big idea in a small, 40-foot shipping container on a Meridian, Idaho, sheep farm. Today, Scentsy is a Forbes-recognized, billion-dollar, direct-selling leader known for connecting people through fragrance worldwide. Scentsy has been recognized by CEOWORLD magazine, Direct Selling News, Idaho Private 100, the DSA Ethos Awards and others for workplace excellence and growth. Scentsy delivers richly scented wickless candles, wax warmers, diffusers, oils, home, Pets and Body products through nearly 300,000 independent Consultants who share their Scentsy-product passion via home and virtual selling. Scentsy operates in 12 countries and employs over 1,800 people. At Scentsy, we believe that healthy, happy families build vibrant communities. Since 2010, our charitable cause program has donated $15.5 million to more than 175 global and local charities.

To learn more about how we Warm the heart, Enliven the Senses and Inspire the Soul through fragrance, visit www.Scentsy.com.



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Washington, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

WHAT:

SBAs Elevating Small Business Series Webinar: Celebrating LGBTQI+ Pride Month.

In celebration of Pride , the U.S. Small Business Administration will host a live webinar panel with Larry Webb , District Director, SBAs Washington Metropolitan Area District Office; Justin Nelson, Co-founder and President, National LGBT Chamber of Commerce; and small business owner Rachel Kalenberg of Pizza Carrello in Gillette, Wyoming.

The discussion will focus on financial wellness and the importance of equity and opportunity to help uplift and support LGBTQI+-owned small businesses across the country. The panel will also discuss SBA initiatives and resources that support small business, LGBTQI+ entrepreneurs seeking to launch, and help for existing LGBTQI+-owned small businesses as they pivot and grow in a post-COVID world, a priority of the Biden-Harris Administration and SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman.

WHEN:

Thursday, June 30, 2022

1:00 p.m.  2:00 p.m. (EDT)

WHO:

Larry Webb , District Director, SBAs Washington Metropolitan Area District Office

District Director, SBAs Washington Metropolitan Area District Office Justin Nelson , Co-founder & President, National LGBT Chamber of Commerce

Co-founder & President, National LGBT Chamber of Commerce Rachel Kalenberg, Co-owner of Pizza Carrello, Gillette, Wyoming

HOW:

Registration is required. Click here to register or visit https://SBApridemonth.eventbrite.com .

This event will be recorded.

---

All SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis. SBAs support of or participation in this event is not an endorsement of any product, service, or entity. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made if requested at least four (4) days in advance of this event. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@sba.gov with the subject header ACCOMMODATION REQUEST.

###

About the U.S. Small Business Administration
Beverly Hills , June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Senior living marketing expert Victoria Sosa talks about empowering elders to live their lives to the fullest in retirement communities focused on optimal living.

Listen to the full interview of Victoria Sosa with Adam Torres on the Mission Matters Business Podcast.

How did you get involved with senior living and care?

Sosa says she always wanted to help seniors in some way, dedicating herself to a portion of the population thats often neglected or ignored. After completing her education in speech pathology, she leveraged her communication and marketing skills in the healthcare industry and started working in senior living about a decade ago. Since then, shes been striving to challenge the stigma surrounding senior living.

Tell us about the concept of optimal living.

Recalling the original vision of The Cambridge CEO and founder, Kendall Oliver, Sosa explains that optimal living is a holistic approach to wellness care for seniors, providing spaces where people actively want to retire. It revolves around the idea that, after having worked for decades, retirement can offer opportunities to travel, relax, socialize, and learn new things; in other words, it can and should be something to look forward to and enjoy.

Optimal living goes a step beyond reactive care, too, adopting a proactive wellness approach, Sosa notes. At The Cambridge at Brier Creek, theres a customized wellness program through which residents have access to an onsite healthcare team, including gym and wellness trainers, exercise physiologists, and rehab services via WakeMed hospital. Technology also plays an innovative role.

We integrate mobile apps and wearables to track the activities and wellness of senior adults and enhance their well-being cohesively, she says. It also helps with connecting with family and friends, making them feel enriched and happy. Residents tech perks are customizable, she explains, tailoring the communitys Optimal Living program to meet each resident where they are with regard to their medical history and specific needs.

What mistakes do people make in choosing senior care living?

Sosa says its important not to wait for a health crisis to move to a senior care living unit. Most communities have a five to ten years long waitlist, she notes. If youre not proactive in planning your retirement living, youll be left with limited options.

Its wise for a senior to proactively join their community of choice when they are independent and relatively healthy, she explains; this way, they can take full advantage of the host of amenities, including wellness and fitness classes, social events like live music, pottery, art museums, restaurant outings, and seminars. If they enter the community after their mobility and independence begins to decline, theyre less able to enjoy the array of life-enriching experiences available to them, although their medical care is still ensured.

Whats next for you and the Cambridge communities?

The Cambridge at Brier Creeks sister property, Cambridge Village of APEX, will be expanding in the coming year, and Cambridge Village of Wilmington, our coastal property, is continually innovating to positively impact residents' lives, making the community stronger as it grows.

To learn more about The Cambridge at Brier Creek, visit retireBriercreek.com; to stay connected, follow the community on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Media Communications

Inquiries: adamtorres@missionmatters.com

Publicist for Adam Torres and Mission Matters Media KISS PR Brand Story PressWire

Brand Publicity Partners KissPR.com

For more details, visit Kisspr.com. KISS PR Digital PR & Marketing powers the Mission Matters Business podcast with brand storytelling. T: 972.437.8942

Via KISSPR.com Press Release Distribution Service - Media Contact: Az@kisspr.com

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THIS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

Vancouver, BC, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WestKam Gold Corp. (TSX-V: WKG) (the Company or WestKam), announces a non-brokered private placement to raise up to $450,000 through the sale of up to 1,666,666 units (the Units) at a price of $0.12/unit and up to 1,666,666 flow-through shares at a price of $0.15/share. Each Unit consists of one common share and one-half of one transferable common share purchase warrant, with each whole warrant exercisable at $0.20 per warrant share for a period of two years following the close of the offering. The Company may pay a finders fee of cash, shares and/or warrants to eligible finders as permitted under applicable securities laws and TSX Venture Exchange policies. Proceeds arising from the sale of Units will be used to pay outstanding accounts payable and for working capital. Proceeds arising from the sale of FT Shares will be used for exploration on the Companys Bonaparte property.



About WestKam Gold Corp.

WestKam is a Canadian gold exploration company focused on developing the Bonaparte Gold Project near Kamloops, British Columbia. Additional information can be found on the Companys website at www.westkamgold.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 Peter Laipnieks 

Peter Laipnieks, President & CEO



WestKam Gold Corp.

Suite 900, 570 Granville Street

Vancouver, BC V6C 3P1 Contact: Investor Relations

ir@westkamgold.com

www.westkamgold.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the

TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking information

All statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions made by the Company based on its experience, perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. In addition, these statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will prove inaccurate, certain of which are beyond the Companys control. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend to revise or update these forward-looking statements after the date hereof or revise them to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated event.
MANHATTAN, N.Y., June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Tuesday, June 7, 2022, the world lost an exceptional person, Michele Hall Duncan, President & CEO of enCourage Kids Foundation (EKF). Michele is recognized for countless accomplishments during her 26-year tenure at EKF. For over two decades, she cultivated relationships with child life staff and all levels of hospital administration and developed an integral understanding of trends in creative therapies as well as the ability to identify and meet the needs of their hospital partners. Michele positioned EKF at the forefront of state-of-the-art programming in pediatric health care.

"All of us at EKF are suffering this significant loss as Michele's infectious smile lit up every room and her 'make it happen' attitude brought success not only to the organization but to our hospital partners as well," stated Joe Wessely, Board Chair, enCourage Kids. "Heaven has gained an angel and Michele will continue to soar."

"From an early age, I've always known that I was sharing my mother with other children," stated Wesley Hall, son of Michele Hall Duncan. "Over the last 26 years, she built a legacy rooted in her empathy for hospitalized kids, their families, and the professionals who stand between them and the medical, logistical, and psychosocial trauma that can accompany childhood illness. Her cancer diagnosis gave her an intimate window into the value of the work to which she dedicated her life. She left the world understanding the significance of EKF's mission in a way that was more visceral and personal than any of us could have imagined pre-diagnosis. She achieved amazing things even in the last 60 days of her life, from dog sledding under the Aurora Borealis, to presiding over a 1.2-million-dollar gala. Cancer certainly shortened her life, but it never quite managed to steal it. I am so proud of her not just as my mom, but as a human being."

Michele was the Board of Trustee's Vice-Chair of Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation; served on the Advisory Board of one of the leading anti-bullying organizations, STOMP Out BullyingTM, for which she received the 2019 Public Service Leadership Award; and was Board Secretary of the NYC chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, where she also served on the professional advancement committee. Michele graduated from Michigan State University with a B.A. in advertising and was an active associate member of the Essex Hudson Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. for 10-plus years. CRAIN's New York Business recognized Michele as one of the top Black Leaders and Executives in 2021. Michele has been featured in publications such as Authority, Medium, Thrive Global, Social Lifestyle, Industry Rules, NY Post, Times Square Chronicles, Resident, Impact Wealth, and networks such as Spectrum 1, CBS, NBC, FOX, ABC7 and PIX11, to name a few.

Michele is survived by her loving son Wesley Hall, husband Ron Duncan, her father Earl Ruffin, mother Gwen Robison, and siblings Randall Selvie, Jeffrey Ruffin, Lauren Ruffin, Cynthia Drumgole, Julia Ruffin, Laura Henry, Antoinette Broderick, Hannah, Winston Ruffin, and Patrice Mustaafaa. She will be missed by all whose lives she touched.

EKF will continue with their mission in making hospitals a better place to get better. They envision a world where every child experiences joy, hope, resilience, and emotional healing along their medical journey. www.enCourage-kids.org.

Media: MJ Pedone - Indra Public Relations - MJ@indrapr.com

Related Images











Image 1: Michele Hall Duncan & enCourage Kids





Michele Hall Duncan, President & CEO, enCourage Kids, with Guests









This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

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A GROUP of women from Zimta Park in Mutare learnt the hard way that exerting undue pressure to recover money owed by someone is not only illegal, but can end tragically after their debtor committed suicide as they waited for her outside her house.

Police in Manicaland confirmed the death of Violet Tome last week on Thursday after she consumed poison when four women besieged her house demanding the money she owed them.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Nobert Muzondo told The Manica Post that Tome took some poison in her house in Zimta Park after a group of ladies who wanted to recover their money stormed her home.

Violet Tome owed these ladies an undisclosed amount of money and they went to her house to collect their dues. She went into her bedroom as the women were waiting for her outside. They wanted to go to Chikanga Police Station to solve the matter.

While in her bedroom, she consumed poison. Tome later joined the women and they proceeded to Chikanga Police Station. While at the police station, her condition deteriorated and she was rushed to St Josephs Mission Hospital.

She died upon arrival at the hospital, said Inspector Muzondo.

When The Manica Post visited Tomes home in Zimta Park a few days after her burial, her relatives refused to grant this newspaper an interview.

However, sources in the neighbourhood said one Tomes creditors had confiscated her television set and some solar batteries.

Tome had received about US$1 500 from the ladies who had engaged her as a runner to collect their goods from South Africa for resale here in Zimbabwe.

It appears the deceased squandered the money. The ladies then went to Tomes house and asked her to accompany them to the police to solve the matter.

In the midst of all this drama, one of the ladies grabbed a television set and some solar batteries from the deceaseds home.

Tome went to her bedroom while the ladies were waiting for her outside and she consumed the poison, said the source.

Another source said the deceaseds relatives refused to take back the confiscated television set and solar batteries, insisting that they should only return the goods when the deceased returns home.

When contacted for comment, Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers Association (Zinatha) president, Mr George Kandiero said whoever confiscated the deceaseds property is in trouble.

It is obvious that the lady died an angry person and that anger, emanating from her life being cut short because of people who were demanding their money back, will lead her spirit to avenge for her death.

This is why her relatives refused to take back the confiscated property. There is need to redress this situation if the ladies concerned want to lead peaceful lives, said Mr Kandiero. Manica Post
THE 304 million joint venture deal between Harare City Council and German investor, Geogenix BV, to set up a massive waste-to-energy project at Pomona dumpsite in Harare, was done in line with the countrys laws.

The project is expected to generate up to 22MW of electricity.

In her presentation in the National Assembly yesterday, Local Government and Public Works Deputy Minister Dr Marian Chombo gave a background of how Harare had since 2016, been looking for investors to set up a waste management plant at Pomona and had received various expressions of interest from many players including Geogenix BV.

In 2020, Geogenix resubmitted its proposal to council for a joint venture waste to energy plant. The proposal was presented to the Zimbabwe Investment Development Agency which is a statutory body responsible for the promotion, entry, protection and facilitation of investment in Zimbabwe, she said.

Deputy Minister Chombo said Geogenix was an international company which needed to follow laid down investment procedures as laid out by the ZIDA Act.

She added that ZIDA forwarded the proposals to the Cabinet Committee on Joint Ventures, which in turn presented the proposals to Cabinet for approval.

Deputy Minister Chombo said Cabinet was the highest executive authority in the country and the Harare City Council had an obligation to implement Cabinet decisions, which they did when they entered into a contract with the German company.

She, however, said on May 3, Mr Allan Markham, Harare North legislator and others, sued the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, July Moyo, Harare City Council and Geogenix at the High Court seeking the nullification of the contract.

Deputy Minister Chombo said the contract had many benefits that include power generation, employment creation and waste management adding that its implementation would continue unless the Courts rule otherwise.

Following her presentation, Speaker Advocate Jacob Mudenda ruled that because of the lawsuit, debate on the matter could not proceed resulting in the ejection of CCC legislators Tendai Biti and Charlton Hwende from the National Assembly chamber for their rowdy behaviour. Herald
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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP)  Black civil rights activists in April demanded that a Michigan prosecutor stand aside in the investigation of the police officer who killed Patrick Lyoya with a shot to the back of the head, claiming he was too cozy with local law enforcement.

Chris Beckers response: This is what I was elected to do.

Becker, a Republican, filed a second-degree murder charge Thursday against Grand Rapids Officer Christopher Schurr, whose fatal shot following a traffic stop on April 4 was recorded on a bystanders phone. The announcement was praised by critics who for weeks had said that Michigan's Democratic attorney general should take over.

I was shocked, to be quite honest. I was absolutely shocked. I didnt expect that, said Cle Jackson, president of the Greater Grand Rapids NAACP, who previously had said that an unbiased investigation by Beckers office was not possible.

Were thankful for Chris having that fortitude to bring the charge that we feel comfortable with. Now well have to continue to fight in the courts, Jackson said.

Schurr, 31, was released from jail Friday after appearing in court by video. Bond was set at $100,000, and a not-guilty plea was entered on his behalf. Defense attorneys insist the officer feared for his safety when he shot Lyoya, 26, a refugee from Congo.

The courtroom benches were full of spectators, some wearing T-shirts with pro-police slogans, including #StandwithSchurr. As dozens of Schurr supporters departed, many embracing, they were met by pro-Lyoya demonstrators chanting, Justice for Patrick!" The Schurr crowd said little. One white man tried to debate with the pro-Lyoya group but was quickly shouted down.

The practice of state prosecutors handling police shootings has become common, especially in tense, high-profile cases with diverging public opinion and perceptions that local authorities favor officers. In Minnesota, the attorney generals office won convictions against Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd and Kim Potter in the fatal shooting of Daunte Wright.

Maine has long given its attorney general sole power in such cases. California requires the attorney general to investigate fatal police shootings of unarmed civilians. New York created a special unit within the attorney generals office. Minnesota state prosecutors take cases upon request.

In Michigan, Becker could have asked Attorney General Dana Nessel to step in  an option for a prosecutor who has a conflict of interest or needs certain expertise  but he said it wasnt necessary.

The son of a longtime local newspaper sports editor, Becker was elected Kent County prosecutor in 2016 after years as a trial lawyer in the same office.

He dismissed claims that he couldnt fairly examine the acts of a police officer in Grand Rapids, the largest city in western Michigan with a population of roughly 200,000.

We are our own entity, he said Thursday. We have a duty to enforce the law. We work a lot with them, but we dont work for them.

Local defense attorney Rick Zambon said earlier criticism of Becker was unfair.

Ive been dealing with him for 30 years, Zambon said. Ive always found him to be a forthright, open-minded person. He doesnt play politics. ... I dont always agree with his charging decisions, but I cant say theyre not without a lot of thought.

Nessel, who repeatedly said she was willing to take the Lyoya case if asked, complimented the exhaustive review by state police and Beckers office. Lyoya's family, too, said the second-degree murder charge fit.

Ven Johnson, a lawyer who is expected to file a lawsuit over the shooting, was scheduling media interviews this week with Lyoya's family to express anger over the pace of the investigation before Becker signaled that his decision was in.

While the road to justice for Patrick and his family has just begun, this decision is a crucial step in the right direction, co-counsel Ben Crump said.

After the charge was announced, protesters gathered outside City Hall and the Grand Rapids Police Department. Some weren't satisfied.

I appreciate the second-degree murder, but to me its still like a slap in the face, to be honest, because I need first-degree, said Jimmy Barwan, 25, of Grand Rapids. Life without parole.

Second-degree murder in Michigan can carry a maximum sentence of life in prison, but offenders typically get an opportunity for parole.

A Black man would not get any chance of parole, Jalauna Williams, 20, of Grand Rapids, said.

Becker was asked by a reporter if he was trying to send a message to police with the murder charge.

I'm never big on sending messages with charges, he replied. I'm not thinking that Kent County officers or any police officers in general thought they had a license to go out and do something like this. This is not a message. This is just based on the facts.

___

White reported from Detroit. Amy Forliti in Minneapolis contributed.

___

Find the APs full coverage of the fatal police shooting of Patrick Lyoya: https://apnews.com/hub/patrick-lyoya
OLD SAYBROOK, Conn. (AP)  Two men from New York led Connecticut police Thursday on a more than 50-mile (80-kilometer) chase along Interstate 95 in a rental truck loaded with stolen cooking oil, hitting another car and injuring a woman along the way, police said.

The episode began around 9:30 a.m., when the owner of a pizza place in Old Saybrook reported that he had confronted some would-be oil thieves at his establishment and then saw them trying to do the same at a nearby eatery, Old Saybrook police said in a release.
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.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  An injured officer who slipped in blood and spoke of carnage." Video of a huge, violent mob pushing through the U.S. Capitol. Former President Donald Trumps allies and family members acknowledging his lies.

House investigators worked to lay out a devastating case Thursday in the first of a series of June hearings examining the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol. The House panel probing the attack showed violent video of the siege and showed clips of testimony examining the weeks beforehand in which Trump pushed falsehoods about widespread fraud in the election he lost.

While the basics of the 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 hearing. The American people deserve answers.

The committee has conducted more than 1,000 interviews with people connected to the siege and collected more than 140,000 documents. They will use that evidence over the course of seven hearings this month to show how the attack was coordinated by some of the rioters in the violent mob that broke into the Capitol and interrupted the certification of President Joe Bidens victory  and how Trumps efforts started it all.

Takeaways from the Jan. 6 committees first hearing:

LAYING IT ALL ON TRUMP

Thompson laid out the committees initial findings that Trump led a sprawling, multi-step conspiracy aimed at overturning the presidential election and the insurrection was a culmination of that attempted coup. The panels vice chairwoman, Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, called it a sophisticated seven-part plan.

The attack on our Capitol was not a spontaneous riot, said Cheney, one of two Republicans on the nine-member panel.

The hearing featured never-before-seen video testimony from Trumps family and close aides, many of whom were interviewed by the committee remotely.

The panel started by showing a video interview with former Attorney General Bill Barr, who said he told Trump at the time that his fraud claims had no merit. Barr, who said publicly a month before the insurrection that the Justice Department had not found fraud, told the committee members that he had told Trump it was all bull.

The panel also showed video testimony from Trumps daughter, Ivanka Trump, who spoke to the committee in April. Ivanka Trump told the panel that Barrs declaration affected my perspective.

I respect Attorney General Barr so I accepted what he said, she told the committee.

Another Trump adviser, Jason Miller, told the panel that campaign advisors had told the president in clear terms that he had lost the election.

THIS ISN'T EASY TO WATCH

The committee showed new, graphic video from the insurrection, moving through a timeline of the violence. It started with rioters angrily walking toward the Capitol, then showed them breaking through thin police barriers and brutally beating police.

Using security footage, police body cameras, video from those who broke in and audio from the police scanner, the video showed rioters using flagpoles, tactical equipment and other weapons to hit officers as they overwhelmed them and broke inside. Some of the body camera footage was from the ground looking up, as officers watched their attackers beat them.

At the same time, it showed what was happening inside  the beginning of the joint session to certify Biden's election win and, people fleeing from the violence.

And it showed the rioters chanting Hang Mike Pence, referring to the vice president who had defied Trump's orders to try to thwart Biden's certification, and chanting Nancy! Nancy! as they walked up a staircase inside the Capitol, referring to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

AN OFFICER OVERWHELMED AND INJURED

Caroline Edwards, a Capitol Police officer, testified in graphic terms about the bloody scene outside the Capitol that day and the traumatic brain injury she suffered when members of the Proud Boys and others pushed her to the ground as they led the mob into the Capitol.

Edwards was alone and holding two bike racks together at the front lines as the mob heaved toward her, pushing her and the racks to the ground. She hit her head on a concrete stairway, briefly falling unconscious.

Even with her injury, Edwards continued to fight off the crowd. She described a war scene out of the movies and hours of hand-to-hand combat that no law enforcement officer is trained to handle.

"They were throwing up  I saw friends with blood all over their faces," said Edwards, who has still not returned to duty in the first responders unit where she worked then. I was slipping in peoples blood. I was catching people as they fell. It was carnage. It was chaos.

EXTREMIST GROUPS' INVOLVEMENT

The panel's other witness was British filmmaker Nick Quested, who was with members of the Proud Boys as they walked from Trumps rally in front of the White House to the Capitol. Quested was also filming members of the group the day ahead of the attack as they planned and met with members of the Oath Keepers in an underground garage.

The committee used some of Quested's footage of the war zone in front of the Capitol.

For anyone who didnt understand how violent that event was, I saw it," he said. "I documented it and I experienced it.

Thompson said Trumps call for people to come on Jan. 6 energized members of the Proud Boys and other extremist groups. They highlighted Trumps comment at a presidential debate that the Proud Boys should stand back and stand by.

The panel showed video testimony with a witness named Jeremy Bertino, a member of the Proud Boys, who said the group's membership "tripled, probably after Trump's comment.

MADE FOR TELEVISION

The committee took the unusual step of launching the hearings with a prime time show  aimed to gather as many viewers as possible.

Its still unclear how many will tune in, but the panel is producing the hearing in hopes of becoming must-see television, featuring never before seen video footage of the violent insurrection.

The hearing room was also set up for impact, with a huge screen hanging over the lawmakers.

'WE WERE THERE'

Lawmakers who were trapped together in the House during the insurrection attended Thursdays hearing after having dinner together. The members, all Democrats, were caught in an upper gallery of the chamber as rioters beat on the doors.

Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., said the House members, who were eventually evacuated without harm, are dismayed that an event that exposed the fragility of democracy could somehow be whitewashed by tens of millions of people."

Some GOP lawmakers have tried to downplay the insurrection, charging that Democrats are overly focused on the attempt to thwart the peaceful transfer of power.

We want to remind people, we were there, we saw what happened. We know how close we came to the first non-peaceful transition of power in this country, Phillips said.

___

AP Congressional Correspondent Lisa Mascaro contributed to this report.

___

For full coverage of the Jan. 6 hearings, go to https://www.apnews.com/capitol-siege.
JACKSON, Wyo. (AP)  A woman accused of intentionally providing wrong information in the search for a missing Irish hiker in Grand Teton National Park has been banned from the park and ordered to pay restitution.

Heather Mycoskie, 40, must stay out of the park in northeastern Wyoming for five years and pay $17,600 under a deferred-prosecution agreement, park officials said in a statement Thursday.

Such agreements allow defendants to avoid prosecution if they meet certain requirements.

Mycoskie allegedly reported last June that she had seen Cian McLaughlin, 27, of Jackson, the day he disappeared almost two weeks earlier and that he was headed toward Taggart Lake because he planned to jump off his favorite rock into the water.

The information proved false, and other people told investigators Mycoskie fabricated the sighting to ensure that search efforts continued, the statement from park officials said.

All other sightings put McLaughlin, who is still missing following his disappearance June 8, 2021, on trails heading toward a different area of the park, according to the statement.

It wasn't clear whether McLaughlin knew Mycoskie. McLaughlin's mother, Grainne McLaughlin, told The Associated Press she was not aware of any connection between the two.

McLaughlin had dual Irish-U.S. citizenship and in 2019 moved to Jackson Hole, where he worked as a bartender and snowboard instructor, she said.

While Cian McLaughlin spent most of his life in Ireland, his father was from Montana and he lived there for several years as a young child. He maintained a close connection with the States and the mountains in particular, his mother said.

Cian was an incredible person, full of joi de Vive and we miss him dearly, Grainne McLaughlin said in an email to the AP.

The allegedly false report from Mycoskie meant officials spent more than 500 fruitless hours searching, conducting investigations and completing reports, park officials said.

The deferred prosecution agreement allows Mycoskie to continue to use Jackson Hole Airport, which is located within Grand Teton, and the main highway through the park, as long as she does not stop or recreate.

Mycoskie's attorney until the deferred prosecution agreement was signed in February, Darci Phillips, has since been appointed as a Wyoming district judge and declined to comment Friday.

Mycoskie, formerly of Jackson, recently moved to Costa Rica. She did not immediately return an Instagram message Friday seeking comment.

She was previously married to TOMS Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie, who sold his Jackson home in November, the Jackson Hole News&Guide reported.

Searchers plan to continue looking for McLaughlin this summer.
In an exclusive report from Sam Mobile, Samsung is working to significantly [improve] the UI navigation speeds. Its also going to optimize the animations so theyre smoother and faster, writes the news outlet.

Samsungs latest devices are on One UI version 4.5 based on Android 12, but the Korean smartphone brand is expected to refresh One UI with Android 13 once it becomes available later in the fall. The switch to Android 12 was met with some fumbles by OEMs, as last years Android version was the first drastically different Android update in years.

As the use of 90Hz and 120Hz refresh rate displays has saturated the smartphone industry, the focus on polishing the user experience starts with how animations look and feel, thus translating to a more visually pleasing smoothness factor. Dropped frames and fluttering frame rates cause friction for the users overall experience.

Samsung is expected to announce everything it is bringing to One UI at SDC (Samsung Developers Conference) later this year  expected to take place sometime in October. Once announced, we can expect a new beta program for users to test and provide feedback for the next version of One UI.

Source
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Henry sails alongside the Japan Coast Guard patrol vessel Mizuho during an exercise off Guam, June 7, 2022. The U.S. Coast Guard and Japan Coast Guard completed a joint counter-narcotics exercise.
Joseph Gamboa was driving to a friends house early Sunday morning before getting into a car crash near Oka Pay-Less.

That night of the accident (Gamboa) was heading to our friends house right up the street from where the accident happened, because his dad has been in the hospital for cancer treatments, so he wanted to be there to wake up early to bring his family food, said Jerry Torres, Gamboas friend and business partner.

Torres said he and Gamboa have been friends for about a decade. They run a business, GH BBQ, with another friend, Shane Anderson, in the California Bay Area. They sell CHamoru-style barbecue plates and host events in the area.

At about 2:46 a.m. Sunday, Guam Fire Department units responded to a two-car accident with one of the drivers being found unconscious and unresponsive. He was taken to Guam Memorial Hospital, according to GFD spokesman firefighter Kevin Reilly.

Videos on social media show Gamboas car being hit by a truck.

Gamboa is now in stable condition, Torres said, but his initial injuries included a skull fracture, six broken and fractured ribs, a broken collar bone and air leaking into his chest cavity, which put pressure on his heart.

Hes been making some promising progress, hes responding, and hes been able to write, which is really good, Torres said. Hes conscious, but I know theyre trying to keep him sedated so he can rest as much as possible. The biggest key is to have his body just relax and recover as quickly as possible, so I havent had verbal contact with him.

Torres said he and Gamboa were on island for a vacation and to see family, and they were planning to leave next week.

The Guam Police Department is investigating the crash.

Torres said he doesnt know any details of the investigation.

The family is just focused on Joes recovery and health, Torres said.

We just wish people can just keep him in his prayers and thoughts. I think its shown that we should all think more about driving safely, being more aware, because anything can happen, Torres added.

Torres said a GoFundMe page has been set up, and a fundraiser at Applebees is planned for next week.
A Jamaican Grill van crashed into a utility pole in East Hagatna Friday morning, killing the man who was driving the vehicle, Guam Police Department spokeswoman officer Berlyn Savella said.

Guam Fire Department spokesman firefighter Kevin Reilly said multiple GFD units responded to the crash, which closed Route 1 near the Mobil Gas Station.

Due to the nature and severity of injuries sustained in the crash, no health care services were performed on the victim, Reilly said.

The vans driver was the only person in the vehicle, Reilly said.

No information about the driver was available, pending notification of family.

The Guam Power Authority provided assistance to make sure no live wires posed a danger at the scene, Savella said.

2022 Traffic Fatalities Jan. 14: Benjamin B. DeLeon, a driver involved in a traffic crash on Route 1 near Goodyear, was transported to Guam Regional Medical Center and pronounced dead.

Feb. 5: Froilan Rosales-Poma, 81, died after being hit by a car while crossing the street at the top of the Route 16 overpass.

March 28: Johnny Joseph S. Quenga, 44, from Humatak, was killed after he was struck by a car on Route 2 in Hagat. Joquest Kinzama James was charged in the death of Quenga.

April 18: Kastor Samuel, 24, died at GRMC after being injured in a two-car crash in Yigo on Route 1 near American Grocery.

April 27: Albert John Carriaga II Wells, 25, from Chalan Pago, died after being involved in a motorcycle-car crash on Route 10 in Mangilao near Mobil gas station. Wells was the driver of the motorcycle. A-Last Akitekit, 21, was arrested in connection to the crash and charged.

May 25: A 29-year-old man died after the car he was driving struck a pole on Ysengsong Road in Dededo.

June 10: The driver of a Jamaican Grill van crashed into a utility pole in East Hagatna Friday and died.

The drivers death is the seventh traffic fatality this year.
A teacher charged Friday in the sexual assault of a student told police that he had been accused of fondling 13 other male students approximately two and a half years ago, according to a magistrates complaint filed in Superior Court.

Darrell DeeFrancis Lujan, 55, a teacher at Guahan Academy Charter School, was released from jail after a hearing.

On Thursday, Guam Police Department issued a news release saying Lujan had been arrested on suspicion of criminal sexual conduct involving a 14-year-old student.

Investigators established that there was an open case against the same suspect from 2019 on the same type of allegations reported by a different parent of another student, according to the release.

No other information was provided about any additional cases.

Lujan denied that he touched the 14-year-old.

Guahan Academy Charter School Principal Lynda Hernandez-Avilla was unable to provide a comment on the allegations against Lujan Friday.

Former Sen. Judi Won Pat, who served as the administrator of Guahan Academy Charter School in 2019, said that personnel matters during her tenure would be handled by the principal before coming up to her, and then could be appealed to the schools board.

But Won Pat said she was unfamiliar with the situation and did not want to comment because she had left the school in 2021.

Sen. Telena Nelson, oversight chair of the Legislatures Committee on Education, could not be immediately reached for comment.

In Lujans hearing Friday, he said he was unemployed.

Release

Assistant Attorney General Monty May initially asked Lujan to be held on a $10,000 cash bail saying the allegations, if true, created the impression the defendant would be a danger to the community.

When asked about the strength of the case, May added the case relies on testimony from the complaining witness and photos May had not seen, but could be corroborating evidence.

According to court documents, Lujan told investigators there were photos, but none were pornographic.

Lujans appointed attorney, Assistant Public Defender Zachary Taimanglo, cited Lujans lack of criminal history, being a lifelong resident of Guam and being employed until recently as reasons for release.

Magistrate Judge Jonathan R. Quan said he reluctantly decided to release Lujan on conditions that include staying away from minors. If Lujan does not follow he will have to pay $25,000 and be put back in jail, Quan said.

Complaint

According to the complaint, sometime between May 31 and Aug. 1, 2021, Lujan was alone with the boy in a car when he began talking about the childs private parts and asked the boy to pull down his pants.

The complaint said the boy felt uncomfortable and scared, in shock and didnt know what to say. He eventually exposed himself in an attempt to end the conversation and go home, however, Lujan leaned forward, hugged the boy and fondled him, according to the complaint.

Afterward, the boy said he received many text messages from Lujan, along with requests for photos of the boys private parts. The boy told investigators Lujan became more aggressive and yelled, and he eventually complied in hopes that Lujan would leave him alone.

Lujan was charged with one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct as a first-degree felony, fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct as a third-degree felony and electronic enticement of a child.
Robert Underwood is the former president of the University of Guam and Guams former delegate in the U.S. House of Representatives.




Haiti - Urbanization : Towards the improvement of urban mobility in Cap-Haitien (RUTAP Project)





During a workshop held this week, the CPCS - ITP - Beta Consult Group, mandated by the World Bank in partnership with the Ministry of Public Works and the Town Hall of Cap-Haitien, presented the study aimed at the evaluation of the governance, services and operational and financial bases of the informal urban transport sector in Cap-Haitien.



This study is part of the Resilient Connectivity and Urban Transport Accessibility Project (RUTAP), funded by the World Bank. The objective of this project is to improve urban mobility in Cap-Haitien, taking into account the possibility of strengthening institutional capacity in the transport sector.



To this end, interventions will first focus on improving critical sections of the city's street network, to support the shared use of space; then, on improving drainage and climate resilience and traffic management in the city center with new stations for tap-tap interchanges and passenger loading facilities; there are also plans to carry out detailed studies and potential works for a bypass road (not including the SOS road).



Let's recall that Cap-Haitien, historical and tourist capital of the country is also the administrative capital of the North Department and is experiencing strong growth in urbanization, which now extends to neighboring municipalities. Thus, this growing urbanization creates a dynamic of pendulum mobility between Cap-Haitien and these municipalities.



At the same time, it is necessary to underline the concentration of economic activities and most of the educational institutions of the region which are located in downtown Cap-Haitien; which hinders urban mobility with road infrastructures that no longer meet international standards.



It is in this context that the deputy mayor, Patrick Almonor, pleads for an urban development plan encompassing 6 municipalities: Cap-Haitien, Milot, Quartier Morin, Limonade, Plaine du Nord and Acul du Nord.



Download all the details of the RUTAP Project PDF (version for consultation) : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/RUTAP_PMPP_Avril_2022.pdf



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Archives : A part of the National Memory, threatened with destruction...





Jean Wilfrid Bertrand, Director General of the National Archives of Haiti recalls that the International Day of Archives (June 9) was established in order to make known the role of the Archives "keeper of time" and to value the work of archivists around the world.



In Haiti, a happy initiative has come to reinforce the fight started since 1984 by a group of young Haitian archivists, all determined to safeguard these irreplaceable witnesses of our history as a people.



However, "despite the efforts made for more than 37 years in Haiti, the threat of destruction of an entire section of the National Memory remains under the threat of a sword of Damocles suspended above our Nation [...]"



Bertrand estimates that "more than 50 years of administrative and historical archives stored here and there in our various public institutions throughout the national territory are not yet transferred to the National Archives of Haiti."



In addition, the January 2010 earthquake still leaves traces in our administrative archives : "partial and or total destruction, scattering of storage sites, inaccessibility to documents, decision-making without reliable information."



It is up to the three Powers of the State to accentuate and strengthen their control over the entire administrative memory, says Jean Wilfrid Bertrand, adding that the State University of Haiti (UEH) must be able to train technical executives oriented towards taking charge of our documentary heritage, which will make it possible to preserve and enhance the memory of political and administrative action and to provide researchers with the sources of the history of tomorrow."



For its part, the Directorate General of the National Archives of Haiti is working for the construction of a building to standards designed to safeguard not only what remains of the national memory, but also to ensure rational management in the future of the entire archival production chain from the creation of documents on the premises until they become historical documents.



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Diaspora Covid-19 : Daily Bulletin #812





GLOBAL SITUATION 2019-2022:

Epidemiological situation:

Friday, June 10, 2022 the number of people infected worldwide with the Covid-19 coronavirus and its variants since the start of the pandemic (March 11, 2020) amounts to 539,280,811 cases (+1,061,049 in 24 hours ), the day before (+1,518,969)



Number of infected countries: 228



*Healings: 512,052,728 people have been cured of Covid-19 worldwide (+528,743 in 24 hours), the day before (+3,661,867)

*Deaths: 6,328,527 people have died of Covid-19 worldwide since the start of the pandemic (+1.645 in 24 hours), the day before (+3.147)

*Active cases (minus deaths and recoveries) in the world is currently 20,899,556 cases (+530,661 in 24 hours), the day before (-2,146,045)



Cure rate in the world: 94.95% (-)



Death rate in the world: 1.17% (=)



World: Active cases trend: (minus recoveries and deaths)







Vaccination: 11.90 billion doses of vaccine injected (). (Latest data available).



HAITI:

Warning: The Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) has not made available daily data on the Covid-19 situation in Haiti after June 3, 2022. accordingly, the data below on the situation in Haiti are the latest available.



According to the Ministry of Public Health, +23 new cases of Covid-19 and its variants have been confirmed in Haiti as of June 3, 2022 (latest partial data available ) for a total of 30,963 confirmed cases throughout the national territory (48.7% women and 51.3% men), since the first case (March 19, 2020 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30319-haiti-health-origin-of-the-first-2-cases-of-covid-19-in-haiti.html ). Previous update (+48 cases as of June 1, 2022).



Healings: 29,742 (+0)



Cure rate: 96.00% (-)



Deaths: 835 deaths (+0)



Death rate: 2.69% (=)



Screening since the start of the pandemic: 203,863 tests since March 19, 2020 (+203 in 2 days) a number of tests statistically insufficient to be representative of the health situation, which results in a < B>number of daily confirmed cases largely underestimated in the opinion of health specialists.



TOP 5 of the most affected municipalities in the West (2022):

Delmas: 788 (+2); Petion-ville 636 (+0); Port au Prince 426 (+2); Tabarre 312 (+1); Cross-Bouquets 256 (+0)



Confirmed cases by department (2022 / 2021 / 2020):

West: 2022: 2692 )+) cases; (2021: 9.890); (2020: 6,945 cases)

North: 2022: 294 (=) cases; (2021: 664); (2020: 677 cases)

Center: 2022: 289 (=) cases; (2021: 1.001); (2020: 508 cases)

Artibonite: 2022: 194 (=) cases; (2021: 855); (2020: 593 cases)

Northeast: 2022: 166 (+) cases; (2021: 404); (2020: 314 cases)

Southeast: 2022: 319 (+) cases; (2021: 768); (2020: 274 cases)

South: 2022: 219 (=) cases; (2021: 891); (2020: 262 cases)

North West: 2022: 283 (+) cases; (2021: 383); (2020: 229 cases)

Grand'Anse: 2022: 214 (+) cases; (2021: 861); (2020: 176 cases)

Nippes: 2022: 68 (+) cases; (2021: 249) (2020: 149 cases)



Cumulative deaths by department (2022-2021):

West: 296 deaths (2020: 104 deaths)

North: 54 deaths (2020: 34 deaths)

Center: 79 deaths (2020: 13 deaths)

Artibonite: 42 deaths (2020: 39 deaths)

North East: 7 deaths (2020: 6 deaths)

South: 51 deaths (2020: 6 deaths)

Southeast: 15 deaths (2020: 9 deaths)

North West: 15 deaths (2020: 12 deaths)

Grand'Anse: 7 deaths (2020: 13 deaths)

Nippes: 27 deaths (2020: 5 deaths)



Distribution of deaths by age (since the start of the epidemic):

0-9 years: 15 deaths

10-19 years: 10 deaths

20-29 years: 31 deaths

30-39 years: 56 deaths

40-49 years: 80 deaths

50-59 years: 135 deaths

60-69 years: 187 deaths

70-79 years: 184 deaths

80 years and over: 137 deaths



Vaccination:

188,584 Haitians (1.62% of the population) +3,615 in 13 days have received a 1st dose of vaccine since July 16, 2021, date of the first injection through 149 open vaccination centers and 132,177 Haitians are fully vaccinated (2 doses, 1.13% of the population) +2.513 in 13 days. Update June 7, 2022 latest information available (source MSPP).



List of the 149 Vaccination centers open in Haiti (and hours) by department: (updated October 20, 2021, latest information available)

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35051-haiti-covid-19-list-of-149-vaccination-centers-open-in-the-country.html



DIASPORA:

Epidemiological situation:



USA:

*Cases since the first case (February 29, 2020): 87,114,740 cases (+126,069 in 24 hours), the day before (+206,267)

*Healings: 82,935,242 healings (+109,243 in 24 hours), the day before (+71,591)

National Cure Rate: 95.20% (-)

Deaths: 1,035,320 (+289 in 24h), the day before (+747)

Death rate: 1.18% (=)

*Active cases (minus deaths and recoveries): 3,144,178 (+16,537 in 24 hours), the day before +133,929)



USA: Number of daily confirmed cases:







Vaccination: 590.39 million doses of vaccine injected since December 14, 2020, date of the first injection in the United States (230,000). (Latest data available).



DOMINICAN REPUBLIC:

Confirmed cases since March 1, 2020: 587,578 cases (+652 in 24 hours), the day before (+827). First case (March 1, 2020)

Healings: 579,840 healings (+91 in 24 hours), the day before (+315)

National Cure Rate: 98.68% (-)

Deaths: 4,377 deaths (+0), the day before (+0)

Death rate: 0.74% (=)

Positivity rate over 4 epidemiological weeks: 6.39% (+)

Active cases: (excluding deaths and recoveries) 3,361 cases (+561 in 24 hours) the day before (-512)



Dominican Republic: Number of daily confirmed cases:







TOP 5 Provinces with the most new cases in the last 24 hours:

Distrito Nacional: +324 new cases in 24 hours (+)

Santo Domingo: +117 new cases in 24 hours (+)

Santiago: +82 new cases in 24 hours (+)

La Altagracia: +25 new cases (-)

Valverd: +24 new cases ()



Vaccination: 15.70 million doses of vaccine injected since February 16, 2021, date of the first injection in the Dominican Republic (+10,000). (Latest data available).



QUEBEC:

Warning: Quebec health authorities advise that Data on cases and deaths are not available due to an issue with the Public Health Trajectory database. Vaccination data is not affected and has been updated. The situation will be corrected as soon as possible.



Confirmed cases since the first case (February 27, 2020): 1,070,885 (+738 in 24 hours), the day before (+738)

Deaths: 15,457 (+11 in 24 hours) the day before (+11)

Death rate: 1.44% (=)

Healing: The Center for Expertise and Reference in Public Health no longer makes this information available.

Positivity rate: 6.9% (=) (average 7 days)



Quebec: Trend of daily confirmed cases





(average weekly trend)



Vaccination: 19,956,251 doses of vaccine injected since December 14, 2020, date of the first injection (+4,760 doses in 24 hours), latest available data - MSSS)



FRANCE:

*Confirmed cases since the first case (January 24, 2020): 29,753,370 cases (+40,151 cases in 24 hours), the day before (+53,802)

*Healings: 29,166,768 healings (+24,290 in 24 hours), the day before (+27,765)

National Cure Rate: 98.02% (-)

Deaths: 148,710 deaths (+42 in 48 hours), the day before (+77)

Death rate: 0.49% (-)

Active Cases: 437,892 (+15,819 in 24 hours), the day before (+25,960)



France: Number of daily confirmed cases:







Vaccination: 144.77 million doses of vaccine injected since December 27, 2020, date of the first injection in France (+40,000 doses injected in 24 hours). (Latest data available)



Previous bulletin : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36872-haiti-diaspora-covid-19-daily-bulletin-811.html



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30319-haiti-health-origin-of-the-first-2-cases-of-covid-19-in-haiti.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-30165-haiti-flash-first-case-of-covid-19-in-the-dominican-republic.html



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





1 Chilean missionary kidnapped

Esteban Zambrano Leiva (32), a Chilean Christian missionary in Haiti since 2011, was kidnapped at gunpoint by two individuals near his home in Port-au-Prince. The kidnappers are demanding 100,000 dollars for his release, confirmed his wife, also a missionary.



2 cargo trucks hijacked

Two goods trucks were hijacked by bandits in the Drouillard area.



2 Belgians kidnapped

Two Belgian nationals were kidnapped earlier this week in Petion-ville.



11th month of freedom for the President's assassins

"We are in the 11th month and the perpetrators of the assassination of President Jovenel Moise are still free to move. A new Investigating Judge has been appointed https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36801-haiti-news-zapping.html . Let's hope that he will act with speed, integrity and impartiality," former First Lady Martine Moise.



Ambulances at 3 airports

The National Ambulance Center (CAN) and the National Airport Authority (AAN) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide pre-hospital emergency care to travelers and staff. This agreement provides for the pre-positioning of a medical ambulance at the airports of Port-au-Prince, Cap-Haitien and Les Cayes and the CAN ambulance teams (drivers, nurses and first aiders) will work together with the medical staff of the NAA.



North-East : Studies for the implementation of a landfill site

The Ministry of the Environment with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP - Haiti) are organizing public hearings in the Northeast to present to the population the results of the feasibility study for the establishment of a center for the valuation and burial of solid waste.



School canteen and local products

Officials of the National School Canteen Program (PNCS) visited the markets of Fonds des Negres (Nippes) to collect data on the potential and availability of local products with a view to introducing them into the school canteen for the academic year 2022-2023.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















China-Europe freight trains busier as COVID-19 epidemic wanes

Xinhua) 09:04, June 10, 2022

JINAN, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Freight trains running between east China's Shandong Province and countries in Central Asia and Europe are growing busier as production in many regions resumes due to the improved COVID-19 epidemic situation.

"With the resumption of work and production and growing export demand, the volume of China-Europe freight trains has increased recently," said Liang Jihe of China Railway Jinan Group Co., Ltd.

Liang said that the number of "Qilu" trains departing for Europe and Central Asia has rebounded strongly following a year-on-year decrease in April. The "Qilu" trains now reach 54 cities in 23 countries along the Belt and Road.

In the first five months of this year, "Qilu" trains made 751 trips between Jinan, the provincial capital of Shandong, and their overseas destinations, up 3.6 percent year on year, according to Ma Chunbo, deputy general manager of Shandong Hi-Speed Qilu Eurasia Railway Logistics Co., Ltd.

"We have provided customized train services for renowned corporations as well as micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, helping stabilize international logistics and industrial chains," said Ma.

Since its first "ride" in mid-April, Jinan Maisen New Material, a start-up company exporting construction chemicals, has generated 3 million yuan (about 449,000 U.S. dollars) in revenue from five shipments of goods to European countries via China-Europe freight trains, according to manager Li Yiwei.

"Compared to sea and air transport, the China-Europe freight train service is pretty fast and reasonably priced," said Li, adding that the high efficiency is beneficial to the capital turnover of both Chinese exporters and European importers.

The China-Europe freight trains help Shandong's trade enterprises to expand business in Europe, according to Ma. By the end of April, "Qilu" trains had made 5,000 trips in total since they were launched in 2018.

"Three to four years ago, the exports were mostly daily necessities and clothes, which are low value-added," said Xie Yuan, a customs clearance manager with Sinotrans Jinan International Logistics Co., Ltd.

However, in the past two years, more high value-added products, including home appliances, large mechanical equipment and laser engraving machines, as well as featured agricultural products, have been shipped overseas, said Xie.

"Despite impeded global logistics and shrinking international trade due to the pandemic, 'Qilu' trains have ensured stable operation and deepened the trade collaboration between Shandong and the Belt and Road countries," said Liu Ze, a professor of economics with the Party School of the Communist Party of China Shandong Provincial Committee.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu)
Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic underwent surgery within the last few weeks to address a lingering right knee injury, according to a report from Rada Nikolic of SportKlub.rs (hat tip to EuroHoops).

Bogdanovic played through right knee soreness down the stretch and was sidelined for the Hawks final playoff game vs. Miami in April due to the issue.

As Nikolic writes, the doctor for the Serbian national team, Dragan Radovanovic, referred to Bogdanovic having undergone a procedure on that knee when he explained why the veteran swingman wont be available for this years EuroBasket tournament.

Two or three weeks ago, (Bogdanovic) underwent surgery on his jumping right knee, and recovery takes time at least three months, Radovanovic said, per a Google translation. We hear from each other almost every day. The procedure went in the best order, at a clinic in California. He will stay in America for another month, and then he should come to Serbia.

The Hawks have yet to put out a formal announcement about Bogdanovics surgery, so we dont have any concrete information yet on the nature of the procedure or when hes expected to resume basketball activities. The start of training camp is still about three-and-a-half months away.

Bogdanovics name has popped up in trade rumors already this offseason, with the Hawks said to be considering a roster shake-up and no one besides Trae Young considered untouchable. Teams discussing Bogdanovic with Atlanta will presumably want to take a close look at his medicals before seriously considering any deal involving him.
Hampton by Hilton Vienna City West is due to open in 2024 and will feature 358 guest rooms.

Hilton (NYSE: HLT) has today announced plans to open one of the world's largest Hampton by Hilton hotels in Vienna. Following a franchise agreement with established partner Primestar Hospitality GmbH, with whom Hilton has a number of franchise agreements in Germany, the new development is scheduled to open in Autumn 2024.

As part of a EUR40 million new development, Hampton by Hilton Vienna City West's 358 guest rooms will be constructed under Hampton by Hilton's modern design, featuring contemporary furnishings and signature bedding. The hotel will include a fully-equipped fitness centre and a multi-functional open concept lobby space designed to accommodate guests' needs during their travels. Hampton by Hilton's complimentary breakfast will also be available at Hampton by Hilton Vienna City West, ensuring guests are well ready to explore the city's many attractions.

Consistently named the most liveable city in the world, Vienna boasts abundant green spaces and museums, architectural marvels and cultural cornerstones like the city's famous coffee houses. Schonbrunn Palace, just over 20 minutes' walk from Hampton by Hilton Vienna City West, is one of Europe's grandest Baroque palaces. As well as numerous historical and cultural attractions, including the Rathaus, Belvedere Museum and the Hofburg, the city offers a vibrant restaurant and nightlife scene, from fifteen Michelin starred restaurants to local establishments serving anything from authentic Austrian cuisine like Wiener Schnitzel and Tafelspitz to international specialities.

Located in western Vienna and joining four Hilton properties currently trading in the city, Hampton by Hilton Vienna City West will be well located for easy access to Wien Westbahnhof, one of Vienna's major railway stations, just a 15-minute walk away. With a comprehensive public transport system consisting of buses, trains, trams and underground lines, travelling around the city is simple and fast. The hotel will be an ideal destination both for international travellers, who will be able to reach the hotel in under 40 minutes by public transport from Vienna's airport, as well as domestic visitors arriving by car, who will be able to utilise the hotel's 67 secure car parking spaces.

As well as a popular leisure destination, Vienna is also one of the world's leading conference locations, ranking sixth according to the International Congress and Convention Association. The city hosted more than 5,000 congresses, corporate events and incentives in 2019. With Vienna home to many international company offices as well as one of the four global headquarters of the United Nations, Hampton by Hilton Vienna City West will also be well poised to take advantage of the Austrian capital's significant business travel market.

Hampton by Hilton Vienna City West will be located at Diefenbachgasse 1, 1150, Vienna, Austria. The new hotel will join six hotels trading under Hilton brands in Austria, including Hilton Vienna Danube Waterfront, Hilton Vienna Park, Hilton Vienna Plaza, and Hampton by Hilton Vienna Messe.

*Information on international visitor numbers for Austria can be found here: https://info.bmlrt.gv.at/en/topics/tourism/tourism-statistics/national-data.html.

Hotel website

Hampton by Hilton Vienna City West

Diefenbachgasse 1

Wien, 1150

Austria Hotel Website
On June 12, an important milestone will be reached in the Nordic region's largest urban development project, Alvstaden, when Scandic Goteborg Central opens. With 451 rooms, 1,225 beds, event space for up to 1,000 people and largest rooftop terrace offering a panoramic view of the river, the hotel will be among the biggest in Gothenburg.

The new hotel will be strategically located at the southern abutment of the new Hisingsbron bridge, just a couple hundred meters from Gothenburg Central Station. Thanks to its ideal placement, the vibe of the city and harbor area will flow through the glass-covered facade and spacious lobby, all the way up to the rooftop terrace and Above restaurant, the hotel's hidden ace on the fourteenth floor.

At Above, Gothenburg will meet Miami's melting pot in both the decor and playful food and drinks menu where much-loved classics like the city's famous shrimp sandwich are reinvented and paired with cocktails. The panoramic terrace is partially weather protected, which means that hotel, bar and restaurant guests will be able to enjoy the spectacular view and vibrant atmosphere at the green rooftop oasis all year round.

The 60,000 m2 property will be used by hotel guests, office workers and Gothenburgers alike, accommodating up to 6,000 people per day. The hotel's airy lobby will be filled with the happy sounds of guests arriving and departing and the hum from the cafes and restaurants serving international cuisine, or possibly a round of applause from the hotel's largest meeting room, The Grand Container, which can accommodate events and conferences for up to 1,000 people.

The hotel will contribute 451 rooms to Gothenburg, an important addition as Scandic helps develop Gothenburg into Sweden's foremost city for meetings, events and sustainable tourism. Thanks to its strategic location, Scandic Goteborg Central is easily accessible from road and train networks as well as the planned western link that will improve transportation to and from the hotel.

As at all Scandic hotels, sustainability is a central part of Scandic Goteborg Central. The hotel is ecolabeled according to the Nordic Swan Ecolabel's new, tough criteria where, among other things, ecolabeled products and chemicals and 100 percent renewable electricity, the absence of single-use disposables, reduced water consumption, a climate-friendly menu and reduced food waste formed the basis for certification.

The building has also been certified according to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), an international sustainability assessment system, meeting the requirements for LEED Platinum, which is the highest level. The purpose of the certification is to provide an independent environmental assessment of the building for guests, society and other stakeholders. The certification system assesses several important sustainability aspects, such as biodiversity, water conservation, energy and resource efficiency as well as the ability of indoor spaces to provide good daylight, air and sound environments.

In addition to the internationally recognized environmental certifications for property and hotel operations, the rooms at Scandic Goteborg Central have been designed with circularity in mind and parts of the room interiors are environmentally certified or made from recycled materials. The interiors have a lifespan of up to 15 years and most materials can be reused or recycled during renovations, which is in line with Scandic's vision of a completely circular hotel room.

Scandic Goteborg Central will strengthen Scandic's presence in the hotel market in Gothenburg and following the opening, the company will operate a total of nine hotels with 2,670 rooms.

Facts about Scandic Goteborg Central:

14 floors

Hotel space: ca 25,000 m 2

Rooms: 451

Number of beds: 1,225

Family rooms: 150

Suites: 4

Accessible rooms: 47

Animal-friendly rooms: 117

Seating in Above restaurant: 128 indoors

Maximum capacity on rooftop terrace: 500

Coworking spaces: 96

Conference rooms: 19

Maximum capacity at The Grand Container: 1,000

Architect, building: Erik Giudice

Architect, interior: Koncept

Property owner: Vasakronan

Construction year: 2017-2022

Construction company: PEAB

Environmental certification: Nordic Swan Ecolabel and LEED Platinum

Hotel website
Jenna Aragosa has joined CHMWarnick as Vice President. Based in New York, she will serve as a senior member of CHMWarnick's asset management and advisory teams, supporting clients with strategic investment decisions related to hotel acquisition, development, and repositioning strategies, brand/management selection, and capital planning, among others. Aragosa brings expertise in economic, financial, and operational analysis, as well as organizational and general consulting for the hospitality and related services industries. Prior to joining CHMWarnick, Aragosa was with CBRE's Advisory Northeast Division, providing a wide range of hospitality consulting services to clients, including major sources of debt financing, private hotel companies, private sector hotel developers, and private member clubs. Aragosa holds a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration and a Minor in Real Estate from Cornell University.

View Jenna Aragosa's LinkedIn Profile

CHMWarnick

Jenna Aragosa is a graduate of Cornell in Ithaca, New York - United States
Trilogy Spa Holdings ("Trilogy"), the leading boutique spa management firm, has announced today the appointment of Caitlin McKenna as Chief Development Officer. Reporting to President John Grunbeck, McKenna will be responsible for development efforts in acquiring new properties and implementing key strategies to meet Trilogy's expansion plans.

McKenna joins Trilogy with a diverse career in experience design, brand management, consulting, investment, and product development within Full Service & Luxury Hospitality, Spa, Wellness, and Experience Service industries. Most recently, McKenna served as Global Head, Human-Centric Innovation, at JLL, where she aided in transforming Work Dynamics, a multibillion-dollar business, into a product-led organization. She was responsible for leading a new global product function and strategy, promoting industry differentiation and commercial growth to the firm

Prior to JLL, McKenna served as Global Spa & Wellness and Customer Experience & Innovation for Hilton Worldwide, supporting 17 brands within the company's portfolio. She designed, developed, and operated the Innovation Gallery, Hilton's lab, and showcase for the future of hospitality. During her tenure leading Spa & Wellness, she managed the brand curation, launch, and expansion of Waldorf Astoria Spa, Conrad Spa, and eforea spas. Beyond Hilton's proprietary brands, she designed space, services, standards, partnerships, and business intelligence to maximize operational performance and returns for owners and operators globally.

McKenna holds a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration from Cornell University. She has been a guest lecturer and curriculum designer at Georgetown University, Cornell University, and the University of Houston. She is an Industry Scholar and former Advisory Board Member of Cornell Institute for Healthy Futures, a member of CHIEF, and an advisor to various start-ups in the service, technology, and consumer industries.

Trilogy Spa Holdings offers management, consulting, leasing, asset management, auditing, and pre-opening services that drive profits forward for spas and hotel spas. Properties in the portfolio include but are not limited to: The Green Valley Ranch Spa and The Red Rock Spa, by Well & Being in Las Vegas; SpaWell at El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort in Arizona; Sisley Spa at The Ritz Carlton in Marina del Rey, California; and the Waldorf Astoria hotels in Chicago and New York City.

View Caitlin McKenna's LinkedIn Profile

Caitlin McKenna is a graduate of Cornell in Ithaca, New York - United States
Public and private leaders have been called on 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, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 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 realize tourisms unique potential to drive recovery, provide opportunity and build resilience, through better and stronger governance and focusing on jobs, training and education.

His Excellency Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, commented: We cannot recover backwards. Now is the time to capitalize 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 US$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 emphasizing 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 recognizes 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.

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About The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations specialized agency fostering tourism as a vehicle for equal, inclusive and sustainable development. Working with its Member States, international organizations and the private sector, UNWTO promotes safe and seamless travel for all. UNWTO also works to make tourism the foundation of trust and international cooperation and a central pillar of recovery. As part of the wider UN system, UNWTO is at the forefront of global efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including through its ability to create decent jobs, promote equality and preserve natural and cultural heritage.

Follow UNWTO on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Linkedin.

UNWTO Communications Department

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Eric Gay, STF / Associated Press

Federal energy forecasters expect natural gas production to decline in the Gulf of Mexico in 2023 even though a suite of new projects is coming online this year.

Most of the natural gas produced offshore in the Gulf is whats known as associated gas  or, the gas thats released when drilling for oil. New projects are focused on supporting crude oil production, which is expected to stay relatively flat, according to the short-term energy outlook from the Department of Energys statistics and analysis administration.
Westlake Corp. has agreed to clean up flaring procedures at its petrochemical plants after violating the federal Clean Air Act and state pollution laws, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

The Houston-based chemical and materials manufacturer agreed to pay $1 million in fines and spend $110 million upgrading facilities in Louisiana and Kentucky, the Department of Justice said Thursday. It said the settlement will "eliminate thousands of tons of air pollution from flares."

The EPA is taking a closer look at industrial flares as part of a larger effort to reduce emissions and hold companies accountable for pollution in neighboring communities. The agency resolved a similar complaint against Chevron Phillips Chemical this year.

RELATED: Houston residents ask EPA Administrator Michael Regan to fight for them

"Westlake is pleased to have reached an agreement with the (EPA) and is making investments to reduce environmental emissions in concert with the companys sustainability strategy," the company said in a statement. "Westlakes commitment to safety is fundamental to the companys values, and that commitment is to both our employees and to the communities in which we operate."

The EPA said that Westlakes flares routinely used too much steam for the past 13 years, reducing each flare's combustion efficiency and allowing more chemicals to escape. Improvements at Westlakes facilities will reduce climate-warming emissions, smog-causing volatile organic compounds and cancer-causing benzene by around 51,000 tons per year, 2,258 tons per year and 65 tons per year, respectively, the EPA said.

The agency said Westlake agreed to monitor the air around its fencelines for benzene and post the results on a publicly available website for neighboring communities.

"This settlement demonstrates that the (DOJ and EPA) are committed to addressing excessive and harmful air pollution from improperly operated petrochemical flares, said Todd Kim, assistant attorney general for the DOJs environment division.

The EPA deal affects five Westlake subsidiaries in chemicals, petrochemicals, polymers, styrene and vinyls with operations in Lake Charles, La., and Calvert City, Ky., the company said.

amanda.drane@chron.com
Three years ago, few consumers thought about the supply chain. Now, they find empty grocery shelves for coveted products such as baby formula, wait weeks for new refrigerators to reach their doorsteps and swallow the bitter pill of paying more for electronics as the computer chip shortage rolls on.

Other less customer-facing supply chain shortages are taking a more insidious but damaging toll on homebuyers wallets. Building materials shortages and a lack of developed land ready for new homes is adding costs and raising home prices. Homebuilders have scrambled since last year to find supplies of everything from lumber to tiling to meet the torrent of customer demand for new homes. Many builders said once they figured out a new source for supply of one item, then suddenly another item would become hard to find.

Its not a very scientific term, but we called it Whac-a-Mole, said Todd Chachere, CEO of Houston-based Perry Homes, referring to the arcade game in which smacking down one mole only causes another mole to pop up -- a metaphor for the seemingly endless list of shortages popping up in the homebuilding industry.

Developers have barely kept pace with providing finished lots where builders could site new homes. They too have been contending with their own shortages on items such as like concrete, piping, rebar and everything needed to actually install the infrastructure supporting new communities.

In one out-of-state community, Houston-based David Weekley had to build entire houses while testing all the electrical components with a generator. Why? Because the local utility was struggling to find transformers to bring electricity to the sites, said Chris Weekley, president of David Weekley Homes. He added there are dozens of other examples of here of supply chain shortages snarling construction timelines.

The supply of finished developed lots in Houston is hovering about 10.5 months  near a record low and about half the inventory needed for a balanced market, according to housing data firm Zonda. About 33,000 future lots are under development in the Houston area, which will not be enough to help the market return to normal this year, said Lawrence Dean, senior vice president advisory for Zonda.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Whats making Houstons affordability problem worse? Development delays

What does this mean for buyers who want to purchase a new home? More money. Construction delays caused by supply shortages only add to the costs and constrain the number of new homes coming on the market. Fewer new homes for sale makes tight housing inventories tighter, further lifting home prices. And if a house that used to take five months to build now takes 10, a prospective buyer will have to continue renting which can add even more costs.

There are some signs the supply of houses for sale could improve this year, but by how much is uncertain. Last month, homes for sale increased 9 percent gain , but even with a bump in new listings, demand still is outpacing supply - pushing up median prices of all homes by 16 percent year-over-year in May, according to Houston Association of Realtors.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Average Houston home prices zoom closer to $450K

Homebuilders are expected to start construction on 40,000 to 42,000 new houses this year in the Houston area  which could be down slightly from last year but still higher than the 30,000 new housing starts seen in 2018 and 2019, noted Dean of Zonda.

And as mortgage rates rise, a slice of new homebuyers may be forced sit on the sidelines, cooling demand for lower-priced homes. Dean said buyers at the upper-end of the spectrum are less deterred by rising mortgage rates. Rather than skipping purchases all together, theyre downsizing to make the numbers work for their budget, Dean said.

Weekley said lower demand could help ease the strain on supply chains, but so far the drop in demand has been somewhat modest.

The example I would use is if we had, 10 people waiting in line for a home and ready to purchase, now we might have two or three, Weekley said. I think we will see it improve on the supply side, but I'm not prepared to say whether its going to get back to normal (in 2022).

Katherine Feser contributed.

marissa.luck@chron.com, twitter.com/marissaluck7
More than 60 LGBT advocates swarmed a meeting of the states child welfare agency Friday to protest its abuse investigations into parents of transgender children who receive gender-affirming care.

We shouldnt have to live like this, read one protester, John Theiss, on behalf of an unnamed parent. My daughter should not have to be made to feel like she is a burden and the cause of our familys worry.

The demonstration comes on the heels of a second major suit filed against the state earlier this week by a number of civil rights groups on behalf of three families who are under investigation for giving their children gender-affirming care. The child welfare agency has confirmed at least nine investigations into familes with transgender children.

Those investigations resumed last month after the Texas Supreme Court tossed a lower courts order that had temporarily halted them. The case is still before the Third Court of Appeals in Austin.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Families sue to halt Texas investigations of medical care for transgender children

Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton has argued 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. He and Gov. Greg Abbott have pushed for the investigations, despite support for the evidence-based treatment from most major medical organizations.

Gender-affirming care has been linked to dramatically reduced rates of suicide attempts, a decrease in depression and anxiety, reduced drug use, improved HIV medication adherence and a drop in harmful self-prescribed hormone use, according to the American Medical Association.

The advocates on Friday read testimony from families of transgender youth, who did not attend out of fear of prompting an investigation, according to the advocates. Many of them expressed concerns that the states policy will worsen their childrens mental states, often already fragile from the anxiety and stress associated with gender dysphoria. Studies show LGBT youth are at a higher risk of suicide than their peers.

Theiss remarks were on behalf of a parent who said they now monitor the familys Ring video doorbell every time it rings, overcome with anxiety over whether it might be an investigator.

We fear that her suicidal ideations will return, as they did before she transitioned, the parent said, as read by Theiss. Please, were begging you, stop investigating families who are providing transgender children with life-saving medical care.

The latest lawsuit is seeking to put an end to the investigations, saying the policy violates state laws surrounding administrative procedure and rulemaking and goes against the Texas Constitution by denying families due process and equal protection from discrimination. A Travis County judge on Friday afternoon was expected to consider a request by the plaintiffs for a temporary restraining order.

Morgan Davis, a former DFPS investigator and transgender man who had to investigate one of the first cases, said he and his whole unit have resigned. Davis said the family he was forced to look into was exemplary, and the case should never have been opened.

We want our jobs back, and we want to do them right, Davis said. We want to take care of these children. I want to be the advocate that I wanted and needed as a child. Please let me do that. These beautiful child deserve to be beautiful adults, and that's all were asking.

New suit describes toll on families

The new suit, filed Wednesday, included sworn declarations from the families, as well as some that are not parties to the suit, that described the devastating impact the investigations have had on their children.

One family, who is going by a pseudonym in the court filings to protect their privacy, told the story of their 16-year-old trans son who attempted suicide the day that Abbott issued his directive to the child welfare agency. He was hospitalized, then later taken to an outpatient pyschiatric facility.

Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

Staff at the facility let the family know during a therapy session that they would have to report them for possible child abuse, and just about a week after the teen was discharged, an investigator came knocking on the door of the family home.

Instead of focusing on how to keep my son alive and healthy, both the facility and DFPS have accused me of abuse, the teens mother said in court filings. They have invaded my familys privacy, threatened the health and wellbeing of my son, and could try to tear apart my family and cause further harm.

Houston mother Lisa Stanton, whose 11-year-old is a transgender girl, also signed a declaration, describing how even though she is not undergoing medical treatment, the states policy has still been a major source of stress for the family.

We are nervous and fearful to take our kids out in public, Stanton said in her filing. We have isolated ourselves at home and do not leave the house other than to go to work. We are also fearful that if M.S. sprains her ankle again, which she has done before, taking her to the emergency room near our home could result in a report to DFPS.

Stanton recently learned that her family had been reported once before, but the agency closed the case without ever notifying the family. A DFPS employee testified in court earlier this year that the agency was not allowing investigators to close such cases or use alternative resolution measures.

Although the agency backed off that time, Stanton said, theres nothing holding investigators back from pursuing abuse findings in a new case, despite our doing nothing different at all.

taylor.goldenstein@chron.com
PORTLAND, Maine (AP)  Federal authorities spent the past few years analyzing rules for the shipping industry and are now close to releasing fresh guidelines to help protect a vanishing species of whale.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has been reviewing the speed regulations it uses to protect North Atlantic right whales, and according to spokesperson Allison Ferreira, the agency will publish new proposed rules within the coming weeks. A public comment process would follow.

Environmentalists have long pushed for stricter shipping rules to protect the whales, which number less than 340 and are vulnerable to collisions with large ships. They've fallen in population in recent years due to high mortality and poor reproduction.

Those are the two primary threats to the species - entanglement in fishing gear and vessel strikes, said Kristen Monsell, an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity.

The new rules could expand existing protections for the whales, which are currently protected by a network of slow zones, requiring mariners to transit slowly to avoid whale collisions.

Some slow zones are mandatory while others are voluntary. Conservationists have long sought for them all to be mandatory, and for more of them. Some have also urged NOAA to apply the rules to ships under 65 feet (19.8 meters) in length, which is the current cutoff.

More than 50 of the whales were struck by ships between spring 1999 and spring 2018, NOAA records indicate. The collisions aren't always fatal, but wildlife advocates have cautioned that sub-lethal collisions can result in the whales becoming less likely to reproduce.

Shipping associations have cautioned NOAA over the years to make sure speed rules dont create unsafe conditions at sea. Ferreira said any changes would be based on the best available information and completed through public notice and comment.

The whales were once abundant off the East Coast, but they were decimated during the era of commercial whaling. They have been listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act for over 50 years.

The whales feed off New England and Canada and migrate to the waters off Georgia and Florida to give birth. They've been aided by the protected zones for years, but scientists have said warming ocean temperatures are causing whales to stray more frequently into shipping lanes in search of food.
A man was shot and killed Thursday night after trying to intervene in an altercation between a group of men outside of his southeast Houston apartment complex, according to police.

The man was shot about 9:15 p.m. at the complex in the 9200 block of Nathaniel Street, near Clearwood and the Gulf Freeway in the Greater Hobby area.

More on HoustonChronicle.com: Uvalde schools police chief defends delay, saying he was waiting for keys, unable to break down door

Witnesses told investigators a group of men came to the apartment complex with guns and masks allegedly looking for someone who lived in a residence across the street, Houston Police Department Lt. Ronnie Willkens said. The 22-year-old man apparently tried to intervene in the situation when he was shot several times.

"From what we're being told, he walked over there and actually got between the gunmen and their intended target and some other folks that were there," Willkens said. The man apparently told the group if they wanted to fight they should just "put the guns up."

"Evidently, they didn't," the lieutenant said. "They started shooting and he's the one that took the brunt of all the rounds."

The gunmen were apparently involved in a separate shooting earlier in the night at the same complex, Willkens said. A man was injured in that shooting.

More on Crime: 42 years later, a murdered Texas couple's missing baby has finally been found

Anyone with information should contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.

No other information is available at this time.

Joel.Umanzor@chron.com
Houston Chronicle

Two women are dead after an apparent murder-suicide in north Harris County, according to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.

Harris County Pct. 4 deputies responded to the shooting around 6:30 a.m. Friday at an apartment complex on the 14300 block of Ella Boulevard and found two women with gunshot wounds, Gonzalez stated. One woman was pronounced dead at the scene and the other was taken to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Houston ISD trustees unanimously approved a $2.2 billion budget that boosts teacher pay and begins to fund the implementation of a strategic plan aimed at making the states largest school system more equitable.

The budget, the first under Superintendent Millard House II who outlined efforts to improve the districts financial footing, includes a $100 million deficit that district officials said would be reduced to around $30 million, mostly as a result of job vacancies.

We cannot hope to serve the needs of our children by being close-fisted on the most important determinant of their success: high-quality professional educators, Trustee Elizabeth Santos, who frequently advocates for educators from the dais, said in a statement posted on Twitter after the Thursday night vote. This budget honors our kids by honoring our teachers, support staff and principals. It is past time for HISD to be the district that sets the standard in our region. I'm proud to be part of the team that gets us there.

The compensation package, backed with the help of federal COVID-19 relief money, will boost the salary of a starting teacher to $61,500 from the current annual pay of $56,869. Employees at the higher end of the pay scale will see about $3,000 more each year, those salaries reaching the mid- and high-$80,000s.

Other employees, including principals, also are expected to receive raises as the district updates its master pay table.

This is the way you want to end a school year and a fiscal year, House said after the meeting. Now, its all about execution, fidelity and continuing the work.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Houston ISDs equity-based strategic plan calls for teacher raises, librarians at all campuses

The spending plan also set the financial framework for the first full year of Houses five-year strategic plan. Campuses will be required to staff librarians or media specialists, nurses or nurse assistants, and counselors.

In addition to the $2.2 billion operating budget, the district expects to pay another $374 million in debt service. Central administrators this spring cut $60 million in what House has called the first step toward financial sustainability. The cuts did not affect the police force, financial or legal services, House said.

Before voting, several trustees lauded the superintendent for the budget but some concerns remained about balancing the budget in future years. Earlier in the evening, a parade of public speakers, many wearing union shirts, urged the board to approve the budget.

More HISD news: 5-year HISD audit finds $300 million surplus as teacher pay continues to rank below other districts

One speaker, Hector Mireles, who represents HISD support staff, said he was worried no conversations had mentioned cuts to positions down the road. He said that needed to be discussed as money eventually will need to be cut from somewhere.

Jackie Anderson, president of the Houston Federation of Teachers, the districts largest teachers union, celebrated the raises and ratifying of the budget but raised a similar concern.

We still have work to do, Anderson said. We are happy because we wanted to make the district a district that is a leader in attracting and maintaining teachers, and its going to take a compensation package to do that.

Prior to the vote, House delivered a presentation on the steps the district will take for a fiscal transformation. Among the initiatives in store are better support and training for school leaders to use funds more efficiently; establishing more formal oversight of federal COVID-19 relief money; and trying to improve the districts ability to accurately estimate revenues and expenditures.

Those initiatives will tackle some of the problems raised last fall by external auditors who found the district had over-budgeted only to end up with surpluses over a period of five years they reviewed. House said at a board meeting after the audit became public that he ordered it to get to the root of the districts budget issues and to help develop more efficient processes and systems.

The same auditors have been looking into the districts vendor contracts and procurement procedures, House revealed after federal prosecutors in December indicted HISDs former Chief Operating Officer Brian Busby and contract vendor Anthony Hutchison on charges connected to an alleged bribery scheme. A grand jury this spring returned a superseding indictment against the two, alleging the men under-reported their incomes on federal tax returns to hide bribes or gambling debts. At least five other former district officials, including a former president of the districts board, have pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges.

The review of the districts systems was not yet complete as of this week.

I think some of the budget history and budget deficits over the course of time, I didnt realize how big of an issue it was but looking forward to tackling it, House, who will mark one year on the job next month, said Thursday night. Its doing whats right. Its just making certain that any wrongdoers or individuals that dont have the best interest of this community and this school district and these students in place  that theyre not a part of what we do.

Already, the plan was attracting the return of teachers who had left HISD, Trustee Dr. Patricia Allen said.

I applaud your efforts., Allen said before voting, glancing at House. Our teachers deserve the best.

alejandro.serrano@chron.com
When news that Larry Lingle, 85, would soon have to move from the public housing hes called home for 11 years, it landed in his trash can. The letter was from a California company that specializes in helping secure the right-of-way for infrastructure projects, a process that can include relocation services. He figured it was junk mail.

But when his neighbor walked over with her identical letter, he saw that it spelled out that the Houston Housing Authority planned to convert the 500-unit public housing complex Allen Parkway Village into voucher-based housing  a process that would require residents to temporarily move for renovations. A wave of emotions, with roots in a previous conflict between tenants and the housing authority over the developments fate, washed over him.

The idea of moving to another location literally petrifies me, he said. I have no family. I have my neighbor  the same one who had brought over the letter  that Im dependent on. She takes me to the store, she picks up my mail. Without her, the fragile support network he has left after his partner and close friends have passed away would be dismantled, and despite assurances to the contrary, he didnt have faith in a smooth process.

The propertys conversion  which will result in new floors, doors, windows, sidings, roofing, landscaping and more  is part of a trend unfolding across the country. Tenants of public housing projects are being asked to temporarily relocate while their homes undergo renovations and are transformed into voucher-based housing, giving the private sector a larger role in housing low-income Americans. Many see the option, which was created by a 2012 law, as a blessing that allows housing authorities to address a decades-long shortfall in funding for maintenance and upgrades at public housing complexes. At Allen Parkway Village, resident reactions to the proposal varied. People expressed fear, frustration and hope. Some were confused about their options.

David A. Northern, Sr., chief executive of the Houston Housing Authority, assured families they would all have the option to return, and that many could even stay during the renovations by moving into vacant units as theyre completed (only a quarter of the units will undergo renovations at a time).

If it looks good now, he said, just imagine how pleased our clients will be with the upgrades.

Allen Parkway Village reimagined, time and time again

Stretched along Buffalo Bayou Park just west of downtown, the leafy Allen Parkway Village sits on some of the choicest land in Houston. A mixed-use development where condos will sell for $500,000 to $11 million is under construction directly next door. Until a few years ago, Sen. Ted Cruz lived in condo overlooking the bayou just a 15-minute jog west.

The public housing complex has always had an uneasy relationship with its surroundings. Originally reserved for white residents, it was built during World War II on land taken from the historically Black community of Freedmans Town, including a cemetery with more than 1,000 graves.

Shortly after, public housing integrated, and investment in Allen Parkway Village stopped, according the United States General Accounting Office. In 1978, HUD obligated $10 million to update the housing complex. The local housing authority and federal agency then spent the next years arguing over how the funds would be spent, culminating with HUD demanding the housing authority return the unused funds, the housing authority moving to sell the project to use the proceeds on public housing elsewhere and tenants suing the housing authority. In the 90s, most of the structures were demolished, and a collection of smaller buildings, made of red brick and lavender and teal siding, took their place. The newer, low-density design has half the units of the original development.

Now, after the creation of a federal program called Rental Assistance Demonstration, the housing authority is moving to update the project again, this time with the help of the private sector.

San Antonio-based Franklin Companies will be the developer for the project. While public housing relies on allocations from HUD to do improvements, Franklin Companies, as an outside company, can apply for tax credits for the renovation. Generally, Rental Assistance Demonstration also allows a private property manager to collect the federal subsidies from the vouchers families use to live at the property; those funds should, in part, fund ongoing repairs. It was unclear whether that would be the arrangement with Franklin Companies.

The housing authority has also approved selling 1,800 square feet of the public housing developments land to the developer of the multi-million-dollar condo units at The Allen next door. The housing authority said, in an email, the sale is because the neighboring property encroaches onto its own. Negotiations are still underway.

Tenants consider their options

This time around, Allen Village Parkway will not lose any units, and the renovations come with the promise that everyone can return. Northern explained that there will be three options: Tenants can get housing choice vouchers (which can be used for any housing below a certain price point where the landlord agrees to the subsidy), they can move to another Houston Housing Authority site, or they can be relocated to vacant units on site that have already been renovated.

Northern said surveys showed that roughly 30 percent of people want to stay on site, which theyll be able to accommodate by doing the renovations in phases. Relocation for the first phase will begin in October, and the housing authority hopes to finish all renovations in 2024, meaning tenants will only be displaced for a few months, Northern said.

We dont want to affect peoples living conditions, he said. However, its important that we have the ability as an organization to put our clients in the best decent, safe and sanitary housing conditions. And we need some upgrades. Tenants will receive moving expenses.

Melissa Medina, 45, said she was nervous about the relocation until she went to a meeting that explained her options. The ability to stay onsite soothed her nerves. She has two children at Hamilton Middle School, and she didnt want them to have to change schools.

Even with a voucher... I couldnt afford rent (elsewhere) in the neighborhood, she said, as construction unfolded on the other side of the block. She said she had no maintenance issues with her unit.

Penny Williams, 36, was also thinking of her two children as she considered her options. But for her, the housing choice voucher  which she hoped would allow her to move somewhere with more space for her family  was most appealing. Her only worry was the crazy housing market. Her mother had recently received a housing voucher, and she had been calling property managers on her behalf, only to be turned down time and time again.

It makes me a little nervous because Im about to do it.

In a letter to HUD, the National Housing Law Project, an advocacy group for low-income renters, raised concerns that Rental Assistance Demonstration properties would no longer be subject to public housing regulations and questioned why housing authorities were not using the program on their properties most in need of improvement. The National Housing Law Project also emphasized the need to educate tenants about what the conversion means for them.

Samantha Denley, 44, was one of the tenants feeling left in the dark about her options. She couldnt attend the informational meetings because she works evenings, and she said she had reached out to Overland, Pacific & Cutler, the Houston Housing Authority and the front office to no avail.

My only option is to continue to call housing and see what info I get from there, she said resignedly. She also said she was happy with the condition of her unit.

rebecca.schuetz@chron.com;

twitter.com/raschuetz
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The student-led March for Our Lives will host more than a dozen rallies statewide, including one in Houston, this weekend in response to the mass shooting at a Uvalde elementary school. It will be the group's first major march since its inception.

Here are five things to know:

When and where is it happening?

In Houston, participants will gather from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday at City Hall, 901 Bagby. Another rally is planned that same day in The Woodlands at 9 a.m. at Northshore Park.

What's the goal of the rally?

The group started in 2018 following the shooting at Majory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., and rallies in support of new gun safety laws. Among the sought reforms: banning assault-style weapons or raising the age to purchase one from 18 to 21; outlawing high-capacity magazines that can hold many rounds of ammunition; implementing red flag laws to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others; expanding background checks to include all gun sales; and establishing a cool-off period for someone seeking a firearm.

Why are they protesting?

The group is marching following the Uvalde mass shooting on May 24 at Robb Elementary School. During that shooting, 19 children and two teachers were shot to death. Several members of March For Our Lives and their supporters descended on Discovery Green to protest the NRA during its weekend event last month at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

Will there be any guest speakers?

The group in Houston intends to hear from unspecified speakers and then march to Sen. Ted Cruz's office. An open forum is expected to follow.

What will the weather be like?

On the day of the Houston demonstration, the high temperature on Saturday could reach 100 degrees. Attendees should hydrate prior and during the event.
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Gonzalo Lopez rode in a cage on a prison transport bus with two shanks, a metal bar and perhaps a replica handcuff key when he set in motion his now notorious escape that ended with a grandfather and his four grandsons dead at their Centerville ranch.

The convicted murderer serving a life sentence had just been removed from administrative segregation, meaning he was considered a danger in prison. Fifteen other Texas Department of Criminal Justice inmates rode on the bus. One corrections officer rode in back; another drove. Lopez was headed for treatment for a detached retina.

Inmates started making noise and singing as Lopez pried open the cage and freed himself from the cuffs. He stabbed the driver. Both corrections officers got out of the bus, at some point shooting at Lopez. They aimed at the tires as he drove away.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Tomball grieves loss of shining stars after slaying

This is how Texas Sen. John Whitmire, a Houston Democrat and chair of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee, said the TDCJ director recounted the fatal escape to him. The longtime lawmaker saw in the narrative a terrible tragedy and terrible failure on the part of the system.

Whitmire did not think Lopez, 46, should have been on the bus at all. He argued whoever patted down Lopez and put him on the bus failed.

I can damn sure tell you it was a breakdown  a huge, terrible breakdown  in policy, in best practices, he said. You just dont let somebody get on a bus with a weapon. You dont let them go to their cell with a weapon. Its danger to other inmates. Its a danger to other correction officers. And in this instance its a huge danger to the public.

The legislator has since called for change: Too many state prisoners are driven around every day, Whitmire said. In his view, the most violent offenders should be housed near the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, which treats prisoners, or treated with telemedicine or a visiting doctor. (TDCJ temporarily has suspended inmate transport except when absolutely necessary to review its procedures.)

Lopez was missing for three weeks when officials allege he found firearms on the Collins property south of Dallas, attacked the family and stole their truck. The home had been searched and cleared several times previously, according to TDCJ. A medical examiner found Mark Collins, 66, and his four grandkids died from gunshots, sharp force injuries and stab wounds.

Police shot and killed Lopez that night about 220 miles away, in Atascosa County.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Escaped inmate killed, but not before suspected of preying on Houston family, authorities say

We have an ongoing investigation into how Lopez escaped, as well as how (he) eluded our search teams from May 12th until last Thursday, TDCJ spokesperson Robert Hurst wrote in an email.

Centerville businessman Walter Smith was shocked at the revelation that Lopez managed to go undetected among the rural ranches. It was hard to live in the woods. He assumed the prisoner made it to Mexico in the time that passed. Smith lamented the lifting of checkpoints along Highway 7, which he believes allowed Lopez to flee after killing the Collins family.

Smith plans to plant sunflowers on the curb of his St. Marys Street building to honor the slain boys and their grandfather. The family was well-known in Tomball, where the oldest boy had just graduated from Tomball ISD.

Their funeral is scheduled for Saturday in Houston.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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This article was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans  and engages with them  about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.

Only a locked classroom door stood between Pete Arredondo and a chance to bring down the gunman. It was sturdily built with a steel jamb, impossible to kick in.

He wanted a key. One goddamn key and he could get through that door to the kids and the teachers. The killer was armed with an AR-15. Arredondo thought he could shoot the gunman himself or at least draw fire while another officer shot back. Without body armor, he assumed he might die.

The only thing that was important to me at this time was to save as many teachers and children as possible, Arredondo said.

The chief of police for the Uvalde school district spent more than an hour in the hallway of Robb Elementary School. He called for tactical gear, a sniper and keys to get inside, holding back from the doors for 40 minutes to avoid provoking sprays of gunfire. When keys arrived, he tried dozens of them, but one by one they failed to work.

Each time I tried a key I was just praying, Arredondo said. Finally, 77 minutes after the massacre began, officers were able to unlock the door and fatally shoot the gunman.

In his first extended comments since the May 24 massacre, the deadliest school shooting in Texas history, Arredondo gave The Texas Tribune an account of what he did inside the school during the attack. He answered questions via a phone interview and in statements provided through his lawyer, George E. Hyde.

Aside from the Texas Department of Public Safety, which did not respond to requests for comment for this article, Arredondo is the only other law enforcement official to publicly tell his account of the police response to the shooting.

Arredondo, 50, insists he took the steps he thought would best protect lives at his hometown school, one he had attended himself as a boy.

My mind was to get there as fast as possible, eliminate any threats, and protect the students and staff, Arredondo said. He noted that some 500 students from the school were safely evacuated during the crisis.

Arredondos decisions  like those of other law enforcement agencies that responded to the massacre that left 21 dead  are under intense scrutiny as federal and state officials try to decide what went wrong and what might be learned.

Whether the inability of police to quickly enter the classroom prevented the 21 victims  19 students and two educators  from getting life-saving care is not known, and may never be. Theres evidence, including the fact that a teacher died while being transported to the hospital, that suggests taking down the shooter faster might have made a difference. On the other hand, many of the victims likely died instantly. A pediatrician who attended to the victims described small bodies pulverized and decapitated. Some children were identifiable only by their clothes and shoes.

In the maelstrom of anguish, outrage and second-guessing that immediately followed the second deadliest school shooting in American history, the time Arredondo and other officers spent outside that door  more than an hour  have become emblems of failure.

As head of the six-member police force responsible for keeping Uvalde schools safe, Arredondo has been singled out for much of the blame, particularly by state officials. They criticized him for failing to take control of the police response and said he made the wrong decision that delayed officers from entering the classroom.

Arredondo has faced death threats. News crews have camped outside his home, forcing him to go into hiding. Hes been called cowardly and incompetent.

Neither accusation is true or fair, he says.

Not a single responding officer ever hesitated, even for a moment, to put themselves at risk to save the children, Arredondo said. We responded to the information that we had and had to adjust to whatever we faced. Our objective was to save as many lives as we could, and the extraction of the students from the classrooms by all that were involved saved over 500 of our Uvalde students and teachers before we gained access to the shooter and eliminated the threat.

Arredondos explanations dont fully address all the questions that have been raised. The Tribune spoke to seven law enforcement experts about Arredondos description of the police response. All but one said that serious lapses in judgment occurred.

Most strikingly, they said, by running into the school with no key and no radios and failing to take charge of the situation, the chief appears to have contributed to a chaotic approach in which officers deployed inappropriate tactics, adopted a defensive posture, failed to coordinate their actions, and wasted precious time as students and teachers remained trapped in two classrooms with a gunman who continued to fire his rifle.

Hyde, Arredondos lawyer, said those criticisms dont reflect the realities police face when theyre under fire and trying to save lives. Uvalde is a small working-class city of about 15,000 west of San Antonio. Its small band of school police officers doesnt have the staffing, equipment, training, or experience with mass violence that larger cities might.

His client ran straight toward danger armed with 29 years of law enforcement experience and a Glock 22 handgun. With no body armor and no second thoughts, the chief committed to stop the shooter or die trying.

77 minutes

One of Arredondos most consequential decisions was immediate. Within seconds of arriving at the northeast entrance of Robb Elementary around 11:35 a.m., he left his police and campus radios outside the school.

To Arredondo, the choice was logical. An armed killer was loose on the campus of the elementary school. Every second mattered. He wanted both hands free to hold his gun, ready to aim and fire quickly and accurately if he encountered the gunman.

Arredondo provided the following account of how the incident unfolded in a phone interview, in written answers, and in explanations passed through his lawyer.

He said he didnt speak out sooner because he didnt want to compound the communitys grief or cast blame at others.

Thinking he was the first officer to arrive and wanting to waste no time, Arredondo believed that carrying the radios would slow him down. One had a whiplike antenna that would hit him as he ran. The other had a clip that Arredondo knew would cause it to fall off his tactical belt during a long run.

Arredondo said he knew from experience that the radios did not work in some school buildings.

But that decision also meant that for the rest of the ordeal, he was not in radio contact with the scores of other officers from at least five agencies that swarmed the scene.

Almost immediately, Arredondo teamed up with a Uvalde police officer and began checking classrooms, looking for the gunman.

As they moved to the west side of the campus, a teacher pointed them to the wing the gunman had entered. As Arredondo and the Uvalde police officer ran toward it, they heard a great deal of rounds fired off inside. Arredondo believes that was the moment the gunman first entered adjoining classrooms 111 and 112 and started firing on the children with an AR-15 rifle.

Arredondo and the Uvalde officer entered the buildings south side and saw another group of Uvalde police officers entering from the north.

Arredondo checked to see if the door on the right, room 111, would open. Another officer tried room 112. Both doors were locked.

Arredondo remembers the gunman fired a burst of shots from inside the classroom, grazing the police officers approaching from the north. Some of the bullets pierced the classroom door, and others went through the classroom wall and lodged in the wall adjacent to the hallway, where there were other classrooms. The officers on the north end of the hallway retreated after being shot, but they werent seriously injured and returned shortly after to try to contain the gunman.

Because the gunman was already inside the locked classroom, some of the measures meant to protect teachers and students in mass shooting situations worked against police trying to gain entry.

Arredondo described the classroom door as reinforced with a hefty steel jamb, designed to keep an attacker on the outside from forcing their way in. But with the gunman inside the room, that took away officers ability to immediately kick in the door and confront the shooter.

Arredondo believed the situation had changed from that of an active shooter, to a gunman who had barricaded himself in a classroom with potential other victims.

Texas Department of Public Safety officials and news outlets have reported that the shooter fired his gun at least two more times as police waited in the hallway outside the classrooms for more than an hour. And DPS officials have said dispatchers were relaying information about 911 calls coming from children and teachers in the classrooms, begging the police for help.

Arredondo said he was not aware of the 911 calls because he did not have his radio and no one in the hallway relayed that information to him. Arredondo and the other officers in the hallway took great pains to remain quiet. Arredondo said they had no radio communications  and even if theyd had radios, his lawyer said, they would have turned them off in the hallway to avoid giving away their location. Instead, they passed information in whispers for fear of drawing another round of gunfire if the shooter heard them.

Finding no way to enter the room, Arredondo called police dispatch from his cellphone and asked for a SWAT team, snipers and extrication tools, like a fire hook, to open the door.

Arredondo remained in the hallway for the rest of the ordeal, waiting for a way to get into the room, and prepared to shoot the gunman if he tried to exit the classroom.

Arredondo assumed that some other officer or official had taken control of the larger response. He took on the role of a front-line responder.

He said he never considered himself the scenes incident commander and did not give any instruction that police should not attempt to breach the building. DPS officials have described Arredondo as the incident commander and said Arredondo made the call to stand down and treat the incident as a barricaded suspect, which halted the attempt to enter the room and take down the shooter. I didnt issue any orders, Arredondo said. I called for assistance and asked for an extraction tool to open the door.

Officers in the hallway had few options. At some point, Arredondo tried to talk to the gunman through the walls in an effort to establish a rapport, but the gunman did not respond.

With the gunman still firing sporadically, Arredondo realized that children and teachers in adjacent rooms remained in danger if the gunman started shooting through the walls.

The ammunition was penetrating the walls at that point, Arredondo said. Weve got him cornered, were unable to get to him. You realize you need to evacuate those classrooms while we figured out a way to get in.

Lights in the classrooms had also been turned off, another routine lockdown measure that worked against the police. With little visibility into the classroom, they were unable to pinpoint the gunmans location or to determine whether the children and teachers were alive.

Arredondo told officers to start breaking windows from outside other classrooms and evacuating those children and teachers. He wanted to avoid having students coming into the hallway, where he feared too much noise would attract the gunmans attention.

While other officers outside the school evacuated children, Arredondo and the officers in the hallway held their position and waited for the tools to open the classroom and confront the gunman.

At one point, a Uvalde police officer noticed Arredondo was not wearing body armor. Worried for the chiefs safety, the Uvalde officer offered to cover for Arredondo while he ran out of the building to get it.

Ill be very frank. He said, F--- you. Im not leaving this hallway, Hyde recounted. He wasnt going to leave without those kids.

Without any way to get into the classroom, officers in the hallway waited desperately for a way to secure entry and did the best they could to otherwise advance their goal of saving lives.

Its not that someone said stand down, Hyde said. It was Right now, we cant get in until we get the tools. So were going to do what we can do to save lives. And what was that? It was to evacuate the students and the parents and the teachers out of the rooms.

Tools that might have been useful in breaking through the door never materialized, but Arredondo had also asked for keys that could open the door. Unlike some other school district police departments, Uvalde CISD officers dont carry master keys to the schools they visit. Instead, they request them from an available staff member when theyre needed.

Robb Elementary did not have a modern system of locks and access control. Youre talking about a key ring thats got to weigh 10 pounds, Hyde said.

Eventually, a janitor provided six keys. Arredondo tried each on a door adjacent to the room where the gunman was, but it didnt open.

Later, another key ring with between 20 and 30 keys was brought to Arredondo.

I was praying one of them was going to open up the door each time I tried a key, Arredondo said in an interview.

None did.

Eventually, the officers on the north side of the hallway called Arredondos cellphone and told him they had gotten a key that could open the door.

The officers on the north side of the hallway formed a group of mixed law enforcement agencies, including U.S. Border Patrol, to enter the classroom and take down the shooter, Arredondo said.

Ten days after the shooting, The New York Times reported that a group of U.S. Border Patrol agents ignored a directive spoken into their earpieces not to enter the room. The Times has since reported that Arredondo did not object when the team entered the room.

Hyde said if a directive delaying entry was issued, it did not come from Arredondo, but the Times reported that someone was issuing orders at the scene. Hyde said he did not know who that person was. The Border Patrol declined to comment.

At 12:50 p.m., as the officers entered the classroom, Arredondo held his position near the south classroom door in the hallway, in case the gunman tried to run out that door.

At last, the shooter, Salvador Ramos, 18, was brought down. A harrowing standoff rapidly became an effort to find the wounded and count the dead.

Once the officers cleared the room, Border Patrol agents trained to render emergency medical service assessed the wounded. Arredondo and other officers formed a line to help pass the injured children out of the hallway and to emergency medical care.

Expert analysis

A police officer intentionally ditching his radio while answering a call? Ive never heard anything like that in my life, said Steve Ijames, a police tactics expert and former assistant police chief of Springfield, Missouri.

The discarded radio, the missing key and the apparent lack of an incident commander are some of questions raised by experts about the response of Arredondo and the various agencies involved.

Officers are trained never to abandon their radios, their primary communication tool during an emergency, said Ijames. That Arredondo did so the moment he arrived on scene is inexplicable, he said.

Ijames added that it is inconceivable that Arredondos officers did not have a plan to access any room or building on campus at any moment, given that the school district makes up the entirety of the tiny forces jurisdiction.

The experts, which included active-shooting researchers and retired law enforcement personnel, homed in on the moment officers entered the school and found the doors to rooms 111 and 112 locked. Three said this moment afforded Arredondo a chance to step back, regroup and work with other officers to devise a new strategy.

It takes having someone who has the wherewithal to come up with a quick, tactical plan and executing it, said former Seguin police Chief Terry Nichols. It may not be the best plan, but a plan executed vigorously is better than the best unexecuted plan in the world.

Nichols, who teaches classes on active-shooter responses, said he understands the instinct for command staff to want to confront a gunman themselves. But he said commanders must not lose focus of their role in an emergency.

We have to  as leaders, especially as a chief of police  step back and allow our men and women to go do what they do, and use our training and experience where theyre needed, to command and control a chaotic situation, Nichols said.

Active-shooter protocols developed after the 1999 shooting at Columbine High School, where a slow police response delayed medical care that could have saved several victims, train police to confront shooters immediately, without waiting for backup and without regard for their personal safety. An active-shooting training that Uvalde school district police attended in March stressed these tactics, warning that responders likely would be required to place themselves in harms way.

The training that police officers have received for more than a decade mandates that when shots are fired in an active-shooter situation, officers or an officer needs to continue through whatever obstacles they face to get to the shooter, period, said Katherine Schweit, a retired FBI agent who co-wrote the bureaus foundational research on mass shootings. If that means they go through walls, or go around the back through windows, or through an adjoining classroom, they do that.

Bruce Ure, a former Victoria police chief, said drawing conclusions about police conduct during the shooting is premature since the authorities have not completed their investigations. He said he believes Arredondo acted reasonably given the circumstances he faced.

Ure disagreed that Arredondo should have retreated into a command role once other officers arrived, since most active-shooter events last mere minutes. He argued that no amount of ad-hoc planning outside would have changed the outcome of the massacre once the shooter got inside the classrooms.

He said attempting to breach windows or open classroom doors by force were unrealistic options that would have exposed police and children to potentially fatal gunfire with little chance of success. Officers only choice, he said, was to wait to find a key, which he agreed should not have taken so long.

Hyde said attempting to enter through windows would have guaranteed all the children in the rooms would be killed along with several officers. He said this reckless and ineffective action, when police could not see where the shooter was, would have made officers easy targets to be picked off at will.

Ure, who as an attendee was wounded in the hand during the 2017 Las Vegas concert shooting that killed 60 people, acknowledged the post-Columbine wisdom that immediately confronting shooters is paramount. But he said the scene inside Robb Elementary presented a perfect storm of an active shooter barricaded with hostages.

Theres no manual for this type of scenario, Ure said. If people need to be held appropriately accountable, then so be it. But I think the lynch-mob mentality right now isnt serving any purpose, and its borderline reckless.

Questions over command

The day after the shooting, Arredondo and other local officials stood behind Gov. Greg Abbott and DPS Director Steve McCraw as they held their first major news conference to address the slaughter.

Abbott lauded law enforcement agencies for their amazing courage and said the actions of police officers were the reason the shooting was not worse. McCraw said a school resource officer had engaged the shooter outside the building but was unable to stop him from entering.

To Arredondo, that information did not ring true. Arredondo turned to a DPS official, whom he declined to identify, and asked why state officials had been given inaccurate information.

In a stunning reversal at a news conference the next day, the DPS regional director for the area, Victor Escalon, retracted McCraws initial claim and said the gunman was not confronted by anybody before entering the school.

At a third news conference the following afternoon, Abbott said he was livid about being misled about the police response to the shooting. He said his incorrect remarks were merely a recitation of what officers had told him.

Hyde said the inaccurate information did not come from Arredondo, who had briefed state and law enforcement officials about the shooting before the first press conference. Abbott on Wednesday declined to identify who had misled him, saying only that the bad information had come from public officials.

McCraw also told reporters that Arredondo, whom he identified by his position rather than his name, treated the gunman as a barricaded suspect rather than an active shooter, which McCraw deemed a mistake. In the news conference, McCraw referred to Arredondo as the shootings incident commander.

Hyde said Arredondo did not issue any orders to other law enforcement agencies and had no knowledge that they considered him the incident commander.

The National Incident Management System, which guides all levels of government on how to respond to mass emergency events, says that the first person on scene is the incident commander. That incident commander remains in that charge until they relinquish it or are incapacitated.

Hyde acknowledged those guidelines but said Arredondos initial response to the shooting was not that of an incident commander, but of a first responder.

Once he became engaged, intimately involved on the front line of this case, he is one of those that is in the best position to continue to resolve the incident at that time, Hyde said. So while its easy to identify him as the incident commander because of that NIMS process, in practicality, you see here he was not in the capacity to be able to run this entire organization.

With no radio and no way to receive up-to-date information about what was happening outside of the hallway, Hyde said, another one of the local, state and federal agencies that arrived at the scene should have taken over command.

Nichols, the former Seguin police chief, dismissed the idea that another officer would seamlessly adopt the incident commander role simply because Arredondo never did. He said decisive commanders are especially important when multiple agencies respond to an incident and are unsure how to work together.

You know the facility. Youre the most intimately knowledgeable about this, Nichols said of Arredondo. Take command and set what your priorities need to be, right now.

On May 31, officials with DPS, which is investigating the Uvalde shooting, told news outlets that Arredondo was no longer cooperating with the agency. The agencys investigative unit, the Texas Rangers, wanted to continue talking with the police chief, but he had not responded to the agencys request for two days, DPS officials said.

Hyde said Arredondo participated in multiple interviews with DPS in the days following the shooting, including a law enforcement debriefing the day of the attack and a videotaped debriefing with DPS analysts and the FBI the day after.

Hed also briefed the governor and other state officials and had multiple follow-up calls with DPS for its investigation.

But after McCraw said at a press conference on May 27 that Arredondo made the wrong decision, the police chief no longer participated in the investigation to avoid media interference, Hyde said.

The Rangers had asked Arredondo to come in for another interview, but he told investigators he could not do it on the day they asked because he was covering shifts for his officers, Hyde said.

At no time did he communicate his unwillingness to cooperate with the investigation, Hyde said. His phone was flooded with calls and messages from numbers he didnt recognize, and its possible he missed calls from DPS but still maintained daily interaction by phone with DPS assisting with logistics as requested.

Hyde said Arredondo is open to cooperating with the Rangers investigation but would like to see a transcript of his previous comments.

Thats a fair thing to ask for before he has to then discuss it again because, as time goes by, all the information that he hears, its hard to keep straight, Hyde said.

They loved those kids

When the gunman was dead, police had another grim task: moving the tiny bodies of injured children out of the room and getting them emergency medical care as soon as possible.

A line was formed to gently but quickly move them out. Each child passed through Arredondos arms.

Later that night, Arredondo went to the Uvalde civic center, where families waited desperately for news that their loved ones had survived, or had at worst been taken to the hospital for treatment.

For Arredondo, his lawyer said, telling families that no additional kids were coming out of the school alive was the toughest part of his career.

The chaotic law enforcement response to the shooting by local, state and federal agencies is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Texas Department of Public Safety. It is the subject of an investigative committee of the Texas Legislature and will be the source of months of scrutiny by public officials, survivors and the families of the deceased. Survivors and the families of victims have started contacting lawyers for potential legal action.

Arredondos role will be central to all of those probes.

For now, he is avoiding the public eye, having left his home temporarily because it is under constant watch by news reporters.

But hes also been unable to mourn with his community.

Arredondo grew up in the community and attended Robb Elementary as a boy. He started his career at the Uvalde Police Department and spent 16 years there before moving to Laredo for work.

He returned to his hometown in 2020 to head up the school districts police department. He and his police officers loved high-fiving the schoolchildren on his visits to the schools, Hyde said.

It was the highlight of his days, Hyde said. They loved those kids.

Arredondos ties to the shooting are also familial. One of the teachers killed by the gunman, Irma Garcia, was married to Arredondos second cousin, Joe Garcia. Garcia died suddenly two days after his wifes death.

Arredondo grew up with Joe Garcia and went to school with him. But when the funeral services started, Arredondo said he opted against attending because he didnt want his presence to distract from the Garcias grieving loved ones.

His small police department is also suffering.

Eva Mireles, another teacher killed by the gunman, was married to Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District police officer Ruben Ruiz.

They lost a person that they consider family, Hyde said.

To relieve his grieving officers, Arredondo has picked up extra shifts at the police department.

And hes received death threats and negative messages from people he does not know.

Those are people who just dont know the whole story that are making their assumptions on what theyre hearing or reading. Thats been difficult, he said. The police in Uvalde, were like your family, your brothers and sisters. We help each other out at any cost, and were used to helping out the community, period, because thats what most public servants are about.

Arredondo said he remains proud of his response and that of his other officers that day. He believes they saved lives. He also believes that fate brought him back home for a reason.

No one in my profession wants to ever be in anything like this, Arredondo said. But being raised here in Uvalde, I was proud to be here when this happened. I feel like I came back home for a reason, and this might possibly be one of the main reasons why I came back home. Were going to keep on protecting our community at whatever cost.

Disclosure: The New York Times 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.
On a sunny Sunday morning in the fall of 2017, a Stockdale volunteer firefighter stepped inside a small country church east of San Antonio and encountered the unimaginable. As a first responder, Rusty Duncan had dealt with pain, suffering and trauma, but nothing had prepared him for the horror he saw inside the bullet-riddled sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs.

Duncan walked slowly down the center aisle, he would later explain to a member of this board, taking note of blood-washed bodies, 26 in all, sprawled across and under bullet-riddled pews, huddled up against one wall, lying atop one another in the aisle at his feet. Near the front of the church, he paused beside a stack of bodies. He felt a slight tug on his pant leg.

Startled, he looked down and saw the pale hand of a small child reaching out from beneath a womans body. Pinned beneath the step-mother who had died trying to save him, 5-year-old Ryland Ward was alive, critically injured but alive. The lifeless bodies of a step-sister and a half-sister lay near their mother. Gingerly gathering the little boy in his arms, his blood-soaked body limp like a rag doll, Duncan carried him outside into the sun.

Two months later, a big, red firetruck led a procession of police and fire vehicles, sirens wailing and horns blasting, in a procession from University Hospital in San Antonio to Sutherland Springs. Behind the wheel of the lead truck was Duncan. In the passenger seat was a blonde-haired little boy, smiling and waving through the open window at well-wishers lining the road near the church. Ryland was home.

Nearly five years have passed. This week, 10-year-old Ryland Ward will be back in the hospital for surgery, as doctors continue working to repair massive damage done by the AR-15 bullets that burrowed into his body in five different places. It will be his 31st surgical procedure. His 31st.

Its crazy to me to see a child so young and so small go through something so tragic but still be strong, Rylands mother, Chancie McMahan, told KSAT-TV in San Antonio.

McMahan said her sons nightmares have gotten worse. She said the Uvalde shooting triggered his PTSD.

It brought up memories from him being put through what he went through, she said. He saw everything and remembers it.

A little boy in a tiny Texas town, seeing and remembering, represents a steadily growing number of men, women and children in towns and cities across the nation who have seen and who cant help remembering. According to statistics compiled by the advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety, they are witness to episodes of gun violence that kills roughly 40,000 Americans a year, including suicides by gun, a death rate from guns thats 13 times higher than that of other high-income countries. Theyre among approximately 85,000 who are shot and wounded every year. Since 2009, more than 2,000 people have been killed or wounded in mass shootings alone.

Survivors suffer. After the TV satellite trucks rumble away, after the nations horrified attention reverts to everyday life  until the next mass shooting  they remain to cope with physical pain and injury, with PTSD and depression, with ongoing financial burdens and steep medical costs and an inability to resume the lives they once knew. (Ryland, for example, cant run the way he used to. A bullet shattered a growth plate in his leg, and the leg isnt growing the way it normally would.)

Across the country, these are the secondary injuries, writes Elizabeth Williamson, author of a new book about the aftermath of Sandy Hook, where an 18-year-old shooter killed 20 first-graders and six educators in 2012. Newtown, she writes in Sandy Hook: American Tragedy and the Battle for Truth, knows how the damage to bodies and lives radiates outward like fallout for years after a mass shooting, scarring a community in ways outsiders do not often see. (An excerpt is published in the current issue of The Atlantic.)

From Newtown to Parkland, from Charleston to Thousand Oaks, from El Paso to Santa Fe , from Buffalo to Uvalde, those secondary injuries are part of the grim legacy burdening a nation that refuses to come to terms with a virulent national obsession with guns. Its a grotesque obsession that disturbs and bewilders many Americans, as well as the rest of the world.

Ongoing injury also is the legacy elected officials choose for themselves when they mumble practiced pieties and suggest absurd solutions to the public health crisis we face  and then do nothing. Stiff-necked politicians hear the persistent pleas from constituents and the impolitic questions from reporters, and then scurry away.

In Santa Fe, where eight students and two teachers were shot to death four years ago, survivors, family members and school officials remember promises made by Gov. Greg Abbott and other elected officials. Politicians offered assurances they would take action to make sure that a mass shooting never happened again. Abbott formed an advisory committee - and pretty much ignored its recommendations.

Santa Fe resident Rhonda Hart lost her daughter Kimberly. What happened in Uvalde reignites the pain that never fully heals, she told KHOU-11 last week. People wont understand the pain it is until it happens to them, and I wouldnt wish this on my worst enemy.

Shes also angry that we have allowed it to happen again. I feel very much like a duck right now, she said. Im cool and collected on the outside, and underneath Im paddling like crazy and mad as hell.

In February, U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez in San Antonio found in favor of 84 Sutherland Springs plaintiffs, ruling that the Air Force was primarily responsible for the worst mass shooting in Texas history when it failed to supply information about the shooters criminal history to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Rodriguez approved a multi-million-dollar settlement, thus providing a measure of relief to those survivors and family members who face a lifetime of steep medical costs, who cant work for the rest of their lives, who cant shake the mental and emotional trauma.

Just last week, the Justice Department appealed, which means that any justice for the Sutherland Springs group is months, if not years, away  if it ever comes at all.

Meanwhile, a grieving community on the western edge of the Texas Hill Country looks toward the ordeal that has afflicted a tiny community east of San Antonio for nearly five years.

In Sutherland Springs a little girl who ran like the wind will never walk normally again because of a debilitating foot injury. A retired Marine experiences what feels like torture; I cant turn it off, he says. A young man paralyzed from the waist down lives with his wife and daughter in a mobile home where the hallway is too narrow for his wheelchair. An adult daughter can no longer work full time; her elderly mother, grievously wounded in the shooting, requires her constant care. A suddenly single father struggles to braid his daughters long, blond hair, even as he helps her cope with the loss of her mother (who was pregnant), her grandparents, three step-siblings, an uncle and an infant cousin. And a tough little guy who came home from the hospital in a firetruck needs all the strength and toughness he can muster.

Uvalde will have its own stories. So will the next town and the next  until the American people get fed up with craven politicians and acolytes of the NRA and take it upon themselves to demand that their leaders act  or to elect new leaders who will.
Regarding Editorial: Abbotts record on mental health stinks. After Uvalde, his talk must come with funding., (June 3): At my sons high school graduation two weeks ago, flags were already at half-mast for what had just happened in Uvalde. It occurred to me that it was just random luck that my son was a graduate, and not another statistic. Since then, Ive cycled through sadness, rage and disgust. But I keep coming back to rage.

Rage at the vacuous inanity of gun fetishists who insist that nearly any civilian should have unrestricted access to an AR-15. Rage at NRA puppets who insist that the solution is to arm teachers  presumably the same teachers they accuse of indoctrination and sexual grooming  when 19 professionally trained good guys with guns were outgunned by one 18-year-old, resulting in one dead child per good guy. Rage at the pro-life hypocrites who place nebulous blame on a sick culture while they pose in political ads fondling military-grade weapons, softly advocating violence, if necessary, to take their country back. Rage at a governor who blames this on mental illness a month after slashing more than $211 million from the mental health budget of a state already ranked dead last for mental health services.

In his tenure, Greg Abbott has done nothing but preside over a parade of catastrophes, choosing time and again to deflect blame rather than address problems. When Beto ORourke directed more-than-justified rage at him during a press conference, many dismissed it as political grandstanding. But in my opinion, ORourke has done the one thing that state leaders continuously fail to do: represent.

Robert Campbell, Katy

Legislation

Regarding Schools to check exterior doors, beef up security under order from Abbott to TEA, (June 2): It appears that our governor is, once again, striving to create an appearance that he is actually doing something following yet another tragic massacre of children with guns here in Texas. This time, the governor has ordered the TEA to create a strategy for safety in the wake of mass killings. Without commenting on his penchant for buck-passing I find that, surprisingly, I fully agree with his order. I also have some common-sense, practical suggestions for the TEA that will both adhere to his order and that might begin to actually address the states problem. First the TEA should mandate that all students 18 years of age, and those nearing 18, be registered to vote as a condition of graduation. Next, all students should complete a mandatory civics class. Finally, all students should be required to complete courses in critical thinking. We have no hope that the Republicans who control Texas will ever actually address the ongoing scourge of gun violence. So, it will only be by ridding ourselves  through the ballot box  of the Republican politicians who have created, simplified and dramatically increased the ongoing horror of murdered babies in our great state that the issue can truly be addressed.

Tanner Garth, Houston

I believe Abbotts approach is completely opposite of what makes good sense. Mass shootings at schools, festivals, grocery stores, medical facilities and even churches have reached epidemic proportions in the United States. According to the World Population Review, in 2022 there were about 40,000 gun violence deaths in the United States; in the United Kingdom there were 155. Whereas the U.K. probably has as much mental illness, proportionally, as the U.S., they also have gun control. Our schools dont need to be hardened with more law enforcement officers present, or be subjected to unannounced visits to schools to check on their compliance with state-mandated safety measures. We need to address the cause of the problem. One step toward is to permanently reinstate the ban on the sale of assault weapons. No one but the military should have them anyway. And an 18-year-old should certainly not be able to purchase one like a loaf of bread, and hours later cause murder and mayhem. But neither this step nor any other will happen until the faction of senators beholden to greed, opportunism and payola is removed from office. In a letter last week to the TEA, Abbott wrote that Your task is to provide ways to make schools safer. They can begin by voting him out of office. We need to be able to secure guns, not schools.

Marcia Tibbets, Houston

Regarding Proposed gun limits could have saved lives, (June 5): Sundays front page article cites that if a law proposed in 1999 had been passed, lives could have been saved. If Congress passed a law requiring vehicle manufacturers to restrict cars to a top speed of fifty, lives could be saved. We cannot legislate the elimination of evil, ignorance or risk. There are already too many laws, regulations and taxes. We need consequences, consistency and personal accountability.

G. Gratzer, Sargent
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Hundreds of Texans will gather in Houston on Saturday to rally in favor of new gun safety measures, just 2 weeks after a gunman killed 21 people at a Uvalde elementary school.

Hundreds more will protest in San Antonio. And Austin. And Dallas. And Wichita Falls. And Pharr. And Frisco. And Longview. And Rockwall.

Young activists affiliated with March for Our Lives have organized more than 300 local rallies across the nation, including at least 13 in Texas  a coordinated series of protests by an organization launched after the 2018 shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla.

Theyve been pulling the events together since two days after the Uvalde shooting, making calls and counting heads for the groups first major march in four years.

We have grown up with school shooter drills, said George Tataris, the 18-year-old executive director of the groups Houston chapter. You keep imagining: What if this is not just a drill? What if this is reality? And it is the reality for so many of us. And we truly believe that our generation is pivotal in changing this.

IN THEIR WORDS: Uvalde student who hid during shooting testifies to Congress: I thought he was going to come back.

Theyve heard the stories and the death tolls all their lives, too  13 people at Columbine High School in 1999; 27 at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012; 17 at Stoneman Douglas, 10 at Santa Fe High School in 2018, two months after the first march.

And now, 19 children and two teachers at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde on May 24, 2022.

These kids are like us  theyre waiting for summer break, theyre worried about their test next period, and theyre worried about graduating, said 18-year-old James Thompson, a movement organizer based in McKinney. That was one thing that hit me hard about the Uvalde shooting  that I was graduating that same week, and these kids will never be able to graduate and will never be able to celebrate that accomplishment.

I think its being able to relate to the stories  that these youth are being killed, and we are youth. And I think thats what motivates a lot of our work.

The Uvalde massacre renewed nationwide pleas for gun regulations, and young advocates have been leading the grassroots work to inspire change.

Theyre asking for a host of reforms  banning assault-style weapons or raising the age to purchase one from 18 to 21; outlawing high-capacity magazines that can hold many rounds of ammunition; implementing red flag laws to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed a danger to themselves or others; expanding background checks to include all gun sales; and establishing a cool-off period for someone seeking a firearm.

In the two weeks since the attack on Robb Elementary School, located 85 miles west of San Antonio, Texas top GOP lawmakers have shut down those proposals, instead focusing on mental health resources and school security. They say they dont want to restrict law-abiding gun owners, and that those intent on such violence will get guns no matter what.

But Thompson feels this time is different. The nation is reeling from a string of mass shootings in Buffalo, N.Y., and Tulsa, Okla., and people are realizing that enough is enough, he said. I think theyre acknowledging that maybe something can be done.

Its mostly teenagers organizing the local rallies, assuming jobs that could be considered full-time advocacy work if they were out of school.

Levi Langley, a 16-year-old high school student, is organizing the Austin march at the Texas Capitol, where shes expecting more than 2,000 people.

Shes interested in the big changes but also the small ones, too. Persuading Gov. Greg Abbott to form a committee on gun violence prevention would be a victory, she said.

We are the next generation of voters, and people who are supposed to be in charge  arent really doing their jobs, she said. Young people have to grow up fast and demand action ourselves because were in these schools where the shootings are happening.

Shes made a number of executive decisions over the past few days, including applying for permits, working with the League of Women Voters to register people to vote at the rally, and finding community leaders who can speak to the crowd. Its a similar story elsewhere across the state as organizers rally people to come out in 100-plus degree heat.

This was a really short time frame that we were given, Tataris said. Weve been working long hours, we have late-night calls, we have to keep daily communication with everyone on our team. Were high school students. Some of my colleagues are still in school; they havent finished their spring semester. Its working to balance that and hopefully putting up a successful march on Saturday.

But the real challenge will emerge when the people clear the streets and take their signs home, as activists hope to keep pressure on lawmakers after the news cycle fades.

Young people are exhausted, said 20-year-old Luis Hernandez, the co-founder of the New York-based advocacy group Youth Over Guns, which focuses on marginalized communities. We dont want to spend our Saturdays and our after-school hours working to end a crisis that we didnt start.

Hernandez added that his organization and others do this work when its not popular  and, most of the time, young Black and Brown people have been leading the charge.

Marches like this are definitely important for bringing awareness and attention to this issue, but this work continues even after attention dies down, said Mariana Meza, a 19-year-old activist from El Paso. I would say its more important to bring attention to the smaller community violence intervention organizations in the underrepresented areas that are being affected.  This violence continues even after you stop hearing about mass shootings.

cayla.harris@express-news.net
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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 HoustonChronicle.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 HoustonChronicle.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 HoustonChronicle.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 HoustonChronicle.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
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Use this royalty calculator to learn how much Spotify pays per stream

With a few caveats attached, this Spotify Royalty Calculator can help calculate earnings from Spotify. Do it for yourself or dream a little and enter the status from BTS and Taylor Swift.

by DITTO MUSIC

Streaming is one of the main music revenue streams for artists in 2022 . With the industry now gone fully-fledged digital, releasing your music online to big DSPs like Spotify, is now a necessary step for getting it into the ears (and spheres) of the everyday listener.

But how many bucks are you making for your streams? Lets find out.

How much does Spotify pay per stream?

Spotify pays artists between $0.003  $0.005 per stream on average.

That works out as an approx revenue split of 70/30  so thats 70% to the artist/rights holders and 30% to Spotify.

REMEMBER: The rights holders of a song can include; the publisher, songwriter and the master recording owners (i.e. the artist and/or label if theyre signed to one).

Spotify Royalty Calculator

So how can you work out how much you could earn from Spotify streams?

Well, exact amounts artists can generate via streams of their music is closely guarded, off the records info.

But if you want to get a general idea about how much you could potentially earn off the back of Spotify streams, let our Spotify Royalty Calculator do the math for you!

Find Spotify Royalty Calculator Here

IMPORTANT: THE ROYALTIES PREDICTED BY THIS CALCULATOR WILL NOT BE 100% ACCURATE. IT IS A ESTIMATE  BASED ON FIGURES FROM THE USA. MANY FACTORS AFFECT STREAMING ROYALTIES AND THIS CALCULATOR SHOULD ONLY BE USED AS A GUIDE.

As we mentioned before  its impossible to work out exactly how much you should or could be earning per stream based on Spotifys own confidentiality and the vast number of factors influencing your stream rate.

So dont get too caught up on the exact calculations, and instead, focus on how you can boost the amount of money you do make from online streams!

How do Spotify streaming payouts work?



Spotify, like many other on-demand streaming services, follows whats known as a pro-rata or platform-centric distribution model.

This means the revenue generated and paid out to individual artists releasing on the platform is divvied up based on the following 4 factors:

1. Spotifys total streaming revenue pool

2. The negotiated global payout as a percentage of that revenue

3. Total number of streams on the platform

4. The number of your streams on the platform

So in the streaming world, theres no such thing as an all-in-one revenue pool.

Instead, theres loads of separate buckets  for every kind of subscription, every local market, country and so on. And different types of streams can only mean one simple thing  not all streams are created equal.

For every artist releasing music, the pay per stream rate will be in constant flux  simply because there are hundreds of factors affecting the overall revenue.

Lets dive a bit deeper and take a look at the 3 main ones for Spotify.

What is a Spotify pay per stream?

Basically what it says on the tin.

A pay per stream is the amount of money or rate of pay, generated every time someone streams a song on any kind of digital streaming platform.

Music streaming generates 2 kinds of royalties;

1. Mechanical royalties; &

2. Performance royalties

So for artists releasing their music on these platforms, the pay per stream is essentially the amount of money the artist makes for a single stream of one of their tracks or songs.

And with the no.of streaming service subscriptions up by almost 25% in the US between 2019  2020, its now more important than ever for artists to release their music to every big DSP.

What can affect Spotify royalty rates?



How much you get paid per stream on Spotify varies from artist to artist. Heres why.

Spotify stream rates are influenced by 3 main factors:



1. Who you distribute with

Spotify doesnt pay artists royalties based on any kind of rights agreement between Spotify and the artist.

Instead, the royalty payments youll receive as an artist on the platform are based on your agreement with your music distributor or label.

Which means the amount of money youll get paid per stream on Spotify is influenced directly by the music distributor youre working with (and how big a piece of the pie that distributor takes!).

At Ditto Music, we want you to see as much buck for your stream as possible. Which is why we work on a 0% commission rate basis, meaning youll keep 100% of all the royalties for every stream of your music.



2. Your listeners country of origin

Believe it or not, where your listeners are tuning in from matters.

Not every country pays the same amount of money for streaming on Spotify.

So for example, listeners in the US will pay $0.0039 per stream, while listeners in Portugal will only pay $0.0018.

So if you already know youve got a global base of listeners from across the world, chances are this will heavily influence your pay per stream rate.



3. Your listeners Spotify account plan

Spotify operates 2 types of subscription plans for users streaming music on the platform; a Free account and a Premium account (which requires a paid subscription).

As paying listeners, Spotify Premium listeners bring in more money to the platform while they listen, compared to Free listeners.

Which also means, Spotify offers better royalties when Premium users stream your music.

How to earn more money Spotify streams



Getting your music streamed on Spotify is just one form of streaming income.

While Spotify might be the most popular music streaming service among listeners, millions of people use other streaming services too. Which means youll maximise the money you can make from streaming by releasing music to as many platforms and online stores as possible.

Being present on more than one music streaming platform is always a sure way to build your following and reach new listeners too!

Playlists are also the main way listeners consume music on streaming services  whether thats using editorial playlists curated by the app itself, or user-generated playlists too.

Which means getting your music playlisted is another way to make more money from Spotify streams, by putting your tracks in prime place to get picked up by the algorithm and more listeners.

And ultimately, the more streams and fans you can generate on Spotify, the more revenue youll return in the form of music royalties.

Check out the vid below to hear 11 different ways you can get more streams on Spotify as an unsigned artist.

On top of making money from streaming royalties, selling your music online presents other opportunities too  like building a global listener-base, getting playlisted, or even getting discovered for a sync opportunity  making it a huge pool of uncapped potential for new, aspiring artists!

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The Retired Investor: Natural Gas Prices Fall But For How Long?

Only recently have investors' focus shifted from $120 a barrel of oil to the soaring price of natural gas. Given the many uses of natural gas, from heating and cooling and generating electricity to the production of plastics and petrochemicals, the direction of prices could be critical to our economic well-being.

On Wednesday, June 8, 2022, natural gas prices fell over 10 percent after a fire at a Texas liquified natural gas (LNG) export terminal shut down the Freeport LNG facility for at least three weeks. The terminal accounts for 16 percent of U.S. export capacity. Gas prices fell because for a brief time, that gas will flow into the domestic market depressing prices in the short term.

Thus far in 2022, Henry Hub natural gas futures are trading at $8.23 Metric Million British Thermal Unit (MMBtu) down from $9.44 MMBTU but still up 10 percent, which is a fourteen-year high. Many analysts believe the present price rise is unsustainable, but summer heat, export demand, and a robust hurricane season may continue to pressure prices higher.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) estimated that U.S. demand for natural gas would outpace supply this summer. FERC expects that U.S. demand for natural gas production will increase by 3.4 percent over the summer, compared to a projected 4.8 percent increase in consumption during that same period.

Overall, a drop in the U.S. supply of natural gas in storage is driving the price gains and the prospect for storage gains is dismal at best. How did the U.S. end up in this predicament? Blame the pandemic or regulation or both. There was a large decline in production in 2020, when extraction of gas, oil and most fossil fuels fell off a cliff. Many small gas producers went out of business during that period, while larger companies trailed off production to protect profit margins. Government regulations did their part as well. Wall Street bankers also wanted more dividends and stock buybacks and less production from the gas companies that survived the downturn.

As supply dwindled, demand for U.S. exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) continued to increase to record levels. This year (2022), the U.S. has become the world's largest exporter of LNG. However, the majority of the world's LNG supply is sold under contract. Many of these contracts are decades long. As a result, most of the U.S. LNG supply is already spoken for. No one counted on the Ukraine War.

As Russia invaded Ukraine, the price of natural gas in Europe exploded higher. Traders initially thought Europe's price hikes would have an impact on this side of the pond. But over time, higher European prices had only a minor impact on the price of natural gas here in North America. As gas markets go, the U.S. is an isolated market. The U.S. natural gas market produces 97 billion cubic feet per day (BCFD) of natural gas, which is just enough for domestic consumption with another 12 BCFD available for LNG exports.

However, President Joe Biden has since promised to supply more natural gas to Europe to replace Russian fossil fuels. The problem with this pledge is that no one knows where the additional supplies are going to come from. There is little LNG available and even if there were it is extremely difficult to re-route LNG from one region to another.

One might think that with rising prices, why not simply increase production? That is easier said than done. Labor and material shortages, in addition to a more cautious approach to drilling (as a result of finance and regulation), have conspired to bring on some production, but at a much slower rate. In February 2022, monthly production hit 115.2 BCFD, but that was down from 118.7 BCFD in December 2021. Since then we have seen a steady decline. Average gas production output in the lower 48 states fell to 94.7 BCFD in June 2022 from 95.1 BCFD in May 2022.

As a result, storage levels are 18 percent lower than last year, and 16 percent lower than the five-year average. The way gas storage works, some storage historically is left unused in preparation for the winter when more gas is normally consumed. That is not happening this year. And all the above supply constraints could be exasperated by climate change.

The National Weather Service is already warning of another summer season of record-breaking heat waves in the Southern states. That wave has already commenced in places like Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. The nation's utilities, which are charged with supplying the electricity necessary to run all those air conditioners, have switched in times past to coal for power, but coal is now even more expensive than gas.

We have not even spoken about this year's hurricane season (June 1 to November 30, 2022). Historically, major hurricanes have disrupted both oil and gas production, refining, and delivery in many areas of the U.S. NOAA's Climate Prediction Center (a division of the National Weather Service), is predicting above-average activity this year with between 14 to 21 named storms on the horizon.

At the very least, I would suspect that down the road we will all be paying higher utility bills. As utilities grapple with higher natural gas costs, it will take some time to pass the costs through to the consumers. Depending on how tropical the summer gets, those higher monthly bills could persist well into the winter.
Education Director Jennifer Smith teaches a citizenship class at the Berkshire Immigrant Center offices. The center helps more than 750 a year with citizenship and immigration status applications, settlement, language services and education.

Berkshire Immigrant Center Celebrates 25 Years

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The Berkshire Immigrant Center is celebrating 25 years of providing vital services to local immigrants.

BIC was founded in 1997 by the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires to resettle Russian refugees and, in October 2021, became an independent nonprofit organization.

The organization has helped more than 1,000 people become citizens, which Development Director Sheryl Lechner identified as its biggest impact.



"We're really the only local alternative offering accredited, legal immigration services accredited by the Department of Justice as an alternative to a private immigration attorney," she explained.



"If you're filing a citizenship application, a (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) renewal, a green card, and many, many other immigration status applications with the federal government, you have to either work with an immigration attorney or an accredited agency or accredited representative.

"BIC is an accredited agency and we have two full-time accredited representatives and one part-time volunteer accredited representative."



This milestone is being marked with the center's third annual One World Celebration on Sunday at 5 p.m. at Shakespeare & Company in Lenox. The event is BIC's annual benefit to fund free and low-cost services to local immigrants.



Honduran-born violinist Jorge Avila will open the event accompanied by guitarist Oren Fader and Alex Torres & His Latin Orchestra will play a high-energy and dance-friendly blend of Afro-Caribbean rhythms.



It will also feature food from KJ Nosh catering in Pittsfield.



Lechner said they are excited to have the event live for the first time since 2019. It was postponed in 2020 and made virtual in 2021.

The center's advocacy for immigrants doesn't stop at legal aid. Settlement services, advocacy and public education, interpretation and translation services, and voter education are among the other services offered at the BIC's office at 67 East St.



With more than 750 clients a year, Lechner said the organization's work also plays a key role in the diversity and economic stability of the region.



Lechner said there have been times when the state has seen a significant economic downturn but the Berkshires have shown resiliency and she attributes this to the county's recognition of the role that immigrants play in economic stability.



"Foreign-born residents of the Berkshires remain the only growing demographic long term in the Berkshires over the past couple of decades," she added.



Details can be found at Berkshireic.org.



The lead sponsors of the event are local attorney Sherwood Guernsey and Greylock Federal Credit Union. Lechner said BIC is thankful for their support.
BRTA Service Changes and Efficiencies

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The Berkshire Regional Transit Authoritys (BRTA) Advisory Board voted to implement the

proposed systemwide service changes that will go into effect on July 1, 2022.

These changes were approved by the BRTA Advisory Board at their April 28, 2022 Board meeting.

The goals of the Approved Service Changes are: maintaining as many successful pilot evening services as possible; maximizing customer use of existing services through improved scheduling and connections between BRTA routes (a priority identified in recent customer surveys); maintaining as many services as possible, within BRTAs projected funding and staffing constraints during the new fiscal year; revising BRTA service to support future electric vehicle procurements; revising BRTA service to accommodate new potential service types such as express buses, regional buses, and micro-transit options in future service plans; planning a "micro-transit," non-fixed route, public transit option within existing resource constraints; and continuing to develop Main Street, North Adams, as a northern mobility hub for BRTA .

The planned changes for the Fixed Route bus service include:

Revised/Expanded bus schedules Routes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5a, 5b, 11, 12, 14,15, 21, 21X, and 34

Adjusted/New route travel pattern Routes: 1, 3, 4, 5a, 5b,15, and 21

Adjusted/New bus stop locations Routes: 1, 3, 4, 5a, 5b, 15, and 21

New demand service locations Routes: 2, 5a, 5b, 21X

New transfer opportunities At Pittsfield ITC- Routes: 1, 2, 4, 5a, 5b, 11, 12, 14, 15, and 21X At Main Street, North Adams- Routes: 3 and 34

Discontinued bus routes Route16- Crane Ave/Allendale Plaza Route 22- Great Barrington Night Loop

These changes will be effective July 1, 2022.

For a comprehensive list of all of the changes, please visit https://berkshirerta.com/2022/05/03/approved-service-changes-for-fy-2023/ , stop by the ITC, 1 Columbus Avenue for a printed version in both Spanish and English, or email info@berkshirerta.com to receive a copy via email. Those with any questions about these service changes and call the BRTA at (413) 499-2782 #1.
Community Bancorp of the Berkshires Announces Election of new Chair

ADAMS, Mass  Community Bancorp of the Berkshires, the mutual holding company of Adams Community Bank, announced at their May 18, 2022, meeting that the board of directors unanimously voted Jeffrey P. Grandchamp Chair of the Board.

Grandchamp succeeds Steve Pagnotta, who served as Chair for the past five years.

"On behalf of our board and management team, we thank Steve for his dedicated service and deep

commitment to the Bank," Adams Community Bank President and CEO Charlie OBrien said. "We greatly appreciate the leadership, wisdom, and expertise that Steve has provided during a period of significant growth for the Bank."

Grandchamp is an attorney with Grandchamp Law Offices, LLC. He attended McGill University, Montreal, and graduated from Temple University, Penn, summa cum laude. Grandchamp received his law degree from the University of Connecticut.

He is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and is active in the community.

Grandchamp joined Adams Community Banks board in 2011 and has served on the audit, and compensation committees and as Chair of the governance and technology committees. Most recently, he served as Clerk of the Corporation.

"Jeffs long history of leadership, coupled with his experience advising the Bank as a board member, makes him an ideal person for this role," OBrien said. "I look forward to working closely with Grandchamp to continue to ensure Adams Community Bank makes a positive impact on our customers, community, and staff."




iciHaiti - 9th Summit of the Americas : Meeting between the PM and the Dominican President Abinader





Thursday, June 9, 2022, on the sidelines of the 9th Summit of the Americas being held in Los Angeles (June 6-10), Prime Minister a.i. Ariel Henry held a bilateral meeting with Dominican President Luis Abinader.



On the agenda of the two leaders security, migration, the regularization of Haitian workers, the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) and the strengthening of port and customs management...



President Abinader announced that his country was ready to provide technical assistance to the Haitian Government in the areas of training, technology and intelligence.



Premier Henry agreed to regularize the situation of Haitian immigrants and workers in the Dominican Republic, by providing them with identification documents, and by revitalizing the Haitian-Dominican Joint Commission.



For his part, the Luis Abinader said that his Government was open to the regularization of documented Haitian workers https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36846-haiti-economy-agreement-between-the-association-of-tradesmen-of-santiago-and-the-consulate-general-of-haiti-for-the-benefit-of-haitians.html



The two men also agreed on the renewal and strengthening of the Binuh mandate, with regard to justice and security.



IH/ iciHaiti






















iciHaiti - 9th Summit of the Americas : Meeting between the PM and the American Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield





On Thursday, June 9, 2022, on the sidelines of the 9th Summit of the Americas, Prime Minister a.i. Ariel Henry met with the Ambassador of the United States to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield.



Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield welcomed Prime Minister Henrys dialogue with the Montana Group and encouraged continued progress in reaching a political accord. The Ambassador reiterated that the United States stands ready to support efforts to hold free, fair, and transparent elections when conditions permit.



Additionally, Thomas-Greenfield expressed the deep concern of the United States over the difficult security and humanitarian conditions in Haiti and stressed the need to hold those responsible for the violence accountable under the rule of law.



They also discussed the upcoming renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Office in Haiti (BINUH).



See also :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-36875-icihaiti-9th-summit-of-the-americas-meeting-between-the-pm-and-the-dominican-president-abinader.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36862-haiti-politic-9th-summit-of-the-americas-the-pm-asks-for-help-from-the-idb.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36826-haiti-politic-the-prime-minister-will-speak-about-what-at-the-9th-summit-of-the-americas-video.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-36820-haiti-politic-d-3-the-crisis-in-haiti-on-the-agenda-of-the-usa-at-the-summit-of-the-americas.html



IH/ iciHaiti


















Xi'an-Shiyan high-speed railway under construction

Xinhua) 09:13, June 10, 2022

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)

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu)
At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns, the business community - largely - embraced the mantra of 'outcomes, not hours'. Accepting that the workforce was not only delivering business key performance indicators (KPI) but also educating children and caring for the most vulnerable in society, the working practices that had been in place since the industrial revolution were swept aside. If the job was done, did it really matter whether it was completed in the early hours of the morning, late at night or between 9 am and 5.30 pm?

As the pandemic lockdowns, thankfully, drift into memory, old working attitudes and behaviours are creeping back. One of the most concerning of these is the approach to business travel. Long before the pandemic made each and every one of us a prisoner of our homes, it was known that transportation and travel, in particular flying, is a major cause of climate change - one of the greatest threats mankind faces. Technology enabled organisations to remain operational and in contact during the lockdowns, face-to-face collaboration is important, but technology is also the way to ensure that our in-person interactions are meaningful and with as little impact on our precious planet as possible.

Aviation contributes almost 3% of global CO2 emissions; for example, a return flight from a European capital to tech industry conference favourite San Francisco emits 5.5 tonnes of CO2 per person, over twice the emissions of a family car - itself an overused and high polluting way to travel. Shorter journeys in the air are no better; business flights between Berlin and London, for example, emit 0.6 tonnes of CO2. Some point to aircraft fuel efficiency improvements, but between 2013 and 2018, emissions from flying increased 32% as efficiencies were unable to offset the increased number of flights.

Not only is short haul flying unsustainable in many cases, but the productivity is also poor. In the last few weeks, the airline industry has been disrupted by shortages of air traffic controllers, and numerous airlines are struggling with staffing challenges. Even without these events grounding your team members, short-haul flights may slash travel time but also leg room and, therefore, the ability to do anything productive. In contrast, I recently had two opportunities to work in Paris and Zurich; both journeys afforded excellent productivity time, with an average of four business outcomes being created on the journey between the Surrey Hills (ironically close to Gatwick Airport) and Zurich and on the return journey.

None of us wants a return to the privations of the pandemic lockdowns, but the power of the connectivity that CIOs and CTOs delivered, coupled with the ease of collaboration via Microsoft Teams or Zoom, has demonstrated that travel has to be meaningful. Working face-to-face is important, especially for passing skills and insights on to the next generation within our organisations; co-creation and problem-solving in the same room is exciting and, without doubt, the most effective. However, in the rush to put the pandemic behind us, we have to ensure travel is going to deliver real outcomes. With fuel costs rising (a tank of diesel for my unbelievably dull and ordinary VW Touran is now 50% more expensive) the impact is not only environmental but is hitting the bottom line of the business and the pockets of employees.

In addition, just as the airline industry is struggling to recruit and retain talent, almost every CIO I speak to is concerned about staffing. In an employee's market, purpose is of increasing importance. The pandemic has heightened awareness of the planet's perilous state; organisations and leaders that are seen as profligate with CO2 are unlikely to appeal to those technologists that want to make a difference.

CIOs and CTOs are well placed to help their organisations remain connected yet also travel ethically and reap the benefits. Just as the staffing challenges are being driven not by a great resignation but a great rethink as employees reconsider who and why they wish to work with, so too must the processes of the business be rethought. Travel is long overdue a rethink. The technology sector is already leading the way; the growing adoption and interest in mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) tools enable multi-modal transport, which can often lower the impact travel has on the environment. Whilst corporate travel management companies are amongst those that have embraced data science, which allows travel, productivity, costs and increasingly the environmental impact to be placed under a microscope.

Travel, as with every element of business, is in need of greater analysis, use of data and therefore, a rethink into how and when we travel. Technology enables this.
According to local reports, judge Chizoba Orji said that journalists must get written permission to be allowed to inform about proceedings in her court.

She ordered to seize the phone of Wumi Obabori, a judiciary correspondent from the African Independent Television (AIT) and to delete the pictures and videos on her phone,,local sources reported. Five other court reporters, namely Godwin Tsa of the Sun Newspaper, Ikechukwu Nnochiri of Vanguard Newspaper, Austin Okezie of Raypower FM and Charles Ozoemena were escorted out of the Courtroom.

The journalists present at the courtroom tried to explain to the judge that journalists can take pictures if the court is not in session, but the judge ordered the arrest of the journalists. A police officer in the room drew his weapon and ordered the journalists to surrender their phones and delete all the video footage and pictures they had taken.

IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, said. Journalists must be allowed to carry out their professional duties in the public interest without intimidation and harassment. It is especially worrying that a judge ignores and doesn't respect the role of journalists and prevents them from doing their job. The IFJ calls on the Nigerian judiciary to stop intimidating journalists.
In a continued slate of attacks against Afghan media, journalist Reza Shahir was beaten by Taliban militants for a second time on June 3 and three other journalists were charged with criminal insult on May 4. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns the attack and the arrests of the four journalists and urges the Taliban to cease its increasing assaults on journalists and media workers.

Journalist Reza Shahir was beaten by Taliban militants for a second time in Kabul on June 3. Credit: Reza Shahir / Twitter

In a Facebook post, Reza Shahir said that Taliban fighters attacked him while he was walking home in Kabuls Disctrict 18, around midnight. Taliban militants initially searched Shahir and took his mobile phone. After discovering screenshots of media reports of Shahirs previous detention, they accused him of colluding with foreign governments and espionage.

Shahir was subsequently punched in the head, beaten with an AK-47 and knocked unconscious. He sustained light injuries from the attack.

This is the second incident of Taliban militants attacking Shahir. On April 19, the Taliban arrested Shahir while he was reporting on a bombing at the Abdul Rahim Shahid school in Western Kabul. Shahir was accused of being complicit in organising the attack and was held inside a room where he was severly beaten before his eventual release two hours later.

Prior to the April 19 attack, Shahir worked for local radio and television, Rah-e Farda TV, but has since worked as a freelance reporter.

In a separate incident on May 4, three journalists were arrested, detained for several hours and released on bail in the Faryab province. Firoz Ghafori, Mosamem and Olugh Beig Ghafori were charged with criminal insult regarding their 2019 and 2020 reporting on corruption allegations involving current government officials.

Arbitrary detainments, arrests and attacks on media workers have continued to increase since the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in 2021. In the latest South Asia Press Freedom report, the IFJ documented 75 media rights violations, including 12 killings and 30 arrests, in Afghanistan from May 2021 to April 2022. An estimated 1,000 journalists have fled the country since last August, with threats, harsh restrictions and economic collapse leading to mass closures of media outlets.

The IFJ said: The Taliban must immediately halt their increasing attacks and arbitrary detentions of journalists and media workers in Afghanistan. The IFJ calls for an immediate investigation into the beating of journalist Reza Shahir and the withdrawal of all charges against journalists Firoz Ghafori, Mosamem and Olugh Beig Ghafori.
The Search for Incredible just got easier for Cebuanos. Last June 3, 2022, The #1 OLED laptop brand opened a new concept store in Ayala Center Cebu located at 3rd Floor, New Wing, Ayala Center Cebu, Cebu Business Park, Cebu City. This new concept store is a commitment for ASUS in bringing innovation closer to all Filipinos and making technology accessible across the Visayas region. Now with 43 ASUS and ROG concept stores in the Philippines and a growing lineup of products, it has become easier for Filipinos to adapt to the digital lifestyle with choices across all price ranges.

Ever since the shift to digital in the past two years, we have seen a great demand for laptops in the country and Cebu is one of those regions in the Philippines. Before, a laptop was a luxury but because of recent events, it became a necessity for every Filipino. Through the opening of the new ASUS Concept Store in Ayala Center Cebu, we are hopeful to contribute to making an accessible digital lifestyle to every Cebuanos, says George Su, country manager of ASUS Philippines.

Cebuanos who are looking for their next ASUS laptop can just drop by and experience the complete lineup at their fingertips at the new Ayala concept store. From the popular Vivobook and Zenbook lineup, to the fast growing gaming segment in ROG Strix, Zephyrus and TUF gaming laptops and soon, ASUS for Business products will also be available for customers to experience and try out for themselves. As part of the opening, exclusive discounts and promotions are also available at the new concept store for customers looking to purchase.

Exclusive discounts and vouchers on select ASUS & ROG laptops for every Cebuano

Cebuanos will get Php2,000 worth of vouchers from Birkenstock for every purchase of the new ASUS Vivobook Flip (TP470/TM420), and ASUS Zenbook 13 and 14 OLED (UX325 & UX425) Series. Young Professionals who are looking for a fun and playful design for work and their creative side can get the ASUS Vivobook Flip 14 with a starting price of Php49,995.00. It features an 11th Gen Intel Core CPU or an AMD Ryzen 5000 series CPU ensuring users more than enough power for an awesome productive or creative experience. This laptop can last up to 10 hours of usage on a single charge and has a 360-degree ErgoLift hinge so users can use it as a laptop, a tablet or in several other modes with the touchscreen display and the included ASUS Pen.

Professionals looking for a sleek, discreet, and more straightforward design can opt for the ASUS Zenbook 14 (UX425) and ASUS Zenbook 13 OLED (UX325) with a starting price of Php59,995 and Php57,995.00 respectively. Both laptops feature a 11th Gen Intel CPU and Intel Iris Xe Graphics. It also boasts Harman Kardon speakers, ASUS NumberPad 2.0 Technology, and ASUS NanoEdge Technology for an extraordinary productive experience in a premium thin and light form factor. The Zenbook 13 OLED (UX325) also features one of ASUS main innovations in their OLED displays. With best-in-class color gamut. superb real-life color reproduction, accuracy for professional-grade visuals, and ultrafast response times and refresh rates, making them perfect for professional and creative work, or anyone who simply wants to enjoy the very best color fidelity and motion clarity.

Gamers and content creators can also get the ROG Zephyrus G15 (2021) with a special ROG Strix Arion SSD and Warranty Extension for free while supplies last. It features a up to a super-fast AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS CPU and up to a GeForce RTX 3080 GPU. It also boasts a 15.6 inch QHD display with 165 Hz screen refresh rate and 100% DCI-P3 color accuracy, and immersive Dolby Atmos audio from six speakers ensuring users an awesome experience. The Zephyrus G15 is one of the best reviewed and most awarded laptops in the industry with the perfect combination of gaming prowess and a thin-and-light form factor.

Also participating in the promotion with the free ROG Strix Arion SSD and free Warranty Extension are select models of the award-wining ROG Zephyrus G14, ROG Strix G17, TUF Gaming and TUF Dash models.

All ASUS and ROG laptops will also come with a 2-year global and platinum warranty for free that covers several kinds of damage so customers can use their laptop worry-free.

Cebuanos can drop by the new ASUS Concept Store in Ayala Cebu to enjoy these awesome deals from ASUS and ROG. The promos and discounts will run until supplies last. Dont forget to follow ASUS, Republic of Gamers, and ASUS for Business on Facebook or visit the official website of ASUS Philippines and ROG Philippines.
Like every other company, Amazon sent all employees who could work from home to work from home in 2020. But what they didn't do was start paying for internet and electricity costs for their employees, according to a lawsuit filed by an Amazon engineer in California.

On the surface, it makes perfect sense. California law requires companies to pay all business expenses. Employees who work at home use more electricity and internet than they would if they came into the office. Therefore, the engineer has a case. At least, that's why the judge didn't throw it out.

Amazon argues that these expenses aren't the company's obligation since it wasn't its choice to send people home; it was following the state orders to send everyone home. The law doesn't seem to have an exception for emergencies.

My best bet? The Amazon engineer will win.

And then he and every other California employee will lose. Here's why.

Companies want employees in the office.

There has been an ongoing battle between bosses who want people in the office and employees who want to be home. Hybrid work seems the best solution to that problem--as it gives everyone a little of what they want. Ninety percent of companies offer hybrid work and only 4 percent demand full-time in-office work for jobs that employees can do remotely.

But hybrid work requires the company to maintain office space and all the costs that go with that. If they have to pay people extra to work at home while still paying for office space, the work-from-home perk will likely be the thing that goes away.

Employees are currently coming out ahead.

While I believe that the engineer will win--California law is pretty straightforward--he's not considering how much money he's saved by not going to work. Pre-corona Californians spent an average of almost 30 minutes commuting one way.

Even before gas prices began to skyrocket, people probably spent far more on gas than on they were spending on increased electricity and internet costs. As of June 9, 2022, Californians are paying an average of $6.403 per gallon of gas. The plaintiff argues that he's owed expenses between $50 and $100 per month. In pre-pandemic 2019, the average American used 34.5 gallons of gas per month. If working from home cuts gas usage in half, the engineer still comes out ahead. Not to mention wear and tear on the car and the cost of pants suitable for the office.

How do you figure out the costs?

The cost is evident if an employee has no home internet and needs home internet for work. However, I doubt that an Amazon engineer lived in an internet-free home prior to 2020.

If he is single and lives alone, and his electricity costs go up when he comes home, that's also easy enough to show. But, when things shut down in California (as they did in most of the world), everyone came home. Kids did online school and were home all day. Spouses and roommates came home. How do you divide the percentage of increase that varies from what person did to the others?

I realize this is nit-picky, but it's not actually going to be that easy to tell. Companies will have to estimate or give everyone the same stipend based on a figure they hope will pass muster with the courts.

This is just California, right?

Yes, this is a California case based on California law, but what happens in California tends to spread across the nation. If the engineer wins, you may see this concept spreading across states.
Under the Project Hero Green Drive, Hero MotoCorp Limited , the world's largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, handed over 300 motorcycles to the Himalayan Eco Restoration, Biodiversity Conservation, and Livelihood Enhancement Society in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand.Company has handed over 300 motorcycles, specially equipped with hooters, flashlights, leg guards, helmet locks, and waterproof side bags along with 600 helmets, as part of the Companys Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) platform Hero WeCare.These motorcycles will help the forest guards and rangers in conducting effective patrolling in the forest. Resultantly, increasing their mobility to keep a check on poaching and illegal deforestation, forest fires, and protection of trees/forest and wild animals.The company handed over the motorcycles to Subodh Uniyal, Minister of Forests, Language & Technical Education, Government of Uttarakhand by Bharatendu Kabi, Head  Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) & Corporate Communication, Hero MotoCorp, with senior government officials and senior executives from Hero MotoCorp present at the occasion.
Through a number of steps, the Reserve Bank has pushed for changes in the governance and compliance culture of its regulated firms. "In terms of digital lending platforms, we're still working on that," Governor Das stated. "We'll be releasing a wide regulatory framework very shortly that should be able to cope with the issues of lending through digital platforms, many of which are unregistered, unlicensed, and illegal," he says.



Das emphasized the importance of a strong corporate governance structure, which would necessitate corporations adhering to sound accounting processes and making honest disclosures. Market players should be given enough information to make educated decisions regarding a company's health and viability.



"Creative and aggressive accounting practices and policies tend to exaggerate financial strength, which is harmful to a company's long-term viability," Das added. "The Audit Committee and the Board of Directors shall guarantee that the financial statements' integrity is not jeopardized in any way."



Data analytics, artificial intelligence, and deep learning are increasingly being used to aid decision-making. Customers' wants, innovations, and market trends are being assessed virtually in real-time, which is assisting manufacturers in managing production capacity, reducing costs, reducing risks, and meet changing consumer needs more swiftly. "We live in a data-driven, smart manufacturing era. If Indian firms want to remain competitive and achieve world-class status, they must prepare to make the necessary expenditures as soon as possible, according to Das.

Shaktikanta Das , serving as theof the Reserve Bank of India , has recommended firms put in place corporate governance and risk management systems in order to ensure their long-term viability in an increasingly technology-driven world.According to the governor of RBI, such procedures are also necessary for the system's financial stability. The Reserve Bank is also likely to release a regulatory framework for technology-based digital lending, which is growing in popularity."Taking risks is a necessary part of conducting business. What I'm emphasizing today is the need to properly weigh the benefits and drawbacks of any risk before taking it," said RBI governor ShaktiKanta das at a Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs event in Mumbai on Thursday. "Any business's long-term performance is strongly tied to the quality of its governance, internal control systems, and risk and organizational culture."
The Accelerator phase of 6 months will continue with the ongoing mentoring for individual startups, with a focus on making their pitch investor-ready, along with group workshops and on-site working sessions. The last phase, Immersion Phase will include a three-week trip to India for three startups from this cohort, providing them with an opportunity to pitch their idea to potential investors and corporates. This phase will be for three months and will end with a startup showcase and pitch night event where the startups will stand a chance to raise funding.said, Our collaboration with La Trobe University, Arrow Digital and Investible will help us in bridging the gap between our two high-growth markets and strengthening the network of Indias growing startup ecosystem with that of a global network. Through our robust innovation ecosystem, we aim to fine-tune the selected startups value propositions and provide them with a gateway to explore the Indian market. The program will provide them with an incredible networking opportunity, commercialization opportunity in India, and make them investor ready as well to raise funding. The Big LEAP program is also an exciting opportunity for our Indian entrepreneurs to connect with some of the most talented innovators from across the globe.Jasmine Batra, Co-founder and Managing Director at Arrow Digital said, Over the past few decades, Indias uptake in the technology realm has taken big leaps, with the country now contributing significantly to the global ecosystem. The recent strategic partnership deals between the Australian and Indian governments make this an opportune time for Australian founders looking to expand internationally to explore commercialization opportunities in India. The program will shorten their route to this new & vast market and accelerate future growth.Cerasela Tanasescu, director, La Trobe Regional Accelerator said, We are excited to follow these promising start-ups on their journey and look forward to share with you their development and successes.The selected startups will be trained by a pool of mentors and industry experts such as Jasmine Batra, Co-founder and Managing Director at Arrow Digital, Cerasela Tanasescu, Director at La Trobe University, Elisa-Marie Dumas, Head of Programs & Partnerships at Investible, and Priyanka Ravala, Senior Program Manager at T-Hub, among others. For more information about the program, visit https://t-hub.co/the-big-leap-incubator-program/ T-Hub has provided market access to 300+ Indian startups with 18+ international interventions It has conducted more than 10 market access programs and facilitated 200+ international startups from more than 42 countries. T-Hub will continue to drive collaboration between startups and leading innovation ecosystems across the world, providing global market-access opportunities to startups. For more information about various international programs of T-Hub, visit https://t-hub.co/t-bridge-international-programs/. is an innovation hub and ecosystem enabler. Based out of Hyderabad, India, T-Hub leads Indias pioneering innovation ecosystem. With a mission of enabling and empowering an ecosystem hungry for innovation, T-Hub is creating an impact for startups, corporations, and other innovation ecosystem stakeholders. Incorporated in 2015, it has provided over 1800 national and international startups with access to better technology, talent, mentors, customers, corporates, investors, and government agencies. It has elevated innovation for leading national and global corporations, transforming their business models for the better. Working in collaboration with innovation partners and enablers in Telangana, India and worldwide, T-Hub is building a future-ready innovation ecosystem.
Tourists don't own the places that they visit for a day or two, but many behave like they do.

This includes getting drunk, misbehaving with locals and other tourists, littering, violating local customs and rules, etc.

Most of the time, tourists get away with these kinds of behavior as many locals and businessmen are willing to look the other way as they don't want to be perceived as troublemakers by those coming to enjoy the beauty of their area.

This has however only emboldened such people.

Couple caught for driving SUV on sand dunes

But a couple from Jaipur learned it the hard way, that their reckless actions can have consequences.

Leh Police

The Leh Police in Ladakh has fined Rs 50,000 on a couple from Jaipur who was seen driving their SUV on the sand dunes there.

The couple drove their Toyota Fortuner on sand dunes in Hunder in Nubra Valley, a popular destination for tourists in Ladakh, violating a ban.

The car had a Delhi license plate, however, the couple was from Rajasthan.

"One tourist vehicle was found violating the SDM [sub-divisional magistrate] Nubra's direction not to drive cars over sand dunes in Hunder. The couple from Jaipur were booked as per law and a bond of  50,000 was taken by them," Leh Police said in the Facebook post.

"District police Leh requests tourists not to drive on sand dunes as you damage the natural landscape and violate the prohibitory orders," the police said further.

Facebook

Driving Audi on Panagon lake

This is not the first time tourists from other states have been accused of reckless behavior in the ecologically sensitive area.

In April this year, a video had caused outrage after three youths on an Audi Q3 were seen driving through the Pangong Lake.

Two of them are out from the sunroof while the driver takes the vehicle through the Pangong Tso.

I am sharing again an another shameful video . Such irresponsible tourists are killing ladakh . Do you know? Ladakh have a more than 350 birds species and lakes like pangong are the home of many bird species. Such act may have risked the habitat of many bird species. pic.twitter.com/ZuSExXovjp  Jigmat Ladakhi  (@nontsay) April 9, 2022

The video also showed chairs and a table with bottles of alcohol placed along the lake.

It is illegal to get the vehicles into Pangong Lake which locals regard as sacred.

International shame

Such behaviour has also brought international shame to India in the past.

In 2019, an Indian biker, Abhijit Ratan Hajare from Maharashtra was detained by the authorities in Bhutan for hurting religious sentiments.

Much outrage in Bhutan by actions of these two highly insensitive and disrespectful regional tourists standing on a sacred Buddhist Stupa.



This is one of the many reasons why Bhutan needs to regulate mass regional tourism.



Nationality yet to be confirmed but from South Asia. pic.twitter.com/3GfaVE4CSm  Tenzing Lamsang (@TenzingLamsang) October 17, 2019

This was after Abhijit was seen climbing on a Chorten, a sacred stupa in Buddhism, which symbolizes the presence of Buddha.





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As the Ukraine and Russian forces continue to fight, an aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said in a media report that the country is losing up to 200 troops a day while fighting on the front line.



According to the aide Mykhaylo Podolyak, hundreds of Ukrainian troops are under relentless bombardment as Russian forces attempt to take control of the whole of the eastern Donbas region, the newswire IANS reported.

AFP

While highlighting that Ukraine still requires western artillery, he said: The Russian forces have thrown pretty much everything non-nuclear at the front and that includes heavy artillery, multiple rocket launch systems and aviation.



Podolyak said that the complete lack of parity between the two rival armies was the reason for Ukraines heavy casualty rate.

Reuters

Our demands for artillery are not just some kind of whim, but an objective need when it comes to the situation on the battlefield, the BBC quoted the aide as saying, adding that Kiev needs 150-300 rocket launch systems to match Russia, which is a much higher number than it has received so far.



Podolyak also stressed that peace talks between Kiev and Moscow can resume if Russia surrenders the territory it has gained since it launched the invasion on February 24.

Reuters

Meanwhile, Russian forces have concentrated their assault on the eastern city of Severodonetsk.



On Wednesday, President Zelensky said, the fate of the Donbas is being decided there and officials said it has been reduced to rubble by intense Russian artillery and missile barrages.
Glaciers in Antarctica are now losing ice at the fastest rate in 5,500 years, a study has found. Antarctica has two huge ice masses: the East and West Antarctic Ice Sheets that feed many glaciers, and WAIS is thinning at a scary rate, Phys.org reported.

Scientists from the University of Maine and the British Antarctic Survey have measured the rate of changes in sea level in the regions surrounding Thwaites and Pine Island glaciers. With this, they measured ice loss in the region.

Unsplash

Measuring sea level changes through two giant glaciers

Let's not forget that the Thwaites and Pine Island glaciers are humongous - with areas of 192,000 km and 162,300 km respectively. Now, they're retreating at a rate not seen in the last 5,500 years. In turn, the melting of these glaciers in Antarctica could have a large impact on global sea levels.

Published in Nature Geoscience, the paper's co-author Dr. Dylan Rood said that "vital arteries" at the heart of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet "have been ruptured," while asking - "is it too late to stop the bleeding?"

Unsplash

Also read: It's Snowing Microplastics In Antarctica: 13 Types Of Plastic Found In Antarctic Snow

In fact, 3.4 metres of water could be added to the global seas owing to mass melting of glaciers. To study the mid-Holocene period (that's about 5,000 years ago), scientists examined the remnants of old Antarctic beaches. With assessments of seashells and penguin bones via radiocarbon dating, scientists wanted to ascertain when each beach appeared, to eventually understand how these changes affect local sea levels.

Unsplash

According to scientists, there has been a fall in relative sea level over the last 5,500 years. The rate of sea-level fall since mid-Holocene period is about five times smaller than contemporary measurements, owing to rapid ice mass loss. Based on their data of Thwaites and Pine Island glaciers, scientists concluded that these glaciers have been relatively stable since the mid-Holocene period until recent times.

Unsplash

Also read: Each Human Tourist Melts 83 Metric Tons Of Snow In Antarctica, Says Study



The melting of these glaciers has doubled over the last three decades at a rate not seen over the last 5,500 years. To better understand whether current melting rates are reversible or not, scientists will drill into the glacier ice and collect more samples.

What do you think about this giant potential loss in Antarctica? Let us know in the comments below. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com.



References

Brogan, C. (2022, June 9). Antarctic glaciers losing ice at fastest rate in 5,500 years, finds study. Phys.Org.
There is no braver love than a mother's. They can do anything to protect their children.

A perfect example of this is a video that is going viral on social media. In the video, a mama bear can be seen tumbling off a cliff while defending her cub from a male bear in Castile and Leon, Spain.

Screengrab/YouTube

The clip shows a female bear involved in a fight with a bigger male on the edge of a mountain cliff, when both tumbled from a great height onto the rocks below.



The male's body rolled a long way downhill and remained motionless after that, while the female limped away from the site where she landed, the video showed.



Fortunately, the mama bear survived the fall, but the nearly 500-pound male wasn't so lucky.

After looking for her for two days in the mountains of Northern Castile and Leon, near Palencia, the park rangers found the female bear's 15-meter-deep burrow, the environment service said on Wednesday on its website.



The bears death was confirmed by rangers, who discovered his body during a search of the area several days later, as seen in photos shared on Twitter.

La Junta desplego ayer un importante operativo para localizar a la osa adulta y al osezno. El ejemplar macho, de 217 kg de peso, fue encontrado muertohttps://t.co/BViSxcA5EK pic.twitter.com/2c2DkYBnAz  Naturaleza Castilla y Leon (@naturalezacyl) June 7, 2022

Authorities subsequently found the mother sheltering in a cave and left food and water for her and her cub, Reuters reported.

It is not uncommon for male bears to attack females with cubs during the mating season.



Last month, a video showing a woman saving her toddler from potentially being mauled by a black bear in her backyard went viral.

In the security footage, the womans young daughter can be seen walking toward the backyard after spotting a small black bear thats scrambling along a cement wall lining the yard. "That's a bear!" the young girl could be heard saying in excitement before running toward it.



As soon as she takes off, her mother, Samantha Martin, sprinted outside and scooped her up before running back to the house with her daughter tucked under her arm.

"I just panicked. I didn't really have a lot of thoughts at the moment so much as get the child and get back inside," Samantha told FOX 13.



"It was just a little baby bear, but my biggest concern wasn't necessarily the baby bear so much as I didn't know where the mom was and didn't know how she'd feel about two humans running towards her baby," she added.



Fortunately, the mother was able to save the day.

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Adopting a rescue dog is probably the best thing you can do for the adorable beings. However, it is difficult for all the dogs to be adopted and some just have to wait a little longer to find a forever home.

However, one rescue dog has found a very adorable solution so that humans don't have difficulty finding him. This dog has been dancing for everybody who walks past her kennel in hopes that someone will stop, watch her amazing moves, and take her home.

Facebook

This dog named Ginger Rogers actually managed to secure herself a forever home, thanks to her incredible moves.

The dog was one-year-old when she was taken in by Orange County Animal Services, in Florida, but was struggling to win over an owner after testing positive for heartworm.

Facebook

Also known as drofilaria immitis, Heartworm is transmitted by mosquitos and can cause serious illness and even death in dogs. These are not prevalent in the UK but can occur in warmer places like Southern Europe and Southern Asia.

The Orange County, however, shared a video of Ginger Rogers dancing inside her cage, which got all the attention it required.

After the video was shared online, the animal shelter was inundated with rehoming applications for the 'dancing dog' within hours. A spokesperson added: "Ginger Rogers danced her way into hearts when her video was shared on social media. It's been viewed more than 100,000 times.



"Miss Ginger has been adopted and she will soon be raising the roof under her new roof!"

The dog is absolutely adorable and we are glad she'll get all the love she deserves.

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The wounds are still fresh. The devastation in Ukraine has left grieving hearts longing for closure. The dust hasn't even settled yet.



Russian troops were marching to Kyiv not long ago, and today the tale of the heartbreaking invasion is being retold in the form of a museum exhibition.

Reuters

Ukrainians are flocking to a new exhibition in Kyiv, which displays objects found after the Russian army was forced to withdraw from areas it captured around the capital, even as war rages elsewhere in the country.



REUTERS

The exhibition, titled "UkraineCrucifixion," is housed in the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War.

Russia has destroyed a Kharkiv region museum dedicated to Ukrainian philosopher Hryhorii Skovoroda with a targeted airstrike. Putin is openly attempting to eradicate all symbols of Ukrainian culture and national identity pic.twitter.com/HRUGliDhGO  Business Ukraine mag (@Biz_Ukraine_Mag) May 7, 2022

Missiles, food rations, helmets, and other objects abandoned in the region north of Kyiv are in the exhibition at a World War II museumknown as the "Great Patriotic War" in Ukraine.

REUTERS

Personal notes and credit cards of Russian soldiers killed on the front line are exhibited in glass cabinets, providing an essential early record of the carnage. Their passports indicate how young they were at the time.

Reuters

There are jars of halal borscht soup that were supplied to Muslim Chechen fighters appointed by their commander, Ramzan Kadyrov, an ardent Vladimir Putin supporter. Some came from far away, as shown by a shattered Siberian license plate.

Ukraine War/reuters

Curator Yuriy Savchuk said he wanted "to respond to Russian propaganda," adding that Moscow has set up its own show "on the so-called fascism that should be fought in Ukraine. "You can see and touch the war with your fingertips here," he added. "That's also the point: to shock people into realizing what's going on."

It may appear bizarre that Ukrainians want a reminder of a war they are still witnessing. However, not everyone in Ukraine had seen the battle firsthand, and many people wanted to know what unfolded.

"It's actually really hard to look at this," said 26-year-old visitor Zoya Didok. "It's a good thing I didn't live in one of those villages when the Russians were there."



Ukraine chose today to open in Kyiv the first museum exhibition the war with Russia. Its a fascinating example of how a historic narrative is being made of an event still ongoing pic.twitter.com/ada4bAcUQu  Anshel Pfeffer   (@AnshelPfeffer) May 8, 2022

A reconstruction of a makeshift shelter from Hostomel near Kyiv's airport can be seen in one of the museum's cellars.

Ukraine War/reuters

For 37 days, the original sheltered dozens of people, including children and a six-month-old baby. However, in the humid, unsanitary conditions, two people succumbed.



The saved  flag, which fluttered over #Azovstal in #Mariupol, was handed over to the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in WW2.



This symbol of  heroism and resilience will be one of the main showpiece of the #Ukraine  Crucifixion exhibition.#StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/AJSwyZWtk4  MFA of Ukraine  (@MFA_Ukraine) June 5, 2022

On a screen on the wall, a baby's mother could be seen giving a chilling video testimony.

A church gate ripped through by shrapnel on the first floor of the museum opens to reveal a room filled with artwork inspired by the conflict. To show their grief, Ukrainian artists have repurposed materials from Russia's invasion.

Ukraine

A grenade hidden under a toy in a sandpit tells the horrid tale of how the childhood of millions of young Ukrainians was lost.

Reuters

The exhibition also contains a broken World War II memorial from Hostomel, drawing a powerful parallel between the two conflicts. All the war artifacts in the exhibition were collected between April 4 and May 5. The Ukrainian army and government supported in the show's quick start on May 8.

(With AFP inputs)

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Give people free WiFi, and they know how to misuse it. While the idea behind offering free WiFi at railway stations was to make traveling a better experience for travelers, it looks like the service is behind misused in many cities, including Secunderabad.

RailTel discovered that now the service is mainly used to watch and download sexual content.

Screenshot

As people misuse their free Wi-Fi, Secunderabad Railway Station ranks first in South Central Railway regarding porn downloads.

Reuters

According to a Times of India report, Secunderabad has by far the most sexual content downloads on the South Central Railway (SCR), followed by Hyderabad, Vijayawada, and Tirupati.



According to RailTel, which provides the broadband internet service RailWire, pornography accounts for 35% of all searches and downloads in Secunderabad and Vijayawada.

Reuters

At railway stations, RailTel offers free Wi-Fi for the first 30 minutes. People can pay to use the internet after the first half-hour session ends.

In a conversation with TOI, a senior RailTel official said,

"Our gateway data shows that a substantial number of Wi-Fi searches relate to pornographic content. While hundreds of porn websites are inaccessible, VPN and access to some websites yet to be blacklisted allow downloading of such content."

He added, "On an average, a user consumes around 350 MB in about 30-minute data session. Around 90% of that 350 MB data consumption comes from porn sites amongst most unique users."

Across all 1,600-plus stations in India, it ranks number four in data consumption.



Nestia

Even as South Central Railway looks to expand internet services to 588 stations, concerns about slow internet bandwidth at stations have been blamed on the misuse of free WiFi.



Secunderabad, Telangana, is not only first in terms of pornographic downloads but also in terms of user and data consumption in the SCR.



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Tech billionaire Larry Ellisons purchase of a Hawaiian island has reportedly made life so expensive in the tropical paradise that families who had been living there for generations have been forced to leave.



77-year-old Ellison, who is the co-founder of American multinational computer technology company Oracle Corporation, had bought 98% of Lanai, a secluded island in Maui County, 10 years ago, as per New York Post. Ranked at 11th, his net worth at present is $86.9 billion as per the Bloomberg billionaires index (at the time of writing this report).

He had reportedly paid $300 million for the islands 90,000 acres, which include two Four Seasons resorts that provide most of the jobs, homes, and commercial properties for the approximately 3,000 local residents.

diginomica

Ellison developed the area to the point where small business owners and other working-class residents have been priced out, according to Bloomberg.



As per Bloomberg, some families who left the island say that the island didn't feel like home anymore.

A high school math teacher named Michelle Fujie, who is engaged to another local, says they can't live together because they can't find an affordable house big enough for them and their 3 kids. They fear that if they leave the island, they may never be able to afford to return.

She says "My biggest worry is that the island becomes a playground for only the rich".

Making False Promises

One of the first things that billionaire Ellison did after purchasing the island was to build a Nobu, the definition of an ultra-high-end restaurant chain. Dinner for two here could easily exceed $1,000, as per NewYorkPost.

Chris Andrus, who helped his friend Peter Franklin start up a business called Lanai Woodworkers, told Bloomberg that the company aided in building the restaurant.

But Ellison even bought the building where Lanai Woodworkers rented space. Ellisons representatives told Franklin that he would either have to clear out or sell the business to the tech mogul, according to Bloomberg.

Franklin sold the business to billionaire Ellison, who promised him a job. But Andrus was out of luck. At age 64, he was unemployed.

After business dried up, Andrus said he fell behind on his utility bills and is now reportedly relying on aid from Catholic Charities to help him pay rent at his home, as per New York Post.

gonomad

Also Read: Rags To Riches: Former Hotel Janitor Becomes Self-Made Billionaire With His Korean Travel Super-app

Kicking Tenants Out On Short Notice

According to Bloomberg, Ellison owns all of the real estate on the island. If a resident is fired from a job at any of his companies, tenants can be kicked out of their homes on short notice.

Small businesses who rent space from Ellison are also forced to agree to 30-day leases, whereas before they were allowed to sign up for five-year terms.

Ellison has also invested serious sums of money in renovating facilities and infrastructure on the island, which has, in turn, attracted wealthier residents.

Those who have lived there for generations, who earn a median income of $59,000, simply cannot afford the skyrocketing home prices, as per New York Post.

Also Read: This 25-YO College Dropout-turned-entrepreneur Is Forbes' New Youngest Self-made Billionaire

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Jamstack is a popular web development philosophy that aims to speed up both web development and the time it takes to download a web page. Drawing from devops and CI/CD, Jamstack upends long-held techniques for building interactive web pages, shifting load-time code execution away from web servers and toward in-browser JavaScript and external services accessed via APIs. The end result is a developer-friendly approach to building static websites that render very quickly and can be easily customized for multiple platforms.

The Jamstack architecture

Jamstack is a web application architecture based on three pillars, which provide the initials in its name: JavaScript, APIs, and markup. Web pages on a Jamstack site consist of standard markup language, so they can be built and tested anywhere, without dependencies on application servers or server-side technologies like Node.js. Any interactive functionality is provided by standard JavaScript code that executes in the browser, which makes calls to reusable APIs over HTTPS. These calls are used to access external data or any other functionality that cant be built into the web page itself.

To understand why Jamstack is revolutionary, consider the LAMP stack, which exemplifies the way most developers have thought about web development for the last 15 years. LAMP stands for Linux (the operating system that powers most web servers), Apache (the server software running on those Linux machines), MySQL (the database where web application data is stored), and PHP/Perl/Python (the language used to write the server-side code). When you point your browser to a LAMP-based website, the web server executes the server-side code that generates the web page on the fly, drawing data as needed from the MySQL database.

The LAMP architecture lets developers create dynamic and interactive websites, but it also requires a powerful web serverand the more traffic a site gets, the more server-side computing power it needs. Even with a fully featured server, dynamic web pages can take a long time to build and load. In a world of people with short attention spans, who are often browsing the web on their phones, that delay has become a major pain point.

Jamstack was born as part of the static website movement, which arose in the mid 2010s as a reaction against this traditional model of how a website should work. To understand Jamstack, you need to understand the technology behind static websites.

Static websites and Jamstack

If you had to explain to a complete newbie how the web works, it might go something like this: Somewhere in a web servers filesystem there are HTML files, accessible by HTTP addresses, which a web browser downloads and then interprets to create a web page. But thats a description of a static website: It assumes the HTML files already exist when the web browser goes looking for them. But much of the web over the past decade was dominated by dynamic websites, which generate HTML files on the fly in response to web requests, often based on parameters passed to the web server via forms or in the URL itself.

Static site generators

In the very early days of the web, when web pages were invariably static, many web developers wrote HTML code by hand. As web pages grew more complex, tools like Macromedias Dreamweaver arrived and began to generate static HTML pages programmatically. As the static website movement took off, a new wave of static site generators began to emerge, including Gatsby, Hugo, and Jeckyll. Unlike WYSIWYG tools like Dreamweaver, static site generators are command-line driven and designed to integrate well with CI/CD processes. HTML files are generated by these tools, often based on content written in Markdown, and automatically uploaded to a version control repository like GitHub. As these files are marked ready for production, static pages on the live website are automatically updated.

Content delivery networks

An important thing to keep in mind is that static in this context doesnt imply simple web 1.0 pages that arent interactive. These pages can include advanced JavaScript that executes in the browser and makes API calls to databases, server-side functionality, or hosted serverless functions. But because none of that execution happens on the web server, a static site doesnt need an industrial-powered web host complete with a database. Many static sites are deployed to content delivery networks, or CDNs, where content is mirrored on multiple servers around the world in order to be delivered quickly to users anywhere.

Mathieu Dionne, marketing lead at Snipcart, describes the early days of this new world of static websites in a blog post, and mentions that around 2015, "the Netlify founders ... had just come up with the term 'Jamstack' to work around the negative connotation of 'static web.'"

We've described the Jamstack process throughout this section. Now, let's briefly discuss Netlify and its role in the Jamstack ecosystem.

Netlify and Jamstack

Netlify is a cloud computing and web hosting company, and its cofounder, Mathias Biilmann, coined the term Jamstack. Netlifys services are tailored to customers who want to build sites based on the Jamstack philosophy.

Netlify claims to have cracked a specific problem that had been holding back static websites, which is cache invalidation. Database-driven dynamic websites may consume a lot of server resources, but you can be certain that theyll serve up the latest version of your website to any visitor who stops by. Because Jamstack websites are often hosted on the multiple distributed servers of a CDN, updates are less straightforward. It can take anywhere from a few minutes to hours for each CDN server to figure out that its cached version of the site is no longer valid. To work around this problem, Netlifys CDN provides instant cache invalidation for HTML files.

In the years since Netlify raised the Jamstack flag, the company has used the technology as the backbone of its PaaS offering, providing a content platform for big companies like Nike and Peleton.

Jamstack with Gatsby

Netlify isnt the only hosting provider in the Jamstack space, and it doesnt have any kind of trademark or proprietary control over the term. A variety of Jamstack hosting and deployment solutions are available, and most of the big cloud providers are getting in on the action, including Amazon Web Services, Google Firebase, and Microsoft Azure. Other, more specialized companies have also entered this space, including Gatsby, Inc., creator of the static site generator of the same name.

Gatsby (the company) has built a high-flying services offering on the back of the Gatsby site generator. Because of its open source roots, the Gatsby site generator is also offered by other service providers, including Netlify.

The headless CMS

Of course, getting a website built and hosted is just the beginning, as you know if you've ever had to manage a website. You also need a way to create new content and add it to your site. Because the people doing that typically aren't programmers, theyll need a user-friendly toolnamely, a content management system, or CMS. Traditional CMSes, like WordPress, offer a back-end user interface (UI) where you can enter website content, manage a database where that content is stored, and build dynamic web pages that present that content in response to browser requests.

CMSes for Jamstack sites work differently, and they are generally known as headless. A headless CMS offers a UI for entering and managing content and a database or other means of storing it, but does not itself generate HTML code for a browser to parse. Instead, the websites static HTML pages use JavaScript to make calls to the CMSs APIs, and the CMS returns the content in a format that JavaScript can turn into a web page.

This system thoroughly separates content from presentation, which of course is a longstanding ideal of programming. Because the CMS has an accessible API, multiple web pages can easily use it. For instance, if youve built separate mobile, desktop, and smartwatch versions of your website, all of these versions can access the same content stored in the CMS.

Netlify, as you might expect, has its own offering in this space, called NetlifyCMS, but there are other offerings available; developer Nebojsa Radakovic breaks them down in his introduction to headless CMSes. There are a lot of up-and-comers on that list, as well as one very familiar name. While we used WordPress as an example of a traditional CMS, it can also be run as a headless CMS to power a Jamstack site.

Why use Jamstack?

We've touched on many of the benefits to using Jamstack but it's worth recapping them, now that you have a full picture:

Speed : Static sites load more quicklyand that isn't just a matter of convenience. Google penalizes slow sites by lowering their search rank, and customers accustomed to quick responses often abandon ecommerce transactions if steps are slow to load.

: Static sites load more quicklyand that isn't just a matter of convenience. Google penalizes slow sites by lowering their search rank, and customers accustomed to quick responses often abandon ecommerce transactions if steps are slow to load. Developer experience : Developers can build static sites using the devops techniques that have transformed the industry's practices and productivity. And the Jamstack philosophy produces site stacks that cleanly separate concerns, allowing developers to focus on their areas of specialization: front-end designers and developers can build sites without needing to be fluent in a server-side language, while back-end developers can focus on APIs. Content questions are fully handled in the realm of the CMS.

: Developers can build static sites using the devops techniques that have transformed the industry's practices and productivity. And the Jamstack philosophy produces site stacks that cleanly separate concerns, allowing developers to focus on their areas of specialization: front-end designers and developers can build sites without needing to be fluent in a server-side language, while back-end developers can focus on APIs. Content questions are fully handled in the realm of the CMS. Flexibility: Static sites can be hosted by traditional web servers, CDNs, specialized services, or some combination of the three. And because headless CMSes interact with front ends via APIs, you can easily build sites for multiple platforms that share the same content.

When not to use Jamstack

With all those benefits, it still needs to be said that Jamstack isn't for everyone. The flipside of Jamstack being tailored to developer needs is that, if you want to run a Jamstack-based site, you will be more reliant on developers than you might want. This isn't so bad for companies that already have or are willing to hire a dedicated web development team with the skills necessary for Jamstack. But many smaller shops are accustomed to using off-the-shelf commercial or open source software that lets them run their websites with little need for day-to-day developer involvement. Ecommerce sites, in particular, tend to rely on a wide variety of plugins and libraries developed over the years for traditional web hosting solutions; their Jamstack equivalents aren't as widespread or mature, meaning that Jamstack is not always good for ecommerce.

Is Jamstack popular?

Despite the hype surrounding it, Jamstack currently backs a fairly small sliver of all websites. The Web Almanac estimated that, in 2021, sites built by static site generators (almost all of which would have been built along the lines of the Jamstack philosophy) made up only about 1 percent of all websites. That said, Jamstack is in a period of rapid growth, with its market share growing by a factor of more than two every year for the past three years. One big sign of increasing developer interest in the technology: about a third of Jamstack developers are quite new to the scene, having fewer than two years of experience.

Jamstack tutorials

Looking to go deeper? Check out these Jamstack developer tutorials:

Once youve mastered the basic concepts outlined here, youll be ready to use Jamstack principles and technologies for your websites. Happy learning!
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MAPFRE USA Hires Zimmerman to Lead Commercial Lines

MAPFRE USA, a leading personal and commercial auto writer and home insurer in Massachusetts, announced that Jesse Zimmerman has joined the leadership team as vice president of commercial lines.

Zimmerman will oversee the companys commercial underwriting and product strategy in Massachusetts to further grow the companys commercial auto and commercial property business.

Zimmerman has 20 years experience in the property/casualty insurance industry, including most recently 13 years with Travelers in its small commercial lines division. Previously, he served in small commercial and personal lines at Hartford Financial Services Group and Allstate.

Bigglestone to Succeed Provost at Vermont Captive Division

Vermont Governor Phil Scott has appointed Sandy Bigglestone as the deputy commissioner of the captive insurance division at the Department of Financial Regulation (DFR). She will begin her new job at the end of the summer, assuming the role from David Provost, current deputy commissioner, who announced last month that he is retiring.

Provost joined Vermonts insurance department in 2001 and was appointed to the role of deputy commissioner of the captive insurance division in 2008 by then Governor James Douglas. Provost is the third to serve in the role in Vermonts 40-year history of regulalting captives.

Bigglestone started as an entry-level examiner in the captive division in 1997, was promoted to director of examinations in 2008, and then named director of captive insurance in 2010, a role which oversees the licensing and monitoring of Vermonts captive insurance companies.

Koch Named Chief Judge of the New Jersey Division of Workers Compensation

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced the appointment of Maria Del Valle Koch as director and chief judge of the workers compensation division within the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development. This appointment comes after the previous director, Russell Wojtenko, Jr., was confirmed by the Senate as a Superior Court judge.

The division helps settle disputes and operates special compensation funds. The division is also involved in identifying non-compliant employers of workers compensation laws as well as levying and collecting penalties and restitution once such employers are identified.

In her previous role,Koch was the administrative supervising judge of compensation, presiding over conferences, hearings, and trials for persons injured as a result of work-related accidents.

Del Valle Koch is a graduate of St. Peters College and Seton Hall University Law School.

Topics Legislation Workers' Compensation New Jersey Vermont
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The state of Maine is paying $395,000 to a former corrections officer to settle her claims of harassment and discrimination.

Autumn Dinsmore resigned as a corrections officer this month as part of the settlement of her lawsuit filed last year. There was no admission of wrongdoing by the Maine Department of Corrections.

Dinsmore worked at the Maine State Prison and Bolduc Correctional Facility.

In her federal lawsuit, she said the department created a hostile work environment because of her gender and sexual orientation and that she endured sexual harassment.

The lawsuit said Dinsmore was subjected to sexual overtures by male co-workers who asked her to send nude photos and who sent nude photos of themselves via Snapchat. Male co-workers also told her female corrections officers were unfit for prison work because of an assumption they would have relationships with male prisoners.

The Maine Human Rights Commission previously sided with Dinsmore, saying there was evidence to support her claims of discrimination and a hostile work environment.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Maine
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A Connecticut casino and resort operator has lost its bid to obtain insurance reimbursement for business losses due to the COVID-19 virus.

Factory Mutual Insurance Co. (FMI) has succeeded in having the resorts COVID-19 suit against it dismissed.

The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, which operates the Mohegan Sun casino and resort in Uncasville, had sought payment under its FMI commercial property policy for millions of dollars in business losses it said it suffered as a result of having to close its doors for about two weeks in 2020 because of the virus.

The tribal authority sued FMI a year ago alleging breach of contract and bad faith for refusing to cover the business losses.

However, the state Superior Court in Hartford this week dismissed the suit, agreeing with FMI that the tribal authority failed to show that the virus caused any physical loss or damage to its property as required by the commercial policy.

The ruling by Judge Cesar Noble is in line with the majority of rulings that have sided with insurers in their denials of COVID-19-based claims for business interruption losses.

Topics COVID-19 Profit Loss
The worlds biggest insurers are expanding in Africa, looking to tap growth promised by a rising population and middle class, but climate change could complicate their quest for profits.

With Western markets overcrowded, the continent provides a rare chance to grow.

In the United States, insurance premiums, including life, and general insurance, make up the equivalent of 12% of economic output or gross domestic product, according to Swiss Re. That is roughly four times the level across Africa, based on African Insurance Organisation estimates for 2019.

However, the region faces some of the fastest warming globally.

Temperatures in southern Africa rose at twice the global rate on average in the five years leading up to 2019, according to a report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Yet insurers are undeterred, with some looking to expand even in vulnerable territories.

Global reinsurer Swiss Re wants to push further into Nigeria, including the major city Lagos, where sea surges already threaten expensive real estate and poor slums. It is in talks with regulators there to change the rules to allow foreign reinsurance firms to write more business.

Peer SCOR wants to build up in agriculture  a sector highly vulnerable to extreme weather.

Other major African banks and insurers including Standard Bank, Absa and Sanlam have also put expanding into African markets at the core of their strategies.

This will expose their portfolios to ever more climate risk. The companies said there were multiple ways to mitigate this, including working with clients to reduce the risks they face.

Peeling an Onion

Low levels of banking and insurance uptake among the continents young, rapidly growing and increasingly wealthy population mean Africa is seen as among the most attractive, untapped financial services markets in the world.

Before COVID-19, Africas insurance market was expected to grow at compound annual growth rates of 7% per year between 2020 and 2025  nearly twice as fast as predictions for North America, three times that of Europe and better than Asias predicted 7%, according to McKinsey.

Insurers are already counting the cost of climate change elsewhere. In wildfire hot spots such as California, they have pulled out of providing cover.

But in Africa, the current low levels of penetration mean that massive economic losses from weather-related disasters do not yet reflect in credit and insurance portfolios.

For global reinsurers, building up on the continent is therefore a way to diversify their portfolio, and hedge the climate risks they face elsewhere, SCOR and Swiss Re said.

A flood in Lagos or drought in Kenya have no correlation with a tsunami in Japan, said Swiss Res market executive for Africa and the Middle East, Beat Strebel. This means losses in one territory can be offset with premium income from another.

With the continent accounting for such a small part of its global business, the reinsurer had ample room to grow for decades, he said.

In Nigeria, for instance, where floods caused huge economic losses, property and casualty insurance penetration stands at just 0.3% of gross domestic product, he said.

Strebel pointed to the importance of innovative products such as parametric insurance, which SCOR also said would be key.

Parametric products use a single data point to trigger payouts, avoiding costly visits by loss adjusters.

Scor is running several pilot projects on the continent in agricultural parametric insurance which could see it enter new sub-Saharan African markets if successful.

Still, insurers can run into trouble.

The Kenya Livestock Insurance Programme (KLIP) is one of the most prominent parametric schemes, winning praise for paying out to tens of thousands of smallholder farmers when their livestock died from drought.

The government subsidized premiums to make it work. But Swiss Re, its main reinsurance backer, racked up years of losses on the program when droughts were more severe than it anticipated.

In 2018, it told the Kenyan government it would have to rework the KLIP to make it more sustainable, by reducing how frequently it had to make the maximum overall payout, the schemes top official Richard Kyuma told Reuters.

Getting estimations of climate risk right is not easy, said McKinsey partner Antonio Grimaldi, especially when it comes to its second-order effects on peoples willingness to live and work in an affected area. African banks and insurers were first to accept it is something they are yet to fully grasp.

Climate risk is like peeling an onion, but the layers never end, said Wendy Dobson of Standard Bank. Just when we think we understand it we realize we dont.

(Reporting by Emma Rumney; additional reporting by Carolyn Cohn in London and Duncan Miriri in Nairobi; editing by John ODonnell and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)

Topics Carriers Profit Loss Reinsurance Climate Change
Many of Africas biggest banks and insurers have joined forces to tackle the continents biodiversity crisis while at the same time working out how to cash in on opportunities arising from it.

The African Natural Capital Alliance, launched Wednesday, is the latest in a flurry of finance sector interest in the risks and opportunities associated with the threats to biodiversity globally and its establishment is in a continent overwhelmingly dependent on nature for economic activity.

Over 60% of Africas gross domestic product is in some way dependent on nature, lagging only behind Indonesia and India, the World Economic Forum estimates, meaning its destruction represents enormous financial loss. And biodiversity is rapidly declining. Between 1970 and 2016, the continents population of mammals, fish, amphibians and reptiles fell by 65%, the WWF found.

Worlds Largest Insurers Failing to Address Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss

Financial institutions that have joined include South Africas biggest bank by market value, FirstRand Ltd., and leading Nigerian and Kenyan banks, Access Bank Plc and Equity Group Holdings Plc. Togo-based Ecobank Transnational Inc is also a member as is Standard Chartered Plc and South African insurer Sanlam Ltd.

South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya have the most developed capital markets in sub-Saharan Africa.

Responsible management of Africas natural capital, including its water, soil and forests, creates fantastic opportunities and contributes to the growth and development of the continent, Rachael Antwi, group head of ESG at Ecobank said.

Her comments echo a broader trend in the investor community with biodiversity-related investment products now ranging from natural capital equity funds to biodiversity offset credits.

Africa is home to the worlds biggest population of large mammals such as elephants and rhinos as well as the Congo Basin, the second-biggest tropical forest.

The African Natural Capital Alliance will focus its efforts on shifting financial flows from activities that destroy nature to more sustainable practices and lobbying to ensure that emerging global standards for nature-related risk management reflect African contexts, it said in a statement.

Government institutions such as Ghanas Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation and the UK-funded development agency FSD Africa are also members.

Related:

Copyright 2022 Bloomberg.

Topics Carriers
Baumann Farms LLP, a major agricultural company in central Wisconsin, will pay $180,812.50 and provide other significant relief to settle a sexual harassment, retaliation, and national origin discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the agency announced today.

According to the EEOCs lawsuit, female employees at Baumann Farms were subjected to a hostile work environment and harassed by their male supervisor, who propositioned them for sex, sent them sexually explicit photographs and texts, touched them inappropriately, and subjected them to sex-based derogatory comments and threats of physical harm. The employees were also fired for opposing the sexual harassment, according to the EEOCs lawsuit. The EEOC also charged that Baumann Farms has an English-only policy that discriminates against non-English-speaking Hispanic employees based on national origin. Baumann Farms is located on 500 acres in the Town of Wausau, Wisconsin, and is the largest grower and producer of ginseng in the Midwest.

This alleged conduct violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which makes it unlawful to discriminate against employees because of their sex or national origin. The EEOC filed suit in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission v. Baumann Farms, LLP., Civil Action No. 3:21-cv-00579) after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process.

The underlying EEOC charge which this lawsuit is based on was filed by Lotus Legal Clinic on behalf of female agricultural workers. Lotus Legal Clinic provides free legal services for victims of sexual violence and human labor and sex trafficking in Wisconsin.

The three-year consent decree settling the suit was entered by U.S. District Court Judge James D. Peterson. In addition to the monetary relief, the decree requires Baumann Farms to hire an onsite internal coordinator and an external equal employment opportunity (EEO) monitor to ensure that the company handles discrimination complaints in compliance with its obligations under Title VII and this decree. The internal coordinator will also conduct investigations of complaints of sexual harassment, national origin discrimination and retaliation.

Baumann Farms will also create and maintain a complaint system that includes a 1-800 hotline and email where discrimination complaints can be made directly to the EEO monitor in either English or Spanish. The decree also requires Baumann Farms to train both management and non-management employees on Title VIIs provisions prohibiting discrimination and retaliation. Baumann Farms will also review, revise and distribute to employees its policies and procedures against sexual harassment and retaliation, which will be written in English and Spanish.

Sexual harassment remains a problem in the agricultural industry, said Gregory Gochanour, regional attorney for the EEOCs Chicago District. The EEOC will continue to enforce the anti-discrimination laws on behalf of women farmworkers who are vulnerable to harassment and retaliation.

Julianne Bowman, district director of the EEOCs Chicago District added, Every employee has a right to a workplace free from sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation. The EEOC will continue to hold employers accountable to their obligations under Title VII.

The case was litigated by Senior Trial Attorneys Tina Burnside and Leslie Carter, under the management of Deborah Hamilton of the agencys Chicago District. That district of the agency is responsible for processing charges of discrimination, administrative enforcement and litigation in Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Iowa, with Area Offices in Milwaukee and Minneapolis.

Source: EEOC

Topics Lawsuits Wisconsin
The Missouri Court of Appeals Western District has affirmed a $5.2 million judgment against Geico in a case involving a Jackson County woman who contracted anogenital human papillomavirus (HPV) during sexual encounters in a car insured by the company.

Geico had appealed the judgment by the Circuit Court of Jackson County confirming an arbitration award against Geicos insured, M.B., and in favor of M.O., the woman who contracted HPV. Geico argued the trial court erred in confirming the arbitration award without giving the insurer an opportunity to defend itself.

M.O. and M.B. began a romantic relationship in November 2017, at which time M.B.s car was insured by Geico. M.O. claims she and the insured engaged in unprotected sexual activities in the insureds car, and during those encounters, the insured negligently infected her with HPV by not taking proper precautions and neglecting to inform and/or disclose his diagnosis despite having known of his condition.

Commentary: Does Personal Auto Policy Cover STDs?

In February 2021, M.O. informed Geico of a petition she intended to file against the insured and made a final settlement offer to resolve her claims for the applicable limits of $1 million. Geico denied coverage and refused M.O.s settlement offer.

In March 2021, M.O. and the insured agreed to arbitrate M.O.s claims. The arbitrator determined the sexual activity in the insureds car directly caused, or directly contributed to M.O. contracting HPV. The arbitrator awarded M.O. $5.2 million in May 2021. A week later, M.O. informed Geico of that she and insured had entered into an arbitration agreement, and M.O. filed her Petition for Damages in the trial court.

Geico only learned of the lawsuit weeks later by monitoring the Missouri state courts automated case management system.

In July 2021, Geico filed a motion to for a new trial and a motion to vacate the $5.2 award, but the trial court denied all motions.

In its case in the front of the Court of Appeals, Geico alleges it was denied the ability to participate in discovery, submit motions or litigate before the trial court ahead of the trial courts decision to confirm the arbitration award.

In its opinion, the Court of Appeals said that while an insurer has the right to receive written notice and an opportunity to intervene, it is not entitled to develop facts and arguments pre- judgment.

At the time of Geicos intervention, liability and damages had been determined by an arbitrator and confirmed by the trial court, the court wrote. GEICO had no right to relitigate those issues.

Geico also asserts it had a right to challenge the award prior to entry of judgment, to which the Court of Appeals disagreed. Because Geico denied coverage, it not was not a party when M.O. applied for confirmation of the award, nor was it a party at any time prior to the trial courts entry of judgment confirming the award, the court surmised. Therefore the trial court was not required to allow Geico to intervene prior to entering judgment confirming the award. Geico lastly argues that it was denied its rights to defend its interests in accordance with state and federal constitutions. The Court of Appeals ruled that by denying coverage and refusing to defend the insured, Geico conceded its rights. But GEICO did have the opportunity to participate and defend its interestsincluding the ability to challenge liability and damagesby entering a defense of Insured, the court wrote.

Topics Missouri
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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Thursday said it was upgrading its probe into 830,000 Tesla vehicles with its advanced driver assistance system Autopilot, a required step before it could seek a recall.

The auto safety agency in August opened a preliminary evaluation to assess the performance of the system in 765,000 vehicles after about a dozen crashes in which Tesla vehicles struck stopped emergency vehicles  and said Thursday it had identified six additional crashes.

NHTSA is upgrading its probe to an engineering analysis, which it must do before demanding a recall if deemed necessary.

The auto safety regulator is reviewing whether Tesla vehicles adequately ensure drivers are paying attention. The agency added evidence suggested drivers in most crashes under review had complied with Teslas alert strategy that seeks to compel driver attention, raising questions about its effectiveness.

In 2020, the National Transportation Safety Board criticized Teslas ineffective monitoring of driver engagement after a 2018 fatal Autopilot crash and said NHTSA had provided scant oversight.

NHTSA said the upgrade is to extend the existing crash analysis, evaluate additional data sets, perform vehicle evaluations, and to explore the degree to which Autopilot and associated Tesla systems may exacerbate human factors or behavioral safety risks by undermining the effectiveness of the drivers supervision.

Tesla, which has disbanded its press offices, did not respond to a request for comment.

NHTSA said it has reports of 16 crashes, including seven injury incidents and one death, involving Tesla vehicles in Autopilot that had struck stationary first-responder and road maintenance vehicles.

Democratic Senator Ed Markey praised NHTSAs upgrade. Every day that Tesla disregards safety rules and misleads the public about its Autopilot system, our roads become more dangerous, he wrote on Twitter.

NHTSA said its analysis indicated that Forward Collision Warnings activated in the majority of incidents just prior to impact and that subsequent Automatic Emergency Braking intervened in approximately half of the crashes.

On average in these crashes, Autopilot aborted vehicle control less than one second prior to the first impact, the agency added.

NHTSA noted that where incident video was available, the approach to the first responder scene would have been visible to the driver an average of 8 seconds leading up to impact.

The agency also reviewed 106 reported Autopilot crashes and said in approximately half, indications existed that the driver was insufficiently responsive to the needs of the dynamic driving task.

A drivers use or misuse of vehicle components, or operation of a vehicle in an unintended manner does not necessarily preclude a system defect, the agency said.

NHTSA also found in about a quarter of the 106 crashes, the primary crash factor appeared to relate to operating the system where Tesla says limitations may exist in places like roadways other than limited-access highways, or while in visibility environments involving factors such as rain, snow, or ice.

Tesla says Autopilot allows the vehicles to brake and steer automatically within their lanes but does not make them capable of driving themselves.

A NHTSA spokesperson said advanced driving assistance features can promote safety by helping drivers avoid crashes and mitigate the severity of crashes that occur, but as with all technologies and equipment on motor vehicles, drivers must use them correctly and responsibly.

Last week, NHTSA said it asked Tesla to respond to questions by June 20 after it received 758 reports of unexpected brake activation tied to Autopilot in its separate investigation of 416,000 newer vehicles.

Separately, NHTSA has opened 35 special crash investigations into incidents involving Tesla vehicles, in which Autopilot or other advanced systems were suspected of use involving 14 reported deaths since 2016, including a crash that killed three last month in California.

NHTSA asked a dozen other automakers including General Motors GM.N Toyota Motor Corp and Volkswagen to answer questions on driver engagement and attentiveness strategies using driver assistance systems during its Tesla probe but has not released their responses.

Topics USA Tesla Autonomous Vehicles
No injuries were reported Wednesday after what police initially described as an explosion at a liquefied natural gas terminal in Southeast Texas.

Freeport LNG reported that an incident occurred around 11:40 a.m. at its facility in Quintana along the Texas Gulf Coast, about 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of Houston.

The Surfside Beach Police Department said the facility had experienced some sort of explosion, but no evacuation orders had been issued.

Aerial footage from Houston television stations showed water being poured in one area at the terminal emitting white smoke, but there was no sign of an active fire.

All employees at the facility were accounted for, Houston-based Freeport LNG said in a statement. There is no risk to the surrounding community. The incident investigation will continue, said the company, one of the largest U.S. exporters of liquefied natural gas, or LNG.

Copyright 2022 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Texas
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A federal lawsuit against Ford Motor Co. and other manufacturers of auto parts that contained asbestos is proceeding, after a judge in North Carolina rejected arguments that a mechanic should have known of the dangers of asbestos.

Mesothelioma.net, an advocacy group for victims of asbestos-related diseases, has hailed the judges decision.

Despite the aggressive defense that the manufacturers mounted against the mesothelioma claim, the judge hearing their motions for summary judgment refused the majority of their arguments and allowed the widows case to move forward for a jury to hear, the group wrote Thursday.

In Laura Walls vs. Ford, et al, the widow of Robie Walls is suing Ford and other companies that manufactured asbestos-containing brake pads and other parts that Robie Walls worked with for decades. The mechanic died in October 2020, one year after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma.

The case has been closely watched because it highlights auto repair  another class of workers that continue to be exposed to asbestos. Ford and the other parts makers argued that Walls employers are the ones responsible, that the suit was barred by the exclusive remedy provided by workers compensation laws, and that the man should have known what he was working with and should not have sanded the brakes.

But U.S. District Judge Loretta Biggs rejected those arguments and allowed the multimillion-dollar case to proceed. Her ruling came seven months after the Washington State Supreme Court upheld an $81.5 million verdict against an auto parts company and distributor. In March of this year, a St. Louis jury ordered Ford to pay $20 million in a suit brought by a mechanic.

After Biggs order in the Walls case, Ford this week asked the judge to reconsider, arguing that she had made errors of fact and of law in letting the suit proceed. The plaintiff did not produce reliable expert testimony that his exposure led to his lung disease, the defendants said.

More hearings on experts qualifications will be held next week.

A number of trust funds help cover claims against asbestos companies that have declared bankruptcy, but other corporations face multiple lawsuits.

Topics Lawsuits North Carolina
GPs are the cornerstone of our healthcare system. Whenever we have a health issue, we are told to contact them for advice on how to treat it.

But what happens if they are unavailable? What if we have to wait days, even weeks, for an appointment? This is happening nationwide, as Ireland experiences a shortage of GPs.

The unfortunate reality is that we do not have enough GPs to meet our needs, says Dr Diarmuid Quinlan, medical director of the Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP).

According to the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO), Ireland has 0.7 GPs per 1,000 people. Thats significantly lower than the recommended minimum of 1.1.

This shortfall can have serious consequences. General practice is fundamental to delivering timely and equitable access to healthcare, supporting people to stay well in the comfort of their own homes, and avoiding unnecessary attendance at A&E and admission to hospital, says Quinlan.

A Norwegian study published in the most recent issue of the British Journal of Medical Practice proves his point. It found that patients who were regularly attended to by their GP had fewer acute hospital admissions and lower mortality.

The problem is set to deteriorate further in the years ahead, with the HSE anticipating a shortage of 1,660 GPs by 2028. The ICGP attributes some of this to the fact that an estimated 700 GPs will retire in the next five years.

The other issue is newly-qualified doctors being deterred by the stressful working conditions of Irish GPs and choosing to practice abroad or to specialise in another area of medicine instead.

The average GP works 10 to 12 hours a day, says Quinlan. Theres a lot of invisible work in addition to patient consultations such as writing letters of referral, returning phone calls, and so on.

Dr Diarmuid Quinlan

Theres so much for them to do that the 2021 IMO Study of Doctor Mental Health and Wellbeing found that 57% of doctors were unable to take scheduled breaks during their working day.

They are reporting worryingly high levels of stress and burnout as a result. Nine out of 10 say they have experienced some form of depression, anxiety, stress, or other mental health condition related to or exacerbated by their work.

The pandemic has added to the pressure, with 36% reporting that they hadnt been able to take any time off since the pandemic started and 79% reporting that their mental health had deteriorated as a result.

The pressures on busy GPs

The Irish Examiner spoke to three GPs about what its like to treat patients when their service is under such strain.

Dr Denis McCauley, 59, is a Donegal-based GP and chairman of the IMOs GP Committee. He says: I work in a group practice with four others and we each see up to 40 patients every day. Theres more demand than there are doctors, which results in waiting lists of up to two weeks for non-acute cases.

He feels guilty about this: The success of our system depends on patients seeing their GPs quickly. Its less worry for patients and ultimately results in fewer referrals to specialists.

Yet there is little to do about it as he is already working to capacity: I start at 8.30am and dont finish until after 7pm. I even check blood results and complete paperwork at lunchtime.

McCauley believes the seeds of the current situation were sown in 2008, when the payments GPs received for dealing with medical card patients were reduced by 40%: That impacted our ability to attract young GPs. The number of GPs coming into the system was lower than the number retiring, so the workload went up for everyone.

Covid exacerbated the problem. We had to displace work then and its added to our workload now, says McCauley.

Dr Mike Thompson is a GP in Midleton, County Cork. He is joined in his practice by an assistant GP, a part-time nurse, medical students from UCC, a GP registrar who is completing GP training, a practice manager, and four secretaries.

Dr Mike Thompson at Imokilly medical centre in Midleton. Picture Eddie O'Hare

Together, we offer approximately 320 appointments every week to the 4,000 or so people who are registered with us, says Thompson.

The team is constantly under pressure to meet demand. He says: Were already 70% booked out by 8.30am every morning. We try to keep slots available for same-day contingency but those are usually gone by 9.05am. How can we then squeeze in the sick baby, the elderly person whos fallen, or the suicidal young man?

On the day he spoke to The Irish Examiner, Thompson had had 21 face-to-face consultations, 17 telephone contacts with patients, and one phone call to a consultant colleague. Hed also dealt with 64 letters or test results, reviewed and emailed 11 prescription requests, and attended an hour-long Zoom meeting with a diabetes group: I will have worked a total of 71 hours by the time this week is over."

Dr Laura Cullen is one of three GPs working in a rural practice near Bantry in County Cork. The 42-year-old mother of two regularly works 10-hour days, trying to fit in as many patient consultations as possible: I see up to 28 patients face to face, talk to another 15 or so over the phone, and do some house calls. Im constantly under pressure and its never enough.

Like all GPs, she is also required to work out of hours. The way this works is that all GPs in a particular area share the workload involved in providing medical care in the evenings and at weekends.

Cullen says: At the moment, there are 18 GPs in my area, and we all have to work an extra eight to 16 hours a month But five are likely to retire in the next few years. Im at capacity now in terms of the work Im doing but Im worried Ill be put under pressure to do more when they go.

According to the IMO study, 60% of doctors find it difficult to take holiday or sick leave because of the scarcity and cost of locum cover. Cullen says: Ive definitely worked through a few illnesses when I knew I shouldnt have. I didnt feel I had any other option.

She even felt pressure to cut her maternity leave short. I was working in a hospital when I had my first baby and took the full six months off. But as a GP, I had no cover for my second baby and went back after 10 weeks. That was hard, especially because she was often sick as a baby. There were times that I was by her side in hospital feeling guilty because choosing to be with her meant I was putting pressure on my colleagues.

The impact of a poor work/life balance

Dr Laura Cullen at the Marino Medical Centre, Bantry, Co Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan

Cullen believes this lack of work/life balance is one of the biggest reasons why young doctors are deciding against working in general practice in Ireland: They know that it no longer fits around family life."

This is particularly pertinent for women, according to Roscommon-based GP and IMO GP committee member, Madeleine Ni Dhalaigh: We now have more female medical graduates than male and until now, many of them have chosen to specialise in general practice because its been seen as an area of medicine that complements family life. But at the moment, there are problems with this.

One of these problems is advancement within the system. GPs progress by moving from assistant positions to becoming principal GPs or partners within the practice, says Ni Dhalaigh. But that requires significant financial investment, and it can be daunting to take on that burden at a time when youre probably still dealing with college debt, applying for mortgages, and worrying about things like the cost of childcare. Many women choose to continue as assistants instead.

Steps are being taken to address these problems. The first is the IMO GP Deal with the Department of Health and HSE which restored GP payments to 2008 levels. The next is increasing the number of GP training places. The ICGP, which is the body responsible for training GPs, has committed to raising them from 258 this year to 250 by 2028.

Newly-qualified GPs will then have to be convinced that its worth working in Ireland, says McCauley: The IMO is campaigning for supports to be offered to young GPs to set up in practice and for grant aid to be available for practices to take on additional nursing and administrative staff.

The HSE should support young doctors "in the way the IDA offers grants to entrepreneurs setting up businesses, says Ni Dhalaigh.

The out-of-hours commitment also needs to be overhauled so that it meets patients needs without placing an unmanageable burden on GPs, says McCauley.

Such changes could drastically improve our health system. Our young GPs are trained to world-class levels and if encouraged and supported, they would give the HSE back multiples of its investment, says Ni Dhalaigh.

The IMO report found that more than 80% of GPs still have a strong desire to practice medicine. Yet 39% also stated that they are not fully satisfied with their career choice. Its that latter figure that worries doctors like Quinlan, McCauley, Thompson, Cullen, and Ni Dhalaigh. Its why they are campaigning for change.

McCauley says: Im 59 now and continue to take great pride in my job. The past decade has been a dreadful one but by the time I retire, I hope the situation will have improved and there will be a future in general practice for young people.
There are now almost 35,700 refugees from Ukraine in Ireland, with 2,500 arriving in the two weeks up to the bank holiday weekend.

Figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) show that of the 6,824 children who arrived from Ukraine and enrolled in school, 70% were in primary education while 30% were in secondary education.

Of the 35,670 personal public service numbers (PPSN) issued to people arriving from the country that was invaded by Russia in February, some 48% are women aged 20 or more, while people under 19 account for 37%.

Waiting times between receiving a PPSN and enrolling in school is around two weeks on average, the CSO said.

Some 42%, or just under 15,000, are in the one parent with children category, the highest percentage among the broad relationship categories used, the CSO said.

The geographical spread shows that urban areas in Cork, Dublin, Galway, and Kerry are popular settling grounds for Ukrainians, while Ennistymon in Clare has proven especially welcoming with 1,165 people, based on PPSN numbers.

The likes of Killarney and Kenmare in Kerry, and Midleton in east Cork have also become home to large swathes of Ukrainian people, with 911, 840, and 810 settling in each respectively.

Some 6,824 arrivals from Ukraine have enrolled in schools, the CSO figures show. Dublin has the highest number of children enrolled in schools at 1,194 while Monaghan had the lowest at 21, it said.

Of children of primary school age, there are roughly between 550 and 650 children in each yearly category from five to 12-year-olds, the data show.

Statistician Karola Graupner said: "Using the local post office address as a proxy for place of residence, arrivals from Ukraine are present in all local electoral areas (LEA) and North Inner City in Dublin had the highest number of associated arrivals from Ukraine at 1,304."
Earlier this month, Rebecca Saunders exhumed her daughter's body so she could take her home to the US.

Clarissa McCarthy was drowned by her father Martin, 50, who then took his own life, on Audley Cove, a beach below their home in West Cork in a tragic murder-suicide.
Gardai are appealing for witnesses after an 80-year-old man died in a collision in Bandon, Co Cork today just after midday.

The incident, involving two cars, occurred on the R585, Dunmanway Road. The elderly man, who was driving one of the cars, was pronounced dead shortly after Gardai and emergency services arrived.
THERE was a pessimistic mood across local councils in the early months of 1923, and not just because of the continuing Civil War. Another factor is what historian Diarmaid Ferriter has referred to as the utter contempt that had quickly developed at central government level for local democracy.

Antrim-man, Ernest Blythe, had been appointed as minister for local government and public health in 1922 by William T Cosgrave and he wasted little time in stamping his authority. Officials of the Department of Local Government and Public Health were sent to audit and inspect many local councils and the difficulties of local authorities were viewed from the centre with exasperation.

The main official in the department was the secretary, Edward (known as EP) McCarron. McCarron was a controversial appointment and he was greatly distrusted by many local authorities given that he was a former Local Government Board official under the British regime.

The attitude of Blythe, McCarron, and other senior officials in the Department of Local Government and Public Health was paternalistic and austere  they were interested in rectitude and efficiency rather than local democracy.

Blythe had steered the Local Elections Postponement Act 1922 through the Dail in December, in the midst of the Civil War  the first of many times central government would defer local elections over the coming decades.

The minister was also working on a significant piece of legislation, the Local Government (Temporary Provisions) Act. This legislation gave power to the minister to dissolve local authorities and replace them with a centrally-appointed commissioner.

Ultimately, despite criticisms, the Local Government (Temporary Provisions) Act was passed on 28 March 1923. The essence of the 1923 act was that the minister could dissolve a local authority having first ordered an inquiry into its performance.

Dublin Corporation

The reinstatement of the council, following a new election, would be decided by the minister with no timeframe indicated. Dublin Corporation was in the firing line. It was not a Republican local authority and had remained impressively neutral during the Civil War.

Nonetheless, it had antagonised the government whose view was that sovereignty and self-government were to be vested in central government, not spread or extended to local areas.

On February 20, 1924, EP McCarron wrote to the town clerk of Dublin, John J Murphy, informing him that an inquiry into the performance of Dublin Corporation was to be held under section 12 of the 1923 Temporary Provisions Act.

Under the chairmanship of Nicholas ODwyer (chief engineering inspector in the Department of Local Government and Public Health), the Dublin inquiry sat for 14 days in the Oak Room of the Mansion House in March and April 1924. The Irish Times and Evening Herald, both openly hostile to the Corporation, rejoiced in the inquiry.

An editorial in the latter newspaper stated:

Jobbery and corruption are rampant in City Hall .. The members of the Municipal Council are men of straw  They are not fitted in any sense to hold authority or to administer any municipal department.

At the end of the inquiry, Nicholas ODwyer produced an inconclusive report  nonetheless, it came as little surprise when Minister Seamus Burke announced that Dublin Corporation was to be dissolved, with its properties, powers and duties transferred to three government-appointed commissioners from May 20, 1924.

Predictably, the Evening Herald rejoiced and ran a front-page headline of DUBLIN CORPORATION ABOLISHED. The Irish Times also welcomed the decision and lamented that the Corporation had been inefficient and extravagant.

The three commissioners appointed to replace the corporation were Seamus Murphy, Dr William Dwyer and Patrick Hernon  they were in charge until October 1930 when the corporation was reinstated with Alfie Byrne elected Lord Mayor.

Cork Corporation

After the dissolution of Dublin Corporation, the governments attention turned to Cork. In 1924, Cork Corporation was a difficult council, divided on pro- and anti-Treaty lines. The bitter mayoral election of January 1924, which anti-Treaty councillor Sean French won by one vote, did nothing to ease hostilities.

Lord Mayor French struggled to unite the council and, with the Cork Progressive Association and the Cork Examiner calling for an inquiry into local administration, Minister Seamus Burke intervened. He ordered the holding of a public inquiry, starting on August 26 in Cork Courthouse.

There was controversy even before the inquiry commenced. Alderman Richard Beamish  a councillor, TD and the citys largest ratepayer through Beamish & Crawford  was quoted in the local media as saying that the decision had already been made in Dublin to dissolve Cork Corporation.

The inquiry, chaired once again by Nicholas ODwyer, sat for nine dramatic days, before packed public galleries at each session. Lord Mayor Sean French offered a staunch defence of the corporation, highlighting the tremendous difficulties it had faced in recent years. These included the murder of Lord Mayor Tomas MacCurtain, the death on hunger strike of his successor, Lord Mayor Terence MacSwiney, and the burning of much of the city, including City Hall.

Interestingly, the Lord Mayor also asserted that the people of Cork were partly to blame if local government in the city was not as effective as it should be: A real and serious attempt should be made to educate the citizens in local services and to instil into them an interest in local government bodies and generally in local affairs, he said.

AS WAS the case in Dublin, Nicholas ODwyer wrote a bland report which did not contain a firm recommendation.

However, confirming the assertion made by Alderman Richard Beamish in advance of the inquiry, Cork Corporation was duly dissolved.

The government appointed Philip Monahan as commissioner and he held power from October 1924 to March 1929 when the corporation returned following local elections. Once again, Sean French was elected Lord Mayor.

Local government reforms

One advantage of the commissionership years in Dublin and Cork was that it gave the government the breathing space to formulate proposals for the reform of local government.

Chief amongst these was the introduction of the management system, whereby power would be shared between an appointed city manager and the elected council. The Cork City Management Act, 1929 was soon followed by the Local Government (Dublin) Act, 1930.

During a heated debate in Dail Eireann on the Cork legislation, Sean French TD  Lord Mayor of Cork when the corporation was dissolved, and now a Fianna Fail deputy  argued that he wanted a city manager appointed and not a city master.

The countrys first city manager was duly appointed in Cork in 1929  none other than Philip Monahan who would stay in the role until 1959. A year later, Gerald Sherlock, the former town clerk, was appointed as Dublin city manager and he retained the position until 1936.

A case can be made that local democracy in Ireland was a victim of the Civil War and the first Free State government.

'A dangerous power'

The Cosgrave government was determined to reduce the autonomy of local authorities and, regrettably, intense centralism remains a dominant theme in Ireland today.

It is worth noting that the power of dissolution (now called the power of suspension) remains on the statute books and was contained in the Local Government Act, 2001 which codified and updated all previous local government legislation.

Mark Callanan refers to the power as a nuclear option and comments: The ability of one elected branch of government to effectively overturn the results of a local election and suspend another elected branch is a serious and, some might say, a dangerous power.
Ushered by the Sacred Heart nuns of Mount Anville, we babbled along for 14 years in tightly choreographed tweedy rivers over golden oak parquet, passing under William Dargans soaring Gothic arches, in and out of the heavily ornamented Scottish baronial halls.

I dont remember taking in the architecture and stately detail. The only thing the 19th-century industrial palace seemed useful for was flying leaps off the eight-foot limestone windowsills to a gym mat when the sisters were enclosed for tea.

The high Victorian big schools have developed a Harry Potter-driven glamour more recently with their ancient quoin stones, encaustic tiles, and beautified deities guarding every corridor.

Another generation of children were herded from the protective, cottage-core surrounds of rural national schools to be ingested by the brutalist facades typical of the mid to late 20th-century secondary school. It was, for many, an overwhelming, oppressive experience where anything might happen to you in the yawning concrete and glass spaces conjured by adults for adult control.

The Architects in Schools exhibition in Castlebar.

One thing these later institutions (largely denominational) did offer  was light. It might have been single glazed (we boiled under solar gain, or froze from October) but even the most corporate bunkers in the international modern style were brighter, purpose-built and more flexible than the heritage mausoleums manipulated to educational ends.

Architects in Schools exhibits.

Prefabricated components and bold new ideas made a school building a high-profile challenge for an architect, providing the wider communities with cultural and social centres out of class time too.

The development of the architecture of schools has paralleled and sometimes pioneered the evolution of wider built design, delivering some worthy enough with their impressive open-plans and progressive spaces, to be considered for protected status.

Thom Mayne declared: Architecture is a way of seeing, thinking and questioning our world and our place in it.

Any Irish secondary school building provides a lively, provoking venue to introduce the principles of design to a new generation.

The National Architects in Schools Initiative, coordinated by the Irish Architecture Foundation (IAF), is in its ninth year. In 2021/2022 the vibrant programme ran in 70 schools all over Ireland catering to 1,750 interested Transition Year students under the guidance of 41 RIAI architects, together with architectural graduates and teacher-facilitators.

The inviting language of the accompanying handbook (part of an inventive online folio of tools for the young designers) states: The buildings and spaces we use every day affect our lives and it is your right as a citizen to have a say about the design of the built environment. By participating in this project, you too can have a voice in the design process.

Children having a say in their surroundings? Put some light scaffolding on my mind.

The Architects in Schools exhibition is at INM, Turlough Park in Castlebar, Co Mayo, and continues until June 30.

With the themes of Home, Community, and Sustainability, professionally guided workshops offered 12 hours of experiential classes, where the teams explored the design process in Irish and global architecture, allowing youngsters to both express and develop their own ideas.

Utilising excursions, drawing, model-making, photography, and more, students were encouraged to constantly re-imagine the spaces around them, fostering a new appreciation of the relevance of the built environment through which they move; 2D and 3D modelling allowed the participating young designers to present and reflect on what they had learnt from the process, connecting with architecture as design and an art form.

Architectural studies fosters multiple life skills and segues with many senior cycle courses including art, maths, sciences, and construction studies. The handbook accompanying the project invites students in: What can I design? That part is entirely up to you! You could design a room, a building, a public space or an installation. You could redesign your school or propose a new use for an empty building in your local area. Your design might not be a building!

Sketching, exploring, working alone and in teams on design briefs for permanent and temporary spaces, the surroundings they probably just drifted through, came into sharper focus.

Themes jump to life in the mind-altering discipline of journaling  circulation, materials, symmetry, and scale. In the growing Climate Crisis, its a motivating challenge for these designers to set out a new vision, integrating sustainable green materials and the radical new technologies needed to construct and run both homes and cavernous, public spaces.

A project as part of the Bishopstown Community College 'Architecture in Schools' programme.

Bishopstown Community College is one of three schools featured in the short film Architects in Schools: The Student Voice  part of the Architects in Schools 2022 exhibition at the National Museum of Ireland  Country Life, in Turlough Park, Castlebar.

A collaboration between the NMI and the IAF, the exhibition displays the design work carried out during this years initiative in a fascinating trail through the RIAI award-winning lakeside galleries. It focuses on home design principles informed by current concerns about the environment and its effect on rural Ireland, further influenced and anchored by elements of the National Folklore Collection.

Students at work in Bishopstown Community College.

Many projects turned out to be highly personal.

TY student Mikolaj Wujek explains: I wanted to design my dream house and this design is very practical for me. Its everything I need and manages space very well without expanding outwards too much. I was inspired by the Moroccan riad houses. The entire house is built off the pool in the middle. I wanted to design the model in a way that anyone could jump into the pool no matter where in the house they are.

The design is a two-storey house with a courtyard in the middle. There is a wide entrance that lets you see into the courtyard. At the end of the courtyard there is a door which leads into the main section of the house. This part is three storeys tall with a staircase leading up. This section is a storey higher than the rest so you can step out onto the roof. The roof allows you to circle around the walls of the house and lounge in the sun.

Could Mikolaj see a future in architecture as a career? I was always interested in architecture, but this programme has made me look into it much more. Ive never really had the chance to do anything related in school until the programme which was great fun.

The Architects in Schools exhibition.

Student designer Jack Sullivan also found the course to be an awakening, placing climate concerns and construction costs at the heart of his work. My design is a practical design I feel because houses these days are unaffordable, I based my design on the Cube Houses in Rotterdam in The Netherlands, which are compact and affordable. I choose this project because the price of a house is currently not affordable or sustainable. The model building was great, and it was interesting to see something you come up with, come to life.

Could Jack, like Mikolaj, see himself having designs on a career in architecture or a related field? It has shown me that there are jobs out there, so I would say  yes.

Kevin McAuliffe, Wood Technology and Construction Studies teacher, watched the confidence of his students soar: Overall it was a fantastic experience. We had 13 students who took part in the programme, a mix of girls and boys. For the students to work with a real architect, who brought so much knowledge and experience, was really special. Majella [the architect] worked with the students over a number of weeks and each week the students interest in architecture grew.

I was surprised at how unique and individual all of their designs and models ended up.

They really got to express their own ideas and make their dream home or room. Two of the participating students now want to go on to study architecture which shows the impact and value of the Architects in Schools programme.

Majella Walsh, of Cork-based, Litema Architecture and Design, was inspired by the creativity, critical thinking, skill and lively debate amongst her hard-working team. Students were asked to design their future home. These ranged from an inward-looking courtyard home based around a pool, to an orange home hidden in a forest, to a security-conscious homeowners yellow home on stilts.

There is always a sense of surprise in where the students initial design ideas will lead to, and the variety of directions that individuals take. Students themselves are sometimes surprised as their ideas develop into an actual model. Working as an architect I am always inspired by new ideas, and other peoples enthusiasm for new buildings and materials. While working with TY students you become aware of the interest and direction that the future generation wants to take in architecture.

Architects in Schools is funded by the Arts Council, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Department of Education and Skills. See architecturefoundation.ie. The exhibition at INM, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo, runs until June 30. Entry is free, see museum.ie.
Burma At Least Nine Myanmar Regime Soldiers Killed in Chin State Clashes

CDF members undergo military training. / CDF Kanpetlet

Clashes were reported in Kanpetlet Township, Chin State, on Thursday, with at least nine Myanmar junta soldiers killed, according to resistance forces.

Clashes took place at Let Mon village between resistance forces and nearly 200 regime soldiers. During two clashes, nine soldiers were killed and many others injured, according to the Chin Defence Force Kanpetlet (CDF). No resistance injuries were reported.

The Irrawaddy could not independently verify the reports.

Fighting continued on Friday morning near the village for an hour and a CDF fighter was lightly wounded.

Mindat-based Light Infantry Battalion 274 fired heavy weapons this morning. We had to withdraw because we were outnumbered, a CDF commander told The Irrawaddy on Friday.

A Let Mon villager hiding in a forest was wounded by artillery and some villagers were detained as hostages on Thursday.

They seized some civilians who were hiding in a forest. Soldiers tortured some of the villagers who could not escape, he said.

The CDF could not verify the number of hostages taken. Thousands of civilians from 20 villages in CDF territory have fled, amid fears of more clashes.

Clashes have been reported in Chin State since May 2021. The resistance regularly attacks military convoys, inflicting heavy casualties. A lot of clashes have been taking place in Mindat Township and there has been no fighting in Kanpetlet since April last year. Junta troops started trying to occupy CDF territory in the township this month.

On Friday, junta troops advanced from Let Mon village and fighting may intensify, the CDF said.

The regime has been deploying more troops to Chin State from neighboring Magwe Region by air and land since late May. A CDF commander said he thought the troops in Kanpetlet were deployed from Kyaukhtu in Magwe.
Burma Myanmar Regime Charges Former Irrawaddy Journalist With Incitement

The Irrawaddy's former photojournalist Zaw Zaw.

Myanmars junta charged The Irrawaddys former photojournalist Zaw Zaw with incitement on Monday, according to his lawyer.

Zaw Zaw was detained in Mandalay in April and later sent to the citys Obo Prison. He stopped working for The Irrawaddy last year.

His lawyer U Myo Min Zaw said that the police submitted the case to the court on Monday, charging Zaw Zaw with incitement under Article 505(a) of the Penal Code.

Zaw Zaw appeared in court for the first time on Wednesday.

He looks fine and in good health, said his lawyer.

He added that his client thought that he had been charged for a Facebook post in which he denounced the junta.

But U Myo Min Zaw declined to confirm the exact reason for the charge as he was still waiting for access to the police file submitted to the court.

Another court hearing for Zaw Zaw is set for next Wednesday.

Since last years coup, the military regime has arrested over 140 media workers, of whom around 60 remain behind bars.
Burma Political Prisoners Tortured by Myanmar Junta Troops in Karen State

Hpa-an prison, Karen State. / Nyan Soe Win / The Irrawaddy

About 60 political prisoners in Hpa-an prison in Karen State have been tortured, according to the Hpa-an University Students Union, whose members are among the prisoners.

Two prisoners escaped on June 4 and the warden was fired and beatings began under the new warden, Hla Swe, on June 6.

A Hpa-an Technology University Students Union representative told The Irrawaddy that Hla Swe called junta troops into the prison where they used rubber bullets and extreme violence and forced over 200 political prisoners in with criminal inmates.

They used sharp bamboo to stab the prisoners. They were denied water and food for the whole day. They also used slingshots with pebbles, the student representative said. No visitors are allowed and we dont know whos alive.

The injured were denied medical treatment and their families were not allowed to visit.

A prisoners relative confirmed the reports.

Criminal inmates have also reportedly been threatening the political prisoners.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, which records deaths and arrests, told The Irrawaddy that torture in prison is illegal.

One day the prison authorities must pay for these crimes, said an AAPP member.

On May 8 about 60 political prisoners from Hpa-an were beaten by regime forces because they sang revolutionary songs and banged pots. Four prisoners were reportedly seriously injured.

Around 14,055 people have been detained and approximately 10,998 remain behind the bars since the coup, according to the AAPP.

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Burma Senior US State Dept Official Visits Thai Border, Discusses Ways to Aid Myanmar People

Derek Chollet and his delegation visit the Mae Tao Clinic in Mae Sot on Thursday. / Karen National Media

US State Department Counselor Derek Chollet visited a camp for Myanmar refugees and met civil society groups in the Thai border town of Mae Sot on Thursday as part of his Southeast Asian trip this week to discuss US efforts to support the Myanmar people.

From Thailand, Chollet will travel to Singapore and Brunei. At each stop, he will follow up on the outcomes of last months US-ASEAN Special Summit in Washington and reaffirm the commitment of the US to work with allies and partners to restore Myanmars path to democracy, the State Department said.

In Thailand, Chollet has met with senior officials to discuss a range of bilateral and multilateral issues, and also planned to meet with international humanitarian organizations, civil society organizations (CSOs) and other stakeholders.

On Thursday, he visited Mae La Camp, a sprawling refuge camp in Tak Province that has been sheltering more than 27,900 internally displaced Karen people from Myanmar since 1984. He asked about the residents situation and health status.

He then toured the Mae Tao Clinic, which has provided a health lifeline for Myanmar refugees in Mae Sot and surrounding areas for decades. He met with clinic founder Dr. Cynthia Maung on Thursday afternoon, along with other Karen, Mon and Shan CSOs, asking them about the humanitarian crisis inside Myanmar.

Dr. Cynthia Maung said the counselor asked about the challenges in delivering cross-border aid and how the US can assist more effectively.

The ethnic CSOs raised issues on internally displaced people in ethnic areas, human rights abuses [by the regime], ways of reducing the operational obstacles they face in delivering aid and how we can collaborate with Thai healthcare programs on the border when carrying out cross-border aid [efforts], she said.

She added that she hoped the US counselors visit would help CSOs assisting Myanmar people on the Thai border work more safely.

In Singapore, Chollet will attend the Shangri-La Dialogue and participate in a panel discussion on the conflict in Myanmar with senior officials.

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Burma Wife of Activist on Death Row Urges Intl Community to Save Her Husband

Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw with former US President Barack Obama. / Facebook

The wife of leading activist Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw, who is on death row awaiting execution by the Myanmar junta, asked the international community not to stand by and let the regime kill her husband.

I am very worried about him. I would like to urge the international community not to stand by and watch this happen, said Ma Thazin Nyunt Aung while talking about her fears for her husband.

She spoke out against the military regimes decision to approve the death sentence given to the hip-hop star turned National League for Democracy (NLD) MP, describing the decision as unjust.

Last Friday, the junta announced that it will proceed with the executions of four men: Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw, veteran democracy activist Ko Jimmy and two other anti-coup opponents who were given death sentences by junta courts earlier this year.

Regime spokesperson Major General Zaw Min Tun said that the appeal process against the death sentences has been completed and rejected.

However, Ma Thazin Nyunt Aung told The Irrawaddy that Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw hadnt been allowed to mount a defense against the charges in the junta court, and that no appeal had been lodged by his lawyers as they have not been allowed to meet with him since his arrest in November last year.

This is not fair. He must be allowed to see his family and his lawyer. But there was nothing like that nor any chance to defend him, Ma Thazin Nyunt Aung told The Irrawaddy.

Ko Jimmys wife Ma Nilar Thein, herself a prominent democracy activist, told Radio Free Asia (RFA) on Thursday that from the day of his arrest in October last year, Ko Jimmys family have received no information about his trial and that no appeal was filed by their lawyers, raising further doubts about the junta spokespersons claim.

Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw was arrested during a raid in Yangons Dagon Seikkan Township, then and now under martial law, on November 18, 2021. He was given the death sentence on terrorism charges by a military tribunal in January for masterminding armed resistance operations in Yangon. Ko Jimmy, a long-time activist who participated in the 1988 pro-democracy uprising, received the same sentence.

A number of countries and global organizations have joined local groups in condemning the juntas decision to approve and proceed with the executions.

Despite that, the military regime has vowed to carry out the executions saying that there will be no mercy.

Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw served as an NLD MP from 2012 to 2020. Prior to that, he made his name as a member of Acid, Myanmars first hip-hop band. Acid emerged in 2000, when the young Myanmar audience was growing bored of the countrys mainstream rock music and looking for something new. Their debut release, Beginning, was the first rap album by local musicians and propelled the band to national stardom, as well as paving the way for other Myanmar hip-hop artists

After last years coup and the juntas subsequent crackdowns on peaceful anti-regime protesters, Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw went into hiding but appears to have been active in the resistance movement against the regime.

His wife said Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw has always said that the coup should not have happened and that people should be encouraged to resist the military takeover by every means possible.

He always does what he thinks is right. Nothing can stop him from his pro-democracy activism. People like him and Ko Jimmy arent afraid of its [the juntas] cruelty, said Ma Thazin Nyunt Aung.

Held dear by many Myanmar people, especially the young, Ko Phyo Zeya Thaws execution and that of the other activists on death row will likely escalate the resistance to the junta.

Ma Nilar Thein, Ko Jimmys wife, told RFA that the junta will have to take responsibility for its blatant violations of human rights.

A total of 114 people have been sentenced to death since the coup, including students and anti-junta activists, two of them minors.

Ko Phyo Zeya Thaw and Ko Jimmy are among the first of the 114 on death row to have their death sentences approved by the junta, despite being given unfair trials in which they could not defend themselves.
News Resistance Force Raids Army Checkpoint, Kills 13 Myanmar Junta Soldiers

Weapons, rounds and cash seized during the peoples defense forces raid on a military checkpoint in Yesagyo Township, Magwe Region on Thursday. / MYG-PDF

Around 13 Myanmar regime soldiers were reportedly killed during a peoples defense force (PDF) raid on a checkpoint in Yesagyo Township, Magwe Region, on Thursday.

Three PDFs from Yesagyo and Myaing townships in Magwe and Salingyi Township in Sagaing Region raided a checkpoint at Sin Phyu Shin Bridge in the north of the township, said Yesagyo PDF.

During an hours fighting three troops were killed, another captured alive and the others escaped.

The resistance fighters burned down the position.

Submitting video and photos, Yesagyo PDF said fighters seized eight weapons, 1,000 rounds and 11 million kyats in cash.

The Irrawaddy could not independently verify the reports.

The PDFs told the media that another 10 regime soldiers were killed when resistance fighters ambushed a convoy of reinforcements in Yesagyo using six mines.

A military vehicle was heavily damaged by a mine, the PDF said.

On Thursday morning nine PDF groups ambushed around 120 regime soldiers in adjacent Myaung Township, Sagaing Region.

The Civilian Defense and Security Group in Myaung that coordinated the ambush said the troops were returning from Yesagyo.

The group claimed to have killed at least 10 troops in the ambush and five others were killed by mines.

The resistance fighters escaped but one was injured in the thigh by a regime mortar, the group said.

After the attack, regime forces burned down two houses near Zayat village and detained three male villagers at Min Hla in the township.

The PDF warned of the threat of regime raids in the area.

The junta faces daily attacks from PDFs and ethnic armed forces.

Regime forces are committing war crimes and crimes against humanity by conducting arbitrary arrests and killing civilians, using artillery and air strikes on residential areas, using detained civilians as human shields and looting and burning houses, especially in Chin, Kachin, Shan, Kayah states and Magwe and Sagaing regions.
June 10, 2022



With a decades-long tradition of giving, the Kasiska Family Foundation has gifted nearly $20 million to Idaho State University. Most recently, a gift of $1 million was presented to ISU in early May. This latest contribution creates the Eva Kasiska Scholarship Endowment and will provide scholarships for students studying health professions at ISU now and into the future.

The Kasiska Family Foundation has also issued a challenge to the community members and former Kasiska scholarship recipients. Their board has pledged to provide up to $1 million in additional funds, by doubling any contributions made to the endowment from now until September 2023. Organizations, alumni members and community leaders have the opportunity to contribute to the endowment, unlocking the full potential of the Kasiska challenge and supporting the health care leaders of tomorrow in perpetuity.

I have long looked forward to this day when we would join with the University to establish an endowed fund managed by the ISU Foundation, said Alan Van Orden, chair for the Kasiska Family Foundation Board of Managers. "This opens the opportunity for others to contribute, especially those who are among the over 7,000 previous scholarship recipients. We hope the community will respond to our challenge with gifts both large and small. We are especially pleased that the Eva Kasiska Scholarship Endowment will carry on after the Kasiska Family Foundation comes to an end.

One of those students who benefitted from the philanthropy of the Kasiska family was pharmacy graduate Kylie Auger. She is grateful to the Kasiska Family Foundation for helping her achieve her career dream.

I say to them, Thank you for believing in me and making an investment in my future. I certainly plan to pay it forward, Auger said.

Kasiska support for ISU began in the 1940s, thanks to sisters Eva and Mabel Kasiska, who inherited their fathers philanthropic spirit. The Kasiska family legacy began with William F. Kasiska, who came to Pocatello in 1890. An astute businessman, William Kasiska invested in land, operated banks and ranches and served as mayor of Pocatello. The Kasiska's owned substantial real estate in Pocatello, including the home now occupied by the president of Idaho State University, and the old Bannock Hotel. Through hard work, William and Mary Kasiska accumulated a significant estate, which they bequeathed equally to their daughters, Mabel and Eva.

William Kasiska, who died in 1945, was known for helping young people finance their education or dipping into his pocket to help a friend in need. After the passing of their father, Mabel and Eva carried forward the family enterprises, along with their father's devotion to service and philanthropy. In his memory, and in honor of his birthday, Mabel and Eva established a scholarship program at Idaho State College in December of 1949, funding scholarships for young women studying to become nurses.

In 1968 they founded the "ISU Scholarship Club" as a means to encourage others who may be capable of giving to support the student scholarships. To date, thousands of students have benefited from Kasiska Scholarships. Funds have also provided opportunities for the Kasiska Division of Health Sciences (KDHS) at ISU to host conferences and events, update equipment and facilities, and offer professional development for faculty and students.

We take our commitment to honor the Kasiska family very seriously, and are so grateful for the continued support of the Foundation and family, said Rex Force, vice president for health sciences and senior vice provost at ISU. Even decades after Eva and Mabels passing, students at ISU know and understand the significance of the Kasiska family legacy. This gift will ensure that students have access to scholarships to help pay for their education in the high-demand health professions.
Chinese state-sponsored hackers have infiltrated "major telecommunication companies" by exploiting known software flaws in routers and other popular networking gear, US security agencies warned, according to reports.

The National Security Agency (NSA), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA), and the FBI issued a rare joint advisory explaining how attackers are expoiting publicly-known vulnerabilities in equipment.

Telecoms reported this has left a wide range of public and private sector organisations vulnerable to attack.

"Network devices, such as small office/home office (SOHO) routers and network attached storage (NAS) devices, serve as additional access points to route command and control (C2) traffic and act as midpoints to conduct network intrusions on other entities. Over the last few years, a series of high-severity vulnerabilities for network devices provided cyber actors with the ability to regularly exploit and gain access to vulnerable infrastructure devices. In addition, these 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," the advisory reads.

It adds: "Since 2020, PRC state-sponsored cyber actors have conducted widespread campaigns to rapidly exploit publicly identified security vulnerabilities, also known as common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs)."

Telecoms reports CVEs enable attackers to bypass authentication or set their own access privileges, while others give way to remote code execution, giving attackers the ability to run malicious code on compromised equipment.

However, the statement did not identify hacking victims. It instead suggested defensive measures aimed at organisations running devices made by Cisco, Fortinet, and other vendors.

The Chinese government denies the hacking allegations, according to the same CNN report.

However, FBI deputy director Paul Abbate alleged in a speech last April that China "conducts more cyber instrusions than all other nations in the world combined."

This first appeared in the subscription newsletter CommsWire on 9 June 2022.
COMPANY NEWS: ActiveCampaign, the leader in Customer Experience Automation, announced that customers will now be able to build their own custom objects directly within the app, no coding required. This new functionality lets users extend contacts, accounts and deals with their own data without needing to go through the API or pull in developer expertise. Custom objects help businesses build powerful workflows that create dynamic, automated experiences based on any set of the unique data they use to run their business. Now, customers can more easily model data to their unique business needs and take action on it through automations, email personalization, lead generation forms, reporting and more.

With ActiveCampaign, businesses can connect to powerful app integrations that leverage custom objects like Salesforce, Zendesk Support, Calendly, DocuSign or Eventbriteor they can build custom objects to support their own use case. A large focus for ActiveCampaign is ensuring customers can easily create and manage custom objects without requiring API expertise or developer support. With many businesses strapped for bandwidth and support, they dont always have the coding power to utilise custom objects. Today, ActiveCampaign democratised access to these tools and levelled the playing field for businesses of all sizes, giving everyone a chance to succeed and grow.

One of ActiveCampaigns values is to iterate everything, alwayswhich is consistent with its continuous product updates and added features that make a great platform even easier to use. Feedback from its customers via G2 proves the technology is integral to their marketing needsfrom automation to sales engagement to landing page building, customers continue to use ActiveCampaign for all of their marketing needs. In G2's Spring 2022 Report, ActiveCampaign led the attribution category, putting the company at number one in four categories, including lead scoring, pop-up builder and email template builder. The company also landed in the top three in seven G2 categories, including: marketing automation, CRM, sales engagement, landing page builder, conversational marketing, e-commerce personalisation and online form builder. This came on the heels of ActiveCampaign ranking at the top of G2s Best of Software 2022 in February.

The company also received accreditation and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. ActiveCampaign chief marketing officer Maria Pergolino joined BBBs board of directors in March to help to bridge the gap between B2C and B2B businesses. With the companys intense focus on helping companies grow, Pergolino will provide powerful insights into how organisations can foster better goodwill within the community.

ActiveCampaign achieved additional accolades this past quarter, including:

1. Winning three new TrustRadius 'Best Of' awards for Relationship, Value and Feature Set in Marketing Automation, in addition to winning TrustRadius Top Rated awards in five categories: CRM, email marketing, marketing automation, SMS marketing, and sales and automation marketing.

2. Named one of the best large companies to work for in 2022 by Purpose Jobs and Comparably Best Companies in Chicago 2022.

3. Vice president of global security Sue Bergamo was named cybersecurity professional of the year.

4. Landed on G2s Best of Software 2022 for content management products, small business products, commerce products, best software products, sales products and office products.

5. Received a 2022 Excellence in Customer Service Award from Big Intelligence Group.

6. Finalist for Miras scale-up of the year and exceptional employer awards.

7. CRM finalist for the CX Awards.

8. SIIA CODiE nominee for best marketing solution.

Along with product and company award wins, the company also received feedback directly from its customers this past quarter about the positive impact CXA has on their businesses. In fact, ActiveCampaign customers reported they expect to double their revenue in 2022 (growing by 100% over the next year), compared to the typical 3.5% growth seen from those using legacy email marketing, marketing automation and CRM tools. This includes customers like Apple Rose Beauty who increased their online sales by 300% with CXA.

To support customers even further, Shounak Simlai joined this quarter as the companys vice president of data strategy and business intelligence, leading the data teams to optimal efficiency and using their insights to support positive business outcomes.

At ActiveCampaign, we know that data is at the heart of every growing business. Companies of all sizes use this information to make decisions, streamline operations and develop winning ideas that accelerate their growth, said founder and CEO of ActiveCampaign Jason VandeBoom. Thats why out of all the momentum at the company this quarter, a highlight is making custom objects available to our customers in app without needing API or developer knowledge. We know organising and taking action on information about customers, prospects and sales leads is what powers every area of our customers businesses. We are thrilled to make this accessible.

ActiveCampaigns custom objects open up so many different use cases for our customers and us, said Bonjoro partnership ambassador Eric Melchor. For instance, being able to segment contacts based on their engagement with Bonjoro videos and triggering automations in ActiveCampaign using that data is powerful. The fact that we will now be able to build our own custom objects directly in the app without any coding required is a game-changer.

Whether businesses are using ActiveCampaign primarily for email marketing, marketing automation or sales engagement, the positive results and feedback for CXA are endless, said Sales Studios email marketing specialist Luis Xavier. Its exciting to see the continued growth of the organisations we work with to help them offer customers a truly 1:1 experience. I look forward to continue supporting ActiveCampaigns growth through our partnership.

About ActiveCampaign

ActiveCampaign's category-defining Customer Experience Automation Platform (CXA) helps over 150,000 businesses in 170 countries meaningfully engage with their customers. The platform gives businesses of all sizes access to 800+ pre-built automations that combine transactional email and email marketing, marketing automation, and CRM for powerful segmentation and personalisation across social, email, messaging, chat and text. Over 70% of ActiveCampaign's customers use its 870+ integrations including Microsoft, Shopify, Square, Facebook and Salesforce. ActiveCampaign scores higher in customer satisfaction than any other solution in Marketing Automation, CRM and E-Commerce Personalisation on G2.com and is the Top Rated Email Marketing Software on TrustRadius. Pricing starts at just $9/month. Start a free trial at ActiveCampaign.com.
COMPANY NEWS: SonicWall, a global leader delivering Boundless Cybersecurity, today announced that the company has been awarded several prestigious awards on top of its growing list of accolades. SonicWalls consistent track record and recognition by cybersecurity industry experts over the last few years is a testament to the vision, commitment and innovative spirit of its employees, leaders and partners to continuously deliver value to customers by way of optimizing business efficiencies and enhancing security.

Commenting on the multiple awards win, SonicWall vice president regional sales APAC Debasish Mukherjee said, We are very honoured to be recognised with these industry-wide awards, and am especially proud of the team behind it for their innovation to create new experiences that are smart, simple, personalised and effective for our customers. With constant threats online and their ability to evolve, being instantaneous and flexible in solutions is essential to responding to such attacks and ensuring our environment remains secure. SonicWall enables our customers to feel fearless and boundless, and safeguarding their interests remains our No. one priority so that they can focus on other aspects of their business without restrictions or limitations of technology.

SonicWalls Excellence Recognized with Industry Accolades

Following the record-breaking 2022 SonicWall Cyber Threat Report, SonicWall received two Stevie Awards in the 2022 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards in highly competitive nominations including a GOLD STEVIE Award for SonicWalls Real-Time Deep Memory Inspection (RTDMI) in the category of Innovation in Technology Development (Computer Industries); and a SILVER STEVIE Award for SonicWalls Secure Mobile Access (SMA) in the category of Excellence in Innovation in Business Product & Service Industries. This years Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards attracted more than 900 nominations from over 29 nations across the Asia-Pacific region, recognizing the outstanding performance and continued innovation of companies to succeed despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Playing a crucial role to ensure business continuity, sustainability and welfare of its employees, SonicWall was also named as one of the Top 10 Best Companies to Work for 2022 in the coveted CEO Insights Magazine. The CEO Insights recognizes groundbreaking companies, leaders and products that demonstrate innovation and leadership across the globe.

Going above and beyond their partner programmes and networks across the 215 countries and territories, SonicWall also earned its fifth consecutive perfect score in independent ICSA Labs Advanced Threat Defense (ATD) certification testing across the last five quarters. No other vendor currently participating has ever achieved two consecutive perfect scores, with only the perfect rating given to an elite set of vendors that deliver the 'best of the best' to solution providers.

Setting the Benchmark Across the Globe

SonicWalls recognition within the cybersecurity space comes at a time of booming growth for the industry, with the company posting strong financial results despite the difficult economic climate in the past two years. This includes a 33% increase in new customer growth and generating a 45% increase in new customer sales globally. Additionally, SonicWall has seen incredible growth in cloud-delivered products and services, which are up 36% year-over-year across the respective markets.

As one of the key regions driving revenue growth in the global cybersecurity market, ASEAN will continue to be a catalyst for global trends and development. Small- and medium-sized enterprises saw a 13% quarter-on-quarter growth in the first quarter of SonicWalls fiscal year[1] 2023, while projects and large enterprise businesses saw a 14% quarter-on-quarter growth in the same period. As of the end of SonicWalls fiscal year 2022, the company recorded an accelerated 10% increase in top-tier partners in ASEAN, further amplifying the companys position as one of the unquestioned leaders in the cybersecurity space.

With the post-Covid market opening up, SonicWall in India has also started to observe a significant jump of 60% year-on-year growth across projects and large enterprise businesses in the first quarter of SonicWalls fiscal year 2023. SonicWall in India recorded a steady momentum of 27% quarter-on-quarter overall growth in the first quarter of the fiscal year 2023, while growth in large enterprise businesses grew by 47% in the same period.

Laying the foundation to realise the organisations long-term vision, SonicWall will also be expanding and deepening its partner networks by onboarding region-wide partner distributors and expanding its partner management recourses. Most recently, the company onboarded Pacific Tech as the region-wide distributor for ASEAN to manage partner development and further invest in internal resources such as marketing, sales development and sales engineering.

Commenting on the long-term development in the region, SonicWall sales director of ASEAN Soohan Bai said, SonicWalls outstanding business performance and consistent track record demonstrates our unwavering commitment to provide the most comprehensive coverage in the cybersecurity space. We see immense growth potential in the region and having Pacific Tech onboard as our region-wide distributor for ASEAN further strengthens our commitment to developing and delivering solutions to our network of partners and customers. It is an exciting milestone for us as we can not only fully support the fast-growing market in ASEAN, but also offer support across all time zones by working closely in partnership with specialist distributors and resellers.

While SMEs and mid-markets remain their core focus, SonicWall has also committed to doubling down investment opportunities in enterprise businesses. This approach will be segmented into four key pillars - Customer Connect, working closely with key customers to strengthen the digital ecosystem in the face of cyber-attacks; developing partners who are equipped with the capabilities to drive customers to connect and the fulfilment of customer needs; brand awareness and lastly developing integrated teams to remain vigilant in finding solutions and measures to further protect its partners greatest assets.

[1] SonicWalls fiscal year starts February 1 and runs through to January 31 of the following year.
Swedish telecommunications equipment company Ericsson says it has been notified by the US Securities and Exchange Commission that an investigation has been opened into the company's report about its 2019 dealings in Iraq.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Ericsson said, while it was too early to predict the outcome of the investigation, it was fully co-operating with the SEC.

The firm is facing a class action lawsuit in the US over the same issue. Chief executive Borje Ekholm and chief financial officer Carl Mellander have been named as defendants in the suit which was filed on 4 March.

Details of alleged bribery in Ericsson's dealings in Iraq were leaked to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists which shared the data with The Guardian, the BBC and the Washington Post in March.

The firm was said to have allegedly paid bribes to the Islamic State terrorist group in order to continue doing business in the country.

Around the time when Ericsson held its annual general meeting in March, Ekholm claimed he had told staff to hand over the full report on dealings in Iraq to the US Department of Justice.

This claim was made after the company admitted it had not met the terms of a deal struck with the DoJ in 2019 over claims of alleged corrupt dealings in Iraq.

It said it had been informed by the DoJ on 1 March that disclosure it had made prior to a deferred prosecution agreement, which was inked on 6 December 2019, was insufficient.

Ericsson is one of four companies that can provide end-to-end 5G services, the others being Nokia, Huawei and ZTE.

The latter two forms are Chinese and have been banned from providing equipment in many countries, with the US having led the charge to achieve this.
Australian small businesses will have access to a range of tools and services to help them stay safe online, with a collaboration between the Australian Cyber Collaboration Centre (A3C) and the non-profit organisation Global Cyber Alliance (GCA).

Together they have developed a free cybersecurity toolkit that is now available to small businesses across Australia.

The toolkit is a customised version of the GCA Cybersecurity Toolkit for Small Business  an online resource providing free, effective tools and resources that organisations in Australia can use to reduce their cyber risk.

A3C Interim Chief Executive Officer, Paula Oliver, said the Australian version of the GCA Cybersecurity Toolkit for Small Business was jointly developed to ensure it aligns with the security messaging for small businesses put out by the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC).

While the toolkit is the first major achievement resulting from the recent partnership, Ms Oliver said the two organisations would look at other initiatives. GCA have similar aims to A3C, so we want to extend the good work they do in Europe and the US to Australia. We will be a conduit for some of the work they do.

One such potential collaboration is through a service known as Quad9, which is a collaboration between GCA, IBM, and Packet Clearing House. Oliver said Quad9 is completely free and protects internet users from accessing known malicious websites. We are starting to investigate whether we integrate that into the free city WiFi in Adelaide [where A3C is based] and cities around Australia.

Quad9 was introduced across the New York City public WiFi network in 2018.

South Australian Deputy Premier and Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Susan Close, said the partnership highlights A3Cs commitment to collaboration and how the centre is able to use their collective knowledge to help Australian businesses.

By bringing together industry experts, A3C is helping to build cyber awareness, capability and resilience for Australian small businesses, Close said.

The A3C is able to use their collective knowledge and expertise to make cyberspace a better and safer place for people to do business.

With a strong network of national and international cyber partnerships, the A3C is the only cyber centre in Australia that provides an opportunity for the education, industry and business sectors to come together.

GCA global partnership officer Terry Wilson, said of the partnership Addressing cybersecurity is not something that can be addressed in isolation. Partnering with likeminded organisations such as A3C is important if we are to stem the increasing tide of ransomware and cyber criminality. GCA is proud to work with A3C to better protect Australian small businesses and looks forward to further collaboration.



Vetted cyber security resources for SMBs

ACSC already has a substantial range of resources for SMBs, including more than 30 step-by-step guides for specific software, applications and devices.

The GCA toolkit, on the other hand, is a catalogue of vendor- tools and resources vetted by GCA to ensure compliance with a number of internationally recognised cybersecurity standards. The Australian standards are the ACSCs list of Strategies to Mitigate Cyber Security Incidents.

The GCA toolkit takes small business through six steps (or toolboxes), each of which includes free tools, videos, recommendations, training materials, and guidance to help them on their journey to better cyber safety. There is also a learning portal offering access to a range of seven free mini-courses and a community forum to support implementation.

A3C is a not-for-profit membership organisation founded in 2020 with $10m funding from the South Australian Government in collaboration with South Australia's Office for Cyber Security, the Federal Government, industry partners including BAE Systems Australia and Telstra, and academic institutions including UniSA, Flinders University, the University of Adelaide, AustCyber and the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre. The Commonwealth Bank is also a sponsor.

A3Cs stated mission is to make cyberspace a better, and safer, place for organisations, corporations, agencies and institutions to do business." To this end it offers three main services:

Workforce Services: to raise, train, deploy and sustain an industry ready, globally competitive cyber security workforce.

Cyber Range: training and testing infrastructure to reduce the cost and time required to ensure products and services are cyber secure.

Cyber Training Academy: providing local and national organisations with simplified access to cyber security training and education programs.

The A3C has a range of other offerings for SMEs to get started in their cyber journey and to complement the free toolkit. These include Cyber Clinics, a free in person or virtual check up with a trusted consultant, as well as an Affiliate membership option which affords SMEs discounts on products and services.



About Global Cyber Alliance

The Global Cyber Alliance (GCA) is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to making the Internet a safer place by reducing cyber risk. GCA builds programs, tools, and partnerships to sustain a trustworthy Internet and enable social and economic progress for all. GCA is a 501(c)(3) in the U.S. and a nonprofit in the U.K. and Belgium.

It was founded in 2015 by the Manhattan District Attorneys Office, the City of London Police, and the Center for Internet Security. GCA has more than 160 partners that span all sectors and in 98 countries.
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.
A federal judge in Tennessee has ruled that a death row inmate convicted of a 1994 slaying can pursue arguments that he is intellectually disabled and should not be executed under state law
FILE - President Truman's envoy to the Vatican, Myron C. Taylor, left, has an audience with Pope Pius XII at Castelgandolfo near Rome, on Aug. 26, 1947. The Vatican has long defended its World War II-era pope, Pius XII, against criticism that he remained silent as the Holocaust unfolded, insisting that he worked quietly behind the scenes to save lives. Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Kertzers The Pope at War, which comes out Tuesday, June 7, 2022 in the United States, citing recently opened Vatican archives, suggests the lives the Vatican worked hardest to save were Jews who had converted to Catholicism or were children of Catholic-Jewish mixed marriages.
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.
The Lee County Airport ramp will be full June 11 as the airport hosts a Fly-In. Visiting pilots can get a 10-cent-per-gallon discount on aviation gasoline during the event.
South Africa: Government finalises bounce-back loan scheme

President Cyril Ramaphosa says government has finalised its bounce-back loan scheme which is set to give businesses a much-needed cash injection to create jobs.

He said this when he participated in a debate on The Presidency Budget Vote during a sitting of the National Assembly on Thursday.

The broader context of the reform process is to improve the overall business operating environment and to improve our countrys competitiveness as an investment destination.

To this end, we have finalised the bounce-back loan scheme, which gives additional funding to businesses to grow the economy and create jobs, he said.

According to information from the National Treasury, the bounce-back scheme comprises two mechanisms - the first is a loan guarantee which facilitates loans guaranteed by government to eligible businesses.

The loans will assist eligible businesses in recovering from constraints in accessing finance due to COVID-19 lockdowns, the July 2021 civil unrest and disasters like the floods affecting KZN.

Funds borrowed from this scheme, through participating banks, Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and non-bank Small Medium Enterprise (SME) finance providers, can be used for growth and expansion and to foster job creation.

The bounce-back scheme benefits from lessons learnt from the 2020 Loan Guarantee Scheme to provide for greater take-up including by DFIs and non-bank SME finance providers which will participate on the same basis as participating banks.

The President said, meanwhile, that in March the employee tax incentive was expanded to make it easier for employers to hire more young people.

Support for black industrialists

As part of governments drive to create a new generation of black industrialists, create jobs and transform the economy, government last year approved R2.5 billion in new support to about 180 black industrialists in the form of loans and grants.

Over the next three years, a further R21 billion has been committed to support black industrialists and an additional R25 billion to support black, women, youth and worker-owned companies, he said.

Mining Exploration Strategy

The President said policy certainty in the mining sector has been bolstered by the publication of the long-awaited Mining Exploration Strategy.

The Infrastructure Office continues with its work of oversight and coordination over a number of catalytic infrastructure projects.

These include the Welisizwe Rural Bridges Programme, the rural roads programme, social infrastructure, bulk water, and others, the President said.

To address onerous bureaucracy that impedes business growth, the Red Tape Reduction team is working with other departments to identify priority interventions and remove obstacles to growth.

These initiatives take a collaborative and supportive approach, because ultimately it is departments and not the Presidency that implement policy.

Interventions to address unemployment

The President said one of the tasks of government is to devise innovative solutions to address joblessness, particularly in a climate where there is a shortage of employment opportunities at a time when the private sector is not creating enough jobs at scale.

He said that the Presidential Employment Stimulus has enabled the rapid expansion of public employment and provided much-needed relief to mitigate the effects of the pandemic.

To date, the Presidential Employment Stimulus has created 879 000 opportunities. Of the participants across both phases, 84 percent are youth and 62 percent are women.

These programmes, which range from waste collection to small-scale farming, have provided work and an income for hundreds of thousands of people in both urban and rural areas.

The President said the programme has provided livelihood support for people working in the arts and culture sector as part of our commitment to support the recovery of this vital sector of our economy and society.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-06-10. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Chinese FM, Tajik transport minister vow to deepen cooperation

Xinhua) 09:15, June 10, 2022

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.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu)
Between December 16 and 18, 2018, when the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was gripped by a parliamentary and presidential election campaign, the western territory of Yumbi  where the river marks the border between the two Congos  plunged into unprecedented violence. Tensions surrounding the burial site of a Banunu traditional leader led to clashes between Batende and Banunu communities. For three days, there were bloody attacks in several localities in Yumbi, which lies some 300 kilometres from the capital Kinshasa. At least 535 people were killed, according to the United Nations Joint Human Rights Office, and 461 according to the government. Both reports point to the involvement of political and administrative authorities.

On May 25, 2021, the hearing that was supposed to mark the beginning of the trial lasted only a few minutes. The case was immediately postponed, and finally resumed on August 6. The 80 or so defendants were charged with eight counts, including crimes against humanity, criminal association and arson. Sixty-seven defendants, including one woman, are being held in the Ndolo military prison in Kinshasa. Others are either on provisional release or on the run. 375 people have filed civil suits.

Weekly hearings on the ground

For the trial, the High Military Court opted for mobile hearings, sitting every Friday in the Ndolo prison compound, under a green canvas tent. The defendants sit in the middle, facing the members of the court. They are all dressed in blue and yellow shirts with the words court hearing on the back. On either side and behind them are lawyers, family members of victims or defendants, journalists and observers, as well as military personnel assigned to guard them.

While the lawyers plead in French, the defendants speak mainly in Lingala, the dominant local language in Kinshasa and in Mai-Ndombe province, where Yumbi is located. The president of the High Military Court, Freddy Mukendi Tshidianyama, also uses Lingala for his questioning. Some defendants systematically deny their own statements given during the preliminary investigation. Others go so far as to question the representative of the public prosecutor, Brigadier General Baseleba, denouncing his method of interrogation. The general leads people to say things under duress, said a defence lawyer.

Authorities in the dock

The accused include members of the political and administrative authorities as well as members of the security forces. They are accused of being the instigators of the violence perpetrated in Yumbi, and were allegedly in contact with other defendants or were at the scene of the events. They include parliamentarian Mbanga Manzimi, who was campaigning at the time of the events, the provincial assembly member Nimba Mpele, and senior commissioner Mantshindi Mwisoni, who was territorial commander of the police at the time. There is also Monkasa Boboto, then director of the provincial Interior Ministers office, and Bompinga Bongenzenze, acting head of the Banunu Bobangi group of villages. They are appearing as free men, as decided by the prosecutor. The prosecution says there is ample proof of their guilt, but they say they are innocent.

Among those on provisional release is an agent of the National Intelligence Agency (ANR) who has never appeared in court. He claims that the high court must first obtain authorization from the ANR administrator, according to a source close to the case. He is being tried in absentia.

The court is seeking to understand the role that each played in the attacks and what they did to prevent the violence. The prosecution claims that Commissioner Mantshindi encouraged the Batende to harm the Banunu. It alleges complicity in crimes against humanity with regard to a severed human hand that the local chief Mbaka Matalatala (in detention) allegedly brought to the police officer Mombeno (in detention). But the defence questions that the event even took place and demands to see the evidence.

The shadow of the Kinshasa governor

One of the defining moments of the trial so far was when the court evoked a telephone conversation between a defendant and Gentiny Ngobila, who was governor of Mai-Ndombe at the time and is now the governor of Kinshasa. The audience suddenly became more attentive. The defendant in question is called Jean-Pierre Ngamama Penge, former head in Bolobo of the General Directorate of Revenue of Mai-Ndombe province. He is allegedly involved in the supply of ammunition. The two men are said to have called each other extensively on December 14, 15 and 16, 2018.

Ngamama had previously denied being in communication with Ngobila, even claiming that his phone had been stolen. If I had to report to any authority, it would be to Rita Bola, my direct supervisor, he said. Bola, known to be close to Ngobila, was the provincial head of the revenue department at the time and she is now the elected governor of the province.

Court president Tshidianyama then looked at a phone record that contained two text messages  a 219-second call on the morning of December 14, and a 50-minute call the next morning. And Ngamama eventually agreed that he spoke with the current governor of Kinshasa, but to talk business, he said. According to him, he was the manager of a real estate property owned by Ngobila and was in charge of its oversight. Lets hear this conversation, the audience murmured. But the recording has not yet been played publicly.

Ngobila has not been charged in this case, but he was heard by the commission of inquiry set up by the government after the massacres. This commission was composed of members from several ministries and was headed by the Minister of Human Rights, Marie-Ange Mushobekwa. Two months before the inquirys report was released, Mushobekwa had, in an interview with Radio France Internationale, presented Ngobila as a key witness for the trial. It is obvious that the governor in office should have taken measures to stop the massacres. He will have to explain why they could not be stopped, she added. When the report was released in May 2019, she said it was up to the courts to determine Ngobilas responsibility. People who come to the hearings or talking on the street are asking: What about Ngobila? What is being said about him? Will he be heard too, and when?

A handful of witness testimonies

While less than half of the defendants have been heard, only four victims have testified to the court. They are designated by a code name to protect their identity and appear before the court with their faces and even bodies covered by a cloth. A microphone allows their testimony to be heard. In March, Victim 386 accused defendant Davin Mayongwe of arson, and police officer Lipasa with a murder committed on December 16, 2018. Through a hole in the door, I saw unknown people, but also Davin, dressed in plantain leaves. He was told that there were people in that house. He put petrol, which he was carrying in a can, and set fire to that house. Those who were inside were screaming but he went out, with the others. On our way, we met the policeman Lipasa who shot at us and a young boy died on the spot. I was shot in the leg, Victim 386 recounted calmly. Davin rejects all the accusations. He said he does not know Victim 386 and that he was not in Yumbi town on the date mentioned as he left in November for Nganda ya Solu, about 190 kilometres away. It was from there that he learned about the unrest in Yumbi and the burning of houses, including his own, he said.

Victim 4040 accused Jerome, alias Kalonji. He claims to have been attacked by several people and to have recognized four of them, including Kalonji, who was carrying a machete. The defence sees this as a contradiction with his statements during the investigation, where he spoke of a firearm. 4040 stated that he still had bulletshot in his body and that his older brothers hand had been cut off. The accused denies the facts and says he recognizes the voice of the protected witness, even threatening to give his name.

Respectful but slow procedures

Both sides agree that the debates are being conducted properly. Two lawyers for the civil parties and the defence, interviewed by Justice Info, said that on the form, everything is going well, and that the procedure is respecting the law and rights of the defence. But both the defence and civil parties criticize the slow pace of the trial.

The court has held just 20 hearings in a year, the last one on April 8. According to sources within the military justice system, the president of the high court has spoken of the need to have two hearings per week from now on, as the other case being tried simultaneously in Ndolo prison  the appeal trial on the 2010 assassination of human rights activists Floribert Chebeya and Fidele Bazana  ended on May 12.
US President Joe Biden insisted Thursday there was unity at an Americas summit, after the leaders of Argentina and Belize openly criticized him for excluding three leftist leaders.

Notwithstanding some of the disagreements relating to participation, on the substantive matters, what I heard was almost unity and uniformity, Biden said.

He said that he saw almost total agreement on issues such as managing migration and fighting climate change, and called for more discussion on specifics before the summit closes Friday.

Biden refused to invite the leftist leaders of Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela, describing them as autocrats not welcome at a summit dedicated to democracy. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador then declined to come as a protest.

Argentinas center-left president, Alberto Fernandez, who was persuaded to come after a call by Biden, nonetheless attacked the decision in front of the US leader at the summit in Los Angeles.

Being the host country of the summit doesnt grant the ability to impose a right of admission on member countries of the continent, Fernandez said.

He later shook Bidens hand before the US president, who was attending alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, returned to speak and address the criticism.

Biden also got an earful from the leader of one of the regions smaller countries, Belize, who said it was inexcusable not to invite all countries.

Hailing Cubas export of state-employed doctors  a practice which US officials denounce as trafficking  Prime Minister John Briceno called US sanctions on the island a crime against humanity.
US President Joe Biden faced open criticism Thursday at an Americas summit, along with complaints about foreign pressure by Brazils far-right leader, as he sought progress on issues from migration to climate change.

Biden is welcoming leaders from across the hemisphere in Los Angeles in a choreographed bid to show that democracy can work, amid rapid inroads by China in a region long seen by Washington as its turf.

But just after Biden made his pitch at the Summit of the Americas, he heard an earful over his decision to exclude the leftist leaders of Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela on the grounds that they are autocrats  a decision that already triggered a boycott by Mexicos president.

Argentinas center-left president, Alberto Fernandez, who was persuaded to attend by Biden, said that dialogue is the best way to promote democracy.

Being the host country of the summit doesnt grant the ability to impose a right of admission on member countries of the continent, Fernandez said.

Biden heard even more direct criticism from one of the hemispheres smallest nations Belize, whose representatives told him it was inexcusable not to invite all countries and called the half-century US pressure campaign against Cuba a crime against humanity.

Prime Minister John Briceno also questioned whether Biden would follow through financially on lofty promises.

We know that money is not the problem. In less than three months, two countries in this hemisphere committed $55 billion to Ukraine, he said, referring to the United States and Canada.

Biden, who applauded politely and greeted each leader, returned to the podium to insist his agenda was on track.

Notwithstanding some of the disagreements relating to participation, on the substantive matters, what I heard was almost unity and uniformity, Biden said.

Biden said the United States would raise specifics on how the hemisphere can do better together on improving public health and clean energy.

Biden plans to close the summit Friday with a declaration on migration, a hot-button issue in the United States, despite the snub of the summit by Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

 Meeting Tropical Trump 

Biden met for the first time in Los Angeles with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, an ally of former president Donald Trump, who has questioned the legitimacy of elections both in his country and in Brazil.

Biden steered clear of fireworks in his public appearance with Bolsonaro and saluted Brazil for making real sacrifices to protect the Amazon.

I think the rest of the world should be able to help you preserve as much as you can, Biden said.

Bolsonaro has horrified environmentalists by championing agribusinesses that have cut down the rainforest, a crucial sink for carbon emissions that are heating up the planet.

Bolsonaro told Biden that the Amazon had incalculable riches and that we do our best to defend our interests.

Sometimes we feel that our sovereignty is threatened in that area but Brazil preserves its territory well, Bolsonaro said.

US officials saw at least modest progress with Bolsonaro on climate, with the announcement of a low-key initiative on deforestation and Brazil joining a UN pact on renewable energies.

Bidens national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, earlier said Biden would not shy away from calling for free elections in Brazil, where Bolsonaro is trailing in polls to former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a leftist icon controversially jailed for corruption.

Bolsonaro told Biden that he wanted clean, auditable elections in the October vote.

Oliver Stuenkel, a professor at the Getulio Vargas Foundation in Sao Paulo, said it was an odd time for Bidens meeting amid expectations that Bolsonaro will soon be out of power.

But he said Bolsonaro had leverage to request a meeting, boosting his domestic standing, as Biden needed to avoid boycotts of the leaders of both Brazil and Mexico, Latin Americas two most populous nations.

Basically Bolsonaro is helping Biden avoid a diplomatic flop, Stuenkel said.

 Inflection point 

Latin American summits are often fractious, with the United States for decades on the receiving end of criticism over its efforts to isolate Cuba.

Biden made a veiled plea for understanding as he contrasted himself with Trump, saying, he was offering proposals that I think are a far cry from what we saw from a previous American administration.

He said that Latin America and the world stood at an inflection point.

More is going to change in the next 10 years than has changed in the last 30 years in the world, Biden said.

I find no reason why the Western Hemisphere over the next 10 years is not developed into the most democratic region in the world.
Ukraine is investigating the circumstances in which a Moscow-backed separatist court sentenced two British men and a Moroccan citizen to death, Kyiv said.

British citizens Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner and Saaudun Brahim from Morocco were captured fighting with Ukrainian forces and sentenced by separatist authorities in the eastern Donetsk region for attempting to overthrow the government.

Ukraines chief prosecutor Iryna Venediktova late Thursday described the sentences as a violation and mockery of international law and said the men should be treated fairly under Geneva conventions.

Ukraine has already initiated a pre-trial investigation into this matter and will take all appropriate steps to ensure that everyone that was involved in this illegal action is held responsible for their actions, she said in a statement.

Aslin and Pinner had surrendered in April in Mariupol, a port city in southern Ukraine that was captured by Russian troops in May after a weeks-long siege.

Ukrainian courts have handed three Russian soldiers long prison sentences at war crimes trials since the start of Moscows February 24 invasion.

Venediktova said Thursday that Ukraine is investigating over 100 Russian soldiers for suspected war crimes.
The United Nations said Friday that unfair trials of prisoners of war amounted to war crimes, after three foreigners captured fighting for Ukraine were sentenced to death by pro-Russian rebels.

The UN Human Rights Office said it was concerned about the death sentences imposed Thursday by pro-Moscow separatists in eastern Ukraine on two British citizens and one Moroccan man captured by Russian troops.

UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelets office said the pro-Russian self-proclaimed republics had not been meeting essential fair trial guarantees and trials in such circumstances against prisoners of war amounted to war crimes.

The UN Human Rights Office is concerned about the so-called Supreme Court of the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic sentencing three servicemen to death, spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told reporters in Geneva.

Separatist authorities ordered the death penalty for Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner and Saadun Brahim, Russian media reported. Western countries have reacted with outrage to the death sentences.

These were citizens of foreign countries who were captured in Mariupol for being mercenaries. According to the chief command of Ukraine, all the men were part of the Ukrainian armed forces. If that is the case, they should not be considered as mercenaries, said Shamdasani.

Kyiv has from 2014 been battling a pro-Russian insurgency that gained control in two breakaway eastern regions.

Since 2015, we have observed that the so-called judiciary in these self-proclaimed republics has not complied with essential fair trial guarantees, said Shamdasani.

She said these included public hearings, independence, impartiality of the courts and the right not to be compelled to testify.

Such trials against prisoners of war amount to a war crime, the spokeswoman said.

In the case of the use of the death penalty, fair trial guarantees are all the more important.

Britons Aslin and Pinner surrendered in April in Mariupol, the southern Ukrainian port city that was captured by Russian troops in May after a weeks-long siege.

They later appeared on Russian television calling on British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to negotiate their release.

Brahim surrendered in March in the eastern Ukrainian town of Volnovakha.

Britains Foreign Secretary Liz Truss called the sentences a sham judgement, with absolutely no legitimacy, while a spokesman for Johnson said the sentence contravenes prisoner rights under the Geneva Conventions, which define the basic rights of wartime prisoners.
A Russian suspect accused of downing Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 told Dutch judges on Friday he had nothing to do with the disaster, as the long-running trial concluded.

Oleg Pulatov is one of four men on trial in absentia for shooting down the jetliner in July 2014 as it passed over war-torn eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 passengers on board.

The trial is being held in the Netherlands as the Boeing 777 was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur and most of the victims were Dutch.

I am not guilty. I have nothing to do with the disaster of July 17, 2014, Pulatov, said in a video statement played to the court.

I fully took part in the (court) procedure and there is irrefutable evidence that the prosecution did not explain the full circumstances of the crash, added Pulatov, speaking in Russian.

It is the prosecutions main aim to get a conviction by any means, said Pulatov, dressed in a blue shirt and jacket and speaking directly to the camera.

Acquit me, he then told judges at the hearing, which opened at a top-security courthouse near Schiphol airport in March 2020.

A verdict is not expected until at least November 17, judges said on Friday.

Presiding judge Hendrik Steenhuis said the case has made a massive impression on all here in the courtroom and those outside.

Russian nationals Igor Girkin, Sergei Dubinsky and Pulatov as well as Ukranian citizen Leonid Kharchenko have all refused to appear in court and are being tried in absentia.

Only Pulatov has legal representation.

The MH17 trial has taken on new significance since Russias late February invasion of Ukraine, in which a slew of new war crimes are being alleged.

On Thursday, Pulatovs lawyer Sabine ten Doesschate said prosecutors failed to prove a Russian-made BUK missile was responsible for shooting down flight MH17.

Prosecutors have called for life sentences for the four men.

Girkin, 51, also known by his pseudonym Strelkov, is the most high-profile suspect  a former Russian spy and historical re-enactment fan who helped kickstart the war in Ukraine.

Dubinsky, 59, who has also been linked with Russian intelligence, allegedly served as the separatists military intelligence chief.

Pulatov, 55, was an ex-Russian special forces soldier and one of Dubinskys deputies.

Kharchenko, 50, allegedly led a separatist unit in eastern Ukraine.

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Hundreds of Kelowna school band students will perform Kyiv, 2022, a piece of music that celebrates the resistance of Ukrainians to the Russian invasion, at a fundraising concert set for June 26 at Prospera Place.
The contract between unionized workers and Mission Hill Winery in West Kelowna does not stipulate employees should get a paid day off for National Truth and Reconciliation Day, an arbitrator says.
Cmdr. Dale St. Croix, commanding officer of HMCS Halifax delivers remarks as Defence Minister Anita Anand, right, look on as the frigate prepares to depart Halifax in support of NATO's deterrence measures in eastern Europe on Saturday, March 19, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan
To Wisconsins Class of 2022: no one has ever had a high school experience like yours. COVID-19 and all its accompanying challenges required a lot of sacrifice from you. I wish that werent the case, but those challenges and your sacrifice are our reality, and as you commence on the next step in your journey, dont forget all the lessons you learned.

You have a unique perspective; what youve experienced has been unlike any other graduating class, and youve succeeded in the face of challenges because you had to. Your high school years have been a crash course in flexibility and innovation, and you have shown yourselves to be incredibly resilient and creative.

Take that flexibility, that innovation, that resilience, and that creativity along with you on your journey, and use it all to make the world a better place. Theres a great saying from playwright George Bernard Shaw about perspective and innovation that many leaders have made their own, and I encourage you to embrace it, too: some see things as they are and ask why? I dream things that never were and ask why not? Dream big, ask why not, and then work to make those dreams our new reality.

To the educators: thank you for your public service. For providing our children the space and grace to readjust to school, and the stability and fierce support theyve needed throughout this uncertain, challenging time. You have done  and I know you continue to do  heroic work for our children and for our state. These young people will grow up to teach our children, fix our roads, provide our health care, and even work in public health to prevent the next pandemic. They will dream big, and you will have made all their why nots possible.

To all our Wisconsin communities: some leaders see these tumultuous times as an opportunity to talk a lot about division because its convenient to drive a wedge between schools and families in order to protect the status quo. I think that talk misses a key point  that schools, and the people who work at them, and the people who attend them, make up our communities. Why not use that to unify instead of to divide? Public schooling at its very core is about building communities. So, lets start a new conversation on how to unite and build as a state that innovates and looks to the future and always asks why not? instead of merely bemoaning the way things currently are.

Asking the big questions and building stronger communities are how we move forward as a state. I am proud of our students, our educators, and our communities for their dedication to public schools, and I look forward to our work together next school year.

Dr. Jill Underly is the Wisconsin State Superintendent.

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A father who is charged with filming his teenage daughter in the shower has appeared before Kilkenny District Court.

The man is charged with producing or distributing child pornography under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act.

Kilkenny District Court heard that the man is in custody and there were garda objections to bail.

Objections included that the man was originally from another country and has not applied for Irish citizenship, so gardai feared he may leave the country. Objections also included garda concerns the accused would try to intimidate witnesses and the seriousness of the charge.

The garda told the court the mans phone was seized as evidence and it had a video of the mans 15 year-old daughter taking a shower.

Solicitor Ed Hughes said his client was working until he was taken into custody. The mans estranged wife had arranged accommodation for him, in another county, through his church.

The man cooperated with gardai and had handed over his travel documents.

Judge Geraldine Carthy said she had considered all the information put before her and refused bail, under the Bail Act. The man was remanded in custody to await directions from the DPP.
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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. &&
KB Financial Group Chairman and CEO Yoon Jong-kyoo, right, shakes hands with Climate Ambassador Tomas Anker Christensen of the Danish government during Christensen's visit to the banking group's headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of KB Financial Group





Chairman Yoon joins advisory board of global finance coalition, meets Danish climate envoy







By Yi Whan-woo







KB Financial Group is building a global reputation as Korea's leading banking group, with its green campaigns under the leadership of Chairman and CEO Yoon Jong-kyoo.







The company announced Friday that Yoon has been appointed as a member of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero's (GFANZ) advisory board for the Asia-Pacific region.







With more than 450 member firms worldwide, GFANZ is the world's largest coalition of financial institutions committed to reaching the U.N. goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.







Led by U.N. Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance Mark Carney, it was launched on the occasion of the 26th U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow November 2021.







Yoon is the only board member from any Korean financial services company. The board is led by Ravi Menon, the managing director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and includes economists from the Asia Development Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, among others.







"The board indeed consists of high-profile figures who have expertise in finance and climate issues in the Asia-Pacific," KB Financial Group explained.







The group has accelerated its carbon net zero efforts, particularly with the Net Zero S.T.A.R and Green Wave 2030 campaigns.







Net Zero S.T.A.R is aimed at reducing its portfolio's carbon emissions 33.3 percent by 2030 compared to 2019 levels, 61 percent by 2040, and ultimately achieving neutrality by 2050.







Part of the firm's environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) practices, Green Wave 2030 pursues introducing more ESG-themed products and scaling relevant investments and loans to up to 50 trillion won ($39.4 billion) by 2030.







KB Financial Group Chairman and CEO Yoon Jong-kyoo, center, poses with Danish Climate Ambassador Tomas Anker Christensen, third from left, Danish Ambassador to Korea Einar Jensen, second from left, and their respective experts on carbon neutrality strategy at the banking group's headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of KB Financial Group





On Thursday, the KB Financial Group chairman met Climate Ambassador Tomas Anker Christensen of the Danish government in Seoul and discussed the roles of the financial industry to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality.







A career diplomat, Christensen has served in various positions at the U.N. on climate issues, including the head of the Climate Change Support Team in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General and the chief adviser to the Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Climate Action.







In a meeting accompanied by Danish Ambassador to Korea Einar Jensen, Yoon and Christensen shared ways to enhance civic-level cooperation between the two countries in the transition to a low-carbon economy.







In particular, Christensen highlighted Denmark's net zero commitments and advancements with renewable energy.







"The two countries are expected to create a synergy in coping with climate change, by capitalizing on Denmark's expertise on renewables and Korea's cutting-edge technologies," Yoon said. "KB Financial Group accordingly will expand financial support for clean energy projects and other relevant initiatives on the path to net zero."






New South Korean ambassador to the United States Cho Tae-yong will take office this week, informed sources said Thursday.







Cho will begin his work in the U.S., Saturday, a day before Foreign Minister Park Jin arrives for talks with his U.S. counterpart, Antony Blinken, according to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.







Cho's arrival will come about three weeks after he was designated new ambassador to the U.S.







Seoul said the U.S. had given its diplomatic consent, known as "agrement," to Cho's appointment earlier this week.







As a career diplomat, Cho served as South Korea's top envoy for North Korean nuclear issues and a vice foreign minister.







Meanwhile, the South Korean foreign ministry earlier said Foreign Minister Park will make a four-day trip to Washington from Sunday.







It will mark Park's first trip to the U.S. since taking office last month. (Yonhap)


China urges U.S. to revoke arms sale to Taiwan

Xinhua) 09:30, June 10, 2022

BEIJING, June 9 (Xinhua) -- The United States should immediately correct its erroneous act of selling arms to Taiwan and cease playing with fire when it comes to Taiwan-related issues, a Chinese spokesperson said on Thursday.

Ma Xiaoguang, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks in response to the decision of the relevant U.S. department to sell warship parts to Taiwan worth about 120 million U.S. dollars.

The U.S. arms sale to China's Taiwan region seriously violates the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, particularly the Aug. 17 Communique, Ma said.

The Democratic Progressive Party authority's attempt to use force to resist reunification will only push Taiwan compatriots into an abyss of suffering, Ma warned.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu)
Vietnamese customers drink soju at the HiteJinro Soju Club pop-up store in Hanoi on Aug. 5, 2018. Courtesy of HiteJinro



By Kim Jae-heun



Korean food firms have been riding high on the popularity of hallyu, or the Korean wave, in Vietnam, building a loyal customer base among young people there, according to company officials Friday.



More than half of the Vietnamese population are under 35 and one out of four people there are under 15. Young people have a great deal of interest in hallyu, enabling Korean companies to establish a strong foothold in the rapidly growing Southeast Asian market.



Even in the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, Korean foods, snack and alcoholic beverages sold well in Vietnam for their distinctive taste designed especially to suit the Vietnamese palate.





Orion's Choco Pie products / Courtesy of Orion
Kendallville, IN (46755)

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Lots of sunshine. Record high temperatures expected. High 92F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 73F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph.
Gov. Eric Holcomb has selected a Court of Appeals judge originally from Northwest Indiana to fill an upcoming vacancy on the state's highest court.

Newton County native Derek Molter will succeed Justice Steven David on the Indiana Supreme Court when David retires from the five-justice bench later this year.

The Republican chief executive said Friday he picked Molter from the three candidates recommended by the Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission because he believes Molter is "devoted to the cause of justice and maintaining the integrity of our justice system."

"He's proven during his lengthy legal career and his tenure on the Indiana Court of Appeals his dedication to the critical role the judiciary plays in our system of government and the future of our state," Holcomb said.

Molter, 40, was appointed by Holcomb just last year to the 15-judge Indiana Court of Appeals. The governor said Molter already has demonstrated, in just nine months as an appellate judge, the personal and professional qualities needed to become an excellent justice.

"He has profound respect for our state Constitution and the rule of law. He is absolutely devoted to the cause of justice, both inside and outside the courtroom," Holcomb said.

"He displays, always, in his every day life and in his professional duties the highest level and standard of integrity," he said. "And he's a forward-thinker, someone who has a long-term vision for our state and for the judicial system itself."

Molter said while he will miss working alongside his new colleagues on the Court of Appeals, he's grateful for the opportunity to continue serving Hoosiers as a member of the Supreme Court.

"As a lawyer who has practiced before our Supreme Court, and now as a judge who works with the court and whose work is reviewed by the court, I've long revered the Supreme Court and the justices who serve on it," Molter said.

"Our Supreme Court respects the limits of its role in our divided government, understanding that the separation of powers is the most important tool for protecting liberty. But while respecting those limits, the court also understands its solemn obligation to uphold the promises of our Constitution, he said.

"In short, our Supreme Court stays in its lane, but it fully occupies that lane," Molter said.

Molter described his judicial philosophy as "originalist," which he said means judges interpret legal texts, such as the Constitution, "consistent with the understanding of that text at the time it was enacted or ratified."

"The virtue of that philosophy is that it anchors the court to ensure that it's exercising its judicial role," Molter said. "Under our separation of powers, that's the only role the judges are here to perform; they're not here to perform the legislative role."

Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush, who led the process of winnowing the 19 applicants for the judicial vacancy to three finalists, said she's eager to welcome Molter to the Supreme Court  and already has a binder full of work for him to tackle.

"Derek Molter is a thoughtful and even-tempered judge," said Rush, who lived in Munster as a child. "From Newton County farming roots to pro bono work to Washington D.C. law firm experience, Derek brings a unique skill set that will be a lasting credit to the Indiana Supreme Court."

Records show Holcomb selected Molter over Grant Superior Judge Dana Kenworthy and Justin Forkner, an Indianapolis attorney who works as chief administrative officer for the Indiana Supreme Court.

Molter initially will serve a two-year term on the Supreme Court. Hoosier voters then will decide at the 2024 general election whether Molter should be retained for a renewable, 10-year term.

David announced in November his intention to retire from the state's high court this fall after being appointed to the bench in 2010 by Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels and retained by Hoosier voters in 2012.

Molter is a graduate of Indiana University and its law school at Bloomington. Prior to becoming a judge, he was a partner at the Ice Miller law firm in Indianapolis, where he primarily worked on state and federal appellate litigation.

That work included serving as counsel to the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority and representing the Lake County Council in its ongoing separation of powers dispute with the Lake County Board of Commissioners.

Ironically, Molter's judicial career has progressed more quickly than that litigation, which is set for oral argument June 24 at the Court of Appeals.

Some of Molter's earliest legal work also took place in the Region when Molter served as law clerk in 2007-08 for Hammond-based Judge Theresa Springmann of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana.

In fact, Molter comes from a long line of Northwest Indiana attorneys, dating back to the 19th century when his great-great-aunt Agnes became one of the first female attorneys in the United States, and later was appointed Newton County prosecutor by Democratic Gov. Paul McNutt.

Molter's grandfather also was an attorney, as well as his father, Judge Daniel Molter, who has served on the Newton Superior Court bench for nearly four decades.

Derek Molter is well-known for his community service in addition to his legal service. For example, he recently partnered with Appeals Judge Leanna Weissmann and the Indiana State Bar to organize a collection effort to provide diapers and other needed supplies to Afghan evacuees temporarily housed at Camp Atterbury.

Since 2011, he and his wife, Katie, also have helped administer a leadership fund that provides scholarships to students at his alma mater, South Newton High School.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, a Republican originally from Munster, said Molter's elevation to the Supreme Court is "exciting but not surprising."

"As a long-time friend, I have witnessed Dereks astute legal mind and pure intellect. Im confident he will uphold our Constitution as the newest justice on the Indiana Supreme Court. Whether its in the courtroom or in his community, he has a proven track record of honesty, integrity and consistency," Rokita said.

Molter, who now lives in Indianapolis with his wife and three children, will be the second Northwest Indiana native currently serving on the Supreme Court. Justice Geoffrey Slaughter originally is from Crown Point.
K-Dramas occupy a fascinating place in western culture. You would be hard-pressed to find any drama on American TV, whether it be cable or a streaming service, that was purely character focused. Americans are fascinated by social issues and cannot conceive of drama without them.

That is to say that they cannot conceive of American drama without them. Drama from other countries, however, is easier for Americans to process. When a person, a workplace, or a family is moved to another country, suddenly it is freed from the obligation of being socially conscious.

As a result, Korean Dramas have seen a steady rise in popularity over the years. There is something comfortable about them due to their distance from American social turmoil.

So, it is no surprise that Hollywood would like to come along and adapt them to death. Before big American production companies can burn in your mind a false image of these stories, here are ten Korean dramas that you absolutely must watch, as picked by Ocean Recovery

1. Sky Castle

One of the most popular K-Dramas in history, Sky Castle concerns the (somewhat) fictional neighborhood of the same name. This neighborhood is exclusively populated by families who plan to send their children to one of Korea's four most prestigious universities: Seoul University, University of Korea, and Yonsei University. Hence, SKY Castle.

But the neighborhood is rocked to its core when the mother of a promising student suddenly kills herself in the dead of night, prompting some families to doubt their paths and others to double down. Naturally, melodrama and bad parenting ensues from every direction.

2. Reply 1988

Another modern classic, Reply 1988 concerns a woman recalling the summer she met her husband. The trouble is that she has a number of prospective suitors, and we don't know who her husband will be. It is light-hearted while also being a fascinating look at 1980s Korea.

America had a very different 1980s from South Korea. While our depictions of the 80s are marked by business, the Cold War, and hair metal, South Korea was dealing with the friction between the post-Korean War generation and the post-post-Korean War generation.

3. Winter Sonata

Amazingly, one of the first K-Dramas to cross the ocean and explode in popularity in the United States has not been adapted to American audiences yet. This is probably mostly due to subtle cultural differences. There is a lot about Winter Sonata's storyline that is just too sweet.

It is a classic story of a brooding boy and the cheerful girl who opens his heart.

4. Strong Girl Bong-Soon

This one is ripe for American adaptation, as it starts with a premise many cultures can appreciate. Bong-Soon is an ambitious young woman born with immense strength. She can lift cars with ease and punch holes through walls. She gets a job as a bodyguard for this.

But crime is on the rise in her area, and when one of her friends is targeted she must split her time between work and fighting crime. In short, a very American-friendly goal in life.

5. Twenty-Five Twenty-One

Easily mistaken for a date in its English translation, this coming-of-age story follows a couple that fell in love at a young age, but were forced apart. They reunite in the wake of the International Monetary Fund Crisis-basically, Korea's Great Recession.

The semi-sociological nature of the show makes it appealing to western audiences.

6. Mr. Queen

This story takes on more layers in the United States than its native Korea. It concerns a businessman who falls to his death and wakes up in the 1400s. But that's not the real issue. On top of being displaced in time, he is also in the body of a famous Korean queen.

Dealing with political drama and gender roles is interesting enough by itself, but the question of gender identity and expression are rich to a highly gender-conscious American audience.

7. Vincenzo

Americans love a good mafia story, and Vincenzo delivers. Born in Korea, a mafia lawyer flees Italy to escape the wrath of his mafioso employers. Once he returns to his homeland, a lawyer impresses on him a sense of justice and the importance of atoning for his crimes.

He does this by seeking out his old comrades and bringing them to justice.

8. Hospital Playlist

Music speaks across language barriers... As do medical dramas. Hospital Playlist follows the day-to-day lives of five doctors at a prestigious hospital. Times are hard, but they form a band to help them whether the storm of the incoming 2020s.

9. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha

"Fish out of water" is one of the greatest storytelling premises ever conceived. So, it is no wonder that this drama was a hit. It tells the story of a prestigious dentist whose life falls apart. She is forced to move to a small seaside village to start all over again.

But she is unaccustomed to life in the countryside, so she finds help in a handyman. This handyman has many skills, but as well as repairing her home, he begins to repair her heart.

10. Mine

The most American of the shows on this list, it follows two women from two "conglomerate" families. These are families who have close ties as much due to marriage as due to business.

They are ambitious, cunning, and willing to do anything to get their way. But they cannot help but wonder: What is the meaning of all this conflict? Why hurt people to make money if you are already the richest people in the world?

Conclusion

K-Dramas are comforting because they present a culture that is similar to that of the United States, while not being so familiar that we instinctively know the underlying flaws.

Just be sure to catch these shows before they get Americanized. It would be a shame to watch the American version first, then go back and watch the original and find that you cannot see the original characters without thinking of the American version's issues.
Accra, Ghana (PANA) - The government of Ghana has signed a grant agreement with the African Development Fund, and a financing agreement with the government of Switzerland for the Ghana Mini Grid and Solar Photovoltaic Net Metering project
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (PANA) - A staff team from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reached an agreement with the Tanzania government for a $1
The Wisconsin Elections Commission unanimously rejected a state Democratic Party-backed attempt to kick Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels off the Aug. 9 primary ballot over address inconsistencies on his nominating forms.

The commissions decision marks a striking win for Michels, who could have been denied ballot access if three commissioners voted against putting him on the ballot. Michels, along with all of the other leading gubernatorial candidates, has called for eliminating the commission.

The people of Wisconsin won today, Michels said in a statement after the vote. But this wont be the last obstacle Madison insiders throw in my way.

Michels, whom former President Donald Trump endorsed last week, is now slated to appear on the Republican primary ballot along with former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, former Marine Kevin Nicholson, state Rep. Timothy Ramthun, of Campbellsport, and businessman Adam Fischer.

The commissions decision was in response to a complaint by a Madison voter supported by the state Democratic Party who said Michels failed to include his correct mailing address on his nomination forms, making thousands of signatures invalid. 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. They did not list Michels ZIP code or state.

Michels campaign had dismissed the complaint as frivolous. Before the Friday meeting, commission staff recommended rejecting the complaint, noting candidates are following state law as long as they can prove they can get mail regardless of which municipality they list in their address.

It defies, to me, common sense that anybody looking at these (nomination) papers would think that Mr. Michels wasnt living in this state and running for governor, Democratic Commissioner Mark Thomsen said ahead of the vote.

In an affidavit, Michels said a nomination form with the disputed address was inadvertently uploaded to his campaigns webpage and used for his nomination papers. But he argued his nomination papers were legally sufficient as filed.

Arguing on behalf of the complainant, attorney Jeff Mandell disagreed with the staff recommendation at the Friday meeting, suggesting Michels address without a listed ZIP code and state may have only worked in the days of the Pony Express.

Michels attorney Matthew Fernholz argued that the U.S. Postal Service confirmed mail sent to either address would get delivered. He also said an address missing a ZIP code and state is still valid.

There is no one who has been defrauded or misled by the form of Mr. Michels nomination papers, Fernholz said, adding theres no aggrieved party signing an affidavit stating they wouldnt have signed Michels nomination papers had they known his alleged error.

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 challenged all but 345 of Michels signatures.

Today, Tim Michels was shown leniency for what was a technical error, but under a plain reading of Wisconsin election law, he should have been disqualified. Ultimately, he broke the law, Wisconsin Democratic Party executive director Devin Remiker said in a statement.

Democratic Assembly candidate Patty Schachtner, who lost her reelection bid for the state Senate in 2020, said she faced a complaint similar to the one against Michels. The commission also unanimously rejected that complaint Friday.

Similar cases

The WEC has dealt with similar discrepancies, like in January 2018 when it discussed nominating papers for two circuit court judges, though formal complaints were not filed against the 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.

2020 court ruling

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.

Commission staff had recommended keeping the pair off the ballot, but Republican members voted to keep them on. After the vote, Republican Commissioner Bob Spindell recommended attorneys to the Hawkins campaign to help appeal the decision. The issue had major election implications because a Green Party candidate could have siphoned off votes that otherwise went to Democratic nominee Joe Biden, who won the state by only about 21,000 votes.

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.

But unlike Walker, commission staff noted, Michels responded to the challenge against him with evidence clearly establishing that all his nomination papers refer to the same residence.
Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], June 10 (ANI): The district administration on Friday imposed a curfew in violence-hit areas of Ranchi after a protest erupted against the controversial remarks of suspended Bharatiya Janata Party leader Nupur Sharma and expelled party leader Naveen Jindal.

"District Administration has imposed a curfew across Ranchi. We appeal to the people to stay at home," the administration announced.

Also Read | Prophet Remark Row: Protests in Delhi,UP, Ranchi, Hyderabad, Jammu & Kashmir and Ahmedabad Post Friday Prayers.

The protest had turned violent after the incidents of stone-pelting and torching of several vehicles and vandalisation were reported. Many people have sustained injuries in the violent protests.

Earlier in the day, Deputy Inspector General of Ranchi Police (DIG) Anish Gupta had said that the situation was "under control" despite being a "little tense".

Also Read | Karnataka Hijab Row: Education Department Relieved As Suspended Students Shun Hijab To Attend Classes.

The DIG had also assured the deployment of heavy security and the presence of senior officials at the protest site.

After various gulf nations expressed outrage against the controversial remarks against the Prophet, the country has been witnessing protests in various states including Punjab, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh.

In Punjab, the protestors have demanded the arrest of sacked leaders, whereas the instances of stone-pelting and sloganeering were witnessed after the Friday prayers in Uttar Pradesh.

As per the reports, a massive protest broke out at Delhi's Jama Masjid which was later brought under control after the police removed protestors from the protest site.

"No call for protest given by Masjid. We don't know who are the ones protesting, I think they belong to AIMIM or are Owaisi's people. We made it clear that if they want to protest, they can, but we will not support them," Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid told media persons.

Notably, a controversy erupted after Nupur Sharma's remarks against the minorities. Some Gulf countries have also lodged their protest.

However, 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 comment.

Delhi Police had registered two FIRs on Wednesday-- one against former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and the other against 31 people, including All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi and controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand - for allegedly spreading hate and hurting religious sentiments, officials said on Thursday.

Former Delhi BJP media unit head Naveen Kumar Jindal, who was expelled from the party over alleged remarks against Prophet Mohammad, and journalist Saba Naqvi, are among the people named in the second FIR. (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, Jun 10 (PTI) Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande has carried out a comprehensive review of India's security preparedness along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

This is the first visit of Gen Pande to the sector after taking over as the Chief of the Indian Army on April 30.

Also Read | Gujarat Shocker: Dalit Couple Attacked in Surendranagar District, Woman Dies on the Spot, Man Critical.

The Indian Army has been maintaining a strict vigil along the entire stretch of the LAC since the eastern Ladakh border row erupted in May 2020.

The Army said Gen Pande expressed his satisfaction with the "rapid improvement of defensive posture and operational readiness of formations."

Also Read | Insurance Market in India to Reach $222 Billion by FY26, Says Report.

"The Chief of Army Staff, General Manoj Pande is currently on a three-day forward area visit to the LAC in the states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand," the Army said on Friday.

In his visits to the forward posts, Gen Pande has been briefed by local commanders about the prevailing situation along the borders.

"Taking a first-hand assessment of the operational preparedness in forward areas, the Army Chief is scheduled to witness the high altitude operational capabilities of deployed formations, including mountaineering skills and long-range patrolling," the Army said.

It said Gen Pande is also reviewing the ongoing infrastructure and development work and the Army-citizen connect in the forward areas.

"While interacting with the Commanders during his visit, the Army Chief emphasised the need for vigil and alertness along the borders," the Army said in a statement.

It said he appreciated the absorption of modern technology in undertaking persistent surveillance.

"The Chief of Army Staff, during his interaction with the troops deployed on the forward posts, appreciated their high morale and exhorted them to maintain the high standards of professional excellence," the Army said.

He also complimented the excellent synergy between the Army, CAPF (Central Armed Police Forces), civil administration and police towards operational effectiveness and sustainable development in the border areas, the Army said.

The border standoff between the Indian and Chinese militaries erupted on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong lake areas.

The face-off escalated after the Galwan Valley clashes on June 15, 2020. Both sides gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponry.

As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides completed the disengagement process last year in the north and south banks of the Pangong lake and in the Gogra area.

Each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the LAC in the sensitive sector.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kolkata, Jun 10 (PTI) Hundreds of protesters on Friday blocked roads in different parts of Howrah district of West Bengal over controversial remarks made by two now-suspended BJP leaders against Prophet Mohammad, police said.

The agitators clashed with police personnel at Dhulagarh, Panchla and Uluberia when they tried to lift the blockade on National Highway-6, a police officer said.

Also Read | Nothing Phone (1) To Come With 45W Fast Charging Support: Report.

The two saffron party leaders should be immediately arrested for their remarks that have hurt religious sentiments, one of the protesters said.

Police had to baton-charge to disperse the crowd at Dhulagarh and Panchla, where the demonstrators pelted stones in retaliation, causing damage to nearby cars, the officer said.

Also Read | Andhra Pradesh: Two Men Arrested for Sexually Assaulting Minor Sisters in Hyderabad.

The protesters also blocked railway tracks between Fuleswar and Chengail stations in the Howrah-Kharagpur section from 1.22 pm, a South Eastern Railway official said.

Bengal Imams Association president Md Yahia said it had called for protests inside mosques across the state, demanding the arrest of the two BJP leaders, but said the administration is free to take action against people who are blocking roads and inconveniencing the public.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], June 10 (ANI): 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.

Also Read | Sidhu Moose Wala Murder: Interpol Issues Red Corner Notice Against Gangster Goldy Brar.

"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.

Also Read | India Reboots Rail Operations to Strengthen Links With Bangladesh.

"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)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - The Association Afrique Yeelen (AY), in partnership with the mayor's office of the Commune I of the district of Bamako and other partners, on Thursday launched the first edition of the "Keneba" project dedicated to assisting young people and women in the development of their various income generating activities, PANA learnt from a reliable source
Muzaffarpur/Patna, June 10 (PTI) Union minister Giriraj Singh on Friday asserted that there was a need for an anti-conversion law that was applicable to the entire country.

The firebrand BJP leader, who is also considered a detractor of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, expressed his views barely a couple of days after the latter had ruled out the need for any such legislation in the state.

Also Read | Prophet Remark Row: Protests in Delhi,UP, Ranchi, Hyderabad, Jammu & Kashmir and Ahmedabad Post Friday Prayers.

"There should be a law against 'dharmantaran' (religious proselytisation) across the country," quipped Singh when he was approached by journalists with a query on the need for an anti-conversion legislation.

The Union minister, who represents Begusarai in the Lok Sabha, was in the north Bihar town of Muzaffarpur in connection with a case filed against him way back in 2014, before the BJP had come to power at the Centre.

Also Read | Karnataka Hijab Row: Education Department Relieved As Suspended Students Shun Hijab To Attend Classes.

During a 'Bharat bandh' called by the BJP, Singh, in addition to many BJP leaders, was booked for blocking railway traffic.

"The false case has been transferred from the railway court to the MP/MLA court. I have come here to give my statement," said Singh who was accompanied by a number of party colleagues, including state minister Ram Surat Rai, Vaishali MP Veena Devi and former state minister Suresh Sharma.

Altogether 23 BJP leaders, named in the case, appeared before the court of judge Vikas Mishra.

Notably, on Wednesday, Kumar was asked about his views on a religious conversion law, which the BJP has been in favor of.

Kumar, whose JD(U) is currently the largest ally of the BJP in the country, had asserted that such a law was not required in Bihar where people of all religious communities co-existed in peace.

Singh's views, diametrically opposite to that of the Bihar CM who has remained true to his socialist roots notwithstanding decades-old ties with the BJP, were echoed by Rakesh Sinha, BJP's Rajya Sabha MP and RSS thinker who was asked about religious conversions in Patna.

"There is no doubt that people get pressurised, financially and psychologically, to give up their faith and convert to another religion. This goes against the constitutional right to freedom of religion. The Narendra Modi government must not let this go on and bring in an anti-proselytisation law," Sinha told reporters.

The academic-turned-politician also said that Hindus be declared a "global minority" by the United Nations, since the community was not in a majority anywhere except India and Nepal.

"If the UN does not agree to do so, it will be construed that the international body has double standards," said Sinha, alluding to the resolution on Islamophobia Day passed earlier this year which was opposed by India.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Lucknow, Jun 10 (PTI) The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court on Friday declined to entertain a PIL seeking the establishment of a committee headed by a retired or sitting judge of the Supreme Court or a high court to ascertain the truth about a structure recently found in the Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi.

After hearing the public interest litigation (PIL) at length, a vacation bench of Justices Rajesh Singh Chauhan and Subhash Vidyarthi dismissed the plea and said it would issue a detailed order later.

Also Read | Gujarat Shocker: Dalit Couple Attacked in Surendranagar District, Woman Dies on the Spot, Man Critical.

It was claimed by the Hindu side that a Shivling was found during a videography survey of the Gyanvapi mosque-Shringar Gauri complex last month.

The claim was disputed by the mosque committee members who said it was part of the water fountain mechanism in the wazookhana reservoir, used by devotees to perform ritual ablutions before offering namaz.

Also Read | Insurance Market in India to Reach $222 Billion by FY26, Says Report.

The PIL was filed by Sudhir Singh, Ravi Mishra, Mahant Balak Das, Shivendra Pratap Singh, Markendey Tiwari, Rajiv Rai and Atul Kumar, claiming themselves to be devotees of Lord Shiva.

The petitioners have made the central government, the Uttar Pradesh government and the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) as opposite parties in the matter.

Appearing for the Uttar Pradesh government, Chief Standing Counsel (in-charge) Abhinav Narayan Trivedi vehemently opposed the PIL arguing that it was not maintainable here as Varanasi falls in the territorial jurisdiction of the Allahabad High Court instead of the Lucknow bench.

He also stressed that since the Supreme Court is already seized of the matter, the same plea cannot be presented here.

The counsel for the central government and the Archeological Survey of India (ASI), S M Royekwar, also opposed the PIL.

Earlier, the petitioners' counsel Ashok Pandey submitted that the contested claims over the structure have been leading to disputes between communities not only within the country but across the world.

Such disputes could have been avoided if the ASI and the governments had discharged their responsibility by appointing a committee to ascertain the truth regarding the structure, he said.

The petitioners had requested the high court to direct the ASI and the governments to appoint a committee to be headed by a retired or sitting judge of the Supreme Court or a high court to find out the truth about the structure.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Jammu, June 10 (PTI) Cautioning against machinations of straining the time tested inclusive and pluralistic ethos of Jammu, senior BJP leader and former MLA Devender Singh Rana on Friday called for identifying, exposing and isolating the elements inimical to peace and tranquility.

Jammu's tryst with harmony is strong enough to withstand the vicious onslaught of hate mongers, Rana said while interacting with the people at Palpad during his visit to the area.

Also Read | Indias Space Mission Biggest Recognition of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, PM Narendra Modi.

He said pluralistic Jammu's ethos of inclusiveness and harmony is the strong citadel against forces who want to disturb the secular fabric of the region.

Rana said the people, irrespective of region and religion, are sagacious enough to see through the attempts of dividing the society and resolute enough to thwart the designs of peace-breakers by maintaining unity and brotherhood.

Also Read | Gujarat Shocker: Dalit Couple Attacked in Surendranagar District, Woman Dies on the Spot, Man Critical.

(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 10 (ANI): Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) working president KT Rama Rao wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the unemployment issue.

In his letter to Prime Minister Modi, the Telangana Minister said the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government has failed miserably in creating jobs for the youth of the nation. KTR demanded that the Centre fill up the 16 lakh government jobs which are vacant at present.

Also Read | #WATCH Uttar Pradesh: Protest Erupted in Pyaragraj over Inflammatory Statements of   Latest Tweet by ANI UP/Uttarakhand.

He added that demonetization and lockdown during the COVID pandemic majorly impacted the jobs and livelihood of people in the country. "There are only 'pakoda' employment opportunities in the country today, all thanks to the inefficient policies of the union government," stated KTR.

KTR stated that due to the indecisiveness of the central government, the country today is witnessing the highest unemployment rate in the Centre was selling government companies.

Also Read | Prophet Remarks Row: Minority Community Members Gather To Protest Outside Jama Masjid in Delhi.

The TRS leader asked the central government when it will fill 16 lakh job vacancies and what actions have been taken to create 2 crore jobs per year.

"How many of the promised 2 crore jobs per year were created or will be created for the youth of Telangana? What answers do you have for the loss of employment opportunities caused due to selling of government assets to private entities?" he asked.

KTR said by the privatization of government properties, the reservation policy in jobs will be removed.

"How are you going to recognise and reward the Telangana Govt which is giving major support to the country's economy? Do you have an answer to the demand we have been making on behalf of Telangana youth for 8 years to revive the Hyderabad ITIR project or give another special package as an alternative?" asked the TRS leader.

"On one hand, you make statements like sabka saat, sabka vikas. But on the other hand, your party leaders believe and act more on the lines of 'sabko satyanash karo'. This attitude of yours is becoming a threat to the Indians not only in the country but outside the country as well. Due to this, the country is going backwards in development. As a result, crores of people are losing their jobs," added KTR.

He also said that the Centre has miserably failed in attracting global investments to the country which could create employment opportunities for the youth.

"Your inefficient decisions and ineffective economic policies led to loss of jobs, instead of creating new employment opportunities in the country," KTR said.

He alleged that the Centre has no commitment to the welfare of agriculture and the textile sectors as these are the two major sectors people depend on for jobs. He added that the small countries in the neighbourhood have more employees in this sector than those in 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, Jun 10 (PTI) Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Friday praised the Central Information Commission for quicker disposal of RTI appeals and consistently bringing down the pendency rate.

The pendency has reduced from about 40,000 cases last year to around 27,000 cases at present, while the disposal of cases increased from 17,017 in 2020-21 to 28,901 in 2021-22, the Union Minister of State for Public Grievances said.

Also Read | Hospital Mess in Assam: Child Reunited With Parents Three Years After Birth.

Addressing the 14th Special General Body Meeting of the National Federation of Information Commissions of India (NFICI) at the CIC Bhawan here, Singh said that ever since the Modi government came into power in 2014, transparency, accountability and citizen-centricity became the hallmark of the governance model.

He said that in the last eight years, every conscious decision was taken to strengthen the independence and resources of the Information Commissions.

Also Read | Hyderabad Horror: Another Minor Girl Raped in Telangana, Autorickshaw Driver Held for Sexually Assaulting Nine-Year-Old Girl.

Empowered citizens are an important pillar of democracy and the Central Information Commission will continue to work for empowering the people through information, Singh said.

"Transparency and accountability are very essential for democratic and participative governance and all steps will be taken to fulfill the aspirations and expectations of the people of India.

"Today, all major decisions and information are in public domain and we have achieved transparency with credibility, which is the hallmark of the Modi government," the minister said.

Singh said that the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic posed a serious challenge to many Information Commissions, including the Central Information Commission (CIC), but earnest efforts were made by them to dispose of the appeals and complaints.

He also mentioned that June 2020 saw a higher disposal of cases in CIC in comparison to the pre-pandemic year of 2019.

The minister said this became possible due to the innovative approach of shifting to virtual mode comprising audio and video for hearing and disposal of cases.

Singh also pointed out that it was during the challenging times of the pandemic in May 2020, the Central Information Commission started entertaining, hearing and disposing of RTIs from the newly-created Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, through virtual means.

He said that applicants from Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were allowed to file RTI applications from home and even for appeals to the CIC.

Consequent to the passing of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, the erstwhile state's &K Right to Information Act, 2009, and the Rules there under were repealed and RTI Act 2005 and the Rules there under were enforced from October 31, 2019.

Now, non-domicile or non-state subjects of Jammu and Kashmir are also entitled to file RTIs related to the issues or agencies in the union territory, Singh said.

In his address, Y K Sinha, Chief Information Commissioner and president of the National Federation of Information Commissions in India said that it is important for the commissions to ensure that the full potential of the laws empowering the common man is realised.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], June 10 (ANI): Stepping up its campaign for the 2024 General elections, Bharatiya Janata Party national president JP Nadda on Thursday hit out at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in her bastion Kolkata and said that the TMC chief has turned the situation of West Bengal similar to that of the country before 2014 when the UPA government was in power and 'loot, corruption, nepotism, and scams' were prevalent.

The BJP is eying to improve its tally in 2024 in West Bengal where it won 18 seats in the 2019 General elections.

Also Read | Sidhu Moose Wala Murder: Interpol Issues Red Corner Notice Against Gangster Goldy Brar.

"Condition of Bengal right now is similar to what India was famous for before 2014- loot, corruption, nepotism, and scams. But after 8 years, things have drastically improved. PM Modi has brought a new culture to political working," said Nadda while addressing Nagarik Sammelan here.

The BJP chief also took a dig at the prevailing law and order situation in West Bengal, and said that there is a "law of rulers instead of rule of law" in the state.

Also Read | India Reboots Rail Operations to Strengthen Links With Bangladesh.

"Law of rulers not rule of law, this is the policy here... Who will fight this? BJP. And only BJP will win... Fourth highest murder cases, the highest number of attempts to murder- it is West Bengal," he said.

Nadda further heaped praise on the ruling BJP government at the Centre, where the party completed its eight years recently, and said that India is no more changing but "has changed".

"Today when people tell me that the country is changing, I say that it is not changing but has changed, statistics prove this," he said.

"Before 2014, only one or one and a half lakh houses were built under housing schemes in the country. Today 2.5 crore houses have been completed under PM Awas Yojana under the Modi government," Nadda added elaborating on the work done by the BJP government for the welfare of the people.

The BJP chief also mentioned the improved rank of the country in the Ease of Doing Business and said that the changing image of India is at the fore to be seen.

"Our GDP, which was once Rs 112.33 lakh crores, has now increased to Rs 232 lakh crores. We were ranked 142 in the Ease of Doing Business in 2014, whereas today we stand at 63rd position," he said.

"The changing image of India across the world is in front of all of us. Brought Indians back from Afghanistan when there was crisis and during the corona crisis, Indians were brought back from across the world to India. Even during the Ukraine war, India brought back the students trapped there," Nadda added enumerating the Centre's steps taken for its citizens in times of crisis. (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 (Odisha) [India], June 10 (ANI): Biju Janata Dal on Thursday placed various demands before the Centre demanding for the development of the farmers and upliftment of their livelihood.

"The Centre had increased the MSP of common grade variety of paddy yesterday by Rs 100 per quintal, Rs 1,940 in 2021-22 to Rs 2,040 per quintal for 2022-23 crop year for common variety. This increase of merely Rs. 100 per quintal is not sufficient and the BJD has been demanding for increasing the MSP for paddy to 1.5 times of the Cost of Production at C2 value; as per the Swaminathan Commission Report recommendations but the Centre has not done it so far," said BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra while addressing a press conference.

Also Read | Sidhu Moose Wala Murder: Interpol Issues Red Corner Notice Against Gangster Goldy Brar.

Recalling a resolution passed by the Odisha Assembly for the increase in the MSP for farmers, the BJD leader alleged that the Centre has not fulfilled the demands in the resolution, though the state leaders of the BJP had unanimously supported it.

"On March 25, 2017, the Odisha Vidhan Sabha 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 placed by the BJD MPs in the Parliament as well as in the Odisha Vidhan Sabha, the Centre has not implemented it," he claimed.

Also Read | India Reboots Rail Operations to Strengthen Links With Bangladesh.

Patra further alleged that the Centre has also decided to stop lifting of surplus parboiled rice from Odisha.

"Apart from the issue of increasing the MSP of paddy to Rs. 2930 per quintal, the Centre has also decided to stop lifting surplus parboiled rice from Odisha. Most of the rice produced in Odisha is par-boiled rice and is one of the leading states contributing to the PDS rice in the nation. 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 said.

While mentioning the demands on the issues relating to the farmers, Patra said that the Centre should increase the MSP of Paddy to Rs 2,930 per quintal as per the unanimous resolution of the Odisha Vidhan Sabha in 2017.

"The MSP of Paddy should be increased by 1.5 times of the C2 value as per the Swaminathan Commission report recommendations. Thirdly, the surplus parboiled rice of Odisha should be lifted immediately which would otherwise cause great hardship to the lakhs of farmers of Odisha and particularly from western Odisha," he said listing out the demands from the Centre.

"Fourthly, Rs. 10,333 crores of food subsidy bill pending with Centre should be immediately released to Odisha and fifth and finally, Rs. 5454.67 Crores towards additional interest incurred by Odisha due to delay of release and short release of subsidy by Centre till March 31, 2022, should be released immediately," the BJD spokesperson 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)
Ranchi, Jun 10 (PTI) Over 25,000 outlets under the public distribution system in Jharkhand will function as common service centres to help people get assistance for various services such as payment of bills and applications for PAN cards and passports, an official release said.

In a bid to provide a slew of services to people through PDS dealers, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the state food, public distribution and consumer affairs department and CSC-SPV, it said.

Also Read | Sidhu Moosewala Murder Case: Sharp Shooter Harkamal Ranu Arrested From Punjab's Bathinda.

The CSC E-Governance India Ltd (CSC SPV), a special purpose vehicle under the Union Ministry of Electronics & IT, provides a host of electronic services to consumers through its common service centres.

The services, which will be provided to people through PDS shops, include bill payment, application for PAN card, passport and voter ID, and availing of schemes such as PM-Kisan, Ayushman Bharat, e-SHRAM registration, telemedicine and campaign for digital literacy, according to the release issued on Thursday.

Also Read | Apple iOS 16 Allows Transfer of eSIM Between iPhones via Bluetooth.

CSCs are the access points for delivery of these essential public utility services and social welfare schemes in rural and remote areas of the country.

Another objective of the initiative is to increase the income of PDS dealers in the state.

"We welcome the government's move. But, we would like to urge it to provide some financial assistance in the initial phase, as many dealers may not be able to purchase the electronic gadgets which are required to implement the programme," Fair Price Shop Dealers Association general secretary Sanjay Kundu told PTI.

The food department also launched a system under which vacancies in the state quota of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) will automatically be filled, the release said.

There are over 2.64 crore beneficiaries under the NFSA programme in Jharkhand, and 15 lakh people are under the state food security scheme.

"Addition and deletion is a continuous process in the NFSA. With the introduction of automatic system, now beneficiaries of state food security scheme will automatically be shifted to NFSA when there is a vacancy," it said.

State public distribution and consumer affairs minister Rameshwar Oraon launched the automatic system and said five lakh beneficiaries would be added to the Jharkhand food security scheme this fiscal.

The NFSA had been rolled out in the state on October 1, 2015.

Around 57 lakh households, covering 2.64 crore people, around 80 per cent of the state population, have been receiving rice at Re 1 per kg in Jharkhand.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Solapur (Maharashtra) [India], June 10 (ANI): A large number of people were seen participating in a protest march in Maharashtra's Solapur against suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma and expelled leader Naveen Jindal over their controversial remarks against Prophet Muhammad.

Meanwhile, in Navi Mumbai, a number of women carried out a march, protesting over the controversial religious statements against the Prophet.

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Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil confirmed that the situation across the state is under control.

"I would like to tell people of the state that situation across Maharashtra is under control & peaceful. Everyone, from all religious backgrounds, must try & continue that peace. Police were prepared. Only peaceful protests were seen in the state," said Maharashtra HM Dilip Walse-Patil.

Also Read | Prophet Remarks Row: Massive Protests Erupt in Several Parts of India Over Controversial Remarks on Prophet Muhammad.

Further protests were also seen across the country on Friday.

A huge protest had erupted outside the Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad over the controversial statements by suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma.

Protests were also held outside Aziziya Masjid at Mehdipatnam junction, Hyderabad today.

Around 200 people staged a protest raising slogans against Nupur Sharma. Protesters were seen protesting with placards at Mehdipatnam. Security has been beefed up with the deployment of police and CRPF to prevent any untoward incidents.

Speaking to reporters, D.S Chauhan, Additional Commissioner of Police said, "The protests were held peacefully. Police have handled it well. No untoward incident took place. People have protested and left the place no case has been registered."

A massive protest also took place at Delhi's Jama Masjid over the inflammatory remarks against Prophet.

"No call for protest given by Masjid. We don't know who are the ones protesting, I think they belong to AIMIM or are Owaisi's people. We made it clear that if they want to protest, they can, but we will not support them," Shahi Imam, Jama Masjid told media persons.

The controversy erupted after Nupur Sharma's remarks against the minorities. Some Gulf countries have lodged their protest.

However, 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.

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."

Meanwhile, Delhi Police registered two FIRs-- one against former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and the other against 31 people, including AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand - for allegedly spreading hate and hurting religious sentiments, officials said on Thursday. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Ludhiana (Punjab) [India], June 10 (ANI): Various parts of Punjab witnessed protests over the inflammatory remarks of the suspended Bharatiya Janata Party leader Nupur Sharma and expelled party leader Naveen Jindal.

"After the protest call by Ludhiana Jama Masjid, protests were held across Punjab demanding the arrest of those who disrespected the Prophet," said Shahi Imaam of Ludhiana Jama Masjid.

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Meanwhile, protests against Sharma and Jindal have been reported from various parts of the country, including Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh.

As per the reports, a massive protest broke out at Delhi's Jama Masjid which have been later brought under control after the police removed protestors from the protest site.

Also Read | Andhra Pradesh: Two Men Arrested for Sexually Assaulting Minor Sisters in Hyderabad.

"No call for protest given by Masjid. We don't know who are the ones protesting, I think they belong to AIMIM or are Owaisi's people. We made it clear that if they want to protest, they can, but we will not support them," Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid told media persons.

Several incidents of violence including sloganeering and stone-pelting were also reported from several parts of Uttar Pradesh after Friday prayers when people began protesting against the inflammatory statements of former BJP leaders Sharma and Jindal.

Notably, a controversy erupted after Nupur Sharma's remarks against the minorities. Some Gulf countries have also lodged their protest.

However, 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 comment.

However, Delhi Police had registered two FIRs on Wednesday-- one against former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and the other against 31 people, including All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi and controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand - for allegedly spreading hate and hurting religious sentiments, officials said on Thursday.

Former Delhi BJP media unit head Naveen Kumar Jindal, who was expelled from the party over alleged remarks against Prophet Mohammad, and journalist Saba Naqvi, are among the people named in the second FIR. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
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New Delhi, Jun 10 (PTI) The Punjab government will develop Ranjit Sagar Lake in Pathankot to make it a world-class global tourist destination as it seeks to boost tourism and allied sectors in the state.

The Punjab government organised an investors' summit here to extend invitation to private players to invest in the tourism and other sectors in the state.

Also Read | Prophet Remark Row: Protests in Delhi,UP, Ranchi, Hyderabad, Jammu & Kashmir and Ahmedabad Post Friday Prayers.

While special focus was laid on the development of Ranjit Sagar Lake, various other sites having the potential to be developed as tourist spots were showcased during the summit.

The Darbar Hall and Gol Kothi in Kapurthala, Sangrur Kothi in Sangrur, Amritsar and Mohali convention centres and Shahpur Kandi Fort were among the sites proposed for development.

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Ranjit Sagar Lake, surrounded by lush greenery and hills and spanning across 74.76 acres, has great tourism potential as it is located on the way to Dalhousie and is close to Dharamshala, Palampur, Chamba and Vaishno Devi and Katra, all famous tourist destinations.

Presiding over the event, Punjab Chief Secretary Anirudh Tewari said Ranjit Sagar Lake in Pathankot will be developed as a state-of-the-art tourist destination on public-private partnership (PPP) mode and the state government has already obtained environment clearance and stage-1 forest clearance for the project.

He said that with Punjab having a rich and diverse natural landscape, it is envisaged to unlock this potential for the citizens and assist them in appreciating and conserving natural resources.

"Punjab Chief Minister recently reviewed the projects and directed to identify and initiate various tourism projects across the state. In furtherance of this initiative, the government has organised this investors' summit," he said.

While extending an invitation to investors to invest in Punjab, Tewari briefed them about the 'ease of doing business' policy adopted by the state which provides hassle-free single-window clearance to the investors, in addition to various incentives.

Several prominent organisations in the tourism sector participated in the event.

Principal Secretary of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Tejveer Singh said the vision of the state government is to develop ecologically sensitive tourist destinations by actively supporting "responsible tourism".

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Patna, Jun 10 (PTI) Asserting that maintaining law and order is the top priority of his government, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday said because of the promptness of the security forces, the state did not witness any riots in the recent past.

Chairing a high-level meeting to review the state's law and order situation, Kumar said no laxity will be tolerated in controlling crimes in the state.

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"Security forces effectively maintained social harmony in the state. It is only because of the promptness of the security forces, the state did not witness any riots and incidents that cause communal tension in the recent past. Forces must maintain similar promptness and alertness to ensure communal harmony in the society," he said.

Kumar asked senior police officers to ensure night patrolling in their areas.

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"The DMs and the SPs must hold joint meetings once a month to solve land-related disputes in their jurisdictions. Similarly, the sub-divisional officers (SDOs) and sub-divisional police officers (SDPOs) will also hold such meetings at the subdivision level once every fortnight," the chief minister said.

Circle officers (COs) and station house officers (SHOs) will do such meetings once a week, he added.

Kumar also asked officers to maintain a strict vigil to ensure effective enforcement of the liquor ban in the state, especially in Patna.

"Identify the people who indulge in violating liquor prohibition rules in the state and take stern action against them," 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)
Bengaluru, June 10 (PTI) The ruling BJP in Karnataka had the last laugh as it won all the three Rajya Sabha seats it had contested in, out of total four from the state, that went for polls on Friday, while the Congress managed to win only one of the two seats to which it had fielded its candidates.

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The JD(S) which had fielded one candidate, despite not having enough votes, failed to win any, as Congress did not accept its request for support in the name of secularism. Incidentally, despite a whip, a JD(S) MLA voted for the Congress, saying he did so as he "loved" the grand old party.

Also Read | Rajya Sabha Election Results 2022: Congress and BJP Balance Each Other Out in Rajasthan and Karnataka, 41 Candidates Win Unopposed; Here's Full List of Winners.

This poll results has given an edge to the BJP, amid the fight for "secular votes" between the Congress and JD(S).

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, actor-politician Jaggesh, and outgoing MLC Lehar Singh Siroya --all from the BJP, and former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh of Congress were declared victorious by the poll officials after counting of votes.

Sitharaman and Ramesh have been re-elected from Karnataka to the Upper House of Parliament for a consecutive third and fourth term respectively, while for Jaggesh and Siroya this will be their first stint.

There was suspense over the outcome of the contest for the fourth seat, which witnessed a tight contest between all the three political parties, as they had fielded candidates despite none of them having adequate number of votes to win it, and thereby forcing an election.

A total of six candidates were in the fray for the Rajya Sabha elections to four seats from the state, necessitating a contest for the fourth one.

The fight for the fourth seat saw a direct contest between Siroya (BJP's third candidate), Mansoor Ali Khan (Congress' second candidate) and D Kupendra Reddy (JDS' lone nominee).

According to official sources, with the support of 46 MLAs each, Sitharaman and Ramesh got 4,600 votes each, while Jaggesh sailed through with the support of 44 MLAs and got 4,400 votes. With the support of 33 MLAs and second preferential votes Siroya got a total of 3,617 votes.

Reddy and Khan of JD(S) and Congress garnered 3,000 and 2,592 votes (a combination of both first and second preferential votes) respectively.

Each voter (MLA) carries a weight of 100 votes.

Fearing cross-voting, all three political parties had issued a whip, asking their respective MLAs to vote for their candidates.

The worry of ensuring that its numbers are intact and there is no cross-voting was greater for JD(S) and the party had last night shifted its MLAs to a hotel in the city, from where they all arrived together in a bus to Vidhana Soudha, the seat of state secretariat and legislature, to cast their votes.

Despite all its efforts the regional party's Kolar MLA K Srinivas Gowda cast his vote for the Congress candidate defying the party's diktat, while Gubbi MLA S R Srinivas allegedly put a blank ballot paper into the box, which left JD(S) legislature party leader H D Kumaraswamy fuming at his colleagues.

While Gowda accepted he voted for the Congress candidate stating that he did so since he "loved" the party, Srinivas however rejected Kumaraswamy's claim and insisted he voted for his party's pick. There were also reports that Srinivas has voted in favour of BJP's Siroya, when votes were counted.

For JD(S) it was a repeat of the 2016 Rajya Sabha polls, when eight of its rebel MLAs voted against its official candidate and supported the Congress.

Questioning the "morality" of Congress leaders for their alleged involvement in cross voting, Kumaraswamy said, "they go to people with slogans to save democracy, while Siddaramaiah and others are indulging in low level politics by hijacking MLAs of other parties...how different is Congress from the BJP? Congress is helping BJP to win."

State Congress President D K Shivakumar, rejecting Kumaraswamy's hijack allegations, said, "If we had to do it, there were half a dozen MLAs (JDS) ready, but we don't want to do it..."

According to sources within the Congress and JD(S), personal rivalry between Kumaraswamy and Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah led to BJP's Siroya winning the fourth seat.

It is said that at the insistence of Siddaramaiah the party favoured fielding Mansoor Ali Khan as its second candidate, despite talks between JD(S) patriarch H D Deve Gowda and Congress national President Sonia Gandhi regarding supporting the regional party's lone candidate.

Even after this, talks between both sides with an aim to forge some kind of a formal understanding for RS polls reached a deadlock, as both parties firmly stuck to their stand.

Kumaraswamy had made an offer to trade second preference votes with the Congress and to "start afresh" by forgetting the past between the two political parties, but the grand old party made it clear to the regional player that it was now time for it to return the favour, pointing out that former PM H D Deve Gowda got elected to the upper house of the Parliament last time with its support in June 2020.

A day ahead of the polls, Congress Legislature Party leader Siddaramaiah on Thursday even wrote an open letter to JD(S) MLAs requesting them to cast their "conscience vote" in favour of his party's second candidate Khan, stating that his win will be a victory of "secular ideology" followed by both parties.

With no support from Congress coming in at the last moment and a JD(S) MLAs voting in favour of the national party, Kumaraswamy today Congress the "real B-team of the BJP", and said this results marks the beginning of a new political change in the state ahead of 2023 assembly polls.

On its part, the ruling BJP, confident of winning three seats from the beginning, had tasked three ministers -- R Ashoka, V Sunil Kumar and B C Nagesh -- to oversee the voting process. It also took care to ensure that there is no cross voting and its numbers stood intact.

Congratulating its three winning candidates, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai thanked party MLAs, Ministers and leadership for the unity shown.

The election to four Rajya Sabha seats was necessitated as the term of office of members  Nirmala Sitharaman and K C Ramamurthy of BJP and Jairam Ramesh -- is due to expire on June 30. The fourth member Oscar Fernandes of the Congress passed away last year.

(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 10 (PTI) As voting got underway for the four Rajya Sabha seats in Rajasthan, the ruling Congress on Friday exuded confidence that it has the numbers to win three seats while the opposition BJP said it expects a "miracle" when the results are announced.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said the Congress will comfortably win three out of the four seats.

Also Read | Sidhu Moosewala Murder Case: Sharp Shooter Harkamal Ranu Arrested From Punjab's Bathinda.

Lashing out at the opposition BJP for fielding Subhash Chandra as an independent candidate despite not having majority, he claimed, Their own MLAs did not like Chandra.

The BJP maintained that both its official candidate Ghanshyam Tiwari and independent candidate Chandra will win.

Also Read | Apple iOS 16 Allows Transfer of eSIM Between iPhones via Bluetooth.

Before leaving for the assembly building for polling, Gehlot told reporters outside Hotel Leela Palace on the Delhi highway, I am saying again that we are winning three seats comfortably and they (BJP) should take care of their house. The way they fielded another candidate, it was not liked by MLAs of their party.

There is a reaction in the whole state. Elections were conducted unnecessarily otherwise all four seats -- three by us and one by the BJP -- would have been won comfortably, he said.

He said the BJP did the same thing during the previous Rajya Sabha elections in 2020 but they were defeated.

These people will be defeated again this time, he said.

However, BPL MLA Vasudev Devnani said a "miracle" will happen when the results are announced in the evening.

Our claim is still maintained. You will see a miracle happening when the results are announced, Devnani told reporters in the assembly after casting vote.

One candidate needs 41 votes to win.

The Congress, with its 108 MLAs, will have 26 surplus votes after winning two seats. It will require 15 votes to win the third seat.

The Congress, which has fielded Randeep Surjewala, Mukul Wasnik and Pramod Tiwari, claims the support of 126 MLAs, including 108 from the party itself. The party needs 123 MLAs to win three seats.

The BJP has 71 MLAs in the state Assembly, enough to get one seat in the Rajya Sabha this time. After that, it will be left with 30 surplus votes.

The 30 surplus votes of the BJP and three of RLP (total 33) are with Chandra. He is short of eight MLAs to win the seat.

Polling started at 9 am and will conclude by 4 pm. Counting of votes will be taken up at 5 pm.PTI SDA

(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 10 (PTI) BSP-turned-Congress MLAs, who had expressed resentment with the ruling Congress government in Rajasthan, were among those who cast their votes as soon as the voting began for the Rajya Sabha elections for the four seats in the state on Friday morning.

The voting started at 9 am in the assembly building and will continue till 4 pm and counting will start at 5 pm, an official spokesperson said.

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The MLAs came to the assembly building with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and cast their votes.

Gehlot reached the assembly shortly before 9 am and the first bus with the Congress MLAs also reached the assembly with Randeep Surjewala, one of the three candidates of the Congress.

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BJP MLAs reached the assembly in two buses while two more buses with Congress and other supporting MLAs will reach after some time.

Congress and supporting MLAs were staying in a hotel on Delhi road while BJP MLAs were staying at another hotel on Agra road.

BSP-turned Congress MLAs including Rajendra Gudha, Sandeep Yadav, Wajib Ali also reached the assembly with the CM and exercised their franchise.

I was second to cast vote after the chief minister, Gudha told reporters.

The Congress has fielded Surjewala, Mukul Wasnik and Pramod Tiwari while the BJP has fielded Ghanshyam Tiwari while the BJP has supported independent candidate Subhash Chandra.

Chandra has made the elections challenging for the ruling Congress.

Speaking with reporters, Gehlot exuded confidence that all the three candidates of the Congerss will comfortably win.

He said the BJP played a "game" of fielding Chandra as an independent candidate without majority.

Even BJP MLAs did not like him (Chandra), he said.

BSP state president Bhagwan Singh Baba had issued a whip directing the six MLAs, who won the 2018 assembly elections as BSP candidates and merged with the Congress in 2019, to not vote for the candidates of the Congress and BJP.

However, the MLAs cast votes.

The six MLAs are Rajendra Gudha, Lakhan Meena, Deepchand Kheria, Sandeep Yadav, Joginder Awana and Wajib Ali.

Gudha, Ali, Bari MLA Giriraj Singh Malinga and a few other Congress MLAs had expressed resentment last week with the Congress government. However, they toned down after meeting the chief minister on Saturday night and left for Udaipur with the CM on Sunday to join other MLAs staying there.

Malinga, who was annoyed due to police case against him for allegedly thrashing engineers of electricity department in Dholpur, also said that the party candidates will win.

In the House of 200, the Congress has 108 MLAs, BJP 71, Independent 13, Rashtriya Loktantrik Party (RLP) three, CPI(M) and Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP) two each.

The Congress needs 123 votes to win three seats. The party claims it has the support of a total of 126 MLAs.One candidate needs 41 votes to win.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kochi, Jun 10 (PTI) A court here has dismissed a plea by the Kerala government to withdraw the prosecution proceedings against actor Mohanlal in a case relating to illegal possession of two pairs of ivory.

Also Read | Nothing Phone (1) To Come With 45W Fast Charging Support: Report.

The state government contented that proceeding with the case would be a futile exercise and wastage of the court's time.

Also Read | Samsung Smart Monitor M8 Launched in India, Check Price & Other Details Here.

"...I am not inclined to allow the withdrawal petition for the time being," Judicial First Class Magistrate, Anju Cletus said in her order.

The court noted that the withdrawal petition was filed in a hasty manner without addressing the challenges raised before the High Court regarding legality of the ownership certificate issued to the first accused (Mohanlal).

"At this stage of the proceedings, I am of the view that rather than presuming the validity of the ownership certificate issued to the accused no.1 and allowing the withdrawal petition forthwith, it would be in the interest of justice to consider whether the prosecution should continue or not in the light of the adjudication which is yet to be made by the Hon'ble High Court regarding the validity of the ownership certificate issued to the accused no.1.," the court said.

The state government had on February 7, 2020 extended consent for withdrawal from prosecution in this case, the prosecution submitted before the court.

The court, in its order noted that there was no gazette notification in this case and hence the alleged certificate of ownership of the tusks has no legal sanctity and was void ab inito.

"The public prosecutor cannot rely on the illegal certificate of ownership granted to the 1st accused (Mohanlal) against which a challenge is pending before the Hon'ble High Court of Kerala. The doctrine of estoppel and legitimate expectation cannot be applied in the case of the public authorities to justify their wrongful actions," it said.

The Magistrate court said the withdrawal petition does not serve the ends of justice and hence was liable to be dismissed.

Four elephant tusks were seized from the actor's house in a raid conducted by the Income Tax authorities in June 2012, following which a case was registered against him.

The complainant had alleged that the actor had used his clout to bury the case without any further investigation.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Thane, Jun 10 (PTI) Police have rescued two teenage girls, who were allegedly forced into flesh trade, from Kashimira area of Mira Road in Maharashtra's Thane district, and arrested two women in this connection, officials said on Friday.

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The action was taken by the anti-human trafficking cell of the Mira Bhayandar-Vasai Virar police commissionerate, a release said.

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Acting on a tip-off that some persons were pushing minor girls into sex trade, the police laid a trap on Wednesday at a roadside eatery in Kashimira. After sending a fake customer, the police team arrested the two women. They were striking a deal for Rs 2 lakh, it said.

One of the arrested women is an aunt of the girls. The police rescued two teenage girls, they said.

The police have now launched a search for a man, who was also part of the group.

An offence has been registered in this connection.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Beijing [China], June 10 (ANI): In addition to exchanging views on the regional issues of Central Asia, the participants at the China Plus Central Asian Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Thursday also discussed the situation in Afghanistan post the Taliban takeover.

The meeting was chaired by Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi, and was attended by the 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, reported Tolo News.

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"We should continue to make good use of the Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the Afghan Issue Among the Neighboring Countries of Afghanistan, the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group and other mechanisms," said a statement released by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

This comes as no Central Asian country has yet recognized the Taliban. However, China and Turkmenistan have allowed the active presence of the current government's diplomats.

Also Read | Malaysia Government Agrees To Abolish Mandatory Death Penalty.

Meanwhile, the foreign ministers of Iran and India called for the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan.

"The Central Asian nations and UN have limited facilities to bring reforms in Afghanistan. It is the Taliban who have the control to bring reform in Afghanistan" said Torek Farhadi, a political analyst.

However, the Taliban urged countries to engage in relations with the current Afghan government to overcome the challenges, reported Tolo News.

"First of all; they should start diplomatic relations with the current Afghan government, thus all challenges will be solved via official and responsible measures. Then there will be good steps in which the countries seek to resolve the challenges for the Afghans," said Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesman for the Taliban.

The international community listed the formation of an inclusive government, respect for human rights and women's rights, and preventing Afghan soil from terrorist activities, as the preconditions for recognition of the current Afghan government. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Brussels [Belgium], June 10 (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.

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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."

Also Read | India Reboots Rail Operations to Strengthen Links With Bangladesh.

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)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Islamabad, Jun 10 (PTI) Pakistan Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in a telephone call apprised President of UN General Assembly Abdulla Shahid of the controversial remarks made by two former senior officials of India's ruling party against Prophet Mohammad, the Foreign Office said here on Friday.

Noting that such provocation had deeply hurt the sentiments of billions of Muslims around the world, the Bilawal urged Shahid to take cognisance of this abhorrent development amidst rising Islamophobia in India, it said.

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Referring to the muted response of the Indian leadership to the incident, the foreign minister noted that silence could be taken as complicity, and could lead to further incitement to violence, communal discord and hate incidents, the Foreign Office said.

Abdulla underscored the important role of the General Assembly and the need for the membership to work together on these issues. Bilawal and Abdullah agreed to remain engaged.

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The ruling BJP has already suspended its national spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled the party's Delhi unit media head Naveen Jindal for their controversial remarks following widespread anger in several Gulf countries.

India has said that the remarks do not reflect the views of the government. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India accords the "highest respect" to all religions.

Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmed said at the weekly briefing on Friday reiterated Pakistan's condemnation of the remarks by two senior officials.

He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Bilawal have also condemned the hurtful comments.

Ahmed said Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood met the envoys of P-5 countries and held a meeting with the OIC Ambassadors in Islamabad to apprise them of the matter and register Pakistan's strong concern at the sharp increase in Islamophobia and targeting of Muslims in India.

The spokesperson said that contrary to what he called a reprehensible campaign of saffronisation in India, Pakistan, in line with its policy of promoting interfaith harmony issued 163 visas to Sikh pilgrims from India to participate in an annual festival being held in Pakistan from June 8 to June 17.

India has categorically rejected criticism by the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif over the issue.

MEA Spokesperson Bagchi said India accords the "highest respect" to all religions and described the statement by the grouping as "motivated, misleading and mischievous" and that it exposed its "divisive agenda" which is being pursued at the behest of "vested interests."

Referring to Sharif's condemnation of the remarks by Sharma and Jindal, and the Pakistan Foreign Ministry's criticism, Bagchi said the "absurdity of a serial violator of minority rights commenting on the treatment of minorities in another nation is not lost on anyone."

He said the government "accords the highest respect to all religions. This is quite unlike Pakistan where fanatics are eulogised and monuments built in their honour".

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
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Islamabad [Pakistan], June 10 (ANI): Hundreds of Afghan refugees in Pakistan on Thursday called on the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the international community to respond positively to their asylum applications.

Holding protest with the slogan "Save Us" that entered 57th day, they lamented the fact that the world has forgotten Afghanistan in the aftermath of the Russia-Ukraine war, reported Tolo News.

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"Due to the war in Ukraine, the world has forgotten Afghanistan; not only the issue of Afghans in Pakistan but the focus on Afghans in all countries has stopped," said Safiullah Sultani, a protesting refugee.

"So far, no country that provides asylum for the refugees, not even the United Nations, has paid attention to the problems of Afghans refugees," Abdul Sami Khatibi said.

Also Read | Chinese Air Force Fighter Jet Crashes Into Homes in Central China, 1 Killed on Ground.

Meanwhile, a number of Afghan refugees in Iran said that the census process in that country has created challenges for them, reported Tolo News.

"Some of the refugees are concerned that after six months they will deport us and say we are not taking the census sheets," said Latifa Stanekzai, an Afghan refugee.

"So far, over 1.5 million refugees have been identified and this process continues until July," said Naqibullah Mazlumyar.

"Unfortunately, appropriate measures have not been taken to address this issue, and this has created challenges for census offices and immigrants," said Dr Mohammadzai, another Afghan refugee.

With the reestablishment of the Taliban, a large number of Afghans fled the country and many are now living in poor conditions in the neighbouring countries. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Lahore/Dubai, Jun 10 (PTI) Pakistan's former military dictator General Pervez Musharraf is hospitalised in the UAE after his health deteriorated and is going through a "difficult stage where recovery is not possible", his family said on Friday amidst speculation about his condition.

Gen. Musharraf, 78, who ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008, was charged with high treason and given death sentence in 2019 for suspending the Constitution.

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His family issued a statement on Twitter after rumours of his death started doing rounds on social media, and said that he is "not on the ventilator".

"(He) Has been hospitalised for the last 3 weeks due to a complication of his ailment (Amyloidosis). Going through a difficult stage where recovery is not possible and organs are malfunctioning. Pray for ease in his daily living," Musharraf's family said.

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Amyloidosis is a rare disease that occurs when an abnormal protein builds up in organs and interferes with the normal function.

He was diagnosed with the life-threatening disease Amyloidosis in 2018 in the UAE.

Earlier, his close aide and former information minister Fawad Chaudhry said that General Musharraf is critical and on a ventilator support in a UAE hospital.

He said that he spoke to Musharraf's son who confirmed his illness.

"Musharraf is critical as he is on a ventilator," Chaudhry told PTI.

Chaudhry, who was the information minister in the Imran Khan government, was once a media spokesperson for Musharraf.

"I have just spoken to Gen Musharraf's son Bilal in Dubai who confirmed that he (Musharraf) is on ventilator," Chaudhry said.

Reacting to reports, Ifzaal Siddique, the President of the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) Overseas -- founded by Musharraf -- said that the former president is little bit ill but fully alert.

"General Pervez Musharraf is at home (a little) bit ill though, but fully alert as usual, please don't listen to fake news. Just pray for his good health, Ameen," Siddique said.

Musharraf has been declared a fugitive in former prime minister Benazir Bhutto murder case and Red Mosque cleric killing case.

The former president, living in Dubai since March 2016, was facing the treason case for suspending the Constitution in 2007.

Musharraf came to power in a bloodless coup in 1999, deposing the then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Facing impeachment following elections in 2008, Musharraf was forced to resign as president and went into self-imposed exile in Dubai.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Moscow, June 10: Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that Moscow has the opportunity to build partnerships not only with India and China, but also with Latin America and Africa, asserting that it is impossible to "fence off" a country like Russia from the outside. Putin, during a meeting with young entrepreneurs here on Thursday, said that the world is big and diverse.

You have just mentioned China and India. Why only China and India? It is also Latin America. Perhaps, Africa today is still sleeping, but it is waking up, 1.5 billion people live there. What about Southeast Asia, he was quoted as saying by Russia's state-run Tass news agency. Russia has the opportunity to build partnerships not only with China and India, but also with Latin America, as well as Africa, which is still sleeping, but is about waking up, Putin said. Russian President Vladimir Putin Compares Himself to Peter the Great To Justify Russias Invasion of Ukraine.

Bilateral ties with Russia are a key pillar of India's foreign policy. India sees Russia as a longstanding and time-tested friend that has played a significant role in its economic development and security. Apparently referring to the economic sanctions imposed by the West on Moscow following its military operation in Ukraine, Putin said "it is impossible to fence off a country like Russia from the outside." The present-day Russia's mission is to get back and strengthen its sovereignty and territories, he said.

It looks like our mission, too, is to get back and strengthen, and if we proceed from the fact that these core values are the basis of our existence, we will definitely succeed in achieving the goals ahead of us, Putin said. Amidst European Union's calls to look for the alternatives of Russia's energy supply, Purin said that the abandonment of Russian energy resources is unlikely in the coming years. Russia-Ukraine War: Russia Seeks To End US-Dominated World Order, Says Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Rejection of Russian energy resources in recent years appears to be unlikely, he said. As regards abandonment of our energy resources, the probability is low in several years to come and nobody knows what will occur during several years. Nobody will set concrete plugs in wells, there is no such need, Putin said.

The Russian President visited a multimedia exhibition at the All-Russian Exhibition Center, dedicated to the 350th anniversary of the birth of Peter I, the first Russian Emperor. He praised Peter the Great's role in building the Russian state. Drawing an analogy to the time of Peter the Great, Putin said that Peter I did not seize any Swedish territories during the Great Northern War but got them back.

When Peter the Great had founded Russia's new capital, none of the European countries recognised Russia's right to that region, he said. Everyone viewed it as part of Sweden but Slavic people lived there from time immemorial along with the Finno-Ugric peoples, and the region was controlled by the Russian state. The same went for the western direction, Putin said.

Putin said that Peter I was a prominent statesman and military leader, a patriot who had fully committed himself to serving his country. According to him, Peter I's ambitious reforms in state management, the economy, science, culture and education helped strengthen Russia's authority on the international stage and largely determined the country's development as a strong and sovereign power for centuries to come.

In October 2018, Putin signed a decree about celebrating the 350th anniversary of the birth of Peter I this year. Peter I was Russia's last tsar (1682-1721) and first emperor (1721-1725) under whose rule a regular Army and Navy were created in Russia, the city of St. Petersburg was founded, the country was proclaimed an empire and underwent major reforms.

Putin on February 24 announced a 'special military operation' in Ukraine, leading to a series of sanctions by the West along with condemnation by the UN, the EU and others. Many multinational companies suspended their business in Russia as a fallout of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Singapore, Jun 10 (PTI) Southeast Asian nations should take advantage of the competition between the US and China, the world's two largest economies, Director of The India Project at the Brookings Institution, a US think tank, Dr Tanvi Madan, said on Friday.

Asking whether or not Southeast Asian nations wanted their "territorial integrity, sovereignty and freedom of navigation to be respected", Madan told these nations that an increased attention from major powers could provide them resources such as "infrastructure, clean energy, high-quality vaccines."

Also Read | Pervez Musharraf Health Update: Former Pakistan President Hospitalised in UAE, 'Organs Malfunctioning, Recovery Not Possible', Says Family.

She also said that the Southeast Asian countries must take advantage of the competition between the world's two largest economies.

"And do countries in the region want help to tackle things like natural disasters or illegal fishing?" Madan asked, adding whether or not these countries wanted to "deter larger countries from taking actions that disturb these rules"?

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Explaining as to how the Southeast Asian nations can "get more resources for themselves", Madan at a pre-conference opening session of experts argued that the Southeast Asian nations must "play one off against the other, but don't get crushed".

Madan said this in a response to comments by Yun Sun, a senior fellow and director of the East Asia and China programmes at the Stimson Centre, a US research organisation, who said that for some Southeast Asian countries alignment with China was motivated by necessity rather than any notion of Beijing's "inspirational power".

"The biggest appeal of China to the region is China's economic leverage and the infrastructure and financing that China can provide," she stressed.

Earlier in the day, United States Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin reaffirmed to his Southeast Asian counterparts Washington's strong commitment to the region through the maintenance of an open, inclusive and rules-based security environment.

The defence leaders were meeting informally on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, a high-level security summit taking place in Singapore until Sunday.

According to a release from Singapore's Ministry of Defence, Austin said the US would continue to deepen cooperation with Asean nations, particularly in the area of maritime security.

Singapore's Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen also reaffirmed the principles that underpin the strong US-Asean relationship, and said he looked forward to enhancing cooperation with Washington to tackle transnational security challenges.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Bangkok, June 10: The American diplomatic push aimed at countering China's increasing influence in the Asia-Pacific region appears to be paying dividends, with many nations showing a willingness to partner with the United States, a top State Department official said Friday.

US State Department Counselor Derek Chollet told The Associated Press it was noteworthy that 13 nations representing 40 per cent of the world's economy had signed on to the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework that President Joe Biden launched in Japan at the end of May. US Shooting: 3 Killed in Mass Shooting at Manufacturing Plant in Maryland.

He said that China at around the same time failed in its attempt to get a group of Pacific islands to endorse a sweeping agreement with Beijing. China had broken from its traditional approach of negotiating one-on-one with countries behind the scenes to send Foreign Minister Wang Yi on an island-hopping trip last month to try and rally 10 Pacific nations behind the agreement, which covered a broad range of areas including security and fisheries.

But he was unable to find consensus on the deal at a meeting in Fiji, and instead had to settle for smaller bilateral agreements with some of them.

I think the fact that the Chinese foreign minister's trip, where they tried to roll out this very bold take it or leave it' initiative or partnership cooperation, wasn't really well received, indicates to me that the Pacific island countries want to have an engagement with us, Chollet said in an interview in Bangkok.

Chollet is in the middle of a trip to Thailand, Brunei and Singapore, as US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman is concurrently visiting the Philippines, South Korea, Laos and Vietnam. In addition, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is a featured speaker on the weekend at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia's premier defense and security forum, and will visit Thailand next week. 'Russia Can Cooperate Not Only with India, China but Also with Others; Impossible to fence Off Country Like Ours,' Says Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The in-person outreach is part of an approach that US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in May meant putting diplomacy back at the center of American foreign policy. We are determined ... to be present, be engaged  not just as visitors from Washington but on a permanent basis, Chollet said.

The push in Asia comes amid growing concerns over China's own efforts to expand its influence in the area.

Part of Beijing's focus has been 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 US and its allies have responded with so-called freedom of navigation patrols, sometimes encountering a pushback from China's military.

Beijing already signed a security agreement with the Solomon Islands in April that the US, Australia and others worry could lead to a Chinese naval base in the South Pacific. And on Wednesday, China and Cambodia broke ground on a port expansion project at Cambodia's Ream Naval Base, which give China a strategically important military facility on the Gulf of Thailand, though Cambodia has denied that will be the case.

In Blinken's speech at the end of May outlining the Biden administration's approach to China, he said Russian President Vladimir Putin's attack on Ukraine was a clear and present threat, but that China's ambitions were an even greater challenge. Even as President Putin's war continues, we will remain focused on the most serious long-term challenge to the international order  and that is the one posed by the People's Republic of China, he said.

Many countries in the region have close ties with China, and Chollet said the US approach has not been to ask any nation to choose one side or the other, but to recognize their relationships with Beijing while also being forthright with Washington's concerns.

We are hearing that we are not just clients or countries that one transacts with, we want to be partners, and that's certainly the spirit with which we are engaging them, he said. At the same time, the US also realises the need to work with a global power like China on international issues, like the coronavirus pandemic and climate change, with China and the US the two largest emitters of greenhouse gases, he said.

There are parts of the relationship that are conflictual where the US and China just fundamentally disagree, there are parts that are competitive ... and there are parts of the relationship that are cooperative, or at least we hope that they're cooperative, he said. That's unfortunately a narrowing band of issues but, for example, on climate change it's just math that we have to be able to find a way to work together if we're going to be successful.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education has declared the HS or class 12 results today, June 10. Although the results has been officially announced at 11 pm, the results will be available on the website from 12 noon. Further, students will receive the official marksheets from their respective schools from June 20. All those students who appeared for these examinations can check their respective results at the official websites- wbchse.nic.in and wbresults.nic.in.

The result can also be accessed via SMS. Students have to SMS WB12 registration number to 56070, 5676750 or 56263. The results will be available on websites, SMS, and apps only after 11 am. UP Board Result 2022 Date: UPMSP Class 10, 12 Results Expected by June 15 at upresults.nic.in; Check Details Here

WBCHSE West Bengal Class 12th HS Result 2022: How to download

Step 1: Visit any one of the official website  wbchse.nic.in and wbresults.nic.in

Step 2: Click on the HS result screen on the home page

Step 3: Fill in registration number/ roll number

Step 5: Result will appear on the screen after which students can download it and get a printout later.

After the announcement of the WB 12th class results, students must collect their original mark sheets and other documents from their respective schools. With these certificates, they can apply for entrance tests and admission to medical, engineering, and other undergraduate courses.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 10, 2022 10:31 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
The minority community members gathered in large numbers outside the Jama Masjid here and raised slogans against suspended Bharatiya Janata Party leaders over their recent controversial comments on Prophet Mohammed.
A hybrid terrorist and a terrorist associate linked with proscribed terror outfit LeT were arrested by a joint security force team from #JammuandKashmir's Budgam district, police (@JmuKmrPolice) said. pic.twitter.com/DAVKneB4BU IANS (@ians_india) June 10, 2022

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Gujarat | Prime Minister Narendra Modi inspects the headquarters of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) in Ahmedabad. pic.twitter.com/9XQHQJYRoe ANI (@ANI) June 10, 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.)
UP| Under Sector Schemes, police, administration, magistrates & COs deployed a sufficient amount of police force for patrolling. People gathered immediately after namaz at various places in Saharanpur, Moradabad, Firozabad & other places; dispersed later: ACS Home Awanish Awasthi pic.twitter.com/uR3jNNRvZS ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) June 10, 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.)
Shocking new details about police delay in Uvalde, Texas school shooting have been revealed in a report on Thursday, weeks after 19 children and two teachers were killed in the tragedy.

According to The New York Times report, more than a dozen of the 33 children and three teachers were still alive in the one hour and 17 minutes between when the shooting started, and officers eventually entered to take down the gunman, Salvador Ramos.

Independent reported that the 33 children and three teachers were inside the two classrooms of Robb Elementary School targeted by Ramos.

An official with the knowledge of the investigation told the Times that investigators are currently working to determine whether any of the victims could have been saved if they had received medical aid earlier.

It was still unclear when officers were exactly made aware that the victims in the Texas school shooting needed aid.

However, Uvalde school district police chief Pete Arredondo's voice was heard in body camera footage several minutes before officers breached the school, saying they think they were already some injuries, so they cleared off the rest of the building to avoid more people being hurt.

The report also revealed that the Texas school shooting gunman had a "hellfire" trigger device enabling his semi-automatic rifle to fire like an automatic rifle. Arredondo also learned about the shooter's identity while in school and tried to talk with him through a door.

The Texas Department of Public Safety has referred questions regarding the incident to District Attorney Christina Mitchell, who is coordinating the investigation with the Texas Rangers. The U.S. Department of Justice is also investigating the botched police response.

READ NEXT: Texas School Shooting: Joe Biden Sends Desperate Plea for Gun Control, Highlights How Uvalde Parents Took DNA Swabs to Identify Children

Uvalde, Texas School Shooting Police Delay: Officers Admit Failures in Their Operations

The report came more than a week after Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw admitted that the Texas school shooting had a series of failures, including the delay in breaching the classroom.

In a news conference late last month, McCraw said the delay in breaching the classroom where the shooter stayed "was the wrong decision" and "there's no excuse for that." He added that "there were children in that classroom that were still at risk, NBC News reported.

McCraw said as many as 19 police officers stood in a hallway outside of the classrooms during the shooting for more than 45 minutes before agents used a master key to open a door and confront the gunman.

He noted that the school district's police chief believed at the time that there "was no more threat to the children" and they "had time to organize" since Ramos was barricaded in a classroom.

"Of course, it was not the right decision. But I wasn't there... I'm just telling you from what we know, we believe there should have been an entry at that... as soon as you can," McCraw said.

McCraw also revealed that the gunman entered the school through the back door he found propped open at 11:33 a.m. and started shooting in classrooms 111 and 112. He noted that at least 100 shots were fired "based on the audio evidence at that time."

Two minutes later, three police officers entered the same door Ramos did. By 12:03 p.m., there were nearly 20 officers in the hallway, McCraw said. However, it was not until 12:50 p.m. that the classroom the gunman was shooting in was breached using a janitor's key.

McCraw noted that the school district's police chief wrongly believed that the incident had changed from an active shooting to a situation where the suspect stopped firing and no longer posed a threat to children.

McCraw said the police chief thought there was time to retrieve the keys and wait for a tactical team with the equipment to go ahead and breach the door to take on the suspect.

The Customs and Border Protection's tactical team reportedly arrived on the scene at 12:15 p.m. but did not breach the classroom until 35 minutes later at 12:50 p.m.

McCraw said there may have been a belief that the incident commander thought there was no one alive inside the classrooms. However, 911 calls from students and teachers revealed they were still in grave danger. It seemed that the information did not reach the officers on the ground.

A timeline of 911 calls provided by law enforcement revealed that at least nine calls were placed between the time the gunman arrived and his death.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott claimed that he was also misled about the initial reports of the police, adding that the officers should explain what happened with "100 percent accuracy" to the public and the victims, who were devastated.

Uvalde, Texas School Shooting

At least 19 children and two teachers died after the 18-year-old gunman entered Robb Elementary School and opened fire with an AR-15 style rifle on May 24.

Tactical officers killed Salvador Ramos during a shootout in a classroom after he went on a killing spree at the Texas school.

On Monday, Abbott penned a letter to Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training executive director Dr. Pete Blair to help train the school law enforcement to respond to active shooter situations.

READ MORE: California Man Arrested After Admitting He Wants to Kill Justice Brett Kavanaugh Over Roe v. Wade Decision

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Joshua Summers

WATCH: Texas Police Face Anger for Delay in Tackling School Gunman - From BBC News
Dominican Republic minister Orlando Jorge Mera was fatally shot in his office by a childhood friend over rejected environmental permits.

According to Al Jazeera, court documents obtained by the Associated Press showed that attacker Fausto Miguel de Jesus Cruz de la Mota was described by authorities as a "cold and calculating murderer."

Cruz reportedly complained of not receiving preferential treatment from Jorge Mera despite campaigning to support the environment minister's Modern Revolutionary Party ahead of the 2020 election.

Before the attack on Monday, Cruz said that he campaigned, but they were not helping him. In a statement, the Dominican Republic's Department of Justice said the accused had been trying to acquire multiple permits but complained angrily that no one was helping him solve anything.

According to the court documents, Cruz was angry over a denied permit involving a request to export 4,500 tons of used batteries.

Those permits and others were found inside Cruz's briefcase that he was carrying when he fatally shot Jorge Mera. Cruz was arrested after he walked into a church and confessed to a priest what he did.

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Dominican Republic Minister Orlando Jorge Mera Shot Dead

Heavily armed police officers arrested Cruz at the church in the capital of Santo Domingo, about a 15-minute drive from the office, where Jorge Mera, the country's minister of the environment and natural resources, was shot.

According to Associated Press, Cruz wore a helmet and bulletproof vest and kept his head mostly down as he was being brought out.

Jorge Mera came from a powerful political family in the Dominican Republic. He is the son of former President Salvador Jorge Blanco, who ruled the country from 1982 to 1986.

Jorge Mera's sister, Dilia Jorge, is a vice minister in the Innovation, Transparency, and Citizen Attention Ministry. His wife is the ambassador to Brazil.

Jorge Mera's son, Orlando Salvador Jorge, is a lawmaker for the governing Modern Revolutionary Party, of which the 55-year-old minister is a founding member.

In a statement, the family described Cruz as "a childhood friend whom Jorge Mera received in his office."

The family added that they forgive "the person who did this." They said one of Jorge Mera's "greatest legacies was to not hold grudges."

Death of the Dominican Republic Minister

The killing took place in Orlando Jorge Mera's fourth-floor office in the capital of Santo Domingo. Local media reported that at least seven shots were heard, and the police and emergency personnel quickly swarmed the crime scene.

Initially, the police did not have any clear motive for the shooting. Before he surrendered, Cruz, while in the church, was in a phone conversation with authorities, promising to turn himself in if they guaranteed he would not be killed.

Several officials extended their condolences to Orlando Jorge Mera's family.

"I deeply regret the death of my good friend, our minister, Orlando Jorge Mera. My most sincere condolences to his wife Patricia and his children Orlando and Patricia Victoria," Dominican Republic's President Luis Abinader tweeted.

Bartolome Pujals, executive director of the government's Cabinet of Innovation, also lamented the killing.

"His death is a tragedy... We Dominicans have to come together to achieve a pact for peace and peaceful coexistence. No more violence," Pujals noted.

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: Mary Webber

WATCH: Dominican Republic Minister Jorge Mera Shot Dead in Office, Police Detain the Suspect From a Church - From WION
The Bahamas is well known for its pristine white sand beaches, waters that reflect the open sky, and adventures that will give every traveler the thrill they are looking for.

However, the country in the Caribbean nation is also known for the flavorful food and dishes that will satisfy not only your tummy but also your soul.

The Bahamas offers food rich and intense in flavor but sometimes simple.

According to Princess Cruises, the dishes in the country are an eclectic combination of Southern American and Caribbean styles.

Chefs Pencil also noted that the food in this country also incorporated influences from West Africa and Europe.

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Best Food to Try in The Bahamas

To give you an idea of what food you should eat when you come to The Bahamas, here are the best dishes you need to try n the Caribbean country.

Conch

You might have placed a conch shell on your ears to hear the relaxing sound of the ocean, but did you know that the flesh of this creature is a delicacy in the Bahamas?

The meat of the conch is served in various dishes. It can be breaded, fried, and even the highlight of their salad.

The meat of the conch can also be incorporated in a curry and even smothered in Creole sauce.

Bahamian Crawfish

If you love lobsters, you should try this miniature seafood that resembles the meat of the lobster.

Crawfish in The Bahamas can also be served in several ways. Most often, this seafood is broiled or included in a lobster salad. People can also order crawfish as an appetizer with tasty local sides.

Steamed crawfish can also be ordered, where the seafood is boiled and then sauteed with onions, celery, bell peppers, salt, pepper, and tomato paste.

Fire Engine

If you are looking for comfort food while in The Bahamas, you should try fire engine.

This dish includes corned beef, corn, sweet pepper, celery, onions, tomato paste, rice, or grits. The fire engine has a salty, spicy, and savory flavor.

The name of the dish has something to do with its ability to keep one's stomach full until the next meal.

Bahamian Hot Patties

Bahamian hot patties are the perfect meal or snack while traveling around cities or touring The Bahamas.

These patties are made with fillings, such as minced beef and vegetables. This dish can also be made vegan or vegetarian depending on what you like.

Switcha

With all the savory meals, switcha will surely cleanse your palate and prepare you for your next meal.

This drink is a tasty limeade made from fresh limes, sugar, and water. But if you want to have a Bahamian twist, you can add ginger, mint, grapefruit, or even rum. This drink complements the tropical climate in The Bahamas while you engage in your adventures.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written By: Joshua Summers

WATCH: SHOCKING Bahamas Food Tour!! Can You Guess What This Is?? - From Best Ever Food Review Show
The Clouse family mystery has been solved more than 40 years later when the infant of Florida couple, Tina and Dean, was found alive.

Austin American-Statesman reported that the journey of Holly, the then-infant, to a church in Arizona was tracked. Holly was taken in after having been left by members of a religious group, according to the Texas attorney general's office.

Brent Webster, first assistant attorney general, said that the family that raised Holly are not suspects in this case.

The Florida couple last contacted their family members in Florida in October 1980. It is believed that they were killed in December 1980 or in early January 1981, according to Webster.

The first attorney general also declined to discuss certain specifics beyond details intended to jog memories of a potential witnesses.

Webster did not also provide details on how Holly was located. However, an investigator with the Lewisville Police Department noted that she was found in Arizona after the cooperation between multiple agencies led to court documents being unsealed in Florida.

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Clouse Family Mystery Solved

The Florida couple was found murdered in Houston more than 40 years ago.

KHOU 11 noted that investigators said that the decades-old murder mystery could possibly be related to a religious group.

The daughter was recently found in Oklahoma where she is the mother of five children.

The Florida couple's identification was determined earlier this year using advanced DNA techniques underwritten by podcast producer Audiochuck.

Three states conducted an exhaustive search for the records of a missing child, which finally led them to Oklahoma.

Wesbter said that two women who identified themselves as member of a nomadic religious group brought Holly to the church. The members were wearing white robes and were barefoot.

The women reportedly traveled to Daytona with the car and were questioned by police but apparently not charged.

Webster said members of the group traveled around the Southwest and believes in the separation of male and female church members.

Officials said that they had previously dumped another baby at a laundromat.

Holly was reunited online with her family members on both sides hours after getting the startling news.

The Center for Missing and Exploited Children will pay for Holly to fly to Florida to visit them.

Cheryl Clouse, Holly's aunt, said that the whole family "slept well last night," adding that For Holly Project was a success thanks to the Texas Cold Case Unit.

Florida Couple Killed

A dog returned home with a decomposed human arm in January 1981. It was in its mouth, which prompted a police search that located the remains of an unidentified couple.

Washington Post report said that the Harris County medical examiner's office said the man had been beaten to death while the woman had been strangled.

Harold Dean Clouse Jr. and Tina Linn Clouse with their infant daughter moved from New Smyrna Beach Florida to the Dallas suburb of Lewisville, Texas, according to the Texas Attorney General's Office.

The suspect behind the murder of Holly's parents remains unsolved and has Texas authorities asking for the public's help.

READ MORE: Kamala Harris Arrives in Vietnam After 3-Hour Delayed Flight From Singapore Over 'Havana Syndrome' Cases

This article is owned by Latin Post.Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Breaking: 'Baby Holly Marie' found alive more than 40 years after her parents were found murdered in - from KHOU 11


A Navy helicopter went down in the rural Southern Californian desert a day after a deadly military aircraft crashed in the same area.

The Navy helicopter that crashed around a training range near El Centro in Imperial County, according to Commander Zachary Harrell, Naval Air Forces spokesperson, as reported by CBS News.

Harrell confirmed that all four people that were aboard the Navy helicopter had survived with at least one taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Local and federal agencies are addressing the matter.

The Naval forces spokesperson said that more information will be available as they gather more details regarding the case.

Harrel said that the helicopter involved was an MH-60S Seahawk, which is the type of chopper that is primarily used for anti-surface warfare, combat support, and humanitarian disaster relief, according to Naval Air Systems Command.

It is not yet clear what caused the crash, according to The Desert Sun report.

The incident is the third crash of a military aircraft in Southern California in less than a week.

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Military Aircraft Crash

Last year, a Navy helicopter crash off Southern California killed five crewmembers. The cause of the crash was only announced last month.

The military announced that it was caused by mechanical failure and not pilot error, as reported by NBC News.

A command investigation was completed on April 18, which found that a damper hose failed on the MH-60S Seahawak during flight, which was probably because of unsuspected damage that occurred during maintenance.

The Navy said that the hose reduces vibrations from the main rotor and the failure led to severe vibrations that caused the rotor to hit the deck as the aircraft landed on an aircraft carrier on Aug. 21, 2021, off San Diego.

The helicopter fell into the sea and sank about 70 miles off San Diego, with one crew member rescued and five declared dead after a search.

Marine Osprey Aircraft Crash

Officials announced that an Osprey aircraft with five Marines on board crashed in the Southern California desert on Wednesday.

NBC News noted that the status of the Marines was not immediately available. The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing said in a statement that it was "asking for patience" as they work with first responders and the unit to identify what happened with the crash.

The aircraft was identified as an MV-22B Osprey and was based at Camp Pendleton.

Military officials said early reports of nuclear material on board the aircraft were false.

Naval Air Facility El Centro said that military firefighters and the Imperial County Fire Department were responding to the incident.

The Osprey aircraft has had a history of troubles over the two decades it has been flying in U.S. military training exercises and missions.

An Osprey crashed in March during training exercises with NATO allies in Norway. The incident killed four U.S. Marines and the accident took place during extreme winter conditions.

The Marine Corps has maintained the vehicle is relatively safe and effective.

READ MORE: Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas Gets Grilled by Border Patrol Agents During Heated Meeting

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Marine MV-22B Osprey crashes in Southern California desert - from CBS 8 San Diego




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Laurel, MS (39440)

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Partly cloudy with afternoon showers or thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. High 94F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%..

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Some clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 74F. Winds light and variable.
People living in Australia would return to Laois to live in smaller villages if they could buy a site that is connected to the services such as water and sewerage, Laois County Council officials have been told.

However a new scheme designed to bring new life to Laois villages looks unlikely to provide many new options to meet such request.

Thats the picture that emerged at a recent meeting in County Hall where county councillors were given an update on how Laois could benefit from a new 50 million scheme.

Just three villages are deemed eligible for potential investment with significant restriction being that communities must have absolutely no access to a public wastewater treatment scheme to qualify.

The restriction in the terms of the new Rural Water Programme 2022 Scheme measure 8 emerged at the Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District meeting.

Cllr Ollie Clooney, Independent, tabled a motion calling on Laois County Council to put measures in place for sewerage and wastewater facilities in Ballacolla, Cullohill and Shanahoe.

Mr Trevor Hennessy, A/Senior Engineer in the Water Services section replied in writing.

LCC have received confirmation that any village/settlement on the Irish Water list of serviced/partially serviced settlements cannot be progressed under this new measure. Therefore, Ballacolla would not be eligible.

Having reviewed the terms of the new Scheme and, acknowledging the planning and environmental criteria against which applications will be considered, the top three, emerging, locations in Laois are (in no particular order) Vicarstown, Cullahill and Ballyfin.

Laois County Council is reviewing these locations against the assessment criteria, with a view to selecting one for full Feasibility Assessment and submission to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in September 2022.

He said subsequent applications for subsequent years will then follow, priorities advised by the terms of the Scheme and the value of funding allocated to Laois County Council under the Scheme.

Mr Hennessy also outlined the cost breakdown.

The Scheme as published is an 85% funding Scheme and LCC will have to fund 15% of the overall value of works undertaken in Co Laois under the Scheme, he said.

Cllr Clooney said he was delighted for Cullohill and Ballyfin but saddened for Ballacolla. He said the pressure must be kept up to have wastewater treatment extended because of the demand from people to live in Laois.

Ive got phone calls from Australia from people asking if there are services sites in the villages. People want to come back and live in Laois. They know there is work, he said.

He believe that the scheme could be profitable for the council because services sites could be sold.

He added that the green agenda will hit building in rural areas.

Like it or not, these one off houses in rural areas are going to come under pressure, he said.

He said rural communities would be under pressure to survive if services are not upgraded in villages to allow houses to be built.

He said he would do everything possible to have Ballacolla and other villages upgraded.

He called on the six councillors in the district to unite to put pressure on decision makers.

Cllr John King, Fine Gael, said life needs to be injected back into villages.

Everybody knows our villages are dying, he said.

He also pointed to restrictions on once off housing as a reason for more work to be done. He added that schools in smaller towns and villages.

Cllr James Kelly, Independent, was also disappointed that Ballacolla had not been included but he welcomed the inclusion of Ballyfin and Cullohill.

District Engineer Edmond Kenny was asked to seek a timeline by Cllr Kelly.

Cllr Conor Bergin, Fine Gael, highlighted the benefit to rural areas of attracting young villages.

Cllr Bergin was surprised that villages that are partially services are excluded from inclusion and asked if there are other schemes under which they would be eligible.

Cllr Paddy Bracken, Fianna Fail, was also concerned about the restriction on communities where there is some access. He said the same problem is faced by people living in Mountmellick that rely on septic tanks which are causing pollution.

More money needs to be spent on sewerage, he said.

He added that farmers are being penalised for slurry pollution but areas of towns are being polluted because there is no wastewater treatment.

Cllr Seamus McDonald, Fianna Fail, said there are many places in Laois that dont have sewerage such as Coolrain and Rosenallis. He agreed that councillors should unite.

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh OBrien, announced the scheme in April 2022 which at the time was described as having the aim of targeting the waste water collection and treatment needs of villages and settlements without access to public waste water services.

The announcement followed the completion of a review of villages and settlements that do not have access to public waste water infrastructure. This work included consultation with stakeholders and a detailed survey completed by local authorities of villages and settlements in their area not serviced by waste water collection and treatment systems.

Local Authorities have until 15 September to apply.



The Minister said: The improved waste water services will enable local authorities to work in partnership with the community to enable villages and settlements to be better places to live, work and visit, to support overall government objectives under Housing for All and give practical effect to our vision for a vibrant rural Ireland under Our Rural Future.

I am delighted to be in a position to allocate funding to allow this important work to be progressed in rural areas, providing a boost to local economies and allowing for sustainable development through compact growth, including housing that is proportionate to the village," he said.

Applications for funding are limited to villages and settlements with a core area that has at least 150 population equivalent (PE) based on its existing residential population.
A Laois councillor has urged Irish leaders to "stop preaching to children" about the climate crisis, while another says that children must be helped to lead the way in greener travel.

Speaking at the May meeting of Laois County Council, Cllr PJ Kelly said that children can encourage adults to change their ways.

"To encourage the nation to change to cleaner energy, start with children. Give them a green way to travel. They will encourage older people to follow suit," he said.

Cllr Noel Tuohy went further.

"I agree. We must show leadership in this and stop preaching to kids, telling them what to do, and do it ourselves," he said.

He praised a Portlaoise bus company owner for investing in the first electric public bus in Ireland.

"Mark Martley is the first to provide an electric bus. That should be recognised," Cllr Tuohy said.

Cllr Kelly had tabled a motion asking the council to contact CIE and other school bus providers, to encourage them to use electric busses on school runs. Cllr Tuohy seconded the motion and the requests will now be sent.
The Irish Managing Director of Candadian Company that has set up its first European base in Laois says Portlaoise was chosen over 32 other sites visited in Ireland because it ticked all the boxes for the North American firm.

Ken Finegan is MD of Greenfield Global, which now has a 4,000m2 facility in Portlaoise, at the IDA business Park on the Mountrath Road.

Greenfield Global makes and supplies raw materials for chemical manufacturing, bio-fuel, distilling and agriculture.

Mr Finnegan recently explained on the the Ireland Canada Connection Podcast that the privately-owned company found that locating outside Dublin or Cork would be an advantage.

There were a number of factors, we did an extensive search during the site selection process and looked at 32 sites before settling on Portlaoise.

Portlaoise ticked all of the boxes for us, we had a high quality pool of labour, we could also look to attract some of the 30,000 people who commute out of Laois to work in centres like Dublin every day, offering them a better work-life balance, working right on their doorstep.

Portlaoise has great connectivity through the motorway network, to the rest of the country and to the ports at Dublin and Rosslare, with Rosslare being the port through which we send our products to Europe, after Brexit, he said.

Mr Finnegan said Canadian businesses must first connect with the IDA but he said interested firms can also expect great support from from local authorities like Laois County Council.

The welcome we got from Laois County Council, and the support they gave us, was exceptional, he said.

He added that Canadian companies can expect support at every level from a wide range of organisations, from the Irish Canada Business Association, the local Chamber of Commerce.

"Laois Chamber was very helpful, he said.

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar recently visited the plant in Portlaoise.
Fresh concern has been raised that the reopening of an elderly daycare unit in a local Laois hospital is not happening.

The centre in Abbeyleix community nursing unit shut down at the start of the pandemic but never reopened despite lifting of restriction. The space was instead coopted for other hospital use.

While the Health Service Executive, under pressure by Laois politicians, has agreed to reopen a unit by the end of June, there is concern locally that this deadline cannot be met.

A fresh call was made by Cllr Barry Walsh, in a motion to the May meeting of Laois County Council.

He asks the council to request an update from the HSE on reopening the services, saying that the timelines have already passed for some units.

He said that his information is gained from staff in the hospital.

"I raised this due to the concerns of locals at the lack of progress. No work is complete to date. It seems sto me that the HSE think once an answer is given, the problem goes away. I'd like definitive dates. I feel duty bound to get an answer. I ask Laois County Council to seek a full report on the reopening and the level of activity planned for clients," he said.

Cllr Thomasina Connell told him that she had raised it last March at the Midlands regional health forum where she is a public representative.

"It is completely unacceptable that this service is not there, people are crying out for it. I'll be putting this forward again as a motion. Covid is not an excuse any more," she said.

Cllr John Joe Fennelly said that he had attended a meeting with the HSE, other local councillors and Laois TDs.

"We were given a guarantee that Abbeyleix daycare would be open by the end of June and we got no other date since. They said they are looking for alternative accomodation but the daycare would be in place until they find a new place," he said.

"It's no harm to keep the pressure on," Cllr Walsh said.

"Work has started is what we are told, but yes keep the pressure on," Cllr Fennelly agreed.
The Minister for Health has warned about rising Covid-19 cases after the number of patients in hospital almost double in less than a fortnight.

Stephen Donnelly said it has soared to over 300 patients with Covid-19 from around 160 a week and a half ago.

Figures from the Department of Health shows a sharp rise since the end of May.

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar warned it could be the start of a Covid summer wave, while Mr Donnelly said they are watching the figures closely.

Number of people in hospital who are positive for CoVid has risen above 300. ICU cases rising too. Could be a blip. Could be start of a summer wave. Immunity is waning though for sure. Please get your booster if you havent. pic.twitter.com/NkzX7VoRo5  Leo Varadkar (@LeoVaradkar) June 9, 2022

What were seeing is a very significant increase in a very short period of time. What concerns me is that when you look at previous patterns of hospitalisation, they spiked very, very quickly, Mr Donnelly said on Friday.

Now thankfully, because of the vaccine programme, and because so many people participated, even in the Omicron wave, the numbers in intensive care and the numbers who became really, very sick and the mortality levels stayed thankfully low.

However, we still had an awful lot of Covid patients in the hospitals, and that leads to cancellation of elective care, which has huge knock on effects for non-Covid patients.

As you know, dealing with the waiting lists now is an absolute priority.

So the advice I have is that whilst the mortality rates and severe illness rates would likely stay low, if we are looking at another substantial increase in hospitalisations, that of course has an impact on our efforts on waiting lists and on elective care.

Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly at St. Jamess Hospital in Dublin. (Brian Lawless/PA)

He said around one third of those eligible for the second booster have taken it and urged those over the age of 65 to get their second booster.

Mr Donnelly also said that no questions have been raised within his department about the possibility of bringing in restrictions.

Meanwhile, Mr Donnelly said he would also like to see the planned 1,000 euro bonus payment for healthcare workers paid quicker.

Around 74,000 frontline workers are still waiting on the bonus, which is a mark of their contribution during the pandemic.

The bonus was announced by Government earlier this year, but thousands of healthcare workers are still waiting on the payment.

Mr Donnelly said some 26,000 HSE staff have received the bonus, with further payments to be made in the next fortnight.

The HSE is moving quickly in terms of the fortnightly payroll to get everyone whos eligible, Mr Donnelly added.

Wed all like to have seen it happen quicker. However, one of the reasons it has taken this time is that there was a very important interaction with the representative bodies.

The unions quite rightly engaged with the department, engaged with the HSE to tease out exactly what staff would get.

Its very clear that the nurses, the doctors, the health and social care professionals, the porters, all of those providing direct patient assistance and care would get it. One of the questions quite rightly asked was, well, what about the cleaning staff? What about the catering staff? What about the security staff? What about all of these people?

The government position, my position is unambiguous on this, which is yes, absolutely.

Anyone whos working, be they employed directly by us, they must be included.

Those conversations went on until mid April, and then the HSE published the detail around that.

Since then, the HSE has been moving now.

The payments then to the voluntary sector, and to the organisations like home care provider, that is being progressed as well.

However, the Department and the HSE need sight to know that the payments are being made to those eligible staff to make sure that is happening properly and the right amounts are being transferred and the right people are getting it.

There is more work because it takes longer to do that administratively than our own people.

I have been advised that were going to see an awful lot more now as the fortnightly payroll occurs.
Windows were broken and a vehicle set alight at a west Kildare property, it was stated at Naas District Court.

James Forder, 29, whose address was given as 154 Templeville Drive, Templeogue, Dublin 6W is being prosecuted on an allegation of criminal damage at an address in Coill Dubh on November 24 last.

Sgt Jim Kelly said it will be alleged that a number of males arrived at 8.45pm and their faces were covered.

A back door window as well as other windows were broken including a vehicle window and a vehicle was set alight.

He said CCTV helped to identify the defendant.

The court also heard that the amount of damage done has not been clarified but is believed to be around 15,000.

The court heard that when charged the defendant remained silent.

Read more Kildare news

The defendant was granted bail subject to conditions including that the sign on at Rathfarnham garda station three times a week and have no contact with the alleged injured party or any witness.

He was told to observe a daily curfew between 10pm and 6am and to stay out of County Kildare except for court appearances and for one overnight stay at an address in Sallins from 5pm on Saturday to 4pm on Sunday to facilitate a visit to a partner and child.

The case was adjourned to October 26 for the preparation of a book of evidence.
BRICS countries should cooperate on food security: Chinese official

Xinhua) 09:33, June 10, 2022

BEIJING, June 9 (Xinhua) -- BRICS countries should deepen cooperation on food security and poverty reduction to contribute to global food security, said China's agriculture minister Tang Renjian on Wednesday.

Tang, minister of agriculture and rural affairs, made the remarks while attending the 12th Meeting of BRICS Ministers of Agriculture via video link.

To tackle the challenges to global food security, Tang called on BRICS countries to resolutely safeguard the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization at its center, enhance the synergy of agricultural trade policies, and further expand partnerships with stronger multilateral and bilateral cooperation on agriculture.

The meeting adopted a joint statement of BRICS agriculture ministers and a document on BRICS food security cooperation strategy. It also announced the establishment of a forum on the agriculture and rural affairs development of BRICS countries.

Despite the severe challenges brought by COVID-19 and natural disasters, China has managed to ensure enough food for over 1.4 billion people through its own efforts, making a contribution to global food security, said Tang.

With the theme of cooperation on agriculture and rural areas among BRICS countries, the meeting this year focused on topics such as global food security and poverty reduction.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu)
Kildare North Fianna Fail TD for Kildare North and chairperson of the Oireachtas Justice Committee, James Lawless has called for the emergency passing of a Bill through the Oireachtas to allow for the continued use of court presenters or non-prosecuting gardai before the District Court.

He said: The use of court presenters or non-prosecuting gardai to address the courts has been a worthwhile and efficient system which has allowed garda resources to be managed well.

The bill is due to be published today (Friday), due to the committee fast tracking its passage, the bill will then commence second stage in the Dail next Tuesday afternoon when the house next meets. This will allow this urgent legislation to be in law within a day of being introduced to the house.

Read more Kildare news

Deputy James Lawless TD, in his capacity as chair of the Oireachtas Justice Committee, considered a request from the Minister for Justice to waive the requirement to undertake pre-legislative scrutiny on the General Scheme of the Garda Siochana (Amendment) Bill 2022.

Deputy Lawless is also a practicing barrister.

The Committee has granted a waiver of Pre-Legislative Scrutiny given that the courts have been forced into deadlock at local level due to the uncertainty following Judge Bolgers ruling in the Davitt case.

The Committee considers Pre-Legislative Scrutiny to be an important step in the legislative process however, in this case, it recognised that it was important to adopt a practical approach which recognises the practice on the ground for decades, where a nominated garda officer would handle cases on behalf of all local Gardai, whilst of course respecting Judge Bolgers identification of a gap in the existing law and hence the need to rapidly update the legislation."



Lawless added: It is so important that this bill is approved by June 16. There are potential repercussions should this not happen. For instance, anybody who was prosecuted or even that pleaded guilty in cases where non-prosecuting gardai appeared in the District Court could now challenge their convictions.
The award winning drama group, the Silken Thomas Players, is back on the stage with two top quality one act plays for Summerfest.

Running from Wednesday, June 15 to Saturday 18, drama lovers are in for a treat.

The Red Ballon by Damian Trasler will be followed by Death and the Maiden by Ariel Dorfman.

Silken Thomas Players spokesperson, Noreen Quinlivan said; We are hugely thankful to the Silken Thomas who are hosting us. They have been so supportive and we are really grateful.

The plays will be staged at Studio One and kick off at 8pm nightly.

Noreen pointed out that the two plays actually have a shorter run time that an entire full play itself.

She said the casts of both productions have been eager to get their teeth into some quality acting. First up on the night is the Oliver award winning, Red Balloon.

This extremely funny play introduces us to a couple who interrupt the premier of a piece of modern theatre and claim it's all rubbish.

The performer challenges them to produce something better, and the three begin to work on the piece together. What will they come up with by the end of the evening?

The second installment of the night is also an Oliver award winning production titled Death and The Maiden.

This play centers around Paulina Salas, a former political prisoner in an unnamed Latin American country who had been raped by her captors, led by a sadistic doctor whose face she never saw.

The rapist doctor played Schubert's String Quartet no. 14, subtitled Death and the Maiden, during the act of rape; hence the play's title.

Years later, after the (also unnamed) repressive regime has fallen, Paulina lives in an isolated country house with her husband, Gerardo Escobar.

When Gerado comes back from a visit to the president, he gets a flat tyre. A stranger named Dr Miranda stops to assist him. Dr Miranda drives Gerardo home and later in the night he returns. Paulina recognises Miranda's voice and mannerism as that of her rapist and takes him captive in order to put him on trial and extract a confession from him.

The Sunday Times described it as a play for today, for the age of revenge, when dictatorships crumble right and left and the victims, the living dead, emerge from the shadows and present their accounts...

Noreen said the play is both spellbinding and chilling and "will have you at the edge of your seats.

Contact Noreen for tickets on 0872944110 or book via eventbrite
My name is Romai Clare McMorrow, I am from Rossinver. My sponsor is Osta W8 Cafe & restaurant in Manorhamilton, who I am extremely grateful to. I am an Irish dancer and have just recently returned from tours in Norway and France. I have two brothers, Emmett & Craig and my mum Clare and dad Pat. Music and dance runs in my family. My older brother Craig is a musician and currently lives in Edinburgh, and my brother Emmett is an Irish dancer also and is currently touring around the world with a professional Irish dance show.



What is the most important issue affecting young people in Irish society today?

The most important issue young Irish people are facing today in my opinion is cyber bullying. We have seen far too many awful outcomes as a result of this in recent years and it is time for something serious to be done to put a stop to this. Another issue facing young people these days is trying to secure a mortgage. It is becoming increasing more difficult all the time and it is putting a lot of financial stress on younger people.

Why did I want to get involved in the Rose of Tralee?

Ive always liked watching the Rose of Tralee on the television and never thought it was something I would do. My mum sent me a picture of an online post from Facebook where they were looking for girls to apply so I decided I would go for it!
Sir Keir Starmer has said that Labour will oppose controversial UK Government legislation to address the legacy of the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

The Labour party leader said his party will not back the Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Bill.

We will not support that legislation, he confirmed during a visit to Belfast to meet political leaders.

Sir Keir was also in Dublin on Thursday, where he meet senior Irish Cabinet ministers and Taoiseach Micheal Martin.

We will vote against that legislation because it doesnt have the support of any of the political parties here in Northern Ireland, he said.

It doesnt have the support of victims groups here in Northern Ireland, some of whom have told me themselves they havent even been consulted.

And it hasnt got the support of the Irish Government.

The UK Government has said the planned legislation aims to provide better outcomes for victims, survivors and veterans.

Introduced to the Commons last month, the legislation if passed would offer immunity to people who are deemed to have co-operated with an information retrieval body.

The Bill would also stop future inquests and civil actions related to the Troubles, although it does not fully close the door to criminal prosecutions.

It has been widely condemned by Northern Irish political parties, as well as victims campaigners, the Irish Government and Amnesty International.

If I have learnt anything in the years that I worked here in Northern Ireland and over the 20 years I have been engaged with Northern Ireland, you dont proceed in Westminster with controversial legislation when it doesnt have the backing of the political parties, victims groups here in Northern Ireland and the Irish Government, Sir Keir said.
Sinn Fein MEP for the Midlands Northwest, Chris MacManus has praised the Arigna Mining Experience and the key role that it has played in economic development and attracting tourism in the local area.

Speaking after meeting its manager Valerie Stenson, on a recent visit to Arigna Mr MacManus said: It is a unique attraction, bringing to life the history of Irelands coal mining industry, and it is easy to see why it has become such a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.

The coal mine closed in 1990 but a community-inspired initiative resulted in the opening of the Arigna Mining Experience in 2003.

The Midlands Northwest MEP commended the facilitys positive impact on tourism and the local economy.

Given that the local community, including many former miners, played a key role in the development of the mines into a tourist attraction it is great to see that it has brought enormous benefits to the local area in terms of tourism and economic development. It has provided a boost to employment in the local area with the employment of staff at the mine itself and also through spin-off benefits for other local businesses, particularly in the hospitality sector.

It highlights the need, especially post-pandemic, of promoting and developing Irelands Hidden Heartlands in order to encourage even more tourists into the local area. Places like Arigna prove that there is more to Ireland than just our cities and the Wild Atlantic Way. Roscommon and the wider region has a lot to offer and deserves greater recognition from our national tourism bodies.




France wants Ukraine to win the war started by Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, a presidential advisor, who asked not to be named, told reporters on Friday, June 10. A few days earlier, President Emmanuel Macron had sparked controversy by suggesting Russia should not be humiliated.

"As the president has said, we want a victory for Ukraine. We want the territorial integrity of Ukraine to be restored. We want this conflict, this war that Russia is waging against Ukraine to end as soon as possible."

Mr. Macron will travel to Ukraine's neighbours Moldova and Romania next week but said no date had been set for a visit by Mr. Macron to Kyiv, the advisor added.

More on this topic Subscribers only Macron alienates many of Ukraine's allies by not wanting to 'humiliate Russia'

France also said Friday it was ready to assist in an operation to allow safe access to Ukraine's Black Sea port of Odesa. The port has been subject to a de facto blockade by Russia, and grain is waiting to be exported amid mounting fears of global food shortages, especially in developing countries.

More on this topic War in Ukraine: The blockade of Odesa must be lifted

Le Monde with AFP
A COUNTY Limerick man who tried to cash a stolen cheque made out for thousands of euro has been jailed for three years.

During a sentencing hearing, Judge Patrick Meghen was told Patrick O'Brien, aged 39, of Hillview Drive, Abbeyfeale presented the cheque - made out for 7,500 - at the (now closed) Bank of Ireland branch in Abbeyfeale.

The stolen cheque was associated with the account of an elderly woman who was living in Mullingar, County Westmeath.

Garda David Stone said gardai were contacted after an employee at Bank of Ireland in Abbeyfeale became suspicious when Mr OBrien arrived at the branch, on April 24, 2019, and presented the cheque for lodgment into his own account.

He said the defendants account was overdrawn and that there was only one previous lodgment. It raised a red flag, he said adding the bank worker put a stop on the transaction and contacted her colleagues in Mullingar to make further enquiries.

Garda Stone said it was later established that the cheque was one of four which had been stolen and that it was clearly never made out to Mr OBrien.

Judge Meghen was told another one of the stolen cheques, which was made payable to a different individual went through but that the bank has since reimbursed the account holder.

Garda Stone said a garda investigation was launched and that the authorities believe the four cheques were stolen, a number of weeks earlier, by a number of men who called to the injured partys home offering to clean the gutters.

He said the woman, who has since died, was in poor health and had a practice, at the time, of signing her name to cheques.

She couldnt walk, she was poor of hearing, Garda Stone told Lily Buckley BL prosecuting, adding that she was effectively being cared for by her brother.

Barrister Kenny Kerins said Mr O'Brien, who has a number of previous convictions, did not gain financially from his actions and he submitted there was no evidence that he was involved in the theft of the cheques.

Having noted the defendants guilty plea and his personal circumstances Judge Meghen imposed a three year prison sentence which was back-dated to reflect the time Mr OBrien has already spent in custody.
ONE OF the citys most historical pubs has won a monthly Tidy Town award.

Souths Pub in Quinlan Street was given the award for May 2022 by Limerick City Tidy Towns, whose volunteers were impressed with the effort its staff made on its appearance.

Maura ONeill of the tidy towns group said: Given the number of fabulous pubs in Limerick city, we could realistically present an award to a pub every month, so we therefore restrict this to two per year.

We have always admired Souths for how consistently well maintained this beautiful, historic pub has been over its many years of trading, not only its attractive main entrance and lovely covered outdoor seated area at Quinlan Street, but also by how beautifully the side entrance and laneway off Newenham Street is kept.

Steeped in history, Souths Pub was acquired by the Hickey family in 1972 and has been run by them ever since.

While a well known old traditional Limerick pub at the time, the building required a massive overhaul and many renovations were carried out in the intervening years, which have resulted in the building we see today, with its traditional signage and exterior windows still intact and bespoke interiors which have to be seen to be truly appreciated.

The pub is probably most famous for its appearance in Angelas Ashes, the film of Frank McCourts life, in 1999.

Souths Pub is Limerick City Tidy Towns fourth monthly 2022 award winner, and as a result will be in with the chance of winning this years overall prize at their annual event to be held early in 2023.

The winners from January and February 2022 will also be included in the overall event, as well as Treaty City Brewery, Khan Supermarket and Seoidin Jewellery who won the February, March and April 2022 awards.

To volunteer with Tidy Towns, they meet every Sunday morning at 11am at the corner of Thomas Street and OConnell Street, and on Wednesdays at 6pm outside the White House.
A WATERFORD man on a trip to Limerick was struck a number of times, knocked to the ground and his head stamped on in an unprovoked attack.

Lee O Brien, age 25, of Cratloe Student Village, Caherdavin, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at the South Court Hotel in the early hours of September 9, 2018. Judge Tom ODonnell said it was a vicious assault driven by alcohol.

Outlining the case, John O'Sullivan BL, instructed by state solicitor Padraig Mawe, said the victim from Waterford, aged in his early twenties at the time, had come to Limerick for an exhibition.

He was staying in Limerick. He went socialising in the city. The victim and his friends returned to the South Court Hotel and went to the residents bar. At 4.30am, without any provocation, he was struck a number of times by Mr OBrien, knocked to the ground and he (Mr OBrien) stamped on his head on at least three occasions.

He (Mr OBrien) targeted his head. The victim was in a vulnerable position on the ground. He (Mr OBrien) could have walked away. The victim was fortunate the injuries were not more serious, said Mr OSullivan.

The investigating garda, Eoin Cleary said when they arrived at the scene they spoke to the injured party who had a cut over his right eye and spoke to the accused. Garda Cleary said Mr OBrien was identified on CCTV.

The court heard that when Mr OBrien was arrested by appointment at a later date and charged he replied: Im very sorry. Thats not me. Mr OSullivan asked Garda Cleary how the victim is now.

There were no long lasting injuries. He has made a full recovery. He declined to give a victim impact statement, said Garda Cleary.

Mr O'Sullivan said that after Mr OBrien was arrested his only explanation was drink doesnt agree with me.

It appears there was a family row. The victim had gone outside the hotel to calm things down, said Mr OSullivan.

Garda Cleary said Mr OBrien has 16 previous convictions including for burglary, and theft.

Ms OHagan said Mr OBrien has a young child and a long term partner.

He is utterly appalled and disgusted - it is exceptionally out of character. The victim came to Limerick city to enjoy himself and it should not have resulted in this, said Ms OHagan, who added that the defendant had 500 in compensation for the victim.

The barrister said Mr OBrien had quite a tough upbringing.

He lost his father when he was 10 and fell in with a colourful peer group. Since the beginning of the pandemic he has been in full-time employment. This happened four years ago. He has mended his ways. He has reconciled his issues with drugs and alcohol. He is exceptionally apologetic, said Ms OHagan.

Judge Tom ODonnell said unfortunately this type of incident is far too common in conjunction with the consumption of alcohol.

The victim was minding his own business when he was effectively set upon. It was a vicious assault driven by alcohol. His previous convictions are not helpful. It shows a propensity to violence, said Judge ODonnell.

The judge said under normal circumstances it was deserving of an immediate custodial sentence.

However, in light of Mr OBriens plea, the substantial change in his behaviour and attitude, and dealing with his difficulties a two year suspended sentence was imposed. He was also ordered to pay 500 to the victim.

Judge ODonnell warned if there is any trouble in the next two years Mr OBrien will be back before him.
A SELECTION of ceramics made by students at Limerick School of Art and Design will go on display at the mayor's office.

In a partnership between Limerick Arts Office, Limerick City and County Council and LSAD, TUS the Mayor has toured the campus and met with students before making his selection.

Over the years, LSAD, TUS have purchased works of graduates and have built up an impressive collection.

This new initiative is an opportunity to showcase works made in Limerick over a considerable time, by graduates of LSAD, to everyone visiting the Mayors Office.

The Ceramics programme in LSAD, TUS is approaching its 50th anniversary and has a long-standing reputation for excellence and is the largest specialist ceramics programme in Ireland.

Over the years, it has produced generations of leading creative practitioners, artists, designers, potters, educators, curators and innovators within the cultural and design sector.

Mayor of the City and County of Limerick Cllr Daniel Butler said: "It was fantastic to meet students from LSAD,TUS, and hear about their creative interests. Culture forges our identity as a contemporary city.

"I am delighted to have this opportunity to showcase these vibrant ceramics against the backdrop of the River Shannon."

Mike Fitzpatrick Dean Limerick School of Art and Design /Director of Cultural Engagement, TUS said: "TUS Limerick School of Art and Design is delighted and honoured to have some of our Ceramic Collection on display in the Mayor's Office of Limerick City and County.

"This demonstrates the importance that the first citizen places on culture and education within our city. We look forward to the growth of culture infrastructure in the city to parallel its economic growth and resurgence.

"Its a special year for LSAD celebrating our new University status and our 170th year."
Supreme Court upholds 20-year sentence of ex-Moscow institutes lecturer for treason

 RAPSI, Vladimir Burnov

17:28 09/06/2022

MOSCOW, June 9 (RAPSI)  The Supreme Court of Russia dismissed a cassation appeal against a 20-year prison term given to the former assistant professor at the Moscow Aviation Institute Alexey Vorobyev for treason, the courts press service told RAPSI on Thursday.

The court thus upheld the ruling delivered by the Moscow City Court in April 2021.

The man was found guilty of treason and two rare crime counts including preparation for illegal export from Russia or transfer of materials, equipment, technologies, science and technical information, illegal execution of works (provision of services) which can be used for mass destruction weapons and military equipment development and attempted smuggling of extremely poisonous, explosive and radioactive agents, radiation sources, nuclear materials, firearms and their parts, detonating devices, ammunition, mass destruction weapons and their delivery means, other weapons, military hardware, materials and equipment as well as sensitive goods and recources or cultural values or highly valued wild animals and aquatic biological resources.

In addition to the jail term the defendant received a fine in the amount of 1 million rubles ($17,100 at the current exchange rate).

The case was heard behind closed doors because of confidential data.




Over thirty five thousand refugees from Ukraine have received Personal Public Service Numbers PPSNs to date.

That's according to the latest available data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), which today (Friday June 10) revealed 35,670 PPSNs have been issued under the Temporary Protection Directive.

Five hundred and eleven refugees in Laois have received PPSNs, along with 399 in Carlow, 564 in Leitrim, 1,196 in Limerick, 214 in Longford, 962 in Louth, 1,122 in Mayo, 999 in Meath, 266 in Monaghan, 350 in Offaly, 353 in Roscommon, 427 in Sligo, 680 in Cavan, 582 in Tipperary, 984 in Waterford, 657 in Westmeath, 1,347 in Wexford, 1,370 in Wicklow, 2,452 in Clare, 3,442 in Cork, 1,471 in Donegal, 1,922 in Galway, 2,649 in Kerry, 648 in Kildare, and 557 in Kilkenny.

According to CSO statistician, Karola Graupner, local post office addresses are being used as proxies for places of residence of Ukrainian refugees.

Speaking about the 'Arrivals from Ukraine in Ireland' release, she said, "This is the second in a series of releases by the Central Statistics Office (CSO) providing insights into Irelands response to the Ukrainian crisis. This release includes an analysis of Ukrainian arrivals who are availing of support and services from the Department of Social Protection, as well as providing insights into primary and secondary school enrolments overseen by the Department of Education.

"Our analysis also shows that the rate per 100 of the population ranges across all LEAs (Local Electoral Areas) in the country from 0.03% to 7.10%. The LEA with the highest rate is Ennistimon in Clare while the LEA of Drogheda Rural in Louth had the lowest rate in the country."

Data also revealed women aged 20 and over account for over 48% of arrivals to date, while individuals aged 0-19 (both male and female) account for 37%.

The highest percentage of those arriving (42% or 14,929 individuals) were categorised as 'One parent with children', however the report notes that spouses and or partners may have stayed in Ukraine.

As of June 7 2022, 70% of the 6,824 Ukrainian children enrolled in school were in primary education while 30% were in secondary education.

The average time between the allocation of a PPSN to enrolment in primary or secondary school was just over two weeks.
Kolkata on Friday saw the death of two people- a woman biker and a police personnel when the West Bengal's capital city's police fired bullets outside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, news agency AN I reported.

One police personnel fired several rounds of bullets outside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission, located on Circus Avenue, which killed the woman biker. Following this, the police personnel shot himself.

West Bengal | A woman biker died after one Police personnel fired bullets outside Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata. The Police personnel then shot himself dead. Senior Police officials are present at the spot. Further details awaited. pic.twitter.com/6hLdV4LHBl  ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2022

Kolkata police officials confirmed the news.

The police personnel fired several rounds of bullets from his rifle causing chaos in the otherwise busy area of Park Circus in Kolkata.

The woman, who was riding pillion on a two-wheeler, fell down after being hit by a bullet as the on-duty policeman kept firing from his rifle, triggering chaos in the congested area.

She died on the spot, while the policeman after firing a few rounds more shot himself in the head. The identities of the woman and the policeman are yet to be known.

"The whole episode lasted for around five minutes," said a visibly shaken Bablu Sheikh to PTI, who claimed to have witnessed the incident.

A huge contingent of police reached the area minutes later and took away the bodies.

Cause of the firing is yet unknown. Preliminary investigations are underway, police said.

Meanwhile, Kolkata's neighbouring district Howrah saw unrest erupt as people protested against the suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal's statements on Prophet Muhammad.

Protests also erupted in Park Circus Kolkata against the controversial religious remarks by suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma & expelled leader Naveen Jindal

They demanded her arrest while protesting.
The United States government on Friday announced that it will drop the requirement for international air travellers to take a pre-boarding Covid-19 test.

The development was confirmed by White House assistant press secretary Kevin Munoz on Twitter.

US will end Covid-19 testing requirement for air travelers entering the country. @CDCgov  will evaluate its need based on the science and in context of circulating variants. @POTUS work on effective vaccines and treatments critical to this," wrote Munoz.

US will end Covid-19 testing requirement for air travelers entering the country



@CDCgov will evaluate its need based on the science and in context of circulating variants



@POTUS work on effective vaccines and treatments critical to this https://t.co/cpdlNfRHbt  Kevin Munoz (@KMunoz46) June 10, 2022

The travel requirement was one of the last remaining government mandates meant to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

News agency AP had earlier quoted a senior administration official as saying that the mandate will expire on Sunday at 12.01 am EDT.

The move comes, said the official, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined that it's no longer necessary. The agency would reevaluate the need for the testing requirement every 90 days and that it could be reinstated if a troubling new variant emerges, he informed.

The Biden administration put in place the testing requirement last year, as it moved away from restrictions that banned nonessential travel from several dozen countries  most of Europe, China, Brazil, South Africa, India and Iran.

The administration's focus was on classifying individuals by the risk they pose to others. It came in conjunction with a requirement that foreign, non-immigrant adults travelling to the United States need to be fully vaccinated, with only limited exceptions.

The initial mandate allowed those who were fully vaccinated to show proof of a negative test within three days of travel, while unvaccinated people had to present a test taken within one day of travel.

In November, as the highly transmissible Omicron variant swept the world, the administration toughened the requirement and required all travellers, regardless of vaccination status, to test within a day of travel to the US.

However, airline and tourism groups have been pressing the administration for months, pushing to eliminate the testing requirement, saying it is discouraging people from booking international trips.

American Airlines Chief Executive Robert Isom said last week at a conference that the testing requirements were "nonsensical" and were "depressing" leisure and business travel.

Isom said 75% of countries America serves do not have testing requirements.

Many lawmakers had pressed the Biden administration to lift the testing rules, reaching out to senior White House officials to make the case.

Several other countries have already lifted their testing requirements for fully vaccinated and boosted travellers in a bit to increase tourism.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.
Spotify Technology SA defended the companys strategy Wednesday and outlined plans to expand into new businesses to address investors fears that the audio-market opportunity is limited.
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Doing press for Fire Island has been quite an emotional experience for James Scully, who plays Bowen Yangs love interest in director Andrew Ahns new queer rom-com written by and starring Joel Kim Booster.

I have had these out of body moments where Im like, remember when you thought you were going to have to pretend to be straight your whole life? Scully tells me. Remember when you thought that you were just going to have to find a really patient woman and marry her and just do the best that you could to make it work?

Fire Island is an LGBTQ take on Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice. The all-queer cast also includes Matt Rogers, Margaret Cho, Conrad Ricamora, Tomas Matos, Torian Miller, Nick Adams and Zane Phillips. It takes place in the titular getaway, a vacation spot outside of New York City that has been a haven for the LGBTQ community since the 1920s.

Scully first visited Fire Island just before they shot the film. He was nervous to make the initial trip after he spent a day at the gay-friendly section of Will Rogers State Beach  nicknamed Ginger Rogers  in Santa Monica. I was very publicly bullied for keeping my shirt on multiple times, he recalls. I texted my boyfriend being like, Isnt this what Fire Island is going to be like? And instead of four hours on a beach it will be a week of my life. I went anyway, and Im so glad that I did.

But then there was his first underwear party, a weekly bash  recreated perfectly in the movie  where a crowd of mostly gay men strip down to their skivvies for a night of dancing at a nightclub. I was handing over the bag of my clothes to the clothes check and they looked at me and were like, Are you okay? Scully says. It was very transparent that I didnt want to be there. But then I just looked around at everyone else and I realized that every queer person, were still in that place where inside there is this wounded child who was conditioned to believe there was something wrong with them for such a long time.

Being in that room, everybody just with their bodies out, it wasnt about individual pecs or stomachs or thighs or butts anymore. Its about all of us being there together, he continues. Were not stripping down to our underwear even as an exercise in like sexual attraction. Its more about just peeling it all away, taking away all of the things that the world outside has put on you and just being you in a jockstrap or whatever you choose to wear.

For the record, Scully said he wore sensible boxer briefs.

When I remark that it must be surreal in some ways to be an out actor talking about starring in a studio movie like Fire Island, Scully begins to tear up.

If I step back and think if a movie like this had been available to me when I was 12 or 13 and starting to figure out that I was different than the other boys on the playground, it would have been really invaluable, the 30-year-old actor says, wiping away tears. Its groundbreaking in so many ways. Its going to put us in a position to connect with queer youth in a really meaningful way. I still havent wrapped my head around it.

Scully, best known for playing Forty Quinn on the Netflix thriller series You, remembers the mixed messages he received from Hollywood when started in the business. They were like, Its fine for you to be out and gay, just dont really act too gay and well be good, he says. That was like, a weird line to try and straddle to be telling young queer people that they should be themselves, but then feeling like I was kind of trying to split the difference on my personality because I needed to be pitching myself as a leading man.

Scully recently joined the cast of the DC show Titans for its fourth season. Details of his role are being kept under wraps, but he definitely wants to pursue even more superhero universes in the future. Im a big comic book boy, he says. I would love a queer Avengers. I would love a superhero team where everyone is queer. Theyve all been straight, so why cant we have an all-gay superheroes movie?

Fire Island, from Searchlight Pictures, is available on Hulu.

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Factwire, an independent news agency and publication in Hong Kong, said Friday that it will cease operations with immediate effect.

It is the fourth closure in the last year of a significant news organization that is not aligned with the city establishments pro-Beijing camp.

The injection by Beijing in July 2020 of a National Security Law, and a powerful security apparatus in the city, is seen by media organizations to have significantly reduced the freedoms of the press. The government disputes this analysis, but says that reporting must remain lawful.

Factwire, which specialized in investigative reporting, was established in 2015 using HK$4.7 million of funds that were crowd-sourced from 3,300 supporters in three months. It did not pinpoint the reasons for its closure, nor analyze the timing of it. Instead, it issued an explanation that was heartfelt, but oblique.

In recent years, the media has contended with great change. Despite having wrestled many times with the difficult decision as to whether to continue our journalistic work, we had always come to the same affirmative conclusion: to stand fast to our core values and beliefs, and to always report the facts. But to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose. It has, at last, come time to end our journey, the publication said on its website.

The FactWire News Agency will cease operation as of today, Friday, June 10, 2022. All staff will be dismissed in accordance with pre-established procedures. All monthly subscriptions will also be suspended as of today. Take care.

The publication previously explained its mission in its websites about section: In a polarized society, we fill an important gap left by a media industry that is increasingly being undermined by government pressure, corporate interests and political-motivated self-censorship.

In the past 12 months police have raided two media newsrooms and forced the closure and liquidation of the citys best read paper Apple Daily. Its founder Jimmy Lai is currently in jail. In subsequent months, Stand News and Citizen News closed themselves.

Hong Kong recently picked a former police officer John Lee to take over as the citys chief executive from the beginning of next month. Lee recently said that press freedom needs to fulfil the requirements of the law. Hong Kong is a place with rule of law, any action or activities must be lawful.

The National Security Law has changed many aspects of Hong Kong life and society, from election rules to schools choice of books and teaching materials. Since the NSLs arrival, national security elements have been introduced into the citys film censorship regulations, the public broadcaster RTHK been revamped and the Hong Kong Journalists Association is currently under investigation. Lees agenda is believed to include the passing of an additional controversial security law known as Article 23., an anti-fake news law and regulation of crowdfunding.

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The final public concert appearances of Tony Bennett and Glen Campbell helped tell the world what many families of those suffering with Alzheimers disease already know: that music memories can be some of the last to go.

A new app, Vera, is dedicated to helping dementia patients by creating personalized playlists that stir different parts of the brain and can at least temporarily assist with overall lucidity as well as mood. Universal Music Group announced this week that it is licensing its entire catalog for the app, which is the creation of Music Health, a Sydney-based company. The program, which Music Health COO Stephen Hunt says has algorithms turning out the recommended songs for the people who cant remember what they used to love, is currently available to download from the Apple app store and will roll out for Android in the coming days.

Hunt points to Bennetts recent appearance on 60 Minutes with Lady Gaga as a strong example of how music stimulates even the diminished brain.

You watch that and you see hes virtually inanimate when hes not listening to music, says Hunt. As soon as it starts playing, he gets right up. He can move better, he can talk better, he remembers the words perfectly well, and hes almost back to being himself. And then after half an hour or so after the music dies, he kind of goes back to being someone with late-stage Alzheimers. So thats a really great example of what were talking about  and to have that impact on anybody, we just need to find the songs from their past that are in their memory.

Although Music Health designed the app to be accessible for anyone who assists those afflicted with dementia, including certainly family members, Hunt says that the way the program uses A.I. to take information about the person and select relevant songs may be most useful in situations where caregivers are dealing with a lot of patients and dont have much information about their backgrounds or likes.

When someone comes onto the platform, he says, we ask them where they were born and when, and then where they grew up when they were 15 to 35. If that was Beijing, its going to be very different music they were surrounded by compared to someone who was here in the States. So its really important to have a diverse global catalog that can find hits from all around the world. Because if we just think about Australia, where Im from, almost no one was born there, especially at this age (of most dementia patients), because . people have come from all around the world and migrated. And we have to cater to everybodys past.

Hunt says the complete Universal Music Group catalog is so vast that Music Health doesnt need to license any other companies music. Weve done an exclusive partnership with (UMG) for now, and theyve been a great partner, he says. For the current product, we dont need all the worlds music  we just need a lot of it.

Music in the app is presented in the form of three different playlists that are put together from the personalized data thats input. We kept it super simple, recognizing that the people who will operate it probably arent all the most tech-savvy people, necessarily. One is to help the person relax; one is to help energize them; and one is to reminisce  and to reminisce is really collect all the songs that are attached to memories that they can sing along or tap their foot to. If that person gets agitated or aggressive or even violent, it can become a really great intervention.

Its kind of important to stress that where were actually seeing the most impact is in the care home setting. At home, the person is surrounded by their familiar things. And of course, Vera is for people at home as well. Family members giving care, he notes, may or may not have present at the right time in the lives in their affected relatives to really know what music affected them most during those crucial 15-to-35-year-old times. But where were seeing the greatest opportunity to have a big impact is in a memory care unit or assisted living where the people who are caring for them have no idea about their past, and they dont have time to go and research it and find it out. And so we can take very simple information from the database of the care facility and enable and empower the carers with personalized music for everybody.

Hunt explains why music can bring a temporary salve in the stressful lives of patients and caregivers. The quick science of it is that someone with dementia has a low level of brain activity, and their short-term memory in particular is impacted. Their long-term memory, however, is generally intact  its one of the last things to degrade. And if we can stimulate that with music, well create a chain reaction in the brain, because music is a whole brain exercise for us to interpret the sound signal, and then listen for words. Theres all of these different aspects  the timbre, the rhythm, theyre getting processed in different parts.

And once the brain is stimulated, it lasts for a little while, he continues. There was a recent study done demonstrating that music on a regular usage pattern also leads to brain plasticity. So were hopeful that with further studies we can demonstrate we can slow down the onset of dementia. I doubt well ever be able to say its preventive, but its certainly a very helpful daily exercise to keep the brain working and stimulated in a heightened state, and getting it back to somewhat of a normal pattern for periods of time, often. What we really recommend when we roll into a care facility is that they change the way they care completely so that every carer interaction has music alongside it, whether its in the background or the foreground where were actively listening. We want to surround these people with songs that get them into a more lucid state, and that help them understand where they are in space and time much better. It leads to a lot of benefits  reduced stress, reduced agitation  and were hoping to be able to prove in the long term that thats going to lead to reduced hospitalizations and being able to reduce violent episodes. And thats far more joyful for everybody involved.

Music Healths overall goals and future initiatives go beyond the dementia sphere.

Were looking at Parkinsons next, Hunt says. And Id say for some of those problems, we will have to license all music, especially if someone is curating their own selections and things like that. Ill also say that with some of them, if we go after, say, depression/anxiety, wed probably be developing our own soundscapes or AI-generated binaural beats and things like that. So theres a lot of scope of what we can do in the future.

Most ancient human civilizations always used music in the healing process  the Aztecs, the Incas, Australias indigenous populations. But since we discovered drugs, weve kind of forgotten about it. And I guess as a company, we see an opportunity to kind of do what Headspace and Calm did for meditation and take something that is scientifically proven and actually practiced professionally, but its off to the side  and pull that into the mainstream by making it easy, affordable and really deployable for all.

UMG is taking pride in being the exclusive partner for this particular app. At UMG, we are working with a wide range of companies to develop therapeutical applications of music and we re proud to partner with Music Health on Vera to help improve the lives of so many around the world, said Michael Nash, UMGs EVP of digital strategy.

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History currently repeating itself lends a particular frisson to Latvian theater, opera and film director Viesturs Kairiss January. It takes place in early 1991, when the nations push for independence (alongside other Baltic states) met with armed Soviet resistance even as the USSR was falling apart. Those historical events are interwoven with vaguely autobiographical fiction revolving around a mildly nonconformist Riga film school student, one admittedly drawn much as the director was himself in that time and place.

With Moscow leadership again hawkish toward retaining and/or regaining territories of a former empire, this flashback has particular resonance, amplified by the use of archival news and activist-shot footage. Less compelling, if still diverting, are the more conventionally indulgent, nouvelle vague-influenced scenes that comprise a Portrait of the Artist as a Sulky Young Man. The history lesson seems fresher than this protagonists stale angst  he is, frankly, a bit of a pill, and having him as our POV limits Januarys impact. Nonetheless, this Tribeca-boosted dramas topicality and the midcareer directors track record should attract programmer interest on the festival circuit and beyond.

Opening text informs its Jan. 2, 1991. Russian special police units known as OMON have taken over the state Press House to halt publications supporting the Latvian independence that was declared (and disregarded by the Kremlin) some months earlier. Though he demonstrates no personal political beliefs himself, 19-year-old Jazis (Karlis Arnolds Avots) is willing to risk a beating or arrest to videotape that occupation, along with friend Zeps (Sandis Runge).

The two are enrolled at the local arts academy, both intent on a film career  we can tell because theyre always dropping names like Bergman, Herzog, Tarkovsky, Chytilova and Kubrick. In an improv acting class, tall, curly-haired Jazis meets fellow student Anna (Alise Dzene), a rich girl whose rebelliousness runs more toward acts of shock-the-bourgeoise provocation. She immediately impresses him by owning the soundtrack to Jarmuschs Stranger Than Paradise. Soon theyre having bad sex and romping about in montages shot in different film stocks.

Already at odds for no particular reason with his good-humored, supportive parents (Baiba Broka, Aleksas Kazanavicius), Jazis churlishly blows a very good thing with Anna when she attracts an intern/assistant gig he would have liked for himself. (Shes taken on by Juhan Ulfsak as real-life documentarian Juris Podnieks, who shot key footage of the independence struggle before dying in a scuba-diving mishap just the next year.) He considers joining the Russian Army, despite everyone  not least his own mother  wondering why hed aid the enemy rather than man his own peoples barricades.

Eventually Jurik does help fight those at the barricades  or at least to film others fighting  which escalates the mingling of archival footage amid the action. Our antihero apologizes to Anna, claiming his actions were due to pretending to be someone Im not, on the other hand complaining to his mother, Im never gonna find out who I am. Nevertheless, his internal struggles, whatever they are, remain unexposed here; he just seems petulant, without any real political or artistic convictions we can discern as an excuse.

Its not lead actor Avots fault that this central character remains so psychologically undefined, or that the film doesnt even draw narrative meaning from his lack of definition  which is, presumably, meant to be just a phase the directorial alter ego is going through. Kairiss is handsome, occasionally playful and charming, though invariably moody five seconds later. But the problem with his being our primary viewpoint is that he doesnt seem to have one of his own. Even at the barricades, he mostly just gets in the way of people who are passionately committed to being there. Nor is there much rooting value for the romance with Anna, even though the film chooses to close on its possible rekindling.

As roman a clef, January isnt all that interesting  but then, movies about filmmakers glamorizing their collegiate salad days seldom are. The movie even looks as if shrouded in a mist of memory, DP Wojciech Starons Academy-ratio images gauzily soft. More involving are the backgrounding events and subsidiary figures, from the deft incorporation of period footage (and music) to the bemused, loving tolerance Kairiss parents practice toward him, as well as each other. (Moms staunchly anti-Soviet, Dads a Party member; neither minds too much.)

Co-written with Andris Feldmanis and Livia Ulman, Kairiss script sometimes feels like a loose string of episodes that achieved more flow than story structure in the editing room. Still, the whole does move along, its feel evocative if never quite so substantial as one might ideally like a tale of national liberation to be. The disparate elements (which also encompass vintage Latvian-cinema clips, including from Podnieks work) manage to hang together more than not, one binding factor being Juste Janulytes frequently interesting original score.

Reviewed online, June 8, 2022. In Tribeca Festival (International Narrative Competition). Running time: 97 MIN. (Original title: Janvaris)

Running Time: Running time: 97 MIN.

Production

(Latvia-Lithuania-Poland) A Nacionalais Kino Centrs, LR Kulturas Ministrija, Eurimages, Lithuanian Film Centre, Polish Film Institute, Mistrus Media, Artbox, Staron Film presentation of a Mistrus Media production. (World sales: The Yellow Affair, New York.) Producers: Inese Boka-Grube, Gints Grube. Co-producers: Matgorzata Staron, Kestutis Drazdauskas.

Crew

Director: Viesturs Kairiss. Screenplay: Viesturs Kairiss, Andris Feldmanis, Livia Ulman. Camera: Wojciech Staron. Editor: Armands Zacs. Music: Juste Janulyte.

With

Karlis Arnolds Avots, Alise Dzene, Baiba Broka, Aleksas Kazanavicius, Juhan Ulfsak, Sandis Runge.

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Top British drama academy the Guildhall School has apologized to former students Michaela Coel and Paapa Essiedu over the racism they experienced while attending the institution.

In an interview with the Guardian, Essiedu revealed that he and Coel were in an improvisation class together when a teacher, playing a prison officer searching for drugs, addressed him with a racial slur. Suddenly she shouted: Hey you, N-word, what have you got behind you? Essiedu told the newspaper. That was a real time stops moment. It was like, surely this cant be happening.

Essiedu said that he and his eventual I May Destroy You co-star and writer Coel were so shocked we just stayed in the improvisation, so we were like: No, we havent got anything behind us. We were shellshocked by what had happened and shocked that it had come out of the mouth of a teacher.

It so clearly shows a lack of respect and understanding of what the experience is of someone who is in that position, in that skin, in that institution, he added.

The Men actor also said that the teacher had criticized his enunciation, telling him it sounded as though his mouth was full of chocolate cake.

Coel previously discussed the incident in her 2018 MacTaggart lecture at the Edinburgh TV Festival. I was called a [N-word] twice in drama school. The first was by a teacher during a walk in the space improvisation that had nothing to do with race. Oi, [N-word], what you got for me? We students continued walking in the space, the two Black boys and I glancing at each other whenever we passed. Whos she talking to? wed whisper. Boy, not me. Nah that was for you. Passing around responsibility like a hot potato, muffling our laugh-snorts. I wonder what the other students thought of our complicity.

In a statement, the school issued an apology to both Coel and Essiedu.

Guildhall School apologizes unreservedly for the racism experienced by Paapa Essiedu, Michaela Coel and other alumni whilst they were studying at the School, a spokesperson told Variety. The experiences [Essiedu] shares were appalling and unacceptable. We have since undertaken a sustained program of action to address and dismantle long-standing systemic racism within the Acting Program, including commissioning an external report into historic racism and a comprehensive and ongoing process of staff training and reflection. We have also undertaken a significant redevelopment of our acting curriculum, including a departmental staff restructure, so that our teaching and learning culture prioritizes inclusivity, representation and wellbeing. We understand that this work is long-term and will require sustained commitment to build a culture that is inclusive and equitable for everyone.

It is not the first time Guildhall, which also counts Lily James and Brenda Blethyn among its former pupils, has found itself at the center of controversy. Last year, the academy was among a number of top drama schools accused of sexual misconduct.

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BBC news (translated by RAWA), June 9, 2022

Abdul Rahman Taybi said that women should not take a taxi without a muharram or male escort and stressed that women are not allowed to sit next to a taxi driver.

Speaking at a news conference in Kandahar, Mr Taybi said music and singing are "absolutely forbidden" and that television and radio stations would not be allowed to broadcast music from today.

He also stressed that "the use of grass, whether it is tobacco or fruit, is absolutely forbidden" and should no longer be used in teahouses or elsewhere.

Abdul Rahman Taybi added that barber shops are not allowed to cut men's hair "in a Western style".

Regarding women's hijab, he said: "It is true that women wear hijab, but they will be taught the correct way to wear hijab."

Mr. Taybi asked the media to broadcast his office message two days a week.

So far, many social restrictions have been implemented first in Herat and Kandahar and then in the capital and other provinces.
The Jan. 6 Commission promised big reveals, and Liz Cheneys opening statement did not disappoint. One of two GOP representatives on the committee, Cheney laid out damning information about the behavior of members of her own caucus  including one by name: Rep. Scott Perry, of Pennsylvania.

Cheney recalled how, in the build up to Jan. 6., then-President Donald Trump sought to clean House at the Justice Department, which was refusing to help him advance his Big Lie that hed been deprived of a rightful election victory by fraud and voting irregularities. (Cheney laid out a significant slate of evidence that not only was this a lie, but that Trump and his staff knew that it was a lie.)

As part of the effort to gain compliance from the Justice Department, Trump wanted to install a yes-man, Jeffrey Clark, as Acting Attorney General, in place of Jeffrey Rosen, who refused to meddle in the election results.

That gambit ultimately did not succeed. And Cheney, in her opening remarks, noted that Clark refused to testify before the committee, invoking his 5th amendment protections.

Cheney then alleged that a notable GOP lawmaker had similarly rebuffed the committee about his actions to support the house clearing at DOJ: Rep. Scott Perry, who was also involved in trying to get Clark appointed as Attorney General, Cheney said, has refused to testify here.

Cheney then dropped a bombshell, suggesting consciousness of guilt  not just by Perry but by other GOP representatives:

As you will see, Rep. Perry contacted the White House in the weeks after Jan 6. to seek a presidential pardon, she said. Cheney then added: Multiple other Republican congressmen also sought presidential pardons for their roles in attempting to overturn the 2020 election.

Watch the jaw-dropping exchange below:
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PBS documentary strand POV has acquired An Act of Worship, a counter-narrative of the last 30 years of Muslim life in America, out of the Tribeca Film Festival.

Directed by Pakistani-American helmer Nausheen Dadabhoy, the film centers on a diverse range of Muslim Americans who recount the past three decades of pivotal moments in U.S. history and policy from their own perspectives.

The film weaves together observational footage of activists who came of age after the 9/11 attacks, community-sourced home videos and recollections from individuals impacted by incidents of Islamophobia.

An Act of Worship premiered at Tribeca on June 9, and will make its national broadcast premiere on Oct. 17.

The film, which will sit within POVs 35th season, is produced by DuPont-Crichton Award-winner Heba Elorbany, Emmy Award winner Kristi Jacobson and Emmy-nominated Sofian Khan.

The deal was negotiated by Chris White and Erika Dilday for strands American Documentary and POV, and Dadabhoy, Elorbany, Jacobson and Khan for the filmmaking team.

American Documentary and POV executive director Dilday said: Were very pleased to include An Act of Worship in our Season 35 slate. This film dispels the idea of Muslim Americans as a monolith and contextualizes each specific story and voice in the mosaic that is America.

Dadabhoy added: Through intimate home video archival and a tapestry of community voices that narrate the film, we hope to regain authorship of our communitys story. Its a way to replace images of violence so that our community can see itself through its own gaze. Our partnership with POV is so meaningful, as it expands our films reach as wed always hoped  reaching our community, through impact and engagement screenings, and via broadcast, the private, quotidian and communal moments that are rarely portrayed in stories about Muslim Americans will be televised into homes across the United States.

In addition to An Act of Worship screenings during the festival, Tribeca and The Blackhouse Foundation, with co-hosts Firelight Media, Brown Girls Doc Mafia and Pillars, are holding a special panel event featuring An Act of Worship. Panelists will discuss the importance of storytellers from marginalized communities, providing perspectives through lived experience and disrupting harmful narratives that impact their communities.

The event is particularly timely given the Sundance premiere of Jihad Rehab in January, a film that received extensive backlash from the Muslim documentary community for its depiction of Muslims, which was deemed harmful and stereotyped. The films inclusion at Sundance ultimately led to the resignations of two Sundance Institute staff members and an apology from the festival.

An Act of Worship is a co-presentation of the Center for Asian American Media and American Documentary/POV. The executive producers for the latter strands are Dilday and White.

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Nine projects have been selected for the CineLink Co-Production Market and seven for the CineLink Drama at the upcoming edition of CineLink Industry Days within the Sarajevo Film Festival (Aug. 12-19), according to Film New Europe.

The CineLink Co-Production Market includes projects from North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Croatia and Bulgaria, while projects from Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary were selected for CineLink Drama.

A new development award, Female Voices CineLink Award with a cash prize of Euros 10,000, presented by the Slovenian Film Center, will be handed to one project from the CineLink Co-Production Market or CineLink Drama.

CineLink Industry Days will start with CineLink Workshop this month, one-on-one meetings during the festival (Aug. 15-18), and will continue with online meetings in September.

Click here to see the selected projects for CineLink Co-Production Market and CineLink Drama.

Quo Vadis, Aida? Dominates Polish Film Awards, the Eagles

Quo Vadis, Aida? by Jasmila Zbanic won four awards including best film, director and script at the 24th Polish Film Awards, also known as the Eagles. It is a coproduction between Bosnia and Herzegovina, Austria, Romania, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, France, Turkey and Norway.

This year, as many as 71 productions competed for the Eagles in the main competition.

Leave No Traces by Jan P. Matuszynski received the most nominations (13), followed by Wojtek Smarzowskis The Wedding with nine nominations, and ukasz Ronduda and ukasz Gutts Fears with seven nominations.

During the gala, held on June 6, there were also gestures of unity and support for Ukraine, which is fighting against Russian aggression. The guests gathered at the Polish Theater responded to the appeal of the President of the Polish Film Academy, Dariusz Jabonski, by joining the STOP RUSSIAN WAR! action, lifting cards with such a message during the ceremony.

The viewers also heard from Ukrainian director and screenwriter Oleh Sentsov, who thanked his filmmaker friends from Poland as well as the Polish people for their help and support, emphasizing that Poland has become a kindred nation for Ukraine.

Full report here.

Romania Approves Tax on Streaming Platforms

Romania has approved a 4% tax on streaming platforms proceeds from transactions or subscription fees. The money will go to the Romanian Film Fund, which is managed by the Romanian Film Center and which provides support for local film production. The fund does not receive any money from the government budget.

By adopting the law on June 7, the Romanian Senate is expecting that approximately 7.7 million EUR (38 million RON) will go to the fund.

The law will not apply to providers with ratings below 1% and revenues less than 65,000 EUR in the last fiscal year, according to the Romanian Senate.

The project was submitted to the Chamber of Deputies on Oct. 11, 2021 and approved on Dec. 7, 2021.

This article is published in partnership with online news service Film New Europe, which covers film and TV industry news from across Central and Eastern Europe.

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Only a locked classroom door stood between Pete Arredondo and a chance to bring down the gunman. It was sturdily built with a steel jamb, impossible to kick in.

He wanted a key. One key and he could get through that door to the kids and the teachers. The killer was armed with an AR-15. Arredondo thought he could shoot the gunman himself or at least draw fire while another officer shot back. Without body armor, he assumed he might die.

The only thing that was important to me at this time was to save as many teachers and children as possible, Arredondo said.

The chief of police for the Uvalde school district spent more than an hour in the hallway of Robb Elementary School. He called for tactical gear, a sniper and keys to get inside, holding back from the doors for 40 minutes to avoid provoking sprays of gunfire. When keys arrived, he tried dozens of them, but one by one they failed to work.

Each time I tried a key I was just praying, Arredondo said. Finally, 77 minutes after the massacre began, officers were able to unlock the door and fatally shoot the gunman.

In his first extended comments since the May 24 massacre, the deadliest school shooting in Texas history, Arredondo gave The Texas Tribune an account of what he did inside the school during the attack. He answered questions via a phone interview and in statements provided through his lawyer, George E. Hyde.

Aside from the Texas Department of Public Safety, which did not respond to requests for comment for this article, Arredondo is the only other law enforcement official to publicly tell his account of the police response to the shooting.

Arredondo, 50, insists he took the steps he thought would best protect lives at his hometown school, one he had attended himself as a boy.

My mind was to get there as fast as possible, eliminate any threats, and protect the students and staff, Arredondo said. He noted that some 500 students from the school were safely evacuated during the crisis.

Arredondos decisions  like those of other law enforcement agencies that responded to the massacre that left 21 dead  are under intense scrutiny as federal and state officials try to decide what went wrong and what might be learned.

Whether the inability of police to quickly enter the classroom prevented the 21 victims  19 students and two educators  from getting life-saving care is not known, and may never be. Theres evidence, including the fact that a teacher died while being transported to the hospital, that suggests taking down the shooter faster might have made a difference. On the other hand, many of the victims likely died instantly. A pediatrician who attended to the victims described small bodies pulverized and decapitated. Some children were identifiable only by their clothes and shoes.

In the maelstrom of anguish, outrage and second-guessing that immediately followed the second deadliest school shooting in American history, the time Arredondo and other officers spent outside that door  more than an hour  have become emblems of failure.

As head of the six-member police force responsible for keeping Uvalde schools safe, Arredondo has been singled out for much of the blame, particularly by state officials. They criticized him for failing to take control of the police response and said he made the wrong decision that delayed officers from entering the classroom.

Arredondo has faced death threats. News crews have camped outside his home, forcing him to go into hiding. Hes been called cowardly and incompetent.

Neither accusation is true or fair, he says.

Not a single responding officer ever hesitated, even for a moment, to put themselves at risk to save the children, Arredondo said. We responded to the information that we had and had to adjust to whatever we faced. Our objective was to save as many lives as we could, and the extraction of the students from the classrooms by all that were involved saved over 500 of our Uvalde students and teachers before we gained access to the shooter and eliminated the threat.

Arredondos explanations dont fully address all the questions that have been raised. The Tribune spoke to seven law enforcement experts about Arredondos description of the police response. All but one said that serious lapses in judgment occurred.

Most strikingly, they said, by running into the school with no key and no radios and failing to take charge of the situation, the chief appears to have contributed to a chaotic approach in which officers deployed inappropriate tactics, adopted a defensive posture, failed to coordinate their actions, and wasted precious time as students and teachers remained trapped in two classrooms with a gunman who continued to fire his rifle.

Hyde, Arredondos lawyer, said those criticisms dont reflect the realities police face when theyre under fire and trying to save lives. Uvalde is a small working-class city of about 15,000 west of San Antonio. Its small band of school police officers doesnt have the staffing, equipment, training, or experience with mass violence that larger cities might.

His client ran straight toward danger armed with 29 years of law enforcement experience and a Glock 22 handgun. With no body armor and no second thoughts, the chief committed to stop the shooter or die trying.

Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman via REUTERS

77 minutes

One of Arredondos most consequential decisions was immediate. Within seconds of arriving at the northeast entrance of Robb Elementary around 11:35 a.m., he left his police and campus radios outside the school.

To Arredondo, the choice was logical. An armed killer was loose on the campus of the elementary school. Every second mattered. He wanted both hands free to hold his gun, ready to aim and fire quickly and accurately if he encountered the gunman.

Arredondo provided the following account of how the incident unfolded in a phone interview, in written answers, and in explanations passed through his lawyer.

He said he didnt speak out sooner because he didnt want to compound the communitys grief or cast blame at others.

Thinking he was the first officer to arrive and wanting to waste no time, Arredondo believed that carrying the radios would slow him down. One had a whiplike antenna that would hit him as he ran. The other had a clip that Arredondo knew would cause it to fall off his tactical belt during a long run.

Arredondo said he knew from experience that the radios did not work in some school buildings.

But that decision also meant that for the rest of the ordeal, he was not in radio contact with the scores of other officers from at least five agencies that swarmed the scene.

Almost immediately, Arredondo teamed up with a Uvalde police officer and began checking classrooms, looking for the gunman.

As they moved to the west side of the campus, a teacher pointed them to the wing the gunman had entered. As Arredondo and the Uvalde police officer ran toward it, they heard a great deal of rounds fired off inside. Arredondo believes that was the moment the gunman first entered adjoining classrooms 111 and 112 and started firing on the children with an AR-15 rifle.

Carla Astudillo and Reese Oxner/Texas Tribune

Arredondo and the Uvalde officer entered the buildings south side and saw another group of Uvalde police officers entering from the north.

Arredondo checked to see if the door on the right, room 111, would open. Another officer tried room 112. Both doors were locked.

Arredondo remembers the gunman fired a burst of shots from inside the classroom, grazing the police officers approaching from the north. Some of the bullets pierced the classroom door, and others went through the classroom wall and lodged in the wall adjacent to the hallway, where there were other classrooms. The officers on the north end of the hallway retreated after being shot, but they werent seriously injured and returned shortly after to try to contain the gunman.

Because the gunman was already inside the locked classroom, some of the measures meant to protect teachers and students in mass shooting situations worked against police trying to gain entry.

Arredondo described the classroom door as reinforced with a hefty steel jamb, designed to keep an attacker on the outside from forcing their way in. But with the gunman inside the room, that took away officers ability to immediately kick in the door and confront the shooter.

Arredondo believed the situation had changed from that of an active shooter, to a gunman who had barricaded himself in a classroom with potential other victims.

Texas Department of Public Safety officials and news outlets have reported that the shooter fired his gun at least two more times as police waited in the hallway outside the classrooms for more than an hour. And DPS officials have said dispatchers were relaying information about 911 calls coming from children and teachers in the classrooms, begging the police for help.

Arredondo said he was not aware of the 911 calls because he did not have his radio and no one in the hallway relayed that information to him. Arredondo and the other officers in the hallway took great pains to remain quiet. Arredondo said they had no radio communications  and even if theyd had radios, his lawyer said, they would have turned them off in the hallway to avoid giving away their location. Instead, they passed information in whispers for fear of drawing another round of gunfire if the shooter heard them.

Finding no way to enter the room, Arredondo called police dispatch from his cellphone and asked for a SWAT team, snipers and extrication tools, like a fire hook, to open the door.

Arredondo remained in the hallway for the rest of the ordeal, waiting for a way to get into the room, and prepared to shoot the gunman if he tried to exit the classroom.

Carla Astudillo and Mandi Cai/Texas Tribune

Arredondo assumed that some other officer or official had taken control of the larger response. He took on the role of a front-line responder.

He said he never considered himself the scenes incident commander and did not give any instruction that police should not attempt to breach the building. DPS officials have described Arredondo as the incident commander and said Arredondo made the call to stand down and treat the incident as a barricaded suspect, which halted the attempt to enter the room and take down the shooter. I didnt issue any orders, Arredondo said. I called for assistance and asked for an extraction tool to open the door.

Officers in the hallway had few options. At some point, Arredondo tried to talk to the gunman through the walls in an effort to establish a rapport, but the gunman did not respond.

With the gunman still firing sporadically, Arredondo realized that children and teachers in adjacent rooms remained in danger if the gunman started shooting through the walls.

The ammunition was penetrating the walls at that point, Arredondo said. Weve got him cornered, were unable to get to him. You realize you need to evacuate those classrooms while we figured out a way to get in.

Lights in the classrooms had also been turned off, another routine lockdown measure that worked against the police. With little visibility into the classroom, they were unable to pinpoint the gunmans location or to determine whether the children and teachers were alive.

Arredondo told officers to start breaking windows from outside other classrooms and evacuating those children and teachers. He wanted to avoid having students coming into the hallway, where he feared too much noise would attract the gunmans attention.

While other officers outside the school evacuated children, Arredondo and the officers in the hallway held their position and waited for the tools to open the classroom and confront the gunman.

At one point, a Uvalde police officer noticed Arredondo was not wearing body armor. Worried for the chiefs safety, the Uvalde officer offered to cover for Arredondo while he ran out of the building to get it.

Ill be very frank. He said, F--- you. Im not leaving this hallway, Hyde recounted. He wasnt going to leave without those kids.

Without any way to get into the classroom, officers in the hallway waited desperately for a way to secure entry and did the best they could to otherwise advance their goal of saving lives.

Its not that someone said stand down, Hyde said. It was Right now, we cant get in until we get the tools. So were going to do what we can do to save lives. And what was that? It was to evacuate the students and the parents and the teachers out of the rooms.

Tools that might have been useful in breaking through the door never materialized, but Arredondo had also asked for keys that could open the door. Unlike some other school district police departments, Uvalde CISD officers dont carry master keys to the schools they visit. Instead, they request them from an available staff member when theyre needed.

Robb Elementary did not have a modern system of locks and access control. Youre talking about a key ring thats got to weigh 10 pounds, Hyde said.

Eventually, a janitor provided six keys. Arredondo tried each on a door adjacent to the room where the gunman was, but it didnt open.

Later, another key ring with between 20 and 30 keys was brought to Arredondo.

I was praying one of them was going to open up the door each time I tried a key, Arredondo said in an interview.

None did.

Eventually, the officers on the north side of the hallway called Arredondos cellphone and told him they had gotten a key that could open the door.

The officers on the north side of the hallway formed a group of mixed law enforcement agencies, including U.S. Border Patrol, to enter the classroom and take down the shooter, Arredondo said.

Ten days after the shooting, The New York Times reported that a group of U.S. Border Patrol agents ignored a directive spoken into their earpieces not to enter the room. The Times has since reported that Arredondo did not object when the team entered the room.

Hyde said if a directive delaying entry was issued, it did not come from Arredondo, but the Times reported that someone was issuing orders at the scene. Hyde said he did not know who that person was. The Border Patrol declined to comment.

At 12:50 p.m., as the officers entered the classroom, Arredondo held his position near the south classroom door in the hallway, in case the gunman tried to run out that door.

At last, the shooter, Salvador Ramos, 18, was brought down. A harrowing standoff rapidly became an effort to find the wounded and count the dead.

Once the officers cleared the room, Border Patrol agents trained to render emergency medical service assessed the wounded. Arredondo and other officers formed a line to help pass the injured children out of the hallway and to emergency medical care.

Sergio Flores/The Texas Tribune

Expert analysis

A police officer intentionally ditching his radio while answering a call? Ive never heard anything like that in my life, said Steve Ijames, a police tactics expert and former assistant police chief of Springfield, Missouri.

The discarded radio, the missing key and the apparent lack of an incident commander are some of questions raised by experts about the response of Arredondo and the various agencies involved.

Officers are trained never to abandon their radios, their primary communication tool during an emergency, said Ijames. That Arredondo did so the moment he arrived on scene is inexplicable, he said.

Ijames added that it is inconceivable that Arredondos officers did not have a plan to access any room or building on campus at any moment, given that the school district makes up the entirety of the tiny forces jurisdiction.

The experts, which included active-shooting researchers and retired law enforcement personnel, homed in on the moment officers entered the school and found the doors to rooms 111 and 112 locked. Three said this moment afforded Arredondo a chance to step back, regroup and work with other officers to devise a new strategy.

It takes having someone who has the wherewithal to come up with a quick, tactical plan and executing it, said former Seguin police Chief Terry Nichols. It may not be the best plan, but a plan executed vigorously is better than the best unexecuted plan in the world.

Nichols, who teaches classes on active-shooter responses, said he understands the instinct for command staff to want to confront a gunman themselves. But he said commanders must not lose focus of their role in an emergency.

We have to  as leaders, especially as a chief of police  step back and allow our men and women to go do what they do, and use our training and experience where theyre needed, to command and control a chaotic situation, Nichols said.

Active-shooter protocols developed after the 1999 shooting at Columbine High School, where a slow police response delayed medical care that could have saved several victims, train police to confront shooters immediately, without waiting for backup and without regard for their personal safety. An active-shooting training that Uvalde school district police attended in March stressed these tactics, warning that responders likely would be required to place themselves in harms way.

The training that police officers have received for more than a decade mandates that when shots are fired in an active-shooter situation, officers or an officer needs to continue through whatever obstacles they face to get to the shooter, period, said Katherine Schweit, a retired FBI agent who co-wrote the bureaus foundational research on mass shootings. If that means they go through walls, or go around the back through windows, or through an adjoining classroom, they do that.

Bruce Ure, a former Victoria police chief, said drawing conclusions about police conduct during the shooting is premature since the authorities have not completed their investigations. He said he believes Arredondo acted reasonably given the circumstances he faced.

Ure disagreed that Arredondo should have retreated into a command role once other officers arrived, since most active-shooter events last mere minutes. He argued that no amount of ad-hoc planning outside would have changed the outcome of the massacre once the shooter got inside the classrooms.

He said attempting to breach windows or open classroom doors by force were unrealistic options that would have exposed police and children to potentially fatal gunfire with little chance of success. Officers only choice, he said, was to wait to find a key, which he agreed should not have taken so long.

Hyde said attempting to enter through windows would have guaranteed all the children in the rooms would be killed along with several officers. He said this reckless and ineffective action, when police could not see where the shooter was, would have made officers easy targets to be picked off at will.

Ure, who as an attendee was wounded in the hand during the 2017 Las Vegas concert shooting that killed 60 people, acknowledged the post-Columbine wisdom that immediately confronting shooters is paramount. But he said the scene inside Robb Elementary presented a perfect storm of an active shooter barricaded with hostages.

Theres no manual for this type of scenario, Ure said. If people need to be held appropriately accountable, then so be it. But I think the lynch-mob mentality right now isnt serving any purpose, and its borderline reckless.

Angela Piazza/Corpus Christi Caller-Times via REUTERS

Questions over command

The day after the shooting, Arredondo and other local officials stood behind Gov. Greg Abbott and DPS Director Steve McCraw as they held their first major news conference to address the slaughter.

Abbott lauded law enforcement agencies for their amazing courage and said the actions of police officers were the reason the shooting was not worse. McCraw said a school resource officer had engaged the shooter outside the building but was unable to stop him from entering.

To Arredondo, that information did not ring true. Arredondo turned to a DPS official, whom he declined to identify, and asked why state officials had been given inaccurate information.

In a stunning reversal at a news conference the next day, the DPS regional director for the area, Victor Escalon, retracted McCraws initial claim and said the gunman was not confronted by anybody before entering the school.

At a third news conference the following afternoon, Abbott said he was livid about being misled about the police response to the shooting. He said his incorrect remarks were merely a recitation of what officers had told him.

Hyde said the inaccurate information did not come from Arredondo, who had briefed state and law enforcement officials about the shooting before the first press conference. Abbott on Wednesday declined to identify who had misled him, saying only that the bad information had come from public officials.

McCraw also told reporters that Arredondo, whom he identified by his position rather than his name, treated the gunman as a barricaded suspect rather than an active shooter, which McCraw deemed a mistake. In the news conference, McCraw referred to Arredondo as the shootings incident commander.

Hyde said Arredondo did not issue any orders to other law enforcement agencies and had no knowledge that they considered him the incident commander.

The National Incident Management System, which guides all levels of government on how to respond to mass emergency events, says that the first person on scene is the incident commander. That incident commander remains in that charge until they relinquish it or are incapacitated.

Hyde acknowledged those guidelines but said Arredondos initial response to the shooting was not that of an incident commander, but of a first responder.

Once he became engaged, intimately involved on the front line of this case, he is one of those that is in the best position to continue to resolve the incident at that time, Hyde said. So while its easy to identify him as the incident commander because of that NIMS process, in practicality, you see here he was not in the capacity to be able to run this entire organization.

With no radio and no way to receive up-to-date information about what was happening outside of the hallway, Hyde said, another one of the local, state and federal agencies that arrived at the scene should have taken over command.

Nichols, the former Seguin police chief, dismissed the idea that another officer would seamlessly adopt the incident commander role simply because Arredondo never did. He said decisive commanders are especially important when multiple agencies respond to an incident and are unsure how to work together.

You know the facility. Youre the most intimately knowledgeable about this, Nichols said of Arredondo. Take command and set what your priorities need to be, right now.

On May 31, officials with DPS, which is investigating the Uvalde shooting, told news outlets that Arredondo was no longer cooperating with the agency. The agencys investigative unit, the Texas Rangers, wanted to continue talking with the police chief, but he had not responded to the agencys request for two days, DPS officials said.

Hyde said Arredondo participated in multiple interviews with DPS in the days following the shooting, including a law enforcement debriefing the day of the attack and a videotaped debriefing with DPS analysts and the FBI the day after.

Hed also briefed the governor and other state officials and had multiple follow-up calls with DPS for its investigation.

But after McCraw said at a press conference on May 27 that Arredondo made the wrong decision, the police chief no longer participated in the investigation to avoid media interference, Hyde said.

The Rangers had asked Arredondo to come in for another interview, but he told investigators he could not do it on the day they asked because he was covering shifts for his officers, Hyde said.

At no time did he communicate his unwillingness to cooperate with the investigation, Hyde said. His phone was flooded with calls and messages from numbers he didnt recognize, and its possible he missed calls from DPS but still maintained daily interaction by phone with DPS assisting with logistics as requested.

Hyde said Arredondo is open to cooperating with the Rangers investigation but would like to see a transcript of his previous comments.

Thats a fair thing to ask for before he has to then discuss it again because, as time goes by, all the information that he hears, its hard to keep straight, Hyde said.

Kaylee Greenlee Beal/The Texas Tribune

'They loved those kids'

When the gunman was dead, police had another grim task: moving the tiny bodies of injured children out of the room and getting them emergency medical care as soon as possible.

A line was formed to gently but quickly move them out. Each child passed through Arredondos arms.

Later that night, Arredondo went to the Uvalde civic center, where families waited desperately for news that their loved ones had survived, or had at worst been taken to the hospital for treatment.

For Arredondo, his lawyer said, telling families that no additional kids were coming out of the school alive was the toughest part of his career.

The chaotic law enforcement response to the shooting by local, state and federal agencies is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Texas Department of Public Safety. It is the subject of an investigative committee of the Texas Legislature and will be the source of months of scrutiny by public officials, survivors and the families of the deceased. Survivors and the families of victims have started contacting lawyers for potential legal action.

Arredondos role will be central to all of those probes.

For now, he is avoiding the public eye, having left his home temporarily because it is under constant watch by news reporters.

But hes also been unable to mourn with his community.

Arredondo grew up in the community and attended Robb Elementary as a boy. He started his career at the Uvalde Police Department and spent 16 years there before moving to Laredo for work.

He returned to his hometown in 2020 to head up the school districts police department. He and his police officers loved high-fiving the schoolchildren on his visits to the schools, Hyde said.

It was the highlight of his days, Hyde said. They loved those kids.

Arredondos ties to the shooting are also familial. One of the teachers killed by the gunman, Irma Garcia, was married to Arredondos second cousin, Joe Garcia. Garcia died suddenly two days after his wifes death.

Arredondo grew up with Joe Garcia and went to school with him. But when the funeral services started, Arredondo said he opted against attending because he didnt want his presence to distract from the Garcias grieving loved ones.

His small police department is also suffering.

Eva Mireles, another teacher killed by the gunman, was married to Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District police officer Ruben Ruiz.

They lost a person that they consider family, Hyde said.

To relieve his grieving officers, Arredondo has picked up extra shifts at the police department.

And hes received death threats and negative messages from people he does not know.

Those are people who just dont know the whole story that are making their assumptions on what theyre hearing or reading. Thats been difficult, he said. The police in Uvalde, were like your family, your brothers and sisters. We help each other out at any cost, and were used to helping out the community, period, because thats what most public servants are about.

Arredondo said he remains proud of his response and that of his other officers that day. He believes they saved lives. He also believes that fate brought him back home for a reason.

No one in my profession wants to ever be in anything like this, Arredondo said. But being raised here in Uvalde, I was proud to be here when this happened. I feel like I came back home for a reason, and this might possibly be one of the main reasons why I came back home. Were going to keep on protecting our community at whatever cost.

The Texas Tribune is a nonpartisan, nonprofit media organization that informs Texans  and engages with them  about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.
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LONDON (AP)  A British judge on Friday rejected a bid to ground a flight due to take more than 30 asylum-seekers on a one-way trip to Rwanda next week, but gave the migrants permission for a last-minute appeal.

The flight leaving Tuesday is the first under a controversial deal between the U.K. and the East African country. Britain plans to send some migrants who arrive in the U.K. as stowaways or in small boats to Rwanda, where their asylum claims will be processed. If successful, they will stay in the African country. Human rights groups have called the idea unworkable and inhumane.

Judge Jonathan Swift on Friday refused a request from a group of the asylum-seekers, backed by a trade union and refugee groups, for an injunction grounding the flight. But he said an appeal could be heard on Monday, and a full legal challenge to the British government's new Rwanda deportation policy is to be held before the end of July.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Britains immigration minister, Home Secretary Priti Patel, welcomed the ruling. Patel said the government would not be deterred by further challenges.

Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said he was disappointed and called the situation extremely worrying.

At the High Court in London, government lawyer Mathew Gullick said 37 people had been due to be aboard Tuesday's flight, but six have had their deportation orders canceled. He said the government still intended to operate the flight, as well as future ones.

The British government has not provided details of those selected but refugee groups say the group includes people fleeing Syria and Afghanistan who arrived in Britain across the English Channel. The U.K. has paid Rwanda 120 million pounds ($158 million) upfront for the plan.

The claimants' lawyer, Raza Husain, said the system is not safe and U.N. officials say the U.K. plan violates the international Refugee Convention.

Laura Dubinsky, a lawyer representing the U.N. refugee agency, said refugees sent to Rwanda under the program were at risk of serious, irreparable harm. She said the agency had serious concerns about Rwandan capacity to handle the arrivals.

Rwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa and already home to tens of thousands of refugees. Competition for land and resources contributed to decades of ethnic and political tensions that culminated in Rwanda's 1994 genocide in which more than 800,000 ethnic Tutsi and the moderate Hutu who tried to protect them were killed.

President Paul Kagames government has achieved significant economic progress since the genocide, but critics say it has come at the cost of political repression. Obedience to authorities is widely enforced, one reason Rwandan cities and towns are clean and among the most orderly in Africa. There is little political opposition.

Patel said Rwanda is a safe country and has previously been recognized for providing a safe haven for refugees.

"We will continue preparations for the first flight to Rwanda, alongside the range of other measures intended to reduce small boat crossings," she said.

The British government says it welcomes refugees who come by approved immigration routes but wants to put the criminal smuggling gangs who operate dangerous Channel crossings out of business.

We cannot allow people traffickers to put lives at risk and our world-leading partnership will help break the business model of these ruthless criminals," Johnson said on Twitter.

More than 28,000 migrants entered the U.K. across the Channel last year, up from 8,500 in 2020. Dozens have died, including 27 people in November when a single boat capsized.

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Follow all AP stories on global migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  Angered by the unrelenting toll from gun violence, tens of thousands of people are expected at rallies this weekend in the nations capital and around the United States demanding that Congress pass meaningful changes to gun laws.

The second March For Our Lives rally will take place Saturday in front of the Washington Monument, a successor to the 2018 march organized by student protestors after the mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida.

Now with recent shootings from Uvalde, Texas, to Buffalo, New York, bringing gun control back into the national conversation, organizers of this weekend's events say the time is right to renew their push for a national overhaul.

Right now we are angry, said Mariah Cooley, a March For Our Lives board member and a senior at Washington's Howard University. "This will be a demonstration to show that us as Americans, were not stopping anytime soon until Congress does their jobs. And if not, well be voting them out.

About 50,000 participants are predicted to turn out in the District of Columbia, with rain in the forecast. That's far less than the original march, which filled downtown Washington with more than 200,000 people. This time, organizers are focusing on holding smaller marches at an estimated 300 locations.

We want to make sure that this work is happening across the country, said Daud Mumin, co-chairman of the march's board of directors and a recent graduate of Westminster College in Salt Lake City. This work is not just about D.C., its not just about senators.

The protest comes at a time of renewed political activity on guns and a crucial moment for possible action in Congress.

Survivors of mass shootings and other incidents of gun violence have lobbied legislators and testified on Capitol Hill this week. Among them was Miah Cerrillo, an 11-year-old girl who survived the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. She told lawmakers how she covered herself with a dead classmate's blood to avoid being shot.

On Tuesday, actor Matthew McConaughey appeared at the White House briefing room to press for gun legislation and made highly personal remarks about the violence in his hometown of Uvalde.

The House has passed bills that would raise the age limit to buy semi-automatic weapons and establish federal red flag laws. But such initiatives have traditionally stalled or been heavily watered down in the Senate. Democratic and Republican senators had hoped to reach agreement this week on a framework for addressing the issue and talked Friday, but they had not announced an accord by early evening.

Mumin referred to the Senate as where substantive action goes to die, and said the new march is meant to spend a message to lawmakers that public opinion on gun control is shifting under their feet. If theyre not on our side, there are going to be consequences  voting them out of office and making their lives a living hell when theyre in office, he said.

The March for Our Lives movement was born out of the massacre when 14 students and three staff members were gunned down on Feb. 14, 2018 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School near Fort Lauderdale, Florida, by a former student. Surviving students organized bus trips to the state capital to lobby in person, and they succeeded in pressuring the Republican-dominated state government to buck the National Rifle Associations influence and pass substantial measures targeting gun violence.

Then-Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican, signed legislation that banned bump stocks, raised the gun buying age to 21, imposed a three-day waiting period for purchases and authorized police to seek court orders seizing guns from people deemed threats to themselves and others.

The Parkland students then took aim at guns laws in other states and nationally, launching March for Our Lives and holding the big rally in Washington on March 24, 2018.

The group did not match the Florida results at the national level, but has persisted in advocating for gun restrictions since then, as well as participating in voter registration drives.

One of the groups highest-profile activists, co-founder David Hogg, said in a tweet Friday that he believed this time is different, pointing to his opinion piece on Fox News.

He wrote that his group is not "anti-gun and supports the Second Amendment, but wants measures with bipartisan support. Lets start there and find common ground to take action, because the next shooter is already planning his attack, he said.

___

Associated Press writer Ian Mader in Miami contributed to this report.

___

Follow Ashraf Khalil at: https://twitter.com/ashrafkhalil
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (AP)  A Tennessee sheriff's deputy fatally shot a man who advanced toward the deputy with a gun raised, authorities said.

The Carter County deputy responded Friday morning to a report of an armed man threatening residents in an area of Elizabethton, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said in a statement. The two encountered each other and the man reportedly raised his gun and advanced on the deputy, who fired shots that struck the man, the statement said.

The subject was pronounced dead at the scene. The deputy was not injured.

No other information was immediately released.

Bureau agents are collecting evidence and conducting interviews to independently determine the events that led to the shooting.
ISLAMABAD (AP)  Taliban security forces in northern Afghanistan have unlawfully detained and tortured residents accused of association with an opposition armed group, the New York-based Human Rights Watch said Friday.

Fighting has escalated in Panjshir province since mid-May as anti-Taliban forces there attacked Taliban units and checkpoints, HRW said in a statement. The Taliban have responded by deploying thousands of fighters on search operations targeting communities they allege are supporting the opposition forces, the group added.

Taliban forces have committed summary executions and enforced disappearances of captured fighters and other detainees, which are war crimes," both in Panjshir and elsewhere in Afghanistan, it said.

The force fighting in the mountainous Panjshir Valley north of Kabul  a remote region that has defied conquerors before  rose out of the last remnants of Afghanistans shattered security forces. It has vowed to resist the Taliban after they overrun the country and seized power in Afghanistan in mid-August.

Nestled in the towering Hindu Kush range, the Panjshir Valley has a single narrow entrance. Local fighters held off the Soviets there in the 1980s, and the Taliban a decade later under the leadership of Ahmad Shah Massoud, a guerrilla fighter who attained near-mythic status before he was killed in a suicide bombing.

His 33-year-old foreign-educated son, Ahmad Massoud, and several top officials from the ousted Western-backed government have vowed to resist the Taliban.

Taliban forces in Panjshir province have quickly resorted to beating civilians in their response to fighting against the opposition National Resistance Front, said Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

The Talibans longstanding failure to punish those responsible for serious abuses in their ranks puts more civilians at risk, Gossman was quoted in the statement.

Taliban officials have not commented on the HRW statement. Their troops in Panjshir are under the command of the Taliban-appointed defense minister, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob. HRW said that Yaqoob stated in May that Afghanistan's new rulers will not allow anyone to disrupt security in the province.

Former detainees reported in early June that Taliban security forces detained about 80 residents in the province's Khenj district and beat them to compel them to provide information about the opposition forces, HRW said, citing an unnamed human rights advocate who has interviewed several former detainees and a person with direct information about Taliban detentions.

After several days, the Taliban released 70 of the captives but continue to hold 10 whose relatives they accuse of being members of the opposition force, according to the HRW statement.

Taliban forces in Panjshir have imposed collective punishment and disregarded protections to which detainees are entitled, Gossman said. This is just the latest example of Taliban abuses during fighting in the region.
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
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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."
(Alliance News) - Beowulf Mining PLC on Friday said that residents of an indigenous Swedish village near its Kallak project may take legal action against the Swedish government, which awarded an exploitation concession there.

Shares in the mineral exploration and development company were down 10% to 4.95 pence each in London on Friday midday.

In March, Beowulf said that its 100% owned mining company Jokkmokk Iron Mines AB won an exploitation concession for the Kallak North Iron Ore project in Sweden. This gave the mining company the green light to proceed with its plans for an iron ore mine in the area.

On Friday, Beowulf said that lawyers for the indigenous Sami village of Jahkagasska tjiellde had issued a press release announcing that they will take legal action against the Swedish government following its decision in March.

In the press release, the lawyers said that Jahkagasska tjiellde is the Sami village most affected by mining establishments in Kallak. They explained that the mine, which is planned to be in the middle of the Sami village's winter grazing area, will cut Jahkagasska tjiellde into two parts, having "devastating" consequences for reindeer husbandry. Further, in the long run, the establishment of a mine poses a threat to the Sami culture in the area, the lawyers added.

The Sami village said that a press conference will be called on June 15, where they are expected to describe how they will proceed.

Beowulf Chief Executive Kurt Budge said: "Last week, I wrote to the chairman of Jahkagasska tjiellde, with the wish to respectfully re-engage with him, to build a framework for ongoing good-faith dialogue and the joint development of an engagement agreement, which can establish the mutually agreed terms by which engagement and consultation will take place between us in relation to the Kallak project."

"The evidence in Sweden is that there are many industries that coexist with reindeer herding, mining being just one of them, that Sami culture and livelihoods are protected and wider society benefits. This will be the case at Kallak and good-faith dialogue is the way to proceed," Budge added.

By Sophie Rose; sophierose@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Botswana Diamonds PLC - exploration & project development company focused on Botswana and South Africa - and Gem Diamonds Ltd - London-based diamond miner - Parties say share sale agreement has now lapsed. In 2021, Gem Diamonds had agreed a binding share sale agreement with Okwa Diamons Pty Ltd to sell Gem Diamonds Botswana Proprietary Ltd, the owner of the Ghagoo diamond mine in Botswana. Okwa Diamonds is owned by Vast Resources PLC and Botswana Diamonds. Longstop date had been extended until Wednesday for Botswana Diamonds to find a joint-venture partner to replace Vast. Botswana Diamonds did not manage to secure a new JV partner by the deadline, thus the agreement has lapsed.

"Gem Diamonds have indicated their willingness to re-engage on substantially the same terms as the Agreement if BOD and a partner can finalise an agreement and accordingly, BOD is continuing its discussions with potential joint venture partners," says Botswana Diamonds.

Botswana Diamonds current stock price: 1.01 pence

12-month change: down 14%

Gem Diamonds current stock price: 60.00p

12-month change: down 14%

By Elizabeth Winter; elizabethwinter@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Value & Indexed Property Income Trust PLC - London-based investment manager for UK commercial properties - In the year ended March 31, pretax profit surges 71% to GBP21.4 million from GBP12.5 million. Rental income climbs slightly to GBP5.6 million from 5.4 million while investment income falls to GBP1.7 million from GBP3.4 million. Net assets at March 31 stand at GBP136.9 million, up from GBP118.1 million at the same time the previous year. Net asset value per share rises to 314.30 pence from 271.10p over the same time frame. Company's total return for the year from its property portfolio was 20.2% compared to 19.6% from the MSCI UK Quarterly Property Index, its comparator index. Portfolio value at March 31 jumps to GBP155.5 million from GBP80.6 million on the same date a year prior. Recommends a final dividend of 3.6p, bringing the total payout to 12.6p, an increase of 2.4% year-on-year.

Current stock price: 270.33 pence

12-month change: up 23%

By Heather Rydings; heatherrydings@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - Octopus Energy has made a last-minute bid in a three-way race to buy collapsed UK electricity and gas supplier Bulb, the Financial Times reported on Friday.

British Gas parent Centrica PLC and Masdar, an Abu Dhabi-based energy company, are also in talks with the UK government ahead of a month-end deadline, the FT reported, citing people familiar with the talks.

The government is expected of offer bidders a clear balance sheet with no debt, as well as a financial dowry to secure a deal, the newspaper said, citing two people close to the negotiations. However, the government has not proffered how much money it will inject, instead waiting to see what the three bidders offer.

https://www.ft.com/content/5737fc92-4772-451b-a555-7d227f9e9872?emailId=62a37e46df84e10004d6c52f&segmentId=3d08be62-315f-7330-5bbd-af33dc531acb

Britain's then-seventh biggest energy supplier Bulb, which provided gas or electricity to 1.7 million households, entered special administration in November as it was squeezed out of the market.

Bulb became the first energy supplier to rely on regulator Ofgem's special administration regime.

In the past Ofgem dealt with collapsed energy suppliers through its supplier-of-last-resort process, which simply moves thousands of customers from the failed company to another supplier. However the SoLR process had never dealt with a company as big as Bulb. Before Bulb, the biggest supplier to collapse was Avro Energy, which had 580,000 customers.

By Lucy Heming; lucyheming@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2022 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Believe it or not, the Republic of Turkey will change its name to Turkiye.

A request from Ankara, the Euro-Asian country's capital city, arrived at the UN about the possibility of switching the name of the country.

According to Stephane Dujarric, UN spokesman, the international organism received a letter from the Turkish minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

The letter requested a change in the name to Turkiye instead of Turkey.

"Together with our Directorate of Communications, we have been successful in preparing a good ground for this," the letter reads.

"We have made it possible for the UN and other international organizations, countries to see this change to using 'Turkiye'," Cavusoglu said to the media.

Why is Turkey changing its name?

According to reports, the country that occupies European and Asian territories decided to change its official name in English to Turkiye.

Last year, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wrote a memo saying, "Turkiye is accepted as an umbrella brand for our country in national and international venues."

"Turkiye is the best representation and expression of the Turkish people's culture, civilization, and values."

Erdogan wants to apply the change to all products coming from the country.

There will be no more confusion for English speakers to referencing the country and the animal.
The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain a plea by MBBS students seeking a stray round of counselling for admission in NEET-PG, 2021, as 1,456 seats were still vacant.

A bench comprising Justices M.R. Shah and Aniruddha Bose said nine rounds of counselling have been conducted so far and a fresh counselling at this stage would delay the academic session.

The top court said the quality of medical education cannot be compromised which affects public health. It further added that petitioners are not entitled to relief, and if a relief is granted now then it may affect medical education and public health.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court orally observed that there should be a limit for every exercise and admissions made after 1.5 years might compromise medical education and health of the people, while reserving order on pleas seeking a special stray round of counselling for NEET-PG 2021, to fill vacant seats.

The top court said there must be a limit on the number of rounds of counselling to fill vacant seats. "Since many years, the seats have remained vacant and it's not for the very first time....There has to be a limit for every exercise, and seats may remain vacant even after 10 rounds," said Justice Shah.

The bench further added that after 8 or 9 rounds of counselling, the seats are still vacant and students cannot claim rights after 1.5 years. "Can it be said now that after 1.5 years, you will be given admission and compromise the health of people," the bench orally remarked.

Noting that it's a three-year course, the bench added, "There cannot be any compromise with education.... Suppose you're hungry for six months, can you eat everything in 1 day? No...education is like that."

The Centre's counsel submitted that those who qualified NEET PG-2021 have already started attending classes since February, and if vacant seats are filled up now then they would be behind the class for over six months. He further pointed out that teachers would also have to teach the students who will come in NEET PG 2022.

The Centre's counsel clarified that out of 1,456 vacant seats, the majority are in non-clinical or teaching, and nobody wants to go into the teaching area, and also nobody came for the deposits. "These are seats taken, but admission not taken," added Additional Solicitor General Balbir Singh, representing the central government.

The top court order came on the pleas by MBBS students seeking a stray round of counselling for admission in NEET-PG, 2021, to fill over 1,400 vacant seats.
Emergency services were briefly disrupted at a hospital in the national capital after a quarrel ensued over an ECG test being conducted in an inappropriate manner, an official said on Friday.

According to the official, a PCR call regarding the quarrel at Madan Mohan Malviya hospital was received at Malviya Nagar police station on Thursday after which the police staff immediately rushed to the spot.

When the police reached the said hospital, the caller, a woman from Panchsheel Vihar, said that there was a dispute over conducting ECG.

"She stated that she got an electric shock during the day time and came to the hospital for medical treatment. The doctor advised her to get the ECG test conducted. While the ECG was being conducted the male nurse asked her to remove cloth near her heart area, she misunderstood this and got angry," Deputy Commissioner of Police Benita Mary Jaiker said.

It is at this juncture, the woman along with her husband started shouting and other patients also gathered. "A PCR call was made regarding obstructing and closing of emergency services," the senior official said.

The agitated woman then told the police that she would give her written complaint in the morning and left from there. The Chief Medical Officer of the hospital also confirmed that the dispute was regarding ECG.

"The emergency services are running smoothly. Legal action will be taken if any complaint is received," the official added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a decree imposing personal sanctions on his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and a number of other high-ranking officials in Moscow.

The decree signed on Thursday came in approval of a decision taken by the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, reports Ukrayinska Pravda.

The sanctions list comprise a total of 35 Russian figures, and some of the important ones include Secretary of Russia's Security Council Nikolai Patrushev, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Sanctions include bans on entry to Ukraine; revocation of visas and permits; revocation of state awards of Ukraine; revocation of all issued licences and permits; blocking of financial assets; and a ban on transportation of property belonging to the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine.

In addition, Zelensky also signed a decree imposing sanctions on Russian universities and their leaders.

The list includes, in particular, Moscow State University named after Mikhail Lomonosov, Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Saint Petersburg State University and National Research University Higher School of Economics.

In total, 236 Russian universities were included in the list, Ukrayinska Pravda reported.

Ukrainian educational, cultural and state institutions must sever all ties and agreements concluded with Russian universities listed by the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine.
AVIS DE RECRUTEMENT INTERNE ET EXTERNE

Chef de projet  Glencore DRC

Fiche demploi

Nous recherchons un chef de projet experimente(e) pour gerer lorganisation de projets cles de developpement commercial pour les activites de Glencore Copper en Republique democratique du Congo.

En tant que chef de projet, votre travail consistera a coordonner les personnes, les processus et les ressources pour vous assurer que nos projets sont livres a temps et produisent les resultats souhaites. Vous serez la personne de reference pour tout ce qui concerne lorganisation et le calendrier des projets.

Principales responsabilites

Coordonner les ressources internes pour lexecution sans faille des projets

Sassurer que tous les projets sont livres a temps, dans les limites de la portee et du budget

Communiquer avec les principales parties prenantes afin dassurer lalignement et la coordination.

Taches

Coordonner les ressources internes et les tiers pour lexecution sans faille des projets

Sassurer que tous les projets sont livres a temps, dans les limites de la portee et du budget

Developper les champs dapplication et les objectifs du projet, impliquer toutes les parties prenantes concernees et assurer la faisabilite technique

Assurer la disponibilite et lallocation des ressources

Elaborer un plan de projet detaille pour suivre les progres

Utiliser des techniques de verification appropriees pour gerer les changements dans la portee, le calendrier et les couts du projet

Mesurer le rendement du projet a laide de systemes, doutils et de techniques appropries

Signaler et transmettre a la direction au besoin

Gerer la relation avec toutes les parties prenantes internes et externes

Effectuer la gestion des risques pour minimiser les risques du projet

Etablir et maintenir des relations avec toutes les parties prenantes

Creer et tenir a jour une documentation de projet complete

Assister Le Vice-President  Developpement des affaires au besoin.

Structure hierarchique

Vous releverez du vice-president  Developpement des affaires (Glencore DRC).

Exigences academiques

Un baccalaureat dans un domaine pertinent

Une qualification detudes superieures en affaires serait avantageuse

Competences et experience

Experience de travail averee en tant quadministrateur de projet

Un minimum de 7 ans dexperience dans le domaine de la gestion de projet ou toute autre experience pertinente

Excellentes competences en communication et en contact avec les clients

en communication et en contact avec les clients Excellentes competences en communication ecrite et verbale en anglais et en Francais

Solides competences organisationnelles, y compris lattention aux details et les competences multitaches

Excellentes competences en budgetisation et en gestion des couts

Solide connaissance pratique de Microsoft Office et MS Project en particulier

Autres exigences

Le role sera base a Kinshasa, en Republique democratique du Congo (RDC) avec plusieurs voyages a linterieur du pays.

La preference sera donnee aux ressortissants de la Republique democratique du Congo (RDC) et aux membres de la diaspora congolaise en general.

Le titulaire doit avoir la capacite de maintenir la confidentialite sur toutes les questions.

Le titulaire doit avoir la capacite de travailler au sein dune equipe.

Le titulaire devra se conformer aux valeurs de lentreprise.

Pour postuler

Les candidatures doivent etre adresse au Responsable des Ressources Humaines de Glencore DRC via ladresse electronique de recrutement suivante GDRC.Recruitment@glencore.com

Le dossier de candidature comprend une lettre de motivation accompagnee dun Curriculum Vitae (CV) et dune copie de diplome.

NB : La lettre de motivation ainsi que le courriel envoye doivent avoir pour objet le poste de recrutement.

Seuls les candidats retenus passeront le concours de selection et linterview. Les dossiers des candidats non retenus seront conserves dans la base de donnees de lentreprise pour un delai de six mois.

La date limite de depot des candidatures est le 15 juillet 2022

--------------- ANGLAIS ----------------

Project Manager - Glencore DRC

Job brief

We are looking for an experienced Project Manager to manage organization of key Business development projects for Glencore Copper activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

As Project Manager, your job will be to coordinate people, processes and resources to ensure that our projects are delivered on time and produce the desired results. You will be the go-to person for everything involving a projects organization and timeline.

Key responsibilities

 Coordinating internal resources for the flawless execution of projects

 Ensuring that all projects are delivered on-time, within scope and within budget

 Communicating to key stakeholders in order to ensure alignment and coordination.

Tasks

 Coordinate internal resources and third parties for the flawless execution of projects

 Ensure that all projects are delivered on-time, within scope and within budget

 Developing project scopes and objectives, involving all relevant stakeholders and ensuring technical feasibility

 Ensure resource availability and allocation

 Develop a detailed project plan to track progress

 Use appropriate verification techniques to manage changes in project scope, schedule and costs

 Measure project performance using appropriate systems, tools and techniques

 Report and escalate to management as needed

 Manage the relationship with all internal and external stakeholders

 Perform risk management to minimize project risks

 Establish and maintain relationships with all stakeholders

 Create and maintain comprehensive project documentation

 Provide assistance to the Vice President  Business Development when required.

Reporting structure

 You will be reporting to the Vice President  Business Development (Glencore DRC).

Academic requirements

 A Bachelors Degree in any relevant field

 A Post Graduate Business Qualification would be advantageous

Skills & Experience

 Proven working experience as a project administrator

 A Minimum of 7 Years of experience in the field of Project Management or other relevant experience

 Excellent client-facing and communication skills

 Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and French

 Solid organizational skills including attention to detail and multi-tasking skills

 Excellent Budgeting and cost management skills

 Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office and MS Project in particular

Other Requirements

 The role will be based in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with several travels within the country.

 Preference will be given to nationals of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and members of the Congolese Diaspora at large.

 The incumbent must have the ability to maintain confidentiality on all matters.

 The incumbent must have the ability to work within a team.

 The incumbent will have to comply to the company values.
NASAs independent study team will examine unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) from a scientific perspective. It 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.

UAPs, popularly known as UFOs, are observations of events in the sky that cannot be identified as aircraft or known natural phenomena. They 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 NASAs goals to ensure the safety of aircraft.

NASA believes that the tools of scientific discovery are powerful and apply here also, said Dr. Thomas Zurbuchen, the associate administrator for science at NASA Headquarters.

We have access to a broad range of observations of Earth from space  and that is the lifeblood of scientific inquiry.

We have the tools and team who can help us improve our understanding of the unknown.

Thats the very definition of what science is. Thats what we do.

The UAP study team will be led by Dr. David Spergel, an astrophysicist and president of the Simons Foundation.

Dr. Daniel Evans, the assistant deputy associate administrator for research at NASAs Science Mission Directorate, will serve as the NASA official responsible for orchestrating the study.

Given the paucity of observations, our first task is simply to gather the most robust set of data that we can, Dr. Spergel said.

We will be identifying what data  from civilians, government, non-profits, companies  exists, what else we should try to collect, and how to best analyze it.

The UAP study is expected to take about nine months to complete.

It will secure the counsel of experts in the scientific, aeronautics, and data analytics communities to focus on how best to collect new data and improve observations of the aerial phenomena.

Consistent with NASAs principles of openness, transparency, and scientific integrity, this report will be shared publicly, Dr. Evans said.

All of NASAs data are available to the public  we take that obligation seriously  and we make it easily accessible for anyone to see or study.

_____

This article is based on text provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Shenzhou-14 taikonauts to conduct 24 medical experiments in space

Xinhua) 09:36, June 10, 2022

BEIJING, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Taikonauts of the Shenzhou-14 crew will carry out 24 in-orbit medical experiments during their six-month stay in China's space station, according to the China Manned Space Agency on Thursday.

These space medical experiments are mainly designed to study how the weightless environment and spaceflights affect taikonauts, said Li Yinghui, deputy chief designer of China's manned space program taikonaut system.

Compared with previous crewed missions, the Shenzhou-14 will collect body fluid samples, including taikonauts' blood, urine, and saliva. The trio will also use non-invasive optical methods to measure muscle loss and analyze urine metabolites.

Li also noted that the body data collected by the previous Shenzhou-12 and Shenzhou-13 taikonauts has laid a good foundation for subsequent research by the Shenzhou-14 crew.

China on June 5 launched the three-person Shenzhou-14 mission, which is the third crew for the country's space station project. The taikonaut trio will cooperate with the ground team to complete the assembly and construction of the Tiangong space station. They will also work in its experiment cabinets for scientific exploration of life, ecology, and biotechnology.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu)
Tower announces the conditional sale of all of its shares in its Papua New Guinea subsidiary to Alpha Insurance Limited. The sale price is AUD $7.9m, subject to settlement adjustments. The sale is expected to occur in FY22.

In the financial year to 30 September 2021, Tower Insurance (PNG) Limited generated gross written premiums of NZD $8.7m and net profit after tax of NZD $0.9m. As at 30 September 2021, it had net assets of NZD $4.7m.

Tower Chief Executive Blair Turnbull says the sale delivers good value to shareholders and will enable Tower to accelerate its strategy of streamlining and modernising its Pacific business operation.

We remain committed to our Pacific operations in Tonga, Samoa, American Samoa, the Cook Islands, the Solomon Islands, Fiji and Vanuatu.

In reviewing our Pacific business we identified that these seven territories offer the best alignment for progressing our digital strategy in terms of existing technology development, digital payments capabilities, and the balanced mix of commercial and personal lines customers.

We are continuing to invest in streamlining our Pacific corporate structure, rationalising our product set and completing the transition to Towers leading cloud-based technology platform across the Pacific by the end of 2022, he said.

In December 2021, Tower completed the acquisition of its subsidiary National Pacific Insurance Limited (NPI) which operates across Tonga, American Samoa and Samoa. Tower has begun the process of rebranding NPI to Tower.

Our Papua New Guinea subsidiary has performed well and delivered solid results. We expect the company to continue to thrive under Alpha Insurances ownership, said Mr Turnbull.

Alpha Insurance provides a range of personal and business insurance products to the Papua New Guinea market.

Alpha Insurance Managing Director, Bruce Avenell said, We are looking forward to welcoming our new staff and customers to the Alpha Group and to our comprehensive range of insurance products.

We know Tower has many long-term and loyal customers who are very important to us, and we look forward to continuing our relationship with them. Towers Papua New Guinea employees will also be warmly welcomed by the Alpha Group, he said.

Mr Turnbull said, Tower has operated in Papua New Guinea since 1980 and we have enjoyed our connection to Papua New Guineas people and culture over the years. On behalf of Tower, I would like to extend our sincere thanks to our Papua New Guinea staff and customers for their ongoing support and loyalty.

Following completion of the sale, Alpha Insurance will utilise Towers brand as it undertakes a rebranding process for up to three months. Tower will also provide transitional services to Alpha Insurance for up to six months after the completion date.

The transaction is subject to receipt of clearance or authorisation from the Independent Consumer & Competition Commission in Papua New Guinea and any approval necessary under the Insurance Act 1995 (Papua New Guinea). It is also subject to Alpha Insurance obtaining finance to complete the purchase in Australian dollars and Tower obtaining all necessary internal approvals.

Any Papua New Guinea Tower customers with queries can call Tower Insurance in Papua New Guinea on +675 321 1388 or email service.centre@towerinsurance.com.pg for more information.

ENDS

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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.
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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
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Ubly's John Smigielski has been a funeral director for 60 years, a milestone recently recognized by the Michigan Funeral Directors Association.

"If you hit 60, boy, you're an old codger who's been around," he said.

His dedication stems from a deeper place than professional interest. For him, it isn't just a job, but a way to help those in mourning.

Smigielski was raised in the business; his parents and grandparents had funeral homes in Detroit in an area called Poletown. His mother was the first Polish funeral director in Michigan, when she inherited her father's business. However, they were forced to close when their area of Poletown was demolished in the 1960s.

For 11 years, Smigielski worked in different funeral homes in Royal Oak and Utica, before finally buying his own business in 1981, when Earnest Zinger sold his Ubly funeral home.

Moving his family to Huron County, Smigielski then bought a second funeral home in Minden City, which his son operated until his death in October 2019. At the time, Michigan law didn't allow him to keep the funeral home without his son's license, so he closed the Minden City business and focused on the one in Ubly.

Being a funeral director holds more for Smigielski than just another job or a family legacy; it lets him be of help to those in dire crisis.

At Wayne State University, from which he graduated in 1962, Smigielski studied psychology and processing grief, an essential discipline for becoming a mortician. It doesn't make him a psychologist, but it gives him the knowledge to help those grieving get through that grief.

"It's not just a job," he said. "Otherwise, I wouldn't open up my own funeral home."

It also helps that he operates in a small town, where he's likely to already know those who are in mourning. He's seen them at the grocery store and on the street, so these people are like his neighbors.

"That's where you get to meet people; that's where you get to help them," he said.

Working with Smigielski as his apprentice is Seth Zinger. Although a very distant relative of the same Earnest Zinger from whom Smigielski bought the business, Zinger also has very personal reasons for becoming a mortician. When he was a child, his friend was hit by a train and he saw the terrible aftermath.

"I went to his funeral, open casket, and it wasn't some unrecognizable person in the casket, it was him," he recalled.

He decided then that he wanted to do that, to send off the departed as well as he could, to the best of his ability.
MECOSTA COUNTY  People can overlook others drowning if they dont know how to spot it.

Dave Benjamin is the co-founder of Great Lakes Surf Rescue project. The nonprofit was started when the founder, Bob Pratt, witnessed coast guard searching for a drowning victim while out with his son, Benjamin said. He was brought on as a co-founder after he survived his own drowning.

When a person drowns, he said theyre vertical in water with their face just above water. It can go unnoticed.

Thats why its so important to know what drowning looks like, especially in open bodies of water like Lake Michigan," Benjamin said. "If theres waves and dangerous currents at the time of the incident, its like a moving needle in a moving haystack to be able to find them and get them out of the water.

If you find yourself beginning to drown, he said to follow flip, float, and follow. Flip onto your back, float to conserve energy, and find a path out of where you are. He said floating is the most important step.

Because of how common it is for someone to drown, Benjamin argued that people should refer to drownings differently. The World Health Organization defines drowning as any time someone cant breathe while submerged in a liquid whether it would be fatal or non-fatal.

For example, media often refers to car crashes as non-fatal car crash, while drownings are near-drownings, he said.

Its like if I survived a car crash, you wouldnt call it a near-car crash, he said. Youd call it a car crash, and I got lucky that I survived.

To help those that are drowning, Benjamin said his organization is working to support legislation to require life rings at every waterfront to help save lives, he said. Illinois recently signed a law requiring life rings at every waterfront and beach.

"We would like to see that in other states to follow in the Great Lakes area, because right now its kind of hit or miss whether a beach has rescue equipment or not," Benjamin said.

During Memorial Day weekend, drownings increase by 71% from last year, he said.
Cannasouth Limiteds (NZX: CBD ) 2022 Annual Shareholder Meeting will be held on Tuesday, 28 June 2022, commencing at 11.00am, at the offices of Link Market Services Limited, Level 30, PWC Commercial Bay, 15 Customs Street West, Auckland.

The formal notice of the Annual Shareholder Meeting, including the explanatory notes for each resolution, and Voting Form are attached.

The Notice of Meeting and Voting Form will be emailed to shareholders who have provided the companys share registrar with an email address and mailed in hard copy where the companys share registrar does not have an email address. Electronic copies of these documents are also available on the companys website, https://www.cannasouth.co.nz/investors/key-dates/

-ENDS-

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MANISTEE  June is lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and/or queer Pride month, and the second Pride in the Park event in Manistee will take place on June 25.

The event will be held from noon-2 p.m. at the old Rocket Park across from the dog run at First Street Beach.

Pride in the Park was well attended last year, with 200 people coming to the event, according to Jess Stallings, who is organizing the event.

Stallings will partner with Manistee Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, also known as PFLAG, as well as the Manistee Area Racial Justice and Diversity initiative for the event.

The event is family-friendly. There will be table and lawn games, and a donation jar for those who want to contribute to PFLAG.

Stallings said the event is free to attend and is designed to provide a safe space for LGBTQ+ people, but is also open to everyone.

Origin of LGBTQ+ Pride

The original purpose of LGBTQ+ Pride Month in the United States is to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Riots.

According to History.com, "the Stonewall Riots, also called the Stonewall Uprising, began in the early hours of June 28, 1969 when New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club located in Greenwich Village in New York City."

The events have been said to mark the beginning of the civil rights movement for LGBTQ+ people.

History.com expands on the uprising's importance in America and across the world.

"The raid sparked a riot among bar patrons and neighborhood residents as police roughly hauled employees and patrons out of the bar, leading to six days of protests and violent clashes with law enforcement outside the bar on Christopher Street, in neighboring streets and in nearby Christopher Park. The Stonewall Riots served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world."
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BANGKOK (AP)  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.

I can say it out loud, that I am a cannabis smoker. I dont need to hide like in the past when it was branded as a illegal drug, said 24-year-old Rittipong Bachkul, the days first customer. Marijuana is also known as cannabis or ganja in Thailand.

As far as the government is concerned, its 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 its 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.

Thailands 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.

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 whats 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.

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.

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 Thailands 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.

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.
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MANISTEE COUNTY  Visitors to the upper Manistee River may come in contact with a thick, brown mucus clinging to rocks and trees under the surface.

Didymo  otherwise known as rock snot owing to its unpleasant appearance  is a kind of algae that continues to spread in the upper Manistee River.

The algae was first reported last fall, but it continues to plague popular fishing locations in the river, according to a report by the Michigan State University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Didymo tends to grow in clear, shallow, moderately flowing freshwater streams with rocky substrate. Although it is usually microscopic, strands can grow up to six inches thick.

Didymo is not harmful to humans, but it makes swimming and boating more difficult and can trap sediment which feeds trout.

Didymo is native to northern regions of Europe, Asia and North America in places like Lake Superior and parts of Canada, according to Michigans Invasive Species Grant Program.

While cells have been documented in the Great Lakes Basin and throughout Michigan waters in low abundance, their nuisance blooms have impacted waterways since first appearing in St. Marys River in 2015.

Researchers are still working to figure out what triggers nuisance blooms.

Scientists believe this could be because of changing environmental conditions, or it could be didymo spreading to new waterways on fishing gear which is the common way nuisance species spread, reads part of a MSU press release.

Didymo can survive for 40 days in dark, cool and damp conditions on things like angling equipment, neoprene and felt-soled waders and boots, according to the release.

Right now, didymo is a big puzzle with a lot of people working to address it. We need to find out why its showing up where it is and more importantly, how best to decontaminate gear to prevent it from spreading, stated Ann Miller, an aquatic biologist and Manistee River angler, in the release. ... many local fishing guides are doing their best to avoid the stretch of the Manistee where didymo is blooming, but fishing is their livelihood.

How to help

There is no effective method to eradicate didymo from the environment, according to the MSU college of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

To prevent spreading it and other nuisance species, the college says it's critical for recreational users to decontaminate their equipment after leaving a waterway.

Decontamination means cleaning, draining and drying everything that has entered the water. Didymo, like many nuisance and invasive species, is not always visible so wiping down equipment is beneficial, even if you cannot see it. For didymo, a study has shown that soaking equipment for one minute in hot water or a chemical disinfectant such as bleach (diluted to 2% strength) or soapy water (5% solution) is an effective cleaning technique.

To prevent spreading didymo and other aquatic invasive species to new locations, it is critical for recreational users to thoroughly clean, drain and dry waders, equipment and boats upon leaving a waterway, according to the Michigan DNR.

 Clean by removing mud and debris from all surfaces.

 Drain water from all bilges, wells and tanks.

 Dry equipment for at least five days if possible, before going to a new body of water or disinfect with hot water or a dilute bleach solution.

Other tips to consider if you are fishing in water with a known didymo population is to plan time to decontaminate between trips; avoid going to multiple rivers in a single day; and design specific gear for use only in infested water.

Visit Michigan State University Extensions Michigan Clean Boats, Clean Waters program for more information on preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species on boating and fishing equipment.

Whats being done

Since 2015, the Michigan Invasive Species Grant Program has supported researchers at Lake Superior State Universitys Center for Freshwater Research and Education in a study of occurrences of didymo in the St. Marys River and Upper Peninsula, the risk of spread and why nuisance blooms are increasing.

In spring 2022, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy conducted targeted samplings high-use access sites on the Manistee, Little Manistee, Au Sable (Main, North, South, and East branches), Pine, Betsie, Platte, Boardman, Muskegon, Black, Pigeon, Pere Marquette, Baldwin and Rogue rivers and found no additional infested areas.

New signs are being installed at access sites on trout streams across northern Michigan.

Report didymo sightings

If you observe didymo in the water, either as small, cotton ball-sized patches or thick blankets with rope-like strings that flow in currents, take photos, note the location and report it by using the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network, available online at MISIN.MSU.edu or as a downloadable smartphone app. Creating an account is necessary in order to file a report.

Additionally, didymo can be reported by emailing the location and photos to egle-wrd-aip@michigan.gov. The United States Geological Survey also maintains a Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database that accepts reports from the public.

Find more information on didymo and how to identify it at Michigan.gov/Invasives.
MIDDLETOWN  The Connecticut State Department of Veterans Affairs and Connecticut Funeral Directors Association will hold a military funeral ceremony June 17 for four veterans unclaimed cremains.

The public is invited to the 10:30 a.m. event at the State Veterans Cemetery at 317 Bow Lane in Middletown. It will take place rain or shine.

Two of these individuals served in the U.S. Army; one in the U.S. Marine Corps, and another in the U.S. Navy. A civilian spouse will also be honored, according to a press release.

DVA Commissioner Thomas J. Saadi will lead the ceremony, supported by the directors of a number of funeral homes across the state, Connecticut National Guard, and Connecticut Patriot Guard Riders, the agency said.

Saadi, CFDA President David W. MacDonald, and other dignitaries will deliver remarks during the event, which will include the posthumous presentation of Connecticut Wartime Service Medals.

At 9:40 a.m., state police and Patriot Guard Riders will escort three hearses containing the cremains from the DVA Rocky Hill campus, the news release said.

Those to be recognized are Pfc. Robert Bensonn and Cpl. Loren Milton Cubbison Jr., both of whom died in New Haven; CPT David L. Groher, and RD3 Morris Meyer his wife Cornelia Meyer, who all died in Bridgeport.

This is the eighth such ceremony held since 2009, when the state established new protocols to identify unclaimed, cremated remains of honorably discharged U.S. veterans in Connecticut funeral homes with the goal of providing them a dignified burial with full military honors, the statement said.

For information, visit portal.ct.gov/DVA and CTFDA.org.
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LOS ANGELES (AP)  President Joe Biden avoided challenging Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro over his upcoming election and handling of the Amazon rainforest during the public portion of their first-ever meeting Thursday, while the Brazilian leader sounded a more defensive tone in addressing those issues.

The two had never met, or even spoken, before they took their seats in a room at the Los Angeles Convention Center, where Biden has been hosting a weeklong summit of leaders from the Western Hemisphere.

During the public portion of their meeting, Biden praised Brazil's vibrant, inclusive democracy and strong electoral institutions," a show of support for a system Bolsonaro often criticizes.

Bolsonaro, who is up for reelection this year and faces a challenge from one of his predecessors, has been repeating baseless claims about his country's voting systems in what some Brazilian analysts see as an attempt by Bolsonaro to cast doubt on the outcome if he loses in October.

Bolsonaro raised his upcoming election himself, striking a defensive tone as he did so.

We do wish to have honest, clean, transparent, auditable, reliable elections so that there is no shadow of a doubt whatsoever following the elections, he said in Portuguese through a translator.

I came to office through democracy and I am quite certain that when I leave office it will also be through democratic means," Bolsonaro said.

Biden, who has been on the receiving end of baseless claims by former President Donald Trump that he lost to Biden because the election was stolen, has made promoting democratic institutions at home and abroad a core feature of his presidency.

Bolsonaro supported Trump, and was one of the last world leaders to congratulate Biden, waiting more than a month after the November 2020 election to do so.

The U.S. and Brazilian leaders met about an hour before a U.S. congressional committee in Washington opened the first in a series of televised public hearings into the violent attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, by angry supporters of Trump, who sought to delay certification of Bidens defeat of the Republican in the November 2020 presidential election.

Before the meeting, Bolsonaro told journalists that it wasn't supposed to happen.

I wasnt expected to come here. They sent a special envoy and we set the agenda, he told journalists outside his Los Angeles hotel, speaking of the U.S. It is well set, so we will show up. It is like a marriage; you accept my flaws, I accept yours and lets be happy.

Bolsonaro had said he would attend the U.S.-hosted Summit of the Americas only if Biden agreed to a private meeting and also refrained from confronting him over some of the most contentious issues between them, three Brazilians Cabinet ministers told The Associated Press this week.

He did not want to be criticized over Amazon deforestation or warned about his questioning of the Brazilian electoral systems reliability as he prepares to campaign for reelection, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they werent authorized to speak publicly..

But Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, told U.S. reporters who accompanied Biden to Los Angeles that no topic is ever off limits for the president. Sullivan said he anticipated that Biden would discuss open, free, fair and transparent democratic elections and that climate, including protecting the Amazon, would be among the topics of conversation.

In the meeting, Biden also offered kind words for Bolsonaro's handling of the Amazon rainforest, praising Brazil for making some real sacrifices to protect the vast natural resource.

But Biden also suggested theres more that can be done.

I think the rest of the world should be able to help you preserve as much as you can, Biden said.

As a candidate for office, Biden had criticized Brazil for rising deforestation in the Amazon. After Biden took office, Bolsonaros administration worked to demonstrate commitment to reining in the destruction. Efforts included stepping up its pledges at the U.N. climate talks in Glasgow, Scotland, last year, and regular bilateral meetings with U.S. authorities.

But those conversations have stalled as data show continued deforestation. The most recent annual reading was the worst in 15 years. Bolsonaro has vowed to introduce mining, logging and other industries to the Amazon.

Addressing the Amazon, Bolsonaro again sounded defensive, telling Biden that at times we feel threatened in our sovereignty in that region of the country. But the fact is that Brazil does very well preserve its territory.

Biden and Bolsonaro, presidents of the hemispheres two largest democracies, met for about 45 minutes, the White House said. They did not shake hands in front of journalists who witnessed their public comments.

Unlike during a meeting Biden had earlier Thursday with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the U.S. and Brazilian delegations wore face coverings.

A member of Bolsonaro's delegation had tested positive for COVID-19 and missed the meeting, a White House official said. Since other members of the delegation were considered close contacts, the official said, the Brazilians were asked to wear masks and U.S. officials did the same.

The White House official requested anonymity to discuss the planning for the meeting.

Bolsonaro himself had flouted health restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic and proudly insisted he would not get vaccinated against the virus. He continues to say he has not received the vaccine, and has had his vaccination record sealed for 100 years.

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Superville reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Mauricio Savares in Sao Paolo, Brazil, contributed to this report.
Gary Skalaban, 44, of 52 Irving St., Bristol, was arrested on a warrant Wednesday and charged with two counts of sexual assault in a cohabitational relationship, two counts of risk of injury to a minor and one count of third-degree assault. Skalaban was arrested by city police while at Middlesex Superior Court on an unrelated matter, Lt. Louis Tosto said.The charges stem from a Dec. 7, 2001 incident.

During the arraignment, the judge set Skalaban's bond at $35,000 and a full protective order was issued. The public defender was appointed to represent Skalaban, court officials said. Skalaban is scheduled to appear in court Dec. 4, and the matter is being reviewed by the higher court for more serious crimes.
At the first prime-time hearing on Thursday evening of the congressional committee assembled to investigate the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, lawmakers focused their attention on the key role that extremist groups, led largely by veterans of the American military, played in the destruction and mayhem of that day.

Rep. Elizabeth Cheney, R-Wyo., previewed that the committee, which plans to unfurl the details of its investigation over six hearings, will "show specifically how a group of Proud Boys led a mob into the Capitol building on January 6."

The testimony served to underscore the importance of an indictment for seditious conspiracy that was leveled against five leaders of the group just days prior. Members of both the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, organizations that have made specific appeals to veterans to join and have been labeled extremist by the Southern Poverty Law Center and others, have faced the most serious charges from prosecutors that centered on accusations of sedition.

Read Next: Veterans Make Up Most of Proud Boys Members Indicted on Sedition for Jan. 6 Violence

The hearing, which lasted just under two hours, featured videos of not only testimony given to the committee but also explanations from investigators who were working for lawmakers.

"President Trump tweeted about the January 6 rally and told attendees, 'Be there. Will be wild,'" Marcus Childress, investigative counsel for the committee, explained in a video played during the hearing. "The extremists took this a step further: They viewed this tweet as a call to arms."

The Proud Boys' organization for the Jan. 6 attack began a day after that Dec. 19 tweet, Childress said.

Underlying all those plans and machinations is the fact that many of the people involved were former service members. Of the 16 people between the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys that the government has now charged with sedition crimes stemming from Jan. 6, nine served in the military. One of the Proud Boys -- Joseph Biggs -- was an Army combat veteran with a Purple Heart.

Biggs was one of the first people to break past police barricades, but he also spent 12 years in the Army and did two combat deployments as an artilleryman, earning several personal achievement awards and a Combat Action Badge.

"What we saw in the lead-up to Jan. 6 was that [veterans] were the ones making the decisions about how the group was going to behave, how it was going to organize on Jan. 6," Michael Jensen, a senior researcher at the University of Maryland who studies extremism, previously told Military.com.

While experts note that there's no evidence suggesting veterans or active service members are more or less likely to join extremist groups, they are more likely to be targeted for recruitment because of their tactical knowledge and the inherent social credibility they carry. And they tend to assume leadership positions quickly.

The Proud Boys allegedly assembled at least 100 people in the Washington, D.C., region, complete with radios and a command structure; marched on the Capitol; and became the vanguard for the destruction and mayhem that left more than 100 police officers injured and caused $1.5 million in damages, according to the indictment and a government watchdog report.

The Oath Keepers members broke into two stacks on the day -- a military term for a formation of people grouped in a line with their hands on the shoulders of the person in front of them -- and joined the mob pushing past police barricades and breaching the Capitol. Prosecutors allege that, once inside the building, some of them began searching for Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

"I documented the crowd [of Proud Boys] turning from protesters, to rioters, to insurrectionists," Nick Quested, a documentary filmmaker who followed members of the Proud Boys during the Capitol riot, told the committee Thursday.

"I was surprised at the size of the group, the anger and the profanity," he added.

The group was a fan of the former president, and Donald Trump had even seemingly directly addressed them during the first presidential debate in September 2020. When asked to condemn white supremacy and the Proud Boys, Trump told them to "stand back and stand by," which was widely seen as tacit approval of the group.

Jeremy Bertino, a Proud Boy who testified before the committee's investigators, said that this one quote increased their membership "exponentially." "I would say triple probably, with the potential for a lot more eventually," he said on a video played during the hearing.

There was even a brief moment where the quote made it onto shirts in the group's distinct black and yellow color pattern.

"One of the vendors on my page actually beat me to it, but ... I wish I would have made a stand back, standby shirt," another Proud Boy said in a video played during the hearing.

The committee also gave more evidence of the ties between the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers. Childress played a video that showed the leaders of the two groups -- Enrique Tarrio and Stewart Rhodes -- meeting in a parking garage the night before the riot.

After the video of the meeting, the committee played a clip of Tarrio, who said that "there's mutual respect there."

"I think we're fighting the same fight, and that's what's important," he added.

As that meeting was happening, Oath Keepers from three different states were wheeling cart after cart of weapons and ammunition through the Comfort Inn Ballston hotel, located in Virginia, just a stone's throw from the Pentagon, according to the indictment filed against 11 members, including Rhodes, in January.

The militia group's guns were stashed in several hotel rooms and in cars parked outside, along with enough food and water to last 30 days. The plan was to respond with force and arms when "the President calls us up as part of the militia to to [sic] assist him inside DC," Rhodes envisioned, according to the indictment. Others in the group discussed a full-blown civil war.

While these groups were executing their plans, Cheney said that it was Vice President Mike Pence, not Trump, who was pleading with military leaders to send troops to the Capitol.

"Not only did President Trump refuse to tell the mob to leave the Capitol, he placed no call to any element of the United States government to instruct that the Capitol be defended," Cheney said.

Instead, according to audio testimony from Gen. Mark Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Meadows told him that "We have to kill the narrative that the vice president is making all the decisions," while describing Pence as insistent that troops move to protect lawmakers immediately.

"We need to establish the narrative that, you know, that the president is still in charge and that things are steady or stable," Milley said Meadows told him. "I immediately interpreted that as Politics, Politics, Politics -- red flag for me, personally."

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin.

Related: Inside the Oath Keepers' Plan for an Armed Takeover of the US Capitol
Another military aircraft has crashed in the desert around El Centro, California -- the third in the region in seven days. It comes less than 48 hours after an MV-22B Osprey crash killed five Marines in the same area.

On Thursday, a Navy MH-60S Seahawk was conducting a routine training flight from Naval Air Facility El Centro when it crashed at around 6 p.m. local time, the service said in a press release. A social media post from the facility said the crash was located about 35 miles north of Yuma, Arizona.

In an update released in the early hours of Friday, the Navy said that all four of the aircrew on board the helicopter survived, though one sailor suffered "non-life threatening injuries" and had to be taken to a nearby hospital.

Read Next: Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, Extremist Groups that Target Vets for Recruiting, at the Center of Jan. 6 Investigation

The Seahawk was assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 3, based at Naval Air Station North Island, California.

Although this incident appears to have ended without serious injury, the crash caps off a deadly week in southern California for the sea service.

Last Friday, Navy pilot Lt. Richard Bullock was killed when his F/A-18 Super Hornet crashed near Trona, California, about 250 miles from Naval Air Station Lemoore and 400 miles north of El Centro.

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 -- a town just north of El Centro. Deltoro and four other sailors were driving around 10 p.m. June 3 when their car went 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.

Then, on Wednesday, an MV-22B Osprey crashed in Glamis, California -- a small town between El Centro and Yuma -- killing all five Marines aboard. According to the Corps, the aircraft was stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

Although the series of incidents paints a grim picture, it is important to note that, given the information available, nothing seems to connect all of the mishaps.

The three aircraft crashes involved three different platforms, and the aircraft themselves were based out of three different bases. Meanwhile, the California Highway Patrol has said that it is looking into whether seat belts were used in the deadly car crash, noting in a press release that Deltoro was the middle rear passenger.

The Marine Corps said that, as of Friday, it was still within the 24-hour period to notify the next of kin of the Marines who perished in Wednesday's crash, ahead of publicly identifying the victims. In addition, out of privacy concerns, the Navy typically does not release the names of mishap victims who were not killed.

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin.

Related: 5 Marines Dead in Osprey Crash, Second Fatal Incident for the Aircraft This Year
On the evening of May 31 in the central Iranian city of Yazd, an Iranian aerospace engineer was returning home from dinner with a colleague when he suddenly felt ill and collapsed into unconsciousness. Ayub Entezari was rushed to hospital, where he died after several unsuccessful attempts to resuscitate him, according to an Iranian opposition media outlet.

The cause of Entezari's death: intentional poisoning, said Saudi-financed Iran International News, which operates a news site and broadcasts satellite television newscasts from its headquarters in London.

The website posted a picture of a letter that local authorities sent to Entezari's family, calling the 35-year-old engineer a "martyr." Iranian officials use the term only for those who die defending the Islamic Republic. The website said Entezari, who held a doctorate in aerospace engineering from Tehran's Sharif University of Technology, worked on Iran's drone and missile development at a research facility in Yazd.

Quoting unnamed sources, the website said Iranian security officials tried to locate the colleague, but the man had fled the country, the website said.

Such unconfirmed reports sound like something out of Tehran, the Israeli spy drama now streaming its second season on Apple TV. Yet it's plausible that Israel's Mossad was behind Entezari's death. In recent weeks, the spy agency has resumed its campaign of targeted killings of Iranians -- just one front in a shadowy war that Israel and Iran have been fighting on land, sea, air, in cyberspace and through proxies since 1982. And that war is heating up on several other fronts as President Joe Biden prepares to visit the Middle East later this month.

With talks in Vienna to revive the 2015 nuclear deal now stalled and Iran continuing to enrich uranium to near-weapons-grade levels, the Israeli military is openly preparing dramatic new options for Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, should the talks collapse. Tehran has repeatedly threatened to destroy Israel, and Bennett, like his predecessors, has vowed never to allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon. Last week, the Israeli military completed extensive air, sea and land exercises in the Mediterranean and in Cyprus, a portion of which simulated the distances its warplanes would have to fly to bomb Iran's nuclear facilities and make it back home. According to Israeli officials, airborne tankers refueled the warplanes twice.

Meanwhile, Israel reportedly carried out yet another targeted killing on May 22, when two assassins on motorcycles pulled up alongside a car driven by Revolutionary Guards Col. Sayad Khodayee in Tehran and pumped five bullets into his head, leaving his body slumped behind the wheel of his Iranian-made Kia Pride, according to Iranian state media reports and photos. The assassins escaped, the state media said.

A week later, a Revolutionary Guards leader Col. Ali Esmaelzadeh, died after falling from the balcony of his Tehran home. Iran International News, citing anonymous sources in Iran, reported that Revolutionary Guard officials suspected him of spying for Israel and threw him from the balcony.

Both Esmaelzadeh and Khodayee were a senior officers in the Guards' Quds Force, which trains, arms and pays a number of Shiite militias and political parties in the Middle East, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, several groups in Iraq, and the Houthis in Yemen, as a way to extend Tehran's influence across the region. In January 2020, the United States assassinated Quds Force commander Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani via a drone strike in Baghdad.

Israel informed the Americans that it was behind Khodayee's killing, the New York Times reported, quoting an anonymous intelligence official who had been briefed on Israel's communication with the Americans. The intelligence official said the Israelis told the Americans that Col. Khodayee was the deputy commander of the Quds Force's covert Unit 804, where he had planned assassination plots against Israelis and other foreigners in Cyprus, Columbia, Kenya and Turkey. In April, the Mossad thwarted a Unit 804 plot to kill an Israeli consular official in Istanbul, a U.S. general in Germany, and a journalist in France.

Under the unwritten rules in this shadow war, Khodayee's rank as a senior officer in the covert assassination unit made him a legitimate target, as were four Iranian nuclear scientists the Mossad has assassinated in Iran over the past 12 years, including Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, Iran's top nuclear engineer. According to Ronen Bergman, an Israeli intelligence reporter and author, Mossad takes its operational doctrine from the Babylonian Talmud, a 6th century compendium of legal arguments touching on all aspects of life. "He who comes to kill you, rise early and kill him first," it instructs.

Iran May Fill Russia Vacuum in Syria

Another front in the shadow war could be heating up soon. With the war in Ukraine chewing through Russia's military manpower and its equipment stores, Moscow has redeployed its paramilitaries in Libya to the Ukraine campaign and may soon do the same with its forces in Syria. If that occurs, Iran will fill the vacuum with its own troops, predicted King Abdullah II of Jordan, whose country borders on southern Syria.

"The presence of the Russians in the south in Syria was a source of calm," the Jordanian monarch told former U.S. national security adviser H.R. McMaster on his Battlegrounds podcast last month. He cited the deconfliction agreements that Russian commanders reached both with the United States, whose special forces and Kurdish proxies have been fighting remnants of the Islamic State; and with Israel, which has regularly conducted airstrikes against Iranian Quds forces and their proxies to prevent them from using Syria as a base for missile attacks against Israel.

"That vacuum [left by the Russians] will be filled by the Iranians and their proxies," King Abdullah said. "So unfortunately, we are looking at maybe an escalation of problems on our borders."

Israel is also closely watching for signs of a Russian military redeployment from Syria and any inflow of Iranian forces, their proxies and weapons. Of particular concern to Israeli intelligence is Iran's ongoing efforts to smuggle precision-guided missiles to their proxies in Syria, Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. According to Israeli Brig. Gen. Jacob Nagel and Jonathan Schanzer, a former U.S. Treasury intelligence official and now senior vice president of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a hawkish think tank, Israel's recent military exercises also included a simulated multi-front war against Iran-backed proxies in those countries and territories.

"The Israelis believe this is coming," Schanzer told SpyTalk, referring to an Iranian bid to replace the Russians in Syria. And while an increased Iranian presence in Syria would pose a danger to Israel, he said it also would present an opportunity, providing Israeli warplanes and drones with a wealth of targets.

"If the Russians draw down their personnel and their hardware from Syria, there's nothing to stop the Israelis from striking Iranian assets with greater and greater impunity," Schanzer said.

All this is bubbling as Biden prepares for his Middle East visit. The key stop in his itinerary is Saudi Arabia, where Biden will try to persuade Crown Prince Mohammed bin Sultan, the kingdom's de facto leader, to increase oil production in a bid to lower gas prices (and undercut Russian revenues). It will be an awkward moment for Biden, who as a candidate branded Prince Mohammed a "pariah" after the CIA determined he had ordered the grisly 2018 murder and dismemberment of Saudi dissident and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul. Biden also pledged to withdraw U.S. military and intelligence support for Saudi Arabia's devastating war in Yemen -- a promise that remains unfulfilled, according to a recent finding by The Washington Post. But with gas prices last clocked at $5 a gallon, realpolitik has trumped moral outrage.

The president also will visit Israel, where talks will focus on the administration's effort to revive the stalled Iran nuclear deal. Chances of that are increasingly slim.

Israel, together with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have long opposed the deal. But unlike former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who actively campaigned against it, Bennett has so far refrained from mobilizing Israel's U.S. lobbyists against the administration's policy, confident the negotiations will fail on their own. But as the recent military exercises and targeted killings demonstrate, he has repeatedly asserted Israel's right to defend itself against Iran, should the need arise. Meanwhile, Iran's act to remove 27 U.N. cameras monitoring its nuclear sites, reported Thursday, will only bolster the hand of Israeli hawks urging the government to take further preventative action.

For months, the Biden administration has told Israel its campaign of targeted killings will not dissuade U.S. officials from trying to reach a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. And for the first time, voices in Israel are urging the Mossad to halt the killings, calling them "pointless" and ineffective in halting Iran's nuclear program.

"This program is not dependent on one expert or a group of experts, even if they are nuclear physics geniuses," said the left-wing Israel daily Haaretz in an editorial earlier this week. "Anyone who believes that the surgical' murder of a scientist will deter Iran is peddling a lie and saying, in effect, that the Iranian nuclear threat is a giant balloon that can be deflated with a single pinprick, or a bomb attached to a scientist's car."

"In fact, the assassinations that Israel carries out in a foreign country, even if that country is Iran, make it look like a neighborhood bully: a state that is driven by political struggles and whose government seeks to deflect criticism with the help of pointless intelligence antics, thereby endangering its citizens," the editorial continued. "These citizens deserve a convincing explanation as to why and how these killings serve Israel's interest."

But for the time being, signs are the shadow war will go on -- and maybe even escalate, even as the war with Russia over Ukraine remains at center stage. As war-weary regional hands like to say, you can try to forget about the Middle East, but the Middle East never forgets about you.

This article by Jonathan Broder originally appeared on Spytalk.co.
A military leader at Nellis Air Force Base is warning airmen about "pre-serial killer" activities at the Nevada base after four cats were found mutilated in recent months, leading security forces to start an investigation into the animal abuse.

A June email from Chief Master Sgt. Thomas Schaefer, the command chief master sergeant of the 57th Wing at the base, circulating online warns airmen that four cats have been found "cut in half" since February.

"The only parts found have been the lower portion and the cuts have been clean indicating it is not a natural attack by a coyote or any other predator," the email says.

Read Next: Andrews Plans to Swap its Vietnam-Era Huey Helicopters for the New Grey Wolf

Nellis' Public Affairs Office verified the email's authenticity and said it was sent from Schaefer to senior enlisted leaders and later forwarded to airmen by the base housing office.

The cats' bodies were discovered by housing maintenance workers. The Security Forces Squadron at Nellis is investigating the incidents, according to the email.

It's not clear who owned the animals that were located, but a Nellis representative told Military.com that no base residents reported their cats missing.

Schaefer's email raised the alarm about the animal killings and told airmen to report suspicious activity or if they witnessed any attempts to catch stray animals.

"There may be some pre-serial killer tendencies going on," Schaefer's email read.

A spokesman for Nellis Air Force Base told Military.com in an emailed statement that Schaefer's comment "was his own opinion and not indicative of any previous or current concerns of danger to the community."

Airmen at Nellis are asked to call Security Forces at 702-908-6731 with any info.

In Clark County, Nevada, where Nellis is located, legal punishment by local authorities could range anywhere from one to five years in prison and from $5,000 to $10,000 in fines, depending on the circumstances of the case.

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department did not return a request for comment in time for publication.

Under Article 134 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, service members found guilty of animal abuse could face a discharge from service, loss of benefits and up to a year in confinement.

The incident at Nellis comes after it was revealed earlier this month that multiple feral cats were shot with blowgun darts and some were severely mutilated around the U.S. Army's Schofield Barracks in Hawaii, according to an Oahu animal rescue group.

-- Thomas Novelly can be reached at thomas.novelly@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @TomNovelly.

Related: Animal Group Accuses Hawaii Soldiers of Shooting Cats with Blowguns Brought Home from Deployment
KYIV, Ukraine  Up to 200 Ukrainian soldiers are being killed every day in Russias military onslaught, according to an adviser to Ukraines president  and only more and more advanced Western weaponry will turn back the Russian offensive, reduce the casualties and force Moscow to the negotiating table.

Mykhailo Podolyak told the BBC in an interview aired Thursday that the daily loss of between 100 and 200 Ukrainian soldiers is the result of a complete lack of parity" between Ukraine and Russia, which has thrown pretty much everything non-nuclear at the front" in its bid to advance in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region and beyond.

Recently Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy put the daily death toll at up to 100, but Podolyak said it had grown. Ukrainian officials have pointed at the mounting losses to emphasize their demand for more Western weapons, which have been critical to the country's unexpected success in holding off the larger and better equipped Russian forces.

After a bungled attempt to overrun Kyiv in the early days of the war, Russia shifted its focus to the Donbas region of coal mines and factories. But its progress there has been plodding.

Podolyak renewed his government's appeal for the West to supply Ukraine with many more multiple-rocket launcher systems. He addressed Western fears of rocket launchers being used to strike targets inside Russia and potentially escalating the conflict to a wider conflagration, saying that it won't happen."

Street Battles

The slog in the Donbas continued Friday, with a Ukrainian governor saying forces are fighting "for every house and every street in Sievierodonetsk, the recent focus of clashes.

Sievierodonetsk is in the last pocket of the Luhansk region that has not yet been claimed by Russia.

Luhansk Gov. Serhiy Haidai told The Associated Press that Ukrainian forces retain control of the industrial zone on the edge of the city and some other sections, and painstaking block-by-block fighting continues.

Zelenskyy said late Thursday that while the situation in the Donbas is static, Ukrainian forces had made some progress in the Zaporizhzhia region in the south, where the Ukrainian troops have been able to spoil the plans of the occupiers. He gave no specifics.

Britain Calls Trials of its Citizens a 'Sham'

The British government said Russia must take responsibility for the sham trial of two Britons and a Moroccan who were sentenced to death for fighting against Russian forces in Ukraine.

Britons Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner and Moroccan Brahim Saadoun were convicted by a court run by pro-Moscow separatist authorities in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic, which is not recognized internationally.

Separatist authorities argued that the men were mercenaries not entitled to the usual protections accorded prisoners of war.

Aslins and Pinners families have said that the two men were long-serving members of the Ukrainian military. Saadouns father told a Moroccan online newspaper that his son is not a mercenary and that he holds Ukrainian citizenship.

Government minister Robin Walker said Friday that it was an illegal court in a sham government but that the U.K. would use all diplomatic channels to make the case that these are prisoners of war who should be treated accordingly.

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is due to speak to her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba later Friday about the case. The U.K. has not announced any plans to speak to Russian officials  and it does not recognize the self-proclaimed Donetsk republic and will not officially contact the authorities there.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the ministry has so far not received any specific appeals about the men from Britain and as such, we can make an unambiguous conclusion that until now the fate of these citizens was not of interest to London.

___

Karmanau contributed from Lviv, Ukraine. Associated Press writers Jill Lawless in London and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed.
The basis of Murphy's Law is that no matter how idiot-proof something is, there will always be an idiot who rises to the challenge. Murphy's Law today seems like an ages-old axiom. We know it today as, "Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong." The truth is that it's not ages old, and only dates back to the Cold War-era U.S. Air Force.

In the late 1940s, the Air Force was in the age of the test pilot: pushing the limits of where aviation technology could go, how fast it could get there and what effects it would have on a human body. Luckily, no one died in the creation of Murphy's Law.

In 1948, the Air Force was working on a research project at Edwards Air Force Base, California, codenamed MX981. The purpose was to find out the effects of gravitational acceleration (G-forces) on fighter pilots. They believed the maximum G-forces the human body could withstand was 18. They would soon discover they were wrong, but they needed to do a number of tests to find out.

One of those tests involved a rocket sled, attached to a 1.9-mile rail track in the middle of the California desert, one capable of supersonic speed. They wanted to propel the sled to speeds of at least 200 mph and then hit the brakes to stop the sled in less than a second. The idea was to test the effects of intense flight and crashes on humans.

Their rocket sled was nicknamed "Gee Whiz," and the team of data collectors on a particular experiment in 1949 was led by Capt. Edward Murphy. Murphy was a West Point graduate and World War II veteran who served in the China, India, Burma Theater before becoming the research and development officer at Wright Air Development Center of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

Edward A. Murphy, of "Murphy's Law" fame, at West Point. (U.S. Army)

According to the book "Sonic Wind: The Story of John Paul Stapp and How a Renegade Doctor Became the Fastest Man on Earth," Murphy assigned an assistant to wire four electronic strain gauges, called transducers, to the shoulder straps to measure the G-forces on various parts of the body. The transducers had been constructed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for this specific purpose.

When the experiment was run, all of the sensors came back with zero readings. No data. All four transducers had failed. When the team went to look at what went wrong with the gauges, they discovered that each of them had been wired backward, and the electronic signals all ran backward.

They had been constructed incorrectly when they were first built in Dayton, Ohio. Capt. Murphy, disgusted at the lack of attention to detail, said, "If there's any way these guys can do it wrong, they will." Murphy then had to hand-carry the gauges back to Dayton.

Lt. Col. John Stapp, the overall commander of the MX981 project, was soon asked by a reporter how they managed to avoid any injuries or fatalities with a project like his. Stapp told the reporter that his crew operated under "Murphy's Law, if anything can go wrong, it will." He was trying to tell the reporter that the Air Force anticipated possible failures, assuming a worst-case scenario, and to address those possibilities before anyone got hurt.

For Stapp, it was just one more law he'd coined while working on aerospace tests. His most well-known before Murphy's Law was "Stapp's Law," which partially echoed Murphy's sentiment: "The universal aptitude for ineptitude makes any human accomplishment an incredible miracle."

Stapp hadn't coined Murphy's Law, but he was instrumental in making it a popular expression. Murphy's Law was eventually engraved on a plaque at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and soon eclipsed the entire MX981 test program. To refocus the effort, Stapp began testing again.

Lt. Col. John Stapp during acceleration and deceleration tests in 1949. (U.S. Air Force)

By Christmas 1949, the test program had graduated from using crash test dummies and even chimpanzees to test the effects of G-forces. With Murphy's Law guiding their research, Stapp became the human test subject, enduring 35 Gs of force, facing both backward and forward. The press soon nicknamed Stapp as both the "fastest man on earth" and the "bravest man in the Air Force."

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook.

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How to use the mindat.org media viewer

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Welcome to the mindat.org media viewer. Here is a quick guide to some of the options available to you. Different controls are available depending on the type of media being shown (photo, video, animation, 3d image)

Controls - all media types

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The button switches to move mode so that you can use your mouse/fingers to move the image around the screen as with other media types.

The button, or the P key will start playing the animation directly, you can interrupt this by using the mouse or finger on the image to regain manual movement control.

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If a stereoscopic 3D image is opened in the viewer, the 3D button appears in the bottom right corner giving access to "3D settings" menu. The 3D images can be viewed in several ways:

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- on a suitable 3D TV or monitor (passive 3D system)

For details about 3D refer to: Mindat manuals: Mindat Media Viewer: 3D

To enable/disable 3D stereo display of a compatible stereo pair image press the 3 key. If the left/right images are reversed on your display (this often happens in full-screen mode) press the 4 key to reverse them.

Controls - photo comparison mode

If a photo with activated comparison mode is opened in the viewer, the button appears in the bottom right corner giving access to "Comparison mode settings" menu.

Several layouts are supported: slider and side by-side comparison with up to 6 photos shown synchronously on the screen. On each of the compared photos a view selector is placed, e.g.: Longwave UV . It shows the name of currently selected view and allows to select a view for each placeholder.

Summary of all keyboard shortcuts
June 12: Dunand cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Gwinnett, per David OBrien of The Athletic.

June 10: The Braves announced theyve claimed first baseman Mike Ford off waivers from the Mariners and optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett. Infielder Joe Dunand has been designated for assignment to clear 40-man roster space.

It has been a roller-coaster of a season for Ford, whos now on his third different organization of the year. He signed a minor league deal with Seattle, then was selected onto the big league roster in April. Seattle designated him for assignment and traded him to the Giants fairly quickly, then acquired him back from San Francisco two weeks later once the Giants DFA him themselves. Ford held his second 40-man roster spot in Seattle for a few weeks, but the Ms again took him off the roster this past weekend.

Through it all, Ford has appeared in 17 MLB games. Hes compiled a rather bizarre .182/.357/.212 slash line, the product of eight walks but 12 strikeouts in only 42 plate appearances. Its the fourth consecutive year in which hes logged some big league time, with all of his pre-2022 MLB work coming in a Yankees uniform. The left-handed hitter broke in with an excellent .259/.350/.559 showing with 12 home runs in 50 games as a rookie, but he owns a .144/.273/.263 line in just shy of 200 plate appearances since the start of the 2020 camapign.

The 29-year-old adds a left-handed hitting depth option to the organization. Matt Olson obviously has first base accounted for, but the Braves have gotten subpar work (.252/.328/.360) out of their designated hitters. Ford is in his final minor league option year, meaning the Braves can keep him in Gwinnett for the rest of the season if theyre willing to carry him on the 40-man roster. Hes hit .271/.417/.417 in 14 Triple-A games this year.

Dunand was a recent waiver claim himself, coming over from the division-rival Marlins last week. His time in the organization may now be coming to close without a big league game, as the 26-year-old has just appeared in five games with Gwinnett. He did make a brief cameo in Miami earlier in the year, logging three appearances.

A former second-round pick, the right-handed hitting Dunand has a .209/.295/.376 line in 328 Triple-A plate appearances. Hes struggled with strikeouts throughout his minor league tenure, but the 62 infielder has drawn praise in the past for his raw power potential. Dunand has played mostly on the left side of the infield in the minors, with a bit more work at shortstop than at third base. The Braves will have a week to trade him or look to run through waivers themselves.
Nick Cannon says he is preparing to welcome yet more children this year, CNN reports.

Appearing on Tuesdays installment of Angela Yees Lip Service podcast, the television personality responded to speculation that he has three babies on the way and hinted the rumours were true.

Lets just put it this way the stork is on the way, Cannon told the hosts.

Cannon continues to make headlines with his rapidly growing family. He is father to fraternal twins Moroccan and Monroe, whom he shares with ex-wife, superstar Mariah Carey. He also has a son Golden and a daughter Powerful Queen with model Brittany Bell.

In June last year, he welcomed twin boys Zion and Zillion with DJ Abby De La Rosa. That same month, model Alyssa Scott gave birth to his son Zen.

During his candid sit-down with Yee, Cannon suggested he plans on breaking his personal record, saying: If you thought it was a lot of kids last year

According to the former Americas Got Talent host, he was celibate for a brief period but broke his own rule at the end of last year during a bout of depression after the death of his son in December. The actors youngest child, Zen, died from brain cancer at five months old.

I didnt even make it to January. I was supposed to make it to the top of the year, he said. Then obviously I started going through some stuff  I got depressed with the loss of my son. So, in December  the thing is everybody saw I was so down. So everybody was like, Lets just give him a little vagina, and thats gonna cure it all.

The 41-year-old star continued: I fell victim to it cause I was in a weak state. So December, especially right before Christmas, I started f**king like crazy  So I broke the celibacy. But I was probably celibate for a month and a half strong  I was trying to do it. I had a new show, new energy, I was dealing with a lot.

Cannons latest life update comes just months after he announced on his daytime talk show that he and model Bre Tiesi are expecting a baby boy together.

This month, De La Rosa also revealed that she is pregnant again but did not name the father of her baby.
09.06.2022 LISTEN

The opposition National Democratic Congress ( NDC) National Chairman hopeful, hon. Nii Armah Ashietey has promised to amend the party's constitution so as to make the branches more vibrant and effective if he is given the nod by delegates.

The amendment, Nii Armah Ashietey was optimistic will encourage the branches that serve as the party's foundation to work harder to canvass more support and win votes for the party in the 2024 general elections.

The former Greater Accra Regional Minister made the promise when he interacted with members of the partys Greater Accra Regional Executive body in Accra. The fruitful interactions were to amongst other things inform the Regional Executives of his intentions to contest for the National Chairman position when the party opens nominations.

Hon. Nii Armah Ashietey commended the NDCs Regional Executives for their commitment and dedication to the party and urged them to work hard towards winning the next coming general elections in 2024.

The regional body under the chairmanship of Kobina Ade Coker according to the former Greater Accra Regional Minister, did marvellously well during the last elections by annexing majority of the parliamentary seats in the region.

You must not relent on your efforts but work harder to ensure that we conquer the whole regional seats during the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary elections," he charged them.

He added, "As an indigene of the region, I cannot embark upon this journey without first consulting and conferring with the Greater Accra Regional Executives for advice and directives."

He pointed out that if he is given the nod to lead the NDC, there are many issues that are very dear to him and he will make sure such issues are attended to in order to make the NDC effective and vibrant.

He amongst other things mentioned that he will take a second look at the NDCs constitution and make sure it is amended to ensure the partys branches are made more effective, resilient and very efficient to the benefit of the party.

The branch is the foundation of the party and must therefore be seen working without fear or favour by empowering all branch executives. All the branches must be able to raise funds to undertake their own activities without relying on the regional or national bodies.

"The amendment must ensure that all active branch members with good standings are given the chance to vote at all levels of the party instead of the current trend where they only vote at branch and constituency levels," the former Korle Klottey MP noted.

Another issue Nii Armah Ashietey mentioned is the issue of monetisation which has bedevilled the party for a long time. He emphasised that because of lack of funds many brilliant, skilful and competent persons cannot contest for certain positions at the regional and national levels.

He promised to look at that canker when voted for and ensure that deputy positions are not contested for but given to such persons who are very brilliant but lack the needed resources to contest for the positions.

He underscored that deputy positions such as communications, organisers, treasurers, women and youth organisers must not be contested but be given out to brilliant, competent but needy party members.

He was very hopeful when that is done many people who are very competent will avail themselves to the service of the party at the various levels.

Nii Armah Ashietey was also optimistic that the NDC has a better chance to recapture power from the incompetent NPP administration based on the current economic hardships in the system.

He however cautioned the NDC to ensure unity, forgiveness and togetherness in order to be able to win the forthcoming polls in 2024. "In unity there is strength and without unity we cannot do anything positive, come the next general elections."

He recommended that all party allies and former appointees who have left the party be brought back on board to work together to help save Ghana from the shackles of the NPP government.

We can only reclaim power when we do the right thing by doing what must be done or what is expected of us which is unity in addition to concerted efforts. It is only when we do these that we can recapture power and form the next government in January 2025.

"The main reason I am contesting for the National Chairman position is to help unite the party by healing old wounds and bring everyone on board to ensure a massive victory for our dear umbrella party in December 2024," he emphasised.

Responding on behalf of the Executive Body, the NDC Regional Chairman, Mr. Kobina Ade Coker commended Nii Armah Ashietey for the bold step taken.

He however reminded the national chairman hopeful that the party is yet to open nominations and that when the time comes, they as Regional Executives will announce the process.

He thanked Nii Armah Ashietey for the visit and wished him well as he prepares to embark on the nationwide tour to canvass for the support for his bid to become the national chairman.
09.06.2022 LISTEN

Mr. Vincent Oppong Asamoah, the Member of Parliament for the Dormaa West Constituency, and a ranking member on the Parliamentary Select Committee on Works and Housing has blamed the frequent flooding in Accra on the Finance Minister, Mr. Ken Ofori Atta failure to release adequate funding to undertake projects.

Speaking on Joy News, an Accra-based television station on Thursday, June 9, 2022, Mr. Oppong revealed that the Finance Ministry has refused to respond to the call of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Works and Housing to release adequate funds to undertake projects that can help solve the frequent floods in Accra.

According to him, the finance minister prioritize the National Cathedral project by issuing GH25 million to the National Cathedral Secretariat as additional seed money over people who are being killed anytime there is rain.

All the flooding issues we have been facing here in Accra are a result of the constraints placed on us by the finance ministry in our quest to be funded to undertake projects that can help solve the flooding issues in Accra. In fact, the finance minister prioritizes the building of a national cathedral more than the lives of the citizens, he stated.

He added that the biggest problem of the NPP government is the Finance Minister claiming he chooses where to spend money and where not to spend money without taking into account the results of such "negligence."

The biggest problem of NPP as a government is the finance minister because he prioritizes where he should release money and where he should not be releasing it to. And let me tell you if the situation of flooding in Accra is something to go by then the finance minister has failed Ghanaians, he intimated.
09.06.2022 LISTEN

The National Chairman of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Ofosu Ampofo has lambasted the ruling government over what he insists is the inability to think in the midst of the hardships the citizenry is going through.

Speaking on the Ekosii sen programme on Thursday, June 9, 2022, the NDC chairman made the claim that the country under President Akufo-Addo is in a total mess.

Adding that nothing is working in the country under the ruling NPP government, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo stressed that it is important that the government urgently puts on its thinking cap to try and find solutions to the challenges confronting the country.

Why are prices of goods and services skyrocketing in Ghana but not the same situation as our neighbours? What's happening?

Ghana is in a complete mess under President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. Nothing is working well, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo noted.

The NDC National Chairman added, Government not thinking looking at our economic situation as a country. The thinking cap must be on.

Due to the said hardships, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo says he has stopped working as a poultry farmer.

According to him, he is closing down all his poultry farms because the sector has totally collapsed under President Akufo-Addo.
MONKEYPOX VIRUS

In 1970, a 9-year-old boy from Congo-DR, developed a pox-like infection that turned out to be the first human case of monkeypox viral infection.

Sporadic cases of human-monkeypox infections were reported across West Africa, from Nigeria to Sierra Leone in 1970-71 period

In 2021, 2 cases of human monkey-pox infections were imported into the USA by travelers from Nigeria.

In 2022, several European and other non-endemic countries have reported numerous outbreaks of monkey pox infections.

VIRAL TRANSMISSION.

The monkeypox virus is a DS-DNA-virus from the pox-family of viruses.

The monkeypox viruses reside in monkeys, and rodents (squirrel, rats, porcupines, mice) in Central and Western Africa.

Human acquire infections when they come in contact with infected rodents and other vertebrates, as they catch, sell/buy and eat these animals and their carcass.

Person-to-person transmission is through inhalation of droplet/airborne secretions, and direct skin contacts with infected skin, contaminated secretions, clothing and bedding.

The monkeypox virus is transmissible during the onset of symptoms, and until all the skin lesions have cleared and a fresh layer of skin has formed.

Once inside the body, the virus enters the bloodstream and spread to the other parts of the body.

RISK FACTORS:

Rodent-hunters, pet-keepers, and those who prepare and eat under-cooked bush meat.

Those who live in over-crowded quarters, and those who come into close contacts with infected persons.

CLINICAL FEATURES

Monkey pox-viral infections start with high-Fever, Chills, Sweat within 4-21 days after initial contact with the virus.

The High fever and chills are followed by Backache and other Muscular aches, intense Headache, mouth and throat soreness, Poor Appetite, Cough and Exhaustion

Swollen lymph nodes (specific sign)

Early Monkeypox-viral infections, are often associated with swollen lymph-glands.

The glandular swellings start 2-3 days after the initial onset of fever; the swellings appear in the neck area (chin, angle of the jaw, and the neck-base) and the groin.

Skin Rash:

The pox-rash starts from the face (within 1-3 days of the fever) and spread centrifugally to the scalp, extremities, including the palms and soles and the rest of the body. The oral/genital/anal mucosae, as well as the Eyes (cornea, conjunctiva) may develop the rash.

The skin-bumps vary from 3mm-1.5cm in diameter. The bumps start as papules (<10mm) and evolve into vesicles (fluid-filled bumps), pustules (pus-filled bumps) and crusts within 2-4 weeks.

The crusts become dry, slough off, and may leave scars.

COMPLICATIONS

In majority of cases, monkey pox viral infection is mild, and resolves on their own within 2-4 weeks.

The sores and crusted lesions provide conduits for bacterial to enter the body, and gain access to the blood stream.

Some of the complications associated with monkeypox infections include PNEUMONIA, RESPIRATORY DISTRESS, BLOODSTREAM infections.

The virus may reach the brain to cause viral ENCEPHALITIS (headache, behavioral abnormalities).

Cornea rash may lead to corneal ulcers, and eventual blindness

Most of the complications are seen in persons with poor health.

DIAGNOSTICS

Clinically, the enlarged lymph nodes at the onset of monkey pox infections, help to separate monkey pox from chickenpox and smallpox infections

Diagnostic samples from skin lesions may be sent to the laboratory for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and specific diagnosis.

Blood samples may be obtained for serology. Paired serum samples tested for IgM (during first week) and IgG-antibodies (during the 2nd week).

VACCINATIONS:

The small-pox vaccine offers protection against monkeypox too. Those with previous smallpox-vaccinations (a scar at the shoulder area is a sign) develop only mild monkeypox symptoms.

JYNNEOS (the new vaccine that is administered in 2 doses of 0.5ml 4 weeks apart) is available for adults (>18-year-olds) who are at risk for complicated small pox and monkeypox infections.

PREVENTION OF MONKEYPOX INFECTIONS.

Contact precaution:

Avoid touching/getting into contact with rodents, monkeys and bush meats.

Avoid getting near persons with rash and other symptoms of monkeypox.

If you develop a new/unexplained rash, see your doctor. Until then, avoid close contacts with all persons.

If a sexual partner develops rash and other symptoms of monkeypox, avoid sex/intimacy until all the rashes have cleared

Health care workers should observe standard contact precautions; wear face-masks when attending to patients in enclosed areas.

Smallpox vaccine may be given within 4 days-2 weeks after exposure to the monkeypox virus (as a post-exposure prophylaxis)

TREATMENT OF MONKEYPOX INFECTIONS.

For the average healthy persons, monkeypox virus infections are self-limiting and do not require specific treatments.

Treatment is indicated in complicated monkeypox infections: sepsis, encephalitis, severe bleeding.

Treatment may also be considered for the immunocompromised, pregnant/lactating mothers, and kids younger than 8 years.

There are no specific antiviral medications for monkeypox infection.

Physicians may use the following antiviral for life-threatening conditions and in hospitalized patients:

TECOVIRIMAT (an antiviral for smallpox infections)

BRINCIDOVIR (an antiviral for smallpox infections)

CIDOFOVIR (specifically used for CMV-retinitis in persons with impaired immunity

.ALEX SARKODIE, MD.
Host of Good Evening Ghana, Paul Adom-Otchere appears ready to open more Pandora's box about the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State in the Volta Region, Togbe Afede XIV over allegation of attending few Council of State meetings.

The media practitioner with private television station, Metro Tv expressed his readiness to back his claims with evidence.

On his official page on social media, he posted a flyer announcing the issue of discussion that A lot has been said but as they say book no tell lie.

See you at 9 pm or soon thereafter

Respect for traditional authorities. #democracy. Documents and more documents.

The Agbogbomefia has challenged Mr. Adom-Otchere to substantiate allegations made against him over his recent rejection of an ex gratia paid him for serving on the Council of State

Mr Adom-Otchere is said to have picked on the immediate past President of the National House of Chiefs for returning GH365,392.67 paid him while hosting his show on Tuesday, June 7.

He mentioned that per the Council of State worked and record, Togbe did not attend an overwhelming majority of the meeting within the 4 years.

The journalist asked the Accountant General to return the money to Togbe.

However, a press release issued by his Special Aide, Dr Elikplim Kwabla Apetorgbor, Togbe Afede XIV said he has never stooped that low and gone that cheap level to receive travelling allowances from Ho while a member of the Council as alleged by the TV host on his show.

He described Mr Adom-Otchere as unethical and ignorant.

The royal insists that the car loan he is accused of receiving was from SG-Bank under the Council of State and not government.

Meanwhile, he has paid his loan, the press release clarified.

It also evinced that as the Chairman of the Economic Committee of the Council of State, Togbe Afede XIV was one of the most committed and regular members in attendance at meetings.

The minutes of the meeting attendance are available for verification.

The Paramount Chief of the Asogli State had returned the ex gratia with the general reason that he abhors payment of such monies for a job he considers part-time.

We are not in good times. I urge the good people of Ghana to expose all evil conspiracies and corruption in order to rescue the nation and its resources from further decadence, the press release from his Special Aide indicated.

---DGN online
Ghana is not the only country in Africa, West Africa, or the world where foreign powers may believe it is the greatest and easiest place to begin homosexuality promotion. I don't dislike gays, but I respect my country's traditional values, thus homosexuality promotion in Ghana is something I will not support, and any sensible Ghanaian who is aware of Western Europe's and the US government's devious intentions on Africa should not allow it.

The US government wants you and me to understand that Putin is a bad man who wants to occupy Ukraine, which is why the war broke out in the first place. However, I do not believe such a drivel; Putin is well aware of the West's and the US government's fake propaganda, and as a result, he did not wait for NATO to strike first. He went to war to defend his homeland and people.

The governments of the United States and Western Europe are doing everything they can to use money as a lure to decriminalize homosexuality in Ghana. Their behaviors do not imply that they love or care about Ghanaians. Because Africa's resources have become the continent's curse, the US administration will do whatever it takes, good or evil, to keep Ghana's population and resources under control.



Enough is enough; the white people can keep their culture, and we can keep ours. I will not defy Jehovah for the sake of money, allowing homosexuality to be legalized in Ghana. What Ghanaians have observed under this horrible political party's reign has been horrific, and only God knows what will happen to our country before this dreadful political party's reign ends.

When it comes to population control, an astute Ghanaian leader is required to intervene by devising more effective methods. Homosexuality will not be tolerated in Ghana as a strategy of controlling our population and resources. Africa is already fighting a variety of diseases, including HIV/AIDS, TB, monkeypox, COVID-19, and who knows what tomorrow will bring.

Those who feed you tell you what to do, and because most African leaders are lethargic, they leave all their wealth in Africa to beg for money and food in the white man's country, giving them the opportunity to tell you what they want. Why would the US government not travel to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, or some other Islamic countries in Africa to legalize homosexuality?

After cynically using the bible to divide Africans and undermine our values via slavery, colonialism, and apartheid, they now want to use the same bible to allow homosexuality in Ghana because Ghanaians love God and Allah, according to them. Yes, we do, but we will not shame ourselves as Christians and Muslims by interfering with the worship of the Great One.

There are numerous reasons why individuals have lost trust in God, and I believe it is worthwhile to be an atheist in Ghana today since, despite the thousands of religious organizations in the country, religion plays no significant part in the country. Despite the presence of good men of God in the country, the bulk of people exploit God's name to steal, hence religion in Ghana today is a mixed bag.

Why does the white man control Africa before independence, and after independence, why does the white man continue to tell an African what to do decades after liberation? That is where we must acknowledge that many African leaders are suffering from a serious illnesses.

If Ghana's anti-gay lobby is serious about investigating how the billboard encouraging LGBTQ+ activities came to be, it will almost certainly reveal that certain politicians in power in Ghana have surreptitiously received funds from foreign governments. How much longer will Africans be used as a stepping stone for foreign powers because they are wealthy?

I have no silver or gold, but I will not disrespect Jehovah because of money in order to allow homosexuality to be legalized in Ghana. What Ghanaians have witnessed under this NPP regime is horrific, and only God knows what will happen to our country before the end of this dreadful political party's reign, which hopes of breaking the eighth-year cycle with homosexuality's powers but not God's.

"True freedom" is defined as "when all Ghanaians are treated equally, regardless of who they are or who they love," according to the billboard. Why would the Ghanaian government not address the impact of tribalism, which has split and ruined the country, before addressing LGBTQ+ issues?

Many Ghanaians are treated with contempt by the Ghanaian authorities, who have killed innocent people with no repercussions. Those from the north, as well as the Ewes, continue to struggle to be regarded as regular beings in their own country, so how can they preach to us? The Ghanaian government can't fight for any favors for homosexuals, while there are people struggling to be accepted as human beings in their own country.

Hypocrisy, lies, corruption, and criminality have taken over our country, and now is the time for Ghana to elect a serious leader who would straighten out the crookedness in our country, by not forcing the majority to accept what they are not interested in.

The truth is that Akufo Addo needs money for the Cathedral project, and because desperate people do desperate things, that selfish man would be willing to legalize homosexuality in Ghana just to earn enough money to finish it. Ghanaians will agree that once the Cathedral makes the news, LGBT news follows.

The United States and Western European governments have targeted African countries with abundant natural resources, attempting to use money as a lure to decriminalize homosexuality in such countries. What I see in Ghana today is that the country is broke, and because the country's coffers are empty, the NPP government, including some opposition politicians who favor this "weird love," is eager to make money to order to legalize homosexuality.

In today's Ghana, what is the essence of religion? Where are the religious leaders in Ghana who are unable to speak out against the evils that are destroying our country but are frantically texting to solve our problems? Where are Bishop Duncan Williams, Mensa Otabil, the heads of churches, the Christian Council, and everyone else who holds the Bible every day and thus knows good and evil?

I'm not sure how far Ghana needs to sink as a country without a future before the wise people try to salvage it. Because money is the root of all evil, the leaders refuse to listen when the majority says no to something. We will see who has the power to say no to the legalization of homosexuality in Ghana after Ghanaians said no to E-Levy and it was passed.
A nation that is in economic crisis and in dire need of economic support both nationally and internationally can benefit from the magnanimity of an honorable man who says - although it is a constitutional provision that I will be given this amount as ex-gratia, I would rather return it back to the national coffers to mitigate the economic hardship that Ghana is going through and Paul Adom Otchere and other pro governing NPP journalists says what?

In an era where corruption amongst senior Ghanaian public officials seems to have been normalized under President Akuffo Addos administration, Togbe Afede has become the outlier by rejecting a supposed end of service benefit payment amounting to GHC365,392.67. In the midst of the revelation of the bank deposit slip document on the payment available on social media and news outlets, some pro governing NPP journalists, notably Paul Adom-Otchere, have rather berated the Chief of Asogli State for showing exemplary conduct by rejecting the huge ex-gratia cash paid him by the State. The paradox of the whole issue has since been worrisome to most Ghanaians because it is amazing how these pro-government journalists, who could not hide their biases, have attacked the personal principles of the Asogli State Chief for showing exemplary leadership by that rejection.

Togbe Afede XIV, throughout his public life, has been an honorable and fair individual in his dealings with all and sundry. He has shown leadership and courage in tackling social and economic issues in the country irrespective of which party is in power and has duly demonstrated his commitment to promoting Ghana at any given opportunity. Through his initiative, 560 megawatts of energy valued at more than $500 million was injected into the electricity sector in Ghana. He co-founded Databank, which is thriving to date; he published the first-ever Ghana stock market indices, set up several million-dollar businesses, and continues to pursue critical projects of national interest. This is a man who saw poverty in his early life but through hard work and determination was able to overcome his financial challenges and graduate from Yale University. He knows the plight of the ordinary Ghanaian and hasnt lost touch with reality, so a kind gesture like returning his portion of ex-gratia should be applauded, not condemned. If we had ten of his kind in Ghana doing what he has done, the country would easily rake in over Ghc 3 million for the national coffers.

In any case, what locus has Paul Adom Otchere got to berate an accomplished individual like Togbe Afede? Can Paul point to any project he has spearheaded that brought an investment of even $ 1 million to Ghana? Has he, in his private or public capacity, been able to set up businesses that employ even a hundred Ghanaians? Has he refunded the Christmas tree money that he shamelessly appropriated? Ghanaians need to be wary of a journalist like him whose only claim to fame is doing the bidding of politicians. His unapologetic bias for the ruling NPP government that succeeded in getting him the board chairmanship of Ghana Airport Company Limited should not confuse him or some gullible Ghanaians as a meritorious achievement. When he detaches himself from the NPP and politics and can achieve even a quarter of the successes that Togbe Afede has achieved, we can engage him in intellectual discussions. Until then, he should concentrate on gaining legitimacy in journalism like the late Komla Dumor and Peter Okocha.

Ghanaians must be reminded that it took just a comment to spark war and genocide in an African country. If people like Paul Adom Otchere go unchecked, we as a country are sitting on a time bomb. Its important to note that if it were Asantehene or Okyehene who did what Togbe Afede did, Mr. Adom Otchere would not dare raise the issues he is raising. That shows a worrying and dangerous posture of tribal bigotry that needs to be nipped in the bud. As such, it is in the right direction that Togbe Afede has given his legal team the go-ahead to drag Mr. Paul Adom-Otchere to court for defamation. We are going to sue him because those statements that he made were false statements. We will not let this slide away. As a journalist, fact-check before you give out such allegations. Mr. Stephen Tetteh, the Secretary of the Asogli State Council, explained.

We, the NDC-USA, want to reiterate our profound commendation to Togbe Afede for standing his ground and protecting the already depleted Ghanaian public purse, which President Akuffo Addo failed to protect since he took office in January 2017. Long live Ghana, and long live objective and professional journalists.

SIGNED BY:

Maame Aba Dadzie

Chairman NDC USA Chapter
The Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) and the Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch) has launched a new report on the review of the Education Sector Medium Term Development Plan (ESMTDP) 2018-2021.

Ghanas ESMTDP 2018-2021 is a plan put together by the Ministry of Education detailing the vision and the policies for realizing the ambition of transforming Ghana into a learning nation.

It recognizes the strengths and weaknesses of the current system and describes strategies to address the challenges in order to give every Ghanaian child the opportunity to succeed and contribute to national development.

With the timeline of the plan elapsing last year, CDD-Ghana and Eduwatch partnered for a joint research with funding from the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office-UK (FCDO) to ascertain with data whether the ESMTDP achieved what it set out to do.

On Thursday, June 9, 2022, CDD-Ghana held an event at its head office in Accra to launch and disseminate the findings of the report on the review of the Education Sector Medium Term Development Plan.

From the report, although some set targets were met especially in the area of bridging the gender parity in schools and the training of quality teachers, it was uncovered that most of the targets were unmet.

Amongst other things, the lack of infrastructure continues to be a major problem facing education in the country despite the pledge by the government to put up school buildings to get rid of schools under trees.

Continually, it was uncovered from the report that many school children are unable to complete Junior High School particularly in the rural areas due to lack of facilities.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the launch event, the Executive Director of Africa Education Watch, Kofi Asare said his outfit found out through the research that some 4,000 primary schools in the country do not have the JHS component for continuation.

We are doing well in the area of teacher-quality improvement. We have also made significant progress in the area of gender quality in ensuring that more girls in proportion to boys are in school. It is however important to note that we are lagging behind on most of the portal access indicators. Primary to junior high school transition is below target, the number of schools competing JHS is also below target.

This is mainly because about 4,000 primary schools do not have junior high schools. So students are graduating from primary schools and backing out of school into the community. It is a national thing in both urban and rural areas, Kofi Asare said.

The Africa Education Watch Director in a proposal to the government recommended that in the next plan of the government, it should commit more financial resources.

The recommendation is that the government in the next four years will have to ensure that we invest more in education. Ghana must increase its investment in education. Apart from that, by 2020 we were contributing about 17% of public expenditure to education. Within the next medium-term the government must ensure that we increase it to at least 20%.

Most importantly, out of that 20% that goes into education half must go into basic education so that we will have much resources to expand equitable access and overtake the quality improvement that we need, Kofi Asare added.

Click on Review of the Education Sector Medium Term Development Plan 2018-2021 to access the report for findings and recommendations on the way forward.
10.06.2022 LISTEN

The Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram and the lead sponsor of the anti-gay bill, Mr. Sam Nartey George has commended the city authorities for pulling down an LGBTQ+ billboard on the N1 Tema motorway.

He said his request was swift less than the 24hours ultimatum he gave the Inspector General of Police (IGP) George Akufo Dampare.

According to him, he salutes the city authorities for the quick manner they responded to their call.

Information reaching me is that the obnoxious LGBTQI+ billboard has been removed this evening after our press engagement today. We salute the authorities for their swift response. We are a country of laws and would fight till the end to protect our cultural sovereignty, he wrote.

At the press conference earlier on Thursday, Mr. Sam George and other colleagues who formed the Anti-LGBTQ+ group expressed their displeasure over the mounting of the gay billboard.

They (Anti-LGBTQ+ MPs) emphatically stated that the activities of homosexuals are ones that the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana frowns on in section 104 of the Criminal Offenses Act and therefore must not be tolerated.

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," they said.
French prosecutors are investigating allegations that officials at a nuclear power station covered up incidents of malfunction at the ageing Tricastin plant in the country's south-east.

The prosecutors are responding to a complaint filed at the end of 2021 against nuclear operator EDF by a whistleblower engineer who said he had repeatedly alerted the company to several instances, including an unexplained power surge at one of the reactors in 2017 and flooding inside the station the following year.

The whilsteblower, who has not been identified and has been nicknamed Hugo, said EDF had failed to declare the incidents to the national nuclear safety agency.

An investigating magistrate in the southern port city of Marseille is now probing the power station for fraud and "endangering the lives of others".

The engineer, who has worked for EDF since 2004, became a manager in 2016 and, according to the complaint, he saw management becoming particularly tense" in the face of the 10-year inspection, which would determine whether the plant could continue to operate beyond its 40-year limit.

Extended lifespan

Built in 1981, Tricastin is one of France's oldest nuclear stations and is on a list of installations that the ASN agency said last year could be renovated to extend their lifespan for another decade.

The prosecutor is also looking into other suspected violations, including damage to the environment through the leaking of toxic substances, obstruction of inspections, and workplace harassment of the engineer, who says he was sidelined after sounding the alarm.

The investigation comes as EDF is facing serious problems in its nuclear installations.

The French state owns more than 80 percent of EDF, which operates 56 reactors across the country, and produces about 70 percent of the country's electricity.

The company has been forced to check many of its nuclear installations after discovering corrosion on high-pressure pipes, which has prompted outages and repairs that the company says will cost it 4.5 billion euros, more than earlier estimated.

Currently operations at 12 of France's 56 nuclear reactors are shut down because of corrosion issues, EDF said last month.

In February, President Emmanuel Macron called for a "rebirth" of the nuclear industry in France, announcing that 14 new plants would be built as part of efforts to move away from fossil fuels.

(with wires)
The Minority in Parliament is demanding that Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta be hauled before the House to answer questions on how GH25 million was advanced to the National Cathedral Secretariat for the construction of the Cathedral.

The Minority says the National Cathedral project is not a government project and wonders how public funds will be used for it.

Speaking on the floor of the House, MP for Adaklu Governs Kwame Agboza said the Finance Minister has a lot of questions to answer.

I will request that the very sensitive issue about governments expenditure on the National Cathedral of which has been in public domain and payment made from the public coffers is discussed. I believe it will be in the interest of this country for the Finance Minister to brief the house on the circumstances leading to the spending of that expenditure because it is believed that those expenditures could be out of what the public procurement and the Public Financial Management Act requires.

The Minority in Parliament filed three urgent questions to compel the Minister for Finance to provide details on how much the state has spent on the National Cathedral Project.

It followed the circulation of a letter indicating the release of an additional GH25 million from national coffers for the project as additional seed money.

Over the period, government has indicated that the national cathedral project is to be financed largely by donations from the Christian community.

But a Deputy Finance Minister, John Kumah feels the Minority in Parliament is making unnecessary noise over the governments 25 million contribution towards the National Cathedral project.

He said the ministry has nothing to hide insisting that it is ever-ready to render accounts on the National Cathedral project.

If you file parliamentary questions, you wait in Parliament for the answers and not rush to the media as he [Ablakwa] has done. He also speaks about a scandal. What is scandalous about making legitimate payments? We are prepared to answer any questions they may have.

I don't agree with him that the seed money which we have provided for and informed the nation about towards the contribution of the National Cathedral is scandalous. A scandal is what we witnessed when his government decided to pay Woyome millions of dollars when they didn't even have a contract with government. We have set our priority, which is the building of a Cathedral for the nation, and it is going to be a national monument for the country, he added.

However, the Deputy Finance Minister was unable to readily provide details on how much money has been raised so far for the project.

I don't have the figures now. But I want to assure Ghanaians that there is nothing illegitimate about this. When it is time for us to render accounts, we will do so.

---citinewsroom
Management of the Ghana Education Service (GES) has cautioned some Junior and Senior High School form three (JHS3 and SHS 3) students who consistently refuse to attend school and classes after registering for their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

According to the GES, this act is a major misconduct by students.

The GES in a statement noted that some of these truant students engage in undesirable acts such as dealing in drugs, bullying, wearing unprescribed attire, use of mobile phones on school campuses, and blatant disregard for school rules and regulations.

The GES has cautioned such students and parents that the following sanctions can be applied:

1. Deboardinization

2. Writing the examination under Police/Parent escort.

3. West African Examination Council (WAEC) not admitting them to the examination centre to write the papers.

Management of GES has, therefore, urged school authorities to report any criminal acts of students to the Ghana Police Service (GPS) for investigations and subsequent prosecution.

It said students under Police investigation during the period of BECE and WASSCE Examinations will be allowed to write their papers under police escort while students with disciplinary issues in the school can only come to the Examination Centres accompanied by their parent.

Source: Classfmonline.com
The findings of the latest report launched by the Ghana Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) and the Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch) have revealed that 40% of pupils in public schools do not have access to desks and seats.

This is contained in a report reviewing the Education Sector Medium Term Development Plan (ESMTDP) 2018-2021.

The report is a joint research project by the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) and Africa Education Watch (Eduwatch), with funding from the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office-UK (FCDO).

At present, 40 percent of pupils do not have access to desks and seats in public basic schools compared to 30% in 2016/17, part of the report available online reads.

Unhappy about the lack of desks for pupils in schools, the Executive Director for Eduwatch, Kofi Asare has proposed that the government urgently makes the necessary investments to get rid of the challenge.

The recommended target for seating and writing is that every pupil at the basic level must have a seat and a table within the dual desk system, denoted by a ratio of 1. By 2021, the Student to Seating Ratio (SSR) and Student to Desk Ratio (SDR) reduced from 0.7 in 2016/17 to 0.6, indicating an increase in the percentage of students without desks and seats by 10 percentage points, he said while presenting findings of the research at an event held at CDD-Ghana head office on Thursday, June 9, 2022, to launch and disseminate the report.

Among other things, the CDD-Ghana and Eduwatch report on the review of the Education Sector Medium Term Development Plan 2018-2021 cites schools under trees as another major problem.

Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the launch of the report, Kofi Asante called on the government to ensure that the next ESMTDP prioritises solving that age-old education problem.

He said it is time major investments are made for quality teaching and learning in a conducive environment to be enjoyed not only in the endowed districts but in the most deprived districts and communities as well.

For now we have to stand up, all hands on deck for education development in deprived communities especially the development of education infrastructure. Without conducive infrastructure quality teaching and learning cannot take place under a tree, the Eduwatch Directors told journalists.

Click HERE to access the report of the Review of the Education Sector Medium Term Development Plan 2018-2021.
The National Communications Director of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has urged the youth to partake in the coming June 28 'Arise Ghana' demonstration.

In a post on his Twitter handle on June 10, 2022, he announced that the ARISE GHANA group, who are the pioneers of the demonstration, have successfully concluded negotiations with the Ghana police service.

According to Mr. Sammy Gyamfi, the demonstration seeks to imprint the new phase of the development of this country, "so we, as citizens, should embrace the chance to ensure the redemption of the country."

His post reads, Arise Ghana concludes modalities with Police over June 28 Demo. Make it a point to be part of this historic demonstration which will mark the beginning of a new paradigm in the destiny of this country. Let us ARISE and SAVE GHANA NOW!.

The Arise Ghana group is spearheaded by Kwabena Bobie Ansah, Kobby Barlon, Bernard Mornah, Rex Omar, Mensah Thompson, Listowel Nana Poku, Mordecai Thiombiano, Nana Ntow Amirekyi, Dramani Selorm Dzramado, and Abdul Rahman Zakari, who represented them at the meeting with the police administration.

Last month, the coalition held a press conference and demanded that the government not only withdraw E. I. 144 but stop the alleged land grabbing in the Achimota Forest Reserve and repeal the Electronic Transaction Levy.

The police had rejected their request after the organisers planned to stage an armed demonstration.
Nigerians are deeply divided by religion on all major issues in the country, almost by nature, history, and psychological relationships.

In 2019, Gallup, Inc. conducted a poll on some critical issues in Nigeria, like religion. R. J Reinhart, the assessor, found that in 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari, who is a Muslim from northern Nigeria, overwhelmingly earned almost all the points from Muslims. Muslims were almost three times as likely to approve of Buhari (73%) as were Christians (26%).

Globally, and arguably, the worlds most persecuted minority is a Christian. In todays Nigeria, especially in the last seven years, the trend has been that Christians, especially those living in the central Middle Belt and northern regions of the country, are being persecuted more than any other religion.

Many Christians across the country feel that Muslims are directly ruling the country through a wide range of political power.

Rightly or wrongly, there is a perceived fear of Islam as the dominant religion and influence, thereby many see an imbalance in leadership, especially in recent times.

In the run for the 2023 presidential election, the main opposition party in Nigeria has picked former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its candidate for the 2023 presidential election, while the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has picked the former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as its presidential candidate.

In a country where Christian-Muslim strife is chronically and turbulently seen as marked with Christian-Muslim strife, a Muslim/Muslim ticket could mean one side feeling affected by marginalization, oppression, and negative government influence, uneven distribution of wealth and resources, nepotism, and socio-religious bias.

In a society where the specter of religion and ethnicity haunts the people and environment, Tinubu, a southern Muslim, and Atiku, a northern Muslim, are almost hopelessly in a dilemma.

A Muslim-Muslim ticket will certainly mobilize the roughly 45-65 million Christian population against Atiku or Tinubu. A Muslim-Muslim ticket will particularly be devastating for Igbo people, estimated to be around 30 million, who already feel ignored, betrayed, and treated with contempt in terms of presidential candidacy in both major parties. The same hurtful and fearful feelings of alienation and dissatisfaction among Christians in the North, the Middle Belt, and indigenous peoples.

Christians in Nigeria are still thinking and feeling the gruesome killing of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto state by way of being stoned, flogged, and burnt to death in the name of Muslim religion. And the mass shooting and killing of worshippers at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State further worsen relationships. Atiku did not help himself among Christian Nigerians when he deleted a tweet that condemned the heinous killing of Deborah by her schoolmates after some Muslim people threatened that he would lose votes for making such a tweet.

As a psychologist, I have no doubt that Atiku and Tinubu, respectively, are straining under pressure from all sides.

To reduce suspicion and worry in the general population, an interfaith style presidency should occupy the national political space. Anything less than that will make some parts of the population feel emboldened and others less, to the extent that they will feel that, in the face of innocent people of Christian background being killed in the North, those who are carrying out the attacks are not being arrested and prosecuted because they are not represented in political power, and they may have that feeling of religious persecution.

I therefore ask that a popular Southern Christian person like Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike should be the running mate for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar. Equally, the Plateau governor, Simeon Lalong, a popular Southern Christian person, should be the running mate for the presidential candidate, former Lagos State governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All-Progressives Congress (APC).

Both governors are comfortably competent to manage the political affairs, institutional and governance issues of Nigeria.

I should emphasize here that given the unusual way in which Tinubu won as it relates to the Governors of Northern Nigeria agreeing to cede power to the South, and the way the likes of Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna, Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano, Aminu Masari of Katsina, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa, and Abubakar Bello of Niger, Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi and others galvanized their support and gave solidarity behind Tinubus win.

El-Rufai is needed in the next presidency as he is known to be a man who reflects a life in public service, corporate, and international service. As such, his extraordinary ability to sustain a high level of influence in society, and his transformational and forthright leadership styles are needed. He could help champion policies in the areas of investment, employment, and education for the nation.

The Nigerian people are very discouraged by the current climate. As such, a pointed statement along the lines of the recommendation here is needed. Anything short of that will be a path to weakening democracy in the country.

John Egbeazien Oshodi, who was born in Uromi, Edo State in Nigeria, is an American based Police/Prison Scientist and Forensic/Clinical/Legal Psychologist. A government consultant on matters of forensic-clinical adult/child psychological services in the USA; Chief Educator and Clinician at the Transatlantic Enrichment and Refresher Institute, an Online Lifelong Center for Personal, Professional, and Career Development. He is a former Interim Associate Dean/Assistant Professor at Broward College, Florida. The Founder of the Dr. John Egbeazien Oshodi Foundation, Center for Psychological Health and Behavioral Change in African Settings. In 2011, he introduced State-of-the-Art Forensic Psychology into Nigeria through N.U.C and Nasarawa State University, where he served in the Department of Psychology as an Associate Professor. Currently, a Virtual Behavioral Leadership Professor at ISCOM University, Republic of Benin. Founder of the proposed Transatlantic Egbeazien Open University (TEU) of Values and Ethics, a digital project of Truth, Ethics, and Openness. Over forty academic publications and creations, at least 200 public opinion pieces on African issues, and various books have been written by him. He specializes in psycho-prescriptive writings regarding African institutional and governance issues.

Prof. Oshodi wrote in via [email protected]
A coalition of 10 rights groups Friday condemned a decree by Tunisian President Kais Saied firing scores of judges, describing it as a "deep blow to judicial independence".

The June 1 presidential decree saw Saied award himself the power to fire judges, and he duly sacked 57 of them, further cementing a power grab that began in July last year when he dismissed the government and suspended an elected parliament.

The president disbanded parliament in March, adding to concerns that he has put the only country to emerge from the 2011 Arab Spring with a sustained period of democracy back on a path to autocracy.

"The expansion of the president's powers to summarily fire judges is a frontal assault on the rule of law," 10 rights groups said in a statement, accusing him of delivering "a deep blow to judicial independence".

"Saied has removed whatever autonomy the judiciary in Tunisia still was able to exercise," said Salsabil Chellali, Tunisia director at Human Rights Watch, one of the signatories.

Amnesty International and Lawyers Without Borders also put their names to the statement, which called for the president to revoke the decree "immediately" and reappoint the judges.

Tunisian judges this week went on strike over Saied's move.

The president plans to hold a referendum on July 25 -- the first anniversary of his power grab -- on a new constitution, ahead of elections in December.

The text of that constitution is yet to be presented, after a national consultation exercise that largely failed to spark participation by citizens.

But some Tunisians have welcomed Saied's moves over the past year, amid deep frustration with a dysfunctional mixed presidential-parliamentary system established in the wake of the 2011 ouster of dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

After Saied's latest decree, the United States said he was following an "alarming pattern" of acting against independent institutions.
10.06.2022 LISTEN

Ghana's Meteorological Agency (GMA) has issued an impact-based weather warning to Ghanaians, predicting two possible heavy rainfalls in the Greater Accra, Volta, Western, and Northern regions.

On Friday, June 10, 2022, it stated in its 06:00 GMT reports that the storm will take effect from 07:00 GMT in the stated regions and particularly in coastal communities such as Accra, Axim, Aflao, Ho, and Saltpond.

These extreme weather conditions are expected to hit coastal communities between 7:00 and 10:00 GMT, with the storm for the northern sector hitting between 10:00 and 13:00 GMT.

The storm, which was observed over northern Ghana, is also expected to produce thunderstorms and rain, according to the Agency's forecast.

A moderate to heavy rainstorm observed Time Issued over the eastern gulf is expected to propagate to the west and produce rain, thunder, and windy conditions over areas in the coastal sector. A separate Rainstorm observed over Northern Ghana will produce thunderstorms and rain within the validity period, a summary of the report by GMet.

It also issued a similar post on its Facebook wall indicating that this morning and into the afternoon, a rainstorm is expected to cast clouds with scattered to widespread thunderstorms along the coast and portions of the middle sector. The rainstorm will be accompanied by moderate to strong winds.

A rainstorm is expected to cast cloudiness with scattered to widespread thunderstorms  along the coast and portions of the middle sector this morning into the afternoon. Moderate to strong winds  will accompany the rainstorm. Stay Safe for more updates, it added.

The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMet) exists to provide efficient and dependable meteorological information to Ghanaians by collecting, processing, archiving, analyzing, and disseminating accurate weather data.
The National Organizer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Joshua Akamba has bemoaned the levels of mistreatment former president John Dramani Mahama suffered in government at the behest of the then opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).

According to him, former President John Dramani Mahama suffered all manner of mistreatment as well as humiliation from the opposition elements in the country.

He said the NPP elements used lies to denigrate the personality of the former president.

'They used lies and wild malice to hound former president John Dramani Mahama out of the office without any recourse to the good works the president was doing. It was sad how the NPP had to use these tactics to paint a worrying image about the former president and his NDC's government, he stated.

Mr Akamba argued that the NPP in present-day politics treated the former president like their mother party, the United Party (UP) the political tradition that birthed the NPP treated late president, Dr Kwame Nkrumah.

Mr. Akamba made this comment while speaking on the plans for the 30th-anniversary celebrations of the formation of the NDC.

Speaking in an interview with Kwame Obeng Sarkodie, the host of Ghana Yensom morning show on Accra 100.5 FM on Friday, June 10, 2022, he admitted that the mistreatment of leadership has always been the hallmark of the NPP over the years.

He added that the NPP over the years has refused to acknowledge the contributions of the NDC to the development of the country.

He said the NDC as a party played critical roles in the development of the country such as extending electricity projects to the remotest areas of the country led by former President Jerry John Rawlings.

'Now many of these areas are opened up economically. It was NDC that laid marine cables under the Volta River to carry electricity to the oversea areas in the Afram Plains area of the Eastern Region, he said.

He posited that the history of Ghana cannot be written without the contributions of the NDC as a party

Source: Classfmonline.com
GHANA HAS been granting tax exemptions and getting virtually nothing in return. Meanwhile, higher and more taxes are imposed on citizens repeatedly. Public sector workers are asking government to pause and rethink the exemptions which are a drain on government revenue.

Ghana's low and declining tax efforts make it extremely disturbing for the country to grant so many tax exemptions and get nothing in return. Tax revenue is only 14 percent of GDP, a much smaller figure than many African countries. On the other hand, expenditures depending on the taxes, are high and growing. Overall, national expenditures hover between 23 and 27 percent of GDP while revenues stand between 12 and 15 percent. The resulting budget deficits account for the growing national debt.

Agreeably, there is a need to raise the tax-GDP ratio through direct taxes. Direct taxes are more progressive and relieve the overburdened citizens from new and higher taxes.

However, it is equally important to revisit the revenue losses that the country is incurring through tax exemptions. For example, most of the exemptions to the Export Processing Zones (EPZ) enterprises do not make economic or social sense.

A country gives tax exemptions to derive specific benefits. In the case of the EPZ, the expected benefits are export revenue, employment, technology, and skills transfer. Unfortunately, studies reveal that Ghana gives away much-needed tax revenue without getting commensurate benefits.

Exports from EPZ are lower than other enterprises in the domestic economy. In addition, available figures show that employment is much lower than anticipated.

Besides, the quality of jobs is unacceptable or appalling; some of the employees do not enjoy social security, minimum wage and other minimum decent work standards enshrined in the laws of the land.

Meanwhile, it is common knowledge that skills development and technology transfer do not happen without decent work standards.

It is expected that EPZ enterprises engage in value-added processes that increase export earnings.

However, this does not always happen. For example, some enterprises have turned their operations into warehousing outposts instead of manufacturing centres.

Some also sell more than 30 percent of their produce on the domestic market, in contravention of the law.

As a result, they compete with producers on the local market to the detriment of local competitors who do not benefit from exemptions.

The disappointing performance of the enterprises in EPZ is due to several factors, including legislative, regulatory, policy weaknesses, institutional, and monitoring challenges. Therefore, Public Sector Workers Unions find it gratifying that Ghana's Parliament is considering a Bill on Tax Exemptions. However, for now, as a public sector workers' group, we respectfully make the following recommendations to parliament to: (1) Rethink the idea that a company can be declared as a single factory zone. It hampers effective monitoring of the operations of the FPZ Enterprises to ensure that they comply with the terms and conditions for which they are enjoying the tax exemptions; (2) Empower the Ghana Revenue Authority, the Free Zones Authority, and other relevant institutions to undertake an independent assessment of the operations of eligible free zone enterprises for continued eligibility or otherwise of the tax exemptions they enjoy. The independent report on the operations of the free zone enterprises must look at the number of Ghanaians employed. We must also assess the quality of the employment the companies offer to Ghanaians. In addition, Government must take an interest in whether the employees receive at least the minimum wage, are registered for social security and enjoy the statutory benefits stated in the country's laws. Finally, there is a pressing need to review the Free Zones Act (Act 504, 1995) and align it with modern trends, including operations of the digital economy and e-Commerce. This review should also allow the phasing out of single factory enclaves that complicate monitoring and enforcement.

Ghana must pause and rethink wasteful tax exemptions in the face of a multiplicity of excessive and burdensome indirect taxes.

Issued by National Coordinating Committee (NCC) of Public Sector Unions in Ghana.
Mr Stephen Debrah, the Dispatch Operations Manager at GRIDCo says Accra's demand for 800 megawatts of electricity exceeds the 470 megawatts demand of Togo and Benin put together.

Accra as a big load centre was demanding more than 23 per cent of the total 3400 megawatts that the nation required, Mr Debrah disclosed.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr Debrah said that GRIDCo used to have an evacuation problem, transmitting bulk power from the Tema generation hub to the Accra load centre.

However, since the last quarter of last year, the company, with help from the government had changed all three conductors running between Tema and Accra.

The upgrade, he said, has made it easy for GRIDCo to transmit bulk electricity to Accra.

The system has been stable this year. We don't have a lot of interruptions but last year around this time, there were these problems almost every weekend; some intermittent power outages. Our engineers would inform you that Tema here is a generation hub and then Accra is a very big load centre. In fact, Accra alone, the demand in Accra alone is more than Togo and Benin totally put together, he disclosed.

The high demand for electricity in Accra, Mr Stephen Debrah said has a direct relationship with industrialisation, explaining that the high electricity consumption in Ghana means fast economic growth.

He said the company's assessment of the high electricity formed the basis for GRIDCo to upgrade its transmission infrastructure between the generation hub and the load centre to support current economic activities, and also in the near future.

This is the readiness to support the demand growth in the national capital. We are even continuing from Accra towards Cape Coast. We have commissioned brand new substations in the national capital. H.E the Vice President just commissioned one such substation at Kasoa last week, he disclosed.

While Ghana currently has installed electric power capacity in excess of 5200mw, the total demand is just around 3400mw, leaving room for sufficient reserve, to quickly replace other power plants when there is a fault.

He again, disclosed that almost all thermal plants of GRIDCo are being fired with litmus gas from the Western region, replacing the liquid fuel from the past.

Gas is cleaner than the liquid fuel and so the power plants when they are running on gas, they run more quietly, more efficiently and the output is also higher than liquid fuel and so relatively we have a more stable kind of power system. The transmission grid is robust and very strong and we don't have any challenges with evacuating electricity from the power generation stations to the load centres. So, from last the quarter of last year, the power system has been relatively very safe, he said.

GNA
(Thursday, June 10, 2022 - Monrovia, Liberia) The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection Williametta E. Saydee-Tarr on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 joined hundreds of Liberian women at the climax of a fourteen (14) day fast and prayer event for Liberia and the Sub-region organized by the Liberian Women Mass Action for Peace under the banner of the Women in Peace Building Network (WIPNET).

Delivering a special remark at the Invincible Park, Minister Saydee-Tarr told the women that a society without peace is like life in the state of nature without knowledge - it erases all gains and puts us all backward as without peace there is war and war only brings brutish barbarism.

She stressed that the importance of peace for any society is obvious. Without peace no nation and no individual can move forward. Only in a peaceful atmosphere can we continue to grow as a nation and secure our childrens future.

"We can help keep the peace by listening to each other and do our best to understand each other. We have to try to be helpful to each other and see our community as an extension of our homes." Minister Tarr averred.

The Gender Boss assured the women that she will deliver their petition to H.E. Dr. George Manneh Weah, President of the Republic of Liberia.

"As always, we know he is our premier champion and will definitely ensure that all mandated sectoral agencies purposefully and intentionally carry out their part as it relates to the issues raised therein. You can rest assured that this President as the Feminist -In- Chief, along with his second in command - Chief Dr. Cllr. Jewel Howard Taylor, who is a female and as such will naturally seek our interest as she has already proven to be a staunch gender equality enthusiast; we know for a fact that our President shall continue to support the cause of the women of Liberia." Minister Saydee-Tarr stated.

She lauded the Liberian Leader for sheltering praying mothers by providing space for women from all walks of life, Christian, Muslim, Traditional alike.

Touching on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) the Minister appealed: "Let us continue to be watchful of our children and the most vulnerable amongst us in communities, that we shine our eyes on would-be perpetrators as we watch the triggers, and bring attention to it all it is always better to be safe, than to be sorry later. You can never be too protective. Lets continue to make our quest for peace very inclusive - we need all hands on deck."

As stated by the Minister, President Weah has not remained silent but has paid keen attention to issues affecting women and children and has mandated his lieutenants to carry out their work intentionally and purposefully.

She used the occasion to call on the women of Liberia to join hands to continue to lobby, advocate and push for the passage of the 30% gender quota that is currently before the Liberian Senate. "This is an important benchmark for the future of wholesome women representation in Liberia," the Minister said.

Minister Saydee-Tarr ended by appreciating the organizers, local and regional partners, diplomatic corps, UN partners and all. According to her, without collective support, our peace would not be solidified
A one-day forum aimed at promoting the sustainable use and management of mineral resources in Ghana has been held in Tamale.

The forum was organized by the Foundation for the Transformation of Marginal Areas (TAMA Foundation) Universal, a non-governmental organisation in collaboration with the Ford Foundation.

The meeting brought together 50 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) from the Northern, Savannah, North East, Upper East and West regions of the North as well as the academia and the media.

Northern Ghana has in the last decade, become a mining hub with many small and large scale companies operating in the area, a development that poses both positive and negative consequences on the environment and the lives of the people.

The forum was, therefore, to create the room for Civil Society Organisations, to join heads and efforts in making the mining of the mineral resources safe and beneficial to the citizens.

It was also meant to allow space for experts in the mining sector to explain in detail, the AGYAPA Royalties Deal to Civil Society Organisations within the Northern sector to enable them make an informed decision regarding it.

The Executive Director and Co-Founder of TAMA Foundation Universal Dr Chrys Anab, in remarks, called for collaborative efforts among Civil Society Organisations to fight the menace of bad mining practices in Ghana.

He also urged CSOs in the Northern Sector to take a keen interest in the contentious AGYAPA Royalties Deal as proposed by the government by forming coalitions and Unions among themselves as well as actively and openly stating their stands on it to help shape the deal and make the mining industry beneficial to the citizens of Ghana.

"We had the opportunity of getting a resource person to throw more lights on the great areas and to solicit the views of CSOs here as to what should be done to make sure that the AGYAPA Deal benefits the citizens," he said

The Executive Director of the African Centre for Energy Policy (ACEP), Mr Ban Boakye, in his submission, said the AGYAPA Royalties Deal, poses more danger than good to Ghana and encouraged the citizens to rally against it

He also urged the Parliament of Ghana to play its oversight responsibility well to prevent the government from selling all the country's mineral resources through the AGYAPA Deal.

The Dean of the Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment at the University for Development Studies (UDS), Professor Samuel Jerry Cobinna, in presenting research findings on the topic"The State of Mining in Northern Ghana," called for rigorous implementation of the mining laws to protect the natural resources and the environment.

He further called for the adaptation of advanced modern land rehabilitation techniques, low-impact mining methods and the reuse of mining waste to help minimise the impact of mining on the immediate environment.
Equatorial Guinea's vice president, Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, threatened Friday to expel the French ambassador over a row triggered by a corruption case in Paris.

A top French court last year upheld a three-year suspended term against Obiang over property bought in France with funds suspected to have come from plundered state assets.

The decision opened the way to confiscating property in Paris's top-end Avenue Foch -- a 3,000-square-metre (32,000-square-feet) mansion worth an estimated 107 million euros ($113 million) that houses Equatorial Guinea's embassy as well as apartments.

An appeal court on Wednesday rejected Equatorial Guinea's bid to overturn the ruling, opening the way, in theory, for the embassy to be forced out of the mansion.

"If Paris goes ahead with expelling our diplomats from our embassy building, we will give the French ambassador 24 hours to leave the territory of Equatorial Guinea," Obiang warned on Twitter.

Obiang, better known as Teodorin Obiang, is the son of Equatorial Guinea's iron-fisted 80-year-old president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.

He has ruled the small oil-rich central African state for more than four decades, and for the last two years his son has been widely viewed as his successor.

Equatorial Guinea. By AFP (AFP)

The tweet was published on Obiang's personal account, not his account as vice president, and it was unclear whether the expulsion threat was official policy.

The French foreign ministry, approached by AFP, refused to comment.

Obiang, 53, was also fined 30 million euros in the case, which had rolled on for years before culminating in last July's verdict, hailed by campaigners as a landmark in the fight against graft.

In its appeal, Equatorial Guinea had argued that the younger Obiang had sold the building to the state in 2011, which had purchased the property in "good faith."

'Immunity' question

The country's legal representative in France, Kevin Grossmann, predicted the French authorities would be unable to expel the embassy and its staff from the building because of diplomatic immunity.

"The building is indeed in the hands of the courts. I am not aware of any expulsion decision by France," he told AFP.

"(...) To carry out an expulsion order would be tantamout to throwing out the ambassador and the embassy services. This isn't about to happen," he said.

The only Spanish-speaking country in sub-Saharan Africa, Equatorial Guinea is one of the most enclosed nations in the continent, and Obiang senior is frequently accused by rights groups of abuses.

Luxury cars seized from Teodorin Obiang were auctioned off in Switzerland in 2019. By FABRICE COFFRINI (AFP)

Despite its oil riches, most of the country's 1.4 million people live below the poverty line.

Equatorial Guinea last year closed its London embassy after Britain accused Teodorin Obiang of siphoning off state assets to fund a jet-setter lifestyle.

His purchases allegedly included VIP mansions around the world, luxury cars and the crystal-covered glove that Michael Jackson wore on his 1987-89 "Bad" tour.

The French judicial authorities have estimated at 150 million euros the amount the younger Obiang allegedly laundered in France.

His assets included cars valued at 5.7 million euros with three Bugattis, a Rolls-Royce and two Maseratis.
10.06.2022 LISTEN

The Human Rights Coalition has noticed with great concern a series of events being undertaken across the country by advocates for the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, 2021 (Anti-Gay bill), with the support of a group of mental health practitioners, ostensibly to provide what the group describes as treatment, care, and support for persons with sexual orientation and gender identity disorder, targeting members of the LGBTQ+ community. A number of these events reportedly took place from the 25th to 26th of May 2022, at GRNMA Hostel, Zoti near Korle Bu, Accra.

A proposition in the bill before Parliament mentioned therapy without specific indication of the type or kind but curiously, amongst the so-called treatment being propagated at these events at which some healthcare practitioners are allegedly being trained is conversion therapy.

This pseudoscientific practice, perceived to have the ability to alter ones gender or sexual orientation from homosexual or bisexual to heterosexual, has been denounced by over 50 medical associations, locally and internationally. It has also been described as dangerous and harmful, given its adverse effects on the emotional and mental well- being of persons who undergo it. Persons who undergo this so-called therapy have been proven to suffer from depression, anxiety, drug use, and suicidal tendencies. Despite credible scientific evidence against this practice, some medical practitioners, unfortunately, continue to offer and conduct conversion therapy in some parts of the world. Vulnerable persons, particularly minors, have fallen victim to this practice.

Accordingly, the Human Rights Coalition unreservedly condemns attempts by proponents of the anti-gay bill and their supporters to introduce, propagate and allegedly train some ill-informed healthcare practitioners on the use of this medically discredited therapy to treat members of the LGBTQ+ community.

The Coalition equally regrets and condemns attempts by the above-mentioned group to classify homosexuality as a disorder for which treatment ought to be sought. Any such classification is unscientific and goes to entrench the deep-seated and widespread discrimination to which members of the LGBTQ+ community are already subjected, as evident in some parts of the country where recent attacks on LGBTQ+ persons and their allies have occurred and been captured on social media.

The Coalition wishes to draw the attention of the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service (GHS), and the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) designated with oversight responsibility for public health policy, to these worrisome events and urges these institutions to take steps to stop the above-mentioned group or any other group of persons who purport to propagate, train healthcare professionals, and/or conduct conversion therapy in Ghana.

The Coalition also urges healthcare professionals and the general public to refrain from participating in any training workshop or indulging in any treatment or therapy, howsoever described, aimed at altering ones gender or sexual orientation, as there is no medically-recognized and scientifically-proven procedure for doing so.

The Coalition equally calls on the leadership of Parliament and the Parliamentary Select Committee on Constitutional, Legal, and Parliamentary Affairs to caution the proponents of the Bill and their allies not to preemptively act on the bill which is still under consideration.

Signed

The Human Rights Coalition
The European Parliament this week adopted three resolutions aimed at streamlining the democratic process within the EU's complicated bureaucracy. It wants to get rid of the power of veto, improve rule-of-law mechanisms and hand Brussels broader control over national policymaking. But it's still a long way off before the measures will be accepted by EU member states  especially Poland and Hungary, who dislike too much interference from Brussels.

The parliament on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a resolution urging the EU Council to urgently amend European Treaties. The aim: get rid of the paralising requirement of bloc unanimity on certain decisions, including sanctions. A total of 355 MEPs voted in favour, while 154 were opposed.

The move precedes an EU Council meeting scheduled for 23-24 June. During a debate with MEPs prior to the vote, French EU Affairs Minister Clement Beaune promised to prioritise the issue at the upcoming talks. But despite his pledge many EU leaders remain sceptical. The council's summit will be the last during which France holds the rotation presidency.

The debate on EU treaty change has been going on for several years and stems from the frustration that a single member state has the right to derail even small decisions, including issuing joint EU statements.

Latest example is Hungary, which singlehandedly slowed down decisions on sanctions against Russia after it invaded Ukraine.

But the parliament's resolution is only a first step in an arduous, bureaucratic process. After the treaty reform proposal is submitted, it has to go through a revision procedure, after which the European Council decides (by simple majority) if it will be examined.

This then may lead to a "convention", called by the council president. Ironically, the final recommendation is subject to consensus by the member states, before the revised draft treaty goes to the intergovernmental conference. If that's approved, it's up to indivudal member states to sign the final ratification.

Rule of law

A second vote, also taken on Thursday, dealt with rule of law

MEPs voted 506 to 150, with 28 abstentions, in favour of a resolution to take the EU executive to the European Court of Justice for dragging its feet over applying a new regulation  technically in force since 1 January  that makes EU governments' access to funds conditional on their respect for the rule of law and democratic norms.

The MEPs fear in particular that inaction by the commission will boost the re-election chances next year of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's nationalists, even though Brussels has long accused them of eroding democratic freedoms in Hungary.

Hungary and Poland, who are both under formal EU investigation for breaking the rule of law, stand to lose billions of euros in EU funds when the new regulation is applied.

"People in Poland, Hungary and elsewhere need to know that the commission is on their side and will fight for their rights as EU citizens," Greens MEP Terry Reintke said in a statement.

"We are taking action against the commission to make them do their job and defend the rights of European citizens."

Proposing legislation

In a third vote, the parliament adopted a resolution aimed at granting MEPs the right to propose legislation. Within the existing EU structure, only the European Commission has the "right to initiative" to propose legislation. MEP's may merely "suggest" proposals to the comission.

In a statement, the parliament argued that "as the only directly elected EU institution, MEPs must have the right to propose legislation", adding that "MEPs say the council and the commission have obstructed parliament's already 'insufficient' indirect legislative rights and its limited right of initiative".

A report comprising the parliament's proposals was adopted with 420 to 117 votes and 35 abstentions on Thursday, following a debate on Wednesday afternoon.

In a first reaction, Hungarian MEP Laszlo Trocsanyi, of the ruling Fidesz party, argued that giving the European Parliament the right to directly initiate legislation would contravene the spirit of the EU's treaties.

This would curb the powers of the European Commission, Trocsanyi said was quoted in the Budapest Times as saying.

It would also upset the institutional balance ... The bearers of sovereignty are national parliaments, not the European Parliament."
The UN refugee agency on Friday accused Britain of dishonesty over London's plan to send asylum-seekers to Rwanda, as a court heard an emergency bid to block the first deportations next week.

The government intends to fly the first planeload of claimants to Rwanda on June 14, after agreeing the plan with Kigali in a bid to deter illegal migrants from undertaking perilous crossings of the Channel by boat.

Refugee rights groups and a trade union representing UK Border Force personnel are challenging the plan in London's High Court, seeking an injunction against the flight on Tuesday and any beyond then.

They argue that the plan violates asylum seekers' human rights, and say the government cannot justify its claim that Rwanda is a safe destination.

Lawyers for the claimants said that Home Secretary Priti Patel's interior ministry had even claimed endorsement for the plan from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

But the UN agency's lawyer Laura Dubinsky said it "in no way endorses the UK-Rwandan arrangement".

"UNHCR is not involved in the UK-Rwanda arrangement, despite assertions to the contrary made by the secretary of state," she told the court.

Dubinsky said the would-be refugees were at risk of "serious, irreparable harm" if sent to Rwanda, and that the UN had "serious concerns about Rwandan capacity".

The UNHCR's concerns include a lack of legal redress in Rwanda and potential discrimination against gay claimants.

"These are concerns that have been communicated to the UK authorities and yet the secretary of state's position... is that the UNHCR has given this plan a green light," the claimants' lawyer Raza Husain said.

"That is a false claim."

Lawyers for Patel's Home Office were due to address the court later Friday, with a verdict expected at the end of the day.

The government remains confident it will defeat the challenge, Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman told reporters.

The plan remained "the right approach, not least to tackle the criminal gangs who exploit migrants on the coast of France and quite often force them into unseaworthy vessels to make what is an incredibly dangerous crossing to the UK", he said.

More than 10,000 migrants have made the journey so far this year, a huge increase on prior years. The one-way flights are intended to deter others from entering Britain by illegal routes, and offer those who do try a new life in Rwanda instead.
I WOULD like to do a series on mining sector sustainability using Ghana as a case study. In this episode, I will argue out my points to answer two questions:

Why are mineral-resourced nations poor? Why has gold mining not been able to transform Ghanaian local economies and host mining communities?

In my course, Course 17007 Mining, and Water Resources/Environmental Protection in Africa, at the Ruhr-Universitat Bochum in Germany, I discussed and brainstormed with my students in two summer semesters why mineral resource-rich countries have failed to achieve sustainability. In this episode, I discuss with your audience, sustainability in the mining sector. We will implore examples from Ghana to answer the question on whether we are achieving or can ever achieve sustainability in the sector. I am giving the two scenarios below as case studies in the assignment to my students.

I do highly discourage chew and pour in my engagements with students, and I always encourage brainstorming on a subject matter in my class. The assignment reads: Study these two plates in the file below about a situation in a dominant mining community in Africa.

Plate 1 shows a road leading to a mining town Plate 2 shows an abandoned mine land from gold mining. The field had been abandoned for many decades and used by children as playground. Women also use it a passing place to their farms.

Applying the concept of sustainability, (use the materials in the links below to help):

State and describe what could be wrong with each field. What are the implications of each field on the community? What can the mining companies do to achieve sustainability for the community? We will later answer these questions but let us first analyse the first two questions: Why mineral resourced nations are poor; and why gold mining had not been able to transform Ghanaian local economies and host mining communities.

The first reason is that resource is cursed. Several scholarly works had linked mineral mining and extractive industries to proliferation of poverty and underdevelopment. For example, Ross (2001; 2003) observes that oil and mineral dependence are strongly associated with unusually adverse conditions for the poor, and that higher levels of mineral dependence [are] strongly correlated with higher poverty rates.

Another study by Gamu et al. (2015), did empirical analyses of fifty cases and found that large-scale extractive mining industries rather exacerbate poverty in mining communities. Interestingly, same study found that small-scale mines are linked to poverty reduction.

Harvard scholars Sachs and Warmer in 1995, studied 97 developing countries in the period 1970-1989 and observed that resource-poor economies outperformed resource-rich economies in terms of economic growth. Extractive industries like that of bigger mining companies exacerbate the resourced curse.

The resource curse (paradox of plenty) refers to the paradox that countries with an abundance of natural resources (e.g. fossil fuels, oil, minerals such as gold, bauxite, diamond, etc.), tend to have less economic growth, less democracy, and worse development outcomes than countries with fewer natural resources.

In Ghana, the evidence of the resource curse is most seen in especially the gold mining regions and communities, where mining activities have resulted in deepening poverty, environmental degradation, and social impacts. In Nigeria, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Sierra Leone, the resource curse has resulted in armed conflicts and civil wars.

This curse is also more evident in countries where there is a centralised government, less devolution, and less decentralisation. Here, power is highly concentrated in the capital cities. Less concentration and attention are paid to the local communities. Many businesses and their registration are highly carried out in the capital cities. This system is a top-down approach that creates unnecessary frustrations, many bureaucracies and cumbersomeness in getting businesses registered and making decisions at the local level.

Ghana's decentralisation is thus described by some experts as centralised decentralisation. Others argue that our so-called decentralisation is rather deconcentration.

Distribution of the gold mining revenues: The curse is also evident in countries and systems, where revenues generated from mining communities go to the central government and where little of the revenue goes to the communities where the mineral is mined and extracted. In Ghana, for instance, the mining companies pay 7% royalties of the total gold mining revenues to the Republic of Ghana. Here is the distribution: 80% of these goes to the central government (retained in the Consolidated Funds) and 20% is transferred to the Mineral Development Fund (MDF)  this is stipulated in the MDF Act 2016. Ten percent of the 20% is retained by the MDF as 10% goes to the host mining communities. Out of this 10% that goes to the host mining communities, about 5% is transferred to the District Assembly for the regulatory institutions such as the Mineral Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Eventually, only 1.8% ends up with the chiefs for any development in the communities. There is no law that stipulates how even the little 1.8% should be used for any meaningful development. Additionally, no checks and balances are put in place to ensure that these funds are put into their intended purpose.

Another reason is that large scale mining companies create 'enclave economies', where only a fraction of the total Ghanaian labor force is employed in the sector. The sector usually depends on highly technical and skilled labor, which are limited in rural communities where gold mining is done. Thus, large scale mines exist to boost national incomes and foreign exchange earnings for the national economy but positive economic impacts on the local communities where they operate are minimal. Several past studies had supported my argument.

Garvin et al. (2009) posit that large-scale mines employ estimated 20,000 people in Ghana, far below the estimated number artisanal gold mining sector absorbs. Artisanal small-scale gold mining in Ghana employs over four million people.

In 2001, Aryee pointed out that despite huge investment injected into the Ghanaian economy from bigger scale mines, the distribution of income remains uneven with rural communities where mines are located receiving little benefits from the gold mining income.

Akabzaa and Darimani (2001) indicated that poverty abounds in gold mining and resource-rich communities, with lower absorption and employment of the local people into the large-scale mines. Garvin et al. (2009) further add that Ghanaian communities that house mining companies get real little local benefits from the industrial gold mining operation and exploration activities.

This article is a combination of some three episodes in the series I did on world environment day (5/06/2022). The other analyses will be added soon.

BY Dr. AK Mensah/Cebstar-Africa

The writer holds a PhD from the Ruhr University Bochum in Germany. He is a scientist at the CSIR and the founder of the Centre for Better Society Advocacy and Research-Africa.
VK6WIA NewsWest



NewsWest for Sunday 12th June 2022 is the contesting edition, with news of contests coming up, some results from last months contesting survey, a story about an offer NewsWest made to the WIA National News Team, news from the ACMA, the regulator, and a reminder about HamFeast, and of course Roys Amateur Radio Helpline.



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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo Friday led the nationwide campaign to plant 20 million trees as part of efforts to build Ghana's resilience against climate change.

The commemorative tree planting at the Efua Sutherland Children's Park in Accra builds on last year's Green Ghana project, which sought to have Ghanaians plant some 100 million trees by the end of 2024.

The maiden edition of the Green Ghana campaign held last year saw the planting of some seven million trees.

This year's campaign, which is being held under the theme: Mobilising for a Greener Future, aims at planting 20 million trees. Half of that number will be implemented within degraded forest reserves across the country.

Tree seedlings to be planted include native timber species, shade trees, multi-purpose leguminous trees, and ornamental and fruit trees.

Addressing the gathering at the ceremony, President Akufo-Addo said the ambitious target to plant 20 million trees were attainable and called on all Ghanaians to actively participate in the endeavour.

He noted that despite the importance of the forest to human existence, forest resources were being depleted at an alarming rate.

Worldwide, some 1.6 billion people depend on the forest for their livelihoods. In Ghana, some 85 per cent of the population rely also on forest resources to satisfy socio-cultural needs.

The President bemoaned the current situation where globally, some 79 million acres of the rain forest lost daily.

"18 years ago, half of the earth's surface was covered by forest. Today, with an estimated forest area of 4 billion hectares, forests cover less than 30% of the world's surface.

In the last three decades alone, the world has lost 137, 846, 602 acres of forest, more than 10% of the current total forest area.

More troubling is the current data that shows that globally, we are losing 150 acres of rain forest every single minute, 200,000 acres a day and 79 million a year and this is just rain forest, he stated.

Thus, the aggressive afforestation and reforestation drive by the government, President Akufo-Addo emphasised, was Ghana's push to restore lost forest cover and halt the current rate of deforestation.

It is in this spirit that I call on each and every one of you, whether you are a Ghanaian or not, in so far as you are in Ghana, to join us today to plant at least, 20 million trees.

I call on members of Parliament, members of Corporate Ghana, traditional leaders, entrepreneurs, teachers, nurses, doctors, lawyers, judges, workers, farmers, bankers, students, religious leaders, traders, civil servants, public servants, members of the diplomatic corps and indeed, every person living in Ghana as well as those visiting Ghana on Green Ghana Day, to help us plant these trees.

Together, let us build a greener future, for current and future generations of Ghanaians and mankind, he said.

GNA
The First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, has joined her African first ladies' counterparts in Brazzaville, Congo, to attend the 26th Extraordinary General Assembly to elect a new President for the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD).

The two-day meeting is also to discuss health financing and other development agenda of the first ladies within their various countries.

The meeting, being hosted by Mrs Antoinette Sassou Nguesso, first lady of the Republic of Congo, who is also the outgoing President of OAFLAD, is being attended by other first ladies from Liberia, Namibia, Malawi, Cote d'Ivoire, Burundi, the Gambia, Niger, Nigeria, Kenya, among others.

It is on the theme: ''Twenty years in service of the most vulnerable in Africa,'' coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the establishment of OAFLAD by some 37 African first ladies, with the aim of uniting and serving as a voice for the Continent's most vulnerable; women and children living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.

At the opening of the session on Thursday in Brazzaville, Mrs Sassou Nguesso welcomed her counterparts including all those who joined virtually and urged them to stay committed to the ideals of the Organisation.

Today's meeting is important because it will produce a new President for OAFLAD and subsequently discuss the management of the organisation and its programmes in the aftermath of COVID-19 pandemic, she said.

She also charged her counterparts to continue to support the efforts by their husbands to ensure peace and progress of the African countries.

Meanwhile, records made available to the Ghana News Agency in Brazzaville had indicated that upon the establishment of OAFLAD in Africa, health outcomes on the continent had improved drastically through a concerted global effort being championed by the first ladies in their various countries.

Also, the rate of HIV and AIDS deaths are over three times lower today than in 2002, while the rates of deaths from maternal and neonatal disorders are over 1.5 times lower, and rates of death from one of the biggest childhood killers, malaria, are two times lower, records made available to the Ghana News Agency in Brazzaville, Congo has indicated.

GNA
The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) on Thursday, June 9, 2022, organised a seminar for the media at the Conference Hall of the Tertiary Education Complex at its premises to build collaboration with journalists to help in the executive of its mandate.

On August 21, 2020, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo assented to the Education Regulatory Bodies Act 2020 (Act 1023).

Part One of Act 1023 Established the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission as a merged entity from the erstwhile National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) and the National Accreditation Board (NAB).

GTEC since then, became the body mandated to among other things regulate tertiary education in all its forms.

Keen on executing its mandate to the satisfaction of all, the leadership of GTEC admits that it is faced with challenges.

As a result, it has decided to strengthen collaborations with all stakeholders to have a better chance of overcoming the challenges in order to excel in what is required of the commission.

Speaking at the seminar on Thursday, the board chairman of GTEC, Prof. Kwame Boafo-Arthur explained the rationale behind the first-ever media seminar of his outfit, noting that considers the media an important stakeholder in the development and the attainment of goals and objectives of the commission.

He shared that GTEC has organised the seminar to inform and educate the media fraternity on the mandate and operations of the commission as spelt out in Article 1023.

Prof. Kwame Boafo-Arthur added that the seminar is also to establish the level of awareness of standards, quality of assessments, and quality assurance in tertiary education by the media and their role thereof.

He added that through the seminar, GTEC hopes to come up with strategies on how best the commission in collaboration with the media can put the issue of continuous quality improvement in tertiary institutions at the forefront of public or national discussions.

The GTEC chairman in his address called on the media to get close to his outfit and help expose the running of unaccredited programmes by unaccredited institutions.

According to Prof. Kwame Boafo, although GTEC is doing its bid, it will be able to achieve more to make tertiary education better in the country if it receives support from the media.

Your presence to be here for this important seminar is a joy to me because the media is a very critical component in virtually every aspect of our national development. We thank you for honouring our invitation.

The media which is the fourth estate of the realm has played and will continue to play a vital role in Ghanas development. This is why it is critical that the media have a full understanding and appreciation of the work of the commission to enhance its performance of agenda-setting and watchdog role so far as the tertiary education landscape is concerned, Prof. Kwame Boafo-Arthur indicated.

At the seminar, Prof. Mohammed Salifu who is the Director-General of the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission delivered a presentation on the mandate of the commission under Article 1023.

He noted that the commission is to regulate tertiary education in all its forms with a view to promote; Efficient and effective management, Provide consistent quality of service, Advance the application of knowledge, and Develop appropriate human capital.

He called on the media to help GTEC to maintain eternal vigilance and hold Tertiary Institutions in the country accountable

Collectively we need to protect the public interest and the integrity and prestige of our Tertiary Education system and qualifications awarded, Prof. Mohammed Salifu noted.
Former President John Dramani Mahama wants the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration to show more commitment to promoting free speech and ensuring the protection of journalists in the country.

We believe that the ability of citizens to express themselves freely is a right and not a privilege. This administration must learn to tolerate criticisms and enhance free speech while protecting journalists from harm, Mr. Mahama said in a statement to mark the birth of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The former President expressed concerns about suppression of the press, which he said had resulted in the media being cowed into silence.

He believes an intimidated citizenry do not constitute the appropriate resource for sustainable progress and national development.

Ghana recently dropped 30 places to 60th globally and 10th in Africa on the World Press Freedom Index.

It was the countrys lowest-ever ranking in almost two decades, after it ranked 66th and 67th in 2005 and 2002, respectively.

The report, by Reporters Without Borders, said, although the country is considered a regional leader in democratic stability, journalists have experienced growing pressures in recent years.

The former President also implored the governing NPP to turn its focus on strengthening democracy in Ghana.

The NDC also believes democracy goes beyond enriching family and friends, because it involves using the nations resources responsibly to address the felt needs of all Ghanaians.

Democracy, transparency and accountability are bed fellows, and therefore, while creating opportunities for all, leaders are also required to wage a strong battle against corruption, Mahama added.

---citinewsroom
With more than half its population lacking mains electricity and still using charcoal and other damaging sources for cooking, Africa's energy future -- torn between fossil fuels and renewables -- is up for grabs.

As nations discuss the climate crisis at the UN's mid-year negotiations in Bonn, AFP spoke to Mohamed Adow, founder of think tank Power Shift Africa, about the forces pulling the continent in opposing directions.

The stakes, he warns, are global.

Q. You have said rich nations owe the rest of the world a climate debt

"The prosperity they enjoy was, in effect, subsidised by the rest of the world because they polluted without paying the cost for doing so.

"Africa is home to 17 percent of Earth's population but accounts for less than four percent of global greenhouse-gas emissions and only half-a-percent of historic emissions. The continent emits less than 1 tonne of CO2 per person, compared to seven in Europe or China, and more than 15 in the United States.

"If the least-developed continent on our planet is going to leapfrog fossil fuels to renewables, rich nations must pay the climate debt they owe."

Q. How will Africa's energy choices impact the rest of the world?

The share of solar and wind power in total electricity production in 2020 for selected countries. By Jonathan WALTER (AFP)

"My continent is at a crossroads with two possible futures. Africa can become a clean energy leader with decentralised renewables powering a more inclusive society and a greener economy, or it can become a large polluter that is burdened with stranded assets and economic instability.

"We have the opportunity to make a difference for Africa and for the world."

Q. US envoy John Kerry says climate change in Africa could see "hundreds of millions of people looking for a place to live." Is he right?

"Absolutely. It is important to acknowledge that climate-induced migration is a threat. As climate impacts increase, people in Africa -- where almost all agriculture is rain-fed -- will be forcefully displaced from their land.

A woman carries a water container at a camp for displaced persons in Somalia. The country's years-long drought chimes with long-standing warnings about climate change. By YASUYOSHI CHIBA (AFP)

"In wealthy nations, that is seen mostly as a security issue. But this is a humanitarian disaster in which people are already losing lives, homes and livelihoods.

"The only way to prevent climate-induced migration in the long-run is to reduce carbon pollution at the scale needed."

Q. Is the war in Ukraine affecting energy development in Africa?

"To attain energy security after Russia's invasion, Europe is effectively pushing Africa to pour its limited financial resources into developing its fossil gas extraction and export industry, primarily for consumers in Europe."

"Last month German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, during a three-day tour of Senegal, said his country wants to 'intensively pursue' projects to develop and import Senegal's huge gas reserves. Germany, of course, has been especially dependent on Russian gas.

"So now Europe wants to shackle Africa with new fossil fuel infrastructure that we know will be redundant within a few years, not to mention self-harming for the continent. And lest we forget: gas from Africa will emit the same amount of emissions as gas from Russia."

Q. What is the balance of power in Africa between fossil-fuel interests and those striving to leapfrog to renewables?

A charcoal seller in Sokoto, Nigeria. The fuel is used by millions of Africans for cooking and heating despite its destructive effect on forests and health. By PIUS UTOMI EKPEI (AFP)

"Last month, the Sustainable Energy for All summit in (Rwandan capital) Kigali issued a communique supporting 'Africa in the deployment of gas as a transition fuel'. But only 10 out of 54 African countries signed that statement.

"I think the majority of African nations recognise the tremendous opportunity that renewables present for job creation, innovation, reduced air pollution and sustainable industrialisation. But this majority is a silent majority -- they have not yet leveraged their moral voice to make a case for a cleaner, sustainable Africa.

"There are some leaders. My country, Kenya, is currently powered by 90-percent renewable energy and has set a target of 100 percent by 2030."

Q. The trillions needed to engineer a rapid transition to renewables will not come from public sources alone. How do you mobilise private capital?

"We need to think about long-term investment security in Africa. This is the most expensive continent for securing loans or credit. We need to introduce payment guarantee schemes that are backed by international finance to facilitate safe investment in renewable energy.

"But you still need public money to leverage international investment and finance. We also have to unlock Africa's domestic sources -- public funds, sovereign wealth funds. And then there's debt. If we could swap some foreign debt for the kinds of investment Africa needs, it could make a big difference."
Authorities in Senegal said Friday they had arrested members of a rebel group campaigning for the independence of the Casamance region, and bluntly warned "those who seek to destabilise" the country.

"There were indeed rebels who were arrested during the latest demonstrations," government spokesman Oumar Gueye said, responding to questions about reports in the press.

"Those who seek to destabilise our country are going to get cold feet," he said.

Gueye gave no details about the arrests, but social media said those detained were members of the Movement of Democratic Forces of Casamance (MFDC).

They had come to the capital Dakar to attend anti-government protests staged on Wednesday by an opposition coalition called Yewwi Askan Wi, according to those reports.

Yewwi Askan Wi's leading figure is Ousmane Sonko, mayor of Casamance's main town Ziguinchor.

Legislative elections take place in Senegal on July 31, and tensions are high after the Constitutional Cort banned Sonko and several other opposition leaders from contesting the vote.

Sonko and others threatened during Wednesday's protest to prevent the elections from taking place if Yewwi Askan Wi was barred.

Sonko's party did not reply to an AFP request to comment on the government's announcement.

Senegal's southern-most region, almost separated from the rest of the country by the tiny state of The Gambia, Casamance has a distinct culture and language, derived from its past as a former Portugese colony.

The MFDC has led a low-intensity campaign since 1982 that has claimed several thousand lives.

However, the conflict had mostly lain dormant until Senegal launched a major offensive last year designed to drive out the rebels.

In a clash on January 24, four Senegalese soldiers were killed and seven were captured alive and taken across the border to The Gambia. The rebels released the hostages the following month.

In March, the army launched a new operation in which it claimed to have destroyed several rebel bases for the loss of one soldier and eight wounded.
10.06.2022 LISTEN

It is normally against the culture of any tribe worldwide, to speak ill of the dead. However, to succeed in the war being waged against official corruption in Ghana, if at all there is any such war, I shall discuss what has become the public knowledge about the level of official corruption allegedly perpetrated and perpetuated by the late Mr Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie aka Sir John.

Why is it that the Ghanaian politician, civil servant in higher position and a traditional overlord, see it as their right to use their offices to acquire huge illegal personal wealth within the shortest possible time of their assumption of office? I cant get my head around this infatuation with corruption by our Ghanaian leaders.

In Ghana, sadly, politics has become an arena for people to amass great illegal wealth. The Ghanaian politician does not know what is to be of service to their country and humanity when they get the chance to be in office. For them, to hell with good name, although it is said in Proverbs 22:1  A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold, thus, a good name really speaks to your integrity

For a period under former President John Agyekum Kufours administration, Sir John was appointed the head of legal services at the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC). He was later made to act as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the corporation, only to be removed after a few months into the post, I heard.

His removal was alleged to have been caused by some malfeasance of the sort of embezzlement he committed. If it was true, then it was very disgraceful of him.

In the few days following his demise, a certain Kumasi Asokwa-based guy he had employed along with many other such workers for the forestry department came out weeping his eyes out in denial of killing Sir John through a curse he was alleged to have invoked on him (Sir John).

Nonetheless, he stated that Sir John had not paid him and many others he had employed into the forestry department for the past few months and again, he had reduced their wages or salary from the agreed contractual sum of eight hundred Cedis (Ghc 800.00) a month to four hundred Cedis (Ghc400.00) without informing them.

The man, an active member of NPP, had furiously stated his mind about the disgusting behaviour by Sir John to him (Sir John), amid probably threatening to curse him but which threats he might not have carried out. No wonder that when Sir John succumbed to an untimely Covid-19 infection, accusing fingers were pointed at the guy as the author of his death.

Let me ask a few questions in my attempts to prove whether or not Sir John was corrupt as per the immense wealth and properties he acquired within such a short period of time into his official political appointments.

1. Why did Sir John on his own reduce the salary/wages of those people he had employed contrary to the terms of their probably non-written but verbal contract?

2. Did he keep the difference of the salary/wages as reported, to himself, or he made it official to the Accountant Generals Department to save money for the country and his Forestry Commission at the expense of the poor workers?

3. What made him decide to half the salary/wages of the workers without their consent and still thought he had even done them a favour employing them in the first place?

4. How did he come to acquire the many properties he willed the members of his family and friends as has become a hot topic of discussion in the country to the detriment of the NPP government?

5. Was his salary that big enough to acquire him all the various plots of land at the Achimota forest and other such sought-after places in Accra and other parts of the country as stated in his will?

6. Did Sir John declare his properties before assuming the political posts he held in the country?

7. Is his will genuine or just a propaganda like any other by some political opponents to make the NPP government unpopular? I am only asking to build up my case of proving whether Ghanaian politicians are honest or dishonest.

I dont feel the need to ask any further questions since in my candid opinion, he could never have acquired all the willed properties by his genuine annual salaries without resorting to embezzlement of some sort, if his will is authentic.

He is not an exception. Most, or almost all, of the politicians in Ghana are excessively corrupt and embezzlers.

Considering the period within which he acquired most of his properties, one can only agree with Fela Anikulapo Kutis lyrics of there being Vagabonds in Power (VIP) in Africa, although VIP means Very Important Person.

When will black people, especially native Ghanaians, learn that acquiring immense wealth through corruption is not good?

In both Matthew 16:26 and Mark 8:6, it is said, For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

How has it profited Sir John by acquiring all this wealth, if he had done so dubiously, only to lose his soul and become an object of laughter and a person of public discussion for all bad reasons?

I shall have proper time to write about the disgraceful infatuation with corruption by Ghanaian politicians, civil service bosses and traditional overlords.

Rockson Adofo

Friday, 10 June 2022
A British judge on Friday rejected an emergency bid to block deportation flights of asylum-seekers to Rwanda set to start next week under an agreement with the east African country, ruling politicians must manage immigration policy.

The UK government intends to fly the first planeload of claimants to Rwanda on June 14, after agreeing the plan with Kigali in a bid to deter illegal migrants from undertaking perilous crossings of the Channel by boat.

Refugee rights groups and a trade union representing UK Border Force personnel challenged the plan in London's High Court, seeking an injunction against Tuesday's inaugural flight and any beyond then.

They argue that the plan violates asylum seekers' human rights, and say the government cannot justify its claim that Rwanda is a safe destination.

But delivering his decision after a one-day hearing, judge Jonathan Swift said it was in the "public interest" for Interior Minister Priti Patel "to be able to implement immigration control decisions".

However, Swift gave permission for his ruling to be appealed, suggesting Court of Appeal judges would hear the case on Monday, whilst also setting the date for a fuller two-day High Court hearing next month.

'Ashamed'

Patel welcomed the move, saying the government "will not be deterred in breaking the deadly people smuggling trade and ultimately saving lives".

"Rwanda is a safe country and has previously been recognised for providing a safe haven for refugees," she added.

But rights groups bidding to block the policy said they were "disappointed", while one faith leader said it left her feeling "deeply ashamed to be British"

"It feels inhumane," the Bishop of Dover Rose Hudson-Wilkin told Times Radio of the planned deportations.

Enver Soloman, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said it was "extremely worrying that despite these legal challenges and widespread concern, the government remain determined to press ahead".

Noting the numbers of migrants crossing the Channel had risen since the policy was unveiled earlier this year, he urged ministers to "reflect on the initial failures of this plan, and rethink".

Earlier, the UN refugee agency had accused the British government of dishonesty over its plan, after lawyers for the claimants said Patel's interior ministry had claimed the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) endorsed it.

The UN agency's lawyer Laura Dubinsky said it "in no way endorses the UK-Rwandan arrangement".

"UNHCR is not involved in the UK-Rwanda arrangement, despite assertions to the contrary made by the secretary of state," she told the court.

Dubinsky said the would-be refugees were at risk of "serious, irreparable harm" if sent to Rwanda, and that the UN had "serious concerns about Rwandan capacity".

The UNHCR's concerns include a lack of legal redress in Rwanda and potential discrimination against gay claimants.

"These are concerns that have been communicated to the UK authorities and yet the secretary of state's position... is that the UNHCR has given this plan a green light," the claimants' lawyer Raza Husain said.

"That is a false claim."

'Right approach'

Lawyers for the ministry later addressed the court, which heard there were 31 people expected to be on Tuesday's scheduled flight.

"The Home Office does intend to make arrangements for a further flight or flights to Rwanda this year," its lawyer Mathew Gullick said.

He urged the judge to consider the impact of blocking the flights, noting "even a pause of six weeks creates a period of time in which people may rush to cross (the Channel)".

"There are potentially hundreds of people who can cross in a single day," he added.

The government remains committed to the policy, Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman had told reporters.

The plan remained "the right approach, not least to tackle the criminal gangs who exploit migrants on the coast of France and quite often force them into unseaworthy vessels to make what is an incredibly dangerous crossing to the UK", he said.

More than 10,000 migrants have made the journey so far this year, a huge increase on prior years. The one-way flights are intended to deter others from entering Britain by illegal routes, and offer those who do try a new life in Rwanda instead.
Two Brits arrested in Albania as police accuse them of spying after seizing radio gear

Two Britons were quizzed on allegations of espionage by officers at Tirana International Airport in Albania after police discovered sophisticated Kenwood radios in their luggage

Two Britons have been arrested by Albanian spooks and accused of spying after border police found radio transmitters in their luggage.

The pair were quizzed on allegations of espionage by officers at Tirana International Airport after they discovered sophisticated Kenwood radios in their luggage.

They told the officials they were IT engineers who were carrying the amateur gear to indulge their hobby while on holiday in Albania.

One suspect was registered as using a ham radio in the Tirana region on online profiles, which also say he specialises in electronic warfare.

Albanian police confirmed that they have opened a probe over allegations of spy activities and espionage.

A source said: Its highly unusual to be carrying this sort of equipment and even more strange for someone to be stopped and accused of being a covert agent.

The two Britons were held on May 30 and then allowed to return to the UK. However they remain under investigation, police say. The electronic kit by Kenwood  which makes a range of cutting edge communication devices  was sent to the Albanian Criminal Laboratory for further examination.

You can read the full Daily Mirror article at

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/two-brits-arrested-albania-police-27191861
Iran removing UN monitoring cameras, poised to move troops into Syria

by Jonathan Broder

On the evening of May 31 in the central Iranian city of Yazd, an Iranian aerospace engineer was returning home from dinner with a colleague when he suddenly felt ill and collapsed into unconsciousness. Ayub Entezari was rushed to hospital, where he died after several unsuccessful attempts to resuscitate him, according to an Iranian opposition media outlet.

The cause of Entezaris death: intentional poisoning, said Saudi-financed Iran International News, which operates a news site and broadcasts satellite television newscasts from its headquarters in London.

The website posted a picture of a letter that local authorities sent to Entezaris family, calling the 35-year-old engineer a martyr. Iranian officials use the term only for those who die defending the Islamic Republic. The website said Entezari, who held a doctorate in aerospace engineering from Tehrans Sharif University of Technology, worked on Irans drone and missile development at a research facility in Yazd.

Quoting unnamed sources, the website said Iranian security officials tried to locate the colleague, but the man had fled the country, the website said.

Such unconfirmed reports sound like something out of Tehran, the Israeli spy drama now streaming its second season on Hulu. Yet its plausible that Israels Mossad was behind Entezaris death. In recent weeks, the spy agency has resumed its campaign of targeted killings of Iraniansjust one front in a shadowy war that Israel and Iran have been fighting on land, sea, air, in cyberspace and through proxies since 1982. And that war is heating up on several other fronts as President Joe Biden prepares to visit the Middle East later this month.

With talks in Vienna to revive the 2015 nuclear deal now stalled and Iran continuing to enrich uranium to near-weapons-grade levels, the Israeli military is openly preparing dramatic new options for Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, should the talks collapse. Tehran has repeatedly threatened to destroy Israel, and Bennett, like his predecessors, has vowed never to allow Iran to develop a nuclear weapon. Last week, the Israeli military completed extensive air, sea and land exercises in the Mediterranean and in Cyprus, a portion of which simulated the distances its warplanes would have to fly to bomb Irans nuclear facilities and make it back home. According to Israeli officials, airborne tankers refueled the warplanes twice.

Meanwhile, Israel reportedly carried out yet another targeted killing on May 22, when two assassins on motorcycles pulled up alongside a car driven by Revolutionary Guards Col. Sayad Khodayee in Tehran and pumped five bullets into his head, leaving his body slumped behind the wheel of his Iranian-made Kia Pride, according to Iranian state media reports and photos. The assassins escaped, the state media said.

A week later, a Revolutionary Guards leader Col. Ali Esmaelzadeh, died after falling from the balcony of his Tehran home. Iran International News, citing anonymous sources in Iran, reported that Revolutionary Guard officials suspected him of spying for Israel and threw him from the balcony.

Both Esmaelzadeh and Khodayee were a senior officers in the Guards Quds Force, which trains, arms and pays a number of Shiite militias and political parties in the Middle East, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, several groups in Iraq, and the Houthis in Yemen, as a way to extend Tehrans influence across the region. In January 2020, the United States assassinated Quds Force commander Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani via a drone strike in Baghdad.

Israel informed the Americans that it was behind Khodayees killing, the New York Times reported, quoting an anonymous intelligence official who had been briefed on Israels communication with the Americans. The intelligence official said the Israelis told the Americans that Col. Khodayee was the deputy commander of the Quds Forces covert Unit 804, where he had planned assassination plots against Israelis and other foreigners in Cyprus, Columbia, Kenya and Turkey. In April, the Mossad thwarted a Unit 804 plot to kill an Israeli consular official in Istanbul, a U.S. general in Germany, and a journalist in France.

Under the unwritten rules in this shadow war, Khodayees rank as a senior officer in the covert assassination unit made him a legitimate target, as were four Iranian nuclear scientists the Mossad has assassinated in Iran over the past 12 years, including Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, Irans top nuclear engineer. According to Ronen Bergman, an Israeli intelligence reporter and author, Mossad takes its operational doctrine from the Babylonian Talmud, a 6th century compendium of legal arguments touching on all aspects of life. He who comes to kill you, rise early and kill him first, it instructs.

Another front in the shadow war could be heating up soon. With the war in Ukraine chewing through Russias military manpower and its equipment stores, Moscow has redeployed its paramilitaries in Libya to the Ukraine campaign and may soon do the same with its forces in Syria. If that occurs, Iran will fill the vacuum with its own troops, predicted King Abdullah II of Jordan, whose country borders on southern Syria.

The presence of the Russians in the south in Syria was a source of calm, the Jordanian monarch told former U.S. national security adviser H.R. McMaster on his Battlegrounds podcast last month. He cited the deconfliction agreements that Russian commanders reached both with the United States, whose special forces and Kurdish proxies have been fighting remnants of the Islamic State; and with Israel, which has regularly conducted airstrikes against Iranian Quds forces and their proxies to prevent them from using Syria as a base for missile attacks against Israel.

That vacuum [left by the Russians] will be filled by the Iranians and their proxies, King Abdullah said. So unfortunately, we are looking at maybe an escalation of problems on our borders.

Israel is also closely watching for signs of a Russian military redeployment from Syria and any inflow of Iranian forces, their proxies and weapons. Of particular concern to Israeli intelligence is Irans ongoing efforts to smuggle precision-guided missiles to their proxies in Syria, Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. According to Israeli Brig. Gen. Jacob Nagel and Jonathan Schanzer, a former U.S. Treasury intelligence official and now senior vice president of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a pro-Israel think tank, Israels recent military exercises also included a simulated multi-front war against Iran-backed proxies in those countries and territories.

The Israelis believe this is coming, Schanzer told SpyTalk, referring to an Iranian bid to replace the Russians in Syria. And while an increased Iranian presence in Syria would pose a danger to Israel, he said it also would present an opportunity, providing Israeli warplanes and drones with a wealth of targets.

If the Russians draw down their personnel and their hardware from Syria, theres nothing to stop the Israelis from striking Iranian assets with greater and greater impunity, Schanzer said.

All this is bubbling as Biden prepares for his Middle East visit. The key stop in his itinerary is Saudi Arabia, where Biden will try to persuade Crown Prince Mohammed bin Sultan, the kingdoms de facto leader, to increase oil production in a bid to lower gas prices (and undercut Russian revenues). It will be an awkward moment for Biden, who as a candidate branded Prince Mohammed a pariah after the CIA determined he had ordered the grisly 2018 murder and dismemberment of Saudi dissident and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul. Biden also pledged to withdraw U.S. military and intelligence support for Saudi Arabias devastating war in Yemena promise that remains unfulfilled, according to a recent finding by The Washington Post. But with gas prices last clocked at $5 a gallon, realpolitik has trumped moral outrage.

The president also will visit Israel, where talks will focus on the administrations effort to revive the stalled Iran nuclear deal. Chances of that are increasingly slim.

Israel, together with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have long opposed the deal. But unlike former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who actively campaigned against it, Bennett has so far refrained from mobilizing Israels U.S. lobbyists against the administrations policy, confident the negotiations will fail on their own. But as the recent military exercises and targeted killings demonstrate, he has repeatedly asserted Israels right to defend itself against Iran, should the need arise. Meanwhile, Irans act to remove 27 U.N. cameras monitoring its nuclear sites, reported Thursday, will only bolster the hand of Israeli hawks urging the government to take further preventative action.

For months, the Biden administration has told Israel its campaign of targeted killings will not dissuade U.S. officials from trying to reach a diplomatic solution to the Iranian nuclear issue. And for the first time, voices in Israel are urging the Mossad to halt the killings, calling them pointless and ineffective in halting Irans nuclear program.

This program is not dependent on one expert or a group of experts, even if they are nuclear physics geniuses, said the left-wing Israel daily Haaretz in an editorial earlier this week. Anyone who believes that the surgical murder of a scientist will deter Iran is peddling a lie and saying, in effect, that the Iranian nuclear threat is a giant balloon that can be deflated with a single pinprick, or a bomb attached to a scientists car.

In fact, the assassinations that Israel carries out in a foreign country, even if that country is Iran, make it look like a neighborhood bully: a state that is driven by political struggles and whose government seeks to deflect criticism with the help of pointless intelligence antics, thereby endangering its citizens, the editorial continued. These citizens deserve a convincing explanation as to why and how these killings serve Israels interest.

But for the time being, signs are the shadow war will go onand maybe even escalate, even as the war with Russia over Ukraine remains at center stage. As war-weary regional hands like to say, you can try to forget about the Middle East, but the Middle East never forgets about you.

Jonathan Broder is a veteran reporter, editor and foreign correspondent, Broder writes about defense and foreign policy from Washington.
June 10, 2022 Ukraine Open Thread 2022-83 Only news & views related to the Ukraine conflict ... The open thread for other issues is here. Posted by b on June 10, 2022 at 13:08 UTC | Permalink Comments next page  next page 
"I think going through the process of finding more self-worth, I think that what you want in a partner is elevated and so it's great to have someone who feels like an equal partner and be in a healthy relationship," "There were times  I'm not saying with all my exes, they're great  but there were some times that I was probably putting up with that I shouldn't have. So it feels different to be in a really healthy relationship."

Rebels last boyfriend was Jacob Busch, parting ways in February 2021.

The Pitch Perfect actress had mentioned in November that she was taking a break from dating after a "Hot Girl Summer," adding that she "did date a few people over the summer and I had a really nice time".

From every relationship, you learn stuff all about yourself and what you're looking for,

"It's not an exaggeration to say no one was really interested in dating me, especially in my 20s," she said. "I had a snaggle tooth. I was a catch if people really got to know me, but there was nobody really interested. But in a way that allowed me to not only have this amazing career and come up out of Australia, out of nowhere and get two degrees and then come to America and crush it. Would I have been able to do that if I had a serious relationship? Probably in my love life I was meant to be a late bloomer anyways."

Source
BERLIN (AP)  A man apparently attacked a woman and a 7-year-old girl with a knife at an elementary school in southwestern Germany on Friday and then fled, police said.

The school in Esslingen, near Stuttgart, was closed for a regional vacation, but some children were being looked after there during the holiday. The girl and the woman, a 61-year-old supervisor, were taken to a hospital with injuries that weren't considered life-threatening.
Malorny/Getty Images

Two sets of recently installed traffic signals are scheduled to be put into operation Monday, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.

In Greenwood, traffic signals on Farm-to-Market Road 307 at the intersection of County Road 1090 should be put in operation Monday morning. Traffic signals at Billy Hext Road and the service roads of Highway 191 in Odessa should be put in operation Monday afternoon.
Parliament has lost its legitimacy, and parliament has lost its mandate. There must be an overhaul of this system. But before that, parliament also needs to be dissolved; it is anyway dissolved into independents. It has been dissolved, I mean in actual fact it is dissolved. So at least formally you must dissolve it now.

by M.A. Sumanthiran

The country is looking to the parliament today for answers to an unprecedented economic crisis that the country is facing. Each time this parliament meets people have had expectations that there would be some change, some forward movement to resolve this crisis. And the people are disappointed because, this was a parliament when it was constituted or soon thereafter had two thirds support for the government, and with that 2/3rd support that they gathered together, they brought an amendment to the constitution, the 20th amendment, and strengthened the hands of the President, which was by the 19thAmendment taken back to Parliament somewhat, that was reversed. And the Presidents own election manifesto in 2019, the Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour I urge everyone in this country to read that manifesto. You will die laughing before you actually die of hunger if you read that manifesto and compare it to the state that the country is in today. In the manifesto, before I deal with other matters; the one very specific proposal that he made, is on pages 36 and 37 in the English version of the manifesto, where on page 37, he very specifically says income tax will be reduced, economic service charge and withholding tax will be scrapped. A simple value-added tax of 8 % will be introduced, replacing both the current VAT of 15 % and the Nation-building tax of 2 %, payee tax will be scrapped and personal income tax will be subject to a ceiling of 15 %. The 5-year moratorium will be granted on taxes payable by agriculturists and small and medium enterprises and so on. Huge tax reliefs were announced even in his election manifesto - it was an election promise. I want to table those two pages, titled chapter 5 People-Centric economy pages 36 and 37. I am tabling it.

At that time itself, the finance minister of this country, Hon. Mangala Samaraweera, specifically addressed this election promise and he stated that if this proposal is implemented - he did that on the 19th of October 2019 - he addressed a press conference on the 19th of October 2019, and he addressed the issue of these promises that candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa gave this country. And what did Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera say? He said, If these are implemented Sri Lanka will become like Lebanon and Venezuela. Sri Lanka will become like Lebanon and Venezuela." Unfortunately, or fortunately for him, Hon. Mangala Samaraweera is not with us today, but his prediction has come true, and his warning has come true. On the 30th of October 2019 he tweeted, its still there on Twitter, and I am going to table Mangala Samaraweeras tweet made on the 30th of October 2019. This is what he said, Gotas tax plan wants to set Sri Lanka on an express train to bankruptcy, default and a Greek styled debt crisis. That change alone is equivalent to heath, defence or pension budgets. Certainly doesnt need advice for PR agencies conjured business communities. I am tabling Hon. Magala Samaraweeras tweet on 30th October 2019 is also to be included in the Hansard. So, one cannot say that there were no warnings. The Finance Minister of the country at that time said this. Hon. Prime minister now wants to set up a parliamentary budget office. During the last Parliament, we had that draft and all of that was set up but it was never presented to Parliament. Recently he asked me for the draft and I have sent it to him, and hope that will be done. One of the tasks of the Parliamentary budget office is that when due for an election somebody makes a promise - an election promise - the Parliamentary budget office will have to immediately calculate the impact of that promise and publish a report saying, this is how it will impact the economy. Unfortunately, we did not have the Parliamentary budget office to say that, but nevertheless, the minister of finance said it more than once. But voters were duped, voters were told a strong country, a strong leader, what do we have today a strong leader? What do we have today? We need a strong leader to invoke that sentiment amongst the voters, an Easter Sunday attack was also carried out earlier, and voters were duped. And these tax cuts were actually implemented in December 2019 and were the single reason why we are in this predicament today. I am not saying thats the only reason, but that was the trigger, because it was only after that, beginning April 2020 that our ratings started falling. When the rating started falling, the Central bank under the Monetary law gave confidential reports and I believe, it cautioned the government, that we will not be able to borrow anymore and by July/August 2020, we were shut out of International Financial markets. And thats it! Thats what happened. So the person who is single-handedly responsible for this economic crisis is still the head of government. He is still president, and some people are saying, No. no. dont look at this Politics - let that be  deal with the economic crisis yes of cause, to deal with the economic crisis the wrong-doer must be removed. You cant keep the wrong-doer, the one who is mostly responsible in that chair and deal with the crisis. How can he do that? Why did the Prime Minister resign? Why did the entire cabinet resign? Why did the governor of the Central bank resign? Why did the secretary to the treasury resign? Why did all of that happen? Why did, suddenly, 40 or 42 members who were seated on the government benches declare themselves to be independent? Now, this is the new vogue. This Parliament no longer consists of a government side and an opposition side, this Parliament now consists of independent MPs  Independent MPs  new fashion. Each one stands up and says I am independent as if that is some big thing, some virtuous thing. You need to be independent anyway, thats another matter, but our system is that of a government and opposition. That is why we have an Isle in the centre  that is why our Standing Orders say that we cant cross that aisle unless we are crossing over - we are changing sides. It doesnt even say that. It merely says you cant cross that aisle. This Parliamentary system is one where you have two sides. This Parliamentary system is not one where you have independent MPs. This Parliament has failed if it says everybody sitting here is an independent MP. That is not our system.

So therefore the President must definitely step down, there might be some interim relief that he has got by Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe running and taking the position of Prime Minister. Where in the Parliamentary democracy do you have this kind of Prime Minister? A single MP. From his party only one person, thats to give relief to the government thats in sixes and sevens. The President has lost his mandate, the President is the wrong-doer who caused this huge economic calamity, so he must move, he must step down. Or he must be removed. The Parliament also has lost its mandate. 2/3rds you had; what do you have now? Groups within the government, so and sos group, the other persons group, another persons group or calling themselves independent MPs. Parliament has lost its legitimacy, and parliament has lost its mandate. There must be an overhaul of this system. But before that, parliament also needs to be dissolved, it is anyway dissolved into independents. It has been dissolved, I mean in actual fact it is dissolved. So at least formally you must dissolve it now.

So I say to those out there who think that this is merely playing politics: No! it is not. Until you set this right you are not going to even begin to address the economic issue. Every institution has told this country you know there must be Political stability how do you have Political stability with this parliament of independent MPs? you have no stability at all. We must understand that we are part of a problem now, we are unable to give solutions, and people are looking to us for solutions. We are not doing that. We are only crying about our houses being burnt, we are only crying about this and that and the other. We are not giving any solutions. And we cant give solutions so long as his kind of political instability continues in this country. And every day of delay, every day of delay in establishing stability costs the country several million Dollars. Every days delay. So it must be fixed fast We are part of a problem, we must say Yes, well dissolve ourselves, pass a resolution and request the President to dissolve Parliament. One of the biggest promises given by the President himself in the last address to the Nation, he said so, and the Prime Minister very categorically, stated, that they will do 2 things, that they will bring back the 19th amendment, the 20th amendment you brought with such fanfare, the former minister of justice is here, he moved that bill and suddenly he said no, no, 20th is bad, now we will change it, we will abandon it, well repeal it, well bring back the 19th. And then well start the process, of abolishing executive presidency itself. Both the President and the prime minister within the last two weeks have given the country that assurance. But where are you now? You cant even bring back the 19th amendment. Some draft was produced and discussed with us, members of the opposition, and the party leaders, with all kinds of dilution. We said alright, still do it, do it! what happened on Monday at the Cabinet meeting? Nothing has come out, you are unable to even give effect to that promise. A highly watered-down version of bringing back the - you call it the 21st, 21st is what Hon. Ranjith Maddumabandara has presented to Parliament, which is a substantial one. Then at least give support to that to be passed if you are serious about your promises. If you are unable to finalize the draft if you have no unanimity in the cabinet to do that. So the cabinet has failed, and this Parliament is unable to do anything because there is no one side that can support any reform. If we are to move from this, this relief budget will be most welcomed but we will have to look at it to see what there is in it. We are waiting to see what your draft amendment to the constitution is. We will have to wait for it. But the longer we wait, the more serious the economic crisis is, and the ones who are affected by that are the most ordinary citizens and the poorest of this country and we dont seem to think about them or care about them.

( The writer is a member of the Parliament. This article is based on his speech in the house recently)




China supports WTO reform in right direction: commerce ministry

Xinhua) 09:48, June 10, 2022

BEIJING, June 9 (Xinhua) -- China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao will attend the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) of the World Trade Organization in Geneva from June 12 to 15, Shu Jueting, spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, said Thursday.

In recent years, economic globalization has encountered headwinds, and unilateralism and protectionism have been on the rise, undermining the authority and effectiveness of the WTO, Shu told a press conference.

All members are eager to see the WTO resume normal operations at an early date and push its rules to keep pace with the times, Shu said.

China will work to promote WTO reform in the right direction, and support the inclusive development of the multilateral trading system as well as the legitimate rights and interests of developing members, the spokesperson added.

China will firmly uphold true multilateralism, promote MC12 to achieve positive and pragmatic results, and let the WTO play a greater role in coping with global challenges and promoting post-epidemic economic recovery, Shu said.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu)
Defying the storm, the Peoples Summit for Democracy has been installed at the doors of the meeting of the friends of the White House.

by Rosa Miriam Elizalde

June 7 was a bad day for Luis Almagro, secretary-general of the Organization of American States (OAS). During the ninth Summit of the Americas, a young man declared to him what he is: an assassin and puppet of the White House, instigator of the coup in Bolivia. He said that Almagro cannot come to give lessons on democracy when his hands are stained with blood. In another room at the summit in Los Angeles, Secretary of State Antony Blinken seemed to be doing no better: several journalists rebuked him for using freedom of the press to provide cover for the murderers of journalists and for sanctioning and excluding certain countries from this meeting. Democracy or hypocrisy? could be heard over the loudspeaker that day.

Luis Almagro, secretary-general of the Organization of American States (OAS).

In reality, this stormy summit began with a large diplomatic stumble for the United States, when several Latin American presidents announced that they would not participate in the summit because of the exclusion of Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, as dictated by the White House, while the U.S. State Department still claims the open and unrestricted nature of the meetings call. Its website says, Throughout, the United States has demonstrated, and will continue to demonstrate, our commitment to an inclusive process that incorporates input from people and institutions that represent the immense diversity of our hemisphere, and includes Indigenous and other historically marginalized voices.

Hypocrisy seems to be the glue of this summit, and mainstream U.S. media and analysts declared the June 6-10 meeting a failure before it even started. On June 7, the Washington Post assured readers that This weeks Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles will be remembered for its absences rather than its potential agreements, focusing its attention on Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who was the most mentioned political figure in U.S. networks and media on June 7 and 8, even more than U.S. President Joe Biden, according to statistics from Google Trends. Richard N. Haass, who was the adviser to former Secretary of State Colin Powell and director of policy planning for the State Department, summed up the disaster superbly in a tweet: The Summit of the Americas looks to be a debacle, a diplomatic own goal. The U.S. has no trade proposal, no immigration policy, and no infrastructure package. Instead, the focus is on who will and will not be there. Unclear is why we pressed for it to happen.

As can be expected of a meeting for which the invitation list had not been declared just 72 hours before it began, apathy seems to dominate the debate rooms, to which almost no one goes, according to witnesses. Even so, the United States government did not miss an opportunity to secure the appearance of participation by the civil society groups on which it bets, and it met with the envoys from Miami, paid for by USAID, and awarded them with more money. During the summit, Blinken promised a new fund of $9 million to support independent journalism to those who already receive $20 million a year for promoting regime change in Cuba.

This political pageantry is happening in what is essentially a bunker, because the Los Angeles Police received more than $15 million to police the summit and militarize a city famous for its homelessness and belts of poverty. The U.S. Democratic Party elite, meanwhile, remain out of touch with the reality of their own country, shaken by daily massacres, increasingly powerless to meet the expectations of citizens, and with most decisions and legislative projects stalled. They are replicating the cliches of the Monroe DoctrineAmerica for the Americansand demonstrating what appears to be a commitment to isolationism with respect to Latin America.

The United States rarely takes into account the differentiating features of its Latin American neighbors: cultural, linguistic, religious, and traditionalin short, those that grant and promote a genuine way of understanding life and its miracles. It might seem incomprehensible at this point, but the U.S. foreign policy toward Latin America is articulated and carried out from exclusively ideological approaches, with simplistic decisions that end up harming everyoneincluding and especially the United States itself.

Defying the storm, the Peoples Summit for Democracy has been installed at the doors of the meeting of the friends of the White House. Sponsored by some 250 organizations, most of which are local unions, the counter-summit is marching through the streets of Los Angeles on June 10, whether or not the authorities, who have done everything possible to silence the alternative meeting, give permission. But the media blockade is not having the expected success. Almagro and Blinken have gone viral on social media for reasons beyond their control, and they will not be the last to prove firsthand what the outrage of the excluded looks like.

This article was produced by Globetrotter and was first published on La Jornada.

Rosa Miriam Elizalde is a Cuban journalist and founder of the site Cubadebate. She is vice president of both the Union of Cuban Journalists (UPEC) and the Latin American Federation of Journalists (FELAP). She has written and co-written several books including Jineteros en la Habana and Our Chavez. She has received the Juan Gualberto Gomez National Prize for Journalism on multiple occasions for her outstanding work. She is currently a weekly columnist for La Jornada of Mexico City.
Explosives are tested prior to rapid explosive hazard mitigation training during Valiant Shield 2022 held Tuesday at Northwest Field, Andersen Air Force Base. The training focused on the rapid clearing of unexploded ordnance in response to a simulated airfield attack, allowing for safe airfield repair and continued operations.
BEARDSTOWN  Beardstown Fire Department was issued multiple citations and fined $3,960 by a state agency in connection with a 2021 fire that injured four people, including three firefighters.

A report from the Illinois Department of Labor's Division of Occupational Safety and Health was released Wednesday in relation to the May 16, 2021, fire at a Beardstown apartment building.

All citations have been remediated, said Beardstown Mayor Tim Harris, who had been in office for 10 days when the fire happened. We cooperated with OSHA and wanted to make sure the right actions were taken. It was a serious issue and we treated it seriously.

While attempting to rescue a female occupant of the building, three firefighters became lost on the second floor, declared a mayday and jumped about 21 feet from a second-floor window to the ground. Two volunteer firefighters were treated at a hospital for their injuries and a full-time firefighter suffered more serious injuries.

While the firefighters were lost inside, the female occupant made her way to a window, where she was rescued by firefighters on a ladder truck.

One of the volunteers has recovered and been released to return to work and one has not. The full-time employee, Chief Brian Becker, is still on medical leave, Harris said. Brandon Hager is one of two part-time chiefs fulfilling the duties of chief. Both part-time chiefs are members of the volunteer fire department.

The OSHA report said the tactics and strategies selected for occupant rescue did not match the actual capabilities of the department. When a mayday was called, the department did not implement certain critical emergency actions to address the mayday.

The report noted 15 indirect causes of the fire and provided 19 recommendations to reduce chances of a similar outcome. OSHA leaders said the Beardstown department was issued eight citations for violating the fire brigade standard and respiratory protection standard.

There were two citations, both related to inadequate respiratory protection, classified as repeat violations with monetary penalties. The initial penalty of $7,920 levied against Beardstown was cut in half because they agreed to put the $3,960 fine reduction into department training, said Paul Cicchini, public information officer for the Illinois Department of Labor.

Key factors that contributed to the firefighters injuries were a lack of initial incident command, search and rescue operations taking place above an active fire without fire suppression in place, and firefighters performing search and rescue operations in zero visibility without a hose line or tagline, Cicchini said.

Harris said department officers went through updated training courses and incident command is established at every scene. The training is ongoing.

The state report also cited the lack of fire prevention code enforcement. A building pre-plan with critical information existed but firefighters had never seen it. There also was no initial incident command established and no pre-established alarm levels to request additional resources.

To help prevent similar occurrences, the report recommended adopting and enforcing fire prevention codes; developing and sustaining highly capable, assertive incident commanders; and ensuring all interior crews are individually equipped with a radio. Appointment of a fire department officer as the training officer was emphasized in the report.

Per the recommendations given by OSHA, the Beardstown Fire Department has implemented a training officer position which has been filled and a formal training schedule, Harris said. The department is up to date with respiratory protection standards.

The incident report was written for rank-and-file firefighters, fire officers, chiefs and elected officials. It is a case study that highlights the importance of establishing strong, initial and assertive incident command, and matching tactics and strategies to available capabilities," said Erik Kambarian, acting division manager for Illinois OSHA. Fire departments should look at the circumstances this department faced and apply it to their operational picture.

Illinois OSHA routinely inspects municipal fire departments and fire protection districts across the state. The division also investigates incidents where firefighters are seriously injured or killed and determines if any violations of the Illinois Occupational Safety and Health Act occurred.

The Beardstown department is a combination department with nine full-time paramedics, three full-time firefighters, and 21 volunteers. The department operates out of one station that is continuously staffed with one full-time firefighter assigned to drive the first-out engine, and two full-time paramedics assigned to an ambulance.

In addition to Beardstown, crews from Arenzville, Jacksonville, Rushville, Virginia, South Jacksonville, Mount Sterling and Meredosia fire departments assisted in extinguishing the 2021 fire.
Jacksonville Police

ACCIDENTS

 Harold L. Crowder, 81, of Jacksonville and Sammie S. Gardner, 57, of Arenzville were taken to Jacksonville Memorial Hospital for treatment after their vehicles collided at 11:11 a.m. Thursday in the 800 block of West Morton Avenue.

VANDALISM

 A window was damaged at a residence in the first block of Justin Drive after being shot with a BB gun, according to a report filed at 2:05 p.m. Thursday.

South Jacksonville Police

ARRESTS, CITATIONS

 Robert E. Guthrie II, 49, of Jacksonville was arrested at 2:18 p.m. Thursday on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. He also was arrested on an outstanding warrant from Fulton County accusing him of possession of methamphetamine, according to a police report.
All the portents are that 2022 will be a summer to remember  and not in a good way.

It will be a summer of shortages, high prices, possible electric blackouts, and severe and unpredictable storms. It also promises to be a summer of political ugliness, where civility and facts are missing.

National unity and cohesion, which usually can be expected in times of crisis, isnt in sight. We are gracelessly at each others throats.

Also missing will be any sense that there is strong leadership anywhere; not in the White House, Congress or among our allies.

Given these tribulations, caused by a dangerous war in Ukraine following the COVID-19 pandemic, and you are entitled to be despondent. All this wasnt in the playbook  the events that shape the world never are.

But dont reach for the arsenic. For most of us, glorious summer, so important to the North American lifestyle, will be as it always is with crowded beaches, jammed highways, chaotic airports and painful sunburn. We will have summer; and summer will have its joys, its rituals and its happiness.

For Americans, these arent the worst of times. They are just very trying times. We will feel them directly in the wallet, painfully so. Gasoline and other fuels will be very expensive, and heating oil will be a big-ticket item next winter. House prices are still stratospheric, and rents are going up. The markets are shaky.

Americans are feeling that all isnt well and that things are coming unstuck  reliable, everyday things.

In democracies, we seek relief by changing the government. All the indications are that we will do that in the midterm elections just months away.

The Democrats are likely to take a drubbing. The Republicans will joyfully seize victory  and they wont know any better what to do about the great stresses that are shaking the nation and the world.

Instead, they will be tempted to double down on social issues and a raft of things that will exacerbate the divisions in the country, further curb the rights of women, mess with education curricula, seek to influence social media platforms and keep the government firmly in gridlock.

President Biden and his unlucky administration will get the blame if the Democrats are routed in the midterms. Indeed, it should, even though the alternative may not be better.

Certainly, a Democratic White House and Republican Congress suggests just one thing: crippling inaction.

Biden hasnt been a proactive president but a reactive one. He has waited for the water to rise before he has acknowledged that it is happening, and it is time to start bailing.

Take, for example, the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. When Biden tried to get ahead of the news, to identify an issue and resolve it before it mugged him, he got it terribly wrong. It was a foreign policy calamity of Bidens making, and it seems to have curbed his enthusiasm for pre-empting issues.

Mostly, Biden has sought to balance things. His reaction to outrageousness is a sedate, genteel sense of horror. You expect him to say to the Supreme Court, or the gun lobby, or Russian Vladimir Putin, Look what you have done!

One gets the feeling that Biden doesnt have a grip on much except his decency. Everyone who knows him will tell you what a decent man he is. Decency supports, but it doesnt lead. Decency isnt a policy. It isnt a way forward. It isnt a solution.

After the midterms, Congress likely will be in the hands of two ruinous vacillators, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, and the even more wobbly Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California. They arent exemplars of the Republican ideal. They arent in the previously worshipped Ronald Reagan tradition. Both have shown themselves captive to former President Donald Trumps vengeful malevolence and have twisted the truth in their servitude to him.

Politics are sour, prices high, the future bumpy, but summer is glorious. Revel in it, celebrate it, and bask in its untroubled rays. I plan to do just that. Thoughts of politics are worse than sunburn.
UK judge rejects bid to ground Rwanda deportation flight View Photo

LONDON (AP)  A British judge on Friday rejected a bid to ground a flight due to take more than 30 asylum-seekers on a one-way trip to Rwanda next week, but gave the migrants permission for a last-minute appeal.

The flight leaving Tuesday is the first under a controversial deal between the U.K. and the East African country. Britain plans to send some migrants who arrive in the U.K. as stowaways or in small boats to Rwanda, where their asylum claims will be processed. If successful, they will stay in the African country. Human rights groups have called the idea unworkable and inhumane.

Judge Jonathan Swift on Friday refused a request from a group of the asylum-seekers, backed by a trade union and refugee groups, for an injunction grounding the flight. But he said an appeal could be heard on Monday, and a full legal challenge to the British governments new Rwanda deportation policy is to be held before the end of July.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Britains immigration minister, Home Secretary Priti Patel, welcomed the ruling. Patel said the government would not be deterred by further challenges.

Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said he was disappointed and called the situation extremely worrying.

At the High Court in London, government lawyer Mathew Gullick said 37 people had been due to be aboard Tuesdays flight, but six have had their deportation orders canceled. He said the government still intended to operate the flight, as well as future ones.

The British government has not provided details of those selected but refugee groups say the group includes people fleeing Syria and Afghanistan who arrived in Britain across the English Channel. The U.K. has paid Rwanda 120 million pounds ($158 million) upfront for the plan.

The claimants lawyer, Raza Husain, said the system is not safe and U.N. officials say the U.K. plan violates the international Refugee Convention.

Laura Dubinsky, a lawyer representing the U.N. refugee agency, said refugees sent to Rwanda under the program were at risk of serious, irreparable harm. She said the agency had serious concerns about Rwandan capacity to handle the arrivals.

Rwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa and already home to tens of thousands of refugees. Competition for land and resources contributed to decades of ethnic and political tensions that culminated in Rwandas 1994 genocide in which more than 800,000 ethnic Tutsi and the moderate Hutu who tried to protect them were killed.

President Paul Kagames government has achieved significant economic progress since the genocide, but critics say it has come at the cost of political repression. Obedience to authorities is widely enforced, one reason Rwandan cities and towns are clean and among the most orderly in Africa. There is little political opposition.

Patel said Rwanda is a safe country and has previously been recognized for providing a safe haven for refugees.

We will continue preparations for the first flight to Rwanda, alongside the range of other measures intended to reduce small boat crossings, she said.

The British government says it welcomes refugees who come by approved immigration routes but wants to put the criminal smuggling gangs who operate dangerous Channel crossings out of business.

We cannot allow people traffickers to put lives at risk and our world-leading partnership will help break the business model of these ruthless criminals, Johnson said on Twitter.

More than 28,000 migrants entered the U.K. across the Channel last year, up from 8,500 in 2020. Dozens have died, including 27 people in November when a single boat capsized.

___

Follow all AP stories on global migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration.

By JILL LAWLESS

Associated Press
Fire at LNG terminal in Texas jolts residents, fuel markets View Photo

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 terminals 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 nations 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 arent 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.

By CATHY BUSSEWITZ

AP Energy Writer
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.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  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 Bukeles lack of a response to Blinkens 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 countrys 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.
We all know about cockroaches. The pests are considered year-round nuisances, but did you know their populations rise during the summertime?

With the weather reaching triple-digit temperatures, you can bet you'll see more and more of them trying to enter your home in San Antonio.

Molly Keck, the senior program specialist and board-certified entomologist for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, told MySA that cockroaches flood inside in search of food, water, and shelter when there is extreme heat.

The critters can sometimes infest homes when brought in with groceries or boxes, and, once established, they can readily move within structures such as from apartment to apartment.

According to Texas A&M AgriLife, cockroaches are primitive insects that help recycle dead plant material outdoors. Most cockroach species are nocturnal. They hide during the day and come out at night to look for food (this is why we see them at night when we use the bathroom or head to the kitchen for a late-night snack).

If you see cockroaches during the day, it usually means there are a lot of them around. They tend to congregate near sources of heat and moisture, which accelerates their growth and reproductive rates.

Fortunately, cockroaches are not as difficult to control as they once were. Cockroaches are best handled through an integrated pest management process of inspection, sanitation, exclusion, and the use of low-toxicity insecticides.

Here are some tips Keck provided on how to manage the bugs without buying pesticides:

Replace torn window screens.

Install door sweeps on all exterior doors.

Seal gaps around your foundation, windows, and exterior walls.

Keep your garbage cans tightly covered.

Keep doors closed.

Store pet food away when not in use.

Remove food items from your countertops.

Clean crumbs and food items out from under heavy appliances.

TAMU did note roach traps alone do not provide sufficient control of well established cockroach infestations. For them, you will

need to use a vacuum cleaner, bait, dust, or spray.

The most common consumer bait formulations come in ready-to-use plastic bait stations or tubes containing gel baits. When using prebaited containers, always use enough stations to effectively treat infested rooms  at least one bait station within 1 to 2 feet of every suspected cockroach harborage, according to TAMU.

The New York Times reviewed its best baits for roaches, picking the Terro T500 Multi-Surface Roach Baits on Amazon as their best pick.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
Bexar County jail deputies apprehended an inmate wearing a sheriff's uniform Thursday afternoon in what they believe was an attempted escape around 3 p.m. Sheriff Javier Salazar said Aaron Allen Voyce, 21, was only caught after a fire alarm in the facility at 200 N. Comal St. was tripped.

Voyce was supposed to be in a part of the jail to attend a virtual court hearing over Zoom, but somehow managed to work his way into a classification unit office on the fifth floor, Salazar said at a press conference Thursday.

He said the door to that office was left open, but Salazar didn't know exactly how Voyce made his way to the office but that he somehow used an elevator to get there.

Salazar said deputies found Voyce in a utility closet in the office wearing a jail deputy's uniform that had patches but no badge. He was also missing his shoes, which were found not far from where he was discovered.

There were ceiling tiles on the floor but Salazar said he was not sure if Voyce tried to climb into the ceiling. Deputies are still reviewing the available surveillance footage, he said.

The sheriff speculated that Voyce found the uniform in a desk drawer, but investigators are still looking into the situation to rule out involvement of jail personnel. It is still unknown how long the inmate was unaccounted for.

Voyce has been incarcerated for about two months, Salazar said, on charges of aggravated assault and cruelty to a non-livestock animal. Voyce allegedly beat his family dog to death with a bat. Salazar says that Voyce might be dealing with mental health issues.

"He was just talking gibberish about the president and about 'Chief Salazar," the sheriff said. "In a situation like that, does it really make a difference to put another charge on him?"

He said Voyce wasn't close to escaping when he was found.

Deputies did a head count and all other inmates were accounted for. Deputies also checked cars as they left the jail.
William Luther /Staff

You've probably heard about rising property values leaving Bexar County stunned as numbers from the appraisal district skyrocketed this year.

Thousands of homeowners were faced with an average increase of 28% on their property values, a jump that Bexar County's chief Appraiser Michael Amezquita told the Express-News in April was unprecedented in his 41 years doing appraisal work, saying "San Antonio never moved like this."
Update at 6:40 p.m.: All lanes are now open.

Original post below.

If you're trying to avoid a disastrous detour  heed this warning. The San Antonio Police Department has issued a traffic warning to those about to embark on their afternoon commute.

Westbound IH-10, from Interstate Loop 410 to Interstate Loop 1604, will remain shut down due to "several major accidents" resulting from an oil spill on the highway causing multiple accidents, according to a posting by the San Antonio Police Department. The traffic warning was issued at 4:40 p.m.

The closure will be remain in effect for the next several hours. "Please find an alternative route to your destination," officials advise.
Uvalde CISD's superintendent said students from Robb Elementary will be split between two different schools at the start of the next academic year. The move is in response to the May 24 school shooting that killed 19 students and two teachers. However, the district declined to answer any questions about the investigation.

Pre-kindergarten through second grade students will attend Dalton Elementary School while Flores Elementary School will house students from third to sixth grade. Superintendent Hal Harrell said there is still discussions on what will happen to the Robb Elementary campus, but he plans to gather community input about its future.

Harrell said the district worked with "an outside agency" to conduct security walks across all campuses to see where the district needs to "strengthen security." Law enforcement officers been assigned to campuses during summer school and Harrell said that he intends to hire more law enforcement.

Pool/Getty Images

The school district's police chief, Pete Arredondo, was the incident commander on the scene of the shooting and has been at the center of criticism from families and survivors for how he handled situation. The 18-year-old shooter was in the school with an AR-style rifle for roughly an hour before being confronted, shot, and killed by law enforcement.

District spokesperson Anne Marie Espinoza told reporters that Harrell and the district would not answer any questions about the investigation or on district personnel.

Harrell declined to answer questions about locked doors, the level of law enforcement communication during the shooting, or the district's police chief.

"We recognize that our families and staff have questions that we do not have answers to yet," Harrell says. "Beginning next week I will provide weekly updates to provide ... information with our students, parents, staff, and our community."

Billy Calzada, San Antonio Express-News / Staff photographer

Arredondo's officers and the Uvalde Police Department are currently being investigated. Harrell declined to answer whether Arredondo was still employed by the district.

UCISD has yet to hold graduation ceremonies, but Harrell said the district was going to meet with senior leadership Thursday to discuss related details.

The district is still formulating a plan for parents to pick up items left behind by students at Robb Elementary on May 24.

Harrell said the district will continue to offer counseling support during summer school and "for the foreseeable future" to students, staff, and families.
By Lambert Strether of Corrente

Patient readers, I could not get to Stats today because I got wrapped round the axle on the House Capitol seizure hearings. lambert

Bird Song of the Day

Italian Sparrow. San Cono, Italy. At Farm House on roof, large number of individuals nesting in roof tiles. Sheep and dogs included! If you have a suggestion for a sparrow species, please leave it in comments (I think Ill do another week of sparrows).

Sparrow ID Guides from Macaulay Library and Bird Academy [The Cornell Lab of Ornithology]. Free downloads. Sparrows are a challenge to birders of all skill levels because theyre often skulky and hard to see. At first they seem like dull brown birds, but when you get a good look, they show beautiful and intricate patterns on their feathers. Because many species are hard to see, they are sought after by avid listers and those who appreciate the beauty of birds. Whether youre at home or out in the field, these helpful four-sheet sparrow reference guides have full-color photos of eastern, central, western and widespread sparrows.

* * *

Politics

But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? James Madison, Federalist 51

They had learned nothing, and forgotten nothing. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord

When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. Hunter Thompson

Capitol Seizure

On the Capitol Hill riot, Im anchored on this image: Did I experience aghastitude on 1/6? No. The Winter Palace in 1917 this was not. And what if that guy, instead of being a right-winger in a Trump hat, had been a union guy with a giant inflatable rat? I would have been cheering him on! Finally somebody stood up! Whats really driving the liberal Democrats  and, I suppose, Never Trump Republicans  is that deep down they think Capitol Hill is their space, democracy is our democracy, norms are their their norms, and that they will be comfortable again when the insurrectionists are rooted out and purged. But its not, its not, theyre not, and they wont be. They lost their minds in 2016 for the same reasons, and never did manage to find them again, party leadership and PMC base together. This AP chart, which I repost from yesterday, bears me out: Insurrection is a crime (18 U.S. Code  2383). So how come Merrick Garland charged the vast majority of the insurrectionists with illegal parading? Is Garland a puppet of Putin? * * * Im starting to look at the Committee materials (I cant bear to watch the videos): Read Rep. Liz Cheneys opening statement in first Jan. 6 hearing [NBC]. Cheney is presenting a prosecutors We will show opening statement (and incidentally providing the roadmap and schedule for the rest of the hearing). These sentences on the first two pages caught my eye: Tonight, you will see never-before-seen footage [who cares] of the brutal attack on our Capitol A violent mob You will see evidence of what motivated this violence .  Again, look at Garlands charge sheet. Cases of violence: two (2). Cheneys rhetorical strategy, as Thompsons (below) seems to be to conflate the rioters and all the other participants on the day (see the discussion of silos yesterday). I think that makes sense as a rhetorical strategy, but its the only kind of sense it makes. Carrying off the House podium and putting it up on Ebay  instead of selling it off in a back room, the norm  isnt the same thing as seditious conspiracy. Its just not. Read the full text of chair Bennie Thompsons remarks in first Jan. 6 hearing [NBC News]. From Links, but here it is again. This, I think, is Thompsons key point: It was domestic enemies of the Constitution who stormed and occupied the Capitol. (Domestic enemies comes from the Oath of Office that Federal officials take; 5 U.S. Code  3331.) Note that Thompson characterizes all participants in the riot as domestic enemies, throwing the guy with the Trump hat, the Proud Boys, Trumps entourage, and Trump himself into the same bucket. Legally and I would argue morally, this is wrong; again, the majority of charges brought were for illegal parading, and not for insurrection. (The Proud Boys  and the Proud Boys only  were charged with seditious conspiracy, which reinforces my point.) Politically, where were talking not only the rioters proper, but for those who, for whatever reason (see item below), identity with them, liberal Democrats have escalated from Clintons 2016 basket of deplorables to Thompsons 2022 domestic enemies. It didnt work in 2016, and I dont think it will work in 2022. On the supposed interference with the count of Electoral College Ballots: Unless they killed off enough Dems to change who had majority control of the chamber, the outcome would have been the same. Congress just would have re-convened a couple days later vs that same night If they're killing until the majority changes, that's a hard coup IMO https://t.co/YnWAMa1cav  T. Greg Doucette (@greg_doucette) June 10, 2022 (NOTE: AFAIK, none of the rioters were carrying; they left their guns behind.) So did it even matter that Pence didnt get in the car? Were Misunderstanding What Caused Jan. 6 [FiveThirtyEight]. Theyre interested in political reform and not in the fact that people are pissed. Thats something University of Michigan political science professor Christian Davenport told me in the days after Jan. 6. Davenport was trying to get me to understand that while the riot at the Capitol was inherently political, the divisions fueling it were not. Right and left, Democrat and Republican: Those splits exist in society, but they werent the cause of what happened. Income inequality, racial resentment, declining trust in institutions  those were the really dangerous things, Davenport said. We tend to think of those divisions as partisan because thats the divide our polling data is set up to track. But in quantifying and graphing the tree counts, we miss the fact that we are in a forest. A team of researchers found in a 2021 paper that an anti-establishment dimension would explain some of the more worrying extremes in American politics  things like support for conspiracy theories, endorsement of anti-expertise opinions and seeing politics as a battle between good and evil  better than the left-right dimension of our politics. One of those researchers, University of Miami political science professor Joseph Uscinski, found no difference in the prevalence of anti-establishment beliefs between Democrats and Republicans, using survey data collected in October 2020. Whats more, Uscinski found that anti-establishment ideologies better predicted belief in the conspiracies of QAnon and Trumps claims of voter fraud than did left-right orientations.

2022

* * * CA: California primary results: Who is advancing to November? [Cal Matters]. For the impatient among you, we have bad news: California election officials take their time counting every last ballot. The outcome of particularly close races might not be certain for days, if not longer. CO: Dems meddle in Senate primary to advance hardline MAGA Republican [Politico].  Worked in 2016, lets try it again! PA: GOP takes indirect aim at Fettermans health in Pennsylvania Senate race [NBC]. rather than directly criticize Fetterman over his health, Republicans are taking a different approach: bashing the Democrat for not being more transparent about the stroke that hospitalized him four days before he handily won the May 17 primary Fettermans wife, Gisele Fetterman, insisted in an NBC News interview that aired Wednesday that her family and the campaign were open about his condition as they were just trying to navigate these very personal and difficult things very publicly. We have done a superb job on transparency, she said.  When youre explaining, youre losing.

2024

I love the Nixon account: That's the thing: either you hate Biden and think he's a gangster, or he died five years ago and so forth, or you like him well enough, you want to shake his hand, have him give your kid a pep talk. But no one actually believes in him. https://t.co/Yo5gjqm1x9  Richard M. Nixon (@dick_nixon) June 10, 2022 Accurate.

Democrats en Deshabille

I have moved my standing remarks on the Democrat Party (the Democrat Party is a rotting corpse that cant bury itself) to a separate, back-dated post, to which I will periodically add material, summarizing the addition here in a live Water Cooler. (Hopefully, some Bourdieu.) It turns out that defining the Democrat Party is, in fact, a hard problem. I do think the paragraph that follows is on point all the way back to 2016, if not before: The Democrat Party is the political expression of the class power of PMC, their base (lucidly explained by Thomas Frank in Listen, Liberal!). It follows that the Democrat Party is as unreformable as the PMC is unreformable ; if the Democrat Party did not exist, the PMC would have to invent it. If the Democrat Party fails to govern, thats because the PMC lacks the capability to govern . (PMC modulo class expatriates, of course.) Second, all the working parts of the Party reinforce each other. Leave aside characterizing the relationships between elements of the Party (ka-ching, but not entirely) those elements comprise a network  a Flex Net? An iron octagon?  of funders, vendors, apparatchiks, electeds, NGOs, and miscellaneous mercenaries, with assets in the press and the intelligence community. Note, of course, that the class power of the PMC both expresses and is limited by other classes; oligarchs and American gentry (see industrial model of Ferguson, Jorgensen, and Jie) and the working class spring to mind. Suck up, kick down. * * * Democrats Need a Vision. Fast. [New York Magazine]. In recent comments to Politico, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont cut to the heart of the matter. You really cant win an election with a bumper sticker that says: Well, we cant do much, but the other side is worse, he said, suggesting that the party make an affirmative case for holding on to power, a Newt Gingrichstyle Contract with America, as Politico put it. The democratic socialist raises a strong argument. Its not enough for Democrats to portray the GOP as a threat to democracy, even though this is certainly a true statement. They need to explain what exactly theyll do with the power they want if they stand any hope of not being wiped out in the midterm elections. That case has not been forthcoming. It has not always been clear what Democrats stand for exactly. The partys big-tent ethos prevents it from staking out a coherent identity. Its neoliberal commitments strand it in a morass of means-testing and personal responsibility and incremental achievements. Party moderates contribute to the problem, as Sanders pointed out. A savvy political class would address voters where they are and offer something positive in return for power.  I agree with Sanders, but its much, much too late. To make any difference for 2022 or 2024, a new Contract with America would have to be accompanied by a blood sacrifice of the existing Party leadership. Na ga happen.

Realignment and Legitimacy

#COVID19

Lambert here: I am but a humble tape-watcher, but if some trusting, non-realist soul tells you that Covid is over, you can tell them that cases are high, transmission is high, test positivity is high, wastewater detection is up, and hospitalization is up in many states. And this is all from data designed to support the narrative that Covid is over, and gamed within an inch of its life. So, if signals like that are flashing red, consider what the real signal must be like. (Note also this is all with BA.2 only, and with what the establishment considers an immune wall made from vaccination and prior infection. Since semper aliquid novi Africam adferre, and weve let er rip at the airports. Well, I just hope we get lucky with BA.4 and BA.5. But its starting to look like we wont.

* * *

 This New COVID Wave May Be More Like a Flood [New York Magazine]. A new COVID wave now fueled by four Omicron subvariants continues to drive up infections throughout the country. Though there are signs that the surge in the Northeast has begun to stabilize, infections are on the rise in other regions and the level of community transmission remains high across the vast majority of the country. There is also reason to worry that the current wave may not subside for a long time, particularly now that the two newest and most troubling Omicron subvariants, BA.4 and BA.5, may be starting to outcompete their predecessors. While previous nationwide surges in cases have mostly played out as single waves, this new one might be more like a flood. It could plateau, or dip and swell from that higher baseline across the coming weeks or even months .  A fellow tape-watcher. Its very distressing that the metrics we needed  variant spread  are so slow to appear, whether at Biobot or CDC. Whats up with that?

* * *

If you missed it, heres a post on my queasiness with CDC numbers, especially case count, which I (still) consider most important, despite what Walenskys psychos at CDC who invented community levels think. But these are the numbers we have.

* * *

Case count by United States regions:

Level. Remember that cases are undercounted, one source saying by a factor of six, Gottlieb thinking we only pick up one in seven or eight.) Hence, I take the case count and multiply it by six to approximate the real level of cases, and draw the blue Biden Line at that point. Yesterday, the count was 108,900. Today, its 108,500, and 108,500 * 6 = a Biden line at 651,000. At least we have confirmation that the extraordinary mass of case anecdotes had a basis in reality. (Remember these data points are weekly averages, so daily fluctuations are smoothed out.) The black Fauci Line is a counter to triumphalism, since it compares current levels to past crises.

Here are cases for the last four weeks:

Level.

From the Walgreens test positivity tracker:

Up, but fiddling and diddling. This tracker does this at peaks, but also not at peaks. (Im leaving the corporate logo on as a slap to and check on the goons at CDC.)

MWRA wastewater data:

Both South and North down.

The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) service area includes 43 municipalities in and around Boston, including not only multiple school systems but several large universities. Since Boston is so very education-heavy, then, I think it could be a good leading indicator for Covid spread in schools generally.

Cases lag wastewater data.

NOT UPDATED From Biobot Analytics:

Note that BA.4 and BA.5 are increasing in the South (as of May 18). I checked CDC, theyre not update either (from May 21).

From CDC Community Profile Reports (PDFs), Rapid Riser counties:

West Coast and Southwest much better. Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, West Virginia better. Illinois and Indiana better. Arkansas worse. That little speck of red in New York state is gone.

The previous release:

NOTE I shall most certainly not be using the CDCs new Community Level metric. Because CDC has combined a leading indicator (cases) with a lagging one (hospitalization) their new metric is a poor warning sign of a surge, and a poor way to assess personal risk. In addition, Covid is a disease you dont want to get. Even if you are not hospitalized, you can suffer from Long Covid, vascular issues, and neurological issues. For these reasons, case counts  known to be underestimated, due to home test kits  deserve to stand alone as a number to be tracked, no matter how much the political operatives in CDC leadership would like to obfuscate it. That the green map (which Topol calls a capitulation and a deception) is still up and being taken seriously verges on the criminal. Use the community transmission immediately below.

Here is CDCs interactive map by county set to community transmission. This is the map CDC wants only hospitals to look at, not you:

West Coast, and Midwest are all red. Seeing some orange (substantial) on the East Coast. Great Plains speckled with yellow. (As has been the case for weeks, even while people were yammering that Covid is over!)

Hospitalization (CDC Community Profile):

Very volatile.

Death rate (Our World in Data):

Total: 1,035,320 1,035,031 . I have added an anti-triumphalist Fauci Line.

Covid cases in top us travel destinations (Statista):

Note the quality of these numbers varies wildly. For example, the UK is cutting back on testing data.

The excess deaths chart appears weekly, on Friday:

What kind of organization puts in recent weeks in an explanatory dropdown, and then obviously never comes back to check? Look at the qualifications in that drop-down. And the ginormous typo, helpfully highlighted, has been there for weeks. CDC, if youre reading this, please send a signal by getting this fixed. And then throw some documents over the transom. In complete confidentiality! Obviously, nobody at CDC is checking the excess deaths chart, because otherwise the typo would be fixed. I certainly hope there are no coding errors in the algo.

The Gallery

Not AI-generated:

News of the Wired

This Robotic Finger Is Covered in Living Human Skin [Gizmodo].  Kill it with fire anyhow.

Two papers relevant to The Jackpot:

Governing Boring Apocalypses: A New Typology of Existential Vulnerabilities and Exposures for Existential Risk Research (PDF) [Futures]. From 2018, still germane. From the Abstract: [I]dentified existential risks are frequently characterised by relatively singular origin events and concrete pathways of harm which directly jeopardize the survival of humanity, or undercut its potential for long-term technological progress. While this approach aptly identifies the most cataclysmic fates which may befall humanity, we argue that catastrophic existential outcomes may likely arise from a broader range of sources and societal vulnerabilities. Latent structural vulnerabilities in our technological systems and in our (institutional and cultural) societal arrangements (e.g. systemic normal accidents; institutional absence or failure; cultural distrust of authorities) may increase our susceptibilitythe likelihood that we succumb to existential hazards. We argue that far from being peripheral footnotes to their more direct and immediately terminal counterparts, these boring apocalypses may well prove to be the more endemic and problematic, dragging down and undercutting short-term successes in mitigating more spectacular risks. And from the text: Thus, our view is that a materialised existential risk (what we call an existential hazard) is sufficient to lead to an (existentially) adverse outcome, but crucially, that this is unnecessary to reach that result. If the overarching objective is to lower the probability of human extinction or significant technological curtailment, adopting an array of approaches which complement the mitigation of direct existential risks are required. This reminds me of the layered (Swiss Cheese) model for extinguishing Covid  one which our society signally failed to adopt. These pathways to civilizational collapse are all boring, in the typology of the authors:s

How complex systems fail [Richard Cook]. From the Abstract: Complex systems are heavily and successfully defended against failure. The high consequences of failure lead over time to the construction of multiple layers of defense against failure. These defenses include obvious technical components (e.g. backup systems, safety features of equipment) and human components (e.g. training, knowledge) but also a variety of organizational, institutional, and regulatory defenses (e.g. policies and procedures, certification, work rules, team training). The effect of these measures is to provide a series of shields that normally divert operations away from accidents. Catastrophe requires multiple failures  single point failures are not enough.  One might regard freedom as removing these shields.

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dk writes; Yucca (Agavaceae) outside my door in ABQ NM.

* * *

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Update (Friday, 3 p.m. EST): The plot thickens. Following concerted pressure from EU, Algeria now denies ever cutting commercial ties with Spain.

Seldom in the history of Spanish diplomacy has a foreign policy initiative had such disastrous results, as Spain loses its grip on diplomatic relations with Algeria at the worst possible moment.

The quote above, from the Spanish financial daily El Confidencial, pertains to Spanish premier Pedro Sanchezs unilateral decision, in late March, to endorse Moroccos plan for limited sovereignty over Western Sahara, in the process putting an end to 47 years of Spanish neutrality on the issue while also poisoning relations with Spains biggest provider of natural gas, Algeria. On Wednesday, after Sanchez ratified the new policy in congress, Algeria announced it was severing its commercial ties with Spain.

Its a decision that will hurt both economies. In 2020, the last year with full data available, when business activity was sledgehammered by the pandemic-induced lockdowns and travel restrictions, Algeria exported just over 2.5 billion of goods and services to Spain. Spain, for its part, exported just under 2 billion to Algeria.

More importantly, the two countries bilateral trade includes a very large amount of natural gas, a commodity that right now is extremely scarce due to the fallout from the ongoing war in Ukraine and the US and EUs ratcheting sanctions on Russia, the worlds second largest producer of natural gas. Last year, Algeria provided 41% of all the natural gas consumed in Spain.

Blowback Grows

When, in March, Pedro Sanchezs government called an abrupt end to Spains 47-year position of neutrality over the disputed territory of its former colony, Western Sahara, by publicly recognizing Rabats autonomy plan for the region, diplomatic and commercial blowback was all but inevitable. Morocco and Algeria are direct rivals in the rule of Western Sahara, 80% of which is controlled by Morocco. Algeria is the main supporter of the Polisario Front independence movement, which controls the remaining territory.

As I warned at the time, Madrids diplomatic u-turn risked torpedoing Spains commercial relations with its biggest energy provider, just as Europe faces its biggest energy crisis in at least half a century. Since then Algeria has gradually intensified its retaliation. First, it recalled its ambassador to Spain. Then it announced it would refuse the return of African migrants intercepted at sea on their way to the Spanish coast. It has said it will increase natural gas prices for Spain while maintaining prices for everyone else. It has also struck new energy deals with Italy and China.

But this week, the blowback went ballistic. On Wednesday (June 7), Algiers announced it was pulling back from a 2002 cooperation treaty with Spain that established the legal framework for bilateral relations between the two countries. The treaty is also meant to control immigration and human trafficking between the two nations. The reason cited for Algiers drastic move was Madrids unjustifiable reversal of its long-standing policy of neutrality on the Western Sahara conflict.

The current Spanish government has given its full support to the illegal and illegitimate form of internal autonomy advocated by the occupying power, and has worked to promote a colonial fait accompli using spurious arguments, the Algerian presidents office said, as quoted by Spanish news agency EFE.

At the stroke of midnight on Wednesday Algerias banking association (ABEF) announced it will block all bank direct debits for foreign trade operations to and from Spain, a move that will affect all economic sectors. As Reuters reports, Spanish exports to Algeria include iron and steel, machinery, paper products, fuel and plastics, while service exports include construction, banking and insurance. Algiers already banned imports of live Spanish cattle in April, a trade that was worth 55 million alone in 2021.

Sanchez responded to the news by set up a crisis cabinet to oversee Algerian relations and has even put Josep Borrell, a former Spanish socialist politician who is currently serving as the EUs foreign minister, on standby, just in case the EUs assistance is needed. Spains foreign minister Jose Manuel Albares said Thursday that the Sanchez government is analyzing the potential implications and impact, at both the national and European level, of Algerias severance of banking ties.

The EU Foreign Affairs Spokeswoman man Nabila Massrali said Thursday that the suspension of the friendship treaty with Spain is extremely worrying and called on Algeria to reconsider its decision. She also described Algeria as an important partner of the European Union in the Mediterranean and key to stability in the region.

As the Spanish journalist Ignacio Cembrero said in an interview on Thursday, These measures that Algeria took yesterday () in my view contravene the association agreement that is still in force between the EU and Algeria.

On Friday the EU toughened its language, warning Algiers against any discriminatory treatment of Spain.

The decision taken by Algeria to suspend the treaty of friendship and good neighborly relations signed with Spain in 2002 is of utmost concern, the EUs foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said in a statement:

We trust that, in the name of our strong and long-term partnership, a swift solution will be found to fully re-establish commercial and investment relations The EU is ready to stand up against any type of coercive measures applied against an EU member state.

The answer from Algiers was not long in coming. Within just a few hours of the European Commissions statement, Algeria responded by outright denying it had even instructed the banking association to block transactions from Spain:

Regarding the supposed government measure to block current transactions with a European partner, it only exists in the minds of those who claim it and those who have rushed to stigmatize it. In addition, and with regard to gas deliveries to Spain, Algeria has already made it known through the most authoritative voice, that of the President of the Republic [Abdelmadjid Tebboune], that it will continue to comply with all of the commitments made in this regard.

In other words, it looks like Algiers just blinked. In a parting shot, however, it rebuked the European Commission for the way in which it rushed to judgement without first consulting or verifying the facts with the Algerian government.

US, Israeli Role

It probably comes as little surprise that this escalating diplomatic fracas is largely of Washingtons making, though Israel has also played a role. The US, in the last few months of Donald Trumps presidency, became the first major country to recognize Moroccan claims to Western Sahara  but on one condition: that Morocco agreed to establish diplomatic relations with Israel, becoming the sixth Arab league member to recognise the Jewish State, which it did in December 2020.

It was a highly controversial move, given that the independent Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is recognized by over 80 countries. It is also recognized as an independent state by the African Union. For its part, the UN has consistently asserted that a referendum needs to be held to determine the territorys fate.

Essentially what Trump was doing was to endorse the takeover of one recognized African country by another, Stephen Zunes, an international-studies professor at the University of San Francisco, told Democracy Now in February, 2021. In Zunes opinion, Bidens failure to reverse this shows that his administration shares the Trump administrations contempt for fundamental international law.

In November 2021, Morocco became the first Arab state to publicly sign a military cooperation agreement with Israel. There are even plans to set up a joint military base near Melilla, one of two autonomous cities of Spain, on the MoroccoSpain border. As I noted in my April 29 article, Morocco Is a Major Client State of the US Arms Industry, leading the MENA region in terms of the percentage of arms acquired from the US. Since 2017 it has sharply increased its arms purchases from the US, as part of a five-year plan to attain regional military supremacy.

None of this has gone down well in neighboring Algeria. On Aug 21, 2021 Algiers cut diplomatic ties with Rabat, after accusing Rabat of supporting the separatist Movement for Self-determination of Kabylie, a region that extends along the Mediterranean coast east of Algiers. On November 1, Algeria closed the Maghreb-Europe Gas Pipeline (MGE) which passes through Morocco into Spain and was a major source of natural gas for both countries. For Morocco it was also an important source of income:

The Biden Administration has so far maintained Trumps policy of recognizing Moroccan claims over Western Sahara. It has also managed to convince France, Germany, the UK and now Spain to also back Moroccos territorial claims, regardless of the harm it may cause to Europes economic, energy or geostrategic interests. Sanchez even alluded to the fact that most other A-list EU Member States are on board with the plan in his address to Congress on Wednesday:

France supports Moroccos proposal, in the same way that the German president recognised that the Moroccan proposal is serious and credible, as did the United States, and the Netherlands joined in this position in May.

Now, the ball is in Algerias court. And all eyes are on the gas pipeline connecting Algeria with Spain. The Spanish government insists that Algeria will not turn off the tap, given the countrys state-owned oil and gas company, Sonatrach, has signed a contract to supply Spain with gas until 2032. If it did cut off the gas, the company will face arbitration in international courts.

It is also true that if Algeria cuts off the gas, it will be hurting its own economic interests, not just Spains. That is something that only EU Member States seem willing to do. There is also the fact that Algerian reserves have stagnated in recent years and are in dire need of outside investment to open up marginal fields. It also has limited LNG capacity. As such, it may struggle to find buyers quickly enough to replace Spain.

But its not just economic interests that appear to be driving Algiers decision making; so too are geopolitical considerations. Algeria and Morocco, the two dominant countries of the Maghreb, have been locked in a diplomatic standoff since 1975, when Rabat occupied the lions share of Western Sahara, in the process lighting a fuse that could go off at any moment.

While Morocco has forged closer diplomatic relations with the US, Israel and the EU in recent times, Algeria appears to be in the process of strengthening its already deep ties with Russia. In early May Russias Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with the president of Algeria, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, to mark 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations. During his visit Lavrov extended an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin for Tebboune to visit Moscow.

Its not clear how much of the discussions between Lavrov and Tebboune concerned energy issues. The stated purpose of the visit was to enhance bilateral ties in all domains, including militarily. As Morocco News reported in 2021, Russia agreed to write-off Algerias debt in 2006 exchange for an agreement on future Russian equipment sales. Since then ties between the two countries have only deepened.There has even been talk of Russia providing its S-500 long range air defence system to its closest strategic allies, including Algeria, which in turn could make Algeria a target for US sanctions.

At the same time, Spains Sanchez government has consistently underestimated Algerias willingness to retaliate for what it perceives as Spains unjustifiable betrayal over Western Sahara. While Algiers may not cut off the taps, it is determined to hike gas prices for Spain. Given Sonatrach has been renegotiating the terms and conditions of its contract with Spains energy company Naturgy for some months, this was all but inevitable anyway. What is not clear is how high a price Algiers will now try to set.

The problem for Spain is not just its curdling relations with its traditional provider of natural gas; it is that it, together with a growing list of EU Member States, now depends more than ever on the US for its energy supplies. In the last five months the US has been the biggest provider of natural gas to Spain, accounting for around one-third of supplies. In the mother of all ironies, Spain has also increased its purchases of gas from Russia by around 50% since April.

Of course, the LNG that is arriving from the US, Russia, Nigeria and Qatar is considerably more expensive than the gas Spain is used to buying from Algeria. There are also serious doubts as to how reliable an LNG supplier the US will prove to be over the coming months. Will US energy producers be able to continue supplying Washingtons geopolitical partners with LNG while also meeting the needs of the domestic market?

Natural gas prices in the US have already surged as soaring spot prices for LNG at European trading hubs have galvanized US exporters to ship more and more of their LNG to Europe and the UK. As a result, US natural gas prices are increasingly arbitraged against global prices. To make matters worse, Freeport LNG, the operator of one of the US biggest LNG plants, will shut for at least three weeks after an explosion at its Texas Gulf coast facility, putting even further pressure on gas supplies to Europe.
Yves here. My goodness! John Helmers critical review of Thane Gustafsons new book, Klimat, Russia in the Age of Climate Change, appears to have riled Gustafsons allies. After Helmers article was reproduced (without permission!) in the influential Johnsons Russia List limited-circulation daily bulletin, his site was taken down by a DDoS attack.

Seems like the thought police are doing overtime. Helmers sin was catching out Gustafson committing what is awfully close to academic fraud. Gustafson wrote an entire book about the Russian energy and metals industries when per his own effective admission, he never talked to anyone who knows anything about it, nor consulted their research or data.

Now in fact Russia is a major producer of fossil fuels and also mines a bunch of materials, which is often energy intensive and otherwise nasty. But if an academic is going to write a book about these sins, its incumbent for him to investigate his targets and not rely on prejudices and the likes of Anatoly Chubais.

By John Helmer, the longest continuously serving foreign correspondent in Russia, and the only western journalist to direct his own bureau independent of single national or commercial ties. Helmer has also been a professor of political science, and an advisor to government heads in Greece, the United States, and Asia. He is the first and only member of a US presidential administration (Jimmy Carter) to establish himself in Russia. Originally published at Dances with Bears

There ought to be a law, or at least a sanction  tenure cancelled, travel visa blocked  for American experts on Russia who claim to know from their reading of other American experts on Russia why Russia does things, and what will happen next.

Thane Gustafson, a Georgetown University professor publishing at the Harvard University Press, claimed very recently its not too hard to reconstruct at this point what was likely going through Putins mind as he gave the order to attackPutin was not nuts, not deranged, not isolated, etcetera. It was all a reasonable betby his strange lightsexcept that every one of the premises turned out to be wrong. Gustafson is certain he knows this; how he doesnt say.

But then Gustafson concedes: All the cards are up in the air, and who knows how they will come downI dont know how this ends.

Theres modest uncertainty for you  except that Gustafson is kidding. He wants you to know, he also says, that Russia is now a fascist state, and theres really only one thing left he doesnt know: because its such an effective fascist state, the fact is that because of the regimes control of information, we have very little idea of how Russians actually feel about the war, and how they will react to Putins apparent defeat.

Gustafson didnt notice he was squatting on the horns of a dilemma. If Russian regime control of information is so total(itarian), Gustafsons information must come from the other side  American, Canadian, British, NATO headquarters in Brussels. The technical terms which professors usually apply to information emanating from one side of a two-sided war are misinformation, disinformation, propaganda, active measures, fake news, lies. Between these things and the information Gustafson says hes sure of, he has trolled himself.

So, to repeat the question, what if Russians actually support the war and blame the US for starting it? What if they are as certain of this as Gustafson is certain Putin started it?

And what if the war ends in the US and NATO alliance retreat to Lvov; after which the Polish government will notify NATO HQ it is reviving its treaty claim to the Galician territory of the Ukraine; the chancellery in Berlin will then inform Brussels it requires the return of the ancient Danzig Corridor and Breslau, Polish territories currently called Gdansk, Wroclaw, and the Ziemie Odzyskane; and the Hungarian government will follow suit with the announcement of the recovery of historical Karpatalja (Transcarpathia), the Zarkarpatska oblast of the Ukraine?

These were the spoils of the World War II settlement between the US and the Soviet Union in 1945-46. The territorial reversion claims arent new. What is new is that the US and the NATO alliance, plus the Galician regime still ruling between Kiev and Lvov, also in Ottawa, have aimed to change the terms of the post-war settlement by continuing the war eastward on to the territory of Russia itself, all the way to regime change in Moscow.

That is what Russia says it is fighting now to defend itself against. As Russian officials have been hinting in recent days, the foreign and defence ministries and the intelligence services are currently discussing in the Kremlin Security Council whether Russias long-term security on its western front may be best served by terms of a Ukrainian settlement in which the German, Polish, and Hungarian territorial claims are recognised.

So, if these are indeed the cards that are up in the air, as the professor in Washington, DC, acknowledges, he isnt the only one who doesnt know how they will come down.

In the meantime he and the Harvard printers want their new book to be a weapon in this war, targeted directly at President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin. But what if the weapon misfires and they lose this war? Will Gustafson admit his ignorance or his mistake or his deception? Should he resign his professorship? Should Harvard pulp the new book? Or is the state in which Gustafson lives and lectures such an effective fascist state, losing the war against Russia to Germany, Poland and Hungary, minus the Ukraine, plus Russia, wont matter to US officials any more than losing Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, and Syria?

Gustafsons book is titled Klimat, Russia in the Age of Climate Change. This is climate change as a war weapon  not the science of global warning, but the idea that because of it, Russia in general, Putin in particular, are doomed to collapse. Climate change is not the cause of these problems. It is a catalyst. Through the internal and external costs it will increasingly impose on Russia, it will precipitate the end of Russias hydrocarbon model, while denying it the revenues and resources it will need to bring about change.

Source: https://www.amazon.com/Klimat-Russia-Age-Climate-Change/

Gustafson issued an update of his assessment in an interview with a former PhD student of his in The Atlantic in April: At the time I wrote the bookand even as recently as two months agoit looked as though the Russian gas bridge to Europe would still survive for another decade, but would then gradually decline, and that applies to oil and coal as well as gas. But now the future of Russian gas in Europe suddenly looks doomed.

Putin is to blame, Gustafson claims, because he has invested in military spending but has not yet succeeded in developing a world-class new generation of weapons and space vehicles, except mainly as prototypes for display in parades. Military power ultimately depends on economic and technological strength. In these respects, Russia is already a declining power.

Gustafsons explanation for Russias fate is that Putin refuses to empower this new generation  thats the one which Gustafson says reformers never tire of speaking of.

Russian oil has no future, the book reports. Russia is squeezed between the threat of lower production and higher costs at home, and the prospect of lower oil demand and lower prices abroad. The first has little to do with climate change; the second is increasingly driven by it as the developed world moves toward decarbonisation.

Accelerating decarbonisation, and depriving Russia of what Gustafson calls the third narrative  slower [decarbonisation] for longer by US sanctions, will prevent Russian deep-water exploration for oil and other advanced technologies. Embargoing Russias oil and gas cargoes, the export pipelines and tankers from delivering to the European market, Gustafson implies, will be doing Mother Natures work for Russia faster than She can manage  and incidentally boosting the reformers in their campaign to change the regime and replace Putin.

In passing, Gustafson refers to US economic warfare against Russia; he doesnt mention the US campaign to stop the Nord Stream-2 gas pipeline at all.

He concedes that if Russian oil revenues can be made to shrink by the combination of Mother Nature and the Office for Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) at the US Treasury, the offsetting growth of gas production and exports to Asia will face growing competition from rival suppliers and ultimately from renewables. As a result, revenues from [Russias] exports to Asia will not be enough to offset the decline in Europe. Encouraging or compelling both China and India to cut their oil and gas imports from Russia  in parallel with the European campaign  is also US war strategy; so is boosting substitute deliveries from US allies Australia and Qatar, and from the US itself. Gustafson keeps calling this decarbonisation.

In this war for decarbonisation, according to Gustafsons plan, Russian coal and nuclear energy exports will also be defeated. Russian coal strategy faces two opposing prospects over the next decade: on the one hand, the inexorable shrinkage of the European marketcombined with stagnation at home; and on the other, the rapid but temporary growth of the Asian market, followed by a slow but terminal decline. As for the prospects for Russias nuclear power trade  exports of reactor technology, of enriched uranium fuel, etc.  Gustafson acknowledges the real question is whether Russia will be able to compete with Chinas increasingly aggressive export policy. Killing Rosatoms international trade by sanctions hasnt been decided yet, neither in Washington nor in Brussels, but it is coming; it is already policy in Sweden and Finland.

Inexorable is the Gustafson word, and he repeats it in his book; it means a process that cannot be stopped or changed, more relentless than Mother Nature even. But Gustafsons book is an expurgated version of the US and NATO war plan against Russia. This war isnt inexorable; it can be defended against; the plan can also be defeated; likewise, sanctions as a weapon of this war arent inexorable. In Gustafsons book the way to make sure Russia cant defend itself in war is to replace Putin by what Gustafson calls the reformers. In his book, as in the war plan, climate change is a euphemism for regime change by other means.

Source: https://www.statista.com/

Source: https://www.statista.com/

Gustafsons book has been endorsed by the New York Review of Books as the justification for the US-led embargo on Russian exports of oil and gas. If one views the Russo-Ukrainian war as a matter of energy politics, the review admits, there are clear material as well as historical, political, and cultural reasons for Ukraines victimization Gustafson [gives] a dry but persuasive marshaling of facts that in the redistribution of wealth and power that will result from climate change, Russia is doomed. After reading Klimat, Russias attack on Ukraine begins to look like the convulsion of a dying state The scientists, activists, and businesspeople who might help Russia cope with climate change are also among those likely to emigrate. Klimats time horizon of 2050 is short, but Putins is even shorter: he is now almost seventy years old. After him will come the deluge, the wildfires, the droughts, the collapse.

Gustafsons weapon is even more powerful than Greta Thunberg (lead image) the New York Review declares. Russias days of hydrocarbon-funded might are numbered. Unfortunately, the end of this era will not come soon enough for Ukrainians, or for the planet 

This makes powerful reading. Where does the evidence come from?

According to the record Gustafson makes himself in 85 pages of his notes, references, and index  thats 27% of his 312-page book  he has met and interviewed no senior executive from the Russian oil, gas and coal companies; none of them, and no official from the supervising government ministries, have talked to him.

Rosneft, LUKoil, Gazprom, Novatek, and the other publicly listed Russian energy companies have all identified more than a dozen analysts working for the leading investment banks in the world who have specialized in their coverage of the companies business; many of these banks are US corporations with offices a stones throw away from Gustafson. They communicate regularly with the Russian companies. Not one of them has been contacted by Gustafson; not one of their reports has been cited by him.

Like the banks, the US-based ratings companies  Moody, Standard & Poor, and Fitch  have regularly analysed and reported on the Russian energy sector and each one of the companies Gustafson claims to know, whose future he claims to be able to forecast. But Gustafson hasnt read a single one of their reports; he doesnt mention them. The Russian company prospectuses, the banks identified as financing them, and the international law firms which have represented them also appear to have been left in the dark by the professor  and they him.

It is the same black hole in Gustafsons treatment of the Russian metals companies which consume the most energy in the domestic economy; emit the largest volumes of CO2 (plus other pollutants); and dominate the world markets for their exports. He explicitly mentions Norilsk Nickel and Rusal (Russian Aluminium); but again, he has talked to none of their executives or spokesmen, nor the international bank analysts who know their business plans and who make their living predicting their future financial results. Here are the big ten analysts of Nornickel; Rusal lists nineteen of them. Half of the Nornickel analysts also cover Rusal. Their telephone numbers and email addresses are publicly displayed. Gustafson didnt make a call.

How does such ignorance  methodically footnoted and bibliographed  justify either the analyses of fact or the predictions of the future which Gustafson serves up?

One answer can be found in the telltale index. Counting pages per name, Putin comes first; next comes Anatoly Chubais, the Russian government official closest to the US Government; Gustafson introduces him in phrases from twenty-five years ago  the best known of the Russian liberal reformers and the father of Russian privatization.

Gustafson says he depends on Chubais for his understanding of Russian policy views on nuclear energy, renewable energy sources like solar and wind, and investment strategy for high technology modernization. More, he writes, over the past forty years Chubais has been the most significant figure in the history of Russias post-Soviet transformation into a market economyas the head of the Russian electricity monopoly, United Power Systems (UES), where he fought and largely won  a bitter decade-long battle for the radical restructuring of the power sector he founded Rusnano, a visionary new state-sponsored start-up charged with developing next-generation nanotechnologiesNow in his mid-sixties, his innovative verve is undiminished, and he has lately reinvented himself yet again, as the would-be father of Russian sun and windChubais has led the way for his view of Russias future.

In mid-March Chubais hurriedly left Russia, flying first to Turkey, then to a villa on the Ligurian coast of Italy, then to Tel Aviv. This month he has been photographed with his wife and bodyguards in Limassol, Cyprus. The Rusnano grand larceny scheme for which Chubais is now under prosecutors investigation in Moscow involves over-valuation of the holdings portfolio, boosted by bank loans beyond repayment capacity, and skimmed into salary, bonuses, personal real estate, and offshore bank accounts. The only Russian investigator not to have opened the Chubais corruption file is Alexei Navalnys Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK).

This is so far removed from the evidence of the Russian abuse of power and fraud investigations; the London, New York, California court records; the US, Swiss and Cyprus money laundering and asset tracks; and now the prosecution of the grand larcenies of Rusnano, Gustafsons assessment of Chubais has to be judged the subliminal message of the book  his endorsement for what Chubais has represented in Washington from the beginning, the US candidate for Kremlin regime change, camouflaged this time round by global warming science, solar panel arrays, and wind turbines. For the evidence on Chubais, start by clicking here.

Chubaiss well-known protege and successor, Alexei Kudrin, is identified by Gustafson as the sole Russian official whom Gustafson credits for standing up against the oil and metals oligarchs. In the evidence file this is demonstrably false. Gustafson notwithstanding: Kudrin restored Russias finances, which had disintegrated under Gorbachev and Yeltsin. He paid off Russias external debts, balanced the budget, reformed the tax system, and created a rainy-day fund to store Russias revenues. His resolutely conservative policy has been faithfully continued his successor as minister, Anton Siluanov, and under Putins new prime minister, Mikhail MishustinWith one ear, Putin listens to the oil industry; with the other he listens to the Ministry of Finance.

Where do Putins ideas on climate change come from? Gustafson asks at the start of his book. This is how he answers  and so confident is Gustafson, he and his Harvard publisher havent thought it appropriate to double-check with any of the obvious experts. Instead, Gustafson acknowledges his sources among Russia warfighters like Harley Balzer, Peter Reddaway, and Angela Stent. The first full-length exploration of Russia both as a prime source and a victim of climate change. Anyone interested inRussias future should read this data-rich and gracefully written book, says Timothy Colton on the dust jacket blurb. Identified inside the book as Gustafsons personal friend, Colton is a Harvard professor who has doubled as a US Navy spy.

After Chubais and Kudrin, the two Russian government officials whom Gustafson also endorses are Sergei Kirienko (left) whose appointment to run Rosatom Gustafson calls an inspired move; and Alexander Novak (right), whom Gustafson reports as a reform-oriented financial expertan able and experienced hand in a top spot. Kirienko is now deputy chief of the Kremlin staff and the only senior member of that staff whom the US has not sanctioned. Novak is now the deputy prime minister for the energy sector and one of the few senior officials in the sector not sanctioned.

In place of the history of escalating US sanctions since 2014, Gustafson leaves a gaping hole. These are climate-related, he acknowledges. That they have materialized at all is by Russias fault, not by US and NATO plan. They were imposed, in Gustafsons interpretation, by the United States and the European Union in the wake of the 2014 seizure of Crimea and Russias role in eastern Ukraine.

Sanctions are also inexorable  indeed, they must remain in place if the Russian oil and gas industries are to be deprived of the investment and technology required  Gustafson thinks  for the slow transition scenario for improving Siberian oilfield yields and opening the Arctic seabed oilfields. The fast-transition scenario would clearly be highly unfavourable, Gustafson concedes to be the strategic rationale for sanctions, but he avoids admitting it is part of his inexorable Klimat plan.

Inexorable in this new book means that Russia will be defeated and destroyed if the US plan succeeds. In the bowdlerized version of the plan, headlined this week in the Murdoch press, Mother Nature, the Green Party in Berlin, and Greta Thunberg are joining hands with NATO and on the battlefields of the Ukraine they will achieve the inevitable result.

Source: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/

If this is what Gustafson and the Harvard printers call inexorable, and the Times of London inevitable, is it any wonder that genuine climate science should be discredited in Russia first of all; China next; and then in the rest of the world?
(Natural News) Dr. Jane Ruby revealed that airline pilots were offered huge monetary incentives to get the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) injection during the June 6 episode of Live with Dr. Jane Ruby on Brighteon.TV.

And we knew that they were starting initially with huge monetary incentives. In fact, what they said was, lets try to incentivize them first with the money, with the perks, lets wait till the very last minute before we start threatening people and firing them. So this pilot told me, there were huge incentives in the beginning to get this jab. And unfortunately, and these are his words, and naively many of the pilots took advantage of that, Ruby said.

The veteran medical professional and pharmaceutical drug development expert said American aviation is providing all kinds of stories about the vaccinated and unvaccinated pilots. She mentioned her recent interview with Freedom Flyers founder Josh Yoder, who told her that a lot of pilots and some flight attendants admitted to having symptoms like intermittent chest pain and dizziness.

Ruby also cited American Airlines Captain Bob Snow, who had suffered from cardiac arrest after landing a passenger jet at the Dallas-Forth Worth International Airport just over a month ago.

Airlines pilots given three choices to continue flying

The former Washington D.C. health economist and New Right political pundit also shared her interview with a veteran airline pilot who was an insider in the industry.

The pilot, who spoke to Ruby on condition of anonymity, revealed that they were given three choices: take the jab, apply for a religious exemption or apply for a medical exemption. The pilot said the airlines, with regards to religious exemptions, were very accommodating and almost all of those who applied were granted exemptions. This suggests that the airlines dont really want to lose their pilots.

Those who requested exemptions for medical reasons continued to fly with their exemptions on hold. Some of them simply retired. About 10 to 20 percent of the pilots were not jabbed after getting the religious or medical exemptions.

The pilot interviewed by Ruby said many of his colleagues in the 30 to 40 age group are suffering from myocarditis. (Related: As many as 30% of US pilots may have COVID-19 vaccine-induced heart conditions.)

Ruby said its rather surprising that these pilots didnt come forward or come together in some sort of whistleblower protection situation.

The anonymous pilot said the younger ones were very concerned about their livelihood, but they should have taken a wait-and-hold situation. He added that the whistleblower program was a good suggestion because they would all be protected and that these pilots would start to come out and share their stories.

Ruby also shared that some pilots are already looking for other jobs because of their uncertain future.

But one thing is for sure: The pilots can do their job even without getting the jab. The airlines simply want them to toe the line.

Follow Vaccines.news for more news about the COVID-19 vaccines.

Watch the full June 6 episode of Live with Dr. Jane Ruby below. Catch new episodes of Live with Dr. Jane Ruby every Monday at 7-8 p.m. on Brighteon.TV.

More related stories:

California-based advocacy group says covid vaccine mandate for pilots violates federal law, puts passengers at risk.

US pilot deaths increase by 1,750% after covid vaccine rollout.

Army surgeon warned that pilots could die in midair from COVID vaccine injuries but was ignored.

United Airlines pilot who refused to take COVID vaccine stuck on unpaid leave.

Airlines looking to CUT required training hours for new pilots due to desperate shortage of pilots whom they killed with covid vaccines, of course.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

DrJaneRuby.com
(Natural News) A recent study has revealed the link of Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) jabs to the shocking number of athlete deaths since the beginning of the vaccine rollout.

The investigation of official statistics done by the GoodSciencing.com team has found that the number of athletes who have died since the beginning of 2021 has risen exponentially to a massive 1,700 percent higher than the monthly average between 1966 and 2004.

Additionally, the current trend for 2022 so far shows this could increase to 4,120 percent if the increased number of deaths continues, with the number of deaths in March alone being three times higher than the previous annual average.

The 2021 total equates to 394 deaths, 14 times higher than the 1966 to 2004 annual average, whereas the January to April total is at 279 deaths, which is 9.96 times higher than the annual average from 1966-2004.

Between 1966 and 2004, the monthly average number of deaths equates to 2.35, however, between January 2021 and April 2022, the monthly average is 42. This is an increase of 1,696 percent.

The increase was observed during the introduction of an experimental injection that was alleged to protect against COVID-19 disease, but instead caused untold damage to the immune system and cardiovascular problems, the paper that was published on Global Research indicated.

The paper included 566 patients who received either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines and showed signs of cardiovascular damage following the second shot. The risk of heart attacks or other severe coronary problems more than doubled months after the vaccines were administered, based on changes in markers of inflammation and cell damage. (Related: Israeli study links COVID-19 vaccines to heart failure in young adults.)

Correlation of mRNA and adenoviral shots to deadly brain disease exposed

A French pre-print study on the coronavirus vaccines has likewise suggested a link between the vaccines and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), a rare and fatal brain condition.

The research, which can be found on the Research Gate publication website, stated that Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca vaccines may have contributed to the emergence of a new type of sporadic CJD which is much more aggressive than the traditional form of the disease.

When the COVID-19 variants spike protein gene information was made into a vaccine as part of mRNA and adenoviral DNA vaccines, the prion region was also incorporated.

After a patient takes Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccine, the mRNA is naturally incorporated into the persons cells, which then use the mRNA instructions to produce a synthetic spike protein. This tricks the cells into believing that they have been infected so that they create an immunological memory against a component of the coronavirus, the paper stated.

For AstraZeneca, which uses an adenoviral vector platform, the DNA of the spike protein is carried into the cell through an adenoviral vector and then into the nucleus, where all human DNA is stored. The DNA is then transcribed into mRNA and made into the spike protein.

Though major health organizations say genetic material from the vaccines isnt incorporated into human DNA, mRNA studies conducted on human cells in labs proved that mRNA can be transcribed into DNA and then incorporated into the human genome.

Its sad to say, but the biological process of translating mRNA information into proteins is not immune to mistakes. Thus, protein misfolding can occur.

CJD is caused by abnormalities in a protein in the brain called a prion. The naturally occurring proteins are usually harmless, but when they become misfolded, they cause nearby prions to also become misshapen, which could lead to the destruction of brain tissue and eventually death. Its symptoms can be similar to those of other dementia-like brain disorders, such as Alzheimers disease.

The disease is incurable, as once one prion becomes infected, it continues to propagate to other prions. There is no current treatment capable of stopping its progress.

Visit VaccineDeaths.com for more news related to deaths caused by the COVID-19 vaccines.

Watch this video exploring the possibility that the monkeypox virus was released to cover up COVID-19 vaccine symptoms.

This video is from the Glock 1911 channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Exclusive: Athlete who recovered from COVID facing very different future after second dose of Pfizer vaccine triggers myocarditis.

Study: Incurable prion disease linked to covid jabs.

College student reportedly DIES of Pfizer vaccine-related myocarditis after being forced to take it to go to school.

Dr. Derrick DeSilva: The main cause of death is heart disease and not COVID-19  Brighteon.TV.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

GlobalResearch.ca

TheParadise.ng

TheEpochTimes.com

ResearchGate.net

NYTimes.com

PNAS.org

NINDS.NIH.gov
(Natural News) What a surprise: Rebekah Jones, once hailed as a whistleblower for claiming Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis had fudged the states COVID-19 numbers, has been revealed as a complete fraud.

(Article by C. Douglas Golden republished from WesternJournal.com)

A report released last week by the Florida Department of Health Office of Inspector General exonerated DeSantis on the allegations and found nothing to back up Jones allegations that shed been pressured to alter COVID-19 case and death counts. In fact, the people the inspector generals office talked to couldnt even make sense out of the allegations, considering Jones didnt have access to the raw coronavirus data.

(In spite of this, the mainstream media is hardly handling the report with the same breathlessness they handled the accusations against DeSantis  and for obvious reasons. At a time when trust in the mainstream media is at a low, we here at The Western Journal bring you news and analysis you wont hear in the mainstream press. If you like and support our work, please consider subscribing.)

According to an editorial published Friday by The Wall Street Journal, the inspector general found no evidence to support Jones claims.

Based upon an analysis of the available evidence, there is insufficient evidence to clearly support a violation of a law, rule, or policy, as described by the complainant, the report stated.

The governors office argued that Jones was fired from her job for insubordination and unilateral decisions to modify the Departments COVID-19 dashboard without input or approval from the epidemiological team or her supervisors.

Jones original allegations were that she had been ordered to tidy up COVID numbers to support the states reopening in the spring of 2020. In addition, she claimed the governor had retaliated against her by having the Florida Department of Law Enforcement execute a search warrant against her in December 2020, arguing DeSantis had sent the Gestapo to keep her quiet.

Police say the raid involved a data breach that was traced back to Jones home IP address. Shes been hit with a felony charge for downloading confidential health department data. She has pleaded innocent.

According to the Journal, the inspector generals office talked to over a dozen individuals who worked with Jones as part of its investigation, including her superiors  and not a single one supported her allegations of fudged data.

While she told some of her co-workers that she was told to alter COVID data in the system, the report said they didnt buy her allegations. That wasnt just because of her inherent unreliability but because of the fact she didnt have access to the pertinent data. Instead, she was in charge of handling the states online dashboard, not the raw data.

If the complainant or other DOH staff were to have falsified COVID-19 data on the dashboard, the dashboard would then not have matched the data in the corresponding final daily report, the report said.

Such a discrepancy would have been detectable by [Bureau of Epidemiology] staff conducting data quality assurance, as well as other parties, both within and outside the DOH, including but not limited to [county health departments], local governments, researchers, the press/media, and the general public.

Instead, the report stated the inspector generals office found no evidence that the DOH misrepresented or otherwise misled the public regarding how positivity rates were calculated, according to the report.

The definitions for overall and new case positivity were provided on the Data Definition sheet and Health Metrics Overview, which were both linked to the dashboard, and were consistent with testimonial evidence obtained by the OIG.

The report appeared last week to nary a peep in the same media outlets that loved her back in the febrile days of the early pandemic.

As The Daily Caller noted, Jones was a frequent guest on Joy Reids MSNBCs show and made at least five appearances on former CNN host Chris Cuomos old show. (No lack of sad irony there; Cuomos brother Andrew, the erstwhile governor of New York, was forced out of office over sexual harassment allegations, but also faced accusations of covering up COVID deaths in the states nursing homes.)

The headlines in liberal media outlets were similarly effusive  calling Jones a scientist to buttress her standing, like Jones was filling test tubes with potential coronavirus vaccines when she wasnt trying to expose fraud in the Florida government. But even CNN has been honest enough to qualify that as data scientist.

NPR, May 19, 2020: Florida Dismisses A Scientist For Her Refusal To Manipulate States Coronavirus Data. South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Dec. 10, 2020: FDLE raid dramatizes Floridas COVID-19 coverup. HuffPo, Dec. 17, 2020: Florida Scientist Vows To Speak COVID-19 Truth To Power Despite Police Raid. Cosmopolitan, March 11, 2021: Rebekah Jones Tried To Warn Us About COVID-19. How Her Freedom Is On The Line.

No evidence for any of it. None. Goose egg. Zero-point-zero.

Rebekah Jones was a darling of the mainstream media if just because her wild-eyed conspiracy theories about covering up COVID data could be wielded as a cudgel against Ron DeSantis and others considered a threat to progressives.

As always, the allegations appear on page one; the truth on page 17  if it appears at all. Shes served her purpose.

Read more at: WesternJournal.com
(Natural News) Russias large stores of fertilizer could give it significant leverage during the global food and fertilizer supply crisis.

Since the invasion of Ukraine in late February, international food prices have risen by 30 percent. In the United States, food prices have risen 10 percent over the last year.

Western economic sanctions heaped upon Russia following the invasion, along with the countrys own export restrictions in retaliation to the sanctions, could further drive up the cost of food and fertilizer for Russias benefit. (Related: West blames Putin for global food crisis after sanctioning Russia, preventing Russian food and fertilizer exports.)

If the fertilizers dont flow, then the world will produce less, warned United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Chief Economist Maximo Torero. Thats why were saying that next year we could have a problem of food availability, and also of food access like what we have today.

Torero said countries will likely try to stretch out their fertilizer supplies by using less of it, resulting in lower crop yields.

Thats what will create the problem of food availability [in addition to] food access, said Torero. Thats what worries us, thats for us the most dramatic scenario and thats what we need to avoid.

Russian fertilizer exports could save crops everywhere

Many countries all around the world are reliant on Russian fertilizer. Even the United States relies heavily on nitrogen-based fertilizers coming out of Russia and Belarus, which was also heavily sanctioned for its support for Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. Other countries that are heavily dependent on fertilizer from the two countries include Singapore, Mongolia and Panama.

If the West were to drop its sanctions on Russia, it could help save crops all over the world. Evidence proving this can be found in Brazil, where Agriculture Minister Marcos Montes said the 2022-2023 grain crop was saved after Russia was able to export fertilizer to the South American nation.

Faced with supply uncertainties related to the severe economic sanctions against Russia following the invasion, Montes said the Brazilian government reached out to its counterparts in Moscow to secure fertilizer shipments.

Brazil imports over 85 percent of its fertilizer. It has purchased 16.64 million tons of fertilizer through May, a massive increase of 16.5 percent from the same period in 2021. Russia is Brazils number one supplier, having sold the country 3.06 million tons of fertilizer.

In the Port of Santos and the Port of Paranagua, the two largest ports in Brazil, record imports of fertilizer have filled allocated storage spaces.

The normalization of fertilizer supplies in Brazil has meant a decline in record-high fertilizer prices, which soared following the sanctions placed upon Russia and the constricting global supply.

Despite the decline in fertilizer prices, many Brazilian farmers still arent buying. According to Marina Cavalcante, an analyst on Bloomberg, many are waiting for further price cuts as more fertilizer imports enter the country.

Farmers have the expectation that prices will keep falling after declines last week and in the previous one, said Cavalcante. So theyll wait for further decreases to buy.

Farmers can delay their purchases for a few more months if they are planting soybean, which seeds in September. But if they wait too long, a last-minute rush in fertilizer purchases could lead to transportation bottlenecks and price increases that could leave some empty-handed and others with not enough fertilizer.

Keep updated on the global fertilizer shortage at FertilizerWatch.com.

Watch this episode of The American Journal from InfoWars as host Harrison Smith talks about a train derailment in Canada that destroyed several tons of fertilizer.

This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.

More related articles:

USA DOMESTIC food production now collapsing due to fertilizer costs, scarcity, diesel price inflation and food protectionism.

Midwest farmers struggling due to spiking fertilizer costs.

Merritt Medical Hour: Lack of fertilizer, food manufacturing plant fires will cause food shortages in the US  Brighteon.TV.

Fertilizer costs driving up food prices, threatening food security worldwide.

Worlds largest fertilizer manufacturer sounds alarm, says shortages will last throughout 2023.

Sources include:

Yahoo.com

Agriculture.com

Bloomberg.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) InfoWars founder Alex Jones dissed the people supporting the governments push for gun control laws. He was particularly disappointed with the Republican senators that are working with President Joe Bidens administration to pass gun control legislation.

These people are a plague on us and our families, Jones said.

Even Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnel, a Republican, is supporting President Joe Biden and his anti-gun bills. This happens when Big Tech personalities and corporations flex their muscles and spread the wealth around a certain group of people.

The House of Representatives passed a package of gun control measures on a party-line vote on June 8, despite facing little hope of clearing the Senate. Five Republicans have joined the Democrats in a 223-204 vote for a bill that put together eight other gun control bills  including raising the age of buying certain rifles to the age 21, limiting magazine sizes and codifying existing gun control regulations.

This faces a lot of issues in the Senate. During the floor debate, Democrats said that Congress must address the surge in mass shootings in recent weeks, both at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, and in other places across the country.

Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said the House would move forward with another gun bill even as the fragile bipartisan talks continue in the Senate. Weve seen promising signs from the Senate that bipartisan agreement may be possible. I surely hope it is. This House will not wait to act, Hoyer said.

Democrats have also argued that public opinion is on their side regarding common sense proposals that address one of the most politically sensitive issues in Congress.

A Quinnipiac University poll showed that 74 percent of adults supported raising the age to purchase guns to 21 years old, while 83 percent supported red flag laws for emergency gun seizures.

Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky and other Republicans argued that the bill would be dead on arrival in the Senate, and will likely be marked unconstitutional for overly restricting the Second Amendment rights. (Related: It is the right and duty of all Americans to REFUSE to comply with unconstitutional gun laws.)

Some GOP senators support new gun restrictions

Republican Senator Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania told CBSs Face the Nation that hes hopeful at least half of Republican senators will support the new restrictions.

I think the Republicans have been very consistent supporters of Second Amendment rights. Republican voters expect Republicans to defend the Second Amendment. I think there is a place to land thats consistent with the Second Amendment, as Ive been advocating for expanding background checks, Toomey said.

I think encouraging states to have some kind of red flag laws could make sense as long as theres an adequate due process. I think there are school safety provisions, there are mental health issues that we could address. So there are things we could do that would be constructive, that are consistent with Republican values, and Im hoping well get there.

Another Republican Senator showing support for gun control is South Carolinas Lindsey Graham, who agreed with Bidens radical speech that essentially called for anti-gun laws to go nationwide. Graham said hes ready to work with Biden to find common ground about gun control.

Some of the actions the president proposed include banning assault rifles or raising the age to purchase them from 18 to 21, banning high-capacity magazines, strengthening background checks, enacting safe storage and red flag laws and repealing the immunity from liability that gun manufacturers enjoy.

However, conservative and gun rights groups have already mobilized against the legislation. Organizations like the Gun Owners of America, Heritage Action for America and the National Rifle Association have told their members that this vote will be used in their lawmaker evaluations. (Related: Steel Truth: Mike Hill talks about unconstitutional gun laws leftists are trying to enforce  Brighteon.TV)

Republican Representative Jim Jordan of Ohio argued that the legislation would not help communities affected by gun violence, in Uvalde or elsewhere. Our hearts go out to those communities and those families who have been impacted in such a terrible way. But the answer is not to destroy the Second Amendment, and that is exactly where the Democrats want to go, he said.

Watch the video below for more information about the gun law discussion in Congress.

This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

What good are gun control laws if police issue gun permits to violent criminals anyway?

Do Virginia Democrats realize they are only disarming THEMSELVES by passing more gun laws? Patriots refuse to comply guess who will hold all the guns when the uprising begins?

Californias anti-gun Marxists are considering softening gun crime laws because more persons of color are violating them.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

RollCall.com

InfoWars.com
(Natural News) A Norwegian feminist faces up to three years in prison for saying that biological men cant be lesbians.

(Article by Paul Joseph Watson republished from Summit.news)

Yes, really.

Christina Ellingsen, of the global feminist organization Womens Declaration International (WDI), is under police investigation for making the claim in a tweet in which she criticized the trans activism group FRI.

Why [does] FRI teach young people that males can be lesbians? Isnt that conversion therapy? Ellingsen allegedly tweeted.

She also questioned the legitimacy of FRIs advisor Christine Jentoft identifying as a lesbian despite being born a biological male.

Jentoft, who is male and an advisor in FRI, presents himself as a lesbian  thats how bonkers the organization which supposedly works to protect young lesbians interests is. How does it help young lesbians when males claim to be lesbian, too? Ellingsen reportedly said.

You are a man. You cannot be a mother, Ellingsen allegedly told Jentoft. To normalize the idea that men can be mothers is a defined form of discrimination against women.

Amnesty International is also accusing Ellingsen of harassment for saying that Jentoft is a man on national television, reports Reclaim the Net.

Norways hate crime laws were made more draconian last year to make criticizing gender ideology a crime and Ellingsen faces up to three years in prison if she is convicted.

To certain groups, the fact that women and girls are female and that men cannot be women, girls, mothers or lesbians, is considered hateful, Ellingsen told Reduxx, adding that the police are investigating her for for campaigning for womens rights.

The fact that police are legally able to investigate and persecute women who engage in womens rights is concerning, said Ellingsen

This is new territory in Norway, so the outcome of the investigation is important, both if the case is dismissed and if it leads to trial, she added.

However, the precedent has already been set by a 2021 case where a Norwegian man was jailed for three weeks and fined for misgendering someone who identifies as transgender on Facebook.

While Americans merely face social media bans for saying men cant be women, in some European countries, making the claim risks actual imprisonment.

Similar threats are also made against those who criticize the LGBT movement.

Former Finnish minister Paivi Rasanen faced hate speech charges for citing Bible verses which described homosexuality as shameful and unnatural, although she was later acquitted.

As we highlighted last year, a Christian pastor in the UK was arrested by police on the streets of London after a member of the public reported him for the homophobic comment of saying that marriage was between a man and a woman.

Last year, officers in Merseyside took part in an electronic ad campaign outside a supermarket which claimed being offensive is an offence.

In 2019, UK police investigated the potential hate crime of a transgender woman being turned down for a porn role because she still has a penis.

A video published by the UK government Home Office in 2020 also suggested that insulting someones appearance now constitutes a hate crime, despite this not being the law.

Read more at: Summit.news
(Natural News) A group of pro-abortion leftists firebombed a pregnancy center located in the city of Buffalo in New York State. The attack came amid leftist outrage over a potential overturn of the Roe v. Wade abortion ruling.

The National Review reported that pro-abortion group Janes Revenge firebombed the Buffalo office of Christian pregnancy center CompassCare. Arsonists from the group attacked the center on June 7, leaving shattered glass panels and burnt interiors behind.

The windows in the reception room and nurses office were broken and fires lit, said a June 7 statement from the center.

Aside from damaging much of the office, the perpetrators also scrawled the phrase Jane was here on the side of the buildings wall. This served as evidence of the pro-abortion group taking responsibility for the June 7 incident and similar other attacks on pro-life establishments.

CompassCare and other pro-life service centers have been the target of violence for months, both online and in-person. Because of the escalating violence against pro-lifers, CompassCare alerted the local police and [the Federal Bureau of Investigation], 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, the statement noted.

Ironically, New York Gov. [Kathy Hochul] not only ignored the violence  but also earmarked $35 million in taxpayer funds to increase security at abortion clinics. Adding insult to injury [was] the New York [State] Legislature passed a bill investigating pro-life pregnancy centers precisely because they do not perform abortions.

CompassCare had been referring to Senate Bill (SB) 470 or the Pregnancy Center Investigation Bill in its statement. The proposal authorizes Dr. Mary T. Bassett, the states incumbent health commissioner, to conduct a study and issue a report examining the unmet health and resource needs facing pregnant women in New York and the impact of limited service pregnancy centers.

Janes Revenge also responsible for similar attack in Wisconsin

This is the pro-abortion Kristallnacht. Because of this act of violence, the needs of women facing unplanned pregnancy will go unmet and babies will die, said CompassCare CEO Jim Harden. He added that despite this setback, CompassCare will rebuild because women deserve better, [and it] will not stop serving because pre-born boys and girls deserve protection.

At the same time, Harden expressed wonder over the possibilities of Hochul vetoing SB 470 or New York Attorney General Letitia James actually investigating the arsonists responsible.

The previous month, Janes Revenge also conducted a similar attack targeting a pro-family organizations office in the state of Wisconsin.

Unknown arsonists broke into the office of Wisconsin Family Action (WFA) in Madison during the early hours of May 8, throwing at least two Molotov cocktails inside. The interior was damaged by the resulting fire, but no injuries were reported.

The Daily Citizen reported that aside from the firebombing, the attackers also vandalized the WFA building. They scrawled the message If abortion isnt safe, then you arent either on the outside wall of the structure. Other graffiti included the anarchist symbol  the letter A inside a circle  and the number 1312, which stood for ACAB or all cops are bastards. (Related: Op-ed: Abortion activists reveal their EVIL nature through threats and vandalism.)

While this attack was directly provoked by the leaked draft opinion from the Supreme Court, this has [a] far broader implication, said WFA President Julaine Appling. Apparently, the tolerance that the Left demands is truly a one-way street. Violence has become their answer to everything. This is what happens when leadership is missing  or implies that violence is OK.

Americans see through the hypocrisy of the Left. The violence needs to stop and stop now; its not the answer to any question or any problem. Just because the liberals dont get their way, [it] doesnt give them license to threaten bodily harm or to burn and destroy.

Watch WFA President Julaine Appling talking about the May 8 attack on the groups Madison office below.

This video is from The New American channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

VIOLENCE IS THEIR RELIGION: Abortion advocates in LA attack cops with rocks, smash squad car windows.

Left-wing journalist calls for more destruction and violence after pro-life groups office firebombed in Wisconsin.

Howling leftist demons call for targeted violence against high court justices over Supreme Court plan to overturn Roe v. Wade.

STUNNER: Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade abortion ruling in draft decision; leak to media aimed at inciting violence, civil war.

More related stories:

NationalReview.com

CompassCareCommunity.com

NYSenate.gov

DailyCitizen.FocusOnTheFamily.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) Republicans are pressing the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to explain why the agency needs to authorize the use of Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines in young children.

Current policy allows everyone aged five and older to get the experimental and deadly COVID-19 vaccines. The FDA is scheduled to meet with its advisory panel on June 15 to discuss granting emergency use authorization (EUA) for Moderna and Pfizers COVID-19 vaccines to be used on children between the ages of six months and four years old. (Related: JAB EM YOUNG: FDA approves Pfizers booster vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 without consulting vaccine advisory panel.)

In line with this, the White House has also unveiled its plans to roll out COVID-19 vaccines for kids under the age of five.

At least 10 million pediatric doses of the COVID-19 doses will be made available for states, federally recognized Native American tribes and other American jurisdictions for pre-order before the end of the month.

The government will focus on letting frontline providers like pediatricians and primary care doctors administer the vaccines to their patients. But the vaccines will still be available for distribution across thousands of different sites in the country, and officials want at least 85 percent of children under the age of five to be within five miles of a potential vaccination site.

Republicans say vaccines unnecessary for children

The only people providing any kind of opposition to the FDA and the federal governments plans to vaccinate children are a bicameral group of Republicans questioning whether the proposed EUA makes sense.

This bicameral group of Republicans, led by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Florida Rep. Bill Posey, has submitted a letter addressed to FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf asking why it is necessary for children under five to get vaccinated, given how little risk the coronavirus poses to their age group.

The broad approach of the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] and FDA to date has been a one-size-fits-all policy  get the vaccine regardless of age, risk factors, the underlying health of the individual or previous infection, wrote the Republicans. Yet, to date, there remain many unanswered questions about these EUA-approved COVID-19 vaccines and only a small percentage of the safety data about these vaccines that are in the possession of the FDA and the manufacturers has been released for review.

As evidence, the group pointed out that a May 2022 study from the CDC found that 68 percent of children in the U.S. between the ages of one and four are seropositive for SARS-CoV-2, meaning that they have previously had COVID-19. For those five to 11 and 12 to 17, 77 percent and 74 percent are seropositive, respectively.

The group believes the percentage of children in America who are already immune to COVID-19 is probably even higher by now, likely 80 percent or more.

The group also noted that the mRNA vaccines have not been tested for long-term safety and may carry unknown long-term risks.

Even with respect to near-term acute adverse reactions, the study populations for these vaccines are very small, as it was only with mass vaccinations that the FDA was able to detect serious adverse reactions, particularly among young males, read the letter.

The group demanded that the FDA answer more questions about the vaccine and its effects on children. They are also demanding that the FDA release data from pre-approval manufacturer studies, post-approval adverse events and other post-approval manufacturer data it has received from Big Pharma companies.

We are in our third year with COVID-19, and we know vastly more about the virus than we did in 2020. One of the most important things we know is that this virus poses minimal risk for children, said Cruz.

Before the FDA approves an emergency use authorization for a childrens vaccine, parents should be able to see the data and paperwork they would use to justify this decision. This is the least the FDA can do for families in Texas and across the country so parents can make the best decisions for their children.

Fifteen other Republican congressmen and one senator  Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson  have signed Posey and Cruzs letter.

Watch this episode of the Health Ranger Report as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, talks about how the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines can cause permanent infertility in children.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

CDC TRIPLES DOWN on child sacrifice, approves third dose of mRNA injections for children as young as five.

California to start vaccinating 12-year-old children without parental consent.

All-cause death rate 52 times higher among vaccinated children than unvaccinated children.

Latest CDC data show 106 children died, 48,033 suffered adverse reactions following COVID-19 vaccination.

Florida surgeon general: COVID vaccine risks OUTWEIGH benefits for healthy children.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

TheHill.com

Posey.House.gov [PDF]

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) New research published in The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) suggests that a novel form of monoclonal antibodies could be a safe and effective cure for cancer.

The results of the small trial are already being hailed as remarkable and unprecedented because all 18 participants are now cancer-free, thanks to receiving dostarlimab every three weeks for six months.

One of the patients is now two years out of the trial and still cancer-free, which Dr. Luis A. Diaz Jr., the studys author, told The New York Times is the first time this has happened in the history of cancer.

Fellow co-author Dr. Andrea Cercek, an oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, added that there were a lot of happy tears at the conclusion of the trial, based on the results (Related: Joe Biden just cut off Americas supply of monoclonal antibodies for treating the Wuhan coronavirus, also known as Covid-19).

To qualify as valid, the study will still need to be replicated. However, Dr. Kimmie Ng, a colorectal cancer expert from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and associate professor at Harvard University, is convinced that the results from this one speak for themselves.

We initiated a prospective phase 2 study in which single-agent dostarlimab, an antiPD-1 monoclonal antibody, was administered every 3 weeks for 6 months in patients with mismatch repairdeficient stage II or III rectal adenocarcinoma, the study reads.

This treatment was to be followed by standard chemoradiotherapy and surgery.

Dostarlimab works all by itself  no chemotherapy necessary

According to the Times, dostarlimab effectively unmasks cancer cells, allowing the immune system to identify and destroy them. Further cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, which is highly destructive to the body, are not necessary.

If true, this is great news for cancer patients everywhere who will no longer need to be pumped up with chemotherapy drugs, which increase the risk of more cancer forming followed by death.

Every patient who took dostarlimab had a clinical complete response, the study further reveals, with no evidence of tumor on magnetic resonance imaging.

At the time of this report, no patients had received chemoradiotherapy or undergone surgery, and no cases of progression or recurrence had been reported during follow-up (range, 6 to 25 months), the paper adds. No adverse events of grade 3 or higher have been reported.

Dr. Hanna K. Sanoff, MD, MPH, from the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, says the results are very encouraging, but she is advising caution with getting too excited about them.

These initial findings of the remarkable benefit with the use of dostarlimab are very encouraging, but also need to be viewed with caution until the results can be replicated in a larger and more diverse population, Sanoff is quoted as saying.

The responses in these first 12 of a planned-for 30 patients in the trial were remarkable and exceed what we would expect with the standard chemotherapy plus radiation. Although quality of life measures have not been reported yet, its encouraging that some of the most difficult symptoms, such as pain and bleeding, all resolved with the use of dostarlimab.

There are, of course, many natural remedies out there that have also helped people recover and heal from cancer. They rarely receive attention from the experts, though, which makes dostarlimab unique.

Monoclonal antibodies (drugs ending in mab) are wonder drugs that unleash the bodys power on various maladies, wrote someone in the comment section at the Wire.

They showed a lot of promise on covid, but big pharma and the FDA (but I repeat myself) stomped most of them down.

The latest news about cancer research can be found in CancerSolutions.news.

Sources include:

DailyWire.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) The Australian province of South Australia has just declared a climate emergency, and climate lockdowns are coming close behind.

The idea of forcing people into their homes and not letting them leave for almost any reason stems from the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, said Owen Shroyer of InfoWars.

Thats to set the precedent that if theres a dangerous virus, that you shut down society, he said. Once that precedent is accepted, then theyre going to decide that you, the human, are the virus, so that then youll accept the lockdowns because of the human virus causing man-made climate change. (Related: The government will declare a climate crisis to put people back into lockdown.)

This is happening in the Australian province of South Australia, which had just elected a left-leaning government under the Australian Labor Party. Immediately following the election, newly elected Premier Peter Malinauskas declared a climate emergency.

Declaring an emergency is what tyrants do when they wish to shut down debate, silence their opponents and ram through legislation that would otherwise be difficult to pass, wrote journalist Lincoln Brown for the Spectator Australia. South Australias opposition leader, David Speirs, dismissed Labors motion as mere virtue-signaling, but, while it is certainly virtue-signaling, it is more concerning than that.

Brown warned that the climate emergency is just the start. It will be followed by climate lockdowns, carbon footprint tracking and restrictions on personal fuel use and meat consumption.

[They] might sound like conspiracy theories now, but the stage is being set for them to appear in the near future, said Brown. As historian Dr. Stephen Chavura noted in response to Labors motion, Emergency is the language that you use when democracy is no longer for you.'

Scientists oppose climate lockdown, say it wont save the environment

Multiple international organizations have also been pushing for climate lockdowns recently, motivated no doubt by the success of COVID-19 lockdowns all over the world. This includes the United Nations Environment Program, which has called for climate lockdowns to cut carbon emissions by 7.6 percent every year for the next decade.

But a group of Canadian scientists known as the Friends of Science Society recently came out in opposition to climate lockdowns. The group noted that even if climate change is real, lockdowns would do nothing to stop it and will only destroy peoples lives.

The fact is the drop in emissions during COVID lockdowns is not enough to significantly affect the increase of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, read an open letter written by the Friends of Science addressed to the Bank of Canada. One must compare the change of emissions to the annual change of CO2 concentrations, not to the cumulative CO2.

Furthermore, carbon dioxide has never been empirically shown to be the main driver of climate change, the letter further stated. There has been no global change in extreme weather events, including floods, droughts, storms or hurricanes.

Learn the truth about the so-called climate change at ClimateAlarmism.news.

Watch this clip from InfoWars as host Owen Shroyer talks to Evelyn Rae about the climate emergency in Australia and the push for climate lockdowns.

This video is from the InfoWars channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Here come the CLIMATE LOCKDOWNS: World agency demands locking down cities to achieve climate goals.

CLIMATE LOCKDOWN: Globalists are exploiting oil price spikes to push for greater population control with 10-point plan that includes bans on travel.

Kennedy Hall: Climate change and COVID pandemic are tools of control by global elites.

Like COVID-19, climate alarmism is a tool global elites wield to control our lives.

Climate lockdown: UCL professor advocating lockdowns to combat climate change.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

Spectator.com.au

Benzinga.com
(Natural News) Are you ready for the new homosexual and transgender burger from Burger King? If you live in Austria, that is what the fast-food chain is now serving in celebration of Pride month.

According to reports, Burger King Austria just unveiled the Pride Whopper, which instead of coming with a normal top and bottom bun now comes with either two tops or two bottoms of the same shape.

Customers will have the option to choose the gay or lesbian option when ordering, or perhaps they can trans it up by nixing the buns entirely and slapping on more lettuce or some other queer ingredient that would not normally hold the sandwich together.

In an attempt at appealing and pandering to the LGBT mafia, Burger King Austria says ordering its Pride Whopper is a great way to be proud while promoting equal love and equal rights.

The term equal love, by the way, appears to be a dog whistle to pedophilia (Related: Burger King also sells genetically engineered (GMO) Impossible burgers that damage customers endocrine systems).

LGBT Pride is a blatant mockery of God and Christianity

Last June, as some readers may recall, Burger King went all out for Pride by promising to donate 40 cents from every ChKing sandwich purchase to the so-called Human Rights Campaign (HRC), which is currently the largest LGBT activist group in the world.

Two years ago, Burger King Finland created a pro-homosexual ad featuring the fast-food chains longtime official mascot locking lips with Ronald McDonald, the well-known McDonalds mascot.

This year, Burger King Spain has gone all out by creating a blasphemous Holy Week ad campaign that mocked Jesus Christs words at the Last Supper. The chain ended up apologizing for this one because of how extreme it was.

It turns out that the selection of June as the LGBT mafias official Pride month was no accident, as June has long been the Catholic traditions month to celebrate the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Pride activists appear to have chosen June specifically as a way to mock the religious faith while parading around debauchery. The official Pride icon of the six-colored rainbow (the real rainbow has seven colors, which is Gods number for fullness or completeness) is also not an accident as it directly mocks Gods promise to never flood the entire world again.

God will, however, judge the entire world with fire this next time around.

The woke religion marches on, wrote someone at Life Site News, expressing total disgust with Burger King. Good thing I dont subject myself to their garbage.

I learned long ago to buy beef (regular or lean), form into good size patties (with nothing added), freeze on a tray or plate (to avoid sticking together), then double bag (prevents frost buildup inside the patty) them in zip lock bags, and cook from frozen in a covered frying pan 15 min medium heat first side, then 15 min medium-low heat on the other size, after a good press down to get rid of any excess moisture buildup inside the patty. Then add salt, pepper to the burger and condiments (mayo, mustard) on a toasted bagel. Yum!

Another joked that homosexual pride is an all-year thing at Burger King because eating there during any month will destroy your colon and probably give you diseases.

Someone else wrote that by deliberately using the wrong buns in celebration of Pride, Burger King is basically admitting that LGBT lifestyles and activities are completely unnatural and represent perversion in every sense of the word.

The latest news about Pride and LGBT pandering can be found at CultureWars.news.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com

NaturalNews.com

BibleProject.com
(Natural News) A news report published earlier this week has provided further proof that the FBI is no longer a federal law enforcement agency but rather a Gestapo or Stasi-like organization whose mission is to protect the left-wing deep state regime.

According to an autopsy report revealed by the Detroit News, it appears as though the FBI actually executed a supposed domestic terrorist suspect in Michigan just a few days before the bureau launched its fake plot involving the alleged kidnapping of unpopular Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Mark-Matthew Allport, 43, was shot three times in the head and once in the back (for good measure?) as agents confronted him in the parking lot of a Texas Roadhouse restaurant in Madison Heights, Mich. According to the report, one agent was wounded during their ambush.

The bureau as well as the Oakland County Medical Examiners office tried to keep details about the case out of the publics view, but the Detroit News managed to obtain a copy of the autopsy report following an appeal on a Freedom of Information Act request denial.

Big League Politics reports:

This all occurred on Oct. 2, 2020  just days before the fake Whitmer kidnapping was rolled out in an October surprise meant to influence the presidential election. Allport was riddled with bullet holes by the FBI as they supposedly attempted to apprehend him on illegal gun charges.

It almost mirrors Ruby Ridge, what they did to Eric, Allports mother, Judy Grider, said to the Detroit News.

When their son was still a child, the family was neighbors with Randy Weaver, a patriot martyr whose family was murdered by federal agents after they  see if this sounds familiar  entrapped him in a weapons plot and then surrounded his rural home in Idaho during Bill Clintons shameful presidency.

American Greatness senior writer Julie Kelly pointed out the troubling undercurrent beneath this deep state atrocity.

Well this is insane. FBI agents shot and killed an alleged domestic terrorist in Michigan five days before the alleged Whitmer kidnappers were arrested in 2020, she wrote on Twitter, linking the story.

Well this is insane. FBI agents shot and killed an alleged domestic terrorist in Michigan five days before the alleged Whitmer kidnappers were arrested in 2020: pic.twitter.com/06cneykKcZ  Julie Kelly ?? (@julie_kelly2) June 6, 2022

FBI refuses to release its investigation into the shooting but Detroit News finally got autopsy report on appeal. The victim was childhood friend of Sammy Weaver, she added.

FBI refuses to release its investigation into the shooting but Detroit News finally got autopsy report on appeal. The victim was childhood friend of Sammy Weaver: pic.twitter.com/33dUjdKQeE  Julie Kelly ?? (@julie_kelly2) June 6, 2022

My sources close to Whitmer case say Allport was not part of the group set up by FBI to pretend to kidnap governor. But this timeline coincides with what FBI described as a terror enterprise investigation related to Whitmer hoax. This FBI is deeply corrupt, she added in a third tweet.

My sources close to Whitmer case say Allport was not part of the group set up by FBI to pretend to kidnap governor. But this timeline coincides with what FBI described as a terror enterprise investigation related to Whitmer hoax. This FBI is deeply corrupt: pic.twitter.com/0S6TJzxT0b  Julie Kelly ?? (@julie_kelly2) June 6, 2022

But it gets worse.

The head of the Detroit FBI field office at the time was Steven DAntuono. He was moved to DC FBI field office 2 weeks after his agents shot and killed Allport. His office is the lead agency on January 6 prosecutionDAntuonos agents arrested Peter Navarro at Reagan last week, Kelly continued. So the October 7, 2020 arrests of the Whitmer kidnappers served 2 goals: wipe the FBI shooting of Allport from the headlines and produce damaging headlines for Trump as Americans were voting for president.

So the October 7, 2020 arrests of the Whitmer kidnappers served 2 goals: wipe the FBI shooting of Allport from the headlines and produce damaging headlines for Trump as Americans were voting for presidenthttps://t.co/iEIpuaaRHW  Julie Kelly ?? (@julie_kelly2) June 6, 2022

Bidens regime has lost all legitimacy as have the federal agencies under him. Its time for governors to make a choice: Continue supporting this blatant corruption and give it legitimacy, or not.

Sources include:

BigLeaguePolitics.com

Twitter.com
(Natural News) While the FBI demonstrated oppressive, tyrannical behavior throughout the so-called war on terror, since it was occurring in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, most Americans either didnt notice or did not mind.

After all, the bureau was meting out the revenge we all sought against Islamic terrorists who killed thousands of our countrymen, attacked our seat of government, and destroyed an iconic symbol of our economic might.

But the FBI did not stop with entrapping alleged Islamic terrorists, the bureau veered into full-bore corruption and today has become the modern-day equivalent of Nazi Germanys Gestapo or Soviet East Germanys Stasi secret police  behaving more as political enforcers for the left-wing deep state.

After staging the false flag attack on the U.S. Capitol Building in January 2021 to pin it on Donald Trump and punish his supporters, the bureau is continuing the persecution, using that staged assault as justification to take out more political opponents.

As Conservative Brief reports:

The campaign for the Republican nomination to challenge Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has been insane and it just got more insane.

On Thursday, the FBI raided the home of Ryan Kelley, a Michigan Republican gubernatorial candidate, and reportedly took him into custody, Bridge Michigan reported.

A criminal complaint filed in Washington D.C. federal court shows Kelley is facing multiple charges for his role in protests at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021  The FBI executed both a search warrant and arrest warrant at Kelleys home in Allendale Township in western Michigan and arrested Kelley, spokesperson Mara Schneider told Bridge Michigan.

He has been 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 engaging in any act of physical violence against person or property in any restricted building or grounds and Willfully injuring or committing any depredation against any property of the United States.

I respect Ryan Kelley and have met him out on the trail. My hope is that the FBI is acting appropriately because the timing here raises serious questions. Praying for him and his family, one of his Republican opponents, Kevin Rinke, offered his support for Kelly on Twitter.

Rinke carefully chose his words, but he knows what is going on here: The corrupt FBI, under orders from the corrupt Justice Department being led by the most decrepit, dementia-stricken president who is only in office because his victory was stolen from President Trump, has gone completely rogue and is now officially nothing more than the left-wing deep state regimes secret police.

This comes after the leading GOP challengers, including former Detroit Police Chief James Craig, among the top contenders capable of unseating Whitmer, had their signature campaigns hijacked by Democratic leftist operatives who purposely gathered false signatures to prevent them from qualifying for the ballot (even though they were paid). It seems Michigan has become Chicago writ large: A cesspool of Democrat corruption where races are won only by cheating, not because the party is popular or has better ideas. Three courts ruled against the GOP challengers even though the judges are fully aware their signature campaigns were infiltrated.

The Detroit News noted the unusual nature of what happened to Craig:

For Craig, the Supreme Courts decisive ruling was a stunning end to his campaign for the states highest office.

Before Friday, the state had never seen someone lead a gubernatorial primary race for a year and then never make the ballot, Michigan political consultant John Sellek said of Craig.

Thats all you need to know to understand how wrong  and corrupt  what happened to Craig really is.

As for Kelley, the FBI and Justice Department had the information to charge him for more than a year but decided to wait until now to arrest him  because obviously, he was the next most serious threat to Whitmer (who must have something about a lot of people because she certainly seems protected

The system of government our founders bequeathed us was the best ever devised in the history of the world. But its fatal flaw was that it requires men and women of integrity to make it function as designed.

There is no fixing this with elections anymore  those will be stolen. The only solution is for states to opt-out.

Sources include:

ConservativeBrief.com

FoxNews.com
(Natural News) A joint report from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Program (WFP) warned that 49 million people in 46 countries are at risk of falling into famine or famine-like conditions.

The joint report warned that the current state of global food insecurity is worse than the conditions that preceded the Arab Spring uprisings and revolutions across the Middle East and North Africa in late 2010. (Related: WFP executive director: We have no choice but to take food from the hungry to feed the starving.)

Last year, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Sudan and Yemen had the worst levels of food insecurity in the world according to the previous joint report. Now, Afghanistan and Somalia have been added to the list.

People in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Kenya Sudan, Syria and in countries in the Sahel region of Africa are at very high concern of experiencing severe food insecurity due to their deteriorating conditions.

Parts of the population of Angola, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mozambique, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, Zimbabwe and the coastal West African nations of Benin, Cape Verde and Guinea are likely to face a significant deterioration in their food security in the coming months.

The FAO and WFPs report also includes 750,000 people who are already in catastrophic food situations and are at immediate risk of starvation or death. More than half of these people  401,000  are in Ethiopias Tigray region, which is currently in the middle of a civil war against the federal government of Ethiopia. Another 231,000 of these people are in Somalia. The remainder are in Afghanistan, South Sudan and Yemen.

David Beasley, executive director of the WFP, noted that the global food crisis could cause widespread social unrest on a scale that could surpass the Arab Spring.

Weve already seen whats happening in Indonesia, Pakistan, Peru and Sri Lanka  thats just the tip of the iceberg, said Beasley. He added that the current crisis is a perfect storm that will severely impact the worlds poorest and overwhelm millions of families who until now have just about kept their heads above water.

So-called experts trying to blame Russia for global food crisis

UN officials quickly blamed the deteriorating global food supply situation on Russias invasion of Ukraine, even though many parts of the world, such as Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Somalia and Yemen, were already experiencing grave food insecurity issues well before the war began.

The conflict in Ukraine isnt just increasing hunger conditions within the country or even within the region, said WFP Senior Spokesman Steve Taravella. The number of people who are on the brink of famine is now about 48.9 million in 43 countries. That is really dramatic.

Taravella noted that the 750,000 people who are on the brink of death due to starvation can trace the roots of their current predicament to armed conflict.

The link between conflict and hunger is really essential for understanding what is happening in Ukraine, said Taravella. Bottom line: When people are fighting, theyre not farming.

Taravella noted that the number of severely food insecure people has doubled since 2020, and the number of people living in famine conditions has increased by more than 500 percent since 2016. The longer the war in Ukraine drags on, the worse the situation will be.

Its a global storm with a global impact, said Taravella.

For more stories about global food insecurity, head over to Famine.news.

Watch this episode of the Health Ranger Report as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, notes how American food production is collapsing due to the fertilizer shortage, increasing the risk of more Americans experiencing food scarcity.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office predicts SKY-HIGH food inflation to persist until 2023.

American ambassador to the UN: Global food crisis has reached highest level of alarm because of Russia.

Ukraine reports two-thirds decrease in grain exports while global wheat prices skyrocket.

Corn, soybean, wheat, oat planting in the US now far behind their five-year averages.

Global hunger crisis on the horizon as US, Britain, Australia, others deliberately demolish their own food production.

Sources include:

Breitbart.com

TheEpochTimes.com

WFP.org

FoxNews.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) Betrayal isnt a shocking move from the GOP anymore.

(Article by Matt Vespa republished from TownHall.com)

In the Senate, you can always count on Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Mitt Romney (R-UT) to do the wrong thing. You can always count on Reps. Liz Cheney (R-WY) and Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) to do the wrong thing. You have other Senate Republicans wanting to hash out a deal on immigration during this midterm cycle.

Some of the same folks want to hash out a deal on gun control. There are cracks in the line, and Democrats will find ways to exploit that and cause disruption. The only issue is that the terrible economy overshadows all. In the wake of the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, the call for gun control has become deafening despite all the evidence showing that every proposal Democrats are clamoring for wouldnt have prevented the shooting.

A background check was performed when shooter Salvador Ramos purchased his guns. Should it have been rejected? Yes, the address which belonged to Salvador Ramos grandfather should have raised a red flag. Ramos grandfather has a criminal record. He publicly said he cannot own or be around firearms. The kid was known for starting fights, slashing his face, and shooting people around town with a BB gun. He was trouble.

Yet, we just must do something. Even if its unconstitutional, we must do something. Thats always a recipe for disaster when the political class comes to that conclusion about any issue. The House was always going to pass something insane. Its going to suffer legislative death in the Senate. It could lead to primary challenges for the Republicans who signed off on this debacle. Well, ten of them decided to join the Lefts crusade to shred our constitutional rights. Ten Republicans decided to back the bill that would increase the age limit to buy long guns (via Business Insider):

Lawmakers in the House of Representatives voted in favor of raising the age from 18 to 21 for semi-automatic weapon purchases in response to the mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York. The 228-199 vote occurred largely along party lines, with two Democrats voting against the bill and 10 Republicans siding with the Democrat-led proposed legislation. The age hike was part of a package of gun safety bills known as the Protecting Our Kids Act, introduced by Rep. Jerry Nadler, which was broken up into certain gun policies, including prohibiting the sale of ammunition magazines with a capacity of more than 15 rounds, to pressure GOP congresspeople resistant to tighter gun laws.

I think everyone should give Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH), Chris Jacobs (R-NY), John Katko (R-NY), Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), Maria Salazar (R-FL), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Michael Turner (R-OH), and Fred Upton (R-MI) a call about this vote.

What are we doing here, guys? Again, we all know confiscation and the end of the Second Amendment is the Democrats agenda. There is no compromise, no debate, or deal to be had on this issue.

Read more at: TownHall.com
(Natural News) Childrens Health Defense (CHD) in collaboration with British filmmaker and activist Dr. Andrew Wakefield and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has released a new film entitled, Infertility: A Diabolical Agenda that exposes the World Health Organization (WHO) for using vaccines as a cover to carry out a population control experiment.

The 30-minute picture will premiere on Friday, June 10 at 2 p.m. EST on CHD.tv, and will be followed up with a special roundtable discussion featuring Wakefield, Dr. Christiane Northrup, Dr. Jim Thorp, Dr. Brian Hooker and Dr. Liz Mumper.

The issue primarily discussed in the film is a WHO-endorsed vaccination drive that targeted poor African women, whom we now know were sterilized by vaccines without their knowledge or consent.

Other jab-related experiments have been conducted elsewhere in the world as well, which is a contributing factor to what the aforementioned roundtable guests describe as a dramatic rise in infertility issues across the globe.

It is with timely irony that the World Health Organization reveals its true colors as it makes a desperate grab for control of global health, said Wakefield, the films director, in a press release. This story is a true WHO dunnit.

Be sure to check out the interview below in which the Health Ranger discusses the film with Wakefield:

WHOs tetanus shot programs may also be covert depopulation tool

CHD says that Infertility: A Diabolical Agenda exposes the hard-hitting truth about WHOs nefarious collaboration with the Kenyan government in which an experimental tetanus vaccination, later found to be laced with the pregnancy hormone ?hCG, was given to millions of unknowing African women of childbearing age.

The WHO-sponsored tetanus vaccine programs are similarly questionable as they specifically target women in their childbearing years. Could it be that tetanus shots are another covert depopulation mechanism?

As far back as the early 1990s, various groups, including the American pro-life organization Human Life International, have been calling for a congressional investigation into the WHOs tetanus shot programs in Mexico.

For all these years, women in areas where the jabs are being administered have been turning infertile, and yet nothing has been done to look into the situation to see if there might be a link.

In 2014, the Catholic Bishops of Kenya and the Kenya Catholic Doctors Association expressed their own concerns about how a tetanus shot sponsored by both the WHO and the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) was laced with a hormone that causes miscarriages and infertility.

Multiple independent tests, according to the bishops, revealed that the hormone was, in fact, present inside the injection vials. This, they concluded, exposed the entire campaign as a disguised population control program.

In 2017 an open-access study pointed out that as far back as 1976, researchers had been lacing conjugated tetanus toxoid (TT) with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), which in effect resulted in a birth control vaccine.

At the time, The New York Times reported that these laced shots effectively trick the immune system into producing antibodies to both the tetanus protein and the HCG, in effect working to block the action of a hormone that is essential to the life of a newly formed embryo.

All of this and more is discussed in the film, which is worth taking the time to watch, as well as the above interview featuring Dr. Wakefield. At least one of the WHOs long-range goals with its injection programs is clearly infertility.

The truths exposed in this film cast a long shadow from a tetanus trial in Africa to the symptoms of infertility that are happening all over the world, including reports after the Gardasil vaccine and the COVID shots, says Dr. Hooker, CHDs chief science director.

The latest news about vaccines can be found at BadMedicine.news.

Sources for this article include:

LifeSiteNews.com

Brighteon.com
(Natural News) In an eloquent Medium post, journalist Susan Dunham summarizes the lessons (hopefully) learned from hating and attacking the unvaccinated:1

(Article republished from Expose-News.com)

The mandates have let up, and both sides stumble back into something that looks like the old normal  except that there is a fresh and present injury done to the people we tried to break. And no one wants to talk about it.

Only weeks ago, it was the admitted goal of our own leaders to make life unlivable for the unvaccinated. And as a deputized collective, we force-multiplied that pain, taking the fight into our families, friendships, and workplaces. Today, we face the hard truth that none of it was justified  and, in doing that, uncover a precious lesson.

It was a quick slide from righteousness to cruelty, and however much we might blame our leaders for the push, were accountable for stepping into the trap despite better judgement.

We knew that waning immunity put vast numbers of the fully vaccinated on par with the shrinking minority of unvaccinated, yet we marked them for special persecution. We said they hadnt done the right thing by turning their bodies over to state care  even though we knew that principled opposition to such a thing is priceless in any circumstance 

And so it was by the willful ignorance of science, civics, and politics that we squeezed the unvaccinated to the degree that we did  [W]e cannot hold our heads high, as if believing we had logic, love, or truth on our side while we viciously wished death upon the unvaccinated. The best we can do is sit in the awareness of our rabid inhumanity for having cast so many aside 

[B]etting against them has been a scathing embarrassment for many of us whove now learned that the mandates only had the power we gave them. It was not through quiet compliance that we avoided endless domination by pharmaceutical companies and medical checkpoints at every doorway.

It was thanks to the people we tried to tear down  We took the bait by hating them, but their perseverance bought us the time to see we were wrong. It seems right now like the mandates will return, but this time theres hope that more of us will see them for what they are: a rising authoritarianism that has no concern for our wellbeing.

Forgive and Forget?

Dunham addresses the situation from the point of those who fell for the hypnotic command to despise anyone  friends and family included  who refused to buy the official narrative about the COVID shots. Most of you, however, have likely been on the receiving end of those attacks.

How are you choosing to address it? What have you learned? I suspect many of you are indeed willing to forgive, but few will ever forget those betrayals. But as noted by Dunham, no one really wants to talk about what was done.

Everyones just going along as if it never happened. As if our leaders didnt actually call for our deaths. As if our president didnt warn us his patience with us was wearing thin2  a threat that implied bad things would happen once patience ran dry. As if news anchors like Don Lemon didnt actually say we deserved to starve and shouldnt be allowed to enter a grocery store.3,4 But they did say those things, and family and friends did reject us as a result.

Ignorance Still Remains

Remarkably, even now, with everything we know for sure about the jabs, the war against the unvaccinated continues in many areas, and while compassion is slowly making a comeback, ignorance of the basics still abounds. As noted in a January 21, 2022, MSN article:5

There seems to be a war on the unvaccinated individuals because of the recent spike in COVID-19 cases due to the more transmissible Omicron variant  Starting last year, the Austrian government imposed restrictions solely on the countrys unvaccinated population, as many people wondered why those who got vaccinated should also face the same restrictions as those who opted against it 

I am all for encouraging people to get vaccinated; I had my jabs and my booster immediately when they became available in my community  But I wonder: Just how necessary is this war on the unvaccinated?

What if a person decided to opt-out against the vaccine because they had preexisting medical conditions, simply feared for their life, or lacked the knowledge about it because the government was too busy forcing and scaring people instead of genuinely informing them?

Sadly, the author of that MSN piece seems convinced that if only the reluctant were to be given the science, the data, they would understand why the shots are so necessary, when the reality is that the science and the data have been the basis for our refusal from the start. Until or unless the experimental jab pushers acknowledge reality, we will never be able to see eye to eye.

The MSN author also believes that lack of financial incentive is behind some of the vaccine hesitancy:6

If a person is given the choice between going to work or to the vaccination center, they would simply choose the option where there is money. That is just the reality. If they can go to the vaccination center and can still be promised to get their days pay, why wouldnt they want to get vaccinated, right?

This naivete ignores the reality that countless individuals have sacrificed their careers by refusing the jab. For most of us, it was never about a lack of financial incentives. It was about the very real dangers the jabs pose  dangers that the powers that be have yet to fully acknowledge.

First, They Came for the Unvaxxed. Theyll Come for You Next

From the start, I and many others warned that the demonization of the unvaccinated was an extremely dangerous war tactic. In an August 2021 Townhall article, Wayne Allyn Root wrote:7

Its time for alarm bells. Its time for me to play the part of Paul Revere: The communist tyrants and dictators are coming!  Theyre coming first for unvaccinated Americans. This is 1938. Im a Jew. I now understand just a little of what it felt like to be a Jew in 1938  the pre-Holocaust  This is only the beginning. It gets much worse from here.

First, the papers. Vaccine mandates and vaccine passports are just like 1938, when the Gestapo demanded papers from every German. Republicans asked for papers from migrants who had broken into our country  Republicans asked for papers once every two years for federal elections, to prove you have a right to vote.

Democrats said, No, thats racism. Now Democrats want American citizens, not illegal aliens, not criminals, but patriots born in this country, to produce papers 24/7 

Werent Jews injected with experimental drugs by the depraved Nazi government? Wasnt that a key part of the Nuremberg trials? That no government could ever again inject experimental shots into the bodies of unwilling citizens? Isnt that a basic human right?  [F]orcibly injecting Americans who dont want it. Thats 1938.

Root goes on to detail the fate of Jews during those pre-Holocaust years. They were locked in their homes. They were barred from work. Their businesses were deemed nonessential. They couldnt travel. They had to wear a conspicuous yellow star on their clothing so they could be easily identified and targeted for public displays of hatred. Jewish books were burned  that was the 1938 version of online censorship and deplatforming.

First, they came for the unvaccinated. Trust me: Next, theyre coming for you, Root said. And, indeed, in recent weeks, weve seen the stage being set for another fabricated hate-fest. This time, the gay community is the designated enemy and target.

Same-sex relations has been identified as the primary source of a global monkeypox outbreak. Almost every article discussing the outbreaks mentions it. Thats how it begins. Ill be very surprised if the gay community wont be targeted for exclusion, derision and attack in coming weeks and months.

Will enough people have learned the lesson of humility that Dunham highlights? Have enough cognitively recognized the error of their ways, or will they fall into the trap yet again? Only time will tell. At the end of February 2021, Nick Cohen with The Guardian warned that It is only a matter of time before we turn on the unvaccinated.8

With COVID, it took barely two months for society to go from were all in this together, to declaring half the population subhuman.

By the end of April 2021, USA Today columnist Michael J. Stern was calling for the public shunning of the vaccine hesitant, calling them petri dishes of lethal disease,9 and by July of that year, CNN anchor Don Lemon was calling for brutal anything-goes restrictions against the unvaccinated to force them into compliance10  even if the restrictions were indistinguishable from a death sentence.

With COVID, it took barely two months for society to go from were all in this together, to declaring half the population subhuman. Lets see how long it takes before the media start calling for the forced segregation of gays to protect us from monkeypox. I hope it doesnt happen, but judging by the effectiveness of the brainwashing, causing people buying into clearly absurd narratives, the risk is certainly there.

Teachable Moments

As recently as mid-January 2022, LA Times columnist Michael Hiltzik doubled down on the notion, people should mock the unvaccinated who have died from the coronavirus, Fox News reported.11 Hiltzik told CNN:

So many of them have actually promoted reckless, dangerous policies and they took innocent people along with them. Every one of these deaths is a teachable moment and, unfortunately, we havent been learning from the lesson that we should be hearing from them.

Clearly, Hiltzik has not yet experienced the moment of clarity described by Dunham. Instead, he insists that Mocking anti-vaxxers is ghoulish  but necessary. His LA Times column12 bearing the same headline displays a picture of a smiling Kelly Ernby, wearing a cross around her neck. Ernby, an Orange County GOP member, died of COVID complications in January 2022 after opposing COVID jab mandates.

How should we react to the deaths of the unvaccinated? Hiltzik wrote.13 On the one hand, a hallmark of civilized thought is the sense that every life is precious.

On the other, those who have deliberately flouted sober medical advice by refusing a vaccine known to reduce the risk of serious disease from the virus, including the risk to others, and end up in the hospital or the grave can be viewed as receiving their just deserts.

His targeting of Ernby, a Republican, and clearly a Christian to boot, smacks of political vengeance as much as it does misplaced moral superiority. According to Hiltzik, being civil toward the unvaccinated who die erases the harm done to others, and that harm should not be erased but rather underscored.

Ironically, in the end, hes really condemning himself to the fate he wishes on others because, eventually, the truth will become common knowledge and everyone will recognize the fatal harm inflicted by pushing the use of this experimental gene transfer technology. Mockery probably wont be the extent to the punishment dished out once that critical mass awakening happens.

In Some, the Hypnotic Trance Is Still Deep

Some, like Dunham, recognize the fallacy in their thinking and call for change. Others, like Hiltzik, have been so deeply brainwashed by the fearporn, they really cannot connect the dots and see that a vaccine that doesnt prevent infection or spread can never protect others.

Hence, those who get the jab are no more considerate to others than those who dont. Both pose the same risk to others. And, if both pose the same risk, why target one for derision and not the other? Its beyond irrational, but such is the mind of those under the hypnotic spell of mass formation. Theyre incapacitated in the worst of ways, unable to see reality.

Scottish journalist Andrew Neil is another one seemingly caught in the myopic focus of mass formation. In December 2021, he riled against Britains five million vaccine refuseniks, saying They put us all at risk of more restrictions.14

He went on to describe how quick and easy it was to pull out his vaccine passport at a restaurant. Seconds, really. A very minor inconvenience, he said, adding There was a sense of safety in knowing that all the other diners had proved themselves to be fully vaccinated, or had very recently tested negative, or had contracted the virus and recovered.

He felt safe, having undergone this completely useless ritual, despite recognizing that the shot is not foolproof, and that People who have been vaccinated can still contract and pass on the virus. Thats the power of hypnosis. Even when seeing the dots, he couldnt connect them to draw a rational conclusion.

New Norm: Fighting Misinformation With Misinformation

The propaganda and false information weve been bombarded with over the past two and a half years is truly unprecedented. Now, barely a day goes by that isnt near-identical to the storyline in Orwells dystopian novel, 1984. One of the latest examples of the medias hypocrisy and false narratives is The Associated Press Conspiracy Theorists Flock to Bird Flu, Hatch Lies article,15 published May 17, 2022. The AP specifically targets me, stating:16

While the details may vary, the conspiracy theories about avian flu all speak to a distrust of authority and institutions, and a suspicion that millions of doctors, scientists, veterinarians, journalists and elected officials around the world can no longer be trusted.

Americans clearly understand that the federal government and major media have lied to them repeatedly, and are completely corrupted by the pharmaceutical companies, said Dr. Joseph Mercola, an osteopath whose discredited claims about vaccines, masks and the coronavirus made him a prominent source of COVID-19 misinformation.

Mercolas interest in the bird flu dates back years A 2009 book for sale on his website, which Mercola uses to sell unproven natural health remedies, is titled The Great Bird Flu Hoax.

The hyperlinked fact check provided to prove Ive published discredited claims about vaccines is a rebuttal to my statement that People may be more susceptible to serious COVID-19 illness after they have been vaccinated.

The fact check claims that Research has shown that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been proven to be 95% effective in preventing COVID-19 illness, and that Experts say there is abundant evidence that people who get shots will not become more sick should they later get the virus.

First of all, no expert sources are actually referenced, so what abundant evidence proves you wont be more susceptible to severe infection post-jab is anyones guess. Secondly, and more importantly, everyone now knows the shots are nowhere near 95% effective. Even mainstream media and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have admitted the effectiveness was exaggerated and rapidly dwindles.

Truth May Be Slow, but It Will Win

At best, Modernas shot was 94.5% effective against symptomatic Delta infection FOR TWO WEEKS, before dropping off.17 Pfizers effectiveness against Delta was lower to start and fell more precipitously. Against Omicron, the Pfizer jab is 65.5% protective between weeks 2 and 4 after the second dose, and only 8.8% effective at week 25. Modernas shot starts out at 75.1% at weeks 2 to 4, and then falls off to 14.9% at week 25.

Yet the AP has no qualms about referring back to what is now well-recognized misinformation to prove that Ive been discredited and that they are correct. In reality, the fact check they link to only proves theyre using misinformation to combat truth.

Thats bad enough, but these fabrications are then used to brainwash the public into hating the truth-tellers and anyone who so much as points out discrepancies in the narrative. Its a dangerous path, and were still on it.

Similarly, when the facts finally overwhelm authorities who have been spreading unscientific propaganda, the canned response is that science is evolving and were following the science. In reality, however, they were proven wrong, but they refuse to admit it. So, they blame it on evolving science, without ever explaining how misinformation spreaders had these supposedly brand-new data months  or years  ago.

While the war were currently in uses information instead of conventional munitions, lives are still at stake. People are losing their lives because lies about health are often lethal. In the end, I believe the truth will win, because the lies currently told are simply too destructive.

Read more at: Expose-News.com
(Natural News) After being removed from her position for lying about Russian soldiers raping Ukrainians, former Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights Lyudmila Denisova finally fessed up to making up the fairy tale in an attempt to score more weapons from the West.

In a vote of no confidence that was passed in a 234 to 9 vote, Denisova was pulled from the position and shamed for spreading misinformation that only harmed Ukraine, according to parliament member Pavlo Frolov. Denisova presented numerous details of unnatural sexual offenses and child sexual abuses in the occupied territories [that] were unsupported by evidence, he added.

In a later interview with a Ukrainian news outlet, Denisova admitted that she manufactured lies on purpose and that they were successful in convincing Italy, which is the example she used, to procure Ukraine more weapons to fight against Russia.

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, Denisova explained.

Italys Five Star Movement, she went on to reveal, was originally against the provision of weapons to us, but after my speech, one of the party leaders  said that they will support [Ukraine], including by the provision of weapons.

CNN and the Washington Post both spread Denisovas lies (among many others)

Even though it was easily verifiable that Denisova was pulling these rape stories out of her behind, fake news giants such as CNN and the Washington Post ran them, repeating them ad nauseum to their scant viewers.

The media was quick to put this womans BS claims out, but couldnt care less about correcting the record, wrote Chris Menahan from Information Liberation about the travesty that is Western news.

Denisovas lies are just a drop in the bucket, though, when it comes to the endless falsehoods being spread against Russia in the Wests desperate effort to rally public support for Ukraine, its deep state playground.

We know that the Biden Crime Family has extensive dealings in Ukraine that are being upset by the Russian invasion, as do the Clintons and many other deep state villains. Consequently, Western propaganda has reached a fever pitch in trying to demonize Russia through any means possible, including manufacturing and spreading flat-out lies about Russian soldiers raping Ukrainians.

Other lies that the media has spread about the ongoing war include radiation leaks at the Ukrainian nuclear plant that turned out to be fake; complete misinformation about what supposedly happened at Snake Island; the infamous Ghost of Kiev hoax; and attack on a Holocaust memorial that never occurred; and various other tales.

In the comment section at Summit.news, one reader offered up a story about how powerful Western propaganda can be in swaying the minds of Americans to support whatever false war narrative the deep state wants them to believe.

I was talking to a guy yesterday with him saying how Russians werent being told the truth and all they had was Putin and government propaganda, this person wrote.

I whipped my phone out and VPNd to St. Petersburg. I then looked up the BBC. Got the Russian service and showed him the news on the war. Uhhhhhhh. Yeah but.. For those kinds of people, this is also a Yeah but.'

Another person joked that Denisova probably now has a job within the Biden regime based on her proven qualifications.

More related news coverage about the conflict in Ukraine can be found at WWIII.news.

Sources include:

NaturalNews.com

Summit.news
(Natural News) While its true that Russia did invade Ukraine after building up its forces for several months, not much else about the war there that were being told by Kyiv-friendly Western media is accurate.

For instance, Russia is being blamed for blocking Ukrainian grain shipments, thereby worsening the food shortage around the world, but in fact, Russia has been working with the United Nations and anyone else who will listen to unblock the grain. Only, Kyiv isnt cooperating.

In fact, Ukraine has mined ports and harbors previously used for exports including grain, and Russia is in talks to try and get them de-mined so much-needed grain can begin flowing to the neediest parts of the world again.

Zero Hedge notes:

For days the United Nations has been in (so far unsuccessful) talks on cobbling together an agreement on plans to unblock Black Sea grain exports from Ukrainian ports, including controversial discussions with Russia, which has stood accused of weaponizing global food supply with its military blockade of key ports. Moscow has in turn charged that Ukraine said ports, making tanker traffic impossible, while also saying the West must ease sanctions if it hopes to get crucial grain exports flowing again.

UN officials have said President Vladimir Putins offer to lift the blockade if sanctions are dropped is complicating the already fragile negotiations. Washington has been watching with skepticism.

The bottom line is that, apart from leveraging overland routes, we need to get the ports back up and running so we can boost food supplies for those most in need, a State Department spokesperson said in weekend comments.

Earlier this week, Moscow reportedly reached an agreement with Turkey to build a de-mined grain corridor that provides safe passage for Ukrainian cargo ships hauling grain off of the Black Sea port of Odessa, under joint military escort.

The Turkish media outlet Daily Sabah reported this on Monday:

Russian government plans to allow ships carrying grain supplies to leave the port of Odessa in Ukraine, according to a report, easing a blockade that has triggered fears of widespread shortages and hunger.

The Russian leadership has agreed with Kyiv and Ankara on a scheme to release grain shipments from Odessa, which has been subject to a blockade, the pro-government Izvestia reported, citing government circles.

In the territorial waters of the neighboring country, Turkish military forces will take over the demining and they will also escort the ships as far as neutral waters, Mondays report said.

Russian warships would then escort the vessels carrying grain to the Bosporus.

Meanwhile, according to Yahoo News, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov previously told reporters the talks with Turkey were ongoing.

A conversation (between the Russian President Vladimir Putin) and President Erdo?an has resulted in an agreement that our Turkish colleagues will try to help to organize the demining of Ukrainian seaports in order to release ships which were technically taken hostage together with cargo needed in developing countries, he said.

As of this writing, it wasnt clear if Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had yet signed on to the reported deal or if his government was even involved in trying to negotiate a compromise and settlement, or if Turkey was representing Kyivs interests. No doubt Ukraine would benefit from the grain sales financially, given the cost of continuing to prosecute the war against Russia.

Lavrov said this agreement stipulates that Ukraine will not use the demining process to strengthen its military capability and will not disrupt the Russian navy, the Yahoo News report continued.

The fact is, Ukraine is not entirely the victim in this conflict, and the fact that the West  led by the Biden Crime Family, which used to be enriched by corrupt Ukrainian businessmen  jumped to Kyivs defense makes that clear.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

Yahoo.com
Cold weather continues to blanket a vast portion of eastern and southern Australia in this later part of the week, wherein New South Wales and other states witnessed continued cold front that brought snowfall and rain showers since the onset of the winter season on June 1.

Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) issued its latest forecast, saying that an intense cold southwesterly airstream will cause low-level snow, strong winds, and below-average temperatures in Tasmania this coming long weekend.

The forecast comes after record-breaking freezing temperatures were reported in the country, as experts deemed it as the coldest start of the Australian winter season in more than 100 years.

For more than 10 days, Tasmania, New South Wales, Victoria, and Australian Capital Territory have dealt with heavy snow, torrential rain, and damaging winds.

Australian meteorologists attributed a cold breeze from Antarctica to be the source of the ongoing cold front affecting southern and southeastern Australia.

This was also a partial case even prior to the country's winter season.

Tasmania Weather Forecast

According to the Australia weather forecast by BoM on Thursday, June 9, a "blast of cold air" will transpire in the late hours of Saturday, June 11, which will lower the snow level to approximately 200 meters for most of Tasmania.

The trend is reportedly expected to continue until the morning of Sunday, June 12, before the snow level starts to increase again by up to 800 meters on Sunday night.

In Hobart, the forecast suggested the possible accumulation of snow in the higher suburbs of the city.

In other parts of Tasmania, heavy snow accumulations are likely in the central, southern, and western areas, such as the ski slopes of the Ben Lomond mountain.

The BoM advised the public to monitor local weather developments, as well as to remain updated of the current advice and warnings.

Disruption to travel and businesses are possible in Tasmania and mainland Australia in the coming days.

Also Read: Australia Weather Update: BoM Forecasts Continuance of Cold Front Into the Weekend

Severe Weather Warning

The Australian weather agency also issued a Severe Weather Warning due to damaging wind gusts that can reach around 100 kilometers per hour in Tasmania.

The highest risk of this weather hazard affects the areas surrounding southeast Tasmania and areas near the Central Plateau.

The southern Tasmanian coast are also at risk during the weekend since the persistent strong southwesterly winds are producing "very large swells" and potentially "damaging surf," according to the BoM.

In addition, the severe weather may cause localized coastal erosion and coastal infrastructural damage.

Tasmania Cold Weather

The agency explained a large portion of a low pressure area and high pressure area are causing the cold weather, as the two pressure systems pulls cold air from Antarctica into Tasmania which is approximately 3,300 miles (5,300 kilometers) from the icy polar region.

Also called Antarctic blast, the Antarctic air previously brought cold weather, heavy rain, and snow to Southeast Australia in April, which was forecasted by BoM meteorologist Jonathan How, as cited by The Guardian.

Related Article: Record Breaking Freeze Hits Australia as Experts Recorded the Coldest Start of Winter for Over a Century
Snow is expected to pound southern regions in the early hours of Friday morning, prompting severe weather warnings for much of the country.

Until 1 pm on Thursday, heavy rain and thunderstorms are forecasted across the upper South Island.

The rain will then continue along the West Coast, with heavy rain in the Westland District as per a forecast for Friday.

A heavy snow warning has been issued for Canterbury, Central Otago, and Queenstown until Friday morning, according to MetService.

Wild weather in New Zealand

Snow is predicted to fall in the early hours of Friday morning throughout much of the country, prompting severe weather warnings, as per 1 news.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected over the upper South Island until 1 pm on Thursday.

Rain will continue to fall throughout the West Coast, with heavy rain expected in the Westland District on Friday.

MetService has issued a heavy snow warning for Canterbury, Central Otago, and Queenstown until Friday morning.

Overnight, severe winds and lightning appear to have caused damage north of the Waimangaroa Bridge.

As of writing, 11 houses are still without electricity while the problem is being fixed, which should be finished by 1 p.m. today.

Meanwhile, following a night of heavy snowfall, Castle Hill residents were cut off.

Due to snow, Waka Kotahi blocked State Highway 73 between Springfield and Arthurs Pass. At around 9.30 a.m., the road was fully reopened.

Due to floods over SH65 Maruia to Springs Junction, caution is advised.

Westland, Buller, and Nelson lakes are now under a heavy rain watch that will last until midnight.

Also Read: Rare Phenomenon: For the First Time in 64 Years, Streets in Brazil Are Covered in Snow!

Icy roads in Lindis Pass

Icy roads stopped numerous trucks on the Lindis Pass (SH8) early today, according to the Otago Daily Times. Due to the weather, roughly six trucks were trapped around the peak at about 2.15 a.m., including one that jackknifed.

Police from Cromwell, Kurow, and Oamaru was there, according to Sergeant Tony Woodbridge of Oamaru.

"One truck tried to go out and jackknifed because of the sliding," Sgt Woodbridge added, according to the report.

He stated that no injuries had occurred.

As a line of showers and thunderstorms progresses from the west of the South Island to the lower North Island, Niwa said their modeling indicates a potential of destructive wind gusts later this afternoon and tonight.

The forecaster is predicting heavy snow over 400 meters, with snow reaching sea level at times, especially in the region's south.

It warned that heavy snow might hinder transport and damage trees and power lines in the affected areas.

From 3 am to 3 pm on Saturday, a heavy snow warning is in effect for Clutha, Southland, and the Queenstown Lakes District south of Alexandra to Arrowtown.

From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, a watch has been issued for Central Otago, Queenstown north of Alexandra, and the Canterbury High Country.

From 9 p.m., an orange strong wind warning will be in effect for the Marlborough Sounds.

The Arthur's, Porters, and Haast passes, as well as the Milford Rd, are all under road snowfall warnings.

This evening, further road snowfall warnings will be in effect.

According to Communications Meteorologist Lewis Ferris, the South Island isn't out of the woods yet with this weather event, and further snow on the mountain passes is possible.

He advised everyone planning to travel to keep up with the weather prediction.

With 26 weather warnings in force across New Zealand, much of the country is on high alert.

Related article: Parts of Northeast Experiences Snow Amid Active Weather Pattern
With its newest ambition to create the world's largest solar plant in the Philippines, Prime Infrastructure Holdings, backed by billionaire Enrique Razon, Jr., is extending its investments in renewable energy.

An Ambitious Plan

The privately-owned business, which revealed last week that it would acquire a majority interest in the Malampaya gas field in the West Philippine Sea, said Wednesday that its subsidiary Terra Solar Philippines would construct a solar farm with a capacity of 2,500 to 3,500 megawatts. While the corporation does not provide financial information, industry insiders estimate that the project will cost around $3 billion to complete.

The plant, which will include a giant battery capable of storing up to 4,500-megawatt-hours of power, would surpass the capacity of the Bhadla Solar Park, the world's largest working solar farm, which generates 2,250 megawatts over a 5,700-hectare area in northern India.

In an email to Forbes Asia, Prime Infra said it would use its collaboration with Solar Philippines, created by businessman Leandro Leviste, a Forbes 30 Under 30 alumni, to find possible project locations in northern and southern Luzon. The solar Philippines, which is already constructing a solar farm in Nueva Ecija, approximately 100 kilometers north of Manila, is collaborating with Prime Infra on another solar farm in Tarlac, about 70 kilometers west of Nueva Ecija.

"Prime Infra finds a sweet spot to pursue solar as we take advantage of the steep decline in installation costs over the last decade and improved battery energy storage system technology that allows us to build an economically critical and socially relevant infrastructure at a scale the world has never seen before," said Guillaume Lucci, president, and CEO of Prime Infra.

Also Read: Cost of Renewables Like Solar and Wind Farms Slowly Falling, Research Shows

Power Agreements

Last year, Terra Solar agreed to supply the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the country's largest privately-held utility, with around 850 megawatts of electricity to power Metro Manila and adjacent regions. It will begin delivering 600 megawatts to Meralco in 2026, with another 250 megawatts coming online the following year. Meralco is a joint venture between tycoon Manuel Pangilinan's Metro Pacific and billionaire Lance Gokongwei's JG Summit.

In addition to solar energy, Razon has recently invested in hydropower plants and water utilities through Prime Infra. Trident Water, a subsidiary of his infrastructure-focused Prime Strategic Holdings, acquired Manila Water from Ayala Corp. in June 2021. Razon also owns International Container Terminal Services Inc., a worldwide port giant, and Bloomberry Resorts, which operates the Solaire Resort and Casino in Manila. According to Forbes' real-time statistics, Razon has a net worth of $6.1 billion.

Renewable Energy in the Philippines

Renewable energy generated 26.44 percent of total power in the Philippines in 2013, accounting for 19,903 gigawatt-hours (GWh) out of a total demand of 75,266 GWh. In terms of fossil fuels, the Philippines is a net importer. There is a push to create renewable energy sources for energy security. Among the options are hydropower, geothermal power, wind power, solar power, and biomass power. The Philippine government has enacted several programs to increase the country's renewable energy usage.

Hydropower, geothermal and solar energy, wind power, and biomass resources are all used in the Philippines. In 2013, these sources produced 19,903 GWh of electrical energy, accounting for 26.44 percent of the country's electricity consumption. Geothermal energy is the cheapest and most (economically) appealing of the renewable energy sources accessible in the country, followed by wind, hydropower, and solar PV.

Related Article: Experts are Saying that Renewable Sources are Not Enough to Solve Europe's Energy Crisis

For more environmental news, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
HELMEPA:              
On the cover of the Meeting Minutes & More special section in Friday's print editions: 17 of the 70 musicians who'll put on a free concert at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Urbana High auditorium.
Antoine Craig, 39, of Champaign is shown with his attorney, Hallie Bezner, as the jury leaves the courtroom to deliberate April 21 during his murder trial at the Champaign County Courthouse in Urbana. Ninety minutes later, they returned a verdict of guilty in the brutal February 2020 slaying of Tenesha Jenkins.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. Record high temperatures expected. High 99F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy with late night showers or thunderstorms. Low 74F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Ethan Simmons is a reporter at The News-Gazette covering the University of Illinois. His email is esimmons@news-gazette.com, and you can follow him on Twitter (@ethancsimmons).
Hong Kong keeps tracing COVID-19 through sewage surveillance

Xinhua) 09:49, June 10, 2022

HONG KONG, June 9 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said Thursday that the COVID-19 virus continues to be detected in sewage samples from different areas in Hong Kong, indicating that there may be hidden cases in these areas.

About 260,000 sets of COVID-19 rapid antigen test (RAT) kits will be distributed to residents, cleaning workers and property management staff working in the areas with positive sewage testing results showing relatively high viral loads, in order to help identify infected persons, it said.

The HKSAR government also urged RAT kit users to report any positive results for COVID-19 via the government's online platform.

In efforts to combat COVID-19, the HKSAR government's Environmental Protection Department and the Drainage Services Department have been collecting sewage samples in all districts of Hong Kong for COVID-19 virus testing.

On Thursday, Hong Kong registered 332 new COVID-19 cases by nucleic acid tests, and 342 additional cases through self-reported RATs, official data showed.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu)
Sir,



The country is in dire need of growth of new sectors within the private sector that can produce new goods and services and offer employment opportunities to the multitudes of unemployed emaSwati. With growth of new industries, entrepreneurs too also get a chance to hone their business concepts to take advantage of the business opportunities that come with new developments. At the same time, all this new growth means more money trickling into the government purse. Meanwhile, in the education sector, government needs to make sure that we have a world class education system that encourages learners to think for themselves and innovate, instead of becoming robots that are only good for regurgitating information.

Increase

This will enable the pupils and students who go through the system to, graduate with solid ideas on what new business ventures they can add to the economy and increase the private sector. The Ministry of Education and Training should note that the private sector is not really hiring anymore. We need the education system to churn out job creators rather than job seekers and for the longest time now, the ministry has become a vessel for absorbing failed career choices among its graduates. Therefore, it should allocate more of its budget on school infrastructure and training materials rather than a vehicle to bloat up the civil service wage bill. For the agriculture sector, the priority is very simple. The country needs to be self-sufficient when it comes to food. Eswatini should be able to put food on our tables without huge reliance on food imports.

If government can make the agriculture sector lucrative for our own farmers, this sector can begin to grow. When government deliberates on the ease of doing business, it should make it a point to remember that this concept also applies to the agricultural sector. Then there is manufacturing and agro-processing. Well, without fixing market failure within the agricultural sector, there is very limited agro-processing that will take place in Eswatini. Agriculture provides the raw materials for agro-processing, which then feeds into the manufacturing of finished food products that emaSwati buy in the giant supermarkets all over the country.

Develop

With the abundance of arable land across the country, agriculture and its allied industries can offer a lot of employment opportunities, develop new industries and feed the nation with less dependence on South Africa. Government should open its eyes to the true problems facing the different sectors in the country to make the real changes the nation desperately needs. The first priority under each of these sectors should be to increase the ease of doing business so that the private sector can invest and create the much needed jobs.
Each year, dentists in the United States perform more than 15 million root canals on infected teeth, removing the inflamed pulp and filling the emptied canal with inert materials such as rubber and cement. What remains is a mineral shell in place of a living tooth.

Teeth lacking dental pulp are more vulnerable to cracking and can respond poorly to future bacterial infections and mechanical injuries. In particular, we'd prefer to avoid killing and removing a child's permanent tooth that is still growing, but instead, help the roots thicken and lengthen." Vivek Kumar, bioengineer at NJIT

Backed by a $3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, Kumar, the principal investigator, and co-investigators Emi Shimizu and Carla Cugini at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine have proposed an alternative remedy: restoring the lost tissue in the tooth cavity by inducing the body to regenerate it. Their goal is to develop a materials-based therapy that does not contain live cells and therefore could be sold off-the-shelf. It would be the first of its kind.

The team has created an injectable hydrogel designed to recruit a person's own dental pulp stem cells directly to the disinfected cavity after a root canal. Composed of biocompatible amino acid peptides that aggregate into fibers, the hydrogel delivers biological cues to direct tissue growth, as well as a scaffold structure to support it.

There are presently no FDA-approved technologies that successfully restore native dental pulp.

A procedure known as over-instrumentation is performed on children's immature permanent teeth with necrotic pulp, prompting new growth of the still-forming root by eliciting a healing response. The tissue outside of the emptied canal, when poked, forms blood clots that secrete a protein called growth factor that signals cells to produce new tissue to support the root. While some regrows, it is disorganized, lacks the needed tissue differentiation  including nerve cells  and fails to mimic soft tissue, said Shimizu, an endodontist that specializes in tissue regeneration.

By contrast, the team's hydrogel therapy mimics the body's own growth factor signaling, and, coupled with known antimicrobial mechanisms engineered into those materials, is capable of promoting tissue healing and regeneration.

In early animal clinical trials, dogs injected with the team's hydrogels formed soft tissue from the tooth apex to the crown in just under a month.

"We saw a lot of different tissues, including blood vessels, nerve bundles and pulp-like cells," Kumar said, adding, "One of the primary goals of this project is to determine the type of cells that reorganize and repopulate the regenerated tissue."

One of the core challenges tissue engineers face is creating blood vasculature, the plumbing that delivers nutrients to regenerated cells.

To address the problem, the team's hydrogel contains a protein known as vascular endothelial growth factor that stimulates the growth of new blood vessels, noted Shimizu.

Cugini, a microbiologist who studies oral microbial biofilms, focuses on another critical component of the therapy: inhibiting harmful bacterial growth in the new tissue.

"Even in healthy oral microbial communities, the species that can cause disease, pathobionts, are usually at low levels. When they increase in numbers, a healthy microbiome can shift to a pathogenic one. Depending on the oral disease, different species proliferate," Cugini said.

She noted that a peptide Kumar developed previously for a different anti-infection application was able to destroy the germ P. aeruginosa by disrupting its membrane, adding, "We are going to look at a panel of oral bacteria to determine if this antimicrobial peptide hydrogel, known as K6, is effective against them. We feel confident it will not disrupt the entire microbiome, because our localized delivery to the canal space and hydrogel properties ensure the peptide remains where we put it."

In a separate study, the group tested a different hydrogel that contained just the antimicrobial peptide. The results showed that in combination with the peptides that spur blood vessel development, it was capable of creating scaffolds that performed both critical functions. Going forward, they plan to combine and test both therapies in a single hydrogel.

Kumar has developed hydrogels for a number of therapeutic applications. His delivery mechanism is customizable and composed of Lego-like strands of peptides with a biological agent attached at one end that can survive in the body for weeks and even months, where other biomaterials degrade quickly. Its self-assembling bonds are designed to be stronger than the body's dispersive forces; it forms stable fibers, with no signs of inducing inflammation, that rapidly incorporate into specific tissues and collagen, recruiting native cells to infiltrate.

The hydrogel, which is also composed of amino acids, is engineered to trigger different biological responses depending on the payload attached. These platforms can deliver drugs and other small cargo over days, weeks or months. Kumar's lab has published research on applications ranging from therapies to prompt or prevent the creation of new blood vessel networks, to reduce inflammation and to combat microbes.
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. 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 hospitalization-; even after accounting for factors that might be related to an individual's decision to become vaccinated-; is helpful." Anurhada Lala, MD, Corresponding Author, Director of Heart Failure Research and Associate Professor of Medicine (Cardiology), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

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 booster  the 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."
A metagenomic comparison of the infant gut microbiota assembly from industrialized and nonindustrialized populations reveals robust and systematic lifestyle-dependent divergences, researchers report. According to the authors, the population-specific differences in infant microbiome composition and function underscore the importance of studying microbiomes from people outside of wealthy, industrialized nations.

Beginning immediately after birth, the human gut microbiome undergoes a complex assembly process, and it's thought that the final adult microbiome composition may be contingent upon the species acquired early in life. For infants living in industrialized nations, this process is well characterized and tends to follow a series of steps that ultimately lead to the low-diversity gut microbiome characterized by adults living industrialized lifestyles.

However, adults living nonindustrialized lifestyles often have characteristically diverse microbiome assemblies. While the infant microbiome assembly has been intensely studied in infants from industrialized nations, very little is known about this process in infants from nonindustrial populations and how it contributes to the marked differences in adult microbiome composition. To better understand how lifestyle impacts microbiome assembly in nonindustrial infants, Matthew Olm and colleagues performed deep metagenomic sequencing on infant stool samples from the Hadza, a group of modern hunter-gatherers living in Tanzania.

Comparing these data with a global dataset of rRNA sequences of healthy infant fecal samples from 18 populations, Olm et al. found that after the first 6 months of life, the microbiome of infants living in contrasting environments diverge from similar Bifidobacteria dominated assemblages. After this divergence, the authors found that a large proportion of the bacterial species detected in samples from the Hadza  more than 20%  were novel, and many of these were undetectable in samples from children living industrial lifestyles.

According to the findings, the notable diversity of gut microbiota diversity appears early in the lives of nonindustrial populations and is traceable to maternal transmission with some influence from the local environment. However, the main driver for differences in gut microbiota globally appears to originate in lifestyle rather than geography. "Our results also highlight the question of whether lifestyle-specific differences in the gut microbiome's developmental trajectory predispose populations to diseases common in the industrialized world, such as those driven by chronic inflammation," write Olm et al.
Study published in The Lancet Digital Health 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.

Understanding the impact of COVID-19 requires consideration of how the infection varies in severity and time course  from 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 organizations  including 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." Dr Chris Tomlinson, UCL, co-lead researcher of the study

For their analysis, researchers used anonymized patient data from multiple national NHS sources to identify patterns in how patients progress 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, 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, 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."
A drug used to target IDH1 mutations in select cancers also appears to inhibit the wild-type form of the enzyme, under certain conditions. This feature explains why a large group of different cancers are vulnerable to the drug. This discovery opens up the possibility that the drug, Ivosidenib or AG-120, could become more broadly applicable against a variety of cancers, given that mutant IDH1 is present in just 1% of cancers. The findings were recently published in Nature Cancer.

Historically, only a few groups have cared about wild-type IDH1." Jordan Winter, MD, Division Chief of Surgical Oncology at University Hospitals (UH) Seidman Cancer Center and senior author on the study

Dr. Winter is also John and Peggy Garson Family Endowed Chair in Pancreatic Cancer Research and Jerome A. and Joy Weinberger Family Master Clinician in Surgical Oncology. "IDH1 therapeutic investigations have principally focused on the development of mutant IDH1 inhibitors. Less than a handful of reports have focused on wild-type IDH1 inhibition. We showed, along with a few others, that wild-type IDH1 is an important target. We think that Ivosidenib, previously called AG-120, may be applicable to the large majority of cancersthe one percent with mutant IDH1 and the remaining 99% with wild-type IDH1."

Fundamental to this discovery is the observation that cancer cells rely on IDH1 metabolism to thrive in a harsh and nutrient-deprived tumor microenvironment. Nutrient limitation universally present in pancreatic tumors could open a new therapeutic window, explains the study's first author Ali Vaziri-Gohar, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Surgery at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine.

"Wild-type IDH1 activity is a metabolic requirement for cancer cells living in a harsh metabolic milieu," he said. "We found that IDH1 is very important for cancer cells' survival in a stressful microenvironment. When the cancer cells have less oxygen and less glucose or glutamine, anything that hurts them, they need a defense mechanism to protect them, which is this important molecule IDH1."

In laboratory experiments, Dr. Winter, Dr. Vaziri-Gohar, and colleagues demonstrated that genetically suppressing IDH1 reduced growth of pancreatic cancer cells in cell culture under low nutrient conditions and in mouse models of pancreatic cancer. They found, too, that the FDA-approved inhibitor of mutant IDH1, Ivosidenib, was surprisingly potent against the wild-type form of the proteinespecially when paired with the important condition of low magnesium. This latter point had been overlooked in prior studies.

Dr. Vaziri-Gohar said that this finding was a bit of scientific serendipity.

"Initially, we were using this drug as a negative control," he explained. "Then we found we can use this drug against cancers that have wild-type isoforms if we reduced levels of magnesium. We tested this hypothesis in cell culture and saw that when the magnesium levels reduced in the tissue culture, they responded to the inhibitor with and lowered activity of the enzyme. This in turn decreased cancer cell survival. However, under the normal cell culture conditions with standard magnesium levels found in the blood or culture media, they didn't respond to this drug. We then realized that magnesium levels were much lower in tumors than in standard culture conditions, so that the drug was actually effective against pancreatic and other cancers when given to animals harboring these tumors."

The presence of low magnesium enhanced allosteric inhibition by the drug, and ambient low glucose levels enhanced cancer cells' dependence on wild-type IDH1. Thus, two conditions present in tumors rendered them sensitive to the drug: low magnesium and low nutrients.

Drs. Winter and Vaziri-Gohar have now tested Ivosidenib in mouse models of pancreatic, colorectal, ovarian and lung cancer, as well as melanoma. In each of these instances, the anti-tumor effect of Ivosdenib was comparable or superior to a previous study of anti-IDH1-mutant tumor therapy. Other drugs developed as mutant-IDH1 inhibitors similarly were effective against tumors without the mutation. In the immunocompetent mouse pancreatic cancer model, Ivosidenib improved median survival by more than two fold. It was also important to the study that these findings were replicated in a completely separated lab, in an experiment performed on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. A respected mouse model researcher, Dr. Jennifer Morton of the Beatson Institute in Scotland, performed this experiment in a genetically engineered mouse that develops pancreatic cancer.

The next step in the team's research is a clinical trial, made possible by funding from the Gateway for Cancer Research and the John and Peggy Garson Family. Along with his colleague Dr. David Bajor, Dr. Winter plans to enroll 15 patients with resectable pancreatic cancer in a Phase I trial of Ivosidenib in combination with standard of care, FOLFIRINOX. Patients will receive three months of treatment prior to surgery, gauging their response to therapy via imaging, biochemical blood markers and ultimately through pathology once surgery is complete.

"The primary endpoint is just to determine safety of the drug with the existing chemotherapy regimen, because it's never been given together," Dr. Winter, who is also a professor in the Department of Surgery at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine and Member of the Developmental Therapeutics Program at Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, explained. "We're going to compare it to patients who get chemotherapy prior to surgery without the Ivosidenib. However, one of the great things about this trial is that because all of the patients are going to be undergoing surgery, we are going to have all the tumors to analyze and we will be able to assess the tumors for the same metabolic changes previously observed in the lab. We're going to be looking at those same data points, those same markers of response in the patients' tumors to try to demonstrate the biologic activity inside pancreatic cancer in the patients."

Dr. Vaziri-Gohar says he's thankful for the spirit of collaboration across institutions that has allowed the project to progress to this point.

"Beyond the science, it was so gratifying to work with so many people towards a common goal," he said. "That's the most important thing to me. That we worked as a team and hopefully our discovery will help patients. We are so lucky that we have all of these researchers and institutions involved."

Dr. Winter is optimistic about what might be achieved.

"In our hands and in pre-clinical models, wild-type IDH1 represents a true metabolic vulnerability in cancer cells and is a bona fide therapeutic target across a wide range of wild-type IDH1 cancers," he said. "Mutant-IDH1 inhibitors, including FDA-approved Ivosidenib, are potent wild-type IDH1 inhibitors under conditions present in tumors. Since pancreatic and other tumors share this feature, these drugs are compelling investigational agents for these expanded indications."
Why doesn't every cancer patient respond to immunotherapy? That's the question that researcher Daniel Peeper is looking to answer. His research group tries to identify genes that play a role in immunotherapy resistance. In today's cover publication in Cell Reports Medicine, they describe an important factor behind this therapy resistance, and a potential way to counter it.

Immunotherapy removes the brakes from the body's own immune system, as it were, and triggers it to destroy tumor cells. The results can be quite spectacular, even in patients with aggressive tumors." Daniel Peeper, group leader, Netherlands Cancer Institute

Unfortunately, many tumors do not respond well to immunotherapy. Why is that? And can we circumvent this problem?

Cause of therapy resistance

"Because immunotherapies work amazingly well for some patients, we and our colleague investigators all over the world are looking for ways to make these treatments more widely applicable and effective." Cancer resistance to immunotherapy manifests itself in a variety of ways. "Some patients don't respond well to the treatment right from the start. In others, the treatment appears successful at first, only to lose its effect over time."

The cause of resistance can be found in the absence, or low activity, of important immune cells that can destroy cancer cells: T cells. Some tumors don't seem to contain any T cells, while others contain T cells that display little activity. The latter issue can be caused by what we call checkpoints in T cells, which can be effectively neutralized by the corresponding inhibitors. Some tumors also put up a fight of their own, however, rendering them insensitive to T cells. "And we've now discovered a mechanism behind this", Peeper states.

Persistent problem

Therapy resistance is a common phenomenon in cancer treatment. "It's something we have been familiar with for a very long time, unfortunately. With chemotherapy, for example, but also with precision medicines targeting tumor cells. The tumor tends to respond very well at first and shrinks, but often resumes its growth later."

Because therapy resistance is such a persistent problem in oncology, Peeper expected that immunotherapy would be no exception. "That was about ten years ago, when the first studies investigating immunotherapy were published, showing promising results", he recalls. Immunotherapy was clearly going to be a game changer. He nonetheless anticipated plenty of trouble with therapy resistance down the line, and decided to refocus his lab to investigate this problem.

Immunology radar

We already have a decent understanding about how our immune system protects us against cancer. All cells in our body are constantly showing our immune system that they are healthy. T cells are like radars in this process: if they detect any abnormal protein fragments (antigens) on the cell surface, they destroy the cell. These antigens indicate that the particular cell has been infected by bacteria or viruses, or that the cell has transformed into a cancer cell. But this ingenious detection system doesn't always work perfectly. One possible reason is that the tumor cells no longer present the antigens on their surfaces. The immune system has developed a way around that: Natural Killer cells (NK cells) can destroy these negligent tumor cells, as long as they receive the proper signals.

Genetic screens

Some tumor cells manage to circumvent this backup immune radar, too, which enables them to multiply. Three postdoctoral researchers from Peepers group, Zhengkui Zhang, Xiangjun Kong, and Maarten Ligtenberg used functional genome-wide screens to find out why tumor cells sometimes manage to resist being destroyed by both T cells and NK cells. "This is a powerful, advanced technique with which we can efficiently investigate which of our 25,000 genes play a role in this process."

Gene family

The researchers cultured tumor cells in their lab, and turned off one gene per cell at a time using the CRISPR/Cas9 technique. Then they treated the tumor cells with T cells or NK cells to analyze which genes were involved in resistance against immune cells. This uncovered three genes from the same family. Peeper: "If a screen leads us to an entire gene family, we know that they're usually bona fide hits. Indeed, when we turned off these genes  including RNF31  the tumor cells were destroyed much more efficiently by the T cells and NK cells."

Bystander effect

"Thankfully, a tool compound to inhibit RNF31 had already been developed in a lab in Japan," Peeper explains. "This helped us prove that treatment with this inhibitor makes the cells more sensitive to immune cells. But we also found something else that was of interest. As mentioned, tumors often circumvent the T cell detection system by ceasing to present the antigens on their cell surface. When we made a mixture of tumor cells that did, and cells that did not, present a T cell antigen  which commonly occurs in tumors  we discovered that RNF31 inhibition also increased the T cell sensitivity of tumor cells that were invisible to the immune cells. This so-called bystander effect may amplify the effect of the treatment."

Unfortunately, this inhibitor does not have the molecular characteristics necessary for patient use. If it is to be developed into a usable drug, like any other new drug it will have to be tested to ensure it won't harm healthy cells. Peeper: "We are hopeful about that specificity, because RNF31 inhibition is only effective if there are immune cells nearby. But this certainly requires further research."

Startup

A few years ago, after publishing their first paper on immuno-oncology, Peeper established a company to improve immunotherapy. "We had found several new, promising starting points for therapy improvements in my lab. Usually, these kinds of results are published hoping that a pharmaceutical company will pick it up for further development. But this rarely happens, and that's quite a shame." This is why Peeper founded the startup Immagene B.V. in 2020, together with his colleagues Maarten Ligtenberg and Christian Blank, the Netherlands Cancer Institute, and Oncode Institute. He is currently an advisor for the company. "Developing new therapies is not only an entirely different discipline requiring specific expertise, but also involves considerable financial risks. We founded this startup because we truly believe in our approach." The company's exact targets are confidential, but in general, it is developing new medicines for immunotherapy.

A hit and a boost

Peeper recently received a 2.5 million euro ERC Advanced Grant, which he will use to study the other problem in therapy resistance: how can we reactivate the inactive T cells in the tumor? "We'll be tackling this question using CRISPR/Cas9 screens  but this time we'll investigate the T cells instead of the tumor cells, searching for genes that, when inhibited, reactivate the T cells. This will enable us to approach the resistance problem from two different yet complementary angles. Our goal is to develop clever combination treatments that hit the cancer cells and boost the immune cells simultaneously.
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 purpose-;in this case, studying individual differences in cognitive abilities-;can be used to explore orthogonal questions that may be of particular interest to the broader community. 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." Stephen R. Mitroff, professor of cognitive neuroscience at GW

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 2-3% 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.
A recent article posted to the Research Square* preprint server demonstrated that high body temperature elevates gut microbiota-reliant host resistance against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and influenza A viral infection.

Study: High body temperature increases gut microbiota-dependent host resistance to influenza A virus and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Image Credit: iunewind / Shutterstock

Background

Respiratory illnesses, like influenza and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), cause significant mortality and morbidity, primarily affecting the elderly. Fever is a common characteristic of COVID-19 and influenza, although its physiological significance in viral infection resistance among hosts is unclear. The relevance of additional age-linked alterations in host variables other than impaired type I interferons (IFNs) signaling in influenza virus infection susceptibility is unknown.

Multiple studies showed that the gut microbiota makeup in both animals and humans varies with age. In addition, as people get older, their average body temperature drops. Although it is becoming increasingly clear that gut microbiota plus their metabolites are critical for influenza infection protection, the impacts of core body temperature upon host defense against influenza virus infection are mainly uncertain.

The current study's authors previously established that after intranasal treatment with a sublethal 30 pfu dosage of influenza virus, mice exposed to a high ambient 36 C temperature exhibit impaired virus-selective CD8+ T cell reactions and antibody generation. The outside temperature's impact on host resistance to challenge with a deadly influenza virus, on the other hand, remains unknown.

About the study

In the present study, the scientists investigated the impact of core and outside body temperature on host resistance against influenza infections. They tested host resistance to SARS-CoV-2 or influenza virus infection by exposing mice to a high ambient temperature of 36C.

The mice were housed at 36, 22, or 4C for a week preceding infection with influenza virus. High heat-, cold-, and room temperature (RT)-exposed mice were intranasally infected with a mouse-adapted influenza A virus strain A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (PR8) and maintained at 36, 22, or 4C for the whole duration of the assessments to explore the effect of core body temperature in influenza virus infection protection.

The authors confined mice at 36, 34, 28, or 22 C before infecting them with the influenza virus to establish the minimum core body temperature needed for protection from infection. They infected antibiotics (Abx)-treated or low fiber (LF)-fed mice exposed to high heat to see if gut microbial metabolites or microbiota were required to improve host resistance to influenza virus infection.

The investigators conducted gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), capillary electrophoresis time-of-flight mass spectrometry (CE-TOFMS), and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-centered metabolome assessment of serum, cecal contents, and livers of naive mice kept at 36, 22, or 4C for a week to evaluate the mechanisms underpinning gut microbiota-stemmed metabolite triggered host resistance in high heat-exposed mice to influenza infection.

Moreover, the team examined the inhibitory impact of bile acids on SARS-CoV-2 infection. In the absence or presence of bile acids, they infected VeroE6/TMPRSS2 cells with SARS-CoV-2. Further, the scientists examined the link between bile acid titers in COVID-19 patients' plasma and illness severity.

Results

The study results show that exposing mice to high ambient 36 C temperature enhances host resistance against viral pathogens such as influenza and SARS-CoV-2. High-heat-exposed mice raise their basal body temperature above 38C, allowing the production of more bile acid in a gut microbiota-reliant way in the intestine and serum.

High body temperature increases gut microbiota-dependent host resistance to influenza virus infection. Mice were kept at 22, 28, 34, or 36 C for 7 d before influenza virus infection and throughout infection. a, Body temperature of naive mice kept at 22, 28, 34, or 36 C were measured. b-d, Mice kept at 22, 28, 34, or 36 C were infected intranasally with 1,000 pfu of influenza virus. Mortality (b), core body temperatures (c), and virus titer in the lung wash (d) were measured on indicated days after challenge. e, f, LF-fed, Abx-treated, and control mice kept at 36 C were infected intranasally with 1,000 pfu of influenza virus. Mortality (e) and core body temperatures (f) were measured on indicated days after challenge.

By restricting viral replication and neutrophil-based tissue damage, the gut microbiota-stemmed deoxycholic acid (DCA) plus its plasma membrane-attached receptor Takeda G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5) expression increases host resistance to infection with influenza virus.

Furthermore, the Syrian hamster was protected from severe SARS-CoV-2 infection by the DCA plus its nuclear farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist. Additionally, compared to the minor sickness group, the plasma of SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals with moderate 1 or 2 diseases had lower levels of specific bile acids.

Overall, the current findings reveal an unanticipated pathway by which SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus resistance was increased among hosts in a gut microbiota-reliant way via a high fever induced by the virus.

Conclusions

The study findings depicted a previously unknown relationship between host viral infection resistance, gut microbial action, and core body temperature. The researchers discovered that exposing mice to a high ambient 36 C temperature raises body temperature and enhances host resistance to SARS-CoV-2 or influenza virus infection. Moreover, the study found that activation of gut microbiota based on high body temperature elevates bile acid concentrations in the intestine and serum, which reduces virus replication and harmful inflammatory responses after SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus infection.

The current article notably adds to the comprehension of how host resistance to SARS-CoV-2 and influenza infection was heightened by core body temperature. The present inference that specific bile acids were diminished in the plasma of individuals with moderate 1/2 COVID-19 might elucidate the diversity in clinical illness manifestation among humans and assist COVID-19 outcome mitigation strategies.

*Important notice

Preprints with Research Square publish 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.
Beau Hamptons long wait for psychiatric treatment began last year, after he was accused of attacking his foster father and charged with a misdemeanor.

The 18-year-old Hampton, who has a long history of mental illness, sat in jail east of Atlanta for four months waiting for an expert to evaluate whether he was mentally fit to stand trial. In February, a state psychologist found Hampton incompetent.

Then Hampton had to wait to get a placement in a state psychiatric hospital so he could receive treatment to meet the legal threshold for competency. The treatment delay frustrated a Walton County judge, who said Hampton's condition worsened in the crowded jail and in March ordered him to be transferred within 24 hours to a state hospital. The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, which runs those psychiatric hospitals, didn't comply, and the judge held the agency commissioner in contempt of court a month later.

Such long delays for state psychiatric hospital services are playing out in jails across the United States. People in jail with serious mental illness  and who cannot stand trial because of their condition  are waiting months, or even more than a year, to start receiving the care needed to "restore" their competency to stand trial. The legal standard is that an individual charged with a crime must be able to participate in their defense.

In Georgia, 368 people who have been deemed incompetent sit in local jails waiting to get treatment to stand trial, according to the state. More than 900 are waiting for just the first step in the process, a "forensic evaluation."

Similar delays have sparked litigation in many other states.

The Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services Commission filed a lawsuit in May against state officials over the lag in psychiatric services, claiming the delays violate defendants' due process rights. Oregon has faced strict time limits set through a 2002 court case, and its backlog stood at 55 people as of May 20.

Alabama faces a consent decree, but "folks are still waiting, on average, a couple hundred days to be admitted to the facilities to undergo either those evaluations or the treatment," said Shandra Monterastelli, a senior staff attorney at the Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program.

North Carolina's waitlist for "restoration" treatment has risen to 140, while Colorado  another state under a consent decree  has 364 waiting. In Texas, the number is much higher  more than 2,000  a backlog that has prompted a lawsuit. Montana has had dozens waiting as well.

"It would be hard to overstate how big a concern mental health issues are in county jails," said Michele Deitch, a criminal justice expert at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas-Austin.

More than 2 million people with serious mental illness are booked into jails nationwide each year, often for nonviolent "nuisance" crimes such as loitering or vagrancy, according to a 2020 report from the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors. Once jailed, people with mental illness are incarcerated twice as long as other defendants, the report said, and few receive treatment for their condition.

People with mental illness also typically get worse in jail during long waits for a psychiatric hospital bed, said Philip Fornaci, a senior staff attorney for the National Disability Rights Network. "It's an obvious constitutional problem," he said. "Jails are really chaotic, pretty violent places."

For some people accused of a misdemeanor, the wait for what's known as inpatient competency restoration can be longer than if the individual had been tried, convicted, and sentenced under such charges, said Dr. Robert Trestman, chair of the American Psychiatric Associations Council on Healthcare Systems and Financing.

The delays in transfers to inpatient treatment facilities, state officials say, have increased during the pandemic, amid worsening shortages of state hospital staff. Yet several legal cases  including those in Alabama, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington state  were filed years before covid-19 surfaced.

Shannon Scully, senior adviser for justice and crisis response policy at the National Alliance on Mental Illness, said that as mental health provider shortages continue, delays in restoring defendants' mental competency will likely get worse.

In Georgia, the state mental health agency said it has had a net loss of almost a third of its psychiatric hospital staffers since January 2020. Temporary workers are filling some vacancies, but the state reports several unfilled jobs for the forensic psychologists tasked with evaluating the competency of people in custody.

Beau Hampton has a history of psychiatric care beginning at age 3, including multiple hospitalizations, according to court documents. He is described as having autism, bipolar disorder, and other mental health diagnoses.

In March, while in custody at the Walton County Jail, Hampton was wounded in a fight and required stitches. He also faced a pending felony assault and a misdemeanor battery charge in a nearby county.

But state officials said Hampton didn't rise to the top of the waitlist for inpatient treatment despite the court order, his age, his diagnoses, and his difficulties in jail. The list is based on the date of someone's court order for hospitalization and the patient's condition.

The average wait for a male inmate who needs such care in Georgia is 10 months, state officials said at a court hearing on Hampton's case in April. The judge, Cheveda McCamy, gave the state 21 days under the contempt order to get Hampton placed in a hospital.

Hampton could not be reached for comment. The public defender assigned to his case, Julia Holley, said the competency questions  and not his actual criminal charges  consumed much of her time. Because of Hampton's age and condition, and his being in the foster care system, she said, the case has "broken my heart the most." She added, "He deserves a chance."

Jails like Walton County's are feeling the burden of caring for people who have mental illnesses. Such inmates often cannot afford bail or bond, said Trestman, and smaller jails have fewer services than big ones. Jails are "not places designed for treatment," he added. "It's not a warm and fuzzy environment."

Incarceration costs are much higher for those with mental illness  about four times as much as for others, said Capt. Terry Mays, administrator of the Wayne County Jail, in southeastern Georgia.

In southwestern Georgia, Capt. Steven Jones, acting administrator of the Thomas County Jail, said one man waited more than a year for such a placement. During that time, Jones said, the man tried to kill himself by jumping from a railing, breaking both ankles and damaging his spine. The delay for the psychiatric hospital bed "was ridiculously long," Jones said.

Especially for misdemeanor offenses, experts said, getting treatment more quickly in a community setting may make sense. And several states are moving to increase outpatient treatment.

Neil Gowensmith, associate professor of forensic psychology at the University of Denver, said outpatient competency restoration has several benefits. "It costs a lot less," he said. "Public safety is not compromised. Humanitarian-wise, it's a civil liberty issue."

He cited the 1999 Supreme Court ruling in Olmstead v. L.C., a groundbreaking decision that supported the least-restrictive level of care for people with disabilities. "That can be a group home, that can be a supervised living arrangement, it could be independent living," Gowensmith said.

South Carolina passed legislation this year that will allow both outpatient and jail-based restoration options.

Georgia has limited options for outpatient services. Ashley Fielding, assistant commissioner of the state mental health agency, said in a statement that it's "actively working on solutions" to the competency backlog, citing raises given to all state employees and expansion of nonhospital restoration alternatives.

On the 20th day of the Walton County judge's contempt order  one day before her deadline  the agency transferred Hampton to a state psychiatric facility in Milledgeville. The state mental health agency declined to comment on the case other than to say it had complied with the judge's order. More than eight months had passed since Hampton was arrested.
In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers assessed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants resistance to nirmatrelvir (NIR), a protease inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2.

Background

In recent times, NIR has received authorization for first-line therapy for SARS-CoV-2-positive individuals with high risks of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is also under consideration for long-COVID treatment. However, the clinical efficacy of NIR may reduce by the development of SARS-CoV-2 resistance, as observed previously for small-molecule inhibitor drugs against hepatitis B, C virus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and influenza virus.

The authors of the present study previously determined the efficacy of another protease inhibitor boceprevir (BOC), which is structurally similar to NIR, against SARS-CoV-2 in cell culture experiments.

About the study

In the present study, researchers extended their previous analysis by identifying amino acid substitutions (mutations) associated with resistance to BOC and NIR and evaluated the fitness of NIR-resistant SARS-CoV-2 variants. They also assessed the sensitivity of SARS-CoV-2 Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variants compared to the original (Wuhan-Hu-1) strain to the parental drug of the same class (protease inhibitor), i.e., remdesivir (RDV) and evaluated the prospects of NIR-RDV combinations.

The African green monkey kidney VeroE6 cells and human lung epithelial A549 cells expressing human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) were cultured, and SARS-CoV-2 stocks were generated in the cultured cells, and their sequences were confirmed by next-generation sequencing (NGS). To identify BOC- and NIR-associated mutations, concentration-response treatments were performed by infecting the cultured cells with BOC escape viruses. BOC-EV1,2 and NIR escape viruses viz NIR-EV1,2, respectively, and subsequently examining the cells by SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein immunostaining.

SARS-CoV-2 escape from NIR was assessed by performing escape experiments with primary escape cultures (passage 0) and five passage cultures (passages 1 to 5). The viruses identified from the global initiative on sharing all influenza data (GISAID) database with specific mutations at specific SARS-CoV-2 main protease (Mpro) sites associated with NIR resistance were identified. Further, reverse genetics analysis and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations of Mpro were performed.

Results and discussions

In the concentration-response treatments, the Wuhan-Hu-1 strain was suppressed by three-fold of 50% effective concentration (EC50) BOR and seven-fold EC50 NIR. BOR escape viruses demonstrated 4.7-fold increased EC50 and conferred 6.8-fold cross-resistance to NIR. The short-term concentration-response treatments showed 80-fold resistance conferred by the L50F + E166V combination mutations, whereas the L50F+A173V and T21I+T304I (in NIR-EV1) mutations conferred negligible resistance.

In the long-term concentration-response treatments, all the mutants transmitted with 7.5-fold NIR EC50 and the L50F+E166V mutant (NIR-EV2) spread with 15-fold NIR EC50. NIR-resistant SARS-CoV-2 variants demonstrated high fitness and harbored several mutations in Mpro but did not gain more mutations in the passages of the escape experiments.

MD simulations showed that the L50F+E166V and E166V mutations weakened NIR-Mpro binding, whereas the L50F mutation improved NIR-Mpro binding. Further, the L50F+E166V and E166V mutations may have shifted NIR-Mpro conformational equilibrium towards non-catalytical states, reducing NIR inhibition probability by 63% and 50%, respectively.

The weakening of the NIR-Mpro binding by the E166V mutation could be due to the loss of the interactions between the NIR-E166 and S protein subunit 1 (S1) and the loss of interactions between NIR and Mpro residues 187 to 192, which leads to the opening of the SARS-CoV-2 S4 and S2 subunits. In variants with double mutations, reductions in NIR interactions with F140, H163, H172, and L141 in S1 were also observed. The L50F mutation most likely enhanced NIR-Mpro binding, a gain of NIR interactions with T190 and R188 at S4.

RDV showed retained activity against NIR-resistant SARS-Cov-2 variants, and RDV-NIR combination increased the efficacy of anti-SARS-CoV-2 treatment with a 3.9-fold and 5.7-fold and reduction in SARS-CoV-2 infectivity compared to only RDV or NIR treatment, respectively. Further, analyzing the GISAID database sequences (as of 18 April 2022) showed that resistance associated with Mpro sites across the variants was largely conserved.

Conclusion

Overall, the study findings highlighted the mutations associated with the escape of SARS-CoV-2 variants from NIR (or NIR-associated resistance) due to weakened NIR-Mpro binding and reduced inhibition probability of NIR. The findings also showed higher efficacy of RDV-NIR combination treatments against SARS-CoV-2 variants.

*Important notice

bioRxiv publishes preliminary scientific reports that are not peer-reviewed and, therefore, should not be regarded as conclusive, guide clinical practice/health-related behavior, or treated as established information.
A new study investigating if mental health helps shape satisfaction with partners has revealed there are differences between females and males  with men having the potential to experience a vicious circle.

Image Credit: Getty Images

Led by Loughborough Universitys Professor Paul Downward, Professor of Economics in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, the analysis used data on 42,464 couples gathered through the British Household Panel Survey (1991-2008) to test aspects of the marital adjustment model, which assesses dyadic partner satisfaction.

The findings, which have been published in the BMC Psychology Journal, suggest for females, relationship satisfaction is more likely to influence mental health.

For males, however, there is a potential vicious circle of decline between satisfaction with partners and mental health.

For example, a male strategy for coping with depressive symptoms can involve men engaging more in an activity that takes them further from their partners both behaviourally and emotionally.

Funded by the Health Foundation, the paper is part of a broader project that suggests health should be seen as an asset  something that is worth investing in to allow individuals and society to flourish and prosper, rather than viewing health as a remedial intervention. Investment in mental health support would therefore benefit the well-being of individuals and their partners.

This paper highlights support for current UK health policy that increasingly seeks to identify health as an asset, playing a role in an integrated care system seeking to promote a more inclusive and productive society, with a focus on the general flourishing of individuals. The results, which have consistency with the literature, suggest that satisfaction with partners is a key conduit with which mental health states can become shared by couples. The topic is important because satisfaction with partners is an important feature of the overall quality of life and the wellbeing of individuals. Professor Paul Downward, Professor of Economics in the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University

Professor Downward is hoping to build on this research and further explore how health inequalities become shared across peer groups.
Bahrains Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows increased by $1.766 billion in 2021, marking a 73% year-on-year increase and surpassing the global FDI average growth, according to the 2022 World Investment Report issued by the United Nations Conference of Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

According to the report, the Kingdoms inward FDI stocks increased by 6% from 2020, reaching $33.47 billion in 2021.

Investment in 2021 was primarily directed at Bahrains financial services, manufacturing, and mining & quarrying industries, according to the Information & eGovernment Authority of Bahrain.

The World Investment Report focuses on FDI trends at a regional and country level, as well as emerging measures to improve its contribution to economic development. It highlighted that global FDI has recovered to pre-pandemic levels in 2021 and has reached $1.6 trillion, an increase of 64% from booming merger and acquisition activity, as well as rapid growth in international project finance from loose financing and major infrastructure stimulus packages.

Khalid Humaidan, Chief Executive of the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB), commented: Were proud of the progress achieved in 2021 and we look forward to achieving greater heights by attracting more direct investments across a diverse number of economic sectors, in line with the objectives set under Bahrains Economic Recovery Plan.

In 2021, the EDB attracted $839 million in direct investment into Bahrain through successful projects that are expected to create a total of 4,861 local jobs, including Citis first MENA tech hub.  TradeArabia News Service
(Newser)  The arrest of an armed man near the home of Brett Kavanaugh has put the focus on security for the Supreme Court and its justicesnot to mention turmoil within the court at a particularly volatile moment. Coverage:

In Congress: Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats on Thursday delayed action on a Senate plan to provide more security for justices, reports the New York Times. Pelosi says the House will take it up early next week but needs time to hash out details, including how far the protection will extend to justices' families. Top Republicans criticized the delay and suggested Democrats seem to care about such threats only when they're directed at fellow Democrats.

Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats on Thursday delayed action on a Senate plan to provide more security for justices, reports the New York Times. Pelosi says the House will take it up early next week but needs time to hash out details, including how far the protection will extend to justices' families. Top Republicans criticized the delay and suggested Democrats seem to care about such threats only when they're directed at fellow Democrats. Criticism: How many times do they have to be threatened? said House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy in faulting the House delay. How many people need to be arrested with a gun outside their home? Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell, meanwhile, said of the delay: No more fiddling around with this. They need to pass it today.

Schumer's words: Republicans were faulting Democratic leader Chuck Schumer in particular, who said at a 2020 abortion-rights rally that Kavanaugh and other conservative justices "have released the whirlwind" and "will pay the price," adding, "You won't know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions." Schumer apologized the following day. On Thursday, in the wake of the arrest near Kavanaugh's home, GOP Sen. Roger Marshall tweeted that Schumer "called for this violence," per Insider. "The armed lunatic who showed up at Justice Brett Kavanaugh's home was simply following orders." Fox News details more of this kind of criticism. And Politico notes that justice Samuel Alito recently took the unusual step of delivering a speech at an unspecified location after protesters gathered at his home, as they did at Kavanaugh's.

Republicans were faulting Democratic leader Chuck Schumer in particular, who said at a 2020 abortion-rights rally that Kavanaugh and other conservative justices "have released the whirlwind" and "will pay the price," adding, "You won't know what hit you if you go forward with these awful decisions." Schumer apologized the following day. On Thursday, in the wake of the arrest near Kavanaugh's home, GOP Sen. Roger Marshall tweeted that Schumer "called for this violence," per Insider. "The armed lunatic who showed up at Justice Brett Kavanaugh's home was simply following orders." Fox News details more of this kind of criticism. And Politico notes that justice Samuel Alito recently took the unusual step of delivering a speech at an unspecified location after protesters gathered at his home, as they did at Kavanaugh's. Turmoil: Veteran court reporter Nina Totenberg of NPR reported this week that the court, usually in a cooperative mood this busy time of year, is instead "riven with distrust among the law clerks, staff and, most of all, the justices themselves." The leaked draft opinion and the launch of an investigation into who's behind it is a primary reason. One source tells her "the place sounds like it's imploding." Worried clerks are "lawyering up" as the investigation unfolds.

Veteran court reporter Nina Totenberg of NPR reported this week that the court, usually in a cooperative mood this busy time of year, is instead "riven with distrust among the law clerks, staff and, most of all, the justices themselves." The leaked draft opinion and the launch of an investigation into who's behind it is a primary reason. One source tells her "the place sounds like it's imploding." Worried clerks are "lawyering up" as the investigation unfolds. Suspect: The man arrested near Kavanaugh's house, identified as 26-year-old Nicholas Roske of Simi Valley, California, allegedly told police he planned to kill Kavanaugh because he was upset about the abortion opinion and gun safety. Roske faces charges including attempted murder. The FBI has searched his family home, reports ABC News.

(Read more US Supreme Court stories.)
(Newser)  The National Weather Service has warned of a dangerous weekend ahead in the Southwestern US, predicting a "dangerous and deadly heat wave" for the region. More than 30 million people are under heat alerts, CNN reports. Areas in Texas to California will be affected, the agency said, by temperatures that will top 100 degrees. The risk of heat-related illnesses will rise with the "extreme" heat, the agency warned. Even when the heat eases early next week, per the Washington Post, gusty winds will arise that could spread wildfires quickly.

The Weather Service office in Phoenix urged residents to take precautions, per the New York Times, saying that everyone will be affected, not just the most vulnerable. "Drink water, more than usual, and avoid dehydrating alcoholic, sugary, or caffeinated drinks," the agency advised. Highs over the weekend were forecast to be 109 degrees in Las Vegas and 116 in San Diego. Texas has already set records this week: Rio Grande Village, near the border with Mexico, hit 117 degrees on Tuesday; the state record is 120. Austin hit a record 103 degrees and San Antonio 104. Most warnings will expire Sunday evening.

But this weekend is only the beginning. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted a hotter-than-usual summer in most of the lower 48 states. Precipitation was forecast to be lower than usual in the West; drought is a contributing factor in the increasing heat. So is a heat dome created by high pressure and climate change. Phoenix's average temperature in June in the World War II era was 83.7 degrees; it's now 93.9 degrees. (Read more heat wave stories.)
(Newser)  An Indianapolis woman was arrested on murder charges last week after allegedly running down her cheating boyfriend. Gaylyn Ja-Nae Morris, 26, is accused of using GPS and an Apple AirTag to track her boyfriend, who she suspected of cheating on her, to Tilly's Pub in the wee hours of last Friday. She found Andre Smith there with another womanand police say she first tried to attack the other woman with a wine bottle before Smith got in between them and both Smith and Morris were asked to leave, KIRO 7 reports. Once outside, Morris allegedly got in her vehicle.

A witness told police that Morris "pulled forward and clipped the victim (Smith), and he went down, at which time... (Morris) then backed over him and then pulled forward and hit him for the third time," according to the probable cause affidavit. Police responded around 12:30am and found Smith, 26, dead in the parking lot underneath a vehicle, the Indianapolis Star reports. Morris allegedly exited the vehicle and tried to go after the other woman again, but she was detained by officers. A GoFundMe campaign has been set up for Smith, who leaves behind a 4-year-old daughter, per WISH TV. "Those tracking devices should not be used by the public," says his aunt. "They should only be used for hospitals and law." (Read more Indianapolis stories.)
(Newser)  Update: A suspect has been charged in a mass shooting that left three people dead at a manufacturing plant where he worked in Smithsburg, Md. In a Friday statement, the Washington County Sheriff's Department reported that 23-year-old Joe Louis Esquivel of West Virginia was hit with three counts of first-degree murder, as well as three counts of second-degree murder, among other charges, for the Thursday shooting at Columbia Machine, which makes concrete products equipment, per CNN. Three of Esquivel's co-workers died, while one was injured. Authorities say a state trooper and Esquivel were also injured after Esquivel fled the scene and engaged in a shootout with state police. Washington County Sheriff Douglas W. Mullendore says a motive still hasn't been determined. Esquivel is being held without bond at the Washington County Detention Center. Our original story from Thursday follows:

A gunman killed three people and critically wounded another person Thursday at a manufacturing business in rural western Maryland, authorities said, before being stopped by a state trooper in a shootout. Sheriff's officials said deputies went to Columbia Machine Inc., a concrete molding company in Smithsburg, after receiving a report of an active shooter there. The gunman drove away, officials said, then was stopped about 10 miles away by Maryland state police, the Washington Post reports. "The suspect fired and shot the state trooper in the shoulder, who then returned fire and shot him," Gov. Larry Hogan told reporters. The trooper and the suspect were being treated at hospitals.

Deputies found the bodies of the three victims at the business, as well as the person who was critically wounded, per the AP. Relatives of company employees waited at a fire station in downtown Smithsburg on Thursday evening for information about their family members. Officials declined to say whether the suspect or victims worked at the business. Smithsburg, which has a population of almost 3,000, is just west of the president's Camp David retreat. (Read more mass shootings stories.)
(Newser)  (This summary is being updated throughout as the hearing proceeds.) A House select panel tasked with investigating the Capitol riot and former President Trump's effort to overturn the election has begun the first of six public hearings. Thursday night's session is being televised on most networks and streamed live via the committee's website and its YouTube channel.

William Barr: In his introductory remarks, panel Chairman Bennie Thompson accused Trump of an "attempted coup," and he played a tape of former Attorney General William Barr assessing Trump's claims that the election was stolen. I told the president it was bull---," Barr said in the videotaped testimony, per the New York Times. "I didnt want to be a part of it."

In his introductory remarks, panel Chairman Bennie Thompson accused Trump of an "attempted coup," and he played a tape of former Attorney General William Barr assessing Trump's claims that the election was stolen. I told the president it was bull---," Barr said in the videotaped testimony, per the New York Times. "I didnt want to be a part of it." Liz Cheney: In her opening remarks, the GOP congresswoman said Trump told staffers and aides that demonstrators at the Capitol "were doing what they should be doing" and repeatedly rebuffed requests to condemn the ongoing riot. Cheney, the panel's vice chair, said that Trump, upon being told that protesters wanted to hang Mike Pence, replied that "maybe our protesters have the right idea," per the Daily Beast, and that Pence "deserves it." Cheney also accused Trump of trying to "destroy" the government and placing it in a "moment of maximum danger."

In her opening remarks, the GOP congresswoman said Trump told staffers and aides that demonstrators at the Capitol "were doing what they should be doing" and repeatedly rebuffed requests to condemn the ongoing riot. Cheney, the panel's vice chair, said that Trump, upon being told that protesters wanted to hang Mike Pence, replied that "maybe our protesters have the right idea," per the Daily Beast, and that Pence "deserves it." Cheney also accused Trump of trying to "destroy" the government and placing it in a "moment of maximum danger." Ivanka Trump: The panel played a snippet of the videotaped testimony of the presidential daughter, and, unlike her father, she accepted Barr's assessment that Trump lost, per CNN. When asked, "How did that affect your perception about the election when Attorney General Barr made that statement?" she replied: "It affected my perspective. I respect Attorney General Barr so I accepted what he was saying."

The panel played a snippet of the videotaped testimony of the presidential daughter, and, unlike her father, she accepted Barr's assessment that Trump lost, per CNN. When asked, "How did that affect your perception about the election when Attorney General Barr made that statement?" she replied: "It affected my perspective. I respect Attorney General Barr so I accepted what he was saying." Video: Before its first recess, the panel played a dramatic video of the march on the Capitol unfolding, the attacks on police officers, the evacuation of members of Congress, etc. It ended with images of mob violence and audio of Trump on Fox News praising the marchers as peaceful and full of "love."

Before its first recess, the panel played a dramatic video of the march on the Capitol unfolding, the attacks on police officers, the evacuation of members of Congress, etc. It ended with images of mob violence and audio of Trump on Fox News praising the marchers as peaceful and full of "love." Joint chiefs: Mark Milley, then chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the panel in his videotaped testimony that Pence was focused on ending the day's violence as it unfolded, unlike Trump chief of staff Mark Meadows. He quoted Meadows as saying: "We have to kill the narrative that the vice president is making all the decisions. We need to establish the narrative, you know, that the president is still in charge and that things are steady or stable."

Big picture: Beforehand, aides on the panel say evidence presented at the hearings will demonstrate that Trump was at the heart of a coordinated, multistep effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election," an effort that resulted in the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, reports the New York Times.

(Read more Jan. 6 hearings stories.)
(Newser)  Vladimir Putin marked the 350th anniversary of Peter the Great's birth this week in a rather lofty way: He compared himself to the czar to seemingly justify his own invasion of Ukraine. "Peter the Great waged the Great Northern War for 21 years," the Russian leader said Thursday after a visit to an exhibit dedicated to Peter, per Reuters. "It would seem that he was at war with Sweden, he took something from them. He did not take anything from themhe returned [what was Russia's]." The news agency notes that Putin has tried to defend his war in Ukraine by scoffing at Ukraine's claims at being its own nation, instead insisting that Russia and Ukraine are one nation that's been temporarily divided. Instead of acknowledging that what's going on in Ukraine is a war, Putin has claimed it's a "special military operation" that's meant to "denazify" Ukraine for its own good.

The Washington Post notes that Peter deemed himself an emperor and launched that aforementioned 20-year-plus war with the Swedish Empire at the turn of the 18th century, claiming much of that land for Russia. Peter even announced a new capital on the conquered land, named after himself: St. Petersburg, which later ended up becoming Putin's hometown. "What was [Peter] doing? Taking back and reinforcing," Putin said Thursday, per the AP. "And it looks like it fell on us to take back and reinforce as well." Indeed, Putin seems to want to follow in those past footsteps and "[relive] the Russian imperial dream," Kyle Wilson, a former Australian diplomat in the Soviet Union, tells the Post. "And the man who made Russia into an imperial empire was Peter the Great."

Ukraine, for its part, isn't buying Putin's line. "The West must draw a clear red line so the Kremlin understands the price of each next bloody step," Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, tells Reuters. "We will brutally liberate our territories." Meanwhile, others aren't so sure Peter the Great is the most apt analogy for Putin to be drawing for himself. "He wants to be seen as a Peter [the Great]-style modernizer," says Andrei Kolesnikov, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Instead, "he will go down in history as a cruel ruler more like Ivan the Terrible." (Read more Vladimir Putin stories.)
(Newser)  In his first extensive public comments since the Robb Elementary School massacre in Uvalde, Texas, school district police chief Pete Arredondo tells the Texas Tribune he did not consider himself the incident commander, though that's the way the state Department of Public Safety has described him, and that he did not instruct police to avoid breaching the classroom, as has also been reported. "I didnt issue any orders, Arredondo says. I called for assistance and asked for an extraction tool to open the door." He said the classroom door, which had a steel jamb, could not be kicked in, and he waited on dozens of keys to open it, none of which worked. It was 77 minutes after the shooting began that police finally unlocked the door.

Arredondo firmly pushed back on the criticism that has been leveled at him and other officers on the scene: "Not a single responding officer ever hesitated, even for a moment, to put themselves at risk to save the children, he says. We responded to the information that we had and had to adjust to whatever we faced. Our objective was to save as many lives as we could, and the extraction of the students from the classrooms by all that were involved saved over 500 of our Uvalde students and teachers before we gained access to the shooter and eliminated the threat." But law enforcement experts the Tribune spoke to also questioned why Arredondo had no radio; he left both his police and campus radios outside when he entered the school. He tells the paper he wanted both hands free for accurately firing at the shooter, and was also afraid the radios would slow him down.

Even if he and other officers in the hallway outside the classroom had had radios, Arredondo's lawyer says they would have turned them off because they were trying to remain quiet so as not to give their position away to the gunman. No one passed along crucial information to Arredondo, including 911 calls that were coming from inside the classroom, and he continued to believe the incident had become a barricaded hostage situation. He says he considered himself a responder on the front lines and assumed someone else had command of the larger situation, and he recounts sending officers to break windows in adjacent classrooms to evacuate children. Read the whole piece at the Tribune. Meanwhile, the New York Times reports officers at the scene waited more than an hour for shields to arrive, even though they were informed children inside the classroom needed medical attention.

"He could have been saved, the grandfather of 10-year-old victim Xavier Lopez, who died after he was finally rushed to a hospital, says. The police did not go in for more than an hour. He bled out. Two other children also died after arriving at hospitals, and a teacher, Eva Mireles, died in an ambulance. She had called her husband, one of Arredondo's officers, after having been shot, and he told responders on the scene that she was hurt but still alive in the classroom. But officials have not yet determined whether an earlier police response could have saved anyone. Per the documents cited by the Times, it was Arredondo who decided to wait on the shields because he believed officers might be killed if they rushed the classroom without them. The paper says he appeared to "agonize" over how long it was taking for them to arrive. More here. (Read more Uvalde mass shooting stories.)
(Newser)  Audiences are loving Jurassic World Dominion, handing it an 80% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics not so much. Director and co-writer Colin Trevorrow's conclusion of the modern trilogy about humans and dinosaurs inhabiting the same planetreuniting Jurassic Park stars Laura Dern, Sam Neill, and Jeff Goldblum for the first time since 1993, alongside Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howardelicits just a 34% critics rating. Here's what they're saying.

"It doesn't do much more than the bare minimum you'd expect for one of these films, and not all that well," Matt Zoller Seitz writes at RogerEbert.com. The "mishandling" of clone character Maisie Lockwood (Isabella Sermon), introduced in 2018's Fallen Kingdom, "is one misstep in a dumpster of a sequel that piles ideas and images and characters and plot twists in a heap and calls it a movie," he writes. Almost every action scene is "indifferently composed and edited," he adds. "And the plotting is abysmal."

"The only wow factor in Jurassic World Dominion is the awesome depth of its failure," writes Bilge Ebiri at Vulture. It "leaps from subgenre to subgenre with such frantic desperation that it feels like the movie is running from its own lack of imagination" and "can't be bothered to spend much time on anything, perhaps because if the movie ever pauses to take a breath, the audience might realize they're being had." Top among his complaints is that dinosaurs have become "mere background noise" in a film focusing on a plague of giant locusts.

"Locusts make for a far less effective adversary than a good old-fashioned tyrannosaur," writes David Sims at the Atlantic. But there's more to it than that. Here, the dinosaurs have "become mundane. A nuisance." Yet "if dinos can live among us fairly normally without posing much of a threat, then what is Jurassic World Dominion even about?" His answer: "the creeping hand of capitalistic greed."

That's perhaps harsh in the eyes of Cary Darling. While the film "takes a while to get going," one chase scene through the streets of Malta "may be the single best piece of action filmmaking in the entire, six-film Jurassic franchise," he writes at the Houston Chronicle. It's "a thrill ride of a scene that is what summer blockbusters are made for." And he describes the "great clouds of giant locusts" as "equally impressive" as the dinosaurs, which "are even bigger now."

(Read more movie review stories.)
(Newser)  Rebel Wilson says she's found happiness in a relationship with another woman. "I thought I was searching for a Disney Prince but maybe what I really needed all this time was a Disney Princess," the Aussie star said in an Instagram post Thursday, adding a rainbow emoji. Wilson, who has previously dated men including Anheuser-Busch heir Jacob Busch, revealed that her new partner is Ramona Agruma, founder of LA-based clothing brand Lemon Ve Limon, Yahoo reports.

Friends say the 42-year-old Pitch Perfect star is happier than they've ever seen her. Wilson told People last month that she was in a relationship with somebody she'd been set up with through a mutual friend. "It's great to have someone who feels like an equal partner and be in a healthy relationship," she said. "There were timesI'm not saying with all my exes, they're greatbut there were some times that I was probably putting up with that I shouldn't have. So it feels different to be in a really healthy relationship." (Read more Rebel Wilson stories.)
Saudi Arabia has announced plans to implement 11 major infrastructure development projects worth more than SR4.3 billion ($1.15 billion) covering key cities in the kingdom's Eastern Province. Of these majority are aimed at boosting water services, reported Arab News.

Agreements in this regard were signed in the presence of Eastern Province Governor Saud bin Abdulaziz.

These projects will have a significant impact in the region's key cities including Dammam, Khobar, Al Ahsa and Qatif and the needs of desalinated water, it stated.

The duration of the implementation of these contracts ranges between 18-30 months, said Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Abdulrahman Al Fadhli.

The National Water Company is currently working on completing the procedures for awarding 3 contracts, at an estimated cost of more than SR1.2 billion, he added.
(Newser)  Blood has been found in the search for a British journalist and his indigenous guide who vanished Sunday in Brazil's remote Amazon rainforest. The blood, to be tested to determine whether it is human or animal, was found on the boat of fisherman Amarildo da Costa, known locally as "Pelado," who was one of the last people to see the pair alive, the BBC reports. Officials with Univaja, an Indigenous association in the remote Javari Valley, where journalist Dom Phillips and former Indigenous Affairs official Bruno Araujo Pereira were last known to be, claim da Costa was among a group of illegal fishermen who used guns to threaten a patrol boat seen with Phillips and Pereira on Saturday morning, per the New York Times.

Though it doesn't name da Costa, a report from the O Globe newspaper claims a suspect was seen loading a shotgun and leaving the town of Atalaia do Norte on a motorboat with four others after Phillips, 57, and Pereira, 41, spent the night there, per the Guardian. State police officials say da Costa's green speedboat was seen tailing Phillips and Pereira's boat early Sunday as they left the Javari Valley to return to town, per the Times. Now in custody, da Costa has been charged with illegal possession of restricted ammunition, per the BBC. Amazonas state security secretary general Carlos Alberto Mansur said the suspect was found with "a lot of drugs" and ammunition used for illegal hunting, per CNN.

There have been numerous confrontations between hunters, fishermen, and government officials in the region, where the 2019 murder of an Indigenous Affairs employee remains unsolved. Phillips, who was researching a book on conservation, knew that well, having reported on poaching and other threats to local indigenous groups for outlets including the Guardian. One of his stories focused on Pereira, tasked with protecting isolated tribes. "There is every reason to be seriously concerned for their welfare," writes the Guardian editorial board, noting Pereira "had earlier received a written threat." Speaking at a vigil in London on Thursday, Phillips' sister noted, "We all still have hope  We want the search to carry on." (Read more Amazon rainforest stories.)
(Newser)  A team of scientists backed by the World Health Organization released a preliminary report Thursday on the search for the origins of the coronavirus pandemicand China was angered by the suggestion that the theory the virus may have leaked from a lab merited further investigation. The team said that while the strongest evidence still suggests that the virus originated in animals and jumped to humans, the lab leak theory needs "further investigations," and China hasn't supplied data that would allow the team to better evaluate the theory, the Washington Post reports.

The team said that according to its preliminary findings, the most closely related coronaviruses to the ones that caused the pandemic have been found in bats in China, but "so far neither the virus progenitors nor the natural/intermediate hosts or spill-over event to humans have been identified," per CNN. Virologist Marietjie Venter, chair of the WHO team, told reporters that "the precursor viruses that have been identified in bats are definitely not close enough to be the virus that spilled over into humans," per the Post. She said there's been no new data pointing to a lab leak, but the team wants to examine all the possibilities.

The team said it needs to examine samples collected in early 2020 from the Wuhan food market where many early cases were detected. Analysts say it's not clear whether China will ever supply some of the data the team is seeking. "The lack of political cooperation from China continues to stifle any meaningful progress," Lawrence Gostin, director of the O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law at Georgetown University, tells the New York Times. Zhao Lijian, a spokesman for China's Foreign Ministry, said Friday that the lab leak theory "is totally a lie concocted by anti-China forces for political purposes, which has nothing to do with science," per the AP. He also called for an investigation of "highly suspicious laboratories" in the US where China has claimed the US might have developed the virus as a bioweapon. (Read more coronavirus stories.)
(Newser)  Pope Francis canceled a planned July trip to Africa on doctors' orders because of ongoing knee problems, the Vatican said Friday, dashing hopes of the faithful there and raising further questions about the health and mobility problems of the 85-year-old pontiff. The Vatican said the July 2-7 trip to Congo and South Sudan would be rescheduled at a later date to be determined, the AP reports. "At the request of his doctors, and in order not to jeopardize the results of the therapy that he is undergoing for his knee, the Holy Father has been forced to postpone, with regret, his Apostolic Journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo and to South Sudan," the Vatican said in a statement.

Francis has used a wheelchair for about a month due to strained ligaments in his right knee that have made walking and standing difficult and painful. He has refused so far to get surgery and has instead received injections, kept the knee as immobile as possible, and walked with a cane or the help of an aide. Questions had swirled for months about Francis' ability to negotiate the Africa journey, which would have been taxing for the pope even without the knee problems. Yet as recently as this week, plans were proceeding for the trip, with the Vatican releasing the names of accredited journalists who were due to fly on the papal plane.

Francis had been due to visit South Sudan with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the head of the Church of Scotland to make a joint ecumenical appeal for peace. Such a trip had been discussed as early as 2017, but security concerns kept postponing it. The Rev. John Gbemyoro, an official with the Sudan/South Sudan Catholic Bishops' Conference, says Friday's news dimmed the expectations of Christians in the two countries. "We don't love to hear it," Gbemyoro says. "But we are asking God to heal him quickly because we still need him to come to South Sudan." (Rumors are swirling about possible retirement plans.)
(Newser)  Public access to Starbucks bathrooms, a point of contention in the past, might be shut off again. CEO Howard Schultz put the issue in a mental health context, saying at a forum Thursday that the number of people allowed in stores who aren't customers might have to be limited, CNN reports. The current open-door policy makes managing the stores difficult, he said. "We have to harden our stores and provide safety for our people," Schultz said in New York. "I don't know if we can keep our bathrooms open."

The bathrooms were opened to all after protests sparked by the arrest of two Black men who were refused a key at a Philadelphia location in 2018. But Schultz said the nation has a mental health crisis that constitutes a growing danger to employees and customers and is now the biggest issue facing the chain, per the Hill. "We have to provide a  safe environment for our people and our customers," he said. It shouldn't be this way, Schultz said. "Starbucks is trying to solve a problem and face a problem that is the governments responsibility," he said. (Read more Starbucks stories.)
Forty-three Minnesota National Guard members with the 204th Medical Company Area Support mobilized to Alaska in early May to support Arctic Care 2022. They helped provide medical, dental and veterinary services to residents in remote villages. Courtesy Photo (Sgt. Mahsima Alkamooneh)
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.
New Delhi, June 10 (UNI) Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande on Friday reviewed the security situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

The Army Chief is currently on a three-day forward area visit to the LAC in two states.

This is the maiden visit of Gen Pande to this sector after taking over as Army Chief, the Indian Army said.

He was accompanied by Army Commander, Central Command and GOC, Uttar Bharat Area. During visits to the forward posts, the Chief is being briefed by local commanders about the prevailing situation along the borders, it added.

Taking a first-hand assessment of the operational preparedness in forward areas, the Army Chief is scheduled to witness the high altitude operational capabilities of deployed formations, including mountaineering skills and long range patrolling.

He is also reviewing the ongoing infrastructure and development work and the Army-Citizen connect in forward areas.

While interacting with the Commanders during his visit, the Army Chief emphasised the need for vigil and alertness along the borders.

As per a statement issued by the Indian Army, Gen Pande expressed his satisfaction on the rapid improvement of defensive posture and operational readiness of formations.

He appreciated the absorption of modern technology in undertaking persistent surveillance.

Gen Pande, during his interaction with the troops deployed on the forward posts, appreciated their high morale and exhorted them to maintain high standards of professional excellence.

He also complimented the excellent synergy between the Army, CAPF, Civil Administration and Police towards operational effectiveness and sustainable development in the border areas.

UNI ASU RJ
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Heatwave conditions in several parts of Bahrain yesterday saw temperatures soaring to 46 degrees Celsius which, according to popular opinion, heralds a blazing summer.

Yesterdays situation also sharply contrasted with what Bahrain experienced in May, where the temperature was slightly lower than normal. In fact, the region, as a whole, is reeling under a severe heat wave, which is causing unprecedented rises in temperature.

Meanwhile, social media in the Kingdom was abuzz with speculations about high temperatures yesterday. Tweeteraties were of the opinion that the early rise in temperatures predicts a blazing summer after a month of mild weather last month.

The Meteorological Department of the Ministry of Transport and Communications reported yesterday that temperatures soared to 46 Degrees Celsius. Humidity reached 80%, where the minimum temperature was around 29 degrees Celsius.

The report also comes as a Daily Tribune article published on Thursday alerted the Labour and Social Development Ministry on the need to implement an outdoor work ban, considering the present conditions.

Usually, the ministry installs a work ban starting July 1. However, labourers have told Tribune that it has become increasingly hard for them to work outside during afternoons. Salman Al-Ramadan, a member of the Astronomy Society in the Qatif Governorate, eastern Saudi Arabia, published a tweet confirming that some regions there recorded 50 Degrees Celsius at around 1 pm yesterday, which is also the highest temperature recorded during this year in the region.

35 degrees Celsius Experts have pointed out that the threshold for survival for more than six unprotected hours is 35 degrees Celsius, or about 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Supported by the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science, a research report had earlier pointed out that the rising temperatures are creating particular concern for the Gulf as the annual Hajj, where as many as 2 million pilgrims take part, sometimes occurs during these hot months.

The study points out that parts of the Gulf region could be hit with the unprecedented event of deadly heat as of climate change within this century. The study had also pointed out that curbing emissions could forestall these deadly temperature extremes.

The study, published years ago in the journal Nature Climate Change, was carried out by Elfatih Eltahir, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at MIT, and Jeremy Pal PhD 01 at Loyola Marymount University.

They conclude that conditions in the Gulf region, including its shallow water and intense sun, make it a specific regional hotspot where climate change, in absence of significant mitigation, is likely to severely impact human habitability in the future.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Customers should demand invoices on every gold purchase they make in Bahrain and turn away from unlicensed shops operating out of social media platforms, said a top Bahraini official.

Abdulaziz Al-Ashraf, the Assistant Undersecretary for Control and Resources, also called on the public to purchase precious metal artefacts that satisfy Bahraini hallmarking standards.

He said this during an inspection campaign held at a commercial complex in the Capital governorate, where they found several unmarked gold items.

We seized all illegal items and are pursuing legal action against such stores. He stressed that Bahraini jewellery enjoys unique designs and high quality, meeting internationally approved gold carat standards.

These campaigns would ensure a safe shopping experience for customers in the Kingdom. We are keen on preserving the gains made by the Bahraini gold trade in the local and Gulf market by activating laws and implementing awareness and control campaigns, he added.

The Inspection Department, he said, monitors gold and jewellery stores through systematic and periodic inspection campaigns to regulate the sector.

We are holding campaigns to ensure that the gold carries distinctive Bahraini marking, as it is not permissible to sell or display precious metal artefacts without hallmarking as per Decree-Law No. (6) of 1990, he said.

Customers should also be given a purchase invoice with the data of the jewel, such as weight, calibre, price, and others. He also warned the general public not to purchase gold from unlicenced gold shops through social media.

The ministry warns the public against dealing with unlicensed gold shops Which carry out their commercial activity through social media only. He also said that the ministry is working to take measures against such shops in coordination with the Cybercrime department.

The public can contact the authority to report violations through the National Complaints and Suggestion system Tawasul or on WhatsApp at 80008001.

According to a recent report, Bahrain has hallmarked more than 9.9 tonnes of precious metals and jewellery, which is 60% higher than reported a year ago. The report also said that the total number of jewellery tested exceeded a whooping 1,350,000 pieces.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Staff Reporter

An expatriate nurse, who was recruited during the peak of the pandemic as a Covid warrior over a year ago, has lost BD2,950 to online banking scammers.

Indian national Minimol Binu, 45, employed at Salmaniya Medical Complex, is the latest victim of online banking fraud in Bahrain.

Speaking to The Daily Tribune, she said the scammers took away the money that was obtained as a loan from a leading bank.

I was working in Mumbai, India, when I was recruited by the Kingdoms Ministry of Health over a year ago. Ever since my arrival in this beautiful country, I have been enjoying my role as a team member of the national healthcare force. But what happened now is something I am finding hard to believe!

Minimol said she submitted her documents for the loan with the bank on May 25 and the loan got sanctioned on June 2. I was in Kerala, my home state in India, when the loan was transferred to my account on June 2. I was planning to use the loaned amount to repair and renovate my house, which was partially destroyed during the floods that wreaked havoc in the state a few years ago.

On June 2, a bank employee who helped me obtain the loan, rang me up to inform me that the amount had been transferred to my account. The same day I received a call from an anonymous number and the person on the other side claimed to be a CID official.

I disconnected the phone abruptly realizing it was someone attempting a fraudulent act. On June 5, Minimol was shocked to see consecutive messages in her mobile from the bank, showing frequent transfers of BD1,000, BD500, BD1,000 and BD450 in a space of a few hours.

Upon calling the bank employee, Minimol would realise that the scammers have got away with BD2,950 out of the total BD5,306 obtained as loan amount. The bank account was immediately frozen. However, the bank staff are clueless as to what has happened, Minimol adds.

A complaint has been filed with the CID Department. The Daily Tribune has been carrying many reports in the last few months about fraudsters targeting the online banking and financial transaction network in the Kingdom.

The published articles carried the plight of many citizens and expatriates, who together lost thousands of Bahraini dinars to the scammers. Most of the victims have launched a complaint with the police department, pleading for an intense probe into the matter.

It is learnt that many banks are flooded with calls from frantic customers saying they have been conned out of their money by scammers after hacking their bank accounts or fund transfer system. Ajesh Panchavila Gopinath, a Bahrain resident, who lost in excess of BD850 to the scammers, even threatened his bank of filing a criminal complaint with courts, for the formers alleged inability to carry out a probe into the matter.

Now, it has been over four months. And so far, no effort is seen to have been taken in the matter by the bank to recover my hard-earned money from the people who looted it, says Ajesh in a letter written to the CEO of the bank.

Earlier, speaking to The Daily Tribune, Ali Beshara, the Head of Information Security and Risk Management at The BENEFIT Company, attributed the rise in online fund transfer scams to lack of alertness from the part of users.

Mr Beshara also pointed out that this kind of cybercrime involves social engineering - a term used by information security professionals to describe the action from the part of hackers, who deploy their highest social engineering skills to get information, which is supposed to be kept secret, private and never shared, from their victims.
Agencies | Florida

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Spurring business cooperation between Bahrain and the State of Florida of the United states was the main theme of a meeting held between Bahrain Chambers first vice-chairman Khalid Najibi and the Acting Florida State Secretary of Commerce Marc Adler, held at the Bahrain Chambers headquarters today (9th June 2022).

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Najibi expressed the keenness of the Bahrain Chamber on expanding business cooperation with the United states, by venturing in the American market, as well as attracting quality U.S investments that add value to the Bahraini economy and contribute to creating job opportunities. Mr. Najibi encouraged U.S companies to explore opportunities in Bahrain, particularly in the Aluminum industry, solar energy and renewable energy, and education, citing the many incentives foreign investors and business owners can benefit from, including the recently launched U.S Free Trade Zone, the competitive cost of doing business, the advanced infrastructure, and the high quality of life. Mr. Najibi also underlined the importance of capitalizing on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed between the United States and the Kingdom of Bahrain, and eliminating all hurdles curbing trade.

From his side, Mr. Adler spoke about the unique opportunities in Florida and the prospect of Business cooperation between Bahrain and Florida, particularly in light of the keenness between both sides on stepping-up cooperation and achieving mutual economic gains. He voiced the eagerness of the business community in Florida to liaise with their counterparts from Bahrain and explore lucrative business and partnership opportunities.
UW Extension, Partners Launch Summer Internship for Beginning Ranchers, Farmers

University of Wyoming Extension, in partnership with local producers and UWs College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, has launched an internship program for beginning ranchers and farmers.

The GrowinG Internship Program is intended to help beginning farmers and ranchers gain meaningful experience in agriculture by providing hands-on internships at working farms and ranches. The GrowinG project operates in cooperation with state producer organizations and educational institutions.

Partners include the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation, Wyoming Wool Growers Association and Wyoming Crop Improvement Association, as well as Wyoming FFA and 4-H.

So far, seven interns have been paired with agricultural businesses at various locations across the state.

Eligible applicants are individuals 18 years or older who identify as ready to begin farming or have been involved in farming or ranching for less than 10 years. Applications are still being accepted for candidates interested in joining this summers program.

The interns work with the site hosts to establish start and end dates once a stipend has been awarded. Interns spend about 90 days on a host farm or ranch, learning from the manager and others while assisting with daily activities such as branding, fencing and irrigating.

Taking part in at least one agricultural educational event, such as a UW Extension workshop or the Wyoming Stock Growers Association convention, within the time frame of the internship also is expected.

Throughout the internship, participants are required to document their learning experiences.

Work summaries are required weekly and are rolling in fast, now that the internships have begun, says John Hewlett, project co-coordinator and ranching/farming specialist at UW.

Weekly work summaries will help the intern reflect on day-to-day work and educational experiences throughout the duration of the internship, says Ben Rashford, head of the UW Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics and one of the project coordinators. Summaries will be posted to the project site to help others understand the benefits of participation.

Recent posts include a report on holistic resource management and a reflection on what it means to run an agricultural operation in the Machine Age.

GrowinG interns who also are degree-seeking students are encouraged to seek academic credit for participating in the GrowinG Internship Program. Academic credit must be arranged in advance between the student and an academic adviser with the granting educational institution.

Online application forms for interns and hosts are available at www.GrowinG-WY.org. The project website also offers links to a collection of monthly articles and resources intended to help beginning farmers and ranchers meet the challenges of getting started in agriculture.

For more information, visit www.GrowinG-WY.org.
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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.
European Parliament (EP) response to China's Xinjiang province's persistent human rights violations, calling them "crimes against humanity and severe risk of genocide"

European Parliament (EP) adopted its harshest language yet in response to Chinas Xinjiang provinces persistent egregious human rights violations, calling them crimes against humanity and severe risk of genocide.

The Uyghur population in the Peoples Republic of China has been relentlessly persecuted by ruthless tactics such as mass deportation, political indoctrination, family separation, religious freedom limitations, cultural devastation, and pervasive use of surveillance, the EP says.

Additional sanctions, according to the EP, should be imposed on Chinese high-ranking officials such as Chen Quanguo, Zhao Kezhi, Guo Shengkun, and Hu Lianhe. They urged the remaining EU members to suspend extradition arrangements with China and Hong Kong.

An import ban on all products made with forced labour, as well as products made by all Chinese enterprises classified as employing forced labour, is also on the Parliaments list of measures to be adopted, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC).

Finally, the EP sought the release of the long-awaited report on human rights violations in Xinjiang by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

IPAC, an international cross-party group of legislators, praised the European Parliaments strong and united voice and expressed optimism that the European Commission and member states will heed the call to action.

After the resolution was passed IPAC Co-Chair Reinhard Butikofer MEP remarked, The Chinese governments assertion that its so-called vocational training centres are for re-education purposes has been exposed as a lie by the Xinjiang Police Files. These publications add to a growing amount of evidence that the Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minorities in China are subjected to totalitarian repression.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights report into the atrocities taking place in the region must be released as soon as possible, and the EU can lead the way in holding those responsible for these practices accountable, he added.
K T Rama Rao, is in support of polices plan to approach the Juvenile Justice Board to try the minor accused of rape as an adult

Hyderabad Police Department would request a waiver in the event of gang rape so that young individuals are not tried as adults. Six people have been charged, four of them are under the age of 18 and one will be turning 18. The adult suspect in the tragic teen gang-rape case in Hyderabad was handed over to the police on Wednesday by a municipal court. The other five suspects, all of whom were minors, were also wanted by the authorities.

Meanwhile, Telangana Rashtra Samithis leader, K T Rama Rao, has come in support of polices plan to approach the Juvenile Justice Board to try the minor accused of rape as an adult.

If you are adult enough to commit a crime as horrific as rape, you must also be punished as an adult & not as a child, KTR posted on Twitter.

A police official revealed on Wednesday that they have also demanded custody of the children and that a petition has been filed with the appropriate juvenile board for this purpose.

Last month, six persons were detained in connection with the gang rape of a teenage girl in this city. However, five of the six accused are juveniles.

The perpetrators of the heinous crime, according to Commissioner Anand, have been charged under stringent sections of the law. According to him, the sections consequences might include life in prison or perhaps the death penalty. To hear the case, a special court would be convened.
Cindy, Cecilia and Abigail Escobedo, from left, throw their caps into the air while posing for a portrait wearing their graduation outfits at their home May 22 in Covina, Calif.
Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for a number of development projects in Gujarat today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Gujarats progress on Friday, calling the states tremendous development in the last two decades its pride.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for a number of development projects in Gujarat totaling Rs 3,050 crores today.

According to PM Modi, the administration has prioritized the poors upliftment during the last eight years.

Our government has placed the uttermost emphasis on the welfare of the poor, on giving basic services to the poor, in the last eight years, following the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, he continued.

PM Modi attended the Gujarat Gaurav Abhiyan in Navsari today during his visit to Gujarat.

According to the Prime Ministers Office, these projects would assist improve the regions water supply while also increasing connections and making life easier.

He will open the AM Naik Healthcare Complex and Nirali Multi-Specialty Hospital in Navsari later that day.

Modi will further launch the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) headquarters in Bopal, Ahmedabad, on Friday to promote privatization in the space industry.

IN-SPACe will be the nodal organization for allowing non-government private enterprises to use Department of Space-owned facilities and ensuring their engagement in the space industry. As approved by the Union Cabinet in June 2020, it would be a single-window nodal body that will permit and monitor space activities such as the development of launch vehicles and satellites.
Two years after the federal government blocked Edgewells plan to buy shaving industry upstart Harrys, the consumer products company has launched its first startup brand since moving its headquarters to Shelton in 2019.

Fieldtrip is a lotion and cleanser line that does not focus on any one gender identity in its marketing, and which evokes the ethic of sustainability that is gaining traction across consumer products. Edgewell Personal Care CEO Rod Little said it is the companys first success developing a brand in house, having relied on acquisitions to add new products in the past.

Little spoke Friday in Shelton at the annual meeting of the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, which has about 500 members in Shelton, Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Beacon Falls. Through Schick, Edge, Banana Boat, Hawaiian Tropic, Playtex and several other brands, Edgewell is a familiar name in many households if the corporate moniker does not ring a bell for many.

Little says Fieldtrip was created by the corporate team leading its Jack Black line of skin products for men  a team comprised entirely of women, he noted. Edgewell is pledging 5 percent of Fieldtrips annual sales to the Retreet initiative of the Stamford-based nonprofit Keep America Beautiful, which dispatches teams to plant trees replacing those lost in hurricanes and other natural disasters.

Edgewell earned $23 million in the first three months of this year, as revenue rose 5 percent from a year earlier to $547 million. Little said the company recently edged Kimberly-Clark as the No. 2 player for feminine hygiene products after Procter & Gamble, while allowing it has a long way to go to catch the Gillette line of P&G for shaving products.

Were No. 1 or 2 everywhere we play, which is a really important position, Little said Friday. Theres a focus on health and wellness that has come on since the pandemic.

In May 2019, the company attempted to close the Gillette gap with an offer valued at nearly $1.4 billion to acquire Harrys, just five years after its launch. The Federal Trade Commission sued to block the deal, asserting Harrys has benefited consumers as a third competitor to Gillette and Edgewells Schick line of shavers, helping keep prices in check.

Edgewell hired Little in 2018 to head finance, then promoted him to CEO the following year after the departure of predecessor David Hatfield who is co-CEO today of a San Francisco cloud security developer called Lacework.

Edgewells shares are down 20 percent since Littles elevation to CEO, trading at $35.35 on Friday afternoon. Over the same period, Procter & Gamble shares are up 44 percent to above $142 during afternoon trading on Friday.

Little said it was his decision to move Edgewells headquarters to Shelton after the companys 2015 spinout from Energizer Holdings based in St. Louis. He said the decision was based partly on his own preference to live in Connecticut, and existing ties of a few Edgewell products to the area  notably Schick in Milford but also Playtex which was based in Westport before Energizer acquired it in 2007.

In Shelton, Edgewells headquarters is across the street from Bics main office in North America, but the companies do not classify each other as direct competitors given Bics focus on disposable razors.

Little said the company has added some new employees in other locales like Chicago, Dallas and Seattle, given the opportunities for remote working that the pandemic brought mainstream. To help employees during the pandemic, the company took a few extra measures like required days off for all, so that no one person felt like they were falling behind colleagues, allowing for a true day away. And Edgewell instituted a ban on Friday meetings to allow people to get caught up on existing priorities ahead of the weekend.

Were very virtual, very dispersed  I actually think it helps people like us compete against the Procters & Gambles and the Unilevers, Little said. Were more productive than weve ever been, our results are better than they have ever been.

Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman
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Next Friday, June 17, will be the 50th anniversary of the Watergate burglary.

I started college three months later. My freshman counselor was a guy named Garry Trudeau. His strip Doonesbury was already in syndication. I had been admiring it in the Hartford Times. He somehow thought it was good idea to live in a dorm room in our entryway.

Garry probably convinced himself this would help him stay in touch with the impudent energy that informed his work, but, in reality, he bought a zoo full of nerds. Science nerds, politics nerds, comic book nerds, jazz nerds.

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Doonesbury and Watergate were made for each other. A young satirist with a keen eye for foibles and a White House operating as a round-the-clock foible factory.

In the spring of 1973, we were invited up to Trudeaus quarters. A sign proclaimed: HALDEMAN ERLICHMAN DEAN KLEINDIENST RESIGN! COME WATCH THE PRESIDENT EXPLAIN WHY  9 P.M.  TELEVISION AT THE COUNSELORS ROOM. My friend Scott  who turned out to have been preserving our college lives with a zeal that would put many curators to shame  still has a photo of the sign, with that thrillingly sharp-edged lettering youd recognize anywhere. Im not sure Garry even knows what a lower-case letter is.

Around the same time, one of Trudeaus strips was spiked by the Washington Post (of all places!) and several other newspapers. The strip featured Mark Slackmeyer, host of a college radio show, talking about former Nixon administration Attorney General John Mitchell. In the penultimate panel, Mark says, It would be a disservice to Mr. Mitchell and his character to prejudge the man, but everything known to date could lead one to conclude hes guilty.

The last frame found Slackmeyer looking straight out at the reader, his eyes dilated with a rabid, manic glee. Thats guilty! Guilty, guilty, guilty!

Too much for the Post. They lowered the boom, with an accompanying column headlined, A Comic Strip Is Not a Court. This was a moment when political satire was moving out of cellar comedy clubs and coffee houses and into mainstream media, but it was not yet a comfortable fit. CBS had canceled The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in 1969, for similar reasons.

Guilty, guilty, guilty! became probably the most famous single Doonesbury strip and the title of one of Trudeaus collections. Watergate and Nixon essentially strangled the very notion that led to the spiking  that whole idea of White House weasels being entitled to the benefit of the doubt.

By the time we got the tapes and absorbed the full depravity, the idea of errant pols being entitled to anything more than three hots and a cot went out the window.

The great Russell Baker wrote, Watergate left Washington a city ravaged by honesty.

The anniversary and the new hearings on Jan. 6 have dovetailed ominously. The old story is still providing a vocabulary and narrative structure for the new. Who will be the John Dean of the hearings? What will be the smoking gun?

Most of the old lessons dont fit anymore, but one observation, from Michael Schudsons superb book Watergate in American Memory still looms: Watergate was a story narrated more than an experience lived. His point was that Americans grasp wars, high prices and gas shortages better

Nothing has changed on that front. What has changed most, of course, is the Republican party.

In 1974, the person who sealed Nixons fate was U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater. Images of Goldwater in the public consciousness toggled between staunch conservative and wild-eyed missile-fondling nut. But he had principles he wasnt willing to trade in for the sake of his party. If he lived today, co-presidents-in-exile Trump and Carlson would be calling him a RINO.

The same month Trudeaus strip got spiked, Goldwater had begun complaining to his friends and colleagues about the stink of the scandal and, especially, the lies. Another 15 months passed before Goldwater took the long walk to the White House to tell Nixon to resign. It wasnt the only bell tolling doom. All the Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee favored impeachment.

But Goldwater was like Shane. Hed walk alone into the gunfight and ride out of town bleeding, if thats what it took. I guess you could say Liz Cheney does the same thing nowadays and with a hell of a lot less support from the townsfolk.

Most people cant summarize Watergate, even those who lived through it. It was worse, more pervasive, than most people remember, but it was a Teletubbies episode compared to what were going to be looking at this week. A violent attack on the Capitol, spurred on, countenanced and minimized by one political party.

One of the persistent sayings from Watergate was, Its not the crime; its the cover-up. In the days ahead, think: Its not the evil-doing; its the excuse-making.

But its also the evil-doing.

Colin McEnroes column appears every Sunday, his newsletter comes out every Thursday and you can hear his radio show every weekday on WNPR 90.5. Email him at colin@ctpublic.org. Sign up for his free newsletter at http://bit.ly/colinmcenroe.
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WALLINGFORD  Police are investigating and offering a reward for information after a memorial to military veterans in Dutton Park was vandalized twice in recent days.

This memorial is to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect the freedoms we enjoy on a daily basis. The deliberate and disgraceful attack on the memory of these heroes will not be tolerated nor will the hateful rhetoric that members of the Wallingford Community have been exposed to, Wallingford Police Chief John Ventura said in an email.
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SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador (AP)  Since the late 1990s, El Salvador has had a complete ban on abortion including in cases of rape, incest, fetal malformation or danger to a pregnant womans life.

Not only planned abortions but also miscarriages, stillbirths and other pregnancy complications can sometimes result in prosecution and lengthy prison terms. Often women who end up being targeted by authorities are poor and live in rural areas.

The Associated Press spoke with several women who served time in such cases. Some belong to Mujeres Libres  Spanish for free women  which offers support such as job assistance and small business workshops, and others to the nonprofit Citizen Group for the Decriminalization of Abortion.

Some asked to be identified by only their first names out of concerns over privacy, possible reprisals and the societal stigma surrounding abortion; one is a victim of sexual assault.

Here are their stories:

CINTHIA

Cinthia Rodriguez, 33, had a stillbirth at home in 2008. Her family called an ambulance but instead a police patrol took her to a hospital, where she was handcuffed to a gurney. Officers told her she was under arrest for allegedly inducing an abortion. She was later charged with aggravated homicide and sentenced to 30 years in prison.

My dreams were to study, to work, to help my family, to take care of my baby, she said. All of that was thwarted when I heard, 30 years. My world stopped.

In prison, guards advised her not to reveal why she had been convicted. When other inmates found out, they beat her up. They used to call us the baby killers, she recalled.

A tattoo on her hand reminds her of the date in 2014 when her father died while she was behind bars. She was released after 11 years when a court commuted her sentence in 2019.

Rodriguez hopes that telling her story publicly may help other women win their freedom and help bring about an end to the country's strict abortion policy.

As she spoke, two friends who also served time in similar cases played with her young daughter.

Im always going to be there supporting her, Rodriguez said. And I also hope she joins me and my friends in this struggle. I hope shes a courageous, independent woman  like her mom.

ZULEYMA

Zuleyma Beltran was expecting a second child in 1999 when she felt an intense pain and fainted. She lost the pregnancy. Police suspected abortion and interrogated her aggressively. She was ultimately convicted of aggravated homicide and sentenced to 26 years.

Its a lifetime, she said. I used to say to myself, Im never going to leave this place.

While in prison, one of her sisters took in her toddler daughter. The girl hardly recognized Beltran when she was released more than a decade later.

Beltran struggled to find a job at first and felt stigmatized, but her daughter encouraged her to persist. They fixed up a cart and sold hot dogs on the streets of the capital, San Salvador,

She taught me a lot about how to face the world, she said. The daughter recently died at age 22.

Beltran joined Mujeres Libres years ago.

We cry, we laugh, we talk about everything weve gone through, she said.

Today she lives with another daughter, 8, at a house where the group meets. She sells perfume to get by, and dreams of owning a business.

I want to show people that we can make it even though we've had a huge obstacle, Beltran said.

MARIANA

Mariana Lopez was imprisoned in 2000 after losing her pregnancy and being arrested on suspicion of having an abortion. She was ultimately convicted of aggravated homicide and served 17 years before her 25-year sentence was commuted.

When she went to jail, she was already mother to a 4-year-old son. He is now 26. Since her release, she has been unable to repair their relationship.

Theres resentment, Lopez said. The fact that he didnt live a normal life has been really tough.

She lives with her mother and 7-year-old daughter in a modest home northwest of San Salvador. She learned how to bake bread in prison, and now earns a living selling baguettes that she prepares every day before dawn. One day she hopes to own her own bakery.

Her daughter takes violin lessons at Mujeres Libres. Recently the women and children in the group traveled to the beach in what has become an annual tradition.

We see it as a family, Lopez said. We see each other as sisters, because it was a family when our own blood was not around.

KAREN

Karen was 21 and pregnant when she fainted alone in her grandmothers home. She woke up handcuffed to a hospital gurney. She was convicted in 2015 and given 30 years for aggravated homicide for allegedly terminating her pregnancy.

They told me that I was a murderer and that I was going to pay for what I had done, she said, that I was going to rot in jail.

In prison, other inmates told Karen she didnt deserve to live. She served seven years before being released last December.

Today she tries to make up for lost time by playing soccer with her 14-year-old son and cooking his favorite meals, refried beans and fried plantains.

I never lost faith in God that I would recover my freedom, because I was innocent, Karen said. And I asked God every day to reunite me with my son.

CINDY

Cindys son, Justin, was 4 when she was imprisoned in 2014 after a stillbirth in a shopping mall bathroom. It would be four years before she saw him again.

At the time she was studying tourism and taking English lessons. But all that was put on hold.

What I reflect on the most is the losses, she said. Everything is lost. ... How are you going to start over? How are you going to recover time with your family?

Today she lives with her son and parents and is back in school. She and her mother make pinatas for children's birthdays. She crafted one in the form of a dinosaur for Justin, who wants to be a paleontologist when he grows up.

Cindy hopes to work for a tourism agency and resume her English clashes. Mother and son dream of traveling abroad together.

To forget everything, Cindy said, to start again in a new place.

IMELDA

Imelda says she was repeatedly raped from age 8 to 18 by her mothers partner and became pregnant by him. In 2017 she unexpectedly gave birth to the baby in a latrine and then lost consciousness.

The child survived, but Imelda was accused of attempted murder due to the circumstances of the birth. She was freed from prison in 2018 after a court determined that she had not tried to kill the baby.

Since her release she has been studying to become a nurse. She firmly believes that a woman should not be forced to carry to term a fetus conceived by rape.

What young girl is going to want to be a mother? Theyre innocent, said Imelda, now 24. Those 10-year-old girls who are raped, what they really want is to play, to study. Ive always wanted to study, not be a mother."

___

Associated Press writer Marcos Aleman in San Salvador contributed to this report.

___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
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TOKYO (AP)  Japan on Friday eased its borders for foreign tourists and began accepting visa applications, but only for those on guided package tours who are willing to follow mask-wearing and other antivirus measures as the country cautiously tries to balance business and infection worries.

Friday is the first day to start procedures needed for the entry and arrivals are not expected until late June at the earliest, even though airport immigration and quarantine offices stood by for any possible arrivals.

The Japan Tourism Agency says tours are being accepted from 98 countries and regions, including the United States, Britain, China, South Korea, Thailand and Singapore, which are deemed as having low infection risks.

Japans partial resumption of international tourism that was halted during the coronavirus pandemic is being carried out under guidelines based on an experiment conducted in late May. It involved about 50 participants, mostly tour agency employees from Australia, Singapore, Thailand and the United States.

In one case, a tour for a four-member group was cancelled when one of the participants tested positive for COVID-19 after arriving in Japan.

We expect the resumption of inbound tourism will help stimulate the local economy, Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Tetsuo Saito told reporters Friday. We will continue to make effort to recover demand for tourism while balancing anti-infection measures and social and economic activities.

Under the guidelines, participants are requested to wear face masks most of the time and to purchase insurance to cover medical costs in case they contract COVID-19. The rules don't set a cap for the number of people in one group, but tour guides must be present throughout the tour.

After facing criticism that its strict border controls were xenophobic, Japan began easing restrictions earlier this year. On June 1, it doubled its cap on daily entries to 20,000 people a day, including Japanese citizens, foreign students and some business travelers.

The daily limit will include the package tour participants for the time being, and officials say it will take some time before foreign visitors can come to Japan for free, individual tourism.

Business groups based in Japan representing the Group of Seven countries and European Union, in a joint statement Friday, welcomed Japan's gradual resumption of foreign tourism, but call on the government to to further ease border control measures to facilitate an environment where people, goods, money and digital technologies can move freely, thus advancing Japans economic growth.

They called on Japan to follow examples of other G-7 countries and resume individual tourism, eliminate testing at airports, lift the daily entry cap and resume international flights at more than a dozen regional airports.

Japan's inbound tourism business has lain dormant during the pandemic and even though the country welcomes tourists and their spending, infection concerns persist among Japanese, especially in popular tourist destinations.

Unlike most Western countries where mask-wearing has largely been abandoned, most people continue to wear them even in situations, such as outdoors in uncrowded settings, where they are no longer requested.

Japan is still reporting more than 10,000 new COVID-19 cases daily, though the number in Tokyo is below 2,000.

The latest mask wearing rules call for people to wear them on public transport systems, in hospitals and other public facilities. People can doff their masks outdoors when others are not around or talking loudly.

It's unclear how popular the package tours options will be with foreign tourists, most of whom have to apply for tourist visas that can take weeks to obtain. But the yen is trading at 20-year lows against the U.S. dollar and weak against other major currencies, which would make traveling in the high-cost country something of a bargain.

Foreign tourist arrivals fell more than 90% in 2020 from a record 31.9 million the year before, almost wiping out the pre-pandemic inbound tourism market of more than 4 trillion yen ($30 billion).
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CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP)  The flood of disinformation that is spread and amplified on social media represents a threat to fragile democracies, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said during the keynote speech at Harvard University's commencement on Thursday, exhorting graduates to do their part of fight it.

In a disinformation age we need to learn how to analyze and critique information, said Ardern, 41, who became New Zealands youngest prime minister in more than 150 years when she was first elected in 2017.

You are and always will be surrounded by bias, she said during Harvard's first in-person commencement exercises since 2019. You will continue to be exposed to misinformation and over time the noise you are surrounded by will probably only get worse. And perhaps that is why when your own Constitution was adopted, Benjamin Franklin was asked what has been created and he replied, quote A republic if you can keep it.

If YOU can keep it, she added for emphasis.

The gunman who killed 51 Muslim worshippers at two Christchurch mosques in 2019 was radicalized on online, and the attack was livestreamed on social media, she noted.

The time has come for social media companies and other online providers to recognize their power and act on it, she said. That means upholding their own basic terms of service. That means recognizing the role they play in constantly curating and shaping the online environments were in.

She vowed to change New Zealands gun laws after the attacks, and less than a month later all but one of the countrys 120 lawmakers voted in favor of banning assault weapons.

Ardern has also drawn praise for her work to fight climate change, promote gender equity and contain the coronavirus. She became only the second world leader to give birth while in office, and became a role model for working mothers around the world.

She went on to win a second term in a landslide election in 2020.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP)  A roadside historical marker installed less than a year ago to honor a gay rights pioneer has been removed after a state senator raised concerns with Pennsylvania's state history agency about the man's 30-year-old memories of an early sexual encounter with another boy.

The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission had the marker in honor of Richard Schlegel taken down June 3 from its location outside his former home, a block from the Capitol in downtown Harrisburg.

The decision came about six months after state Sen. John DiSanto, R-Dauphin, wrote to say Schlegel's remarks in a lengthy piece about his life were reprehensible and would be considered criminal, regardless of sexual orientation.

The commission's action and DiSanto's letter were first reported by Pennlive.com.

Schlegel, who died in 2006 at age 79, is a former state highway department official who founded the Harrisburg region's first LGBTQ group. His unsuccessful effort to overturn his firing from an earlier federal job based on his sexual identity ended when the U.S. Supreme Court declined to take the case in 1970.

DiSanto said Tuesday he was alerted by a constituent about Schlegel's comments in a 1993 personal history posted online that Schlegel provided to the Philadelphia LGBT History Project.

I think it demonstrates a history of him grooming young boys and being involved in pedophilia and sex acts throughout that, including ultimately helping to operate a magazine with young nudes and things like that, DiSanto said.

The state Historical and Museum Commission has been seeking more markers about previously underrepresented people and groups, offering financial support for the markers if their subjects concern women, Hispanics, Latinos and Asian Americans, or if they are about Black and LGBTQ history outside Philadelphia.

He is certainly an important figure in the context of Pennsylvania, said Barry Loveland, chair of the history project at the LGBT Center of Central Pennsylvania. He was the driving force behind the application to honor Schlegel. There were very few leaders, if you will, at that time  people who were willing to stick their neck out and actually have their name known.

Schlegel was fired in July 1961 from a civilian job with the Armys transportation office in Hawaii after his sexual activities surfaced during an investigation to qualify for a top secret clearance.

He appealed his firing for immoral and indecent conduct to the U.S. Court of Claims, which upheld the dismissal on grounds that his sexual orientation in a government job would inevitably make the agency less efficient.

Any schoolboy knows that a homosexual act is immoral, indecent, lewd and obscene, a claims court judge wrote in ruling against him in October 1969. Adult persons are even more conscious that this is true.

In the personal history told to scholar Marc Stein, now a history professor at San Francisco State University, Schlegel recalled how he was subsequently hired in 1963 under then-Gov. Bill Scranton to fix a highways department fiscal and budgetary situation and give the governor greater control over the department.

He was forced to resign two years later after postal inspectors informed his supervisors about mail he was getting for the Janus Society, an educational, social and advocacy group founded in Philadelphia during the early 1960s by gay and lesbian activists.

The marker called Schlegel a trail-blazing activist whose job discrimination case produced key arguments that were valuable in later decisions.

DiSanto's December letter to the commission described a section of the interview with Stein in which Schlegel recalled a sexual experience he had with a neighbor boy while living on a farm in Milroy, a small town some 20 miles (32 kilometers) east of State College. Schlegel's account suggests he sexually touched the boy when he was 16 and the other boy was 11 or 12.

Schlegel may not have anticipated that his interview with Stein would end up available to anyone over the internet. He described his sexual history in frank terms, recalled controversies regarding gay publications in which he played a role, recounted his interactions with other prominent figures in Philadelphia gay culture in the '60s and 70s and related other stories from his personal and work life.

Schlegel described how some of his acquaintances would photograph nude underage boys. In some cases, he said, he scolded them but at other times he described them to Stein sympathetically.

When Stein said some of the photos he had seen in Gay International magazine were of quite young boys, Schlegel agreed.

Young, young, young, he told Stein. Of course, there wasn't this national or international obsession with molesting kids at that point.

A close friend of his faced criminal charges for taking photos of an underage boy at a home in rural Perry County in the late 1960s. Schlegel said he tried to intervene through the county prosecutor but it did not help his friend's case.

The kid didnt seem to object, but that didnt make any difference, Schlegel told Stein. I mean Bob simply had no defense. He was convicted."

Stein said in an interview this week that he was dismayed by the commission's decision and expressed doubt that the commission or DiSanto properly understood the legal and historical context in which Schlegel's decisions and actions occurred.

He said DiSanto's charge that Schlegel's actions were criminal was made without doing sufficient homework to really establish that.

As for the commission, he expressed doubts that their action in Schlegel's case followed consistent rules.

So have they investigated every person on a historical marker in Pennsylvania to make sure that they never did something reprehensible for which they never expressed remorse?" Stein said.

Loveland said he and the LGBT Center of Central Pennsylvania are considering the commission's offer to submit another nomination. But he said they are unsure how to accomplish that while excluding Schlegel, because his legal case provided the national importance to justify a marker.
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EAST HAVEN  Police conducted a welfare check at a local home months before discovering the body of a man who is believed to have died in April 2021, an official said Friday.

Police said the death of the man, William Auger, was not reported to authorities until this week  more than a year after he died. The death came to light Tuesday, after a funeral home notified police about a call from someone asking about arrangements for a person who died in April 2021.

On Nov. 24, 2021, police conducted a welfare check at the home at the request of family members, East Haven Police Capt. Joseph Murgo said. Murgo said the mans adult son told officers his father had died.

When officers were greeted at the door, [the son] stated his father had died, Murgo said Friday.

Since the person police were asking about was in his 90s, hearing that he had died did not raise their suspicion, Murgo said.

As a result, police did not have enough information to enter the home and conduct a search, Murgo said.

Murgo said Augers son informed police he was estranged from his family and asked officers to notify them about his fathers death.

It is quite common for families who are estranged from each other to learn of the passing of a family member through a third party, who are often times the police after conducting welfare checks, Murgo said.

Because of a private citizens expectation of privacy at their residence, not every welfare check warrants a full, comprehensive search of a house, he added. In this case, the officers felt it was reasonable learning that someone in their 90s had died in the two years since his family had last had contact with him.

Police were alerted to the body on Tuesday when the East Haven Memorial Funeral Home reported receiving a phone call from someone asking about burials and cremations. The caller told the funeral home they were asking about arrangements for a person who died in April 2021, Murgo said.

As police were trying to identify the person who called the funeral home, dispatchers received a call from Augers son asking to have a coroner come to the home.

Murgo said police found Augers body in an upstairs bedroom in advanced stages of decomposition. Investigators confirmed he died in April 2021.

The state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said Friday an autopsy was conducted, but the cause and manner of death are pending further investigation.

Murgo said Friday the death is still under investigation. He said they are waiting for the medical examiners findings, but police do not believe foul play was involved.

Murgo noted the son cooperated fully with police and admitted to living with his father's body upstairs.

However, Murgo said criminal charges could be pending for not immediately reporting the death.
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SALEM, Ore. (AP)  When Raevahnna Richardson spotted a woman standing outside a library in Salem, Oregon, gathering signatures for a gun-safety initiative, she made a beeline to her and added her name.

I signed it to keep our kids safe, because something needs to change. I have a kid thats going to be in first grade this upcoming season, and I dont want her to have to be scared at school, Richardson said.

To keep our kids safe. It's something so many parents across the United States are worried about after the horrific massacre of 19 children and two teachers in Uvalde, Texas. That mass shooting has given the Oregon ballot initiative huge momentum, with the number of volunteers doubling to 1,200 and signatures increasing exponentially, organizers said.

With the U.S. Senate unlikely to pass a red flag bill and the majority of state legislatures having taken no action on gun safety in recent years, or moving in the opposite direction, activists see voter-driven initiatives as a viable alternative.

To get really strong action at this moment in time, its going to take people in a democracy to exercise that democratic right to get on the ballot and get it voted for, said the Rev. Mark Knutson, a chief petitioner of the Oregon initiative.

Oregon appears to be the only state in America with a gun safety initiative underway for the 2022 election, according to Sean Holihan, state legislative director for Giffords, an organization dedicated to saving lives from gun violence.

If the initiative gets on the ballot and it passes, anyone wanting to acquire a firearm would first have to get a permit, valid for five years, from local law enforcement after completing safety training, passing a criminal background check and meeting other requirements. The measure would ban ammunition magazines over 10 rounds, except for current owners, law enforcement and the military, and the state police would create a firearms database.

The age range of those gathering signatures from registered voters runs from middle-schoolers to a 94-year-old, Knutson said. Volunteers are ensconced in a room at Augustana Lutheran Church in Portland, sorting through baskets of envelopes containing mailed-in signatures.

The National Rifle Association's Institute for Legislative Action has already come out strongly against the initiative, saying on its website that these anti-gun citizens are coming after YOU, the law-abiding firearm owners of Oregon, and YOUR guns. They dont care about the Constitution, your right to keep and bear arms, or your God-given right of self-defense.

Knutson says the effort in Oregon can start to build hope across the nation for others to do the same."

Voters in two predominantly Democratic neighboring states have already passed gun safety ballot measures.

In 2018, Washington state voters approved restrictions on the purchase and ownership of firearms, including raising the minimum purchasing age to 21, adding background checks and increasing waiting periods. In 2016, voters there overwhelmingly approved a measure authorizing courts to issue extreme risk protection orders to remove an individuals access to firearms.

California voters in 2016 passed a measure prohibiting the possession of large-capacity ammunition magazines and requiring certain individuals to pass a background check to buy ammunition.

The same year, voters in Maine narrowly defeated a proposal to require background checks before a gun sale.

Daniel Webster, co-director of the Center for Gun Violence Solutions at Johns Hopkins University, said ballot initiatives are a great way to advance gun policies that are popular.

But I honestly dont know how much one states ballot initiative affects the likelihood of other states taking action, he added.

The Oregon initiative needs to deliver at least 112,080 registered voters signatures  verified by the secretary of states office  by July 8 to get on the ballot, Knutson said. By this week, more than 52,000 signatures were received by the campaign. Knutson is already planning to have teenagers travel to the secretary of states office in Salem aboard school buses to deliver boxes of sheets of signatures.

Meanwhile, pro-gun activists are also using ballot initiatives to protect what they see as their Second Amendment rights.

In 2020, Montana voters narrowly approved a ballot measure to remove local governments authority to regulate the carrying of permitted concealed weapons and to limit their authority to regulate the carrying of unconcealed weapons.

Voters in Iowa this November will decide whether to add gun rights language to their state constitution, after majority Republicans in the Legislature passed a resolution last year that got it onto the ballot, with no signature-gathering required.

Opponents said if the Iowa measure passes, courts might wind up striking down restrictions on gun background checks, permits required to carry a gun, and a ban on gun possession by people convicted of a felony.

An initiative in Nebraska, one of several there this year, would allow concealed or open-carry weapons to be carried in public places. And in Washington state, an initiative would prohibit state and local governments imposing limits on purchasing and owning firearms.
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The Westport Museum for History and Culture will commemorate Juneteenth with a virtual program from 7 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday that will feature the Chronicles of Adam living historian Dontavius Williams as Adam, a blacksmith enslaved in the antebellum South.

The event is free, but registration is required at https://app.donorview.com/qo8ml.

Contact marketing@westporthistory.org for more information.

Reborn event to be at Green's Farms Church

The Greens Farms Church in Westport will have a reborn event with a family festival and ribbon cutting on Sunday to celebrate its 311th birthday and restoration.

The event begins with a ribbon cutting at 9:30 a.m. followed by a service in the historic meetinghouse at 10 a.m. and family festival at 11 a.m.

Everyone is welcome to the event that will also have cake, ice cream and lawn games.

Westport historian Peter Jennings will share stories in the centuries-old graveyard.

The church is located at 71 Hillandale Road in Westport.

Contact Greens Farms Church Operations Director Claire England at 347-573-1305, or claire@greensfarmschurch.org for more information about the church, volunteer opportunities, K-8 Sunday School, activities and service opportunities for teens, adult education, or the nursery school at the church.

Westport Womans Club Yankee Doodle Fair to return

The Westport Womans Clubs Yankee Doodle Fair will return this month. It will be from 6 to 10 p.m. on June 16 and June 17, 1 to 10 p.m. on June 18 and 1 to 5 p.m. on June 19 at 44 Imperial Ave. in Westport.

The fair will once again feature a bake sale, a raffle, live music, sand art carnival rides and games. Food and drinks will be for sale.

Money raised will benefit Westport Womans Club community service grants, need-based scholarships for Staples High School seniors and the Westport Womans Club food closet that works in tandem with the Westport Department of Human Services.

Visit www.westportwomansclub.org for more information, and to join the organization, or call the clubs office at 203-227-4240.

Draft of affordable housing plan available

A draft version of the Town of Westport Affordable Housing Plan, 2022-2027, is available to view on the towns website.

The plan is required by the state. Public forums were held earlier in 2022 with more expected.

A community survey is being conducted because community input is critically important to ensuring that the plan works for Westport, and represents the towns values. It is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/westportaffordablehousing until June 23.

Currently 3.75 percent of the total number of housing units in Westport qualify as affordable, according to information from the town. The percentage is far fewer than the 10 percent Connecticut requires.

Email comments about the draft plan to the attention of the Westport Planning and Zoning Commission at pandz@westportct.gov.

Visit https://www.westportct.gov/government/affordable-housing-plan to stay connected, and find out when the next public forum will be.

Weston Library director to lead UConn Hartford Library

Weston Library Director Karen Tatarka has resigned to accept a position as the director of the UConn Hartford Library.

Her last day will be July 8.

The Weston Library Board of Trustees has formed a search committee to hire a new director.

Dog licenses available in Westport

Westport Town Clerk Jeffrey Dunkerton reminds dog owners that June is dog licensing month.

Licenses covering the term July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, may be obtained online from the town clerks department. Visit the town website to learn how to use the new online portal and get the application.

All dogs over six months old must be licensed.

Fees for dog licenses are $8 for a neutered male or spayed female and $19 for other dogs. Additional fees will apply for online applications. Owners must have the spay, neuter and rabies certificates.

There is a $1 penalty per month for renewal licenses issued after June 30. A $75 infraction will be issued for any non-licensed dog and for any dog not wearing a current dog tag.

People can also apply by mail or at Westport Town Hall, located at 110 Myrtle Ave.

The Town Clerks Office encourages applicants to apply online. Paper applications accompanied by a check payment will still be accepted. Mail or the drop box at the rear of Town Hall are the preferred methods of delivery. Dog licenses can be processed in the Town Clerks Office for people who need in-person assistance.

All certificates will be returned with license, along with a self-addressed stamped return envelope to: Westport Town Clerk, 110 Myrtle Avenue, Westport, CT 06881.

Call 203-341-1110 or visit the town website for more information.

MoCA hosts school visual arts show

The Westport Public Schools visual arts program will share a new art exhibition, SPARK June 12 through 19 at MoCA Westport.

The art exhibition is inspired by the imagination and self expression of Westport students in kindergarten through 12th grade.

The exhibition is in partnership with the art museum, its teen council and the school district.

There will be an opening reception at the art museum on Sunday from noon to 2 p.m.

Staples High School students will be hosting a pottery fundraiser, selling small bowls created by potters at the school.

All funds raised benefit The Open Door Shelter in Norwalk.

Visit mocawestport.org for more information about the art museum and gallery hours.

Visit westportarts.org and staplesart.org for more information about the visual arts at the district.
The immediate past Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio has emerged the Senatorial candidate for Akwa Ibom North West u...





The immediate past Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio has emerged the Senatorial candidate for Akwa Ibom North West under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the 2023 general elections.





The returning officer of the Senatorial primary held Thursday night in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Council of Akwa Ibom, Bunmi Moleye announced that out of the 512 accredited delegates, Akpabio polled 478 votes, while DIG EkpoUdom (Rtd.) and Sir Joseph Akpan scored 3 and 1 votes, respectively.





It was reported that the nomination was held earlier on May 28, but was nullified following petitions bordering on security infractions.





According to the State chairman of the party, Sir Stephen Ntukekpo, who addressed the people before the nomination, the National Working Committee of the party mandated him to conduct a rerun of the election yesterday, adding that he duly informed the aspirants concerned about the exercise.





He said, almost a week ago, a similar excercise was conducted here and as a State chairman, I received a letter from the National Working Committee, indicating with strong words that there are some sufficient and profound infractions in the Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial district.





They mandated us to rerun the same exercise today, on that note, permit me to introduce the committee members carefully selected by the National Working Committee. The five man committee is led by Sir Sylvester Okonkwo as the chairman.





We have about three aspirants in this exercise and they have been informed about the exercise today and they are: Joseph Akpan, DIG Ekpoudom, Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, Godswill Obot Akpabio.





One of the aspirants, Ekperikpe Ekpo, however, withdrew his aspiration and drummed support for Godswill Akpabio, even as he urged his delegates to vote Akpabio, whom he described as his father.





Today, since my father (Akpabio) has joined the race, I plead with all my delegates to identify with him as I return all the delegates to vote for Senator Godswill Akpabio. With that, I have withdrawn my aspiration for the Senatorial seat, he said.





However, DIG Ekpoudom, as well as Sir Joseph Akpan boycotted the primary and have not yet made public the reasons for their action.





Reacting to his victory, Senator Akpabio said, I thank all the delegates across the Senatorial district for finding me worthy to represent you in the Senate.





I pray that you all shall live long to enjoy the fruits of your labour.
The Labour Party (LP) on Friday declared Peter Obi as the partys 2023 presidential flagbearer. The National Secretary, Umar Ibrahim also st...





The Labour Party (LP) on Friday declared Peter Obi as the partys 2023 presidential flagbearer.





The National Secretary, Umar Ibrahim also stated that theres no faction in the platform.





The scribe spoke on Friday in a chat with newsmen in Kaduna, NAN reports.





Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi is the authentic presidential candidate of the party, he said.





Ibrahim informed the public that Obi was duly elected at a convention organised by the leadership of National Chairman, Julius Abure.





He added that the May 30 primary in Asaba, the Delta State capital, was supervised and is recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).





Ibrahim said those talking about factions are foot soldiers of enemies of Nigeria and Nigerians.





The leadership and members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) have recognised and endorsed the candidacy of Obi, he stressed.





Ibrahim insists the LP is accepted by a majority of Nigerians who desire credible political leadership needed to salvage the country.





The party advised citizens not to be distracted but mobilise support for Obi in his quest to liberate Nigeria from the shackles of godfatherism.
The All Progressives Congress, Ghana Chapter, has urged the partys presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, to pick a female as his running mat...





The All Progressives Congress, Ghana Chapter, has urged the partys presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, to pick a female as his running mate.





The Chairman of APC Ghana, Mr Oghenosa Micheletti, who made the appeal in a statement on Friday, recalled that Tinubu, who fielded a female running mate, Mrs Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele ((1999-2003), helped him run a successful government.





Micheletti noted that Tinubus choice of a female as deputy led to the emergence of many women as deputy governors in Lagos State.





The News Agency of Nigeria reports that apart from Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu, who was deputy to former Lagos State Governor, Michael Otedola, from 1992 to 1993, the state has enjoyed having female deputy governors through Tinubus support.





They include Sarah Sosan (2007-2011) Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (2011-2015) and Dr Oluranti Adebule (2015-2019).





NAN also reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission had given the presidential and governorship candidates of the 18 registered political parties eight days to pick and submit the lists of their running mates





INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, gave the directive on Thursday in Abuja, at a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners.





Micheletti who is also the Treasurer of the APC Diaspora Chairmen Forum, congratulated Tinubu on his emergence as APC presidential candidate, adding that the former Lagos State governors candidature would usher in a Nigeria that everyone envisaged.





What this also means is that when Tinubu wins, Nigeria will have its first female vice president that will go down in history.





Tinubus candidature will ensure victory for APC in 2023 and ultimately, the consolidation of President Muhammadu Buharis legacies.





With a female vice-presidential candidate, Tinubu will be the first presidential candidate of a ruling party to do so, and it will usher in the gender balance that some of us advocate for.





Tinubu shall consolidate on infrastructure, confront decisively the insecurity challenges in the country, and address the economy, using a more magnifying Lagos State template for the nation.





According to him, the APC, through its primaries, has again shown Nigerians that it remains a truly progressive party.





The landslide victory of our Leader, Tinubu is an indication that our delegates made the right choice; his popularity and acceptance as the only formidable politician that can guarantee victory for our party in the general election is evident in the wide margin of results at the primaries.





No doubt his track record as a true democrat and impactful leader through the years, is an undeniable factor in his triumph.





The APC Ghana chairman also applauded the partys national chairman, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, for organising a free and fair primary election where the will of the people prevailed.





We appreciate our president, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari for his exemplary leadership, particularly for not imposing any candidate on the party.





We also congratulate all the aspirants for displaying great sportsmanship which has added value to our democratic system.





It is now time to close ranks and unite the party for the tasks ahead. The party leadership must reach out to all aggrieved members especially the aspirants in the contest and their followers, because we are one family that can only win in 2023 with a united front, Micheletti added.





He, therefore, pledged the support of members of the party in Ghana for the APC in the 2023 General Elections.





Tinubu won the APC presidential primary on Wednesday, beating 13 other aspirants to clinch the partys ticket.
The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has directed the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor, to commen...

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has directed the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor, to commence diligent prosecution of the alleged illegal financial dealings involving the immediate past governor, Rotimi Amaechi, Mr. Tonye Cole, Sahara Energy, and others over the sale of state assets.

Wike gave the directive on Friday at the Executive Chamber of Government House, Port Harcourt, after swearing in three new commissioners.

The new commissioners are Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Isaac Kamalu as Commissioner of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning and Dr. George-Kelly, Dakorinama Alabo as Commissioner for Works and Special Projects.

This was contained in a statement issued by Kelvin Ebiri, media aide to Governor Wike in Port Harcourt on Friday.

Attorney General, youre at a critical period where people want to know what the State is going to do with the Judiciary Panel of Inquiry after the Supreme Court judgement on it. Luckily, you came at the right time when we have preferred criminal charges against the former governor (Amaechi), Sahara Energy, Tonye Cole and the rest of them, Wike said.

He said there was a need for Rivers people and the rest of the world to know what actually happened to the $50 million that disappeared from the states account without proof of where it was deployed.

So, you are coming at the right time to take over the matter and to make sure it is prosecuted diligently. I dont want to hear excuses. Let the people see what happened to our money.

The world will see how $50 million Dollar from our account was moved to a company without nothing to show whether there was a business, the governor said.

Meanwhile, Wike also directed Adangor to write a strong-worded protest letter to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission over the harassment of States Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Siminalaye Fubara.

The protest letter to be written to EFCC, Wike said, was predicated on the fact that, recently, its officers attempted to harass and intimidate Fubara, who before his emergence as the PDP governorship candidate, had served as the Accountant General of Rivers State.

The governor said EFCC needs to know that the era of impunity and flagrant disobedience to the rule of law was gone, saying his administration will not accept such behaviour.

He maintained that the attempt to harass the state PDP candidate will not be accepted as the state government will not hesitate to charge the EFCC for contempt.

Wike explained that before now, the Rivers state government had gotten a subsisting court judgment against the EFCC that it cannot investigate the state finances or its officers.

He said there was also another judgment against EFCC by the PDP governorship candidate to enforce his fundamental rights, which have not been set aside.

Rivers State government had a judgment against EFCC since 2007. The court said you (EFCC) have no business in the financial transactions of the (Rivers) State. EFCC has been struggling to set aside that judgement until now. They have not even appealed it, Wike stated.

The governor noted that nobody will accept the use of EFCC in such political period to intimidate persons in order to achieve their skewed political goals.

We are in a political period. People should not think that they will use EFCC to intimidate or manipulate him (Fubara). Nobody will accept that. So you (Attorney General) have to attach the judgment of the candidate against EFCC and send the right signal to them that we are not people that can be cowed, he added.
President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Bola Tinubu for winning the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC). ...

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Bola Tinubu for winning the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos, at the conclusion of the APC presidential primary on Wednesday, polled 1,271 votes to defeat 13 other contenders for the ticket.

In a letter addressed to Tinubu on Thursday, Buhari expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the exercise, and said he was impressed with the former Lagos governors performance.

May I, on behalf of myself and my family, express once again, our warmest congratulations on your recent victory to become the Presidential Candidate of our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). We also extend our congratulations to your lovely wife and entire family, the letter reads.

We were greatly reassured by your impressive margin of victory at the primary elections which demonstrated that our party, through its delegates, was united in its decision to select you as its Presidential flag bearer.

I must also commend you for your measured and inspiring nomination acceptance speech that stressed the need for the party to unite as we move into the campaign season.

Under your wise, experienced, and matured leadership, I have no doubt that this unity will be achieved in short time.

As a party, our successes over the last 7 years are clear for all to see. Significant accomplishments have been achieved in economic diversification, social investments and addressing insecurity and terrorism especially in the North East and South-South and fighting corruption.

Thus, your victory at the APC primaries represent for Nigerians, a source of hope for a future characterised by peace, prosperity and freedom for all.

I look forward to working closely with Your Excellency, your campaign team and the wider APC family to ensure victory for the APC.

Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration and best wishes for your success in the upcoming campaign season and subsequent elections in 2023.

Meanwhile, Tinubu paid a visit to Buhari in Abuja on Thursday.
Police in Ondo State have denied rumours making the rounds that the suspected terrorists, who attacked Owo Catholic Church, have been appr...

Police in Ondo State have denied rumours making the rounds that the suspected terrorists, who attacked Owo Catholic Church, have been apprehended.

Rumours filtered into town on Thursday evening that the perpetrators of the terror attack were nabbed by the combined team of the Nigerian Army, Amotekun Corps and other security agents.

NAN reports that on June 5, terrorists attacked St. Francis Catholic Church, Owaluwa Street, Owo, during church service.

Forty of the 127 persons in the church were killed, leaving 87 survivors out of which 61 are currently on admission in different hospitals and 26 already discharged.

A viral video circulated online indicated that those who perpetrated the terror attack had been arrested.

It was gathered that residents of Owo town besieged the palace of the Olowo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye, to confirm the news of the purported arrest of the suspects on Thursday evening.

Oba Ogunoye, who addressed the crowd in Owo dialect, said he only heard about the news just the way the residents heard it and asked them to remain calm.

A source within the palace of Olowo, who didnt want his name mentioned, said the information was only a rumour.

It was only a rumour. Youths besieged the palace in their thousands when the rumour broke out, but it was discovered to be a false alarm.

Kabiyesi was only trying to hail their doggedness as he told them that, I heard the rumour like you too, admonishing them to be patient to authenticate it.

But it was later discovered that the story was about a group arrested along the Owo/Benin boundary in possession of dangerous weapons, the source told newsmen.

While speaking with the NAN, SP Funmilayo Odunlami, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Ondo State, denied the rumour, saying she could not confirm the arrest of the attackers.

I can not confirm anything like that. There is no story like that in the state, the PPRO told NAN.

Also, a source from Nigeria Army, 32 Artillery Brigade, Akure, who didnt want his name mentioned, said emphatically that the perpetrators of the Owo attack had not been arrested.

He said security agents only arrested people caught with Indian hemp.

It is a rumour, those arrested are those engaged in Indian hemp business. There are about three or so, they were arrested somewhere around Owo forest, the source told NAN.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra, is the authentic presidential candidate o...

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra, is the authentic presidential candidate of Labour Party (LP).

Festus Okoye, INEC commissioner for information and voter education, disclosed this on Thursday.

Obi won the LP presidential primary, which took place on May 30 in Asaba, Delta state.

The presidential primary that produced Obi was conducted by the Julius Abure-led faction of the party.

But on Wednesday, Jude Ezenwafor, former chairman of LP in Anambra, was declared the winner of a presidential primary organised by the Calistus Okafor-led faction.

Prior to Obi winning the primary Okafor, in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1636/2021, and filed before a federal high court in Abuja, challenged the legality of the Abure-led faction.

In a ruling on May 30, Inyang Ekwo, the presiding judge, ordered that the LP and some of its executives be served with a fresh suit challenging the partys leadership, after which the matter was adjourned till June 30 for further mention.

Speaking with TheCable, Okoye said the electoral umpire only recognises the presidential primary that produced Obi as the LPs presidential candidate.

Okoye noted that Abure-led LP complied with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 on conducting party primary, adding that the election that produced Obi was monitored by INEC.

From the records of the commission, the national chairman of Labour Party (LP) is one Julius Abure. The same Abure gave the commission the 21 days statutory notice required for the conduct of party primary. In other words, no political parties can conduct party primaries without giving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the statutory 21 days notice, he said.

It was the same Abure that gave the commission the date for the conduct of their presidential primary which was slated to take place in Asaba.

The commission also monitored this presidential primary in Asaba which took place on May 30, 2022. It was at this presidential primary that Peter Obi was produced as the presidential candidate of Labour Party.

The commission has given Julius Abure the access code to the candidate nomination portal through which the name of the right presidential candidate will be uploaded into our candidate nomination portal beginning from tomorrow.

So as far as the commission is concerned, there is no faction in Labour Party as the commission did not monitor any other presidential primary other than the one organised by the one Labour Party under the leadership of Julius Abure which took place in Asaba on May 30, 2022.
The Association of South East Town Union (ASETU) has condemned the outcome of the recently concluded Presidential Primary elections of the t...





The Association of South East Town Union (ASETU) has condemned the outcome of the recently concluded Presidential Primary elections of the two major political parties: the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.





It said the parties hatefully failed to produce a South-East presidential candidate, vowing to expose people they identified as Igbo saboteur delegates.





This was contained in a statement signed by Chief Emeka Diwe, the National President of ASETU, made available to newsmen on Friday.





Diwe said the outcome of the primaries vividly confirmed our continuous cry over the years through various press releases, communiques and other sundry publications regarding the sordid marginalization of Ndigbo within the Nigeria Polity.





He said, our fear is that this ugly incident has graduated to the terrible state of alienation.





While noting that there could be no better time to ensure that Igbo man deservedly becomes the President of Nigeria than now, the ASETU National President stated that, going by the constitutions of the major political parties, they were expected to zone the President to the South this time.





In the South, also South East was to be the automatic beneficiary being the only zone that has not tasted either the exalted position of the President or Vice President since the democratic dispensation that started in 1999.





Such brazen injustice and marginalization have received regular mention by agitation groups both in the South East and other regions.





We, however, doff our hats for Igbo aspirants, particularly Dr. Ogbonanya Onu, and others for their courage and boldness in speaking out against injustice meted to the South East during their speeches at the primary elections.





Diewe declared that, the party primaries have also exposed the real saboteurs in Igbo land. These are the South East delegates who were chosen to represent Ndigbo but went there to fest their nest. They practically sold out their Igbo brothers and voted for aspirants of other regions obviously because of money.





Records showed that five South Eastern States had about 389 delegates/votes in the case of the APC. Of this number, Ebonyi State had 39 delegates, Imo 100, Anambra 100, Abia 100 and Enugu 50 votes. But shamefully, only 40 votes from this number went to South East aspirants. It is important to mention that 39 of the 40 votes came from Ebonyi State delegates.





Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State got 38 votes while Dr Ogbonanya Onu had one vote. The other one vote went to Hon. Emeka Nwajiuba. The question is who did other Igbo delegates of South East vote for? Certainly contestants from other zones.





It is for this patriotic reason that ASETU, therefore, thumbs up for all the delegates from Ebonyi State for making the Igbo proud. They did not sell out nor allow their reasoning to be swayed by pecuniary interest. They are the true sons of their forefathers. They have made the Igbo HALL OF FAME with appropriate rank and designation.





As for those shameless desecrators of their fatherland, we have traditional way of handling such deviants. We therefore call on all the traditional heads and Aka-ji-Ofors of Igbo land to do the needful with their Ofo. While calling on the aged Umuada/Umuokpu to do the needful with their hindsight.





We have directed all the Presidents-General in the affected areas to compile their names for subsequent exposure and committal unto a disgraceful hall of shame. Enough is enough!
Social commentator and former senator, Shehu Sani on Friday, slammed President Muhammadu Buhari for alleged non-performance. He said...

Social commentator and former senator, Shehu Sani on Friday, slammed President Muhammadu Buhari for alleged non-performance.

He said for seven years, Buhari found it difficult to replace or reshuffle his political appointees

Shehu Sani on Friday wrote on his verified Facebook page,

The President boringly maintained ministers for seven years. He found it difficult to replace or reshuffle his appointees.

He extended the tenure of non-performing service chiefs and public officers who completed their terms.

Sani said Buhari inherited, kept and reappointed a CBN Governor. He couldnt appoint Board members for many federal parastatals for seven years. He was indecisive and incoherent in choosing a successor and firmly standing by him.

The nation, the government and now the future slipped off his hands before his very eyes. Shehu Sani wrote
Despite the outcome of the results of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Special Convention for its Presidential Primary on Wednesday, Vi...

Despite the outcome of the results of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Special Convention for its Presidential Primary on Wednesday, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has said that he remains committed to the dream of a new Nigeria.

Prof. Osinbajo spoke today in Abuja at the campaign office of The Progressive Project (TPP), a coalition of support groups that backed the Vice President for the presidency.

The VP also stated that he will support the winner and flagbearer of the APC for the 2023 presidential elections, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The VP was received by a large crowd at the TPP Office in Abuja.

In his address to the crowd of supporters, the VP described the clamour for a new Nigeria as a movement.

This movement is a movement within a party also, we are not doing something that has not been heard of before. What is new is that we have a firm belief that a new Nigeria is possible and it is possible through us who are here.

We went to the convention, and the results showed us clearly that we lost, but it is only a battle, it is not the war. There are battles ahead, but we will win the war for a new Nigeria. I have no doubt in my mind that we will win that war for a new Nigeria.

That is why our movement for a new Nigeria must remain strong and firm. And we will do everything to keep our movement strong and solid.

According to the Vice President, despite the result of the APC Presidential Primary, the dream of a new country remains alive and well We will have at the back of our minds, that what you have started in the various movements, coming into one, is the seed that will birth a new nation. You and I know the time has come and we will devote everything to it.

I am committed and will remain committed to that dream (of a new Nigeria), for as long as you are willing and recognize that we have not yet written the story of this country, we have not yet completed the story of this country. As a matter of fact, the story has just begun, this movement has just started.

The VP further said, a new Nigeria has only just started, and everywhere across this land, it will be clear to all that a new Nigeria has been born. Once the genie comes out of the bottle, you cannot put it back. The word has been spoken; it cannot be taken back: it is time for a New Nigeria.

Pledging support for the APC presidential candidate for the 2023 elections, Prof. Osinbajo recalled the personal letter he wrote to Asiwaju yesterday congratulating him on his victory at the party primary.

In that letter, I said to him that the dream of this country, the dream of a new country remains alive and well. And I want you to know in your hearts that we are democrats when we participate in a contest and the results are announced.

No matter what those results may be, we abide by them because there is only one process for democrats, whether that process is good or bad, there is only one, and we have gone through that process.

And in that process, a winner has been adjudged, but that does not kill the dream of the great future. We will support our party; we will support the flagbearer of our party because we know that the other side is not even worth considering. So, we will support the flagbearer of our party, we will do everything we can.

Thanking Nigerians at home and abroad, including the Osinbajo supporters groups, for the overwhelming support for his presidential bid, Prof. Osinbajo noted that when we started this race, I never believed that we would have so many young men and women who would believe so passionately in the cause of a new Nigeria.

Expressing his gratitude to them, he said, everybody said, oh, everyone has lost hope, there is no future, we are all tired, we are in despair. But when you came out in your numbers across the country  the volunteers movement, the progressive union, the womens movement, all across the country, saying the same thing, I knew that it was time. And you made it clear to everyone that indeed it is time for a new Nigeria.

And we went everywhere to the 36 States of this country and Abuja and we spoke to the elected delegates of our great party the APC, they shared their fears with us, they told us about their dreams of the future, everyone wants a new Nigeria where young people have jobs, we all want a Nigeria that is safe and secure, a Nigeria where there is a future, where people can dream of a real future.

As I said at the convention, I went to school here, I was born here, my parents were born here. Every opportunity I have had was given to me by this country. And it is possible for this country to provide the same opportunity for you and all the future generations. But we must fight for it. In every fight, you lose some battles.

Also speaking, some leaders of Osinbajo Support groups lauded the Vice President for being a true leader and inspiration to millions of Nigerians.

Dr Ahmed Badanga described the VP as a role model to all of us. You are the Obama of Africa. You have made us proud and we will continue to remain with you.

He added, yes, we are progressives and we need to move forward. I will urge all of us to remain steadfast and committed to this cause because we have a bright future ahead of us.

Similarly, a leader of the Coalition of Women for Osinbajo, Hajiya Rabbi Dauda, declared the VP as a winner forever.

Your Excellency, we, the women of Nigeria, find it worthy to stand by you. Somehow, you are not the flagbearer today, but you will be the flagbearer tomorrow.

I want to say to you that this is a continuous process, we will be waiting for you. We are here today to listen to you, to tell us where to go and what to do, and I tell you, we will all be waiting for you, tomorrow and always. Anytime you need us, all you need to do is to call on us and we shall be there for you.

Also, another leader of a PYO Support group, Mrs. Diana Mary said, Your Excellency, you have led us to win, we are winners. We are not taking this for granted, you have led a direction that we will continue to follow and we are happy that for the sake of Nigeria you answered the call.

I want to appeal that we still converge and speak about those things that we need to address so that we can pull a stronger force for Nigeria. This generation of Nigerians is looking for that force that will fight for their future. Your Excellency, whenever you are alone and you think that it is a low moment, I want you to think of the numerous and thousands of us who are behind you and believe in your audacity, drive, and tenacity. You are the star that we know.

The Vice President was accompanied on the visit to the Campaign Office by former Kano State Governor and the Senator representing Kano South in the National Assembly, Senator Kabiru Gaya; Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu; among other senior government officials.
Friends are pitching in to honor the late Sal Serio, longtime curator of the American Italian Research Center at the East Bank Regional Library, by keeping his summer genealogy series going after his death on May 23.

Serio led a popular series of genealogy classes for years and was regarded as one of the area's foremost experts in all matters genealogical. Friends will continue as guest speakers, though in an abbreviated manner.

This is the updated list of topics and speakers. All sessions will take place at 1 p.m. in the Jefferson Room of the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave.

June 15: Bringing Your Ancestors to Life with Rhonda Roederer.

June 22: Obstacle or Opportunity: Pathway to Genealogy Gems with Rhonda Roederer.

June 29: Orleans Archdiocese Records with Jack Belsom.

July 6: Census Records with Rhonda Roederer.

July 13: Become a Tombstone Tourist with Rhonda Roederer.

July 20: DNA Research with Phyllis Cosentino.

July 27: Family Secrets Uncovered with Rhonda Roederer.

Aug. 3: South Louisiana Repositories of Family History Records with Marguerite Scully.

Aug. 10: African American History with Gaynell Brady

Aug. 17: TBD

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR: Chad Willingham, a library associate who has worked for the parish for two years, is the librarys employee of the year for 2021.

After Hurricane Ida, senior staff at the Grand Isle library resigned. Willingham opened the library many times for insurance adjusters, FEMA representatives, vendor appraisals and other post-clean-up and building items that needed attention. He played an integral role in getting library services up and running at the Grand Isle Multiplex while the library building was being repaired.

Willingham worked with the librarys IT department to get computers set up for staff and patrons. He worked with Patron Services to get shipments coming to the island for patron access. He worked with the Technical Services department to assess books and other materials that needed to be discarded and reordered, as well as compiling lists for insurance reimbursement of the damaged items.

Even when Chad was uncertain about his position in the aftermath of the storm  in addition to suffering damage to his own home on the island  he was still there and willing to make long trips and work under extremely unpleasant conditions, said Selena Muhoberac, deputy director of the Jefferson Parish Library system. He did all of this under the shadow of COVID.

SUMMER READING EVENTS: Coming up as part of the library's Summer Reading Program are these special performances and activities.

Porta-Puppet Players: Ariels Treasure Chest  11 a.m. to noon, June 15, Harahan Library, 219 Soniat Ave., Harahan.

Giant Bubble Play Space  2 p.m. to 3 p.m., June 22, Live Oak Library, 125 Acadia Drive, Waggaman.

Frank and Tammys Magic and Puppet Show  11 a.m. to noon, June 20, Old Metairie Library, 2350 Metairie Road.

Everybody Hooping  10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., June 16, River Ridge Library, 8825 Jefferson Highway, River Ridge.

Frank and Tammys Magic and Puppet Show  2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., June 21, Rosedale Library, 4036 Jefferson Highway, Rosedale.

Make Your Own Bubble Wand  2 p.m. to 3 p.m., June 15, East Bank Regional Library.

Kitten Yoga  10 a.m. to 11 a.m., June 20, East Bank Regional Library.

Frank and Tammys Magic and Puppet Show  2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., June 20, East Bank Regional Library.

MORE GENEALOGY: Gwen Kelley, a librarian who specializes in genealogy and local history, will lead a seminar on FamilySearch.org at 2 p.m. June 20, via streaming through the librarys website. Patrons should visit the homepage of the librarys website and click on the link to join the meeting.

For those who dont have computers, the sessions will be broadcast into the River Ridge and North Kenner libraries on the east bank, and the Terrytown (680 Heritage Ave.) and Belle Terre (5550 Belle Terre Road, Marrero) libraries on the west bank. These sessions will be recorded and will be archived on the librarys website.

COMPUTER CLASSES: Receive free computer training at the East Bank Regional Library and at the West Bank Regional Library.

Seating is limited, and online registration is required. Visit the Computer Classes page at jplibrary.net/training and click East Bank Regional Schedule or West Bank Regional Schedule.

Metairie classes include:

Microsoft Word I: 10 a.m. to noon, June 15.

Microsoft Word II: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., June 15.

Microsoft Excel 2: 10 a.m. to noon, June 20.

Basic Computer: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., June 20.

JPL Digital Content: 10 a.m. to noon, June 21.

One-on-One Slot in Basic Computer Skills: 10 a.m. to noon, June 22.

Microsoft Word 2: 10 a.m. to noon, June 22.

Microsoft PowerPoint 2: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., June 24.

Harvey classes include:

JPL Digital Content: 10 a.m. to noon, June 16.

Microsoft PowerPoint I: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., June 16.

Basic Computer: 10 a.m. to noon, June 24

Microsoft Excel I: 10 a.m. to noon, June 30.

Microsoft PowerPoint I: 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., June 30.

Chris Smith is manager of adult programming at the Jefferson Parish Public Library.
Remember the big tipper who added $777 to a $63 tab at a St. Charles Avenue restaurant last weekend? Well, on Thursday he made good on a promise to pay for the repair of an air conditioner in a tiny Chinese church in Metairie, and he plans to send Sunday pancakes too.

But before we gone on, lets go back. Last Saturday, Abdul Hamideh had reason to celebrate. The 31-year-old had opened a new IHOP restaurant in Thibodaux, adding another link in his chain of IHOPs scattered across five states. Sharing his happiness, Hamideh left a ridiculously generous tip for the waitress who served him at the Hoshun Asian restaurant near his home.

Little did Hamideh know, but that hard-working, devoutly Christian waitress, Ava Guan, had been praying for God to help her raise the money to fix one of the air conditioners at the Olive C. Church on David Drive. What Hamideh saw as a gesture of joie de vivre, Guan saw as a sign from heaven. She gave her windfall to the church.

When the press got ahold of the feel-good story, and Hamideh found out that Guan had given the tip away, he doubled down on his generosity, offering to cover whatever the church needed to get the cold air flowing full strength.

The Olive C. Church looks like a ranch-style suburban house. The 20-member congregation is made up mostly of immigrants from China. The church, which isnt affiliated with any major Christian denomination, serves both as a place of worship and a small community center. When the morning Bible study class was over on Thursday, everyone planned to gather in the church kitchen for lunch.

Hamideh was supposed to show up at noon to drop off a check for $1,300 and shake hands with grateful congregants. Crews from two television stations and a reporter and photographer from the daily newspaper would be there to capture the moment. But Hamideh said he was seized with a bout of camera shyness, so he showed up early, handed over his donation and posed for a few cellphone shots in front of the church altar.

Then he split before the media swarm arrived. I gave the money and ran, Hamideh said by phone later.

Speaking of shyness, Guan, 45, was petrified by all the attention. Before she appeared before the cameras, she retreated to a secluded office, where she and volunteer interpreter Kelly Chang worked out a statement in both Mandarin and English. The women laughed and shook their heads with comic exasperation as they struggled to express their wonder over the apparently divine happenstance.

When we knew Abdul was coming, we were all excited, Chang said, on Guans behalf. Because to us hes like an angel sent by God. The answer to my prayer Everybody in our church is so encouraged.

For his part, Hamideh pointed out that the old axiom God works in mysterious ways, is surely true in this case. Its probably pretty unusual to find a Texas-born, Palestinian Muslim like himself making a donation to a Chinese Christian church. But the cultural disconnect shouldnt matter.

Who cares? You know what I mean, he said.

Differences in faith and background aside, what cuts through it all, Hamideh said, is Guans devotion.

Its been a crazy experience, he said. You know, Ava is probably living  bless her heart  from paycheck to paycheck. If she could give to her church, everybody should be able to give.

After the camera lights went out and the TV crews said their goodbyes, it was time to eat. Over lunch, a church member explained that one of the missions of the church is to provide proper Chinese cooking lessons to the young people. She said that the church also hopes to provide regular English lessons. And not just for the Chinese congregation, but also for the Spanish-speaking people in the neighborhood or anybody else looking to improve their language skills. Of course, theyll need to find an English teacher, she added.

Thursdays menu included steamed dumplings with spicy cilantro sauce, even spicier cucumber slices, watermelon and green onion pancakes.

Which brings us to one last detail. Hamideh, the IHOP mogul, said he plans to send an International House of Pancakes breakfast to the church next Sunday.

+2 Customer leaves a stunning $777 tip and waitress immediately gives the money away This is a story about a broken air conditioner, magic numbers, a new IHOP in Thibodaux, praying to God for small miracles, and paying it forward.
New Orleans police have obtained arrest warrants for four people, including a 40-year-old woman, in the May 30 shooting at Morris Jeff Community School's commencement ceremony at Xavier University.

A scuffle after the graduation between two girls escalated into a bloody feud between their adult relatives, and in the process two people were wounded and an innocent bystander, 80-year-old grandmother Augustine Greenwood, was killed, police confirmed.

Six guns were recovered at the scene, Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said Friday. Police are investigating whether the weapons were stolen and can be linked to other crimes.

"People are bringing weapons, not balloons, to a high school graduation," he said. "Think about the mentality of where we are as a society. Adults could have prevented all this. Children will be children, but when we bring a weapon into play, it's a whole different element."

The suspects include Laverne Duplessis, 40, wanted on charges including manslaughter, obstruction of justice and carrying a weapon on school property; Brandon Rock, 18, wanted for manslaughter and carrying a gun in a gun-free zone; Frank Bartholomew, 49, wanted for obstruction of justice; and a 15-year-old male, shot at the scene, who is wanted for carrying a weapon on school property. Rock was also shot at the scene and taken in for questioning, but released, according to law enforcement sources.

Crimestoppers President Darlene Cusanza urged tipsters to call anonymously to the group's hotline at (504) 822-111 for cash rewards of as much as $2,500.
China releases new geologic map of Moon

Xinhua) 09:53, June 10, 2022

BEIJING, June 9 (Xinhua) -- China has released a new geologic map of the Moon on a scale of 1:2,500,000, the first one in the world, according to the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

Chinese scientists from the Institute of Geochemistry of the CAS and other research institutes and universities have created the map based on data from the country's Chang'e project and other data and research findings from international organizations.

The map includes 12,341 impact craters, 81 impact basins, 17 rock types, and 14 types of structures, providing important basic information for scientific research, exploration planning, and landing site selection of the Moon.

The map is available in both Chinese and English, in paper and electronic versions.

It was published in the journal Science Bulletin.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu)
The World Customs Organization (WCO) conducted a PCA monitoring and follow-up mission to the State Customs Committee (SCC) of the Republic of Uzbekistan from 30 May to 3 June 2022. The WCO has conducted four virtual support missions since April 2021, under the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland (SECO)-WCO Global Trade Facilitation Programme (GTFP), to enhance the PCA function within the SCC. This monitoring and follow-up mission was the last in a series of GTFP support activities to the SCC in the area of PCA implementation.

This mission took place in Tashkent, led by WCO PCA experts with the full assistance of the SCC Secretariat and in close coordination with its PCA Department and other relevant services. In his opening remarks at the start of the mission, the Deputy Chairman of the SCC, Mr. Nodir Kamalitdinovich, acknowledged and welcomed the support by the WCO under the GTPF initiatives. He highlighted the huge benefits that would be enjoyed by ensuring an efficient and competitive business environment in Uzbekistan through enhancement of the PCA function, in keeping with the countrys strategic objectives of trade facilitation and modernization.

By means of active engagement and a comprehensive assessment, the experts noted that the SCC had made considerable progress over the course of the year since implementation of PCA in Uzbekistan. They were particularly impressed by the SCC's efforts to make full use of all existing communication channels with the private sector to increase awareness and ensure smooth implementation of the PCA system.

The mission also provided an opportunity for capacity building in the PCA domain. Some 25 officers, including ones from regional Customs services, took part in and benefitted from capacity building. The training syllabus covered the topic of collecting the requisite information in collaboration with traders. It underscored the importance of understanding traders concerns and needs in order to secure the cooperation and assistance required to perform an effective audit.

The experts delivered a summary report to SCC senior management on the Committees achievements and on the next steps towards further development. They also expressed their appreciation for the support received from the SCC as a whole.
In the three years since the New Orleans City Council updated the city's short-term rental rules to crack down on unlicensed operators, a lack of enforcement by Mayor LaToya Cantrell's administration allowed illegal rentals to proliferate.

But City Hall officials say that will soon change. This week, they provided details on a plan for staffing up the citys short-term rental office, and announced they will soon have access to new software for weeding out unpermitted online listings.

The plan, which is contingent on the council providing funding, calls for quadrupling the number of city workers dedicated to short-term rental enforcement and vastly increasing the number of violations brought up for administrative hearings.

Officials say they expect to bring 50 cases against short-term rental scofflaws every month, a 50-fold increase over the average of one case per month last year. Meanwhile, technology company Granicus will provide software that pairs listings on AirBnb and other platforms with licensed rentals, which would allow the city to swiftly identify and request that illegal ones be de-listed.

Egregious violators can expect fines of up to $500 per violation, to have their electricity cut and  in cases of permitted rental operators breaking occupancy limits or other rules  license revocation, officials say.

Augmenting the staff as well as introducing the Granicus software will really allow us to present a whole new office to this council, to the city in general, said Ashley Becnel, the citys chief zoning official, speaking this week at City Council committee meeting.

The software should be up and running by September, nine months after Granicus was selected as the city's contractor.

Long-awaited changes

The changes are a long time coming for residents who live near unruly or unlicensed rentals and who are weary of the administrations foot dragging. Major changes in the 2019 law included a ban on whole-home rentals, and different licenses for residential and commercial rentals.

These were intended to ensure houses in neighborhoods remained occupied with full-time residents, and to confine larger properties with several units to commercial areas.

But some operators have found easy ways around the rules with few consequences. Even when the city finds violations, the adjudication logjam has made them easy to ignore.

Fed-up council members in March took the unusual step of freezing a portion of the safety and permits budget in an attempt to spur the administration to action.

After hearing from Becnel and other city officials this week, District A Council member Joe Giarrusso, who spearheaded the budget freeze, introduced a measure on Thursday to release the $2.2 million, which will be designated for short-term rental enforcement and additional positions in the department.

The money would be used to increase staffing of the short-term rental office from 6 to 23, doubling the number of inspectors and adding analysts, supervisors and other positions. Inspections will be conducted during the day and night, and will also take place on weekends, Becnel said.

This is the biggest amount of resources we have seen in terms of personnel for enforcement, Giarrusso said in an interview.

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Short-term rental critics are not the only ones who have been frustrated with the pace of operations at City Hall. Many of the illegal rentals are formerly permitted residential units that otherwise comply with the law, but have not been able to get timely renewals. With additional staffing, Becnel said license applications will get processed within five business days.

Bob Ellis, a lawyer who represents rental operators, said he is glad to hear the staffing effort will include quicker turnaround for applications. But he said going from six to 23 employees focused on short-term rentals is "complete overkill for a problem that's really not as rampant as one would have you believe."

"I would say that's just a foolish waste of taxpayer money," Ellis said.

More to be done

It is difficult to pinpoint how many illegal short-term rentals are operating at any given time, but data that Granicus provided to the city in December suggested they outnumbered legal ones by a margin of greater than three to one.

While the administrations plans may put a dent in that ratio, council members and others say city government as a whole needs to do more.

At-Large Council member JP Morrell suggested rezoning individual properties with repeated violations to make them permanently ineligible as short-term rentals, a move that would require council action.

Many of these properties are mortgaged as short-term rentals, Morrell said, speaking at the committee meeting. That bank that is administering the loan is going to get a notice saying this is banned from being a short-term rental.

And while more adjudications will lead to more fines, it is not clear how effective that will be in disciplining bad actors. State law caps fines at $500 per violation, a paltry cost of doing business for illegal operators who can make that up by booking a single unit for a night or two.

Becnel said the city has started seeking larger judgments with daily violations, but hearing officers have discretion to assess daily fines.

This is great, said Andrew Legrand, an attorney who has investigated illegal short-term rentals near his home in Treme, referring to the administrations enforcement plan. But if you have a hearing officer that says no, I only fine $500, it's worthless.

Becnel said the city has obtained $128,000 in judgments over the last three months, a sign of the administration's renewed commitment to enforcement. Ellis said he thinks the administration is treating adjudications as a piggybank.

"This isn't an enforcement action anymore. This is a moneymaker. It's like parking tickets in red light cameras at this point," Ellis said.

Giarrusso said hearing officers need discretion to determine when slapping a wrist or throwing the book is the appropriate punishment.

There's a difference between Miss May who has broken one little thing that hasn't really been a problem, and somebody who's a repeat violator, who does something again and again, Giarrusso said.
Karl Newman, a longtime federal drug task force officer who was convicted on drug and theft counts before testifying against his former colleague, Chad Scott, was arrested last month after being accused of getting into a fight with his adult niece and punching her in the face, court records show.

Newman was booked into the St. Helena Parish Jail on May 17 on counts of domestic abuse battery after a dispute over whether his niece had damaged his car, according to a filing in his federal court case. His bond was $35,000. A person who answered the phone at the jail said he had bonded out, but that federal marshals had taken him into custody.

It was unclear Thursday afternoon where Newman was being held.

Newman and fellow officer Johnny Domingue were the first dominoes to fall in 2016 in what would become a lengthy and involved federal investigation into a north shore-based drug task force led by Scott, a decorated Drug Enforcement Administration special agent.

Newman eventually pleaded guilty to federal crimes including conspiracy and using a firearm during a crime of violence. He was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison in November 2019, but because he had already been in jail since May 2016, he was released soon after sentencing. After leaving prison, he was to remain on parole for three years.

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Newman's guilty plea came as part of a deal in which he agreed to testify against Scott, who was eventually found guilty of perjury, obstruction of justice, falsification of government records and other counts.

Scott was eventually sentenced to 13 years in federal prison. He began serving the sentence last year.

Federal prosecutors have asked a federal judge to issue a warrant for Newman to show why he should not have his supervised release revoked.

Newman's attorney did not return a call for comment Thursday.

Domingue has also found himself in hot water after testifying against Scott.

After serving 34 months for federal drug crimes and being released in 2019, he was arrested the following year in Texas and accused of attempting to traffic eight kilograms of cocaine. He pleaded guilty and earlier this year was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison.
analysis

Lecturers in Nigerian public universities have embarked on strikes 16 times since 1999. Cumulatively, the public universities have lost about 50 months of their academic calendar to these actions in the last 23 years. The reasons for the strikes generally relate to funding and salary issues.

Nigeria has 217 licensed universities. The federal government runs 49 and another 57 belong to state governments. The remaining 111 are run by private operators. In January 2022 there were over 100,000 lecturers, the majority of them members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities. The country has a total of about 2.1 million university students. The Conversation Africa asked historian Ayodeji Olukoju, a former university vice chancellor, to explain the protests and their impacts.

What impact have the strikes had on students?

Without prejudice to the justification for the strikes by university teaching and non-teaching workers, they have cumulatively disrupted the training of the workforce. The academic calendar is the immediate victim and the normal duration of academic programmes has been elongated. This has implications for the career plans of students and staff.

Students stay longer in school, lose valuable years, and defer or forfeit post-graduation opportunities. The uncertainty and disruption subject them to financial, material and psychological stress.

These challenges affect their academic performance and, by extension, the quality of their degrees.

Striking staff themselves pay a steep price. Institutional staff exchanges, research activities, sabbatical and study leave, and promotion prospects suffer setbacks. They are denied wages each time government applies the no-work no-pay policy. However, these wages are eventually released after the suspension of each round of strikes.

The national economy pays a high price for the disruption of a sub-sector that provides its workforce. Potential graduates are held back from applying their needed skills in the economy. Overstaying students take up resources that their sponsors could have used elsewhere.

On the other hand, private universities have taken advantage of the strikes in public universities by using the uninterrupted academic calendar as their unique selling point. This is evident in the increasing number of private universities, which grew from 50 in 2014 to 99 in 2022.

Are strikes effective for industrial disputes in the university system?

Strikes are weapons of last resort. But if the country is not alive to its best interests of providing a good education system that runs on a stable calendar and produces high quality, globally competitive products, the union should focus on the welfare of its members, who earn slave wages in a modern economy. A professor earns around US$1,000 per month.

Is it right to create new state and federal universities if existing ones aren't well funded?

The government has created multiple universities and converted colleges of education and polytechnics into full-fledged universities. This amounts to an abuse of the university system and a lack of understanding of how it works. These "universities" were established without rigorous planning.

There is a stark difference in the planning, execution and funding that produced the regional universities at Nsukka, Ile-Ife and Zaria.

It appears that the decreeing of universities is a distribution of political patronage completely at variance with the idea of a university. These mushroom universities are never well funded, staffed or equipped, especially as they are added to older and equally poorly funded and governed institutions.

Some state governors win political support by siting these toy universities in politically strategic places to win elections. They can always get infrastructure for them by tapping into the Tertiary Education Trust Fund. This is an intervention agency set up by the Nigerian government to provide supplementary support to public tertiary institutions from the 2% education tax paid by registered firms in the country.

But there's still a paucity of qualified staff (holders of PhD degrees, grant winners and scholars with reputable scholarly publications) and irregular payment of poor salaries.

Should universities be shut for a few years to allow for a fresh start?

We cannot afford to shut down the university system. The damage will be irreparable. There will be an exodus of highly qualified scholars and researchers. That happened in the 1980s and 1990s and the system hardly recovered.

What is required is to stop issuing licences to operators of private universities and creating emergency universities.

An inventory of all university teachers and staff is needed to determine how many there are and how they are distributed by rank, discipline and location.

When the gaps are identified, they should be addressed by way of more rigorous quality controls and benchmarking, targeted training, funding, and providing facilities and equipment.

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Policy guidelines should be developed to guide Nigeria's tertiary education sector with strategic plans of 10, 20 and 50 years.

The country's universities should be ranked using objective criteria to identify the top five and top ten to be developed into postgraduate training centres. These should have only a 40% undergraduate and 60% graduate student enrolment. The top universities in countries like the US skew student enrolment towards postgraduate programmes. This is why research from such universities propels their countries to greatness. In Nigeria, the University of Ibadan has been operating on that model for the last decade. But it has been undermined by the lack of facilities and restriction on recruitment of qualified staff to replace staff who retire.

The ranking criteria should include quality of staff, carrying capacity of facilities for staff and students, comparative advantage and course offerings.

The other institutions should be colleges for the training of bachelor degree holders.

Ayodeji Olukoju, Distinguished Professor of History and Strategic Studies, University of Lagos
analysis

Two familiar candidates will compete for the presidency amid some familiar problems but under a new electoral framework.

Now that Nigeria knows the dates of its 2023 general elections and the key names that will feature on the presidential ballot, the countdown is well and truly underway. The presidential and legislative votes will be held on 25 February and governorship and other sub-national elections on 11 March.

These elections, the seventh since Nigeria's return to multi-party democracy in 1999, will be conducted under a new electoral framework. The campaigning period will now last 150 days, rather than 90. New technologies will be employed in the transmission of results that should help eliminate irregularities and increase transparency. And the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will have greater powers to investigate allegations of results being tallied under duress or financial inducements.

The new electoral act also increases campaign finance limits for presidential candidates from N1 billion ($2.4 million) to N5 billion ($12 million). Without measures to improve scrutiny of these ceilings, however, they are still likely to be exceeded.

Presidential aspirants

The main opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) held its convention in late-May. As in 2019, party delegates again selected Atiku Abubakar to be the party's presidential aspirant. The 75-year-old former vice-president won out of pool of over ten candidates and was aided by the late withdrawal of Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal who called on his supporters to switch their votes to Atiku.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has just concluded its own convention to select its presidential flag-bearer. The incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari is about to complete his second term and is thus ineligible to run again. In the contest, APC delegates picked Bola Tinubu from an initial field of 28 candidates, each of whom paid N100 million ($240,000) just to purchase party nomination forms. The 70-year-old former Lagos State governor similarly benefited from several nominees - such as Ekiti State governor Kayode Fayemi and former Ogun State governor Ibikunle Amosun - stepping down and offering him their bloc votes.

Once again, money played a huge role in these selection processes in both the presidential and governorship contests. Delegates reportedly received large sums of money or gifts worth up to ten thousand dollars, and some unsuccessful hopefuls even sought refunds from delegates when votes did not go their way.

The PDP's Atiku and the APC's Tinubu are both well-known political veterans in Nigeria and have, in fact, been allies at various stages in the past. In 2007, Tinubu successfully convinced Atiku to run as the presidential candidate for his Action Congress party. Later, in the run-up to the 2015 elections, the two men collaborated again to help build the APC as a powerful opposition coalition.

Both figures also have the significant war chests, networks, name recognition, and national reach needed to do well in an election. Atiku is particularly popular in the north, though his candidacy contravenes the unwritten rule that the presidency should rotate between the North and South of the country. Meanwhile, Tinubu has more national appeal, but the fact he will likely run on a ticket with two Muslims - he will have to pick a running mate from the Muslim north - might lose him votes in the South.

Beyond this arithmetic, one great unknown is how the 60% of Nigeria's population under the age of 25 will receive their candidacies. There is a widening generational divide between young people and the older generation, as exemplified by the enormous #EndSARS protests in October 2020. Youth turnout may end up being key to the outcome of the election.

Another complicating factor could come from candidates from smaller parties. For instance, former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, who withdrew from the PDP primary, plans to run as the Labour Party flagbearer. And former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso intends to contest as the New Nigeria Peoples Party's (NNPP) candidate. Obi, 60, has a popular online following. Kwankwanso, 65, enjoys a significant youth support in northern Nigeria. They are both influential figures and their influence will be all the stronger if they combine forces in a joint ticket. There is plenty of time for this possibility to be worked out, and the Peoples Redemption Party, NNPP, National Rescue Movement (NRM), and Nigeria Labour Congress have already agreed to an alliance in principle under the banner of the Labour Party.

Challenges ahead

The 2023 elections will be conducted against the backdrop of complex insecurity. The threat from Boko Haram, which defined the 2015 election, is yet to be quelled in the northeast; bandits are operating across the northwest; a violent secessionist agitation is spiralling in the southeast; and farmer-herder clashes are ongoing across the country. The 5 June killings of over 50 people in the relatively stable Ondo state was a stark reminder of the insecurity challenges facing Nigeria and its upcoming elections.

This will be one issue concerning INEC chair Mahmood Yakubu, but far from the only one. While he has done well to build on the successes of his predecessor by adopting innovations and consulting with key stakeholders, Nigeria's zero-sum political game in which desperate and disparate actors set out to win at all costs will pose a sizeable threat to the election's integrity. The forthcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states - on 18 June and 16 July respectively - will be a good measure of what to expect in 2023.

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One particularly tricky challenge arises from the prevalence of misinformation. Nigerian politics has been marred by the dissemination of fake news in recent years. During the APC primaries, for instance, there was a flurry of false reports of candidates withdrawing or endorsing other hopefuls.

Voter turnout is another concern. In 2019, just 35.7% of eligible Nigerians voted. This trend could be repeated in 2023 due to prevailing insecurity, unpopular candidates, and the likely misinformation aimed to suppress certain voters. Such a low turnout would undermine the credibility and perceived legitimacy of the process.

Nigeria may be experiencing its longest run of uninterrupted multi-party democracy, but that says little of its quality.

Idayat Hassan is director of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), an Abuja-based policy advocacy and research organization with focus on deepening democracy and development in West Africa.
ANKARA, TurkeyRussia 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 Russias 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 Ukraines 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 wouldnt use the corridors to launch an attack. Both Ukrainian and EU officials cast doubt on the pledge.

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 Ukraines 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.

Lavrovs meeting came as Turkeya NATO memberhas voiced strong opposition to Sweden and Finlands recent bids to join the alliance. Moscow has also objected to the Nordic countries candidacywhich 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 Ankaras 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.
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Community Healthcare System recently added five new doctors.

The new physicians that joined the Community Care Network have specialties in allergy and immunology, anesthesia, dermatology, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry and radiation oncology. They practice at Community Hospital in Munster, St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago, St. Mary Medical Center in Hobart and Community Stroke & Rehabilitation Center in Crown Point.

Pain Management and Anesthesiologist specialist Shawn Kumar joined the staff of Community Hospital and St. Mary Medical Center. He did a fellowship in interventional pain management and served a residency in anesthesiology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. He earned his medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit.

Kumar welcomes new patients at his medical offices in Hobart and Valparaiso and can be reached by calling 219-947-6695.

Meaghan Misiasz joined the staff at Community Hospital in Munster. She did her fellowship, residency and internship in internal medicine at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. She attained her medical degree from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich.

She's board-certified in allergy, immunology and internal medicine. Misiasz is seeing new patients in Munster and can be reached by calling 219-703-2418.

Dermatologist Adam Whittington joined the staff at Community Hospital. He did his residency in dermatology at Loyola University Medical Center, finished an internship at St. Lukes Hospital in Wisconsin and got his medical degree from Northwestern University-Feinberg School of Medicine.

He is now accepting new patients at his office in Munster and can be reached by calling 219-703-2417.

Obstetrician and Gynecologist Shawn Naranjo joined Community Hospital. He did his residency and internship at Mount Sinai Hospital, The University of Tennessee Health and Science Center and got his medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean.

He is now accepting new patients at his office in Dyer and can be reached at 219-865-9160.

Psychiatrist Timothy Yovankin joined the Community Care Network Behavioral Health Services team. He completed his residency in psychiatry at the University of Illinois Medical Center-Chicago and did his fellowship in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at the Institute for Juvenile Research at the University of Illinois Medical Center-Chicago, earning his medical degree from the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science.

He is seeing patients and can be reached by calling 219-392-7445.

For more information, visit COMHS.org/physicians or call 866-836-3477.

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analysis

As Kenya marked its 59th anniversary of internal self-rule on 1 June 2022, a controversial play by the nation's foremost author, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, was staged in sold-out shows. It had been 45 years since it was banned and the author detained. The performance offers a useful filter to illuminate how the nation has fared in recent years.

Democracy is gradually taking root, but corruption is still rife. This makes Kenya's largely youthful population restive.

Without a doubt, Ngaahika Ndeenda (I Will Marry When I Want) is the most consequential piece of writing by Ngugi wa Thiong'o and his collaborator, the late Ngugi wa Mirii. The drama tells the story of Kiguunda, a peasant whose tiny strip of earth is being targeted by Ahab Kioi, a local tycoon who represents international financial interests.

Using multiple story threads, the play captures the tempestuous romance between Kiguunda's daughter and Kioi's son, which results in an unwanted pregnancy and a bleak future. Kiguunda's delusion of a white wedding as social leverage leads to nothing but mockery and dispossession.

Within months of its writing and subsequent staging, in late 1977, Ngugi was detained without trial. Under Kenya's old constitution, which was replaced by a more progressive one in 2010, it was lawful for the president to detain anyone without trial. Although the reason for Ngugi's detention has never been given, he told me recently its timing affirmed he had been targeted for writing in his indigenous language, Gikuyu:

I thought: Wait a minute, I have been writing in English over the years and nobody ever bothered with me. I write one play in Gikuyu and I'm detained, so I'm going to write in Gikuyu...

Ngugi spent a year at the Kamiti Maximum Security Prison. His detention helped shine a light on Kenya's human rights record. It also shaped his life in writing and political activism.

Released in 1978, after the death of Kenya's first president, Jomo Kenyatta, Ngugi was denied the right to return to his old job at the University of Nairobi. He went into exile in 1982. Although the rest of his books were not banned, they were not taught in Kenyan schools for the next two decades.

In a sense, Ngaahika Ndeenda was both a point of departure and a point of return.

From activism to exile

In 1967, Ngugi recorded in Decolonising the Mind how colonial power structures reproduce through education and the imposition of European languages and literature in Africa:

After I had written A Grain of Wheat I underwent a crisis. I knew whom I was writing about but whom was I writing for ... In an interview in 1967 with Union News, a student newspaper in Leeds University, I said: 'I have reached a point of crisis. I don't know whether it is worth any longer writing in English.'

In 1977, Ngugi returned to his village in Limuru, just outside Nairobi, and mobilised the community to build a makeshift community theatre. This was to protest their denied access to the Kenya National Theatre.

He and Mirii scripted a play they thought reflected the realities that confronted ordinary villagers and factory workers in Limuru, subsisting on the verge of destitution. The actors, too, were ordinary workers and peasants from Limuru.

In a recent conversation, Ngugi reflected on this:

I still believe in the power of ordinary peasants in narrating their experience.

The open-air theatre in Kamiriithu was razed by the government. Ngugi was detained. His co-author, Mirii, fled to Zimbabwe, as did the play's director, Kimani Gecau.

In detention, Ngugi produced the allegorical Caitani Mutharaba-ini (Devil on the Cross), which he wrote on toilet paper in Kamiti, alongside the prison memoir Detained. It was while promoting these two texts in London, in July 1982, that Ngugi received a coded message warning him he'd receive "red carpet treatment" upon his return.

He returned to Kenya only in July 2004, after multiparty democracy had been restored. Although he was mobbed by hordes of ordinary Kenyans at the airport, his return had a tinge of tragedy. He was brutally attacked and his wife raped.

The return of Ngaahika Ndeenda to Kenyan theatres re-introduces the work to generations of Kenyans who were not yet born before the play's initial release and subsequent exile of the author. It also marks the evolution of the nation's artistic freedom arena.

"(Jomo) Kenyatta put me in a maximum security prison. Moi drove me into exile. Uhuru (Kenyatta) received me at the State House," Ngugi says, recalling the 2014 visit when he was hosted by Kenya's current president.

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While Kenyatta's hosting of a former dissident is a powerful visual of reform and expanding democratic space, the social ills that Ngugi highlighted 45 years ago still fester.

Stranger than fiction

The core themes in Ngaahika Ndeenda - social inequities and justice - have universal appeal. Nairobi's youthful population turned up to watch the new production, as did the urban expatriate community. But there were also enthusiasts bussed in from distant rural locations. They had no tickets, which had to be purchased in advance, online.

Ngahiika Ndeenda is prescient in its vision of a land riven with class strife, greed and avarice.

Ngugi is now polishing a Gikuyu version of his first novel, The River Between, now titled Rui Rwa Muoyo (or The River of Life). He calls the process "restoration": returning to African languages narratives that have been domiciled in European-language granaries.

Young people need to know it is possible to write and perform in African languages. They need to be reminded of that possibility.

Peter Kimani, Professor of Practice, Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communications (GSMC)
GARY  Jeanai Velez, attending West Side Leadership Academys graduation ceremony for her sister, said she felt like her life was in danger.

Everybody was ducking, screaming, Velez said.

Her family was trying to exit Sunday's ceremony when two people were shot outside the U.S. Steel Yard, where it was held.

A 19-year-old Gary man was shot in the chest, and a 19-year-old Gary woman suffered a graze wound to her ankle, police said.

Both victims were released from a hospital Sunday, police said.

Velez said there had been rumors of individuals with guns during the ceremony, as a fight had broken out in the audience. When her family was trying to exit, they had all taken different vehicles, which made it difficult.

The parking lot was packed, she said, and even after the gunfire it was nearly thirty minutes to exit. She said it was chaos.

After the incident, LeBarron Burton posted to Facebook. He said for the past 20 years, he has been in defense of Gary.

I've been continuously proud of our city despite what others would say from outside communities, Burton said.

He said the gunfire was shameful.

There is nothing a person can say to me to justify this moment," Burton said.

"It was at this moment that I instantly understood why the best of us leaves the rest of us for communities where we are not wanted," he said. "It's a sad day and time when those of color feel more peaceful and profitable living in communities that they are barely tolerated and definitely not celebrated.

He said he was embarrassed for the community and saddened for the graduates. His post received many comments and shares from those who agreed with him.

Burton's daughter, whose graduation he was attending, was aggravated. However, Burton said the incident was not a reflection of the city and was not a common occurrence. He wanted to look forward with positivity.

Charges were filed Monday in Lake Juvenile Court against two teens in connection with the shooting.

The youths, ages 16 and 17, were taken into custody by Lake County sheriff's police, who were working security at the stadium during West Side's commencement, according to police and the Lake County prosecutor's office.

They were charged with criminal recklessness and dangerous possession of a firearm, the prosecutor's office said. They were being held at the Lake County Juvenile Detention Center.

The prosecutor's office was reviewing evidence to determine if one or both of the juveniles charged will be waived to adult court as of Wednesday.

Police were still searching for another person who fled during the incident.

Following the shooting, Gary Community School Corporation released a statement.

"A day that was meant for celebration has now been marked by tragedy through senseless acts of gun violence," Paige McNulty, manager for GCSC, said in the statement.

"During the entire graduation, our students conducted themselves in an excellent manner," McNulty said. "Meanwhile, the disruptive actions of a few overshadowed their special moment.

While the offenders were apprehended, she said, it does not change the hurt students, families and the greater school community experienced.

Our prayers are with those injured, and we continue to extend our congratulations to WSLA graduates," McNulty said. "They deserve it."

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CROWN POINT  Two teenage brothers in their caps and gowns returned fire Sunday after a man in dark clothing began shooting at them, leaving two people wounded as a result of the shootout and causing others to duck for cover behind vehicles, according to court records and police.

Joshua J. Hughes, 17, was charged Thursday as an adult in the shooting Sunday outside the U.S. Steel Yard following a graduation ceremony for more than 200 West Side Leadership Academy students.

Two Lake County sheriff's officers working security at the graduation spotted Hughes and another teen, identified in court records as Calob Hughes, 16, at the southeast side of the stadium and ordered them to lie facedown because they had guns, Lake Criminal Court records state.

Calob and Joshua Hughes are brothers, Gary police said.

A Glock 19 with a 30-round magazine, which still had six live rounds inside, was found on Joshua Hughes, according to court documents.

A Glock 19 with a 31-round magazine, which still had 10 live rounds inside was recovered from Calob Hughes, records state.

Joshua Hughes, who will turn 18 this week, previously was adjudicated in December 2021 in Lake Criminal Court as a delinquent child for dangerous possession of a firearm, according to court records.

He had not yet made an initial appearance before a Lake Criminal Court magistrate on charges of dangerous possession of a firearm and criminal recklessness, both level 5 felonies.

His bond was set at $50,000 surety or $5,000 cash. If convicted of a level 5 felony, Hughes could face a possible sentence of one to six years.

Another teen, identified as a 16-year-old by the Lake County prosecutor's office, remained charged in Lake Juvenile Court with dangerous possession of a firearm and criminal recklessness.

Gary police were still searching for the man in dark clothing who was shooting at the teens, Cmdr. Jack Hamady said.

The man, who was wearing black pants and a black hoodie, fled south on Maryland Street from East Fifth Avenue after the shooting. Police are asking anyone with photos or video of the shooting to come forward.

Another man, a 20-year-old from Hammond, was arrested the night of the shooting but released earlier this week without being charged, police said.

A 19-year-old Gary man was shot in the chest, and a 19-year-old Gary woman suffered a graze wound to her lower right leg.

There was no indication in court records that the two victims were involved in the altercation between Hughes and the man in dark clothing.

Police could be seen collecting multiple spent shell casings from the sidewalk and parking lot on the southeast side of the stadium, where the two were arrested, and on the south side of East Fifth Avenue at the intersection with Maryland Street.

Police were analyzing ballistics evidence in the case, Hamady said.

The night of the shooting, Gary Mayor Jerome Prince vowed to use all available law enforcement resources to bring whomever was responsible to justice.

"It's infuriating to me to hear of violence and injuries on a special night for our young people and their families," Prince said. "I pray for a full and speedy recovery for anyone who was injured."

Gary Community School Corp. manager Paige McNulty said in a statement released Monday the disruptions of a few overshadowed a special moment for all of the graduates, most of whom conducted themselves "in an excellent manner."

"A day that was meant for celebration has now been marked by tragedy through senseless acts of gun violence," McNulty said. "Our prayers are with those injured, and we continue to extend our congratulations to WSLA graduates. They deserve it."

Times staff writer Annie Mattea contributed to this report.

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HOBART  SWAT members and Hobart police executed a search warrant following several complaints of alleged drug activity at a west Hobart home.

At 4:45 a.m. Thursday Hobart police and the Northwest Regional SWAT Team executed a search warrant at 3780 Colbourne St., said Hobart police Capt. James Gonzales.

Gonzales said Hobart detectives launched an investigation following several complaints that were made concerning alleged drug activity at the house. In the course of the investigation, police identified the residents and made many controlled undercover purchases of illegal narcotics from one of the individuals.

Detectives collected evidence over the span of several weeks and obtained a search warrant. During the search, officers found several firearms and cash, Gonzales said.

A 37-year-old woman, a 31-year-old man and a 28-year-old man were taken into custody at the Hobart Police Department. All of them were residents of the Hobart house.

Two of the suspects remain in police custody and one suspect has been released pending charges through the Lake County Prosecutor's Office.

"We would like to thank the Northwest Regional SWAT Team for their assistance," Gonzales said.

Individuals can contact Lt. Nicholas Wardrip at nwardrip@cityofhobart.org or by phone at 219-942-4485 with crime tips and to report suspicious drug activity in Hobart neighborhoods.

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CHESTERTON  Details were released following a SWAT standoff sparked by a report of an armed man at a Chesterton apartment complex.

James W. Washington, 39, of Chesterton faces charges of intimidation, pointing a weapon, resisting law enforcement and disorderly conduct, according to Porter Superior Court records.

His son, James K. Washington, 18, was also arrested and faces charges of disorderly conduct and resisting law enforcement.

In addition, court records indicate that Eagle Crossing Luxury Apartment Homes has moved to evict James W. Washington and the hearings are ongoing.

The incident was sparked at 2:16 p.m. May 31 when two apartment employees rang the apartment doorbell at Eagle Crossing Luxury Apartment Homes in the 2000 block of Kelle Drive in Chesterton, according to a release from Chesterton Spokesman Kevin Nevers.

The employees said they tried to talk to the resident about a noise complaint.

The man, later identified as James W. Washington, walked out on his second-story balcony holding a handgun and a rifle when the employees rang his doorbell while standing on the ground level of the building outside, the Chesterton Police Department reported.

He then allegedly pointed a long black gun down in a trajectory the employee said appeared to be aimed at her. The employees said after pointing his firearms, he asked who was trying to break into his apartment, the report said.

When he figured out they were apartment employees, he apologized and went back inside his apartment, but did not answer the door.

A dispatcher called James W. Washington but described him as uncooperative to police. When an officer called him, he allegedly told police he didn't do anything wrong, has a valid gun permit and "told officers to kick in his door," police reported.

Chesterton police then decided to call the Porter County Emergency Response Team for assistance. As officers waited for the team to arrive, they made several attempts to speak with the resident and another man in the apartment, who was later identified as his son.

During this time, the men didn't exit the apartment but yelled at officers from inside the residence. Police said they heard the men yelling that they were "wasting their time and that a priest/pastor was molesting little children."

The Porter County Emergency Response Team also tried to negotiate with the men on the phone and in person multiple times. During this time, a neighbor alleged he could hear the men inside making statements such as "Youre going to have to shoot us," (referring to police) and, "Its all going to go down then," according to the report.

Eventually around 6 p.m. police were able to take the men into custody and transported to Porter County Jail. A search warrant was conducted and two firearms were found. Police noted the rifle had a magazine but a round was not chambered.

There were no reported injuries in the incident and the case is ongoing.

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CROWN POINT  A man accused of stealing more than $80,000 from customers of his now-shuttered St. John appliance store might accept a plea deal as soon as next week, his attorney said Thursday.

Erik W. Schneider, 44, of Lowell, has pleaded not guilty to charges of corrupt business influence and theft, both level 5 felonies.

Defense attorney Joshua Malher told Lake Criminal Court Judge Salvador Vasquez he and the Lake County prosecutor's office worked out a plea agreement, but it will require a significant restitution payment.

The prosecutor's office was still reviewing how to distribute the payment, Malher said.

Schneider is accused of accepting payments from customers of Hometown Appliances but later failing to deliver the merchandise they believed they were buying.

According to court records, Schneider often offered a "special discount" to customers who agreed to pay cash.

From November 2018 to December 2019, he bilked 32 customers out of $85,765, police alleged.

The judge scheduled a hearing for Friday.

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HAMMOND  A long-time member of Garys Sin City Deciples is pleading guilty to federal drug and racketeering charges.

Michael Castro Rivera, 64, of Gary, appeared Thursday before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Joshua P. Kolar at a change of plea hearing.

Rivera, also known as Puerto Rican Mike, told the court he is guilty of possession of cocaine, marijuana and heroin, and conspiracy to participate in racketeering activity that included illicit drug trafficking.

A federal grand jury Oct. 21 indicted Rivera and 15 other alleged Sin City Deciples.

The indictment identifies Rivera as a veteran member of the club that formed in 1967 and has maintained a clubhouse in the 1300 block of Virginia Street in Garys Midtown section.

A Sin City Deciples Nation website and the indictment both state that black and mixed-race men started the club because they were prohibited  at that time  from joining any of the all-white outlaw motorcycle gangs.

The clubs website states it has thousands of members in clubs across the United States, Canada and other countries and is one of the best-known black motorcycle clubs that permits white members.

The indictment states the Sin City Deciples have made no secret of their illicit reputation, identifying themselves as a 1 percent club  a reference to a 1940s American Motorcycle Association proclamation that only 1 percent of all clubs were involved in illegal activities.

The indictment accuses the Sin City Deciples of having committed homicides, robbery, extortion, kidnapping, sex trafficking, interstate transportation of stolen vehicles and illicit weapons and narcotics trafficking to increase their wealth, territory and reputation.

Rivera was awaiting trial this fall on the drug and racketeering counts that carry a maximum penalty of decades in prison.

Kolar stated in his recommendation to the court Thursday that Rivera is knowingly and voluntarily giving up his right to make the government prove the charges against him.

In return, the U.S. attorney is promising to recommend Rivera receive a more lenient sentence. He still faces a minimum prison sentence of four years, according to the plea deal.

Rivera also must surrender two firearms and two Harley-Davidson motorcycles, the trademark transportation of Sin City Deciples members.

Rivera is admitting in his plea agreement he was one of the first dues-paying members of the club and has held a number of national leadership positions, including national president.

He admits he and his co-conspirators distributed at least 5 kilograms of cocaine in the last dozen years and committed crimes while armed.

He states he was also involved in shootings of members of the Sin City Deciples who violated club laws as well as others in affiliated support clubs or rival gang members.

The indictment alleges Rivera was involved in a May 1, 2015 fight outside the Gary clubhouse, in which club member London Clayton was fatally shot.

Rivera admits he took part in the extortion of other motorcycle clubs to pay Sin City Deciples dues and provide back-up security and muscle for Riveras club.

The indictment alleged he was among 50 members of Sin City Deciples  some of whom were armed with handguns and AR-15 rifles  who surrounded the Moville Groundshakers Clubhouse in Kokomo Sept. 12, 2021 and demanded control over it, beating one Kokomo club member to back up their threats of retaliation if resisted.

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Gov. Eric Holcomb has selected a Court of Appeals judge originally from Northwest Indiana to fill an upcoming vacancy on the state's highest court.

Newton County native Derek Molter will succeed Justice Steven David on the Indiana Supreme Court when David retires from the five-justice bench later this year.

The Republican chief executive said Friday he picked Molter from the three candidates recommended by the Indiana Judicial Nominating Commission because he believes Molter is "devoted to the cause of justice and maintaining the integrity of our justice system."

"He's proven during his lengthy legal career and his tenure on the Indiana Court of Appeals his dedication to the critical role the judiciary plays in our system of government and the future of our state," Holcomb said.

Molter, 40, was appointed by Holcomb just last year to the 15-judge Indiana Court of Appeals. The governor said Molter already has demonstrated, in just nine months as an appellate judge, the personal and professional qualities needed to become an excellent justice.

"He has profound respect for our state Constitution and the rule of law. He is absolutely devoted to the cause of justice, both inside and outside the courtroom," Holcomb said.

"He displays, always, in his every day life and in his professional duties the highest level and standard of integrity," he said. "And he's a forward-thinker, someone who has a long-term vision for our state and for the judicial system itself."

Molter said while he will miss working alongside his new colleagues on the Court of Appeals, he's grateful for the opportunity to continue serving Hoosiers as a member of the Supreme Court.

"As a lawyer who has practiced before our Supreme Court, and now as a judge who works with the court and whose work is reviewed by the court, I've long revered the Supreme Court and the justices who serve on it," Molter said.

"Our Supreme Court respects the limits of its role in our divided government, understanding that the separation of powers is the most important tool for protecting liberty. But while respecting those limits, the court also understands its solemn obligation to uphold the promises of our Constitution, he said.

"In short, our Supreme Court stays in its lane, but it fully occupies that lane," Molter said.

Molter described his judicial philosophy as "originalist," which he said means judges interpret legal texts, such as the Constitution, "consistent with the understanding of that text at the time it was enacted or ratified."

"The virtue of that philosophy is that it anchors the court to ensure that it's exercising its judicial role," Molter said. "Under our separation of powers, that's the only role the judges are here to perform; they're not here to perform the legislative role."

Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush, who led the process of winnowing the 19 applicants for the judicial vacancy to three finalists, said she's eager to welcome Molter to the Supreme Court  and already has a binder full of work for him to tackle.

"Derek Molter is a thoughtful and even-tempered judge," said Rush, who lived in Munster as a child. "From Newton County farming roots to pro bono work to Washington D.C. law firm experience, Derek brings a unique skill set that will be a lasting credit to the Indiana Supreme Court."

Records show Holcomb selected Molter over Grant Superior Judge Dana Kenworthy and Justin Forkner, an Indianapolis attorney who works as chief administrative officer for the Indiana Supreme Court.

Molter initially will serve a two-year term on the Supreme Court. Hoosier voters then will decide at the 2024 general election whether Molter should be retained for a renewable, 10-year term.

David announced in November his intention to retire from the state's high court this fall after being appointed to the bench in 2010 by Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels and retained by Hoosier voters in 2012.

Molter is a graduate of Indiana University and its law school at Bloomington. Prior to becoming a judge, he was a partner at the Ice Miller law firm in Indianapolis, where he primarily worked on state and federal appellate litigation.

That work included serving as counsel to the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority and representing the Lake County Council in its ongoing separation of powers dispute with the Lake County Board of Commissioners.

Ironically, Molter's judicial career has progressed more quickly than that litigation, which is set for oral argument June 24 at the Court of Appeals.

Some of Molter's earliest legal work also took place in the Region when Molter served as law clerk in 2007-08 for Hammond-based Judge Theresa Springmann of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana.

In fact, Molter comes from a long line of Northwest Indiana attorneys, dating back to the 19th century when his great-great-aunt Agnes became one of the first female attorneys in the United States, and later was appointed Newton County prosecutor by Democratic Gov. Paul McNutt.

Molter's grandfather also was an attorney, as well as his father, Judge Daniel Molter, who has served on the Newton Superior Court bench for nearly four decades.

Derek Molter is well-known for his community service in addition to his legal service. For example, he recently partnered with Appeals Judge Leanna Weissmann and the Indiana State Bar to organize a collection effort to provide diapers and other needed supplies to Afghan evacuees temporarily housed at Camp Atterbury.

Since 2011, he and his wife, Katie, also have helped administer a leadership fund that provides scholarships to students at his alma mater, South Newton High School.

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, a Republican originally from Munster, said Molter's elevation to the Supreme Court is "exciting but not surprising."

"As a long-time friend, I have witnessed Dereks astute legal mind and pure intellect. Im confident he will uphold our Constitution as the newest justice on the Indiana Supreme Court. Whether its in the courtroom or in his community, he has a proven track record of honesty, integrity and consistency," Rokita said.

Molter, who now lives in Indianapolis with his wife and three children, will be the second Northwest Indiana native currently serving on the Supreme Court. Justice Geoffrey Slaughter originally is from Crown Point.

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Former Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels is ending his 10-year tenure as Purdue University president Jan. 1, 2023.

The university announced Friday that Mung Chiang, an engineering dean and Purdue's vice president for strategic initiatives, will succeed Daniels next year as president.

Daniels' leadership of Purdue has drawn national attention to the West Lafayette campus for, among other initiatives, an unprecedented 11-year tuition freeze; record fundraising growth; higher rankings for the university, its colleges and programs; and 11 new or expanded campus buildings.

He also helped increase the number of Purdue students and faculty; launch online programs through Purdue University Global; establish three Purdue Polytechnic High Schools in Indianapolis and South Bend; ink Purdue partnerships with top corporations; and revitalize the campus-adjacent State Street corridor.

"The amazing success of the Daniels' Decade must continue," Chiang said. "President Daniels built Purdue into the most consequential public university in the United States."

No specific reason was given for Daniels' departure. Daniels' exit and Chiang's election were simultaneously announced following a meeting of Purdue's Board of Trustees.

"The last decade has seen Purdue attain unprecedented levels of national recognition, reflected in record enrollments, academic rankings and overall reputation," said Michael Berghoff, board of trustees chairman.

"Mung is the ideal choice to lead Purdue into its next 'giant leap.' The board could not be more confident in this selection, as we have had the opportunity to observe his performance across a broad range of duties for five years. He has displayed not only academic excellence but also administrative acumen, effective relationship-building with academic, governmental, and business partners, and the skills of public communications."

Daniels controversially was elected the 12th Purdue president in 2012 during the final months of his second four-year term as governor by a board of trustees he largely selected.

He immediately used his new role to exit the rough and tumble world of partisan politics  after briefly considering running for the Republican nomination for president of the United States  and focused instead on transforming Purdue into an institution that would help Indiana meet its current and future science, technological and agricultural needs.

Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb, who previously served as a top aide and Daniels' 2008 gubernatorial campaign manager, said his "partner and friend," Daniels, "is part of a generation of proud Boilermakers who take small steps and turn them into giant leaps."

"Purdue University always has been a world class institution with successful graduates spanning the globe, and Mitch has taken the university to even higher levels," Holcomb said.

"He has always kept Purdues land-grant mission as its core strategy and spent each day opening the doors of higher education to every Hoosier willing to put in the work to be a Boilermaker."

The governor also said he looks forward to working with Chiang as he takes Daniels' place in Purdue's top office.

"I know he has had the opportunity to learn from the best and will keep the universitys forward motion moving at a fast pace," Holcomb said.

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ST. JOHN  During a Wednesday night meeting, St. John department heads shared ideas on how to spend the some $4 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds the town received.

St. John began the ARPA planning process in April, working with Trista Hudson of Cender|Dalton Municipal Advisors to learn how the funds could be spent. Town Manager Joe Wiszowaty then began meeting with department heads compiling a "wish list" of their needs.

An ARPA committee was ultimately formed, made up of Wiszowaty, Hudson, Clerk-Treasurer Beth Hernandez and all five department heads.

The department heads made formal ARPA funding requests during a Wednesday study session. Each gave presentations outlining what the funding would be used for and then answered specific town council questions.

Town Council President Gerald Swets, Ward-3, said after the study session, the list of requests will be "fine-tuned" and then put on the town website so residents can give feedback.

Wiszowaty said once a spending plan has been drafted, the town will hold public hearings before making appropriations.

The St. John Public Works Department had the largest request with about $3 million. The money would be used for a number of infrastructure-related projects such as completing a full reclamation of 85th Avenue, resurfacing 93rd Avenue from Marquette Street to Clarmonte Drive and repaving 93rd Avenue from Marquette Street to Blaine Street.

The Public Works Department also requested $480,000 to replace two of the town's dump trucks, which are both over 15 years old. The final public works request was a new barn to store road salt. A larger barn would allow the town to house salt for the entire year, saving delivery costs.

The estimated cost of the barn was about $250,000, though the town would likely have to buy land to build the barn on as well.

St. John Fire Chief Kevin LaDuke requested about $1 million for his department. Many of LaDuke's requests related to purchasing updated gear for firefighters. He explained that 70% of the department's members have gear that is now deemed "non-compliant" because the department has not made a major gear purchase since 2006.

LaDuke said the current public safety building is also dated as it was built in 2007. Since then St. John's population has nearly tripled and the fire department has grown.

LaDuke proposed renovating the firehouse kitchen as it is currently a small, residential kitchen. He said the department needs a commercial-grade kitchen as the department often cooks for eight people at a time.

LaDuke would also like to create a clean storage area in the downtown portion of the firehouse, so that gear and equipment carrying cancer-causing chemicals are kept separate from living quarters.

Both the police and fire departments requested funds for two additional full-time personnel for each department. If approved, the new hires would bring the police department to 26 officers.

St. John Police Chief Steve Flores said he would like to have a minimum of three officers on a shift at all times instead of just two. To do that, Flores said the department would need about 28 officers.

With our population right now, according to the national standard we should be at about 40 officers, Flores said. With as fast as the town is growing, it is crucial (we hire more officers) and it is dangerous to have two officers out there.

Flores' $970,083 request also included funds for two license-plate readers and two additional squad cars to replace some of the aging vehicles in the department's fleet.

Wiszowaty said the Parks Department had three main projects needing ARPA funds: a pickleball court to the east of the Gates Skatepark currently under construction, a pavilion and restroom at the Gates park, and the repaving of the Lake Hills trail. The total Parks Department request was $490,800.

Both the Building and Planning Department and the IT Department requested a total of $816,000 for a new software system.

St. John Director of Building and Planning Sergio Mendoza said the upgraded software would integrate land-mapping programs, land inspections and property history. With the new software, residents and business owners would be able to monitor the status of their permits online.

The town's current drafted spending plan also includes $73,000 which would be divided amongst several local nonprofits and $175,000 for essential worker premium pay.

The draft plan said Hernandez recommended paying all current St. John employees who worked in-person during 2021, $1.00 per hour worked with a maximum of $2,000 per employee. The plan states that elected officials are not eligible for premium pay.

The ARPA committee plans on drafting a complete spending recommendation before the end of July.

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R. Kelly, the R&B superstar known for his anthem "I Believe I Can Fly," deserves at least 25 years behind bars for sexually abusing women and girls, prosecutors said in a memo filed Wednesday in advance of his sentencing later this month.
President Muhammadu Buhari has described the just-concluded presidential primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the most competitive and peaceful in the history of Nigeria's democracy.

In a letter addressed to Governor Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State and chairman, Progressives Governor Forum (PGF), the President in a statement by presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu, commended the role Bagudu played in the success of the primary that produced the standard-bearer of the party in the 2023 elections, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The letter reads: "I was pleased to see how you were very professional and efficient in handling the sensitive political position of Chairman Progressives Governors Forum.

"Your commitment in pursuit of equity and fairness speaks volumes in the cooperation displayed by APC Governors. This indeed demonstrates the camaraderie that brought us together over 8 years ago.

"The party primaries were peacefully conducted and the delegates have selected the candidate to carry the APC flag in the 2023 Presidential Primaries.

"Today, as a patriotic APC member and stakeholder, I trust that you will come together to work with our candidate to win the 2023 elections.

"In the past 7 years in government, we have achieved a lot. However, we have a lot more to do. The APC project is far from over and we need all of you to come together to ensure our progressive journey to peace and prosperity is sustained.

"Our candidate, His Excellency, Sen, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is no stranger to you. He is our friend and brother. We know his commitment, his track record, and his capacity to lead our party to success. So now is the time for all of us to come together and march forward, as we did in 2015, to a convincing APC victory.

"I look forward to working closely with APC Governors to support Sen. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all our APC candidates to success in 2023.

"While I wish our great part success in the 2023 elections, please accept, the assurances of my consideration and personal regards."

HOW MY CHINESE DOCTOR RECOMMEND THIS MAGIC DRUGS THAT HELP WOMEN PREVENT AND TREAT BREAST CANCER AND ALSO HELP MEN PREVENT AND CURE PROSTRATE ISSUE PERMANENTLY WITHOUT SIDE EFFECTS AND REMISSION!!INEVER BELIEVE IT!!
Despite additional federal funding, U.S. schools reported that they were most likely to rely on low-cost strategies to improve ventilation to slow the spread of the coronavirus, according to a study published Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The measures include holding activities outside, opening doors and windows, and inspecting existing heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, the study said.

Only about one-third of public schools reported taking costlier steps such as replacing or upgrading their HVAC systems. Fewer than one in three said they used high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration systems in classrooms and cafeterias.
Ms. Huth, 64, testified earlier this week that Mr. Cosby, now 84, had invited her to the Playboy Mansion, where he tried to put his hand down her pants and then forced her to perform a sex act on him.

Because Ms. Huth, then 16, was a minor at the time, the statute of limitations in the case was extended and set by the date at which Ms. Huth fully realized the psychological damage from such an event. She has testified that she did not recognize the impact of the episode until many decades later, when she was an adult.

She filed suit in 2014, but the case was delayed in part by Mr. Cosbys criminal prosecution in Pennsylvania, where he was convicted in 2018 of having sexually assaulted Andrea Constand, a former employee of Temple University. That conviction was overturned last year on due process grounds.

The 12-person panel sitting for the Huth case is expected to begin hearing closing arguments in the next few days.
A few months after the Korean War broke out in 1950, when he was 23, he left home to avoid being drafted to fight for the North, and made his way south. He eventually boarded a United Nations tank landing ship, not knowing where it was headed. Staring out at the water, he would later say, he renamed himself Hae, meaning sea.

He left his mother and a younger sister behind in North Korea. Well into his 90s, he would be reduced to tears by any mention of them.

After the ship took him to the South Korean city of Busan, on the peninsulas southern coast, he served as a signalman in the South Korean Army. He said in interviews that he was one of the soldiers who tapped out the Morse code transmitting the message in July 1953 that there was a cease-fire.

After his discharge from the army, he peddled tofu in impoverished postwar South Korea before joining a traveling musical theater troupe. He sang and performed in variety shows and eventually became a radio host, anchoring a traffic call-in show that catered to cab and bus drivers. It included an occasional segment in which the drivers would dial in for a sing-off.

In 1952, Mr. Song married Suk Ok-ee, the sister of a fellow soldier he had served with in the war. They had three children. After 63 years of marriage, Mr. Song and his wife held the wedding ceremony they never had, having originally married amid the poverty and turmoil of their youth. She died in 2018.
Starbuckss chief executive, Howard Schultz, says the company is considering ending its open bathroom policy.

Speaking on Thursday at The Timess DealBook D.C. policy forum, Mr. Schultz said the coffee giant might no longer allow people who were not customers to use their stores bathrooms. The move would reverse a policy Starbucks instituted in 2018 in the wake of the arrest of two Black men in one of its Philadelphia stores. The two men had been reported to the police by a Starbucks employee after they were denied use of the stores bathroom and asked to leave. They hadnt made a purchase.

At the time, Starbucks announced that any customer is welcome to use Starbucks spaces, including our restrooms, cafes and patios, regardless of whether they make a purchase.
First, we need to get past the idea that crime is mainly a big-city problem  an idea that is still very much out there, even though it has long since stopped being true. Last year J.D. Vance, now the Republican nominee for senator from Ohio  and definitely in the running for one of Americas most cynical politicians  tweeted to his followers: I have to go to New York soon, and Im trying to figure out where to stay. I hear its disgusting and violent there. I think that was sort of a joke, but one that he knew perfectly well that many of his followers wouldnt get.

The truth, as Bloombergs Justin Fox recently documented, is that New York is remarkably safe, not just compared with other large U.S. cities, but also compared with small towns and rural areas. In particular, New York City has a substantially lower homicide rate than that of Ohio as a whole.

This doesnt mean that everything is fine in the Big Apple; Eric Adams was elected mayor in part because crime has risen sharply, and he took a get-tough-on-crime stance. But in a rational world, politicians from the heartland wouldnt be sneering at New York; theyd be looking at our biggest city, which also happens to be one of the safest places in America, and trying to figure out what its doing right.

Another misconception we need to get past is the idea that rising crime is all about immigration. Vance, in particular, has based his campaign largely on demagoguery about immigration, and especially about immigrant crime  demagoguery that seems to work best in places with very few immigrants: Less than 5 percent of Ohios population is foreign-born, compared with 38 percent in New York City.
Evan Mock, the 25-year-old skateboarder, Gossip Girl actor and Calvin Klein model, was cast in amber light, leaning up against a pine wall at the River, a new bar on Bayard Street in Manhattans Chinatown.

He was chatting with two of the bars owners: Aaron Aujla, 36, and Benjamin Bloomstein, 34, the men behind Green River Project  an of-the-moment design firm known for its dark, tactile, wood-forward interiors and furniture. This place is about 30 percent mahogany  thats pine, thats ash, said Mr. Aujla, pointing to variations in the floor and furniture.

Mr. Mock, a handy guy himself, ruminated about buying a chain saw. He had used one to cut wood for a makeshift hot tub. Then the conversation shifted seamlessly to fashion. Mr. Mock was wearing a vintage Carhartt jacket that had been upcycled by Bentgablenits, a rarefied fashion label that has collaborated with Byredo and Levis. Pharrells manager put me on to them, Mr. Mock said. Theyre coming up.
Missing and belatedly submitted reports of illnesses and deaths  some deaths took as long as two months to make it into the database  made it hard to measure the scope of the pandemic. They also hamstrung contact-tracing, in which workers tried to track down everyone who came into contact with an infected person.

Florida health officials said they agreed with many of the auditor generals conclusions, but also blamed testing laboratories and, on occasion, other state agencies for some of the problems. Agency heads said the state was seeking to replace manual medical and test records with electronic ones.

They also said contact-tracing efforts were overwhelmed by the sheer volume of Covid infections  23,000 a week, on average, during the time covered by the report. The state has since halted efforts to track down contacts with infected people.

A spokesman for the health department, Jeremy Redfern, said that delays and inaccuracies could be traced in part to the differing data reporting standards employed by different agencies.

There are ways we can try to bring together vital statistics and surveillance reports, he said. But realistically, the differences are going to be there, and theyre expected.
We are in the thick of a struggle to defend our democratic institutions and our democratic processes and the constitutional order, he said. We have a former president who now has positioned himself and his supporters outside of the constitutional order. They attack our elections. They attack the peaceful transfer of power. They attack the rule of law.

A former constitutional law professor at American University and a state senator from Maryland, Mr. Raskin is known on Capitol Hill for his detailed discussions of U.S. history and the nuances of the Constitution. He is the chief sponsor of legislation to create a commission that could remove a president from office under the 25th Amendment.

Mr. Raskin, a Harvard Law graduate, has also released a memoir, Unthinkable: Trauma, Truth, and the Trials of American Democracy, about 45 days that forever changed his life around the time of the Capitol siege.

Days before the riot, his son, Tommy, 25 and a student at Harvard Law, died from suicide on New Years Eve. Debilitated by grief, Mr. Raskin then lived through the mob attack on the Capitol. He almost immediately began pressing to impeach Mr. Trump a second time for inciting the assault, and within days, Speaker Nancy Pelosi appointed him to lead the effort.
A New Jersey man admitted in federal court on Thursday to illegally selling $2.7 million worth of pesticides that he falsely claimed had been registered with the Environmental Protection Agency as effective safeguards against the coronavirus.

The man, Paul Andrecola, 63, of Maple Shade, N.J., sold the pesticide to several government agencies, including a U.S. Air Force base and the U.S. Marshals Service. Federal law requires that pesticides be registered with the E.P.A. to ensure that they are safe, effective, and bear labeling containing true and accurate information, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office in New Jersey.

Prosecutors said Mr. Andrecola had used another companys registration numbers for his product at the beginning of the pandemic and created several false documents to support his claim of the pesticide being E.P.A.-approved to kill coronavirus.
When Representative Pete Aguilar, Democrat of California, hears Republican critics argue that the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol does not serve a legitimate purpose, he bristles.

He thinks of the at least 140 cops who were injured in the assault, and the officers who died in its aftermath.

Its an insult to the lives of the Capitol Police officers if we dont pursue what happened and take meaningful and concrete steps to ensure that it doesnt happen again, said Mr. Aguilar, 42. We started off with a public hearing that was powerful, with police officers from the D.C. Metro to Capitol Police forces, and weve really kept our eye on that ball: How do we honor the lives of those folks who are hurt, who were injured?
analysis

As encouraging steps are taken to resolve the military conflict, pressure for a negotiated settlement is needed.

After almost two years of conflict between the federal government and Tigrayan forces, Ethiopia seems to have decided to resolve its most devastating militarised conflict peacefully. On 24 March, the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali declared a humanitarian truce 'to facilitate a free flow of emergency humanitarian aid into the Tigray region.'

The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) reciprocated this notion the next day. Since then, both government and TPLF forces have observed the 'humanitarian truce' and cessation of hostilities, despite a recent uptick in war rhetoric from both.

Tigrayan forces have complained that there are still too few aid trucks entering Tigray through the humanitarian corridor at the Afar-Tigray border. These forces have withdrawn from much of the area they controlled in Amhara and Afar - two regions in the conflict that the government seems to have brought into the fold. This is an encouraging step to brokering peace, and signals mutual recognition by the government and the TPLF of a stalemate.

However, the current situation is likely a temporary de-escalation. Given the intractability of the conflict's root causes and the attendant social trauma, lasting peace requires several confidence-building and peacemaking approaches. These efforts should also consider security issues that are intrinsically political and beyond the geographic scope of this military conflict.

Dealing with these security issues will require bringing other armed forces, especially the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) in Oromia, on board. The African Union (AU), regional economic communities and neighbouring countries such as Kenya - who are reportedly involved in mediating the conflict - should capitalise on the truce and exert pressure for a negotiated political settlement.

The violence and conflict in Ethiopia, including in the north, is as much about contrasting ideologies relating to the country's past and future as it is about power politics. The polarisation of the political scene over the years has triggered tension and violence, culminating in a full-scale military confrontation in the north. However, the dispute is not confined to this region.

OLF-Shene - the government's label for the OLA - has been militarily active in Oromia. Efforts to resolve the confrontation amicably seem to have failed, and attempts to eliminate OLA militarily have not succeeded. The government then decided to employ fully-fledged securitisation as a political tactic and declared OLF-Shene, along with the TPLF, as terror groups.

Interestingly, after seemingly embracing the notion of ending hostilities with Tigrayan forces and signalling a willingness to negotiate with the TPLF, the state launched a military offensive to root out OLA in Oromia. If recent events are any indication, the viability of such parallel routes of peacemaking - negotiating with forces in the north and security force action in the wider south - is questionable.

The government should stick to the peaceful (negotiation and dialogue) route in Oromia and beyond, as it did to resolve political and security predicaments in the north. However, this is easier said than done, as multiple actors are already involved in the militarised confrontations.

The clashes between government and opposition forces have already heightened inter-ethnic animosity between Tigray, Afar and Amhara. Throughout the conflict, Afar and Amhara have been involved in the war effort against TPLF and have been devastated by Tigrayan incursions into their territories. Memories of atrocities are too fresh to consider a negotiated settlement. The government and international community needs to redress not only the economic devastation, but the social and psychological upheaval suffered by the Afar and Amhara communities.

Ethiopia recently constituted a new national dialogue commission to mediate historic, structural socio-political cleavages that have spurred conflict for decades. The commission is intended to facilitate dialogue among political elites and ordinary Ethiopians. Some political parties have refused to participate, citing a lack of inclusivity and transparency gaps in the lead-up to the commission's formation. The methodology of selecting commissioners and other issues were also raised.

The Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC), Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) are among the major actors that officially boycotted the process. The commission's legitimacy appears to be contested, but as an independent organ, it could build credibility by demanding the federal Parliament remove the TPLF and OLA from the terror list. In a recent interview, the vice-president of the ruling Prosperity Party seemed to suggest as much.

The Ethiopian Political Parties Joint Council recently released a statement asking the government to delist the TPLF and OLA and include them in the process. This sets the stage for the commission and the government to travel the dialogue route of peacemaking.

Given the social trauma of the war and intercommunal animosity reinforced by its discourse, convincing victims to consider talks and reconciliation could be difficult. So the government and international actors should craft a 'trauma management' scheme for communities in war-torn areas. This could be done through coordinated support for reconstruction and rehabilitation of areas most affected, not only in the north.

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The AU, regional economic communities and international stakeholders can play a significant role in encouraging confidence in the national dialogue process. They should also realise that the government's securitisation approach in Oromia will prolong violence in and around that region.

A concerted effort is needed to convince the federal government to replicate its peacemaking approach employed in the north in other regions, and negotiate with the OLA. This would likely encourage groups such as the OLF, OFC and ONLF to join the dialogue process. Continental and regional organisations should also commit to 'African solutions to African problems' and push back against the 'politics of the United Nations Security Council'.

Tegbaru Yared, Researcher, Horn of Africa Security Analysis, ISS Addis Ababa

This article was first published by the ISS PSC Report.

Development partners: The ISS is grateful for support from the members of the ISS Partnership Forum: the Hanns Seidel Foundation, the European Union, the Open Society Foundations and the governments of Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.
Representatives Bennie Thompson, Democrat of Mississippi, and Liz Cheney, Republican of Wyoming, led the first hearing on the attack on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, which included testimony from a Capitol police officer and a documentary filmmaker.

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.

Donald Trump was at the center of this conspiracy, said Representative Bennie Thompson, Democrat of Mississippi and the chairman of the committee. And ultimately, Donald Trump, the president of the United States, spurred a mob of domestic enemies of the Constitution to march down the Capitol and subvert American democracy.

The prime-time hearing featured dramatic video of the Proud Boys, a right-wing extremist group, leading the assault on the Capitol, and the emotional testimony of a Capitol Police officer who suffered a traumatic brain injury at the hands of the mob.

What I saw was a war scene, the officer, Caroline Edwards, one of the more than 150 officers injured in the rampage, testified. I saw officers on the ground. They were bleeding. They were throwing up.

She added: I was slipping on peoples blood. It was carnage. It was chaos.

Image Officer Caroline Edwards of the U.S. Capitol Police is believed to be the first officer injured in the attack. I was slipping on peoples blood, she testified. It was carnage. It was chaos. Credit... Doug Mills/The New York Times

Officer Edwardss appearance reflected the potency of the committees seamless two-hour presentation  including never-before-seen video  in bringing home the violence of that day all over again.

The committee is publicly telling the story of how a sitting president undertook unprecedented efforts to overturn a democratic election, testing the guardrails of American democracy at every turn. Mr. Trump and his allies challenged President Bidens victory in the courts, at state houses and, finally, in the streets.

You will see that Donald Trump and his advisers knew that he had in fact lost the election, said Representative Liz Cheney of Wyoming, the vice chairwoman and one of two Republicans on the panel. But despite this, President Trump engaged in a massive effort to spread false and fraudulent information to convince huge portions of the U.S. population that fraud had stolen the election.

Lawmakers contrasted Mr. Trumps refusal to accept his defeat with every president who came before him. At one point, Mr. Thompson displayed a handwritten note from President Abraham Lincoln in which he said he would be duty-bound to cooperate with the newly elected president should he lose.

Using previously unreleased video of testimony from former Trump aides and even his daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, the panel left little doubt about the truth of the former presidents actions. In doing so, its leaders said they hoped to force the nation to grapple with a dark chapter in its history.

Our democracy remains in danger, Mr. Thompson said. Jan. 6 and the lies that led to insurrection have put two and a half centuries of constitutional democracy at risk. The world is watching what we do here.

Image Representative Bennie Thompson, Democrat of Mississippi, the chairman of the committee, and Representative Liz Cheney, Republican of Wyoming, the vice chairwoman, led the hearing. Credit... Doug Mills/The New York Times

The opening night contained several revelations, perhaps the most damning of which came from Ms. Cheney. She said the committee had received testimony that when Mr. Trump learned of the mobs threats to hang Vice President Mike Pence, he said, Maybe our supporters have the right idea, and added that Mr. Pence deserves it.

The committee also revealed that several Republican congressmen, including Representative Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, now the chairman of the conservative Freedom Caucus, asked for a presidential pardon after Jan. 6.

The hearings are unfolding five months before midterm elections in which the Democrats majority is at stake, at a time when they are eager to draw a sharp contrast between themselves and the Republicans who enabled and embraced Mr. Trump, including the members of Congress who abetted his efforts to invalidate the election results.

Image Reporters preparing to go on television before the hearing, which was scheduled for prime time. Credit... Shuran Huang for The New York Times

Members of the panel see themselves as carrying out a critical function, much as fact-finding committees did in investigating the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, the Watergate scandal in 1973 and the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11.

At a time of intense political polarization, members of the panel took pains to back up their assertions with clear evidence, turning frequently to videotaped testimony to drive home their points. When Mr. Thompson outlined how Mr. Trump had been told repeatedly that there was no election fraud, he added, Dont believe me?

Then he paused for a video showing former Attorney General William P. Barr testifying that he knew the presidents claims were false.

I told the president it was bullshit, Mr. Barr is heard telling the committees investigators. I didnt want to be a part of it.

The committee also played a series of video testimony. Ms. Trump conceded that Mr. Barrs assertions affected her view. A Trump campaign adviser, Jason Miller, testified that a data specialist had showed him that the numbers were not there for Mr. Trump to win. Alex Cannon, a campaign lawyer, told the panel that he had relayed to Mark Meadows, the White House chief of staff, in November 2020 that he saw no evidence of irregularities sufficient to change the election result, prompting Mr. Meadows to reply, So, theres no there there.

Later, the panel played a video montage of rioters storming the seat of American government.

Image Serena Liebengood, whose husband, Officer Howard Liebengood, died by suicide after the attack, crying during the hearing. Credit... Kenny Holston for The New York Times Image Sandra Garzas partner, Officer Brian Sicknick, died after protecting the Capitol on Jan. 6. Credit... Doug Mills/The New York Times

Members of the panel promised to reveal evidence in the days to come that would fundamentally change the publics understanding of the Jan. 6 attack and bring into clearer focus exactly who is to blame.

Itll change history, predicted Representative Adam Kinzinger of Illinois, the other Republican on the committee.

Mr. Thompson said the next session, scheduled for Monday, would detail how Mr. Trump lit the fuse for the riot with his lie of a stolen election.

Other hearings are expected to focus on Mr. Trumps attempts to misuse the Justice Department to help him cling to power; his pressure on Vice President Mike Pence to throw out legitimate electoral votes for Mr. Biden; the way the mob was assembled and how it descended on Washington on Jan. 6, 2021; and the fact that Mr. Trump did nothing to stop the violence for more than three hours while the assault was underway.

The committee has interviewed more than 1,000 witnesses and accumulated more than 140,000 documents. It has a staff of about 45 employees, including more than a dozen former federal prosecutors and two former U.S. attorneys, and has spent millions on its work.

Many Republicans in Congress, whose leaders initially supported the idea of an independent commission, have spent the months since the assault trying to rewrite its history and downplay its severity.

They ramped up their fight Thursday morning, when the partys House leaders took turns at a news conference on Capitol Hill bashing the panels work as illegitimate and a sham.

Is Nancy Pelosi going to hold a prime-time hearing on inflation? said Representative Steve Scalise of Louisiana, the No. 2 Republican. Id sure like to see that. I think a lot of Americans would. Is Nancy Pelosi going to hold a prime-time hearing on lowering gas prices?

Image Representative Kevin McCarthy of California and other Republican leaders held a news conference in the Capitol on Thursday to attack the committees work. Credit... Michael A. McCoy for The New York Times

Four officers who suffered injuries defending the Capitol were on hand Thursday night. One, Officer Harry Dunn of the Capitol Police, wore a shirt with the definition of the word insurrection printed on it. Gladys Sicknick, the mother of Brian Sicknick, a Capitol Police officer who died after fighting off the mob, attended as did Mr. Sicknicks partner, Sandra Garza.

Serena Liebengood, the wife of Howard Liebengood, a Capitol Police officer who died by suicide after the attack, was seated next to Ms. Garza. They both watched the hearing in tears.

The hearing also featured the testimony of a documentary filmmaker, Nick Quested, who was embedded with the right-wing group the Proud Boys during the attack. Several members of the Proud Boys have been charged with conspiracy and sedition.

Mr. Quested, who has worked in the war zones of Afghanistan and elsewhere, spent a good deal of the postelection period filming the Proud Boys, including the groups former chairman, Enrique Tarrio, who has been charged with seditious conspiracy in connection with the Capitol riot. Mr. Quested accompanied the Proud Boys to pro-Trump rallies in Washington in 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 committee concluded the evening with a video compilation of rioters attributing their actions to the lies and the urging of Mr. Trump.

We were invited by the president of the United States, one of them said.

Alan Feuer and Katie Benner contributed reporting.
LOS ANGELES  President Biden on Thursday promised aggressive new leadership to confront economic despair and mass migration in Latin America, but his pledge was met with skepticism from the leaders in the region, who said the United States is doing too little to meet the grim moment of a global crisis.

In a speech to leaders gathered at the ninth Summit of the Americas, Mr. Biden urged those in attendance to join together behind concrete commitments to deal with poverty, corruption, violence and climate change. He vowed to demonstrate Americas enduring investment in our shared future.

There is no reason why the Western Hemisphere cant be the most forward-looking, most democratic, most prosperous, most peaceful, secure region in the world, the president told the gathering.
The ban targeted modified versions of battlefield weapons, singling out about a dozen guns including AR-15s, Uzis, AK-47s and TEC-9s. At its heart were technical and cosmetic features that defined an assault weapon  magazines with a capacity of more than 10 rounds, telescoping or folding stocks, bayonet or grenade brackets, pistol grips and anything that would mark a rifle as a copycat version of a machine gun.

The sunset provision was, remarkably, among the bills least controversial parts. Those involved in drafting the bill are unsure when it was inserted, and those who worked on the proposal assumed its renewal would not be a major problem once the bans benefits became apparent to the public.

It was a great, fundamental leap forward; it was such a huge deal to get an actual gun ban passed, said Christopher Putala, who worked on the ban as an aide to Mr. Biden in the Senate.

Its real-world effect on gun violence, by contrast, has long been the subject of debate.

A 2019 study published in the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery found a 70 percent reduction in mass shootings during the 10-year ban, based on an analysis of data from 1971 to 2017. But the authors found it had a negligible effect on overall gun homicides, because mass shootings make up such a small percentage of overall gun violence in the country.

A 2004 research report funded by the National Institute of Justice found that while the ban reduced the use of semiautomatic rifles in crimes, episodes involving such guns were so rare that they had a nominal impact on top-line crime rates. But the authors cautioned that the widespread availability of grandfathered guns made it impossible to draw definitive conclusions.

The ambiguity about its effect almost certainly played a role in its demise: Progressive gun-control groups, who criticized the federal ban as toothless, shifted their efforts to passing much tougher laws in states like California, Maryland and New York, sapping enthusiasm for its renewal among Democrats in the capital.
The narrative the committee laid out to a national audience on prime-time television sought to draw a series of sharp distinctions: most notably between a president who watched on television as the riot raged and told aides that his vice president, Mike Pence, deserved the chants from supporters calling for him to be hanged, and the Capitol Police officer, Caroline Edwards, who was pounded unconscious as the Proud Boys mounted their attack.

Mr. Trump, the committee established through snippets of testimony, had been informed directly by his attorney general and other aides that there was no evidence of the fraud he had claimed had cost him his election. Even Mr. Trumps daughter Ivanka came to reject his lies about the election having been stolen.

Mr. Trump also refused to intervene as the rioting got out of control, and he never gave an order to deploy the National Guard. His unyielding efforts to hold on to the presidency despite his loss were matched in the committees telling by the organized and determined efforts by the Proud Boys and other groups like the Oath Keepers, who felt they had been summoned to Washington by Mr. Trump to fight on his behalf.

Representative Liz Cheney, Republican of Wyoming, who is serving as the committees vice chairwoman, said in an opening statement that the pivotal movement in the run-up to the Capitol attack was a Twitter post from Mr. Trump in December 2020 calling on his supporters to come to Washington for a wild rally on Jan. 6.
They were striking words coming from Ms. Cheney, who had been one of the most powerful Republicans in the House when she was ejected from her leadership post last year for bluntly and repeatedly condemning Mr. Trumps false election claims and blaming him for the riot.

But Ms. Cheney did not back down, and in taking a leadership role on the Jan. 6 panel, she has elevated herself as perhaps the foremost critic of Mr. Trump in todays Republican Party. She has said she views the assignment as the most important of her political career, and she often uses language borrowed from the criminal code  delivered in a characteristically blunt tone  to make clear that she believes the former president faces criminal exposure.

Those who invaded our Capitol and battled law enforcement for hours were motivated by what President Trump had told them: that the election was stolen, and that he was the rightful president, Ms. Cheney said. President Trump summoned the mob, assembled the mob and lit the flame of this attack.

Behind the scenes, Ms. Cheney is known to be one of the more engaged and aggressive questioners on the panel. Video shared during the hearing on Thursday showed Ms. Cheney personally pressing Jared Kushner, the former presidents son-in-law and adviser, about whether Mr. Trumps lawyer threatened to resign over his false election claims. And it was she who pressed to assemble a bipartisan team of former intelligence analysts and law enforcement specialists on the committees staff.

Before the hearing, Ms. Cheney spent much of the day polishing her opening remarks, tapping away on her laptop in her suite in the Cannon House Office Building, a floor above the sprawling, chandelier-topped hearing room where she was to speak before a nationally televised audience. The lawmaker wrote her own speech, aides said, in consultation with a small inner circle of advisers in her office and lawyers on the panel.
WASHINGTON  House Democrats put off consideration of Senate-passed legislation to bolster protections for Supreme Court justices a day after a man armed with a pistol, a knife and other weapons was arrested near the Maryland home of Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh.

Democratic aides said the delay would be brief as House and Senate negotiators work through the scope of the added protections and whether the families of clerks would be offered more security. The justices already have security details, but after a draft opinion of a decision overturning abortion rights leaked, the Senate in May unanimously approved the Supreme Court Police Parity Act, which would provide police protection to the immediate families of the nine justices and other officers of the court.

We had hoped that we could do it today, but we certainly will do it at the beginning of next week, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democrat of California, told reporters on Thursday.
Some of the new revelations and the confirmations of recent news reports were enough to prompt gasps in the room and, perhaps, in living rooms across the country. Told that the crowd on Jan. 6 was chanting Hang Mike Pence, the vice president who defied the presidents pressure to single-handedly block the transfer of power, Mr. Trump was quoted responding, Maybe our supporters have the right idea. Mike Pence, he added, deserves it.

Ms. Cheney, the panels vice chairwoman, reported that in the wake of the Jan. 6 attack, members of Mr. Trumps own cabinet discussed invoking the 25th Amendment to remove the president from office. She disclosed that Representative Scott Perry of Pennsylvania and multiple other Republican congressmen involved in trying to overturn the election sought pardons from Mr. Trump in his final days in office.

She played a video clip of Jared Kushner, the presidents son-in-law and senior adviser who absented himself after the election rather than fight the conspiracy theorists egging on Mr. Trump, cavalierly dismissing threats by Pat A. Cipollone, the White House counsel, and other lawyers to resign in protest. I took it up to just be whining, to be honest with you, Mr. Kushner testified.

And she noted that while Mr. Pence repeatedly took action to summon help to stop the mob on Jan. 6, the president himself made no such effort. Instead, his White House chief of staff, Mark Meadows, tried to convince Gen. Mark A. Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to pretend that Mr. Trump was actively involved.

He said, We have to kill the narrative that the vice president is making all the decisions, General Milley said in videotaped testimony. We need to establish the narrative that the president is still in charge, and that things are steady or stable, or words to that effect. I immediately interpreted that as politics, politics, politics.
Dr. Jha said he had repeatedly warned lawmakers of the financial crunch.

Weve been communicating this very clearly to Congress. Ive been meeting with members of Congress, both Democrats and Republicans, in the House and Senate, he said. And I think members of Congress that Ive been meeting with and speaking with understand the situation we are in.

The shuffling of $10 billion in health department funds this week, Dr. Jha said, could compromise commitments the United States needs to make to test manufacturers if the nation wants to maintain a consistent supply, particularly during a possible surge in the fall and winter.

The U.S. government put in a lot of effort and resources into building up that domestic manufacturing, he said. And what were seeing is, day by day, week by week, that beginning to go away.

As of Wednesday, new confirmed cases in the United States have been roughly flat at around 110,000 a day on average over the past two weeks, according to a New York Times database, after rising from lower than 30,000 a few months ago. Infections, though, are thought to be widely underestimated. Death counts have been volatile in recent weeks but remain below 400 per day on average.
In spring 2002, Representative Stephanie Murphy, a Florida Democrat who was born in Vietnam, returned to the country for the first time as an adult with her father, as local elections were underway. She was shocked by the propaganda, as well as her relatives frank acknowledgment that their votes would not make a difference.

Her aunt basically checked the box, literally, on having voted  but knowing that it didnt matter what box she checked, Ms. Murphy recalled in an interview. That, to me, is so stunning. And we cant, in this incredible democracy, sow that kind of cynicism and allow people to get to a place where they believe that their vote doesnt count.

Her familys escape from a war-torn Vietnam to the United States is part of what has shaped Ms. Murphys work on the select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. The first Vietnamese American woman elected to the House, Ms. Murphy is also reflecting on the work she did as a national security specialist for the Defense Department that often involved what she described as struggling or nascent democracies abroad.
As viewers on the other networks saw powerful footage from allies of former President Donald J. Trump saying that they did not agree with his claims of being cheated of victory  including his daughter, Ivanka, and the former attorney general, William P. Barr  the audience on Fox wouldnt have known any of that was taking place. While Fox News showed a feed of the hearing room with no sound, it cut away during that testimony.

Mr. Carlson and Sean Hannity, who took over the broadcast at 9 p.m., both boasted about Fox Newss decision not to air the hearing live. Mr. Carlson said his show was the only hour on American television that is not broadcasting unfiltered propaganda into the homes of unsuspecting viewers.

Mr. Hannity declared in his opening monologue: Unlike this committee and their cheerleaders in the media mob, we will actually be telling you the truth.

Fox hosts offered their own version of events of what they said unfolded on Jan. 6 and who was at fault, even if they didnt always agree on how serious the situation got. While Mr. Carlson spent his program dismissing the threat the rioters posed that day, Mr. Hannity said the threat was serious enough that it should have been treated as such by the United States Capitol Police and Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) yesterday stated that there are no fewer than 536,132 out-of-school children in Katsina State.

The international children's agency explained that the statistics of the out-of-school children was revealed by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

The UNICEF Education Specialist, Kano

Field office, Mr. Muntaka Mukhtar, disclosed this during a media dialogue on Girls' Education Project 3 (GEP3) funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom and implemented by UNICEF.

This data is against the annual school census report released by the Katsina State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBE) 2021 which revealed that the state has 775,000 out-of-school children across the 34 local government areas.

The report further revealed that Kankara and Kafur LGAs have the highest number of out-of-school children in the state as a result of banditry and COVID-19 pandemic.

Mukhtar reiterated that one out of five of the world out-of-school children is in Nigeria, while 536,132 out-of-school boys and girls are in Katsina State.

The UNICEF education specialist identified poverty, cultural norms, poor infrastructure, violence and fragility as well as child marriage as barriers to girl-child education in the state and the country at large.

He urged the government, parents, community and religious leaders to prioritise girls' education, saying better educated women tend to be more informed about nutrition and healthcare, have fewer children, and marry at a later age.

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According to him, "When girls are educated, it improves their sense of psychological well-being, reduces the risk of partner violence and reduces the risk of under-five mortality and malnutrition among their children.

"This data was not from UNICEF, but it was according to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) data. Girls' education goes beyond getting girls into school, it includes ensuring girls learn and feel safe while in school, and having the opportunity to complete all levels of education, and acquiring the knowledge and skills to compete in the labour market.

"It also involves gaining socio-emotional and life skills necessary to navigate and adapt to a changing world, making decisions about their own lives, and also contributing to their communities and the world."
Representative Zoe Lofgren, Democrat of California, has described the attack on the Capitol and the events leading up to it as more serious than the threat that was posed by Watergate to our country.

Ms. Lofgren would know: As a young law student in 1974, she helped the House Judiciary Committee draft its Watergate charges against President Richard M. Nixon.

A close ally of Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, Ms. Lofgren, first elected to Congress in 1994, is one of four lawyers on the committee. Previously, Ms. Pelosi also tapped her to serve as one of the managers during Mr. Trumps first impeachment. As the panels only member to have participated in three modern presidential impeachments, she has played the role of Congresss institutional memory on such proceedings.
President Biden met for the first time on Thursday with President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil, the leader of the second-largest country in the Western Hemisphere, in a face-to-face discussion that was one of the most anticipated of the ninth Summit of the Americas.

The two leaders were gracious to each other in a photo op before the closed-door session.

Brazil is a wonderful place with magnificent people, Mr. Biden said, noting that he had been lucky to visit the magnificent country three times in the past. He praised Brazil for making real sacrifices in an effort to protect the Amazon rainforest.

I think the rest of the world should be able to help you preserve as much as you can, Mr. Biden told Mr. Bolsonaro.
Kate Fowle, who became director of MoMA PS1 in 2019 and barely had the chance to lead the museum as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, abruptly announced on Friday that she was stepping down as of July 15 from the museum in Long Island City, Queens.

This has been an extraordinary opportunity to lead MoMA PS1 over the last (nearly) three years and to work with all of you alongside our Board, patrons, and funders, she said in an email to the staff. I want you to know that I have deep respect and admiration for you all, and that I am incredibly proud of all the work we have achieved together.

She did not give any reasons for her departure and declined requests for comment. But one person with knowledge of the situation, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, said that Fowle recently expressed difficulty managing her job during a meeting with the museums chairwoman, Sarah Arison, and Glenn D. Lowry, MoMAs director.
Consult the recorded legacy he has left with the BIS label, one at least equal in stature to those of predecessors including Dimitri Mitropoulos and Antal Dorati, and it would be difficult to disagree. If Vanskas Mahler cycle misfired in symphonies that need more extroversion than reserve, it also includes a Tenth that is among the most convincing available. His Sibelius remains admired, richer than his taut, biting earlier set with the Lahti Symphony. His enthralling Beethoven still sounds as fresh as it did when it first came out, and remains arguably the finest such survey of the century so far.

These are signal achievements, but Vanskas time in charge has been about more than the pursuit of musical excellence. There was ample proof of that, though, in a concert here on June 2 that ended with the premiere of his friend Jaakko Kuusistos Symphony  an unsparing, frightening reflection on mortality that was left unfinished at Kuusistos death in February from a brain tumor and completed by his brother, Pekka.

Now, after a lockout and a pandemic lockdown, what seems to matter more than national or international acclaim is that the ensemble tries to be the best it can be for this city, which Vanska  with Erin Keefe, his wife of seven years and the orchestras concertmaster  will continue to call home.

We are stronger when a crisis comes if we are connected to this community, he said. We have to be there for this community, and then they will take care of us.
She spoke of sorting through those feelings with the co-creator Lucy Gaymer while they were on a 2019 trip to Machu Picchu in Peru. The London-based duo hiked and talked, ultimately hatching what became the shows pilot. This was their first time collaborating. Previously, Robins-Grace had been an executive producer on Netflixs Sex Education, while Gaymer had worked primarily as a TV production manager. Filming took place across England between June and November 2021.

On a video call from their vacation on the Greek island of Corfu, Robins-Grace and Gaymer talked about the growing trend of maternity-based thrillers, their shifting perspectives on parenthood and what The Baby has to say about reproductive rights. They were joined in the conversation by two of the shows executive producers, Carolyn Strauss (Game of Thrones, Chernobyl) in Los Angeles and Nicole Kassell (Watchmen)  who also directed the pilot episode  from New York. These are edited excerpts from the conversation.

Please excuse the pun, but can you describe how The Baby was conceived?

SIAN ROBINS-GRACE It really struck me how an experience that a lot of women are united by  having children  can create so much distance as well. And I was struck by the polarizing effect that babies can have on your life. These poor little creatures are just getting born, and theyre not asking for it, but they create all this drama.

LUCY GAYMER I had this idea: What if the inciting incident was a baby falling out of the sky and a woman in her 30s, who knows she didnt want children, catches the baby? Im in my 30s, Sians in her 30s, and were unsure about which version of motherhood feels exciting or relevant to us. That place of confusion is where the idea started.
For the queens Pasulka follows over the decade, celebrity is the key to everything from business success to social mobility to gender-affirming health care. As Pasulka outlines in her authors note at the beginning of the book, the circumstances for queer people in the United States have generally improved over the years, but there is still no stable access to L.G.B.T.Q. civil rights in the country, especially in the current political climate where those rights are under attack in multiple states and potentially at risk from a conservative Supreme Court. Celebrity for drag performers is now a path to personhood and the status that might protect you when your government and family wont. And so How You Get Famous isnt just the story of a niche nightclub scene in Brooklyn  its the story of America now.

Alexander Chee is the author of the novel The Queen of the Night and the essay collection How to Write an Autobiographical Novel.

HOW YOU GET FAMOUS: Ten Years of Drag Madness in Brooklyn, by Nicole Pasulka | Illustrated | 319 pp. | Simon & Schuster | $27.99
Vivian Kelly, the heroine of Katharine Schellmans fizzy series debut, LAST CALL AT THE NIGHTINGALE (Minotaur, 312 pp., $27.99), longs for escape. Its Manhattan, 1924, not long after women gained the right to vote and lost the right to drink alcohol. The Jazz Age giveth and taketh away, but Vivian, a seamstress with an adventurous streak, doesnt know that yet.

Shes having too much fun dancing and carousing every night at the champagne-soaked Nightingale, secondhand spangles sewn onto the hem of her dress. The fun at the speakeasy  which welcomes all races, sexes and genders, however furtively  is about to end, though: The long, drawn-out wail of a trumpet could hide almost anything. Even the sound of murder.

When Vivian stumbles across a dead man in the alley behind the club, where shes gone for a bit of fresh air, the Nightingales alluring owner, Honor Huxley, ropes her into investigating the crime. After all, there wouldnt be any police.  and if someone did come to collect the body, the odds of them carefully looking around for evidence of who committed the crime were practically zero.
The opportunity for the Jan. 6 attack to serve as a unifying moment for the country has already been lost.

The initial bipartisan condemnation of it has given way to a partisan argument in which many congressional Republicans play down the attack. The Republican Partys official organization described the riot as legitimate political discourse, and Republican leaders like Representative Kevin McCarthy quickly softened their initial denunciation. About half of Republicans voters say it was a patriotic attempt to defend freedom.

But the facts about Jan. 6 still matter. On that day, a mob violently attacked the Capitol  smashing windows, punching police officers, threatening members of Congress and Vice President Mike Pence  to try to prevent the certification of a presidential election. The rioters justified their attack with lies about voter fraud, and they received encouragement from top Republicans, including President Donald Trump and the wife of a Supreme Court justice.
A gun that would have been firing constantly a few weeks ago is today firing much less, according to troops in the field. Instead of blanketing Russian positions with ordnance, soldiers are only engaging specific targets.

Most of the big guns that Ukrainian forces have require Soviet-era ammunition. Ukraine had stockpiles of these and has received some from Central European countries. But these are now running low.

Western nations have also donated artillery and other heavy weaponry. But while Ukraine has plenty of ammunition for these, it doesnt have enough of the modern guns to replace the older equipment.

We have munitions of the new type, but we still lack guns to fire it, Mariana Bezugla, deputy head of the national security, defense and intelligence committee in the Ukrainian parliament said.
The Chinese Communist Party has always been wary of the influence of the business class, even as it tried to co-opt its members to help strengthen the countrys economy. Under Chinas current top leader, Xi Jinping, the partys attitudes toward the private sector took a more hostile turn and made the entrepreneur class the boogeyman for social ills.

In the past few years, the government has steered away from the market economy and cracked down on some industries. It demonized entrepreneurs and went after some of the most prominent of them. Then when the mild, albeit contagious, Omicron variant of the coronavirus emerged in China this year, the government meddled with free enterprise as it hadnt in decades.

The lockdowns and restrictions have done so much damage to the economy that Premier Li Keqiang summoned about 100,000 cadres to an emergency meeting in late May. He called the situation severe and urgent, citing sharp drops in employment, industrial production, electricity consumption and freight traffic.

Many business leaders believe that it will be hard to reverse the damage if the government doesnt stop the zero Covid policy. Yet they feel that theres nothing they can do to make Beijing change course.

The chairman of a big internet company told me that with all the pandemic restrictions, he and others were operating as if dancing with shackles on while expecting the sword of a lockdown to strike at any moment. With a big public company to run, he said, it would be too risky to be vocal. He hoped the economists could be more outspoken.

The chairman of a publicly listed conglomerate with many consumer-facing businesses said he had to shut down a few of his companies and let people go as revenues dropped off a cliff. Hes not a Christian, he said, but he has been praying to God every day to help him get through this tough period.
PREMIUM TIMES reported how dozens of people were killed when gunmen attacked worshippers on Sunday at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.

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 Thursday's 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 ISWAP's 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.

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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.
Second, the number of undernourished people has been rising since 2015, reversing a decade-long decline. That rise has been driven mainly by conflict, but the coronavirus pandemic and supply chain snags sharply accelerated the trend. Food prices shot up  and with them, hunger. In 2021, nearly 193 million people were food insecure, 40 million more than in 2020. The United Nations warned of catastrophic conditions in several countries.

Then, the Russian invasion of Ukraine sent food and fertilizer prices soaring.

Climate change looms in the background of all this. Hotter days and nights, plus extreme floods and droughts, can drive down yields in some places, block the transport of food, make staple grains less nutritious. Erratic rains make it far more difficult for farmers and herders to earn a living.

This year, climate change affected food security in at least one stark way. A brutal heat wave, magnified by climate change, withered the wheat crop in parts of India in May, and Indian officials responded by banning exports of wheat. They then limited the exports of sugar cane. That led to fears that rice could be next, Reuters reported, though India has said it has no such plans.

There are many levers to address food security on a hotter plant. Here are some of the proposed fixes youll be heading more about in coming years:

1. Self-sufficiency

Indias export restrictions on wheat and sugar reflect the countrys longstanding goal of food self-sufficiency: Produce and store enough grain to feed its people to avert the famines of the past. I expect more countries to consider such a policy as climate change and conflict disrupts the global food system.
What we do know is that those diagnosed with monkeypox in this current outbreak described close, sustained physical contact with other people who were infected with the virus, Dr. Walensky said on Friday. This is consistent with what weve seen in prior outbreaks and what we know from decades of studying this virus and closely related viruses.

But monkeypox is poorly studied, other experts said, and occasional episodes of airborne transmission have been reported for the closely related smallpox virus. In a 2017 outbreak of monkeypox in Nigeria, infections occurred in two health care workers who had no direct contact with patients, scientists said at a recent W.H.O. conference.

A few patients in the current outbreak do not know when or how they contracted the virus, C.D.C. officials acknowledged.

The agency is right to reassure the public that the outbreak is not a threat to most people, because monkeypox is not nearly as contagious as the coronavirus, said Dr. Donald Milton, an expert on airborne virus transmission at the University of Maryland.

Airborne transmission is unlikely to be a risk for anyone other than immediate caregivers, Dr. Milton said, but cautioned that denying the possibility entirely is the wrong way to do it.

When a virus is present in saliva or in the respiratory tract, as monkeypox has been shown to be, it can be expelled in respiratory droplets when talking, singing, coughing or sneezing, Dr. Milton and other experts said.
After the redistricting fiasco for Democrats, party leaders planned to compete seriously in as many as a dozen House districts across the state.

And in a likely race for the governorship against Ms. Hochul, a Democrat who has seen her job performance ratings sag in the face of concerns about crime and the economy, Republicans are hoping for a serious shot at breaking a lengthy losing streak in a state in which registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than two to one.

Four Republicans are facing off in the June 28 primary for governor, with Representative Lee M. Zeldin of Long Island receiving the partys blessing. Andrew Giuliani, the son of the former New York City mayor; Rob Astorino, the former Westchester County executive; and Harry Wilson, a corporate turnout expert, are also all on the ballot and will meet for their first debate on Monday.

This is a distraction in a battle that nobody needs at all, Thomas Doherty, a former top aide to Gov. George Pataki, the last Republican elected statewide in New York, said about Mr. Paladino and the debris spinning off his campaign.

You have the leading Republican in the House supporting a guy who has a ton of baggage against the Republican chairman, Mr. Doherty added. It just doesnt make any sense.

Since Mr. Paladino entered the race last Friday, Media Matters, the left-leaning watchdog group, has already unearthed a Facebook post amplifying conspiracy theories about the mass shootings in Buffalo and Texas and a 2021 radio interview in which Mr. Paladino praised Adolf Hitler as the kind of leader we need today.
Isnt Midtowns rebound affected by return-to-work plans, which many companies have delayed, and hybrid schedules, which many have adopted? How many office workers are going to the office?

Yes, Midtown is still office central. The last survey by the Partnership for New York City found that just 38 percent of Manhattans one million office workers were back at their workplaces in mid-April.

A lot of business leaders had expected that figure to be higher this summer, but many companies (including ours) pushed back return-to-work plans once again because of rising virus rates.

Given that, I was surprised to see so many people out and about in Midtown. It seems that the office workers who are back are picking up their prepandemic routines. In Times Square, the new Margaritaville hotel had more than 30 corporate events last month and expects to be even busier this month.

You wrote that people are once again chair-stalking in Bryant Park. What is that, anyway?

Its one of those essential urban skills if you want to sit and eat. You circle the park with your takeout, looking for people who are taking their last bite of lunch. You hover nearby so you can grab their chair or table as soon as they stand up. But you try not to seem too pushy or rude or desperate.

Before the pandemic, you had to chair stalk on warm sunny days when it seemed like everyone was in the park. Its even more essential now because there are fewer chairs than before. The park did not replenish its chair supply during the pandemic. There was no need when there were more chairs than people. Thats changed now. The lunch crowd reached 3,500 people a day in May, or about 83 percent of what it was in 2019.
For decades, American schools have had to contend with fake fire alarms, bomb threats and threats to commit school shootings. But these hoaxes reflect a disconcerting new reality for a country already reeling from a mass violence epidemic: Social media has made it increasingly easy to craft eerily specific threats of violence that clog up one of the few avenues law enforcement has to police them.

If the system becomes overwhelmed by false alarms, some could slip through, said Ron Avi Astor, a professor of social welfare who studies school violence at the University of California, Los Angeles. It takes away a big tool.

The site where the hoax threats were made, Omegle, was also used sometimes by the gunman who killed 21 people at an elementary school in Uvalde, Tex. The hoax threats posted on Omegle about New York City schools mentioned the type of assault rifle that would be used in a shooting and the music that would play: Abba.

The prevalence of hoax school shooting threats  and an uptick following a particularly notorious or deadly mass shooting  is not uncommon. For most of this school year, the city fielded an average of about two school shooting threats a day, the senior law enforcement official said. In the week following the Uvalde shooting, the number spiked to about six per day.

Only a small percentage of these threats are serious. Others will make threats as a prank or in an effort to be disruptive, not unlike previous generations that would pull a fire alarm or make a prank phone call, said Dewey G. Cornell, a professor of psychology at the University of Virginia who studies youth and violence. The stakes are higher now with social media and the tremendous anxiety that is generated by the threat of a school shooting.

Notwithstanding the hoax threats, targeted school shootings are rarer at schools in big cities. A 2020 federal report found that while urban schools had more shootings overall, those shootings typically stemmed from disputes and happened outside the school building.
They write, All of this suggests that large and sustained changes in living habits designed to avoid a single virus had not only economic opportunity costs, but also cost a shockingly large number of young lives.

Im not sure I agree with the authors seeming implication that the United States went overboard in trying to shut down Covid, but whether one agrees or not, its important to have the facts.

On a related matter, a reader of this newsletter, a retiree in New York who asked not to be identified, asked me to look into whether the Covid death toll would improve the finances of Social Security by (pardon the bluntness) killing off some beneficiaries. The answer isnt clear from the annual report of the trustees of the Social Security Trust Funds for 2022, which came out June 2.

So I interviewed Stephen Goss, the chief actuary of Social Security. He said that Covids long-term impact on the trust funds is expected to be minor. One reason, he said, is that many of the older people who died of Covid in the past two years had other health issues and would have died relatively soon of something else. Another reason is that after a beneficiary dies, the spouse gets an increased survivors benefit in many cases that offsets some of the savings for the trust funds.

Goss said there are two competing factors for the longer-term impact of Covid on death rates of beneficiaries. One is that they will be lower because the people who survived in the near term were inherently healthier than those who died. The other is that death rates will be increased for those who did not die soon after contracting Covid because many were damaged by it to some degree and will die prematurely. These factors are likely to be largely offsetting with little net effect on death rates in the longer term. Its going to take years for us to determine whether that is an appropriate assumption, he said.
Without question TikTok played a major role. From the very beginning of the trial, you started seeing TikToks created in support of Johnny Depp with hashtags like #justiceforjohnnydepp, yet virtually none were in support of Amber Heard. And once creators started to see the viral success some of the pro-Depp TikToks were getting, those TikToks multiplied and virtually every other TikTok on peoples for you page became a pro-Depp video. We also began to see anti-Heard TikToks  as well as the players in the trial (the lawyers, witnesses, etc.) take on their own viral fame. For Heard, her witnesses were mocked and scrutinized, while those for Depp  whether it was the man giving his testimony from his car while vaping, or former girlfriend Kate Moss  became celebrated. And maybe only second to Depp himself, TikTok began having a collective crush on Depps attorneys, who became celebrities as a result.

The crowds grew and grew outside the courthouse, all in support of Depp, many arriving as a result of what they saw unfolding on TikTok. And because this was a civil trial and not a criminal one, the jury was not sequestered. While the jury was told not to look at the news or social media or discuss the case, it is hard to imagine that some of it did not break through. TikTok was so overwhelmingly for Depp that after the trial, an official Johnny Depp TikTok account appeared and posted a triumphant victory video thanking all his TikTok fans who supported him.

The Jan. 6 hearings are unfolding on prime-time TV. The problem is, fewer watch prime-time TV than in the past. What should the social media strategy be for the committee?

I live and breathe media and pop culture and yet I had no idea the hearings were airing on prime time. I find most of my news now on social media and perhaps social media posts will drive some to tune in, but many dont even have access to live TV and just stream everything. So, as for the committee, it needs to have a strong and nimble social media team who know how to take quick moments and get them out in ways that capture peoples attention.

The key is speed and creativity in terms of what will capture peoples attention and then spread. TikTok is built for viral moments. This is partly a result of features that are built into the platform that allow creators to duet or stitch together videos or add their own commentary. If the committee is just using TikTok as another way to broadcast the hearings without paying attention to the nuances of the platform, this will not capture the attention of the community they are going after.

Its hard to imagine Representative Liz Cheney doing a TikTok, so who should she and others look to for effective digital communication?
If oversight is meant to be the bloodless investigation of facts, then overspeech, Chafetz writes, is defined by its performative elements, ranging from casting to scripting, from scenery to costuming, all of it aimed at more effectively communicating a public message.

Because it is often partisan, overspeech is also intentionally and deliberately divisive. And while this might seem to put it in conflict with the goal of public persuasion, Chafetz argues that the reality isnt so simple. In October 1973, the first votes in the House Judiciary Committee on matters related to impeachment were strong party-line votes, he writes. Nine months later, six of the committees seventeen Republicans voted for the first article of impeachment. What started as a partisan issue, he continues, became something else over time.

The Jan. 6 hearings should be about more than the facts of the investigation. They should be about the performance of those facts. The hearings, in short, should be a show, aimed directly at the casual viewer who might be too preoccupied with the price of gas or food to pay attention to an ordinary congressional hearing. And Democrats inclined to make them bipartisan or evenhanded should reject the temptation; it might do more good  it might be more effective  if this spectacle is full of rancor and fireworks.

Spectacle is what we need, and judging from the first night of televised hearings on Thursday, spectacle is what were going to get. The members of the committee were direct and sharp-tongued  There will come a day when Donald Trump is gone, Representative Liz Cheney said to her Republican colleagues during her opening statement, but your dishonor will remain  and they did not shy away from the chaos, disorder and excruciating violence of the insurrection.

At one point, a police officer who was injured at the Capitol, Caroline Edwards, testified to seeing officers on the ground. They were bleeding. They were throwing up. I saw friends with blood all over their faces. I was slipping in peoples blood. I was catching people as they fell. It was carnage. It was chaos.

I can remember my breath catching in my throat because what I saw was just a war scene, she said. It was something like I had seen out of the movies.
Susan Berger

Glencoe, Ill.

To the Editor:

My prediction is that these hearings will have zero impact. Is this the best that Congress can do? Its sloppy and sends all the wrong messages.

Neither the live nor taped witnesses have been strong. Almost all of this was accurately reported on the day and beyond. I learned nothing new of significance.

Liz Cheneys opening statement was the strongest element so far. Since then the thread has been lost.

Im disappointed and saddened. This is a demonstration of the ineffectiveness and weakness of Congress. In contrast, the crazed and deluded MAGA crowd appear focused and committed, even if theyre totally wrong and seriously misled.

Jan. 6 is past and relatively well documented already. Why not focus on what needs to happen in the future? The past we cant control. The future we can.

Steven Bell

Newport, N.C.

To the Editor:

Re The Jan. 6 Committee Has Already Blown It, by David Brooks (column, June 9):

I, for one, do want to hear what the committee has learned regarding the Jan. 6 insurrection. While I agree with what Mr. Brooks is asking for  a committee devoted to rescuing and preserving American democracy  this is not the task of the Jan. 6 committee. It is the task of Congress, the Supreme Court, the media and, most of all, American citizens who care about their country.
Isaiah called upon the people to show their faith in God through the transformation of unjust practices into just ones. He says, Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? (Isaiah 58:6). The prophet called for tearing apart structures in society that allowed evil to flourish.

Christian theology has long focused on the governments need to restrain social evil. We have never expected governments to change hearts or even to solve every social ill. We have expected governments to have an impact on culture, changing and adjusting laws that allow the evil of the world to flourish. I do not need the government to change Salvador Ramoss heart. I want it to make sure that others like him dont have access to an AR-style assault rifle and 375 rounds of ammunition.

The institution of slavery in the United States was evil because the laws and customs in America allowed slavery to thrive. The economic realities of the American financial system gave incentive to those in the North and the South to benefit from forced Black labor. The problem was not just individual slave owners with wicked hearts. We can acknowledge societal evil and hold individual slave owners accountable for their actions. We can say that Salvador Ramos engaged in real acts of evil while acknowledging that our society has an unhealthy obsession with the guns that made his evil actions possible. Both can be true.

The reason that some Christians cannot bring themselves to support gun law reforms, then, is the same reason some Christians cannot effectively battle racism beyond condemning individual racists. They have a deficient doctrine of sin and evil, limiting it to the individual.

They functionally recognize only one source of sin: the heart. Our faith has a much more complex account of evil focusing on the interlocking realities of the individual, the spiritual and the structural. The refusal to acknowledge systemic problems as they relate to gun control is a failure of theological imagination with ongoing deadly consequences. A full Christian account of evil leaves us with hard truths. Granted, the massacre of innocent children reflects an evil heart, but politicians and leaders set on giving evil hearts easy access to tools of mass death share some responsibility for that evil. These politicians and their supporters are part of the structural injustice that gives individual evil room to operate.

Jesus had a brother named James who joined the Christian movement after the Resurrection. James wrote a letter to a group of scattered believers about how they ought to live before God. He said, If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesnt do it, it is sin for them (James 4:17).
Residents said the attackers ransacked four communities.

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.

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.
I would suggest that what conditioned the racial reckoning of 2020 was partly contingency. To wit, I think the pandemic was the determining factor.

Tragically, hideously, Americans learn of Black people dying under appalling circumstances, involving police officers, quite often. Think of Sandra Bland, Philando Castile, Breonna Taylor, Eric Garner  whether these circumstances lead to criminal convictions, or charges, which they often dont. Few of us, especially those of us who live in New York City, will ever forget Garners words, I cant breathe, though even his death wasnt a fulcrum in quite the way Floyds was. In May 2020, there was something besides the injustice and brutality of Floyds murder that motivated the surge of nationwide demonstrations: the fact that we had been in pandemic isolation for two months and that around that same time it was becoming clear that conditions were not going to change anytime soon.

I dont mean to imply that this outcry was insincere or cynical. But I suspect that what helped make the difference was the pandemic lockdown. At that unusual and challenging time, for many people, being outdoors and connecting with other people was understandably a uniquely powerful temptation. The lockdown also gave a broader range of people  beyond those already committed to activism  the time to reflect, and to devote their energies to things beyond themselves, something they may not have done under normal circumstances.

As such, it could be that if there had not been a lockdown, the Floyd protests would have been smaller in scale and shorter in duration. Further, one could surmise that if the sequence of events had taken place a few months earlier, with the lockdown beginning in the fall and Floyds murder happening in the colder months of January or February, this, too, would have, hypothetically, made protests smaller, less likely or shorter-term in many locations. And this probably would have decreased the chances that the protests stimulated a think-in about racism that would still be going strong two years later.

Theres a case that the pandemic shaped the racial reckoning in another way. A controversial aspect of the reckoning has been the examples of workplace disciplinary actions that have become commonplace in its wake, out of a general sense of these actions as inherent to the mission of reconsidering racism. (In this newsletter, Ive written about more than one.) That a number of these instances involve social media should come as no surprise: These platforms place a kind of scrim curtain between people that can lessen our sense of dehumanization as unnatural.

Its not unlike what can happen to us on video chat applications such as Zoom or messaging programs such as Slack. Contempt and condemnation can come more easily to us when directed to a static avatar on Twitter or someone in a box on a screen than to a person we are in the same room with. Chat features and direct-message side exchanges also allow factions to build up opposition as a general meeting runs, in a way that passing notes and sharing dismissive facial expressions cannot. The way weve learned to communicate in the past few years, sometimes normalizing real-time shaming and dismissing, has set new norms that now feel like the default, even as live meetings become routine again.
ezra klein

Im Ezra Klein. This is The Ezra Klein Show. [MUSIC] Before we begin today, some job creation  were looking for a researcher on the show. If this is something you think youd be great at, that you have some experience in, that you can show us the way youve done it before, take a look at the job listing. We have a link in the show description today. But for todays episode, go back a decade, and socialist is a dirty word in American politics. Today, its a pretty good brand, at least if youre in a pretty blue district. The bulk of the credit there, of course, goes to Bernie Sanders and his two presidential runs. But some of it goes to Jacobin, the socialist journal launched in 2010 by Bhaskar Sunkara that updated both socialist thinking and, I would say, the socialist aesthetic for a new generation of young leftists looking for ideas, for community, and for identity. But for all the progress, Sunkara, who is now both the founding editor of Jacobin, and the president of The Nation magazine  got a lot of power over lefty journals in America  is nervous. The left has gotten enough power to drive narrative, but not enough to win many elections. Biden, not Sanders, won in 2020. Eric Adams, not Dianne Morales, won the 2021 primary for mayor among Democrats in New York City. In San Francisco, Chesa Boudin, one of the most visible of the progressive lefty DAs  he just got overwhelmingly recalled in the primary. So in a recent edition of Jacobin, titled, The Left in Purgatory, Sunkara warns against, quote, The path to political self-satisfaction, a marginality that is just large enough to sustain itself, but that will never be strong enough to move beyond permanent resistance. And then, he turns his attention and that of his journal to understanding why the left isnt winning, and whether the kind of highly ideological appeals to the highly educated that form the core of Jacobins brand may be part of the problem, may actually be preventing them from developing the working-class base that a successful left needs. So I wanted to have him on the show to talk about where the left is now and where he thinks it needs to go next. As always, my email  ezrakleinshow@nytimes.com. Bhaskar Sunkara, welcome to the show.

bhaskar sunkara

Thanks for having me, Ezra.

ezra klein

So you recently published an issue of Jacobin, titled, The Left in Purgatory. Tell me about that. How would you describe the state of the left today?

bhaskar sunkara

Well, the state of the left is far better than I could have imagined where it would be 10 years ago, in that were actually having a conversation about the state of the left. I feel like for a good chunk of modern American history, at least since the 70s, its been taken for granted that we were a country without a left, where the furthest left you could go in American politics was not even Ezra Klein and Chris Hayes, but probably Jon Stewart, maybe, Al Gore. And I think were in a much better position than we used to be. So even with some of the recent setbacks for the left, electorally, in the U.S., even with two Bernie Sanders defeats, were at a point where we can say that the left is a presence in American life. But the purgatory part comes in, because we are simultaneously too large to be wiped completely off the map by a few setbacks, but were also too small and too  I say this as a member of the left, of course  too incompetent in our ability to actually carry out our program, so were stuck in the space in between.

ezra klein

You have an interesting way, in the editorial you write in that issue, of describing that space in between. And I want to quote it here. You write, There is something dangerous about being large enough to be a political presence in parts of the country and a subculture for thousands of activists, but far too disorganized and powerless to carry out your political program. Why did you use the word, dangerous? What is dangerous about that in-between state?

bhaskar sunkara

I think the part thats dangerous for those of us on the left is the risk of self-satisfaction, or the risk of being able to basically spend the entirety of our lives in the left and around the left. I am a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. Ive been less active in the past year, but there has been whole stretches where I could wake up on a Saturday and meet up with a friend from the Democratic Socialists of America, go to a canvas for a candidate we cared about, hang out afterwards, maybe in the evening, write something for a DSA-affiliated publication or for a pamphlet or some piece of literature or whatever else. I could spend a huge chunk of my life in and around the left and actually doing useful things. But at the same time, we get so obsessed about small, little victories and silver linings and the feeling that things are pushing our direction, we ignore the fact that the right in America is organized and actually achieving huge amounts of victories and rollbacks of even rights that many of us took for granted, like Roe v. Wade, for instance, and doing that through their own mechanisms. And also, you have, just in general, the center of the country, the political spectrum, feeling more threatened by criticisms from the right rather than from the left. And at the same time, its dangerous, because I think a lot of voters associate the left with power and blame us for things that we have no control of, and blame us for not being able to carry out our program, and feel, in general, more and more disenchanted from politics as usual. So we are kind of gone from this outsider insurgent force that in 2016, in Sanders campaign, was actually able to win over some people who were disengaged from the political process and might have not even described themselves as liberals, to being, I guess, just a part of the political scene that is not getting much done for ordinary people.

ezra klein

Give me some examples of things that you feel the left might get blamed for wrongly.

bhaskar sunkara

Well, I think that there are certainly a host of policy ideas that the left has pushed for, that are sometimes wrongheaded. But I think one example  you could look at the discourse and debate around Defund the Police. You can look at the discourse around critical race theory. You would think that the left had control over policing policies in major cities in America. You would think that the left had control of our nations curriculum. You would think that the left had this overarching control of a lot of the things you could put into the bucket of the, quote unquote, culture war in the United States, when I think that the left is largely a weak outsider opposition force that has a few well-known figures. We have our A.O.C.s, we have our Bernies. But in general, weve been locked out of power, and locked out, not just by the establishment in some kind of secret way, but locked out in part because we just dont have a social base attached to our project. Thats the reason why Im saying the word, the left, instead of saying something like, the workers movement, like you would in certain other countries of the world where the political left and the broad organization of working-class people were one and the same for decades and decades in the 20th century. You just dont have that association in the United States today.

ezra klein

I want to put a pin in that question of the social base and who composes it, but I want to ask you one more question about that quote. Because I was thinking about what it might mean and came to a thought similar to, I think, what you just gestured at, which is that theres maybe an asymmetry in the power the left wields, which is to say that the left that is arisen around Bernie Sanders, around Jacobin, has a lot of narrative-setting power, a lot of media power, a lot of power to push ideas out into the ether, but then, as you say, not a lot of power to actually accomplish, execute, improve, modify the lived realities people are in. Is that right? And is that part of the dangers? Is there something dangerous about having a lot of power over what people are talking about, but not a lot of power over what theyre actually experiencing?

bhaskar sunkara

I think thats exactly right, Ezra. And I would say that theres also a lot of danger in considering yourself just a rhetorical force. Because what do you do when youre not responsible to a constituency but you have this influence in the cultural sphere? Well, you end up just maximalizing your rhetoric. If Joe Biden wants $4 trillion of spending, youll say you want $10 trillion. Theres a kind of rhetorical maximalism that comes from having a political worldview that, I think, for many people on the left, is too focused on expanding the Overton window  the window of whats possible through our rhetoric and through our demands, instead of figuring out how to connect with and build a base and move them along to more progressive policies and rhetoric, and eventually, a very different, more humane world.

ezra klein

You wrote something else that relates to that, in this editorial, that I thought was interesting. You wrote, quote, The question we may have to ask ourselves in the years to come is whether some of our actions could be hastening, rather than reversing, the process of class dealignment. So beginning with the question of, what is class dealignment, can you unpack that for me?

bhaskar sunkara

Yeah, I think class dealignment is just simply the fact that we used to associate being poor, being working-class, having less in society, with the politics of redistribution, of  these people get the franchise in many countries, the late-19th century, in the U.S., obviously, throughout the 19th century and into the 20th century, until people got the true franchise. And the thinking was, OK, the people with less in a capitalist society are going to use this power to demand that the state redistribute wealth from the rich to the not-so-rich. And that redistribution could be in very direct forms. More often than not, itd be through the creation of a welfare state. So the left-of-center parties around the world that were advocating for the creation of welfare states and redistribution tended to have the support of people with less  not just less education, but less education, less wealth, less power, more generally. They used their collective power to overcome what they didnt have as individuals. There was kind of a common sense to that. But all around the world, what youre seeing now is that a lot of working-class people are either dropping out of the political process entirely. They feel like they cant get anything from politics, so theyre not bothering. And some of them are actually voting for the political right, voting for parties that might be trying to reach them through cultural appeals, through enticing, sometimes even populist rhetoric, which fundamentally dont alter the distribution of resources in a society. And thats the danger of dealignment. In the United States, we have had this problem for many, many years on the left. Education is one simple proxy for it. Obviously, its a little bit more complex than that, but we could see that voters without college degrees used to be a very, very strong part of the New Deal coalition of the Democratic Party. Now, voters without college degrees, especially white voters, are drifting towards the Republican Party. And as a result, the Democrats are not modulating their appeals to those people.

ezra klein

So I want to key in on something important you said there, which is that this is happening all around the world. And certainly in peer countries  you look at Europe, you look at Canada  Thomas Piketty, who was just on the show, along with coauthors, has done work looking at what they call the rise of a Brahmin left, right, this highly educated left. Why do you think that is happening? What is behind this shift from a coalition of those who have less cultural and economic capital making up the foundation of the left, to it becoming a coalition of people who have more little capital, but particularly more educational and cultural capital?

bhaskar sunkara

Well, in the 20th century, the types of parties that captivated the attention of working-class people were deeply rooted parties. They were rooted in civil society. They were rooted in trade unions. They were tied so closely with working-class life, that in some countries, every single tenement building might have had a representative from the labor party, a local resident who would knock on doors and whip the vote, and who would take problems their neighbors would have to their local MP or their local city councilor. So there was this deep connection between working-class people and their politicians. To some degree, we had this in the United States in certain areas with political machines. And when we hear political machines, we think that its an entirely negative thing. And we hear the word, patronage, and we think its just a synonym for corruption. But there was a sense of rootedness in a lot of areas where people felt like the Democratic party, for instance, was close to their needs, close to them, and an avenue that they could use to even up the odds, and navigate bureaucracy, and to figure things out. There was a deep sense of association. A union endorsement actually meant something back then. If your union told you, this is the list of candidates were supporting in this election, youd be more apt to help that. So thats gone now. But also, once in power, those politicians were offering a model of growth tied to redistribution. So in the post-war period, up through the 70s, not just in the United States, but across Europe, you have Social Democratic parties, and you have the New Deal Democratic Party, overseeing high-growth rates and overseeing expansions of the welfare state going along with those growth rates. It wasnt just an ideological quest of convincing people, one by one, that their interest was voting for the left, so they had more things, or they had representatives who, quote unquote, look like them, or spoke like them, or whatever else. It was tied to a real concrete program. And I think since the 70s, youve had a decline in that kind of either growth liberalism in the United States or social democracy in Europe, and as a result, politics has lost some of its material force.

ezra klein

So Im always a little skeptical of explanations that track an international trend but that seem like they have a lot of counterexamples. And so the story that left parties, kind of, across the Western world became  to summarize it very quickly  more neoliberal, right? They moved away from that kind of post-New Deal, mid-1950s consensus, common good politics, and towards this more market-oriented somewhat redistributive politics. Its true in a bunch of individual cases, but politics, it seems to me, is competitive enough across a multi-country sample, that youd expect to see  if that was a really bad way of doing politics, thered be a bunch of countries where left parties didnt do that, and really thrived. But whats so striking to me about the turn of the left in many countries to being a much more highly educated coalition is, it really happens in virtually every country in the samples that I know of. And that implies to me that its reacting to something or building on something that is more common, right? If it was just strategic mistakes by this party or that party, it seems very unlikely they would all be making the same strategic mistake at once, unless there was something that theyre commonly responding to. So what do you see is the common force? If its that they stopped offering the agenda they should have offered, why did they all kind of do that at the same time?

bhaskar sunkara

Well, it wasnt rooted primarily in politics. I think it was rooted in an economic problem. It was rooted in the fact that the growth rates of the post-war period slowed down. Theres a variety of reasons. Why it slowed down in the 70s is up for debate. Part of it was just contingent factors like the OPEC oil shock, and the growth in globalization, which kind of made some of these models less feasible to continue. Some of it was the fact that labor was demanding really high wages and demanding lots of benefits. And that was great when things were growing, but when things slowed down, it became harder for capitalists to keep up with, and they looked for a way to restore growth and restore profitability. And I think a lot of center-left leaders made a calculation. And they said, were going to give capital the flexibility to restructure. Were going to allow them to attack unions. Were going to allow them to deregulate certain things, to restore growth rates, but then were going to continue to tax this unleashed capital to maintain the bedrock of our social programs. So to some extent, this kind of political shift of center-left parties worked. And of course, as they undermined their social base, their traditional base in the working class, they had to find more and more voters from elsewhere to reach out to. So more of their voting bloc became professionals. It shifted to certain other segments of capital that might be willing to support them, so they broadened their social base at a time when the old model wasnt working. And when it seemed like you really couldnt get far enough in politics with just a working-class base, then that obviously became a self-fulfilling prophecy, because youve now weakened trade unions. Youve now weaken some of the most powerful vehicles for actually getting your party into office to begin with.

ezra klein

So lets go back then to the more recent history of the American left. So Bernie 2016 is a genuine watershed moment. It does, as a campaign, I think, change American politics profoundly. When you look back from now, post-Bernie 2020, post all that weve seen, what were the lessons you think the left learned from that campaign? And for that matter, what lesson do you think Bernie learned from that campaign? And were they the right ones?

bhaskar sunkara

Well, I think the initial lesson the left learned from Bernie 2016 was the fact that there are people out there that are hungry for a message that more or less tells them its not their fault, that the day-to-day miseries and the problems that theyre encountering are things that are not the product of not working hard enough, not getting the right certificate or training, but the result of social problems and that social problems demand a collective solution. And Bernie was able to reach these people through the mass media, through the bully pulpit of a presidential campaign, and just through very simple common-sense rhetoric. You might say it was oversimplified, how he was describing the world. But I think it was a simplification that tapped into and resonated with people, because it was rooted in something real. They felt that they were working hard, and they felt that millionaires and billionaires were not allowing them their fair share. And that was basically the core of left-wing politics, of egalitarian politics, for decades and decades and decades. And Bernie, I think, just helped us remember some of it. And even though our trade unions were hollowed out, even though our civic associations in working-class areas were hollowed out, even though the American left was minuscule at the time, Bernie, I think, through this kind of left-wing populist rhetoric, tapped into something really special, and it became associated with just Medicare For All. And with the same set of slogans, it became just a parody, right? Everyone knew what Bernie was going to say, every single line of his speech, because he just never deviated from his message. I think some of the wrong lessons that were learned from 2016 was that Bernie was too repetitive, that Bernie didnt incorporate gender and race into his worldview and into his rhetoric. And I think that ignored the fact that the simplicity and clarity is what attracted people to Bernie Sanders, and that people basically want the same things. Black voters, white voters, Latino voters, Asian voters  our concerns are really not all that different. How we phrase our concerns, how we order our priorities might be different, but there was a simplicity to Bernies universalism that I think, to some extent, he moved away from to try to be more competitive in a Democratic Party primary where identity really does matter more and how you frame things and how you reach voters.

ezra klein

Something I notice around people who like Joe Biden, who think there was a genius to the way he ran the 2020 campaign, but are now frustrated by him  I often notice a view that Bidens best instincts are older, that he had an advantage for being rooted in an older period of politics, and that gave him some standing, some intuitions, that let him resist some of the trends buffeting Democratic politicians today, particularly very online ones. But I also detected, in this edition of Jacobin, a kind of similar view of Bernie and the left  a view that Bernie was rooted in an older left, Bernie was rooted in other periods of American politics, and that, particularly in 2016, gave him a kind of difference, gave him an aesthetic that was different, gave him a set of concerns that were different  that he lost a bit of that in 2020, and that the people coming after him  there are some pieces in there critical of A.O.C. and others  have really lost it. And I think its interesting that both the moderates and the lefties, or at least some lefties at Jacobin, have a kind of nostalgia for what the more veteran politicians know, that they worry the younger politicians dont. Do you think Im reading this right, or does that ring falsely to you?

bhaskar sunkara

I think youre reading this right. But I would say that Bernies politics were a learned politics. Yes, when you hear Bernie, it sounds like hes harkening not to the old left, necessarily, of the 1930s in the U.S., but to the rhetoric of the Civil Rights movement, which always aimed at majoritarian support. Martin Luther Kings last campaign was, of course, a campaign for economic justice. Hes famous for having lines saying, yes, its important that we desegregated the lunch counter, but we also need to make sure that everyone could afford to buy hamburger there, too. These are kind of the common-sense rhetoric of people trying to build majorities. But Sanders came out of a new left that was at times more fringe and more radical in its rhetoric. He spent a lot of the 1970s kind of going back to the land and pursuing kind of minor third-party politics in Vermont up until his election as mayor of Burlington. So I think Bernie found the rhetoric that worked through trial and error. He found the way to reach ordinary people. And it wasnt just that he was reading from the same book as older leftists. I think he and a lot of his generation around the new left figured out how to reach people. So I dont think that A.O.C. is locked into sounding less like a Bernie Sanders-style Democratic Socialist at time and more like a hyper-liberal or a more hyperbolic version of the same liberalism offered by other wings of the party. But I think that theres something can be learned. At her best, A.O.C. offers this kind of soaring, really inspiring rhetoric. Its just about getting to that core and avoiding language that I think the left has borrowed too much from academia, in part because thats where we existed in the 80s, 90s, and beginning of 2000s. We were really much just cloistered to the universities. [MUSIC]

ezra klein

Imagine Biden didnt get his Super Tuesday surge or that he bobbled it somehow, and Bernie had won the primary, and then had won the presidency. And I think we should expect it kind of would have been a sort of similar-sized win to Joe Biden, given how he performed. What do you think looks differently today if Bernie Sanders was president, but also had a 50-50 Democratic Senate Majority and a relatively slim House Majority? How does the counterfactual play out?

bhaskar sunkara

Well, governing the United States is extremely hard nowadays. Obviously, you covered a lot of this in your book, but theres so many choke points. Theres so many veto points in American politics, that it is very hard to govern. I think the difference is, Sanders had a sense of what mass politics was. He had a sense that in order to break the gridlock, sometimes you had to just tell people, speak to them earnestly, tell them why things are stalled, tell them to go rally and organize and call their neighbors. In other words, try to inject this new force into American politics, so that when Washington was stuck, we were calling upon the outsiders to unstick Washington. And I think thats something that Bernie  Im cautious saying this  but Bernie had in common with Donald Trump, in that Trump was not a very successful politician, as far as instituting new policies for his cause  and for that, Im grateful  but he did try to mobilize his supporters to do things. He did try to have mass rallies. He was constantly in the media talking to the American people. Thankfully, in my mind, he did not convince too many of them to support his causes. But I do think Bernie would have tried similar tactics to reach ordinary people, try to talk to them, try to tell them, youre an agent and policies. Theres a joke about Biden, but I think its really true  that sometimes when you hear him complaining about things wrong in the country, you kind of just feel like hes the leader of Canada or something. Hes just looking at the United States and being like, whos in charge of this thing? You know? So many things are not working. Its a disaster. And I feel like with Bernie, at least there would have been this attempt to repoliticize American politics.

ezra klein

Oh, its really funny, that last point, because I almost see it exactly differently. And it gets to the piece in that issue by Natalie Shure, on The End of the A.O.C. Honeymoon. So it always seems to me that because the US is so difficult to govern, and because even when you win, you win so little power, compared to what it would mean if you won in Canada or you won in the U.K., a very central problem for politicians is, how do you explain what you cant do? How do you lead a government that you dont actually control, particularly if, say, Republicans have the House or the Senate, or I guess if youre Donald Trump, if Democrats have the House or the Senate. And I think a problem for many liberals  for Joe Biden, for Barack Obama  is that they often kind of own the failures of government, right? Its their government, their party, and they try to convince you that whats happening is still pretty good, even though its not what they promised and maybe not what you wanted. I think something Donald Trump was always very good at was, even though he didnt get much done, he never really acted to his own side like the guy in charge. To the extent that running against deep state had a kind of genius to it, the genius was that it severed Trump for some responsibility for what wasnt happening. He was trying to fight the government he ran. You couldnt really hold him fully responsible for what it did. I think Bernie has always been actually quite good, as somebody who has worked very coalitionally with the Democratic Party and has been involved in passing a lot of bills that from the Bernie Sanders perspective are very compromised. I think Sanders has always been very good at saying, hey, look, that was progress, but it is still unacceptable progress. Like, it isnt something we should really be proud of. Its just a step on the path. He always seems still pretty mad about how government works. And that A.O.C. piece is interesting to me, because it talks about A.O.C. having to navigate some of these exact same tensions, now being part of a House Majority at the moment that cannot do everything she wants it to do, that cannot do everything it wants to do  and some of the left becoming alienated from her as she tries to operate more pragmatically in that context, rather than symbolically. But this always seems to me to be the very deep problem. And I think also it would have been very difficult for Sanders if hed become president, that  what do you do when youre the person in charge, youre in power, but you cant wield nearly as much power as the people who put you there thought you would or hoped you could?

bhaskar sunkara

The left has always been thinking about what we can do with the balance of forces on the ground, what we are going to be able to accomplish or not. I think when youre in Congress, a lot of your mentality is going to be more coalitional, because youre in  youre one piece of a much larger body, and youre trying not to get locked out. And I think A.O.C. has made the strategic choice to be, one, a registered Democrat, unlike Bernie, because that makes her more competitive in a deep blue district. And also, she made a decision that she was going to try to get onto committees and to play ball with the Democratic Party leadership on certain key issues than pick her spots otherwise. I think thats a rational choice. But then, the question is, what is distinct about what youre offering? Like, whats the difference between an A.O.C. and a, lets say, Nancy Pelosi? Well, I certainly think that theres a difference, and I support A.O.C., and Im very critical of Nancy Pelosi. But is it just that Nancy Pelosi wants to go 50 percent towards a goal, and A.O.C. wants to go 70 percent or 80 percent towards the goal? Or is there a qualitative difference between Democratic Socialist politicians and liberal politicians? So I think there should be a qualitative difference in terms of our rhetoric, our worldview and the type of even welfare state were trying to construct. So I think thats really what the critique of A.O.C. should be about. It shouldnt be, oh, she wasnt intense enough about pushing through this. She wasnt disruptive enough when she was in power. Its more just like, is there something actually different in the worldviews that separates the squad from the rest of the Democratic party, or are they just a part of a Democratic party continuum that always has existed?

ezra klein

I think that brings us back to the question of the left social base. Because how different the politicians are is also going to reflect what constituencies they are responsive to, where the support comes from, who theyre listening to, who theyre around. And Jacobin commissioned and wrote up in this issue a pretty interesting survey of working-class voters and their political preferences, both substantively and aesthetically, in a bunch of key states. So can you tell me a bit about that surveys findings? What you learned from it?

bhaskar sunkara

I think what we learned from that survey was that working-class voters are attracted to a bread-and-butter economic messaging, but that doesnt mean we have to ignore issues of race and racism. We could even use words like structural racism, but it does make sense to foreground material, economic concerns, and that also, there is a certain type of Democratic party rhetoric, I think, that has written off whole swaths of the country as being deep red states, Trump country, in which theres a lot of voters in these areas that I think can be won over to the party if it seems like the party is actually offering them something. And I think part of the goal is to say that theres multiple roads to building a welfare state, and the one that is probably the easiest one comes from actually building a base across all races and backgrounds of working-class people. That doesnt mean that you dont want any votes in the suburbs, or youre just going to ignore every single electoral calculus. Its just, if youre going to say, like Chuck Schumer did infamously a few years ago, that for every vote you lose in Pittsburgh or in the rust belt, youre going to pick up a couple of votes in the suburbs of Philadelphia, from more middle-class voters  I think thats an extremely defeatist way to go about politics. So I think a lot of what were looking for is proof that working-class voters have a distinct profile and are very much open to redistributionist candidates.

ezra klein

I thought the survey, at least as I read it, posed some real challenges to the way a lot of left politics has evolved. And so I saw three. So one, as you say, working-class voters are very responsive to bread-and-butter issues, to economic messaging. But theyre not wildly more redistributive, certainly, than the more highly educated voters. And I think actually, in a lot of respects, we see evidence that theyre somewhat less so. And then, the non-voters are somewhat less liberal even still. The view that non-voters are this unbelievably left mass that simply needs to be mobilized by a sufficiently socialist or radical message  that doesnt really come out. And then, third  and I think this is a really genuinely interesting thing you all did in the survey as you began testing different ways of phrasing the same appeal  that there is very much a preference for what you might call a more working-class aesthetic, a preference for less academic language, a preference for candidates who talk and present in a certain way, that I think is kind of not the way a lot of left candidates, particularly when they come out of the more educated segments of the movement, do. Do you want to talk through how you understood those pieces of the survey?

bhaskar sunkara

Yeah, I think that the real challenge to the Bernie worldview is that there was a massive bloc of non-voters willing to just come out, and all you needed was an outsider candidate, and you would re-engage these people. And I think that Bernies strategy did not really bring a new voting block to fore in the last election cycle. And I think this survey kind of confirms that its really complicated to get people who are out of the political process into the political process. And having a candidate say the right things isnt a magic solution to it. I think the real way in which you get people into the political process is through a lot of organizing, a lot of really expensive, time-consuming organizing. Its not a rhetorical trick. The working-class aesthetic thing is kind of common sense  to me, at least. But it makes sense that people want their candidates to be teachers. They want their candidates to speak in a way thats familiar with them. They want their candidates to be postal workers. They want their candidates to be people that seem far more relatable than someone with an academic background or someone with a perfectly credentialized background, like a lawyer. You know, weve had many, many generations of lawyers as politicians in the United States. I think it really should remind us that there is an audience out there that just cares about, more or less, the same things. They care about having good health care. They care about jobs. They care about security in their neighborhoods. They want to see candidates that are speaking to them in common-sense rhetoric. And theres kind of a populist baseline in the United States, to our voting bloc, that it would be a grievous error to ignore. So I think that when it comes to middle-class voters in suburbs, its not that you dont want these people to vote for you. Its, are you going to tailor your rhetoric to their concerns, or are you going to talk vaguely about democracy? Are you going to foreground certain social issues, or are you just going to have one rhetoric for all people, then hope that those people in the suburbs go with you, because of how far right the Republican Party has moved on social and cultural and economic issues, too?

ezra klein

It gets to a problem, I think, both for the left, and then more broadly for the Democratic party, as both have become more educationally polarized, and both have become more concentrated among, sort of, high-education voters, particularly among their activists and very influential classes, which is  I do think it is a well-understood fact among the whole left-of-center in American politics that representational politics is important. But thats usually thought of in terms of race and gender  to some degree, in terms of sexuality. Its not nearly as often thought of in terms of class. And theres a lot of evidence  the political scientist Nick Carnes, has done a lot of work on this  about how white-collar elected officials have gotten over the however many decades. And you know, youre going to source your candidates from the people who are in your party or the people who are in your movement. And to the extent you want to build a more working-class movement, you actually do need working-class representation. I think thats one of the lessons of that survey. But I think you see it in a lot of places. I think its one reason that if you looked at polling in 2019, a lot of Bernie Sanders voters had Joe Biden as their second choice, and a lot of Joe Biden voters had Bernie Sanders as their second choice. Because the two candidates read aesthetically sort of similarly. I mean, they were kind of cranky older white guys with a somewhat more working-class aesthetic than, I think, where the Democratic partys gone, if you compare them to, say, an Elizabeth Warren, say. And that just gets harder to find those candidates as your party depolarizes around education. And theres not nearly as much of a push, like, a frustration in the party, when working-class candidates are less represented than there would be if other kinds of experiences or groups were less represented. And I think thats probably a mistake.

bhaskar sunkara

Beyond that, too, when you have weak parties, like a weak party structure, you need candidates that can self-finance their own campaigns and have easy access to money. So it becomes a lot easier in a primary, if youre a corporate lawyer and you have access to a bunch of other friends with money, and former clients with money, and youre from that world, to think about running a campaign than if youre an insurgent whos well-liked in your local community but dont have access to those networks. So a lot of this is, how are you giving these candidates money to support them? What networks are they drawing on? Are they able to get not just endorsements, but funds from unions? Are groups like the Democratic Socialists of America able to assemble the funds to help some of these upstarts? And in certain areas like New York City, they have been, but thats not the case in most places.

ezra klein

But its interesting, because that doesnt seem to me to be, at any level, an insoluble problem if somebody really wanted to solve it. I mean, when you think about the money sloshing around politics  including the left of politics, because there are funders from celebrities, to the guy who runs the Dr. Bronners soap company, to lefty rich people who get into this. I mean, Ive always thought its very interesting that A.O.C.s first chief of staff and one of the core people who helped recruit her was a very early employee of the tech finance firm, Stripe. So I dont think its the case that there is no money. You could really imagine $10, $20, $50 million being put into a group that is simply doing working-class candidate recruitment, and funding super PACs, given the way our system actually works now, that helps those candidates out in their elections. And you know, there are a lot of House elections in this country that are not that expensive  certainly, a lot of state legislature and Senate and mayoral, and so on, elections that arent that expensive. You guys have a piece in this issue about a socialist candidate in Buffalo who ends up losing. And the take on that is that the establishment drops a bunch of money against her. But it also just wasnt that much money, you know. You could have imagined, certainly, as much or more money coming from other areas. So I wonder why you think those organizations havent really been built.

bhaskar sunkara

Well, I think some of them are being built. Like I said, in New York State, we have several socialist members of the assembly. We have state senators that have backgrounds as teachers and nurses and so on, that have gotten funds through the Democratic Socialists of America and a host of other forces like the Working Families Party. And beyond those funds, theyre able to have access to huge amounts of volunteers to do canvassing. They tend to get a lot of media buzz, such as Democratic Socialism still kind of had this luster post-Bernie about it, and they were able to get out there in the media. I actually do think  and I would agree its possible. Its about, at the national level, actually making sure that there are unions, and there are groups willing to put the money into candidate recruitment, and finding these people, and running them, when sometimes theyre going against establishment candidates willing to play ball with the left. You know, why does Chuck Schumer not have a credible challenge from the left coming? Well, thats probably because we have a lot of unions in New York State that are very powerful, and Chuck Schumer is willing to go along with them. Its pretty risky to spend money on these long-shot campaigns. Obviously, once in a while, you find a candidate like Fetterman in Pennsylvania. You find someone who has both a working-class aesthetic and has progressive policies, but beyond Fetterman, its hard to say who at the national level there is, after Bernie, that has that kind of mass appeal, that you could imagine running in a presidential election, and having that kind of platform like Bernie had the last two cycles. [MUSIC]

ezra klein

So then, I want to move from this question of how the left is composed, to if it is able to win power, what its able to deliver, or even what the Democratic Party as currently composed is able to deliver. Because weve been talking about your issue on the left in political purgatory, but the issue that just came out is, as I say, very, very relevant to my interests, which is, you guys have a  you call it the infrastructure issue. And Ive been doing these pieces about the difficulties that liberalism has building and supply side progressivism. And I see this issue as very much trying to think about, how do you create a socialism that builds? How do you how do you deal with the question that when the federal government spends money on the kinds of infrastructure projects the left supports and wants to see a lot more of, it isnt getting as much for that money. It isnt getting things done as quickly, as well, on budget, as other countries, other rich countries with more unions than we have and bigger percentage of G.D.P. governments than we have are. So tell me a bit about this. What do you see as the problem to building infrastructure in America?

bhaskar sunkara

I think part of the problem  and just to give some numbers behind what youre saying, we have an article in that issue, by Elizabeth Henderson and Jared Abbott, that noted that the cost-per-mile of rail and recent projects in Madrid is around $140 million per mile. In L.A., its something like a half-billion dollars per mile. The root of the problem, I think, is in part in American federalism. We have a ton of competing stakeholders. We have agencies. We also have just different rules at federal, state, and local levels. We tend to institute things. Like, in 1970, we instituted the National Environmental Policy Act. But instead of just having that environmental review whenever we do new construction, being enforced through experts and civil society, weve let it be enforced through civilian lawsuits. So you end up with this weird situation where you dont have just a transit agency empowered to make construction with a review process, with a limited period of civilian discussion, and with a limited period for potential litigation. You just have this very protracted, prolonged period with a lot of discussion and a lot of extra costs. And as a result, we just kind of dont have the expertise at quickly building transit, because its a muscle we havent used in a while. And its all a far cry from what we used to do. You know, the original Tennessee Valley Authority, the New Deal program, cost just $75 million at the time. And today, thats around $1.6 billion today. That program, still, to this day, the T.V.A. employs around 10,000 people directly, indirectly employs tens of thousands more, generates power for 10 million people. Its still the largest publicly owned energy provider in the country. And that was done by $1.6 billion. You know, you could imagine the scale of what even the infrastructure bill we passed would be if we were able to actually push direct state planning and investment, and cut through some of this bureaucracy.

ezra klein

One thing I think is interesting here, at least as Ive been trying to follow the threads of this among liberals and try to understand how we went from being able to build as much as we did in the mid-20th century to as little as were able to now, is confronting or realizing that there is a divided soul on the left, inside liberalism, however you want to draw that circle. And so on the one hand, I think the stereotype is that this side of the political spectrum believes in big government, wants to give government a lot of power, wants government to build things, and its the right that fears government doing things. But there is a real strain inside liberalism inside the left that fears government, that fears government being captured, that remembers and thinks about Robert Moses building these highways through Black communities, Rachel Carson and thinking about how much construction in that era was done without any real thinking about the environmental consequences  and so built a lot of structures, laws that are, in fact, about hobbling government, about forcing it to hear the complaints of groups, making it possible for people to sort of throw themselves in front of the government with a lawsuit and actually get it to stop until their concerns are heard out in a court of law. How do you think about those ideological tensions? Because I do think theyre real. Like, how do you think about the question of the left that is afraid of government power, not the one that is confident in it?

bhaskar sunkara

I think its easy to focus on what government action gets wrong and mistakes made in the past through government action, but we often dont think about the cost of inaction. 45 percent of Americans dont have access to public transit at all. These are people who are disproportionately poor. Theyre in rural areas. Theyre really suffering, and theres no real political power that theyre wielding about this issue. Built environments in those areas are built towards needing car ownership at a time the cars are really expensive and car and gas prices are really expensive. And its just a hidden cost, a hidden burden on American workers that we dont really think about. So I think thats one thing  foregrounding the cost of inaction, not just the cost of actions. But I think all of this is due to a mismatch we have in the United States between having not really mass membership democracy in the sense of  in Spain, when theyre constructing something in Madrid, yes, theres a very limited period, compared to the U.S., for public discussion of issues. But there is a period. There can be discussion. There can be review. Theres just more trust the environmental reviews have been done by the state, so theres trust in the material brought to them, which I think that, as part of funding and healing our civil service in the U.S., we have very much the expertise to do the same sort of reviews through our experts. But also, people are connected with political parties in more intense ways that might be advocating for these changes. Theyre connected with mass membership unions that have been consulted in the construction process. And all these parties at a mass level are stakeholders, but stakeholders without the same veto power as we have in the U.S., where we have kind of small-scale democracy. We have do-it-yourself democracy. We have civic groups. We have lawsuits. We have all sorts of community groups that wield power, and these are just a handful of people who are the most engaged and most active. And often through a lawsuit, theyre able to slow down a process.

ezra klein

One way Ive heard you frame this, which I thought was interesting, was that America, compared to peer countries, has a very thick civic democracy and a thin associational democracy. You want to talk about that for a minute?

bhaskar sunkara

So yeah, this goes back to what I was saying before, which is that in the United States, people dont feel they dont get a party membership card. They dont feel like it means something to be a Democrat. They dont feel like they can knock on the door of their representative or city councilor or feel like they have some sort of say in the program of their party. They dont feel like theyre really tied into their union, if they are members of a union at all. They, in other words, feel like the way in which they could exercise agency when they are involved is through lawsuits. Its through being members of a small-scale civil association or environmental association that is going to just stop a project, freeze everything, until they could fully understand whats going on. So there is democracy. There are avenues for them to stop things, but its at a fragmented, local scale, instead of a mass scale. And part of this is rooted in just, at times, historically, a rooted distrust in the state, distrust in state actors, distrust that these experts conducting environmental reviews might be bought and captured by some corporation or some special interest, that they arent truly giving dispassionate information. I think in other countries, theres a lot more trust there. Now, what we cant really fix in the short term is the fact that were going to have different regulations at the federal level, at the state level, sometimes at the local level. And companies bidding on these projects are going to have a more complicated time navigating that. So it becomes harder sometimes to take a scheme thats used to build one set of rail in one state and apply it to another process and system in another. And thats kind of a problem of American federalism that plagues us as a country.

ezra klein

Ill ground this in an example that Ive just been poking around over the past couple of days. So in 2019, New York passed congestion pricing in New York City, so that money will go to mass transit improvements. This has been a long multi-multi-multi-year fight that had been defeated a bunch of times. But in 2019, Cuomo agrees on it. De Blasio agrees on it. The New York legislature agrees on it. Then, it turns out that because some of the roads in New York City were financed in part by the federal government, and you cant just build a toll on a road financed by the federal government without their agreement, exemptions, et cetera, so now, you need the federal government to sign off. So Trump hates Cuomo. They drag their feet. Nothing happens for a year or two. Then, Biden is elected. Pete Buttigieg becomes Secretary of Transportation. You know, they say, of course well work with you on this. New York is a blue state. Its full of their allies. Congestion pricing is good for the climate. Its good for mass transit. Its worked in Stockholm and London. So they start going forward, and they give New York an exemption from the normal environmental impact review, and they can just do the lighter environmental assessment, which  the deal they strike includes 20 meetings and extensive consultation with Jersey and Connecticut. And so the timeline on that is 16 months. And then, the Federal Highway Administration looking over the assessment sends back 430 technical questions and comments, slowing everything down. And Im sure a lot of these comments and questions are reasonable, right? The Federal Highway Administration is full of capable, smart people. And at the same time, this thing is going to open up, maybe at the end of 2023, maybe later, maybe never. You know, the government promised to do something, and its still not doing it. The mass transit improvements it would have been able to build are going to be that much later, if they ever happen. So how do you understand that story, from the left perspective? What do you think should go differently in it, if anything?

bhaskar sunkara

Well, I think in my mind, democracy elections should have consequences, and policies should have consequences, too. So its a problem in part of too many different stakeholders and too much mediation getting in away from elected governments being able to pursue policies that are going to, of course, have some consequences. And if they turn out to be mistakes, people can get together and vote for a new set of electeds that can pursue a new policies to reverse course. But instead, we just have stagnation. And you have not just agencies. I think different levels of agencies having different concerns and having to mediate it happens in a lot of different democracies, but in the U.S., on top of it, you also have very powerful N.G.O.s, you have civil society groups. So mixed together, you have competing stakeholders in a way that I dont think you have elsewhere. Now, what I would want to build in the United States isnt just more liberalism, more money spent on more things. What we want to do, I think, is push the type of state-led planning that shifts investment decisions, that thinks about the economy as a whole. So in other words, take the example of Nordic democracy. You had a system that tried to shape investment priorities, largely through the mechanism of centralized wage bargaining. So if you want to build a high-productivity society, they said, well, were going to make sure that in certain sectors, we are pushing up the level of wages to encourage capitalists to invest in more labor-saving technology. And you do that through the mechanisms not necessarily of the state, but of unions. But then, when certain firms go out of business, the less efficient firms, well, then you have the state scoop in through active labor market policies and retrain those people, some of them, and other of them will join expanding firms at the top of the market, the most efficient firms. In other words, in that case, what they were able to build was not just a system that said, well, we want to just spend a whole lot more money and deliver more of the same, somewhat uneven social services we currently have. They said, well, we want to create a new system that will create a higher-wage, more productive society. Then, we want to tax the hell out of everyone to build a welfare state on that basis. You could agree with it, or you could not agree with the model. But they had a kind of vision and a plan. And right now, I wonder whether even my favorite politician in the world, you know, Bernie Sanders, even people I greatly respect, like A.O.C. and Ilhan Omar  whether they have a real vision of the type of welfare state they want to construct and how to construct it, or whether their vision is simply taking existing programs and spending more money on it.

ezra klein

Well, I do think this gets to this very core tension. You had drawn on this distinction between civic and associational democracy. One way Ive been thinking about this issue is between centralized and decentralized ways of wielding and checking power. And on the left, particularly, I think theres a very deep tension between a preference for centralized ways of wielding power and decentralized ways, particularly, of checking power. And towards the end of that key infrastructure piece in the issue of Jacobin, you guys quote Ethan Elkind, whos a climate expert at U.C. Berkeley, saying, I think its about making sure transit agencies have more sovereignty over the decision-making authority and process. So Ive heard this from a lot of transit experts, that this is an argument for more centralization, more autonomy, and check the results, as you said earlier, through elections. And on the other hand, the left is very committed to small-d democracy, believes very deeply in this kind of organizing and hearing from people, in a lot of meetings, in a lot of opportunities to participate, in a lot of opportunities for groups to come into a City Council meeting or a board of supervisors meeting, and register that you dont understand how this project is going to affect us. And I think you see that in all these campaigns you talked about and inside the souls of all these politicians you talked about. I think if you listen to the rhetoric of a Sanders or an A.O.C. or an Ilhan Omar, itll kind of shift between this need for bigger government and this need for much more representation, consultation, community involvement. And so Im curious how you think about managing that collision of values. Because I think people often dont want to think that there is a tension there, right? We should be able to have  like, wouldnt making government more participatory make it better? But if you believe, as I think sometimes this issue implies you do, that you need more centralisation, more decision-making that just can happen, then I think youre suggesting it may not be that easy.

bhaskar sunkara

Yeah, I think theres long been a tension between reconciling at least expertise and democracy. And I think the way you square the circle is by saying, there should be democracy in the form of people feeling like they can influence elections. So thats one form of democracy, and obviously, these bureaucrats arent unaccountable. Theyre accountable to elected officials, and these officials have a party affiliation. They are connected to their base. If they pursue unpopular policies, that cant exist. And also, I think its a matter of trusting the experts, in the sense of  this is actually where Im well known as an anti-identitarian leftist, but I think this is where representation actually does matter. Having experts who might come from working-class backgrounds, might be Black or Brown, might have some sort of connection with the communities in which theyre making decisions might lead them to think not just in terms of the macrorationality of the U.S. economy as a whole, but being able to weigh the particular interest of areas affected by construction projects. So if the Major Deegan is going to make it a lot easier to commute from Westchester to Manhattan, but its also going to destroy some really important working-class neighborhoods in the Bronx and leave a huge legacy, you know, I think that decision doesnt mean that the model of having an empowered bureaucracy is wrong. It means that the bureaucracy was not conducting the right sort of reviews, and the politicians that empowered them were not held to account. So I think that there is a delicate balancing act. But right now, we have a system that is actively hurting people through inaction. So again, I think that theres a little bit too much focus on the after-effects of construction and new projects. And I think that thats less benefiting poor and working-class people, so much as benefiting N.G.O.s and other groups and individuals in society that make livings off lawsuits and off blocking things from being constructed. I dont actually see this as a core working-class demand, nor do I think that the type of democracy that you get at a community meeting about environmental impact is particularly the most rich type of democracy. I think a lot of this could be solved by having better trained, more empowered experts accountable in other ways. And of course, in places like Spain, as Jared and Elizabeth Henderson point out in that article, they do have review processes and community involvement. Theyre just more tightly time-delineated.

ezra klein

Let me end by asking you a question, too, about your work and your role. So you founded Jacobin, which I think has been central in creating some of the resurgence on the left. Youre not Bernie Sanders, but in terms of the intellectual effort, I think its been a pretty important piece of it. Youve recently also taken over as president of The Nation, which is one of the more venerable left journals in the country or magazines in the country. And at the same time, I hear in you a frustration that the left has become a little bit too much a space of educated folks who like talking about lefty ideas, as opposed to more of a working-class movement with a more diverse social base. So how do you think about that tension in your own work, or how do you think about the vehicles you have a hand in being part of that work? Like, how, as a member of the educated scribbler class, do you work on making the left less beholden to the educated scribbler class?

bhaskar sunkara

Well, I guess Im pleased with the role I have, because I think that I view the existing base as a left as a conduit or a route to a mass base for this politics. I think the ideas of Democratic socialism belong not just to the people who hold them today but belong to, in the future, to millions of people, who I hope will hold them. You know, I think the idea of building a world without forms of exploitation and oppression, a world where people can live in at least some material comfort and feel like theyre real stakeholders in a society in a real way  this is something that I think that should be mainstream politics. And as long as theres inequality in society, I think a politics that calls for more equality and calls for a more even distribution of power and resources should be mainstream. So I think publications like Jacobin, publications like The Nation, have a role popularizing left-wing ideas. And I think that they have a role calling for a type of politics and a rhetoric that can, in the future, captivate millions of people like Bernie Sanders was able to captivate in his campaign. So I would not be very satisfied if this was it, not just because of an aesthetic preference, because I feel like we shouldnt be just talking to ourselves in little salons, but because I think that the modern left arose in conjunction with the mass working class in the 19th century for a reason. Because theres actually a group of people out there who have not only the material interest, but actually have the power to change the world. I dont think that a handful of people writing or speaking truth to power have that power. So I would love to see a left that continues to follow the lessons of the Sanders campaigns, and continues to evolve from them, and actually wins. But its a very complicated question, in part because we have such a hollowed-out civil society. We dont really have the avenues of popular politics that we used to, and were stuck, basically, just with election campaigns. And its a tricky thing to try to regenerate civil society when it doesnt really exist anywhere. Its not just a problem of the left. Its a problem of the entire political spectrum. Its particularly bad for the left, because we actually need to mobilize a lot of people to get things done, whereas if youre on the right, you could find a way to elect a few of the right people, get the few of the right court appointments, and you could probably carry out a lot of your program without having millions of people actively behind you.

ezra klein

I think thats a good place to end. So always a final question  what are three books you would recommend to the audience?

bhaskar sunkara

I think that everyone in the audience  this is very on-brand, too, but I think everyone should read Michael Harrington. Harrington, for most of the mid-century, was the most prominent American socialist. His adversary, William F. Buckley, actually once introduced him that way. Then, he very quickly added that thats like being the tallest building in Topeka, Kansas. But I recommend you read his last book that he wrote when he had cancer, Socialism: Past & Future. I also think that at least what drew me to the left was reading history and having a sense of the long arc of history, which Im not so certain nowadays bends towards justice, but I think it always helps. Eric Hobsbawms The Age of Extremes, but his whole set of four books on modern history, I would highly recommend. I think that would be a great, great starting place. Then, for the third book, you know, I really think everyone should read my book, The Socialist Manifesto. Because I havent plugged that in a long time 

ezra klein

Oh, you cant do your own books as one of the three. Not allowed.

bhaskar sunkara

Im just kidding. No, I think for the third book, I would really recommend that people read Adolph Reeds recent political memoir. Im not sure if he who would like it described as a memoir, but its called The South. It just came out from Verso Books, and I just finished reading it. Its a really excellent discussion about contemporary politics, about also his past growing up in the Jim Crow South, and how it informs his current political worldview. So its by the political scientist Adolph Reed, and its called, The South.

ezra klein

Bhaskar Sunkara, thank you very much.

bhaskar sunkara

Thanks for having me, Ezra.

ezra klein
North America is home to two populations of monarchs. The larger, Eastern population spends its summers breeding in milkweed-filled fields along the East Coast and the Midwest before winging its way down to Mexico each fall. A smaller, Western population generally converges on California each autumn.

Numerous studies have found that the size of these winter colonies has fallen precipitously since the mid-1990s. Theyre a mere shadow of their former self, said Jeffrey Glassberg, president of the North American Butterfly Association and an author of the paper.

These declines have been attributed to a variety of factors, including climate change and logging near the overwintering sites.

The losses have also coincided with the increasing use of an herbicide known as glyphosate across large swaths of the butterflys Midwestern breeding range. The herbicide kills milkweed, which often springs up in corn and soybean fields and plays a critical role in the monarch life cycle; adult butterflies lay their eggs on the plants, which serve as the sole source of food for the caterpillars. Use of the herbicide increased sharply during the 1990s and early 2000s.

The winter declines have prompted campaigns to encourage the public to plant milkweed, as well as concerns about the monarchs future. In December 2020, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concluded that the butterfly qualified for federal protection but that other threatened and endangered species were a higher priority for the agency.
Valery Ryumin, a Soviet tank commander who became a cosmonaut and spent more than a year in space, setting endurance records  and then, after 18 years, took another flight, this time on a U.S. space shuttle  died on Monday. He was 82.

The Russian federal space corporation, Roscosmos, announced his death. Dmitry Rogozin, the corporations director, called Mr. Ryumins death an irreparable loss but did not say where he died or cite a cause.

Mr. Ryumins first mission, on Soyuz 25, was supposed to last 90 days, but it ended after only two when the vehicle failed to dock with the Salyut 6 orbital space station.
The next morning, she received a series of apologetic messages from him, in which he offered to launder her clothes. She was amenable to a do-over, so later that same day, after finishing her laundry, the couple had a first date.

They had dinner at a hummus place in Palo Alto, Calif., and then drove to an ocean overlook in San Francisco. The two fit in a few more dates before their graduation.

I really liked her from the start, Mr. Norgaard said. I thought she was brilliant and quite beautiful.

Both said, though, that what was between them wasnt serious. After commencement, he moved to New York City, while she took a tech job in the Bay Area. They stayed in touch by text.
Drs. Ginger Yu Fei Jiang and Jose Miguel Orozco didnt quite hit it off after they were accidentally assigned the same microscope in pathology class during their first year at Harvard Medical School in 2013.

I arrived to the microscope station first so I took it, Dr. Jiang said, and when Dr. Orozco showed up, he had to sit by himself in the middle of the room at another station.

We didnt get along at first, mostly due to the microscope incident, she added, noting that they both were dating other people at the time, too.
I think people are no longer taking precautions as they did before, Dr. Trepka said. People were masking more here in the county, and we are seeing less of that. People are being less careful, because they are tired.

Mayor Daniella Levine Cava dropped all of Miami-Dades pandemic safety mandates in February, around the time the C.D.C. shifted its strategy on measures such as masks and social distancing. At the time, the federal agency said, many such restrictions were no longer needed in most of the country, although counties should calculate their own risk as conditions change.

When the latest surge took hold in April, Ms. Levine Cava urged residents to get vaccinated, wear masks, disinfect surfaces and maintain social distance, but the county has not made any of those measures mandatory.

In a statement on Wednesday, Ms. Levine Cava once again called on residents to take precautions on their own: get vaccinated and boosted, get tested if they show symptoms, and stay home if they feel sick. The best tools to fight the virus are the same ones we know and continue to use, she wrote.

Ms. Levine Cava noted that Miami-Dade was the most vaccinated county in Florida: and those efforts have paid off with fewer hospitalizations than in past surges. But caution was still warranted.

We have not beaten this virus, but we know how to control it, she wrote.

Mayor Rick Blangiardi of Honolulu County has taken a similar approach.
The opening House hearing into the events surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol was a compact and controlled two hours, designed as an overview of what was described as a methodical conspiracy, led and coordinated by President Donald J. Trump, to thwart the peaceful transfer of power and democracy itself.

It was also an enticement to the American people to watch the next five scheduled hearings.

Here are some takeaways:

Trump was at the center of the plot.

The committees chairman, Representative Bennie Thompson, Democrat of Mississippi, and vice chairwoman, Representative Liz Cheney, Republican of Wyoming, began laying out what they described as an elaborate, intentional scheme by Mr. Trump to remain in power, one unprecedented in American history and with dangerous implications for democracy.

Jan. 6 was the culmination of an attempted coup, Mr. Thompson said.

Both leaders had blistering words for Mr. Trump and about the threat he poses to American democracy. They made it clear that, for all his ongoing bluster about stolen elections, Mr. Trump had knowingly spread claims about election fraud that people closest to him knew were false, tried to use the apparatus of government and the courts to cling to power, and then when all of that failed, sat back approvingly in the White House as a mob of his supporters stormed the Capitol threatening to hang his vice president.
Voters in Alaska are taking part in a new type of election this weekend: one conducted entirely by mail, the first of its kind in the states history. And it will be an open primary, allowing people to pick from candidates of both parties  also new in the state.

The list voters will choose from is long: A whopping 48 candidates are running for the states lone House seat. One of them is former Gov. Sarah Palin. A man legally named Santa Claus is also on the ballot.

The special primary election is to replace Representative Don Young, who was the longest-serving Republican in the House when he died in March.
Each of our futures depend on one another, the president said.

But the demonstration of unity at the summit was undermined by the boycott of the gathering by the leaders of Mexico and the three Central American countries that make up the Northern Triangle: El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.

The declaration was signed by 20 nations  including the United States and Canada  out of more than 30 in the Americas. Mexico and the three Northern Triangle countries signed the agreement even though their leaders did not attend the summit. But a news release from the White House listing the specific commitments by each country did not include any from El Salvador and Honduras, which contribute heavily to the flow of migration to the United States and elsewhere.

The news release also did not list any specific commitments from Peru and Trinidad and Tobago, which are major recipients of Venezuelan migrants.

The countries that signed the agreement have pledged to accept a small fraction of the number of people leaving their homes in search of a life elsewhere. About six million displaced Venezuelans have fled the economic and political turmoil of their home country in the last five years, to Colombia, Peru and Ecuador, among other countries. Central Americans facing gang violence and climate change have sought fresh starts in Mexico as well as the United States. Hundreds of thousands of Nicaraguans targeted by a crackdown on dissent have moved to Costa Rica, where about 10 percent of the population consists of refugees.

The pledges from the countries in the declaration  if they materialize at all  will play out over years, not days or weeks. And the effects will almost certainly not be felt in the short term, when the United States and other countries are dealing with immediate crises at their borders.

A senior Biden administration official told reporters on Thursday night that Mr. Biden never expected all of the countries in the region to sign on to the agreement, but the official did not directly address the ones that refused.
It is the fourth year Nigeria would mark Democracy Day on June 12.

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 ministry's 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.
Ms. Reynolds parlayed her political experience and connections into a career as one of a new breed of Washington superlobbyists, opening D.C. offices for major corporations and later co-founding Wexler, Reynolds, Harrison & Schule, among the most powerful lobbying firms of the 1980s and one of the first to be led in part by women.

What serves you well over the years is just the old gut reaction, she told The New York Times in 1983. Experience and contacts help, but in the end its an instinct, an antenna. This city is a tremendous amalgam of incredible people from all walks of life who are elected to political office. You have to be fascinated with the political process.

Nancy Lee Clark was born on June 26, 1927, in Pocatello, a small city in southeast Idaho. Her father, David Worth Clark, was a lawyer who won a special election in 1935 to become one of the states two U.S. representatives. Her mother, Virgil Irwin Clark, was a homemaker.

Moving to Washington, the Clarks lived in the Shoreham Hotel  de rigueur for new members of Congress, who felt that buying a home might appear presumptuous. Mr. Clark neednt have worried: He won re-election in 1936 and a Senate seat in 1938. He was a New Deal Democrat, but he made friends across factions and parties; his friends included Richard Russell, a conservative Democrat from Georgia, and Robert Taft, a conservative Republican from Ohio.

Washington in the 1930s was a very different place from the one Ms. Reynolds would return to in the 1970s. In many ways it was still a sleepy Southern town, crisscrossed with bridle paths, on which she rode horses with her father. Though the family returned to Idaho every summer, she graduated from high school in Washington, then studied English at Goucher College, in Maryland. She graduated in 1945.
When Mr. Maloney first arrived in Congress after flipping a Republican seat in 2012, he was unquestionably more of a centrist. But his allies now dismiss the idea that the congressman  New Yorks first openly gay member of Congress who has long fought for L.G.B.T.Q. rights and supported climate proposals backed by Ms. Ocasio-Cortez  is a moderate.

In an interview, he said he believed in mainstream policies that can get done right now, on things like protecting our kids from gun violence, protecting reproductive freedom and climate change. (The Senate has stymied most of those priorities.)

He noted several times that he had nothing but respect or tremendous respect for Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, despite her endorsement of Ms. Biaggi.

Im an original co-sponsor of the Green New Deal, and we have spoken about that  I speak to her all the time, he said.

But as of Thursday, he confirmed, they had not spoken since she raised the prospect last month that he should step aside as D.C.C.C. chairman, amid a battle over redistricting that threatened to tear the delegation apart. According to people in and around the delegation, who were granted anonymity to discuss private conversations, there have not been efforts to mediate between the two representatives.

Ms. Hitt, Ms. Ocasio-Cortezs spokeswoman, said that they were collegial despite their differences.
Follow live updates on the House committee hearing on the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.

WASHINGTON  Former President Donald J. Trump, long known for distancing himself from or tossing aside staff members who contradicted him while he was in the White House, discovered a new target on Friday: his elder daughter.

The morning after the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol played recorded video testimony of his daughter, Ivanka Trump, at its prime-time public hearing, Mr. Trump used his social media website to separate himself from what she had said and to say she was checked out during the final days of his administration.

In the testimony, Ms. Trump said she was influenced by a Dec. 1, 2020, statement by William P. Barr, then the attorney general, that there was no widespread fraud that had altered the outcome of the election. She testified that she respected Mr. Barr and accepted what he was saying.
But looking weary following a raucous session in Parliament in which opposition politicians constantly interrupted and insulted him, Mr. Ramaphosa provided reporters with little clarity on a saga people are calling Farmgate. He evaded questions about the episode with a repeated refrain: due process.

Im a process person, he said. The process must unfold.

Mr. Ramaphosa has conceded that a burglary took place and that he did not go to the police, but he has insisted that he did not break any laws. The money stolen was far less than alleged, he said (how much, he would not say) and it was the proceeds of game sold from his farm.

There is little illusion that true or not, the allegations, surfacing at this moment, have baldly political motives.

Arthur Fraser, who made the claims public last week with a complaint to the South African national police, is the countrys former spy chief and an avowed ally of the presidents nemesis, former president Jacob Zuma. The A.N.C. is scheduled to hold its national elections in December, and factions closely aligned with Mr. Zuma have been feverishly working to undermine Mr. Ramaphosas bid to win a second term as the partys leader. For them, this scandal is a gift from above.
SINGAPORE  Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III warned China on Saturday against what he called provocative and destabilizing activity near the disputed island of Taiwan, following talks with Chinas defense minister, Gen. Wei Fenghe, that focused on preventing regional tensions from escalating into crises.

Taiwan  a self-ruled island that Beijing claims as its own  was one of the topics of the talks between Mr. Austin and General Wei in Singapore on Friday, along with disputes in seas around China and Russias invasion of Ukraine. Mr. Austin amplified his warnings in a speech to the Shangri-La Dialogue, a security meeting in Singapore, while asserting that Washington did not support an independent Taiwan.

Our policy hasnt changed, but unfortunately that doesnt seem to be true for the P.R.C., Mr. Austin said on Saturday, referring to the Peoples Republic of China. We see growing coercion from Beijing. Weve witnessed a steady increase in provocative and destabilizing military activity near Taiwan.
But more than 20 billion cigarettes are sold each year in Canada, according to the Canadian Cancer Society and most of Canadas 4.7 million smokers smoke cigarettes every day. While vaping is more frequent among younger Canadians, StatsCan data show that as of 2022, 4 percent of the countrys smokers were under the age of 19.

A spokesman for the Canadian subsidiary of tobacco giant Philip Morris International said the company supports Canadas new regulation. We share a common goal with Health Canada  eliminating cigarettes and making Canada smoke-free by 2035 or sooner, said Jeff Gaulin, the spokesman for Rothmans, Benson and Hedges.

Health Canada, the nations health agency, is proposing that the warning Poison in every puff be printed on the cigarette paper around the filter.

Researchers expressed skepticism that the warnings would have a strong affect.

A better way to reduce youth smoking would be to decrease the availability of cigarettes, commonly sold at corner stores and gas stations in Canada, and raise taxes on them, said Robert Schwartz, the executive director of the Ontario Tobacco Research Unit and a professor at the University of Toronto.
The disaster was controversial because the Duke of York, the heir to the throne and a former Lord High Admiral, barely made it off the sinking vessel in time. Other passengers and crew members waited for him to disembark first as dictated by protocol. He had also argued with the pilot about the course of the ship, and later publicly blamed the man for the disaster.

Benjamin Redding, a senior research associate at the University of East Anglia who is a part of the team studying the wreck, said that there had been small whispers about the dukes leadership abilities, as he was an experienced naval commander who became associated with a shipwreck, but that he had already been designated as heir by King Charles II.

At the time, it was political suicide to blame James, Dr. Redding said in an interview on Friday.

He said the researchers hoped to find out more about the duke by examining the contents of the wine bottles, which might show they were imported from France, despite a ban on such imports from a Catholic country.

It would tell a lot about him, Dr. Redding said. One rule for everyone else, and a different policy for him.

The researchers hope to find a treasure trove of royal items and packing chests in the stern, where James would have been on the ship and which is lodged in the sea floor. If they do, it will help separate fact from fiction, Dr. Redding said.
The popes knee problems are just the latest in a string of health problems the pontiff has faced. Last July, he underwent surgery to remove part of his colon, which kept him in a hospital for 10 days. In February, Francis canceled a trip to Florence, Italy, after doctors told him to take it easy with his knee, and he also sat out Ash Wednesday celebrations in March. He has remained seated during other papal Masses, delegating the celebration. He also postponed a trip to Lebanon, originally scheduled for mid-June, for health reasons, according to Lebanese officials who announced the cancellation.

The pope also has problems with sciatica, a chronic nerve condition that causes, back, hip and leg pain, and makes him walk with a limp. Flare-ups of that condition have forced him to cancel or modify high-profile appearances.

The Vatican has never specified the ailment afflicting the popes knee. In an interview published in the Milan newspaper Corriere della Sera in early May, Francis said he had a torn ligament and had been prescribed a series of knee injections.

He said that the problem with his knee had been going on for some time now  I cant walk around anymore. He added, as a joke: Once upon a time, popes used to be carried around in their sedan chair. But a bit of pain can be humbling, a blessing in disguise.

The rumors of the popes possible retirement emerged after Francis announced last week that he would travel in August to the central Italian city of LAquila, to visit the basilica that holds the tomb of Pope Celestine V, who resigned from the papacy in 1294, the first pope to do so.

In April 2009, Pope Benedict XVI also traveled to LAquila, just a few weeks after a devastating earthquake killed more than 300 people. During that trip, he stopped at the basilica, Santa Maria di Collemaggio, where he prayed in front of Celestines body. Four years later, Benedict stepped down, and his earlier gesture was interpreted as a sign that he had been thinking of resigning.
LONDON  British law enforcement and elections officials said they will not investigate a major political donation to the Conservative Party that had been flagged as a suspected illegal campaign donation in documents linking it to a Russian bank account.

The decision, announced late Thursday, lifts a legal cloud over one of the largest donations that helped propel Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his party to victory in the 2019 election. Lawmakers from the opposition Labour Party said the decision reveals a campaign-finance loophole that could be used by bad actors.

The contribution, of $630,225, was made in February 2018 by Ehud Sheleg, a wealthy London art dealer and one of the Conservative Partys biggest donors. He was most recently the partys treasurer.
Mariana Bezugla, a member of Ukraines Parliament who is the deputy head of the National Security, Defense and Intelligence Committee, said similar shortages of ammunition for Soviet-era weapons were occurring throughout the eastern theater, where Ukrainian forces have been battling to hold the resource-rich Donbas, which comprises the Luhansk and Donetsk regions.

They have a lot of resources, a lot of ammunition, Ms. Bezugla said of the Russians. It is not comparable with ours.

Ms. Bezugla said that Ukraine has received plenty of ammunition for its new NATO artillery pieces, it still does not have enough of those weapons to replace the older equipment. We have munitions of the new type, but we still lack guns to fire them, she said.

Pentagon officials say that they have exhausted all efforts to scrounge up available Soviet and Russian weaponry and munitions for Ukrainian troops to use, after months of horse-trading with allies who were still using the old systems. A senior American military official acknowledged that the well had run dry, and said that Ukraine would likely need to depend on Western munitions systems to defend against Russia in the East.

But that means speeding up training of Ukrainian troops on the new systems, the official said, which can take some time. Pentagon officials have sharply condensed the time for Ukrainian troops to train, compared to what American troops spend before being declared proficient on some of the weapons systems.
Young Laotian man makes contribution to construction of China-Laos Railway

People's Daily Online) 10:01, June 10, 2022

On March 19, 2022, a train loaded with automobile parts left an international logistics park in Ulanqab in north Chinas Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region for Vientiane, the capital of Laos. Thanks to the China-Laos Railway, it would take only 10 days for the train to deliver the goods to local clients in Laos.

Photo shows Chai Yang (right) and his Chinese mentor Niu Yuchun (Photo/Global People Magazine)

Since the China-Laos Railway opened to traffic in December 2021, the trains have continuously sent mechanical and electrical products and parts for industrial products to Laos, injecting an impetus into the countrys economic development. Meanwhile, the China-Laos Railway has also enabled Laos to become an intermediate station for goods heading onwards for Southeast Asia.

Behind these achievements made by the China-Laos Railway are the diligent efforts made by both Chinese and Laotian employees of the China Railway Construction Group Co., Ltd. (CRCC), the main contractor for the railway project.

I hope that the railway can bring rice, coffee, watermelons and bananas from Laos to Chinese supermarkets and the dining tables of Chinese people. Through the railway, China can lend a hand to the development of the hydropower and mining industries of Laos, and deliver tangible benefits to Laotian people, said Chai Yang, a 26-year-old employee from the China Railway Construction Electrification Bureau Group Co., Ltd.s Boten-Vientiane project. Chai Yang, who is fluent in five languages, is a valuable employee in his company. The China Railway Construction Electrification Bureau Group Co., Ltd. is affiliated to the CRCC.

Chai Yang was born into a big family. Although his family is not wealthy, his parents always told Chai Yang and his siblings to study hard.

After graduating from the National University of Laos with a bachelors degree in accountancy, Chai Yang became an accountant for a hotel in Vientiane. However, the job didnt last long because of layoffs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Photo shows Chai Yang. (Photo/Global People Magazine)

After Chai Yang learned from his friend that CRCC, which was building the China-Laos Railway, was looking for Laotian employees, he went to the company to try his luck. Although he was told that no accountant was needed, the company still hired him as a driver.

Because builders of the China-Laos Railway worked in places that were almost entirely uninhabited and the construction sites were connected with each other with nothing but unsurfaced roads and mountainous roads, the drivers had to be especially careful when they drove. To become competent for the job, Chai Yang put in a great deal of effort to practice his driving skills. He checked out the conditions of the roads he would drive on and eventually found out several safe and efficient driving routes. What Chai Yang was able to accomplish eventually impressed his colleagues.

Meanwhile, Chai Yang also devoted much time to learning the Chinese language, having mastered Chinese reading and writing skills in just several months. This laid a solid foundation for his future career development prospects at the Chinese company.

The young man also performed other duties within his capabilities. Soon, his colleagues who were working at the construction site became widely aware that he was a hardworking young man.

When talking about this experience, the young man is always humble. When I saw my Chinese colleagues work overtime to construct the railway, I thought that I should contribute my part, so I came to the construction site to help them, said Chai Yang.

After knowing about Chai Yangs story, CRCC assigned him to become the driver of Niu Yuchun, a Chinese railway engineer. Chai Yang, who is always thirsty for knowledge, asked to become a student of Niu and learned engineering knowledge from his new superior.

When the construction of the signal tower at the Vientiane section of the China-Laos Railway was to be suspended, with the head of the construction team having been diagnosed with acute appendicitis and being hospitalized, Chai Yang was able to join the construction team and prove his engineering capabilities. Because of this, Niu recommended Chai Yang for a post at the China Railway Construction Electrification Bureau Group Co., Ltd.

After joining the Chinese company, Chai Yang personally witnessed the positive changes that local people had experienced thanks to the Belt and Road Initiative. During his service at the Chinese company, the young man also got married, became a father, and built a new house for his family in the city, living a prosperous life.

Chai Yang told the reporter that, before the China-Laos Railway opened to traffic, when he wanted to get to Vientiane from his home, he had to first go down the mountain and then take a bus, with the trip being time-consuming and dangerous. However, after the railway service became available, many trips that used to take one day and one night can be finished in just three hours.

The China-Laos Railway is the largest construction project in Laos, as well as a key route that can change the fate of Laos, said Chai Yang.

Now, the young man has become a backbone employee in his company. He expressed the hope that after the COVID-19 pandemic is eventually contained, he can take his parents to China and visit some Chinese cities.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji)
analysis

Despite local measures to combat pollution and overfishing, stocks of the once bountiful Nile perch have fallen by at least three-quarters.

On the main roundabout in Mwanza, Tanzania's second most populous city, there stands a large grey statue. The monument doesn't commemorate a great post-independence leader, nor a European explorer who - after years of searching for the source of the Nile - alighted on the great lake on which Mwanza sits, but a fish.

With good reason. Fishing is Mwanza's lifeblood and, for the past 40 years, the Nile perch, a strong, fast-swimming predator that can grow to the size of a man, has been at the heart of the industry. Around Lake Victoria, millions of Tanzanians, Ugandans and Kenyans depend on the fish for their survival. In the 1980s and 1990s, there was a Nile perch boom, with fishermen from all over Africa descending on the continent's largest lake to join the gold rush. They sold their catch to processing factories around the lakeshore, and the factories exported it to customers in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

In the mid-1990s, fishermen in the Tanzanian half of Lake Victoria alone were catching two hundred thousand tons of Nile perch each year - 30 times the total annual tonnage of fish caught in North America's Great Lakes. So important was the perch to livelihoods in what had until then been one of the poorest parts of East Africa that it came to be known as "the saviour fish".

These days, however, the mood is less buoyant. In Mwanza's Mwaloni market, the waterside hub at which fishing boats from the islands that dot the lake offload their catch, a trader is counting off sacks of dried Nile perch as young men load them onto a truck bound for Congo. He tells me that the price of the fish has tripled in the past five years. "Supply is down," he says, "but demand is still high". Another trader stands beside a tray of smoked lungfish, their blackened eel-like bodies curled into loops for display. The fish are not from Lake Victoria, the vendor says, but from the Tabora region, over 300km away in central Tanzania. "In the past there were lungfish in the lake," he explains, "but now there are very few".

It is not only Nile perch and lungfish whose numbers have reduced. Hundreds of Lake Victoria's fish species have gone extinct in the past three decades as a perfect storm of overfishing, deforestation, and pollution has laid waste to what was once one of the most biodiverse environments on Earth. The price of Nile tilapia, another popular fish for eating, has quintupled in five years despite increased competition from fish farms in Asia. "You have to work hard to catch just one tilapia nowadays," a fisherman on Ukerewe, the lake's largest island, tells me. "They are very difficult to find."

Nile perch was introduced to Lake Victoria in the 1950s by East Africa's British colonisers, who wanted to turn the lake's native species into something of economic value. The perch, the theory went, would be more likely to generate cash for the colonial economy than the smaller, unpalatable fish on which it would feed. Ecologists' warnings about the negative effects an alien species might have on a complex tropical ecosystem went unheeded, but even the scientists didn't foresee the upheaval the perch would cause.

For the intruder didn't just eat the native fish and outcompete them for food. The opportunity to make money by catching, processing, and exporting it also triggered a boom in the human population around the lake. Trees were felled to build houses, supply charcoal for cooking, clear the land for farming, and smoke the oily perch. New industries descended on the region, with breweries, tanneries and paper factories joining the fish processing factories and farms. Deforestation loosened the soil and made it easier for the pollution spewed by all these new arrivals to infiltrate the lake. Sewage, pesticides, fertilisers, and industrial chemicals starved its waters of oxygen, causing mass die-offs of fish and hastening the extinction of native species.

Overfishing has also taken a heavy toll. At the peak of the boom, 2,000 new fishing boats were launched onto the lake every year, using ever more efficient technologies. Despite measures adopted by governments of the lakeshore countries such as banning trawlers and clamping down on other illegal fishing methods, Nile perch stocks have fallen by at least three-quarters. The average weight of a caught perch has shrunk from 50kg in the 1980s to less than 10kg today. Although the fish factories persuaded the Tanzanian government to slash the legal minimum size at which a perch can be harvested, many of the specimens on sale in the market in Mwanza are smaller even than the new threshold. A number of the factories have closed or are operating at reduced capacity.

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The 25 million people who rely on the lake's munificence are finding it difficult to make ends meet. Unemployment and underemployment are rife, and many are leaving the lake region to seek work in Dar es Salaam, Nairobi or overseas. In a market on Ukerewe, the number of stalls selling potions for use in witchcraft has mushroomed as islanders turn to the occult for solutions to their plight. Other market traders are struggling. "We depend here on fishing," a woman who has a sundry goods stall tells me. "When there are no fish, there is no money in circulation. And when there is no money, we have no business."

Mark Weston is the author of The Saviour Fish: Life and Death on Africa's Greatest Lake (Earth Books, April 2022).
Details of the two attacks this week could not be independently verified. The Russian foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

The strike in Chkalove occurred near an area of active fighting in Ukraines south. To determine the number of dead, spotters counted body bags as they were loaded onto rescue vehicles, the senior official said.

The death toll in the strike was apparently so high because the shells struck a cache of munitions, sparking an explosion and a blaze that burned for six hours early Thursday morning, the official said.

The official said that before the attack, the partisans approached some of the foreign fighters and after trying to speak with them, surmised that they were Arab. The foreign fighters appeared to be living in tents near buildings occupied by Russian troops, the official said. He said they were possibly part of a contingent of Syrian troops that arrived in Russia three weeks ago.

It has long been rumored that Syrian fighters would join Russias fight in Ukraine, but there has been no official confirmation of this.

Mr. Arestovych, the adviser to Mr. Zelensky, said it was the first concrete evidence of the presence of Arab fighters in Ukraine.
Chinese social media was recently rocked by the controversial story of a man who sued his stepson after divorcing his mother, asking for compensation for raising him.

Only a few months after divorcing his wife, a Chongqing man surnamed Tang reportedly took his stepson Liu to court, asking for 35,200 yuan (approximately $5,285) as compensation for the money spent on raising him during the marriage. Tang reportedly married Lius mother in 2009 when the boy was 10 years old and helped raise him until 2021, when the woman filed for divorce. About three months after the separation, Tang filed a lawsuit against his stepson, asking for over 30,000 yuan as compensation for living expenses.

Photo: Eric Prouzet/Unsplash

The peculiar legal dispute sparked outrage among the millions who watched a video of the trial on Chinese Twitter-like platform, Sina Weibo. Most of those who commented accused Tang of taking revenge on his stepson after his marriage failed, and never really caring for him as a parent should.

Tang started helping raise Liu once he married Lius mother. Now Tang wants his money back, this sounds more like a fit of pique after his marriage failed, one person wrote.

Photo: Sora Shimazaki/Pexels

Even after raising the kid for 10 years, it doesnt seem like he ever treated him like a son. Thats so sad, another person commented.

Some wondered if, by Tangs logic, it would be reasonable for his ex-wife to demand compensation for the psychological suffering she probably endured during their marriage.

Luckily, last month, a local court in Chongqing denied Tangs request, ruling that the expenses he was seeking compensation for had been paid voluntarily.

Tang chose to support Liu, despite knowing he didnt have a legal responsibility to pay for his university study as Liu had reached 18 years of age, the presiding court judge said. In China, children are legally adults once 18, and parents are no longer expected to cover their living expenses.
Dozens of underprivileged families and families of children with disabilities in the Russian region of Tula recently received bags of Cheetos snacks as food assistance and they were just as happy as youd imagine

If this story was posted on April 1st, youd probably think it a joke. Heck, youre probably thinking that right now, and youre right to do so, but, sadly, its true. In early May, Russian news media reported that the Rus food fund had recently carried out an operation, distributing 1,100 bags of Cheetos snacks to dozens of impoverished and underprivileged families in ten municipalities of Russias Tula region. About 700 messages of gratitude were posted on social media posts about the charity event, but the photos of the recipients with their Cheetos bags told a very different story

Photo: VKontakte

To be honest, those 700 messages I mentioned above were described as suspicious by most Russian news outlets, as they all pretty much read the same: Our family says a huge thank you to the Rus Charitable Food Fund for the delicious snacks. Many thanks to all volunteers and volunteer drivers for your work and care for our families.

Photo: VKontakte

But if the copy/pasted messages of gratitude werent enough of a red flag, the Rus fund made the mistake of posting photos of the families they helped with their bags of Cheetos on Russian social media platform VKontakte. They look about as happy as youd expect.

Photo: VKontakte

The feedback from the general public wasnt very positive either

Photo: VKontakte

Its embarrassing to even report such help!!! This is just a shame and a mockery!!! Inna Barinova commented on a news article.

Photo: VKontakte

Ahahahaha!!! I saw this news on another site, I thought it was like an April 1st joke  God, it turned out to be true  I cant calm down now . Im in shock))), another person wrote.

Photo: VKontakte

No one does food aid like Russia, thats for sure!
Jane Genova

Johnny Depp may have won most of the defamation litigation against former wife Amber Heard, but the cases six weeks of raw testimony may have cost him career ground.

In the LA Times, Josh Rottenberg and Anousha Sakoui put it this way:  how much of an appetite Hollywood will have to hire  remains to be seen. In addition, lawyers for the defendant plan to appeal the verdict. Any ding to a career could turn out to be for nothing.

The new gallows humor in both legal and public relations circles could be: They won their lawsuits, but then lost their careersor jobs.

Yes, the decision to sue brings with it the risk of bad publicity risk. Many lawyers, reports Jake Holland in Bloomberg Law, have made it a best practice to give those planning litigation this warning: Beware of what the official media and social networks could do with information associated with even the filing of a lawsuit.

Litigation itself, as many know, is a wild card. What is being recognized more and more is that publicity is just as much a wild card.

Depp has plenty of company in becoming a publicity victim by deciding to opt for litigation.

When sued for alleged sexual assault by former lover Guzel Ganieva, billionaire Leon Black could have simply set an army of elite lawyers on it. He could afford that. Instead, he countersued with his own lawsuit. That quickly evolved into what Heather Perberg describes in Bloomberg as a tabloid-worthy tale.

One of the things Black alleged was a smear campaign in which his former partner at Apollo Josh Harris and public relations leader Steven Rubenstein had been players. In the amended complaint the concepts and language were sensationalistic:

Like Shakespeares Iago, enraged by being passed over for promotion [to CEO of Apollo] he [Josh Harris] turned his wrath on his mentor and leader [Leon Black].

The media had a ball with that. Black, whose once-iconic brand continues to be tarnished by his business association with Jeffrey Epstein, evolved into cartoon fare. Odds of a comeback seemed to abruptly deteriorate.

On the other hand, publicity associated with litigation can be professionally useful.

In a lawsuit against Fox News, Gretchen Carlson alleged she had been fired for not providing sexual favors to Roger Ailes. Not only was that settled for $20 million, Carlson became a feminist champion. Plum broadcasting assignments fell into her lap, ranging from A&E Networks to PEOPLE (the TV branch).

Another spin-off from litigation publicity can be a mixed bag.

After suing venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins for alleged gender discrimination Ellen Pao found access to those big jobs in tech closed-off. The one at Reddit as Chief Executive Officer she did get ended quickly. Since the defendant was totally acquitted in that high-profile trial, she was essentially finished in Silicon Valley as a player.

But all the publicity about gender issues made her, like Carlson, a feminist leader. Currently she heads Project Include, whose mission is diversity. She retains influence. For example, she published an attention-getting op-ed about Elizabeth Holmes in the New York Times.

The reality is that the court of public opinion can have more impact on a career than the court of law. As yet, it is not mandated that lawyers educate clients about that as a part of professional ethics. But the legal sector is fully aware that how their clients legal matters, careers, and lives wind up frequently depends on public relations.

That is one of the growing reasons, as the Wall Street Journal documented, law firms are branching out from only providing legal counsel. For example, Big Law firms Dentons and Ropes & Gray use journalists for storytelling that is leveraged both for clients and the law firm itself.

That shift beyond legal-only includes establishing consulting profit centers.

For its Global Advisors, Dentons recently added what was once called NextLaw Public Affairs Network and is now Dentons Global Advisors Network. That technology platform connects global and US clients with 220 elite public relations firms in 155 countries.

Obviously public relations services have developed as much power and influence as those of Big Law maybe more so. And law firms know thator they should.

This is part of the macro movement of the law firms being able to supply comprehensive business solutions for its clients. Increasingly, clients are demanding that.

In an interview in Leaders Magazine, Paul Weiss chairperson Brad Karp sizes up the emerging law firm-client relationship as a business partnership. That means lawyers have to understand every nuance of the clients business. One aspect Karp fingers is the clients overall risk tolerance. As the Depp trial showcased, that includes the ability to absorb and navigate the unpredictable dynamics of publicity.

Young people seeking to make a good living in a career filled with influence and power might opt for education and training in college in public relations. That could be a terminal degree. In contrast, opting to go to law school after college could cost them, according to US News, on average each of the three years:

Private law school - $53,034

Public, resident - $29,610

Public, non-resident - $42,754.

***

Jane Genova ([email protected]) helps business work magic through storytelling. One client noted that she makes shipping containers come across as sexy.
Brands are in a key position to foster social togetherness, according to a new study from FleishmanHillards TRUE Global Intelligence unit.

The Togetherness Economy, which was made in partnership with Harvard professor Robert J. Waldinger and futurologist Martin Raymond, surveyed 2,000 adults in the US and UK (1,000 in each country) between March 30 and April 7. It found that a solid majority (61 percent) of respondents feel that brands have an important role to play when it comes to fostering togetherness in society.

That sentiment has a direct connection to the bottom line, with 70 percent of US respondents claiming that they would be more likely to buy a product if its brand promoted togetherness. That number was not quite as high in the UK, where 54 percent of respondents said a brands stance on social togetherness would influence their purchasing decisions.

Related to that, respondents also said that a lack of social togetherness will impact their countrys economywith 80 percent of US respondents and 70 in the UK agreeing.

Equal representation across social groups in marketing and communications was seen as a central concern for many consumers. 86 percent of US respondents and 78 percent of those in the UK indicated that they want to see brand advertisements accurately represent the make-up of society.

But brands appear to be coming up short in meeting the desire for messaging that promotes social togetherness. Almost half (45 percent) agreed that the way brands currently market themselves actively contributes to societal division, with only 23 percent disagreeing.

The three sectors seen as the biggest contributors to social division were fashion, healthcare and beauty. Of all consumer brands, they have arguably played the most prominent roles in perpetuating unattainable and one-dimensional beauty standards, and contributed most to gender stereotyping, the reports authors say.

The report offers some tips for how communicators can actively foster social togetherness in their efforts. Showing the values that people from different backgrounds share and making sure that a brands messaging stays consistent across all its audiences, it suggests, are two good places to start.

Being alert to culture and how you demonstrate your stake in your community will be of critical importance, says Raymond in an essay accompanying the study. Communications must demonstrate your actions and your track record in being part of the cohesive communities of the future.
PR people talk a good game when in comes to ESG matters with one glaring exception: gun control.

The profession is mostly a no-show on the CEOs For Gun Safety letter urging the Senate to take immediate action on gun safety legislation.

More than 220 CEOs signed the letter that calls gun violence an epidemic that represents a public health crisis that continues to devastate communities, especially Black and Brown ones.

It states: On top of the human toll is a profound economic impact. At a time when our economy is struggling to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, gun violence costs American taxpayers, employers and communities a staggering $280 billion per year. Employers lose $1.4 million every day in productivity and revenue, and costs associated with victims of gun violence.

Only ten members of the PR community put their names on the letter.

Heres the honor roll: Mark Read (WPP), Richard Edelman (Edelman), Garbrielle Zucker/Aaron Kwittken (KWT Global), Donna LaVoie (LaVoieHealthScience), Jess Fiaschette (Outside PR); Michael Kempner (MikeWorldWide), Melissa Waggener Zorkin (WE Communications), Mallory Blair (Small Girls PR) and Andrew Bleeker (Bully Pulpit Interactive).

Thanks for taking a stand. Your colleagues should follow your lead.

The frightful specter of Donald Trump hovers over the war in Ukraine. Thats why some European leaders are calling for negotiations to end the conflict, said Ed Carr, deputy editor-in-chief at The Economist at a June 10 webinar sponsored by the British magazine.

Time is running out.

They know the Ukraine/Russian war is not going to end in total defeat like that of Adolf Hitlier in WWII.

The mentality is sooner of later the war is going to end so Ukraine should strike its best deal as soon as possible, said Carr.

The Europeans fear that the return of Trump to the White House would result in the US withdrawing its support for Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky.

Though France has supplied sophisticated Caesar self-propelled artillery systems in Ukraine, its president Emmanuel Macron is in frequent phone contact with Vladimir Putin

Macron has warned his western allies about the dangers of humiliating Putin with a military defeat.

He doesnt want to rile Putin up because he could escalate the conflict, said Carr.

Theres also fear of a revitalized Russia.

Once Putin, who views himself as the reincarnation of Peter the Great, rebuilds and restocks Russias military during the next couple of years, he will pose a serious threat to Europe.

A Trump presidency with its America First policy dramatically increases that Russian menace.

Carr said Putin, like Trump, believes his own lies.

Russias leader is not interested in the truth. He creates his own reality, believing in whatever he says at the moment.

"Power and assertiveness trump truth, said Carr.

Dont grovel, Joe. Six powerful Democratic leaders have provided talking points to president Joe Biden, who feels its necessary to visit Saudi Arabia next month to convince the Kingdom's defacto leader Mohammed bin Salman to ramp up oil production.

Their letter to Biden says Saudi Arabias failure to stabilize global energy markets is bankrolling Vladimir Putins war crimes in Ukraine while inflicting economic pain on everyday Americans.

They want the Saudis to end their support for the war in Yeman and end the arbitrary detention of human rights activists.

The Committee Chairpersons Adam Schiff, Bennie Thompson Carolyn Maloney, Adam Smith, Gregory Meeks and Stephen Lynch also demand accountabilityin line with established global legal standardsfor the murder of Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi.

Since US intelligence agencies held MBS responsible for the murder and dismemberment of Khashoggi, thats a big ask for Joe.
Independent TD for Laois Offaly Carol Nolan has reiterated her call for a definitive date to be provided on when Ireland will receive the promised pledge of 84 million from the EU Just Transition Fund.

Deputy Nolan was speaking after attending a conference entitled 'Just Transition', which took place in the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore. The event was organised by The Diversity Europe Group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in partnership with Irish Rural Link, and was attended by, among others, Kieran Mulvey, the Just Transition Commissioner.

Deputy Nolan said that she was there to raise a number of the points she had highlighted in her submission to the Department of the Environments Consultation on the EU Just Transition Fund and the development of a draft Territorial Just Transition Plan:

While I welcome the fact that creating jobs was on todays agenda, the plain fact remains that we have been talking about the need to do this for well over five years now with next to nothing to show for it in terms of large scale, concrete employment opportunities, Deputy Nolan said.

We are also no closer to knowing when the EU will be in a position to provide Ireland and more specifically, Offaly, Laois and the midland region with the 84 million from the Just Transition Fund.

I have received no firm assurances, following todays conference, that Offaly will be prioritised in terms of a funding distribution mechanism being put in place to ensure the money will be targeted to those areas that have experienced the greatest level of negative economic impact rather than on territorial coverage per se.

The need for such assurances to be provided is a point that I have made repeatedly, including in my submission to the departments own consultation process.

Talk is all well and good, but it wont pay the mortgages or the bills for the people that I represent; people who are completely disillusioned by the Just Transition agenda and its inability to translate green rhetoric into economic growth and full-time jobs, concluded Deputy Nolan.
Two men pleaded guilty to damaging property and theft at Tullamore District Court.

In his evidence Sgt James OSullivan said that on November 26, 2021 at 1.40am at the County Arms Hotel in Birr, Christopher Kerrigan (27), 37 Mount Bellew Crescent, Lucan Dublin, and Patrick Kerrigan (26) of Ashfield Close, Balbriggan, Dublin, broke the fly window of a white Ford Transit van and the rear window of a grey Volkswagen Caddy.

They stole a number of items from the vehicles including a digital camera, a bungee cord, a soil tester worth 735, and hinges.

On October 28, 2021, they entered Tesco, Cloncollig, Tullamore, and stole two trolley loads of toys and sweets to the value of 368.47 and left without making any effort to pay.

Christopher Kerrigan had three previous convictions for road traffic offences and had previously been disqualified from driving. He is 27 years of age with four children and his partner is 4 months pregnant. He has bi-polar and suffers from depression and is currently on disability payments. The goods had been returned to Tesco.

Patrick Kerrigan, had 45 previous convictions mostly road traffic offences. He had two for theft. He had previously received a suspended sentence at Trim circuit court and had been disqualified from driving for 15 years at Athlone circuit court on July 29, 2021.

Patrick Kerrigan is 26 years of age and has three children. His partner is seven months pregnant. He had brought 500 to court.

Both were handed down a five month sentence suspended for 12 months and fined 350 and 300 for each of the other offences.
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.

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.
Mukura attacker William Opoku Mensah has returned to Ghana though the 2021/22 Rwanda premier league is still ongoing.

The striker has not featured for the Huye-based out for the last two months owing to his invalid work permit.

Times Sport can confirm that the player has been in Ghana for a week now and has informed the club that he will not return until he secures a work permit.

Opoku joined Mukura last season as a free agent and help them to maintain their topflight league status. He scored eight league goals, including a hat-trick against AS Muhanga and, strikes against local giants APR and Rayon Sports.

He previously played for Karela United and Asante Kotoko in Ghana, as well as American outfit Swope Park Rangers.
A man who was due to go on trial next week for the murder of his wife and two children in Dublin has been found dead in prison.

Sameer Syed, 38, was found in his cell at Midlands Prison in Portlaoise, County Laois, on Thursday afternoon. There were no details surrounding the death.

In a statement, the Irish Prison Service confirmed the death of a prisoner in the Midlands Prison.

It added: All deaths in custody are investigated by the Irish Prison Service, the Inspector of Prisons and An Garda Siochana.

The cause of death is determined by the coroner office.

Syed had been expected to stand trial next week for the murder of his wife Seema Banu, his 11-year-old daughter Asfira Riza and six-year-old son Faizan Syed in south Dublin in October 2020.

The children were found to have been strangled while Mrs Banu died from a ligature around her neck, post-mortem examinations found.

The family had recently moved to Ireland from India.
Around 40% of patients treated with a revolutionary cancer therapy are seeing successful results, according to the Minister for Health.

CAR  T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell) therapy works by genetically engineering an individuals T-cells to recognise and destroy cancer cells.

Stephen Donnelly and EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakides visited patients at St Jamess Hospital in Dublin, one of Irelands eight designated cancer centres for adults, on Friday.

The visit was used to update the commissioner on progress under Irelands National Cancer Strategy.

Until recently, Irish patients had to travel abroad to receive the specialised treatment.

What we saw here this morning is nothing short of astonishing, Mr Donnelly said.

Typically at the moment the treatment is offered to patients for whom other treatments have not worked, and who otherwise would be looking, in a lot of cases, at a terminal prognosis. At the moment, what were seeing is about a 40% success rate.

Up until very recently, Irish patients had to travel abroad to get this very specialised treatment. Very, very difficult, including a long period of time that theyd have to stay in hospital after the treatment.

Back in November, here in St Jamess, the adolescent and adult service opened up. In Crumlin very recently, the paediatric service opened up as well.

Whats very exciting is the commissioner and I had the time to talk with some of the scientists, talk with some of the oncologists, and not only is this quite an extraordinary treatment now, but it looks to be very much the future as the treatments become more widely available, as they move for example, from treating cancers of the blood, to tumours and solid cancers.

The view is that the treatment will begin to be applied earlier on during the treatment pathway.

Essentially what they do is they they take out your white blood cells, they do some very elaborate scientific things to them, they genetically recode your own cells.

They put them back inside you and your own immune system rebuilds itself, attacks and destroys the cancer.

Its extraordinary and the conversations we were having with the scientists, with the medics inside, I think gives us an awful lot of hope in terms of cancer treatments, survivorship rates, into the future.

Ms Kyriakides said that Europes beating cancer plan is one of the most important pillars of the European health union.

It is the first time that the European Commission has a plan funded by over four billion euro to change the face and the realities of cancer, she added.

We had the opportunity today to visit the centre to see state-of-the-art care and treatment and the importance of innovation.

We also spoke with patients who have benefited from this new treatment and for myself, hearing him say that until November he felt that there was very little chance of any remission, and to have hope of that now and be in remission speaks volumes.

The fact that patients now have access to these treatments in Ireland, they do not have to travel, they do not have to be separated from their families, and to be given this opportunity, I think is really so very important.
A map of southern Africa, with South Africa in green and the countries of Eswatini and Lesotho inside its borders.

analysis

Two southern African countries, South Africa and Eswatini, are undergoing important reforms. South Africa is reviewing its electoral system while Eswatini is revisiting the powers of the monarch through a national dialogue.

South Africa and Eswatini can look to Lesotho for lessons. It's a fellow member of the Southern African Development Community and has grappled with these issues for decades. The three countries share geographic, historical and economic ties.

The kingdom of Lesotho returned to electoral politics in 1993, after a long haul of dictatorship capped by a military junta. Since then, it has experienced mutinies, coups and electoral violence.

The advent of tumultuous coalition politics in 2012 laid bare the longstanding problems associated with the prime minister's excessive powers. He compromised the security forces, the judiciary, civil service and even parliament, thereby fuelling instability.

The Southern African Development Community has intervened in Lesotho in almost every electoral cycle. Its interventions have ranged from diplomatic to military. The country is now effectively under the trusteeship of the regional bloc as it sails through a turbulent reform programme.

Nevertheless, there are certain aspects that Lesotho has handled quite well. Its successes offer lessons for other states that are undergoing reforms in similar areas.

First, it has made its electoral system more inclusive. Second, it has curbed the powers of the monarch in a constitutional democracy.

South Africa's electoral system

South Africa faces a critical period in its electoral history. The country is reviewing its electoral system in the light of a debate that has raged since pre-constitution negotiations in the 1990s. The contest is between the proponents of proportional representation, and those favouring a constituency-based electoral system.

Under proportional representation, candidates contest elections as party candidates - not as individuals. In parliament, the representatives occupy proportional seats allocated to parties.

The constituency-based electoral system divides a country into relatively equal territorial units called constituencies. The system is often credited with increased accountability to the voters by their representatives.

South Africa's constitution envisages an electoral system "that results, in general, in proportional representation". The country has used this system for national and provincial elections since 1994.

But arguments over it have never been settled. Occasionally, the Constitutional Court is asked to intervene.

Its first major intervention was in 2002. The court had to decide whether floor-crossing - MPs switching parties - was in keeping with a proportional representation system. It found that floor-crossing at national, provincial and local government levels was consistent with the constitution.

The second time was in 2020. Independent candidates had not been seen as having a place in an electoral system based on proportional representation of political parties. Then the court was asked to decide whether excluding independent candidates from contesting national and provincial elections was constitutional.

It decided that excluding independents was unconstitutional. This partly invalidated the 1998 Electoral Act. The decision triggered a search for an electoral system that would allow independents to stand for election in an essentially proportional electoral system.

Lesotho grappled with the same questions following its controversial 1998 elections. In 2001, it adopted a "mixed member proportional" system, the first country in Africa to do so.

It remains a species of proportional electoral system, but permits individuals to stand in constituencies, either as independents or sponsored by political parties. As a result, some MPs are elected as constituency representatives, others as proportional representatives of political parties. The system has performed relatively well.

The fourth amendment to the constitution of Lesotho of 2001 can come in handy for the conversation under way in the South African parliament regarding electoral reform.

The lesson is that independent candidates can be allowed to stand for elections in a system that results, by and large, in proportional representation as required by section 46 of the constitution.

Eswatini's monarchy

The most recent wave of discontent in Eswatini reignited calls to reduce the powers of the only remaining absolute monarch in Africa. The king's place in Eswatini's democracy has been an issue since independence from Britain in 1968. At independence, the constitution provided for a constitutional monarch along the lines of Lesotho's.

The independence constitutions of both countries were cast in classical Westminster moulds. But, hardly five years into independence, in 1973, King Sobhuza II of Swaziland (now Eswatini) suspended the constitution and claimed absolute powers. This is still the position despite the new constitution of 2005. The king has unlimited executive powers and political parties are prohibited.

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Discontent over the king's powers has been growing. There is now agreement in Eswatini that there must be candid dialogue about the king's powers, and greater democratisation. The Southern African Development Community is facilitating the dialogue.

Lesotho has been grappling with the question of the king's powers since pre-independence negotiations. Temptations to have an executive monarch have occasionally thrown the country into turmoil. But it is now generally accepted that executive powers must vest in the democratically elected prime minister. The monarchy is ceremonial.

Politicians have run Lesotho into many constitutional problems, but at least voters can replace them periodically. The monarch is cherished but within a democratic system based on multi-partyism. The people of Eswatini do not have this under an absolute monarchy.

The usual tendency to look to Europe and elsewhere to solve problems in Africa is not always helpful. This may be an opportune moment to find African solutions to African problems.

Hoolo 'Nyane, Head of Department, Public and Environmental Law Department, University of Limpopo
Gun control, or firearms regulation, is the set of laws or policies that regulate the manufacture, sale, transfer, possession, modification, or use of firearms by civilians.
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Nothing would be more dangerous than adding a French disorder on top of a world disorder, as proposed by extremists, the French president said referring to the war in Ukraine.
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Nigeria's north-west region has the highest number of out of school children in the country.

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 Children's 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.

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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, it'll be difficult for children to go to burnt down schools.

"In some places, you'll 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.
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Visiting Ukraine, German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach has promised more medical help for wounded war victims through new facilities and by sending doctors. Meanwhile, Berlin still faces questions over weapons.
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A British judge has rejected a bid to ground a flight that is due to take more than 30 asylum-seekers on a one-way flight to Rwanda next week, but gave the migrants permission for a last-minute appeal.
Samuel Simango, who will be managing the fish market renovation project, stands beneath the roof damaged by Cyclone Idai in Beira, Mozambique. May 27, 2022.

Beira, Mozambique/Washington  In climate-vulnerable nations, city mayors say they need cash and a bigger say in forging policies to deal with displacement caused by drought, storms and flooding

Climate displacement puts new strain on city budgets

Mayors tell U.N. forum they need more access to funding

African cities given cash for climate migration response

When Mozambican fishmonger Manuel Machava hears the fishermen have landed a bumper catch of mackerel, crabs or shrimp, he has mixed feelings - pleased for their good fortune, but worried about how he can sell their haul before it perishes.

More than three years since Cyclone Idai devastated the fish market in the city of Beira, Machava and fellow stallholders are still doing business in makeshift plastic shelters that are poorly equipped and provide little respite from the hot sun.

"We're losing up to two tonnes of fresh produce per day," Machava, 52, coordinator for Beira's fishing community, said from inside the Praia Nova fish market, which is now slated for repair thanks to a grant aimed at helping cities address climate-driven displacement.

Beira's fishing community - a pillar of the local economy - was hit hard by Idai, which killed hundreds of people across southern Africa, displacing thousands more and causing millions of dollars in damage in poor countries including Mozambique.

Idai has been followed by a further three tropical cyclones to date.

Today, officials in the Indian Ocean city are planning to use the new funding to try to relocate hundreds of fishing families at risk of future flooding - encouraging them to move to safer ground with promises of new equipment, refrigerators and road access.

Their efforts reflect increasing global concern over how extreme weather fuelled by climate change - storms, droughts and flooding - is driving millions of people from their homes.

At a U.N. meeting last month, governments came together for the first time to review a 2018 global migration agreement, with city mayors from around the world gathering on the sidelines to discuss their experiences of climate-related displacement.

About 2,000 people arrive in Bangladesh's capital every day, driven from their homes by rising sea levels and farmland flooding, said Dhaka North Mayor Mohammad Atiqul Islam, one of nearly a dozen mayors who attended the forum.

The influx creates an opportunity for the city's future economic growth, but also poses numerous short-term challenges, he said.

"(It) creates extra pressure on our environment and ability to deliver services ... Where are they going to stay?" he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone.

Islam's administration receives support from the Bangladeshi government, but he said cities like his lack direct access to global climate funding, especially for adaptation measures, and need a bigger say on how to respond to sudden population shifts.

INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS

Climate change could prompt 216 million people to move within their countries by mid-century, including 86 million in sub-Saharan Africa alone, according to a World Bank estimate from last year.

Yet while many national governments continue to see climate migration as a problem of the future, according to an analysis by the Center for Global Development, a U.S.-based think-tank, officials in cities worldwide say it is already wreaking havoc.

Kim Harrisberg / Thomson Reuters Foundation Frozen fish and meat in the freezer at the Praia Nova fish market in Beira, Mozambique. May 27, 2022.

"This is reality," Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr said by phone. "Women who used to be farmers ... are (now) living in informal settlements trying to sell mangoes because they can no longer sustain their livelihoods."

Sierra Leone's capital has limited ability to respond, she said, being hamstrung in accessing financing and even on local regulation, with issues such as land use planning and building permits overseen by the national government.

"But when the floods happen, (local residents) look to the city council," said Aki-Sawyerr, who along with other mayors, presented such concerns to U.N. officials in New York.

Beira was one of five cities facing climate displacement to receive funding from the Mayors Migration Council (MMC), a mayor-led advisory organisation that met on the sidelines of last month's U.N. gathering.

Five more will be announced at the COP27 climate summit in November.

The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the importance of local leaders in responding to the needs of migrants, including those forced to move by climate factors, said Colleen Thouez, a senior fellow at the New School in New York who has worked on such issues for years.

"We're no longer convincing (world leaders) of the importance of having mayors' voices - the U.N. is inviting them in and recognising their centrality as solution-bearers," she said.

COVID-19 emergency policies may also have swayed thinking on how to deal with sudden migrant influxes, Thouez said, citing as an example greater willingness to extend health and welfare access to people without the necessary documents.

ADAPTATION LESSONS

At the fish market in Beira, the orange sunset is visible through a gap where the roof once was. Some of the remaining metal rafters dangle precariously towards the ground, a reminder of the 2019 cyclone's devastation.

Some $200,000 from the MMC fund will now be used to repair the fish market and initially relocate 100 families living in flood-prone areas to less vulnerable fishing neighbourhoods in Beira, with the potential to relocate hundreds more.

Unlike other assistance, MMC gives funding directly to city governments to "implement projects of their own design", said Samer Saliba, head of practice at the organisation, noting that Beira Mayor Albano Carige had submitted the fish market project.

"His administration will receive and use the funds independently," Saliba added.

At his office in the city council buildings up the road from the market, Carige said he hoped life could soon finally return to normal for Beira's fishermen, fishmongers and their families.

He is also keen to share his city's climate adaptation lessons with other local government officials around the world, and make sure Beira is better placed to cope with future climate-related threats.

"Beira is a vulnerable city," Carige said.

"In the future I don't want to stress when we hear a disaster is coming. I want to feel that we're strong enough to adapt to climate change," he said.

(Reporting by Kim Harrisberg and Carey L. Biron; Editing by Helen Popper. The Thomson Reuters Foundation is the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, and covers the lives of people around the world who struggle to live freely or fairly. Visit http://news.trust.org/climate)
June 10 bore witness to a valiant effort on the part of refugee groups and a trade union to stop what promises to be the first..

Eurasia Review 12 Jun 2022
Jacinda Ardern has been warmly greeted back to Australia for the first time since 2020 by Anthony Albanese, with the two swapping records "mostly by chance".But Albanese's choice of music has been sledged by Ardern's fiance.The...
Polish President Andrzej Duda likened peace negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin similar to talking with German Dictator Adolf Hitler during World War II. The official's remarks come as Moscow continues its alleged "special military operation" in Ukraine that has killed thousands of civilians.
In stark videotaped interviews, Ivanka Trump accepted the notion that there had been no fraud in the 2020 election. Jared Kushner complained that a White House counsel had been whining.
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. (June 9)


Dick Pound held almost every International Olympic Committee job there was except president during his 44 years as a member. Having reached his mandatory retirement age of 80 in March, the Canadian dubbed "our dean" by current IOC president Thomas Bach will step down.
Two British citizens and a Moroccan were sentenced to death Thursday (local time) 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...
Russian President Vladimir Putin explains why he opted to start a war with Ukraine and how he was influenced by the long-reigning czar Peter The Great.
Putin said Peter the Great's 18th century war with Sweden was to "return" land that was rightfully Russia's and compared it to his actions in Ukraine.
Traces of blood have been found on the boat of a suspect arrested in connection with the disappearance of a British journalist and a Brazilian indigenous expert in the Amazon, authorities said.
Petrol queues have refused to disappear in the federal capital and officials have given different reasons for the problem.

Fuel scarcity has persisted in Nigeria's 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.

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He said the authorities were trying to resolve the problem.

"Hope you know that the product has been deregulated since?. For petroleum, it's available but the resultant effect of the cost of all these products which have impacted negatively on the issue of diesel, that's 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.
Sky News 12 Jun 2022

McDonald's has reopened its doors under a new name in Russia after the fast food giant pulled out of the country over its invasion..
For Finland and Sweden to secure NATO membership, they must meet Turkey's list of demands that focuses mainly on terrorism-related concerns.
The Commonwealth Secretariat will be sending a Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) to PNG, to observe the conduct of the 2022 National Election.

The observer group will comprise of 10 members, from a wide range of sectors, and will be headed by the former Nauruan President, His Excellency, Baron Waqa.

The COG will arrive in the country on the 28th of June, 2022, and will stay until the completion of the entire electoral process.

Gregory Moses reports...

Commonwealth Secretary General Honorable Patricia Scotland QC, selected the group, which will be supported by a team from the Commonwealth Secretariat, led by Linford Andrews, who is the Head of the Electoral Support Section of the Secretariat.

This deployment was preceded by a pre-election assessment team, which was sent to the country in March 2022.

Secretary General Scotland, says that she is happy to see Papua New Guinean's resolve and commitment in holding the election despite the many challenges, it is currently faced with, in conducting the 2022 National Election.

She says that the deployment of the observer group, demonstrates the Commonwealth's commitment to supporting electoral democracy in member countries, and the recognition of the right of individuals to participate in the democratic process, by voting in a credible, inclusive and transparent election, that shape their societies

Secretary General Scotland also says that they will be deployed throughout the country, and are required to provide an independent assessment of the electoral process, by working together with the people and government of PNG.

She adds that the group will be observing and considering all the aspects of the electoral process, from opening of polling until the declarations, and determine whether the elections are conducted in line with the democratic standards, to which PNG has committed itself.

The Observer Group will be led by the former President of Nauru, His Excellency Baron Waqa, while its other members are, Dr, Nicole George, a Queensland University Lecturer and Researcher, Editor of the Pacific Islands News Association in Fiji, Makereta Komai, Assistant Vice Chancellor of the Victoria University of Wellington, Dame Winifred Laban, and Deputy Returning Officer of the Electoral Commission of Samoa, Makereta Va'aelua.

The other members who will make up the team are Hendrick Gappy, Seychelles Electoral Commission's former Chairman, Honorable Peter Kenilorea Jnr, who is a Member of Parliament, and the Foreign Relations Committee Chairman of Solomon Islands, Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) Chief Executive Officer, Johnson Honimae, Pacific Islands Association of Non Governmental Organizations Executive Director Emeline Siale Ilolahia, and Vanuatu's Balance of Power Country Manager, Wilson Toa.

The group will be issuing an interim statement of its preliminary observations after the election, when they return to Port Moresby, and later present a final report with recommendations, to the Government of PNG and the Electoral Commission to help improve future elections in PNG, thereafter.

The COG will be in the country at the invitation of the PNG Electoral Commission.





Next : Returning Officer issue for Hagen Open before Supreme Court
GAMOMAT Makes Donation to Commemorate World Oceans Day

Published June 9, 2022 by Brett C

GAMOMAT, a German software developer for iGaming content, is making waves with its inaugural Gaming for the Climate donation to commemorate World Oceans Day. In addition, the company donated to Healthy Seas, and it looks like the tide is already turning!

GAMOMAT needs no introduction to slot fans. Established in 2008 as a top tier brick and mortar enterprise, GAMOMAT boasts an impressive portfolio of games spanning the entire spectrum. After moving into the iGaming industry, its portfolio of products swelled to include an amazing array of attractions. Today, the software giant features an astounding 130+ slot machine games in real money mode and demo play mode and a variety of social casino verticals.

But the big news comes hot on the heels of the Book of Oasis slot machine games released in December 2021. As part of the Gaming for the Climate initiative, a percentage of Book of Oasis slot proceeds were donated to the Healthy Seas. Their work is geared towards protecting the oceans around the world. GAMOMATs first donation already hit home by allowing a cleanup operation in the Mediterranean.

Removal of Fishermens Ghost Nets Helping to Restore Subaquatic Balance

Volunteer divers in Ithaca, Greece, have been hard at work cleaning up and removing ghost nets abandoned by fishers in the area. These abandoned ghost nets pose a clear and present danger to the ecosystem, including sea creatures, seaweed forests, coral, et cetera. Removal of the fishing nets is helping to restore balance to the marine ecosystem. An environmental calamity has been averted.

The Posidonia of seaweed forest is home to a veritable treasure trove of sea creatures. These forests provide ample food, serving as an undersea haven for all the creatures and their offspring. The seaweed forests serve a dual purpose of oxygen production and CO2 storage. The slow-growing seaweed has a lengthy lifespan, making it all the more worthwhile protecting.

About GAMOMATs Portfolio of Games

GAMOMAT Distribution GmbH is working hard to support initiatives like the Healthy Seas by protecting the sanctity of the oceans from destruction and negligence. The Gaming for the Climate initiative is drawing praise from across the iGaming realm, and deservedly so. GAMOMATs extensive library of content is enjoyed across the globe, in 35 countries and 27 languages. Dozens of people work hard to craft these innovative casino games for players to enjoy.
On Thursday, 8 June, Pope Francis sent a telegram of condolences for the death of Fra Marco Luzzago, Lieutenant of the Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, who, according to the Orders Grand Magistry, passed away at Villa Ciccolini in Sforzacosta, Macerata, Italy, on Wednesday, 7 June, following a sudden illness.

In the telegram addressed to Cardinal Silvano Maria Tomasi, the Popes delegate for the Order, the Holy Father extends his condolences to the late Lieutenants family and to all members of the Order, remembering the commitment he generously gave in carrying out his high office in the service of this institution, as well as his love for the Church and luminous Christian witness. The Pope signs off with a blessing to Cardinal Tomasi; the new Acting Lieutenant, Fra Ruy Goncalo do Valle Peixoto; the Grand Magistry; and all members of the Sovereign Order of Malta.

In a separate telegram addressed to Fra Ruy Goncalo do Valle Peixoto, who will replace Fra Marco Luzzago as interim Lieutenant until a new Grand Master is elected, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin expressed his own heartfelt participation in the deep grief of the Order and assured them of his prayers for such a faithful son of the Church, who knew how to do his utmost with generous commitment for the promotion of perennial Christian values.

Fra Marco Luzzago was born in Brescia, Italy, in 1950. He studied medicine at the Universities of Padua and Parma. He joined the Sovereign Order of Malta in 1975 and took his solemn religious vows in 2003. He participated in many of the Orders national and international pilgrimages, to Loreto, Assisi and Lourdes. From 2010, he dedicated himself completely to the Order, moving to the Marches to care for one of its Commanderies. From 2011, he was Commander of Justice in the Grand Priory of Rome, where he was Delegate of the Northern Marche region and head of the library. Fra Marco Luzzago was Councillor of the Order of Maltas Italian Association between 2017 and 2020. He was elected head of the Order on 8 November 2020.

The Sovereign Order of Malta has been a lay religious order of the Catholic Church since 1113. It maintains diplomatic relations with more than 100 states and the European Union, and permanent observer status at the United Nations. Neutral, impartial and apolitical, it carries out its mission of upholding human dignity and caring for people in need through medical, social and humanitarian initiatives in 120 countries.
Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, Archbishop emeritus of Abuja, and Bishop Jude Arogundade of Ondo, commented on the devastating attack against the Christian community of Owo, Nigeria, that took place on Sunday, 5 June.

Speaking to Vatican Media, the Cardinal said, Everywhere you look, Nigeria is shocked and condemns what has happened. It is not the first time that armed people attack innocent people, killing. Its not the first time. But this particular one, he said, on the feast of Pentecost was particularly shocking. Up till now, he explained, we havent heard of any group in Nigeria that has supported or defended what happened, adding, In fact, efforts are being made that we should avoid what they call profiling, we should avoid saying this is Fulani Muslims killing Catholic Christians. But, he pointed out, when you attack a church on Sunday, you practically cannot avoid people having a sense or feeling that this attack was because we are Christians. He continued, Whether that is their reason or not, that has been the result of this kind of attack. It doesnt help in the efforts we are making for Christian-Muslim good relations in Nigeria. The Cardinal assures that this attack will not stop their efforts, which will continue because we know that is the only solution to the problem, that Christians and Muslims must join hands and face these criminals.

There is continued speculation regarding the identity of the perpetrators, whose identity remains unknown. Eyewitnesses have said that they were Muslim herdsmen, says Cardinal Onaiyekan. But the government and the civil authorities said we should not rush to conclusions. We should wait for their investigation until they arrive at being able to identify who exactly did it. We are waiting, but we dont want to wait forever.

In a separate interview with Vatican News, Bishop Jude Arogundade of Ondo echoed the Cardinals shock upon hearing news of the attack. My first sentiment was utter disbelief... How can a human being do this?! Where is this coming from?!, he wondered. The Bishop also expressed his gratitude for the messages of closeness that have been sent to the shaken community of Owo. He was especially grateful for the Popes telegram assuring the community of his prayers.

The Bishop shared his confidence that tragedies like this one will not have the last word. For some people who think that they want to match our goodness with their own evil, he said, they shouldnt forget that good will always triumph; the light will always triumph over the darkness. Reflecting on the profound faith of the Owo community, he said, We will get over this. This is a stage. This, too, shall pass, and added, And we will have a stronger Church, a better Church, a more beautiful Church, a Church that the world can be proud of.
On Sunday, 5 June, gunmen with explosives stormed into a church and opened fire killing dozens of Catholic faithful gathered for Pentecost Sunday Mass at Saint Francis Xavier Parish in Owo, Nigeria. Ondo state authorities reported that at least 40 people were killed and over 50 wounded.

The deadly attack drew swift condemnation from both Church and civil authorities, and the Nigerian government has vowed to go after the perpetrators. In a statement released following the attack, Archbishop-elect Lucius Ugorji, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, said that nowhere seems to be safe again in our country; not even the sacred precincts of a Church, and urged the government to hunt down the perpetrators and bring them to book. If the government fails to act decisively on such a grave matter, he added, it would be encouraging the descent of anarchy on our nation. He goes on to say that the government should rise to its primary responsibility of securing the life and property of its citizens.

The Owo church attack comes one week after another church tragedy, when 31 people were killed and others injured during a stampede at a church event in the southeastern Nigerian city of Port Harcourt.
Pope Francis expressed his sorrow following the attack in a Catholic Church in Owo, Nigeria, that took place during Mass on Pentecost Sunday, 5 June. In a telegram addressed to the Bishop of Ondo on the Holy Fathers behalf, Cardinal Pietro Parolin assured those affected by this act of unspeakable violence of the Popes prayers for the conversion of those blinded by hatred and violence. The following is the English text of the message sent on Monday, 6 June.

The Most Reverend

Jude A. Arogundade

Bishop of Ondo

His Holiness Pope Francis was deeply saddened to learn of the horrific attack at Saint Francis Church in Owo, and he assures you and all those affected by this act of unspeakable violence of his spiritual closeness. In commending the souls of the dead to the loving mercy of almighty God and imploring divine healing and consolation upon the injured and those who are grieving, His Holiness prays for the conversion of those blinded by hatred and violence so that they will choose instead the path of peace and righteousness. Upon you and the faithful of the diocese, Pope Francis invokes the divine blessings of comfort and strength as you continue to live the Gospel message with fidelity and courage.

Cardinal Pietro ParolinSecretary of State
"I wish to assure you of my commitment to your success at the polls."

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 Tuesday's shadow election to come second behind Mr Tinubu who polled 1271 votes, pledged to work toward Mr Tinubu and the ruling party's 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.
Pope Francis is forced to postpone his trip to Africa to a later date to be determined. He was scheduled to travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan in the first week of July. Matteo Bruni, the Director of the Holy See Press Office, made the announcement on Friday morning, 10 June.

At the request of his doctors, and in order not to jeopardize the results of the therapy that he is undergoing for his knee, the Holy Father has been forced to postpone, with regret, his Apostolic Journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo and to South Sudan, planned for 2 to 7 July, to a later date to be determined.

The pilgrimage in Africa foresaw two stops in the Democratic Republic of Congo: the capital, Kinshasa and the city of Goma; and one in South Sudan: the capital, Juba.
It all began when Alicia Torres was attending Loyola University as an undergrad. Theology and bio-ethics were on this Navy Brats plate. On the side, she began spending time in Eucharistic adoration. That precious time led her to the point of forming an actual relationship with him. Not only did the Eucharist become more real, but her intellectual faith was transformed into a faith in my heart that yeah, this is Jesus!

It did not end there. As the Mass and her own life became more real, Alicia began to sense an invitation to belong totally to the Lord as a religious sister.

She joined a newly-founded group of women religious, the Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago. Alicia is still baffled how the Lord led her to this community since she had not been involved with service to the poor. She thought her mission would unfold in the pro-life movement she was active in since high school. However, looking back on her thirteen years in the congregation, Sr Alicia confidently says, the Lords plan is perfect.

There is, however, a connection between Saint Francis of Assisi and the Eucharist, Sr Alicia explains. So many people dont realize how Eucharistic Saint Francis of Assisi was  he wrote a letter to every priest in the entire world after Lateran IV emphasizing putting into practice what the Council called for around respect and reverence of the Eucharist.

For Sr Alicia and her fellow sisters, their mission to the poor through evangelization and teaching flows from their relationship with Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.

Theres a tremendous relationship between our Lords true presence in the Eucharist and his presence to his people, especially those who are suffering and in need.

Not only did the Lord steer her in a direction she had not seen coming, he led her to a congregation in which she was one of the first sisters to join. It was in its pioneer days, Sr Alicia says.

But there is more to Sr Alicia than what meets the eye. Her list of hobbies includes some things you might expect of a woman religious  writing, reading and lesson planning. But there are others that express her own personality  stargazing, coffee, falcons and the Middle Ages.

Sr Alicia now lives and serves as a religion teacher in a poor, inner-city neighborhood in Chicago. The Eucharist is at the heart of the classroom, the heart of the experience of the children, she explains. She has personally witnessed how inviting very young children into an encounter with the Lord leads to belief in Jesuss presence in the Eucharist. I have a child whos very non-verbal and I asked him to draw a picture of Jesus two months after their lesson on the Eucharist. He drew a circle with a cross in the middle. I asked What did you draw? He just kept repeating God, God, and pointing to the host that he had drawn.

Sr Alicias mission is now going national through an initiative of the United States Bishops. She helped organize a retreat attended by the priests who are National Eucharistic Preachers that took place in April 2022 on Chicagos westside. These priests are the bishops top preachers regarding the National Eucharistic Revival. The revival will be launched on 19 June, the Feast of Corpus Christi and will close with a National Eucharistic Congress on the Feast of Corpus Christi 2024.

These religious and diocesan priests are on the front lines of the Eucharistic Revival, Sr Alicia says. She began serving on the executive committee of the Revival last summer, among many other wonderful primarily lay Catholic leaders, she explains. After being assigned to the specific task of working as a co-coordinator with the priests who would become National Eucharistic Preachers, she then began helping individual priests discern their call to this mission and provide them with information.

Its been incredible to see the enthusiasm, and the renewal of their own priestly vocation ... since priests have a critical role in bringing the people to the Eucharist and the Eucharist to the people, she says. Its also been edifying for her as a woman religious to discover her own role in the Church by supporting something so essential. I have a beautiful gift to give and its been very life-giving for me.

I think that the Holy Spirit has great plans, not only in the United States, but for the whole world. We just have to get out of the way and just be the hands and feet and allow the Lord to touch hearts.

Sr Alicia describes her own vocation as a woman religious as deeply rooted in the Sacrament of Baptism and critically connected to the Eucharist. She cannot imagine living any other way, accompanying people in very difficult circumstances, and still have hope when we hear gunshots every day just like the people who live in our neighborhood. But Im not afraid because I believe that I was asked to be here by the Lord, and that Jesus is intimately united to me, and hes a source of my strength.

#sistersproject

By Sr Bernadette M. Reis, fsp
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP)  Argentina reported two cases of the monkeypox virus on Friday in men who had recently arrived from Spain, marking the first time the presence of the virus has been confirmed in Latin America during this latest outbreak.

Argentina's health ministry first confirmed a man from the province of Buenos Aires who had traveled to Spain has monkeypox. Later in the day, the ministry said in a statement that a suspected case involving a resident of Spain who had arrived in Argentina earlier in the week was also confirmed positive.

Argentina now becomes the latest country to confirm cases of monkeypox as part of a global outbreak that has seen the rare virus sprout up in several countries that are not usually known to have outbreaks.

The sequencing of the virus in the first confirmed case revealed a high degree of similarity with monkeypox from western Africa, as has been the case with the new infections around the world, Argentina's Health Ministry said.

Authorities have revealed little about the patients but said they are both in good health and are being isolated while receiving treatment for their symptoms.

The first confirmed case involved a man who traveled to Spain from April 28 through May 16 and had symptoms compatible with monkeypox, including lesions and a fever, on Sunday.

All of his close contacts are being monitored and none have presented any symptoms to date, the Health Ministry said.

The second confirmed case involves a resident of Spain who arrived in Argentina on Wednesday and has no ties to the first case.

The man, who was also in the province of Buenos Aires, presented lesions compatible with monkeypox on Thursday.

The patient is in good general health, isolated and receiving symptomatic treatment, the Health Ministry added. None of his close contacts have yet to present any symptoms.

Nearly 200 cases of monkeypox have recently been reported in more than 20 countries not usually known to have outbreaks of the disease, the World Health Organization said on Friday. But that looked to be an undercount.

Spain has emerged as an epicenter of this recent outbreak and health authorities confirmed on Friday there were 98 confirmed cases in the country. The United Kingdom has reported 106 confirmed cases while Portugal said Friday the number of people with monkeypox had increased to 74.

Cases have also been reported in the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, France and Italy, among others.

-

Associated Press journalist Maria Cheng in London contributed.
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DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP)  Thousands of people marched in Bangladesh's capital and in parts of India on Friday to urge Muslim-majority nations to cut ties with India and boycott its products unless it punishes two governing party officials for comments deemed derogatory to Islam's Prophet Muhammad.

Two protesters died of gunshot injuries sustained during clashes with police in the eastern Indian city of Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand state, said Prabhat Kumar, a senior doctor at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, on Saturday. Another 10 people were being treated for various injuries at the hospital.

Authorities imposed a curfew on Friday night in parts of Ranchi after clashes between protesters and police left six officers injured, police said.

The protesters in Dhaka also criticized their country's government for not publicly condemning the comments made last week by the two officials in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governing Bharatiya Janata Party.

One official has been suspended and the other expelled after the BJP denounced insults of religious figures, but protesters in Bangladesh and India said the actions were not enough.

In Bangladesh, they marched after Friday prayers through streets near the main Baitul Mukarram Mosque in downtown Dhaka. Many chanted slogans against Modi.

The global Muslim community has been united. We ask the whole world to boycott Indian products, said Moulana Imtiaz Alam, leader of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, a grouping of Islamist parties that support the introduction of Islamic law in the country.

Alam called for the two Indian officials to be arrested and punished.

In India, thousands of Muslims took to the streets after Friday prayers and hurled rocks at police in several towns and cities.

Police used wooden batons and tear gas to disperse protesters in Hyderabad, Saharanpur, Prayagraj, Moradabad and Kanpur. Some demonstrators hurled rocks at security forces from rooftops, TV images showed.

In Prayagraj in northern Uttar Pradesh state, the protesters set several motorcycles and pushcarts on fire and damaged a police vehicle on Friday. Police used batons and tear gas to disperse them.

One police officer was injured when he was hit in the face with a rock thrown by protesters, said police officer Ajay Kumar.

Prashant Kumar, the states top police officer, said 136 protesters were arrested in six districts for rioting.

Mohammed Salim Qureshi, a protester outside New Delhis main Jama Masjid Mosque, also demanded the arrest of the two BJP officials.

Ahmed Bukhari, the imam of Jama Masjid, said the protest was spontaneous.

A paper effigy of BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma was burned in Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh state.

In the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir, authorities locked down two towns and cut mobile internet service in several towns and in Srinagar, the regions main city, fearing anger against the comments could turn into larger anti-India protests.

Scores of Muslim residents protested against the two BJP officials in Srinagar, where shops and businesses shut spontaneously Friday. Authorities did not allow Friday prayers in Srinagar's main mosque or in the remote, mountainous towns of Bhaderwah and Kishtwar.

Protests nevertheless erupted for a second day in Bhaderwah, leading to clashes with government forces. No injuries were reported.

On Thursday, thousands protested in the town after a Hindu man posted a representation of the Prophet Muhammad and his wife on social media. Police have brought a case against the suspect.

Police also were investigating two Muslim men accused of delivering speeches against Hindus during Thursday's protest.

Tensions have been high in the divided Muslim-majority Himalayan region, also claimed by Pakistan, since 2019, when New Delhi ended its semi-autonomy and took direct control of the portion it administers.

At least five Arab nations have lodged official protests against India, and Pakistan and Afghanistan also reacted strongly this week to the comments made by the two BJP officials. They follow increasing violence targeting Indias Muslim minority by Hindu nationalists who have been emboldened by Modis silence about such attacks since he was elected in 2014.

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has maintained a warm relationship with India for more than a decade despite growing anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh, India's neighbor and a major trading partner.

___

Associated Press journalists Aijaz Hussain in Srinagar, India, Ashok Sharma in New Delhi and Al-emrun Garjon in Dhaka, Bangladesh contributed to this report.
analysis

The South African president faces accusations of having stolen and concealed millions of dollars at one of his game farms. The scandal could derail his plans for reelection.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will appear before the Integrity Commission of his party, the African National Congress (ANC), to respond to allegations that he stole millions of dollars.

The latest graft scandal surrounding Ramaphosa started last week, when a former intelligence director, Arthur Fraser, opened a complaint against the president.

In his leaked affidavit to the police, Fraser alleges that on February 9, 2020, robbers targeted Ramaphosa's game farm in the northern Limpopo province, where they found $4 million (3.7 million) in foreign currency hidden inside furniture.

The criminals were apprehended and the money recovered from them, the affidavit says, but the men were then paid to buy their silence.

Fraser accuses Ramaphosa of money laundering, kidnapping and corruption.

But the president has come out saying his hands are clean and that those funds were private, not public money.

"I am in the cattle business and game business. ... I buy and sell animals," Ramaphosa said on Sunday, adding that the animal sales are sometimes through cash or transfers. "So this was a clear business transaction of selling animals."

More questions than answers

Ramaphosa's reaction raises more questions than answers, political scientist Lukhona Mnguni said, adding that the critical question the president needs to clear up is the legality of the money.

"There was trading, and there was an income that accrued to him. Did he declare this income so that he can be taxed appropriately?" Mnguni posed. "The second issue is whether there was a cover-up?"

To curb corruption and money laundering, South Africa's Financial Intelligence Act demands that people report all cash payments or receipts exceeding 1,520 to the Financial Intelligence Centre.

Battle for reelection

The scandal surrounding the stolen money may affect Ramaphosa's chances of being reelected as ANC chairperson in December.

"The allegations made against President Ramaphosa are embarrassing for the president," said Daniel Silke, a political analyst based in Cape Town.

For the moment though, Ramaphosa still seems to have his party's support.

During an ANC executive committee meeting that took place after the allegations came to light, Tony Yengeni, a member of the executive and a strong opponent of Ramaphosa, tried but failed to persuade the committee to force Ramaphosa to take a leave of absence.

Opposition parties are also calling for Ramaphosa to step aside.

Democratic Alliance party leader John Steenhuisen called on the police to conduct a full-scale investigation.

"Why was such a large amount of foreign currency there?" Steenhuisen queried. "Why was it in furniture, not at the bank? Why was this not reported to the ... police service to pursue the alleged perpetrators, and why the allegations of hush money being paid if everything was above board?"

Timing of accusation

However, political analyst Silke downplayed the impact of the scandal on Ramaphosa's candidacy.

"We know the steep fragmentation within the ANC is causing great turmoil within the organization," he said. "Personalities and various groupings are at each other's throats very often, and internal divisions play themselves out very often in public spats."

"Overall, this matter is not going to substantively deal the president any negative blow when it comes to defending his position at the ANC's elective conference at the end of the year," he said.

On the contrary, he said the president's position has strengthened over the last few months as the various ANC branches and regions have been holding conferences and electing new senior office bearers, many of whom are largely supportive of the president.

ANC's multiple corruption scandals

Democracy expert Steven Friedman, a professor at the University of Johannesburg, believes the timing of the allegations is a calculated move by a powerful faction within the ANC to disqualify Ramaphosa from reelection.

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But Friedman warned that the scandal may "prove more politically damaging to the ANC than it could to Ramaphosa."

During Ramaphosa's presidency, the ANC, which has governed South Africa since the end of white rule in 2004, has seen its popularity slide. The party recorded its worst poll result ever in local elections held in November 2021, when it won less than 50% of the ballots cast.

As well as the Ramaphosa allegations, the ANC is also grappling with two other high-level corruption cases.

In the so-called Gupta state capture, Atul and Rajesh Gupta are accused of wielding influence over ministerial appointments after paying bribes to win contracts. The two tycoons were recently arrested in Dubai, and South Africa is seeking extradition.

The Gupta scandal badly dented the administration of previous President Jacob Zuma and led to Zuma's downfall in 2018.

Zuma is currently facing trial in another case involving a $2 billion arms deal in the 1990s. He has pleaded not guilty to fraud, money laundering, and racketeering charges.

Edited by: Kate Hairsine
The following list includes recent reports from the Midland County Sheriffs Office and the Midland Police Department. Compiled by reporter Tereasa Nims.

Thursday, June 9

11:09 p.m. - Deputies conducted a traffic stop at a Lee Township location. Deputies contacted the 48-year-old male driver. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that he didn't have any insurance on the vehicle. The male was issued a citation. A report was sent to the prosecutor.

9:24 p.m. - Deputies were dispatched to a Lee Township residence reference a 36-year-old female requesting a well-being check on her 11-year-old son. Deputies contacted the son, who stated he was fine. Deputies spoke with the 38-year-old father who stated everything was all set and they didn't need any assistance.

8:58 p.m. Deputies responded to a Mills Township residence to investigate a possible child abuse incident after receiving a referral from Child Protective Services.

8:49 p.m.  Police were called to the 800 block of Cinema Blvd. for a private property crash.

8:46 p.m. - Deputies were dispatched to an Edenville Township location reference someone riding a dirt bike in an unsafe manner. Deputies located the dirt bike at an Edenville Township residence and spoke with a 40-year-old male. The male stated he will make sure his kids are riding in a safe manner.

8:33 p.m.  Police responded to the 4800 block of Bay City Road for a private property crash.

7:35 p.m. - A deputy spoke with a 32-year-old Sanford woman regarding a trespassing complaint. No further action was required.

7:04 p.m. - Deputies were dispatched to Midland Township in reference to a report of vehicles parked in the roadway. The vehicles were moved from the roadway prior to deputies arrival. No further assistance was needed from the Sheriff's Office.

6:55 p.m. - Deputies responded to an Ingersoll Township residence to assist Michigan State Police with a report of a destruction of property by a juvenile. Deputies assisted in a standby capacity while MSP completed their investigation. No further assistance was requested from the Sheriff's Office.

5:45 am.  Police were called to Eastman Avenue and North Saginaw Road for an injury crash.

4:58 p.m. - A 31-year-old Jerome Township man reported that his 13-year-old son didn't get off the bus after school. Deputies located the 13-year-old at Meridian Jr. High. He stayed for an after-school event but didn't contact father. The father went to the school and picked up his son. The child was advised to let parents know what his plans are for the future.

1:42 p.m. - A 53-year-old woman called to report a suspicious situation. She received a phone call from a hotel asking if she had checked out of her room yet. The victim was at home and hadn't been at a hotel. After investigating deputies determined that no crime had been committed and their number was dialed by mistake.

10:12 a.m. - A 59-year-old woman advised that she lost her military ID during the flood of 2020. She needed a police report to obtain a new ID.

10:06 a.m. - Deputies contacted a 63-year-old Jerome Township woman regarding a fraud complaint involving Bitcoin. The 63-year-old woman advised she lost $1,900.00 in Bitcoin. Closed.

10:01 a.m. - A 79-year-old Lee Township man reported a suspicious male at a Jerome Township Park after the man made aggressive statements. The other man, a 38-year-old Midland man, was contacted and advised he would try to do a better at the way he interacts with others.

10:19 a.m. - Deputies were dispatched to a Jerome Township location for a 911 hang up. While en-route to the residence Central Dispatch established contact with the caller and the caller advised they needed some medical attention. Central Dispatch disregarded deputies and dispatched EMS.

1:18 a.m.- Deputies were dispatched to a Homer Township residence reference loud music. Deputies contacted the 53-year-old woman homeowner who agreed to turn the music down.
SHREVEPORT, La. (AP)  A federal judge in Louisiana has sentenced an Atlanta man to nearly three years in prison for a jury duty phone scam that started while he was in a Georgia state prison.

Judge Donald E. Walter sentenced Andre Deaveon Reese, 32, to two years and nine months in prison and ordered him to pay the two Louisiana victims nearly $9,800 restitution, U.S. Attorney Brandon B. Brown said in a news release Friday. The victims were 75 and 78 years old.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP)  Malaysia has agreed to abolish the mandatory death penalty and allow judges to set alternative punishments for a range of offenses, the country's law minister said Friday.

The government will study other proposed punishments for 11 offenses that currently trigger a mandatory death sentence and also for the more than 20 offenses that carry a potential death sentence at the court's discretion, Wan Junadi Tuanku Jaafar said in a statement.

Amendments to the law would still need to be tabled and passed in Parliament before they would take effect.

The decision on this matter shows the governments priority to ensure the rights of all parties are protected and guaranteed, thus reflecting the transparency of the countrys leadership in improving the dynamic criminal justice system, the minister said.

More than 1,300 people are on death row in Malaysia, with most cases involving drug trafficking. The death penalty in Malaysia mandates hanging as punishment for a range of crimes, including murder, drug trafficking, treason, kidnapping and acts of terror.

Foreigners account for 526 of the 1,355 people on death row in the country, according to the Anti-Death Penalty Asia Network.

In 2018, Malaysia said it would abolish the death penalty for all crimes and halt all pending executions. But it backtracked in 2019, saying that the death penalty would no longer be mandatory for selected offenses.

The ADPAN said the mandatory death penalty deprives judges of the discretion to sentence based on the situation of each individual offender ... (which) has resulted in absurd sentences that have led to public outcries.

Rights groups welcomed Friday's announcement but said the agreement was only a starting point.

Before everyone starts cheering, we need to see Malaysia pass the actual legislative amendments to put this pledge into effect because we have been down this road before, with successive Malaysian governments promising much on human rights but ultimately delivering very little, said Phil Robertson, the deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

Katrina Jorene Maliamauv, Amnesty International Malaysias executive director, said the move was a step in the right direction but urged the country to go further and work toward full abolition of the death penalty.

The government should table the necessary amendments in Parliament without delay and establish a full review of all cases involving the mandatory death penalty with a view to commuting these sentences, Maliamauv said.
After conducting more than 1,000 interviews and collecting nearly 150,000 documents related to the Jan. 6 insurrection on the U.S. Capitol, the Jan. 6 committee held its first public hearing that was broadcast on live television and across various social media platforms June 9.

The hearing shined a light on far-right extremist groups, specifically the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, both of which had members charged in the conspiracy to seige the Capitol in an attempt to prevent the confirmation of President Joe Biden.

The nine-member Jan. 6 Committee was largely formed through a party-line vote July 1, 2021, has seven Democrats and two Republicans, and is chaired by Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi. Thompson in his opening statement drew a correlation between growing up in a state known for its racism and the events and people involved in the insurrection.

"I am from a part of the country where people justify the actions of slavery, the Ku Klux Klan and lynching," Thompson said. "I am reminded of that dark history as I hear voices today try to justify the actions of the insurrectionists on Jan. 6, 2021."

Thompson said the oath that literally all members of Congress swore to uphold was challenged Jan. 6, 2021 when former President Donald Trump tried to prevent the peaceful transfer of power to his successor as all presidents have done since President Abraham Lincoln.

"Donald Trump lost the presidential election in 2020," Thompson said. "The American people voted him out of office. It was not because of a rigged system. It was not because of voter fraud. Dont believe me? Hear what his former attorney general had to say about it."

The committee then cut to a recording of former Trump Attorney General William Barr. Barr said Trump was adamant there was fraud, and his disagreement with Trump contributed to his decision to vacate the position.

"Donald Trump had his days in court to challenge the results," Thompson said. "He was within his rights to seek those judgments. In the United States, law-abiding citizens have those tools for pursuing justice. He lost in the courts just as he did at the ballot box. And in this country, thats the end of the line."

"Donald Trump was at the center of this conspiracy," he later said.

Thompson said many members of Congress wanted an independent investigation of the insurrection, but claimed it was stopped by the members of the GOP.

Following Thompson's address at the start of the first hearing, Rep. Liz Cheney, a Republican, provided an opening statement. Cheney cited Trump's tweet at 6:01 p.m. following the insurrection in which he not only didn't condemn the actions of the mob, but defended it.

Cheney said despite the urging of "his staff, family and many advisors, Trump refused to instruct his supporters to stand down and evacuate the Capitol."

"Tonight, you will see never-before-seen footage of the brutal attack on our Capitol, an attack that unfolded while, a few blocks away, President Trump sat watching television in his dining room off the Oval Office," Cheney said. "You will hear audio from the brave police officers battling for their lives and ours, fighting to defend our democracy, against a violent mob Donald Trump refused to call off."

"Tonight and in the weeks to come, you will see evidence of what motivated this violence, including directly from those who participated in this attack," she continued. "You will see video of them explaining what caused them to do it. You will see their posts on social media."

For the next hour and a half the hearings continued to show video, testimony and other evidence of the attack on the Capitol.

The hearings will continue to take place over the next couple weeks, with the next hearing scheduled for June 13, at 10 a.m.
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KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Civilians fled intense fighting in eastern Ukraine on Friday as Russian and Ukrainian forces engaged in a grinding battle of attrition for key cities in the country's industrial heartland.

Mostly women, children and elderly residents left on a special evacuation train that departed from the city of Pokrovsk and headed west.

We live on the front line now, said Svitlana Kaplun, whose family fled as shelling reached their neighborhood in the city of Krasnohorivka. The kids are worried all the time, they are afraid to sleep at night, so we decided to take them out.

After a bungled attempt to overrun Kyiv, Ukraine's capital, in the early days of the war, Russia shifted its focus to an eastern region of coal mines and factories known as the Donbas. The area borders Russia and has been partly controlled by Moscow-backed separatists since 2014.

The fighting there has led to mounting casualties and renewed pleas from Ukraine to the West for more weapons.

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Ukraines president, told the BBC in an interview aired Thursday that the daily loss of 100 to 200 Ukrainian soldiers is the result of a complete lack of parity between Ukraine and Russia.

He said only more advanced Western weaponry will turn back the Russian offensive and force Moscow to the negotiating table.

___

BIDEN: ZELENSKYY DIDNT WANT TO HEAR' ABOUT INVASION THREAT

U.S. President Joe Biden said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy didnt want to hear it when American intelligence gathered information in February that indicated Russia was preparing to invade his country.

Speaking to donors Friday at a Democratic fundraiser in Los Angeles, Biden talked about his work to rally support for Ukraine as the war continues into a fourth month.

Nothing like this has happened since World War II. I know a lot of people thought I was maybe exaggerating. But I knew we had data to sustain that Russian President Vladimir Putin was going to go in."

There was no doubt, Biden said. And Zelenskyy didnt want to hear it.

Although Zelenskyy has inspired much of the world with his wartime leadership, his preparation for the invasion  or lack thereof  has been controversial.

In the weeks before the war began on Feb. 24, Zelenskyy publicly bristled as Biden administration officials repeatedly warned that a Russian invasion was likely.

At the time, Zelenskyy was concerned that the drumbeat of war was unsettling to Ukraines fragile economy.

___

MORE STREET FIGHTING IN DONBAS

Fighting in the Donbas has ground on for more than two months, and the slog continued Friday. A provincial governor said Russian and Ukrainian forces battled "for every house and every street in Sievierodonetsk, a city that recently has been under steady attack.

Sievierodonetsk is in the last pocket of Luhansk province that has not yet been claimed by Russia or Moscow-backed separatists. The Luhansk and Donetsk regions together make up the Donbas.

Luhansk Gov. Serhiy Haidai told The Associated Press that Ukrainian forces retain control of the industrial zone on the edge of the city and some other sections amid the painstaking block-by-block fighting.

An envoy for the Luhansk Peoples Republic, a self-proclaimed separatist territory, reported Friday that some Ukrainian troops were trapped inside a chemical plant on the city's outskirts.

All escape routes have been cut off, Rodion Miroshnik, Moscow ambassador for the unrecognized republic, wrote on social media.

They are being told that no conditions will be accepted. Only the laying down of arms and surrender, he said.

Miroshnik echoed earlier claims by a Russian defense official that civilians remained on the plant's grounds. But he stopped short of reiterating allegations that Ukrainian forces were barring them from leaving.

As of Friday afternoon, there was no response from the Ukrainian side.

Meanwhile, Moscow kept up its artillery strikes on the neighboring city of Lysychansk and surrounding towns and villages, the Ukrainian military said. It also said that Russian troops were preparing to resume an offensive on the city of Slavyansk in the Donetsk region, south of Luhansk.

___

ARTILLERY HITS RUSSIAN BASES

An adviser to Ukraines president says artillery attacks devastated two Russian bases in the southern Kherson region, which has been under Russian occupation since early in the war.

Oleksiy Arestovych, in his regular online interview, said Friday that the attack on Stara Zburivka, a village along the Dnieper River, killed dozens, including a Russian army general and a general in the FSB intelligence service.

He said the FSB general was tasked with organizing a referendum on whether the Kherson region should join Russia. There was no immediate confirmation of the claim.

Ukraine has claimed to have killed about a dozen generals in the war, but only a few of the deaths have been confirmed.

Arestovych said a separate attack this week on a Russian base in Chkalove killed at least 200 troops, including Arabs, presumably from Syria. He said it was the first confirmed case of Arabs fighting with Russians in Ukraine.

He said in both cases the Ukrainian forces used 155mm howitzers supplied by the West.

___

UKRAINE SEEKS MORE WEAPONS

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his armys ability to hold off Russian forces in the Donbas depends on the supply of Western weapons.

Ukrainian troops "are doing everything to stop the offensive, as much as they possibly can, as long as there are enough heavy weapons, modern artillery  all that we have asked for and continue to ask for from our partners, he said Friday in his nightly video address.

He said Russia wants to destroy every city in the Donbas.

Every city, thats not an exaggeration. Like Volnovakha, like Mariupol. All of these ruins of once-happy cities, the black traces of fires, the craters from explosions  this is all that Russia can give to its neighbors, to Europe, to the world.

___

Karmanau reported from Lviv, Ukraine. Associated Press writers Jill Lawless in London and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed.

___

Follow APs coverage of the Ukraine war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
As the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency focuses on supporting women veterans as an underserved veteran population, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proclaims Women Veterans Recognition Day on June 12 of this year.

Sunday, June 12 will honor more than 43,000 living women veterans and the many more who served before them, according to the state in a press release issued Friday by Whitmer's office. Women Veterans Recognition Day was first recognized in Michigan in 2018.

The state's effort to make sure women veterans have access to quality, appropriate health care, mental health services and affordable housing includes the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency's awareness campaign called She Is A Veteran and its first-ever Women Veterans Conference on June 10-11 in Lansing.

"Women veterans have proudly and selflessly served our nation for 250 years, and they deserve the proper recognition and support for heeding the call to duty," Whitmer said in the release. "Im honored to declare June 12 as Women Veterans Recognition Day. Its a public reminder that weve got to continue to make sure our women veterans have year-round support when they return home."

Whether disguising themselves as male soldiers in the American Revolution or serving as combat pilots in Afghanistan, women have been fighting for their country since its inception.

But it wasnt until the late 1970s and early 1980s that women were formally granted veteran status, opening doors for them to take advantage of the federal and state benefits they earned for their service, according to the state.

There are about 2 million women veterans in the nation, representing 11% of the veteran population. That number is projected to increase to 2.2 million in 2046, when women veterans will represent 18% of the veteran population, while the number of male veterans falls sharply, according to the state.

"Women veterans face many challenges  from dealing with military sexual trauma to inadequate health care to homelessness. Our hope is that the more we raise awareness, the better veteran-specific services will become for our women veterans," Zaneta Adams, the director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency and an Army veteran said in the release.

Erika Hoover, the agency's women veterans and special populations coordinator and Navy veteran, noted that women veterans are two to four times more likely to become homeless than women who are not veterans.

And, the suicide rate of women veterans is 1.8 times higher than that of women non-veterans, according to Hoover.



"By raising public awareness that women are veterans too, and by encouraging them to first identify as veterans and then to take advantage of available resources, we can better help our women veterans thrive in all facets of their lives," Hoover said in the release.

For instance, Jill Mathews of Muskegon Heights spent 32 years in the Army, rising to the rank of sergeant major. But Mathews struggled with the transition to civilian life, feeling lost and becoming depressed, according to the release. She found her calling again by volunteering for other women veterans. Because of the roles she had in the military, Mathews often sees when another veteran is struggling and will do what she can to help.

"Half the time you don't have to do anything," Mathews said in the release. "You just have to say, Hey I'm a veteran too and I see you. I see what you need and if you need me, call me. And that's it. Just be there for them."

Are you a woman veteran interested in connecting to other veterans in your community?

A Facebook forum created by the Michigan Women's Commission is a great way to connect locally for meetups and get to know women veterans that live nearby. The page is for Michigan women veterans only and available here.
The federal government Thursday disclosed that the recent killing of over 30 worshippers in Owo, Ondo State was carried out by the militant group, the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP).

The Minister of Interior, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, who made this known while speaking with newsmen at the end of the National Security Council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, said the imprint of ISWAP has been identified in the last Sunday's attack on the Catholic Church.

He said government has directed security forces to go after ISWAP over the dastardly act with a view to bringing them to face the wrath of the law.

The minister also said government has ordered a proper investigation of the alleged blasphemous killings in Sokoto and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

According to him, the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies are expected to thoroughly look into the killings and report back to government.

Details later...
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libyan electoral security officials Thursday held a meeting in Tripoli on the state of readiness of the main hall to secure the elections and review the progress of work, as well as the communication mechanism with the 25 sub-operating halls across the country
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The Libyan Ministry of Finance of the Government of National Unity (GNU) and the e-finance company of the Egyptian Ministry of Finance have signed a cooperation protocol under which the Libyan ministry will benefit from the experience of the Egyptians on the management of government financial data and information
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - The dogmatic positions of protagonists in the political crisis in Libya are casting doubt on prospects of a solution, at least in the immediate term
Bamako, Mali (PANA) - The 5th public hearing of the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (CVJR) will be held on Saturday at the Bamako International Conference Centre, an official source said here Friday
Washington, DC, US (PANA) - The United States has urged the Malian transition government to make "sustained, tangible action toward holding elections", including detailed benchmarks and the early adoption of the electoral law
The former deputy governors asked Mr Tinubu to consider the democratic credentials of whoever he picks as his running mate.

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.

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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.
Photo: (Photo : Getty images )

Police arrested a 10-year-old Florida girl after she shot a woman during a physical altercation with her mom on Memorial Day. The girl reportedly retrieved the gun from her mother's backpack.

On Tuesday, the Orlando Police Department detained the girl and placed her in custody at the juvenile detention center. She was charged with second-degree murder. Reuters reports that the girl's mother was arrested and charged with several offenses.

A tragic case

According to State Attorney Monique Worrell, the case is one of the most tragic cases that she had seen in her 22-year career, adding that the shooting is an "unimaginable tragedy that defies easy solutions."

The incident came after several cases of mass shootings and a weekend of violence that re-ignited the call for tighter restrictions on gun ownership.

Per the police affidavit, Lashum Rodgers, 41, the victim, was cooking out on May 30 to celebrate Memorial Day with her boyfriend in the rear of her Orlando apartment building.

Lakeisha Isaac, 31, soon arrived with her daughter, and the two women began arguing over a recent dispute. The argument led to a fist fight. According to the victim's boyfriend, he tried to lead Rodgers back into the house, but she broke free to engage with Isaac again. Isaac handed her daughter a bag that contained a gun. The daughter reached into her mother's backpack and pulled out the gun.

According to Rodger's boyfriend, the girl shot Rodger twice, striking her in the head and killing her. While the girl was holding the firearm, the girl yelled, "she shouldn't have hit my momma."

Isaac grabbed the gun and pointed it at the boyfriend's chest as he raised his hands. The mom and the daughter then fled the apartment.

The victim was taken to Orlando Regional Medical Center, where she died.

The New York Post reported that family and friends remember Rodgers as a beloved mother and grandmother known in the neighborhood for her kindness and generosity.

Rodger's cousin said that she was not the type of person who would get into fights, adding that she did not deserve to die in such a violent manner.

Read Article: Baby's Remains in Fridge: A Couple's Harrowing Story After Miscarriage in London

Charges on the mother and daughter

The ten-year-old now faces a second-degree murder charge, which is punishable by up to life in prison.

After the girl's arrest on Tuesday, a statement from Worell said that her office was reviewing the case. They will consider the child's age and the circumstances leading to the shooting when deciding for the girl. She added that whatever charges they file will ensure that the girl receives the interventions necessary to address her behavior, help her change and grow, and safeguard public safety.

Wesh 2 reports that the girl appeared in court on Wednesday, and the judge ruled that she would remain in detention for 21 days pending a decision on formal charges from the State Attorney's Office.

Meanwhile, the mother is currently jailed on counts of manslaughter by culpable negligence, child neglect, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and aggravated assault with a firearm in connection with the deadly shooting.

Read Also: Police Kills Convicted Murderer Who Escaped Prison and Killed a Family of 5
Photo: (Photo : Getty images )

Parents complain that the shortage of formula milk has caused its prices to skyrocket, despite the government's measures to prevent price-gouging. State attorney general officers reported receiving complaints about people taking advantage of a nationwide formula shortage to charge inflated prices.

President Joe Biden ordered the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and state attorneys general to investigate unfair market practices of formula milk, including price gouging, 13WMaz reports.

Difficulty getting specialized formula milk

Renee Steiber shared that her 11-year-old son Owen received formula milk regularly in Chicago. Her son has a feeding tube and needs a specialized formula, Neocate, Jr., for his severe allergy to various foods.

When the shortage happened, Steiber's usual distributor said it did not have any of the Nutricia products in stock. They were at a loss where to find the formula. Her son only had five days of formula left.

They could not find any formula anywhere. They found some online, but the prices were way up, Steiber said. Although the formula is covered by insurance, they had to shell out almost $1,000.

As per CNN, Shemaka Henderson also experienced the same thing. Her five-year-old son, Omarea Terry II, has dozens of food allergies and needs a special hypoallergenic formula. When the milk shortage happened, they only had a few days of milk supply left. Their dentist put out a call for help on social media, and a few people donated cans. However, Omarea needs a can of milk a day.

Since February, the family has been on the formula milk hunt when their suppliers said they did not have enough stocks.

Omarea uses Elecare Jr., from Abbott. They experienced a shortage after U.S.Food and Drug Administration found Abbott's Michigan plant "unsanitary." Although the plant re-started its production last weekend and promised to prioritize Elecare and other specialty milk in its production, the products would not be available until around June 20.

Their pediatrician switched to Enfamil's Puramino Jr., and they also had difficulty finding that particular formula.

Henderson said she found some milk online and was willing to pay extra, but the prices were outrageous.

She shared that a woman offered her $40 a can. The sale would not be covered by insurance. She met with the woman, only to be told that the price had gone up to $100 a can.

She told the woman that she could not buy the can. Later, she admitted that she had no choice. She feeds her child with the expensive milk or takes the child to the hospital.

Read Also: The Struggles of Breastfeeding in Public

Monitoring price gouging

The outrageous milk prices online caught the attention of the state attorney general and elected officials recently. Connecticut Democrats Rep. Rosa DeLauro and Sen. Richard Blumenthal sent a letter to FTC Chair Lina Khan. They warned that they were aware of price gouging and scams targeting parents on sites like eBay and Facebook Marketplace, NBC News reports.

However, parents with newborns and babies with severe allergies do not have time to file complaints with government agencies. Tech companies are complaining it is difficult to monitor formula milk sales and their prices online.

Related Article: Abbott Michigan Plant Reopens, Vows to Produce Specialty Milk First
Photo: (Photo : Justin Ford/Getty Images)

A young kid has been found safe after carjackers stole his father's vehicle while he was still inside in Whitehaven on Tuesday night. Carjackings have been a problem in the area recently, with the Memphis Police Department arresting two teens in connection with a string of car thefts last month, according to Action News 5.

The carjacking occurred at midnight at the Dodge's Chicken on Elvis Presley Boulevard. The boy's father left his 2014 Dodge Dart running while he went inside the establishment. According to the police, the four-year-old was left in the back seat at the time.

The dad said an unknown man got inside the vehicle and sped away, with the car going southbound on Elvis Presley. The Dodge was later abandoned about a mile from where it was stolen in front of 3771 Graceland. The boy was still inside the car when it was located.

Boy called his mom after suspects stole his dad's car

WREG spoke to the boy's mom, who said her son, whom she calls RJ, is from Oklahoma. He was in Memphis for the summer to visit his father. She noted that it was her son's first night there.

Cops said the boy called his mother on his dad's phone while in the vehicle with the suspect. The mother said that during his son's call, he kept telling her that some dude was driving his daddy's car.

The suspect took the phone from the boy and told the mother he would return her son to his father. The mom said the dude got on the phone and told her, "Um, somebody stole the car. I'm going to take him back to his daddy."

She added that the kidnapper hit her son in the head and hung up the phone. The concerned mom called back, and her son RJ answered. He told his mom that the dude in the blue shirt had his daddy's car. The mom asked her son, "What else is he wearing?" with the boy replying, "a black mask."

Read Also: Report Shows Systemic Failure in Child Protection System Puts New Brunswick Children at Risk

Young boy eventually found in abandoned vehicle

The suspect eventually got out of the vehicle and left the boy inside. She said her son could not figure out where he was as he could only see houses. She instructed her son to start honking the car's horn and flashing the vehicle's lights to help the cops find him.

The boy was eventually found in the abandoned vehicle and was returned to his dad. Documents showed that police gave the father a citation for having an unattended vehicle. His abandoned car remained at the scene on Graceland while detectives gathered more information about the carjacking.

Retired Shelby County Sheriff's Office captain and certified gun instructor Bennie Cobb told Fox 13 Memphis that the bad guys, car thieves, and carjackers are not looking to see if a child is in the backseat. Cobb said they are opportunists and will take an opportunity to take a vehicle whenever they can.

Related Article: Buffalo Mom Says Son Shot at Tops is Lucky to be Alive, Calls it a Miracle and Divine Intervention
Photo: (Photo : Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Protect Their Future)

Kids under 5 years old may get their first shots of the COVID-19 vaccines in the week of June 20 after The White House confirmed that 10 million doses had been ordered and ready for distribution.

While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to authorize the vaccination for the youngest eligible age, The White House came out with a news release confirming the vaccine shipments.

These small doses for kids will be making their way to community health centers and pharmacies across the country in preparation for the rollout. The White House also said that 85 percent of the children would have access to these vaccines within five miles of their homes as various facilities will be conducting the vaccination.

"We are on the cusp of having safe, highly effective vaccines for kids under 5," The White House Covid coordinator Ashish Jha said during the press briefing. "We have waited a long time for this moment."

Read Also: Should Parents Worry About Monkeypox? New Case Detected in Massachusetts

What COVID-19 Vaccines Will Be Given to the Under 5s?

Both Pfizer and Moderna are awaiting authorization from the FDA. Pfizer recommends giving children below 5 years old and above 6 months old three doses of their COVID-19 vaccines. Each dose is just a tenth of the amount injected in adults.

On the other hand, Moderna is asking to administer two shots of their COVID-19 vaccines. Their dose is equivalent to a quarter of what was given to the adults.

In February, the FDA decided to delay the review of the vaccines for the youngest kids, pending more verifiable data on their safety and efficacy, until the summer. More than 20 million children in the U.S. belong to this age group.

Many parents have been waiting for the children's vaccine since late 2021, but Dr. Ofer Levy, who is part of the vaccine advisory panel for the FDA, said that they needed to take time to ensure that this will be a safe and effective process for small kids. Thus, the vaccine makers had to conduct more tests and studies to present to the FDA, per the New York Times.

However, a recent survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation revealed that only 18 percent of parents would have their kids under 5 years old vaccinated as soon as the first shots are approved. About 38 percent said they would like to "wait and see" after the rollout, while 27 percent said they would not have their young kids get the shot.

Slowing Vaccine Uptake in the U.S.

Meanwhile, Dr. Peter Marks of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research told CNN that despite the supplies and infrastructure of the rollout in the U.S., vaccine uptake has become slower, causing a serious problem as people choose not to get the shot. Among kids above 12 years old, only 48.7 percent are fully vaccinated with at least one booster shot, and this is considerably lower than in other countries.

The news comes as two Omicron subvariants, BA.4 and BA.5., continue to bring more infections in the U.S. and will likely become the dominant variants by the end of summer or the start of the fall season. According to Jha, though a substantial number of Americans have some form of immunity, either through vaccination or prior infection, these subvariants are able to survive or mutate because they can evade immunity. Thus, the officials recommend getting booster shots.

Related Article: BA.2 Omicron Variant and Its Risks on Children: What Parents Must Not Ignore
Photo: (Photo : MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP via Getty Images)

After staying in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for the first year of his life, an Illinois baby, with a rare genetic condition, has finally gone home in time to celebrate his birthday.

Max Do was confined at the NICU of Advocate Children's Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois since he was born nine weeks early via an emergency cesarian section on June 4, 2021. His doctor and neonatologist, Dr. Michael Cappello, told Fox News that he was a "pretty sick little guy" as a newborn.

However, in the months since he was receiving his treatments, Cappello said that Max developed into a happy baby who likes to wave to everyone, even to those who are not part of his team of medical workers.

"So, he definitely is the mayor of the NICU," Cappello said.

Read Also: Baby Born With Permanent Smile Becomes TikTok's Newest Star; Parents Raise Bilateral Macrostomia Awareness

Max Had Congenital Sodium Diarrhea

Max is the second child for mom, Kim Nguyen, and dad, Dan Do. Kim said that they knew there was a problem with the baby from the ultrasounds during her pregnancy, which showed that he had a distended stomach.

Doctors think that the fetus' amniotic fluid wasn't flowing as it should inside her belly. Thus, Kim's baby belly also bloated rapidly.

Following his birth, Max had surgery but it didn't stop the fluid from building up in his stomach. Cappello said that they had to figure out what was wrong with Max "right away" because his life is at risk. After a series of genetic and blood tests, they diagnosed his condition as congenital sodium diarrhea.

Speaking with Good Morning America, Cappello said that there are about 15 to 50 people in the world with congenital sodium diarrhea but Max is the only person "in recorded history to have on that gene that particular mutation."

This basically means that the baby's gene mutation variant cannot properly regulate the sodium and water in his intestines. If his body loses sodium and water fast, he could dehydrate or develop electrolyte imbalances and cardiac arrhythmia. So, in the first few months at the NICU, Max had to be fed via a central line.

Max also needed more surgeries that were rough on him and his parents. Dan had real fears of losing his son because his frail body was subject to so many procedures. In the early months, Max was just sleeping and recovering from these procedures.

The parents were with their son every day until the doctors believed that Max was ready to go home just a couple of weeks shy of his first birthday.

Max "Graduates" from NICU

According to NBC Chicago, Max is still getting his food via an IV but his family was given the green light to take him home. On his "graduation" from NICU, Max wore a graduation cap and a tiny bowtie. He held hands with the nurses and then walked out of the NICU like a boss.

Cappello said that they were all ecstatic to watch Max leave the hospital. At the same time, there was a little sadness because the baby became part of the family for the NICU team. Days after his release, Max had a birthday party at his house with his parents and his older sister, Ivy.

He is expected to keep checking in with the gastro-intestinal team at the Advocate Children's Hospital so that his health and progress will be monitored. The family has a nurse helping them out at home as well.

Related Article: Doctors Tell Parents of Two Daughters With Genetic Life-Limiting Disease Only One Could Be Saved
Photo: (Photo : Getty images )

TikTok says investigations are currently underway after a senior executive of the company's European e-commerce division allegedly made remarks about how he does not believe that companies should offer maternity leave. Joshua Ma, the head of the European e-commerce division of TikTok is reportedly stepping back from his role as a senior executive. These reports came after he allegedly made claims disparaging the concept and importance of maternity leaves for firms.

According to a report in the Financial Times, Ma said that as a capitalist, he did not believe that corporations or companies should offer maternity leave. The said report also remarked that the UK-based executive will take some time off and will step back from his position.

A TikTok spokesperson said that they are currently investigating the alleged statements and actions of the e-commerce division head to determine whether or not there has been a breach of the policies of the company. A culture clash between the Chinese owners of TikTok and some of its London employees has resulted in friction and a significant staff exodus because the company's aggressive climate runs counter to the typical UK work environments.

Struggles in UK-based TikTok

The alleged statements were said to have been commented within the context of the turbulent launch of The TikTok Shop service which arrived in the UK-based company in October. Bloomberg has previously reported that TikTok Shop began testing early last year to try in-app shopping to challenge Facebook and work with brands to sell items to users. The main feature of the app service allows its creators to host a live-shopping experience to its followers and viewers. This QVC-style of live shopping has been successful on Douyin, which is TikTok's Chinese sister app. However, compared to the successful launch and leap in services on Douyin and other TikTok Shop in other Asian markets, the UK TikTok Shop has struggled to gain traction.

According to a report in The Guardian, hosts and brands are subsidized by TikTok regularly. Said subsidy results in great discounts in sales. However, the current strategies of the UK TikTok shop have failed to garner a stable returning audience. In addition, the platform is struggling because of potential counterfeiting problems. For example, sales that are subsidized may have too-good-to-be-true prices, but these are also undercut by other items that also have too-good-to-be-true prices. Such issues leave users wondering if the low prices are due to subsidies or a scam.

Internal Turbulence

According to a former employee from the London-based team, the culture is really toxic as relationships are built on fear and not cooperation. The company allegedly doesn't care about burnout as each one is replaceable. Employees have complained about unrealistic targets from sales from live streams and TikTok takes a 5% commission which is sometimes waived to entice brands and creators to use the service on the platform.

People who failed to meet targets or respond to work requests were reprimanded according to a former member of the leadership team.
Friday has become interesting with two major opposing views emerging on the topic of the proposed American Data Privacy and Protection Act. On one side theres Apples CEO Tim Cook in favor of the act while we have the U.S. Chamber of Commerce opposing the current state of the legislation. Both letters sent to the Honorable Maria Cantwell, Chair Committee on Commerce, Science, and transportation, United States Senate, have been made public and presented below.

The Position of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce strongly urges Congress to pass durable, bipartisan national privacy legislation that protects all Americans equally. We are concerned, however, with attempts to rush through legislation that would encourage an unmanageable patchwork of laws and abusive class action lawsuits through private rights of action.

The goal should be for Congress to provide consumers meaningful, consistent, and robust data protection. This is not possible without a thoughtful national law. A recent study revealed that a 50-state privacy patchwork could cost the U.S. economy $1 trillion, $200 billion of which would hit small businesses. Such a privacy patchwork creates consumer confusion and places small businesses at a disadvantage by forcing compliance with a complex set of data regulations. Strong national privacy legislation can help avoid this problem.

More than 130 countries have enacted general privacy protections, and five state legislatures have passed comprehensive data protection bills. Although the Chamber does not support all aspects of these bills and laws, they all provide consumer protections Congress can draw upon to establish a national privacy framework.

It is important to note that a private right of action for privacy is not included in any of these state laws, nor is it part of the European Unions General Data Protection Regulation. A national data protection law including a private right of action would encourage a cottage industry of attorneys filing abusive lawsuits to obtain mandated fees, create further confusion as privacy rights are interpreted on a district basis, and hinder data-driven innovation. A national law should be enforced by the Federal Trade Commission with adequate funding and due process protections as well as state attorneys general.

Congress can and should engage in a deliberative, bipartisan process to find consensus on the types of data practices to regulate, thereby giving consumers long lasting protections. The Chamber, however, at this time will strongly oppose legislation that fails to provide meaningful preemption or any proposal that creates a blanket private right of action.

We believe Congress should not miss the opportunity to enact national privacy legislation. We encourage your Committees to provide the bipartisan leadership necessary to achieve this goal. The Chamber and other key stakeholders stand ready to assist in this important effort.

The letter was signed by Neil Bradley, Executive VP, Chief Policy Officer, and Head of Strategic Advocacy.

The Position of Apples CEO, Tim Cook

Dear Chairs Cantwell and Pallone and Ranking Members Wicker and McMorris Rodgers:

Thank you for your ongoing work on privacy legislation. Apple continues to support efforts at the federal level to establish strong privacy protections for consumers, and we are encouraged by the draft proposals your offices have produced.

We recognize that there are outstanding issues to be resolved, but the areas of agreement appear to far outweigh the differences. Your drafts would provide substantial protections for consumers, and we write to offer our strong support towards achieving this shared goal. With your work, coupled with President Biden's call to better protect childrens privacy, it appears Americans are closer than ever to obtaining meaningful privacy protections.

While Apple will continue to innovate and develop new ways to protect user data, only Congress can provide strong privacy protections for all Americans. The continued absence of this important legislation will unfortunately perpetuate a patchwork approach to privacy rights that leaves too many without the rigorous standards we hope to see as a result of your hard work.

We strongly urge you to advance comprehensive privacy legislation as soon as possible, and we stand ready to assist in this process in the days ahead. You could read more on this at MacRumors.

The two opposing views shows that the American Data Privacy and Protection Act isnt going to be an easy one to get passed prior to the mid-term elections.

On Wednesday Patently Apple reported on Apples CEOs being interview by TIME 100 wherein he spoke on Privacy. At one point Cook stated that it was wrong for a company, on an uninformed basis, just vacuum up your data.
Last June Patently Apple reported on the Facebook leak that their first smartwatch to take on Apple Watch was due to arrive in the summer of 2022. Earlier in March 2022, we reported on Facebooks initial work on wrist-based input devices that will reportedly work with Facebook AR glasses. So bringing a tamer smartwatch to market first made sense. The Verge reported that the new smartwatch would feature dual cameras, when Apple has yet to introduce a camera for Apple Watch that theyve patented in 2016.

It's being reported today by Bloomberg that that Meta (formerly Facebook) has halted development of their hyped dual camera smartwatch.

Bloombergs Kurt Wagner reports that The device, which has been in development for at least two years, was designed to include several features common in other smartwatches, including activity tracking, music playback and messaging. A prototype of the now halted device includes dual-cameras, a key differentiator from market leaders like the Apple Watch. One camera was located below the display and another sat on the backside against the wearers wrist, according to images and video of a prototype seen by Bloomberg.

The second camera was designed so users could remove the watch face from its strap to quickly take pictures. But the presence of the camera caused issues with another feature for translating nerve signals from the wrist into digital commands, the person said. Having that technical ability, known as electromyography, is a top priority for Meta and covered.

Meta executives have discussed the potential of smartwatches as part of its vision for the so-called metaverse, an immersive version of the internet where people will interact with other users as digital avatars. Sensors within wrist devices could be used to help people control their avatar, or interact with what they observe through a pair of augmented reality glasses, for example.

Despite the dual-camera device being halted, Meta is still working on multiple other wrist-worn devices. Employees working on the watch, code-named Milan, were told this week that the device is no longer on track for production, the person said. It was originally targeted for release in spring 2023 at price point around US$349." Of course, it was originally set for this summer as we reported last year.

Bloomberg further noted that "This week, Meta also told employees that it wont be selling a version of its AR glasses that have been in development for three years, the person said. The company has shifted focus to a later version of those AR glasses, with plans for an eventual commercial release." For more, read the full Bloomberg report.

While theres more to the Bloomberg report, Meta (Facebook) has a history of hyping vaporware to keep Wall Street analysts and the tech world engaged with the company. It's all becoming oh-so boring. Is it disappointing that their first smartwatch has been cancelled? Not in the least, because most of us never thought that they were seriously bringing it to market to begin with. For many, Facebook = Vaporware. Maybe one day that image will change.
Biden admin's 4th arms sales to Taiwan slammed, 'cannot pose threat to PLA, only makes island cash cow'

(Global Times) 10:38, June 10, 2022

Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

China on Thursday slammed the US' approval of a possible sale of $120 million in naval equipment to the island of Taiwan, the latest move between the US and the island amid their growing exchanges, which observers from the mainland warned could only worsen the situation in the Taiwan Straits instead of enhancing the island's combat preparedness given the huge gap between the two sides across the Taiwan Straits.

The latest arms sales cannot pose a threat to the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), and will only make the island of Taiwan a cash cow of the US, experts said.

China urged the US to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques and cancel the arms sales to Taiwan and stop their military ties, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said during a routine press conference on Thursday. He said that China will continue to take firm and forceful measures to firmly safeguard its sovereignty and security interests.

Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, on the same day also refuted the sales, urging the US to stop playing with fire over the Taiwan question.

Zhao and Ma's remarks came after Taiwan's defense authority on Thursday announced the $120 million arms sale for "naval ship spare parts and related technical support." The department said that the sale is meant to help Taiwan keep its naval vessels properly equipped and replenished, and that the deal is expected to take effect next month.

This arms sale could contain a big category, which includes not only the replacement of hardware, but also the calibration of the relevant system and the training of personnel, Chinese mainland military expert and TV commentator Song Zhongping told the Global Times on Thursday.

The US will rake in enormous profits from the so-called maintenance, he said, noting that the island of Taiwan has purchased from the US second-hand military equipment whose performance was not good and whose maintenance cost will be very high.

Many of Taiwan's ships are old, and the main purpose of maintenance is to prolong their life, and there is no way to enhance their combat effectiveness, said Song. This means even after maintenance, they cannot pose a serious threat to the PLA, the expert pointed out.

It was reportedly the third arms sales by the US to the island this year as well as the fourth conducted by the Biden administration.

Given that the US has passed numerous bills, including the Taiwan Assurance Act, which calls for regular arms sales to Taiwan, this also shows that US arms sales to Taiwan region have been normalized, Song said.

As the situation across the Taiwan Straits continues to be tense, "Taiwan independence" forces and foreign forces are continuing their provocations, and regular arms sales can only create more uncertainty across the Straits, increasing the risk of a military conflict, Song warned.

US arms sales to the island of Taiwan are essentially used as the "Taiwan card" to contain the Chinese mainland, showing the US support to the separatist Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authority in the island and aggravating tensions across the Taiwan Straits, which is a step of the US' "Indo-Pacific Strategy." Also, the US can cash in on the island through arms sales, and make the regional authority more dependent on it, Zhang Junshe, a senior research fellow at the Naval Research Academy of the PLA, told the Global Times on Thursday.

Zhang condemned the US, saying the country has claimed it adhered to the one-China policy but in fact has shown support for the separatist DPP in the island.

However, the gap in military strength between the island of Taiwan and the Chinese mainland is great, experts said, noting that US attempts to use the island to suppress the mainland by arming it is delusional.

Even if the sale was approved, how well it would progress is still in question, analysts said.

In May, the Taiwan defense authority announced that the first deal approved by the Biden administration in 2021 to sell $750 million worth of arms to Taiwan, including 40 155mm M109A6 medium self-propelled howitzers, had been halted by the US.

According to Taiwan news outlet udn.com, the pause in the howitzer sale means a complete cancelation, and the budget will be returned.

The latest arms sales plan came after the recent visit of US Senator Tammy Duckworth to the island, in which the island's regional leader Tsai Ing-wen said that a cooperation plan between the US National Guard and Taiwan's armed forces was in the works.

Around the time Duckworth left the Taiwan island, the PLA Eastern Theater Command on June 1 announced the third large-scale military exercise around the Taiwan in the past 30 days targeting the recent frequent US-Taiwan collusion.

Previously, a joint exercise surrounding the island of Taiwan from its east and southwest was announced on May 9, and a joint alert patrol plus a realistic combat drill in and above the waters around the island was announced on May 25.

The drills not only served as warnings to Taiwan secessionists and foreign interference forces, but also practically enhanced the PLA's capabilities in a potential reunification-by-force operation, analysts said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Hongyu)
Organised labour under the auspices of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has thrown its weight behind the emergence of former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, as the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in next year's general election.

Against the background of the emergence of a splinter group laying claim to both the leadership of the party and its presidential ticket, NLC said that both NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) recognize the leadership of the Labour Party led by Julius Abure, a former trade union leader.

In a statement signed by NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, the Congress said that Labour Party "is creation and offspring of the Nigeria Labour Congress", adding that workers are part of the leadership of the party.

Wabba said that NLC and TUC recognise only one presidential primary, which was held in Asaba, Delta State on May 30, 2022 and produced Obi as its presidential candidate.

In the statement NLC said: "It has been brought to our attention that a so-called faction of the Labour Party recently conducted what we can describe as a 'beer parlour' presidential primary and supposedly elected a presidential candidate. Nothing can be more spurious, hilarious and ridiculous.

"There is only one Labour Party in Nigeria. For the purpose of public education and clarity, we will take a recourse to history. The Labour Party is the creation and offspring of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)."

NLC said the decision to give birth to the Labour Party was taken by its statutory organs and affirmed by the decision of the National Executive Council of Congress at its meeting in Bauchi in 2003 when it approved the formation of the Party for Social Democracy (PSD).

While tracing the origin of Labour Party, Wabba said that it was at the inaugural convention of PSD in 2004 that NLC decided to change the name of PSD to the Labour Party.

Wabba said that Labour Party may have gone through challenges but the ownership of the party by the NLC and TUC has never been in doubt.

"As a matter of fact, the original certificate of the registration of the Labour Party is domiciled in the national headquarters of the Nigeria Labour Congress. Also, a Federal High Court judgment by Justice G.O. Kolawole in March 2018 clearly establishes that Labour Party belongs to workers.

"The point is that the Labour Party is what the NLC and TUC say it is. The leadership of the NLC and TUC recognize the leadership of the Labour Party led by Julius Abure, a former trade union leader and workers are part of the leadership. "The NLC and TUC are aware of only one presidential primary which was held in Asaba, Delta State on 30th May 2022 and produced Peter Obi as its presidential candidate and standard bearer," he said.

In the statement, NLC said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) monitored the presidential primary that produced Peter Obi.

It also said INEC recognises only the Labour Party leadership led by the Chairman, Julius Abure, and the National Secretary, Alhaji Farouk Umaru Ibrahim.

"They are the only Labour Party officials whose details are provided on INEC website.

"The leadership of the NLC and TUC gave our full support to the processes that produced 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," said Wabba.

NLC described the emergence of a factional group led by Calistus Okafor as a fruitless effort to distract the Labour Party from ongoing mass mobilization efforts for sweeping electoral victory in the 2023 general election.

It urged workers, youths, women, traders, farmers, professionals and all who seek the survival of Nigeria to continue to register for their Permanent Voter's Card (PVC) and to safeguard their PVC.

"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 election.

"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.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Labour Governance Nigeria By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

"This, therefore, serves as a public disclaimer on Mr. Calistus Okafor. We warn the general public to steer clear of Calistus Okafor and characters who might want to cash in on the popularity of the Labour Party to hoodwink, extort and swindle unsuspecting members of the public.

"We, hereby, direct Nigerian workers and all the structures of the NLC and TUC to completely disregard the impersonation by Calistus Okafor who has no locus standi to speak for Labour Party.

"Workers and millions of members of Labour Party who desire a new Nigeria should regard tantrums by characters like Calistus Okafor as a mere storm in a tea cup.

"Truth is that the bull has already left the barn! Nigerian workers, youths, students, women, professionals, the disabled and the unemployed have embraced the Labour Party as the political vehicle of the downtrodden, the political alternative and a voice for the re-start of a genuine journey of national development.

"There is no amount of political devilry that can stop us! Forward ever!! Backward Never," it said.
Republic Bank has received two prestigious international awards at the just ended International Banker Awards 2022.



The Bank was honoured as the Best Innovation in Retail Banking Ghana and Best Private Bank in Ghana.



The awards which were published on May 30, 2022 are in recognition of the outstanding performances and exceptional commitment Republic Bank has exhibited in ensuring best practice and innovation within the Ghanaian banking and financial industry. Republic Bank (Ghana) PLC is the first amongst the Republic Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL) territories to have received this award.



Commenting on the announcement of the awards, Mr. Farid Antar, Managing Director of Republic Bank (Ghana) PLC, said the Bank was pleased to be recognized with such a prestigious International award. He dedicated the awards to the Board, Management, Staff and Customers of the Bank, thanking them for their commitment and support towards the progress as well as achievements the Bank has chalked in the last three years.



He further explained that, these awards come with great pride especially at the apex of his over 42 years of service to Republic Bank, out of which three years have been dedicated to the growth and development of key strategic pillars in Ghana.



The Bank has over the years been developing flexible mortgage payment options, customer-centric digital service solutions and banking innovations to improve the customers service experience through the introduction of its suite of digital services, seasonal campaign loans and recently the launch of four fantastic Republic VISA Credit Cards on the Ghanaian market. These innovations make the banking experience seamless, less stressful and value-adding for both our existing and potential customers. To us, serving retail and business clients means engaging in conversations and creating solutions that meet their needs through a simple, yet effective, product and services suite, Mr. Antar said.



Republic Bank has adopted a customer-focused approach to ensure service quality and modern banking experience in an evolving digital environment. The Bank is committed to doing business responsibly and advancing the Banks transition towards a sustainable digital and innovative future. It therefore comes as no surprise that in a matter of weeks, the Bank has won a number of prestigious awards such as the Fastest Growing Bank of the Year Award and CEO of the Year by Corporate Ghana Awards 2021 and a second CEO of the Year from the Ghana Entrepreneur and Corporate Executive Awards 2022. The Bank is indeed wired to win more.



The International Banker Awards program recognizes top-ranking individuals and organizations across the global Banking Industry. Nominations are dependent on its global network of readers and winners are chosen based on entries as well as independent research. The criteria for evaluation includes financial performance, technological driven innovations, product offerings, customer experiences, brand and sales capabilities and measurable achievements within the banking sector.







Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The 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.

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Known for his feisty, spirited and controversial monologue on issues of national interest, Paul Adom-Otchere, the host of Good Evening Ghana, GEG, seems to have gotten on the nerves of Ghanaians when he decided to run commentary on Togbe Afede XIV refunding his over GHC365k ex-gratia to the state.



On Tuesday, June 7, 2022, the Board Chairman of the Ghana Airport Company Limited, stated that, the Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, President of Asogli Traditional Area, needed to refund more than the over GHC365k ex-gratia that he refunded.



According to Adom-Otchere, Togbe Afede XIV only attended 16 percent of the meetings of the Council of State and received all the salaries and benefits that are due to members of the Council of State including the allowances for transportation because the traditional ruler claimed that he always travel from Ho to attend the meetings while he is a resides in Accra.



"[Out] of the 48 months, the Council of State held 242 meetings of which Togbe Afede XIV attended 39 [meetings]; it constituted 16 percent," Paul Adom-Otchere said on his show on Tuesday.



He added, the Council of State is paid every month and he [Togbe Afede] took all his salaries, of which he is entitled to it. In giving us the narrations, he should have stated that he was unable to attend all the meetings of the Council of State, yet he took all his salaries including his car loan, a waiver from Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority to import cars...the amount of monies government [took] off the loans that were paid to the Council of State members are more than the GH365k he is talking about, for a person who only attended 16 percent of Council of State meetings...



If you check the Council of State transportation allowances, Togbes allowance was paid as of coming from Ho in the Volta region; some of the members told me that ordinarily, he lives in Accra but he said he was coming from Ho."



But after the show, Togbe Afede XIV, who was watching the show and was unhappy with the monologue of Paul Adom-Otchere decided to send him [Adom-Otchere] a WhatsApp message on Wednesday, June 8.



Showing some conversations they both had in the part and his recent WhatsApp messages on Wednesday, June 8, the traditional ruler described the host of GEG as shameful who always tell lies to earn a living.



Shameful you continue to tell lies to earn a living. You have to provide evidence of my plenary and committee meeting attendance record and especially, your allegation that I registered as coming from Ho to Council meetings, and so received transport allowance accordingly, Togbe Afede XIVs WhatsApp to Paul Adom-Otchere read.



This, pushed Adom-Otchere to obtain records from the Council of State meetings from the period that Togbe Afede was a meeting till the time their tenure came to an end.













Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A hospital in the Cameroonian city of Mamfe has been razed to the ground in an arson attack.



All 45 patients at Mamfe district hospital were safely transferred to another facility and there were no deaths, according to a local administrative official interviewed by the AFP news agency.



Doctors Without Borders (MSF) called Wednesday's fire an "unprecedented attack on a hospital of vital importance" that will have "a major impact on people in a region where access to healthcare has already been gravely impacted by years of violence".



It is not clear who was behind the attack, but local media suspect that it was the work of English-speaking separatists who want to break away from the French-speaking majority.



Five years of violent conflict between Anglophone separatists and government soldiers have seen both sides accused of abuses, while more than 6,000 people have been killed and 700,000 others displaced.



Earlier this month Cameroonian soldiers killed nine civilians including a baby in Missong, North-West region, the defence ministry confirmed.



And on Tuesday, five soldiers were reportedly killed by suspected separatists in Njitapon in Cameroon's West region, about 12km (8 miles) from the border with the North-West region.

Source: BBC









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The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, has said it will be difficult for the country to successfully pursue economic development and growth agenda if the citizens leave environmental and climate challenges to environmental scientists alone to bear or solve.



The Speaker has therefore called for strong partnerships to deal with the issue of environmental degradation in the country.



He made these comments when he led this year's tree seedlings planting exercise in Parliament under the Green Ghana Day observation in the country today.



According to the Speaker, saving the planet is not a partisan political issue. Rt. Hon. Bagbin therefore urged all Ghanaians to join the efforts at protecting the environment and our planet no matter the political persuasion or belief of each individual.



Rt. Hon. Alban Kingsford Bagbin advised the public not to consider the annual Green Ghana exercise as only a tree seedlings planting but a Tree Growing exercise to enable the country fully enjoy the benefits of green environment.



"There is a nexus between the extent to which we protect the environment and our growth and development," the Speaker stated.



The Speaker emphasized that, "tree planting is about the existence of life, the earth and all living things on it."

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The authorities in Nigeria have denied media reports which suggested bandits had used a helicopter to launch a brazen attack on villages in Kaduna state.



Officials instead say the attackers arrived in large numbers on motorcycles and raided three villages, leaving at least 32 people dead, during the incident on Sunday in the southern part of the state.



The attackers also razed several houses, the Kaduna state government said in a statement on Thursday.



The commissioner for internal security, Samuel Aruwan, said the helicopter in question was an air force helicopter dispatched to the area, that was used to intercept and engage the bandits in a gun battle before the arrival of ground troops to secure the general area.



Several kidnapped victims, including an expatriate kidnapped at a mining site, were also said to be rescued.



Mr Aruwan added that security forces were on the trail of a wounded notable suspect.



The attack in Kaduna on Sunday occurred same day that gunmen attacked a church in southwest Nigeria and killed at least 40 worshippers.

Source: BBC









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A workshop to strengthen the relationship between the Ghana Police Service and citizenry, including issues of human rights, has been held in Accra.



The two-day meeting which commenced last Wednesday was organised by the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), in partnership with the German Development Cooperation-GIZ, on the theme: Strengthening the Police Service and society cooperation towards effective case management and improved accountability.



Participants included senior police officers, officials of CHRAJ, civil society organisations and the media.



Significance

The Commissioner of CHRAJ, Joseph Whittal, said the purpose of the programme was also to discuss how to improve police accountability through knowledge and experience sharing with various stakeholders, understanding of each partners role and responsibilities, and advocacy and awareness creation.



We want to have a Ghana Police Service that will listen to the people and ensure accountability and not to be beating people and being aggressive, he said.



According to him, the police service was one of the key respondents to most complaints from the public at CHRAJ.



Mr Whittal, therefore, called on the Police Professionals Standards Bureau (PPSB) to endeavour to resolve such complaints amicably to win public trust to discourage people from reporting their conduct to CHRAJ.



How can the media and civil society organisations sing your songs, send the messages on what you do, how you do what you do in such a way that the ordinary citizen has a better understanding and appreciation of the service, he said.



The commissioner expressed hope that the meeting would enable the various stakeholders to effectively network to promote the cause of the police to ensure safety and security.



Improved Trust of Police

The Commissioner in charge of the Police Protection Directorate, Francis Ebenezer Doku, said the police had over the years, gone through various forms of transformation which he said was helping to win citizens trust.



I am confident to say that gradually the police service is winning the confidence of the people due to accountability to the public. We are, therefore, on course, DCOP Doku said.



He underlined the importance of the workshop, saying with such meetings, stakeholders would understand each others role better and that activities of the police would also be enhanced.



Acceptance

The Manager - County Component Ghana, of GIZ, Phillip Niehenke, said Ghana accepted an invitation in 2019 from the German Federal Foreign Office to be part of its programme to build and strengthen police structures in selected partner countries in Africa.GIZ, he said, was happy that through such collaborations it was supporting some reforms at PPSB which included deploying of complaint management software, and a tailormade training course on police accountability and PPSBs mandate.



The Police, CHRAJ, CSOs and the media were expected to sign a memorandum of understanding on principles of good administration, ensuring internal and external accountability and the role of CSOs and the media as partners in ensuring police accountability at the end of the workshop.







Source: graphiconline.com









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Deputy Minister for Communications and Digitalisation and Member of Parliament for Juaben Constituency, Ama Pomaa Boateng on Friday, 10th June, 2022 led staff and officers as well as other heads of departments of state agencies under the Ministry on behalf of the Sector Minister, Hon Ursula Owusu-Ekuful to plant seedlings in commemoration of the second edition of the Green Ghana day.



Addressing the media at the Ministry, the Deputy Minister, acknowledged the relevance of the occasion, stressing that, "This is part of efforts to recover the countrys lost forest cover and also enhance the quality of the air we breathe.



She therefore urged the public to embrace the idea from government and be involved in any drive aimed at encouraging people to plant trees.



The Deputy Minister, further said it behoves on all of us to nurture the trees that we plant, take personal charge of them, water them and see that they are properly established.



According to her, "MoCD is happy to be part of the green Ghana day. As part of our mandate, everything electronics is with us and we all know that from our cars, to our homes to what we study or work with, we use all these electronic gadgets. The resources used for these electronic gadgets are raw materials derived from our forest. Therefore, cutting down of trees or replacing them is one of the areas that we are very interested in.

For instance, gold, silver, plastics, etc are all components that make up the gadgets that we use. And once trees are cut, that means that we are getting our resources in manufacturing these gadgets, so we need to replace them.



In replacing them, our focus is on the electronic wastes, whether to recycle or to do the tree planting, but we are doing both. We will continue to create the awareness for all of us to know that once we live the digital life, whether we learn, work or play, we need to replace these raw materials that are being used for these electronic gadgets."



So with lots of pride, the Ministry is supporting the other Ministries and all Ghanaians to make sure that we replace the trees that are being cut and also make sure that we pay serious attention to climate change and as well educate the general public to know that whatever gadgets that we're using has an effect on the trees that we are cutting down.



We are very excited that all Ghanaians are onboard to make this a very eventful and successful program. MoCD with all our agencies have come together to make sure that we replace what is being cut down."











Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The use of gas for cooking in schools is being constrained by its increasing prices, which is making it difficult to adopt use of this clean energy, the Ministry of Education has implied.

Some school head teachers who spoke to The New Times also expressed concern that though the use of cooking gas has advantages, including hygiene in the kitchen and ease of work, its cost is prohibitive.

Currently a 12-kilogramme cooking gas cylinder costs at least Rwf18, 500, an increase of about a half, compared to Rwf12, 600 in 2020.

"During the construction of kitchens [in line with expanding school feeding programme last year], cooking gas use was piloted in 30 schools, but as you all know, the price [of gas] increased these days," Education Minister, Valentine Uwamariya told lawmakers during budget hearing last week, while responding to their proposal to use gas with aim to cut firewood consumption in schools.

Liquefied petroleum gaz bottles at a shop in Remera, Gasabo District on June 13, 2020. Photo: File.

Pascal Sindahabo, head teacher at G.S. Ndera, located in Gasabo District, Kigali, told The New Times that the school was still using firewood to cook for its 2,856 pupils and students from nursery to secondary, indicating that the high cost of gas hindered its plans to adopt this clean cooking fuel.

He indicated that the estimates the school made last year, even before the gas prices shot up, suggested that it would be spending twice as much on cooking if it used gas compared to firewood.

"We spend Rwf600, 000 on firewood for cooking per term (three months), and that cost would rise to Rwf1.2 million if we switched to cooking gas," he said, underscoring that firewood consumption was bad for the environment and hygiene.

On what can be done to help schools adopt cooking gas, he said the Government should provide financial support.

"It would be better if the Government looks for ways to subsidise the cooking gas cost so that schools with many students pay half of it," he said, suggesting that there is also a need for studies to consider other clean cooking solutions for schools, such as biogas.

Last year, the Government of Rwanda started the implementation of its plan to extend the school feeding programme to all pupils and students from pre-primary to secondary school schools.

In the last academic year 2020/2021, there were over 3.8 million pupils and students in Rwanda in 9,645 schools including nursery, primary and secondary, according to the 2020/21 education statistical yearbook by the Ministry of Education. Of those pupils and students, 3.48 million were from public and Government-subsidised schools.

Cooking meals for this large number of students will require much more firewood than before when only few students would get food at school. And, this situation has a big negative impact on the environment - cutting more trees for cooking fuel.

Yet, Rwanda has a target to reduce the reliance on firewood or charcoal as cooking fuel in both households and public places such as schools, correctional facilities, among others.

Reliance on firewood would increase deforestation

As per the Rwanda Household Survey 2019/2020 report produced by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), 77.7 percent of Rwandan households used firewood as cooking fuel, 17.5 per cent used charcoal, while 4.2 per cent used gas or biogas.

Under the National Strategy for Transformation (NST1), Rwanda targets to reduce the rate of households using firewood for cooking to 42 per cent by 2024 as the country seeks to adopt clean cooking energy solutions and reduce household air pollution emissions.

MP Berthilde Uwamahoro said that the achievement of this NST1 target requires concerted efforts from all concerned entities, indicating that firewood remains the main energy source for cooking in Rwanda, especially schools which need a lot of cooking fuel.

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"Why can't there be a system to build kitchens that can use cooking gas? Because you realise that in the future, it will be a challenge to get firewood in schools," she said.

MP Annoncee Manirarora said that the use of cooking gas would be the best option for schools and the environment.

"The use of cooking gas should be considered because it can help address many issues including protecting the environment, speeding the work and protecting the health of cooks [who inhale the smoke produced by the firewood]," she said.

Meanwhile, Minister Uwamariya said that they are working with entrepreneurs who make briquettes from the residues of some crops, or sawdust, and energy efficient stoves, as they look for other means to reduce firewood dependency in schools so that they do not destroy the environment.
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









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Togbe Afede XIV, a former President of the National House of Chiefs, has stated that the open to criticisms from TV host, Paul Adom-Otchere, the latter should not be dishonest in his comments about him.



According to him, he is surprised that his 'friend' the broadcaster would make some comments about his attendance at the meetings of the Council of State during the period of his membership.



He noted he performed his roles dutifully as a member of the Council of State.



My surprise indeed came from the misrepresentation. You can criticise me. You can criticise my opinions but dont tell lies. Dont say for instance that Togbe presented himself as coming from Ho to the Council of State and enjoyed transport allowances. When he knew it is not true. He knew that by my character, I could never do something like that.



"I am a resident of Accra. Im not one of those who will pretend not to live in Accra and enjoy government hostel facilities when theyre working or enjoy transportation allowances. I am not that type. He knows. So that part hurts me. And also the suggestion that I was most of the time absent from Council of State meetings, that also hurts me because it is not true and he knows that is not true, Togbe Afede XIV said to Joy News.



Togbe Afede added that, So that level of dishonesty hurts me. That level of wickedness; that I took an exception to. You can criticise me, you can say you didnt see why I should return the money but dont back your arguments with falsehood. That part, I take a strong exception to.



Paul Adom-Otchere had stated on Good Evening Ghana, that Togbe Afede attended only 16% of meetings during his tenure as a member of the Council of State.



Paul Adom-Otchere, said out of the total of 242 meetings of the Council during the period, the Paramount Chief honoured only 48 of those meetings; representing 16%.



"[Out] of the 48 months, the Council of State held 242 meetings of which Togbe Afede XIV attended 39 [meetings]; it constituted 16 percent," Paul Adom-Otchere said on his show on Tuesday.



He added, the Council of State is paid every month and he [Togbe Afede] took all his salaries, of which he is entitled to it. In giving us the narrations, he should have stated that he was unable to attend all the meetings of the Council of State, yet he took all his salaries including his car loan, a waiver from Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority to import cars...the amount of monies government [took] off the loans that were paid to the Council of State members are more than the GH365k he is talking about, for a person who only attended 16 percent of Council of State meetings...



If you check the Council of State transportation allowances, Togbes allowance was paid as of coming from Ho in the Volta region; some of the members told me that ordinarily, he lives in Accra but he said he was coming from Ho."



In a reaction, Togbe Afede said he is disappointed in the comments of Paul Adom-Otchere.



He [Adom-Otchere] knew me very well. [So its] surprising that he of all people, and I dont want to go into details; will be the one to criticise me. But why am I not surprised? Because he had done something similar before. When I was fighting Agyapa, he granted an interview to the Minister of Finance and sought to denigrate me even in that interview.



By suggesting that I was an employee of Ken-Ofori Atta. When I drew his attention, he apologised that no, no, he knew I was a founder of Data Bank. I said, so why then do you present it as if I was an employee of Ken Ofori-Atta? Again, when we were having a debate about the referendum, that had to be aborted, he again tried to criticise me Togbe Afede explained.



Its a surprise that he of all people. When I say he of all people, hell know why Im saying I didnt expect that from he of all people. But unfortunately, some people live by their stomachs in the kind of things that they do. So given my recent experience, Ill say Im not too surprised, he stressed.





Source: ghanaweb.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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B5 Plus Limited, the largest steel manufacturing company in West Africa located in Ghana has been recognised for its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and gargantuan impact in steel manufacturing industry in Ghana.



The company with its headquarters in Tema, a suburb in Greater Accra continue to lead the steel manufacturing industry after receiving numerous of awards from January 1-June 8, 2022.



Even though the year has not come to an end, B5 Plus Limited Business has bagged quite a number of awards following their huge impact in the society despite the existence of the novel coronavirus which gave businesses some difficulties.



At the recent National Brands Innovation Awards  An awards scheme organised by National Innovation Forum which is a platform that enable the exchange of thought-provoking knowledge and ideas between thoughtful, exception brands leaders, B5 Plus was awarded the best manufacturing brand of the year and received a certificate for being among the top hundred brands across industries in Ghana.



The company was the best manufacturing and fabrication company of the year at the recent Ghana Manufacturing Awards held in Accra.



Other awards include; excellence in health and safety at the 2022 Ghana-West Africa Business Awards (GWABEA); manufacturing company of the year, mining support service company of the year at the Responsible Business and Leadership Excellence Awards while the CEO of the company Mukesh Thakwani was also honoured in all the awards as the best CEO.



The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Group Chairman of B5 Plus Group, Mukesh V. Thakwani, told the media in an interview that they are excited and proud of the honours, which according to him are keeping them on their toes and making sure they keep delivering the best.



He thanked the various organisers for the continuous support  and his workers, adding that without them it would not have been possible for the company to get to this current stage.



The awards really make us feel proud that the company is excelling in business; the awards came as a result of dedication and hard work because we keep delivering the best as a onestop shop for steel  and that is the motto of B5 Plus Limited, he said.



Mr. Thakwani indicated that the company is capable of serving Ghana and the whole West African region at a competitive rate, and therefore government should do away with imported steel on the market, as well as ensure consistent flow of power and water.



He noted that his philosophy as the founder of the company is to give back to the society generously by creating ample opportunities for everyone.



There is a direct relationship between the sustainability of business, wellbeing and the development of society. We are committed in giving back to society in order to reciprocate all the care, support and encouragement that has been well received by us.



Successful people have always felt the urge toward social responsibility to make the world a better place and not just take from it. B5 Plus Limited functions with this principle and never shies away from its responsibility of giving back to society, he said.









Touching on some projects carried out by the company, Mukesh Thakwani said the B5 Plus Care Foundation takes care of underprivileged children in Ghana by providing them basic needs, including free education and basic medical care. B5plus Care Foundation organises Blood Donation Camps and free Health checkup campaigns every year.



Mr Thakwani said in education, B5 Plus Limited is also the promoter of DPS School located at Community 25, giving education to locals and some foreign nationals.



The company, he said, has constructed one of the largest, strategic state of the art steel manufacturing plants in Africa under the One District, One Factory (1D1F) programme at Lakpleku, near Prampram, and the plant is in line with governments vision and mission to promote made in Ghana products.

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) will hold a crunch meeting next week to deliberate on a possible upward adjustment of transport fares.



The Union said the meeting had become necessary due to what they described as significant hikes in fuel prices over the past few weeks.



Prices of petrol and diesel have shot up by 7.3 per cent and 9.7 per cent respectively, in the last one month.



Currently, petrol is trading at an average GHS 10.10 per litre while the national average for diesel is pegged at GHS 12.20 per litre.



Transport fares went up by 20 per cent last month. As of May 9, 2022, when the new fares took effect, petrol and diesel were selling at a national average GHS 9.41 and GHS 11.12 respectively.



Mr Richard Yaw Amankwah, Deputy General Secretary in Charge of Operations, GPRTU, told the Ghana News Agency that commercial drivers have not seen any significant increase in their income since the last increment in fares due to the continuous rise in fuel prices.



He said next weeks meeting would help the GPRTU to decide whether the recent hikes in fuel prices merited a hike in transport fares.



It is not our doing. The situation demands it. We are also consumers. Whenever fuel prices go up, it affects our business and even though we are not happy to increase transport fares, it will go against our business if we dont do so, he said.



The GPRTU implemented the last 20 per cent increment in transport fares without any negotiation with the Government.



The Union said it took the decision after successive attempts to engage the Ministry of Transport over their proposed rate proved futile.

Source: GNA









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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.

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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.

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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]









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Former General Secretary of the People's National Convention (PNC), Atik Mohammed, has mounted defence for Article 71 holders receiving ex-gratia.



The debate about ex-gratia has been reignited following Togbe Afede's rejection of his ex-gratia after serving on the Council of State.



The Paramount Chief and the Agbogbomefia of Asogli, Togbe Afede XIV, in a statement, indicated that he had returned an amount of GHC365,392.67 for his service as a Council of State member from 2017 to 2020.



His gesture has attracted mixed reactions as while some people are lauding him, others are berating him.



Broadcaster Paul Adom-Otchere is one of the strong critics bashing the Chief for returning his ex gratia.



Paul Adom-Otchere believes Togbe Afede XIV has a lot more money to refund to the State, stating the Chief, out of 242 meetings held by the Council in 48 months, attended only 39 representing 16% but despite his failure to attend majority of the meetings, he collected all his salaries and other benefits.



Discussing the issue on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" programme, Atik Mohammed noted that public service workers deserve to receive ex-gratia which is a Latin word meaning money paid as a favor to recognize a person's end of service, in other words referring to end of service benefits.



Specifically dwelling on Members of Parliament, Atik explained that most Parliamentarians who retire or end their terms in Parliament do not find employment due to the toxic politics in the country.



He explained that they are characterized by their political allegiances, hence many organizations wouldn't like to associate with them.



To him, the ex-gratia is supposed to be a retirement package or support system for them.



He said, "when you end your service, no organization wants to employ you because when it employs you, that characterization placed on you that you are party A or B member follows you daily. So, if someone employs you, because of the toxic politics in the country, they begin to target the organization that has given you the job; therefore nobody would like to employ you. So, the thinking that we should help those who rightly serve their country isn't a bad thing but I have issues with sometimes the structure and the nature of some of these arrangements."



However, Atik stated categorically that ex-gratia should be a one-off payment.



" . . if you are a Member of Parliament, we should have a one-off ex-gratia for Members of Parliament. If you win and you come back to Parliament, you should not be entitled to any ex-gratia because you are still serving and haven't ended your service yet."







Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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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.

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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









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Nairobi  ICT and Innovation Principal Secretary Jerome Ochieng is the latest official in President Uhuru Kenyatta's government to launch a public attack on Deputy President William Ruto as public officials loyal to the Head of State adopt an active role in presidential campaigns.

Ochieng who serves under ICT and Youth Affairs' Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru, a sworn adversary of Ruto alongside Cabinet colleagues Fred Matiangi (Interior) and Peter Munya (Agriculture), dismissed Ruto's planned launch of his manifesto on June 30 as an attempt to copy Raila Odinga's blueprint.

"Do you actually need 3 weeks to copy and paste the Azimio document. How will you visit 47 counties if you visit central Kenya 3 times a week. Just asking for a concerned friend," Ochieng remarked in a quoted retweet to Wednesday's news update on Ruto's planned launch.

His public statement makes him the second prominent Principal Secretary after Interior's Karanja Kibicho to have gone all out in launching attacks against the DP in a bid to promote President Kenyatta's preferred choice, Odinga.

He spoke a just a day after State House Press Secretary Kanze Dena joined the campaign trail departing from a tradition by her predecessors who kept of active politics including re-election campaigns for their bosses aside from managing media relations.

The former news anchor accompanied Martha Karua to Mombasa for campaigns organized under the Maendeleo Ya Wanawake lobby on Tuesday.

In the video, Dena is seen addressing hundreds of Maendeleo Ya Wanawake members at the Kenya School of Government in Mombasa, who endorsed the Raila Odinga's ticket for August 9 State House race.

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"Wamezoea tunapigana na magredi ya pilau majikoni lakini sasa tumeongeza magurudumu tuko mbele. (They're used to seeing us in the kitchen but now we've added momentum and we're ahead)," she stated.

Karua was attending the the 70th anniversary of the Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organization, Coast Chapter and she was accompanied by several women leaders including Nyeri Deputy Governor Caroline Karugu who also doubles as Azimio's Assistant Presidential Chief Agent, and Likoni Member of Parliament Mishi Mboko.

Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has been critical of public servants engaged in campaigns against the law which requires non-elected public officials seeking elective office to resign six months to an election.

The law also forbid the use of public resources including government vehicles on campaigns.
The Members of Parliament (MPs) sponsoring the bill aimed criminalizing the activities of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) have called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to, as a matter of urgency, invite those who put up a billboard at the Accra end of the motorway promoting the activities of LGBTQI+ in Accra.

They said the IGP, Dr George Akuffo Dampare, must within the next 24 hours carry out the necessary security operations to ensure that the billboard, which was an upfront to the 1992 Constitution, was taken down.



Failure to take action, as citizens we will take action as enjoin by our Constitution to defend the Constitution, they said.



Billboard



Speaking on behalf of the MPs at the site where the said billboard has been mounted on Thursday (June 9), the National Democratic Congress MP for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel Nartey George said while he believed that law enforcement may not have seen the billboard, we have drawn their attention to it.



The billboard, which has four hands joined as a team, is said to have been mounted at the strategic spot of the motorway and has the inscription When all Ghanaians are treated equal no matter where they are or who they love thats true freedom.



The MP said the LGBTQI+ group had publicly, on Joy FM, a Ghanaian media outlet, announced that they sponsored and put out the billboard.



He said the persons behind were known and their phone contacts were on their Facebook pages.



The IGP must, as a matter of urgency, invite them for questioning for them to answer why they sponsored this.



I do not believe that the state will sit back when a billboard was put up supporting terrorism or money laundering as a way of life. This is an upfront to the Section 104 of our Criminal Offences Act which frowns on bestiality, he stated.

Source: graphiconline.com









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The General Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party, John Boadu has expressed worry over the alleged monetization of its internal elections.



This comes respond came when the host asked an allegation made by the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Buffer Company, Alhaji Abdul-Wahab Hanan Aludiba that a regional chairman aspirant somewhere in the just-ended regional executive elections doled out a whopping amount of Ghc30,000 to lure delegates to his site. Which was unfortunate.



But the NPP General Secretary who likens monetization of party politics as paying bribes is worried that the situation if not immediately addressed could affect the party systems in the country.



Monetization of politics has been a major issue, not only our internal but the national elections as well to the extent that I remember when we were fashioning out rules and regulations towards the presidential primaries in 2007, we put in there that we were not going to entertain the use of money as a way of wooing delegates to vote for one candidate or the other. But it is like paying bribes. Most often it is not paid in the open.



John Boadu who is seeking re-election as General Secretary of the governing New Patriotic Party again disclosed that, the party intends to investigate the issue to lessen its impact.



He said Sometimes, it beats their imagination that such amounts of money are doled out because one wants to contest an election.



It is something that we the party will conduct an investigation into it immediately after the entire internal elections have been done and find ways of mitigating it, he stated.



While admitting that the preparation for elections involves a lot of finances either for printing posters, T-shirts, banners, etc the General Secretary warned that there cannot be an excuse for aspirants to offer colossal amounts of money to woe delegates for votes.



His reason was that the practices of monetization in elections often deny competent persons the opportunity to lead.



He made the disclosure when speaking on a local radio station in the upper East region called A1 Radios Day Break Upper East Show to run up his campaign tour of the region.



The General Secretary disclosed that most of the inexperienced aspirants who normally bulldoze their way to becoming political party executives by influencing delegates often perform abysmally in their tenure of office.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The biggest opposition party, National Democratic Congress, is marking its 30th anniversary this year.



The party founded by the late Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings has slated the event marking the diamond anniversary for today at the GNAT Hall in Accra.



Organized under the theme Unity. Stability. Development, the event will be honoured by the Former President of the Republic, John Dramani Mahama and the Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin.



They are also scheduled to give special remarks at the event.



Meanwhile, below is a snippet of information about the NDC party:



The National Democratic Congress (NDC) is a social-democratic political party in Ghana, founded by Jerry John Rawlings, who was Head of State of Ghana from 1981 to 1993 and the President of Ghana from 1993 to 2001.



The NDC has its roots in two major events, June 4, 1979, Uprising and the 31St December Revolution, which set the tone for transparency, accountability, probity and social justice in governance.



Such critical values had eluded several administrations since the 1957 declaration of Independence; thus, leading to military interventions. In fact, the rules of engagement set by the June 4 Uprising that led to the hand-over of power to Dr. Hilla Limanns civilian administration were abused; thus, ushering in the 31St December Revolution.



Following the formation of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC), which prosecuted a Holy War on corruption and other social injustices, the country was ruled from 1982 to 1992 under the banner,  The Decade that Stopped the Decay.



Socio-economic and political factors underpinned the demand to return the country to civil rule. That called for the re-awakening of old political forces, principally, the Nkrumahist and Danquah-Busia-Dombo traditions.



It is of interest to know that, the operatives of the June 4 Uprising (a mostly military venture which called itself the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council  AFRC), and the 31St December Revolution (a mix of military and civilians, which constituted the Provisional National Defence Council  PNDC) were all people who had their heritage from either of the two political traditions.



It became a matter of debate between two major schools of thought. One school believed that a solid foundation had been laid for a tranquil civilian political climate and therefore operatives of the two processes could retire and join their original camps.



It was however the opinion of another school that, there was the necessity to form a political party for good reasons: to protect the gains of the two processes and to simmer down the excesses born out of the pains some families accused the operatives of the processes.



Another salient factor was the need to form the foundations of a Third Force to break the existing duopoly that had been antagonistic and acrimonious to each other rather than being alternative agents for development.



Looking back, especially, on the political history of vilification, hatred and extreme polarization during the pre-and post-independence periods, it was a wiser choice that the school of thought to form a political party, mostly for the three reasons stated, won the hearts of the majority of adherents.



As a new bloc in the political scheme of affairs, with several shades of personalities from the military, Nkrumahist, Danquah-Busia-Dombo traditions, old and young revolutionaries who emerged from June 4 and 31St, and non-conformist admirers of Jerry John Rawlings  the leading architect of the new order, it became obvious that a party-out-of-many was the right way to go.



So the adherents of JJ, the Jerryists, joined the old political players who were now seriously operating under several banners.



For example, the Danquah-Busia-Dombo tradition mostly operated under the banner of The Patriots. The Nkrumahist groups were championed by The New Nation. For the Jerryist camp, Eagle 1, Eagle 2, Rawlings Fun Club and others were very visible.



To determine a name for the party was also a task. Some were of the opinion that, in order not to deviate and therefore forget our roots, it was expedient to choose Peoples National Democratic Congress (to retain the abbreviation PNDC of old). Others were rather magnanimous to drop the P so as to churn a new path; thus, the National Democratic Congress  NDC.



It was National because it cut across the whole nation with its patrons. It was Democratic because it believed in the tenets of social democracy which proffered the gradual development of society based on freedom, equality, and solidarity of practitioners in achieving the common good. It was a Congress because it was built on the concept, out of many, one group.



The colours of the party were chosen to be Green (the resources of our land), White (the perpetual flame of victory), Red (remembering the struggles through the blood and toil of our forebear), and Black (our roots as Africans). The colours were designed in the form of an umbrella (Akatamanso), with the head of a bird perching at the top to signify the need for perpetual vigilance.



A slogan to direct the cause and course of the essence of forming the party was developed to stress the Unity (needed for building consensus and expression of the commonality of purpose, Stability (needed for continuity of policies and programmes) and Development (needed to scale citizens from poverty and want to prosperity).



Towards its formation, the National Democratic Congress was given its provisional certificate by the Electoral Commission on June 10th 1992, which granted the NDC the right to operate as a legally registered political party.



The joy attracted thousands of party faithfuls to the Centre for National Culture (Arts Centre), where a colourful ceremony was organized to outdoor the certificate.



That is why that day is regarded as the Founding Day of the party. It is also instructive to mention that the final certificate of the registration of the party was issued by the Electoral Commission on 27th July, 1992.



The party has so far won four out of the eight General Elections since 1992. The governments of 1993-1996, and 1997-2000 (under Jerry John Rawlings) , 2009-2012 ( under Atta Mills) and 2012-2016 under John Dramani Mahama) were formed.













Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Former Head of Monitoring Unit at the Forestry Commission and a newly ordained Pastor, Charles Owusu, has assured Ghanaians that the National Cathedral that the government is establishing will be completed despite opposition.



According to him, the Cathedral will serve many good purposes for the nation.



The building of the National Cathedral has courted lots of controversies with some people claiming it is unneccessary while others are in support of it.



One of the strong opponents of the Cathedral is the Editor-in-Chief of the Insight newspaper, Kwesi Pratt, who argues that the monies being pumped into the establishment should rather be channeled into resolving the economic challenges.



"Has God told you he wants a house to sleep in? When did God tell you he wants a house to sleep in?"



"What kind of God in this world or is alive and knows that today, when someone is sick in Ghana and the patient has no money may die, He will say we should use our little money to build a house for him? Then that is not a good God . . . What God says we should stop investing money in quality healthcare but use it to build a house for Him? Is God human? Does he stay in a house? . . . Will God not answer us if we don't build a cathedral?", he asked.



But Charles Owusu, speaking on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo", says whether any person like it or not, "we will definitely build the National Cathedral to the glory of God. It doesn't matter the noise about it".



He also questioned; "What is the crime in building something for the nation to honor God?"





Source: Ameyaw Adu Gyamfi/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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A swollen Otter Lake is pictured in Tulameen, B.C., Friday, Dec. 3, 2021. Officials in British Columbia are urging residents of communities at elevated risk of flooding to be prepared if water levels rise due to rapidly melting snow following too much rain. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Nairobi  The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) is partnering with the United States Air force in the African Partnership Flight (APF) training program as part of efforts to enhance regional stability and security.

The event was officially opened by the Commander Kenya Air Force Major General John Omenda together with Chief of Staff, United States Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) Major General James Kriesel, on June 6 at the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club in Nanyuki.

APF is a program specifically designed to build strong transparent partnerships that enhance regional stability and security through formal alliances, partnerships, and exchange of information according to a statement from the KDF.

Speaking during the event, Major General Omenda said that it was an honor for Kenya Air Force to co-host the event with the American partners.

"Besides looking at Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response, this forum is meant to provide a platform for sharing challenges faced by African Air Forces with a view of identifying suitable mitigation measures in order to improve on our air power capabilities and increase interoperability," said the Commander Kenya Air Force.

"With the ever-growing need for air operations in peace and wartime; we continue to be a credible, quick to deploy and ever ready force, to respond and cooperate with other civil authorities in situations of emergency or disaster when called upon," he reiterated.

His words were echoed by Major General Kriesel who stressed on the importance of preparedness for disaster eventualities by partner states. He further urged them to identify their capability gaps and come up with ways to fix them.

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After a comprehensive three days training, it will culminate to the actual exercise dubbed "Exercise Linda-Rhino 3," which is a combined Joint Task Force exercise for the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) ready crew.

KDF said the exercise will actualize proficiency in undertaking future joint missions in National and multi-national set up,

The five-day event whose theme is '(HADR)' will see participants discuss and come up with best practices in Disaster management.

The program has brought together participants from: Botswana, Burundi, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

The participating teams are drawn from partner states Air Forces and Non-Governmental Organisations, including, Aircrew, Logistics, Medical, Airfield Operations and Rapid Response Unit personnel. NGOs are represented by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA).
Nairobi  Thirdway Alliance Party Leader Ekuru Aukot has filed a complaint against the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Wafula Chebukati citing bias.

Aukot is challenging Chebukati's decision to decline his application to run for the presidency in the August 9 General Election.

In his complaint to the Commission's Dispute Resolution Tribunal, Aukot through his lawyers - Kosgei, Muriuki and Koome Advocates -- alleged that Chebukati "had a predetermined outcome" on his quest to run for the country's top seat.

"To the extent that the Commission appeared bent on disqualifying our nominees, the Commission's decision violated the rules of natural justice and the requirement that such a decision by a public body must rely only on relevant considerations," Aukot said.

The Commission cleared four candidates to contest for presidency namely: David Mwaure Waihiga (Agano Party), Professor George Wajackoyah (Roots Party), Raila Odinga (Azimio Coalition Political Party) and William Ruto (United Democratic Alliance-UDA).

Aukot, who contested in the 2017 presidential election, argued that the Commission failed to give him an opportunity to remedy some of the areas that the Commission purportedly determined as having not met the threshold.

He argued that the Commission gave other candidates more time to comply with the requirements which they lacked but the Commission failed to grant Thirdway Alliance the same.

"This clearly reinforces the Complainants' conviction that the Chebukati, had a predetermined outcome that clearly shows his bias and discrimination," Aukot said as he pleaded with the tribunal to set aside Chebukati's decision until his complaint is fully heard and determined.

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While rejecting Aukot's bid, the Commission among other things noted that some of the Complainant's supporters' signatures did not meet the required threshold, that the Presidential Candidate's degree certificate was not certified, that they did not present copies of IDs of their supporters and that the Banker's Cheque for payment of required fees was incorrectly addressed.

Aukot is among 51 candidates who failed to meet the threshold set by the electoral commission.

Aukot and other presidential aspirants including Jimi Wanjigi of Safina Party and Agano Party's Reuben Kigame have threatened to sue the Commission for barring them to contest in the presidential race.

The three who call themselves the voice of the people were disqualified from the exercise for reasons ranging from lack of academic qualifications and insufficient signatures.

Wanjigi who was thrown out due to a lack of a degree certificate alleged that the commission is under instructions from authorities to bar him from vying.

On his part Kigame accused IEBC of being discriminative after having been locked out for lack of enough signatures.
After twelve hours and fifteen levels of play, the start of the day field of 233 was brought down to the final 10 in The Mid-States Poker Tour $1,600 No-Limit Holdem Main Event at Venetian Las Vegas Nevada. The final ten players are all guaranteed $36,780, but all eyes remain on the first place prize of $360,670.

Leading the way with a commanding lead is Russian-born player Yulia Lisichkina who ended the day with 12,575,000. Lisichkina played multiple bigger pots with a few tables left that had her at, or floating around the chip lead for the latter half of the day. It wasnt until the last level of play where she called a massive all-in against Arman Sogomonian, where she cemented her lead as by far and away the chip leader. Lisichkina saw some success last WSOP with seven cashes, but with her guaranteed score of $36,780, she has already topped her best score to add to her $139,894 of lifetime earnings.

Following behind her is Fehim Hajdari who bagged 8,575,000. While Hajdari found a steady increase of chips throughout the day, it was a late night surge that ended up propelling him to second in chips with a knockout of Ricardo Gonzalez, and a massive pot against Angelina Rich where he had made the nut flush. The Danish player has already more than doubled his lifetime earnings to secure his biggest cash of his career, and is setting himself to be potentially the first winner of an MSPT from Denmark.

Angelina Rich

Shea Quintin bagged third in chips with 6,175,000, many of which came from the knocking out of two players, Simeon Spasov and Erik Carvalho. Matthew Sabia came into the final three tables with a massive chip stack, but lost many chips in a kings versus aces versus ace-jack cooler against Angelina Rich. Sabia still bagged 4,600,000 and will look to top his biggest cash of $155,515 with a win. Jack ONeill ended the night 3,600,000 after a relatively swingy final few levels. ONeills career earnings will pass $1,000,000 after this guaranteed payout and he looks to add top his own biggest score, which currently sits at $175,300.

Angelina Rich is looking to add her name to the list of two-time MSPT champions as her very own title was won at Venetian in 2015 for $304,386. She comes into the day with 3,125,000 and is one of two women remaining in this field. Kevin Ayow (2,875,000), Hien Nguyen (2,800,000), Rohan Dhuper (2,625,000) and Rickey Evans(1,900,000) round out the field of other returning players, each one of them looking for their biggest score and first MSPT title.

Final Day Chip Counts

Player Chip Counts 1 Yulia Lisichkina 12,575,000 2 Fehim Hajdari 8,575,000 3 Shea Quintin 6,175,000 4 Matthew Sabia 4,600,000 5 Jack O'Neill 3,600,000 6 Angelina Rich 3,125,000 7 Kevin Ayow 2,875,000 8 Hien Nguyen 2,800,000 9 Rohan Dhuper 2,625,000 10 Rickey Evans 1,900,000

Action On The Day

Play was fast and furious from the very beginning with only one level passing before the bubble burst as 52 players who came into the day were unable to find a cash. The unfortunate bubble boy was Enrique Villacres when his ace-queen ran into MSPT Deadwood champion Taylor Howards pocket aces.

Post Bubble Play

Players in the tournament continued to be eliminated at a rapid rate for quite a while. Players like Ryan Scully (171st-$3,280), WSOP 2017 Main Event Runner-Up Dan Ott (153rd-$3,514), MSPT Champions Rich Alsup (143rd-$3,631), Taylor Howard (40th-$8,902), Josh Reichard (28th-$10,308) and Greg Himmelbrand (26th-$12,182) all were eliminated prior to days end. The final two eliminations of the night were Erik Carvalho (12th-$28,437) and Arman Sogomonian (11th-$28,437), the first of which had lost a flip against Matthew Sabia when his pocket queens fell short against ace-king, and the other lost when he moved all-in with queen-high and a gutshot on a three spade board, only for Lisichkina to call him with the ace-high flush draw and a gutshot of her own.
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.
FILE - Protesters chant slogans outside the George R. Brown Convention Center to protest the National Rifle Association annual meeting in Houston, May 27, 2022. March for Our Lives and other gun control groups plan to mobilize supporters on June 11, 2022, to push Congress to require universal background checks, to pass red flag laws allowing guns to be confiscated in certain cases and to raise the age limit to purchase certain guns after recent mass shootings.
Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray severe thunderstorm is possible. High around 100F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy. A stray severe thunderstorm is possible. Low 73F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph.
National data shows the number of children sent to adult courts for criminal prosecution in the U.S. has dropped to new lows as more states steer teenagers instead toward rehabilitation and counseling offered by juvenile courts
A Mount Pleasant retail center where a new outdoor gear store plans to open will soon see a new restaurant. Two other new dining spots are in the works across the Charleston region as well.

Pasture & Grain plans to open in July at 1701 Shoremeade Road in the Indigo Square Shopping Center on U.S. Highway 17 where national sporting goods retailer REI announced this week plans to open in the fall in the former GreenWise Market grocery store space.

The restaurant is taking over the space vacated in May by Blaze Pizza, which closed after three years. A sign on the door says Blaze is relocating, but the new site is not mentioned, and a company representative did not respond for comment.

Pasture & Grain owner and chef Ira Hill said the 2,800-square-foot venue will serve American fare priced from $8 to $18. Meats, vegetables, grains, hot and cold sandwiches, salads and toast with spreads are on the menu. Sous chef will be Brandon Brown.

The shopping center also saw the recent departure of gastro pub Bull & Finch, which closed in May after nine months.

What's cooking?

Two other restaurants also are on the way to the Charleston area.

In Cainhoy, a new venue by Florie's Dining Group is planned for 1937 Clements Ferry Road, Unit B, beside Dog & Duck restaurant and bar.

"My concept has changed since I purchased the place in January," said Brannon Florie. "Honestly, I'm still between two concepts. The space is small, so I am trying to make the best use of the space and still capitalize on what we are missing out here. I've lived on Clements Ferry for about eight years now."

He's leaning toward calling it Po Boy  Southern Refuge and Bar.

Florie doesn't have an opening date, but he is eyeing the end of summer for a launch.

Florie's Dining Group includes Pier 41 and The Basement in northern Mount Pleasant and Florie's at Commonhouse Aleworks in North Charleston.

Florie said he's considering a couple of other concepts for the northern side of the Charleston area but has nothing to announce.

Also on the way is a new restaurant in a former Pizza Hut in Goose Creek.

Pho Bowl LLC recently applied for a beer and wine license at 142 St. James Ave., Suite D, beside Food Lion supermarket. An opening date has not been announced.

Driving costs

South Carolina drivers can count on doling out even more more for the already-exorbitant cost of gasoline, starting in July.

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The state's gas tax will rise by 2 cents a gallon next month, the last of six annual increases passed by the General Assembly in 2017 to help pay for road, bridge and infrastructure construction.

The 2-cent tack-on will boost the tax to 28 cents per gallon.

Drivers in the Palmetto State are paying an average of $4.54 a gallon as of June 8, according to online fuel information provider GasBuddy. That's up $1.76 from last year at this time. The national average is $4.97 per gallon, up $1.90 from one year ago.

The higher price of fuel is partially the result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Prices were already rising before the war.

Now serving

Toast! All Day is now open with a second location in downtown Charleston.

Charleston Hospitality Group recently opened the sixth Toast location in the Lowcountry at 453 King St. in the former Monza pizzeria, which closed in February after a 13-year run.

Along with Southern comfort food offerings, the restaurant has incorporated the original wood-fired ovens to offer pizza as well. The menu also features seafood baskets, salads and sandwiches, as well as drink specials and artisan coffee selections.

The other downtown Toast is at 155 Meeting St. Two others are in Mount Pleasant, with one each in Summerville and West Ashley.

The restaurant group also includes Eli's Table, Queology, John King Bar & Grill, all in Charleston, and Honky Tonk Saloon in Ladson.

Relocated

Skatells Manufacturing Jewelers of West Ashley has moved to a new location.

The jewelry store is now at 821 Orleans Road after moving from 1798 Ashley River Road, according to owners Nan Butler and husband Jason, who also own the store in Mount Pleasant.

The scoop

Ye Ole Fashioned Cafe & Ice Cream Parlor will host the grand opening of its new location in West Ashley on June 10 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and an ice cream special all day.

Officials will snip the ribbon at 11 a.m., and small cups of ice cream in 32 flavors will be offered all day for 99 cents at the new restaurant at 1319 Sam Rittenberg Blvd. in Ashley Landing Shopping Center.
Nairobi  The Inspector-General of Police Hillary Mutyambai and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) Director-General George Njao have directed a joint multi-Agency crackdown to weed out all noncompliant motor vehicles and motorists, who are violating the Traffic Act and related laws.

Police Spokesperson Bruno Shioso said in a statement that the move is informed by the recent spike in accidents across the country.

"The directive takes immediate effect," Shioso said Wednesday.

He singled out a recent crash involving a Nairobi-bound which was ferrying passengers from Garissa which occurred along Thika Mwingi Road with a saloon car which left seven passengers dead and injured five.

The police Spokesperson called on motorists and road users to exercise caution while using roads to mitigate the rising cases of accidents.

"It is regrettable that most crashes are a result of human-related factors. Motorists and other road users are therefore reminded to remain vigilant, cautious, and responsible whilst in charge of a motor vehicle, or whenever using a public road as pedestrians," he said.

Shioso urged motorists and other road users to cooperate with the law enforcement agencies at the national and county levels towards achieving the objectives of this initiative.

He also called on the non-compliant vehicles to keep off public roads to avoid any inconvenience to passengers.

This move comes after a recent data from NTSA revealed that Kenya recorded 1,968 deaths as of June this year against 1,800 lives lost last year during the same period, the National Transport and Safety Authority has said.

This number translates to 9.3 per cent increase which is replicated under other categories of serious and slight injuries.

According to NTSA, this year's fatalities include 622 pedestrians, 545 motorcyclists, 322 passengers, and 192 pillion passengers.

181 drivers and 29 pedal-cyclists also lost their lives in the last six months.

In 2020, NTSA recorded 2,689 deaths between January and September as a result of road accidents
COLUMBIA  Three Democrats seeking to be governor sparred June 10 over who's more likely to beat Gov. Henry McMaster in November and push through a GOP-dominated Legislature an agenda that includes expanding Medicaid eligibility, raising teacher pay and legalizing marijuana.

Many of the ideas advocated by former congressman Joe Cunningham of Charleston, state Sen. Mia McLeod and health advocate Carlton Boyd, both of Columbia, echoed each other.

Asking voters to focus on "who gets things done," Cunningham argued he's proven he can beat the odds by flipping the coastal 1st District blue in 2018 for the first time in 40 years, and he'll do it again. McLeod, a state legislator since 2010, countered she's the only one with state government experience who's been fighting Republicans in the South Carolina Legislature for years on issues like abortion  adding she's also the only candidate "with a uterus" who's given birth.

Boyd, who's in his first bid for office, touted being a political novice.

"I dont owe anybody anything. I dont owe any promises," he said. Without being specific as to his opponents, he added, "I dont have a fabricated record, an exaggerated record or anything that will come back to haunt me."

The debate was tame, with no back-and-forth accusations between candidates or direct challenges.

One of the biggest splits in answers during the one-hour debate sponsored by SCETV and The Post and Courier followed a question on their proposals for combating gun violence.

Ideas rattled off by McLeod included a mandatory 14-day waiting period for gun purchases, requiring people to be at least 21 years old to buy a gun, and banning sales of AR-15-style weapons.

Semi-automatic rifles "should not be in the hands of civilians," she said. "They're weapons of war that should not be sold to civilians."

She also pointed to legislation she introduced earlier this year, which never received a hearing, that would require gun owners to purchase firearm liability insurance. She believes that would "curb the rash of break-ins" that provide criminals the guns they use to commit crimes.

Cunningham focused on his work in Congress to expand background checks and close the so-called Charleston loophole that allowed Dylann Roof to buy the gun he used to kill nine people at Emanuel AME Church in 2015. His bill, which passed the Democratic-controlled House in 2019, would have given the FBI 10 days, up from three, to complete background checks for gun purchases before sales can proceed by default  as it did with Roof.

McLeod advocates that too. But Cunningham touted how he got the bill through after working across the aisle to persuade Republicans to vote for it, saying he'd similarly be able to convince South Carolina legislators. However, while his bill passed the U.S. House largely on partisan lines, it died in the Senate.

Boyd offered a completely different take, saying that while he agreed with his opponents' sentiments, fixing the problem involves changing behavior through education.

"I'm in favor of putting counselors in the schools. We need to teach conflict resolution because it seems that is the root of the issue," he said. "We can create all the laws we want to, but the reality is we need to change the mindset. That's where we need to begin."

Acknowledging it's an "untraditional" idea, he said he also supports "teaching children first aid so when someone gets hit in a drive-by, they can run in the house and know how to save their family by making a tourniquet or CPR."

Two other Democrats on the ballot did not participate in the debate: Calvin "CJ Mack" McMillan, also of Columbia, and William "Cowboy" Williams of Florence. Both were invited but did not confirm whether they would attend, according to SCETV.

The debate will air again on SCETV networks at 8 p.m. June 13, the night before precinct polls open.

The candidates faced off ahead of the state Democratic Party's Blue Palmetto Dinner, headlined by Vice President Kamala Harris, and the party's regular state convention this weekend.
COLUMBIA  Under new rules for early voting, more South Carolinians have cast ballots ahead of primary day compared to 2018, the last time June elections decided Democrat and Republican nominees for statewide offices.

Statewide, nearly 92,000 people had voted as of June 9, with one day left in the early-voting span. That's already a hike of almost 60 percent compared to total early votes in the 2018 primaries, at 58,000, according to the South Carolina Elections Commission. A final tally for this year's early voting will be released June 13.

Richland County alone saw a jump of over 50 percent, with nearly 7,900 people voting early compared to four years ago. Richland had five in-person voting spots, tying with Florence County for the most locations.

That's a stark contrast to Lexington County, where the numbers were not much different. By June 9, about 2,800 people had voted early, just a couple dozen more than four years earlier. As in 28 other counties, Lexington had only one in-person early voting location this year.

A new law passed last month allowed for a two-week period of true early voting in South Carolina, ending the need for voters to choose from a list of excusable reasons for why they couldn't vote at their precinct on election day.

For the June 14 primaries, the first election under the new law, early voting ended at 5 p.m. June 10.

The new law allows for counties to have up to seven locations for early voting, but the timing of the law's passage caused election officials to scramble to comply. They expect to open more locations in November.

Absentee voting by mail is still an option with a few additional rules, but only for those who can't show up in person. The allowed list includes people with disabilities, those 65 and older, military personnel and people gone for the entire voting span, for whatever reason.

The law newly limits the number of mailed absentee ballots someone can return in person to their county office. Voters can hand-deliver their own paper ballot, plus five others, or simply return it by mail.

The new law also lets election officials open up the outer envelopes of absentee ballots a day early in order to get a head start on processing mailed-in or hand-delivered paper ballots. It also requires post-election audits in order to make sure someone's intended vote matches what the machine spits out.

During prior elections, Alexandria Stephens, the Richland County director of elections, said they had one more polling location in the North Springs community but were unable to use it for the primaries.

Stephens said the rise in early voters could be attributed to people, specifically younger voters, becoming more informed of what was happening in politics and government.

"There are all these different outlets and platforms to get that information out there and there's something to target each generation," Stephens said.

While there's not much difference in Lexington County's overall numbers, there's a huge shift in how votes are cast early, said Lenice Shoemaker, the Lexington County director of elections.

The number of people who cast paper ballots through the absentee process dropped by almost 90 percent this year compared to 2018, Shoemaker said.

The new law also changed the form used to request mail-in ballots. Because of this, the old forms were no longer accepted after May 31.

This left county election offices with three days until the forms were due, June 3, to get voters the updated form.

I am trying to call (voters) to send out the new applications and trying to get them to get those back to me so I can mail you those ballots," Shoemaker said. "But it's been a real quick turnaround, so people are frustrated with that."
Pop-Up Picks is a recurring series in The Post and Couriers Food Section that previews an upcoming pop-up breakfast, lunch or dinner and the chefs behind it.

Corey Phillips spent time in the kitchen at Charleston restaurants like Xiao Bao Biscuit and Pancito & Lefty, eventually departing the Holy City for Washington State and, later, Boston. There, he dedicated himself to the craft of making Neapolitan pizzas while working at a restaurant called Posto, located one mile north of Harvard University.

He quickly realized that diners went crazy for this saucy pie that originated in Naples, Italy. Phillips adored almost everything about the style, except for one thing: The sogginess at the center of the slice that developed when an abundance of sauce was combined with a thin crust.

Phillips prefers his pizzas less soupy, as he put it, than the traditional Neapolitan, so he decided to return to Charleston to launch a pop-up called Big Tent Pizza specializing in his take on the Neapolitan pie.

Before launching the venture, Phillips teamed up with his friend of more than 20 years Luke Alfano, a veterinarian technician who had never worked in the food and beverage industry. The duo grew up together in Cape Cod, Mass., and now theyre making pizzas together in a mobile wood-fired oven that's popping up around Charleston.

I guess it was just COVID. I was back in Massachusetts and there wasnt a lot of opportunity in restaurants, Phillips said discussing his decision to start his own business. (Luke) was a vet tech his whole life  hes never been in the food industry  and Ive known him forever, and we just decided to do this.

Big Tent Pizzas crust has that signature leoparding enthusiasts expect to find on a wood-fired pizza. For toppings, Phillips and Alfano serve traditional hits like cheese with pepperoni alongside some more adventurous combinations like the Goldfinch, adorned with mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, basil peanut pesto and fermented garlic honey.

Catch this pizza pop-up as it nears its one-year anniversary June 17 at Ships Wheel Hard Cider (starting at 6 p.m.), June 18-19 at The Whale (starting at 2 p.m.) and June 24 at The Brew Cellar (starting at 5 p.m.).
GREENVILLE COUNTY  After more than a month of pressure from residents who live near a proposed senior living facility on Roper Mountain Road in Simpsonville, Greenville County Council turned down a rezoning request to allow the building.

Madison, Wisc.-based Erdman wanted to add a Simpsonville location to its list of senior living and healthcare facilities across the country. The company proposed to buy 10.5 acres at Roper Mountain and Batesville roads near a recently-widened intersection in order to build a three-story main building with three wings for independent living, assisted living and memory care for senior citizens.

The company sought to rezone the land from R-S residential suburban to FRD, flexible review district, which would give the county more oversight in how the project developed.

But residents along Roper Mountain and the nearby Orchard Farms neighborhood cried foul, saying the development was too dense for their community and would introduce a commercial use near their homes. Nearly 500 residents signed a petition against the project and council members said they heard vociferous opposition throughout the process.

The plan received the approval of county staff, the county planning commission and the councils planning and development committee. But when it came to a key vote June 7 on second reading, Councilman Chris Harrison, who represents the area, voted against the proposal even though he said he thought it was a good project.

Harrison, a former county staff planner and planning commissioner, said the project put him at a crossroads because he felt the development provided benefits to the community and would likely have been a better use of the land than future projects.

I think it is evidently obvious that the surrounding residents are not in favor of this development, Harrison said.

When Harrison announced his plan to vote against the project, dozens of residents dressed in red to show their opposition cheered and clapped.

Councilman Ennis Fant said he had been opposed to the project but would have supported whatever decision Harrison made on the project. That, Fant said, would allow him to keep with the traditional way the council operates by deferring to the wishes of the representative of the district.

I applaud Councilman Harrison for coming to this conclusion, Fant said.

Left in its current zoning, 17 houses can be built on the site.
Editor's note: This is the first installment of a new series highlighting just-opened restaurants in Greenville and around the Upstate. Look for a new feature every Friday at postandcourier.com/greenville/food.

"Now open."

The words are magical in the hospitality business.

What comes before is months and sometimes years of conceiving an idea, raising capital, inevitable delays, getting the word out and hiring staff.

With so much involved and so many new restaurants and drink establishments opening in Greenville and the Upstate, what's actually open can be easy to miss.

To help you, the Post and Courier Greenville will feature a new "Now Open" each week to highlight the establishments that have survived the gauntlet and are ready to invite the world in.

Consider it a heads up.

For Now Open's inaugural week we point your attention to three.

Mr. Crisp

The new seafood restaurant concept envisioned by Greg McPhee  owner and chef of The Anchorage restaurant in the Village of West Greenville  is a prime example of an establishment easing into the full-on open stage.

Mr. Crisp officially opened June 1  but only after a series of soft openings the week before, during which the restaurant was able to assess its staffing levels and put out a call for a few more workers.

The restaurant, located in the new Overbrook Village development at 1501 East North St. east of downtown Greenville, was inspired by the early years McPhee spent in Toronto.

Fresh seafood is imported from the coast, and the menu will be based on what ingredients are available. Alex Morgan, who moved to Greenville from Portland, Maine, in 2018 to become executive chef of the James Beard-nominated Anchorage restaurant, will head the kitchen.

As the name suggests, fish and chips is the standout dish.

The menu also features a raw bar with oysters on the half shell, peel-and-eat shrimp or a raw bar platter with oysters, shrimp and smoked fish spread and ceviche. There are non-seafood items offered in chicken tikka jalfrezi, roasted lamb shoulder sandwich and non-meat options like South Carolina strawberry salad.

In its second week of opening, diners waited outside before the restaurant's 5 p.m. opening to get a spot at the bar, which is first-come.

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Cartwright Food Hall

Downtown Greer's newest addition was two years in the making and not entirely as envisioned. Owners Val and Elaine Kang originally were looking for a place to open a doughnut shop.

But when they walked through the space at 215 Trade St. that once served as a carriage house built at the turn of the 20th century, the concept of a food hall in a handsomely renovated piece of history was born.

Cartwright Food Hall, which features six local eateries carefully selected through an application process, opened June 2.

The food hall offers the opportunity to cater to multiple tastes all at once. There's the White Wine & Butter Cajun trattoria, Empanada Shack, Jamaica-flavored Mi Irie on Trade, Mo Mo's Sushi & More, Flying Fox Coffee and Tradestreet Taproom.

The food hall is broken up into four areas  downstairs, upstairs, a detached carriage house and an outside patio area, with 7,500 square feet of indoor space and another 1,500 square feet dedicated to outdoor seating.

The food hall is open every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

However, not all providers are open at the same times. The food hall directs patrons to its Facebook page for individual hours that are subject to change.

Keipi Restaurant

The ancient tradition of the Georgian keipi feast is a unique addition to Greenville's culinary culture.

That's Georgian as in the Republic of Georgia, a former Soviet-ear satellite state along the Black Sea and one of the oldest wine countries on Earth.

Central to the feast is the curated series of toasts by what's known as a "tamada," or toastmaster, who leads the table on what is supposed to be a familial and spiritual journey.

There's a lot to it, but not hard to follow when participating. Just make sure not to leave before the fifth toast, which is dedicated to the departed.

The food is served in shareable form. The staple is khachapuri, a Georgian style of cheese bread, served in flavor variations. Joining it are Georgian fries, lamb and pomegranate, and beet salad.

Keipi Restaurant opened in early May in the Hampton Station complex west of downtown Greenville. The restaurant  open every day but Monday  serves as a customary dine-in establishment with the special feast conducted only on Fridays and by reservation.

Have a suggestion for what's "Now Open?" Email econnor@postandcourier.com or Facebook or connect @cericconnor on Instagram and Twitter
Organizers have announced the date for the annual fundraiser honoring the youngest victim of the 2015 Emanuel AME Church shooting.

The eighth annual 5K Doughnut Dash: Race 4 Wanza will be held April 15, 2023, remembering Tywanza Sanders, who was 26 when he was killed alongside eight others by a white supremacist during Bible study.

The event raises money for college scholarships for minority high school seniors. Registration is available online at race4wanza2023.eventbrite.com.

Last year, the nonprofit gave away $4,000 in scholarships  the most money given away in the event's history.

"We are only seeing 2023 being bigger," said Dominique Gray, co-founder of nonprofit Race 4 Achievement Inc., organizer of the race.



Nearly seven years after the tragedy, Gray reflected on Sanders' legacy. Gray recalled Sanders' had a bright personality. The two were close friends.

"I miss getting hugs from him," Gray said. "His motor was always running. He was always happy. Always enthusiastic."

The event is sponsored by Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. Guests can participate both in person and virtually.

Registration will take place 7:30-8:30 a.m. at the rear parking lot of the South Windermere Center, 61 Folly Road Blvd. in West Ashley. Participants will run or walk down the West Ashley Greenway to Krispy Kreme Doughnuts at 1491 Savannah Highway, then return to the Windermere Center using the same route.

Money raised will be used to award several scholarships for graduating seniors at James Island Charter High School, West Ashley High, Burke High and the Charleston County School of the Arts. An additional scholarship will be given to a minority graduating senior enrolling at The Citadel, and The Daniel Stern Citadel Scholarship is given annually to a minority graduating senior in the Charleston area who will be enrolling at The Citadel.

This month will mark the seventh anniversary of the massacre, and other events honoring the victims of the 2015 tragedy will be taking place next week.

Faith groups across the country will mark the seventh anniversary by participating in a commemorative Bible study event on June 17, which will kick off a weekend of events that will include Juneteenth. The day's events will begin at 2 p.m. with a press conference.

Political dignitaries slated to attend include U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, Sen. Tim Scott and Mayor John Tecklenburg. Faith leaders at the event will include the Rev. James A. Forbes Jr., senior minister emeritus of The Riverside Church of New York, The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, and several others.

The Bible study will focus around the biblical passage in Mark 4:1-20, where Jesus tells a parable of a sower who planted seeds on different types of soil, discovering only the seeds that were thrown upon good soil produced a harvest. The same passage was the topic of the 2015 Bible study at Emanuel when the victims were killed.

Organizers believe the seventh anniversary of the tragedy presents a chance to ask "Within the nexus of race, history, and politics for this critical time: What kind of soil are we? What kind of soil is God calling us to become? What is God saying to America about its spiritual dilemma?

"We are looking forward to this self-examination that individuals can do and hopefully walk away with a better understanding that were all part of collective humanity," said the Rev. Eric Manning, pastor of Emanuel AME.
Following a June 7 order by the S.C. Supreme Court, some congregations that broke away from the Episcopal Church are optimistic they could end up keeping their properties after all.

On April 20, the state's top court ordered that 14 of the 29 congregations that split from the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina were to hand over the properties to the Episcopal Church. It appeared that the court's decision put an end to a decadelong legal battle over the ownership of dozens of church properties valued at roughly $200 million.

But in a stunning development Tuesday, the state's top court did not deny petitions for rehearing submitted by seven of those churches. Instead, the court requested that the Episcopal Church respond by June 20 to the arguments made by the seven parishes.

The court's order gives hope to some of the breakaway parishes, which fall within the Anglican Diocese of South Carolina umbrella, that they could, in fact, retain their valuable religious facilities.

We are encouraged by the recent development from the South Carolina Supreme Court and are buoyed by the hope that seven more of our parishes might keep their properties," said Bishop Chip Edgar of the Anglican Diocese. "But in all these legal matters, we are keeping our eyes focused on our Lord Jesus and the work he has called us to  to glorify God in worship and in our lives, to proclaim his name, to build up the church, and to love our neighbors as Christ loves us."

The seven churches are Old St. Andrews in West Ashley, Church of the Good Shepherd in West Ashley, Church of the Holy Cross in Stateburg, Church of the Holy Comforter in Sumter, St. Judes Church in Walterboro, St. Lukes Church in Hilton Head, and Trinity Church in Myrtle Beach.

An eighth church, Christ Church in Mount Pleasant, also petitioned for rehearing. But that petition was denied in its entirety.

"Today, we feel cautiously optimistic and hopeful," said the Rev. Marshall Huey, pastor of Old St. Andrew's. "We have prayed fervently for this. ... This is a wonderful development for us. Our legal counsel has been wonderful in guiding us through this process."

Meanwhile, on June 8, the Supreme Court finalized its decision to return seven congregations to the Episcopal Church: Holy Trinity in Charleston, St. Bartholomews in Hartsville, St. Davids in Cheraw, St. James on James Island, St. Johns on Johns Island, St. Matthews in Fort Motte, and Christ Church in Mount Pleasant.

We continue to move forward prayerfully in the hope and expectation of full resolution," said Bishop Ruth Woodliff-Stanley of the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina.

The court said in its April decision that 14 churches, including the seven petitioning for rehearing, did expressly agree to an Episcopal Church law that places all parish properties in a trust belonging to the national church.

Now, the seven churches are arguing that they never agreed to be part of the Episcopal Church's trust, implying the individual congregations should retain ownership of their properties.

The churches' second argument is that if a trust was in fact established, then it was legally revoked when the congregations adjusted their governing documents to sever ties with the Episcopal Church.

The court's April ruling also said 15 breakaway churches can retain their property since the congregations never explicitly conceded to the church law, known as the 1979 Dennis Canon.

The schism between the two groups boiled over in 2012 after years of arguments within the Episcopal Church over gay rights, scriptural interpretations and governance powers.

This latest development draws out a legal dispute that appeared resolved.

In the April decision, Justice John Few wrote that the ruling was final. "From our decision today, there will be no remand," Few said. "The case is over."

The additional orders this week indicate this long-fought feud will continue.
Editorials represent the institutional view of the newspaper. They are written and edited by the editorial staff, which operates separately from the news department. Editorial writers are not involved in newsroom operations.
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.
Nairobi  A man who was reported to have been forcibly kidnapped by unknown people in Lamu in June 2021 has finally been reunited with his family after more than 11 months in captivity, HAKI Africa has said.

The family and civil society groups had blamed Yasir Mahmoud Ahmed's disappearance to security agencies.

"HAKI Africa has received confirmation that Yasir Mahmoud Ahmed who was forcefully disappeared in 2021 in Lamu has been returned and is presently safe on Mombasa with family members. We received a call this morning from the family to confirm his return and to appreciate HAKI Africa for their efforts in helping to find him," read a statement from HAKI Africa, a Mombasa-based civil society organization.

While announcing Ahmed's reunion with his family, the lobby called on the security agencies to produce all the missing persons in the country for the sake of justice.

"HAKI Africa is calling for the return of all persons who have been forcefully disappeared," they added.

In April 2021, Missing Voices, a consortium of fifteen Civil society organizations, came out with a report indicating that there are many cases of enforced disappearances across the country than initially thought.

In 2021 alone, the human rights bodies documented 219 cases of police killings and enforced disappearances.

"Out of these, 187 cases were of police killings, and 32 of enforced disappearances. Of the 32 cases of enforced disappearances, two of the victims were later found alive after campaigns by civil society organizations," Missing Voices said.

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Originally, there were 36 cases of enforced disappearances; four of these were found dead more than 24 hours after disappearing in police custody, two were returned alive and 30 remain missing.

According to Missing Voices, 219 cases of police killings and enforced disappearances resulted from 161 separate incidents.

They singled out the Pangani Police Station of the infamous Pangani Six as the station with the highest number of disappearances that ended up with victims found murdered.

The civil society groups documented 30 cases of police killings reportedly associated with Pangani Police Station.

"In 2021, every month, with the exception of June, officers from Pangani are accused of murder. For the last three years, during which Missing Voices has actively tracked the data, police have killed more than 500 people," the report said.

In 2019, Missing Voice documented 145 cases of police killings. 168 people were killed or disappeared in police custody in 2020.
If youre still deciding whether to vote in Tuesdays primary elections (or cast an early vote today, your last opportunity to do that), weve got a really good reason you should: In most cases, it's either your only or by far your best chance to decide who wins. In some races, there won't be a race in November; in others, the primary winner will have an opponent on the November ballot, but that opponent won't have a prayer because of the way the district is drawn.

If the problem is that you dont feel like you know enough about the candidates to cast an informed ballot (and you really shouldnt vote if you dont), the League of Women Voters of South Carolina can help.

The S.C. chapter and its local affiliates are in their fifth year of participating in the national leagues Vote411 candidate guide, available at vote411.org, to provide basic voter information about our elections. The site will also show you your ballot, your polling place and other election basics, but its main role is to provide information about the candidates.

You can find information about your races by clicking on Find whats on your ballot near the top of the page and entering your address. Its trickier to find information about, say, all the candidates in your county or in your state, but thats available at onyourballot.vote411.org/race-index.do?c=29069398. (If you dont want to type that in, and we wouldn't, find the link in this editorial at postandcourier.com/opinion.)

The races aren't in alphabetical order, so once you're on the S.C. page, you will need to use your browser search function to find the races that interest you.

Its not a be-all and end-all research tool, but its a useful one because it includes basic biographical information on candidates and their answers, side by side for easy comparison, to some very basic questions, such as what their priorities are.

The site doesnt cover all the legislative and local primaries but focuses on areas where the league is most active (fortunately, the Charleston area is one of them). A lot of candidates dont respond, even though the league posts their answers whether it agrees with them or not. But the absence of a response can tell us something valuable  sometimes even more valuable than the responses.

If the candidates you have questions about didnt respond, dont forget that you can google them. That should give you news articles, in The Post and Courier or other publications. Additionally, it should give you their own websites, where theres sure to be lots of spin. But even spin can also tell you valuable things about candidates.
Agua, a 2-year-old Golden Retriever-Labrador mix, has been specially trained to detect water leaks with Berkeley County Water and Sanitation. Officials say she sniffs out chlorine gas and can detect leaks in minutes that would otherwise take days for humans to find.
The battle for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District race has been heavily influenced by outside political groups, which have poured nearly $1.7 million into the intense matchup between U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace and GOP challenger Katie Arrington.

That total, which could still grow between now and the June 14 primary, is a massive figure that is almost double the $892,500 spent here in the 2020 Republican primary.

The amount also easily dwarfs the $1 million outside groups spent during the entire 2018 midterm congressional race.

According to Andrew Mayersohn, a researcher at OpenSecrets, a nonpartisan campaign-finance research organization, the latest total makes South Carolina's 1st District race the 28th biggest for outside spending among all U.S. House races this cycle.

Outside spending in SC's 1st Congressional District Outside groups have long sought to sway Lowcountry voters in South Carolina's 1st Congressional District, and this year they are doing it again  big time. Here's a look at recent spending totals, and the major players involved. 2022 primary, so far: $1.65 million Top 3 spenders (and their totals): Winning for Women Action Fund ($557,809), Americans for Prosperity Action ($402,362), Value in Electing Women PAC ($245,000) 2020 primary $892,499 2020 general $15,453,937 Top 3 spenders (and their totals): Congressional Leadership Fund ($4,290,726), House Majority PAC ($2,224,682), National Republican Congressional Committee ($1,911,632) 2018 primary $20,563 2018 general $1,080,746 Top 3 spenders (and their totals): 314 Action Fund ($523,465), National Republican Congressional Committee ($228,411), Republican Party of South Carolina ($95,000) Source: Independent expenditures filed with FEC and OpenSecrets, a nonpartisan group that tracks money in politics and its effects on elections and policy

"It's not a lot in a general, but it is a lot in a primary," Mayersohn said.

The investments by outside groups are appearing as direct mail pieces as well as TV commercials featuring grainy, slow-motion footage with ominous narrators, and in digital ads on social media.

In a congressional district that has changed party hands twice in the last two elections, the outside cash suggests national conservative groups see the intra-party fight between Arrington and Mace as a competitive seat that Republicans must get right to win in November as the GOP seeks a majority in the U.S. House this year.

A review of independent expenditures shows at least nine conservative groups, including six super PACs, have spent $1.67 million in the race influencing Republican voters.

Compare that to the 7th Congressional District in Myrtle Beach, where outside spending in that contest only recently cleared the $330,000 mark in the past week. Most of that came in the form of a $307,000 investment by Grand Strand Pee Dee PAC, which describes itself as "a network of conservatives committed to reelecting Congressman Tom Rice."

The vast majority of the outside spending in the Charleston-to-Beaufort 1st District  almost $1.2 million  has come from conservative groups that are trying to support Mace or attack Arrington.

"This is just a more competitive district," College of Charleston political scientist Gibbs Knotts said. "And these outside groups really believe that, with the spending, they want to make good investments."

The biggest spender has been WFW Action Fund, the independent expenditure arm of Winning for Women, a national group dedicated to electing Republican women.

In the 1st District, the group has spent nearly $560,000 this cycle  the most WFW Action Fund has invested in any congressional race so far  and nearly all of those dollars are being spent on messaging to oppose Arrington, including two TV ads about tax increases.

Danielle Barrow, chief of staff for WFW Action Fund, said in a statement to The Post and Courier the group decided to play in this contest for a simple reason.

"While Katie Arrington voted with Democrats for the largest tax hike in South Carolina history, Nancy Mace has been fighting for the Lowcountry since day one. Mace is a true conservative who can keep this seat red in November and WFW Action Fund is proud to support her," Barrow said.

In one ad, the group takes aim at Arrington for her vote as a state lawmaker on a 2017 road gas tax bill, which marked the first gas tax increase in South Carolina in 30 years. It features Joe Biden "I did that!" stickers, which have been seen plastered on gas pumps in parts of the 1st District, along with a similarly styled sticker of Arrington that says "Katie Arrington did that!"

Mace, in a subsequent mailer of her own, has deployed similar imagery and language. PACs are not allowed to coordinate directly with candidates or political parties.

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Asked about the echoing messages, the Mace campaign said the congresswoman said the line about Arrington helping Biden drive up gas prices during a May 23 debate. The campaign first got the idea for using the "I did that" sticker visuals after seeing a billboard campaign by the National Republican Congressional Committee against U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids, a Kansas Democrat, in early May.

Chris D'Anna, Arrington's campaign spokesman, said the attack ads running against Arrington wont work on Lowcountry voters.

"We've said since day one Nancy is bought and paid for. I'm surprised she hasnt gotten tattoos of her special interest sponsors for all theyve done for her. The D.C. Swamp pouring money into this district is their way of saying this is a tight race. You only coordinate with your sewer rat friends to spend $2 million when you know you are losing," D'Anna said.

Austin McCubbin, Mace's campaign manager, suggested the opposite is occurring, pointing to the swell of outside investment as a positive sign.

"Republicans want winners for November. Nancy Mace is the proven fighter who won this seat back and went on to score an A-plus conservative voting record while representing this swing district. Our opponent might have more outside support if she didn't have the voting record of a tax-and-spend liberal," McCubbin said.

Other groups spending for Mace include Americans for Prosperity Action, Value in Electing Women PAC, American Principles Project, National Victory Action Fund and Women Speak Out PAC.

Meanwhile, Arrington has the far-right Drain the DC Swamp PAC, along with American Principles Project, and two pro-Trump groups: Our American Century and Make America Great Again, Again.

But in a sign that some of these outside messages could be starting to stick, Arrington's campaign began running a defense ad on cable TV this week. The 30-second spot, called "Fact," features Arrington speaking straight to camera as she addresses the suspension of her security clearance while working at the Department of Defense.

In the spot, Arrington also dinged Mace and her "D.C. swamp cronies" for spending nearly $2 million on Mace's behalf.

"Lowcountry neighbors, don't be fooled by the D.C. swamp. Biden's political hit job against me is just that. But I don't back down. Fact is Biden's DoD had to pay my legal fees and now they're withholding documents to try to keep me from exposing their corruption," Arrington said.

She is referring to a subsequent lawsuit she filed in April where she is demanding the Defense Department hand over all public records that discuss the suspension of her security clearance so that she can clear her name.

Recently, Arrington showed The Post and Courier a sworn affidavit, which was first shared with The Associated Press, from an intelligence officer who worked with her. In the affidavit, the individual stated they never worried about Arrington handling classified information, adding, "I am at a complete loss based on my specific knowledge of the matter as to what security infraction was allegedly committed."

But in a race that is being viewed as a test of former President Donald Trump's continued influence on Republican voters in an early presidential primary state, the outside spending by pro-Trump groups has been limited beyond a recent tele-rally hosted by Make America Great Again, Again, where Trump urged voters to support Arrington and Fry in their respective primaries.

Knotts said the outside money in this race could also hint at what GOP voters here may want moving forward.

"Maybe this gives us a first peek at who Republican donors are really banking on, and which side are they on in this split, and whether more are on the side of getting electable Republicans and maintaining power as opposed to picking someone more ideologically pure and connected to Trump," Knotts said.

Whoever wins the June 14 primary will face Democrat Annie Andrews, a Charleston pediatrician, in the November general election.
In its 46th season and with a new artistic vision, Spoleto Festival USA put a fine point on so many untold stories.

Some narratives were aching to be told, tamped down for decades as inconvenient truths to power.

Omar ibn Said, as immortalized by his own words in his autobiography, had his say on the stage of Sottile Theatre in the world premiere of "Omar." His words raced and sang across the theater, revealing his true account being enslaved and on his devotion to his Muslim faith. His journey was rendered operatic through music that spanned cultures.

In "POWER," choreographer Reggie Wilson of Fist and Heel Performance Group reimagined past stories manifest in movement that was lost to history.

Others were spun of desperation. In the unreliable narratives deftly planted into director/playwright Mark O'Rowe's "The Approach," three Irish women circle around one another to bridge misunderstandings while also fabricating richer lives. The greater truth, O'Rowe seems to suggest, comes in piecing them together as they interplay, gleaning the whole from its incongruous parts.

And interconnected stories came together as community, for better and for fractured. In "Until the Flood," Dael Orlandersmith gathered voices from Ferguson, Mo., to examine how the fissures of community can lead to deadly violence.

In the concert "Lift Every Voice," the principals and Spoleto Festival USA Chorus members joined to remind us to lift all of those voices, bringing the audience at the Charleston Gaillard Center off their feet in the Black national anthem.

In "Unholy Wars," we looked at stories through eye of the beholder. Given a new context, as the work of Baroque composers was seen through an Arab perspective, with Jerusalem in flames as the music played on.

And in its own winsome, physical theater way, even Machine de Cirque's "La Galerie" got into the act, too. Set in a chic museum space, the performers ultimately rolled around in a slick gloop of vibrant wet paint on a white canvas, then hung their work on the stage for all to see.

Making art, and talking art, is messy. Many of us liked that most about it when we were kids. These days, it can be all too easy to dodge the sticky and unpleasant. Instead, we stay in our preferred, tidy groove, mystified and inert by the less-than-well-kept truths emitting from our screens and feeds.

In the weeks and days leading up to this festival, America was once again, and once again more, reminded of the cost of our current societal breakdown.

In the glaring, chilling lurch, internet beasts loom, reaching the disenfranchised. In the digital space, cognition is rewired to confer heroism on those who rack up body counts paving the way for the isolated and bloodthirsty to purchase, post and point their over-the-counter triggers.

We have lost all channels to connect with one another, without the common ground essential to shared humanity.

So a heavy-hitting festival was in keeping with our troubled times. And the size of its respective audiences was often commensurate with a work's level of gravity. Facing down systemic racism in the American heartland? Not the easiest sell. Everyone is maxed out on tragedy. But nothing is fixed.

The origins of the festival audiences was often telling, too.

Spoleto, and society in general, needs to be intentional in making the safe space that is live performance accessible and accommodating to all, not just the longstanding dyed-in-the-wool arts patrons.

Many houses were missing segments of Charleston that should be invited and encouraged to share in that increasingly imperiled safe space.

I can't help wondering if the past weeks in the news would have been less tragic if the shutoff souls had something more connective and communalother than their cold, insidious computer screens.

Every day, in every way, we have to inch back toward such meaningful human connection. At Spoleto, talking the talk has now started. Let's all keep it going  and get working on walking that walk, too.
This edition of Spoleto Festival USAs Music in Time series offered an evocative exploration into composite themes embedded within the festivals programming this year.

Under the direction of John Kennedy, at least two of the three distinct offerings weaved common threads of complex identity, human displacement, migration, Afrofuturism and savage reflection with redeeming nuance. Stark and poignant, each event contributed to Spoleto's underlying subtext of careful curation, considering the space between relevant social conversation and existential meditation.

The first of three within the series was a trio-bill of performances at Festival Hall on Beaufain Street, set as a small, black box theater, encouraging minimal distraction. MacArthur Fellow, percussionist and composer Tyshawn Sorey was the featured artist at the beautifully renovated Sottile Theatre on George Street. And the third, appropriately premiered composer Nico Muhlys The Street: 14 Meditations on the Stations of the Cross in St. Matthews Lutheran Church on King Street, across from Marion Square.

Many performances in the Music in Time series highlight musicians and composers playing double and triple duty within the festival, whether bandleading in the Wells Fargo Jazz Series or performing in the Spoleto Festival Orchestra or Chorus, they exemplify wide-ranging talent and a full-bodied spectrum of artistry.

On May 29, bassoonist and composer Joy Guidry, along with percussionist Jessie Cox, were the first presenters of three distinct sets of repertoire for the series opener. The duo debuted selections from Guidrys new work, Radical Acceptance, a testament to the composers journey to forgiveness and grace from the generational trauma and strength of their ancestors.

Guidry, principle bassoonist in the Festivals operatic production of Omar, identifies as a fat, Black, queer, trans person, affirming this statement as the basis of their work. Their sound is reminiscent of avant-garde pioneer Ornette Coleman. The freedom Coleman found on a single-reed saxophone, Guidry finds on her double-reed bassoon.

They used looping and electronic patches, ambient field recordings, broken monologue and a womans voice singing Down in the Valley. The effect, combined with Coxs infusions of arco cymbal scraping and percussive embellishment, was stirring. At times a challenge to discern due to an auditory imbalance, their message was potent, and their acceptance, astute, feeling like years worth of therapy in one sitting, and ultimately, radical joy.

Soprano Nina Guo and bassist Edward Kass performed as Departure Duo, premiering Evils Peak, a death dance with text sung in Jamaican patois. A four-movement composition by Mikhail Johnson (b.1989) portrayed death as the ultimate unifier, a devil knocking on everyones door, be it the Church, the State, the Common and the not so Common.

Guos voice was pristine, while Kass infused contrasting elements of percussive bass and the acoustic stringed instruments tonal extremities  a delicate dance between high-low dialogue, life and death.

Percussionist Jessie Cox returned to the stage with his contribution this time in composition, Alongside a Chorus of Voices, conducted by Kamna Gupta. A string quartet and piano joined Gupta from the stage, while woodwinds and brass strategically encircled the audience, each connected to a bell that jangled as they moved.

The movement of the instrumentalists was of equal importance to the soundscape they were creating, oftentimes invasive. Playing on themes of displacement and migration, instruments wailed, howled and honked, as Cox delivered a cinematic thriller in his esoteric field of experimentation.

On June 7, The Street made its debut with a crucified Jesus of Nazareth as its backdrop. Scenes of the Fourteen Stations of the Cross were immortalized in the venues variegated stained glass windows, on either side of the brimming pews of attendees, and well within the music itself.

Marcus Amaker, Charlestons first Poet Laureate, narrated the captivating verse of scholar and librettist Alice Goodman, while an eight-person choir and a single harp, masterfully handled by Parker Ramsay, made for fluid call and response. Amakers alluring, interpretive cadence brought the intricacy of Goodmans modernized text to life.

The answer from the choir loft was without pause, cherubic and humanizing in the same breath. Ramsay imbued the passion of the theme through his contemplative lyricism, sudden dynamic shifts and by strumming his harp with a pick. The trinity of voices worked in a powerfully synchronistic way that made for an honest retelling of a cold hard truth, germane to our living history of persecution, condemnation and reverent devotion.

Director John Kennedy strikes again, imploring a curious audience to bring their open ears and minds to meet thought-provoking artistry. Music in Time allows a safe space for the most daring of executions of contemporary composition and performance.

Its an audacious snapshot in present time, rooted in an ever-present past and an exceedingly revelatory future, onward and upward.
Mandera  Deputy President William Ruto has promised Mandera residents he will accelerate issuance of national identity cards (ID) to them, if elected president in the August 9 polls.

Dr. Ruto who led the Kenya Kwanza leaders in a campaign trail for the North Eastern region running this week, promised to end historical injustices in the region.

He said the vice has retarded development, promising all Kenyans would be treated equally.

The Deputy President promised to enter into a political agreement with residents of Mandera and North Eastern in general, to ensure all his pledges are fulfilled.

He warned his political detractors that he would not allow them to interfere with his development agenda for the country through hate speech.

During an economic forum held in Mandera town, Dr Ruto said the region was lagging behind economically due to what he termed as poor leadership.

He also pledged to improve the local economy of all the pastoral communities if elected to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Dr Ruto said his government was keen on establishing irrigation schemes in the Arid and Semi-Arid parts of the Country.

The DP began his tour of North Eastern in Garissa County on Monday before taking the campaigns to Wajir on Tuesday. The campaign trail will proceed to Mandera South (Elwak) and expected to proceed to Mandera West (Takaba) and will traverse to Moyale and Marsabit. - Kna
Only hours away from the start of the prime time televised Watergate January 6 Committee hearings (drinking game to come in a separate post) under the chairmanship of Sam Ervin Bennie Thompson (who?), we have news out of the Washington Post about the latest episode from the Millennial Power Struggle.

This requires a preface. One of my favorite Monty Python sketches from 50 years ago ran with the idea of a joke that killeda one-liner that was literally so deadly that it was classified, broken up into parts for safe handling, weaponized, translated into German, and used to win one of the world wars. (Posted at the end here if you want to see it.)

But in the 21st century, as we know well by now, it is possible for a joke to kill your career.

Some time last week the Washington Posts Dave Weigel, a center-left reporter who wrote a pretty good book about progressive rock (so I have a soft sport for him, even if hes whacked at me a couple times), retweeted a joke by YouTuber Cam Harless. Here it is:

As you can see from the Likes, a lot of readers thought it was pretty funny, but we live in the age of Thats Not Funny (especially in elite newsrooms), and although Weigel took down the retweet and apologized, it was not enough for WaPo reporter Felicia Sonmez, who, as has widely been observed in the past week, really does sound like one half of this joke, as well as someone who would indeed boil your pet bunny. The Post suspended Weigel for a month without pay (at least Ilya Shaprio got paid while he was on leave from Georgetown Law during their sham investigation).

But Sonmez didnt let up, flaying the Washington Post on Twitter and attacking other Post staffers, decrying the fact that most of the people sticking up for the collegiality of the Post newsroom were white males. Ill spare you all the details of what even Vanity Fair is calling a clusterf social media meltdown. (Read the whole thing is you want full immersion in the junior high school that is the Post newsroom and Twitterverse.)

This afternoon the Post fired Sonmez. The New York Times reports:

In an emailed termination letter, which was viewed by The New York Times, Ms. Sonmez was told that The Post was ending her employment, effective immediately, for misconduct that includes insubordination, maligning your co-workers online and violating The Posts standards on workplace collegiality and inclusivity. The email also said Ms. Sonmezs public attempts to question the motives of your co-journalists undermined The Posts reputation. We cannot allow you to continue to work as a journalist representing The Washington Post, the letter said.

Lots of people have been saying all week, Are there no adults in charge at the Post?, but this step is still surprising, as she has sued the Post before for supposedly creating a hostile work environment (we covered the suit here last year) but the suit was so ludicrous that the judge dismissed it with prejudice, which meant she couldnt refile it in a different form, though her lawyer said shed appeal anyway. No one doubts that shell sue again now for wrongful termination, but good luck with that.

Look for her to land at Columbia Journalism School, down the hall from Columbia Laws likely new professor Chesa Boudin. Meanwhile, the next question is whether the Post will reinstate Weigel more quickly.
For some reason, we havent heard much about the whistleblower who has stepped forward with documents that belie the Biden administrations line about its Orwellian Disinformation Governance Board. Senators Grassley and Hawley append documents provided by the whistleblower to their letter addressed to DHS Secretary Mayorkas (embedded below via Scribd).

Chuck Ross covers the story for the Washington Free Beacon in Homeland Security Solicited Twitter To Become Involved in Disinfo Board. It appears that the Biden administration was lying to us  of course  about the mission of the board:

Department officials set up an April 28 meeting to ask Twitter to become involved in the disinformation project, according to a DHS itinerary. The meeting was planned with Yoel Roth, the Twitter executive behind the controversial decision to block New York Post stories about Bidens laptop from being shared on the platform in October 2020. The whistleblower documents, released by Republican senators on Wednesday, show Homeland Securitys plans for the disinformation board were more extensive than previously acknowledged. The department publicly announced the board on April 27, but did not disclose plans to work with social media companies. Homeland Security chief Alejandro Mayorkas said the board would function as a working group to track disinformation regarding human smuggling operations and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He insisted the board would have no operational authority or capability, though the itinerary for the Twitter meeting shows DHS saw it as an opportunity to discuss operationalizing public-private partnerships between DHS and Twitter. * * * * * According to the documents, Homeland Security officials planned to offer government data to Twitter to help the disinformation boards work. The DHS itinerary for the meeting urged Rob Silvers, the undersecretary for strategy, policy, and plans, to ask what data would be useful for Twitter to receive to help the company counter disinformation.

Ross adds: [Grassley and Hawley] noted it is unclear whether DHS held the April 28 meeting with Twitter. Neither DHS nor Twitter responded to Free Beacon requests for comment.

I learned of the documents via the Twitter feed of Dr. Jay Bhattacharya (tweets below). The powers that be want us to look elsewhere, but this warrants your attention.

New whistleblower documents describe the scope of the planned operations of the Biden Admin's Ministry of Truth. 1) The Ministry would regulate [d]isinformation related to the origins and effects of COVID-19 vaccines or the efficacy of masks." [1/3]https://t.co/aadxSL8VjG  Jay Bhattacharya (@DrJBhattacharya) June 9, 2022

Grassley Hawley to Deptofhomelandsecuritydisinformationgovernanceboard by Scott Johnson on Scribd
At least 65 children in 14 local governments in Jigawa State have died of an ailment suspected to be meningitis, residents and health officials in the area have told PREMIUM TIMES.

On Wednesday when this reporter visited Gumel, Babura and Sule-Tankarkar  some of the local government areas where the outbreak of the disease  residents and health officials explained that some of the children who succumbed to the disease complained of fever and numbness in their legs.

In Dungundun community in Sule-Tankarkar council area, the village head, Alkasim Yakubu, said 19 children had died of the disease and several are dealing with lifelong deformities as a result of the disease.

Mr Yakubu due to the outbreak, residents from neighbouring communities are staying away from Dungundun, to avoid catching the highly contagious disease.

The two octogenarians have died from the disease as well. He said the outbreak was first reported in the community middle of last month.

Many of the children died within 12 hours of contracting the disease. There is no functional health facility nearby. we rush some of them to Danladin Gumel Primary Health care in the neighbouring council area, he said.

He said the government has largely abandoned the communities since the outbreak.

Following the outbreak, a local government staff provided the community with a chemical being used in drinking water, since then, there is no any response from government official aside from you (referring to Journalists) who just came, the traditional ruler said.

Most of the dead were recorded at home, he said others have recovered from the disease with deformities, he added.

However, Mr Yakubu said a non-governmental organisation, Save the Children, has been helping to treat the children.

He said the organisation have been sensitising locals about environmental and personal hygiene, they are educating the children about the danger of open defecation and the imperative of hand washing.

Mr Yakubu said those who died in the community from the disease are: Abdulfatahu kanta, 3, Shaawa kanta, 3, Gambo Alka, 7, Umaru Audu, 2, Shuaibu Abba, 3, Samaila Magaji, 10, Rabilu Abdulaziz, 15, and Muktaka Muhammadu, 20.

Others are Zirkifilu Gambo, 8, Shahida Hassan,12, Shamsi Lawalli, 25, Habiba Yahaya,3, Habu Babandi, 3, Ashafa Maigari, 5, Ummah Miko, 4, Yau Jinaidu, 9, Yunusa Haruna, 4, Habi Lawan, 80, and Sabo Awe, 80.

At Mele community in Gumel Council Area, the head of the community, Yusuf Ahmad, said at least 21 members of his community have died from the outbreak.

He said local government health officials have been responding to the outbreak, he said at least 30 others have recovered from the disease.

Also, Akilu Dawaki, a community leader in Bubara Local Government Area, said the disease ravaged many communities. He said the most affected are Kanya Arewa and Kanya Yamma, which are densely populated.

We have reported the cases to local health officials, they are also doing their best in addressing the problem, they are educating the locals on the symptoms of the Meningitis

They are about 19 reported deaths including many children and women but many deaths are unreported in the council area, he said.

He said the Gidan Maja community has been particularly hit by the outbreak.

Mr Ahmad said eight children have died since the outbreak. Others community where the outbreak has been reported includes Jigawa, Babura Kofar Yamma, Kwando, Insha Ruwa, Gidan Ibira, and Alfatiha.

Victim narrates experience

Ado Kanta, who lost two of his children to the outbreak, narrated how they died helplessly at home, and in a hospital within a five-day interval.

Its a pity to see children dying, the experience has long-term devastating effects on any parent. My son, Abdulfatahu, 3, suddenly felt sick, he started vomiting and diarrhoea, he died minutes later at home.

His sister, Shaawa, thee-year-old, also, developed the symptoms of the disease, she was rushed to Danladin Gumel Primary Health Care facility, about ten kilometres, they rejected her and referred us to Gumel, the local council headquarters where she gave up the ghost.

Children are gifts from God Almighty, he can also take back at the time he wishes, as humans, we will always feel bad when we lost our loved ones, Mr Kanta told reporters.

As the outbreak continued, without a response from the government, we resort to God Almighty, Surprisingly, a strange cleric came and advise people to gather money and slaughter animals in seeking Gods intervention.

Samaila Mahmud, the states epidemiologist, told reporters on Thursday that 257 cases were recorded from 14 Local Government Areas.

Mr Mahmud said ten of the cases were confirmed to be meningitis. He said the government and Save The Children International are responding to the outbreak.

We have embarked on training for health officials and community volunteers across the council areas to detect and educate the locals on the outbreak, he said.

He said the state government have also embarked on sensitisation programs through Radio Jingles, educating the residents on preventive measures.

Save The Children International, said it is providing support to the Jigawa State government in response to the outbreak in the state.

Save the Children International is supporting the training of health workers and provision of drugs and medical consumables across 17 health facilities in the state, said Ibrahim Haruna, an advocacy official said.

To raise awareness, improve preventive and care-seeking practice and strengthen the capacity of community structures on early preparedness and response to mitigate future outbreaks, Save the Children International (SCI) in collaboration with state and LGA stakeholders are engaging with communities across the six most affected LGAs in the state, Mr Haruna said.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said an estimated 420,000 persons die annually across the world from consuming contaminated foods.

The fatalities, according to the global health body, are from an estimated 600 million people who globally fall sick from eating food contaminated by bacteria, viruses, or chemical substances.

WHO country representative in Nigeria, Walter Molumbo, while speaking at an event to commemorate the World Food Safety Day on Thursday, said there are over 200 of these diseases, ranging from diarrhoea to cancers.

Represented by WHO deputy country representative, Alex Chimbaru, he said efforts must be made to reduce the number of deaths and cases recorded every year.

He said the United Nations General Assembly in 2018 adopted resolution 73/250 proclaiming June 7 as World Food Safety Day, taking into account the global burden of food-borne diseases.

He added that these food-borne diseases affect individuals of all ages, and particularly children under five years and persons living in low-income regions.

Mr Mulombo said the resolution acknowledges that there is no food security without food safety.

He further explained that in a world where the food supply chain has become more complex, any adverse food safety incident may have global negative effects on public health, trade, and the economy.

We all have a role to play; whether we grow, process, transport, store, sell, buy, prepare or serve food, food safety is in all our hands. And if we work together, we can all help achieve safer food for better health, he said.

World Food Safety Day

The World Food Safety Day is marked on June 7, 2022, to draw attention and mobilise action to prevent, detect and manage food-borne risks and improve human health.

This years theme is Safer Food, Better Health.

Mr Mulombo said the theme highlights the role that safe and nutritional food plays in ensuring human health and well-being and calls for a set of specific actions for different stakeholders to make food safer.

He said the benefits of safe food include improved nutrition and reduced absenteeism in schools and the workplace.

He said the WHO will continue to work with ministries of health, environment and agencies to advocate for food safety as an important component of health security and for integrating food safety into national policies and programmes.

The country representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Nigeria, Fred Kafeero, said food safety plays an important role in human lives and that this years theme emphasises the importance of safe food to the planet.

Mr Kafeero said the food chain is overly exposed to several risks and hazards.

Everyone has a role to play to ensure the foods we take are safe for a better tomorrow, he said.

He said Nigeria needs to continually improve its food supply chains to prevent infectious and toxic hazards, microbial pathogens, chemical residues, biotoxins and other noxious substances from getting onto our foods.

On SDGs

In his remark, the United Nations (UN) resident and humanitarian coordinator, Matthias Schmale, said with one in 10 people falling ill from contaminated food each year, food-borne diseases are a major international challenge that remains under-discussed.

Mr Schmale said the situation is also poorly understood, especially its impacts on peoples health and economies.

He said in Nigeria, 200,000 people die of food poisoning each year, according to NAFDAC. He said more awareness and sensitisation on the dangers of unsafe food is needed in Nigeria.

A message at the core of this campaign is: If it is not safe, it is not food. This needs to be taken to heart here in Nigeria because it will save lives, he said.

Mr Schmale said all hands must be on deck for the country to achieve sustainable development goals (SDG) by 2030.

He said food safety underlines many of the goals including SDG 2 on Zero Hunger, SDG 3 on good health and well-being, and SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth.

Food safety contributes to the achievement of the SDGs and is a truly cross-cutting area.

Poor food safety practices have detrimental effects on health, on our families, on the capacity of the workforce, on tourism, on our healthcare systems, and our economy, he said.

He urged regulatory agencies of the food safety industry to diligently implement policy measures and legal frameworks toward strengthening the national food safety system and ensuring it complies with food safety standards.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday night hosted All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, at the State House, Abuja.

Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, Mr Tinubu pledged to sustain Mr Buharis legacies if he wins the election and is sworn in as his successor.

He commended the president for providing a level-playing field for the process of selecting the partys presidential candidate.

He recalled that the president had promised many times that he would support the democratic process and he had proven that with the partys presidential primary, which he won.

He promised the whole country and the world that he will build a legacy of transparency and consistency, legacy of a level-playing ground for all the aspirants. He will be committed to democratic principles and values and he did so.

He didnt endorse anybody, he didnt impose anybody, he did not, at any time, attempt to tinker with the process of this election to favour one tribe or the other. He was steadfast, he was trust worthy, he was dependable, he was a leader,

If he had to give it to anybody, its not my victory that is important, its the process and the management of that election that gave it to President Muhammadu Buhari, he said.

Asked also of the choice of his running mate, he said I wont tell you that. That is my right, its in my pocket book.

The APC presidential candidate was accompanied on the visit by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and Wale Tinubu of OANDO.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Tinubu emerged winner of the APC presidential primary election held at Eagle Square, Abuja, between June 7 and 8.

Mr Tinubu garnered 1,271 votes to defeat his closest rivals, Rotimi Amaechi, and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who scored 316 and 235 votes respectively while Senate President Ahmad Lawan got 152 votes.

Mr Buhari had on June 8 congratulated Mr Tinubu, the APC Presidential Flagbearer in the 2023 elections.

He said: Having emerged victorious he has our full and unwavering support.

Now our party must unite behind our candidate to achieve victory at the 2023 elections so that our government will continue to secure our communities, grow our economy and continue the fight against corruption.

(NAN)
The emergence of a former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 general election was no doubt a well-fought victory.

The former governor defeated 13 other aspirants to clinch the ticket at the primary concluded on Wednesday in Abuja. He polled 1,271 votes to emerge winner while his closest rival, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, got 316 votes. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo came third with 253 votes. The Electoral Committee voided 13 votes after the exercise

Mr Tinubu was one of the 23 aspirants cleared to take part in the primary conducted in Abuja from June 7 to 8.

Before the voting process began, seven of the 23 aspirants withdrew from the contest and declared support for Mr Tinubu, while another one stepped down for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. Furthermore, one aspirant stepped down but did not declare support for any of his co-contestants. As a result, only 14 of the 23 aspirants took part in the primary.

A total of 2,203 delegates accredited to vote were APC party members elected from the 774 local government areas in Nigeria.

Below are the real winners and losers of the primary election following the roles they played before and during the contest.

WINNERS

1. Bola Tinubu

Mr Tinubu cruised to victory with a landslide of 1,271 votes. While his emergence at the just concluded primary was his first attempt at the presidency, he expressed deep appreciation to all whose contributions in one way or the other made it happen.

An elated Mr Tinubu, who defeated his co-contestants with a wide margin, while delivering his acceptance speech, said he did not expect to win the partys presidential primary.

I did not expect to win, I won. I must be intoxicated with victory, he said.

Mr Tinubu also said he holds no grudges against members of his party who worked against his candidature.

The competition is now over. Those who did not support me, you have nothing to fear. I hold no grudges and grievances. Let us each agree to join hands in defeating PDP and beat back their retrogressive understanding of Nigeria, he said.

Mr Tinubu faced stiff opposition from some of his former allies, including Mr Osinbajo, and some members of the cabal, people believed to be close to President Muhammadu Buhari who wanted the president to endorse someone else as the consensus candidate.

Likewise, his victory suggests a major relief to some prominent members of the party who had stepped down to back his aspiration.

Also, it affirms the position of many members of the APC who believe Mr Tinubu is the most experienced among the contestants to face Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in next years general elections.

2. Northern APC governors

But for the insistence of governors of northern states controlled by the APC that the presidential power should shift to the south after eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner, the entire exercise may have gone a different direction. Also, Mr Tinubu may not have emerged victorious.

The governors on Saturday threw their weight behind the quest for a southern president. They eventually met with Mr Buhari to sell the idea to him. In the end, Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State withdrew from the race. But Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and former Governor Ahmed Sani of Zamfara State went ahead to run.

The APC has 14 northern governors. Just as the joint stance of 13 of them helped secure victory for Mr Tinubu, he could have lost the election if they had taken an opposite stance.

3. Kayode Fayemi

Mr Fayemi is considered a member of the broader Tinubu political family as the former Lagos governor played a prominent role in his governorship elections.

It did not, however, surprise many that Mr Fayemi decided to contest against his benefactor as the relationship between both men had deteriorated.

The stance of Mr Fayemi to contest against Mr Tinubu put him in the bad books of many of the latters supporters.

However, his decision to step down for his leader just before the commencement of voting earned him the accolade of some of Mr Tinubus supporters. It is believed that the 48 delegates from Ekiti, most of whom would have voted for Mr Fayemi, ended up voting for Mr Tinubu.

Had Mr Fayemi not stepped down, it would not have been a surprise to see Mr Tinubu mobilise his resources (in the South-west) against Mr Fayemis anointed candidate in the June 18 governorship election in Ekiti.

4. Godswill Akpabio and others

Ex-Niger Delta minister and former governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, was the first among the seven aspirants who stepped down to support Mr Tinubu to victory at the poll.

He asked the 93 delegates from his state to support Mr Tinubu.

Mr Akpabio may, however, have simply played smart as he knew before stepping down that all the Akwa Ibom delegates would not be allowed to vote due to a court order stopping them from participating in the process.

Although he may have gotten zero votes at the convention, his decision to step down, and him being the first to do so among the cleared aspirants, put him in the good books of supporters of Mr Tinubu.

The kind gesture earned Mr Akpabio and other aspirants  Ajayi Boroffice, Uju Ken-Ohanenye, Mr Fayemi, Ibikunle Amosun and former House of Representatives Speaker Oladimeji Bankole  who backed down from the race, special recognition from Mr Tinubu.

Like Mr Akpabio, the other six aspirants who stepped down can also be considered winners of the convention.

Mr Tinubu may have roles for them if he eventually wins the presidential election.

Mr Akpabio will also be hoping that Mr Buhari reappoints him to head the Niger Delta ministry as the post is still vacant.

5. Chris Ngige

Mr Ngige, the current labour minister, will consider himself a very lucky (or smart) person.

He had declared his presidential ambition and secured his N100 million nomination form.

But after President Buhari directed ministers seeking elective positions to resign, he had a rethink. He withdrew from the presidential race and preferred to keep his ministerial seat.

That has turned out to be a smart move.

The former Anambra governor may have gotten some votes, from Anambra delegates, but would have lost the presidential primary, and likely his ministerial seat.

6. APC

Arguably, the most important winner from the APC primary is the party itself.

Many analysts had predicted doom for a ruling party that has never gotten its house in order since it came into power in 2015. In fact, the party has had to postpone its convention several times to, among others, avert the worsening of its crises.

The crises in the APC are multi-faceted and multi-layered but the party appears to have temporarily put them aside with the outcome of the convention.

Mr Tinubu alluded to this in his victory speech when he said: It appeared some weeks back that some newspapers and many people were ready to write the obituary of this party. We put together and pulled ourselves as a cat of nine lives.

Shame on them, our party is alive, he said.

THE LOSERS

Of the 14 aspirants who gunned for the APC ticket, only six of the candidates managed to pull some significant votes from the delegates.

Ex-transport minister Rotimi Amaechi came second with 316 votes, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo came a distant third with 235 votes while Senate President Ahmad Lawan came fourth with 152 votes.

Others are Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello (47), Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade (37), Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State (38) and former Zamfara governor, Ahmad Sani, who had four votes.

Four of the aspirants had zero votes.

But it was not only the aspirants that lost at the convention that were the losers, some of the real losers were not in the race.

1. Yahaya Bello of Kogi State

Mr Bello was the only governor of a northern state controlled by the APC that opposed the zoning of the partys presidential ticket to the south.

The other 13 northern governors in the APC met and agreed to the zoning arrangement. Mr Bello, however, insisted on contesting and said he would win if the process was credible.

He also spent a lot of money on campaigns with his adverts donning billboards and appearing on prominent TV stations.

However, on the day of the primary, he could not even secure the votes of all the delegates from his state. Only 47 delegates voted for Mr Bello while Kogi has 63 delegates.

Despite his jubilation, after his vote was announced, Mr Bellos campaign organisation described the primary as a peaceful but highly compromised one.

2. Ben Ayade of Cross River State

Mr Ayade was elected governor on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but decamped to the APC last year.

Mr Ayade was one of the aspirants who did not win the primary, but he is on this list mainly because he could not secure all the votes of delegates from his state.

After describing himself as a man with the enthusiasm of a youth and the wisdom of a 60-year-old while addressing the delegates on Tuesday night, the governor could only secure 37 votes. Cross River has a total of 54 accredited delegates. This implies that at least 17 delegates from the state did not vote for their governor.

3. Rochas Okorocha, the Imo senator

Mr Okorocha addressed delegates in three languages (English, Hausa and Igbo) while trying to convince them. It was not enough.

Despite being Imo State governor for two consecutive terms (2011 to 2019) and currently a serving senator, Mr Okorocha could not get any of the 81 delegates from the state to vote for him. In fact, he could not get any of the over 2,000 delegates at the convention to vote for him as he scored zero votes.

He is currently being prosecuted for allegedly stealing public funds while he was governor.

4. Rotimi Amaechi

Mr Amaechi was the first runner up in the primary and scored more votes than some other major contenders including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Senate President Ahmad Lawan.

However, Mr Amaechis loss is not limited to losing the primary.

He is one of the ministers who had to resign their position to seek the presidential ticket.

He was also one of the star ministers of the Buhari administration and spearheaded the governments rail projects across the country. It is unclear whether he would be reappointed as transport minister by President Buhari. The position is still vacant.

However, Mr Amaechis greatest loss from the primary may turn out to be something different from the ministerial position.

As a minister and close ally to the president, Mr Amaechi has been able to largely stave off the formerly stiff challenge for the control of the APC in his home Rivers State.

His major challenger for the control of Rivers APC, Magnus Abe, is a key ally of Mr Tinubu and strongly supported the ex-Lagos governors candidacy.

Mr Amaechi has congratulated Mr Tinubu and pledged his commitment to your success at the polls but observers will wait to see whether that will dissuade Mr Tinubu, should he win the presidential election, from helping Mr Abe take control of the Rivers APC.

5. Ogbonnaya Onu

For a man whose performance as a minister can be, at best, considered lacklustre, many were surprised when Mr Onu resigned his position to contest the presidential election.

Mr Onu, a former governor of the old Abia State, had also sought a presidential ticket of a major party in 1999, at the outset of Nigerias current democratic dispensation.

He was appointed minister of science and technology by Mr Buhari and resigned following the presidents directive after he had paid the N100 million for the presidential form of the APC.

He appeared to have based his presidential ambition on the hope that the APC would zone its presidential ticket to the South-east and railed about that while addressing the APC delegates on Tuesday.

Mr Onu could not even secure 10 per cent of the 39 votes of the delegates from his home Ebonyi State. He had only one vote at the convention.

He would be hoping that President Buhari reappoints him to his still vacant position of science and technology minister.

6. Emeka Nwajiuba

Many Nigerians were surprised when Mr Nwajiuba resigned his ministerial position to pursue his presidential ambition.

As minister of state for education, Mr Nwajiuba was relatively unknown and his ministry was among the worst-rated by Nigerians with incessant strikes by workers in the countrys educational institutions.

So, when Mr Nwajiuba paid N100 million for the APC presidential form, many expressed surprise. Perhaps because of his conviction that he could win, he was also the first minister to resign his position and did so before President Buharis directive.

He was, however, conspicuously absent at the APC convention explaining later that he was disappointed that the presidential ticket was not zoned to the South-east.

Despite his absence at the convention, he secured one vote.

It is uncertain if he would be reappointed minister to fill his still vacant position.

7. Aso Rock Cabal

Some relatives and associates of Mr Buhari at the presidential villa who the media call the cabal, tried to convince the president to anoint the Central Bank governor, Godwin Emefiele and former President Goodluck Jonathan as the APCs presidential candidate. Their efforts failed.

The presidents wife, Aisha Buhari, had also in the past blamed the cabal for the tense relationship between Mr Buhari and Mr Tinubu. She accused them of hijacking her husbands government.

With Mr Tinubus victory, the cabals moves to determine the potential successor of the president have failed.

8. Ahmad Lawan

Ahmad Lawan could have been Nigerias Senate President in 2015 when the APC came into power. He had the backing of the party leadership, particularly that of Mr Tinubu.

But Mr Buharis inaction, or indifference, led to victory for Kwara Senator Bukola Saraki. The APC government never recovered from that action in the first term of the president as there were incessant squabbles between the Executive and the Legislature.

However, in 2019, Mr Saraki, who had defected to the PDP, lost his senatorial election. The APC leadership, again including Mr Tinubu, mobilised support for Mr Lawan against Ali Ndume, another APC senator. Mr Lawan eventually emerged as senate president.

Mr Lawan was initially thought to be one of the backers of Mr Tinubu for the presidential race. He was a late entrant into the presidential race and was touted as the consensus candidate.

In his victory speech on Wednesday, Mr Tinubu showed his displeasure at Mr Lawans decision to contest against him, although in a light mood.

I would have been a little upset because you compete with me but that is over now since you can easily leak your wounds, the winner said.

9. Yemi Osinbajo

Despite being the only aspirant who received a standing ovation from Mr Buhari after delivering a top-notch and highly spirited address to the delegates on Tuesday night, Mr Osinbajo lost the presidential primary.

In his final speech to the delegates before voting, Mr Osinbajo made a heartwarming plea on why he should get the partys ticket.

We are a religious nation; we believe in the power of prayer. We all pray for a country that is peaceful and prosperous,.

But God allows us by our votes to show him whether we mean the prayers we pray or not. You cannot wish this country well and vote for someone you do not believe in.

So, our dear delegates, when you vote tonight, know that your vote carries the answer to your prayers for the future of our children, for the future of our country, he said.

Mr Osinbajo came third in the contest behind Messrs Tinubu and Amaechi.

But Mr Osinbajos loss goes beyond losing at the primary.

By choosing to contest against Mr Tinubu, his political benefactor, many Nigerians consider Mr Osinbajo a betrayal.

It was Mr Tinubu who appointed Mr Osinbajo, then an academic, as a commissioner. He served as justice commissioner for the eight years Mr Tinubu was the governor of Lagos.

It was also Mr Tinubu who nominated Mr Osinbajo as the vice-presidential candidate of Mr Buhari in 2015. Messrs Tinubu and Osinbajo were close allies until the build-up to the current elections.

Mr Osinbajo will, therefore, have lost many friends and former political allies and supporters because of his decision.

The vice president has congratulated Mr Tinubu and called on all APC members to support the partys candidate.

Also, Mr Tinubu has appealed for Mr Osinbajos support and those of other co-contestants for the party to achieve victory in the 2023 election.

Abdullahi Adamu

While Mr Tinubu knew he had 22 challengers for the APC ticket, arguably the greatest threat to his ambition was not from any of his opponents but from the head of the party.

As the national chairman of the APC, many would have expected Abdullahi Adamu to be neutral in the primaries or pretend to be neutral. He was neither.

As part of his antics to prevent Mr Tinubu from clinching the presidential ticket, Mr Adamu made two controversial moves a few days before the convention.

First, he threatened that the party would punish Mr Tinubu for his statement that appeared critical of President Buhari. Then he told the partys leadership that President Buhari had endorsed Mr Lawan as the consensus candidate. Both views were rejected by other members of the partys executive, the NWC.

The presidency also denied that Mr Buhari endorsed Mr Lawan or any other presidential aspirant.

Despite Mr Adamus machinations, Mr Tinubu won the primaries.

Mr Adamu has since congratulated Mr Tinubu and pledged to work for his victory in the presidential election.

Mr Tinubu may not want to rock the boat until after the main presidential election next year, but very few people would be surprised if Mr Adamu is removed as party chairman after the election.
The presidential candidate of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, on Thursday evening paid an unscheduled visit to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the latters Aguda House residence, Abuja.

The APC flag bearer also visited President Muhammadu Buhari before proceeding to Aguda House.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Tinubu defeated Mr Osinbajo and 12 others at the just concluded presidential primary of the APC.

Mr Tinubu polled 1,271 votes to emerge victorious while Mr Osinbajo polled 235 votes to come third behind Mr Tinubu and ex-transport minister Rotimi Amaechi who polled 316 votes.

The visit occured a few hours after Mr Osinbajo congratulated Mr Tinubu for the victory and pledged to work with him to emerge victorious in the general election.

A source who was at the residence of Mr Osinbajo when Mr Tinubu arrived said, We were just sitting around when the vice president was informed that Asiwaju has arrived.

The source, who declined to be named as he has no permission to talk to journalists, said the former Lagos governor was jovial throughout the visit and shared the story of Mr Osinbajos contributions not just to him as a person but to his political sojourn.

He particularly recalled the efforts of the vice president in securing court victories for the defunct ACN especially with the court case in Osun State, he said.

The source said Tinubu narrated how Mr Osinbajo went to the UK at a time of extreme weather to get fingerprint technology that was used to help the court cases.

Asiwaju said he is surprised that people assume the presidential contest will create a wedge between him and the vice president. He told us that they have come a long way and they are like blood brothers now.

He said what happened was just democracy in action and there was nothing wrong with it, the source said.

Mr Tinubu was accompanied on the visit by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and some other politicians.

Mr Tinubu will now challenge Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the PDP, and those of other opposition parties in next years presidential election.
The Ondo State Commissioner for Health, Banji Ajaka, has said that 40 people were killed in last Sundays shooting at a church in Owo.

Gunmen stormed the church on Sunday morning, opened fire on the congregation, and also detonated explosives as the worshippers scampered for safety.

Police said the gunmen got to the church at about 11.30 a.m.

Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, the lawmaker representing Owo Constituency I, who visited the scene shortly after the attack, had put the casualty figures at at least 70 people killed and injured.

On Tuesday, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu said 80 worshippers were victims of the attack, including 22 people who died.

On Wednesday, the state government reviewed the casualty figures to 127, including 40 dead.

The situation report as at 12 midnight, on Tuesday 7/6/22 at St. Louis Hospital, Owo, 39 people were involved and 13 deaths (confirmed). At the Federal Medical Centre, Owo, a total number of persons involved is 84 and number of corpses in the FMC mortuary is 25; female, 17, and eight males, Mr Ajaka said in a statement.

He also added that two deaths were recorded from two private hospitals in the state.

Meanwhile, the state governor has promised to immortalize all who died from the attack.

The governor said this while hosting a delegation of bishops in the southwest who had paid him a condolence visit on Wednesday.

He promised to build a memorial park in honour of the deceased persons.

We will have a Memorial Park here, where those who died in the attack will be buried, he said.

My Bishop sir, we will find a good place as a Memorial Park. It will also be my suggestion that even if there are people who have retrieved their family or members of their family, we must still have a symbolic grave there for them. And it will be there forever, it is not something we can forget and we should never forget it.
The Independent National Electoral Commission in Akwa Ibom State has said that the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State has no governorship candidate for the 2023 general elections.

This was contained in a report sent to the INEC headquarters in Abuja by the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akwa Ibom, Mike Igini.

The report came less than two weeks after PREMIUM TIMES reported that the APC in the state may not produce a governorship candidate for the 2023 general election.

We wish to report that the APC governorship primary scheduled to hold on Thursday, May 26, 2022, at the Sheergrace Arena, Nsikak Eduok Avenue, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State did not hold at all, Mr Igini said in a letter to INEC headquarters in Abuja dated May 27.

According to the report, the commissions monitoring team, led by Mr Igini, in the company of the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom, Andrew Amiengheme, arrived at the venue of the primary for the third time at 6:45 p.m., without seeing anyone.

The heads of the two federal agencies were informed that the APC election committee members were held up by an angry group of APC members along a major road in Uyo.

The operatives of the State Security Services (SSS) later rescued the APC election officials that night and took them to their (SSS) facility in the city.

This newspaper, last month, reported how supporters of the two APC factions in the Akwa Ibom fought over the control of voting materials meant for the conduct of party primaries in the state.

The Chairman of the Election Committee, Tunde Ajibulu had told Mr Igini on the phone that he was unable to leave the SSS office because he was traumatised and could go ahead with the primary.

Mr Ajibulu reportedly told Mr Igini that Sheergrace Arena was not the venue given to him by the partys national office in Abuja to conduct the governorship primary and concluded that all activities be postponed until he gets back at the Commission.

Mr Igini at that point briefed the reporters who were present at the venue. He left the venue at about 10:30 p.m. that day.

The APC faction that is backed by Mr Akpabio later held the governorship primary of the party around midnight at a different venue, where Akan Udofia, a man who was less than a month old in the party, was declared winner of the exercise.

A governorship aspirant and former national secretary of the APC, John Akpanudoedehe, because of frustration over the issue, defected to the New Nigerian Peoples Party where he secured the partys governorship ticket for the 2023 election in the state.

Before Mr Akpanudoedehes exit from the party, the APC in Akwa Ibom had been torn into two factions because of a protracted battle between him and a former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, over the control of the party structure in the state.

Mr Akpabio on Thursday won the senatorial primary for the Akwa Ibom North-West District, conducted by a faction loyal to him. But his victory is not recognised by INEC.
Mombasa  The completed phase two of the Second Container Terminal at the Port of Mombasa with an additional annual capacity of 450,000 TEUs has officially been handed over to Kenya Ports Authority.

Speaking on Tuesday during the project handover ceremony, KPA acting Managing Director Amb. John Mwangemi said the project comprises the construction of the 300 m long berth number 22 and other administrative facilities and has a total of 2.1 million TEUs annual capacity.

He commended the Japanese contractor, Toyo Construction Company, for completing on schedule the second phase of the Second Container Terminal which commenced in September 2018.

"The contract for the construction of this terminal includes delivery of Cargo Handling equipment namely four Ship to Shore Gantry (SSG) and 12 Rubber Tyred Gantry (RTG) cranes.

Of this equipment, one SSG and 12 RTGs were delivered and commissioned in Phase 1 of the project and are currently in use while three STSs were delivered in January this year and are currently being commissioned," the MD added.

KPA's General Manager Infrastructure Development Eng. Abdullahi Samatar said with the completion of the project, KPA had achieved its target of expanding capacity ahead of demand. He said the construction of the new facility was undertaken within 44 months.

Toyo Construction Company Project Manager, Mr. Haruo Yoshida expressed delight for successfully and safely delivering the complex infrastructure project on schedule.

"Some notable challenges encountered included the stakeholder environmental concerns and the outbreak of the novel COVID-19 pandemic, both of which threatened either prolonged suspension of the project or even potential termination of the contract," he added.

The Project Manager said it was through joint resilience and collaboration by the parties as well as the professional intervention and direction by the engineer and the consultant that they were able to overcome all the hurdles.

He said even at the time of the COVID-19 lockdown, some site activities continued courtesy of the selfless guidance and supervision by their expatriate personnel and deployment of specialized heavy plant and equipment for the works which ensured the realization of Japanese technology transfer to "exceedingly diligent local personnel."

"Indeed, I am personally proud and overjoyed as the Project Manager, to have delivered this Phase two project without any fatal accident or serious health and safety incident, not to mention the remarkable improvement in the workmanship and quality of the completed works as compared to phase one of the project," Yoshida added.

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He thanked KPA management for the opportunity to execute the project saying his company was willing and ready for future such development projects with a promise to deliver beyond expectations for the benefit of Kenyans.

"As Toyo, we strongly believe that the completion of Berth No. 22 is a major step towards the realization of the economic growth of Kenya, not only by presenting economic opportunities to the surrounding communities but also by putting Mombasa Port and City on the map as a regional gateway to the larger East African Corporation as well as an international trade hub and destination."

And speaking on behalf of Japan Port Consultants (JPC) and BAC Engineering, Takeshi Miyagawa, said the completion of the project marks another milestone for Kenya's maritime sector, signaling a continuation in the development of Kenya's ports and their capacity to facilitate the region's international trade as a gateway.

The project is part of the Mombasa Port Development Program (MPDP) which was started in early 2000s as one of the country's Vision 2030 flagship projects. The first phase of the three-phased project which was completed in 2016 and commissioned for operations in September 2016, increased the port's annual capacity by 550,000 TEUs
The police in Ogun State have arrested a man, Wakilu Ogundairo, for allegedly raising a false alarm of Boko Haram invasion of Imosan-Ijebu town located in Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area of the State.

Abimbola Oyeyemi, the police spokesperson in the state, said in a statement Thursday that the suspect raised the alarm in a Whatsapp voice note which was broadcast to the public.

Mr Ogundairo allegedly claimed that the invaders were armed, causing panic among the residents and environs.

The police spokesperson said people were calling the commands emergency number expressing concern over the safety of their loved ones in Ijebu -Ode and the entire state.

He said the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole, directed the Divisional Police Officer, Obalende division, to move into the area and find out the authenticity of the said WhatsApp voice note.

Mr Oyeyemi said upon investigation, it was discovered that the only people in that location were farm labourers from Benue State who are carrying out their legitimate business devoid of any form of violence.

He said the polices technical investigation led to the arrest of the suspect.

He said upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to making the voice note just to scare people.

The police said they would charge the suspect to court soon.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has asked presidential candidates of the various political parties and their supporters to shun violence and bad politicking ahead of the 2023 elections.

Mr Jonathan said this in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.

According to the schedule of INEC activities, all political parties are expected to end their primaries on June 9.

The commission has also set July 17 as deadline for the uploading of names of presidential candidates by all parties on its portal.

PREMIUM TIMES could not confirm if all parties have elected their presidential candidates at the time of this report.

Mr Jonathan, in his congratulatory statement, acknowledged the democratic exercise that produced Atiku Abubakar of PDP, Bola Tinubu of APC, Peter Obi of Labour Party (LP), Rabiu Kwankwaso of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and Adewole Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The emergence of Malik Ado-Ibrahim of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Dan Nwanyanwu of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) and Dumebi Kachikwu of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) were also noted.

He said their victory at the end of the primaries has shown their belief and interest in the progress of our nation.

Of all the presidential candidates noted by Mr Jonathan, only Mr Kwankwaso emerged unopposed as other candidates went through keenly contested electoral processes.

While congratulating the candidates on their emergence, Mr Jonathan urged them to make the nations array of challenges the centre of their campaign.

As you progress towards the electioneering campaigns, it is important that the issues confronting the country and credible solutions take centre stage.

I urge you to conduct your campaigns in a manner devoid of acrimony, divisiveness and treachery so that at the end of the day Nigeria will win, democracy will triumph and humanity will be better for it.

As I have always said, no ambition is worth the life of another. As candidates, you must eschew violence and acts that will encourage any form of bloodletting or exacerbate the national fault lines. We live in a season of unprecedented violence and all political leaders have a responsibility to de-escalate the tension in the country. The candidates by conduct and language must prioritise non-violence and peaceful coexistence, Mr Jonathan said.

The former president praised party aspirants who lost out of the contest but remained committed to Nigerias democratic principles.

He described the 2023 general elections as another opportunity to rebuild the dreams of our founding fathers and revitalise our economy.

The importance of this election imposes on the election managers and security agencies a historic burden to continue deepening the reforms of our electoral system. A transparent election will go a long way to increase the confidence of Nigerians in our democracy and restore trust in our public institutions, he said in his statement.

Mr Jonathans acceptance of defeat in 2015 has continuously been praised by Nigerians and the international community.
Olubukola Bolarinde has indeed made a name for herself as a Nigerian artist setting the pace as she sets to unveil her entire repertoire, curated for over two years, at a private exhibition on Friday at Eko Atlantic Lagos.

The exhibition, tagged 106 art, follows the release of her 2018 critically acclaimed movie Onigiri. The exhibition will also hold in Venice, Italy, later in the year.

In an interview with PREMIUM TIMES in an event held on Victoria Island, the Lagos State-born filmmaker cum artist revealed the reasons behind her passion for preserving Nigerian culture and storytelling through arts.

I am a storyteller, a creative. My artworks are stories. Every piece carries its unique message and tells you a different story, transporting you into a place, time, scene, experience, or emotion, she said.

Stories around me inspire my art. Stories I have experienced first-hand, stories I have been told. Art is a means of self-expression. Art is life. My art is a means through which I connect with its audience.

Bolarindes arts

Ms Bolarinde, deeply rooted in the Yoruba culture, was born into a family with six children. Her father is from Okemesi-Ekiti in Ekiti State, while her mother was a native of Ibadan in Oyo state. However, she spent her formative years in northern Nigeria.

She sojourned through her formative years from Jos to Kaduna and then Zaria, a feat that enabled her to establish a few remarkable senses of identity and diversity in the Nigerian culture.

Her understanding of the aesthetic metropolis of the northern Nigerian culture is evident in paintings such as the Wusasa.

She said, Zaria is predominately a Muslim city, and in those days when we were there, they told us never to walk into Zaria city without covering our hair. It is forbidden. You cant walk in with trousers like a woman. We were always fascinated by that, and beyond the walls of Zaria city is the Emirs Palace.

But outside of Zaria city, you have Christian communities, and there is a town called Wusasa, which is part of the places where I grew up. In the centre of Wusasa is this mud building that looks like an ancient castle, but it is a church called St. Bartholomew, she said.

Further explaining how her life in the north influenced her art, she said, You know Kaduna has a long history of religious crises resulting in killings and very gory situations, and there was one of such crises when all the churches were set ablaze, and St. Bartholomew was also set ablaze but the building never burnt down; it is still standing till today and it is at the central piece of my exhibition.

So, I did a tribute to St. Bartholomew. I almost even moulded St. Bartholomew to show the rustic nature. I brought the roughness and texture that you can almost feel, touch, and you are there. It tells you that story and transports you to Wusasa.

According to the celebrity painter, other paintings that evoke similar effects include images of Makoko at night, Eyo, Christ Church Cathedral and Durbar, among others.

Inspiration

Speaking about her commitments to preserving the Nigerian culture through her exhibition, the filmmaker said, Im telling a story about our culture, people and land. When you look at my artwork, it is all an African story; there is a story in every single one. My background and influences fuse into my art and translate into my pieces.

My art transports you to places, times, people and cultures. You will see many African faces and people in African attires. For instance, you see a lady in Jalabia, all wrapped up. Immediately, it is distinct in the North. You see a man from the Durbar on a horse and transport you there. You see the Eyo with the kings, and you know you are in the south, she said.

Ms Bolarinde, who started painting in 2020 during the pandemic, said that she had always had an innate passion for the arts.

106 art exhibition

Billed to be the first of its kind in this part of the world, Ms Bolarinde will unveil the art exhibition at her debut solo exhibition.

The exhibition titled 106 Expressions, curated by Nike Davies-Okundaye, is a first-of-its-kind featuring 85 artworks and two fashion designers who will showcase ten fabrics each on the runway and a construction site.

According to her, she is breaking the conventional norms to give people a unique experience.

She said, 106 Expressions is a collection of artworks celebrating our African heritage, people, and culture. I have drawn inspiration from my experiences as an African child.

The works transport you to a place and a time, perceived through an African childs mind. A different time from the times we now live in. Many children have not and will never have these experiences as our world evolves.

Speaking about the venue, Ms Bolarinde said that she would draw from her natural habitat as an architect, which is the construction site.

For the first time, I am staging an exhibition in such a venue and building it from scratch. It is the first of its kind in Nigeria to host such a show on a construction site; in an uncompleted building, I am bringing people and immersing them into an experience that elsewhere did not exist.

So, that immersive experience, walking from start to finish at Eko Atlantic City, is the 106th exhibit.

However, the exhibitions title goes beyond the number of works on display. It is a play on her birthdate, June 10; hence the event is also scheduled to hold her birthday.

Multifaceted artist

Ms Bolarinde, an architecture graduate and urban and regional planning graduate from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, wears many hats in the creative industry that describe her as a unique storyteller of her time.

As a writer, her descriptive prowess as a storyteller are translated through her art.

Although her tertiary education started in Zaria, Ms Bolarinde has a Masters Degree in Environmental Design and Engineering from Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London (UCL).

However, she started her career in architecture where she worked with James Cubitt Architects for four years before she made her way into the banking industry, where she worked with the Standard Charted Bank as a project manager, setting up branches from start to finish and designing for the bank in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja.

She delved into the oil and gas sector as she worked with Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited. She was elevated to managing director of the subsidiary company FO Properties Limited.

She is currently the Head of Real Estate and Facilities Management (REFM) Nigeria and Regional Head of REFM Performance for Ericsson Limited in Sub-Saharan Africa.
A governorship aspirant on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State has asked the Federal High Court in Uyo to nullify the partys governorship primary for failure to comply with the law.

The aspirant, Ita Enang, a former presidential aide, said the primary held on May 26 violates Section 84(1) of the Electoral Act 2022 as it was not monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Mr Enang, a former senator, also asked the court to nullify the nomination of the governorship candidate of the party, Akanimo Udofia, because, according to him, Mr Udofia was not a registered member of the party at the time the primary was held.

He further prayed the court to stop INEC from accepting Mr Udofia as the governorship candidate of the party.

In the alternative, Mr Enang urged the court to order the APC to conduct a new governorship primary without the participation of Mr Udofia or declared him the duly nominated governorship candidate of the primary among other prayers.

Mr Enang told PREMIUM TIMES on Friday that there was no primary in Akwa Ibom as voting materials and election committee members were at the State Security Service (SSS) in Uyo after they were rescued.

He said everybody had gone to bed after the chairman of the committee said he was traumatised as a result of the fight over the control of the election materials by supporters of the two factions of the party in the state.

The APC in Akwa Ibom has been torn into two factions because of a protracted battle between the former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, and the former national secretary of APC, John Akpanudoedehe, over the control of the party structure in the state.

Mr Enang, who pitched tent with Mr Akpabios faction, was banking on his (Akpabio) support to clinch the partys governorship ticket in the state.

He, however, became disappointed after Mr Akpabio backed Mr Udofia to emerge as the APC governorship candidate in the state.

Mr Akpanudoedehe after being outmanoeuvred by Mr Akpabios faction during the governorship primary defected to the New Nigerian Peoples Party where he secured the partys governorship ticket in the state.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State has declared a 12-hour curfew in Igbo-Eze North and Igbo-Eze South Local Government Areas of the state.

The Secretary to the State Government, Simon Ortuanya, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, said the curfew takes immediate effect and will be active between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. daily.

He explained that the decision was pursuant to Executive Order No. 3, 2022 and consequent upon security challenges in Igbo-Eze North and Igbo-Eze South Local Government Areas of Enugu State.

Mr Ortuanya added that the governor imposed the curfew in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Section 215 (4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

The statement directed the chairmen of the two council areas as well as operatives of the Forest Guard and Neighbourhood Watch in the affected areas to ensure strict compliance with the executive order.

It also directed the state commissioner of police to take all lawful measures to enforce the order, including arrest and prosecution of defaulters.

The decision comes barely three days after the governor held an emergency security meeting at the Government House, Enugu.

Enugu, like other states in Nigerias South-east, has witnessed an increase in deadly attacks lately.

The tricycle and motorcycle rider associations in the two local council areas have directed their members not to operate in the areas from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

They also directed all Keke and Okada operators to withdraw their services in Aguibeje and Iyionu communities in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, with effect from June 7, 2022, till further notice and requested security agencies in the state to enforce the associations resolutions.

Two police officers were killed last week in Mkpamte Community, Igbo-Eze North Council Area of the state.

Arsonists, believed to be enforcing the illegal sit-at-home order in the South-east razed a cement truck in the Nsukka area of the state.

Mr Ugwuanyi recently banned the operations of motorcycles and tricycles in some local government areas to check the frequent attacks in the area.

The government later lifted the ban following public outcry, and assurances from leaders of the transport operators to assist the government in bringing an end to the attacks.

The attacks, mostly targeted at security officials and government facilities, have been attributed to the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) which is agitating for a sovereign state for the Igbo-speaking people in the South-east.

The IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is detained in Abuja where he is standing trial for terrorism.
The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Olalekan Balogun, on Friday, elevated five senior chiefs of Ibadanland.

The installation ceremony was held at the ancestral palace of Aliiwo dynasty, Aliiwo Compound, Oje area, Ibadan.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the demise of the immediate past Olubadan of Ibadan, late Saliu Adetunji, made Olalekan Balogun, the then Otun Olubadan, become the new Olubadan.

This further paved way for the upward movement of the senior chiefs behind him.

The elevated chiefs are Rashidi Ladoja who was elevated from Osi Olubadan to Otun Olubadan.

Eddy Oyewole elevated from Ashipa to Osi Olubadan while Abiodun Kola-Daisi was promoted from Ekerin to Ashipa Olubadan.

Also, Hamidu Ajibade, the Ekarun Olubadan was elevated to Ekerin Olubadan and Adebayo Akande was promoted from Abese to Ekarun Olubadan.

The Olubadan, who was represented at the ceremony by Otun Balogun, Olakuleyin Ajibola, charged the elevated chiefs to see their new positions as a call to a higher duty.

He urged them to use their respective positions for the growth, development and progress of Ibadanland.

Speaking on behalf of the elevated chiefs, Mr Ladoja, who is a former Governor of Oyo State, pledged to use the new position for the development of Ibadanland.

He assured Ibadan sons and daughters of absolute commitment to all things that could bring unprecedented development and growth to the town.

(NAN)
An Ado- Ekiti High Court in Ekiti, on Thursday, discharged and acquitted three men, Prince Bulus, Michael Joshua, and Paul Mike over alleged conspiracy, armed robbery and possession of arms.

According to the charge, the three men were charged with three count charges that border on conspiracy, armed robbery and possession of illegal arms.

The defendants on December 11, 2018, around Yemraf Area, Adebayo Estate, Ado Ekiti, were alleged to have conspired to commit armed robbery, while armed with offensive weapons.

They were alleged to have robbed one Ibrahim Romoke of the sum of N45,700 and her phone, and also robbed Nike Durojaye on December 28, 2018, of the sum of N260, 150.

The offences violated sections 516, 402 (a), (b) of the Criminal Code Laws, Cap C16 Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.

In her statement, one of the victims, Ibrahim Romoke said after the days business around 10:00 p.m., he was about to lock the shop, when he saw one of the defendants who pretended to be a customer.

When he drew near me, he pointed a gun at me and we entered my shop.

He demanded for money, I begged him that I dont have money but he saw my hand bag where it was, he searched it and took all my sales for the day, N45, 700 and my handset.

When I was about raising alarm, they climbed a waiting motorcycle and rode towards Federal Housing Estate area, I later reported the matter at Oke Ila Police station, she said.

To prove his case, the prosecutor, Julius Ajibare, called five witnesses and tendered the victims and defendants statements as exhibits.

The defendants through their counsel, Adeyinka Opaleke, State Coordinator, Legal Aid Council, called no witness but denied committing the offences as alleged.

We only went there to drink beer before we were arrested by officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, they said.

In his judgment, the judge, Bamidele Omotoso, said the prosecution counsel had failed to establish all the three ingredients of the offence of armed robbery against the defendants.

I also hold that the prosecution has failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt the offences of conspiracy, armed robbery and possession of illegal arms against the defendants.

Finally, I resolve the sole issues in this case against the prosecution in favour of the defendants.

The defendants are hereby discharged and acquitted of the offences of conspiracy, armed robbery and possession of illegal arms, he said.

(NAN)
A reporter at PREMIUM TIMES, Titilope Fadare, has been named one of the winners of the 2021 Female Reporters Leadership Program (FRLP) organised by Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ).

She emerged the first runner up under Story Project category.

The winning story which was published on PREMIUM TIMES in December 2021 focused on how some residents of Sokoto and Lagos states are responding to cases of gender-based violence in their communities.

This response secured convictions of perpetrators, provided help for survivors and propelled an increase in reported cases.

The award followed a six-month-long leadership and mentorship training programme for 21 female reporters out of the 142 that applied. The selected participants were drawn from broadcast, online and print media and across 10 states.

Unlike previous years where three persons were named winners, this year, five persons were awarded.

They are Anita Eboigbe of Humangle (commended works in both story and leadership projects), Kimberly Nwachukwu (winner for story project) and Ann Godwin of The Guardian (winner for leadership project).

Others are Bassey Ikpang of NTA (runner up for leadership project) and Ms Fadare.

Stories by other fellows ranged from exploitation of minors as sex workers, to the multi-level sexual abuse of girls in Internally Displaced Persons camps, stigmatisation of children from home with SGBV and the woes of female pregnant prisoners to normalisation of sexual harassment in newsrooms, among others.

In her opening remark, the Executive Director of WSCIJ, Motunrayo Alaka, congratulated the new fellows.

She expressed joy that the project birthed competent women who she said are making a difference.

Nobody should tell us there are no competent women because if this is the issue, most of the newsrooms will be empty. Lets get the women there.

The project was funded by Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA).

And in his goodwill message, the programme officer for OSIWA, Paul Adeyeye, noted that the Nigerian media landscape has been dominated by male voices particularly in leadership.

Consequently, he said, OSIWA decided to address the dearth of women in newsrooms across Nigeria by committing 30 per cent of its budget to women for the next five years.

Since its introduction in 2017, the Female Reporters Leadership Programme has produced 74 fellows.

The Fellowship programme is aimed at changing the face of reporting and leadership in the newsrooms to be as female as they are male.

2021 fellows are Dooshima Abu of BBC News pidgin, Abimbola Adegboyega of Broadcasting Station of Ekiti State, Adetola Bademosi-Adanikin of Nigerian Tribune, Khadijat Bawas of Liberty TV, Kofoworola Bello-Osage of The Conversation Africa, Imaobong Dem of Inspiration FM, Anita Eboigbe of HumAngle, Chioma Ezenwafor of Nigeria Info FM, Titilope Fadare of Premium Times.

Others are Aneta Felix of BBC news, Ann Godwin of The Guardian, Osarunonamen Ibizugbe of Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, Bassey Ikpang of NTA, Magdalena Michael of DAI, Kimberly Nwachukwu of Nigeria Info, Bolanle Olabimtan of The Cable, Temitope Oluleye of Royal FM, Bukola Samuel-Wemimo of Channels Television, Zainab Sanni of Agidigbo FM, Blessing Tunoh of Channels Television and Jennipher Ugwa, a freelance journalist.
The former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, has won the senatorial primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Akwa Ibom North-west District.

Jackson Udom, a media aide to Mr Akpabio, disclosed this in a statement issued in Uyo, Friday morning.

A faction of the APC in Akwa Ibom, which is loyal to Mr Akpabio, conducted the primary Thursday night.

Mr Akpabio, according to the statement, polled 478 votes to defeat Udom Ekpoudom, a retired deputy inspector general of police, who had three votes, while another aspirant, Joseph Akpan, had one vote.

A fourth aspirant, Ekperikpe Ekpo, a former member of the House of Representatives, had stepped down for Mr Akpabio, the statement said.

The returning officer, Bunmi Imolehin, declared that the registered delegates were 540, but only 512 delegates were accredited, while 11 votes were void votes, according to the statement.

Mr Akpabio reportedly thanked the delegates for trooping out in their hundreds to cast their votes for him.

The statement said Mr Akpabio assured if he returns to the Senate in 2023, he would bring more infrastructural development, human capital development and youth and women empowerment.

Officials of the National Electoral Commission (INEC) monitored the primary, the statement said.

PREMIUM TIMES, however, could not verify if any INEC official monitored the exercise.

Background

Meanwhile, the aspirant, Mr Ekpoduom, reportedly defeated by Mr Akpabio in the primary, had already been declared a candidate in a parallel primary conducted by another faction of the APC in Akwa Ibom.

The APC in Akwa Ibom has been torn into two factions because of a protracted battle between Mr Akpabio and the former national secretary of APC, John Akpanudoedehe, over the control of the party structure in the state.

READ ALSO: APC factional chairman mocks Akpabio over presidential primary election

Mr Akpanudoedehe, a few days ago, defected to the New Nigerian Peoples Party and secured the partys governorship ticket in Akwa Ibom after he was outmaneuvered by the other faction which got Akanimo Udofia, a man who joined the APC in less than a month, to be elected the 2023 governorship candidate of the party in the state.

Meanwhile, the APC in Akwa Ibom may not field candidates for the 2023 elections because of the legitimacy issues over who leads the party between the two factions.

If cleared by INEC, this would be the second time Mr Akpabio, a former Senate minority leader, would contest for the Senate after his first term in the National Assembly in 2019.

Mr Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom, was elected a senator in 2015 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. He later resigned from his position as the minority leader and defected from the PDP to the APC.

He, however, failed to win the senatorial election in 2019 under the APC, and was compensated with an appointment as the minister of Niger Delta Affairs by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) does not recognise the emergence of the former minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, as the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate for Akwa Ibom North-West District for the 2023 elections.

Mr Akpabio, Thursday night won the primary for the district conducted by a faction of the APC in Akwa Ibom State that is loyal to him.

A source at INEC told PREMIUM TIMES, Friday morning, that the commission was not aware of a new primary for the district and did not monitor the exercise.

The source, who did not want his name mentioned in the report because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said the commission only recognises Udom Ekpoudom, a retired deputy inspector general of police, as the APC candidate for the district.

The primary won by Mr Ekpoudom was conducted on May 28 by another faction of the APC in the state. INEC monitored the exercise.

The APC in Akwa Ibom has been torn into two factions because of a protracted battle between Mr Akpabio and the former national secretary of APC, John Akpanudoedehe, over the control of the party structure in the state.

The faction that conducted the primary, which Mr Ekpoudom won, is loyal to Mr Akpanudoedehe.

Mr Akpanudoedehe, a few days ago, defected to the New Nigerian Peoples Party and secured the partys governorship ticket in Akwa Ibom after he was outmaneuvered by the other faction which got Akanimo Udofia, a man who joined the APC in less than a month, to be elected the 2023 governorship candidate of the party in the state.

As it is, Mr Akpabios ambition to return to the Senate in 2023 may not be realised, unless the former minister challenges and defeats INEC in court.

Mr Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom, was elected a senator in 2015 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. He later resigned from his position as the minority leader and defected from the PDP to the APC.

He, however, failed to win the senatorial election in 2019 under the APC, and was compensated with an appointment as the minister of Niger Delta Affairs by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The former senator resigned as minister to contest the APC presidential primary, but stepped down at the last minute for the former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, who emerged as the party presidential candidate for the 2023 election.
Nairobi  Azimio presidential candidate Raila Odingas Chief Agent caused drama at the National Tallying Centre of Thursday as he discredited the electoral agencys technology terming it as slow.

Saitabao Ole Kanchory engaged Abdi Guliye in a heated exchange over the pace of a mock transmission exercise.

From what is happening here today we can already see there are challenges. If this is the pace the results are being transmitted here, how much slower will this technology be in the actual elections. You must assure us and the Kenyans that this election will be fair, free and credible and that the technology that you are planning to use will be reliable, he said.We all know that elections in this country are a matter of life and death and we must treat this election as such.

The Independent and Electoral Commission (IEBC) had just commenced the transmission of mock presidential election results when Kanchory rose to challenge the process.

Guliye dismissed Kanchorys assertions asking him not to politicize the exercise.

IEBC rolled out the mock exercise on Thursday afternoon with 2,900 polling centers set to transmit scanned copies of Forms 34A, the statutory results slip for presidential election results.

Commissions Director of ICT, Michael Ouma, pointed out that every Form 34A will be encrypted to the Kenya Integrated Elections Management System (KIEMS) tablet at the polling station.

Each form will be encrypted to the tablet. This will enable us to prove which form is from which tablet. Each tablet has two sim cards. Safaricom will be primary while the secondary sim card Airtel and Telkom will be selected based on the strength of its signals, said Ouma.

Section 44 (4) of the Elections Act states that the commission shall, in an open and transparent manner that is procure put in place the technology necessary for the conduct of a General Election at least 120 days before such elections and test, verify and deploy such technology at least 60 days before the elections.

The law requires that the simulation and testing of the technology should be done 60 days before election. We are testing the technology to be used in the results transmission in August, IEBC CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan affirmed.

Electoral bodys Chairperson Wafula Chebukati called on agents to take results of Form 34As for verification at the Constituency and National Tallying Centres.

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Chebukati said the Supreme Court nullified the August 8, 2017 elections based on the results transmission, adding that the Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) and the Electronic Voter Identification (EVID) did not have an issue.

We encourage agents to take the result from Form 34 As at the polling stations. They can use these results to challenge them at the verification process at the Constituency and National Tallying Centre, said Chebukati.

Section 39 of the Elections Act states that the commission shall determine, declare and publish the results of an election immediately after the close of polling.

To avoid any incidents of electoral theft Marjan said that the ballot papers to be used in the August polls will have 9-10 security features while the Forms to be used for collating results having a similar number of security features.

We are leaving nothing to chance. All the 34A will be physically received at the National Tallying Centre together with the Form 34B. The commission will verify all the forms and be signed by the agents and the Returning officers, said Marjan.

He also disclosed that the commission will not be transmitting results in form of text messages, but images captured after the Presiding Officer and the agents have agreed that the results as captured in Form 34A are correct.
An Ondo State High Court has sentenced three out of four suspected killers of the 58-year-old daughter of the national leader of the Pan Yoruba Socio- Political Group, Funke Olakunrin to death by hanging.

Mrs Olakunrin was the daughter of the Afenifere leader, Reuben Fasoranti.

The Ondo Attorney-General arraigned Mohammed Usman, Osagie Lawal, and Adamu Adamu in 2019 for the murder of Mrs Olakunrin.

They were charged with four counts including felony to wit murder, murder, kidnapping.

Delivering judgment, the judge, William Olamide, discharged and acquitted the fourth defendant, Mr Abubakar, who was charged with aiding and abetting the crime.

Mr Olamide held that the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

The judge delivered the judgement after listening to submissions by the prosecution and defence counsel and adopted the final written addresses.

Charles Titiloye appeared for the prosecution while Obafemi Bawa appeared for the defence.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that they were first arraigned in an Akure Magistrates Court, which ordered their remand in Owo Correctional Centre.

NAN reports that the convicts then had no representation in court but pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The then Ondo State Attorney-General, Kola Olawoye, who represented the state, declared that the state government was ready to take over the case.

He urged the court to rely on the statement deposed by an official of FSARs, Akeem Ogunjobi, who prayed that the suspects should be remanded at the Correctional Centre in Owo because Akure Correctional facility was over stretched.

He also pleaded with the court to allow the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to conduct COVID-19 test on the defendants before moving them to the Correctional Centre.

According to him, the test was necessary because of the coronavirus pandemic ravaging the globe. He said the health status of the four accused persons must be ascertained in order not to infect other inmates at the facility.

Magistrate Victoria Bob-Manuel, in her ruling, granted the prayers of the prosecuting counsel and remanded the accused at Owo Correctional facility. She also ordered that their samples must be tested before being remanded at the centre.

Mrs Bob-Manuel, however, disclosed that the court lacked the jurisdiction to try the defendants but adjourned the case for the advice of the Director of Public Prosecution.

(NAN)
An attempt was made to kidnap the corpse of Isah Baba-Buji, a delegate from Jigawa State, who died at the presidential primary of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) while it was being conveyed home for burial.

The deceased politician was the APC zonal vice chairman for Jigawa Southwest. He died on Tuesday in Abuja while preparing to move to the venue of the party convention.

Ali Safiyanu, the Local Government Information Officer for Buji Council Area, the home council of the deceased, told PREMIUM TIMES that suspected gunmen block the motorcade of the deceased along the troubled Abuja-Kaduna highway.

He said the kidnapping attempt forced those conveying the body to make a U-turn and return to Abuja.

They returned to Abuja and spent the night there, the following day they passed through Nasarawa, Plateau, and Bauchi states before reaching Jigawa late Wednesday.

He was buried that night on Wednesday in Birnin Kudu Local Government Area,  Mr.Safiyanu said.

He said the deceased was survived by two wives and 16 children.
The police in Ondo State have denied rumours that the suspected terrorists, who attacked Owo Catholic Church, have been arrested.

Rumours filtered into town on Thursday evening that the perpetrators of the terror attack were nabbed by the combined team of the Nigerian Army, Amotekun Corps, and other security agents.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that on June 5, gunmen attacked St. Francis Catholic Church, Owaluwa Street, Owo, during church service.

Forty of the 127 persons in the church were killed, leaving 87 survivors out of which 61 are currently on admission in different hospitals and 26 already discharged.

A viral video circulated online stated that those who perpetrated the attack had been arrested.

It was gathered that residents of Owo town besieged the palace of the Olowo, Ajibade Ogunoye, to confirm the news of the purported arrest of the suspects on Thursday evening.

Mr Ogunoye, who addressed the crowd in Owo dialect, said he only heard about the news just the way the residents heard it and asked them to remain calm.

A source within the palace of Olowo, who didnt want his name mentioned, said the information was only a rumour.

It was only a rumour. Youths besieged the palace in their thousands when the rumour broke out, but it was discovered to be a false alarm.

Kabiyesi was only trying to hail their doggedness as he told them that, I heard the rumour like you too, admonishing them to be patient to authenticate it.

But it was later discovered that the story was about a group arrested along Owo/Benin boundary in possession of dangerous weapon, the source told journalists.

While speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria, Funmilayo Odunlami, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Ondo State, denied the rumour, saying she could not confirm the arrest of the attackers.

I can not confirm anything like that. There is no story like that in the state, the PPRO told NAN.

Also, a source from Nigeria Army, 32 Artillery Brigade, Akure, who didnt want his name mentioned, said the perpetrators of the Owo attack had not been arrested.

He said security agents only arrested people caught with Indian hemp.

It is a rumour, those arrested are those engaged in Indian hemp business. They are about three or so, they were arrested somewhere around Owo forest, the source told NAN.

(NAN)
Despite the outcome of the results of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Special Convention for its Presidential Primary on Wednesday, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has said that he remains committed to the dream of a new Nigeria.

Mr Osinbajo spoke Friday in Abuja at the campaign office of The Progressive Project (TPP), a coalition of support groups that backed the vice president for the presidency.

The VP also stated that he will support the winner and flagbearer of the APC for the 2023 presidential elections, Bola Tinubu.

The VP was received by a large crowd at the TPP Office in Abuja.

In his address to the crowd of supporters, the VP described the clamour for a new Nigeria as a movement.

This movement is a movement within a party also, we are not doing something that has not been heard of before. What is new is that we have a firm belief that a new Nigeria is possible and it is possible through us who are here.

We went to the convention, and the results showed us clearly that we lost, but it is only a battle, it is not the war. There are battles ahead, but we will win the war for a new Nigeria. I have no doubt in my mind that we will win that war for a new Nigeria.

That is why our movement for a new Nigeria must remain strong and firm. And we will do everything to keep our movement strong and solid.

According to the vice president, despite the result of the APC Presidential Primary, the dream of a new country remains alive and well We will have at the back of our minds, that what you have started in the various movements, coming into one, is the seed that will birth a new nation. You and I know the time has come and we will devote everything to it.

I am committed and will remain committed to that dream (of a new Nigeria), for as long as you are willing and recognize that we have not yet written the story of this country, we have not yet completed the story of this country. As a matter of fact, the story has just begun, this movement has just started.

The VP further said, a new Nigeria has only just started, and everywhere across this land, it will be clear to all that a new Nigeria has been born. Once the genie comes out of the bottle, you cannot put it back. The word has been spoken; it cannot be taken back: it is time for a New Nigeria.

Pledging support for the APC presidential candidate for the 2023 elections, Mr Osinbajo recalled the personal letter he wrote to Mr Tinubu yesterday congratulating him on his victory at the party primary.

In that letter, I said to him that the dream of this country, the dream of a new country remains alive and well. And I want you to know in your hearts that we are democrats when we participate in a contest and the results are announced.

No matter what those results may be, we abide by them because there is only one process for democrats, whether that process is good or bad, there is only one, and we have gone through that process.

And in that process, a winner has been adjudged, but that does not kill the dream of the great future. We will support our party; we will support the flagbearer of our party because we know that the other side is not even worth considering. So, we will support the flagbearer of our party, we will do everything we can.

Thanking Nigerians at home and abroad, including the Osinbajo supporters groups, for the overwhelming support for his presidential bid, Mr Osinbajo noted that when we started this race, I never believed that we would have so many young men and women who would believe so passionately in the cause of a new Nigeria.

Expressing his gratitude to them, he said, everybody said, oh, everyone has lost hope, there is no future, we are all tired, we are in despair. But when you came out in your numbers across the country  the volunteers movement, the progressive union, the womens movement, all across the country, saying the same thing, I knew that it was time. And you made it clear to everyone that indeed it is time for a new Nigeria.

ALSO READ: Tinubu pays surprise visit to Osinbajo

And we went everywhere to the 36 States of this country and Abuja and we spoke to the elected delegates of our great party the APC, they shared their fears with us, they told us about their dreams of the future, everyone wants a new Nigeria where young people have jobs, we all want a Nigeria that is safe and secure, a Nigeria where there is a future, where people can dream of a real future.

As I said at the convention, I went to school here, I was born here, my parents were born here. Every opportunity I have had was given to me by this country. And it is possible for this country to provide the same opportunity for you and all the future generations. But we must fight for it. In every fight, you lose some battles.

Also speaking, some leaders of Osinbajo support groups lauded the vice president for being a true leader and inspiration to millions of Nigerians.

Ahmed Badanga described the vice president as a role model to all of us. You are the Obama of Africa. You have made us proud and we will continue to remain with you.

He added, yes, we are progressives and we need to move forward. I will urge all of us to remain steadfast and committed to this cause because we have a bright future ahead of us.

Similarly, a leader of the Coalition of Women for Osinbajo, Rabbi Dauda, declared the VP as a winner forever.

Your Excellency, we, the women of Nigeria, find it worthy to stand by you. Somehow, you are not the flagbearer today, but you will be the flagbearer tomorrow.

I want to say to you that this is a continuous process, we will be waiting for you. We are here today to listen to you, to tell us where to go and what to do, and I tell you, we will all be waiting for you, tomorrow and always. Anytime you need us, all you need to do is to call on us and we shall be there for you.

Also, another leader of a PYO Support group, Diana Mary, said, Your Excellency, you have led us to win, we are winners. We are not taking this for granted, you have led a direction that we will continue to follow and we are happy that for the sake of Nigeria you answered the call.

I want to appeal that we still converge and speak about those things that we need to address so that we can pull a stronger force for Nigeria. This generation of Nigerians is looking for that force that will fight for their future. Your Excellency, whenever you are alone and you think that it is a low moment, I want you to think of the numerous and thousands of us who are behind you and believe in your audacity, drive, and tenacity. You are the star that we know.

The vice president was accompanied on the visit to the campaign office by former Kano State Governor and the senator representing Kano South in the National Assembly, Kabiru Gaya; Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, Babafemi Ojudu; among other senior government officials.

Laolu Akande

Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity

Office of the Vice President

10th June 2022
The Anambra State Government says it is planning to establish a special court to ensure speedy prosecution and dispensation of justice for crimes against children and vulnerable persons in the state.

The states Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Ify Obinabo, disclosed this when she received members of the Association of Orphans and Vulnerable Children Organisation of Nigeria (AONN), in her office on Friday in Awka.

Mrs Obinabo said: We made a case for the establishment of the special court when we resumed office.

The court will have trained and experienced prosecutors to interact with children and vulnerable persons, provide support and ensure timely prosecution of the cases.

Governor Chukwuma Soludos administration is ready to partner with organisations to protect the interest and future of these vulnerable ones in our state.

Earlier, the National Coordinator of AONN, Marcus Williams, said the organisation sought to ensure that orphans and vulnerable children were educated, mentored, empowered and safe in the society.

ALSO READ: Anambra Assembly adjourns Indefinitely over death of member

According to Mr Williams, AONN has about 1,246 member organisations providing care and support for over 1, 973,000 orphans and vulnerable persons across the country as of December 2021.

He said the visit was to call the attention of the state government to the plight of orphans and vulnerable children as well as call for action to addressing their plight.

In her remarks, the Deputy National Coordinator of AONN, Uju Onyedilefu, urged the state to set up a technical committee which would ensure prompt response to issues of vulnerable children in the state.

(NAN)
Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), on Friday, commended Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi, for mobilising the consciousness of youths during his campaign.

Mr Tinubu stated this when he visited Governor Bello in Abuja, barely 72 hours after his emergence as the flag bearer of APC ahead of the 2023 presidential election.

Mr Tinubu described Mr Bello as his son, adding that the governor was reminded of what the nation wants to be.

Mr Tinubu was accompanied on the visit by three governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos); Bello Matawalle (Zamfara); and Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano).

A former Governor of Edo and ex-APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, was also at the meeting.

The presidential hopeful also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for providing a level-playing ground for all the contestants during the special convention and primary.

Mr Tinubu said, The man of the convention, the man of democracy for that day was Muhammadu Buhari.

If you want to run, run; you want to crawl, crawl; you want to dance, dance.

Yahaya Bello is my son; you mobilised the consciousness of the youth in the county. You remind us of what the nation wants to be.

Mr Tinubu described his victory as a very good step for the APC stakeholders to work for one united country that is concened about prosperity.

He also thanked all members of the Yahaya Bello Campaign Organisation, adding that,  You all made a mark, you were resolute.

The APC presidential flagbearer also thanked the partys leadership for ensuring that the convention ended peacefully.

The (opposition) thought there would be chaos and crisis. But we saw peace. Emi lokan. Its my turn, he said.

Mr Tinubu said that he was very proud of the Director-General of the Yahaya Bello Presidential Campaign Organisation, Hafsat Abiola-Costello.

He noted that the peace and joy being enjoyed in the country was owed to her late father, MKO Abiola, the reason June 12 became a public holiday.

He also revealed that it was in the house of Kudirat Abiola (Hafsats mother) that he found the cap with which he disguised and fled Nigeria.

Im happy to be back to save Nigeria, he added.

Mr Tinubu also saluted the courage of Governor Matawalle, who, he said, faced the worst form of opposition, including banditry.

I thought the termites would eat him up. He listened to the words of elders, brought reconciliation and peace to Zamfara State, Mr Tinubu said.

Responding, Governor Bello announced that he had collapsed his Presidential Campaign Council and would donate the building to Mr Tinubus campaign organisation.

The governor promised that he would be on the streets to campaign for Mr Tinubu and take APC to victory.

Today, I have collapsed my Presidential Campaign Organisation.

 I am donating my campaign organisation secretariat to you. I have learnt a lot from the little lecture you gave to us.

What elders see when they are in the valley, the younger ones wont see it, Mr Bello said.

The governor noted that the convention and primary election had come and gone. He promised to lead the youth to campaign for Mr Tinubu to ensure that APC would win convincingly.

Never again will PDP lead this country. Thank you all my colleague governors for giving me the opportunity to learn from you.

Senator Abdullahi Adamu (APC national chairman) has never lost election and we will win the 2023 election. Our convention went well and peacefully, he added.

(NAN)
I feel for President Muhammadu Buhari. Having earlier told APC governors that he would like to decide his successor as they the governors had done, when the chairman of the party announced that the presidents choice was the Senate president, the next line in the script was to have been that party leaders and governors would embrace the decision and hug Ahmad Lawan. The actors had not read their lines, and what happened next was an instant and total revolt and rejection.

My overriding impression of the APC Special Convention is that the presidential aspirants spent too much of their time singing praises to their beloved President Buhari. So, did the governors in the period leading up to the primaries. They pledged loyalty to him again and again and again. When, however, it came to the one thing the president wanted  to be succeeded by his obedient Senate president, Ahmad Lawan, they all revolted and openly refused. The outcome of the Special Convention is that Muhammadu Buhari is now officially a lame duck president.

The unkindest cut of all was received from Jagaban of the World, the man who has clearly outgrown Borgu, and who a week before the primaries went to Abeokuta, Ogun State and heaped the president with insults and insinuations. To be fair to him, given his role in the victory of the APC in 2015, he has had a sense of entitlement to being the next president and then he got the intelligence report that he was about to be dumped, hence his anger. After Tinubus Ogun diatribe, the APC chairman, Abdullahi Adamu promised severe retribution. What Ahmed Tinubu got, however, was not retribution but the presidential ticket of the party on a golden platter, with seven aspirants withdrawing for him, while President Buhari watched with a smile that was no smile.

I feel for President Muhammadu Buhari. Having earlier told APC governors that he would like to decide his successor as they the governors had done, when the chairman of the party announced that the presidents choice was the Senate president, the next line in the script was to have been that party leaders and governors would embrace the decision and hug Ahmad Lawan. The actors had not read their lines, and what happened next was an instant and total revolt and rejection. A flustered President Buhari had to come out on Monday afternoon and tell 14 APC governors of the Northern states that he had no preferred candidate, and had anointed no one, and was determined to ensure that there shall be no imposition of any candidate on the party. This is the correct and proper position he should have stood by from the very beginning but as we know very well from the arena of real politic in Nigeria, every politician in power dreams of installing his preferred candidate on the people. The overriding message from the side of the president and his team is the lack of planning and strategic thinking.

The winner, the Jagaban of the World scored 1,271 votes to win the presidential primary of the ruling APC by a landslide. He defeated 22 other aspirants in the race. We must not forget that each of the 23 aspirants paid N100 million to be in the contest. At the venue of the primary, seven of the 23 aspirants stepped down for Tinubu, while one stepped down for Vice President Osinbajo.

I do not know whether there was strategic thinking on the side of the winner. What is clear is that Tinubu had two huge assets  knowledge of what Nigerian politicians are looking for and I am not allowed to say that it is money. Secondly, in addition to having a very deep pocket, the time had come for him to reap from a thirty-year programme of investing in promoting and placing politicians that had political IOUs to him. Tinubus political investments had matured and he could reap the profits. The winner, the Jagaban of the World scored 1,271 votes to win the presidential primary of the ruling APC by a landslide. He defeated 22 other aspirants in the race. We must not forget that each of the 23 aspirants paid N100 million to be in the contest. At the venue of the primary, seven of the 23 aspirants stepped down for Tinubu, while one stepped down for Vice President Osinbajo. Only 14 aspirants, therefore, took part in the primary proper.

While Tinubu won with 1,271 votes, ex-Transport minister Rotimi Amaechi came second with 316 votes. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who gave the most inspirational speech, came third with 235 votes, while Senate President Ahmad Lawan, the former Chosen One, came fourth with 152 votes. It is interesting that four aspirants who had paid N100 million to be allowed into the contest could not generate a single vote during the convention  Bakare, the senior pastor of the Citadel Global Community Church, Lagos; Rochas Okorocha, the senator representing Imo West Senatorial District at the National Assembly and former governor of Imo State; Jack Rich who described himself as being of poor parentage but built himself and made money; and one Ikeobasi Mokelu, who told delegates he had come to praise the great achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari. Dont ask me why he paid N100 million to get two minutes to say Buhari is the greatest of the greatest. There are aspects of Nigerias political life that we, mere political scientists, do not understand. We can only guess that maybe investment in contesting might open doors to certain forms of pay off that might not be evident to us.

The biggest loser in the contest was Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who contested in the primaries, as a good and supportive pillar to President Muhammadu Buhari, who he said had achieved so much. The problem with his pitch was that Nigerians know that the president has achieved so little and is generally perceived as a failure.

In the greatest understatement of the year, the winner of the primary election and the Jagaban of the World declared in his acceptance speech that he did not expect to win the partys presidential primary. He said he holds no grudges against members of his party who worked against his candidature: The competition is now over. Those who did not support me, you have nothing to fear. I hold no grudges and grievances. Let us each agree to join hands in defeating PDP and beat back their retrogressive understanding of Nigeria. I wondered whether the statement means all those who worked against him will go to jail if he becomes president. Time will tell.

The biggest loser in the contest was Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who contested in the primaries, as a good and supportive pillar to President Muhammadu Buhari, who he said had achieved so much. The problem with his pitch was that Nigerians know that the president has achieved so little and is generally perceived as a failure. The irony is that in the first phase of the Buhari/Osinbajo duopoly, when the vice president had opportunities to be acting president while his boss was in hospital, he had shown himself to be very competent and much better at governance than his boss. Alarmed, the cabal around the president caged him successfully and opportunities to show his capacity disappeared. The vice presidents campaign strategy made Nigerians forget his earlier demonstrations of competence and the option of his coming out to expose his boss would have simply precipitated a crisis in Aso Rock. Maybe Senator Kashim Shettima was right that the vice president is too nice and decent a person to be a Nigerian leader. I however totally reject Shettimas advice that he should be selling ice cream and popcorn. He is young enough to still have a decade of active politics before him.

A professor of Political Science and development consultant/expert, Jibrin Ibrahim is a Senior Fellow of the Centre for Democracy and Development, and Chair of the Editorial Board of PREMIUM TIMES.
Having signed one of the worst peace agreements in history but with the guns no longer booming, the Lenin government turned to rebuilding the country and its economy. It redistributed land amongst the landless, expanded labour rights that enabled workers to control production, carried out mass education and making electricity available and affordable across the country. The Marxist-Leninist strategy was to use the bad peace to rebuild the country

I am not a pacifist. Not all who seek peace are pacifists. There is such a thing as a bad peace, which is the silencing of the guns, even if the terms for such are not favourable.

This is what the unforgettable Russian President Vladimir Illich Ulyanov, alias Lenin, in 1918 called a shameful peace. This is the point former German Chancellor Angela Merkel made this Tuesday, advising the actors in Ukraine to return to The Minsk Agreements, which to me are a basis for ceasefire and negotiations with Russia.

I love the lyrics of The Impossible Dream by Diana Ross, a Grammy Lifetime Award Winning musician who sang: To dream the impossible dream/To fight the unbeatable foe/To bear with unbearable sorrow/To run where the brave dare not go/To fight for the right/Without question or pause/To be willing to march/Into hell for a heavenly cause. However, this does not mean peace should not be preferred where available. Bob Marley sang that: He who fights and runs away/lives to fight another day. In other words, war is not necessarily about sending young people to commit suicide, like the Zelensky government is doing in Ukraine.

In my March 3 column titled Peace is costly, but far cheaper than war, I had argued along those lines, and mainly received negative responses from readers in Europe. One of them, in a Facebook group chat I belong to, wrote: Peace is not always cheaper than war. Quite on the contrary because if you think that through and live by that motto consequently to the end, you will be the slave of the one willing to go to war. And it is pointless to just tout settlement as alternative to war as if it were so easy.

A settlement that even resembles fairness can only be negotiated from a position of strength because if the other side holds all the power any settlement will only be dictated terms. Even the old philosophers knew that when they said that whoever wishes peace must be prepared for war. And if you want to avoid war and conflict at any cost that just means that the bully always wins.

Both sides agreed on the negotiation framework of peace with no annexations or indemnities. Despite this, the Powers asked Russia to surrender its lands. The leader of the Russian delegation and foreign minister, Leon Trotsky, lamented: Germany and Austria-Hungary are cutting off from the domains of the former Russian Empire territories more than 150,000 square kilometres in size. He thought it was like a death sentence.

He uses force and to end the violence you give him whatever he wants. And if he later wants more he just repeats that cycle. It is like someone comes to your house, beats you up, eats your food and rapes your daughter and then offers you  as a settlement  to stop beating you in exchange for the rest of your food and your second daughter but only on three nights a week.

My position is that peace can be used for various purposes, including buying time and rebuilding your country. In other words, peace is about tactics and strategy. I will cite just one example: the March 3, 1918 Treaty of Brest-Litovsk between Russia and the four Central Powers of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire. The First World War was raging, the Russian economy had collapsed, its armed forces were in disarray, there was also a civil war (just as in Ukraine); there were large war casualties, many of its citizens were displaced; there were serious food shortages and civil unrest. The Russians also had carried out a revolution the year before and Western powers and the Japanese wanted the revolution reversed.

It was in this near-impossible situation that the then Russian leader, Lenin, whose country was part of the Western Allies, reached out to the opposite Central Powers for ceasefire and negotiations. In reality, Russia was in no position to negotiate, but its government wanted an immediate ceasefire to implement its three basic programmes of Peace, Bread and Land.

Both sides agreed on the negotiation framework of peace with no annexations or indemnities. Despite this, the Powers asked Russia to surrender its lands. The leader of the Russian delegation and foreign minister, Leon Trotsky, lamented: Germany and Austria-Hungary are cutting off from the domains of the former Russian Empire territories more than 150,000 square kilometres in size. He thought it was like a death sentence. But Lenin told the ruling Central Committee that signing was the only way to stop further invasions of the country. He told his comrades: You must sign this shameful peace in order to save the world revolution.

Under the peace treaty, the Germans and the Austro-Hungarians took Poland and sliced from it a new country; the Germans colonised most of Ukraine and seized the Baltic states of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, turning them to vassal states; while the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) seized the districts of Erdehan, Kars, and Batum. Russia was also forced to recognise the independence of Finland and Georgia, and ordered to demobilise its army.

Contrary to the dominant narrative, Ukraine is not entirely the victim, although it is playing that role. Twice, Ukrainians from the eastern part of the country were democratically elected; twice their compatriots from the West overthrew those governments, leading to the uprising in the East and the Civil War. Merkel, as German Chancellor, had warned in 2008 that Ukraine was being run by oligarchs.

Having signed one of the worst peace agreements in history but with the guns no longer booming, the Lenin government turned to rebuilding the country and its economy. It redistributed land amongst the landless, expanded labour rights that enabled workers to control production, carried out mass education and making electricity available and affordable across the country. The Marxist-Leninist strategy was to use the bad peace to rebuild the country, and then from a position of strength, go about changing the treaty. I think Ukraine should learn from this.

Contrary to the dominant narrative, Ukraine is not entirely the victim, although it is playing that role. Twice, Ukrainians from the eastern part of the country were democratically elected; twice their compatriots from the West overthrew those governments, leading to the uprising in the East and the Civil War. Merkel, as German Chancellor, had warned in 2008 that Ukraine was being run by oligarchs.

She, therefore, opposed Ukraine and Georgia joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). In this weeks interview, she gave a second reason for her opposition: I was very sure that Putin is not going to just let that happen. From his perspective, that would be a declaration of war.

There were the Minsk Agreements which guaranteed a ceasefire, acceptable negotiations between Kiev and the separatists, which Ukraine refused to extend. Merkel in 2020 had warned Ukraine that there was no alternative to the agreements and that it was counterproductive for Ukraine to abandon them.

But who listened to Merkel then, and who is listening now that she is reiterating these truths? Let me add my own truth; the only viable peace I see in Ukraine is one without victory by either side; a peace without the defeat of either Ukraine or Russia. Tragically, NATO hopes for the defeat of Russia, which is why it is pouring arms and funds into Ukraine and discouraging any ceasefire or negotiated settlement. Time will tell.

Owei Lakemfa, a former secretary general of African workers, is a human rights activist, journalist and author.
Disturbed by the recurring communal clashes part of Lamurde and Guyuk Local Governments, of the state, the Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew in the areas.

Mr Fintiri gave the directive in a statement issued by his Press Secretary Humwashi Wonosikou, on Wednesday in Yola.

There have been renewed clashes in Mumseri, Mere, Kupte and Zakawon villages, which are communities in the two local governments.

The governor warned that the criminals responsible for causing unrest would not be spared.

Criminals are challenging the governments resolve, and we are going to pursue them to the farthest end possible, he said, adding We have exhausted all means to arrest the situation in that area.

It now requires a whole new approach because we have been left with no option, he added.

The governor noted that the unfortunate breach of peace in the areas was regrettable.

Government is concerned about the persisting tensions and reported attempts by some persons to take the Laws into their hands by attacking individuals and private facilities, as well as public property.

In order to avoid further deterioration of the ugly situation and to protect the lives and property of citizens, I have directed the imposition of a curfew from 5pm to 6am from Wednesday 8th June, 2022.

The curfew shall remain in place until further notice, the order said.

The government told residents to abide by the directive to enable security personnel to maintain law and order in the affected areas and deal with those attempting to foment trouble.

Mr Fintiri sympathised with the families of those killed or injured in the crisis.
FBN Holdings shares fell 13.4 per cent to a six-month low Thursday after its single largest individual shareholder, Femi Otedola, sold down about 834 million of the companys shares in a deal valued at about N9.2 billion.

The company, which traded within the range of N11 and N12 since Mr Otedola, the chair of Geregu Power Plc, became its majority shareholder, declined Wednesday to N10.90 at the close of business and later down to N10.30 on Thursday. By Friday afternoon, the companys shares stood at N10.15.

Mr Otedolas transactions were reported by FBN Holdings, the parent company of Nigerias oldest lender First Bank, as part of its Insider Dealing notification to the Nigerian exchange during the week.

Notifications posted on the Nigerian Exchanges website showed that Mr Otedola sold 200,000,000 units at N11.10 on June 6. On the same day, the billionaire magnate offloaded other shares of entities related to him, including 170,000,000 units at N11.14 via Primrose Global Concept; 53,000,000 units at N11.10 via Impetus Synergy; 120,000,000 units at N11.10 via Wells Properties & Investment Company Limited and 174,939,764 units at N11.14 via Shetland Global.

Mr Otedola previously owned 2,717,282,140 shares or 7.57 per cent of the bank. Last December, Mr Otedola acquired at least 2.5 per cent additional interest in the company, bringing his total stake to 7.57 per cent from an acquisition of 5.07 per cent.

With 2.717 billion units, Mr Otedola held 210 million directly, 1.989 billion through Calvados Global Services Limited, 170 million through Primrose Global Concept, 175 million through Shetland Global, 120 million through Wells Properties and 53 million through Impetus Synergy.

I have recently acquired additional shares in FBN Holdings Plc (the Company) which has brought my total stake to 7.57 per cent of the issued shares capital of the Company, he had said in a letter notifying the group managing director of FBN Holdings of his shareholding status last December.

Section 120 of the Companies and Allied Matters Act requires that I give notice in writing to the Company stating amongst other things, the particulars of the shares held by me or my nominees by virtue of which I am a substantial shareholder.

For the most part of the last quarter of 2021, the billionaire mogul had been in contention with Tunde-Hassan Odukale, the chair of Nigerias oldest lender FirstBank of Nigeria Limited (a subsidiary of FBN Holdings) over who owns the most shares in the group.
Asia kicks off key security meeting on regional security after two-year suspension

Xinhua) 13:11, June 10, 2022

SINGAPORE, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The 19th Shangri-La Dialogue will be held here from Friday to Sunday after a two-year suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing mainly on security in the Asia-Pacific region and viable solutions, including the China-proposed Global Security Initiative (GSI).

The three-day summit will hold seven plenary sessions, two ministerial roundtable meetings and three simultaneous special sessions for delegates from more than 40 countries or regions to exchange views on regional and global security issues. Senior defence ministers from Southeast Asia and the wider Asia region, Europe, North America and the Middle East are also expected to attend and speak at the Dialogue.

According to the agenda, Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe will address a plenary session and is expected to introduce China's policy, principles and actions on safeguarding true multilateralism, regional peace and stability, and building a shared future for humanity.

A highlight of the summit is China's GSI, seen as another global public good that contributes Chinese solutions and wisdom to address global security challenges. Analysts said the initiative's implementation will attract enormous attention at the Shangri-La Dialogue.

"We look forward to welcoming Wei Fenghe to the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue and to hearing his views at this critical time for the regional and global security order," said James Crabtree, executive director of the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies-Asia.

Mahmud Ali, associate fellow of the Institute of China Studies, University of Malaya, said China's GSI can be interpreted as a step toward developing "a community with a shared future."

The GSI views humanity as an indivisible, singular and united body sharing a single home planet, whose security affects every individual and society and therefore must be defended and advanced collectively, he said.

The expert believed that the vision has expanded the dimension of security from its "narrowly-defined political-military parameters" to "focus on the shared nature of planetary existence, dilute the emphases on divergences, and enable collaborative approaches to tackling trans-border challenges."

Other topics for discussion include managing geopolitical competition in a multipolar region, the Myanmar situation, climate security and maritime security.

Meanwhile, analysts also cautioned that the United States may use Asia's top security meeting this week to further pitch its Indo-Pacific Strategy, during which U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will make a speech titled "Next Steps for the United States' Indo-Pacific Strategy."

Senior Colonel Zhang Chi, an associate professor at the National Defense University of China, told Xinhua that the United States has spared no effort in implementing its Indo-Pacific Strategy to isolate China, divide Asian countries and undermine the central role of ASEAN in the region.

Additionally, Washington is trying to stoke tensions in the region by stirring up sensitive security issues involving Taiwan and the South China Sea to establish a "NATO for the Asia-Pacific" to encircle China, he added.

"Its purpose is to contain China's development, coerce or induce countries in the region to take sides with either China or the United States," Zhang noted, adding that it will "destroy regional solidarity and harmony and cause split, or even conflicts."

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu)
Nairobi  The Media Owners Association (MOA) has urged all presidential candidates to participate in the organized debate ahead of the August elections.

The plea comes even as Deputy President William Ruto vowed to keep off the debate after alleging unfair bias by the media.

According to MOA chairman Stephen Gitagama, the debate will focus on issue-based elections as well as provide an opportunity for the candidates to debate, interact and engage.

"The debate is to allow the candidates to speak with millions of Kenyans to share their dream, to share their vision and what they would like to deliver to Kenyans once they are elected," he said.

"Also, the debate gives an opportunity to Kenyans to interact to ask questions and create a platform to interact and ask the question to the candidates who want to be their president."

He further indicated that they have engaged all the candidates and stated that they have responded and are willing to attend the exercise whose date will be communicated later.

The Usawa Agenda representative Emmanuel Manyasa said that their main concern is to ensure the candidates promote equity in education.

"As campaigns are held and monitored, education is seen to be the most pressing challenge that candidates have to deal with when they get to office and the debate has to show that education is important and they have to consider it out and tell Kenyans what they are going to do about it," he stated.

"We are in danger of the transition crashing our education system if top candidates don't focus on it and we want to try and push this is idea out and we want to hope that they will be able to come out and tell Kenyans what they are going to do to ensure the seamless transition from 8-4-4 to CBC system and we hope presidential debate will help," he said.

This will be the third televised presidential debate in the country, the first being in 2013.

In the 2017 presidential debate, President Uhuru Kenyatta failed to attend.
The former minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, will run for a seat in the Nigerian Senate after stepping down for the former governor of Lagos State, Bola Tinubu, at the just concluded presidential primary of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mr Tinubu polled 1,271 votes to defeat 13 others in the race.

Two sources familiar with the development told PREMIUM TIMES that Mr Akpabio, Thursday night, filled the party forms that would get his name entered as the APC candidate for the Akwa Ibom North-West District election in 2023, even when he did not take part in the party primary in the district.

All party primaries for 2023 elections end on June 9, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Jackson Udom, the media aide to Mr Akpabio, confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES, Thursday night, that the former minister will contest for the Senate.

Mr Udom said on Thursday at 10.30 p.m. that people were still voting in a rescheduled primary for the district.

He (Akpabio) is contesting, Mr Udom said. Obong Ekperikpe Ekpo has stepped down for him.

Ekperikpe Ekpo, a former member of the House of Representatives, was earlier this month declared the winner of the APC senatorial primary conducted by a faction of the party that is loyal to Mr Akpabio.

Udom Ekpoudom, a retired deputy inspector general of police, won a parallel APC primary in the district  it was conducted by a faction loyal to the former national secretary of the APC, John Akpanudoedehe.

Messrs Akpabio and Akpanudoedehe have been involved in a protracted battle over the control of the APC structure in Akwa Ibom.

Mr Akpanudoedehe, a few days ago, defected to the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) and secured the partys governorship ticket in Akwa Ibom after he was outmaneuvered by the other faction which got Akanimo Udofia, a man who joined the APC in less than a month, to be elected the 2023 governorship candidate of the party in the state.

Mr Ekpo, the man who is being replaced by Mr Akpabio in the race for the Senate, declined to comment when PREMIUM TIMES contacted him Thursday night.

The candidate of the other faction, Mr Ekpoudom, said he was not aware Mr Akpabio had entered the race.

Meanwhile, the APC in Akwa Ibom may not field candidates for the 2023 elections because of the legitimacy issues over who leads the party between the two factions.

If cleared by INEC, this would be the second time Mr Akpabio, a former Senate minority leader, would contest for the Senate after his first term in the National Assembly in 2019.

Mr Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom, was elected a senator in 2015 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. He later resigned from his position as the minority leader and defected from the PDP to the APC.

He, however, failed to win the senatorial election in 2019 under the APC, and was compensated with an appointment as the minister of Niger Delta Affairs by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Enugu State Government has offered bursaries to 165 indigenes in different campuses of the Nigerian Law School.

The I65 beneficiaries of the financial awards were identified and listed by the students themselves when they interacted with Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi at the Government House, Enugu, on Thursday.

The Executive Secretary, Enugu State Scholarship Board, Uche Abonyi, confirmed the disbursement.

He stated that each of the beneficiaries received N100,000 from the government through his office.

Mr Abonyi disclosed the governor started paying the bursary to Enugu indigenes in the Nigerian Law School in 2020 during the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said the state government, during the heat of the COVID-19, in 2020, paid N24 million to Enugu law students to cushion the adverse effects of the pandemic.

Mr Abonyi said: This payment was made when most states were struggling to pay workers salaries because of the economic recession.

He urged the students to be good ambassadors of the state wherever they find themselves.

Always have our dear state, Enugu, in your prayers for the sustenance of peace, security and good governance entrenched by Governor Ugwuanyis administration, he advised the students.

READ ALSO: Governor Ugwuanyi commissions N56 Billion NB Ama Brewery expansion project in Enugu

Reacting on behalf of the beneficiaries, the leader of the law students, Michael Onah, expressed gratitude to the governor for his humility, benevolence and steadfastness.

Mr Onah reiterated the commitment of the law students towards making Enugu State proud, promising the governor that they would make him proud in their final examination in August, in appreciation of his kind gesture.

Describing the bursary as a privilege and not a right, the leader of the law students reassured Mr Ugwuanyi of their support, prayers, and solidarity.

(NAN)
Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has approved the appointment of 11 more persons into various key positions in the state.

Obumneme Akunyili, the last son of a former director-general of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Dora Akunyili, was among those appointed by the governor.

He is now the Director-General, Project Monitoring Office.

The Commissioner of Information in the state, Paul Nwosu, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

He said four of the appointees will serve as special advisers, while seven others will head various governments ministries and agencies.

The new special advisers are: Anayo Nebe, who will advise the governor on legislative and state assembly matters, while Alex Obiogbolu will advise on political matters.

The others are Godwin Nnadozie, medical and pharmaceuticals matters, and Raphael Nnabuife, local government affairs.

Others who will head various governments ministries and agencies include: Emma Ezenwaji, chairman, board of the Anambra Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA), while Mike Ozoemena will serve as ASWAMAs managing director/chief executive officer.

Simeon Onyemaechi is the new managing director/chief executive officer of the Anambra States Health Insurance Agency, while Tony Ujubuonu will replace the deceased Joe Anatune as managing director/chief executive officer of the states Signage and Advertising Agency.

Chido Obidieqwu is the new managing director of the Anambra Broadcasting Service, and Phil O. Phil-Eze is managing director for the states Erosion, Watershed and Climate Change Agency.

The latest appointments bring the total number of the governors appointed aides, so far, to 28.

Following Mr Soludos request, the Anambra House of Assembly had confirmed the nomination of 15 special advisers to the governor.

The governor, on April 9, swore in Ben Chiobi as a special adviser on security matters alongside 20 nominees earlier confirmed as commissioners in the state.

The governor, on April 19, again appointed eight other persons into various positions in the state.

Mr Soludo also swore-in one other commissioner, Sly Ezeokenwa, thereafter, bringing the total number of commissioners in his administration to 21, two above the number of commissioners during Willie Obianos administration.
Wife of the President, Hajia Aisha Buhari, has asked stakeholders to always promote peace-building among farming communities to ensure sustainable food security in Africa.

Mrs. Buhari, who is the president of African First Lady Peace Mission (AFLPM) made the appeal in a message she delivered yesterday through the senior special Assistant to the president on public affairs and strategy, Mr Sani Zorro, at a two-day High-Level Forum on Food Security holding in Almaty, the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The meeting was organised by the Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS) to promote food security and agricultural development, especially on the role of women in food security.

The Nigerian first lady emphasised the need to join forces towards addressing the devastating impact of climate change, especially as it affects women and children as well as food production.

She said concerted effort must be made by relevant authorities to stem the conflicts between farming communities and herdsmen.

According to her, the situation threatens food production in most farming communities.

Mrs. Buhari said the government of Nigeria had invested enough resources to curtail the situation and to guarantee safety to the farming communities.

"Efforts are being made to address the situation in most affected areas in Africa, one of the efforts comes from the humanitarian organisation.

"Efforts from my office and my foundation, the Aisha Buhari Foundation have continued to support women, youths and children who are mostly affected by the challenges affecting our environment.

"I am excited by the efforts aimed at partnering with the Islamic Organisation for Food Security in our commitment to achieving food security, especially through food security and nutrition.

"As president of AFLPM, sometime last month, I had the opportunity to address the General Assembly Summit of African Union Heads of States and Government as a reliable partner in promoting peace in the continent.

"We are committed to using the network of Africa's first ladies peace mission to influence the teachings of peace and security education in primary, secondary and tertiary schools in the continent, " she said (NAN).
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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 eric.j.minuskin@ey.com lauren.mosery@ey.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1836918/EY_World_Entrepreneur_Of_Year_Gaston_Taratuta.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1721690/EY_Logo.jpg

SOURCE EY
MIAMI, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Cansortium Inc. (CSE: TIUM.U) (OTCQX: CNTMF) ("Cansortium" or the "Company"), a vertically-integrated cannabis company operating under the Fluent brand, today announced the filing of its full year 2021 audited financial statements, management discussion and analysis and CEO and CFO certificates (collectively, the "Annual Filings") on SEDAR. The Company has also filed its interim unaudited financial statements, management 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") on SEDAR. Unless otherwise indicated, all results are presented in U.S. dollars.

FY 2021 Financial Highlights (vs. FY 2020)

Revenue increased 25% to $65.4 million compared to $52.4 million .

compared to . Adjusted gross profit 1 increased 34% to $41.9 million or 64.1% of revenue, compared to $31.4 million or 59.9% of revenue.

increased 34% to or 64.1% of revenue, compared to or 59.9% of revenue. Adjusted EBITDA increased 90% to $19.6 million or 29.9% of revenue, compared to $10.3 million or 19.6% of revenue.

Q1 2022 Financial Highlights (vs. Q1 2021)

Revenue increased 30% to $19.7 million compared to $15.1 million .

compared to . Adjusted gross profit 1 increased 19% to $11.5 million or 58.6% of revenue, compared to $9.7 million or 64.2% of revenue.

increased 19% to or 58.6% of revenue, compared to or 64.2% of revenue. Adjusted EBITDA increased 42% to $6.2 million or 31.5% of revenue, compared to $4.4 million or 29.0% of revenue.

"Now that our filing delay is behind us, we can focus entirely on the strong momentum that continues to build in our business," said CEO Robert Beasley. "We generated another record quarter of results in Q1 and based off the weekly data reported by the Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU), Fluent has continued to climb the charts and improve its market share in Florida in the second quarter."

2022 Outlook

The Company continues to expect revenue in 2022 to range between $90-$95 million, reflecting an approximate 40% increase from 2021. Cansortium also expects adjusted EBITDA in 2022 to range between $25-$28 million, reflecting an approximate 35% increase from 2021.

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 Information

Certain information in this news release may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may also contain statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "targets", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "an opportunity exists", "is positioned", "estimates", "intends", "assumes", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent the Company's expectations, estimates, and projections regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company's control.

Forward-looking information is necessarily based on many opinions, assumptions, and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date of this news release, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to the factors described in the public documents of the Company available at www.sedar.com. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect the Company; however, these factors should be considered carefully. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

_________________________ 1 Adjusted gross profit is a non-IFRS financial measure that does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. The Company calculates adjusted gross profit from gross profit plus (minus) the changes in fair value of biological assets, as presented in the consolidated statement of operations.

Company Contact

Robert Beasley, CEO

(850) 972-8077

investors.getfluent.com

Investor Relations Contact

Sean Mansouri, CFA

Elevate IR

(720) 330-2829

[email protected]

SOURCE Cansortium Inc
STOCKHOLM, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On Wednesday the 8th of June, Cartier hosted Swedish and other Nordic guests for a grand celebration of Clash de Cartier in Stockholm. The city thrives on the duality between tradition and modernity, an inspiration it shares with the rebellious collection.

Notable guests included royals and celebrities such as: HH Prince Nikolai of Denmark, Omar Rudberg, Edvin Ryding, Alicia Agneson, Gizem Erdogan, Sophia Roe, Eric Saade, Jeuru, Emilia de Poret and Louise Thott.

The theme of the joyful evening was duality, light and dark, in honour of the intriguing designs of Clash de Cartier and the longer days of summer. Guests departed from Nybroviken by boat to a secret location where they were welcomed by the iconic Cartier grooms.

Upon entering the venue, guests discovered an immersive Clash de Cartier installation in a cave room.





Swedish DJ Tina Misaghi and French DJ producers Doppelganger Paris (twins Brice and Regis Abby) entertained the guests.

The celebration coincides with the unique Clash de Cartier installation in the Stockholm Boutique at Smalandsgatan 10. From June 3rd until June 18th visitors can discover new creations that amplify the dualities within the Maison's codes.

HASHTAGS:

#ClashdeCartier

#CartierStockholm

ABOUT CLASH DE CARTIER

Launched in April 2019 with a star-studded event in Paris, Clash de Cartier is a jewellery collection that plays with duality and the meeting of worlds, from classic to punk, edgy to soft and feminine to masculine. The Clash collection balances clean design with excess of energy and a rebellious spirit. Clash de Cartier shakes up the Maison's aesthetic heritage of studs, beads and clous carres. This collection takes a swipe at protocol, tradition and liberty. A clash of attitudes. In volumes and reliefs, circles and squares, the collection honors the Maison's penchant for geometry which dates back to the 1930s. Crafted in 4N rose gold, white gold and exclusive diamond and onyx paved versions, the rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces of the Clash de Cartier collection are identified by their bold design and innate rebellious spirit.



In 2021, a special capsule collection Clash [Un]Limited was released with a celebration moment in Berlin. More mesmerising than ever, the jewellery pieces rebel against classic forms, with exaggerated volumes, intense black, oversized studs and bold wearing options. An expression of extreme tension, a clash of opposites: geometric lines combined with inflated volumes. These pieces echo and amplify the clash of two opposing attitudes. Clash de Cartier doubles down on its own unique philosophy. The creations launching in June amplify the dualities within the Maison's codes, playing with duplication and textural counterparts to create a visual language of rhythm and intensity. They project the uncompromising aesthetic of punk, while their tactility invites a playful interaction from the wearer.

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SOURCE Cartier
Facility is first of 10 solar sites that are part of company's new community solar program.

Enrolled income-qualified customers will see guaranteed savings on their program costs every month.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy today announced the completion of its first community solar site in Hardee County, Fla., in its drive to make more solar power available for all customers in Florida.

The Fort Green Renewable Energy Center is the first of 10 solar sites, totaling 750 megawatts (MW), that are part of the company's new community solar program, Clean Energy Connection.

Through the program, Duke Energy Florida customers can subscribe to solar power and earn credits toward their electricity bills without having to install or maintain their own equipment.

"Bringing cleaner resources onto the grid is important to our customers and our company," said Duke Energy Florida State President Melissa Seixas. "By subscribing to the Clean Energy Connection program and supporting solar sites like this one, our customers are joining a community that is helping drive Florida to a cleaner energy future."

The 74.9-MW facility was built on approximately 500 acres of repurposed mining land in Hardee County, Fla. The project consists of nearly 265,000 solar panels, utilizing a fixed-tilt racking system that will produce enough carbon-free energy to effectively power more than 23,000 average-sized homes at peak production.

The second Clean Energy Connection site, Bay Trail Renewable Energy Center in Citrus County, is expected to begin supporting Clean Energy Connection subscriptions later this summer.

Launched in April 2022, the Clean Energy Connection program allows customers to subscribe to kilowatt (kW) blocks of solar power from the company's Clean Energy Connection solar portfolio. The monthly subscription fee will help pay for the cost of construction and operation of the solar power plants and is conveniently added to a customer's regular electric bill.

The monthly subscription fee is fixed at $8.35 per kW. A customer with average usage of 1,000 kWh/month could subscribe to approximately 5 kW to cover their full usage. Subscribers receive bill credits based on their subscription size and the amount of solar energy that is produced by the Clean Energy Connection solar facilities each month.

The bill credit rate for the first 36 months of the program participation will be 4 cents per kWh (kilowatt-hour), and then starting with the 37th month of continuous enrollment, the bill credit rate increases by 1.5% every year. This bill credit amount varies each month with the actual solar energy produced, where it may be greater during the months with more direct sunlight.

The program sets aside 26 MW for income-qualified customers who participate in government subsidy programs or Duke Energy's low-income energy efficiency program, Neighborhood Energy Saver.

For income-qualified customers, the fixed monthly $9.03 credit per kW subscribed will always be higher than the fixed monthly $8.35 subscription fee per kW subscribed.

Since the bill credits are greater than the subscription fee, income-qualified customers will continue to save each month for as long as they subscribe to the program.

The average subscription amount for income-qualified customers (5 kW) results in approximately $42/year in bill savings.

Subscriptions are associated with all solar plants in the program. Customers do not need to live near a facility to enroll, as the program brings new solar generation to the larger grid, which lowers the emissions profile of Duke Energy's electric service in all communities.

Customers who are interested in the program can learn more through the Clean Energy Connection website.

Video of Fort Green Renewable Energy Center, from drone.

Video of Bay Trail Renewable Energy Center, from done.

Duke Energy Florida

Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 10,300 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 1.9 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 28,000 people.

Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business and at least a 50% carbon reduction from electric generation by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The 2050 net-zero goals also include Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 emissions. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.

Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2022 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "America's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com . The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter , LinkedIn , Instagram and Facebook .

Media contact: Audrey Stasko

Cell: 315.877.3031

Media line: 800.559.3853

SOURCE Duke Energy
There is no doubting the fact that the country is drastically drifting toward the "State of nature" but the government owes it a duty to fulfil every term of the social contract it willingly entered with the people for the sake of maintaining the continued existence of this edifice. Anything other than the urgent intervention of the government would definitely consume a country that is already sitting on a keg of gunpowder.

The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) in Section 14(2b) is also very clear on what the primary responsibility of every government should be which is the "Provision of security and welfare services for the people".

Today, under a government that declared to guarantee the security of lives and properties, our best and brightest people are being killed daily, making the country exhibit all the characteristics of a failed state.

Barely a week ago, the Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Samuel Kanu-Uche was kidnapped for ransom.

On Sunday criminal-minded elements invaded the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Owo leaving a countless number of persons dead with many others sustaining bodily injury.

Beyond extending condolences and addressing the security issue, the Nigerian government should stop acting helplessly. Rather, the government must ensure that all police officers that are attached to political office holders and other persons except some key individuals be withdrawn and deployed to the field.

The Police Force is meant to provide security for the larger population. But, unfortunately, they are reduced to that.

It is also unimaginable that in a country with over 200 million people there are just 371,000 police officers to provide security. We should therefore make deliberate efforts to increase the number to provide effective security to the nation.

Government at all levels must be up-and-doing in combating crime. And in doing this, we need political and leadership will.

Kazeem Olalekan Israel (GANI) resides in Ibadan
NEW YORK, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Insight Partners adds " Facility Management Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Deployment (On-Premise, Cloud); Offering (Software, Services); Enterprise Size (Large Enterprises, SMEs); Application (BFSI, Retail, Transport and Logistics, Pharmaceuticals, Government, IT and Telecom, Manufacturing, Others) and Geography" research report to the Technology, Media and Telecommunications category of its store.

Get Exclusive Access to Sample Pages of Facility Management Market Size - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis with Strategic Insights at: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPTE100000937/

Surge in demand for cloud-based facility management solutions to boost Demand for Facility management Market:

Cloud-based solutions provide a safe and secure way to host facilities management software. They also assist firms cut costs by improving security and collaboration across teams and subsidiaries spread across numerous regions. Secure hosting of sensitive data, better security and scalability, and quick disaster recovery are all advantages of cloud-based facilities management solutions. The backups are saved on a public or private cloud hosting platform, allowing businesses to quickly retrieve vital server data. Secure logins allow data to be accessed from anywhere with a stable internet connection. Customer satisfaction is improved, and repair and maintenance expenses are reduced, thanks to cloud-based facilities management solutions. As a result of these advantages, the adoption of cloud-based solutions for integrating facilities management services is on the rise.

The growing installation costs of in-house facilities management teams, as well as the challenging task of managing a vast array of services, are driving the rise in outsourcing demand. Companies are under a lot of pressure to provide value to their clients, which forces them to constantly innovate and expand their core offerings in order to provide better customer service. Since a result, non-core facility management budgets are frequently cut, as employees and clients seek improved workplace experiences. Outsourcing is expected to become more appealing as a result of these considerations.

Place Your Inquiry Before Buying: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/inquiry/TIPTE100000937/

Regional Insights: Facility management Market

In the facility management industry, North America is predicted to have the greatest market share in facility management market. The presence of economically and technologically advanced countries such as the United States and Canada, as well as the adoption of new and emerging technologies and market players' strong financial positions, are some of the major factors that help North American companies gain a competitive advantage over their competitors. The region is made up of developed countries with well-established infrastructure, which means that facility management solutions are in high demand. Companies in the BFSI and IT & telecom verticals, for example, are projected to contribute significant market share in global facility management market.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Facility management Market:

COVID-19 first began in Wuhan (China) during December 2019 and since then it has spread at a fast pace across the globe. The US, India, Brazil, Russia, France, the UK, Turkey, Italy, and Spain are some of the worst affected countries in terms confirmed cases and reported deaths. The COVID-19 has been affecting economies and industries in various countries due to lockdowns, travel bans, and business shutdowns. Shutdown of various plants and factories has affected the global supply chains and negatively impacted the manufacturing, delivery schedules, and sales of products in global market. Few companies have already announced possible delays in product deliveries and slump in future sales of their products. In addition to this, the global travel bans imposed by countries in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and North America are affecting the business collaborations and partnerships opportunities

Connect with Our Research Analyst On: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/speak-to-analyst/TIPTE100000937

Key Recent Developments: Facility management Market

Sep 2020, Propre Japan Inc. worked with Oracle. Oracle Japan will assist Propre Japan Inc. in developing Propre's real estate big data platform, which will be available in 17 countries across the world. Oracle's customer base would grow as a result of this agreement.

April 2020. SAP teamed together with Honeywell to develop a cloud-based system that would boost building efficiency. Honeywell Forge enterprise performance management solution and SAP Cloud Platform will be used to build the solution. Customers would benefit from improved building performance, including a lower carbon footprint and cheaper energy expenses, as well as a better tenant experience, thanks to the solution.

The report segments the global facility management market as follows:

Global Facility management Market - By Deployment

On-Premise

Cloud

Global Facility management Market - By Offering

Software

Services

Click Here to Avail Lucrative DISCOUNTS on Our Latest Research Reports. We Offer Student, Enterprise, and Special Periodic Discounts to Our Clientele. Please Fill the Form to Know DISCOUNTED PRICE

Global Facility management Market - By Enterprise Size

Large Enterprises

SMEs

Global Facility management Market - By Application

BFSI

Retail

Transport and Logistics

Pharmaceutical

Government

IT and Telecom

Manufacturing

Others.

By Geography

North America

US



Canada



Mexico

Europe

France



Germany



Italy



UK



Russia



Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific (APAC)

(APAC) China



India



Australia



South Korea



Japan



Rest of APAC

Middle East and Africa (MEA)

and (MEA) UAE



Saudi Arabia



South Africa



Rest of MEA

South America

Brazil



Argentina



Rest of SAM

Buy Premium Copy of Facility Management Market Size, Share, Revenue, Strategic Insights and Forecasts 2022-2028 Research Report at: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/buy/TIPTE100000937/

Facility Management Market - Company Profiles:

Archibus Inc.

FM Systems Group, LLC

Fortive Corporation

Trimble Inc.

IBM Corporation

SAP SE

MRI Software, LLC

Oracle Corporation

Planon B.V.

Ramco Systems Limited

Browse Adjoining Reports:

Facility Management Software Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Solutions (Integrated Workplace Management System, Building Information Modeling, Facility Operations and Security Management, Facility Environment Management, Lease Accounting and Real Estate Management, Others); Deployment Type (On-Premise, Cloud); End-User (BFSI, IT and Telecom, Transport and Logistics, Manufacturing, Retail, Pharmaceuticals, Others) and Geography

Facility Management Solution Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Component (Software and Services), Deployment (On Premise and Cloud-Based), Enterprise Size (Small and Medium Enterprises, and Large Enterprises), and Application (BFSI, Retail, Transport and Logistics, Pharmaceuticals, Government, IT and Telecom, Manufacturing, and Others)

Computer-aided Facility Management (CAFM) Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Component (Solution, Services); Deployment (Cloud, On-Premise); Industry (Manufacturing, Retail, Education, Government, Healthcare, Others) and Geography

Building Automation System Market Forecast to 2028 - Covid-19 Impact and Global Analysis - by Offering (Facility Management Systems, HVAC Control Systems, Security and Access Control Systems, Fire Protection Systems, Building Energy Management Software, BAS Services); Application (Residential, Commercial, Industrial Application); Communication Technology (Wireless Technologies, Wired Technologies, Wired Technologies) and Geography

Location Intelligence Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Organization Size (SMEs, Large Enterprises); Application (Customer Management, Workforce Management, Facility Management, Remote Monitoring, Risk Management, Sales and Marketing Optimization, Others); End User (BFSI, Automotive, Retail, IT and Telecom, Government, Others) and Geography

About Us:

The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We specialize in industries such as Semiconductor and Electronics, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Biotechnology, Healthcare IT, Manufacturing and Construction, Medical Device, Technology, Media and Telecommunications, Chemicals and Materials.

Contact Us:

If you have any queries about this report or if you would like further information, please contact us:

Contact Person: Sameer Joshi

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: +1-646-491-9876

Industry Research: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/categories/technology-media-and-telecomunications

SOURCE The Insight Partners
Statement from Gus Antorcha, president, Holland America Line

SEATTLE, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- "The expected announcement that CDC will be ending its requirement of a negative COVID-19 test for Americans to reenter the United States is an important step forward in the return to all global travel, including cruising. The change means that U.S. travelers can pursue their love of cruising Holland America Line voyages from homeports in Europe, Canada, and Australia without concern they could be denied entry to return home.

"This is exciting news for Holland America Line and our guests as we complete our return to service this week with all 11 ships in our fleet back in operations. It removes a barrier to travel for some guests who understandably wanted to avoid the uncertainty of return testing. At Holland America Line, we continue to operate vaccinated cruises and have created a safe and healthy environment for our guests, our teams, and the communities we serve, helping to ensure cruising is among the safest forms of socializing and travel. And we continue to offer our Worry-Free Promise to allow flexible cancelation for cruises booked by September and departing through December."





CONTACT: Bill Zucker, Erik Elvejord PHONE: 800-637-5029, 206-626-9890 EMAIL: [email protected]





SOURCE Holland America Line
Five-year follow-up analysis of the Phase 3 CLL14 trial (median follow-up of 65.4 months) continues to demonstrate longer progression-free survival (PFS) after fixed-duration venetoclax plus obinutuzumab compared to fixed-duration chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab in previously untreated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and coexisting conditions

PFS was significantly superior for venetoclax plus obinutuzumab compared to chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab (median not reached [NR] vs. 36.4 months, p<0.0001)

A majority of patients treated with venetoclax and obinutuzumab remain without relapse four years after completing the venetoclax-based combination treatment

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) today announced five-year follow-up results from the Phase 3 CLL14 trial, finding that over 60 percent of patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who had received one-year fixed-duration combination treatment of VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA (venetoclax) plus obinutuzumab (GAZYVA) continued to show longer progression-free survival (PFS) and higher rates of undetectable minimal residual disease (MRD) after four years off treatment.1 The findings were presented at the 2022 European Hematology Association (EHA) Annual Congress (Abstract #S148).

"Long-term data from the CLL14 trial show that the one-year fixed-duration combination regimen of venetoclax and obinutuzumab offers patients the possibility of four years of CLL treatment-free response without disease progression," said Mohamed Zaki, M.D., Ph.D., vice president and global head of oncology clinical development, AbbVie. "Since its approval, this chemotherapy-free combination option has helped transform the therapeutic landscape for CLL."

Data shows that after more than five years of median follow-up (65.4 months), PFS remained significantly superior among patients treated with the VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA and obinutuzumab combination compared to the chlorambucil and obinutuzumab chemotherapy regimen (n=432; median NR vs 36.4 months; hazard ratio [HR] 0.35 [95% CI 0.26-0.46], p<0.0001). The therapies were administered for a fixed-duration of 12 months for VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA in combination with six cycles of obinutuzumab. At five years after randomization, the estimated PFS rate after one-year fixed-duration treatment was 62.6 percent for the VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA-based combination compared to 27.0 percent for the chlorambucil combination 1 The improvement in PFS was maintained across all risk groups, including patients with TP53 mutation/deletion and unmutated IGHV status.1

Among the secondary endpoints, patients were assessed for MRD in peripheral blood and/or bone marrow, using next generation sequencing. Undetectable MRD (uMRD) was defined as less than one CLL cell being identified per 10,000 lymphocytes sampled. Four years after treatment completion, 18.1 percent of patients treated with the VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA-based combination still had uMRD compared to 1.9 percent of patients in the chlorambucil combination study arm.1

The estimated overall survival (OS) rate was 81.9 percent in the VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA-based combination and 77.0 percent in the chlorambucil combination group (HR 0.72 [0.48-1.09], p=0.12) at five years after randomization.1

No new safety signals were observed in the five-year follow-up analysis. The most frequently occurring serious adverse reactions (>=2%) in patients receiving the VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA-based combination were pneumonia, sepsis, febrile neutropenia, and tumor lysis syndrome.1

"Four years following treatment completion, we are pleased to report that approximately three out of five patients who received the fixed-duration combination treatment with venetoclax have remained progression free," said Othman Al-Sawaf, M.D., investigator in the CLL14 study, hematologist-oncologist at the University Hospital Cologne in Germany, and study physician at the German CLL Study Group. "Additionally, it is notable that the population of patients who received chlorambucil combination was observed to have slightly more than twice the rate of progression events, compared to the patients who received the venetoclax combination."

VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA is being developed by AbbVie and Roche. It is jointly commercialized by AbbVie and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, in the U.S. and by AbbVie outside of the U.S.

About the CLL14 Phase 3 Trial3,4,5

The prospective, multicenter, open-label, randomized Phase 3 CLL14 trial, which was conducted in close collaboration with the German CLL Study Group (DCLLSG), evaluated the efficacy and safety of a combined regimen of VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA and obinutuzumab (n=216) versus obinutuzumab and chlorambucil (n=216) in previously untreated patients with CLL and coexisting medical conditions (total Cumulative Illness Rating Scale [CIRS] score >6 or creatinine clearance <70 mL/min). The therapies were administered for a fixed-duration of 12 months for VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA in combination with six cycles of obinutuzumab. The trial enrolled 432 patients, all of whom were previously untreated, according to the International Workshop on Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (iwCLL) criteria. Efficacy was based on PFS, as assessed by an independent review committee.

Key secondary endpoints were rates of MRD in peripheral blood and bone marrow, overall and complete response rates, MRD in complete response in peripheral blood and bone marrow, and overall survival.

In patients with CLL receiving venetoclax combination therapy with obinutuzumab, serious adverse reactions (ARs) were most often due to febrile neutropenia and pneumonia (5 percent each). The most common ARs (20 percent) of any grade were neutropenia (60 percent), diarrhea (28 percent), and fatigue (21 percent). Fatal ARs that occurred in the absence of disease progression and with onset within 28 days of the last study treatment were reported in 2 percent (4/212) of patients, most often from infection.

About VENCLYXTO (venetoclax)

VENCLYXTO (venetoclax) is a first-in-class medicine that selectively binds and inhibits the B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) protein. In some blood cancers, BCL-2 prevents cancer cells from undergoing their natural death or self-destruction process, called apoptosis. VENCLYXTO targets the BCL-2 protein and works to help restore the process of apoptosis.

VENCLYXTO is being developed by AbbVie and Roche. It is jointly commercialized by AbbVie and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, in the U.S. and by AbbVie outside of the U.S. Together, the companies are committed to BCL-2 research and to studying venetoclax in clinical trials across several blood and other cancers. Venetoclax is approved in more than 80 countries, including the U.S.

Indication and Important VENCLYXTO (venetoclax) EU Safety Information4

Indications

Venclyxto in combination with obinutuzumab is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).

Venclyxto in combination with rituximab is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with CLL who have received at least one prior therapy.

Venclyxto monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of CLL:

In the presence of 17p deletion or TP53 mutation in adult patients who are unsuitable for or have failed a B-cell receptor pathway inhibitor, or

mutation in adult patients who are unsuitable for or have failed a B-cell receptor pathway inhibitor, or In the absence of 17p deletion or TP53 mutation in adult patients who have failed both chemoimmunotherapy and a B-cell receptor pathway inhibitor.

Venclyxto in combination with a hypomethylating agent is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) who are ineligible for intensive chemotherapy.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients is contraindicated. Concomitant use of strong CYP3A inhibitors at initiation and during the dose-titration phase due to increased risk for tumour lysis syndrome (TLS). Concomitant use of preparations containing St. John's wort as Venclyxto efficacy may be reduced.

Special Warnings & Precautions for Use

Tumour Lysis syndrome, including fatal events, has occurred in patients when treated with Venclyxto. For CLL and AML, please refer to the indication-specific recommendations for prevention of TLS in the Venclyxto summary of product characteristic (SmPC).

Patients should be assessed for risk and should receive appropriate prophylaxis, monitoring, and management for TLS. The risk of TLS is a continuum based on multiple factors, including comorbidities. Venclyxto poses a risk for TLS at initiation and during the dose-titration phase. Changes in electrolytes consistent with TLS that require prompt management can occur as early as 6 to 8 hours following the first dose of Venclyxto and at each dose increase.

Neutropenia (grade 3 or 4) has been reported. Complete blood counts should be monitored throughout the treatment period.

In patients with AML, neutropenia (grade 3 or 4) is common before starting treatment. The neutrophil counts can worsen with Venetoclax in combination with a hypomethylating agent. Neutropenia can recur with subsequent cycles of therapy. Dose modification and interruptions for cytopenias are dependent on remission status.

For CLL and AML, please refer to the indication-specific recommendations for dose modifications for toxicities in the Venclyxto SmPC.

Serious infections including sepsis with fatal outcome have been reported. Monitoring of any signs and symptoms of infection is required. Suspected infections should receive prompt treatment including antimicrobials and dose interruption or reduction as appropriate.

Live vaccines should not be administered during treatment or thereafter until B-cell recovery.

Drug Interactions

In CLL and AML CYP3A inhibitors may increase Venclyxto plasma concentrations.

In CLL, at initiation and dose-titration phase, Strong CYP3A inhibitors are contraindicated due to increased risk for TLS and moderate CYP3A inhibitors should be avoided. If moderate CYP3A inhibitors must be used, please refer to the recommendations for dose modifications in the Venclyxto SmPC.

In AML, please refer to the AML-specific recommendation for dose modifications for potential interactions with CYP3A inhibitors, in the VENCLYXTO SmPC.

Avoid concomitant use of P-gp and BCRP inhibitors at initiation and during the dose titration phase.

CYP3A4 inducers may decrease Venclyxto plasma concentrations. Avoid coadministration with strong or moderate CYP3A inducers. These agents may decrease venetoclax plasma concentrations.

Co-administration of bile acid sequestrants with VENCLYXTO is not recommended as this may reduce the absorption of VENCLYXTO.

Adverse Reactions

CLL

The most commonly occurring adverse reactions (>=20%) of any grade in patients receiving venetoclax in the combination studies with obinutuzumab or rituximab were neutropenia, diarrhoea, and upper respiratory tract infection. In the monotherapy studies, the most common adverse reactions were neutropenia/neutrophil count decreased, diarrhoea, nausea, anaemia, fatigue, and upper respiratory tract infection.

The most frequently occurring serious adverse reactions (>=2%) in patients receiving venetoclax in combination with obinutuzumab or rituximab were pneumonia, sepsis, febrile neutropenia, and TLS. In the monotherapy studies, the most frequently reported serious adverse reactions (>=2%) were pneumonia and febrile neutropenia.

Discontinuations due to adverse reactions occurred in 16% of patients treated with venetoclax in combination with obinutuzumab or rituximab in the CLL14 and Murano studies, respectively. In the monotherapy studies with venetoclax, 11% of patients discontinued due to adverse reactions.

Dosage reductions due to adverse reactions occurred in 21% of patients treated with the combination of venetoclax and obinutuzumab in CLL14, in 15% of patients treated with the combination of venetoclax and rituximab in Murano, and in 14% of patients treated with venetoclax in the monotherapy studies. The most common adverse reaction that led to dose interruptions was neutropenia.

AML

The most commonly occurring adverse reactions (>=20%) of any grade in patients receiving venetoclax in combination with azacitidine or decitabine in the VIALE-A and M14-358, respectively, were thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, anaemia, fatigue, pneumonia, hypokalaemia, and decreased appetite, haemorrhage, dizziness/syncope, hypotension, headache, abdominal pain, and anaemia.

The most frequently reported serious adverse reactions (5%) in patients receiving venetoclax in combination with azacitidine were febrile neutropenia, pneumonia, sepsis and haemorrhage. In M14-358, the most frequently reported serious adverse reactions (5%) were febrile neutropenia, pneumonia, bacteraemia and sepsis.

Discontinuations due to adverse reactions occurred in 24% of patients treated with venetoclax in combination with azacitidine in the VIALE-A study, and 26% of patients treated with venetoclax in combination with decitabine in the M14-358 study, respectively.

Dosage reductions due to adverse reactions occurred in 2% of patients in VIALE-A, and in 6% of patients in M14-358. Venetoclax dose interruptions due to adverse reactions occurred in 72% and 65% of patients, respectively. The most common adverse reaction that led to dose interruption (>10%) of Venetoclax in VIALE-A, were febrile neutropenia, neutropenia, pneumonia, and thrombocytopenia. The most common adverse reactions that led to dose interruption (5%) of venetoclax in M14-358 were febrile neutropenia, neutropenia/neutrophil count decreased, pneumonia, platelet count decreased, and white blood cell count decreased.

Special Populations

Patients with reduced renal function (CrCl <80 mL/min) may require more intensive prophylaxis and monitoring to reduce the risk of TLS at initiation and during the dose-titration phase. Safety in patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl <30 mL/min) or on dialysis has not been established, and a recommended dose for these patients has not been determined.

For patients with severe (Child-Pugh C) hepatic impairment, a dose reduction of at least 50% throughout treatment is recommended.

Venclyxto may cause embryo-fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise nursing women to discontinue breastfeeding during treatment.

This is not a complete summary of all safety information. See Venclyxto (venetoclax) SmPC at www.ema.europa.eu. Globally, prescribing information varies; refer to the individual country product label for complete information.

About AbbVie in Oncology

At AbbVie, we are committed to transforming standards of care for multiple blood cancers while advancing a dynamic pipeline of investigational therapies across a range of cancer types. Our dedicated and experienced team joins forces with innovative partners to accelerate the delivery of potentially breakthrough medicines. We are evaluating more than 20 investigational medicines in over 300 clinical trials across some of the world's most widespread and debilitating cancers. As we work to have a remarkable impact on people's lives, we are committed to exploring solutions to help patients obtain access to our cancer medicines. For more information, please visit http://www.abbvie.com/oncology.

About AbbVie

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

AbbVie Forward-Looking Statements

Some statements in this news release are, or may be considered, forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project" and similar expressions, among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. AbbVie cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, failure to realize the expected benefits from AbbVie's acquisition of Allergan plc ("Allergan"), failure to promptly and effectively integrate Allergan's businesses, competition from other products, challenges to intellectual property, difficulties inherent in the research and development process, adverse litigation or government action, changes to laws and regulations applicable to our industry and the impact of public health outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics, such as COVID-19. Additional information about the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect AbbVie's operations is set forth in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of AbbVie's 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as updated by its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. AbbVie undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law.

References

Al-Sawaf O, et al. Venetoclax-Obinutuzumab for previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia: 5-year results of the randomized CLL14 study. [Insert abstract no.]. Presented at European Hematology Association 2022 Congress (EHA 2022), June 9-12, 2022 . Hallek M, et al. Guidelines for diagnosis, indications for treatment, response assessment and supportive management of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Blood. 2018;131(25):2745-2760. Summary of Product Characteristics for VENCLYXTO (venetoclax). Ludwigshafen, Germany: AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG. VENCLEXTA (venetoclax) [Package Insert]. North Chicago, Ill. : AbbVie Inc. Fischer K, et al. Venetoclax and obinutuzumab in patients with CLL and coexisting conditions. N Engl J Med. 2019;380:2225-2236.

SOURCE AbbVie
America's first KOREAN STEAKHOUSE conceptualized by proprietor and hospitality visionary Simon Kim and brought to life by an exceptional team - COTE's Beverage Director, Victora James, and Executive Chef David Shim - the restaurant's secret to success is providing the best meat, cooked on the best grills and paired with the best wine and spirits. As complex as it is simple, this formula earned COTE's New York City location four consecutive MICHELIN-stars since 2017, when it received its first star within 6 months of opening. Yesterday evening's award marks the brand's fifth star overall and represents COTE's steadfast dedication to consistently meet MICHELIN's stringent five-criteria rating ranging from quality of ingredients to consistency between visits.

COTE is the world's only tabletop KOREAN STEAKHOUSE concept to receive this distinction, and one of a select few in the country to hold a star for both locations in different cities, a source of great honor for the Seoul-born, 40-year-old entrepreneur.

"From day one, despite all of the obstacles presented with COVID-19, I bet on Miami. I was inspired by the city's unique vibe, and knew that it was on the cusp of its 'golden age.' I saw all of its culture and development  the booming arts scene, the growing dining landscape  and thought COTE needed to be part of this rise. I felt COTE's celebration of Korean heritage would allow us to add our own touch to the community," said Kim. "To be recognized in a new city by the most well respected restaurant guide in the world  MICHELIN  is unequivocally a remarkable moment for us. We are humbled by this distinguished honor and thank MICHELIN for this tremendous recognition. Worldwide gourmands, we welcome you to the magic city."

Kim, whose restaurants have amassed an impressive eight stars throughout his career, says COTE is a celebration of his heritage. An advocate for the AAPI community, Kim co-founded the dine-around gala A Taste of Asia in fall 2021, gathering dozens of restaurants to honor the diversity and vitality of New York's AAPI culture and cuisine and raising over $1.1 million for Apex for Youth, City Harvest and Madison Square Park Conservancy. This year, Kim received the ultimate distinguished honor of having been personally invited to the inauguration ceremony of Yoon Suk-Yeol, South Korea's new president, and just this spring, joined the finalist shortlist for Ernst & Young's Entrepreneur of the Year 2022 New York Award.

ABOUT COTE KOREAN STEAKHOUSE

COTE, the carnivorous vision of proprietor Simon Kim, is the world's first KOREAN STEAKHOUSE, blending the conviviality and interaction of Korean barbecue with the hallmarks of the classic American chophouse. The result is a unique, unforgettable dining experience, built on a foundation of the highest quality USDA Prime beef, unmatched service, an impeccable 1,200+ label wine list and a suite of classic, creative cocktails. Smokeless grills in every table, combined with premium cuts from COTE's in-house dry aging room, ensure that every morsel of steak is hot, fresh, and caramelized to perfection.

For more information about COTE NYC, visit www.cotenyc.com and for COTE Miami, visit www.cotemiami.com.

SOURCE COTE Korean Steakhouse
Formerly with Merrill Lynch, Summit, NJ team provides family office-type services to multigeneration clients

INDIANAPOLIS, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sanctuary Wealth, celebrating its fourth anniversary and home to the next generation of elite advisors, offers a warm welcome to SkyPath Private Wealth, a firm managing approximately $1.2 billion in client assets with an office based in Short Hills, NJ. The team is comprised of four accomplished veteran advisorsFounding Partners Kevin Pearly, CFP, CRPC, C(k)P, James Rohmann, Steven Filiaci and Ken Hopkins, CFP, CPFA, supported by Senior Registered Wealth Associate Susan Hoyt and Registered Wealth Associate Jessica McGowan, all of whom had extensive tenures with Merrill Lynch.

"The partners at SkyPath Private Wealth combine integrity, a tremendous work ethic, and intense devotion to their clients. We're proud they've chosen partnered independence with Sanctuary and look forward to helping them grow even further," said Jim Dickson, CEO and Founder of Sanctuary Wealth. "New York City is the financial capital of the world, and we will continue to aggressively build out our presence in the area. In addition to SkyPath Private Wealth, we've recently added top teams in the tri-state region as we maintain and develop our community of the industry's best talent."

"We want to build our firm around our clients' needs and Sanctuary gives us the freedom to do that," said James Rohmann, Founding Partner, SkyPath Private Wealth. "We were really impressed with Sanctuary's open architecture platform and how intuitive they are in terms of adding technology, investment solutions and other tools that allow partner firms to better serve the needs of their clients."

James Rohmann, who was named to Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list in 2022, brings nearly 40 years of experience as financial advisor to SkyPath Private Wealth. Prior to joining Merrill Lynch in 2013 and rising to Senior Vice President, he was also a Senior Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley.

"We want to solve all of our clients' financial needs with the ability to use the best financial planning tools, investment solutions and banking/lending platforms the industry has to offer," said Kevin Pearly, CFP, CRPC, C(k)P, Founding Partner, SkyPath Private Wealth. "Joining Sanctuary allows us to do that. There's also the added benefit of knowing that Sanctuary's top management understands our situation and experience, having like us spent much of their careers at Merrill Lynch. In fact, Paul Sullivan who heads up Sanctuary's New York office, was my direct market executive early in my career and is a true advocate for advisors and the clients they serve."

Kevin Pearly spent nearly 22 years with Merrill Lynch, rising to the position of Senior Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor. His professional credentials include Certified Financial Planner, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor, and Certified 401(k) Professional. He was named to Forbes "Best-in-State Wealth Advisors" list in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.

Founding Partner Steven Filiaci who was with Merrill Lynch from 2013 to 2022 and was a Senior Vice President, says that as a Sanctuary partner firm, the team will be able to offer family office-like services to its multigenerational clients. Steve has over 22 years of industry experience and was previously a Senior Vice President at Morgan Stanley. He was also with ADP for over 6 years in the payroll, HR, and 401k division.

Founding Partner Ken Hopkins began his financial career with Merrill Lynch in 2013, rising to the position of Vice President and Wealth Management Advisor. He graduated from Fordham University with a master's degree in finance in 2013. As both a Certified Financial Planner and Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor, Ken is looking forward to having "access to not only the best investment platforms, but also the best planning software" in crafting customized solutions for clients.

"We're establishing a major footprint in the New York City metropolitan area and offering a new home to elite advisors, like the team at SkyPath Private Wealth, who share our values and commitment to doing what's right for clients," said Vince Fertitta, President of Sanctuary Wealth. "This is an exciting time for Sanctuary and for the industry as a whole. We look forward to further evolving the advisory profession alongside all of our partner firms."

For more information on SkyPath Private Wealth, please visit www.skypathpw.com.

About Sanctuary Wealth

Sanctuary Wealth (sanctuarywealth.com) is the advanced platform for the next generation of elite advisors, who have the entrepreneurial spirit to build and own their own practices and desire the freedom to deliver the tailored service their clients deserve. Sanctuary's ecosystem of partnered independence provides a complete technology and operations platform, as well as support from a community of like-minded advisors and the resources of invaluable affiliated businesses. Currently, the Sanctuary Wealth network includes partner firms across 20 states with over $22.0 billion in assets under advisement. The Sanctuary Wealth Group includes the fully owned subsidiaries Sanctuary Advisors, a registered investment adviser, and the broker-dealer Sanctuary Securities, as well as Sanctuary Asset Management, Sanctuary Insurance Solutions, Sanctuary Global, and Sanctuary Global Tax and Family Office.

CONTACT: Michaela Morales

JConnelly

[email protected]

973 224 7152

SOURCE Sanctuary Wealth
The Landon Pediatric Foundation (LPF) is Teaming up with Vironix Health to Combat Preventable Lung & Heart Disease Hospitalizations Using Precision, AI-Enabled, Remote Monitoring Technology.

AUSTIN, Texas, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital Health Company Vironix Health has teamed up with LPF to increase access to affordable healthcare and promote adoption of remote patient care technology throughout Southern California. Vironix's proprietary remote monitoring products help patients with heart & lung conditions (Heart Failure, Asthma, COPD, Covid-19, & Acute Respiratory Illness) to identify and intervene early on acute health deterioration events. The merging of Vironix's real-time health tracking and interpretation software with expert managed care staff has been shown to deliver significant patient health improvement with high patient participation and little to no added burden on physicians and hospital/clinic facilities.

The Landon Pediatric Foundation Vironix Health Inc

In the words of Dr. Sumanth Swaminathan, Vironix's Co-Founder and CEO, "the moment for real-time, personalized, precision medicine is now. We, as a global community, have an opportunity to save countless lives and reduce hundreds of billions of dollars in preventable healthcare costs by arming patients with the awareness and decision support needed to intervene on disease degeneration before it's too late. Vironix is truly excited to be partnering with the Landon Foundation and the best chronic care medical professionals in the country to deliver affordable, at-home, life-saving preventative care technologies to Southern California's chronic illness population."

This new partnership merges expertise in disease progression and patient care among Pulmonary & Cardiovascular physician specialists in Ventura CA with cutting-edge remote monitoring and machine learning technologies at Vironix Health. LPF will provide healthcare professionals, pilot execution, and patient enrollment services across Ventura CA, Malibu CA, and the greater Los Angeles area. Vironix will provide biometric measurement devices, managed care services, AI-enabled monitoring software, and data storage/interpretation capabilities. The partnership will initially target ~ 10,000 patients.

Dr. Christopher Landon, Director of the Landon Foundation and forty year practicing pulmonologist, said, "Being able to monitor, predict, and intervene early on these horrible flare-ups of respiratory illness is invaluable to patient care, not only for patients' sakes but for their sons, daughters, partners, colleagues, and everyone who depends on them. Vironix's remote monitoring program has the right blend of clinical rigor, ease-of-use, and affordability to meaningfully lower healthcare costs and raise quality-of-life in Southern California."

About Vironix Health: An Austin-based digital health company focused on revolutionizing preventative care of chronic and acute lung/heart illnesses using personalized, AI-enabled, disease-specific remote monitoring technologies. Vironix's products enable physicians, clinics, and hospitals to execute low-cost, efficient, preventative care programs that generate significant insurance reimbursement and value-based care bonuses without imposing additional spending or staff burden. For more information, please see Vironix's Campaign .

About The Landon Foundation: The Landon Pediatric Foundation (LPF) was formed over two decades ago to establish and maintain a comprehensive system of family oriented, culturally sensitive patient care. To meet this mission, LPF continuously evaluates new and evolving technologies and their potential integration into clinical applications and operations to enhance patient outcomes, care, and safety to promote global health. Christopher Landon has been the Director of Pediatrics at Ventura County Medical Center since 1989. He has been involved in telemedicine for as long, building out the first Blue Cross Telemedicine project. Over the last 5 years, Dr. Landon has focused his efforts on clinical innovation with medical devices including projects focused on novel ventilators, airway clearance, noninvasive pulmonary function testing, advanced mask protection, remote patient monitoring, institutional data transfer via blockchain, and medication adherence. For more information, please visit https://www.landonpediatric.org/ .

Media Contact:

Dr. Sumanth Swaminathan

Vironix Health, In

267-634-9997

[email protected]

SOURCE Vironix Health Inc
NEW YORK, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Insight Partners adds " Accounting Software Market Forecast to 2028 - Covid-19 Impact and Global Analysis - by Deployment Model (On-Premise and Cloud); Type (Commercial Accounting Software, Enterprise Accounting Software, Custom Accounting Software, Spreadsheet and Others); Organization Size (Small Enterprise, Medium Enterprise and Large Enterprise); and Application (Manufacturing, Retail and Service)" research report to the Technology, Media and Telecommunications category of its store.

Get Exclusive Access to Sample Pages of Accounting Software Market Size - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis with Strategic Insights at: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPTE100000788/

Demand for Custom Accounting Software are expected to drive the global Accounting Software market growth during the forecast period:

"As traditional accounting software becomes outmoded," stated a lead analyst at Fortune Business Insights, "preference for innovative and complex accounting software is increasing." "Traditional accounting software lacked technological competitiveness," he continued, "creating a climate for accounting software market expansion and upgradation." Accounting software assists with payroll management and a variety of other tasks, saves time and money, and provides important insights to better understand the organization. Accounting software user interfaces are projected to become more engaging in the next years to suit client demands. Accounting software may manage accounts receivables, payables, and the general ledger, among other things, which helps to boost efficiency. Accounting calculations are difficult and time-consuming, prompting firms to invest in software that allows them to execute calculations effectively without the use of human resources. Accounting software is crucial for small firms because of these issues.

Regional Insights: Accounting Software Market

Throughout the projected period, the region is expected to lead the worldwide accounting software market. The United States government is progressively investing in accounting software solutions for both private and governmental companies. This, together with the market's strong presence in the United States, is likely to propel the market forward in the future years. The industry is being driven by the increasing adoption of new technologies in Asia Pacific. The use of business accounting apps is increasing, allowing the global market to expand. Enterprise relationship planning software, which helps people manage spreadsheets and better comprehend tax administration, is projected to be in high demand in the region.

Place Your Inquiry Before Buying: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/inquiry/TIPTE100000788/

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Accounting Software Market:

The COVID 19 pandemic has had a significant economic impact on every industrial sector. As a result, even established market actors struggle to keep their positions and conduct business while maintaining social distance. Several IT industries have adopted a work-from-home culture to allow employees to continue working without interruption. Several countries have put their production lines and other critical commercial operations on hold for an extended length of time. As a result, there is a greater need for solutions that allow employees to work from home. In recent years, such factors have aided the expansion of the Accounting Software industry. Because the pandemic has impacted the economic conditions of expanding businesses, they are increasingly focusing on their company activities and revenue departments, attempting to save costs during this time. Such conscious efforts by startups and medium-sized businesses have prompted them to use an Accounting Software solution for effective financial data monitoring, billing, stock/inventory management, and choosing the best purchase of the order, among other things.

Key Recent Developments: Accounting Software Market

2020, Intuit, the company behind TurboTax, QuickBooks, and Mint, has announced that it has agreed to buy Credit Karma, a consumer technology platform with over 100 million users in the US, Canada, and the UK, for USD 7.1 billion in cash and equity. The merger will bring together two technological giants with a same purpose of assisting consumers in resolving personal finance issues they confront today, regardless of their financial condition.

Connect with Our Research Analyst On: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/speak-to-analyst/TIPTE100000788

Feb 2019. Intuit, the company behind TurboTax, QuickBooks, and Mint, has announced that it has agreed to buy Credit Karma, a consumer technology platform with over 100 million members in the US, Canada, and the UK, for USD 7.1 billion in cash and equity. The merger will bring together two technological giants with a same purpose of assisting people in solving personal finance challenges, regardless of their financial condition.

The report segments the global Accounting Software market as follows:

Global Accounting Software Market - By Deployment Model

On-Premise

Cloud

Global Accounting Software Market - By Type

Commercial Accounting Software

Enterprise Accounting Software

Custom Accounting Software

Spreadsheet

Others

Global Accounting Software Market - By Organization Size

SMEs

Large Enterprises

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Global Accounting Software Market - By Application

Manufacturing

Retail and Service.

By Geography

North America

US



Canada



Mexico

Europe

France



Germany



Italy



UK



Russia



Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific (APAC )

(APAC China



India



Australia



South Korea



Japan



Rest of APAC

APAC Middle East and Africa (MEA)

and (MEA) UAE



Saudi Arabia



South Africa



Rest of MEA

South America

Brazil



Argentina



Rest of SAM

Buy Premium Copy of Accounting Software Market Size, Share, Revenue, Strategic Insights and Forecasts 2022-2028 Research Report at: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/buy/TIPTE100000788/

Accounting Software Market - Company Profiles:

SAP SE

Oracle Corporation

The Sage Group Plc

Intuit Inc.

Microsoft Corp

ADP LLC

CCH Incorporated

FinancialForce

Paychex Inc.

Deltek, Inc.

Browse Adjoining Reports:

Online Accounting Software Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Product Type (Private Cloud, Public Cloud, Hybrid Cloud); Application (Manufacturing, Services, Retail, Others) and Geography

Financial Accounting Software Market to 2025 - Global Analysis and Forecasts by Deployment (On-premise, and Cloud); Application (Payroll Management Systems, Billing & Invoice System, Enterprise Resource Planning Systems, and Time & Expense Management Systems); and Enterprise Size (SME and Large Enterprise)

Construction Accounting Software Market Forecast to 2027 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis by Component (Solution, Services); Deployment Type (Cloud, On-premises); Application (Small and Mid-Size Construction Companies, Large Construction Companies)

Nonprofit Accounting Software Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Type (Cloud Based, Web Based); Organization Size (SMEs, Large Enterprises) and Geography

Trust Accounting Software Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis By Deployment Type (On-Premise, Cloud); Component (Software, Services); End User (Trust Companies, Banks) and Geography

General Ledger Accounting Software Market Forecast to 2028 - COVID-19 Impact and Global Analysis by Deployment Type (Cloud, On-premises); Enterprise Size (Small and Medium-Size Enterprises, Large Enterprises) and Geography

About Us:

The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We specialize in industries such as Semiconductor and Electronics, Aerospace and Defense, Automotive and Transportation, Biotechnology, Healthcare IT, Manufacturing and Construction, Medical Device, Technology, Media and Telecommunications, Chemicals and Materials.

Contact Us:

If you have any queries about this report or if you would like further information, please contact us:

Contact Person: Sameer Joshi

E-mail: [email protected]

Phone: +1-646-491-9876

Industry Research: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/categories/technology-media-and-telecomunications

SOURCE The Insight Partners
Another foreign nation has signed a lobbying deal with Dotmount Communications.

WASHINGTON, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The firm this week closed a one-year, $350,000 deal with the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, to handle its lobbying efforts in the nation's capital. According to the contract, Dotmount Communications will pitch the South Asian nation as "an international leader on climate change, with equitable compensation for its carbon credits, and allow it to position itself more effectively on the path of the protection of forest resources and national socio-economic development."

The firm will help the country enhance its relationship with the United States and further its economic growth.

Firm founder Adedotun Olaoluwa will lead the effort. The contract signing comes after a recent visit to Sri Lanka by Victoria Nuland, the United States Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. The March trip saw Victoria discussed with the Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on the nation's anti-corruption, conservation and vaccination initiatives and the challenges posed by the global pandemic and ways to strengthen the U.S.-Sri Lankan partnership.

Dotmount Communications's deal with Sri Lanka comes two weeks after it signed a $4 million acquisitions of the Times of Jerusalem.

Bilateral Economic Relations

The United States is Sri Lanka's largest export market and accounts for nearly $3 billion of the $11.7 billion of goods Sri Lanka exports annually. U.S. goods imports from Sri Lanka totaled $2.7 billion in 2018, down 6.4 percent from 2017. U.S. exports to Sri Lanka in 2018 were valued at $372 million, up 10.7 percent from the previous year. The total U.S. trade deficit in goods with Sri Lanka was $2.3 billion in 2018, an 8.6 percent decrease from 2017. U.S. imports from Sri Lanka are mostly apparel, but also include rubber, industrial supplies, gemstones, tea, and spices. Top U.S. exports to Sri Lanka include animal feeds, medical equipment, soybeans, plastics, dairy products, wheat, cloth, and textiles.

Sri Lanka has also received approximately $1.2 billion in lending from the IMF since June 2016 with a new disbursement of $164.1 million agreed upon in May 2019.

U.S. Assistance to Sri Lanka

U.S.-Sri Lanka relations are based on shared democratic values and a rules-based regional and international order. Current U.S policy in Sri Lanka aims to support Sri Lanka's democratic institutions, encourage its economic development, counter terrorism, and promote a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. Both governments intend to promote further economic cooperation and exchanges in maritime security and safety, and agree to pursue joint initiatives to enhance security, stability, transparency, and economic opportunity for mutual benefit.

Sri Lanka billionaire Dhammika Perera reportedly covered the cost of the contract, as the country is one of the poorest nations in South Asia.

Dotmount Communications has been one of the largest lobbying and communication firms in the world for years and has quickly become one of the largest in news content distributions in the world with access to over 8,000 media platforms, in 40+ languages since it expanded its operation after the election of former President Donald Trump.

In early 2019, the firm opened a public relations branch in Washington to provide media relations and public affairs counsel in addition to lobbying services.

It has expanded its footprint in recent years, most recently by acquiring 7.5% shares in Gannett Corporation, a firm with over 100 newspapers and 43 tv stations across the United States. It has also established itself as one of the foremost bipartisan firms operating in the nation's capital by hiring on experienced Democratic operatives.

About the Founder:

Adedotun Olaoluwa, Founder and President of Dotmount Communications Group leads a team in Washington that gives strategic advice to coalitions, companies, and governments about handling the media and issue campaigns. An award-winning communicator, Olaoluwa regularly contributes to AP, American City, Business Journal and was one of the 100 business owners under 40 invited to a one-day US Chamber of Commerce, US Congress, and White House symposium in 2015. He founded Dotmount Communications Group in 2011, Olaoluwa and his team have advised trade associations, multinational corporations, coalitions, and foreign governments. He has helped conduct proxy battles, run issue campaigns, design digital communications, manage coalitions, introduce new trade association CEOs and protect clients' reputations during crises. On behalf of a wide range of clients, he has worked with international, national, and regional media outlets.

CONTACT

601 13th street NW Washington, DC 20005. USA

Tel: +1 332-244-9027

Tel: +44 7800 70132

[email protected]

www.dtcoms.com

SOURCE Dotmount Communications
VANCOUVER, BC, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Alexco Resource Corp. (NYSE American: AXU) (TSX: AXU) ("Alexco" or the "Company") announces the results of matters voted upon at its Annual General Meeting (the "Meeting") of shareholders held earlier today.

A total of 80,882,091 votes were cast, representing 49.7% of the issued and outstanding common shares as of the record date for the Meeting. All nominated directors were elected with voting results tabulated as follows:

Nominee Votes For Percentage Votes Withheld Percentage









Clynton R. Nauman 55,643,707 97.8% 1,280,833 2.2% Elaine Sanders 55,708,185 97.9% 1,216,355 2.1% Karen McMaster 55,728,067 97.9% 1,196,473 2.1% Richard N. Zimmer 55,626,632 97.7% 1,297,908 2.3% Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse 47,221,696 83.0% 9,702,844 17.0% Terry Krepiakevich 55,269,969 97.1% 1,654,571 2.9%











Shareholders also voted 96.0% in favour of the approval of certain amendments to the Corporation's stock option plan (the "Plan") and all unallocated awards under the Plan and 98.9% in favour to set the number of directors at six. In addition, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, were re-appointed as auditors with 99.1% voting support.

About Alexco

Alexco is a Canadian primary silver company that owns and operates the majority of the historic Keno Hill Silver District, in Canada's Yukon Territory, one of the highest-grade silver mines in the world. Alexco started concentrate production and shipments in 2021 and is currently advancing Keno Hill toward steady state production. Upon reaching commercial production, Keno Hill is expected to produce an average of approximately 4.4 million ounces of silver per year contained in high quality lead/silver and zinc concentrates. Keno Hill retains significant potential to grow and Alexco has a long history of expanding the operation's mineral resources through successful exploration.

Please visit the Alexco website at www.alexcoresource.com

Some statements ("forward-looking statements") in this news release contain forward-looking information concerning the Company's anticipated results and developments in the Company's operations in future periods, made as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the timing of activities and reports. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions that management believes are reasonable at the time they are made. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation.

SOURCE Alexco Resource Corp.
NEW YORK, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As per the Zion Market Research study, The global peptide therapeutics market was valued at $35B in 2021 and is projected to grow at 11% CAGR during the forecast period & reach over $74B by 2028. The report analyzes the peptide therapeutics market's drivers, restraints/challenges, and the effect they have on the demands during the projection period. In addition, the report explores emerging opportunities in the global peptide therapeutics market.

Key Industry Insights & Findings of the Peptide Therapeutics Market Reports:

As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the Peptide Therapeutics Market is expected to grow annually at a CAGR of around 11 % (2022-2028).

(2022-2028). Through the primary research, it was established that the Cognitive and Memory Enhancer Drugs Market was valued at approximately USD 35 Billion in 2021 and is projected to reach roughly USD 74 Billion by 2028.

Billion in 2021 and is projected to reach roughly Billion by 2028. North America region is the hub of key pharmaceutical players, high technology, R&D investment capacity, and world-class cancer treatment facilities, making it a heavily contributing region in the global market.

region is the hub of key pharmaceutical players, high technology, R&D investment capacity, and world-class cancer treatment facilities, making it a heavily contributing region in the global market. Europe is expected to show steady growth in the global market because of its advanced healthcare infrastructure and growing awareness related to peptide therapeutics.

is expected to show steady growth in the global market because of its advanced healthcare infrastructure and growing awareness related to peptide therapeutics. Africa & Latin America are expected to grow slowly owing to a lack of information on peptide therapeutics along with an absence of necessary healthcare infrastructure, resources, and treatment facilities.

Zion Market Research published the latest report titled "Peptide Therapeutics Market By Route Of Administration (Parenteral, Oral, And Others), By Type (Innovative And Generic), By Type Of Manufacturers (In-House And Outsourced), By Type Of Molecule (Vasopressin, Somatostatin, Calcitonin, Immunopeptide, Natriuretic, And Others), By Technology (Liquid Phase, Solid Phase, And Hybrid Phase), By Application (Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, Metabolic Disease, Respiratory Disease, Infectious Disease, And Others), And By Region: Global And Regional Industry Overview, Market Intelligence, Comprehensive Analysis, Historical Data, And Forecasts 2022  2028" into their research database.

Peptide Therapeutics Market: Overview

Peptide therapeutics are naturally created disease-treating small chain amino acids known as peptides. They assist humans in hormone creation and are excellent at protecting from infections. Since peptide therapeutics are naturally created by the body, they do not have any side effects and are easily accepted by the body during medical treatments.

Peptide therapeutics are century-old but were only known for their healing abilities. However, with technological advancements and extensive R&D, it was discovered that peptide therapeutics have extreme potential in treating severe diseases with great efficiency.

The global peptide therapeutics market has a substantial presence in the field of acute respiratory disorders, endocrinology, oncology, metabolism disorders, diabetes, dermatology, gastroenterology, and sexual dysfunction. They are also used to treat cardiovascular diseases and bone diseases.

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Our Free Sample Report Includes:

2022 Updated Report Introduction, Overview, and In-depth industry analysis

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Provide Chapter-wise guidance on Request

2022 Updated Regional Analysis with Graphical Representation of Size, Share & Trends

Includes an Updated List of tables & figures

Updated Report Includes Top Market Players with their Business Strategy, Sales Volume, and Revenue Analysis

Zion Market Research methodology

Industry Dynamics:

Peptide Therapeutics Market: Growth Drivers

Increase in cancer patients and respiratory disorders to propel the global market growth.

The growing number of patients suffering from cancer and its after-effects is a leading global market driver. The most prevalent treatment for cancer involves chemotherapy and radiation which leave long-lasting impacts on the patients giving rise to requirements for substitutes like peptide therapeutics. This is expected to move the global peptide therapeutics market forward. Other chronic diseases like diabetes or cardiovascular diseases are also contributing to the global market growth.

Rising demand for drugs that have minimal to no side effects like peptide therapeutics is attributed to becoming the global market driver during the forecast period.

Exhaustive R&D on diseases that might raise global concerns and which can be treated by peptide therapeutics in the future is anticipated to drive the global market.

Peptide Therapeutics Market: Restraints

Unstable nature of peptide therapeutics likely to hamper market growth.

Peptide therapeutics are extremely unstable rendering them difficult to be used. They can aggregate quickly resulting in damage to healthy cells. The volatility of peptide proteins is projected to act as a restraining factor for the global market growth.

In most cases, peptide therapeutics cannot be administered orally. The invasive techniques used for the intake of peptide-based drugs may cause reluctance amongst certain sections of the global population and are anticipated to restrain the global market during the forecast period.

Peptide therapeutics lack deep membrane permeability thus reducing the overall efficiency of the products, which is further anticipated to restrict the global market growth.

Peptide therapeutics tend to oxidize under improper care. The easy oxidization of peptide proteins increases task tediousness and is expected to hamper the global market.

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Global Peptide Therapeutics Market: Opportunities

Advent of multi-functional peptide therapeutics to bring growth prospects in the coming period.

The global peptide therapeutics market has immense opportunities given the innumerable benefits of peptide-based drugs. The creation of multi-functional peptide therapeutics with an even wider array of use is anticipated to provide excellent growth opportunities in the global market.

Increased innovation in alternate delivery modes of peptide therapeutics is expected to open multiple opportunities for the global market during the forecast period.

Even though the presence of peptide therapeutics in the human body has been for more than a century, their discovery is a recent event. With every passing day more & more peptide therapeutics are added to the global market. As of 2022, there are more than 200 peptide therapeutics in the global market and with ongoing R&D, more are expected to be added soon.

This is anticipated to open multiple growth opportunities in the global market.

Global Peptide Therapeutics Market: Challenges

Shift towards proteomics, high cost of peptide therapeutics along with quick expiration of patents to challenge the global market growth.

The global market is expected to move toward the study of proteins also called proteomics to create substitutes for peptide-based drugs which is anticipated to challenge the global market growth during the forecast period.

The development of peptide therapeutics is an expensive affair and the high cost of production & maintenance is anticipated to create challenging situations in the global market.

The creation of novel drugs requires approval from regulatory bodies and the approval process is extremely stringent which is anticipated to become a challenging factor in the global market.

A considerable number of patents for peptide therapeutics expire quickly which results in heavy losses to drug manufacturers and is anticipated to oppose the global market growth during the forecast period.

Global Peptide Therapeutics Market: Segmentation

The global peptide therapeutics market is segmented by route of administration, type, type of manufacturers, type of molecule, technology, application, and region

Based on the route of administration, the global market is segmented into parenteral, oral, and others. Currently, the global market is led by the parenteral mode, however, the global market is anticipated to be led by the oral mode of administration, during the forecast period.

Based on the type of manufacturers, the global market is segmented as in-house and outsourced. In-house manufacturing shares the highest market share and the same trend is anticipated during the forecast period, because of stringent rules laid down by regulatory bodies.

Based on the type of molecule, the global market is segmented as vasopressin, somatostatin, calcitonin, immunopeptide, natriuretic, and others. Immunopeptide is projected to lead the global market share because of its effective use in the treatment of tumors and cancer.

Based on technology, the global market is segmented into liquid phase, solid phase, and hybrid phase. The largest global market share was held by the liquid phase and is expected to continue with the same trend during the forecast period.

Based on the application, the global market share was shadowed by cancer treatment previously. Since 2020, the global market share was dominated Covid-19 related treatments. However, cancer is anticipated to become the lead contributor during the forecast period.

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List of Key Players in Peptide Therapeutics Market:

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries

AstraZeneca

Sanofi S.A

Amazen Inc.

Takeda Pharmaceutical

Ipsen S.A

Merck & Co.

Novo Nordisk A/S

GlaxoSmithKline plc

Ever Neuro Pharma

Eli Lilly and Company

CordenPharma International

Key questions answered in this report:

What are the growth rate forecast and market size for Peptide Therapeutics Market?

What are the key driving factors propelling the Peptide Therapeutics Market forward?

What are the most important companies in the Peptide Therapeutics Market Industry?

What segments does the Peptide Therapeutics Market cover?

How can I receive a free copy of the Peptide Therapeutics Market sample report and company profiles?

Report Scope:

Report Attribute Details Market size value in 2021 USD 35 Billion Revenue forecast in 2028 USD 74 Billion Growth Rate CAGR of almost 11 % 2022-2028 Base Year 2020 Historic Years 2016 - 2021 Forecast Years 2022 - 2028 Segments Covered By Product Type, By Application, and By End Use Forecast Units Value (USD Billion), and Volume (Units) Quantitative Units Revenue in USD million/billion and CAGR from 2022 to 2028 Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa, and Rest of World Countries Covered U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, GCC Countries, and South Africa, among others Companies Covered Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, AstraZeneca, Sanofi S.A, Amazen Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical, Ipsen S.A, Merck & Co., Novo Nordisk A/S, GlaxoSmithKline plc, Ever Neuro Pharma, Eli Lilly and Company, CordenPharma International. Report Coverage Market growth drivers, restraints, opportunities, Porter's five forces analysis, PEST analysis, value chain analysis, regulatory landscape, market attractiveness analysis by segments and region, company market share analysis, and COVID-19 impact analysis. Customization Scope Avail customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/custom/3439

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Recent Developments:

August 2019 witnessed the merger of Neoleukin Inc. and Aquinox Pharmaceuticals to invest in peptide therapeutics which are designed computationally. The firms intend to produce peptide-based drugs for diseases that currently do not have peptide therapeutics available for treatment.

witnessed the merger of Neoleukin Inc. and Aquinox Pharmaceuticals to invest in peptide therapeutics which are designed computationally. The firms intend to produce peptide-based drugs for diseases that currently do not have peptide therapeutics available for treatment. In June 2019 , a collaboration between Gubra and Boehringer Ingelheim International was announced. The collaboration is intended to pave a way for newer peptide therapeutics drugs that will help in treating diabetes.

Regional Dominance:

North America to lead the global market during the forthcoming period.

The global peptide therapeutics market is anticipated to be led by North America. This region is the hub of key pharmaceutical players, high technology, R&D investment capacity, and world-class cancer treatment facilities, making it a heavily contributing region in the global market.

Europe is expected to show steady growth in the global market because of its advanced healthcare infrastructure and growing awareness related to peptide therapeutics.

Asia-Pacific & the Middle East witnessed a rise in the global market because of Covid-19. Rising cancer, diabetes, and acute respiratory disorders along with increased healthcare investments are anticipated to assist the global market growth.

Africa & Latin America are expected to grow slowly owing to a lack of information on peptide therapeutics along with an absence of necessary healthcare infrastructure, resources, and treatment facilities.

Global Peptide Therapeutics Market is segmented as follows:

Peptide Therapeutics Market: By Route of Administration Outlook (2022-2028)

Parenteral

Oral

Others

Peptide Therapeutics Market: By Type Outlook (2022-2028)

Innovative

Generic

Peptide Therapeutics Market: By Type of Manufacturers Outlook (2022-2028)

In-house

Outsourced

Peptide Therapeutics Market: By Type of Molecule Outlook (2022-2028)

Vasopressin

Somatostatin

Calcitonin

Immunopeptide

Natriuretic

Others

Peptide Therapeutics Market: By Technology Outlook (2022-2028)

Liquid phase

Solid-phase

Hybrid phase

Peptide Therapeutics Market: By Application Outlook (2022-2028)

Cancer

Cardiovascular Disease

Metabolic Disease

Respiratory Disease

Infectious Disease

Others

Peptide Therapeutics Market: By Region Outlook (2022-2028)

North America

The U.S.

Canada

Europe

France

The UK

Spain

Germany

Italy

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

India

South Korea

Southeast Asia

Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

GCC

South Africa

Rest of Middle East & Africa

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IITA GoSeed, an early generation seed company, has said it made significant progress in 2021 as sales of improved cassava planting materials averaged $267,277 despite COVID-19 restrictions.

It made the revelation recently during the annual meeting of the Building an Economically Sustainable Integrated Cassava Seed System, Phase 2 (BASICS-II).

"Sales were driven primarily by orders from farmers and processors who aim to get higher yields to meet consumers' demand," Dr Mercy Diebiru-Ojo, the Vegetative Seed Specialist of IITA GoSeed, said.

"The sales were achieved despite COVID-19 restrictions that hurt seed supply chains," she added.

A private seed company of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), IITA GoSeed was established as part of the BASICS project to help meet the demand for early generation planting materials with cassava as the first target crop.

Dr. Diebiru-Ojo sees a positive outlook in 2022 as she remarked: "We are optimistic that sales and expansion will get better in coming years."

Through its business model, the company established 142ha of early generation seeds comprising 122ha of breeder seeds and 20ha of foundation seeds across eight states in the country.

"We worked with outgrowers to achieve this target while ensuring that women were active participants," she stated.

Although Nigeria is the world's largest producer of cassava, yield per ha of cassava is low (less than 8 tons per ha) compared to other countries like Thailand, with yield per ha of more than 20 tons.

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Researchers blame the low yield gap partly on the use of local varieties that occupy 40 per cent of the cassava growing areas in Nigeria.

The BASICS-II project was established to address the bottlenecks in the cassava seed system with a view to granting farmers easy access to affordable planting materials in an economically sustainable approach.

This led to the creation of GoSeed in IITA and Umudike Seed at the National Root Crops Research Institute, Umudike--all in Nigeria.

IITA GoSeed is closely linked with breeding programmes in IITA.

In collaboration with the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), the company ensures that materials going to CSEs are disease-free and of high genetic potential.

Some of the improved varieties that GoSeed is pushing include TME419, Dixon, Ayaya, Farmers Pride, Fine Face, Game changer, Poundable and Obasanjo-2.
DALLAS, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading immigration firm BAL ranks in the highest Tier 1 category among all immigration law firms nationwide, according to the newly released rankings by The Legal 500.

BAL "remains a market leader" in immigration and "continues to advise leading names in the industry, including global blue-chip clients on complex business immigration matters," declared The Legal 500, a pre-eminent publication that conducts comprehensive research of law firms worldwide.

"We are thrilled to be recognized as a top ranked firm once again," said Jeremy Fudge, Managing Partner. "Every day, our nationwide team works through ever-evolving immigration obstacles to make a positive difference in lives all over the world. It's personally and professionally meaningful for us to make such an impact, and we appreciate our clients who took the time to voice their appreciation to The Legal 500."

BAL clients who were interviewed by The Legal 500 hailed the firm as "a leader in collaboration and technology innovation to address and meet new interpretations of regulatory requirements, more so than any other immigration law firm."

Clients were particularly impressed with BAL legal team members "providing current, accurate and critical regulatory activity risks and advocacy support," and credited BAL for achieving "approval rates for filings [that] are very high."

Recent immigration challenges have proven the success of the firm's "oneBAL" philosophy that incentivizes all BAL offices to work together as one unit to maintain agility and responsiveness to workload surges. Clients recognized the benefits of this structure and BAL's collaborative spirit, saying, "They are always open to exploring new ways to partner together, maintain compliance, improve our program, and improve the immigration experience for our foreign national employees."

Nine BAL attorneys are recognized for their standout contributions. Managing Partner Jeremy Fudge continues his honored position in The Legal 500 Hall of Fame. BAL Partner Lynden Melmed, who oversees the firm's Government Strategies Team in the Washington D.C. office, was named a Leading Lawyer, with clients commenting, "The BAL government affairs team is exceptional. They proactively inform us of news developments that could impact our immigration program, and strategies to navigate any changes or challenges."

Several BAL Partners ranked as Key Lawyers, including Frieda Garcia in San Francisco, Maggie Murphy in Austin, Delya Ghosh in San Francisco and Roberto Caballero, who heads the Houston, Austin and New York offices. Partner Nassim Mahzoon in Santa Clara was lauded as a "critical, valued thought partner." Partner Kortney Gibson, who leads the Dallas Center of Excellence, is named a Next Generation Partner and called "the key name for non-immigrant visa applications." The Legal 500 noted that BAL "further bolstered its practice" by hiring COO Leslie Rohrbacker, recognized as a Key Lawyer. Senior Associate Tiffany Martinez in San Francisco is recognized as a Rising Star.

A client summed up BAL's extraordinary approach to corporate immigration: "What makes Berry Appleman & Leiden unique in the legal market is their collaborative approach and their firmwide pursuit of the exceptional."

About The Legal 500

For 34 years, The Legal 500 has analyzed the capabilities of law firms across the world, with a comprehensive annual research program providing the most up-to-date vision of the global legal market. The Legal 500 assesses the strengths of law firms in over 150 jurisdictions. The rankings are based on a series of criteria, including feedback from 300,000 clients worldwide, but simply put, we highlight the practice area teams who are providing the most cutting edge and innovative advice to corporate counsel.

About Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP (BAL)

BAL, the world's leading corporate immigration law firm, is singularly focused on meeting the immigration challenges of corporate clients around the world in ways that make immigration more strategic and enable businesses to be more successful. Established in 1980, BAL has consistently provided immigration expertise, people-centered client services, and leading technology innovation. BAL's Cobalt digital immigration services platform won the 2020 CODiE Award for Best Legal Tech Product, the prestigious CIO100 award for Innovative Use of Intelligent Automation in Immigration Services, and Legalweek's Most Innovative Law Firm Operations Team of 2021. In 2018, BAL entered into a first-of-its-kind strategic alliance with Deloitte U.K. to create the world's first global immigration service delivery model. BAL has ranked #1 on multiple industry rankings for diversity, equity and inclusion, including #1 on the Diversity Scorecard by The American Lawyer (2020 and 2021), Law360's Diversity Snapshot (2020 and 2021), and the #1 Law Firm for Women according to the National Law Journal (2019, 2020 and 2021). BAL and its leaders are highly ranked in every major legal publication, including Best Lawyers, Chambers and Partners, The Legal 500, and Who's Who Legal. See website for details: https://www.bal.com.

SOURCE Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP
Acquisition expands pharmaceutical and nutraceutical offerings and adds multiple distribution centers in New England

CHICAGO, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Berlin Packaging, the world's largest hybrid packaging supplier, announced today the acquisition of Andler Packaging Group, a value-added distributor of plastic, glass, and metal containers and closures.

Founded in 1893 by Israel Andler in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the company was originally a recycler of glass bottles for the local community. With multiple locations across Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, and Florida and 130 years of operating experience, Andler Packaging has grown to become one of the largest packaging suppliers in the United States.

Andler Packaging serves a variety of markets, with expertise in the rapidly growing pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. The company also offers its customers value-added services, including proprietary custom tools, printing and labeling capabilities, and repacking and sterilization services.

"We are excited to welcome Andler Packaging to Berlin Packaging. Like Berlin, Andler Packaging's mission is to provide outstanding customer service and support while fostering an environment with its employees that encourages and rewards creativity, initiative, and effort," said Rick Brandt, CEO of Berlin Packaging Americas. "This combination will enhance our industry-leading capabilities and bring even more thrill to our customers along the Atlantic Coast."

"We have a longstanding relationship with Berlin Packaging, not only as a competitor but also as a customer and supplier," said Sam Andler, Managing Director of Andler Packaging Group. "Berlin Packaging's values and dedication to customer thrill make this an excellent partnership. I look forward to continued growth for our company and our employees."

"We are extremely proud this family business chose to become our partners and are confident we will achieve great things together for our customers, suppliers and employees," said Bill Hayes, Global CEO and President of Berlin Packaging.

Andler Packaging is the 2nd acquisition Berlin Packaging has completed in North America in 2022 and 4th acquisition completed globally in 2022.

All employees and locations for this acquisition will be retained.

About Berlin Packaging

Berlin Packaging is the world's largest Hybrid Packaging Supplier of glass, plastic, and metal containers and closures. The company supplies billions of items annually along with package design, financing, consulting, warehousing, and logistics services for customers across all industries. Berlin Packaging brings together the best of manufacturing, distribution, and income-adding service providers. Its mission is to increase the net income of its customers through packaging products and services.

See BerlinPackaging.com for more information.

Press contacts:

Berlin Packaging

Celeste Osborne, [email protected] , +1 708 272 7046 for North America

Elena Franzetti, [email protected] BerlinPackaging.com , +39 02 48436611, +39 3401204145 for EMEA

SOURCE Berlin Packaging
Read additional information about the market. View a sample report .

Market Scope

The beverage can ends market report covers the following areas:

Vendor Landscape

The beverage can ends market is fragmented, and the vendors are deploying both organic and inorganic growth strategies to compete in the market. Various vendors operating in the market are competing on factors such as product portfolio and price. The competition in the market is expected to intensify during the forecast period due to product portfolio expansion, innovations in technology for enhancing recyclability, and the development of products to ensure customer convenience in the use of metal cans.

Ardagh Group SA, Ball Corp., Can Ends Packaging Ltd., CAN-PACK SA, Crown Holdings Inc., Envases Universales de Mexico SAPI de CV, Helvetia Packaging AG, Mahmood Saeed Beverage Cans & Ends Industry Company Ltd., Novelis Inc., and Orora Packaging Australia Pty Ltd. among others. are some of the few key vendors competing to maintain their market position in the market.

Learn more about the market's vendor landscape highlights

Key Market Segmentation

Segmentation by Material:

aluminum:



The aluminum segment will have a significant market share growth during the forecast period.





Aluminum is preferred for manufacturing beverage can ends. It is durable, lightweight, recyclable, and temperature-reliable and provides strength to beverage cans. Moreover, it can be stored and handled easily as aluminum packaging is lightweight.



Steel

Request a Sample of this report for more highlights on the market segments.

Regional Market Outlook

North America will contribute to 39% of the market growth during the forecast period. The growth of this region can be attributed to the increased need for metal cans. If we look at the country-wise market growth, the US and Canada will be the key countries in the region during the forecast period.

Download our sample report for more key highlights on the regional market share

Latest Trends and Drivers in the Beverage Can Ends Market

Market Driver:

Increased need for metal cans:

Metal packaging offers several advantages throughout the supply chain. This type of packaging has high sealing properties to restrict the flow of gases and is less prone to breakage during transit. They can also be used in fast-processing environments or at varying temperatures owing to their properties.

Market Trend:

Development of innovative beverage can ends:

The manufacturers of beverage can ends are introducing new and innovative packaging. This helps them in terms of marketing and brand recognition. The manufacturers provide a wide range of user-friendly, colored, incised, and embossed pull-tab ends. For instance, Crown's 360 End beverage can ends are the first beverage cans with full aperture end.

Find additional information about various other market drivers & trends mentioned in our sample report .

Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2021-2025

Detailed information on factors that will assist beverage can ends market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the beverage can ends market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the beverage can ends market

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of beverage can ends market vendors

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Beverage Can Ends Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 2.02% Market growth 2021-2025 USD 438.78 million Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 0.87 Regional analysis North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and MEA Performing market contribution North America at 39% Key consumer countries US, China, Germany, UK, and Canada Competitive landscape Leading companies, Competitive strategies, Consumer engagement scope Key companies profiled Ardagh Group SA, Ball Corp., Can Ends Packaging Ltd., CAN-PACK SA, Crown Holdings Inc., Envases Universales de Mexico SAPI de CV, Helvetia Packaging AG, Mahmood Saeed Beverage Cans & Ends Industry Company Ltd., Novelis Inc., and Orora Packaging Australia Pty Ltd. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for forecast period Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Table of Contents

1 Executive Summary

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: Meta; and Glass Containers 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 Material

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 15: Material - Market share 2020-2025 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Material

Exhibit 16: Comparison by Material

5.3 Aluminum - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 17: Aluminum - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 18: Aluminum - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

5.4 Steel - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 19: Steel - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 20: Steel - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

5.5 Market opportunity by Material

Exhibit 21: Market opportunity by Material

6 Customer landscape

6.1 Customer landscape

Exhibit 22: Customer landscape

7 Geographic Landscape

7.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 23: Market share by geography 2020-2025 (%)

7.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 24: Geographic comparison

7.3 North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 25: North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

Exhibit 26: North America - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

7.4 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 (%)

7.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 29: Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

Exhibit 30: Europe - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

7.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 31: South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

Exhibit 32: South America - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

7.7 MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 33: MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 34: MEA - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

7.8 Key leading countries

Exhibit 35: Key leading countries

7.9 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 36: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

8 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

8.1 Market drivers

8.2 Market challenges

Exhibit 37: Impact of drivers and challenges

8.3 Market trends

9 Vendor Landscape

9.1 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 38: Vendor landscape

9.2 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 39: Landscape disruption

9.3 Industry risks

Exhibit 40: Industry risks

9.4 Competitive landscape

10 Vendor Analysis

10.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 41: Vendors covered

10.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 42: Market positioning of vendors

10.3 Ardagh Group SA

Exhibit 43: Ardagh Group SA - Overview



Exhibit 44: Ardagh Group SA - Business segments



Exhibit 45:Ardagh Group SA - Key news



Exhibit 46: Ardagh Group SA - Key offerings



Exhibit 47: Ardagh Group SA - Segment focus

10.4 Ball Corp.

Exhibit 48: Ball Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 49: Ball Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 50:Ball Corp. - Key news



Exhibit 51: Ball Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 52: Ball Corp. - Segment focus

10.5 Can Ends Packaging Ltd.

Exhibit 53: Can Ends Packaging Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 54: Can Ends Packaging Ltd. - Product and service



Exhibit 55: Can Ends Packaging Ltd. - Key offerings

10.6 CAN-PACK SA

Exhibit 56: CAN-PACK SA - Overview

- Overview

Exhibit 57: CAN-PACK SA - Product and service

- Product and service

Exhibit 58: CAN-PACK SA - Key offerings

10.7 Crown Holdings Inc.

Exhibit 59: Crown Holdings Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 60: Crown Holdings Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 61: Crown Holdings Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 62: Crown Holdings Inc. - Segment focus

10.8 Envases Universales de Mexico SAPI de CV

10.9 Helvetia Packaging AG

Exhibit 66: Helvetia Packaging AG - Overview



Exhibit 67: Helvetia Packaging AG - Product and service



Exhibit 68: Helvetia Packaging AG - Key offerings

10.10 Mahmood Saeed Beverage Cans & Ends Industry Company Ltd.

Exhibit 69: Mahmood Saeed Beverage Cans & Ends Industry Company Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 70: Mahmood Saeed Beverage Cans & Ends Industry Company Ltd. - Product and service



Exhibit 71: Mahmood Saeed Beverage Cans & Ends Industry Company Ltd. - Key offerings

10.11 Novelis Inc.

Exhibit 72: Novelis Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 73: Novelis Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 74:Novelis Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 75: Novelis Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 76: Novelis Inc. - Segment focus

10.12 Orora Packaging Australia Pty Ltd.

Exhibit 77: Orora Packaging Australia Pty Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 78: Orora Packaging Australia Pty Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 79:Orora Packaging Australia Pty Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 80: Orora Packaging Australia Pty Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 81: Orora Packaging Australia Pty Ltd. - Segment focus

11 Appendix

11.1 Scope of the report

11.2 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 82: Currency conversion rates for US$

11.3 Research methodology

Exhibit 83: Research Methodology



Exhibit 84: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 85: Information sources

11.4 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 86: List of abbreviations

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NEW YORK, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As per the Zion Market Research study, The global blood glucose monitoring system market was at a net worth of $14.79B in 2021 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.12% between 2022-2028 and reach a market value of $31.5B during the forecast period. The report analyzes the blood glucose monitoring system's drivers, restraints/challenges, and the effect they have on the demands during the projection period. In addition, the report explores emerging opportunities in the global blood glucose monitoring system market.

Key Industry Insights & Findings of the Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market Reports:

As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market is expected to grow annually at a CAGR of around 10.12 % (2022-2028).

(2022-2028). Through the primary research, it was established that the Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market was valued at approximately USD 14.79 Billion in 2021 and is projected to reach roughly USD 31.5 Billion by 2028.

Billion in 2021 and is projected to reach roughly Billion by 2028. North America was attributed with the highest global blood glucose monitoring system market in 2021 owing to a 35.5% share of the global revenue.

was attributed with the highest global blood glucose monitoring system market in 2021 owing to a 35.5% share of the global revenue. Europe shares a significant amount of global market share because of the awareness and proactive approach of their population in diagnosing and managing diabetes.

shares a significant amount of global market share because of the awareness and proactive approach of their population in diagnosing and managing diabetes. Asia Pacific is anticipated to register a higher CAGR during the forecast period owing to growing awareness & acceptance of BGM systems, particularly in India & China .

Zion Market Research published the latest report titled "Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market By Product (Self-Monitoring And Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices), By Testing Site (Fingertip Testing And Alternate Site Testing), By Indication (Type-I Diabetes, Type-II Diabetes, And Others), By End-User (Hospitals, Clinics, And Homecare), And By Region: Global And Regional Industry Overview, Market Intelligence, Comprehensive Analysis, Historical Data, And Forecasts 2022  2028" into their research database.

Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market: Overview

A blood glucose monitoring system also known as BGM is an effective tool used for monitoring blood sugar levels, especially for diabetic patients. Blood glucose monitoring systems have helped patients become self-reliant and take control of their medical health. BGM systems track high or low glucose levels and encourage the patients to take relevant medication or treatment.

BGM systems work by understanding the resistance to an electric current sent through a blood-stained test strip. Or by inserting a sensor under the patient's skin that reads the glucose level between cell fluids.

The type of blood glucose monitoring system to be used depends on the requirements of the patient. Multiple options for BGM devices are present in the market catering to the different medical needs.

The global blood glucose monitoring system is witnessing a surge in its global market value and is projected to touch milestones during the forecast period.

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Industry Dynamics:

Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market: Growth Drivers

Increasing population of diabetic patients to drive global market growth

The number of patients worldwide suffering from type 1 and type 2 diabetes has grown exponentially over the last couple of years. The changing stationary lifestyle, poor eating habits, and genetic disorders are the leading cause of growth in diabetic patients. This rising insulin dependency is expected to propel the global blood glucose monitoring system market towards growth in the forecast period.

In 2021, International Diabetes Federation published a report, the findings of which stated that around 537M of the population in countries like India, Mexico, and China suffer from diabetes.

The presence of multiple manufacturers of blood glucose monitoring systems offering technically advanced devices at favorable prices is anticipated to contribute to the global market growth during the forecast period.

Developed economies having state-of-the-art medical facilities are expected to fuel the global market growth.

Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market: Restraints

Lack of awareness along with the high cost of devices in emerging economies to restrain the global market.

A fair share of the population in growing economies is unaware of diabetes and its management. Furthermore, developing economies lack the necessary infrastructure for treatment facilities to manage chronic diseases like diabetes. The lack of awareness and absence of advanced medical facilities is expected to hamper the blood glucose monitoring system market during the forecast period.

Emerging economies are also lagging in the necessary funding required for R&D which restricts the global market growth.

SMBG and CGM are invasive techniques. Patients' hesitancy while using the invasive methods for tracking diabetes is projected to restrict the global market growth.

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Global Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market: Opportunities

Explosive amount of untapped market to provide growth opportunities in the global market

As per IDF's 2021 report, half of the total diabetic patients have remained undiagnosed in Africa. Around 56% of the Asia-Pacific population comprises undiagnosed patients. This provides a massive opportunity for global market leaders to tap into.

The country's governments have been taking proactive actions, conducting programs to educate the masses about diabetes and ways to control it. The global blood glucose monitoring system market can bank upon these initiatives to provide growth opportunities in the forecast period.

Global Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market: Challenges

Lack of funding presents a challenge for the global market growth

The lack of funding for technical advancement in the field of blood glucose monitoring systems poses a major challenge in the global market during the forecast period. Developed countries have shown more acceptance towards the BGM devices owing to better awareness and technically rich devices However, developing economies need more investment to penetrate every corner of the target global market.

For developing nations, the prices of BGM devices can be relatively higher than in developed nations. The maintenance and supporting accessories increase the overall cost of the device making it less cost-effective for patients in these territories. This is a major challenge for the global market to tackle.

Diabetes is one of the few medical conditions which are not reimbursed by healthcare agencies. The absence of reimbursement, particularly in SMBG, challenges the upward global market growth. Since the disease is not reimbursed, a potential number of patients fail to get themselves tested for diabetes and a huge chunk of the global market remains in isolation.

Global Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market: Segmentation

The global blood glucose monitoring system is segmented based on product, testing site, indication, end-user, and region.

Based on product, the global market is segmented between self-monitoring and continuous glucose monitoring devices. SBGM is expected to maintain the highest share in the global market owing to its cost-effectiveness and hassle-free usage.

Based on testing sites, the global market is segmented between fingertip testing and alternate site testing. Fingertip testing is anticipated to cover the market share more than alternate site testing during the forecast period.

Based on indication, the global market is segmented between type-I diabetes, type-II diabetes, and others. As of 2021, the global market share was dominated by type-II diabetic patients because of more patients suffering from type-II diabetic conditions.

Based on end-user, the global market is segmented by hospitals, clinics, and homecare. In 2021, the hospital segment marked the highest revenue and is anticipated to lead the global market during the forecast part owing to heavy investments in the hospital segment.

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List of Key Players in Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market:

Glysens Incorporated

Lifescan IP Holdings

Senseonics

Prodigy Diabetes Care

B. Braun Melsungen AG

Terumo Corporation

ACON Laboratories

Medtronic

F.Hoffmann-la Roche

Sanofi

Dexcom Inc

Novo Nordisk

Insulet Corporation

Ascensia Diabetes Care

Ypsomed Holdings

Nova Biomedical

Key questions answered in this report:

What are the growth rate forecast and market size for Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market?

What are the key driving factors propelling the Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market forward?

What are the most important companies in the Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market Industry?

What segments does the Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market cover?

How can I receive a free copy of the Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market sample report and company profiles?

Report Scope:

Report Attribute Details Market size value in 2021 USD 14.79 Billion Revenue forecast in 2028 USD 31.5 Billion Growth Rate CAGR of almost 10.12 % 2022-2028 Base Year 2020 Historic Years 2016 - 2021 Forecast Years 2022 - 2028 Segments Covered By Product Type, By Application, and By End Use Forecast Units Value (USD Billion), and Volume (Units) Quantitative Units Revenue in USD million/billion and CAGR from 2022 to 2028 Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa, and Rest of World Countries Covered U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, GCC Countries, and South Africa, among others Companies Covered Glysens Incorporated, Lifescan IP Holdings, Senseonics, Prodigy Diabetes Care, B. Braun Melsungen AG, Terumo Corporation, ACON Laboratories, Medtronic, F.Hoffmann-la Roche, Sanofi, Dexcom Inc, Novo Nordisk, Insulet Corporation, Ascensia Diabetes Care, Ypsomed Holdings, Nova Biomedical. Report Coverage Market growth drivers, restraints, opportunities, Porter's five forces analysis, PEST analysis, value chain analysis, regulatory landscape, market attractiveness analysis by segments and region, company market share analysis, and COVID-19 impact analysis. Customization Scope Avail customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. https://www.zionmarketresearch.com/custom/3435

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Recent Developments:

In January 2022 , a non-invasive blood glucose testing prototype was invented by Scanbo that provides blood glucose results in 60 secs. This invention will help cater to diabetic patients who are less comfortable with invasive blood glucose testing methods.

, a non-invasive blood glucose testing prototype was invented by Scanbo that provides blood glucose results in 60 secs. This invention will help cater to diabetic patients who are less comfortable with invasive blood glucose testing methods. In March 2021 , Omron Healthcare Inc. announced its expansion plans in India in the year 2021. Omron is a health device manufacturing company and their intention is to increase BGM device retails by 35 to 40%, in India .

Regional Dominance:

The global market is likely to be led by North America during the forecast period

North America was attributed with the highest global blood glucose monitoring system market in 2021 owing to a 35.5% share of the global revenue. Prevalence of obesity in addition to the high standard of medical assistance provided to patients, technically advanced equipment is expected to assist North America in staying the highest revenue contributor during the forecast period.

Europe shares a significant amount of global market share because of the awareness and proactive approach of their population in diagnosing and managing diabetes. Europe is expected to continue its growth streak because of the intense investment in healthcare facilities.

Asia Pacific is anticipated to register a higher CAGR during the forecast period owing to growing awareness & acceptance of BGM systems, particularly in India & China. The increase in investments in medical facilities is also a major cause for the anticipated growth. The slow but steady growth in spending capability of the general population is another factor expected to contribute to the global market.

The Middle East, Latin America & Africa are expected to show slow growth majorly because of a lack of awareness amongst the population about proper diabetes management. The number of undiagnosed patients in these regions still remains high causing a lagging growth graph in the global market. Below par standard of living is also one of the causes of registering slower CAGR.

Global Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market is segmented as follows:

Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market: By Product Outlook (2022-2028)

Self-monitoring system

Continuous glucose monitoring system

Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market: By Testing Site Outlook (2022-2028)

Fingertip testing

Alternate site testing

Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market: By Indication Outlook (2022-2028)

Type-I diabetes

Type-II diabetes

Others

Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market: By End-User Outlook (2022-2028)

Hospitals

Clinics

Homecare

Blood Glucose Monitoring System Market: By Region Outlook (2022-2028)

North America

The U.S.

Canada

Europe

France

The UK

Spain

Germany

Italy

Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

India

South Korea

Southeast Asia

Rest of Asia Pacific

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

GCC

South Africa

Rest of Middle East & Africa

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BEIJING, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- PPIO, a leading provider of edge cloud services, has raised nearly RMB 250 million (approx. USD 37.6 million) in a Series A financing led by Panlin Capital, China Creation Ventures (CCV), Shanghai Zhangjiang Technology Venture Investment and IMO Ventures, and with continued funding from existing investor BlueRun Ventures China (BRV China).

BRV China was the angel investor and led its pre-A round of financing exceeding RMB 100 million in 2021. With the Series A funding, PPIO has aggregated more than RMB 400 million in financings, making the firm among the top edge cloud vendors in China in terms of fundraising capability.

"We believe that the maturity of low latency computing is essential for many applications, such as cloud gaming, AR/VR, space digitization, metaverse and other next-generation life and work scenarios, to break into the mainstream consumer market and become truly viable businesses," said Jui Tan, Managing Partner of BRV China.

PPIO was co-founded by Wang Wenyu and former PPTV founder Yao Xin in 2018 to provide edge cloud computing services and solutions that meet the needs of low latency, high bandwidth, and large-scale distributed processing systems. Today, PPIO edge cloud solutions empower clients with distributed computing demands in more than 1,000 cities and regions in 30+ provinces across China in a shift from the central cloud.

The urge for high-performance cloud technologies is on the rise as industrial digitization accelerates. iResearch Consulting Group predicts China's connected Internet of Things (IoT) devices will reach 14.8 billion in 2023, up from 5.5 billion in 2019, representing a 28.1% CAGR. By 2025, China will be producing 48.6 zettabytes of data every year, IDC says. As a result, investment in edge technologies is set to grow at a highest ever pace in 2022  a new Gartner, Inc. survey of global mid- to large enterprises found they are to spend an average of USD 462,000 on the technology in 2022, up 76% from a year ago.

"The migration of data storage to end devices from the central cloud is picking up pace, and the trend will be here to stay. Latency and bandwidth requirements will only be ever more stringent for application scenarios with end devices. Edge computing is the storage, processing and analysis of data nearer to the user's device to enable rapid, near real-time, and short-cycled analysis and response, to enable timely execution of local operations," said Mr. Yao, PPIO's founder.

Among PPIO's primary client base are internet firms that see low-latency transmission and large-scale cost control as staples, such as long and short video platforms, live streaming platforms and cell phone manufacturers. PPIO provides them with comprehensive solutions, including audio and video management, cloud security, and application performance optimization. In addition, an array of leading Internet companies, first-tier cloud computing service providers and unicorn-level startups have entered collaborations on edge cloud business with PPIO.

"We plan to invest the funding proceeds to further enhance proprietary technologies and edge infrastructure, as well as strengthen R&D into scenarios with yet higher requirements for ultra-low latency, such as ultra-low latency live streaming, cloud gaming, cloud rendering, connected vehicles and space digitization, " said PPIO's Mr. Yao.

"Mr. Yao and the PPIO team have developed deep insights into future interactive applications and service scenarios. BRV China is optimistic about the prospects and, over the long term, will support PPIO to reinforce its position as an industry leader," BRV China's Mr. Tan added.

About BRV China

BlueRun Ventures China (BRV China) is a leading early-stage venture firm in China with offices in Beijing and Shanghai. Having its heritage in Silicon Valley since 1998 and entered China in 2005, BRV China has managed over $2 billion through multiple USD and RMB funds, with over $1 billion cash distributions. BRV China focuses on investing in entrepreneurs who create a sustainable impact through technological innovations across enterprise services, transportation and smart machine, digital healthcare, and consumer technology sectors in China. The firm has invested in more than 150 portfolio companies, including Li Auto (NASDAQ: LI), QingCloud (688316.SH), WaterDrop (NYSE: WDH), Energy Monster (NASDAQ: EM), Mogujie/Meilishuo (NYSE: MOGU), Qudian (NYSE: QD), Ganji/58.com, PPTV, Guazi, Meishubao, Nanyan, Shanzhen, Gaussian Robotics, Yi Auto, Pinecone, etc. The firm has been recognized as the "No.1 Early-Stage Investment Firm" in China by Zero2IPO and ChinaVenture, and "Consistent Performing Venture Capital Fund Manager" by Preqin. For further information, please visit https://www.brv.com.cn/en/.

SOURCE BRV China
For more insights on YOY and CAGR, Read our Sample Report

Vendor Insights and Scope

The canned food market is fragmented, and the vendors are deploying growth strategies such as organic and inorganic growth strategies to compete in the market. The report analyzes the market's competitive landscape and offers information on several market vendors, including Bolton Group Srl, Campbell Soup Co., Conagra Brands Inc., Del Monte Pacific Ltd., General Mills Inc., Nestle SA, Princes Ltd., The Hain Celestial Group Inc., The J.M. Smucker Co., and The Kraft Heinz Co.

The report also covers the following areas:

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Geographical Market Analysis

North America will provide maximum growth opportunities in the canned food market during the forecast period. According to our research, the region will contribute to 32% of the global market growth during the forecast period. The US is a key market for canned food in North America. The growth of the market in the region will be driven by the growing need for convenience foods owing to hectic lifestyles.

Know more about this market's geographical distribution. View our Report Snapshot

Key Segment Analysis

The canned fish and seafood segment will have significant market share growth during the forecast period. The demand for canned fish and seafood products has increased in countries such as China, India, and Brazil, owing to the growth of the population and rising awareness about the health benefits of consuming seafood. Countries in the Middle East are also experiencing significant demand.

View a Sample: to know additional highlights and key points on various market segments and their impact in coming years.

Key Market Drivers & Challenges:

The growing need for convenience foods owing to hectic lifestyles is driving the growth of the global canned food market. The demand for canned food is increasing, especially among the working population, owing to factors such as short cooking time, easy preparation, and long shelf life. Canned fruits and vegetables are less likely to get spoiled and have lower handling and transportation costs than fresher variants.

The rise in product recalls will challenge the global canned food market growth during the forecast period. These recalls are a result of improper handling of raw materials or supplies. Over the last few years, various products have been recalled over the last few years due to the use of contaminated raw materials, presence of allergens, and incorrect labeling.

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Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2021-2025

Detailed information on factors that will assist canned food market growth during the next five years

Estimation of the canned food market size and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the canned food market

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of canned food market vendors

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Canned Food Market Scope Report Coverage Details Page number 120 Base year 2020 Forecast period 2021-2025 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 4.08% Market growth 2021-2025 USD 23.77 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 3.29 Regional analysis Europe, North America, APAC, MEA, South America, Europe, North America, APAC, MEA, and South America Performing market contribution North America at 32% Key consumer countries US, China, Spain, UK, and Japan Competitive landscape Leading companies, Competitive strategies, Consumer engagement scope Key companies profiled Bolton Group Srl, Campbell Soup Co., Conagra Brands Inc., Del Monte Pacific Ltd., General Mills Inc., Nestle SA, Princes Ltd., The Hain Celestial Group Inc., The J.M. Smucker Co., and The Kraft Heinz Co. Market dynamics Parent market analysis, Market growth inducers and obstacles, Fast-growing and slow-growing segment analysis, COVID 19 impact and recovery analysis and future consumer dynamics, Market condition analysis for forecast period Customization purview If our report has not included the data that you are looking for, you can reach out to our analysts and get segments customized.

Table of Contents

1 Executive Summary

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

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 ($ billion)



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 Canned fish and seafood - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 17: Canned fish and seafood - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)



Exhibit 18: Canned fish and seafood - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

5.4 Canned vegetables - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 19: Canned vegetables - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)



Exhibit 20: Canned vegetables - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

5.5 Canned meat - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 21: Canned meat - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)



Exhibit 22: Canned meat - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

5.6 Canned ready meals - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 23: Canned ready meals - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)



Exhibit 24: Canned ready meals - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

5.7 Others - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 25: Others - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)



Exhibit 26: Others - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

5.8 Market opportunity by Product

Exhibit 27: Market opportunity by Product

6 Market Segmentation by Distribution channel

6.1 Market segments

Exhibit 28: Distribution channel - Market share 2020-2025 (%)

6.2 Comparison by Distribution channel

Exhibit 29: Comparison by Distribution channel

6.3 Offline - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 30: Offline - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)



Exhibit 31: Offline - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

6.4 Online - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 32: Online - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)



Exhibit 33: Online - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

6.5 Market opportunity by Distribution channel

Exhibit 34: Market opportunity by Distribution channel

7 Customer landscape

7.1 Customer landscape

Exhibit 35: Customer landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

8.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 36: Market share by geography 2020-2025 (%)

8.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 37: Geographic comparison

8.3 Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 38: Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)

Exhibit 39: Europe - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

8.4 North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 40: North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)

Exhibit 41: North America - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

8.5 APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 42: APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)



Exhibit 43: APAC - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

8.6 MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 44: MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ billion)



Exhibit 45: MEA - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

8.7 South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

8.8 Key leading countries

Exhibit 48: Key leading countries

8.9 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 49: Market opportunity by geography ($ billion)

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

9.1 Market drivers

9.2 Market challenges

Exhibit 50: Impact of drivers and challenges

9.3 Market trends

10 Vendor Landscape

10.1 Overview

Exhibit 51: Vendor landscape

10.2 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 52: Landscape disruption



Exhibit 53: Industry risks

11 Vendor Analysis

11.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 54: Vendors covered

11.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 55: Market positioning of vendors

11.3 Bolton Group Srl

Exhibit 56: Bolton Group Srl - Overview



Exhibit 57: Bolton Group Srl - Product and service



Exhibit 58: Bolton Group Srl - Key offerings

11.4 Campbell Soup Co.

Exhibit 59: Campbell Soup Co. - Overview



Exhibit 60: Campbell Soup Co. - Business segments



Exhibit 61: Campbell Soup Co. - Key news



Exhibit 62: Campbell Soup Co. - Key offerings



Exhibit 63: Campbell Soup Co. - Segment focus

11.5 Conagra Brands Inc.

Exhibit 64: Conagra Brands Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 65: Conagra Brands Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 66: Conagra Brands Inc. - Key news



Exhibit 67: Conagra Brands Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 68: Conagra Brands Inc. - Segment focus

11.6 Del Monte Pacific Ltd.

Exhibit 69: Del Monte Pacific Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 70: Del Monte Pacific Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 71: Del Monte Pacific Ltd. - Key news



Exhibit 72: Del Monte Pacific Ltd. - Key offerings



Exhibit 73: Del Monte Pacific Ltd. - Segment focus

11.7 General Mills Inc .

. Exhibit 74: General Mills Inc . - Overview

. - Overview

Exhibit 75: General Mills Inc . - Business segments

. - Business segments

Exhibit 76: General Mills Inc . - Key news

. - Key news

Exhibit 77: General Mills Inc . - Key offerings

. - Key offerings

Exhibit 78: General Mills Inc . - Segment focus

11.8 Nestle SA

Exhibit 79: Nestle SA - Overview



Exhibit 80: Nestle SA - Business segments



Exhibit 81: Nestle SA - Key offerings



Exhibit 82: Nestle SA - Segment focus

11.9 Princes Ltd.

Exhibit 83: Princes Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 84: Princes Ltd. - Product and service



Exhibit 85: Princes Ltd. - Key offerings

11.10 The Hain Celestial Group Inc.

Exhibit 86: The Hain Celestial Group Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 87: The Hain Celestial Group Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 88: The Hain Celestial Group Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 89: The Hain Celestial Group Inc. - Segment focus

11.11 The J.M. Smucker Co.

Exhibit 90: The J.M. Smucker Co. - Overview



Exhibit 91: The J.M. Smucker Co. - Business segments



Exhibit 92: The J.M. Smucker Co. - Key news



Exhibit 93: The J.M. Smucker Co. - Key offerings



Exhibit 94: The J.M. Smucker Co. - Segment focus

11.12 The Kraft Heinz Co.

Exhibit 95: The Kraft Heinz Co. - Overview



Exhibit 96: The Kraft Heinz Co. - Business segments



Exhibit 97: The Kraft Heinz Co. - Key news



Exhibit 98: The Kraft Heinz Co. - Key offerings



Exhibit 99: The Kraft Heinz Co. - Segment focus

12 Appendix

12.1 Scope of the report

12.2 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 100: Currency conversion rates for US$

12.3 Research methodology

Exhibit 101: Research Methodology



Exhibit 102: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 103: Information sources

12.4 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 104: 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 provide 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
SAN FRANCISCO, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Casetext, the leading provider of A.I.-powered legal technology, and James Publishing, a trusted provider of practical law books, is excited to announce a partnership that will bring James' practice guides to the Casetext platform.

The partnership is part of Casetext's strategy to increase its content offerings, in line with the company's mission to enable greater access to justice by providing a comprehensive legal research platform to law firms and in-house legal departments of every size and budget. These guides will be accessible on Casetext at a cost-effective per book or complete collection subscription price.

James Publishing guides provide lawyers with time-saving tools, forms, and practice tips for both federal and state practice. In addition to state-specific guidance for California, New York, Illinois, Florida, and Texas, James Publishing has several titles with broad jurisdictional coverage, as well as publications focused on discreet practice areas such as employment law, criminal defense, and personal injury.

"By offering our clients affordable access to the high-quality practical guides produced by James Publishing, we are helping lawyers practice more efficiently," said Chris Lafferty, Senior Vice President of Content at Casetext. "We are thrilled to partner with James Publishing to provide greater value for our clients."

"Offering James Publishing treatises through Casetext is an exciting step forward for our company, which is still very much a traditional book publisher on the publishing side of the business," says Kara Prior, President of James Publishing. "The integration allows us to broaden the reach of our content to find new audiences, with the added bonus of being supported by cutting-edge legal research technology."

About James Publishing

James Publishing is a leading affordable legal publisher. Since 1981, James Publishing has provided practical law books that are loaded with time-saving motions and pleadings, client letters, and step-by-step procedural checklists, pattern arguments, model questions, and practice tips.

For more information, visit www.jamespublishing.com.

About Casetext

Casetext builds the most advanced A.I. legal technology available on the market today. Launched in 2013, Casetext provides lawyers with innovative tools to streamline critical elements of legal practice. Casetext offers powerful technology for legal research, brief drafting, knowledge management, discovery, and more. Over 10,000 law firmsincluding 40% of Am Law 200 firmsrely on Casetext to improve the efficiency of their law practice.

For more information, visit www.casetext.com.

SOURCE Casetext
Deal will integrate CYBAVO's non-custodial digital asset infrastructure service with Circle Products and expand enterprise and developer services for those building on USDC and Web3

BOSTON, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today Circle Internet Financial Limited signed a definitive agreement to acquire Taiwan-based CYBAVO , a breakthrough crypto technology company that provides platforms for digital asset custody and blockchain application development. CYBAVO's "infrastructure as a service" platform combines their unique "Distributed Risk and Responsibility Model" for digital asset custody and security, highly customizable workflows and operational controls designed for the most demanding enterprise or financial industry workflows, and a deeply extensible model for integrating and running blockchains, protocols and smart contracts.

Together with CYBAVO, Circle hopes to advance the adoption of USDC and Web3 applications while deeply integrating the technology into our core product offerings. Circle also plans to invest in, build and operate CYBAVO's products and services and incorporate them as a new product pillar for Circle.

Akin to the way "cloud services" emerged as a solution to simplify software development for Web 2.0 developers, "Crypto Platform Services" has emerged alongside the surge of developers and companies looking to build on Web3. It is a new category of service that allows developers to focus on delivering a great customer experience without worrying about fundamental digital asset security, operations and blockchain infrastructure management.

"CYBAVO co-founders Paul Fan and Tim Hsu have built an incredibly impressive product," said Jeremy Allaire, Co-Founder and CEO at Circle. "They are unlocking value for developers and operators across nearly every major sector impacted by crypto and Web3. That will help Circle create new opportunities for enterprise and developer services while also providing compelling enhancements to our Circle Account and Circle API capabilities for an improved customer experience, helping to grow adoption of USDC."

CYBAVO customers will benefit from Circle's planned investments in R&D and continued support of CYBAVO's products and services. Circle customers will benefit from expanded capabilities and the development of a new product pillar focused on Crypto Platform Services.

"Circle and CYBAVO share similar operating principles and values and we are aligned in the belief that the market for Web3 apps will 'cross the chasm' over the next few years, expanding into major consumer and enterprise-scale applications," said Paul Fan, Co-Founder and CEO at CYBAVO. "Today's news and the future of what we build with Circle will bring the power of the global crypto economy to everyone everywhere."

Learn more about Circle and CYBAVO's plans to accelerate Web3 by registering for Circle's crypto ecosystem conference, Converge22 , in San Francisco this September.

About Circle

Circle is a global financial technology firm that enables businesses of all sizes to harness the power of digital currencies and public blockchains for payments, commerce and financial applications worldwide. Circle is the issuer of USD Coin (USDC), one of the fastest growing dollar digital currencies powering always-on internet-native commerce and payments. Today, Circle's transactional services, business accounts, and platform APIs are giving rise to a new generation of financial services and commerce applications that hold the promise of raising global economic prosperity for all through the frictionless exchange of financial value. Additionally, Circle operates SeedInvest, a leading startup fundraising platform in the U.S. Learn more at https://circle.com .

About CYBAVO

CYBAVO is a leading platform for secure digital asset management operations. Established in 2018 by a team of cybersecurity veterans, it provides the most advanced digital asset custody technology, integrating MPC technology, a custom security-hardened operating system, patented encryption technology, and a highly secure sandboxed environment to deliver its suite of solutions, including its flagship product, CYBAVO VAULT.

It serves an extensive list of enterprise customers including cryptocurrency exchanges, NFT marketplaces, cryptocurrency wallet providers, and fintech service providers. The company is insured by a S&P AA-rated global reinsurance company, and holds certifications for ISO 27001, SOC 2, and NIST's Cryptographic Module Validation Program.

SOURCE Circle Internet Financial, LLC
An experienced leader in both operations and sales, Mr. Wipprecht is responsible for overseeing and executing the hotel and property operations, including staff management, guest satisfaction, and community relations.

Prior to joining The Residence Inn Cincinnati Airport, Wipprecht served in multiple leadership roles with Winegardner & Hammons, including general manager for the Homewood Suites Dayton/Fairborn, Holiday Inn & Suites Cincinnati Eastgate, Holiday Inn Cincinnati North West Chester, and the Holiday Inn & Suites Cincinnati Downtown. Wipprecht holds a Bachelor of Science in business from Austin Peay State University.

About Commonwealth Hotels, LLC

Commonwealth Hotels, LLC was founded in 1986 and is a proven partner in providing hotel management services with superior financial results. The company has extensive experience managing premium branded full service and select-service hotels. Commonwealth Hotels currently manages 61 properties with nearly 7,600 rooms. Additional information may be found at www.commonwealthhotels.com.

Contact

Barbara E. Willen

Commonwealth Hotels, LLC

[email protected]

859.392-2254

SOURCE Commonwealth Hotels, Inc.
President Muhammadu Buhari has described Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the right presidential candidate for Nigeria.

Tinubu clinched the presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday.

The President, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, congratulated the APC presidential flagbearer in the 2023 elections and assured him of "full and unwavering" support.

He expressed belief that Tinubu will safeguard and improve on the democratic achievement and legacy.

Buhari said the party must now unite behind the candidate to achieve victory at the 2023 elections.

He said: "Having emerged victorious he has our full and unwavering support. Now, our party must unite behind our candidate to achieve victory at the 2023 elections so that our government will continue to secure our communities, grow our economy and continue the fight against corruption.

"During the Primaries, there were factions and disagreements amongst the contestants and now that the process has ended we must build a united front in our party. In this way, the APC will remain the party that can best deliver on the priorities of the Nigerian people. Now, it is time to put the process behind us.

"Because what we can all agree is that the APC remains the party that can best deliver on the priorities of the Nigerian people. But the way to demonstrate that we can get on with this job is to unite."

The President added: "The movement we created in 2013 is beyond individuals. Together, we made history by becoming the first party in our country's history to unseat a party in power and propel our candidate into the Presidency through a peaceful democratic transfer of power.

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"We strongly believe that Bola Ahmed Tinubu will safeguard and improve on this democratic achievement and legacy. He is the right candidate for Nigeria's aspiration because he is the APC's candidate and under the continued stewardship of our party. Nigeria can achieve greatness and fulfill its destiny in Africa and the World.

"The high point of this extraordinary convention of our party was the energy of the Presidential aspirants and it is from amongst them that we have chosen the most popular leader.

"I recognize and commend the enthusiasm and self-confidence amongst our party men and women.

"I also thank the delegates for making the right decision leading to the emergence of our candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu."
VANCOUVER, BC, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Copper Mountain Mining Corporation (TSX: CMMC) (ASX: C6C) (the "Company" or "Copper Mountain") announces results of the Company's annual general and special meeting of shareholders (the "Meeting") held on June 9, 2022. A total of 97,429,489 common shares were voted at the Meeting, representing approximately 46.12% of the total issued and outstanding common shares of the Company.

The results for the items voted at the Meeting are as follows:

Number of Directors Votes For % For Votes Against % Against Set the number of directors at eight 96,352,569 98.89% 1,076,920 1.11%

Election of Directors Votes For % For Votes Withheld % Withheld Michele Buchignani 85,270,123 97.64% 2,063,464 2.36% Gilmour Clausen 85,611,259 98.03% 1,722,328 1.97% Edward Dowling 85,407,305 97.79% 1,926,282 2.21% M. Stephen Enders 85,406,513 97.79% 1,927,074 2.21% Jeane Hull 85,344,248 97.72% 1,989,339 2.28% Paula Rogers 85,219,395 97.58% 2,114,192 2.42% Peter Sullivan 82,206,703 94.13% 5,126,884 5.87% William Washington 83,561,372 95.68% 3,772,215 4.32%

The Company reports shareholders reappointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as the auditor of the Company for the ensuing year and authorized the directors to fix their remuneration.



Votes For % For Votes Against % Against Appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 96,870,562 99.43% 558,927 0.57%

The Company's shareholders voted for the Company's non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation ("Say on Pay").



Votes For % For Votes Against % Against Approval of advisory vote on compensation 72,573,998 83.10% 14,759,589 16.90%

The Company's shareholders voted for the Company's 2022 long-term incentive plan.



Votes For % For Votes Against % Against Approval of 2022 long-term incentive plan 82,135,241 94.05% 5,198,346 5.95%

About Copper Mountain Mining Corporation

Copper Mountain's flagship asset is the 75% owned Copper Mountain Mine located in southern British Columbia near the town of Princeton. The Copper Mountain Mine currently produces approximately 100 million pounds of copper equivalent per year. Copper Mountain also has the 100% owned development-stage Eva Copper Project, which is expected add approximately 100 million pounds of copper annually, in Queensland, Australia and an extensive 2,100 km2 highly prospective land package in the Mount Isa area. Copper Mountain trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "CMMC" and Australian Stock Exchange under the symbol "C6C".

Additional information is available on the Company's web page at www.CuMtn.com.

On behalf of the Board of

COPPER MOUNTAIN MINING CORPORATION

"Gil Clausen"

Gil Clausen, P.Eng.

President and Chief Executive Officer

Website: www.CuMtn.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "plans", "expects", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "occur" or "be achieved". In this news release, certain forward-looking statements are identified, including the anticipated production at the Copper Mountain Mine and the Eva Copper Project. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance and opportunities to differ materially from those implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include the risks set out in Copper Mountain's public documents, including in each management's discussion and analysis, filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although Copper Mountain believes that the information and assumptions used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, Copper Mountain disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE Copper Mountain Mining Corporation
Entrepreneurs encouraged to apply by June 27, 2022

SEATTLE, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Decarbon8 Fund, an impact investment vehicle established by the E8 climatetech investing community and platform, announced a new Request for Proposal (RFP) for companies advancing regenerative agriculture solutions that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with a June 27, 2022 deadline. The RFP and application can be found online (www.decarbon8-us.org).

AgTech entrepreneur applications for investment due June 27, 2022.

Decarbon8 leverages both personal and philanthropic capital to support early-stage companies whose technologies and business models can dramatically accelerate the transition to environmentally sustainable solutions. Winners of this competition will receive investment from the Decarbon8 Fund and will have the chance to attract personal co-investment from the E8 community of more than 135 families and funds in North America and beyond.

Agriculture accounts for about 20% of worldwide GHG emissions, including a large share of methane and nitrous oxide, which have a particularly potent effect on climate (McKinsey & Co.). According to CropLife's analysis, early stage AgTech investments, and exits, have grown in recent years to meet the severe need and economic potential.

"Our focus on regenerative and decarbonizing agriculture comes at an especially important moment," said Richard Hartung, E8 judge, agtech investor and farm owner. "Longstanding needs to revolutionize agriculture have only become more pressing given current stresses to global food security. Now is the time to drive for both faster impact and potential returns."

Successful applicants to Decarbon8 will receive:

- Investment capital. Investees from the 2021 transportation-themed Decarbon8 round received an average of $175,000 in personal and philanthropic investment, including investment of as much as $450,000. The D8 portfolio includes innovators such as Xeal and C-Motive, and recently-acquired Earthly Labs.

- A base of investors for future rounds.

- Support from cleantech investment specialists  and farm owners and ag champions. E8's subject-matter expertise and longstanding networks offer constructive engagement throughout the process and post-investment, especially from the many investors with agriculture expertise and farms.

- Visibility and advocacy for your enterprise.

Eligible enterprises should:

Be a part of the AgTech sector and support the production of food or decarbonization through agriculture. These areas include but are not limited to farm inputs and biotechnology, data management tools, water management, farm equipment, midstream and supply chain solutions, and novel solutions and systems. Have generated some revenue or have field trials and pilots underway. Be raising capital, or in a position to accept it, from July to November 2022 , given the decision timeline. Be incorporated as a for-profit entity in the United States or Canada , or have a US vehicle ready for investment.

Please consult the Request for Proposal for more information on Decarbon8's evaluation criteria and our timeline.

In addition to E8, Decarbon8-US is supported by a diverse coalition of climate leaders, including University of Washington's Clean Energy Institute, Washington State University, K&L Gates, CleanTech Alliance, Climate Solutions, Action Digital, Canada's economic development office, JP Morgan Chase, VertueLab, Baker Hostetler, Dharma 350 Fund and the Stolte Family Foundation. Decarbon8-US is a philanthropic investment fund housed at Realize Impact, a 501(c)(3) impact investing specialist.

"Every year, Decarbon8 is a special and welcoming chance to learn and invest in climate solutions," notes Mike Rea, E8 Executive Director. "We're grateful to the innovative entrepreneurs who give us a chance to share in their success, and it's easy for investors to get involved. We have learning opportunities through the fall, and anyone can invest in these inspiring enterprises whether they are an accredited investor or not, using personal or philanthropic capital."

Entrepreneurs should apply to Decarbon8 by June 27, 2022. Private and philanthropic investors can learn more by contacting E8 (www.decarbon8-us.org; [email protected]).

About E8

E8 is an international, Seattle-based community whose mission is to accelerate the transition to a prosperous and cleaner world by investing in and fostering emerging cleantech enterprises. Our flexible, investor-centric platform supports different types of investors and asset classes, including direct angel for-profit investing, pooled investing in expertly managed VC funds such as the E8 Ventures Fund, donor advised fund impact investments, and a philanthropic fund for accelerating decarbonization and climate mitigation. E8's community and offerings are driven by a belief in the power of innovative enterprises and technologies to scale both positive returns and impact. ( www.E8angels.com )

Media Contact

Mike Rea, E8 ([email protected]; (m) 425.409.9531)

SOURCE E8
Schmidt Science Fellows is the inaugural Program of Schmidt Futures , the philanthropic initiative of Eric and Wendy Schmidt. Now marking its fifth anniversary, Schmidt Science Fellows exemplifies Schmidt Futures' mission by bringing the brightest minds together to solve society's toughest challenges and now has 113 active and alumni Fellows representing 30 nationalities of origin. Fellows from the first cohorts are already pursuing faculty roles in renowned universities, leading start-up companies, and influencing policy.

Schmidt Science Fellows, delivered in partnership with the Rhodes Trust, envisions a world where interdisciplinary science can flourish and accelerate discoveries that tackle major challenges and have a positive impact on the world. Each Fellow is supported for one to two years with up to $200,000 in stipend, individualized mentoring, and a series of professional development sessions around the world, to pursue research at a disciplinary pivot to their PhD and maximize their potential as future scientific leaders. Among the 2022 Fellows are scientists aiming to develop new therapies to treat cancer and heart disease, scale-up sustainable fuel production, restore vision for blind people, protect endangered species, generate new approaches for clean water and energy, and more.

Eric Schmidt, co-founder of Schmidt Futures and former CEO and Chairman of Google, said: "Our latest group of Schmidt Science Fellows embodies our vision for this Program at its inception five years ago. We find the most talented next-generation leaders from around the world and back these impressive young adults with the resources and networks they need to realize their full potential while addressing some of the big scientific questions facing the world. Congratulations to the 2022 Schmidt Science Fellows, I am excited to see where your science takes you and what you will achieve."

"In the first five years of this Program, Fellows have combined biology and computer science to revolutionize drug discovery. They've introduced AI to biomedical engineering to bring cancer screening to underserved communities. And they're working across optics, atomic physics, astrophysics, ocean science and more to identify new ways to reverse climate destruction," said Wendy Schmidt, co-founder of Schmidt Futures and president of The Schmidt Family Foundation. "This new cohort will join a growing network of interdisciplinary scientists and researchers engaging in critically important work that goes beyond any project they may undertake individually."

Dr. Megan Kenna, Executive Director of Schmidt Science Fellows, said: "We need scientists to have the freedom to take risks with their science, to be ambitious without fear of the consequences of failure, and to draw on whatever discipline they need for the problem at hand. The clock is ticking on the world's big challenges, and we need science to play its part in finding solutions. I am proud to welcome our 2022 Schmidt Science Fellows into a community of scientists and supporters who come together to harness the power of interdisciplinary science for the benefit of the world."

The 2022 cohort of Schmidt Science Fellows comes from 23 of the world's leading science and engineering institutions. The cohort is 15 women and 14 men and represents 12 nationalities, including the Program's first Fellows from Ireland and South Africa.

The 2022 Fellows, announced today:

Juncal Arbelaiz - Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Emmanuela Bonglack - Duke University

Maria Lastra Cagigas - University of New South Wales Sydney

- Sydney Xiangkun Cao - Cornell University

Paul Chen - University of Toronto

- Mostapha Dakhchoune - Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)

Tiarnan Doherty - University of Cambridge

- Kara Fong - University of California, Berkeley

- Berit Goodge - Cornell University

- Samuel Greene - Columbia University

- Harsha Gurnani - University College London

- University College London Alexander Heyde - Harvard University

- Michael Heyns - University of Cape Town

- University of Natsumi Komatsu - Rice University

- Caitlin Maikawa - Stanford University

- Naomi Arita Merino - Wageningen University & Research

- Wageningen University & Research Elise Needham - University of Sydney

- Kevin Ng - The Francis Crick Institute

- The Francis Crick Institute Ethan Perets - Yale University

- Elizabeth Phillips - University of Toronto

Jason Qian - Harvard University

- Hannah Rana - University of Oxford

- Tim Sainburg - University of California, San Diego

- Sandya Subramanian - Massachusetts Institute of Technology

- Anthony Waddle - University of Melbourne

- Mingyi Wang - Carnegie Mellon University

- Christine Wilkinson - University of California, Berkeley

- Kevin Zhou - Duke University

- Hannah Zlotnick - University of Pennsylvania

More details on each 2022 Fellow, including their research interests and their interdisciplinary science ambitions, can be found here .

Schmidt Science Fellows are supported for at least one and up to two years with a USD $100,000 per year stipend to pursue their interdisciplinary science at the best possible lab for their project in the world. Each cohort participates in the Program's Global Meeting Series, which provides tailored training, introductions to new concepts, visits to leading interdisciplinary scientific centers, and opportunities to engage with renowned thought-leaders from science, business, policy, and society. Once selected, every Fellow becomes a member of a lifelong community of interdisciplinary leaders who can affect real and innovative change in the world.

About Schmidt Science Fellows

Schmidt Science Fellows is an initiative of Schmidt Futures, delivered in partnership with the Rhodes Trust. The Schmidt Science Fellows Program helps scientists solve bigger problems faster by identifying, developing, and amplifying the next generation of science leaders, building a community of scientists and supporters of interdisciplinary science, and leveraging this network to drive sector-wide change.

Each year, the Schmidt Science Fellows work in partnership with around 100 of the world's leading science and engineering institutions to identify the best, brightest, and highest potential candidates to join the Fellowship. Nominated candidates then apply to the Program before a rigorous selection process that includes a paper-based academic review with panels of experts in their home disciplines, and final interviews with panels, including senior representatives from across many scientific disciplines and different business sectors.

About Schmidt Futures

Schmidt Futures bets early on exceptional people making the world better. Founded by Eric and Wendy Schmidt, Schmidt Futures is a philanthropic initiative that brings talented people together in networks to prove out their ideas and solve hard problems in science and society. To learn more about our method and the diverse types of capital and tools that we deploy, visit https://www.schmidtfutures.com .

SOURCE Schmidt Futures
Luigi Scordamaglia, CEO of Filiera Italia, says: "In recent years, exports of real Made in Italy agri-food products to the U.S. have grown consistently in double digits, rising from 3 billion to 6 billion over the past decade. It is easy to imagine that the United States may become the number one destination market for our agri-food exports (today it is second).

This continued growth is linked to the evolving needs of the American consumer, who is increasingly looking not only for quality and safety but also for sustainability, distinctiveness, tradition and culture, all values that true Made in Italy food possesses and that non-authentic Italian products spread around the world cannot ensure. Remember that in the United States, out of every 7 food products sold as Italian, at least 5 are not; I am referring to the notorious phenomenon of "Italian Sounding", which can only be overcome with the careful provision of information to consumers and awareness-raising, something that Filiera Italia is intensely involved in here at the Fancy Food Show as well.

The sustainability of the Italian agri-food production model is demonstrated by the numbers: we produce the highest value-added agri-food products in Europe - because of the exceptional value of our products - with an environmental impact in terms of CO2 emissions equal to just 30% of those of France and 50% of those of Germany."

Filiera Italia defends Made in Italy food in an innovative way by uniting all players in the production chains with retailers and renewable energy companies to ensure an offer focused on quality, sustainability and longevity.

SOURCE Filiera Italia
VANCOUVER, BC, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - First Mining Gold Corp. ("First Mining" or the "Company") (TSX: FF) (OTCQX: FFMGF) (FRANKFURT: FMG) is pleased to announce the voting results from the Company's annual general meeting of shareholders held in Vancouver on June 9, 2022 (the "2022 AGM").

A total of 243,005,171 common shares of First Mining were represented at the 2022 AGM, representing 34.16% of the Company's outstanding common shares as at the record date of April 25, 2022. Shareholders voted in favour of all matters brought before the meeting. All five director nominees listed in the Company's management information circular dated April 29, 2022 (the "Circular") were elected as follows:

Election of Directors

Director Nominee Votes For % For Votes Withheld % Withheld Keith Neumeyer 173,376,933 98.41% 2,805,993 1.59% Raymond Polman 173,638,179 98.56% 2,544,747 1.44% Daniel W. Wilton 173,772,697 98.63% 2,410,229 1.37% Richard Lock 172,379,346 97.84% 3,803,580 2.16% Leanne Hall 172,696,820 98.02% 3,486,106 1.98%

Appointment of Auditor

Outcome of the Vote Votes For % For Votes Withheld % Withheld Carried 240,706,188 99.14% 2,090,683 0.86%

Approval of Unallocated Entitlements under Amendment and Restated Share-Based Compensation Plan

Outcome of the Vote Votes For % For Votes Against % Against Carried 140,532,787 79.86% 35,441,839 20.14%

Detailed voting results for the meeting are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

About First Mining Gold Corp.

First Mining is a gold developer advancing a portfolio of gold projects in Canada, with our most advanced project being the Springpole Gold Project in northwestern Ontario, which is one of the largest undeveloped gold projects in Canada, and where we have commenced a Feasibility Study and permitting activities are on-going with submission of a draft Environmental Impact Statement ("EIS") for the project targeted for 2022. First Mining also owns the Cameron, Duparquet, Duquesne and Pitt gold projects, all advanced-stage gold projects in Ontario (in the case of Cameron) and Quebec. Our portfolio of gold project interests also includes the Pickle Crow gold project (being advanced in partnership with Auteco Minerals Ltd.), the Hope Brook gold project (being advanced in partnership with Big Ridge Gold Corp.), an equity interest in Treasury Metals Inc., and a portfolio of 21 gold royalties.

First Mining was established in 2015 by Mr. Keith Neumeyer, founding President and CEO of First Majestic Silver Corp.

ON BEHALF OF FIRST MINING GOLD CORP.

Daniel W. Wilton

Chief Executive Officer and Director

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "projects", "intends", "estimates", "envisages", "potential", "possible", "strategy", "goals", "opportunities", "objectives", or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to future events or future performance and reflect current estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: (i) the Company's plans with respect to advancing its portfolio of gold projects; and (ii) Feasibility and permitting activities related to the Springpole Project and the timing of the submission of the EIS. All forward-looking statements are based on First Mining's or its consultants' current beliefs as well as various assumptions made by them and information currently available to them. 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 on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the respective parties, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Such factors include, without limitation the Company's business, operations and financial condition potentially being materially adversely affected by the outbreak of epidemics, pandemics or other health crises, such as COVID-19, and by reactions by government and private actors to such outbreaks; risks to employee health and safety as a result of the outbreak of epidemics, pandemics or other health crises, such as COVID-19, that may result in a slowdown or temporary suspension of operations at some or all of the Company's mineral properties as well as its head office; fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold, silver, base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in the currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar); changes 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, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins and flooding); the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities, indigenous populations and other stakeholders; availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; title to properties.; and the additional risks described in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com , and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 40-F filed with the SEC on EDGAR.

First Mining cautions that the foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to First Mining, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. First Mining 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 our behalf, except as required by law.

SOURCE First Mining Gold Corp.
DUBLIN, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "France Social Commerce Market Intelligence and Future Growth Dynamics Databook Q1 2022 Update" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The social commerce industry in France is expected to grow by 27.2% on annual basis to reach US$7468.6 million in 2022.



The social commerce industry is expected to grow steadily over the forecast period, recording a CAGR of 18.6% during 2022-2028. The French social commerce GMV will increase from US$7468.6 million in 2022 to reach US$19391.5 million by 2028.



Globally, the social commerce market has grown significantly over the last four to eight quarters. The introduction of shopping tools by large social media platforms has largely supported the growth of the social commerce industry around the world. Notably, similar trends are visible in France, where the social commerce market is still developing when compared to other countries such as the United States and China.



As the online shopping method continues to gain momentum among consumers in France, big retailers are also looking to capitalize on the trend to further increase their sales numbers in the country. French retailers are conducting a number of live shopping events to gain increasing traction from social consumers in the country. Moreover, even global players are looking to enter the French social commerce industry in 2022 to capitalize on the growing social commerce trend and to gain market share.



While the market is still in its early stages of development with low social commerce penetration, the growing popularity of social media shopping among consumers has made the French industry ripe for disruption. Consequently, the publisher expects firms to launch innovative products and venture capital and private equity firms to increase their investment in the social commerce space over the next four to eight quarters.



Social commerce companies are focusing on promoting high-end products to gain more profit

While the social commerce sector is growing in France, consumers are still hesitant when it comes to purchasing products from social networking platforms. This behavior of the French consumer is also reflected in their spending on social media platforms. According to recent survey, nearly 80% of the French consumers who have made purchases from social media platforms buy for less than US$55.



The mistrust among the French consumers is one of the factors why consumers prefer buying low-priced products. Consequently, the publisher expects social media platforms to adopt strategic initiatives which can help them spread awareness and create trust among consumers, which can further help in increasing the overall transaction value and volume in the country. Among the various platforms used by consumers to complete social commerce purchases, almost 75% of the consumers prefer Facebook. On the other hand, Instagram is preferred by approximately 25%, whereas Snapchat is preferred by 10.8% of the consumers in the country.



Report Scope

The report provides in-depth, data-centric analysis of social commerce in France. Below is a summary of key market segments:



France Ecommerce Industry Market Size and Future Growth Dynamics by Key Performance Indicators, 2019-2028

France Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Future Growth Dynamics by Key Performance Indicators, 2019-2028

France Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Retail Product Categories, 2019-2028

Clothing & Footwear

Beauty and Personal Care

Food & Grocery

Appliances and Electronics

Home Improvement

Others

France Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by End Use Segment, 2019-2028

B2B

B2C

C2C

France Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by End Use Device, 2019-2028

Mobile

Desktop

France Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Location, 2019-2028

Domestic

Cross Border

France Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Location, 2019-2028

Tier-1 Cities

Tier-2 Cities

Tier-3 Cities

France Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Payment Method, 2019-2028

Credit Card

Debit Card

Bank Transfer

Prepaid Card

Digital & Mobile Wallet

Other Digital Payment

Cash

France Social Commerce Industry Market Size and Forecast by Consumer Demographics & Behaviour,2021

By Age

By Income Level

By Gender

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/wzkxys

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

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Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Joint Reconstruction Market 2022-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The global joint reconstruction market is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period.

The market is set to display impressive growth during the forecast period with some key trends emerging, such as the high prevalence of joint-related conditions, and the factors affecting the joints including types of arthritis, osteoporosis, bone degenerative disease, and injuries. The requirement for joint reconstruction can also be from increasing awareness about the availability of advanced devices. Additionally, a sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle has given rise to various diseases and inactivity, which in turn is expected to grow the market during the forecast period.

The global joint reconstruction market is segmented based on basis of joint type, and technique. Based on the joint type, it is further classified into the knee, hip, shoulders, ankle, and others. Based on the technique, it is further classified into joint replacement, osteotomy, arthroscopy, resurfacing, and arthrodesis. Among these, the joint replacement segment is expected to cater considerable CAGR over the forecast period, owing to the increasing aging population which triggers orthopedic diseases, which in turn leads to the rapid rise in replacement surgeries driving the segment over the forecast period.

Geographically the global joint reconstruction market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World. North America is anticipated to witness a significant share in the global joint reconstruction market due to increasing healthcare spending, technological advancement in early diagnosis of the disease, and increased population awareness about the devices for joint reconstruction. Furthermore, increasing adoption of minimally invasive procedures and a large amount of market players in the region is estimated to be the major factors that are backing the growth of the market.

Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region for the global joint reconstruction market. The attributable factors are improving healthcare infrastructure, a high level of population, developing economies, increasing demand for advanced therapeutic options, and rising medical tourism in the region. Moreover, there is a high prevalence of joint-related injuries in densely populated countries such as India, China, and South Korea which is attributed to the growth of the market. Additionally, favorable government such as China's healthcare reform and approval of 100% FDI in medical devices by the Indian government is propelling the market growth.

Europe is the second-largest market due to the sedentary lifestyle which is being followed in the region. In addition, the presence of established pharmaceutical companies, which are consistently striving for extensive commercialization of their devices and enhancing their geographical reach, is anticipated to be a key factor escalating the growth of the regional market

The report covers:

Comprehensive research methodology of the global reconstruction market

A detailed and extensive market overview with key analyst insights

An exhaustive analysis of macro and micro factors influencing the market guided by key recommendations

Analysis of regional regulations and other government policies impacting the global reconstruction market

Insights about market determinants that are stimulating the global joint reconstruction market

Detailed and extensive market segments with the regional distribution of forecasted revenues

Extensive profiles and recent developments of market players

Key Topics Covered



1. Report Summary

Current Industry Analysis and Growth Potential Outlook

Impact of COVID-19 on the Global Joint Reconstruction Industry

Recovery Scenario of Global Joint Reconstruction Industry

1.1. Research Methods and Tools

1.2. Market Breakdown

1.2.1. By Segments

1.2.2. By Region



2. Market Overview and Insights

2.1. Scope of the Report

2.2. Analyst Insight & Current Market Trends

2.2.1. Key Findings

2.2.2. Recommendations

2.2.3. Conclusion



3. Competitive Landscape

3.1. Key Company Analysis

3.1.1. Overview

3.1.2. Financial Analysis

3.1.3. SWOT Analysis

3.1.4. Recent Developments

3.2. Key Strategy Analysis

3.3. Impact of COVID-19 on Key Players



4. Market Determinants

4.1. Motivators

4.2. Restraints

4.3. Opportunities



5. Market Segmentation

5.1. Global Joint Reconstruction Market by Joint Type

5.1.1. Knee

5.1.2. Hip

5.1.3. Shoulders

5.1.4. Ankle

5.1.5. Others

5.2. Global Joint Reconstruction Market by Technique

5.2.1. Joint Replacement

5.2.2. Osteotomy

5.2.3. Arthroscopy

5.2.4. Resurfacing

5.2.5. Arthrodesis



6. Regional Analysis

6.1. North America

6.1.1. United States

6.1.2. Canada

6.2. Europe

6.2.1. UK

6.2.2. Germany

6.2.3. Italy

6.2.4. Spain

6.2.5. France

6.2.6. Rest of Europe

6.3. Asia-Pacific

6.3.1. China

6.3.2. India

6.3.3. Japan

6.3.4. South Korea

6.3.5. Rest of Asia-Pacific

6.4. Rest of the World



7. Company Profiles

7.1. ABS Corp.

7.2. Acumed, LLC (A Colson Company)

7.3. Arthrex Inc.

7.4. B. Braun Melsungen AG

7.5. Conformis, Inc.

7.6. ConMed Corp.

7.7. DJO Global, Inc.

7.8. Exactech, Inc.

7.9. Integra LifeSciences Corp.

7.10. Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc.

7.11. Microport Orthopedics Inc.

7.12. Ortho Development Corp.

7.13. Skeletal Dynamics, LLC

7.14. Smith & Nephew PLC

7.15. Globus Medical Corning

7.16. Stryker Corp.

7.17. Wright Medical Group N.V.

7.18. Zimmer Biomet Holdings

7.19. Aesculap Implant Systems, LLC



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/t5iuwp

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Network Automation and Orchestration Market by Distributed Cloud (Cloud RAN, Edge Computing), Network Slicing, Dynamic Spectrum Sharing and Private Networks 2022 - 2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This research evaluates enabling technologies and the market outlook for 5G Network slicing. It provides analysis of the market opportunities including Configuration Management, Performance Management, Service Level Agreements, and more. It also includes 5G Network Slicing by specific use cases such as Smart Manufacturing, which includes Remote Monitoring, Supply Chain Management, Asset Management, Real-Time Monitoring, and Network Monitoring.

The ability to optimize network management and service delivery is of paramount importance to communications services providers. This is especially the case as 5G networks will add a level of unprecedented complexity of hybrid LTE/5G environments for carriers as well as enterprise and industrial private networks. Network automation and orchestration are dependent upon a multi-faceted approach including smart antennas, network slicing, and optimization of cloud resources, especially at the edge of networks.



In addition, it provides an assessment of major segments such as 5G network slicing in consumer, enterprise, and industrial IoT. This research includes global forecasts for each area covered as well as regional estimates for 5G network slicing by segment, RF band, application, and industry vertical through 2027.



This research evaluates the smart antenna market including key players, technologies, and solutions. This includes analysis of product and service strategies for smart antenna vendors. It evaluates the role and importance of smart antennas in terms of 5G network optimization including data speed enhancement and error rate reduction.



It also evaluates and provides forecasts for the smart antenna market by Type (SIMO, MISO, MIMO), connectivity, and application globally and regionally. This research also assesses 5G smart antenna support of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, providing forecasts for IoT applications. It includes detailed revenue forecasts as well as projected smart antenna shipments from 2022 to 2027.



This research evaluates 5G NR and the market outlook for MNO and VNO to offer private IoT networks for the benefit of industrial automation and mission-critical enterprise applications and services. It evaluates major players, technologies, and solutions. It also assesses market challenges, opportunities, and the overall outlook for 5G NR equipment and components. In addition, it provides detailed forecasts for equipment globally and regionally as well as investment in 5G NR by industry vertical.



This research evaluates the telecom and IT ecosystem in support of Mobile Edge Computing including communications and computing infrastructure providers, managed services vendors, carriers and OTT providers. This edge computing market analysis includes a focus on company strategies and offerings relative to current and anticipated future market needs.

It also provides quantitative analysis of the Mobile Edge Computing market including segmentation by industry vertical, region of the world, application, and services. It also provides forecasts for MEC based streaming data and real-time data analytics.



This research also evaluates 5G NR and the market outlook for MNO and VNO to offer private IoT networks for the benefit of industrial automation and mission-critical enterprise applications and services.

It evaluates major players, technologies, and solutions. It also assesses market challenges, opportunities, and the overall outlook for 5G NR equipment and components. This research provides detailed forecasts for equipment globally and regionally as well as investment in 5G NR by industry vertical.



Select Research Findings:

The market for 5G smart antennas in IoT will reach $5.2B by 2027

by 2027 Smart antennas will be invaluable for continuous voice over 5G (Vo5G) coverage

In addition to network optimization, smart antennas reduce energy needs and other resources

5G antennas will be an absolute requirement to support the smart cities market and related services

The highest ROI solutions for carrier LTE-A and 5GNR offerings will be for enterprise applications and industrial automation

5GNR solutions will be largely fixed wireless WAN connectivity and support of industrial private communications networks

Carriers will move ahead aggressively with non-standalone 5G but will realize significant benefits with 5G core network upgrades

Key Topics Covered:



5G Network Slicing by Infrastructure, Spectrum Band, Segment, Industry Vertical, Application and Services



1 Executive Summary



2 Introduction



3 5G Network Capabilities and Requirements



4 5G Network Slicing Market Analysis and Forecasts



5 Conclusions and Recommendations



6 Appendix: Edge Computing



Multi-Access Edge Computing by Infrastructure, Equipment Category, Deployment Models, Computing as a Service Offerings, Network Connectivity, Applications, Analytics Types, Market Segment, Industry Verticals, and Region



1.0 Executive Summary



2.0 Introduction



3.0 MEC Technology, Platforms, and Architecture



4.0 MEC Market Drivers and Opportunities



5.0 MEC Ecosystem



6.0 MEC Application and Service Strategies



7.0 Multi-Access Edge Computing Deployment



8.0 Multi-Access Edge Computing Market Analysis and Forecasts



9.0 Conclusions and Recommendations



10.0 Appendix One: Real-time Data Analytics Revenue



11.0 Appendix Two: 5G Technology and Solution Outlook



5G Smart Antenna Market by Type (Switched Multi-Beam Antenna and Adaptive Array Antenna), Technology (SIMO, MISO, and MIMO), Use Case, Application, and Region



1.0 Executive Summary



2.0 Introduction



3.0 Technology and Application Analysis



4.0 Company Analysis



5.0 5G Smart Antenna Market Analysis and Forecasts



6.0 Conclusions and Recommendations



Private Wireless Networks by LTE, 5G, and Edge Computing in Enterprise, Industrial, and Government Solutions



1 Executive Summary



2 Introduction



3 Private Wireless Ecosystem



4 Private LTE Networks



5 Private 5G NR in Enterprise and Industrial Analysis and Forecasts



6 Conclusions and Recommendations



Companies Mentioned

ADLINK Technology Inc.

Advanced Micro Devices

Advantech

Affirmed Networks

Airgain Inc.

Airspan

Airtel

Akamai Technologies

Alibaba

Allot Communications

Altair Semiconductor

Alvarion

America Movil

Analog Devices Inc.

ANSYS Inc.

Apple

ArrayComm LLC

Ascom

Asus

AT&T

Broadcom Corporation

Broadcom Inc.

Brocade Communications Systems

BT Group (EE)

California Amplifier Inc.

Cavium Inc.

Ceragon Networks

China Mobile

China Telecom

China Unicom

Ciena Corporation

Cisco Systems

ClipBucket

Cloudify

Cobham Antenna Systems

Cobham Wireless

Colt

Comba Telecom

COMMSCOPE

Contus Vplay

Coolpad Dyno

Cradlepoint

D-Link

Deutsche Telekom AG

Dish (Sling TV)

EdgeConnex

Edgeworx

Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company

Entel

Ericsson

ETSI MEC ISG

Eurotech

Facebook (Whatsapp)

FirstNet

Fitbit

Fubo TV

Fujitsu Ltd.

Fujitsu Technology Solutions

Gemalto

Google

Harris

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Honeywell International Inc.

HPE

HTC

Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.

Hulu

Hytera

IBM Corporation

Inmarsat

Integrated Device Technology

Intel Corporation

InterDigital Inc.

Juniper Network Inc.

KDDI Corporation

Keysight Technologies

KT Corporation

Laird Technologies

Leica Geosystems AG

Leonardo

LG Electronics

LG Uplus

Linx Technologies

LOCOSYS Technology Inc.

M2M Connectivity

MACOM Technology

MediaTek Inc.

Mentura Group

Microsoft

Mimic Technology

Misfit

MobiledgeX

Mobiotics

Mobvoi

Motorola Solutions Inc.

Movistar

Muvi

MYCOM OSI

NEC Corporation

Netcracker

Netflix

Netgear

Nokia Corporation

Nokia Networks

NTT DoCoMo

NXP Semiconductors

Ooredoo

Ooyala

Orange SA

Ori

PCTEL Inc.

PeerApp Ltd.

Philo TV

Pixeom

Pluribus Networks

Qorvo Inc.

Qualcomm Incorporated

Quickplay

Quortus

Rakuten (Viber)

Redhat, Inc.

RedLinX

REVE Systems

Ribbon Communications

Rogers Communications

Rohde & Schwarz

Roku

Ruckus Networks

Saguna Networks

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.

Sierra Wireless (Accel Networks)

SimNet Wireless

SingTel

Siretta

SK Telecom

Sky Go

Skype (Microsoft)

Smart Antenna Technologies Ltd

Softbank Group

Sony Corporation

Spark NZ

SpiderCloud Wireless

Sprint Corporation

STC - Saudi Telecom Company

Swisscom

T-Mobile USA

Telecom Italia

Telefonica

Telegram

Telenor

Telit Communications

Telstra

Tencent

Texim Europe

UbiFi

Vapor IO

Vasona Networks

Verizon

Vidmind

VMware Inc.

Vodafone Group

Vplayed

WeChat

Xilinx, Inc.

Yaana Ltd.

Zain

Zenitel

ZHEJIANG JC Antenna Co. Ltd.

JC Antenna Co. Ltd. ZTE Corporation

Zyxel

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/5j1c59

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
With humble beginnings at the Brentwood Farmers Market ten years ago, Health-Ade has grown into a top-selling functional beverage brand available in over 50,000 stores nationwide and with over $200M in annual retail sales. Health-Ade continues to lead category growth and is the fastest growing kombucha brand, ten years in. Earlier this month, Health-Ade launched their biggest ever campaign, Get That Good Gut Feeling, which is currently running nationwide, in partnership with Emmy-award winning illustrator and animator Mike Perry and full-service agency Zambezi. Through easily digestible education, robust storytelling, and bold animations, the campaign celebrates the improved physical and mental well-being the probiotics and fermented goodness in Health-Ade Kombucha promote.

"After ten years in business, we wanted to do something special to celebrate how far we've come," says Daina Trout, co-founder and Chief Mission Officer of Health-Ade. "I was inspired by a recent trip to the Costa Rican rainforests where I fell in love with the delicious combination of guava and dragon fruit. When it came time to create this celebratory flavor, we leaned into our consumer insights to make a flavor that our biggest fans would love, and I was delighted to learn that these tropical flavors are in high demand! As it turns out, cold pressed, organic guava and dragon fruit juices are the perfect complement to our tangy-sweet kombucha, and our new flavor was born. As we continue to create new seasonal flavors like Guava Dragon Fruit, Pineapple Creamsicle and Holiday Cheers, we hope that consumers can get excited about these limited-edition beverages and look forward to Health-Ade putting out something new, refreshing and gut-positive a few times throughout the year. Happy Birthday to Health-Ade, I know the next 10 years are going to be as wonderful and full of growth as the last 10!"

To celebrate a decade of Health-Ade and this important milestone, the brand will be doing a variety of promotions and give-aways on June 10th in honor of their birthday. On June 10th Health-ade will be giving away 100 6-pack cases for $10. In addition, all flavors/packs will be $10 off with code Happy10. For more information visit Health-Ade.com and follow along on social @healthade.

ABOUT HEALTH-ADE

Health-Ade creates feel-good, bubbly beverages with gut-health benefits so you can follow your gut and show the world what you're made of. The brand got started in the Brentwood Farmers Market in 2012 selling its flagship kombucha drinks. Instantly gaining a cult following in Southern California, Health-Ade Kombucha rapidly expanded to sell nationwide in over 45,000 stores including Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, Safeway / Albertsons, Kroger, Publix, Target and more in 16oz single serve bottles (MSRP: $3.99) and 48oz sizes at (MSRP: $8.99). The brand's growing roster of offerings now includes Health-Ade Pop, a low sugar prebiotic soda, Health-Ade Plus, an adaptogenic kombucha line, and Health-Ade Cocktail Mixers, designed for a low sugar, mixologist-quality cocktail solution at home. All Health-Ade products are naturally fermented with high quality ingredients and are certified organic, non-GMO, gluten-free and vegan, and each bottle of Health-Ade Kombucha exceeds the World Health Organization's standard for probiotics, which many food and beverage products on the market today fail to meet.

For more information or press inquiries, please email [email protected]

Follow along on Instagram @healthade, Facebook /HealthAde, Twitter @DrinkHealthAde and TikTok @healthade

SOURCE Health-Ade Kombucha
LAGOS, Nigeria, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- More and more international financial institutions are participating in the development of Fintech in emerging markets. MasterCard recently established a strategic partnership with OPay, a Fintech unicorn in emerging markets.

On May 19, 2022, MasterCard and OPay, a fintech company focused on emerging markets, announced a strategic partnership to enable OPay consumers and merchants across the region (including Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, Pakistan, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates) will be connected to brands and businesses across the globe through the OPay wallet. The move will open the door to digital commerce for millions of people in the Middle East and Africa, driving wider financial inclusion and economic prosperity.

MasterCard has comprehensively deepened its financial inclusion initiatives around the world, promising to empower 1 billion people to enjoy the dividends of the digital economy by 2025, including helping 50 million small and medium-sized enterprises and providing solutions to the business development needs of 25 million female entrepreneurs solution.

Over the past three years, OPay's business has grown rapidly, covering markets such as Nigeria, Egypt, and Pakistan, becoming one of the largest fintech companies in Africa and the Middle East. OPay provides customized services for different users, including financial services such as offline payment, online payment, and digital wallet. Currently, OPay serves more than 15 million wallet users, and more than 600,000 merchants, and has a monthly transaction volume of more than $6 billion.

In Nigeria alone, where OPay has had a significant market share since its inception in 2018, users have saved billions of dollars over the past four years through credit-linked savings accounts in mobile wallets and microloans provided by the platform. At present, OPay's business map has expanded to most of the emerging markets, in addition to Nigeria and Egypt, it also includes Indonesia, Pakistan, Mexico, and other countries.

OPay continues to gain the favor of capital. The latest round of C round of financing was completed in August 2021, with a total amount of 400 million US dollars. The investment was led by SoftBank Vision Fund II. Since then, OPay has become a fintech unicorn in emerging markets. valued at $2 billion.

OPay not only provides mobile payment services but also brings advanced financial technology into the financial ecology of emerging markets in the fields of technology services, artificial intelligence, software, and information services. With the power of science and technology, we will help financial inclusion in emerging markets, and bring services to everyone. In the future, OPay plans to land in more markets within three to five years, vigorously promote digital popularization and e-commerce expansion, and at the same time bring more OPay users into the global economy.

SOURCE OPay
Over 100 persons mostly children have lost their lives as a result of Cerebrum Spinal Meningitis (CSM) outbreak in Jigawa State.

The cases of Meningitis started surfacing in the state since early May and the situation has worsened.

Most of the victims were children below age of 11 and the cases were more rampant around Nigeria/Niger Republic border communities.

In most of the affected villages visited by LEADERSHIP, the affected communities decried non-governmental efforts towards controlling the situation.

They, however, lamented difficulties they were facing in the course of seeking medication.

Speaking to our correspondent, the village head of Dungundun, Malam Alkasim Yakubu, said 19 children were confirmed dead as a result of the outbreak in his area.

According to him, "the problem started around April ending, but the disease continued in last month. The situation worsened some weeks back and infection and death rates became high."

The Bulama (Village Head) of Mele village in Gumel local government area of the State, Malam Yusuf Ahmad, revealed that 21 children were confirmed dead in the community.

While the village head of Kanya Arewa in Babura local government area, Alhaji Akilu Dawaki, said more than 70 cases were recorded in his area out of which 19 were confirmed dead.

When contacted, the chief Epidemiologist in the State Ministry of Health, Malam Samaila Mahmud, confirmed the outbreak of the disease, adding that over 280 cases were reported out of which 65 deaths were officially reported.

Mahmud added that the cases were reported in eight local government areas out of the 27 local government areas of the State and government was working in collaboration with other partners to tackle the situation.
NEW YORK and TORONTO, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc. ("iAnthus" or the "Company") (CSE: IAN) (OTCPK: ITHUF), which owns, operates and partners with regulated cannabis operations across the United States announces that on June 9, 2022, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (the "CCC") approved the application (the "COC Application") for a proposed change of ownership and control of the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Mayflower Medicinals, Inc. ("Mayflower") contemplated by Company's previously announced recapitalization transaction (the "Recapitalization Transaction").

On June 17, 2021, the CCC approved the applications for the proposed change of ownership and control of the then-current licenses held by Mayflower and the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Cannatech Medicinals, Inc., contemplated by the Recapitalization Transaction (the "June 17 Approval"). On August 12, 2021, the CCC approved Mayflower's pending application for a Marijuana Establishment retail license for its Allston, Massachusetts retail location (the "Allston License"). As a result of the August 21, 2021 approval relating to the Allston License, the COC Application had to be approved before the June 17 Approval could be implemented. Now that the COC Application has been approved, the June 17 Approval is now a final approval.

The Company continues to diligently seek the remaining regulatory approvals in New Jersey and New York. Given that only two regulatory approvals remain outstanding for the Recapitalization Transaction, the Company expects to close the Recapitalization Transaction in the near term.

About iAnthus

iAnthus owns and operates licensed cannabis cultivation, processing and dispensary facilities throughout the United States. For more information, visit www.iAnthus.com.

COVID-19 Risk Factor

The Company may be impacted by business interruptions resulting from pandemics and public health emergencies, including those related to COVID-19. An outbreak of infectious disease, a pandemic, or a similar public health threat, such as the recent outbreak of COVID-19, or a fear of any of the foregoing could adversely impact the Company by causing operating, manufacturing, supply chain, and project development delays and disruptions, labor shortages, travel, and shipping disruption and shutdowns (including as a result of government regulation and prevention measures). It is unknown whether and how the Company may be affected if such a pandemic persists for an extended period of time, including as a result of the waiver of regulatory requirements or the implementation of emergency regulations to which the Company is subject. Although the Company has been deemed essential and/or has been permitted to continue operating its facilities in the states in which it cultivates, processes, manufactures, and sells cannabis during the pendency of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no assurance that the Company's operations will continue to be deemed essential and/or will continue to be permitted to operate. The Company may incur expenses or delays relating to such events outside of its control, which could have a material adverse impact on its business, operating results, financial condition, and the trading price of the Company's common shares.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements in this news release contain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made on the basis of the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of management, are not guarantees of performance and are subject to significant risks and uncertainty. These forward-looking statements should, therefore, be considered in light of various important factors, including those set forth in Company's reports that it files from time to time with the SEC and the Canadian securities regulators which you should review including, but not limited to, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC. When used in this news release, words such as "will," could," plan," estimate," expect," intend," may," potential," believe, "should" and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements relating to the Company's financial performance, business development and results of operations and the timing and outcome of the closing of the Recapitalization Transaction.

These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as predictions of future events, and the Company cannot assure you that the events or circumstances discussed or reflected in these statements will be achieved or will occur. If such forward-looking statements prove to be inaccurate, the inaccuracy may be material. You should not regard these statements as a representation or warranty by the Company or any other person that it will achieve its objectives and plans in any specified timeframe, or at all. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update or release any revisions to these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this news release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission have reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this news release.

SOURCE iAnthus Capital Holdings, Inc.
No-code platform speeds up service delivery and significantly enhances customer experience for insurance, banking and other financial institutions

TOKYO, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- 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. EasySend's platform has already been implemented by dozens of insurance companies and banks in Europe, the U.S., and Israel. In Japan, EasySend's platform has been implemented by Sompo Japan Insurance Inc. Toppan Forms Co., Ltd. has also signed a distributor agreement.

EasySend's platform allows non-system developers to quickly and easily develop systems with intuitive drag-and-drop operations and simple configuration, reducing a company's 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. EasySend's platform keeps personal and corporate information secure with strict security measures that comply with Japanese and international standards.

Tal Daskal, EasySend's CEO stated, "The establishment of EasySend's 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 solutions https://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 program https://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: [email protected]

+972-54-320-9898

SOURCE EasySend
International Stability Operations Association Announces Global Impact Awards Tweet this

Three Lifetime Achievement Awards Presented for Outstanding Support of the Stability Sector

Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to three individuals who have made significant contributions to the stability sector, including two awards for Superior Achievement in Government Service and one award to an individual who has provided outstanding leadership to the Association and its member companies. Each award winner has worked to ensure that their stability operations partners have received as much support as possible, ensuring that ISOA companies can provide mission-essential services to the U.S. Government and allies abroad.

Scott Calisti , former Director for Contract Policy, Office of the Principal Director, Defense Pricing and Contracting, Defense Acquisition and Sustainment, received a Government Lifetime Achievement Award. In that role he oversaw the development of new, innovative acquisition guidance and policies and ensured the currency of existing policy to support a response acquisition system. Mr. Calisti has recently started a new position at the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force.





, former Director for Contract Policy, Office of the Principal Director, Defense Pricing and Contracting, Defense Acquisition and Sustainment, received a Government Lifetime Achievement Award. In that role he oversaw the development of new, innovative acquisition guidance and policies and ensured the currency of existing policy to support a response acquisition system. Mr. Calisti has recently started a new position at the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. Colonel Karen A. F. Landale , U.S. Air Force, former Chief of Contingency Contracting Policy, Defense Pricing and Contracting, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment received a Government Lifetime Achievement Award. In that role, she was responsible for the development of effective contracting policy for the Department of Defense contingency operations. Colonel Landale recently left this post to become the Deputy Director of Contracting at Hanscom Air Force Base.





, U.S. Air Force, former Chief of Contingency Contracting Policy, Defense Pricing and Contracting, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment received a Government Lifetime Achievement Award. In that role, she was responsible for the development of effective contracting policy for the Department of Defense contingency operations. Colonel Landale recently left this post to become the Deputy Director of Contracting at Hanscom Air Force Base. Greg Craddock , CEO, Patriot Group International and former Chairman of the ISOA Board of Directors received a Corporate Lifetime Achievement Award. As CEO of Patriot Group International, Mr. Craddock provides strategic vision and direction to the organization and provides operational leadership to ensure that the company delivers consistent, outstanding services to customers while achieving its financial goals. Mr. Craddock has also served for many years with ISOA, both as the Chairman of the Board and on the Advisory Council.

Global Achievement Awards Presented to ISOA Member Companies

Fifteen Global Achievement Awards were presented to ISOA member companies for their extraordinary achievements in stability and contingency operations.

Five Vanguard Awards were presented to companies in recognition of overall outstanding achievement in stability, contingency, disaster or recovery operations. Examples of transparency, accountability, ethical conduct and respect for human rightshallmarks of ISOA member companieswere important factors in making the award selections. Awards were presented to the following companies:

Amentum

International SOS

Cherokee Nation Management and Consulting

Vighter

Precision Talent Solutions

Four organizations received awards for their outstanding efforts in support of Afghanistan Special Immigrant Visas (SIV) and Refugee Resettlement Operations in the U.S. and internationally. Awards were presented to the following companies:

KBR

KVG

ACCL International

FGi Solutions

Three organizations received awards for Innovation, developing new or more technologically advanced approaches to challenges in the stability industry, improving efficiency, effectiveness and overall program performance. Awards were presented to the following companies:

Vectrus

Planate Management Group

SEON

Three organizations received Women, Peace, and Security Awards for their outstanding commitment and performance in including women for conflict prevention, resolution, and post-conflict stabilization efforts in accordance with the Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017. Awards were presented to the following organizations:

Constellis

AMS Integrated Solutions

Eagle Online Academy

About ISOA:

ISOA is a global, nonprofit association whose mission is to serve as the primary point of strategic engagement for the government and private sector in support of stability operations worldwide, providing critical services in fragile environments in an accountable, transparent and ethical way. ISOA serves the implementing community, providing member services focused on contracting, partnerships, regulatory and legal developments, research initiatives and policy movement. For more information, visit

stability-operations.org.

SOURCE International Stability Operations Association
Having formed the heart of the world's most luxurious skincare and makeup rituals for 40 years, this exceptional collection represents a celebration of craftsmanship  artistically and luxuriously forged in gold and silver and studded with diamonds. Aptly themed Radiant Sky, the collection is inspired by the illuminating Sun and the soft iridescence of the Moon. For this collection, visionary designer Elie Top captured the celestial in his mind's eye, transmuting its light into limited-edition Corps Celeste jewelry: Dazzling Jeweled Sun and Luminous Jeweled Moon to emphasize and elevate the radiance of Cle de Peau Beaute's own luminaries, the universally-coveted La Creme and Lipstick.

"Bringing their energies together is the key to unlocking infinite radiance," says Mr. Top.

Handcrafted, right from conception, The Premium Collection points towards Cle de Peau Beaute's commitment towards exquisite craftsmanship. "Drawing by hand helps me feel the connection between humanity and the stars  both are illuminated by the same infinite radiance," says Mr. Top.

Each piece of haute jewelry in The Premium Collection is delicately carved, engraved, polished, set with diamonds, and assembled by hand by highly-skilled artisans in France. Only three complete sets of Cle de Peau Beaute's 40th Anniversary The Premium Collection can be created using this painstakingly meticulous method each month.

Dazzling Jeweled Sun

The Sun gives the sky radiance. La Creme gives it to the skin. And Mr. Elie Top's Dazzling Jeweled Sun pays homage to both. Mr. Top's artistry merges eighteen-carat gold vermeil and pure, 925-stamped silver to form The Planet Jewelry Box. Inside, suspended like caviar over ice, lies La Creme. Crafted over many days in a time-honed method with highly-concentrated Skin-Empowering Illuminator, this luxurious face cream smooths and firms skin and regenerates natural beauty.

"I imagined La Creme as a treasure, locked inside a safe, and you must find the key to this well-kept secret," says Mr. Top. The Sun Pendant unlocks The Planet Jewelry Box, revealing the treasure within  La Creme encircled in a 24-carat gold coated plate. The pendant detaches as it unlocks, ready to be worn as an exquisite piece of jewelry. Made from the same gold and silver as The Planet Jewelry Box, The Sun Pendant is studded with an additional 40 diamonds  one for each year of Cle de Peau Beaute's history. When The Sun Pendant and La Creme are removed, the encasement is transformed into The Planet Jewelry Box.

There are only two workshops in the world capable of creating The Planet Jewelry Box, as the substantially-sized spheres must be molded into just two pieces of pure silver. Once the right workshop was commissioned, it took ten painstaking attempts to achieve a perfectly spherical cast.

Luminous Jeweled Moon

The Moon reflects a soft, diffused radiance. So too does Cle de Peau Beaute's Lipstick Collection  and the gold plating and diamond pieces that accompany it. The Luminous Jeweled Moon encapsulates Lipstick in 24-carat gold coated plating. The Moon Mirror compact also has a gold-plate exterior, with studded diamonds showcasing the stars and different phases of the moon. Inside, a double-sided, French-made mirror helps make every application perfect. Also inside The Premium Collection's midnight-blue box are four interchangeable shades of Lipstick. Each contains Light-Empowering Enhancer technology  inspired by diamonds to reflect and diffuse radiance. Lips and skin are enlivened, with an infinite luminosity that appears lit by the moon.

About Elie Top

Mr. Elie Top began his career at age 20, two years later he was entrusted with creating a prestigious fashion house's jewelry collection. A decade-long collaboration with Lanvin followed. In 2015, he established Elie Top, the namesake haute jewelry brand, which has been seen in The New York Times, Vogue and Financial Times. Cle de Peau Beaute 40th Anniversary The Premium Collection offers the opportunity to own very limited-edition Elie Top pieces, each containing Cle de Peau Beaute's most coveted luxury products.

About Cle de Peau Beaute's 40th Anniversary The Premium Collection

The Premium Collection is only available in certain countries/regions. For details, please check with your local Cle de Peau Beaute point of sales.

About Cle de Peau Beaute

Cle de Peau Beaute, the global luxury brand from Shiseido Co., Ltd., was founded in 1982 as the ultimate expression of elegance and science. Cle de Peau Beaute means the key to skin's beauty. The philosophy of the brand is to unlock the power of a woman's radiance by harnessing makeup technologies and advanced skincare from around the world. Forever guided by an exquisite aesthetic sensibility and intelligence, Cle de Peau Beaute has instilled its products with modernity, enchantment, and dynamism to emerge as an industry leader in delivering radiance so remarkable, it emanates from within. Available in 23 countries and regions worldwide.

Cle de Peau Beaute The Premium Collection Landing Page: https://www.cledepeau-beaute.com/int/the-premium-collection.html

Cle de Peau Beaute Official Website: www.cledepeau-beaute.com

Cle de Peau Beaute Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cledepeaubeaute/

SOURCE Cle de Peau Beaute
CHICAGO, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- National plaintiffs' law firm Keller Postman LLC, together with co-counsel Sweeney Merrigan Law LLP and Finkelstein, Blankinship, Frei-Pearson & Garber LLP, yesterday filed the first lawsuit against Shields Health Care Group Inc. on behalf of more than two million patients whose sensitive medical information was stolen from Shields' computer network in a colossal data breach.

Shields is the largest network of MRI centers in New England, with more than 40 facilities throughout the area. From March 7, 2022 to March 21, 2022, cyberthieves had unauthorized access to Shields' network for approximately two weeks, accessing patient names, addresses, Social Security numbers, medical information, and more.

"These patients are faced with the burden of knowing that data thieves may be taking out a loan in their name or obtaining their medical records," Keller Postman Partner Seth Meyer said. "A data breach of this level of severity means more than just having to cancel your debit cardvictims are exposed to imminent risk of fraud and identity theft."

On behalf of Plaintiff William Biscan as class representative, the complaint alleges negligence, breach of contract, breach of implied contract, invasion of privacy, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of confidence, and violation of the Massachusetts Regulation of Business Practices for Consumers' Protection Act, Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 93A,  1 et seq., and unjust enrichment.

"In the decade that we've served the New England community, we've seen cybercriminal tactics advance rapidly," Sweeney Merrigan Law Managing Partner Peter M. Merrigan said. "Shields claims to 'focus on cutting-edge technology,' but it's clear that their systems have not evolved at pace. A breach of this magnitude is not only deeply disappointing, but simply negligent."

Plaintiffs seeks to obtain compensatory damages, such as for lost time needed to take appropriate measures to avoid unauthorized and fraudulent charges. They also seek reimbursement of out-of-pocket cost related to credit monitoring services, credit freezes, credit reports, and other protective measures to deter and detect identity theft.

Plaintiffs also seek injunctive relief, including improvements to Shields' data security systems, future annual audits, adequate credit monitoring, and identity theft protection services funded by Shields.

Keller Postman attorneys representing the plaintiffs include Seth Meyer and Alex Dravillas. Co-counsel on behalf of the plaintiffs includes J. Tucker Merrigan and Peter M. Merrigan of Sweeney Merrigan Law LLP; and Todd S. Garber and Andrew White of Finkelstein, Blankinship, Frei-Pearson & Garber LLP.

The action is William Biscan v. Shields Health Care Group Inc., No. 1:22-cv-10901, and is filed in United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts.

ABOUT KELLER POSTMAN: Keller Postman LLC represents plaintiffs in complex litigation matters in federal and state courts throughout the nation. The firm acts for clients in many types of cases, including class and mass actions, arbitrations, and multi-district litigation matters. Its team includes three former law clerks at the Supreme Court of the United States and former partners and associates from the country's leading law firms. Since its founding in 2018, the firm has secured results for more than 500,000 clients.

Media Contact: Brittany Langmeyer, Marketing Director  312.210.7308  [email protected]

Related Links: www.kellerpostman.com

SOURCE Keller Postman LLC
NEW YORK, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Lupus Research Alliance (LRA), the world's leading private funder of lupus research, today announced inaugural recipients of Career Development and Postdoctoral Awards to Promote Diversity in Lupus Research. The Diversity in Lupus Research Award funding mechanisms aim to address underrepresentation of minorities in the scientific research profession.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that disproportionally affects underrepresented minorities in both prevalence and disease severity. To encourage the development of talented underrepresented minority early-career scientists and postdoctoral fellows, the LRA launched two new award mechanisms. This year, three outstanding early-career underrepresented minority scientists will receive the Career Development Award to Promote Diversity in Lupus Research, which provides up to $600,000 over four years. The recipients are Ashira Blazer, MD, MSCI, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS); Andrea Knight, MD, MSCE, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids); and Erika Moore, PhD, University of Florida.

Two promising postdoctoral research fellows, Ruth Fernandez Ruiz, MD, from Hospital for Special Surgery and Vanessa Wacleche, PhD, from Brigham and Women's Hospital, are the recipients of the Postdoctoral Award to Promote Diversity in Lupus Research. This award provides fellows with $170,000 over two years to support projects and the generation of data needed to become an independent lupus researcher.

Career Development Award to Promote Diversity in Lupus Research Recipients:

Ashira Blazer , MD, MSCI, Hospital for Special Surgery

Dr. Blazer will build upon her preliminary research, which successfully separated lupus nephritis patients from non-lupus nephritis patients through the analysis of the sediment found in the lupus patient urine. The potential clinical use of the non-invasive, urine-based test will be confirmed using a larger multi-national SLE patient group with African ancestry, which will provide a new opportunity to learn more about lupus nephritis in a high-risk and understudied patient group.

Andrea Knight , MD, MSCE, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)

Dr. Knight is studying ways to detect brain changes in high-risk adolescent patients with childhood-onset lupus by comparing inflammation markers, brain MRIs, and cognitive function tests from healthy adolescents and lupus patients. Since little is known about which adolescents with lupus are most at risk for the structural brain changes that affect cognition, this research aims to find ways to detect these brain changes early and identify potential new treatments.

Erika Moore , PhD, University of Florida

Dr. Moore will look at monocytes from women of African and European ancestry, with and without lupus, to determine how monocytes promote lupus-related blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis). Understanding how lupus and ancestry affect monocyte functions will help the lupus medical community learn how ancestry influences lupus-related blood vessel inflammation and identify treatments for patients at higher risk of developing lupus-induced cardiovascular disease.

Postdoctoral Award to Promote Diversity in Lupus Research Recipients:



Ruth Fernandez Ruiz , MD, Hospital for Special Surgery

Dr. Fernandez Ruiz will investigate how permanent changes in our genetic makeup, called gene variants, influence lupus development and progression. By studying how genetic variants in the PRKG1 gene affect lupus, the research team may identify new biological pathways that could be targeted to reduce the inflammation in lupus patients caused by high levels of interferon alpha.

Vanessa Wacleche, PhD, Brigham and Women's Hospital

Dr. Wacleche will study how T peripheral helper (Tph) cells misdirect the immune response seen in systemic lupus erythematosus via an inflammatory molecule CXCL13, which may lead to the production of organ-damaging autoantibodies. The new findings generated by this research could suggest strategies to control CXCL13 production that may eventually lead to the development of novel treatments for lupus patients.

Teodora Staeva, PhD, LRA Chief Scientific Officer said, "We congratulate the inaugural recipients of our Diversity in Lupus Research Awards and look forward to seeing how their research findings advance our understanding of lupus and result in the development of new treatment options for lupus patients. The Career Development and Postdoctoral Awards to Promote Diversity in Lupus Research funding mechanisms are our most recent initiatives to alleviate the disparities that are prevalent in both autoimmune diseases and biomedical research."

About Lupus

Lupus is a chronic, complex autoimmune disease that affects millions of people worldwide. More than 90 percent of people with lupus are women; lupus most often strikes during the childbearing years of 15-45. Ancestrally African, South and Central American, and Native Americans have two to three times higher risk of developing lupus than Americans with European ancestry. In lupus, the immune system, which is designed to protect against infection, creates antibodies that can attack any part of the body including the kidneys, brain, heart, lungs, blood, skin, and joints.

About the Lupus Research Alliance

The Lupus Research Alliance is the largest non-governmental, non-profit funder of lupus research worldwide. The organization aims to transform treatment by funding the most innovative lupus research, fostering diverse scientific talent, and driving discovery toward better diagnostics, improved treatments and ultimately a cure for lupus. Because the Lupus Research Alliance's Board of Directors funds all administrative and fundraising costs, 100% of all donations goes to support lupus research programs.

SOURCE Lupus Research Alliance
WASHINGTON, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA is targeting Saturday, June 18, for the beginning of the next wet dress rehearsal test of the agency's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida with tanking operations on Monday, June 20.

During the test, launch teams will rehearse operations to load propellant into the rocket's tanks, conduct a full launch countdown, demonstrate the ability to recycle the countdown clock, and drain the tanks to give them an opportunity to practice the timelines and procedures they will use for launch.

NASA will provide live coverage of the test on NASA Television media channel, as well as host media calls before and after the wet dress rehearsal test with audio streaming live on the agency's website.

Full coverage of the test and associated activities are as follows (all times Eastern):

Wednesday, June 15

11 a.m.  Media teleconference with the following participants:

Jim Free , associate administrator, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters

, associate administrator, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters Charlie Blackwell-Thompson , Artemis launch director, Exploration Ground Systems Program, NASA's Kennedy Space Center

To participate by telephone, media must RSVP no later than two hours prior to the start of the event to: [email protected].

Monday, June 20

7 a.m.  Live coverage of tanking operations with commentary begins

2:40 p.m.  Target test window

Coverage with live commentary throughout tanking operations will air on the media channel of NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency's website.

Tuesday, June 21

11 a.m.  Posttest media teleconference with the following participants:

Tom Whitmeyer , deputy associate administrator for Common Exploration Systems Development, NASA Headquarters

, deputy associate administrator for Common Exploration Systems Development, NASA Headquarters Charlie Blackwell-Thompson , Artemis launch director, Exploration Ground Systems Program, Kennedy

, Artemis launch director, Exploration Ground Systems Program, Kennedy John Honeycutt , manager, Space Launch System Program, NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center

, manager, Space Launch System Program, NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center Howard Hu , manager, Orion Program, NASA's Johnson Space Center

, manager, Orion Program, NASA's Johnson Space Center Mike Sarafin , Artemis mission manager, NASA Headquarters

To participate by telephone, media must RSVP no later than two hours prior to the start of the event to: [email protected].

NASA's Artemis I Moon rocket returned to the spaceport's launch pad 39B Monday, June 6, after an eight-hour journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building. Teams are working to secure the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft and connect the ground systems to the mobile launcher at the pad in preparation of the upcoming tanking test.

The rehearsal is the final test needed before launch and will begin at 5 p.m. EDT Saturday, June 18 with "call to stations," when members of the launch control team will arrive at their consoles to start the approximately two-day countdown. On Monday, June 20, the launch director and mission management team chair decide at approximately 7 a.m. if they are "go" or "no-go" to begin tanking the rocket. The team will count down to a targeted two-hour test window that opens at 2:40 p.m. During the test, the team may hold during the countdown as necessary to verify conditions before resuming the countdown, or extend beyond the test window, if needed and resources allow.

Through Artemis missions, NASA will land the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon, paving the way for a long-term lunar presence and serving as a steppingstone to send astronauts to Mars.

For updates, follow along on NASA's Artemis blog at:

https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis

SOURCE NASA
WASHINGTON, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Following is a statement from Jen Judson, President of the National Press Club and Gil Klein, President of the National Press Club Journalism Institute on the disturbing disappearance of veteran journalist Dom Phillips in Brazil.

"We had hoped by now there would be a joyful resolution to the missing persons case of Dom Phillips, a frequent contributor to The Guardian newspaper and Bruno Araujo Pereira, a well-respected indigenous affairs expert. The pair went missing on Sunday in the Western Amazon. Phillips should have been able to contact his colleagues and family by now. We are very concerned about his safety as well as that of Pereira. There had recently been threats made against Pereira, according to reports. Government support for a search of the area has been slow to form and insufficient in general. We further find it deeply troubling that Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who has a track-record of making anti-press statements appeared to blame Phillips saying "he should not have been" in the remote region where he disappeared. We urge the Brazilian government to prioritize with significant resources and all speed the effort to find these men now. Further delay may be a matter of life and death."

Founded in 1908, The National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists. The Club has 3,000 members including representatives of nearly every major news organization and is a leading voice for press freedom in the U.S. and worldwide.

The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged, global citizenry through an independent and free press and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire civic engagement.

Contact: Bill McCarren, 202-725-7787 for The National Press Club

SOURCE National Press Club
The Federal Government has linked the fighters of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) to the attack on a Catholic church in Owo, Ondo State.

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, disclosed this Thursday while briefing State House reporters after a meeting of the National Security Council presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

He said the government had been able to locate the perpetrators of the Owo attack and zeroed in on ISWAP terrorist group.

The minister, who briefed alongside Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman, said security agencies had been directed to go after the perpetrators of the act and bring them to justice.

The minister said the group was out to pitch Nigerians against one another and make it appear as ethno-religious war.

He said there was no ethnic agenda in the attack, urging Nigerians to unite and defeat the terrorists.

Scores of worshippers were killed while others injured during Sunday's attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo.
CO2Meter, Inc. a leading manufacturer of gas detection devices, prepares to open a new office to expand its presence and leverage new market opportunities

ORMOND BEACH, Fla., June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- [CO2METER, INC.], a global manufacturer of gas detection, monitoring, and analytical devices announced today that they will be moving to a new, expanded facility in the Summer of 2022. The 20,000 sq. foot facility on Runway Drive in the Airport Business Park will allow CO2Meter to continue to grow its production, office space, and warehousing capacities as well as its training and service offerings.

CO2Meter Expansion in Ormond Beach, FL

CO2Meter's expansion plan, driven by a growth in customer demand and new applications, will allow the business to continue its accelerated growth trajectory. "The diversity of our product offerings and expertise in our business segments allowed us to continue to grow during the pandemic unlike some others. And our recent acquisition of GasLab.com accelerated our need and timeline to have one, consolidated manufacturing, sales, engineering, testing, and marketing space. The new integrated facility will continue to allow us to expand with our customers and to service the new markets we have identified to ensure our continued growth." noted CEO, Travis Lenander.

"With the expansion of our product portfolio we outgrew our existing facilities 2-3 years ago. By moving to the new facility it allows us to consolidate our employees and functions into a single, unified headquarters allowing us the opportunity to implement a more comprehensive procurement and storage strategy that feeds into a proper manufacturing workflow resulting in increased efficiencies," added Nicole Lenander, CFO. "Our entire team is excited to move into the new space, see our logo go up on the side of the building, and to welcome family, friends, the community, and our business partners in to see our new global headquarters."

About CO2Meter, Inc.

Often identified as a leading source for gas detection, monitoring, and analytical solutions, CO2Meter continues to focus on the development of solutions for its customers. Since its incorporation in 2006, CO2Meter works diligently to utilize the latest, proven gas sensing technologies to solve the urgent needs of our partners. By providing unique, high quality, sensors, and devices, CO2Meter strives each day and in each customer interaction to provide education about gas detection and monitoring, and to ensure the health, welfare, and safety of the public. Its main products are recognized specifically for a focus in carbon dioxide monitoring to ensure safety, control, compliance, and analysis across a variety of applications, worldwide.

The company's mission is to provide best-in-class gas detection, monitoring, and analysis solutions, while ensuring education and long-term business of our partners and customers. CO2Meter currently serves thousands of customers across the globe and has been recognized as one of Florida's Top 50 fastest-growing companies and Top Volusia Company for Best Practices.

For more information on CO2Meter, visit its website at https://www.CO2Meter.com

CO2Meter, Inc.

Morgan Morris, Director of Marketing

877-678-4259

[email protected]

https://www.CO2Meter.com

SOURCE CO2Meter
Transaction has completed following shareholder and court approvals

Novamind shareholders and RSU holders have been issued 0.84 Numinus shares per Novamind share

As a result of the acquisition, Novamind has ceased trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE)

Reid Robison has been appointed Chief Clinical Officer and Paul Thielking has been appointed Chief Science Officer

Michael Tan has been promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer

VANCOUVER, BC, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Numinus Wellness Inc. ("Numinus", the "Company") (TSX: NUMI) (OTCQX: NUMIF) is pleased to announce the acquisition (the "Transaction") of Novamind Inc. ("Novamind") has completed, following Novamind's receipt of a final order from the BC Supreme Court. As a result of the acquisition, Numinus now operates 13 wellness clinics, four clinical research facilities and a dedicated psychedelics research lab  positioning the company as a leading integrated mental wellness company providing ketamine- and psychedelic-assisted therapies.

This acquisition significantly grows Numinus' client service offerings, geographic reach, and revenues. Numinus and Novamind clients will benefit from access to a greater variety of services and treatments over the coming months, including the expansion of virtual therapy services at US-based clinics and increased group therapy offerings in Canada. The transaction has also provided a strong US platform for potential continued growth in partnership and acquisition opportunities. On a proforma basis, the combined business generated C$11.9 million of annual revenues (trailing four quarters reported, as at June 10, 2022).

"This acquisition elevates our collective service offering, and we look forward to helping an even greater number of people access effective and safe treatments to support mental wellness," said Payton Nyquvest, Founder and CEO, Numinus. "We warmly welcome the Novamind team to Numinus and believe our shared values and focus on client service will ensure a seamless integration as we continue to grow as one unified company."

Executive Appointments

Numinus is also pleased to announce the appointments of Dr. Reid Robison (MD) as Chief Clinical Officer and Dr. Paul Thielking (MD) as Chief Science Officer, who both join the Company from Novamind.

Dr. Robison was most recently Chief Medical Officer at Novamind. He is a board-certified psychiatrist and co-founder of Cedar Psychiatry and serves as the Medical Director for the Center for Change, a leading center for the treatment of eating disorders. He was previously a coordinating investigator for a study on MDMA-assisted therapy for eating disorders, sponsored by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). As an early adopter and researcher of the use of ketamine in psychiatry, Dr. Robison also led a pivotal intravenous ketamine study for treatment-resistant depression by Janssen, leading up to that company's recent FDA-approval of Spravato. To date, Dr. Robison has guided thousands of ketamine-assisted therapy sessions and hundreds of Spravato dosing sessions. Dr. Robison is an adjunct professor at both the University of Utah and Brigham Young University.

Dr. Thielking was most recently Chief Scientific Officer at Novamind and is board certified in psychiatry, hospice and palliative medicine, and integrative medicine. He is the principal investigator for a psilocybin-enhanced group psychotherapy intervention for cancer patients with depression and a co-investigator on a study for ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for opioid use disorder. He has extensive experience with creating group therapy interventions for patients with serious illness and has successfully integrated ketamine-assisted psychotherapy services within an academic outpatient oncology clinic for cancer patients with depression. Dr. Thielking was director of psycho-oncology at the University of Utah Huntsman Cancer Institute for five years and previously an associate professor in the department of psychiatry at the University of Utah. He is a graduate of the California Institute of Integrative Studies' Certification of Psychedelic Therapy and Research program.

Numinus is also pleased to announce that as a result of his growing responsibilities, Michael Tan has been promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer. In his new role, Mr. Tan will oversee all Company operations and will lead strategic directives to drive revenue growth through future footprint and product line expansions. Mr. Tan has been instrumental in Numinus' growth, and joined the Company in 2019.

As a result of the increased medical and research expertise added to Numinus' expanded executive team, Dr. Evan Wood, Chief Medical Officer, will now be able to continue in his role in a reduced capacity, in order to enable him to maintain his important advocacy, clinical and teaching work. Dr. Wood remains committed to Numinus over the long term and will continue as the Company's Chief Medical Officer through the integration of Novamind, though with reduced office hours.

Integration and Consolidation of Operations

As a result of the acquisition, Numinus now has 13 operating wellness clinics across North America, four clinical research sites and a dedicated psychedelics research laboratory. The Company intends to continue operating all of these locations and is reviewing previously announced organic clinic growth plans, considering the significantly expanded scale this acquisition has provided.

Clinics in Utah and Arizona will continue to operate under existing branding until later this year, at which point all locations will be rebranded to reflect the Numinus brand.

Securities Issuance

As approved by shareholders on June 8, 2022, Numinus has issued 43,474,659 common shares to the former shareholders and RSU holders of Novamind, as consideration for the acquisition  representing 0.84 of one (the "Exchange Ratio") Numinus common share per each Novamind share and Novamind restricted share unit (RSU). Given securities processing times, these Numinus shares should settle in Novamind investor accounts by June 16, 2022.

In connection with the Transaction, all 3,346,052 incentive stock options of Novamind were cancelled and replaced at the Exchange Ratio through the issuance of 2,810,684 incentive stock options of Numinus (the "Replacement Options") with each Replacement Option being exercisable to acquire one common share of Numinus (a "Common Share"), and of which (i) 2,453,684 Replacement Options are exercisable at a price of approximately $0.4762 per Common Share until December 11, 2025, (ii) 252,000 Replacement Options are exercisable at a price of approximately $1.1905 per Common Share until December 22, 2025, and (iii) 105,000 Replacement Options are exercisable at a price of approximately $0.4762 per Common Share until April 30, 2025.

In addition, all 19,044,831 outstanding warrants of Novamind have been adjusted in accordance with their respective contractual terms and will be exercisable at the Exchange Ratio to acquire 15,997,658 Common Shares.

In connection with the Transaction, the Company engaged Eight Capital ("Eight Capital") as exclusive financial advisor. In consideration of the services provided by Eight Capital, the Company agreed to pay a fee in the amount of $700,000 (the "Completion Fee"), of which $200,000 are to be paid in Common Shares valued at $0.45 per Common Share, being 444,444 Common Shares (the "Completion Fee Shares"), with the balance of the Completion Fee to be paid in cash. The issuance of the Completion Fee Shares is subject to approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange. The Completion Fee Shares will be subject to resale restrictions expiring four months and one day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Details of the Transaction are set out in Numinus' management information circular dated May 4, 2022, which is available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

About Numinus

Numinus Wellness (TSX: NUMI) helps people to heal and be well through the development and delivery of innovative mental health care and access to safe, evidence-based psychedelic-assisted therapies. The Numinus model - including psychedelic production, research and clinic care - is at the forefront of a transformation aimed at healing rather than managing symptoms for depression, anxiety, trauma, pain and substance use. At Numinus, we are leading the integration of psychedelic-assisted therapies into mainstream clinical practice and building the foundation for a healthier society.

Learn more at www.numinus.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain "forwardlooking information" and "forwardlooking statements" (collectively "forwardlooking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company with respect to future business activities and operating performance. All statements in this news release that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur in the future are forwardlooking statements. Forwardlooking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are often identified by words such as "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "project", "target", "potential", "schedule", "forecast", "budget", "estimate", "intend" or "believe" and similar expressions or their negative connotations, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could", "should" or "might" occur, and include information regarding expectations regarding the potential benefits of the Transaction and the ability of the combined company to successfully achieve business objectives; and expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors.

Forwardlooking statements necessarily involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the Company's control. These forwardlooking statements are qualified in their entirety by cautionary statements and risk factor disclosure contained in filings made by the Company with the Canadian securities regulators, including the Company's financial statements and related MD&A for the financial year ended August 31, 2021 and its interim financial statements and related MD&A for the three and six months ended February 28, 2022, all filed with the securities regulatory authorities in all provinces and territories of Canada, except Quebec, and available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. The risk factors are not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forwardlooking statements. The Company's forwardlooking statements are based on the applicable assumptions and factors management considers reasonable as of the date hereof, based on the information available to management of the Company at such time. The Company does not assume any obligation to update forwardlooking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other than as required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forwardlooking statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forwardlooking statements. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on forwardlooking statements.

SOURCE Numinus Wellness Inc.
HOUSTON, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Sewa International Houston Chapter's AmeriCorps program has been featured in the Partner Spotlight section by OneStar Foundation in its 2021 annual report. The recently released report, "Rising to the Challenge," highlighted Sewa's AmeriCorps program celebrating the resilience of Texas communities in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic and winter storm Uri. The OneStar Foundation administers the AmeriCorps program in Texas.

Sewa AmeriCorps Volunteers at work in Rosharon, TX. Sewa helped rebuild the Rosharon community after Hurricane Harvey hit Houston in 2017. A page from the OneStar Foundation 2021 Annual Report featuring Sewa AmeriCorps volunteers in Houston

President & CEO of OneStar Foundation, Chris Bugbee, in a special note of appreciation to Sewa said, "As a haven for immigrants and refugees from around the globe, the city of Houston has experienced tremendous growth, which has translated into a steady increase in demand for Sewa's services, especially in the areas of disaster relief and education. Many of the families served by Sewa are living at or below the poverty line and lack the resources and English language proficiency to thrive."

The report quoted Carole Juarez, Sewa AmeriCorps Program Coordinator, on how Sewa and OneStar work in tandem to serve the people in need. "Leveraging volunteer service showed us what we were capable of as an organization. We saw a synergy between AmeriCorps' culture of 'getting things done' and Sewa's core belief that 'together we serve better.' Partnering with OneStar offered the key to Sewa's growth in Texas."

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sewa AmeriCorps team organized workshops and health fairs "to address vaccine hesitancy and promote mobile vaccination clinics," providing "Spanish-language information sessions to people." Sewa AmeriCorps members assisted nearly 700 people in increasing their disaster readiness, the report said.

The report also lauds the impact of Sewa's work on education: "Through the Alief Independent School District and the organization's after-school academies, Sewa provided individualized support to students and their families. The focused attention of Sewa AmeriCorps members has had a decided impact in the classroom, with 90 percent of students served showing academic improvement and 81 percent demonstrating increased attendance and class engagement."

Acknowledging the funding and support from OneStar Foundation, Arun Kankani, President, Sewa International, said: "We started Sewa AmeriCorps program in fall 2020 with six members. The program has been a phenomenal success and Sewa is able to serve the neediest people of Houston by promoting vaccine awareness and distributing groceries, milk, and other essentials during the pandemic. Sewa is now expanding this program by adding another 44 additional members to the team."

The OneStar report quotes Nathan Murphy, a volunteer at O'Donnell Middle School: "It has been such a blessing to support students and administrators and teachers right now" The report mentions Samiksha Deme, a disaster preparedness outreach specialist, who says that working with the Sewa team has taught her "so much about what service means and how to make an impact in both small and big communities."

About Sewa International

Sewa International (www.sewausa.org) is a 501 (c)(3) Hindu faith-based charitable nonprofit that works in the areas of disaster recovery, education, and development. Sewa has 43 Chapters across the USA and serves regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin. Sewa serves humanity in distress and run developmental projects.

CONTACT:

Vidyasagar Tontalapur  1 - 720-526-9939

Viswanath Koppaka  1- 404-304-0563

Email: [email protected]

Web: http://www.sewausa.org

SOURCE Sewa International
As AAPI Heritage Month comes to a close, P&G continues to raise awareness, spark dialogue, and bring communities together with Gold House and Marvel Studios' "Ms.Marvel," Original series streaming June 8 on Disney+.

CINCINNATI, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- P&G kicked off AAPI Heritage Month with the release of "The Name," a short film which chronicles the early life of a Korean American girl named Yeong Joo. Created to bring awareness to the impact names have on one's sense of belonging, "The Name" follows Yeong Joo from birth to adolescence, highlighting important milestones such as receiving her name, making a friend and her first experience with discomfort surrounding her name.

The film was a part of an integrated campaign that included digital and social media activities, such as the #OurNamesBelong hashtag, celebrity and influencer amplification with Daniel Dae Kim, Michelle Yeoh, Ming Na Wen, and Mari Takahashi, and others.

P&G also joined forces with Gold House , the leading AAPI changemaker fighting socioeconomic equity. To highlight AAPI contributions to American society, P&G sponsored Gold House's A100 List , a collection of the most influential Asian and Pacific Islander figures of the past year. This year's honorees were celebrated at the inaugural Gold Gala on May 21, with celebrities such as Mindy Kaling, Henry Golding, Daniel Dae Kim and more in attendance.

Attendees walking the Gold Carpet were asked to share their P&G Name Stories to bring further awareness to the importance of uplifting Asian names. Honorees including "Everything Everywhere All at Once" star Michelle Yeoh, television host Jeannie Mai Jenkins and "Turning Red" actor Maitreyi Ramakrishnan shared their personal name stories, as well as insights into the meaning behind them.

[Gold Carpet Name Story Video]

Following his name story, Nepalese-American fashion designer Prabal Gurung spoke on the significance of AAPI representation in Hollywood. "Today  graciously, quietly, but ferociously  we are here," said Gurung.

Together with Gold House, P&G also co-hosted an inspiring panel discussion featuring executives from The Walt Disney Studios and "Ms. Marvel" executive producer Sana Amanat. In addition to key insights from Marvel Studios provided by Mindy Hamilton, SVP Partnership Marketing, Marya Bangee, head of Disney Studio's RISE (Representation, Inclusion Strategies and Engagement) team, spoke about the work her team is doing to ensure authenticity in storytelling and ongoing community e ngagemen t. As AAPI Heritage Month comes to a close, P&G looks forward to the release of "Ms. Marvel," an Original series from Marvel Studios, streaming June 8 on Disney+. In a historic first for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, "Ms. Marvel" introduces Kamala Khan, a Muslim American teenager growing up in Jersey City struggling to fit in at school and sometimes even at homethat is, until she gets superpowers like the heroes she's always looked up to.

[link to photos from 5/10 P&G/Ms. Marvel press event]

During this panel discussion, Damon Jones, P&G Chief Communications Officer, also shared key insights that went into the creation of not only "The Name" campaign, but also into company-wide equality and inclusion initiatives.

P&G is a global trailblazer in advocacy for diverse communities honoring and celebrating diversity and inclusion with The Name, Widen the Screen and Marvel Studios' "Ms. Marvel."

CONTACT: Julie Lee at [email protected] or (847) 867-1029.

About Procter & Gamble

P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always, Ambi Pur, Ariel, Bounty, Charmin, Crest, Dawn, Downy, Fairy, Febreze, Gain, Gillette, Head & Shoulders, Lenor, Olay, Oral-B, Pampers, Pantene, SK-II, Tide, Vicks, and Whisper. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and information about P&G and its brands. For other P&G news, visit us at http://www.pg.com/news.

About Marvel Studios' "Ms. Marvel"

Marvel Studios' "Ms. Marvel" is a new, original series premiering exclusively on Disney+ June 8. "Ms. Marvel" introduces Kamala Khan, a Muslim American teenager growing up in Jersey City. An avid gamer and a voracious fan-fiction scribe, Kamala is a Super Hero megafan with an oversized imaginationparticularly when it comes to Captain Marvel. Yet Kamala feels like she doesn't fit in at school and sometimes even at homethat is, until she gets superpowers like the heroes she's always looked up to. Life gets better with superpowers, right?

The series stars Iman Vellani, Matt Lintz, Yasmeen Fletcher, Zenobia Shroff, Mohan Kapur, Saagar Shaikh, Rish Shah, Fawad Khan, Laurel Marsden, Arian Moayed, Adaku Ononogbo, Alysia Reiner, Azhar Usman, Laith Nakli, Nimra Bucha and Travina Springer, with Aramis Knight.

Directors for the series are Adil & Bilall (Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah) [Episodes 101 and106], Meera Menon [Episodes 102 and 103] and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy [Episodes 104 and 105]. Kevin Feige, Louis D'Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Brad Winderbaum, Adil & Bilall, .Bisha K. Ali and Sana Amanat are the executive producers. Bisha K. Ali is also the head writer.

SOURCE Procter & Gamble
"The incredible activity on the exhibit floor across all three days was a clear indicator of the excitement and success of this year's RAPID + TCT event in downtown Detroit," said Willig. "From the engaging keynotes to the insightful thought leadership panels to the in-depth technical conference to the buzz heard all around the exhibits, the next-level networking at RAPID + TCT 2022 exceeded expectations in every way. The AM innovations don't end when the event is over though. Advancements are ongoing, and we look forward to identifying the next challenges and helping manufacturers find solutions using this ever-evolving technology."

Attendees participated in RAPID + TCT 2022 in-person and virtually through the RAPID + TCT Digital Experience  from 42 states and 38 countries. Building upon the success of last year, the RAPID + TCT Digital Experience showcased livestreaming of all keynotes and thought leadership panels from both the Main Stage and the SME ZONE theater. Visitors and delegates were able to connect face-to-face with more than 400 exhibiting companies represented on the exhibit floor.

The RAPID + TCT 2022 Conference followed seven unique tracks with sessions tagged by where one is in their AM journey: Evaluation, Adoption and Optimization of Additive Manufacturing. Throughout the three-day event, presentations delivered by some of the industry's best provided insight into AM applications already in existence across a wide range of industries, as well as thoughts on what the future holds as the technology continues to change.

Barbara Humpton, president and CEO, Siemens USA, delivered the first keynote address of the week. Her talk touched on the role of AM in driving the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Siemens' work in digital twin technology enabling the success of NASA's Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover. She also spoke about "glocalization," the process of reflecting global innovation with local production capabilities  accelerated by the response to COVID-19. As the space continues to grow, AM is enabling localization of production, increasing resiliency and inspiring a new generation of industry leaders.

Also on day one, Slade Gardner, PhD, president and founder of Big Metal Additive, was recognized as the recipient of SME's AM Industry Achievement Award. Established in 2008, the award was developed by SME's AM Community to recognize an individual, team or company for outstanding accomplishments that have had significant impact within AM, or in any industry through the application of AM technologies. Gardner is recognized for his contributions over a distinguished career for advancing industrial metal additive manufacturing and for recent work with large-scale metal-hybrid AM. The full list of winners of the 2022 Additive Manufacturing Community Awards can be found on the RAPID + TCT website.

The show's second keynote speaker, Brian Baughman, manufacturing chief engineer at Honeywell Aerospace, delivered an address centered on the possibilities unlocked by AM technologies. Baughman remarked on maximizing efficiency and keeping costs low, advice for the industry in developing better, more widely adopted technologies and offered examples from projects completed by Honeywell Aerospace.

Rounding out the show as the third keynote speaker on the mainstage, Caralynn Nowinski-Collens, MD, CEO of Dimension Inx, spoke about the application of exciting AM technologies in the medical field including biofabrication and 3D-printable biomaterials. She made it clear that medical has made incredible, futuristic advancements just in the past year, and the industry is poised for more growth.

In the exhibit hall, AM companies from all over had products and machines on display, including 3D Systems, Desktop Metal , EOS , Formlabs , HP , Massivit , Nexa3D , Stratasys , Thermwood and many more. Exhibitors showcased new technologies, materials, processes and software solutions, giving attendees an exclusive, hands-on look at the best the AM industry has to offer. Enthusiasts across verticals were in attendance, representing industries such as automotive, aircraft/aerospace, construction, defense, electronics, industrial and commercial, machinery, medical/surgical/dental, R&D, consumer products and consulting/engineering.

The SME Education Foundation's Bright Minds Program welcomed nearly 1,000 middle and high school students with a schedule tailored for AM introduction with hands-on workshops, high-tech demonstrations and dynamic speakers from some of the top names in AM, including a separate keynote from Brian Baughman. The program also offered students and employers alike the opportunity to network and connect with leaders from some of the top engineering programs in the country.

The 2022 edition of RAPID + TCT also saw the introduction of the AM Industry Celebration  a gathering of more than 2,000 additive manufacturing professionals and enthusiasts who joined SME along with strategic partners TCT, America Makes, AMUG and Women in 3D Printing to celebrate the advancements of the past 30+ years of this disruptive technology while looking forward to the exciting and dynamic future that AM is creating across many industries.

RAPID + TCT 2023 will take place May 2-4, 2023, at McCormick Place in Chicago. To learn more about the event, visit rapid3devent.com .

About RAPID + TCT

For more than 30 years, SME and RAPID have defined the crucial role of additive manufacturing and empowered the establishment of an industry that continues to conceive, test, improve and manufacture new products at a faster, more cost-efficient pace. In 2017, the two industry leaders in 3D technology events, SME and The TCT Group, partnered to produce the annual RAPID + TCT event. For users and suppliers alike, the event is the premier destination for those who provide technology and for those who need to understand, explore and adopt 3D printing, additive manufacturing, 3D scanning, CAD/CAE, metrology and inspection technologies. For more information, visit rapid3devent.com, follow @RAPID_Event on Twitter or on LinkedIn .

About SME

SME connects manufacturing professionals, academia and communities, sharing knowledge and resources to build inspired, educated and prosperous manufacturers and enterprises. With 90 years of experience and expertise in events, media, membership, training and development, and also through the SME Education Foundation, SME is committed to promoting manufacturing technology, developing a skilled workforce and attracting future generations to advance manufacturing. Learn more at SME.org , follow @SME_MFG on Twitter or facebook.com/SMEmfg .

About Rapid News Publications Ltd & The TCT Group

Rapid News Publications Ltd, the owner of the TCT Group, has been a leading authority in additive manufacturing, 3D printing, design and engineering technology for 30 years. A rich mix of live events and all-encompassing media portfolio enables TCT to deliver business critical intelligence, connecting the additive community across Europe, North America and Asia. The TCT Group ( thetctgroup.com ) is owned by Rapid News Publications Ltd ( rapidnews.com ) a member of the AEO (Association of Event Organizers) and BPA Worldwide.

SOURCE SME
Company Emerges from Stealth Mode with More Than $20 Million in Seed Financing and Fully Funded Development Alliances with Bayer and Lantheus

BOSTON, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ratio Therapeutics Inc. today announced its launch with a mission to develop best-in-class targeted radiopharmaceuticals for the treatment of cancers. Founded by entrepreneurial scientists Jack Hoppin, Ph.D., and John Babich, Ph.D., Ratio emerges from stealth mode with more than $20 million in seed funding, fully funded development alliances with Bayer AG and Lantheus Holdings Inc., a robust portfolio of assets developed with two proprietary technologies, and a growing team of world-class experts in radiopharmaceuticals discovery and development. The company's near-term plans call for the submission of its first investigational new drug (IND) applications, which are expected this quarter, and the initiation of clinical trials later this year. Based in Boston, Ratio is set to move to a new 19,000-square-foot headquarters and research facility in the Seaport District in January.

Ratio's radiopharmaceuticals strategy is focused on optimizing tumor localization while minimizing uptake by normal tissues. To achieve this, the company uses its proprietary technology platform called Trillium that is based on Dr. Babich's prior research at Weill-Cornell Medical College and first developed and validated by the founders in a previous venture. Trillium is a trifunctional small molecule scaffold that can be fine-tuned to alter its plasma clearance, target affinity and therapeutic payload. Each component of the scaffolding can be independently optimized to boost tumor uptake over normal tissue uptake, thereby maximizing therapeutic index. Ratio has successfully applied this framework to several tumor targets and multiple therapeutic payloads.

In addition, Ratio is developing a technology platform to take advantage of the tumor killing power of the alpha emitter, Actinium-225. This proprietary technology is called the Macropa chelate platform. Ratio's scientists have already successfully incorporated Macropa into the Trillium platform as well as several peptides and antibodies. Macropa's unique chemistry enables ease of manufacture and robust in vitro and in vivo stability of the resulting radiotherapeutic compound.

"The ability to fine-tune our targeted radiotherapeutics using Trillium and Macropa enables us to address head-on the trifecta of typical challenges we see with most radiopharmaceuticals: delivery, safety and efficacy," said Dr. Babich, Ratio's President and Chief Scientific Officer. "Over the past year, we have generated significant preclinical data that demonstrate our ability to create excellent performing drug candidates that now are advancing into the clinic. Our goal is to become the partner of choice for pharmaceutical companies committed to this area of cancer therapy by enabling the optimization of a broad array of targeting compounds. We will shepherd these therapies through early clinical studies on our own or in collaboration."

Dr. Hoppin, Ratio's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, added, "Targeted radiotherapy is an exciting and emerging field where chemistry meets physics meets medicine. We have assembled and will continue to build a world-class interdisciplinary team of researchers and developers with a singular focus on delivering these treatments to cancer patients. It isn't often that a start-up company has in place the early financial backing and industry support to advance entirely new drug discoveries to clinical development at this pace. It is with great pride that we announce our formal launch and exit from stealth mode."

In collaboration with Bayer, Ratio has leveraged its Trillium platform for the identification of lead prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted therapeutic compounds for prostate cancer. At the same time, Ratio is working with Lantheus to develop a lead fibroblast activation protein (FAP)-targeted PET diagnostic compound for a broad array of epithelial-derived cancers, such as breast, pancreatic, lung and stomach cancer. Both collaborations are fully funded and reflect the types of partnerships that Ratio is currently pursuing with other companies.

About Ratio Therapeutics

Ratio Therapeutics Inc. is a Boston-based pharmaceutical company with the mission to accelerate the development of next-generation precision radiopharmaceuticals for solid tumors and transform oncology treatment paradigms. Founded by John Babich, Ph.D., and Jack Hoppin, Ph.D., the company currently employs a growing team of radiopharmaceuticals discovery and development experts with backgrounds in the life science industry. Ratio's fully integrated proprietary R&D platforms, Trillium and Macropa, enable the imaging, discovery and advancement of novel radiopharmaceuticals that have first/best-in-class delivery, safety and efficacy properties. The tunable nature of the company's platforms enables the efficient and timely generation of numerous novel radiopharmaceuticals for a broad range of high unmet need in solid tumors. Built to be the radiopharmaceuticals discovery and development partner of choice, Ratio currently collaborates with Bayer and Lantheus.

Please visit www.ratiotx.com for more information and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Media Contacts:

Russo Partners, LLC

Erica Fiorini, Ph.D.

[email protected]

Kathleen Silverman, Ph.D.

[email protected]

SOURCE Ratio Therapeutics Inc.
LONDON, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Inaccess has been awarded the PPC contract one of the largest single solar PV plants in the world, a 2GW photovoltaic project in the EMEA region.

The Unity Power Plant Controller (PPC) was selected for the grid integration and overall control of this record-breaking project currently under construction. Consisting of approximately 4 million bifacial solar panels and more than 80,000 trackers, this flagship PV plant will generate enough electricity for around 160,000 homes and mitigate 2.4 million tons of carbon dioxide annually.
PHOENIX, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Renren Inc. (NYSE: RENN) ("Renren" or the "Company"), a SaaS company, today announced that a hearing was held on June 9, 2022 before the New York State Supreme Court, Commercial Division (the "Court") for the consolidated shareholder derivative lawsuits captioned In re Renren, Inc. Derivative Litigation, Index No. 653594/2018 (Sup. Ct. N.Y. Cty.) (the "Action") to consider the motion of the Plaintiffs to approve the Stipulation of Settlement dated October 7, 2021, as amended by an Amendment to Stipulation of Settlement dated May 27, 2022 (the "Amended Stipulation") settling the Action. The Amend Stipulation can be found in the exhibits to the Form 6-K that the Company furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on October 8, 2021 and May 27, 2022, respectively. At the hearing, the Court announced that it intended to grant the motion to approve the Amended Stipulation. The judge issued a Final Order and Judgment on June 9, 2022, which will be included as an exhibit to the Form 6-K that the Company intends to promptly furnish to the SEC thereafter, attaching this press release as an exhibit thereto.

About Renren Inc.

Renren Inc. (NYSE: RENN) operates several U.S.-based SaaS businesses including Chime, an all-in-one CRM and sales acceleration platform designed to help real estate professionals close more deals faster, and Trucker Path, a suite of applications and dispatch services commercial truck drivers use to plan trips, navigate, and operate their business. Renren's ADSs, each currently representing 45 Class A ordinary shares of the Company, are traded on NYSE under the symbol "RENN".

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Renren may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (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 Renren's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements. The Company cautions investors that the forward-looking statements included in this press release are not a guarantee of future events, and that actual events may differ materially from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in our annual report on Form 20-F and other documents filed with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Renren does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

SOURCE Renren Inc.
To mark World Whisky Day on May 21st, the Alexandrion Group embarked on their world tour to promote the first ever single malt, Carpathian whisky, produced in Romania

OTOPENI, Romania, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Alexandrion Group, the largest Romanian spirits and wine producer and distributor, is introducing the first ever single malt whisky produced in Romania. To mark this monumental occasion, the group has embarked on a world tour which began at the end of May. The first stop was a lavish event at the residence of the Romanian Ambassador to the United States in Washington D.C., on May 25th.

From left: Allan Anderson, Mr. Nawaf Salameh, H.E. Mr. Dan-Andrei Muraru, and Nicholas Kass To mark World Whisky Day on May 21st, the Alexandrion Group embarked on their world tour to promote the first ever single malt, Carpathian whisky, produced in Romania

"I was delighted to support, on behalf of the Romanian Embassy to the USA, the unveiling of the first Romanian single malt whisky in Washington D.C. I am glad to see Romanian companies such as the Alexandrion Group, expanding overseas," said H.E. Mr. Dan-Andrei Muraru, Ambassador of Romania to the United States.

Mr. Nawaf Salameh, Alexandrion Group's Founding Chairman, said: "In July, Romania and the USA will mark 25 years of strategic partnership. This was a perfect context to present our Carpathian Single Malt Whisky in the country where we are building a very large distillery, and also at the residence of the Romanian Ambassador. I am grateful to Ambassador Muraru for his generosity in welcoming us all into his residence to celebrate one of the most important accomplishments in the history of our group."

Under the direction of Mr. Salameh, and his master distiller, Allan Anderson, the group has developed a high-quality product made using 100% malted barley produced in Romania and pure Sub-Carpathian water, renowned for its quality. This single malt is distilled, matured and bottled at the Alexandrion Saber 1789 Distilleries, located near the Carpathian Mountains. Carpathian Single Malt is natural colored, unchill filtered and bottled at 46% alcohol.

Carpathian Single Malt was matured in Romanian wine casks, a world premiere in terms of single malt production. Alexandrion Group is one of the few companies in the world that use casks from their own wine production facilities to mature single malt whisky. Earlier this year, the Feteasca Neagra variety was awarded the Double Gold medal in one of the most prestigious international wine competitions, Concours Mondial de Bruxelles, and is considered the best red Romanian wine, exhibiting spicy, smoky fruit characters and good tannin structure.

Three expressions of the first Romanian single malt will be presented to the world during the tour: Feteasca Neagra and Pinot Noir as part of the Romanian Wine Cask Selection, and Madeira, as part of the Spanish & Portuguese Wine Cask Selection. Feteasca Neagra and Madeira were initially matured in first-fill Bourbon casks, while the Pinot Noir expression was exclusively matured in Romanian Pinot Noir casks.

Distinguished Master Distiller Allan Anderson says, "This whisky perfectly showcases our distillery terroir. The huge flavor impact of our malted barley, the pure Sub-Carpathian water combined with the unique flavors of Romanian and Portuguese wine casks make Carpathian Single Malt an exquisite whisky, which without a doubt, will become one of the best in the world as it further matures. The maturation in warmer climate regions versus Scotland (+41F on average) might explain the unique, milder character of this superb whisky. Carpathian showcases this great potential and the clear quality advantage that we have versus other single malt whiskies of the same age, and we want to share our enthusiasm with whisky connoisseurs worldwide. The mash was double distilled in our distillery's custom-made stills," added Allan Anderson.

Media Contact:

Janet Mick

212-941-5595

SOURCE Alexandrion Group
- Clinically meaningful benefit of RVU120 monotherapy: a complete remission (CR) in a DNMT3A/NPM1-mutated AML patient; more than 18-month duration of therapy in a DNMT3A-mutated high-risk MDS patient; stable diseases (SD) with blast reductions in three additional patients

- Partner Menarini Group presents updated data from Phase 1/2 study of SEL24 (MEN1703), in patients with IDH1/2-mutated AML

KRAKOW, Poland, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ryvu Therapeutics (WSE: RVU), a clinical-stage drug discovery and development company focusing on novel small molecule therapies that address emerging targets in oncology, today announced updated data from the ongoing Phase 1b dose-escalation study of RVU120 in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or high-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (HR-MDS) at the Annual European Hematology Association (EHA) 2022 Hybrid Congress, June 9-17 in Vienna, Austria. In addition, Ryvu's partner, Menarini Group, presented a clinical update on the Phase 1/2 study of SEL24 (MEN1703) in patients with IDH1/2-mutated AML.

"The data presented at this year's EHA Congress demonstrate Ryvu's commitment to developing effective, first-in-class treatment options for people with hematologic malignancies," said Hendrik Nogai, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Ryvu Therapeutics.

"We are excited to share these promising results from our ongoing Phase 1b dose-escalation study in patients with AML and HR-MDS, in which we have seen single-agent activity of RVU120, validating its mechanism of action even at doses that resulted in less than complete target engagement. These clinical data support our responder hypothesis in a molecularly defined subset of patients with DNMT3A and NPM1 mutations. Based on the encouraging data, we plan to continue dose escalation and further advance the clinical development of RVU120 in both biomarker-selected AML patients and the unselected broader AML population."

"The emerging RVU120 clinical data are very promising with the potential to achieve durable benefit in patients with very few treatment options," said Pawel Przewiezlikowski, CEO of Ryvu Therapeutics. "We are also proud that the SEL24 (MEN1703) program, developed in collaboration with our partner Menarini, continues to make progress in the clinic. We look forward to providing future updates from our clinical programs throughout 2022 as we advance new and innovative therapeutics for patients suffering from cancer."

Poster presentations featured at the Congress:

RVU120: orally available CDK8/19 inhibitor

Abstract Title: "CLI120-001 Phase1b Dose Escalation Study of RVU120 in Patients with AML or High-Risk MDS Safety and Efficacy Data Update," Abstract Number: #P501

Preliminary results were presented from the first seven cohorts, demonstrating a favorable safety and a predictable pharmacokinetic (PK) profile for RVU120.

As of the data cutoff date of May 26, 2022, 16 patients with AML or HR-MDS have been dosed (5 ongoing) with a median of three prior lines of therapy.

Clinically meaningful benefit of RVU120 monotherapy has been observed at doses that resulted in less than complete target engagement, with one complete remission (CR) and stable diseases with blast reductions in several ongoing patients who failed multiple prior lines of therapy and presented with a very poor prognosis:

Complete remission in an AML patient with FLT3/DNMT3A/NPM1 mutations

Stable disease with a duration of therapy of more than 18 months in a high-risk MDS patient with DNMT3A mutations; significant reductions in red blood cells (RBC) transfusions at various timepoints

Three additional patients ongoing with stable disease and blast count reductions

Dose escalation is ongoing, with active enrollment in the 100 mg dose cohort (NCT04021368).

Abstract Title: "Preclinical and Clinical Signs of RVU120 Efficacy, a Specific CDK8/19 Inhibitor in DNMT3A Mutation Positive AML and HR-MDS," Abstract Number: #P450

Preclinical data demonstrate that treatment with RVU120 demonstrated a pronounced anti-cancer effect in AML patient-derived cells with DNMT3A and NPM1 mutations.

Preliminary evidence of clinical response to RVU120 has been shown in a r/r AML patient with DNMT3A and NPM1 mutations, who achieved a complete remission. Anti-cancer efficacy of RVU120 was associated with transcriptomic reprogramming involving lineage commitment and inhibition of homeobox genes. Repression of homeobox genes in the responder patient confirms the on-target activity of RVU120.

Further molecular studies in a larger number of patients under RVU120 treatment are ongoing and are expected to provide additional evidence for predictive markers of response to RVU120 in AML.

SEL24/MEN1703: orally available dual PIM/FLT3 inhibitor

Abstract Title: "Phase 1/2 Study of SEL24/MEN1703, a First-In-Class Dual PIM/FLT3 Kinase Inhibitor, in Patients with IDH1/2-Mutated Acute Myeloid Leukemia: The DIAMOND-01 Trial," Abstract Number: #P520

Ryvu's partner Menarini Group reported the updated safety and efficacy results from an additional expansion cohort of the DIAMOND-01 trial, which enrolled patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) IDHm AML, treated with the dual PIM/FLT3 inhibitor, SEL24 (MEN1703).

As of a data cutoff of April 21, 2022, 25 patients were enrolled in the IDHm AML expansion cohort. SEL24 (MEN1703) was well tolerated, with no drug discontinuations or deaths due to treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs). Promising efficacy was observed, with overall response rates (ORR) and complete remission (CR) / CR with incomplete hematologic recovery (CRi) / CR with partial hematologic recovery (CRh) of 13% for the IDHm cohort, which is similar to monotherapy activity of other drugs in R/R AML.

Based on these data, SEL24/MEN1703 may be a feasible therapy in this difficult-to-treat population of patients with R/R AML who harbor IDH mutations. Clinical trials are planned in order to better explore the potential of SEL24/MEN1703 in different AML populations.

All posters are now available for download from Ryvu corporate website: https://ryvu.com/investors-media/publications/.

About Ryvu Therapeutics

Ryvu Therapeutics is a clinical-stage drug discovery and development company focused on novel small molecule therapies that address emerging targets in oncology. Internally discovered pipeline candidates make use of diverse therapeutic mechanisms driven by emerging knowledge of cancer biology, including small molecules directed at kinase, synthetic lethality, and immuno-oncology targets.

Ryvu's most advanced programs are RVU120 - a selective CDK8/CDK19 kinase inhibitor with potential for the treatment of hematological malignancies and solid tumors currently in Phase I clinical development for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome, and Phase I/II for the treatment of r/r metastatic or advanced solid tumors, and SEL24 (MEN1703) - dual PIM/FLT3 kinase inhibitor licensed to the Menarini Group, currently in Phase II clinical studies in acute myeloid leukemia.

The company was founded in 2007 and is headquartered in Krakow, Poland. Ryvu is listed on the main market of the Warsaw Stock Exchange and is a component of the sWIG80 index. For more information, please see www.ryvu.com.

SOURCE Ryvu Therapeutics
Dumebi Kachikwu, the founder and Chairman of Roots Television Nigeria, has emerged as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2023 general elections.

He emerged during the party's Presidential Primary and National Convention held between Wednesday and early Thursday in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Kachikwu polled 978 votes to defeat Kingsley Moghalu, the former Deputy Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, and seven other aspirants.

10 presidential aspirants battled for 2,100 delegates' votes during the primary which concluded at about 3am on Thursday.

Other aspirants include Dr. Mani Ibrahim, Joyce Ogochukwu Nsaka, Dr. Chike Okogwu, Dr Chukwuka Monye, Lady Angela Johnson, Princess Chichi Ojei, Dr. Muhammed Lamido, Bishop Ify-George Oforkansi, Dr. Favour Ayodele, Evang. Ebiti Ndok Jegede and others.

Ibrahim, however, stepped down from the race shortly before voting began to allow the emergence of a Southern presidential candidate.

In the end, Kachikwu was declared winner having polled 978 votes, Kingsley Moghalu came second with 589 votes, while Monye polled 339 votes.

In his welcome address, the National Chairman of the party, Ralph Nwosu, lamented that Nigeria had gone from being strong to almost being irrelevant due to the leadership failure of the APC and PDP.

Nwosu disclosed that the party was aiming to produce 75 percent of lawmakers both at the state and federal levels, who according to him would make quality laws for Nigerians and not for themselves.

"The current National Assembly is too meddlesome, they try to control how political parties are run and sometimes they carry the INEC along. Parties should not be straight jacketed.

"This country must change, our democracy must change so that Africa can stand."

He added that the party is poised to salvage the country, saying "nothing must stop us."
 Scania is introducing complete BEV-based solutions for regional long-haul

 With power, range and charging capacity for effortless daily operations

 Scania continues along its electrification roadmap journey to reach the set Science-Based Targets for CO2 reduction, in partnership with customers.

SODERTALJE, Sweden, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- True to its stated roadmap, Scania is now introducing solutions built upon the next level of battery-electric trucks (BEV). The new generation, available with R or S sleeper cabs, is part of a complete solution that will open the door to the electrified transport landscape wide for a vast number of customers and app-lications. With 624 kWh of batteries installed, Scania provides the means for a major shift regarding electric trucks and their operability in regional long-haul operations.

"This introduction represents a major milestone for us and for our partners," says Christian Levin, Scania's CEO. "We are now increasing our range in every dimension by offering new opportunities for a vast selection of customers and the whole transport ecosystem. These trucks are part of solutions that contain all the capabilities that a transport industry longing for electrification is asking for."

Scania's new BEV truck generation is based on classic Scania cornerstones such as modularity, sustainability and a total operating economy with the potential to match or even exceed what can be expected from conventional trucks. And the latest electric Scania trucks are accompanied by all the support with operational factors and services that make them complete solutions, with charging, finance, insurance and maintenance all in place.

"The addition of these solutions to Scania's portfolio is a major step-change for customers who want to take charge," says Fredrik Allard, Senior Vice President and Head of Electrification at Scania. "We are facilitating a transition for our customers by including important customer values such as a close partnership and zero emissions."



With the new Scania trucks, customers will be able to operate rigids or tractor-and-trailer combinations such as temperature-controlled food transports. Ranges vary with weight, configuration and topography, but a 4x2 tractor with six batteries can expect up to 350 km between each charging, with an average speed of 80 km/h on motorways. Fixed routes that provide for planned charging at the home depot or at the destination are most favourable. Opportunity charging during the driver's man-datory 45 minutes rest will of course increase the operative range.

"Scania has now reached a favourable maturity regarding our electrified offer," says Allard. "With this major addition to our existing hybrids and the BEVs for urban distribution we introduced in 2020, we can now offer a sustainable and multi-faceted portfolio of zero-emission solutions for our customers."

The new Scania BEV trucks can initially be ordered as 4x2 tractors or as 6x2*4 rigids. A 4x2 tractor will need an axle distance of 4,150 mm when carrying six batteries, thus benefiting from the Increased Vehicle Dimension regulation in Europe. Gross train weights up to 64 tons, as per the typical Nordic combination, can be specified.

The charging capability is up to 375 kW, which means that an hour of charging will add some 270 to 300 km of range, as a rule of thumb. The continuous power output level for a Scania 45 R or S is 410 kW (equivalent to some 560 hp). The next-level Scania electrified trucks can now be ordered by taking up a dialogue with Scania representatives, and production will commence in Q4 2023.

"Tackling the global CO2 challenges means that we all need to produce and consume in new ways," says Levin. "Reduce, reuse and recycle have always been important for Scania. The only thing that stands between us and a major transition to a fossil-free transport system based on electrified solutions is a complete charging infrastructure, but we are seeing great progress there too."

The availability of charging solutions is indeed crucial for European customers who want to start investing in BEV trucks on a greater scale. Scania has teamed up with global partners, and with Scania as the single point of contact, they can offer complete charging solutions that secure a seamless and future-proofed experience for BEV customers.

Find more information in this video and at scania.com/bev

For more information, please contact:

Orjan Aslund, Head of Product Affairs, Scania Trucks

Telephone: +46702898378, E-mail: [email protected]

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/scania/r/scania-introduces-electric-trucks-for-regional-long-haul,c3582638

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/209/3582638/1590886.pdf Scania introduces electric trucks for regional long-haul https://news.cision.com/scania/i/22116-002-16-7,c3059278 22116-002 16-7 https://news.cision.com/scania/i/22110-004-scania-45-r-bev,c3059281 22110-004 Scania-45-R-BEV https://news.cision.com/scania/i/22110-001,c3059282 22110-001

SOURCE Scania
Market Overview

One of the key factors driving the semiconductor wafer inspection equipment market growth is the growing demand for IoT devices.

Another key factor driving the semiconductor wafer inspection equipment market growth is the increasing focus on large diameter wafer size.

Cyclic nature of the semiconductor industry is one of the key challenges hindering the semiconductor wafer inspection equipment market growth.

APAC will register the highest growth rate of 78% among the other regions. Therefore, the semiconductor wafer inspection equipment market in APAC is expected to garner significant business opportunities for the vendors during the forecast period.

The Information Technology industry is expected to have Negative impact due to the spread of COVID-19 virus.

In the short term, the market demand will show Inferior growth due to the increase in infections and reduced economic activity.

The semiconductor wafer inspection equipment market vendors should focus on grabbing business opportunities from the optical wafer inspection segment as it accounted for the largest market share in the base year.

Download Sample: for more additional information about the Semiconductor Wafer Inspection Equipment Market

Scope of the Report

Semiconductor Wafer Inspection Equipment 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 $ 2.09 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth (%) 7.57 Regional analysis APAC, North America, Europe, South America, APAC, North America, Europe, and South America Performing market contribution APAC at 78% Key consumer countries China, Taiwan, Japan, Germany, and South Korea (Republic of Korea) Competitive landscape Leading companies, competitive strategies, consumer engagement scope Companies profiled Applied Materials Inc., ASML Holding NV, Camtek Ltd., Carl Zeiss AG, Hitachi High-Technologies Corp., JEOL Ltd., KLA Corp., Nikon Corp., Onto Innovation Inc., and Toray Industries Inc. 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.

Didn't Find What You Were Looking For? Customize Report-

Don't miss out on the opportunity to speak to our analyst and know more insights about this market report. Our analysts can also help you customize this report according to your needs. Our analysts and industry experts will work directly with you to understand your requirements and provide you with customized data in a short amount of time.

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Optical Wafer Inspection Held the Largest Market Share

The semiconductor wafer inspection equipment market share growth by the optical wafer inspection will be significant during the forecast period.

Optical wafer inspection technology is the most widely adopted wafer inspection technology in the semiconductor manufacturing industry.

Thus, with an increase in the number of semiconductor fabs, the demand for optical wafer inspection equipment will also increase.

Buy Report Now! to gain further insights on the market contribution of various segments

APAC is Expected to Hold a Significant Share of the Market

78% of the market's growth will originate from APAC during the forecast period. China , Japan , and South Korea (Republic of Korea) are the key markets for semiconductor wafer inspection equipment in APAC.

Market growth in this region will be faster than the growth of the market in other regions.

The high concentration of foundries, semiconductor wafer manufacturers, semiconductor manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and original design manufacturers (ODMs) in the region will facilitate the semiconductor wafer inspection equipment market growth in APAC over the forecast period.

Download our sample report for more key highlights on the regional market share of most of the above-mentioned countries.

Vendor Insights-

Applied Materials Inc.

ASML Holding NV

Camtek Ltd.

Carl Zeiss AG

Hitachi High Technologies Corp.

KLA Corp.

Lasertec Corp.

Nikon Corp.

Onto Innovation Inc.

Toray Industries Inc.

The semiconductor wafer inspection equipment market is fragmented and the vendors are deploying growth strategies such as organic and inorganic strategies to compete in the market.

Quick Buy! to find additional highlights on the vendors and their product offerings.

Recent Developments

Applied Materials Inc.- The company offers semiconductor wafer inspection systems under the brand names APPLIED ENLIGHT optical inspection, Aera4 Mask Inspection, PROVISION 2E E beam Inspection, SEMVision G7 defect analysis and others.

Camtek Ltd.- The company offers semiconductor wafer inspection systems under the brand names Eagle AP and EagleT AP.

Hitachi High Technologies Corp.- The company offers semiconductor wafer inspection systems under the brand names High Speed Defect Review SEM CR6300, Wafer Surface Inspection System LS Series and Dark Field Wafer Defect Inspection System IS Series.

Download Our Sample Report to learn more about recent Developments in Semiconductor Wafer Inspection Equipment Market

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DRAM Market by Application, Technology, and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2022-2026: The DRAM market share is estimated to increase by USD 111.71 billion from 2021 to 2026, at a CAGR of 16.89%. To get more exclusive research insights: Download Sample Report

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: Semiconductor equipment

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 Technology

5.1 Market segments

Exhibit 15: Technology - Market share 2020-2025 (%)

5.2 Comparison by Technology

Exhibit 16: Comparison by Technology

5.3 Optical wafer inspection - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 17: Optical wafer inspection - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 18: Optical wafer inspection - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

5.4 Electron beam wafer inspection - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 19: Electron beam wafer inspection - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 20: Electron beam wafer inspection - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

5.5 Market opportunity by Technology

Exhibit 21: Market opportunity by Technology

6 Market Segmentation by End-user

6.1 Market segments

6.2 Comparison by End-user

6.3 Foundries - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 24: Foundries - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 25: Foundries - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

6.4 IDMs - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 26: IDMs - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 27: IDMs - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

6.5 Market opportunity by End-user

Exhibit 28: Market opportunity by End-user

7 Customer landscape

8 Geographic Landscape

8.1 Geographic segmentation

Exhibit 30: Market share by geography 2020-2025 (%)

8.2 Geographic comparison

Exhibit 31: Geographic comparison

8.3 APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 32: APAC - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 33: APAC - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

8.4 North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 34: North America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

Exhibit 35: North America - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

8.5 Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 36: Europe - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

Exhibit 37: Europe - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

8.6 South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 Exhibit 38: South America - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

- Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)

Exhibit 39: South America - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

8.7 MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Exhibit 40: MEA - Market size and forecast 2020-2025 ($ million)



Exhibit 41: MEA - Year-over-year growth 2020-2025 (%)

8.8 Key leading countries

Exhibit 42: Key leading countries

8.9 Market opportunity by geography

Exhibit 43: Market opportunity by geography ($ million)

9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

9.1 Market drivers

9.2 Market challenges

Exhibit 44: Impact of drivers and challenges

9.3 Market trends

10 Vendor Landscape

10.1 Overview

10.2 Vendor landscape

Exhibit 45: Vendor landscape

10.3 Landscape disruption

Exhibit 46: Landscape disruption



Exhibit 47: Industry risks

11 Vendor Analysis

11.1 Vendors covered

Exhibit 48: Vendors covered

11.2 Market positioning of vendors

Exhibit 49: Market positioning of vendors

11.3 Applied Materials Inc.

Exhibit 50: Applied Materials Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 51: Applied Materials Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 52: Applied Materials Inc.  Key news



Exhibit 53: Applied Materials Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 54: Applied Materials Inc. - Segment focus

11.4 ASML Holding NV

Exhibit 55: ASML Holding NV - Overview



Exhibit 56: ASML Holding NV - Business segments



Exhibit 57: ASML Holding NV  Key news



Exhibit 58: ASML Holding NV - Key offerings

11.5 Camtek Ltd.

Exhibit 59: Camtek Ltd. - Overview



Exhibit 60: Camtek Ltd. - Business segments



Exhibit 61: Camtek Ltd. - Key offerings

11.6 Carl Zeiss AG

Exhibit 62: Carl Zeiss AG - Overview



Exhibit 63: Carl Zeiss AG - Product and service



Exhibit 64: Carl Zeiss AG - Key offerings

11.7 Hitachi High Technologies Corp.

Exhibit 65: Hitachi High Technologies Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 66: Hitachi High Technologies Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 67: Hitachi High Technologies Corp.  Key news



Exhibit 68: Hitachi High Technologies Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 69: Hitachi High Technologies Corp. - Segment focus

11.8 KLA Corp.

Exhibit 70: KLA Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 71: KLA Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 72: KLA Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 73: KLA Corp. - Segment focus

11.9 Lasertec Corp.

Exhibit 74: Lasertec Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 75: Lasertec Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 76: Lasertec Corp. - Key offerings

11.10 Nikon Corp.

Exhibit 77: Nikon Corp. - Overview



Exhibit 78: Nikon Corp. - Business segments



Exhibit 79: Nikon Corp. - Key offerings



Exhibit 80: Nikon Corp. - Segment focus

11.11 Onto Innovation Inc.

Exhibit 81: Onto Innovation Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 82: Onto Innovation Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 83: Onto Innovation Inc.  Key news



Exhibit 84: Onto Innovation Inc. - Key offerings

11.12 Toray Industries Inc.

Exhibit 85: Toray Industries Inc. - Overview



Exhibit 86: Toray Industries Inc. - Business segments



Exhibit 87: Toray Industries Inc. - Key offerings



Exhibit 88: Toray Industries Inc. - Segment focus

12 Appendix

12.1 Scope of the report

12.2 Currency conversion rates for US$

Exhibit 89: Currency conversion rates for US$

12.3 Research methodology

Exhibit 90: Research Methodology



Exhibit 91: Validation techniques employed for market sizing



Exhibit 92: Information sources

12.4 List of abbreviations

Exhibit 93: List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

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Technavio Research

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Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
As a high-end Chinese Baijiu product targeting international markets, it integrates Eastern and Western art and cultural elements as the core concept of the design which differs from the traditional baijiu products. The magnificent pattern of Eastern and Western classics was presented on the product package. The world-famous city's landmark structures are connected in the form of three-dimensional relief and surround the entire bottle. The collection expresses the culture and craftsmanship of Chinese Baijiu . It reflects Shanghai Guijiu's commitment to leading innovation in the spirits industry and advocates endless possibilities for continuous development.

'As an emerging Chinese Baijiu brand, Shanghai Guijiu has always been dedicated to accelerating its growth through constant innovation and product redefinition,' President of Shanghai Guijiu Co., Ltd., Cindy Gao said, 'Shanghai Guijiu will continue to invest in new business models by modernizing its products while encouraging the industry's long-term development in the future.'

Executive President and Business Unit President of Shanghai Guijiu Co., Ltd., Alan Yan claimed that, 'We've had a multi-brand expansion plan since we started in the spirits business. Our main brand, Shanghai Guijiu, is aimed at the ultra-premium market. The Shanghai Guijiu International Collection marks a new chapter in the baijiu industry's history, while also serves as a blueprint for all Chinese Baijiu companies looking to expand beyond their native markets.'

Shanghai Guijiu International Collection considers products as the carrier of cultures and communications. It offers great investment prospects due to its unique qualities and rarity. Shanghai Guijiu International Collection is an iconic product series that redefines trends in the Chinese Baijiu industry.

About Shanghai Guijiu

Shanghai Guijiu Co., Ltd. is a comprehensive baijiu group integrating tradition and innovation. Headquartered in Shanghai and globally focused, Shanghai Guijiu Co., Ltd. leads the innovation and development of the industry. Focusing on consumer demands, it creates exclusive personalized experiences.

SOURCE Shanghai Guijiu
NEW YORK, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 24, 2022, Silver Golub & Teitell LLP and Selendy Gay Elsberg PLLC filed a federal securities class action complaint (the "Complaint") in the Southern District of California on behalf of its client and putative class of all similarly-situated investors who suffered losses investing in the following mutual funds (the "Mutual Funds"):

the AllianzGI Structured Return fund; the AllianzGI U.S. Equity Hedged fund; the AllianzGI PerformanceFee Structured US Equity fund; the AllianzGI PerformanceFee Structured US Fixed Income fund; and the Nationwide Multi-Cap Portfolio fund

The Complaint alleges, inter alia, that AllianzGI committed securities fraud from 2015 through 2020 through a scheme to defraud prospective and current AllianzGI Mutual Fund investors by making false and misleading statements regarding the risks taken by the Mutual Funds. Instead of managing the Mutual Funds as represented, the Complaint alleges that AllianzGI took unreasonable risks that prioritized returns over risk management in ways fundamentally inconsistent with AllianzGI's representations concerning the Mutual Funds "Principal Investment Strategies." As a result, the Complaint alleges, when financial markets crashed in February and March 2020, Mutual Fund investors who thought they were protected from these events via their Mutual Fund investments suffered catastrophic losses.

On May 17, 2022, AllianzGI and two employees that managed the mutual funds pleaded guilty to securities fraud as a result of, inter alia, much of the conduct alleged in the Complaint. To date, AllianzGI has paid over $6 billion to in settlements, fines, and restitution, but has yet to compensate mutual fund investors.

If you purchased, sold, or liquidated shares in the AllianzGI-run Mutual Funds during the Class Period as defined above and wish to learn more about your rights, visit SGT's website or contact Ian W. Sloss at [email protected] or at (203) 325-4491, or Jordan Goldstein at [email protected] or at (212) 390-9008.

The class action is titled Cole v. Allianz Global Investors U.S. LLC, No. 22-CV-0747 (J. Curiel) (S.D. Cal.).

SOURCE Silver Golub & Teitell LLP
SMITHFIELD, Va., June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Smithfield Foods, Inc. today announced that it will cease all harvest and processing operations in Vernon, California in early 2023 and, at the same time, align its hog production system by reducing its sow herd in its Western region. The company will decrease its sow herd in Utah and is exploring strategic options to exit its farms in Arizona and California. Smithfield harvests only company-owned hogs in Vernon. Smithfield will service customers in California with its Farmer John brand and other brands and products from existing facilities in the Midwest.

Smithfield is taking these steps due to the escalating cost of doing business in California.

Smithfield is providing transition assistance to all impacted employees, including relocation options to other company facilities and farms as well as retention incentives to ensure business continuity until early next year. The company reached an agreement this week with the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and the International Union of Operating Engineers as part of its plan to close the Vernon facility.

"We are grateful to our team members in the Western region for their dedication and invaluable contributions to our mission. We are committed to providing financial and other transition assistance to employees impacted by this difficult decision," said Smithfield Chief Operating Officer Brady Stewart.

Smithfield provides more than 40,000 American jobs at 46 facilities and nearly 500 company-owned farms.

About Smithfield Foods, Inc.

Headquartered in Smithfield, Va. since 1936, Smithfield Foods, Inc. is an American food company with agricultural roots and a global reach. With more than 60,000 jobs globally, we are dedicated to producing "Good food. Responsibly." and serve as one of the world's leading vertically integrated protein companies. We have pioneered sustainability standards for more than two decades, including our industry-leading commitments to become carbon negative in our U.S. company-owned operations and reduce GHG emissions 30 percent across our entire U.S. value chain by 2030. We believe in the power of protein to end food insecurity and have donated hundreds of millions of food servings to our communities. Smithfield boasts a portfolio of high-quality iconic brands, such as Smithfield, Eckrich and Nathan's Famous, among many others. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com, and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

SOURCE Smithfield Foods, Inc.
Company's medical advisor will present the SIR 2022 Abstract of the Year

TORONTO, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Minimally invasive image-guided therapy company, SpinaFX Medical Inc. (SpinaFX), today announced it will exhibit at the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) 2022 Annual Scientific Meeting in Boston, MA, June 11-16, at booth 414. Dr. Alexis Kelekis, medical advisor to SpinaFX, will present the results of a research study on which he was the lead author, recently published in The Spine Journal, on the effectiveness of intradiscal oxygen-ozone treatment compared to microdiscectomy for contained lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy. This study has been recognized by SIR as one of the 2022 Abstracts of the Year.

"We are excited to meet with some of the world's leading interventional radiologists to discuss innovations in minimally invasive, image-guided care and share our recent progress and momentum at SpinaFX," said Jeff Cambra, SpinaFX CEO. "We look forward to Dr. Kelekis' presentation and celebrate the study's findings, which have the potential to benefit both patients and providers by addressing a significant gap in the continuum of care for the millions suffering from back pain."

"I am thrilled that Dr. Kelekis will share the findings of our skilled research team at SIR's Annual Scientific Meeting," said Dr. Kieran Murphy, SpinaFX Chief Medical Officer and co-author of the recognized study. "The technology used in this randomized control trial holds great promise for patients struggling with contained herniated lumbar disc pain and it is an honor to have this research recognized by such a prestigious and well-respected organization."

Dr. Alexis Kelekis will present the results of his study on Wednesday, June 15, at 10:40 a.m. during Closing Plenary.

As an exhibitor during the meeting on June 11-16, SpinaFX will offer attendees the opportunity to discuss the study results and their implications with Drs. Kelekis and Murphy, learn more about SpinaFX and its goal to help develop minimally invasive, image-guided treatment options, and provide input on developing technology with the potential to redefine the treatment of contained herniated discs. Visit SIR's website to learn more about the Annual Scientific Meeting.

About SpinaFX

Headquartered in Ontario, Canada, SpinaFX is a treatment solution and technology company bringing innovative, minimally invasive image-guided treatments to patients with back pain due to contained herniated discs.

Forward-Looking Statement

This news release contains predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", which are made as of the date of this news release or as of the effective date of information described in this release, as applicable. The forward-looking statements address such anticipated events or occurrences which may include economic factors, industry trends, market demand, and corporate performance and profitability. Forward-looking statements are often identified through words or expressions including "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "envisages", "assumes", "intends", "strategy", "goals", "objectives" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "can", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions.

All forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs as well as various assumptions made by, and information currently available to SpinaFX's management team. 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 do not reflect future experience. We caution any person reviewing this news release 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 beliefs, plans, objectives, expectations, anticipations, estimates assumptions and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements.

Neither SpinaFX nor its representatives undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by SpinaFX or its representatives or on behalf of either of them, except as may be required by law.

SOURCE Spinafx medical inc
75% of the Sale for Each Buffer Will Go to Save the Children

LOS ANGELES, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Spongelle's founder and creator Elaine Binder arrived in the United States from Ukraine over 44 years ago. According to Elaine, "I was born and raised in Odessa and today, my heart is broken for the people in Ukraine." The devastation occurring now in her homeland has led to the creation of Spongelle's Sunflower Dreams Body Buffer ($20), symbolizing the National Flower of Ukraine. 75% of the sales from each buffer will go to Save the Children, an organization devoted to helping the over 200 million Ukrainian children living in the war-torn areas. Now a symbol of solidarity, the sunflower also represents happiness, hope and optimism. Resembling the sun, sunflowers remind us of the importance of love and peace.

Spongelle Sunflower Dreams Body Buffer

By purchasing this special edition buffer, you will help Save the Children provide:

$50 can provide 10 warm, cozy blankets to children affected by conflict

can provide 10 warm, cozy blankets to children affected by conflict $100 helps supply a month's worth of nutritious food to a family in crisis

helps supply a month's worth of nutritious food to a family in crisis $175 can provide five families with emergency shelter materials

Ukraine's children are in grave danger of physical harm, severe emotional distress and mass displacement. Save the Children is concerned for children caught in the middle of armed conflict, forced from their homes in freezing temperatures, and exposed to injury, hunger and cold.

Your donation to Save the Children's Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund can help provide children and families with immediate aid, such as food, water, hygiene kits, psychosocial support, and cash assistance. Together, we can protect children in crisis.

As a thank you for helping, each purchase will also come with a FREE Sunflower Bracelet valued at $19.00.

Fragrance Notes:

Bitter Orange, Orris, Jasmine, Orange Flower, Rosewood and Vanilla Marshmallow

Pricing: $20 each from https://spongelle.com/collections/new-arrivals/products/sunflower-dreams-body-buffer

Website is with affiliate networks ShareASale and Skimlinks.

Facebook & Instagram: @SpongelleBeyondCleansing

Twitter: @SpongelleLLC

https://spongelle.com/

Contact: Janice McCafferty

Janice McCafferty Communications

(773) 736-9034  Direct

[email protected]

About Spongelle:

Spongelle LLC, a Los Angeles based company specializing in an innovative and proprietary delivery system for the personal care & consumer products industry. Spongelle's patented Body Wash Infused Buffers are infused with exotic extracts, rich moisturizers, and gentle cleansers. Their Body Wash Infused Buffers are one-of-a-kind fragrances blended with a creamy lather for the most luxurious bathing indulgence for your body and mind.

SOURCE Spongelle
Susan G. Komen has announced the return of its annual Susan G. Komen 3-Day Series in four major cities. Tweet this

This year, the 3-Day events will be held in Boston, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth and San Diego.

The schedule is:

New England (Boston)  August 26-28, 2022

Chicago  September 16-18, 2022

Dallas/Fort Worth  November 4-6, 2022

San Diego  November 18-20, 2022

"We're thrilled to be back in four cities with this life-changing series after having to postpone due to the pandemic," said Paula Schneider, President and CEO of Susan G. Komen. "Last year, we were able to safely host one 3-Day event in San Diego, and we are excited to announce that we are back with an entire series in four major cities."

Participants raise a minimum of $2,300 and walk an average of 20 miles a day for three consecutive days, educating tens of thousands of people about breast health and raising funds to help support breast cancer research, patient care and community outreach programs.

"This event annually brings people who unite together for one cause  to see a world without breast cancer," said Schneider. "There are so many individuals that continued to train and fundraise for the past two years waiting for this moment where we can finally come together."

"The three-day journey is the climax of a year-long commitment to train and raise critical funds that are vital to helping us to find new discoveries for breast cancer, provide much-needed support to individuals facing breast cancer, make long-lasting policy changes and unify our breast cancer community," said Schneider.

The Susan G. Komen 3-Day experience will begin with an inspiring Opening Ceremony, two impactful nights together as a community, culminating on the final day after finishing 60 miles of walking with a celebratory Closing Ceremony.

The event brings together supporters from all walks of life each year to register, commit and participate in a weekend full of honoring the memories of friends and family as well as lifting up breast cancer survivors and those living with metastatic breast cancer in the 3-Day community.

With more than 17,769,720 miles walked and $875 million raised since its inception, the Susan G. Komen 3-Day continues to inspire and strengthen the breast cancer community with its commitment to funding, research and education for survivors and co-survivors.

Walkers converge on each city with personal stories of triumph and survival with the goal of accomplishing the 60-mile challenge year after year.

For more information on the 2022 Komen 3-Day Series, including the full event schedule and registration process, visit www.The3Day.org.

About Susan G. Komen

Susan G. Komen is the world's leading nonprofit breast cancer organization, working to save lives and end breast cancer forever. Komen has an unmatched, comprehensive 360-degree approach to fighting this disease across all fronts and supporting millions of people in the U.S. and in countries worldwide. We advocate for patients, drive research breakthroughs, improve access to high-quality care, offer direct patient support and empower people with trustworthy information. Founded by Nancy G. Brinker, who promised her sister, Susan G. Komen, that she would end the disease that claimed Suzy's life, Komen remains committed to supporting those affected by breast cancer today, while tirelessly searching for tomorrow's cures. Visit komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN. Connect with us on social at www.komen.org/contact-us/follow-us/.

Susan G. Komen 3-Day

The Susan G. Komen 3-Day is a 60-mile walk people committed to going the distance to end breast cancer. Participants raise a minimum of $2,300 and walk an average of 20 miles a day for three consecutive days, educating their communities about breast health and raising funds to help support breast cancer research, community health, patient care and advocacy. It's a big commitment, but it's totally worth it. Since 2003, the Komen 3-Day has raised more than $875 million. The net proceeds raised by the Susan G. Komen 3-Day help Komen save lives and end breast cancer through breakthrough research and support to people facing breast cancer now by providing access to screening, treatment assistance, patient navigation and education.

Sponsored by Bank of America, the 2022 3-Day Series includes four events in New England (August 2628), Chicago (September 1618), Dallas/Fort Worth (November 46), and San Diego (November 1820).

Please visit www.The3Day.org or call 800-996-3DAY for more information. Connect with us on Facebook at Facebook.com/The3Day, Twitter @The3Day and Instagram @Komen3Day.

CONTACT: Deb Song, [email protected]

SOURCE Susan G. Komen for the Cure
CHICAGO, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Swatchbox, the premier sample fulfillment platform for architects and designers, and Sustainable Minds, the cloud provider of environmental and material ingredient product transparency data, have announced a partnership to enhance AEC professionals' access to building product transparency data in North America.

The partnership includes the development of a new integration between the Swatchbox and Sustainable Minds Transparency Catalog platforms. Through the integration, Swatchbox material sample listings will display transparency data from the Transparency Catalog, while Transparency Catalog product listings will provide new access to material samples through Swatchbox. The connection between the two platforms will equip architects and other building professionals to reliably access the most up-to-date product data throughout every phase of their workflow.

"Product transparency is one of the top considerations for architects and designers when evaluating material samples," said Benjamin Glunz, CEO of Swatchbox. "We are excited to provide easy access to dependable sustainability data on Swatchbox through our partners at Sustainable Minds."

"Environmental performance and material health are performance criteria AECs are increasingly using to make decisions about brands and their products," said Terry Swack, CEO of Sustainable Minds. "Connecting the Transparency Catalog and Swatchbox will help equip architects and designers to select credibly greener and healthier products and reward manufacturers for making them."

Swatchbox and Sustainable Minds will be discussing the new partnership and its benefits for designers at two upcoming events in Chicago: NeoCon (June 13-15, 2022) and the A'22 Conference on Architecture (June 23-24, 2022). Find Swatchbox at either event or visit www.swatchbox.com to learn more or add your products to Swatchbox. Learn more about Sustainable Minds and the Transparency Catalog at www.sustainableminds.com and www.transparencycatalog.com.

About Swatchbox

Swatchbox, an Anguleris brand, is the premier sample fulfillment service for building product manufacturers. With proprietary software designed by insiders of the design community, Swatchbox helps manufacturers improve product sales and brand affinity by delivering material samples to the design community with speed, intelligence, and style. Learn more and join Swatchbox at www.swatchbox.com.

About Sustainable Minds

Sustainable Minds is a B2B cloud provider of environmental product transparency applications, data, and services to help product manufacturers across the value chain design and market greener products. The company is the first cloud software provider and program operator to focus on simplified and understandable environmental reporting. Its easy-to-use standardized solutions make it possible for manufacturers large and small to drive revenue and growth through greener & healthier product innovation. For more information, visit www.sustainableminds.com.

About the Transparency Catalog

The Transparency Catalog makes it super easy to select, specify & procure greener and healthier products for high performance buildingsand reward building product manufacturers for making them. Now with 1,800+ brands, across 27 CSI MasterFormat divisions & 1,250 sections, the Transparency Catalog is continually updated to include every building product manufacturer in North America, creating material ingredient disclosures in every technical program and environmental product declarations (EPDs) from every program operator. The Transparency Catalog is revolutionizing high performance building product selection by radically simplifying the delivery of transparency information. For more information, visit www.transparencycatalog.com.

Contact: Ethan Adams

CMO, Swatchbox

[email protected]

SOURCE Swatchbox
The topics deal with the changes in the current international economic landscape. The event will for the first time include summit dialogues. The organizer will invite leaders of multinationals, heads of world-renowned commerce chambers and business associations, experts, and scholars to have dialogues and exchanges and provide opportunities for interactive activities, according to Shandong Research Center for Multinationals.

The Shandong Provincial Government Economic Advisory Meeting will be held for the first time during the summit. The economic advisory group mainly composed of global presidents of well-known multinationals will join the meeting online or offline and provide insights into Shandong's economic development. For the first time, the event will have a guest of honor, Henan province. Henan will coordinate with Shandong for the high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin and enhance the function of the summit to serve the whole country.

So far, 313 overseas multinationals from 31 countries and regions have signed up for the offline event, an increase of 46 over the previous summit. Among the Fortune Global 500 companies in China, 57 of them have signed up for the offline event, an increase of 24 over the previous summit. More than 3,000 guests from multinationals have signed up for the online event so far.

Image Attachments Links:

Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=423173

Caption: The 3rd Qingdao Multinationals Summit

Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=423174

Caption: The press conference

SOURCE Shandong Research Center for Multinationals
Testing for COVID-19 has dropped drastically, according to weekly reports by the [i]Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) that show continued drops fewer and fewer records of testing in most of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). For instance, for the week that ended on April 17, 2022, 18 states recorded single digit testing for seven days, an indication that many laboratories licensed to test Nigerians for COVID-19 were idle in those states. From March 6 to April 17, 2022, the number of Nigerians tested for the virus across the country dwindled, as shown in the charts below:

Since February 2020 when COVID-19 broke out in Nigeria, a total of nearly 256,000 cases and 3,143 deaths have been recorded, according to NCDC data. The highest cases of 22,562 and 220 deaths were recorded in Lagos State, followed by 10,291 cases and 202 deaths in neighbouring Oyo State. Other states with high incidences include Edo (7,694 cases and 321 deaths), FCT (6,385 cases and 82 deaths), and Delta (5,369 cases and 111 deaths). However, these figures are believed to be a tip of the iceberg because of the low rate of testing for COVID-19 across the country.

In terms of the testing trends, it has dropped from the height of 1.4 million persons tested in January 2021 to as little as 241,174 in the month of April 2022. The fall in the rate of testing affects the credibility of the number of COVID-19 cases reported in Nigeria. Our World in Data, which produces countries' 7-day rolling average data on COVID-19, states about Nigeria that "due to limited testing, the number of confirmed cases is lower than the true number of infections." It's interactive chart on COVID-19 in Nigeria should inexplicable rise and fall in COVID-19 cases, which may be attributed to haphazard testing for the virus. This downward trend demonstrates the complacency by government and institutions vested with the responsibility of carrying out the tests. With a population of about [ii]211 million, the test rate of 5,152,011 million is barely above two per cent of the people who should be targeted for preventive testing.

Compared to Nigeria, South Africa has tested as many as 24,885,511, about 40 per cent of its population of 60,756,135. Another African country, Egypt, with a population of 106 million has effectively tested 1,318 per million. Both countries have left Nigeria behind in aggregate testing of citizens for COVID-19.

However, in Nigeria's strategy document for combating COVID-19, government identifies testing as an important element, and the NCDC[iii] acknowledges it thus: "Diagnostic testing is an essential response strategy to interrupt the transmission for the COVID-19 pandemic by informing patient management and identifying positive cases, which can then be isolated. The Federal Ministry of Health has prioritised testing as one of the key interventions to the COVID-19 response in Nigeria. In order to rapidly contain the outbreak, the Government of Nigeria plans to rapidly scale diagnostic testing to cover all 36 States plus the FCT." The low testing rate belies the content of government's strategy document.

It has been proven scientifically that testing is critical to contain and mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic, as diagnostic tests help to prevent further person-to-person transmission. With low rate of testing, the NCDC data of the number of infected Nigerians cannot be reliable, as it is possible that thousands of persons are living with COVID-19 but are unaware of it. The World Health Organization estimates that only one in seven COVID-19 infections is being detected in Africa. The number of undetected cases not only increases the risks of infection between individuals but means the virus is likely to be spreading unnoticed and under-reported.

Why Testing is low in Nigeria

Dr Ifeanyi Casmir, a specialist in Laboratory Science, attributes the low rate of testing for COVID-19 in Nigeria to the framework put in place, which prioritizes testing at laboratories owned by the private sector rather than in government-owned laboratories. He argued that owners of laboratories for COVID-19 tests raked in billions of Naira from incoming and outgoing international travelers who are compelled by the Nigerian authorities to present negative test results for the virus.

He said, "I proposed that COVID-19 testing should be an integral part of our health screening, and should be routine, such that if anyone reported possible cases of cold or malaria in Nigeria, he or she should be tested for COVID-19 for free. The way it is at the moment, testing for the virus is not affordable. It costs between N40,000 and N50,000 to do the molecular testing, which is suspect. To cover more grounds, testing should be free. This is what is done in [iv]Cameroon. The reality is that COVID-19 has come to stay with us, so the test for it should be routine. All this is happening because the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria is asleep." The council is vested with the responsibility of assessing and evaluation of laboratory testing test centres in Nigeria.

The National Secretary of Society for Scientists in Infectious Diseases in Nigeria, [v]Dr. Solomon Chollom, told journalists in March that Nigeria's testing capacity was compromised by the deployment of low throughput platforms as against the use of high throughput ones.

He said, "Other possible reasons are weak surveillance and contact tracing system, lack of motivation of health professionals and the preponderance of negative publicity which characterized every step of the response."

A Health Economist, Dr. Abigail Banji, also argued in March that for Nigeria to continue to combat COVID-19 effectively, all relevant agencies must "Scale-up vaccination, advance COVID-19 rapid antigen self-testing, access to COVID-19 treatment, and promote public health and social measures."

She warned that though new COVID-19 cases and deaths were on the decline globally, the pandemic was far from being over. "There are still many countries with high rates of hospitalization, deaths, low rates of vaccine coverage and high transmission. Nigeria is included. The threat of a new and more dangerous variant remains very real."

The low rate of testing seems to have led to the perception that there is a low-risk for COVID-19 in Nigeria. This is because those who take ill have no opportunity of being tested for COVID-19 as laboratories are not readily available, or the cost is prohibitive. The main method available is molecular test which, though produces precise and more reliable results, is expensive, with a relatively long turnaround time of 3-4 days.

'How to ramp up testing'

In order to increase testing for COVID-19 in Nigeria, Professor Oyewole Tomori, a virologist, advocated for a shift from PCR to rapid tests, which are cheaper and affordable because, with rapid test instruments, individuals could even test themselves for the virus. "We need to adopt rapid testing urgently because we need to know the status of Nigerians at a time several countries are recording cases of new variants of COVID-19. In southern Africa, for instance, there are about five variants of Omicron already discovered. If Nigerians are not tested, we cannot detect if we have any of those variants here. With the lull in testing, the impression we get is that Nigeria has exited from COVID-19; this is totally false."

Apart from procuring facilities for rapid tests for COVID-19, Professor Tomori said the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), responsible for vaccination, must devise strategies to ensure more Nigerians have access to the jab, as quickly as possible. "We're getting a deluge of vaccines, but Nigerians are not taking them. At the end, many of the vaccines will expire and get wasted. This is a tragedy, as far as I'm concerned."

Data obtained from ONE.org, a data aggregation outfit about Africa, indicate that as at April 2022, [vi]Nigeria had received 68.1 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, but only about a half of that quantity, 34 million, has been used. For vaccination, only about 16.5 per cent of the population has been covered, while only about 6.3 per cent of Nigerians has received the two doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

Close Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox Top Headlines Coronavirus Nigeria By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy. Success! Almost finished... We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. Error! Error! There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later.

However, the Director General of PHCDA, Dr Fasail Shuab, says his organization is not giving up on vaccinations. "We are still vaccinating Nigerians. Right now we are at a point where we have exceeded a daily vaccination rate of over 230,000. The last time we had the report, the daily vaccination rate was around 210,000. So more Nigerians are coming out to get vaccinated." The majority of those who are eager for vaccination are intending travellers, who are required to present COVID-19 vaccination certificates at ports of exit and entry.

Dr Ifedayo Adetifa, the Executive Director of NCDC, did not respond to enquiry about what his agency is doing to ramp up testing, but his office replied a WhatsApp message, saying "It has already been established that Nigerians' perception of the risk of COVID-19 is generally low so, in turn, testing will be low. We have made efforts to ensure states have adequate laboratory supplies and that the use of rapid test kits are scaled up."

There are about 140 testing centres across Nigeria. However, the [vii]NCDC update for the week that ended on April 17 shows that 60 of them recorded zero tests or unreported results of tests, while many of the testing centres that conducted COVID-19 tests reported between one and two digits of tests for that week.

This piece was produced in partnership with the ONE Campaign, a global campaign and advocacy organization. For more information on the impacts of conflict, climate change, and COVID's impacts in Africa, subscribe to ONE's Aftershocks newsletter or explore the data.

[i] Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (ncdc.gov.ng)

[ii] Nigeria Population Growth Rate 1950-2022 | MacroTrends

[iii] COVID19TestingStrategy_2ZWBQwh.pdf (ncdc.gov.ng)

[iv] N50,400 for COVID-19 test in Nigeria, free in Cameroon -- Sport -- The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News

[v] https://von.gov.ng/2022/03/16/only-2-1-per-cent-of-nigerias-population-tested-for-covid-19-ncdc/

[vi] ONE Africa COVID-19 Tracker - Nigeria

[vii] Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (ncdc.gov.ng)
Created in 1984 and taken over in 2007 by Messrs Alain Ducasse and Yves Thuries, over the past 40 years the Ecole Nationale Superieure de Patisserie has unquestionably established itself as the ultimate school of excellence and reference in the world of the Confectionary Arts when it comes to training in pastry, chocolate, confectionary, ice cream and baking.

With its 17 pastry chefs and 25 teachers for its academic courses, the school trains 1,500 students from 60 nationalities throughout the year.

The broad portfolio of programs meets all training needs in the field: post-baccalaureate courses such as the three-year Bachelor's degree in French Pastry Arts, or the CAP, intensive courses for people in retraining, such as the two-month Essentials of French Pastry Arts program or the eight-month Diploma in French Pastry Arts.

In addition to these programs, a catalogue is offered of 68 professional training courses held on site by Meilleur Ouvrier de France award-winners, World Champions and well-known experts. The great names in French and international pastry-making have trained here and return to fine-tune their techniques.

The project caters to the ENSP's need to expand due to the exponential demand for pastry training which has been accelerating for the past several years.

Housing three new classrooms and four laboratories as well as the creation of 36 apartments for students, this extension of the ENSP will allow the Ecole Ducasse to host a larger number of French and international students while responding to increasing requests for professional training.

Elise Masurel, Managing Director of Ecole Ducasse, enthuses about this major new development within the Ecole Ducasse network, "After the opening of our Campus at the gateway to Paris in 2020, this new project allows us to embed the excellence of our schools even more strongly on French soil, in parallel with its international development."

Luc Debove, Director and Executive Chef of the ENSP, World Ice Cream Champion and Meilleur Ouvrier de France Glacier, winner of the Ordre National du Merite Agricole, and project leader, comments: "This extension is the result of a wonderful group project supported by Laurent Wauquiez, Regional President, Isabelle Valentin, Member of Parliament for Haute-Loire, and our mayor of Yssingeaux, as well as by the private companies Atrium and Alliade. It is not only about the ENSP that is becoming the largest French school dedicated to the Pastry Arts, but Yssingeaux and a whole region that is becoming a strategic center in the world of pastry-making."

About Ecole Ducasse

Ecole Ducasse is a network of schools founded in 1999 by multi-starred chef Alain Ducasse, dedicated to the transmission of outstanding French expertise and excellence in culinary and pastry arts.

Ecole Ducasse runs three schools in France  Paris Studio, Paris Campus and the Ecole Nationale Superieure de Patisserie  as well as international schools in the Philippines, Brazil, Thailand and India. All are united by a desire to share a passion for gastronomy with seasoned professionals as well as food enthusiasts, career changers and students. This broad portfolio of programs aims to meet all training needs: from short programs for experts or food enthusiasts to intensive two-, four-or six-month programs, to three-year undergraduate programs and bachelor's degree in culinary and pastry arts.

Ecole Ducasse is part of Sommet Education, worldwide leader in hospitality education.

For more information: https://www.ecoleducasse.com/en

MEDIA CONTACT

Anouck Weiss

Chief Communication Officer - Sommet Education

E-mail: [email protected]

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1837173/ENSP_Pastry_Arts_Image.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1836924/ENSP_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Ecole Nationale Superieure de Patisserie
This year, Thermore launches EVOdown  , made of 100% recycled fibers from PET bottles . Thermore EVOdown bridges the gap between free fibers and traditional padding, delivering the ultra-soft hand and luxurious drape of blow-in fibers in a rolled form. This hybrid technology - as consumers like to refer to it - allows to boost productivity and ease of manufacturing.

In fact, EVOdown consists of millions of free fibers encapsulated by two containing outer layers, making it the world's only product of this type. Consumers will enjoy the light-weight and silky touch of EVOdown-made garments, as well as its unbeatable easy care.

EVOdown Recycled is another step towards sustainability for the Milan-based company, which has now converted over 97% of its turnover into insulations made of either fully or partially recycled fibers (based on actual sales figures). This brings Thermore closer than ever to an exclusively sustainable product offer; and while the industry talks about future projects and roadmaps, Thermore is already at the finish line being almost completely sustainable. This doesn't come as a surprise: sustainability has always been part of Thermore's DNA, as the Group pioneered the use of recycled fibers in the early 80s and mastered it thereafter.

ABOUT THERMORE

Based in Milan - Italy, Thermore is specialized in research, development, production and marketing of high-quality thermal insulation for apparel. Through its global sales network and its productions in the Far East and in Europe, Thermore caters to the best brands in the outerwear industry. Thermore was the first company to launch a sustainable insulation in the 80s and is now highly concentrated on eco-friendly innovation, mostly using polyester fibers recycled from PET bottles.

Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE Thermore
CHICAGO, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Third Coast Underwriters (3CU) is pleased to announce Bob Cadwell as senior business development specialist in Florida, further strengthening the brand's commitment to agent partnerships and customers in the Gulf region.

"We're very excited to have Bob on board, given his extensive background in the P&C industry and his knowledge of AF Group brands," said Bill Simonson, regional director for 3CU. "We're eager to connect him with our valued agent partners to further sustain these remarkable partnerships and to explore new relationships throughout Florida."

Cadwell joins 3CU after 10 years of successful experience with Accident Fund (sister company of 3CU). He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Risk Management from Drake University and strengthened his knowledge of international insurance, funding and reinsurance during an internship with Lloyd's of London. Prior to joining the AF Group enterprise, Cadwell's career was highlighted by experiences in both the agency and carrier sides of the P&C industry as vice president of a major insurance agency and Midwest sales manager for a national carrier.

Cadwell has been involved with independent agent association leadership and remains engaged within the insurance & business community. He has also earned the Certified Authority on Workers' Compensation (CAWC) designation.

About Third Coast Underwriters: Third Coast Underwriters is dedicated to understanding and actively managing complex workers' compensation risk with an unwavering attention to service. Third Coast Underwriters is a division of AF Group. All policies are underwritten by a licensed insurer subsidiary. For more information, visit afgroup.com.  AF Group.

Contact:

Shannon Scholten

(517) 708-5625

[email protected]

afgroup.com

SOURCE Third Coast Underwriters
NEW YORK, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to the increasing number of third-party workplace lawsuits, Tribeca Capital Group, LLC, has announced a new initiative. The company aims to provide financial assistance to injured workers who file lawsuits seeking compensation beyond their worker's compensation claims.

The rules on eligibility for worker's compensation differ by state. Most cover a wide array of work-related injuries or illnesses. And while most will pay all medical costs associated with the claim, few match the worker's former wages. Plus, the employer may not offer adequate compensation for permanent injuries, survivors' benefits if the employee was killed, or rehabilitation training. The gap can be significant. For instance, worker's compensation claims pay a worker on average just two-thirds of lost wages.

If the employer is responsible for the injury, generally the worker's only recourse is to accept the claim amount offered by the employer. When the accident is caused by a defective product, hazardous substance, wayward driver, or other circumstance beyond the employer's control, a worker can look to the courts for additional compensation. Third-party lawsuits filed against the responsible party, like an equipment manufacturer or operator of a truck, can often result in significantly more compensation than the worker's comp claim alone.

"That's where Tribeca comes in," explains Rory Donadio, Tribeca's CEO. "Lawsuits can take years. Workers, especially those who work hard for hourly wages, just can't wait that long. They have mortgages to pay and children to feed. Often their injuries are permanent, and they need rehabilitation services or schooling to learn a new trade. Those folks need help now, not two years from now."

With a pre-settlement loan from Tribeca Lawsuit Loans, a worker can obtain a no-risk advance on an expected settlement. In exchange, Tribeca takes an ownership interest in the lawsuit. Workers can use the money to buy groceries, make car payments, or for anything else they need. Best of all, if there is no recovery, the worker has no obligation to repay the lawsuit loan.

Donadio says, "If you have an attorney and have filed a lawsuit against a third party for your workplace injury, we want to talk to you about how we can help you fight for the justice you deserve. And, you'll be amazed at how quickly we can make it happen."

The application process is simple. All you need is your contact information and the name of your attorney. Tribeca will contact your lawyer to verify the details regarding your lawsuit. You'll have your money within 24 hours of approval. If you have filed a worker's compensation lawsuit, Tribeca Lawsuit Loans encourages you to visit www.tribecalawsuitloans.com or call (866) 388-2288. Friendly loan counselors are waiting to help you on your road to recovery.

Contact: Rory Donadio, CEO

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (866)388-2288

SOURCE Tribeca Capital Group, LLC
Radtke succeeds Wendy Whiteash as US LBM's CHRO, who has moved into the role of executive vice president of Integration & Strategic Priorities. Radtke will report directly to US LBM President and CEO L.T. Gibson.

"I'm delighted to welcome Wendy to our team," said Gibson. "As a people-focused business, the leadership and wealth of experience she brings in human resources and talent management will allow us to continue to thrive and grow as an employer-of-choice."

Radtke has held CHRO roles with multiple industrial and consumer facing brands, including Clarios, Babcock and Wilcox and TruGreen. She has also held HR leadership roles at Goodyear, Honeywell, PepsiCo and 3M. Radtke holds a master's degree in Industrial Relations from the Carlson School of Business at the University of Minnesota and bachelor's degrees in English and Psychology from Indiana University.

US LBM is the largest privately owned full-line distributor of specialty building materials in the United States. Offering a comprehensive portfolio of specialty products, including windows, doors, millwork, wallboard, roofing, siding, engineered components and cabinetry, US LBM combines the scale and operational advantages of a national platform with a local go-to-market strategy through its national network of locations across the country. For more information, please visit uslbm.com.

Contact: Timothy Wirth

US LBM Communications

484-886-5705

[email protected]

SOURCE US LBM
"Vikram is a dynamic leader with extensive experience in large-scale digital transformation that will be instrumental as we deliver enhanced technology initiatives to our clients and colleagues," said Luis Massiani, Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer.

With more than 25 years of industry experience, Nafde joined Webster in 2020 as Senior Vice President, Head of Software Engineering, Digital Delivery and Agility, shaping and leading all aspects of the Bank's software development and the rollout of the Scaled Agile operating model. Prior to joining Webster, Vikram held a variety of technology leadership roles with Bridgewater Associates, GE Asset Management, Genpact, and Starwood.

A resident of Darien, Connecticut, Nafde earned his Electrical Engineering degree from Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology and an MBA in Finance and IT from the University of Connecticut School of Business.

About Webster

Webster Financial Corporation (NYSE:WBS) is the holding company for Webster Bank, N.A. and its HSA Bank Division. Webster is a leading commercial bank in the Northeast that provides a wide range of digital and traditional financial solutions across differentiated lines of business including, Commercial Banking, Consumer Banking and its HSA Bank division, one of the country's largest providers of employee benefits solutions, well as Banking as a Service and BrioDirect. Headquartered in Stamford, CT, Webster is a values-driven organization with more than $65 billion in assets. Its core footprint spans the northeastern U.S. from New York to Massachusetts, with certain businesses operating in extended geographies. Webster Bank is a member of the FDIC and an equal housing lender. For more information about Webster, including past press releases and the latest annual report, visit the Webster website at www.websterbank.com.

Media Contact:

Alice Ferreira, 203-578-2610

[email protected]

Investor Contact:

Emlen Harmon, 212-309-7646

[email protected]

SOURCE Webster Financial Corporation
DUBLIN, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Graft Versus Host Disease (GvHD) Treatment Market Forecast - Epidemiology & Pipeline Analysis 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The report considers the present scenario of the graft versus host disease market and its market dynamics for the period 2022-2027. It covers a detailed overview of several market growth enablers, restraints, and trends. The study covers both the demand and supply sides of the market. It also profiles and analyses leading companies and several other prominent companies operating in the market.



The graft versus host disease market to grow at a CAGR of 7.44% during 2021-2027.

SEGMENT ANALYSIS

Corticosteroids accounted for the significant share of more than 28.97% in the global GvHD treatment market due to its wide recommendation in front line setting.

The acute GVHD (aGVHD) accounted for a significant share of 34.73% in the global graft versus host disease (GVHD) treatment market due to 30% to 50% of hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients develop acute GVHD.

Males are accounted for the significant share of 59.64% in the global GvHD treatment market due to rise in number of hematopoietic stem cell transplantations.

Key Report Features:

Detailed overview of GVHD, including disease definition, classification, diagnosis, and treatment pattern

Overview of the global graft versus host disease treatment market trends in the eight major markets (8MM)

Historical, current, and projected patient pool of GVHD in the eight major markets (8MM) for the 2018 - 2027 period

Disease, Gender, and Drug Class segmentations of the GVHD in the eight major markets (8MM)

Historical, current, and projected market size & forecast of GVHD in eight major markets (8MM) for the 2018 - 2027 period

In-depth analysis of the market segments, which includes products, treatment, and competitor analysis

Market share of the market players, company profiles, product specifications, SWOT analysis, and competitive landscape

Comprehensive data on emerging trends, market drivers, growth opportunities, and restraints

Detailed overview of marketed drugs with key coverage of developmental activities, including sponsor name, approved indication, territory, collaborations, licensing, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory designations, and other product-related activities

Detailed overview of therapeutic pipeline activity and therapeutic assessment of the products by development stage, product type, route of administration, molecule type, and MOA type for GVHD across the complete product development cycle, including all clinical and non-clinical stages

Detailed overview of clinical trial activities and therapeutic assessment of the products by development stage, product type, route of administration, molecule type, and Geography type for GVHD across all clinical stages

Coverage of dormant and discontinued pipeline projects along with the reasons across GVHD

Coverage of major milestones (product approvals/launches timelines, clinical trial result publications, regulatory designations, licensing & collaborations, research & development progress of pipeline assets) in the GVHD space

Market Segmentation by Drug Class

Corticosteroids

Kinase Inhibitors

Calcineurin Inhibitors

TNF-Alpha Inhibitors

Other Class of Drugs

Market Segmentation by Treatment Type

GVHD Prophylaxis

Chronic GVHD

Acute GVHD

Market Segmentation by Gender Type

Males

Females

GEOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS

The United States dominated the graft versus host disease (GVHD) treatment market by geography. However, China is expected to grow faster with a high CAGR in the market. The rise in incidence and prevalence of GVHD patients, presence of key players, and rise in access to health care due to well-established healthcare infrastructure and extensive reach of novel therapeutics are largely driving the United States market.

Market Segmentation by Geography

North America

US

Europe

France

Germany

Italy

UK

Spain

APAC

China

Japan

VENDOR ANALYSIS

With more than 134+ molecules in various stages of development, it is expected that new vendors are likely to enter into the market with novel mechanism of action and better safety and efficacy profiles compared to the existing patented commercial drugs for treating GVHD.

Key Players

Incyte

Pharmacyclics

Bristol- Myers Squibb

JCR Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd.

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd (Takeda)

MaaT Pharma

XeniKos

Medac GmbH

Mesoblast

Kadmon

Jazz Pharmaceuticals

Gsk

Novartis

Syndax Pharmaceuticals Inc

Other Prominent Vendors

Neovii

ElsaLys Biotech

Mallinckrodt

Regimmune

Roche

Altrubio

CTTQ

Equillium

Janssen (johnson & johnson)

ASC Therapeutics

MSD

Genentech

Sun Pharma

Mink Therapeutics

Pluristem

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/r6dtoh

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.



Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907

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SOURCE Research and Markets
"The real estate market is growing at a record-breaking pace  it's about time we break down the barriers so many Latinx first-time home buyers face today, and give them the equal chance to reach their version of the American dream like everyone else," stated Yanira. "The premiere of our series is just the start to setting a precedent for generations to come."

The stage was set at the 200,000 square foot facility, chosen by the real estate mogul, to officially premiere the docuseries. Each floor of the interactive museum was transformed to create a captivating environment. On the main floor, all 200 guests were welcomed with glitz and glamour on the red carpet by the reality TV star who brought her A-glam. Appearances were made by Central Florida leaders and celebrities.

After the red carpet, guests were then directed to the second level of the museum for the private screening of the first episode of the series.

In the premiere episode, Yanira helps a Dominican family from New York find their dream home in Florida after the couple had several failed attempts to buying a property with nine other realtors.

The first six episodes debuted on YouTube on Sunday, June 5 around the world. New episodes are currently in production.

"The mission to demystify the path of building wealth has only just begun, but the successful premiere of the series shows there is a true need for this kind of hope. It's a true testament to the difference we're making in the lives of so many Latinos abroad."

After the premiere, guests were treated to an exclusive night out on the Finfrock Terrace with panoramic views of Downtown Orlando crafted cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and a DJ to celebrate.

View photos: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/rp1f3wfe1jebc58jzfjw0/h?dl=0&rlkey=47vh4yndmdr2k1hemzy0kzd7n

Watch the series now by visiting: https://youtu.be/LZDDwieS2ow

DIGITAL/SOCIAL: Fans can connect with "Yanira's World" Selling the American Dream" via social media with #YanirasWorld and @yanirasuarezteam on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram.

About "Yanira's World: Selling the American Dream"

Yanira Suarez, a Puerto Rican multi-million-dollar producer, real estate broker and owner of Queen Homes, along with her team of 40 real estate professionals, embark on a journey to overcoming the unique hurdles today's first-time Latino home buyers face. The six-episode docuseries follows her team as they meet with homebuyers to help overcome their challenges, demystifying the path to wealth, to make their real estate dreams come true.

MEDIA CONTACT

Eleven 11 Communications

Maria Isabel Sanquirico

(813) 420-2922

[email protected]

SOURCE Yanira's World: Selling the American Dream
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.
easyJet PLC (LSE:EZJ) shares have fallen 3.2% to 452.2p after a leaked letter from pilots accused the budget airline of cancelling viable flights and suffering operational meltdowns.

Disruption to the airlines flights this summer are going to get worse yet to peak, according to an internal letter from the airlines French pilots obtained by the i paper.

The budget airline said it was operating up to 1,700 flights a day across its network, though in recent weeks it has cancelled up to 80 flights a day from UK airports.

Other airlines such as IAG's British Airways and fellow budget carrier Wizz Air have not been without cancellations, but easyJet "appears to have been particularly badly hit", the report said.

12.20pm: ProCook nightmare

ProCook Group PLC (LSE:PROC), the specialist kitchenware company, got a real panning on Friday morning after a profits warning.

Considering the more recent trading conditions and the ongoing pressures on discretionary consumer spend, the company, which sells pots & pans etc. directly to consumers, now assumes the kitchenware market will remain highly challenging for the remainder of the current financial year.

With this in mind, the company now anticipates that revenue this financial year will be roughly flat year-on-year. In fiscal 2022 the companys revenue was 69.2mln; the consensus forecast for this year had been 81.9mln.

Adjusted profit before tax is expected to fall somewhere between 4mln and 6mln, versus market expectations of 11.0mln.

The shares came off the boil (sorry) at 46.6p, down by two-fifths on the day.

11.33am: The Sami old story for Beowulf Mining

Shares in Beowulf Mining PLC (AIM:BEM) have dropped 14% to 4.75p after an indigenous Swedish village near to its Kallak project said it was going to take legal action against the government following the decision to award an exploitation concession there.

Lawyers for the indigenous Sami village of Jahkagasska tjiellde said they will be most affected by the establishment of a mine in Gallo/Kallak, which would be right in the middle of its winter grazing area.

A mine in the planned location would cut the Jahkagasska tjiellde village into two parts, having "devastating consequences for reindeer husbandry" and pose a threat to the entire Sami culture in the area, the lawyers said in a press release.

A press conference will be called on 15 June by the Sami village in Jokkmokk, where they are expected to describe in more detail how they will proceed.

Kurt Budge, chief executive of Beowulf, said the company "acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands at Kallak, past elders, present and emerging leaders, and we are grateful for the contribution that Sami culture makes to our lives, and wider society" and he had written to the chairman of Jahkagasska tjiellde about building "a framework for ongoing good-faith dialogue" to develop an agreement to establish "mutually agreed terms by which engagement and consultation will take place between us in relation to the Kallak project".

He said: "The evidence in Sweden is that there are many industries that coexist with reindeer herding, mining being just one of them, that Sami culture and livelihoods are protected and wider society benefits. This will be the case at Kallak and good-faith dialogue is the way to proceed."

9.30am: Renalytix diabetic kidney data impresses

Renalytix PLC (AIM:RENX) shares looked healthier in early trading on Friday, up 3.8% to 190p after flagging a 1,112-patient study that demonstrated the benefits of its KidneyIntelX disease test.

Data was presented at American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions showing increased adherence to care guidelines for physicians using KidneyIntelX risk assessment improved outcomes, alleviate patient suffering and reduced the financial burden associated with rapidly progressing chronic kidney disease, the company said.

Before using KidneyIntelX, there was no way to effectively predict which patients with early stage diabetic kidney disease (DKD) were at higher risk for progressive loss of kidney function and kidney failure, said Joji Tokita, MD, clinical director at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, noting that nearly 95% of patients with chronic kidney disease are in stages 1 through 3, but its progression is often asymptomatic until it progresses to end stages and the damage is often irreversible.

"Understanding the clinical utility of diagnostic tools like KidneyIntelX in a real-world setting is critical to increasing access and availability of our testing in the United States," said Renalytix president Tom McLain.

Elsewhere, AEX Gold Inc (AIM:AEXG, TSX-V:AEX) rose even higher, up 4.6% to 46p, as it now signed a non-binding heads of terms to establish a special purpose vehicle and create a joint venture for the exploration and development of its Strategic Mineral assets for a combined contribution of 36.7mln.

Subject to negotiation of the final terms of the JV, partner ACAM will invest 18mln in exchange for a 49% shareholding in the SPV, with AEX holding 51%.

AEX is expected to contribute its non-gold licences as well as a contribution in kind, valued at 18.7mln, in the form of site support, logistics and overhead costs associated with utilizing its existing infrastructure in Southern Greenland to support the JV's activities.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has asked the presidential and governorship candidates of the 18 registered political parties to pick and submit the lists of their running mates in the next eight days.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, said this on Thursday in Abuja at a meeting with the Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs).

This means that the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu; and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and others have about a week more to nominate their vice presidential candidates to the commission.

According to him, while the conventions and primaries of candidates by political parties for the 2023 general elections end on Thursday, the nomination of the candidates and their running mates commenced on Friday and ends a week later.

"For the next one week from tomorrow, 10th June, 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, 17th June.

"For state elections (governorship/deputy governorship and state houses of assembly), the list of candidates shall be uploaded from 1st to 15th July as already provided in the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2023 General Election already released by the Commission," Yakubu said.

He also said that all political parties are required to upload the details of their candidates for each constituency to the INEC Candidate Nomination Portal (ICNP).

The INEC boss said that to achieve this objective, four officials recommended by each of the 18 political parties were trained in the procedure for uploading the nomination forms to the dedicated web portal.

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"Confidential Access Codes to the portal have 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," he said.

He added that the list of all presidential and governorship candidates must be accompanied by the names of their running mates (that is vice presidential and deputy governorship candidates) without which the nomination is invalid, warning that all nominations must be uploaded to the portal on/or before the deadlines.

He said, "All nominations must be uploaded to the portal on/or before the deadlines. The portal will automatically shut down at 6.00pm (1800hrs) on Friday, 17th June 2022 for national elections and 6.00pm (1800hrs) on Friday 15th July 2022 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."

Yakubu said that a nomination centre has been set up at the commission's headquarters to receive and process all nominations by political parties, including dedicated telephone lines to serve as help desk for any party that may need assistance.

Journalists later visited the nomination centre, where the INEC boss said that each of the 18 registered political parties were expected to submit 1,520 nominees or 27,360 total for all the parties.
Lloyds Banking, HSBC and Standard Chartered were all told they need to do better by the Bank of England in its latest tests to measure their financial strength.

Called resolution plans, this latest exercise was to show that if they did fail they could be wound down in an orderly fashion' without the need for a huge taxpayer bailout.

In effect, the test was to prove that shareholders, not taxpayers, would bear the costs if a bank needs rescuing in the future.

That wasnt the case in the financial crash of 2009 when Lloyds and NatWest (then Royal Bank of Scotland) were rescued by the government for huge sums.

Barclays needed Middle East funding to get it out of a hole sparked by the banking crisis following the collapse of Lehman Brothers.

The BoE said it had identified shortcomings in the plans of HSBC, Lloyds and StanChart, with "areas for further enhancement" for six lenders though all of the UK banks looked at passed the test overall.

HSBC was told to take steps to improve the resolvability of its international infrastructure across 64 countries and territories.

The changes that would be required to this infrastructure to support certain restructuring actions, which may be needed in resolution, would be complex, the bank said, adding that the work would be done over a multiyear period.

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: With a gloomy near-term economic outlook, the resolvability test will provide some relief that the UKs key financial players wouldnt cause a disaster if something went very badly wrong.

Its important to recognise this test wasnt carried about because of live fears. It is more a case of good practice and guarding against a repeat of the global financial crisis in which some banks got into trouble and had to be bailed out using taxpayers money.

Share prices moved a little on the news, HSBC Holdings PLC (LSE:HSBA) is the biggest faller, down 1.3%, followed by Standard Chartered, Barclays, Lloyds and Natwest, all down less than 1%.

Dave Ramsden, deputy governor for markets and banking at the Bank of England, said: Safely resolving a large bank will always be a complex challenge so its important that both we and the major banks continue to prioritise work on this issue.
Lelo, a maker of luxury intimate lifestyle products, has dropped plans to float in London and is now reportedly seeking a private buyer instead.

The Stockholm-based sex-toy designer is backed by Chinese private equity investment firm Trustar Capital Partners, and, after a strong pandemic had been tipped to raise funds in a London IPO that wouldve valued the business at around 1bn.

According to a Bloomberg report Lelo has attracted interest from corporate suitors as well as private equity funds.

Whilst the report, citing people familiar with the matter, noted buyer interest it also described that new stock offerings had dried up due to market volatility.

It comes as the sexual wellbeing market is predicted to grow to in excess of US$62.3bn by the end of the decade, Bloomberg noted, and after last years US$1.1bn merger between British adult e-commerce firm Lovehoney and Germany company WOW Tech.

Lelo markets itself as a sexual wellness brand. Its products are presented as high-end and luxurious, with one gold-plated item (Inez) priced at some 10,000 each.
State Street Corporation (NYSE:STT) has denied it is in talks to buy Credit Suisse Group AG (NYSE:CS).

Credit Suisse shares yesterday fell to their lowest levels in more than three decades but steadied later in the day only to dip again when the US asset manager dismissed the story.

The investment bank slid 6.3% to Sfr6.18 immediately on the news, bringing shares close to their lowest level since 1989.

State Street, which first declined to comment on the speculation, later clarified it is not seeking to acquire or merge with Credit Suisse and any market rumours were unfounded.

The US bank appeared to have taken a 7.5% holding in Credit Suisse as of Wednesday, but the stake disappeared on Thursday, and may have been a filing error according to experts.

In a statement, the US firm said, "Although we have a longstanding policy of not commenting on speculation, we believe a response to these reports is now justified."

It noted it was still in the process of completing its US$3.5bn acquisition of Brown Brothers Harriman's custody and asset servicing unit.

Investors appeared to be concerned that it wasn't an outright denial, as shares of the US bank fell and closed Thursday down 1.13% to US$68.14.

State Street's stocks have plummeted about 25% this year due to market volatility, which is hurting its exchange-traded fund business. State Street's asset management unit sponsors the popular SPDR family of ETFs.

Analysts said they saw little benefit in State Street buying Credit Suisse, but suggested a possible combination of the banks' asset management divisions might work.

While State Street Global Advisors specialises in index funds and exchange-traded funds, Credit Suisse Asset Management offers higher-margin active products.

When asked about the rumoured buyout, Credit Suisse chief executive Thomas Gottstein said, "We never comment on rumours. My father once gave me a piece of advice: for really stupid questions, youd rather not comment at all. I will listen to my fathers advice in this instance."

The Swiss bank is reportedly considering removing Gottstein as early as this year as the CEO is said to be losing the confidence of some board members.

Credit Suisse's chairman Antonio Horta-Osorio also stepped down mid-January after he broke the company's own Covid-related travel rules.

Shares tank

Credit Suisse's shares have halved since their peak in March last year, hurt by major financial and reputational losses stemming from the troubles of the Greensill Finance fund and the collapse of Archegos.

The company's two years under the leadership of chief Gottstein have seen the US$5.5bn hit from Archegos, the collapse of partner Greensill, and a string of profit warnings that eroded investor confidence weakened key businesses and prompted an exodus of key employees.

After the Swiss bank gave its sixth profit warning in seven quarters on June 8, its shares plummeted.

The bank expects to lose money both at the group level and at its investment bank in the second quarter.

When chief Gottstein was asked how the bank plans to emerge from three quarters of losses, he said the bank was committed to hitting or potentially coming under its Sfr17bn cost target for the year, and would accelerate some savings initiatives, but would not compromise risk and compliance.

The Swiss bank is also looking to cut headcount across different divisions, including investment banking and wealth management.

Credit Suisse employed more than 50,000 people end-2021.

It recently revamped its top management, announcing that its chief financial officer, legal counsel, and head of Asia would either step down or depart the company.

The global private bank has been undergoing periodic restructuring since the financial crisis a decade ago, but has remained ensnared by litigation and regulatory probes.
Critical Resources Ltd (ASX:CRR) has intersected further high-grade intersections of base and previous metals in sulphide mineralisation during diamond drilling at the Gibson prospect of the Halls Peak Project in New South Wales.

Drill core from hole 16 at Gibsons returned zinc, lead, copper, gold, and silver mineralisation, including:

7.6 metres at 5.9% zinc, 1.16% lead, 0.19% copper, 7.23g/t silver from 62 metres;

3.7 metres at 2.37% zinc, 1.09% lead, 227.33/t silver, 0.31g/t gold from 98.8 metres; and

3.1 metres at 9.21% zinc, 4.66% lead, 1.97% copper, 59.67/t silver, 0.33g/t gold from 163.2 metres.

Hole 16 represents a previously undrilled area, north-east of previous drilling, with highly anomalous base metal mineralisation observed to a depth of 166.3 metres.

Critical believes this evidence of strong mineralisation at depth will continue to expand the potential of the Halls Peak system, which holds a pre-JORC (non-compliant) resource of 227 million tonnes at 9.2% zinc, 3.1% lead, 0.2% copper and 41 g/t silver.

Results reveal previously unknown potential

Further expansion of drilling in the northerly direction at Gibsons with encouraging results is exciting. Delineating high grades at depth demonstrates the previously unknown potential of Halls Peak as a whole, Critical Resources managing director Alex Biggs said.

We are consistently uncovering new mineralisation in multiple directions but are seeing a trend north-westerly from Gibsons.

Drilling at Sunnyside will be commencing in the coming weeks which will further allow us to test scale and continuity of mineralisation along a 1.5-kilometres strike distance. We look forward to keeping the market updated as we progress.

Drill core samples from completed holes 17 and 18 are being assayed at the ALS laboratory in Brisbane, with results to be expected in progressive batch releases.
Malachite and azurite mineralisation at the Mulbangas Copper prospect, along with Pegmatite sample identified in this region.

Eastern Metals Ltd (ASX:EMS) has completed an initial reconnaissance visit ahead of the upcoming work programs planned by the company at the Neutral Junction Station-Barrow Creek area in the Northern Territory.

The purpose of this visit was to reconnoitre soil sampling traverses planned to test for lithium-bearing pegmatites and follow-up anomalous copper trends from the Home of Bullion mine into the tenement package acquired from Bowgan which includes the Mulbangas copper prospect on EL32027.

Notably, Eastern has collected copper-stained samples at surface at Mulbangas, which is 10 kilometres to the northwest of the Home of Bullion copper mine.

Whats more, the company has also identified pegmatites at Neutral Junction Station with mapping planned to identify other pegmatites in this area.

Moving forward, Eastern will kick off resource expansion drilling at the Home of Bullion mine upon receipt of sacred site clearance certificates (SSCC) and drilling rig availability.

Upcoming soil sampling program

Eastern managing director and CEO Wayne Rossiter said: This reconnaissance visit was a key step in the logistical planning for the upcoming soil sampling program and the first time the company has had boots on the ground in the Northern Territory.

We were particularly pleased to find oxide copper mineralisation at the Mulbangas copper prospect along the known copper anomalous trend from the Home of Bullion mine.

We were also pleased to have identified outcropping pegmatites in the region which will form the basis of planned pegmatite mapping and sampling activities.

Home of Bullion mine

Eastern Metals flagship asset in the Northern Territory is the Home of Bullion mine at Barrow Creek on EL23186, which was acquired from Kidman Resources (now owned by Wesfarmers).

It hosts a total identified mineral resource of 2.5 million tonnes averaging 1.8% copper, 2.0% zinc, 36g/t silver, 1.2% lead and 0.14g/t gold.

The Home of Bullion mine is classified as an advanced exploration project under the Valmin Code. Prospect D, which hosts both high-grade copper and nickel intersected in drilling, is also located on the Barrow Creek tenement.

Eastern Metals Barrow Creek - Home of Bullion  Donkey Creek area.

Forward plan

Easterns strategy is to conduct resource expansion drilling on the Home of Bullion mine where the existing resource remains open along strike and dip.

In addition, several potential VMS and other targets exist along trend, principally to the west and northwest of the deposit.

This copper trend continues from the company's existing tenure into the Home of Bullion-Donkey Creek tenement package acquired from Bowgan, which includes the Mulbangas copper prospect.

Eastern Metals is actively reviewing historical exploration information over this area, which lies within the Barrow Creek pegmatite field and is also prospective for gold, silver, REEs and lithium.

Sacred site clearance by the Central Land Council (CLC) on EL23816 was completed in early April and the anthropologist report completed. Issuance of Sacred Site Clearance Certificates (SSCC) is expected in the near future.

The companys mine management plan (MMP) for the Home of Bullion mine has been approved by the NT Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade and revised Environmental Bonds have been lodged.
Skaergaard contains one of the largest palladium and gold deposits outside the major platinum group element-producing areas of Russia and South Afric

Major Precious Metals Corp revealed the final batch of drill results from its 2021 diamond drilling program at the Skaergaard project in Greenland that confirmed grades and widths of gold and palladium mineralization.

Assay results from 32 holes drilled last year supported grades and mineralized lengths for palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt) and gold (Au) in the four main mineralized horizons, the company said in a statement.

The 2021 program was designed to upgrade and expand a May 2021 mineral resource estimate, which outlined indicated resources of 5.5 million palladium equivalent ounces (PdEq) and a further 14.4 million PdEq ounces in the inferred category.

Highlights from the results include 2.5 meters at 2.98 grams per ton (g/t) PdEq, including 0.5m at 7.4 g/t PdEq, and 1.75m at 3.24 g/t PdEq, including 0.75m at 4.73 g/t PdEq.

Results also confirmed precious metal mineralisation in previously untested areas beneath and to the north of the glacier in 14 of the holes, the group told shareholders.

Four holes drilled on the northern plateau area show mineralization which may support the potential for open pit mining, Major Precious Metals added.

CEO Tony Williams told investors that the company was delighted to have all the results back from its extensive 2021 drilling and sampling program.

"Not only do these results give further confirmation of the grades and widths of the palladium and gold-rich stratiform mineralisation which formed the basis for the mineral resource estimate, but importantly the results also affirm the presence of near-surface mineralisation on the previously undrilled northeastern plateau area, and the new drilling outside the inferred mineral resources shows potential for mineral resource expansion.

SLR Consulting Ltd will prepare an updated resource estimate, Williams added, which will then form the basis for a preliminary economic assessment over the coming months.

Palladium resource 'of global significance'

The results also showed a consistent halo of anomalous concentrations of palladium and iron-titanium oxide mineralisation spanning the precious metal-rich stratiform horizons, according to the CEO, which SLR will review for other possible elements for additional metal value credits.

We believe the company already has a palladium and gold-rich mineral resource of global significance, as demonstrated in the current MRE and Report, Williams said.

These latest results reinforce our opinion and pave the way for further Mineral Resource upgrades and expansion."

Skaergaard contains one of the largest palladium and gold deposits outside the major platinum group element-producing areas of Russia and South Africa.

Contact Angela at angela@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow her on Twitter @AHarmantas
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New Delhi, June 10 : Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) alumna Uzma Khan has received offers to pursue fully funded PhD from six prestigious US universities.

She has completed her MSc Electronics course from the Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, JMI, in 2021.

Uzma had applied for 100 per cent fellowships in nine US universities and received offers from six of them. Her research area will be 'Underwater wireless communication and signal processing'.

As per a JMI statement, Uzma has been offered a monthly stipend for on-campus jobs of research and teaching assistant at six US universities, as well as 100 per cent tuition fee waiver.

The names of these universities are -- Lehigh University, University of Cincinnati, University of Maryland at Baltimore County, SUNY (State University of New York) Buffalo, SUNY Albany and University of New Hampshire.

Uzma has chosen Lehigh University and will be joining in August 2022. She has also been awarded a one-time relocation allowance by the university, the JMI statement added.

She said, "I am joining Lehigh University because my educational qualifications and research interest is in coherance with my potential supervisor there." The wireless and signal processing lab she is going to join is conducting cutting-edge research on current and future technologies and will be best suited for her research area - Underwater wireless communication and signal processing, the university statement said.

Uzma became eligible to apply to US universities after securing good scores in IELTS and GRE.

After sending e-mails to professors with whom her research interest coincides, she subsequently qualified technical interviews with a committee of members from the lab and department she wanted to get admitted to, JMI said.

Uzma has also secured first position in her class while pursuing her Masters studies at Jamia and for this she will be awarded a gold medal in the upcoming convocation of the university.

She has also received a provisional offer for 'Inspire Fellowship' by the Department of Science and Technology under the Ministry of Science and Technology. Earlier, she was hired as a systems engineer at TCS and Infosys but she declined the offer as she always knew where her interests lay and that was 'research'.
Washington, June 10 : Three people died and another was critically injured after a shooting broke out in Smithsburg, US state of Maryland, police said.

The incident took place on Thursday afternoon, Xinhua news agency reported.

Officers responded to the Columbia Machine Inc. at around 2:30 p.m, where they found the four victims, the Washington County Sheriff's Office wrote in the latest press release.

The suspect fled the scene prior to law enforcement's arrival. The suspect's vehicle was later encountered by Maryland State Police.

Gunshots were exchanged between the suspect and a trooper, according to the release.

Both were injured and transported for medical treatment.

There is no confirmed active threat to the community in relation to this incident, the release noted.

Multiple federal agencies have responded to assist in the investigation into the incident.

Smithsburg is about 110 kilometres northwest of Washington, D.C.

This is the latest of a series of mass shootings that have rocked the US over the past weeks.

US lawmakers are discussing gun control legislation but whether the talks will bear fruit is unknown.
Lucknow, June 10 : The Uttar Pradesh Police have issued an alert to all district police chiefs to intensify security around mosques for Friday prayers.

The directive comes after the violence in Kanpur on June 3.

According to the official spokesman, Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) has been imposed in Kanpur and Lucknow to prevent public gathering on roads and public places.

Additional Director General (ADG) of Police, Law and Order, Prashant Kumar said police deployment has been done strategically at sensitive and mixed population localities and places of worship across different districts.

The Police officials are in touch with clerics and other group leaders for maintaining peace and communal harmony, he added.

The ADG said special deployment has been made in sensitive districts, including Firozabad, Shamli, Saharanpur, Moradabad, Agra, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, and Lucknow.

He added that the police personnel carried out a riot control drill in some districts, including Firozabad.

Kumar said there was extra alertness in Ayodhya, taking note of the rumours of a 'Bharat Bandh' appeal on June 10 circulated on WhatsApp and other social media platforms.

The ADG said 12 companies of provincial armed constabulary (PAC) are already camping in Kanpur while a few companies have been sent to sensitive districts.

In Kanpur, tight security arrangements were in place with the deployment of 12 companies of the PAC, three additional IPS officers and two companies of the Rapid Action Force.

The Police have constituted a committee to look into cases of alleged false arrests after the June 3 violence in Kanpur.

The committee headed by Joint Commissioner of Police, Anand Prakash Tiwari has three other members -- DCPs Pramod Kumar, BBTGS Murthy and ACP Mohd Akmal Khan.

In the last four days, the police arrested 54 people and were making efforts to establish the identity of at least 600 others allegedly involved in the Kanpur clashes.

A Special Investigation Team had also been formed to examine video and CCTV footages of the violence.

Kanpur Shahar Qazi, Saqib Adeeb Misbahi has appealed to the people saying, "Communal harmony and peace are paramount. If the community members have any grievances, they should come to me and I would take it up with the authorities." The Sunni Ulema Council has also appealed to the Muslims to go home straight away after the Friday prayers and cross-check information in case of any rumours.

"A lot of wrong information is in circulation, do not believe until you have cross-checked it," said Haji Salees, Convener of the Council.

In Lucknow, leaders of some Hindu right-wing groups were placed under house arrest as a precautionary measure.
South Africa: Harmony Gold employees donate R1m to KZN flood relief efforts

KwaZulu-Natal Premier, Sihle Zikalala, has welcomed a R1 million donation from Harmony Gold Mining employees to assist the province in responding to the recent floods that left over 7 600 people homeless.

The donations, including 200 mattresses, 283 blankets, 130 pillows, 242 fitted sheets, clothes, toiletries, groceries valued at R400 000, and a R600 000 cheque were handed over today by the global mining companys Executive Director, Mashego Mashego, on Friday.

This comes after Harmony Gold Mining chairperson, Patrice Motsepe, visited KwaZulu-Natal a few days after the devastating floods.

Zikalala said the provincial government is hard at work to improve the living conditions of the people of KwaZulu-Natal, despite the setbacks suffered by the province due to COVID-19, the devastating riots in July 2021, and the floods.

We are inspired by the support from Harmony Gold Mining employees and various stakeholders... during this time. We also acknowledge the help our province has received from the Motsepe Foundation in the form of the R30 million donation used towards the burial of flood victims.

All the resources allocated for flood relief, as well as the recovery and rebuilding process, will be used in line with fiscal rectitude, accountability, transparency and openness. The Department of Social Development will coordinate the relief support, working with NGOs, to ensure that all shelters receive support, Zikalala said.

Zikalala said any monetary donations will go to the account of the provincial government, which is managed by Treasury [and] will be fully accounted and audited.

Speaking after the handing over of the flood relief donations at the Department of Public Works in Mayville, Mashego said the devastating floods "touched Harmony Gold Mining Company employees and they also wanted to lend a helping hand by contributing towards the relief".

The effects of natural disasters continue to be felt long after they have occurred. That is the reason we are here with donations that have been contributed by Harmony Gold employees across all our operations, in response to a call to assist.

The total contribution from the Harmony Gold family amounts to R1 million, with our employees donating blankets, bed linen, groceries, water, toiletries and shoes amounting to R400 000. The company is also donating a cheque of R600 000 towards the relief, Mashego said.

Mashego also commended Zikalala for his leadership role and being on the ground during the floods in order to assist affected people.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-06-10. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Consecutive bumper harvests ensure China's grain security

Xinhua) 14:09, June 10, 2022

BEIJING, June 10 (Xinhua) -- In a vast cornfield in northeast China's Jilin Province, rows of corn seedlings mixed with shredded corn stalks push their way through the soil.

Meanwhile, rumbling farming machines also shuttle back and forth across the field, while simultaneously uploading land monitoring data.

China planted 940 million mu (about 63 million hectares) of grain this spring, and strenuous efforts are being made nationwide to guarantee the country's grain security.

In 2021, China's grain output reached nearly 683 billion kg, up 15.82 percent from 2012, marking a bumper harvest for the 18th year in a row.

"China's overall grain output continues to increase. With favorable policies and measures, the country can essentially ensure grain security," said Hu Bingchuan, a researcher with the Rural Development Institute of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

At an agricultural machinery warehouse in Chenjiadian Village of Nong'an County in Jilin, a high-horsepower tractor with tyres almost as tall as a full-grown adult stands out from the rest.

"This type of tractor with deeper ploughs can leave corn stalks in soil layers 40 cm underground, increasing soil organic matter and allowing the corn roots to dig deeper," said Chen Zhongguo, head of Zhongyi agricultural machinery cooperative, which owns the warehouse.

The efficient farming method can save more than 200 kg of fertilizer per hectare on average and increase grain production by more than five percent, Chen added.

The practice of "cultivating while conserving" in Chenjiadian also gives a glimpse into China's approaches to arable land management.

The fertile black soil, mainly found in China's northeastern provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning, produces over one-fifth of the country's total grain output, playing a significant role in ensuring grain security.

Over the past decade, China has taken a slew of measures to protect the black soil, also dubbed the "rice bowl field," which has lead to significant improvement in soil quality.

Moreover, advances in agricultural science and technology have also helped safeguard grain security, making grain storage smart and efficient and helping seeds sprout up in harsh conditions.

With the help of new seed breeding technology, the contribution rate of improved seeds to China's grain production growth exceeded 45 percent, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

China is stepping up the development of its seed industry, with the number of national seed breeding and production bases in the country increasing to 216. These hubs breed or produce seeds for grain, cotton, oil, and sugar, among others.

The country is also rolling out support measures such as agricultural supplies subsidies and grain procurement to keep grain-growers motivated.

Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the world's largest grain producer and third-largest grain exporter, China's grain security is also of global significance.

In the past ten years, Chinese hybrid rice varieties have been widely planted in dozens of countries and regions in Asia, Africa and America. Their average yield per hectare is about two tonnes higher than that of local premium varieties.

According to a recent report on China's agricultural outlook for 2022 to 2031, in the next decade, China's self-sufficiency rate for grains will increase to about 88 percent.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu)
analysis

Legally, SA's energy regulator, Nersa, is obliged to approve annual electricity increases, but the method that the regulator uses to do this 'does not comply with legislation', an advocate for two business chambers argues.

Two business chambers have asked the Gqeberha High Court to set aside the methodology followed by the National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa) in fixing annual electricity price increases.

The application has been brought by the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber and the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Business against Eskom, Nersa and the City of Johannesburg.

Advocate Matthew Chaskalson SC, for Eskom, said his client was more of a "surrogate applicant" as it supported the application by the two business chambers.

Advocate Andrew Breitenbach SC said their argument is that Nersa does not consider the cost of supplying electricity or the efficiencies or inefficiencies in the municipal supply structures. Instead, Nersa based its guidelines for tariff increases on averages and norms "regardless of actual costs".

Breitenbach said that legally, Nersa is obliged to approve annual electricity increases, but the method that the regulator uses to do this "does not comply with legislation".

He said that by law municipalities can include a recovery of the cost...
Meerut : , June 10 (IANS) An Army Major has been accused of cutting his wife's finger demanding dowry from her in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut district.

The Major's wife, who is in her early 30s, approached police with the finger injury and alleged that her husband has been harassing her "mentally and physically" for dowry since 2014 when they got married. The couple have a five-year-old son.

The accused Major is posted with the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers at 510 Army Base in Meerut, Chandrakant Meena, Meerut Additional Superintendent of Police, said that orders have been issued to book the accused for domestic abuse and press dowry harassment charges as well.

D.S. Rawat, Station House Officer at Sadar Bazaar police station, Meerut, said that an FIR has already been lodged in the matter.

He, however, refused to divulge the IPC sections under which the accused has been booked. Further probe is underway, he added.

The accused Army Major could not be contacted despite several attempts.

The complainant, whose father is a retired Indian Navy officer, has shared video clips of her ordeal with people in the hospital where she went after the injury.

The woman's father has written a letter to the President demanding strict action against the accused.

"The police initially advised me not to file a case in the matter. Instead of lodging an FIR, cops persuaded us to reach a compromise with the accused," he told reporters.
Jaipur, June 10 : An advocate Hansraj Malviya (40) died in Sikar district of Rajasthan after he self immolated himself protesting alleged harassment by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), police said.

The lawyer was taken to a hospital but succumbed to his death.

As per police officials, he immolated himself on Thursday and then tried to barge into SDM Rakesh Kumar's cabin to drag him from his seat.

Therefore, Kumar also sustained injuries in his fingers.

The Rajasthan High Court Bar Association has demanded the arrest and suspension of all officials responsible for Malviya's death.

The Jaipur District Bar Association has announced boycotting of work on Friday.

As per District Bar Association President Sunil Sharma, "Hansraj Mavliya was harassed by officials and he died in SMS hospital in Jaipur. We will not attend judicial work on Friday as this is a reprehensible incident."
Kabul, June 10 : The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan announced that work on the TAPI, or the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India, Pipeline project will resume within four months.

In a statement, Esmatullah Burhan, spokesman of the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum (MoMP), said land acquisition was an obstacle that had delayed the implementation of the project so far, reports TOLO News.

"There is no problem about the procedure. Around 15 per cent of the procedure remains, which is a technical process that will be solved soon," he said.

The Ministry of Economy said the project will help in the development of the Afghan economy.

"The TAPI project is considered one of the important projects to boost the economy. The implementation of this project will cause further political and security cooperation in the region, particularly among these four countries," said Habib Rahman, a spokesman for the Ministry.

The proposal of the TAPI Project was made in the 1990s but for several reasons, including long-time conflicts, it is yet to be implemented, TOLO News reported.

In 2018 the practical work on TAPI started, but it was again postponed due to unknown reasons.

The TAPI gas pipeline is planned to span 1,680 km and connect Afghanistan's Herat and Kandahar provinces with Pakistan and India.
Bengaluru, June 10 : The Karnataka Police have nabbed a gang of three HIV-infected chain snatchers, who had entered into physical relation with the several sex workers in Bengaluru, police said on Friday.

The investigations have revealed that the accused persons in the age group of 20-30 years, despite being infected with HIV, established physical relations with sex workers without their knowledge. During the probe, the accused revealed they had visited around 90 sex workers.

The jurisdictional Jayanagar police have said a search has been launched to track and identify the affected women.

The accused chain snatchers have been identified by the police.

The police have seized 140 grams of six gold chains and two bikes from the accused. On May 26, the gang snatched a gold chain from a woman, named Nitya in the Jayanagar police station limits.

The investigating officers tracked CCTV, mobile phone calls and finally nabbed the snatchers near Magadi. The police tracked more than 2,000 calls and worked for a long time to track the accused chain snatchers, police said.

The accused are habitual offenders and targeted lonely women wearing gold chains and committed the snatching in isolated places.

As per the police, the youths had met in the Central Prison of Parappana Agrahara in Bengaluru some time ago where they hit upon the idea of forming a gang.

After coming out from the prison, they took to chain snatching as a gang. They sold gold the chains and spent all the money on sex workers and other luxuries. Further investigation is on.
Kiev, June 10 : Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a decree imposing personal sanctions on his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and a number of other high-ranking officials in Moscow.

The decree signed on Thursday came in approval of a decision taken by the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, reports Ukrayinska Pravda.

The sanctions list comprise a total of 35 Russian figures, and some of the important ones include Secretary of Russia's Security Council Nikolai Patrushev, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Sanctions include bans on entry to Ukraine; revocation of visas and permits; revocation of state awards of Ukraine; revocation of all issued licences and permits; blocking of financial assets; and a ban on transportation of property belonging to the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine.

In addition, Zelensky also signed a decree imposing sanctions on Russian universities and their leaders.

The list includes, in particular, Moscow State University named after Mikhail Lomonosov, Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Saint Petersburg State University and National Research University Higher School of Economics.

In total, 236 Russian universities were included in the list, Ukrayinska Pravda reported.

Ukrainian educational, cultural and state institutions must sever all ties and agreements concluded with Russian universities listed by the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
Seoul, June 10 : South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol will attend a NATO summit in Spain later this month, becoming the first ever head of state from Seoul to be in attendance, a government official said on Friday.

The summit is scheduled to be held in Madrid on June 29 and 30, and this will be Yoon's first overseas trip since taking office, reports Yonhap News Agency.

"The President's attendance at the NATO summit will be his first overseas trip since taking office and will be an important opportunity to strengthen cooperation with NATO allies and partners to maintain the values- and rules-based international order, and to expand our country's role as a global pivotal nation," the official told reporters.

During the summit, Yoon will attend a session with the 30 NATO members and partner nations, such as Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Finland, Ukraine, Georgia and the European Union.

He also plans to hold multiple bilateral summits with the leaders of "key European nations" on the sidelines, the official said without elaborating.

On a summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, which has been widely reported as a possibility, the official declined to comment, citing the sensitivity of ongoing discussions.

If realized, it would be the first summit between the two countries in over two years amid a protracted dispute over historical issues stemming from Tokyo's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.

When asked about a potential meeting with Ukrainian officials, the official said the possibility remains open.

The NATO summit is expected to set the direction of the military alliance over the next decade as member states deal with Russia's war in Ukraine and other global issues.

Yoon's participation will be at the official invitation of NATO.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
Washington, June 10 : Former US President Donald Trump has been accused of an "attempted coup" for orchestrating the January 6, 2021, Capitol Hill riot, a House select committee investigating the insurrection heard during its first public hearing.

On Thursday night, two panel members delivered opening remarks while presenting the findings of its year-long investigation, including previously unseen material documenting the event, reports Xinhua news agency.

The panel, which includes seven House Democrats and two Republicans, also called two witnesses, including Caroline Edwards, the first police officer injured in the attack.

Edwards testified that she was called a "traitor" and a "dog" by the rioters before she was knocked unconscious.

It was one of a series of hearings set to be televised throughout the month to show the public what investigators have uncovered about the Capitol riot.

Democrat Bennie Thompson, the select committee's chairman, told the hearing: "January 6 was the culmination of an attempted coup, a brazen attempt, as one writer put it shortly after Jan 6, to overthrow the government.

"The violence was no accident. It was Trump's last stand." In her remarks, Liz Cheney, the Republican vice-chair of the committee, said that Trump had "lit the flame of this attack", the BBC reported.

"Those who invaded our Capitol and battled law enforcement for hours were motivated by what President Trump had told them: that the election was stolen and that he was the rightful President.

"President Trump summoned the mob, assembled the mob and lit the flame of this attack," she was quoted as saying.

Footage of a testimony by former US Attorney General Bill Barr was also aired, in which he said Trump's claims that the 2020 presidential election was stolen were "baseless".

"We can't live in a world where the incumbent administration stays in power based on its view, unsupported by specific evidence, that there was fraud in the election," the BBC quoted Barr was saying.

Meanwhile, Trump's allies and supporters have charged the inquiry as a political "witch hunt" designed to tar the former President and the Republican Party.

Earlier, Trump had dismissed it as a "political hoax".

On January 6, 2021, thousands of individuals, mostly Trump supporters, stormed the Capitol in Washington, D.C. and disrupted a joint session of Congress in the process of affirming the 2020 presidential election results.

Approximately 140 police officers were assaulted in the Capitol attack -- 80 US Capitol Police and 60 from the Metropolitan Police Department.

Authorities have linked five deaths to the mayhem. Four officers who responded to the attack reportedly committed suicide within the next several months.

The worst attack on Congress in more than 200 years, the siege led to Trump's second impeachment by the House shortly, with barely a week left in his presidency.

They accused him of inciting insurrection, but he was acquitted in the Senate.
Bengaluru, June 10 : Major political parties in Karnataka are planning strategies to ensure victory of their respective candidates in the four Rajya Sabha seats of the state, polling for which got underway at 9 a.m on Friday.

While the ruling BJP could win two seats, opposition Congress is likely to bag one. There is tough competition for the fourth seat among all the three parties -- ruling BJP, opposition Congress and regional party JD(S).

Congress State Unit President D.K. Shivakumar stated on Friday that his party is focused on getting all the votes of its MLAs. "The JD(S) leaders are trying to contact our legislators. They should know how the Congress has helped them," he said.

Union Finance Minister Niramala Sitharaman, actor-turned politician Jaggesh from BJP and former Union minister Jairam Ramesh from Congress are likely to win easily. Mansoor Ali Khan from Congress, Kupendra Reddy from JD (S) and Lehar Singh from BJP are contesting for the fourth seat.

The JD(S) and Congress leaders indulged in verbal duel in connection with withdrawing their candidates from the elections. Opposition leader Siddaramaiah had even written to all JD (S) MLAs to support the Congress candidate.

Siddaramaiah claimed that Congress had helped JD (S) supremo H.D. Deve Gowda to become the Prime Minister and also made his son H.D. Kumaraswamy, Chief Minister in JD (S)-Congress coalition government. He also stressed that to defeat the communal BJP by supporting the Congress candidate.

Siddaramaiah had also appealed JD (S) MLAs to cast vote based on their conscience.

Sources in the party say that there are high chances of cross voting in the elections and surprise results will come out with regard to the election of the fourth candidate. Ruling BJP is hoping to get the benefit of JD (S) and Congress bickering and ensure winning of its candidate for this seat.

JD (S) party leader Deve Gowda though tried to get Congress support, his attempts remained futile, according to sources. BJP had given training for its MLAs to ensure that no vote goes waste.

As there are high chances of cross voting, the party leaders are monitoring the movements of MLAs. However, since it is not a secret ballot, the cross-voting will be known on the spot.

The elections will be held in Vidhana Soudha Room Number 106 between 9 am to 4 pm. The counting of votes would begin by 5 pm. The ruling BJP has strength of 122 MLA's, Congress has 70 and JD (S) has 32.
San Francisco, June 10 : Twitter co-founder and Block CEO Jack Dorsey on Friday partnered with artist Shawn Carter, popularly known as Jay-Z, to launch The Bitcoin Academy -- an educational initiative in New York.

The initiative is a 12-week free educational course, both online and in person, for residents of the Marcy Houses in Brooklyn, where Jay-Z grew up, starting from June 22 till September 7.

The programme, designed in collaboration with Crypto Blockchain Plug and Black Bitcoin Billionaire, aims to provide education, and empower the community with knowledge.

"Mr Shawn Carter and I are funding The #Bitcoin Academy, a programme for residents of Marcy Houses in Brooklyn, New York where Jay grew up," Dorsey shared in a tweet.

"Education is where we start. This isn't just about bitcoin...it's about long-term thinking, local economies, and self-confidence," he added.

According to the academy, the in-person classes will take place two evenings per week and dinner will be served. People participating in the programme will also be provided with MiFi devices and a one-year limited data plan, plus smartphones if needed.

For children and teenagers aged 5-17, a separate "Crypto Kids Camp" will take place on two Saturdays.

"Shout out to @Jack. #Bitcoin Academy, starting in Marcy, a place that taught me so much, is hopefully the first of many. The simple goal is to provide people tools to build independence for themselves and then the community around them," Carter said in a tweet.

The academy said the programme aims to provide education, empower the community with knowledge, and get rid of some of the barriers so that residents can learn more about Bitcoin specifically and finance in general.

"Bitcoin is becoming a critical tool for many in Africa and Central and South America," Dorsey tweeted.

"We believe the same potential exists within communities in the US. Our goal is to prove that making powerful tools more available to people enables them to build greater independence," he added.

Further, the academy stated it aims to spread the initiative to more neighbourhoods in the US.

Dorsey and Jay-Z are longtime collaborators and Bitcoin evangelists. Besides working on TIDAL, which Jay-Z sold to Dorsey, the duo deployed a 500 BTC investment together last year with an emphasis on developing the cryptocurrency's popularity in India and Africa, the TechCrunch reported.

The academy will function day-to-day with the help of a small staff at the Shawn Carter Foundation, led by Jay-Z's mother Gloria Carter as co-founder and CEO.

"The Shawn Carter Foundation has always been about providing educational access and opening doors of opportunity to underserved communities," Carter said in a statement. "Everyone should be empowered to make informed financial decisions in order to take care of themselves and their families."
Washington, June 10 : The next-generation and powerful James Webb telescope was hit by space debris called micrometeoroid, leading to a "marginally detectable effect in the data" but has suffered no damage, according to NASA.

Since its launch on December 25 last year, the Webb telescope faced four smaller measurable micrometeoroid strikes. However, this most recent "impact was larger than was modelled, and beyond what the team could have tested on the ground", NASA officials wrote in a blogpost.

"Between May 23 and 25, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope sustained an impact to one of its primary mirror segments. After initial assessments, the team found the telescope is still performing at a level that exceeds all mission requirements despite a marginally detectable effect in the data," the blogpost read.

"Since launch, we have had four smaller measurable micrometeoroid strikes that were consistent with expectations and this one more recently that is larger than our degradation predictions assumed," said Lee Feinberg, Webb optical telescope element manager at NASA Goddard.

Micrometeoroid strikes are an unavoidable aspect of operating any spacecraft, which routinely sustain many impacts over the course of long and productive science missions in space.

While Webb is no different, such events were anticipated when building and testing the telescope's mirror on the ground. Webb's mirror has been engineered to withstand bombardment from the micrometeoroid environment at its orbit around Sun-Earth L2 of dust-sized particles flying at extreme velocities.

"We always knew that Webb would have to weather the space environment, which includes harsh ultraviolet light and charged particles from the Sun, cosmic rays from exotic sources in the galaxy, and occasional strikes by micrometeoroids within our solar system," said Paul Geithner, technical deputy project manager at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

"We designed and built Webb with performance margin, optical, thermal, electrical, mechanical, to ensure it can perform its ambitious science mission even after many years in space," he added.

Further, NASA said that the recent hit was not a result of a meteor shower and is currently considered an "unavoidable chance event".

Feinberg said that occasional micrometeoroid impacts are expected to "gracefully degrade telescope performance over time".

As a result, the agency has formed a specialised team of engineers to look at ways to mitigate the effects of further micrometeoroid hits of this scale.

Meanwhile, NASA also stated that the recent impact "caused no change to Webb's operations schedule". NASA expects to unveil the first science-quality images from the telescope on July 12, and also start science operations.

The $10 billion Webb telescope, which is an international programme led by NASA, European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency, will explore every phase of cosmic history, from within our solar system to the most distant observable galaxies in the early universe.
Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane's tweet after news broke that President Cyril Ramaphosa had, in accordance with section 194 (3)(a) of the Constitution, decided to suspend her with immediate effect.

analysis

While the optics of President Cyril Ramaphosa's suspension of Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane on Thursday -- a day after she announced she would be investigating #CouchGate -- may not look good from any angle, the decision is not unexpected.

On Thursday evening, the President's Office announced that Ramaphosa had, "in accordance with section 194 (3)(a) of the Constitution", decided to suspend Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane with immediate effect.

Mkhwebane's non-renewable term was due to end in October 2023 and she had vowed earlier to serve out her contract. After news broke of her suspension, she tweeted: "Exodus 14:14 The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest."

Oksalayo this battle is the Lord's. Exodus 14:14 The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace and remain at rest. -- Adv Busisiwe Mkhwebane (@AdvBMkhwebane) June 9, 2022

Like Arthur Fraser, former State Security boss and later National Commissioner of Correctional Services, the President provided Mkhwebane with a longish rope.

In March 2022, after confirmation by the Speaker of the National Assembly that the Section 194 committee had announced it was to continue with its impeachment inquiry into Mkhwebane's fitness for office,...
Jerusalem, June 10 : Israel's Ministry of Health has reported the country's fourth case of monkeypox.

The infected is a 28-year-old man who recently returned from abroad and arrived at the Sheba Medical Centre in central Israel with symptoms of the viral disease, according to the Ministry.

A clinical sample was later tested at the Israel Institute for Biological Research, where the suspicion of monkeypox was verified, Xinhua news agency quoted the Ministry as saying.

The previous three cases of monkeypox in Israel have been detected since May 21, all of whom are men in their 30s.

The Ministry again called on those who developed fever and blistering rash and returned from abroad or were near a person who is suspected of being infected to see a doctor.

Monkeypox is common in wild animals like rodents and primates, and can also infect humans.

Symptoms of the disease include skin rashes, fever, headache, muscle ache, backache, swollen lymph nodes, chills and exhaustion.

The rash eventually forms scabs, which later falls off, indicating that the person is no longer infectious.

Latest updates on Monkeypox Virus Outbreak
New Delhi, June 10 : Emergency services were briefly disrupted at a hospital in the national capital after a quarrel ensued over an ECG test being conducted in an inappropriate manner, an official said on Friday.

According to the official, a PCR call regarding the quarrel at Madan Mohan Malviya hospital was received at Malviya Nagar police station on Thursday after which the police staff immediately rushed to the spot.

When the police reached the said hospital, the caller, a woman from Panchsheel Vihar, said that there was a dispute over conducting ECG.

"She stated that she got an electric shock during the day time and came to the hospital for medical treatment. The doctor advised her to get the ECG test conducted. While the ECG was being conducted the male nurse asked her to remove cloth near her heart area, she misunderstood this and got angry," Deputy Commissioner of Police Benita Mary Jaiker said.

It is at this juncture, the woman along with her husband started shouting and other patients also gathered. "A PCR call was made regarding obstructing and closing of emergency services," the senior official said.

The agitated woman then told the police that she would give her written complaint in the morning and left from there. The Chief Medical Officer of the hospital also confirmed that the dispute was regarding ECG.

"The emergency services are running smoothly. Legal action will be taken if any complaint is received," the official added.
Kiev, June 10 : An aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the country is losing upto 200 troops a day while fighting on the front line with Russian forces.

According to the aide Mykhaylo Podolyak, hundreds of Ukrainian troops are under relentless bombardment as Russian forces attempt to take control of the whole of th eastern Donbas region, the BBC reported on Friday.

While reiterating that Ukraine still requires Western artillery, he said: "The Russian forces have thrown pretty much everything non-nuclear at the front and that includes heavy artillery, multiple rocket launch systems and aviation." Podolyak added that the "complete lack of parity" between the two rival armies was the reason for Ukraine's heavy casualty rate.

"Our demands for artillery are not just some kind of whim, but an objective need when it comes to the situation on the battlefield," the BBC quoted the aide as saying, who went on to add that Kiev needs 150-300 rocket launch systems to match Russia, which is a much higher number than it has received so far.

He also stressed that peace talks between Kiev and Moscow can resume if Russia surrendered the territory it has gained since it launched the invasion on February 24.

Meanwhile, Russian forces have concentrated their assault on the eastern city of Severodonetsk.

On Wednesday, President Zelensky said "the fate of the Donbas is being decided there" and officials said it has been reduced to rubble by intense Russian artillery and missile barrages.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
Hyderabad, June 10 : A house was destroyed when an electric bike caught fire while it was kept on charging in Telangana's Siddipet district.

There were no casualties. The incident occurred in Chikoda village of Dubbaka mandal in the early hours of June 8.

Lakshmi Narayana, who had purchased a bike about six months ago, had parked it at his neighbour's house and kept in on charging before going to bed.

He woke up to the sound of an explosion and came out to see his neighbour's house in flames. The bike reportedly caught fire after the explosion and soon it spread to the entire house, reducing it to ashes.

A tragedy was averted as there was no one in the house. As the house owner Durgaiah lives in Hyderabad, Lakshmi Narayana with his permission had kept few of his belongings there and had also kept the electric vehicle on charging when the mishap occurred.

Laksmi Narayana, who runs a beedi manufacturing unit, had purchased an electric bike six months ago due to increasing prices of fuel.

This is the latest in a series of incidents of electric bikes going up in flames while charging.

An electric bike burst into flames in Hyderabad on May 11. There were no casualties.

A man was killed and three others injured when the battery of an electric two-wheeler exploded in their house at Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh on April 23.

Earlier on April 19, an 80-year-old died and two others injured when an electric bike kept on charging burst into flames when they were asleep at their house in Telangana's Nizamabad town.

Concerned over the increasing incidents of electric two-wheelers catching fire, the Centre recently formed an expert panel to inquire into the matter.

Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari said in April that action will be taken against those companies found guilty of negligence. He also said that a recall of all defective vehicles will be ordered after receiving the report from the expert committee.
Sanaa, June 10 : Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi said his group now has "home-grown" ballistic missiles that can penetrate US-made defensce systems owned by the Saudi-led coalition.

"We now possess high-precision missiles that can cruise very long distances, and the new American system has failed to intercept them," Xinhua news agency quoted the Houthi chief as saying while addressing a gathering.

In January, the Houthis claimed they launched several rounds of missile and drone attacks against targets in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which is more than 2,000 km away from Yemen.

The attacks prompted fears that the militia group owns more powerful missiles that can reach further targets.

The UAE, which has played a big role in the coalition, said its US-made Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) had successfully intercepted most of the Houthi missiles.

Al-Houthi also accused the Saudi-led coalition and the Yemeni government of continuing to "stockpile munitions to stoke more tension in the phase", despite a nationwide truce in place in the war-torn country.

The UN-brokered ceasefire went into effect on April 2, marking the first major breakthrough in years to end the war that has killed tens of thousands of people and pushed Yemen to the brink of starvation.

So far, the truce has been largely held, but the warring parties often trade accusations of breaches.

Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Houthi militia seized control of several northern provinces and forced the internationally recognized government out of the capital Sanaa.

Saudi Arabia has been leading an Arab military coalition that intervened in 2015 to support the Yemeni government.

The UAE is part of the Saudi-led coalition.
For the past fortnight the largest minority in the country has been put at unease due to a controversy that is not political but religious in nature. The incident is related to controversial remarks made by some ambitious politicians, trying to get noticed by their party's leadership for creating a surcharged and divisive atmosphere in the country on religious lines.

The unpleasant remarks against the most venerated personality in the Islamic community affronted the Muslims not just in India but also globally. The establishment in a hurried response had to heed to the international outcry in a crisis mode.

Instead of adopting a mature and sensible strategy to handle the crisis and assuage the hurt feelings of the largest minority community of the country, the media and politicians tried to portray these remarks as non-consequential and as a litmus test for the minority's followers and refused to apologize till the courts stepped in.

Common Muslim's Unease Still worse, the controversy also exposed the common Muslim's inability to explain their history in a logical and contextual manner. Everyone from the common Muslim to its religious leaders was mum, as they couldn't counter the controversy in a contextual manner. Let's try to analyse the controversy and what would have been a better strategy to handle the currently volatile situation and the response by the Muslim community.

It all started by derogatory remarks made by two former spokespersons of the ruling-BJP party against Prophet Muhammad , the most venerated personality amongst Muslims, blaming that he married Hazrat Bibi Aisha (RA), who was only six-years old, when married and nine-years old when the marriage was consummated, while the Holy Prophet was in his 50s.

Notwithstanding the age difference, as perceived by the current generation's mindset, it is worth mentioning that when the marriage proposal was put forward to Hazrat Abu Bakr, by Hazrat Khoula, he pointed out that Aisha's marriage was already fixed with the son of Muta'im bin Jubair. But when he talked to Muta'im bin Jubair, Muta'im said that since Abu Bakr has forsaken his ancestors' religion, he couldn't marry his son with Aisha. Abu Bakr then accepted the proposal brought by Hazrat Khoula.

Historical context Before we analyse the response of the Muslim community and its leaders to these remarks, let's have a brief look at the current situation of girls and women in other religions and what is the minimum age prescribed in their scriptures.

Myriam Francois-Cerrah in her article written for The Guardian in 2012 on the issue opines that western and now even India media base their criticism on a saying attributed to Bibi Aisha herself (Sahih Bukhari volume 5, book 58, number 3894), and the debate on this issue is further complicated by the fact that some Muslims believe this to be a historically accurate account, and indeed it is. But before leveling charges we should also analyse the reasoning or motive behind this action.

She points out that, in seventh-century Arabia, adulthood was defined as the onset of puberty. (This much is true, and was also the case in Europe: five centuries after Prophet Muhammad's, marriage to Aisha, 33-year-old King John of England married 12-year-old Isabella of Angouleme). Interestingly, of the many criticisms of Prophet Muhammad, made at the time by his opponents, none focused on Aisha's age at marriage, as that was the norm during those days.

At the age of 25 Prophet Muhammad married his first wife Khadija bint Khuwaylid, who was a widow 15 years older to him. This marriage lasted for 25 years. He married her to encourage widow remarriage and care for destitute women in the emerging Muslim society, which was not a usual practice in that age.

After Bibi Khadija's death in 619 CE, he married a total of 12 women over the remaining years of his life. All of Prophet Muhammad's wives were widows, with the exception of Aisha.

Italian Orientalist Laura Veccia Vaglieri in her book, "An Interpretation Of Islam" writes that Prophet Muhammad was a faithful husband to Bibi Khadija for 25 years, and did not marry another woman, except after her death. He at that time was 50 years old. He married each of his wives thereafter for a social or political purpose; such that he wanted to honour the pious women, or wanted the loyalty of certain tribes so that Islam would spread amongst them. All the wives Muhammad married were not virgin, nor were they young or beautiful. So how can anyone claim that he was a lustful man? Other religions' views

Hallett JP in her book "Fathers and daughters in Roman society in Rome" (1984), wrote that noble women in Rome or earlier Christianity were known to marry as young as 12 years of age.

The Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics mentions Manusmriti, in this regard explained by other authorities in (verses 9.88-89), Gautama (18-21): "A girl should be given in marriage before puberty." and Vasistha (17.70): "Out of fear of the appearance of the menses, let the father marry his daughter while she still runs about naked. For if she stays in the home after the age of puberty, sin falls on the father." But this leads us to another issue to ponder. This relates to the physical and physiological status of our ancestors. Several scientific reports mention that our ancestors were much superior and stronger in physical health and structure to the current generation of Homo Sapiens, and thus the girls attained puberty much earlier than as of now. Even recently there were some medical reports mentioning that girls currently reach puberty at around 13, much earlier than our and previous generation.

This whole episode teaches us to adopt a sincere and respectful attitude for different religions of the world in today's global village based on tolerance and coexistence and respect for others' religion, and avoid unfounded allegations. Instead these two people, though correctly mentioned the fact, but they made the remarks in such a derogatory and foul language that the Muslims all across the world were bound to feel hurt and demand action against them.

First, these people should have not adopted such an incourteous behaviour and secondly, the Muslims should have seen through their game that by using derogatory and foul language, these fringe elements were trying to provoke them and reap political benefit by unsettling them and gain political mileage, at their cost. Also these offenders didn't anticipate the strong international condemnation.

Additionally, since the day this controversy started no Muslim leader worth his salt has spoken candidly or correctly against these derogatory remarks. Even Muslim members of most political parties kept mum, except two regional political parties and one individual leader. This teaches us yet again the lesson to be proactive and logic-oriented in our response instead of just being emotional.

(Asad Mirza is a political commentator based in New Delhi. He writes on Muslims, educational, international affairs, interfaith and current affairs)
New Delhi, June 10 : Delhi Police have arrested 30 AIMIM party workers under various charges, including rioting, during a protest against suspended Bharatiya Janata Party leaders who had allegedly made controversial remarks against Prophet Mohammed, an official said on Friday.

The protests were held in the national capital on Thursday.

An FIR was lodged against the protesters and they were accordingly arrested under sections 147 (Punishment for rioting), 149 (Every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence commitAted in prosecution of common object), 186 (Obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 353 (Assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 332 (Voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty) and 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code.

"They will be shortly produced before a court," the official sources said.

Several members of the AIMIM party had gathered outside the Parliament Street police station to register their protest against the suspended BJP leaders -- Nupur Sharma and Naveen K. Jindal -- over their derogatory comments against Prophet Mohammed.

The protesters demanded immediate arrest of the abovementioned BJP leaders. But as they raised slogans outside the Parliament Street police station, the police detained 33 of the protesters and took them to the Mandir Marg police station.

Pertinent to mention here that an FIR was also lodged against AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and several others for hate remarks in the backdrop of suspended BJP leaders' comments.

"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. One case has been registered against Nupur Sharma and another one has been registered against multiple social media entities based on the analysis. Notices will be sent to the social media intermediaries for the details," Delhi Police PRO Suman Nalwa had said on Thursday.
Islamabad, June 10 : The opposition Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) has demanded an investigation after a key figure in the Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) 16 billion PKR money laundering case against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son Punjab Chief Minister Hamza Shehbaz died in Dubai "under mysterious circumstances".

The PTI has demanded an independent investigation to ascertain the real cause the death of Malik Maqsood Ahmad, a former employee of the Sharifs, as well as into the passing of FIA investigator Dr Muhammad Rizwan, reports Dawn news.

Rizwan, 47, was the FIA Lahore director who reportedly died of a heart attack last month. He had proceeded on a long leave just before the formation of the PMLN-led coalition government and was later transferred from his office.

Ahmad, 49, popularised as Maqsood 'Chaprasi' (peon) by PTI leaders through their mention of his name incessantly to criticise the Sharif family's alleged corruption, was a co-accused and proclaimed offender in the money laundering case.

He had reportedly left for the UAE in 2018, just before the PTI came to power.

According to FIA special prosecutor Farooq Bajwa, Maqsood's death would not impact the money laundering case.

"Maqsood was a suspect and not a witness, thus his death will not affect the case," Bajwa told Dawn.

Meanwhile, Khan, also the PTI Chairman while commenting on Pakistan Economic Survey in a televised address on Thursday, demanded inquiries into the deaths of Rizwan and Maqsood.

He claimed that the house of a NAB officer probing cases against former President Asif Ali Zardari was raided to intimidate him, Dawn news reported.

Taking to Twitter, former PTI Minister Fawad Chaudhry said: "It is very disturbing news. Those investigating the Sharifs or witnesses in their cases are dying suddenly. First, Rizwan died suddenly. And now Maqsood Chaprasi, an important witness, in this case is also no more. That is why the Supreme Court has called the Sharifs 'Sicilian Mafia'. We demand investigation into both deaths."
Los Angeles, June 10 : Guitarist Jeff Beck and Hollywood star Johnny Depp have announced a joint album that's on the way, after Beck unofficially put word of it out to a concert audience last week, and the pair are heralding it with a video that was released Thursday, for a Depp-penned original song, 'This Is a Song for Miss Hedy Lamarr'.

The homage to the screen siren Lamarr (who died in 2000 at age 85) is one of two songs written by Depp for the project, the other one being 'Sad Motherf****n' Parade', reports 'Variety'.

These freshly penned originals are the outliers on '18', an album otherwise made up of cover songs, some of them sung by Depp, some in fully instrumental form. It'll be out via the Rhino label on CD and digital platforms July 15.

The lyrics for the new song are bound to undergo scrutiny in light of Depp's successful lawsuit against former wife Amber Heard, although the composition is said to be several years old.

Beck said in a statement that he was "blown away" when Depp first played the 'Hedy Lamarr' song for him prior to their starting in on recording the project three years ago.

"That song is one of the reasons I asked him to make an album with me," said Beck.

Among Depp's lyrics for the song, which seem to paint the screen star of the '30s, '40s and '50s as a victim of fame and expectations: "This is a song for Miss Hedy Lamarr / Erased by the world that made her a star ... I won't believe in humans anymore." He had sung the number with Beck at shows dating back to 2019, reports 'Variety'.

The '18' album will find Depp doing lead vocals on the Velvet Underground's 'Venus In Furs', the Everly Brothers' 'Let It Be Me' and Marvin Gaye's 'What's Going On'.

Instrumentals on the record include two numbers revived from the Beach Boys' classic 'Pet Sounds', 'Caroline, No' and 'Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder)'.

Other covers on the album include John Lennon's "Isolation" and songs originally done by Killing Joke, Dennis Wilson, the Miracles, Janis Ian and Davy Spillane.

"I haven't had another creative partner like him for ages," said Beck in a statement accompanying news of the album. "He was a major force on this record. I just hope people will take him seriously as a musician because it's a hard thing for some people to accept that Johnny Depp can sing rock 'n' roll." "It's 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." Also unveiled Thursday was the '18' album cover art, a sketch of Beck and Depp as they might have appeared if they'd collaborated as 18-year-olds, looking like a very young David Bowie and Elvis Presley. The cover artist was Beck's wife, Sandra.

According to the album announcement, Depp and Beck met in 2016 and quickly established a bond that led to them embarking on the '18' recording together in 2019. Before word of the full album project got out, they'd released a studio video of one of the album's covers, 'Isolation'.

Beck previously made a cameo appearance on the second and most recent album by the Hollywood Vampires, the supergroup that Depp formed with Alice Cooper and Aerosmith's Joe Perry.
Mumbai, June 10 : As a cloak of nervousness blanketed the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi and Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party, voting for the six Rajya Sabha seats with seven candidates started briskly here on Friday morning.

Till mid-day (12 noon), nearly 200 of the 285 MLAs in the 288-strong House comprising Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress and its allies, and the Bharatiya Janata Party and its supporters had cast their votes in the polls which promise to have a Hitchcockian finale this evening.

In the first 'elections' since 1998 -- traditionally, the Rajya Sabha polls are unopposed in Maharashtra -- the current numbers game in the 288-member Assembly has made the polls a super-suspense thriller for all.

With their respective strength of MLAs certain, all parties are virtually clinging on to the independents and smaller parties for 'survival' and a loss of face in the high-stakes elections to the Upper House of Parliament.

Needless to say, amid allegations of 'poaching' or 'horse-trading', the Sena-NCP-Congress and the BJP, had 'secured' their much-coveted MLAs in five-star hotels in south Mumbai.

Such was the edginess among the party managers that even a casual walk-through of leaders from the 'other side' in the hotel lobbies sent panic alarm bells ringing, and the MLAs were herded and hidden to avoid any 'contact' with the political wolves snooping outside...! On the MVA side, there are also apprehensions of certain central investigation agencies allegedly lying in wait to trap any MLA who may be 'lured', especially from the independents or smaller parties, with 'cakes and cookies'.

As V-Day dawned, the legislators from all parties 'emerged' from their five-star hideouts and were taken in buses to the imposing Vidhan Bhavan Building at Nariman Point for the voting.

All along, despite their jumpy nerves, many of the leaders from both sides -- MVA and BJP -- managed to keep up perpetual grins on their faces and kept flashing the 'V' sign to all, while confidently proclaiming victory for their respective candidates.

Today caps off the past few months of hectic politicking, desperate measures to keep their flocks of MLAs under watch and locks, running after, begging, prodding and cajoling the independents and smaller parties for their support, ensuring backroom political strategies were double-fine-tuned and honed to perfection, with no scope for 'errors'.

Since a majority of MLAs have never experienced a RS 'election', all parties also held multiple workshops and theoretical-practical mock voting sessions under the supervision of senior leaders to rule out the faintest possibility of any glitches.

As certain last-minute creases were being ironed out till this morning, top leaders like Sanjay Raut (Sena), Jayant Patil (NCP), Balasaheb Thorat (Congress), Chandrakant Patil (BJP), et al exuded absolute confidence that they would sport the garlands of victory this evening, when the outcome is expected.

For the 6 seats, the candidates are: BJP's Union Minister Piyush Goyal, Anil Bonde and a third nominee Dhananjay Mahadik; Sanjay Raut, Sanjay Pawar (Sena), Praful Patel (NCP), Imran Pratapgarhi (Congress).

Given the arithmetics of the MVA-BJP, while five candidates -- Goyal, Bonde, Raut, Patel, Pratapgarhi can easily sail through, the critical contest remains between BJP's Mahadik and Sena's Pawar.

In a minor setback to the MVA, two NCP leaders, Minister Nawab Malik and former minister Anil Deshmukh, were refused temporary bail by the court to cast their votes for RS, while Andheri MLA Ramesh Latke of Sena recently passed away.

Among the major highlights, the AIMIM with 2 MLAs sprang a surprise by supporting the MVA, while the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi with 3 MLAs may spring its own surprise only by this afternoon.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: q.najmi@ians.in)
The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has decried the unwholesome activities of "rogue website operators" in the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for School Candidates, 2022.

The WASSCE for School Candidates, which commenced on May 16, is expected to end on June 23 as earlier announced by the Council's Head of Nigeria National Office, Mr. Patrick Areghan.

WAEC in a statement issued by its Acting Head of Public Affairs, Moyosola Adeyegbe, disclosed that the unpatriotic individuals see WASSCE and other examinations as business ventures and avenue to make money, as they deceive innocent and gullible candidates and their parents.

"They lure candidates and their parents by proposing shortcuts to examination success. They lie to them that WAEC questions can be accessed earlier than the due date. This is nothing but a lie. They perpetrate their dastardly acts through various social media platforms, such as Blogs, Facebook, WhatsApp, and Telegram," she said, lamenting that rogue website operators are hell-bent on sabotaging the efforts and concrete arrangements put in place by the Council to ensure the successful conduct of the examination.

While Adeyegbe revealed that some candidates have fallen prey to the "trash" being served on the rogue platforms and as such, no longer read their books because of the promise of access to 'WAEC questions'; she assured that WAEC puts firm security measures in place to protect the integrity of its test items.

The Council therefore advised parents to encourage their children/wards to study hard and desist from patronizing the evil peddlers who are all out to destroy the destiny of their children/wards.
Lucknow, June 10 : After pushing for religious tourism, the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh is now fixing the spotlight on rural tourism.

According to a state government spokesman, the tourism department will be engaging a panel of experts and consultants to identify one or two villages in each district near prominent tourism places in that city and create a rich bouquet of rural tourism.

Gorakhpur's Aurangabad village, famous for terracotta, and Malihabad in Lucknow which is famous for Dasheri mangoes, may get pinned on global tourism map.

"In the days to come, one can hope to explore some hidden gems within the state and experience the richness of local crafts, folk music, cuisine, organic farming, farm stays, herbal villages, yoga and meditation centres," said the spokesman.

"Tourism is driving global and local economies while creating jobs all over the world. Uttar Pradesh, despite having a strong cultural and religious heritage and varied natural attractions currently plays a comparatively small role in the world tourism scene. The untapped potential in the villages and the richness of narratives in every nook and corner of Uttar Pradesh just needs to be positioned effectively." Citing some examples, he said: "The Pawanagar hamlet in Kushinagar is considered to be the 'nirvana bhoomi' of Lord Mahavir. Another legend says that Lord Buddha ate his last meal here. Likewise, in Banda's Sarbai village, an annual festival is organised on Sankranti to celebrate the love story of a warrior Beeran who fell in love with a king's daughter. The place has a temple dedicated to the couple." He added that Uttar Pradesh's tourism landscape was changing very fast with the development of centres like Ayodhya, Mathura, Kushinagar, Chitrakoot.

With the improved air connectivity, the potential for tourism activity to penetrate in villages has also gone up.

The push to rural tourism will also lead to job creation in the rural interiors.

"We will also be encouraging villagers to start home stays for which they will be mentored by industry players like the Indian Institute of Hotel Management and institutions for tourism development to impart formal training in hospitality," the spokesman said.
Geneva, June 10 : The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on Friday of a high probability that the ongoing protracted La Nina event, which has affected temperature and precipitation patterns and exacerbated drought and flooding in different parts of the world, will continue until at least August and possibly to the northern hemisphere fall and start of winter.

Some long-lead predictions even suggest that it might persist into 2023.

"If so, it would only be the third 'triple-dip La Nina' (three consecutive northern hemisphere winters of La Nina conditions) since 1950," the WMO said in a global statement.

La Nina refers to the large-scale cooling of the ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean, coupled with changes in the tropical atmospheric circulation, namely winds, pressure and rainfall.

It usually has the opposite impacts on weather and climate as El Nino, which is the warm phase of the so-called El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO).

The ongoing drought in the Horn of Africa and southern South America bear the hallmarks of La Nina, as does the above average rainfall in Southeast Asia and Australasia and predictions for an above average Atlantic hurricane season.

However, all naturally occurring climate events now take place in the context of human-induced climate change, which is increasing global temperatures, exacerbating extreme weather and climate, and impacting seasonal rainfall and temperature patterns.

"Human induced climate change amplifies the impacts of naturally occurring events like La Nina and is increasingly influencing our weather patterns, in particular through more intense heat and drought and the associated risk of wildfires, as well as record-breaking deluges of rainfall and flooding," said WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas.

"WMO is providing tailored support to the humanitarian sector - as witnessed by a recent multi-agency alert on the worsening drought in East Africa. Improved seasonal forecasts are pivotal in this because they help plan ahead and gain substantial socio-economic benefits in climate sensitive sectors like agriculture, food security, health and disaster risk reduction," said Taalas.

"In addition to improving climate services, WMO is also striving towards the goal that everyone should have access to early warning systems in the next five years to protect them against hazards related to our weather, climate and water," he reminded of the recent WMO announcement.

The current La Nina event started in September 2020 and continued through mid-May 2022 across the tropical Pacific. There was a temporary weakening of the oceanic components of La Nina during January and February 2022, but it has strengthened since March 2022.

WMO Global Producing Centres for Long Range Forecasts indicate that there is about a 70 per cent chance of the current La Nina conditions extending into boreal summer 2022, and about 50-60 per cent during July-September 2022.

There are some indications that the probability may increase again slightly during the boreal fall of 2022 and early boreal winter of 2022-23.
Chennai, June 10 : The Tamil Nadu government has appointed a committee headed by Madras High Court Justice (Retired) K. Chandru to study the impact of the advertisements of online gaming companies on the public, including financial losses and subsequent suicides.

The decision to appoint a committee was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Thursday.

According to the state government, the committee will submit its report in two weeks.

The other members of the committee are IIT technology expert Shankaraman, founder of SNEHA and psychologist Lakshmi Vijayakumar and Additional Director General of Police Vinit Dev Wankhede.

The state government also said several people attracted by the online gaming have lost their money and have committed suicide after running up huge debt.

Leading political parties like AIADMK and PMK have demanded the DMK government to enact a law banning online gaming and termed it as online gambling.

The erstwhile AIADMK government had brought a law banning the online gaming but the Madras High Court struck that down.
New Delhi, June 10 : A 28-year-old woman was allegedly raped at a five-star hotel in the national capital whom she had met on a dating app, an official said on Friday.

According to the official, a case was registered on June 3 based on the woman's complaint in which the victim alleged that she was raped by a man at a hotel in Dwarka area of Delhi on May 30.

"The victim woman, who used to work in a shop, alleged that she met the accused through Tinder (dating app)," Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) (Dwarka) M. Harsha Vardhan said.

The accused, who is a resident of Hyderabad, did not pick up her calls after allegedly committing the crime.

"Thus, based on her complaint, a case was registered. Efforts are on to nab the accused," the senior official added.
Etawah, June 10 : Congressmen are up in arms against a local restaurant that has been found to be 'misusing' Rahul Gandhis name on its menu card.

The restaurant in Civil Lines area, has mentioned a number of Italian dishes on its menu card under the caption "Italian Rahul Gandhi".

Names of dishes like Italian Pasta, Mexican Pasta, Hangover Pasta are written below the caption 'Italian Rahul Gandhi'.

The office-bearers of Etawah District Congress Committee have warned of an agitation if the menu card is not immediately withdrawn and the restaurant submits an apology.

All the office bearers of the district Congress reached the Collectorate and gave a memorandum to the Senior Superintendent of Police who has assured necessary action.
June 10 : Kartik Aaryan is on cloud nine with the recent success of his film Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. The film, which premiered on May 20, has grossed over 200 crores worldwide, proving to be the most successful Bollywood film to hit theatres after the covid 19 pandemic. The comedy-horror helmed by Anees Bazmee also features Kiara Advani and Tabu.

Popular magazine GQ India set the internet on fire as they shared a photo of Kartik Aaryan on their Instagram handle. Styled by Selman Fazil, the actor looked dapper as he struck an uber-cool pose in an ivory jacket, off-white trousers, and sneakers from Zegna. His luscious hair, styled by Milan Kepchaki, falls over his forehead and the stubble frames his face.

Kartik Aaryan has fronted the biggest hit in Hindi cinema this year -- a much-needed shot in the arm for Indias largest film industry, read the caption. Kartik shares his lockdown learnings, what excites him about acting and why he always wanted to be a movie star in the interview with GQ.

The 31-year-old actor has several exciting projects in his kitty. He is all set to ace the role of a pilot in his upcoming film Captain India by Hansal Mehta. The actor will also appear in the Hindi remake of the Telugu film Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo with his Luka Chuppi co-star Kriti Sanon. Freddy, a romantic thriller directed by Shashanka Ghosh, will also feature Kartik in the lead.
Mexico City, June 10 : Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador reiterated his call to modify the policy of regional exclusion, as the ninth Summit of the Americas is underway in Los Angeles, 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," Xinhua news agency quoted the President as saying to the media.

"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.

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.

The Summit opened on Wednesday and will run through Friday. The topics of discussion will include global issues like ways to boost economic growth, address climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic.

It was however, 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 Luis Lacalle Pou dropped out after contracting Covid-19, and Bolivia also declined to attend.

Lopez Obrador, arguably the most important Latin American leader on the summit's guest list, announced on Monday morning that he would stay at home.

The Summit of the Americas are periodic meetings of regional heads of state and government to address diplomatic and trade issues of importance at the continental level.

Its first edition was held in Miami in 1994, and since then the event has been accused of excluding countries with political ideologies different from that of the US, such as Cuba and Venezuela.
Chennai, June 10 : The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) is planning for a cashless ticketing system and is in talks with the Chennai Metro Corporation to introduce a national mobility card to integrate all the public transport systems. German Bank KfB will provide funding to the tune of Rs 70 crore for the project.

Three state transport corporations -- MTC (Chennai), and Madurai and Coimbatore divisions of the TNSTC -- are set to introduce cashless ticket system under which commuter can pay with mobility cards.

While swapping of cards at the entry and exit points is not feasible in transport buses, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is being used and RFID technology-powered GPS enabled payment system is being considered.

A TNSTC official told IANS that tenders for the RFID enabled GPS mobility payment system will be made soon, adding that a mobile app for recharging the mobility card is also being planned.

This will help the commuters to pay the ticket fare through mobile apps such as Google Pay and Paytm.

The TNSTC is planning to introduce the cashless payment system by the end of 2022 and all the modern technological support for the transport corporation is being mulled for the project.

It may be noted that several attempts were made earlier to introduce similar smart cards for Chennai Metro and MTC but failed due to a delay in upgrading the ticketing device used in buses.
Tehran, June 10 : The Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said Iran has informed that it is removing 27 surveillance cameras from its nuclear facilities.

IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi told reporters here late Thursday that the move could deal "a fatal blow" to chances of reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and also "poses a serious challenge to our ability to continue working there", reports Xinhua news agency.

Iran's move came a day after an IAEA board meeting on Wednesday passed a resolution to censure Iran for its nuclear safeguards issues.

The resolution had been proposed by the US, UK, France and Germany following recent IAEA reports that Iran has not provided "technically credible explanations" to uranium particles at three undeclared sites.

However, Iranian officials rejected the reports and insisted the country did not carry out any clandestine and unrecorded nuclear activities.

Grossi said that more than 40 surveillance cameras would remain in operation in Iran after the country's latest move.

He warned that if an agreement cannot be reached on restoring the cameras in three to four weeks, "this would be a fatal blow" to hopes of reviving the Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Upon signing the deal, Iran agreed to put some curbs on its nuclear programme in return for the removal of the US-led sanctions.

However, former US President Donald Trump pulled out of the agreement in May 2018 and reimposed unilateral sanctions on Iran, prompting Tehran to reduce some of its nuclear commitments under the JCPOA.

Since April 2021, eight rounds of talks have been held in Vienna between Iran and the remaining JCPOA parties -- China, the UK, France, Russia and Germany, to revive the pact.

However, the talks have stalled since mid-March due to reported major differences between Iran and the US.
Thiruvananthapuram, June 10 : The Congress on Friday held statewide protests demanding resignation of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan after Swapna Suresh -- the prime accused in the gold smuggling case -- revealed that she has declared in the court about the involvement of the CM, his wife and daughter in the crime.

On Friday morning, police in Kannur served a notice to State Congress president K.Sudhakaran saying that they suspect violence during the party's march to the District Collectorate office, and if so strict action would be taken against him.

This was taken up by each leader who inaugurated the protest in front of the remaining 12 district collectorates and also in front of the State secretariat here.

In most of the district headquarters, there were exchange of force between the protesters and the police.

At several places, the police were forced to resort to water cannons and lathi charge to disperse them.

The most crowded protests were seen at Kannur, which incidentally is the home town of both Vijayan and Sudhakaran.

Meanwhile, similar protests was organised by the BJP and their feeder organisations at several places with the same demand that Vijayan should quit immediately as he and his family has done an anti-national act by engaging in smuggling gold and currency.

Just before the weekly state secretariat meeting of the CPI-M, state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan on Friday said both the Congress and the BJP are now hand in glove to create mayhem in the state based on a baseless allegation.

Leader of Opposition V.D.Satheesan said it's strange that the law is being misused by Vijayan who thinks that he can terrorise people by hoisting police cases against those who speak against him.

"Instead of registering cases which will be thrown out even before it's presented in the court, what Vijayan should have done was to file defamation case against the revelation, instead he has used the law to silence people that none should open their mouth. But that won't work," he said.
At least 11 northern governors met with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja on Thursday.

The meeting held amid the search for Tinubu's running mate in the 2023 presidential election.

Being a Southerner, Tinubu's running mate is expected to come from the north.

On Wednesday, Bayo Onanuga, spokesman of Tinubu Campaign Organisation, told Trust TV that the Vice-Presidential slot of the APC for the 2023 election has been ceded to the governors.

Onanuga said: "When Tinubu met the progressives governors at their forum, he told them that 'you are going to be the people who will pick my running mate'."

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has given political parties a week deadline to submit the names of running mates of their presidential aspirants.
Ahmedabad, June 10 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that for the BJP coming to power was an opportunity to do social service.

He said this while addressing a huge gathering at Khudvel in Navsari district as part of the Gujarat Gaurav Abhiyan.

Modi inaugurated projects worth over Rs 3,000 crore. He said, "It is an honour that I have worked as the Chief Minister for so many years, but never before has there been such a big event in the tribal area...Today, the duo of Bhupendra Bhai and CR (Gujarat BJP chief C.R. Patil), which inspires confidence in the people with enthusiasm, has resulted in more than 5 lakh people appearing in front of me today. What I couldn't do, my colleagues have done." The Prime Minister said that all these projects will make life easier for millions of people in South Gujarat, including Navsari, Tapi, Surat, Valsad. Electricity, water, roads, health, education, all kinds of facilities will increase, he said.

Projects of Rs 1,510 crore for the water scheme, Rs 98 crore for the road building department, and Rs 542 crore of health department were inaugurated. A total of Rs 901 crore was dedicated, including Rs 749 crore for water schemes, Rs 85 crore for energy, Rs 46 crore for road construction and Rs 20 crore for urban development works.

Targeting the Opposition, Modi said, "The poor, the downtrodden, the deprived, the tribals and the women all had to struggle to meet their lifelong needs. The one who ran the government the most after Independence did not make any development. Because it takes a lot of hard work. Only poor and tribal families built paved roads across the country. If vaccinations were given, it would take years to reach the tribals or the poor and the villages... We have delivered the vaccine to the forest areas. We have extended banking facilities to villages and tribal areas. We have launched a 100 per cent empowerment campaign for the poor." To touch the locals more, Modi said in Gujarati, "After a long time, I have come to Chikhli, many memories are refreshed. In those years there were no tools to come here. We could not even drive to many villages... This love and blessing is my strength. I learned a lot from them, cleanliness, discipline. The social life of the tribal society is ideal, they protect the environment." "In the past, there was a Chief Minister from a tribal area who could not get a water tank in his own village... Today, we are having Rs three thousand crore worth project work in the tribal areas. Gujarat had a CM who inaugurated a water tank in Jamnagar, and his news were published on the front pages." "Some people say that we are working as elections are coming soon. I challenge them to find even a week of my tenure when I have not done any development work. When I came up with a plan to irrigate the area in 2018, people said that they came to talk because of the 2019 elections. Today the plan is reaching the people. No one works hard to get water for 200 to 300 votes. The blessings of the people make us win elections. It is our commitment to live for the people, we inaugurate the development work that we lay the foundation stone for. It is not our job to waste time in political games. For us, power is an opportunity to serve the people." The Prime Minister will inaugurate the MA Nayak Healthcare Campus and Nirali Multi speciality Cancer Hospital on Navsari Highway No. 48. The MultiCare hospital has modern facilities for cancer care, Cardiac, Paediatric, General Surgery, World Class CT MRI are also provided in the hospital. The hospital has a total of 400 beds, of which 100 beds will be started on a primary basis at present.

In this regard, he said, many countries in the world had corona but no country has vaccinated people in this way. "There was not a single science school from Umargam to Ambaji. The work I started in 2001 with the school of science has now led to the formation of colleges and universities of engineering and medicine. Now if any children want to become a doctor, they do not need to study in English medium. We make them doctors in Gujarati medium." He also congratulated Dang district for being a 100 per cent natural farming district.
Lucknow, June 10 : The Yogi Adityanath government has started a special rehabilitation programme for child beggars under which children will be encouraged to get educated and the government will provide jobs to their parents.

The state had witnessed a spurt in the number of child beggars during the pandemic.

The State Commission for Protection of Child Rights chairperson Vishesh Gupta said that child beggars have been identified across districts and a special programme has been implemented for them.

"Under it, we will encourage the children to return to school while the government will provide jobs to their parents so that the families have a source of income and children do not have to beg," he said.

He added that some persons had been seen to force children into begging and action will be taken against such people.

"We will keep a watch on crossings, malls, markets and places of worship to identify such people who force children into begging and take action against them," he said.

Various departments and NGOs will be working to implement the programme. The rescued children will be linked with government schemes.

A Child Labour Rehabilitation fund will also be set up in each district.

To bring children into the mainstream of education, a Bal Shramik Vidya Yojna has been started and children from needy families will benefit from the programme under Mission Shakti.

Their parents will also receive counselling while the children will be admitted to primary schools.

To ensure that the families of these children are skilled and equipped to take up jobs, the women will be given skill training while the men will be linked with MGNREGA.
Moscow, June 10 : Russia is now earning more money from fossil fuel exports than before its ongoing invasion of Ukraine which prompted Western nations to target Moscow with a barrage of sanctions, US Senior Advisor for Global Energy Security Amos Hochstein said.

Global energy prices, already on the rise before the February offensive, have been driven higher by the embargoes, which have helped Moscow alleviate the impact of restrictions, RT News quoted Hochstein, who had previously served as the US energy security envoy, as saying.

When asked whether Moscow was receiving more money from its oil and gas trade compared to several months ago, Hochstein told the Senate Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security Cooperation: "I cannot deny that." The US moved to restrict all imports of Russian crude oil, some petroleum products, liquefied natural gas, and coal in early March as part of the sanctions sparked by the invasion.

On Wednesday, Russia's State Duma speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said that oil deliveries from Moscow to Washington had "almost doubled in March compared to February", RT reported.

Meanwhile, media reports have suggested that the sanctions have hardly affected Moscow's energy trade so far.

In April, the Wall Street Journal reported that Russian oil shipments had grown by 300,000 barrels a day that month alone.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
New Delhi, June 10 : A court here on Friday adjourned the interim bail plea moved by activist Sharjeel Imam in connection with a sedition case linked to the alleged inflammatory speeches delivered by him for hearing on July 7.

On June 6, the order in the matter was reserved and the verdict was expected to be pronounced Friday.

The matter, which came in the listings in Karkardooma court in the city, however, was posted for next month as courts are on vacation from this day.

Imam, who has been in judicial custody since January 28, 2020, was seeking relief in the sedition case following the historic Supreme Court verdict that put on hold the colonial-era penal provision of sedition (Section 124-A of the Indian Penal Code).

As per the case, the alleged inflammatory speeches were made in Jamia Millia Islamia on December 13, 2019, and in Aligarh Muslim University on January 16, 2020.

Earlier, the Additional Sessions Judge had sought the response of the Delhi Police on the bail plea on the sedition case slapped against the former JNU scholar.

In his fresh bail application, Imam had said that since the top court has put sedition in abeyance, his case has improved for the grant of bail.

"The appellant has been incarcerated for nearly 28 months since January 28, 2020 whereas the maximum punishment for the offences -- not including 124-A IPC -- are punishable up to a maximum of 7 years of imprisonment," his plea read.

JNU scholars and activists Imam and Umar Khalid are among the nearly a dozen people involved in the alleged larger conspiracy case linked with the 2020 Delhi riots, as per the Delhi Police. Imam and Khalid are facing charges in connection with the inflammatory speeches which allegedly fuelled the violence, as per the police.

The riots broke out in the national capital in February 2020 as clashes between the anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) and pro-CAA protesters took a violent turn. The mayhem, which coincided with the then US President Donald Trump's maiden trip to India, saw more than 50 people lose their lives while over 700 were injured.
Hyderabad, June 10 : Telangana BJP chief Bandi Sanjay was Friday placed under house arrest here to prevent him from staging a protest at Jubilee Bus Station (JBS) against hike in bus fares.

Sanjay was scheduled to lead a protest by the party at JBS against the imposition of additional diesel cess by the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC).

Policemen were deployed around the house of Sanjay in Banjara Hills to stop him from coming out. However, the police action was in view of the possibility of Sanjay staging a protest at the Director General of Police (DGP) office against the arrest of a party leader Jitta Balakrishna Reddy.

Reddy was arrested in the wee hours of Friday near Hyderabad in connection with a case booked against him for organising a derogatory skit against Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Telangana Formation Day (June 2).

Sanjay, who is also a Member of Parliament, later reached JBS in Secunderabad. He interacted with bus passengers and enquired about the problems faced by them.

The BJP leader condemned his house arrest. He told reporters that the downfall of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government has started.

The BJP leader said the TRS was acting in an undemocratic manner to stop them from raising their voice against the hike in bus fares. "The government has imposed a burden on the common man by increasing the fares and when we want to protest, the government is resorting to undemocratic means like arrests and house arrests," he said.

Reacting to the police personnel surrounding his house, the BJP leader said the government failed to arrest rapists and criminals but it was taking action against the opposition party.

He said the TRS government has so far increased the TSRTC bus fares by 60 per cent. He slammed the government for increasing the fares five times in three years. He alleged that this is part of the conspiracy to privatise TSRTC
Chennai, June 10 : Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder and senior leader Dr S. Ramadoss has welcomed the Tamil Nadu government's decision to return the 8,000 acres of land at Jayakondam and 12 villages at Aliyur district Udayarpalayam taluk.

The land was acquired ten years ago for an integrated lignite mining-cum power project. Government had to return the land as the project was found unviable and did not materialise after the landowners won a court case seeking higher compensation for the acquired land.

Dr Ramadoss, in a statement, said: "This is a victory for the PMK as a political party as we were fighting for higher compensation for land owners for the past 20 years". He also said that the PMK has been at the forefront of this and wanted the government either to return the land or pay a higher compensation as ordered by the court.

The government issued an order a few days before stating that the land would be returned to the owners and that they could keep the compensation of Rs 35,000 per acre paid by the Land Acquisition Officer(LAO).

Additional Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu Industries department C.S. Krishnan had in an order said that after careful examination by the Ariyalur district collector, executive director of Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO), and Commissioner of Land Administration, the government decided not to go ahead with the project and to return the land to the owners.

The Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC), that was piloting the power project at Jaykondam, also dropped the project as it found that it was economically not viable.

Notably, the Tamil Nadu government had acquired around 8,000 acres of land paying a compensation of Rs 35,000 per acre of land and several land owners filed cases in court unhappy over the meager compensation amount.

A special court was constituted by the Madras High Court that disposed of 70 per cent of the cases and directed the authorities to enhance the compensation to Rs 15 lakh per acre which was 43 times more than the value of the compensation provided by the Land acquisition authority (LAO).

The Tamil Nadu government appealed against this and the Madras High Court constituted a committee to look into the matter and a sub-committee was formed to have talks with the land owners. The subcommittee decided to increase the compensation by 23 times the value provided by the LAO and TIDCO was directed to settle the compensation which was around 45.40 crore.

TIDCO conducted a feasibility study and decided to drop the project as it was not economically viable and feasible.

Dr Ramadoss said that the government must either provide decent compensation to the land owners according to the market value or return the land to the owners in the case of other properties that were acquired by the state government in Villupuram and Ariyalur districts.
Caracas, June 10 : Venezuelan workers took to the streets of capital Caracas to reject the country's exclusion from the ongoing ninth Summit of the Americas and in support of their government's policies.

"The empire was left alone and scorned at the Summit of the Americas," Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said to a large crowd.

The summit in Los Angeles began on Monday and will go conclude on Friday amid the exclusion of Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua by the US host, causing tensions among member states.

Rodriguez warned that Venezuela is facing a moment of "serious threats, that there are those who want to attack its economic progress, and that there is "financial persecution" against the country.

However, she said: "We have taken a first strategic and historic step to defeat the criminal blockade, which this republic has never experienced before." Rodriguez called for unity amid the country's economic recovery, thanking Venezuelan workers for their continued support and struggle.

The Summit has been 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.

Uruguay's President Luis Lacalle Pou dropped out after contracting Covid-19, and Bolivia also declined to attend.

The Summit of the Americas are periodic meetings of regional heads of state and government to address diplomatic and trade issues of importance at the continental level.

Its first edition was held in Miami in 1994, and since then the event has been accused of excluding countries with political ideologies different from that of the US, such as Cuba and Venezuela.
Bengaluru, June 10 : Even as the ruling BJP announced that the Textbook Revision Committee under the Chairmanship of Rohith Chakrathirtha was discharged, Opposition leader Siddaramaiah on Friday launched a scathing attacks on the ruling BJP, demanding the arrest of the committee chairman.

Siddaramaiah called Rohith Chakrathirtha a troller and miscreant, and also slammed Education Minister B.C. Nagesh for defending Chakrathirtha.

"Without proper government orders, Rohith Chakrathirtha was put in charge of textbook revision. Now, without hesitation all the misdeeds of Rohith Chakrathirtha have been defended by Minister Nagesh. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai should sack him immediately," he demanded.

Legal proceedings must be initiated and Rohith Chakrathirtha must be arrested. In case CM Bommai tries to defend his minister, he should submit resignation, Siddaramaiah said.

"The responsible task of textbook revision had been assigned to a habitual troller. Though, the order says that the Chairman of the revision committee is responsible for any shortfalls, the ruling BJP is hell bent on defending his deplorable actions," he charged.

"The textbook revision exercise consent was given in a hurry. Is it a road work to finish off the deal and gobble up 40 per cent commission," he chided.

"Chairman with a perverted mindset and his gang has insulted all great personalities of the land. If revised syllabus is taught to the children it would amount to treason," Siddaramaiah said.

"If the ruling BJP is adamant on defending the revision of syllabus, the Congress is ready to launch protests from the grassroots level," he warned.

The Congress had staged a protest on Thursday condemning the revision of syllabus.

The ruling BJP had constituted the Textbook Revision Committee to revise the syllabus of Class 1 to 10. The committee added the speech of RSS founder K.B. Hedgewar as part of the syllabus stirring controversy.

Following the controversy and opposition by religious seers over the insult to great personalities of the land in the revised syllabus content, the state government discharged the committee and announced that it won't accept the revised syllabus of history book of II PUC.
New Delhi, June 10 : After more than two years, the origin of the Covid-19 pandemic still remains a mystery. In a new report, the World Health Organization (WHO) said the theory that the Covid virus might have escaped from a laboratory needs "further investigations".

The origins of Covid has remained the subject of a political and scientific debate with scientists and politicians globally contending that the coronavirus jumped into people from bats, or have been leaked from a laboratory.

The UN health agency in its initial assessment stated that it was "extremely unlikely" that Covid might have spilled from a lab.

The new report, by Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins of Novel Pathogens (SAGO), a WHO expert panel established in 2021 to research the causes behind the pandemic, shared that "key pieces of data are not yet available for a complete understanding of how the Covid-19 pandemic began".

The report, however, suggests that the virus probably came from animals, likely bats. But it also did not rule out the possibility of a lab leak, citing lack of clear data.

"At the present time, currently available epidemiological and sequencing data suggest ancestral strains to SARS-CoV-2 have a zoonotic origin with the closest genetically related viruses being beta coronaviruses, identified in Rhinolophus bats in China in 2013 (96.1 per cent) and Laos in 2020 (96.8 per cent)," the report said.

However, "this preliminary report is not intended to, nor does it, provide conclusive findings on the origins of SARS-CoV-2 because more information is needed from the studies recommended in this report".

"The SAGO will remain open to any and all scientific evidence that becomes available in the future to allow for comprehensive testing of all reasonable hypotheses," it added.

The WHO had previously claimed that China is not cooperating to probe the origins and has stalled efforts.

The expert panel said numerous avenues of research were needed, including studies evaluating the role of wild animals, which are thought to be Covid-19's natural reservoir, and environmental studies in places where the virus might have first spread, such as the Huanan seafood market in Wuhan.

But, it was only able to assess information that has been made available to them through either published reports or presentations from invited scientists.

The SAGO also noted of "challenges" as they were working after "such a long time after the initial outbreak".

"The longer it takes, the harder it becomes," Maria Van Kerkhove, a senior WHO official in the SAGO secretariat, told a briefing.

"We owe it to ourselves, we owe to the millions of people who died and the billions of people who were infected," she said.

Van Kerkhove said that the WHO will support all ongoing efforts to better understand how the pandemic began, to prevent any future outbreaks.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Mumbai, June 10 : 'A Thursday' actor Karanvir Sharma, who is playing a pivotal character in the upcoming Suniel Shetty-starrer web series 'Invisible Woman', has described the experience as "surreal" as the unit wrapped up the shoot.

Talking about the last day of shooting, Karanvir said, "It's a wrap. But this wrap was quite a difficult one for me. I have enjoyed every single minute of the shoot. The experience was surreal to see myself alongside talented actors like Suniel sir, Esha Deol and Rahul Dev. I am really excited to see myself and showcase it in front of my fans and well-wishers who have been a huge support to me." The series 'Invisible Woman' is directed by Rajesh M. Selva and will soon be released on OTT.
More presidential candidates yesterday emerged from the conventions of four political parties. They included Major Hamza Al-Mustapha (rtd), a former chief security officer to the late head of state, General Sani Abacha, who picked the ticket of the Action Alliance (AA), a media and real estate mogul, Dumebi Kachikwu, clinched the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ticket, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle emerged as Allied People's Movement (APM) standard bearer, while a publisher and activist Omoyele Sowore won the AAC ticket.

Al-Mustapha contested the presidential primary with Samson Odupitan, following the withdrawal of Felix Osakwe and Tunde Kelani, who pledged their support for Al-Mustapha.

He polled 506 votes to defeat Odupitan, his opponent who got 215 votes.

The chairman of AA, Kenneth Udeza, had while addressing the delegates, said 842 delegates were accredited to elect the four flagbearers using option A4.

But Odupitan insisted that he was contesting the presidential primary to take care of the interest of the masses of the country.

He pledged to address the social, economic, and political crises currently bedeviling the country if elected president.

Similarly, Al-Mustapha told the delegates that his experience as a military officer for 35 years and working with Abacha would enable him to tackle the nation's embarrassing security challenges.

He said, "I'm a humble person and I have what it takes to contain the insecurity ravaging the country. I am a Nigerian who believes in the unity of the country. I remain patriotic despite the humiliation I had suffered in my 35 years of service.

"The unity of Nigeria is not negotiable and the Action Alliance had the structures to unite the country, being the party for the masses, with members across the country."

In Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Kachikwu on Wednesday night, emerged the presidential flagbearer of the ADC for the 2023 general election.

Kachikwu, who is the founder and chairman of Roots Television Nigeria polled 978 votes to defeat the former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Kingsley Moghalu who managed to poll a total of 589 votes in the keenly contested presidential primary election which drew 2, 040 total delegates to the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Another strong contender in the presidential primary election included Dr Chukwuka Monye, who also polled a total of 339 votes in the exercise which paraded 10 aspirants.

Other aspirants include Dr Mani Ibrahim, Joyce Ogochukwu Nsaka, Dr Chike Okogwu, Lady Angela Johnson, Princess Chichi Ojei, Dr Muhammed Lamido, Bishop Ify-George Oforkansi, Dr Favour Ayodele, Evang. Ebiti Ndok Jegede and others.

In his acceptance speech, Kachikwu promised to run an all-inclusive government, and attract the best brains in various spheres of human endeavours to make the country great again.

He identified 20 areas he would make substantial difference in the lives of Nigerians and the country if elected.

The Delta State-born politician, who said he was on a "rescue mission" to savage what the All Progressives Congress, APC, had destroyed in the last seven years, promised to initiate wide-ranging public service reforms to eradicate corruption and win the war against terrorism.

The Convention Committee chairman, Major-General Ekundayo Opaleye (rtd) who announced the result, enjoined all other aspirants to work in harmony with the elected candidate.

The Allied People's Movement (APM) has also elected its national chairman Dantalle as its presidential candidate for the 2023 general election.

Dantalle who was the sole presidential candidate of the party was overwhelmingly elected by delegates in the presidential primary held at the party's national secretariat, Abuja on Wednesday 8th June 2022.

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According to a statement by the national secretary, APM Oyedeyi Ayodele Adebayo, Yusuf Dantalle will now contest the 2023 presidential election with Bola Tinubu (APC), Atiku Abubakar (PDP), Peter Obi (Labour Party) and Chekwas Okorie (APGA) among others.

Meanwhile, Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore has emerged as the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) unchallenged for the 2023 presidential election.

Before the party's convention commenced, Sowore stepped down from his position as chairman of the party he played a key role in founding.

Sowore was affirmed as the party's presidential candidate at the AAC convention that took place in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday.

Last week, the court of appeal in Abuja affirmed him as the substantive chairman of the AAC.

In May 2019, the AAC reportedly suspended Sowore, who was the presidential candidate of the party in the 2019 elections, as well as Malcolm Fabiyi, who was deputy national chairman.
Bengaluru, June 10 : In yet another shocking incident, a man attacked his married lover for refusing to marry him immediately. The Kumaraswamy Layout police have launched a hunt for the accused.

This is the third acid attack in the last two months in Bengaluru causing panic, fear and outrage among public. According to police, the miscreant in this case is a former lover of the victim.

The accused had waylaid the woman while she was going from Kumaraswamy Layout towards J.P. Nagar locality on Friday.

The accused has been identified as Ahmad from Gowripalya.

Police explained that Ahmad and victim were in love. But, the woman went on to marry another person. The victim had a daughter out of wedlock.

However, the accused had got in touch with the victim and taken her consent for the remarriage. The woman had asked him to wait for sometime.

Ahmad forced her to marry him immediately and quarrelled with her many times.

Ahmad who came with a bottle of acid had waylaid her while she was walking and poured acid on her near Sarakki Junction in Bengaluru.

Ahmad had escaped from the scene after the attack.

The police rushed to the spot and shifted her to the hospital. The victim has suffered injuries on her face and her right eye got damaged in the attack.

In April, Nagesh, a spurned lover had poured acid on a working woman for refusing his advances and proposal of love. The police had arrested him in Tamil Nadu and shot him in the leg. He was hiding as a sage.

In another incident, a miscreant from West Bengal had attacked his friend with acid while quarrelling over silly matter in Cubbonpet locality of Bengaluru. This is the third incident reported in Bengaluru. Police are investigating the case.
New Delhi, June 10 : The Supreme Court on Friday refused an early hearing on a petition 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 the disqualification of six state MLAs.

A vacation bench of Justices M.R. Shah and Aniruddha Bose said the plea will be heard after the response of the Chief Justice.

"We have no difficulty. We inquired from the registry about the plea. They have communicated the same to the Chief Justice, but have not received any reply. If the CJI consents, we will hear, please wait.." said the bench.

The plea has been moved in the apex 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 the disqualification of six MLAs.

The six MLAs were initially with the BSP but later switched to Congress. The Assembly Speaker declared them members of Congress.

In 2020, a petition was filed before the High Court challenging the Speaker's decision 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 a fair election.

The high court said it is not inclined to entertain the interim application as the election process has already commenced and the election is scheduled for Friday.
Beijing, June 10 : No casualties have been reported as of Friday after two earthquakes rocked China's Sichuan province, according to the local emergency response department.

A 5.8-magnitude quake first struck the Maerkang city at 12.03 a.m. Friday, followed by a 6.0-magnitude temblor at 1.28 a.m., according to the China Earthquake Networks Centre.

Disaster relief operations are underway, Xinhua news agency quoted the department as saying.

The province has activated a level-III emergency response for the earthquake.

More than 750 people from the fire department have been dispatched to the epicentre.

Meanwhile, a level-IV national emergency response has also been activated.

Earlier this month, a 6.1 magnitude quake struck Sichuan's city of Ya'an, which claimed the lives of four persons, injured 42 others and affected a total 14,427 people.
Hyderabad, June 10 : The producers of Sivakarthikeyan's upcoming movie 'Prince' released actress Maria Ryaboshapka's first look from the film earlier on Friday.

Sivakarthikeyan, who was last seen in the movie 'Don', is making his Tollywood debut in the Telugu-Tamil bilingual film 'Prince', directed by Anudeep KV of 'Jathi Rathnalu' fame.

In the poster released on Friday, Sivakarthikeyan and Maria Ryaboshapka are spotted sitting on top of a tall wall having a good time. Sivakarthikeyan is seen explaining the meaning of Sumathi Sathakam poetry to her because she does not comprehend Telugu.

The first look poster is both youthful and endearing as the pair has an undeniable chemistry. While Sivakarthikeyan appears to be really cool, Maria Ryaboshapka is stunning.

'Prince' is in its final leg of shooting, and the makers have announced to release the movie on August 31, on the auspicious occasion of Vinayaka Chavithi. The movie will be released both in Telugu and Tamil, simultaneously.
Canberra, June 10 : The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is set to become the country's first jurisdiction to decriminalise small amounts of "the most commonly used and best understood illicit drugs".

The ACT government recently endorsed a proposed bill that will propose the creation of a simple drug offense notice (SDON) as an option when a person is found in possession of a small amount of an illicit drug, reports Xinhua news agency.

Once it is passed into law, the bill means some people caught with small quantities of illicit substances in the ACT will be subject to fines rather than criminal charges.

Authorities will continue to target dealers and disrupt the drug trade in Canberra.

"Thresholds for trafficking offenses will not change and the Government and ACT Policing will continue to work to reduce supply and prosecute dealers and traffickers through the justice system," an official statement said.

Rachel Stephen-Smith, the ACT's minister for health, said the ACT has led the nation with a progressive approach to reducing the harm caused by illicit drugs, through diversion, health treatment and reducing the stigma for those most vulnerable and at-risk in the community.

"We know from research and evidence around the world that criminalizing drug users does not reduce drug use and that treating drug addiction as a health issue improves outcomes for everyone in the community," she said.

"The government will ensure through amendments that the principle of harm reduction is front and centre of our approach to this change, by ensuring that discretion for ACT Policing is retained and that diversion is legislated and put on an equal footing with the SDON." It comes about three years after the ACT became the first state or territory in Australia to legalise the personal use of small amounts of cannabis.
Hyderabad, June 10 : 'Pushpa' star Allu Arjun has come under fire from a social activist for endorsing an educational institution.

Kotha Upender Reddy, a social activist, claimed that the particular advertisement, which featured Allu Arjun as the face of it, was deceptive and provided incorrect information.

The social activist also called for action to be taken against such misleading advertisements. He also filed a complaint with Ambarpet police against Allu Arjun for appearing in the advertisement and against Sri Chaitanya Educational Institutions for providing fake information.

Kotha Upender Reddy urged that Allu Arjun and Sri Chaitanya Educational Institutions be prosecuted for deceiving the people.

Allu Arjun has already faced flak for marketing a food delivery app, and he was given a warning for promoting a bike app by disparaging government transit services.
June 10 : The Aashiqui 2 fame Aditya Roy Kapur is all set to make his Bollywood comeback with Om after a break of 2 years. The actor was last seen in the 2020 film Ludo directed by Dr. Aakash Chauhan.

On Friday afternoon, the films cast launched the first trailer of Om: The Battle Within in Mumbai. Later it was released on Youtube by Zee Studios.

The action-packed thriller directed by Kapil Verma is set to release on July 1. Aditya essays the titular role while Sanjana Sanghi and Tiger Shroff feature in pivotal roles. The trailer portrays a strong and valiant Aditya doing impressive stunts. Going against the norm for actresses, Sanjana will appear in an action role in the film.

Movie Critic and film business analyst Taran Adarsh took to Instagram and shared the films trailer. The motion poster of the film was released last week. The first teaser, launched on April 28, has garnered over 11 million views on Youtube.

Apart from Om, the actor has several other films signed up. Aditya is cast alongside Mrunal Thakur in the crime thriller Gumrah, a Bollywood remake of the Tamil film Thadam. Malang 2, the sequel of the 2020 film Malang, will feature the actor. Directed by Mohit Suri, the film also stars Disha Patani. The upcoming action thriller 'Ek Villian 2 by Mohit Suri, starring Aditya Roy Kapur, Disha Patani, John Abraham, and Tara Sutaria, will hit the big screens on July 29. The actor is currently busy shooting for the Hindi remake of the English tv series The Night Manager.
New Delhi, June 10 : The situation is now under control and adequate security arrangements are in place, the Delhi Police said on Friday after a massive protest broke out at the Jama Masjid in the national capital against expelled BJP leaders.

"People had gathered in large numbers for just 15-20 minutes, after which the crowd dispersed. The situation is now under control," a senior Delhi Police official said.

The people of the minority community, soon after the Friday prayers, had gathered on the stairs just outside the Jama Masjid, here, holding placards against the former BJP spokespersons Nupur Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal.

The agitators were demanding immediate arrest of the suspended BJP leaders.

"As the protest was done without any prior permission from the Delhi Police, a legal action will be initiated," the official said.

Jama Masjid's Shahi Imam Ahmed Bukhari said no call was given for the protest. "I don't know who the protesters are," he said.

Pertinent to mention here that an FIR was also lodged against Nupur Sharma and several others for their alleged hate remarks during a debate on a TV news channel.

"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.

"One case has been registered against Nupur Sharma and another one has been registered against multiple social media entities based on the analysis. Notices will be sent to the social media intermediaries for the details," Delhi Police PRO Suman Nalwa had said on Thursday.
Canberra, June 10 : Australian doctors and infectious disease experts have called for federal and local governments to renew focus on the coronavirus pandemic ahead of an expected winter surge.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA), the country's peak medical body, warned on Friday that with the ongoing spread of Covid-19 and the resurgence of influenza the winter will be "the worst it has ever been" for the health system, reports Xinhua news agency.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will meet state and territory leaders at the national cabinet on June 17 for the first time since he took office.

AMA President Omar Khorshid said it was critical that the meeting focused on coming up with a new strategy to ease the Covid burden on the health system after the pandemic was largely ignored on the election campaign trail.

"I want to get back to a situation where we have a considered, coordinated and preferably nationally consistent response to the pandemic," he told Guardian Australia.

"The pandemic is not over and our health system is struggling, partly due to the ongoing effect of the pandemic. It is the worst it has ever been ... and it will be worse (than last winter) because we will have flu and Covid in every state and territory." Australia reported more than 20,000 new coronavirus infections and over 30 deaths on Friday.

There had been 8,919 total coronavirus deaths as of Thursday, more than 6,500 of which have occurred in 2022.

Infectious disease experts on Friday criticized Australia's systems for collecting Covid data, saying they were poor and fragmented.

A coalition of experts said a national data system should be established rather than continuing to have each state and territory report its own data.

The federal government announced on Thursday that people aged 12-15 who are at risk of severe disease will be eligible for a coronavirus booster vaccine from June 14.

The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation has not recommended booster doses for all teenagers, saying otherwise healthy people in the age group remain well protected from two vaccines.

As of Friday, Australia's overall Covid caseload and death toll stood at 7,571,627 and 8,957.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Prayagraj/ Saharanpur, June 10 : Incidents of violence and slogan shouting were reported from Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj and Saharanpur on Friday after prayers when people began protesting against former BJP spokespersons' remarks on the Prophet.

Trouble began in Atala in Prayagraj after the prayers when protesters started shouting slogans. The police tried to prevent the protesters from moving in different directions. However, some of the protesters pelted stones at the police that retaliated with tear gas shells.

In Saharanpur, protesters shouted slogans seeking action against the former BJP spokespersons.

Similar scenes were reported from Moradabad and Lucknow.

In Lucknow, thousands of protesters at the Tile Wali Masjid were prevented by the police form crossing the barricades.

Additional Director General (Law and order) Prashant Kumar said the situation adequate forces had been deployed to ensure peace.

He said that the situation was being closely monitored and authorities were keeping a close vigil on social media too.

In some localities in other cities of the state, Muslims downed their shutters in protest against Nupur Sharma's statement.

In some places, Muslims submitted memorandums to district officials listing their demand.
Following last Sunday's attack by terrorists at St Francis Catholic Church, Owo where scores were killed and many injured, the United States of America (USA) has expressed worry over the growing pattern of violence afflicted on communities across Nigeria.

In a letter to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, dated June 7, 2022 and signed by the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, the US said it is deeply saddened by the attack in Owo, assuring however that it remains steadfast in its effort to support Nigeria in tackling insecurity in Nigeria.

Condemning the attack in strongest terms, the US said, "This tragedy saddens us deeply and our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families during this difficult time. We remain steadfast in our efforts to support Nigeria in enhancing civilian security throughout the country."

The letter further reads in part, "On behalf of the United States and the staff of the U.S. Mission in Nigeria, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to you, Ondo State, and the Owo community for the horrific event and lives lost at the St. Francis Catholic Church on Sunday, June 5.

"This tragedy saddens us deeply and our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families during this difficult time.

"The United States condemns this attack in the strongest terms, and we are concerned with the growing pattern of violence that afflicts communities across Nigeria.

"We remain steadfast in our efforts to support Nigeria in enhancing civilian security throughout the country. Once again, please accept our deepest condolences."

We Are Determined To Redouble Our Efforts On Security- Akeredolu

Meanwhile, Ondo State governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has said despite the commitment of his administration to the security of lives and property in the state, he is determined to redouble efforts geared towards enhanced security.

Governor Akeredolu disclosed that before the horrific attack on Owo, he had already directed the recruitment of 300 fresh personnel into the state security network codenamed Amotekun corps.

He said more vehicles and ammunition would also be procured for the Amotekun Corp for effective protection of the people in the state.

Governor Akeredolu hinted that his administration would soon issue an executive order for all places of worship to install Close Circuit Cameras (CCTV) at strategic places on their premises.

The governor spoke while receiving members of the Ondo State House Of Assembly on a condolence visit over the Owo terror attack.

The lawmakers who were led by the Speaker, Hon. Bamidele Oloyelogu were received by Governor Akeredolu at his residence in Owo, his home town.

Speaking on behalf of the lawmakers, the Speaker commiserated with the governor and the people of the state, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye as well as families of those who lost their lives to the terror attack at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo.

The Speaker said it was unfortunate that the house of God which used to be a heaven has turned into a scene for massacre.

He lauded Governor Akeredolu for his effort at protecting the lives and property of the citizens of Ondo State through the establishment of the Amotekun Corps.

"Mr governor, we are always with you any time. At this trying time we are to commiserate with you and the good people of Owo.

"When we were coming, we went to the Church. We commended the security operatives so far so good but appealing to them to try as much as possible to get those people arrested and bring them to book in other to stop such a thing in our environment.

"Mr Governor, we also ask our people, especially the people Of Owo and its environs, and other parts of the state to be vigilant. If they see any strange face, they should quickly report it to the security agencies," he said.

Governor Akeredolu described the evil act as tragic, saying Ondo State and the South West region have never witnessed such an ugly incident.

"These animals who came, because no human being will carry out such evil act, they did not come to kidnap. There is no other way we can describe them than terrorists; they were there to maim and kill," the Governor said.

Meanwhile, the federal government has disclosed that last Sunday's attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State, by gunmen leading to the death of worshippers has been linked to the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP).

Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, disclosed this to State House correspondents after the national security council meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa.

The minister who briefed alongside the Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Baba Usman, said the police have been ordered to go after the perpetrators of the act and bring them to justice.

According to him, the imprint of ISWAP has been found on the scene of the attack, vowing that they will be brought to justice.

The mister observed that ISWAP's aim is to pit Nigerians against each other by this attack to make it appear as ethno-religious war.

He said, "The National Security Council has just risen from its meeting today, which reviewed, very critically, all aspects of security situation in the country and came up with conclusions, commending the efforts of the military and other security agencies in mitigating the insurgency, particularly in the North East where the fundamentalists there have been weakened, degraded and equally in the North West where the bandits are equally weakened, and the North Central, where we're engaged with pockets of bandits.

"The council is quite concerned about the violent attack in Owo, Ondo State, and have been able to locate the perpetrators of that horrendous attack. From all indications, we are zeroing in on ISWAP, the Islamic State for West Africa.

"It is not an ethnoreligious thing. The animals in ISWAP wanting attention, recognition are suspected to have launched that attack. We have directed all the agencies concerned to go after them and bring them to justice."

Aregbesola noted that the government was equally concerned about the spate of attacks in the name of blasphemy.

Accordingly, he said the police have been directed to mobilize, identify and preempt all those involved in the blasphemy attacks in two areas of the country, namely Sokoto and Abuja, of recent.

He added: "The assurance is that we are committed to maintaining law and order and providing adequate security for Nigerian citizens.

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"Appropriate preparation is put in place for the elections coming up in Ekiti this month and Osun next month, principally by the Nigeria Police Force and supported by other security agencies, and to some extent, the military. That's the long and short of it.

"The president wants us to assure Nigerians that his administration is committed to providing adequate security and ensuring the maintenance of law and order so that Nigerians would be able to go about their businesses, particularly farmers, who will want to go to their farms without any fear of attack or molestation.

Responding to the recent kidnap and release of the Methodist Church Prelate, His Eminence, Samuel Kanu-Uche, the IGP said no arrest had been made, but pointed out that the matter is still being investigated.

"For the issue of the kidnapping of the Methodist Church Prelate, no arrest has been made in terms of suspects, but we are still on it. Arrest doesn't have to come immediately. The case is still under investigation. The case is open and we are still looking for the suspects.

"We have leads, we have some issues that we are still following through how the ransom was collected and how the negotiations were done. We have information to that effect and we're looking at getting into the real aspect of getting the suspects arrested.

"As for the issue of helicopter attack, the allegations are there, the assertions are there. We have not been able to say there is any helicopter attack on innocent citizens, like you have suggested. but most of the times these assertions are made and up till now we've not been able to see or we've not been able to identify any helicopter that is flying and killing people unnecessarily."
Suva, June 10 : Fijians have been advised to get their booster doses against Covid-19 amid a spike in news cases.

Fiji's Ministry of Health has recorded 61 new cases of Covid-19 this week, Xinhua news agency quoted a report by the Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) as saying on Friday.

Permanent Secretary for Health James Fong said of the 61 cases, 38 were from the central part of Fiji, 18 in the western part and five in the northern part.

Fong said 95 per cent of the target population have received the first two doses of the vaccine and 30 per cent above the age of 18 have had a booster dose.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health reported a positive response from its school vaccination programme as 90.6 per cent of the eligible population above the age of 12 are fully vaccinated.

The Ministry rolled out the programme in January which was targeted at teenagers aged 15, 16 and 17.

A total of 15,638 students between the ages of 12 and 14 have received two doses of the vaccine, while 32,017 children between the ages of 15 and 17 are fully inoculated.

The total number of Covid-19 infections in Fiji has surpassed 64,000 since March 2020 when the island nation reported its first confirmed case.

The country has so far reported a total of 863 deaths.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Islamabad, June 10 : The recent announcement of the extension of a ceasefire by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) for an indefinite time with Islamabad agreeing to release senior Taliban commanders is being received as a major blow, disappointment and anger by families of those victims, who lost their lives in various terror attacks by the outlawed group.

The reports of release of all TTP prisoners from Pakistani jails, list of which was provided by the TTP to the Pakistani authorities, has angered among the families of the innocent victims of the terror attacks on Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar on December 16, 2014, in which Taliban terrorists killed at least 149, among which at least 132 school children including teachers and others in one of Pakistan's most horrific terror attacks in history.

They say negotiating and meeting demands of the terrorists is like rubbing salt on their wounds.

"This is like rubbing sale into our wounds. This is like laughing at the sacrifices and martyrdom of innocent victims of terrorist attacks," said Fazak Khan, whose eight-year-old son Sahibzada was killed during the APS terrorist attack.

Pakistan is in negotiations with the TTP for weeks as both sides have put forward their demands to barter a peace deal and ensure that the terror group stops its ongoing terror attacks in the country.

The talks are being facilitated and mediated by the Afghan Taliban and are being held in Kabul.

As per details, TTP has put forward many demands to the Pakistani side, some of which have already been accepted and implemented.

One of those demands was the release of over 100 of TTP senior and important fighters/commanders. As per reliable sources, that demand has already been accepted and almost all of the listed TTP members have been released.

"TTP gave a list of 102 of its militants to be released from Pakistani jails. Almost all of them have been released by the Pakistani authorities," said a reliable source with inside knowledge of the negotiations.

"A presidential pardon was also required for some of the TTP militants on death row. That has also been done," he added.

Afghan Taliban say they would continue to mediate talks between the Pakistani government and the TTP as part of its policy of supporting security and stability in the region.

"Based on its main and permanent policy of supporting security and stability in the region, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has continued to mediate between the Pakistani government and the TTP and is still continuing its efforts and hopes for good results," said Inamullah Samangani, a spokesperson for the Taliban-led IEA government.

However, analysts believe that meeting TTP demands, which include withdrawal of security forces from the tribal belt and reversing decision to merge the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, coupled with imposition of a Shariah law in the tribal areas and districts, is something that will be a difficult challenging task ahead if the ongoing talks are to succeed.
Mumbai, June 10 : A day after the Special PMLA Court rejected Maharashtra Minister Nawab Malik's plea for temporary bail to cast his vote in today's Rajya Sabha polls, the Bombay High Court also refused to entertain his appeal, here on Friday.

Malik had moved the high court challenging the lower court order, but Justice P.D. Naik declined immediate relief and asked him to approach the appropriate bench dealing with bail applications.

Thereafter, Malik's legal team of Amit Desai, Taraq Sayed and Kushal Mor, briefed by Rashmikant and Partners, moved the bench of Justice Bharati Dongre.

However, Justice Dongre declined to entertain the plea on grounds that Malik could not be allowed to go and cast his vote with a police escort when permission had already been refused by the Special Court on Thursday.

Malik is currently in judicial custody after his arrest by Enforcement Directorate (ED) in an alleged money-laundering pertaining to a tainted land deal involving the absconder mafia don Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar.

Another NCP leader, ex-home minister Anil Deshmukh has also been declined relief by the Special PMLA Court Judge R. Rokade to go and cast his vote for the Rajya Sabha elections.

The ED lawyers had strongly opposed the pleas by both Deshmukh and Malik in the Special PMLA Court and the Bombay HC in the matter.

Voting for the six seats of RS in Maharashtra started at Vidhan Bhavan at 9 a.m. and was completed by 4 p.m., with the results expected later this evening.
New Delhi, June 10 : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said that Minister Satyendar Jain was taken to a hospital the previous day after a picture of the arrested Minister went viral. Kejriwal, however, refused to make any comment on Jain.

In the viral picture that went viral on Thursday, Satyendar Jain can be seen in a car with what appears to be blood on his face.

He is currently in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case.

"He is in ED custody and I cannot say much since we have no direct contact. I am in no position to make any comment on this. He was taken to hospital yesterday. Whatever happened in the hospital... when he was a little better, he was taken back," Delhi Chief Minister said.

Kejriwal was inspecting the trees transplanted at a site in Mayur Vihar. He said that the government's tree transplantation policy has helped prevent a dip in the national capital's green cover despite a large number of development projects being undertaken in the city.

"Delhi's green cover should have decreased to 15-16 per cent considering the development works being undertaken, but the Tree Transplantation Policy brought in October 2020 prevented it," he said after the inspection.
Panaji, June 10 : Many secrets about Portuguese rule of Goa will tumble out from "important" documents sought by the state government from Lisbon, Minister for Archives and Archaeology Subhash Phaldesai said on Friday, adding that in exchange, the state government was willing to exchange any documents which were sought by the Portuguese.

Phaldesai also said that the state government would approach the Union Ministry for External Affairs to obtain the documents.

"There are very good important documents. Many of our secrets about what was happening during the Portuguese era (will be revealed)," Phaldesai said.

"The Chief Minister made an announcement the other day that very important documents of Goa are lying in Portuguese custody. Those important documents pertaining to Goa are in Lisbon. They are very important documents for us. We want those Portuguese documents here," Phaldesai said.

On June 6, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, on the occasion of the coronation anniversary celebrations of Maratha ruler Shivaji, had said that he would try to source documents from Portuguese government related to the colonial history of Goa.

Phaldesai on Friday said that the documents could be sourced by the External Affairs Ministry, through the provisions in the bilateral ties shared by India and Portugal.

"We are trying," Phaldesai said.

"This is the correspondence made with Lisbon (by Portuguese rulers of Goa) to stall Shivaji Maharaj... There are many documents which will reveal the truth," Phaldesai said, adding that the government would also benefit by obtaining property records of the era in order to ascertain who owned which properties during the colonial era.

"The Portuguese government has nothing to lose from their side. It is our own property, it should come to us. Whatever we have belonging to Portugal, we may have to give that. It is an exchange," Phaldesai also said.
New Delhi, June 10 : Brokerage house Motilal Oswal Financial Services has recommended investors to buy shares of Varun Beverages, pegging a target price of Rs 820.

Varun Beverages is a major player in beverage industry and one of the largest franchisee of PepsiCo outside the US.

On Friday's closing, the shares of the company were at Rs 750.

Varun Beverages is expected to benefit from a strong recovery going forward, led by a growing out-of-home consumption, with the opening up of offices and traveling, uptick in volumes in new territories and traction in new products such as Sting, Value Added Dairy and Tropicana, the brokerage said in a note.

"Varun Beverages has signed a co-packing agreement to manufacture 'Kurkure Puffcorn' for PepsiCo India in February 2022. This is the first time that it has ventured into the manufacture of non-beverages," the note added.

In the long-term, the company may acquire additional manufacturing and distribution rights of other food products of PepsiCo.

Varun Beverages' revenue, EBITDA, and profit after tax are estimated to be 16 per cent, 21 per cent, and 38 per cent, on a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) basis, over 2021-23, the brokerage said.
St. Petersburg, June 10 : Russian President Vladimir Putin compared himself favourably to Peter the Great, a Russian monarch from the late 17th century, using the likening to justify Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the media reported.

During a visit on Thursday to an exhibition dedicated to the first Russian Emperor, Putin attempted to liken Peter the Great's conquest of Sweden in the 18th century to his own modern day military invasion of Ukraine, CNN reported.

In his comments, Putin argued that Peter the Great was not conquering, but rather fighting over territory that rightfully belonged to Russia.

He went on to draw a parallel to today's war in Ukraine, suggesting Russia's recent military actions -- where his troops have destroyed Ukrainian cities, and killed thousands of innocent men, women and children -- are justified, because Ukraine is not a legitimate sovereign nation, but in fact Russian territory.

Putin continued, adding that European countries did not recognize St. Petersburg as Russian at first, equating it to the current situation in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories, including Crimea, that the US and European allies do not acknowledge as Russian, CNN reported.

Intense fighting is ongoing for control of the eastern Ukrainian city of Severodonetsk, with no major changes reported in the past day, according to Ukrainian officials.

"The situation in Severodonetsk is very tense," Roman Vlasenko, head of the Severodonetsk district military administration, told Ukrainian national television, CNN reported.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
Kolkata, June 10 : Kolkata Police's killer policemen, who began firing indiscriminately with his service rifle near the Park Circus crossing, killing one woman pillion rider before shooting himself dead, has been identified as Chodup Lepcha and was reportedly suffering from acute mental depression for quite some time.

According to Kolkata's Additional Commissioner of Police-IV, Praveen Kumar Tripathi, the Lepcha, a resident of Kalimpong in the hills of north Bengal, had ID number 17462 and was attached to the fifth battalion of the Kolkata Armed Police.

"In all probability he was suffering from acute mental depression. However, it is matter of further investigation to prove whether he fired indiscriminately and killed himself out of that depression," Tripathi told news persons.

Meanwhile, the woman, the woman pillion rider who died being hit by the bullet because of indiscriminate firing has been identified as Reema Sinha, a resident of Dasnagar in Kolkata's adjacent Howrah district. Two other persons also sustained bullet injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital immediately. Both of them are out of danger now, confirmed Tripathi. The service gun from which Lepcha indiscriminately fired was a self- loading rifle (SLR).

Sources from the city police said that the fact that Lepcha was suffering from acute mental depression for quite some time was known to his close associates in the police force. "He had confided to some of his colleagues about his mental depression without divulging the reasons for the same," said a city police official who refused to be named.

It is learnt that Lepcha recently resumed duty after a leave, when he went to his ancestral residence at Kalimpong. He was also allotted the duty at the guard outpost outside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission office near Park Circus recently.

However, despite this unfortunate incident, the top cops of the city police have heaved a sigh of relief on two grounds. "The first is that the Lepcha did not rush in or fire towards the office of the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission. If it had been the situation would have been really very critical from all perspectives. Secondly, because of Friday namaz, the crowd at the Park Circus crossing and the adjacent Lower Range, was lesser compared to the other days. Otherwise, the casualties could have been higher," said the city police official.

However, it is learnt that a departmental enquiry is inevitable to learn whether the officer who allotted such a highly sensitive armed duty to Lepcha near a foreign mission was aware of the mental state of the policeman.
Bengaluru, June 10 : In a relief to the Education Department of Karnataka government, students insisting on wearing hijab have started to shun it and attend classes.

Sources said that it is a welcome development which could encourage other students insisting on wearing hijab to shun it.

Seven girl students, who were suspended from the Government First Grade College at Uppinangady in Dakshina Kannada district for insisting on wearing hijab, have submitted apology letters and started attending classes.

College principal Shekar M.D. has confirmed this and stated that the students are attending classes from Wednesday after the completion of their suspension period.

The issue has been discussed with their parents. Forty-five students resumed attending classes out of the 101 who insisted that they will attend classes only with hijab, Shekar said.

Twenty-four girl students were suspended for wearing of hijab to classrooms from the Uppinangady college earlier this week.

Sources in the Education Department stated that it is relieved with the development, which would send across a good message.
June 10 : Hrithik Roshan, often dubbed the Greek god of Bollywood, has captured millions of hearts with his dashing looks and impeccable performances. The 48-year-old who has proven his mettle to ace any character is now back after a three-year hiatus with the action thriller 'Vikram Vedha,' a remake of the Tamil film of the same name.

Taking to Instagram, the actor penned down a heartfelt note on the journey of Vikram Vedha as he wrapped up the film's shoot. "For me, this journey has been as frightful and as delightful as a skydive. Using Vedha as an opportunity of letting go, aligning with what is, finding joy in being less than, being wrong, has felt refreshingly new for me," wrote Hrithik.

The Krrish actor expressed deep gratitude to the directors Gayatri and Pushkar for their clarity and vision. He also stressed the role of Saif Ali Khan in shaping his character, Vedha. "For me, becoming Vedha, good or bad, wouldn't have been possible without the powerful presence of Saif Ali Khan as Vikram," he added.

As we called it a wrap on set, my mind is flooded with all the happy memories, testing times, action, thrill and hardwork we all have put into #VikramVedha. Doing a little excited-nervous dance in my head today.. as we inch closer to our release date.



See you at the cinemas.  pic.twitter.com/fk2tzvp9qf  Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) June 10, 2022

Along with the note, Hrithik shared two pics posing with the directors and co-star Saif. The film, slated to release on September 30, will mark Hrithik's and Saif's first collaboration. Rohit Saraf, Radhika Apte, and Yogita Bihani also star in the movie.

Hrithik has some interesting projects lined up for the future. 'Fighter,' directed by Siddharth Anand, featuring Hrithik and Deepika Padukone in the lead, will hit the theatres in 2023. War 2, the sequel to his action thriller War, has been announced by Siddharth. Another much-anticipated film of the actor is Krish 4 by Rakesh Roshan.
The market leaders asked the traders to go and collect their PVCs.

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 don't show your PVC, know that you have broken the (market) union's law. If your secretary doesn't show hers, she has also broken the law. If your apprentice doesn't 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 didn't 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.

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"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 wasn't 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."
New Delhi, June 10 : Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday attacked the government for ignoring the Chinese threat. He was commenting on reports about China's military build up in Ladakh.

Rahul Gandhi tweeted,"China is building the foundations for hostile action in the future. By ignoring it, the Govt is betraying India." The comments come in wake of a US senior military official flagging the issue which was rejected by the Chinese officials who had alleged that it's like adding fuel to fire.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said, "This border issue is between China and India. The two sides have the will and capability to properly resolve the issue through talks." On June 1, the 24th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was held -- the Indian delegation was led by Additional Secretary, East Asia, from the Ministry of External Affairs, while the Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs led the Chinese side.

The two sides reviewed the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the western sector of the India-China border. They recalled that since the last meeting of WMCC in November 2021, both sides have held the 14th and 15th meetings of the Senior Commanders in January and March 2022, respectively.

The two sides exchanged views on the current situation along the LAC in eastern Ladakh. They agreed that as instructed by the two Foreign Ministers, both sides should continue the discussions through diplomatic and military channels to resolve the remaining issues along the LAC at the earliest to create conditions for restoration of normalcy in bilateral relations.

In this context, they agreed to hold the next (16th) round of the Senior Commanders meeting at an early date to achieve the objective of complete disengagement from all friction points along the LAC in the western sector in accordance with the existing bilateral agreements and protocols.
Chennai, June 10 : Global automotive electronics major Visteon Corporation will be setting up a display manufacturing facility, increase its engineering centres, and double their headcount to 3,000 in India, its global President and CEO Sachin Lawande, said on Friday.

The Indian-American Lawande also said the $3 billion revenue Visteon is looking at India as a major growth market as Indians are now willing to spend more and even a first time car buyer is looking at costlier models.

"We are setting up a one million units per annum display panel facility adjacent to our facility near here. This will be Visteon's third display facility after Portugal and Mexico. The investment in this plant will be about $20 million and will start production next year," he said.

Lawande also said Visteon is also mulling another greenfield facility in India similar to its current electronics and display plant near here and a decision will be taken early next year.

"A new plant would involve an investment of about $35 million. The new plant will fructify when the current plant does a turnover of about $350-400 million," he said.

According to him, currently Visteon's Indian arm Visteon Electronics India Pvt Ltd is doing a business of about $200 million and has a workforce of about 500 people.

The Indian company is targeting a revenue of about $500 million by 2027.

Lawande said the company is in discussions with the car maker Suzuki which may be offering higher priced cars in the Indian market.

"The sweet spot is the cars priced between Rs 10 lakh to Rs 30 lakh and by 2027, the market for the cars in this price range in India will be about 3.5 million units," he said.

In tandem with increase in production capacity, Visteon is also beefing up its engineering talent by opening new centres in Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu), Thiruvananthapuram, and expanding the new facility in Goa.

The engineering headcount in India is about 1,500 and it will be doubled soon. Globally, Visteon's engineering talent is about 3,000 people now, Lawande said.

On hiring the required talent, he said that Visteon Technical and Services Center Pvt Ltd will work with educational institutions and provide internships to the students and later hire them.

Last year Visteon Corporation closed with a turnover of about $3 billion and the target for this year is $4 billion, Lawande said.

He also said the battery management systems (BMS) offers good opportunities for the company in the case of electric vehicles (EV).

Lawande also said Visteon is also working with an Indian two wheeler EV for digital infotainment systems but declined to disclose the company's name.
Chandigarh, June 10 : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday sought support from Canada for arresting the gangsters operating from its soil.

The Chief Minister flagged the issue with Canadian High Commissioner Cameron Mackay, who called on the former at his residence here.

The Chief Minister expressed concern over the mushrooming up of gangs and gangsters in both the countries.

Mann informed the High Commissioner that gangsters operating from Canadian soil are disturbing hard earned peace of state. He said these gangsters create law and order problem on one hand and derail the progress of the state on other hand.

Advocating a harsh punitive action against the gangsters, Mann said that they should be punished under severest of severe provisions of law so that it acts as deterrent for others.

The Chief Minister, while batting for joint police operation between Canada and Punjab, said it is the only way which can free both these lands from gangsters.

He apprised the High Commissioner that Punjab Police has a glorious tradition of upholding law and order situation even in hostile situations, adding if advanced police force like Canada cooperates with Punjab Police then these gangs can be weeded out easily.

The Chief Minister asked the Canadian High Commissioner to explore the feasibility of having a direct tie up between Punjab and Canada police so that gangsters can be put behind the bars.

He said this is need of the hour as gangsters and their actions are posing serious threat to life, economy and society in both Canada and Punjab.

Mann expressed hope that Canada and Punjab will script a new success story with this robust cooperation.
New Delhi, June 10 : The Ministry of Consumer Affairs said on Friday that it has called for a meeting of all the stakeholders next week to discuss EdTech apps that may potentially be misleading the consumers, especially the student community, and putting pressure on the parents.

"We are conscious of this (issue). Next week, the whole group is coming to us (for a meeting). We are very wary how the EdTech is unfolding and things like WhiteHat Junior, something is not right about it. We need to step in," said Rohit Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

He was responding to a question about apps that promote "Double Teachers' Advantage" during a media briefing on the latest guidelines for misleading advertisements.

"Just as we took cognisance of services such as Ola or Uber and restaurants and fake reviews etc., we need to protect the young consumers, the children, the teenagers who are preparing for IIT entrance etc. or even civil services," he said.

"Hopefully, during the consultation, we will come up with a framework so that they don't put pressure on children," he added.

Kumar was addressing the media in connection with the Central Consumer Protection Authority (Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Necessary Due Diligence for Endorsement of Advertisements) Guidelines, 2022 issued by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) late on Thursday night, effective from Friday.

These guidelines have several Dos and Don'ts for advertisements that are specifically targeting children.

Earlier, the Consumer Affairs Ministry had issued notices to Ola/Uber services and also restaurants in connection with service charges.
Chennai, June 10 : Tamil Nadu's PMK on Friday demanded an immediate ban of online rummy games in the state.

Party state President Anbumani Ramadoss led a protest march at Chennai's Egmore and criticised the DMK government for not bringing in a law to ban online gambling.

He said that 23 persons had lost their lives in Tamil Nadu since the ban was overturned in Tamil Nadu since August 2021. Addressing the cadres, he said that alcohol, drugs, and online gambling were widespread among the youth and had claimed many lives since 2014.

Ramadoss said that the party founder leader Dr.S. Ramadoss has been conducting a campaign for the past seven years against the online rummy menace. "We will not tolerate this anymore and demand an immediate ban," he said.

He said that before the state government banned online gambling in November 2020 through an ordinance and later by law in February 2021, around 60 suicides were recorded through online gambling.

The PMK leader said that after the state government banned online gambling between November 2020 and August 2021, there were no deaths and since the ban was overturned in August 2021, more people lost their lives due to online rummy games.

He said that the Tamil Nadu Law Minister had said a law would be enacted but he changed his position later and said the high court's verdict would be challenged in the Supreme Court.

Ramadoss also said that nothing is going to be achieved in the Supreme Court if the state government is going to appeal in favour of the same law that was quashed. The PMK leader said that online rummy gaming was affecting several families.

He, however, welcomed the state government's decision to constitute a committee headed by Justice K. Chandru (retd) to give recommendations on promulgating an ordinance for banning online rummy.
New Delhi/Srinagar, June 10 : After Jammu and Kashmir's transition into a Union Territory, the Centre has ensured that youth remain a focal point. Various schemes have turned them into successful entrepreneurs and they have become brand ambassadors of 'Naya J&K'.

J&K's generation-next has understood that guns, grenades and stones won't take them anywhere except to the graveyards. They are choosing careers and becoming self reliant to chase their dreams.

On the other hand a few youth are still getting carried away by the propaganda of hate and violence being preached by the terrorist handlers sitting across the Line of Control.

These youth are being lured into terrorism by indoctrination and other means. Most of them end up losing their lives in encounters with the security forces but before getting eliminated they devastate families by killing innocents and soon after taking up arms they wreak havoc on their own families.

On one side progressive youth in J&K are chasing their dreams, on the other there are youth, who have turned into hybrid terrorists, and are choosing death over life. These are two sides of the same coin.

In 2021, 44,403 youth got financial assistance After August 5, 2019 -- when the Centre announced its decision to abrogate so-called special status of J&K and divided it into two Union Territories -- the government has put in relentless efforts to instill confidence among the youth that they can become a force to reckon with and live decent lives.

In 2021 the government extended financial assistance to 44,403 young boys and girls, Self-Help Groups to realize their dreams and transform their entrepreneurial ideas into reality. In the first 4 months of this year, 3,407 youth have been turned into entrepreneurs by the financial help provided by the authorities.

Under Prime Minister's Stand Up India Mission, 1,560 beneficiaries have received the credit of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 crore for starting their business ventures. More than 2.62 lakh accounts have been opened, and Rs 5,696 crore has been disbursed to small and micro-entrepreneurs under the MUDRA Yojana.

For the first time in the past 70 years, the street vendors in Jammu and Kashmir have been connected with the banking facility and loan has been disbursed to 14,682 beneficiaries till date.

5 schemes playing pivotal role Five important schemes, Mumkin, Tejaswini, Youth Clubs, Youth Data Bank and Interactive Digital Platform and Tourist Village Network Programme have played a pivotal role in empowering youth.

The Mumkin scheme has facilitated the J&K youth to establish a sustainable livelihood in the transport sector. It provides financial assistance for acquisition of new small commercial vehicles. The applicants can choose any small commercial vehicle of any approved models/makes of his/her choice.

The bank provides 100 per cent finance of the on road price and the government provides an amount of Rs 80,000 or 10 per cent of on-road price of the vehicle as upfront subsidy towards the loan amount of the beneficiary under the scheme.

Another scheme Tejaswini is empowering women in J&K. It inspires young women to take up activities either in manufacturing, service, trading, small business etc. Its core focus is to facilitate soft finance for setting up new units/enterprises or for expansion/modernization of existing units or for acquisition of fixed assets (plant and machinery, equipment, furniture & fixtures). Under the scheme, the eligible potential female entrepreneurs are facilitated to avail financial assistance under Mudra Loan from J&K bank to the extent of 5 lakh.

The scheme's banking partners extend a loan facility to the extent of 100 per cent of the project cost and the government provides an amount of Rs 50,000 or 10 per cent of the project cost. The activities covered under Tejaswini are canteen and restraint, creche, cyber cafe, beauty parlour, day care centre, laundry & dry cleaning, mobile repairing, photocopying centre, training institute, fitness centre, yoga centre or any other profitable activity.

As many as 4,239 Youth Clubs have been constituted across J&K. These clubs are engaging young volunteers, who get an opportunity to work through real challenges and make meaningful change in the society. These clubs are helping youth to become equal partners in the governance process in 'Naya Jammu and Kashmir'.

Another initiative 'Youth Data Bank and Interactive Digital Platform' has addressed shortcomings of official statistics regarding J&K youth. It has created a repository of consistent and reliable youth statistics required for short and long-term planning and implementation of youth engagement and empowerment programmes.

Besides these programmes, the government has launched 'Tourist Village Network' to boost the tourism industry. Under the initiative, over 75 villages in J&K have been identified to promote tourism and provide sustainable employment to the local youth from these areas.

The youth-led sustainable tourism initiative has strengthened the rural economy and community entrepreneurship, It has empowered them by providing direct and indirect employment opportunities.

Hybrid terrorists sabotaging peace, development The terrorist handlers sitting in Pakistan are finding it hard to digest that J&K's generation-next is not interested in carrying forward their proxy war as the youth are busy building their lives. The number of progressive youth is higher than the radicalized ones.

The recent target killings in Kashmir have been the handiwork of the hybrid terrorists who are not on any terror lists but are radicalised enough to carry out a strike and then slip back into routine life.

According to the figures available with the security agencies as on date there are around 160 terrorists active in Kashmir, among them 70 are locals and 90 are foreign operatives. The number of hybrid terrorists is estimated to be around 50. The ones involved in the target killings have been using pistols that are easy to carry and dump.

Since August 2019, 90 Kashmiri Muslims and 18 Kashmiri Pandits and Hindus have been killed in the Valley during the same period. Maximum of the target killings have been carried out by the hybrid terrorists.

Last month 14 encounters took place in which 27 terrorists were killed; of these, seven were Pakistani while 20 were local terrorists. This was the highest number of kills in a month this year.

In 2021, 189 militants were killed in different gunfights with security forces in J&K. Among the slain, 85 per cent were local terrorists, while 15 per cent were Pakistanis. In 2020, 203 ultras were killed, while 160 militants were eliminated in 2019 followed by 257 ultras in 2018. In 2017, 213 militants were killed whereas 150 terrorists were killed in 2016.

Security forces have been maintaining tremendous pressure on terrorists. Anyone who joins terror ranks finds it difficult to survive. The local youth, who get radicalized, on the instructions of their handlers are targeting innocents before getting killed.

The security forces have launched a final assault against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and terror is on its last legs. The hybrid terrorists are making every possible attempt to sabotage peace and development in J&K, however, the youth, who have boarded the wagon of peace and development are helping J&K to fight the onslaught sponsored from across the LoC.

The progressive youth in J&K are emerging stronger than the hybrid terrorists and are building 'Naya J&K' at a rapid pace.
New York, June 10 : Taliban security forces in northern Afghanistans Panjshir province have unlawfully detained and tortured residents accused of association with an opposition armed group, Human Rights Watch said on Friday.

Since mid-May 2022, fighting has escalated in the province as National Resistance Front (NRF) forces have attacked Taliban units and checkpoints.

The Taliban have responded by deploying thousands of fighters in the province, who have carried out search operations targeting communities they allege are supporting the NRF.

During search operations in other provinces, Taliban forces have committed summary executions and enforced disappearances of captured fighters and other detainees, which are war crimes.

"Taliban forces in Panjshir province have quickly resorted to beating civilians in their response to fighting against the opposition National Resistance Front," said Patricia Gossman, Associate Asia Director at Human Rights Watch, adding: "The Taliban's longstanding failure to punish those responsible for serious abuses in their ranks puts more civilians at risk." Former detainees in early June had reported that Taliban security forces detained about 80 residents in Panjshir's Khenj district and beat them to compel them to provide information about NRF. After several days, the Taliban released 70, but have continued to hold 10 people whose relatives they accuse of being members of the group, a form of collective punishment.

The former detainees said the district jail held nearly 100 others for alleged links to NRF. None had access to their families or lawyers. Others have been held in informal detention facilities.

The NRF, headed by Ahmad Massoud, is the principal armed opposition group in Panjshir and neighbouring provinces. It includes some fighters who had served in the former Afghan national security forces.

Taliban troops in Panjshir are under the command of Defence Minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, who had stated on May 21 that the authorities would not allow anyone to 'disrupt security' in the province.

The Defence Ministry and the General Directorate of Intelligence have overseen operations in Panjshir.

"Taliban forces in Panjshir have imposed collective punishment and disregarded protections to which detainees are entitled. This is just the latest example of Taliban abuses during fighting in the region 10 months after the Taliban took power," Gossman said.
Washington, June 10 : Even as global cases of Covid-19 are on the decline, a number of other viruses such as influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, tuberculosis, and monkeypox are on the rise, and have also exhibited strange behaviours in recent months, according to a media report.

Health experts state that reduced exposure due to Covid restrictions may have lowered immunity to infectious diseases, making people more vulnerable to new outbreaks, CNBC reported. The report noted that during Covid the diseases caused by these viruses were subdued.

Flu during winters of 2020 and 2021 in the US was one of the mildest on record both in terms of deaths and hospitalisations. But as Covid abated and restrictions were removed, the virus-led diseases began ticking upward beginning February and extending well into summers.

"We've never seen a flu season in the US extend into June," Dr. Scott Roberts, associate medical director for infection prevention at Yale New Haven Hospital, was quoted as saying.

"Covid has clearly had a very big impact on that. Now that people have unmasked, places are opening up, we're seeing viruses behave in very odd ways that they weren't before," he added.

Respiratory syncytial virus, a cold-like virus common during winter months, exhibited an uptick last summer, with cases surging among children in Europe, the US and Japan.

Adenovirus 41, usually responsible for gastrointestinal illness, is suspected to be the reason behind acute hepatitis among young children - infecting about 700 children in 34 countries and claiming 10 lives. Further, Washington state in the US has seen the worst flare-up of tuberculosis in 20 years, the report said.

Another is the monkeypox outbreak that has over 1,000 confirmed and suspected cases emerging in 29 non-endemic countries.

At least two genetically distinct variants of the rare viral infection typically found in Central and West Africa, has been detected in the US, likely stemming from two different spillover infections from animals to humans, The World Health Organisation noted earlier last week that the virus, whose symptoms include fever and skin lesions, may have been going undetected in society for "months or possibly a couple of years".

DNA sequencing of the monkeypox virus by researchers at the University of Edinburgh in the UK showed that the virus has been circulating since 2017.

The recent outbreak is the first ever to be seen in non-endemic countries outside Africa, and being manifest in men who have sex with men, even after not being a sexually trnasmitted disease. In addition, symptoms are also appearing in new ways.

"Patients are presenting differently than we were previously taught," said Roberts, noting that some infected patients are bypassing initial flu-like symptoms and immediately developing rashes and lesions, specifically and unusually on the genitals and anus.

"There's a lot of unknowns that do make me uneasy. We are seeing very atypical behaviours in a number of ways for a number of viruses," he said.

Besides Covid-induced restrictions and mask-wearing over the past two years, the viruses were also missed as public health surveillance that were largely focussed on curbing pandemic, the experts said.

Covid-led lockdowns also curtailed childhood vaccinations, potentially raising the risks of other vaccine-preventable illnesses such as measles and pertussis.

"During the Covid pandemic, access to primary care, including childhood vaccinations, was unavailable to many children," Jennifer Horney, professor of epidemiology at the University of Delaware, told CNBC.

"To prevent increases in these diseases, catch-up vaccination campaigns are needed globally," she added.

Latest updates on Monkeypox Virus Outbreak
Moscow, June 10 : Russia's Defence Ministry says there is "credible information" that Ukrainian fighters are using civilians as human shields inside the Azot chemical plant in the Donbass city of Severodonetsk, RT reported.

According to the ministry, Ukrainian troops are "holding hundreds of the town's residents and workers inside the plant's underground facilities".

"The nationalists have rigged tanks containing dangerous chemicals (nitric acid, ammonia, and ammonium nitrate) with explosives, and plan to blow them up during the retreat." The plant primarily makes fertilizer. Heavy fighting has been reported in and around Severodonetsk in recent weeks as Russian and Donbass forces try to take the city, RT reported.

Sergey Gayday, the chief Kiev-appointed official in the region, accused Russia of shelling the Azot factory on Wednesday evening, damaging its ammonium production facility. He said the plant's underground bunker was not damaged.

Gayday added that "according to the plant's owner, all fertilizer and chemicals had been removed from (the plant's) territory on the second day of the war".

Russia's Defence Ministry claimed that Ukraine was also holding workers inside the Konditsioner plant in the town of Kramatorsk. The factory makes air conditioners and water heaters. Moscow said Ukrainian fighters have positioned rocket launchers there, as well as explosives inside another chemical plant in the town of Avdeyevka.

It also reported that, according to information provided by captured Ukrainian soldiers, "nationalists" were planning to shell the Zmiyovskaya thermal power station in the eastern Kharkov Region and then pin the blame on Moscow, RT reported.

Latest updates on Russia-Ukraine War
Chennai, June 10 : Racism and apartheid by all the chess federations in Europe is evident as not even one of the 54 national chess federations endorsed our candidacy for the FIDE President election, alleged Enyonam Sewa Fumey, vice-president of Togo Chess Federation.

The FIDE has rejected the candidature of Enyonam Sewa Fumey for FIDE president's post as his candidature was not endorsed by any member federation of the European continent.

The 40-year-old Fumey, who is also a member of FIDE's Social Commission, had announced his decision to contest in the upcoming presidential elections in International Chess Federation commonly known as FIDE.

Asked about the presence of racism or apartheid in the global chess arena Fumey told IANS, "I think everybody can see it clearly! We approached all the Europe federations. All were aware that we need only one nomination from any of them to promote democracy! And even Candidate Andrii Baryshpolets sent a call to them in that aspect." Baryshpolets is one of the contestants for the FIDE president post and his candidature has been accepted by FIDE.

According to Fumey, a national chess federation can endorse only one candidate for the Presidential election.

"Europe has 54 federations. We approached them all! We approached their continental authorities. We signaled their blocking strategy, anti-democratical, even to FIDE President Arkady," Fumey fumed.

"The Europeans, as one man through their various Presidents and delegates, have blocked the way to a "coloured" alternative," he added.

"Knowing that an "endorsement" does not in any way affect the choices during the vote and is in no way the expression of a tendency, it is difficult not to reduce this admirable maneuver to the expression of gross injustice," he added.

"We can have all the support from all over the world, but the absence of at least one European leads us here. Very difficult to see anything else," he said.

The FIDE rejected the candidature of Fumey for president and Stuart Fancy for deputy president's posts as their candidature was not endorsed by any member federation of the European continent.

Fumey and Fancy's candidature was endorsed by the nominations of the FIDE Member Federations: Togo (Africa), Haiti (America), Papua New Guinea (Asia), Egypt (Africa), Senegal (Africa), Burkina Faso (Africa) and none from Europe.

Chess is said to be euro-centric, and we ask: when will chess become global, Fumey asked.

"In today's FIDE, in the electoral process, you can get 40 supports from Africa, 40 from Asia, 40 from America, which is sufficient to win FIDE, however, if you miss one nomination from Europe, because they think chess belongs to them, you cannot even become a candidate for FIDE Presidency!!," Fumey told chess players and enthusiasts.

"When the people stating clearly that chess is for Europe are prospering, when the people fighting against the "one federation - one vote" principle are succeeding, we, who are fighting to make chess for all are being blocked, and by only one continent hiding behind the empty word neutrality. What is neutrality when you are promoting others and disconsidering some because they are part of a said third world, or non aligned?," he added in an open letter to brothers and sisters of the chess family.

"Even, President and Candidate, Arkady Dvorkovich, after presenting his ticket/team, said he will include representatives from Africa, America and South Asia later. Yes, only later, because we don't deserve to be in the front now, like everybody else... For the moment, the best places can only be for others, those we are seeing in the #SayChess ticket/team, not us... When will chess become global?," Fumey said.

"Have you ever worked in the FIDE administration when being from the global South? I did, and we hardly have a space there... When will chess become global?," he added.

The FIDE has announced the following list of valid presidential candidacies -- Andrii Baryshpolets, president and Peter-Heine Nielsen, deputy president; Inalbek Cheripov, president and Lewis Ncube, deputy president; Arkady Dvorkovich, president and Viswanathan Anand, deputy president; Bachar Kouatly, president and Ian Wilkinson, deputy president.

According to FIDE, the candidature of Dvorkovich and Anand was endorsed by the nominations of the following member federations: Tunisia (Africa), Mexico (America), India (Asia), Cyprus (Europe), Panama (America), Indonesia (Asia), Nigeria (Africa) and Montenegro (Europe).

The candidature of Baryshpolets and Nielsen was endorsed South Sudan (Africa), Curacao (former Netherlands Antilles) (America), New Zealand (Asia), England (Europe), Lithuania (Europe), Netherlands (Europe), Norway (Europe).

On the other hand, Cheripov and Ncube's ticket was endorsed by the nominations of the following Member Federations: Sierra Leone (Africa), Barbados (America), Timor Leste (Asia), Ukraine (Europe), Zambia (Africa).

And the ticket of Kouatly and Wilkinson was endorsed by the national chess federations of Congo (Africa), Jamaica (America), Australia (Asia), Monaco (Europe), St. Kitts and Nevis (America), Grenada (America).

Elections to FIDE will be held in the Four Points by Sheraton Mahabalipuram Resort and Convention Centre near here alongside the 44th Chess Olympiad in July-August.

(Venkatachari Jagannathan can be reached at v.jagannathan@ians.in)
Bola Tinubu, a former Lagos State governor, is the ruling All Progressives Congress candidate for the 2023 presidential contest.

The real winners and losers of the APC presidential primary go beyond the aspirants who took part in it or even those who were at the Eagle Square for the convention.

The emergence of a former Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu, as the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 general election was no doubt a well-fought victory.

The former governor defeated 13 other aspirants to clinch the ticket at the primary concluded on Wednesday in Abuja. He polled 2,371 votes to emerge winner while his closest rival, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, got 316 votes. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo came third with 253 votes. The Electoral Committee voided 13 votes after the exercise

Mr Tinubu was one of the 23 aspirants cleared to take part in the primary conducted in Abuja from June 7 to 8.

Before the voting process began, seven of the 23 aspirants withdrew from the contest and declared support for Mr Tinubu, while another one stepped down for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. Furthermore, one aspirant stepped down but did not declare support for any of his co-contestants. As a result, only 14 of the 23 aspirants took part in the primary.

A total of 2,203 delegates accredited to vote were APC party members elected from the 774 local government areas in Nigeria.

Below are the real winners and losers of the primary election following the roles they played before and during the contest.

WINNERS

1. Bola Tinubu

Mr Tinubu cruised to victory with a landslide of 1,271 votes. While his emergence at the just concluded primary was his first attempt at the presidency, he expressed deep appreciation to all whose contributions in one way or the other made it happen.

An elated Mr Tinubu, who defeated his co-contestants with a wide margin, while delivering his acceptance speech, said he did not 'expect to win the party's presidential primary.

"I did not expect to win, I won. I must be intoxicated with victory," he said.

Mr Tinubu also said he holds 'no grudges' against members of his party who worked against his candidature.

"The competition is now over. Those who did not support me, you have nothing to fear. I hold no grudges and grievances. Let us each agree to join hands in defeating PDP and beat back their retrogressive understanding of Nigeria," he said.

Mr Tinubu faced stiff opposition from some of his former allies, including Mr Osinbajo, and some members of the 'cabal,' people believed to be close to President Muhammadu Buhari who wanted the president to endorse someone else as the consensus candidate.

Likewise, his victory suggests a major relief to some prominent members of the party who had stepped down to back his aspiration.

Also, it affirms the position of many members of the APC who believe Mr Tinubu is the most experienced among the contestants to face Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in next year's general elections.

2. Northern APC governors

But for the insistence of governors of northern states controlled by the APC that the presidential power should shift to the south after eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner, the entire exercise may have gone a different direction. Also, Mr Tinubu may not have emerged victorious.

The governors on Saturday threw their weight behind the quest for a southern president. They eventually met with Mr Buhari to sell the idea to him. In the end, Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa State withdrew from the race. But Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and former Governor Ahmed Sani of Zamfara State went ahead to run.

The APC has 14 northern governors. Just as the joint stance of 13 of them helped secure victory for Mr Tinubu, he could have lost the election if they had taken an opposite stance.

3. Kayode Fayemi

Mr Fayemi is considered a member of the broader Tinubu political family as the former Lagos governor played a prominent role in his governorship elections.

It did not, however, surprise many that Mr Fayemi decided to contest against his benefactor as the relationship between both men had deteriorated.

The stance of Mr Fayemi to contest against Mr Tinubu put him in the bad books of many of the latter's supporters.

However, his decision to step down for his 'leader' just before the commencement of voting earned him the accolade of some of Mr Tinubu's supporters. It is believed that the 48 delegates from Ekiti, most of whom would have voted for Mr Fayemi, ended up voting for Mr Tinubu.

Had Mr Fayemi not stepped down, it would not have been a surprise to see Mr Tinubu mobilise his resources (in the South-west) against Mr Fayemi's anointed candidate in the June 18 governorship election in Ekiti.

4. Godswill Akpabio and others

Ex-Niger Delta minister and former governor of Akwa-Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, was the first among the seven aspirants who stepped down to support Mr Tinubu to victory at the poll.

He asked the 93 delegates from his state to support Mr Tinubu.

Mr Akpabio may, however, have simply played smart as he knew before stepping down that all the Akwa Ibom delegates would not be allowed to vote due to a court order stopping them from participating in the process.

Although he may have gotten zero votes at the convention, his decision to step down, and him being the first to do so among the cleared aspirants, put him in the good books of supporters of Mr Tinubu.

The kind gesture earned Mr Akpabio and other aspirants - Ajayi Boroffice, Uju Ken-Ohanenye, Mr Fayemi, Ibikunle Amosun and former House of Representatives Speaker Oladimeji Bankole - who backed down from the race, special recognition from Mr Tinubu.

Like Mr Akpabio, the other six aspirants who stepped down can also be considered winners of the convention.

Mr Tinubu may have roles for them if he eventually wins the presidential election.

Mr Akpabio will also be hoping that Mr Buhari reappoints him to head the Niger Delta ministry as the post is still vacant.

5. Chris Ngige

Mr Ngige, the current labour minister, will consider himself a very lucky (or smart) person.

He had declared his presidential ambition and secured his N100 million nomination form.

But after President Buhari directed ministers seeking elective positions to resign, he had a rethink. He withdrew from the presidential race and preferred to keep his ministerial seat.

That has turned out to be a smart move.

The former Anambra governor may have gotten some votes, from Anambra delegates, but would have lost the presidential primary, and likely his ministerial seat.

6. APC

Arguably, the most important winner from the APC primary is the party itself.

Many analysts had predicted doom for a ruling party that has never gotten its house in order since it came into power in 2015. In fact, the party has had to postpone its convention several times to, among others, avert the worsening of its crises.

The crises in the APC are multi-faceted and multi-layered but the party appears to have temporarily put them aside with the outcome of the convention.

Mr Tinubu alluded to this in his victory speech when he said: "It appeared some weeks back that some newspapers and many people were ready to write the obituary of this party. We put together and pulled ourselves as a cat of nine lives."

"Shame on them, our party is alive," he said.

THE LOSERS

Of the 14 aspirants who gunned for the APC ticket, only six of the candidates managed to pull some significant votes from the delegates.

Ex-transport minister Rotimi Amaechi came second with 316 votes, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo came a distant third with 235 votes while Senate President Ahmad Lawan came fourth with 152 votes.

Others are Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello (47), Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade (37), Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State (38) and former Zamfara governor, Ahmad Sani, who had four votes.

Four of the aspirants had zero votes.

But it was not only the aspirants that lost at the convention that were the losers, some of the real losers were not in the race.

1. Yahaya Bello of Kogi State

Mr Bello was the only governor of a northern state controlled by the APC that opposed the zoning of the party's presidential ticket to the south.

The other 13 northern governors in the APC met and agreed to the zoning arrangement. Mr Bello, however, insisted on contesting and said he would win if the process was credible.

He also spent a lot of money on campaigns with his adverts donning billboards and appearing on prominent TV stations.

However, on the day of the primary, he could not even secure the votes of all the delegates from his state. Only 47 delegates voted for Mr Bello while Kogi has 63 delegates.

Despite his jubilation, after his vote was announced, Mr Bello's campaign organisation described the primary as "a peaceful but highly compromised" one.

2. Ben Ayade of Cross River State

Mr Ayade was elected governor on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but decamped to the APC last year.

Mr Ayade was one of the aspirants who did not win the primary, but he is on this list mainly because he could not secure all the votes of delegates from his state.

After describing himself as a man with "the enthusiasm of a youth and the wisdom of a 60-year-old" while addressing the delegates on Tuesday night, the governor could only secure 37 votes. Cross River has a total of 54 accredited delegates. This implies that at least 17 delegates from the state did not vote for their governor.

3. Rochas Okorocha, the Imo senator

Mr Okorocha addressed delegates in three languages (English, Hausa and Igbo) while trying to convince them. It was not enough.

Despite being Imo State governor for two consecutive terms (2011 to 2019) and currently a serving senator, Mr Okorocha could not get any of the 81 delegates from the state to vote for him. In fact, he could not get any of the over 2,000 delegates at the convention to vote for him as he scored zero votes.

He is currently being prosecuted for allegedly stealing public funds while he was governor.

4. Rotimi Amaechi

Mr Amaechi was the first runner up in the primary and scored more votes than some other major contenders including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and Senate President Ahmad Lawan.

However, Mr Amaechi's loss is not limited to losing the primary.

He is one of the ministers who had to resign their position to seek the presidential ticket.

He was also one of the star ministers of the Buhari administration and spearheaded the government's rail projects across the country. It is unclear whether he would be reappointed as transport minister by President Buhari. The position is still vacant.

However, Mr Amaechi's greatest loss from the primary may turn out to be something different from the ministerial position.

As a minister and close ally to the president, Mr Amaechi has been able to largely stave off the formerly stiff challenge for the control of the APC in his home Rivers State.

His major challenger for the control of Rivers APC, Magnus Abe, is a key ally of Mr Tinubu and strongly supported the ex-Lagos governor's candidacy.

Mr Amaechi has congratulated Mr Tinubu and pledged his "commitment to your success at the polls" but observers will wait to see whether that will dissuade Mr Tinubu, should he win the presidential election, from helping Mr Abe take control of the Rivers APC.

5. Ogbonnaya Onu

For a man whose performance as a minister can be, at best, considered lacklustre, many were surprised when Mr Onu resigned his position to contest the presidential election.

Mr Onu, a former governor of the old Abia State, had also sought a presidential ticket of a major party in 1999, at the outset of Nigeria's current democratic dispensation.

He was appointed minister of science and technology by Mr Buhari and resigned following the president's directive after he had paid the N100 million for the presidential form of the APC.

He appeared to have based his presidential ambition on the hope that the APC would zone its presidential ticket to the South-east and railed about that while addressing the APC delegates on Tuesday.

Mr Onu could not even secure 10 per cent of the 39 votes of the delegates from his home Ebonyi State. He had only one vote at the convention.

He would be hoping that President Buhari reappoints him to his still vacant position of science and technology minister.

6. Emeka Nwajiuba

Many Nigerians were surprised when Mr Nwajiuba resigned his ministerial position to pursue his presidential ambition.

As minister of state for education, Mr Nwajiuba was relatively unknown and his ministry was among the worst-rated by Nigerians with incessant strikes by workers in the country's educational institutions.

So, when Mr Nwajiuba paid N100 million for the APC presidential form, many expressed surprise. Perhaps because of his conviction that he could win, he was also the first minister to resign his position and did so before President Buhari's directive.

He was, however, conspicuously absent at the APC convention explaining later that he was disappointed that the presidential ticket was not zoned to the South-east.

Despite his absence at the convention, he secured one vote.

It is uncertain if he would be reappointed minister to fill his still vacant position.

7. Aso Rock Cabal

Some relatives and associates of Mr Buhari at the presidential villa who the media call the "cabal", tried to convince the president to anoint the Central Bank governor, Godwin Emefiele and former President Goodluck Jonathan as the APC's presidential candidate. Their efforts failed.

The president's wife, Aisha Buhari, had also in the past blamed the cabal for the tense relationship between Mr Buhari and Mr Tinubu. She accused them of hijacking her husband's government.

With Mr Tinubu's victory, the cabal's moves to determine the potential successor of the president have failed.

8. Ahmad Lawan

Ahmad Lawan could have been Nigeria's Senate President in 2015 when the APC came into power. He had the backing of the party leadership, particularly that of Mr Tinubu.

But Mr Buhari's inaction, or indifference, led to victory for Kwara Senator Bukola Saraki. The APC government never recovered from that action in the first term of the president as there were incessant squabbles between the Executive and the Legislature.

However, in 2019, Mr Saraki, who had defected to the PDP, lost his senatorial election. The APC leadership, again including Mr Tinubu, mobilised support for Mr Lawan against Ali Ndume, another APC senator. Mr Lawan eventually emerged as senate president.

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Mr Lawan was initially thought to be one of the backers of Mr Tinubu for the presidential race. He was a late entrant into the presidential race and was touted as the 'consensus candidate.

In his victory speech on Wednesday, Mr Tinubu showed his displeasure at Mr Lawan's decision to contest against him, although in a light mood.

"I would have been a little upset because you compete with me but that is over now since you can easily leak your wounds," the winner said.

9. Yemi Osinbajo

Despite being the only aspirant who received a standing ovation from Mr Buhari after delivering a top-notch and highly spirited address to the delegates on Tuesday night, Mr Osinbajo lost the presidential primary.

In his final speech to the delegates before voting, Mr Osinbajo made a heartwarming plea on why he should get the party's ticket.

"We are a religious nation; we believe in the power of prayer. We all pray for a country that is peaceful and prosperous,.

"But God allows us by our votes to show him whether we mean the prayers we pray or not. You cannot wish this country well and vote for someone you do not believe in.

"So, our dear delegates, when you vote tonight, know that your vote carries the answer to your prayers for the future of our children, for the future of our country," he said.

Mr Osinbajo came third in the contest behind Messrs Tinubu and Amaechi.

But Mr Osinbajo's loss goes beyond losing at the primary.

By choosing to contest against Mr Tinubu, his political benefactor, many Nigerians consider Mr Osinbajo a betrayal.

It was Mr Tinubu who appointed Mr Osinbajo, then an academic, as a commissioner. He served as justice commissioner for the eight years Mr Tinubu was the governor of Lagos.

It was also Mr Tinubu who nominated Mr Osinbajo as the vice-presidential candidate of Mr Buhari in 2015. Messrs Tinubu and Osinbajo were close allies until the build-up to the current elections.

Mr Osinbajo will, therefore, have lost many friends and former political allies and supporters because of his decision.

The vice president has congratulated Mr Tinubu and called on all APC members to support the party's candidate.

Also, Mr Tinubu has appealed for Mr Osinbajo's support and those of other co-contestants for the party to achieve victory in the 2023 election.

Abdullahi Adamu

While Mr Tinubu knew he had 22 challengers for the APC ticket, arguably the greatest threat to his ambition was not from any of his opponents but from the head of the party.

As the national chairman of the APC, many would have expected Abdullahi Adamu to be neutral in the primaries or pretend to be neutral. He was neither.

As part of his antics to prevent Mr Tinubu from clinching the presidential ticket, Mr Adamu made two controversial moves a few days before the convention.

First, he threatened that the party would punish Mr Tinubu for his statement that appeared critical of President Buhari. Then he told the party's leadership that President Buhari had endorsed Mr Lawan as the consensus candidate. Both views were rejected by other members of the party's executive, the NWC.

The presidency also denied that Mr Buhari endorsed Mr Lawan or any other presidential aspirant.

Despite Mr Adamu's machinations, Mr Tinubu won the primaries.

Mr Adamu has since congratulated Mr Tinubu and pledged to work for his victory in the presidential election.

Mr Tinubu may not want to rock the boat until after the main presidential election next year, but very few people would be surprised if Mr Adamu is removed as party chairman after the election.
Islamabad, June 10 : Pakistan government has categorically rejected the remarks made by the spokesperson of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs regarding the unfortunate incident that took place at a Hindu temple in Karachi.

The statement came after a Hindu temple was vandalised in Karachi, where a mob attacked the statues of deities at Shri Mari Maata located in the Korangi area.

As per reports, the police arrested at least six suspected culprits who entered the temple and vandalised statues. A case has been registered and an investigation is underway.

The incident has been termed as an angry reaction to the derogatory remarks made by former BJP spokesperson Nurpur Sharma with regard to Prophet Muhammad, which have drawn official condemnation from the Shehbaz Sharif government.

The Pakistan foreign office, responding to the latest statement by the Indian MEA, said its government is taking required action against the perpetrators, unlike how 'violence against Muslims in India is hailed'.

"Unlike the violence against the Muslim community that is orchestrated by religious fanatics who enjoy full patronage of India's state machinery, the government of Pakistan is seized of this matter and action is being taken against the perpetrators," said the Pakistan foreign office.

"An FIR has already been registered against the assailants and efforts are underway to identify and arrest them. They will not escape justice and the government will deal with them with the full force of law," the Pakistan foreign office statement added.

Pakistan reminded India to look inwards before pointing fingers towards Islamabad and raising concerns over protection of fundamental rights.

"The Government of India would be well advised to introspect and ensure the protection of the fundamental rights, lives, and places of worship of minorities across India, particularly Muslims who are facing brutal attacks from the proponents of 'Hindutva' holding on to the reins of power in the country," read the Pakistan foreign office statement.

Pakistan also highlighted Nurpur Sharma's comments and called on India to take decisive action against the BJP leaders responsible for making blasphemous remarks to incite intolerance and extremism.

"Unequivocal condemnation by the BJP top leadership and the Indian government, as well as decisive and demonstrable action against the BJP officials responsible for making sacrilegious remarks recently would be the first step towards healing the suffering of Muslims in India and the sentiments of Muslims worldwide," the statement said.
New Delhi, June 10 : Iran has pulled out the readout of its Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian remarks on the Prophet row during with his meeting with Indian NSA Ajit Doval from the Foreign Ministry website but not from the government site.

On the Iranian government website, the readout still can be seen under the heading,"Iran FM lauds capacities for developing ties with India".

The statement, after the meeting on Wednesday, says: "Meanwhile, Doval stressed the need for comprehensive expansion of relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and India. He welcomed the progress made in bilateral relations, and emphasised the proposal to form a strategic committee to expand relations in all fields. He expressed the Indian Government's readiness to develop relations at all levels in bilateral, multilateral, regional and international dimensions".

In the last paras, in reference to the Prophet row, the statement said: "Referring to the negative atmosphere created by some people in disrespecting the holy Prophet of Islam (PBUH), he reiterated the respect of the Indian government and officials for the Holy Prophet (PBUH), saying that it will be treated as a lesson for others." On Thursday, Iran had taken down the statement.

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, during a press conference on Thursday, had said: "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 Doval had assured Abdollahian, who was on his first Indian visit after assuming office in August last year, to take strict action against those responsible for insulting the Prophet.

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," he had been quoted as saying.

Abdollahian had also met his counterpart S. Jaishankar besides calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Bengaluru, June 10 : The Karnataka police arrested a man for throwing acid on a woman within hours of the crime in Bengaluru on Friday. The arrested person was identified as Ahmad, a resident of Goripalya.

The accused threw acid on a married woman on Friday morning for refusing to marry him. The Kumaraswamy Layout police had launched a hunt for him.

This was the third acid attack in the last 2 months in Bengaluru causing panic and outrage among the public.

Harish Pandey, DCP (South), stated that the accused threw the acid as the victim rejected his proposal of marriage. The woman is out of danger. Her right eye was hurt in the attack but her vision has been restored 70 per cent and she is recovering in a hospital, he informed.

According to the police, the attacker and the victim worked in the same incense sticks manufacturing factory. The married woman has a child but the accused was pestering her to marry him. He had quarrelled with her many times.

The accused waylaid the victim while she was going from Kumaraswamy Layout towards J.P. Nagar and poured acid on her near Sarakki Junction in Bengaluru.

He managed to escape from the scene after the attack. The police rushed to the spot and shifted the victim to a hospital.

In April, a man Nagesh had poured acid on a working woman for refusing his advances. The police had arrested him in Tamil Nadu and had shot him in the leg during the arrest. He was disguised as a sage.

In another incident, a miscreant from West Bengal had attacked his friend with acid during a quarrel in Cubbonpet locality of Bengaluru.

Home Minister Araga Jnanendra stated on Friday that he had sought a report on the acid attack incident in Bengaluru. "Action will be taken against the attacker. This is an inhuman act. I will get details and study legal provisions to impose a ban on acid sale in the state," he said.
Bhubaneswar, June 10 : Odisha DGP S.K. Bansal on Friday dismissed vigilance inspector Manasi Jena, who was under suspension on corruption charges, from service with immediate effect.

Jena and her associate Mukesh Sahu had reportedly demanded a bribe of Rs 20 lakh from a senior Odisha government official to close a petition against him which was pending with her.

On May 13, Jena was caught red-handed along with Sahu by the internal vigilance unit while accepting a bribe of Rs 10 lakh as advance from the above-mentioned government servant, vigilance officials said.

"She (Jena) was expected to display impeccable integrity and highest ethical standards. Such serious and gross misconduct and indulgence in such criminal activity on her part, and that too against a senior public functionary, not only shows her brazen and imperious behaviour, but also her complete disregard to the very ethos of the vigilance organisation which is meant to fight corruption," the DGP said in his order.

It is bound to have a demoralising effect on other officers/staff in the organisation and would lower the image and prestige of the vigilance organisation, resulting in loss of faith and trust in the organisation, Bansal said.

"The very fact of her continuation in service, even under suspension, will provide her all the opportunity to influence the outcome of the department proceeding. Therefore, I hold the view that it is not reasonably practicable to hold a department proceeding in the matter," read the order.

Any punishment less than dismissal from service would not meet the ends of justice in this case, he added.
New Delhi, June 10 : Have you cringed at a top brand whiskey's ad for club soda by the same name, showing exactly similarly packaged bottles? Or for that matter, have you been sold a mineral water bottle bearing a name very similar to an established brand with a similar looking logo but having a minor difference in spelling?

Such advertisements are now banned under the new guidelines issued for advertisement by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

"The advertisement which indicates directly or indirectly that it is an advertisement for goods, products or services whose advertising is prohibited or restricted by law, or advertisement that use any brand name, logo, colour, layout and presentation associated with such goods, products or services, whose advertisement is prohibited or restricted will not be allowed," said Nidhi Khare, Additional Secretary in the Department of Consumer Affairs, told mediapersons.

She was addressing the media in connection with the Central Consumer Protection Authority (Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Necessary Due Diligence for Endorsement of Advertisements) Guidelines, 2022 issued by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) late on Thursday night and effective from Friday itself.

The relevant clause of the guidelines said: "No surrogate advertisement or indirect advertisement shall be made for goods or services whose advertising is otherwise prohibited or restricted by law, by circumventing such prohibition or restriction and portraying it to be an advertisement for other goods or services, advertising of which is not prohibited or restricted by law." The other relevant provision said: "Provided that mere use of a brand name or company name which may also be applied to goods, products or services whose advertising is prohibited or restricted shall not be considered to be surrogate advertisement or indirect advertisement, if such advertisement is not otherwise objectionable as per the provisions set out in these guidelines."
Mumbai, June 10 : Maharashtra Governor dedicated a 10-metre long replica of India's first aircraft carrier, 'INS Vikrant', which stands at the Regal Circle in Colaba, south Mumbai, here on Friday.

Present was Vice-Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command and other senior civil and defence officials.

The imposing model of the erstwhile Vikrant was created in-house by the Naval Dockyard here and has been stationed at a small traffic island in association with the Colaba Residents Association, My Dream Colaba and CALM, supported by lawyer Makarand Narvekar.

An aircraft carrier of the Majestic Class, INS Vikrant was launched in September 1945 for the British Royal Navy and the 210 metre-long vessel formally inducted into the Indian Navy on November 3, 1961.

She was decommissioned in January 1997 after a glorious service of 36 years, and served as a floating museum ship anchored off Cuffe Parade till 2012 amid a nationwide clamour to convert her into a permanent museum.

After a series of developments, including campaigns, processions, protests and legal battles, Vikrant was finally sold through an online auction and scrapped in November 2014, marking the end of an emotional era.

During her heyday as INS Vikrant prowling in the oceans, she participated in numerous campaigns and exercises including the Liberation of Goa in December 1961 and the India-Pakistan War in 1971, among many others.

The dedication in Mumbai of the Vikrant model is an affirmation of the strong maritime connect of the coastal city and the rich maritime heritage of Maharashtra which has a long coastline.

The Vikrant model stands close to the iconic Gateway of India and Naval Dockyard, signifying the ship's bonds with Mumbai where she was based during her entire commissioned service.

In tune with the old adage, 'Old ships never die, they fade away to be resurrected in another avatar', 'Vikrant' is set for rebirth as an Indigenous Aircraft Carrier designed by Indian Navy and under construction at the Cochin Shipyard Ltd.

The new avatar of Vikrant is currently undergoing sea trials and will soon be commissioned into the Indian Navy as 'INS Vikrant', said officials.
Colombo, June 10 : With Sri Lankan famers waiting for fertiliser to start the Yala season, India has decided to extend a Line of Credit (LOC) of $55 million to Sri Lanka for the procurement of urea.

"In response to an urgent request from the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL), an LOC agreement was signed between GOSL and the Export-Import Bank of India on Friday at Colombo in the presence of Sri Lanka Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera, and the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay. Senior officials from the Sri Lankan and Indian side were also present during the signing ceremony," the Indian High Commission in Colombo said in a statement.

"This LOC will help the GOSL secure urea fertiliser for the ongoing paddy sowing Yala season. In view of the critical requirement, GOSL and EXIM Bank have agreed to complete all procurement procedures expeditiously so that urea supplies can reach Sri Lanka in a short span of time.

"During the signing ceremony, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe expressed his gratitude to the Government of India for the timely assistance. The High Commissioner highlighted that the speedy finalisation of the LOC testifies the importance Government of India attaches to the welfare of the people of Sri Lanka," the statement added.

Acting on its 'Neighbourhood First' policy and as an earnest friend and partner of Sri Lanka, India has extended multi-pronged assistance to the people of Sri Lanka in the last few months.

The support from India ranges from economic assistance of close to $3.5 billion to helping secure Sri Lanka's food, health and energy security by supplying essential items like food, medicines, fuel, kerosene etc.
Gurugram, June 10 : A 33-year-old property dealer has allegedly shot himself dead in his house with his licensed revolver in Gurugram's Narsinghpur village, the police said on Friday.

The deceased has been identified as Arjun a.k.a Anoop.

According to the police, the reason behind the suicide is yet to be known as no suicide note was recovered from the deceased prompting him to take this extreme step on Thursday.

The police suspect that Arjun suffered losses in his business and that could be the reason behind this extreme step.

The victim was rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead on Thursday evening.

Arjun Dev, the station house officer (SHO) of Sector-37 police station said, "The revolver used by Arjun was recovered from the spot and the licence of the revolver has been verified." "The man is survived by his wife and three sons. His body will be handed over to his family after a post-mortem examination. Meanwhile, police are trying to ascertain the motive behind the incident," Subhash Boken, spokesperson of the Gurugram police said.
Hyderabad, June 10 : Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan on Friday defended her action in receiving representations from people by holding 'Praja Darbar, saying she wants to act as a bridge between the state government and the public.

Soon after holding the maiden 'Praja Darbar' as 'Mahila Darbar' at Raj Bhavan to hear the grievances of women, she dismissed the criticism that she is crossing her limits.

She argued that when she as the highest Constitutional authority in the state is willing to serve people, why should she be denied the opportunity.

The Governor, who received over 500 petitions from women, did not agree that it amounts to running a parallel government.

"This is a Constitutional office. I am practising only what should be practised by a Constitutional authority," she said.

"Those saying it is unconstitutional should first respect the Constitution," the Governor said when asked about the statements by leaders of ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) describing her action as unconstitutional.

"I repeatedly said that I want to be a catalyst, a bridge between the government and the people. There is no politics in this. I can't agree that Raj Bhavan should be shut or it should not be approachable. Each and every office, whether Constitutional or elected, is for the people," she said.

"Some of the critics say how Raj Bhavan can conduct this (Praja Darbar). Every office is for the people, whether it is of panchayat president or member or the Constitutional office of Governor. When I have the capacity of meeting the people and when I can communicate and get the message from people and convey it to the government, why should there be any objection," she asked.

"I am not a controversial person and I want to do something good for the people of Telangana. I am a doctor and I can understand the problems of people," she added.

She reiterated her allegation that the state government is not respecting the Constitutional office of the Governor, alleging that the government is not following the protocol.

"They are not receiving me wherever I go. There is an SOP to be followed but it is not being followed. However, this is not going to stop my activities. I am not asking anything for myself. When people are affected, the government should respond," she said.

Replying to a query, Tamilisai said she had sought a report in two days from the state authorities on the recent incident of gang-rape of a minor in Hyderabad, but the same has not been submitted yet.

She termed the delay as unfortunate and added that she is concerned over the media reports about the incident.

"I always respect a democratically-elected government. It should also respond and respect the Constitutional authority. You know the powers of a Constitutional authority. I am not asking anything for myself," she said.

The Governor said she chose to start 'Praja Darbar' as 'Mahila Darbar' because she first wanted to hear the unheard voices. She said the recent incidents of sexual assault on minor girls and women in Hyderabad are one of the reasons for starting the programme with women.

"When the woman holding the highest Constitutional office in the state is not getting respect or response, I can imagine the fate of the downtrodden," she said.

Tamilisai urged the government to respond and respect whatever messages are sent through Raj Bhavan based on the representations received from the people.

The Governor said Friday's 'Mahila Darbar' had participants from the Red Cross, doctors, lawyers and NGOs to respond to the applications.

"No application will be ignored. For smaller monetary help, referral to hospitals or institutions, they will be handled by the office of the Governor, but I request the government departments concerned to respond to the other requests received by the Raj Bhavan during the Praja Darbar," she said.
Srinagar, June 10 : A hybrid terrorist and a terrorist associate linked with proscribed terror outfit LeT were arrested by a joint security force team from Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam district on Friday, police said.

Acting on specific information, police along with army's 62 RR and the CRPF arrested hybrid terrorist Mudabir Ajaz, resident of Gulshanabad, Hyderpora and terrorist associate Syed Muntaha Mehraj, resident of New Colony, Ompora.

"Preliminary investigation revealed that the arrested duo was involved in providing transportation and logistic support to the LeT terrorists besides transportation of arms and ammunition across the district Budgam," police said.

Arms of ammunition including a Chinese grenade and 35 AK rounds have been recovered from their possession.

Police has registered a case and investigation has been initiated.
PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Tinubu defeated Mr Osinbajo and 12 others at the just concluded presidential primary of the APC.

The presidential candidate of the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, on Thursday evening paid an unscheduled visit to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the latter's Aguda House residence, Abuja.

The APC flag bearer also visited President Muhammadu Buhari before proceeding to Aguda House.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Tinubu defeated Mr Osinbajo and 12 others at the just concluded presidential primary of the APC.

Mr Tinubu polled 1,271 votes to emerge victorious while Mr Osinbajo polled 235 votes to come third behind Mr Tinubu and ex-transport minister Rotimi Amaechi who polled 316 votes.

The visit occured a few hours after Mr Osinbajo congratulated Mr Tinubu for the victory and pledged to work with him to emerge victorious in the general election.

A source who was at the residence of Mr Osinbajo when Mr Tinubu arrived said, "We were just sitting around when the vice president was informed that Asiwaju has arrived."

The source, who declined to be named as he has no permission to talk to journalists, said the former Lagos governor was jovial throughout the visit and shared the story of Mr Osinbajo's contributions not just to him as a person but to his political sojourn.

"He particularly recalled the efforts of the vice president in securing court victories for the defunct ACN especially with the court case in Osun State," he said.

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The source said Tinubu narrated how Mr Osinbajo went to the UK at a time of extreme weather to get fingerprint technology that was used to help the court cases.

"Asiwaju said he is surprised that people assume the presidential contest will create a wedge between him and the vice president. He told us that they have come a long way and they are like blood brothers now.

"He said what happened was just democracy in action and there was nothing wrong with it," the source said.

Mr Tinubu was accompanied on the visit by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and some other politicians.

Mr Tinubu will now challenge Atiku Abubakar, the candidate of the PDP, and those of other opposition parties in next year's presidential election.
Dharamsala, June 10 : Education should be of such type that not only develops intellectual capacity and skill, but also strengthens moral values and character, President Ram Nath Kovind said on Friday.

Addressing the sixth annual convocation of Central University of Himachal Pradesh here, he said that education is the cornerstone of the building of any country.

"Therefore, education should be of such type which not only develops intellectual capacity and skill in the students, but also strengthens their moral values and character." Noting that youth have played an important role in the progress of all leading countries of the world, he also stressed that the participation of women in the field of education is an important parameter for the development of any society.

The President said opportunities are available in front of the youth like them in many fields and the youth of India have capabilities to utilise these opportunities.

"What is required is keeping faith in their abilities and moving forward." Kovind also said that the convocation is an occasion to complete their formal education, but learning would continue throughout their life. "They should be ready to learn from everyone, at every step." The President said the students should always remember that society has contributed in some way or the other to what they have achieved so far. "This is society's debt on them. They must be prepared to pay for it. How they will pay it, when they will pay it, it is up to them." He said he has full confidence in the wisdom of the educated, disciplined and determined youth power of India.

About implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 in the Central University of Himachal Pradesh, he said the university has taken several initiatives to implement its recommendations.

He expressed confidence that these initiatives would develop new skills, knowledge and abilities in the students and they would move ahead in life with the spirit of self-reliance and nation-first.

The President, who reached Himachal Pradesh on Friday on a two-day visit, said the Central University of Himachal Pradesh has completed 12 years of its establishment. "It is high time for the university's alumni association to become active and organise its annual or biannual get-together." He said the alumni of any institution feel special attachment for their institution. "Therefore, the alumni association can play an important role in giving this spirit a useful form for the institution."
Thiruvananthapuram, June 10 : Stung by gold smuggling case prime accused Swapna Suresh's allegations that Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his wife were engaged in smuggling gold and currency, the CPI-M top brass on Friday went into a huddle and decided to go to the people to explain the present "conspiracy" hatched to tarnish him and the party.

Addressing the media after the meeting, state Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said this very same gold smuggling case had hit the headlines a few years back.

"Various national agencies had probed this then and nothing surfaced and we the Left won two elections (2020 local body and 2021 Assembly) as the people had rubbished all these. Now again the same thing has re-surfaced and the only new allegation is smuggling was carried out in biryani vessels.

"This is nothing but to target Vijayan, his family and the party. We have decided that we will launch a campaign against this and tell the people and then using the people, we will face this onslaught, which is now a joint initiative between the BJP and the Congress. We are the least worried as this is not the first time that Vijayan has been targeted as not long ago all heard about a company called Kamala International in Singapore (Kamala is the name of Vijayan) and all know what happened to that baseless allegation," he said.

Balakrishnan went on to accuse Suresh of giving contradictory statements. Initially, she gave a clean chit to Vijayan and his then aide M. Sivasankar, saying that they had no role and now she says otherwise, he said.

"We have not seen her most recent statement while in her previous similar statement these things were not there. So it is the court which has to decide now," he added.

In reply to a question about an audio clip which Suresh released on Friday where seh alleged that Balakrishnan and Vijayan's funds are sentd to the US through Believers Church, Balakrishna said he has gone to the US thrice and that was for treatment with the entire expenses borne by the party.

Leader of Opposition V.D.Satheesan said in the light of the fresh revelations, only a court monitored probe will bring out the truth.

"We do not trust a probe by any central agency as in the past when it was done, we all know what had happened as it was stage-managed between the BJP and the CPI-M. All know how the CPI-M haunted our Chief Minister Oommen Chandy when the solar scam surfaced. We did not do anything to bring any discomfort as the then Left opposition under Vijayan did when they brought everything to a halt. Even Chandy was injured in a stone throwing incident. We are not such type and we will never throw stones on Vijayan," he said, but demanded that Vijayan has to quit and face a probe.
New Delhi, June 10 : Notices and financial penalties amounting to Rs 10 lakh are among the multifold actions taken by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) against the erring companies under the various sections of the Consumer Protection Act, the government said on Friday.

The CCPA has taken 113 actions, of which 57 are notices for misleading advertisements, 47 notices relate to unfair trade practices and nine are for violation of consumer rights.

"Subsequent to notice, 14 companies had withdrawn their advertisement, of which maximum companies had claimed more than 99 per cent efficacy against Covid/germs," Additional Secretary, Consumer Affairs, Nidhi Khare said.

"Three companies have issued corrective advertisements after this." One company changed its refund/replacement policy for the benefit of consumers and also made penal provisions for its sellers in case of any deficiency found.

Three companies were imposed a penalty of Rs 10,00,000 each for its misleading advertisements while three others were imposed similar penalties for unfair trade practice.

The known brands that received notices from CCPA include Naaptol for its misleading advertisements and unfair trade practice, Khare said.

Naaptol, through its Live TV and YouTube broadcast, was using unfair methods to promote its products by falsely stating that "the product is available for a limited time to pressurise consumers to make an immediate decision and depriving consumers sufficient time to make an informed decision".

Another advertisement that made false claims regarding their product without any scientific credibility/reports include magnetic knee support ad for instant pain relief for knees, acupressure yoga slippers/acupressure massage slippers and even some gold jewellery for Rs 200, making consumers purchase "Gold jewellery of Rs 200" and misleading by its name.

"The company's response was that the price (of that jewellery) itself is enough for layman customers to understand that it is not real gold, in a way, to say, they are not misleading," Khare added.

These were imposed a penalty of Rs 10 lakh each while three advertisers were ordered to discontinue advertisements as product quality was unclear and claims could not be proved.

The CCPA also asked the industry associations to advise the manufacturers/traders to desist from issuing misleading advertisements about protection from Covid-19.

It also said it issued new guidelines late Thursday night and are effective from Friday itself which has clearly outlined the penalty for violating the guidelines. The CCPA can impose a penalty of up to Rs 10 lakh on manufacturers, advertisers and endorsers for any misleading advertisements. For subsequent contraventions, it may impose a penalty of up to Rs 50 lakh.

The Authority can prohibit the endorser of a misleading advertisement from making any endorsement for up to one year and for subsequent contravention, prohibition can extend up to three years, it said.
Guwahati, June 10 : The Assam government has requested all state governments in the country to include a chapter in the academic curriculum on Bir Lachit Barphukan, the 17th century war hero from Assam.

Taking to Twitter, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said: "Assam Govt is committed to undo errors of the past and present our true history to the nation. We've written to all State Govts to include a chapter on Bir Lachit Barphukan." Barphukan was a celebrated General of the Ahom dynasty who defeated Aurangzeb's army in the historic Saraighat battle and that defeat proved to be the final nail in the coffin of the expansionist policies of Mughals in northeast India.

In memory of Barphukan, the state government is setting the Alaboi battle war memorial in Kamrup district and constructing Lachit Barphukan Maidan in Jorhat.

President Ram Nath Kovind in February at a function in Guwahati inaugurated the year-long celebrations of the 400th birth anniversary of Lachit Barphukan.
Hyderabad, June 10 : Another rape of a minor girl has come to light in Hyderabad.

The police have arrested an autorickshaw driver for sexually assaulting a nine-year-old girl.

Following a complaint lodged by the girl's parents, the police arrested the accused who has been identified as Shaik Saleem (24). The accused committed sexual assault more than once in three days on the victim.

The police booked a case against the accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and SC/ST (POA) Act.

A lady police officer recorded the victim's statement who was sent for a medical examination.

Rachakonda Police Commissioner Mahesh Bhagwath said the police would arrange psycho-social counselling for the victim.

Meanwhile, former minister and BJP leader Eatala Rajender demanded that the police should ensure harshest punishment for the accused.

During the last one week, a series of incidents of sexual assaults on minor girls have come to light from in and around Hyderabad.

Ever since the May 28 gang-rape of a 17-year-old girl in a car in upscale Jubilee Hills came to light, at least eight rapes of minors have been reported.

The latest incident came to light a day after Hyderabad city police arrested two persons for raping two siblings, both minors.

According to the police, Imtiyaz, 23, and Nawaz, 21, raped the victims on several occasions over the past one year.

Assistant Commissioner of Police N. Sudhir said the accused were habitual offenders who were involved in a series of property offences in different parts of the city.
Guwahati, June 10 : In a bizarre incident, three years after birth, a child was finally reunited with his parents after a court verdict in Assams Barpeta district.

Nazma Khanam got back her biological son three years after his birth following the order of a local court in Barpeta district, settling a legal battle with another family.

Lawyers of Khanam said on Friday that the dispute was settled after a DNA test that ascertained the genuine parents of the baby.

In a case of sheer negligence, the child was handed over to the other family by the staff of the government-run Fakruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College and Hospital at Barpeta in 2019.

Khanam gave birth to the boy on May 3, 2019 but the baby soon started having serious breathing problems. The newborn was shifted to the ICU as his health condition deteriorated.

Later, the hospital staff told Khanam and her husband that their child had died and handed over them the body. The couple initially refused to take the body claiming that it was not their child, but subsequently took it.

Few days later, the couple again went to the medical college and found in the hospital records that another lady with the same name and nearly similar surname (Khatun) had given birth to a male child.

Khanam then filed a case of child swapping with the Barpeta police.

The police found that Nazma Khatun had given birth to a child and the baby was under medical treatment at the medical college.

During investigation, it was found that Khatun's baby had died during treatment.

The police with the help of DNA samples found that the three-year-old child raised by Nazma Khatun was the biological child of Nazma Khanam.

"We agreed to the DNA test since we were sure it was our baby. Now the court has ordered that this is their (Khanam) child. We are shocked," said Nazma Khatun's husband.
Patna, June 10 : A group of 'strongmen' at a village in Bihar's Gaya district has allegedly attacked a marriage party of a Mahadalit community while it was passing through an area and playing music, the police said on Friday.

More than 12 people from the groom's side were injured in the attack. Some of them sustained skull fractures and were hospitalised.

The incident took place at Tirkha Saraiya village in Gaya on Wednesday evening around 8 p.m.

Following the attack, the people from the groom's side fled the spot in a bid to save their lives.

The 'strongmen' also did not allow the marriage to take place in the village.

Lalan Das, the bride's father, has lodged a complaint with the police against more than 10 persons belonging to a particular caste.

"While the marriage party and the DJ vehicle were approaching towards my home in Tikha Saraiya village, Chandan Yadav, Surendra Yadav, Nandlal Yadav, Ramdev Yadav, Pujan Yadav, Munib Yadav, Munirka Yadav, Ganesh Yadav were carrying batons in their hands, abused us using casteist remarks on the marriage party and attacked on them. They said 'how dare you people play DJ and dance in front of our houses?' Over one dozen persons from the groom's side were also injured in the attack. They also did not allow the marriage to take place in my house," Lalan Das said in his complaint.

"I fixed the marriage of my daughter with Guddu Kumar, son of Late Mudrika Ram in Ganauri Dih village under Paraiya police station," Das said.

He also said his family is disheartened after the marriage did not take place on June 8.

Some of the wounded persons, identified as Rakesh Kumar, Pankaj Kumar, Mantu Kumar, Ashok Kumar and Dharmdev Das have sustained serious injuries.

Alok Kumar, the SHO of Khijsarai police station, said: "We have received a complaint for physical assault by one group at a marriage party. An FIR under relevant IPC sections of physical assault and SC-ST act registered in the police station. The investigation is currently underway and accused will be arrested soon."
Dhaka, June 10 : The anti-terrorism unit (ATU) of Bangladesh police has arrested a militant named Md Raihan Ali (19) from Nilphamari district in northern Bangladesh, top ATU officials confirmed with IANS.

Raihan Ali belonged to the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), a banned militant outfit trying to establish an Islamic caliphate by ousting the democratic government led by Sheikh Hasina.

A case was filed against him under anti-terrorism law at the Joldhaka police station in Nilphamari district.

Mohammad Aslam Khan from the ATU confirmed the matter with IANS on Friday.

Raihan Ali was planning to carry out anti-state activities by contacting his associates online.

Various links to anti-government conspiracy were found on his mobile phone.
Kolkata, June 11 : As many as four houses and few kg of gold were found in the asset list of Sehgal Hossain, the personal bodyguard of Trinamool Congress strongman Anubrata Mondal, who was arrested by the CBI on Thursday in connection with its probe into the cattle and coal smuggling cases in West Bengal.

CBI sources said that out of the four houses enlisted in his asset list, one is a luxurious standalone house at his ancestral place in Domkal in Murshidabad district, while the other three are flats at the New Town area on the northern outskirts of Kolkata. Incidentally, Sehgal's housemaid has been named as a co-owner of one of the flats in New Town.

The CBI sleuths, after conducting searches in these flats in New Town for the past two day, have recovered several kg gold in the form of bars, biscuits and ornaments. As per estimates, the current market value of the gold will run into crores of rupees.

Now the question arises as to how Hossain, a constable with West Bengal Police whose wife is a primary school teacher, can own such huge assets.

CBI sources said that after talking to Hossain's neighbours in Domkal, the agency sleuths learnt that Hossain's upward graph in financial status started three years ago when he was appointed as the bodyguard of Mondal, Trinamool's Birbhum district president.

The CBI sleuths suspect that Hossain acted as the principal carrier of the money transacted through illegal cattle and coal smuggling.

CBI sources further said that last week it had raided the residence of Hossain in Domkal and seized several documents that showed the involvement of his close relatives and associates.

Currently, Mondal is under scanner in two cases. The first is the cattle and coal smuggling cases, in which the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting a parallel probe along with the CBI. His role in the post-poll violence in Bengal is also being probed by the CBI.
Kolkata, June 11 : Protests were seen in parts of Howrah district in West Bengal, especially in the minority-dominated Uluberia subdivision, since Friday noon against the recent controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad.

Agitators blocked the National Highway-6 in the Salap and Uluberia belts in Howrah district for hours, which resulted in vehicles and trucks remaining stranded for over an area of around 10 km. Even ambulances ferrying critical patients remained stranded for hours because of road blockades.

In some places, the protesters clashed with the police personnel when the police force tried to disperse them. As per reports, a section of agitators attacked the police with brickbats and crude bombs. The police resorted to cane-charge and fired tear gas shells to disperse the violent mob.

At Domjur, the local police station was attacked, two police vehicles were torched and around 12 policemen were injured following the attacks from the violent agitators.

In some places, the agitators also blocked the railway tracks at different stations in Uluberia sub-division following which a number of trains got stranded with passengers. Certain trains had to be cancelled also.

On Thursday evening, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had appealed to the people agitated over the Prophet row not to block roads and railway tracks in West Bengal for the sake of convenience of the common people.

"I can understand your pain and anger. But I appeal to you with folded hands not to agitate by blocking roads and railways in the state. If your anger gets cooled down by killing me, I am even ready for that," she said.

However, Friday's sequence of events proved that her appeal did not have any impact on a section of agitators who continued with their violent agitation.

Condemning the actions of the agitators, the Kolkata Mayor and the West Bengal transport minister, Firhad Hakim, said that even after the chief minister's appeal it is unfair to carry out such disruptive actions.

"The chief minister and all of us have condemned the comments of the BJP leaders. But even after that there is no justification for road and railways blockades causing immense convenience for the common people," he said.

BJP leader and Kolkata Municipal Corporation councillor, Sajal Ghosh said "what is happening today in West Bengal is the result of the appeasement politics pursued by Trinamool Congress over so many years".
It's 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 so willingly.

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 Magistrate's 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.

It's 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.
New Delhi, June 11 : Congress President Sonia Gandhi has been issued fresh summons by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to join the investigation in connection with the National Herald case.

She will have to record her statements before ED officials on June 23.

The Congress chief was summoned on June 8 but she wrote to the ED informing that she had Covid-19 and hence, was unable to join the probe.

Her son and former party chief Rahul Gandhi was summoned on June 2 but he couldn't join the probe too as he was abroad. The ED had then issued a second notice to him to join the probe on June 13.

The ED has summoned both Gandhis to appear at ED's Delhi headquarters to record their statements.

A case was lodged by the CBI against various Congress leaders including the Gandhis for allegedly misappropriating National Herald funds and the ED's case was filed on the basis of this.
Nottingham, June 11 : Gritty unbeaten fifties from Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell and their big partnership frustrated England and put New Zealand on top on the opening day of the second Test, here on Friday.

Mitchell (81 not out) and Blundell (67 not out) stitched an unbeaten 149-run partnership for the fifth wicket and took New Zealand to 318/4 at stumps on Day 1.

Put in to bat first, New Zealand openers Will Young and Tom Latham provided a solid platform with their 84-run partnership. Without much swing or movement off the pitch, the Kiwi openers were able to keep the England bowlers at bay for the first hour and also did not miss out on scoring opportunities.

Skipper Ben Stokes brought himself on early in the second hour and ended up being struck for boundaries. But he also provided the much-needed wicket by sending Young (47) back to the pavilion.

Latham also fell in the next over to James Anderson, pulling one straight to midwicket. However, Devon Conway and Henry Nicholls continued New Zealand's positive approach on either side of the lunch break. The third-wicket pair put a 77-run before Stokes turned partnership breaker again by getting Nicholls to edge one to the wicketkeeper. Anderson struck shortly after the drinks interval to dismiss Conway.

Stokes could have had another wicket but an outside edge that he induced off Mitchell's bat was put down by Joe Root at first slip. The No. 5 batter made England pay for the miss by hitting regular boundaries.

Blundell, on the other end, was more measured with his approach but also capitalised on anything that was in his area and provided good assistance to Mitchell in a productive partnership that helped New Zealand overcome the quick dismissals.

An hour into the post-tea session, Mitchell got past fifty and then top-edged a six off Broad over fine leg to bring up the century stand with Blundell and was also struck on his helmet in the same over.

England lost a review after Mitchell attempted a reverse sweep off Root, with replays confirming there was no bat or glove involved. Blundell, who was reprieved by a tough chance put down by Root at slip, got to his fifty, struck two fours off Leach, and then saw England burn another review in the same over.

The hosts' poor day on the field was summed up when Crawley and Jonny Bairstow were just hoping the other would go for the catch when Broad found the outside edge of Blundell's bat with the second new ball, as the hosts endured a wicketless final session.

Brief scores: New Zealand 318/4 (Mitchell 81 not out, Blundell 67 not out; James Anderson 2-42, Ben Stokes 2-40) vs England.
New Delhi, June 11 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi knows how to put across his message. He is quite strategic, often tricky but far-sighted; the medium of stating so or the occasions do not matter much.

This was one such case. Interacting with a group of young women students from Nagaland, the Prime Minister applauded the rich cultural traditions associated with the 'Gaon Burah' -- village elders -- institutions in the state and in the process made a big political statement and understandably this makes a lot of political sense too.

Is the Modi government keen to drive things the Kashmir way? Empowering local panchayats have been a long felt need in Jammu and Kashmir and subsequent governments at the Centre -- even those headed by Congress believed so.

By 2016, it was learnt that the PMO took keen interest in the functioning of the influential and much respected Gaon Burah bodies in Nagaland.

R.N. Ravi as interlocutor was reportedly instructed to enlist the views of Naga people and villagers at the grassroots levels.

The 'importance' given to Naga Gaon Burahs did not go down well with many other established players in the existing power politics structures during the tenure of R.N. Ravi as the Governor.

Many, however, see empowering Gaon Burahs as a necessary reform strategy but difficult to implement as was perhaps the case even in Jammu and Kashmir.

In a conversation regarding food with a delegation of women students from Nagaland, the Prime Minister on Thursday (June 9) is learnt to have hailed the Gaon Burah bodies.

Modi was quizzed on what it is that he likes about Nagaland.

The 'Gaon Burahs' -- as the word suggests in Nagamese or Assamese -- are the village headmen. They are considered the eyes and ears of the district administration at the village level.

They are usually selected by the clan or 'khel' and the Village Councils forward the names to the state government and they are given a formal recognition with a red-blanket and are considered as 'agents' of the government.

The Gaon Burahs are vital links between far-flung villages and the government institutes.

The institution of Gaon Burahs actually dates back to the colonial era, when the British appointed the oldest person in the village as the head, who would be expected to oversee matters relating to land and revenue.

Modi is the only Prime Minister who had convened an interaction programme with the 'Gaon Burahs' of Nagaland in September 2020.

Notably, the Gaon Burah Federation is also taking keen interest in the ongoing peace process.

On peace parleys and alleged delay tactics, the Nagaland Gaon Burah Federation has earlier submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister and insisted categorically that "there is no reason to account for the delay in concluding the ongoing phase of Naga peace talks".

In March 2022 again, the leaders of Gaon Burah Federation joined other Naga organisations and students bodies and Naga Global Forum to assert that the state government and the Nagaland legislature 'are not authorised' to speak on matters beyond the Indian constitution and what is defined and legitimate under the powers of the state government.

The village elders have also backed pro-Solution NNPG led by N. Kitovi Zhimomi.

As part of the National Commission for Women initiative under 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' (United India, Great India), the delegation of women students from Nagaland met Modi at his Lok Kalyan Marg residence on Thursday.

The students expressed their happiness at meeting the Prime Minister.

It may be mentioned that as peace interlocutor and Nagaland Governor R.N. Ravi also used to interact with the leaders of the Gaon Burah Federation quite frequently.

Sources have revealed in the past that by involving village elders, the Prime Minister and his government have sought to play a major game-changer. It's almost the model tried in Kashmir.

Empowering the local administrative bodies -- that is panchayats in Kashmir or Village Gaon Burah bodies in Nagaland -- experts feel would be critical to improving the situations vis-a-vis insurgency and also resolve the problems in respective states.

Both the states are known for unending cycles of violence, protests over human rights and counter-violence by security forces.

In Jammu and Kashmir, even lately local panchayat polls were marred by violence and killings of some local leaders.

The first elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir took place between November 28-December 19, 2020, in the form of by-elections to District Development Councils and municipal and panchayat level bodies.

In 2010, it is said that the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah had told the Manmohan Singh government that he would try to empower the local panchayats.

But, former Home Secretary G.K. Pillai told IANS in an interview in 2016 that ".....he got back to the Centre stating that there were hurdles as the MLAs were not allowing this to happen. If I take a sanguine stand, my chair will be at risk, Omar had then informed the UPA government".

Pillai, who hailed from Kerala, had also said: "Considering the lack of powers of the panchayat leaders in Jammu and Kashmir, the rest of India seems a paradise. In my native state Kerala, though the state Assembly passes the budget, nearly 40 per cent of the developmental works and social welfare schemes are implemented by the panchayats. Hence there is no monopoly. That model is worth emulating." Under the Modi government, the plan allocation for Panchayats of Jammu and Kashmir has doubled from Rs 5,136 crore in 2020-21 to Rs12,600 crore in 2021-22.

An insurance cover of Rs 25 lakh has also been provisioned for the elected representatives of all the panchayats. In fact, as many as 1889 Panchayat Accounts Assistants and 317 secretaries were recruited through the written test.

In Nagaland, last year the Gaon Burah Federation had submitted a list 8000 Gaon Burahs to then Governor Ravi. The Federation had also publicly opposed any demand for removal of Ravi from the gubernatorial post.

But Gaon Burahs do not have any major administrative or financial powers.

Similar village level institutions exist in Arunachal Pradesh also.

Therein along with the Gaon Burahs for men, there are also Gaon Buris (for female) who display immense responsibilities in ensuring that there is no corruption in the community and they also take part in 'convincing' land owners to accept reasonable compensation for land acquisition as lands acquired by official agencies are used for institutions for the people only.

(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)
Agra, June 11 : Scores of Yamuna river activists on Friday evening, on the festive occasion of Ganga Dussehra, took a ritualistic bath, not with water but with dry and hot sand to highlight the grave condition of one of the holiest rivers of India.

The 'Royal Sand Bath', as the members of the River Connect Campaign called it, attracted a large crowd of angry citizens who lashed out at the governments, both in the state and at the Centre.

Environmentalist Devashish Bhattacharya said, "Even today more than 60 drains in the municipal limits are openly discharging sewer, domestic waste and toxic industrial effluents. The river has no water and heaps of garbage dumps are ubiquitously visible. Such callous negligence by powers that be is proving detrimental to the health of humans." Pandit Jugal Kishore, organiser of the 'sand bath', said, "We wanted to highlight the alarming situation. For the past 10 years, our River Connect Campaign has been demanding construction of a barrage downstream of the Taj Mahal, desalting and dredging of the river bed, but sadly nothing has been done." Harendra Gupta, surgeon and activist, said he is totally disillusioned.

"We are helpless and desperate. Therefore, we have no other choice but to use sand for taking the holy bath today. River Ganges appeared on earth on Ganga Dussehra. Hindus worship their rivers as goddesses, but see the pathetic condition of our rivers," he said.

The river activists said that the much-flaunted River Front Development project announced by the state government will have no meaning till there is water in the river.
New Delhi, June 11 : Delhi Jal Board (DJB) Vice-Chairman Saurabh Bharadwaj has expressed deep concern over river Yamuna's dipping water levels and urged the Haryana government to release Delhi's share of water in the river to manage the water crisis in the national capital.

He claimed that Haryana has stopped releasing water from the river Yamuna which has reduced the water supply in Delhi by nearly 100 million gallons per day (MGD).

"The water level in the Wazirabad water treatment plant's pond has dropped to the bare minimum. This minimum level is determined by measuring it from sea level. As of today, the water level in the Wazirabad barrage has dropped from the normal 674.5 feet to the lowest level of the year at 667.70 feet," said Bhardwaj.

He added that it indicates that the water level is nearly eight feet below the surface.

"If you look at the Yamuna, you'll notice that the depth of the water is only about half a foot, ranging from six inches to half a foot," he said.

The drinking water problem in Delhi has aggravated over the last two days, Bharadwaj added.

According to the DJB, the water level in the Wazirabad pond has dipped to 667 feet as against the normal of 674.5 feet.

"As a result, water production in Delhi has been reduced by about 100 MGD, which represents a significant portion of the city's water supply," he said in a media briefing.

"In Delhi, there is a severe water shortage. In this scorching heat, the Haryana government should provide water on humanitarian grounds to quench the thirst of Delhiites. The Haryana government is being asked to provide water to the citizens of Delhi, as they are entitled to it," he added.

"There's a certain share of water Delhi is entitled to and they must ensure that people's rights are not violated. If Haryana releases Yamuna's water, Delhi will have sufficient water to use for sometime," Bhardwaj added.
Berlin, June 11 : Germany's seven-day Covid-19 incidence rate has risen to 319 infections per 100,000 people due to the spread of the more contagious Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases said.

The shares of the two subvariants BA.5 and BA.4 have doubled within one week to 10 per cent and 2.1 per cent, respectively, according to the RKI's latest weekly report released on Friday.

The spike driven by the latest subvariants could also lead to an "overall increase in infection numbers and renewed infection pressure on vulnerable groups as early as summer," the RKI warned.

Available data on BA.4 and BA.5, however, did not point towards a more severe disease progression or more deaths than those registered with previous Omicron subvariants, according to the authority.

"We are not experiencing an infection-free summer this year, but that is not threatening for now," said Berlin Charite virologist, Christian Drosten.

The German government's Covid-19 expert council on Wednesday warned that there would be a renewed significant strain on the country's healthcare system in autumn and winter. The council is to present its analysis on the efficiency of the coronavirus measures at the end of June, Xinhua news agency reported.

Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said he wanted to wait for the report before considering a tightening of the measures again. The Infection Protection Act, which is expiring at the end of September, "must definitely be changed again and must also be extended above all else," he stressed.

At present, only the so-called basic protection measures still apply in Germany. The wearing of face masks is only mandatory on public transport, in airplanes and healthcare institutions, such as hospitals and care facilities.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Tunis, June 11 : Tunisian Foreign Minister Othman Jerandi met with his Libyan and Algerian counterparts over strengthening ties and regional issues, according to a statement by his Ministry.

During the meeting on Friday, the Ministers expressed the willingness to develop relations and explore new horizons for cooperation between the three north African countries, Xinhua news agency reported.

The meeting exchanged visions to coordinate positions on international and regional issues, said the statement.

"The consultations will focus on a number of issues of common concern, including integrated and solidarity development, combating terrorism, addressing organised crime, and issues of food, energy and environmental security," it added.
Mogadishu, June 11 : The UN migration agency, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has appealed for $66 million to reach more than 1.25 million people in Somalia with humanitarian assistance by February 2023.

The IOM on Friday said it needs immediate funding to continue essential life-saving programmes and help communities adapt and withstand future shocks, Xinhua news agency reported.

"The response by IOM and its partners is preventing the worst outcomes, but the needs are rising fast as the drought situation worsens," the IOM added in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

According to the UN, more than 7.1 million people, nearly half of the total population, are facing historic levels of drought in Somalia.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs confirmed on Friday that it has received $260 million for Somalia humanitarian relief responses in 2022, facilitating efforts to provide immediate and life-saving assistance to more than 2.8 million people who have been affected by the ongoing devastating drought in the country.

The IOM said it is scaling up its response and has assisted more than 350,000 people affected by the drought -- the worst seen in decades following the fourth consecutive failed rainy season.

"Nearly 800,000 people have been displaced due to drought since early 2021, at least half a million of them in the first four months of this year. Women and children make up 80 per cent of the newly displaced population," it added.

Extreme dry conditions are deepening Somalia's decades-long humanitarian crisis caused by conflict, instability, recurrent weather shocks, and disease outbreaks.

The IOM said that acute water shortages, the death of livestock -- nearly 3 million -- and rising food prices aggravate the needs of millions of people who urgently need support as the country faces a potential fifth failed rainy season later 2022 -- a climatic event with potentially fatal consequences if urgent action is not taken.

"Somalia is on the frontline of climate change with weather patterns becoming more unpredictable each year. The climate crisis is outpacing some of the efforts being taken to save lives and livelihoods in the country," the IOM added.

It said food, water, healthcare, and shelter remain the most immediate needs with 213,000 people experiencing extreme levels of hunger.
Jersey Airport, Jersey, United Kingdom [ JER / EGJJ ]

If you are planning to travel to Jersey or any other city in United Kingdom, this airport locator will be a very useful tool. This page gives complete information about the Jersey Airport along with the airport location map, Time Zone, lattitude and longitude, Current time and date, hotels near the airport etc... Jersey Airport Map showing the location of this airport in United Kingdom. Jersey Airport IATA Code, ICAO Code, exchange rate etc... is also provided.

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Jersey Airport IATA Code: JER Jersey Airport ICAO Code: EGJJ Latitude : 49.2049 Longitude : -2.194 City : Jersey Country : United Kingdom World Area Code : 493 Airport Type : Medium Jersey Airport Address / Contact Details :

Jersey Airport (JER), UK, Phone: +44 (0)1534 446000, Email: information@jerseyairport.com Jersey Website : http://www.jerseyairport.com/ Airport Type : Public Operator : Jersey Airport Timezone : Europe/Jersey Jersey Airport Timezone : GMT +01:00 hours Current time and date at Jersey Airport is 19:20:25 PM (BST) on Wednesday, Jun 15, 2022

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Jersey Airport Map - Location of Jersey Airport Load Map United Kingdom - General Information Country Formal Name United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Country Code GB Capital London Currency Pound (GBP)

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Savills Investment Management has hired Patrick Au Yeung as Senior Fund Manager, European Residential.

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Based in the Netherlands, he will report to Jon Crossfield, Head of Strategic Partnerships. Au Yeung has been hired as part of Savills IMs continued growth in the region, as well as the firms commitment to expanding its expertise and product offering in the residential space.



He has over 20 years of experience in Real Estate investment management. Most recently, he was the Fund Manager of a European Residential fund for Catella Residential Investment Management. Prior to this, he was a Senior Investment & Portfolio Manager of International Real Estate for Syntrus Achmea in Amsterdam.



Patrick Au Yeung, Senior Fund Manager, European Residential, Savills Investment Management, commented: Savills IM has an extensive track record and strong reputation in the European real estate market. I look forward to working closely with my colleagues within the Netherlands and across Europe to further develop Savills IMs residential proposition in the region and continue to serve our investors needs.



Jon Crossfield, Head of Strategic Partnerships, Savills Investment Management, added: We are thrilled to welcome Patrick to the team. He brings a wealth of experience in fund management in European and global markets which will prove invaluable as we continue to drive the growth of our product offering to better serve our clients.
Chinese artist amazes netizens with incredibly realistic 3D drawings

People's Daily Online) 14:52, June 10, 2022

A Chinese artist is famous on social media for creating head-turning, hyper-realistic illustrations of animals, figures and objects that look like they are about to pop off the page.

Cao Zhi, a 40-year-old artist from Suqian city, east Chinas Jiangsu Province, has released a series of short videos featuring his magical three-dimensional artworks on a short-video platform, which have attracted 5 million followers.

Photo shows Cao Zhis painting featuring a girl who can be seen sitting on top of a flat piece of paper while drawing a limb for herself. (Photo/epaper.yzwb.net)

In one of his videos, Cao drew several peanuts, which look so vivid that his parrot immediately moved in close to peck at them. The most viewed video clip of Caos has been played 5 million times.

Cao taught himself how to draw 3D illustrations on paper after he saw similar drawings by foreign artists online in 2018. I was impressed by such illustrations, which are in fact two dimensional despite their three-dimensional appearances. So I steeped myself in the artform because I believed I could make it just like other painters did, Cao said.

After numerous attempts, Cao mastered the skills to create 3D paintings. He uploaded a video clip featuring his first 3D painting of a rose, which was viewed over 1 million times and attracted a great number of followers.

According to Cao, the secret of drawing 3D paintings lies in the technique of making a painting look as much like the subject as possible, in addition to adopting the use of anamorphosis, an ingenious perspective technique that involves creating an image that looks distorted from one angle, but appears normal from a particular angle. Anamorphosis lets him recreate light and shadows, which in turn makes it seem as if each painting is three-dimensional.

Photo shows a crayfish painted by Cao Zhi. (Photo/epaper.yzwb.net)

Cao also employs another trick to enhance the illusion of his artwork. After completing the drawing, he cuts out the margins of the paper. This small touch is what fools the eyes of viewers and creates the 3D effect, making it seem as if his illustrations are real objects while his illustrated creatures are seen sitting on top of or leaping off from a flat paper. In addition, the artist pointed out that solid basic painting skills and numerous practices are essential for making 3D drawings.

Meanwhile, Cao often shares his skills with netizens by uploading short videos about painting skills, one of which garnered more than 1 million followers.

Over the past four years or more, Cao has created between 300 to 400 3D paintings. His favorite one is a painting featuring a girl who can be seen sitting on top of the flat paper while drawing a limb for herself. Many netizens felt sorry to see the amputee. Cao explained that a girl in his studio, who is in fact an able-bodied girl, inspired the artwork.

Photo shows Cao Zhi. (Photo/epaper.yzwb.net)

Born in a village in Suqian city, Cao was once an art teacher in a middle school in his hometown. Two years later, he resigned from the school and went to Shanghai to further his career development. He has lived in Shanghai for over a decade and engaged in fine art training for 12 years in the city.

Im glad that people like my 3D drawings. Im also happy to share the magical skills of creating 3D drawings, Cao said.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji)
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Legendary GMAT 800 Instructors share their tips

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Register | Schedule for June 13-14
All pictures above are Nuvia patients, some may have been compensated for time.

Nuvia Dental Implant Centers announced that they are opening a new location in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 15th 2022. Nuvia MSO, the administrative support team that serves all Nuvia Dental Implant Centers, announced that they are excited to be working with Oral Surgeon Dr. Blair Alexander Isom D.D.S. (Doctor of Dental Surgery). Dr. Isom will be spearheading the Las Vegas location, providing permanent teeth in 24 hours to members of his community.

Born and raised in Las Vegas, Dr. Isom is an integral member of the community. He graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in 2006 continuing on to complete a residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery from 2009-2013. He has placed around 10,000 implants in his 12 years of experience as a dental implant surgeon.

With more and more patients flying in from around the country to receive treatment from a Nuvia Dental Implant Center, Nuvia is excited about the Las Vegas location. With the experience that Dr. Isom brings Nuvia suspects their Las Vegas location will be a popular destination for local residents as well as for their travel patients.

Why do people travel to Nuvia for dental implants?



Nuvia dental implant centers offer permanent teeth in 24-hours. Instead of creating a temporary set of teeth using an all acrylic denture to place on the implants after surgery, Nuvia delivers a permanent set of prosthetic teeth that are custom-milled from a digital scan of the patients mouth just 24-hours after the implant surgery. To learn more about how this process differs from the traditional Teeth-in-a-day method of dental implants, and how it can potentially cut down on the total amount of appointments needed, click here.

Where can I find the information for the new center?

Name: Nuvia Dental Implant Center

Address: 6780 S Fort Apache Road, STE 130, Las Vegas, NV 89148

Phone Number: (725) 235-9301

https://www.nuviasmiles.com/locations/nuvia-dental-implant-center-las-vegas

About Nuvia Dental Implant Center:

Nuvia Dental Implant Center is a patient-oriented dental implant provider, focused on giving patients an amazing experience. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, Nuvia currently has centers in Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Nevada, Texas, and Utah. Visit Nuvias website to learn more about their permanent teeth in 24 hours, and how dental implants can help change your life for the better.

Each Nuvia Dental Implant Center is owned and operated by licensed dental professionals, and has a business affiliation with Nuvia MSO, LLC - a management company that provides non-clinical support services to each center such as the publishing of this material. All images of patients in this article are actual Nuvia patients and my have been compensated for time.
We are delighted to announce that SOAL Technologies has acquired Tekberry on June 1, 2022.

Tekberry has been in operation for more than 25 years. Working with clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to small and medium-sized businesses over the past 30 years. Throughout their history, they've sought to build a relationship with their clients and job seekers and to match them with the right opportunities.

As a result of this merger, SOAL Technologies will rise to prominence in the fields of information technology (IT), healthcare (healthcare), and light industrial/administrative support. It will generate better outcomes for our clients who have always trusted us with securing the best talent for their team. It will also assist our job seekers get connected with their passion.

To maintain a centralized workflow, SOAL will manage the operational side of both companies. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns or questions.

"I wish to express my immense gratitude with this merger. TekBerry is a great company that shares our values and beliefs. I strongly believe that as our customers and job seekers become acquainted with the new members of the TekBerry team and its services, they will share my enthusiasm for this partnership."

--SOAL Technologies CEO/Founder Ahmed Moledina

We appreciate our valued customers and our employees and hope for their continued support. As it has been from the beginning, SOAL and all of its subsidiaries are incredibly proud and fortunate to call Austin, Texas, their headquarters and their home.

About SOAL

We take the time to get to know our customers personally. We solve the most challenging problems by combining tried-and-true methods with novel ideas. We've walked in your shoes before. If you're in the market for a security system or a new employee, we understand how important it is to move quickly and effectively. We want to build long-term relationships that benefit everyone.

Moreover, we're devoted to delivering the best possible service to our customers. Integrity, honesty, and open communication are all values we hold dear, and it is because of this, that we can provide you with customized solutions that ensure your success. This is how we go above and beyond for our clients. The knowledge and experience as a group of highly qualified consultants span a wide range of specialties. We combine tried-and-true methods with cutting- edge approaches to provide our clients with the best solutions.

SOAL Technologies is a full-service staffing and consulting firm with more than 50 years of combined team experience. We are passionate about ensuring your progress. Since 2009, SOAL Technologies, LLC has been a provider of information technology staffing solutions services to federal, state, education and local governmental entities as well as commercial businesses. SOAL is well recognized in the industry with numerous awards from companies like Austin Business Journal for 6 consecutive years.

About TekBerry

Service is a primary focus for Tekberry. We've provided contract staffing services to Fortune 500 and 1000 companies for more than two decades. Our best-practice processes enable us to deliver high-quality candidates promptly." Then we get the job done quickly and with minimal impact on our customers' schedules.

There are staffing representatives on the ground close to major employment centers as part of Tekberry's new virtual team structure. To keep costs down, we don't have any physical locations. Because of this, we can pass along savings to our customers while still paying our staff at the local market rate. Don't be satisfied with anything less than the best. You should also avoid paying more than is necessary for your temporary workers. Ask us how we can save you money while providing the best service possible.

Our Goal

By exceeding the expectations of customers, partners, and team members, we aim to be the most successful staffing solutions company in our markets.

SOAL Technologies was founded in 2009 by two friends who had worked together for more than 15 years at some of the most prominent tech companies in the industry. They are driven by a desire to deliver solutions that go above and beyond the expectations of their clients. The recruiters and consultants at SOAL Technologies have a wide range of experience and expertise. Technology architecture development, custom development, and technical support management are just some of the services we provide to our clients.
Foundation of Little Village Under our refreshed identity, the Foundation of Little Village will continue to deliver economic development through our successful, culturally relevant programming and ever-growing business ecosystem.

The Little Village Community Foundation announced that it has changed its name to the Foundation of Little Village.

The name change to the Foundation of Little Village is an opportunity to strengthen our identity and better align with the programs and services we offer, said Dan Arce, Board President of the Foundation of Little Village. Under our refreshed identity, the Foundation of Little Village will continue to deliver economic development through our successful, culturally relevant programming and ever-growing business ecosystem.

The Foundation recently released its first annual report titled, Foundation of Little Village: Delivering Our Promise. The report highlights the organizations accomplishments, which include the creation of Little Villages first-ever micro-granting programa collaborative effort that disbursed over $745,000 in aid to local entrepreneurs.

During 2020 and 2021, the Foundation of Little Village launched the areas first micro-granting program, delivering much-needed pandemic-era support to local businesses experiencing economic and financial disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, the micro-granting program awarded more than 255 grants to Little Village entrepreneursfinancial lifelines used to cover business expenses related to payroll, rent, and other critical financial needs during a period of immense uncertainty.

We are so excited to share the annual report, which serves as a testament to and celebration of the hard work of our team, said Kim Close, Executive Director of the Foundation of Little Village. Over the past few years, we have worked very hard to provide programs and services to build community wealth and support local entrepreneurs, like launching the first micro-granting program in Little Village which has awarded thousands of dollars directly to neighborhood businesses and provided immediate assistance during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Though the name has changed, the organizations commitment to enhancing Little Villages socioeconomic vitality has not. From its inception in 2018, the Foundation has served as an entrepreneurial depot, working to catalyze corridor revitalization by connecting business owners to valuable support mechanisms. As before, the Foundation of Little Village will continue full operation of its signature Juntos entrepreneurial programming, professional services, and ongoing projects. Within this economic model, business owners are afforded access to capital and a network of wraparound professional servicesessential components of larger-scale corridor revitalization efforts like those evinced by the forthcoming Xquina Incubator and Cafe.

On May 27, 2022, the Foundation of Little Village presented its annual report to stakeholders during a Bienvenida event held at the organizations new office space on 25th and Trumbull Avenue. You can access the annual report at https://flvchicago.org/programs/annual-report/. For more information on the Foundation of Little Village and its programs and services, visit http://www.flvchicago.org.

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About the Foundation of Little Village

The Foundation of Little Village was founded in August 2018 with a mission to create a socioeconomic impact system for entrepreneurs of color. In this time, the Foundation of Little Village has supported more than 250 local small businesses with culturally relevant educational programming, professional services, workforce training, access to capital, and technical assistance to bridge the digital divide between youth and local businesses. In pursuit of these goals, the Foundation equips local entrepreneurs with access to bilingual, professional programming designed to support and encourage economic growth, educational opportunities, and vibrant wealth creation to more effectively propel the Little Village community forward.
Venture Construction Group (VCG) was a Gold Sponsor at the 36th Annual Treasure Coast Builders Association (TCBA) Fishing Tournament. The tournament took place at the Pirates Cove Resort and Marina in Stuart on May 27-28. A portion of the tournament proceeds benefit the TCBA Charitable Fund, which provides scholarships to students for college and technical training programs in the construction industry.

The TCBA Fishing Tournament kicked off May 27 at 4 p.m. with registration, followed by a reception and a mandatory captions meeting. On May 28, fishing began at 6:15 a.m., followed by weigh-ins and an award ceremony. The event included an offshore/inshore fishing tournament with lots of prizes, food, drinks, vendors, and live and silent auctions.

The work that Treasure Coast Builders Association does is truly amazing. Our team had a fantastic time at the tournament and were proud to be a sponsor, said Stephen Shanton, CEO and president of Venture Construction Group (VCG), Venture Construction Group of Florida (VCGFL), VCG International (VCGI).

VCG sponsors a variety of charities, community organizations, nonprofits, and events throughout the year. Giving back is an integral part of the companys mission.

About Venture Construction Group

Founded in 1998, Venture Construction Group (VCG) is a licensed general contractor and an award-winning leader in construction, restoration, renovations, roofing, storm damage repairs, and 24/7 emergency services. VCG services commercial and residential properties throughout the East Coast, Greater Mid-Atlantic Region, Gulf Coast, and Midwest. Operational excellence is our mission in every project we undertake, and we pride ourselves on providing exceptional customer service. Specializing in commercial projects, VCG assists property management companies, condo associations, multi-family structures, hi-rises, retail/business plazas, government facilities, hotels, and resorts with comprehensive general contractor services, restoration, mitigation, specialty construction, historical restoration, remodels, property repairs, and rebuilds due to fire, flood, water, wind, hail, and hurricane damage. VCG is committed to operational excellence and exceptional customer service. CEO Stephen Shanton is a proud member of the prestigious Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC). Entrepreneur Magazine hails YEC Consists of Some of the Most Well-Respected Minds in Entrepreneurship. Shanton is a proud member of the WindStorm Insurance Network and is a WIND Certified Umpire, WIND Certified Appraiser, and WIND Certified Fellow. He also earned the prestigious Pro Remodeler Forty Under 40 Award. VCG is an exclusive certified National Storm Damage Center Preferred Contractor, Certified Member of the United Association of Storm Restoration Contractors, Certified Member of Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) Industry Members Association (EIMA), Certified Member of National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, Mule-Hide Legacy Contractor, Certified CertainTeed Contractor, and Duro-Last Certified Contractor. VCG credentials have been vetted and screened through independent third party Global Risk Management Solutions. With offices nationwide and a solid reputation throughout the country, we are able to respond to your needs with quality, ease, and top-notch service. For more information, call 866-459-8348 or visit us online at http://www.VentureConstructionGroup.com.

About Treasure Coast Builders Association

The Treasure Coast Builders Association is a professional association of over 400 member firms representing over 5,540 individuals. TCBA represents and protects the interests of the building industry in Florida's Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, and Okeechobee Counties. Membership is comprised of builders, developers, sub-contractors, suppliers, lenders, architects, realtors, and manufacturers who are dedicated to Building a Better Tomorrow by serving our members and the community through leadership, advocacy and education. Learn more at http://www.TreasureCoastBA.com

Media Inquiries:

Alexis Bott

Elev8 Consulting Group

Ph: 386-243-5388

Web:http://www.elev8cg.com
Reinvestment Fund today announced $22.6 million in financial assistance awards to 134 projects through the 2021 round of Americas Healthy Food Financing Initiatives (HFFI) Targeted Small Grants Program. Funding for the HFFI grants program is provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill. The program provides one-time catalytic investments in projects that will improve access to fresh, healthy food by creating and expanding fresh food retail and food enterprises.

The 2021 round is the largest since the program launched in 2018. The 2021 Request for Applications (RFA) originally made $4 million available through the program. The pool was expanded to $22.6 million by the USDA, as a result of the $155 million in additional resources for the HFFI program announced by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack last week under the USDA's framework for transforming the food system. With this investment, the HFFI program will work with stakeholders toward realizing the expanded vision for the program that begins to address the complexity of food access in communities across America.

The Biden-Harris Administration and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack are committed to creating local and regional food systems that benefit all Americans, from farmers and ranchers to small businesses and families who currently have to travel a long way from home to find fresh, healthy food, said USDA Rural Development Under Secretary Xochitl Torres Small. USDA is proud to partner with Reinvestment Fund to ensure that these resources reach the communities where they are needed most, so people can find nutritious food options wherever they live.

Awardees were selected through a competitive process that was open to eligible fresh food retail projects and food enterprises seeking financial assistance to overcome the higher costs and initial barriers to operating in underserved areas. The program received 566 Letter of Interest submissions to the RFA in December 2021. Based on eligibility, 359 applicants were invited to submit full applications in January 2022, with 294 final applications received by the deadline in March 2022.

As the National Fund Manager, Reinvestment Fund administers the HFFI program on behalf of USDA. The public-private partnership aims to provide capacity building and financing resources to stimulate food business development at scale and build a more equitable food system that supports the health and economic vibrancy of all Americans.

The legacy of racist policies like redlining and the resulting disinvestment continue to harm communities in so many ways, including through the lack of access to healthy, affordable food, said Don Hinkle-Brown, President and CEO of Reinvestment Fund. We are honored to work with the USDA to address some of these historical injustices through the HFFI program by investing in food systems assets that not only increase food access in underserved communities but improve health, strengthen local economies, grow wealth and quality jobs, and develop essential community anchors.

Awardee projects are located 46 states, in addition to Puerto Rico and Washington DC. Of the 134 grant awardees, 45% serve rural communities and 81% are owned or led by people of color, low-income people, women, and/or native people. Of the awardees, 69% are grocery retail projects. Another 31% of awardees offer alternative retail models including mobile markets, CSAs or food boxes.

Awardees include:



The Local Farm Cooperative, a worker-owned, community-based cooperative farm business in Selma, Alabama that seeks to establish a mobile sales unit to sell quality, fresh produce and staple products to underserved communities throughout Dallas County.

Manuels Food Market, a neighborhood grocer in Albuquerque, New Mexico, that will be improving its retail operations by partnering with local farmers to bring fresh produce to the store, developing a commercial kitchen to prepare food, and offering weekly subscription produce boxes.

Nalwoodi Denzhone Community General Store, a nonprofit in San Carlos, Arizona, that will address the ongoing food challenges facing the San Carlos Apache communities by developing a general store on a tribally-owned, 90-acre farm.

Northeast Grocers, a Black-led neighborhood coalition that has been working to address the lack of grocery stores in Northeast Kansas City, Kansas by leveraging local and philanthropic funding to develop a business model for a cooperative store.

The 2021 HFFI program offered financial assistance in the form of one-time grants to food retailers and food enterprises that aimed to strengthen, expand, and innovate within the food retail supply chain. The program assists a variety of organizations, business models, and capital needs of ventures that process, distribute, aggregate, market, and sell healthy, fresh, and affordable foods to underserved communities and markets. A full list of awardees is available at http://www.investinginfood.com.

While new at USDA Rural Development, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have invested in healthy food projects through Community Development Financial Institutions and Community Development Corporations since 2010. To date, federal support has totaled $270 million in grants and has leveraged an estimated $1 billion in additional financing. It has also supported nearly 1,000 grocery and other healthy food retail projects in more than 35 states across the country, revitalizing economies, creating jobs, and improving health.

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About Reinvestment Fund

Reinvestment Fund is a mission-driven financial institution committed to making communities work for all people. We bring financial and analytical tools to partnerships that work to ensure that people in communities across the country have the opportunities they strive for: affordable places to live, access to nutritious food and health care, schools where their children can flourish, and strong, local businesses that support jobs. We use data to understand markets and how transactions can have the most powerful impact, which has consistently earned us the top Aeris rating of AAA for financial strength and four stars for impact management. Our asset and risk management systems have also earned us an A+ rating from S&P. Since our inception in 1985, Reinvestment Fund has provided over $2.7 billion in financing to strengthen neighborhoods, scale social enterprises, and build resilient communities. Learn more at reinvestment.com.
Andres Hernando, Hiperbaric CEO, said, HPP Innovation Week raises awareness of HPP and how it helps manufacturers, brands and consumers with safer, fresher, healthier food.

Hiperbaric, the global leader in High Pressure Processing (HPP) technology, will hold its 2nd annual virtual HPP Innovation Week, June 21-23. Winners of Hiperbarics inaugural HPP Research Awards will also be announced.

The online conference will bring together manufacturers, retailers, food service and packaging companies, regulatory, academic leaders, and others in the HPP industry to discuss the latest trends and innovations. The event will provide a forum for education, networking, and collaboration while demonstrating how HPP positively impacts the food and beverage industry.

HPP is a nonthermal food preservation technology that uses cold water and high pressure to inactivate food-borne pathogens and spoilage microorganisms. The process maintains nutritional integrity and taste and significantly increases shelf life without the need for preservatives.

The three-day HPP Innovation Week program will focus on three topics over three days, including Day 1: Human & Pet Nutrition; Day 2: Food Safety & Shelf-life Extension; and Day 3: Sustainability & Product Development. Topics include:



Using HPP for 100% Natural Beverages with the Highest Nutritional Quality

Latest Innovations: HPP Applied to Natural Supplements and Products with Functional Properties

HPP Product Validation and Certification

Innovating the plant-based category using HPP

Premium Quality Guacamole and Avocado Products Using HPP

HPP Effect on Proteins and Other Macronutrients

Facts and Myths of Using HPP for Fresh and Raw Pet Food

Defining Sustainability in the HPP Industry

How does HPP align with a Circular Economy of Food?

The conference will include 25 sessions on HPP benefits, packaging, emerging applications, sustainability, and HPP global market trends. More than 50 speakers including leading manufacturer Good Foods, organic juice manufacturer Nourish Cold-Pressed Juice, Utah-based toller Intermountain HPP, and start up Simplicity Beverage will share the latest HPP innovations.

International manufacturers, academicians, and tollers also will share their perspectives, including Canadian plant-based dairy alternative company Plant Veda, Canadian beverage company Loop Mission, and French juice company Juste Presse. The extensive program includes case studies, individual presentations, moderated panels, exclusive interviews, and live Q&As with technology experts. The Cold Pressure Council, U.S. Army, and Upcycled Food Association will also participate in the event.

Hiperbaric representatives will share technical and practical aspects of HPP, as well as discuss their free HPP testing and consulting for packaging, product development and validation studies. Andres Hernando, Hiperbaric CEO, said, HPP Innovation Week raises awareness of HPP and how it helps manufacturers, brands and consumers with safer, fresher, healthier food.

Roberto Peregrina, Hiperbaric USA Director, added, HPP Innovation Week will bring together leading experts nationwide and internationally to discuss the latest advances in HPP.

Registration for HPP Innovation Week is free, and all content and videos will be available to each registrant on demand following the conference. Registration is available at https://www.hiperbaric.com/hpp-innovation-week/.

About Hiperbaric

Hiperbaric is the worlds leading supplier of high pressure processing (HPP) equipment for the food industry. Since its inception in 1999, Hiperbaric has designed, developed, produced and marketed its high pressure processing equipment internationally. The company is recognized for its reliability, customer support, teamwork and continuous effort in R&D.

Hundreds of companies worldwide use Hiperbaric equipment for the processing of juices and beverages, meat, fish and shellfish, fruits and vegetables, dairy and prepared dishes. A highly versatile technology, HPP can be applied to a wide range of foods. With world headquarters in Spain, the company also has an office in Miami to serve its North American market. For more information, visit: http://www.hiperbaric.com.
By purchasing GiveWorx, Accelerist will be able to marry its user-friendly data and analytics platform with constituent fundraising capabilities to provide a comprehensive ecosystem that helps its customers do more good, more efficiently.

Accelerist, a SaaS platform supporting companies and nonprofits in their partnership efforts, has acquired GiveWorx, a financial software company that helps businesses and nonprofits raise money from their constituents. Through a strategic partnership for the past year, the two companies collaboratively offered customers the ability to raise more money at the register and at work.

The acquisition of GiveWorx fits into Accelerists mission to make it easier for companies and nonprofits to raise more funds for important social issues. By purchasing GiveWorx, Accelerist will be able to marry its user-friendly data and analytics platform with constituent fundraising capabilities to provide a comprehensive ecosystem that helps its customers do more good, more efficiently. Accelerist plans to leverage GiveWorxs traction with nonprofits and financial institutions to grow new strategic platform partnerships across various industries.

We are very excited to combine the GiveWorx platform with Accelerist, creating the premium platform supporting nonprofits in raising more money for meaningful causes through new, innovative technology, said Asif Ramji, Founder & Chairman, GiveWorx.

Were thrilled about the versatile fundraising capabilities the GiveWorx acquisition will bring to our nonprofit and corporate customers, said Brittany Hill, CEO/Founder, Accelerist. Not only will our customers be able to still find and measure social impact partnerships through our platform, they can now engage each others supporters in raising critical funds for social good in an easy and turnkey way. Pair GiveWorxs software-agnostic donation interface with our analytics, and its a no brainer for those who want to raise more money wherever they are  at home, at register, at work, at play - and cultivate donor relationships along the way.

About Accelerist

Accelerist is the leader in social impact partnership technology. Accelerists software platform supports corporate partnership teams, account management, and leadership in sustaining, vetting, and growing their partnership portfolios. Some of the industrys most prolific brands and nonprofit organizations rely on Accelerists innovative solutions to prospect, measure, fundraise and inspire profit-purpose partnerships through our proprietary SaaS Platform.

https://accelerist.com/

About GiveWorx

GiveWorx is the go-to Impact-as-a-Service technology that enables businesses to fulfill their Corporate Social Responsibility. Its suite of digital giving tools makes it easy for businesses and nonprofits to engage customers, employees, and communities! Built by Fintech experts, GiveWorx is an integrated cause-based engagement and fundraising platform that can help you multiply social impact.
"We expect the US food market to respond well to the healthy, spicy, and authentic Korean food...I look forward to what participating in this event will leave in store for us."

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Livestock (Minister Hwang-keun Chung) and the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT, President Choon jin Kim) will be participating in the 2022 Summer Fancy Food Show on June 12-14 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center to introduce new Korean food and beverage products to the North American market.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Fancy Food Show, which is the largest food expo in the United States with 46,000 food professionals and 2,600 companies participating. Furthermore, over 200,000 products will be on display to demonstrate current and future food trends. Its no wonder why 87% of visitors at global expos use the opportunity to explore new buyers, promote products, and find value-added items.

To build on the trend of health promotion in the US, aT will feature 46 companies and their healthy, functional products including Kimchi, Ginseng, Sauce, and Ready to Eat products.

The theme of this years Korean Pavilion is K-Food: Harmony of Taste & Health. Owner and Chef of Handsome Rice, Han-Song Kim, considered to be one of the next top chefs, will use the promoted products to create seven beautiful and appetizing dishes.

In addition, consultations will be provided on-site in order to provide accurate understanding and information of these Korean products and how to best market them in the US.

According to Hwasop Shim, the president of aT center New York, Imports to the United States have been on a steady rise for the last ten years. In 2021, Koreas agricultural exports to the US grew 8.9%. He further explains that we expect the US food market to respond well to the healthy, spicy, and authentic Korean food. We also expect the exports of Korean agri-food products to be robust. I look forward to what participating in this event will leave in store for us.

More information about this event can be found at http://www.aTcenterAmerica.com.
The three new strategic partnerships will further expand Bitwave's partnership ecosystem with trusted leaders in the industry.

Bitwave, the first enterprise-grade tax, accounting, and finance software for digital assets, continues to grow its partner network, accelerating its leadership in the ecosystem. The first of these announcements with Figment, one of the worlds leading enterprise yield-bearing staking solutions, is another enhancement to Bitwaves decentralized finance (DeFi) treatments.

Figment is at the forefront of enabling crypto staking for Enterprise, says Bitwave CEO and co-founder Pat White. We are excited to partner with them to provide Bitwave customers with a yield-bearing staking option that is fully integrated into the platform.

Were excited to be partnering with Bitwave to bring additional capabilities around staking to their customers, says Andrew Cronk, CPO, and co-founder of Figment. Bitwaves best-in-class staking treatment handling will allow Figment to further its mission by empowering organizations to build Web3, the next generation of the Internet. Were happy to be working to push the staking industry further, Cronk finishes.

The three new strategic partnerships with Bookkeeper 360, an outsourced accounting firm, and Caravel Partners, a NetSuite implementation consultant, and Digitas, a learning and development company that creates digital asset curriculums, will further expand Bitwave's partnership ecosystem with trusted leaders in the industry.

Bookkeeper360 has worked extensively with companies using digital assets. Now, they can leverage Bitwaves platform to provide accounting services to their clients, says White. Vice President of Sales & Business Development at Bookkeeper360, Steven Muller, continues, Were excited to announce Bookkeeper360s partnership with Bitwave. Their platform has been essential to helping simplify the blockchain transactions of our cryptocurrency clients.

As an early adopter of digital assets, and a premier implementor of NetSuite, Caravel has increasingly collaborated with Bitwave on complex digital asset implementations, says White.Caravel is pleased to announce we have officially partnered with Bitwave. Our team will not only be able to utilize Bitwave but also fully implement the product moving forward, says Tai Valenzuela, Director of Marketing & Alliances at Caravel Partners.

Finally, Bitwave is announcing a partnership with Digitas to extend its industry expertise for educational purposes.

Our industry has a big problem. Talent. Hard to find, harder to train, and hardest to retain. Digitas is partnering with Bitwave to solve these problems and fulfill our vision: to accelerate mainstream adoption of digital assets by onboarding the worlds professionals. Together, we are creating a world-class digital asset curriculum to welcome finance and accounting professionals to our next financial system, says Trevor Ward, CPA, Managing Director at Digitas.

We are excited to work with Digitas to help create content and training videos on digital asset accounting, finishes White.

For more information on Bitwave, please visit Bitwave.io.

About Figment

Figments purpose is to build a better Internet by increasing usage of the next generation of Proof of Stake blockchains. These efficient blockchains give people greater control of their data, more privacy, and increase financial inclusion. By eliminating intermediaries they also limit the power of centralized data monopolies, rent seeking institutions and anti-social algorithms. We bring our mission to reality by helping investors stake their tokens; earn yield and participate in securing the blockchain. Our Hubble and Prime applications as well as our governance expertise allow token holders to analyze, monitor and make informed decisions. We build Web 3 developer communities via our Learn education program and then make it simple for these developers to launch applications and manage smart contracts via our DataHub platform. And finally by building and operating The Graph based indexers we enable the efficient search and querying of blockchain data.

About Bookkeeper360

Bookkeeper360 is a fintech accounting solution for small businesses. Bookkeeper360s product offerings include SaaS business intelligence tools and tech-enabled accounting, advisory, back-office, payroll, and tax services provided by its 100% U.S. Based team of CPAs and accounting experts. Learn more at bookkeeper360.com.

About Caravel Partners

The Team at Caravel has spent the last two decades working with clients across North America ranging from SMB, Mid-Market, to Enterprise. Having worked with over 500 clients, Caravel has consolidated this experience into a repeatable framework for helping companies define lean yet scalable business processes, efficiently determining the right technology to support the business, deploying the software platform, providing project oversight to ensure project and ultimately business success and providing ongoing support services as needed.

Our goal is your goal: Help drive the right decisions as quickly and as cost-effectively as possible.

About Digitas

Our industry has a big problem. Talent. Hard to find, harder to train, and hardest to retain. Digitas is partnering with Bitwave to solve these problems and fulfill our vision: to accelerate mainstream adoption of digital assets by onboarding the worlds professionals. Together, we are creating a world-class digital asset curriculum to welcome finance and accounting professionals to our next financial system.

About Bitwave

Bitwave is a provider of tax and accounting software that is used to track investments in cryptocurrency. The platform is used by C-Suite financial executives who are eager to invest in cryptocurrency but have lacked the proper accounting protocols to do so in the past. By creating the opportunity to make these investments, Bitwave is playing a key role in the Decentralized Finance (DeFi) movement and removing the friction that has traditionally plagued financial services. The firm was founded in 2018 by technology entrepreneurs Pat White and Amy Kalnoki and is based in San Francisco, CA.
The Fontina DOP Consortium and Baraggia Biellese and Vercellese Rice DOP Consortium are pleased to announce their participation at Summer Fancy Food 2022 in New York, the largest specialty food show in the US promoted by the leading trade association, Speciality Food Association.

Throughout the three-day event, June 12-14, U.S. retail buyers, distributors, and other trade professionals will have an exclusive opportunity to taste and discover the high-quality cheeses of Fontina PDO from Valle dAosta and unique rice varieties of Biella and Vercelli Baraggia PDO.

Summer Fancy Food 2022s participation accompanies, "Top Tales: A piece of Europe on your table." A larger project supported by the European Union aimed at promoting the PDOs of Fontina Valle dAosta, rice of Baraggia biellese and vercellese, and the renowned denominations of Barolo & Barbaresco.

The Fontina DOP Consortium and Baraggia Biellese and Vercellese Rice DOP Consortium will be located in the Italy Pavilion at booths 3200-3204.

This is familiar territory for Fontina DOP cheese and Baraggia Biellese and Vercellese Rice, as theyve already taken part in the second edition of Barolo & Barbaresco World Opening (BBWO) on April 28th and 29th, 2022 at Intercontinental Hotel in Los Angeles. At the event participants took a culinary journey, tasting Barolo and Barbaresco wines paired with Fontina PDO cheeses and risotto, prepared with Barraggia rice.

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About Top Tales: Top Tales is a project supported by the European Union aimed at promoting Fontina DOP from Valle dAosta, Rice of Baraggia Biellese e Vercellese DOP, as well as the DOCGs Barolo and Barbaresco. The European communication campaign, Top Tales: A piece of Europe on your table, is designed to increase the awareness of the three existing DOP products in the United States market.

About Consorzio Produttori e Tutela della DOP Fontina: The Consortium was created in 1952 with the intent to protect Fontina DOP, specifically in regard to production and distribution. The entity recognizes every wheel of Fontina produced following the Consortium's rules with a Fontina DOP trademark.

About Consorzio di Tutela della DOP Riso di Baraggia Biellese e Vercellese: The Baraggia Rice was awarded PDO status in 2007 following the European Union verifying its unique quality and nutritional characteristics. Today, the denomination covers 22,000 hectares of paddy fields across 28 communes.


State and local officials congratulated the leadership and employees of Clagett Enterprises, LLC, the Frederick-based, full service commercial and residential real estate company, on the occasion of its 35th business anniversary at a recent May event.

Galen Clagett, a native of Frederick County, a former Frederick County Commissioner and former member of the Maryland House of Delegates, established Clagett Enterprises in 1987, specializing in commercial real estate consulting, development, sales, leasing and management. Over time, he expanded the company to include residential property management, and condo and Homeowner Association (HOA) management. Clagett Enterprises currently oversees the management of 247 rental properties and 217 Community Associations in Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

In April 2022, following 35 years as organizational head, Galen Clagett, transferred the role of CEO to his son, Thomas Clagett, who also serves as company president. Thomas has been associated with Clagett Enterprises since 2001. Galen Clagett will continue to serve as the organizations Chairman of the Board.

Seen at the event, left to right are: Tamar Osterman, senior business development representative, Maryland State Office of Business Development; Rick Weldon, executive director, Frederick County Chamber of Commerce; Helen Propheter, executive director, Frederick County Office of Economic Development; Michael OConnor, mayor, The City of Frederick; Thomas Clagett, president and CEO; Galen Clagett, founder and chairman of the board, Clagett Enterprises; Kara Norman, executive director, Downtown Frederick Partnership; Charles Young, special assistant to the comptroller, State of Maryland; Richard Griffin, director, The City of Frederick Office of Economic Development.

The hour-long event included acknowledgements and proclamations by guests.


Conroe Divorce Attorney Kate Bihm Named 2022 Texas Elite Lawyer

Kate Bihm, founding attorney and managing shareholder of The Bihm Firm, PLLC, has been named an Elite Lawyer in Texas for 2022. Elite Lawyer is a comprehensive attorney directory and rating service that showcases outstanding attorneys throughout the country and provides information to individuals who are seeking legal help. Kate Bihm is an accomplished attorney who is well-respected among her peers and clients. Her continuous hard work and determination have helped her gain this award, among many other accolades.

Kate Bihm has been leading her legal team at The Bihm Firm since 2007, and she has been licensed to practice law in the state of Texas since 2003. Since opening the Conroe firm, she has worked hard to instill the values of transparent counsel, aggressive advocacy, and exceptional client service in everything her team does. She originally centered her career on defending individuals facing criminal charges, including traffic tickets and drug charges. Starting in 2016, Attorney Bihm began expanding her practice to represent individuals facing legal matters related to divorce and family law. Today, Ms. Bihms legal practice provides legal representation in cases involving complex divorce, child custody, child support, marital agreements, domestic violence, and various criminal charges.

Attorney Bihm is a dedicated legal professional who has invested substantial time and effort into becoming an excellent public servant. In 2016, she ran for judge of the 9th District Court Republican primary in Montgomery County. Kate Bihm is a member of the board of directors of the State Bar of Texas, and she serves as Chair of the Bars Client Security Fund Committee. She is a former fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation, and she previously served as President of the Montgomery County Bar Association.

Since earning her Juris Doctorate from the Texas Tech School of Law in 2003, Attorney Bihm has earned several awards for her impressive work in the legal field. She has been AV-Rated by Martindale Hubbell since 2017 and was named as Top Lawyer by Houstonia Magazine five times. Additionally, Kate Bihm was named the Appellate Attorney of the Year by the Montgomery County Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.

To learn more about Attorney Bihm and The Bihm Law firm, please visit https://www.bihmfirm.com/ or call 936-788-6100.

For more information about Elite Lawyer, please visit https://www.elitelawyer.com/.
Owners Mark Hayes and Debbie Rote-Hayes opened Elizabeth Perk Coffee & Ice Cream through Crimson Cup's 7 Steps to Success program One of the most impressive things about working with our trainer from Crimson Cup is how a staff with no prior experience with coffee is now expertly crafting coffee beverages just a week later." - Debbie Rote-Hayes, Owner, Elizabeth Perk Coffee & Ice Cream in Trenton, Michigan

Want to learn how to open a coffee shop in Michigan? Get insider secrets on starting a thriving business in the Wolverine State from the coffee shop startup experts at Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea.

Through its 7 Steps to Success coffee shop startup program, Roast magazines 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year has taught over 300 entrepreneurs in 30 states how to open a coffee shop.

Now, the companys 7 Steps coffee shop startup consulting team has added to its series of state-level coffee shop startup guides with, How to Start a Coffee Shop in Michigan.

Michigan is a land of opportunity for many types of small businesses, and coffee shops are no exception, said Crimson Cup Founder and President Greg Ubert. In fact, Michigan ranks 20th among the states in the number of coffee shops per capita, with fewer than one coffee shop for every 5,725 Michigan residents.

That leaves a lot of Michigan coffee lovers without a local coffee shop.

He noted that the company supports six independent coffee shops in Michigan cities and towns.

These entrepreneurs learned how to open their shops through Crimson Cups 7 Steps to Success coffee shop startup program.

The program is based on Uberts book, Seven Steps to Success: A Common-sense Guide to Succeed to Specialty Coffee, which he wrote initially to help struggling coffee shop customers master all aspects of successful coffee shop operations.

We help entrepreneurs with little or no coffee experience become owners of thriving coffee shops serving their local communities, he said. From choosing a terrific location and writing a strong coffee shop business plan to buying and laying out equipment, hiring and training staff and more, our team is here to guide you.

To hear about the book in Uberts own words, download a free recorded introduction on Soundcloud.

As a coffee roaster and coffee business consultant, Crimson Cup believes our company only succeeds when our customers do, Ubert said. As a result, we support coffee shop owners at every step, from concept through opening day and beyond.

Mark Hayes and Debbie Rote-Hayes opened Elizabeth Perk Coffee & Ice Cream in 2015 at 2975 W. Jefferson Ave. in Trenton, Michigan.

The husband-and-wife team chose a historic location for their new venture  Michigans first A&W building, which was built in the 1940s.

The vintage-style interior features stained-glass skylights and seating at tables with marble countertops.

A drive-thru caters to coffee and ice cream aficionados on the go.

Elizabeth Perks menu features Crimson Cup coffee, cappuccinos, lattes, cafe mochas and loose-leaf teas as well as 28 flavors of ice cream from Guernsey Farms Dairy in Northville, Michigan. The two product lines combine in the affogato, a traditional Italian dessert that tops a scoop of ice cream with a shot of espresso.

Mark said they traveled across the Midwest to find a unique coffee roaster to supply their coffee. When they found Crimson Cup, they knew it was the right fit for their business. They have a fantastic flavor and concept, he said.

Crimson Cups 7 Steps training program gave Debbie and her team the skills to succeed. One of the most impressive things about working with our trainer from Crimson Cup is how a staff with no prior experience with coffee is now expertly crafting coffee beverages just a week later, she said.

Crimson Cup has supported the couples success over the years. In 2019, USA Today named Elizabeth Perk the Best Ice Cream Parlor in Michigan!

As a one-stop shop for independent coffee shops, Crimson Cup supplies award-winning coffee, the best coffee shop supplies in the business, and ongoing support to help coffee businesses thrive.

Besides the Michigan guide, Crimson Cup recently published guides on How to Start a Coffee Shop in Texas, Ohio and North Carolina.

About once a week for the next year, the roaster will post a state-level coffee shop startup guides on its website. Next up: a guide on how to start a coffee shop in Pennsylvania.

Although the fundamentals of coffee shop operation remain the same from state to state, the economic opportunities, business formation and licensing requirements vary widely, Ubert said. Were excited to share information and resources to help entrepreneurs expedite their startup journey.

He invited anyone who is thinking of opening a coffee shop in any state to call Crimson Cup for guidance.

If you run into any roadblocks or just want to discuss your vision with a coffee expert, you can reach our startup team by calling 1-888-800-9224.

About Crimson Cup Coffee & Tea

Founded in 1991, Crimson Cup is at the forefront of the coffee industry. Its attentive roasting, startup support and global partnerships are consciously designed for the greater good of communities around the world. Among other national recognitions, the company has earned 2020 and 2017 Good Food Awards, the 2019 Golden Bean Champion for Small Franchise/Chain Roaster and Roast magazines 2016 Macro Roaster of the Year.

Crimson Cup travels the world searching for the perfect cup  driven by meaningful relationships, honesty and a shared vision for the future. Its Friend2Farmer initiatives foster respect and decency through mutually beneficial collaboration across local and global communities.

Through its 7 Steps to Success coffee shop startup program, the company teaches entrepreneurs how to open and run independent coffee houses in their local communities. By developing a coffee shop business plan, entrepreneurs gain insight into how much it costs to open a coffee shop.

Crimson Cup coffee is available through over 350 independent coffee houses, grocers, college and universities, restaurants and food service operations across 30 states, Guam and Bangladesh. The company also owns several Crimson Cup Coffee Shops and a new CRIMSON retail flagship store. To learn more, visit crimsoncup.com, or follow the company on Facebook and Instagram.
Five Talons of the Star: a gripping fantasy that finds a young warrior on an unforgettable journey. Five Talons of the Star is the creation of published author Dennis P. Murphy Jr., a dedicated husband and loving father who attended the University of Texas in San Antonio, majoring in art.

Murphy Jr. shares, Betrayal, revenge, and a loss of faith. These are the conundrums that Tulane must face within the moments of a war his people did not choose. In a solar system where an ancient alien race has resided for eons, a powerful secret lies in the planets surrounding it. Tulane and his people will soon find out that this secret will be key to an entirely new freedom theyve never encountered, and an unforgettable journey that will change their lives forever.

Join the sci-fi adventure as you witness through the eyes of Tulane an evolution of a lifestyle influenced by the politics of war, choice, and undiscovered power. Embark on an epic journey to other planets with plenty of action, drama, and self-discovery that guarantee to touch your heart forever.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Dennis P. Murphy Jr.s new book presents an imaginative and adventurous fiction.

Murphy Jr. skillfully crafts a multilayered tale that finds a group of people discovering long forgotten and hidden secrets.

Consumers can purchase Five Talons of the Star at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Five Talons of the Star, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
I am looking forward to sharing my knowledge on the Sirius XM broadcast and at the prestigious Vegas Cosmetic Surgery symposium. Aesthetic technology is rapidly evolving to provide our patients with optimal outcomes and minimal downtime. It is an exciting time. says Dr. Erez Dayan.

Dr. Erez Dayan is an upcoming guest on Sirius XMs Doctors Radio (channel 110) program, hosted by Dr. Sherrell Aston. They will discuss the topic of New Technology and Aesthetic Surgery on Tuesday, June 14th from 6-8 pm. Doctors Radio gives listeners the opportunity to learn about the latest in health news and get advice from the nation's top medical experts. In addition to the radio broadcast, Dr. Dayan will also be sharing his deep knowledge as a faculty member at the Vegas Cosmetic Surgery & Aesthetic Dermatology Symposium taking place June 8-11, 2022, at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. He will be conducting live presentations for meeting attendees on June 9th.

Patients come from all over the country to visit Dr. Erez Dayan at his practice, Avance Plastic Surgery Institute in Reno/Tahoe, NV, for the very best in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.

Dr. Dayan is an active international educator, key opinion leader and lecturer. Over the past 10 years, he has published and presented his work on over 150 occasions, not only in the United States but also in China, Taiwan, the Middle East, Europe and South America. Dr. Dayan completed his training at the elite Harvard Plastic Surgery Program before going on to achieve a fellowship in aesthetic surgery at the world-class Dallas Plastic Surgery Institute. From cosmetic procedures such as facelifts, breast augmentations, rhinoplasty, and tummy tucks, to more customized, unique treatments such as radiofrequency or ultrasound skin tightening, MOHS reconstruction and fat transfers, Dr. Dayan applies both a caring and precision-based approach to his practice, utilizing the latest technology available.

I am looking forward to sharing my knowledge on the Sirius XM broadcast and at the prestigious Vegas Cosmetic Surgery symposium. Aesthetic technology is rapidly evolving to provide our patients with optimal outcomes and minimal downtime. It is an exciting time. says Dr. Erez Dayan.

More about Dr. Erez Dayan:

Avance Plastic Surgery Institute, located at 5588 Longley Lane in Reno, Nevada, is one of the foremost plastic surgery institutes of its kind. Dr. Dayans practice offers cutting-edge technology, advanced surgical procedures and a full range of aesthetic facial and body treatments.

To schedule a consultation or for more information on upcoming events, please call 775-800-4444 or visit http://www.avanceplasticsurgery.com.
The Invisible Things of God: a compelling argument for the continuing acts of God found within nature. The Invisible Things of God is the creation of published author Duke Hammond, a helicopter pilot in the Marine Corps where he studied the complexity of navigating and applied that training to his responsibilities as a combat pilot in Vietnam. His efforts resulted in his being awarded thirty-six Air Medals for 720 combat mission credits. After active duty as a flight instructor, Hammond attended graduate school at VPI in Blacksburg, Virginia, and graduated with a masters degree in fisheries and wildlife science and a National Biological Honorary. He worked in that field for more than thirty years where his knowledge of animal migrations resulted from his interest in the subject during his career. Hammond became a Christian during the time between being honorably discharged from the Marine Corps and starting graduate school ten months later. He has taught the Bible for nearly five decades.

Hammond shares, The Bible doesnt merely suggest; it states very clearly that the invisible ways of Gods working can be clearly seen. Really? What invisible things of God have you seen? My suspicion is more than you realize! Its not that your eyes cant see. The problem is your mind isnt open. Those who dont see God at work around them arent blind. They are simply attributing what they see around them to other causes. They may profess themselves to be wise. God calls them fools.

For the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. (Romans 1:1822)

My prayer is that you wont be. He speculates that humans are on a migration of sorts to an afterlife. The thought-provoking question is, Will I listen to Gods direction and find Heaven or will I ignore Gods direction and miss it?

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Duke Hammonds new book paints a clear and thought-provoking picture of Gods involvement in the world.

Hammond offers readers an articulate and appreciative exploration of the ways in which God is present in the natural world and how one can see His hand in their day-to-day lives as well.

Consumers can purchase The Invisible Things of God at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about The Invisible Things of God, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
Keep your car in peak condition this summer. Anyone looking to keep their car in peak condition and save money at the same time can look to Boucher Nissan of Waukesha.

Residents of Southern Wisconsin can take advantage of excellent deals on service specials from Boucher Nissan of Waukesha. Some of these special deals include:

Air Duct Service and Cabin Filter Replacement For just $79.95 customers can be assured that their ventilation system is clear of pollutants or infectants. This service kills mold, mildew, and other odor-causing organisms. This in turn keeps the cars interior smelling clean and allows the driver and passengers to breathe easier. This offer expires at the end of the month. This special deal cannot be combined with other offers. Other restrictions apply.

Cooling System Service The health of a cars motor depends heavily on the cooling system, especially during the summer months. This special provides a $15.00 discount on a regular cooling system service. The service includes:



Check and drain the cooling system

Pressure test cooling system

Refill the coolant with the manufacturers recommended coolant type

This offer expires at the end of the month. This special deal cannot be combined with other offers. Other restrictions apply.

Pothole Alignment Special The winter months can be harsh on a vehicles alignment, which can in turn make driving more difficult and increase the wear on tires. This special reduces the service price to just $169.95. The service includes alignment, balancing, rotation, brake inspection, and multi-point inspection. The offer expires at the end of June, and some other restrictions apply.

Anyone looking to keep their car in peak condition and save money at the same time can look to Boucher Nissan of Waukesha. To learn more about service specials, or about a new Nissan, customers can visit the Boucher Nissan of Waukesha dealership at 1451 E Moreland Blvd, Waukesha, WI 53186. Or, potential clients can visit the dealerships website at https://www.waukeshanissan.com/.
Gorgonas tenth vintage is the milestone of a journey that proves Yes, we can!. An adventure which every June brings eager anticipation for the tasting of Frescobaldis cru wine from the Familys eighth wine estate. Established in 1869, the Gorgona project lies on Italys last penal colony island. Since 2012, the inmates on the island have been cultivating Vermentino and Ansonica to produce wines of Gorgona, encouraging them to the importance of learning a new, hands-on profession, and restoring faith in the future. The compelling, wild wine, Gorgona is infused with a series of emotions, which recovers and redeems the souls allowing for hints of hope.

We have had the privilege of living here on this extraordinary island for a decade now, and every year our pride in this project increases, stated Marchesi Frescobaldi President, Lamberto Frescobaldi. As did the previous vintages, tenth conveys the islands one-of-a-kind terroir. Surrounded by its scents and tastes, here in Gorgona there is anything one could wish for: love for this island, mans loving attention, hope for a better life, the influence of the sea, and this extraordinary environment, all elements that combine resulting in a wine that is inimitable, innately exclusive, a symbol of hope and freedom. It is the very essence of this unparalleled corner of the planet and of our project, a symbol that never stops to fill us with excitement.

Each year, the Gorgona label is conceived as a vintage-dedicated newsletter that communicates a different aspect of the island. Setting foot in Gorgona means discovering its utterly unique biodiversity, its dense Mediterranean land, and pristine sea. Moreover, striking fortifications and a small church dedicated to San Gorgonio, built by Carthusian monks in the 18th-century, witness the Island's rich cultural past.

The Gorgona 2021 label celebrates the people who made this extraordinary project possible. It extends gratitude to the Institutions directors and to the civil authorities, to the police and educators, to the project partners and supporters, to the prisoners themselves and to the winemakers. A special thanks goes to those who have shared the story of this project, and that have made this small yet beautiful island a place where many people gathered together for an honourable cause. The label also features a description of the wine, the result of the marriage between mans labour and the qualities of an unmatched locus.

The 2021 edition furthermore describes the tenth harvest, besides offering tribute to the land, being the smallest out of seven islands that constitute the Tuscan archipelago. When coming to this solitary side of the world, one immediately feels intertwined and connected with nature and the islands strong feelings.

In harmony with nature and the islands ground, one rediscovers dignity and hope for the future. Individuals with very different stories, backgrounds, and experiences, here finally speak the same language joining forces and talents for a greater scope, a valid and fair social project that is here for good.

Gorgona is the fruit of a 2-hectare vineyard planted on east-facing, wind protected, iron-rich soils. The vineyard, initially planted in 1999, then renewed and enlarged in 2015 and 2018, is solely growing Ansonica and Vermentino grapes, the only suppliers to the soul of this unparalleled wine, essence of the island terroir.

Autumn and winter brought normal seasonal temperatures and abundant rainfall, especially in November, recharging groundwater reserves. Budbreak started in the last week of March, slightly early, as it is the norm on the island. Abrupt drops in temperature in early April were tempered by the maritime environment, and vine growth proceeded unimpeded. Persistent rains in May and slightly below-average temperatures in June and July enabled the vines to cope with torrid heat in mid-August, allowing for excellent conditions at the time of harvest. The first Vermentino came in at the end of the first week of September, which enjoyed ideal diurnal range, while Ansonica was picked starting the final week of the month.

Gorgona 2021 once again is an eloquent expression of its surrounding seas, warm sun, crisp, constant breezes, and the briny breath of the maritime environment.

Its shimmering straw yellow, flecked with bright gold, cannot fail to delight the eye. A generous bouquet is reminiscent of Mediterranean scrub, broom, lentisk, and wild herbs that meld into hawthorn blossom, chamomile, and freesia; likewise beautifully blended into the overall complex are notes of banana, pineapple, and tropical fruit in general. This aromatic cornucopia concludes on crisp, citrusy notes of grapefruit and citron. An impressively tangy sapidity marks the palate, complementing its vibrant acidity and velvety texture.

Like the previous vintages, these nuances display a strong bond with the surrounding sea, and for the tenth year in a row, it leads us to dream of, and love even more, this tiny island in the extensive Mediterranean sea.

Gorgona, a white wine of Vermentino e Ansonica, is organically grown and has a limited production of just 9,000 bottles.

In just seven years, it has conquered international markets, from New York to Tokyo, and, more importantly, the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to taste it.

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THE VISION

Frescobaldi for the Social Good began in August 2012. Before foraying into wine production, it was a multi-year project involving collaboration with the authorities of the penal colony, whose objective was to get the inmates involved in practical viticultural work. Under the supervision of Frescobaldi agronomists and winemakers, the inmates restored and cultivated a one-hectare vineyard on the island, to which over the years Frescobaldi added another 1.3 hectares of vines.

THE PROJECT

The Gorgona project was launched in August 2012, fruit of a collaboration between Frescobaldi and Gorgona, Europes only remaining island-penitentiary. The inmates spend the final period of their detention here, working and living in contact with nature, creating for themselves a professional means of re-joining the workforce and the community at large. The project took root in a small vineyard lying in the heart of an amphitheatre high over the sea; its goal was to enable the inmates to gain personal, hands-on, professional experience in the field of viticulture. Under the supervision of Frescobaldi agronomists and winemakers, a few rows of organically-grown Sangiovese and Vermentino Nero yielded Gorgona Rosso, with the 2015 vintage, which matured in large terracotta jars. With additional plantings in 2015, that vineyard has grown today to almost two and a half hectares of Vermentino and Ansonica, which now produce Gorgona, the perfect expression of the uniqueness of this corner of earth and the work of man, and eloquent symbol of hope and freedom.

STAGES OF THE PROJECT

In May 2013, the first vintage of Gorgona (2012) was submitted to the authorities in Rome, and in September Lamberto Frescobaldi presented magnum number 0 to Giorgio Napolitano, President of Italy.

In June 2014, Frescobaldi signed a 15-year contract for collaboration with the administration of the penal colony, and the winery hired and paid two inmates to work in the Gorgona vineyard.

In February 2015, under supervision by Frescobaldi winemakers, inmates planted another hectare of Vermentino, to involve more inmates in the viticultural work and to obtain, in another four years, a better-quality wine. The total hectares thus rose to 2.3.

In June 2018, the sixth vintage of Gorgona was bottled, 2017, in an edition of 9,000 bottles. The bottle label focused on the island fauna, which was perfectly adapted to the islands biodiversity: wild rabbits, peregrine falcons, and seagulls, who chose Gorgona as their nesting place.

PARTNERS

Andrea Bocelli created the text and signed the bottle label of the 2013 vintage.

The Tuscan Archipelago is an earthly paradise, with the isle of Gorgona being its pearl of Aphrodite, wild and luminescent. Outwardly, it may seem forbidding, but its fragrances and silences are inexpressibly seductive, and nature here irresistibly overcomes with its force and eternal fecundity All around are water and salt, messengers of the heavens, anchors of sail-ropes. (A. Bocelli - 2014)

Simonetta Doni, with Studio Doni & Associati, one of the very few international wine-label design agencies, donates her talents every year for the label graphics. Together with a highly-qualified team of experts in culture and art, she graphically interprets the characteristics that make the project and its island so distinctive.

Giorgio Pinchiorri, owner of Enoteca Pinchiorri, one of the most famous Italian restaurants world-wide, participates in the project by utilising his distinctive cuisine to promote appreciation of Gorgonas tradition of food and wine.

Argotractors, part of the Gruppo Argo, was founded in 2007 to create a world-class tractor enterprise; it donated a vineyard tractor for use on the island.

MARCHESI FRESCOBALDI

The Frescobaldi family, which has been making awarded, ultra-premium wines in Tuscany for over 700 years, is one of Italys leading wine producers. It passionately combines tradition with innovation and firmly believes in respect for its growing areas and in growing ever higher-quality grapes in its vineyards. It is world-wide recognised for the wines from its estates--Tenuta Castiglioni, Tenuta CastelGiocondo, Tenuta Perano, Castello Nipozzano, Castello Pomino, Tenuta Ammiraglia, Remole, and Gorgona.
"The U.S. News & World Report designation is special because  once again  its our residents and their families who are validating the important and successful role Benchmark associates play in their lives, said Tom Grape, founder, chairman and CEO of Benchmark.

Out of the more than 100 senior living communities in Rhode Island, Greenwich Farms at Warwick, a Benchmark independent living, assisted living and Mind & Memory Care community, has been selected as one of the best in the state by U.S. News & World Report.

Greenwich Farms at Warwick earned Best status by achieving the highest possible rating for memory care in U.S. News & World Reports inaugural Best Senior Living ratings following a comprehensive consumer satisfaction survey. Greenwich Farmss residents and family members gave the community high marks in critical areas, such as overall value, management and staff, resident enrichment, dining and food, safety, transportation, maintenance, housekeeping and location.

For 25 years, Benchmark communities have set the standard for senior care excellence in the Northeast. The U.S. News & World Report designation is special because  once again  its our residents and their families who are validating the important and successful role Benchmark associates play in their lives, said Tom Grape, founder, chairman and CEO of Benchmark, New Englands largest senior living provider with 64 communities throughout the Northeast.

In addition to independent living, Greenwich Farms at Warwick offers traditional senior assisted living and specialized assisted living with memory care for those who would benefit from a safer, engaging environment, chef-prepared meals, supportive living services, transportation and assistance with daily activities, such as getting dressed and medication management. Residents enjoy connecting over programs and amenities offered in many common spaces including a pub and bistro, billiards and game room, fitness center, recreation rooms, outdoor courtyards, walking paths and more.

Greenwich Farms award-winning Mind & Memory Care program offers carefully created living environments and unique opportunities for those with Alzheimers and dementia to find joy in each new day. Residents are supported by 24/7 care providers who have been hired for heart and educated in memory loss, communication and empathy. Neighborhoods provide the comforts of home and have unique features that help those with memory impairment stay connected to who and what matters most to them. Thoughtful touches, visual cues and purposeful amenities further promote familiarity and wellness.

Whether its connecting our residents to their passions, providing meals just the way they like or making sure they get to doctors appointments, our associates constantly strive for excellence in all they do, said Linda Silveira, senior executive director of Greenwich Farms. Greenwich Farms is truly an extraordinary community committed to supporting one another, and we are thrilled to now be among an elite group in Rhode Island.

For more than 30 years, U.S. News has served the American public as an unbiased arbiter of quality across a variety of important choices. Whether picking a college, selecting a hospital or moving to a nursing home, consumers go to U.S. News to research and make consequential life decisions.

Until now, families have had limited information when comparing providers of independent living, assisted living, memory care or continuing care, said Ben Harder, managing editor and chief of health analysis at U.S. News. The Best Senior Living ratings fill this informational gap with comprehensive and transparent data to help older consumers and their families identify high-quality senior living communities that meet their needs and preferences.

For more information about Greenwich Farms, click here or go to its U.S. News profile at https://health.usnews.com/best-senior-living/greenwich-farms-at-warwick-1899.

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About Benchmark Senior Living

Benchmark is New Englands largest senior living provider with 64 independent living, assisted living, memory care and continuing care communities and over 5,000 dedicated associates providing compassionate care and outstanding experiences throughout the Northeast. The Waltham, Mass.-based company was founded over 25 years ago by Tom Grape with the purpose of Transforming Lives Through Human Connection. Since then, Benchmark has continued to set the industry standard, having won over a hundred local, regional and national awards for its care, programs and as a top workplace. Benchmark has been named one of the Top Places to Work for 14 straight years in The Boston Globes annual employee-based survey and received repeated recognition in FORTUNEs Best Workplaces for Aging Services list. For more information, visit BenchmarkSeniorLiving.com.
Were honored to be recognized for our work with ORI developing the new Research Integrity Database - Sophia Parker, CEO, DSFederal

The HHS Office of Research Integrity (ORI) and Health IT contractor DSFederal were honored for their work delivering the ORI Research Integrity Database during the FedHealthIT Innovation Awards Tuesday, June 7, 1:30 p.m.  4:30 p.m., at the National Press Club.

The Research Integrity Database, delivered by DSFederal, creates a single repository of research integrity findings allowing ORI staff and researchers to identify research integrity issues across available research. Prior to this, there was no easy way to determine if existing research was subject to integrity violations, leading to at least 7,318 citations of publications with known misconduct issues over a four-year period covering 2015 to 2019.

In addition to creating a single repository for research integrity violations, DSFederal and ORI transformed a manual, error prone process that involved gathering data from PubMed, the Federal Register, iCite, CTS, and Google, into a set of automated activities that can be run anytime. The work has also created a common regulatory vocabulary and data model, making future interoperability efforts far simpler. The impact of near real-time reporting, analytics, and data access makes ORIs work immediately accessible and actionable in new and transformative ways.

DSFederal is a leader in health IT and data analytics that delivers innovative solutions to improve healthcare delivery and address critical challenges, including cancer surveillance, HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health, and COVID-19 emergency response.

Were honored to be recognized for our work with ORI developing the new Research Integrity Database which allows ORI, for the first time, to query misconduct findings, remediations and associated publications said Sophia Parker, founder and Chief Executive Officer of DSFederal. This has led to new insights into who is involved, when, and why and facilitates future insights and analytics.

The 8th Annual FedHealthIT Innovation Awards event recognizes and honors the federal health technology and consulting community by celebrating the programs nominated and selected by their peers for driving innovation and results across the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Military Health System, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

This high-energy event features thought leaders and senior executives from government and industry sharing insight and intel through an engaging mix of keynote speakers, panel discussions, and rapid-fire talks focused on agency priorities, challenges and opportunities for growth.

The National Press Club is located at 529 14th Street, NW, 13th floor, Washington, D.C.

To register for the reception and the program, visit eventbrite.com/e/fedhealthit-innovation-awards-networking-reception-registration-302152164257. Registration is free for all official government employees. Early-bird and G2Xchange member discounts are also available.

For more information about DSFederal, visit dsfederal.com.

About DSFederal

DSFederal is a leader in health IT and data analytics that delivers innovative solutions to improve healthcare delivery and address critical challenges, including cancer surveillance, HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health, and COVID-19 emergency response.

We combine our deep industry expertise with a comprehensive portfolio. We are ISO 9001 certified and CMMI Level 3 for service and development, proving our commitment to consistently high-quality standards and ensuring customer satisfaction.

https://www.dsfederal.com/
Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP For more information about the lawsuit against Wal-Mart Associates, Inc., call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

The Los Angeles employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a lawsuit against Wal-Mart Associates, Inc. alleging the company violated Labor Code  2699, et seq. seeking penalties for DEFENDANTs alleged violation of California Labor Code  201, 202, 203, 204 et seq., 210, 221, 226(a), 226.7, 227.3, 510, 512, 558(a)(1)(2), 1194, 1197, 1197.1, 1198, and 2802. The lawsuit against Wal-Mart Associates, Inc. is currently pending in the San Bernardino County Superior Court, Case No. CIVSB2209150. To read a copy of the Complaint, please click here.

According to the lawsuit filed, Wal-Mart Associates, Inc. allegedly failed to fully relieve Plaintiff and other Aggrieved Employees for their legally required thirty (30) minute meals breaks. Employees were also allegedly required, from time to time, to work in excess of four (4) hours without being provided the legally required ten (10) minute rest periods. The California Supreme Court defines off-duty rest periods as time during which an employee is relieved from all work related duties and free from employer control.

PAGA is a mechanism by which the State of California itself can enforce state labor laws through the employee suing under the PAGA who do so as the proxy or agent of the state's labor law enforcement agencies. An action to recover civil penalties under PAGA is fundamentally a law enforcement action designed to protect the public and not to benefit private parties. The purpose of PAGA is not to recover damages or restitution, but to create a means of "deputizing" citizens as private attorneys general to enforce the Labor Code.

For more information about the lawsuit against Wal-Mart Associates, Inc., call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is a labor law firm with law offices located in San Diego County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County, Sacramento County, Santa Clara County, Orange County and San Francisco County. The firm has a statewide practice of representing employees on a contingency basis for violations involving unpaid wages, overtime pay, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination and other types of illegal workplace conduct.

***THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT***
The Way To The Truth: a helpful opportunity for discovering a deeper understanding of Gods word. The Way To The Truth is the creation of published author Larry Langlois, a dedicated husband and father who accepted Jesus Christ as his Personal Lord and Savior September 1977 in Wildflecken, Germany, while on active duty. Langlois received a US Army Reserve Commission from Grambling State in 1982, a bachelors degree from Louisiana Tech University in 1984, and a masters degree in health care administration from the University of Phoenix in 2007.

Langlois shares, Compiled for the common person for everyday use at all levels, The Way of the Truth is based on the idea that everyone can study and teach the Bible in an orderly fashion for growth and development. New and old Christians can be self-feeders (and Disciples of Christ) as they are being fed Gods Word, Gods Way, and Gods Will for their personal life. Knowing how to Rightly Divide the Word will enable one to grow and develop in Hope, Faith, and Love. One can search for the context of the scripture, understand Gods intention, and give proper biblical interpretation of the scriptures. Use these outlines to train the trainers, teach the teachers, and develop the developer using the Bible as the primary source. Teaching others to search and research the scriptures with a purpose and goal to fulfil the Great Commitment, the Great Commission, and the Great Commandment.

When a recommendation for self-improvement, group instructions, and a biblical understanding is preferred, these outlines offer a spiritual, logical, progressive, and yet simple format for creating and presenting a scriptural method and manner for studying Gods Word, both written and orally. Often, we may be relying too much on books and articles written by others. Now you can use these outlines and develop others as you read, study, and review the Bible prayerfully. Outlining chapters, books, and subject topics will give you a road map to follow and keep you on track.

Larry is presently improving, updating, and developing this and other outlines to continue teaching himself and others to be self-feeders, teachers, and spiritual leaders. Larry thanks God for all those He has used to help, teach, train and develop me in all manner of life and living.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Larry Langloiss new book is an engaging companion resource for independent or group Bible study.

Consumers can purchase The Way To The Truth at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about The Way To The Truth, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
We are looking forward to speaking at the Future of Work Expo and sharing our reflections and thoughts on Employee Experience & Engagement

PeopleOne announced it is a key participant in the Future of Work Expo, part of the Tech Super Show produced by ITEXPO, one of the largest and longest-standing gatherings of top IT decision-makers, influencers, and service providers in the world.

PeopleOne makes every conversation, process, and task easy, placing all your tools in one place so employees can work smarter, not harder.

Eleviant, which created the PeopleOne platform, symbolizes business transformation and parallels the mission to help clients elevate and scale their businesses, supporting technological needs at all stages along the way.

As a Silver sponsor for the Future of Work Expo, the #TECHSUPERSHOW, PeopleOne will demonstrate its mobile application and cloud-based platform. The Future of Work Expo is June 2124, 2022, at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Join us and see how PeopleOne serves Human Resources, Corporate Communications, and IT teams in empowering their employees.

We are looking forward to speaking at the Future of Work Expo and sharing our reflections and thoughts on Employee Experience & Engagement, said Ritwik Bose, Sr. Director  Digital Strategy at Eleviant. Digital Workplace is not something new but was accelerated due to the Pandemic. Our product PeopleOne was built keeping the Employee in mind and how it can help connect the dots of Workplace and Engagement Culture. Whether Organizations are using SharePoint on-premises or cloud, PeopleOne becomes that central bridge, across physical and virtual boundaries, giving employees one platform to engage, connect, collaborate, and communicate.

Were glad to welcome PeopleOne as a Silver sponsor of the Future of Work Expo in 2022, said Rich Tehrani, TMCs CEO. One powerful platform  multiple solutions. PeopleOne offers an all-in-one digital solution combining all the elements of a digital workplace under a single roof. Using Microsoft Office 365s SharePoint, PeopleOne empowers all members of an organization to communicate, collaborate and connect better. They are a must-see at the Future of Work Expo.

PeopleOne is a story about community. We recognize that the world is changing, and the people living in it are integrated with technology. Why are those traditional workplaces still working in a silo, where departments are separated by outdated methods of communication, collaboration, and connectivity in their legacy systems?

About PeopleOne

PeopleOne is an all-in-one digital solution combining all the elements of a digital workplace under a single roof. Using Microsoft 365s SharePoint, PeopleOne empowers all members of an organization to communicate, collaborate and connect better.

Learn more at https://www.peopleone.io.

About Eleviant

Eleviant provides businesses with new ways to work, communicate, and scale. In addition to core services including Mobile App Development, Web App Development, Cloud Migration, and managed IT services, Eleviant now offers Intelligent process automation, blockchain, and cyber security services, ensuring companies keep data safe and secure.

Learn more at https://www.eleviant.com/.

About TMC

Celebrating 50th Anniversary in 2022. Through education, industry news, live events, and social influence, global buyers rely on TMCs content-driven marketplaces to make purchase decisions and navigate markets. As a result, leading technology vendors turn to TMC for unparalleled branding, thought leadership, and lead generation opportunities. Our in-person and online events deliver unmatched visibility and sales prospects for all participants. Through our custom lead generation programs, we provide clients with an ongoing stream of leads that turn into sales opportunities and build databases. Additionally, we bolster brand reputations with millions of impressions from display advertising on our news sites and newsletters. Making TMC a 360-degree marketing solution, we offer comprehensive event and road show management services and custom content creation with expertly ghost-crafted blogs, press releases, articles, and marketing collateral to help with SEO, branding, and overall marketing efforts. For more information about TMC and to learn how we can help you reach your marketing goals, please visit http://www.tmcnet.com and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, @tmcnet.

For the latest Future of Work Expo news, updates and information follow the event on Twitter at @FOW_Expo.
"The U.S. News & World Report designation is special because  once again  its our residents and their families who are validating the important and successful role Benchmark associates play in their lives, said Tom Grape, founder, chairman and CEO of Benchmark.

Out of the more than 250 assisted living communities in Massachusetts, Tatnuck Park at Worcester, a Benchmark assisted living and Mind & Memory Care community, has been selected as one of the best in the commonwealth by U.S. News & World Report.

Tatnuck Park at Worcester earned Best status by achieving the highest possible rating for assisted living in U.S. News & World Reports inaugural Best Senior Living ratings following a comprehensive consumer satisfaction survey. Tatnuck Parks residents and family members gave the community high marks in critical areas, such as overall value, management and staff, resident enrichment, dining and food, safety, transportation, maintenance, housekeeping and location.

For 25 years, Benchmark communities have set the standard for senior care excellence in the Northeast. The U.S. News & World Report designation is special because  once again  its our residents and their families who are validating the important and successful role Benchmark associates play in their lives, said Tom Grape, founder, chairman and CEO of Benchmark, New Englands largest senior living provider with 64 communities throughout the Northeast.

Tatnuck Park at Worcester offers traditional senior assisted living and independent assisted living for those who would benefit from a safer, engaging environment, chef-prepared meals, supportive living services, transportation and assistance with daily activities, such as getting dressed and medication management. Residents enjoy connecting over programs and amenities offered in many common spaces including a demonstration kitchen, recreation room, library, hair salon and spa, sunroom, private dining room and outdoor courtyards with walking paths.

The community also offers an award-winning Mind & Memory Care program featuring carefully created living environments and unique opportunities for those with Alzheimers and dementia to find joy in each new day. Memory care assisted living residents are supported by 24/7 care providers who have been hired for heart and educated in memory loss, communication and empathy. Neighborhoods provide the comforts of home and have unique features that help those with memory impairment stay connected to who and what matters most to them. Thoughtful touches, visual cues and purposeful amenities further promote familiarity and wellness.

Whether its connecting our residents to their passions, providing meals just the way they like or making sure they get to doctors appointments, our associates constantly strive for excellence in all they do, said Jennifer LaCroix, executive director of Tatnuck Park. Tatnuck Park is truly an extraordinary community committed to supporting one another, and we are thrilled to now be among an elite group in Massachusetts.

For more than 30 years, U.S. News has served the American public as an unbiased arbiter of quality across a variety of important choices. Whether picking a college, selecting a hospital or moving to a nursing home, consumers go to U.S. News to research and make consequential life decisions.

Until now, families have had limited information when comparing providers of independent living, assisted living, memory care or continuing care, said Ben Harder, managing editor and chief of health analysis at U.S. News. The Best Senior Living ratings fill this informational gap with comprehensive and transparent data to help older consumers and their families identify high-quality senior living communities that meet their needs and preferences.

For more information about Tatnuck Park, click here or go to its U.S. News profile at https://health.usnews.com/best-senior-living/tatnuck-park-at-worcester-1116.

# # #

About Benchmark Senior Living

Benchmark is New Englands largest senior living provider with 64 independent living, assisted living, memory care and continuing care communities and over 5,000 dedicated associates providing compassionate care and outstanding experiences throughout the Northeast. The Waltham, Mass.-based company was founded over 25 years ago by Tom Grape with the purpose of Transforming Lives Through Human Connection. Since then, Benchmark has continued to set the industry standard, having won over a hundred local, regional and national awards for its care, programs and as a top workplace. Benchmark has been named one of the Top Places to Work for 14 straight years in The Boston Globes annual employee-based survey and received repeated recognition in FORTUNEs Best Workplaces for Aging Services list. For more information, visit BenchmarkSeniorLiving.com.
donates acrylic sheets to Okinawa As an Okinawa SDGs Partner, transcosmos will continue to serve the citizens of Okinawa prefecture through creating job opportunities, assisting Industry DX, and participating in volunteering activities.

transcosmos inc. hereby announces that the company on Monday, May 16, 2022, donated Okinawa prefecture 1,100 acrylic sheets that can be used as a preventive measure against the novel coronavirus. transcosmos hopes the acrylic sheets assist restaurants, cafes, bars and other dining places in preventing the spread of infections.

Donation ceremony on May 16, 2022. From left;

Kiyoto Onodera, Unit Chief, Service Division VII, Digital Customer Communication Sector, DEC Headquarters, transcosmos

Kentaro Takahashi, Division Manager, Service Division VII, Digital Customer Communication Sector, DEC Headquarters, transcosmos

Toru Itokazu, Director General, Department of Public Health and Medical Care, Okinawa Prefectural Government

Yoichi Suzuki, Chairman, Okinawa Prefecture Restaurant Industry Environmental Health Associations

Atsushi Shiroma, Director, Infectious Disease Control Administrative Division, Department of Public and Medical Care, Okinawa Prefectural Government

At the donation ceremony held at the Okinawa Prefectural Government KENMIN Hall on Monday May 16, 2022, Toru Itokazu, Director General at Department of Public Health and Medical Care Department, Okinawa Prefectural Government made the following comment:

We are deeply grateful for transcosmos, a company which operates in our prefecture, for its generous gift that will assist us in taking infection control measures. We will use these acrylic sheets to help restaurants, cafes, bars and other places prevent the spread of the virus. Thank you.

Kentaro Takahashi, Division Manager of Service Division VII, Digital Customer Communication Sector, DEC Headquarters, transcosmos commented as follows:

Given the situation where infection continues to spread in Okinawa prefecture, we, at transcosmos, set acrylic partitions in front of, and at both sides of each employee's workstation in order to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus whilst ensuring business continuity. We hope the acrylic sheets help the restaurant industry which has been hit particularly hard by the coronavirus outbreak, as well as help prevent and control infection in other industries too. As an Okinawa SDGs Partner, transcosmos will continue to serve the citizens of Okinawa prefecture through creating job opportunities, assisting Industry DX, and participating in volunteering activities. Thank you for your continued cooperation.

transcosmos has also presented acrylic sheets to other local governments, schools, and fire departments, and they have been used as an infection prevention and control measure at school libraries, workshops and lectures at fire departments, and more.

transcosmos entered the Okinawa market in 1999. Today, as a certified Okinawa SDGs Partner Company, transcosmos offers a wide range of operations services including contact centers, BPO, and digital marketing, from 10 locations, and with around 5,000 employees across Okinawa. transcosmos made a donation in July 2020 to help rebuild Okinawa's Shuri Castle that had burned down. As a company committed to local communities, transcosmos will continue to contribute to the development of Okinawa prefecture.



transcosmos is a trademark or registered trademark of transcosmos inc. in Japan and other countries.

Other company names and product or service names used here are trademarks or registered trademarks of respective companies.

About transcosmos inc.

transcosmos launched its operations in 1966. Since then, we have combined superior "people" with up-to-date "technology" to enhance the competitive strength of our clients by providing them with superior and valuable services. transcosmos currently offers services that support clients' business processes focusing on both sales expansion and cost optimization through our 169 bases across 28 countries/regions with a focus on Asia, while continuously pursuing Operational Excellence. Furthermore, following the expansion of e-commerce market on the global scale, transcosmos provides a comprehensive One-Stop Global E-Commerce Services to deliver our clients' excellent products and services to consumers in 46 countries/regions around the globe. transcosmos aims to be the "Global Digital Transformation Partner" of our clients, supporting the clients' transformation by leveraging digital technology, responding to the ever-changing business environment. Visit us here https://www.trans-cosmos.co.jp/english/
As the world begins to consider a postpandemic future, library leaders face a host of complex challenges, ranging from the health and safety of library workers and patrons to an unprecedented, politically motivated rise in book challenges. At the recently concluded U.S. Book Show, PW spoke with three library leaders to get their sense of what lies ahead for libraries: Stephanie Chase, executive director of Libraries of Eastern Oregon; R. David Lankes, the Virginia and Charles Bowden Professor of Librarianship at the University of Texas at Austin School of Information, and Roosevelt Weeks, director of the Austin (Tex.) Public Library. The following q&a has been edited for clarity and concision. The full discussion is embedded below and available online here.

Lets start by tackling something concrete: library buildings. With Covid-19 restrictions now lifted in many places, how does it feel to be back in your buildings?

Stepanie Chase: Libraries in the eastern part of Oregon have basically been open full-service since May 2020, and many of our rural counterparts have been welcoming people back into their spaces for almost two years. But I think theres a different level of engagement in rural library spaces. Our staff and our public tend to know each other well, and I think that has allowed the transition back into spaces to be smoother. Its a little different to be fighting with somebody over restrictions when you know them and see them at the grocery store or at school or when youre out on a walk. In large, urban libraries where you have a large volume of people coming in, its harder to have those connections.

What I hear from our libraries on the eastern side of Oregon is that theyre back to prepandemic levels of visits, if not more, and are seeing the same people coming back in. There has not been a drop off. People missed their libraries and were eager to get back to using them in the way that they had been using them before, as part of a small community.

Roosevelt Weeks: We have been in a tough situation here in Texas with the governor not mandating masks in buildings and those types of things. It was difficult for us to work in that environment, but we managed it. We opened fully to the public back in March, with some restrictions, and in April we started allowing our customers to come into the buildings without masks. We waited until after the spring festivals before allowing folks to come into our buildings without masks, because the pandemic is still here.

It feels great to be back in the building. We are a public library and interacting with people is what we do. But we have done several things to address the safety of our staff and our customers. For example, we installed an atomization system within our HVAC system. We still have our plexiglass up, all our staff and customers are still offered PPE, and hand sanitizers are still available. Prior to the pandemic, we were averaging about 100,000 people a month coming into our central library. Now were back to about 40,000, and rising. So people are beginning to trickle back into our spaces.

David, youve written and talked a lot about finding a new normal in libraries. Can you talk a little bit about where we are in terms of that new normal, and what weve learned about library work over the last two years?

R. David Lankes: Yes, Ive been writing and pocasting around this new normal for the last couple of years. Recently we had a symposium where we gathered library leaders and thinkers and we said, Alright, so whats the new normal agenda? And the outcome surprised mebecause we didnt come up with one. And as we were thinking about why, one of the library workers explained it: Because were tired. We are under stress. We are at a point where we still just cant think about whats next yet. We need to do a lot of healing within the profession.

Hearing thatand understanding thatwas a clear demonstration that, while a lot of us are seeking to once again think about what libraries can be and how we can serve our communities, what we need most right now is radical empathy for the workers inside the library buildingthe people who may be struggling with someone who is immunocompromised at home, the person who may be the primary breadwinner, the person who may be all alone if they get sick. We really have to figure out how we can take care of ourselves if we are to take care of those we serve.

Weeks: The pandemic has done a lot to a lot of us mentally, both within the library and in our communities, and that is going to have a long-term impact on us and how we do our work. One of the things this new normal demands of us is flexibility. Because things are changing on a regular basis. For example, since, as a public library, we cant have the majority of our staff working from home, one of the things that weve tried is giving staff breaks in the back office rather than having people work on the desks all the time. One of the things Im very proud of is that with the measures weve put in place in Austin, based on what HR is reporting, no one working in our system has contracted the virus while in our building. And were going to continue to work with our staff to keep them safe and to make them feel they are valued.

One positive trend over a very challenging past two years is that reading has picked up sharply. Any thoughts on how libraries can continue to nurture a reading renaissance?

Chase: One of the things thats really important for us to remember is that when people think of libraries what they usually think about first is books. Its not the only thing they think about, and its not the only thing we do, but theres really an opportunity here to lean in to what comes to mind first for peoplebooks. I think the way we own this space is with personalized recommendations about what to read. I think the more we can support library staff creating personal connections with readerswhether that is face-to-face, via email, or virtuallythe better for libraries. How can we create that space for people to have conversations about books together? With everything going on, I think its important to remember that this is something people really want from libraries.

Lankes: One of the changing narratives in the last couple of years is around summer reading programs and trying and get and keep kids reading. Its almost always from the perspective of reading retention and the idea that theres a summer slide. But were beginning to see a shift toward the importance of early literacy, and that libraries should be fundamental in supporting children as readers.

 This is why it is so important that kids see themselves in the material thats available to them. Without that, its a struggle. Everybody wants to see themselves as the hero in a book. That is how we get kids to start reading and really enjoy reading. 

When it comes to literacy, we know that if kids arent reading at grade level by the third grade their odds of completing high school go way down. And we know that in many populations, once a kid doesnt get a high school diploma the odds of things like incarceration go way up. Literacy is fundamental to our economy. Its fundamental to education. Its fundamental to democracy. And I think more libraries need to take a positive approach to early literacy as opposed to these chocolate-covered broccoli please read and well give you an iPad at the end of the summer programs.

Weeks: This is why it is so important that kids see themselves in the material thats available to them. Without that, its a struggle. Everybody wants to see themselves as the hero in a book. That is how we get kids to start reading and really enjoy readingnot by being bribed to read, but by really enjoying it.

Its important, too, that schools and public libraries partner to support reading. This important work cannot be done by one entity. It must be a collaborative effort. What we do, for example, is we give every kid thats enrolled in a public school here in Travis County a library card. The only thing required is for the parents or guardian to sign a release form. Then we get the data from the school district and issue the library card. In-school learning is important, but the time that kids are out of school is important too.

During the first two years of the pandemic, use of e-books and digital content rose sharply in libraries. Do you expect strong use of digital content to continue now that physical collections are open again? And is there anything you would say to publishers about the current state of digital pricing and access terms?

Chase: We definitely saw an increase in digital use during the pandemic, and that use has remained high. The burden of meeting that demand remains a huge challenge. The thing I would point out is that the public just doesnt understand the lending models that we have. Ive been involved in this issue for 15 years, and it continues to be a huge challenge to explain to people why the wait times for e-books are so significant. Our patrons just dont understand why they have to wait so long for an e-book. I think publishers really need to remember that we are not the enemy here. Were here to help publishers get visibility for their materials. Were here to connect readers and learners with what publishers are putting out. It would be wonderful for libraries to be seen by publishers as partners.

Weeks: Stephanie, youve hit the nail on the head. Publishers are in the business of making money, theres no doubt about that, but I think they are standing on our backs to do it. We cant keep paying three or four times the consumer price for e-books. Thats not reasonable, and its not sustainable. This has to be a partnership. All together, public libraries spend about a billion dollars a year on books. Many studies have shown that public libraries increase sales of books. This should be a win-win, but in terms of digital the only side thats winning is the publishers. I think libraries need to join forces and say, hey, until the publishers treat us more fairly, lets just slow down our buying. Because right now our customers are struggling to get e-books in a timely manner and that is going to continue unless we make a stand.

Lankes: I think we also need to look at other ways in which we could partner with the publishing industry, because, quite frankly, e-books are horrible. Were now what, 30, 40 years into these experiments with e-books, and were still trying to make digital work like paper as opposed to everything else it could be?

I long for the day when we can look at e-book readers and dream bigger. Just imagine the idea of libraries and publishers working together to reinvent the idea of what books and reading can be in a community setting. That is what really excites me. But I dont want to lose the point that was just brought up: that all begins with a reasonable business relationship.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values of library work. After the murder of George Floyd, library leaders around the country recognized that we must do better. Can you talk a little about where you see libraries today in terms of our EDI efforts?

Chase: I think we still need to recognize that a lot of our service models are based on oppressive systems, and we need to be listening to the people in our profession who have, if were being honest, for a long time told us the changes that we need to make. If we are to be reflections of our communities, if we are to be reflections of our global community, we need to have a diversity of voices, a diversity of experiences, and a diversity of backgrounds. And I think those of us who make up the majority of this professionwhite womenneed to recognize the learning that we have to undertake. We have to be willing to adopt a growth mindset, to be vulnerable, to learn about what needs to be changed, and then make those changes and not shift that burden entirely to our staff of color and our colleagues of color.

Lankes: I learned a lot during my time at the University of South Carolina from a fabulous colleague, Nicole A. Cooke, who taught me a lot and really guided me through a lot of this thinking. We have many structural issues we need to address. One Id point out is that library science education needs to be more accessible not only in terms of delivering it online but in terms of making it cheaper, too. We have to build communities and mentorship networks. The University of Texas, for example, is a historically Hispanic-serving university and it really matters that you have a cohort of peers across the institution you can speak to.

We also need to look at the cracks around the MLIS. We need to look at the people who are becoming librarians and building these learning networks. When I look at the Black Caucus of the American Library Association, for example, they are not simply talking about the profession but about their lives within the profession, about supporting each other, about showing up. Thats extraordinarily powerful.

Weeks: When I got to Austin, one of my first goals was to make EDI one of our top priorities, and we wanted to look at a few things. First was hiring. We have African American and Hispanic representationit is about 40% in the organization. But where in the organization is what matters. There was no one of color on the executive team, for example. So were looking at our hiring practices to make sure that our hiring panels are equitable across the board and diverse in every aspect.

We are also looking at our collection development. About 40% of our population is Hispanic, but only 7% of our collection is in Spanish. Were looking at our services, too, making sure that our cultural programming is on point for these communities and addressing their needs. And weve started looking at our policies, because a lot of our policies had issues that excluded people. Were looking to make sure that we can address everybody in our communities. What I tell my staff is that when we say the library is for all, we have to mean it. Were the most public of public institutions. We have to be prepared to serve everybody. Were not there yet, but I think were making strides.

At a time when book banning and misinformation are on the rise, the bedrock values of libraries are more important than ever. To close, any thoughts about the future of libraries and librarianship in these complex times?

Lankes: In library science programs were seeing growing numbers, and were seeing stronger programs. But the trend Id point out in library science education is whats going on around community engagement. Were no longer looking at library science and saying, Heres cataloging, heres information-seeking, these are the hard skills, and then, oh, soft skills are nice, but we dont know how to deal with that. Were now starting with the idea of how do you work with your community? How you identify the needs and aspirations of the community? How do you facilitate conversations, gather data, and then transform that into programs?

And I will tell you, having just had a class on community engagement, the number one topic among library science students was banned and challenged materials. And thats not just because its Texas. This is a major concern. The things students used to be really worried about were how do I pick which book to buy, and what happens if someone asks me a question I dont know the answer to? Now, its what happens when someone declares a First Amendment audit, starts recording what people are doing on their computers and reading, and starts a shouting match with librarians. This is a different world.

I was talking with a great library director recently and I asked what I, as an academic, could do in this book-banning environment. He said, Please dont stand up and give a lovely speech. Thats great, but what we really need is for you fight so that we can pay librarians what theyre worth. We need to pay frontline workers that are in essence bringing our communities together in, as Roosevelt said, this most public of public institutions. Library workers need to know we understand the traumatic portions of their jobs and that we support them. If you really want to help libraries around banned books, support that.

Chase: I think I would just like to leave it with that. And, to remind us, as the most public of public institutions, that we have a responsibility to really listen to our communities and find ways to support their needs.

Weeks: I truly believe that libraries are one of the central pillars of democracy, that democracy is being attacked, and that we must stand together not only for the people we serve in our communities but for democracy as a whole in this country.

Watch the full discussion here:
In honor of Pride Month, we asked the creators of five picture books about centering queer youth in their stories, visibility in literature, and their hopes for the future of queer childrens books.

Mark Ceilley

What inspired you to center queer youth in your book?

Ceilley: In July 2018, I read Prince and Knight by Daniel Haack. Its the story of a prince and knight who meet, fall in love, and get married. A few months later I wondered what it might be like to write a gay version of Cinderella. I wrote the first few drafts, then I sent it to my friend Rachel Smoka-Richardson for feedback. Soon after, she asked if I might be interested in collaborating on the story. I said yes, and then we kept revising it until we felt it was polished enough to send to her agent.

How did you approach representing the spectrum of LGBTQ+ identities and experiences through your characters and story?

Ceilley: With a gay fractured fairy tale of Cinderella, the representation of LGBTQ+ identities came naturally as we knew right away that Cinderelliot and the Prince would be gay. We discussed with our editor the idea of the prince having two moms. Our illustrator agreed and added them in two illustrated spreads.

When was the first time you felt seen as a queer person in literature?

Ceilley: In my late 20s, I was given the Tales of the City books by Armistead Maupin. The series revolved around Michael, a gay man, and his friends living in San Francisco in the 1970s.

What changes do you hope to see in LGBTQ+ representation in childrens and YA literature in the future?

Ceilley: I hope to see more LGBTQ+ representation in childrens books by making characters natural, authentic, and without being negative or showing stereotypes.

Cinderelliot by Mark Ceilley and Rachel Smoka-Richardson, illus. by Stephanie Laberis. Running Press Kids, $17.99 May 3 ISBN 978-0-7624-9959-5

Elise Gravel and Mykell Blais

What inspired you to center queer youth in your book?

Gravel: I wanted to create a book for children who are affected by gender norms, stereotypes, or various constraintswhich is, essentially, every child. With Pink, Blue, and You, I hope to provide a resource for parents and educators looking for ways to introduce children to a world that is not binary or restrictive.

How did you approach representing the spectrum of LGBTQ+ identities and experiences through your characters and story?

Gravel: Because my experience as a cis, straight woman limits my perceptions and deeper understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, I asked for help and guidance from many in the LGBTQ+ community, especially my co-writer, Mykaell Blais, who has loads of experience with gender education.

Blais: As mentioned by Elise, the book aims to raise awareness of gender stereotypes, and every child should be able to identify with it. It is written in simple language with concrete and even some historical examples, in which the binarity of genders and what defines being masculine or feminine is questioned and explored.

Mykaell, when was the first time you felt seen as a queer person in literature?

Blais: The first time I recognized myself in a book was while reading Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe. I saw myself in the questioning of the character, his journey, and his vision of gender identity.

What changes do you hope to see in LGBTQ+ representation in childrens and YA literature in the future?

Gravel: I hope that soon books for young readers that represent children from minority groups will feature more marginalized characters who are not simply there as a gesture of inclusion. LGBTQ+ kids deserve to be represented as everyday characters whose experiences and adventures are not necessarily centered on their gender identity or sexual orientation.

Blais: I hope that in childrens literature, queer characters will no longer be taboothat they will be an integral part of the story without the focus being on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Pink, Blue, and You: Questions for Kids About Gender Stereotypes by Elise Gravel with Mykaell Blais. Random House/Schwartz, $17.99 Mar. 7 ISBN 978-0-593-17863-8

Blue Jaryn

What inspired you to center queer youth in your book?

Jaryn: Paydens Pronoun Party centers trans characters, and specifically a nonbinary main character, as part of a celebratory journey of exploring gender identity and pronouns. I was inspired by the profound importance of young trans people having access to this kind of positive representation that acknowledges and respects them for who they are. I was also inspired by my hope that cisgender people read books like these to better understand gender diversity and how they can be supportive. It is upsetting that many trans kids all around the world do not receive such support, from their families, communities, and societies, so we need to see significant change in this area. Paydens Pronoun Party consciously represents an idealized world wherein all trans people are given the freedom to understand and express our identities.

How did you approach representing the spectrum of LGBTQ+ identities and experiences through your characters and story?

I wanted Paydens Pronoun Party to feature more than one kind of trans identity. Therefore, while I drew on my own experiences as a nonbinary person, I also sought feedback from other trans writers and did research. For example, I read blogs and watched vlogs of trans people with a range of identities discussing the experience of gender euphoriathe feeling of joy in getting to express our gender identitiesand how they decided on their pronouns, which were the two main things I wanted to center in this picture book.

When was the first time you felt seen as a queer person in literature?

I cant think of a specific time, but I do remember some of the media with queer representation that I engaged with as a teenager was especially meaningful to me, even before I had a good understanding of myself as queer/trans. I was drawn to anything that had even a hint of this representation. Its unfortunate that much of that representation was focused on negative aspects, was stereotypical rather than genuine, and was mainly created by cisgender straight people. I believe LGBTIQ+ representation is getting better, but we still have a long way to go!

What changes do you hope to see in LGBTQ+ representation in childrens and YA literature in the future?

I hope to see a better range of representation. For gender diversity, that includes more books like Paydens Pronoun Party, which is specifically about the experience of being trans/nonbinary, but also books where trans people are represented as main characters without the focus being on identity. LGBTQ+ young people deserve to see themselves in all kinds of stories just like any other [readers]: adventurous, humorous, scary, and so on. I know [these books] are being created (by me and others!), so my appeal is specifically to editors/publishers to consider if they are procuring such books, and if not, why not?

Paydens Pronoun Party by Blue Jaryn, illus. by Xochitl Cornejo Page Street Kids, $18.99 Oct. 4 ISBN 978-1-64567-558-7

Rob Kearny and Eric Rosswood

What inspired you to center queer youth in your book?

Kearney: Growing up, I never thought I was possible. LGBTQ+ kids never see people like themselves in media or in sports, so Eric and I felt it was important to showcase that sexual orientation holds absolutely nothing against what you can achieve in life. Once you accept yourself for you who truly are, there are no limitations on what success can be for you.

Rosswood: Strong is about Rob Kearney, the worlds first openly gay professional strongman competitor. I remember reading a news article back in 2019 about Rob breaking an American weightlifting record. There are so many stereotypes revolving around what it means to be gay and what it means to be masculine, and I think Robs story just challenges everything there is about those stereotypes. I was inspired by his accomplishments, and I knew queer youth would be, too.

How did you approach representing the spectrum of LGBTQ+ identities and experiences through your characters and story?

Kearney: While I dont feel this story necessarily represents the spectrum of LGBTQ+ identitiesbecause we are only talking about an openly gay athlete, and my experience is very different from trans athletes, lesbian athletes, or other members of the LGBTQ+ familyI do, however, feel that the message of the story relates to all members of the LGBTQ+ family. The underlying message of the story is based around finding a supportive person in your life who wants what is best for you, and once you are able to accept yourself for who you are, you are able to achieve greatness without fear.

Rosswood: We didnt want Strong to be a coming-out story because we didnt want Robs orientation to be a problem. Instead, we wanted to show a real-life, openly gay person succeeding and thriving because thats not something thats often seen in picture books. And while there are many themes in Strong, like being your authentic self, embracing who you are, finding your inner strength, etc., that queer people will be able to connect with, we think these are universal themes that should resonate with everyone.

When was the first time you felt seen as a queer person in literature?

Rosswood: I was openly gay in high school in the late 90s, but it was hard for me to find LGBTQ+ books where I grew up. I had friends who had access to magazines like the Advocate, Out, and Genre, so I read those, and that was really the first time I saw people like me in the literature I read.

What changes do you hope to see in LGBTQ+ representation in childrens and YA literature in the future?

Kearney: I hope to see more openness about LBGTQ+ identities and normalizing non-heterosexual relationships. Having two dads or two moms should be just as regular as seeing a mom and dad in childrens and YA stories, and making these relationships a bigger part of everyday conversation is the best way to do so.

Rosswood: There are very few picture books that focus on real-life LGBTQ+ role models and I really hope that changes. We need to highlight those in our community who have done amazing things. For so many people, they dont know they can do something unless theyve seen other people like themselves do it first. I want kids to see real-life people in the community who are open about their orientation and identity, and who are thriving. Thats why Strong is so important to me. I hope after kids read it and see an openly gay person breaking records and thriving in life, they say to themselves, Hey, maybe I can do that, too.

Strong by Rob Kearny and Eric Rosswood, illus. by Nidhi Chanani .Little, Brown, $17.99 May 10 ISBN 978-0-316-29290-0

Rosiee Thor

What inspired you to center queer youth in your book?

Thor: In writing The Meaning of Pride, I wanted to share the many forms pride can takeas both an event commemorating our history and an emotion. I think it is doubly vital for queer youth to see that they are loved and respected by a community waiting to welcome them with open arms. As a child growing up in the 90s and early 00s, queerness was only ever presented to me as a subject for political debate. It wasnt until I was an adult that I was introduced to the depth of our history and the joy of queer community. I hope that in sharing this book with queer youth, they will feel invited to engage with our collective story of perseverance, hope, and love.

How did you approach representing the spectrum of LGBTQ+ identities and experiences through your characters and story?

Thor: As someone who uses a lot of microlabels myself, it was important to me to represent and celebrate the vastness of the LGBTQ+ community and the many identities that fall under that umbrella. The illustrator, Sam Kirk, and I agreed that we wanted to include as many different pride flags in the art as possible, from the progress flag to the non-binary flag to the asexual flag to the bear pride flag, etc. We also collaborated extensively on which public and historical figures to include in the book who would best represent the variety of identities and intersectionality of our community.

When was the first time you felt seen as a queer person in literature?

Thor: It took me until I was about 13 years old to find a book that represented me and my queer identity, and it took me even longer to truly understand that what I was reading was queer and that I was too. The books were Tamora Pierces Circle of Magic series, which includes a group cast of largely queer teens discovering their unique forms of magic. One of the main characters was asexual and another was a lesbian. I remember feeling an immediate sense of relief and belonging in those pages, like I knew the story was somehow for me.

What changes do you hope to see in LGBTQ+ representation in childrens and YA literature in the future?

Thor: There are so many identities and intersections that fall under the LGBTQ+ umbrella, and I will never tire of seeing them celebrated. Aside from simply saying more of it, I also hope to see a shift in how publishers interact with anti-queer book bannings. As were seeing a rise in this type of legislation, the silence of publishers is palpable. I hope to see more publishers speaking out against these laws and lobbying to protect queer kid-lit and the queer kids who desperately need it.

The Meaning of Pride by Rosiee Thor, illus. by Sam Kirk. Versify, $17.99 Apr. 19 ISBN 978-0-358-40151-3

For more articles highlighting authors of queer childrens literature, click here.
Since the war in Ukraine began on February 24, Polands Fundacja Powszechnego Czytania (Universal Reading Foundation) has been leading an international effort to get books into the hands of Ukrainian refugee children in Poland and support Ukrainian publishers, whose businesses have been decimated by the war. This week, the Foundation announced the recipients of its grant application process: 51 Ukrainian publishers received a total of $150,000 from funds donated by individuals, publishers, and businesses around the world.

Polish First Lady Agata Kornhauser-Duda has lent her support to the effort. In a release from the Foundation she said, At the moment, the most important thing for Ukrainians is to survive and, after the war is over, to rebuild their homeland. If the aid that is now coming to them is wide enough, they will find it easier to overcome the difficulties to raise their country from ruins.

The Foundation grant recipients included the Old Lion Publishing House, a Lviv publisher that produces about 130 childrens books a year; Irbis Comics, a Kyiv-based publisher of graphic novels and comics for children and adults; and Vivat, Ukraines second-largest publisher, based in the devastated city of Kharkiv. The scale of applications shows how great the need is, said Oleksandr Afonin director of the Association of Ukrainian Publishers and Booksellers. Publishers will use the funds for a range of purposes including rebuilding operations and paying staff.

Expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support from around the world, Foundation director Maria Deskur said that the amount thats been distributed in grants is only a tiny bit in the ocean of needs and that support will continue to ensure that publishers can survive the war and the reconstruction of their country.

The first stage of great emotional support is obviously behind us. Now further systemic help will be extremely important, added Robert Piaskowski, the Plenipotentiary of the President of Cracow for Culture. We are all aware that the survival of the Ukrainian publishing industry will be fundamental for the strength of that democracy.

Grant program partners include KBF (operator of the UNESCCO Krakow City of Literature program), the Polish Book Chamber, and the Association of Ukrainian Publishers and Booksellers, as well as the First Lady of the Republic of Poland. In addition to financial aid, Ukrainian publishers received pro bono services through the grants, including legal aid from Barembruch and Partners law firm of Warsaw, and professional services from international accountants Soltax, Polish communications firm Selectivv, and Warsaw-based LoveBrandsGroup agency.

Donations for future grants can be made here.
Fast-growing LibraryPass, this week announced the addition early reader titles to its Comics Plus service from four new partners, ABDO, Capstone, Cherry Lake, and Lerner Publishing Group, making them available to libraries and schools with "unlimited simultaneous access for online and offline reading."

In a release, LibraryPass Chief Content Officer Guy LeCharles Gonzalez said the addition will help serve the growing demand for age-appropriate comics. We regularly receive requests for visually engaging, age-appropriate titles that would appeal to libraries youngest readers who might not be ready for traditional comics," Gonzalez says. This initial collection of early readers will help serve that need, and were looking forward to adding even more titles from our publisher partners over the next several months.

The release detailed the new content being added to Comics Plus:

ABDO's catalog includes series written for PreKGrade 3 students, focusing on African American history, folktales, and real-life heroines. Introducing Ana & Andrewback in 2018, Editor-in-Chief Paul Abdo explained that "series for young readers that not only highlight African American history, but also present that information from a childs perspective are rare. We wanted to address that gap in a librarys collection.

Capstone's catalog features a variety of popular DC Comics characters in fun adventures for early readers, including Batman, Superman, and DC Super-Pets!

Cherry Lake's catalog includes series with an environmental angle, like the Hello, Everglades! series, which takes young readers on a journey through the Everglades, exploring the flora and fauna of the region. The books in this series include an author biography and teaching guides.

Lerner Publishing Group's catalog includes their Early Bird Readers collections, featuring fun stories, inviting art, and hilarious titles to delight readers as they progress in level. Each title contains a GRL correlation chart in the back that matches each level to a GRL range.

Comics Plus offers schools and libraries thousands of digital comics, graphic novels, and manga from popular publishers. Librarians can get more information (and sign up for a free trial) online, or email the company here.
In a February New York Times opinion piece provocatively titled The Battle for the Soul of the Library, conservative commentator Stanley Kurtz derided librarians for what he views as promoting "progressive views on race, policing, sexuality and other issues. Instead, Kurtz argues, the library should recapture its role as a neutral sphere above the fray.

To battle for the "soul" of the library, however, one must first understand the library's mission and its history. And what Kurtz gets badly wrong is that libraries are not nowand have never beenneutral.

Throughout his essay, Kurtz struggles to align his personal understanding of library neutrality with the American Library Associations Library Bill of Rights, which, in its first tenet, states that library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people in the community. Library neutrality shares the classically liberal presuppositions that informed Americas founding, Kurtz states. "Human beings enjoy equal rights and free individuals can be trusted to make their own decisions about what to read and believe.

But in unironically grounding his idea of library neutrality in the values held at the founding of America and venerating the traditions that protected the equal rights of free individuals, Kurtz conveniently ignores reality: most people at the time of our nations foundingand for much of our historywere not free.

For most of the 19th and 20th centuries, for example, Black people were not permitted to use the library in many parts of the country. What exactly was neutral about that? Within the library profession, it wasnt until 1964 that pioneering Black librarian E.J. Josey finally forced the American Library Associationwhich was founded in 1876 on the values of equity and democracyto confront segregation, drafting a resolution to hold state library associations accountable for prohibiting membership to Black librarians. Again, not a neutral position.

Kurtz is not alone in his misunderstanding of library work. Neutrality in libraries is a concept often employed without regard for what it means in practice or in context with our greater society. As components of and contributors to their communities, librarians can never be above the fraynor have librarians ever existed as impartial referees. Societal and community changes exert force on libraries; libraries in turn exert force on society.

 Acknowledging past injustices and working toward a more equitable society is and has always been essential to being an aware and informed librarian. 

Furthermore, every healthy community contains a wide, evolving array of interests, traditions, lifestyles, and personalities, and librarians must strive to serve them all, as articulated in the ALAs Library Bill of Rights. But with limited space and funding, decisions must be made virtually every day. What library professionals learn in graduate school and in their training is to make these decisions ethically, not in some vacuum of partisan political neutrality.

The history of the United States is the story of our hard-won growth toward a more inclusive and equitable society, slow and winding as that road may be. This is an ongoing effort that we should all learn about, care about, celebrate, and embrace. Working toward a fairer and more equitable society for everyone should be a source of pride and motivation. Today, however, there is a growing movement that seeks to reduce our rich, diverse communities into opposing political sides. In mischaracterizing the work of librarians, Kurtz gives this movement cover.

Throughout his essay, Kurtz builds an army of straw men out of right-wing talking points, relying on peoples anger and fear to fill in the factual gaps. He falsely suggests that politically motivated public and school librarians are emptying libraries of traditionalist texts and replacing them with their personal favorites (apparently Marxism, critical race theory, and pornography). And he sweeps anti-racism, LGBTQ equality, disability inclusion, and other vital equity work into a single pile, which he dismisses as woke orthodoxy. As some of the librarians whose work is cited in Kurtzs piece, we must respondbecause this view of libraries just isnt the way libraries and librarians work.

At the same time, we recognize that Kurtzs broadside isnt really about librarianship. Rather, his focus on librarians is part of a wider effort to revitalize old battles over basic equality. Look no further than his use of the pejorative label woke librarian, which serves no purpose other than to undermine peoples trust in those of us trained and committed to providing the very best information resources and public service to our communities.

Balancing books is in everyones interest, Kurtz argues, criticizing what he falsely portrays as politically one-sided collection building by avowedly nonneutral librarians. But this both sides approach operates from a history-free context. The reality is that we now have access to a wider array of stories and voices and more complete histories than ever before. And these voices and resources are revealing very different lived experiences for much of the population. It is this realitynot some profession-wide political orthodoxythat has librarians committed to pursuing equity work. Acknowledging past injustices and working toward a more equitable society is and has always been essential to being an aware and informed librarian.

Certainly we can all agree that libraries should provide materials with different perspectives, especially in times of growing political polarization. But we must recognize too that there is a difference between providing multiple perspectives and providing a platform for hateful, intimidating, dangerous, or dehumanizing speech that targets a specific community. To serve our communities, libraries must be safe spaces where all people can come together, see themselves represented, and discover and share different points of view. And because of the historic inequities and discrimination against people of color and the LGBTQ community, for example, the library professions commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion is not only warranted, it is imperative.

As challenges to critically acclaimed, popular, award-winning, diverse books are surging nationwide, it is important that librarians uphold our commitment to this important equity workand that we defend it. We must stand up to ill-informed attempts to mischaracterize and politicize our work. We must make sure that our work is truly understood in our communities. And we cannot allow political actors to turn woke librarian into some ill-defined bogeyman. Let's elevate the truth instead: Americas librarians are dedicated, trained frontline professionals working to promote equity in our communities and to help preserve democracy and truth telling in our society.

Nicole A. Cooke is the Augusta Baker Endowed Chair and an associate professor at the University of South Carolina.

Renate Chancellor is the chair and associate professor in the Department of Library and Information Science at the Catholic University of America.

Yasmeen Shorish is an associate professor at the James Madison University Libraries.

Sarah Park Dahlen is an associate professor in the School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign;

Amelia Gibson is an associate professor at the Univ. of North Carolina School of Information and Library Science.
The 2022 American Library Association Annual Conference will be a milestone event. Set for ThursdayTuesday, June 2328 at the Washington, D.C. Convention Center, it will be the first in-person ALA annual conference since the pandemic forced the 2020 and 2021 conferences to go virtual only. And while no one expects attendance to snap back to prepandemic levels, conference organizers say they are expecting strong attendanceand ALA couldnt have hoped for a better host city to resume its in-person conferences. ALA events in Washington, D.C., are historically the associations best attended, and they include its highest-attendance annual conference ever, in 2007, which drew nearly 30,000 attendees.

Its really exciting to really think about this opportunity for us to gather together again, to share stories, to network, said Santa Clara city librarian and ALA president Patty Wong, speaking at last months U.S. Book Show. Wong noted that ALA was focused on safety, with both a vaccination requirement and a mask mandate in place for attendees, while adding that many librarians are eager to reconnect in person with their colleagues. Its been a difficult and challenging two years for our libraries and library workers throughout the country, she added, but librarians continue to be among the most resilient people we know.

Yet another reason why the nations capital is the perfect setting for librarians to once again gather in-person: it is a chance to remind lawmakers of the work that libraries do, and at a critical moment when so much is in fluxlibrary and education funding, broadband expansion and digital access policies, and perhaps most concerning, a rise in book bans and educational gag orders in many states, threatening the freedom to read.

The increase in book bans and challenges is very sobering, Wong said, noting that the issue will feature prominently at the 2022 conference, including sessions in support of the ALAs new Unite Against Book Bans campaign. As it should be: the current wave of book challenges is a serious and foundational threat to libraries, noted Deborah Caldwell-Stone, director of the ALAs Office for Intellectual Freedom, adding that the trend is unprecedented in her 20 years with ALA.

We ended 2021 with 729 challenges to 1,597 titles, and most of those challenges were received between September and December, she said at last months U.S. Book Show. To put those numbers in perspective, the most recent year where schools and libraries were open year round and not closed because of the pandemic we received 379 challenges for the entire year. So weve certainly doubled and really almost tripled the number of challenges that were tracking.

Also alarming, Caldwell-Stone pointed out, is whats now being challenged and banned: its no longer the Captain Underpants or Judy Blume and John Green novelsthe challenges today are increasingly directed at works dealing with gender identity, sexual orientation, or transgender issues, and books dealing with race, racism, and the lived experiences of people of color. And these challenges dont represent just challenges at the local level, she added. Were seeing an organized campaign nationwide.

PEN Americas Jonathan Friedman, who has also been tracking the rise of book bans and other legislation targeting the freedom to read, is seeing the same trends. Were supposed to be a society thats governed by rules and notions of liberty and notions of free expression and the notion that students should be able to go to a school library and find a book that speaks to them and that reflects their identity, he said at the U.S. Book Show. Thats being taken away from us. I cant stress enough the need to stay tuned in to this issue and to realize that it is a significant bellwether for our democracy and where we are heading as a country. What began as lists of books are now full-out bans and full-out alterations and policy changes in many states. This very well could spread to other levels of government. And this threat is only gaining momentum as we head into the 2022 and 2024 elections.

No question, librarians rose to the unprecedented challenge of the pandemic. But as the library community prepares to gather in D.C., engagement matters, ALA leaders say, because the challenges facing libraries now are some of the most complex ever.

The pandemic did weird things to all of us, observed ALA president-elect Lessa Kananiopua Pelayo-Lozada, adult services assistant manager at the Palos Verdes (Calif.) Library District, at the U.S. Book Show. Pelayo-Lozada, whose term as president will begin at the close of this conference, said she ran for ALA president precisely because she understands how demanding the coming years will be for libraries and wanted to help make a difference.

You know, we just cant go back to the old prepandemic normal, because that wasnt great for everyone, she said. We have to fight the urge to go back to what felt comfortable. We have to continue to innovate as we continue living with Covid-19, with the pressure of trying to create a socially just society, and with the challenges were now facing over most the fundamental parts of our work.

Featured speakers

The 2022 ALA Annual Conference main speaker program will take place in the Washington Convention Center main auditorium (Ballroom ABC), kicking off with the opening general session and a timely guest: FCC chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, who will appear in conversation with ALA president Patty Wong on Friday, 45:30 p.m. One of the most important federal policymakers when it comes to information access (and a staunch library supporter), Rosenworcel will offer insight into a host of key policy issues central to the work of libraries, including the fight for net neutrality and strategies to close the digital divide.

Maria Hinojosa will open the main speaker program on Saturday, 910 a.m. The Pulitzer Prizewinning journalist and author has been widely praised for her work covering the changing cultural and political landscape in America and abroad. She is the author of Once I Was You, a memoir that shares her experience growing up Mexican American on the South Side of Chicago. S&S will publish a young readers edition of Once I Was You in August.

Next up will be Korean American actor and author John Cho (11 a.m.noon). Chos prolific acting career has spanned two decades and includes his breakout roles in the cult comedies Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle and American Pie, and his critically acclaimed performances in the film Searching and the Netflix series Cowboy Bebop. His recently published novel, Troublemaker, follows the events of the 1992 L.A. riots through the eyes of 12-year-old Korean American Jordan.

ALA executive director Tracie D. Hall will moderate a discussion entitled Defending the Fifth Freedom: Protecting the Right to Read for Incarcerated Individuals (12:15 p.m.). As ALA prepares to revise its Standards for Adult Correctional Institutions for the first time in 30 years, this panel will explore the right to read for those incarcerated in the U.S. Panelists will include Jeanie Austin, a jail and reentry services librarian at the San Francisco Public Library and author of Library Services and Incarceration: Recognizing Barriers, Strengthening Access; Reginald Dwayne Betts, a poet and founder of Freedom Reads, an organization working to transform access to literature in prison; Randall Horton, a professor of English at the University of New Haven and the author of several books of poetry, including Dead Weight: A Memoir in Essays; and Enrique Rivera, a bilingual outreach specialist at Multnomah County (Ore.) Library, whose passion for providing library services to incarcerated people developed after serving a six-year prison sentence as a young adult.

Grammy-winning comedian, actor, producer, and author Tiffany Haddish will then take the stage (2:303:30 p.m.). Haddish recently published her first childrens book, Layla, the Last Black Unicorn, cowritten with Jerdine Nolen and illustrated by Jessica Gibson. Inspired by Haddishs life, the book tells the story of a lovable but awkward unicorn who doesnt quite fit in with the others.

Bestselling author, short story writer, television producer, and screenwriter R.L. Stine will close Saturdays main speaker program (45 p.m.). Stine is the author of the wildly popular Goosebumps series and has sold more than hundreds of millions of books worldwide. His forthcoming book Stinetinglers, a collection of 10 new stories, is due in August from Macmillan.

The main speaker program continues on Sunday with bestselling author Celeste Ng in conversation with Americas librarian Nancy Pearl (910 a.m.). Ngs books Everything I Never Told You and Little Fires Everywhere have been published in more than 30 languages and have become breakout TV hits. Her third novel, Our Missing Hearts, will be published in October and is billed by Penguin Press as a suspenseful and heartrending novel about the unbreakable love. Pearl is the author of the Book Lust seriesfour books of book recommendationsas well as the novel George & Lizzie and, with Jeff Schwager, The Writers Library: The Authors You Love on the Books That Changed Their Lives. Last November, she was honored with the National Book Foundations 2021 Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles co-creator Kevin Eastman follows (11 a.m.noon). Inspired by artists like Jack Kirby and Frank Miller, Eastman self-published his work throughout the early 1980s until he and partner Peter Laird created, wrote, illustrated, and published Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 in 1984. His forthcoming book, due out in July, is The Last Ronin (IDW), a collaboration with Laird and Tom Waltz that follows a lone-surviving mutant turtle in a dystopian New York City.

The ALA Presidents Program will close Sundays main program (3:305:30 p.m.) with ALA president Patty Wong hosting a panel of authors, publishers, and literacy advocates as they explore new ways to tell Asian American stories and how to get more books into the hands of readers.

Wong will be joined by Malinda Lo, the National Book Awardwinning, bestselling author of Last Night at the Telegraph Club; Jane Park, a senior content strategist for Google Kids & Families; Linda Sue Park, the bestselling author of numerous books, including most recently The One Thing Youd Save, a collection of linked poems; Philip Lee, cofounder of Lee & Low books and founder of Readers to Eaters, a program that promotes food literacy through stories about our diverse food cultures; and Christina Soontornvat, the author of more than a dozen books for children of all ages, including her most recent novel, The Last Mapmaker.

On Tuesday, the closing general session will feature author, speaker, and podcast host Luvvie Ajayi Jones in conversation with Nicole A. Cooke, Augusta Baker Endowed Chair and an associate professor at the School of Library and Information Science at the University of South Carolina. Jones will discuss her new book, Rising Troublemaker: A Fear-Fighter Manual for Teens, which was published in May.

Virtual programs, Exhibits, and More

Having now hosted a number of successful virtual conferences since the start of the pandemic, conference organizers understand how powerful the online format can be for expanding member participation in ALA conferences. And the 2022 ALA Annual Conference will feature a robust virtual component, dubbed the Digital Experience, for those who cant be there in person.

The Digital Experience will feature simulcasts of the main stage speakers, dozens of education sessions, and some high-profile, virtual-only speakers. Sessions will also be archived for later viewing.

Among the headliners for the virtual speaker series is Channing Tatum (Saturday, 89 a.m.), who will talk about his first childrens book, The One and Only Sparkella, billed by Fiewel and Friends as a charming ode to self-esteem. Also appearing virtually will be bestselling authors Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan (Sunday, 910 a.m.), discussing their forthcoming book Mad Honey (Ballantine, Oct.). To view the full schedule and to register, visit 2022.alaannual.org/digital-experience.

ALA conference organizers say they are excited for the return of a bustling show floor featuring hundreds of exhibitors. The hall opens on Friday, with a reception immediately following the opening general session (5:307 p.m.), and will be open through Tuesday morning.

Around the booths, the show floor will once again feature a number of author meet-and-greets, book signings, and galley giveaways. In addition, the show floor will feature several stages offering an array of programs, including the Book Buzz Theater; Chapter One Stage; Diversity in Publishing Stage; Graphic Novel/Gaming Stage; The Look of Books Stage; PopTop Stage: Popular Topics, Every Day; Tech Talk Stage; and ThinkFit @ ALA Health & Fitness Stage.

And finally, check the conference website for a host of available tours and ticketed events, including the return of the reception honoring the winners of the ALAs adult book award, the Andrew Carnegie Medals for Fiction and Nonfiction (Saturday, 810 p.m., at the Marriott Marquis). The reception will feature this years winners Tom Lin, author of The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu, and Hanif Abdurraqib, author of A Little Devil in America: In Praise of Black Performance, as well as Maryland congressman Jamie Raskin as keynote speaker. As always, check the online program for any last-minute changes.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  With a continued emphasis on student affordability, faculty and staff compensation increases, and strategic investments, Purdue University trustees on Friday (June 10) adopted the universitys operating budget for the 2023 fiscal year with revenues modestly exceeding expenditures.

Tuition will remain frozen on Purdues main campus for the 10th consecutive year, keeping base undergraduate tuition and fees for Indiana residents under $10,000 per year. The total cost of attending Purdue continues to be less today than in 2012, with tuition held flat and lower room and board rates. The tuition freeze saves students over $150 million per year for a cumulative total of over a billion dollars, compared to if Purdue had had annual increases at the Big Ten average, and debt per undergraduate student has declined 36% since 2012. Meanwhile, institutional aid grew 95% between 2008 and 2016.

Faculty and staff compensation merit for Purdue West Lafayette will be set at 4%, plus 1% for targeted market adjustments  the largest increase in more than 20 years and believed to be on the high end among peer institution increases. Even with no compensation increase in 2021 because of the global pandemic, Purdues average increase has been higher since the tuition freeze than it was in the decade before the freeze.

Purdue Northwest and Purdue Fort Wayne will have 3% and 2% faculty and staff merit increases, respectively.

Also included in the West Lafayette expenditures are strategic investments targeted to three key areas:

$30 million for Year 2 of the five-year investment in Purdues Next Moves.

$13 million in targeted market adjustments to salaries to ensure competitive salaries for faculty, staff and graduate assistants  in addition to the 4% merit pool noted above.

$10 million for enrollment growth and other programmatic initiatives, pushing the total of recurring investments made to support enrollment growth to $37 million.

Meanwhile, over a half billion dollars in recent facility improvement projects have been approved on the West Lafayette campus. These include Dudley Hall and Lambertus Hall, the David and Bonnie Brunner Purdue Veterinary Medical Hospital Complex, Chaney-Hale Hall of Science, College of Agricultural and Biological Engineering building renovation, Hagle Hall, Schleman Hall of Student Services and Stewart Center renovations, and the High-Speed Propulsion Laboratory.

Tuition and fees at Purdue Northwest and Purdue Fort Wayne will follow the Indiana Commission for Higher Educations recommended increase of up to 1.45%. The increases will be used to fund operating budgets, including faculty and staff salaries and benefits, scholarships, supplies, services, and repair and rehabilitation.

Trustees endorsed the following total operating expenditures for fiscal year 2023:

At the West Lafayette campus: $2.363 billion.

At Purdue Fort Wayne: $148 million.

At Purdue Northwest: $141 million.

Systemwide revenues are budgeted at $2.736 billion  a 1% increase compared with fiscal year 2022, driven by West Lafayette undergraduate enrollment increases; increased revenue from research, hospitality and other services; and modest improvements in investment earnings. Revenues are expected to exceed expenditures by $84 million for an operating surplus of 3%.

About Purdue University

Purdue University is a top public research institution developing practical solutions to todays toughest challenges. Ranked in each of the last four years as one of the 10 Most Innovative universities in the United States by U.S. News & World Report, Purdue delivers world-changing research and out-of-this-world discovery. Committed to hands-on and online, real-world learning, Purdue offers a transformative education to all. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-13 levels, enabling more students than ever to graduate debt-free. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap at https://stories.purdue.edu.

Source: Chris Ruhl
The success or failure of exciting new investments in hydrogen  made possible by the recently-enacted Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)  will be decided not by the availability of funds but the regulatory and permitting regime in place for new projects.

The IIJA requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish at least four regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs. There is plenty of cash at the Department to make this happen, given the $8 billion appropriated by IIJA.

This is a lot of money. And in the nearly eight months since the IIJA was signed into law by President Biden, hydrogen proponents have been understandably excited about moving ahead. The opportunity to decarbonize multiple sectors of the economy, while putting people to work in new fields, is unprecedented in its size and scope.

The ink was barely dry on the bill before business and political leaders started taking inventory of their capabilities, mobilizing leaders from industry and academia to conceptualize a competitive hydrogen hub.

In preparation for awards, DOE issued a Request for Information, where industry, states, and other stakeholders provided input into the process, and DOE recently took a significant next step by issuing a Notice of Intent. We expect a preliminary round of funding which will help some of the more compelling regions further develop their plans.

All this is encouraging, to be sure, but details matter. Ensuring success at each and every one of the Clean Hydrogen Hubs will require a workable regulatory and permitting regime. A failure to update related policies threatens to delay or  at worst  completely derails efforts to decarbonize our economy by transitioning to hydrogen.

Right now, at least 15 different regulatory agencies oversee hydrogen infrastructure, explicitly or more often than not, implicitly. For example, one of the biggest head-scratchers for those considering investment in hydrogen pipelines is which agency is in charge when they cross state lines: FERC or PHMSA? Many industry experts have sided with FERC as they already have jurisdiction over natural gas pipelines, but existing statutes leave room for interpretation and are not particularly well-designed to facilitate the commercialization of hydrogen.

Whats more, the federal government's most recent Unified Regulatory Agenda, which provides an outline for how agencies are revising their regulations, has been silent on streamlining or clarifying such rules, roles, and responsibilities.

A growing number of voices are calling on the Administration to provide clarity and, where necessary, issue new regulations to facilitate permitting. In fact, legislation by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Chris Coons (D-DE), as well as Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (R-AZ), recognize the uncertainty that currently exists.

We also know that DOE has led interagency discussions with other agencies, but leadership on this has to come from the top. The White House should direct all federal agencies to identify gaps in their regulations associated with establishment of the hydrogen hubs funded under the IIJA and the investments that will naturally follow.

The President should also establish a formal interagency council to coordinate permitting of clean energy infrastructure funded under the IIJA. The council should meet regularly to discuss major infrastructure projects to ensure agencies are coordinated and expeditiously resolving impediments.

If President Biden acts on this, it would be an extension of a recent announcement where the administration boosted the number of agency professionals processing renewable energy environmental reviews and permit applications, coordinated by five field offices in Washington, Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah.

Finally, while the administration is thinking of ways to more effectively streamline the deployment of clean energy technologies, now would be a good time for DOE to finally stand up the Fuels of the Future Advisory Board  a proposed replacement to the scuttled Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technical Advisory Committee.

This will provide stakeholders with a voice in the deployment of technology and provide another level of oversight that is needed when this much money is at stake.

The risks of getting this wrong are high, not only for the future of hydrogen, but for other government-assisted investments. If we take too long to make investments, and are bogged down by bureaucratic red tape, billions of dollars could be reprogrammed by a future Congress or administration and put at risk future government-supported demonstration projects.

There are reasons to be optimistic that the United States can still achieve big things; financing at least four major hydrogen hubs with $8 billion in funding would be a huge accomplishment. But Congress also needs to clarify federal regulatory responsibility to enable a clean hydrogen economy  and we need government leaders to rise to the occasion, and act with the urgency that these issues deserve.

Bud DeFlaviis is a lobbyist focused on energy issues and hydrogen technology at Lot Sixteen.
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 06/10/2022



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

alum Abigail Heringer has paid tribute to Noah Erb on the one-year anniversary of their first date in Paradise.It's been a year since Abigail and Noah embarked on their first date on 's seventh season, and she just celebrated that memorable day with adorable posts on Instagram Stories.Abigail posted a video clip from a Summer 2021 episode in which Noah said after their first date, "I wanted it to be a special first date. It was for me for sure.""Abigail is the only one I'm interested in," he continued, "so I'm glad that I stepped it up from being a random guy that's in the friend zone to maybe more."Noah proceeded to kiss Abigail and then lift her up in his arms and carry her.Abigail captioned the cute throwback video, "1 year ago today we went on our first date.""Time flies when you're having fun. I love you Noah," she added.Abigail set the video to the song "Still Falling For You" by Ellie Goulding Abigail followed up that Instagram Stories post with another video, originally uploaded on TikTok, of her shedding a tear.Abigail took an opportunity to plug the designer of her swimsuit but she also wrote, "When I'm a few drinks in and starting to get emotional about how much I love my boyfriend."Earlier this month, Abigail told Us Weekly on its "Here for the Right Reasons" podcast that she and Noah "talk a lot" about an engagement in their future but they feel pressure from Bachelor Nation "to move quickly.""And I don't blame them," Noah quipped. "We'd make a great married couple. But yeah, we have conversations ourselves. I think we're on the same page."Noah confirmed that he and Abigail are "pretty happy" with the pace they're going and it's shocking how many DMs and/or comments he receives on a daily basis "from middle-aged women or married couples about proposing -- at least 20."Noah said he and Abigail are "having fun" and "a blast" together just dating.Abigail and Noah were smitten with each other on 's seventh season last summer, but they broke up before Fantasy Suites because Abigail had struggled to be vulnerable and so Noah lost his confidence that he and Abigail were meant to be together.But after filming ended, Noah and Abigail reconciled, and 's October 2021 finale later revealed the couple planned to take things "slowly" going forward.The couple then gushed about their love for each other on social media in October 2021, and Abigail proceeded to announce on Instagram in late March 2022 that she'd be relocating from New York City to the West Coast in order to be close to Noah and her family.Abigail, an Oregon native, and Noah, originally from Oklahoma, are now living together."It's definitely been an adjustment ," Noah told Us, later adding, "But it's been good. It's been fun."Abigail and Noah are apparently spending a lot of time together now that Noah's nursing contracts are up and he's going to take a break from traveling for his job.Looking back on their breakup last year, Noah said his brief split from Abigail made their relationship "more real.""You step away -- no cameras, no production, just you and somebody you like that were in a crazy experience in the real world," Noah explained."I think it's good. It makes it more real. You get to say, 'Okay, where am I at in real life with my own thoughts and my own time?' And all that."Noah dubbed his The Bachelorette stint on Season 16 starring Clare Crawley and then Tayshia Adams in 2020 and journey on 's seventh season in 2021 "a distant, fond memory.""And now I'm like, 'Where are we at now? What are we doing now?' Our focus is on our relationship, you know, the date nights... We're trying to go try new restaurants all the time. We travel a lot. It was a good experience, but now it's [the] real world," Noah said.Abigail, who found fame on Matt James ' The Bachelor season in early 2021, elaborated on how she and Noah have traveled to Costa Rica and Mexico and she'd like to do a trip to Europe soon, with Noah adding how he'd love to stop in Italy.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 06/09/2022



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

couple Becca Kufrin and Thomas Jacobs have revealed a surreal experience they shared only hours before Becca's untraditional marriage proposal.Becca and Thomas, who fell for each other on 's seventh season last summer, announced their engagement in late May, and in a surprising turn of events, it was actually Becca who asked Thomas to marry her -- not the other way around.But before Becca popped the question in a completely romantic way, the pair walked around a farmer's market earlier in the day and had a very eye-opening tarot-card reading."That was nuts, that was crazy," Thomas teased during a recent episode of Becca's "Bachelor Happy Hour" podcast, which she co-hosts with Season 18 The Bachelorette star Michelle Young Becca said she and Thomas randomly decided to visit a farmer's market they had never been to before on the morning of the proposal and bought matching bracelets with different gemstones on them."As we were looking through these bracelets, [a woman at the store] said, 'I offer readings if you'd be interested in it.' And immediately I was like, 'Done, let's do it. Show me what's up. Shout out to Shelby at Hillcrest Farmer's Market,'" Thomas began.Shelby started to do the couple's reading, and about three cards in, Thomas said Shelby acted a bit startled and then asked Becca to see her hands."Becca puts her hands out and Shelby says, 'Go away!'" Thomas revealed."She banished me," Becca interjected. "I had to leave."Once Becca left the shop, Shelby asked Thomas when he planned to propose marriage."I was like, 'Oh, soon. It's coming up, like, soon,'" Thomas said.After Shelby shuffled through a few more cards, she revealed a celebration was in order and "the decision has already been made." The third card also read, "Soul mate."Thomas said those were the three cards Shelby pulled after she banished Becca, who went off to buy some juice at another stand."This was about eight hours before [Becca] proposed," Thomas confirmed.Once Shelby finished Thomas' private reading, Becca returned and received a reading of her own. Becca said she had "no idea" what she was walking into or what was going on."Where it really started getting crazy is... she starts a reading for Becca and starts pulling similar cards as far as celebration, you have a decision to make, and then the next card is, 'The decision has already been chosen. It's already been made. Do not worry,'" Thomas shared.Becca was apparently told not to hesitate because the decision was done."And there was one more in there. I'm such a control freak and she was like, 'You need to let go of control and just know that it's all going to work out,'" Becca told Michelle. "And I was like, 'Oh, okay, thank you! I needed that.'"Shelby then asked Becca, "What happened with your dad?"Becca said she told Shelby how her father had passed away when Becca was only 19 years old.Right after that, Thomas said Shelby asked, "What does the sunflower mean to you?"Thomas said the sunflower is his own personal favorite flower and there's a picture of one inside his engagement ring."It represents [my late dog] Sofia to me. But also, Steve, Becca's dad, used to grow sunflowers in the backyard and everything else," Thomas explained. "And [Shelby] goes [to me], 'He's handing you a bouquet of sunflowers.'"Becca couldn't believe that Thomas was told her father was handing him sunflowers, which was another "crazy" moment, according to Thomas.Becca and Thomas began dating on 's seventh season last summer.Becca told Michelle during an early May episode of their podcast that she and Thomas had talked about getting engaged and Thomas knew he'd need her mother's permission before proposing.Becca also teased at the time, "He knows what I want. I know what he wants, too. So who knows! I'm not all about the traditions, so we'll see."Becca said Thomas is "very well aware" of the fact she's already had "two very public engagements" and would like a more personal or intimate one the next time around -- nothing "extravagant" and no "big scene."Considering Becca revealed in late May on social media that she and Thomas had been keeping their engagement a secret "for a while," it's likely the pair was already engaged by that point.Becca had her heart broken by Arie Luyendyk Jr. on The Bachelor's 22nd season in 2018, when he decided to end their engagement because he was still in love with his runner-up, Lauren Burnham , who is now his wife and the mother of his three children.Becca also had her very public breakup with Garrett Yrigoyen , her The Bachelorette 14 winner, in 2020.Thomas -- who previously noted how Becca wants an elongated cushion-cut diamond ring and he could see himself proposing by the end of 2022 -- recently suggested he may have already purchased a ring for Becca.Thomas teased on an April episode of the "Click Bait with Bachelor Nation" podcast, "Am I aware if I have one in a safety lockbox in my bedroom? I don't know, time will tell. We'll have to find that one out later on this year."He also confirmed of the potential marriage proposal, "I don't have a full plan yet, but I know it's going to be small and intimate. There will be a camera. I'll have a photographer, but the last thing that I want for Becca is to have another grand spectacle."Becca and Thomas plan to live in New York City for a few months this year and then settle down in San Diego, CA, long-term.Thomas told Hollywood Life in November 2021 that he was pretty sold on marrying Becca because they have "the most healthy, normal relationship"During an October episode of the "Talking It Out with Bachelor Nation" podcast, Thomas gushed of Becca, "I don't want to spend my life with anybody else... I wouldn't want to wake up next to anybody else."On 's seventh-season finale, Becca was shown breaking up with Thomas and crushing his heart before overnight Fantasy Suite dates because, despite having "an incredible start" to a relationship, Becca didn't want to leave The Bachelor franchise for the third time with a man unless she knew everything about him, including how he'd face adversity and real-life challenges.However, the finale concluded with an update on Becca and Thomas' relationship, revealing how they had reunited after filming ended and were dating, "happy and in love."During Becca and Thomas' appearance on "Talking It Out" last year, Becca revealed she's the one who tracked down Thomas' phone number and initiated their reunion "After we ended things, I think I waited a couple days. I didn't have my phone right away and he didn't have his phone right away, so I think I gave it two days," Becca said.Becca thought she'd be the last person Thomas wanted to hear from, but Thomas insisted she's the one person he had been waiting to hear from.Becca said she met up with Thomas in San Diego and they picked up right where they had left off, and Thomas told Hollywood Life that he had no hesitation or reservations about giving Becca another chance.Becca also boasted about how Thomas is different from her past relationships because he's so passionate about a life with her and was prepared to fight "tooth and nail" to save their romance."He is so supportive and he's just funny and quirky in the cutest ways. Everything about him, I just felt safe with, unlike anything I had in the past. I was just like, 'This guy is my guy,'" Becca gushed.Becca even told her mother last year, not long after Paradise ended, that she wanted to marry Thomas.Despite having been engaged twice before, Becca admitted, "It's the first time I've ever actually said that out loud."Since the pair began dating in the real world, Becca has defended Thomas and stood up for their relationship on more than one occasion considering he had been portrayed as a villain on Katie Thurston 's season of The Bachelorette.Interested in more The Bachelor news? Join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
Pop music superstar Britney Spears has married her longtime beau, fitness model Sam Asghari, according to multiple media reports.

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People.com reported Madonna Drew Barrymore and Paris Hilton were among the 60 guests at the ceremony in Los Angeles Thursday night.

UsMagazine.com cited 28-year-old Asghari's representative as confirming he and Spears "are married."

The outlet also said the Reverend Clint Hufft officiated the service. He previously presided over Hilton's 2021 wedding.

E! News reported Spears, 40, walked down the aisle to Elvis Presley's song, "Can't Help Falling in Love" and wore a gown by Donatella Versace.

Her sons and parents were not at the ceremony, E! said.

The couple got engaged in September after about five years of dating.

In November, a judge ended Spears' lengthy legal battle with her dad, Jamie Spears, over his 13-year conservatorship of her business and personal affairs.

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In May, Spears and Asghari delivered the sad news that they had suffered a pregnancy loss.
By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 06/10/2022



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

is adding Leah Remini as a replacement for Matthew Morrison to the judging panel of its upcoming live shows.Leah, an Emmy Award-winning actress, will be joining the cast and sitting on the judging panel alongside JoJo Siwa and Stephen "tWitch" Boss beginning next Wednesday, Fox announced Friday.Leah will be taking Matthew's place as a judge after his sudden and unexpected exit from the show."I am thrilled to join on its milestone 300th episode," Leah, 51, said in a statement."I look forward to guiding these incredibly talented artists through this competition as a fan of the show and a great admirer of dancers. I can't wait to see the artistry that the contestants bring to the stage!"Leah is also a producer, author and activist who is best known for her role on The King of Queens and for her docuseries, Scientology and the Aftermath. She also previously co-hosted The Talk's first season back in 2010.A source claiming to be close to the Fox reality dancing competition told People late last month that Matthew, 43, was fired from for having had "an inappropriate relationship with a female contestant.""They didn't have sex, but he reached out to her through flirty direct messages on social media," the source said."She felt uncomfortable with his line of comments and went to producers, who then got Fox involved. He was fired after they did their own investigation."The source alleged Matthew and the unidentified female contestant "never met up off-set" but his messages definitely "crossed the line."Once the scandal made headlines over a week into 's Season 17 broadcast schedule, Matthew issued a statement to multiple press outlets about his abrupt departure from the series.Matthew said he was "leaving" the show, which premiered on May 18, because he "did not follow competition production protocols" during filming."Having the opportunity to be a judge on was an incredible honor for me. Therefore, it is my deepest regret to inform you that I will be leaving the show," Matthew said late last month."After filming the audition rounds for the show and completing the selection of the 12 finalists, I did not follow competition production protocols, preventing me from being able to judge the competition fairly."He added, "I cannot apologize enough to all involved and I will be watching alongside you all on what I know will be one of the best seasons yet."Representatives for Fox then told Us Weekly that the network "will soon announce a new judge to the series for the next wave of the competition starting on June 15th featuring the Top 12 performing for America's vote."An insider told the magazine at the time that Matthew was "disappointed" about his early exit from the show but was "happy to have left on good terms.""He plans to spend time with his family and is excited about what is next," the insider noted.However, Matthew was far from happy about claims regarding his alleged behavioral misconduct on the set.Matthew took to Instagram on June 2 to share his side of the story, firmly denying that he had behaved inappropriately and in a way that would have made a female contestant feel "uncomfortable," according to the People source.The Tony Award-nominated Broadway star and former Glee star claimed he had only sent the female dancer a single message intended to help get her a job as a choreographer on the show.Matthew captioned a video, "Just to clarify," and began, "It's really unfortunate that I have to sit here and defend myself and my family against blatantly untrue statements made anonymously, but I have nothing to hide.""So, in the interest of transparency, I will read to you the one message I wrote to a dancer on the show."Matthew alleged that the message read: "Hey, it's Matthew. If you don't mind, would love to get your number and talk you through some things.""The end," he continued. "I sent this because this dancer and I both share a mutual respect for a choreographer that I've known for over 20 years and I was trying to help her get a job as a choreographer on the show."Matthew's video did not offer any explanation for why his message told the dancer he would like to "talk you through some things" instead of clearly stating he was trying to help her get a job as a choreographer.Nor did he offer any acknowledgement that "love to get your number" is also a common pickup line that could have easily been misconstrued by the female dancer and others.Matthew -- a husband and father of two toddler children, son Revel James and daughter Phoenix Monroe -- said in his Instagram post that the allegations against him are "devastating.""It's devastating that we live in this world where gossip rules and people's lives are being thrown around as clickbait," Matthew complained."I think this is much bigger than me and this story. Gossip is toxic and it is destroying our society, and we need to do better."Matthew said "in no way" does he want this scandal "to take away from the show.""Because dance has always been a unifying and healing modality, and I genuinely wish all of the contestants and my fellow judges all the best," Matthew concluded.The actor's wife Renee Puente, 37, reposted Matthew's video to her Instagram account and shared her response to the controversy in the caption."It's been a wild ride... My husband has finally been given an opportunity to speak his truth. He has done so with such grace and integrity in a situation that is complex and incredibly complicated," Renee wrote."Gossip and cruelty are poison that have penetrated the depths of our society and somehow have made people forget their true nature -- Love & compassion."Renee went on to share quotes about how "negativity is a trait, not someone's identity" and how "letting go gives us freedom.""Perspective my people. Stop perpetuating hate and shame. NO ONE DESERVES IT... To all those who have shined love and light in our lives through this, thank you... To all the rest -- sending Love & Light," Renee said in conclusion.Matthew had joined as a member of a new panel of judges for Season 17.Both Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy were replaced by Matthew, pop star and former Dancing with the Stars contestant JoJo, and former SYTYCD All-Star tWitch.Former judges of include Adam Shankman Jason Derulo , and Paula Abdul Cat Deeley is once again hosting for its currently-airing seventeenth season.
South Korean boy band The Boyz is gearing up to release new music.

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The K-pop group shared a teaser for the song "Sweet" on Friday.

In the concept trailer, the members of The Boyz are seen holding an office meeting. The group brainstorms before putting their ideas to work on the set of a town called "Happy Vampire Village."

"Sweet" is a new single for Universe's "Universe Music" series. Other songs in the series include Daniel Kang's single "Ready to Ride," released in May.

"Sweet" will mark The Boyz' first Korean release since the single "Candles" in December 2021. The group released the Japanese EP She's the Boss in May.

The Boyz consists of Sangyeon, Jacob, Younghoon, Hyunjae, Juyeon, Kevin, New, Q, Ju Haknyeon, Sunwoo and Eric. The group made its debut in 2017.
The 2022 Tony Awards will take place Sunday evening in New York.

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The 75th annual ceremony will be held at Radio City Music Hall and air at 8 p.m. EDT on CBS. The show will also live stream on Paramount+.

West Side Story actress Ariana DeBose will host the event, which honors the best in Broadway theater.

Jennifer Hudson, Andrew Garfield, Bryan Cranston and other stars will present awards.

This year's nominees include A Strange Loop, MJ, Paradise Square, Company, The Lehman Trilogy and Six: The Musical.

How to Watch

The Tony Awards will air Sunday at 8 p.m. EDT on CBS and also live stream on Paramount+.

Prior to the show, Darren Criss and Julianne Hough will host the pre-show special "The Tony Awards: Act One," which will focus on awards and special performances. The special begins at 7 p.m. on Paramount+.

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Participants

Ariana DeBose, who won an Oscar in March for her role as Anita in Steven Spielberg's West Side Story, will host the awards show.

Jennifer Hudson, Andrew Garfield, Bryan Cranston, Cynthia Erivo, Ruthie Ann Miles, Bernadette Peters and other stars will present awards.

The casts of A Strange Loop, Mr. Saturday Night, Company, Music Man, Girl from the North Country, Paradise Square, MJ and Six will perform, along with Bernadette Peters, Billy Porter, the New York City Gay Men's Chorus and the 2007 cast of Spring Awakening.

Nominees

A Strange Loop, MJ, Paradise Square, Company, The Lehman Trilogy and Six: The Musical are among the 2022 nominees.

In addition, five-time Tony Award winner Angela Lansbury will be honored with the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement.
High pressure brings high heat to much of California

Forecasters are warning of dangerously high temperatures in much of the interior of California as high pressure grips the region
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TOLLAND  Former Hartford deputy police chief and state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection spokesperson Brian Foley has been hired as the next town manager.

Foley will start the job on June 27. He is best known as a spokesperson for Hartford Police under then Chief James Rovella who has since become commissioner of DESPP. In 2019, Rovella hired Foley as an executive assistant, often acting as a spokesperson for the agency and the state police. Foley did a stint as a chief investigator for Fox 61 WTIC from 2018 to 2019.
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SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)  Dozens of residents in a small New Mexico community impacted by massive wildfires that merged in April are suing the U.S. Forest Service over what they called a failure to provide information about the government's role in starting the blazes.

The Forest Service has acknowledged that two prescribed burns it set to clear out brush and small trees that can serve as wildfire fuel sparked two blazes that came together as the largest in New Mexico's recorded history and the biggest burning in the U.S. right now.

The wildfire has charred 500 square miles (1,295 square kilometers) in the Sangre de Cristo mountain range, which sits at the southern edge of the Rocky Mountains. Several hundred homes have been destroyed.

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Albuquerque on behalf of 50 Mora County residents, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported.

It asks the court to declare that the Forest Service improperly withheld planning documents for the burns, agreements or contracts with anyone who helped carry out the burns and information on the rules and regulations that govern the prescribed burns.

Without the information, the lawsuit alleges, the residents cannot determine the Forest Service's responsibility  other than media accounts  for starting the fire."

The Forest Service told the Santa Fe New Mexican that it does not comment on pending litigation. The agency has said unexpected, erratic winds during one prescribed burn carried embers outside the targeted area. The other wildfire emerged from a burn set on a pile of dead vegetation in January that smoldered for weeks, even under snow.

The agency has put a hold on prescribed burns nationwide pending its own investigation.

President Joe Biden is scheduled to visit New Mexico on Saturday for a briefing about the wildfires and recovery efforts.

Another wildfire in southwestern New Mexico has burned 466 square miles (1,206 square kilometers), prompting New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to declare an emergency for Sierra County on Friday.

The declaration came as the fire grew to become the second largest wildfire in state history. The governor's office said it's now burning beyond the boundaries of the Gila National Forest, affecting communities and requiring evacuations.

Also Friday, crews of about 200 firefighters were scrambling to try and contain a small fire in northern New Mexico near El Rito that sent up a tall, dense plume of smoke. No structures were threatened, with the cause under investigation.

In northern New Mexico, Mora County residents said they requested documents from the Forest Service on May 4 about the fire in northern New Mexico, but that the agency failed to respond within 20 working days as required under the law. The lawsuit also seeks attorneys' fees.

Herman Lujan, 80, his brother and nephew are among the Mora County residents who are suing. Lujan's home was spared, but he said he has 30 hungry cattle that he might have to sell because they can't graze in a burned pasture his family has used for generations.

Everything burned, he said. Timber, everything. I even had an old dozer up there to make ponds for the cows, and everything burned.
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WINSTED  Chief William Fitzgerald honored a community group this week for its efforts in aiding the Police Departments work.

The chief presented a special plaque to members of the Auxiliary for Community Health Thrift Shop, which donates a portion of its earnings to the department for its DARE program, a drug abuse prevention program given to the sixth-graders at Pearson School each year.

There were about 75 kids taking part in the DARE program this year, Fitzgerald said, as he stood inside the shop with past auxiliary President Shirley Moore and members Robert OConnor and Rosemary Surdam.

We have probably donated more than $1 million since we started, but I cant say exactly, Moore said. Rosemary is chairwoman of the awards committee. The auxiliary decides what were going to do with the money we raise each year.

State Rep. Jay Case, R-Winsted, also was at the shop Thursday to thank the group.

This is a real community organization, he said. Its appreciated by a lot of people.

Around 1900, a group of women started an auxiliary group to support the Litchfield County Hospital on Spencer Street. Members organized themselves and started up a thrift shop, collecting unwanted items, cleaning and reselling them. Later, when the medical facilitys name changed to Winsted Memorial Hospital, the auxiliary continued its work, until 1996, when the hospital went bankrupt. Members wanted to continue, so they changed their name to the Auxiliary for Community Health, meaning that anything they do with the money they raise is related to the health of the community.

Members run the popular thrift shop, which sells gently used or new clothing and shoes for adults and children, housewares, gifts, books and music, craft supplies and home goods to a faithful customer base at reasonable prices.

Along with providing support for the Winchester Police Departments DARE program, thrift shop proceeds go back into the communities of Norfolk, Barkhamsted, New Hartford, Colebrook and Riverton. A drug dropoff box, located in the lobby of the Police Department behind Town Hall, also was funded by the group.

With our Drug Take Back day every year, weve disposed of a thousand pounds of drugs or more, Fitzgerald said. We just had the takeback in May, and I think we collected 20 pounds.

The auxiliary has provided funding for defibrillators for police vehicles, a portable (vehicle) extrication tool for the Winsted Fire Department, as well as cold water rescue equipment and a rescue boat. The group also awards scholarships to graduating seniors who are entering the health care field, Moore said.

Fitzgerald, who was accompanied by the DARE program coordinator, Officer Daniel Pietrafesa, thanked the members as he read the plaque, presented in appreciation to the auxiliary.

We appreciate everything you do for us and for the community, he said, shaking hands all around.
Though it did not win a majority, Sam Rainsy said the Candlelight Party laid a foundation for the future.

Self-exiled Cambodian opposition party founder Sam Rainsy speaks during an interview with Reuters at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, November 10, 2019.

Though fraud and irregularities tainted the June 5 Cambodian local commune council elections, the opposition Candlelight Party showed that it can challenge Hun Sens ruling party in future elections, Candlelights exiled founder told RFA in an interview.

A statement issued by the National Election Committee (NEC) on Monday said the Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) received 5.3 million popular votes to win 9,338 out of the 11,622 commune council seats that were contested, while the Candlelight Party (CLP) came away with 1.6 million votes and 2,180 seats.

I dont like the results, but I like political change in Cambodia, exiled opposition leader and CLP founder Sam Rainsy told RFAs Khmer Service. Its a drastic change now, compared with before. Before we were only a one party state, from the central government to the grassroots. The one party state has been ended.

The NEC, an agency that supervises elections in Cambodia, said the election process went smoothly and the results could be trusted, but Candlelight Party candidates and election observers said they were victims of harassment and intimidation before and during the voting and the NEC did nothing to stop it.

In some cases, local authorities and CPP observer organizations were alone given access to the ballot counting, the CLP said, accusing the ruling party of vote-rigging.

Despite what he sees as questionable results, Sam Rainsy said that the CPP will face real competition in next years general election, when voters will choose members of the National Assembly.

In the 2023 election, there will have to be a negotiation, because there are [essentially] only two political parties. They cant just dissolve CLP. The CPP cant have free ride. The forces of democracy have progressed, Sam Rainsy said.

Should the Candlelight Party survive to contest next years election it would be a stark contrast to the main opposition party five years ago, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP).

After the CNRP won 43% of the vote in the last commune council elections in 2017, the partys leader Kem Sokha was arrested for treason and the Supreme Court dissolved the CNRP, paving the way for the CPP to win all 125 parliamentary seats in 2018s general election.

This began a five-year crackdown by Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia since 1985, on civil liberties and other freedoms that stripped CNRP members of their political rights and forced many of them to join Sam Rainsy in exile or risk imprisonment. Sam Rainsy has been in France since 2015

Though the CNRPs dissolution was a major setback for the countrys opposition, the Candlelight Partys performance on Sunday gives Sam Rainsy hope that a stronger opposition party can emerge in Cambodia and restore the democratic balance, he said.

We took votes away from the CPP. We must now focus on free and fair elections in 2023. The political situation is now better than it was before this election, he said.

Only the CLP is capable of competing with the CPP.  There is only one [viable] opposition party and that is the CLP. [The CPP] cant avoid the CLP, he said, adding that in preparation for next years election, the CLP intends to challenge the government to reform the NEC so that it can operate more in line with its stated purpose.

We must change the NEC members, because it is being controlled by the ruling party, he said.

Sam Rainsy, however, lamented that his equally popular political ally Kem Sokha, with whom he cofounded the CNRP, did not support the CLP. Kem Sokha has said that Candlelight should not participate in what many believe is a compromised electio

It seems he regarded the CPP and CLP as the same party. I am sad. He will realize this is wrong, he said.

The journey toward Candlelight becoming Cambodias largest opposition party began when Sam Rainsy, on the heels of his expulsion from the National Assembly, founded it in 1995 as the Khmer Nation Party.

It later came to be known as the Sam Rainsy Party. In 2012, most of its members merged with Kem Sokhas Human Rights Party to form the CNRP, effectively mothballing the two parent parties.

Because of new laws that forbade political parties from making reference to anyone convicted on political charges, the Sam Rainsy Party changed its name to Candlelight in 2017, avoiding the ban of the CNRP.

However, once it was clear that the party was gaining steam before the communal elections, authorities began harassing the party, Candlelight Party sources have told RFA.

Several CLP activists have been jailed on allegations of submitting false documents to run in the communal elections, and many others were bullied or harassed by CPP supporters.

But Sam Rainsy said he was proud that the party was able to rise from the ashes of the CNRP on short notice. Most of Candlelights growth happened in the past few months in preparation for the commune elections.

I must express appreciation to the wonderful voters. We must continue our struggle. The CLP is a base. We have time to prepare for 2023. We have a strong foundation and it will get stronger, Sam Rainsy said.

We will restructure the NEC and restore democracy to the country.

Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
The Hong Kong-based investigative news agency FactWire announced its closure on Friday, the latest in a line of cutting-edge media outlets to fold amid an ongoing crackdown on dissent under a draconian national security law.



"It is time for us to bid you farewell," the agency said in a statement on its website.



"In recent years, the media has contended with great change," it said. "Despite having wrestled many times with the difficult decision as to whether to continue our journalistic work, we had always come to the same affirmative conclusion: to stand fast to our core values and beliefs, and to always report the facts."



"But to every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose. It has, at last, come time to end our journey," the agency said.



"The FactWire News Agency will cease operation as of today, Friday, June 10, 2022. All staff will be dismissed in accordance with pre-established procedures. All monthly subscriptions will also be suspended as of today," the statement said.



Set up in 2015 with crowdfunding from thousands of Hong Kong residents, FactWire ran a non-profit, public service news agency for six years, focusing on hard-hitting investigations, and has been no stranger to official harassment and covert threats.



The agency tweeted on May 3 that its newsletter delivery system had been hacked, exposing the personal details of some 3,700 subscribers, apologizing to subscribers for the data leak.



It made global headlines in 2017 when it exposed defects in the European pressurized reactors (EPR) designed by French nuclear firm Areva at the U.S. $8.3 billion Taishan nuclear power plant on the coast of neighboring Guangdong.



In 2018, the agency reported that a garrison of Chinese border guards had taken over land on Hong Kong's side of the internal border despite promises from China the city would remain a separate jurisdiction after the 1997 handover.



The investigative journalism group FactWire found that some 21,000 square feet of privately owned land within a high-security area along the Hong Kong side of the border with mainland China had been taken over by the 6th Detachment of the Guangdong provincial border defense corps of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) for six years.



It said the border guards had also built themselves a small bridge over the Sha Tau Kok river, which runs along the border at this point, and "frequently" use it to enter Hong Kong incognito.



In 2016, FactWire, which has won SOPA and Human Rights Press Awards for its work, vowed to ignore an anonymous threat of "trouble" after an expose on faulty trains made in mainland China, stepping up security measures.



During the 2019 protest movement, which prompted China to exercise far more direct political control of Hong Kong via changes to the election system and by criminalising peaceful opposition under the national security law, FactWire followed up on the fate of victims of the Aug. 31, 2019 attacks on passengers at Prince Edward MTR, and later exposed a facial recognition function hidden in the Hong Kong government's LeaveHomeSafe COVID-19 tracking app.



The ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) imposed a draconian national security law on Hong Kong from July 1, 2020, ushering in a crackdown on pro-democracy media organizations, activists and politicians that sparked the forcible closure of Jimmy Lai's Next Digital media empire, including the pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper, as well as the closure of Stand News and Citizen News, and the "rectification" of iCable news and government broadcaster RTHK to bring them closer to Beijing's official line.



Hong Kong recently plummeted from 80th to 148th in the 2022 Reporters Without Border (RSF) press freedom index, with the closures of Apple Daily and Stand News cited as one of the main factors.



More than 800 Hong Kong journalists lost their jobs at the two outlets, leaving most forced to look for work outside the industry, many of them far from Hong Kong.



Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Pu Wenqing, the mother of jailed rights activist Huang Qi, says her cancer is spreading from her lungs to her liver, and has called on the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to allow her to visit her son in prison before she dies.



"Grandma Pu's cancer has spread all over her body," friend of Huang's who asked not to be named told RFA. "The hospital told her to do chemo, but she was afraid she wouldn't be able to take it, so she didn't."



"She is urgently asking to visit her son in prison," the friend said, adding that Pu's medical insurance doesn't run to higher-quality cancer care at a hospital in the southwestern city of Chengdu, only in her hometown of Neijiang, Sichuan province.



"If she goes to Chengdu for treatment, her medical insurance will only reimburse 60 percent of the costs, and she cannot afford it," the friend said.



Pu, who is a medical doctor, was able to speak briefly with RFA, confirming the friend's report.



"I saw a doctor at the West China Hospital [at Sichuan University in Chengdu], and had a multi-slice CT scan," she said. "I was diagnosed with lung cancer in ... part of the right lower lobe, and there were lesions in other parts."



"There were also changes in my ilium [and] in my liver," she said.



Pu, 88, said she is currently living under surveillance by the state security police, who insist on escorting her to every medical visit.



Earlier meeting cut off

She said the last time she was able to speak with Huang via video call was Sept. 17, 2020. A Jan. 28, 2022 meeting was abruptly cut off two minutes in, after she tried to discuss Huang's defense lawyers with him.



"When the call started, there was no sound, but when it connected I could see Huang Qi arguing with the prison staff, quite fiercely," Pu told RFA.



"Huang Qi asked me if I'd hired a lawyer for him, and I said yes," she said. "I told him I had hired lawyer Song and another lawyer surnamed Zhang from Beijing."



"No sooner had I finished speaking than the video call was cut off."



The move came after Pu was told by prison authorities to make only small talk with her son.



"They told me that I wasn't to discuss his case, and that I could only talk about daily household stuff and my illness," she said.



Huang's friend confirmed that two lawyers from Beijing had visited Pu recently, and sent an application to the authorities to meet with Huang Qi. It was unclear whether they had received a response.



One last meeting

Meanwhile, Pu said all she wants now is to see Huang one last time before she dies.



"They can't cure it, and they can't alleviate the symptoms, which are going to get worse," she said. "I want to leave this world, but I still want to see my son Huang Qi for the last time."



A court in the southwestern province of Sichuan handed down a 12-year jail term to Huang, a veteran rights activist and founder of the Tianwang rights website, on , 2019.



Huang was sentenced by the Mianyang Intermediate People's Court to 12 years' imprisonment, after it found him guilty of "leaking state secrets overseas."



Huang's lawyers and Pu have said all along that the case against Huang was a miscarriage of justice, even allowing for the traditionally harsh treatment of dissidents in China.



Huang, 57, has been identified by Paris-based press freedom group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) as one of 10 citizen journalists in danger of dying in detention.



He has repeatedly denied the charges made against him and has refused to "confess."



Huang's Tianwang website had a strong track record of highlighting petitions and complaints against official wrongdoing, and injustices meted out to the most vulnerable in society, including forced evictees, parents of children who died in the devastating 2008 Sichuan earthquake, and other peaceful critics of the ruling Chinese Communist Party.



Until her illness progressed, Pu had been a vocal campaigner for Huang's release on urgent medical grounds, and says the charges against him are politically motivated, with no evidence to back them up.



Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Fridays meeting aimed at improving communication between the two sides amid growing tensions in the region.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin meets Vietnam's Minister of National Defense, General Phan Van Giang, during the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, June 10, 2022.

UPDATED at 10:40 a.m. EDT on 2022-06-10

The defense chiefs of the United States and China held their first in-person meeting on Friday at the start of a regional security forum in Singapore where tensions between the two world powers are taking center stage.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe held their first face-to-face talks since Joe Biden became U.S. president 17 months ago. They met on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual gathering of top security officials and experts, the U.S. Department of Defense, or DoD, and dialogue participants said.

Secretary Austin discussed the need to responsibly manage competition and maintain open lines of communication, the DoD said in a statement, adding that Austin underscored the importance of the Peoples Liberation Army engaging in substantive dialogue on improving crisis communications and reducing strategic risk.

Bonnie Glaser, director of the Asia program at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, told RFA ahead of Fridays meeting, that in April Austin and Wei had a 45-minute phone conversation to present some talking points to each other but today they have a chance to express their concerns and bring the conversation beyond talking points.

My hope for an outcome of this meeting today is for the two sides to discuss various ways to prevent accidents from happening, she said.

Since April's phone call, bilateral security ties between the U.S. and China have suffered more setbacks amid Beijings growing assertiveness and changing military postures in the region.

China has signed a security deal with the Solomon Islands and is setting up a naval facility in Cambodia. Both developments have raised concerns among the U.S. and its allies.

Chinese flyovers and naval patrols around Taiwan, in the East and South China Sea, are also posing challenges to the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy. Austin on Friday called for China to refrain from further destabilizing actions toward Taiwan.

Washington has condemned what it calls Chinas provocations, while Beijing has insisted it is the U.S. that threatens peace and security in the region.

The bilateral meeting in Singapore  held at the Chinese sides request, according to the U.S. side  is not expected to deliver any major breakthroughs. However, it is expected to open a clearer and more regular communication channel between the two sides.

In general, such dialogues remain rare in a bilateral relationship marked by scant human connections, said James Crabtree, executive director of IISS-Asia  the Asia program of the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies that hosts the Shangri-La Dialogue.

This lack of communication would be cause for worry in any future regional crisis, he said.

China's State Councilor and Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe walks to attend a bilateral meeting with U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on the sidelines of the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, June 10, 2022. REUTERS/Caroline Chia

Preventing miscalculations

The U.S. defense secretary will speak at the dialogue on Saturday. The DoD says hell clarify the next steps for the U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy with emphasis on the new approach of integrated deterrence, where the U.S. aims to harmonize both traditional and emerging defense capabilities and priorities, along with non-military tools of power, with partners and allies in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Chinas Defense Minister Wei will speak on Sunday on Chinas vision for regional order, in which he will discuss China's policies, ideas and concrete actions in practicing true multilateralism, safeguarding regional peace and stability, and promoting the development of a community of a shared future for mankind, according to Chinese state media.

Austin and Wei are holding various bilateral and multilateral meetings on the sidelines of the dialogue.

The U.S. defense secretary met with some ASEAN defense ministers including the Singaporean and the Vietnamese. On Saturday hes scheduled to meet with South Korean Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup and take part in trilateral talks with Lee and their Japanese counterpart Nobuo Kishi before heading to Bangkok on Sunday.

The Chinese defense minister, meanwhile, is expected to meet the Japanese defense minister on Sunday to discuss North Korea. He co-chaired the inaugural Singapore-China Defense Ministers' Dialogue on Thursday afternoon.

Japanese media said Kishi wanted to register with Wei Japan's concerns about China's growing maritime assertiveness, and to urge Beijing to exercise restraint.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida answers questions before leaving for Singapore to attend the Shangri-La Dialogue. CREDIT: AFP





Kishidas Vision for Peace

On Friday evening, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida gave a keynote address to kick off Shangri-La Dialogue 2022. He is the first Japanese prime minister to attend the dialogue since Shinzo Abe eight years ago.

Kishida outlined his vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific region to strengthen the rules-based international order. He promised to provide US$2 billion in assistance for Asia-Pacific nations for developing maritime security infrastructure over the next three years, while also investing in human resources.

Noting that the status quo "has already been changed by force in the East and South China Seas, Kishida said Japan firmly opposes such activities.

Many like-minded nations have shared their vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, the Japanese prime minister said, stressing that collaboration with ASEAN on this is essential, referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Kishida called for efforts to "prevent a crisis similar to that in Ukraine from arising in the Indo-Pacific. He stressed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

Ukraine today may be East Asia tomorrow, he said.

Police stand guard outside the venue of the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on June 10, 2022. AFP

Chinese state media earlier slammed the Japanese governments foreign policy, saying that Japan uses the pretext of preventing a crisis like the Russia-Ukraine crisis from happening in Asia to legitimize its move to collude with NATO and to convince regional countries to serve its goal of targeting China.

Tokyo's selfish and dangerous attempt is unlikely to succeed, Chinese analysts were quoted as saying in the Chinese Communist Partys mouthpiece Global Times.

Chair of the NATO Military Committee Adm. Rob Bauer visited Japan this week and met with Defense Minister Kishi.

Bauer praised the natural partnership between NATO and Japan, saying the two sides share the same values and challenges.

Besides regional leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is expected to deliver a special address to Shangri-La Dialogue via video link on Saturday.

The dialogue, staged at a hotel in Singapore, has been held annually since 2002, but was suspended for the past two years due to the COVID pandemic.

This story has been updated with a quote from a U.S. statement on the U.S.-China meeting and with comments from the Japanese prime minister.
Students take part in a ceremony as the new school year begins in North Korea in this photo released by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) April 2, 2018.

Some North Korean students will show up for school this summer decked out in high-quality uniforms made in a South Korean-built factory that has been shuttered in the wake of missile tests by Pyongyang.

Sources in the country told RFA that the company that supplies uniforms to schools in North Hwanghae province began making summer uniforms in the nearby Kaesong Industrial Complex, a joint-Korean manufacturing zone that was once a showcase of North-South cooperation.

The complex briefly closed in 2013 during a period of high tension between Seoul and Pyongyang. In 2016 South Korea halted operations in the complex in response to a North Korean missile test, and operations remain suspended.

Though the uniforms made in Kaesong are superior, unilaterally starting up the South Korean factories could spark friction with Seoul, sources said.

Last week, an official of the provincial Clothing Industry Management Bureau and I returned to North Hwanghae province with summer school uniforms that were able to pass product inspection. We brought them from a garment factory at the Kaesong Industrial Complex, an official of the province, which lies just across the demilitarized zone from South Korea, told RFAs Korean Service Tuesday on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

The bureau is responsible for making enough summer uniforms by the end of the month, after which they will be given to the provinces elementary, middle and high schools as gifts from the countrys leader Kim Jong Un, the source said.

Thats why the bureau has been operating sewing and cutting machines in Kaesong since March, with permission from the Central Committee. They mobilized residents from Kaesong who previously worked at the industrial complex, he said.

Mobilization is North Korean code for forced labor, in stark contrast to when the industrial complex was in operation and workers, at least in theory, earned several times more than their counterparts outside the complex.

North Korean use of the complex without South Korean permission might be frowned upon below the 38th parallel, but North Hwanghae is located just south of Pyongyang and is a strategic region for propaganda purposes. The students need to look their best.

The Central Committee took special measures to use the facilities in the industrial complex are partly because the other clothes factories in North Hwanghae are so old. But the main reason is because the Highest Dignity often visits the province to offer his guidance, the official said, referring to Kim Jong Uns well-documented visits to factories, farms, schools and areas hit by natural disasters, so he can be portrayed as a benevolent leader.

It is an urgent priority to present the school uniforms to the students in a timely manner, the source said.

Truck drivers are shipping imported fabric from Sinuiju, on the border with China, to Kaesong, for use in the factories, a source north of Pyongyang in South Pyongan province told RFA.

I heard from a driver who brought the imported fabrics in a freight car that they are still producing clothes in the Kaesong Industrial Complex in the factories that were operated by South Korean companies, he said, on condition of anonymity to speak freely.

They are making winter clothes for officials.

Since the complex closed in 2016, some of the equipment has been repurposed by companies as far away as North Pyongan province in the northwest, a source there told RFA.

Prior to the pandemic, several of the currency earning clothing factories here moved the equipment from the garment factories in Kaesong without permission, he said on condition of anonymity for safety reasons.

Though clothing processing was suspended due to coronavirus lockdown measures, the industrial complex machinery here has been used to make school bags and uniforms for students in the province, the third source said.

Although there are homegrown garment production units in Sinuiju, they are not as good as what was in the industrial complex. So they used it to make the school uniforms faster and with better quality.

South Koreas Ministry of Unification Thursday announced that it detected vehicle movement inside the Kaesong Industrial Complex, and that it was monitoring the area to determine if North Korea was operating facilities in the complex without permission.

Translated by Leejin J. Chung. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
The farmer, who did not have a contract with the company to sell his rubber, was released after police intervened.

Employees of a Chinese-owned rubber company in rural Laos illegally stopped a local rubber tree farmer trying to sell his harvest to another buyer for a higher price, sources in the Southeast Asian country told RFA.

Zhongtian Luye operates a rubber processing factory in Khua district in the northern province of Phongsaly along the border with China. The company created a contract farming system with rubber tree farmers in the area to maintain supply.

It pays farmers U.S. $0.56 per kilogram ($0.25 per pound) of natural rubber. Though it has contracts with local farmers for certain quantities of their yield, nothing is stopping them from selling the rest of their crop in nearby Oudomxay province, where prices are around 25% higher.

Employees of the rubber company blocked a road to prevent a car packed with raw rubber from leaving town, a villager told RFAs Lao Service on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

They thought that the driver was shipping his output to sell in Oudomxay province [in breach of contract.] They also thought that he was trying to buy output from other villagers who have contracts with the company, the villager said.

That is why they stopped his car and took it to their camp area. Normally if a car is stopped and there is any kind of wrongdoing, it should be taken to the district police station, he said.

Police showed up at the work camp to investigate, later ordering the company to release the driver. Zhongtian Luye did not have a contract with the man who was stopped, and the rubber was all from his own farm, the villager said.

Police fined the employees for blocking the road without permission.

A second villager said the company may feel justified in buying rubber at below market prices from local farmers because of the money it has invested in the area, including for road construction and to help farmers start producing rubber.

There also have been cases where the farmers broke their agreements with Zhongtian Luye to try to make more money elsewhere, the second villager said.

They already signed agreements, but some farmers are not satisfied with the price set by the Chinese company, the second source said.

The company has a concession and the right to buy from the farmers as stated in the memorandum of understanding. However, when the trees are mature for harvesting, some farmers dont want to sell for so low.

A woman who used to do business with Zhongtian Luye told RFA that the company feels entitled to all the rubber produced in the area, even from farmers who are not under contract.

They want them to sell it to their company only, even though they can get a higher price in Oudomxay, she said.

RFA was able to contact Zhongtian Luyes interpreter but he declined to comment on the issue.

Under the most common contract farming system in Laos, referred to as 3+2 contract farming, companies provide funding, training and marketing services to producers, in addition to buying the product, while farmers provide land and labor. The central or local government is usually responsible for ensuring that neither party is taken advantage of.

An official from the Phongsaly provinces Department of Agriculture and Forests told RFA that Zhongtian Luye, the province and the farmers have signed production agreements. The company can decide to block roads to prevent the farmers from selling elsewhere, the official said.

It is to up the provincial and district level authorities to consider how to solve this kind of problem and the district deputy governor will hold a meeting to find a solution, the official said.

But the agreement states that the rubber farmers who signed a contract-farming agreement cannot sell to other companies, but only this company, he said, without explaining why the company has a right to prevent the farmers not under contract from selling elsewhere.

The official said the company does not tell his department the prices it pays, but said the department would meet with the company to double check that the contracts are fair.

Zhongtian Luye has been operating in Khua district since 2006. It is unknown how many farmers have contracts to produce rubber for the company.

According to the report from the Phongsaly province Peoples Assembly, there are two Chinese rubber companies in the district.

Translated by Phouvong. Written in English by Eugene Whong.
A photojournalist who had worked for The Irrawaddy newspaper has been charged under Section 505 (a) of the Penal Code by the Military Council at the juntas special court in Mandalays Obo Prison. A lawyer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told RFA that Zaw Zaws first court trial took place on Wednesday.

The case started on the 6th of June. The power of attorney was sent on the 8th of June, the lawyer said. I saw that he was in good health, except for being a little thin, with no signs of torture. It's not known why he was only charged with Section 505 (a) since a copy of the case file has not been made.

The case is being prosecuted by Police Chief Myint Lwin from the No.1 Police Station of Aung Myay Thar Zan Township in the Mandalay region and will be heard every Wednesday.

Section 505 (a) of the Penal Code prohibits members of the military and government employees from undermining support for the government or the military, lacking discipline, or slacking in the performance of their duties. It also prohibits harmful, disruptive or destructive actions and carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison.

Zaw Zaw, 35, stopped working for The Irrawaddy after the military coup and continued to live in Mandalay with his family.

He was arrested on April 10 this year on his way back from a donation ceremony, according to a news source close to his family.

On the day he was arrested, he told junta forces that he was no longer a journalist but his computer and cell phone were confiscated when they searched his home, the source told RFA. I heard that he was taken to the Mandalay Palaces interrogation center. I later found out that he was in Obo Prison."

Zaw Zaws family members have not been allowed to see him.

A Defense Service Information Team statement issued on May 20, said that Zaw Zaw Aung, a resident of Daw Nu Bwar Ward, had used the name Zaw Zaw Diana in a Facebook account to incite the public to destabilize the country and spread propaganda.

The photojournalist in Hsi-paw Township, northern Shan State on August 18, 2017. CREDIT: RFA





Journalists have been increasingly targeted since the February 1, 2021 military coup. More than 135 have been arrested since the coup, 61 of whom remain in custody in various prisons.

Journalists are being prosecuted under Section 505 (a) of the Penal Code as well as Section 124 of the Penal Code, an anti-terrorism law which provides for long prison sentences, lawyers representing the accused told RFA.

Myanmar ranked 176 out of 180 countries on the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) 2022 Press Freedom Index. RSF described Myanmar as one of the worlds largest prisons for media professionals.

Journalists also face threats from supporters of the military regime. In April, the Mandalay branch of the Thway Thauk, or Blood Comrades militia called for the deaths of reporters and editors working for news outlets including The Irrawaddy, Mizzima, Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) and The Irrawaddy Times, along with their family members.
The wife of veteran activist Ko Jimmy vows to make the regime pay if it carries out the death sentence.

88 Generation leader Ko Jimmy and former National League for Democracy lawmaker Phyo Zeyar Thaw were sentenced to death by a military tribunal on Jan. 21 for violating Myanmars Anti-Terrorism Law. They and two other men on death row  Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw  lost appeals of their cases last week. A junta spokesperson on Tuesday rejected the possibility of a pardon in response to international and domestic condemnation of the sentences, meaning that the four men may end up being the first to be executed in Myanmar in 34 years. Speaking to RFAs Burmese Service on Thursday, Ko Jimmys wife Nilar Thein vowed that the junta will not escape punishment if it proceeds with the execution of her husband.

RFA: The military council has issued an execution order for Ko Jimmy, who was sentenced to death. The juntas spokesperson said the appeal process is complete and the Prison Department is now in charge of his case. What else do you know about the process?

Nilar Thein: Ever since Ko Jimmys arrest, we received no contact or information from the junta. Likewise, we didnt get a chance to consult with an attorney to submit appeals for him. Thats why the juntas decision must be incorrect. We never got a chance to work with the authorities for Ko Jimmys case.

RFA: What is your response to Ko Jimmys death sentence?

Nilar Thein: The junta will be held accountable for all its actions and statements at some point. They will have to take responsibility for what they did, regardless of who they did it to. This day will come.

RFA: Ko Jimmy has been charged under the counter-terrorism law. Do you think he was really involved in terrorist activities?

Nilar Thein: Everyone knows who is committing violent terrorist acts and who has become the victims of these acts. We have the right to defend ourselves from aggression and injustice  we have become the victims of the juntas violent tactics. We are exercising our right to defend ourselves  to protect our lives, homes, and properties from these acts.

RFA: The military council has stated that they will move forward to execution in Ko Jimmys case. Do you believe they will carry out the execution order?

Nilar Thein: This is entirely up to them. Under the law and from the perspective of the human rights community, they should not carry out this death sentence. Death sentences have not been carried out in Myanmar for a long time. It is a blatant violation of human rights even to state that they intend to carry out the execution order, to kill a human being like killing a bird or chicken ... Regardless of what they will do, I want them to know they will be accountable for their decisions. Their acts will not be forgotten.

RFA: What are you currently working on for him? Are you engaged with any international organizations about his case?

Nilar Thein: I have contacted some international organizations, such as Amnesty International. As soon as the news came out about the execution orders for Ko Jimmy and Ko Phyo Zeyar Thaw, several international organizations and foreign diplomats contacted me and told me that they would protest the decision.

RFA: What do you want to tell Ko Jimmy?

Nilar Thein: I think he has written his history by committing to a cause he believes in. He has his duty done for the people. I want to tell him I am very proud of him.

RFA: What message do you have for the people of Myanmar?

Nilar Thein: No matter how the times have changed, the power of the people will be the deciding factor in our countrys future  Those who have participated have played important roles in the resistance and they will be part of history. Whatever comes next, I trusted in the peoples power. Thats why we all need to stay united and join hands to drive out this military regime.

Translated by Ye Kaung Myint Maung.
Analysts are mixed on the effect the makeshift weapons will have on the conflict.

A group of ex-military servicemen in Myanmar who are assisting prodemocracy paramilitaries say skills they acquired during their past training helped them produce four types of combat weapons to battle junta troops.

Analysts told RFA Burmese that the arms manufactured by the Peoples Soldier Production Team (PSPT)  a group of defectors that include graduates of the Defense Service Academy and military officials from the Directorate of Artilleries  represent a first in self-produced weapons by insurgent forces in Myanmar, although they were mixed on what effect they might have on the fight for control of the country.

Capt. Nyi Thuta, the leader of the PSPT, told RFA Burmese that the group had selected four types of guns and other weapons for production from eight it had experimented with in recent months. The new weapons are already being used in military campaigns.

We are manufacturing single-shot firearms. We also produce automatic submachine guns. They can fire single shots or empty an entire magazine, he said.

We are also manufacturing land mines as well as bombs that can be dropped using drones. We have plans to produce many other weapons, but we cant disclose that information right now.

Nyi Thuta said that while the research required to manufacture a gun typically costs up to 1 billion kyats (U.S. $540,000), the cost to produce them outside of a factory is as much as four times cheaper than those on the market. He gave the example of a PSPT-produced submachine gun, which costs only 1.3 million kyats (U.S. $700) compared to 5 million kyats (U.S. $2,700) from a retailer.

Nyi Thuta said that PSPT weapons are of standard quality and effectiveness, but the group is only able to produce one-eighth of what normal manufacturers can because of limited access to equipment.

Min Zaw Oo, executive director of the Myanmar Institute for Peace and Security (MIPS), said the PSPT is the first group of defectors in Myanmar to manufacture weapons to fight the military that trained them.

After 1988, there were also defectors from the military, but they were not able to manufacture guns because of technology limitations and lack of raw materials, he said.

The military troops [this resistance is] fighting has larger armory. Thats why they began to explore innovative ways to produce the weapons they need to fight. This is unprecedented.

Minh Zaw Oo said MIPSs research suggests that among the weapons produced by the PSPT, land mines would likely have the most devastating effect on the military.

The PSPT told RFA that its weapons workshops are based in territories controlled by ethnic armed groups and the anti-junta Peoples Defense Force (PDF) paramilitary group in embattled Sagaing region but declined to provide information about the number of facilities they operate or their exact locations.

The group added that it mostly relies on raw materials available on the black market to produce its weapons, although some materials must be clandestinely imported.

Thein Tun Oo, executive director of the pro-military Thaenaga Institute for Strategic Studies think tank, said any weapons produced outside of factory settings would be largely useless against Myanmars military.

The technology needed to build military weapons requires far more precision than what can be found in civilian industry. The accuracy required is on the microscale level, so I question whether that can be achieved in a regular workshop, he said.

Secondly, it would be nearly impossible for them to maintain consistent quality on a mass-production scale, given the lack of raw materials.  These challenges are crucial to overcome if they are hoping to win a revolution.

However, Naing Htoo Aung, permanent secretary of the shadow National Unity Government (NUG), rejected Thein Tun Oos views, suggesting that with help from the NUG in securing funding and raw materials, the PSPTs weaponry could turn the tide for the resistance.

In this situation, improving self-production facilities, both in terms of quality and quantity, is the most helpful way to contribute to the revolution, he said.

In a report on its achievements to mark the one-year anniversary of its founding, the NUG said that it had spent around U.S. $30 million in funding on the resistance movement, although the shadow governments defense ministry acknowledged that it would be unable to supply the PDF with enough weaponry to meet its needs.

The NUG Defense Ministry said it is working to address the weapons shortage by improving the capacity of PSPT teams and sharing PSPT technology so that the PDF can set up duplicate production facilities.

RFA has received reports about injuries and deaths resulting from informal weapon production, which sources have attributed to a lack of experience and quality materials. The NUG had yet to respond to a request for more information on the incidents as of Thursday.

A composite photo shows guns (top), mines (bottom left), and bombs (bottom right) produced by the PSPT. Credit: PSPT Junta weapon procurement

Meanwhile, the junta is using state revenue to purchase weapons from China, Russia and other nations that are being used to suppress the people of Myanmar.

On Feb. 22, former U.S. Rep. Tom Andrews, who serves as U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, said in a report to the U.N. Security Council that countries should stop selling arms to the junta, citing its brutal crackdown on civilians since the takeover.

The report called out permanent Security Council members China and Russia, as well as India, Belarus, Ukraine, Israel, Serbia, Pakistan and South Korea, for selling the weapons, which Andrews said are almost certainly being used by the military to kill innocent people.

According to Thai rights groups the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, security forces have killed at least 1,929 civilians since the militarys Feb. 1, 2021, coup, mostly during peaceful anti-junta demonstrations.

Translated by Ye Kaung Myint Maung for RFA Burmese. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
Demonstrators from the Uyghur community gesture as they take part in a protest near Belgiam's Parliament in Brussels, the day Belgian MPs are due to vote a resolution denouncing 'serious risk of genocide' against China's Uyghurs, July 8, 2021.

Members of the European Parliament on Thursday easily passed a resolution calling the Chinese governments systemic human rights abuses against the mostly Muslim Uyghur minority crimes against humanity and a serious risk of genocide.

The EU condemned in the strongest possible terms that the Uyghurs have been systematically oppressed by brutal measures including mass deportation, political indoctrination, family separation, restrictions of religious freedom, cultural destruction, and extensive use of surveillance.

The resolution said credible evidence about birth prevention measures and the separation of Uyghur children from their families amount to crimes against humanity and represent a serious risk of genocide.

Lawmakers also passed a separate resolution to ban products made using forced labor into the EU market, expected to take effect in September, and pushed for new sanctions against high-level Chinese officials responsible for policy in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.

The Parliament also demanded that U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet, who recently traveled to Xinjiang, release a long-awaited report on human rights violations in the region, saying that she failed to clearly hold the Chinese government accountable.

That measure followed the release of Xinjiang Police Files, leaked police records from internment camps in the XUAR with details about more than 20,000 detained Uyghurs. The files were released in May by German researcher Adrian Zenz, who is an expert on internal Chinese government documents and the Xinjiang internment campaign.

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, said Dolkun Isa, president of the World Uyghur Congress (WUC), in a statement issued Thursday. 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.

The actions by EU Members of Parliament (MEP) follow declarations from the U.S. and other Western governments that Chinese repression in Xinjiang is a crime against humanity and meets the legal definition of a genocide.

The Uyghurs around the world  we are on your side, so we have a strong resolution today in this parliament, so stay strong, said German MEP Engin Eroglu, a resolution cosponsor, after the vote. We fight with you for the human rights.

Its very important to name the crime, and so today is a historic day, and not only because of the resolution on the genocide, but also because we voted for the import bans, said French MEP Raphael Glucksmann, another cosponsor of the resolution.

We will strike a heavy blow at this crackdown machine of the Chinese Communist Party, and this is only the beginning of the struggle, he said. You are not alone. We stand with you. Europe stands with you.

What are they waiting for?

At least 1.8 million Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities are believed to have been held in a network of detention camps in Xinjiang since 2017, purportedly to prevent religious extremism and terrorist activities.

Beijing has said that the camps are vocational training centers. The government has denied repeated allegations from multiple sources that it has tortured people in the camps or mistreated other Muslims living in Xinjiang.

Today we have a feeling that we are not alone, Dolkun Isa said at the European Parliament building in Strasbourg, France, following the vote. We have a lot of supporters.

U.S.-based Campaign for Uyghurs (CFU) said it supports the robust, direct and solid action of the European Parliament to hold the Chinese accountable for their genocide in Xinjiang.

The Chinese regimes claims that the so-called vocational training centers are for reeducation are proven false by the Xinjiang Police Files, said CFUs executive director Rushan Abbas in a statement.

Uyghurs and other Turkic groups in East Turkestan have been subject to totalitarian oppression for years as the evidence in these most recent papers further proves, she said, using Uyghurs preferred name for Xinjiang.

U.S.-based Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP) called on EU member states to take steps to ensure that the atrocities are subject to relevant international accountability mechanisms.

There is no better time to finally bring the case to an international court to adjudicate the evidence of atrocities, said Omer Kanat, UHRPs executive director. The European Parliament just affirmed the EUs own obligation to prevent genocide  what are they waiting for?
Zulyar Yasin, who attended schools in Turkey and China, is serving up to five years in jail.

Raziye Jalalidin, a Uyghur who lives in the Netherlands, holds a photo of her nephew, Zulyar Yasin, who is in prison in northwestern China's Xinjiang region, in an undated photo.

A Uyghur student who had attended university in southeastern China was arrested last December during an internship in northwestern Chinas Xinjiang region and sentenced up to five years in prison, his family told RFA.

Chinese police arbitrarily arrested Zulyar Yasin, 25, at his parents home in Urumqi (in Chinese, Wulumuqi) on Dec. 14, said his aunt, Raziye Jalalidin, who now resides in the Netherlands.

On May 30 of this year, I learned that my nephew, Zulyar Yasin, had been arrested, she told RFA.

In September 2014, he went to study economics at Istanbul University in Turkey, but he returned to Urumqi in 2016 after he was not able to adjust to life in Istanbul.

The following year, Yasin took Chinas national college entrance exam, receiving a high score and gaining admission to Fujian Agricultural and Forestry University in Fuzhou, capital of Fujian province on Chinas southeastern coast, Jalalidin said.

He returned to Urumqi in July 2021 and began his college internship in the city, but on Dec. 14, he was arrested by police at his home for no apparent reason, his aunt said.

He was arrested while he was an intern, she said, adding that the police initially said Jalalidin would be returned home in two days.

My older sister didnt even have the right to ask why they arrested him, she said.

Jalalidin said she learned from her relatives in Urumqi on May 30 that a Chinese government police officer called Yasins home on Feb. 14 and informed his parents that he had been sentenced to three to five years in prison on the charge of attempting to divide the country.

The Chinese government has targeted Yasin because he comes from a family of intellectuals, Jalalidin said.

The Chinese government is only arresting our bright youth like my nephew because they are damn afraid of their own insecurities, she said. What was his crime? What is our crime? Our crime is just being Uyghur. In the eyes of this Chinese regime, our being Uyghur is our crime  nothing else.

Chinese authorities have arrested numerous Uyghur intellectuals, businessmen, and cultural and religious figures in Xinjiang as part of a campaign to control members of the mostly Muslim minority group and, purportedly, to prevent religious extremism and terrorist activities.

More than 1.8 million Uyghurs and other Turkic minorities are believed to have been held in a network of detention camps in Xinjiang since 2017. Beijing has said that the camps are vocational training centers and has denied widespread and documented allegations that it has mistreated Muslims living in in the region.

The purges are among the abusive and repressive Chinese government policies that have been determined by the United States and some legislatures of Western countries as constituting genocide and crimes against humanity against the Uyghurs.

Will our talented young children be destroyed under this injustice? Jalalidin asked. Why cant we live like other free people in democratic countries?

Why has the world been silent, even after declaring genocide? she asked.

Abduweli Ayup, a Norway-based Uyghur rights activist who tracks missing and detained Uyghurs, said Chinese authorities are still continuing to abduct members of the mostly Muslim minority group.

They began targeting Uyghur students studying in mainland China in September 2021, he said.

Translated by RFA Uyghur. Written in English by Roseanne Gerin.
The Vinh Hang Eco-park and Cemetery in Nghe An has met strong objection from local residents.

Police demolish protesters' tents at a cemetery construction site in the Hung Nguyen district of central Vietnam's Nghe An province, June 9, 2022.

Four people were hurt in clashes with police as hundreds of mostly female protesters wrapped themselves in Vietnamese flags to rally against a cemetery and crematorium project in central Vietnam, villagers said Friday.

The protest on Thursday targeted Vinh Hang Eco-park and Cemetery, an 80-ha, 500 billion dong ($21.8 million) project in the Hung Nguyen district of central Nghe An province.

Approved by local authorities in 2017, the cemetery has encountered strong objection by local residents due to environmental and water resource concerns.

There was a clash among the police and local residents. One woman was seriously injured and was sent to Nghe An provincial hospital for emergency care. Two others were sent to a district hospital with less serious injuries, local resident Phan Van Khuong told RFA Vietnamese.

They arrested three or four people but released them on the same day, he added.

A Facebook page titled Hat lua Ke Gai showed dozens of police officers in uniform knocking down protesters tents.

The Commune Peoples Committee sent some people to plant markers on a road where local residents put up tents [to block the project] and we all rushed up there to stop them, Nguyen Van Ky, a resident from Phuc Dien village, told RFA.

In response, district and commune police officers were deployed and they removed the tents and shoved us down, injuring four people, said Ky.

The injuries were caused when police officers kicked and stomped on protesters. A fourth protester had a leg injury that did not require hospital treatment.

RFA called authorities from Nghe An province and Hung Tay commune to seek comments but no one answered the phone.

While all land in Communist-run Vietnam is ultimately held by the state, land confiscations have become a flashpoint as residents accuse the government of pushing small landholders aside in favor of lucrative real estate projects, and of paying too little in compensation.

Translated by Anna Vu. Written by Paul Eckert.
Nguyen Duy Linh is shown during his arrest (L) and at his June 9, 2022 trial (R).

A Vietnamese court on Thursday sentenced a Facebook user to five years in prison for posting stories criticizing government authorities, with an additional five years of probation to be served following his release, state media and other sources said.

Nguyen Duy Linh, a resident of the Chau Thanh district of southern Vietnams Ben Tre province, was jailed following a 3-hour trial in the Ben Tre Peoples Court. He had been charged with creating, storing, disseminating information, materials, publications and items against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, under Article 117 of Vietnams Penal Code.

Linhs wife Nguyen Ngoc Tuyet was present at his trial as a witness, but friends and other political dissidents were barred by authorities from attending and Linh had waived his right to a defense by lawyers in the case, sources said.

Commenting on the outcome of the case, Phil Robertson  deputy director for Asia for the rights group Human Rights Watch  told RFA by email that posting criticisms of government policies and authorities online should not considered a crime.

All that Nguyen Duy Linh did was exercise his right to freedom of expression, which is a core human right that is explicitly protected by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights that Vietnam ratified, Robertson said.

Vietnams one-party communist government seems intent on proving that it is one of the most rights-repressing governments in the Asian region, Robertson added. The authorities in Hanoi have completely lost any idea of how to rule a modernizing, 21st century country with intelligence and respect for the people.

State media reporting on the case said that Linh from March 2020 to September 2021 had posted on his Facebook page 193 stories with content offensive to the Party and States leaders or against the government. Linh had also posted what state sources called false stories about socio-economic issues and the spread of COVID-19 in Vietnam, according to media reports.

Linh is the fifth person accused in Vietnam since the beginning of this year of spreading anti-State materials under Article 117 of the 2015 Penal Code or propagandizing against the State under Article 88 of the 1999 Penal Code. Both laws have been criticized by activists and rights groups as measures used to stifle voices of dissent in Vietnam.

Translated by Anna Vu for RFA Vietnamese. Written in English by Richard Finney.
1 A portrait of a soldier named Rob on a building in the northern Armenian city of Gyumri.



This image is one of scores of outdoor murals that have appeared across the country honoring soldiers who died in battle during the 2020 Azerbaijani offensive to retake Armenian-controlled regions in and around Nagorno-Karabakh.
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
RFE/RL's Georgian Service spoke to David Patrikarakos, a British journalist and contributing editor at UnHerd, who has recently been on the ground reporting from Ukraine.

His second book, War In 140 Characters: How Social Media Is Reshaping Conflict In The Twenty-First Century, drew partly from Patrikarakos's time embedded with forces in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict following the annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Patrikarakos, who has previously contributed to RFE/RL's English website, says the current war is only in its early stages and "a long phase of frozen conflict" is likely ahead.



RFE/RL: If the theater of war is an idiom to go by, which act are we watching now?



David Patrikarakos: I see this as lasting for a very long time. I think the war is still in the early stages, unfortunately. The beginning was about whether Ukraine would completely fold -- it did not. Now we're going into the end of the beginning of what I think is a long phase of frozen conflict.

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.

It just seems like it's the Donbas playbook writ large. You now have the land bridge all the way down to Crimea. You throw in your rubles and your Russian passports. The difference there is that they didn't completely flatten cities -- right now in Mariupol, the remaining population are very unlikely to want to be part of any kind of Russian state given what's happened.

So are you going to do what [Soviet leader Josef] Stalin did and just repopulate those areas with people from Russia proper? Either way, it's a frozen conflict now.



I don't think the Russians can get a total military victory now in Ukraine. I think that's gone. We get to the stage -- which depends on what kind of weaponry comes in -- where the Russians cannot take any more territory, because the Ukrainians will push them back and the Ukrainians cannot launch counteroffensives anymore because the Russians will push them back. And once we reach that equilibrium, then I guess that's where things stay, unless something changes on both sides.

Now, if you're the Kremlin, and you want to try to defeat Ukraine now, then clearly you're not going to be able to march to Kyiv. But maybe what you can do is strangle [Ukraine] economically over months and years. Which would be a partial victory for them -- if they don't want to join us, then you make sure they don't join anyone else.



RFE/RL: Let's look at territorial gains. So Putin has more land than he had before February 24. Some of those lands contain Europe's second-largest known reserves of natural gas. He's got uncontested control of the Azov Sea coastline. He's got the vaunted land bridge to Crimea. And if he retains all that, can he really be considered a loser in real political terms?



Patrikarakos: It depends on what his objectives were. If your objectives were to take the whole of Ukraine and annex it to Russia, then yes, [he is a loser]. Obviously, he's got a land bridge to Crimea. So I guess that's a bonus. But at what cost? Thirty thousand Russian soldiers dead.



RFE/RL: Does he care, do you think?



Patrikarakos: Probably not about the soldiers, but [for] Russia's deterrence as a strong power, probably. That's kind of vital to Russia in Syria and places like that. I just don't really think you can see Ukraine as a victory for Russia, really. Their entire reputation as a super military superpower has been just destroyed. Their army is an army of serfs [that] doesn't have adequate rations.



RFE/RL: "Millions of people around the world will die because these ports are being blocked." That's what David Beasley, the executive director of the United Nations World Food Program, has said. Is Putin orchestrating Russia's own makeshift Holodomor on a worldwide scale?



Patrikarakos: I don't think it's there yet. We could have serious food security issues come July -- hunger, not famine. This is going to be a worryI wouldn't trust Russian security guarantees, to be honest. But something's going to have to be done, I think, given the level of worldwide pressure here. At the end of June, there comes a new crop of grain, which will make it even worse [than] now, because they'll have to do something with that.



RFE/RL: Putin is demanding easing sanctions to cooperate on this.



Patrikarakos: As he would, because I mean that's leverage for him. It stands to reason that he's doing that.



RFE/RL: Stands to reason that it should be done?



Patrikarakos: I don't know. I mean, I would rather not ease the sanctions on Putin. I think the pressure should be brought to open the harbors for humanitarian reasons; the international [system] needs to get that grain out. But let's see, I mean, it may well be that they have no choice. This depends how firm they can stand in the face of food security issues, which are going to come online really in the next month or so.



RFE/RL: As a journalist, do you see the Ukraine war narrative in the West fading?



Patrikarakos: The news cycles are going to fade, Ukraine is going to drift out of the news, it already is, and things are going to move on. And that's what the Russians are waiting for. They're hoping that a lot of this stuff will die down, and then in a few months people start to visit Russia again, things can go back, if not to normal, at least 20 percent of the [problems] may fall away.

I think some of the companies may go back in. I think that's all [Putin] is banking on -- and that's the great danger for Ukraine. And unfortunately there's nothing you can do about it; the news cycle will eventually move on. People will eventually get fatigued about what is fundamentally an unpleasant subject. So I think, yes, it's a big problem for [journalists] now, for Ukraine.



RFE/RL: You have said Ukraine is perennially cursed by its geography. If that is the standard to go by, what can be said about Georgia?



Patrikarakos: Well, Georgia is equally unfortunate, maybe more because it's smaller -- [just like] all the countries around Russia who have had to live with Russia, Russian imperialism, almost the entirety of their existence. It's to a degree a curse, as you see throughout history. It's extremely unfortunate what's happened to Georgia [in 2008]; it is a wonderful country. I think all those countries are cursed by geography. Britain is blessed by geography. The United States is probably more blessed than anyone by geography. And countries like Ukraine and Georgia are in an unfortunate position, although it does force them to become more creative and resilient, as they know they have a problem.



RFE/RL: What does this war spell for post-Soviet countries with pro-Western aspirations but still without a NATO umbrella?



Patrikarakos: Seems to me that if you're Georgia or Moldova, you've got to look at this and be happy to see the Russian Army get absolutely chewed up, right. If Ukraine had fallen in three days, like Putin's ass-lickers told him it would, he'd be halfway to Georgia and Moldova, because why wouldn't he?
The lawyer for a teachers' union activist, who has been on hunger strike for nine days after being jailed for meeting with French counterparts, says his client has been transferred to a prison in Tehran amid concerns about his deteriorating health.



Saleh Nikbakht, who represents Eskandar Lotfi, told RFE/RL's Radio Farda on June 10 that his client and other teachers are being detained illegally as there has been no notification giving the legal reasoning for their incarceration and any extension of it.



"I do not have access to my client," Nikbakht said, adding that he had been informed of the transfer of his client to the court the Evin prison in Tehran. He also said that he fears for Lofti's health due to the hunger strike.



Lotfi was arrested on May 3 along with several other teachers and workers' union activists for meeting with two French trade union activists. They were originally held in the western city of Marivan. It was not clear if all of the teachers had been transferred, or only Lotfi.



Iranian teachers -- along with workers from other sectors as well as pensioners -- have been taking to the streets across the country to demand better pay and working conditions.



In response, the authorities have summoned, detained, and jailed a growing number of protesters and activists, actions that have failed to stop the rallies.



On May 12, two French nationals visiting Iran were also arrested on charges of "organizing a protest" with the purpose of creating "unrest" in Iran.



Iran has attempted to link the French nationals -- French teachers' union official Cecile Kohler and her husband, Chuck Paris -- to the protesting Iranian teachers. The arrests were largely seen as an attempt to discredit the rallies and increase pressure on the Iranian teachers' union to stop the protests.



The arrests of the foreigners, which was announced just as an EU official arrived in Tehran, could also be aimed at pressuring the bloc amid negotiations over reviving a 2015 deal on Iran's nuclear program.



Tehran has been repeatedly accused of detaining foreigners and dual nationals to extract concessions from the West.

Writing and reporting by Ardeshir Tayebi
Wanted: Antiaircraft gunner. Good pay. Housing and medical insurance included. Clothing allowance. Three meals a day.

There are plenty of job vacancy announcements on Russian employment websites and social media these days: drivers, dishwashers, cooks, programmers, grocery store cashiers.



Also on offer: jobs/positions fighting in Russias war on Ukraine.



Now in its fourth month, with no end in sight, the invasion is morphing into a war of attrition, as Russia struggles to achieve a semblance of victory and Ukraine mounts a dogged defense, often against the odds. Both sides are inflicting heavy casualties; Ukrainian officials say theyre losing more than 100 soldiers a day.

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.

Russia, meanwhile, is doing everything in its power to hide its losses. Reliable estimates are hard to come by, but Western officials say killed-in-action numbers likely exceed 20,000.



Russias tempo of losses  of both men and equipment and weaponry -- is not sustainable, many Western experts say, but the Kremlin has resisted calling for a general mobilization.



To replenish its depleted manpower in Ukraine, Russia has resorted to what some observers have called a stealth mobilization. The effort includes a formal recruitment page posted on the Defense Ministrys website.



But it also includes help-wanted ads posted on major job recruiter websites, as well as social media networks, such as VKontakte. The positions are for jobs in Russias regular armed forces.



One, posted on the jobs site Head Hunter on May 24, was titled Contract Soldier, with a published salary starting at 150,000 rubles a month before taxes. (about $2,550, well above the median national salary of the equivalent of $950)



The grenade launcher is part of the motorized rifle squad, the job description reads. He plays an important role in strengthening the firepower of the squad. Armed with a grenade launcher, a stock of rocket-propelled grenades, and grenades with shaped charges, he fires at land and sea targets and enemy armored vehicles, and suppresses firing points.



Among the benefits listed: room and board, medical insurance, clothing allowance, a pension after 20 years of service, and other items.



It makes no specific mention of the war in Ukraine.



Other positions listed on help-wanted websites include antiaircraft gunner -- requirements: to perfectly know your weapon and own it and driver --responsibilities: ensures the efficient and safe operation of the equipment entrusted to him when transporting unit personnel and logistical equipment as required in everyday life and in battle.



Another, posted without a date on the site SuperJob, is for a more senior position: commander of a military unit. Starting salary: 200,000 rubles ($3,400). Responsibilities include knowing the terms of combat and general military regulations; the basics of combined arms combatweapons and military equipment of the unit; the rules for their use and maintenance; the basics of training and education; maintaining military discipline and the high morale and psychological state of personnel.

Several of the help-wanted ads are posted to Russias largest social media network, VKontakte, on pages dedicated to contract military service.



One page, which has 133,000 followers, is called Army Z -- a reference to the Z symbolism that the Kremlin has adopted for the war -- and comprises heavily propagandistic videos, including one dating back to 2015 called Im a Russian Occupier.



Im a Russian occupier, and Im tired of apologizing for it. Im an occupier by right of birth, Im an aggressor and a bloodthirsty monster. Be afraid, the video said. The studio that produced the video later said it was commissioned by an unnamed government entity.

Conscripts And Contractors



President Vladimir Putin has resisted calling a general mobilization, which would essentially entail declaring full war on Ukraine, rather than what the Kremlin euphemistically now calls a special military operation.



Such a move could backfire with the Russian people, most of whom have so far shown support or complacency about the war despite the mounting death toll and the countrys increasing isolation.



Currently, Russias 900,000-strong armed forces are a mix of conscripts -- all men aged between 18 and 27 are obliged to serve a year of military service -- and volunteer contract soldiers, who make up a growing proportion of the overall fighting forces.

Contract soldiers, who typically sign up for three or more years, tend to be better trained than conscripts, who are barred from being deployed to active combat such as that which is occurring in Ukraine.



Aside from posting help-wanted ads, officials have undertaken other efforts to bolster the fighting force.



Lawmakers also recently passed a law that allows men over 40 years of age to serve in the armed forces. And Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that combatants of the Ukrainian special military operation would be considered veterans under Russian law, entitled to a host of lucrative, long-term social benefits.



In a video obtained by RFE/RLs Caucasus Realities, a recruiter in southern Russias Krasnodar region says soldiers will receive bonuses for heroic acts such as destroying a tank, a plane, an armored personnel carrier, and so forth.



Its not clear how much impact the recruiting and help-wanted ads are having in increasing manpower.

Further complicating the recruiting is that, despite official efforts to squelch any public discussion about the casualties and death toll that Russian forces are facing, some military and paramilitary units have balked at deploying to Ukraine.



One prominent Russian rights lawyer said in April that more than 1,000 military personnel and troops from the National Guard from at least seven regions have refused to obey deployment orders to Ukraine. Open-source researchers say the actual number was likely much higher.



'Vacancies At Vagner'



Other ways commanders have bolstered the main fighting force in Ukraine include an all-Chechen military unit known as the Kadyrovtsy sending them to specific locations in Ukraine, like the battle for the port city of Mariupol.



And private mercenary companies like Vagner, notorious for its role in conflicts from Libya to Syria, have also stepped up recruiting online and social media networks.



One page on VKontakte called Vacancies at Vagner features a post dated June 3 that reads How To Join Vagner in 2022?!



What does the company offer? the post reads. A motivated, adult team with experienced fighters with extensive combat experience. The absence of an army madhouse, bureaucracy and other things. Constant real combat training, the opportunity to acquire new special skills. Opportunity to work all over the world.



The presence of private soldiers in Russian military operations is problematic from a legal standpoint: Private military companies remain illegal in Russia, even if Vagner and other such networks have grown in stature and presence, used by Russian military and intelligence agencies as a shadow military force.



Russian military officials could not be reached for comment or to answer questions about the help-wanted advertisements and whether they were increasing recruitment.

Written by Mike Eckel based on reporting by Yury Baranyuk of Current Time. RFE/RL's Caucasus.Realities contributed to this report.
As the war in Ukraine rages, Russian President Vladimir Putin likens himself to Tsar Peter the Great -- but critics find a glaring flaw in the comparison. Meanwhile, Dmitry Medvedev provides the poisonous voice-over for a terrible, troubled time.



Here are some of the key developments in Russia over the past week and some of the takeaways going forward.

Ten Years Gone

The more things change, the more they stay the same.



In Russia, the main thing that has stayed the same over the past 10 years has been the president: Vladimir Putin held that office from 2000 to 2008 and has also held it since May 2012, when he took it back from placeholder Dmitry Medvedev after serving four years as prime minister.



One thing that has changed in those same 10 years: the public persona of Medvedev, who as president conducted what looked like cordial meetings with U.S. counterpart Barack Obama and displayed admiration for aspects of Western life, from the high-tech achievements of Silicon Valley to the goal of democratic governance. During his campaign for the presidency in 2008 and at the end of his term in 2012, he stated that freedom is better than unfreedom.

Hate Speech

Thats a far cry from the venomous rhetoric he is becoming known for a decade later, the most recent example being a June 7 post on Telegram in which he lashed out at an unspecified target, saying, I hate them. They are bastards and scum. They want death for us, for Russia, and adding that as long as Im alive, I will do everything to make them disappear.



The object of Medvedevs disaffection was variously interpreted as being Ukrainians or the West. Either way -- and regardless of the degree to which Medvedevs words and actions as president were part of a con game aimed at duping Russians and the wider world -- it was a striking reflection of the way things have changed since Putin returned to the Kremlin.



In September 2011, when Medvedev and Putin announced plans to switch places the following year, with Putin reclaiming the presidency and Medvedev becoming prime minister, many citizens who had hoped for change -- for movement, at least, toward a Russia whose public servants would serve the public, essentially -- were disappointed.



Before Putin even took office again, evidence that his new stint in the top spot would bring less freedom and more unfreedom mounted fast. A wave of large-scale protests driven by anger over elections marred by widespread allegations of fraud and dismay at his decision to return to the Kremlin was met with tightening restrictions on freedom of assembly, including a violent police crackdown on a demonstration on Moscows Bolotnaya Square on the eve of his inauguration to a third term on May 7, 2012.



In retrospect, the lonesome optics of his inauguration -- riding to the Kremlin ceremony along empty streets, with protesters held at bay at a distance and crowds of well-wishers conspicuously absent -- presaged the atmosphere that surrounded his decision nearly 10 years later to launch a large-scale invasion of Ukraine: a decision, by all signs and accounts, taken virtually alone.

'Blatant Violation'

In terms of suffering and loss of life, the consequences of that decision grow more staggering every day. Thousands of Ukrainian civilians have been killed and millions driven from their homes. Cities and towns have been razed to the ground by Russian bombardments, and accusations of rape, torture, and other crimes committed by Russian forces are mounting.



Deadly fighting rages in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine as Russia seeks gains after several more setbacks in the weeks following the February 24 invasion.



On June 9, in a development condemned by Amnesty International as a blatant violation of international humanitarian law on so many counts, a self-styled court run by Russia-backed separatists handed down death sentences to two Britons and a Moroccan who have been fighting as part of Ukraines armed forces.



In Russia between 2012 and 2022, Putins clampdown on his opponents, civil society, independent media, and all forms of dissent gathered force -- at first steadily and then dramatically with the arrest of poisoning survivor Aleksei Navalny in January 2021 and, after the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, with efforts to efface any sign of opposition to an unprovoked war that appears aimed at erasing Ukraine from the map but also puts Russias future at risk.



While gloom prevailed among Russians eager for change in 2012, few could have predicted the enormity of the situation as it stands now: the death and destruction Putin has unleashed in Ukraine and the isolation, economic straits, and uncertainty he has imposed on the citizens of his own country -- a state of affairs that political analyst Andrei Kolesnikov summed up as the complete collapse of everything.



In fact, few predicted the invasion even in the weeks and days before it occurred, even though Russia had seized Crimea in 2014 and fomented a war in eastern Ukraine that has persisted ever since and now expanded.

'The End Of Everything'

Kolesnikov, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, suggested in a May 24 article that back in 2011 he and a colleague -- writing a proposed program for a second Medvedev term that already seemed increasingly unlikely -- did warn of the dangers that would lie ahead if Russias leaders looked to the past instead of the future.



We argued that there were only two options: modernization, or the end of everything -- and we were right, Kolesnikov wrote.



Russia is unlucky with its future because it is unlucky with its past. Its rulers formulate whatever public image of Russias past happens to suit them. That means they are building the future using blueprints from the past, he wrote. Right now, Vladimir Putins Russia seems to have gone back in time to antiquity.



Putin has used several arguments to justify a war that Western governments, rights group, and critics at home and abroad say is unjustifiable.



On June 9, he reached back not quite to antiquity but 350 years, to the birth of Tsar Peter the Great, and provided one of the clearest indications yet that his main motive for the invasion of an independent nation is the desire to seize territory that he bizarrely and baselessly claims is rightfully Russian.

Open And Shut

"Peter the Great waged the Great Northern War for 21 years. It would seem that he was at war with Sweden, [that] he took something from them, Putin said. He did not take anything from them -- he returned [what was Russia's] and strengthened [Russia].



Apparently, it has also fallen to us to return and strengthen, he said.



Peter the Great, however, is known for strengthening Russia by throwing it open to the outside world and inviting European experts to help build and modernize it.



He is said to have opened a window on Europe, while Putin has deeply alienated nations to the West and united Ukrainians against Russia by launching a war that isolates his country and harms its economy, with potentially massive long-term consequences.



Putins Ukraine invasion, many Russians fear, has slammed that window shut, a news article in The New York Times said.



NOTE: The Week In Russia will next appear on June 24.
Martial arts students do somersaults after finishing college entrance exams

(People's Daily App) 14:58, June 10, 2022

Students from a martial arts school somersaulted while they left the venue of their national college entrance examinations on Thursday in Loudi, Hunan Province, showing off both their confidence in the exam results and their special talent.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu)
Sabrina Medora is a food writer and hospitality insider. Her pieces have appeared in Food & Wine, Plate Magazine, The Kitchn, Wine Enthusiast, and more. In 2018, she founded Un-Plated, dedicated to sharing the stories of those in the restaurant industry.

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Curating the past

Librarian marks half-century of service in South Caroliniana Library

So much of the university landscape has changed in the 50 years Allen Stokes has worked in the South Caroliniana Library. The size of campus and student enrollment is much larger than when he began in 1972, the quantity and caliber of faculty research is better, and the librarys collections are bigger.

By contrast, Stokes personal landscape  literally, the space around his desk where he sorts through collections  looks much the same as it did a half-century ago. Hes still surrounded by boxes of correspondence, photos, memorabilia and other materials related to the history and culture of the state. South Caroliniana was launched as a special collections library in 1940, and Stokes has devoted his career to curating those materials.

One of the projects Im working on now is transcribing the letters of Benjamin Perry, a 19th century South Carolina unionist, Stokes says, pointing to a facsimile of a letter written in 1848. We have 600 of his letters altogether, and I dont know if Ill ever finish.

Stokes is also sifting through materials from the late Harvey Teal, a public school educator, writer and shoe leather historian who passed away in 2020 after having donated thousands of papers, images and published materials to the South Caroliniana Library.

These are the collections that enable historians to do research. These papers, books, pamphlets and so forth  if none of that existed, it would be very difficult to do any significant historical research. Allen Stokes

When Stokes talks about Teal, Perry and any of the other hundreds of South Carolinians whose materials have crossed his desk, he opens a window on the Palmetto States past and connects the dots of the states cultural history. His memory of the people, the places and the events is a testament to the long arc of his career as a professional librarian.

My father was the shipping clerk at Spartan Mills in Spartanburg, and I worked summer jobs in the mills growing up, he says. I was fascinated with the textile industry, including how it came to be in South Carolina. That was part of the inspiration that led me to studying S.C. history.

After earning a bachelors in history from Wofford in 1967, Stokes completed a masters in history at South Carolina and would eventually devote his dissertation to the topic of Black labor in the Southern textile industry. But before he could begin his doctoral work, Uncle Sam came calling.

I had used up my student deferments earning a masters, so in 1970 I went to signal school at Fort Gordon and then was sent to Vietnam as a signal officer in an artillery battalion, Stokes says. When the colonel realized I could type better than the company clerk, I became the S1 [administration officer] in addition to my signal officer duties.

Stokes was out of the Army by January 1972 and successfully interviewed to become a manuscript librarian in the South Caroliniana Library. He completed his Ph.D. in 1977, and in the early 80s when then-director Les Inabinet retired, Stokes became the librarys director.

The 70s and 80s were great times. The book Roots got a lot of people interested in genealogy, and we had a good many people working on their family trees  we still do, he says. Graduate students from other universities were coming to work on their dissertations every summer, including Drew Faust, who would later become president of Harvard.

The universitys applied history program and its Institute for Southern Studies also made the South Caroliniana Library and its holdings a mecca for many graduate student and scholarly research projects. Through the years, Stokes has worked with scores of individuals across the state who have entrusted to the library their collections of letters, diaries, photos and other ephemera that document South Carolinas culture.

These are the collections that enable historians to do research, he says. These papers, books, pamphlets and so forth  if none of that existed, it would be very difficult to do any significant historical research.

Funds to acquire collections were meager 50 years ago, Stokes says. Today, as the result of development initiatives, there are funds for acquisitions and funds to provide research opportunities for students and learning opportunities for student assistants in the library.

Stokes retired as library director in 2003 but continued to work full time with the librarys manuscripts. Two years later when his successor moved to another position in University Libraries, Stokes was back in the saddle as director and continued for several more years before retiring again about 10 years ago. Since then, he has worked part time, doing what he has always done  curating the collections that help tell the story of South Carolinas past.

I have those aha moments where you find something in a collection and immediately think, This is something that a researcher will want to see,  Stokes says. Thats what has made this work so interesting for so long.

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(Photo : ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images) A nurse administers a pediatric dose of the Covid-19 vaccine to a girl at an L.A. Care Health Plan vaccination clinic at Los Angeles Mission College in the Sylmar neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, on January 19, 2022.

The United States Food and Drug Administration will decide in the coming week if it is authorizing the first-ever COVID-19 vaccines for children aged five years old and below.

Fox 5 New York reported that the COVID-19 vaccine for kids five and younger could start as early as the week of June 20, the White House said recently.

Up to 20 million U.S. children under 5 could be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine starting the week of June 20. https://t.co/wb3XElZFbY  FOX 10 Phoenix (@FOX10Phoenix) June 9, 2022

If the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and prevention approve, it would mean almost every American is eligible for a vaccine.

The administration announced it has 10 million vaccine doses for states, territories, tribes, pharmacies, community health centers, and others to pre-order. Additional doses will be shipped in the weeks ahead.

ALSO READ: Volunteer for Pfizer's Experimental COVID-19 Vaccine Shares Side Effects from Trial





20 Million Young Children to Get Vaccinated

A report from the White House stated that 85 percent of young children below five years old will live within "five miles of potential vaccination site."

In the news release, the White House also said the vaccination program of the administration for the youngest children of America would focus on meeting the specific needs of this age group and their families, recognizing many parents and guardians will choose to get their children vaccinated through their primary care doctor or pediatrician.

As specified in a similar MPR News has asked FDA to authorize three doses of its COVID-19 vaccine for children aged six months to four years old. Every dose is one-tenth of the amount adults are given.

Moderna has asked FDA to authorize two shots for children aged six months to five years old, each containing one-quarter of the dose adults receive.

Young children are the last group of Americans who have not been recommended to be given a COVID-19 vaccine. Up to approximately 20 million US children below five years old would become eligible for vaccination if the government permits one or both shots, although it is not clear how popular shots will be.

Pfizer and Moderna Vaccines

A CBS News report said the window for jurisdictions to preorder the first wave of jabs, two million doses of vaccine of Moderna and two million doses of Pfizer, closed on Wednesday. In total, pharmacies were able to request up to a threshold of half a million doses from each brand.

The first wave of shots was not ordered in equal amounts. Specifically, vaccinators ordered 58 percent of Pfizer's total threshold was preordered, while only 34 percent of Moderna's was requested.

According to the officials, some states and jurisdictions had only ordered Moderna, while others ordered only Pfizer.

Meanwhile, the CDC had warned local officials that providers needed to place orders in the first wave unless they could receive the store shipments "arriving on Juneteenth holiday," the same report said.

An official from the administration said they, at this point, don't have numbers that can determine one way or the other, and their job is to make both brands available in equal numbers.

A report about the COVID-19 vaccine for children under five years old is shown on TODAY's YouTube video below:

RELATED ARTICLE: COVID-19 Vaccine for Children: Pfizer Anticipates Filing for FDA Complete Approval to Vaccinate Kids Aged 2-11

Check out more news and information on COVID-19 and Vaccines in Science Times.
Le Rwanda accuse l'armee congolaise de tirs de roquettes sur son sol

Le ministere rwandais de la Defense a accuse vendredi l'armee de la Republique democratique du Congo (RDC) d'avoir tire deux roquettes sur l'ouest du Rwanda, sans faire de victimes, un nouvel episode de tensions entre les deux pays.





Alors que de violents combats opposent depuis fin mai l'armee congolaise au groupe rebelle du M23 dans l'est de la RDC, le gouvernement de Kinshasa accuse son voisin rwandais de soutenir ces insurges et d'avoir deploye 500 soldats sur son sol, ce que Kigali dement.





Fin mai, l'armee congolaise a affirme avoir arrete en RDC deux militaires rwandais. Kigali a assure au contraire qu'ils avaient ete enleves du cote rwandais de la frontiere par des rebelles hutu implantes au Congo.





Ce vendredi, "les forces armees de la RDC, les FARDC, ont tire deux roquettes de 122 mm sur le Rwanda depuis la region de Bunagana, frappant le long de la frontiere entre le Rwanda et la RDC (...) dans le district de Musanze", a declare dans la soiree le ministere rwandais de la Defense dans un communique. "Il n'y a pas eu de victimes mais la population locale est terrifiee", a-t-il ajoute.





Ces tirs font suite a des bombardements similaires par les forces en RDC les 19 mars et 23 mai derniers dans cette meme zone frontaliere, ajoute le communique.





Kigali avait demande une "enquete urgente" du Mecanisme de verification conjoint elargi (MCVE), organisme regional qui surveille et mene des enquetes sur les incidents de securite dans la region volatile des Grands Lacs, apres les tirs de roquettes du 23 mai qui ont, selon l'armee rwandaise, "blesse plusieurs civils et endommage des habitations".





Rwanda et RDC entretiennent des relations tendues depuis le genocide au Rwanda en 1994.





Depuis l'arrivee massive en RDC de Hutu rwandais accuses d'avoir massacre des Tutsi durant le genocide, Kinshasa accuse regulierement le Rwanda d'incursions au Congo et de soutien a des groupes armes dans l'est du pays.





Les relations s'etaient apaisees avec l'accession au pouvoir debut 2019 du president congolais Felix Tshisekedi, qui a rencontre a plusieurs reprises son homologue rwandais Paul Kagame.




From Editor in Chief Emilio Garcia-Ruiz:



The San Francisco Chronicle is excited to unveil the SFNext initiative. A new team of seven talented journalists will focus on tapping into our diverse city to find solutions to its most challenging problems.

SFNext will take a different approach to local journalism. The project, which launched Friday, June 10, will be solutions-focused and include public forums, polling, reported stories, a newsletter and a weekly podcast called Fixing Our City, which debuts June 21. In SFNexts first story, reporter Noah Arroyo examines the tough road to economic recovery for Downtown San Francisco.

Lets meet the team behind SFNext:

Courtesy of Jonathan Krim

Jonathan Krim

Project Director

Krim joins The Chronicle with over four decades of experience in print and digital journalism. His career includes stints at the San Jose Mercury News, Washington Post and Wall Street Journal, during which he focused on local, international and business/tech news. He supervised coverage that won two Pulitzer Prizes and launched numerous digital initiatives.

Civic engagement is vital to the health of any community, he said. We hope to connect with San Francisco residents from all areas and walks of life in a collaborative effort to address our great citys most pressing difficulties.

Krim is a native of New York and a graduate of the University of Montana. He currently lives in Oakland with his wife, Joyce; their dog, Toast, and their cat, Kona.

Courtesy of Noah Arroyo

Noah Arroyo

Reporter

Arroyo is an award-winning, versatile journalist with a decade of experience covering local issues in San Francisco. He has spent most of his career examining the citys intractable homelessness and housing-affordability crises, and is at home building reporting projects from the ground up. He previously wrote for the San Francisco Public Press and Mission Local.

I thought for about a year that I was going to be a geologist, Arroyo said. Turns out there's a lot of overlap, looking at minerals out in the field and poring over government documents.



A native of Whittier, he attended San Francisco State University. He currently lives in the Tenderloin.

Courtesy of Adriana Rezal

Adriana Rezal

Data reporter



In addition to writing stories that focus on data as the key element, Rezal collaborates with other reporters to collect and analyze data.



Rezal covered local business, government and education news in the Greater Houston area while working as a reporter for the Community Impact newspaper. She then spent a summer in Chicago as a reporting intern for Borderless Magazine and wrote about immigration in the Midwest. She later gained national news experience while working as a data journalism intern for U.S. News and World Report.



I'm excited to play an active role in discussing the future of San Francisco by diving into the citys data, she said.



Rezal was raised in Baytown, Texas, a suburb east of Houston. She attended the University of Texas at Austin and graduated in 2019 with a degree in international relations and global studies with a minor in journalism.

Courtesy of Laura Wenus

Laura Wenus

Podcast host/reporter



Wenus will host SFNext's upcoming podcast, Fixing Our City. She is a local multimedia journalist who has worked in digital, print and radio newsrooms on daily, breaking and enterprise stories.

Wenus comes to The Chronicle from the nonprofit San Francisco Public Press, where she helped launch and hosted the podcast Civic, examining local social and political issues, with a special focus on nonpartisan election coverage.



The things that affect our day-to-day lives the most tend to be local, so I want to keep digging into how we as a city do things, what that means for people who live and work here, and what new approaches we could try, Wenus said.



She has also covered San Francisco housing and development news for Mission Local, reported an audio series about longterm nursing care, and has been a producer for a live current affairs show on the public radio station KALW. She lives in the Castro.

Courtesy of Cintia Lopez

Cintia Lopez

Podcast producer/reporter



Lopez joins The Chronicle as producer and reporter for the Fixing Our City podcast.



She comes to The Chronicle from CapRadio in Sacramento, where she was a producer for their daily talk show, Insight. She has a background in newspaper and audio reporting from her previous jobs at WBUR in Boston and The Daily Democrat in Woodland, Calif.



My first editor told me the best way to get to know a city you are reporting on is to get lost in it, Lopez said. I'm excited to do just that as I talk to people and get to know what they think of a city that is becoming my new home, while telling the stories that can help us create a better San Francisco.



Lopez was raised mainly in the suburbs of Sacramento, where she attended community college before transferring to Sacramento State University and graduating with a degree in journalism.



Gary Baca

Podcast sound engineer

Courtesy Gary Baca

With a background in independent films, DJing, radio and podcasts, Baca brings almost 10 years of multimedia experience to The Chronicle, including work on notable projects such as KQED's Rightnowish as a producer. He has also worked at KPFA/KPFK in radio broadcasting.



I want to bring light to the struggles people go through in an effort to create longterm solutions, Baca said.



Born and raised in Richmond, Baca has spent the last decade living in Oakland.

Courtesy of Audrey Brown

Audrey Mei Yi Brown

Social media/engagement manager



Brown will use social media to create channels of thoughtful conversations to help reach residents beyond The Chronicle's readership. Among other things, Brown will manage and moderate the @sfnext Twitter.



I joined the SFNext team because Im a San Franciscan who wants to play a role in healing my city, Brown said. I arrived in San Francisco when I was less than a year old, a Chinese American adoptee, and it will always be my first true home. Many of the citys problems from my childhood persist today, and theyve grown deep roots. I know it will take fresh thinking and dogged resolve for San Francisco to solve its problems, and I believe local journalists are uniquely positioned to surface solutions.



Brown brings four years of environmental reporting experience, two years as a communications manager and a lifetime of living in and biking through the communities of San Francisco. She holds a masters of science in journalism from Columbia University. Outside of work, you can likely find her biking through Golden Gate Park, rock climbing at Mission Cliffs or backpacking in the Sierra Nevada mountains.

About The San Francisco Chronicle

The San Francisco Chronicle (www.sfchronicle.com) is the largest newspaper in Northern California and the second largest on the West Coast. Acquired by the Hearst Corporation in 2000, The San Francisco Chronicle was founded in 1865 by Charles and Michael de Young and has been awarded six Pulitzer Prizes for journalistic excellence. Follow us on Twitter at @SFChronicle.
Some former California prisoners who served on fire crews during their sentences were given a chance to become civilian firefighters by a recent state law. But others remain barred from firefighting, and a federal appeals court ruled Thursday that the state had legitimate reasons for excluding them.

Most fire departments in California require firefighters to be licensed as emergency medical technicians, or EMTs, who provide immediate care to people who are seriously injured. But state regulations since 2010, reported to be the strictest in the nation, deny EMT licenses to anyone who has ever been convicted of two felonies, or of a single felony in the past 10 years.

With more than 1,000 inmates serving on state crews fighting a growing wave of wildfires, lawmakers approved AB2187, effective in 2021, that exempted some ex-prisoners from the EMT ban. A prisoner who had taken part in firefighting, and has completed post-release probation, can ask a court to erase the record of conviction, a discretionary decision that would then allow the former prisoner to obtain an EMT license and become a firefighter.

But the 2010 regulations remain in effect and apply to former prisoners who have not gotten their convictions erased or are ineligible to do so. Two men in those categories challenged the regulations in court, but were rejected Thursday by the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Noting that emergency medical technicians have access to prescription drugs, the court said the bans on convicted felons are rationally related to fitness for EMT licenses.

Felonies, especially recent ones, reasonably call into question a persons moral character, the three-judge panel said, affirming a federal judges decision that upheld the regulations. There are no more potentially vulnerable patients than those who are involved in the medical emergencies to which EMTs respond.

The ruling was issued by Judges Ronald Gould, Mark Bennett and Ryan Nelson.

The state rules drew a broad challenge from the liberal American Civil Liberties Union, the NAACP and the conservative Pacific Legal Foundation. Attorney Andrew Ward of the libertarian Institute for Justice, which represents the two former prisoners, said the regulations were irrational and should have been overturned.

No one should be denied an opportunity because of an irrelevant criminal conviction, Ward said. He could ask the full appeals court for a new hearing before a larger panel.

According to his court filing, one of the men was convicted of crimes as a juvenile, sent to prison and served on fire crews. After release, he was convicted of felonies in 2003, for carrying a dagger, and in 2005, for assault.

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He has been crime-free for more than a decade and has served as a seasonal firefighter in recent years, currently with the state Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or CalFire. But he is not eligible to apply for an EMT license under AB2187 because he worked on prison fire crews as a juvenile, not an adult.

The second man was a firefighter in adult prison, completed his sentence in 2018, and is a camp supervisor at the California Conservation Corps, the court filing said. He is eligible to seek a license under the new law but has not yet received one.

The state uses prisoners as firefighters and then ... bars those same people from firefighting careers because of their criminal histories, Ward said in his filing with the court. He said Thursday that the new law is a step in the right direction but doesnt go nearly far enough..

Bob Egelko is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: begelko@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @BobEgelko
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Mayor London Breeds older brother has been transferred to a San Francisco jail from state prison as he continues a long effort to win his freedom in connection with his girlfriends death on the Golden Gate Bridge more than two decades ago.

A June 20 resentencing hearing in Superior Court could result in the release of Napoleon Brown, 50, or a shortened prison term. After serving more than half of a 44-year sentence for involuntary manslaughter, armed robbery and carjacking, Brown could benefit from new state laws after winning a favorable ruling from an appeals court earlier this year.

Prosecutors said Brown and a second man went into Johnny Rockets diner in the Marina late one night in June 2000, robbed the staff at gunpoint and then fled over the nearby bridge, with Lenties White  a 25-year-old mother of two children  driving the getaway car.

According to records, the white Ford Escort pulled into a coned-off buffer lane on the bridge before White either fell from or was pushed from the vehicle. A plainclothes officer had been tailing the robbers in an unmarked car, and he pulled over, too. One of the men in the getaway car took her place at the wheel and drove off.

Court summaries of the case say investigators testified that White rolled into oncoming traffic, where she was fatally struck by a drunken driver. But the defense contends she was still in the buffer lane when she was hit, and that the plainclothes officers orders that she stay on the ground also lessened Browns culpability.

Before she died, police said, White declared that S.B.  Brown was known as Sonny Boy  had thrown her from the vehicle.

For years, Breed has sought freedom for her brother, who is currently eligible for parole in 2032, and her powerful political position has opened up legal tensions that remain to this day.

The new development in the case comes as Breed prepares to appoint a new district attorney after city voters on Tuesday recalled Chesa Boudin, a progressive reformer often at odds with the mayors more moderate views. While Boudin will still be in office on June 20, the case may take longer to resolve. In this scenario, Breeds appointee may need to recuse themselves to avoid a conflict of interest.

Breed did not publicly take a position in the recall campaign against Boudin, who has put resources into a resentencing unit that allows defendants serving long sentences to petition for release under certain circumstances.

Kate Chatfield, chief of staff in Boudins office, said prosecutors were reviewing Browns case in advance of the hearing. She said she did not believe Boudin or his office had a conflict of interest in the matter, since Boudin was elected by voters and not appointed by Breed.

Jeff Cretan, a spokesperson for Breed, said this past week that the mayor, along with family members, has continued to support her brother throughout his resentencing process, strictly in her personal capacity as his sister.

Cretan and Chatfield both said there had been no communication between the mayors office and prosecutors on this case. Browns attorney, Marc Zilversmit, said the timing of the hearing had nothing to do with the recall. He filed the initial motion for resentencing in early 2019, before Boudin took office; the case has been fought in the courts ever since.

Brown was incarcerated at Folsom State Prison before he was transferred to San Francisco County Jail on June 6 in preparation for the hearing.

His legal battle has been lengthy and complex. At Browns original trial, he was convicted under the felony murder rule, which allowed a person to be found responsible for murder for a death that occurred during the commission of a serious crime, such as a robbery, even if the death was not intended.

Following the trial, a judge vacated the murder conviction, finding errors by his then-attorney. Brown ultimately pleaded no contest to a lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter and was left with the 44-year term for his crimes, which included robbery and carjacking. One factor in his sentence was a previous robbery conviction that counted as a strike under Californias three strikes law for repeat offenders.

Zilversmit argues that Brown now qualifies for resentencing under a landmark 2019 California measure, SB1437, that restricted the reach of the states felony murder statute. California courts have ruled that a person convicted of manslaughter can qualify for relief as well.

Zilversmit said that even if his client pushed White from the car into a buffer lane on the bridge, that doesnt meet the standard of reckless indifference now required for murder under the revised definition.

In October 2021, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB775, which expressly allowed a person convicted of manslaughter to file a petition for resentencing. In January, the First District Court of Appeal ruled in favor of Brown, saying a judge must rule on his bid to be resentenced.

San Francisco prosecutors could offer a recommendation to a judge on whether the manslaughter conviction should be vacated. However, that alone might not reduce Browns prison time, because the manslaughter sentence was to be served concurrent  or overlapping  with the carjacking and robbery sentences.

Prosecutors could also ask for resentencing on those convictions. Chatfield said the District Attorneys Office considers several factors when making decisions on such recommendations.

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We carefully review someones record in custody, their re-entry plans, their prior criminal history, circumstances of the offense, the length of the sentence given and whether a similar sentence would be given today, she said. Then we make a determination whether to use our powers ... to ask the court to consider resentencing.

At the upcoming hearing, Zilversmit said, the judge could consider a slate of reform laws enacted in California that could benefit Brown, and impose a new sentence as short as 22 years  which would yield his release  and as long as 44 years.

Breed has often talked about her brothers incarceration when telling the story of her upbringing amid poverty in the Western Addition, making the point that, with enough support, people can be lifted up out of poverty.

In 2018, her advocacy drew scrutiny after she asked then-Gov. Jerry Brown to commute her brothers sentence. Brown did not grant clemency.

Breed had testified as an alibi witness at her brothers trial in 2005, saying she recalled him being at home on the night of the crime. In her letter to the governor, though, she acknowledged that her brothers decisions, his actions, led him to the place he finds himself now.

District Attorney George Gascon, who led the office from 2011 to 2019, declined to reopen the case. In 2019, when Gascon left the office to run for district attorney in Los Angeles, Breed appointed Suzy Loftus as interim district attorney. Loftus and her offices prosecutors said then that Breeds brother was not eligible for resentencing. Loftus was defeated by Boudin later that year.

Zilversmit noted at the time that Boudin would likely be much more sympathetic to his argument.

The attorney said this week that Browns connection to Breed, and public scrutiny of the case, hasnt helped him.

If he wasnt the mayors brother, and politics didnt enter into it, he said, it would be a much more straightforward case for resentencing or clemency.

Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy
The Napa County District Attorneys Office said it was flooded with more than 1,500 angry calls in the past 24 hours after several prominent right-wing media figures and news outlets spread an unfounded rumor that DUI charges against Paul Pelosi, the husband of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, had been dropped.

District Attorney Allison Haley said in a statement Thursday that no decision has been made on whether Pelosi will face criminal charges after he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence following a collision last month. But she added that he has agreed to appear in Napa County Superior Court on Aug. 3.

If charges are filed, Pelosi will be arraigned at that time, the statement said.

The case is currently under review to decide what, if any, charges will be filed against Mr. Pelosi, Haley said. This is standard protocol for any DUI case that is referred by a law enforcement agency in Napa County.

Among the voices fanning the false claims were Donald Trump Jr., the son of the former president, and Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert, who on Wednesday misleadingly tweeted, Paul Pelosis DUI charges have been dropped. Is anyone really surprised?

A representative for the Napa County district attorney said a majority of the people who called the office were acting on misinformation on the case.

There were inaccurate stories being spread on social media and traditional media, and she thought putting out this statement was best to clear the air, said Henry Wofford, public information officer for the Napa County Sheriff's Office, which is working with the district attorney on the case.

He said Pelosi would not receive preferential treatment because of his perceived political clout, and that Haley will treat him just like everyone else based on the facts of the incident.

There was a rumor floating around that Gov. Newsom has made contact with the D.A.s office, and thats completely inaccurate, Wofford said. That office has not contacted her office at all about this case.

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Pelosi, 82, was arrested after the car he was driving collided with another vehicle in Napa County on May 28, and booked into the Napa County Department of Corrections, according to jail records.

He could face misdemeanor charges, including driving under the influence and driving with a blood alcohol content level of 0.08% or higher, the police booking report said. He was cited and released the following day, not bailed out, as previous reports indicated.

Wofford said the sheriff's office has received countless requests for body camera footage, Pelosis blood alcohol level and mugshot, even though the California Highway Patrol responded to the incident. Napa County is the only county in California where the sheriffs office does not oversee the jail. It is operated by a jail administrator appointed by the Napa County Board of Supervisors.

A request to the CHP for Pelosis booking photos generated an auto-response that said, Booking photos, or mugshots, are generally exempt from disclosure as law enforcement investigatory records unless previously released to the public. The booking photos for the individual you identify have not been released to the public, and the individual is not currently in custody in Napa County jail.

Aidin Vaziri (he/him) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: avaziri@sfchronicle.com
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Dozens of nonprofits across San Francisco are asking Mayor London Breed and the citys public health department to reconsider their abrupt cancellation of funding that has helped thousands of low-income residents cope with COVID-19 during the pandemic.

Breeds $14 billion budget proposal for the fiscal year beginning July 1 eliminates $9.5 million in COVID assistance funding that flows to at least 25 nonprofits across the city, including the Mission Neighborhood Health Center, Excelsior Strong and the Rafiki Coalition for Health and Wellness. The money has been part of the citys much-publicized effort to provide an equitable response to COVID so that low-income residents, many of them people of color, could have similar access to testing, vaccination and COVID care as wealthier San Franciscans.

What were advocating for is a six-month extension that will provide the time necessary to create a transition plan, said Monique LeSarre, executive director of the Rafiki Coalition that tests hundreds of people a week for the coronavirus, vaccinates them, and provides food if they get the disease.

We didnt even have 30 days notice, said LeSarre, whose group created the 94124 COVID Project for people in the Bayview Hunters Point area. The agency expects to lose 11 staffers on July 1 as a result of the funding loss.

The nonprofits argue that, because the city is still experiencing high rates of COVID, they need time to seek alternative funding or help clients find care elsewhere. Thousands of people visit the sites to be tested, receive free tests or to get vaccinated and boosted. Many of the nonprofits also support clients who come down with COVID, often providing free food and other necessities.

On Thursday, the public health department told The Chronicle that it had identified $6 million from a related funding source for COVID services and that some nonprofits would be able to use it to continue providing support for a short period. How it will be distributed has not been decided, the department said.

LeSarre said she and other groups are not sure if the money will help them and are waiting for clarification.

Parisa Safarzadeh, Breeds press secretary, acknowledged with a heavy heart that the city wont be able to include the COVID relief funding for nonprofits in the new budget. She said the nonprofits have long known that their COVID efforts were supported by temporary funding from the state and federal government, and that it is completely vanishing.

This year, the citys public health department had $172 million to spend on its COVID response. But because most of that has gone away, she said, the mayors budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year is proposing $57 million. Going forward, the mayor will use that money to prioritize people with the highest risk for the most severe disease, Safarzadeh said.

Meanwhile, the public health department will also re-focus attention on health conditions that may have been sidelined during the pandemic, Safarzadeh said.

It goes beyond COVID now, she said, pointing to mental health, substance abuse, HIV prevention and maternal health among other areas that need greater focus.

LeSarre of the Rafiki Coalition, who has chaired the citys mental health working group and whose agency provides pop-up services for pregnancy and other health needs, said she agrees those needs should be met.

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But we are in a COVID surge currently, she said. We still have people dying, testing positive, still needing to quarantine in place. They still need to be tested and vaccinated.

She said vaccine approval for children under 5 is expected soon, and we wont be able to support that without funding  or an extension to give the nonprofits time to seek other funding or help clients find other services they can realistically use.

For many residents of the Bayview and other largely low-income communities of color, accessing a full range of medical care is difficult.

They wont go to a UCSF or Kaiser because they dont have the insurance, said Jon Henry, executive director of the nonprofit Both Sides of the Conversation that got $50,000 of the COVID grants through Rafiki to spread the word about where and when residents in the 94124 ZIP code could get vaccinated and tested.

Henry said he and other nonprofit representatives are asking ask the Board of Supervisors and the public health department to extend the funding.

The public can comment on the budget throughout June, and the supervisors can make changes until the end of the month, when they are required to approve a final spending plan.

Nanette Asimov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: nasimov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @NanetteAsimov
Joe and Fi run a small coffee shop on the first floor of our San Francisco Chronicle building at Fifth and Mission streets. For years, they have been as much a part of The Chronicle as any journalist, even letting regulars run a tab on their lunch purchases of panini and handmade Spam musubi. But since the pandemic began, almost all of the tab-running customers have been happier working from home than coming downtown, inadvertently damaging a beloved business.

As our city is imperiled by pandemic shock waves, growing homelessness, a persistent drug-addiction problem, a desperate housing shortage, concerns about crime and safety, and the fissures left from two recall votes, I worry about Joe and Fi, and about so many other hardworking people in San Francisco. If they cant survive, what will the city become?

Whats SFNext SFNext is a Chronicle special project to involve city residents in finding solutions to some of San Franciscos most pressing problems. Send feedback, ideas and suggestions to sfnext@SFChronicle.com Where to find more SFNext content

With those concerns in mind, today we are making public a Chronicle initiative called SFNext, a project aimed at finding solutions to historic problems that have grown even more acute since March 2020.

Throughout our 157-year history, The Chronicles news and opinion pages have reported on what we find to be broken in the city, with the expectation that shining a light on a problem can get it fixed. We will continue to do that. But I think all of us in the city can agree that its time for new thinking, for collaborative, creative and workable solutions driven by input from our diverse populace.

For the past several months, SFNext has brought together groups of city residents from all neighborhoods and walks of life. Together we have been exploring why one of the richest, most innovative cities in the world struggles to solve its most pressing issues.

What we have heard: People are frustrated. Many are angry. Among the most telling observations:

 The city lacks a way to solve its problems. There is no inclusive policy process by which stakeholders are gathered for deep thought that results in solutions.

 One persons solution to a problem in San Francisco is another persons reason the problem exists.

 Its like everyone is trying to hold on to their own turf and nothing gets done.

 And from an exhausted small-business owner: It is unbearable out here.

So whats next? Our plan is to hold more conversations in a series of public events throughout our city. These discussions and related findings  along with our own reporting, which begins today with an expansive look at San Franciscos troubled downtown  will appear on multiple platforms. SFNext will produce a new podcast series, create moderated social media channels and publish editorials and resident viewpoint columns, among other features.

We intend to seek out and assess good ideas that are being deployed in cities around the globe. A weekly email newsletter will provide updates and offer opportunities to get involved.

The idea of solutions journalism has been around for decades, much of it done to limited effect. We are taking a different approach. We will soon launch a major poll of city residents, in partnership with Stanford University Professor Jon Krosnick, one of the nations foremost polling experts, to ask for your views on whats happening in the city. Your responses will drive public discussions and inform our journalism.

Once we have identified a set of possible solutions to what you tell us are San Franciscos most urgent problems, we will poll again to see which of those solutions you support and report on those findings. Our hope is that when city leaders devise public policy changes, they will seriously consider the solutions you favor.

As we undertake this effort, we recognize that in our history, The Chronicle has been, at times, too close to those in power, and to those with racist or otherwise exclusionary policies. While we cannot rewrite the past, we can strive to make sure those mistakes are not repeated. This must be an inclusive process.

SFNext will focus first on San Francisco, but our hope is to expand its reach to other communities around the Bay Area. Many of the problems our city faces are also regional or statewide. It will require working in concert with both the state and the federal government to develop holistic solutions.

We understand this will not be easy. Most people we have spoken to so far believe the challenges the city faces will only get more difficult.

But there is still optimism. Despite our troubles, this remains one of the most desirable places in the world to live. We have an incredibly smart and wonderfully diverse population, a powerful philanthropic community, smart activist movements that were founded here, and some generous local companies, all determined to make things right.

SFNext presents us all with a challenge: Can we compromise on our individual preferences and think about whats best for the city as a whole? If we can, we may have a chance to do what San Francisco did when it was severely tested in 1906 and 1989. Only this time, the citys renaissance will have to be for everyone, not for a powerful few.

Joe and Fi, and the rest of our neighbors, need our help. Lets go.

For this project to work, we need you and we need your ideas. Were looking for solutions. Please email me at sfnext@sfchronicle.com and follow the project on Twitter @sfnext.
International travelers will no longer have to produce a negative COVID-19 test to get into the U.S., officials said Friday morning, a rule change celebrated by a lagging travel industry as well as countless stressed-out passengers dreading a last-minute scramble to get swabbed overseas.

The change will go into effect on Sunday, officials confirmed Friday.

Since October, travelers entering the U.S. have had to show a negative test result taken no more than one day before flying into the country, often at a cost of $50 or more. The requirement has been abandoned by many countries in recent months.

The testing reprieve is tremendous, said Joe DAlessandro, president and CEO of the San Francisco Travel Association.

Related: Why do some people never test positive for COVID, even after exposure and symptoms?

The policy change is expected to bring an additional 5.4 million international visitors to the U.S. and $9 billion more in travel spending, he said. This year, he expects more than 1.8 million international arrivals to San Francisco, up 124% from 2021.

Now travelers from other countries will be more confident in booking business trips and vacations to the U.S., he said in a statement, adding it will be a boon for the city and its businesses. This will benefit San Francisco, which has always been one of the most popular destinations for international travelers.

The CDC is expected to review its decision in 90 days and will reinstate the mandate if officials decide it is necessary.

The move comes almost two months after a federal judge struck down the federal mandate requiring masks on airplanes and other public transportation.

The travel industry has lobbied against the test requirement for months, saying that it was hurting the industrys recovery and discouraging people from visiting the U.S.

For U.S. travelers going abroad, the test requirement meant the possibility of getting stuck in another country just as theyre scheduled to return home. One Oakland couple forced to isolate with COVID in Berlin last month warned others to put their trips on hold.

Please wait, Lisa Scimens wrote in an email to The Chronicle at the time. The world will still be here once COVID is really under control.

Airlines, hotels and other tourism industries say many potential travelers have waited, fearing they could get stuck in quarantine overseas, unable to get back to work or family as planned.

According to the U.S. Travel Association, International arrivals to the U.S. are still far below pre-pandemic levels and are not projected to recover to 2019 levels until 2024.

Before the pandemic, travel was the second-largest U.S. industry export and generated a positive trade balance of $53 billion, U.S. Travel Association president and CEO Roger Dow said in a press release. Inbound travel is critical to reducing the overall trade deficit, but the pre-departure testing requirement remains an unnecessary hurdle to regaining visitors and competing for global tourism dollars.

Travel leaders were quick to celebrate the change on Friday. Scott Kirby, the CEO of United Airlines, which has a hub at SFO, thanked the administration for the move.

This is another important step, not just for air travel, but also for all the tourism jobs that international travel supports, he said in a statement.

Those in the local travel industry echoed hopes for a boost in Bay Area visitors. A spokesperson for Oakland International Airport said they welcomed the easier travel.

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Our number one priority at Oakland International Airport is to ensure the safe and secure use of our facility, they said in a statement. We hope that this decision will further stimulate demand for international travel both among the members of our community as well as international travelers that can now more easily visit the San Francisco Bay Area to conduct business, visit friends and family, and experience our world-famous tourist attractions.

Even Larry Levitt, the executive vice president of health policy at the Kaiser Family Foundation, welcomed the news  though he added a word of caution.

With no more COVID testing requirement for international flights into the U.S., I can check one thing off my list before flying from Paris back home on Monday, he wrote on Twitter. But, I do hope anyone on my flight with symptoms will delay or at least wear a mask.

Debra Jack, an Oakland resident who plans to travel to Portugal with her husband later this month, shared a similar sentiment, saying she hopes travelers continue to look out for each other and avoid flying if theyre sick.

She said she traveled to Mexico last fall, and found that testing before she came home was not inconvenient at all. And the possibility of getting stuck abroad, she said, is just part of the risk you take when you travel  though she noted that as someone who can easily work remotely, having a backup plan was easier for her than it may be for others.

I wouldnt have minded having to take a test to come back into the U.S. this time, she said, adding that she and her husband will likely take at least a rapid test before they leave and again before they come home from their trip to avoid accidentally spreading the virus.

I just hope people do the right thing and take personal responsibility, she said, or else none of us will be able to travel.

Danielle Echeverria is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: danielle.echeverria@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @DanielleEchev
Even the resurgence of COVID infections cant tamp down restaurant and cafe openings in the East Bay.

Last month saw several new places to eat on this side of the San Francisco Bay, from a beloved museum staples re-opening in Berkeley to a Walnut Creek spot serving traditional Sicilian pizza. East Asian restaurants seem to be the star this spring, with one cafe blending French and Korean cuisine into bistro offerings, and a popular international yogurt chain opening its first Bay Area outpost in the Tri-Valley.

Here are seven of the regions most intriguing openings from May. See Aprils East Bay opening roundup here.

Croffles land in Berkeley

Cafe Etoile, a Korean-meets-French eatery, has opened in Berkeley. The new restaurant takes the place of Cafe Nostos, which served Greek fare and coffee. At Cafe Etoile, dishes include both traditional French bistro and Korean cuisine such as croque monsieurs and gilgeori (cabbage and egg) toast, plus fun fusion sandwiches on croissants cooked in a waffle iron (croffles).

1930 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Berkeley

Janelle Bitker/The Chronicle

BAMPFA museum eatery returns in a new, larger space

Babette closed its doors at the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive in 2021, but the restaurant has finally reopened at 2033 San Pablo Ave. in the former Lanesplitter Pizza space. Back on the menu are Eastern European-influenced appetizers and entrees, ranging from Ukranian-style borscht to roasted chicken with Georgian plum sauce. The pizzas havent gone away either, with options such as olive oil pork shoulder or an herby mushroom pie. The space also serves coffee and pastries in the morning, with plans for brunch service on the horizon.

2033 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. https://www.babettecafe.com/

New digs for Oakland Asian fusion

Asian fusion spot Saucy Oakland has found a new home. Home to happy hours and a six-course chef's tasting menu, the restaurant left its former space on Telegraph Avenue in Oaklands Temescal neighborhood for slightly spacier digs, according to its website. There are also plans to build an outdoor patio, which will add about 10 more seats to the restaurant.

468 Eighth St., Oakland. https://www.saucyoakland.com

Courtesy Yojimbo Restaurant

Alameda adds another Japanese restaurant

Japanese restaurant Yojimbo has quietly opened a second location in Alameda called Yojimbo and Gallery. It took over the former site of restaurant American Oak, a much larger space just a few blocks from the original Yojimbo location on Park Street, which remains open. Sushi, ramen and bento boxes make up the bulk of the menu.

2319 Santa Clara Ave., Alameda. https://www.yojimboalameda.com/

Square pies hit Walnut Creek

Sicilian pizza meets the suburbs at City Square Pizzeria, which opened in May in downtown Walnut Creek. The pies are made in a traditional Sicilian American style, using dough that has been proofed for three days and baked in square pans. Options include the salsiccia, which includes fresh mozzarella, crimini mushrooms, local sausage and herbs, and a potato-Gruyere pie with rosemary. Despite the focus on pizza, there are plenty of other Italian American dishes on the menu, such as crispy polenta bits and sandwiches stuffed with mortadella, salami and prosciutto.

1360 Locust St., Walnut Creek. https://eatcitysquare.com/

International yogurt chain heads to Tri-Valley

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

Hey I am Yogost opened in Pleasanton, bringing this popular fresh yogurt drink chain to the Bay Area for the first time. The franchise, originally established in Shenzhen, China, in 2017, has more than 70 stores in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the U.S. Its creamy, tangy drinks are usually served with a layer of chewy purple rice at the bottom, though other toppings such as boba and berry powder are also available.

2725 Stoneridge Dr., Suite 107, Pleasanton. https://www.woshisuannaijun.com/

Courtesy Crumbl Cookies

Late-night sweets come to Dublin

National dessert chain Crumbl Cookies has set up shop in Dublins Fallon Gateway shopping plaza. Known for a weekly rotation of cookie flavors, the Utah company already operates a handful of locations throughout the Bay Area. This latest location in the Tri-Valley is open late on weekends, drawing customers who want to get their fill of midnight munchies.

3862 Fallon Road, Dublin. https://crumblcookies.com/cadublin

Gwendolyn Wu (she/her) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: gwendolyn.wu@sfchronicle.com
The recent decision by Alameda County Health Officer Dr. Nicholas Moss to re-implement the countrys only countywide indoor mask mandate is as baffling as it is worrisome.

The mandate, which took effect June 3, requires face coverings be worn in nearly all indoor public settings, including stores, restaurants, bars, theaters and summer school. But the policy is coming at a time when daily COVID case rates, hospitalization and deaths plateaued in Alameda County and are in fact now dropping from a peak of over 1,000 cases per day at times in May. Moreover, that spike in cases last month did not overwhelm our hospitals and intensive care units, demonstrating that contracting the virus is increasingly less likely to lead to hospitalizations.

The move to require masks has left some county officials, like District One Supervisor David Haubert, wondering what the rationale is behind the policy. As residents of Alameda County, we too are curious.

The mandate is a broad overreach by an unelected public health official and it does not bode well for the next school year, or for next winter, if we are already hitting the panic button heading into summer.

The Bay Area is a large metropolitan area, with many people commuting between counties on a daily basis. It is senseless for one county to enact a policy that no adjacent counties are adhering to. This absurdity is apparent to any of the thousands of Warriors fans traveling from Alameda County to San Franciscos Chase Center to watch games, which they are able to do indoors and maskless. Yet these same fans must don a mask for that quick stroll from the door of a restaurant to a table in Oakland or upon entering a grocery store in Hayward, but not in Berkeley (which has its own independent health department).

Several recent articles have shown that while high-quality masks can reduce transmission, mask mandates do not work at a large population level. Even Dr. Anthony Fauci has said that everyone will eventually encounter this virus. National public health leaders have now pivoted to a vaccination-focused message, understanding that we cannot control transmission, but only the severity of the disease.

The fact that children in Alameda County will now have to mask again for summer school and camp is frustrating for parents and incredibly unfair to students, as it is the third summer of masking in hot weather, despite childrens low risk of serious illness. Masking has worsened the isolation our kids have felt since the beginning of the pandemic and impacted language development, especially for English language learners and those struggling with speech challenges (the very populations most likely to seek out summer school).

Our kids only get one childhood, and yet anyone under 10 in Alameda County has had the majority of their elementary school years dominated by fear-mongering about this virus  having to learn reading and phonics first via computer screen, and then from a masked teacher, as well as socializing with masked friends and not being allowed to attend field trips or assemblies, with parents never having been allowed to set foot in their classrooms.

Contrast that with a child in Idaho, Kansas or Florida, who has reaped the benefits of a normal childhood for the past two years. How is that equitable?

After two hard years of social restrictions and after achieving a high vaccination rate in our county and region, enough is enough. A healthy high school student should not be living in fear of this virus, especially now that over 75% of kids have already been infected, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report. In fact, a vaccinated 60-year-old shouldnt be living in fear of this virus, either. High vaccination rates, high levels of natural immunity and changes in the virus itself now mean that the case fatality rate for COVID might end up lower than that of the flu for all ages  as a Financial Times analysis of data in England found.

We are a social species, relating to each other through facial expressions. Limiting our ability to interact with one another and perpetuating fear are extreme measures that should have robust, data-driven justifications. And yet there are no studies showing that mask mandates have protected Californians better than, say, Texans, particularly since the onset of omicron variant. The mental health of our children has reached a crisis state, and all efforts should be made to overcome the damage of the past two years, instead of mandating additional disruptions and limitations on their summer break.

The Alameda County Public Health Department needs to put an end to this indefinite indoor mask mandate. Furthermore, to prevent the implementation of future unsubstantiated health policies, Gov. Gavin Newsom can end the state of emergency that allows unelected public health officials to make decisions uninformed by data and without oversight.

In the meantime, we trust that Dr. Moss will claim that this latest mask mandate was a success  which will be easy to do since case rates were already dropping throughout the Bay Area on the day it was reinstated.

Dr. Jeanne Noble is an emergency physician and director of COVID response for the UCSF Emergency Department. Megan Bacigalupi is the co-founder and executive director of CA Parent Power, a statewide parent advocacy organization. Laura Chinnavaso is a parent advocate and a registered nurse in Alameda County.
The AIDS Memorial Quilt will return to Golden Gate Park on June 11-12, with the biggest display in San Francisco history. Cleve Jones joins Total SF hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight to talk about his first time visiting San Francisco, how the quilt started and why activism in LGBTQ communities is as important as ever.
The fight that gave rise to yet another California housing-related moniker  Yes in Gods Back Yard, or YIGBY  is back as a state senator revives a bill that would allow churches to build affordable housing on their parking lots.

Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, reintroduced a measure Thursday that would make it easier for religious groups to build housing by removing local zoning restrictions. The bill would apply to churches, synagogues, mosques and other faith organizations, as well as nonprofit colleges, that want to build apartments or condos on excess land they own.

Wiener carried a similar bill in 2020, but he shelved the measure after it hit a wall of opposition from construction-worker unions. Labor leaders argued the bill didnt offer enough job protections.

But Wiener, one of the most aggressive housing advocates at the Capitol, said the timing is right to revisit that fight. Legislators are debating several bills this year that seek to bridge an impasse between unions and developers over the extent to which new housing should be required to be built by union workers.

Wiener said the need for the bill, SB1336, remains crucial as California sinks deeper into a housing and affordability crisis, even as many religious organizations are sitting on unused land.

This bill has the potential to be a game-changer for affordable housing, he said. That (church-owned) land would effectively be earmarked for 100% affordable housing.

San Francisco and Alameda counties alone have 162 and 713 parcels of land, respectively, that are owned by faith-based organizations and could potentially be converted into housing, according to a 2020 analysis by the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at UC Berkeley.

For example, St. Pauls Presbyterian Church in the Outer Sunset neighborhood of San Francisco closed for worship in late 2019 after its regular congregation shrunk to just a handful of people. In recent years, the church has been discussed as a potential site to house low-income residents.

Abram Diaz, policy director of the Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California, which is sponsoring the bill, said there are potentially thousands of sites statewide where future housing could go up on church-owned lots.

Diaz said hes optimistic that the revived debate around labor protections could clear a path for Wieners measure this year. The effort previously faced fierce opposition from the powerful Building and Construction Trades Council of California, which targeted Wiener in his 2020 re-election campaign.

But some labor groups, such as the California Conference of Carpenters, have broken with the Trades Council to support a potential compromise. That has given housing advocates cause to be hopeful.

Theres been a bit of a break in the stalemate, Diaz said. I dont think we can afford to wait one more year for these bills to sit at the table. The affordable-housing crisis has only got more serious.

The Trades Council wants all bills that would streamline housing production to include a requirement that developers use a skilled and trained workforce, language from state labor law that requires a percentage of the workers on a project to be graduates of a state apprenticeship program.

Thats essentially a requirement to hire union workers because unions run nearly all of those apprenticeship programs. In other words, its a major jobs guarantee for construction unions.

But another high-profile housing bill at the state Capitol, AB2011 by Assembly Member Buffy Wicks, D-Oakland, aims to break the stalemate.

Her bill would not include the de facto requirement to use union labor. But it would offer workers other protections by requiring developers to pay prevailing wages for the area, offer health care on large projects with 50 or more units and create apprenticeship programs.

The Trades Council opposes the measure because it says job protections for skilled workers are necessary to ensure they can afford to live in the communities where housing is being built. Union leaders have also called the bill a giveaway to wealthy developers.

But Wicks and housing advocates say the unions demands hamstring construction when there already arent nearly enough skilled workers to build the amount of housing that California needs.

Dustin Gardiner (he/him) is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dustin.gardiner@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dustingardiner
The head of San Franciscos top police union stepped down this week amid scrutiny over his actions while on medical leave, possibly foretelling a shift in direction for the law enforcement labor group just as the city prepares to get a new district attorney.

Tony Montoya resigned Wednesday as president of the San Francisco Police Officers Association, according to an email he sent to the unions board of directors. He is succeeded by Tracy McCray, who had already been serving as acting president for several months.

Montoya could not be reached for comment. But The San Francisco Standard, which first reported his departure, wrote that he resigned because of concerns raised after he drove a union vehicle to his new home in Nevada in January and paid for gas with a union credit card. Montoya admitted he did so but said he had not violated any of the unions practices or policies, the Standard reported.

The leadership shake-up at the police union comes the same week San Francisco voters chose to recall progressive District Attorney Chesa Boudin, who clashed with police leadership and prosecuted several officers in use-of-force cases. Montoya first took over the union in 2018, vowing to be more diplomatic with City Hall, and was re-elected by just 86 votes in 2020.

His successor will steer the law enforcement union as the San Francisco Police Department begins working with a yet-to-be-named new district attorney appointed by Mayor London Breed, whose latest proposed budget seeks to boost police pay and recruit more officers.

Union spokesperson Dustin DeRollo declined to elaborate on the circumstances surrounding Montoyas exit from the leadership role, citing internal union business.

But in an email to the membership after Montoya stepped down, McCray said that while Montoya had been on leave, questions were raised about what activities Tony was allowed to do, as well as if he could do any of his presidential duties.

The Board had an opportunity to review and consider the issues regarding the various duties and actions taken by Tony during his time away, McCray said. The issues have been settled and no findings of impropriety have been found to have occurred.

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.

McCray said the union had also resolved any differences in the interpretation of what the bylaws allow the President to do while they are away from the POA.

As far as the issues that have arisen regarding the transition from Tony to myself, those have been resolved to the mutual benefit of the POA as a whole, McCray wrote. Tony will continue his service to the Police Department and we look forward to his full participation as an active member of the POA.

In his email to the union board, Montoya said he resigned knowing that the members are in the very capable hands of McCray and her team.

No matter which way the political winds blow, we still have the most noble profession in my humble opinion, Montoya told the union board.

J.D. Morris is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jd.morris@sfchronicle.com Twtiter: @thejdmorris
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San Franciscos Second Street used to see a flood of office commuters, saturating the sidewalks with jacket-clad bodies and business bags. Then the coronavirus hit, muting the streets activity as lockdowns forced people to work from home. More than two years after the South of Market corridor was hushed by the pandemic, its coming back to life, including at LinkedIns offices in a sleek, glassy tower at Howard Street.

The professional social network has been a witness to one of the largest shifts in work in history, spurred by the pandemic. With more than 830 million users, including 186 million in the U.S., the tech company has tracked location updates to individual profiles and determined that the Bay Area lost more tech workers than any other region, mirroring significant population declines.

That job churn has directly benefited LinkedIn, which saw record engagement in the most recent quarter and revenue growth of 34% from the previous year. That fueled its own growth: Around 40% of the companys 19,000 workers were hired during the pandemic.

LinkedIn has embraced geographic dispersion as well. The Sunnyvale company adopted a flexible work policy that lets employees work from home as often as they want. Around 10% of the company has gone fully remote, while the rest of its workers spend at least some time in the office.

One of the pandemic hires was Teuila Hanson, LinkedIns chief people officer, who said the flexibility is a key reason why people choose to join the company, according to surveys.

Felix Uribe/Special to The Chronicle

We trust all of our employees to make the decision of where it makes the most sense for them to do their work, what works best for them and their teams, Hanson said.

The company no longer has assigned desks, and workers are free to grab a chair in various collaborative spaces.

The company is also trying to draw workers back to the office through programs like Reconnect, a series of in-person and virtual events around monthly themes. Junes theme of connecting together includes a digital music festival, while later months will be focused on tactical work decision-making and the companys vision and mission, Hanson said.

LinkedIn operates independently from its owner, Microsoft, which requires manager approval for workers who are more than 50% remote. Other tech giants like Google and Apple have mandated three days per week in the office, though those plans have been repeatedly delayed as virus cases swelled.

Hanson said many workers are eager to see their colleagues in person, but at the same time they dont want paternal rules dictating how often theyre in the office. The company has an app that lets co-workers coordinate in-office days so they arent working alone.

I think people definitely are hungry for social interaction, hungry for experience, she said. A lot of experiences were taken away from all of us.

Theres also the famous tech perks: The San Francisco office at 222 Second St. includes free coffee bars, a corporate gym and a cafeteria that was bustling during lunchtime last week.

Felix Uribe/Special to The Chronicle

Workers chowed down on Hainanese chicken and curry while reuniting with coworkers. They included Chelsea Johnson, a senior user-experience researcher who used to live in the Bay Area. But after the murder of George Floyd, Johnson and her husband, a Minnesota native, moved there to support his family and the community. The move was going to be temporary, but with LinkedIns remote work policy, its become permanent. Johnson plans to visit occasionally, using 222 Second St.s amenities like interview rooms where she can talk to LinkedIn users.

Though the company has expanded headcount dramatically, Hanson said there has been plenty of room in San Francisco for the new workforce so far. LinkedIn leases all of the 450,000-square-foot 222 Second St., which had space for more than 2,000 workers under pre-pandemic space allocations. The company doesnt track how many days a week each employee comes in.

Hanson sees more people on average back in its office in Sunnyvale, and one factor could be that people are more comfortable driving in rather than relying on public transportation, she said.

I definitely see the parking lots full in Sunnyvale, Hanson said.

Felix Uribe/Special to The Chronicle

The company is also expanding to new areas. Two weeks ago, LinkedIn opened an office with around 50 workers in Atlanta, a rising tech hub with a fraction of the housing costs of major coastal cities.

The company is redesigning its onboarding program for new hires, looking at more ways to bring people to the office if they want to. An overwhelming number of interns at the company also wanted an in-person experience, and the company shifted to provide that, Hanson said.

Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes

Greg Snapper, senior director of corporate communications, manages a half-dozen people spread across the world, which means juggling meetings around time zones and varying schedules.

Snapper holds a 45-minute meeting once a week, with a dedicated portion to gauge how people are feeling and what challenges theyre facing and to share work tips. Once a quarter, he tries to organize an in-person meeting, often in the Bay Area.

Felix Uribe/Special to The Chronicle

A self-described extrovert, Snapper comes into the office about once a week.

I love the energy thats in the office, because I think when people are here, you can see the reconnects happen and thats like a spark between two people that havent seen each other in forever, he said. Thats why I love coming in; to get things done in person has a magic to it.

Hes also grateful for the flexibility to spend time at home with his husband or visit his mom in Michigan.

Though other tech firms are mandating an office return, Hanson said there has been no visible downside to embracing permanent remote and flex work, and there are no plans to require workers to come back.

We have no indication or data that we would need to do something like that, Hanson said. All of the anecdotal and survey data that we have, so far, suggests that our hybrid approach is working.

Roland Li is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: roland.li@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rolandlisf
People hold signs at a rally in the Castro held by the LGBTQ+ Asian Pacific Alliance to show support for Asian and Pacific Islanders communities in March 2021. Organizers succeeded in getting larger numbers of Asian voters to oust District Attorney Chesa Boudin and three school trustees from office in more recent elections.
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A sign at the Land's End parking lot warns people not to leave anything of value in their cars to avoid auto burglaries. San Franciscans recalled DA Chesa Boudin on Tuesday because they perceived his office was soft on crime, including often ignoring car thefts and break-ins.
UC Davis didn't finish its outdoor graduation commencement on Friday after multiple local agencies, including the fire department, urged the university to stop the ceremony. Some 12,500 students and families were baking in scorching heat without easy access to shade, officials said.

Students on Twitter reported that people with heat-related illnesses were taken away in ambulances at Health Stadium and the university said 34 calls were made for medical-related service and five people were transported to area hospitals during the commencement. (The UC Davis Fire Department didn't immediately respond to a request to confirm how many of those calls were heat related.)

"To see how @ucdavis handled todays graduation is bulls---" wrote @tanyacasas_. "Watching people getting taken by ambulance left and right while others leave bc they are on the verge of passing out from heat stroke. This Is a joke."

The event, the first of three undergraduate ceremonies, started at 8 a.m. to take advantage of cooler morning temperatures. After three hour,s many students had yet to walk across the stage and receive their diplomas. The university announced just after 11 a.m. it was stopping the ceremony based on health and public safety concerns due to heat.

Ashley Hicks, a student who attended the ceremony, said she was confused by the university's planning. "It was allotted to between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. and the procession of students entering into their seats didn't end until 9:30 a.m. An hour and a half of the time was taken up by the procession."

She added: "I know campus has tried to make up for the past few years, so I'm a little confused that this was handled in the way it was because I know they said this was a priority."

The heat was no surprise as earlier this week the National Weather Service began warning of dangerously high temperatures on Friday. "We are expecting temperatures in the Davis area up to 105 today, potentially 106," Sierra Littlefield, a meteorologist with the weather service's Sacramento office, told SFGATE at noon Friday. "Excessive heat warning is in effect that covers the Davis area."

Littlefield explained that an excessive heat warning means anyone can be impacted by the heat by staying outdoors for an extended period of time. "Anytime there is heat like this, we're advising people to avoid staying outdoors for extended periods of time during the hottest periods of the day."

By noon on Friday some gauges on the UC Davis campus were reporting temperatures up to 94 degrees, with the mercury rising, Littlefield said.

Many parents and family members expressed their concern on social media. "As a concerned parent, few weeks ago tweeted about bad choice having an outdoor event in CA heat," @4katluvrs said in a tweet. "This should have been an indoor event like the past years. Split it into am & pm events."

"The @ucdavis graduation today was an experience," @cchavisd12 said. "I flew cross country to see my sister in law graduate and she didnt walk. Im not sure who decided that an outdoor graduation in June was a good idea here"

"UC Davis cancelled our graduation!! We were not allowed to walk the stage and told us to go home!!" @JoonKookStyless wrote. "Over 2k students could not walk the stage. This was poor planning from the school and we demand a proper explanation from the school board!!"

This year marked the first time UC Davis consolidated what used to be seven undergraduate ceremonies, held at University Credit Union Center, into three and moving them to the larger Health Stadium. "The plan was announced in 2019 before the pandemic altered graduation plans in 2020 and 2021," the university said in a press release.

Students SFGATE spoke to said there was no shade. They said the university ran of water and students and families weren't allowed to bring in their own drinks.

The university said in an email to SFGATE that it provided fans and misters, cooling stations and cooling buses. Participants were also offered the ability to view the ceremony on a live stream at the University Credit Union.

"We deeply regret that some students did not get a chance to walk across the stage," the university said in a statement posted online. "Chancellor Gary S. May and Provost Mary Croughan invite any of those students who did not get to walk to return with their families for a separate ceremony this Sunday. We appreciate your understanding and know this has been frustrating."

This is a developing story and details will be added as they become available.
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.

Grant Hindsley/NYT

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.

AARON WOJACK/NYT

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.
On an unseasonably hot day Saturday in late May, I found myself speed-walking down a steep hiking trail in Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area, otherwise known as the gateway to tall trees country. Little did I realize, this trail led to one of Californias best swimming holes.

I had been in this area  about 180 miles north of San Francisco and two miles north of Leggett  about a dozen times. Across Highway 101 from the park is The Peg House, my go-to stop for BBQ oysters, burgers, cold drinks and friendly conversation.

While I had a vague idea that there was a swimmable section of the Eel River around here, I had never made the time to find it  until now.

Ashley Harrell

My partner Steve was with me, and he had visited the swimming hole once over a decade ago. He had mostly forgotten where the place was, so we had asked a gentleman working at The Peg House for directions. He told us where to go for free parking, but after driving around in confusion for ten minutes, we decided to just drive in through the park entrance across the street.

We paid the $8 day-use fee, parked in one of three campgrounds, and hiked about a half-mile down a steep slope. Hurrying along the trail, I caught the sweet aroma of the wildflowers sprouting on its flanks, the pinks, purples and reds splashed across the landscape. As the trail leveled out, we approached a wide toasty sandbar that gave way to piles of fist-sized rocks.

Ashley Harrell

Finally, we saw it, just beyond the rocks: a translucent emerald swimming hole about the size of a ferris wheel, only squished into an oval and turned on its side. And no one was there.

To find this deep, slow-moving stretch of the South Fork of the Eel River unoccupied on a warm weekend felt like striking gold. With its clandestine location behind slabs of granite and towering redwoods, this was the best kind of California dream  no bathing suit required.

I cant believe Ive never been here! I said, feeling in my bones that it was the perfect swimming hole. Actually, I cant believe youve never taken me here before.

Steve shrugged. He had visited nearly 10 years ago during a music festival, and his memory of the place was limited, he admitted. The history of the swimming hole goes back much longer, of course.

Ashley Harrell

The Sinkyone people roamed this land for centuries, likely taking the occasional dip, and overnight campers have been swimming here since 1922, when a lumber pioneer donated 40 acres for a campground in honor of his son, Edward Ritter Hickey. As the Spanish flu swept through in 1918, Hickey created a homemade doctor kit and carried it door-to-door, caring for the ill, until he contracted the disease himself. He died at age 26. In the 50s, the Standish family added 500 more acres to the park. The Save the Redwoods League has since expanded it to more than 1,000.

Over the years, countless road-trippers and overnight campers have skinny-dipped in this water. It was particularly popular, Steve told me, with concertgoers of Hickey Fest, the three-day psychedelic music festival he attended over the summer solstice in 2013. The yearly festival drew a few hundred musicians and fans from the Bay Area, many of whom retreated to the swimming hole all sweaty and boozed up after performances. The daredevil ones climbed the granite and cliff-jumped from as high up as 40 feet, Steve said.

Ashley Harrell

Now it was our turn to enjoy the pool. But just as we started to disrobe, a father and his young son wandered down the path. At first it seemed they might only be there to look, and we waited quietly. But then they took their shoes and shirts off, dove in and swam the entire length of the pool. They were definitely going to stay all day, and we had lost our chance to get naked.

Of course, we had brought bathing suits along just in case, and we hid behind some granite to put them on. The sun was strong overhead, and the area offers almost no shade. So when we finally leapt into the frigid green water, it was an absolute shock to the system. I swam around for three invigorating minutes, diving down and splashing dramatically to maximize refreshment. Then I clambered out and draped myself over a flat, hot rock to bake.

The combo of an icy swim and a sun-warmed nap tends to leave a person utterly satisfied  and also incredibly lazy. Time seemed to slow down and sweat began to drip into my eyes.

Ashley Harrell

When the sun was no longer bearable, we gathered our things, climbed back up the steep trail and drove back over to The Peg House for lunch.

That day, the iced tea and BBQ oysters tasted better than ever before. And I will never again drive through this area without a dip in Californias dreamiest swimming hole.
Xi Focus-Quotable Quotes: Xi Jinping on conservation of China's "mother river" Yangtze

Xinhua) 15:10, June 10, 2022

BEIJING, June 10 (Xinhua) -- In his latest inspection visit to southwest China's Sichuan Province this week, President Xi Jinping visited Yibin, where the Jinsha and Minjiang rivers converge into the Yangtze River.

He noted that sound ecological conservation along the Yangtze River basin is the precondition for advancing high-quality development in the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attaches great importance to the ecological protection of the 6,300-km-long Yangtze, China's longest river. Over the past few years, he has undertaken multiple inspection tours along the Yangtze.

He has also convened several symposiums to advance the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, which covers nine provinces and two municipalities and accounts for more than 40 percent of the country's population and economic aggregate.

The following are some highlights of his quotes:

-- The Yellow River and the Yangtze River are the mother rivers of the Chinese nation. The protection of the mother rivers is a crucial project concerning the great rejuvenation and sustainable development of the Chinese nation.

-- The cost of the fishing ban in the Yangtze River is not small, but it is worthwhile to protect the ecology of the whole basin.

-- The Yangtze River boasts a unique ecological system. Restoring its ecological environment will be an overwhelming task and no large-scale development will be allowed along the river at present and for a rather long period to come.

-- Promoting the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt is a major strategy concerning overall national development.

-- Efforts should be made to blaze a new trail of green development that gives priority to ecology, so as to provide powerful support for the high-quality and sustainable development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

(Web editor: Peng Yukai, Hongyu)
Austin area pets have been taking over social media lately, with some being reunited with owners or simply gaining internet fame for being a good pupper.

One little birdie, Lemongrab, a beautiful cockatoo with a distinguishable yellow crest, was reunited with its owner recently.

Gallery of Pets store owner Kelsey Fernandez said someone walked out with the $6,000 bird on a Sunday while she was taking the trash out, but said there was video footage of the incident, according to local news. Lemon Grab is a support animal, and Fernandez told local media there was a $1,000 reward for the cockatoo.

Someone alerted the owner about the birds location the next day, and after meeting up the bird was returned safe and sound to Fernandez.

Abroad, an Austin-adopted dog became the first dog to walk across the world after recently completing a seven-year journey across 38 countries. Tom Turcich from New Jersey decided to trek around the globe in a 28,000 mile walk, but he realized he needed a walking buddy.

He traveled through Austin where he met Savannah from Austin Pets Alive!, who stayed with him through thick and thin for seven years. Toms Instagram, @theworldwalk, cataloged their adventure as some 90,000 followers tagged along.

Fans didnt just follow them on social media either. The two were joined in New Jersey by followers who walked alongside them for the last leg of their journey. As for the next step, Tom in an Instagram post says, Its been an honor sharing my dream with you all. Next is the book

Amidst graduation season, a friendly feline graduated from the University of Texas at Austin after attending every zoom call with its owner, Francesca Bourdier. The orange cat, Suki, adorned a matching cap and gown.

Her Instagram post with Suki in their gowns gained over a thousand likes and the news story was spread across Twitter, with many congratulating the two.

Due to the pandemic, many students like her had to experience their classes virtually, but luckily she had her furry friend to keep her company.
It wasnt so long ago that Oakland-born chef Aminah Robinson-Briscoe, better known as Chef Mimi, had a vision for an event that would not only celebrate Black culture, food and entertainment, but would also include networking opportunities for members of Black and Indigenous communities to go into business for themselves.

Her successful catering company has allowed her to cook meals for the likes of Bay Area tech giants such as Facebook, Google and Slack, to name a few, and she decided to use her ongoing momentum to create the Black Food & Wine Experience.

This multi-day event first launched in 2016 and has since grown to include a summit that features industry experts such as Ingrid Best, known for heading Diddys Ciroc vodka campaign, plus a range of food purveyors and wine and spirit makers, who span the African diaspora. Attendees of this years event, scheduled for June 11 through June 19, will be able to listen to panel discussions, sample bites and sips from a variety of local Black-led companies, and most of all, celebrate Black culture.

Courtesy of the Black Food & Wine Experience

Ingrid Best just created her own wine, and shell be talking about the process of how to become a winemaker, Robinson-Briscoe said. Shes a brand ambassador for her own brand, but shes also worked for tons of spirit and wine brands and has a really unique position in marketing.

This year, the Black Food & Wine Experience also honors Juneteenth, a federal holiday that commemorates the end of chattel slavery in the U.S., and the reemergence of Black Wall Street, focusing on post-pandemic strategies for hospitality professionals.

We want people to understand that this event is really about building community. We can't have these conversations without having everybody buy in and be a part of it, Robinson-Briscoe told SFGATE. We want to make sure that people understand that this event is for you. It's for everyone. And it's all about celebrating Black culture.

Courtesy of the Black Food & Wine Experience

New experiences this year include the Black Food & Beverage Summit, hosting Planet FWD founder and CEO Julia Collins, who is also the founder of Moonshot crackers; Sheila Hackbarth of Moet Hennessy USA; Jana Pastena of Oaklands Chop Bar and Calavera restaurants, and more.

Theres also the Black & Asian Solidarity Dinner, featuring "Top Chef" contestants and well-known Bay Area chefs Nelson German and Tu David Phu, which kicks off the festivities starting with a seven-course meal on Saturday, June 11. While tickets for this weekends solidarity event are sold out, there are plenty of opportunities to soak up industry secrets and delicious food during the Food & Beverage Industry Summit on June 16, and the Grand Tasting on June 18.

This is the first year that we've had four different events, as well as hosting our Instagram Live [streams], Robinson-Briscoe said. There'll be people telling their stories around some of the pitfalls, pain points and successes that they've had in the industry, as well as networking opportunities for people to meet and greet with each other.

Courtesy of the Black Food & Wine Experience

Additional resources such as ESO Ventures and the Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce will also be present. Its an all-encompassing affair that looks at the food industry as a whole, from chefs who own their own restaurants to wine distributors and even food bloggers who found their niche using social media.

In February 2020, Robinson-Briscoe said the event saw 1,000 attendees. This year, she expects up to 500 guests, keeping safe distances in mind for all involved. One of those past attendees is Alicia Kidd, founder of Wine Noire, a wine distributor representing Black- and women-owned companies. She has plans to open her retail shop, CoCo Noir Wine Shop & Bar, this summer in downtown Oakland.

Courtesy of the Black Food & Wine Experience

In 2018, Kidd attended her first Black Food & Wine Experience, and began her own entrepreneurial journey shortly after.

When I tell you, not only do you learn about culture, it creates economic opportunities, she said. Its educational, its fun, and you get to have food and good wine and meet people. So its not pretentious, you can come in as you are, its creating opportunities for networking because we're the core of the hospitality community.

As she witnessed the Black Food & Wine Experience evolve throughout the years, Robinson-Briscoe said shed ultimately like to see the event hit other cities across the country but is always inviting people to where it all began: Oakland.

At this event, we have so many different types of foods that represent the diaspora, as well as nontraditional California cuisine and soul food or fusion, Robinson-Briscoe said. I want people to be able to explore their culinary expressions. I think that Oakland is an amazing city. It's on the food front, and it's food forward. There's a lot of building and opportunities here.

The Black Food & Wine Experience is Saturday, June 11, through Sunday, June 19, in downtown Oakland at various locations. For full program details and ticket information visit Chef Mimi's website.
Months after family members stopped hearing from Tina Gail Linn Clouse and Harold Dean Clouse Jr. in late 1980, a German shepherd discovered a decomposed arm in eastern Harris County, Texas, and brought it home.

A subsequent search of the Houston-area property where the arm was found turned up the bodies of a young couple, the Houston Chronicle reported. It appeared that the man had been beaten to death and that the woman had been strangled.

For decades, the bodies went unidentified, until last year when DNA analysis identified the remains as those of the young Clouse couple. What puzzled their family members after the discovery, however, were the whereabouts of the couple's infant, Holly, who had gone missing with Tina and Harold in 1980.

On Thursday, the Texas Attorney General's Office announced that Holly, now 42 and a married mother of five, has been found living in Oklahoma, the Chronicle reported. She was adopted after being left at a church by two members of a nomadic religious group, officials said. Her adoptive parents are not suspected of any wrongdoing, according to investigators.

Officials with the Texas Attorney General's Office notified Holly of her familial connection to the Clouses on Tuesday, the Chronicle reported.

"Finding Holly is a birthday present from heaven since we found her on Junior's birthday," Harold's mother, Donna Casasanta, said in a statement, using a nickname for her son. "I prayed for more than 40 years for answers and the Lord has revealed some of it . . . we have found Holly."

An investigation into Holly's parents' deaths is ongoing, officials said at a news conference Thursday.

The case highlights the high number of unsolved killings in the United States, First Assistant Attorney General Brent Webster told reporters Thursday. He said 270,000 murder cases have gone unsolved nationwide, including 20,000 cases in Texas. The Washington Post reported in 2018 that out of nearly 55,000 homicides committed across the country in a decade, only half resulted in an arrest.

In recent years, however, some cold cases have been cracked using a technique called genetic genealogy, which uses DNA and complex family trees to identify suspects and victims. Last week, Florida detectives said they used the technique to identify the skeletal remains of a woman they believe was killed decades ago by a notoriously brutal serial killer. And it was genetic genealogy that helped Texas investigators identify the bodies of the Clouses more than 40 years after their remains were found.

Tina and Harold met in New Smyrna Beach, Fla., fell in love and had Holly before borrowing Harold's mother's sedan and moving to Lewisville, outside Dallas, in 1980, the Chronicle reported. They kept up communication for a time, but that October, Casasanta stopped hearing from the couple, she told the paper.

A few months later, members of Tina and Harold's family received a call from a woman in Los Angeles identifying herself as "Sister Susan," Webster said Thursday. Sister Susan said that Tina and Harold had joined their religious group, were giving up their possessions and wanted to cut off contact with their families. Sister Susan added that she had the couple's car and would return it to Florida in exchange for money, Webster said.

The Chronicle reported that it was Casasanta whom Sister Susan contacted and that she agreed to meet the mysterious woman at the racetrack in Daytona Beach, Fla., late at night. According to Webster, police were notified before the meeting.

At the racetrack, Casasanta met three women dressed in robes who had her burgundy 1978 AMC Concord, the car she had loaned to her son. Officers took Sister Susan into custody that night, Webster said, though investigators said they could not locate a police report regarding the arrest.

Casasanta never heard from her son again. Harold and Tina were likely killed between December 1980 and January 1981, Webster said, not long before their bodies were discovered in the Houston area.

Like the women at the speedway, Webster said the women who left Holly at the church in Arizona also wore robes. They were barefoot and identified themselves as members of a "nomadic religious group" that believed in "the separation of male and female members," as well as a vegetarian lifestyle.

Webster added that investigators believe the group roamed around southwestern states, including Arizona, California and possibly Texas. The group was spotted in Yuma, Ariz., in the early 1980s, Webster said, noting the female members would sometimes be seen around town asking for food.

Holly's path from the Arizona church to her adoptive family is unclear, and officials did not identify the family who raised her. After learning the identities of her birth parents, Holly is contact with members of her biological family, officials said.

"It was so exciting to see Holly. I was so happy to meet her for the first time," Holly's aunt, Cheryl Clouse, said in a statement. "It is such a blessing to be reassured that she is alright and has had a good life."
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  A California appeals court ruled that Southwest Airlines is immune from liability in the 2014 death of a passenger whose medical crisis in an airplane lavatory was mistakenly thought by the crew to be a security threat.

The ruling Wednesday affirmed the decision of a trial court judge who limited the evidence heard by a jury in a lawsuit brought by the passenger's family.

The ruling by a three-judge panel of the 1st Appellate District was first reported by the Bay Area News Group.

The lawsuit against Southwest and the flight crew claimed that Rich Ilczyszyn, 46, of Newport Beach died because the crew failed to help him.

Ilczyszyn, a prominent financial trader, suffered a massive pulmonary embolism during the last 10 minutes of a California flight from Oakland to Orange County on Sept. 19, 2014, while he was locked in the lavatory.

According to trial records, flight attendants heard sounds like grunting, growling (and) crying but Ilczyszyn did not comply with requests to open the door and the crew could not push the door in because his foot was pressed against it.

The crew declared a lockdown and requested that law enforcement officers meet the plane upon landing. The other passengers were let off the plane before sheriff's deputies broke into the lavatory and found Ilczyszyn without a pulse.

He was resuscitated but had suffered brain damage and died in a hospital the next day. An autopsy report said the cause of death was pulmonary thromboembolism due to deep venous thrombosis  blood clots.

The judge ruled before trial of the lawsuit that under laws including the Aviation and Transportation Security Act the airline was immune from liability for any act or omission after the crew decided the incident was a security threat.

But the court allowed the case to proceed on actions in the initial period of time in which the flight attendants discovered Ilczyszyn was in the lavatory and tried to assess his situation.

The trial included medical testimony on whether the pulmonary embolism was survivable.

The jury found that Southwest was negligent but that the negligence was not a substantial factor in causing Ilczyszyns death, and a judgment in favor of Southwest was filed on Aug. 26, 2019.

The plaintiffs appealed on grounds that the trial court erred in applying the immunity law, limiting their case.

The appeals court ruled that the immunity was properly applied. It also noted in its 55-page decision that the jury's conclusion was "supported by substantial evidence based on the expert medical testimony during the trial.
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LONDON (AP)  When British Prime Minister Boris Johnson survived a no-confidence vote this week, at least one other world leader shared his relief.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said it was great news that we have not lost a very important ally.

It was a welcome boost for a British leader who divides his country, and his party, but has won wide praise as an ally of Ukraine.

Johnsons relatively narrow victory in Mondays Conservative Party vote  which left him in power but in danger of further rebellions  has implications beyond Britain's shores.

Its quite hard to address whatever international challenges we face while you are battling your own political party, said David Lawrence, a research fellow at international affairs think-tank Chatham House.

Johnson has many opponents in London and at European Union headquarters in Brussels, but he gets a warmer reception in Kyiv. His staunch backing for Ukraine's fight against Russian invasion, backed by some 3 billion pounds ($3.8 billion) in U.K. military and humanitarian aid, has won him many fans. A bakery in Ukraines capital has even created a sweet treat named the Boris Johnson: a puff pastry cake topped with meringue and ice cream, vaguely reminiscent of the British leaders blond mop.

Lawrence says Johnsons rapport with Zelenskyy  both quite big personalities  has been an asset for both leaders. But experts say Johnsons weakness is unlikely to have a serious impact on Britains backing for Ukraine.

Support for military aid to Kyiv and tough sanctions on Moscow is strong among both Britains governing Conservatives and the left-of-center Labour Party opposition.

I think any British government would have done the same, Lawrence said.

Johnsons woes have more immediate repercussions for Britains relations with the EU. He won election in 2019 on a promise to get Brexit done and has since feuded with the bloc over trade rules for Northern Ireland, the only part of the U.K. that shares a border with an EU member.

A dispute over customs checks on goods entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the U.K. has sparked a political crisis in Belfast that is destabilizing the delicate balance between Irish nationalist and British unionist communities that maintains Northern Irelands peace.

Britain and the EU each accuse the other of refusing to compromise. Now Johnson says he will act unilaterally  and, critics say, illegally  by passing a law to rip up part of the binding treaty he signed with the bloc.

The no-confidence vote has delayed that bill, which had been expected this week. Experts say the vote has reduced Johnsons room to maneuver, because he cant afford to anger either Brexit hard-liners or more pro-EU lawmakers in his party. It has also made the EU less willing to compromise, increasing the chances of a trade war between Britain and the bloc.

The European Union increasingly thinks that Boris Johnson is too weak to be worth making concessions to, said Anand Menon, director of the U.K. in a Changing Europe think-tank. (Theres) a sense on the EU side of Why the hell would we make concessions now, because this guy might not be in charge for very long?

Brexit is central to Johnsons foreign policy. He has long argued that leaving the EU gives the U.K. the chance to become a Global Britain, striking new trade deals and alliances around the world.

He has given U.K. foreign policy an Indo-Pacific tilt that seeks to strengthen economic, diplomatic and military ties with countries including India and Japan to counter the growing assertiveness of China. At the same time, however, his government has cut foreign aid and proposed shrinking the diplomatic service  moves Lawrence says are completely contradictory to Global Britain.

The no-confidence vote in Johnson was spurred by lockdown-breaching parties in government buildings during the COVID-19 pandemic, attended by Johnsons staff and in some cases the prime minister himself. The revelation that government officials partied while millions of Britons were barred from socializing with friends or even visiting dying family members caused anger in the country. It also crystallized some Conservatives concerns about a leader who often behaves as if rules dont apply to him.

Under party rules, Johnson cant face another challenge for a year. But 41% of Conservative lawmakers voted to remove him, and few believe he is safe in his job.

If Johnson is ousted, or quits, the party will elect a new leader, who will also become prime minister. Several potential contenders have strong track records on foreign affairs and might tweak the focus of U.K. international policy. Current Foreign Secretary Liz Truss champions a network of liberty involving capitalist democracies. Ex-Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has spoken of a values based foreign policy. Lawmaker Tom Tugendhat heads the House of Commons influential foreign affairs committee and is hawkish on China.

Mujtaba Rahman, managing director for Europe at political consultancy the Eurasia Group, says that fixing the U.K.s broken relationship with Europe remains the key challenge, not least to help patch up a trans-Atlantic relationship strained by Brexit. President Joe Biden, who is strongly attached to his Irish roots, has expressed concern that Britains actions over EU trade could undermine peace in Northern Ireland.

A lot hangs on the relationship with Europe, Rahman said. If you recalibrate the relationship with the EU, that will obviously facilitate the relationship with the Biden administration.

The obstacle to that, he believes, is Boris Johnson.

I think its a structural issue with this government and Johnson, he said. I cant see the conditions for improvement until he is replaced.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  Britney Spears has married her longtime partner Sam Asghari at a Southern California ceremony that came months after the pop superstar won her freedom from a court conservatorship.

Asghari's representative Brandon Cohen confirmed the couple's nuptials. He said: I am very ecstatic this day has come, and they are married. I know he wanted this for so long. He is so caring and supportive every step of the way.

The wedding happened nine months after the pair were engaged and nearly seven months after Spears' conservatorship ended. While seeking an end to the court case that controlled many aspects of her life, Spears expressed her desire to marry Asghari and have children.

Spears got pregnant earlier this year, but experienced a miscarriage in March.

The couple met on the set of the Slumber Party music video in 2016.

The wedding day was not without unexpected drama  Spears' first husband was arrested after attempting to crash their wedding.

Ventura County Sheriffs Capt. Cameron Henderson said officers responded to a trespassing call after 2 p.m. Thursday. He says the pop singers first husband, Jason Alexander, was detained at the site of the ceremony.

Henderson says Alexander was arrested after officers noticed he had a warrant for his arrest in another county.

Alexander went on his Instagram live when he approached the event security. In what appeared to be a mostly empty but decorated room, he told them Spears invited him.

Shes my first wife, my only wife, said Alexander, who was briefly married to Spears  his childhood friend  in 2004. Their marriage lasted only 55 hours.

Spears was previously married to Kevin Federline, with whom she shares two sons, ages 14 and 15.

___

AP Entertainment Writer Ryan Pearson contributed to this report.

___

This story corrects that Britney Spears and Jason Alexander married in 2004, not 2014.
LAS VEGAS (AP)  A veteran Las Vegas police detective was the motorist killed when a steel crossbar marking low clearance at a freeway construction project collapsed atop his vehicle, the department announced Friday.

Justin Terry, 45, was on duty in an unmarked Las Vegas police car when he died in what the department termed a tragic accident on U.S. 95 near the 215 Beltway interchange in northwest Las Vegas.
PRAGUE (AP)  A record amount of cocaine was seized in a shipment for supermarkets in the Czech Republic, police said Friday.

They said 840 kilograms (1,852 pounds) of cocaine were discovered in cardboard boxes with bananas by employees in supermarkets in northern towns of Jicin and Rychnov nad Kneznou. Officers are now searching other stores in the country where banana boxes from the same shipment abroad were delivered.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP)  A homeless man has been found competent to stand trial in the stabbing of a Florida teenager who went missing while riding his bike.

Lawyers for Semmie Williams, 39, had argued  over his objections  that he should be found incompetent and sent to a forensic mental health facility for further evaluation, the Palm Beach Post reported.

Ryan Rogers, 14, was killed in November after leaving home to go on an evening bicycle ride, prosecutors said. His body was later found near an Interstate 95 overpass.

Palm Beach County Circuit Court Judge Charles Burton sided with two court-appointed psychologists who deemed Williams able to understand the charges and participate in his defense. They completed separate evaluations of Williams in March.

It is evident to the Court that the Defendant has a strategic disagreement with his attorneys over how to present the case to the jury, the judge wrote. That, in and of itself, does not make him incompetent to proceed.

Burton, who handles cases in the court's mental health division, referred the case back to the trial division for a June 21 hearing.

Prosecutors have indicated they'll seek the death penalty.

The ruling doesn't prevent a future court finding that Williams is incompetent.

His mental health has been in question ever since his arrest in December. His lawyers have said he has a long-standing and persistent mental illness, and had been diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Assistant Public Defender Scott Pribble acknowledged that Williams wants to be declared competent.

Were in this precarious situation where were kind of walking a tightrope between having information that we believe establishes that hes not competent to proceed and protecting confidences that Mr. Williams has disclosed to us and to experts that weve retained, Pribble told the judge.

Psychologist Gretchen Moy testified for the defense that while Williams has a factual understanding of the case, his delusional thoughts keep him from having a rational understanding.

She noted Williams believes he's the victim of a nationwide conspiracy that includes having electronic chips planted throughout his body, having holes poked in his face and being attacked by demons and other supernatural forces.

She testified that Williams, against the advice of his attorneys, expects to present a defense rooted in delusional beliefs rather than evidence.

The defense is essentially arguing that the defendant is so incompetent and yet so savvy that he knows who to talk to, what to say, and how to hide his mental issues from two experienced doctors who spent at least an hour with him, Assistant State Attorney Ettie Feistman wrote in her response.

Court records show that Williams spent two years in a Georgia hospital before he was found competent enough to take a plea deal in a separate case. He was homeless at the time of his arrest. In court on Tuesday, Williams told the judge he understood the information being presented by his attorneys.
MANISTEE  The Manistee Downtown Development Authority has a new "point person" who will operate between the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce, the DDA and various other local entities.

Marc Miller, the chamber's current director of economic development, is taking on that role.

The role of the point person for the DDA is to be the main point of communication for the chamber, the DDA and Manistee City Council. The DDA has a contract with the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce, for the point person position.

This allows for more stability in what was previously the DDA's executive director position and allows for more collaboration between the chamber of commerce and the DDA. In 2020, the DDA agreed to a contract-type position with the chamber, after a string of executive directors resigned.

It was announced during the DDA's regular meeting on Wednesday that Miller is replacing Kristina Bajtka, the former DDA point person, who left to take a new job.

Miller started working with the chamber in September 2019. He had served as the Outdoor Recreation Industry and Regional Initiatives deputy director for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources for nearly four years; worked for six years as the director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, and as a commissioner on the Great Lakes Commission.

In addition, Cassidy Jessup was hired to replace Batjka as the new marketing and communication specialist at the chamber. Cassidy went to West Shore Community College and Ferris State University, according to a statement from Bytwork.

"My goals include re-invigorating the online and social presence of the chamber while supporting events, press releases and so much more. Personal hobbies include hiking, kayaking, exploring new places and spending time with my pets. I value the relationships that can be built between people, both professionally and personally," Jessup wrote in an introduction on the chamber's Facebook page.

Her first day on the job was Monday.

Also at the meeting

Watch the meeting Find video or the Manistee Downtown Development Authority June meeting online with this article at manisteenews.com See More Collapse

Miller, at the meeting, spoke about the difficulty of attracting businesses to the downtown, particularly because of the condition of many older buildings.

Miller said that he, along with three DDA board members and five city council members toured the Jones dairy building, located at 451-453 River St. It is the oldest standing wood structure in downtown Manistee. The property is also considered to be a priority site for the Redevelopment Ready Community program, according to the chamber website.

He said that the experience was "eye-opening" for board members and council members as to the type of resources the average private person would need to bring those buildings up to code and also be used for commercial businesses.

Miller noted that many of the buildings are dilapidated and many were in a similar situation to 440 River St., which had to be completely gutted according to Ted Fricano, who is working on Fricano's Manistee River restaurant at that location.

"The point for us is to show that a public-private partnership is going to be needed with these investors and developers (for those buildings)," Miller said.
NEWBURYPORT, Mass. (AP)  A family fishing trip to a Massachusetts river ended in tragedy with a mother dead and her 6-year-old son missing, authorities said.

The family of six  a mother and father and their four children  were fishing from Deer Island in the Merrimack River when just after 7 p.m. Thursday, two of the children entered the water, Newburyport fire and police officials said in a statement.
BERLIN (AP)  A Roman Catholic priest in Germany was found dead a day after he was questioned and suspended as part of an investigation into abuse allegations, church officials said Friday.

The Diocese of Limburg said in a statement that the head of its seminary was found dead Thursday. It didn't provide details on his cause of death but said the priest, whom it didn't identify, had held roles of responsibility within the diocese for several years.
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PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP)  Serbia and Kosovo must recognize each other in order to join the European Union, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Friday said as he expressed support for quicker integration of the Western Balkans into the bloc amid the war in Ukraine.

Scholz, on a visit to the Western Balkans, also pressed Serbia to join Western sanctions against Russia despite its historic and current ties to Moscow, which supplies most of Serbia's energy needs.

It is important that we all together show solidarity and help Ukraine defend against the aggression, Scholz said during a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade. It is our expectation that these sanctions must be supported by all those who are candidates for EU membership."

Vucic said Scholz requested in a decisive, clear and strict" way that Serbia join the sanctions.

While Serbia is formally a candidate for EU membership, it has maintained friendly ties with its fellow Slavic ally Russia despite the war. Russia has backed Serbia's effort to retain claim on Kosovo, a former Serbian province that declared independence in 2008 with Western backing.

Earlier Friday in Kosovo's capital of Pristina, Scholz called for a clear commitment to reaching a lasting political solution to the long-standing dispute over Kosovos independence that has remained a source of tensions in the Balkans.

Scholz said Russias war in Ukraine made the regions stability even more important. Kosovo and Serbia have held normalization talks facilitated by the EU for years, but the talks have had little impact.

It is clear that an agreement must ultimately also clear up the question of the recognition of Kosovo, because it is not conceivable that two countries that dont recognize each other become members of the EU, Scholz said in Pristina.

Later in Belgrade, Scholz added that our view on the Kosovo question isnt new. Its been known for a long time."

But Vucic said Scholzs remarks on mutual recognition was the first time that we hear this was a condition for EU membership, and that Serbia must consider what to do next.

We have never heard from anyone in Europe that they are asking for mutual recognition, he said, adding defiantly that as much as you like (the territorial) integrity of Ukraine, that much we love Serbia's (territorial integrity).

Kosovo, a former province of Serbia, declared independence a decade after a brutal 1998-1999 war between separatist ethnic Albanian rebels and Serb forces. The war ended after a 78-day NATO air campaign that drove Serb troops out.

Most Western nations have recognized Kosovos sovereignty, but Serbia and its allies Russia and China do not.

The six Western Balkan countries are at different stages of their EU membership aspirations. Serbia and Montenegro have started full negotiations, while Albania and North Macedonia have faced delays in the EU launching their talks. Kosovo and Bosnia are in the early stages of the membership process.

Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti earlier said the country would apply for EU candidacy status, which Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia have done. Kurti described joining the EU as the only future.

Scholz next flew to Greece, where he attended a dinner following a meeting of southeastern European leaders hosted by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in the northern city of Thessaloniki. He was later due to travel to North Macedonia and Bulgaria.

Mitsotakis called for an active commitment from the EU that the Western Balkans' accession bids will be accelerated.

I ... propose 2033 as the target date for all the countries (of the Western Balkans) to enter the EU, he said. Its an ambitious target but I think it can be realistic if the idea of expansion returns to the unions core values.

In Tallinn, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer urged Friday that Western Balkan countries seeking EU membership should not be forgotten as Ukraine knocks at the EU door.

We must give these states the same chance as Ukraine. They need this just as urgently and have been waiting for decades in some cases, Nehammer said.

European leaders are expected to consider Ukraines bid for EU candidate status at the end of June.

-

Semini reported from Tirana, Albania; Geir Moulson in Berlin, Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen and Philip-Moritz Jenne in Vienna contributed. Jovana Gec contributed from Belgrade, Serbia, and Nicholas Paphitis from Athens, Greece.

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Follow AP's coverage of the Russia-Ukraine war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine

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Follow Llazar Semini at https://twitter.com/lsemini
Virginia "Ginni" Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, pressed 29 Republican state lawmakers in Arizona - 27 more than previously known - to set aside Joe Biden's popular vote victory and "choose" presidential electors, according to emails obtained by The Washington Post.

The Post reported last month that Thomas sent emails to two Arizona House members, in November and December 2020, urging them to help overturn Biden's win by selecting presidential electors - a responsibility that belongs to Arizona voters under state law. Thomas sent the messages using FreeRoots, an online platform intended to make it easy to send pre-written emails to multiple elected officials.

New documents show that Thomas indeed used the platform to reach many lawmakers simultaneously. On Nov. 9, she sent identical emails to 20 members of the Arizona House and seven Arizona state senators. That represents more than half of the Republican members of the state legislature at the time.

The message, just days after media organizations called the race for Biden in Arizona and nationwide, urged lawmakers to "stand strong in the face of political and media pressure" and claimed that the responsibility to choose electors was "yours and yours alone." They had "power to fight back against fraud" and "ensure that a clean slate of Electors is chosen," the email said.

Among the lawmakers who received the email was then-Rep. Anthony Kern, a Stop the Steal supporter who lost his reelection bid in November 2020 and then joined U.S. Rep. Louie Gohmert, R-Texas, and others as a plaintiff in a lawsuit against Vice President Mike Pence, a last-ditch effort to overturn Biden's victory. Kern was photographed outside the Capitol during the riot on Jan. 6 but has said he did not enter the building, according to local media reports.

Kern did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday. He is seeking his party's nomination for a seat in the Arizona state Senate and has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump.

On Dec. 13, the day before members of the electoral college were slated to cast their votes and seal Biden's victory, Thomas emailed 22 House members and one senator. "Before you choose your state's Electors . . . consider what will happen to the nation we all love if you don't stand up and lead," the email said. It linked to a video of a man urging swing-state lawmakers to "put things right" and "not give in to cowardice."

Speaker of the House Russell "Rusty" Bowers and Rep. Shawnna Bolick, the two recipients previously identified, told The Post in May that the outreach from Thomas had no bearing on their decisions about how to handle claims of election fraud.

But the revelation that Ginni Thomas was directly involved in pressing them to override the popular vote - an act that would have been without precedent in the modern era - intensified questions about whether her husband should recuse himself from cases related to the 2020 presidential election and attempts to subvert it. Ginni Thomas's status as a leading conservative political activist has set her apart from other spouses of Supreme Court justices.

Ginni Thomas did not respond to requests seeking comment for this report. She has long insisted that she and her husband operate in separate professional lanes.

A spokeswoman for the Supreme Court did not respond to questions for Clarence Thomas.

The Post obtained the emails under Arizona's public records law, which - unlike the laws in some other key 2020 swing states - allows the public to access emails, text messages and other written communications to and from state lawmakers.

In March, The Post and CBS News obtained text messages that Ginni Thomas sent in the weeks after the 2020 election to Mark Meadows, then Trump's chief of staff. The messages showed Thomas spreading false claims and urging Meadows to keep fighting for Trump to remain in the White House.

"That conflict of interest just screams at you," said Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who serves on the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, on MSNBC in response to The Post's May report revealing the emails to Bolick and Bowers.

Schiff pointed to Clarence Thomas's decision not to recuse when Trump went to the Supreme Court to try to block the House committee from getting access to his White House records. The high court declined to block the release of those documents. Thomas, siding with Trump, was the only justice to dissent.

"Here you have the wife of a Supreme Court justice," Schiff said, trying to "get Arizona to improperly cast aside the votes of millions. And also, to add to it, her husband on the Supreme Court, writing a dissent in a case arguing against providing records to Congress that might have revealed some of these same e-mails."

After the May article, Mark Paoletta - a longtime ally of the Thomases who, as a member of the George H.W. Bush administration, played a role in the confirmation of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court - confirmed that Ginni Thomas signed the emails, but he sought to minimize her role.

"Ginni signed her name to a pre-written form letter that was signed by thousands of citizens and sent to state legislators across the country," Paoletta wrote on Twitter on May 20. He described Thomas's activities as "a private citizen joining a letter writing campaign" and added, sarcastically, "How disturbing, what a threat!"

The letter-writing campaigns were organized on FreeRoots.com, which advertised itself as a platform to amplify grass-roots advocacy across the political spectrum. A Post review of its archived webpages shows that it was heavily used in late 2020 by groups seeking to overturn the presidential election results.

One of those groups was Every Legal Vote, which organized the campaign to send the message that Ginni Thomas sent on Nov. 9. In those first days after the Nov. 3 election, Every Legal Vote described itself online as a "labor of love by American citizens, in partnership" with the nonprofit United in Purpose, according to webpages preserved by the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine. United in Purpose, which harnesses data to galvanize conservative Christian voters, in recent years hosted luncheons where Thomas presented her Impact Awards to right-wing leaders.

On Dec. 14, 2020, Biden electors in Arizona cast their votes, after the election results were certified by Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, and Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican.

Trump electors met in Arizona that day and signed a document declaring themselves the state's "duly elected and qualified Electors." One of them was Kern, the outgoing state representative.

Kern was among more than a dozen lawmakers who signed on to a letter to Congress that same day calling for the state's electoral votes to go to Trump or "be nullified completely until a full forensic audit can be conducted."

The lawmakers' letter was an exhibit in Kern and Gohmert's lawsuit asking a federal court to rule that Pence had the "exclusive authority and sole discretion" in deciding which electoral votes to count for a given state. The plaintiffs asked the Supreme Court to intervene after the case was dismissed in lower courts. The day after the Jan. 6 insurrection, the court declined in an unsigned order.
DEDHAM, Mass. (AP)  The girlfriend of a Boston police officer who died during a winter storm in January after authorities say she struck him with her vehicle pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder at her Superior Court arraignment on Friday.

Karen Read, 42, of Mansfield, had originally been arraigned in district court on manslaughter and other charges, but a Norfolk County grand jury this week indicted her on the more serious charge.

She is also charged with motor vehicle manslaughter and leaving the scene of a collision causing death.

A judge set bail at $100,000. Prosecutors had sought $500,000 bail. She was also ordered not to drive and have no contact with her boyfriend's family.

Her boyfriend, 16-year veteran John OKeefe, 46, was found unresponsive outside a Canton home at about 6 a.m. on Jan. 29 during a major snowstorm. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. He died of head injuries and hypothermia, authorities said.

The couple had gone to two bars the night of Jan. 28 and were heading to an after-hours party at the home, but Read did not feel well and decided not to attend, authorities have said. The prosecutor said in court she had consumed nine drinks.

OKeefe got out of the vehicle, and Read, while making a three-point turn, struck him, then drove away, prosecutors alleged.

Read returned to the home with friends hours later when she could not make contact with O'Keefe and found him outside in the snow, authorities said.

In text messages between the couple, O'Keefe had expressed a desire to end the relationship," the prosecutor said.

Reads lawyer expressed concerns about the police investigation in the case.

She knows that shes innocent, and we are ready to fight this case, attorney David Yannetti said outside of court.
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PARIS (AP)  Leftist parties that had nearly disappeared from the French political landscape have grown wings in the runup to Sundays legislative elections and now threaten to weaken President Emmanuel Macron and his hopes of slam-dunking his agenda through parliament.

An alliance of leftist parties cobbled together by hard-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon is now soaring in polls. The campaign poster Melenchon Prime Minister no longer draws chuckles from opponents.

Commentators have yet to agree on how to pronounce Nupes, the French acronym for the alliance, the New Popular Ecological and Social Union. Melenchon simply calls it the Popular Union. It combines his party, La France Insoumise (France Unbowed), Socialists, Communists and Greens.

It is amazing, so inspiring and motivating. All of the left wing is in line behind Melenchon, said Michael Gorre, a 45-year-old computer scientist attending a Paris rally last week by the coalition. It feels good to have someone who talks about concrete things.

Macron, a centrist, has made clear that it is he alone who names the prime minister, although in practice his choice is governed by the outcome of the election, which will not be clear until the second round on June 19. So if Nupes won a majority, he would likely pick someone from the coalition, but it might not be Melenchon.

Macron won a second mandate in April's presidential elections and is now looking for an absolute majority  289 seats in the 577-seat National Assembly, the lower house  to swiftly pass legislation. Among laws on his radar is his controversial decision to raise the retirement age from 62 to 65. Melenchon, meanwhile, wants to lower it to 60.

The audacious bid by the 70-year-old Melenchon to be named head of government is symptomatic of Frances shattered political landscape. Traditional mainstream parties like the Socialists and the conservative right The Republicans slid off voters radar following losses in previous elections. Three blocs emerged: Melenchons hard left, Marine Le Pens far right and the centrists of Macron, who warn against the extremes.

Melenchons alliance is jockeying for the lead with Macron's centrists in polls. Nupes was on top in one poll this week, although within the margin of error. Le Pen, who lost to Macron in the presidential runoff, was third.

Le Pen is keenly aware that her anti-immigration National Rally party cannot compete with Melenchons alliance under the current voting system.

In calls to get out the vote, Le Pen asks supporters to help her party get as many deputies as possible in last chance elections to block the French presidents highway to unshackled power.

Unlike Melenchons bid for the job of prime minister, Le Pens more modest goal is to form a parliamentary group to gain more speaking time and other benefits. That requires a minimum of 15 lawmakers. Her party won only eight seats in 2017 voting.

Jean-Luc Melenchon will never be prime minister. He is lying to the French ... a few days before his retirement, Le Pen tweeted mockingly during a campaign trip Thursday to the southern beach town of Agde. She was referring to his decision not to try to renew his parliamentary seat, while she campaigns to keep hers.

Melenchon, a wily politician with an oratorical gift, has long been a figure on the French left, first in the Socialist Party and as senator. But it was only in 2016, when he founded the hard-left France Unbowed party that his profile matched his ambitions.

Melenchons appeal for social justice is among the draws for numerous voters, like Christelle Baker, 32, who sees his alliance as a helpline for her autistic brother.

Nupes stands for social justice and ... themes like the health system, the environment, education, or the the situation of the disabled, Baker said at the Paris rally in a packed theater. We may not win but we can have a large parliamentary group. We can have our word to say.

Melenchons alliance would raise minimum wages along with salaries in a plethora of sectors, and nationalize airports and highways. He slams neoliberalism and the financialized economy.

Foreign commentators, he said at last weeks Paris event, If you want to know what France is, it is this: Liberty, equality, fraternity, and social welfare.

For Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire, Melenchon is the Gallic Chavez. That reference to one-time Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez, known for his socialist revolution, has stuck on the man who seems to relish controversy.

Melenchon triggered his latest uproar by tweeting last weekend that police kill, after the death of a female passenger in a car that police on bicycles fired on when it refused to stop for a check.

Macron's view of Melenchon is that his views are extreme. Nothing could be more dangerous than to add to world disorder the French disorder proposed by the extremes, he was quoted in the French press as saying during a visit Thursday to the Tarn region.

A day earlier, a crowd of jubilant children surrounded the president, one jumping into his arms, during a visit to the impoverished Seine-Saint-Denis region outside Paris. One young girl asked where Melenchon was, saying, I want Melenchon to win.

The president told her that Melenchon wasn't there, then added, I dont want him to win, you see, in the legislatives. Otherwise, I cant do things.
BERLIN (AP)  A 100 billion-euro ($107 billion) fund to strengthen the German military cleared its final legislative hurdle on Friday, winning approval from parliament's upper house.

The decision clears the way for the government to move ahead with a massive procurement drive that Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Parliament's upper house, which represents Germany's 16 state governments, signed off on the plan a week after the lower house gave its blessing. Scholz's governing coalition held lengthy negotiations with the main opposition Union bloc to secure wide backing ahead of the votes.

Scholz announced the fund on Feb. 27, three days after Russia invaded Ukraine, and said that Germany would now spend over 2% of its gross domestic product on defense  a NATO target on which it has long lagged. The government and the opposition agreed that defense spending would meet the 2% target on a multi-year average, with help from the special fund.

Officials acknowledge that the German military, the Bundeswehr, has for years suffered from neglect and in particular from aging, poorly functioning equipment.

Among other things on the shopping list, the defense ministry says it will buy 60 Chinook CH-47F transport helicopters, made by Boeing. The government also wants to buy up to 35 Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets to replace aging Tornado aircraft.

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Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
BOISE, Idaho (AP)  A 29-year-old Idaho woman convicted of torturing and killing her 9-year-old stepson has been sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Monique Osuna received the sentence Thursday in Fourth District Court.

KTVB-TV reports that Osuna previously pleaded guilty to murdering Emrik Osuna in a deal that eliminated the death penalty. Erik Osuna, the boys biological father, has also pleaded guilty to murder and is scheduled to be sentenced June 27.

Emrik was sent to live with his father and stepmother in February 2018 after his biological mother went to prison for abusing his young siblings.

A small child was sent to Idaho to be cared for by the defendants. Instead he was sent to a living hell, Ada County Prosecutor John Dinger told Judge Steven Hippler during the sentencing hearing.

Videos from nanny cameras throughout the home during August 2020 show Erik and Osuna abusing Emrik, who is forced to exercise for hours and becomes malnourished. Footage also shows Monique kicking Emrik and hitting him with various objects as the boy shrieks and cowers.

The couple had installed the cameras to record Emriks behavior because a friend told them Emrik might have reactive attachment disorder  a condition caused by neglect or abuse  and suggested the cameras to record his behavior to show to medical professionals. Erik Osuna had a friend remove the cameras before authorities arrived, but they were recovered by police and contained about two weeks of footage leading up to Emriks death.

Monique was arrested in September 2020 after paramedics found Emrik emaciated and unconscious in her Meridian apartment. Emrik died shortly after at St. Lukes Childrens Hospital in Boise.
There's been a new discovery in the mysterious death of a Florida couple and the disappearance of their baby.

According to a news release from the Texas Attorney General's Office, the bodies of a man and woman were discovered in a wooded area of Houston, Texas, in 1981. Investigators believe they were victims of a homicide. According to the Houston Chronicle, the man had been beaten to death and the woman was strangled.

Their remains were not identified until 2021 when investigators used DNA technology to determine the remains belonged to Tina Gail Linn Clouse and Harold Dean Clouse Jr.

The couple, who had reportedly just moved from New Smyrna Beach to Texas, had a baby named Holly. The infant was not found with the remains of the Clouses.

Family members of the Clouses have been searching for answers since the married couple and their daughter vanished in 1980.



On Wednesday, the Texas Attorney General's Office announced that Holly had been found alive and well, now 42 years old.

Investigators apparently walked into Holly's workplace this week, in Oklahoma, and told her who she was, leading to her being reunited virtually with her biological family members.

On Thursday afternoon, the Texas Attorney General's Office held a news conference that answered questions about who raised Holly.

The news conference began with a plea to the public asking anyone with information on the case to come forward.



First Assistant Attorney General Brent Webster described the case as "an ongoing criminal investigation," and stressed that there were details he wouldn't be able to discuss.

Webster said family members of Tina Gail Linn Clouse and Harold Dean Clouse Jr. began digging for answers regarding what happened to baby Holly as soon as they learned in 2021 that the bodies found in the wooded area in Texas belonged to the Clouses.

He stated that Holly was left at a church in Arizona and taken into their care. Two members of nomadic religious group brought her. The women, dressed in white robes, stated their beliefs included the separation of men and women, a vegetarian lifestyle, and not wearing leather goods.

Webster emphasized the family who raised Holly are not suspects.

Officials believed the religious group that gave Holly to the church traveled around the southwestern United States in the 1980s.



Webster explained that in late December of 1980, the victims' families received a call from a "Sister Susan" about finding the Clouses' car in California. She asked for money in exchange for returning the car. The family agreed to meet but also filed a police report, which has yet to be recovered by Texas authorities.



When the family met with "Sister Susan" she told them that the family had joined the religious group and wanted nothing to do with their family or worldly possessions any longer.

The vehicle was described as a 1978 two-door red burgundy AMC Concord.

Holly's biological family has been overwhelmed with joy since being reunited with her, Webster said.

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is paying for Holly to be reunited with her biological family in person.

Finding Holly is a birthday present from heaven since we found her on Juniors birthday. I prayed for more than 40 years for answers and the Lord has revealed some of it... we have found Holly," said Holly's grandmother, Donna Casasanta. 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 to Mindy Montford. We will be forever grateful."

After finally being able to reunite with Holly, I dreamed about her and my sister, Tina last night. In my dream, Tina was laying on the floor rolling around and laughing and playing with Holly like I saw them do many times before when they lived with me prior to moving to Texas. I believe Tina's finally resting in peace knowing Holly is reuniting with her family. I personally am so relieved to know Holly is alive and well and was well cared for, but also torn up by it all. That baby was her life, said Sherry Linn Green, Holly's aunt.

Officials said the Lewisville Police Department, the Volusia County Sheriff's Office, the Arizona Attorney General's Office, the Harris County Sheriff's Office and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children all contributed to Holly being found.

The investigation into the murders of Hollys biological parents is ongoing. Anyone with information about their deaths is asked to contact the Texas Attorney Generals Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit at coldcaseunit@oag.texas.gov.
Matt York/AP

VICTORIA, Texas (AP)  A federal judge in Texas on Friday dismissed the bankruptcy protection case of Infowars and two other companies controlled by Alex Jones, the result of an agreement between lawyers for the conspiracy theorist and parents of some of the children slain in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez approved the deal after a brief court hearing. The judge's action allows the parents' defamation lawsuits against Jones to continue in Texas and Connecticut, where trials are pending on how much he should pay families after judges in both states found Jones and his companies liable for damages.
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JERUSALEM (AP)  Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank may soon get a taste of the military rule that Palestinians have been living under for 55 years.

If Israels parliament does not act, a special legal status accorded to the settlers will expire at the end of the month, with wide-ranging consequences. Lawyers who live in the settlements, including two members of Israels Supreme Court, will no longer be allowed to practice law. Settlers would be subject to military courts usually reserved for Palestinians and would lose access to some public services.

While few expect things to reach that point, the looming deadline has put Israels government on the brink of collapse and drawn dire warnings.

Without this law, it would be a disaster, said Israel Ganz, governor of the Benyamin Regional Council, a cluster of settlements just outside Jerusalem. The Israeli government will lose any control here. No police, no taxes.

For over half a century, Israel has repeatedly renewed regulations that today extend a legal umbrella to nearly 500,000 settlers  but not to the more than 2.5 million Palestinians in the West Bank. After failing to pass on Monday, the bill will be brought for another vote in the Knesset next week in a last-ditch effort to save the governing coalition  and the legal arrangement.

The law underpins separate legal systems for Jews and Palestinians in the West Bank, a situation that three major human rights groups say amounts to apartheid. Israel rejects that allegation as an attack on its legitimacy.

This is the piece of legislation that enables apartheid, said Jessica Montell, director of the Israeli human rights group HaMoked, which provides legal aid to Palestinians.

The whole settlement enterprise depends on them enjoying all the rights and benefits of being Israelis even though they are in occupied territory.

An overwhelming majority in the Knesset support maintaining the separate systems. The main reason the bill didnt pass was that the nationalist opposition  which strongly supports it  paradoxically refused to vote in favor in an attempt to bring down Israels broad-based but fragile coalition government. In a similar vein, anti-settlement lawmakers voted in favor of the legislation to keep the coalition afloat.

Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war and has built more than 130 settlements there, many of which resemble small towns, with apartment blocks, shopping malls and industrial zones. The Palestinians want the West Bank to form the main part of their future state. Most countries view the settlements as a violation of international law.

Israel refers to the West Bank by its biblical name, Judea and Samaria, and considers it the heartland of the Jewish people. Prime Minister Naftali Bennett supports settlement expansion and is opposed to Palestinian statehood. Israel officially views the West Bank as disputed territory whose fate is subject to negotiations, which collapsed more than a decade ago.

The emergency regulations, first enacted in 1967 and regularly renewed, extend much of Israeli law to West Bank settlers  but not to the territory itself.

Applying the law to the territory could be considered as annexing the territory, with all the political consequences that Israel did not want to have, said Liron Libman, a research fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute and a former top Israeli military prosecutor.

Failure to renew the bill by the end of this month would have far-reaching consequences.

The Israel Bar Association requires lawyers and judges to reside in the country. Without the laws carve-out, settlers would not be able to practice law in Israeli courts. That would include two Supreme Court justices, one of whom recently upheld an order to forcibly relocate hundreds of Palestinians.

The bill's lapse could also result in more settlers who run afoul of the law being tried in military courts  something Israel authorities have long tried to reserve for Palestinian suspects.

The settlers could lose their ability to use national health insurance for treatment inside the West Bank, and the ability to update their status in the population registry and get national ID cards  something routinely denied to Palestinians.

The law also provides a legal basis for Israel to jail thousands of Palestinians who have been convicted by military courts in prisons inside Israel, despite international law prohibiting the transfer of prisoners out of occupied territory. The laws lapse could force Israel to move those prisoners back to the West Bank, where there is currently only one Israeli prison.

The various consequences are seen as so catastrophic that many Israelis expect the bill to pass or the government to be replaced. Its also possible that Israeli authorities, who often bend to the settlers demands, will find workarounds to blunt the worst effects.

Im not worried, said Ganz, the settler leader. Its like when you owe the bank 1 million dollars, you are worried about it, but when you owe 1 billion, the bank manager is worried.

Asked if the separate legal systems amount to apartheid, Ganz said: I agree with you, 100%.

His preferred solution is that Israel annex whats known as Area C, the 60% of the West Bank where, under interim peace accords, Israel already exercises complete control. Area C includes the settlements, as well as rural areas that are home to some 300,000 Palestinians, according to the U.N.

Most Palestinians live in Areas A and B  scattered, disconnected population centers where the Palestinian Authority exercises limited self-rule.

Its strange that different populations in the same area have different laws, Ganz said. So we have to bring Israeli law to everyone here in Area C.

Two years ago, Israels then-prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu flirted with annexation before putting it on hold as part of an agreement with the United Arab Emirates to normalize relations.

The Palestinians, and much of the international community, view annexation as a violation of international law that would deal a fatal blow to any hope for a two-state solution, still widely seen internationally as the only way to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Netanyahu, now opposition leader, and his allies strongly support the West Bank bill but hope its defeat will speed his return to power. The coalition cannot pass it on its own because a handful of lawmakers  mainly Palestinian citizens of Israel  refuse to vote for it.

The law may have been designed with an eventual partition in mind. But many Palestinians see its longevity as proof that Israel was never serious about a two-state solution.

They could have easily undone the occupation by just not passing this law, time and again, said Diana Buttu, a Palestinian lawyer and former adviser to the Palestinian Authority. It gets passed by the left and it gets passed by the right. Thats why this idea of two states is such a fiction.

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Associated Press reporter Alon Bernstein in Jerusalem contributed to this report.
Paul Sancya/AP

DETROIT (AP)  Former Detroit police Chief James Craig said he will run as a write-in candidate in the Republican primary for governor after fraudulent signatures on petitions left him short of the minimum to get on the Aug. 2 ballot.

Im not going to roll over, Craig said Thursday night on WJBK-TV, known as Fox 2 Detroit. This is not about me as a candidate. This is about the voters of Michigan.
One of two women accused of concealing a homicide in the death of a Nortonville man is waiving her right to a jury trial.

Laura C. Acree, 37, of rural Murrayville was in court Wednesday, when she waived her right to a jury trial in a case related to the death of Robert J. Joey Schofield of Nortonville.

Schofield was found in a field near Gobblers Road in Nortonville four days after he was reported missing on Oct. 4, 2020. His disappearance prompted a massive search by sheriffs deputies, Illinois State Police and members of the Jacksonville/Morgan County Office of Emergency Management, South Jacksonville Fire Department, Murrayville Police Department, the Dry Creek Blood Hounds and friends and family members.

An autopsy determined Schofield had died of a gunshot wound.

Acree's husband, Kenneth J. Acree, 35, of rural Murrayville, was arrested Oct. 13, 2020, on charges of first-degree murder and concealment of a homicidal death. He has been held in lieu of $1.5 million bail. A motion to reduce bail was denied in July.

Schofield's wife, Sara M. Schofield, 30, of Nortonville also has been charged with obstructing justice and concealment of a homicidal death. She next is scheduled to appear in court July 6 for a pre-trial conference.

Both Sara Schofield and Laura Acree have pleaded not guilty. They have been free on $10,000 bail each.

State's Attorney Gray Noll said Laura Acree's decision to waive her right to a jury trial would not prevent a plea agreement should she decide to change her plea in the future.

"This case with her co-defendant probably won't be resolved until (Kenneth) Acree's trial has been resolved," Noll said. "Both women could testify in his trial."

Waiving the right to a jury trial essentially means the accused will have a judge decide guilt based on testimony through what is known as a bench trial.

Laura Acree next is scheduled to be in court Aug. 30 for a status update.
New York's Republican Party chair, Nick Langworthy, announced a run for Congress on Friday, a day after another serious contender for a seat representing western New York drew criticism over admiring remarks he'd made about Adolf Hitler.

He will compete in the 23rd Congressional District against against business owner Marc Cenedella and Buffalo developer Carl Paladino, a former candidate for governor who has a history of inflammatory comments.

I can provide an alternative in this race: someone who can go and advocate for strong conservative Republican values without distraction and without any baggage, Langworthy said in an interview.

Langworthys announcement comes at the end of a week during which Paladino has faced scrutiny over several remarks and a social media post promoting mass shooting conspiracies.

On Friday, Paladino said he was wrong to invoke Hitler in an interview last year by saying he was the kind of leader we need today because of his ability to rally crowds. Paladino said he condemned the Nazis and felt any effort to brand his remarks as antisemitic was unfair.

Paladino earlier this week posted, 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 was ousted from the Buffalo School Board in 2016 amid an uproar over comments he made about President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, who he likened to a man and said should live in a cave with a gorilla.

And 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.

Paladino apologized and won the partys nomination.

On Friday, Langworthy said Paladino does not speak for the state Republican Party.

Its reprehensible to talk about Adolf Hitler in any positive fashion, Langworthy said.

Langworthy said he was already preparing for a run for Congress before Paladino faced criticism this week: This isnt an 11th hour thing.

The Aug. 23 primary will mark the first appearance on a ballot for Langworthy, 41, a former Erie County GOP chair who was on the executive committee of former President Donald Trumps transition team. He has the Conservative Partys endorsement.

Langworthys announcement video emphasized his ties to Trump.

When the Republican Party needed new leadership, President Trump called on me to turn things around, he said.

The newly reconfigured congressional district in western New York runs from the suburbs of Buffalo to rural communities along the Pennsylvania border.

Parts of the territory were formerly represented by U.S. Rep. Tom Reed, who recently resigned from office, and U.S. Rep. Chris Jacobs, who said he would not seek reelection after facing backlash from his own party for voicing support for an assault weapons ban following the May 14 mass shooting in his hometown of Buffalo.

Both are Republicans.
FRYEBURG, Maine (AP)  A 370-acre forest in Ellsworth, the summit of Bauneg Beg Mountain in North Berwick and a patch of urban open space in Portland are among 20 new land conservation projects in Maine.

The Land for Maine's Future Board approved the projects. Land for Maine's Future is a conservation program that Democratic Gov. Janet Mills reactivated last year after a few years of dormancy.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP)  Minnesota auto dealers are suing over the state's clean cars plan, saying the rules violate state law by improperly delegating the states authority to the California Air Resources Board.

The rules adopted last year by the Walz administration and published in the State Register take effect in 2024 with the 2025 model year. Theyll require manufacturers and dealers to supply more electric vehicles for the Minnesota marketplace.
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PORTLAND, Maine (AP)  A local district attorney's race in Maine wasn't generating much attention until a political action committee linked to a deep-pocketed liberal donor with international name recognition suddenly took an interest.

A super PAC funded by George Soros, the billionaire investor, philanthropist and conspiracy-theory target, dropped $300,000 on behalf of the challenger, dwarfing the $70,000 combined that had been raised by both candidates until then.

The cash infusion  a stunning sum for a local race in Maine  shows how national groups are seeking to influence district attorney's contests across the country. The spending highlights a mostly under-the-radar jostling for control of an office that some see as being on the front lines of the movement for criminal justice reforms.

Left-leaning groups have stepped in to fund candidates who support those reforms, while conservatives are pushing back amid concerns that crime in America's cities is out of control.

Whitney Tymas, president of the Justice & Public Safety PAC, which supports progressive district attorney candidates, said political money is necessary to bring change to an office that is overwhelmingly white and male, and where most incumbents run unopposed for reelection.

It takes real money to meet this moment, said Tymas, who leads political action committees funding races in Maine and several other states.

In Maine, a Soros-backed super PAC funneled the $300,000 windfall to Tymas' political action committee, which has been sending mailings in advance of Tuesday's primary attacking incumbent Jonathan Sahrbeck, a Democrat. It also has been mailing fliers in favor Democratic challenger Jacqueline Sartoris.

Sahrbeck called on his opponent to denounce the ads and described the spending amount in the county that includes Maine's most populous city, Portland, as outrageous.

Folks in Cumberland County should be disgusted by this attempt to buy this race, he said in a statement.

The spending is not unique to Maine.

Money also poured into this week's recall election that gave the boot to San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin, a Democrat. Among other things, Boudin's critics said he had failed to prosecute repeat offenders.

Boudins supporters raised more than $3 million, with money coming from the ACLU and Real Justice, a political action committee that has supported more than 50 progressives running for prosecutors positions across the U.S. over the past five years.

Opponents had raised at least $7 million, with the majority of that coming from an organization fueled by large donations from individuals, including more than $500,000 each from San Francisco investors Jean-Pierre Conte and William Oberndorf.

Boudin was elected on a platform of reducing incarceration and had implemented policies against seeking cash bail and not trying juveniles as adults. While many crime numbers are lower since he took office less than three years ago, the city has been shaken by a spate of attacks against Asian-Americans, smash-and-grab retail robberies and open drug use on the streets.

While Soros-funded groups did not play a role in the San Francisco recall, the billionaire has spent sizable sums in other states.

In Arkansas, some $321,000 from Soros flowed through a PAC in a failed attempt to help Alicia Walton beat Will Jones in a race last month for prosecutor in a judicial district that includes Little Rock, the state capital. Special interest money cut both ways in the race to fill an open seat, with a pair of Republican billionaires spending $316,000 to support Jones.

The outside money funded direct-mail ads to voters. One from the Soros-backed group misleadingly suggested Jones was anti-victim by using portions of a quote from his argument before jurors when he prosecuted a man on trial for rape. Jurors convicted the man in the 2008 case.

Fair Courts America, the super PAC supporting Jones, sent a mailer calling Walton soft on crime and criticizing her work as a public defender.

Soros-funded groups also have gotten involved in at least two other local prosecutor races. In Northern Californias Contra Costa County, California Justice & Public Safety PAC spent at least $950,000 to help District Attorney Diana Benton fend off challenger Mary Knox in this weeks Democratic primary, according to an Associated Press analysis of campaign finance filings. The group paid for TV ads to promote Benton and criticize Knox, who was supported by more than $200,000 in independent expenditures from a group funded mostly by police organizations.

In Iowas Polk County, which includes Des Moines, the Justice & Public Safety PAC spent at least $136,000 on behalf of Kimberly Graham as she defeated two other Democrats running for county attorney in this weeks primary, filings show. The seat is open for the first time in more than 30 years.

Soros has donated billions of dollars over the years in support of liberal and anti-authoritarian causes. The Hungarian-American has been the subject of conspiracy theories spread by right-wing groups, as well as antisemitic attacks.

Earlier this year, he gave more than $125 million to Democracy PAC II to spend on midterm elections and said in a statement that he was looking to make a long-term investment in races nationwide.

Races for local district attorneys have been gaining attention because those offices are often at the center of debates over law enforcement reforms and problems in the criminal justice system, which incarcerates poor people and people of color at higher rates.

A study released this month by the Prosecutors and Politics Project at the University of North Carolina Law School showed money and incumbency play important roles in local district attorney's races in 45 states where theyre elected.

Incumbents usually dont face a challenger, and 38% of them won contested elections even when the challenger raised more money, the study found. Challengers won only 20% of the time when they lost the fundraising battle. The study focused on individual fundraising, not independent expenditures on a candidates behalf.

It takes a lot of money for a challenger to be able to break through and have a chance at winning, said Carisssa Hessick, director of the Prosecutors and Politics Project.

The stakes are high in Maine's primary election.

Because both district attorney candidates are running as Democrats, and there are no other candidates, the race effectively will be decided during Tuesday's primary.

Sartoris, an assistant district attorney in another county, told the AP that the outside donations show the importance of the job  and recognize that shes the only lifelong Democrat in the race.

She said she stands for Democratic values by seeking to address underreported crimes such as sexual assault and hate crimes and helping those struggling with substance use disorder. She vowed to finally take seriously questions of racial disparities in charging and convictions.

Sahrbeck said he has worked on practical reforms in some of those same areas and organized training to examine implicit bias, racism, racial equity and inclusion.

While he's registered as a Democrat, an attack ad noted he won the previous race for district attorney as an independent.

Sahrbeck said the community would be much better served if the $300,000 linked to Soros was being spent on addressing homelessness, substance use disorder and mental health issues.

Sartoris said she can't accept responsibility for independent spending over which she has no control.

Im responsible for my campaign, she said. Hes responsible for his.

___

DeMillo reported from Little Rock, Arkansas, and Mulvihill from Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
WAUKESHA, Wis. (AP)  A jury has convicted a North Dakota man of shooting two Wisconsin police officers.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported 25-year-old Nathanael Benton was found guilty Thursday of first-degree attempted homicide, reckless endangerment and being a felon in possession of a firearm after a three-day trial.

Body camera footage shows Benton shooting Delafield Officer Michael Henning and Hartland Officer Matthew Seeger at the Delafield Holiday Inn in November 2020. Both officers survived their wounds.

Benton testified during the trial that he had shot someone in Fargo a week earlier, fled to Indiana and was on his way back to North Dakota with a friend and another person when he stopped in Delafield. Officers responding to a hit-and-run in the area questioned his group as they were entering the hotel.

As Henning approached Benton to search him Benton pulled out a handgun concealed in his waistband and fired 10 rounds. Benton testified that he wasn't trying to hurt the officers and was just trying to get away.

Benson's attorney, Jeffrey Jensen, argued that Benton fired quickly and wildly, showing that he never intended to kill the officers.

Benton is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 29. He faces up to 78 1/2 years behind bars.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  The Louisiana Department of Corrections has suspended a prison warden while it investigates an allegation that he crashed a state car while under the effects of prescribed pain pills, according to a news release emailed Friday.

Warden Kirt Guerin of Elayn Hunt Correctional Center was suspended May 31, the day after state police arrested and ticketed him on a DWI charge, the statement said.
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PHOENIX (AP)  The next bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix said Friday that he will strive to be open when it comes to investigations of sex abuse, though he said he's not yet caught up on the status of abuse claims in a diocese that serves roughly 1.1 million Catholics.

I honestly dont know what has occurred here. But yes, the goal here obviously is to be as transparent as we know  not as possible but as we know, what we know, Auxiliary Bishop John P. Dolan said at an introductory news conference.

The 60-year-old, who will be installed officially in August, will be only the fifth bishop in the diocese's 52-year history. He has been auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of San Diego since April 2017.

Dolan will oversee 94 parishes, 23 missions, 29 elementary schools, several high schools, three universities and one seminary.

His appointment comes as the Catholic Church continues to wrestle with sex abuse and cover-up scandals that have spanned the globe.

Current Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted submitted his resignation in January and it was recently accepted by Pope Francis. At 75, Olmsted had reached the age limit to serve.

In the mid-2000s, Olmsted spoke out about sexual abuse in the Catholic Church and started biannual Masses dedicated to survivors. In 2012, Olmstead publicly released a list of clergymen in the diocese who had committed sexual abuse.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, urged Dolan to live up to Catholic officials' previous promises of transparency.

"We hope that Bishop-elect Dolan will make the protection of children and the vulnerable his highest priority and we suggest immediate steps he can take when he is formally installed as bishop," the group said in a statement.

SNAP wants Dolan himself to audit every file of someone in the diocese accused of abuse. The group also is demanding he make sure a woefully inadequate list of credibly accused church personnel is up to date.

Dolan pointed to his experience in San Diego balancing the issue of innocent until proven guilty with reporting sex crime allegations. Diocese and church officials cooperated with investigations to the joy of our district attorney there," he said.

We even went beyond the laws in the state of California to make sure that every employee and even our volunteers understood the importance of ... being in a sense first responders and reporting to the diocese  basically going to the D.A. or to the police if they should have a case that comes forward," he said.

Dolan also briefly touched on immigration and his reputation as an LGBTQ-friendly bishop.

Living in San Diego, the incoming bishop has experience with parishes close to the U.S.-Mexico border. While the church respects a country's right to establish borders with security and protocol, Dolan said a person's immigration status will not determine whether they receive assistance or counsel.

Last year, Dolan was one of several U.S. bishops who signed a letter condemning bullying of LBGTQ youth, according to Religion News Service. He also has spent a great deal of time with a parish in San Diego's predominantly gay Hillcrest neighborhood. But he stopped short of calling himself an advocate.

I'm a person who really likes to dialogue rather than shut things down, Nolan said. I think we are better at church when we have an open heart.

The Diocese of Phoenix covers about half of Arizona, with other parts of the state included in the Tucson and Gallup, New Mexico, dioceses.

The diocese made headlines in February when it came to light that a Phoenix priest had flubbed the wording of baptisms for years. Thousands of baptisms presumed invalid would have to be redone.
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VATICAN CITY (AP)  Pope Francis canceled a planned July trip to Africa on doctors' orders because of knee problems, the Vatican said Friday, dashing hopes of the faithful there and raising further questions about the health and mobility of the 85-year-old pontiff.

The Vatican said the July 2-7 trip to Congo and South Sudan would be rescheduled to a later date to be determined. The visit had sought to promote peace in two African countries long wrestling with deadly violence.

At the request of his doctors, and in order not to jeopardize the results of the therapy that he is undergoing for his knee, the Holy Father has been forced to postpone, with regret, his Apostolic Journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo and to South Sudan, the Vatican said.

Francis has been using a wheelchair for a month due to strained ligaments in his right knee that have made walking and standing difficult and painful. He has refused so far to get surgery, and has instead received injections, kept the knee as immobile as possible and walked with a cane or the help of an aide.

Questions had swirled for months about Francis ability to negotiate the Africa journey, which would have been taxing for the pope even without the knee problems. Yet as recently as this week, plans were still proceeding.

Francis also has a July 24-30 visit to Canada scheduled; the Vatican statement Friday said nothing about that trip. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni would only say that the popes other commitments were confirmed.

Francis had been due to visit South Sudan with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the head of the Church of Scotland to make a joint, ecumenical appeal for peace. Such a trip had been discussed as early as 2017, when South Sudan was still in the grip of civil war, but security concerns kept postponing it.

The Rev. John Gbemyoro, an official with the Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops' Conference, said Friday's news dashed the expectations of Christians.

We dont love to hear it, Gbemyoro told The Associated Press. But we are asking God to heal him quickly because we still need him to come to South Sudan.

The archbishop of Juba, Stephen Ameyu Martin, told reporters that South Sudan President Salva Kiir was a bit sad but understood: "What can we do? It's a health problem." The archbishop reminded disappointed South Sudanese that it could happen to anyone.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and the moderator of the Church of Scotland, Rt. Rev. Iain Greenshields, said they were praying for Francis and regretted the trip would again be postponed.

I continue to pray for the people of South Sudan in their challenges and hopes for peace, and look forward to this historic visit at a later date, Welby tweeted.

The Congolese government said it wished Francis a prompt recovery and assured him that Congo still awaits him.

In the eastern Congo city of Goma, where Francis had been due to spend July 4 despite a new wave of violence, thousands of posters with Francis image already had been put up to advertise the visit. The Hotel New Grand Lac had already booked rooms for people, manager Jacques Ndayango said.

We estimate a loss of around $5,000, he said, adding that he hoped the pope would come later this year.

Martha Mwavit, a member of the Saint-Esprit Parish choir, said the singers had spent two months rehearsing songs for the papal Mass in Goma. The Catholic faithful in Congo now can only pray for Francis to come.

I am 74 years old, and I dont know if I will have the chance to sing in a Mass given by the pope. I would like his health to recover so that I can have this chance before I die, she said.

The spokesman for the papal trip in Canada, Neil MacCarthy, said planning for the trip continued. The pontiff is scheduled to personally apologize to Indigenous peoples in Canada for abuses at residential schools.

Great care is being taken to provide significant periods of rest for the Holy Father, and also to ensure his participation at events is for a limited period of time, MacCarthy told the AP. We continue to pray for the health of Pope Francis and that he will be able to join us in Canada next month.

A Canadian official familiar with the trip, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Canadian organizers were in Rome this week to plan for Francis' visit and reported no signals about a possible cancellation.

The pope has told friends he doesnt want to undergo knee surgery, reportedly because of his reaction to anesthesia when he had 33 centimeters (13 inches) of his large intestine removed in July 2021.

Speculation has swirled about the future of Francis' pontificate because of his health problems, his decision to create 16 new voting-age cardinals in August, and his plans to pay homage that month to a 13th century pope who resigned, Celestine V.

But Francis has given no indication he wants or plans to resign.

Vatican watchers say a papal resignation now would be unthinkable given that Francis' 95-year-old predecessor, Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, is still alive.

___

Deng Machol in Juba, South Sudan, Al-Hadji Kudra Maliro in Goma, Congo, Robert Gillies in Toronto and Alessandra Tarantino in Vatican City contributed.
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PARIS (AP)  French prosecutors on Friday laid out their sentencing demands in the historic Paris trial of 20 men suspected of critical roles in Frances worst peacetime attack, the Islamic State massacres that killed 130 people in 2015. For Salah Abdeslam, the only surviving member of that night's attacking jihadis, prosecutors demanded a life sentence.

Three prosecutors summarized nine months of testimony since the start of the marathon trial last September, held in a specially built secure complex inside Paris original 13th century Justice Palace, with 12 overflow rooms to accommodate victims, lawyers and journalists.

The Friday night killing spree on Nov. 13, 2015 at a Paris music hall, cafes and the national stadium led to intensified French military action against extremists abroad and a security crackdown at home.

Fourteen of the defendants have been in court. All but one of the six absent men are presumed  but not confirmed  to be dead in Syria or Iraq. Most suspects are accused of helping create false identities, transporting the attackers back to Europe from Syria, providing them with money, phones, explosives or weapons.

In all, French prosecutors demanded 10 life sentences; five for people presumed dead, five for other suspects who were physically in court.

Abdeslam, a leading suspect in the trial, waited until April to break his silence.

Not everyone is a jihadi, but all of those you are judging accepted to take part in a terrorist group, either by conviction, cowardliness or greed, prosecutor Nicolas Braconnay told the court this week.

Claims that France was targeted because of its role in the multinational coalition against the Islamic State  as some defendants have claimed  are an alibi, Braconnay contended, adding, All of those who use it are obliged to add a religious argument: You are unbelievers.

Abdeslam, the only member of the Paris attackers who did not join the self-proclaimed IS caliphate in Syria, has told the court that he was a last-minute add-on to the group. He said he renounced his mission to explode himself in a bar in northern Paris. Prosecutor Nicolas Le Bris rejected the claim, telling the court that hes trying to put you to sleep.

Abdeslam's brother, who was among those who attacked cafes in Paris, was killed on the spot.

Another key defendant, Mohammed Abrini, accompanied the group to Paris the night before the attacks then returned to Belgium. He was arrested after the March 2016 terror attacks in the Brussels airport and subway. Prosecutors want a life sentence for him as well.

Salah Abdeslam and Mohammed Abrini made no mystery of their jihadi engagement, but both tried to cover the tracks about their ideas, prosecutor Le Bris said.

He noted that the cafe in the Brussels district of Molenbeek run by Abdeslam and his brother sold alcohol and drugs but also offered jihadi propaganda.

The cafe became the headquarters of a fan club for Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the man presented as the mastermind of the attacks. He was killed by French police while holed up outside Paris.

The trial will continue with defense pleas. Final words from the defendants are set for June 27, with a verdict expected on June 29.
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HELENA, Mont. (AP)  Former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke won an unexpectedly tight race Thursday to become the Republican nominee in the race for a new U.S. House seat representing western Montana, a victory that comes after days of hand-counting ballots in one county.

Zinke defeated former state Sen. Al Doc Olszewski by just over 1,600 votes out of 84,500 cast in the race, or 1.9 percentage points, according to preliminary numbers. Unofficial results had Zinke with 35,241 votes to 33,633 for Olszewski.

Zinke won despite facing more than a million dollars of negative advertising against him by three Republicans, two Democratic candidates and a Democratic Super-PAC, his campaign said in a statement.

In a statement, Zinke thanked former President Donald Trump and others for their endorsements, as well as western Montana residents for their confidence that America can be fixed and for ignoring the political attacks.

Olszewski called Zinke to concede the race.

We started as a big underdog and ran a race based on the conservative principles of our Republican Party, Olszewski said in a statement, thanking those who voted for him.

Zinke was one of five Republicans on the primary ballot for the open seat, which Montana gained this year thanks to its growing population.

Zinke served as Interior Department secretary under Trump, and his rivals have been drawing attention to a troubled tenure that 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. Federal prosecutors declined to pursue criminal charges.

Despite Trumps endorsement, Zinke also 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, qualifying her for a tax break.

Zinke, a former Navy SEAL, was considered a de facto incumbent since he twice won elections for the states other House seat before stepping down in 2017 to join the Trump administration.

Olszewski, an orthopedic surgeon and hardline conservative, tried to paint Zinke as a liberal insider.

The political dynamics reflect the GOPs sharp right turn that meant Zinkes status as a former Cabinet member wasnt enough for some in his party. They said he was too soft on guns and didnt do enough to build Trumps envisioned wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. His wifes residence declaration boosted long-standing suspicions that Zinke spends most of his time outside Montana.

Zinke doesnt deny that his wife is a California resident, and he acknowledges holding fundraisers there. He raised a total of $2.5 million through the end of March, almost as much as all other candidates from both parties combined, about 80% from out-of-state donors.

The outcome in the close race was delayed after Lincoln County realized a vendor had printed ballots on the wrong sized paper, meaning they could not be run through a machine tabulator and had to be counted by hand. The hand count began Tuesday and wrapped up late Thursday afternoon.

In November, Zinke will face Olympic rower and attorney Monica Tranel, who won the Democratic primary for the U.S. House seat.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  A decades-long search by a Florida woman and her extended family linked to an unsolved murder case has resulted in the woman finally finding her missing granddaughter, now grown with no previous knowledge of her tragic history, officials said Thursday.

Meanwhile, the mystery behind who brutally killed the girl's parents more than 40 years ago remains unsolved and has Texas authorities seeking the public's help.

Harold Dean Clouse Jr., Tina Linn Clouse and their infant daughter had vanished in October 1980, shortly after the young family moved from New Smyrna Beach, Florida, to the Dallas suburb of Lewisville, Texas, according to the Texas Attorney General's Office.

In January 1981, in a rural area east of Houston, a dog that returned home with a decomposed human arm in its mouth prompted a police search that located the remains of an unidentified couple, the Houston Chronicle reported. The Harris County medical examiner's office said the man had been beaten to death, while the woman had been strangled.

The couple remained unidentified until last October when a group of genetic genealogists who worked with law enforcement tested the remains and identified them as the Clouse couple, First Assistant Attorney General Brent Webster said at a Thursday afternoon news conference in Austin, Texas. But no sign of their infant granddaughter, known to them as Holly Marie Clouse, was found with her parents remains.

Webster did not answer questions during Thursday's news conference but appealed for public help in solving the homicide cases. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is running for reelection, did not attend.

As for the missing infant, it wasn't until Tuesday, when modern technology led investigators into her workplace, that the now 42-year-old woman would learn of her biological family and her tragic background. Before that, all she knew was that she had been adopted and raised by an Oklahoma family who had adopted her.

The childs adoptive family are not suspects in her disappearance or her parents deaths, Webster said. He declined to provide their identities or how the child identifies herself today.

Hours after the stunning revelation, the Oklahoma woman was introduced to her grandmother, aunts and uncles during a Zoom call. She told them she had been married for more than 20 years and has five children and two infant grandchildren, the Chronicle reported.

But many questions remain, including who killed the Clouses.

At some point, two women left the child at an Arizona church and took her into its care, Webster said.

Two women who identified themselves as members of a nomadic religious group brought (the child) to the church. They were wearing white robes, and they were barefoot. They indicated the beliefs of their religion included the separation of male and female members, practicing vegetarian habits and not using or wearing leather goods, Webster said.

It was not known how the women came into possession of the infant. Investigators believed the group traveled around the American Southwest, including Texas, and were known in the Yuma, Arizona, area for asking for food, Webster said.

In late December 1980 or early January 1981, the missing couple's family received a telephone call from a woman identifying herself only as Sister Susan. The woman said she was calling from Los Angeles to explain that the missing couple had joined their religious group, renounced all her worldly possessions and wanted no further contact with their families. The woman asked if the family wanted the return of the missing couple's car.

A rendezvous was arranged at the Daytona Motor Speedway in Florida and authorities were notified, Webster said. They encountered a man and three berobed women. The women were taken into custody and the car was turned over to Donna Casasanta, Harold Dean Clouse's mother, but no case file about the women's arrest could be found by Florida authorities, Webster said.

Webster appealed Thursday to the public for any information regarding the unsolved homicide cold case, noting that many questions remain unanswered. Casasanta herself said in a statement issued by the Attorney Generals office that she prayed for more than 40 years for answers, and the Lord has revealed some of it.
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP)  Embroiled in controversy, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday refused to answer questions about his alleged cover-up of a theft of large amounts of cash from his farm, saying only that he will appear before his party's integrity committee over the accusations.

Ramaphosa, 69, endured a second day of being shouted down in Parliament by opposition members before being peppered with questions from the press over the growing scandal.

Ramaphosa is facing allegations of money laundering, bribery and breaking South Africa's foreign currency laws over the theft, which reportedly involved $4 million in cash being stolen two years ago from his Phala Phala game farm in the northern Limpopo province.

He has confirmed that the theft took place and has denied any wrongdoing. He has said the money came from the sale of animals from the game farm. But Ramaphosa has dodged all questions seeking specific information about the robbery.

He repeatedly declined to answer questions from reporters including: How much cash was stolen? How did he obtain the foreign currency? Was it legally declared to South African authorities? Did he try to cover up his possession of the cash by bribing the thieves to keep quiet?

The story of the theft came to light earlier this month when the country's former intelligence chief, Arthur Fraser, filed a criminal complaint with police alleging that Ramaphosa had tried to cover up the robbery.

Fraser alleges that Ramaphosa had been keeping the cash hidden in furniture at his ranch when it was stolen. Instead of reporting the theft to police, Ramaphosa tried to cover it up by having members of his presidential protection unit track down the thieves, said Fraser in the affidavit filed with police.

Ramaphosa told reporters at the parliament complex in Cape Town that he wanted a full investigation to take place before answering questions about it.

Let the due process happen as regards things like was this laundering of money ... the issue of how much money was there," Ramaphosa said. Id like to hold onto that. And I do that with respect because ... Im a process person. The process must unfold.

Ramaphosa said he has offered to appear before his African National Congress party's integrity committee. A date for that hearing has not yet been set, he said. If Ramaphosa is found to have broken the law or the party's ethics code, the ANC committee could ask him to step aside as the party's leader or suspend him, which could be the first step to Parliament removing him as president.

The scandal surrounding the farm theft is the biggest challenge to Ramaphosa's leadership of Africa's most developed economy and comes six months before a critical party elective conference in December, when Ramaphosa had already been expected to face a tough battle to be re-elected the party's leader.

Earlier, his attempts to speak in Parliament were disrupted for a second straight day as opposition lawmakers confronted him. Lawmakers from the populist Economic Freedom Fighters, the second biggest opposition party in Parliament, scuffled with security guards as they shouted that Ramaphosa should not be allowed to address the house. Eventually they were removed from parliament.

But not before they loudly and repeatedly accused Ramaphosa of laundering money and trying to hide it. The party is also demanding that Ramaphosa step down as president pending the investigations into the theft.

The president of the republic, there are serious allegations against him, so he cant come to the house to address us. He must step aside and allow the law to take its course, protested EFF lawmaker Omphile Maotwe, interrupting Ramaphosa's attempts to speak.

Ramaphosa also told lawmakers that the robbery is under investigation and that the law must be able to take its course.

I have listened very carefully to the views of members of this house who have raised thoughts, suggestions and proposals on this matter," said Ramaphosa. Some of the views have been to counsel me, and yet others have been laced with insults. I will not respond to insults, but will say that the counsel and suggestions that have been made raise points that I will consider.

Appearing exhausted after the tumultuous time in parliament, Ramaphosa then fended off questions at the press conference over what is called farmgate. At the end of the briefing, he turned to an aide and said: Can I go home now?

___

Magome reported from Johannesburg.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  Tennessee's highest court ruled Friday that the state's Republican Party did not violate open meeting laws when it ousted a congressional hopeful from the GOP primary ballot.

The Supreme Court's ruling reverses a lower court's decision that had ordered video producer Robby Starbuck back on the ballot. Last week, the lower court had ruled the Tennessee Republican Party's state executive committee failed to follow the state's open meeting laws when it voted to remove Starbuck and others from the ballot in April in a closed-door session. The Supreme Court's overturn came on the final day that the state has said candidates could be added to the ballot.

Officials with Tennessee's Republican Party have said that Starbuck, small business owner Baxter Lee and former State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus did not meet the requirements to be a bona fide Republican when the executive committee secretly met to vote on who would qualify as GOP candidates in the August primary election. However, they have repeatedly declined to explain specifically how that decision was made.

In court filings, attorneys for the state Republican Party have argued that removing the candidates was a purely private intraparty decision. State GOP Chairman Scott Golden said Friday's decision completely vindicated the party's actions.

We have always maintained that the actions of myself, the Party, the staff, and Members were conducted honestly and in accordance with the many state laws regarding ballot access for Republican candidates, and the verdict today has affirmed our belief, Golden said in a statement.

In a statement Friday, Starbuck said he's heartbroken for the people of Tennessee that this was allowed to happen.

The system that was upheld today by the TN Supreme Court is sadly reminiscent of Cuba where a central committee removes real candidates and gives the people only party puppets to choose from, tweeted Starbuck, whose family fled Cuba for the U.S.

According to Friday's unanimous opinion, the Supreme Court ruled that while the Republican Party's state primary board must follow the Tennessee Open Meetings Act, the state's executive committee does not.

Under Tennessee Code ... a partys state executive committee makes the determination of whether a candidate is a bona fide member of the party. Thus, the (executive committee) by statute, was acting as a state executive committee, and not a state primary board, when it determined that Mr. Starbuck was not a bona fide Republican, the justices wrote.

In May, a federal judge also declined to void the Republican Party's decision surrounding Starbuck. In that case, U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw wrote that the party did not violate the U.S. Constitution.

Starbuck's attorneys have maintained the party's decision to remove a candidate should be conducted in the open.

Rather than simply hold the meeting in public  which even at this late stage the state executive committee might have done  the Party so desires to avoid any public knowledge of how and why the state executive committee decided to remove Mr. Starbuck from the ballot that it would rather seek an extraordinary appeal from this Court than simply hold the open meeting that Tennessee law requires, his attorneys wrote in their appeal.

Starbuck named only the Tennessee Republican Party in its lawsuit. Earlier this week, the secretary of state's office petitioned to join amid the appeals process, noting that it wasn't involved in the lawsuit but was subject to the court order.

We appreciate the Tennessee Supreme Court ruling in a such a timely manner," Secretary of State Tre Hargett said in a statement Friday. "The original opinion raised concerns for our office, and should for any government official for that matter, when the judge essentially enjoined this office as state officials in a lawsuit to which we were never a party.

State GOP rules say candidates need to have voted in three of the last four statewide primaries to be deemed bona fide Republicans, determined after someone files a challenge. There also is a party process that lets others vouch for someone to be considered bona fide and remain on the ballot, which is determined in a vote by party officials.
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NEW ORLEANS (AP)  A federal appeals court has put on hold a district judges order for Louisiana to redraw new congressional districts by June 20 to include a second majority Black district.

The order late Thursday from the 5th U.S. Court of Appeals is the latest move in a legal battle between the Republican legislature and secretary of state and Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards.

Edwards had vetoed the new districts drawn up after the latest census, saying that since Louisiana is nearly one-third African American, a single majority-Black district violates the Voting Rights Act. However, the legislature overrode his veto in late March.

A 5th Circuit panel stepped in and paused the remap order Thursday night, hours after U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick refused to delay her deadline while it was appealed.

Lawyers for Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin wrote in a motion filed Friday that Dicks order would itself require a racial gerrymander that would violate the Voting Rights Act.

State Senate President Page Cortez and House Speaker Clay Schexnayder made much the same argument in a motion filed Thursday.

Ardoin said Dick ignored legal precedent and election officials.

On the record, there is no basis for allowing the State to conduct the coming election in likely violation of federal law and the rights of the States Black voters, responded attorneys for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, which represents one of the two groups of voters who challenged the plan.

Defendants point to nothing in the district courts order that indicates it made a mistake of law or fact, said lawyers for the other group.

Cortez and Schexnayder said Friday that a special session scheduled for next week to revise House district boundaries should be canceled.

Before the judicial redistricting process is complete, any special session would be premature and a waste of taxpayer money, they wrote.

Edwards, who scheduled the June 15-20 redistricting session, said it's too early to cancel it.

The appeals court is likely to act again before June 15, said a news release from his office.

If Dick's order for a new map June 20 remains on hold, he told lawmakers in a letter, the session should be delayed until a definitive court decision is reached.

While I am mindful of the costs to the taxpayers as pointed out in your press release, it is clear that the state would have saved the unknown thousands of dollars being spent on out-of-state lawyers if the legislature had originally enacted maps that comply with the Voting Rights Act and the standard of fundamental fairness," he wrote. It is not too late for the legislature to do the right thing.

Court papers for Ardoin call the deadline unworkable  an argument that Dick described as 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.

A friend-of-the-court brief from Alabama and 11 other states argued that Dick turned part of the Voting Rights Act from protection against discrimination into a tool for compelling racially discriminatory redistricting.

The section makes it illegal to keep people from voting because of their race, but doesn't require "that wherever a majority-minority district can be drawn, it must be drawn, the states said.

If it did, it would be unconstitutional, the brief contended.

Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah joined with Alabama.

Under Dick's order, to avoid liability, the State must consider race first and everything else second, they wrote. That cannot be the law.

Kathryn Sadasivan, redistricting counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, said the new map continues to pack Black voters from New Orleans and Baton Rouge into a single congressional district despite the significant changes in the Black population and the shared interests and needs of Black voters in Baton Rouge and the Delta parishes north of Baton Rouge along and east of the Mississippi River.

She said Dicks 152-page ruling recognized that the single majority African American district dilutes Black political power.

We are confident that the November primary election is sufficiently far away to allow this decision to stand, Sadasivan wrote.
MOOSE LAKE, Minn. (AP)  A Minnesota transgender woman who's serving prison time on a drug charge says she should not have been assigned to a men's facility and has been sexually and verbally abused because of her gender identity.

Christina Lusk, 56, is suing the state Department of Corrections for discrimination. She has asked to be moved from the men's prison in Moose Lake to the women's prison in Shakopee.

Lusk, of Minneapolis, came out as transgender 14 years ago, started hormone therapy, and legally changed her name in 2018. The following year she pleaded guilty to a felony drug possession charge.

Jess Braverman, an attorney for the group Gender Justice, which is representing Lusk along with the Minneapolis law firm of Robins Kaplan, said her client is unsafe in Moose Lake.

Shes a woman, and suddenly shes placed in a mens facility. Shes in a locked cell with a number of men, and shes really exposed to harassment and violence in that setting, Braverman said.

Lusak has been reprimanded for having breasts and wearing womens clothing, yet also scolded for going without a bra while her bras were in the wash, the lawsuit contends.

Lusk filed the first of two complaints with the state Department of Human Rights in early 2020. She alleged that prison staff housed her in a room with seven men, required her to change her clothes and use the bathroom with men, and called her by her former name.

Both requests to be moved were denied without explanation, according to the suit. The agency did not comment on Lusks lawsuit directly, but it said in a statement to Minnesota Public Radio News that its committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of transgender people.

Robins Kaplan attorney Rebecca Bact told the Star Tribune her firm is assisting Lusk because she deserves proper housing, healthcare and a dignified existence free from discrimination.
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ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP)  As Russian artillery pummeled the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol in April, one family decided to flee, walking for miles with three young children in tow to a nearby village. But it was thanks to a volunteer driver who crossed the front line that they managed to eventually make it out of Russian-held territory.

The driver, Zhenya, is a saint, said Luda Lobanova, 58, after stepping off a minibus in the central Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia in early May along with 8-year-old Ihor, 7-year-old Sofia and 2 1/2-year-old Vlad. There were so many times that they turned us around. If it wasnt for Zhenya, we wouldnt have made it.

With tears in her eyes, Lobanova thanked him before he slipped away, clambering back into his minibus. He had more humanitarian aid to deliver, more people to pick up.

On the edge of the conflict zone in Ukraine, which runs along the countrys east and south, volunteer drivers are risking everything to deliver humanitarian aid to Ukrainians behind the front lines, and to get people out. The routes are dangerous and long  sometimes several days long  and the drivers face detention, injury or death. More than two dozen drivers have been captured, held for more than two months by Russian-backed separatists in the eastern Donetsk region, Ukrainian activists say.

A few do it for money, some drivers said, but many do it for free, either alone or in organized groups.

I decided to do it because there are women and children there, said Oleksandr Petrenko, who carried out several evacuations from areas in and around Mariupol before he deemed his risk of detention too great because of his repeated forays into Russian-held territory.

I also have a mother, I have a girlfriend. These people dont have to stay there, in that human grinder. Lives are broken there. If you dont do it, people might die," he said.

Joining more experienced drivers at first, Petrenko learned the routes and how to operate. He adopted a set of strict rules, which apply to drivers and passengers alike: Wipe photos and messages off mobile phones, dont criticize Russia or Russian-backed separatists and never, ever get into political discussions  the wrong comment with the wrong people could cost you your freedom, or your life.

His first trip was the scariest. Even the weather was foreboding. It was gray and gloomy, he said. It was raining. And when you enter a city of black color that burned down  its like a movie.

Petrenko estimated that he managed to evacuate about 130 people from Russian-held areas before he stopped driving because of the risks.

Now he helps with logistics for a team of volunteer drivers operating out of Zaporizhzhia, the first safer major city encountered by many people fleeing Russian-held territory, particularly in the south from Mariupol and the surrounding areas.

None of the drivers who were still crossing front lines would speak on the record, for security reasons.

The risks are clear. Among the detained drivers is Vitaliy Sytnykov, a 34-year-old rock-climbing Mariupol taxi driver. He has been held since late March, according to one of his friends, journalist Alevtina Shvetsova, who fled Mariupol herself with her family earlier in March.

He is a person with a big heart, Shvetsova said, speaking in early June in the central city of Kryvyi Rih. Sytnykov had managed to get out of Mariupol but joined a group of volunteer drivers evacuating others, she said. Then, on one of his runs, he was captured. Its not clear why.

The status of his and other drivers detention is unclear. Information is scarce, gleaned from others held in the same detention facility who are later released, or from limited footage that has appeared on Russian television, Shvetsova said.

He could have stayed in a safe place with (his) family, after he got out of the city, she said. But ... he knew there were many women, children left in Mariupol.

Farther to the east, in the Donetsk and the neighboring Luhansk regions where Russian forces are doubling down on their offensive, volunteers' vans and minibuses zip through towns and down country roads, racing to evacuate civilians as the fighting draws closer.

Roman Zhylenkov, a no-nonsense man of few words, has been helping evacuate people from the path of the conflict since early March, just a few days after the start of the war. He started by taking people out of his now Russian-held hometown of Kreminna, north of the city of Sievierodonetsk, then continued in the Donetsk region.

Working with the Ukrainian aid group Vostok SOS, most of those he evacuates now from towns and cities such as Bakhmut, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk are elderly or ailing. Many cannot walk, and have to be carried out of houses and apartment blocks in stretchers or even in his arms.

I would like to have a more quiet life," he said, pausing briefly from ferrying a group of elderly evacuees. But it is war now.

On the back of his van, a sticker bears his organizations logo and a hashtag: #LeaveNoOneBehind.
Ukraine is losing between 100 and 200 fighters daily on the battlefield as a Russian barrage pummels the country's east, according to an aide to President Volodymyr Zelensky. About 10,000 civilians are trapped in the eastern city of Severodonetsk, the latest focus of the Kremlin's offensive, while Russian forces are also moving toward Slovyansk and Kramatorsk, where the boom of artillery shook the two towns.

"The Russian forces have thrown pretty much everything non-nuclear at the front and that includes heavy artillery, multiple rocket launch systems and aviation," Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, told the BBC Thursday.

Podolyak's estimates are greater than officials have previously reported. Last week, Zelensky said Ukraine's daily losses amounted to as many as 100 soldiers killed and 500 injured.

Being largely outmanned and outgunned is leading to Ukraine's high casualty rate, Podolyak said, as he made an appeal for the West to provide more weapons.

"Our demands for artillery are not just some kind of whim  but an objective need when it comes to the situation on the battlefield," he told the BBC. Ukraine, he added, needs up to 300 rocket launch systems to match Russia's capabilities.

On Friday, a British lawmaker said that two captured Britons who had been fighting against Russia and were sentenced to death by separatists in Ukraine were "essentially used as hostages," calling for their release in a prisoner swap.

A tribunal in the Russian-backed, separatist Donetsk region sentenced the two British nationals and a Moroccan man to death, Russian state media said Thursday. Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner of Britain and Brahim Saadoune of Morocco were charged as working as foreign mercenaries by a court that is not internationally recognized in the self-declared breakaway region.

The families of Aslin and Pinner have said they had lived in Ukraine for years and officially fought alongside the Ukrainian military, while Saadoune reportedly had arrived in Ukraine as a student.

"These are not mercenaries," Robert Jenrick, a British lawmaker who represents the constituency of Aslin's family, told the BBC on Friday. "They joined to serve in the Ukrainian armed forces, were captured and should be treated as prisoners of war," he said. "Instead, they've been put on this show trial."

Jenrick called on the British foreign secretary to raise the case with the Russian ambassador, while adding that any negotiations for a prisoner exchange would primarily happen between Kyiv and Moscow. "I hope a prisoner swap can be negotiated quickly," he said.

Also Friday, a Moscow-backed separatist enclave in Luhansk declared it will start sending grain to Russia via rail, amid the Kremlin's blockade of Ukrainian crop exports that threatens to disrupt global food security.

"More than 3,000 tons" of grain will be shipped out of the eastern region after Russian forces "liberated" a slew of grain elevators, Yuri Pronko, the agriculture minister of the self-declared Luhansk People's Republic, said Thursday, according to Russian state-owned news agency Tass.

Since March, Ukraine has accused Moscow's forces of stealing vast stores of grain and exporting them to Russia. On Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said credible reports showed that Russia is both "pilfering Ukraine's grain exports to sell for its own profit" and "hoarding its food exports" - two actions that have led to a sharp increase in global grain prices and looming shortages across Africa and the Middle East.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Thursday for Russia to be excluded from the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization.

"There cannot be even a question of Russia's continued membership in the FAO," Zelensky said. "What is there for Russia to do if it's working for starvation of at least 400 million people and, at most, a billion people?"

Russia also threatened that the continuation of cyberattacks against government websites and state-run media could escalate to direct military combat.

Andrei Krutskikh, the Foreign Ministry's top cyber expert, accused the United States and Ukraine of coordinating attacks against Russia's information infrastructure, warning that by doing so they were "deliberately lowering the threshold for the combat use" of cyberweapons.

"The militarization of the information space by the West and attempts to turn it into an arena of interstate confrontation have greatly increased the threat of a direct military clash with unpredictable consequences," Krutskikh said in response to a question from a journalist.

Since the war broke out, part of the conflict has spilled into the digital realm and both Ukraine and Russia have suffered losses. Ukraine's government has endorsed the efforts of volunteer hackers opposed to Moscow, and it is assumed that Ukrainian government hackers have also focused on Russian targets. Meanwhile, the White House in February denied reports that it had been presented with different options of cyberattacks against Russia, Reuters reported.

In May, the Biden administration accused Russia of directing "malicious cyber activity" against Ukraine, including an attack on a commercial satellite communications network.

Russia has also faced a slew of security breaches. Throughout its invasion of Ukraine, hackers have plundered the country's personal financial data, defaced websites and handed decades of government emails to anti-secrecy activists abroad, The Washington Post previously reported.

On Monday, state-owned news agency RIA reported that the website for the country's Ministry of Construction, Housing and Utilities had been targeted - with a sign reading "Glory to Ukraine" popping up when searching for the site. Two days later, the Ukrainian anthem played from a Russian radio station after it was hacked, RBK media group posted on Telegram.

"Rest assured, Russia will not leave aggressive actions unanswered," Krutskikh said. "All our steps will have a measured, targeted character, in accordance with our legislation and international law."

Also Friday, Britain's Defense Ministry warned that the battered port city of Mariupol is at risk of a major cholera outbreak, noting that isolated cases of the disease have been reported there since May. This echoes a World Health Organization warning in May.

"Medical services in Mariupol are likely already near collapse: a major cholera outbreak in Mariupol will exacerbate this further," the ministry said in an intelligence update. It also pointed out Russia's struggles to provide basic public services in territories it occupies, including access to safe drinking water.

The southeastern city was a focal point of the Russian campaign since the early days of the invasion. By late May, after weeks of bombardment, Mariupol came under Moscow's full control - granting Russia a key port and a land bridge to Crimea, the peninsula it annexed in 2014.

The heavy fighting resulted in rotting garbage and corpses that have contaminated its drinking water, Mariupol mayoral aide Petro Andryushchenko said Tuesday - leaving thousands of people in the city at risk of dying from dysentery and cholera.

In the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, Rafael Mariano Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Thursday expressed "grave concern" about a nuclear power plant. He said the situation is "untenable" as Ukrainian managers are operating the plant under "extremely stressful and challenging" conditions.

- - -

Ellen Francis reports from London. The Washington Post's Amar Nadhir and Reis Thebault contributed to this report.
BANGKOK (AP)  The American diplomatic push aimed at countering China's increasing influence in the Asia-Pacific region appears to be paying dividends, with many nations showing a willingness to partner with the United States, a top State Department official said Friday.

U.S. State Department Counselor Derek Chollet told The Associated Press it was noteworthy that 13 nations representing 40% of the world's economy had signed on to the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework that President Joe Biden launched in Japan at the end of May. He said that China at around the same time failed in its attempt to get a group of Pacific islands to endorse a sweeping agreement with Beijing.

China had broken from its traditional approach of negotiating one-on-one with countries behind the scenes to send Foreign Minister Wang Yi on an island-hopping trip last month to try and rally 10 Pacific nations behind the agreement, which covered a broad range of areas including security and fisheries.

But he was unable to find consensus on the deal at a meeting in Fiji, and instead had to settle for smaller bilateral agreements with some of them.

I think the fact that the Chinese foreign minister's trip, where they tried to roll out this very bold take it or leave it initiative or partnership cooperation, wasn't really well received, indicates to me that the Pacific island countries want to have an engagement with us, Chollet said in an interview in Bangkok.

Chollet is in the middle of a trip to Thailand, Brunei and Singapore, as U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman is concurrently visiting the Philippines, South Korea, Laos and Vietnam.

In addition, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is a featured speaker on the weekend at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asias premier defense and security forum, and will visit Thailand next week.

The in-person outreach is part of an approach that U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in May meant putting diplomacy back at the center of American foreign policy.

We are determined ... to be present, be engaged  not just as visitors from Washington but on a permanent basis, Chollet said.

The push in Asia comes amid growing concerns over Chinas own efforts to expand its influence in the area.

Part of Beijing's focus has been the South China Sea, where the Philippines and Vietnam, among others, have squared off with Chinas 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 Chinas military.

Beijing already signed a security agreement with the Solomon Islands in April that the U.S., Australia and others worry could lead to a Chinese naval base in the South Pacific. And on Wednesday, China and Cambodia broke ground on a port expansion project at Cambodias Ream Naval Base, which give China a strategically important military facility on the Gulf of Thailand, though Cambodia has denied that will be the case.

In Blinken's speech at the end of May outlining the Biden administration's approach to China, he said Russian President Vladimir Putin's attack on Ukraine was a clear and present threat, but that China's ambitions were an even greater challenge.

Even as President Putins war continues, we will remain focused on the most serious long-term challenge to the international order  and that is the one posed by the Peoples Republic of China, he said.

Many countries in the region have close ties with China, and Chollet said the U.S. approach has not been to ask any nation to choose one side or the other, but to recognize their relationships with Beijing while also being forthright with Washington's concerns.

We are hearing that we are not just clients or countries that one transacts with, we want to be partners, and that's certainly the spirit with which we are engaging them, he said.

At the same time, the U.S. also realizes the need to work with a global power like China on international issues, like the coronavirus pandemic and climate change, with China and the U.S. the two largest emitters of greenhouse gases, he said.

There are parts of the relationship that are conflictual where the U.S. and China just fundamentally disagree, there are parts that are competitive ... and there are parts of the relationship that are cooperative, or at least we hope that they're cooperative, he said.

That's unfortunately a narrowing band of issues but, for example, on climate change it's just math that we have to be able to find a way to work together if we're going to be successful.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents has approved freezing tuition for in-state undergraduate students again this year.

The Wisconsin State Journal reported that the regents approved the freeze as part of the systems 2022-23 budget Thursday. System President Jay Rothman said the system would use $25 million in federal COVID-19 pandemic relief funds to support the freeze.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  Vanderbilt University plans to use a $5 million donation to set up a research center that uses data to analyze news coverage and social media.

The Nashville-based school says Suzanne Perot McGee, Patrick K. McGee and their family are donating to the College of Arts and Science to fuel the McGee Applied Research Center for Narrative Studies.
TEHRAN, Iran (AP)  Venezuelas President Nicolas Maduro arrived Friday in the Iranian capital of Tehran on a two-day state visit, the country's state-run media reported.

A high-ranking political and economic delegation from Venezuela, which like Iran is under heavy U.S. sanctions, is accompanying Maduro on the visit, following an invitation from Iran's hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi.

Maduro is on a Eurasian tour after being rebuffed by Washington, which decided not to invite him to the Summit of the Americas. His stops earlier this week included Algeria and Turkey.

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.

Venezuela, along with Cuba and Nicaragua, was not invited by the Biden administration to the Summit of the Americas due to the problems with democracy and human rights in those countries. That also led to a decision by Mexicos president not to attend.

Venezuela has received Iranian tankers at its ports and in the past, Iran also exported cars to Venezuela.

Iran this week started removing 27 surveillance cameras from nuclear sites across the country, further blinding the U.N. nuclear watchdog from monitoring Tehran's uranium enrichment program.

Tensions remain high across the wider Middle East over the collapse of Iran's nuclear deal with world powers as U.S. sanctions and rising global food prices choke Irans ailing economy, putting further pressure on its government and its people.

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.
WESTLAKE, La. (AP)  Three subsidiaries of a Texas-based petrochemical company on Thursday settled allegations that they violated federal and state pollution control laws.

The U.S. Department of Justice, in a news release, said Westlake Chemical Corporation agreed to make upgrades and perform compliance measures estimated to cost $110 million to resolve the complaint involving two facilities in Lake Charles, Louisiana and one in Calvert City, Kentucky.

The companies also will pay a $1 million civil penalty.

According to the complaint, the companies failed to properly operate and monitor their industrial flares, which resulted in excess emissions at the three facilities, the department said.

The settlement will eliminate thousands of tons of air pollution from flares, devices used to combust waste gases that would otherwise be released into the air, it said.

The settlements significant reductions of hazardous and other air pollutants and greenhouse gases will serve to reduce exposure in the vulnerable nearby communities with environmental justice concerns," said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources Division.

Acting Assistant Administrator Larry Starfield of the EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance said the settlement will require the Westlake companies to install pollution control and emissions monitoring equipment at the three facilities, reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and other harmful gases by thousands of tons per year.

Those controls, plus a requirement for fence line monitoring of benzene emissions and corrective actions when benzene readings are high, will result in significant benefits for the local communities in Kentucky and Louisiana, Starfield said.

The settlement requires the three facilities to install and operate air pollution control and monitoring technology to reduce flaring from eight flares at the three facilities. Once fully implemented, the pollution controls are estimated to reduce emissions of ozone-forming VOCs by 2,258 tons per year and of toxic air pollutants, including benzene, by 65 tons per year. The settlement is also expected to reduce emissions of climate-change-causing greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane and ethane, by over 50,733 tons per year.

The Westlake companies also will perform air quality monitoring that is designed to detect the presence of benzene at the fence lines of the three facilities. Monitoring results must be posted to a publicly available website, providing the neighboring communities with more information about their air quality.

The consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  The House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol has laid out a roadmap for the hearings this month as it examines President Donald Trump's responsibility for the melee and the damage that resulted for law enforcement officers, members of Congress and others in attendance that day.

The next round of hearings won't take place in prime time like the debut on Thursday, but lawmakers will go into greater detail about specific aspects of the insurrection.

Here's a snapshot of what the committee says is ahead:

FALSE AND FRAUDULENT

Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, the Republican vice chair of the committee, said lawmakers will present evidence Monday at the second hearing showing that Trump engaged in a massive effort to spread false and fraudulent information that the election had been stolen  even though advisers and allies told him repeatedly he had lost.

The panel touched on that theme in its first hearing with a clip from former Attorney General Bill Barr, testifying that he repeatedly told the president in no uncertain terms that I did not see evidence of fraud" that would have affected the election.

As well, Trump campaign lawyer Alex Cannon was shown discussing conversations with then White House chief of staff Mark Meadows sometime in November 2020.

I remember sharing with him that we werent finding anything that would be sufficient to change the results in any of the key states," Cannon said.

When asked how Meadows responded, Cannon said: I believe the words he used were, so theres no there there.'"

PRESSURE ON THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT

Cheney says the third hearing Wednesday will focus on how Trump pushed for the Justice Department to "spread his false stolen election claims in the days before January 6." Senior Justice Department officials refused, telling him his claims were not true.

She noted how Trump sought to elevate Jeffrey Clark, an environmental lawyer at the department, to the job of acting attorney general. Clark had drafted a letter to send to Georgia and five other states saying the Justice Department had identified significant concerns that may have impacted the outcome of the election."

Trump nearly gave the top job to Clark but backed down when senior Justice Department leadership and White House lawyers threatened to resign, testimony has shown.

The men involved, including Acting Attorney General Jeff Rosen and Acting Deputy Attorney General Richard Donoghue, were appointed by President Trump," Cheney said. These men honored their oaths of office. They did their duty, and you will hear from them in our hearings.

Clark has invoked his Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination and refused to testify to the committee.

SPOTLIGHT: MIKE PENCE

Cheney said the fourth hearing will focus on Trump's efforts to pressure Vice President Mike Pence to stop Congress from certifying some electoral votes for Biden on Jan. 6  something he had no power to do in his ceremonial role.

There was a gasp in the hearing room when Cheney read an account Thursday from inside the White House. When Trump was told the Capitol mob was chanting for Pence to be hanged for refusing to block the election results. Trump responded that maybe the mob was right, that he deserves it, Cheney said.

The day promises plenty of political intrigue as both Trump and Pence seek to shape the Republican Party for years to come, and perhaps make a run for the presidency in 2024.

FIND THE VOTES

Cheney said the fifth hearing, expected the following week, will focus on the president's efforts to pressure state legislators and state election officials to change the election results, including additional details about Trump's call to Georgia officials urging them to find 11,780 votes.

She also is promising new details about efforts to instruct Republican officials in multiple states to create false electoral slates and transmit those slates to Congress, Pence and the National Archives, falsely certifying that Trump won states he had actually lost.

BACK TO TRUMP

Cheney said the final two hearings will focus on how Trump summoned supporters to march on the Capitol, and when the violence was underway, failed to take immediate action to stop them.

The last hearing will have a moment-by-moment account of Trump's response to the attack from former White House staff, both through live testimony in the hearing room and via videotape.

There is no doubt the President Trump was well aware of the violence as it developed," Cheney said. White House staff urged President Trump to intervene and call off the mob."
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MADISON, Wis. (AP)  A Wisconsin judge on Friday found the investigator hired by Republicans to look into former President Donald Trump's 2020 loss in the battleground state in contempt because of how his office responded to open records requests related to the probe.

The ruling against the office led by Michael Gableman, a former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice who briefly worked for Trump, came after Gableman berated the judge and refused to answer any questions on the witness stand. Gableman had not wanted to testify, but Dane County Circuit Judge Frank Remington ordered him to appear.

Remington did not immediately announce a penalty in court on Friday, saying he would provide that in a written decision.

Gableman was hired a year ago by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, under pressure from Trump to investigate the former president's loss to President Joe Biden by just under 21,000 votes in Wisconsin. The investigation has cost taxpayers about $900,000 so far.

Biden's victory has survived two recounts, multiple lawsuits, a nonpartisan audit and a review by a conservative law firm. Only a couple of dozen people out of nearly 3.3 million voters have been charged with fraud, numbers on par with past elections.

Gableman has issued two interim reports, but his work has faced a barrage of bipartisan criticism and Vos put his work on hold this spring pending the outcome of lawsuits challenging his ability to subpoena elected officials and others who worked on elections.

American Oversight, a liberal watchdog group, filed three open records lawsuits against Gableman, Vos and the Wisconsin Assembly. The group has won a series of victories before Remington and another Dane County judge after Gableman and Vos failed to produce the requested records in a timely manner.

Gableman has argued that his staff member, Zakory Niemierowicz, was the legal custodian responsible for responding to American Oversights requests. Gableman's attorneys had argued that because of that, Gableman's testimony was not needed.

That prompted Remington on Wednesday to caution Niemierowicz that he may want to hire his own attorney if Gableman's plan was to blame him for failing to comply with court orders.

An attorney for Gableman's office tried to delay Friday's hearing but Gableman was forced to take the stand. Gableman refused to answer questions from the attorney representing American Oversight and testily said Remington had abandoned his role as a neutral magistrate and is acting as an advocate.

Remington admonished Gableman and said he shouldn't have to instruct the former state Supreme Court justice on the behavior I expect of you as a witness on this stand. Gableman then demanded a personal attorney and said he wouldn't answer further questions.

I'm not going to be railroaded, he said.

Gableman has publicly released, and provided to American Oversight, hundreds of pages of documents related to the investigation. His attorneys have insisted that everything requested has been provided. Gableman has also said that he is exempt from retaining records and his office regularly destroys documents deemed irrelevant or useless.

That is contrary to an analysis by the nonpartisan Legislative Council that found deleting such records, even by a state contractor such as Gableman, violates Wisconsin law. Gablemans attorney, James Bopp, has argued in court filings that the record retention law does not pertain to contractors.

Remington in April, and Dane County Circuit Judge Valerie Bailey-Rihn in May, both ordered Gableman to stop deleting records that may be responsive to American's Oversight's requests.

___

Foody reported from Chicago.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP)  A West Virginia woman has been charged with providing a firearm to a felon in connection with the shooting death last week of a Nicholas County sheriff's deputy and wounding of another.

Melanie Clodfelter, 41, of Summersville, was accused of buying a rifle on Nov. 17 for Richie Holcomb, who was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to a felony conviction in 2014, U.S. Attorney Will Thompson's office said in a news release.
By Rya Jetha

Bay City News Foundation

March For Our Lives, a student-led movement to demand action on gun safety, returns to the Bay Area this Saturday with protests planned at several locations around the region and more than 450 nationwide.

The Oakland march at Oscar Grant Plaza/Frank Ogawa Plaza at 10 a.m. is being organized by a group of middle schoolers, including 11-year-old Alex Ibarra of Coliseum College Prep Academy.

"After hearing about the shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde, I knew I had to do something about it," Ibarra said. "Me and my friends planned a protest in Oakland to tell Congress to pass gun laws and stop innocent people from dying."

Ibarra and his friends reached out to March For Our Lives, a group founded by survivors from the 2018 school shooting in Parkland, Florida. Four years ago, the group planned the first March For Our Lives, which more than 1.7 million people participated in, according to Everytown for Gun Safety, a non-profit organization.

After spending the past four years registering youth voters and lobbying politicians for gun reform, the group is back organizing a march on the nation's capital and facilitating marches across the country Saturday.

"First, we reached out to March For Our Lives and they agreed to support us," Ibarra said. "Then we wrote to different city councilmembers in Oakland to plan the logistics of the protest."

The protest in Oakland will include speeches from students and survivors of gun violence about their experiences and how mass shootings have affected them and their communities. The gathering will also have letter writing for attendees to write to Congress demanding action and poster making booths.

"Most importantly, we're all going to bring an extra pair of shoes with us to represent the victims of gun violence," Ibarra said, adding that he encourages students, parents, teachers, and other community members to come out and support the march.

"It will really strengthen our message and convey to Congress that we need change," he said.

Ibarra and his friends have joined forces with organizers in San Leandro for the march. They are also working closely with Oakland City Councilmember at-large and Vice Mayor Rebecca Kaplan and her staff.

"There have been 250 mass shootings in the United States in 2022, that is more mass shootings than days in the year so far. Since 2020 the highest mortality rates among youth have been due to gun violence," Kaplan said in a press release Thursday.

"I join our community, especially our youth leaders, in calling on Congress to take immediate action to impose common sense gun control laws, including universal background checks and controls on assault weapons. In a country where the Republican-controlled Court and Senate refuses to regulate guns but they seek to regulate uteruses, they have no right to call themselves pro-life," Kaplan said.

Other March For Our Lives protests are scheduled to take place Saturday in San Francisco, Mountain View, Redwood City, Walnut Creek, Benicia, Burlingame, Pacifica, and Sonoma.

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.
IN SUMMARY

Debate continued last week over a new name for UC Hastings law school after revelations that its founder participated in massacres of Native Americans. Tribal leaders say legislation requiring that the school make reparations for the atrocities offers an opportunity for their history to be recognized.

By Sindhu Ananthavel

CalMatters

When the board of University of California, Hastings College of the Law sat down Friday to discuss the next steps in changing the school's name, California tribal leaders were at the table with them.

The meeting of the two groups was the latest development in a years-long process to redress violence committed against Indigenous Californians by the college's founder, Serranus Clinton Hastings. The law school isn't just getting a new name: Under a bill now pending in the Legislature, it would also make reparations to tribes affected by Hastings' actions.

Making sure tribal leaders are part of the conversation about the name change sets the tone for how restorative justice should be carried out, said the bill's author, Assemblymember James Ramos.

"We're laying the groundwork and a model for others to be able to follow when we're dealing with these types of historical trauma that has been inflicted upon California Indian people," said Ramos, a Rancho Cucamonga Democrat and the first member of a California Native American tribe to serve in the Legislature.

The controversy dates back to 2017, when the university investigated how Hastings, the first chief justice of the California Supreme Court, promoted and funded massacres against the Yuki Tribe and other Indigenous Californians in the Eden Valley and Round Valley areas, located in what is now Mendocino County, in the 1850s. A subsequent New York Times article looked at the university's findings and further galvanized public outcry, which led the law school's board to approve a name change in November 2021.

"This has been a long road that has gotten us here, and the road will continue past this moment," said the law school's dean, David Faigman.

According to the university's findings, Hastings funded hunting expeditions that led to the deaths of Yuki men, women and children; profited off the seizure of land following the massacres; and funded the college with a $100,000 donation.

James Russ, president of the Round Valley Indian Tribes Council, said the name change isn't about placing blame.

"What we're saying is this is what happened to our tribes historically, and it needs to be acknowledged," he said.

While board members have already decided to change the college's name, the move remains contentious and there's disagreement on what the college should be called. During Friday's meeting, members of the public expressed support for the name change and urged board members to take into account suggestions from tribal leaders.

But a few disagreed with removing the Hastings name, including one descendant of Serranus Hastings. (The school's Board of Directors includes another descendant of Hastings who has been supportive of the name change.)

One name proposed was "College of the Law: San Francisco." Russ said tribal leaders pushed back against the proposal because of its connection to the Catholic mission system, which perpetuated violence against California Indigenous people.

"To us, the name San Francisco means the same kind of death and destruction as the name Hastings, just a different time and place," said Steve Brown, councilman of the Yuki Committee. "We don't feel restorative justice would be accomplished by substituting one name with a horrific history for another with an equally horrific history."

Meanwhile, there's also hope among some tribal representatives that the college will consider a Yuki name. The area where the massacres occurred was Yuki land and other tribes were forcibly relocated there. Today, the confederated tribes of the Round Valley Reservation include Yuki, Pit River, Pomo, Nomlacki, Concow and Wailacki.

Brown urged board members to choose a name that includes two words from the Yuki language: Powe Nom, which means "one people."

If a Yuki name is chosen, "all who attend and speak of this institution will be participating in the restorative justice process whenever the law school is mentioned, by speaking and helping revitalize the Yuki language," said Yuki Committee vice chair Mona Oandasan during an April hearing on the bill.

The name change can't happen without legislation, since the school was founded under the state's education code. Ramos's bill, Assembly Bill 1936, would authorize changing the college's name with consultation from the Round Valley Indian Tribes and the Yuki Committee.

The bill also lays out restorative justice measures, including the creation of scholarships for Native students, installing memorials and developing ways for the school and its students to provide legal aid to tribes impacted by the atrocities.

The bill, approved on a 75-0 vote in the Assembly on May 26, is now before the Senate. At the same time, meetings between the tribes and the university leaders will continue over the next two months to come up with a new name. The goal is to have an official name added to the bill so lawmakers can vote on it before the legislative session ends in August.

UC Hastings is not the only college grappling with its history. Reassessing institutional roles in historical injustices has been a movement across higher education.

In 2020, UC Berkeley removed John Henry Boalt's name from its law school building, after racist anti-Chinese writings from the attorney were discovered. In 2017, Georgetown University renamed two buildings named after school presidents who oversaw the sale of 272 enslaved people in 1838.

Efforts at these universities have also put an emphasis on restorative justice. Along with the renaming, Georgetown offered preferred admission to descendants of the 272 enslaved people. At Harvard University, after research revealed deep links between slavery and past school presidents, a university report recommended partnerships with relevant schools - such as historically Black colleges and universities - and community groups to aid those affected.

Some of the restorative justice efforts at Hasting have already begun. The university created an Indigenous Law Center and has established a fellowship for law students providing legal aid to indigenous communities.

The renaming will cost UC Hastings an estimated $3 million, said spokesperson Elizabeth Moore. A fiscal analysis of the bill states there would be ongoing costs of about $559,000 for the college's Indigenous Law Center.

Other measures outlined in the bill include the formation of a nonprofit that will aid tribal leadership with legal matters around water and property rights. The university would also create a memorial within its campus for the Yuki and Round Valley tribes and establish scholarships for admitted law students who are tribal members.

Brown said the initiatives are a big step.

"The tribal council has ongoing issues with water rights and land boundaries," said Brown. "The tribal members have legal issues with land and timber, so that pro bono legal advice will be helpful. The scholarships will help the tribe to become more educated and successful."

Russ said that response to some of the proposed measures has been mixed, citing varying opinions on a memorial for the Yuki people.

"(The Round Valley Tribal Council) had Yuki Committee members tell us. 'We want that memorialized space down there,' and then others will say 'We don't want to put anything from our tribe down there,' " Russ said. "It's a process and we've been working through it and trying to keep communication open."

Though a name hasn't yet been chosen, both the school and tribes are in agreement that the restorative justice measures ought to move forward. To Russ, these conversations are the most critical part of the process.

"We want our story to be told. It's not just about a name change, and we want our story to be told accurately," he said.

Ananthavel is a fellow with the CalMatters College Journalism Network, a collaboration between CalMatters and student journalists from across California. Marnette Federis, the Network's UC team leader, contributed to this report. This story and other higher education coverage are supported by the College Futures Foundation.

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.
GREENWICH  With another two weeks of classes left in this school year for most students, the Greenwich Public Schools is reporting another 34 new cases of COVID-19, according to the districts online tracker.

That is a slight uptick from the 28 new cases reported Tuesday and the 25 new cases reported on June 3, according to the district.

It also brings the June total to 87 cases of COVID-19, which in one week comes to a larger total than in all of September, October or November.

The school district experienced a surge of COVID-19 in May, with a total of 686 cases reported. In the first three reports in May, the school district saw 249 cases, nearly triple the number seen in the same time period in June. But COVID-19 declined after a hitting a high point a month ago on May 10, with 113 cases reported on that one day, according to the districts numbers. The June numbers are the smallest since April 1.

Since students and staff returned from the Memorial Day holiday, a total of 134 cases of COVID-19 have been reported.

And the district has seen 880 cases, according to the tracker, since the weeklong Spring Recess in April. That is more cases of COVID-19 than was reported in the entire 2020-21 school year.

Since March 1, when the Greenwich school district moved to a mask-optional policy, a total of 1,391 cases of COVID-19 have been reported among students and staff, nearly twice the number of cases that were reported in the entire 2020-21 school year.

Some 3,382 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the school district since classes began Sept. 1. That is more than four times the 700 cases total reported in the 2020-21 school year.

Impacting 13 schools

The number of active cases of COVID-19 saw an uptick to 36 cases. The number of active cases had been steadily declining in recent weeks, with 27 active cases reported Tuesday, 38 active cases on June 3; 40 active cases on May 31; 51 active cases on May 27; 67 active cases on May 24; 68 active cases May 20; 93 active cases on May 17; and 119 active cases on May 13, according to the tracker.

As of Friday, those 36 active cases were reported in 13 schools, with all the numbers in the single digits.

Old Greenwich had the most active cases of COVID-19, with seven active cases, followed by Greenwich High with six active cases, according to the district.

There were four active cases each reported at Glenville and Julian Curtiss; three active cases each at Eastern Middle and Western Middle; two active cases each Central Middle and Riverside; and one active case each at Cos Cob, International School at Dundee, New Lebanon, North Mianus and Parkway.

There were no active cases reported at Hamilton Avenue or North Street.

Looking at more numbers

Of the 36 active cases, 27 were reported among students; six cases among teachers; and one case each among service providers, nonteaching staff and administrators, according to the district.

A number of families in the Greenwich Public Schools have been hit hard by COVID-19 this school year, with 510 families reporting 1,098 cases.

The monthly totals for new cases of COVID-19 reported in the Greenwich school district have varied widely, with 87 cases so far in June; 686 cases in May, 339 cases in April, 167 cases in March, 137 cases in February, 1,422 cases in January, 392 cases in December, 65 cases in November, 29 cases in October and 58 cases in September, according to the tracker.

The school district updates its online tracker twice each week to keep the community informed on the COVID-19 pandemic.

The last day of classes will be later this month for all students, on June 24 in the elementary schools and middle schools and on June 28 at Greenwich High.
RENO, Nev. (AP)  A former Nevada state public education secretary will oversee public universities and colleges in the state on an interim basis.

The Nevada Board of Regents voted Thursday to appoint Dale Erquiaga as chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education for 18 months while it searches for a permanent chancellor. He starts in the role on July 1 with a base annual salary of $300,000.
Open Homes Photography

Known in Berkeley as the "Troll House," 2321 Valley St. has incredible history and a whimsical design befitting that nickname.

Open Homes Photography

This 1,283-square-foot cottage was built in 1928 and it's on the market now for $899,000. Though it oozes the fairytale charm that so distinguishes Storybook style, it didn't get its fairytale name until it passed into the hands of Grateful Dead sound engineer Owsley Stanley. Stanley owned the home during the Dead's heyday, which meant many illustrious people passed through these enchanting brick walls.
When Sam Clemens first set off on foot from Carson City to the Sierra Nevada in 1861, he had not yet become the famed American folk hero Mark Twain. But a decade later, hed write about his time in Lake Tahoe in his book Roughing It  including an account of how he accidentally ignited a raging wildfire.

Describing his trek up the mountains beyond Carson City, heading toward the Tahoe Basin, Twain applied his usual heavy dose of artistic license and wrote that he toiled laboriously up a mountain about a thousand miles high.

More likely, the 25-year-old riverboat pilot from Missouri followed an ancient trail, used by the Washoe Tribe, to hike 11.7 miles from Carson City to Lake Tahoe. Tahoe historian David Antonucci traced Twains visit to Lake Tahoe, comparing details from the writers account in Roughing It with physical landmarks. The full scope of Antonuccis research is documented in his book Fairest Picture: Mark Twain at Lake Tahoe. Last month, the Sierra State Parks Foundation unveiled a series of interpretive panels to mark the places Twain visited in Lake Tahoe, using Antonuccis research to mark the spots.

To follow Twains footsteps, look up the Mark Twain Timber Claim Adventure Trail at the Sierra Nevada Geotourism website. Now anyone can fact-check Twains account in Lake Tahoe and compare his fairest view of Lake Tahoe to the one we see today.

The new landmarks are why I can tell you that after Twains climb up a thousand miles, he first set eyes on Lake Tahoe from a viewpoint on Tunnel Creek Road, a place that now sees mountain bikers zooming by at what would have been unfathomable speeds for Twains time.

As it lay there with the shadows of the mountains brilliantly photographed upon its still surface, I thought it must surely be the fairest picture the whole earth affords, Twain wrote, famously describing Lake Tahoe in a quote still used today.

Julie Brown / SFGATE

The geotourism trail also led me to a flat-top boulder at the old fire lookout above Crystal Bay, where I sat with my feet dangling over the edge, perched high above Lake Tahoe. The state line dividing California and Nevada ran just a few steps to my left. Beyond the steep slope of sagebrush and manzanita below me, Lake Tahoes layers of blue stretch to the horizon. This out-and-back hike, about 1.5 miles round-trip, yields one of the finest panoramas in the Lake Tahoe Basin. From up here, I can just about see the entire route Twain took to traverse the northern end of Lake Tahoe.

I can see how far he paddled a row boat from Hidden Beach, across Crystal Bay, to what is now called Speedboat Beach, where he camped nestled between granite boulders.

The wind rose just as we were losing consciousness, and we were lulled to sleep by the beating of the surf upon the shore, Twain wrote.

To the west, I can see the gradual slope of whats now second-growth forest above North Lake Tahoe, where Twain accidentally ignited a raging wildfire.

Of course, there are no signs of Twains wildfire today. The region is full of the homes, businesses and lakefront lodges that make up Kings Beach and Tahoe Vista. The shoreline is dotted with buoys attached to sailboats and motorboats, and a few of those vessels crisscross the lakes open water.

wynnter/Getty Images

In August 1861, Clemens followed his older brother west to Carson City, determined to find his own fortune and purpose. Several weeks after he arrived, he met another traveler with similar aspirations named John Kinney. Together, Clemens and Kinney decided to become partners and head to Lake Tahoe in hopes of staking their own timber claim, making them both wealthy men.

The early 1860s were the beginning of a silver rush in Nevada, when timber was in demand to build mines tunneling deep underground. Lake Tahoes old growth trees were highly sought after to build those mines, and by the end of the silver rush, most of the forest in the Lake Tahoe Basin would be clear-cut.

After camping at Speedboat Beach, Clemens and Kinney hiked 3 miles northwest along the shoreline until they found a dense forest of trees a hundred feet high and from one to five feet through at the butt, as he wrote in a letter sent to his mother. Antonucci places this spot at Tahoe Vistas Sandy Beach. In the early 1860s, the old growth forest along the North Shore would have fit this description. This is the site of Clemens timber claim  and where his campfire burned out of control, settling flame to the forest.

Julie Brown / SFGATE

Clemens and Kinney staked a 300-acre timber claim by posting notices on trees, according to Antonucci. Then they started to build fencing and a log cabin, though they didnt get very far in their work. As it turns out, Clemens and his counterpart were not very cut out for timber work. They were much more suited to catching Lahontan cutthroat trout and relaxing on boulders by the water.

Nowadays, Sandy Beach and Speedboat Beach remain some of the most popular summer lakeside destinations in Lake Tahoe. On the North Shore, shallow waters give way to sand bars and long beaches, especially in times of low lake levels like we are seeing now. I found the new interpretive panels marking Twains timber claim on the side of a small path leading to Sandy Beach from the highway. The area is shaded by towering trees and yellow-green aspens.

The night of the fire, Clemens camped in the forest, away from the beach, at the Tahoe Vista site. He started a campfire and then walked away from the flames. Sure enough, by the time he turned around, the fire had jumped up into the trees and quickly grew out of control.

Julie Brown / SFGATE

In Roughing It, Twain described the fire:

It went surging up adjacent ridges  surmounted them and disappeared in the canons beyond  burst into view upon higher and farther ridges, presently  shed a grander illumination abroad, and dove again  flamed out again, directly, higher and still higher up the mountain-side  threw out skirmishing parties of fire here and there, and sent them trailing their crimson spirals away among remote ramparts and ribs and gorges, till as far as the eye could reach the lofty mountain-fronts were webbed as it were with a tangled network of red lava streams.

And that was, essentially, the grand finale on Clemens Tahoe timber claim. Antonucci goes on to document how he never followed through on the paperwork to make his claim official.

Instead, Clemens wound up in Virginia City, working as a miner and then as a newspaper reporter. It was there, in 1863, as a reporter for the Territorial Enterprise, that he first used his pen name: Mark Twain.
WFO SACRAMENTO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Saturday, June 11, 2022

_____

EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service Sacramento CA

225 AM PDT Fri Jun 10 2022

...EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS

MORNING TO 11 PM PDT SATURDAY...

* 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...Through 11 pm Saturday.

* IMPACTS...Extreme heat will significantly increase the

potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those

working or participating in outdoor activities.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Today will have the greatest heat risk

threat. Saturday some cooling is expected but high heat risk

will continue until a large drop in temperatures on Sunday.

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.

Interact with us via social media www.facebook.com/nws.sacramento

www.twitter.com/nwssacramento

...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM THIS MORNING TO

11 PM PDT SATURDAY...

* WHAT...Temperatures 96 to 103 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.

threat. Saturday some cooling is expected but moderate risk will

continue until a large drop in temperatures on Sunday.

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.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
The San Francisco Bay Area baked under a warm dome of air on Thursday and the heat is expected to intensify Friday, bringing the potential for poor air quality and electrical outages, the National Weather Service said.

Friday is predicted to be the hottest day of the week with inland areas soaring into the mid-90s and low 100s this afternoon. Locations on the coast and along the bay are forecast to be in the high 70s to mid-80s.

The warm weather comes with high pressure building over California. "Whenever you have high pressure it means air is sinking toward the ground and it warms as it does that," said Brooke Bingaman, a forecaster with the weather service said. "It creates that dome of hot air."

The weather service issued a heat advisory for Friday across interior portions of the North Bay, East Bay, South Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains and interior Central Coast. An excessive heat warning will be in effect for Solano County on Friday.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District issued a Spare the Air alert for Friday with air quality expected to diminish. The agency is asking the public to avoid driving to help prevent unhealthy smog accumulation.

PG&E spokesperson Tamar Sarkissian said the public utility is prepared for the heat with crews available to work around the clock if any heat related outages occur. PG&E is not planning a power shutoff as the risk for wildfires isn't expected to be high with this event.

Heat-related outages occur most often due to transformer failure. Transformers, which help distribute power to homes and businesses, need periods of time to cool down, and that usually happens overnight, when temperatures drop, Sarkissian explained in an email.

"When we have unusual heat events with sustained high overnight temperatures, transformers are unable to cool down," she said. "That puts stress on the transformers components, and they can become fatigued and can fail."

The Bay Area will start to cool on Saturday."The sea breeze is going to pick up so that will help cool us off," Bingaman said. "Interior areas will still have some 90s but it won't be as hot with low-to-mid-90s."

Sunday marks a more significant decline in temperatures as a low pressure system pushes into Northern California. The interior will be 15 to 20 degrees cooler compared to the peak heating on Friday. There's a small chance for very light rain in the North Bay on Sunday.
Storm Prediction Ctr, Norman, OK Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Friday, June 10, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE FOR WS 338

NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK

143 AM CDT FRI JUN 10 2022

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 338 REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 200 AM CDT

FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS

TX

. TEXAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

ARCHER BAYLOR CLAY

COTTLE FOARD HARDEMAN

KING KNOX MOTLEY

WICHITA WILBARGER

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Montague County in north central Texas...

* Until 245 AM CDT.

* At 143 AM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located near Petrolia, or

10 miles north of Henrietta, moving southeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD...65 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE...Trained weather spotters.

IMPACT...Expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees.

* Locations impacted include...

Bowie, Nocona, St. Jo, Sunset, Stoneburg and Forestburg.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

This storm has a history of producing winds of 60 to 70 mph. SEEK

SHELTER NOW inside a sturdy structure and stay away from windows!

Wind damage with this storm will occur before any rain or lightning.

Do not wait for the sound of thunder before taking cover.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
Storm Prediction Ctr, Norman, OK Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Friday, June 10, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE FOR WS 340

NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK

233 AM CDT FRI JUN 10 2022

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 340 REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 800 AM CDT

FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS

TX

. TEXAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE

COLLIN COOKE DELTA

FANNIN GRAYSON HOPKINS

HUNT LAMAR MONTAGUE

RAINS ROCKWALL

...HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO

7 PM CDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Air temperatures ranging from 100 to 105, as well as

heat index values up to 108 expected.

* WHERE...Portions of south central Texas.

* WHEN...From 1 PM to 7 PM CDT Friday.

* IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity 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.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO AMARILLO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, June 9, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Amarillo has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Northwestern Hansford County in the Panhandle of Texas...

Northern Sherman County in the Panhandle of Texas...

Eastern Dallam County in the Panhandle of Texas...

* Until 745 PM CDT.

* At 640 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line

extending from 8 miles southwest of Texhoma to 7 miles west of

Stratford to 7 miles northeast of Ware, moving southeast at 5 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to roofs, siding, and trees is possible.

Hail damage to vehicles is expected.

* Locations impacted include...

Stratford, Conlen and Texhoma.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO AMARILLO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, June 9, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Amarillo has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Hutchinson County in the Panhandle of Texas...

Southwestern Roberts County in the Panhandle of Texas...

Southeastern Moore County in the Panhandle of Texas...

* Until 845 PM CDT.

* At 813 PM CDT, a severe thunderstorm was located over Stinnett, or

10 miles north of Borger, moving east at 35 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to roofs, siding, and trees is possible.

Hail damage to vehicles is expected.

* Locations impacted include...

Borger, Fritch, Stinnett, Sanford and Lake Meredith.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR WEST CENTRAL HUTCHINSON COUNTY

IS CANCELLED...

The storms which prompted the warning have moved out of the warned

area. Therefore, the warning has been cancelled.

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch remains in effect until 900 PM CDT for

the Panhandle of Texas. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch also remains in

effect until 200 AM CDT for the Panhandle of Texas.

...A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 830 PM CDT

FOR NORTHEASTERN OLDHAM...NORTHWESTERN POTTER...SOUTHWESTERN MOORE

AND SOUTHEASTERN HARTLEY COUNTIES...

At 815 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line

extending from Masterson to 6 miles north of Valley De Oro to 10

miles southwest of Boys Ranch, moving east at 45 mph.

HAZARD...70 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Expect some tree damage. Damage is likely to mobile homes,

roofs, and outbuildings. Hail damage to vehicles is

expected.

Locations impacted include...

Boys Ranch, Masterson and Four Way.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to

flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO AMARILLO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, June 9, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Amarillo has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Carson County in the Panhandle of Texas...

Southern Hutchinson County in the Panhandle of Texas...

Gray County in the Panhandle of Texas...

Southwestern Roberts County in the Panhandle of Texas...

* Until 945 PM CDT.

* At 840 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line

extending from 12 miles northeast of Skellytown to 4 miles east of

Borger to 7 miles north of Panhandle, moving southeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and half dollar size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to roofs, siding, and trees is possible.

Hail damage to vehicles is expected.

* Locations impacted include...

Pampa, Borger, Panhandle, Fritch, White Deer, Groom, Lefors,

Skellytown, Sanford, Lake Mcclellan and Kingsmill.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO AMARILLO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Thursday, June 9, 2022

_____

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Amarillo has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...

Northwestern Wheeler County in the Panhandle of Texas...

Southern Lipscomb County in the Panhandle of Texas...

Northeastern Gray County in the Panhandle of Texas...

Roberts County in the Panhandle of Texas...

Western Hemphill County in the Panhandle of Texas...

Ochiltree County in the Panhandle of Texas...

* Until 1000 PM CDT.

* At 857 PM CDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line

extending from 7 miles southeast of Perryton to 18 miles southwest

of Wolf Creek Park to 12 miles northwest of Codman, moving east at

35 mph.

HAZARD...60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to roofs, siding, and trees is possible.

Hail damage to vehicles is expected.

* Locations impacted include...

Lipscomb, Canadian, Miami, Wolf Creek Park, New Mobeetie, Lora,

Farnsworth, Glazier, Codman and Mobeetie.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a

building.

...FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM CDT FRIDAY...

* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.

* WHERE...A portion of the Panhandle of Texas, including the

following counties, Potter and Randall.

* WHEN...Until 100 AM CDT.

* IMPACTS...Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...

- At 901 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to

thunderstorms. Minor flooding is ongoing or expected to begin

shortly in the advisory area.

- Some locations that will experience flooding include...

Amarillo, Canyon, Lake Tanglewood, Mescalero Park, Bushland,

Umbarger, Palo Duro Canyon, Buffalo Lake and Timbercreek

Canyon.

- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood

deaths occur in vehicles.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO AMARILLO Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Saturday, June 11, 2022

_____

HEAT ADVISORY

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service Amarillo TX

214 PM CDT Fri Jun 10 2022

...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM TO 9 PM CDT SATURDAY LOWER

TERRAIN AREAS SUCH AS PALO DURO CANYON STATE PARK AND THE CANADIAN

RIVER VALLEY COULD HAVE TEMPERATURES APPROACHING 110...

* WHAT...Temperatures of 105 to 107 expected. Lower terrain areas

such as Palo Duro Canyon State Park and the Canadian River Valley

could have temperatures approaching 110.

* WHERE...Southwest and north central Texas Panhandle, as well as

the central Oklahoma Panhandle.

* WHEN...From 1 PM to 9 PM CDT Saturday.

* 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.

Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose

fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning

or evening. Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and

heat stroke.

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.

Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
WFO MIDLAND/ODESSA Warnings, Watches and Advisories for Friday, June 10, 2022

_____

HEAT ADVISORY

URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE

National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX

214 AM CDT Fri Jun 10 2022

...HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON CDT /11 AM MDT/ TODAY TO

9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/ THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Temperatures up to 98 expected.

* WHERE...In New Mexico, Guadalupe Mountains of Eddy County. In

Texas, Guadalupe and Delaware Mountains in Texas, and Chinati

and Davis Mountains.

* WHEN...From noon CDT /11 AM MDT/ today to 9 PM CDT /8 PM MDT/

this evening.

* 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.

...THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR JEFFERSON...NORTHWESTERN

LOVE...SOUTHERN STEPHENS...SOUTHWESTERN CARTER...CLAY AND EAST

CENTRAL ARCHER COUNTIES HAS EXPIRED...

The storms which prompted the warning have weakened below severe

limits, therefore the warning has been allowed to expire. However

gusty winds and heavy rain are still possible with these

thunderstorms.

_____

Copyright 2022 AccuWeather
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.
Simon Fraser University has ranked once more as Canadas number one university for innovation and has moved up to number one in the world for entrepreneurial spirit, according to the Worlds Universities with Real Impact (WURI) 2022 rankings.

The WURI rankings measure how universities contribute to society and highlight creative and innovative approaches to university research and education.

I am so proud of the creativity and ambition that our students, faculty and staff demonstrate each day, and excited that their groundbreaking innovations and entrepreneurial spirit have been recognized by WURI, says SFU President Joy Johnson. SFU is doing incredible work in the innovation space, from training students for jobs of the future to partnering with industry and communities to mobilize knowledge that makes a positive impactits an exciting time to be here and watch it all happen.

Its the second consecutive year that SFU has ranked as the top university in Canada, and is the only Canadian university to break into the top 50. The university also rose to top spot for industrial applications. Overall, SFU moved up globally among innovative universities, to 18th in the world (from 24th).

While supporting our researchers desire to make a social impact, we are also playing a pivotal role in helping industry bolster its science innovation pipeline through SFU Innovates, says Elicia Maine, SFUs inaugural associate vice-president, knowledge mobilization and innovation.

Since 2016, SFU has been advancing its innovation ecosystem through SFU Innovates, the universitys innovation strategy.

One success story is SFU spinoff company Ionomr Innovationsa clean-tech and advanced materials company that had its first intellectual property (IP) protected through SFUwhich recently closed a Series A funding round of more than $15 million. Before this success, Ionomr was supported by nearly every component of the SFU Innovates ecosystem, including: 4D LABS; SFU Beedie School of Businesss Invention to Innovation (i2I) program; The Charles Chang Institute for Entrepreneurship; Coast Capital Venture Connection at SFU; SFU VentureLabs; and SFUs Technology Licensing Office (TLO).
Mr. Ngo Son Hai, Deputy General Director of EVN, speaks at the meeting. (Photo: SGGP)

The National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control held a meeting to review the preparation for the operation of the inter-reservoir in the Red River basin in 2022 on June 3, in Hanoi.



At this meeting, Mr. Ngo Son Hai, Deputy General Director of EVN, said that at present, the water source in the river systems in the North is very good, so the capacity of most water reservoirs is running at the maximum, especially hydroelectric plants on the Da River, with a capacity of 24 hours per day.



According to Mr. Ngo Son Hai, this year, the price of input fuels for thermal power production, such as coal, has climbed extremely high, leading to higher electricity production costs.



"The price of imported coal has risen five times. The cost price of coal-fired power has reached VND4,000 per kWh while that of hydroelectricity is only VND1,000 per kWh, Mr. Hai informed and suggested that there should be rational calculation and operational direction about water storage and discharge to effectively use water sources on hydroelectric reservoirs, as well as ensure safety against natural disasters.



Meanwhile, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has recently reported the situation of electricity production in May and forecast for June.



Tuyen Quang Hydropower Plant releases water on June 2. (Photo: SGGP)



In the first five months of this year, the accumulated domestically produced and imported electricity was estimated at 108,758 billion kWh, an increase of 4 percent compared to the same period last year, 109 million kWh lower than the plan.



According to updated calculations of EVN, the domestically produced and imported electricity of the entire power system in the remaining seven months of 2022 is estimated at 166.641 billion kWh.



"Based on the actual situation of electricity supply in the first five months of the year and the plan in the remaining months, the Ministry of Industry and Trade assesses that the electricity supply will basically be guaranteed in 2022, and there will be no shortage of electricity," the agency said. In May, domestically produced and imported electricity by the whole system was estimated at 23.36 billion kWh, including the output of rooftop solar power, down 2.4 percent compared to the same period in 2021, 1.149 billion kWh lower than the approved power supply and power system operation plan in 2022.In the first five months of this year, the accumulated domestically produced and imported electricity was estimated at 108,758 billion kWh, an increase of 4 percent compared to the same period last year, 109 million kWh lower than the plan.According to updated calculations of EVN, the domestically produced and imported electricity of the entire power system in the remaining seven months of 2022 is estimated at 166.641 billion kWh."Based on the actual situation of electricity supply in the first five months of the year and the plan in the remaining months, the Ministry of Industry and Trade assesses that the electricity supply will basically be guaranteed in 2022, and there will be no shortage of electricity," the agency said.

By Van Phuc  Translated by Gia Bao
The 43ha land lot in Hoa Phu Ward of Thu Dau Mot City in Binh Duong Province is related to a land violation case



The Central Economic Commission (CEC) and the Supreme People's Court have lately co-organized a meeting to summarize the implementation of Resolution No.19-NQ/TU by the 11th Central Party Committee. CECs Head Tran Tuan Anh informed that recently, violations of land laws have happened increasingly, but investigation and handling of these cases are not paid proper attention. The reason is the low awareness of several state officials, Party members, and even citizens about observing land laws, leading to officials taking advantage of their positions for corruption or harassment.

Statistics from the Government Inspectorate reveal that in the 7 years from 2013, detected land-related crimes cost over VND2 trillion (US$86 million). More than 67,000ha of land were retrieved. Particularly, the land crime related to the Ministry of Industry and Trade and Saigon Beer-Alcohol-Beverage Corp. caused a financial damage of over VND2.7 trillion ($116.5 million) and attracted much attention from the public since defendants are high-ranked state officials.

Another serious case is that two former Chairmen of Da Nang City Peoples Committee were accused of helping Phan Van Anh Vu to commit land-related crimes to receive thousands of billions of VND from 2006-2014, causing a damage of more than VND22 trillion ($950 million).

The most recent case is that several former leaders of Binh Duong Province were accused of selling 43ha of land from Binh Duong Producing and Trading Corp. with a below-market price, causing a financial loss of VND761 billion ($32.8 million), followed by an illegal legalization of this land use transfer as well as 30 percent of the States shares in the corp. to the private sector, creating yet another loss of VND984 billion ($42.4 million).

Director of the Legal Department (under the Government Inspectorate) Dr. Dinh Van Minh shared that typical land-related crimes are land allocation or lease without auction, causing budget revenue loss; inappropriate auctions for land use right and housing facilities compared to the Land Law and land auction regulations; violations in price identification for land allocation or lease.

Lawyer Truong Anh Tu from the Hanoi Bar Association explained that since land transactions are the most lucrative in the market, many individuals would seek illicit profits from them by taking advantage of weaknesses in the law.

In addition, the current land management mechanism is not perfect yet, especially the land price frame regulated by the State, which is much different from the real land price. He considered this the fatal weakness. Many businesses now were formerly owned by the State and allocated a large amount of land resource. Their land assets came along with them after equitization. Taking advantage of the imperfect legal mechanism on land, several individuals intentionally appropriate this property.

Former Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Hung Vo



Former Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Hung Vo commented that corruptions and waste in public land use lately are caused to some extent by weaknesses in the Land Law. The State is responsible for land management and allocation. However, normally the Peoples Committee of a province keep both roles, which easily leads to corruption.

It is wiser to assign these two roles to two different state agencies. For instance, the Peoples Committee of a province or district is in charge of the first role, while the second is assigned to a separate consistent state unit under the management of the Central Government.

I have many times repeated the words of Karl Marx that Working is the father and land the mother of material wealth. People get richer or poorer, or even imprisoned because of land. It is no surprise that lately, over 70 percent of denunciations relates to land. Therefore, reviewing the implementation of the Resolution of the 6th Conference of the 11th Central Party Committee is necessary to continue with the adoption of the Resolution of the 8th Congress of the Central Party about perfecting mechanisms and policies for addressing issues in land management and use to ensure a harmonious interest between the State, citizens, and investors said General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in his opening speech for the 5th Conference of the Central Party Committee on May 4, 2022.

To eliminate land-related weaknesses, Dr. Dinh Van Minh suggested perfecting land laws, reviewing overlapping, asynchronization between land regulations and other laws, correcting in adequacies in land law implementation.

It is necessary to amend policies on land planning and use, land lease and allocation, land retrieval, land price identification. Land use right must be considered a special commodity, priced according to the market mechanism under the States regulation. Particularly, the State should introduce specific solutions to strictly and transparently control land retrieval and compensation, as well as household relocation support.

By Trung Luong, Gia Khanh  Translated by Vien Hong
Adding yet another accolade to its name, Chandigarh University Gharuan has become the youngest University to make it into QS World University Ranking, debuting straight into the stellar 801-1000 rank band across the globe in the prestigious annual rankings for the year 2023. The overwhelming ranking placed Chandigarh University at third position among all the private universities in India, even as overall, the varsity secured its place in 21st position among all the private and public universities in the country, and bagged top spot in Punjab, informed S. Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chancellor, Chandigarh University on Friday.

Chancellor, S. Satnam Singh Sandhu sharing Chandigarh Universitys achievements in the QS World University Ranking-2023 with media personnel at a press conference in Chandigarh, along with Pro-chancellor Dr R S Bawa and Dean, Research, Dr Sanjeet Singh.

Addressing a press conference at Press Club here, Sandhu informed that Chandigarh University has secured 310 position globally in the Employer Reputation, while the institution features among top 500 universities globally in Academic Reputation.

The University has been placed at 528th rank in International Faculty, while it has been adjudged among the top 600 institutions of the world on the parameters of International Research Network, Faculty Student Ratio, Citations per Faculty and number of International Students.

Sandhu informed that in 2023 edition of the QS or Quacquarelli Symonds world university rankings which were released on Thursday, Indian Higher Education Institutions have performed exceptionally well, with total 41 Universities from India getting ranked, with 7 new entries which is an increase of 20%.

"This has moved India up the ladder in the number of ranked higher education institutions from other countries like France, Australia, Dubai, Singapore, Malaysia, etc. All this has happened due to conscious efforts of the Government of India towards improving the standards of higher education and in particular the introduction and implementation of visionary New Education Policy by Prime Minister Narendra Modi," said Sandhu.

It may be mentioned that QS University Rankings is world's largest and most remarkable annual survey of academic opinion, approved by the International Ranking Expert Group (IREG), and is viewed as the most-widely read university ranking in the world, making it a crucial factor for students across the globe in deciding their universities.

A total of 2462 universities across the globe were ranked on a number of parameters such as Academic Reputation, Employer Reputation, Faculty to Student Ratio, International Faculty and Students, along with many other performance metrics, in the ranking for the year 2023, which were released by QS Ltd CEO and MD, Nunzio Quacquarelli on Thursday at Gharuan campus of Chandigarh University.

In what could only be defined as a dream debut, Chandigarh University became the youngest University to make it into QS World University Rankings for the year 2023. Within ten years of establishment, the university has managed to secure the global rank band of 800-1000, Sandhu told the journalists.

"Among all the Indian Universitiesboth public and private, Chandigarh University has been adjudged the 21st position overall, while it bagged an impressive 3rd position among the private universities of India," Sandhu said, adding that Chandigarh University has secured overall 9th position amongst all Universities in North India and 2nd position amongst all the private universities in the North India.

"Chandigarh University is at first position among all the universities of Punjab and Chandigarh. Our performance has been exceptional on various parameters as well. We are ranked 310th in Employer Reputation in the entire world and have been featured among top 500 universities in Academic Reputation," said Sandhu.

He informed that while Employer Reputation measures the acceptance of degree by the employers and the industry to be considered for jobs, and involved the responses of over 99,000 employers from all over the globe, whereas Academic Reputation is a measure of the value and acceptance of student's degree all over the world, and has been calculated on the basis of the responses and perceptions of over 151,000 academics from all over the world, making Chandigarh University among the best institutions in terms of research.

"The University has been placed at 528th rank in International Faculty, while it features among top 600 institutions in Faculty Student Ratio and number of International Students. In a testimony of its prowess, Chandigarh University has scored 21 against the global median of 8.6, 8.9 against the global median of 7.9 and 10.1 against the global median of 8.7 in these three parameters, respectively, " Sandhu said, adding that University has been adjudged among the top 600 institutions of the world in International Research Network, and Citations per Faculty, the other two parameters used for evaluation of the institutions.

"In less than ten years of its establishment, Chandigarh University has achieved this great feat and the credit for this huge success goes to all the stakeholders including students, faculty, alumni and industry who have contributed through their efforts to make Chandigarh University a Centre-of-Excellence in Higher Education, matching and even bettering the global standards," said Sandhu.

Asserting that Rankings are a great tool to assess the standards of an Educational Institution in the field of Quality Teaching, Industry Exposure, Research & Development that is offered to its students, ultimately helping the young minds to decide the best of institutions for their higher studies, the Chancellor said, "With our first-rate performance in these rankings, the responsibility of the varsity has increased manifold, to not only perform well in National & International Academic Rankings but also to contribute in the exercise of Nation Building by preparing the next generation professionals for the Industry."

Sandhu said that it was a moment of pride for every countrymen that Indian Higher Education Institutions have performed their best till date in the history of these prestigious rankings, leading from the other countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Dubai, France etc.

"Total 41 Universities from India have found place in the QS World University Ranking 2023. There are 7 new entries in these 41 which is an increase of 20%, while 9 Institutions of Eminence from India have featured in top 1000 all around the globe. The credit goes to the vision of Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji and the far-sighted New Education Policy," he said.

Sandhu added, "All the nine Indian Institutions who featured in top 500 got a rapid raise in the rankings after 5 years. This is happening after a gap of 10 years that all Indian institutions featured in top 500 improved their ranking and there is no decline."

Calling for even better performance in the year QS 2024 ranking, Sandhu emphasised on the need of Collaboration for Research, Faculty Exchange, Student Exchange besides enhancing Collaboration in Under Developed Countries and the International Research Network.
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.

4.57 lakh crore) making the UAE, India's third largest trading partner for 2019-20 after China and the US. 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 (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.
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.
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Infant formula maker Bubs Australia has brokered supply agreements with two of the largest supermarket chains in the US, gaining a foothold into more than 4,000 American retail stores from later this month

Bubs shares spiked over 9 per cent after the company confirmed the products it was shipping to the US, as part of the US governments Fourth Operation Formula Fly Mission, would be purchased by Kroger Co, which owns Kroger supermarkets, and Alberstons, which operates the Safeway brand.

Bubs Australia chief executive Kristy Carr. Credit:Chris Hopkins

The stock has jumped up almost 70 per cent over the past month after Bubs was granted US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to import its products to help address a national shortage of infant formulas across the US.

In a deal championed by President Joe Biden at the start of the month, Bubs struck an agreement under the US governments Operation Formula Fly program to import 1.25 million tins of its product.
It was news around the world when outspoken Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny was taken off a flight to Moscow - moaning in pain - after an emergency landing almost two years ago.

While Russian President Vladimir Putins highest-profile political opponent was still in a coma in a Berlin hospital, toxicology tests revealed that he had been poisoned by the Soviet-style nerve agent Novichok.

Alexei Navalny gets a Russian agent to reveal in a phone call details of the plot to poison him in the documentary. Credit:Sydney Film Festival

Now a gripping new documentary chronicles the remarkable scenes as Navalny - not long out of hospital - confronts the Russian agents who tried to murder him.

Navalny remains in a Russian prison, initially sentenced to two-and-a-half-years for a parole violation then, in March this year, given a nine-year sentence on fraud and contempt of court charges that he rejects as politically motivated.
After meeting this week with the state and territory energy ministers to discuss the blowout in the price of gas, the new federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, fronted the media. While Bowen largely kept to the topic, he barely contained his frustration when asked about the Coalitions advocacy for the introduction of nuclear energy.

In a blunt rebuttal, Bowen asserted that nuclear power is the most expensive form of energy and would in no way make lower prices. His voice rising sharply, he asserted: They want that debate? They really want to argue that? Bring it on. Its just complete junk.

Despite Bowens exasperation, the debate over the benefits or otherwise of nuclear energy is already bubbling away. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton made that clear when he told ABC Radio National on Monday that he was not afraid to have a discussion on nuclear. Then opposition climate and energy spokesman Ted OBrien, told SkyNews that it absolutely has to be on the table for serious consideration, and the new leader of the Nationals, David Littleproud, called for a mature conversation on the issue.

Having been in government for nine years its puzzling that senior former Coalition ministers are choosing now, when they are sitting on the opposition benches, to have the discussion. Nevertheless, in an era when the devastating consequences of carbon emissions from fossil fuels are increasingly evident across the globe, the promise of a baseload energy source that does not contribute to climate change might seem attractive to some. Nuclear power plants provide about 10 per cent of the worlds electricity from more than 400 power reactors in 32 countries. France, for instance, has more than 50 nuclear power stations that generate about 70 per cent of the nations electricity.

In Australia, there have over the years been periodic bursts of debate on whether nuclear power was right for Australia. It has always fizzled out or been rejected by expert advice as too expensive, impractical and unpopular.
Australian PM and New Zealand PM meet in Sydney

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A radicalised young Melbourne woman who helped a wannabe terrorist in his plan to fight for Islamic State could be free from prison within three months despite not having renounced her past devotion to an extreme ideology.

Hadashah Saadat Khan was on Friday jailed for 2 years for online communications she had with an American man in June 2016, when she advised him how to travel to Syria to fight for the terrorist organisation, and passed on the details of intermediaries.

An image from an Islamic State propaganda video. Credit:AFP

But with over two years already served, Khan is already eligible for parole and was told by her lawyer she would likely be released from prison in late August. Her time in prison included her writing letters declaring her love for Momena Shoma, another woman jailed for terror offences.

Khan was a teenager when between 2014 and 2016 she became radicalised online through watching a series of violent Islamic State videos and propaganda at her familys Dandenong North home.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size Just a few days into her job as a clinical care consultant at Ashley Youth Detention Centre, Alysha heard a senior staff member tell a young inmate he would turn him into an owl. When Alysha asked what this meant, the jail worker said it involved bashing the young man so severely his head would resemble an owls concave face. Im going to cave his face in, she recalls the senior public servant saying. Alysha started work at the detention centre in northern Tasmania in October 2019. Her job was to help staff rehabilitate troubled child and teen inmates. The owl comment came out of the blue, but she had no time to stay shocked: within weeks, she says she was confronted by a series of escalating incidents. In her first extensive interview since becoming a key whistleblower in one of Australias worst abuse scandals, she has revealed her belief that sexual and other abuse of vulnerable children and teen detainees was systemically covered up or mishandled, including by senior Tasmanian public servants. In paperwork kept in locked cabinets and archived CCTV footage, Alysha discovered allegations that continue to haunt her. For almost 100 years, youth offenders in Tasmania have been sent to the Ashley facility at Deloraine, west of Launceston. Credit:Luke Bowden, ABC News But when she first raised her concerns inside the youth jail, colleagues pulled her aside to offer informal advice. Snitches get stitches, was one piece of guidance. Fit in, or f--- off was another, from a senior public servant. A third warned her that a senior manager at the centre had been denigrating her to other staff by describing her as a Japanese f---doll.

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Eventually, she would raise her concerns with two Tasmanian premiers, as well as a commission of inquiry which, within weeks, is likely to call her as a key witness. To date, 32 Tasmanian public servants have been stood down pending the commissions findings. Rachel* was 14 years old when she was remanded at Ashley Youth Detention Centre for stealing a bag of chips in 2012. Homeless and without an address she could be bailed to, she stayed there for two months. Her punishment would be far worse than the loss of liberty. A decade on, Rachel remains nervous as she recalls her first night locked in Ashley, one of the few youth jails in Australia where females and males are detained together. I was the first girl that had been in there for about a year, so I remember the boys were very excited to see me. I had people banging on my window, and yelling out to me, she says. Rachel speaks about her traumatic experiences at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre. Credit:Nine But she says the first person to sexually assault her wasnt an inmate, rather a medically untrained youth worker who was supposed to be treating her for an upset stomach.

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I felt violated and it was really uncomfortable. It wasnt what I asked for. I needed medical assistance, she recalls. A current Ashley staff member, who spoke to this masthead on the condition of anonymity, confirmed the assault and that Rachel was encouraged to report it to the ombudsman. Paperwork confirms she did. The ombudsman wrote back, suggesting the incident  which should have been reported to police  be handled internally. Rachel says the perpetrator disappeared on paid leave, but returned a fortnight later. I had to continue working with him in programs. It was horrible, she says. The same worker who confirmed that account supported another of Rachels allegations: that another male staff member entered her cell and stared at the naked 14-year-old while she showered. Rachel says it was reported but again minimised. She says her complaints made things worse. She was labelled a dog by staff and inmates. A few weeks later, staff left her unsupervised with several male inmates, who she says sexually assaulted her. It was the [Ashley] workers who left me. They had a duty of care to look after me. It could have been 100 per cent prevented, she says.

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Senior lawyer Angela Sdrinis, who is representing Rachel as she prepares to sue the state government, says the young womans story is far from isolated. Sdrinis is representing more than 150 former Ashley inmates who allege they were abused there over several decades when they were aged between 10 and 18. What strikes Sdrinis most is that their allegations are often so similar, even though many happened years apart. They include the use of isolation and strip-searching as punishment, in breach of internal prison policies and, possibly, criminal law. Very often, they involve the same alleged perpetrators: officials who worked, or still work, at Ashley who either covered up abuse committed by inmates, failed to prevent it or allegedly participated in it themselves. Lawyer Angela Sdrinis is representing Rachel and at least 150 other clients who claim they were abused while incarcerated at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre. Credit:ABC A few of the allegations involving Sdrinis clients have been confirmed in previous criminal cases. One, Andrew*, was 14 when in 2007 he was placed in an Ashley cell with an older inmate, a known sexual predator. Then the two guards meant to be monitoring the teens both took their smoko. I was punched to the side of the jaw and then I was raped, Andrew recalls. To this day I remember exactly how it happened. And I still see it in my brain because there was no help. Andrews case was reported to police. His abuser was convicted and jailed for an attack that Andrew believes was preventable. But the involvement of police makes Andrews case a rarity among Sdrinis clients. Of the five official inquiries that have raised damning concerns about the treatment of inmates at Ashley during its almost 100-year history (including a 2016 report calling for the centre to be closed), a clear theme emerges: the expectation that prison staff would keep complaints quiet and deflect external scrutiny.

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It was no different for Alysha, even though she arrived at the prison as a staff member in October 2019. Within her first few days, Alysha says she encountered routine verbal degradation of inmates, whose numbers fluctuate from a few dozen to less than 10. She recalls staff regularly calling inmates little c---s, little shits, f---ing useless pieces of shit. As days became weeks, she also began to harbour concerns that certain staff had weaponised the prisons safety and discipline procedures. Isolating inmates (a form of solitary confinement) was supposed to be a carefully managed last resort, but she noticed it happening informally to punish children or because staffing was inadequate. Alysha says two staff members confided to her that they were told by superiors to backdate documents authorising the use of isolation. Alysha took her concerns about the treatment of youngsters at the Ashley Youth detention Centre to the Tasmanian premier. Credit:Ross Swanborough Strip searches also appeared to be employed at the whim of certain staff members rather than according to policies. Alysha says a requirement for modesty gowns to be used during searches was ignored. When she queried whether strip searches were being used overzealously, a veteran staff member told her that this was a way of breaking them [inmates] in. Six weeks into her job, Alysha was asked to review concerns that two older, stronger inmates were preying on younger, vulnerable boys. She accessed 12 months of files prepared by prison staff and uncovered a series of reports documenting alleged sexual assaults, including possible admissions of inmate-on-inmate rapes. Each report had been classified as a minor detention incident, meaning it avoided thorough scrutiny, within or outside the centre. The files also suggested that some Ashley staff had previously raised concerns about young inmates being exposed to harm. On August 21, 2019, a youth detention centre manager, Madeleine Gardiner, wrote to the jails senior management. Her email, leaked to The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald by an Ashley insider, warned that despite a number of incidents of serious sexually inappropriate behaviour being inflicted on a young, vulnerable inmate by the two older inmates, the victim was still being locked in a unit with his alleged perpetrators.

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Chinese man with rare bone disease rides swing car to attend national college entrance exam

People's Daily Online) 15:43, June 10, 2022

A young man who suffers from osteogenesis imperfect (OI), a rare genetic disorder that renders an individuals bones extremely fragile, rode a swing car in a school in east Chinas Anhui Province in order to take this years national college entrance exam.

Zhang Liang rides a swing car at his school. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

Zhang Liang, now 21 years old, is a senior at Susong High School in Susong county, Anqing city, Anhui. An OI patient with a stunted body, he had a childhood marked by pain and bone fractures due to his brittle bones.

However, Zhang studied hard and enrolled in the Susong High School after scoring over 730 points in the senior high school entrance exam in 2019.

As he cant walk independently, he has ridden in a swing car at school since the third grade in primary school. Riding my swing car, I will embark on a new journey and achieve higher goals, Zhang said.

Zhang has fastened a splint to his left arm for years and has resorted to pain killers to alleviate his pain.

Fang Guilan (R), Zhang Liangs grandmother, helps him fasten a splint to his left arm. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

Despite all these challenges, Zhang worked against the clock to prepare himself for the college entrance exam. He often stayed up until 11:30 p.m. to continue his learning.

I felt a sense of fun through learning, which is a process of self-improvement, Zhang said.

Zhang has a passion for reading, explaining that reading enables him to interact with amusing souls and feel that he is not lonely.

He also developed a photography hobby to capture the beautiful moments in his life. Pain makes me cherish the moments in my life more than an ordinary person, Zhang said.

Zhang Liang (R) shares photos he took with his classmates. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

Photo shows roadside flowers photographed by Zhang Liang.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji)
Since the Federal Court ruled Twitter must release information that could reveal the identity of the person behind the high-profile account @PRGuy17 to right-wing commentator Avi Yemini, much of the commentary has been about who said what.

But as both a cyberhate expert and someone who has been a predator trolling victim, this is a distracting sideshow. It misses the heart of the matter.

Avi Yemini, pictured at an Invasion Day rally in 2020, wants to find out who is behind the @PRGuy17 Twitter account so that he can pursue defamation against them. Credit:Rachael Dexter

Trolling covers a spectrum of behaviour, with mild pranks at one end and hate crimes at the other. And make no mistake, predator trolling  behaviours at the extreme end  use the internet to do real life harm. In New Zealand, the Christchurch killer murdered 51 people in March 2019. He was a predator troll on numerous levels. One tactic he skilfully and abhorrently employed is called media f---ery in the dark world of trolling.

The mass murderer co-opted the media for his own ends by laying out a manifesto as a kind of bait for journalists and members of the public who were searching for meaning in the crime. Many journalists swallowed this wholesale. The bottom feeders at the Daily Mail published the entire document and let readers download it. This served to promote this kind of violence and copycat crimes, bringing more people to white nationalism.
Its more risky, more unsafe for patients than Ive ever seen, the senior nurse says. Its mostly because of hospital flow issues and severe overcrowding. We have people waiting 72 hours for a bed on a ward. Windowless and time-distorting emergency rooms arent designed for days-long stays, but with hospitals in gridlock, patients clogging corridors and ambulances queued 12-deep outside, timely care is now far from guaranteed. NSW Ambulance has been swamped by record triple-zero calls that have hit up to 3900 daily. With many non-urgent, the states senior assistant ambulance commissioner Clare Beech has proposed a trial of 500 taxis to take low-acuity patients to other health services like GPs and chemists. A patient is treated in the St Vincents Hospital emergency department. Credit:Janie Barrett There are a lot of patients who call triple zero because they are unsure about the most appropriate health service to access, Beech told the Herald. A permanent secondary triage system - a virtual clinical care centre - will be set up so call-takers can refer people who dont need an ambulance to other health services. It follows similar programs set up in Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia.

Chief operating officer at 13cabs, Olivia Barry, says details of the companys arrangement with NSW Ambulance are being finalised. However, Dwyer says without addressing big health system flaws the states hospitals have no way of easing immense pressure. The current system is costing us a fortune and failing people, he says. The cost ineffectiveness of the system means even if the Commonwealth meets states demands of a 50/50 hospital funding split into the future it will be dollars spent on a system not fit for purpose. The state hospitals are dependent on primary care to keep people out of emergency, he says. Almost 50 per cent of Australians now have a chronic illness. There has been a failure to stop the tsunami of lifestyle-induced disease.

What are the solutions? Major reform could include a move towards a single-funded model of healthcare delivery, that would better integrate primary care with hospitals and focus on prevention. Loading People are living longer. Patients are arriving at emergency with complex, chronic conditions, the population is growing and care has been delayed due to the pandemic. There is also a mammoth backlog of elective surgery and doctors and nurses are walking away from the job, utterly exhausted. Patients can wait weeks to get into a GP. The states rural health inquiry heard that wait times to access a GP in Moree are three to six weeks, if one is even available.

Charles Maskell-Knight, a former senior public servant in the commonwealth department of health, says emergency rooms have become so congested because its too expensive to see a GP and many have closed their books. How long can we pretend we have universal healthcare? The health sector has fallen behind. Bulk-billed clinics are harder and harder to find. Emergency rooms are the substitute, he says. Productivity Commission data shows the number of GPs in NSW per 100,000 people is going backwards. In 2020, there were 117 general practitioners in NSW for every 100,000 people, a drop from 120 in 2019. There was a record 1.2 million GP-type presentations to hospitals that were potentially avoidable in 2020-21. The head of the NSW Rural Doctors Network Richard Colbran says 600 rural general practitioners - who also work as visiting medical officers (VMOs) at local hospitals - have left their positions in the past 10 years. There are now fewer than 200 GP VMOs in rural NSW, he says. Last month, NSW Health was savaged in a damning report from a parliamentary inquiry into regional hospitals that raised disturbing allegations over the treatment of whistleblowers and highlighted the cover-up of preventable patient deaths. It found staff were frightened to speak up about critical staff shortages and inadequate resources.

As the Herald reported, those that have paid the price are the patients who have suffered physical consequences and the doctors and nurses who dared to speak out. Both have run up against a toxic health bureaucracy that silences dissent. NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard. Credit:Oscar Colman NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard told the Herald one of the major pressures is the lack of GPs in sufficient numbers, particularly in the regions. There has been a failure since 2013 by successive federal governments to pay GPs what they are worth through Medicare. It has acted as a massive turn-off to incoming young doctors, Hazzard says. People who cant get into a GP end up walking into emergency or arriving in an ambulance. Thats not the way its supposed to be. The funding arrangements that successive federal governments have given the states are insufficient to meet the escalating demand in hospitals. States want to work with the federal government to find more sustainable ways to deliver healthcare in Australia. We have our first meeting with the federal government at the end of June.

Maskell-Knight says governments have set Medicare funding levels and walked away, assuming thats OK. Loading If you go to a specialist you will face $200 in out-of-pocket costs. Wages in the health sector are also falling behind, he says. One leading Sydney doctor says with the citys teaching hospitals in crisis, the Commonwealth needs to seriously address the problems and not say its the states responsibility because clearly the states havent fixed it. Health disadvantage in regional NSW is the most pressing issue, he says.

Australian College of Emergency Medicine president Clare Skinner says the situation in hospitals is getting worse. COVID-19 is also humming away in the background: there were more than 300,000 coronavirus infections reported in NSW during May, and, after a virtual wipe-out during the pandemic, more than 26,000 influenza cases. Other viruses like RSV are also on the march. In the first week of June, the number of people with COVID in NSW hospitals rose from about 1000 to around 1300. We are seeing COVID keep going and some concerns about the transmissibility of Omicron sub-variants. We are also seeing rising cases of influenza A, increased admissions and significant staff sickness and vacancies, Skinner says. We need to get back in the mindset of stopping the spread of infectious diseases. With morale is low, we must make sure clinicians voices are heard by decision makers. Another senior emergency doctor says while their hospital had tried every possible work around... at some point, we need to acknowledge the number of beds we have isnt keeping pace with population growth.

There arent enough spaces on the wards. Discharging to nursing homes and into NDIS places is difficult. Ambulances will now have increased resources, but they have to be able to offload patients at hospitals. The obstruction isnt at an ambulance level. Its on the wards, he says. The NSW government says healthcare funding arrangements with the federal government are insufficient. Credit:Janie Barrett The blowout in waiting times is underlined in the states latest health report card released in March: 56 per cent of people waited more than 15 minutes for a lights-and-sirens ambulance response, about a 20 percentage point increase over the past five years. The states elective surgery backlog has skyrocketed to almost 95,000 patients. Stephen Leeder, an emeritus professor of public health and community medicine at the University of Sydney, says the entire health system has been severely depleted during COVID. The freeze on Medicare rebates was a hideous mistake, he says, referring to a temporary measure introduced by Labor in 2013 as part of a budget savings plan. Weve also had a war with COVID. There needs to be a taskforce set up to deal with the major issues in the health system.

Leeder believes increasing reimbursements to general practices, lifting the salaries of people working in nursing homes by 30 per cent and shifting workloads to the private sector would help. We have no real clue what properly funded and resourced general practice would look like, it could go a long way to dealing with influx of patients into hospitals, Leeder says. Its the most unsafe environment that Ive ever seen. And theres no simple fix to it. Senior nurse He is sceptical of Labors election pledge to trial bulk-billed Medicare urgent-care clinics, agreeing with other experts they are unlikely to empty the nations crowded hospital emergency rooms. Dwyer says it was vital primary care become multidisciplinary, where clinics include general practitioners, nurses and allied health staff. They could include Medicare-subsidised dental care for some groups too, he says.

Elective surgery is completely crippled. Hospitals cant offer adequate surgery because of all the people flooding into EDs and no beds for the surgeons, he says. I hope we have reached a stage where change will happen. COVID-19 has shown up so many weaknesses. Loading We really need to take a radical approach, he says, suggesting a five-year program driven by a special health reform commission. The real problem is our healthcare system is sickness centric we do not have the emphasis on prevention. The Sydney nurse who spoke to the Herald says it was almost impossible to describe the workload.
Peter Breese believes he saw his neighbour Lynette Dawson in June 1984, more than two years after she disappeared from Sydneys northern beaches, and has told a court he did not know at the time that she was missing.

He said during one of his wife Jills visits to him at the former Rockcastle Hospital in Curl Curl, where he had nose surgery, she told him, Ive just seen Lynette Dawson.

I said, Well Ive seen her too, Breese told the NSW Supreme Court on Friday, giving evidence at the trial of Chris Dawson, who has pleaded not guilty to murdering Lynette, his first wife.

Chris and Lynette Dawson on their wedding day in 1970. Credit:NSW Supreme Court

The 33-year-old vanished from Bayview in January 1982. The Crown alleges Dawson killed Lynette on or around January 8 that year and disposed of her body, motivated by his desire to have an unfettered relationship with babysitter and former student JC.
Tamil asylum seeker family arrives in Biloela after four-year battle

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Yet he knew it wasnt enough. On signing the 1968 Gun Control Act, he said: This bill  as big as this bill is  still falls short because we just could not get the Congress to carry out the requests we made of them. If guns are to be kept out of the hands of the criminal, out of the hands of the insane, and out of the hands of the irresponsible, then we just must have licensing ... The voices that blocked these safeguards were not the voices of an aroused nation. They were the voices of a powerful lobby, a gun lobby, that has prevailed for the moment in an election year. But the key to effective crime control remains, in my judgement, effective gun control. And those of us who are really concerned about crime just must  somehow, someday  make our voices felt. We must continue to work for the day when Americans can get the full protection that every American citizen is entitled to and deserves  the kind of protection that most civilised nations have long ago adopted.

That was 54 years ago and nothing has changed. In fact, the annual number of gunshot homicide victims has tripled and the number of guns in the community more than doubled. Now, there are about 400 million guns in America  more guns than people  and after every mass shooting, politicians invoke the name of God and call for prayers. God didnt refuse to support sensible gun-control laws, they did. As a crime reporter, I have known more than 30 people who have been shot, such as gangster Mario Condello, who tried to pick an argument with me in Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. After he calmed down, we had a reasonable chat, agreeing to catch up in a couple of weeks. We never did because he was shot dead outside his Brighton home. Like police officer John Kapetanovski, whose quick reflexes saved his life. He threw his arm up and deflected the bullet that would have hit him between the eyes. His partner, Rod MacDonald, was shot but returned fire, killing the gunman, Pavel Marinof, known as Mad Max.

February 25, 1986: Rod MacDonald is stretchered from a Victoria Police helicopter after the shootout with Pavel Marinof, aka Mad Max. Credit:Jim McEwan I have been to the funerals of crooks and cops and seen the ashen faces of those they have left behind. Far too often, I have been to the Police Chapel to see flag-covered coffins, hear the lone piper and see the honour guard that snakes out of sight. I have also sat and talked to police whose lives have been permanently altered after they went to work on a routine shift and ended up shooting someone. It is not a game. It is not a movie. It is not politics. It is life and death. Seven prime ministers ago, John Howard didnt just pray for the victims of the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, in which 35 people were shot dead by a lone gunman, he decided to take on the gun lobby. He didnt go to church to pray for change, he went to parliament to make the change.

In the previous nine years, there had been nine mass shootings in Australia with 49 victims (beginning in Hoddle Street in 1987, where seven people were shot dead). Gun laws were a state matter and Howard  who had been elected only six weeks earlier  didnt have to buy in. He had nervous National Party coalition partners, whose electorates included a strong pro-firearm element. John Howard wears a bulletproof vest under his jacket as he addresses gun owners in Sale, Victoria. Credit:Colin Murty The smart political move would have been to express sympathy and leave it to the states. The right thing was to take control. It was not just politically but physically brave  he had to wear a ballistic vest at one public rally.

Within 12 days, he had a national agreement for gun reform. It wasnt easy. While most state premiers immediately agreed, he threatened the hesitant with a referendum to make gun control a federal power. One million firearms have been destroyed due to the buyback and subsequent gun amnesties. Since then, we have had one mass shooting in 2019, involving four deaths, in Darwin. (A mass shooting is defined as four or more fatalities in a random attack.) And the lack of easily accessible firearms has resulted in a series of terrorist attacks in Australia being thwarted when would-be offenders were identified trying to buy guns.

Loading In this country, we have many problems but, due to a group of national and state politicians prepared to stay the course and stand up to the firearms lobby, gun murders is not one of them. Texas and Australia have roughly similar populations, yet Texas exceeds Australias annual murder rate every seven weeks. In Texas, they have 6000 bars and 8000 gun dealers. It is illegal to buy a drink there until you are 21, but you can buy a military-grade semi-automatic rifle at 18. In Australia in 2019-20, there were 35 gunshot murder victims, a total exceeded in the US every 15 hours.

If Australia had the same population as the US, at our current gunshot homicide rate there would be 444 deaths a year. In the US, it is about 20,000. The September 11, 2001, terror attacks that cost nearly 3000 lives shocked the world. The fact US residents shoot and kill that number of fellow residents every eight weeks shocks no one. America is in an arms race with itself. More shootings dont lead to reasoned debate but to more people buying guns for protection. In 2020, 17 million Americans bought firearms. The percentage of households with firearms is rising. Any suggestion that AR-15 semi-automatic rifles could be banned leads to panic buying. Now one in five guns bought in America is an AR-15. The reality is nothing is better for the gun business than a mass shooting. An AR-15 is the civilian version of a military weapon originally designed to kill people. It fires about 40 bullets a minute. Its point target range is 550 metres. This means an average shooter will hit a human-size target 50 per cent of the time. Its maximum range is 3.6 kilometres.

You can buy a budget model AR-15 in the US for less than a good TV and about the same price as a nice suit  a suit you could wear to a funeral. Loading In the US, schoolchildren who should be playing hide and seek are drilled on how to hide from someone who wants to kill them with a store-bought military-grade weapon. There are community videos on what to do to protect yourself from a mass killer, the way we have ads on how to deal with a bushfire. Both, it would appear, are considered natural events. Three-and-a-half hours from Uvalde, in Houston, they held a bigger function than the Honey Festival. It was the convention of the National Rifle Association, the powerful lobby group that holds many seemingly powerless American politicians hostage. One-time serious presidential candidate Senator Ted Cruz told the conference: What stops armed bad guys is armed good guys.

Elsewhere, another politician suggested farmers needed AR-15s to protect their chickens from raccoons. This would be entirely sensible if raccoons were armed with anti-tank guns and wore military-grade ballistic vests. November 24, 1963: John F Kennedys assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, is shot dead by Dallas nightclub owner Jack Ruby as police look on. Credit:AP The only thing that stops idiot politicians are sensible citizens with a vote. Therein lies the problem. Americans lack the will to change. Did we mention the other big city in Texas? That would be Dallas, where in 1963 president John F. Kennedy was assassinated with a carbine rifle bought for $19.95 on mail order by Lee Harvey Oswald. Two days after the assassination, Oswald was shot dead by nightclub owner Jack Ruby. Ruby used a .38 Colt Cobra revolver he bought for $62.50 at a local store.
So when Dreyfus was sworn into Anthony Albaneses cabinet last week as Australias attorney-general, he didnt waste time in starting the clean-up. The creation of a national integrity agency is his paramount priority, he says. If he needed any further incentive, he got it from Albanese. When your leader says during the election campaign that we will legislate a national anti-corruption agency before the end of 2022, that concentrates the mind, as Dreyfus put it. Hes set up a taskforce in his department to bring a bill to parliament as soon as possible. Dreyfus describes the proposed body as a nation-building measure. The encroachment of the car pork style of pork-barrelling was breezily dismissed by the former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian  its not an illegal practice, she said. All governments did it, she shrugged.

But they shouldnt. Legality has taken the place of morality in defining the permissible limits of political and administrative action, said Sir Gerard Brennan, former chief justice of the High Court, in the last written opinion of his life, a foreword for the book Keeping them Honest, by Stephen Charles and Catherine Williams. Loading The decline in standards opens the way to corruption, said Brennan, supporting calls for an integrity commission. Integrity has been sapped by political ambition and by the seeking of party and personal benefits. Demanding honest and accountable government was not a political act, said Brennan, who died this month at 94. Judges and retired judges had a duty to speak out. Corruption that erodes honest administration and the disregard of the rule of law in the pursuit of political power  are issues that affect the social health of the community. The foremost activist for a federal integrity agency in the last term of parliament, independent MP Helen Haines, took the precaution of putting it to Albanese on the day he was sworn in as prime minister.

He assured me it was a top-order priority for his government, she says. I think the Australian public have made it very clear that its a high-order priority. It was Haines who had drafted a bill for such a body and attempted to put it before the parliament for debate, but the Morrison government used parliamentary process to kill it. Morrison had no strong intention to legislate an integrity commission at all, says Haines. Although Morrison had promised at the 2019 election to create one, the model he put forward was opposed by all other parties as weak and ineffective. It would have been unable to investigate MPs, for instance. It would not have passed the parliament. So Morrison gave up, and didnt even attempt to negotiate its way through. I dont think he seriously believed he needed one, submits Haines. The Australian people believe otherwise. Morrisons failure to legislate an anti-corruption commission was one of the governments top three weaknesses, according to an exit poll conducted by the Australia Institute, which advocates in favour of such a commission. The crisis in aged care was ranked the No. 1 failure, nominated by 67 per cent as a weakness, and the treatment of women No. 2, at 66 per cent, with the failure to set up an integrity commission ranked third with 61 per cent.

The six teal independents who took seats from the Liberals on election day all campaigned heavily on the need for an integrity commission. For them, it was second only to the need for climate change action. Loading So Morrison did need one for electoral survival, it seems, even if he wasnt keen to pursue the idea. The way the Morrison government operated, it was about the last thing he wanted. Under Haines proposal, an integrity commission very likely would have ruled rorts such as car pork to be corrupt. Labor has promised a detailed audit of $5.7 billion worth of Morrison government grants programs in quest of waste and rorts. The chair of the Centre for Public Integrity, former NSW Supreme Court judge Antony Whealy, says he had given up on the Coalitions promise to implement an integrity commission. So he admits he raised a glass of champagne on election night, and maybe more than one. He took up the cause when he heard an official representing a former Coalition attorney-general, George Brandis, submitting straight-faced to a Senate committee that there is no corruption in the federal government.

That got me going and I havent stopped since, says Whealy. This raises the critical question of definition  how should corruption be defined? Whealy cautions that the battle is not yet won and that hes hoping that the definition will be at least as broad as Helen Haines definition, and thats based on the NSW ICAC definition. If its that broad, its really good. If its narrowed down, that would be a matter for concern. In Haines bill, corrupt conduct is any conduct of any person that adversely affects, or that could adversely affect, either directly or indirectly, the honest or impartial exercise of official functions by the parliament, a Commonwealth agency, any public official. Dreyfus says the Haines bill is the governments starting point. He emphasises that the commission wont be expected to pursue petty corruption  a clerk stealing stamps, for instance. It must be serious and systemic. It would be up to the commission itself to decide which matters to pursue and how to pursue them, within its legislated guidelines, says Dreyfus. But that broad definition would be open to scrutiny. For example, the billions of dollars worth of federal government contracts awarded without competitive tender.

It also could be open to programs such as car pork, where the government systematically allocated public funds in pursuit of a private advantage  in this case, a political advantage. Loading The government very likely wont need the oppositions support to pass its integrity legislation. Haines says she was surprised and pleased that Peter Dutton appeared to be open to the idea. You can see the advantage for Dutton. Morrisons de facto opposition to an integrity commission was an enormous political liability. If Dutton wants to revive the Coalition, hed be better off without this rotting albatross carcass hanging around his neck. But there are risks for him, as well. The government intends to give the commission power to investigate retrospectively. This could open some of the Coalitions recent spending to investigation. Dutton sent an indirect warning to Labor of how he might react if it did. He called for the new agency to investigate Labors links to some trade unions.
Quietly spoken. Tenacious. Kind. With an exceptional feel for how to bring people together in a common cause. Harry van Moorst was determined to make a difference. And, he did.

For the cause of peace demonstrated through his antiwar activism and leadership during the horrific Vietnam War and subsequent interventionist wars.

And, for many other causes around social and environmental justice along the way.

Harry migrated to Melbourne in 1955 with his mother Elisabeth, father Albert, and sister Elsje. They settled first in Moe, where Harry completed his schooling and won a scholarship to Melbourne University. It was at university that his activism began. Like many other students, he was appalled at the slaughter in Vietnam, where Australia had intervened alongside America in a war where over a million Vietnamese, mainly civilians, were to die.

Harry threw himself into anti-war and anti-conscription organising, both on and off campus. He was a founder of the Melbourne University Students for a Democratic Society and played a key role in developing and organising non-violent civil disobedience campaigns against the war and conscription. Off campus, he became one of three Vietnam Moratorium co-chairs, alongside the chair, Jim Cairns (later to become deputy PM). The Vietnam Moratorium sought Australian troop withdrawal and an end to conscription, involving mass civil disobedience in the form of a sit-in of 100,000 demonstrators in Bourke Street. Stop Work to Stop the War was their rallying cry. Together with similar protests across the country, the movement successfully contributed to the 1971 Liberal government troop withdrawal, suspension of conscription, and the advent of the Whitlam Labor government in 1972.

Harry played a particular role for draft resisters who refused to be conscripted for an unconscionable war. Together with Jean McLean and Save Our Sons, he helped establish an underground network of safe houses providing refuge for draft resisters, and simultaneously helped organise events at which draft resisters popped up to confront the government. During a 1969 anti-conscription Dont Register leafleting campaign outside the Melbourne GPO, participants were prosecuted and jailed under the city councils notorious anti-leafleting bylaw 418. Harry, with his networking acumen, liaised with Trades Hall on tackling the problem. Obligingly (and who could resist Harry), the unions moved quickly to act on his suggestion to declare a boycott of Courage beer. Why Courage beer? It so happened that Melbournes then mayor was the board chair of the new Courage Brewery. Within days of the union declaration the mayor and council decided to repeal the bylaw.
This story is part of the June 4 edition of Good Weekend. See all 12 stories.

What is the etiquette for baggage collection at airport carousels? Should you stand close to the edge, ready for a fast getaway, or stand back to allow others access?

N.T., Normanhurst, NSW

Push, claw and bite your way to the front is the best strategy for bag retrieval. Credit:Getty Images

A: If only baggage carousels were more like carnival carousels, with fairground music playing and colourful lights flashing and happy little kids sitting on pretty, dappled suitcases, riding round and round while their parents yell from the side, Careful, honey, hold tight to its little zipper! Careful!

Loading

But theres nothing happy or pretty or dappled about a baggage carousel. These are scary, desperate places filled with tired, broken travellers, all pushing, clawing and biting to get their bags off the merry-go-round  then using the hard corners of those bags to club, bludgeon and skull-smash their way out. Only the most polite people stand at the back  or those with luggage theyre too ashamed to pick up in public (split bags held together with occy straps/leaky boxes filled with raw chicken parts/a bubble-wrapped foot).
A 21-year-old woman was on bail for a string of driving charges when she allegedly crashed her car and killed a man at Sunshine West this week.

Alisha Jane Fagan sobbed and cried out for her father during emotional scenes at a hearing in Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday afternoon as she applied for bail following her arrest over the death of grandfather Sedat Hassan, 69, on Thursday.

Fagan wailed from the dock during the two-hour-long hearing, saying she couldnt sleep and could only think about the crash scene.

I cannot stop thinking about it. Every time I try to sleep I just see him, she cried out.
Kyiv: 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 basslines, 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.

Viacheslav Drofa, known as Otoy, smiles during a concert to raise funds for soldiers fighting for Ukraine in Kyiv, Ukraine, on June 5. Credit:AP

Russian soldiers drink vodka, we are making music, says the rapper, whose real name is Viacheslav Drofa, a sad-eyed 23-year-old who hadnt known he could kill until he had a Russian soldier in his sights and pulled the trigger in the wars opening weeks.

One of the ironies of the February 24 invasion launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin is that in ordering the destruction of Ukrainian towns and cities, he is fuelling 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.
Some of that evidence was laid bare over the course of two hours: compelling, confronting and often damning. One of the most powerful elements involved clips of taped committee interviews with Trump administration officials and family members, showing they clearly knew that the 2020 election was not fraudulent and often sought to tell the president as much. Ivanka Trumps testimony is replayed on a screen at the House select committees first public hearing into the Capitol riots. Credit:AP There was former attorney-general Bill Barr, who made it clear to Trump that he was odds with Trumps view of a stolen election, describing it as bullshit. There was Trumps daughter Ivanka, telling investigators that she respected Barr, and that his views carried weight for her.

And there was Trumps data analyst Jason Miller, recounting a meeting in the Oval Office after the election in which he told Trump in pretty blunt terms that he was not going to win. Equally powerful was previously unseen video of the events before and during the Capitol attack. While Congressional hearings are often characterised by witness testimony and lengthy speeches, this one was told largely through iPhone, GoPro and police camera footage. Some of it was so triggering that members of the audience were brought to tears as they watched the horror unfold on the big screen behind the committee. This image from video from a police worn body camera from the Jan. 6 riot at the US Capitol, was played as a committee exhibit. Credit:AP There was also new testimony from key witnesses, including a Capitol Police officer, Caroline Edwards, who suffered a traumatic brain injury during the attack, as well as documentary filmmaker Nick Quested, who was embedded with the Proud Boys on the day.

What I saw was a war scene, Edwards said. I was slipping in peoples blood. I was catching people as they fell. It was carnage, it was chaos. Overall, the committee managed to set the scene for what some have billed as the most important public hearings since Watergate, the 1972 bungled burglary that led to the biggest political scandal of its time. Watergate involved 51 panel sessions, all of which were also publicly televised, allowing millions of Americans to tune in religiously to hear the often shocking testimony of witnesses. As a result, minds were changed and so too was the course of US political history. But on the cusp of the 50th anniversary of Watergate, todays Republicans are banking on the fact that most people have already made up their minds about January 6, with polls showing that millions of Americans believe the 2020 election was rigged. Whats more, Trumps hold on the party appears to be stronger than ever.

Its also worth noting that this is a congressional probe, not a criminal one. Inciting an insurrection or riot is a federal crime in the US, but if criminal activity is uncovered, it would need to be referred to the Department of Justice, which would have to then prove Trump intentionally whipped up his supporters and intended for them to break into the Capitol and cause harm. Republicans also know that time for the committee is running out. There are now only five months until the midterm elections in November, when Democrats are widely expected to lose their narrow majority. If or when that happens, any political probe into January 6 is all but dead. Nonetheless, the stakes are high. After all, history has a way of repeating itself, and there is every reason to think that the Capitol attack was just the beginning for Trump and his allies  and next time, they may be much better organised. Loading Indeed, despite losing dozens of legal challenges centred on the baseless claim of a fraudulent result, Trump and his supporters have been working hard all year to elect proponents of his rigged election myth to powerful positions at state and national levels.
POINTE BLANCHE:--- A delegation from Port St. Maarten Group (PSG) attended the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Cruise Summit that took place in San Juan, Puerto Rico from June 1-3.

An agenda point for PSG was to look at the value the Port brings to the industry and strategic opportunities for the long-term resilience of cruise tourism development for the destination.

Besides discussing the Port marque value, two additional points of discussion were at the forefront of the three-day summit, education (maritime), and the cruise industrys impact on the environment.

Port St. Maarten CEO Gumbs said investing in maritime education initiatives has been identified as key to ensuring the success of communities in the maritime industry.

PSG has already subscribed to supporting the Kidz At Sea Foundation. The organization was founded in 2012 with the support of the Marine Trades Association and is dedicated to providing young people with access to the opportunities that exist within St. Maartens marine industry, water sports, and other water-based activities.

The educational projects and programs of the Kidz At Sea Foundation are geared towards teaching those who participate in life skills, teamwork, communication, accountability, and self-reliance.

Port St. Maarten Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Alexander Gumbs said on Thursday that the FCCA Cruise Summit was informative and gave additional opportunities for the destination to touch base with cruise partners and other stakeholders.

On Saturday, June 4, Port St. Maarten celebrated its 58th anniversary. It was a time for us as port officials to reflect on the points brought forward at the end of the FCCA Cruise Summit where Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) were discussed.

Maritime-related education is essential to the development of our human resources and fosters the further expansion of our marine industry, taking cargo, cruise, yachting, and ferry operations into consideration, PSG CEO Gumbs said on Thursday.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), considered the leading voice of the global cruise community, in its 2022 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook report, underscores the value of the cruise tourism to local communities and national economies around the world and charts the industrys continued progress towards achieving carbon neutrality.

The cruise industry is leading the way in environmental sustainability and destination stewardship. Cruise lines are making considerable investments in new technologies and new ships and pursuing the goal of net carbon neutral cruising by 2050.

The Fleet of the Future, by 2027, CLIA ocean-going cruise line member fleet will reflect significant advancements in the cruise industrys pursuit of a cleaner, more efficient future of 26 LNG-powered cruise ships; 81 per cent of global capacity will be fitted with Advanced Wastewater Treatment Systems; and 174 cruise ships will have shoreside power connectivity.
PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, Mr. Omar Ottley, welcomed World Bank representatives Ana Holt, Johanne Angers, Marcelo Bortman, and Alyssa Khan to his office to discuss the delegations trip. The group is currently here on the travel they refer to as a mission. The aim of this trip is to gain perspective and insight into St. Maartens situation as it concerns mental health and to have discussions about moving the project along with relevant parties. This is the first mission trip for the group regarding the project.



The spokeswoman for the group during the courtesy visit to the Ministers office, Ms. Holt, remarked that after meeting with the policy team from Public Health and the mental health focal point for the ministry, the manager of the project at the NRPB, and visiting various foundations on the island, the group received a better understanding of the issues the island is facing as they pertain to mental health and substance abuse. The Minister remarked, mental health issues are indeed rampant on the island, but also substance abuse is becoming a great concern, particularly amongst our youth. On behalf of the delegation, Ms. Holt stated after speaking with personnel of the foundations that we visited and policymakers of the Department of Public Health I must concur with [the Ministers] sentiments.



On the mission, the delegation visited the Mental Health Foundation, the Ujima Foundation, Turning Point, and White and Yellow Cross Centre, (both the Hope Estate and St. Johns Estate locations). The group said that they were impressed and inspired by the commitment and dedication of staff, both from the foundations they visited as well as the staff from the government. Ms. Holt reminded the policy team working on health reforms and legislative updates, sometimes we do so much, and we still might not think it enough because we are looking forward to the long path we still must travel. We must remember to reflect and look behind as well from where we came.



At the end of the courtesy visit, the delegation again pledged their support and commitment to the project before posing for a picture and bidding salutations shortly after. The group looks forward to returning to the island later in the year to embark on their second mission in regard to the project.

Minister of VSA Omar Ottley expressed his profound gratitude to the delegation. This is truly a chance for St. Maarten to strengthen our mental health awareness and increase access to mental health care. Amongst the list of technical and financial assistance, we would also like to request legislative assistance to help adjust the current laws so that we can intervene at an earlier stage, without infringing on human rights. Ottley said
~ The law has a kink that has to be addressed --- Ottley.~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of VSA Omar Ottley and the Inspectorate told members of parliament on Friday that St. Maarten is working with an old Dutch law that is outdated when it comes to the importation of medicine.

The Members of Parliament committee on health discussed the:-

1) the re-introduction of semi-pharmaceutical products like Vicks, Bengay, alcolado, and others into supermarkets

2) the legalization of CBD products in St Maarten.

During the debate, the minister said the law has a kink and he can only deal with the problems based on the law available to him.

Ashanti Van Heynigen from the Inspectorate explained that the importation of the over-the-counter medication was not registered by any of the known importers on the island. Van Heynigen said that importers would have to first register these over-the-counter medications and then request exemption from the Minister of VSA in order for them to distribute and sell the over-the-counter medication.

Member of Parliament Christopher Emmanuel raised several concerns about the closing of pharmacies at the end of the day while the only pharmacy that opens until 9 pm is in Maho. Emmanuel said that residents can order the over-counter medication from Amazon and it will be shipped to them.

Another point raised by the Independent Member of Parliament said that erectile dysfunction is a disease yet people are able to purchase sex enhancement medication from the various sex shops on the island.
June's full moon , known as the Strawberry Moon, will come the same day the moon reaches the closest point in its orbit around the Earth, called perigee, creating a " supermoon " on June 14 at 7:51 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time in New York (1152 UTC) according to the U.S. Naval Observatory (opens in new tab).

For observers on the east coast of North and South America, the moon will be below the horizon when it is officially full, as the moon sets at 5:09 a.m. in New York, 6:21 a.m. in Miami, and 6:32 a.m. in Rio de Janeiro (all times are local).

The moon reaches perigee at 7:23 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on June 14 according to the sky-watching site In-the-sky.org (opens in new tab). At perigee, the moon appears about 10 percent larger than average  a "supermoon." On average the angular diameter of the moon is about 31 arcminutes  a bit more than half of one degree. One degree is about the size of a pinky finger held at arm's length, and an arcminute is 1/60th of that. The "supermoon" is about 33.5 arcminutes. Even though the name sounds like it should be really large, it takes a very observant skywatcher to tell the difference.

Related: What is today's moon? Moon phases 2022

Top telescope pick! (Image credit: Celestron) Looking for a telescope to see the supermoon? We recommend the Celestron Astro Fi 102 (opens in new tab) as the top pick in our best beginner's telescope guide.

The moon appears larger because its orbit is an ellipse rather than a perfect circle. At perigee, the moon will be 222,098 miles or 357,432 kilometers from Earth , per heavens-above.com (opens in new tab) calculations. The average distance between the moon and Earth is 240,000 miles or 384,400 kilometers, and it can be as large as 252,500 miles (405,000 kilometers).

The full moon occurs when the moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun , and as a result, we see the entire face of the moon illuminated. Occasionally the moon's orbit carries it within the shadow of the Earth, producing an eclipse, as happened on May 15-16.

The full moon, during the Northern Hemisphere summer, tends to be lower in the sky than at other times of the year. The moon roughly tracks the ecliptic, the plane of the Earth's orbit projected on the sky. If one imagines the sky as a huge sphere, with Earth's latitude and longitude lines projected on it, the ecliptic makes a circle that's tilted with respect to the celestial equator.

The ecliptic also marks the path of the sun against the background stars . In summer the sun is on the ecliptic high above the celestial equator, so the day starts early and ends late. The moon is on the opposite side  so it's well below the celestial equator. Thus the moon rises late in the evening and sets early in the morning.

Related: How to photograph the moon using a camera: techniques, kit, and settings

In the Southern Hemisphere, the situation is reversed. Since winter there starts in June, the sun is low in the sky and the moon is higher up. So if you are watching the full moon in Melbourne (which occurs at 9:51 p.m. local time on June 14), you will see it rise that evening at 4:40 p.m. and set the next morning (June 15) at 8:18 a.m. local time. It will be 78 degrees above the horizon when it reaches its highest point, known as crossing the meridian, right above the northern horizon, at 12:26 a.m. on June 15. In New York City, the moon rises at 9:15 p.m. and crosses the meridian at 1:43 a.m. on June 15, only 22 degrees above the southern horizon.

One effect is that in the summer months (June through September in the Northern Hemisphere, and December through March in the Southern Hemisphere) full moons tend to look larger and more photogenic; being closer to the horizon the moon's light has to pass through more air, making it tint orange or red, and there are objects one can see in the same frame (trees and buildings, for example) that give it scale.

On June 14, the full moon will arrive on the same day the moon is at perigee, the point in its orbit closest to Earth. (Image credit: Starry Night)

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Visible Planets

Saturn is the first of the naked eye planets to rise; in New York City it comes up at about midnight local time on the night of June 14-15 in New York. In the constellation Capricornus, by sunrise, it is 34 degrees high in the south. In Melbourne, the planet rises earlier in the evening, at 9:54 p.m. on June 14 , and by sunrise, on June 15 the planet is some 45 degrees high in the northeast.

Two days after the full moon on June 16 at 5:21 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Mercury will be at its greatest western elongation, or the furthest it gets west of the sun in the sky. That makes the planet a " morning star " which rises at about 4:15 a.m. on June 16 in New York City. The sun rises soon afterward at 5:24 a.m., and by about 4:50 a.m., when the sun is 6 degrees below the horizon and in many cities, the streetlights start to turn off, the planet will be a mere 6 degrees high. Catching Mercury will require an unobstructed eastern horizon and clear weather.

Observers in southern latitudes will have an easier time. From Melbourne, on June 16 Mercury rises at 5:39 a.m. , and the sun doesn't rise until 7:34 a.m. local time. At 7:00 a.m. Mercury will be 14 degrees high in the northeast, a much easier target.

Venus , meanwhile, will also be a morning star. In the Northern Hemisphere, it will be above and to the right of Mercury, in the constellation Aries . For New York City, the planet rises at 3:39 a.m. and reaches an altitude of about 20 degrees by sunrise on June 14. Venus is bright enough that it stays visible even as the sky turns visibly light; a good exercise is to check how close to sunrise (which is at 5:24 a.m. on both June 14 and 15) one can still see the planet. As with Mercury, from Southern Hemisphere locations it will be higher in the sky; on June 14 the planet rises in Melbourne at 4:49 a.m. and a half-hour before sunrise is 22 degrees high.

Mars rises in New York at 2:04 a.m. local time on June 15, when the full moon will still be high in the sky. The Red Planet is in the constellation Pisces, the Fishes. As the Fishes are a faint group of stars, Mars will stand out, especially as the full moon tends to wash out fainter stars. By sunrise Mars is 31 degrees high in the southeast. In Melbourne Mars rises at a similar local time  1:59 a.m.  but the angle the ecliptic makes with the horizon will be steeper; so by 7:00 a.m. Mars is 47 degrees in altitude above the northeastern horizon.

Jupiter rises in New York at 1:38 a.m. local time on June 15; by 3 a.m. it will be some 15 degrees high in the southeast, in the constellation Pisces. Jupiter will be above and to the right of Mars. Southern Hemisphere observers will see the planets "reversed" with Jupiter above and to the left of Mars. In Melbourne Jupiter rises at 1:13 a.m. on June 15 and by 3 a.m. it is about 20 degrees high in the northeast.

Mars, Jupiter, Neptune and Saturn as viewed from New York on June 14, 2022 in Starry Night Pro 7. (Image credit: Starry Night Pro 7)

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Constellations

The Summer Triangle is on full view by 10 p.m. in the evenings in mid-northern latitudes; Vega , the brightest star in Lyra, will be 45 degrees high in the East and below it will be Deneb and Altair with Deneb on the left, making a rough right-angle triangle with the hypotenuse connecting Altair and Deneb, pointing south.

Scorpio, meanwhile, is above the horizon in the southeast and above Scorpio is Ophiuchus, the legendary healer. Ophiuchus is a relatively faint constellation, but looking up from Scorpio in a dark-sky location, one can see the four stars that make a rectangle marking the body and the stars to each side that mark the constellations Serpens Cauda and Serpens Caput, the head and tail of the snake Ophiuchus, as a healer, is holding. With a full moon, it is more challenging to see as the moon is so bright it can wash out fainter stars. Above Ophiuchus is Hercules, with its "keystone" asterism, four medium-bright stars. Look to Hercules' right and one encounters Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown, a distinct semicircle of stars with Alphecca, the brightest of them, marking the middle of it.

The Big Dipper is high in the northwest, facing downward, and one can follow the handle to Arcturus , which is in the high southwestern sky. If one keeps going one reaches Spica, the brightest star in Virgo, which is headed to the southwestern horizon.

From the mid-southern latitudes the moon will, by 10 p.m., appear quite high in the sky; about 50 degrees up from the latitudes of Cape Town or Melbourne. The moon will be in Sagittarius and just below Scorpius (which appears "upside-down" with the Scorpion's claws facing north). Looking to the right (southwards) of Scorpius one will see Centaurus, which will be near the zenith. Centaurus contains Alpha Centauri , Earth's nearest stellar neighbor. Just to the right of Alpha Centauri is the Southern Cross, the midline of which points to the South Celestial Pole. Further right and towards the horizon (west) is Carina and Vela, the Keel and the Sail of the legendary ship Argo which Jason sailed. Rising from the west is a winding line of stars making up the Hydra, which extends upwards between Vela and Virgo. Adjacent to the Hydra on the right is Crater, the Cup (the Hydra looks almost as though it is carrying the cup).

Summer triangle and meteors observed from Grunstadt, Germany (Image credit: davidhajnal via Getty Images)

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How the Strawberry Moon got its name

The full moon of June is often called a Strawberry Moon, from the berries that appear in North America around that time of year (though modern varieties are available at other times as well). According to the Ontario Native Literacy Coalition, the Ojibwe treated the Strawberry Moon (Ode'miin Giizis) as a time for annual feasts, welcoming friends and family, and letting go of judgement.

By contrast the Cree called it Opiniyawiwipisim, the Egg Laying Moon, as it was when birds and waterfowl started laying eggs. In the traditional Chinese lunar calendar , June 24 will fall during the fifth lunar month, called Sweet Sedge Month, or Puyue.

In the Southern Hemisphere, the Maori described the lunar month of Hongonui, which occurs from June to July: "Man is now extremely cold and kindles fires," according to the Encyclopedia of New Zealand .

Editor's note: If you have an amazing night sky photo or video that you'd like to share for a possible story or image gallery, please contact editor in chief Tariq Malik at spacephotos@space.com .

Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.
WINDSOR LOCKS  Windsor Locks is the home of a canal, Bradley International Airport, and now, apparently, a moose.

A moose has been spotted hoofing it on the highway and making its way across the Connecticut River in the past week, with most sightings in Windsor Locks, according to a wildlife biologist with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

In all, there were seven sightings in as many days, Andrew LaBonte said Friday.

Its not extremely common, he said.

One explanation is that spring, especially May and June, is calving season, LaBonte said, when mama moose gives birth to new calves and kicks out last years newborns.

They are dispersing, he said. So theyre in search of their own habitat.

Unlike deer, which travel in groups, moose are solitary animals, LaBonte said.

DEEP has 31 reports of moose sightings since Jan. 1, but the string of recent ones in north central Connecticut started on June 3.

A moose was seen that day in Suffield, near River Valley Animal Center, LaBonte said. The neighborhood is not far from Bradley International Airport.

Someone later reported seeing a moose on Poole Road in Suffield, northeast of the veterinarian.

The next day, on June 4, the moose was spotted at the American Honda Motor Co. building in Windsor Locks. Later in the day, it was seen in the Connecticut River, near a water treatment plant. It had a close encounter with a boat, one person wrote on Facebook, according to LaBonte.

Moose are excellent swimmers, he said.

Windsor Locks police Sgt. Wayne Kulas said he heard about some of the sightings.

Last I heard, it was seen down by the river, wading, Kulas said.

Suffield police Capt. Robert Palmer said the moose went back and forth, from Windsor Locks to East Windsor on the other side of the river.

This moose traverses back and forth between East Windsor and Windsor Locks, Palmer said.

The same day it was swimming, it also was seen on Interstate 91, near Route 159 in Windsor Locks, LaBonte said.

Highway sightings are not to be taken lightly because moose can do a lot of damage to an oncoming car and the people in it. When their long legs are struck, their massive bodies can fall onto the windshield and injure the front-seat passengers. On average, female moose  or cows  weigh 750 pounds, while males  bulls  weigh 1,000 pounds, according to the DEEP.

Thats how a New Hampshire resident died on the Merritt Parkway in New Canaan in 2007, LaBonte said, the only fatal moose-car collision in Connecticut he recalls in his 20 years at the agency.

In the Windsor Locks case, no accidents were reported, although a car on Route 20 in Granby did hit a 550-pound moose a few weeks ago, he said. The mooses two back legs were broken and it had to be euthanized.

Connecticut has one to six car-moose crashes a year, LaBonte said.

The Windsor Locks moose took a while to move away from I-91. On June 5, it was spotted nearby on South Center Street in town, he said.

As of Friday afternoon, the most recent sighting was reported Thursday on Bent Road in Windsor, farther to the west.

Other moose sightings

Thats not the only moose that is roaming around Connecticut.

Also this week, there were moose sightings in Farmington (Monday) and in Bristol (Tuesday). One was reported in Mansfield on June 3 as well, LaBonte said.

Moose travel 5-10 miles a day sometimes, he said, even farther if they are breeding, which happens in the fall, specifically September and October.

There are an estimated 100-150 moose in Connecticut, LaBonte said. The number has dropped over the years from its high in the 2000s because living conditions are not ideal for the animals. Moose get stressed by the heat, and need lots of evergreen trees to keep cool year-round. Thats why most are in northwestern Connecticut.

Moose usually try to avoid being near humans, but people who see one should keep their distance, LaBonte said.

Take a photo at a safe distance if you can, just so we can verify that it is a moose, he said.

People with pictures of moose are asked to email them to Andrew.labonte@ct.gov. All sightings should be reported on the environmental agencys website.
DANBURY  Furious parents and staff are demanding they have more input in the hiring process after a former teacher of the year and current interim principal at a Danbury elementary magnet school was passed over for the permanent principals job.

After Merle Jackson was announced this week as the new principal at the Western Connecticut Academy of International Studies, parents and educators have rallied around Matthew Calvanese, a former fourth-grade teacher who has served as interim principal at the school better known as AIS in recent months. Jackson could not be reached Thursday for comment.

Calvanese said Thursday that he appreciated the support from the community.

The only thing I would say is that I love AIS and I've thoroughly enjoyed working as the interim principal and working with wonderful family and staff and students, said Calvanese, who added his current plan is to continue working here.

A handful of community members argued Wednesday he should have been picked as permanent principal and would have maintained continuity for students and families still struggling due to the instability from COVID-19.

Hes done so much for the school, one parent, Janis Anderson, told the school board. I'm honestly just disgusted to put it bluntly. Im really trying to understand what flaming circus hoop he needed to jump through to be chosen. I just don't understand it. Hes earned this position through sweat and unpaid labor.

She and others begged the school district to reconsider hiring him, although the district plans to stick with its decision to appoint Jackson, who comes from another school district.

I want to make it clear, we feel confident we have hired an excellent candidate to serve as principal of AIS in Merle Jackson, Superintendent Kevin Walston said.

He added he hopes Calvanese stays with the district. Calvanese, who began teaching at AIS in 2010, would go back to teaching fourth-grade math.

However, the backlash prompted the superintendent to suggest the district review its hiring policies and protocols so that theyre more inclusive of staff in the building, who said Wednesday they werent included.

I think the staff made some really good points in terms of inclusivity as part of the process, Walston said. It might be time to revisit our own policy, which might include a little bit more voice from the respective schools.

School board members were concerned about the issue, questioning the hiring process and worrying it could be unfair to Jackson, who must work harder to earn the trust of the school.

Why would you want to bring someone into an environment and its going to be hostile? said Gladys Cooper, the longest-serving school board member, who added this could affect retention.

Hiring process

Julie Moore, a fifth-grade teacher at AIS, said the hiring process worked differently this year compared to when former Principal Christopher Roche was appointed to replace Helena Nitowski, who retired in 2017. Then, staff chose a committee to represent the school, and staff were asked what they wanted in a new principal, she said.

This years process seemed rushed and unprofessional, and to be honest I was under the impression that the interview was a formality, Moore said.

Kimberly Mango Thompson, chief talent officer, said the school district followed the hiring process established 10 to 11 years ago through education board policy.

We followed the same board-prescribed policy this time as we did today with the Broadview (Middle School) candidates, as we will do with the REACH/Endeavor candidates and the assistant principal at the high school, she said.

Two panels  one made of up stakeholders affected by the hire and the other consisting of central office and curriculum staff  interview the candidates separately, she said. Thompson debriefs with both panels and brings that feedback to the leadership panel, which this year included the chiefs of elementary and secondary of education, who were the outgoing principals. The administrative cabinet conducts final interviews and recommends a hire, with the superintendent getting the final say.

School board members and teachers are included in the panels, although two teachers had to withdraw last minute due to testing on the day of the interview, Thompson said. One of two education board members also couldnt make it, she said.

Administrators declined to tell board members why they picked one candidate over the other.

Experienced educators

Jackson comes to the district with 18 years of experience as an elementary school teacher and seven years as an administrator, according to Danbury schools.

Ms. Jackson is going to be a great addition to our team of exceptional elementary principals, Walston stated when she was announced on Monday. Jackson's experience, accomplishments, and passion for education made her the unanimous choice for the position.

Walston said he has spoken to Jackson about the these issues, and she has quite frankly embraced the challenge. Roach, the former AIS principal, will be Jacksons supervisor.

We are planning and anticipating its not going to be ideal circumstances but certainly we will be there to support her for that transition, and the staff, as well, Walston said.

Jackson was one of two new principals announced this week. Domitila Pereira, who has served as an assistant principal for 11 years and briefly as interim principal at King Street Primary, was named the permanent principal at that school. She began her career in Danbury in 1998 as a ESL/bilingual science teacher before moving into school leadership.

We love to see people grow in their careers within our school district, Walston stated when she was announced. Ms. Pereira has proven her ability to lead and learn in a collaborative environment.

One parent questioned why an internal candidate was selected for King Street, but not AIS. The parent described how Calvanese stepped up during remote learning and served as a hub and point of contact for families.

Lori Woodruff, a fourth grade teacher at AIS, said she was heartbroken and angry that Calvanese wasnt named principal. As as a teacher, Calvanese acted as the unofficial and unpaid assistant principal, and made the transition to interim principal seamless.

He already had a relationship with the older students, and quickly learned the names of all the younger students, she said.

Mr. Calvanese has worked tirelessly over the years to build confidence and a strong rapport with students and families, Woodruff said. He has found a way to communicate particularly well with our ESL families. They trust him, they respond to him, they respect him. He has built that rapport with every family he has come in contact with and has helped create a climate of diversity and engagement and trust.

When he was named Danburys 2019-20 Teacher of the Year, he said he enjoyed getting to know students and fostering an interest in math.

I focus on making relationships with the kids, and I ask them what their interests are, Calvanese said in a district newsletter in 2019. I try to find something I can connect to and we can bond over.
MUSKEGON, Mich. (AP)  A groundbreaking ceremony will be held for The Muskegon Museum of Art's $11.2 million expansion project.

The event is scheduled Saturday, according to the museum in western Michigan. The expansion is expected to be completed in 2024 and will include galleries, classrooms, a rooftop terrace and a public plaza.

The expansion also will feature space for the works of women artists. Collectors Steven Alan Bennett and Elaine Melotti Schmidt have donated $1.5 million toward the expansion and more than 150 works of art created by women to the museum.

The Van Kampen Boyer Molinari Foundation and city of Muskegon also donated $1 million each to the expansion.

The museum opened in 1912 and has more than 5,000 pieces in its collection.
STAMFORD  A New York man rejected two offers, including one from a Superior Court judge that would have resulted in no jail time, in a case connected to the fatal overdose of a 27-year-old Greenwich resident in July 2020.

Anthony Tella, 28, of Mamaroneck, rejected two offers  one made by States Attorney Paul Ferencek and another conveyed by Judge Gary White  during a hearing at the state Superior Court in Stamford on Wednesday.

Under the states offer, Tella would have pleaded guilty to a second-degree manslaughter charge in return for a 10-year jail sentence, suspended after three years, and five years probation.

The second offer would have had Tella plead guilty to the same charge, except he would have received a fully suspended jail sentence in connection to the overdose death of 27-year-old Dalton Bryan Zeballos in Greenwich on July 25, 2020.

Both the state and the court withdrew their offers following Tellas rejection on Wednesday. Tella faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted of second-degree manslaughter.

It wouldnt shock me if a judge put you in jail, White told Tella after he rejected the second offer.

Tella, who is represented by Anthony J. DiFiore, will now await a trial.

Tella was arrested on Dec. 3, 2020 on a second-degree manslaughter charge stemming from Zeballoss overdose.

According to Tellas arrest warrant, Tella and Zeballos routinely met up to take heroin and occasionally other drugs.

In the arrest warrant, Greenwich detectives detailed how they found text messages that connected Tella to the fentanyl-laced heroin that ultimately killed Zeballos.

Those text messages, police said in the warrant, also directly contradicted what Tella originally told police about his last meetup with Zeballos.

Anthony Tella was the sole facilitator and provider that enabled Bryan to procure the illegal narcotics (heroin) on July 24, 2020 that caused his untimely death, police wrote in the warrant.
SAINT CLAIR  Dunkin in the Coal Creek Commerce Center has gone digital only, just the fourth location of the popular coffee chain nationwide, and the second in Northeast Pennsylvania, to do so.

The 3,200-square-foot store at 400 Terry Rich Blvd., which opened in October 2008, has two kiosks where customers place orders inside the store with credit cards or gift cards, or order through Dunkins mobile app  no cashier needed. Cash is accepted only at the drive-thru.

The other three digital Dunkin locations are in Dallas, Pa.; Boston, Massachusetts; and Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

Robert S. Carl, president and CEO of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, said the advancement made Monday another great day in Schuylkill County.

He took part in a grand reopening ceremony along with Jason Bower, who owns the countys three Dunkin locations; state Rep. Tim Twardzik, R-123 Butler Twp. (Schuylkill County); Schuylkill County commissioners Gary Hess and Barron L. Hetherington; Saint Clair Mayor Richard Tomko and borough secretary Roland Price; Tom Gerhard, deputy district director for U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-9, Dallas; and Mark Wiederhold, chamber chairman.

While the remodel of the store was completed in January, scheduling delayed the grand reopening celebration until now.

Bower said the addition of the kiosks  one at the ordering counter and the other mounted on a wall  will improve ordering accuracy and enable employees to concentrate on food preparation and other tasks. Thirty-four people are employed full time at the store.

Customers will notice new seating and decor in the lobby, too.

Booths that seated 42 have been replaced by chairs and tables that seat 28, providing a more open atmosphere.

Bob Schlack, 72, of Shenandoah, a customer since 2008, the year the store opened, is impressed.

I think its wonderful, he said.

Twardzik ordered a coffee and a doughnut using the wall kiosk.

Its a bit of a challenge to do this before my morning coffee, he joked, although he was successful.

Tomko said Dunkin is a place to meet old friends and make new ones.

Various speakers thanked Dunkin for being a good community partner.

Thank you for making your business home in Saint Clair, Hess said.

Bower presented a $2,000 check to the Schuylkill YMCA on behalf of his franchisees and the Dunkin Joy in Childhood Foundation.

The money will be used for summer camp at the Saint Clair Area Elementary School for county children in kindergarten to age 12. The camp, running through Aug. 12, involves activities and field trips, and lunch is provided for the participants.
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The Government welcomes the adoption of Romania's Accession Roadmap to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development at the final session of the OECD Council ministerial meeting on Friday, June 10th, a press release by the government reads.

The Roadmap sets out the terms, conditions and stages of Romania's accession to the Organization and aims to align the legislation, policies and internal practices with those of the OECD.

"The document mentions the sectoral committees that will assess compliance with OECD legislation and practices, the principles that will guide their work, as well as the manner in which the accession discussions with the Romanian authorities will be carried out. The Roadmap emphasises the importance of the common values, vision and priorities shared with the Organisation as essential elements throughout the accession process, including the final stage of obtaining OECD membership. The adoption of the Roadmap represents a key step in the process of Romania joining the OECD, an important objective of our foreign policy, which strengthens the perspective of continuing on a trajectory of progress and economic development," the release says.

"This guidance document regarding the sectoral objectives and the criteria that Romania will have to meet gives us a clear and objective picture of the directions in which we must direct our efforts for the success of the accession discussions. We aim to implement the best practices and OECD standards, all the more so as they converge or are complementary to those that Romania has already assumed through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and can contribute to the fulfillment of the government programme," Prime minister Ciuca said, according to the press release.

The Prime minister also welcomes the adoption, at the same ministerial meeting of the OECD Council on 9-10 June 2022, of a series of Recommendations in key areas for economic and social development, such as policy for small and medium-sized enterprises, better opportunities for young people, combating tax crime or sustainable development.

"Romania has joined the respective Recommendations through an interinstitutional coordination process facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," the press release adds.AGERPRES
Addressing on Friday the plenary session of the Bucharest Nine (B9) Summit, President Klaus Iohannis said that in the context of the war in Ukraine this meeting is more relevant than ever and that the solidarity of dialogue and cooperation make the foundation of the common strength.

"The Bucharest 9 format provides a clear added-value in forging cohesive messages and ensuring coordinated approaches of the nine eastern flank allies, but also at transatlantic level, regarding the security of our Alliance as a whole. This meeting is more relevant than ever from at least two perspectives. First, the dramatic regional developments which claim our heightened attention and coordination. Solidarity, dialogue and cooperation are the fundamentals of our common strength. Today's agenda will, thus, address the current security developments in Ukraine and their impact on the larger neighbourhood, including other vulnerable partners, such as Georgia and the Republic of Moldova, but also on the allied security as a whole," the Romanian head of state said.

Iohannis also pointed out that Romania is the NATO member state with the longest border with Ukraine.

"Since February 24, we are facing a completely new security reality in the region. We are going through a crucial moment for the Euro-Atlantic region, and especially for us, the NATO countries on the eastern flank. Romania is the NATO ally sharing the longest border with Ukraine, but we all have an acute sense of the threats the Euro-Atlantic space is facing as a consequence of the illegal and immoral Russian war of aggression against Ukraine," said the Romanian President.

He went on to point out that at the NATO Summit in Madrid due at the end of the month, a new long-term vision will be adopted through the Alliance's new Strategic Concept.

"It is a momentous time as we chart the path for the Alliance at least for the next decade. At the end of this month, we will adopt, at the NATO Summit in Madrid, decisions of great impact for our present and future security. We will shape up a common long-term vision through the new Strategic Concept, putting collective defense and Article 5 at the core of our actions and implementing a significant transformation of our deterrence and defence posture, especially on the eastern flank, as we decided on March 24 in Brussels," the head of the state said.

According to the President, the reinforcement of NATO's posture along the entire eastern flank in a unified and balanced manner is becoming an urgent necessity.

"As the security risks for Romania and the Black Sea region are increasing, the consolidation of NATO's posture on the eastern flank in its entirety, in a unitary and balanced manner, especially in the southern part of the eastern flank, is even more urgent and crucial. I trust that the B9 unity and common approach will facilitate the ongoing allied negotiations, as well as the NATO decision-making process. It is for us to deliver the security to our citizens thus responding to the real threats generated by Russia," underscored Iohannis.

President of Romania Klaus Iohannis and his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda, the initiators of the Bucharest Nine (B9) format, welcomed on Friday at the Cotroceni Palace the participants in the B9 Summit. AGERPRES
President Klaus Iohannis said on Friday that at the B9 Summit there had been an exchange of substantive views between participating leaders on recent security developments, stressing that it is necessary for the Alliance "to be able to defend every inch" of its territory.

"Today we have focused on what we need to do to ensure and deliver, in a concrete way, security for our citizens in this fundamentally changed reality. So, we had an exchange of substantive views today on recent security developments, but also on the allied response to them, especially in preparation for the decisions at the NATO Summit in Madrid. Today's dialogue has, once again, highlighted our strong commitment to actively contributing to NATO's objectives. We have also stressed in this context the need for NATO's future strategic concept to reflect as appropriately and realistically as possible new security parameters, to give priority to collective defence, to define Russia as a threat and to strengthen the Alliance on all levels in order to face all the challenges of the present and the future," the president said, in a press statement.

Iohannis stressed that it is necessary for the Alliance to be able to defend every inch of its territory. He spoke of a strengthened NATO presence on the Eastern Flank, especially on the Black Sea, the "most exposed" to Russian threats.

"It is necessary that the Allied be able to defend every inch of its territory, of allied territory. The result we are pursuing is a consolidated NATO presence on the Eastern Flank, unitary and coherent, robust, credible and sustainable especially on the Black Sea, the most exposed to Russia's threats. We are working to adopt concrete elements in this regard at the NATO summit in Madrid, which will take place at the end of this month. The Black Sea region has a strategic importance for Euro-Atlantic security, and future deterrence and defence measures must address the security needs of the area as a matter of priority," the president said.

Iohannis noted that collective defence is and must remain NATO's "fundamental, priority task", adding that the transatlantic connection and Article 5 of the Washington treaty make NATO "the most powerful political-military alliance" in history.

"We examined the stage of implementation of the decision we took at the meeting of NATO leaders on March 24 regarding the transformation of the Allied posture on the Eastern Flank. We reiterated that the extensive process of adapting the Alliance for the future must begin with the deep rethinking of NATO's deterrence and defence posture, but in the long run. We need to ensure that NATO is able and prepared to respond effectively and in a calibrated manner to the threats it faces," the president said.

According to the president, the B9 format represents "an essential framework for coagulation and the design of common, articulated positions" on important topics for the security of the Eastern and Euro-Atlantic Flanks. Iohannis stressed that the B9 format, together with NATO allies, ensures "an applied dialogue" on the implications of the Russian military invasion.

"Bucharest 9 is a format that has become all the more necessary in these moments when we are confronted at the border of the North Atlantic alliance with an open conflict that generates human life loss and propagates instability and insecurity in the region and throughout the Euro-Atlantic area. Since the beginning of the hostilities, on February 24, the allies from Central and Eastern Europe, part of the B9 Format, have maintained a dialogue and a close coordination, and the series of meetings held so far definitely demonstrates the added value of the B9 format," Klaus Iohannis said.AGERPRES
President Klaus Iohannis said on Friday after the Bucharest 9 (B9) Summit that special emphasis was placed on the need to further support Ukraine and the Ukrainian people, but also the Republic of Moldova, noting the importance of efforts to ensure food security and strengthen NATO's relations with partners in the region.

"At the same time, another important topic addressed during the talks was the multiple consequences of war, not only from a security perspective, but also from a humanitarian and economic point of view. In this regard, special emphasis was placed on the need to further support Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. I reiterated on this occasion the fact that Romania has made sustained efforts to support Ukraine from a humanitarian point of view, but also the Republic of Moldova. I also underlined in this context the importance of efforts to ensure food security, an area in which Romania already offers consistent support," affirmed Iohannis.

The head of state mentioned he upheld "the prospect of strengthening NATO relations with partners in the region, who are deeply exposed to Russian pressure and aggression."

President Iohannis has supported the accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO.

"Moreover, I have expressed Romania's strong support for NATO's open door policy and for the accession of Sweden and Finland to the Alliance. The accession of these states will contribute to the strengthening of the security of the Alliance as a whole, for a more effective deterrence and defense posture, including on the Eastern Flank. Based on our shared vision on the changes in the security environment and the need for the Alliance to respond accordingly, we will continue to work closely to identify and promote the best solutions for NATO's long-term consolidation. At the end of the summit, we adopted a joint statement reflecting our position," the Romanian president went on to say.AGERPRES
Polish President Andrzej Duda said in Bucharest on Friday that his recent visit to Ukraine was "one of the hardest experiences" of his life.

Andrzej Duda, together with President Klaus Iohannis, is co-chairing the B9 Summit at Cotroceni Presidential Palace.

"We stand at a special moment. Ukraine has been fighting the Russian invaders for four months, NATO is completing its preparations for the Madrid Summit," the Polish president said at the opening of the session, according to the official translation.

Andrzej Duda thanked US President Joe Biden for his support of the B9 Summit.

"My visit to Ukraine was one of the hardest experiences of my life. My memories will remain forever. Opposition to the bestiality of Russian aggressors, pity for their victims, the fact that we see chapters that we thought were closed forever reopen, the attempt to create an order based on cooperation did not have any result, because Russia has not stopped thinking about its projects of imperial development, territorial expansion, shift of the balance of power and spheres of influence. There is talk about about ruski mir [Russian peace - ed.n.]," confessed the Polish president.

He stressed that "Ukraine is able to defend itself against Russian aggressors across its entire territory."

"In order to avoid future mistakes, we will have to look very closely at how this could happen. The most important thing now is to support Ukraine, to strengthen NATO's deterrence factor, to develop a coherent strategy to stop Putin's imperialism. These must be based on the synergy of actions between NATO and the European Union, and the potential of the likes of Bucharest 9 must be used," Andrzej Duda concluded his intervention.AGERPRES
Polish President Andrzej Duda, speaking at the end of the Bucharest Nine (B9) Summit in Romania's capital city on Friday, said that the participating countries want a stronger NATO forward presence in the region, which should play a defensive role.

"We are in the front line (...), NATO's eyes are on us," he said.

Referring to the conclusions of the Bucharest Summit, Andrzej Duda said: "We want to make sure that there is a stronger NATO forward presence," emphasizing that he also wants this to ensure an "advanced defense", requiring the current battle groups to be upgraded to brigade status. In this context, the President of Poland explained that a brigade consists of at least 3,000 soldiers.
The President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, wished a "successful summit" on Friday to the presidents of the allied states on NATO's Eastern Flank, gathered in Bucharest in the B9 Format, .

In a Twitter post, the head of the US administration said that he is "looking forward" to seeing them again at the NATO Summit in Madrid.

President Biden also said that the United States pledges to defend NATO's Eastern Flank, strengthening the region's energy security, and working together to support Ukraine."

On Friday, the presidents of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, and of Poland, Andrzej Duda, initiators of the Bucharest 9 Format, received, at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace, the participants in the B9 Summit.
Former Minister of Tourism Elena Udrea, in a statement made immediately after a Bulgarian court decided to have her extradited to Romania to serve a 6-year prison sentence in the "Bute Gala" case, said that "there seems to be no justice" for her in Romania or Bulgaria either.

Udrea also told reporters on the halls of the Sofia Court of Appeal that she cannot explain to her little girl what is happening, but that she will lie to her that she cannot come home because she has something to do.

"There is seemingly no justice for me, neither in Romania, nor in Bulgaria. (...) I will come out with a message in the coming days for those who put pressure on the judges, but also for the judges who yielded to pressure. The judges have been subjected to pressure for the April 7 ruling," Udrea said as she left the courtroom, handcuffed and escorted by Bulgarian police.

Asked how she will explain her absence to her daughter, Udrea replied: "Do you think that a three-year-old child knows what is happening or that I would tell her what is going on? I will tell her a lie again, that I cannot come because I have something to do, as I have been lying her for two months now."

The Sofia Court of Appeal upheld on Friday the request of the Romanian authorities to have the former Minister of Tourism Elena Udrea extradited to serve 6 years in prison in the "Bute Gala" case.

In a final ruling, the Bulgarian court ordered the enforcement of the European warrant issued against Elena Udrea and her extradition to Romania. AGERPRES
Prime Minister Nicolae Ciuca sent on Friday a message of gratitude to the OECD members for having approved the Roadmap for Romania's accession to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

"We thank the OECD members for approving the Roadmap for Romania's accession to the OECD. We congratulate Secretary-General Mathias Cormann, his leadership and his team's efforts. Romania looks forward to getting involved with members in the accession process," Nicolae Ciuca said on Friday, in a message on the Government's Twitter page.AGERPRES
President Klaus Iohannis had a meeting on Friday, on the sidelines of the B9 Summit, with his Latvian counterpart, Egils Levits, the Presidential Administration informs in a release sent to AGERPRES

On the agenda of the discussions were the prospects of strengthening bilateral cooperation, coordination at European level and in the various regional cooperation formats, such as Bucharest 9 and the Initiative of the Three Seas, whose next summit will be hosted by the President of Latvia in Riga on June 20, 2022.

In the context of celebrating this month of 100 years of diplomatic relations, the presidents of Romania and Latvia have highlighted the positive dynamics of bilateral cooperation, but also the existing potential in the economic field, by increasing trade and mutual investment, education, environment, research and cyber security, according to the press release.

Iohannis reiterated the importance for Romania of the Three Seas Initiative, which has multiple strategic implications, from the security to the economic component, with a focus on the transport and energy infrastructure.

The president also recalled Romania's decision to resume in 2023 the participation in the NATO air police mission in the Baltic area, this being appreciated by the Latvian counterpart as a contribution to ensuring allied security on NATO's Eastern Flank, the Presidential Administration said.

The two presidents also exchanged views on the security situation in the region and support for Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees. They also discussed the concrete ways of supporting the Republic of Moldova, both in terms of its application for accession to the European Union, as well as in economic, financial terms and in order to face the current challenges in multiple plans.
President Klaus Iohannis had a meeting on Friday with his Hungarian counterpart, Katalin Novak, on the sidelines of the Bucharest 9 Format Summit, a context in which he expressed his full readiness to deepen the dialogue and cooperation at the highest level with the Hungarian side, informs the Presidential Administration, in a press release sent to AGERPRES.

Taking into account the special potential of cooperation between Romania and Hungary, Klaus Iohannis stressed the importance of pragmatic cooperation and in correct parameters, in the logic of an authentic and sincere strategic partnership, in a European spirit, guided by the principles of the Treaty of Understanding, Cooperation and Good Neighbourliness between Romania and the Republic of Hungary (Timisoara, September 16, 1996) and of the Declaration on Cooperation and the Romanian-Hungarian Strategic Partnership for the Europe of the Century XXI (Budapest, on November 29, 2002), from the inking of which 20 years are celebrated in 2022, the source adds.

The press release also says that the President of Romania reiterated the importance of the dialogue for solving all the issues of interest bilaterally and for avoiding unilateral approaches, which cannot lead to sustainable and efficient solutions.

In this context, Iohannis stressed the deep conviction of the Romanian authorities regarding the fact that the persons belonging to the national minorities, as exponents of the societies to which they belong, contribute to the creation and consolidation of bridges between the state of citizenship and the state whose ethnic origin they have, having an important role in promoting and developing the cooperation relations between them, the quoted source reads.

Stressing the importance of developing bilateral economic and sectoral cooperation, Klaus Iohannis pleaded for the projects of interest not to be discriminatory on the basis of ethnicity, not to be limited to certain parts of the Romanian territory and to be in line with the Romanian or European legislation.
The Sofia Court of Appeal admitted on Friday the request of the Romanian authorities regarding the extradition of the former Minister of Tourism, Elena Udrea, who has to serve a 6-year imprisonment sentence in Romania, in the Gala Bute case.

The court in Bulgaria ordered the enforcement of the European warrant issued in the name of Elena Udrea and the extradition to Romania, the decision being final.

Elena Udrea was brought in handcuffs to the courtroom, where she received a verdict from Bulgarian judges.

On Friday, Elena Udrea made the last attempts to persuade the judges from the neighboring country not to send her to Romania. Thus, she requested the referral to the Court of Justice of the European Union with a preliminary question regarding the legal standard at the level of the European Union states.

As the settlement of the complaints at the CJEU takes a long time, Udrea requested that she be released until a CJEU verdict.

Udrea also told the Bulgarian judges about the numerous "wrongdoings" committed against her during the trial in Romania and asked them to reject the Romanian authorities' request for her extradition.

In early April, Elena Udrea fled Romania before the Supreme Court upheld the 6-year prison sentence received in the Gala Bute case.

On April 7, Udrea was caught by the Bulgarian border police while trying to cross into Greece with a car at the Kulata crossing point.

In mid-April, the Blagoevgrad district court approved the enforcement of the European warrant issued in her name and her extradition to Romania.

Elena Udrea appealed this verdict at the Sofia Court of Appeal, to no avail.AGERPRES
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.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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.
Your retirement is likely to be the largest single financial goal you'll ever have to save for. Indeed, reaching a comfortable nest egg is a task that will probably take decades to complete. Despite the time involved, there's a straightforward approach that can help you get there faster. Indeed, if you follow the strategy, you could even get to the point where your account balance is around 10 times the spending amount you gave up by contributing to your plan.

Even better, once you put the plan in motion, the approach can be automated enough that you might even have the opportunity to 10x your retirement savings while barely lifting a finger. Although that may sound too good to be true, it's important to recognize that while the strategy is feasible, even under the best of circumstances, it still takes time to get there.

These four steps are all it takes to put you on the path to where that straightforward 10x is in the realm of possibility.

Step 1: Sign up to max out your 401(k) match at work

Many companies that offer 401(k) style plans offer matches for employees who contribute to the plan. Although details vary from company to company, a typical match is 50% of your contribution, up to some percentage -- such as 6% -- of your salary. That match is key to helping you reach your goal.

For the sake of making the math easier to follow, assume you make $60,000 a year -- $5,000 a month. Also assume that your employer offers that fairly typical 50% match, contributed at the same time that you make your contributions. As you sock away 6% of your salary -- $300 per month -- your employer would add another $150, making the total saved for you $450 every month.

In addition to the employer match, what makes this step so very helpful on your journey is that 401(k) contributions are typically made automatically from your paycheck. So once you sign up, you don't need to put in effort for them to continue, every single pay period.

Step 2: Pick the traditional style of 401(k) contributions

There are generally two different types of contributions you can make to your 401(k): traditional or Roth. With a Roth plan, you pay taxes on the money before you contribute it, but you can typically take qualifying withdrawals in retirement completely tax-free. With a traditional plan, you get an immediate tax deduction, but you have to pay ordinary income taxes on the money when you withdraw it in retirement. For either type of 401(k), the money grows tax- deferred while in the plan.

The key benefit of a traditional plan is that with an immediate tax deduction, it costs you less out of pocket to make a given contribution amount. With that example salary of $60,000, you'd likely be in the 22% federal tax bracket. Adding 3% for state taxes would bring your total marginal tax burden to around 25%.

Thanks to that deduction, the $300 per month you're socking away really only costs you around $225 out of pocket. With the $150 employer match, you have a total of $450 -- and between your contribution, the tax deduction, and your boss's match, the balance in your account has already doubled your out-of-pocket cost. And best of all, you're just getting started.

Step 3: Invest in a broad-based, low-cost, index-tracking stock fund

Getting money into your 401(k) might be the toughest part of this strategy, but figuring out where to invest your money once it's there is equally important. Fortunately for you, investing in a broad-based, low-cost, index-tracking stock fund is a simple strategy that very often beats Wall Street's best and brightest.

As a result, if your 401(k) offers such a fund and you have enough time to let the market work its magic, investing in a broad-based, low-cost index fund can be a great idea. Between its simplicity, low cost, and market-tracking potential over time, it's a low-effort way to invest while seeking to 10x your retirement money.

Step 4: Wait, patiently

How long it takes for your money to 10x from this point depends on what rate of return you earn along the way. To 10x the out-of-pocket cost of your first investment ($225 out of pocket, $450 with the help from your boss and the tax deduction), your money would need to grow to $2,250. At a 10% annualized return rate, it would take just under 17 years. At 8%, it would take just under 21 years; at 6%, it'd take closer to 28 years. Although stock-market returns are never guaranteed, returns somewhere in those ranges would be in line with the market's historical long-term performance.

Once you've reached the target: Congratulations, you've successfully multiplied your initial out-of-pocket retirement savings by 10, while barely lifting a finger along the way. And even at the low end of that return range, you can achieve it well within the length of a standard career.

For best results, keep on investing

This remarkably simple four-step strategy does give you a great shot of reaching that 10x goal with your retirement money. Still, a one-time investment almost certainly will not be sufficient to build a substantial nest egg all on its own. Keep making those investments throughout your career, though, and you're talking the potential of some real, life-changing money.

That $450 a month invested on your behalf could even grow to be $1 million by the time you retire. At 10% a year, it'd take almost 30 years. At 8%, it'd take almost 35 years. At 6%, it'd take nearly 42 years. That's quite some time, but it's still potentially achievable within a career. Even then, once you've started the contributions, you're still doing very little work while amassing a million-dollar nest egg. That's not a bad potential endpoint for such a simple strategy.

Of course, the key to the whole strategy is time. The sooner you get started, the more of that time you have available on your side, and the better your chances are of building a decent nest egg by the time you retire. So get started now, and whether you have the time to 10x your money or not, you can at least give yourself a much better chance at a financially brighter future than if you'd never invested at all.

The $18,984 Social Security bonus most retirees completely overlook

If you're like most Americans, you're a few years (or more) behind on your retirement savings. But a handful of little-known "Social Security secrets" could help ensure a boost in your retirement income. For example: one easy trick could pay you as much as $18,984 more... each year! Once you learn how to maximize your Social Security benefits, we think you could retire confidently with the peace of mind we're all after. Simply click here to discover how to learn more about these strategies.

Chuck Saletta has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
ST. LOUIS  The organization that monitors electricity usage across a swath of the Midwest is concerned that the intended closure of the regions second-largest coal-fired power plant could, at critical times, leave customers without power.

In response, St. Louis-based power utility Ameren said it should push back the proposed closure of its embattled Rush Island Energy Center as late as the fall of 2025, a delay of about three years, until it can build new power lines to bring electricity in from elsewhere, and balance supply and demand.

The adjusted timeline is guided by a newly completed study about how Rush Islands planned retirement could affect operations of the regional electric grid. That analysis identifies reliability concerns for surrounding areas and says certain transmission upgrades would be needed to fully close the facility, according to the grids overseer, the Midcontinent Independent Systems Operator, or MISO.

Ameren said its committed to an approach that addresses those issues.

Until those transmission projects are completed, some operation of the Rush Island units will be needed, Ameren wrote in recent court filings. The company said that its plan will strike a balance between ensuring reliability and reducing emissions of air pollutants like sulfur dioxide.

Ameren added that it has already begun taking steps to plan and get approval for the necessary transmission lines.

The dispute at Rush Island has raged for more than a decade, sparked by Amerens decision to modify the plants generators without obtaining proper permits  upgrades that increased the facilitys output of both electricity and harmful emissions.

After years of fighting, Ameren faced a court-ordered requirement to outfit the plant with expensive pollution controls, often called scrubbers. But rather than pay up to $1 billion for the technology, Ameren announced in December that it would instead retire the plant far earlier than its previous 2039 target. The company aimed for a September closure.

But with the legal debate recently shifting to questions of when and how to shut down Rush Island, MISOs reliability study loomed as a pivotal piece of analysis likely to influence the ultimate conditions and chronology of the plants closure.

MISO is able to designate certain sources of power generation as a System Support Resources unit  a distinction that provides compensation to keep them running for reliability reasons, when they would otherwise close.

Ameren said that its own analysis has also shown that Rush Islands two generating units are needed for reliability purposes during certain peak periods and that they must be available to run in emergency events, if called upon by MISO  situations that have become more common.

Ameren has been assessing what operations may be needed ... during the interim period until the necessary transmission projects are completed, the utility wrote.

Still, the company said there will be significant periods when the units will not need to operate at full load, and when neither unit will need to operate, absent an emergency.

The company said it should be able to cap use of the plant and restrict its levels of allowed emissions. Through 2024, for instance, Ameren proposes capping Rush Islands sulfur dioxide emissions at roughly half of its annual 18,000-ton average.

Amerens legal opponents have two weeks to respond to the utilitys new proposal in federal court, but some provided an immediate  and critical  reaction late Wednesday.

Its sadly ironic that the grid operator says Amerens uncontrolled coal-burning power plant is needed for reliability because of possible capacity limitations due to extreme heat and drought caused by our changing climate  when climate change is caused in the first place by burning fossil fuels like coal, Jenn DeRose, a Missouri representative of the Sierra Clubs Beyond Coal Campaign, said in a statement. The organization is a plaintiff in the case along with the U.S. Department of Justice.

Both plaintiffs have argued that Ameren should be forced to pay a hefty price for the public harms caused by Rush Islands long-running and continuing pollution  a total they say spirals to billions of dollars in social costs.

Ameren knowingly violated the law at Rush Island, and it continues to pump unpermitted sulfur dioxide emissions into the air, causing disease and premature death for people in St. Louis and farther downwind, the Sierra Club said. Bottom line, Ameren must be held accountable for its long-standing violations of the Clean Air Act.

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Most mystery readers have favorite authors. Sometimes, though, like it or not, our favorites break out of their boxes and bring us something different.

Other times, we take a chance and discover an author who quickly becomes a new favorite. Thats the case with several of the mysteries I rounded up this month.

Local Gone Missing

By Fiona Barton

Fiona Bartons three previous mysteries  The Widow, The Child and The Suspect, all featuring journalist Kate Waters  were good, solid reads. But Local Gone Missing, which abandons that trilogy, may be her best yet, a cleverly crafted puzzle that has emotional heft and social commentary as well as an intriguing web of mysteries.

Following multiple characters in a before and present timeline, Local Gone Missing introduces the inhabitants of the shabby British seaside town of Ebbing, where gentrification threatens, but quiet escapes are still possible. Police detective Elise King didnt move there to hide, exactly, but shes been holed up in her cottage while recovering from breast cancer. Then the disappearance of a well-liked man who wasnt what he seemed brings her back to the job.

Elise is happy to return to everyday police work, the skin on skin contact with crime that she has missed. But shaky on her feet and unsure how she fits in a hierarchy that went on without her, she feels even more strongly the stresses on a woman in a male-dominated profession.

Local Gone Missing is a slow build, plot-wise, but all the more satisfying for that. Heres hoping Barton revisits Elise, and her friends and colleagues, in future books. (Published by Berkley, 387 pages, $27, on sale June 14)

The House Across the Lake

By Riley Sager

What the (bleep) is going on? the protagonist asks herself at a pivotal point late in The House Across the Lake. What the bleep indeed. Riley Sagers latest comes with a twist so wackadoodle, it almost renders the previous 250-plus pages irrelevant.

Fans of Sagers Home Before Dark and Lock Every Door are likely to be less thrown by what he conjures up out of the lake than someone familiar only with his last, the straightforward Survive the Night.

Tricks and twists are part of the pleasure of reading mysteries, but this one  about which I wish I could tell you more without spoilers  feels like cheating. Why, we may well wonder, did we spend so much time (so very much time) sitting on the porch with actress-turned-alcoholic Casey as she drank heavily, wallowed in the loss of her beloved husband, drank more and spied on the neighbors, only to find that instead of a lake trout, wed been served a red herring? (Published by Dutton, 368 pages, $27, on sale June 21)

Riley Sager When  7 p.m. June 22 Where  Ethical Society of St. Louis, 9001 Clayton Road How much  Free More info  left-bank.com; stream at facebook.com/leftbankbooks.stl or youtube.com/leftbankbooks

And There He Kept Her

By Joshua Moehling

A book that begins with a shotgun blast can rarely be described as delightful, but thats the case for Joshua Moehlings And There He Kept Her. Vivid characters and a sharp sense of place prevent this debut novel from being your average small-town puzzler.

(Acting) Sheriff Ben Packard  gay and semi-closeted, tough in a little town like Sandy Lake, Minnesota  is one of my favorite heroes from recent mysteries, and the supporting cast, from evildoers to oddballs, means theres rarely a dull passage. I especially got a kick out of Gary, a beefy, bearded trucker who runs a dog rescue and has a past in porn. Hes a hoot, honey.

I could do without plots about abducted girls, but this one didnt settle for being simply tense, offering depth as well. I was surprised to learn this is Moehlings first novel and glad to know the second entry in the series is due next summer. (Published by Poisoned Pen Press, 320 pages, $26.99, on sale June 14)

The Woman in the Library

By Sulari Gentill

A womans scream brings four strangers together in the reading room of the Boston Public Library in this low-key mystery, structured to give us two puzzles in one.

Freddie, who narrates, is an Australian writer in Boston on a fellowship. Sharing her table are Cain, Whit and Marigold, who have nothing in common except coincidence, until they team up to solve a murder. One will become a love interest; one, Freddie tells us upfront, is a killer.

Author Sulari Gentill breaks up this story with emails to its supposed author, Australian Hannah Tigone, from a fan named Leo, who takes it on himself to get details about Boston  and murder  just right.

The Woman in the Library is engaging and easy to read, if not particularly memorable. Gentill is as interesting as her books, which include stand-alones like this one as well as the Rowland Sinclair series. Born in Sri Lanka and raised in Zambia, she now grows French black truffles on her farm in the foothills of the Snowy Mountains of Australia. (Published by Poisoned Pen Press, 288 pages, $27)

A Rip Through Time

By Kelley Armstrong

As a huge fan of Kelley Armstrongs Rockton mysteries, I was reluctant to read something so different from her, despite realizing shes better known for her many works in fantasy and horror. A Rip Through Time is unlike even those, the first in whats projected as a Victorian time-travel crime series.

Mallory Atkinson, a 21st-century Canadian police detective, is in Scotland to care for her dying grandmother when an innocent jog sends her back 150 years and into the body of a Victorian housemaid in Edinburgh. There, she cleans toilet pots while also helping the master of the house in his rudimentary forensics work.

A Rip Through Time has lots to like about it. But it feels at least 50 pages too long, and were in Mallorys head so much as to feel claustrophobic at times. (Published by Minotaur, 340 pages, $27.99)

Peril at Pennington Manor

By Tracy Gardner

Gardner mentions Nancy Drew in the dedication of this book, and thats apt. Although the characters are adults, this second in a series of cozy whodunnits featuring antiques appraiser Avery Ayers reads like young-adult fiction, including descriptions of cute outfits, family drama and, of course, a slow-building romance.

In the interest of full disclosure, Ill add that I plucked a review copy of Peril at Pennington Manor because my name is Pennington and I wanted to check out our Manor. Turns out its perilous. (Published by Crooked Lane Books, 304 pages, $26.99)

Gail Pennington is a former longtime television critic for the Post-Dispatch.
FRIDAY, June 10, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- A form of diabetes caused by malnutrition is significantly different from type 1 or type 2 diabetes and should be considered a distinct form of the disease, a new study says.

The findings may prove crucial in developing effective treatments for malnutrition-related diabetes, which is rare in wealthy nations but affects tens of millions of people in Asian and sub-Saharan African countries, according to the researchers.

Patients with this form of diabetes are mainly thin, poor teens and young adults who rarely live more than a year after diagnosis. Insulin injections usually don't help and can even cause death from low blood sugar.

The disease was first identified nearly 70 years ago, but treatment is unclear due to a lack of research into the condition.

"Current scientific literature offers no guidance on managing malnutrition-related diabetes, which is rare in high-income nations but exists in more than 60 low- and middle-income countries," said study author Dr. Meredith Hawkins, founding director of the Global Diabetes Institute at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City.

"The doctors in those countries read Western medical journals, so they don't learn about malnutrition-related diabetes and don't suspect it in their patients," Hawkins explained in a college news release. "We hope our findings will increase awareness of this disease, which is so devastating to so many people, and will pave the way for effective treatment strategies."

In this first comprehensive study of people with the disease, Hawkins and colleagues conducted metabolic tests on 20 men in India, ages 19 to 45, likely to have malnutrition-related diabetes, as well as people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and people without diabetes.

The researchers concluded that malnutrition-associated diabetes is significantly different metabolically from type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and should be considered a distinct type of diabetes.

The study was published June 2 in the journal Diabetes Care.

Diabetes affects 1 in 10 adults worldwide, and three-quarters of them (400 million) live in low- and middle-income countries, Hawkins noted.

"In those countries where it's been studied, the prevalence of malnutrition-related diabetes among people with diabetes is about 20%, meaning that about 80 million people may be affected worldwide," she said.

"For comparison, an estimated 38 million people are now living with HIV/AIDS. So we clearly need to learn a lot more about malnutrition-related diabetes and how best to treat it," Hawkins said.

More information

There's more on diabetes at the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

SOURCE: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, news release, June 2, 2022

Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange.
It was the racist voicemail heard around the world.

KSDK anchor Michelle Li shared a viewers message on social media, ended up going viral and used that moment to launch something greater than she could have imagined.

It all started with a passing comment she made on air during a New Years Day shift. Li talked about the traditional foods eaten on the holiday to bring good luck, such black-eyed peas, greens and pork. At the end of the segment, she added, I ate dumpling soup; thats what a lot of Koreans do.

A couple of hours after the segment aired, Li got a call from a female viewer who left a long, rambling voicemail message criticizing her for being very Asian. She told Li to keep her Korean to herself.

Instead, Li shared it with everyone.

Rural Missouri roots

Li was born in South Korea. She arrived in America at 7 months old when her white parents, who lived in Brookfield, Missouri, adopted her. Brookfield is a town of about 4,000 people in the northern part of the state.

Her family moved to a house outside of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, then a rural town 30 minutes south of Kansas City, when she started first grade.

Her father worked as a laborer in construction. Her mom handled accounts for an insurance company. Li grew up an only child in a family that loved to hunt and fish.

I definitely grew up country, she said, with a laugh. And while she enjoyed her childhood and was popular in high school, she also struggled to feel truly accepted.

Growing up Asian American in rural Missouri in the 1980s and 90s had its challenges.

There were a lot of things that happened that shaped my personality and also motivated me to leave that town and not come back, she said.

On her first day of kindergarten in Oklahoma, before they moved to the Pleasant Hill area, a classmate pulled back his eyes while looking at her. In that moment, she realized what it meant to be different.

She was 5.

When the 1987 movie Full Metal Jacket came out, her classmates threw money at her and said Love you long time, imitating the Vietnamese sex worker portrayed in the film.

She regularly heard racial and ethnic slurs from kids in the community.

I felt like I was fighting for my life in junior high, she said. One time, a girl followed her home and kept asking, What kind of rice do you want? The bully threatened to beat her up, and they got into a fight. Li was terrified.

She remembers how she was treated by adults when she started standing up for herself.

In seventh grade, a boy called her racial slurs. She told him to F off. Li was called into the principals office. The principal told her she would get paddled if she behaved that way again.

He doesnt get in trouble for calling me a gook and chink? she asked her principal.

No, because we dont allow cuss words, Michelle, he said.

Despite her straight As and loads of extracurricular activities, she didnt get accepted into the National Honor Society because of her attitude.

I didnt have a full sense of belonging, like I was an imposter of what a Missourian should be, Li said.

In high school, she dated a white boy for two years. He told her that his father didnt want them to date because he was worried they might end up married and have half-breeds.

By the time she graduated high school, Li was ready to leave.

I didnt want to see anyone from Missouri ever again.

She got a scholarship to the University of Kansas and headed to Lawrence.

Finding her Korean family

Before leaving for college, she decided to visit Korea for the first time. When she arrived, she decided to go to the office that had arranged her adoption.

Can I find my birth mom? she asked the social worker. The worker told her to go back to America and do a search.

At 18 years old, Li was crushed. She prayed for God to help her move on from her disappointment.

Two days later, the social worker, who must have taken pity on her, called her and said they had located her birth mother. Li discovered she also had three sisters. They were all born a year and a half apart. Her birth father had been working far from home on a ship when she was born.

Her mother, likely overwhelmed while raising two toddlers alone, gave her up for adoption and told her husband that their baby had died after birth.

Lis arrival in Korea complicated the family history.

It took a long time for my birth family to even process it, she said. Li has gone back several times since that first meeting. People think that finding your biological family offers closure, but it opens up a lot more questions, Li said.

That visit changed my life, she said.

Shes become close to her biological sisters and helped one of them move to America.

Her biological parents came to the United States to visit and for her sisters wedding. Her mother has had a chance to meet her biological mom.

Its been really beautiful, Li said. Not easy, but beautiful.

A path to television

In college, Li took a reporting class and fell in love with it. She thought she might have better luck becoming a news producer, so she sent out two tapes  one for an on-air job and the other behind the scenes as a producer. People at stations that already had an Asian reporter flat-out told her not to bother applying.

Back then, there was only room for one Asian per station, she said.

She got her first on-air job in Wilmington, North Carolina. Li says she didnt have a conventional look for television.

I definitely looked like a 14-year-old boy for the first six years of my life on TV, she said. There were occasional bigoted callers, like the one who objected to her covering a Memorial Day ceremony. But she thrived in her work. Her career path brought her to Springfield, Missouri, where she met her future husband, Jimmy, who grew up in St. Louis.

They headed back to North Carolina and then to Wisconsin, where he went back to school to become a software engineer. An anchor opportunity for Li took them to Seattle, her first large-market position.

Her career was moving in the right direction. Then, the pandemic hit.

Her morning news show was put on hiatus. The day care they used for their 1-year-old son closed indefinitely. And then, her mother died.

The rapid succession of setbacks and loss took a toll on her.

It was just so heavy, Li said. Her father, who still lived in Missouri, would send his mail to his daughter in Seattle because he was so used to his wife handling the bills.

Li was constantly stressed with the demands of work and taking care of a baby and her aging father from afar.

Tegna, which owned the station in Seattle, showed an opening in St. Louis.

Things fell into place for her.

It was time for them to come home.

Going viral

So much had changed since had last had lived in Missouri. The state went from purple to deep red politically. She saw the change in many of her extended family members, too.

During the pandemic, she heard people calling the coronavirus China virus and Kung flu.

She wasnt thinking about any of this during her New Years Day shift, however. She had noticed two of her friends had posted on Instagram that they had made traditional Korean rice cake soup, tteokguk, for the holiday. She always did, too, so she included it in the list of ways people celebrate with special foods. When she checked her voicemail a couple of hours later, she heard the infamous message complaining about her being very Asian.

It was the callers tone that struck her.

She sounded young, like she could be Lis age, 42  someone she might have grown up with.

But unlike in high school, she had a platform now to call out this behavior.

First she posted the message along with captions, which she had never used before, on Instagram. When she shared the same video on Twitter a few hours later, it blew up.

By the next morning, I started getting terrified. I was really freaking out, she said. She wondered if she had gone too far and if she would lose her job.

Instead, the station supported her. Within a couple of days, The Ellen Degeneres Show reached out to her to do a taping. The Asian community in St. Louis rallied around her.

Alex Lee, the president of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of St. Louis, checked in on her immediately. He asked her to think about how she wanted to use this moment.

Youve got this very unique moment in time when you have an amazing platform to do a lot of good on behalf of the Asian American community nationwide, he said.

Another TV news friend, Gia Vang of KARE in Minneapolis, was already designing and selling merchandise with the Very Asian hashtag to raise money for the Asian American Journalists Association.

They sold 3,000 shirts in less than a week.

Li sensed the momentum called for something bigger. Lee encouraged her to form a nonprofit. She, Vang and Lee decided to take the plunge and started the Very Asian Foundation within a few weeks of her viral moment. They have been working on bylaws and a mission statement and have filed for tax-exempt status.

None of us has slept since January, Li said.

They used the $15,000 gift from DeGeneres to hire a part-time executive director. They are planning a $20,000 gift to AAJA from merchandise sales.

Books for libraries

The foundation launched its first project last month  the May book project showcases the rich culture of Asian American literature, which the group feels is critically important given the current climate of divisiveness and racial discord.

Asian American youth need to see themselves in books, said Soogi Hong, executive director of the Very Asian Foundation. We want communities to be intentional about building and maintaining diverse libraries. Her hope is that one day all libraries are curated with thought and awareness so the foundation can write themselves out of this equation.

Ananya Shah, a rising high school senior in Champaign, Illinois, is part of the Asian American Civic Scholars, which tried to launch a similar book project two years ago, when she lived in the St. Louis area. That group emailed local schools and asked if they would be willing to buy more Asian American and Pacific Islander library books.

It didnt get much response.

Thankfully, the Very Asian Foundation restarted this initiative with more funding and media attention, Shah said. The project is providing AAPI kids a chance to see themselves in literature, which will help them feel more secure, safe and more welcome in society today, she said.

Li is thrilled that the first initiative has received such an enthusiastic response.

She recently was promoted to anchor KSDKs Today in St. Louis morning show. She also eventually heard from the caller who left the voicemail that started this all. Li called the number from her caller ID and left a message to try to talk to her. After Lis commentary with her response aired on TV, the woman called her back.

She apologized, and Li accepted.

Times have changed, Li said.

Reporter Aisha Sultan is also a member of AAJA.

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Major automakers are asking Congress to lift the cap on how many people can receive tax credits for buying a hybrid or fully electric vehicle. Currently the number of tax credits allowed is capped at 200,000 per company. General Motors and Tesla have already reached the cap and Toyota is close to it. In a letter to leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives on Monday, the chief executives of Ford, Toyota, GM and Stellantis asked that tax credits be extended to anyone who seeks to buy a qualified vehicle. General Motors and Tesla have already reached the cap and Toyota is close to it. Automakers say they want the cap lifted until the EV market is more mature, without giving a time frame.
UPDATED at 9:35 a.m. Friday with SUV found, police searching for 30-year-old driver.

A hit-and-run driver struck an 8-year-old boy who was getting off a school bus Thursday afternoon in St. Clair, Missouri. The boy was treated for minor injuries.

The Missouri Highway Patrol said a man driving a 2007 GMC Yukon sport utility vehicle hit the boy about 3:15 p.m. Thursday at 1748 Mill Hill Road in Franklin County.

The SUV and school bus were both heading east on Mill Hill Road. The bus stopped with its stop arm extended and its warning lights activated, police said.

The SUV drove around the bus, hitting the back left corner of the bus, the left extended stop arm and the boy, who was trying to cross Mill Hill Road. The boy was taken to Mercy Hospital in Washington, Missouri.

Cpl. Dallas Thompson of the Missouri Highway Patrol said the SUV was abandoned in a wooded area. Police know who the driver was  a 30-year-old man from St. Clair  and were still searching for him on Friday morning, Thompson said.

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ST. LOUIS  Two Florida men admitted bringing more than 100 unauthorized migrant workers to Missouri in a federal investigation that also levied a penalty for unpaid wages and unsanitary living conditions for workers.

Jorge Marin-Gomez, 37, and his father, Jorge Marin-Perez, 67, each pleaded guilty on Thursday to a misdemeanor charge of unlawful employment of aliens. The father oversaw the visa application process for his son's company, Marin J. Corp., which pleaded guilty in April to a felony wire charge, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Missouri said.

The Mexican immigrants were approved to work in Florida, but were brought in 2018 to Kennett, in southeast Missouri's Dunklin County. They harvested cotton and watermelon, lived in unsanitary conditions at a former jail and the corporation "added to their misery by failing to pay them the wages they earned under their contract," according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Earlier this year, Marin J. Corp., which is based in Avon Park, Florida, settled with the Labor Department, agreeing to pay $165,805 in back wages to 85 workers along with a $75,000 penalty for not providing meals, not paying the required wage rate and charging the workers to obtain employment.

Marin J. Corp. submitted applications for the immigrants' visas between November 2017 and October 2018.

The corporation will be sentenced in August, and the father and son will be sentenced the following month.

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The bribery charges against three members of the Board of Aldermen prompt call to change the practice of aldermanic courtesy and the involvement of city alderman in many of the bureaucratic functions of city government.
After months in rehab, triggered by an intense instance of hazing at the University of Missouri, a former fraternity pledge is finally back home  though he is still unable to communicate, walk or even see.

Danny Santulli was a freshman and aspiring member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, commonly known as Fiji, when the incident unfolded during an October 2021 party. The 19-year-old student was allegedly force-fed beer through a tube and ordered to down a bottle of vodka by his brothers, which resulted in a severe case of alcohol poisoning.

He has massive brain damage, his lawyer, David Bianchi, told the Columbia Daily Tribune on Tuesday, adding that his mother has been forced to quit her job to provide him full-time care.

In the weeks after the party, Phi Gamma Delta was booted from campus and the University of Missouri sanctioned 13 members of the fraternity. Santullis family also filed a lawsuit against the frat and 22 people over the incident, which has since been mostly settled.

In a court hearing earlier this week, Bianchi requested to add fraternity brothers Samuel Gandhi and Alec Wetzler to the lawsuit in an amended petition.

We didnt know about them when we filed the original lawsuit, he told Judge Joshua Devine.

According to the petition, filed on Monday, Wetzler forced Santulli to drink excessive amounts of alcohol when he put a tube into the pledges mouth and rapidly poured beer down his throat. Gandhi, meanwhile is accused of walking away from Santulli after offering some assistance, despite the fact that he was still visibly intoxicated.

When Gandhi returned to the room after the party, in the early hours of Oct. 20, Santulli had not moved at all.

At 12:28 a.m., Danny slid partly off of the couch and ended up with his face on the floor but he had no voluntary control of his arms or legs and remained there until someone passing through the room saw him and put him back on the couch, according to the amended petition.

His skin was pale and his lips were blue, yet no one called 911.

Eventually, one of the fraternity brothers drove him to MU Hospital. Santulli was in cardiac arrest when he arrived, but hospital officials were able to restart his heart.

He remained in the care of his parents as of Wednesday at their home in Minnesota.

Devine, before approving the amended lawsuit, first approved dismissal of most of the defendants sought by Bianchi, who cited settlement agreements. The lawyer noted that only Wetzler and Gandhi would remain listed as defendants in the case.

So far, the only criminal charges filed in the case have been against Wetzler. Hes facing misdemeanor counts of supplying alcohol to a minor and possession of alcohol by a minor.
ST. LOUIS  Missouris Republican candidates for U.S. Senate  most of whom are angling for former President Donald Trumps endorsement  turned to Twitter on Thursday to denounce the Jan. 6 committee before the first hearing was even underway.

They characterized the committees work as political, designed largely to discredit Trump and distract from current vexing economic issues, including high gas prices and the baby formula shortage.

There are 21 candidates competing for the GOP nomination to succeed U.S. Roy Blunt, who is stepping down.

Heres a look at what five of the six leading Republicans  based on polling and fundraising  said Thursday about the committee hearing:

Former Gov. Eric Greitens: Nancy Pelosi handpicked the January 6th committee. Remember this during tonights show trial.

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt: The January 6 committee is a joke, meant to smear President Trump and his allies and is an intentional distraction from Joe Bidens failures.

U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler, R-Harrisonville (three tweets): While Americans struggle to make ends meet, deal with skyrocketing crime, and are inflicted by drugs being funneled across our border, Democrats are busy ignoring the needs of the people in favor of an illegitimate committee weaponized to solely attack former President Trump. Not only were multiple Republicans barred from serving on the committee, but Speaker Pelosi has refused to investigate her own dereliction of duty which resulted in our beacon of democracy being ill-equipped and ill-prepared to handle the events of the day. This evenings sham of a hearing further confirms that Democrats arent interested in solving any of President Bidens many self-inflicted crises, but are still suffering from a severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome.

U.S. Rep. Billy Long, R-Springfield: If the # Democrats didnt have the #Jan6th reality show, theyd have to talk about #BabyFormula #GasPrices #BorderSecurity #Fentanyl #AfghanistanWithdrawal, etc. #Woke policies are ruining our country.

St. Louis attorney Mark McCloskey: The January 6th Committees fraud show trial begins today  orchestrated for public consumption by a former anti-Trump Fake News media executive. This is the type of government abuse you expect from Soviet Russia, China or North Korea. The American people must not be fooled!

A sixth leading GOP candidate, Missouri Senate President Dave Schatz didnt turn to Twitter to weigh in on the committee hearing. Schatz, a self-described Reagan Republican, says hes running for Senate to find solutions and fix problems  not to fix blame.

Only two Republicans agreed to serve on the Jan. 6 committee.

On Thursday, the committees vice chairwoman, Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyoming, warned her fellow Republicans they would one day come to regret how they responded to the events that unfolded at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

There will come a day when Donald Trump is gone. But your dishonor will remain, she said.

Originally posted at 6 a.m. Friday, June 10.
ST. LOUIS  Joe Vollmer, the new acting president of the Board of Aldermen, urged his remaining colleagues Friday to help him restore public trust in an institution mortally wounded by federal corruption charges against three former members.

I appear here today in a role I have never sought or imagined that I would hold, Vollmer said at the start of the boards weekly meeting.

We are in a perilous time. Who we are, what we do and how we do it are all ... cast into doubt in the minds of our citizens.

Vollmer said if there ever was a time to look past ourselves and see the bigger picture, this is it.

Vollmer on Tuesday succeeded Reed, who resigned five days after the federal bribery charges were made public. Also charged were Jeffrey Boyd, who quit the board June 3, and John Collins-Muhammad, who resigned last month.

The three are accused of accepting bribes from a businessman in exchange for helping approve tax abatement legislation and other actions. All have pleaded not guilty.

Later in the meeting, held by videoconference because of renewed coronavirus concerns, the board voted to send an unrelated development measure Boyd had sponsored back to the committee he formerly chaired for further discussions.

Alderman Jack Coatar, the acting chairman of the Housing, Urban Development and Zoning Committee, said Neal Richardson, who heads the citys main development agency, had asked that the measure be returned to the panel.

Coatar, from the 7th Ward, said the resolution, authorizing a property tax break for a warehouse expansion on Bircher Boulevard, would aid a significant project.

The committee, Coatar said, would hear further information on the negotiations with the company involved and the significance of the expansion, which would add 95 jobs.

Meanwhile, Alderman Bill Stephens, 12th Ward, introduced a resolution calling for a moratorium on any tax abatement and tax-increment financing legislation for the current session, which ends next April, or until better parameters for considering such measures are adopted.

The board voted to assign the measure to the panel headed by Coatar, who called the moratorium idea extremely short-sighted because it would hold up important legislation.

Budget harmony

The board on Friday also received from its Ways and Means Committee the bill containing the proposed $1.2 billion city budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

In an unusual sign of political harmony, the committee had recommended only one minor change in the version submitted in April by the Board of Estimate and Apportionment.

The estimate board, the citys top fiscal body, on Thursday agreed to the change  adding a video production specialist to the agency that runs the city cable television operation and puts city government meetings online.

The aldermanic panel and Reed last year clashed over the budget with the three-person estimate board, where Reed was outvoted by Mayor Tishaura O. Jones and Comptroller Darlene Green.

Also Friday:

 Aldermen voted to call for a study on adopting a system that would allow traffic signals to be changed to provide green lights to make way for fast-moving police, fire trucks and ambulances to get to their destinations as quickly and safely as possible.

Such an emergency vehicle traffic signal preemption system is being implemented this year in St. Charles County, said resolution sponsor Joe Vaccaro, 23rd Ward.

Officials there say 210 signals and 120 emergency vehicles are involved so far, with many more to be added later this year.

 Jones administration unveiled details of their planned Division of Civilian Oversight which would investigate complaints about police and city jails made to city oversight boards. The plan is in a new bill sponsored by Alderman Shameem Clark Hubbard, 26th Ward.

 The board passed legislation to set up a City Youth Council that would advise the city on policy concerning children and teens. Under the measure, sponsored by Alderman Megan Green, 15th Ward, there would be six members between the ages of 12 and 18 and three adult members.

Posted at 5:49 p.m. Friday, June 10.

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U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois is calling for the attorney general to dismiss the head of the nations prisons after reports of deaths and abuses at the federal penitentiary at Thomson.

Michael Carvajal, director of the Bureau of Prisons, had announced his resignation in the weeks after a November 2021 report by the Associated Press detailing employee misconduct throughout the prison system. Attorney General Merrick Garland has not appointed a successor and Carvajal remains on the job.

Durbin, who is the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, reiterated his call on Thursday for a new director after the latest report by National Public Radio and the Marshall Project detailed the deaths of seven inmates and allegations of abuses by staff at the United States Penitentiary at Thomson.

AFGE Local 4070 President Jon Zumkehr, who represents federal prison workers, sent out a news release on Thursday that said it supported an investigation into the allegations and that Durbin and U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, had been invited to visit the prison.

In his Senate address, Durbin said: One investigation after another has revealed a culture of abuse, mismanagement, corruption, torture, and death that reaches all the way to the top.

He said Thomson, which the state opened in 2001 but fully became a part of the federal system in 2019, was supposed to alleviate overcrowding within the federal system, but the reality, sadly, has been the exact opposite.

According to the Marshall Project, five inmates were killed by other inmates and two died by suicide.

Those deaths are just a snapshot of the grim reality of this facility, the deadly grim reality, Durbin said.

Durbin said he, Duckworth and U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, whose 17th District includes Thomson, asked Michael Horowitz, inspector for the Justice Department, to launch an investigation into prison. Horowitz confirmed to Durbin that an investigation is underway.

Durbin requested that the attorney general appoint a reform-minded director or appoint an acting director. We need to act before another inmate dies in the custody and care of this federal government, Durbin said.

Durbin said that his committee will be holding a hearing on the Bureau of Prisons. Some of the allegations involve the use of restricting housing within the system.
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.

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JEFFERSON COUNTY  A 21-year-old motorcyclist was killed when he struck the back of a semitrailer on U.S. Highway 67 on Wednesday night, police said.

Levi D. Ray was driving his 2022 Yamaha YZF-R7 eastbound on Highway 67 near Meyer Road when he struck the back of a 2005 Freightliner Columbia ahead of him, the Missouri Highway Patrol said. The crash site is southwest of Festus.

Ray, of Farmington, Missouri, was ejected from the motorcycle and pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, the highway patrol said. He was wearing a helmet.

The driver of the truck that was hit suffered minor injuries.
LONDON (AP)  A British judge on Friday rejected a bid to ground a flight due to take more than 30 asylum-seekers on a one-way trip to Rwanda next week, but gave the migrants permission for a last-minute appeal.

The flight leaving Tuesday is the first under a controversial deal between the U.K. and the East African country. Britain plans to send some migrants who arrive in the U.K. as stowaways or in small boats to Rwanda, where their asylum claims will be processed. If successful, they will stay in the African country. Human rights groups have called the idea unworkable and inhumane.

Judge Jonathan Swift on Friday refused a request from a group of the asylum-seekers, backed by a trade union and refugee groups, for an injunction grounding the flight. But he said an appeal could be heard on Monday, and a full legal challenge to the British government's new Rwanda deportation policy is to be held before the end of July.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Britains immigration minister, Home Secretary Priti Patel, welcomed the ruling. Patel said the government would not be deterred by further challenges.

Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said he was disappointed and called the situation extremely worrying.

At the High Court in London, government lawyer Mathew Gullick said 37 people had been due to be aboard Tuesday's flight, but six have had their deportation orders canceled. He said the government still intended to operate the flight, as well as future ones.

The British government has not provided details of those selected but refugee groups say the group includes people fleeing Syria and Afghanistan who arrived in Britain across the English Channel. The U.K. has paid Rwanda 120 million pounds ($158 million) upfront for the plan.

The claimants' lawyer, Raza Husain, said the system is not safe and U.N. officials say the U.K. plan violates the international Refugee Convention.

Laura Dubinsky, a lawyer representing the U.N. refugee agency, said refugees sent to Rwanda under the program were at risk of serious, irreparable harm. She said the agency had serious concerns about Rwandan capacity to handle the arrivals.

Rwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa and already home to tens of thousands of refugees. Competition for land and resources contributed to decades of ethnic and political tensions that culminated in Rwanda's 1994 genocide in which more than 800,000 ethnic Tutsi and the moderate Hutu who tried to protect them were killed.

President Paul Kagames government has achieved significant economic progress since the genocide, but critics say it has come at the cost of political repression. Obedience to authorities is widely enforced, one reason Rwandan cities and towns are clean and among the most orderly in Africa. There is little political opposition.

Patel said Rwanda is a safe country and has previously been recognized for providing a safe haven for refugees.

"We will continue preparations for the first flight to Rwanda, alongside the range of other measures intended to reduce small boat crossings," she said.

The British government says it welcomes refugees who come by approved immigration routes but wants to put the criminal smuggling gangs who operate dangerous Channel crossings out of business.

We cannot allow people traffickers to put lives at risk and our world-leading partnership will help break the business model of these ruthless criminals," Johnson said on Twitter.

More than 28,000 migrants entered the U.K. across the Channel last year, up from 8,500 in 2020. Dozens have died, including 27 people in November when a single boat capsized.

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.
CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  Australias prime minister said Friday after a meeting with his New Zealand counterpart that the two nations are in lockstep in their policies toward the Pacific islands, where China's influence is growing.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern became the first foreign leader to visit Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Australia since he was elected on May 21. Both lead center-left administrations and Ardern described the Albanese Labor Partys election after almost a decade in opposition as a reset in the bilateral relationship.

Australia, New Zealand and the United States have voiced concerns that a new Beijing security pact with the Solomon Islands could result in a Chinese military base being established there. The Solomons and China have both denied that that will happen.

Asked if Australia wants New Zealand to do more to counter Chinas rise in the Pacific, Albanese told reporters in Sydney: Were in lockstep on the Pacific.

I look forward to working with Prime Minister Ardern, working with our democratic neighbors, Albanese said.

Albanese and his Foreign Minister Penny Wong flew to Tokyo within hours of being sworn into office for a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the regional security threat posed by China.

Wong then flew from Japan to the Pacific islands for meetings with government leaders while Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi also embarked on a Pacific tour.

Wang failed in a bold Chinese plan to get 10 Pacific nations to endorse a sweeping new agreement that would have covered everything from security to fisheries. But he succeeded in clinching several bilateral agreements.

Ardern said many countries had chosen to continue economic relationships with China rather than sign security agreements.

Lets hear from the Pacific on these issues, Ardern said.

Albanese said Australia, the biggest foreign aid donor in the region, was being taken seriously by its neighbors since his administration promised greater action on greenhouse gas emissions. Many of the low-lying Pacific islands consider climate change their most pressing and existential threat.

The previous government had committed to reducing Australias emissions by 26% to 28% below 2005 levels by 2030. Albaneses government has promised a 43% reduction.

New Zealand was heartened by Australias greater ambition, Ardern said. New Zealands target by the end of the decade is 30%.

The Pacific region has listed climate change as its number one threat, Ardern said. I know with regards to New Zealand we have a lot more to do, but we welcome being joined on that journey by Australia."

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
CONCORD, N.H. (AP)  The last of the candidates were signing up to meet Friday's deadline for New Hampshires Sept. 13 state primary, including some competing in U.S. House districts that were redrawn at the last possible moment.

After Republican Gov. Chris Sununu vetoed two maps approved by the Legislature that would have given the GOP an advantage in the 1st District, the state Supreme Court adopted a new boundary on May 31, the day before the 10-day filing period began.

Under the new map, five towns moved from the 1st District to the 2nd: Albany, Campton, Jackson, New Hampton and Sandwich.

The 1st District flipped five times in seven elections before Democrat Chris Pappas won his first term in 2018. He faces no primary opponent this year, while more than half a dozen Republicans are competing for a chance to challenge him.

The lineup, as of Friday afternoon, includes the 2020 nominee, Matt Mowers; former state senator and Executive Councilor Russell Prescott; and former television reporter Gail Huff Brown, wife of former U.S. Sen. Scott Brown. Also running are state Rep. Tim Baxter, Mark Kilbane, Karoline Leavitt, Mary Maxwell, Kevin Rondeau and Gilead Towne.

In the 2nd District, U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster also faces no primary challenge as she seeks a sixth term. Five Republicans are seeking the GOP nomination: Scott Black, Robert Burns, George Hansel, Dean Poirier and Lily Tang Williams.

The most crowded Republican primary, however, is the race to pick a GOP nominee to challenge U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, a Democrat seeking her second term. The Republican field includes Gerard Beloin, John Berman, Donald Bolduc, Bruce Fenton, Dennis Lamare, Edmond Laplante, Andy Martin, Vikram Mansharamani, Chuck Morse, Tejasinha Sivalingam and Kevin Smith. Hassan faces Paul Krautmann in the Democratic primary.

Sununu, who shocked many political observers by deciding to seek a fourth term instead of running for U.S. Senate, faces four primary challengers: Julian Acciard, Jay Lewis, Thaddeus Riley and Karen Testerman. State Sen. Tom Sherman is the lone candidate in the Democratic gubernatorial primary.

While New Hampshire is known for hosting the nations earliest presidential primary every four years, it has one of latest state primaries. Sununu vetoed a bill last year that would have changed the date from the second Tuesday in September to the first Tuesday in August. This year, the Senate passed a bill that would have moved the primary to the second Tuesday in August, but it was killed in the House.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
A West Virginia man was charged with murdering three co-workers at a Maryland machine shop as well as attempted murder and other charges, authorities said late Friday.

The name of the alleged shooter, Joe Louis Esquivel, 23, of Hedgesville, West Virginia, was also released by the Washington County sheriffs office on Friday.

Esquivel, who was hospitalized after a shootout with police, is currently being held by the Washington County Detention Center on no bond.

Authorities say Esquivel arrived Thursday morning for his normal shift at Columbia Machine Inc. in the small rural community of Smithsburg in western Maryland. He allegedly worked until he left the building to retrieve a weapon, went back inside and fired on employees in the area of a breakroom. Police responded to a 911 call at about 2:30 p.m.

The sheriff's office has not released a motive.

Smithsburg police who arrived first on the scene found a wounded person outside the business. As deputies arrived, three additional victims, all deceased, were located inside, the Washington County sheriff's office said.

Esquivel left the scene in a car and was quickly met by Maryland State Police. A Maryland state trooper who was injured in a shootout with the suspect was treated and released late Thursday, authorities said.

The 25-year veteran of the Maryland State Police was shot when police said Esquivel fired multiple rounds at troopers. At least one trooper returned fire, striking the suspect, state police said.

A search warrant was executed at the suspects West Virginia residence, and additional firearms were located, the sheriff's office said.

Washington County Sheriff Doug Mullendore identified those killed in the shooting as Mark Alan Frey, 50, of Hagerstown, Maryland; Charles Edward Minnick Jr., 31, of Smithsburg, Maryland; and Joshua Robert Wallace, 30, of Hagerstown.

Reached by telephone Friday, Nelson Michael, the father of Brandon Michael, 42, who was wounded in the machine shop shooting, said his son was still in the hospital, but he didn't know more about his condition.

"Hes surviving, he said. Im glad hes alive, but its going to work on his nerves. I know that.

Nelson Michael said he didnt know why the gunman shot the victims.

Im not saying any more. Im just glad my sons alive, and I feel so bad for the families of the other ones, he said.

Authorities said the investigation is ongoing.

Mullendore said the suspect used a semiautomatic handgun, which was recovered after the shootout.

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.

Based in Vancouver, Washington, Columbia Machine manufactures equipment for concrete products, and its Smithsburg location builds molds and works on parts and repairs for other plants. The company's CEO, Rick Goode, issued a statement calling the deaths of three employees and the wounding of a fourth tragic.

Our highest priority during this tragic event is the safety and wellbeing of our employees and their families, he said.

Dennis Stouffer lived about a half-mile from Frey, one of the victims, and said he would see Frey at the mailbox when he drove by.

He described Frey as a solid individual and a good guy.

Stouffer said in a phone interview that Frey once made meat hooks for a deer-meat processing shop he used to run in Smithsburg.

He didnt make a bunch of noise or anything. He just went about his work, Stouffer said.

Speaking late Friday morning, Stouffer said the reason for the shooting remained a big mystery to people in the community.

Were all in shock and disbelief, and thats an understatement, Stouffer said.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  The Texas school police chief criticized for his actions during one of the deadliest classroom shootings in U.S. history said in his first extensive comments, published Thursday, that he did not consider himself the person in charge as the massacre unfolded and assumed someone else had taken control of the law enforcement response.

Pete Arredondo, the police chief of the Uvalde school district, also told the Texas Tribune that he intentionally left behind both his police and campus radios before entering Robb Elementary School. An 18-year-old gunman killed 19 children and two teachers behind a locked classroom door that the chief said was reinforced with a steel jamb and could not be kicked in.

Poor radio communications is among the concerns raised about how police handled the May 24 shooting and why they didnt confront the gunman for more than an hour, even as anguished parents outside the school urged officers to go in.

Separately, The New York Times reported Thursday that documents show police waited for protective equipment as they delayed entering the campus, even as they became aware that some victims needed medical treatment.

Arredondo told the Tribune that from the hallway of the school he used his cell phone to call for tactical gear, a sniper and keys to get inside the classroom. He said he held back from the door for 40 minutes to avoid provoking gunfire and tried dozens of keys brought to him, but that, one-by-one, they failed to work.

Each time I tried a key I was just praying, he told the Tribune.

In the more than two weeks since the shooting, Arredondos actions have come under intensifying scrutiny from both state officials and experts trained in mass shooting responses. Steven McCraw, the head of the Texas Department of Public Safety, has said the school police chief, who he described as the incident commander, made the wrong decision to not order officers to breach the classroom more quickly to confront the gunman.

But Arredondo, who told the Tribune he believed that carrying radios would slow him down as he entered the school and that he knew that radios did not work in some school buildings, said he never considered himself the scenes incident commander and did not give any instruction that police should not attempt to breach the building.

I didnt issue any orders, Arredondo said. I called for assistance and asked for an extraction tool to open the door.

Arredondo has not responded to repeated interview requests and questions from The Associated Press.

Arredondos account and records obtained by the Times were published Thursday as law enforcement and state officials have struggled to present an accurate timeline and details. They have also made frequent corrections to previous statements, and no information about the police response has been formally released by investigators since the days that followed the attack.

According to documents obtained by the Times, 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.

Not all the victims were found dead when officers finally went inside: one teacher died in an ambulance and three children died at nearby hospitals, according to the records obtained by the Times, which included a review of law enforcement documents and video that have been gathered as part of the investigation.

The family of Xavier Lopez, 10, said the boy had been shot in the back and lost a lot of blood as he waited for medical attention.

He could have been saved, Leonard Sandoval, the boys grandfather, told the newspaper. The police did not go in for more than an hour. He bled out.

The records obtained by the Times offered other new details, including that 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, but did not appear to have used it during the attack. Ramos had spent more than $6,000 amassing an arsenal of weapons that included two AR-15-style rifles, accessories and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, according to the documents.

The Times reported that some of the officers who first arrived at the school had long guns, and that Arredondo learned the gunmans identity while inside the school and attempted to communicate with him through the closed classroom doors.

Eva Mireles, one of the teachers who was killed, made a phone call to her husband, a Uvalde school district police officer, during the attack. The documents obtained by the Times show that Ruben Ruiz informed responders on the scene that his wife was still alive in one of the classrooms.

She says she is shot, Ruiz could be heard telling other officers as he arrived inside the school at 11:48 a.m., according to the body camera transcript obtained by the Times.

By 12:46 p.m., Arredondo seemed to give his approval for officers to enter the room, the Times reported.

If yall are ready to do it, you do it, he said, according to the transcript.

About a week after the shooting, department of public safety officials said Arredondo was no longer cooperating with the agency and had not responded to interview requests from the Texas Rangers, the agency's investigative unit.

Arredondo's attorney, George E. Hyde, told the Tribune for Thursday's story that Arredondo could not do an interview on the day the Rangers asked because he was covering shifts for his officers. Hyde said Arredondo is willing to cooperate with the Rangers investigation but would like to see a transcript of his previous comments.

Thats a fair thing to ask for before he has to then discuss it again because, as time goes by, all the information that he hears, its hard to keep straight, Hyde said.

More on the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas: https://apnews.com/hub/uvalde-school-shooting

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Regarding "'Day by day:' Uvalde survivors recover from wounds, trauma" (June 2): As a retired teacher and a mother my heart breaks for the people of Uvalde.

We saw what happened when the shooter, an unlicensed driver, got behind the wheel of his grandmother's truck. Does this not indicate what may happen when no licensing and training is required for using a gun? And shouldn't the licensing include a mental health assessment?

Politicians suggest that schools need to have more security. Are we going to expect the schools to be spending money, time and emotional energy on defense? Life is not fair, and this is an example.

We can move forward with hope if the purchase of a gun were taken as seriously as the privilege of driving a car.

Patty Smith  Kirkwood
The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 united NATO in ways few NATO members, many Ukrainians or the Russians, expected. There were some exceptions initially. Hungary had elected a pro-Russian president who was reluctant to get involved with what could become outright war between NATO and Russia. France and to a lesser extent Italy, urged Ukraine to negotiate a peace deal with Russia, even if it meant ceding some territory to Russia. This was unacceptable to Ukraine and most of the post-1991 East European nations that joined NATO mainly to gain more protection from another Russian attack. The Russian invasion was justified by Russian using claims that Ukraine wanted to join NATO and become part of the NATO effort to destroy Russia. This was an absurd concept to any Russian who had visited NATO countries or did business with them.

Support for Ukraine was strongest with nations that lived closest to Russia and had disastrous relationships with Russia recently. That included the nations that freed themselves from Russian domination between 1989 and 1991. The new eastern members kept reminding the older NATO members that Russia could not be trusted and would eventually go after their lost (after 1989) territories. And it came to pass even though not everyone in Western Europe appreciated the seriousness of the threat.

The most energetic proponent of Ukraine seeking peace by ceding territory was France. This despite the history of France in a similar situation after their defeat by the newly united Germany in 1871. The German Kaiser, ignoring the advice of Bismarck, the architect of German unification, Germany annexed Alsace-Lorraine, which included territory on both sides of the Rhine River. As Bismarck predicted, France was obsessed with getting Alsace-Lorraine back and spent the next four decades forming a defensive military alliance with Russia and Britain. When World War I broke out in 1914 the more numerous and better trained German forces went on the defensive in Alsace-Lorraine as the French committed substantial forces to attacking there to regain the lost territory. That enabled the Germans to concentrate on taking Paris, which they nearly did but were halted short of the French capital with the help of British troops and a Russian offensive in the east which diverted more troops than the Germans had planned on. The Germans stopped the Russians but were now in a two-front war that played a major role in their defeat in World War I. France got Alsace-Lorraine back and forced onerous terms on Germany which led to World War II and the Cold War that followed. Even Bismarck couldnt have predicted taking Alsace-Lorraine would lead to a conflict that lasted over 70 years, killed over a 100 million people and still reverberates in 2022 Ukraine.

France developed a reputation of being a troublesome ally. Although an early member of NATO, France was unhappy with the close British-American relationship which led the French to gradually withdraw from the NATO alliance without actually leaving it. France wanted to retain the ability to make a separate peace with Russia if there was a Russian invasion of Western Europe. France did not fully rejoin NATO until 2009. In the meantime, France continued to be a troublesome ally. When France refused to participate in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, and became quite critical of the effort, many Americans called them "cheese eating surrender monkeys." This was a term first hurled against the French early in World War II. French participation in Afghanistan was also halting and tentative.

France failed to see the irony in advising Ukraine to trade territory for temporary peace. There cannot be permanent peace with Russia as long as Russias leadership is determined to regain much of the territory it lost in 1991 when half the Soviet population voted to leave the USSR and become 14 independent countries. Russia was particularly angry at Ukraine and Belarus, two regions that were Russian speaking and according to Russia part of the Russian homeland. The Ukrainians and Belarussians still disagree with that and Ukraine is willing to fight as long as it takes to regain the territory Russia seized in 2014. Ukraine and other East European NATO allies that were once part of Russia, including parts of Poland, the Baltic States and Finland, saw themselves threatened again and feared a repeat of pre-World War II European efforts to trade land for peace with the then new aggressor, Nazi Germany. Britain had assured countries threatened by Germany that Britain would come to their aid if the Germans attacked. This failed spectacularly in late 1938 when British prime minister Neville Chamberlain negotiated peace deal with Germany in which Britain agreed not to oppose the German annexation of portion of Czechoslovakia in return for a German promise that German territorial demands were satisfied and, as Chamberlain described it, his deal had achieved peace in our time. He was very wrong. Germanys seizure of Sudetenland followed its seizure of Austria in March 1938. Germany was already negotiating a secret treaty with Russia, signed in August 1939, that included a ten-year non-aggression pact and agreement to split Poland between them and Germany duly invaded Poland in September 1939, with Russia following on the 17th.

In May 1940 Winston Churchill replaced Chamberlain with the promise to never surrender, and Ukrainian president Zelensky made the same promise to Ukrainians in 2022. Britain understood what this meant while France was still emulating Chamberlin.

The United States had similar problems with its NATO partners before 2014. The Americans warned its NATO allies that unless they organized their armed forces to be more effective, the future of the alliance was threatened. This was a growing problem for the United States. For a long time, the European nations have taken for granted that the United States would always show up to supply key military capabilities. During the Cold War (1947-91) the U.S. accepted this. Since the 1990s the U.S. has increasingly resented this burden and has been uncharacteristically undiplomatic over the last few years in discussing logistical and equipment shortcomings of its NATO allies. The Americans were also aware that European nations initially considered NATO a way to keep the Americans in (Europe), the Germans down (as a threat) and the Russians out.

The U.S. pointed out that French intervention in Mali and Syria took for granted American assistance. The French-led liberation of northern Mali in 2013 was greatly assisted by French warplanes using smart bombs to attack known terrorist bases. This was devastating and led to the rapid collapse of resistance to the French ground forces. But most of the air support would not have been possible without American aerial tankers. There was a similar shortage of aerial reconnaissance aircraft, especially those that could do electronic monitoring (to monitor terrorist communications on the ground). After that NATO was under growing pressure to support the Syrian rebels with air support, as they did for the Libyans in 2011, which was not be possible without American assistance.

Libya in 2011 was supposed to be solely a European operation. NATO was persuaded to take charge of the bombing campaign to fulfill a UN order to stop the Libyan dictator from murdering his own people. NATO agreed to do this but found once more that they didnt have sufficient military capability to do so with European resources alone. The U.S. still had to supply most of the refueling and intelligence aircraft, as well as send more smart bombs because most NATO nations dont have very large stocks of these weapons.

This was not a new problem. During the Cold War the U.S. constantly, and usually quietly, complained of how unprepared most NATO members were for actual combat. These nations were quite relieved when the Cold War ended in 1991. But then came the need for peacekeeping in the Balkans throughout the 1990s. The U.S. was implored to pitch in because the European NATO nations couldnt handle this themselves. Then came September 11, 2001. NATO members offered to help in Afghanistan and, to a lesser extent, Iraq. This was more promises than performance.

European reluctance to send troops to Iraq or Afghanistan was more than just the result of political differences. While Europe has about twice as many troops as the United States, they had far fewer fit enough to ship to a combat zone. This was a problem first noted in the 1990s, when there was a big demand for peacekeepers in the Balkans. The Europeans couldn't fob this one off on the Americans and had to come up with combat ready troops. The Europeans had a tough time finding soldiers ready and able to go.

European armed forces were full of people in uniform who had a civil service mentality. That is, they think and act like civilians, not soldiers. Belgium discovered, for example, that 14 percent of its troops were obese, compared to 12 percent of the general population, and unfit for many of their duties. Much noise is always being made about getting all the troops in good physical shape. While that is possible, it is less likely that the mentality of the troops will be changed.

During the Cold War, Europe got most of its troops via conscription. Young men came in for two or three years and then left. Anywhere from a third to half the troops were long term professionals, serving twenty or more years. But even before the Cold War ended, many of the European military professionals were losing their combat edge. When the Soviet Union disappeared in 1991, there was no longer any compelling reason for a European soldier to think and act like one. It was just a job. A government job that was not, or should not, be terribly demanding.

Europeans spend a much higher proportion of their defense dollars on payroll, leaving little money for training, new equipment, and maintenance. It also meant an older, on average, bunch of troops. Going to war is a young man's game, but Europeans have instead turned their armed forces into another job creation program. There are some exceptions, like Britain and France, demanding that the troops remain fit and maintaining high training standards. Most European nations maintain a few elite infantry units, but these don't add up to much in terms of numbers. Only Britain and France have large "rapid reaction" forces that can be sent overseas on short notice. The United States has the largest such force, and many European nations began trying to expand theirs.

America also has a leadership advantage on the ground. The U.S. has long maintained an "up or out" promotion policy, which forces people out of the service if they are not promoted within a certain amount of time. The U.S. also maintains high standards for new recruits, making it possible to maintain more combat capable units. The U.S. is able to field more combat troops, and far more combat power, than over twice as many European soldiers, sailors, and airmen.

The Europeans continued producing more excuses than solutions, and that was not expected to change, no matter how much the Americans complained. In fact, it was getting worse until the 2022 reality check. European nations continued rapidly downsizing their air forces. Not just in numbers of aircraft but in money spent on training. For over sixty years the U.S. could depend on European pilots to be well trained and competent. But after 1991 Europeans were cutting flying hours and the U.S. had to adapt to Europeans showing up in modern aircraft with poorly trained pilots.

Most Americans wanted to stay out of the World Wars because many had ancestors who came to America to get away from the constant wars in Europe. Britain saw their major chore in both wars was to find a way to get the United States involved. That worked in 1917 to get the Americans into World War I but it took the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and other American possessions in late 1941 to get the Americans into World War II. At first the U.S. was only at war with Japan but then the Germans, who underestimated American military capabilities, declared war on the United States in support of their Japanese allies. Many Americans still oppose involvement in foreign wars and Britain once more had to convince the United States to support Ukraine in its fight to keep the Russians out.
In the north there is yet another crisis for the federal government to mismanage in a spectacular and embarrassing fashion. In Kaduna State the local bandit problem has reached critical levels. During three days (March 26-28) over 200 Hausa bandits attacked the Kaduna International Airport, killing a security guard, and forcing the airports to remain closed until May 23rd. The government upgraded security at the airport in an effort to restore public confidence in local aviation and airports.

On March 28th a coalition of local gangsters and Boko Haram Islamic terrorists used explosives to destroy some of the track and cause a locomotive and eleven passenger cars to derail, halting service on the 190-kilometer track from Kaduna City to Abuja, the Nigerian capital. The train had departed Abuja with 362 listed passengers. The derailment killed nine people and it is unclear how many are being held for ransom because 141 passengers are still unaccounted for. Many apparently returned home without notifying the railroad or police. Rail service was supposed to resume in May but a few more attacks and uncertainty over how many passengers are being held for ransom meant few people were willing to travel on that route until there were assurances that it was safe and there was news about how many passengers were being held by the kidnappers. One hostage, a banker, has been freed but refuses to provide any details. It is suspected that a large ransom was promptly paid. Few of the missing passengers can afford a substantial ransom and the attackers said they were willing to trade passengers for jailed bandits and Boko Haram members.

In response to that the government promised to hunt down and kill the bandits and free the hostages. So far neither task has been accomplished. Paying ransoms is discouraged so families do it quietly to get victims released. There was a similar railroad attack in late 2021. A train was halted when explosives damaged the track. Bandits fired on the train but no one was killed and the bandits fled without any hostages. Kaduna State has the highest number of bandit attacks on trucks and passenger vehicles traveling the highways and secondary roads.

Kaduna city has a population of 760,000 while Abuja has nearly six million. In 2022 the railroad was considered the safest and most affordable way to travel between the two cities. Road travel is too dangerous and for the last two months the Kaduna Airport has been shut. During April, when both air and rail travel to Kaduna City were unavailable, many people canceled trips to Kaduna and waited until trains or planes were moving again. This sort of thing is an escalation of bandit/Islamic terrorist violence in the north. Those who travel by road can pay more to join convoys with armed escorts. Government officials traveling to places without rail service use this method and are rarely attacked on purpose. The security upgrades to Kaduna Airport and increased passenger demand have driven airfare up by as much as 50 percent. This is more than the average Nigerian can afford and fewer people are traveling between Kaduna and the capital.

There are about a thousand kidnappings a month in Nigeria, most of them in the north and only a third of them are reported by families. Most of these take place in the Moslem majority north, where Islamic terrorists and tribal disputes, especially those involving Moslem tribes versus non-Moslem groups have grown steadily in the last decade. Many if not most of those taken are not held for cash ransom, but rather to exchange for captured bandits and terrorists or to intimidate communities into cooperating with the kidnappers by not providing information to the police. Some criminal gangs work for local politicians, especially when there is an election and the corrupt incumbent wants to ensure he gets enough votes to stay in office.

Religion and Real Estate

Since 2016 fatalities from tribal violence have exceeded those caused by Islamic terrorists, mainly Boko Haram, which suffered obvious and massive defeats between 2015 and 2017. That eliminated Boko Haram control of any territory and the group has been surviving through banditry ever since. Boko Haram suffered even greater losses from internal battles. In 2015 a large portion of Boko Haram declared itself part of ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) as ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province). In 2018 a smaller ISIL group ISGS (Islamic State in Greater Sahara) occasionally showed up in Borno state. Since 2018 neighboring Adamawa and Kaduna states have seen major increases in bandit and Islamic terrorist violence as well declines in economic activity.

Outside of Borno, Kaduna and Adamawa states, the growth of tribal violence made the tribal feuds and banditry more of a security problem than Islamic terrorism. That trend has continued and Boko Haram or ISWAP efforts to establish themselves anywhere in the country failed. In Borno State there continue to be a lot of surrenders by Boko Haram members who are starving and done with the outlaw life. A major cause of this is more effective military leadership in the northeast as well as more aerial surveillance and airstrikes provided by a re-energized air force. Boko Haram and ISWAP are still fighting each other as well as accusing each other of sabotaging the jihad (struggle) to defend Islam.

In northern and central Nigeria, tribal violence and attendant banditry have been present for centuries. This violence grows or declines depending on how the regional economy is doing, plus Islamic terrorist violence and continued government corruption and mismanagement limit economic progress and keep the tribal feuds going.

Islamic terrorists are most active in parts of the northeast where Boko Haram has driven away most of the population. This is especially true in northern Borno State, between the capital Maiduguri and Lake Chad. Most of the remaining population have armed militias and reliable police and soldiers nearby. Foreign and Nigerian economists agree that this area has suffered an economic collapse and that recovery has been slow because of the continued presence of Islamic terrorist raiders. Since 2018 the Lake Chad region, especially northern Borno but also portions of neighboring Adamawa and Kaduna states, have seen a 50 percent decline in economic activity since 2018. Northeastern areas where Boko Haram has not shown up have shown economic declines of 10-14 percent.

Boko Haram must travel farther to find a vulnerable place to raid and plunder, which often means outside of Borno. That keeps the remaining Boko Haram terrorists busy most of the time, yet they still have local fans in parts of the north.

The major cause of Islamic terrorism, tribal wars and banditry is the corruption of government and security forces. The growth of corruption was fueled by the growing oil wealth produced down south in the Niger River Delta and offshore oil fields. Reform efforts included an audit of Nigerian oil income since the 1960s which concluded that a trillion dollars of that income was stolen with the help of corrupt politicians. The most obvious result was that the standard of living in Nigeria declined as oil income increased. This was most obvious when compared to rising living standards in neighboring countries lacking oil wealth.

Oil wealth and tribal feuds led to over three decades of violence and military rule, interspersed by brief periods of elected government. Nigerians never lost their faith in democracy and in 1998 the last military government peacefully gave way to democracy in 1998 and the elections have continued, as has a growing effort to curb corruption. The key problems have been identified but finding an effective and enduring solution has been difficult.

June 6, 2022: In the northeast (Borno State) a coalition of ISWAP and Boko Haram gunmen set up a roadblock on the Maiduguri-Damaturu highway connects the capital of Borno state to the capital of neighboring Yobe State. Control of this highway has long been contested by Islamic terrorists and bandits but in the last few years the army has learned from earlier mistakes and developed more effective tactics to catch and capture or kill those who threaten traffic. Todays attack attempted to kidnap Nigerians who travel at night to avoid such attacks. This operation was well planned to avoid army retaliation using a rapid reaction force and additional pursuit forces. The roadblock bandits thought they had grabbed some hostages and supplies from three cargo trucks, but they were wrong. The army wont give details of how they quickly became aware of the roadblock and were quickly on the trail of the bandits, who were found after sunrise and captured three of the gun-trucks used and some of the stolen cargo. Several of these bandits are still being sought so the hostages can be freed. By midday the highway was declared safe and traffic resumed.

In northern Borno State Islamic terrorist gunmen have, for years, been seeking ways to plunder civilians while avoiding the army. There are several locations up there that continue to be hotspots of Islamic terrorist activity. One of them is the town of Chibok and the nearby Sambisa Forest. This is where Boko Haram raided a girls boarding school in 2014 and kidnapped 276 students. Eight years later 110 of the victims are still unaccounted for. Kidnapping for ransom, wives or slave labor continues. Extortion by Boko Haram and especially ISWAP (Islamic State West Africa Province) has become more organized and constant. Islamic terrorists come and go as they please while the security forces only show up when they have an opportunity to attack an Islamic terrorist base or large concentration of gunmen.

These large-scale attacks make spectacular headlines, but are rare. In these operations troops kill, wound or capture hundreds of the Islamic terrorists while also capturing weapons and camps as well as freeing civilians being held for ransom. These tactics have not destroyed Boko Haram and ISWAP, but it has eliminated commanders who did not pay sufficient attention to security and concealment. Sambisa remains a popular hideout for ISWAP groups. The military uses air reconnaissance and regular multi-day ground operations to act on air recon discoveries and tips from locals. That still works, but not against the veteran Boko Haram commanders who know how to avoid ending up on an army target map.

June 5, 2022: In the southwest (Ondo State) ISWAP Islamic terrorists attacked a catholic church during Sunday mass and killed 38 worshippers while wounding over twice as many. Gunfire and explosives were used on the thousand worshippers and clergy. The attackers did not identify themselves and for several days it was unclear if they were Fulani tribesmen feuding Christian farmers or Islamic terrorists. It took several days to identify the attackers as an ISIL (Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant) faction. The Fulani tend to attack Christian villages or non-religious gatherings. Islamic terrorist groups like Boko Haram and ISIL prefer packed churches as targets. The Nigerian south is largely Christian but Ondo has a larger Moslem minority because Moslem Fulani herders have been moving south looking for more water and vegetation for their herds. The Moslems who have been in Ondo for centuries have no tradition of religious violence. The Fulani attack farmers regardless of religion and in central and northern Nigeria the violence is often Moslem herders versus Moslem farmers.

June 1, 2022: The continued lack of effective policing throughout Nigeria means there has been more vigilante violence, as criminals are chased down and killed by mobs of people fed up with the growing crime. Last month there were 32 such killings reported throughout the country. There were more that did not make the news or police records. Those killed are not always guilty but most are because they have been killing, kidnapping and stealing for some time. Some of these executions are extremely gruesome, like necklacing, which involves putting a vehicle tire around the victims neck or upper body, adding some flammable liquid and setting the man on fire. This sort of thing is meant to terrorize the terrorists who regularly prey on civilians because the police are too corrupt to do the job. Since 2020 about a hundred people a year are reported to have died in these vigilante executions. The spike in this activity last month was normal because the monthly totals tend to vary.

May 31, 2022: In the southwest (Osun State) a reporter covering a large protest against police corruption and violence. The protestors blocked traffic on a highway. Fewer than a dozen police arrived to deal with the situation and found that they did not have the numbers to physically move the protestors off the highway. The police then tried firing into the air and that did not work. Next the police fired into the crowd, which is illegal, especially if the crowd is not threatening the police. There were several journalists covering the protest and the police gunfire killed one of them as well as several protesters. This forced the State government to conduct an official investigation of the killings. This sort of thing is more common,

While the military has made progress in overcoming its history of corruption and incompetence, the national police have not. The 360,000 national police are in worse shape than the 310,000 military personnel. For the last two years there have been nationwide protests against police corruption and misconduct. The immediate cause of this round of protests was the revelations about illegal, and often fatal for victims, SARS (Special Anti-Robbery Squad) behavior. The government promised to deal with this problem but many protesters are unconvinced. Police misbehavior has been around for decades and survived multiple efforts to reform it. The government has to come up with something new to calm things down, especially since many of the protests have also pushed for a reduction in corruption and an increase in government competence. These issues are what got Boko Haram going in the north. At first Boko Haram was non-violent, but that changed when the security forces began killing large numbers of Boko Haram leaders and members.

The senior leaders of the National Police now have a major problem on their hands. In many parts of the country where there is armed resistance from organized groups of locals, the police are demoralized and afraid to start a fight they would probably lose. The national police intelligence collection and analysis still works, but the police ability to muster enough capable police to deal with a major problem has diminished. Nigeria never had enough police to provide an acceptable level of public safety. The national police were seen as corrupt tools of corrupt politicians and gangsters.

May 25, 2022: The Nigerian Navy gets credit for the major reduction in piracy activity off the southern (Gulf of Guinea) coast. In late 2021 navy concentrated 13 armed ships, two helicopters and 1,50o personnel for an anti-piracy exercise. Ocean going patrol vessels from Britain and France are also taking part. This exercise was already scheduled before the September announcement by International ship owners associations declaring the Gulf of Guinea a HRA (High Risk Area). This is one of the largest HRAs in the world, with about 3.2 million square kilometers (910,000 square miles) involved. Within this HRA the piracy risk is rising, yet Nigeria reports that piracy incidents had declined 77 percent in 2021 compared to 2020. There have been sharp drops in piracy before, which did not last and the piracy returned. The new Gulf of Guinea HRA accounts for about a third of piracy incidents worldwide, including those that involve kidnapping senior crew and taking them ashore to hidden camps where they are held until a ransom is paid. In 2020, 89 percent of the 135 maritime kidnappings took place off the Nigerian coast. If the piracy problem discourages enough foreign ships from using Gulf of Guinea ports, the nations involved, especially Nigeria, will have to cooperate with the growing number of nations sending patrol ships to operate in international waters to assist ships under attack by giving those ships another source of assistance when they send out a distress call. The decline of pirate activity off the coast continues into 2022.
PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / June 10, 2022 / The following abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds (collectively, the "Funds") announced today that the Funds' respective boards have approved a name change for each of the Funds, to be effective June 30, 2022, as set forth below. The Funds' ticker symbols and CUSIPs are not changing.

Ticker Current Name New Name CUSIP NYSE:AEF Aberdeen Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund, Inc. abrdn Emerging Markets Equity Income Fund, Inc. 00301W105 NYSE American: IAF Aberdeen Australia Equity Fund, Inc. abrdn Australia Equity Fund, Inc. 003011103 NYSE American: FAX Aberdeen Asia-Pacific Income Fund, Inc. abrdn Asia-Pacific Income Fund, Inc. 003009107 NYSE American: FCO Aberdeen Global Income Fund, Inc. abrdn Global Income Fund, Inc. 003013109 NYSE:JEQ Aberdeen Japan Equity Fund, Inc. abrdn Japan Equity Fund, Inc. 00306J109 NYSE ACP (Common Shares) Aberdeen Income Credit Strategies Fund abrdn Income Credit Strategies Fund 003057106 NYSE:ACP PRA (Preferred Shares) Aberdeen Income Credit Strategies Fund 5.250% Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock abrdn Income Credit Strategies Fund 5.250% Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock 0030572053 NYSE:AGD Aberdeen Global Dynamic Dividend Fund abrdn Global Dynamic Dividend Fund 00302M106 NYSE:AOD Aberdeen Total Dynamic Dividend Fund abrdn Total Dynamic Dividend Fund 00326L100 NYSE:AWP Aberdeen Global Premier Properties Fund abrdn Global Premier Properties Fund 00302L108 NYSE ASGI Aberdeen Standard Global Infrastructure Income Fund abrdn Global Infrastructure Income Fund 00326W106

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.

https://www.abrdn.com/en-us/cefinvestorcenter/fund-centre/closed-end-funds

For More Information Contact:

abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds

Investor Relations

800-522-5465

[email protected]

SOURCE: abrdn U.S. Closed-End Funds

View source version on accesswire.com:
BELLEVUE, WA / ACCESSWIRE / June 10, 2022 / Trilogy International Partners Inc. ("Trilogy" or the "Company") (TSX:TRL), an international wireless and fixed broadband telecommunications operator, today announced that the board of directors of the Company (the "Board") has declared a return of capital distribution to the holders of common shares of the Company (the "Common Shares") pursuant to a Plan of Liquidation adopted by the Board on June 10, 2022.

The return of capital distribution will be in the aggregate amount of C$150,000,000 (or approximately US$120 million), which represents C$1.69 per Common Share. Shareholders living outside of Canada will receive the distribution in United States dollars in an amount reflecting the foreign exchange rate applicable on the date of distribution.

In connection with the distribution, the Board confirmed a reduction in the stated capital of the Common Shares by an aggregate amount equal to C$150,000,000 (or approximately US$120 million), which reduction was previously approved by holders of Common Shares at a special meeting held on March 15, 2022.

The distribution is scheduled to be paid on June 27, 2022 (the "Payment Date") to holders of Common Shares of record as of the close of business on June 17, 2022 (the "Record Date"). The Toronto Stock Exchange has determined to implement its "due bill" trading procedures with respect to the distribution of C$1.69 per share. The Common Shares will commence trading on a due bill basis at the opening of trading on June 16, 2022, and to commence trading "ex-distribution" on June 28, 2022. The due bill redemption date will be June 29, 2022.

This initial and primary distribution of net cash proceeds follows the completion of the sale of Trilogy's New Zealand subsidiary, Two Degrees Group Limited ("2degrees"), on May 19, 2022, at an equity value of NZ$1.315 billion based on an implied enterprise value of NZ$1.70 billion inclusive of lease liabilities. At closing, after distributions to minority shareholders, settlement of 2degrees options and reductions for certain transaction related costs, the Company received approximately NZ$905 million, exclusive of the Company's share of the NZ$30 million that is held in escrow to secure the possible payment of certain potential indemnification and other claims through the first anniversary of the closing.

As an initial use of proceeds from the sale, Trilogy prepaid all of its outstanding indebtedness including related accrued interest. The prepayments were completed in May in amount of approximately US$450 million and satisfied the outstanding indebtedness and accrued interest under its subsidiary's existing 8.875% senior secured notes and 10% promissory notes along with its 13.5% bridge loans. The prepayment of indebtedness followed the settlement of the previously disclosed hedge contract whereby the Company converted sale proceeds of NZ$673 million into US$450 million at the contractual exchange rate of 0.669.

Substantially all of the remaining proceeds, after prepayment of debt obligations and payment of certain corporate working capital obligations accrued through the date of the transaction, have been converted to US and Canadian currency in the amounts which are expected to be used for distributions and corporate use. These amounts will be used to fund the initial shareholder distribution and to provide a cash reserve of approximately US$30 million which is in addition to the Company's share of the escrow of up to approximately US$14 million at current exchange rates. The majority of the US$30 million reserve will be utilized for costs related to the eventual dissolution of the Company, and for the payment of any indemnification claims that may arise from the transaction but are not funded by the warranty insurance policy or by the aforementioned purchase price escrow. As previously disclosed, the ultimate amount of shareholder distributions will be subject to certain factors including the amount of escrow proceeds that will be released to the Company when the escrow terminates in late May 2023, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, and costs associated with the dissolution of the Company.

About Due Bill Trading

Due bills represent entitlements to cash and will attach to the Common Shares between the first trading day prior to the Record Date and the Payment Date, allowing the Common Shares to carry the value of the entitlement to the distribution until it is paid. When due bills are used, the ex-distribution date is deferred to the first trading day after the Payment Date.

About Trilogy International Partners Inc.

Trilogy is the parent company of Trilogy International Partners LLC, a wireless and fixed broadband telecommunications operator formed by wireless industry veterans John Stanton, Theresa Gillespie and Brad Horwitz.

Its head office is located at 155 108th Avenue NE, Suite 400, Bellevue, Washington, 98004 USA. For more information, visit www.trilogy-international.com.

Cautionary Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws in Canada and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 of the United States of America. Forward-looking information and forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the amount and timing (including the record date) of distributions to shareholders, the use of the remaining proceeds, the capital reduction and return of capital, the commencement of due bill trading and any subsequent distributions. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "estimates", "plans", "targets", "expects" or "does not expect", "an opportunity exists", "outlook", "prospects", "strategy", "intends", "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will", "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, intentions, estimates, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information and statements.

Forward-looking information and statements are provided for the purpose of assisting readers in understanding management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that such information and statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. Forward-looking information and statements contained in this press release are based on our opinions, estimates and assumptions in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that we currently believe are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances. These opinions, estimates and assumptions include but are not limited to currency exchange rates, anticipated costs associated with the dissolution of the Company and the amount of the escrowed proceeds that are released to the Company. Despite a careful process to prepare and review the forward-looking information and statements, there can be no assurance that the underlying opinions, estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct.

Numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which may be unknown, relating to Trilogy could cause actual events and results to differ materially from the estimates, beliefs and assumptions expressed or implied in the forward-looking information and statements. Such risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to those that relate to the movement in foreign currency exchange, anticipated costs associated with the dissolution of the Company and the amount of the escrowed proceeds that are released to the Company.

Although we have attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information and statements in this press release, there may be other risk factors not presently known to us or that we presently believe are not material that could also cause actual results or future events to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking information in this press release. Please see our continuous disclosure filings available under Trilogy's profile at www.sedar.com and at www.sec.gov for information on the risks and uncertainties associated with our business.

Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information and statements, which speak only as of the date made. The forward-looking information and statements contained in this press release represent our expectations as of the date of this press release. We disclaim any intention or obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities laws.

Investor Relations Contacts

Ann Saxton

425-458-5900

[email protected]

Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Development

Erik Mickels

425-458-5900

[email protected]

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

Trilogy Media Contact

Ann Saxton

425-458-5900

[email protected]

Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Development

SOURCE: Trilogy International Partners Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:
Credit Suisse analyst Benjamin Chaiken reiterated an Outperform rating and $90.00 price target on Cedar Fair (NYSE: FUN) noting shares look attractive on weakness ahead of its update through the July 4th Holiday.

The analyst stated "We see four catalysts over the next 6 months: (1) upside to the July 4th attendance update, (2) upside to implied revenue trends, (3) resumption of dividend, and (4) upside to 22/23 EBITDA. We think the recent investor update, covering trends through Memorial day, created some confusion causing the stock to sell off. We think results were misinterpreted, due to fluctuations in operating days."

For an analyst ratings summary and ratings history on Cedar Fair click here. For more ratings news on Cedar Fair click here.

Shares of Cedar Fair closed at $47.11 yesterday.
MEXICO CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating (FSR) of A (Excellent) and Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating (Long-Term ICR) of a (Excellent) of Lion Reinsurance Company Limited (Lion Re) (Bermuda). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

Lion Re is a subsidiary of ASSA Compania Tenedora, S.A. (ASSA Tenedora) and is owned ultimately by Grupo ASSA, S.A. (Grupo ASSA), a financial services holding company publicly traded on the Panama Stock Exchange.

The ratings reflect Lion Res balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

Lion Re is a Bermuda-based reinsurer assuming risks from ASSA Tenedora and affiliates for property, liability, marine, group life (short term), health and miscellaneous businesses. AM Best recognizes the strategic role that Lion Re aims to achieve in the groups overall regional strategy; however, Lion Res business profile is considered limited given its accessibility to markets when compared with other commercial reinsurers.

Lion Res continued capital base expansion is supportive of risk-adjusted capitalization being assessed at the strongest level, as measured by Bests Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), while it continues to perform an important role in ASSA Tenedoras strategy as it consolidates operations in the Central America region, by providing reinsurance capacity.

Lion Res adequate operating performance results from its affiliated insurance companies in the Central America region, as well as its affiliation to Grupo ASSA, which provides synergies, operating efficiencies and guarantee support. The company consistently reviews its underwriting guidelines to improve the performance of business segments that are deviating from targets. Investment income, based on a conservative strategy, continues to support Lion Res results; however, the company is not dependent on this revenue to achieve positive bottom-line results.

AM Best does not foresee positive rating action; however, Lion Res strategic role within the group and guarantee of support by its parent remain paramount for the current ratings, along with the maintaining of its strongest level of risk-adjusted capitalization. Factors that could lead to negative rating action include a material loss of capital that reduces risk-adjusted capitalization to a level that does not support the ratings, or a diminished strategic importance.

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/20220610005525/en/

Salvador Smith

Senior Financial Analyst

+52 55 1102 2720, ext. 109

[email protected]



Christopher Sharkey

Manager, Public Relations

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5159

[email protected]



Eli Sanchez

Associate Director, Analytics

+52 55 1102 2720, ext. 107

[email protected]



Jeff Mango

Managing Director,

Strategy & Communications

+1 908 439 2200, ext. 5204

[email protected]



Source: AM Best
KARLSKOGA, Sweden--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Swiss government has shortlisted BAE Systems ARCHER 155mm mobile howitzer as one of the systems going into the final round of competition for its future artillery system. The Swiss Federal Office for Defense Procurement, known as armasuisse, received multiple proposals submitted by several companies for the competition.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609006034/en/

ARCHER is the ultimate shoot-and-scoot howitzer and is capable operating in challenging terrains. (Credit: BAE Systems)

ARCHER is a fully automated system purpose-built to keep pace with fast-moving land forces. It is designed for rapid deployment to quickly respond to threats and deliver superior mobility, lethality, and survivability.

Operators control the entire gun system from the safety of ARCHERs armored cabin. In only 20 seconds, the vehicle can stop and fire its first round. After completion of the fire mission, ARCHER is on the move again within 20 seconds. In less than two minutes, ARCHER can fire six rounds, displace, and move 500 meters, while the crew remains in the armored cabin, making the ARCHER the ultimate shoot-and-scoot system for soldier and platform survivability.

ARCHER is the most advanced wheeled 155mm howitzer in operation today and meets the requirements of the Swiss Armed Forces, said Stefan Lofstrom, director of marketing and sales at BAE Systems Bofors in Karlskoga, Sweden. Consistent with our long history of implementing industrial cooperation projects around the world, we are working with Swiss industry to establish a project plan to successfully fulfill all Swiss requirements.

ARCHER can fire the BONUS anti-armor munition up to 35km, conventional munitions up to 40km, and the precision-guided munition Excalibur in excess of 50km. The automated magazines can hold a mix of different ammunition types and modular charges needed to support any mission.

The system is already in service in the Swedish Army with the highest technical and manufacturing readiness levels.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609006034/en/

Katarina Tolgfors, BAE Systems

Mobile: +46 (0) 72 236 3424

[email protected]

www.baesystems.com

@BAESystemsInc

Source: BAE Systems,Inc.
The Columbia Solar, Ridge View Solar and Rich Road Solar Projects are among 22 large-scale solar projects, including six with energy storage, across upstate New York to receive an award.

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- EDF Renewables North America today announced three solar projects were awarded long-term contracts by New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) as part of the 2021 solicitation for large-scale renewable energy certificates. Combined, 1 gigawatt (GW) of solar + storage projects will deliver clean energy for the state.

The projects as follows represent nearly 40% of the total 2,408 MW awarded, and expect to deliver clean electricity by the end of 2025:

Columbia Solar Energy Center: 350 MWac with 20 MW of co-located storage sited on approximately 2,000 acres in the towns of Columbia and Litchfield, Herkimer County.

Ridge View Solar Energy Center: 350 MWac with 20 MW of co-located storage sited on approximately 2,000 acres sited in the town of Hartland, Niagara County.

Rich Road Solar Energy Center: 240 MWac with 20 MW of co-located storage sited on approximately 1,500 acres in the town Canton, St. Lawrence County.

Stephane Desdunes, Senior Director Development, Northeast Region for EDF Renewables, said, The team has worked diligently to progress the development of our New York solar portfolio since 2017. We are proud of the fact we have been awarded 1,313 MW of the 2020 and 2021 procurements and 1,483 MW in total since 2018. With more than 1,000 MW of solar and storage projects still in the development pipeline, EDF Renewables looks forward to working side by side with NYSERDA and New York State to achieve the 70% by 2030 goal and deliver clean energy to the residents of New York.

Desdunes continued, The region will benefit from procurement and employment opportunities throughout the development, construction and operational phases. Combined the projects will create approximately 1,290 prevailing wage and union construction jobs in upstate New York during peak construction and contribute millions of dollars to the Counties, Towns and School Districts during the operational life of the projects.

Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO, NYSERDA, said, Advancing large-scale solar projects like these newly awarded projects are helping to build out New Yorks already massive renewable energy pipeline and are central to the States ability to create a zero-emission electricity grid. NYSERDA will work closely with EDF Renewables to ensure the communities hosting these projects are engaged throughout the development process and the responsible siting of them will not only help protect our valuable agricultural lands, but benefit the state and local economies alike.

EDF Renewables community engagement plans for the Columbia, Rich Road and Ridge View Solar Projects include annual scholarships for students in the project area school districts with interest in the trades or clean energy, and an annual Sharing the Sun Fund for local community organizations during the construction phase whereby local review committees will select the awardees. Starting in 2024, EDF Renewables will also sponsor an innovative online training course for the solar workforce and a hands-on workshop in partnership with SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in our efforts to bolster the local labor pipeline.

The expected electricity generated at full capacity is enough to meet the consumption of over 243,000 average New York homes1. This is equivalent to avoiding over 880,000 million metric tons of carbon (CO) emissions annually which represents the greenhouse gas emissions from over 190,000 passenger vehicles driven over the course of one year1.

EDF Renewables is one of the largest renewable energy developers in North America with 24 gigawatts of wind, solar, and storage projects developed throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Solar development accounts for 70% of EDF Renewables 15 GW pipeline. EDF Renewables has installed 80 MW of Wind Power and 187 MW of Solar Power to date in the State of New York.

NYSERDA awarded EDF Renewables 3 projects totaling 303 MWac and 10 MW of storage in the 2020 Renewable Energy Standard Solicitation and 170 MWac in the 2018 Renewable Energy Standard Solicitation.

1 According to NYSERDA Energy & Environmental Analysis Program.

EDF Renewables North America is a market leading independent power producer and service provider with 35 years of expertise in renewable energy. The Company delivers grid-scale power: wind (onshore and offshore), solar photovoltaic, and storage projects; distributed solutions: solar and storage; and asset optimization: technical, operational, and commercial expertise to maximize performance of generating projects. The Companys PowerFlex subsidiary offers a full suite of onsite energy solutions for commercial and industrial customers: solar, storage, EV charging, energy management systems, and microgrids. EDF Renewables North American portfolio consists of 24 GW of developed projects and 13 GW under service contracts. EDF Renewables North America is a subsidiary of EDF Renouvelables, the dedicated renewable energy affiliate of the EDF Group. For more information visit: www.edf-re.com. Connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220610005539/en/

Sandi Briner, +1 858-521-3525

[email protected]

Source: EDF Renewables North America
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- KBRA releases its RMBS Credit Indices (KCI) for May 2022. The indices track early-, mid-, and late-stage delinquencies, observed modifications, prepayment speeds, and other performance metrics across four major RMBS 2.0 subsectors.

Click here to view the report.

About KBRA

KBRA is a full-service credit rating agency registered in the U.S., the EU, and the UK, and is designated to provide structured finance ratings in Canada. KBRAs ratings can be used by investors for regulatory capital purposes in multiple jurisdictions.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220610005590/en/

Analytical

Brian Ford, CFA, Structured Finance Research

+1 (646) 731-2329

[email protected]

Jack Kahan, Senior Managing Director

+1 (646) 731-2486

[email protected]

Ashish Sharda, Managing Director

+1 (646) 731-2415

[email protected]

Armine Karajyan, Senior Director

+1 (646) 731-1210

[email protected]

Business Development

Dan Stallone, Director

+1 (646) 731-1308

[email protected]

Source: KBRA
Your True Self is Priceless Campaign, Sponsorship of Historic New York City Pride, Social Media Activation and Two Immersive Metaverse Experiences Create Opportunities for Education and Celebration

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- This Pride month, Mastercard is proud to continue its longstanding support of the LGBTQIA+ community through Your True Self is Priceless, a campaign designed to celebrate the power that comes from embracing and living as your authentic self.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220610005456/en/

Mastercard Celebrates LGBTQIA+ Community with Your True Self is Priceless Pride Campaign (Graphic: Business Wire)

The Your True Self is Priceless omnichannel campaign extends across live New York City Pride events, a social media activation and into the virtual world through two immersive metaverse experiences in Decentraland and Metas Horizon Worlds. As part of the campaign, Mastercard is asking members of the LGBTQIA+ community to write candid, handwritten letters to their younger selves during any time in their journey to embracing their true selves however they choose. These heartfelt messages collected through social media will celebrate the positive power of truth and authenticity and will be part of a virtual, immersive exhibition in Metas Horizon Worlds, a gallery in Decentraland, and print, social and other mediums. People can share advice to their younger selves by following Mastercard on Instagram and Tiktok.

This celebration of Pride builds on Mastercards commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community, following the companys 2019 introduction of True Name, a card feature allowing transgender and non-binary cardholders to display their chosen name on their Mastercard, giving them a way to proudly represent their true self and increasing their comfort and safety in everyday transactions.

Building a world where everyone is included is foundational to Mastercards values, and were proud to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and freedom that comes when people live as their authentic selveshonoring those who are already doing so and those who are still striving for acceptance, said Rustom Dastoor, EVP North America Marketing and Communications, Mastercard. This years Pride brings new opportunities to reach people, both in the physical and digital worlds. Were excited to come together with our partners to create Priceless Experiences that celebrate, educate, inspire and uplift the community.

Kicking off today, live and online events scheduled throughout the month include:

As a proud partner of Heritage of Pride and sponsor of New York City Pride, Mastercard is sponsoring the Pride Island music festival (June 25th  26th), NYC Prides The Conference (June 25th), the Pride Presents film festival (June 17th) and the NYC Pride March (June 26th)

Mastercard partnered with Brooklyn-based illustration artist Shanee Benjamin to design the NYC Pride March float celebrating the Your True Self is Priceless campaign. Look for members of the community, allies, partners and Mastercard employees as they celebrate Shanees art and the community at large at the first in-person March held since 2019

campaign. Look for members of the community, allies, partners and Mastercard employees as they celebrate Shanees art and the community at large at the first in-person March held since 2019 Priceless Experiences are available on priceless.com, connecting people to their passions through dining and fitness experiences. Cardholders can enjoy a multi-course meal under the stars by celebrity chef Susan Feniger on the rooftop of the Los Angeles LGBT Center, with proceeds from the dinner being donated to the Center. Experiences with Melba Wilson of the famous Melbas Restaurant in Harlem, a Pride-themed mixology class with Happy Cork and a Barrys class will have proceeds being donated to GLAAD during Pride Week as well.

With our physical and digital lives becoming more united than ever, Mastercard is also offering immersive virtual experiences that allow for self-expression and celebration.

In Decentralands month-long global Metaverse Pride celebration, the Mastercard Pride Plaza will offer opportunities for community members and allies to connect in a space where attendees are encouraged to be their truest selves. Guests can experience:

Appearances, candid conversations with LGBTQIA+ thought leaders and engagements with confirmed guests including Candis Cayne, Mastercard Chief Inclusion Officer Randall Tucker, Mastercard EVP of Global Brand Innovation and Strategy Cheryl Guerin, Ketchum President and CEO and GLAAD Board Director Mike Doyle, Mastercard Chief Technology Risk Officer Abby Fiorella, NYC Pride Executive Director Sandra Perez, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center Executive Director Glennda Testone and more

A surprise musical performance

Limited edition NFT wearables in the Artist Showcase from artists including Shanee Benjamin, Rahemur Rahman, Laurel Charleston, Patrick Church and Orly Anan and Rainbow Lobsters

Celebration in the Decentraland Pride Parade, where Mastercards NYC Pride March float designed by Brooklyn-based illustration artist Shanee Benjamin will also appear

In collaboration with Metas Creative Shop and world creators RhondaX and SKitter, Mastercard is launching True Self World on June 21st in Horizon Worlds, a free, social experience that allows people to explore, connect and celebrate their true selves in virtual reality. Available in the U.S. and Canada, True Self World will serve as an ongoing virtual space where members of the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies can meet and interact in an immersive world through their Meta Quest 2 headsets. True Self World is part of Metas Pride World Hub, built by LGBTQIA+ creators and will include communal and private discussion areas, games and other interactive activities, a virtual version of Mastercards Acceptance Street sign, displays of the communitys letters and more.

Comments From Our Partners

"We are beyond excited that Mastercard has chosen to partner with Decentraland for Metaverse Pride. Mastercard is a brand with legitimate history of supporting LGBTQIA+ voices. It is a tremendous responsibility to build a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for everyone in the metaverse. We are thrilled about Mastercard's experience, they understood the assignment." - Iara Dias, Head of Metaverse Pride, Decentraland

Mastercards collaboration with McCann, Creative Shop and creators RhondaX and SKitter to build True Self World is a beautiful example of how people can create inclusive communities in a way that may not be possible in the physical world. Its inspiring to see how brands like Mastercard are using virtual reality to both celebrate important cultural moments like Pride and create accessible spaces for the LGBTQIA+ community year-round. - Nada Stirratt, VP Global Business Group at Meta

Im so proud to partner with Mastercard to bring unapologetic expression to NYC Pride and the Metaverse through joyful illustration.  Shanee Benjamin, Brooklyn-Based Artist

About Mastercard (NYSE: MA)

Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. Our decency quotient, or DQ, drives our culture and everything we do inside and outside of our company. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.

www.mastercard.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220610005456/en/

Alyssa Rosenblatt

[email protected]

914.249.1564

Source: Mastercard Incorporated
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Mednow Inc. (Mednow'' or the Company) (TSXV: MNOW) (OTCQX: MDNWF), Canadas on-demand virtual pharmacy, is pleased to announce it will be presenting at Gravitas Securities Inc.s (Gravitas) 3rd Los Angeles Summit, which will be taking place at the Beverly Hills Hotel from June 21st to June 24th, 2022, in Beverly Hills, California.

Gravitas 3rd Los Angeles Summit will feature public and private companies across various industries that will be given the opportunity to present to a highly selective audience of venture capital, family office, and institutional investors attending from Canada, the United States, and abroad. For additional details about the conference and Gravitas, please visit: www.gravitassecurities.com

Mednow will be introducing its story to new potential investors and will be providing corporate updates to those who are familiar with the Company.

About Mednow Inc.

Mednow is a healthcare technology company offering virtual access with a high standard of care. Designed with accessibility and quality of care in mind, Mednow.ca provides virtual pharmacy and telemedicine services as well as doctor home visits through an interdisciplinary approach to healthcare that is focused on the patient experience. Mednows services include free at-home delivery of medications, a user-friendly interface for easy upload, transfer, and refill of prescriptions, access to healthcare professionals through an intuitive chat experience, a specialized PillSmart system that packages prescriptions and vitamins by date and time, and doctor consultations.

To learn more, follow Mednow on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram, or visit our website at www.mednow.ca/.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, including statements regarding future estimates, plans, objectives, timing, assumptions or expectations of future performance, including without limitation, the statement regarding the intention to continue to execute Mednow's plan for a national presence across Canada; and to expand its geographical reach to become a household name in Canadian healthcare. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as intends or anticipates, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, should, would or occur. Forward-looking statements are based on certain material assumptions and analysis made by the Company and the opinions and estimates of management as of the date of this press release, including that the Company will obtain the approvals required to execute its expansion plans, that general economic and market conditions will not change in an adverse manner, political and regulatory stability, stability in financial and capital markets and that the Companys operations will not be adversely impacted by COVID-19. These forward-looking statements 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 to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Important factors that may cause actual results to vary, include, without limitation (a) public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic may adversely impact the Companys business and operations; (b) the volatility of global capital markets; (c) unanticipated costs; and (d) risks relating to the extent and duration of the conflict in Eastern Europe and its impact on global markets. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220610005118/en/

Investor Relations:

Benjamin Ferdinand, Chief Financial Officer

[email protected]

1.855.686.6300

Source: Mednow Inc.
BORDEAUX, France & BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

IMPLANET (Euronext Growth: ALIMP, FR0013470168, eligible for PEA-PME equity savings plans) (Paris: ALIMP), a medical technology company specializing in vertebral implants, informs its shareholders that its Annual General Meeting was held on Thursday 9 June 2022 at 2:00 pm at the company's registered office in Martillac.

The number of shares held by the shareholders present or represented was 5,305,617, representing a quorum of 26.96%.

All the resolutions of this Annual General Meeting were adopted.

The minutes of the shareholders' meeting will be available within the legal deadlines on the Company's website: www.implanet-invest.com/general-meeting

Upcoming financial events:

- H1 2022 revenue, July 11, 2022, after market

- H1 2022 results, September 20, 2022, after market

About IMPLANET

Founded in 2007, IMPLANET is a medical technology company that manufactures high-quality implants for orthopedic surgery. Its activity revolves around a comprehensive innovative solution for improving the treatment of spinal pathologies (JAZZ) complemented by the product range offered by Orthopaedic & Spine Development (OSD), acquired in May 2021 (thoraco-lumbar screws, cages and cervical plates). Implanets tried-and-tested orthopedic platform is based on the traceability of its products. Protected by four families of international patents, JAZZ has obtained 510(k) regulatory clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, the CE mark in Europe and ANVISA approval in Brazil. IMPLANET employs 39 staff and recorded a consolidated revenue of 6.1 million in 2021. Based near Bordeaux in France, IMPLANET opened a US subsidiary in Boston in 2013. IMPLANET is listed on the Euronext Growth market in Paris. For further information, please visit www.Implanet.com.

The Company would like to remind readers that the table for monitoring the equity line (OCA, BSA) and the number of shares outstanding is available on its website: http://www.implanet-invest.com/suivi-des-actions-80

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220610005476/en/

IMPLANET

Ludovic Lastennet, CEO

David Dieumegard, CFO

Tel. : +33 (0)5 57 99 55 55

[email protected]

NewCap

Investor Relations

Mathilde Bohin

Nicolas Fossiez

Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94

[email protected]

NewCap

Media Relations

Arthur Rouille

Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94

[email protected]

Source: Implanet
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- MCG Health, LLC (MCG) is providing notice of a data security issue. MCG, which provides patient care guidelines to health care providers and health plans, determined on March 25, 2022, that an unauthorized party previously obtained personal information about some patients and members of certain MCG customers. The affected patient or member data included some or all of the following data elements: names, Social Security numbers, medical codes, postal addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, dates of birth and gender.

Upon learning of this issue, MCG took steps to understand its nature and scope. A leading forensic investigation firm was retained to assist in the investigation. Additionally, MCG is coordinating with law enforcement authorities. MCG has deployed additional monitoring tools and will continue to enhance the security of its systems.

On June 10, 2022, MCG began sending notices to certain individuals whose information was affected and advised them to monitor their credit reports and account information and to check for unfamiliar activity. If suspicious activity is observed, affected individuals should promptly contact the institution at which the account is maintained.

MCG has established a dedicated toll-free telephone number for affected individuals who may have questions or who would like additional information about this issue. The toll-free number is 1-866-475-7221 and is available Monday  Friday, 6 am to 8 pm PT; Saturday  Sunday, 8 am to 5 pm PT. Additional information is available at: mcg.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220610005006/en/

For further information: MCG Health Media Contact - [email protected].

Source: MCG Health, LLC
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rupert Resources Ltd (Rupert or the Company) announces that it has published its audited financial results for the twelve months ending February 28, 2022 and accompanying Managements Discussion and Analysis for the same period.

Both of the above have been posted on the Companys website www.rupertresources.com and on Sedar at www.sedar.com.

Financial Highlights

During the 12 months ending February 28, 2022, the Company spent $23,456,385 (12 months ended February 28, 2021 - $14,637,057) on its exploration projects. As of February 28, 2022, Rupert held cash or cash equivalents of $45,275,410. The Company recorded a net loss and comprehensive loss for the year of $(12,096,620) (12 months ended February 28, 2021 - $(7,343,327)) and a net loss per share of $(0.05) (12 months ended February 28, 2021 - $(0.05)).

All references to currency in this press release are in Canadian dollars.

James Withall, Chief Executive Officer of Rupert Resources said, We exited the year with C$45 million dollars in the treasury and are well set to execute our work programmes including completing the preliminary economic assessment for Ikkari and Pahtavaara and continuing with our exploration programs to delineate further resources and discoveries of scale at our core Rupert Lapland Project. Furthermore, in March 2022, Agnico Eagle Mines Limited exercised warrants to acquire 11,543,704 common shares in the Company for net proceeds to the Company of $11,543,704.

Operating Highlights

During 2021/22 and up to the date of this document, Ruperts operational activities have been primarily focussed on the Rupert Lapland Project Area and Ikkari in particular, together with more limited exploration activity at Hirsikangas in Central Finland.

Rupert Lapland Project Area

Regional Exploration Program, including Ikkari

The regional exploration program at the Rupert Lapland Project Area is designed to identify and evaluate the mineral potential contained in Ruperts land package in the CLGB.

Since July 2020 the Company has been engaged in a diamond drill program to further evaluate discoveries made within the Rupert Lapland Project Area, including Ikkari, as well as continuing to generate new targets. Excluding the Pahtavaara Mine, some 73,100m had been drilled during 2021/22, including 46,500m at Ikkari.

This program has been expanded over the 2021/22 winter season with the aim of expanding areas of known mineralisation and it is noted that Ikkari remains open at depth and the extent of the strike is yet to be defined. Drill rigs from local contractors have been secured to execute Rupert work programs for the next circa 18 months, with approximately 80,000m of diamond drilling budgeted for calendar 2022. Sixty percent of drilling is budgeted for infill and extension drilling at Ikkari with the balance allocated to regional exploration.

Base of till (BoT) drilling and sampling continues across the Rupert Lapland Project Area, specifically over geophysical anomalies of interest and programs will begin on recently granted permits in the coming months.

Ikkari Preliminary Economic Assessment and Related Studies

Following publication in September 2021 of the Ikkari Technical Report, and the on-going regional diamond and BoT drilling and sampling programs, a NI 43-101-compliant Preliminary Economic Assessment of Ikkari (Ikkari PEA) is currently underway and is expected to be completed along with an update to the MRE in the second half of 2022.

The Ikkari PEA project is led by Tetra Tech, with initial meetings held in mid-December 2021, and encompasses an evaluation of the economic potential of the Ikkari and Pahtavaara mineral resources as well as satellite deposits that have continued to be drilled during the recent 2021/22 winter exploration program. Various studies have been initiated which will contribute to the PEA, including but not limited to: Optimisation of planned mining methods, schedules and site layouts; Hydrogeological evaluations; Geotechnical evaluations; and Metallurgical studies including assessment of processing options. The aim of the Ikkari PEA is to better define the optimum parameters that will be used in a Pre-feasibility Study that is expected to be initiated subsequent to its completion.

Ikkari and Pahtavaara Environmental Assessments

An Environmental Impact Assessment has been initiated during 2021/22 at each of Ikkari and Pahtavaara with the aim of securing an environmental permit and thereafter a mining licence for Ikkari in addition to those already held at Pahtavaara. The Ikkari PEA is also drawing from this process as appropriate.

Pahtavaara Mine

Further to the drilling at the Pahtavaara Mine as reported in October 2020 which inter alia identified high-grade, near surface plunging shoots, as well as potential extensions to mineralisation on the southern flank of the deposit, a further 93 holes for a total of 6,561.5m were drilled during 2021/22 as part of the circa 10,000m planned program. A further 1,193m in seven holes have also been drilled at other near-mine targets. Results were announced by the Company in July 2021.

Work is underway on updating the Mineral Resource Estimate for the Pahtavaara Mine. A trade-off study to be completed as part of the Ikkari PEA will be undertaken to define the most suitable mining methods and cut-off grades that will be used to complete an updated National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report. The Ikkari PEA will also review the opportunity to develop Pahtavaara as a satellite mine to a new central processing facility at Ikkari, which may allow Pahtavaara to benefit from cost synergies and shared infrastructure.

During the twelve months ended February 28, 2022, the Company spent $24,253,782 (twelve months ended February 28, 2021 - $16,144,225) on general exploration costs in the Rupert Lapland Project Area.

Central Finland Properties

Hirsikangas

Drilling at the Hanni target and a further target at Marsyla was completed during April 2021 to follow-up on targets generated by both geophysical surveys and field sampling. In total 11 holes were drilled for 1,174m.

Although fully testing the geophysical anomalies, results from this program intersected limited gold mineralisation at both target areas. The subsequent summer field work program during 2021/22 included regional geochemical sampling and mapping at new target areas, namely at Viitajarvi, where numerous boulder indications for both Cu-Au and Au mineralisation were found and at the Ullava target.

In 2022, IP surveys and drill testing are planned for both Ullava and Purontaka targets. Field work continues at the Lesti Arc area and southern extent of Himanka volcanic belt, which also hosts the Hirsikangas deposit. A new area for field exploration 2022 is the gold potential in the Pihtipudas region in Middle-Finland, some 70 km SSE of Nivala.

During the twelve months ended February 28, 2022, the Company spent $748,208 (twelve months ended February 28, 2021 - $678,281) on general exploration costs on the Central Finland Properties.

About Rupert Resources

Rupert Resources is a gold exploration and development company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol RUP. The Company is focused on making and advancing discoveries of scale and quality with high margin and low environmental impact potential. The Companys principal focus is Ikkari, a new high quality gold discovery in Northern Finland with an inferred mineral resource estimate of 49Mt at 2.5 g/t gold for 3.95 million ounces1. Ikkari is part of the Companys Rupert Lapland Project, which also includes the Pahtavaara gold mine, mill, and exploration permits and concessions located in the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt of Northern Finland (Pahtavaara). The Company also holds a 100% interest in the Surf Inlet Property in British Columbia, a 100% interest in properties in Central Finland and a 20% carried participating interest in the Gold Centre property located adjacent to the Red Lake mine in Ontario.

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 press release contains statements which, other than statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements with respect to: results of exploration activities and mineral resources. The words may, would, could, will, intend, plan, anticipate, believe, estimate, expect and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made, and are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other known and unknown factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. These factors include the general risks of the mining industry, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in the Company's annual Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended February 28, 2022 available on Sedar (www.sedar.com). Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. 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 information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by applicable law.

1 National Instrument 43-101 inferred mineral resource estimate (MRE) for Ikkari of 49 million tonnes (Mt) at 2.5 grams per tonne gold (g/t Au), for 3.95 million ounces (oz) in total (see the technical report entitled NI 43-101 Technical Report: Ikkari Project, Finland with an effective date of September 13, 2021 prepared by Brian Wolfe, Principal Consultant, International Resource Solutions Pty Ltd., an independent qualified person under NI 43-101: the Ikkari Technical Report).

The MRE has been estimated using the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) Estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines. It was calculated using the multiple indicator kriging method (MIK) and is classified as an inferred mineral resource as defined by the CIM. Numbers are affected by rounding. The MRE was reported using cut-offs of 0.6g/t Au for mineralisation potentially mineable by open pit methods and 1.2g/t Au for that portion that is potentially extractable by underground methods. The cut-offs were based on a gold price of US$1430/oz Au, with a 92% overall recovery and costs derived from benchmarks and first principles (see: the Ikkari Technical Report). Mineral Resources do not include Mineral Reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that any part of the Mineral Resources will be converted to Mineral Reserves.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220610005039/en/

For further information, please contact:

James Withall

Chief Executive Officer

[email protected]

Thomas Credland

Head of Corporate Development

[email protected]

Rupert Resources Ltd

82 Richmond Street East, Suite 203, Toronto, Ontario M5C 1P1

Tel: +1 416-304-9004 Web: http://rupertresources.com/

Source: Rupert Resources Ltd
Pearl Guava from Kaohsiung, Taiwan is arriving in Vancouver!

KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Save-On-Foods welcomes the exciting new arrival by launching a Promotional Event at seven selected stores across BC. On the weekend of June 11 to June 12th, 2022 there will be tasty guava sampling held at the Tsawwassen, Terra Nova, UBC, Dunbar, River District, Marine Way and Guildford stores.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609005405/en/

Pearl Guava from Kaohsiung, Taiwan is arriving in Vancouver! (Photo: Business Wire)

The best pearl guavas are grown in specific regions in Kaohsiung, Taiwan that are rich in volcanic soil. This crunchy tropical fruit is amazingly rich in anti-oxidant, protein, vitamin C, potassium, calcium and other nutritional minerals that are good for you. Pearl guavas are also low in sugar, calories and can decompose nitrite effectively.

Kaohsiung is located at the south of Taiwan. The weather in Kaohsiung feels like summer all the year round. The unique weather and the advanced cultivation technique made the fruits grown in Kaohsiung internationally known for its supreme quality, having the best flavor and tastes incredibly sweet!

The Best of Kaohsiung as a brand has been promoting the best products from Kaohsiung, Taiwan to every corner of the world for a long time. Through the years, the brand has built a tremendous reputation, gained international recognition and formed extreme popularity. Best of Kaohsiung promotes multiple exotic fruits every year all over the world.

The Agriculture Bureau of Kaohsiung City Government is also launching a collaboration Tasty Guava Day with three restaurants: Torafuku, YumBunnys and Buttermere Patisserie. The collaboration uses the pearl guava in a new way to create original fusion flavors such as Guava Plum Tarte, Guava Spring Peas Soup, Guava sprit and Ume-Guava Kale Salad. The collab aim to showcase the versatility of the pearl guava flavor and delight your taste buds!

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220609005405/en/

Media:

Company Name: Agriculture Bureau of Kaohsiung City Government

Contact: Sylvi Chen

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://agri-en.kcg.gov.tw/

Source: Agriculture Bureau of Kaohsiung City Government
Remote county in Xinjiang develops characteristic planting base with support of pairing assistance from city in east China

People's Daily Online) 17:41, June 10, 2022

At a modern vegetable growing industrial park in Shule county, Kashgar prefecture, northwest Chinas Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, workers were busy picking and wrapping up tomatoes, which were to then be transported to different markets by truck.

A worker picks tomatoes in a greenhouse in Shule county. (Photo/Liu Mengxin)

The high-quality tomatoes produced at the industrial park have seen their sales channels expand and their prices rise to as high as 30 yuan ($4.49) per kilogram with the support of pairing assistance from Dongying city, in east Chinas Shandong Province, after having received a boost to the development and research of new varieties and the construction of the industrial park, including making improvements to planting, wrapping and sales techniques.

Shule county, where seasons are comparatively distinct and the duration of sunshine is longer, is suitable for developing crop farming, and yet its agricultural foundations remain weak.

It is necessary to cultivate high-quality agriculture by introducing advantageous agricultural resources from Shandong to facilitate rural revitalization in the county, said Zhang Zuoxia, deputy secretary of the Communist Party of China Shule county committee, who also serves as head of the command center of Dongying that provides pairing assistance for Xinjiang.

Leading companies in Shandong have provided a boost to the industries and employment in Shule county. Shandong Shuifa Group Co., Ltd., for instance, invested 1.06 billion yuan to build greenhouses and seedling cultivation centers in Shule, which can provide 3,000 jobs for local people.

As characteristic local industries have flourished, residents income has also grown. I can earn an average of over 80,000 yuan a year from the three greenhouses I have contracted, said a villager in the county.

To cultivate talents for Shule, Shandong Shuifa Group Co., Ltd. established an agricultural school, which, according to Liu Yanshi, principal of the school, can provide training for more than 6,000 people on agricultural production, management and operations each year. After training, they can independently contract and operate greenhouses.

The command center of Dongying, which provides pairing assistance for Xinjiang, has encouraged agricultural experts from Shandong to teach local farmers in the fields, each helping instruct a dozen local farmers in all.

The vegetable planting area in Shule has now expanded to reach 16,667 hectares, and high-quality agriculture in the county is becoming an increasingly attractive industry.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji)
PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

In accordance with Article 5 of EU Regulation n 596/2014 (Market Abuse Regulation), detailed information is available on the website of Tikehau Capital (Paris: TKO): https://www.tikehaucapital.com/fr/shareholders/regulatory-information

Disclosure of shares repurchases from 3 June to 9 June 2022 Name of the issuer Issuer Identity Code (LEI) Trading Day ISIN Aggregated volume

per day (number of

shares) Weighted

average price

per day Market (MIC

Code) TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 03/06/2022 FR0013230612 2,925 21.5329 XPAR TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 06/06/2022 FR0013230612 1,338 21.4997 XPAR TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 07/06/2022 FR0013230612 795 21.2791 XPAR TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 08/06/2022 FR0013230612 2,991 21.2883 XPAR TIKEHAU CAPITAL 969500BY8TEU16U3SJ94 09/06/2022 FR0013230612 3,514 21.5000 XPAR TOTAL 11,563 21.4384

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220610005313/en/

Tikehau Capital

Source: Tikehau Capital
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.

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.
FILE PHOTO: Representations of the Ripple, Bitcoin, Etherum and Litecoin virtual currencies are seen on a PC motherboard in this illustration picture, February 14, 2018. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

By Julie Gordon

OTTAWA (Reuters) - The number of Canadians who own cryptoassets is growing rapidly and efforts to regulate the sector need to start keeping pace, a senior Bank of Canada official said, noting many people may not understand the risk of investing in products like bitcoin.

The issue is growing more pressing as cryptoassets become integrated into Canada's financial system, increasing the risk that crypto shocks - like the recent price plunge - could end up hitting the broader financial system.

"This is an area that is still small, but it's growing really rapidly. And it is largely unregulated," Bank of Canada Senior Deputy Governor Carolyn Rogers told Reuters in an interview on Thursday. "We don't want to wait until it gets a lot larger before we bring regulatory controls in place."

The value of the global cryptoasset market soared from $200 billion in early 2020 to $3 trillion at its peak, the Bank of Canada said in a report this week. The share of Canadians who own bitcoin more than doubled to 13% in 2021 from 5% in 2020.

"Like any asset that's jumping around in price, people see an opportunity for quick gains," said Rogers. "Our concern is they may not understand the risks. They may not even understand that it's not a regulated area."

Indeed, cryptocurrency prices plunged in recent months as appetites for high-risk assets soured, exposing some investors to significant financial losses.

The industry needs to be regulated, said Rogers, but the challenge is sorting out just how that will be done.

"These are somewhat like banking assets, somewhat like capital markets," she said. "One of the challenges is to figure out how do they fit in the current regime, and if they don't fit, how do we adjust the regime so that they will fit."

(Reporting by Julie Gordon in Ottawa; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg testifies before a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on foreign influence operations on social media platforms on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., September 5, 2018. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/Files

(Reuters) - Lawyers are investigating Meta Platforms Inc's outgoing operations chief Sheryl Sandberg's use of company resources over several years, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Several employees have been interviewed in connection with the investigation by Facebook-parent Meta, the WSJ reported, adding that the probe has been underway since at least last fall.

Meta and Sandberg did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment.

Among the activities being scrutinized is the work of Meta employees to support Sandberg's foundation, Lean In, and towards writing and promotion of her second book, "Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy", the report added.

Earlier in June, Sandberg, whose close partnership with Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg powered the growth of the world's biggest social network, announced her departure from the company after 14 years.

Chief Growth Officer Javier Olivan is set to take over as chief operating officer although Zuckerberg said he did not plan to replace Sandberg's role directly within the company's existing structure.

Sandberg said that she will continue to serve on Meta's board after leaving the company in the fall.

(Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel)
Syracuse, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gretchen Ritter, vice chancellor, provost and chief academic officer, today announced Duncan Brown, the Charles Brightman Endowed Professor of Physics and an accomplished physicist, has been appointed Syracuse Universitys next vice president for research. Browns appointment, which was approved by the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees, is effective Aug. 15, 2022.

Duncans career here at Syracuse University is truly a model of leadership, scholarship, innovation, academic excellence and mentorship, says Ritter. He has all the professional experience and personal qualities necessary to lead the research, scholarship and creative enterprise and secure our position as a world-class research university. Duncan is well respected among his peers, both on campus and at some of the worlds most preeminent institutions. Duncan is uniquely suited to support Syracuse Universitys faculty scholars in their efforts to pursue and secure external funding that advances their research, scholarship and creative work.

In his new role, Brown will report directly to Provost Ritter; oversee $100 million in extramural funding across the natural sciences, engineering, education, social sciences and law; support and empower Syracuses internationally recognized creative and scholarly excellence from artists, architects, directors and writers; and advance centers and institutes that lead the world in fields, including in the humanities, aging studies, autonomous systems policy, disability studies, environmental and energy systems, biological and smart materials, national security, veterans and military families, and quantum computing. Brown will also lead the Office of Research and its component units, including the Office of Sponsored Programs, the Office of Research Integrity and Protections, the Office of Technology Transfer and the Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement (SOURCE). Together, these departments serve as the backbone of Syracuse Universitys research, scholarship and creative support enterprise.

The role of the vice president for research is to advance all areas of the Universitys research, scholarship and creative work, says Brown. We have extraordinary faculty, staff and students at Syracuse University, and we attract gifted students from around the globe who want to expand knowledge through innovation, creativity and discovery. Our vibrant intellectual environment across a wide range of disciplines allows us to recruit world-class scholars. I am excited to help everyone in the University community secure the resources that they need to pursue their research, scholarship and artistic endeavors. Together, we can sustain and build upon our Carnegie R1 designation, reach new heights as a premier research university, and change our community and our world for the better.

Brown is widely respected by faculty and staff across the University. He chairs the Senate Research Committee; played an integral role in the Cluster Hire Review Working Group, created by Provost Ritter last year; and was a leader in creating the Universitys Research Computing group. He was the faculty representative to the University Board of Trustees (2017-19) and serves as a proposal reviewer for funding agencies around the world. Brown has been actively involved in national searches for academic leaders. In fact, he was the chair of the search committee appointed to find the next vice president of research.

We are fortunate to have an internal leader of Duncans caliber to take our research enterprise to the next level, says Ritter. I look forward to working with him in his new role and have great confidence in his ability to inspire, empower and support our talented scholars.

Brown earned a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, was a post-doctoral scholar at Caltech and came to Syracuse University in 2007. He is an internationally recognized leader in gravitational-wave astronomy and astrophysics, and was integral to the discovery of gravitational waves by the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO). A Fellow of the American Physical Society and a Research Corporation for Science Advancement Cottrell Scholar, he has taught large and small courses at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, including the popular undergraduate course Introduction to Astronomy, and established a National Science Foundation-funded program that provides pathways for students from underrepresented groups to pursue a Ph.D. in physics at the University. In the last five years, Brown has co-authored over 50 publications. He has played an integral part in securing more than $15 million in external funding over his 15-year career at Syracuse.

Ritter thanked Ramesh Raina, professor and former chair of the department of biology, for serving as interim vice president for research since January 2020.

Ramesh took on the interim leadership role just as the pandemic gripped our nation. He engineered a remarkable recovery of our research enterprise after the pandemic. As a result, this year will be one of the most productive years on record for Syracuse University. Thats thanks in large part to Ramesh Rainas vision, operational prowess and careful stewardship, says Ritter. Additionally, he played an integral role in managing the Universitys COVID response strategy. He was a key member of the public health team and was responsible for launching and maintaining our effective internal surveillance testing program. I thank him for his leadership and service.

Ritter also credited Raina for increasing professional development for research faculty and students and effectively deploying the CUSE grant, postdoctoral scholar grant and small equipment grant programs. Raina also led the execution of the faculty hiring strategy for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 academic years. He is co-director of the interdisciplinary major in biotechnology and a member of the core faculty of the Renee Crown University Honors Program.

Ellen Mbuqe Syracuse University 412-496-0551 [email protected]

Source: Syracuse University
CHICAGO, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a speech to physician and medical student leaders from across the country, American Medical Association President Gerald E. Harmon, M.D., today will unveil the AMA Recovery Plan for Americas Physicians, an ambitious roadmap to renewing our countrys commitment to physicians  and ensuring their needs are met  so patients can receive the high-quality care they deserve. Envisioned and built against the backdrop of COVID-19 challenges that stretched our health care system to the brink, including increased physician burnout, unabated and onerous prior authorization requirements, and no permanent fix to ensure telehealth coverage for patients, the Recovery Plan for Americas Physicians focuses on five key goals to re-build health care so that it works better for physicians and all those they serve:

Supporting telehealth to maintain coverage and payment;

to maintain coverage and payment; Reforming Medicare payment to promote thriving physician practices and innovation;

to promote thriving physician practices and innovation; Stopping Scope Creep that threatens patient safety;

that threatens patient safety; Fixing prior authorization to reduce the burden on practices and minimize care delays for patients; and

to reduce the burden on practices and minimize care delays for patients; and Reducing physician burnout and address the stigma around mental health.

Americas doctors are a precious, and irreplaceable, resource. Physician shortages, already projected to be severe before COVID, have almost become a public health emergency. If we arent successful with this Recovery Plan, itll be even more challenging to bring talented young people into medicine and fill that expected shortage, Dr. Harmon said in prepared remarks. Our Recovery Plan is ambitious. But it is doable. And the AMA is here to be our unified voice to lawmakers and those in positions of power. The Recovery Plan is how we move forward. By prioritizing and meeting the needs of physicians, we also improve patient care. Were all better off when doctors can focus on medicine.The AMA was the physicians powerful ally throughout the past two years of the pandemic  securing billions in relief to protect physician practices, advancing telehealth, enabling investments in therapeutics and vaccines to end the pandemic, standing up for equity, and advocating for science.Additional details on the AMA Recovery Plan for Americas Physicians can be found at www.ama-assn.org/recovery. A video highlighting the Recovery Plan is also available by clicking here.

# # #

Editors Note: The full text of Dr. Harmons speech, as prepared for delivery, is available here.

AMA Media & Editorial American Medical Association 312-464-4430 [email protected]

Source: American Medical Association
TEL AVIV, Israel, June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This week, ASTERRA hosted a delegation of 21 Italian water utilities led by officials from the Israel Trade Office to explore water saving innovation from Israel. The delegates were introduced to Israeli-based water technology companies who provided information and opportunities to bring the innovation to their utilities in Italy.

The various regions and municipalities in Italy have differing water challenges, and often their approaches and resolutions to these challenges differ. ASTERRA Chief Executive Officer, Elly Perets said, The information shared during this summit will drive Italian water stakeholders to integrate new technologies and methodologies. They can learn from water-scarce countries such as Israel. When collaborations highlight inter-organizational innovation strategies and increase the focus on water digitalization, we see improvement in related water networks. This accelerates the drive to sustainability.

Known as a water-tech powerhouse, Israel is home to many innovative water solutions. Besides ASTERRA, some of the other Israeli water tech companies presenting included leaders in the water industry such as Mekorot, Kando, NUF, WaterGen, and Lishtot. The group also toured the Shafdan Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Palmachim Desalination Plant during their visit.

The program began with an address by Franco Masenello, an expert on leak detection and the chief executive officer of 2f Water Venture SRL. 2f Water Venture is ASTERRAs Italian channel partner and provides coordination and field support on the detection of water leaks across Italy using ASTERRAs satellite-based Recover product.

The goals and positive outcomes from this delegation are numerous. The likely outcomes from this include increased cooperation and strengthening technology ties between Italy and Israel. We anticipate immediate positive benefits to be realized for the entire country of Italy, Perets added.

ABOUT ASTERRA

ASTERRA (formerly Utilis) provides geospatial data-driven platform solutions for water utilities, government agencies, and the greater infrastructure industry in the areas of roads, rails, dams, and mines. ASTERRA products and services use synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data from satellites and turn this data into large-scale decision support tools. The companys proprietary algorithms and highly educated scientists and engineers are the keys to their mission, to become humanitys eyes on the Earth. ASTERRA is investing in artificial intelligence (AI) to bring its products to the next level. Since 2017, ASTERRA technology has been used in over 59 countries, saving over 169,280 million gallons of potable water, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 108,339 metric tons, and saving 423,200 MWH of energy, all in support of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. ASTERRA is headquartered in Israel with offices in the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan. Their innovative data solutions are used in multiple verticals around the globe. For more information on ASTERRA and to learn more about their technology, visit https://asterra.io.

Media ContactKaren DubeyCorporate Marketing Director[email protected](858) 798-6709

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f9383406-8a4e-4f31-aa5e-8048ef53530f

Italian Delegation Meeting with ASTERRA ASTERRA hosts a delegation of 21 Italian water utilities led by officials from the Israel Trade Office

Source: ASTERRA
SYDNEY, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spectacular, awe-inspiring photos of Vivid Sydney 2022 illuminating Sydney's central business district skyline and Sydney Harbour have been released by global content creator Eugene Tan of Aquabumps.

Australia's largest event and a celebration of creativity, innovation and technology, Vivid Sydney was captured for the very first time by Tan in his first ever professional night shoot of the city. The resulting content is a distinct departure from the trademark coastal photography Tan is globally renowned for and showcases the festival to a global audience following a two-year hiatus.

Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Minister for Tourism and Sport and Minister for Western Sydney said Vivid Sydney is back bigger and better in 2022.

"Vivid Sydney is back and I'm thrilled the 2022 opening weekend saw record numbers attend the festival. The action-packed program delivers a return to the excitement and adventure that we all need to feel again," Mr Ayres said.

"Eugene Tan, one of our state's best content creators, has collaborated with Vivid Sydney to showcase the festival in its beautiful splendour.

"His photos and video will help us spread the word and show the world why they need to come and experience Sydney at its creative best after dark."

Among the Vivid Sydney program shot to be part of the series includes unique vision of the Sydney Opera House Lighting of the Sails, Australia's largest ever liquid & light show Sydney Infinity at Darling Harbour, Crown Tower at Barangaroo's inaugural activation The Gallery, and the largest laser installation ever seen at Vivid Sydney - Convergence, in the disused Goods Line railway tunnel.

The series will capture Vivid Sydney's longest ever continuous Light Walk which stretches a record 8km from the Sydney Opera House to Central Train Station in 2022.

Aquabumps' founder Eugene Tan said shooting Vivid Sydney for the first time was an exciting opportunity to do something new and showcase a different side to his home city.

"It's not very often that I venture away from the coast but shooting Vivid Sydney was an experience I'll never forget. To see the city and its icons - from the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House to Darling Harbour - illuminated for Vivid Sydney was mesmerising and made for an epic creative challenge.

"I hope the images capture the brilliance of the festival and inspire people to go and witness the magic of Vivid Sydney for themselves," said Tan.

Visit visitnsw.com for travel inspiration and itineraries.

For more information on Vivid Sydney including the full program, go to www.vividsydney.com. Get social using @vividsydney #vividsydney

Media contact: Wayne Mitcham, Destination NSW, +64 21 499 550, [email protected]

Related Images

Image 1: Vivid Sydney 2022 - The Lighting of the Sails' Yarrkalpa Photographer - Eugene Tan, Aquabumps Photo credit - Destination NSW Image 2: Vivid Sydney 2022 - Our Connected City by Mandylights Photographer - Eugene Tan, Aquabumps Photo credit - Destination NSW Image 3: Vivid Sydney 2022 - Gravitational Grid by Sreelize Studio Photographer - Eugue Tan, Aquabumps Photo credit - Destination NSW Image 4: Vivid Sydney 2022 - Sydney Infinity by Oracle Liquid Pty Ltd Photographer - Eugene Tan, Aquabumps Photo credit - Destination NSW Image 5: Vivid Sydney 2022 - The Lighting of the Sails - Yarrkalpa Photographer - Eugene Tan, Aquabumps Photo credit - Destination NSW Image 6: Vivid Sydney 2022 - Ninget Universe by Spinifex Group Photographer - Eugene Tan, Aquabumps Photo credit - Destination NSW

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

Attachment

Vivid Sydney 2022 - The Lighting of the Sails' Yarrkalpa Vivid Sydney 2022 - The Lighting of the Sails' Yarrkalpa

Source: Vivid Sydney
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- C2C Gold Corp. (CSE: CTOC; OTCQB: CTCGF) (the Company or C2C) announced today that it has entered into a share purchase agreement with The Rock Gold Corp. (Rock Gold) pursuant to which the Company will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of Rock Gold in consideration for a total of 12,250,000 common shares of the Company. Rock Gold is a Newfoundland-based gold exploration company that holds rights to certain mineral claims in Newfoundland. In connection with the acquisition of Rock Gold, William M. Sheriff has been appointed as a director of the Company.

Rock Gold holds more than 40 Mineral Licenses in Newfoundland with projects lying along most of the major gold bearing trends. In addition, Rock Gold holds 5 properties, 2 of which are drill ready, under option from well-known local prospectors. These projects complement C2Cs already large mineral rights package. C2C had a very successful first year in 2021 having identified numerous geochemical and geophysical anomalies across their Newfoundland properties. The combination of the two companies will provide a pipeline of projects from early exploration stage through drill ready with known gold occurrences documented on most of the projects, all of which lie along major structures.

Please see the project maps at https://bit.ly/39hJZ68.

Pursuant to the share purchase agreement, the Company has agreed to issue a total of 12,250,000 common shares of the Company to the shareholders of Rock Gold on a pro rata basis. As consideration for the common shares of Rock Gold, the Company will issue to the shareholders of Rock Gold one C2C share for every two Rock Gold shares. C2C shares that will be issued to the directors and officers and consultants of Rock Gold will be subject to escrow provisions such that 25% of the shares will be released immediately and 25% of the shares will be released every four months thereafter.

Lori Walton, Director of C2C Gold, commented, I am pleased to welcome William to the Board of C2C Gold on behalf of the Board and collectively, the Board is pleased to see this transaction come into fruition. Rock Golds business and assets add significant advantage to C2Cs existing asset portfolio. This transaction allows the combined entity to leverage geological and financial expertise to advance highquality exploration projects while identifying other projects in its portfolio available for joint-venture, sale, or option, thereby allowing C2C to monetize these projects through participation, royalty retention and/or sales proceeds. It also allows the Company to generate discovery opportunities while minimizing project risks and maximizing financial sustainability with the ultimate goal of royalty creation for the Company. We are excited for the extended opportunity to generate increased financing options and access to capital, while reducing the exploration model and financing risk.

William M. Sheriff, Director

Mr. Sheriff is an entrepreneur and geologist with over 40 years experience in the minerals industry and is known for his abilities in prospecting across North America. In addition to being responsible for significant capital raises along with corporate development, Mr. Sheriff was a pioneer in the uranium renaissance as co-founder and Chairman of Energy Metals Corp. and was responsible for compiling the largest domestic uranium resource base in US history before the company was acquired by Uranium One Corp for $1.8 Billion in 2006.

Mr. Sheriff presently is the founder and Executive Chairman of enCore Energy Corp. (TSXV: EU), having led the development of the company from inception to a near term producer with a multi-jurisdictional United States asset base.

Mr. Sheriff also has a significant interest in the gold exploration sector with personal and corporate gold exploration assets across the United States. In addition to his personal business interests, Mr. Sheriff serves as Non-executive Chair of the board of Sabre Gold Corp. and is a Director and co-founder of Group 11 Technologies Inc, a private company committed to the development and application of environmentally and socially responsible precious metals mineral extraction as an alternate to conventional mining methods. He previously served as a Director of Exploits Discovery Corp. and was Executive Chair of Golden Predator Mining Corp.

The Company granted 200,000 stock options to William M. Sheriff with 25% vesting immediately and 25% vesting every 6 months thereafter. The stock options are exercisable for a term of five years at an exercise price of $0.20 per common share.

Effective immediately Janet Lee-Sheriff has resigned from the Board of Directors and will remain as Chief Executive Officer on an interim basis. The Company is presently completing the Executive search process. The transaction with Rock Gold was unanimously approved by the board of C2C with Ms. Lee-Sheriff abstaining from voting due to the potential for a conflict of interest.

About The Rock Gold Corp.

A privately held Newfoundland-based gold exploration company that holds rights to certain mineral claims in Newfoundland through direct control of the Mineral Licenses or through option agreements on Mineral Licenses. The Company has been actively acquiring projects in Newfoundland since the early days of the current Newfoundland Gold Rush in 2020.

About C2C Gold Corp.

C2C is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on acquiring and developing mineral projects in Newfoundland, Canada and recently discovered visible gold in quartz vein float at the Atlas Zone on the Millertown property in the Central Newfoundland Gold Belt. The Company controls over 1,260 km2, one of the largest land positions on the Central Newfoundland Gold Belt, including the Badger, Millertown, Barrens Lake, South Tally, and Lake Douglas projects with road access and proximity to communities and power lines. C2C also holds a portfolio of projects within the prolific White Gold and Klondike districts in Canadas Yukon.

For additional information:Camille ZhouChief Financial Officer(833) 888-2862[email protected] www.c2cgold.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Statements This news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as expected, will be, anticipated, may or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results will occur. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Forward looking statements in this news release include but are not limited to the completion of the acquisition of Rock Gold. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under the applicable laws.

Source: C2C Gold Corp.
LOS ANGELES, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cityview, a vertically-integrated multifamily investment management and development firm, today announced the acquisition of Oceano, an apartment community in the Woodland Hills submarket of Los Angeles. The four-story, podium-style apartment community features 244 one-bedroom and two-bedroom units, originally built in 2012.

Oceano is located in one of the fastest-growing locales in Los Angeles, with nearly 50,000 jobs in the 1.5 square mile radius of Warner Center. This thriving submarket is in the heart of the largest employment center in the San Fernando Valley and is adjacent to the 101 Tech Corridor, Conejo Valley, Sherman Oaks, Burbank, and Hollywood Center employment hubs. Warner Center continues to attract growth and development with several notable upcoming projects that include the Los Angeles Rams 34-acre practice facility and the Warner Center 2035 project, a plan that will continue to transform the area into a walkable downtown and mixed-use community featuring offices, hotels, housing and lifestyle retail.

As housing costs continue to climb, with median home prices in this area nearing $1,200,000, providing and maintaining workforce housing has become more important than ever, said Sean Burton, CEO of Cityview. We continue to seek projects in areas with strong demand drivers that fit our thesis of providing high value and high-quality sustainable workforce housing located near jobs, transit and lifestyle amenities, and Oceano in Warner Center fits squarely within that goal. As long-time believers in this dynamic area of Los Angeles, we are excited to once again be contributing to the growth of this community.

Some of the exciting improvements Cityview plans to bring to the project common areas include upgrading the pool area, fitness center and clubhouse to allow residents to better utilize outdoor and fitness amenities. Cityview also plans to provide a CV Works space with shared and private workspaces and additional multifunctional spaces to enhance work-from-home capabilities. Cityview will also implement a number of improvements, including installing Energy Star appliances, LED lighting fixtures, water-efficient plumbing fixtures, drought-resistant landscaping upgrades, EV charging stations, and solar panel to reduce energy usage. Cityview also plans to partner with Fitwell to provide enhanced healthy living for residents. Interior units also will undergo high design cosmetic upgrades that include newly renovated kitchens and upgraded flooring, lighting and paint scheme.

Oceano features the qualities of a true value add project with tremendous opportunity to deliver quality workforce housing without compromising on design, aesthetics or sustainability. We are excited to be working with local design firm Studio Zimmermann to re-imagine the communitys common spaces and resident experiences, said Devang Shah, Managing Director and Cityview partner, who was responsible for spearheading this acquisition for Cityview.

About CityviewFounded in 2003, Cityview is a vertically integrated real estate investment management and development firm focused on workforce and attainable housing in high-growth markets in the Western US. Specializing in developing, acquiring, and operating value-add multifamily and mixed-use projects, Cityview creates sustainable housing options in transforming areas, changing cities into communities, people into neighbors and houses into homes. Cityview investments have generated nearly $5 billion in urban investment across more than 120 projects to date. For more information, visit cityview.com.

Contact: Marisa Vallbona IDEA HALL 619-708-7990 [email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ba524826-2291-4c36-be8c-4372ca992ab8

Oceano Apartment Community Oceano apartment community in Woodland Hills acquired by Cityview

Source: Cityview
Brooklyn, N.Y., June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brooklyn Law School President and Joseph Crea Dean Michael T. Cahill announced today that he will step down and rejoin the Brooklyn Law School faculty in the fall of 2023. He will remain in his current position until the end of the upcoming 2022-2023 academic year and will work with the Board of Trustees and faculty on a seamless leadership transition and new dean search.

Michael Cahills return to the full-time faculty will indeed be bittersweet. Anyone who has worked with Michael has felt his devotion to Brooklyn Law School and his sincere appreciation for its unique and proud history. Michaels leadership and sense of responsibility for the Law School is something he has embraced and shouldered admirably. When Michael departs as dean and president he will be missed as much for the spirit he has brought to the Law School as for any particular accomplishment, as many and varied as they may be. We are delighted that Michael will return to the tenured faculty when his responsibilities as dean and president conclude next year, said Frank Aquila, Chairman of Brooklyn Law Schools Board of Trustees and Senior M&A Partner at Sullivan & Cromwell.

Since his appointment in 2019, Dean Cahill has made an indelible impact on Brooklyn Law School. While navigating the Law School through these very challenging pandemic years, he successfully strengthened its financial standing, enrolled high-caliber incoming students, and appointed eleven outstanding and diverse new tenure-stream professors, as well as established the position of Associate Dean for Inclusion and Diversity, supported by a major gift from former faculty member Arthur Pinto and his partner Stephen Bohlen. Over the course of the next academic year, Cahill will continue to focus on the Law Schools priorities, including fundraising work and the development of new programs, both during his remaining time as dean as well as after rejoining the faculty.

Serving Brooklyn Law School has been, and remains, the highest honor and privilege of my professional life. I offer my personal thanks to all, and each, of my colleagues for everything you have done to make my job and my life easier and more pleasant and to advance the Law Schools mission during my time as dean. I chose to return to Brooklyn Law School for one main reason: the people. Our faculty, staff, alumni, and students together create a powerful and rare community, and I will be pleased and proud to remain a member of this community for a long time to come, said Cahill. The Board and the faculty will form a dean search committee in the coming weeks and we are looking forward to involving all our other constituencies in this important process, said Aquila.

Cahill became President and Joseph Crea Dean of Brooklyn Law School on July 1, 2019, upon his return from Rutgers Law School, where he had been co-dean and professor of law. Before departing in 2016 to assume the Rutgers deanship, he was a member of the Brooklyn Law faculty for 13 years. He also served Brooklyn Law School as associate dean for academic affairs (from 2010 to 2013) and as vice dean (from 2013 to 2015).As Dean, Cahill holds the Joseph Crea Chair in Law. He is also a tenured professor of law on the faculty with a primary focus on criminal law.

About Brooklyn Law School

Founded in 1901, Brooklyn Law School offers a vibrant intellectual community emphasizing teaching excellence, leading-edge scholarship, and an innovative academic program designed to prepare students for public service, business, and private practice, nationwide and across the globe. It is an independent institution, unaffiliated with any university or college, and the only law school in Brooklyn. The Law School offers J.D. and LL.M. degree programs. Visit Brooklyn Law School at www.brooklaw.edu.

Peggy Swisher Brooklyn Law School 718-780-0350 [email protected] Kate Alexander Brooklyn Law School [email protected]

Source: Brooklyn Law School
San Francisco, CA, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EarthCam, the leading provider of construction camera technology and services, today introduced expanded technologies for AI-powered documentation, live progress reporting and 3D/4D model integration. EarthCam is known for providing the industrys highest resolution cameras for an expansive range of jobsite imaging applications including AI-edited time-lapse documentation, 360 VR reality capture and multi-layer panoramic imaging. The growing list of solutions now includes aerial orthomosaic photography, perimeter security and live, in-camera AI safety analytics. These technologies enable EarthCams customers to stay equally informed  if not  more informed, than visiting the jobsite in-person.

I would say that realistically it has cut our travel budget for verification for each individual job by at least 75% by having real-time service, said Paul Smedberg, Project Executive at C.D. Smith Construction. There isnt a day that goes past that I dont log into that camera - probably five times the live, actual real-time [video] is night-and-day to seven minute snaps.

Central to EarthCams ecosystem is edge-based AI which automatically builds an archive of all activity on the jobsite, 24/7, identifying key equipment, interactions and alerting management about activity in danger-zones. Hundreds of customizable alerts can be configured, including when a raised man lift is moving, if PPE is absent or when workers are very close to energized equipment. Video clips and annotated images are proactively shared with stakeholders to reduce risk and make the jobsite safer.

EarthCam continues to infuse the jobsite with digital technology to help improve on-site execution with live visual data, said Brian Cury, CEO and Founder of EarthCam. With an ever-increasing demand for information from the jobsite, EarthCam is adding significant value through these interconnected technologies, so that ultimately, our customers receive more for less.

An entire project can now be recorded using EarthCams Edge Video Recorder (EVR)  which captures 200% more than the previous maximum duration, allowing contractors to continuously record HD security video for more than a year. EarthCams complete suite of visual data services includes daily progress reports, environmental sensor data, 3D model overlays, 4D model integrations with Bentley SYNCHRO, straightforward sharing with project management platforms and wide-ranging security services.

EarthCams Control Center has long been the software of choice among industry leaders for smart project documentation, promotion, safety and security. EarthCam provides camera rentals, professional installation and reality capture services to make construction project management more efficient with powerful visual data. To learn more about EarthCams software, services and enterprise pricing for the construction industry visit EarthCam at ENR FutureTech, exhibit #39 from June 8-10, or at earthcam.net/software.

ABOUT EARTHCAM

EarthCam is the global leader in providing webcam content, technology and services. Founded in 1996, EarthCam provides live streaming video, time-lapse construction cameras and reality capture solutions for corporate and government clients. EarthCam leads the industry with the highest resolution imagery available, including the worlds first outdoor gigapixel panorama camera system. This patented technology delivers superior multi-billion pixel clarity for monitoring and archiving important projects and events. EarthCam has documented over a trillion dollars of construction projects around the world. The company is headquartered on a 10-acre campus in Northern New Jersey.

Projects documented by EarthCam include: One Vanderbilt Manhattan, St. Regis Chicago, Hudson Yards, UBS Arena, Los Angeles SoFi Stadium, Las Vegas Allegiant Stadium, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, LAX Airport, Moynihan Station, San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge, Panama Canal Expansion, The Red Sea Project, The Jeddah Tower, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Whitney Museum of American Art, Louvre in Abu Dhabi, Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, One World Trade Center, Statue of Liberty Museum and the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum.

Learn more about EarthCams innovative solutions at earthcam.net.

Attachment

Sydney Fader EarthCam 201-488-1111 [email protected]

Source: Earthcam
SALT LAKE CITY, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SEKISUI HOUSE, LTD. ("Sekisui House"), Japan's leading homebuilder and leading diversified developer, announced today that its wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary, Sekisui House US Holdings, LLC, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, SH Residential Holdings, LLC, has entered into a definitive agreement with Chesmar Group, Inc. to acquire Chesmar Homes, LLC, a Texas-based homebuilder; CLM Mortgage, Inc.; Entitled Insurance, Inc., and N Title, Inc. (collectively, "Chesmar"), for an estimated purchase price of approximately $514 million.

Chesmar is a leading developer of single-family homes in Texas, with operations in Houston, San Antonio, Austin and Dallas - Fort Worth. The company owns and controls over 6,000 lots and closed 2,082 homes in 2021. Chesmar, additionally, offers mortgage and title services through its subsidiaries, CLM Mortgage Inc. and N Title Inc. Chesmar delivered consolidated net sales of approximately $810 million in 2021.

Sekisui House celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2020 and has set a vision of "making its homes the happiest places in the world" over the next 30 years. To realize this vision, Sekisui House is promoting the adoption of Sekisui House technologies, representing a suite of housing construction technologies and lifestyle-oriented design solutions in its international markets.

Sekisui House has an established presence in the U.S. housing market through its acquisitions of Woodside Homes Company, LLC in 2017 and Holt Group Holdings, LLC in 2021, delivering over 3,400 homes in 2021, and expanding operations across Utah, California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

The transaction with Chesmar expands Sekisui House's footprint into four of the six largest housing markets in the U.S. and brings Sekisui House closer to its goal of supplying 10,000 homes per year on a global basis outside of Japan by fiscal 2025. As a part of Sekisui House, Chesmar will have access to capital and technology that will allow it to accelerate its growth plan, further strengthen profitability and operational efficiency and enhance its ability to serve its growing customer base.

"We are excited to partner with Chesmar to capitalize on compelling opportunities in the Texas market," said Rick Robideau, CEO, SH Residential Holdings, LLC. "The addition of Chesmar to the Sekisui House family enables us to gain immediate scale in several leading markets in the attractive Texas region. We believe that we can provide the capital and efficiencies to help Chesmar grow and enhance its competitive position while continuing to build dream homes for Texas families."

"Chesmar Homes has been the adventure of my life", said Don Klein, founder and CEO of Chesmar. "It has been extremely rewarding to watch our people ("Chesmarians") and the company grow. We look forward to being part of Sekisui House's collection of companies and supporting its goal of creating over 10,000 happy customers annually in its international markets."

The transaction is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Sekisui House plans to acquire an interest in Chesmar Homes, LLC on July 1, 2022. The acquisition of interests in CLM Mortgage, Inc. and N Title, Inc. is expected to be executed following approvals by administrative and tax authorities and close on December 30, 2022.

Citi, Hearthstone and Morrison & Foerster LLP advised Sekisui House. Builder Advisor Group, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, and Krage & Janvey LLP advised Chesmar.

About Sekisui House

Founded in 1960, Sekisui House, Ltd. is one of world's largest homebuilders and an international diversified developer, with cumulative sales of over 2.5 Million homes1. Based in Osaka, Sekisui House has over 300 consolidated subsidiaries and affiliates2, over 28,000 employees3 and is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and Nagoya Stock Exchange.

Sekisui House aims to create homes and communities that improve with time and last for generations. With "Love of Humanity" as its Corporate Philosophy, Sekisui House believes that homes should offer comfort, security and peace of mind for residents, while maintaining harmony with the environment and its surroundings. Sekisui House has sustainability as a core corporate target and is now the global leader in the construction of net-zero-energy homes with more than sixty thousand4 of them built since the product was launched in 2013. In 2009, Sekisui House expanded into several new international markets and now operates in the United States, China, Singapore, Australia and the United Kingdom.

*1. 2,506,598 homes delivered (As of January 31, 2021)

*2. 303 consolidated subsidiaries and affiliates (As of July 31, 2021)

*3. 28,013 employees (As of January 31, 2021)

*4. 60,843 net-zero-energy homes (As of March 31, 2021)

Media Contact:

Erin Willis | [email protected]

This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com.

Source: SH Residential Holdings, LLC
NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN

QUEBEC, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stelmine Canada (Stelmine or the Company) (TSXV: STH) is pleased to announce the start of a new exploration phase at its Mercator Property in the heart of a potential new gold district in northern Quebec, west of Fermont.

Mineralization is found on the crest, flank and foothill of a 100-metre high, 500-metre wide, NE/SW oriented 3 km elongated hill characterized by strong positive magnetic anomalies. Gold mineralization has been discovered along a minimum 2.5-km length inside 5 to 20 m thick layers/slabs of mafic rocks dipping 30 to 40 to the NW and bounded by important low angle thrust faults. Full sampling results from the 2021 campaign will be released shortly.

The system at Mercator appears to continue for many kilometers past the Main Zone.

A map accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8063915f-08ea-45bd-ab0c-432c9792e98c

Mercator 2022 Exploration Campaign

A 25 km IP survey will be performed on the Main Zone to complement the heliborne MAG survey and correlate sectors of high chargeability and magnetism;

Detailed geological and structural mapping of the Main Zone will be carried out to better define the gold mineralized zones and understand the complex metamorphic and metallogenic framework;

Mapping will coincide with additional rock, channel and till sampling in the Main Zone;

Development of new potential zones outside the Main Zone: Crews will sample previously identified potential target areas outside the Main Zone;

The field exploration campaign will be followed by a maiden 2,000-3,000-metre drill program already fully permitted by the Quebec government.

Isabelle Proulx, President and CEO of Stelmine, commented: We look forward to following up on a very successful 2021 program at Mercator where the potential scale of gold mineralization is particularly noteworthy and has excited our geological team.

Courcy Property Update

Stelmine anticipates providing a major update on Courcy, including drill results, this month.

Qualified Person

The technical contents of this release were prepared and approved by Michel Boily, PhD, geo, a Qualified Person (QP) as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Stelmine Canada

Stelmine is a junior mining exploration company pioneering a new gold district (Caniapiscau) east of James Bay in the under-explored eastern part of the Opinaca metasedimentary basin where the geological context has similarities to the Eleonore mine. Stelmine has 100% ownership of 1,277 claims or 655 km in this part of northern Quebec, highlighted by the Courcy and Mercator Projects.

Forward-looking statements

Certain information in this press release may contain forward-looking statements, such as statements regarding the expected closing of and the anticipated use of the proceeds from the Offering, acquisition and expansion plans, availability of quality acquisition opportunities, and growth of the Company. This information is based on current expectations and assumptions (including assumptions in connection with obtaining all necessary approvals for the Offering and general economic and market conditions) that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. Risks that could cause results to differ from those stated in the forward-looking statements in this release include those relating to the ability to complete the Offering on the terms described above. The Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements unless and until required by securities laws applicable to the Company. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in the Companys filings with the Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com.

Cautionary statement

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.

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN

For further information, contact:

Isabelle Proulx, President and CEO Investor Relations: Stelmine MarketSmart Communications Inc iTel: 581-998-1222 Adrian Sydenham [email protected] Toll-free: 1-877-261-4466 [email protected]

Follow us on:Website : https://stelmine.com/en/Twitter : https://twitter.com/Stelmine1LinkedIn : http://www.linkedin.com/company/stelmine-canada-ltdFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/StelmineCanada/

Mercator Property TMI (Total Magnetic Intensity)

Source: Stelmine Canada Ltd.
(Reuters) - Apple Inc Chief Executive Tim Cook on Friday sent a letter to a group of U.S. lawmakers asking them to pass federal privacy legislation, according to a copy of the letter seen by Reuters.

"We strongly urge you to advance comprehensive privacy legislation as soon as possible, and we stand ready to assist in this process in the days ahead," read the letter, which was sent to a group of law makers in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives working on the legislation.

(Reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Francisco)
Dallas-based International Digital Marketing and Storytelling Firm, KISS PR Brand Story, Announces Launching its Best Brand Story Awards. This weekly endeavor aims to recognize businesses from various industries that produce cutting-edge content.

Dallas, Texas and Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands--(Newsfile Corp. - June 10, 2022) - KISS PR Brand Story CEO, Qamar Zaman is excited to launch Best Brand Story Awards as his firm has always been keen on helping businesses promote their brands using the KISS PR storytelling platform.







KISS PR Brand Story Awards

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"With KISS PR Best Brand Story Awards, we hope to open more opportunities for brands that consistently produce innovative content," Zaman explained.

According to Zaman, the KISS PR Brand Story team will select the top five brand stories that made successful campaigns every week. They will be amplified and receive perks and prizes.

Brands interested in joining can Contact Agnes Zang.

About KISS PR Brand Story

KISS PR Brand Story is Texas's leading storytelling and content marketing platform that offers SMEs, freelancers, and content marketing and amplification services. We focus on helping industry movers and leaders gain more profit by allowing them to sell their PR services using their branding. With more than 65,000 stories published for clients all over the globe, KISS PR Brand Story is expanding their operations from the Cayman Islands, Dallas, New York City, and, more recently, West Palm, Florida.

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Media Contact

Agnes Zang

[email protected]

Phone: 9724378942

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To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127243
Vancouver--(Newsfile Corp. - June 10, 2022) - Strategx Elements Corp. (CSE:STGX) invites you to visit them at Booth #2746 at The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada Convention (PDAC) at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) on Monday June 13 to Wednesday June 15, 2022.

About Strategx Elements Corp.

StrategX is a new Canadian-based exploration company on a mission to be a significant contributor in the natural resources sector and sustainable energy economy. The Company is currently focused on the discovery of cobalt and associated energy transition metals in northern Canada. The Companys property portfolio is in two underexplored regions: Project 939 and EA South situated on the East Arm of the Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories, and Project Mel, Nagvaak and Tasijuaq located on the Melville Peninsula, Nunavut.

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 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:

Strategx Elements Corp.

Darren Bahrey

1855STRATGX

[email protected]

https://www.strategxcorp.com/
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 10, 2022) - Tevano Systems Holdings Inc. (CSE: TEVO) (FSE: 7RB) (OTC Pink: TEVNF) ("Tevano", or the "Company") is pleased to announce its wholly owned subsidiary Illuria Security, Inc's. ("Illuria") CEO, Antranik Wartanian, was invited to be a speaker at the 18th annual BSDCan Conference.

BSDCan, a BSD conference held in Ottawa, Canada, quickly established itself as the technical conference for people working on and with 4.4BSD based operating systems and related projects. This year the conference was held online.

Mr. Wartanian spoke to the audience of BSD users, operators and developers about FreeBSD from a vendor's perspective.

Mr Wartanian comments, "We have been using FreeBSD and its unique features in our product with many sleepless nights and tears of joy. Being a FreeBSD vendor requires a high degree of knowledge about the internals of FreeBSD, its culture, and its conventions. That's why we want to share our experiences, knowledge, and concerns to help others follow the paths we have taken and avoid the rougher ones, with the goal that your company will someday be proudly listed as a FreeBSD Vendor."

Mr. Wartanian, along with Illuria's senior engineer Faraz Vahedi, go over the basics of building, releasing, updating and upgrading FreeBSD. They also demonstrate how developers can upstream their innovations and distribute product images to customers in a commercial cloud service environment.

The presentation is available on Tevano's website at https://videos.tevano.com/bsdcan2022.mp4

About BSDCan

BSDCan, a BSD conference held in Ottawa, Canada, quickly established itself as the technical conference for people working on and with 4.4BSD based operating systems and related projects. The organizers have found a fantastic formula that appeals to a wide range of people from extreme novices to advanced developers. This year the conference was held online.

About Tevano

Tevano Systems Holding Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is a technology company with custom and proprietary hardware and software technologies. Its subsidiary, Illuria Security, Inc. is an early-stage software development company whose technology involves active cyber deception to protect critical network systems of enterprise systems of all sizes. Using deception technology, Illuria's software seeks to solve the challenge of cyber-attacks by detecting threats, systematically deceiving attackers, and actively deterring attacks. Its subsidiary Tevano Systems Inc. is the developer of Health Shield", an AI-driven, electronic tablet that video displays a user with their body temperature and other information. It provides detailed reports of all scans done throughout an enterprise.

For more information on Tevano, please visit www.tevano.com

On behalf of the Board of:

TEVANO SYSTEMS HOLDINGS INC.

David Bajwa, Chief Executive Officer

[email protected]

778-388-4806

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release contains forward looking statements and forward looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward looking statements or information. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward looking statements and matters. The forward looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by management of the Company. Although management of the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward looking statements and information since no assurance can be given that they will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations and plans of management of the Company relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making investment decisions. Since forward looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to several factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to raise further capital, the success of the Company's software and product initiatives and the Company's ability to obtain regulatory and exchange approvals. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward looking statements and information contained in this news release. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. The forward looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and no undertaking is given to update publicly or revise any forward looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Neither the CSE nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada 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/127275
Grants will provide funding for 19 cultural restoration projects across the globe

CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bank of America announced today the recipients of the 2022 Bank of America Art Conservation Project. The recipients include 19 major art restoration projects that represent a diverse range of artistic styles, media and cultural traditions across the U.S., the U.K., Australia, Ghana, Ireland, Nigeria, Spain, France and Mexico.

Since 2010, Bank of America's Art Conservation Project has supported the conservation of more than 6,000 individual pieces including paintings, sculptures, and archaeological and architectural pieces of critical importance to cultural heritage and the history of art. More than 200 projects across 39 countries have been managed by nonprofit cultural institutions that receive grant funding to conserve historically or culturally significant works of art that are in danger of deterioration.

This year's grant recipients include:

Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, N.Y.  Conservation of a gilded Book of the Dead , a 21-foot papyrus manuscript that is of utmost historical significance

, a 21-foot papyrus manuscript that is of utmost historical significance Kyoto National Museum, Kyoto, Japan  Conservation of 15th century domaru armor, a suit that exemplifies the type of armor worn by elite warriors of the 1400s

Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid  The Virgin of Humility ( c. 1433  1435) - Fra Angelico (Italian, 1395-1455), one of the most iconic works in the museum's collection

c. 1433  1435) - Fra Angelico (Italian, 1395-1455), one of the most iconic works in the museum's collection Notre-Dame de Paris  Restoration of the statuary and the marquetry of the floor after the fire of April 15, 2019 before the reopening of the cathedral in 2024

The British Museum, London  Conservation of Michelangelo's The Epifania, 1550-1553, a cartoon executed in black chalk on 26 joined sheets of paper

"Through the Art Conservation Project, we have an opportunity to shine a light on the perpetual need for conservation and preservation," said Brian Siegel, global arts and heritage executive at Bank of America. "Our support helps ensure that future generations can celebrate and enjoy these historic works of art for years to come."

The full list of museums receiving grants through the 2022 Bank of America Art Conservation Project includes:

Bakehouse Art Complex, Miami

Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Kyoto National Museum, Kyoto, Japan

Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis

Munch Museum, Oslo, Norway

Museo Tamayo, Mexico City

Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid

Museum of the American Revolution, Philadelphia

National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia

National Museum of Ghana, Accra, Ghana

Nigerian National Museum, Lagos, Nigeria

Notre-Dame de Paris, Paris

Oakland Museum of California, Oakland, Calif.

Orange County Museum of Art, Santa Ana, Calif.

The British Museum, London

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Trinity College Library, Dublin

University of California, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, Berkeley, Calif.

Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Salt Lake City

Learn about this year's projects in the 2022 Art Conservation Project brochure.

The Bank of America Art Conservation Project is a key demonstration of Bank of America's arts support worldwide. Through the Art Conservation Project, as well as programs like Museums on Us, loaning exhibitions through the Art in Our Communities program, the Masterpiece Moment video series and sponsorships and grants, Bank of America supports a wide range of both local and world-class organizations. The company's programs are designed to have a positive impact on economies and societies throughout the world and help create greater cultural understanding. Through steadfast and strategic support, Bank of America has become one of the world's leading corporate supporters of the arts.

Bank of AmericaAt Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), we're guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We're delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It's demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Learn more at about.bankofamerica.com, and connect with us on Twitter (@BofA_News).

For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts.

Reporters may contact:

Vanessa Cook, Bank of AmericaPhone: 1.980.683.2247[email protected]

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SOURCE Bank of America Corporation
Growth of newer market entrants resulting in relatively flat projected share for Eli Lilly's Emgality, Teva's Ajovy, and Amgen's Aimovig

EXTON, Pa., June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the latest deep dive report included in Spherix's Launch Dynamix: Qulipta for Migraine Prevention (US) service, surveyed neurologists and migraine specialists report high satisfaction with AbbVie's Qulipta across several performance metrics early in the product's launch. However, Biohaven's Nurtec ODT is reportedly up to par with Qulipta on most attributes, including overall efficacy, safety, tolerability, and favorable dosing schedule.

In fact, Nurtec ODT outperforms Qulipta on ease of market access and breadth of approved indications. Respondents anticipate robust six-month projected market share for both products, with a 50% increase for Nurtec ODT and more than 250% for Qulipta.

Despite some early success indicators for Qulipta, the brand trails Eli Lilly's Emgality, Teva's Ajovy, and Amgen's Aimovig in familiarity, degree of advance, and user base at the same post-launch time frame. On the other hand, Qulipta matches the anti-CGRP brands in aided and unaided awareness of launch and outpaces the competitors in terms of overall satisfaction (time-aligned to respective launches).

The preventive and acute migraine treatment landscape is poised for further disruption as Biohaven's zavegepant (currently in Phase III) is being studied for prevention in nasal spray form and for acute in capsule form. Spherix's RealTime Dynamix: Migraine (US) is a quarterly service which examines migraine therapies in development from Phase II and later in addition to ongoing tracking of the market.

In addition to covering the US market, a new EU5 RealTime Dynamix service will debut in Q3 of 2022. The EU5 market will be exciting to watch with Biohaven's Vydura (Nurtec ODT in the US) recently gaining approval and Qulipta expected to be approved sometime in 2023. Further, Pfizer's planned acquisition of Biohaven brings a completely different dynamic to the migraine market.

About Launch Dynamix

Launch Dynamix is an independent service providing monthly benchmarking of newly launched products for the first eighteen months of commercial availability, augmented by a quarterly deep dive into promotional activity, barriers to uptake, and patient types gravitating to the launch brand.

About Spherix Global Insights

Spherix Global Insights is a hyper-focused market intelligence firm that leverages our own independent data and expertise to provide strategic guidance, so biopharma stakeholders make decisions with confidence. We specialize in select dermatology, gastroenterology, nephrology, neurology, ophthalmology, and rheumatology markets.

All company, brand or product names in this document are trademarks of their respective holders.

For more information contact:Frank Franzino, Migraine Insights DirectorEmail: [email protected]www.spherixglobalinsights.com

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SOURCE Spherix Global Insights
PHOENIX, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Phoenix based advertising agency Colling Media received two awards for Integrated Marketing Campaign- Non-profit and Outdoor Billboard or Transit at the 2022 AMA Phoenix Spectrum Awards. Since Colling Media's first award submission in 2016, they have been awarded 12 times including two this year. Adding to its library of awards, which includes a number one ranking in Arizona in 2021,Colling Media is one of the fastest growing advertising agencies in the area.

Integrated Marketing Campaign- Non-profit | A Child's Hope

The award is given to the team that best displays and drives results using a combination of multiple channels such as content, email, display advertising and social media in order to promote a consistent message to a specific audience. The main goal of most integrated campaigns is to convert viewers into customers.

Outdoor Billboard or transit | Stratatech Education Group

The award is given to the team that best displays results driven for media placed in or on any mode of public transportation. It's advertising media we experience in (and on) buses, trains, taxis, subways cars, bus shelters, and billboards.

Honoring excellence since 2002, the AMA Spectrum Awards is the Valley's only award ceremony dedicated to recognizing both the art and science of marketing.The American Marketing Association Phoenix celebrates with 200+ marketing teams every year and gives each team an opportunity to submit their best work.

"We are honored to win these awards as a testament to the partnerships we develop with our clients. We have always known that great teams create great work, and winning these awards is just another reminder of what happens when two amazing teams come together." stated Doug Campbell, Chief Strategy Officer.

American Marketing Association, Phoenix Chapter, established more than 50 years ago, is the only professional marketing association that covers all disciplines in the marketing spectrum. From monthly professional development Signature Lunch Events to the Professional Development Series to exciting industry-wide events and Spectrum Awards, AMA Phoenix is the one association that helps marketers stay on top of industry trends and connects them to the very best professionals in the Valley.

Colling Media was also a proud sponsor of the 2022 AMA Spectrum Awards.

About Colling Media

Based in Phoenix, AZ, Colling Media is a full-service national digital advertising and marketing agency specializing in advertising branding and strategy, digital and traditional advertising, media buying, paid search, lead generation, content marketing.(https://www.linkedin.com/company/colling-media/), Facebook, (https://www.facebook.com/collingmedia/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/collingmedia).

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/colling-media-receives-two-awards-at-the-2022-ama-phoenix-spectrum-awards-301566086.html

SOURCE Colling Media
Five-year follow-up analysis of the Phase 3 CLL14 trial (median follow-up of 65.4 months) continues to demonstrate longer progression-free survival (PFS) after fixed-duration venetoclax plus obinutuzumab compared to fixed-duration chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab in previously untreated patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and coexisting conditions

PFS was significantly superior for venetoclax plus obinutuzumab compared to chlorambucil plus obinutuzumab (median not reached [NR] vs. 36.4 months, p

A majority of patients treated with venetoclax and obinutuzumab remain without relapse four years after completing the venetoclax-based combination treatment

NORTH CHICAGO, Ill., June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbVie (NYSE: ABBV) today announced five-year follow-up results from the Phase 3 CLL14 trial, finding that over 60 percent of patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who had received one-year fixed-duration combination treatment of VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA (venetoclax) plus obinutuzumab (GAZYVA) continued to show longer progression-free survival (PFS) and higher rates of undetectable minimal residual disease (MRD) after four years off treatment.1 The findings were presented at the 2022 European Hematology Association (EHA) Annual Congress (Abstract #S148).

"Long-term data from the CLL14 trial show that the one-year fixed-duration combination regimen of venetoclax and obinutuzumab offers patients the possibility of four years of CLL treatment-free response without disease progression," said Mohamed Zaki, M.D., Ph.D., vice president and global head of oncology clinical development, AbbVie. "Since its approval, this chemotherapy-free combination option has helped transform the therapeutic landscape for CLL."

Data shows that after more than five years of median follow-up (65.4 months), PFS remained significantly superior among patients treated with the VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA and obinutuzumab combination compared to the chlorambucil and obinutuzumab chemotherapy regimen (n=432; median NR vs 36.4 months; hazard ratio [HR] 0.35 [95% CI 0.26-0.46], p

Among the secondary endpoints, patients were assessed for MRD in peripheral blood and/or bone marrow, using next generation sequencing. Undetectable MRD (uMRD) was defined as less than one CLL cell being identified per 10,000 lymphocytes sampled. Four years after treatment completion, 18.1 percent of patients treated with the VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA-based combination still had uMRD compared to 1.9 percent of patients in the chlorambucil combination study arm.1

The estimated overall survival (OS) rate was 81.9 percent in the VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA-based combination and 77.0 percent in the chlorambucil combination group (HR 0.72 [0.48-1.09], p=0.12) at five years after randomization.1

No new safety signals were observed in the five-year follow-up analysis. The most frequently occurring serious adverse reactions (>=2%) in patients receiving the VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA-based combination were pneumonia, sepsis, febrile neutropenia, and tumor lysis syndrome.1

"Four years following treatment completion, we are pleased to report that approximately three out of five patients who received the fixed-duration combination treatment with venetoclax have remained progression free," said Othman Al-Sawaf, M.D., investigator in the CLL14 study, hematologist-oncologist at the University Hospital Cologne in Germany, and study physician at the German CLL Study Group. "Additionally, it is notable that the population of patients who received chlorambucil combination was observed to have slightly more than twice the rate of progression events, compared to the patients who received the venetoclax combination."

VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA is being developed by AbbVie and Roche. It is jointly commercialized by AbbVie and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, in the U.S. and by AbbVie outside of the U.S.

About the CLL14 Phase 3 Trial3,4,5The prospective, multicenter, open-label, randomized Phase 3 CLL14 trial, which was conducted in close collaboration with the German CLL Study Group (DCLLSG), evaluated the efficacy and safety of a combined regimen of VENCLYXTO/VENCLEXTA and obinutuzumab (n=216) versus obinutuzumab and chlorambucil (n=216) in previously untreated patients with CLL and coexisting medical conditions (total Cumulative Illness Rating Scale [CIRS] score >6 or creatinine clearance

Key secondary endpoints were rates of MRD in peripheral blood and bone marrow, overall and complete response rates, MRD in complete response in peripheral blood and bone marrow, and overall survival.

In patients with CLL receiving venetoclax combination therapy with obinutuzumab, serious adverse reactions (ARs) were most often due to febrile neutropenia and pneumonia (5 percent each). The most common ARs (20 percent) of any grade were neutropenia (60 percent), diarrhea (28 percent), and fatigue (21 percent). Fatal ARs that occurred in the absence of disease progression and with onset within 28 days of the last study treatment were reported in 2 percent (4/212) of patients, most often from infection.

About VENCLYXTO (venetoclax)

VENCLYXTO (venetoclax) is a first-in-class medicine that selectively binds and inhibits the B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) protein. In some blood cancers, BCL-2 prevents cancer cells from undergoing their natural death or self-destruction process, called apoptosis. VENCLYXTO targets the BCL-2 protein and works to help restore the process of apoptosis.

VENCLYXTO is being developed by AbbVie and Roche. It is jointly commercialized by AbbVie and Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, in the U.S. and by AbbVie outside of the U.S. Together, the companies are committed to BCL-2 research and to studying venetoclax in clinical trials across several blood and other cancers. Venetoclax is approved in more than 80 countries, including the U.S.

Indication and Important VENCLYXTO (venetoclax) EU Safety Information4

Indications

Venclyxto in combination with obinutuzumab is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL).

Venclyxto in combination with rituximab is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with CLL who have received at least one prior therapy.

Venclyxto monotherapy is indicated for the treatment of CLL:

In the presence of 17p deletion or TP53 mutation in adult patients who are unsuitable for or have failed a B-cell receptor pathway inhibitor, or

mutation in adult patients who are unsuitable for or have failed a B-cell receptor pathway inhibitor, or In the absence of 17p deletion or TP53 mutation in adult patients who have failed both chemoimmunotherapy and a B-cell receptor pathway inhibitor.

Venclyxto in combination with a hypomethylating agent is indicated for the treatment of adult patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) who are ineligible for intensive chemotherapy.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients is contraindicated. Concomitant use of strong CYP3A inhibitors at initiation and during the dose-titration phase due to increased risk for tumour lysis syndrome (TLS). Concomitant use of preparations containing St. John's wort as Venclyxto efficacy may be reduced.

Special Warnings & Precautions for Use

Tumour Lysis syndrome, including fatal events, has occurred in patients when treated with Venclyxto. For CLL and AML, please refer to the indication-specific recommendations for prevention of TLS in the Venclyxto summary of product characteristic (SmPC).

Patients should be assessed for risk and should receive appropriate prophylaxis, monitoring, and management for TLS. The risk of TLS is a continuum based on multiple factors, including comorbidities. Venclyxto poses a risk for TLS at initiation and during the dose-titration phase. Changes in electrolytes consistent with TLS that require prompt management can occur as early as 6 to 8 hours following the first dose of Venclyxto and at each dose increase.

Neutropenia (grade 3 or 4) has been reported. Complete blood counts should be monitored throughout the treatment period.

In patients with AML, neutropenia (grade 3 or 4) is common before starting treatment. The neutrophil counts can worsen with Venetoclax in combination with a hypomethylating agent. Neutropenia can recur with subsequent cycles of therapy. Dose modification and interruptions for cytopenias are dependent on remission status.

For CLL and AML, please refer to the indication-specific recommendations for dose modifications for toxicities in the Venclyxto SmPC.

Serious infections including sepsis with fatal outcome have been reported. Monitoring of any signs and symptoms of infection is required. Suspected infections should receive prompt treatment including antimicrobials and dose interruption or reduction as appropriate.

Live vaccines should not be administered during treatment or thereafter until B-cell recovery.

Drug Interactions

In CLL and AML CYP3A inhibitors may increase Venclyxto plasma concentrations.

In CLL, at initiation and dose-titration phase, Strong CYP3A inhibitors are contraindicated due to increased risk for TLS and moderate CYP3A inhibitors should be avoided. If moderate CYP3A inhibitors must be used, please refer to the recommendations for dose modifications in the Venclyxto SmPC.

In AML, please refer to the AML-specific recommendation for dose modifications for potential interactions with CYP3A inhibitors, in the VENCLYXTO SmPC.

Avoid concomitant use of P-gp and BCRP inhibitors at initiation and during the dose titration phase.

CYP3A4 inducers may decrease Venclyxto plasma concentrations. Avoid coadministration with strong or moderate CYP3A inducers. These agents may decrease venetoclax plasma concentrations.

Co-administration of bile acid sequestrants with VENCLYXTO is not recommended as this may reduce the absorption of VENCLYXTO.

Adverse Reactions

CLL

The most commonly occurring adverse reactions (>=20%) of any grade in patients receiving venetoclax in the combination studies with obinutuzumab or rituximab were neutropenia, diarrhoea, and upper respiratory tract infection. In the monotherapy studies, the most common adverse reactions were neutropenia/neutrophil count decreased, diarrhoea, nausea, anaemia, fatigue, and upper respiratory tract infection.

The most frequently occurring serious adverse reactions (>=2%) in patients receiving venetoclax in combination with obinutuzumab or rituximab were pneumonia, sepsis, febrile neutropenia, and TLS. In the monotherapy studies, the most frequently reported serious adverse reactions (>=2%) were pneumonia and febrile neutropenia.

Discontinuations due to adverse reactions occurred in 16% of patients treated with venetoclax in combination with obinutuzumab or rituximab in the CLL14 and Murano studies, respectively. In the monotherapy studies with venetoclax, 11% of patients discontinued due to adverse reactions.

Dosage reductions due to adverse reactions occurred in 21% of patients treated with the combination of venetoclax and obinutuzumab in CLL14, in 15% of patients treated with the combination of venetoclax and rituximab in Murano, and in 14% of patients treated with venetoclax in the monotherapy studies. The most common adverse reaction that led to dose interruptions was neutropenia.

AML

The most commonly occurring adverse reactions (>=20%) of any grade in patients receiving venetoclax in combination with azacitidine or decitabine in the VIALE-A and M14-358, respectively, were thrombocytopenia, neutropenia, febrile neutropenia, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, anaemia, fatigue, pneumonia, hypokalaemia, and decreased appetite, haemorrhage, dizziness/syncope, hypotension, headache, abdominal pain, and anaemia.

The most frequently reported serious adverse reactions (5%) in patients receiving venetoclax in combination with azacitidine were febrile neutropenia, pneumonia, sepsis and haemorrhage. In M14-358, the most frequently reported serious adverse reactions (5%) were febrile neutropenia, pneumonia, bacteraemia and sepsis.

Discontinuations due to adverse reactions occurred in 24% of patients treated with venetoclax in combination with azacitidine in the VIALE-A study, and 26% of patients treated with venetoclax in combination with decitabine in the M14-358 study, respectively.

Dosage reductions due to adverse reactions occurred in 2% of patients in VIALE-A, and in 6% of patients in M14-358. Venetoclax dose interruptions due to adverse reactions occurred in 72% and 65% of patients, respectively. The most common adverse reaction that led to dose interruption (>10%) of Venetoclax in VIALE-A, were febrile neutropenia, neutropenia, pneumonia, and thrombocytopenia. The most common adverse reactions that led to dose interruption (5%) of venetoclax in M14-358 were febrile neutropenia, neutropenia/neutrophil count decreased, pneumonia, platelet count decreased, and white blood cell count decreased.

Special Populations

Patients with reduced renal function (CrCl

For patients with severe (Child-Pugh C) hepatic impairment, a dose reduction of at least 50% throughout treatment is recommended.

Venclyxto may cause embryo-fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Advise nursing women to discontinue breastfeeding during treatment.

This is not a complete summary of all safety information. See Venclyxto (venetoclax) SmPC at www.ema.europa.eu. Globally, prescribing information varies; refer to the individual country product label for complete information.

About AbbVie in OncologyAt AbbVie, we are committed to transforming standards of care for multiple blood cancers while advancing a dynamic pipeline of investigational therapies across a range of cancer types. Our dedicated and experienced team joins forces with innovative partners to accelerate the delivery of potentially breakthrough medicines. We are evaluating more than 20 investigational medicines in over 300 clinical trials across some of the world's most widespread and debilitating cancers. As we work to have a remarkable impact on people's lives, we are committed to exploring solutions to help patients obtain access to our cancer medicines. For more information, please visit http://www.abbvie.com/oncology.

About AbbVieAbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas: immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health and gastroenterology, in addition to products and services across its Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

AbbVie Forward-Looking StatementsSome statements in this news release are, or may be considered, forward-looking statements for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project" and similar expressions, among others, generally identify forward-looking statements. AbbVie cautions that these forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, failure to realize the expected benefits from AbbVie's acquisition of Allergan plc ("Allergan"), failure to promptly and effectively integrate Allergan's businesses, competition from other products, challenges to intellectual property, difficulties inherent in the research and development process, adverse litigation or government action, changes to laws and regulations applicable to our industry and the impact of public health outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics, such as COVID-19. Additional information about the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors that may affect AbbVie's operations is set forth in Item 1A, "Risk Factors," of AbbVie's 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K, which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as updated by its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. AbbVie undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to forward-looking statements as a result of subsequent events or developments, except as required by law.

References

Al-Sawaf O, et al. Venetoclax-Obinutuzumab for previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia: 5-year results of the randomized CLL14 study. [Insert abstract no.]. Presented at European Hematology Association 2022 Congress (EHA 2022), June 9-12, 2022. Hallek M, et al. Guidelines for diagnosis, indications for treatment, response assessment and supportive management of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Blood. 2018;131(25):2745-2760. Summary of Product Characteristics for VENCLYXTO (venetoclax). Ludwigshafen, Germany: AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG. VENCLEXTA (venetoclax) [Package Insert]. North Chicago, Ill.: AbbVie Inc. Fischer K, et al. Venetoclax and obinutuzumab in patients with CLL and coexisting conditions. N Engl J Med. 2019;380:2225-2236.

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SOURCE AbbVie
NEW YORK, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP announced that the firm has been recognized by The Legal 500 US in its 2022 edition as a Leading Law Firm. The Shareholder Activism practice has been ranked as a Tier One practice, a position it has held since the rankings' inception, including seven of the practice's attorneys. The Advertising practice has also again been ranked along with three attorneys. The rankings are based on feedback from clients, peers and The Legal 500's independent research.

Olshan Named a Leading Law Firm in The Legal 500 US 2022 in Shareholder Activism and Advertising

It is notable that once again, The Legal 500 only ranked five attorneys in the nation as "Leading Lawyers" in the area of Shareholder Activism  Advice to Shareholders, and that three of them are Olshan partners. Client testimonials are expansive, noting that, "The Olshan team brings both deep and broad experience in the activist space. They are thoughtful, creative, and extremely responsive."

The firm has also been ranked as a Tier 3 Leading Firm in Advertising and Marketing: Transactional and Regulatory, with chair Andrew Lustigman and partner Tamara Carmichael named as "Recommended Lawyers" and partner Scott Shaffer recognized as a "Key Lawyer." Client testimonials note that the team is, "efficient, thorough, and highly professional."

To view the full details of Olshan's rankings in the 2022 edition of The Legal 500 US, please see Olshan or Legal 500 US 2022.

About Olshan

Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP, a law firm based in New York, represents major businesses and entrepreneurs in their most significant transactions, problems and opportunities. Olshan's clients range from public companies, hedge, venture capital, private equity and other investment funds to entrepreneurs and private companies worldwide. Clients choose Olshan for innovative strategies and sophisticated, game-changing advice in corporate, securities law, equity investment and shareholder activism, complex commercial, corporate and securities litigation, real estate, intellectual property, bankruptcy and creditors' rights, and advertising. Since its founding, Olshan has offered an alternative to the AmLaw 50 law firm business model with responsive, independent and client-focused legal counsel provided by the firm's senior lawyers.

Contact: Madelaine Miller Strauss[email protected]646.331.2691

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/olshan-recognized-by-the-legal-500-us-2022-as-a-leading-law-firm-in-shareholder-activism-tier-1-with-seven-attorneys-ranked-and-in-advertising-with-three-attorneys-ranked-301565542.html

SOURCE Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP
NEW YORK, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- QNY Creative has teamed up with Pasta Garofalo and Bindi Desserts to host a Opening Day Celebration event on the first day of Summer Fancy Food Show in New York - the largest specialty food and beverage event in North America on Sunday, June, 12 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

QNY Creative, Pasta Garofalo and Bindi Desserts host an Opening Sunset Celebration at Zanotta House in New York.

To celebrate, the specialty food industry will be coming together in-person for the first time in New York City in two years. The opening sunset celebration will include an evening of specialty food, drinks, and mixing and mingling with industry peers. It will be held at the extraordinary Zanotta House New York, leaders in Italian industrial design, at 23 Cornelia Street, New York, New York, a Greenwich Village 5-storey design-centered "landmark" building, and former home of Taylor Swift, also featured in the song "Cornelia Street," on her Lover album.

The evenings menu is a journey to discover and taste the latest products, and signature classics from Pasta Garofalo: Pasta Mezze Maniche allo Scarpariello; Bindi Desserts: Vegan Focaccia Pumpkin & Poppy Seed, Focaccia EVOO, and Limoncello Gelato Flutes; Pomi Crushed Tomato with Garlic Tomato Gazpacho; a medley of salumi and cheeses from Ferrarini: Prosciutto di Parma 22 Months, Salame di Parma, Salame Emilia and Mortadella with Pistachio and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Featuring a curated selection of wines from Artisanal Cellars: Masseria Cuturi Fiano "Segreto di Bianca" 2020, Reva Nebbiolo d'Alba 2018 and Massimago Valpolicella "Duca Fedele" 2021, and signature summer gin and tonic Portofino Dry Gin.

About QNY Creative

QNY is an award-winning, full-service digital marketing boutique agency, offering branding, design, creative production, and growth marketing services for consumer-facing brands.

About Bindi Desserts

For over 75 years, Bindi has served the most renowned and discerning restaurateurs in Italy and around the world indulgent Italian desserts. Bindi Dessert offers cake, tiramisu, pastries and more.

About Pasta Garofalo

Garofalo was established in 1789 in Gragnano, Italy, the homeland of pasta. Pasta Garofalo brings the quality of the best wheat to the table with the guarantee of PGI certification. Discover the wide range of pastas and shapes.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/qny-creative-pasta-garofalo-and-bindi-desserts-host-an-opening-sunset-celebration-at-landmark-zanotta-house-new-york-to-kick-off-the-summer-fancy-food-show-in-new-york-301565895.html

SOURCE QNY Creative
VANCOUVER, BC, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Strategic Resources Inc. (TSXV: SR) (the "Company" or "Strategic) is pleased to announce that it has issued 1,166,666 common shares to Aurion Resources Ltd. ("Aurion"), which fulfills the requirements to earn 100% ownership in the Silasselka property. The issuance increases Aurion's ownership from 16.0% to 18.3% ownership of Strategic.

About Strategic Resources

Strategic Resources Inc. (TSXV: SR) is a Vancouver, Canada-based mineral exploration and development company focused on vanadium projects in Finland. The Company is primarily focused on its flagship Mustavaara vanadium-iron-titanium project in Finland. The Company continues to evaluate new opportunities that are related to the electrification of the economy.

Further details are available on the Company's website at https://strategic-res.com/.

To follow future news releases, please sign up at https://strategic-res.com/contact/.

STRATEGIC RESOURCES INC.

Signed: "Scott Hicks"

Scott Hicks, 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 news release.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/strategic-resources-completes-silasselka-earn-in-301566049.html

SOURCE Strategic Resources Inc.
YSSINGEAUX, France, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ecole Nationale Superieure de Patisserie (ENSP), a world-renowned reference in the art of pastry, located in Yssingeaux in the Haute-Loire department of France, today inaugurated the start of work on its extension in the presence of Alain Ducasse, founder of Ecole Ducasse, Benoit-Etienne Domenget, CEO of Sommet Education, Laurent Wauquiez, President of the Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes Region, and Pierre Liogier, Mayor of Yssingeaux. At the heart of a real estate project scheduled for completion in September 2023 and managed by Atrium developers in partnership with Alliade Habitat for the lodging section, the Ecole Nationale Superieure de Patisserie will enjoy the benefit of a 2,300 m2 extension, including new laboratories as well as student accommodation adding to the historic castle that houses the prestigious school.

Created in 1984 and taken over in 2007 by Messrs Alain Ducasse and Yves Thuries, over the past 40 years the Ecole Nationale Superieure de Patisserie has unquestionably established itself as the ultimate school of excellence and reference in the world of the Confectionary Arts when it comes to training in pastry, chocolate, confectionary, ice cream and baking.

With its 17 pastry chefs and 25 teachers for its academic courses, the school trains 1,500 students from 60 nationalities throughout the year.

The broad portfolio of programs meets all training needs in the field: post-baccalaureate courses such as the three-year Bachelor's degree in French Pastry Arts, or the CAP, intensive courses for people in retraining, such as the two-month Essentials of French Pastry Arts program or the eight-month Diploma in French Pastry Arts.

In addition to these programs, a catalogue is offered of 68 professional training courses held on site by Meilleur Ouvrier de France award-winners, World Champions and well-known experts. The great names in French and international pastry-making have trained here and return to fine-tune their techniques.

The project caters to the ENSP's need to expand due to the exponential demand for pastry training which has been accelerating for the past several years.

Housing three new classrooms and four laboratories as well as the creation of 36 apartments for students, this extension of the ENSP will allow the Ecole Ducasse to host a larger number of French and international students while responding to increasing requests for professional training.

Elise Masurel, Managing Director of Ecole Ducasse, enthuses about this major new development within the Ecole Ducasse network, "After the opening of our Campus at the gateway to Paris in 2020, this new project allows us to embed the excellence of our schools even more strongly on French soil, in parallel with its international development."

Luc Debove, Director and Executive Chef of the ENSP, World Ice Cream Champion and Meilleur Ouvrier de France Glacier, winner of the Ordre National du Merite Agricole, and project leader, comments: "This extension is the result of a wonderful group project supported by Laurent Wauquiez, Regional President, Isabelle Valentin, Member of Parliament for Haute-Loire, and our mayor of Yssingeaux, as well as by the private companies Atrium and Alliade. It is not only about the ENSP that is becoming the largest French school dedicated to the Pastry Arts, but Yssingeaux and a whole region that is becoming a strategic center in the world of pastry-making."

About Ecole Ducasse

Ecole Ducasse is a network of schools founded in 1999 by multi-starred chef Alain Ducasse, dedicated to the transmission of outstanding French expertise and excellence in culinary and pastry arts.

Ecole Ducasse runs three schools in France  Paris Studio, Paris Campus and the Ecole Nationale Superieure de Patisserie  as well as international schools in the Philippines, Brazil, Thailand and India. All are united by a desire to share a passion for gastronomy with seasoned professionals as well as food enthusiasts, career changers and students. This broad portfolio of programs aims to meet all training needs: from short programs for experts or food enthusiasts to intensive two-, four-or six-month programs, to three-year undergraduate programs and bachelor's degree in culinary and pastry arts.

Ecole Ducasse is part of Sommet Education, worldwide leader in hospitality education.

For more information: https://www.ecoleducasse.com/en

MEDIA CONTACT

Anouck WeissChief Communication Officer - Sommet EducationE-mail: [email protected]

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1837173/ENSP_Pastry_Arts_Image.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1836924/ENSP_Logo.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-undisputed-world-destination-for-pastry-arts-the-ecole-nationale-superieure-de-patisserie-expands-301565676.html

SOURCE Ecole Nationale Superieure de Patisserie
NEW YORK, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Stroock & Stroock & Lavan is proud to celebrate the inclusion of two outstanding litigation attorneys  partner Naim Surgeon and associate TaLona Holbert  in The National Black Lawyers Top 100 for Florida and New York, respectively. The honor recognizes the top 100 African American lawyers in each state or region with reputations for providing excellent legal representation in their respective practice areas.

An experienced first chair trial lawyer, Surgeon serves as chief counsel in federal equity receivership matters. He maintains a nationwide federal and state litigation practice representing clients in class action defense, securities and investment-related fraud, intellectual property matters, antitrust claims, higher education litigation, labor and employment defense, and defense of claims related to Title III of the Helms-Burton Act. The National Black Lawyers previously named Surgeon to its Top 40 Under 40 lists in 2016 and 2017.

Holbert practice focuses on a range of complex disputes, including matters related to reinsurance, antitrust and real estate. She also dedicates a significant portion of her practice to advancing the rights of women, people of color and the LGBTQ+ community pro bono. Holbert frequently volunteers with several organizations that share her goal of pursuing a more just society. The National Black Lawyers Top 100 New York's selection of Holbert this year marks her second consecutive year on the list.

Stroock provides strategic transactional, regulatory, and litigation advice to advance the business objectives of leading financial institutions, multinational corporations, and entrepreneurial businesses in the United States and globally. With a rich history dating back 140 years, the firm has offices in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Washington, D.C.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/two-stroock-litigators-named-to-the-national-black-lawyers-top-100-301566063.html

SOURCE Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP
A Public Safety officer keeps watch as people stand in front of a billboard owned by Revlon that takes their pictures and displays them in Times Square in the Manhattan borough of New York October 13, 2015. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri/Files

(Reuters) - Cosmetics maker Revlon Inc is preparing to file for chapter 11 protection as soon as next week, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.

Revlon, whose shares declined 46%, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The lipstick maker began talks with lenders ahead of looming debt maturities to try to steer the business clear of bankruptcy, the WSJ reported last week.

Revlon had long-term debt of $3.31 billion, as of end-March.

Demand for makeup products has bounced back in recent months as people across the world venture out more often. But Revlon, which faces stiff competition from digital-native upstart brands, said in March it faced supply chain constraints that hurt its ability to service demand.

Reorg Research first reported Revlon was planning to file for bankruptcy.

(Reporting by Praveen Paramasivam in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri)
FILE PHOTO: Lawrence Bacow speaks during his inauguration as the 29th President of Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., October 5, 2018. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File Photo

(Reuters) - Harvard President Lawrence Bacow said on Wednesday that he would leave his post in June 2023 after helping shepherd the nation's oldest university through the COVID pandemic.

Bacow, 70, did not give a reason for his decision to step down but said he and his wife, Adele, would be spending more time with their grandchildren.

"There is never a good time to leave a job like this one, but now seems right to me," Bacow, the university's 29th president, said in a letter to students and staff.

Bacow attended Harvard as a graduate student in the 1970s and returned as president five years ago after first serving in the same job at Tufts University.

(Reporting by Dan Whitcomb; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
Exhibit 10.69

PATENT COOPERATION TREATY WO 2022/099052 PCT/US2021/058310 From the INTERNATIONAL BUREAU PCT To: NOTIFICATION CONCERNING AVAILABILITY OF THE PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION MCDONALD, J. Cooper Clark & Elbing LLP 101 Federal Street 15th Floor Boston, MA 02110 ETATS-UNIS DAMERIQUE Date of mailing (day/month/year) 12 May 2022 (12.05.2022) Applicants or agents file reference 51577-002WO2 IMPORTANT NOTICE International application No. PCT/US2021/058310 International filing date (day/month/year) 05 November 2021 (05.11.2021) Priority date (day/month/year) 06 November 2020 (06.11.2020) Applicant BIOXYTRAN, INC. The applicant is hereby notified that the International Bureau:  has published the above-indicated international application on 12 May 2022 (12.05.2022) under No. WO 2022/099052  has republished the above-indicated international application on under No. WO For an explanation as to the reason for this republication of the international application, reference is made to INID codes (15), (48) or (88) (as the case may be) on the front page of the published international application. - A copy of the international application is available for viewing and downloading on WIPOs website at the following address: https://patentscope.wipo.int/ (in the appropriate field of the structured search, enter the PCT or WO number). - The applicant may also obtain a paper copy of the published international application from the International Bureau by sending an e-mail to [email protected] or by submitting a written request to the contact details provided below. Warning: Following publication of the international application, applicants, agents and inventors may receive misleading requests for payment of fees that appear to come from the International Bureau of WIPO or other patent Offices which are unrelated to the processing of international applications under the PCT. Agents are particularly encouraged to be vigilant and alert their clients about this practice. Examples of such requests for payment which have been received by the International Bureau can be found at: http://www.wipo.int/pct/en/waming/pct_warning.htm. Please forward copies of any such requests to [email protected] The International Bureau of WIPO 34, chemin des Colombettes 1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland Authorized officer Xin Wang e-mail [email protected] Telephone No. +41 22 338 74 02 FormPCT/IB/311 (revised January 2020)

Exhibit 10.70

WO 2022/099061 PCT/US2021/058321 PATENT COOPERATION TREATY From the INTERNATIONAL BUREAU PCT NOTIFICATION CONCERNING AVAILABILITY OF THE PUBLICATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION To: MCDONALD, J., Cooper Clark & Elbing LLP 101 Federal Street 15th Floor Boston, MA 02110 ETATS-UNIS DAMERIQUE Date of mailing (day/month/year) 12 May 2022 (12.05.2022) Applicants or agents file reference 51577-003W02 IMPORTANT NOTICE International application No. PCT/US2021/058321 International filing date (day/month/year) 05 November 2021 (05.11.2021) Priority date (day/month/year) 06 November 2020 (06.11.2020) Applicant BIOXYTRAN, INC. The applicant is hereby notified that the International Bureau: has published the above-indicated international application on 12 May 2022 (12.05.2022) under No. WO 2022/099061  has republished the above-indicated international application on under No. WO For an explanation as to the reason for this republication of the international application, reference is made to INID codes (15), (48) or (88) (as the case may be) on the front page of the published international application. - A copy of the international application is available for viewing and downloading on WIPOs website at the following address: https://patentscope.wipo.int/ (in the appropriate field of the structured search, enter the PCT or WO number). - The applicant may also obtain a paper copy of the published international application from the International Bureau by sending an e-mail to [email protected] or by submitting a written request to the contact details provided below. Warning: Following publication of the international application, applicants, agents and inventors may receive misleading requests for payment of fees that appear to come from the International Bureau of WIPO or other patent Offices which are unrelated to the processing of international applications under the PCT. Agents are particularly encouraged to be vigilant and alert their clients about this practice. Examples of such requests for payment which have been received by the International Bureau can be found at: http://www.wipo.int/pct/en/waming/pct_warning.htm. Please forward copies of any such requests to [email protected] The International Bureau of WIPO 34, chemin des Colombettes 1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland Authorized officer Xiaofan Tang e-mail [email protected] Telephone No. +41 22 338 74 02 Form PCT/IB/311 (revised January 2020)

Exhibit 10.71

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)

Commissioner for Trademarks

www.uspto.gov

OFFICIAL USPTO NOTICE OF PUBLICATION UNDER 12(a)

U.S. Application Serial No. 90888912

Mark: PROLECTIN

International Class(es): 005

Owner: Pharmalectin, Inc.

Docket/Reference No. 51577-T02001

Issue Date: June 8, 2022

Your mark is scheduled to publish in the Trademark Official Gazette (TMOG) on June 28, 2022.

Your mark appears to be entitled to register on the Principal Register upon the acceptance of a statement of use, subject to any claims of concurrent use.

What happens when your mark publishes. Within 30 days of the publication date, any party who believes it will be damaged by the registration of the mark may file a notice of opposition (or extension of time) with the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. If no objection is filed, we will issue a Notice of allowance.

View your mark in the TMOG after the publication date at https://tmog.uspto.gov / by selecting your publication date in the issues field, entering your serial number in the search by field, and clicking on the magnifying glass.

Ensure that the information in the TMOG is correct. If any information is incorrect, promptly request correction using the Post-Approval/Publication/Post-Notice of Allowance (NOA) Amendment form at https://teas.uspto.gov/office/ppa/ . For more information, see https://www.uspto.gov/trademark/trademark-updates-andannouncements/procedures-submitting-amendmentscorrections-trademark .

Direct questions about this notice to the Trademark Assistance Center (TAC)at 1-800-786-9199 (select option 1) or [email protected] .

Email Address(es):

[email protected]
OMB APPROVAL

OMB Number: 3235-0145

Estimated average burden hours per response .11

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 13G

Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. 3*)

STEPSTONE GROUP, INC.

(Name of Issuer)

COMMON STOCK

(Title of Class of Securities)

85914M107

(CUSIP Number)

May 31, 2022

(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule is filed:

X Rule 13d-1(b) Rule 13d-1(c) Rule 13d-1(d)

*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting persons initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed to be filed for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Act) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the Notes).

Persons who respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number

.CUSIP No.: 85914M107

1. Names of Reporting Persons. I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only Federated Hermes, Inc. 2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions) (a) (b) 3. SEC Use Only 4. Citizenship or place of Organization

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With: 5. Sole Voting Power: 3,021,896 6. Shared Voting Power 7. Sole Dispositive Power: 3,021,896 8. Shared Dispositive Power

9. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person: 3,021,896 10. Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions) 11. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9): 4.94% 12. Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions):HC

1. Names of Reporting Persons I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only). Voting Shares Irrevocable Trust 2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions) (a) (b) 3. SEC Use Only 4. Citizenship or place of Organization

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With: 5. Sole Voting Power: 3,021,896 6. Shared Voting Power 7. Sole Dispositive Power: 3,021,896 8. Shared Dispositive Power

9. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person: 3,021,896 10. Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions) 11. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9): 4.94% 12. Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions):OO

1. Names of Reporting Persons. I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only). Thomas R. Donahue 2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions) (a) (b) 3. SEC Use Only 4. Citizenship or place of Organization

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With: 5. Sole Voting Power: 6. Shared Voting Power: 3,021,896 7. Sole Dispositive Power 8. Shared Dispositive Power: 3,021,896

9. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person: 3,021,896 10. Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions) 11. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9): 4.94% 12. Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions):IN

1. Names of Reporting Persons. I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only). Rhodora J. Donahue 2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions) (a) (b) 3. SEC Use Only 4. Citizenship or place of Organization

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With: 5. Sole Voting Power: 6. Shared Voting Power: 3,021,896 7. Sole Dispositive Power 8. Shared Dispositive Power: 3,021,896

9. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person: 3,021,896 10. Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions) 11. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9): 4.94% 12. Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions):IN

1. Names of Reporting Persons. I.R.S. Identification Nos. of above persons (entities only) J. Christopher Donahue 2. Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions) (a) (b) 3. SEC Use Only 4. Citizenship or place of Organization

Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person With: 5. Sole Voting Power: 6. Shared Voting Power: 3,021,896 7. Sole Dispositive Power 8. Shared Dispositive Power: 3,021,896

9. Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person: 3,021,896 10. Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (9) Excludes Certain Shares (See Instructions) 11. Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (9): 4.94% 12. Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions):IN

Item 1.

(a) Name of Issuer STEPSTONE GROUP, INC. (b) Address of Issuers Principal Executive Offices. 450 Lexington Avenue, 31st Floor New York, NY 10017

Item 2.

(a) Name of Person Filing (b) Address Of Principal Business Office or, if none, Residence 1001 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222-3779 (c) Citizenship (d) Title of Class of Securities (e) CUSIP Number: 85914M107

Item 3. If this statement is filed pursuant to 240.113d-1(b) or 240.13d-2(b) or (c), check whether the person filing is a:

(a) Broker or dealer registered under section 15 of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78o). (b) Bank as defined in section 3(a)(6) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c). (c) Insurance company as defined in section 3(a)(19) of the Act (15 U.S.C. 78c). (d) Investment company registered under section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8). (e) An investment adviser in accordance with 204.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E); (f) An employee benefit plan or endowment fund in accordance with 240.13d-19b)(1)(ii)(F); (g) X A parent holding company or control person in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(G); (h) A savings associations as defined in Section 3(b) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813); (i) A church plan that is excluded from the definition of an investment company under section 3(c)(14) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-3); (j) Group, in accordance with 240.13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(J).

Item 4. Ownership

Provide the following information regarding the aggregate number and percentage of the class of securities of the issuer identified in Item 1.

A. Federated Hermes, Inc. (a) Amount beneficially owned: 3,021,896 (b) Percent of class: 4.94% (c) Number of shares to which the person has: (i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote: 3,021,896 (ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote-0- (iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 3,021,896 (iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of-0-

B. Voting Shares Irrevocable Trust (a) Amount beneficially owned: 3,021,896 (b) Percent of class: 4.94% (c) Number of shares to which the person has: (i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote: 3,021,896 (ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote-0- (iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 3,021,896 (iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of-0-

C. Thomas R. Donahue (a) Amount beneficially owned: 3,021,896 (b) Percent of class: 4.94% (c) Number of shares to which the person has: (i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote:-0- (ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote: 3,021,896 (iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:-0- (iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 3,021,896

D. Rhodora J. Donahue (a) Amount beneficially owned: 3,021,896 (b) Percent of class: 4.94% (c) Number of shares to which the person has: (i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote:-0- (ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote: 3,021,896 (iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:-0- (iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 3,021,896

E. J. Christopher Donahue (a) Amount beneficially owned: 3,021,896 (b) Percent of class: 4.94% (c) Number of shares to which the person has: (i) Sole power to vote or to direct the vote:-0- (ii) Shared power to vote or to direct the vote: 3,021,896 (iii) Sole power to dispose or to direct the disposition of:-0- (iv) Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 3,021,896

Instruction: Dissolution of a group requires a response to this item.

Item 5. Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class

If this statement is being filed to report the fact that as of the date hereof the reporting person has ceased to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of the class of securities, check the following: X

Instruction: Dissolution of a group requires a response to this item.

Item 6. Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person. NOT APPLICABLE

Item 7. Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the Security Being Reported on By the Parent Holding Company. See Exhibit 1 Attached

Item 8. Identification and Classification of Members of the Group: NOT APPLICABLE

Item 9. Notice of Dissolution of Group: NOT APPLICABLE

Item 10. Certification

(a) The following certification shall be included if the statement is filed pursuant to 240.13d-1(b); By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were acquired and are held in the ordinary course of business and were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having the purpose or effect. (b) The following certification shall be included if the statement is filed pursuant to 204.13d-1(c): By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, the securities referred to above were not acquired and are not held for the purpose of or with the effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of the securities and were not acquired and are not held in connection with or as a participant in any transaction having that purpose or effect.

SIGNATURE

After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and correct.

Date: June 10, 2022 By: /s/J. Christopher Donahue Name/Title: J. Christopher Donahue, as President of Federated Hermes, Inc. Date: June 10, 2022 By: /s/Thomas R. Donahue Name/Title Thomas R. Donahue individually and as Trust of Voting Shares Irrevocable Trust Date: June 10, 2022 By: /s/Rhodora J. Donahue Name/Title: Rhodora J. Donahue, individually and as Trust of Voting Shares Irrevocable Trust, by J. Christopher Donahue, as attorney-in-fact Date: June 10, 2022 By: /s/J. Christopher Donahue Name/Title J. Christopher Donahue, individually and as Trust of Voting Shares Irrevocable Trust

The original statement shall be signed by each person on whose behalf the statement is filed or his authorized representative. If the statement is signed on behalf of a person by his authorized representative other than an executive officer or general partner of the filing person, evidence of the representatives authority to sign on behalf of such person shall be filed with the statement, provided, however, that a power of attorney for this purpose which is already on file with the Commission may be incorporated by reference. The name and any title of each person who signs the statement shall be typed or printed beneath his signature.

NOTE: Schedules filed in paper format shall include a signed original and five copies of the schedule, including all exhibits. See 240.13d-7 for other parties for whom copies are to be sent.

Attention: Intentional misstatements or omissions of fact constitute Federal criminal violations (See U.S.C. 1001)

EXHIBIT 1

ITEM 3 CLASSIFICATION OF REPORTING PERSONS

Identity and Classification of Each Reporting Person

IDENTITY CLASSIFICATION UNDER ITEM 3 Federated Hermes Equity Funds (d) Investment company registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8) Federated Hermes Insurance Series (d) Investment company registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8) Federated Hermes MDT Series (d) Investment company registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (15 U.S.C. 80a-8) Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania (e) Investment Adviser registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 Federated Global Investment Management Corp. (e) Investment Adviser registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 Federated Investment Counseling (e) Investment Adviser registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 Federated Hermes, Inc. (g) parent Holding Company, in accordance with Section 240.13d-1(b)(ii)(G) Federated MDTA LLC (e) Investment Adviser registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 FII Holdings, Inc. (g) parent Holding Company, in accordance with Section 240.13d-1(b)(ii)(G) Voting Shares Irrevocable Trust (g) parent Holding Company, in accordance with Section 240.13d-1(b)(ii)(G) Thomas R. Donahue (g) parent Holding Company, in accordance with Section 240.13d-1(b)(ii)(G) Rhodora J. Donahue (g) parent Holding Company, in accordance with Section 240.13d-1(b)(ii)(G) J. Christopher Donahue (g) parent Holding Company, in accordance with Section 240.13d-1(b)(ii)(G)

Federated Hermes, Inc. (the Parent) is filing this schedule 13G because it is the parent holding company of Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania and Federated Global Investment Management Corp. (the Investment Advisers), which act as investment advisers to registered investment companies and separate accounts that own shares of common stock in STEPSTONE GROUP, INC. (the Reported Securities). The Investment Advisers are wholly owned subsidiaries of FII Holdings, Inc., which is wholly owned subsidiary of Federated Hermes, Inc., the Parent. All of the Parents outstanding voting stock is held in the Voting Shares Irrevocable Trust (the Trust) for which Thomas R. Donahue, Rhodora J. Donahue and J. Christopher Donahue act as trustees (collectively, the Trustees). The Trustees have joined in filing this Schedule 13G because of the collective voting control that they exercise over the parent. In accordance with Rule 13d-4 under the Securities Act of 1934, as amended, the Parent, the Trust, and each of the Trustees declare that this statement should not be construed as an admission that they are the beneficial owners of the Reported Securities, and the Parent, the Trust, and each of the Trustees expressly disclaim beneficial ownership of the Reported Securities.

EXHIBIT 2

AGREEMENT FOR JOINT FILING OF

SCHEDULE 13G

The following parties hereby agree to file jointly the statement on Schedule 13G to which this Agreement is attached and any amendments thereto which may be deemed necessary pursuant to Regulation 13D-G under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

1. Federated Hermes, Inc. as parent holding company of the investment advisers to registered investment companies that beneficially own the securities.

Voting Shares Irrevocable Trust, as holder of all the voting shares of Federated Hermes, Inc.

Thoms R. Donahue, individually and as Trustee

Rhodora J. Donahue, individually and as Trustee

J. Christopher Donahue, individually and as Trustee

It is understood and agreed that each of the arties hereto is responsible for the timely filing of such statement any amendments thereto, and for the completeness and accuracy of the information concerning such party contained therein, but such party is not responsible for the completeness or accuracy of information concerning the other parties unless such party knows or has reason to believe that such information is incomplete or inaccurate.

It is understood and agreed that the joint filing of Schedule 13G shall not be construed as an admission that the reporting persons named herein constitute a group for purposes of Regulation 13D-G of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor is a joint venture for purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

Date: June 10, 2022

By: /s/J. Christopher Donahue Name/Title: J. Christopher Donahue, as President of Federated Hermes, Inc. By: /s/Thomas R. Donahue Name/Title Thomas R. Donahue, individually and as Trustee of Voting Shares Irrevocable Trust. By: /s/Rhodora J. Donahue Name/Title: Rhodora J. Donahue, individually and as Trustee as Voting Shares Irrevocable Trust, by J. Christopher Donahue, as attorney-in-fact. By: /s/J. Christopher Donahue Name/Title J. Christopher Donahue, individually and as Trustee of Voting Shares Irrevocable Trust

1. The number of shares indicated represent shares beneficially owned by registered investment companies and separate accounts advised by subsidiaries of Federated Hermes, Inc. that have been delegated the power to direct investment and power to vote the securities by the registered investment companies board of trustees or directors and by the separate accounts principals. All of the voting securities of Federated Hermes, Inc. are held in the Voting Shares Irrevocable Trust (Trust), the trustees of which are Thomas R. Donahue, Rhodora J Donahue, and J. Christopher Donahue (Trustees). In accordance with Rule 13d-4 under the 1934 Act, the Trust, Trustees, and parent holding company declare that the filing of this statement should not be construed as an admission that any of the investment advisers, parent holding company, Trust, and Trustees are beneficial owners (for the purposes of Sections 13(d) and/or 13(g) of the Act) of any securities covered by this statement, and such advisers, parent holding company, Trust, and Trustees expressly disclaim that they are the beneficial owners of such securities.

EXHIBIT 3

EXHIBIT 3
The U.S. military must prepare to fight decisively if China challenges America, its allies or partners, the new commander of Andersen Air Force Base on Guam told troops moments after stepping into the job.

Brig. Gen. Paul Birch took command of Andersens 36th Wing from Brig. Gen. Jeremy Sloane on Friday during a ceremony in a hangar at Andersen that was livestreamed on Facebook.

Birch, a former Pentagon strategic planning chief, pinned on his first star March 2. He told airmen he looks forward to working with them, as well as troops from other branches and allied militaries, to increase Andersens capabilities.

We have to get it right now, right here because of the worlds situation, he said.

U.S. allies in Europe have been focused on Russias invasion of Ukraine since February. Meanwhile, North Korea has been conducting regular missile tests and Chinese planes have been buzzing Taiwan.

The threat is relentless, Birch said. We need to enhance our  readiness and lethality in such a way that deters our adversary today and also postures us to fight decisively should that adversary  China  make a strategic miscalculation and elect to take on the United States, its allies or its partners.

Birch, who graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1996 and received a masters degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1998, takes command during Valiant Shield. The biennial exercise on and near Guam involves two aircraft carriers, 15 surface ships, more than 200 aircraft and an estimated 13,000 personnel.

The exercise and others like it arent just building troops skills, he said.

They also signify our resolve to our global commitments, he said. Our methods of command and control must be the golden braid that holds together the substance of operational warfighting capability even when it is stressed in the most demanding conditions of high-end conflict and a near-peer fight.

Service members on Guam can contribute to the mission in ways that are possible in a free country out of the shadow of tyranny and autocracy, Birch said.

Sloane, who received the Distinguished Service Medal for his command of the wing since July 2020, praised airmen for their efforts to continue the mission during the coronavirus pandemic and noted the pacing threat just over the horizon.

Sloane is set to retire from the Air Force and will be moving to Alabama with his family, the service said in a news release Friday.

The 36th Wing is the key for security in the region, 11th Air Force commander Lt. Gen. David Krumm told the troops during the ceremony.

China has been ignoring international norms, borders and sovereignty for years. It wants to replace the international system that undermines a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific, Krumm said.

Today a free and open Indo-Pacific is under threat by China, he said. China only recognizes its own self-interest.
CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  A state-run news outlet in North Korea has railed against South Koreas plan to participate in the worlds largest maritime exercise, led by the U.S. military.

Uriminzokkiri, or With Our People, in an online editorial Wednesday described the South Korean navy as war maniacs for joining Rim of the Pacific, or RIMPAC, from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and offshore of Hawaii and California.

Twenty-six nations are expected to participate, with land forces from nine countries, 38 ships, four submarines, more than 170 aircraft and around 25,000 service members, according to the Navy. The massive biennial exercise, which began in 1971, also serves to sustain relationships between the United States and allied and friendly navies.

This years invitees include Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, South Korea, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga and the United Kingdom.

North Korea frequently criticizes the joint military exercises between the U.S. and the South and claims they are a rehearsal for the invasion. Uriminzokkiri wrote Wednesday that South Korean forces are plotting to engage actively in  world domination.

The rash military behavior of petty [South Korean] military authorities ... is a ridiculous lunatic attitude, as if one sets out to play with fire while carrying gunpowder on ones back, the editorial said.

North Korea has become more outspoken in its opposition to its neighbors military exercises in recent weeks. The South took part in a carrier strike group exercise with the USS Ronald Reagan in the Philippine Sea that ended on June 4.

South Korea is also scheduled to join Pitch Black, a three-week air force exercise in Australia in the fall. Other participating nations are Canada, France, Indonesia, India, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the U.K., the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

South Korea, Japan and Germany will be fully participating in Pitch Black for the first time.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have risen this year after an unprecedented series of ballistic missile tests by North Korea. The regime has conducted 17 rounds of tests since January, including the June 5 launch of eight short-range missiles off its eastern coast.

The South Korean military and U.S. Forces Korea fired eight missiles on June 6 to demonstrate their ability to strike North Korea's launch sites.

Several senior U.S. diplomats arrived in Seoul this week to discuss the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman met with her South Korean and Japanese counterparts and warned that the allies are prepared for additional provocations from the North, including a nuclear test.

U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Sung Kim, who was in Seoul early this month, warned that a North Korean nuclear test, its first since 2017, may be imminent.
Frankfurt, Germany, June 1948: Lana Turner and her new husband, tin-plate heir Henry (Bob) Topping, are being assisted by an American military official at the Frankfurt train station. The couple started their tour of the EC after two days of an off-again, on-again routine that kept reporters, photographers and fans running from Rhein-Main Airport to Frankfurts railroad station and back. Turner was scheduled to spend 10 days enteraining U.S. troops througout the zone and Berlin, but she confessed she didnt know how. Heaven only knows  just get out and say hello, I guess, she answered when asked what her act would be.
CAIRO  Sudans leading pro-democracy group has met with the countrys generals for the first time since last years military coup, the U.S. Embassy said Friday, in what could signal a breakthrough in attempts to bring the East African nation back on track toward a democratic transition.

The meeting held late Thursday in the capital, Khartoum, brought the Forces for the Declaration of Freedom and Change  an alliance of political parties and protest groups  together with representatives of the countrys ruling military council.

The talks focused on resolving the current political impasse and were mediated by the Saudi Embassy and the U.S. delegation in Sudan, the embassy said in a statement.

We thank the participants for their frank & constructive participation and for their willingness to end the political crisis & to build a peaceful, just and democratic Sudan, it said.

Since the military took over in October, the same pro-democracy group has refused to sit with the generals at the negotiating table, insisting they should first transfer power to a civilian government, return to the barracks, end violence against protesters and release all detainees.

The pro-democratic alliance said that it had received an invitation from U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Mary Catherine Phee and Saudi Ambassador Ali bin Hassan Jaafar to meet directly with the generals, according to and FDFC statement.

We are keen to have two of the most influential countries in the region and the world remain supportive of the Sudanese people and the pro-democracy forces, said a statement by the alliance, referring to Saudi Arabia and the U.S.

The meeting, held in the Khartoum residence of the Saudi ambassador was attended by four of the alliances leaders and three top military generals, including deputy head of Sudans ruling Sovereign Council, Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, as well as Lt. Gen. Shams el-Din Kabashin and Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Gaber.

The other party acknowledged that there is a political crisis and said they are willing to solve it, said pro-democracy leader Taha Othman, who attended the talks in reference to the military.

They affirmed that they had the sincere will to end the coup, added Othman.

The group said that it had agreed to lay out a roadmap in consultation with other civilian groups that would include clear steps on how to reverse the political coup. This blueprint will be handed over to the international community, alliance leaders said at a news conference held on Friday.

There has been no immediate comment from the military.

The Forces for the Declaration of Freedom and Change had previously boycotted military-civilian talks that kicked off earlier this week under the auspices of the U.N. political mission in Sudan, the African Union, and the eight-nation east African regional Intergovernmental Authority in Development group. It had criticized the participation of pro-military groups and Islamists who had been allied with the former regime of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir.

In April 2019, a popular uprising pushed the military to remove al-Bashir after nearly three decades of repression and international isolation. Eventually, the military and pro-democracy groups signed a power-sharing agreement that instated a joint military-civilian government that was supposed to rule until general elections be held. However, the Oct. 25 military takeover dealt a blow to the countrys democratic transition and plunged the nation into turmoil.

We did not go to these talks to instate a new partnership with the military. We went to put an end to any partnership, said Yasir Arman from the pro-democracy alliance who participated in the talks.

We believe this is an opportunity to end the coup and ensure a safe exit for both the military and the people towards democracy, justice and a new society, he added.
LOS ANGELES  President Joe Biden and other Western Hemisphere leaders are set to announce on Friday what is being billed as a roadmap for countries to host large numbers of migrants and refugees.

"The Los Angeles Declaration" is perhaps the biggest achievement of the Summit of the Americas, which was undercut by differences over Biden's invitation list. Leaders of Mexico and several Central American countries sent top diplomats instead after the U.S. excluded Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela.

A set of principles announced on the summit's final day includes legal pathways to enter countries, aid to communities most affected by migration, humane border management and coordinated emergency responses.

"The Declaration seeks to mobilize the entire region around bold actions that will transform our approach to managing migration in the Americas," the White House said in a "fact sheet."

The White House highlighted measures that were recently announced and some new commitments. Costa Rica will extend protections for Cubans, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans who arrived before March 2020. Mexico will add temporary worker visas for up to 20,000 Guatemalans a year.

The United States is committing $314 million to assist countries hosting refugees and migrants, and is resuming or expanding efforts to reunite Haitian and Cuban families. Belize will "regularize" Central American and Caribbean migrants in the country.

It is a blueprint already being followed to a large extent by Colombia and Ecuador, whose right-leaning leaders were saluted at the summit for giving temporary legal status to many of the 6 million people who have left Venezuela in recent years.

President Guillermo Lasso of Ecuador last week announced temporary status for Venezuelans in his country, estimated to be around 500,000. He said at a panel discussion Tuesday that his country was paying back the generosity of Spain and the United States for welcoming large numbers of Ecuadoreans who fled more than two decades ago.

President Ivan Duque of Colombia got standing ovations at an appearance Thursday for describing how his government has granted temporary status to 1 million Venezuelans in the last 14 months and is processing another 800,000 applications.

"We did it out of conviction," Duque told The Associated Press, saying he couldn't be indifferent to Venezuelans who lost their homes and livelihoods and was prepared to suffer in approval ratings.

"They were invisible (in Colombia)," he said. "They couldn't open bank accounts, they couldn't work, they couldn't get health care. They were practically a community with no future."

While the measures are not universally popular  Duque's vice president, Marta Lucia Ramirez has said Colombia has reached its limit and Ecuadoreans notice when a Venezuelan commits a high-profile crime  Venezuelans have generally assimilated without major backlash.

"The two most dangerous phenomena are xenophobia and indifference, and I believe we have managed to conquer both (in Colombia)," Duque said.

The United States has been the most popular destination for asylum-seekers since 2017, posing a challenge that has stumped Biden and his immediate predecessors, Donald Trump and Barack Obama.

But the U.S. is far from alone. Colombia and neighboring South American countries host millions of people who have fled Venezuela. Mexico fielded more than 130,000 asylum applications last year, many of them Haitians, which was triple from 2020. Many Nicaraguans escape to Costa Rica, while displaced Venezuelans account for about one-sixth the population of tiny Aruba.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Thursday that the summit declaration acknowledged migration's regional dimensions. He and other U.S. officials applauded efforts of Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Panama, among others, for accepting migrants and refugees, and noted that the U.S. has granted refuge from natural disasters and civil strife to hundreds of thousands of Salvadorans, Haitians, Venezuelans and others under what is known as Temporary Protected Status.

"It's a hemispheric challenge," Mayorkas said.

The responses of Colombia and Ecuador cannot be replicated, said Jose Samaniego, the U.N. refugee agency's regional director for the Americas. Each country is different, and migration from Central America is more complicated than Venezuela.

"You don't want to copy and paste," he said, "but there are good practices."

Ronal Rodriguez, a researcher at University of Rosario in Colombia, said some Venezuelans have faced problems with bank or commercial transactions despite having legal status and that much will depend on who voters select in June 19 elections to succeed Duque, who is limited to a single term.

___

Associated Press writers Astrid Suarez in Bogota, Colombia, and Gonzalo Solano in Quito, Ecuador, contributed.
BEIJING  A Chinese air force fighter jet crashed into houses during a training mission in central China, killing one person on the ground and injuring two others, state media said.

The report was unusual because China generally keeps military accidents under wraps or emphasizes the heroic role of the pilot in avoiding casualties on the ground. Foreign governments have recently complained of reckless flying by Chinese fighter jets they said endangered crews on their own military surveillance planes.

The Peoples Daily reported Thursday that the J-7 aircraft went down near an airport in Xiangyang in Hubei province. The pilot ejected safely but some residential buildings were damaged, the report said.

It did not say when the crash occurred. The pilot and those injured were taken to a hospital, and the cause of the crash is under investigation.

The J-7 is an older model, single-engine aircraft with its origins in the Soviet MiG-21 dating from the 1950s and was produced for almost 50 years until production ended in 2013.

Large numbers remain in service, however, to provide regional air protection. China also sold an export version, the F-7, to more than a dozen countries, many of which have since retired the planes.

China's civil aviation industry has come under scrutiny in recent months following the still-unexplained crash of a China Eastern Airlines passenger jet on March 21 in which all 132 people on board were killed.

And on May 12, a Tibet Airlines flight with 122 people on board was departing from the southwestern city of Chongqing when it veered off the runway and caught fire. No one was killed, but several passengers sustained minor injuries.

Australia and Canada have recently raised concerns about reckless flying by Chinese fighter pilots.

In a June 1 statement, the Canadian military said Chinese planes tried to divert a Canadian long-range patrol aircraft from its path, and that the crew had to change direction quickly to avoid a collision.

Australia said a Chinese fighter jet on May 26 committed a dangerous act of aggression against an Australian air force plane conducting aerial surveillance in the South China Sea.

The Chinese J-16 accelerated and cut in front of the Australian plane, releasing chaff with small bits of aluminum designed to confuse radars that was sucked into the latters engine, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said.

China has defended the actions of its pilots and blamed foreign countries for conducting close-in surveillance of its territory to contain Chinese development.
CANBERRA, Australia  Australia's prime minister said Friday after a meeting with his New Zealand counterpart that the two nations are in lockstep in their policies toward the Pacific islands, where China's influence is growing.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern became the first foreign leader to visit Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Australia since he was elected on May 21. Both lead center-left administrations and Ardern described the Albanese Labor Party's election after almost a decade in opposition as a reset in the bilateral relationship.

Australia, New Zealand and the United States have voiced concerns that a new Beijing security pact with the Solomon Islands could result in a Chinese military base being established there. The Solomons and China have both denied that that will happen.

Asked if Australia wants New Zealand to do more to counter China's rise in the Pacific, Albanese told reporters in Sydney: "We're in lockstep on the Pacific."

"I look forward to working with Prime Minister Ardern, working with our democratic neighbors," Albanese said.

Albanese and his Foreign Minister Penny Wong flew to Tokyo within hours of being sworn into office for a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the regional security threat posed by China.

Wong then flew from Japan to the Pacific islands for meetings with government leaders while China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi also embarked on a Pacific tour.

Wang failed in a bold Chinese plan to get 10 Pacific nations to endorse a sweeping new agreement that would have covered everything from security to fisheries. But he succeeded in clinching several bilateral agreements.

Ardern said many countries had chosen to continue economic relationships with China rather than sign security agreements.

"Let's hear from the Pacific on these issues," Ardern said.

Albanese said Australia, the biggest foreign aid donor in the region, was being taken seriously by its neighbors since his administration promised greater action on greenhouse gas emissions. Many of the low-lying Pacific islands consider climate change their most pressing and existential threat.

The previous government had committed to reducing Australia's emissions by 26% to 28% below 2005 levels by 2030. Albanese's government has promised a 43% reduction.

New Zealand was heartened by Australia's greater ambition, Ardern said. New Zealand's target by the end of the decade is 30%.

"The Pacific region has listed climate change as its number one threat," Ardern said. "I know with regards to New Zealand we have a lot more to do, but we welcome being joined on that journey by Australia."
An organization is providing a concierge service for military families during their moves to new duty stations at no cost to them.

Military No Stress PCS, founded in 2021 by Rob Schelle of Tampa, Fla., helps the newcomers find real estate agents, schools, utilities and other services and basic needs. It has expanded into a network of concierges at 87 stateside and 12 overseas bases.

I worked in the hospitality industry for over 30 years and decided during COVID to take a more active role at home and assist my wife in the real estate world, Schelle, president of the organization based in Valrico, Fla., recently told Stars and Stripes by video chat.

One of the things Ive noticed early on, since we are so close to MacDill Air Force Base, was quite a few of her clients both coming and going were military families, he said.

Sixty-eight real estate agents who volunteer their time make up the nonprofit network.

Part of the attraction to get Realtors to sign onto this is that we assign them a particular base or area and they are exclusive to it, Schelle said.

The organization has so far assisted several hundred individuals by connecting them to resources and specialists they need.

If we are actively involved with finding them a home and doing the research for that, were looking at about 10 [people] per week, Schelle said.

Military families moving to a new duty station frequently start over in a place where theyve never been. Some are in need of child care, a job for a spouse or are incurring moving expenses not eligible for a government reimbursement.

What we are doing is taking that load off their shoulders so that theyre not wasting their time on Google and doing those things themselves, because they have more important things to do during this overwhelming process, Schelle said.

Almost half of all military families are financially stressed a significantly higher proportion than the general population, according to Blue Star Families most recent Military Family Lifestyle survey.

There are a ton of concierge programs like ours out there that are available, but almost all of them charge a price, Schelle said. My goal is to always provide this service free of charge to the men and women who serve this country.

Donations have so far covered the organizations expenses, Schelle said, but he is hoping to qualify for some grants.

About 600,000 families with a military connection will make a permanent change of station, or PCS, every year, according to the Blue Star Families website.

We want to help reduce PCS stress by doing PCS research for active-duty families, Erin Lorenz, the Military No Stress PCS program coordinator, told Stars and Stripes by email on May 3.

Our concierge service basics: they tell us what theyre looking for, whether thats information on homes, neighborhoods, schools, commute times, community involvement, local services, etc., and then we do the research and give them our highest recommendations!

Lorenz, a Navy spouse living in Annandale, Va., said she can find resources or answers to questions fairly quickly and then send a quick text or email response to the military family.

When they pick up the phone or tap that email, theyre just hoping to have some sense of calm come over them whether its a simple answer to a question or someone pointing them in a direction to a resource that they will need and sometimes its just affirmation that they are doing the right thing, Schelle said.
NAHA, Okinawa  A Japanese court on Friday sentenced a U.S. airman to three years in prison at hard labor and a $5,965 fine for attempting to smuggle cannabis into the country by mail.

Tech. Sgt. Jason Allen, 35, was indicted March 23 on a charge of violating Japans Cannabis Control Act and Customs Law, a spokeswoman for Naha District Public Prosecutors Office told Stars and Stripes by phone Monday.

Naha District Court this year has handed out several suspended sentences to Americans convicted of similar offenses. But Judge Tetsuro Sato, who sentenced Allen, said a suspended sentence is inappropriate in this case because he played an important role in arranging to have the package sent. Allen has 14 days to appeal.

Allen acted for the purpose of profit, but his attempt was unsuccessful, the prosecutors spokeswoman said. Some government officials in Japan customarily speak to the media on condition of anonymity.

Customs officers at Kadena Air Base intercepted the parcel Aug. 2 and found about 2 pounds of dried cannabis inside, according to the indictment. The parcel was sent from Oregon by an unidentified individual and arrived at Kadena on July 30.

Allen is assigned to Kadenas 18 Civil Engineer Squadron, according to a statement from the 18th Wing to Stars and Stripes on Friday.

So far this year, four Marines were given suspended sentences in Naha District Court for unrelated but similar offenses involving lesser amounts of cannabis.

Lance Cpl. Victor Valdez, 20, received a three-year suspended sentence on May 9 for violating Japans Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act and Customs Law.

Cpl. Deshane Fox, 26, and Lance Cpl. Alfred Johnson, 25, received three-year suspended sentences on March 8 for importing cannabis by mail and selling it to fellow service members.

Lance Cpl. Scott Drebsky, 21, received a 2  year suspended sentence on Feb. 28 after pleading guilty to violating the control act.

A fifth Marine, Cpl. Nicholas Garner, received two years in prison with hard labor and a $4,344 fine.

Stars and Stripes reporter Frank Andrews contributed to this report.
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.
ANKARA, Turkey  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.
BERLIN  A $107 billion fund to strengthen the German military cleared its final legislative hurdle on Friday, winning approval from parliaments upper house.

The decision clears the way for the government to move ahead with a massive procurement drive that Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Parliaments upper house, which represents Germanys 16 state governments, signed off on the plan a week after the lower house gave its blessing. Scholzs governing coalition held lengthy negotiations with the main opposition Union bloc to secure wide backing ahead of the votes.

Scholz announced the fund on Feb. 27, three days after Russia invaded Ukraine, and said that Germany would now spend over 2% of its gross domestic product on defense  a NATO target on which it has long lagged. The government and the opposition agreed that defense spending would meet the 2% target on a multi-year average, with help from the special fund.

Officials acknowledge that the German military, the Bundeswehr, has for years suffered from neglect and in particular from aging, poorly functioning equipment.

Among other things on the shopping list, the defense ministry says it will buy 60 Chinook CH-47F transport helicopters, made by Boeing. The government also wants to buy up to 35 Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets to replace aging Tornado aircraft.
PRISTINA, Kosovo  Serbia and Kosovo must recognize each other in order to join the European Union, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Friday said as he expressed support for quicker integration of the Western Balkans into the bloc amid the war in Ukraine.

Scholz, on a visit to the Western Balkans, also pressed Serbia to join Western sanctions against Russia despite its historic and current ties to Moscow, which supplies most of Serbia's energy needs.

"It is important that we all together show solidarity and help Ukraine defend against the aggression," Scholz said during a joint press conference with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in Belgrade. "It is our expectation that these sanctions must be supported by all those who are candidates for EU membership."

Vucic said Scholz requested in a "decisive, clear and strict" way that Serbia join the sanctions.

While Serbia is formally a candidate for EU membership, it has maintained friendly ties with its fellow Slavic ally Russia despite the war. Russia has backed Serbia's effort to retain claim on Kosovo, a former Serbian province that declared independence in 2008 with Western backing.

Earlier Friday in Kosovo's capital of Pristina, Scholz called for a clear commitment to reaching a lasting political solution to the long-standing dispute over Kosovo's independence that has remained a source of tensions in the Balkans.

Scholz said Russia's war in Ukraine made the region's stability even more important. Kosovo and Serbia have held normalization talks facilitated by the EU for years, but the talks have had little impact.

"It is clear that an agreement must ultimately also clear up the question of the recognition of Kosovo, because it is not conceivable that two countries that don't recognize each other become members of the EU," Scholz said in Pristina.

Later in Belgrade, Scholz added that "our view on the Kosovo question isn't new. It's been known for a long time."

But Vucic said Scholz's remarks on mutual recognition was "the first time that we hear" this was a condition for EU membership, and that Serbia must consider what to do next.

"We have never heard from anyone in Europe that they are asking for mutual recognition," he said, adding defiantly that "as much as you like (the territorial) integrity of Ukraine, that much we love Serbia's (territorial integrity)."

Kosovo, a former province of Serbia, declared independence a decade after a brutal 1998-1999 war between separatist ethnic Albanian rebels and Serb forces. The war ended after a 78-day NATO air campaign that drove Serb troops out.

Most Western nations have recognized Kosovo's sovereignty, but Serbia and its allies Russia and China do not.

The six Western Balkan countries are at different stages of their EU membership aspirations. Serbia and Montenegro have started full negotiations, while Albania and North Macedonia have faced delays in the EU launching their talks. Kosovo and Bosnia are in the early stages of the membership process.

Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti earlier said the country would apply for EU candidacy status, which Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia have done. Kurti described joining the EU as "the only future."

Scholz next flew to Greece, where he attended a dinner following a meeting of southeastern European leaders hosted by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in the northern city of Thessaloniki. He was later due to travel to North Macedonia and Bulgaria.

Mitsotakis called for an "active commitment" from the EU that the Western Balkans' accession bids will be accelerated.

"I ... propose 2033 as the target date for all the countries (of the Western Balkans) to enter the EU," he said. "It's an ambitious target but I think it can be realistic if the idea of expansion returns to the union's core values."

In Tallinn, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer urged Friday that Western Balkan countries seeking EU membership should not be forgotten as Ukraine knocks at the EU door.

"We must give these states the same chance as Ukraine. They need this just as urgently and have been waiting for decades in some cases," Nehammer said.

European leaders are expected to consider Ukraine's bid for EU candidate status at the end of June.

-

Semini reported from Tirana, Albania; Geir Moulson in Berlin, Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen and Philip-Moritz Jenne in Vienna contributed. Jovana Gec contributed from Belgrade, Serbia, and Nicholas Paphitis from Athens, Greece.
An American service member based in Stuttgart, Germany, has been diagnosed with monkeypox, a spokesman for U.S. European Command confirmed to Stars and Stripes on Friday.

Lt. Cmdr. Russ Wolfkiel said he could not confirm the service members gender or say when the positive test occurred. He added that the risk to the public is very low.

The individual was seen and treated at the Stuttgart Army Health clinic and is currently in isolation recovering in their quarters, the Armys health clinic at Stuttgart stated on its Facebook page Friday afternoon.

Wolfkiel clarified that the service member is in isolation at an on-base residence.

As a precautionary measure, officials are doing contact tracing for clinic staffers who interacted with the patient and notifying anyone with whom the service member may have been in close contact with recently, Wolfkiel said.

The patient was infected with the West African variant, which is generally mild and has limited human-to-human transmission, according to the health clinic statement.

CNN first reported the Stuttgart case, which is believed to be the first one in the U.S. military. However, EUCOM could not confirm that Friday.

Since early May, about 900 confirmed cases of monkeypox have been reported across 21 European countries, according to information from the Armys Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.

In a Facebook post Friday, the hospital advised measures people can take to prevent infection: practice safe sex and good hand hygiene, and dont touch lesions suspected to be monkeypox or anything thats come into direct contact with such lesions.

People who come into close contact with someone confirmed to have monkeypox should notify their medical provider and self-monitor for symptoms for 21 days after the last close contact, according to the hospital.
Ukraine is losing between 100 and 200 fighters daily on the battlefield as a Russian barrage pummels the countrys east, according to an aide to President Volodymyr Zelensky. About 10,000 civilians are trapped in the eastern city of Severodonetsk, the latest focus of the Kremlins offensive, while Russian forces are also moving toward Slovyansk and Kramatorsk, where the boom of artillery shook the two towns.

The Russian forces have thrown pretty much everything non-nuclear at the front and that includes heavy artillery, multiple rocket launch systems and aviation, Mykhailo Podolyak, a senior adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, told the BBC Thursday.

Podolyaks estimates are greater than officials have previously reported. Last week, Zelensky said Ukraines daily losses amounted to as many as 100 soldiers killed and 500 injured.

Being largely outmanned and outgunned is leading to Ukraines high casualty rate, Podolyak said, as he made an appeal for the West to provide more weapons.

Our demands for artillery are not just some kind of whim  but an objective need when it comes to the situation on the battlefield, he told the BBC. Ukraine, he added, needs up to 300 rocket launch systems to match Russias capabilities.

On Friday, a British lawmaker said that two captured Britons who had been fighting against Russia and were sentenced to death by separatists in Ukraine were essentially used as hostages, calling for their release in a prisoner swap.

A tribunal in the Russian-backed, separatist Donetsk region sentenced the two British nationals and a Moroccan man to death, Russian state media said Thursday. Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner of Britain and Brahim Saadoune of Morocco were charged as working as foreign mercenaries by a court that is not internationally recognized in the self-declared breakaway region.

The families of Aslin and Pinner have said they had lived in Ukraine for years and officially fought alongside the Ukrainian military, while Saadoune reportedly had arrived in Ukraine as a student.

These are not mercenaries, Robert Jenrick, a British lawmaker who represents the constituency of Aslins family, told the BBC on Friday. They joined to serve in the Ukrainian armed forces, were captured and should be treated as prisoners of war, he said. Instead, theyve been put on this show trial.

Jenrick called on the British foreign secretary to raise the case with the Russian ambassador, while adding that any negotiations for a prisoner exchange would primarily happen between Kyiv and Moscow. I hope a prisoner swap can be negotiated quickly, he said.

Also Friday, a Moscow-backed separatist enclave in Luhansk declared it will start sending grain to Russia via rail, amid the Kremlins blockade of Ukrainian crop exports that threatens to disrupt global food security.

More than 3,000 tons of grain will be shipped out of the eastern region after Russian forces liberated a slew of grain elevators, Yuri Pronko, the agriculture minister of the self-declared Luhansk Peoples Republic, said Thursday, according to Russian state-owned news agency Tass.

Since March, Ukraine has accused Moscows forces of stealing vast stores of grain and exporting them to Russia. On Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said credible reports showed that Russia is both pilfering Ukraines grain exports to sell for its own profit and hoarding its food exports - two actions that have led to a sharp increase in global grain prices and looming shortages across Africa and the Middle East.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Thursday for Russia to be excluded from the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization.

There cannot be even a question of Russias continued membership in the FAO, Zelensky said. What is there for Russia to do if its working for starvation of at least 400 million people and, at most, a billion people?

Russia also threatened that the continuation of cyberattacks against government websites and state-run media could escalate to direct military combat.

Andrei Krutskikh, the Foreign Ministrys top cyber expert, accused the United States and Ukraine of coordinating attacks against Russias information infrastructure, warning that by doing so they were deliberately lowering the threshold for the combat use of cyberweapons.

The militarization of the information space by the West and attempts to turn it into an arena of interstate confrontation have greatly increased the threat of a direct military clash with unpredictable consequences, Krutskikh said in response to a question from a journalist.

Since the war broke out, part of the conflict has spilled into the digital realm and both Ukraine and Russia have suffered losses. Ukraines government has endorsed the efforts of volunteer hackers opposed to Moscow, and it is assumed that Ukrainian government hackers have also focused on Russian targets. Meanwhile, the White House in February denied reports that it had been presented with different options of cyberattacks against Russia, Reuters reported.

In May, the Biden administration accused Russia of directing malicious cyber activity against Ukraine, including an attack on a commercial satellite communications network.

Russia has also faced a slew of security breaches. Throughout its invasion of Ukraine, hackers have plundered the countrys personal financial data, defaced websites and handed decades of government emails to anti-secrecy activists abroad, The Washington Post previously reported.

On Monday, state-owned news agency RIA reported that the website for the countrys Ministry of Construction, Housing and Utilities had been targeted - with a sign reading Glory to Ukraine popping up when searching for the site. Two days later, the Ukrainian anthem played from a Russian radio station after it was hacked, RBK media group posted on Telegram.

Rest assured, Russia will not leave aggressive actions unanswered, Krutskikh said. All our steps will have a measured, targeted character, in accordance with our legislation and international law.

Also Friday, Britains Defense Ministry warned that the battered port city of Mariupol is at risk of a major cholera outbreak, noting that isolated cases of the disease have been reported there since May. This echoes a World Health Organization warning in May.

Medical services in Mariupol are likely already near collapse: a major cholera outbreak in Mariupol will exacerbate this further, the ministry said in an intelligence update. It also pointed out Russias struggles to provide basic public services in territories it occupies, including access to safe drinking water.

The southeastern city was a focal point of the Russian campaign since the early days of the invasion. By late May, after weeks of bombardment, Mariupol came under Moscows full control - granting Russia a key port and a land bridge to Crimea, the peninsula it annexed in 2014.

The heavy fighting resulted in rotting garbage and corpses that have contaminated its drinking water, Mariupol mayoral aide Petro Andryushchenko said Tuesday - leaving thousands of people in the city at risk of dying from dysentery and cholera.

In the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia, Rafael Mariano Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Thursday expressed grave concern about a nuclear power plant. He said the situation is untenable as Ukrainian managers are operating the plant under extremely stressful and challenging conditions.

Ellen Francis reports from London. The Washington Posts Amar Nadhir and Reis Thebault contributed to this report.
An international human rights group accuses Afghanistans Taliban government of unlawfully detaining civilians and torturing them for information about opposition fighters.

A report issued by Human Rights Watch says the unlawful arrests are part of a military campaign against an anti-Taliban group in the province of Panjshir, a few hours north of the capital city of Kabul.

Taliban forces in Panjshir province have quickly resorted to beating civilians in their response to fighting against the opposition National Resistance Front, said Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

The resistance group includes fighters from Panjshir, a mountainous province that was the last to fall to the Taliban in 2021, and is led by Ahmad Massoud, whose father was the late anti-Taliban commander Ahmad Shah Massoud.

Fighting in Panjshir has escalated since last month as the National Resistance Front attacked Taliban units and checkpoints. In response, the Taliban started targeted searches in communities they say support the group, the Human Rights Watch report said.

A spokesman for the Taliban government did not respond to a Stars and Stripes instant message request for information.

Despite the deployment of thousands of troops to the area, Taliban officials say no fighting is occurring there, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.

Spokesmen for the militant group, which toppled the U.S.-backed government in a lightning offensive as U.S. forces withdrew last summer, say the Taliban have brought peace to the country.

But Panjshir residents said that dozens of people have been killed and that assaults on Taliban positions were a regular occurrence, The Washington Post reported.

Fridays Human Rights Watch report was based on interviews with several former detainees and a source with direct information about Taliban detentions.

Former detainees told Human Rights Watch that the Taliban had jailed about 80 residents in Panjshirs Khenj district, denied them access to lawyers and beat them to compel them to provide information about the National Resistance Front, the report said.

Government agents continue to detain 10 people whose relatives they say are members of the resistance group, according to the report.

The Taliban claim to have formed a commission to purge people of bad character from their ranks.

However, Human Rights Watch said in its report that there is no indication of accountability for the Taliban forces accused of torturing civilians.

The Talibans longstanding failure to punish those responsible for serious abuses in their ranks puts more civilians at risk, Gossman said.
WASHINGTON  Service members stationed in Alaska could receive special pay for cold-weather operations, allowances for internet access, and travel and other benefits under legislation that lawmakers hope will reverse a worrying trend of soldier suicides.

Alaska became the epicenter of the militarys suicide crisis after deaths on its remote installations doubled between 2020 and 2021, claiming at least 11 lives last year with another six under investigation. The states senators, Republicans Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, as well as Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., are pushing for Alaska-specific measures in the Pentagon's fiscal 2023 budget bill to address the distinct financial and environmental hardships faced by service members in the state.

It's no secret that training and living in the Arctic can at times present challenges relative to other duty stations, Sullivan said in a statement. As a Marine, I have witnessed firsthand the training and toughness required of our military in Alaska. Our legislation aims to provide better access to the resources and support Alaska's service members and their families deserve in order to thrive in our unique environment."

Several provisions aim to alleviate financial strain, which is often a contributor to suicidal ideation, in a state where the cost of living is high.

A new initiative called Arctic Pay  similar to dive pay or jump pay  would give service members who are assigned to cold-weather operations an extra $300 per month. Junior service members would receive an allowance for internet costs that can reach $180 per month as well as a travel allowance for one trip home per three-year tour, according to the legislation.

Another measure would launch a car-sharing system to combat the isolation that many service members experience due to a lack of transportation options in the sprawling and often snow-covered state. The program would allow service members who own cars to collect additional income for expensive maintenance costs, lawmakers said.

Lawmakers are also seeking to create a pilot program for the safe storage of personally owned firearms, giving service members at five military installations the option to store or lock their guns safely when not using them. Suicidal thoughts can begin and recede within seconds and removing access to deadly weapons is the most immediately effective way to prevent suicide, according to the lawmakers who cited behavioral health experts.

Beyond the unique stressors of Alaska, lawmakers are looking to drastically improve access to mental health services across the military. Wait times for appointments vary widely and can stretch into weeks or months.

Pentagon officials told senators during a hearing in April that service members with an acute mental health problem are seen in a clinic or hospital within 24 hours while those seeking nonemergency visits wait about 28 days. But lawmakers say soldiers in Alaska routinely wait one or two months for one-on-one treatment with a clinician and have monthly instead of weekly follow-up appointments.

The high cost of living, extreme weather, and crushing isolation from family and friends at home is particularly challenging for soldiers in Alaska, Speier said in a statement. Worse yet, when they need help the most they face monthslong waits before they can meet with a behavioral health clinician. This national tragedy must end.

The Navys top enlisted leader told lawmakers last month that sailors on the precipice of suicide wait an average of five weeks for an appointment. Russell Smith, master chief petty officer of the Navy, testified before House members following a spate of suicides among sailors assigned to the USS George Washington.

Speier led the passage Wednesday of a draft of the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act that would increase the number of behavioral health providers through new training programs and financial incentives. The military needs an additional 1,000 providers to meet the need for help from service members, according to a 2022 report by the Defense Department.

The Senate Armed Services Committee, of which Sullivan is a member, will roll out its proposals for the annual funding and policy bill next week.
U.S. and Chinese defense officials said they planned further talks after Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his counterpart sparred over Taiwan and other regional security issues for almost an hour.

Both sides emerged from the first in-person encounter between Austin and Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe on Friday in Singapore citing plans for additional discussions. A Chinese military spokesman described the meeting as a start toward resuming a normal dialogue, although a senior U.S. defense official said no date for follow-up meetings had been set.

The two defense chiefs tussled over Taiwan, which the U.S. official said consumed a bulk of the meeting on the sidelines of Asias biggest security conference, the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue. Wei condemned the latest American move to sell arms to the democratically run island, Wu Qian, the Chinese defense spokesman, told reporters.

General Wei emphasized that, should someone split Taiwan from China, then the PLA will have no choice but to fight at any cost and crush any attempt at Taiwan independence, Wu said.

The worlds two largest economies have clashed over a range of strategic flash points from Taiwans status to what Washington says is Beijings tacit support for Russias war in Ukraine. Biden officials have repeatedly stressed the need for guardrails to prevent these tensions from getting out of hand.

Austin reiterated U.S. opposition to any decision by China to provide support for Russia in the conflict, something China denies doing. Nonetheless, Wu described the discussions as a strategic conversation conducted in a candid, positive and constructive manner.

Austin used the meeting with his China counterpart to renew calls for more measures to keep future crises from escalating into conflict. China has so far resisted calls by the Biden administration for more robust communication between military commanders to minimize the risk of miscalculation.

Secretary Austin discussed the need to responsibly manage competition and maintain open lines of communication, the U.S. side said in a statement. The secretary underscored the importance of the Peoples Liberation Army engaging in substantive dialogue on improving communications during crises and reducing strategic risk.

Austin reaffirmed the U.S.s commitment to its one China policy and called on the PRC to refrain from further destabilizing actions toward Taiwan, according to the readout.

The senior U.S. defense official said before the meeting that Chinas behavior at home and abroad has left it more isolated in the region. The official said that the example of Ukraine looms large in Asia, demonstrating the risks of disorder and disputes over spheres of influence.
WASHINGTON  Veterans who are not American citizens and are detained by law enforcement officials will now have their U.S. military service considered before they are deported, according to a new directive from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.

"ICE values the incredible contributions of noncitizens who have served in the U.S. military," ICE Acting Director Tae D. Johnson said. "Through this directive, ICE will consider U.S. military service by a noncitizen or their immediate family members when determining whether to take civil immigration enforcement decisions against a noncitizen."

ICE and U.S. Border Patrol officials must now ask a noncitizen whether they have served in the U.S. military, including the National Guard and Reserve, or whether they have immediate family members who have served before deciding whether they should detain, deport or release that person.

ICE officials are required to consider a veterans employment history, health, community service, deployments to war zones, military decorations, and years in service. However, a 2019 report by the Government Accountability Office found ICE didn't follow those policies. Department of Homeland Security agents told the GAO that they were unaware of the policies and didn't distinguish between veterans and nonveterans. Thus, ICE did not track how many veterans were deported or whether their military service was considered before being deported. ICE is a federal law enforcement agency within the Department of Homeland Security.

ICE officials said the new directive would establish the practice as an official agency policy and improve its training, tracking and reporting requirements. ICE also will be required to develop and carry out a data system to keep track of noncitizen service members and veterans while respecting their civil liberties and privacy interests.

"We are pleased that ICE has formalized its policy to consider military service prior to taking civil immigration enforcement actions, and that the policy applies to immediate family members as well," said Mario Marquez, director of national security division of The American Legion. "However, the lack of consideration given to veterans in the past has contributed to the unnecessary deportation of many immigrant veterans.

The policy is part of a joint initiative by the departments of Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs and Defense launched last July. The Immigrant Military Members and Veterans Initiative supports noncitizen U.S. service members, veterans and their immediate family members.

For the VA's part, the agency works with Homeland Security and others to identify deported veterans and assist them with the benefits that they might be eligible to receive.

One of the initiative's primary focuses is recognizing a noncitizen's military service and tracking the outcomes of all military-associated cases, according to Debra Rogers, director of the Immigrant Military Members and Veterans Initiative. Rogers was set to testify in May before a House subcommittee hearing on immigration and citizenship, but the hearing was postponed.

Rogers also said Homeland Security began reviewing its policies regarding individuals associated with the military last August.

Last year, the VA and Homeland Security organized vaccination clinics at San Ysidro, Calif., and the Bridge of the Americas Port of Entry in El Paso, Texas, to vaccinate deported veterans, their families and caregivers.

In February, the VA, Defense Department and Homeland Security launched two online resources through the Immigrant Military Members and Veterans Initiative. One is a one-stop resource center that consolidates resources and forms from Homeland Security, the VA, Defense Department, and other agencies for noncitizen service members or veterans and their families.

The other resource is a portal on Homeland Security's website that allows deported veterans to contact the agency for help with their questions or issues regarding their return to the U.S. or VA benefits.

Marquez said The American Legion is working with Congress to codify policies and programs such as the joint initiative to provide long-term support to immigrant veterans and their families.

"The American Legion applauds the joint initiative to support noncitizen service members, veterans, and their families since ready access to information about resources and their hard-earned benefits is critical," Marquez said. "We have been in touch with VA and look forward to seeing this new initiative reach all veterans in need of such assistance."
A unique collaboration of New Zealand researchers have found the answers to fix the distinct New Zealand construction threat of earthquake-prone precast concrete hollow-core floors.

The seismic issues around hollow-core floors are not new but were brought into the spotlight by the damage caused in the Wellington CBD by the Kaikoura earthquake, says Nicholas Brooke, coordinator of the ReCast Project.

The ReCast Project has spent the last four years testing and verifying retrofit solutions to strengthen buildings with precast floors, which have been widely used in New Zealand construction since the mid-1980s.

Thee project team, led by experts from the Universities of Canterbury and Auckland and supported by funding from the Earthquake Commission, BRANZ and Concrete NZ, will publish its findings in the Structural Engineering Society NZ (SESOC) journal to provide guidance for engineers and building owners considering retrofit options for existing buildings.

We focused on the least complex and most affordable retrofit solutions, tested them, verified them and developed design guidance for the different technologies, says Nicholas.

Examples of some of the retrofit options for precast concrete floors as they are earthquake-tested at the University of Canterbury. Photo: Supplied.

EQC Chief Resilience and Research Officer, Dr Jo Horrocks, says that the Recast Project strikes at the heart of EQCs vision of investing in research that will strengthen buildings and protect people.

Precast hollow-core floors have been recognised as a seismic risk for many years and EQC has been eager to support any research that will tackle this issue, says Dr Horrocks.

This research is incredibly valuable and detailed and we hope it will give engineers and building owners, especially in the Wellington area, the confidence to start repairing a building instead of demolishing them. Many owners may have been holding off investing in repairs, in fear of having to do more repairs later, but now they can be confident a retrofit will work.

New Zealand has suffered devastating impacts from earthquakes over the past 11 years, but from that trauma we have learned a huge amount and developed world-leading science and engineering solutions.

We will continue to fund excellent research like this, because we know it saves lives and protects property  its all part of our role to help New Zealand to be better prepared for the next earthquake, says Dr Horrocks.

Nicholas Brooke explains that precast concrete hollow-core floors have been a favourite option for New Zealand construction industry and developers since the mid-1980s and cover about 1.5 square kilometres of buildings floors around the country.

The rest of the world was not so excited about hollow-core floors, so this is really a distinct New Zealand issue, says Brooke, who explains that the weakness of the system was exposed in the 1994 Northridge earthquake in North America where buildings with hollow-core floors were severely damaged.

Professor Des Bull at the University of Canterbury was concerned about the New Zealand context and thanks to EQC funding spent nearly two decades investigating hollow-core floors before developing guidance on their assessment with Professor Richard Fenwick.

Unfortunately, they published their findings shortly before the Darfield earthquake and their findings were a bit lost in the chaos of those earthquakes, says Brooke, who adds the subject did not receive sufficient industry attention until the damage caused by the Kaikoura earthquake galvanised authorities and researchers into action.

The ReCast Project was launched with the universities in Canterbury and Auckland dedicating four PhD students and a Masters students for four years.

It was truly a unique collaboration with PhD students from Canterbury working in the Auckland lab and vice versa, which we believe had not happened previously to anything like the same extent, says Brooke.

The result is the largest SESOC journal with 11 articles and over 200 pages of design guidance for seismic engineers.

It is the culmination of 25 years of research, building on the work of Des Bull and funding by EQC, that will be hugely valuable to seismic engineers in New Zealand and abroad.

Please click on this link for video content of some of the testing.
Illuminating imperfections in gold transforms broken ceramics and pottery into gaze-worthy pieces through the ancient techniques of kintsugi.

Auckland-based Ema Frost, is an artist of too many things including painting, sculpture, illustration and ceramic art.

Gaining joy from kintsugi, she is delighted to be sharing her love of the Japanese artform through her self-led workshops here in Tauranga at the Historic Village this month.

Kintsugi is an ancient Japanese artform where you fix broken pottery with gold, says Ema.

Theres a really nice philosophy behind it  its about embracing the imperfections and not trying to hide anything.

How it came about was, in the Tokyo Imperial Palace [the main residence of the Emperor of Japan] a piece broke and they sent it to an expert over to China and he fixed it. However, Ema says the results were disappointing after the breaks were mended with staples.

They ended up giving that piece to the local craftsman to come up with something betterand thats where kintsugi was born.

Japan to NZ

Much of Emas work is influenced by Japan, which further grew from a trip to the country in 2016.

I think in a past life I was Japanese, says Ema with a laugh. I love everything Japanese.

While in Japan Ema took kintsugi workshops and carried these skills with her back to NZ, where she has been teaching the art for more than three years now.

Traditionally, kinstsugi techniques used resin from the Urishi tree, however this is extremely slow-drying and would take a month to dry, says Ema.

Her workshops uses a modern resin mix, which allows pieces to be completed in one session.

This is the most efficient contemporary way that still gives the same results, and this is using gold powder [in the resin], and then I also use gold leaf because of the vibrancy of the gold that really makes it pop, says Ema.

Renewed relics

Ema says you have to be really present during the kintsugi process and describes it as both meditative and therapeutic.

A mother and daughter came up from Christchurch and they had some family heirloom pieces that were broken in the earthquake, says Ema.

Theyd held onto them obviously and didnt know what to do with them and then did this process [kinstsugi] on them. They just loved it  they were able to display it again, and still show everything that it had gone through now back in one piece.

Emas kintsugi workshops will be held on Sunday, June 12, from 10.30am-12.30pm and 2pm-4pm at The Artery based in The Historic Village.

To book visit: https://www.theincubator.co.nz/the-artery

For Emas Sunday, August 14, workshop visit: https://emafrost.com/collections/workshop
Fredrik Persson has just been appointed as the new President of BusinessEurope. He emphasises that our common European values of freedom and democracy are now more relevant than ever.

What will be your main focus in your new role in BusinessEurope?

 A resilient and sustainable Europe begins with a competitive business sector, a strong economy, jobs and prosperity. Competitive businesses are also the best guarantee for peace and prosperity in our world.

Persson points out that the level of dialogue and cooperation between businesses and decision-makers in Europe needs to be strengthened and improved.

 As President of BusinessEurope, my mission will be to channel the power of the innovation, knowledge and experience of Europes businesses in order to strengthen their voice in the EU. The business community needs to better explain, and demonstrate more clearly, what it needs and the conditions required to realise its full potential in the digital and green transition. Politicians also need to become better at listening.



What are you looking forward to most in your new role?

 Taking over as President of BusinessEurope at a time when Europe faces major challenges  were in the shadow of the invasion in Ukraine as well still facing the effects of the pandemic - is a challenge that I am humbled to take on.

 I am, and have always been, a staunch supporter and friend of the EU. I want to see a strengthened competitive Europe that builds on the EUs strengths, not least the single market and a positive free trade agenda. Accelerating the green and digital transformation, and continuing to promote business research and development will also be important objectives.



What will you take away from your time as President of Confederation of Swedish Enterprise?

 I am very proud and grateful to have had the opportunity to lead the Confederation of Swedish Enterprise. One of my predecessors said that; everything we do in our association should be an investment for the future. This is a philosophy that Ive lived by myself during my years as chairman, and its one that feels more important now more than ever.

 Above all, it has been a tremendous privilege to witness at such close quarters the incredible knowledge, drive for innovation and ability to find solutions that exist within businesses. It is something that I will always carry with me.



What do you think is the biggest challenge facing business in Europe right now?

 Europe is facing a number of major challenges. Ukraine and the pandemic have caused great suffering and hardship for Europes citizens and businesses. It is clear to me that, during these times, Europe needs a united European business community. Our common European values of freedom and democracy are now more relevant than ever.

Persson also highlights the green transition as a priority.

 Reducing emissions and halting climate change is the major issue for our time, and is a task that European business has taken up with all its ability. In return, politicians must provide business with the right conditions to reduce emissions.
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Why it matters: NASA is assembling an independent team to study unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) from a scientific perspective. The effort will be led by astrophysicist David Spergel, who previously served as the chair of the astrophysics department at Princeton University. The study is expected to take roughly nine months to complete and will involve input from experts in the aeronautics, scientific and data analytics communities.

Spergel said they will look at available data from governments, civilians, non-profits and companies, decide what other information they should try to collect and determine how to best analyze it.

"Consistent with NASA's principles of openness, transparency, and scientific integrity, this report will be shared publicly," said Daniel Evans, the assistant deputy associate administrator for research at NASA's Science Mission Directorate.

The community has largely moved away from the term unidentified flying objects (UFOs) due in part to the stigma it carries and the fact that some of these objects exhibit characteristics atypical of flight and beyond our understanding of physics.

Reports of unknown objects in the sky have persisted for decades  centuries, even  but didn't attract mainstream media coverage until The New York Times ran a groundbreaking piece on the subject in December 2017.

In 2020, the Department of Defense publicly released a handful of UAP videos captured by Navy pilots. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) published a highly anticipated report on the matter in June 2021. Of the 144 cases studied that originated from US government sources, the report was only able to identify one with high confidence. No explanation was reached for the remaining incidents.

The ODNI said other potential categories for explanation include airborne clutter like balloons or bids, natural atmospheric phenomenon such as ice crystals and thermal fluctuations, and a catchall "other" bin that could require additional scientific knowledge to understand.

The ODNI's report said there was no data to suggest the UAP it studied were from a foreign adversary. They were also unable to confirm that classified US government programs were responsible for any of the sightings.

Just last month, Congress held its first public hearing on the subject in 50 years.

NASA said unidentified phenomena in the atmosphere are of interest for both air safety and national security, adding that as of now, there is no evidence that UAPs are extraterrestrial in origin. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has his own opinion on the matter.

One can't help but question the timing of the study. NASA elected to announce it just one month before it plans to share the first full-color images from the James Webb Space Telescope. Nelson previously said he expects Webb to "open up secrets of the universe that will be just stupendous, if not almost overwhelming." Perhaps NASA is expecting to uncover something truly revolutionary with Webb and wants to get out in front of it?

The first images from Webb will be shared publicly on July 12.

Image credit: Greg Rakozy, Pixabay
WTF?! Japanese scientists who have presumably never seen any of the Terminator movies have found a way to wrap living skin around a robotic finger to make it feel worryingly real and "slightly sweaty," a move they say brings humanity one step closer to human-like robots who will definitely not wipe us all out.

The University of Tokyo team published a paper on the project in the journal Matter. It explains how a robotic finger was first submerged in a cylinder filled with a solution of collagen and human dermal fibroblasts, found in the skin's connective tissue. This provides a layer for the human epidermal keratinocytes to stick toa primary cell type of the epidermis that also produces keratin, which binds the skin cells together, making the epidermis a waterproof barrier.

In addition to looking and feeling eerily similar to a human finger, the scientists found the skin could even heal itself after being cut, though it did require help from a band-aid-like sheet of collagen.

"The finger looks slightly sweaty straight out of the culture medium," said University of Tokyo professor Shoji Takeuchi. "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."

There is still work to be done before the skin can precisely mimic a human's. It's not as strong as human skin, and the lack of a circulatory system providing water and nutrients means it must be kept moist. The team hopes to address this by adding channels beneath the dermis that do the same job as blood vessels. Artificial sweat glands, sensory neurons, hair follicles, and nails are also future additions that will enhance the realism.

You might be wondering why we should be creating such human-like robots that bring on the uncanny valley effect and fears of machine uprisings. But as Takeuchi explains it, "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." He said this will help "build a new relationship between humans and robots."

The scientists are also working on a skin-covered robot face, which hopefully won't speak in a thick Austrian accent.
The big picture: Germany is looking to pump up its local microelectronics industry and is using lucrative subsidies to attract chipmakers to the region. Intel has already signed up to participate but at least one other major chipmaker is still on the fence.

Local media (per The Register) claim Intel will receive 6.8 billion euros ($7.15 billion) in subsidies to build a cutting-edge campus in Magdeburg. Intel announced the colossal project in March and pegged the initial cost at no less than 17 billion euros. The German subsidy will cover roughly 40 percent of the total cost.

Intel's expansion in the region will go a long way to helping the EU reduce its reliance on chip imports. In February, the European Union announced the European Chips Act with the goal of doubling its share of the global semiconductor market by 2030.

The local government is interested in hosting other chipmakers as well but not everyone is ready to play ball right now.

Earlier this week, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman Mark Liu said they have relatively few customers in Europe. TSMC is still assessing the possibility of expanding into Germany but they "do not have any concrete plans" as of now, Liu added.

Intel is on track to begin construction in the first half of next year. Should everything go according to plan, the hub will create around 3,000 permanent jobs for locals. Mass production of chips on an advanced process node will commence in 2027.
Something to look forward to: Windows users have wanted Microsoft to bring tabs to File Explorer for years. The company is taking another stab at it in the latest Windows 11 Insider Preview. Let's hope it reaches the public build this time.

File Explorer tabs form the primary new functionality that Windows 11 Insider Preview build 25136 introduces this week. As users would expect, the feature works similarly to web browser tabs  letting users switch between different folders from the top row of File Explorer. Evidence that the much-requested capability was coming first appeared in preview builds in March. Build 25136 also made Quick Access easier to reach in the left navigation pane.

Microsoft last tried to give the File Explorer tabs in 2018 when they appeared in a Windows 10 Insider Preview under the name "Sets." It was supposed to use a single window to organize not only File Explorer tabs but also other programs. However, the company eventually removed the feature before reaching general Windows users.

Also see: 5 Windows File Explorer Alternatives You Should Try

Those who want tabs in File Explorer without installing Windows 11 or Previews have plenty of third-party alternatives. Files is an open-source app that tries to look more like the rest of the Windows 11 UI while offering tabs, tags, and other additional features. Another option is RX Explorer, which has a unique visual aesthetic.

Windows 11's new Preview build also gives the taskbar dynamic widgets. They can display constantly-updating information about things like the weather, sporting events, or finance.
The European Union has decided to use the USB-C phone charging cable for all new smartphones. The provisional agreement was signed by EU officials on June 7.

The agreement will require a uniform charging cord in all 30 nations under EU. This means that Apple will have to make the change from their Lightning Port to USB-C by autumn 2024.

EU Wants USB-C Port Cable on All Smartphones

The EU stated that this decision will benefit consumers, plus it will make the products more sustainable and cut down on electronic waste.

The smartphones are just the first device on the bill, but in the future, all portable electronic devices will be included, like cameras, tablets, and handheld consoles, according to Mercury News.

Alex Agius Saliba, the lead negotiator of the European Parliament, said in a press briefing in Brussels that European customers voiced their frustration about having to purchase several chargers for their devices.

With the new bill, customers can use a single charger for all of their portable electronics, which is 'an important step to increase consumer convenience.'

Also Read: EU To Force Apple to Make Major Changes on Apps, Other Services? New Digital Markets Act Includes Siri and More

The devices that are covered in the bill include smartphones, earbuds, headphones, headsets, and digital cameras. As for laptops, the manufacturers are given more time to comply.

The new rules only apply to devices that are sold in the European single market, which consists of 30 countries. But just like EU's strict privacy regulations, they could end up becoming a de facto standard for the rest of the world.

Apple Is Not Pleased With New EU Bill

While other smartphone manufacturers are ready to make the adjustments needed to follow the new rules, Apple is not happy, according to Tech Times.

The tech giant has long been fighting the adoption of a universal cable that is not theirs, believing that manufacturers should focus on the plug that goes into the wall instead of the part that is connected to the smartphone.

But the EU regulators said that now is the time for Apple to drop their own cable and even blamed the smartphone manufacturers for not coming up with a solution sooner.

Margrethe Vestager, the executive vice-president for the European Commission's Europe Fit for the Digital Age strategy, said in a statement reported by The Independent, that they gave the tech industry enough time to come up with their own solutions, but now is the time for legislative action for a common charger.

What Happens if Apple Does Not Comply?

According to Business Insider, if Apple refuses to comply and insists on using their Lighting Port, they will only be able to sell only wireless iPhone models in EU countries. Currently, there are only a couple of Apple gadgets that are compatible with USB-C cable.

But the iOS smartphone is not one of them. With the arrival of the EU's new rules, this is expected to change soon.

EU officials also claimed that the new rule could encourage consumers to use their old chargers, as it could help with environmental waste.

Related Article: Apple iPhone Future Phones Could Ditch Lightning for USB-C due to New Law

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Sophie Webster

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Simply Mac, Apple's authorized retail and service provider, announced that it would shut down its business after 16 years because of pandemic-related financial difficulties.

Unfortunately, it is not clear what will happen to the repairs that are yet to be sent back to the customers.

Simply Mac Shuts Down

According to AppleInsider, Simply Mac CEO Rein Voigt sent a letter to the staff members of the company to announce the decision to shut down the operations. All employees will be terminated effective immediately.

Simply Mac was purchased from GameStop in 2019, and in the letter, Voigt told the employees that the company had worked hard to grow and be the preeminent Apple Partner in North America.

Voigt added that they also worked together to provide their customers with a "transformational experience that drive long-term loyalty." However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the reseller to lay off half its workforce and close several stores in the United States.

Also Read: Three Apple Stores Close Down Due to Rising COVID-19 Cases Despite Holiday Season

Voigt went on to say that the financial performance of the company had never met its expectations and that it had no funding to stock its stores with inventory or fulfill its financial obligations to its customers, partners, and employees.

As for the staff, Voigt admitted that Simply Mac does not have enough funds to pay them, and the company already informed them that they would get notices from bankruptcy court where they will have to submit a claim for outstanding pay, according to MacRumors.

As of January, Simply Mac had 53 stores across the United States. Most of the areas where the Simply Mac store did not have an Apple store nearby.

This means that the customers were reliant on Simply Mac for technical support and a chance to purchase Apple devices like iPhone, Apple AirTag, AirPods, and more.

What This Means to Customers

Now that Simply Mac is out of business, Apple customers will have to rely solely on the services the Apple store offers.

One of the reasons why Apple had agreed to have an authorized reseller and services provider is because of the overcrowding issue that it has with its stores.

According to 9to5Mac, since Apple stores opened across the United States, every single one of them was overflowing with people. This is especially true whenever a new iPhone model drops.

Instead of going around the store to play with the latest tech, customers will have to fight their way through the crowds just to get a look at it, and there are often people on all sides waiting for their turn to try the new device.

The lack of manpower is also an issue, as some customers have stated that it takes them almost 30 minutes to talk to someone.

Simply Mac was formed to help Apple with this dilemma. But now that the company is gone, Apple customers won't have a choice but to go back to the overcrowded Apple stores.

Customers can now visit Apple stores without masks or proof of vaccination.

Related Article: Apple Stores Close in New York City Due to Raging COVID-19 Cases | Fifth Avenue Flagship Shut Down

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Sophie Webster

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Gravity Payments CEO, an executive from a credit card company known for a previous decision to give all its employees a raise in their annual salary, is now facing misdemeanor charges in court. Dan Price recently appeared at a virtual hearing in Seattle Municipal Court, where his legal team pleaded not guilty to the case, where he still got an anti-harassment protection order.

Gravity Payments CEO, Dan Price, Appears in an Online Arraignment

(Photo : Dan Price via Twitter)

Seattle-based CEO Dan Price now faces charges against him regarding a fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation, focusing on a harassment case as per the Seattle Times. Now, the Seattle Municipal Court asked the CEO to appear in a video conference trial case for an online arraignment, where Price's legal team pleaded "not guilty."

Allegedly, there was a woman that he dated in January, which he tried to "forcibly kiss" without consent, and the person did not want his advances. Price also faces charges regarding reckless driving in this lawsuit filed against him by the person.

According to Global News Canada, Price met the woman at a restaurant near Capitol Hill, and the reason for the meetup was to discuss professional matters and not a romantic date.

Read Also: Apple Sued Over False Accusations After Labeling the Wrong Man as a Thief

Dan Price Lawsuit: What is Happening on the Case?

Allegedly, the Gravity Payments CEO sexually harassed the woman and grabbed her throat when she refused to kiss Price during his advancements. He then drove around hastily with his Tesla electric vehicle, with which he did "doughnuts" in a parking lot.

There was a previous charge against Price that was dropped, also focusing on misdemeanor assault with sexual motivation, says Judge Andrea Chin.

Price is known for raising the minimum salary of employees from $48,000 to $70,000 a year.

Lawsuits Against Alleged Misconduct

There are many lawsuits in the current technology landscape against alleged misconduct of employees and executives to people within the company, and it gives a bad name to the tech company which they represent. There was once a case within Tesla that an employee raised against the company regarding racial abuse to which the company needed to settle for $15 million.

There is another controversial lawsuit in crimes that threaten the safety of a worker, and it is with Activision Blizzard, the famous gaming company that recently sold its company to Microsoft. Here, female employees came together to launch a case against its executives that used their position for sexual gain and harassed employees, according to the lawsuit.

Executives sometimes forget that despite their power and influence over the public, they still need to uphold a high standard of restraint and good behavior when they address people they meet from within the company or outside. In Price's case, it is still unproven if he did what the case and the shreds of evidence against him are true, and he would have to face it all until proven guilty otherwise.

Related Article: Communications Worker of America Filed Complaint Against Activision Blizzard For Retaliating Against Workers

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Written by Isaiah Richard

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Elon Musk revealed new information about Twitter's daily raw feed because it is something that he wishes to monitor at all times, looking at its data and analyzing the company's day-to-day. Once he becomes the private owner of Twitter, Musk and his team will continue to monitor the daily raw feed for any discrepancies or problems.

Now, it is something that he intended to do despite the deal still ongoing.

Elon Musk: Twitter's Daily Raw Feed is only 50GB, Fits in USB Stick

(Photo : FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

Musk corrected a Twitter user's statement regarding the amount of data that comes in every day, focusing on the daily raw feed of Twitter that is speculated to have massive numbers. However, Musk said that the average data from a single tweet is only 100 bytes, the more than 500 million daily users that tweet their sentiments only make up 50 GB of data.

The tech CEO said that this amount of data can fit in a "USB stick" daily, and he may monitor the data coming in and out of the company easier than the public thinks. However, these are daily tweets in words or letters, not accounting for media, emojis, and other special features of the company.

Nevertheless, the CEO shows that he can take up the role and task of monitoring the data from the company.

Read Also: Twitter's Product Drop Feature Lets You Know Everything About an Item Upon Release

If the average length of a tweet (minus headers) is ~100 bytes of text, thats only 50GB. You could fit it on a USB stick.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 9, 2022

Twitter's Daily Consumption: Raw Feed from 500M+ Tweets

A Twitter user said that Musk will consume massive amounts of data from Twitter's raw feed daily, and here, the user included a video of a massive water system shooting out volumes of the aqua. It is a euphemism of what Musk is to face when monitoring Twitter's feed, but it was corrected by the CEO via a tweet.

Elon Musk and Twitter

Elon Musk is in the process of buying Twitter, and despite the deal cutout for him prized at $44 million, the CEO still refused to push through because of hidden information by the company. It was previously discussed on Twitter that Musk's reason for bots refusing its sale is valid, and it is because Twitter violated the terms of transparency about the company.

There were many propositions from Twitter regarding improving the systems and its operations, particularly with hiding false information when a national or international crisis is happening. Musk's deal is still on hold with Twitter, and it is on the Tesla CEO's side to decide on and map out what happens in the deal.

Musk has many plans for Twitter once he gets a hold of the company and transfers its ownership to the new management, together with Tesla, SpaceX, Starlink, and more. It seems that Musk is ready to take anything that Twitter throws at him, especially with the massive data it processes on the platform, especially as a social media entity with many daily active users.

Related Article: Elon Musk Voices Twitter Buyout Concerns in a Letter Citing 'Clear Material Breach' of Merger Terms

This article is owned by TechTimes

Written by Isaiah Richard

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Tesla Model Y SUV is now open for orders in Australia and Japan a few years after its debut in the United States, as the giant electric vehicle (EV) maker attempts to expand its global foothold.

The electric SUV of Tesla, the Model Y, now has its own order page in Australia and Japan, revealing its official pricing and its estimated delivery date.

(Photo : Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

MIAMI, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 21: People look at a Tesla Model Y electric vehicle on a showroom floor at the Miami Design District on October 21, 2021 in Miami, Florida.

Tesla Model Y in Australia, Japan

As per a news story by Drive Australia, the 2022 Tesla Model Y SUV has finally arrived in one of the largest countries on Earth, yet the biggest continent across the globe.

While the Tesla Model Y debuted in the US way back in 2019, the Australian market had to wait for three years to get their hands on the electric SUV offering of the EV maker.

Drive Australia notes that rumors have previously hinted that the Model Y is inching closer to reaching the shores of the Aussie.

Apart from Australia, the Model Y also took some time before its much-awaited arrival in Japan.

According to the latest report of Teslarati, the hit electric SUV now welcomes orders from folks in the Land of Rising Sun, none other than Japan.

Tesla Model Y and Giga Shanghai

The news outlet further suggests that the global market expansion of the Tesla Model Y hints that the EV production at its Giga Shanghai facility is ramping up once again.

The opening of Model Y orders in Japan and Australia requires the production of the electric SUV to significantly increase to feed the demand in these two massive nations.

(Photo : by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

Tesla CEO Elon Musk gestures during the unveiling of the new Tesla Model Y in Hawthorne, California on March 14, 2019.

It is worth noting that the production of the Model Y in Giga Shanghai, unfortunately, had to be put on hold amid the raging effect of COVID-19 in the Chinese city.

Tesla Model Y Australia Price

Now that the electric SUV has opened its order page in the Aussie nation, it also unveiled the pricing of the Model Y in the country.

The Tesla electric SUV comes in two variants, the Rear-Wheel Drive or RWD and the Dual-Motor All-Wheel Drive or AWD Performance.

(Photo : by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)

People view a model of the new Tesla Model Y unveiled earlier in Hawthorne, California on March 14, 2019.

The entry variant carries the RWD nameplate, which sells for $48,895.24 or 68,900 in Australian dollars. Meanwhile, the Dual-Motor AWD Performance option holds a much more expensive price tag to the tune of $66,636 or $93,900 in Australian dollars.

Read Also: Tesla Offers Model Y with 4680 Cells to Giga Texas Customers! All-Wheel-Drive Replacement?

Tesla Model Y in Japan: How Much is it?

The Model Y RWD retails for $46,156.97 or 6,190,000. The Dual-Motor AWD Performance, on the other hand, sells for $60,324.70 or 8,090,000, making the SUV significantly cheaper in the home of anime.

Related Article: Tesla Model Y Fire Accident Forces Man To Break Window; Here's What You Need To Do During This Rare Incident

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Written by Teejay Boris

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A wellspring of power unlike any other can be found in the deep seas. To harness such power, Japanese engineers built a real leviathan, a beast capable of resisting the most powerful ocean currents and converting its flow into an almost unlimited supply of electricity.

The Kairyu

Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries, which is now commonly known as IHI Corporation, has been experimenting with the technology for over a decade and teamed with the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) in 2017 to materialize their concepts.

The project reached a crucial breakthrough in February when a three-and-a-half-year field test off Japan's southwestern coast was completed successfully.

Kairyu is the name given to the 330-ton prototype, which roughly translates to "ocean current." It had a 20-meter or 66-foot-long fuselage flanked by two cylinders of equal size, each holding a power generation system connected to an 11-meter long turbine blade.

The device can configure itself to locate the most optimal place to generate power from the push of a deep-water current and feed it into a grid when it is anchored to the ocean floor by power cables and an anchor line.

To generate a substantial portion of its power, Japan is significantly reliant on fossil fuel imports. Japan is encouraged to exploit its technical expertise to reap the benefits of renewable energy sources, as public opinion against nuclear power has worsened since the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011.

But according to Science Alert, the mountainous Japanese archipelago does not lend itself to enormous wind turbine forests or solar panel fields. Because of its remote position, there is also less potential to manage renewable energy swings through the energy trade.

The country does feature extensive areas of coastal water. The ocean rushes to the east under the power of the North Pacific gyre. The gyre eventually collides with Japan creating strong Kuroshio currents.

Read also: Offshore Wind Turbine Farm In Rhode Island Hasn't Harmed The Local Fish Population: Study

IHI's Forecast

IHI predicts that if the energy in the current could be harvested, it could produce around 205 gigawatts of electricity, which is roughly equivalent to the country's overall power generation.

The ocean's chaotic motions have so much potential that harnessing it as a power source is difficult. The quickest-moving waters are at the surface, where typhoons may readily devastate power plants.

Kairyu was constructed to float 50 meters beneath the waves, with the drag produced providing the necessary torque to the turbines as they approached the surface. Each blade also rotates in the opposite direction, ensuring that the device remains fairly stable.

Despite massive interest in this untapped source of renewable energy, Science Alert noted that attempts to extract watts from the open ocean usually fail. This is due to costly engineering expenses, environmental restrictions, and the accessibility of coastal areas to the grid that pose great challenges in completing such a project.

But if IHI Corp succeeds with this project, they will reap vast amounts of benefits with ocean power possibly providing anything between 40 to 70% of Japan's energy demands.

Related Article: Ocean Winds and Principle Power Announce Collaboration for France's First Commercial-Scale Floating Offshore Wind Tender

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Written by Joaquin Victor Tacla

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The popular furniture company IKEA is once again branching out into new product categories after announcing that it will launch a record player in line with its new Obegransad collection.

Collab with a Supergroup

The record player was created in partnership with Swedish House Mafia and features a bulky style similar to that of many other IKEA consumer electronics products. Additionally, the collection will include an armchair and a desk, according to the Swedish store.

It is worth noting that this isn't the furniture company's first announcement of a record-playing device. In fact, in 2018, it announced that it would produce a turntable built in partnership with Teenage Engineering the following year.

However, the player did not make it into the final collection, as noted by a Teenage Engineering support page.

Swedish House Mafia is a house music supergroup made up of three members: Axwell, Steve Angello, and Sebastian Ingrosso, who will collaborate with the furniture brand on a 20-piece collection.

The collection will be called"OBEGRNSAD," which translates to "infinite" in Swedish.

This new line is aimed at "those with a limited budget but infinite creativity". It intends to "democratize music production at home" by allowing the many to unleash their passions and creativity," according to IKEA.

IKEA has just shown a few items in the 20-piece collection targeted at music producers and enthusiasts.

The record player will have a built-in preamp, powered through USB, and have a replacement cartridge and needle, according to IKEA's website. IKEA also mentions that the player will operate with its Eneby Bluetooth speaker, but at the same time, it will only work over a wired connection since it doesn't support Bluetooth.

The collection contains three IKEA FRAKTA bags: one for wires, another for a laptop, and lastly for vinyl records, in addition to a number of furniture pieces.

IKEA also revealed additional information about two exciting products - a desk with speaker stands and the OBEGRNSAD record player.

The desk, which has two speaker stands and a pull-out shelf for a midi keyboard, is touted as a fundamental solution for prospective music makers.

Further, if you are a huge fan of vinyl records, the store's record player will undoubtedly land on your wish list. The strong and bulky design of the player strives to express the physicality of music in the collection with a smooth, light, and simple style.

Read also: IKEA to Sell Solar Panels in the US - Here's How to Get One

When is the Collection Coming?

The new line was initially announced at the IKEA Festival in Milan and will be available in IKEA stores this fall. However, it's unknown whether the collection will be available worldwide or only in certain regions as of writing.

Related Article: IKEA Hack: Employees Warned About Ongoing Cyberattacks Using Internal Emails

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Written by Joaquin Victor Tacla

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BEIJING, June 10 -- China strongly condemned and resolutely opposed the US governments latest approval of 120 million dollars arms sale to the Taiwan region. "The US has seriously violated the one-China principle and the provisions of the three China-US joint communiques, especially the August 17 Communique by selling weapons and providing military technical support to Chinas Taiwan region," said Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, spokesperson for Chinas Ministry of National Defense, on June 9, 2022.

The spokesperson made the above remarks when being asked to comment on the US governments approval of a new arms sales plan on June 8 to provide Taiwan with warship parts and related technical support worth 120 million dollars.

The spokesperson stated that the US arms sales to China's Taiwan region have grossly interfered in China's internal affairs, seriously undermined China's national sovereignty and security interests, and gravely sabotaged peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. China is strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to this.

Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, and China must be and will be reunited , The spokesperson said, adding that the US side should immediately revoke the above-mentioned arms sales plan, stop selling weapons to Taiwan, cut its military ties with Taiwan and stop sending wrong signals to the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, so as to avoid causing further damage to the relations between the two countries and two militaries.

The spokesperson also sternly warned the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities and certain external forces that seeking foreign support to gain Taiwan independence is a dead end, and the scheme to use Taiwan to contain China is doomed to fail . The Chinese PLA will take firm and strong measures to thwart any form of interference by external forces and separatist attempts for "Taiwan independence", and resolutely defend Chinas national sovereignty and territorial integrity, he stressed.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size In mid-2015 in Melbournes north, a small group of wealthy businessmen left their phones at a nearby property and walked into a shipping container to talk. They really did not want anyone to hear their discussion. But a clue to the business at hand may have lain in the identity of the most senior of them. That same year the Australian Federal Police received a confidential intelligence brief, written by a senior Victoria Police official, identifying the most powerful boss of the Calabrian mafia, or Ndrangheta, in the country. The man was a multimillionaire with reach into Australian politics. The report said he was the subject of consistent allegations from reliable sources over a 25-year period, and identified him as the godfather of the Ndrangheta since at least the early 1990s. The businessman has not only been the undisputed leader since this time but is a violent and feared man who has likely gone to drastic lengths to maintain power and amass wealth, police reported. The 2015 brief described consistent intelligence that indicated he was involved in drug importation. His closest advisers included well-known figures in Melbournes Calabrian community, including a prominent meat wholesaler, an accountant and a trucking company owner. While not mentioned in this report, the godfathers outer circle of contacts included the founder of a large publicly listed company. An Italian police officer at a roadblock near San Luca, a Calabrian town notorious as an organised crime stronghold. Credit:AP The godfather, according to the report, had also constructed deals with an OMCG [outlaw motorcycle gang] and formed connections at the waterfront to bypass authorities. It said his amassed wealth didnt tally with his declared income from his many retail outlets and property deals. The report also noted how some of his Italian organised crime associates  had made several donations to the Liberal Party.

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Echoes of this seven-year-old briefing were heard this week when the AFP made a big noise with a media release and a press conference to reveal they had spent months mapping the mafia as part of a determination to prioritise their attack on Italian organised crime. The announcement was immediately welcomed in some law enforcement circles, especially those in Italy, as long overdue. But it just as quickly sparked scepticism within state police forces, and even inside the AFPs own ranks, with some police privately questioning whether it was more theatre than substance and whether the timing was aimed at impressing the AFPs new minister, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus. Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen If raising public awareness of organised crime was the measure, the AFP press strategy was a success. News articles linked the mafia to bikies, large-scale money laundering and reports of up to 5000 mob members in Australia. Loading But for veteran Italian organised crime watchers in police circles and academia, the AFP announcement was striking for the way it mirrored confidential police assessments that date back years. As is demonstrated by the 2015 godfather report  and two decades worth of police intelligence assessments  the fact that Calabrian-linked crime bosses are in bed with bikies, have penetrated ports and supply chains, are laundering huge amounts of cash, or have had their family and criminal structures comprehensively mapped by authorities, is far from new. According to several police sources, the real challenge facing the AFP  and Dreyfus  is to ensure that any attack on Italian organised crime and its facilitators can be sustained after the headlines fade.

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The history of the AFPs policing of Italian organised crime is marked by widely spruiked success, rarely mentioned failure and extended periods of malaise. State police are no different. Investigating disciplined Calabrian crooks is expensive and time-consuming, and police commissioners often lack patience and resources. The AFPs Operation Inca in 2008 bucked this trend. It was remarkable for the sheer quantity of drugs seized and the number of relatively senior Calabrian crime figures arrested. But while the AFP took out the senior hands-on organisers of the drug importations, three Australian Ndrangheta bosses  two in Melbourne and one in Adelaide who Italian and Australian police intelligence suggest were lurking in the background  were never arrested. One of them was the Melbourne godfather. While based on intelligence rather than evidence, the 2015 Victoria Police report about him makes clear that, if the businessman identified as the godfather is indeed the undisputed local head of a secret criminal society with its roots dating back to medieval southern Italy, he has operated with relative impunity for years. Despite being a suspect in multiple murders, alleged extortion and other crimes, he has not been charged with a serious criminal offence. The intelligence report paints a picture of an old-school mob boss planning his succession, either with a relative or associate, such as Antonino Di Pietro, who was convicted of drug trafficking and jailed during Operation Inca. Pasquale Barbaro, the mastermind of what is believed to be Australias then biggest ever drug importation. More recently, the AFPs astonishingly successful Operation Ironside  which involved the creation of an entire communications platform distributed to crooks but secretly controlled by the AFP and FBI  has given police fresh, vital and still classified insights into Calabrian organised crime. It led to the arrest for drug trafficking of a small number of senior Adelaide-based Ndrangheta members.

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These breakthroughs came after dozens of the AN0M encrypted phones being covertly monitored by the AFP were distributed by a Calabrian crime figure in Adelaide to his associates. Three hundred phones have also been tracked to criminals in Italy. On Wednesday, AFP assistant commissioner Nigel Ryan, who led Ironside, explained how federal police were using the messages intercepted on the phones to help map the family ties, and break the code of silence that binds Calabrian crime networks. The AFP said it had mapped 51 Italian crime clans across Australia, comprising potentially thousands of Ndrangheta members. Such mapping is not an infrequent pastime of police agencies. The project spruiked on Wednesday involved the work of the AFPs Adelaide office, but by 2019 the federal forces Melbourne office had embarked on its own effort to map the Ndrangheta, finding fewer locales or criminal hubs (one source familiar with this work estimates there are about 14 key Calabrian networks). Sixteen years earlier, in 2003, the Australian Crime Commission identified 55 mafia-linked families in six criminal hubs as part of a major assessment of the state of Italian organised crime. Its warning sounded familiar: IOC [Italian Organised Crime] increasingly forms transactionally-based partnerships from an increasingly wide circle of criminal groups ... [led by] Outlaw Motor-Cycle Gangs. In 2013, the crime commission updated this assessment, concluding that the Ndrangheta posed an extreme risk to Australia. This confidential report also described how associates of the Melbourne godfather, tied to the notorious Alvaro mafia clan in Adelaide, had cultivated political connections and that through their legitimate public face were capable of achieving [political] influence. Two years later, the 2015 Victoria Police intelligence report on the godfather again documented allegations that domestic Calabrian crime figures sought to make political donations to achieve influence.

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It was in that same year that Italys top anti-mafia prosecutor, Nicola Gratteri, issued the first of many warnings from authorities in Rome that Australia was failing to treat Calabrian organised crime seriously. Gratteri was among those furious when the AFP closed its Rome office. Nicola Gratteri. The Australian agencys patchy efforts in the 2000s to investigate a mafia political donations scandal represent its only publicly known contemporary attempt to investigate the Ndranghetas political influence, despite Italian authorities often alluding to the overlap between mafia and politics in Australia. Senior police privately concede the AFP dropped the ball on the Ndrangheta in the 12 years between Inca and Ironside. State police have also often been missing in action. Renowned Italian mafia academic Anna Sergi says that if this weeks announcement is a genuine effort to remedy this  matched with resources and results  it should be applauded in Australia and Italy. Early signs are promising, with the AFP restoring close ties to Italian police. Loading Sergi also argues Australian agencies are yet to prove they are capable of attacking what she says is the real power of the Australian Ndrangheta: its wealth, infiltration of legitimate industries, use of professional facilitators (such as lawyers and accountants) and efforts to obtain political influence. The political reach of the Australian Ndrangheta has always been underestimated. This doesnt mean donations or gifts at election time, but planting seeds to slowly gain social and political legitimacy, Sergi says.

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Trying to maintain a $1000-a-week drug habit, Anthony Jay Gatley-Dunne launched a crime spree on a scale rarely seen, committing almost 200 offences  mostly while on bail.

Over a 15-month period from September 2019, he broke into 142 businesses and six homes over 77 Brisbane suburbs in a bid to feed his methamphetamine addiction.

The man broke into 142 businesses and six homes to feed his drug habit. Credit:Toby Crockford

At times he used a crow bar to enter after cutting electricity or diverting CCTV cameras, causing more than $100,000 in property damage, mostly to businesses battling through COVID-19 lockdown.

The 24-year-old committed a total of 180 offences until October 2020, a period in which he was on bail at least five times.
A former Queensland financial adviser who blew almost $6 million of his clients money on a failed scheme will get a retrial, after arguing the barrister who defended him was incompetent.

Ben Jayaweera, the director of Growth Plus Financial Group, was jailed for 12 years in October 2019 after he was found guilty of diverting some of his clients investments into a failed abalone farm project without their knowledge.

Former financial adviser Ben Jayaweera was charged following an investigation by the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).

Prosecutors said Jayaweera encouraged six couples, many of whom were planning for their retirement, to invest in a scheme called the Australian Diversified Sector Income Fund, operated by Growth Plus between September 2013 and October 2015.

Jayaweera claimed it was a diversified fund investing in cash, property, shares, aquaculture and agriculture. But its only investment was an abalone farm in South Australia operated by entities he controlled.
Looking about as relaxed in each others company as two national leaders could be, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his New Zealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern have talked up their determination to deepen and broaden trans-Tasman relations in a world beset by security challenges, energy shocks and the overarching threat of climate change.

Together, I think Australia and New Zealand acting as one produces an outcome thats greater than the sum of the two, Albanese said at a joint press conference in Sydney on Friday.

NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, with Anthony Albanese on Friday, warmly welcomed the new Australian governments commitment to stronger climate action. Credit:Nick Moir

Hosting his first visit by an overseas leader, Albanese said he was intent on taking the relationship to a new level, while Ardern framed the visit as an opportunity for a reset because there were obviously some points of friction.

A perennial irritant in the relationship has been Canberras over-zealous (in NZs eyes) use of section 501 of the Migration Act, under which many hundreds of New Zealanders convicted of criminal offences have been deported even though they may have lived in Australia since early childhood.
One hundred days since Western Australias hard border came down, the Australian Border Force says international visitors to the state still arent match fit.

The ABF has processed 158,000 passengers since March 3, averaging about 5000 arrivals a day.

ABF Commander West James Copeman. Credit:Hamish Hastie

Commander West James Copeman, who celebrated the 100 days with other ABF staff with a cake at Perth Airport on Friday, said the figure amounted to about 40 per cent of the arrival numbers seen pre-COVID, but it was increasing week by week.

Copeman said the airport ABF workforce had surged to meet demand and, generally, the past 100 days had been smooth sailing, but there were some issues with international arrivals not knowing Australias vaccination requirements.
Hong Kong: Hong Kongs stocks are already rebounding at the fastest pace in the world, and a possible visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping in a few weeks may provide even more buying momentum.

Signs are growing that Xi will join a July 1 ceremony to swear in new leader John Lee as well as celebrate 25 years of Chinese rule following the handover from Britain in 1997.

The South China Morning Post reported this week that Hong Kong is preparing to isolate some 1000 people involved in the citys handover anniversary anticipating Xis arrival, including Lee and current leader Carrie Lam. A Hong Kong school is asking some students to undergo a week-long hotel quarantine prior to greeting dignitaries.

Workers wearing face masks paint an art installation in a Hong Kong park ahead of celebrations of the 25th anniversary of the handover to China. Credit:AP

An upbeat mood in financial markets is key for the troubled financial hub, where more than half of individuals say they own stocks  one of the highest proportions globally. The appearance of investor optimism also matters for Beijing, which tends to lend support to markets around key anniversaries or high-profile events in China.
Stage veteran Bianca Marroquin will return to the role of Roxie Hart in the long-running Broadway revival of Chicago at the Ambassador Theatre. She begins performances on Tuesday, June 21.

Pamela Anderson, who recently made her Broadway debut as Roxie, departed the production on June 5 following a limited engagement.

Marroquin has played Roxie Hart in the Broadway company of Chicago off-and-on over the last 20 years, with over 4,000 performances under her belt. Last fall, she took on the role of Velma Kelly opposite Ana Villafane's Roxie.

Set amid the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, Chicago is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago's slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today's tabloids.

Chicago features a book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander, and lyrics by Fred Ebb. Directed Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Ann Reinking, this revival of has been playing on Broadway since 1996 and is one of the longest-running Broadway productions in history.

Tony Award winner Jennifer Holliday was recently announced as the next Matron "Mama" Morton. She began performances last night.
Clytemnestra looks fierce. Dressed in a regal white pantsuit, the sleeves joining in the back to form a chic capelet, she looks like she just came from the 2019 State of the Union Address, where she and fellow female lawmakers made a visible show of their #resistance to the most nativist president in modern history. But, when occupying the throne herself, would she be any more welcoming to the strangers at our southern border?

Playwright-director Stephen Kaliski examines that question in The Refugees, his clever appropriation of Greek myth, now making its New York City debut with Adjusted Realists (in association with Weber State University) at A.R.T./New York Theatres. Several recent theatrical projects, most notably the Broadway-bound revival of 1776, challenge audiences to envision how the world might be different if run by women. The Refugees is refreshingly honest in its assessment: It wouldn't be.

The central generational conflict is one straight off the dinner table of any number of upper-middle-class households, but with far higher stakes: While climate change has ravaged much of the world, Argos has benefited from "kind winds and plentiful rains." This has attracted refugees from Athens, Minoa, and Thrace. Queen Clytemnestra (Rachel McPhee) is disinclined to let them settle, but her woke children, Electra (Carolina o) and Orestes (Jonathan Nathaniel Dingle-El), try to convince her. Appealing to her grandmotherly aspirations, they lure her to the migrant camp, where she will listen to representatives from the three groups. Will she soften her heart and throw open the gates?

That seems unlikely. McPhee endows Clytemnestra with the unflappable authority of a supermom, someone who could lecture Sheryl Sandberg about having it all without blushing. She's more Catherine the Great than Angela Merkel  this is a woman who (allegedly) murdered her husband to take the throne  and she makes no apologies for unsentimentally wielding power in the defense of her family.

Carolina o plays Electra in The Refugees, written and directed by Stephen Kaliski, for Adjusted Realists at A.R.T./New York Theatres.

( Kaylin Gess)

And boy, do those children need defending: o's Electra is a depressive, drowning her sorrows in green smoothies prepared by her nurse (Valerie Clayman Pye in a surprising and illuminating turn). As Orestes, Dingle-El seems like the type who is more excited about the Instagrammable moments at the charity gala than he is about actually raising money for refugees. Kaliski has placed him in a romantic relationship with Pylades (Matt Mastromatteo, who also serves as co-director). Pier Paolo Pasolini imagined something similar in Pylade, although the vibe of that play was more homoerotic fascist than what we find here: Cam and Mitchell from Modern Family. Even if she initially does it through the cowardly use of a messenger (the very funny Robert K. Benson), it's hard to blame Clytemnestra for overruling her naively idealistic kids.

But is she responsible for how they've turned out? As she does with the queen, Costume designer Kahei Shum ties these mythic characters to our own world by outfitting Orestes in a slim camel-colored coat, matching boots, and a stylish white turtleneck, providing a constant embrace of luxury. Set designer Anita Tripathi's palace furniture, while seemingly lifted from an accountant's waiting room, still offers a stark contrast with the deprivation of the refugee camp, quarantined by a plastic curtain. Clytemnestra's children are like this because they were raised into padded cells of privilege.

Clytemnestra (Rachel McPhee) listens to two Minoan refugees (Jeremiah Maestas and Josue Guerrero) in The Refugees, written and directed by Stephen Kaliski, for Adjusted Realists at A.R.T./New York Theatres.

( Kaylin Gess)

This version of the characters clashes with the violent events of their mythology, but Kaliski has repurposed them with partial success into a story about the lottery of birth. A chorus of refugees (Josue Guerrero, Lily Hilden, Suzanne Lenz, Jeremiah Maestas, and Grace Zito) tell stories that make it clear their dreams and aspirations aren't so different from ours (although the recitation of lyrics by Journey and Bon Jovi proves to be a ridiculous flourish that distracts from the moment).

In the mundane brutality of The Refugees, Kaliski lays bare the tangle of history, diplomacy, and politics that separates the Cuban defector from the Honduran border-crosser. Most refugees will have had little to no control over the circumstances that placed them into one category or another. In that way, the fatalist Greeks have something to teach Americans as we nervously stride into the 21st century clinging to our notion of free will and hoping to bend the arc of history toward justice.
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This has been one tough week for your mayor. I have been so healthy since being sworn into office. Days of high fever and coughing has caused me to miss so many commitments.

I missed Miss Stellas kindergarten graduation. Her mom works in our office, and I am so disappointed to miss the big day.

I have a son that graduated from Stride, and it killed me to miss greeting the Stride Ride folks and thanking them for all they do for the youth of Cheyenne.

Girls State was in town, and I missed the privilege of welcoming them to our community.

Another big miss was the Maury Brown Youth Fishing Day. He hosted 400 kids at his lake and provided them with free rods, tackle boxes, lunch, and a great day learning how to fish.

Thank goodness for Zoom and the ability to meet remotely, I was able to make many of the city meetings and commitments. Sickness and health are the vow we took, and Judy sure lived up to her part. Thanks honey.

Charles Bloom is our City Planner. We are working on so many different projects these days. We met to catch up on the progress of a couple of them.

First is the Belvoir Ranch and how we will access the trailhead we hope to build.

One of our new fire station locations is owned by the city. It has a Land and Water Conservation Grant restriction that limits the property to outdoor recreation. If you want to use it for another purpose, you have to work with government to incumber new properties. We discussed that process and how to proceed.

Last we talked about the city council goal of annexing county pockets surrounded by the city. It is important to make sure it does not hurt the residents inside the pockets, and we talked about creating a model ordinance we could use to show residents to help with the fear this action could cause. Once we are ready, we will make sure to have a robust public process to answer questions and concerns.

We hosted a conference call with a team from Casper. They wanted to understand how we handle Animal Control and how our partnership with the Animal Shelter works. We took over the control function in September 2021, and in that time have certified our employees to the national standards and have worked hard to be a good partner with the shelter. The folks from Casper were very interested in our public/private partnership. We offered to host them and make the introduction to the team at the Cheyenne Animal Shelter.

City staff charged with managing the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) for the Hitching Posts Urban Renewal Authority (URA) met with the County Attorney, County Assessor, and County Treasurer. As we have discussed, the state laws are not very specific on how the transfer of property tax money from the state to the city should happen. While I know this is very frustrating for the county team, I appreciate their working so hard to find a way forward. The URA is the ultimate private/public partnership we have used to clean up the old Hitch site. Things that seem so simple are never simple. Great news is the site is clean and new development is scheduled to start this summer.

I have shared with you the pride I have in our staff. Sometimes we have disagreements or see things differently. The Municipal Court is one area that has caused me some frustration. The way our court operates has had to change due to Supreme Court decisions and other best practice measures. This has caused court costs to rise quickly. When budgets like ours are tight, that is a frustration for me. We met again to help me understand the requirements placed on the court. Im not sure I will ever really understand why it costs so much, but what we dont want is the Justice Department here dictating the rules.

One part of my job is to meet with folks who are not happy with the city. I had one such meeting this week with a gentleman who had a list of grievances. I normally find that most grievances come from a misunderstanding or miscommunication. In this case, I have some research to do. He is frustrated that we dont enforce laws the way he would like, are not consistent with the way we do things, and just does not feel heard. It started off tough, but at the end I understood his position. Now I need to meet with staff and understand if it is a misunderstanding, miscommunication, or something we just need to do better. Im on it.

Patty Walters runs our local YMCA. She and her team have been working with the Celadon Partners group to see if an upgrade to the facility is possible. Celadon does this by leveraging affordable housing projects combined with other public amenities. With our affordable housing issues, I was pleased to be invited to learn a different strategy to see affordable housing built. I left not completely understanding all the nuances, but with the knowledge that they can help with our housing opportunities. I got permission to call and further the education. I plan to ask them to get excited about Cheyenne and to make a commitment to invest here.

Our budget is one vote from being complete. The Committee of the Whole voted to recommend the budget to the Governing Body next Monday. I could feel the apprehension from the members about the economy and how it could negatively affect the revenues next year. I think they are right; the risk is there. Treasurer Lockman and I were very conservative on our revenue projections, so we are cautiously optimistic our budget will survive next years uncertainty.

Wednesday through Friday was spent in Laramie at the Wyoming Association of Municipalities (WAM) summer conference. This is our opportunity to network with other Wyoming cities and towns, and to look for ways to strengthen our relationships. One priority is a constitutional amendment we will get to vote on this fall. Cities, towns, and counties are limited on how they can invest reserve dollars. The hope is the voters will approve a change to allow our reserves to be invested like our State Treasurer. No crypto, but a better return to help our budgets and projects. Watch for Amendment A this fall.

Thursday was busy at WAM. We started the day with a seminar from Ben Cort on Marijuana. I learned that weed of the 60s and 70s had THC levels of 0.2 to 0.5 percent. Today, edibles have THC levels above 60 percent. The effects and impacts are wildly different. It was interesting to hear his suggestions. We listened to a panel discussion on housing issues. Proud that Brenda Birkle of our Cheyenne Housing Task Force was one of the speakers. I learned housing is a big concern in every Wyoming community. Last was a panel discussion with five legislators including our Senator Nethercott and Representative Nicholas. They gave us advice on how to get our priorities thru the legislature. The night ended on a high note with our Capitol Avenue Bronze Project receiving the Community Hero Award. I was proud to nominate and give the award to Harvey Deselms and Nathaniel Trelease. 49 statutes and $735,000 donated to make Cheyenne a more beautiful place to live.

If you have a question for me, send it to media@cheyennecity.org. Ill continue to answer them in my following Mayors Minute column.
An Australian woman awoke from a three-month coma after falling head first into concrete, only to discover that her fiance had cheated on her.

What an absolute nightmare to wake up to!
Test tubes labelled "Monkeypox virus positive and negative" in a photo illustration taken on May 23, 2022. (Dado Ruvic/Reuters)

112 Monkeypox Cases Confirmed in Canada, Says Tam

A total of 112 cases of Monkeypox have been confirmed in four provinces, Chief Public Health Officer Teresa Tam said Friday as she provided an update on the virus in Canada.

Ninety-eight cases have so far been confirmed in Quebec, nine in Ontario, four in Alberta, and one in British Columbia, Tam said in a press release.

All cases to date are male and the majority report having sexual contact with men. However, this virus can spread to anyone through close contact with an infected person, she said.

Tam said more cases can be expected in the coming days and weeks, as the National Microbiology Lab (NML) undertakes further testing to confirm a number of other suspected cases.

Our primary goal is to contain the outbreak. This means rapidly stopping chains of transmission to prevent the establishment of monkeypox in Canada, and protect public health and health care in Canada, she said.

We are also focused on protecting those at the highest risk of severe outcomes, including immunocompromised individuals, pregnant people, and children under 12 years of age.

To limit the spread of the virus, Tam said the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) is recommending the use of Imvamune, a Health Canada-approved vaccine.

She said NACI recommends offering a single dose of Imvamune to individuals with high-risk exposures to a confirmed case of monkeypox, ideally within four days of exposure.

At this time, a mass vaccination campaign is not needed to address this outbreak in Canada, Tam said.

She said affected provinces are currently implementing vaccination strategies based on their local epidemiology situation, while the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is working with vaccine manufacturers to develop more vaccine supply moving forward.

Monkeypox is a zoonotic infectious disease usually found in parts of Central and West Africa that can also infect humans on rare cases. Its transmission is usually associated with exposure to infected animals or contaminated materials, according to a statement issued on May 19 by PHAC.

The first two cases of monkeypox ever reported in Canada were identified in Quebec last month. The virus has been spreading in various parts of the world, including the United States, Australia, and a number of European countries. Tam said NMLs early findings show that the cases in Canada are related to the international outbreak.

The Canadian Press contributed to this article
Voting ballots are audited at the Orange County Registrar of Voters office in Santa Ana, Calif., on June 9, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

2022 Primary Election: Orange County Registrar of Voters Begins Audits

SANTA ANA, Calif.Two days after the 2022 statewide Primary Election, the Orange County Registrar of Voters began conducting a series of post-election tests and audits to ensure fair and accurate results, officials said.

We go beyond what is required in statute and conduct additional audits and testing to ensure every piece of our voting system is secure and recording votes as voters intended, Bob Page, Registrar of Voters, said in a statement.

The audits entail Registrar officials to use two methods of randomly selecting a subset of ballots, as required by Californias 1 percent manual tally law, which requires all county election officials to randomly select and hand count 1 percent of all precincts after each election.

Voting ballots are audited at the Orange County Registrar of Voters office in Santa Ana, Calif., on June 9, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

During the selection process, the ballots drawn represent 1 percent of the countys precinct, followed by a manual tally and comparison to the software-counted votes to verify a signature match.

According to Registrar officials, the ballots go through a three-tiered review system. If a discrepancy arises, officials notify the voter to verify the ballots legitimacy.

During the random selection, 22 precinctsfrom San Clemente to Buena Parkwere chosen, along with three racesU.S. Representative, State Senator, and Assemblyand two measures from Newport Beach and Westminster.

Registrar officials will also conduct a risk-limiting audit, a process that randomly selects a 20-digit number for use with the audit software to select ballots for a manual count.

The 20-digit number is selected in order by sequential rolls of a 10-sided dice by randomly selected members of the public who attend the audit process. If public members are not present, the staff takes a turn rolling the dice.

Officials say the additional measure verifies the accuracy of election results.

Voting ballots are audited at the Orange County Registrar of Voters office in Santa Ana, Calif., on June 9, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Unlike the 1 percent manual tally law, state law does not require risk-limiting audits.

Officials have also chosen to conduct a post-election logic and accuracy test of the countys voting system equipment and software.

These three audits and tests are key components of our comprehensive election integrity program, Page said.

Members of the public have the freedom to observe the process, from the random selection to the hand counting of the selected ballots.

Election observers have the right to observe the ballot processing from start to finish while staying in a designated area without interrupting the voting and election process.

Voting ballots are audited at the Orange County Registrar of Voters office in Santa Ana, Calif., on June 9, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Observers also have the right to challenge whether the staff follows procedures for handling mail ballots.

Justin Aguirre, an Orange County resident, said its his first time observing the audit at the Registrars office.

What brings [me] here is election integrity, and I want to make sure nothing goes wrong, Aguirre told The Epoch Times. We need to hold them accountable, ensure everything is okay, and fill out challenge cards if needed.

Coming here and educating myself about whats going onthats what it takes, he said. Its our obligation to come and see [the count].

Christa Gill, an Orange County resident, echoed Aguirres sentiment.

If we cant trust our elections, we cant trust anybody, Gill told The Epoch Times. I dont care who you vote for, just vote. Lets make sure that were getting what we voted for.

According to the Orange County Registrar of Voters, out of 1,809,773 registered voters, 348,130 cast ballots (19.2 percent) in the June 7 primaryeither by mailing in their ballots, submitting ballots at a certified drop box, or voting in person at a vote center.

Officials said post-election audits could take weeks to complete.

Voting ballots are audited at the Orange County Registrar of Voters office in Santa Ana, Calif., on June 9, 2022. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)
A view shows one of the galleries during a rescue operation inside Perkoa mine where water is still being pumped out in Perkoa, Burkina Faso, on May 13, 2022, four weeks after a flood trapped eight miners inside the galleries. (Anne Mimault/Reuters)

7th Missing Miner Found Dead in Flooded Burkina Faso Mine

OUAGADOUGOUA seventh dead body of a miner missing from a Burkina Faso zinc mine owned by Trevali Mining Corp. that flooded on April 16 was discovered on Wednesday and search teams are continuing to look for an eighth, the government said in a statement.

Hopes of finding any survivors vanished last month when rescue teams found no one inside a refuge chamber in which there was a slim chance eight miners who did not manage to resurface might have sought shelter.

Burkina Faso government said earlier on Wednesday that the two remaining bodies had been recovered, but issued another statement later to rectify the information.

The Perkoa mine was flooded after torrential rain fell unexpectedly during the West African countrys dry season.

Four bodies were found on May 24 and another two four days later.

Both the government and Canada-based Trevali have opened investigations into the incident.

The eight victims were six Burkina Faso nationals, one Tanzanian and one Zambian.

By Thiam Ndiaga and Anne Mimualt
Your past doesnt have to determine your future; popular YouTube star Rob Kenney, 58, from Seattle, Washington, is a living example of this.

Despite being abandoned by his father when he was just 14, Kenney now serves as a father figure in living rooms across the world through his popular YouTube channel: Dad, How Do I? which was started in April 2020 and now boasts an impressive 4 million subscribers.

Through his platform, Kenney offers practical advice that extends from tying ties to jump-starting cars. However, his wisdom and helpful advice are not limited to tools and household fixtures. He also reads storybooks, hosts Dad chats about topics such as integrity and attitude, and even offers how-to baking lessons to make cinnamon rolls and lemon bars.

Kenney told The Epoch Times: life can be tough for everybody, especially when youre trying to figure things out on your own. I thought I would try to download some information from my head to help the next generation, he said.

Background

Born in Louisiana, Kenney was the seventh of eight children. His family followed his fathers work, moving from Kansas to Louisiana, and eventually to Seattle, Washington. Life was good for the family during Kenneys childhood years. However, after moving to Washington, Kenney watched his family disintegrate.

His mother, who originally hailed from a big family, coped with feelings of loneliness and anxiety by turning to alcohol to sedate herself, and as a result, she became unable to care for her children. Meanwhile, Kenneys father gained custody of the kids, and then he, too, began to fade into the background. With the older siblings grown and moved out of the house, Kenneys father would habitually provide groceries for the younger kids during the week and then just disappear.

We were kind of fending for ourselves, Kenney recalled of the time when he was just 12 years old.

Finally, when Kenney was 14, his father came home with the news that he was done raising kids. Kenney remembered hearing his father say that the younger kids would either go to foster care or live with their older siblings. That year, Kenney moved in with his newly married 23-year-old brother and his wife, Rick and Karen.

I was bitter for a long time, Kenney recalled. Due to his past, he harbored bitterness and frustration toward his parents, which wasnt healthy, for a long time.

In the void Kenneys father left, Rick selflessly stepped forward and filled the gap, becoming a hero in Kenneys heart. He took responsibility for Kenneys life in a way that their father hadnt.

During those important teenage years, Rick and his wife became a huge influence on Kenneys life. They were just kids themselves, trying to get started with their own lives and marriage at the young age of 23, but despite that, they stepped up and took him, Kenney said, because they thought it was the right thing to do.

Were best friends to this day, Ive learned a lot of what I know how to do from my brother, Rick, he added. Hes very talented, and he knows how to do a lot of things.

Faith

Perhaps the most profound way that Ricks influence shaped Kenneys life was his example of having faith in God. While Kenney would accompany Rick and Karen to the church when he lived there, he said it really didnt sink in for him then. However, later, when Kenney had a wife of his own and a child on the way, he ran into some difficulties and cried out to God.

Then I felt like he answered everything, and that scared me, Kenney recalled. God kind of called my bluff, so to speak.

This led him to read and pursue an understanding of God. Today, Kenney says faith is the rock that keeps him grounded, and he and Rick still talk deeply together about faith.

Raising His Own Family

With the solid rock of his faith beneath him, Kenney raised his two children, Kristine and Kyle. Saddened by the reality that he always had a superficial relationship with his own father, Kenney wanted to change things as he became a father. Thus he and his wife worked to build an open relationship with their kids. They prayed with their children at night, pouring their hearts out to God, as their kids listened to them trying to do the best they could. They openly admitted when they made mistakes, asking for forgiveness.

We talked about anything and everything, and Im willing to admit that I am not perfect, and thats okay, he said. Its okay to not be perfect, you know?

Kenney shared candidly with his children about his own challenging past and childhood.

Its actually therapeutic for me, you know, its good to talk about it, because its happened, he said.

Despite having struggled with some really hard experiences, hes decided to not settle there, but move on with his life.

I dont play the victim card, because thats not a good place to be, he said.

He shares about his past, not to dwell on the wrongs hes suffered, but to encourage others not to live life dwelling on their victimhood. He encourages grieving and working through challenges, but then leaving the heavy weight of the past behind in order to move forward.

Dad, How Do I?

During the Covid-19 pandemic and the isolation that ensued, Kenney saw a real need for people to connect with one another, and he luckily had a library of Dad wisdom stored up, along with his daughters persuasion to start a YouTube channel for advice.

My daughter kept bothering me to do it, he recollected. I ran out of excuses, and so, I finally had my first upload on April 2 of 2020.

The first video was simple and featured Kenney facing the camera, with eyes that smile behind his rimmed glasses. He taught viewers how to tie a necktie, complete with matching the shirt and tips to avoid looking dorky.

I know that thats been a struggle for people that dont have a dad, he said.

His production, which is low on bells and whistles, is a compilation of simple recordings made on his phone camera. No makeup, and no fancy equipment, but just like a simple conversation with Dad.

Im just trying to be myself and trying to communicate like I would be talking to my own kids, he said.

Originally, he thought his YouTube channel would help maybe 30 or 40 people, but he and his family watched in surprise as the number of subscribers climbed, from 300 to 1,000, and now its up to 4 million people.

His dad-vice resonates with people, offering a fathers voice to those who miss their own father, never knew one, or simply want to learn how to do something that a dad would know.

His impact has been so profound around the world that hes even had people contact him and ask him to adopt them. While Kenney said hes not in the position to adopt, he hopes his efforts will continue to serve others all over the world. He looks forward to hearing from people whove been encouraged by his videos, and whove stepped forward to try things they were afraid to attempt before.

Im so grateful for the fact that Im able to help people, he shared.

The process of teaching and sharing has also put Kenney in a students seat, because he considers himself an introvert. He said hes been forced to grow from recent public appearances and interviews, some with famous personalities such as Kevin Hart or Lester Holt. Situations like these have required him to battle his nervousness and his tendency toward introversion. The experiences have given him an opportunity to develop himself, and he definitely enjoys it.

Its made me grow, he said. You know, Ive had to get out of my comfort zone and kind of fly and its a little scary, but its fun, you know?

The Book

When Kenney turned 50, he saw reaching the milestone as an opportunity to acknowledge his family, whod fallen apart during his youth. He wanted to honor his siblings for the things they taught him; so, he decided to write a book. As it turns out, the book has influenced his YouTube channel significantly.

In his book, Kenney highlights each of his seven siblings and an honorable character trait that they each exhibited. His brother Tim taught him to have a backbone; Rick on the other hand taught him to have a good work ethic. His sister Lauria encouraged others; Joe taught him action without hesitation, and another sibling taught him generosity.

So, while his book Dad, How do I? is listed in the DIY category on Amazon, Kenney said, youre actually learning about my family, a little bit about my background, and then Im also trying to pass along some good character traits that I think everybody could learn from.

Kenneys goals for his book reflect those he has for his YouTube channel: I didnt want it to be only how-tos. I want it to be about making people better people, you know?

He added: Theres so much more to being a dad or a mom than just showing people how to do things. You also want to teach them how to be good humans.

Advice for Parents

In raising children effectively, Kenney shared a piece of advice, encouraging parents to write a mission statement. He explained that, like a business plan, a mission statement sets out what parents want to accomplish as a family, and then they can go back to it, remembering or fine-tuning goals as the family grows.

I think its important to write that down, write down the promises that youre committing to, to keep you on track so that you dont get away from it, he said.

For Kenney and his wife, one of their goals was to raise good adults. They wanted their kids to be independent and reliable, rather than reliant on everyone and everything else.

We didnt want to raise good kids, he said. We wanted to raise good adults, because ultimately, you know, you see people that are kids in adult bodies, too.

Forgiveness and Leaving the Past Behind You

Kenney was around 40 years old when he finally shed his bitterness and forgave his father for abandoning the family in Kenneys most formative years. He and his father were able to mend their broken relationship before his father passed away.

I had already forgiven him, and then he finally actually came around and asked me for forgiveness. But by that time, he was 86, Kenney recalled.

Kenneys challenges have helped him to have empathy for the pain of others who have been wronged. He reads comments on his channel about the tough stuff people have been through, and he said that his heart breaks for what people endure, and yet, he knows that living in the past is futile.

You kind of waste your life, right? Years go by and youre missing out on opportunities because something happened to you in the past, he said. Bringing the past into the futureits not beneficial.

Thus Kenney hopes to help others forgive, move forward, and take ownership of their own lives, rather than dwell on the things in the rearview mirror.

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
People wait in line to check in at Pearson International Airport in Toronto on May 12, 2022. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press)

Air Canada Cancelled Nearly 10 Percent of Flights at Toronto Pearson in First Week of June

Air Canada cancelled roughly 10 percent of flights at the Toronto Pearson International Airport in the first week of June due to increased passenger inflows, staff shortages, and security delays caused by COVID-19 restrictions.

Air Canadas more than 350 flight cancellations from June 1 to June 7 were split between arrivals and departures, The Globe and Mail reported based on aviation data from Cirium.

The data shows that at least one other Canadian airline had similar flight cancellations over the past week, but not to the level of Air Canada. WestJet Airlines cancelled roughly 3 percent, or about 16, of its arrival flights at Pearson, and cancelled 10 departure flights.

As of 5 p.m. on June 10, Toronto Pearsons flight statistics show that close to 6 percent of the total 493 departure flights at the airport were cancelled, as were almost 7 percent of the total 503 arrivals.

These numbers come as the aviation industry called on the federal government to lift the remaining COVID-19 restrictions to facilitate security checks at customs at major Canadian airports, including those in Calgary, Montreal, and Vancouver.

On June 6, the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority screened more than 131,000 passengers in the eight largest airports in the country, in comparison to roughly 162,000 on the same day in 2019, and 17,000 in 2021, the Globe reported.

In a June 9 statement, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA), which operates the Pearson International Airport, praised the governments commitment to dispatch more Canadian Air Transport Security Authority and Canada Border Services Agency officers to help reduce delays at the countrys hub airports.

However, GTAA noted that the government needs to do more, particularly in relation to the upgrades of the ArriveCan app that travellers are required to use to report their health and COVID-19 vaccination statuses.

In a few days, international passenger numbers are set to increase by 50 percent. In anticipation of a new wave of business and family travellers, we urge the government to act immediately to temporarily pause random testing on arrival in airports for an immediate improvement until upgrades to the Governments ArriveCan app have been made, the statement said.

Currently, travellers who qualify as fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are exempted from pre-entry tests, though they could be selected for random testings upon entry. Because of the time it takes to select passengers for this random testing, about 2,700 flights, or more than 490,000 international travellers coming into the country, were affected in May 2022, GTAA said.

On June 10, Transport Canada announced that the random testing policy will be suspended until the end of the month.

The Canadian Airports Council (CAC), which had also called on the Liberal government to remove remaining COVID-19 rules to help alleviate stress for airports and aviation employees, praised the move in a Twitter post on June 10.

Pausing mandatory random testing at airports is a great step forward for travellers and Canadas tourism industry. We are starting to see signs of progress in all areas of the airport, said CAC, which represents more than 100 airports across the country.

Pausing mandatory random testing at airports is a great step forward for travellers and Canadas tourism industry. We are starting to see signs of progress in all areas of the airport. Thank you @OmarAlghabra https://t.co/1GAutZ6PMR  canadasairports (@canadasairports) June 10, 2022

Another association for the airlines industry, the National Airline Council of Canada, also praised Transport Minister Omar Alghabras decision to suspend random testings at airports, but at the same time called for the further elimination of pandemic-related restrictions.

Canadas airlines welcome Minister @OmarAlghabras decision to suspend and move off-site the mandatory random testing at airports. This is a positive step, rooted in science and evidence, that will improve conditions at Canadas airports and reduce complexity for travellers, the group said on Twitter.

We look forward to further action by the Government to lift remaining pandemic-era travel restrictions that put Canada out of step with other countries around the world.

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada also said in a Twitter statement that it is thrilled to hear the suspension of the random testing policy.

This will help alleviate the bottleneck we are seeing at our points of entry. We hope that this becomes permanent and barriers continue to be removed for travel in Canada, the association said.
Airlines Cancel Thousands of Flights Scheduled for Summer Travel Season

Major airlines are canceling thousands of flights scheduled for the busy summer travel season, attributing the cancellations to a lack of pilots resultant from the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus pandemic.

Leading the trend is Southwest Airlines, which has canceled over 20,000 flights this season. Delta Airlines already cut over 700 flights during the busy Memorial Day weekend and expects to cancel 100 flights daily from July 1 to Aug. 7 in the Western hemisphere.

The airlines have attributed these cancellations to a labor shortage of licensed pilots, but these claims are disputed by unions such as the Air Lines Pilot Association (ALPA), which allege that airlines are using an ostensible labor shortage as a pretext to collect greater profits at the expense of consumers.

The United States is producing a record number of pilots, yet some are still trying to claim we need to weaken aviation safety rules to fix a problem that doesnt exist. Thats why its so important we have frontline aviation safety expertsour pilotson Capitol Hill this week to make sure decision-makers know the facts, and whats at stake, said ALPA President Captain Joe DePete.

Nonetheless, there are a multitude of factors that could contribute to a shortage of pilots, including a generally tight labor market and a perceived undesirability of careers in aviation. A survey of pilots released last February saw 37 percent of pilots admit that they would not have become pilots if given their time again, with a majority (55 percent) saying they would not recommend piloting to young people.

One of the leading catalysts for the air travel labor shortage has been a delay in training new pilots during the CCP virus pandemic, which slowed down the rate at which pilots licenses were issued. Furthemore, the pandemic occasioned a wave of early retirements, which airlines offered to pilots at a time when travel demand was below normal on account of the international and interstate travel restrictions which were widespread in the first year of the pandemic and still persist in parts of East Asia.

Furthermore, the airlines lost some portion of their workforce as a result of last years universal CCP virus vaccine mandates for pilots, resulting in an exodus of aviation professionals from the industry just preceding the post-pandemic travel boom. While it is unknown exactly how many pilots were fired or quit as a result of the mandates, it was reported last year that United Airlines fired hundreds of pilots as a result of noncompliance with the vaccine requirement.

Exacerbating this issue are the supply chain complications that have become a persisting problem in the post-pandemic economy, undermining the rate at which new aircraft are manufactured to meet demand for air travel. Last March, Boeing and Airbus were reportedly afflicted with an engine shortage, causing delays for the plane manufacturers

A reflection of the unusual market dynamics at work in the air travel industry is JetBlues hostile takeover attempt of Spirit Airlines, in spite of a previously negotiated deal for Spirit to be acquired by Frontier. Under ordinary circumstances, Frontier would be the obvious choice to acquire Spirit because of their similar business models and the ease of integrating Spirits operations into Frontier.

However, the deficit of pilots and the complications in manufacturing new aircraft have incentivized JetBlue to make bolder and more costly bids to acquire Spirit, even as the former airline faces scrutiny from antitrust regulators which could derail the deal. For JetBlue, having access to Spirits pilots and planes would allow them to compete against the big four American airlines on a much larger scale, at a time when scarcities of both labor and aircraft limit the operations of the aviation industry.

For consumers, the consequences of these labor and material shortages in the aviation industry will be higher costs for air travel and unexpected flight cancellations. Whether attributable to a true imbalance of labor and demand, as alleged by the airlines, or to the avarice of the airlines, as suggested by the labor unions, it seems certain that the costs will be incurred on ordinary passengers, who face an increasingly costly and unreliable air travel system under the current conditions.
This combination of photos shows the members of the House Select Committee tasked with investigating the January 6 incident. Top row from left, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), Chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), Rep. Elaine Luria (D-Va.), and Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.). Bottom row from left, Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), Rep. Stephanie Murphy (D-Fla.), Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.). (AP Photo)

An Illegitimate Court Gets Ready to Convene

Commentary

As the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 Attack prepares to stage a show trial of Donald Trump on Capitol Hill this week, I have filed a lawsuit challenging the Select Committees gross violations of the Constitutions separation of powers.

Yes, congressional committees do have the power to investigate. Yet, they can only do so in pursuit of a legislative function, e.g., to enact new rules, regulations, or policies.

What settled law explicitly rules out is the pursuit of a judicial function in which a congressional committee seeks to act as judge, jury, and executioner. That clearly violates the separation of powerspunishment is reserved exclusively for the judicial branch.

In this case, Nancy Pelosis Democrat-controlled House passed H. Res. 503 on May 21, 2021 to establish the committee; and the legislative activity of all seven of the committees Democrats reveal their clear intent to unconstitutionally punish Trump and his most senior advisors by subjecting us to the shame, humiliation, ostracization, banishment, denial of public office, and possible imprisonment that comes with being falsely accused of being insurrectionists seeking to overturn a fair election.

A sordid legislative history of these committee members spanning more than five years includes: a thoroughly discredited Russia hoax, two attempted impeachments, a Trump censure, and three House resolutions to remove Trump from office.

The committees chair, Bennie Thompson, himself created a task force in 2017 as part of the perpetuation of the Russia hoax and has described President Trump as racist and unfit to serve. Thompson also refused to show up for Trumps 2017 inauguration.

Thompsons chief lieutenant, Adam Schiff, was the lead investigator for the first Trump impeachment trial and the tip of the Democrats spear for the Russia hoax. After his hoax imploded, Schiff hired investigators to expand a probe into Trump beyond Russia.

Jamie Raskin, the lead House Impeachment Manager for the second impeachment trial, has referred to Trump as a barbarian, and likewise repeatedly pushed the Russia hoax. Raskin also led the charge in pushing a trifecta of House resolutions to remove Trump from office.

Zoe Lofgren has called Trump an ignorant bigot who shames our country while seeking to disqualify him from holding future office. Elaine Luria boycotted Trumps 2020 State of the Union address and attempted to convict Trump in the court of public opinion of high crimes and misdemeanors set by the Constitution.

Pete Aguilar and Stephanie Murphy likewise voted yes on both impeachments and co-sponsored H. Res. 24 which initiated the second impeachment. In acting as judge and jury in the second impeachment trial, Aguilar falsely alleged that President Trump attempted to use the power of his office to coerce a foreign government to interfere in an American election.

Over the course of more than five years, these seven Democrats have sought to remove Donald Trump from office and prevent him from ever running for office again; and they have done so by repeatedly abusing their investigatory and legislative powers in serial violations of the separation of powers.

The only two Republicans on the Committee, Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, voted yes on the second Trump impeachment trial while Kinzinger repeatedly sided with the Democrats on the Russia hoax. For his anti-Trump activities, Kinzinger was forced out of running for reelection and clearly has a score to settle with Trump.

Cheney is a long-term foe because of Trumps well-placed criticism that Cheneys father Vice President Dick Cheney played a major role in prosecuting the endless wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. These wars needlessly killed or wounded hundreds of thousands of people and drained trillions of dollars from our Republic.

That Cheney, along with Thompson, seek to abuse the committees investigatory powers in violation of the separation of powers is evident in their public confession that the purpose of their investigation is to ensure those responsible are held accountable. Pelosi herself was caught on tape privately saying that I do not want to see [Trump] impeached, I want to see him in prison.

Clearly, Pelosis committee is seeking to build a criminal case against President Trump while four of the presidents most senior advisersincluding myselfhave already been held in contempt and face possible prison terms and fines for refusing to be accomplices to the committees star chamber.

The June hearings that begin this week will effectively be the committees opening argument in support of a trumped up, Stalin-like criminal case against Donald Trump; and it is high time that our judicial branch puts a stop to the committees gross violations of the separation of powers.

Here, we should take Pelosi at her word when she described the formation of this committee as unprecedented. It is indeed unprecedented for a rabidly partisan and score-settling congressional committee to abuse such powerful investigatory powers. By her own words, Pelosi has invited the judicial branch of our government to clearly establish the precedent that congressional committees do not have the legal authority to act as judges, juries, and executioners behind the mask and shield of putatively legitimate legislative functions.

From RealClearWire

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (L) greets his New Zealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern ahead of a bilateral meeting in Sydney, Australia, on June 10, 2022. (Mark Baker - Pool/Getty Images)

New Australian Government a Chance for a Reset of Bilateral Ties: Ardern

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the election victory of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signalled a reset to Trans-Tasman relations.

Albanese and Ardern met on Thursday evening for an informal dinner before holding bilateral meetings on Friday.

I do see this as an opportunity for a reset because there were obviously some points of friction, Ardern said, referring to its relationship with the previous government.

Australias visa cancellation policy under section 501 of the migration act has seen countless people deported to New Zealand after failing a character test for being involved in criminal activity.

Ardern said her government was not asking Australia to remove its deportation policy but reconsider the deportation of people with no connection to New Zealand and Kiwis who have stayed in Australia for so long that they were essentially Australians.

Thats the place that were asking for that consideration to be given, she said. So anyone who claims that it is somehow going to make Australia less safe, that is not true. And it is not fair.

The New Zealand prime minister accused the Australian media and the previous government of often mischaracterising New Zealands request around deportations I imagine for domestic political reasons.

Albanese said he had discussed this issue with Ardern back when he was the opposition leader that and her concerns had been made very clear in Fridays meeting. However, he did not outline any specific changes that would be considered.

Well work them through in an orderly way. Ive said that section 501 would be maintained, Albanese said. But there were also concerns that have been raised that need to be taken into consideration as friends.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (L) speaks during a joint press conference with her Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese in Sydney, Australia, on June 10, 2022. (Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

The two leaders also discussed Chinas increasing influence in the Pacific after the Chinese foreign minister signed a string of security and economic deals with several Islander nations.

Were in lockstep on the Pacific. And I look forward to working with Prime Minister Ardern, working with our democratic neighbours, Albanese said.

The Australian prime minister said the governments plan included over half a billion dollars in foreign aid and the further development of climate and infrastructure partnerships.

The Pacific region has listed climate change as its number one threat, Ardern said. Right now, we already see the considerable effects of coastal erosion, or severe weather events and of displacement in our backyard.

But a study by the University of Auckland found that some low-lying islands in the Pacific thought to be at risk of being submerged underwater have actually increased in size since 1943.

This study has found that the expansion of islands through sediment generation under conditions of sea-level rise is possible, said Murray Ford, a coastal geomorphologist at the University of Auckland.

The coral reefs which surround these islands is the engine room of island growth, producing sediment which is washed up on the island shoreline. Healthy coral reefs are essential for this process to continue into the future.

Ardern is the first foreign leader received on Australian soil by Albanese since winning office.

It is both humbling but also very fitting to be the first foreign head of government to be here in Australia meeting with you in your new role, and I think it is indicative of the relationship that New Zealand and Australia share, Ardern said.
A coal train is seen moving parallel to the A4 Highway in the Clermont and Blackwater region in Queensland, Australia, on April 29, 2019. (Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

Australian Coal Mining Companies Accuse State Government of a Lack of Transparency on Royalty Rates

Currently, coal mining companies are calling on the Queensland government to be transparent about how much the state government will tax them in 2022-2023, even though the new financial year is approaching.

Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick said that the tax on each tonne of coal sold, also known as royalties, imposed on miners would rise in the 2022-2023 financial year after what he called a decade-long freeze.

Obviously, that resource belongs to the people of Queensland, and now were looking at what that might look like in the future, Dick told reporters.

Last December, the treasure predicted that coal royalties would rise to $4.6 billion (US$3.28 billion) in 2021-2022 from $2 billion projected in the 2021 budget.

However, Queensland Resources Council (QRC) chief executive Ian Macfarlane said royalties would hit $6 billion in the current financial year due to soaring coal prices.

While announcing the change, Dick has not disclosed the size of the increase in royalties.

Itll be fair for the industry, but very importantly, itll be fair for the people of our state, he said.

The QRC said Dick refused to tell miners how much the new royalty rates would be in a meeting on June 8.

(That) flies in the face of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuks promise to be an open and transparent government, the QRC said in a statement obtained by AAP.

The coal industry is facing a rate rise in two weeks and does not know what to expect.

While the QRC warned that a hike in royalty would push foreign investors away from the market, the treasure said that situation would not occur and emphasised that he was still a friend of the mining industry.

But the point of being a friend, and the value of friendship, is being able, to tell the truth, Dick said.

And the truth is that these companies have been making very significant amounts of money.

Meanwhile, Queensland will lift the gambling tax on bets from 15 percent to 20 percent on July 1.

The state government is also anticipated to receive interest earnings from a fund holding rental bonds in 2022-2023.

The above developments will generate an additional $200 million for the state to spend on new roads, sewerage systems and other infrastructure.

Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles said that more homes would be built with the construction of new public infrastructure.

Once that infrastructure is there, developers tell us that they will be able to open up those lots, he told reporters.
CHENGDU, June 10 -- A magnitude-5.8 earthquake hit Maerkang City in Southwest China's Sichuan Province at 12:03 a.m. on June 10, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).

An advance group of the Aba detachment under the Chinese People's Armed Police (PAP) Force Sichuan Corps headed to the epicenter Caodeng Town and carried out disaster relief work immediately at arrival. 166 service members devoted themselves to establishing temporary resettlement sites in densely populated areas surrounding Maerkang city, as well as accommodating and comforting the affected people.

At 5:00 a.m. on June 10, it started to rain at the quake-stricken area and the service members hurried to pitch tents to provide shelters for 74 elders and 21 workers. As of press time, another batch of over 1600 soldiers has been assembled and ready to reinforce the disaster rescue work.

PAP soldiers carry disaster relief materials.

PAP soldiers set up a tent in the rain.
The Orange County Sheriff's Department begin the use of body cameras in Yorba Linda, Calif., Oct. 4, 2021. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Authorities Destroy 60 Pounds of Explosives in Irvine

IRVINE, Calif.Authorities destroyed 60 pounds of confiscated homemade explosives June 8 at the Frank R. Bowerman landfill, according to the Orange County Sheriffs Department.

Sheriff spokesman Sgt. Scott Steinle told The Epoch Times that the explosive material was seized over the last year.

Prior to destroying the explosives, Steinle said, they were used for training the departments canine units.

Our canine explosive team works hand in hand with John Wayne Airport, TSA, and security to make sure that no explosives have access to any airplanes, Steinle said.

Authorities dispose of such explosive material about four times a year.

On hand were Orange County Sheriff tactical medics and members of the Orange County Fire Authority, and the countys Health Care Agency.

Authorities warned residents in surrounding areas that loud explosions could be heard during the routine procedure.
Police tape is seen in this stock photo. (Carl Ballou/Shutterstock)

Authorities ID Man Killed in Shootout With Iowa Officer

DAVENPORT, IowaAuthorities 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.

The shooting happened at around 1 a.m. Wednesday when an officer responded to a call from the store reporting that someone appeared to be tampering with its air conditioning unit outside, Davenport police said.

The officer confronted a man, later identified as Morales, outside the store and found that he had outstanding arrest warrants, police said. A fight between the two ensued, and Morales and the officer exchanged gunfire, police said.

Morales was shot and died at a hospital, police said. The officer was not shot, but sustained minor injuries during the fight. Police have not released the officers name.

The Scott County Sheriffs Office and the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation are investigating the shooting.
Police officers and security perform crowd control after an official flag raising ceremony to mark National Day next to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City on October 1, 2021 in Beijing, China. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Beijing, HK Offer Cash for National Security Violation Tip-Offs

Beijing says citizens who report breaches of the national security law may win a certificate of recognition or a monetary reward ranging from 10,000 yuan (about $1,500) to over 100,000 yuan (about $15,000), depending on the value of the tip-off.

On June 6, the Ministry of State Security announced in an official paper its new rules for rewarding people who report witnessing acts of endangering national security.

People can submit information by calling 12339, a designated hotline; online; mailing a letter; or visiting a state security agency, according to the document.

A representative for the ministry claimed that the move is aimed at cementing the grassroots foundation to Chinas national security and fighting foreign intelligence activities.

However, the new rules dont provide a definition of endangering national security, which Chinese enforcement may interpret vaguely, and use as a catch-all allegation to target activists and human rights defenders who seek fair treatment, criticize the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) atrocities, or accept interviews with foreign journalists.

The new rules went into effect on the day they were published.

China news commentator Tang Jingyuan told The Epoch Times that the move is essentially the same as the spy-catching campaigns that the CCP uses, and can be traced back to the era of late party chief Mao Zedong who employed the tool to purge his political opponents and dissidents.

The CCP has well used this tactic, said Tang. Its goal is to prevent or dissolve all factors contributing to mass protests by fueling tip-offs. This also creates an atmosphere of fear and mutual distrust in interpersonal relationships, which helps bolster the CCPs rule.

The communist organization uses this method to shift the focus of attention whenever it faces a critical internal crisis, said Tang.

Within the CCP, Tang noted, spy-catching movements have become a brutal yet effective infighting tool. In the CCPs history, the No. 1 spy it claimed to have revealed was former head of state, Liu Shaoqi, who died a miserable death after being removed from his post and unlawfully isolated and mistreated while in custody.

On June 8, just two days after Beijing rolled out the new rules, Hong Kong police announced a similar reward systemfor the first time in historyfor revealing terrorist or violent behavior. Anyone who spots an offender may receive up to HK$ 800,000 (about $101,915).

The intention of the Hong Kong government is clear, said Chung Kim-wah, former deputy CEO of the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute, in an interview with VOA. That is turning the city into a society in which people monitor each other so that Hongkongers will be deterred from criticizing the government and the CCP as they did before.

Luo Ya and Cheng Jing contributed to this report.
A traveler takes a photo of a Covid-19 testing sign at the Tom Bradley International Terminal, in Los Angeles, Calif., on Feb. 4, 2021. (Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

Biden Administration Drops Key COVID-19 Requirement for Air Travel

The White House announced Friday it will drop COVID-19 testing requirements for international air travel, according to a spokesperson.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will end COVID-19 testing requirement for air travelers entering the country, said White House spokesman Kevin Munoz, adding that it will evaluate its need based on the science and in context of circulating variants.

Munoz was responding to a report from CNN, which cited an unnamed administration official, that said the testing requirement would be dropped.

Since COVID-19 testing became mandatory in January 2021, CDC has often changed the rules for entering the United States, while some have complained that the agency uses confusing language and terms. On the agencys website, it says that vaccinated travelers have to show a negative COVID-19 test one day before travelingnot 24 hours before traveling.

The 1-day period is 1 day before the flights departure. The Order uses a 1-day time frame instead of 24 hours to provide more flexibility to the air passenger and aircraft operator. By using a 1-day window, test acceptability does not depend on the time of the flight or the time of day that the test sample was taken, the CDC says.

In recent days, travel industry groups have often pressed the Biden administration to end the testing requirement, describing the rule as harmful and needless.

Quite frankly, the only impact the pre-departure testing requirement is having is a chilling effect on an already fragile economy here in the U.S., Airlines for America chief Nick Calio said in a statement in late May.

And Roger Dow of the U.S. Travel Association said that as COVID-19 restrictions on numerous other businesses have been lifted, the travel industry remains disproportionately harmed by this requirement.

Other countries with whom we directly compete for global travelers have removed their pre-departure testing requirements and reopened their tourism economies, putting the U.S. at a serious competitive disadvantage for export dollars, Dow argued in a May 31 statement after travel association officials met with White House staff in May.

American Airlines CEO Robert Isom told Reuters last week that the longstanding COVID-19 testing requirements to enter the country were nonsensical and were depressing travel.

Were really frustrated, and this is something that is damaging not only U.S. travel, but it just doesnt make sense, Isom said.

A number of other countries have dropped negative testing requirements to enter their respective countries in recent months. That includes Canada, which in April dropped its pre-arrival testing requirement for vaccinated people.

Even some Democrat lawmakers applauded the White House announcement on Friday.

Im glad [the] CDC suspended the burdensome coronavirus testing requirement for international travelers, and Ill continue to do all I can to support the strong recovery of our hospitality industry, Sen. Debbie Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) said in a statement to CNN.

Earlier this year, a federal judge struck down the CDCs rule that required masks in airports, airplanes, and other forms of public transportation. The Department of Justice spokesperson said it would appeal the judges order.
UK chief Brexit negotiator David Frost (L) looks on as Prime Minister Boris Johnson (R) poses for photographs after signing the Brexit trade deal with the E.U. in number 10 Downing Street in London, on Dec. 30, 2020. (Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Boris Johnson Has Until the Autumn to Save His Premiership: Former Brexit Minister

Prime Minister Boris Johnson must set out a clear Conservative vision for Britain or risk being ousted from Downing Street by the autumn, his former Brexit minister has warned.

Johnson survived a vote of confidence on June 6, with 211 Conservative MPs backing him and 148 wanting him to step down over the partygate scandal. Following the vote, the prime minister called the results convincing and decisive.

But Lord Frost, who was once among the prime ministers closest advisers, urged him not to ignore the depth of opposition he faces within his own party.

Frost predicted that another attempt to oust Johnson could come after the Conservative Party conference in early October unless he changes course.

Writing in The Daily Telegraph, Frost said that the biggest problem now facing the government was not the issue of lockdown-breaching parties in Downing Street, but that voters did not understand what it was trying to do.

Every prime minister has weaknesses and blind spots. The issue is whether they are able to compensate for them, by having the right people, by taking good advice, and by setting a clear policy direction with broad support, he said.

Mr. Johnson probably has between now and the party conference to show he can do that.

Frost, who served as the governments chief Brexit negotiator until he resigned in December 2021, said that the government should reverse tax increases and credibly commit to future cuts, start fracking, be clear that North Sea gas is fundamental for the future, and take VAT off energy bills.

He said that the government needs a strategy for productivity and growth, as well as a 10-year Conservative plan to restore the viability of the British state, based on freedom and individual liberty not collectivism.

Frost also called for moves towards smaller government, a freer housing market, an energy strategy that reduces carbon emissions but prioritises security of supply.

He urged the prime minister to carry out a Cabinet reshuffle with the appointment of a serious deputy who could design and deliver the strategy.

This is ambitious. I can see why many people think the Prime Minister cant deliver it. He doesnt like upsetting people. But any serious plan means making choices, he said.

Many of us still want him to succeed and will support him if he shows a sense of purpose. But he has to show things will be different now.

PA Media contributed to this report.
Captured boats that carried Haitian illegal immigrants in the Turks and Caicos Islands, on Jan. 28, 2019. (Gemma Handy/AFP via Getty Images)

British Overseas Territory Hits out at Reckless UNHCR Over Human Trafficking

A lawyer representing seven Sri Lankan asylum seekers who found themselves on a British overseas territory in the Caribbean has said they were treated disgracefully by the government of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

But the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) Minister of Immigration and Border Services, Arlington Musgrove, has in turn described the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) as reckless and misguided.

Last month the seven Sri Lankans were awarded $532,500 by the supreme court on the Turks and Caicos Islands for false imprisonment after they were held at an immigration detention centre for 11 months.

Tim Prudhoe, a British-born lawyer who represented the seven, described the Turks and Caicos government as xenophobic and told The Epoch Times: I am now public enemy number one with the government, just for helping out those who would otherwise not have been helped.

The Turks and Caicos Islandshalfway between Bahamas and Haitiwas a party to the 1951 Convention on the Status of Refugees.

Haitians deported from the United States arrive at the Toussaint LOuverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Oct. 28, 2021. (Ricardo Arduengo/ file / AFP via Getty Images)

Last month the UNHCR urged governments in the Caribbean to fulfill their maritime rescue obligations and ensure all those in need of international protection are identified and offered unobstructed and prompt access to fair asylum procedures.

It comes after a Florida-bound boat carrying 842 Haitians washed up on the Cuban coast after its captain abandoned it.

But this week the TCI government reacted angrily to the UNHCR statement.

In a statement, Musgrove said the UNHCR was urging other Caribbean countries to do more to assist people fleeing Haiti where there is escalating deterioration in security and rising gang violence.

Musgrove said: I am appalled at the United Nations. Their unrealistic call for regional governments to do more is nothing short of reckless and misguided. Haiti has a population of 11.6 million people. How could any small developing state like the Turks and Caicos Islands assist that number of people or even the smallest fraction of them?

The Turks and Caicos Islands is directly north of Haiti and it has found itself in the path of waves of Haitian illegal immigrants heading towards the United States.

In October 2019 a sloop carrying 154 illegal immigrants was intercepted off the Turks and Caicos Islands.

In a May 31 media release by the U.S. Coast Guard, it said between Oct. 1, 2021, and the end of May 2022, the U.S. Coast Guard intercepted 5,390 Haitians compared to 1,527 in April 2020March 2021 and 418 in April 2019March 2020, showing the increasing number of people fleeing Haiti.

Paid for Passage to Canada

Most of those on board were Haitians but one Indian and 28 Sri Lankan Tamil men were also detained and it later emerged they had paid up to $60,000 each to a human trafficker.

Hayden Boyce, editor of the TCI Sun newspaper, told The Epoch Times the Sri Lankans had relatives in Toronto and paid a Canadian citizen, Sri Kajamukam Chelliah, to smuggle them into Canada illegally when they were unable to obtain visas.

Chelliah organised a circuitous routeSri Lanka to Dubai and then, via Istanbul, to Cuba and on to Jamaica and eventually Haiti, from where they boarded a boat that was supposed to take them up through the Bahamas to Miami. The plan was for them to travel overland to Buffalo and then to sneak across the border into Canada.

But they only got as far as the Turks and Caicos Islands, a tiny archipelago that has been under British control since 1766 and was given self-governing status, as an overseas territory, in 1973.

Prudhoe said the Sri Lankans could only speak Tamil and they languished in awful conditions in an immigration detention centre on the island of Providenciales for several months before he won their release by a series of legal challenges to their continued detention.

Many of the Sri Lankans returned home but seven stayed on in the islands and filed claims for political asylum before Prudhoe and his law firm won them compensation of around $75,000 each for false imprisonment by the immigration authorities.

In 2009, the Tamil Tiger rebels were defeated by the Sri Lankan army and there have been persistent allegations since of Tamils experiencing human rights abuses in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan Tamils Suffered White Van Treatment

Prudhoe said when the Sri Lankans finally got to speak to a UNHCR official they all had similar stories.

Many of them had suffered what is known as the white van treatment. A van pulls up and they were detained, assaulted, and later released without charge. They all have terrible stories, Prudhoe said.

In January 2021 a TCI appeal court ruled the Sri Lankans had been unlawfully detained for an extended period.

Chelliah, 55, was later extradited from the Turks and Caicos Islands to the United States and was jailed for 32 months for human trafficking offences in May 2021.

Todd Bensman, a journalist and fellow of the Center for Immigration Studies, said it was not the first time Chelliah had been caught for human trafficking. In 2010 an FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force investigation found he had smuggled 1,750 Sri Lankans into Florida but he served only 18 months in a U.S. prison and emerged unreformed.

Human Smugglers Jeopardise National Security

Acting Assistant Attorney General Brian C. Rabbitt said: This case demonstrates the departments commitment to working with our foreign law enforcement partners to prosecute human smugglers who seek to thwart our system of legal immigration, jeopardise our national security, and risk the lives of people who face the dangers of maritime smuggling.

Next month a final hearing will take place on claims that the Sri Lankans were denied guaranteed rights under the TCI constitution.

Prudhoe, who will lead their legal team at that hearing, said: The facts speak for themselves, sadly, and I hope that the government there treat it as a learning opportunity. Similar issues are bound to arise again. Soon.

Andrea Mucino-Sanchez a public information and communications officer for the UNHCR in the District of Columbia in an email to The Epoch Times said, the UNHCR has completed the refugee status determination of the cases mentioned and provided recommendations to the [TCI] government for the next steps in accordance with the asylum process.

A statement from the TCI government said, The Turks and Caicos Islands has faced unrelenting challenges with illegal migration over the years and in recent times has expensed in excess of $3 million year on year on the repatriation and other costs associated with detention of illegal migrants.
Police on scene at a Tops Friendly Market after a mass shooting at the store in Buffalo, N.Y., on May 14, 2022. (John Normile/Getty Images)

Bulletproof Vests to Be Illegal for Civilians in New York From July

It will become illegal in July to sell bulletproof vests to most civilians in New York after the governor signed into law a package of gun safety measures in the wake of the mass shooting at a supermarket in Buffalo in May.

Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-N.Y.) signed state Senate Bill 9407B on June 6 making the purchase of a bulletproof body vest a class A misdemeanor for first-time offenders and a class E felony thereafter.

The only exceptions to the law will be for those engaged or employed in an eligible profession such as police officers, peace officers, military personnel, and professions designated by the Department of State.

Republican state Sen. George Borrello of the 57th senate district, who voted against the package of bills, said the fast-tracked process meant lawmakers didnt hear from a broader subsection of New Yorkers in professions that sometimes require body armor.

Everything was rushed at the end of session for political reasons and leaving this for rules to be promulgated by the Department of State as to who and who cannot get them is going to become very political, he told local media Spectrum News 1.

I spoke to a group of doctors that actually show up in situations in questionable neighborhoods that want body armor for them to purchase, he added. What about the taxi driver? What about a guy that works at a convenience store overnight?

Democrat state Sen. Sean Ryan said when the bill passed that New York lawmakers were taking action because the federal government refuse to act.

The piece of legislation was part of a package of 10 gun safety measures New York state lawmakers pushed through their legislature after mass shootings at a Tops supermarket in Buffalo and an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.

Law enforcement personnel run away from the scene of a shooting near Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, on May 24, 2022. (Reuters/Marco Bello)

Body armor was one of the measures in the package that passed the Democrat-controlled state Senate on June 2 before going to Hochul for signing. The body armor bill was sponsored by Democratic state Sen. Brian Kavanagh of the 26th district.

I dont know anybody who wears body armor unless theyre in law enforcement or security, so theres been a proliferation of sales, but Ive never met anybody who walks around with body armor on, Ryan told Spectrum News 1.

Body armor worn by the Tops supermarket gunman who killed 10 people on May 14 has been cited by police as the reason a retired Buffalo officer working security on site was unable to stop the suspect.

Ryan pointed to this while disputing a common argument that good guys with guns can stop the bad guy with the gun.

But in this case, the bad guy with the gun had body armor on and the retired police officer, Officer [Aaron] Salter, could not stop him, Ryan said.

Why the heck are we selling body armor to civilians that have nothing to do with public safety? he added.

The New York state law is expected to become enforceable 30 days after it was signed, on July 6.
Canceling Free Speech

Commentary

People make mistakes. They say things that are poorly worded, and wrong, and stupid. But whether its a slip of the tongue or a genuinely repugnant belief, the rest of us have to ask, Do we believe in free speech or not? Somehow we got the idea that we have the right to never be offended. Our intolerance exceeds our moral outrage.

Musicians were lining up to take their music off Spotify if Joe Rogan, accused of spreading COVID-19 misinformation, was allowed to remain on the air. New York Times editor James Bennet was forced to resign in 2020 for daring to publish a conservative op-ed by U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.). Conservative speakers on college campuses have been physically attacked and driven from lecture halls for daring to present ideas that differ from the approved orthodoxy.

This is not OK. This is not American behavior. Ironically, the mantra of the free speech movement on college campuses in the 1960s was, I disagree with what you say but will defend to the death your right to say it. Not anymore. Tragically, university campuses are among the most hostile places for free expression.

According to Pew Research, a solid 28 percent of the country as a whole, 35 percent of Democrats, and 40 percent of millennials say they believe in free speech but support the government being able to prevent people from saying things that are offensive to minorities. The obvious question is Who gets to define hate speech? The answer, of course, is they do, and in case youre wondering, hate speech is anything they disagree with. It hasnt dawned on them that hate speech is the only speech that needs to be protected in the first place. As one commentator put it, Is anyone against love speech?

Theres a story from Thomas Jeffersons presidency about a visit he received from the German scientist Baron Alexander von Humboldt. Humboldt spotted a newspaper in Jeffersons office that was filled with vitriolic criticism of Jefferson and asked, Why are these libels allowed? Why is not this libelous journal suppressed, or its editor, at least, fined and imprisoned? Jefferson smiled and said, Put that in your pocket, and should you hear the reality of our liberty, the freedom of the press questioned, show them this paper and tell them where you found it.

The free expression of opinion was such an unknown thing in history that Humboldt could not believe it was real. He could not believe that criticism of governmental leaders was tolerated, much less protected by law. It is indeed unusual. It is a value, and values have to be taught.

Some of us are old enough to remember a group of Nazis who held a rally in 1978 in Skokie, Illinois, a largely Jewish village where hundreds of Holocaust survivors lived. And these were real Nazis not just people who disagree with Democrats. They had uniforms with swastika armbands and flags and everything. It would be hard to come up with a more outrageous scenario. As fate would have it the ACLU lawyer assigned to represent the protesters, David Goldberger, was Jewish. The event led to the U.S. Supreme Court issuing a landmark ruling on the First Amendment, which allowed the march to take place. Goldberger later said that some of the Holocaust survivors contacted him saying they did not want the Nazis driven underground by speech-repressive laws or court injunctions. They explained that they wanted to be able to see their enemies in plain sight so they would know who they were.

Their statements were like lights in the darkness of anger, he wrote. Chipping away at [the commitment to free speech] will open the door to the erosion of the First Amendment as a bulwark against rule by tyrants.

The answer to offensive speech is more speech, not censorship. Of those with unpopular views, Jefferson said, Let them stand undisturbed as monuments of the safety with which error of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
After one year of investigations into the Jan. 6 Capitol breach, the House select committee has prepared a public hearing. Republicans are calling it a political stunt timed just before the midterm elections.

Jan. 6 is back in the spotlight. Were the events that took place that day a threat to democracy or a political dust-up? We sat down with Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Green to discuss.

The United States is hosting the Summit of the Americas for the first time, with nearly two dozen leaders gathering in Los Angeles. President Joe Biden spoke in the summit and said unlawful immigration is not acceptable.

Were the threats of murder against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh preventable? Oklahoma Senate candidate Rep. Markwayne Mullin joins us to discuss.

Over 50 lawmakers are weighing in on a Supreme Court case involving free speech and religious liberty. What does Sen. Ted Cruz say about the threats against Justice Kavanaugh?

As economies around the world continue to struggle, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen tells a House Committee about plans for a global tax. The panels ranking Republican strongly disagrees.

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CCP Spinning New Values for World Wide Web, Warn UKs Internet Security Chiefs

China is threatening the future of the internet, UK spy chiefs have warned.

The Western values which helped develop and shape the world wide web are being sabotaged by the Chinese, whose technological advances and speedy implementation are recasting the international cyber network in Beijings authoritarian vision, said the deputy director of strategy at GCHQ, the UK government intelligence centre.

We in the West have been fortunate that a lot of the technology which has driven the internet has been informed by Western liberal values, democratic values, but that is not going to be the picture going forward, the senior spook, known only as Ann, told the Cheltenham Science Festival on Thursday.

She added: So we can see that there is a big shift to the East. There is a potential clash of values there.

Those values are unlike those we hold to be important in the West, The Telegraph reported Ann as saying.

Evidence of Chinas challenge to the internets principles has in recent years seen the erasing of independent news providers and the spread of disinformation.

The CCP spends billions of dollars on cyber information warfare. Tens of thousands of monitors weed out any challenge to Beijings rule, and state-sponsored hackers are employed to launch ransomware attacks on servers worldwide, crashing systems and engaging in industrial espionage.

Beijing has also sought to build kudos by competing with Western social media sites.

The ever-popular TikTok is owned by ByteDance which has its headquarters in Beijing, and which is known to have connections with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

On Nov. 5, 2019, U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) said in the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Terrorism that TikTok is a social media platform compromised by the CCP. He warned American parents that a company compromised by the Chinese Communist Party knows where your children are, knows what they look like, what their voices sound like, what theyre watching, and what they share with each other. TikTok didnt appear for the hearing.

Hawley also warned against government use of the site.

Britains cyber spy agency deputy chief said collaboration with our partners is absolutely essential to prevent the CCPs values from undermining the internet and Western values.

This is a moment of reckoning for the West really, Ann said.

She also called out Russia for waging an online propaganda campaign alongside its military invasion of Ukraine to undermine international support for the Kyiv government.

However, she said the West is now uniting to create international rules and protocols, with 61 countriesincluding the UK and the United Statesrecently signing up to a set of digital principles to create a single global future for the internet, one based on democratic values, including respecting user privacy, encouraging competition, encouraging openness, encouraging accessibility.
Grand Rapids Police Officer Christopher Schurr stops to talk with a resident in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Aug. 12, 2015. (Emily Rose Bennett/The Grand Rapids Press via AP)

Michigan Officer Charged With Murder in Shooting of Patrick Lyoya

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.A prosecutor filed a second-degree murder charge Thursday against the Michigan police officer who killed Patrick Lyoya, a 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 after a traffic stop on April 4. Video from a passenger in the car captured the final 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 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.

Grand Rapids, population about 200,000, is 160 miles west of Detroit.

Over Beckers objections, Police Chief Winstrom 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.
China's Defence Minister Wei Fenghe attends the opening reception at the Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore on June 10, 2022. (Photo by Roslan RAHMAN / AFP) (Photo by ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

China Will Not Hesitate to Start a War Over Taiwan: Chinese General Tells US Defense Secretary

Chinas defense minister threatened war over the issue of Taiwan during an intensely heated exchange between top Chinese and American defense officials.

If anyone dares to split Taiwan from China, the Chinese army will definitely not hesitate to start a war no matter the cost, said Chinas defense spokesman Wu Qian, quoting Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe.

The saber-rattling took place during the first face-to-face meeting of U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Chinese counterpart Wei, who met on the sidelines of the Shangri-la Dialogue, a major defense summit, in Singapore for about half an hour on June 10.

The Chinese minister also vowed that Beijing would smash to smithereens any effort to maintain Taiwan as an independent nation, vowing the island and its territories would be brought into China as part of the unification of the motherland.

A statement released by the Pentagon shortly after the meeting did not mention the tenor of the talk or any specifics.

The Secretary reiterated to General Wei that the United States remains committed to our longstanding one China policy, which is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the Three U.S.-China Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances, the statement said.

The Secretary reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the Strait, opposition to unilateral changes to the status quo, and called on the PRC to refrain from further destabilizing actions toward Taiwan, it added, referring to the acronym for the regimes official name, the Peoples Republic of China.

Wu said after the exchange that the talks were a good start, and requested Austin meet with Chinese officials again while he was in Asia.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which rules China as a single-party state, considers Taiwan to be a breakaway province. CCP leader Xi Jinping has vowed to unite the two entities, and has not ruled out the use of force to do so.

For its part, Taiwan has been self-governed since 1949 and has never been under the control of the CCP.

Since 1979, the United States has acknowledged the CCPs government to be the only entity representing China, and has not recognized Taiwan as an independent nation. Washington does, however, maintain a commitment to Taipei, outlined in the Taiwan Relations Act, in which it guarantees it will provide Taiwan with the military capabilities required to defend its autonomy.

U.S. military leadership believes that the CCP is preparing for an invasion of the island, and could launch such an attack by 2027. The question of whether the United States would militarily intervene in such a situation is an open one.

Currently, the United States maintains a policy of strategic ambiguity in which it will neither confirm nor deny whether it would defend Taiwan from a CCP invasion. On several occasions in the last year, U.S. President Joe Biden has said that the United States would defend Taiwan, only to have his administration walk back the comments in the following days.
A worker with car batteries at a factory for Xinwangda Electric Vehicle Battery Co. Ltd, which makes lithium batteries for electric cars and other uses, in Nanjing in China's eastern Jiangsu Province, on March 12, 2021. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Chinas Dominance in Global Lithium Supply Poses Risks to US Companies: Report

Chinas control over the global lithium supply chain presents elevated risks to downstream U.S. companies as Chinese companies continue to expand their footprints in overseas lithium mines.

We love our suppliers, and we have a very strong relationship, but we are very dependant on the supplies coming from China.  We think there are risks in terms of the stability of the supply, given everything happens geopolitically, Tim Karimov, president of U.S. lithium battery manufacturer OneCharge, said in a presentation at the MODEX 22 seminar.

MODEX is the largest manufacturing and supply chain expo held in North America and South America. MODEX 22 was held on March 28-31 at Atlantas Georgia World Congress Center.

In January, OneCharge released a white paper addressing the U.S. role in global lithium battery manufacturing and the risks China poses to the supply chain.

China currently dominates the global lithium battery supply chain. Upwards of 70% of the total global Li-ion battery manufacturing capacity is controlled by China.  Should China decide to throttle supply or dramatically raise prices, this would hurt the U.S. transportation and logistics sectors, which are quickly adopting lithium battery-powered electric vehicles, the report states.

According to the Chinese digital newspaper The Paper, BYD Co. Ltd. (01211.HK), a Chinese conglomerate and electric vehicle manufacturer, is currently in talks to buy six lithium mines in Africa containing more than 27 million tons of lithium oxide at 2.5 percent gradeenough to supply BYD with 10 years of lithium oxide.

EV manufacturers have come under pressure due to the soaring lithium price for EV batteries amid the surging demand for electric vehicles. As a result, many companies also have stepped into the global race to acquire lithium mines.

Chinas lithium sources primarily come from ecologically fragile areas, such as the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, with a harsh natural environment, poor infrastructure, and significant technical challenges. Despite those challenges, Beijing has actively encouraged Chinese state-backed companies to secure lithium mines overseas to surpass Europe and the United States in the new energy industry, according to Chinese state-run media Yicai.

Chinese Control in Critical Lithium Resources

The lithium industry has a high degree of market concentration. In 2020, five companies accounted for nearly half of the worlds lithium production capacity, producing approximately 75 percent of the worldwide supply, according to a report released by China Merchants Bank Research Institute on March 4.

Two of the five companiesJiangxi Ganfeng Lithium Co. Ltd. (01772.HK) and Tianqi Lithium Co. Ltd. (02466.SZ)are from China. Both companies have taken up significant shares in global lithium resources, allowing them to control the lithium supply chain.

Chinese battery giant Ganfeng Lithiums overseas footprint in lithium resources spans Australia, Argentina, and Ireland, according to its 2021 annual report.

Among them, the Mount Marion Project in Australia is the largest source of Ganfengs lithium supply. Ganfeng secures stable raw materials supplies by signing long-term procurement agreements with upstream lithium providers after investing in them.

Chinese giant Tianqi Lithium has also secured its lithium supplies by purchasing massive shares of leading companies in the upstream lithium supply chain. In 2014, Tianqi Lithium acquired 51 percent shares in Windfield Holdings, the shareholder of Talison Lithium, which owns the Greenbushes lithium deposit in Western Australiathe worlds largest hard-rock lithium mine.

And in 2018, Tianqi Lithium purchased 23.77 percent shares in SQM, a world-leading brine-based lithium producer. The company has since become the second-largest shareholder of SQM.
A 13-year-old boys receives vaccine at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, Connecticut on May 13, 2021.(Joseph Prezioso/AFP via Getty Images)

Connecticut Families Challenge Arbitrary Religious Exemption Ban for School Vaccines

A lawsuit filed in Connecticut Superior Court is challenging the states removal of the religious exemption from mandatory school vaccinations, which families say is not only absurd but also unconstitutional.

The lawsuit involves two families, with each of them having one child currently in school under previously granted vaccine exemptions and a younger child unable to register for school at all due to the new state law, which will take effect on Sept. 1 at the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year.

The families are seeking a court order that would allow the younger children to attend school with religious vaccine exemptions just like their older siblings, said Kevin Barry, an attorney representing the families.

Its arbitrary, Barry told The Epoch Times. Those children share the same home. They eat at the same dinner table. They play together all the time. But one of them is allowed in school and one of them is not.

On April 27, 2021, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont signed into law a Democrat-backed bill that ends his states religious exemption from vaccination requirements for students in grades 12 and below. The bill is designed in a way that students already enrolled in school may keep claiming the exemption for the rest of their secondary education, while those in pre-K, daycare, or new to the school may not use a religious exemption.

While the law doesnt force children to get vaccinated, it prohibits unvaccinated children who do not qualify for a medical exemption from enrolling in school.

Connecticut is among the 21 states that have adopted a Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), which essentially states that the government must demonstrate a compelling interest to infringe the free exercise of ones religion, and that it must use the least restrictive means to advance that interest.

Barry argued that the law erasing religious exemptions wont pass the RFRA test, since religious exemptions and school vaccine mandates have co-existed in Connecticut for 60 years without causing any major outbreaks of childhood diseases, such as measles and whooping cough.

In other words, there is no compelling state interest in blocking children of religious families from attending school, which is far from being the least restrictive approach to a public health concern.

We want to have a trial for this, he said. We will see if the state law is necessary. We can examine the data from Connecticut Department of Public Health to see if there was [a compelling interest]. We can see if there was a problem that needed to be fixed.

On top of that, Barry argued that the 2021 law violates Connecticuts own constitution, which, like those of many other states, guarantees the right to an education.

The governor should have vetoed this bill, the attorney said. When the legislature does something that violates the constitution, its the governors job to veto it.

In fact, Lamont has publicly acknowledged the states obligation to educate all children, regardless of their vaccination status.

We have an obligation to provide a public education to people whether theyre vaccinated or not, the Democrat told WCBS 880 radio on April 22, 2021, when he was asked about the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for schools. Just five days later, however, he signed the bill that excludes unvaccinated children of religious families from public and private education.

If the governor doesnt do it, then the citizens have to go to the courts, Barry said. Thats where we are.

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Connecticut is one of the only six states that dont grant any school vaccine exemptions based on non-medical reasons. The other five are California, Maine, Mississippi, New York, and West Virginia.

Connecticut and Mississippi are so far the only RFRA states that dont offer religious exemptions from school vaccine mandates.
Contradictions and Dubious Claims: Some Hard Questions Must Be Askedand Answeredby Emergencies Act Inquiry

Commentary

Assuming Justice Paul Rouleau takes his role seriously as the commissioner of a public inquiry into the use of the Emergencies Act earlier this year, it is going to be difficult for the government to justify its actions.

The Emergencies Act is the most powerful piece of legislation the federal government has. Through the invocation of the act, civil liberties of citizens can be suspended in response to an emergency. Exercising such power can never be taken lightly. That is why the modellers of the act built a clause into the legislation requiring an independent inquiry to be held within 60 days of the use of the act. This inquiry could cause a lot of trouble for the Liberal party and the NDP alike, as the leaders of both parties acted together to invoke the act.

The government will have to prove they were forced into invoking the act, and as information emerges from parliamentary committee hearings on the issue, it doesnt appear as if the government has a good case to make.

Per the act:

For the purposes of this Act, a national emergency is an urgent and critical situation of a temporary nature that

(a) seriously endangers the lives, health or safety of Canadians and is of such proportions or nature as to exceed the capacity or authority of a province to deal with it, or

seriously endangers the lives, health or safety of Canadians and is of such proportions or nature as to exceed the capacity or authority of a province to deal with it, or (b) seriously threatens the ability of the Government of Canada to preserve the sovereignty, security and territorial integrity of Canada

and that cannot be effectively dealt with under any other law of Canada.

There are some questions based on that definition I hope and expect will be asked in the judicial inquiry.

To begin with, was the truckers Freedom Convoy protest a national emergency? In being just set up around a part of the city of Ottawa, its hard to claim it had any impact on the rest of the country. While Parliament Hill is the seat of power in Canada, we had recently seen it demonstrated how government can continue doing business through Zoom in times of crisis. If indeed it was an emergency, it was a local rather than national one.

Did the protest seriously endanger the lives, health, or safety of Canadians?

Police confront demonstrators participating in the Freedom Convoy protest opposing vaccine mandates in Ottawa on Feb. 19, 2022. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

The answer has to be no. While the protest lasted weeks and annoyed and inconvenienced local residents, nobody was endangered nor was anybody hurt or had their health compromised. It is remarkable how peaceful such a large and enduring protest was.

Dubious claims had been made of attempted arson by protesters and that firearms had been seized from protesters. Both of those claims have been disproven, but that didnt stop Public Safety Minister Mendicino from trying to link such incidents to the convoy protest. There were no substantiated claims of violent or dangerous actions or intent linked to the protest.

Did the protest seriously threaten the sovereignty or territorial integrity of Canada?

Not a chance.

There was a bizarre memorandum of understanding making the rounds on the internet where some fringe group was claiming they could compel the leader of the Senate and the governor general to displace the prime minister and install some sort of national governing committee. The document had no basis in reality and most of the people taking part in the protests hadnt even heard of it. While the handful of people who drafted that statement may indeed have wanted to overthrow the government, it clearly was not a serious threat.

Finally, was it impossible to deal with these protests under any other law in Canada?

Not according to several police chiefs. While Mendicino has repeatedly claimed that police requested that the government invoke the Emergencies Act to deal with the protest, not a single police chief can be found to corroborate that claim. Now Mendicino is claiming he was somehow misunderstood. Few are buying that, and I expect his excuse wont hold much water in a formal judicial inquiry. Police may have been asking for extra resources to deal with the protest, but none felt they couldnt get them under control under existing Canadian laws. Police cleared the blockade at the Windsor border crossing without any need for extraordinary powers. Given time, they could have done so in Ottawa as well.

The government dearly hopes Canadians will forget what happened in Ottawa in February. Justice Rouleaus inquiry is going to bring that event back into focus in a few months. If the governments case for the invocation of the Emergencies Act is as weak at the inquiry as it has been before special committees, Rouleau is going to be forced to rule that the invocation was unjustified.

Unless Trudeau and Singh can pull some kind of rabbit out of their hats, I dont see how the inquiry can end any other way.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala attends an event on World Ocean Day ahead of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference (MC12) where a deal to end harmful fisheries subsidies could be reached in Geneva, on June 8, 2022. (Denis Balibouse/Reuters)

COVID-19 Vaccine Rights Waiver Within Reach, WTO Chief Says Ahead of Meeting

GENEVAAn international agreement on waiving intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines is within reach ahead of a global trade meeting next week, the head of the World Trade Organization (WTO) said on Wednesday.

In a telephone interview, Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala also said an agreement could be reached on fishing subsidies in time for the meeting, when 120 trade ministers from around the world gather at the bodys Geneva headquarters.

If we get one or two deliverables that will be good, Okonjo-Iweala told Reuters in a telephone interview. I think we are within shouting distance of that.

Days before the meeting starts, none of the agreements in the three major negotiating areas of agriculture, fish subsidies, or intellectual property rights for vaccines have been finalized for ministers to rubber-stamp, trade sources say.

Instead, Okonjo-Iweala described a hectic atmosphere in Geneva where negotiators had been working late nights and weekends in order to try to resolve outstanding differences.

Since she was appointed more than a year ago, Okonjo-Iweala, a former Nigerian minister and chair of the GAVI vaccine alliance board, has prioritized a long-sought deal on a waiver for intellectual property rights for COVID-19 shots.

Theres some difficult areas we are dealing with but theres movement, she said on those talks, without elaborating. I think its still possible for us to be able to clean that up, she said.

The WTOs biennial meeting was twice delayed by COVID-19 and is taking place after a nearly 5-year gap against the backdrop of high geopolitical tensions since Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Some Western members have refused to negotiate directly with Russia, but Okonjo-Iweala said she was confident negotiations could continue through a combination of different meeting sizes.

You cannot minimize the Russia-Ukraine tensions and crisis. We find methodologies that work and we will use the same approaches for MC12, she said, referring to next weeks meeting.

By Emma Farge
Flagler County Sheriff, Rick Staly congratulates Gov. Ron DeSantis for recognizing care for retired K-9s. (The Florida Channel/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

DeSantis Backs Retired K-9 Blue With Aid for Veterinary Care

PUNTA GORDA, Fla.Gov. Ron DeSantis has always maintained that he backs the blue. Now he is backing the blue that stands on four legs. On June 10, the governor signed a bill that establishes care for the retired warriors of the K-9 force.

SB 226, or The Care for Retired Police Dogs bill, will help caregivers cover veterinary costs for retired police dogs. Housed under the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), funds for the program will be administered by a non-profit organization dedicated to the care of retired police dogs.

We recognize that our law enforcement community must include recognition for our four-legged friends and were doing that here today,  said the governor, surrounded by a cadre of law enforcement officers and K-9 handlers, at a press conference in Bunnell.

Caregivers will be eligible for up to $1,500 reimbursement for veterinary care per year. The bill allocates from the state budget $300,000 this year and is administered through nonprofits dedicated to the care of retired police dogs, DeSantis said.

Emma Stanford, Founder of Emma Loves K-9s attends a bill signing with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for retired police dogs. (The Florida Channel/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

One such non-profit, Emma Loves K-9s, will be able to allocate funds to help the dogs live good retirements. Founder Emma Stanford, a Flagler County resident, told the crowd she fell in love with the dogs when she saw them in action.

As soon as I learned about the lack of funding for retired police dogs, I wanted Emma Loves K-9s to assist their handlers with food and medical expenses, Stanford said. The retired dogs have served us and our communities, and I believe that they deserve the best possible care.

Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly told attendees that a dog with no serious issues will cost its owners approximately $3,000 per year in food and veterinary costs.

Last year, we implemented supporting our retired canines, but that is the exception, and this bill will correct that and take the burden off the handlers, Staly said. Not only are they partners for life, but they become family members.

Last year, DeSantis signed SB388 to support canines injured in the line of duty by giving them transportation when they needed emergency care.

This allowed ambulances and EMTs to transport and care for police canines that have been injured while protecting our communities to ensure that they can get care as quickly as possible, the governor said of last years bill.

The governor said he saw how valuable canines were while serving in Iraq.

We dealt with them when I was active duty and really benefited by them being in places like Iraq, he said. We also saw how the service dogs can help veterans recover from things like PTSD.

DeSantis said he introduced a bill in Congress linking veterans with service dogs, but it did not pass until he had left Washington. The program was important to veterans returning with invisible wounds of war, he said.

You cant just keep pumping people with drugs  and think thats the solution, because for a lot of people that does not work. he said. Now [the program] is widely accepted as something that merits support.

Dogs want to be around their handlers, DeSantis said, because the handler is the only one the dog knows. He said he didnt want handlers to be deterred from keeping the dogs when they retire because of the expenses involved.

 Especially a handler who has more than one [retired] K-9  it gets expensive and even cost-prohibitive for a lot of people. So in Florida, were going to step up and provide support for these K-9s.

DeSantis said the future is bright for these retired furry officers.

I think youre going to see people lining up to be able to adopt these guys and theyre gonna be able to live good retirements because they earned it, the governor said.
Florid Gov. Ron DeSantis is pictured in the governor's office in Tallahassee, Fla., on April 1, 2021. (The Epoch Times)

DeSantis Signs Six New Bills, Touts Florida as Most Military-Friendly State

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed six bills that will aid the almost 1.5 million active and past military members and their families living in Florida, he said at a press conference in Fort Walton Beach on June 9.

Florida is the most military-friendly state in the nation, and I am proud to continue that commitment to our military members and their families by signing these pieces of legislation, DeSantis said.

Providing military families with the resources they need to receive a high-quality education and find good jobs is the best way that we as a state can show our appreciation for the sacrifices that they make.

The six bills were signed on June 9 in Fort Walton Beach where Eglin Air Force Base is located.

Seal for the newly-created Space Force. (U.S. Space Force)

The new initiatives will be available to Florida residents who are both active and retired military. HB 45 will allow disabled veterans to access up to 100 percent awards of tuition and education fees.

A provision for children of military families is made through SB 430 where assistance will be available for children transferring into schools when their families are relocated.

Through SB 896 veterans will be able to apply their past service experience towards obtaining accreditation to work as teachers.

The Adjutant General of Florida Maj. Gen. Jim Eifert was standing alongside the governor and said the bills were needed and he was appreciative that the governor and the legislature recognized these need areas for veterans and their families.

These bills will go a long way to help our citizen soldiers and their spouses have opportunities for meaningful employment, Eifert said.

Solid career opportunities lead to a well-rounded and ready force, and a stable home environment prepares our guardsmen and their families for deployments, to include disaster response.

Nate Vannater, owner of Props Brewery and Grill was in attendance at the press conference and recalled he enlisted in the Air Force at 18 and utilized the GI Bill and an ROTC scholarship to get a commission.

Ten years after that commission, my partners and I used a VA/SBA loan to start our business right here in Fort Walton Beach, he told the crowd.

I thank the governor for his support of these veterans bills. As these men and women depart the armed forces and go into the next phase of their life, these bills are really going to mean something.

The other three bills, SB 514, SB 562 and SB 438 update the states definition of Uniformed Service to include the most recent branch of the militarythe U.S. Space Force.

It will allow those who serve in that branch to have access to the same opportunities and benefits as other members of the armed forces.

In May, the governor announced the Hometown Heroes Program that launched on June 1 where he allocated $100 million to assist veterans and active military in buying their first homes in Florida. The funds will help with down payments.

Other Floridianssuch as law enforcement officers, firefighters, educators, health care professionals, and childcare employeesare also eligible. The funds are administered by the Florida Housing and Finance Corporation.

The program was announced as part of DeSantis Freedom First Budget totaling $109.9 billion for the 2022-2023 budget year that starts on July 1.

The governor said he is sensitive to the needs of veterans and active military because he is an Iraq veteran and served in the U.S. Navy as the senior legal adviser to the SEAL Commander of Special Operations Task Force-West in Fallujah in 2007.
In this courtroom sketch, Aydin Coban is pictured at B.C. Supreme Court, in New Westminster, B.C., on June 6, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Jane Wolsak)

Digital Investigator With Dutch Police Testifies at BC Harassment Trial

The first police witness from the Netherlands has appeared at the jury trial for the Dutch man accused of extorting British Columbia teenager Amanda Todd.

Wybren van der Meer appeared in B.C. Supreme Court via video conference and spoke through a translator to describe his examination of a wireless router at a home near the location of Aydin Cobans arrest in January 2014.

Coban has pleaded not guilty to charges of extortion, harassment, communication with a young person to commit a sexual offence and two counts of possessing child pornography.

Van der Meer, a digital investigator with Dutch national police, testified that he went to the home in a holiday park as part of an investigation into a particular internet protocol address and examined the router to identify devices that had recently been connected to it.

He told the court he found a device with a particular MAC address, describing it as a unique identifier assigned to each computer or mobile device, along with an IP address assigned by the internet service provider.

Under cross-examination by defence lawyer Elliot Holzman, van der Meer agreed that a password was necessary to access the neighbours Wi-Fi network and distance from a router is a factor when it comes to connecting to a wireless network.

He told the court he didnt know whether Wi-Fi was available in the home where Coban was arrested, and he was not aware of the distance between the homes.

At the start of the trial on Monday, Crown prosecutor Louise Kenworthy said Todd had been the victim of a persistent campaign of online sextortion from November 2009 to February 2012, before her death at age 15 in October that year.

Kenworthy told the jury the person had more than 20 separate usernames to contact the teenager from Port Coquitlam, threatening to send her friends and family photos that showed her with her hand in her underwear and exposing her breasts, unless she performed sexual acts in front of a web camera.

She said the Crown expected to call witnesses to show that the numerous accounts allegedly used to harass and extort Todd were operated by Coban.

The jury was also expected to hear from a B.C. RCMP officer who examined the contents of computers and hard drives seized from Cobans home and found evidence linking him to the teen, Kenworthy said.

Carol Todd, Amandas mother, testified this week that there had been conversations on social media about what happened to her daughter after a video Amanda posted about her experience went viral online.

By Brenna Owen
Prime Minister Boris Johnson during his speech at Blackpool and The Fylde College in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, on June 9, 2022. (Peter Byrne/PA Media)

Downing Street Vows to Try to Free British Men Sentenced to Death by Pro-Russian Court

Downing Street on Friday said Prime Minister Boris Johnson has told ministers to do everything in their power to free two British citizens sentenced to death by a pro-Russian court.

Aiden Aslin, 28, and Shaun Pinner, 48, both from England, were sentenced to death on Thursday along with a Moroccan national, Brahim Saadoun, 21, by the Supreme Court of the separatist Donetsk Peoples Republic.

The three men were captured by Russian forces in April with other Ukrainian soldiers of the 36th Naval Infantry Brigade.

Tass News Agency quoted defense lawyer Pavel Kosovan as saying all three were willing to appeal the sentence.

A still image, taken from footage of the Supreme Court of the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples 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 Peoples Republic/Handout via Reuters)

Johnsons spokesman on Friday said the the prime minister is appalled by the death sentences and has ordered ministers to do everything in their power to secure their release.

The prime minister was appalled at the sentencing of these men. He has been following the case closely and has asked ministers to do everything in their power to try and reunite them with their families as soon as we can, he said.

We completely condemn the sham sentencing of these men to death. Theres no justification at all for this breach of the protection theyre entitled to.

Downing Street previously said prisoners of war shouldnt be exploited for political purposes.

Under the Geneva Convention, prisoners of war are entitled to combatant immunity and they should not be prosecuted for participation in hostilities, a spokesman said earlier on Friday.

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss on Friday spoke with her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba to discuss efforts to secure the release of prisoners of war held by Russian proxies, Truss said in a tweet.

The judgment against them is an egregious breach of the Geneva convention, she said, adding, The UK continues to back Ukraine against Putins barbaric invasion.

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss speaks to media during bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting at the Weissenhaus Grand Village Resort near Oldenburg in Holstein, Germany, on May 13, 2022. (Georg Wendt  Pool/Getty Images)

There were concerns that making their case a bilateral issue between the UK and Russia would assist Moscow in its narrative that the men are mercenaries and therefore not entitled to protection under international law.

Aslin, originally from Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire, north England, and Pinner, originally from Bedfordshire, east England, have both lived in Ukraine since 2018 and joined the army long before Russia launched the invasion against Ukraine, according to their families. Both men are married to Ukrainian wives. Aslin also holds Ukrainian citizenship.

Speaking to the BBC Radio 4s Today programme on Friday, Serhiy Haidai, governor of the Luhansk region of Ukraine, said everyone fighting in Ukraine are subject to the Geneva Convention if theyre taken as prisoners of war because they would have signed documents with the armed forces that give them official status.

According to Arabic media outlets, Saadouns father Taher Saadoun said the 21-year-old student of space science was studying in Ukraine and has held Ukrainian citizenship since 2020.

The father was also quoted saying Saadoun had joined the army after he and his fellow students received an offer because they could translate Russian and English languages and had prior knowledge of the secrets of military equipment. But Saadoun had not signed a contract with the army, the report said.

Iryna Venediktova, prosecutor general of Ukraine, said in a string of tweets on Thursday that Ukraine has launched a pre-trial investigation into the sentences.

Phony sentencing to death penalty of Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner, and Brahim Saadoun is nothing else but a violation and mockery of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law obligations of Russia as an occupying power via proxies, she wrote.

Moreover, in todays European space, death penalty is regarded as an unacceptable form of punishment, incompatible with the fundamental rights, the right to life, and the right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, she added.

Ukraine has already initiated pre-trial investigation into this matter and will take all appropriate steps to ensure that everyone that was involved in this illegal action is held responsible for their actions.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaks during his talks with representatives of the Arab League states in Moscow, on April 4, 2022. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has declined to comment on the cases, saying they are under the jurisdiction of the Donetsk Peoples Republic.

Because these crimes were committed on the territory of the Donetsk Peoples Republic, all the rest is speculation, he told a press conference

I will not comment on the Donetsk Peoples Republic judiciary.

The trial of Aslin, Pinner, and Saadoun took place in the Donetsk Peoples Republic, one of two breakaway Russian-backed entities in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine which Russia says it is fighting to liberate from Ukrainian forces.

Three days before launching its Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, Russia recognized them as independent states in a move condemned by Ukraine and the West as illegal.

Reuters and PA Media contributed to this report.
EXCLUSIVE: Military Official Predicted mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines Might Be Paused Over Heart Inflammation

A U.S. military official predicted a pause in the administration of the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines could happen if more cases of post-vaccination heart inflammation were detected, according to newly obtained emails.

Harry Chang, a U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, made the prediction on April 27, 2021the same day the director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the agency was not seeing a safety signal when it came to heart inflammation experienced after getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

Chang noted the pause in the administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine over blood clots and said an increased number of heart inflammation issues could trigger a similar action.

A pause of the Pfizer/Moderna administration (much like the J&J blood clot pause) will have an adverse impact on US/CA vaccination rates; assessed as unlikely due to causes of myocarditis can come from multiple sources (eg. COVID, other conditions, other vaccines/prescriptions, etc), Chang wrote in an email.

Myocarditis is a type of heart inflammation.

However, increased reported #s & media attention is likely to trigger a safety review pause by ACIP/FDA, he added, referring to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which advises the CDC on vaccines, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which decides whether to clear immunizations.

Chang was talking to Tricia Blocher, an official at the California Department of Public Health, and other California and military officials. He was reacting to a story about the U.S. Department of Defense detecting a higher-than-expected number of cases of heart inflammation in troops following COVID-19 vaccination.

The email was one of 19 pages of messages obtained by The Epoch Times through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Members of ACIPs COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Technical Work Group (VaST) were sent the Pentagon story, as were some CDC officials, the emails show.

Among them was Dr. Tom Shimabukuro, a leader of the Vaccine Safety Team, part of the CDCs COVID-19 Vaccine Task Force.

Shimabukuro almost immediately asked colleagues for data from the Vaccine Safety Datalink, a tracking system co-run by the CDC and nine health care organizations to monitor vaccine safety. Eric Weintraub, the project leader for the datalink, found that 24 cases of myocarditis had been automatically detected in the tracking system.

The email chain ended there, with no indication that the officials probed further to see if there was a possible link between the vaccines and heart inflammation.

Weintraub did not respond to a request for comment, nor did Chang, who assessed that the discovery of heart issues was likely to add to further concerns by general public over vaccine safety and make the vaccine wall more challenging to overcome.

The emails reveal there was an early red flag with post-mRNA COVID vaccine-related myocarditis reports in the U.S. and Israel but that officials were concerned that acknowledging the risk would have a negative effect on public perception of COVID vaccine safety and uptake, Barbara Loe Fisher, co-founder and president of the National Vaccine Information Center, told The Epoch Times in an email.

The historic reluctance of public health officials to acknowledge that vaccines carry serious risks, which are greater for some people, is one of the biggest impediments to improving the safety of the mass vaccination system, she added.

Both the Moderna and Pfizer shots are built on messenger RNA, or mRNA, technology.

On the same day as the emails, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the CDCs director, told reporters during a virtual briefing that after learning of the Pentagons discovery, the CDC examined its data and did not see an elevated rate.

We have not seen a signal, and weve actually looked intentionally for the signal in the over 200 million doses weve given, she said.

Its not clear what data Walensky was relying upon. She did not respond to an inquiry.

Shimabukuro, asked if he had advised Walensky on whether a pause should be imposed, referred comment to the CDC. A spokeswoman for the agency told The Epoch Times in an email, Vaccination policy is the purview of CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and it would be best to contact the CDC ACIP staff with questions concerning pausing vaccination.

The CDC sets vaccination policy, but often consults with the ACIP before doing so.

The ACIP did not return emailed questions.

To think that Walensky said she had reviewed the data and wasnt convinced of the causal nature of thisreally, really perplexing, Dr. Anish Koka, a cardiologist based in Philadelphia, told The Epoch Times in a Twitter message.

Myocarditis and a similar condition, pericarditis, are serious issues that often force people to stop exercising and undertaking other physical activities for a period of time. In some cases, the conditions may lead to death. Most cases detected following vaccination require hospitalization. Some people are suffering long-term effects.

I understand that the public health authorities are using a very different risk/benefit calculus because the disease in question is infectious, but there were certainly other options to consider rather than take a one note approach of 2 vaccines for every young healthy male 20 some days apart, Koka said.

Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines are administered in 2-dose primary series. Boosters are now recommended because the vaccines arent as effective as previously claimed.

Neither the CDC nor ACIP released reports on post-vaccination heart inflammation for weeks after the Pentagon detection went public.

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, answers questions during a Senate committee hearing in Washington on Jan. 11, 2022. (Greg Nash/Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

The first report from ACIP, a summary of presentations given behind closed doors, said that myocarditis rates after vaccination did not differ from expected rates, which are established using baselines based on the regular occurrence of the condition in the general population.

A few weeks later, however, the panel acknowledged that there were higher than expected rates of post-vaccination heart inflammation, detailing the numbers in a report dated May 24, 2021.

Shimabukuro presented data on the higher-than-expected rates during public meetings the following month. He revealed that myocarditis and pericarditis were being reported at much higher rates than expected in males aged 12 to 29, but claimed it was too soon to indicate a link between the issues and the vaccines. He and others soon said data points suggest an association with immunization, and VaST said the data suggested a likely association.

Around the same time, the FDA added warnings about heart inflammation to fact sheets that are distributed to vaccine recipients, caregivers of recipients, and medical professionals who administer the shots, and military doctors reported more cases than expected among troops who received one of the vaccines.

Approximately 341 cases of myocarditis or pericarditis following vaccination had been reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), a passive system managed by the CDC and the FDA, by the end of April 2021.

As of June 8, over 5,000 cases have been reported.

Some reports have been deleted, potentially skewing the numbers. Additionally, studies indicate reports to VAERS are an undercount.

Based on the reports that have been made, rates of myocarditis are higher than expected in males as young as 5 and as old as 49 after the second dose, according to data Shimabukuro shared at an FDA meeting on June 7. The highest rate is among 16- and 17-year-old males, with 76 reports per one million second doses and 24 cases per one million third doses.

The current evidence supports a causal association between mRNA COVID-19 vaccination and myocarditis and pericarditis, Shimabukuro said.

The CDC in February advised some people to wait longer between the first and second shots to try to minimize the risk of heart inflammation.

But some experts say the rates mean that healthy, young people should not get any of the doses, since COVID-19 primarily presents severe problems to the elderly and those with underlying conditions such as kidney disease.

Based on currently available data, the risks of administering COVID-19 vaccination among healthy children may outweigh the benefits, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, Floridas surgeon general, said earlier this year.

Multiple countries have paused the Moderna vaccine for youth, due to the heart inflammation.

Other experts say at least one dose is recommended, while still others, and the CDC, continue to recommend vaccination for virtually all Americans 5 and older.

The pause on Johnson & Johnsons vaccine over blood clots was eventually lifted, but the FDA in May restricted its use. There was never a pause on the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines in the United States.
A section of skin tissue, harvested from a lesion on the skin of a monkey, that had been infected with monkeypox virus, is seen at 50X magnification on day four of rash development in 1968. (CDC/Handout via Reuters)

First Monkeypox Case Confirmed in US Military Service Member: Spokesperson

A U.S. military member based in Germany has been identified as the Armed Forces first known case of monkeypox, according to a spokesperson.

Captain William Speaks, a spokesperson for European Command, told CNN that the active-duty service member at a base in Stuttgart recently tested positive for monkeypox, a virus related to smallpox that has been found in several European countries, Canada, Australia, the United States, and elsewhere.

The individual was seen and treated at the Stuttgart Army Health clinic and is currently in isolation recovering in their quarters off-base, Speaks said.

Authorities have determined that the single case presents a very low risk to the general population, Speaks said. As a precautionary measure, he added, contact tracing is being done for clinic staff who interacted with the patient. The case in Stuttgart is of the West African strain, which is generally mild and human-to-human transmission is limited.

Monkeypox, which is endemic to several African nations, primarily spreads via an infected individuals bodily fluids or pox-like lesions. It can also spread via contaminated materials including bedding, clothing, and linens, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which recently raised its travel alert over the virus.

As of Thursday, the CDC has reported 45 confirmed or probable cases in 15 states and Washington, D.C., over the past several months. Worldwide, more than 1,350 confirmed or probable cases have been found in about three dozen countries, with most occurring in the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Germany, and Canada, according to the CDC.

Unlike COVID-19 or measles, there is no evidence that monkeypox can spread through small virus particles that stay in the air, also known as airborne transmission, according to guidance posted Thursday.

Since monkeypox can spread via saliva or respiratory secretions, the CDC says it recommends that people infected with monkeypox wear a mask if they must be around others in their homes if close, face-to-face contact is likely.

Earlier this week, the CDC had advised that travelers wear masks to mitigate the spread of monkeypox. However, several days later, the agency removed that statement from its website.

A spokesperson for the CDC told The Epoch Times that the advisory on masks was removed because it caused confusion, without providing more details.

Last month, both CDC and World Health Organization officials issued specific warnings to homosexual males about the potential for spreading monkeypox. WHO officials early on signaled that an initial outbreak may have occurred at two rave-like parties in Belgium and Spain.
FOIA Documents Disclose the CDC Has Been Producing and Culturing Human Stem Cell Lines

The Informed Consent Action Network (ICAN) obtained documents disclosing that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cultured 22 distinct human cell lines, including cells apparently extracted from parts of aborted fetuses and babies younger than four weeks.

ICANs lawyers sent the CDC a letter (pdf) on June 25, 2021, asking for documents that contained the word HEK.

HEK cells are immortalized cell lines likely obtained from a miscarried or aborted fetus.

Immortalized human cell lines live outside of the body in nutrient media that, under ideal conditions, will replicate forever without death, Dr. James Thorp, a maternal-fetal medicine expert told The Epoch Times.

These various cell lines are used for numerous experimental purposes including the development of vaccine technology and genetic modification. The origin of these numerous human immortal cell lines is impossible to determine for certain but likely derived from abortions, miscarriages, fetal deaths, or other human sources derived from a variety of different organ systems, Thorp said.

Recently, the CDC had to release 281 pages of related documents (pdf).

An email from 2015 with the subject Research using Fetal Tissue says in the unredacted part that The list below contains all the cell lines Jasons team has cultured, which include 22 human cell lines.

It includes the human brain endothelium, liver, intestines, foreskin, lung, and other body parts.

Another email with the subject Cell Lines from the last two years shows 47 cell lines of which some are also human.

Below are the cell lines we have produced in the last two years, reads the email of the CDC researcher.

The main controversy with stem cell research arises in the harvesting of stem cells from human embryos that are usually conceived in a lab.

In 2009, former President Barack Obama lifted a ban that lasted for about 8 years on federal funding for most stem cell research.

In a bid to appease those concerned, Obama said: We will never undertake this research lightly. We will support it only when it is both scientifically worthy and responsibly conducted. We will develop strict guidelines, which we will rigorously enforce, because we cannot ever tolerate misuse or abuse. And we will ensure that our government never opens the door to the use of cloning for human reproduction. It is dangerous, profoundly wrong, and has no place in our society, or any society.

Rev. Nicanor Pier Giorgio Austriaco, O.P., a biology professor at Providence College in Rhode Island wrote in a May 2020 publication titled Moral Guidance on Using COVID-19 Vaccines Developed with Human Fetal Cell Line:

Though HEK293 is commonly believed to have been obtained from an aborted human fetus, I received an e-mail a few months ago from Professor Frank Graham, who established this cell line. He tells me that to the best of his knowledge, the exact origin of the HEK293 fetal cells is unclear. They could have come from either a spontaneous miscarriage or an elective abortion.

Thorp, who has seen many complications in pregnant women and fetuses since the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, believes that the manipulation of human cell lines should not be used for experimentation, on moral grounds.

The potential harm from evil, unethical research can never be outweighed by potential benefits. We are made by God in His own image inherent in our DNA and any attempts to change this has profound implications for humanity, Thorp said.

Some Catholic and Eastern Orthodox adherents also view the usage of HEK 293 and its derivatives for the production of vaccines and other medications as an ethical dilemma.

The Epoch Times reached out to the CDC for comment.
Former Longtime Illinois US Rep. John E. Porter Dies at 87

John E. Porter, who represented Chicagos northern suburbs for two decades in Congress and helped increase funding for biomedical research has died, his family announced. He was 87.

In a statement, the Porter family said the former congressman died on June 3 after a recent hospitalization. The statement did not specify a cause of death.

Porter, a Republican, represented Illinois 10th District in Congress from 1980 to 2001. He helped lead the effort that created the 1994 assault weapons ban, which has since expired. He also was a supporter of international human rights and helped increase funding for scientific and biomedical research.

The whole rough-and-tumble of classless politics was anathema to his character, Mark Kirk, who succeeded Porter in the U.S. House before being elected U.S. senator in 2010, told the (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald.

Kirk, who started as an intern in Porters office becoming its chief of staff, said Porters main legacy was in doubling funding for the National Institutes of Health and funding the unlocking of the human genome.

When he retired, Port said he was most proud of that work and helping to create the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, a voluntary group that worked to identify, track, and end human rights violations all over the world.

We have probably offended every single government on earth, he said, according to the Daily Herald. But they deserved to be offended.

Eight years ago, the National Institutes of Health dedicated the John Edward Porter Neuroscience Research Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

Porter is survived by his spouse, Amy, children and stepchildren, John, David, Annie, Robyn, Donna, McKay, and Michelle, and 14 grandchildren.

In its statement, Porters family said services will be held this month in Virginia and that another service will be held in Illinois over the summer.
When Christian Vielers photos were shared by Justin Bieber online, he knew he was in trouble. Hundreds of requests for work from all over the world flooded the 51-year-old German photographers inboxfar more than he could handle.

Such is the huge appeal of images of dogs catching flying treats. With open jaws, poised to receive something tasty, the furry pets Vieler photographs make people laugh aloud with their comical expressions.

It started as a hobby, but when Vieler first snapped a dog lunging for snacks back in 2013, he knew hed hit gold.

I worked as a journalist for long years, and photographed dogs in my free time, Vieler told The Epoch Times. I often photographed my own dog when we were out walking. One day, I wanted her to move but she was very chilled. So I started throwing treats at her, just to make her do something. A few days afterward, I realized how funny the pictures turned out. So I stuck to it.

Christian Vieler in his studio. (Courtesy of Christian Vieler)

For his snapshots, Vieler has to perfectly capture fast-moving dogs in sharp focus, with a flash. The result is a wonderful, ongoing collection he calls Dogs Catching Treats.

Vieler also had a massive impact on social media, with millions of shares across the globe. After a while, posting on photo forums and his social accounts, Vielers work caught the attention of a press agency. They came to me and said these shots look really good, Vieler said. Let us try and sell them to our clients. I had nothing to lose, so I said okaygood luck.

In a matter of days, there was a monumental response. In just one week, Vielers dog photos appeared on the websites of National Geographic and several mainstream online news media.

From one day to another, the whole world printed these pictures and paid attention to them, said Vieler. At that point, at the end of 2015, I was still a hobby photographer. But that success pushed me to go professional.

For Vieler, every new dog is an individual. And just like humans, each has emotions that come out in certain moments, leading to new results and new, fantastic expressions.

By always focusing on the head of the dog, Vieler says he captures the best part: their expressive faces. Because of the treat-grabbing action, Vieler says, dogs open their eyes wide, revealing more of the white.

This makes them look more human, somehow, he said. You have the feeling that you can see these emotions like pain, joy, desire; I want a treat, I want that treat.

I think everything we love about dogs is something we will see in the eyes and in the face.

The work is not always easy. Sometimes, a dog is frightened and Vieler cant photograph using a flash. If a dog is in panic mode, hell stop shooting.

Mostly though, I can work with the dog, and surprise the skeptical owner with a hopefully really great snapshot, Vieler added.

Sometimes, a dog will just seem made for the camerasuch as the Great Dane from Switzerland, Great Dane Bobba, whose picture Vieler credits with being his signature shot.

Great Dane Bobba. (Courtesy of Christian Vieler)

There are a few little techniques, such as playing with lens size, that can be used to enhance a dogs features, giving it a funnier look. What Vieler really focuses on, though, is making the images as sharp as possible.

I use a really close aperture, he revealed.

The distinctive sharpness and details have not only won Vieler hordes of social media fans, but have helped land him two book deals. He plans on coming to New York and Los Angeles this year to shoot for his books, in addition to continuing studio shoots for clients.

Also due to marrying his partner, Linda, this year, life is good for Christian Vieler. Perhaps the key to a happy life is to produce something that promotes joy; Vieler certainly thinks so.

As long as clients ask for pictures, Ill never stop, he said. Im very grateful that Im able to work with dogs and dog-friendly people every day, and that I can be creative all day. Its always a cheerful and joyful reaction to my pictures, and its very cool to see people react very kindly to my artits really heartwarming and gorgeous. Its the best thing.

Enjoy more of Vielers photography work below:

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
A U.S. postal worker puts his seatbelt on after filing up his vehicle at a gas station in Garden Grove, Calif., on March 29, 2022. (Mike Blake/Reuters)

Gas Prices Near $6 a Gallon in Washington, Prices Remain Elevated Nationwide

Gas prices in the state of Washington are hovering near $6 per gallon, with prices in other states also rising, putting further pressure on the budgets of American citizens.

The average price of regular gas in Washington was $5.529 per gallon as of June 10, according to data from the American Automobile Association (AAA). In San Juan County, gas was priced at $6.22 per gallon, Skamania County at $5.87 per gallon, Wahkiakum County at $5.75 per gallon, King County at $5.68 per gallon, and Jefferson County at $5.67 per gallon.

Nationwide, regular gas averaged $4.986 on June 10, the highest level recorded by AAA. This is up 14 percent from a month back and over 62 percent from 2021. State-wise, California has the highest average regular gas price at $6.42 per gallon, with 20 other states having gas prices in excess of $5 per gallon.

Elevated gas prices are affecting peoples budgets. In an interview with The Associated Press, California resident Quentin McZeal says that it used to cost him $100 to fill up his tank in the past, but now he is forced to shell out $140 to $160.

Its a lot of other things I cant do because I have to pay for gas, you know what Im saying? McZeal said. Less food, less playtime because I got to get gas. I got to go to work, right? He blamed the Ukraine war and the Biden administration for the high gas prices.

A gas station in Amherst, Massachusetts, has stopped selling gas due to high prices. Rens Mobil, which has been in operation since the 1970s, has taped out of gas signs at its pumps. Owner Reynold Gladu blames oil companies for making extra money on gas.

Its hard enough for people to put groceries on their table after working in the factory or wherever they work for 30-40 hours a week and not be able to put gas in their car and get to work. I dont want to be part of that, Gladu said to Western Mass News.

Some lawmakers have pointed to the Biden administrations blocking of the Keystone XL pipeline, suspending new oil leases on federal lands, and failing to bring additional oil output online from existing offshore federal oil leases by issuing necessary permits, etc. as major factors contributing to the elevated gas prices.

In May, Democrats passed the Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act, which will allow politicians to bring civil action against gas firms that engage in unconscionable pricing.

At a June 1 virtual discussion by the Heritage Foundation, Jack Spencer, senior research fellow for energy and environmental policy at the foundation, called the move a recipe for disaster.

So essentially, what this bill would do is, for an unlimited duration, create a system where politicians and bureaucrats can decide what the appropriate level for prices are and fine people, Spencer said, adding that we need to stop the war on energy.

Efforts to defund fossil fuels are preventing essential investments in the oil and gas sectors that would reduce prices.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration recently canceled the sales of three major offshore oil leases in the Gulf of Mexico and off the coast of Alaska, effectively blocking the opportunity to drill for oil on over 1 million acres.
On June 9, 2022, some Hong Kong citizens went up to the top of Lion Rock holding a lighted sign of "Glory HK" (Hui Tat/The Epoch Times)

Glory HK Seen on Top of Hong Kongs Lion Rock

Marking the 3rd Anniversary of the Anti-Extradition Law Mass Protest with 1.03 Million Participants

On Thursday, June 9, some Hong Kong citizens climbed up to the local landmark Lion Rock and held up lighted signs of Glory HK. Although it was rainy and the Rock was shrouded in heavy fog, the message shone through, high up on top of Lion Rock.

Despite Heavy Fog on Lion Rock, Hong Kong Spirit Shines Through

June 9 marks the third anniversary of the Anti-Extradition Mass Protests with 1.03 million participants. At approximately 9 pm, some citizens were seen on top of Lion Rock, holding up lighted signs of Glory HK. Although Lion Rock was shrouded in heavy fog, the sign was clearly seen by people.

It seems to suggest that even though Hong Kong is shrouded in fog, glory is still with the people of Hong Kong. The famous landmark is widely regarded by the locals as the symbol of the spirit of Hong Kong people.

On June 9, 2022. Some people in Hong Kong held up lighted signs of Glory HK on top of Lion Rock (Tat Hui/The Epoch Times)

This view of Lion Rock on June 9, 2022, shows the rock shrouded in heavy fog and cloud and the Glory HK sign is hardly visible. (Tat Hui/The Epoch Times)

This more distant view of Lion Rock on June 9, 2022, shows part of the Hong Kong city with Lion Rock shrouded in fog and cloud in the background. (Tat Hui/The Epoch Times)

Background on the Anti-Extradition Law Movement

Three years ago in 2019, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government submitted a bill to the Legislative Council for the transfer of suspects to jurisdictions such as mainland China, Macau, and Taiwan. The proposal was prompted by the murder of Poon Hiu-wing, a suspect who was wanted in Taiwan for killing his girlfriend when they were traveling in Taiwan.

As Hong Kong law did not have extradition agreements with Taiwan, Poon could not be handed over. The SAR government claimed that the exclusion of Mainland China and Macau from the original Surrender of Fugitive Offenders Ordinance was also a legal flaw and loophole.

As soon as the bill was introduced, people across Hong Kong were concerned that Hong Kongs independent jurisdiction might be undermined. On May 20 of the same year, the SAR Government requested the Legislative Council to bypass the Bills Committee and go straight to the Legislative Council on June 12 to deliberate on the bill.

On June 9, 2019, the Hong Kong Civil Human Rights Front organized a march to oppose the amendment of the Fugitive Offenders Ordinance (also known as the Surrender of China Ordinance).

According to the organization, 1.03 million people participated in the march, which was twice as many as the July 1 March in 2003. The Civil Human Rights Front had planned to march from Victoria Park at around 2:30 pm to the Legislative Council, but until about 9:00 pm, the tail of the march was still seen in the vicinity of Southorn Playground in Wan Chai, and people continued to join in the march along the way.
A map view shows location of the Karma industrial gold mine in northern Burkina Faso. (Google Maps/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

Gold Mine Attacked in Burkina Faso, at Least 2 Dead

DAKARAttackers raided the Karma industrial gold mine in northern Burkina Faso in the early hours of Thursday morning, killing one soldier and one civilian, the mines owner said.

Three or four soldiers were also wounded in the assault, which took place at around 4:30 a.m. (0430 GMT), said an official who answered the phone at Nere Mining, which owns Karma. The call was cut off before he could give his name.

He said it was not immediately clear who was responsible. Radical Islamic terrorists linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIS have been waging an insurgency in northern Burkina Faso for nearly a decade and routinely carry out attacks.

Several of those have targeted convoys on their way to and from the regions gold mines. An ambush on buses carrying employees of Canadian firm Semafo in 2019 was the deadliest, killing 39 people.

Attacks on the mines themselves, however, have been much rarer.

A diplomatic source said three people had been killed at the mine and 10 others injured, eight of them seriously. A Burkinabe security source said about 200 unknown attackers had arrived just before dawn. Two other industry sources said the attack was eventually repelled.

Video shared by one of the sources showed several burnt-out vehicles inside the mine complex. Reuters could not confirm the authenticity of the video.

The president of Burkina Fasos mines chamber said in April that extra measures would be taken to protect gold projects in the north after Russias Nordgold shut down its mine there, citing deteriorating security.

Nere Mining, a Burkina Faso-based consortium, purchased Endeavour Minings 90 percent stake in the Karma mine in March for $25 million. It produced about 88,000 ounces of gold in 2021.

By Aaron Ross and David Lewis
The Chase logo is displayed on the exterior of a Chase bank in 2010. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Green Gaiter Bandit Sentenced to 4 Years for OC Bank Robberies

SANTA ANA, Calif.A South Bay man dubbed Green Gaiter Bandit was sentenced on June 8, to 3 years and 10 months in federal prison after admitting to robbing three banks in Orange County.

Christopher Paul Daniels, 55, of Torrance, was arrested in March for suspected bank robberies throughout Los Angeles and Orange counties, which date back to October 2021.

(Courtesy of the FBI)

Daniels was arrested in Palos Verdes Estates while in a white Toyota Yaris, the same car he drove in some robberies, the FBI announced in March.

During the court hearing in April, he pleaded guilty to robbing a U.S. Bank in Mission Viejo, a Chase Bank in Fullerton, and a Bank of the West in Fullerton, according to court records.

In addition to sentencing him to nearly 4 years in prison, he was also ordered by U.S. District Judge David O. Carter to pay $15,362 in restitution.

Previously, the complaint charged him with bank robberies or attempted robberies at four banks and accused Daniels as a suspect in at least eight other robberies, said the authorities.

The name Green Gaiter bandit was given to him by the FBI based on the green camouflage gaiter face or neck covering he wore in some bank surveillance photos. He has also worn gaiters or a mask in other colors or designs during robberies, according to the FBI.

(Courtesy of the FBI)

City News Services contributed to this report.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Jan. 19, 2021. (Greg Nash-Pool/Getty Images)

Hapless AG Garland Should Resign After Failure to Arrest Protestors Outside Justices Homes: Sen. Tom Cotton

Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) called on Attorney General Merrick Garland to resign or face impeachment proceedings following inaction after radical demonstrators persisted to break the law by protesting in front of Supreme Court justices private residences.

Cotton appeared for an interview on Fox News Thursday after the incident where an armed man, later identified as Nicholas John Roske, of California, was arrested on June 8 near the Maryland home of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

This is the shocking culmination of the Democratic lefts war against the Supreme Court and really against our Constitution in America, said Cotton. Chuck Schumer, a couple of years ago, went to the Supreme Court steps, and by name, attacked Brett Kavanaugh and said he would pay the price, he wouldnt know what hit him, and yesterday, a Democratic hitman showed up at Brett Kavanaughs house to try to murder him and presumably his wife and his children.

Roske carried a gun and a knife with him as he exited a taxi outside Kavanaughs home. He was arrested after calling 911 on himself, said the charging documents.

Garland, a Biden appointee, told reporters at the Justice Department that this kind of behavior is obviously behavior that we will not tolerate.

Threats have escalated recently after the leaking of a Supreme Court draft opinion that could overturn the landmark 1973 decision on abortion. This includes vandalizing faith-based pregnancy centers, and firebombing a pro-life organization in Madison, Wisconsin.

Federal authorities have resisted charging protestors who legal experts say 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.

Garland has ordered around-the-clock security for all nine justices homes.

Roske has been 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.

Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is under pressure to retract his past comments regarding Kavanaugh that some say could have contributed to provoking Roske to issue the threat.

Schumer said in March 2020 that Kavanaugh and Justice Neil Gorsuch, both Trump appointees, have released the whirlwind and you will pay the price.

Cotton added, That very same night, just hours after a Democratic hitman tried to kill Brett Kavanaugh, you had left-wing street militias announcing on the internet, in public, in advance, that theyre going to violate federal law by protesting in front of the justices home.

Theres an explicit federal law against protesting in front of the homes of judges or jurors. Yet again, the feckless and hapless Attorney General Merrick Garland did nothing, even though he had advanced knowledge. He should resign in disgrace. And if he wont resign in disgrace, then we should start impeachment proceedings against him in January when we are in control of Congress. Because the rule of law in this country must be enforced evenly, irrespective of ones political parties and views.

The Department of Justice did not reply to The Epoch Times request for comment by press time.
People visit the Chinese Defense Information Equipment and Technology exhibition in Beijing on June 18, 2019. ((Wang Zhao/AFP via Getty Images)

Has China Already Won?

Commentary

The United States and China are engaged in a technological arms race. The country with the best artificial intelligence, quantum computing technologies, and cyber weapons will be best positioned to win the wars of tomorrow.

Which begs the question: Who looks likely to win these tech-infused wars?

According to Richard Silberglitt, a senior physical scientist at the RAND Corporation, although the United States remains the global technological leader, China and the United States are now approaching parity, or in some cases, the United States is falling behind in areas of close competition.

In other words, the United States is in the lead, but China is catching up. If we look closer, it appears that China has overtaken the United States in many key sectors.

In an effort to combat the threat from the Chinese regime, the U.S. National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC) has prioritized the following five key sectors: artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, biotechnology, semiconductors, and autonomous systems.

According to the most recent NCSC report, these five sectors produce technologies that may determine whether America remains the worlds leading superpower or is eclipsed by strategic competitors in the next few years.

As the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) continues to employ various legal and illegal methods to overtake the United States, I ask this: Has the report arrived about five years too late?

In all five sectors, as I demonstrate below, China is already ahead.

Lets start with AI. As the NCSC researchers noted, China already possesses the might, talent, and ambition to win the AI arms race.

Visitors look at an AI smart city system by iFLY at the 2018 International Intelligent Transportation Industry Expo in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, in December 2018. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)

Nicolas Chaillan, who left his role as the U.S. Air Forces first chief software officer in October 2021, certainly agrees. Frustrated by the U.S. militarys lack of digital progress, he believes that China has already won the AI race, blaming stale technology and bureaucratic red tape for the lack of innovation in the United States.

In an interview with Verdict, Michael Orme, senior analyst at GlobalData and a China specialist, echoed Chaillans concerns. Orme suggested that Beijing has already leveraged its wealth of data and the surveillance state to gain AI supremacy.

The two men appear to be correct. In 2021, China overtook the United States in AI journal citations. And for those who say citations arent everything, I agree. However, citations shouldnt be overlooked.

Then theres quantum development, an area China is set to dominate. If China does achieve quantum supremacy, which looks increasingly likely, then the CCP will have the power to inflict further damage on U.S. national security. In July 2021, a Chinese research team built the worlds most powerful quantum computer. In this game of high-tech chess, their creation, which surpassed Googles 2019 creation, gives China the quantum advantage. More worryingly, with such advances, China is looking set to create the worlds first unhackable internet communications network.

Furthermore, according to a report published by Booz Allen, a global leader in cyber solutions, Chinas quantum developments will eventually undermine all popular current public-key encryption methods, and plausibly boost the speed and power of artificial intelligence.

The Booz Allen researchers said that by the end of the decade, Chinese threat groups will likely collect data that enables quantum simulators to discover new economically valuable materials, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.

Most of quantum computings potential lies more than a decade in the futurebut risk management must start now, the researchers said.

The United States, the CCPs No. 1 enemy, should take note.

Technicians work at a genetic testing laboratory of BGI in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China, on Dec. 26, 2018. (Stringer/Reuters)

The third key sector is biotechnology. As a report published by Insider states, Chinese biotech companies are among the most powerful in the world. The Chinese biotech industry has a global footprint stretching from Uganda to the United States. In August 2021, the Chinese company BeiGene announced plans to build a 42-acre research and development center in New Jersey.

Rather alarmingly, according to a New York Times report, the Chinese regime is currently collecting medical, health and genetic data around the world, using the intersection of technology and genetic and biological research as an area of competition and espionage.

China has repeatedly emphasized the importance of biology in future warfare. According to He Fuchu, a military medical scientist, the Chinese are busy working on new brain-control weapons and equipment that interfere with and control human consciousness, all in the hope of making unmanned warfare possible.

The fourth key sector involves semiconductors. For the uninitiated, without semiconductors, using smartphones, laptops, washing machines, and refrigerators simply wouldnt be possible. Essentially, semiconductors are the brains of electronic devices. Until recently, the United States fully controlled the supply of these brains.

Today, however, China is on the ascendancy. Last year alone, the number of Chinese semiconductor firms tripled. The metaverse, the next step in the evolution of the internet, will rely heavily on semiconductors, hence Chinas desire to become a dominant force.

The final sector involves autonomous systems, such as self-driving cars and surveillance drones. Baidu, Chinas equivalent to Google, is leading the self-driving race. Last year, the Chinese company launched the first-ever paid driverless taxi service.

In the United States, meanwhile, self-driving vehicles are decades away from becoming a reality. China is also leading the way in the manufacturing and sales of surveillance drones; the United States is one of its biggest customers. If this isnt worrying enough, China recently created an autonomous weapon that, according to reports, uses explosives to destroy enemy satellites. As tensions heat up between China and the United States, one shouldnt be surprised if U.S. satellites become a primary target.

All, of course, is not lost. The United States is still a supreme force. However, its position as a world leader is being tested by the Chinese regime. As we move forward, expect the testing to increase in both frequency and force.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Professor Quentin Parker, Director of the Laboratory for Space Research (LSR) at The University of Hong Kong. He and his collaborators have been awarded the 2022 French Gemini Prize. (Photo courtesy of the University of Hong Kong)

HKU Astrophysicist Awarded French Gemini Prize for Discovery of New Galactic Planetary Nebulae

Professor Quentin A. Parker, Director of the Laboratory for Space Research at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), along with four amateur astronomers, Pascal Le Du, Thomas Petit, Lionel Mulato, and Olivier Garde, won the 2022 French Gemini Prize.

The Gemini Prize is created jointly by the Astronomical Society of France (SAF) and the French Society of Astronomy and Astrophysics (SF2A). The award is given to recognize remarkable professional-amateur collaboration in astronomy and related sciences.

SF2A presents the award at a symposium held in Besancon, France, on June 10 to recognize the teams confirmed discovery of a significant new sample of Galactic Planetary Nebulae (the beautiful glowing dust and gas that shrouds a dying star).

The project, The Search for and Confirmation of Planetary Nebulae Candidates will have the opportunity to publish a paper in an upcoming issue of LAstronomie, a French monthly astronomy magazine published by SAF since 1883.

Professor Parker led the professional astronomers while Pascal Le Du led the contingent of amateurs. Their project spanned a full decade of in-depth observations to discover and confirm galactic planetary nebulae (PNe). The team has so far uncovered and spectroscopically confirmed the existence of 209 galactic PNe. This represents 5 percent of the 3,831 known PNe included in the University of Hong Kong/Australian Astronomical Observatory/Strasbourg Observatory H-alpha Planetary Nebula (HASH PN) database.

Professor Parker said he was pleased by the award since it honored the importance of astronomy and afforded the team members international recognition. The combined efforts of both professional and amateur astronomers led to an incredible scientific discovery. I am proud to have played a role in their great pursuit, said Professor Parker.

Quentin Parker joined The University of Hong Kong (HKU) in 2015 and is a renowned astrophysicist who has discovered the most planetary nebulae in history. He has extensive research experience in the Wide Field of Astronomy and Astrophysics and has published 571 papers/articles, of which 278 are refereed.

According to HKU, his long-term interests include Chinese Bronze artifacts and cultural heritage, interdisciplinary studies, and science pedagogy. Besides promoting STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education, he is also an active newspaper opinion contributor.
Police officers stop and search a man holding a flower at the Hong Kong's Victoria Park, Saturday, June 4, 2022. Dozens of police officers patrolled Hong Kong's Victoria Park on Saturday after authorities for a second consecutive third banned public commemoration of the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989, amid a crackdown on dissent in the city. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Hong Kong: Treading a Dangerous Path

Commentary

The sinking of Hong Kong officially started with the enactment of the National Security Law (NSL) at 11:00 p.m. on June 30, 2020. Hong Kong has lost its glory, and the defenders of our old core values have either fled, have been detained or are in prison.

Hongkongers have mostly used peaceful ways to tell Beijing that the authorities should leave Hong Kong alone, and honor the former Chinese Leader Deng Xiaopings version 1.0 of one country, two systems.

With the extreme makeover in the Hong Kong electoral system and the vagueness in the NSL and its interpretation, the citys rule of law is merging gradually into communist Chinas opaque legal system. And worse, professional bodies have also been stripped of their powerscommunist Hong Kong and communist China are in full control including: education, medical, accounting, legalto name just a few.

The latest blow to Hong Kongs international image lies with the incoming Hong Kong Chief Executive (CE), John Lee Ka-chiu, a longtime policeman and an unpopular official, whose last post was as Chief Secretary. He entered the election race hand picked, was literally uncontested and of course won.

Just days ago, Lee has asked the high court of Hong Kong to waive a penalty imposed for his failure to comply with election regulations. The charge was for not submitting on time, three consent of support forms for advertisements relating to the CE election.

If the court grants special immunity to Lee, then the CE is definitely above the law and can get by with a much lower moral standard. In similar cases relating to Hong Kong elections, but at the district council level, councilors who failed to comply with the election procedures, received jail sentences. Some were disqualified from holding their post as district councilors.



For incoming CE John Lee, who still remains sanctioned by the former U.S. President Trumps administration, for undermining Hong Kongs autonomy, is one of the most controversial Hong Kong officials known for suppressing the citys freedoms. Whether he can survive the top-job for Hong Kong over a five-year term remains to be seen.

The outgoing CE Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor was also sanctioned by the U.S. for undermining Hong Kongs autonomy. Both Lee and Lam were unsympathetic towards the 2019 social protests. They are perceived by many to be loyalists to Beijing, and they have followed the hard-line approach in dealing with the young peoples demands.

Before Lam, there was CY Leung. This former Chief Executive of Hong Kong has made famous the Separatist and Pro-Independence theory of Hong Kong. In his view, Hong Kong breeds a lot of dangerous people seeking independence. Maybe this is one way to prove to Beijing that, a former CE of Hong Kong can still contribute to the city, be a super watchdog for many, to keep the city in order.

Leung is now one of the many Vice-Chairmen of the National Committee of the Chinese Peoples Consultative Conference. Leung is still active on Facebook criticizing the pro-democracy activists in exile, in jail, or those awaiting trial. He even challenges the pro-establishment camp.

With less than three weeks to go before the half way point of the one country, two systems, we have all witnessed the deterioration of Hong Kong at ultrasonic speed.

From a commercial perspective, Hong Kong used to provide a fairly level playing field for people to run their business and try to succeed. Most people would survive in Hong Kong, and a few really prospered, making big money. Now, Beijing has clearly tightened the ropes, and has implemented the most extreme hands on approach to everything, literally choking the city to death.

The dark political atmosphere in Hong Kong gets worse by the day. The DNA of Hong Kong is now being changed forever, and my pro-establishment business circles of friends, surprisingly, tell me quite frankly that they dont want to see their next generation grow up in a place where there are so many vague red lines and lack of free speech. Simply put, they dont want to live under tyranny.

With the COVID restrictions as a false pretense to curb peoples freedoms, and with an escalated exodus of Hongkongers and capital outflow, there is no doubt that the glory of Hong Kong has come to an end. The repressive feeling comes in, on a daily basis.

One pro-establishment business contact looked me in the eyes, just days ago, and said: Carrie Lam will be history soon. Do you think upcoming CE John Lee and the other sanctioned officials are in their right state of mind to administer Hong Kong? Nobody knows. But the political differences between the pro-establishment and pro-democracy camps have been narrowed, particularly when it comes to the issue of protection of personal and commercial assets and personal security.

Back to the case of incoming CE John Lee, a hard-liner who has spent most of his career in the police force. A so-called Election Committee of 1500 Beijing loyalists has already acted as a voting machine for Lee. He is cherry picked by Beijing, and was the only candidate in the CE race, thus guaranteeing victory.

Also, the 90 legislators inside the Legislative Council are screened and vetted to be bona fide patriots.

In addition, Beijing has sent in Luo Huining to run the Central Liaison Office in Hong Kong, he doesnt speak a lot in public and is someone who is hard to read, but he is considered to be another hardliner from Beijing. For National Security, and many other matters, the CE of Hong Kong reports to Luo who is believed to execute orders straight from the Party.

In conclusion, I definitely see increased turmoil in Hong Kong in the coming days and weeks, leading to the second half of the one country, two systems. We dont yet know whether Chinese Leader Xi Jinping will come to Hong Kong on July 1, to mark the half way point. But one thing for sure, the second half of the two systems will be quite different from the first half. Suppression of anti-government activists is a barometer to many. But Hongkongers continue to fight and wont give up. That said, the silence of Hong Kong continues.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Imam Qari Asim was appointed to provide expert advice on a definition of Islamophobia to the government on July 23, 2019. (Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government)

Imam Who Backed Nationwide Muslim Protests at British Cinemas Is Government Islamophobia Adviser

Senior Imam Qari Asim caught up in free speech row as he said The Lady of Heaven could potentially fuel hatred and that he had been working with brothers and Imams across the country to protest the film and cancel its showings.

Asim is an independent adviser to the British government on Islamophobia and a senior Imam who has urged Muslims to protest the film that is accused of blasphemy.

Asim wrote on Facebook on June 6 that The Lady of Heaven Movie [is] Condemned, and that it was a disparaging movie that has caused much pain and hurt to Muslims.

The $15 million film was written by the Muslim Sheikh Yasser al-Habib that depicts a tale of the heart-wrenching journey of Lady Fatima, the daughter of Prophet Muhammad, according to the films website. Separated by 1400 years, an Iraqi child, in the midst of a war-torn country, learns the importance and power of patience.

Al-Habib is a UK-based Shia cleric and the depiction of some of the characters has angered some Sunni MuslimsSunnis make up the vast majority of Muslims worldwide.

Protests of Muslim men have taken place outside of cinemas Bradford, Bolton, Birmingham, and Sheffield since Saturday.

Despite Cineworld, which owns Vue Cinemas, telling The Epoch Times on Tuesday that it had dropped the screenings of The Lady of Heaven nationwide to ensure the safety of our staff and customers, protests are still ongoing.

Vue, a cinema chain which is owned by Cineworld, is continuing to show the film at some sites.

The Daily Mail reported on Thursday that Muslim protesters entered Westfield shopping centre in Stratford, east London, on Wednesday evening, demanding that the film be taken down.

Asim, a senior Imam at Makkah Mosque in Leeds, wrote that he has been working with many brothers and Imams across the country to liaise with the cinemas.

As a community, in some places we have been successful and those cinemas will no longer be showing the movie, in other places negotiations are still ongoing, he said.

Different approaches, rooted in our universal values, are necessary, as always. All agree that the movie is derogatory, and uses sectarian and racist narratives, added Asim. Freedom of speech is important and all citizens should be able to exercise their freedoms within the law. This movie could potentially fuel hatred, sectarianism, and extremism, which none wants to see in our country, and we must all avoid that.

Asim was appointed independent adviser in 2019 to provide expert advice on a definition of Islamophobia to the government.

The appointment underlines the Governments commitment to stamping out all forms of religious and racial hatred, the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government wrote at the time.

He is also Deputy Chair of the cross-government Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group, made up of representatives from Muslim communities, independent experts, and academics.

According to the Leeds Beckett University site, Asim, a senior lawyer at the global law firm DLA Piper, also has key roles in diversity and inclusion groups, charities, and organisations in Britain.

Asim is also a trustee of British Future, a think tank that addresses identity, integration, and migration. He is also a trustee of the charities Peace Matters and Hope not Hate.

He is also on the regional leadership board of Mosaic, the latter of which was founded by the Prince of Wales.

On Thursday, Dame Sara Khan, who Prime Minister Boris Johnson appointed as the governments independent adviser for social cohesion and resilience as part of a government action to tackle extremism in the community wrote an article in The Telegraph.

She said that 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.

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, added Khan.

The Epoch Times has contacted Asim for comment.
A member of the Ukrainian troops stands on an armoured vehicle moving towards the front line in the city of Lysychansk in the eastern Ukraine region of Donbass, on June 9, 2022. (Aris Messinis/AFP via Getty Images)

Intense Fighting Reported in Ukraines Bombed-Out Sievierodonetsk

KYIVUkrainian forces were holding their positions in intense street fighting and under day and night shelling in Sievierodonetsk, officials said, as Russia pushes to control the bombed-out city, the key to its objective of controlling eastern Ukraine.

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 Russia is determined to seize as one of its principal war objectives.

Ukraines Security Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov said on Thursday the situation in Sievierodonetsk was extremely complicated and Russian forces were focusing all of their might in the area.

They dont spare their people, theyre just sending men like cannon fodder  they are shelling our military day and night, Danilov told Reuters in an interview.

In a rare update from the city, the commander of Ukraines Svoboda National Guard Battalion, Petro Kusyk, said Ukrainians were drawing the Russians into street fighting to neutralise their 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.

Reuters could not verify the battlefield reports.

In the south, where Russia is trying to impose its rule on a tract of occupied territory spanning Kherson and Zaporizhzhia Provinces, Ukraines defence ministry said it had captured new ground in a counter-attack in Kherson Province.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visits an area damaged by Russian military strikes, as Russias attack on Ukraine continues, in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on May 29, 2022. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via Reuters)

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an evening address that Ukraine 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.

Speaking in Moscow to mark the 350th anniversary of Russian Tsar Peter the Greats birth, President Vladimir Putin said, 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 Russias).

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.

Russia shelled more than 20 towns in Donetsk and Luhansk on Thursday, destroying or damaging 49 homes, several manufacturing plants, farm buildings and a rail station, said the Ukraine military. Two civilians were killed, it said.

Russia says it does not target civilians.

The devastated eastern port of Mariupol, under siege by Russian troops for months until it fell, is now at risk of a major cholera outbreak, Britains defence ministry said on Friday.

There is likely a critical shortage of medicines in Kherson, Britains Ministry of Defence said in a Twitter update. Russia is struggling to provide basic public services to the population in Russian-occupied territories, it claimed.

In the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic, one of Russias proxies in eastern Ukraine, a court sentenced to death two Britons and a Moroccan who were captured while fighting for Ukraine, Russian news agencies reported.

Britain condemned the courts decision as a sham judgment with no legitimacy.

By Pavel Polityuk and Abdelaziz Boumzar
Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), chairman of the Select Committee to Investigate the Jan. 6 Attack on the United States Capitol, listens to witness testimony at a public hearing on June 9, 2022. (YouTube/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

Jan. 6 Committee Takes Aim at Trump, Alleging a Coup Carried out With Proud Boys, Oath Keepers

The Jan. 6 select committee launched a full-frontal assault on former President Donald J. Trump and his riotous mob of supporters on June 9, claiming Trump orchestrated the violence at the Capitol in early 2021 as part of a coup to remain in power and nullify the 2020 election results.

The two top officials on the nine-member panel described Trump as so unstable after Jan. 6 that staff openly discussed the possibility of him being removed from office using the 25th Amendment.

In the first of a series of public hearings to detail findings from its nearly year-long investigation, the committee issued blistering statements and accusations that sounded like the foundation for possible criminal charges against the 45th president of the United States.

Jan. 6 was the culmination of an attempted coup, said Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), chairman of the committee, during a livestream broadcast from Washington D.C. A brazen attempt  to overthrow the government. Violence was no accident.

Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), chair of the Select Committee to Investigate the Jan. 6 Attack on the U.S. Capitol, joined by fellow committee members, delivers opening remarks during a hearing on the Jan. 6 investigation at Capitol Hill in Washington on June 9, 2022. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

The first 60 minutes of the hearing was everything expected: hyper-partisan, with strong anti-Trump rhetoric, accented by video clips that were short on context and long on emotion. A Capitol police officer and a filmmaker testified in the second hour of the hearing.

If anyone expected a detached, academic review of alleged evidence to support what appears to be the committees foregone conclusion, they were left in shock.

Anyone who looked for acknowledgment of the killing of Ashli Babbitt by Capitol Police, the police beating and death of Rosanne Boyland, or any of the myriad examples of excessive force by police, was sorely disappointed.

There was no balance on this night.

Repeats False Claim that Police Were Killed

Testimony from Capitol Police officer Caroline Edwards gave the appearance of linking the Jan. 7 death of police officer Brian Sicknick to her colleague being sprayed with mace at the Capitol on Jan. 6.

The D.C. Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled Sicknicks death was from natural causes, caused by a stroke. Sicknick was hospitalized the night of Jan. 6 after witnesses at the Capitol noticed him exhibiting possible signs of a stroke.

Thompson reinforced the point after a break in testimony, saying the audience included some of the family members, friends, and widows of the officers who lost their lives as the result of the attack.

Four people died at the Capitol on Jan. 6. All were Trump supporters. Babbitt, 35, an Air Force veteran, was shot to death by Lt. Michael Byrd. Boyland, 34, was crushed in a stampede after police unleashed gas in the Lower West Terrace tunnel.

Kevin Greeson, 55, died of a heart attack, although a witness said he was struck by a projectile when a police grenade or other munition exploded near him. Benjamin Phillips, 50, had a stroke. None of those names was mentioned at the hearing.

The Democrat-heavy committee wrapped its work in patriotic language and spoke of its support for the Constitution against the domestic enemies of America.

Comments from Thompson and Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) ridiculed the notion of fraud in the 2020 presidential election. They quoted former Republican Attorney Gen. William Barr, who called the idea [expletive].

Thompson referred to the nation as a shining city on a hill, borrowing language and sentiments from former Republican President Ronald Reagans 1988 State of the Union address.

U.S. Capitol Police Officer Carolyn Edwards testifies about injuries she suffered during violence at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (Jan. 6 Select Committee/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

It was not the America that came to Washington to protest on Jan. 6 that was being spoken of, but the nation that is prosecuting those whom they claim tried to overthrow the government and quash the 2020 election results.

It was domestic enemies of the Constitution who stormed the Capitol and occupied the Capitol, Thompson declared.



Blame on Proud Boys, Oath Keepers

The hearing made clear the committee lays blame for the alleged insurrection at the feet of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, two pro-Trump groups charged by federal prosecutors with seditious conspiracy to obstruct the counting of Electoral College votes by a joint session of Congress. Thompson referred to the groups as racist, anti-government militiasterms the groups reject.

This was like in the Soviet Union: show me the man and Ill show you the crime, Oath Keepers founder Elmer Stewart Rhodes told The Epoch Times from the Virginia City Jail, where he is being held without bond. Now theyre going to gather what they think is going to be damning evidence.

Rhodes said the big tell from the hearing came when they showed a still image of him with former Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio in a D.C. parking garage on Jan. 5, 2021. The inference was that the men were having a meeting. Thats an absolute lie, Rhodes said.

The committee presentation did not include full video evidence showing that the meeting lasted fewer than 10 seconds and consisted of a handshake and brief pleasantries.

Video distributed by criminal defense attorneys shows that Rhodes made no reference to the Capitol or events happening in Washington. Chairman Thompson referred to a Department of Justice claim that someone in the parking garage made reference to the word Capitol. Whomever that was, it was not spoken between Rhodes and Tarrio, the video shows.

The committee showed a video clip of a group of Oath Keepers walking in a military-style stack formation up the east steps of the Capitol on Jan. 6. Prosecutors have said one of the Oath Keeperss goals was to search for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Cali.). Oath Keepers have said that is not true.

An Oath Keepers member gets in between a protester and a Capitol Police officer during a tense exchange in the Small House Rotunda on Jan. 6, 2021. (Stephen Horn/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

What was not shown is how the Oath Keepers a short time later intervened in a volatile standoff between a Capitol Police officer armed with a rifle and angry protesters in the Small House Rotunda.

According to several Oath Keepers and video evidence from journalist Stephen Horn and other sources, the group got in between the potential combatants and calmed the situation. Rhodes said one of the Oath Keepers on scene told him the situation was about to go critical, given the officers demeanor.

Trump Tweet Started it All?

Meanwhile, Cheney said the upcoming committee hearings will detail a sophisticated seven-part plan that Trump devised to keep himself in power. Part of the effort involved a massive effort to spread false information about the 2020 election.

She said that a post Trump made on Twitter asking people to come to Washington for a rally thats gonna be wild was the catalyst for the Proud Boys to allegedly plan an invasion of the Capitol.

One of the hearings will feature former White House aides, one of whom resigned due to Trump refusing to tell the mob to leave the Capitol, Cheney said. The White House chief counsel threatened to quit several times, she said.

After lashing out at Trump for most of her speech, Cheney warned her colleagues of lasting damage to those who supported the 45th president.

There will come a day when Donald Trump is gone, but your dishonor will remain, she said.

Rhodes has predicted for months that the Jan. 6 committees top goal is to keep Trump off the ballot in 2024 by criminalizing free speech, concocting alleged conspiracies, and tying him to everything bad that happened that day.

Theyre just strapping all of it together as though Trump planned it from the very beginning, Rhodes said.

Anyone wanting to understand the effort to oust Trump from the public square should read Rep. Thompsons February 2021 federal civil lawsuit against Trump, his attorney, Rudy Giuliani, the Proud Boys, and the Oath Keepers, Rhodes said. It contains the blueprint for the actions and strategy that the Jan. 6 Select Committee is now using against Trump and his supporters, he said.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during a news conference at the prime minister's official residence, in Tokyo, Japan, on Oct. 14, 2021. (Eugene Hoshiko/AP Photo, File)

Japan Cites Concern for Taiwans Stability in First Policy Roadmap

Japan will double its defense spending in the next five years, according to a policy roadmap released June 7. The document cited the need to increase defense capabilities and maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait, where Beijing has increased its military presence.

The Japanese Cabinet approved the annual fiscal and economic policy roadmap, the first such policy guidelines released under Prime Minister Fumio Kishidas administration.

The guidelines state that Japan will increase defense spending to 2 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP), referring to the commitment made by members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Japan currently spends just over 1 percent of its GDP on defense.

In a footnote, reported by the Taipei Times, the document emphasized the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues.

This comes after Kishida and President Joe Biden held a summit in Tokyo last month, during which they called for a peaceful resolution of issues regarding Taiwan, which China claims as its own.

The escalation of Chinese military activities in East Asia has heightened Tokyos concerns about the self-ruled island. Taiwan, along with its neighbor, Japanese-controlled Okinawa, contain Beijings forces.

Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said on May 10 that Chinese fighter jets took off from and landed on an aircraft carrier near Okinawa more than 100 times from May 3 to May 7.

Kishi said the activities could be part of an effort to improve Chinas ability to operate aircraft carriers and conduct operations in more distant waters and airspace.

Given that these activities are in the sea and airspace near Japans Nansei Islands and Taiwan, we must watch these activities with concern, he said.

In December 2021, former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe warned that an armed invasion of Taiwan would pose a serious threat to Japan, given that Japans Senkaku Islandswhich China calls the Diaoyu Islandsthe Sakishima Islands, and Yonaguni Island are only 100 kilometers (62 miles) from Taiwan.

A Taiwan emergency is a Japanese emergency, and therefore an emergency for the JapanU.S. alliance. People in Beijing, [Chinese regime leader] Xi Jinping in particular, should never have a misunderstanding in recognizing this, he said, adding that Japan and Taiwan must work together to protect freedom and democracy.

Meanwhile, Japans opposition Constitutional Democratic Party and the finance ministry had voiced concern about the planned increase in the defense budget, given that the government may need to secure an additional 5 trillion yen ($7.5 billion) for it, The Asahi Shimbun reported.

The document, which discussed issues from energy security to Kishidas new capitalism economic policy, did not specify how much a commitment to drastically strengthen defense spending would be.

Reuters contributed to this report.
This image provided the Tennessee Department of Correction, shows death row inmate Tyrone Chalmers, whos was convicted of first-degree murder and especially aggravated robbery in the 1994 killing of a 28-year-old man in Memphis. (Tennessee Department of Correction via AP)

Judge: Death Row Inmate Can Pursue Disability Claims

MEMPHIS, Tenn.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 Allens family that he was sorry and expressed his desire to take the victims place if he could, court documents showed.

By Adrian Sainz
An Air Canada plane takes off from Trudeau Airport in Montreal on Dec. 5, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Graham Hughes)

Liberal MP Powlowski Calls for Dropping Federal Vaccine Mandates

Liberal MP Marcus Powlowski has added his name to the shortlist of members from his party to openly call for the removal of federal vaccine mandates.

Powlowski made his views known in an interview published by The Hill Times on June 9.

The need for mandates is certainly changed and the calculus is not the same now as it was two months ago, three months, or six months ago, he told the publication.

The MP represents a northwestern Ontario riding and practised medicine before being first elected to Parliament in 2019.

I would suggest that the vaccine requirements for being on planes and at workplaces at the moment, I dont think the benefits of that mandate warrant the cost, said Powlowski, who has previously done health legislation consulting work with the World Health Organization.

The Hill Times article also quoted anonymous Liberal MPs, one of whom said there is a massive majority of party members who want mandates repealed.

It was reported that the Liberal caucus is not being offered more substantive arguments than the general population to justify keeping the mandates in place, with members of the government explaining they are listening to science and experts.

A few months ago in January, Powlowski advocated for the unvaccinated to be taxed.

We ought to be doing it because, really, if you look at the numbers, the majority of people getting admitted to the hospital, the ICUs, are the unvaccinated, he told CBC.

So whatever we can do to bring up the number of vaccinated people is certainly, in my mind and I think in the partys mind, desirable.

At that time, Quebec had announced a plan to introduce such a tax, but the idea was scrapped a few weeks after.

Powlowski said he was in favour of dropping the vaccine mandate for travel but not the obligation to wear a mask.

If youre going to put a bunch of people on the plane, some of whom are non-vaccinated and things, then there is increased risk. So I would probably keep the mask mandate, that would be my opinion.

Despite the reported desire of numerous Liberal MPs to see the end of mandates, they have so far followed their leadership to help defeat recent Conservative Party motions to lift travel restrictions.

Only two have dissented.

Quebec MP Joel Lightbound broke from the party line in supporting Tory MP Melissa Lantsmans motion on May 30.

Lightbounds views on COVID-19 restrictions are well-known since his solo press conference during the Freedom Convoy protest in Ottawa in February, in which he called on his government to establish a plan for the lifting of measures under its purview.

Lightbounds office said he was not available to comment for this story.

Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith abstained on Lantsmans motion, but later explained on Twitter his rationale for doing so.

Nothing about the re-evaluation of travel-related measures has been transparent. It is not clear what [Chief Public Health Officer] Dr. [Theresa] Tams recommendations are, and theres been no adequate justification provided for continuing the exclusive two-dose mandate, he said.

Inquiries with the offices of Powlowski and Erskine-Smith went unanswered.
Lightning storms in Albania flooded cities, caused man died in a fire after lightning hit a home in the northwestern village of Dedaj. (Screen Shot of google map)

Lightning Storms in Albania Flood Cities, Cause 1 Death

TIRANA, AlbaniaLightning 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.

Another man was found drowned in the sea in the southwestern city of Vlora, but investigators have not determined if his death was weather-related.

Many cities along the Albanian coast flooded after two hours of unusually heavy rain. Farmers in southeastern Albania complained that the downpour damaged all their spring crops.

In Albanias southernmost city, Saranda, lightning damaged an apartment building.

Albania has experienced two weeks of hot weather, with temperatures reaching 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 F.)
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen speaks to media during a press conference in the Mural Hall at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on June 23, 2021. (Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

Most Expensive Form of Energy: Australian Minister Pans Nuclear Power Proposals

The Australian Labor government has struck down an idea to introduce nuclear power into the country, saying it is too expensive and that the economics dont stack up.

The response comes as the opposition Liberal-National Coalition steps up pressure for nuclear energy to deal with soaring electricity costs and lowering emissions, and a trend towards nuclear power investment by China, India, Japan, and South Korea.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen, on June 9, lambasted the suggestion claiming it was the most expensive form of energy and would put pressure on Australians facing cost of living issues.

Seriously? Nine years in office and then coming up with bright ideas on the other side of the election is point one. No credibility, he told reporters.

Point two: Nuclear is the most expensive form of energy. We have a cost of living crisis, energy prices going through the roof, and whats their big bright idea? Lets have the most expensive form of energy we can possibly think of.

Some people seem to think the answer to high energy prices is to introduce the most expensive form of energy nuclear. I was asked today what I think about nuclear energy for Australia  pic.twitter.com/PNLbg9zva6  Chris Bowen (@Bowenchris) June 9, 2022

Treasurer Jim Chalmers echoed his comments, who said nuclear could not compare to renewable energy sources.

The reason that I am not keen on nuclear energy for Australia is because the economics dont stack up, he told Sky News Australia on June 8. Some of these cleaner and cheaper opportunitiesthe economics have become so compelling.

While the state Liberal Party energy minister for New South Wales, Matt Kean, said nuclear energy advocates were literally chasing unicorns.

However, the International Energy Agency in December 2020 estimated that nuclear energy production had the lowest expected costs of all energy sources and that only large hydroelectricity dams could compete, but was limited depending on the natural endowments of individuals countries.

Compared to fossil fuel-based generation, nuclear plants are expected to be more affordable than coal-fired plants, the Agencys report said.

Electricity produced from nuclear long-term operation by lifetime extension is highly competitive and remains not only the least cost option for low-carbon generation  but for all power generation across the board.

The energy debate has taken centre stage in recent weeks as electricity and gas prices skyrocket amid increased global demand spurred by the war in Ukraine that has seen Australian energy producers increase wholesale rates. This has also been coupled with an energy shortfall thanks to coal-fired power stations being shut down for maintenance.

File photo showing a gas stove. (John Stillwell/PA)

At the same time, there has been criticism levelled at the countrys long-term energy policy, which has increasingly prioritised renewable energy development over opening new coal and gas production facilitiesleaving little leeway for the country to deal with supply disruptions.

One solution pushed in recent weeks by the opposition Liberal-National Coalition is for Australia to introduce small modular nuclear reactors as a low-emissions option that can also sustain the baseload needs of the population.

Ive written to the Prime Minister asking him to consider nuclear power as part of our energy mix, David Littleproud, leader of the Nationals, wrote on Twitter on June 8. We need to have this conversation, and if opportunities existback ourselves.

Littleproud told Sky News Australia that there were many misconceptions around nuclear safety fed by major incidents like Chernobyl in Ukraine, Fukushima in Japan, and also The Simpsons.

Newly elected Nationals Senate Leader Bridget McKenzie, newly elected Nationals leader David Littleproud and newly elected Nationals Deputy Leader Perin Davey at a press conference after a Nationals Party meeting at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on May 30, 2022. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas)

Theres this perception thats been put around nuclear  etched into folklore from cartoons, he said.

Earlier in the week, opposition leader Peter Dutton, fired the first salvo of the nuclear debate saying he was not afraid to have a discussion about introducing nuclear.

I dont think we should be afraid to talk about any technology thats going to have the ability to reduce emissions and electricity prices, Dutton told ABC radio on June 6.

Australia currently sits on the worlds third-largest reserve of uranium and is the only G20 nation to ban nuclear energy. Years of cultural aversionand laws from the 1990shave prevented governments from developing the industry to tap the resource.

Perin Davey, Nationals deputy leader, said Australia needed to move on from the past.

Its no longer the 70s and 80s, we no longer have the Nuclear Disarmament Party, and even Greens voters are saying nuclear should be considered because it is zero-emissions power, she told Sky News Australia on June 10.

File photo showing an activist wearing a beanie with a radiation symbol at a demonstration in France on April 24, 2016. (Frederick Florin/AFP/Getty Images)

While former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce revealed that he did not speak for nuclear prior to the election because of polling and to keep the party together.

Then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison was under pressure to commit to higher climate change targets and join the COP26 conference in Glasgow.

We had to somehow mollify the statement that was going to be made. Otherwise, we would have had a 2030 target, and a 2030 target would have seen regional Australia decimated, Joyce told Sky News Australia on June 10.

He added that he never really believed in polling data.

Every meeting Ive been to, whether in Gympie  or a business meeting in Sydney, when you ask the room  about two-thirds or three-quarters of people put their hand up.

Even when you go to [Australian National University], and you talk to studentswho are probably more inclined to the leftthey support nuclear power.
The NASA logo is seen at Kennedy Space Center ahead of the NASA/SpaceX launch of a commercial crew mission to the International Space Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., on April 16, 2021. (Joe Skipper/NASA)

NASA Launches New Team Tracking Clues for UFOs

NASA announced on Thursday they are putting a team together to examine unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs), commonly known as UFOs. An official promised to share full findings with the public.

The move marks the latest efforts of federal agencies to identify and understand potential threats caused by objects with unexplainable propulsion.

The study, focusing on identifying available data and how best to collect and study future ones, will begin early in the fall and is expected to take about nine months to complete, according to the U.S. space agency.

An independent science and analysis team will be led by astrophysicist David Spergel, president of the Simons Foundation and former department chair at Princeton University.

Given the paucity of observations, Spergel devoted to prioritize tracing clues of the most robust set of data from parties including civilians, government, non-profits, and companies.

This report will be shared publicly, said Daniel Evans, the assistant deputy associate administrator for research at NASAs Science Mission Directorate, who will also orchestrate the study.

All of NASAs data is available to the publicwe take that obligation seriouslyand we make it easily accessible for anyone to see or study, he said.

The latest statement follows the May 17 public congressional hearing into UFO sightings, the first in the United States in over 50 years, during which Pentagon officials on May 17 showed lawmakers two videos of UAPs recorded by U.S. military personnel.

Although the testimonies ended with limited answers, sightings of unexplained lights by aviators had then drifted into the mainstream discussion since the past half-century.

The May hearing came less than a year after a key government report on UAPsin which the Pentagon identified 144 UAP sightings dating back to 2004 but was only able to explain one. The sightings recorded by the military also include 11 near-misses with U.S. aircraft.

The limited number of observations of UAPs currently makes it difficult to draw scientific conclusions about the nature of such events, NASA said while unveiling the study, adding that there is no evidence UAPs are extra-terrestrial in origin.

Besides the study, NASA has been finding signs of habitable exoplanets and life beyond Earth, including their origins, evolution, and distribution. The federal agency said it also funds space-based research that focuses on advanced technology in outer space.
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a news conference, in Ankara, Turkey, on May 14, 2022. Within a two-week span, Turkey's president has caused a stir by throwing a wrench in Sweden and Finland's historic bid to join the NATO alliance, lashed out at NATO-ally Greece, and announced plans for a new incursion into Syria. (Burhan Ozbilici/AP Photo)

NATO Must Confront Turkeys Human-Rights Abuses

Commentary



Turkeys obstruction of Sweden and Finlands NATO memberships should bring Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogans blatant disregard for human rights, national sovereignty, and wonton aggression against the Kurdish people into focus. Turkey demands that Finland and Sweden stop harboring members of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and Gulenists, whom Erdogan considers terrorists.

Erdogan personally sought peace with the PKK until he reneged on a peace agreement in 2015. At the same time, Turkish aggression and backing of jihadist groups including al-Qaida and ISIS has fueled the flow of refugees into Europe.

Erdogan took advantage of Turkeys important role to go back on his promises and push for his personal agenda, human-rights lawyer and geopolitical analyst Irina Tsukerman told me.

Analysts of Turkish politics see a domestic political motivation for Erdogan here.

Stockholm-based Turkish journalist Abdullah Bozkurt, who edited the independent newspaper Todays Zaman before Erdogans government closed it in 2016, sees domestic considerations in the Turkish presidents interference and a desire to influence the Biden administration. Bozkurt noted that Erdogan even asked the jailed leader of the PKK to write a letter endorsing Erdogans campaign for president in the last election.

The real message he was trying to send to the Biden administration was that he wants to sit around the table and negotiate with them, Bozkurt told me, noting that Erdogan likely wants help to stop the upcoming trial of Halkbank, a Turkish state bank, that builds on the earlier Hakan Atilla/Reza Zarrab case that showed the bank was allegedly involved in helping Iran evade sanctions by laundering money through the U.S. financial system.

He is hoping to put pressure on the Biden administration that they will interfere in the judicial process and hush up, like he did in Turkey, the case, Bozkurt said.

Erdogan fears being directly implicated in the case because he allegedly personally approved using Halkbank to move funds on Irans behalf, Bozkurt said.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Casuvoglu last month raised the issue with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, claiming that Halkbank that Atilla worked for was a Turkish-government bank and was immune from U.S. law. President Joe Biden snubbed Erdogan last fall during the opening of the U.N. General Assembly, and Turkeys president hopes to get attention from Biden by holding up Swedish and Finnish accession into NATO, Bozkurt said.

He has to play that relationship [with the United States] to the Turkish public and say, Im a leader that can do a deal here and there with very powerful figures in the world, Bozkurt said. He doesnt care at all about the PKK; Erdogan would bargain with the Devil for all he cares.

He dismisses rhetoric about the PKK and Gulenists as packaging, because Sweden cannot offer anything of value.

Former Syrian opposition figure Kamal al-Labwani, who worked with the Turks in the past and likewise lives in Sweden, agrees. Swedens Left Party includes PKK supporters according to al-Labwani.

He is mainly interested in this elections in 2023, and he will not go far because of the reconciliation between him and the Turkish deep state, which resulted in rapprochement with most of the countries of the region and the West, al-Labwani told me.

NATOs Turkey problem is one of its own creation. The alliance worried more about using Turkey as a foil against Russia, particularly following the 2014 invasion of eastern Ukraine and annexation of Crimea, than Turkeys nefarious actions. It needs Turkish support to keep the strategic Bosporus strait closed under the 1936 Montreux Convention and keep the Russian Black Sea Fleet bottled up in the Black Sea.

NATO looked the other way while Erdogan purged the Turkish armed forces of pro-NATO secularist officers and replaced them with Islamist and ultra-nationalists over the past decade. Erdogan abolished critical media just like Vladimir Putin. Our NATO ally supports the SADAT paramilitary organization that spreads jihadism across the Islamic world, not unlike Russias Wagner paramilitary group that acts on behalf of Putins interests. It militarily threatens neighboring fellow NATO member Greece and has repeatedly invaded Syria. Blinken warned Turkey against further military operations in Syria on June 1. Kurdish activists accuse Ankara of systematic ethnic cleansing.

Turkish agents have abducted followers of exiled Turkish Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen from around the world and brought them back to Turkey in the wake of the July 2016 false-flag coup attempt. Gulen and his followers have been strong opponents of Erdogans policies.

Erdogan has played both sides of the fence with Russia for the past decade. On one side there was the Turkey that shot down a Russian jet in 2015 and sold Ukraine the Bayraktar drones manufactured by a company owned by Erdogans son-in-law. On the other hand, you had the Turkey that went out of its way to annoy its NATO partners by purchasing the formidable Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile system.

The alliance helped enable the development of the current impasse by turning a blind eye to Turkeys covert backing of ISIS and al-Qaida jihadists that necessitated the use of Kurdish fighters to push back ISIS. Turkish National Intelligence (MIT) helped tens of thousands of al-Qaida and later ISIS jihadists cross its territory to fight in Syria and also trained them. NATO also helped create the refugee flow from Syria by arming and supporting the uprising against Assad starting in 2011. NATO aircraft reportedly ferried Libyan arms to Turkey from Libya starting in late 2011 with covert support from the Obama administration.

Turkeys antidemocratic nature isnt just a bad look for an alliance that claims to be grounded in democratic principles. It also undermines NATOs security. Turkey wields its veto within the alliance like a cudgel, slamming its allies on unrelated issues to punish it for not validating Erdogans obsession with punishing the Kurds. Erdogan is in it for what Erdogan wants  and that frequently doesnt align with the alliances interest and security, former U.S. diplomat Elizabeth Shackelford wrote in the Chicago Tribune.

The alliances charter makes it impossible for it to suspend or expel a member; consequently, Erdogan believes he can act with impunity and hold the alliance hostage. Kurdish activist Hadi Elis accuses NATO of being anti-Kurdish.

[It] acts in accordance with Turkish policies against Iraqi and Syrian Kurds, Elis told me. [The] Western coalition  started putting distance between themselves and Kurds, because Turkey was using all trade and other ties to give them hard times. No one wanted to confront Turkeys anti-Kurdish policies.

Its time the alliance took a stand against Turkeys bad behavior, especially now that the Turks are threatening their third invasion of Syria in eight years. The West has relied on Syrias PKK-linked Peoples Defense Units (YPG in Kurdish) to keep ISIS in check. The YPG-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) warn that ISIS is coming back in Syria, and a Turkish invasion would only destabilize and oppress the Kurds and Syriac Christians who live in the proposed buffer area along Turkeys border with Syria.

The commander of Kurdish forces said he would turn to the Assad regime should Turkey invade.

The justifications for appeasing Erdogan have never served NATO well, and made it more difficult to constrain other rogue actors and to retain credibility on human rights, Tsukerman said.

It ought also to bring urgency to finding a negotiated settlement to Turkeys war on the Kurdish minority in the eastern part of the country and make it a European priority. Businesses, non-profit foundations, religious entities, and banks linked with Erdogan and his military aggression should be cut off from the global economy. And Turkey should be reminded that NATO members can just as easily give the Kurds the ability to defend themselves against Turkish aggression as Ukraine has been defended against Russian aggression in an effort to get it to cease and desist.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
Navy Helicopter Crashes, No Fatalities, a Day After 5 Marines Died in Aircraft Crash in Same Region

A Navy helicopter crashed in the rural Southern California desert Thursday evening with no fatalities, just a day after a Marine Osprey aircraft went down in the same region, killing all five onboard.

This evening at approximately 6 p.m., an MH-60S Seahawk crashed near El Centro, Calif. while conducting a routine training flight from Naval Air Facility El Centro, said the U.S. Navy in a press release. All four of the air crew on board survived the crash and have been safely recovered. One of the aircrew has suffered non-life threatening injuries and has been transported to a local hospital.

The MH-60S Seahawk helicoptermainly used for combat assistance, anti-surface warfare, and disaster reliefwas assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 3, based at Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado, California. Details of the crash have not been revealed.

The incident was the third military aircraft crash in Southern California in less than a week. Identities of crew members have not yet been released.

Five Marines were killed when a tiltrotor military aircraft went down near the desert town of Glamis on Wednesday, also in Imperial County. Investigations into both crashes are underway.

Five Marines with Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), have been confirmed deceased following an aviation mishap involving an MV-22B Osprey during a training mission near Glamis, CA on the afternoon of June 8, 2022, a June 9 press release from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing states.

Glamis is located about 115 miles east of San Diego and about 50 miles from Yuma, Arizona.

Maj. Gen. Bradford J. Gering, commanding general of 3rd MAW issued the following statement: 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 Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey has the combined capabilities of a conventional helicopter and a high-speed turboprop aircraft. It can take off and land vertically as well as manage short takeoffs and landings. The aircraft has its share of critics with some claiming that it is unsafe.

On March 18, a Marine Corps Osprey crashed near a Norwegian town in the Arctic Circle killing four Marines. In 2017, an MV-22 Osprey crashed off Queensland, Australia, killing three Marines, and in 2015, one Marine was killed and 21 injured when their Osprey caught fire during a difficult landing in Hawaii.

Earlier this month, U.S. Navy pilot Lt. Richard Bullock was killed when his aircraft crashed near Trona, California, on June 3. Bullock was flying in a F/A-18E Super Hornet on a routine training flight when the craft went down suddenly around 2:30 p.m.

The incident happened in a remote, unpopulated area and no civilians were harmed, according to authorities. Bullock was assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113 based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, located in Kings County and Fresno County, California.
Arizona State Sen. Leo Biasiucci (R) listens as the election integrity group True the Vote presents its findings on ballot fraud at the statehouse Arizona in Phoenix on May 31, 2022. (Allan Stein/The Epoch Times)

New Cracks in the Most Secure Election Narrative

Commentary

Recent news reports continue to expose controversial problems with election integrity associated with the 2020 elections in several states. The prevailing narrative has been that the election was the most secure ever, although a stream of revelations pointing to real problems with election systems in several states is undermining that belief.

Lets examine the topic in detail, including recent germane press reports.

The Most Secure Election

The conventional wisdom conveyed by the legacy media, the Democratic Party, and even a number of Republicans since November 2020 is that the 2020 election was the most secure election in American history, according to Fox News. This narrative was based on a joint statement made by the Election Infrastructure Government Coordinating Council Executive Committee and the Election Infrastructure Sector Coordinating Council on Nov. 12, 2020.

Posted on the Department of Homeland Securitys Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency (CISA) website, the joint statement includes the following excerpt: The November 3rd election was the most secure in American history.  There is no evidence that any voting system deleted or lost votes, changed votes, or was in any way compromised.

There are two data points evinced from this announcement. First, it was made while the election was still being contested and irregularities in multiple states were just beginning to be reported by independent observers and analysts.

Second, Chris Krebs, the CISA director at the time, not only exceeded his authority in authorizing that joint statement (CISA has no role in determining whether election fraud exists, as noted here), but was also connected to James Clapper, former President Barack Obamas director of national intelligence, and the Dutko Group (a major Democratic lobbying organization) as noted here.

Since the election, several cracks have occurred in the facade of that most secure narrative, including the result of the partial forensic analysis in Maricopa County, Arizona, reported out in August 2021, as well as an interim report provided in March 2022 by Michael Gableman, a former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice, that recommended Wisconsin decertify the 2020 election results in the state, as reported here. Both of these have been successfully stymied through legal maneuvers by those who would prefer to let sleeping dogs lie.

Another significant crack that continues to be investigated in several states involves Mark Zuckerbergs investment of $419 million via his Center for Tech and Civic Life to fund a targeted, private takeover of government election operations by nominally nonpartisanbut demonstrably ideologicalnonprofit organizations, the New York Post reported last October (emphasis added).

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg testifies remotely via videoconference in this screengrab made from video during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, titled Breaking the News: Censorship, Suppression, and the 2020 Election, on Facebook and Twitters content moderation practices, in Capitol Hill in Washington on Nov. 17, 2020. (U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee via Reuters)

While these and other reports of election irregularities are now considered old news, several recent events have come to public attention that add significant new cracks to the most secure election narrative.

2000 Mules

The May 2 release of Dinesh DSouzas documentary 2000 Mules in theaters across the United States provided evidence of a coordinated, funded, illegal ballot trafficking network that operated in at least six states during the 2020 election. The evidence was based on an analysis of geospatial locating data from cellphones that were correlated with publicly available videos taken of ballot drop boxes.

True The Vote, a nonprofit organization focused on election integrity, analyzed 27 terabytes of data, including 4 million minutes of video and 10 trillion cellphone pings, to conclude the documentary cited above. TTV sets a high threshold for identifying a particular cellphone/person as a likely mule (a ballot trafficker).

For example, in Georgia, a person must have made at least two dozen trips to drop boxes and five visits to one or more nonprofit organizations to be counted as a mule. The result was the discovery of 242 traffickers in that state who made 5,662 trips to ballot drop boxes between midnight and 5 a.m., as reported in the documentary.

2000 Mules was a major crack in the secure election narrative, as Rasmussen Reports determined in a poll released on June 3 that 77 percent of the documentarys viewers concluded afterward that the movie strengthened their conviction that there was systematic and widespread election fraud in the 2020 election.

Rasmussen reported that only 15% of voters have seen 2000 Mules, but that is a rather large number, as 15 percent of the 232 million eligible voters reported by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2020 works out to be 34 million people (and counting)!

Guilty Plea in Yuma County, Arizona

As a result of a follow-up investigation stemming from the information presented in 2000 Mules, Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich announced a modification to a guilty plea by a former mayor of San Luis, Arizona.

From the Brnovich announcement, Guillermina Fuentes of San Luis pleaded guilty on Thursday to one count of Ballot Abuse, a Class 6 Felony, for her role in an August 2020 Primary Election ballot harvesting scheme where early ballots from other voters were collected and deposited into a ballot box on primary Election Day.

This is one of several ongoing election fraud-related investigations being conducted by the Yuma County Sheriffs office, as reported here, The Yuma County Sheriffs Office (YCSO) and the Yuma County Recorders Office (YCRO) are working together to actively examine cases of voting fraud from the 2020 General Election and now a recent pattern of fraudulent voter registration forms leading up to the 2022 Primary Election.

This undated photo released by the Arizona Attorney Generals Office shows Guillermina Fuentes. (Arizona Attorney Generals Office)

20,000 Mail Votes Received After Deadline in Arizona

On May 26, Verity Vote released a report detailing information found in documents previously withheld by Maricopa County elections officials. According to Verity Vote, the documents show[ed] 18,000 additional late ballots not previously reported. Several contests were decided by less than 20K votes, most notably the statewide presidential race that was decided by only 10,457.

The late ballots received were of sufficient quantity to change the result of the 2020 General Election in Arizona. Verity Vote is a group of experienced independent investigators who volunteered to analyze election integrity issues, as noted on its website.

New Jersey Voter Registration Problems

Voter registration rolls in many states arent well-maintained. An example was the removal of 206,000 names from Wisconsins database in August 2021. The big question is why this action wasnt performed before the 2020 election since President Joe Bidens victory margin in Wisconsin was just over 20,000 votes.

And the voter roll problems continue. A new report from the Public Interest Legal Foundation illuminated problems with voter registration rolls in New Jersey. Here are the highlights:

8,239 New Jerseyans were registered twice or more under variations of their names.

2,398 registrants were age 105 or greater.

33,572 registrants had fictitious dates of birth (rendering them invalid).

6,863 registrants had no dates of registration (rendering them invalid).

Former Congressman Pleads Guilty to Election Fraud

Lastly, on June 6, there was this statement from the U.S. Attorneys Office in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Former U.S. Congressman Michael Ozzie Myers, 79, of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty today 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 for orchestrating schemes to fraudulently stuff the ballot boxes for specific Democratic candidates in the 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 Pennsylvania elections.

Just an aberration or common practiceand bad luck? What are the chances a younger person took over the job in 2020?

The Bottom Line

Where there is smoke, there is (usually) fire, as the old idiom goes. These latest series of smoke events are convincing more people that there really was an election fire in November 2020, as Rasmussen polling noted. And its not just Americans who are drawing that conclusion.

As reported here, Nicolaus Fest, the chairman of Alternative for Germany, the biggest patriot party in Germany, and Marcel de Graaff, a member of the European Parliament for Forum for Democracy, have watched 2000 Mules and were shocked by what they saw.

Fest made a very astute observation: We dont really see a strong reaction from the federal government in the United States, but still, this movie had a big exposure. Millions and millions of people have seen it.

Yes, many Americans also await a strong reaction from our government. So far, the U.S. political class doesnt seem interested in ensuring election integrity in future elections.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
District attorney candidate Alvin Bragg speaks during a Get Out the Vote rally at A. Philip Randolph Square in Harlem in New York City on Nov. 1, 2021. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

New York Republicans Push for Constitutional Amendment Allowing District Attorney Recall Elections

Republican lawmakers in New York are pushing for a constitutional amendment that would establish a process through which electors can remove district attorneys from office if they are soft on crime.

Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R-Oswego), Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt (R-Lockport), Assemblyman Michael Tannousis (R-East Shore/Brooklyn), and Deputy Senate Republican Leader Andrew Lanza (R-Staten Island) introduced the constitutional amendment (S.9484) on June 9.

Under the proposed amendment, district attorneys will be held accountable for their policies once they take office and will be subject to recall campaigns if they lose the publics trust by putting criminal interests before law-abiding citizens.

According to the proposed amendment, a recall could be initiated if a petition is delivered to the state Board of Elections which alleges the reason for the recall, and is signed by voters within the county equal to 20 percent of the last vote for the district attorney.

An election to determine whether to recall the district attorney would be held between 60 and 80 days from the date of certification of sufficient signatures by the state Board of Elections.

If the majority of voters opt to recall the district attorney, then they will be removed from their role and, if there are other candidates, the candidate who receives the most votes will become the successor.

The district attorney that has been recalled will not be able to list themselves as a candidate, according to the amendment.

Current law in New York states that the governor has the power to remove district attorneys from office if they fail to properly prosecute or perform their jobs and enforce the law.

GOP lawmakers said the proposed amendment would put that power back in the hands of the people.

In a statement, Ortt took aim at Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, who has been criticized for a number of his criminal policies which include ordering prosecutors to stop pursuing prison sentences for many criminal cases and downgrading charges for some crimes. Bragg later backtracked on parts of those policies.

Any district attorney who fails to make crime victims their number one priority has no business serving the public, Ortt said. Their job is to enforce the law and prosecute those who break it. This disturbing trend of progressive, soft-on-crime district attorneysincluding Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg here in New Yorkrefusing to prosecute crime has got to stop.

If Gov. Hochul wont do the right thing and remove him from office, New Yorkers should have the power to do so on their own, the lawmaker added.

The Epoch Times has contacted Braggs office for comment.

In order for the constitutional amendment to take effect, New Yorks Democratic-led state legislature would need to approve the change in back-to-back sessions separated by an election, according to New York Daily News. It would then need to be signed off by voters.

The move by GOP lawmakers in New York comes just days after San Fransisco voted to recall progressive District Attorney Chesa Boudin after he came under fire for failed criminal justice reform policies that have led to a sharp rise in a number of crimes such as homicides, thefts, and gun crimes, as well as an increase in drug overdose deaths and homelessness.

More than 61.3 percent of voters supported his recall, meaning San Francisco Mayor London Breed must now appoint an interim district attorney until Nov. 8, the date that a permanent replacement is set to be elected.

Brad Jones contributed to this report.
Tesla China-made Model 3 vehicles are seen during a delivery event at the carmaker's factory in Shanghai, China, on Jan. 7, 2020. (Aly Song/Reuters)

NHTSA Upgrades Probe of Autopilot Teslas Colliding With Emergency Vehicles, Increasing Possibility of Recall

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has upgraded its investigation into collisions of Tesla vehicles with the autopilot feature switched on, meaning the automobiles are potentially one step closer to being recalled.

NHTSA initially launched its investigation into Teslas Autopilot feature in August 2021, following a string of crashes in which Tesla vehicles operating in autopilot mode had collided with stationary in-road or roadside first responder vehicles tending to pre-existing collision scenes.

The investigation covers all four Tesla vehiclesModels Y, X, S, and 3representing about 830,000 vehicles that have been sold in the United States since the start of the 2014 model year.

On Thursday, the federal government agency said it was updating the probe (pdf) to an engineering analysis, allowing it to extend the existing crash analysis, evaluate additional data sets, perform vehicle evaluations, and to explore the degree to which Autopilot and associated Tesla systems may exacerbate human factors or behavioral safety risks by undermining the effectiveness of the drivers supervision.

Teslas autopilot feature is designed to enhance safety and convenience behind the wheel, according to the companys website. However, it should be used with a fully attentive driver who keeps their hands on the steering wheel and is prepared to take over at any given moment.

NHTSA reported that it has found 16 crashes into emergency vehicles and trucks with warning signs, which resulted in 15 injuries and one death. The crashes took place between January 2018 and January 2022.

The agency said analysis had shown that the majority of the 16 vehicles involved in the crashes had received Forward Collision Warnings (FCW) prior to impact, meaning they were warned that they were in dangerously close proximity to another vehicle.

Automatic emergency braking (AEB) intervened in approximately half of the collisions to slow the vehicles down prior to impact, NHTSA said. On average, autopilot aborted vehicle control less than one second prior to the first impact, the agency said in documents detailing the probe.

All subject crashes occurred on controlled-access highways, officials said. Where incident video was available, the approach to the first responder scene would have been visible to the driver an average of 8 seconds leading up to impact.

For 11 of the collisions, forensic data indicated that none of the drivers of the vehicles took evasive action between 2-5 seconds prior to impact, and the agency found that in many cases, drivers had their hands on the steering wheel, as required by Tesla, leading up to the impact.

However, most drivers appeared to comply with the subject vehicle driver engagement system as evidenced by the hands-on wheel detection and nine of eleven vehicles exhibiting no driver engagement visual or chime alerts until the last minute preceding the collision (four of these exhibited no visual or chime alerts at all during the final Autopilot use cycle), the agency wrote.

Investigators said that in the next phase of the probe, they 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 by undermining the effectiveness of the drivers supervision.

The Epoch Times has contacted Tesla for comment.

In total, the agency looked at 191 crashes involving crash patterns not limited to the first responder scenes but removed 85 of them due to external factors, such as the actions of other vehicles, or a lack of information to support a definite assessment.

The agency noted that a drivers use or misuse of vehicle components, or operation of a vehicle in an unintended manner does not necessarily preclude a system defect.

NHTSA also said its looking into crashes involving similar patterns that did not include emergency vehicles or trucks with warning signs.

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.

The latest update to the investigation into the vehicles produced by Elon Musks company comes as the businessman has put on hold his bid to buy Twitter, amid a dispute with the social media company over the number of automated or bot accounts.

Musk has said he believes up to 90 percent of Twitter accounts may be fake and will not be forging ahead with the deal unless Twitter can hand him an accurate figure.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A family walk past the sign at Thorncliffe Park Public School in Toronto on Dec. 4, 2020. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press)

Ontarios School Reopening in Early 2021 Had Only Small Increase in COVID Cases, Study Shows

School reopenings in Ontario only resulted in a small increase in COVID-19 cases in the province in early 2021, a new study finds.

The study, published in Health Affairs, a U.S. peer-reviewed journal on health policies, sought to determine the change in COVID-19 case rates in the weeks after the reopening of the provinces public schools.

We conducted an event study regression examining whether the reopening of elementary and secondary schools was associated with a change in community COVID-19 case growth rates, said the study, published this month.

Specifically, the authors focused on the period starting Dec. 26, 2020, through March 8, 2021during the time when the provincewide shutdown was enacted until three weeks after schools in the final public health units were permitted to reopen.

Had schools not reopened, the study estimated that 213 fewer cases of the virus would have occurred in Ontario between Dec. 26, 2020, and Feb. 18, 2021, which is roughly 0.08 percent fewer cases.

The analysis was conducted using PCR tests done during the study period, obtained from the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences, a non-profit research institute that provides researchers access to Ontarios health-related data, including anonymous patient records, and clinical and administrative databases.

These data sets captured more than 90 percent of tests completed in Ontario and 100 percent of confirmed cases, the study said.

The authors said the reopening approach taken by the provincial government after the lockdown order offered them an opportunity to estimate the case rates more effectively.

A regionalized approach was taken to reopen schools throughout early 2021 without any other opening of the economy, offering a unique natural experiment to estimate the impact of school reopening on community transmission, they said.

The authors argued that even though their findings suggest additional COVID-19 cases are to be expected after the reopening of the schools, the risks may be manageable with sufficient, layered mitigation policies such as smaller class sizes, masking, and cohorting.

However, they also noted that this study was unable to ascertain whether these measures alone, without the need to also close schools, could have reduced case growth rates as effectively.
"In God We Trust" hangs in the meeting area of the Orange County Board of Education in Costa Mesa, Calif., on Oct. 7, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

Orange County School Board Incumbents, Superintendent Poised for Victory

Each of the three incumbents on the Orange County Board of Education, as well as Superintendent Al Mijares, are poised to win another term in the election.

Each incumbent leads the race by a wide margin as of Thursday evening, according to the Orange County Registrar of Voters.

Unlike most races, the boards June elections are final once certified, meaning candidates that win this election can officially claim seats on the board.

Mijares, who has served as superintendent since 2012, gained 55.1 percent of the vote, while challenger Stefan Beana superintendent managing the Los Angeles region of charter school system Aspire Public Schoolsis at 44.8 percent.

Orange County Superintendent Al Mijares. (Courtesy of the Orange County Department of Education)

In the race for District 2which covers the southwest portion of the countyincumbent and board president Mari Barke leads with 59.8 percent of the vote, while opponent Martha Fluor, a former Newport-Mesa Unified school board member for 29 years, gained 30.3 percent of the vote, and architect Christopher Ganiere trails with 9.8 percent.

Barke told The Epoch Times she looks forward to continuing advocating for parental choice and school choice.

You know, the last election, I won by barely 5 percent, Barke said. This year, I won by about 30 percent. That really tells me that voters want me to continue the work weve been doing with charter schools, with protecting parental rights, and with always putting the kids first. They want to be heard, they want us to listen to them, and they want us to educate them about the various education issues coming out of Sacramento.

Incumbent Lisa Sparks has the widest lead in the race for coastal District 5 with 65.1 percent of the vote, while opponent Sherine Smith, a former superintendent of Laguna Beach Unified School District, trails with 34.8 percent.

In northwest Orange Countys District 4, candidates are running to fill a partial termthe remaining two years left by incumbent Tim Shaw, who was elected to the seat in 2020 and has been temporarily blocked from serving on the board due to a recent court ruling.

Shaw resigned from the board in November 2021 over a lawsuit that alleged he had a conflict of interest by serving on both the board and the La Habra City Council simultaneously. Just one month later, however, his fellow trustees voted to re-appoint him to his old seat.

In April, Shaw was blocked by a judge from serving on the board again due to another lawsuit that claims Shaws re-appointment violated state law.

Shaw is currently leading the District 4 race with 50.8 percent of the vote while opponent Paulette Chaffeean attorney, former teacher, and wife of the county Supervisor Dough Chaffeegained 30.3 percent.

Other District 4 candidates Ellisa Kim, a business owner, and David Choi, an accountant, trail behind at 10.4 percent and 8.3 percent respectively.

Tim Shaw (Courtesy of the Orange County Department of Education)

Shaw told The Epoch Times he feels relieved to see his election numbers so far, and that he looks forward to putting the past year behind him.

It was a long campaign, but Im grateful to the voters for giving me this opportunity and thrilled to be re-joining my great colleagues, putting the political stuff behind us, getting down to work for the schools, Shaw said.

Shaw said the incumbents leading numbers tell him Orange County voters supported the trustees positions on education.

People know what we stood for and what we believed, Shaw said. I think its ratifying of the positions weve been taking in favor of parental choice  and against the sexualization of children and other weird curriculum coming out of Sacramento. We stand against that, and I think the voters of Orange County agree.

Though Mijares currently leads the polls, Shawwho endorsed Bean along with Barke, Sparks, and fellow trustee Ken Williamssaid he has spoken with election experts and is still unsure of the superintendent races outcome.

Trustee Mari Barke sits in an Orange County Board of Education meeting in Costa Mesa, Calif., on Oct. 7, 2020. (John Fredricks/The Epoch Times)

The board majority has sued Mijares multiple times in the past few years, arguing that the board should have more control of the education departments budget rather than the superintendent having the final say.

Barke said she will continue the fight for more control over the budget.

Were going to fight for the rights that we have as trustees legally given to us by the [state] education code, she said. And I will continue to do that will continue to hold [the superintendent] accountable to the voters, to Orange County, and to us.

Shaw said he hoped the board and the superintendent could one day have a good working relationship.

Whoever wins, Im happy to work with a superintendent who will respect the prerogatives of the board, and the board [will] respect the prerogatives of the superintendent, Shaw said. If we could have a good working relationship, that would be ideal and something Im more than happy to engage in.

Mijares recently said he hopes to find common ground and work together to better serve the school community, according to the Orange County Register.

We must remember that is important to us, where possible, to lay aside our political differences and find common ground in order to more effectively serve our students and their families, as well as the staff and faculty who serve them, Mijares said.

The election results will be certified on July 7.
People wait in line to check in at Pearson International Airport in Toronto on May 12, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Nathan Denette)

Ottawa to Temporarily Suspend Random COVID Testing at Airports

The federal government says it will suspend random COVID-19 testing at airports for vaccinated travellers until the end of the month.

The development comes as airports and industry groups had asked for the program to be ended. Airports and airlines have said they are dealing with significant congestion due to the various COVID-19 travel mandates, leading to long waits for travellers.

The Government of Canada recognizes the impact that significant wait times at some Canadian airports are having on travellers. We continue to work with airports, airlines, baggage handlers, and other partners to implement solutions to reduce delays as we approach the summer peak season, Transport Canada said in a statement on June 10.

Today, the Government of Canada is also announcing that Mandatory randomized testing will be temporarily suspended at all airports between Saturday, June 11 and Thursday, June 30, 2022. Unvaccinated travellers will still be tested on-site. As of July 1, all testing, including for unvaccinated travellers, will be performed off-site.

Measures such as COVID-19 vaccine mandates and the use of the ArriveCAN app remain in effect. The government says it will send more staff from the Public Health Agency of Canada to airports to verify that travellers have completed their ArriveCAN submissions on arrival and assist travellers in completing the app.

The government previously said the current public health restrictions would remain until the end of June, but has been facing mounting pressure from industry and travel groups who said the surveillance measures created the airport havoc.

On July 6, the Canadian Airports Council (CAC) called on the federal government to align with the international community in ending the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for aviation employees and air travellers.

The aviation community has been a supportive partner of the federal government in facilitating the vaccine mandate for travel since October 2021. However, today all Canadian provinces have removed vaccine restrictions, so there is now a different standard for aviation employees and transportation than for other Canadians, CAC said in a statement on Twitter.

Aviation is global. In order to support this industrys economic recovery and compete globally, Canada must align with the international community and join the list of over 50 countries that have already removed vaccine mandates and COVID protocols for travel.

Andrew Chen and The Canadian Press contributed to this report
School buses are seen parked in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Borough Park in New York City on Oct. 6, 2020. (Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images)

Parents Allege Grooming by Pittsburgh-Area School in Lawsuit Over Transgender Curriculum

As long as I am on this earth, I am going to teach children what I feel they need to know.

These were allegedly the words of Mt. Lebanon School District first-grade teacher Megan Williams, who earlier this year told the mother of one of her students that she would continue teaching about gender dysphoria and transgender transitioning to 6- and 7-year-old studentseven if doing so goes against parents wishes, according to a lawsuit filed in Pittsburgh federal court on June 8 by three mothers over the matter.

The lawsuit names the school district in the suburb of Pittsburgh, as well as Williams, senior administrators, and school board members over what the parents say amounts to groominga term used to refer to adults psychologically creating emotional bonds with children to lower inhibitions.

According to the lawsuit, Williams showed students a video called Jacobs New Dress to their children last fall, telling the students that her child had worn an Elsa dress for Halloween. When one of the moms raised concerns about this at a parent-teacher conference, Williams told her there was a misunderstanding and that the confusion was about Halloweenbut then continued to teach the children about gender dysphoria anyway, the lawsuit states.

Williams had private conversations with this young boy, discussing with him the similarities between the boy and her transgender child, again suggesting that the boy might want to wear a dress, at other times commenting to him how the boy and her transgender child had similar interests and the same favorite color, and telling the child that he could be like her transgender child, the lawsuit states.

Williams explained to this young boy that doctors can get it wrong sometimes. In the course of these private discussions, Williams also told this young boy that she would never lie to him and, if the subjects they were discussing came up at home, to say I heard it from a little birdie.

The lawsuit argues that this behavior amounts to grooming.

In other words, upon information and belief, while having private discussions with this young boy about topics related to gender dysphoria, she told the child not to tell his parents about the discussions, the lawsuit states. Williams grooming of this young student is unconscionable.

The lawsuit adds that the discussions peaked on March 31, 2022Transgender Day of Visibilitywhen Williams allegedly provided direct classroom instruction on gender dysphoria and transgender transitioning to her captive audience of 6- and 7-year-old children.

In the course of doing so, she explained to her students that sometimes parents are wrong and that parents and doctors make mistakes when they bring a child home from the hospital, according to the lawsuit.

After one of the mothers pulled her child out of Williamss class, she received a call from Williamss private phone number several weeks later.

Williams first sarcastically said to Plaintiff that she wanted to applaud her. Williams then voiced to Plaintiff that she did not understand why her instruction was a problem. Plaintiff not-so-politely told her of her strong parental viewpoint to the contrary. Williams then said to Plaintiff, As long as I am on this earth, I am going to teach children what I feel they need to know, and hung up.

Under no circumstances was this call appropriate for Williams to make.

The lawsuit seeks a U.S. district court order prohibiting the school from teaching gender dysphoria and transgender transitioningor, at the minimum, to require the school to allow parents to opt out of such education.

The lawsuit stresses that the complaints arent related to politics, nor is it anti-transgender or anti-LGBT.

Rather, it is about Plaintiffs parental rights and each of their respective decisions not to want their 6- or 7-year-old child to receive first-grade classroom instruction on gender dysphoria or transgender transitioning from their first-grade teacher, the lawsuit states.

Neither the school district nor Williams responded by press time to messages from The Epoch Times seeking comment on the lawsuit.
A car crashed into a store after crashing into a crowd of people in central Berlin, on June 8, 2022. (Michael Sohn/AP Photo)

Prosecutor: Driver in Fatal Berlin Crash Seems Mentally Ill

BERLINA 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 mans apartment, and a great deal speaks for paranoid schizophrenia as the suspects 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 Germanys 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 sisters 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 mayor Franziska Giffey visits the scene where a car crashed into a crowd of people in central Berlin, on June 8, 2022. (Markus Schreiber/AP Photo)

Berlins 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 Wednesdays 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-gradeages roughly 1517 in Germanyin 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.

By Geir Moulson
Proud Boys Leader Tarrio, Two Others Plead Not Guilty to Seditious Conspiracy

The former leader of the Proud Boys and two members of the group pleaded not guilty on June 9 to seditious conspiracy charges that were filed against them earlier in the week in connection with their alleged roles in storming the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

The not-guilty pleas by Tarrio and co-defendants Joseph Biggs and Dominic Pezzola came during a virtual court hearing in Washington, just hours before the Democrat-led U.S. House Select Committee investigating the Capitol breach held a public hearing.

Two other defendantsEthan Nordean and Zachary Rehlcould not be present for the hearing and are expected to be arraigned at a future date.

During Thursdays hearing, one of the defense lawyers questioned whether prosecutors had intentionally timed the new indictment with the committees prime-time hearing, an accusation prosecutors denied and which U.S. District Judge Timothy Kelly, a Donald Trump appointee, called unwarranted.

Mixing politics and criminal justice is dangerous, said Nick Smith, counsel to Nordean. We have to run from it like fire.

Attorneys for the five defendants also complained about the committees plans to release transcripts from interviews with 1,000 witnesses, saying they fear the transcripts could be made public during the trial, which is scheduled to start Aug. 8.

Kelly said what the committee does is beyond the power of anyone sitting in the hearing, and while everyone should be mindful of its actions, he does not see an immediate need to delay the trial.

During the hearing, Tarrios name was brought up multiple times, and one of the witnesses was Nick Quested, a filmmaker who was following the Proud Boys on and around Jan. 6. The panel, which only contains Democrats and anti-Trump Republicans, alleged Jan. 6 was an attempted coup carried out by Trump with assistance from the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, noting how members from both groups have now been charged with seditious conspiracy.

The conspiracy charges against Tarrio and four Proud Boys members were released on Monday. Tarrio was hit with another charge despite not even being present in Washington on Jan. 6.

That day, Tarrio and his co-defendants conspired to prevent, hinder and delay the certification of the Electoral College vote, and to oppose by force the authority of the government of the United States, the Department of Justice said in a statement, asserting the men directed, mobilized, and led members of the crowd onto the Capitol grounds and into the Capitol, leading to dismantling of metal barricades, destruction of property, breaching of the Capitol building, and assaults on law enforcement.

Kelly also on Thursday denied a motion to compel the government to identify certain evidence in the case, ruling the government has already handed over some evidence and plans to provide the rest more than a month before the trial.

Kelly has yet to rule on a motion from Tarrio, joined by his co-defendants, for a change in venue. Tarrio wants the trial held in southern Florida, where he lives and was arrested, asserting there is prejudice against him in Washington that is so strong that he cannot get a fair and impartial trial there. He cited the media coverage of the Jan. 6 breach as well as how some 95 percent of Washington voters voted against Trump in 2016 and surveys that show a majority of Washington voters believe any person who was inside the Capitol on Jan. 6 should be convicted of insurrection, a charge the government has not levied against any individual.

In its reply, prosecutors said Tarrio didnt prove his arguments and that Washingtons population is highly educated and politically savvy and has been exposed to the essentially the same news sources people in other parts of the country, adding: There is no reason to believe that the Districts entire population of nearly 700,000 people has been so affected by the events of January 6 or the subsequent media coverage that the Court cannot seat an impartial jury here.

No judges have yet granted motions for a change in venue.

Reuters contributed to this report.
Petrol trucks are parked near oil tanks at Volodarskaya LPDS production facility owned by Transneft oil pipeline operator in the village of Konstantinovo in the Moscow region, Russia, on June 8, 2022. (Maxim Shemetov/Reuters)

Putin Says Russia Will Not Mothball Oil Wells Despite Wests Import Ban

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russian companies will not block off their oil wells despite the Wests efforts to lessen its dependence on energy supplies from Moscow.

The United States introduced its embargo on Russian imports in March just days after Moscow sent its troops into Ukraine, while the European Union agreed last month in principle to gradually cut 90 percent of its oil imports from Russia by the end of this year.

Putin said the West will not be able to completely stop using Russian energy resources over next few years.

As far as refusal from our energy resources is concerned, this is unlikely for the next few years, while its not clear, what will happen during those few years. Thats why, no one will pour cement into the wells, Putin told a televised meeting with young entrepreneurs.

Russian oil production fell by around 9 percent in April, but has been on a steady rise since then despite the Wests sweeping sanctions against Russia, as Moscow diverted its oil exports to Asia, notably to India and China.

Russia may be getting more revenue from its fossil fuels now than before the start of what it calls its special military operation in Ukraine, as global price increases offset the impact of Western efforts to restrict its sales, U.S. energy security envoy Amos Hochstein said earlier on Thursday.

Putin said the sanctions had led to a decrease of oil supply to global markets, while prices were rising.

The earnings of (Russian) companies are rising in money terms. Everybody sees it, everybody understands it, he said.
U.S. Capitol Police Officer Steven Robbs kneels over Ashli Babbitt just after she was shot by Lt. Michael Byrd in the hallway outside the Speaker's Lobby on January 6, 2021. (JaydenX/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

Rep. Greene: Republican Jan. 6 Committee Should Investigate Ashli Babbitt Killing, Rosanne Boyland Death

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) says an investigation into the killing of Ashli Babbitt and the beating and subsequent death of Rosanne Boyland at the Capitol will be among the priorities of a new January 6 committee when Republicans take control of the U.S. House after the November midterms.

In a fiery speech on the House floor hours ahead of the public hearing by the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the United States Capitol, Greene predicted the mostly Democrat body will ignore issues such as the deaths of Babbitt and Boyland.

She called for an examination of Capitol Police Lt. Michael Byrd, who shot and killed an unarmed Babbitt as she climbed partway through a broken window at the entrance to the Speakers Lobby on Jan. 6, 2021.

Did you know Ashli Babbitt was trying to stop people from breaking in? Greene asked. That is on video. Ive watched it over and over. She was trying to stop people from breaking in and then she was shot and killed.

Babbitt Tried to Quell Violence

Greene referred to Jan. 17 and Jan. 18 articles in The Epoch Times that showed Babbitt attempting to stop vandalism in the Speakers Lobby hallway. She also shouted at three Capitol Police officers who did nothing to quell the increasingly raucous crowd.

Based on analyses of video and audio from the hallway, the articles revealed holes in the narrative that Babbitt was a rioter who vandalized the doors leading into the Speakers Lobby. Others in the hallway smashed glass out of both doors and a side window.

After rioter Zachary Alam used a black riot helmet to smash out the tempered glass in the side window, Babbitt grabbed him, punched him in the nose, and then attempted to exit through the newly opened window.

Babbitt emerged part way before Byrd shot her from the side at a distance of 10-15 feet. She was pronounced dead at about 3:15 p.m. at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, some 30 minutes after being shot.

An ambulance rushes a mortally wounded Ashli Babbitt to the hospital after being shot outside the Speakers Lobby at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (CapitolPunishmentTheMovie.com/Bark at the Hole Productions)

A U.S. Department of Justice report released June 7 said Byrd felt Babbitt was a threat, and there was insufficient evidence to overcome his belief. Babbitts death was classified as a homicide by the DC Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, but the DOJ ruled on April 14, 2021, that Byrd would face no charges.

The DOJ report quotes a Sergeant at Arms staff member as claiming he saw Babbitt participate in the breaking of windows in the Speakers Lobby. Video footage shot by two independent journalists and an activist shows Babbitt never touched the doors or window until she tried to climb out.

We dont hear about his reckless record of guns, which is all weve talked about all week in here, Green said in her speech. We arent hearing about that. Why arent we hearing about that record? Why? Why isnt he standing trial? Hes not. He just gets to get away with it.

Aaron Babbitt said he welcomes the idea of a deeper look at his wifes killing.

Babbitt told The Epoch Times he would like to see a full house cleaning of the unselect committee, and actual human beings, lawfully installed, that want to get to the truth.

Greene said she wants to see the death of Rosanne Boyland on the Lower West Terrace given a full investigation by the House, including the lack of police rescue efforts outside the tunnel.

They pulled her away from someone who was giving her CPR. She was pulled away from life-saving CPR, Greene said. Why did that happen? Are we going to hear about that from the committee tonight? I doubt it. They dont care about Rosanne Boyland.

The Select Committee did not mention any of the four deaths of Trump supporters at the Capitol on Jan. 6 during its first June public hearing on the nearly year-long investigation.

Justin Winchell reacts in horror when his friend Rosanne Boyland is struck in the head with a wooden stick. Boyland was struck three times. Officer Lila Morris tried striking a fourth time but the stick flew from her hand. (Metropolitan Police Department Bodycam/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

After being pulled from beneath a pile of people, Boyland lay unconscious on the sidewalk as protesters begged police to provide CPR or summon emergency life support. No officer moved to help Boyland. One kicked several bystanders from inside the tunnel on top of Boyland, bodycam video obtained by The Epoch Times shows.

Metropolitan Police Department officer Lila Morris was captured on camera beating Boyland with a wooden walking stick just before 4:30 p.m. that day. She struck Boyland once in the ribs and twice in the head, the video shows.

I want you to know that when we take back the majority these will be the investigations that we take on, Greene said.

Release the Tapes

The key to accountability will involve the release of more than 14,000 hours of security footage and other video held by the Department of Justice under court seal, she said.

Theres surveillance cameras all over this building. If we really want to know the truth about January 6, its real easy, Greene said. All we have to do is release the video footage and everyone can see for themselves what exactly happened.

Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) laid much of the blame for Jan. 6 violence on Capitol Police.

Capitol Police leadership had the intelligence days and weeks in advance and did nothing with it, Nehls said. They let it happen, folks. The Capitol Police leadership team failed and this sham (January 6) committee continues to give them a pass.

These hearings are clearly not about finding the truth. They are a sad attempt to put the blame on Donald Trump. This committee, make no mistake, this committee does not want to see Donald Trump as the nominee in 2024 because they cant beat him.

Never in the history of Congress has the majority party used their power to smear, destroy, and intimidate the minority party ahead of an election so brazenly on a public stage, Nehls said. They know they cant win elections fairly, so theyll use every dirty trick in the book to try to cheat their way to a win.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu (R) and Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov shake hands during their meeting in Antalya, Turkey, on March 10, 2022. (Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service via AP)

Russia, Turkey Back Plan to Export Grains; Ukraine Doubtful

ANKARA, TurkeyRussia 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 Russias 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 Ukraines 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 wouldnt use the corridors to launch an attack. Both Ukrainian and EU officials cast doubt on the pledge.

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 Ukraines 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.

Lavrovs meeting came as Turkeya NATO memberhas voiced strong opposition to Sweden and Finlands recent bids to join the alliance. Moscow has also objected to the Nordic countries candidacywhich 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 Ankaras 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.
Russian lawmakers attend a session of the State Duma, the lower house of parliament in Moscow on Jan. 16, 2020. (Evgenia Novozhenina/Reuters)

Russian Parliament Votes to Break With European Court of Human Rights

LONDONRussias parliament on Tuesday passed a pair of bills ending the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) jurisdiction in the country.

Parliaments lower house, the Duma, approved two billsone removing the country from the courts jurisdiction and a second setting March 15 as the cut-off point, with rulings against Russia made after that date not to be implemented.

The bills were passed nearly unanimously, with only one deputy from the opposition Communist Party voting against. They must now be signed by President Vladimir Putin before becoming law.

In 2017, the court ordered Moscow to pay compensation to survivors of a hostage crisis who alleged failings on the part of the security services when they stormed a school seized by Islamist terrorists in 2004. The siege in the town of Beslan ended in a bloody gun battle in which more than 330 hostages died, including at least 180 children.

In February 2021, the ECHR ruled that Navalny, the countrys leading opposition figure, should be released from prison after being jailed on charges he described as politically motivated. Russia described the ECHRs ruling as unlawful.

Russia was admitted to the Council of Europe, which was founded after World War Two to promote human rights and democracy in Europe, under President Boris Yeltsin in 1996. After the 2014 annexation of Crimea, Russia was stripped of its voting rights in the Councils Parliamentary Assembly, which it began to boycott from 2016.

On March 15, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe decided to expel Russia from the organization, of which the ECHR is part, in response to Russias deployment of troops to Ukraine in February.

Russia has said that it independently decided to leave the Council of Europe, with former President Dmitry Medvedev saying that Russias exit from the organization represented an opportunity to restore the death penalty, which the Council of Europes rules prohibit.
Seniors Call for Rent Stabilization Over Rising Mobile Home Costs

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif.Some senior residents of mobile home parks pressured the city council June 7 to put limits on rent increases on the November ballot, saying many of the areas parks are being purchased by investors who are hiking the rent for space by as much as 52 percent.

For months, residents have been holding demonstrations and urging the city council to consider the issue, which would be a change to the citys charter.

A group called the Skandia HOA, which is a coalition of 17 mobile home parks, is advocating for the change.

Stand up for us, mobile home resident Kim De Sante, one of about a dozen commenters on the issue, said to the council.

Another speaker, Mary Jo Baretich, a resident of Cabrillo Beachfront Villages, one of the citys mobile home parks, said the council needed to protect the lower income people from being homeless.

Members of the public attend a Huntington Beach City Council meeting in Huntington Beach, Calif., on June 7, 2022. (Julianne Foster/The Epoch Times)

In 2002, nearly 70 percent of Huntington Beach voters approved a ballot measure to change the citys charter, to prevent rent control of any kind.

A city advisory board on mobile homes voted 5 to 4 in April for a carveout on the issue, placing an annual cap on mobile home rent increases by a certain percentage.

The proposal will now be heard by the city council. A date for such has not been set.

According to City Councilman Erik Peterson voters could also collect signatures for a ballot initiative.

Jeanne Farrens, a resident of Skandia mobile home park, said the city should enforce rent regulations, as mobile homeowners are responsible for mortgages on top of rent for the land parcel in the mobile home park.

Mobile homes in Huntington Beach Calif., on June 10, 2022. (Julianne Foster/The Epoch Times)

About a year ago, Skandia Mobile Home Park rent for new tenants increased from $1,445 to $2,195a 52 percent increasea month when it switched ownership. Rent for current tenants increased from $1,114 to $1,189 per montha nearly 7 percent increase.

These mobile home park residents also face a $75 monthly rent hikean average 6 to 7 percent increaseonce every year for three years. But some residents said past rent increases under the previous park owner did not exceed 3 percent.

Many residents have argued the increased rent for land at the mobile home sites, makes selling their mobile homes later more difficult.

According to Skandia HOA, some mobile homeowners, wanting to sell their properties, had to lower their asking price to offset the spikes in land rent.

Mobile homes in Huntington Beach Calif., on June 10, 2022. (Julianne Foster/The Epoch Times)

Another member of the coalition, Rancho Huntington Mobile Home Park, was also bought by an investment firm in 2012, causing a 58 percent turnover rate of residents due to 120 percent rent increase over 6 years, according to Mobile Home Park HOA.

Also, in 2010, Huntington Shorecliffs Mobile Home Park was purchased by a group of investors who increased rent from $980 to $1,850 per monthan 88 percent increaseand cancelled nearly two-dozen homes spaces, forcing those mobile homeowners to relocate, according to Skandia HOA.
Shanxi Officials Takes 28 Foundlings From Foster Care Mom Without Due Process

A Shanxi lady in her 70s has dedicated 46 years of her life to caring for abandoned children. Recently, local officials removed the children currently in her care without explanation and despite the fact that she had legally adopted the majority of them.

Kong Zhenlan from Jiuji, a village in Shanxi Province, has adopted more than 70 children since she was 26 years old. While many of the children suffered from various levels of disability, such as cleft lip and cleft palate, cerebral palsy, autism, or ADHD, there were seven who received a higher education and are now doctors, teachers, and a hairdresser.

On June 2, Kongs son, Ming (pseudonym) told the Chinese edition of The Epoch Times that the local authorities swooped in and removed all 28 children, including those in kindergarten, elementary school, junior high school, and high school, without prior notification.

Hundreds of Police Involved

Kongs foster home was once the pride of the area. Local officials honored her for her charity work and the media covered her story as early as 2015.

But, at approximately 8 a.m. on June 2, buses and police arrived in the village with at least 200 people in uniform and plainclothes, and blocked the village exit.

Ming said, They cut off our electricity, and blocked the mobile phone signal. Without our consent, they forcibly removed all 12 handicapped children from [our] home. The rest were taken from their schools.

Without knowing this would happen, the children were in shock. The older ones tried to fight with the officials but were pressed to the ground. Some villagers were unhappy about what was happening and took videos. The police forcibly erased the videos, according to Ming.

Another group of people claiming to be from the Civil Affairs Bureau picked up the children from the kindergarten at 10 a.m..

Kong felt very sad watching the authorities remove all her children, explained her son.

They later learned that the children were taken to a welfare center in Jinzhong City, arranged by the Civil Affairs Bureau and the public security department of Qi County.

An orphaned girl is bathed by a worker at a foster care center on April 2, 2014 in Beijing, China. Chinas orphanages and foster homes used to be filled with healthy girls, reflecting the countrys one-child policy and its preference for sons. Now the vast majority of orphans are sick or disabled. China says it has 576,000 orphans in its child welfare system, but outside groups put the number at closer to a million. The parents who abandon them either cannot afford treatment or feel unable to cope with raising a child with special needs. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Kong Is the Legal Guardian of 24 Children

Ming explained to The Epoch Times that Kong and her husband, both catholics, started adopting children in 1982, especially those with birth defects.

She would earn money selling handicrafts and doing low paying jobs. After her husband passed away in 2018, Kong lost her income source. She has been relying on donations of food and clothing from the local community.

She sometimes had to find food for herself by picking through the garbage, but she saved the regular food stock for the kids.

Kong never expected to dedicate the past 40 years to these children, a local media reported.

Ming said they believed that the birth mothers were forced to give up on the kids; but to give their child an opportunity for a decent life, they sought help from Kong.

He said, The birth mothers never gave their names, but my mother believes its her mission and promise in life.

Local Officials Interference

In 2018, local authorities visited Kongs foster home, demanding the kids be sent to the city welfare center.

Kong disagreed. Of the 28 children in the home, Kong had registered 24 of them as legal residents of the household. She is the legal guardian of this big family. They are no longer orphans, and the foster home is not an entity subject to regulation of the Civil affairs department.

Her foster home seemed to have the issue resolved.

However, on April 12 local officials started contacting the foster home again, demanding that all the children to be sent to the welfare center. Kong still disagreed with them.

However, they started to question the children through the schools trying to find out if any would like to leave the foster home. Many kids expressed clearly their unwillingness to leave.

Ming emphasized that, for years, the local government has provided almost no assistance or aid to the home. Once in a while, during the Chinese New Year, the county mayor would pay a visit and bring a few goods.

Any substantive help from the government is lacking, but threats and warnings occur instead. They dont like my mom taking care of these children, Ming said.

Young orphaned Chinese children are seen in cribs at a foster care center on April 2, 2014 in Beijing, China. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Governmental Subsidies My be at the Root

According to a 2015 Chinese report, local authorities did not recognize Kongs foster home because Chinese law stipulates that a handicapped person could adopt no more than three foundlings with birth defects. Kong had developed Kyphosis that caused a curvature of her spine from years of hard work.

Therefore, Kongs foster home has not received any government subsidies. Kong was advised by the officials to send the children to the city welfare center.

However, according to the Adoption Law, the adopter may not terminate the adoptive relationship until the adoptee reaches adulthood; but the adopter and the person placing the adoption may terminate the adoptive relationship by mutual agreement. If the adoptee is over 10 years old, their opinion should be considered.

China started issuing living allowances to each abandoned orphan across the country in January 2011, at a monthly rate of $27, $40.50, and $54 in east, central, and west China respectively. This means that each child in an orphanage will increase the facilitys government subsidy.

Ming said, The city welfare center is big. Our kids wont fill the entire center.

The Epoch Times tried to call the Qi County Civil Affairs Bureau and Jinzhong City Welfare Center about this matter, but the call did not go through.

Gao Miao and Gu Xiaohua contributed to this report.
A small plane crashes through a brick wall in the backyard of a home, seriously injuring the pilot, off Warner Road in Hemet, Calif. on June 7, 2022, (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

Small Plane Crashes Into Southern California Home; Pilot Seriously Injured

By Christian Martinez

From Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELESA small plane crashed into a home in Riverside County on Tuesday, seriously injuring the pilot, police said.

The crash was reported at 9:35 a.m. near Warren Road and Mustang Way in Hemet, just over a mile south of the Hemet-Ryan Airport.

The cause of the plane crash is under investigation and the sole occupant was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries, Hemet police said on Twitter.

Hemet Fire Department Chief Eddie Sell told KTLA that the occupant of the plane was first transported by ambulance to a hospital before being taken to a burn center.

Footage from KCBS-TV Channel 2 showed the burned wreckage of a small plane in the backyard of a home. KTLA reported that two people who were inside the home were not injured but had to evacuate.

Hemet police and fire personnel responded to the scene, along with CalFire and the Riverside County Sheriffs Department.

The crash will be investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

2022 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Rep. Nancy Mace talks to supporters during her election night party in Mount Pleasant, S.C., on Nov. 3, 2020. (Mic Smith/AP Photo)

South Carolina Primary Clash Is Another Test of Trumps Endorsement Influence

The June 14 Republican primary in South Carolinas 1st Congressional District pits incumbent Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), a candidate Donald Trump supported in 2020, against former state Rep. Katie Arrington, who has the former presidents endorsement.

Republicans are focused on regaining control of the House by flipping seats, but the partys faction that embraces Trumps America First platform is committed to replacing representatives whose track record is not friendly to the former president.

From 2016 to 2018, Arrington represented South Carolinas 94th House District.

In 2018, she defeated sitting congressman and former governor Mark Sanford in the Republican primary before losing in the general election to Democratic Rep. Joe Cunningham. It was the first time a Democratic U.S. House candidate prevailed in the district since 1978.

Bolstered by Trumps support, Mace unseated Cunningham in 2020. Mace voted to certify Joe Bidens victory in the 2020 presidential election and has frequently blamed Trump for the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol breach.

This led Trump to give Arrington his stamp of approval to unseat Mace.

She turned her back on [former] president Trump, and that is not what a conservative does, Arrington said at a May 23 debate. She read the room wrong. She thought this district was a moderate district, and we are not.

Through May 25, which was the deadline to submit pre-primary fundraising reports, Mace raised more than $4.1 million in contributions and had $1.4 million cash on hand.

Federal filings showed Arrington with more than $909,000, including a personal loan of $525,000. As of May 25, she had $607,000 cash on hand.

Mace served as a state representative in South Carolinas House of Representatives from 2018 to 2020 before earning her current seat in the 1st Congressional District. She is endorsed by former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, U.S. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) along with the National Rifle Association, and Club for Growth.

Mace claims that Arrington is not electable. She points to 2018, when Arrington upset Sanford in the Republican primary but lost to Cunningham.

Im the only candidate up here who knows how to beat a Democrat in this day and age in this district, Mace said in a statement. I promised that I would work hard, I promised to be an independent voice, and I promised not to tow the party line when they taxed too much and spent too much in this country.

Former state Rep. Katie Arrington is running against incumbent Rep. Nancy Mace in the South Carolina GOP 1st Congressional District primary. (Courtesy of Katie Arrington for Congress).

The 1st Congressional District Republican primary featured three candidates until the debate on May 23.

While answering the opening question, Lynz Piper-Loomis expressed her support for Arrington, removed her microphone, and exited the stage and the race.

Arrington is a cybersecurity expert who served as the Pentagons chief information security officer in the acquisition and sustainment office during the Trump administration.

Through comments and the ad, Mace has hammered Arrington about the Pentagon suspending her security clearance in 2021 because of accusations that she disclosed classified information.

If our military doesnt trust Katie Arrington, neither can we, the narrator says in Maces attack ad.

Arrington defended herself against the allegations.

Ladies and gentlemen, just shows you how low Nancy Mace will go, she said during the debate. I was a victim of a political hit job, point blank. I proudly serve my nation.

During campaign stops, Arrington talks about her opposition to critical race theory being taught in classrooms and calls out schools indoctrinating children with a transgender agenda. She supports eliminating the U.S. Department of Education.

Mace has flip-flopped on multiple issues since taking office, Arrington contends, including transgender advocacy in the military.

The 1st Congressional District is home to Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island, and the Marine Corps Air Station in Beaufort.

In 2020, Nancy Mace released an ad attacking Joe Cunningham over his support for transgender advocacy in the military, Arrington said in a statement.

Interestingly enough, she co-sponsored with a progressive Democrat from Hawaii to create with our tax dollars a special office for transgenders in the VA (Veterans Affairs).

This is just one of many flip-flops Nancy has made throughout her short time in D.C., Arrington added. Nancy Mace is not a conservative. Since day one, she has compromised our values to advance her own career. We cannot afford another term of her self-serving agenda.

Arrington is confident that redistricting adjustments will help her in the primary and, if she wins on June 14, the general election.

The 1st Congressional Districts new map now extends further inland to the north, which has created a district where Republicans have a 17-point advantage, up from a 14-point advantage on the old map, according to FiveThirtyEight.

A Trafalgar Group poll conducted from May 26 to May 29 and released on June 2 showed that Mace led with 46.4 percent while Arrington received 40.5 percent with 13.1 percent undecided. The survey included 556 likely Republican primary voters and had a margin of error of four percentage points.

Arrington believes her campaign is gaining momentum at the right time, pointing to a Charleston County GOP straw poll that showed her with 86 percent support compared to Maces 14 percent. Arrington reported similar lopsided results in straw polls conducted in Berkeley and Beaufort counties.

Voters are tired of swamp sellout Nancy Mace, and despite her lies, her campaign is in a downward spiral, Arrington said in a statement. The people of SC-1 want a pro-Trump America First conservative, not a RINO [Republican in Name Only] who votes with AOC [Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez] 45 percent of the time.

Mace or Arrington will face Dr. Annie Andrews, a pediatrician, in the general election. Andrews is unopposed in the Democrat primary.

The Cook Political Report, Sabatos Crystal Ball, and Inside Elections have rated South Carolinas 1st Congressional District as a solid/safe Republican seat, so the winner of the GOP primary will be heavily favored in November.
A man waves a Sri Lankan national flag as he stands on a barricade blocking the entrance to president's office during a protest in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Monday, April 11, 2022. Thousands of Sri Lankans protested calling on the country's president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to resign amid worst economic crisis in history. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Sri Lanka Presidents Brother Quits Parliament Amid Turmoil

Sri Lankas former finance minister Basil Rajapaksa, brother of president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, resigned from parliament on Thursday amid the countrys worst economic crisis in decades.

From today, I will not be involved in any government activities, but I cannot and will not step away from politics, he told reporters. The aim is to allow someone else to be appointed to parliament in my place from the party.

Basil, however, refuted claims that he had failed to control Sri Lankas economic fallout.

I was the person to send the first letter to the [International Monetary Fund] after becoming finance minister. It is the work I started that is now being taken forward, he said. I have no regrets.

Basil was appointed finance minister in July 2021, following the appointment of his two brothers into the cabinetMahinda as prime minister and Chamal as a cabinet ministerby President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.

University students take part in a demonstration demanding the resignation of Sri Lankas President Gotabaya Rajapaksa over the countrys crippling economic crisis, near the parliament building in Colombo on May 6, 2022. (Ishara S. Kodikara/AFP via Getty Images)

Sri Lankas cabinet ministers, including Basil and Chamal, resigned en masse in April amid violent protests over the governments mishandling of the economic crisis. Mahinda resigned in May amid the escalating unrest but retained his seat in parliament.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa told Bloomberg last week that he will continue to serve the remaining two years of his term but will not seek reelection.

Political veteran Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the countrys prime minister for the sixth time on May 12, replacing Mahinda, despite having only one seat in parliament.

He is now leading efforts to resolve the countrys economic crisis with negotiations with the IMF and lending partners, including India, Japan, and China.

Wickremesinghe said that Sri Lanka has requested that China amend the terms of a $1.5 billion yuan-denominated swap facility because the country is in need of at least $6 billion to stay afloat over the next six months.

The swap agreement, signed by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka in March 2021, stipulates that the fund can only be used provided that Sri Lanka has enough foreign reserves to last three months.

We have not had foreign exchange reserves for three months since the loan was taken. Our former officials took loans to deceive the country, Wickremesinghe said in a speech in Parliament.

We will not be debt-free under that condition. We have requested the Chinese government to consider removing that condition from the agreement that has been signed with them.

Sri Lanka is on the verge of bankruptcy, with its foreign exchange reserves plummeting by 70 percent over the past two years, leaving it struggling to pay for essential imports. Additionally, the country must settle a $4 billion debt this year.

About 10 percent of Sri Lankas $51 billion external debt is owed to China. Sri Lanka had requested help from China to restructure its debt obligations and $2.5 billion in financial support. In May, the Sri Lankan government said Beijing extended a total aid package of 500 million yuan ($76 million).
Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea Enact Legislation to Prevent the CCP From Stealing High-Tech Secrets

For a long time, in addition to stealing international advanced technology through commercial espionage and international students, the communist regime (CCP) has obtained commercial secrets by bribing scientific and technological personnel of major foreign companies. To stop such theft, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea have recently taken action and legislated protective laws.

From May 23 to 26, Taiwans Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau (MJIB) launched a second wave of investigations into the CCPs commercial espionage. In the cities of Taipei, Taoyuan, and Hsinchu, the semiconductor manufacturing powerhouse of Taiwan, a total of 10 Chinese companies or R&D bases operating illegally in Taiwan were identified and 70 people were investigated. The MJIB stated that during the investigation process, these companies were found to be suspected of violating the People Relationship Regulations between the Taiwan Region and the China Mainland Region. In order to evade investigation by Taiwan, many Chinese disguised themselves as Taiwanese or Hong Kong businessmen, and contacted Chinese companies through their personal offices, or entered Taiwan through third-party investment companies.

The Taipei District Prosecutors Office confirmed on May 26 and 27 that Chen Yushu, head of Xinhuazhang Company, and Chen Weixuan, head of Lianchuang Innovation Company, respectively, were charged with violating the above regulation. They were ordered to pay bail of NT$200,000 (about $6,900) and restricted from leaving Taiwan. In addition, when the Taipei District Prosecutors Office investigated related cases on May 24, it found a Hong Kong businessman, surnamed Wang, who was poaching/headhunting for Chinese technology companies in Taiwan. Wang was ordered to pay bail NT$100,000 (about $3,450).

Taiwans Legislative Yuan (legislature) passed an amendment of the National Security Law and some provisions of the People Relationship Regulations between the Taiwan Region and the China Mainland Region on May 20. According to relevant regulations, any person accused of economic espionage who uses any illegal means to obtain or disclose the countrys core technology in the future can be sentenced to 12 years in prison and receive a maximum fine of NT$100 million (about $3.45 million).

It also stipulates that any technical personnel participating in a national core project must obtain the approval of the review committee before going to mainland China, and must not provide any national Core Technology to organizations, groups, or persons controlled by hostile forces in China, Hong Kong, Macao, and abroad.

The MJIB also stated on March 9 that in the first wave of cases, a total of 11 Chinese companies that illegally poached talent in Taiwan were investigated. The MJIB also stated that high technology is the lifeblood of Taiwans industry and is also important to the national defense foundation and national security. In order to prevent the CCP from illegally poaching talent, Taiwanese need to be more vigilant. The investigation can also help protect the competitive advantage of Taiwans high-tech industry.

A senior MJIB official told Reuters in April that the Bureau had launched an investigation into more than 100 Chinese companies suspected of illegally poaching tech talent. Taiwans Chief Executive Su Zhenchang said in February that the CCPs red supply chain has seriously infiltrated Taiwan in recent years, stealing Taiwans core technologies. We should accelerate Legislation process to combat these lawbreakers and reduce Taiwans economic and national security losses.

Japan

During the U.S.-China trade war, the United States repeatedly condemned the CCP for forcing U.S. companies located in China to hand over their technologies. The CCP has been stealing American intellectual property for a long time, causing the United States to suffer heavy losses every year. A number of Chinese high-tech companies are included in the entity blacklist of the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the export of U.S. chips and related high-tech technologies to these Chinese companies is also restricted. Most of the restricted Chinese companies have a CCP background or support, such as Huawei, SMIC, and ZTE.

In order to achieve the goal of self-produced advanced chips and technology, the CCP has spent a lot of money in the Great Leap Forward of Chips, and has also stepped up poaching high-tech talent. Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea are the main targets.

According to Reuters, citing Japanese officials, the Japanese government has asked colleges and universities to conduct stricter scrutiny on foreign students and scholars to prevent advanced technology being leaked to the Chinese Communist Party, to protect Japans national security, and to ensure the academic exchange between Japan and European and American universities. Japanese officials said that the United States arresting many Chinese scholars and students spying on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party in recent years is a wake-up call to Japan.

In order to steal advanced technology, the CCP also lures employees or former employees of technology companies to provide intelligence in various ways. According to the Nihon Keizai Shimbun report in 2020, in recent years, former and current employees of Japanese high-tech companies NISSHA, Fuji Seiko, OSG, etc. have been arrested one after another for leaking trade secrets to Chinese companies, and the number of cases has increased rapidly to 4 times as many as 6 years ago. In its 2020 comprehensive strategy report on China, the Japan Peace Research Institute mentioned that Japanese companies and research institutions must strengthen their management of technology and information, and at the same time strengthen security systems and personnel review systems, in order to prevent the CCP from continuing to steal the achievements of Japans high-tech industry.

South Korea

In South Korea, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced a law in February to strengthen intellectual property protection in South Korea, which will be implemented in July this year. The law requires monitoring the resignation situation of foreign and Korean engineers in 12 key industries, including semiconductors, automobiles, batteries, and displays. The purpose is to prevent the CCPs talent poaching operations that result in South Koreas key technology falling into the hands of competitors.

According to the Korea Economic Daily, from 2018 to 2021, there were more than 400 incidents of technology leaks in South Korea, nearly 80 percent of which occurred in the electronics, semiconductor, display, shipbuilding, telecommunications, and automobile industries. At present, the South Korean government has designated semiconductors, rechargeable batteries, and biotechnology as national strategic technologies.

In mid-May this year, the Suwon District Prosecutors Office in South Korea sued two former researchers at SEMES, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, and two other employees of partner companies. They leaked and sold Supercritical Cleaning Equipment Manufacturing Technology developed by SEMES to a Chinese company in 2018.

The technology uses the supercritical state of carbon dioxide between the liquid and gaseous states to clean the semiconductor substrate, and can greatly reduce the loss of equipment and the defect rate of semiconductors.
Taiwanese sailors salute the island's flag on the deck of the Panshih supply ship after taking part in annual drills, at the Tsoying naval base in Kaohsiung on Jan. 31, 2018. (Mandy Cheng/AFP via Getty Images)

Taiwans Latest US Arms Deal Bolsters Self-Defense Capabilities

The Taiwanese government on Thursday welcomed its third arms deal this year with the United States.

Taiwans Presidential Office spokesperson Xavier Chang said the deal involves the purchase of naval equipment and related technical assistance worth $120 million.

Changs statement was in response to the U.S. government on Wednesday announcing that it had notified Congress of the arms sale.

The sale is the Biden administrations fourth to Taiwan since taking office and its third this year, he added.

Chang said the U.S. approval of the arms sale demonstrated that Washington is placing great importance on Taiwans national defense needs.

[The deal] once again demonstrates that the robust cooperative partnership between Taiwan and the U.S. is helping bolster Taiwans self-defense capabilities, he said.

Taiwan will keep enhancing cooperation with like-minded countries in order to uphold peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region, jointly strengthening global democratic resilience, he said.

Notifying Congress

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DCSA) submitted a required certification notifying Congress of the proposed sale at the request of the Taipei Economic Cultural Representative Office in Washington.

The proposed sale will contribute to the sustainment of the recipients surface vessel fleet, enhancing its ability to meet current and future threats, the DCSA said, adding that Taiwan will be able to increase its interoperability with the U.S. and other allies.

The naval equipment will be sourced from authorized U.S. Navy vendors and stock. The DCSA stated that there is no prime contractor and no known offset agreements for the proposed arms deal.

China opposes U.S.-Taiwan arms deals claiming they violated the One China policy and the China-U.S. joint communique provisions.

Cross-strait tensions have been escalating in recent months, with China making its second-largest incursion into Taiwans Air Defense Identification Zone on May 30 with 30 PLA warplanes.

An H-6 bomber of the Chinese army flies near a Taiwan F-16 on Feb. 10, 2020. (Taiwan Ministry of National Defense/Handout via Reuters)

The Biden administration has stated that Washington remains committed to the One China policy, but added that the U.S. would still provide Taiwan with the capabilities necessary to maintain its own defense.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) claims that Taiwan is a breakaway province that must be united with the mainland, although Taiwan has been self-governed since 1949 and has never been under CCP control.

While Taiwan does not have a mutual defense agreement with the United States, the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act does guarantee that the United States will furnish Taiwan with the capabilities necessary to maintain its own defense.

Andrew Thornebrooke contributed to this report.
Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), chair of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the U.S. Capitol, joined by fellow Committee members, delivers opening remarks during a hearing on the January 6 investigation on Capitol Hill in Washington on June 9, 2022. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

The Jan. 6 Committee May Be a Sham, but Its a Deathly Serious One

Commentary

The January 6 Committee may be Kabuki theater, literally stage-managed by an ex-corporate media executive.

It may prove wholly futile, as House Democrats themselves have seemed to acknowledge. Americans dont seem interested in litigating the Capitol breach 18 months later.

But we ought not to let the cynical spectacle of the hearings distract from the tyrannical nature of the Committee, and how it fits in the Whole-of-Ruling-Class War on Wrongthink being waged against Americans.

Now, make no mistake: This is a Soviet-style show trial with American characteristics, rigged by the one-sided makeup of the panel, its disregard for Congresss rules, lack of clear legislative purpose, its badgering of the Department of Justice to put legal force behind its political witch hunt, the characteristically devious ways in which it has operatedfor example, in resorting to doctoring leaked documents to smear its political opponentsand, of course, its pre-judgment of Jan. 6, 2021, and its causes in every particular. Needless to say, this is not, and never remotely resembled from its inception, a good faith fact-finding exercise. This operation epitomizes what the Ruling Class means when it talks about justice.

Its also an obvious, sorry attempt to distract from the Democrats disastrous agendafrom the punishment it is inflicting on Americans in policies making us poorer, less safe, and less free. It is a hurried, last-ditch effort to stave off a shellacking in 2022 by trying to scare Americans into believing the alternative to Democrats is American al-Qaeda.

At a minimum, it is about pounding political foes to the greatest extent possible if the Democrat ship is inevitably going down in November. And it is one more round in the obsessive effort to destroy the Bad Orange Man, in an early start to the 2024 anti-Trump campaign that it would love to see culminate with him in jail or disqualified from the ballot.

It will, and indeed already is, fundraising on the theatertheater to be witnessed by organized watch parties. It is just that solemn an effort.

The disingenuousness is also thick and wont be lost on discerning observers. The hearings are hyped by those who have put several hours of chaos at the Capitol on par with the Civil War, World War II, and 9/11. These are often the same people who dismissed the vastly greater death and destruction that Americans faced across an entire summer by those with whom the Committee essentially stood in solidarity. They are the people who will encourage agitation over the pending Dobbs decision and wash their hands of it when Supreme Court justices face threats to life and limb. They are the people who will claim the peaceful transfer of power was threatened on Jan. 6, but who cheered on or participated in the effort to forestall the peaceful transfer of power to Trump in any meaningful sense as they worked to destroy him from the time he was a candidate through the present day.

But there is a deeper darkness to the Committee as well that transcends the foregoing awfulness. It rests on a premise that drives and justifies its limitlessness, lawlessness, and brazenness.

The premise is this: Donald Trump holds views that are uniquely dangerous. His followers hold views that are uniquely dangerous. Those dangerous views make them dangers  to the power and privilege of the Ruling Class, which uses democracy as a stand-in to drape itself in the virtue of popular support, just as Communists use Peoples Republic in the names of countries they rule.

To extend the American al-Qaeda analogy: to the Committee, Donald Trump was the emir; his confidants the commanders; the Capitol protesters jihadists; and the tens of millions of Americans constituting MAGA were providers of aid and comfort.

Putting armed troops and walls around the Capitol to fortify it was also theater, with a purpose: to instill this narrative in our minds.

Irrespective of how dishonest, self-serving, and appalling the narrative is, what matters is that the Committee operates consistently with this view.

The Committee treats its political opposition as if it is terroristic: It hoovers up the personal information and communications of countless Americans, and compels private companies to do the same. It probes conservative organizations and follows their money flows. It issues subpoenas against sitting members of Congress for their Wrongthink. It destroys the concept of executive privilege, seemingly because in its view, Trump was a domestic violent extremist leader. It submits criminal referrals to the Justice Department to carry out its jihad. How would it act differently if it was pursuing a terrorist conspiracy?

Perhaps we shouldnt be surprised that, as with the civil liberties abuses that have followed efforts to pursue actual terrorists in the past, this effort has done undue damage to virtually every institution.

It has damaged the legislative branch via the rule-breaking, subpoenaing of members, and leaks; the Supreme Court in its targeting of Justice Clarence Thomass family; the executive branch in killing executive privilege; the Constitution through the Committees very creation; and soon the republican system itself when it gets around to calling for abolishing the Electoral College.

That the Justice Department seems to be coordinating, shackling, and threatening to gag former Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro, slapping new sedition charges on some of the accused, and locking up still others on the eve of the hearings, represents the further weaponization of the Committeeto the detriment of our system.

The Committee should be thought of as the most nakedly partisan force in the Whole-of-Ruling Class War on Wrongthink.

Its the purest expression of the contempt our betters feel for us.

It wants Trump jailed, all in his orbit broken, bankrupted, and silenced, and every American who dares to think differently to feel the chill.

For these reasons, while one might be inclined to dismiss the January 6 Committee, this would be a grave error.

On display is the purest expression of the kind of system of justice our Ruling Class intends for us all.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
The Nation Speaks Upcoming Special Series, COVID-19: A Reckoning, Premieres This Weekend

Were at a turning pointour actions now will determine the future. The Nation Speaks upcoming special COVID-19: A Reckoning, gives a comprehensive picture of what happened after two years of aggressive lockdowns, masks, and mandates. The new two-part series will start this weekend, on June 11, broadcasting on the platforms of NTD Television and EpochTV.

Its clear that COVID changed us, and the world of December 2019 isnt coming back, says Cindy Drukier, host of The Nation Speaks.

The series features new interviews with top COVID-19 researchers and thinkers, including experts in medicine, public health, economics, and the media, such as Jeffrey Tucker, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, Dr. Steve Templeton, Paul Fritjers and Gigi Foster, Naomi Wolf, Jordan Schachtel, and Scott Morefield.

The direction we chart for the future will largely depend on how we collectively judge and learn from the past two years, says Drukier.

Tune in to hear what the experts have to say!

Broadcast Date and Time

Part 1The Pandemics Wake: June 11, at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. (PT/ET)

This part focuses on the many facets of whats new about our post-COVID world, from how we view liberty and risk, to our treatment of children; from the suppression of non-conforming views, to how we evaluate costs and benefits.

Part 2Charting the Future: June 18, at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. (PT/ET)

This part focuses on reckoning with the past two years. What went wrong? What are the big unanswered questions? And how should we move forward?

Where to Watch the Upcoming Series

On TV: Click here to find NTD on local TV channels in your area

On Streaming Devices: Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, and Sony Smart TV

On Computer: EpochTV.com & NTD.com/live

On the Go: Free app from Apple Store and Google Play

List of interviewees

Jeffrey Tucker, Brownstone Institute founder and president, and prolific author, most recently of Liberty or Lockdown.

Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, professor of medicine at Stanford University, Brownstone Institute senior scholar, and co-author of the Great Barrington Declaration.

Dr. Steve Templeton, associate professor of microbiology and immunology at Indiana University School of Medicine, in Terre Haute.

Paul Fritjers and Gigi Foster, co-authors of The Great Covid Panic: What Happened, Why, and What To Do Next. Fritjers is an emeritus professor of wellbeing economics at the London School of Economics. Foster is an economics professor at the University of New South Wales in Sydney.

Naomi Wolf, bestselling author and tech company CEO. Her new book just came out: The Bodies of Others: The New Authoritarians, COVID-19 and The War Against the Humans

Jordan Schachtel, independent investigative journalist and author of The Dossier substack.

Scott Morefield, Townhall columnist, and former reporter at Daily Caller and BizPac Review.

About The Nation Speaks

The Nation Speaks is a current affairs show on NTD Television and is hosted by senior journalist Cindy Drukier. By talking to experts and newsmakersand to regular Americansthis show presents how todays issues affect real people. (https://www.ntd.com/the-nation-speaks)

About NTD Television

NTD Television is a New York-based television network founded in 2001. It aims to bring the world uncensored and truthful informationno matter what it takes. We are going back to the foundation of newspure, honest reporting. As a fast-growing TV network, NTD broadcasts nationwide in the United States and UK through cable, satellite, over-the-air, and the Internet. (https://www.ntd.com)
Falun Gong practitioners participate in a parade to commemorate the 23rd anniversary of the April 25th peaceful appeal of 10,000 Falun Gong practitioners in Beijing, in Flushing, N.Y., on April 23, 2022. (Larry Dye/The Epoch Times)

Time to Break the Silence: Medical Community Urged to Stand Against Chinas Ongoing Murder for Organs

Lack of media coverage, institutional silence, self-censorship, and fear of Beijings retribution are among the reasons that many people, including those in the medical sector, are unaware of Chinas ongoing state-sanctioned practice of killing innocents for their organs.

Those reasons were presented during a roundtable discussion on June 9, in an online event titled Forced Organ Harvesting from Living PeoplePast, Present, Future. Aired by EpochTV and NTD, the roundtable was organized by U.S.-based advocacy group Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting (DAFOH).

In my experience, less than 10 percent of the entire medical community actually knows what forced organ harvesting is. And even less than that, actually, just a fraction of that has any kind of understanding of a tribunal or the massive amount of data thats out there, said G. Weldon Gilcrease, associate professor of medicine at the University of Utah and DAFOH deputy director, during the roundtable.

(L-R, top to bottom) David Beyda, the chair and professor of bioethics and medical humanism at the University of Arizona; Jacob Lavee, founder of the Heart Transplantation Unit at the Leviev Heart Center in Israel; G. Weldon Gilcrease, associate professor of medicine at the University of Utah; Alejandro Centurion, a neurologist and a member of U.S.-based advocacy group Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting (DAFOH); Torsten Trey, DAFOHs executive director; and Martin Elliot, emeritus professor of Paediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery at University College London, speak during an online roundtable on June 9, 2022. (DAFOH/Screenshot via The Epoch Times)

The Chinese regime has been killing prisoners of conscience for their organs to supply the transplant market for over a decade. In 2019, an independent panel, called the China Tribunal, found that such practice was happening on a significant scale in China. It concluded that such actions amounted to crimes against humanity, with Falun Gong practitioners being the main source of organs.

Martin Elliott, who was a member of the China Tribunal and a professor of cardiothoracic surgery at the University College London, said that reviewing the evidence of organ harvesting gave him a sense of horror.

We were almost unwilling to believe it and took a very cautious approach to the evidence, which was extremely weighty, collected by very brave people for a long period of time, he said. But in the end, the disparity between the number of not official donors and the number of transplants, the short waiting times, the financial transactions which were exposed by the telephone calls, made it impossible for us to conclude anything other than it was taking place.

Gilcrease recalled how his university rejected his proposal for holding a talk with the local transplant and legal communities about Chinas forced organ harvesting in late 2019, after the China Tribunal published its findings.

So when I went to one of our senior leadership officials and said, look, we need to at least sit down and talk about it, and talk about our potential complicity  in training people from China to come here, learn transplant and go back to China and be involved in these crimes against humanity [that] are likely genocidal acts of killing innocent people for organs, Gilcrease said.

He continued: I was essentially told there was no doubt that it [forced organ harvesting] was happening. But there was a concern that if we said anything as a medical center, that China would send all of their students to Texas [instead of Utah]. That was the response I was given.

So I think there is real fear of economic retribution. I think there is fear of professional retribution, Gilcrease concluded.

Falun Gong demonstrators dramatize an illegal act of paying for human organs during a protest in Washington on April 19, 2006. (Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images)

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual practice involving meditative exercises and a set of moral teachings centered around the tenets of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. The practice surged in popularity in China during the 1990s with an estimated 70 million to 100 million adherents, but this was deemed a threat to the communist regimes control.

In 1999, practitioners became the target of a nationwide persecution campaign launched by former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin, who established the Gestapo-like office known as the 610 Office to execute his campaign of elimination.

Since then, millions of detained Falun Gong practitioners have essentially become a large involuntary organ bank for the Chinese regimes transplant industry. The supply of organs has turned China into a top destination for transplant tourism because Chinese hospitals often offer short waiting times for matching organs for patients, much faster than developed countries with established organ donation systems.

What I was seeing within our community is that individuals were personally censoring themselves in getting engaged in the discussion [about forced organ harvesting], David Beyda, the chair and professor of bioethics and medical humanism at the University of Arizona, said during the roundtable.

Sometimes it [the censorship] was institutional, Beyda added.

Beyda warned that while the Chinese regime is the perpetrator here, there is also the issue of being complicit in its crimes.

The more personal you get with your personal censorship, the more complicit you become, he explained.

So on both sides, we have an organ recipient, who is just as much at fault, and being complicit in a murder of someone as the surgeons who are doing this, Beyda added.

A recent study published in the American Journal of Transplantation concluded that Chinese surgeons and other medical workers have been acting as executioners for the communist regime. It documented cases from 71 Chinese-language science publications which showed that organ procurement occurred before patients were declared brain dead.

Falun Dafa practitioners raise awareness about forced organ harvesting atrocities in China, as they march through Manhattan celebrating World Falun Dafa Day, on May 16, 2019. (Edward Dye/The Epoch Times)

Some medical professionals simply couldnt believe that their Chinese counterparts would be involved in forced organ harvesting, according to Jacob Lavee, founder of the Heart Transplantation Unit at the Leviev Heart Center in Israel and professor of surgery emeritus at Tel Aviv University.

After all the evidence gathered by the China Tribunal, and after all the hundreds of papers published about it, our colleagues still find it hard to believe that our colleagues back in China are taking part in these atrocities, Lavee said.

Alejandro Centurion, a neurologist and a DAFOH member, urged the American Medical Association (AMA) to take a stronger stand on the issue.

The AMA, according to Centurion, has not made a formal statement on Chinas forced organ harvesting other than a small statement last year and it was very superficial without mentioning the China Tribunal.

So we need to see leadership from the AMA. I would really urge them to do so, Centurion said, adding that it was encouraging to see the British and the Canadian Medical Associations taking the stance in condemning the regimes forced organ harvesting.

Torsten Trey, DAFOHs executive director, called on more people to speak up against the atrocity.

Organ harvesting from living prisoners of conscience can by no means or excuse be accepted in todays global community and every doctor and every individual has to make a decision, Trey said.

Do I want to live in a world where a government can arbitrarily kill innocent people for the organs or do I speak up now?

I think it is time to break the silence.
A general view of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters in Atlanta, Ga., on Sept. 30, 2014. (Tami Chappell/Reuters)

Twitter Quietly Removes Warning Added to a CDC Study

Twitter has removed a warning that it had added to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as part of its campaign to limit what it claims to be potentially harmful and misleading content.

Twitter and other social networking giants are known to have worked closely with the CDC in controlling the narrative during the pandemic, including suppression of alleged misinformation, in emails obtained by Judicial Watch through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in July 2021.

In one of the emails, Twitter offered the CDC free advertising on its Promoted Trend and Promoted Spotlight Trend, with an estimated value of $75,000 and $150,000 respectively.

While in a different email dated March 26, 2020, a CDC representative asked the social media network for assistance in getting its partner organization verified status so that the COVID-19 messaging they are posted gets the same resonance as other verified accounts.

Phil Kerpen, president of American Commitment, posted about the recent blunder on Twitter, saying that the network had slapped a warning on the **Journal of the American Medical Association** for the wrongthink crime of publishing data showing rapid waning of COVID vaccines in children. Kerpen had posted the study back in May to his account.

The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) is a peer-reviewed medical journal that published the CDC study on May 13, 2022.

When clicking on the link provided on Kerpens post on June 8, a message appeared, stating Warning: this link may be unsafe.

A screenshot of the Twitter warning for the CDC study on vaccine effectiveness in children and adolescents. (The Epoch Times)

Twitter, JAMA, and the studys main author did not respond to The Epoch Times email for comment.

The CDC study examined the effectiveness of the two-dose Pfizer COVID-19 injection in children (ages 5 to 11) and adolescents (ages 12 to 15) between December 2021 and February 2022 during the Omicron variant predominance.

The authors found that the estimated effectiveness of the Pfizer shot declined significantly in the two groups by the second month after dose two: 29 percent in children and 17 percent in adolescents. When the mRNA shots were issued emergency use authorization prior to any predominant variant, the effectiveness of two doses was 100 percent in children and 91 percent in adolescents.

Among children and adolescents, estimated VE [vaccine effectiveness] for 2 doses of BNT162b2 against symptomatic infection was modest and decreased rapidly, the authors wrote.

In the graph provided in the study, near the fifth month after dose two, the vaccines effectiveness was negative in the adolescent group, meaning the vaccinated were more likely to have symptomatic COVID-19 than the unvaccinated.

A screenshot of a graph showing the effectiveness of the Pfizer COVID-19 shot in children and adolescents after dose two. (jamanetwork.com/Screenshot by The Epoch Times)

Data beyond two months was not available for children as the vaccines effectiveness was only assessed for that short period of time.
Britons Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner and Moroccan Brahim Saadoun captured by Russian forces during a military conflict in Ukraine, in a courtroom cage at a location given as Donetsk, Ukraine, in a still image from a video taken on June 8, 2022. (Supreme Court of Donetsk People's Republic/Handout via Reuters TV)

Britain Condemns Donbas Death Sentences Against Captured Britons

LONDONBritain on Friday condemned Russian proxy authorities in Donbas for what it called an egregious breach of the Geneva convention in sentencing to death two British nationals captured in the separatist region while fighting for Ukraine.

Prime Minister Boris Johnsons spokesman said he was talking to Ukraine rather than Russia over the situation facing Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner, who were convicted of mercenary activities on Thursday by a court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR).

Aslins family said he and Pinner are not, and never were, mercenaries.

They had been living in Ukraine when the war broke out and as members of Ukrainian armed forces, should be treated with respect just like any other prisoners of war, the family said in a statement.

Johnsons spokesman said Britains priority was to work with the Ukrainian government to secure the soldiers release as quickly as possible.

Asked if Britain would also talk to Russia, the spokesman said: We dont have regular interaction with the Russians.

UK foreign minister Liz Truss called Aslin and Pinners sentencing an egregious breach of the Geneva convention.

Russias foreign ministry said Britains reaction to such sentences was often hysterical, and that it should appeal to the self-proclaimed DPR authorities about the soldiers.

Britain does not recognize the DPR and the Ukrainian government has no control over the parts of eastern Ukraine that the separatists hold.

Russia has deployed massive firepower there to extend the separatists reach as part of its invasion of Ukraine, which it terms a special military operation.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the two Britons and Brahim Saadoun, a Moroccan also sentenced to death, had committed crimes on the territory of the self-proclaimed breakaway state.

Among United Nations member states, only Russia recognizes the entire Ukrainian province of Donetsk, much of which remains under Ukrainian control, as the independent DPR. The territory is internationally recognized as part of Ukraine.

A senior Ukrainian official said Russia wanted to use the three foreigners as hostages to put pressure on the West over peace negotiations.
Britons Aiden Aslin (L), Shaun Pinner, and Moroccan Brahim (R) Saadoun 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)

Russia Uses Trial of Foreigners to Raise Stakes Over Talks: Ukrainian Official

Russia wants to use three foreigners who were captured while fighting for Ukraine and sentenced to death as hostages to put pressure on the West over peace negotiations, a senior Ukrainian official said on Friday.

Two Britons and a Moroccan received the death sentence on Thursday from a court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR), one of Russias proxies in eastern Ukraine, Russian news agencies reported.

They were brought to trial after a Ukrainian court sentenced a Russian soldier to life in prison last month for killing an unarmed civilian in Ukraine.

Kyiv said Thursdays court ruling had no authority, that the fighters were members of the Ukrainian armed forces and that they were subject to Geneva Convention protections.

Vadym Denysenko, an Interior Ministry adviser, said on Friday Ukraine would coordinate its position on the sentences with Britain, the United States, and the European Union.

The trial of the foreigners raises the stakes in the Russian Federations negotiation process. They are using them as hostages to put pressure on the world over the negotiation process, he told national television.

Peace talks between Ukraine and Russia are frozen. Russia has accused Ukraine of blocking talks, but Kyiv says Moscow is to blame.

In a separate negotiating process, Turkey is leading attempts to arrange safe passage for grain stuck in Ukrainian Black Sea ports blockaded by Russia.

Russia did not immediately comment on Denysenkos remarks.

The three menBritons Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner and Moroccan Brahim Saadounwere found guilty of mercenary activities and committing actions aimed at seizing power and overthrowing the constitutional order of the self-proclaimed DPR.

They were captured while fighting for Ukraine against Russia and Russian-backed forces after Russia invaded on Feb. 24. Their lawyer said they would appeal against the decision.

Britain slammed the courts decision as a sham judgment.

I utterly condemn the sentencing of Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner held by Russian proxies in eastern Ukraine, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said on Twitter. They are prisoners of war. This is a sham judgment with absolutely no legitimacy.

British citizen Aiden Aslin in a courtroom cage at a location given as Donetsk, Ukraine, in a still image from a video released on June 8, 2022. (Supreme Court of Donetsk Peoples Republic/Handout via Reuters TV)

Show Trial

Prime Minister Boris Johnsons spokesman said that, under the Geneva Conventions, prisoners of war were entitled to combatant immunity and they should not be prosecuted for participation in hostilities.

Robert Jenrick, the member of parliament for the district where Aslins family live, said the proceedings were akin to a Soviet-era show trial.

The hasty trial was held largely behind closed doors.

Less than 24 hours before the verdict was handed down, Pinner and Saadoun had pleaded guilty to actions aimed at the violent seizure of power, a video shared from the court by the RIA Novosti news agency showed. Aslin appeared to have pleaded guilty to a lesser charge involving weapons and explosives.

The evidence presented by the prosecution in this case allowed the court to pass a guilty verdict, not to mention the fact that all the defendants, without exception, pleaded guilty to all charges, judge Alexander Nikulin told reporters at the court after handing down the verdict.

When passing the verdict, the court was guided not only by the prescribed norms and rules, but also by the most important, unshakable principle of justice. It was that which made it possible to take this complex and difficult decision to apply an exceptional measure of punishment in the form of the death penalty, he added.

British citizen Shaun Pinner in a courtroom cage at a location given as Donetsk, Ukraine, in a still image from a video released on June 8, 2022. (Supreme Court of Donetsk Peoples Republic/Handout via ReutersTV)

Unrecognized State

The DPR is one of two breakaway Russian-backed entities in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine that Russia says it is fighting to liberate from Ukrainian forces.

Three days before launching its Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, Russia recognized them as independent states in a move condemned by Ukraine and the West as illegal.

Britain does not recognize the DPR and Britain has not publicly engaged with local officials over the case.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said earlier this week that should London raise the case directly with the DPR, this might amount to de facto recognition of the regions independence.

British citizens Aslin, 28, and Pinner, 48, were captured by the Russian-backed forces in Mariupol in April, during a bitter fight for control of the city. Their families say they have both lived in Ukraine since 2018.

Moroccan Saadoun surrendered in March while fighting in a small town between Mariupol and the regional capital of Donetsk.

Moroccos authorities have not commented on the case since his capture.

Kyiv also condemned the court ruling as having no authority and said the fighters were members of the Ukrainian armed forces, and thus subject to Geneva Convention protections.

This so-called trial of members of Ukraines armed forces in occupied Ukrainian territory is null and void, said foreign office spokesperson Oleg Nikolenko.

Such public trials put the interests of propaganda above law and morality, and undermine the mechanisms for returning prisoners of war.

Both Ukrainian and Russian forces have captured hundreds of enemy fighters since the start of the conflict, with a handful of prisoner exchanges having taken place.
Conservative leadership candidate Pierre Poilievre (C) gestures toward Jean Charest (2nd L) as Roman Baber (L), Scott Aitchison (2nd R) and Leslyn Lewis look on during a leadership debate at the Canada Strong and Free Network conference in Ottawa on May 5, 2022. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld)

Two Conservative Leadership Candidates Call for Mendicino to Step Down Over Emergencies Act Claims

Two Conservative Party leadership candidates have called for Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino to either resign or be fired over his controversial comments that the Emergencies Act was invoked based on the advice of law enforcement.

Its crystal clear that the Minister made false statements in the House of Commons, said Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre in a June 9 statement.

And it wasnt just about something trivial. He wanted to give Trudeau cover to invoke the Emergencies Act, freeze peoples bank accounts, and trample on civil liberties.

Poilievre said whether Mendicino made a mistake or provided inaccurate information in saying advice was received from law enforcement, he cant keep this important job.

Leadership contender Roman Baber, a former independent Ontario MPP, said Mendicino should be fired over the issue.

Everything Justin Trudeau and Marco Mendicino said about the Ottawa protest was false. Marco also notably failed to deny the false CBC News suggestion [regarding] foreign collusion. Its time to #FireMarco! he tweeted on June 10.

Mendicino stated on multiple occasions in the House of Commons or before parliamentary committees that the invocation of the Emergencies Act was done based on the advice of law enforcement or police.

The RCMP commissioner and the current and former Ottawa police chiefs have all testified that they didnt advise for or request the use of the act.

Mendicinos deputy minister Rob Stewart said at committee this week that Mendicinos remarks had been misunderstood.

I believe that the intention that he was trying to express was that law enforcement asked for the tools that were contained in the Emergencies Act, Stewart said on June 7 while testifying before the Special Joint Committee on the Declaration of Emergency.

On June 8, Mendicino echoed his deputy, saying law enforcement had requested certain tools to clear the protests and blockades.

So, in the course of those discussions [with law enforcement], 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, he said.

Mendicino said the act provided the power to compel towing companies to remove vehicles, which was not available under available laws. That authority is contained within Section 129 of the Criminal Code.

Mendicino made similar comments in an interview with the Toronto Star published on June 9.

Everybody knew that at the time, as we were asking law enforcement what powers do you need, that in granting them that could only be accomplished through the invocation of the Emergencies Act, he reportedly said.

Mendicino told the Star its appalling the way Conservatives continue to distort the record for partisan purposes.
People stand outside the Bank of England in London on Jan. 23, 2022. (Henry Nicholls/Reuters)

UK Banks No Longer Too Big To Fail, Says Central Bank

The biggest banks in the United Kingdom are no longer too big to fail, and could continue offering services even when facing a crisis, the Bank of England (BoE) said in a June 10 press release.

The UK central bank works with financial institutions to minimize disruptions to the economy should the banks fail: a process called resolution.

The statement came after the BoE, prompted by the global financial crisis, conducted its first-ever assessment of top banks resolution plans.

The Banks assessment of resolvability shows that even if a major UK bank were to require resolution, customers would be able to keep accessing their accounts and business services as normal, the press release said.

Shareholders and investors, not taxpayers will be first in line to bear the costs, overcoming the too big to fail problem.

During the 200708 financial crisis, the UK did not have a regime to resolve banks without the use of taxpayer money. As a result, failing banks were either allowed to collapse or bailed out with public money.

During the crisis, the UK government was forced to pay out 137 billion ($170 billion) of public money to support the banks.

Even with this support, the disruption to the financial system contributed to the recession that followed. This sparked a debate on bank resolvability tests.

In the BoEs assessment of the resolution plans submitted by eight UK banks, the central bank identified areas for further enhancement for six banks and shortcomings for three.

The eight banks that took part in the assessment were HSBC, Standard Chartered, Lloyds, Barclays, Virgin Money, NatWest, Nationwide, and Santander.

BoE found shortcomings in the plans of Standard Chartered, Lloyds, and HSBC, as they were found not to have prepared adequately to absorb losses without risking public money. Without addressing these shortcomings, the three banks could unnecessarily complicate their ability to safely fail, the central bank said.

The banks that showed areas for further enhancement were Barclays, HSBC, Standard Chartered, Virgin Money, NatWest, and Nationwide. Santander was the only one of the eight banks that escaped unscathed from the BoE assessment.

The central bank will carry out its next resolvability assessment in 2024, reviewing the progress made by the banks every two years thereafter.

The UK authorities have developed a resolution regime that successfully reduces risks to depositors and the financial system and better protects the UKs public funds, Dave Ramsden, deputy governor for markets and banking at the Bank of England, said in the press release.

Safely resolving a large bank will always be a complex challenge so its important that both we and the major banks continue to prioritize work on this issue.
Britain's Defence Secretary Ben Wallace attends a press conference of the exercise Arrow 22 at the Niinisalo garrison in Kankaanpaeae, Finland, on May 4, 2022. (Alessandro Rampazzo /AFP via Getty Images)

UK Defence Chief Meets Zelenskyy on Surprise Trip to Ukrainian Capital

UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace made a secret visit to Kyiv to hold discussions with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on providing further military aid to Ukraine, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said.

The purpose of the visit, which took place earlier this week, was for Wallace to hear first-hand how the operational needs of Ukraines Armed Forces are developing as the nature of the conflict continues to change, the MoD said in a statement issued on June 10.

The UK wants to make sure its continued military support is evolving to meet those requirements and is tailored to the situation on the ground, said the statement.

A video on Zelenskyys Telegram channel showed Wallace tell the president during the visit youre doing amazing.

The president replies: We do it together.

Wallace agreed with Zelenskyy and Ukraines Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov to work even more closely going forward in support of their shared goal of enabling Ukraine to liberate itself from illegal Russian occupation, the MoD said.

They also discussed the range of equipment and training the UK is currently providing, and what further support it can offer to help Ukrainian forces to resist the Russian invasion, it added.

The UK has become one of Ukraines most important allies in the countrys resistance against the Russian invasion, providing both advanced weaponry and humanitarian aid.

Britain was the first European country to send lethal aid to Ukraine and has sent military aid worth more than 750 million ($924 million), including thousands of anti-tank missiles, air defence systems, and armoured vehicles, according to the government.

On May 7, the UK government pledged 1.3 billion ($1.6 billion) worth of further military support to Ukraine.

The UK recently announced it would gift M270 multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS) to Ukrainian forces to help them defend themselves from Russian long-range artillery.

After Prime Minister Boris Johnson survived a vote of confidence within the ruling Conservative Party on June 6, Zelenskyy said he was very happy about the result as Boris Johnson is a true friend of Ukraine.

A Downing Street spokesman reacted by saying: The prime minister enjoys a very close relationship with President Zelenskyy. He believes it is vital to how the UK is able to adapt and support Ukraine in this fast-moving situation.

The relationship benefits both the Ukrainian people in being able to be responsive to the support they need but also to ensure the UK is at the forefront of providing that support, he said.

PA Media contributed to this report.
British Home Secretary Priti Patel (L) and Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Vincent Biruta shake hands after signing agreement in Kigali, Rwanda, on April 14, 2022. (Simon Wohlfahrt /AFP via Getty Images)

UK High Court Refuses to Block Flight to Rwanda Taking 31 Asylum Seekers

The High Court in London has refused to block Home Secretary Priti Patels plans to send 31 asylum seekers to Rwanda on Tuesday.

Justice Jonathan Swift rejected a request for an interim injunction to stop the flight but did not rule on whether or not the policy was lawful.

The Home Office, which says the policy is in the public interest and is designed to deter people from making the hazardous journey across the Channel, intends to send a plane containing 31 asylum seekers to the Rwandan capital, Kigali, on June 14.

Lawyers acting for a number of different groups claimed the Rwanda policy was unlawful and sought an injunction to ground Tuesdays planned flight, and any others, ahead of a full hearing later in the year.

The High Court is due to hear a further challenge on Monday, brought by charity Asylum Aid and campaign group Freedom From Torture.

Fridays hearing was told Patel had misled the court in claiming the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) supported the scheme.

Raza Hussain QC, counsel for the plaintiffs, told the hearing: The secretary of states assessment of the safety of Rwanda and her response is replete with references to UNHCR and the suggestion that the UNHCR has given this plan a green light. Regrettably the material demonstrates that to be misleading and incorrect.

Laura Dubinsky QC, counsel for the UNHCR, said she wanted to clarify in light of inaccuracies that they did not approve of the Anglo-Rwandan deal.

She said the UNHCR had told Patel it was in their view unlawful under international law as it amounted to refoulementforcibly returning refugees or asylum seekers to a country where they are liable to be subjected to persecution.

Among those challenging the policy were the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS), which represents eight out of ten Border Force workers, Detention Action and Care4Calais.

The latest figures show that 10,020 illegal immigrants have entered Britain by crossing the English Channel from France or Belgium this year. Many of those have claimed political asylum on arrival in the UK.

The Ministry of Defence said 79 people arrived in Dover on Tuesday.

Before Fridays hearing Clare Moseley, founder of Care4Calais, said she had been told by lawyers most of the 100 people who faced being sent to Rwanda were overwhelmed by total shock and despair.

Rwandas President Paul Kagame has ruled the country since ousting Hutu extremists who carried out a genocide against the Tutsi minority in 1994 but critics, who include Amnesty International, have accused his government of human rights abuses.

Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the PCS, said the government had learned nothing from the Windrush scandal, when people who had lived in Britain for years were suddenly deported back to Jamaica and other Caribbean islands.

PA Media contributed to this report.
Building cranes and power lines connecting pylons of high-tension electricity next to a construction site of new apartment blocks in Kyiv, Ukraine on July 10, 2020. (Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters)

Ukraine Eyes Billions in Euros From Europe Electricity Exports

KYIVUkraine hopes to make 1.5 billion euros from electricity exports to the European Union by the end of the year and earn more in the future after obtaining the right to export its energy there, a Ukrainian energy ministry adviser said on Wednesday.

Former Soviet Ukraines electricity grid began planning to decoupling itself from the Russian and Belarusian grid in 2014 after Russia annexed Crimea. It was testing the systems autonomy in February when Russia invaded, which prompted Kyiv to fully disconnected 2.5 years earlier than planned.

Ukraine applied in March to join the European energy system ENTSO-E as soon as possible and on Tuesday it received the right to export its energy to Europe, Ukrenergo said on Wednesday.

All the required Ukrainians lines are ready to export electricity to Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland, said Lana Zerkal, an adviser to the energy minister, in an interview with the Suspilne public television channel.

By the end of the year, under normal circumstances, we will be able to earn about 1.5 billion euros, she said, adding that Ukraines system was working in sync with the European Unions system.

We started this in March, and now the EU is opening up to us the technical opportunity to start commercial flows and make money from it. It is very important to us that  despite the war we were able to do it 2.5 years earlier than planned, she said.
Financial institutions that are boycotting energy producing companies have been warned against doing so by West Virginia's treasury. Pictured is coal miner Matt Wolfe, of Blacksville, W.Va., on April 13, 2017, in Sycamore, Pa. (Photo by Justin Merriman/Getty Images)

EXCLUSIVE: West Virginia Notifies 6 Banks They May Be Breaking States Fossil Fuel Anti-Boycott Law

They have 30 days to respond to letters before being placed on a financial blacklist

Six banks have been warned by the West Virginia State Treasury that they may be in violation of a new law preventing the state from doing business with financial institutions boycotting energy companies.

The office told The Epoch Times it had sent out letters on June 10, but didnt share the banks names on the record.

Enacted in March, S. 262 directs the state to notify financial institutions that theyre slated for placement on the restricted financial institution list 45 days before the document is published.

Those institutions must respond within 30 days of receiving those notification letters to avoid winding up on the list.

In June 2021, Texas passed a similar law barring state agencies from investing in funds boycotting energy companies.

We felt like we had a clear conflict of interest, West Virginia Treasurer Riley Moore said at a June 8 press conference.

He cited firms that he said want to benefit from the states finances while simultaneously trying to diminish our dollars and destroy our industries.

The letters come after months of escalating conflict between many energy-producing states and much of the financial sector.

In May 2021, Moore and treasurers from 14 other states sent a letter to U.S. climate envoy John Kerry to express their concerns about private comments that he made to banks in March of that year. He reportedly asked major financial institutions to step up their climate commitments.

We intend to put banks and financial institutions on notice of our position, as we urge them not to give in to pressure from the Biden administration to refuse to lend to or invest in coal, oil, and natural gas companies, Moore and his colleagues wrote at the time.

Environmental nonprofits mounted their own pressure campaign encouraging Kerry to further Wall Streets divestment from the fossil fuel industry.

A March 2021 letter from 145 environmental organizations demanded that Kerry [end] the flow of private finance to the fossil fuel industry, specifically requesting that he push asset managers to divest from pure-play coal, oil, and gas.

In January of this year, West Virginia divested from BlackRock, the worlds largest asset manager.

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink has been outspoken in pressuring corporate leaders to commit to investment goals that will undermine reliable energy sources like coal, natural gas and oil under the guise of helping the planet, but at the same time hes pouring billions in new capital into China, turning a blind eye to abhorrent human rights violations, genocide and that countrys role in creating the COVID-19 global pandemic, Moore said in a Jan. 17 statement explaining the decision.

Moore told The Epoch Times he hasnt yet heard from BlackRock.

In his view, the war in Ukraine underscores the vital importance of maintaining domestic energy resources.

There is power in this type of energy, and I just dont mean electrification. I mean, power for the countries. And thats why energy independence is so important, he told The Epoch Times in a June 8 interview.

Moore said it would be very easy to get West Virginia to change its increasingly aggressive stance toward financial institutions that have turned against fossil fuels or embraced extreme environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investment practices.

All you all need to do is have banks act like banks, asset managers act like asset managers, and maximize returns for your shareholders and your company. Its pretty simple. I mean, thats kind of how capitalism works, he said.

The Epoch Times has requested additional information on the six banks from the West Virginia Treasury.

The Epoch Times has also reached out to BlackRock.
Wildfire in Southern Spain Forces Town Evacuation, 3 Hurt

BENAHAVIS, SpainA wildfire in mountains in southern Spain has forced the evacuation of the center of the town of Benahavis, a district that is home to 7,000 people, and three firefighters were injured, authorities said.

The blaze started on Wednesday afternoon on the slopes of Pujerra mountain in the Sierra Bermejain, above the Costa del Sol, a magnet for British tourists on the Andalusia coast, Andalusias Wildfire Department (INFOCA) said on Twitter.

Hot summer weather and adverse winds are stoking the blaze, it said in a post late on Wednesday.

As many as 200 firemen from the department together with 100 military personnel and 50 firefighters from other Costa del Sol towns are battling the fire.

Spotter aircraft were over the area early on Thursday.

Sadly, we have to report that three firefighters from INFOCA suffered burns of different kinds and one of them has 25 percent of his body burned and was evacuated to Malaga hospital, Andalusias regional president Juanma Moreno told reporters.

Another wildfire ravaged that same mountain range in September, reducing at least 7,780 hectares (30 square miles) of woods and bushes to ashes in days. About 1,000 firefighters backed by some 50 aircraft worked to put out that blaze.
When I began writing about wine in 1979, almost every fine-quality California chardonnay sold for $4.50 a bottle. Occasionally Id find a bottle at $3.75 and considered it a bargain.

Times change, obviously. As wine reputations grew exalted, and as the number of potential buyers worldwide for the best exploded, the demand for the top wines escalated and all of todays top wines now are in high demand  which has increased prices to levels that seem absurd.

Until you realize that people actually pay exalted prices to get these limited items. There are almost no limits to the price increases. Most of the wines listed below arent intended for average people, just as a Ferrari holds no appeal for someone needing basic transportation.

Would average 9-to-5 workers even appreciate such an automobile? Some might, sure, but the Italian automaker might be a bit irked if a potential buyer demanded a large trunk.

Basic transportation isnt what a Ferrari is all about. A friend once said a Ferrari was a successful flashlight, but thats not its intended purpose.

Nor is Le Montrachet a beverage, although it is a wine. Le Montrachet (mohn-trah-shay) is the designation for a French chardonnay from the Burgundy district.

Among wines carrying that designation, the most famous is from the Domaine de la Romanee-Conti (DRC). So, you may ask, if its not a beverage, what is it? In a word, its an experience. One thats not for everyone. Especially since the average price for it is $12,451.

Per bottle. Or $490 per ounce.

That particular fact was published a few days ago by internet wine site Wine-Searcher.com in an article on Burgundys most wanted white wines. (https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2022/05/burgundys-most-wanted-white-wines)

The article has an intro that includes, Burgundy is, of course, the pinnacle for Chardonnay in many peoples minds. The wisdom handed down to us across generations of wine writers and critics is that the Cote dOr is where Chardonnay reaches its apotheosis; the wines represent the ne plus ultra of the variety.

But $12,000 per bottle? In fact, Wine Searcher says its the third most in-demand French white Burgundy by search results. Two other wines are in greater demand  Coche-Dury Meursault (average price per bottle: $1,311) and Leflaive Chevalier-Montrachet Grand Cru ($1,751).

For most average wine buyers, these arent beverages. Theyre experiences, most appreciated by those with extensive experience with such wines, since they represent just about the best experience you can have with a chardonnay. (Arguments welcome!)

The same goes for many other exalted wines worldwide. Recently I saw a newly released Barolo for sale at nearly $1,000 per bottle. I gave a fleeting thought to buying a bottle and sharing it with friends. I adore Barolo.

Sanity finally ruled, of course, $1,000 being out of the question, especially because this wine calls for 20 or more years of aging to reach a pinnacle of good taste.

And Im uncertain Mother Nature has that many more years left for me to enjoy. Im certain the wine will survive; Im not sure I will. Even if I do, will my palate still be functioning?

Considerations such as this make buying some wines out of the question, even if you were to win the lottery and had a palate that appreciated such exalted aromatics and flavors.

Best bet for daily wine consumption: Drink what you can afford and try not to develop a taste for DRC. I have tasted DRC several times and consider it the finest chardonnay in the world.

I do not own a bottle. And most of those I know who had one were smart enough not to leave it for the next generation.

Wine of the Week: 2019 Rodney Strong Chardonnay, Petaluma Gap, Blue Wing Vineyard ($25)  Racy apple/pear and faint tropical aromas glimmer through the creamy complexity of lees contact, mineral notes from this cool area of Sonoma County and a hint of toast from French oak barrel aging. Average national price: $20.

COPYRIGHT 2022 CREATORS.COM
Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt (R) wants to know more about companies requiring schools to survey their pupils on various matters. File photo taken on on April 26, 2022, in Washington. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Missouri Attorney General Subpoenas 7 School Districts Amid Worry Over Student Surveying

Surveys in Missouri schools that collect information from students and create a perceived need for a so-called social-emotional learning curriculum have drawn the attention of state officials.

Attorney General Eric Schmitt issued subpoenas last week to seven school districts that allegedly employ student surveyscreated by education companies Panorama and Project Wayfinderthat gather data about parents political beliefs and income levels, as well as racial identity, sexual behaviors, and mental health.

Those same groups come in and sell that curriculum to the schools, said Kimberly Hermann, general counsel with Southeastern Legal Foundation, a national nonprofit law firm that defends liberty.

The contracts with these companies are public record, so theyre supposed to be approved during school board meetings, but the surveys are happening without parental consent and parental notification.

In response, Schmitt has opened an investigation into the use of student surveys in Mehlville, Webster Groves, Jefferson City, Lees Summit R-7, Park Hill, Springfield, and Neosho schoolswith an eye on violations of Missouris Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment.

Subjecting students to personal, invasive surveys created by third-party consultants, potentially without parents consent, is ridiculous and does nothing to further our childrens education, Schmitt said in a statement.

Hermann details in a May 1 letter to Schmitt that Webster Groves requires middle school students to take a survey on LGBTQIA+ Struggles! that asks: What are your preferred pronouns, what struggles have you experienced related to LGBTQIA+, and what would you like to see in the school in order to be more inclusive?

There are federal statutes that theyre not supposed to ask these questions, said Andy Wells, the Missouri chapter president of No Left Turn in Education, a national education advocacy organization.

The problem is that school districts, and some of the companies that are being hired by school districts, dont care. They just ignore it. They do it anyway and if somebody doesnt like it, youll have to sue them.

Second-graders were asked, When is the first time you noticed that people can be different races from you, what did you notice, and do you feel more comfortable around people who look like you?

The goal here is to teach these kids that America is a white country of white supremacy and to destroy the nuclear family, Hermann said. If bad actors in the progressive left are not stopped, then were just going to have a further divide in this country among our kids.

Neither Panorama nor Project Wayfinder responded by press time to requests by The Epoch Times for comment.

Schools often create partnerships with third-party vendors to secure grant money, according to Jill Carter, a candidate for the Missouri Senates 32nd District, and by accepting the grant, they are bound to allow the surveying.

If its a platform thats providing software or technology, especially with the technology in our schools increasing, theres less and less ability for the school to even really know what is being asked, Carter told The Epoch Times.

They are giving over that oversight, and the teachers sometimes dont even know, because the kids are online or on a tablet, and thats part of the software or implementation of some of these programs.

Among the concerns identified is confidentiality.

Theres a lot of danger by it, Wells told The Epoch Times. The biggest of which is who has access to the data and whether it follows students to college. How is the data being used?

Another anxiety is whether the information gleaned is creating a profile that flags a need for intervention.

Its definitely a force of government and the intervention would be, If we dont like the way you respond on these surveys, were going to recommend intervention, and Panorama offers intervention activities and questions, said Missouri-based Mary Byrne, who holds a doctorate in education from Teachers College in Manhattan.

Theres a menu that you can access for teachers to implement different activities.

The use of surveys isnt new, according to Byrne.

It was done years before, and thats why the Pupil Privacy Act was put in place, she said.

The Pupil Privacy Act, also known as the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment of 1978, prohibits children from participating in surveys and other analyses without parental consent and includes a provision for parents to opt their child out of such evaluations.

But there is no cause of action to file a lawsuit for a violation of federal privacy laws.

The way Congress wrote the law is you can file an administrative complaint, but under the Biden administration, we know thats not going anywhere, Hermann said.

The subpoenas delivered by Schmitt demand documents and information to determine the extent of the surveys and whether parents consented to the surveys prior to distribution to students.

Wed like him to obtain information regarding where these surveys are coming from and enforce federal and state privacy laws, Hermann said.

He has numerous different avenues that he could go based on the law and his investigatory power. So were going to leave it to his office to make determinations about what they think the best avenue is.
BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP)  Tamping down on a dramatic increase in gunfire incidents in Vermont's largest city is a top priority for Burlington's mayor, the police department and the county prosecutor, the officials said Thursday.

Since the beginning of 2020 there have been 38 illegal gunfire incidents in the city, including 12 this year, according to Mayor Miro Weinberger and acting Police Chief Jon Murad. Before that, the city averaged about two such incidents a year.

I want the individuals who are repeatedly committing these crimes to hear, if you recklessly discharge a firearm in Burlington you are going to be arrested and you are going to be held accountable, Weinberger said.

The mayor's comments come after a former city councilor was slightly wounded at about 7 p.m. on Sunday while sitting outside his home in the citys Old North End.

Chittenden County States Attorney Sarah Fair George said she felt a combination of events was responsible for the increase, from the economic strain caused by the pandemic, to the lack of gun control, to the erosion of trust and confidence in the legal system.

She said she was committed to a collaborative approach to dealing with the issue.

Everybody deserves to feel safe in their community and I understand that some people are not, theyre feeling scared right now, she said.

Weinberger and Murad said that in 30 of the 38 gunfire incidents investigators have identified suspects, and more than half of those 30 cases involve a recurring group of individuals as perpetrators, associated individuals or victims, Weinberger said.

None of the incidents have resulted in serious incidents or deaths.

The mayor also called on the city council to approve a city budget that he plans to unveil next week that will help the police department build to its authorized headcount of 87.

Last fall the city had fewer than 70 officers available for operations. At that time Murad said it would take several years before the department would be able to field 87 officers.

Police have identified suspects in 19 shootings, and arrests have been made in 18 of those cases, Weinberger said.
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WILTON  A section of Scribner Hill Road in North Wilton will have alternating one-way traffic due to road damage, town officials said.

The damaged section of road is affecting the northbound lane in the area just north of Blue Ridge Road, the town said in a notice Thursday. As a result, the north lane is closed, with traffic able to pass on the southbound side. Temporary stop signs have been set up, the town notice said.
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.
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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.
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TEHRAN, Iran (AP)  Iranian authorities said Friday they have arrested 13 burglars who cut into the vault of a Tehran state bank from a neighboring building and stole 168 safe deposit boxes.

Iran's state-run IRNA news agency quoted Tehran Prosecutor Ali Salehi as saying that three of the suspects were arrested in an undisclosed country abroad, while the rest were apprehended in the Iranian capital and the north of the country. A car containing stolen property was found abandoned at Imam Khomeini Airport, the prosecutor added.
That release could not be found.
If there is any expectation which the leadership of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has always been looking forward to for commercial banks and other financial institutions to meet up with, it is unarguably that of meeting consumers needs, particularly as the sector has been experiencing a rapidly changing market with new and modern technologies, economic uncertainties, changing and more demanding customer services and above all fierce competition, that has presented an unpredictable set of challenges for them.

Unfortunately, the expectation, which is unarguably a collective one among all the 24 operating commercial banks in Nigeria is not been met by most of the banks. In as much as it is an open secret that most of the banks are far from meeting the expectations of their diverse customers, permit me to say that the reality dawned on me when I recently lost my ATM card that was issued to me by ECOBANK by virtue of being its customer.

My predicament started recently on a Saturday when in my attempt to withdraw money from the banks ATM Machine, my ATM Card got stuck. In the bid to retrieve the card, I approached one of the banks staff who was on ground but in an aggressive and unfriendly manner asked me to come back on the next working day; which was on Monday. However, given the urgency with which the money was needed on that particular weekend, I pleaded that he should assist me in retrieving the card to enable me go to another banks ATM Machine; even if it involves paying extra charges for its usage, he blatantly refused. I know he is not restricted by any law by the CBN or rule within his bank to assist me in retrieving the card as I noticed that skeletal service was ongoing but he just chose to make me suffer on that particular weekend.

As an enlightened Nigerian, I am not unaware that a similar case had been under litigation when in May 2021, Olutayo Oyeleke, a Zenith Bank customer, lost more than a million naira after a series of unauthorized banking transactions.

In the case, Oyeleke told Journalists that he had gone to an Access Bank ATM in Lagere, Ile-Ife, Osun State, on May 4, 2021, to withdraw some money, but as he inserted his card into the machine, it got trapped.

He said he spoke to the security officials at the bank to help him get his card out, but they refused. He said they told him to return the following day as nothing could be done on a public holiday.

When I got home, I discovered that my SIM card was blocked. I suspected it had something to do with my card. I then checked my account to be sure all was well, he told Journalists.

To prove that the unfriendly customer trend is pervasive, it is expedient to say that my sister that banks with Fidelity bank also experienced the same treatment I got from Ecobank staff.

Against the foregoing backdrop, it is expedient to say that CBNs leader has over the years, and for the umpteenth time urged staff of commercial banks; whether charged with the responsibilities of performing mainstream banking duties or not, to be transparent in their dealings in order to build customers confidence.

Specifically of mention in this context was the charge given by Kofo Salam-Alada, the Director, and Consumer Protection Department of CBN, who in 2019 advised staff of commercial banks in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja to be customer-friendly.

Mr. Salam-Alada said Nigerian banks and other financial institutions rendering financial services must be transparent and ensure fair treatment of customers.

For banks to keep their customers and ensure they remain in business, there is the need to build the confidence of customers and ensure that they are happy with the services provided by the banks.

What we are doing here is to help the business of the banks and our expectation is that at a certain stage, the regulators will have less to do in terms of market conduct.

A satisfied customer goes out to advertise the bank because to me, good treatment of customers should be the best advertisement for banking business, capital market, and Insurance among others.

At this juncture, it is not unexpected for some readers of this piece to fault my opinion by saying that the staff I met on ground on that day, and who was rude is not a core banking staff. Agreed, but it is expedient that a bank, being a customer-oriented business entity must ensure that all its staff, starting from the gateman, and even the cleaner that intermittently sweeps the banking hall, should be orientated towards the culture of satisfactory customer service. What is customer orientation? You may have asked. It simply refers to the act of aligning your business towards helping your customers reach success with your product or service. It means that all teams, especially sales and customer staff, and even staff in other departments will adjust their focus to the needs of the customers, and predict the moments when theyll need them, and be present when the time comes. This includes providing customers with various resources, additional value, and helping them whenever required.

To this end, it is expedient to say that even if there is a rule in the bank that restricts the retrieval of stuck ATM cards, it should not be explained to the customer by insulting him or her or out rightly calling the bluff of customers.

At this juncture, it is expedient to advise training departments of commercial banks to identify employees who regularly deal with or meet customers, and assign them to trainings that fit their customer interactions and job function. And in training such staff, it should be done in such a way that they are trained on a timely manner, and strive to offer training programs as a regular course of business operations.

In a similar vein, feedback on the training classes should be obtained from attendees. The reason for this suggestion cannot be farfetched as they are the people who are regularly "in the trenches", and can offer valuable insight to make future trainings more insightful and useful.

Again, there is need to inform employees that the information contained in the training is now considered policy, or at the very least "best practices." There will be some latitude, as every customer situation is different, but employees must be "on board" with the concepts and procedures presented.
Foreign fighters in Ukraine sentenced to death by pro-Russians

KYIV: Pro-Russian rebels sentenced to death two British fighters and a Moroccan who were captured while fighting for Ukraine, as a Ukrainian governor called for Western arms yesterday (June 9) to win the battle for a crucial eastern city.

RussianUkraineviolencepoliticsmilitary

By AFP

Friday 10 June 2022, 10:04AM

Ukrainian servicemen rest on their position not far from the Ukrainian town of Chuguiv, in Kharkiv region yesterday (June 9). Photo: Sergey Bobok / AFP

The death sentences come as Moscow concentrates its firepower on the strategic industrial hub of Severodonetsk, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said forces are holding on amid fierce fighting that he earlier said could determine the fate of the entire Donbas area.

Separatist authorities in the Donetsk region of the Donbas ordered the death penalty for Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner and Saadun 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.

Britons Aslin and Pinner 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 Peoples Republic, Russian news agency Interfax said.

A lawyer representing one of them told the TASS news agency that they would appeal.

Holding on

Western countries have provided weapons and aid for Ukraine since the Feb 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.

In his evening address to the Ukrainian people yesterday, Zelensky said Severodonetsk and other Donbas cities are holding on.

Kyivs forces were also gradually moving forward in the Kharkiv region in the northeast, he added.

Up to 100 Ukrainian soldiers were being killed every day in frontline fighting and as many as 500 wounded, Defence Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said.

Foreign mercenaries

After being repelled from Kyiv weeks into their invasion, Russian President Vladimir Putins 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 25 kilometres south of Severodonetsk.

Four more people were killed in fighting in Donetsk and shelling took the lives of two in Kharkiv city, it said. Another person was killed in the Mykolayiv region in the south.

In Kyiv, Ukraines Interior Minister Denys Monastyrsky said the capital was in no immediate danger, but troops were keeping up a line of defence around the city all the same.

Putin, meanwhile, compared his actions to Peter the Greats conquest of the Baltic coast during his 18th century war against Sweden.

By fighting Sweden he was grabbing something... He was taking it back, he told young entrepreneurs in Moscow.

It is our responsibility also to take back and strengthen, Putin said, in an apparent reference to Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Every day something burns

Zelensky yesterday called for Russia to be expelled from the UNs Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), blaming Moscow for causing hunger and spurring the global grain crisis by invading his country.

Ukraines Black Sea ports usually export millions of tonnes of grain each year but have been blocked since the invasion, while western sanctions on Russia have prevented Moscow selling much of its grain abroad, sending food prices soaring.

The FAO warned that poor countries will suffer the most from the crisis as they were paying more but receiving less food.

Africa has been hard hit by the shortage, and the African Union (AU) yesterday urged Kyiv to demine waters around Ukraine-controlled Odessa port to ease exports, warning of serious famine and destabilisation on the continent.

Moscow has also called for Ukraine to demine to allow out blocked grain, but Kyiv has refused for fear of a Russian attack.
Today

Sunny with gusty winds developing this afternoon. High 76F. Winds WNW at 20 to 30 mph.

Tonight

Clear skies. Low near 45F. W winds at 10 to 20 mph, decreasing to less than 5 mph.

Tomorrow

Mainly sunny. High 87F. Winds ESE at 10 to 20 mph.
Authorities say an employee opened fire at a manufacturing business in western Maryland, leaving three coworkers dead and one other critically injured before the suspect and a state trooper were wounded in a shootout
Things to do in the Attleboro area and beyond
ALTON  The Womens Health and Childbirth Center at Alton Memorial Hospital has been redesignated as Baby Friendly by Baby-Friendly USA, the U.S. authority for the implementation of BFHI, a global program sponsored by the World Health Organization.

The group conducted the assessment virtually last fall and this spring to ensure practices supporting the tenets of Baby-Friendly have been maintained since the hospitals initial designation in 2016. Confirmation was received in mid-May.

The initiative encourages and recognizes hospitals and birthing centers that offer an optimal level of care for breastfeeding mothers and their babies  certainly a noble effort with the recent baby formula shortage.

Achievement of the Baby-Friendly Designation is not an easy task, Becky Fallon, accreditation director for Baby-Friendly USA, said in a letter to AMH President Dave Braasch notifying him of the redesignation. Maintaining compliance with BFHI standards has definite costs, both in human and financial resources, yet the savings in terms of the quality of care provided, the resulting decrease in morbidity and mortality associated with optimal breastfeeding, and customer satisfaction, are well worth the investment.

Based on the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, this prestigious international award recognizes birth facilities that offer breastfeeding mothers the information, confidence, and skills needed to successfully initiate and continue breastfeeding their babies. The aim is to ensure that every family is fully informed of the importance of breastfeeding and receives the help they need to achieve their feeding goals.

I am so excited to announce the redesignation of this prestigious accomplishment and incredibly proud of the work our staff does every day to provide excellent care, education, and support to our community, said Renee Strowmatt, nurse clinician at the AMH Womens Health and Childbirth Center. Achieving redesignation is important because it means that not only do we think we promote best infant feeding and bonding practices as outlined by Baby-Friendly USA, but a group of independent reviewers has reviewed our practices and has verified that we have continued to meet those stringent standards.

The report praised our providers and staff as having demonstrated excellent support of and commitment to the Baby-Friendly practices as evidenced by our care practices and comments from patients. It also stated how well organized and helpful our staff was during the redesignation process, and how the families were well informed and enthusiastic in sharing their experiences. I spent a great deal of time communicating with our OB providers as we prepared for our assessment, and they were incredibly invested in helping us maintain this designation.

Jessica Mossman, manager of the Womens Health and Childbirth Center, said that it took a lot of practice change, shift in culture, and an extensive amount of staff and physician training in breastfeeding, formula feeding and birth practices to achieve the original designation six years ago.

All of that practice change and education has helped to ensure that mothers have access to staff members who are knowledgeable in all aspects of infant feeding and bonding, Mossman said. With the recent nationwide formula shortage, it is great that our staff are trained and have practices in place to help make a moms breastfeeding journey successful.

The focus is on more than breastfeeding, though. Baby-Friendly also includes measures that enhance parent/baby bonding, support families in the safe preparation of infant formula when necessary, and protect mothers against inappropriate marketing of breast-milk substitutes.

We should applaud the work that our OB team does on a daily basis, Braasch said. They keep stacking up these recognitions for excellence in the care and assistance they provide to our moms and families.

Our goal is to ensure our staff and physicians are doing all we can to help our families have the best start, Strowmatt said. Important to BFHI is that all mothers experience hospital practices that allow for mom and baby to stay together, increase the likelihood that mothers who choose to breastfeed are able to meet their goals, and ensure that mothers who choose to formula feed know how best to safely prepare and feed their babies.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding for at least one year, and the World Health Organization endorses two or more years of breastfeeding for optimum health.

However, in the instance where a mother cannot or chooses not to breastfeed, the Womens Health and Childbirth Center continues to provide formula for use during the hospital stay.

There are currently 590 facilities in the United States that have met these criteria, including 29 hospitals in Illinois that have been able to meet the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative criteria.
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CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  Australias prime minister said Friday after a meeting with his New Zealand counterpart that the two nations are in lockstep in their policies toward the Pacific islands, where China's influence is growing.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern became the first foreign leader to visit Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Australia since he was elected on May 21. Both lead center-left administrations and Ardern described the Albanese Labor Partys election after almost a decade in opposition as a reset in the bilateral relationship.

Australia, New Zealand and the United States have voiced concerns that a new Beijing security pact with the Solomon Islands could result in a Chinese military base being established there. The Solomons and China have both denied that that will happen.

Asked if Australia wants New Zealand to do more to counter Chinas rise in the Pacific, Albanese told reporters in Sydney: Were in lockstep on the Pacific.

I look forward to working with Prime Minister Ardern, working with our democratic neighbors, Albanese said.

Albanese and his Foreign Minister Penny Wong flew to Tokyo within hours of being sworn into office for a meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the regional security threat posed by China.

Wong then flew from Japan to the Pacific islands for meetings with government leaders while Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi also embarked on a Pacific tour.

Wang failed in a bold Chinese plan to get 10 Pacific nations to endorse a sweeping new agreement that would have covered everything from security to fisheries. But he succeeded in clinching several bilateral agreements.

Ardern said many countries had chosen to continue economic relationships with China rather than sign security agreements.

Lets hear from the Pacific on these issues, Ardern said.

Albanese said Australia, the biggest foreign aid donor in the region, was being taken seriously by its neighbors since his administration promised greater action on greenhouse gas emissions. Many of the low-lying Pacific islands consider climate change their most pressing and existential threat.

The previous government had committed to reducing Australias emissions by 26% to 28% below 2005 levels by 2030. Albaneses government has promised a 43% reduction.

New Zealand was heartened by Australias greater ambition, Ardern said. New Zealands target by the end of the decade is 30%.

The Pacific region has listed climate change as its number one threat, Ardern said. I know with regards to New Zealand we have a lot more to do, but we welcome being joined on that journey by Australia."
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ALTON  Police on Thursday night were collecting items as part of an investigation into the suspected homicide of an Alton woman.

On Thursday Alton Police Chief Marcos Pulido said that, at about 12:59 p.m., Alton Police responded to the 3400 block of Bolivar Street in reference where an adult was found deceased in a residence. A woman reportedly contacted police after finding her daughter dead in an Alton apartment.

Police have not released the identity of the deceased woman.

Around 7 p.m. Alton Police and Illinois State Police crime scene technicians were completing a multi-hour search of a commercial-size dumpster located on an adjacent property near the apartments. Sources said cameras on and around the nearby Milton Center may have captured an image of a male subject tossing items into the dumpster late Wednesday night.

Police were seen with numerous recovered articles in laundry baskets and large plastic tubs. All of the items were photographed by state police. At least one paper bag and three large red plastic bags, used specially for evidence, were seen.

Other detectives were seen entering the apartment building and photographing the scene.

On Thursday Pulido said police were following up on leads. While new information was developing, he said that for now the incident did not appear to be a random act of violence.

Around 1 p.m. Thursday first responders arrived to stage in the 1100 block of Milton Road but ultimately were not needed because there was no doubt about the discovered woman's condition. Officials closed off the area and remained on the scene for much of Thursday. Police also searched all four of the apartments in the building and reportedly found no other victims.
SPRINGFIELD  Unfunded state pension liabilities have climbed to $8.28 trillion nationally, or nearly $25,000 for every person in the United States, according to a new report from the American Legislative Exchange Council released Thursday.

The report, "Unaccountable and Unaffordable 2021," looked at 290 state-administered government pension plans and their assets and liabilities from fiscal year 2012 to fiscal year 2020. An example of state-administered government pension plans in Illinois would cover state employees, teachers, university workers, judges and lawmakers.

The states with the most unfunded liabilities are California at $1.53 trillion, Illinois at $533.72 billion, Texas at $529.70 billion, New York at $508.70 billion and Ohio at $429.53 billion.

"As state pension plans invest their funds in increasingly risky assets, the gap between expected rates of return and actual rates of return widens, with results falling far short of expectations," the report states. "When investment returns fail to meet expectations, taxpayers and plan members must make up the difference through increased contributions."

No state in the U.S. has fully funded its pension plans. The state with the highest funding ratio in the nation is Wisconsin at 56%; New Jersey was the lowest at 18%.

"When you are in the hole, the first step is to stop digging it deeper," said Jonathan Williams, chief economist and executive vice president of policy for the council.

"Right now, states are in a historically strong position when it comes to cash flow," he said. "There's a lot of money sloshing around state capitals right now. One of the things that can be done with the revenue growth from the state level is to pay down current unfunded liabilities."

The report singled out structural pension issues in Illinois.

"Illinois uses state statute to contribute less than its ADC payment, leading to the massive growth of unfunded liabilities," the report states. "This practice did not change in FY 2019 or FY 2020."

According to the report, Illinois spends about 25% of its annual general fund budget on pensions. The state's pension protection clause prohibits any diminishment of the pension benefits promised to state workers, Williams said.

"Without a constitutional change or a new interpretation by the Illinois Supreme Court, the only other option is a federal bailout," he said. "The status quo will continue without a radical change in leadership."

For states with large pension debts, such as Illinois and California, Williams said getting out of debt will take a long time.

"The numbers are daunting, but it can be done," he said.
John Badman

ALTON  Work has yet to begin on Riverview Drive repairs more than three years after problems were discovered.

At Wednesday's city council meeting, aldermen deferred a motion to accept a design bill proposal by GeoStabilization International, based in Commerce City, Colorado, to begin Phase 1 of the reconstruction of the roadway to the next Committee of the Whole meeting planned June 20.
John Badman

ALTON  Three underground fuel tanks are being removed from a job site in Alton as part of environmental clean-up work.

The removal of the tanks at at 443 East Broadway in Alton is being conducted under the supervision of an inspector from the Illinois State Fire Marshals Office. The agency has a division devoted to overseeing the installation and safe removal of underground fuel tanks.
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.
One of the more ludicrous claims made since Russias invasion of Ukraine fast-forwarded an already inevitable energy crisis is that simply going green can secure our energy independence. This is an ironically-flawed notion that ignores some inconvenient truths our European allies know all too well.



Though we dont rely on foreign nations for sunlight and wind, we are almost completely reliant on other countries (mostly China) for the immense quantities of minerals needed to build the wind turbines, solar panels and batteries used to collect green energy. This is primarily because the same Keep It In the Ground groups that insist we go 100 percent green have proven very effective at stopping the domestic mining needed to access these raw inputs here in the United States. Add in the fact renewable energy can only generate electricity  weather-dependent and unreliable electricity at that  and its clear that wind and solar replace oil and thousands of petroleum-based products about as well as hats replace shoes.



Its with these facts in mind that the Department of Energy has forecast well need more oil and natural gas 30 years from now than were using today. That said, the only realistic path toward energy and economic security is an all-of-the-above approach that focuses on producing as much of all forms of energy in the United States as possible.



Fortunately, we are in a much better position to truly embrace this approach than our friends in Europe. Europe has spent the past 20 years shunning development of its hydrocarbon resources and attempting to go green.



So hows it going?



Because of its obsession with going green, a vast majority of European countries banned hydraulic fracturing (aka fracking), the most effective technology available to maximize oil and gas production. Fracking has single-handedly transformed the United States into a net petroleum exporter over the past 15 years. At the same time, European oil and gas development has declined rapidly while renewable energy has proven woefully inadequate for meeting the continents energy demand. As a result, Europe has relied on Russia for 40 percent of the natural gas and 25 percent of the oil it consumes.



After bankrolling Vladimir Putins atrocities in Ukraine to the tune of $450 million per day in Russian oil imports as it dilly-dallied for months on a decision to ban Russian petroleum, Europe is now scrambling to find a replacement for the oil it desperately needs. Its leaders proposed solution: more renewables. As one industry insider recently tweeted, Europe has painted itself in a corner and is contemplating using more paint.



We must learn from Europes mistakes and avoid their unrealistic green energy fantasies that have turned into an energy nightmare. There are no shortage of red flags on the misguided path to relying on foreign nations for alternative energy.



Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares recently warned the electric vehicle (EV) industry is facing a Darwinian period due to difficulty in acquiring essential mineral inputs for massive EV batteries. Environmental groups also recently successfully lobbied the Biden administration to give China a two-year pass on solar component tariffs. Why? Because they know U.S. manufacturers dont have the supply chains needed to fill a void that a sudden halt in Chinese imports would create.



President Bien has invoked the Defense Production Act in an effort to increase the domestic supply of minerals. But his own Department of the Interior recently killed a major nickel and copper mine in Minnesota after being pressured by environmental groups. In a comment widely trumpeted by green groups for years, Earthjustice senior legislative representative Blaine Miller-McFeeley tried to justify the pressure by saying, We do not need more dirty mining to achieve the clean energy transition.

But in reality, all forms of energy and modern products originate from the ground and we will need more mining, drilling and other forms of energy development to meet our ever-growing needs. That is why an all-of-the-above energy approach focused on domestically-produced oil, natural gas and alternative energy is the only realistic way of ensuring our energy security and any hopes of energy independence.


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Westerly, RI (02891)

Today

Intervals of clouds and sunshine. High 74F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. Low 57F. Winds light and variable.
Connecticut park officials say theyre re-imposing a temporary ban on alcohol this summer at seven state recreational areas that have had problems with drinking, crowds, unruly behavior and property damage
A bill that would allow immigrants in the country illegally to obtain state drivers licenses in Massachusetts has become law after the state Senate voted Thursday to override the veto of Republican Gov. Charlie Baker
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
Bowleven PLC, the Africa-focused oil and gas company, was this week's best performer after it revealed it has a new partner on its Etinde permit, located offshore Cameroon.

The company has been informed by New Age (African Global Energy) Limited, the operator of the Etinde joint venture (JV), that New Age has signed a definitive conditional agreement with a subsidiary of Perenco SA to transfer all of New Age's participating interests in the Etinde permit, and operatorship of the Etinde JV, to Perenco.

Bowleven will continue to be entitled to a final investment decision payment of US$25million from its Etinde JV partners which, following completion of the transaction, would include Perenco.

The news sent the company's shares 80 per cent higher.

Bowleven, the Africa-focused oil and gas company, was this week's best performer after it revealed it has a new partner on its Etinde permit, located offshore Cameroon

IG Design Group PLC, up 42 per cent, enjoyed a relief rally after it extended the term of its existing banking agreement to 31 March 2024.

'Our seasonal order book remains strong and this revised facility provides us with sufficient funding for our working capital requirements,' said Stewart Gilliland, the chair of the stationery and paper bag company.

The annual general meeting of Parity Group PLC, the recruitment group, was probably a happy one after the company issued an upbeat statement.

The company said that as a result of cost reductions implemented in 2021, it has had scope to make investments in building capability in areas where the market is stronger and where it can deliver on new business opportunities in the second half of the year.

Parity shares leapt 29 per cent.

Caspian Sunrise PLC is apparently not as Russian as you might think, which cheered the market considerably.

The shares climbed 28 per cent to 5.05p  back to pre-invasion levels  as the company emphasised its oil 'is Kazakh oil, not Russian oil.'

'It is only an accident of geography that the current delivery mechanism takes it through Russia. We sell in Kazakhstan to international oil traders, who can then sell anywhere in the world. We expect the Kazakh government shortly to rename the oil produced in Kazakhstan to differentiate it from oil produced in Russia,' the company said.

'To date there we have had no problems in accessing the Russian pipeline network to deliver our international oil and we do not believe there will be any issues in this respect no matter how long sanctions continue. Whatever happens, we do not see these pipelines being closed,' it added.

Netcall PLC, the customer engagement software firm, raised profits guidance after signing a multi-year contract with an S&P 500 international financial services firm.

The revenue for the initial three-year cloud subscription period is US$19million and is expected to generate similar margins to Netcall's overall group margin, providing a significant contribution to the group's revenue and profit.

Share decline: Taking a tumble this week was Eve Sleep, a humble mattress manufacturer that tried to pass itself off as some kind of sleep science company

The shares rose 22 per cent this week.

Renalytix PLC shot up 23 per cent this week after it announced that its KidneyIntelX bio-prognostic testing system successfully risk-stratified adult patients with type 2 diabetes and early-stage chronic kidney disease (stages 1 through 3) for key clinical outcomes, including heart failure hospitalisations and death.

'These results show the potential of KidneyIntelX to enrich clinical trials for patients at higher risk of these complex conditions, which could improve trial efficiency for pharmaceutical companies,' said Steven Coca, the co-founder of Renalytix.

It's safe to say the result of the drilling of Clontarf Energy PLC's Sasanof-1 exploration well in Western Australia was a big disappointment.

No commercial hydrocarbons were intersected and the well was plugged and permanently abandoned.

Investors promptly abandoned the shares and the oil exploration company lost around three-quarters of its value.

Also taking a tumble was Eve Sleep PLC, a humble mattress manufacturer that tried to pass itself off as some kind of sleep science company (it even had the trendy but annoyingly pointless all lower-case first word in the company name).

The company put itself up for sale as it believes it needs additional investment to accelerate its push into 'the wider sleep wellness space'.

Floated in May 2017 at 101p, when it was valued at 140million, the shares slumped 39 per cent this week to a penny and a market capitalisation of just 3million.

ADVFN PLC, the financial information provider, has been the subject of a power struggle in recent years and the market was probably wondering why this week as the shares lost a third of their value following a trading update.

Sales this year have been disappointing, the company said, with the run rate broadly flat, sales below the preceding six-month period and down year-on-year.

In particular, advertising sales have been disappointing reflecting among other things a softer market for financial media, the company said.

Full marks, at least, for not sugar-coating the bad news or leading with some inconsequential smidgen of positive news and then burying the bad news in paragraph 12, although it did wait until the fifth paragraph to drop the bomb about suspended dividend payments.
The 5billion energy profits levy, aka the windfall tax, has divided political opinion. It is also sparking a suitably heated debate over the shares in companies subject to the tax.

As the cost of filling up an average car reaches 98, are the oil and gas companies  whose profits are being supercharged by soaring energy prices  a sure thing?

Or does the fall-out from the tax mean that renewable energy groups are a more rewarding alternative, even if the world may be reliant on fossil fuels for longer than we thought?

Following the announcement, BP is reviewing 18billion of planned UK investments, while Shell says the tax creates uncertainty around projects.

Meg O'Neill, boss of Woodside Energy, which has just listed in London, said the UK was now 'not a conducive place to invest.'

The tax on North Sea oil and gas operators  which will fund cuts to households' fuel bills  is set to stay in place until 2025. It may be withdrawn if oil falls from $120 (the price for Brent Crude) to $60- $70, but this is not a pledge.

Nevertheless, investors should look beyond corporate and political rhetoric, remembering that the bulk of the profits of BP and Shell are made overseas.

The markets seem persuaded that oil prices will remain high as a result of the impact on supply of the war in Ukraine, and because Opec members have limited capacity to boost production.

Despite soaring prices for oil and petrol, demand seems not to be slumping either in the UK or elsewhere, leading some analysts to suggest that prices could move higher seeking a level where usage might reduce.

Russ Mould of AJ Bell says: 'In normal circumstances, high prices are the cure for high prices. However, this does not seem to be happening to oil and gas  the need for energy is increasing, and it looks as if they will stick around for longer than we thought.'

Mould argues that this trend may only reverse if there is a 'miraculous peace in Ukraine', or rapprochement between the US and Venezuela, which has the largest oil reserves in the world.

To date, Big Oil has shrugged off the windfall tax. This resilience will come as a relief to investors. BP and Shell, in particular, are the foundation of many portfolios and popular funds and trusts, such as Aberdeen Standard Equity Income, Law Debenture, Merchants, Ruffer (where I am a holder) and Schroder Recovery.

Nick Kirrage, co-head of Schroders' Global Value Team, comments: 'Windfall taxes are by their nature short-term, and in this case they will be paid out of very elevated profits. As such, they are not materially detrimental to long-term valuations. Although we're yet to see the mechanics of the tax, our initial belief is that these moves by the Government should not derail the investment case for the companies we own.'

Buybacks: BP and Shell are planning share buybacks worth 3.2billion and 6.3billion respectively

Despite the disposal of their Russian assets in the spring, BP shares have risen 34 per cent since the start of the year, while Shell shares have soared by 45 per cent. Shares in Serica, the Aim-listed oil and natural gas producer, have revived because its programmes should qualify for the windfall tax incentives available to those that maximise output.

Kwasi Kwarteng, the Business Secretary, seeks to have natural gas reclassified as a 'transitional fuel', a quest of significance to anyone with cash in Henderson Opportunities trust where Serica is the largest stake. Exxon shares, meanwhile, have gained 69 per cent this year  and are still seen as cheap by some analysts. The payouts to shareholders increase Big Oil's allure.

BP and Shell are planning share buybacks worth 3.2billion and 6.3billion respectively. Buybacks aim to lift share prices, although they can be withdrawn. Meanwhile BP's dividend yield is 3.95 per cent; while Shell offers 3.21 per cent.

It continues to be the opinion of this column that these payouts represent a strong argument to hold BP and Shell, especially as the billion that both are investing in renewables should turn them into the sector's most powerful players. Before the windfall tax was unveiled, Bernard Looney, BP's boss, pledged to spend 2 in the UK for every 1 made here in this decade. Reneging on this promise would be petty and short-sighted.

Although I would argue that betting on BP and Shell is also the route to investing in renewables, I have also put money into funds and trusts that invest in solar, wind and energy storage, such as Downing Renewables, Gore Street Energy, Greencoat Wind, Renewables Infrastructure and SDCL Energy Efficiency.

The war in Ukraine may extend our fossil fuel dependency, but there will also be more pressure to accelerate de-carbonisation.

The political row over the levy is based, in part, on the view that it demonstrates the UK's lack of a long-term energy policy.

As an investor, you cannot afford such a deficiency.
Britain's biggest banks are no longer 'too big to fail' and could continue offering vital services in the event of collapse, the Bank of England has determined.

The central bank said that the country's eight largest lenders are in a 'fundamentally better place' than during the Global Financial Crisis of 2007/08 when the UK Government spent 137billion rescuing the banking sector.

In its first ever assessment of banks' ability to cope with failure, the BoE said the institutions now have more than 500billion they could utilise to absorb losses and recapitalise themselves.

Improvement: The Bank of England said that the UK's eight largest banking firms are in a 'fundamentally better place' than during the Global Financial Crisis of 2007/08

They would also be able to remain open and provide critical services to customers, while any losses would be first borne by investors rather than customers or the British taxpayer.

The Bank of England first set out goals three years ago for lenders to publish contingency plans - known as 'living wills' - as part of additional measures to avoid a repeat of previous financial crises.

Every two years, it would then judge the strength of a bank's 'resolvability,' meaning that were they to fail, there would be no significant disruption to the financial markets or cost to the taxpayer.

AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould said: 'With a gloomy near-term economic outlook, the resolvability test will provide some relief that the UK's key financial players wouldn't cause a disaster if something went very badly wrong.

'It's important to recognise this test wasn't carried about because of 'live' fears. It is more a case of good practice and guarding against a repeat of the global financial crisis in which some banks got into trouble and had to be bailed out using taxpayers' money.'

None of the eight banks evaluated by the Bank of England was determined to have 'deficiencies' or 'substantive impediments' in their plans that could seriously impede their resolution strategy.

Criticism: HSBC and Standard Chartered were all identified as having 'shortcomings' in their liquidity arrangements and restructuring plans by the Bank of England

However, only the UK division of Spanish banking giant Santander was judged not to require any measures for improvement.

HSBC and Standard Chartered were identified as having 'shortcomings' in their liquidity arrangements and restructuring plans, while Lloyds Banking Group was also told it lacked sufficient financial resources.

All three banks released statements on Friday stating they were taking steps to boost their resolvability, with Standard Chartered saying the work was 'a priority for the group and receives dedicated resources and budget.'

THIS IS MONEY PODCAST Are you saving enough for retirement? (And another state pension blunder)

Meanwhile, Virgin Money, NatWest Group and Nationwide Building Society were told they had at least one 'area for further enhancement,' the second-best assessment a bank could receive.

Dave Ramsden, the Bank's deputy governor for markets and banking, said: 'The Resolvability Assessment Framework is a core part of the UK's response to the global financial crisis, and demonstrates how the UK has overcome the problem of 'too big to fail'.

'The UK authorities have developed a resolution regime that successfully reduces risks to depositors and the financial system and better protects the UK's public funds.

'Safely resolving a large bank will always be a complex challenge, so it's important that both we and the major banks continue to prioritise work on this issue.'
Kingsport, TN (37660)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. A stray afternoon thunderstorm is possible. High 94F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 71F. Winds light and variable.
Vice President Kamala Harris hosts a roundtable with business executives as part of her Call to Action for northern Central America during the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times/TNS)
Finlands government plans to amend border legislation to allow the building of barriers on its eastern frontier with Russia, it said on Thursday, in a move to strengthen preparedness against hybrid threats amid Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Finland, which is currently applying for membership in the Western military alliance NATO, 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) length.

The Finnish government has rushed to strengthen 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 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. read more

The governments amendments to the law include a proposal to enable concentrating the reception of asylum applications only at specific points of entry.

Under existing EU rules, migrants have the right to ask for asylum at any given entry point to an EU member country.

The amendments would also allow the building of barriers such as fences, as well as new roads to facilitate border patrolling on the Finnish side.

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, minister of internal affairs Krista Mikkonen said in a statement.

SOURCE: REUTERS
ANDES  A guidance counselor at this small Delaware County school district in the western Catskills says she was retaliated against after filing a sexual harassment complaint against her boss, Andes Superintendent Robert Chakar.

The counselor submitted the complaint during an internal investigation by the Andes Board of Education against Chakar, who has been on administrative leave since the inquiry was launched in mid-February. The district is undergoing a separate investigation by the U.S. Department of Education related to Chakar's alleged behaviors.

The counselor is the third woman the Times Union has spoken to who has filed complaints as part of the investigations against Chakar.

Andes Acting Superintendent Patrick Darfler-Sweeney said the counselor's resignation, which came after Darfler-Sweeney recommended her termination, was unrelated to the investigation and stemmed from a parental complaint against the counselor.

The counselor, who requested her name not be used to protect her career, was hired in January 2020. Chakar began having "sexually laden conversations" with her that fall, according to her complaint, a copy of which was given to the Times Union.

The discussion revolved around trying to get his wife pregnant through the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process and all the sexual intercourse he allegedly said was required as part of that, according to the complaint.

"He would discuss all of the loads of intercourse they needed to have and how that can be really great but also very consuming to his life," according to the complaint. "He would then explain 'morning, night, numerous times. It's all that's on the mind, sex, sex, and more sex.'

It was unclear why Chakar would allegedly connect having ample sex and IVF. In IVF, a women's eggs are removed from her ovaries and inseminated in a lab before being inserted into her uterus. No sex is required to get pregnant when using IVF.

When asked in an interview, the counselor said she did not realize IVF did not involve sexual activity and could not explain why Chakar allegedly connected the two.

The conversations would always happen when no one else was present after Chakar had come to her office, or after she had been summoned to his, according to the complaint.

Initially, the counselor thought the conversation was innocent, she said.

"The first time he came to me I really thought he was just an odd superintendent, and in some way he was trying to acquaint me to his family and the community because its a very small place," she said.

However, Chakar came to her office and talked about sex with his wife at least four other times during the 2020-2021 school year, according to the complaint.

"I have never once engaged in this language or conversations," according to the complaint. "Once it had been brought up so many times, I began just politely cutting him off by saying 'Yes, yes, I know all about this, we have gone over it.'"

The counselor's complaint to the Andes Board of Education is dated Feb. 17, three days after the board received the complaint that set off the harassment investigation, but before Chakar was put on administrative leave. The complaint was submitted directly to the school board, since the law firm that took on the investigation, Binghamton-based Coughlin & Gerhart, had not yet been contracted.

The initial complaint was filed by a parent, who also filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights (OCR), which is undertaking its own investigation. The OCR complaint, a copy of which was given to the Times Union, states Chakar put his hand on a fifth-grader's shoulder while they were alone in a school foyer, and the student considered it unwelcome.

The counselor was put on paid leave April 28, about two-and-a-half months after making the complaint, and received notice from Darfler-Sweeney on May 13 that he would be recommending her for termination at the next school board meeting. She resigned May 24.

She believes she was pushed out because of her complaint.

Darfler-Sweeney said she was put on leave after the district received a complaint about the counselor from a parent.

The district looked into the complaint, which led to the recommendation the counselor be terminated, according to Darfler-Sweeney. The counselor had been hired for a four-year probationary term, as opposed to being tenured, and was able to be fired at will.

Personnel confidentiality laws precluded Darfler-Sweeney from discussing the complaint further.

The decision had "absolutely, positively" nothing to do with anything other than the complaint against the counselor, Darfler-Sweeney added.

The board of education's investigation into allegations against Chakar is ongoing. As well as the complaints from the counselor and the initial complaint from the parent, the Times Union has reviewed a third complaint.

In that complaint, a parent states the superintendent commented on her daughter's body, "remarking on her maturing 'breast buds,' " a statement the parent called "profoundly disturbing and inappropriate." The parent had not mentioned the incident previously because they feared retaliation, according to the complaint.

The Delaware County Sheriff's Office opened an investigation into the initial complaint, but closed it in early May without any charges being filed.

Chakar and his attorney have not returned calls for comment.

Chakar was previously investigated by a school board for harassment. He was forced to resign as the assistant principal at a Bristol, Connecticut, middle school after an internal investigation revealed he repeatedly sexually harassed staff and spoke to girls at the school inappropriately.

Andes School Board President Kelly Bauer previously said as much of the current internal investigation would be released as was legally possible.
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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.

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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.
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Two new probable cases of monkeypox were identified in New York since Wednesday bringing the total number of people in the state who have been diagnosed with the rare disease to 11, according to the most recent data from the state Department of Health.

Nearly all cases are located in New York City. One presumed monkeypox patient is located in Sullivan County.

Tests performed at the Wadsworth Center Laboratory in Albany found the Sullivan County resident to have orthopoxvirus. Monkeypox is in the orthopoxvirus family, which also includes smallpox and cowpox, according to the Department of Health.

The Sullivan County Health Department is conducting contact tracing efforts. County Public Health Director Nancy McGraw said in a news release that the individual had traveled outside the U.S. and was not contagious upon their return to the county.

"There is no identified risk to any county residents," she said. "(Should) there be any public health risk, we will promptly make notice to our residents and visitors."

Monkeypox is a rare viral illness that has seen a resurgence in multiple countries. There are currently 45 cases in the U.S. as of Thursday according to the Centers for Disease Control. There are 1,356 cases known worldwide across 31 different countries.

The disease typically begins with a flu-like illness and swelling of the lymph nodes and progresses to a rash on the face and body. Most infections last two to four weeks. In some cases, it can result in hospitalization or death, health experts say.

Monkeypox can be spread from animal to human through scratches and bites or even contaminated meat. The current outbreak appears to have spread through human-to-human contact, health authorities said.

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"Based on previous outbreaks, the virus typically does not spread easily between people," said state health officials in a public health notice. "Transmission can occur through contact with body fluids, monkeypox sores, items that have been contaminated with fluids or sores, or through prolonged exposure to respiratory droplets. Because of this, the transmission may also occur through sexual contact."

The Centers for Disease Control states on its website: "In the current monkeypox outbreak, we know that those with disease generally describe close, sustained physical contact with other people who are infected with the virus. ... Prior studies of monkeypox outbreaks show that spread of monkeypox virus by respiratory secretions appears uncommon. Most cases of monkeypox report close contact with an infectious person."

Recommendations from health experts include washing your hands frequently, avoiding contact with infected people and wearing a face mask, among other measures.
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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.

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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.
TROY  As Shirley Ann Jackson ends her more than two-decade tenure as president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, she said she doesnt want to be remembered as just a trailblazer.

Yes, she was the second Black woman to get a Ph.D. in physics in the United States and the first to get any doctorate at MIT. She was also the first Black woman to lead a top-ranked research university. But there are more important things about her, she said.

Its not just that I got here, but what did I do here? she said. I think we do minorities and women a disservice when we dont talk about what they do.

Jackson spoke with the Times Union by phone this past week after RPI media relations officials proactively offered the chance to speak with her. Jackson  who throughout her tenure often kept a low profile even as controversies hit her administration  stayed on the phone discussing her legacy for more than an hour.

The outgoing president, one of the top-paid college administrators in the nation, did not address criticisms about her tenure, such as concerns about limited free speech on campus.

What Jackson did talk about at length is her scientific work and what she views as her accomplishments while college president  and how she believes she should be judged on that alone, not the struggles she overcame to get there.

The real breakthrough is to have the opportunity to do the work. To do the work without harassment, she said. Youve got to do the work. And youve got to do it as excellently as you can. The whole thing about a person being a breakthrough says more about society.

Jackson, 75, was born in Washington, D.C., and began her remarkable career attending MIT and later worked at AT&T Bell Laboratories. She did not see her role as creating a path for more women and minorities.

Im a physicist and I do the work. In my church we used to say, Let my work speak for me. I didnt say let my work make a path for other Blacks or women, she said. We try to be as excellent as we can be and along the way, giving a hand to someone else.

Her specialty was theoretical physics.

Cindy Schultz

The work I did contributed to a more fundamental understanding  that gave people more insight into semiconductors, she said, adding that her work was not to create any kind of widget, but to do the fundamental physics."

She did participate in a program at her company to support doctoral students and would go to historically Black universities to tout the program.

You talked about the opportunity, she said. It was not for me to lecture them: Look, I did it, you can do it. It was more, This is what I do as a scientist. That delivers the message in itself. They hear that Im doing theoretical research, that I publish papers.

Mainly, she wanted to nurture true scientists  no matter who they were.

Honestly, I was a nerd. I wanted to do physics. I loved physics and the math, she said.

One of the accomplishments shes proud of is her work improving the safety of nuclear power plants around the world.

More for you RPI selects next president, will succeed Shirley Ann Jackson

While she was chair of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission from 1995 to 1999, the NRC implemented a risk analysis that determined which plants needed more frequent inspections. When the Soviet Union broke up, she worked with new countries to reconstruct the designs for their existing power plants and use the risk assessment to improve them.

I had the chance to have us play an important role with the post-Soviet countries and the post-apartheid government in South Africa, she said.

Taking on the presidency at RPI in 1999, she greatly increased its research capabilities, and the incoming freshman class has tripled. The 2022 class is the most- diverse of any RPI freshman class.

Her tenure at RPI, however, has not always been smooth. Critics have assailed her salary  which was more than $5.8 million in 2017  and the colleges efforts to restrict student speech on campus. Administrators have penalized students who hand out flyers without permission, saying they need to create a controlled environment and that students must get express permission to hand out anything in writing on campus.

The Times Union does not have a total salary more recent than 2017 for Jackson. The school said late Saturday night that Jackson's base salary before her departure is $1.2 million.



In the recent interview, Jackson focused on her efforts to improve the college. Her public relations team stressed before the interview that it was to be focused on her "contributions to Rensselaer and the surrounding community."

It needed a real shot in the arm relative to research and graduate education, Jackson said. Research and world-class education are always linked inextricably. Research drives the reputation of the university. It had not been growing in research as it should.

Research has more than tripled now, and the college is now implementing five new institutes focusing on research. One will focus on neuro-engineering, immune engineering, and regenerative and reparative medicine. Another will focus on ways to mitigate the effects of carbon emissions and climate change, while another will expand RPIs work on Lake George to other freshwater systems. There will also be a focus on advanced chip manufacturing and on artificial intelligence.

All are cutting-edge science and engineering topics. As a physicist at heart, Jackson is proud to have a legacy of expanding that research.

Its a lot that weve done. Im very proud, but nobody does it alone. I have an excellent team, she said.

She retires July 1. In retirement, she will be an adviser to the U.S. government on national security and a senior fellow at Harvard's Kennedy School Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.
SARATOGA SPRINGS  A debate over who and how the city should handle litigation exploded at the City Council table on Tuesday night after Mayor Ron Kim called out city Commissioner of Accounts Dillon Moran for his role as a witness in a federal lawsuit against the city.

Kim said it was inappropriate for Moran, the key witness for plaintiff and former city engineer Tim Wales, to participate in an April 1 settlement conference with U.S. District Judge Mae A. D'Agostino in which the citys outside attorney was authorized to pay Wales up to $100,000 of insurance funds. Kim said its a problem because Moran is not only a witness against the city but he also didn't notify city officials or the city attorney's office of the settlement negotiations.

Its imperative that no litigation is handled or resolved without the involvement of the city attorney or other members of the City Council who would have to approve any final disposition as required by the charter, Kim said at the City Council meeting on Tuesday. The citys attorneys office needs to be involved in that discussion. It has not been involved at this point.

Moran said the city attorney's office was notified: A March 11 email shows that city Risk and Safety Director Marilyn Rivers, who deals with insurance payouts, did notify City Attorney Anthony Izzo that Wales' attorney, Kevin Laurilliard, requested Moran come to the settlement conference as a witness for Wales.

"It's not my job to go make sure Ron's employee's read their emails," Moran said.

Moran shared an email with the Times Union from John Aspland, who is representing the city in the Wales matter, that states Aspland arranged for Moran to attend the settlement conference. Aspland also told Kim in an email that Moran did not negotiate terms for Wales' settlement. Moran has said the same.

Kim, however, said there is an appearance problem. In an email, Kim wrote to Moran that he doesn't "understand how bad this looks for you ... I am sorry you dont see the huge problem you have created for the members of this City Council by these actions."



This issue exploded in Tuesday's city council meeting in a testy exchange between Kim and Moran, both Democrats. It has also prompted Kim to seek to transfer Rivers to the city attorney's office. Kim wants all litigation to go through Izzo, who works in the Mayors Office. Moran balks at the move, saying insurance claims should stay within his purview in the Accounts Office.



Commissioner of Public Works Jason Golub said in Tuesdays council meeting that any transfer of personnel or duties should go through the citys human resources department and civil service commission.



Kim, whose resolutions attempting to resolve the issue failed, feels it's essential to clarify who handles litigation so appearance problems can be avoided in the future.

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The lawsuit against the city was filed after former city engineer Wales was fired in 2019 by late Commissioner of Public Works Anthony "Skip" Scirocco. Wales always alleged that he was dismissed because he backed Moran in a 2019 run against Scirocco, who was his boss. The suit alleges that his termination was a violation of Wales First Amendment rights. Wales also alleged he was discriminated against because he is hearing impaired.

Wales has already lost other similar claims in state court and later in the Appellate Divisions Third Judicial Department, which upheld the citys argument that Wales 2019 firing was justified due to his unprofessional, discourteous manner.

The federal suit has yet to be resolved. Kim said that is why it is vital to get the city attorney involved before the next court deadline in July.

"We have, I would argue, two different law firms under the same roof," Kim said. "(It) should be put together and essentially serve the city ... in the best way possible."
ALBANY  The teenage driver who was allegedly behind the wheel during the April 4 crash that killed 13-year-old Tea'Shawn Walker turned herself in to city police Friday morning to face felony charges.

She appeared hours later before Family Court Judge Sherri Brooks-Morton. Her family members were allowed into the courtroom, though a Times Union reporter was not allowed to attend the proceedings.

The teen, whose name is being withheld by the Times Union due to her age, was charged with second-degree manslaughter, criminal possession of stolen property, first- and second-degree assault, and unlawfully fleeing a police officer, all felonies.

The incident began in Arbor Hill when police tried to pull the car over after the owner had approached officers and told them that the group of teens were driving away in his vehicle.

A police supervisor terminated the subsequent pursuit, which began on Northern Boulevard near the former Livingston middle school, and at least two officers in separate vehicles continued following the stolen car after it smashed into another car near Pennsylvania Avenue. Video captured by a security camera from a business near the crash scene in the Warehouse District showed two police SUVs turning onto Broadway from Lawn Avenue moments after the stolen vehicle made the same turn; it struck a building moments later.

Less than two minutes elapsed from the time police tried to pull over the teens' car until it crashed on Broadway, about 1.2 miles from where the traffic stop was initiated by police. Law enforcement sources briefed on the investigation said some of the teenage passengers in the car told them that they had screamed at the 16-year-old driver to stop the car during the pursuit.

Walker, a student at William S. Hackett Middle School, ended up crumpled under the glove box in the front passenger compartment. Arriving officers pulled him from the wreckage and began administering CPR, but he died as a result of his injuries.

The teenage driver was 16 when the incident occurred. She was listed as a sophomore honor roll student at the Albany School District's Tony Clement Center for Education's high school program, which includes curriculum for children with behavioral issues.

In March 2020, the girl was charged with taking part in an armed robbery in Albany. Her co-defendant, who was also a juvenile offender, was sentenced to up to four years in prison  but he apparently served that sentence in juvenile detention because he is not listed as a state prison inmate.

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The girl's robbery charges were transferred to Family Court, where the records are sealed and the outcome of her case is not a matter of public record.

The state attorney general's office reviewed the pursuit and crash but ultimately decided the incident did not meet the criteria that would allow it to take jurisdiction over the investigation. According to an executive order signed by former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, the attorney general's office is empowered to investigate the deaths of unarmed individuals as a result of interactions with the police under certain circumstances.

Though Family Court proceedings are presumptively public, Brooks-Morton on Friday declined to delay the proceeding after the Times Union requested through a court officer to consult with its corporate counsel and the state Office of Court Administration in an attempt to gain access.

Under the rules of Family Court, Brooks-Morton only should have excluded the Times Union from attending the public proceeding after determining on the record that exclusion of the press was warranted under factors that may include: "the person is causing or is likely to cause a disruption in the proceedings," or, "the presence of the person is objected to by one of the parties, including the attorney for the child, for a compelling reason." The Times Union's policy is not to identify youthful offenders, so it's unclear what compelling reason, if any, the attorney for the 16-year-old may have raised with the court.

The judge set bail at $75,000 and scheduled a preliminary hearing for Thursday. The teenager was sent to a secure detention facility.
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.
We write to urge support for rejoining the Iran nuclear deal, more formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, among Iran, China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, agreed to in July 2015. By the terms of the agreement, Iranian compliance was regularly monitored by the International Atomic Energy Commission, which, along with our own intelligence agencies, instituted the most intrusive inspection and verification regime and repeatedly certified that Iran was complying with the terms of the JCPOA.



Instead of abiding by its terms, the Trump administration pulled the U.S. out of the agreement in 2018. Despite that, Iran kept abiding by the terms of the agreement until it eventually adopted the American strategy of trying to use pressure to get us to abide by the terms we had agreed to. When that failed, Iran gradually increased production of high-grade uranium.

Of course, some people cynically described that as Iran not living up to its agreement. But the reality was that we didnt live up to it. Iran was trying to get this country to comply with its terms.



Thats to no ones advantage. A nuclear Iran would force others in the region to seek nuclear weapons. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Turkey would be prime candidates to join the nuclear club if Iran does. The Middle East would become not just a nuisance, but a powder keg.



At a meeting at the Kennedy Center in February, John Limbert, himself both a former ambassador and hostage during the 1979-1981 Iran hostage crisis, responded to the policy of penalizing and isolating Iran with a reference to the great 13th-century Persian poet Saadi of Shiraz. Saadi wrote:



Have you not seen the cornered cat,

whose tiny claws will tear out the eyes of a leopard?



The implication is that Iranians don't want to fight, but can and will for their country. Put another way, Limbert was asking whether we are better off trying to corner them or living up to an agreement that had kept Iran from developing nuclear arms.



The Peace Corps Iran Association stated in a letter to President Joe Biden, The JCPOA worked and can work again to cut off all avenues to an Iranian nuclear weapon. A revitalized JCPOA with both the US and Iran in full compliance can reverse Iranian actions. But only if [the Biden administration has] the courage to make the final effort to reach agreement with Iran.



Iranian demands that we reverse Trumps designation of a portion of Iranian defense forces as a foreign terrorist organization are more about saving face than making any real difference, since the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps would still be subject to other U.S. sanctions.



Reactivating the JCPOA would be an important step for peace, guaranteed by extensive inspections and verification. We need to get it done.



The authors both served as Peace Corps volunteers in Iran from 1965-1967. Jeanette Gottlieb is president of the Peace Corps Iran Association. Steve Gottlieb is an Albany Law School professor emeritus. They live in Albany.






It would be troubling in any circumstances to learn that New York schools are failing to adequately train teachers to recognize possible mental health problems among students and know how to handle the situation.

It's even more disturbing to find this out right now. The nation has been rocked repeatedly by mass shootings by clearly troubled young men. The isolation and disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic seems to have only deepened growing mental health issues among school-age children over the past decade or so. And there's an acknowledged shortage of mental health providers.

Back in 2000, the state enacted the Safe Schools Against Violence in Education (SAVE) Act, which, among other things, required schools to do annual safety training for staff. The training is supposed to include 12 mental health components recommended by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services  warning signs of 10 kinds of disorders; information on whom to turn to with questions or concerns about a student's behavior; and how to access crisis support and other mental health services.

But as the Times Union's Rachel Silberstein reports, an audit by state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli's office found that in the 2020-21 school year, out of 20 districts sampled around the state, none met the state Education Department's Sept. 15 deadline to have staff fully trained. Only two  Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake and Canandaigua  offered staff the full required training. About a third of the districts did no training. Among districts that did do training, some kept records of who received it, some didn't.

If the audit's findings reflect the situation in the state's more than 800 school districts, it would mean that more than 720 haven't fully trained their staff, and some 260 or more have provided no mental health training at all.

Schools mainly blame the pandemic, and certainly, that year was an extraordinary one, with many schools teaching remotely or in hybrid arrangements. And while one might argue that the mental health training was all the more necessary during such a high-stress time, it's understandable that with everything else schools had to adapt to, some things just didn't get done.

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But with schools fully reopened, there is no excuse now, and all the more urgency that schools don't let this training fall through the cracks.

That said, however, the state has its part to do, particularly in addressing the shortage of mental health providers in New York. The state budget included about $143 million more for mental health-related programs, but most of it is for such things as a crisis hotline, inpatient hospital beds, homelessness outreach, and staffing at state-run psychiatric centers. It doesn't deal with the broader shortage of mental health professionals and staff in mental health facilities.

Training school personnel to identify children with mental health issues will do little good if there aren't enough people to treat them. Consider this unfinished business for a Legislature that may well have to return to Albany for a special session before the start of another school year.
The following editorial appeared in The Orange County Register:

Its unfortunate the Summit of the Americas being held in Los Angeles this week has been overshadowed by controversy over the Biden administration blocking the attendance of the authoritarian leaders of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua.

That decision led Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to boycott the event.

Although the summit involves a lot of posturing, its still important for the countries of the Western Hemisphere to get together and discuss matters of regional significance, from immigration to trade. Southern California, after all, has become the hub of the vast Pacific Rim economy connecting the United States, Latin America and Asia.

There is no doubting the destructive policies, and philosophies, of the governments of Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela. But merely barring them from a summit will do nothing to help the people of those nations. It does, however, cut off the sort of ongoing dialogue needed to pressure such countries to change their ways.

We already know that the United States tough stance toward Cuba has failed to bring about change. The sanctions against Cuba were imposed by President Kennedy to remove from power dictator Fidel Castro six decades ago. He remained in power until retiring in 2008.

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The experience of greater trade and other contacts with Eastern European countries in the 1980s, when they were Soviet satellites, should be the model. It showed greater exposure to U.S. businesses, tourists and diplomats was the best way to loosen tensions and promote movements for freedom. The people there started asking: Why cant we, too, enjoy freedom and capitalist prosperity? Soon enough, the Berlin Wall fell and the former satellites became free and indeed today most are part of NATO.

Vice President Kamala Harris portfolio includes leading policy on immigration from Latin America. She has emphasized economic development to help people flourish in their homelands. At the summit Tuesday, she announced more than $1.9 billion in new private investment in the region. For us, thats a much better policy than the counterproductive sanctions and hollow exclusions from the summit.

The best way to advance freedom is to practice it.
ALBANY  Gun store owners say sales of semiautomatic rifles are soaring before a new law takes effect that will raise the age from 18 to 21 and require a license for someone to purchase those firearms.

The surge in purchases may be an unintended consequence of a series of new gun laws that Hochul signed Monday in response to mass shootings at a Buffalo supermarket and a Texas elementary school.

The governor, in remarks last month, said that she would specifically target AR-15-style rifles like the one used in the Buffalo shooting, where the suspect illegally modified the weapon so that it could fire more ammunition rapidly. The legislation recently signed into law bans someone under 21 from purchasing any semiautomatic rifle  but it doesn't go into effect for 90 days.

A Capital Region gun store owner, who spoke on condition of not being identified, said his business has experienced a "200 percent" increase in firearms sales since Hochul signed the bill.

"That age group understands that theyre never going to be able to buy again and they have a 90-day window to purchase those firearms before the law takes effect," he said. "Theyre not buying ARs, but theyre buying semiautomatic rimfires, which theyll never be able to get again," he added, describing a type of gun that uses ammunition which has the firing pin in the rim of the cartridge.

"How does an 18-year-old purchase an AR-15 in the state of New York?" Hochul said last month at the New York State Intelligence Center in Rensselaer County, where she attended a meeting on the interstate flow of illegal guns. "That person is not old (enough) to buy a legal drink. I want to work with the Legislature to change that."

The gun store owner said a vast number of the customers buying guns are purchasing a firearm for the first time. Many of the customers include adults 21 and over who are purchasing semiautomatic rifles because the new regulations enacted by Hochul and the Legislature also will require the purchaser to obtain a license  similar to a pistol permit  in order to buy a firearm.

"The governor just created a mass of people who now own firearms but may not otherwise have purchased a gun," the gun store owner said.

The governor's office declined to comment on the apparent recent surge in gun purchases, instead issuing this statement: "Gov. Hochul worked with the Legislature to swiftly pass nation-leading gun safety laws, and were proud that for years to come these laws will help stop unfettered access to dangerous weapons, prevent gun violence, and save lives."

The State Police do not collect records of firearms purchases in New York. Gun dealers maintain a form generated by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives for each gun purchase that is subject to inspection by law enforcement. They also report "firearm" transaction to State Police but semiautomatic rifles are not classified as "firearms" under state law.

As the new licensing requirements take effect, State Police will create the forms that will be used for applications and amendments. The licenses will be issued by county clerks' offices.

New York law mandates that a person purchasing a firearm  except from a family member  also must undergo a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check to ensure they do not have a criminal record or have been flagged for an serious mental health problems that may prohibit them from buying one.

A record of the NICS check must be maintained by the gun dealer  for no specified period  for inspection by any peace or police officer.

Tom King, president of the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association, said he considers the new gun laws "window dressing on an attempt to prove to the constituents that the Legislature is doing something to make them safer. For 20 years I've been doing this and every year I heard these additional gun laws are going to make everyone safer. Until they want to deal with the root causes of the problem, they're not going to be successful."

When she signed the bills into laws last week, Hochul called gun violence "an epidemic that is tearing our country apart. Thoughts and prayers won't fix this, but taking strong action will."

"I am proud to sign a comprehensive bill package that prohibits the sale of semiautomatic weapons to people under 21, bans body armor sales outside of people in select professions, closes critical gun law loopholes and strengthens our Red Flag Law to keep guns away from dangerous people  new measures that I believe will save lives," the governor added.
Over the past two years businesses have been challenged to pivot and change how they look at business.

Lots of local businesses took to the world of online retailing and some realised the potential of international markets.

For businesses that had operated internationally prior to the pandemic and Brexit, the importance of re-establishing and expanding export markets is paramount.

Navigating how to and who to talk to can be overwhelming.

On Thursday, June 16 from 4-8pm at the Inn at Dromoland the Mid-West Local Enterprise Offices, supported by Enterprise Europe Network, are inviting businesses to come and discover all you need to know to start your journey from local to global.

The evening will be hosted by well-known RTE journalist, technology and digital entrepreneur, Aine Kerr, and promises to provide all the information, connections and resources needed to execute a successful export strategy.

Hear from a panel of successful LEO & Enterprise Ireland clients from Clare, Tipperary and Limerick who will share their experience of growth and exporting and discover common small businesses export challenges and how to overcome them from an expert panel.

Take advantage of FREE 1-2-1 mentoring clinics with export mentors and get some clarity on your exporting obstacles.

The event also offers businesses key networking opportunities with export support organisations like Irish Exporters Association, InterTrade Ireland, Enterprise Irelands Agile/Innovation Department and many more to learn how they can help your business with global expansion.

Whether your business is considering, planning or looking to increase international clients, this event is a priority. To book your place, scan the QR code, head to www.localenterprise.ie/clare or call LEO Tipperary on (052) 616 6200 or (052) 616 6456
RUC officers unfairly obtained confessions from four young men who were wrongly accused of murdering a British soldier, an investigation by Northern Ireland's Police Ombudsman has found.

Gerry McGowan, Michael Toner, Stephen Crumlish and Gerard Kelly, known as the Derry Four, were charged with killing Lt Stephen Kirby in Derry in 1979.

The four men later fled Northern Ireland until they were acquitted in 1998.

The men made a complaint to the Police Ombudsman that confessions they made were fabricated and that the interviewing officers had perverted the course of justice.

Ombudsman Marie Anderson said that the four  three who were then aged 17, the other 18  were subjected to a coercive and oppressive atmosphere and not given an opportunity to have legal representation before signing a total of 21 confessional statements.

The statements related to five terrorist incidents including the murder of 22-year-old Lt Kirby, who was shot dead by the IRA at Carlisle Terrace in Derry on February 14 1979.

The men also signed statements admitting involvement in a number of punishment shootings in the city in January and February 1979.

On the third day of their trial in October 1980, all four failed to appear having absconded to the Republic of Ireland. They later stated that they did not believe they would receive a fair trial.

They always protested their innocence and in December 1998 were acquitted and found not guilty of all charges.

In 2003, the men made complaints to the Police Ombudsmans office alleging that they were subjected to mental and physical abuse during their time in custody.

They complained that the confessional statements were fabricated and obtained by oppressive and coercive means including physical and mental ill-treatment, and alleged that police had threatened them and told them that family members would come to harm if they did not make confessions.

Mrs Anderson said: I am of the view, given the immature age and vulnerability of these young men, added to the serious nature of the offences, that an opportunity to access legal advice ought to have been afforded to them during their detention at Strand Road RUC Station.

I have been unable to establish a rationale as to how this may have delayed or hindered the police investigation.

Mrs Anderson also criticised the practice of allowing suspects to speak to each other during their detention. On two occasions police allowed suspects to meet to confirm that one had made a statement implicating the other.

She said: Whether by design or not, I am of the view that this had a profound effect on the coercive atmosphere generated during the interviews and the subsequent securing of confessional statements.

Taken together, the prolonged and repeated nature of the interviewing, the immature ages of the four young men, their inexperience with law enforcement, and the absence of access to legal advice or other support made them susceptible to compliance with those in authority.

I am of the view that these factors had the cumulative effect of creating an oppressive and fearful environment in which they made confessional statements.

It is my view that the confessional statements were not obtained fairly, but by coercion and/or oppression.

Mrs Anderson was, however, unable to conclude on a number of the allegations made by the four men.

These included that they had been threatened by police and told that members of their families would come to harm if they did not sign confessions.

Ten police officers interviewed in relation to these allegations denied any wrongdoing.

Given the conflicting evidence, I am unable to conclude on this matter, said Mrs Anderson.

Similarly, she was unable to conclude on allegations made by two of the complainants that police had threatened alibi witnesses.
An Alabama man has been convicted of criminal littering and ordered to pay $300 for repeatedly placing boxes full of flowers on the grave of his fiancee
Pictured is the First Presbyterians stained glass windows. Also visible are some displays that can be seen at the Titusville Historical Societys new space in The Parkside building.
Owen Krepps is a contributing writer for the Titusville Herald (when he feels like it) and a recent graduate from Robert Morris University. He grew up in Chapmanville and by the grace of God, will be moving 2,000 miles away from T-Vegas out to Boulder City, Nevada to start his new life covering the Vegas Golden Knights and writing for the Boulder City Review-Journal.
Whilst the plebs and halfwits are sending a bevy of love letters to this school boss . . . Here's the main reason that parents and politicos should remain skeptical . . .

KCPS TEST SCORES AND ENROLLMENT STILL RANK HORRIBLY!!!

As we noted earlier today . . . KC families have voted with their feet. If there was really progress with local schools we'd see more students flocking to the embattled institution  That's not happening as word of mouth amongst neighbors warns people to stay away.



Also . . .

REGAINING ACCREDITATION WAS SKETCHY IN A POST-COVID WORLD!!!



Overall . . . American public education is in the toilet after the plague taught us that school is mostly a place for poor parents to practice their politics.

Whilst local politicos are quick to cite progress for this paperwork accomplishment . . . It's fair that skeptical parents view mostly unchanged and awful test scores as a sign that the accreditation win was mostly a political decision from beleaguered Missouri officials.

In fairness, here's part of Dr. Bedell's statement and links to more info . . .



We have accomplished so much together these last six years. It has been a phenomenal experience working alongside all of you to achieve accreditation for our students. However, the time has come for me to move on personally and professionally. Today I am announcing my resignation from Kansas City Public Schools, effective August 5, 2022.



"I know this announcement may come as a surprise. When the KCPS Board of Directors took a chance on me in 2016, I promised to move this district to full accreditation. Together, we increased our graduation rate from 68% to 78%. We increased the number of KCPS students taking Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and dual credit classes by 44%  and quintupled the number of students who received college credit. Nearly 300 students have graduated from our Middle College program, many of whom wouldnt have received a diploma without support from KCPS, Metropolitan Community College and the Full Employment Council. Think about the lives we have changed as a result.



"After the Missouri State Board of Education restored our accreditation in January, I emphasized that the work would continue  and it will. What we have built over the last six years is a solid foundation of support for our students and families. I am leaving strong people and programs in place, and I trust them to keep moving KCPS forward . . ."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

'I think Dr. Bedell has done a wonderful job': Colleague reacts to KCPS superintendent's resignation KANSAS CITY, Mo. - News of the resignation of Kansas City, Missouri, Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell has garnered reactions of shock and sadness among many in the Kansas City community. "I'm certainly sad. I think Dr. Bedell has done a wonderful job for us," said Jason Roberts, president of the Kansas City Federation of Teachers and School-Related Personnel.

KCPS announces Superintendent Bedell's departure Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS) announced today that Superintendent Dr. Mark Bedell will be leaving the district after six years. The KCPS Board of Directors has voted unanimously to make Deputy Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Collier Interim Superintendent for the 2022-23 school year.

Dr. Mark Bedell resigning as KCPS Superintendent, district says in letter to families After six years at the helm of the Kansas City, Missouri, Public School District, Dr. Mark Bedell is stepping down as superintendent.Bedell has pushed the district through triumph and sorrow, from regaining the district's accreditation, to losing a student in a stabbing inside a middle school bathroom, and countless moments in between.

Kansas City Public Schools superintendent announces resignation KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A surprise for many families with students in the Kansas City, Missouri, School District: Dr. Mark Bedell will be leaving Kansas City Public Schools after six years as superintendent.

Dr. Mark Bedell named superintendent at Anne Arundel County Public Schools in Maryland KANSAS CITY, Mo. - After serving as the superintendent for the Kansas City, Missouri, Public Schools district since 2016, Dr. Mark Bedell is heading to Maryland. Bedell, who announced his resignation from KCPS on Thursday, was named as the new superintendent for the Anne Arundel County Public Schools district.

You decide . . .


Suburban tragedy tops the news tonight.



Here are the basics of local news reports . . .



The shooting was reported just after 4:30 p.m. near NE Trailwood Drive and NE Oakwood Drive.



The incident appeared to have unfolded inside of a home and is believed to be domestic related, said Sgt. Chris Depue, a spokesman for the department. Depue said police were not searching for any suspects.



Police said they are not looking for a suspect.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Two dead, one injured following shooting in Lee's Summit LEE'S SUMMIT, Mo. - The Lee's Summit Police Department is investigating a shooting that has left two people dead and one person injured late Thursday afternoon. The shooting was reported just after 4:30 p.m. near NE Trailwood Drive and NE Oakwood Drive. Police have confirmed with FOX4 that at least two people are dead.

Lee's Summit police investigating after 2 killed in shooting KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Police in Lee's Summit are investigating a shooting that killed two people and critically injured a third. Earlier Thursday afternoon, police responded to the call in a neighborhood just east of Missouri 291 Highway and Chipman Road. Responding officers found two people dead inside of a home in the area.

Developing . . .
Political movers & shakers across Missouri mourn a tragic loss in the aftermath of a recent KCMO car crash.



Meanwhile, this tragic story serves as a reminder to the rest of us on rising danger on local streets during Summertime . . .



According to court records, officers with the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department responded to a crash just after 12:30 a.m. Wednesday at W. 75th Street and Ward Parkway.



From Jackson County . . .

Police determined that the defendant's vehicle, a Jeep, was traveling at a high rate of speed as it approached Ward Parkway. It ran the red light and struck the victim's vehicle, a Mercedes Benz, in the side, at the driver's door. The victim, Remington Williams, was pronounced dead at the scene. A DUI officer determined that the defendant should be placed under arrest for Driving While Intoxicated. Tests of blood samples are pending.



Prosecutors requested a $200,000/10 percent bond.



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Man facing charges for DWI in deadly Ward Parkway crash KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A 31-year-old Prairie Village, Kansas, man is facing charges of driving while intoxicated and causing a crash early Wednesday that killed a student representative with the University of Missouri System Board of Curators. Jackson County prosecutors charged Zackary J.

Prairie Village man charged in Wednesday crash that killed recent UMKC Law graduate on Ward Parkway KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Prairie Village man has been charged in the death of Remington Williams, 25, a recent University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law graduate who also served as a student representative to the University of Missouri Board of Curators. Zachary J.

Developing . . .
A few readers who don't check our blog too closely requested a note on GEICO STD coverage.



We talked about it a couple of days ago but certainly don't mind a quickie recap . . .



The state Court of Appeals on Tuesday affirmed the multimillion-dollar payout against Geico that had been entered through arbitration after the company claimed errors were made in Jackson County Circuit Court . . .



Geico has decided to contest the decision in federal court, arguing that the claim is not covered under the policy.



In February 2021, the woman  identified in court papers as M.O.  informed Geico of her intention to seek damages after she allegedly contracted HPV, the human papillomavirus, from her then-beau in his car.

We're happy to note the federal appeal . . . Meanwhile, national news has a good laugh at the expense of a crumbling American justice system . . .



Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Geico must pay $5.2 million to woman who got HPV from sex in man's insured car, court rules Geico must pay a Missouri woman $5.2 million after she caught HPV from unprotected sex with her then-boyfriend in his insured automobile, a state appellate court ruled. In an opinion published Tuesday, the Court of Appeals for the Western District of Missouri affirmed the multimillion-dollar payout against the insurance company, best known for its ubiquitous TV ads that frequently feature a talking gecko.

Geico ordered to pay $5.2M to woman who claims she caught STD during sex in car A Missouri woman who claimed she caught a sexually transmitted disease when she had sex with her boyfriend in his vehicle has been awarded a $5.2 million settlement from her now ex-partner's car insurance company.

A woman got an STD in a car. Now Geico may have to pay her $5.2 million. MoneyWatch Geico may be on the hook for a $5.2 million legal settlement after a woman alleged she contracted a sexually transmitted disease in a car insured by the company. A Missouri court on Tuesday upheld a judgment that awarded the money to the woman, who is referred to "M.O."

Developing . . .
Dania Majid, a lawyer with the Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario, said she fears the decision to continue online hearings at the Landlord and Tenant Board may create barriers for some vulnerable tenants. - Andrew Francis Wallace / Toronto Star
(Left to right) Alvina Cassiani, senior dean, Longo Faculty of Business, Anthony Longo, president and CEO of Longos, Rosanne Longo, spokesperson and chair of the Longo Family Foundation, and Chris Whitaker, and CEO of Humber College, stand in the newly named Longo Faculty of Business and the Longo Centre for Entrepreneurship in recognition of a $5-million gift from the Longo Family Foundation. - Humber College photo
While the majority of outstanding mask mandates will expire on June 11, a number of hospitals in Peel and Toronto have decided to keep their policies in place. - Susie Kockerscheidt/Metroland
Eileen De Villa said she is resting at home and urged everyone to stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations.


(Photo: Julian Vera Film from Pexels)

Africa is a vast and incredibly varied continent, home to rich tropical rainforest, snow-capped mountains, wild coastal cliffs, and immense desert. Not only that, but it's also home to an astonishing diversity of wildlife species and a rich culture and traditions. So, if you're looking for an adventure of a lifetime, one that you'll treasure for the rest of your life, Africa is where you should go.

Below, check out this list of the best once in a lifetime excursion in Africa.

1. Tanzania

Tanzania boasts a stunning landscape with sweeping ocean views, breathtaking savannahs, and towering peaks, so it would be a shame not to visit this country on your excursion to Africa. Home to incredible wildlife species, most people would come here for a safari in Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tarangire National Park, and the Serengeti.

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area is one of the top destinations for a safari in Tanzania. It's home to a vast number of wildlife, including the Big Five, wildebeest and a hundred different species of birds. In the south, you will find the Tarangire National Park, another spot to enjoy a safari in Tanzania. While it may not be as popular as the other national parks in Africa, it's still worth coming here since it has a massive concentration of wildlife for every square kilometre compared to some other parks in Tanzania.

The Serengeti is the most popular destination for a safari in Tanzania and entire Africa. It's the oldest game reserve in the country and where many tourists would come to witness the famous "Great Migration", where more than two million wildebeests and other animals migrate towards Kenya's Masai Mara

2. Zambia

Zambia's scenery is varied, making it one of Africa's most interesting places to see. This landlocked country is home to the famous Victoria Falls, which lies along the border with Zimbabwe. It boasts several impressive natural sights to make your African excursion truly unforgettable.

Victoria Falls is truly breathtaking and something you should see at least once in your life. It's also the adrenaline capital of Africa, where thrill-seekers can get their fill of exciting adventures, from bungee jumping to white-water rafting! But if you're not keen to try these activities, perhaps, you can try the less strenuous ones, such as fishing, game drives, and sunset river cruises. After enjoying the spectacle of Victoria Falls, head to the Lower Zambezi National Park for a safari. Offering you the ultimate African safari adventure, the Lower Zambezi is known for its abundant wildlife, including buffalos and large herds of elephants.

Another interesting place for a wildlife safari is the Kafue National Park, especially if you are looking for a luxury Zambia vacation, it's the country's oldest and largest national park, and home to incredible wildlife, from lions to cheetahs and leopards. You can also go on a boat safari at the Kafue River, where you'll spot an interesting diversity of wildlife species.

3. Zimbabwe

While Zimbabwe may not be as popular as the other African countries, it offers many interesting places and exciting adventures. It also has its share of national parks to enjoy an unforgettable safari adventure. These parks showcase Zimbabwe's rich diversity of wildlife, which consists of zebras, lions, and elephants.

At Hwange National Park, you will have no shortage of interesting wildlife and stunning terrains to explore. Here, you will find the world's largest elephant population roaming freely across the park's varied landscapes. You'll also find rhinos and buffalos gathering in waterholes while the lions relax in the vast grassland. The other national parks in Zimbabwe to enjoy a wildlife safari are South Gonarezhou National Park and Mana Pools National Park.

Another reason you should choose Zimbabwe for your African adventure is the chance to enjoy the spectacular natural scenery. The country is blessed with stunning savannas, rivers, and highlands. Venture into the Eastern Highlands, where you can enjoy the breathtaking views of nature, then head to the Matobo National Park to marvel at the fascinating rock formations resulting from erosions.

4. Kenya

Whether you want to explore stunning landscapes or go on a safari, Kenya is a wonderful place to visit. More than a million tourists visit Kenya each year, and it's easy to see why. Visitors are falling in love with the country's incredibly diverse landscapes and a great variety of wildlife.

It might be worth booking one of the Kenya family safari holidays when going to Kenya, especially if you're travelling with the family. You can customise these luxury Kenyan safari holidays according to the places you wish to visit and the activities you plan to do. There's a good chance to spot the Big Five during your holiday to Kenya since the country is home to a large concentration of African lions, elephants, buffalos, rhinos, and leopards.

Just like in Tanzania, you'd be able to witness the greatest migration of wild animals in Kenya, especially when you visit between August and October. It's a truly spectacular experience, where you get to witness millions of wildebeests migrating from the Serengeti towards Masai Mara.

5. Uganda

Uganda might be small compared to its neighbouring countries, but it certainly has a lot to offer to those seeking once in a lifetime excursion in Africa. This is the home of the endangered mountain gorillas, and the country has the world's highest population of mountain gorillas.

For those who want to enjoy a hassle-free trip to Uganda, book the luxury Uganda family safari holidays. Expert travel planners will be happy to organise your trip according to your preferences. If you're here to witness the gorillas in the mountain, they can arrange the trek for you. The two gorilla trekking spots in Uganda are the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park.

Aside from the mountain gorillas, Uganda is also home to various wildlife species, from zebras to elephants, lions, and hippos. The country has national parks and various game reserves where you can have an exciting safari adventure.

See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018
Despite the losses, the Russian armed forces continue to conduct grueling high-intensity hostilities on a wide front.

"Despite the losses we inflict on them, the Russian armed forces continue to conduct grueling high-intensity hostilities on a wide front. In particular, in Sievierodonetsk direction, the enemy conducts assault operations to establish full control of Sievierodonetsk. The invaders have no success at the moment. In Lyman direction, the enemy gets ready to attack Slovyansk. In Bakhmut direction, the enemy continues to fire artillery, MLRS. The invaders carried out offensive, suffered losses, and had to withdraw their units to restore," Oleksiy Hromov, Deputy Chief of the Main Operations Department of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said during a briefing at the Media Center UkraineUkrinform.

According to him, in Kharkiv direction, the enemy focuses its main efforts on holding the occupied frontiers, inflicting fire damage on Ukraines defense forces.

In Kryvyi Rih, Zaporizhzhia, and Mykolayiv directions, the enemy pursues a positional defense, inflicts fire damage on the Ukrainian units, focuses its main efforts on holding the occupied frontiers. At the same time, Russians do not stop trying to resume offensive operations in these areas to reach the administrative border of Zaporizhzhia region.

If the invaders succeed, they intend to take full control of the territory of Kherson region, "capture the city of Mykolayiv and create conditions for the attack on Odesa," Hromov said.

The enemy did not take active action in Chernihiv, Konotop, and Sumy directions, and no signs of the formation of strike groups are observed.

There are no signs of the formation of enemy offensive groups in Bessarabsky direction as well.

In the Black Sea, according to the General Staff data, five cruise missile carriers with a total of up to 36 Kalibr missiles are on alert.

As reported, the Armed Forces of Ukraine eliminated about 31,700 Russian personnel from February 24 to June 9.

ol
Moscow boasts of new tactics in Ukraine and creates a fund for 1 trillion roubles to rebuild the Donbas.

The Centre for Strategic Communications and Information Security has collected the main fakes and narratives of the Russian propaganda for June 1.

1. Lukashenkos long-range special operation

2. How Russia stopped losing people at war

3. How much will Ukraines scorched earth cost Russians?

4. HIMARS vs. Smerch and Uragan

Lukashenkos long-range special operation

Belarusian state TV channel ONT showed the film Roads Home. It tells a story of an alleged special operation by the KGB to return Belarusian truckers from Ukraine, where they were allegedly held captive.

To evacuate the Belarusians, the heroic KGB involved Ukrainian security forces, including the SBU. This was done using money, personal interest and compromising materials.

Lukashenko personally approved the special operation by the KGB. On May 31, he awarded its participants.

On June 1, Ambassador of Ukraine to Belarus Ihor Kizim commented: The film is not about liberation, but about terrible and ruthless Ukrainians, the allegedly sell-out SBU and how bad things are in Ukraine. Anti-Ukrainian cliches are easy to spot in the film, as are manipulations, half-truths, double standards, etc.

IN REALITY, everything happened as follows. Ukrainian truckers negotiated with the Russians on the mutual exchange of drivers who ended up in Russia (Ukrainian ones) and Ukraine (Russian ones). It was agreed that the place of exchange would be a border crossing in Brest. The bus with Ukrainians would arrive there through Belarus, and the one with Russian would arrive from Ukraine through Poland. And here the Belarusian special operation began. When the Russians crossed the border and found themselves in Belarus, its border guards did not release the Ukrainians and set a condition that they would be released only in exchange for their people. They were put in a separate car with security. That is, they were effectively taken hostage. It doesnt matter whether they came up with this idea by themselves or together with Russians.

Is this film worth putting another portion of anti-Ukrainian propaganda into the information space of Belarus, once again unsuccessfully trying to make Ukrainians into the enemy for Belarusian society? Though if it is done for awards said Kizim.

How Russia stopped losing people at war

Moscow is still hiding losses in Ukraine. But ordinary Russians still have questions. They got their answer from the chair of the State Duma Committee on Defence, Kartapolov.

IN REALITY, one fact alone is enough to show that it is a lie: it was Kartapolov who came up with the law on lifting age restrictions for first-time army contracts. The law was passed as a matter of urgency in three (!) readings at once. Such laws are not adopted when there is no significant change.

More than two months have passed since March 25, when the Russian Defence Ministry declared 1,351 dead in Ukraine for the second and last time. According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as of March 25, the total losses of Russians amounted to 16,100 people.

As of June 1, there are already 30,700 of them. That is, during the time of no significant changes, as the Russian general claimed, the number of those KIA grew by 14600 people. And if we believed the official data of Russias MoD as of March 25, the insignificant changes wouldve amounted to 29349 people as of June 1.

According to the calculations by Mediazone (through open publications in the media and social media), there were 2227 reports about occupiers deaths that appeared after March 25. This is what Remarques All Quiet on the Western Front looks like as interpreted by the Russian propaganda.

How much will Ukraines scorched earth cost Russians?

Now the special operation in Ukraine is carried out in accordance with all guiding documents, combat statutes, instructions on the use of different types of troops and types of the Armed Forces. And this tactic gives tangible results, explains Kartapolov.

And what was it before, continuous guerrilla warfare led by the chief of the General Staff of Russias Armed Forces himself, Gerasimov? At least now the generals managed to find instructions dating back to World War II somewhere deep in dusty archives.

IN REALITY, the main tactic of the Russian army is scorched earth. The occupiers are destroying towns and infrastructure without sparing people, territories or buildings.

And this tactic is confirmed by the figures of material losses, calculated not only by Ukraine (over USD 600 billion), but by Russia itself.

Russias Vice PM Khusnullin said that a fund of 1 trillion roubles is established to rebuild the Donbas.

Earlier, by the way, the same target program was created for the occupied Crimea, which did not even need to be rebuilt. Today, 550 of the 900 planned infrastructure facilities on the peninsula are either unfinished or construction hasnt even started.

We have already written how Moscow decided to come up with its own lend-lease program calling it patronage over the liberated territories. Of course, nobody asked the residents of the Russian regions which were supposed to become the patrons. But they should. Consider the examples:

 Novosibirsk region is the patron of the Bilovodskyi rayon of LPR. At the same time, the budget deficit of the Novosibirsk region for 2022 is 15.9 billion roubles.

 Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug is the patron of Makiivka. The Okrug budget deficit is 33.5 billion roubles.

 Samara region is the patron of Snizhne. The budget deficit of the region is 6 billion roubles.

And there is also a semi-voluntary (but mostly forced) patronage over various half-ruined enterprises. So, ordinary Russians had better stock up on basics. And not because of sanctions (which will show their true impact later), but because the rebuilding (more like embezzlement) will take place exclusively at their cost.

HIMARS vs. Smerch and Uragan

And finally, here is how the tactics of Ukraines Armed Forces differ from those of the occupation army with its scorched earth. On June 1, it was officially reported that Ukraine would receive HIMARS M142 MLRS from the United States.

Infographic showing the whole arsenal of M270A1 and M142 HIMARS MLRS

The main advantage of M142 HIMARS over post-Soviet MLRS is about accuracy and speed. For example, the Russians would need 16 Smerch missiles or 12 Uragan missiles to cover a large area with unguided cluster munitions, hoping they will hit the target. The GMLRS missile, though, works like this: one shot  one hit, after which there are 5 more (in the case of HIMARS) or 11 more missiles (in the case of MLRS) in the container to hit the required number of targets.

IN REALITY, this is a classic of any offensive operation preceded by fire. Another thing is that its order may be different.

Classic WW2 instructions are what Russia is doing now: just dropping unguided bombs on everything along the front.

The West, on the other hand, carries out highly accurate, effective strikes on specific targets.

Thus, in addition to purely military advantages, there are also humanitarian ones. The temporarily occupied Ukrainian land will not become scorched earth when it is cleared of occupiers. And thats good. We still need to live on this land.
Today the key priority for Ukraine is to quickly obtain heavy weapons in order to defeat the Russian aggressor.

The relevant statement was made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at a meeting with United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace, an Ukrinform correspondent reports, referring to the Office of the President of Ukraine.

Today the key priority for us is to quickly obtain heavy weapons. This is important in order to defeat the Russian aggressor, to restore the territorial integrity of Ukraine, Zelensky said.

The President of Ukraine thanked the Secretary of State for Defence of the United Kingdom for the effective support for Ukraine by the UK government and informed him about the urgent needs of Ukraines defense forces in terms of heavy weapons.

According to the Office of the President, the parties discussed security guarantees for Ukraine separately and exchanged their views on the possible ways to unblock Ukrainian ports in order to prevent the global food crisis.

In his turn, Wallace assured Zelensky of continuing defense support for Ukraine and stressed the importance of restoring the territorial integrity of Ukraine.

A reminder that United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace paid a working visit to Ukraine on June 10, 2022.

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The last court hearing within MH17 trial took place in the Netherlands on June 10.

As an Ukrinform correspondent reports from The Hague, the court heard the parties.

Presiding Judge Hendrik Steenhuis announced the next hearing would take place on September 22 at 10:00 local time but would be formal. At that hearing, the court is expected to state when the judgment might be delivered. According to him, the court needs time to consider all the arguments, and the next probable date of hearing is November 17.

Today, the court heard a video address of Oleg Pulatov, one of the four defendants, who said he did not plead guilty to the downing of MH17 and the death of 298 people.

His lawyers called the charges unfounded and urged the court to acquit Pulatov. The lawyers also said that the prosecution did not pay enough attention to alternative versions of the tragedy.

As reported, the judgment in MH17 trial can be delivered on 17 November 2022 or 15 December 2022.

As reported, Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17, en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down over occupied area of Donetsk region on July 17, 2014. There were 283 passengers and 15 crew members on board. All of them died. The international Joint Investigation Team reported that the plane had been shot down from a Buk missile system that belonged to the 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces stationed in Kursk.

The defendants are Igor Girkin (Strelkov), former Russia's FSB colonel and former so-called defense minister of the "Donetsk People's Republic"; Sergey Dubinskiy, general (at the time of downing  colonel) of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces; Oleg Pulatov, lieutenant colonel of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces; Ukrainian citizen Leonid Kharchenko who fought on the side of the so-called "Donetsk People's Republic. They are considered to be involved in the transportation and combat use of a Buk missile system.

In March 2020, the District Court of The Hague began the consideration of the case over the downing of Flight MH17.

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Ambassador Michael R. Carpenter, U.S. Permanent Representative to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), has said that the United States will continue to support residents of the Kherson region and expressed confidence that Ukraine would eventually liberate Kherson, which Russia has now turned into a "laboratory of horrors."

According to an Ukrinform correspondent, Carpenter said this during a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna on Thursday, where the chairman of the Kherson Regional Council, Oleksandr Samoilenko, also delivered a speech.

"The United States will continue to support a sovereign, independent, democratic Ukraine with its territorial integrity intact. Let there be no doubt: Kherson will eventually be liberated, and its people will rebuild their vibrant democratic society," Carpenter said.

He also expressed confidence that those responsible for war crimes and other atrocities in Kherson and all other areas of Ukraine that have suffered under the temporary control of Russias forces will be held accountable and brought to justice.

"Chairman Samoilenko, the United States stands with the people of Kherson during these dark days, and we will continue to lead the world in providing Ukraine with both the weapons and humanitarian assistance needed to defend against Russias horrific onslaught, including through our historic Lend Lease Act. We will also continue to rally our allies and partners to provide the same," Carpenter said.

He added that only liberation from this tyrannical regime will bring peace and freedom to brave Ukrainian patriots who are fighting a struggle for their very survival. The diplomat said that the international community would never recognize Russias illegitimate attempts to hold a referendum or annex part of the Kherson region, which has become the Kremlins laboratory of horrors.

Carpenter also noted that Kherson is an economically vital region for Ukraine. If the Kremlin is allowed to achieve its goals in Kherson, it will not only have a launchpad for further attacks on Ukraines interior and its Black Sea littoral, but it will be in a position to slowly strangle Ukraines economy, he said.

"Control over Kherson helps Russia prevent Ukraine from exporting its grain and directly exacerbates the global food security crisis," Carpenter added.

Samoilenko on Thursday addressed the OSCE Permanent Council and informed the participating countries about the tactics of terror used by the Russian occupiers against residents of the Kherson region.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has met with UK Secretary of State for Defense Ben Wallace, who is on a working visit to Kyiv with his team.

The head of state announced this on Telegram, publishing a video from the meeting, Ukrinform reports.

Zelensky thanked Wallace for the visit and expressed gratitude to Britain, its government and Prime Minister Boris Johnson for helping Ukraine. He stressed that during the full-scale war, the United Kingdom demonstrated that it is a true friend and partner of Ukraine.

He noted that he often communicates with the British PM. According to Zelensky, the same warm contact is taking place at the level of ministers, as well as at the level of the Ukrainian president's chief of staff and the British side.

"I am grateful for true joint work. These words always turn to action, which is very important. Weapons, finances, sanctions are three things in which the United Kingdom has consistently shown its leadership in support of Ukraine," Zelensky said.

Wallace, in turn, said that Ukraine is able to drive Russian troops out of the eastern regions. Wallace also noted that the Russian fascist regime is on the verge of collapse, particularly in terms of military power.

Wallace said that Britain will continue to support Ukraine.

During the meeting, Zelensky presented Wallace with a military stamp "Russian Warship DONE."

On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the beginning of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russian troops are shelling and destroying critical infrastructure and residential areas of Ukrainian cities, towns and villages using artillery, multiple rocket launchers, and ballistic missiles.
Ukraine's Armed Forces demonstrate a high level of military competencies and courage in the war with Russia, but a number of reforms in various areas are still needed to gain NATO membership.

Polish Ambassador to Ukraine Bartosz Cichocki said this in an interview with Ukrinform. He was asked whether the way the Ukrainian Armed Forces are currently fighting brings Ukraine closer to NATO.

"It seems to me that everyone is impressed not only by their courage, but also by their competencies. After the battle for the Kyiv and Kharkiv regions and what is happening in the east, there are no questions regarding the level of training of your officers and generals and the courage of the soldiers. But NATO membership is not just military competencies," he said.

He noted that to become a member of the military alliance, it is necessary to achieve the effectiveness of the judiciary, carry out democratic reforms of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the Security Service of Ukraine and ensure the principle of equal competition in the economy.

The ambassador recalled that talks about all this had been going on for years, but they did not turn into concrete deeds.

"We all understand that Ukraine has taken powerful steps forward after the Orange Revolution, after the Euromaidan, and since the beginning of President Zelensky's rule. Huge reforms have been carried out  banking and land reforms, and we need to move forward in this direction," the ambassador said.

He added that the process was going in the right direction, but "it is clear that the war is complicating everything."
The Government of Montenegro adopted a decision to provide additional aid, including military assistance, to Ukraine.

As the Balkan Observer posted on Facebook, a corresponding decision was made on June 9 at the suggestion of the Ministry of Defense.

The Defense Ministry of Montenegro stated that it is a matter of continuing to support the preservation of the integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine.

The Ministry also stressed that Montenegro, as a full-fledged NATO member and a candidate for EU membership, as well as a sincere friend of the Ukrainian people, has condemned the unjustified and illegal invasion of a sovereign European state since the beginning of Russia's war against Ukraine.

"Montenegro's military and humanitarian aid testify to the selfless support for the brave Ukrainian people and their continued commitment to joint action against undemocratic principles," the Ministry stated.

It is noted that the specific necessary assistance will be considered in the near future in cooperation with the Ukrainian side and partners in order to provide Ukraine with the necessary financial, humanitarian, and military support.

On June 9, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky had a telephone conversation with Prime Minister of Montenegro Dritan Abazovic.

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Federal Chancellor of Austria Karl Nehammer says that the EU candidate status should be granted to Ukraine, provided that other applicants  the countries of the Western Balkans and Moldova  are granted this status simultaneously.

Nehammer made a corresponding statement during a joint press conference with Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas in Tallinn, Ukrinform reports with reference to APA.

"During his visit to Estonia on Friday, Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer made it clear that he would agree to Ukraine's EU candidate status only along with the status for other applicants," reads the report.

As APA informs, during the press conference in Tallinn, the Austrian Chancellor said that the condition for Austria is that if Ukraine is granted candidate status, "the same applies to the Western Balkans and the Republic of Moldova."

Nehammer also commented on the issue of talks with Russian president Vladimir Putin, saying that it is necessary to talk to all those involved in the war to end it.

Earlier, Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said he did not consider Ukraine's quick EU membership likely and called for a "European preparatory zone" as an intermediate stage between co-operation and full EU accession for countries such as Ukraine and Moldova.

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The leaders of the Bucharest Nine (B9) have called on Russia to withdraw its forces from the territory of Ukraine and ensure accountability for war crimes and atrocities committed in Ukraine.

They also expressed support for Ukraines integration into the European Union and determination to further step up their assistance for Ukraine.

The relevant declaration was endorsed at the heads of state B9 meeting in Bucharest on Friday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

We call on Russia to change its aggressive behaviour, withdraw its forces from the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine, ensure accountability for war crimes and atrocities, and return to act in compliance with international law, the declaration reads.

The Presidents strongly condemned Russias unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine, with the complicity of Belarus and using the Black Sea as a launch pad, which is a brutal assault on the rules-based international order, which caused one of the most serious security crisis in Europe in decades.

B9 leaders expressed their sympathy for the tragic loss of life and enormous human suffering and destruction, and pledged to bring to justice all those responsible for war crimes and atrocities.

The Presidents also reiterated their unwavering commitment to Ukraines independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.

We emphasized our continued support to Ukraines Euro-Atlantic aspirations. We also support the integration of Ukraine in the European Union. We are determined to continue and further step up our assistance for Ukraine, as a strong and democratic Ukraine is important for security and stability in Europe, B9 leaders stressed.

According to them, the Strategic Concept to be adopted at the upcoming NATO Summit in Madrid will reflect the new security reality created by Russias war on Ukraine, highlight the Russian Federation as the most significant and direct threat to the Euro-Atlantic security.

A reminder that, on June 10, 2022, the Presidents of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and the Slovak Republic met in the Bucharest 9 Group in preparation of the NATO Summit in Madrid.

Photo: president.pl

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A father from Haiti carries his son across the border between Mexico and the United States to seek asylum.  UNHCR/Nicolo Filippo Rosso

LOS ANGELES  UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, welcomed today an important declaration adopted at the IX Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, United States.

The 20 countries endorsing the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection pledged to strengthen national, regional, and hemispheric efforts to create the conditions for safe, orderly, humane, and regular migration and to strengthen frameworks for international protection and cooperation.

The Americas region is facing a human mobility crisis that is unprecedented both in its complexity and scale. No country can address this situation on its own, said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. The Los Angeles Declaration builds upon existing frameworks and brings us closer to a continent-wide coordinated response based on the principles of international cooperation, solidarity and respect for human rights, as set out in the Global Compacts on refugees and on safe and orderly migration.

In particular, UNHCR welcomes the commitment of states in the Americas to strengthen protection systems and guarantees that no one should be returned to a country where they would face persecution or human rights violations; the provision of access to fair and efficient asylum procedures, and the development of alternative legal stay or temporary protection arrangements. The Declaration, furthermore, acknowledges the positive contributions of refugees and migrants to the socio-economic development of their host communities and the need to promote their inclusion and integration.

At the same time, UNHCR recognizes the importance of regional initiatives that address the root causes of migration and forced displacement, and encourages states and other relevant stakeholders, including multilateral development banks, international financial institutions and other donors, to expand efforts to improve conditions and opportunities to prevent forced displacement.

Mixed population movements in and through the region are likely to continue, as the root causes of displacement intensify, exacerbated by the heavy toll that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on the regions most vulnerable people, the impact of climate change and the current global economic difficulties, said Grandi. These population movements are placing additional strain on already overstretched asylum systems, social networks and host communities. Urgent action is needed to help countries in Latin America and the Caribbean that, together, host millions of refugees, asylum seekers and displaced people.

UNHCR stands ready to support the implementation of the Los Angeles Declaration and to continue working with states, international organizations and civil society to strengthen access to asylum, protection and solutions for those in need, deal with the challenges posed by human mobility in the Americas and to the promote regular pathways for international protection and migration.

For more information on this topic, please contact:
Refugees and migrants adrift in a wooden boat wait to be rescued near the Italian island of Lampedusa in the Mediterranean Sea, 28 August 2021.  REUTERS/Juan Medina

While reported numbers of refugees and migrants crossing the Mediterranean to Europe are fewer than in 2015, journeys are becoming more fatal. This is according to a new data visualization released today by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.

Since a peak in 2015, in which more than a million refugees and migrants crossed the Mediterranean to Europe, the numbers of those making these journeys have seen a downward trend, even prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2021, 123,300 individual crossings were reported, and prior to that 95,800 in 2020, 123,700 in 2019 and 141,500 in 2018.

Despite the lower numbers of crossings, the death toll has seen a steep rise. Last year, some 3,231 were recorded as dead or missing at sea in the Mediterranean and the northwest Atlantic, with 1,881 in 2020, 1,510 in 2019, and more than 2,277 for 2018. Even greater numbers may have died or gone missing along land routes through the Sahara Desert and remote border areas.

UNHCR has continuously been warning of the horrific experiences and dangers faced by refugees and migrants who resort to these journeys. Many among them are individuals fleeing conflict, violence and persecution. The data visualization focuses specifically on the route from the East and Horn of Africa to the Central Mediterranean Sea.

In addition to the rising death toll at sea, UNHCR remains concerned that deaths and abuses are also widespread along land routes, most commonly in and through the countries of origin and transit, including Eritrea, Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Libya - where the overwhelming majority of risks and incidents are reported.

During their journeys, refugees and migrants have few options but to rely on smugglers to cross the Sahara Desert, exposing them to high risks of abuses. From Libya and Tunisia, many attempt to cross the sea, most often towards Italy or Malta.

In many cases, those who survive the journey through the Sahara and attempt sea crossings are often abandoned by their smugglers, while some of those leaving from Libya are intercepted and returned to the country, where they are subsequently detained. Each year, thousands perish or go missing at sea without a trace.

Calling for more action to prevent deaths and protect refugees and asylum seekers who are embarking on these journeys, UNHCR released an updated protection and solutions strategy and funding appeal earlier in April.

The appeal calls for increased humanitarian assistance, support and solutions for people in need of international protection and survivors of gross human rights abuses. It covers some 25 countries across three different regions connected by the same land and sea routes which are used by migrants, asylum seekers and refugees. At the same time, UNHCR is urging States to ensure safe alternatives to dangerous crossings and to commit to strengthened humanitarian, development and peace action to address protection and solutions challenges.

UNHCR also joined other UN entities in urging states to adopt measures ensuring that refugees and migrants retrieved at sea are disembarked in places where their lives and human rights are safeguarded.

UNHCRs data visualization titled No End In Sight is available here: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/07502a24ce0646bb9703ce96630b15fa

For more information on this topic, please contact:
 UNHCR

Geneva  UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) welcomed Ecuadors regularization initiative that is expected to benefit thousands of Venezuelans.

Ecuador is host to the third-largest Venezuelan refugee and migrant population worldwide. While a majority of the half a million living there are undocumented, Ecuadors decision to begin regularizing their status will start providing those that benefit from the initiative with legal protection and stability.

It will ease their access to rights, basic services and the job market, helping fast-track their socio-economic integration in Ecuador.

We commend Ecuadors effort in securing the rights and finding practical solutions for Venezuelans who have sought safety in the country, said UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi. In these increasingly challenging times for many displaced communities worldwide, the government and the people of Ecuador have continued to show strong solidarity and compassion, and above all, commitment to protect the rights of Venezuelans on the move.

As the economic and health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be felt in countries and communities across Latin America and the Caribbean, refugees and migrants remain some of the most vulnerable populations  especially those without documentation.

This initiative is one of the most pragmatic ways of eliminating barriers to a long-term integration. With a regular status, refugees and migrants can fully contribute to their host communities - something they have longed for years, said IOM Director General Antonio Vitorino. Diasporas play an invaluable role in the life and growth of host societies being a crucial driver for development.

UNHCR and IOM, as co-leaders of the Regional Inter-agency Coordination Platform for Refugees and Migrants from Venezuela (R4V), which brings together 53 partners in the country, reiterate their support to the Government of Ecuador in this initiative, and offer their expertise, capacity, presence and resources to keep strengthening the process and ensure no-one is left behind.

This is the second time Ecuador has moved to regularize Venezuelan refugees and migrants. Of those registered biometrically during a previous exercise in 2019, nearly 50,000 had their status regularized by 2020.

According to data from the R4V Platform, of the six million refugees and migrants who have left Venezuela, around half lack regular status. Around 80 per cent are hosted across Latin America and the Caribbean and several countries have adopted policies to regularize, protect and include Venezuelans in their communities and economies. These processes, coordinated through regular mechanisms such as the Quito Process, require significant financial support to succeed.

UNHCR and IOM call on the international community, development actors and international and regional financial institutions to provide sufficient and timely support to the sound commitment from Governments across the region in helping foster long-term solutions for Venezuelan refugees and migrants and host communities.
First, a hole appears in the shelters tarpaulin roof, then flames and billowing black smoke. In less than a minute, the tarpaulin has melted completely, and the entire bamboo structure is ablaze.

In the dry season that lasts from December until April in southern Bangladesh, fires like this one are an ever-present threat in Kutupalong  the mega camp that sprang up in August 2017 when more than 730,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar to Bangladesh in a matter of weeks.

The government of Bangladesh welcomed the Rohingya but has ensured the temporary nature of the camps with restrictions on the types of building materials refugees and aid agencies can use. As a result, virtually everything in Kutapalong, from shelters to learning centres to walkways, is made from bamboo and tarpaulin, both of which are highly flammable. In addition, the camps are among the most densely populated places in the world with very little space between shelters to act as a natural fire break. In 2021, over 150 fires were reported, the largest of which killed at least 15 people and burned down some 10,000 shelters.

"Our people are afraid of fire."

Fortunately, this one is part of a training drill, and refugee volunteers are standing by to put it out, first with a hose attached to a small three-wheeled fire truck, and then with fire extinguishers. They use hand-powered water pumps attached to backpacks to extinguish the last few embers.

Our people are afraid of fire, says, Mohammed Yasin, 35, one of the volunteers taking part in the training. They can break out at any time; we always live in fear.

Both Bangladeshis and refugees are exposed to one of the most disaster-prone calendars in the world, according to Mohamed Othman, who heads up disaster response for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, in Coxs Bazar. The fire risk in the dry season is followed by the risk of flooding and landslides in the cyclone and monsoon seasons.

The nature of the settlements, global climate change, the disaster calendar  all of these things add to the risks of emergencies, which is why we are focusing on preparedness and providing refugees with the tools to respond quickly when a fire or a flood happens, Othman explains.

The main responders to those emergencies are trained refugee volunteers like Yasin. This is one of the few humanitarian operations in the world where refugees are leading the emergency response, says Othman. Theyre the first responders. They are protecting their families and their communities.

Yasin has been working as a Safety Unit Volunteer for the past four years, fighting fires in the dry season and forming part of a cyclone response team in the rainy season.  UNHCR/Kamrul Hasan

A shelter built for the purpose is burned as part of a training drill for refugee volunteers learning how to control fires.  UNHCR/Kamrul Hasan

Rohingya refugee volunteers use a hose attached to a three-wheeled fire truck to extinguish a fire during a training drill.  UNHCR/Kamrul Hasan

The new three-wheeled fire trucks are better suited than traditional fire trucks to the narrow paths that criss-cross the camps.  UNHCR/Kamrul Hasan

All of the camp's 3,500 refugee volunteers are equipped with fire extinguishers.  UNHCR/Kamrul Hasan

The three-wheeled fire trucks, similar to the tomtoms that are the main form of transport in this part of Bangladesh, are a new tool for the volunteer fire-fighters. The small vehicles are better suited than traditional fire trucks to the narrow paths that criss-cross the camps. However, some areas are only accessible on foot.

We cant reach all the places where fires break out in time, says Yasin, who has been working as a Safety Unit Volunteer for the past four years, fighting fires in the dry season and forming part of a cyclone response team in the rainy season. When we get there, some of the shelters have already burned down.

Daniel Graham, a technical specialist with Helvetas  a partner organization of UNHCR  who is supervising the training, describes the three-wheelers as one part of a multi-layered response.

We burn four shelters every day for training, he explains, adding that a total of 3,500 volunteers will be trained to use the mini-fire trucks, two of which have been delivered to each of the camps.

Each block of each camp has several volunteers like Yasin who are equipped with a fire extinguisher, a helmet and some rubber boots.

The blocks also have fire stands with buckets and sand but so far, only seven of the camps have water tanks that can be used by anyone to collect water for dousing a fire before it gets out of control.

Othman said UNHCR and partners plan to install 50 water tanks in each camp. So far, the authorities have approved the installation of 15 per camp. We hope after installing those, we will be allowed to add the remaining 35 gradually, he added.

The volunteers, about a third of whom are women, are trained on how to safely put out a blaze, as well as how to rapidly dismantle shelters surrounding one that is burning to prevent fires from spreading.

Asked why he continues volunteering, despite the risks, Yasin says simply: These are my people, they are very close to my heart. It feels great to save their lives, and it also saves my life too.
YEREVAN, JUNE 10, ARMENPRESS. Foreign Minister of Belarus Vladimir Makei highly assesses the relations with Armenia in all spheres, in an interview with ARMENPRESS the Foreign Minister of Belarus noted that particularly political and economic relations develop dynamically. According to the Minister, the trade turnover between the two countries recorded unprecedented rate.

Vladimir Makei also spoke about the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, emphasizing that Belarus is categorically against the solution of the problem by military means, and that the conflict should be settled exclusively through diplomatic and political means.

- Mr. Makei, what issues were discussed and what decisions were made at the session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the CSTO?

- You know that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the signing of the Collective Security Treaty, and the 20th anniversary of the decision to establish the Collective Security Treaty Organization. Of course, these important dates leave a mark on the discussions related to the activities of our organization. Today you see the dangers and challenges facing the post-Soviet countries, including the member states of our organization. These are global challenges: climate change, pandemic, as well as circumstances that pose real threats to our organization, such as the situation in Afghanistan, the strengthening of NATO on the organization's western border, and so on. Of course, marking those jubilee dates, we are not going to be satisfied with the existing successes, on the contrary, at this session of the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers we discussed the issues of strengthening our organization, determining the organization's place in the new geopolitical situation in the context of international relations. We believe that our organization should be able to adequately respond to the challenges and dangers that emerge almost every day. We paid great attention to this issue at the Council meeting, first in a narrow format, then in an expanded format. We exchanged views on the development of international events. I informed about the measures that NATO is taking on our western borders. Unfortunately, we see an increase in tension, which is directed also against our organization. The number of NATO troops on our borders is increasing, the number of military exercises conducted by NATO every year is increasing, and so on.

We exchanged views on the mentioned situation, and agreed to work closely in the field of foreign policy of the organization. We agreed to hold closer consultations on topics related to foreign policy, military, security. Based on the results of this session of this Council, the program of relevant consultations for 2021-24 was signed, a corresponding statement was adopted on the situation in our region, which clearly states the need to create a principle of inseparability of security. The security of one state cannot be built at the expense of another state.

In general, the session of the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers held in Yerevan was full up, productive and fruitful. I am convinced that the decisions made within the framework of this Council session can serve as a good basis for strengthening our organization.

- Did you discuss the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and the issue of the invasion into the sovereign territory of Armenia in May 2021 by the Azerbaijani troops? What is the position of Belarus on the incursion of Azerbaijani troops into the sovereign territory of CSTO member Armenia? What solutions do you see?

- I would not say that this issue was directly discussed at the session of the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers. The Armenian side informed about the situation and developments in Nagorno Karabakh. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also touched upon this topic during the meeting with the foreign ministers of the CSTO member states.

The position of Belarus has been and remains unequivocal: we are categorically against the solution of the issue by military means. We believe that all such issues, conflicts should be resolved at the negotiating table through diplomatic and political settlement. The whole diplomatic and political toolkit should be launched so that any conflict, including the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, can be resolved as soon as possible. We believe that the agreements reached by the leaders of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia on November 9, 2020, create a good basis for resolving this problematic situation.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan informed about the process of demarcation and delimitation, which is very sensitive at this stage. We fully support the efforts made by the three countries for the speedy settlement of the conflict, as we see (Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also said about that), there are some encouraging points in this regard. Of course, we will fully support this process, given that the issue should be resolved as soon as possible; it must be resolved through diplomatic and political means.

- Mr. Makei, this year Armenia and Belarus mark the 29th anniversary of diplomatic relations. How would you describe the current level of Armenian-Belarusian relations? In your opinion, in which directions should the two countries work?

- I would describe our relations as a very, very high level and dynamic. Indeed, next year we mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of relations between our countries. We can state that the political relations between the two countries are developing very dynamically. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko regularly meets with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan within the framework of EEU, CSTO and CIS. And within the framework of those meetings, they discuss the issues of strengthening bilateral relations.

An interdepartmental consultation was recently held at the level of foreign ministers. I met with Ararat Mirzoyan a few days ago, and we also discussed the current state of our relations, the ways to strengthen them. Inter-parliamentary ties are actively developing, the sitting of the inter-parliamentary commission on economic cooperation was held recently. So, as for the political sphere, the relations are developing quite dynamically.

Trade and economic relations also register very high dynamics. For example, last year our trade turnover increased by almost 20%, reaching almost $ 100 million, despite the pandemic. There has never been something like that in our history. And during the first quarter of this year, the trade turnover has increased by 60%. This shows that there is a potential between the two countries, we intend to pay great attention to the strengthening of trade and economic ties. I must say that in this respect our embassies are actively working, therefore, a considerable basis has been created, our task is to further develop trade, economic, political, humanitarian ties, interregional cooperation, which is very important.

I am convinced that on the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations we will come out with new indicators, we will rise to a new level of our cooperation. But this does not mean that we should relax, let everything go its own way. No, I have talked to my colleague, we have agreed to instruct our Ministries to intensify our further relations. It will be a new impetus to expand and strengthen our relations in all spheres.

Interview by Karen Khachatryan
Natasha Valles and her daughters pose for a photo. (Left to right) Isabella Valles, Natasha Valles, Geneva Garner and Jadora Valles. The name GiJaBell's is a combination of Natasha Valles' daughters' given nicknames.
Date: 19 Jun 2022 - 19 Jun 2022

Time: n/a

Town/City: Mount Olympus, Greece

Christopher Stewart and Bruce Brebner are climbing the three highest peaks in Greece to raise money for Architects Benevolent Society. Their aim is to raise 2917, the height of Mount Olympus in metres.

Bruce and Chris will be climbing the three highest peaks in Greece culminating in Mount Olympus on the 19th of June. The mountains are located in the remote north of Greece within the Pindos and Zagori regions.

Their aim is to raise 2917, the height of Mount Olympus in metres, for the Architects Benevolent Society.

Please support them in raising money for this important cause.
The Business Incubation Centre University of Malakand (UoM) in collaboration with Small & Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) organized a one-day training workshop on "Youth Entrepreneurship Development," said a press release issued here on Friday

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Jun, 2022 ) :The business Incubation Centre University of Malakand (UoM) in collaboration with Small & Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) organized a one-day training workshop on "Youth Entrepreneurship Development," said a press release issued here on Friday.

The event was organized under the auspices of the National Business Development Programme (NBDP) of SMEDA. Students of the Department of Chemistry and other departments as well as faculty members attended the event at large.

The Resource Person for the event was Mr Imran Inam.

The students talked about the importance of entrepreneurship and its adoption as a career and vast opportunities available in different sectors.

The Vice Chancellor UoM Prof Dr Rashid Ahmad, who was chief guest on the occasion, highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship, various achievements of the university in the field of entrepreneurship, and the support he is willing to provide to student entrepreneurs.

He urged the students of UoM to engage in entrepreneurship/business startups.

Prof Dr. Sultan Alam Kakakhel, Chairman, Department of Chemistry, UoM also attended and extended generous support in organizing the training at University of Malakanad .
Russia "is not pushing anything on anyone" in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), and every decision is based on consensus and taking into account the interests of all members, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk said, 1lurer.am informs.

June 10, 2022, 12:12 Deputy PM Overchuk does not view EAEU as Russia's attempt to rebuild USSR

STEPANAKERT, JUNE 10, ARTSAKHPRESS: "No matter what they say, the EAEU is not Russia's attempt to re-Sovietize the region and to rebuild the former Soviet Union," Overchuk said at the conference titled 'Kazakhstan and Russia. Topical Areas of EAEU Cooperation' on Thursday.

Overchuk said that he often saw at meetings with foreign colleagues that they "do not believe that decisions are made by consensus at every level in the EAEU and the voice of the smallest country is equal to the voice of the largest one."

"No decisions will ever be made in the EAEU if at least one country believes that its interests are disregarded, ignored. No such thing is possible," Overchuk said.

He said earlier on Thursday that countries outside the former Soviet Union might eventually join the Eurasian Economic Union. "The EAEU should be viewed as an integration union whose primary objective is to develop harmonious economic relations in Eurasia with due respect for the independence of its members. This means one should not be surprised if countries that have never been part of the former Soviet Union join the EAEU at some point," Overchuk said

Currently, the EAEU has five member states, namely, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia.
PHNOM PENH, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Jun, 2022 ) --:Cambodia exported 105,048 tons of dry rubber in the first five months of 2022, up 3 percent compared to the same period last year, said a General Directorate of Rubber report on Friday.

The kingdom earned 168 million U.S. Dollars in revenue from exports of the commodity during the January-May period this year, down 1.

7 percent from 171 million dollars over the same period last year, the report said.

"A ton of dry rubber averagely cost 1,604 U.S. dollars within the first five months of 2022, about 71 dollars lower than that of the same period last year," Him Oun, director general of the General Directorate of Rubber, said in the report.

The southeast Asian nation exports the commodity mainly to Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore and China.
'sHertogenbosch, Netherlands, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Jun, 2022 ) :Daniil Medvedev defeated Ilya Ivashka in a battle of banned Wimbledon players on Friday to reach the 's-Hertogenbosch semi-finals and move closer to regaining the world top ranking.

The top-seeded Russian downed his 41st-ranked Belarusian rival 7-6 (10/8), 6-4 in one hour and 51 minutes at the Wimbledon warm-up event.

Medvedev will reclaim the world number one ranking from Novak Djokovic on Monday for the first time since March.

Medvedev and Ivaskha, as well as a host of other Russian and Belarusian players, have been banned from Wimbledon following the invasion of Ukraine.

"I don't have many points to defend on grass and I have some to win, so hopefully I can play well, starting here," said Medvedev.

"Every round is points and the higher you get, the more you need to step up."In Saturday's semi-final, Medvedev will take on France's Adrian Mannarino who won the most recent edition of the event in the Netherlands in 2019.

Mannarino saw off Brandon Nakashima of the United States 6-7 (5/7), 6-1, 6-4 in his quarter-final.
(@FahadShabbir)

Washington, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Jun, 2022 ) :With gun control under debate and monkeypox in the headlines, Americans are facing a barrage of new twists on years-old misinformation in their social media feeds.

Accurate news stories about mass shootings have attracted eyeballs but algorithms have also spurred baseless conspiracy theories from trolls who want to push lies to attract traffic. And thousands have unwittingly shared them on Facebook, Twitter and other sites.

The May 24 attack at Robb Elementary school in Uvalde, Texas was a "false flag" operation aimed at pushing restrictive gun laws, according to Telegram posts from supporters of QAnon.

Carl Paladino, a New York congressional candidate, was among those who shared a similar theory on Facebook, later deleting it.

Others misidentified a shooting victim as "Bernie Gores" -- a made-up name paired with an image of a YouTuber who has been wrongly linked to other major news events, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Experts say such misinformation is part of a pattern in which unscrupulous operators intentionally repurpose old narratives.

"A lot of this stuff is put together almost in this factory production style," said Mike Caulfield, a misinformation researcher at the University of Washington's Center for an Informed Public.

"You have a shooting event, you have these various tropes you can apply." Groundless claims of a "false flag" operation, which refers to political or military action that is carried out with the intention of blaming an opponent, can be traced back to the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

After 20 children and six staff members were killed, InfoWars founder Alex Jones falsely claimed the Newtown casualties were "crisis actors" -- people who are paid or volunteer to play disaster victims.

In November 2021, a Connecticut judge found Jones liable for damages in a defamation suit brought by parents of the victims.

But regardless, allegations of staged mass shootings have routinely spread from fringe online networks such as 4chan to mainstream platforms -- including the social media feeds of politicians such as Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene and, more recently, Arizona state senator Wendy Rogers.

Hoax posts misidentifying gunmen or victims as internet personalities have also become common.

In the race to capture online attention following breaking news, recycled narratives can be produced quickly and are easier for audiences to digest, Caulfield said. Content producers "make guesses" about what may go viral based on past popular tropes, which can help monetize that attention.

"When you spread this stuff, you want to be seen as in the know," he said, even though the information is demonstrably false or misleading.

- Copying the Covid-19 playbook - Similarly, false claims about the recent spread of monkeypox -- a rare disease related to smallpox -- borrow from Covid-19 misinformation.

Since the outbreak, social media posts have claimed without evidence that the virus is a bioweapon, that the outbreak was planned, and that microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is behind it. Others have falsely equated monkeypox to other viruses, including shingles.

Those claims resemble debunked conspiracy theories from the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Memetica, a firm that conducts digital investigations, has researched some of the top Covid-19 misinformation recycled for monkeypox. One widespread theory points to a 2021 threat preparation exercise conducted by the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) as purported evidence that the outbreak was planned.

That conspiracy theory is nearly identical to claims about Event 201, a pandemic simulation held in October 2019, that circulated online in early 2020.

"What was surprising to me was how similar (Covid-19 misinformation) is now to monkeypox," Adi Cohen, chief operating officer at Memetica, told AFP.

"It's the same exact story -- oh, this is all planned, it's a 'plandemic,' here's the proof." Some monkeypox theories have been shared by conservative figures including Glenn Beck and anti-vaccine advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr, according to Memetica's research. Both have previously promoted misinformation about Covid-19.

Cohen said such tactics may be an effective way to get engagement on social media, regardless of the falsity of the information being shared.

"It's the replication of what seems to work in the past," he said. "Why work hard when you don't have to?"
(@FahadShabbir)

Lisbon, June 9 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Jun, 2022 ) :Portugal has recorded its hottest May since 1931, with severe drought now affecting most of the country, the national meteorological office said Thursday.

"It was the hottest May in 92 years," the Portuguese Sea and Atmosphere Institute (IPMA) said in its latest monthly climate bulletin.

The average top daily temperature was 25.87 degrees Celsius (78.57 degrees Fahrenheit), "the highest since 1931", it said.

Rainfall in May was "much lower than normal", amounting to just 13 percent of the average for May recorded between 1971 and 2000.

As a result, there was a "very significant spread of severe drought", which has affected 97 percent of the country, the IPMA said.

By the end of May, 1.4 percent of the country was suffering "extreme drought".

Scientists say repeated droughts are a sign of climate change.

They are expected to become even more frequent, more prolonged and more intense in the future.

"This deficit in rainfall that we are observing is in line with the trend of the last 20 years, marked by more frequent dry periods as a result of climate change," Vanda Pires, a climatologist at IPMA, told AFP.

After a winter that was already the fourth hottest and fifth driest since 1931, Portugal's summer looks "worrying", she added.

From Friday the country is expected to experience "a sharp rise in temperatures", which could reach 40 degrees Celsius, said Pires.

The civil protection authorities warned on Thursday of "an increased risk of fires" and mobilised some 5,000 staff for the weekend.

tsc/bcr/pvh/ah
Gobekli Tepe, Turkey, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Jun, 2022 ) :On a sun-blasted hillside in southeast Turkey, the world's oldest known religious sanctuary is slowly giving up its secrets.

"When we open a new trench, we never know what to expect," said Lee Clare of the German Archaeology Institute, who has been excavating there since 2013.

"It is always a big surprise." Gobekli Tepe, which means "Potbelly Hill" in Turkish, is arguably the most important archaeological site on Earth.

Thousands of our prehistoric ancestors gathered around its highly-decorated T-shaped megalith pillars to worship more 7,000 years before Stonehenge or the earliest Egyptian pyramids.

"Its significance is hard to overstate," Sean Lawrence, assistant professor of history at West Virginia University, told AFP.

Academics believe the history of human settlement began in these hills close to the Syrian border some 12,000 years ago when groups of Stone Age hunter gatherers came together to construct these sites.

Gobekli Tepe -- which some experts believe was never actually inhabited -- may be part of a vast sacred landscape that encompasses other nearby hilltop sites that archaeologists believe may be even older.

- Endless mystery - None of which anyone would have guessed before the German archeologist and pre-historian Klaus Schmidt began to bring the first discoveries to the surface in 1995.

German and Turkish archaeologists have been labouring in the sun there since, with lengthening queues of tourists now joining them to ponder its many mysteries.

When exactly it all began is even unclear.

"Exact years are nearly impossible to verify," Lawrence said.

"However, the oldest Egyptian monument, the Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, was built around 2700 BCE," more than seven millennia after Gobekli Tepe.

"This was the end of what is often thought of as Stone Age hunter gatherer societies and the beginning of settled societies," Lawrence added.

"There remain endless mysteries surrounding the site, including how labour was organised and how the sites were used," he said.

Gobekli Tepe has even inspired the Netflix sci-fi psychological thriller series "The Gift", which turns on one of the ancient inscriptions on its pillars.

Schmidt -- who often wore a white traditional turban on the dig -- puzzled over the megaliths carved with the images of foxes, boars, ducks, lizards and a leopard for over two decades until his early death at the age of 61 in 2014.

- 'Zero point in time' - The site was initially believed to be purely ritual in nature. But according to Clare, there is now "good evidence" for the beginning of settled life with some buildings similar to those of the same age found in northern Syria.

Turkey -- which in the past has not been renowned for making the best of its vast archaeological heritage -- has wholeheartedly embraced the discoveries.

The items excavated from Gobekli Tepe are shown in the impressive archaeological museum in the nearest city, Sanliurfa, which is itself so ancient that Abraham is believed to have been born there.

Indeed its new museum built in 2015 boasts "the most extensive collection of the neolithic era in the world," according to its director Celal Uludag. "All of the portable artifacts from Gobekli Tepe are exhibited here." "This is a journey to civilisation, (to the) zero point in time," said Aydin Aslan, head of Sanliurfa Culture and Tourism Directorate.

"Gobekli Tepe sheds light on pre-history, that's why it's a common heritage of humanity," he said proudly.

- 'Go deeper' - Last year Turkey's culture ministry boosted funding for furher excavations in the region as a part of its "Stone Hills" project, including cash for the Karahan Tepe hilltop site -- around 35 kilometres from Gobekli Tepe -- which some suspect is even older.

"We will now go deeper because Gobekli Tepe is not the one and only," Culture Minister Nuri Ersoy said last year.

The extra funding "gives us a fantastic opportunity to compare our results from Gobekli Tepe with new sites in the Sanliurfa region of the same age," Clare said.

Gobekli Tepe has also breathed life back into a poor and long neglected region, which has been further hit by the civil war just across the border. Syrian refugees now make up a quarter of Sanliurfa's population.

Over one million tourists visited Sanliurfa in 2019 and the city expects to reach pre-pandemic levels this year.

"Today Gobekli Tepe has started directly touching the economy of the city," Aslan said, who hopes that its glorious past could be a key part of the city's future.
Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani along with members of the Senate belonging to all political parties in the Senate recorded protest in front of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad against blasphemous statement of BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Jun, 2022 ) :Chairman Senate Muhammad Sadiq Sanjrani along with members of the Senate belonging to all political parties in the Senate recorded protest in front of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad against blasphemous statement of BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.

Sadiq Sanjrani said that all Muslims are ready to sacrifice everything for the sake of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), said a press release issued here on Friday.

He said that such sacrilegious remarks are not acceptable and should be condemned in strongest possible terms.

Sadiq Sanjrani said Nupur Sharma's statement has not only hurt the Muslim Ummah but has also exposed the ugly face of Indian government to the world.

The blasphemous statement of the spokesperson has been strongly condemned by both the houses and the people of Pakistan expressing their deep grief and anger, he added.

He said that millions of Muslims in the Islamic world are ready to sacrifice their lives and property for the sake of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

Leader of the Opposition in Senate, Dr. Shahzad Waseem and other senators in their speeches strongly condemned the blasphemous statement Senator Keshoo Bai and Danesh Kumar said that no religion allows such disrespect of any other religion.

They said minorities in Pakistan enjoy complete religious freedom and have never been subjected to religious harassment by Muslims.

In Pakistan, people of all religions perform their religious rites with complete freedom, they added.

Deputy Chairman Senate Mirza Muhammad Afridi, Leader of Opposition Dr. Shahzad Waseem, Moulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri, Azam Swati, Fowzia Arshad, Seemee Ezdi, Abdul Qadir and others were also accompanying Chairman Senate.
Chairman Pakistan Hi-Tech Hybrid Seed Association (PHHSA) Shahzad Ali Malik Friday welcomed the withdrawal of 17 per cent sale tax (ST) on all kinds of seeds in the budget

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Jun, 2022 ) :Chairman Pakistan Hi-Tech Hybrid Seed Association (PHHSA) Shahzad Ali Malik Friday welcomed the withdrawal of 17 per cent sale tax (ST) on all kinds of seeds in the budget.

He said it would boost agricultural production manifold in the country to meet the ever-increasing staple food needs of growing population in the wake of impending threat of food insecurity.

In a statement issued here, he said entire agriculture sector had expressed their gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Federal Finance Minister Miftah Ismail and especially Governor Punjab Baligh-ur-Rehman, who put up their genuine case with the prime minister and convinced him that levy of 17 per cent on all kinds of seeds was injustice to the poor farmers.

Shahzad said the PM was kind enough to accept their demand and promised to abolish it in the budget. He said now withdrawal of sale tax on seeds would encourage farmers, especially rice growers, to use the best quality hi-tech hybrid seeds, which he said would definitely increase crops yield. He said hi-tech hybrid seed technology had revolutionised the farming sector.
(@FahadShabbir)

Greek shipowners, the sector's leaders in Europe, criticized the EU's greenhouse gas emissions plan on Friday as a threat to the competitiveness of the bloc's fleet and called for global rules instead

Athens, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Jun, 2022 ) :Greek shipowners, the sector's leaders in Europe, criticized the EU's greenhouse gas emissions plan on Friday as a threat to the competitiveness of the bloc's fleet and called for global rules instead.

The EU's "Fit for 55" package aims to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030.

The head of the Union of Greek Shipowners, Melina Travlos, said the proposals would "strike at the competitiveness of European shipping" by increasing operating costs.

"We insist solutions must be international and under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization," Travlos told reporters on the closing day of the Posidonia exhibition, Greece's premier shipping fair.

According to UGS figures, Greek shipowners control almost 21 percent of the world's tonnage and 59 percent of the EU fleet.

"We should be careful on how we handle European shipping," Travlos said.

"The (shipbuilding) industry in Europe, which used to be very strong, has left," she said.

"It left because Europe essentially chased it out... at this rate, shipping will also leave for the East." The EU's climate plan was dealt a setback this week when the European Parliament voted against a key part of the legislation, its carbon trading system.

Travlos on Friday also defended Greek shipowners who continue to carry Russian crude oil, amid international outrage over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February.

"Of course we all condemn any violent acts, such as what is happening now from Russia towards Ukraine. But we cannot comment on any legal commercial activity," she said.

"Greek shipping is not doing something illegal. It has broken no embargo. Whenever sanctions are imposed, we are the first to respect them," the UGS president said.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis last month said shipowners "may talk to (their) conscience" about transporting Russian oil and other goods, though he admitted there was no ban on the practice.
The isolation of Russia, even as far as technology goes, is impossible, despite such schemes by unfriendly countries, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday, Tass informs.

June 10, 2022, 10:15 Kremlin dismisses isolation of Russia as impossible

STEPANAKERT, JUNE 10, ARTSAKHPRESS: "No one is talking about isolation. It is impossible to isolate Russia, despite the fact that countries unfriendly, or rather hostile to us, are trying to isolate us economically, politically, and in the sphere of trade. They cannot and will not succeed, because in today's world it is impossible to isolate a country, especially such a huge country like Russia."

The Kremlin spokesman also stressed that no country would want to isolate itself.

When commenting on the RBC news column by Russian Special Presidential Envoy for Digital Development Dmitry Peskov on the need to strengthen the countrys digital and technological sovereignty, the Kremlin spokesman called his namesake "a proven expert who holds fairly wide clout and is a strong authority in his field."

"Now everyone is expressing different points of view on the subject of our technological and economic sovereignty. In general, because everything is changing in the world, in politics, security, trade, and in the economy, so everyone is interested in this issue. This is an issue for discussion. I am sure that this topic will be widely discussed at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum as well," the Kremlin spokesman concluded.
An international conference promoted by the World Union of Catholic Womens Organisations (WUCWO/UMOFC) is scheduled to take place on 14 June at the Palazzo Altieri in Rome.

By Benedict Mayaki SJ

The WUCWO event will provide the opportunity for the Organization to present the World Womens Observatory and its work in Latin America and Africa, as well as its first report on the Impact of Covid-19 on Women in Latin America and the Carribean.

Speakers at the occasion include Cardinal Marc Ouellet, Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops and President of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, Archbishop Miguel Cabrejos Vidarte, OFM, President of the Episcopal Conference of Latin America (CELAM), Sr. Alessandra Smerilli, Secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and delegate for the Vatican Covid-19 Commission, and Prof. Emilce Cuda, Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

The conference is organized by WUCWO, in collaboration with the Episcopal Conference of Latin America (CELAM), under the patronage of the Embassies to the Holy See of Argentina, Australia, Austria, Colombia, Haiti, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

World Womens Observatory

The World Womens Observatory (WWO) is aimed at giving visibility to women, particularly the most vulnerable who seem to be invisible both for their suffering and their potential, reads a statement announcing the conference.

In this way, the WWO will inspire and generate pastoral strategies, synergies between NGOs, renew public policies and contribute to the international agenda in order to promote integral human development of women, their families, communities and peoples.

The President General, Maria Lia Zervino explains that they started by listening to the women in Latin America and are now starting to work in Africa.

It opens up the possibility of gathering the suffering and resilience of so many women who seem to be invisible to the rest of the world, she said.
Defiant South Korean truckers embarked on broader and more aggressive strike action on Friday, threatening to severely curtail deliveries of raw materials for semiconductors and petrochemical products.

Entering its fourth day, the strike protesting soaring fuel costs halved production at Hyundai Motor Co's biggest factory complex on Thursday and has disrupted shipments for a range of companies including steelmaking giant POSCO Container traffic at ports has also slowed sharply. At Busan port, which accounts for 80% of the country's container activity, traffic was down to a third of normal levels on Friday, a government official said.

At Incheon port, it has fallen to 20% of normal levels while at the port for Ulsan, the industrial hub where much of the strike action has occurred, container traffic has been completely suspended since Tuesday.

Some 7,500 members, or about 35% of the Cargo Truckers Solidarity union, are expected to be on strike on Friday, the transport ministry said. The government estimates that about 6% of the country's 420,000 truck drivers belong to a union.

The union has contended that the numbers on strike are much higher than government estimates and that many non-union truckers are also refusing to work.

South Korea is a major supplier of semiconductors, smartphones, autos, batteries and electronics goods and the latest industrial action further raises uncertainty over global supply chains already disrupted by China's strict COVID restrictions and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Faced with one of his first big economic challenges, new President Yoon Suk-yeol has taken what he calls a neutral stance, saying the government should not be involved too much.

That has alarmed some observers, who say Yoon's remarks could hinder the government's ability to come up with a solution.

"The government needs to review the union's demands. They don't need to accept them all, but I think they could make the situation a bit easier if they could consider giving out subsidies so truckers can deal with soaring fuel prices," said Shin Se-don, an economics professor at Sookmyung Women's University.

The union said a meeting with the government on Friday ended without an agreement and they would meet again on Saturday.

HYUNDAI HINDERED

Share prices of major companies have been little affected on the view that the firms have sufficient inventories to ride out the strike for the time being.

Kim Gyeong-dong, a trucker union official, said the union ran out of funds to finance the strike on Thursday and that it was unlikely that the strike could last another 10 days.

Some companies were, however, looking to make new contingency plans.

"If the strike continues next week, then we need to reassess our handling of shipments," said an official at a major South Korean electric vehicle (EV) battery maker, declining to be identified due to the sensitivity of the subject.

Among new actions, truckers plan to stop shipments of raw materials for semiconductors that are produced in Ulsan, Park Jeong-tae, a senior truckers union official, told Reuters on Friday.

Chipmakers Samsung Electronics Co and SK Hynix declined to comment.

Park added that the number of vehicles entering a big Ulsan petrochemical complex has been cut to one-tenth of normal levels and truckers would be telling non-union truckers not to enter the complex. The union also plans more stringent strike action at other petrochemical complexes across the country.

Some 1,000 truckers were protesting at Hyundai Motor's main complex in Ulsan on Friday, a Reuters witness reported.

"There are some disruptions to our production due to the truckers strike, and we hope production would be normalised as soon as possible," a Hyundai spokesperson said.

Hyundai normally makes about 6,000 vehicles a day at its plants in Ulsan, including the high-margin Genesis SUV and Ioniq 5 EV.

The truckers, regarded as self-employed contractors in South Korea, are seeking pay increases and a pledge that an emergency measure guaranteeing freight rates would be extended. The emergency measure was introduced during the pandemic and is due to expire in December.

Police said around 30 union members have been arrested so far.
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The Ukrainian commander in Sievierodonetsk says his forces are taking to the street to counter Russias artillery advantage. US Officials say theyre helping move Ukrainian grain to Africa, but is that enough to stop the continent from purchasing Russian grains? And a Ukrainian YouTuber sharing life in the conflict.
History has demonstrated over and over again that all it takes for mighty empires to crumble and fall is one fatal mistake

Years ago, I had enraged my mother by getting a fringe cut, like the one popularised by a movie star named Sadhana. In fact, across India, the Sadhana cut was a craze, and frankly, it looked gross. This week has been dominated by a different sort of fringe -- the one that has elements in it. Suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled head of the partys Delhi media unit, Naveen Kumar Jindal, were disingenuously described as fringe elements by the BJPs top guns, after both committed epic boo-boos that India will be forced to deal with for a while to come. At the moment, we are in the khachra ka dabba, with countries like Libya, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan, Bahrain and Afghanistan joining Qatar, Kuwait and Iran in condemning the culprits (Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal) who have landed the nation in one of the most embarrassing diplomatic debacles in recent memory. Rahul Baba, pretty fringe himself, has added his two bits worth to the debate saying that Fringe is the BJPs core.

Merely dismissing off the two loudmouths with that snooty put down (fringe elements) is like ticking off juvenile sex offenders by calling them over active. It means nothing, given the gravity of the crisis. Fringe elements have no business to be in such sensitive positions to begin with. Photographs of Nupur Sharma with all the BJP top brass went viral right after her gaffe in a television debate. BJP netas follow Ms Sharma on Twitter. Call that fringe? Come on, damage control wing of the BJP -- you can do better. One assumes the party had nominated Ms Sharma and Mr Jindal to these key posts after conducting due diligence. Were they unaware of their hateful anti-Muslim leanings? Or were they picked BECAUSE of them? This is where the problem lies. Did they get their posts by default or by design? Their rabid, anti-Muslim utterings have taken them places in the past. Perhaps they were even rewarded for crossing all lines of civility. But this time, their unspeakably awful comments backfired -- and how! Did they expect to be shielded yet again after shooting their mouths off and triggering an avalanche of global condemnation and criticism? For the first few days after making those outrageous remarks claiming that they were provoked, there was radio silence from the bosses.

History has demonstrated over and over again that all it takes for mighty empires to crumble and fall is one fatal mistake. Is this that mistake? The carefully constructed BJP narrative seems to be on shaky grounds after this major international faux pas. All the official rhetoric has crumbled, after the duo shot themselves (and the country) in the foot. Maybe a pat on the back was privately given -- well never know.

Such demonic grand standing is not unique. Every political party recruits, trains and richly rewards barking canines who spout hatred and cause irreparable rifts. Some favourite canines are given important designations with matching perks, while others do it gratis in order to suck up to the bosses and show them how far theyre willing to go to curry favour. Chamchagiri and exceeding the brief comes easily to desis. Toadies move up much faster in the food chain, than those who play safe. However, in this instance, the BJP has a gigantic omlette on its face, given the open snub India had to deal with, when the Deputy Emir of Qatar cancelled a scheduled dinner with Indias vice-president (M. Venkaiah Naidu) who was on a state visit. Health grounds were cited for the cancellation. Clumsy apologies did nothing to mollify the miffed Middle East rulers, who did not mince words when condemning the comments and accusing the Indian authorities of a slow response. Irony: some of these rulers are guilty of far worse transgressions.

But must we follow the bad example of illiberal countries to justify our insults to other religions?

Frankly, who can blame Ms Sharma and Mr Jindal for their total lack of decency?

They mustve genuinely believed they were doing their jobs and putting the Muslims in their place. Its a terrible and common stance taken by flunkies out to impress their bigoted netas. But the scary thing is that they do what they do at someones bidding! But wait -- the real problem is with the original tune -- not the chorus! If officially appointed spokespersons can be suspended and called fringe elements, what does that say about those who had appointed them?

I put out a tweet about the fringe but tagged the wrong Sharma. Within seconds the other Sharma had hit back, calling me a botoxed floozie and worse. I think she was upset I didnt know who she was! Oh well thats the pathetic ego level we are dealing with on a daily basis. At the time of writing, some sort of a truce has been brokered with our allies in the Middle East. We are interdependent after all, and can hardly afford a long standoff given the precarious global situation right now. Kissing and making up this time around is not going to be a cakewalk too many self-goals have made India vulnerable at a time when we were holding our own pretty smartly, and scoring big on foreign policy. Try as we might, sweeping this diplomatic disaster under the carpet is going to take a lot of doing. We have literally played into the hands of India-baiters and given the critics enough ammo to gun for us globally. Meanwhile, the disgraced fringe elements may have been advised to lie low and wait for this nasty imbroglio to end. Im taking a small bet they will soon be accommodated and welcomed back into the fold, once the heat is turned off. Lets not make a vamp out of Nupur Sharma nor call Naveen Kumar Jindal a villain -- they are mere puppets and mouthpieces, and were not speaking in their personal capacity. Sacking them will not solve a thing. It only deflects attention from the real culprits, and lets them off the hook.

The international community is watching what happens next. Meticulously curated hate has raised its ugly head once again, and civil society in India is mortified. Has the nations mood made a paradigm shift? Will the suppliant desi press prostrate still further and keep groveling? Will at least a few independent voices speak up and openly condemn those who insult religious sentiments? How long will we pretend that we have nothing to do with this obnoxious Fringe Festival of Hate?

Has India finally reached the tipping point?
U.S. President Joe Biden is hosting the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles this week, bolstering engagement with leaders of Latin America and the Caribbean  regions where China is making deep economic and diplomatic inroads.

The administration is offering a series of economic, health and climate initiatives that it hopes will counter Beijing's growing influence and strengthen democratic partners  an approach similar to Biden's strategy toward Indo-Pacific countries during his trip to Asia last month.

In both regions, Biden's message is that countries will benefit by aligning themselves to his vision of economic prosperity: strengthening the middle class while committing to democracy, human rights, respect for the environment and the "international rules-based order."

"Trickle-down economics does not work," Biden repeatedly remarked during the summit, referring to the theory that financial benefits for corporations and the wealthy will trickle down to everyone else.

"When we invest in strengthening workers and the middle class," Biden said, "the poor have a ladder up, and those at the top do just fine. That's how we can increase opportunity and decrease persistent inequity."

That message may resonate in Latin America, one of the most unequal regions in the world, where the richest 10% of people enjoy 54% of the national income, according to the World Inequality Database.

The administration's modest initiatives and promise of more investment may not be enough to slow Beijing's rapid expansion in the region, however. Since Biden came into office early last year, China has widened its trade gap with the U.S. in large swaths of Latin America, according to a Reuters analysis of U.N. trade data from 2015 to 2021.

When Mexico, the top U.S. trade partner, is excluded, analysis of the latest available data shows that total trade flows  imports and exports  between Latin America and China reached nearly $247 billion last year, well above the $174 billion with the U.S.

Twenty-one out of 24 Latin American and Caribbean countries have signed on to the Belt and Road Initiative, China's signature global infrastructure investment project. Meanwhile, since its launch in June 2021 at the Group of Seven summit, Build Back Better World, Washington's counter to Beijing's vision, has yet to take off.

And although the U.S. donated almost 70 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to the region since Biden took office, the U.S. had already fallen behind the communist superpower at the start of the pandemic. In the early phase of the crisis, it was China that Latin American and Caribbean countries depended on for their shots.

"The United States is playing catch-up," said Diego Abente Brun, director of the Latin American and Hemispheric Studies Program at George Washington University.

To do that, he said, the administration will need to take into account geopolitical vs. ideological considerations and "have a little bit more of a flexible approach" in dealing with countries such as Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua.

The three countries were not invited to the summit because they were deemed nondemocratic, prompting the boycott by leaders of several key partner nations such as Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala and Bolivia.

Trade and continuity

Observers have noted the administration's inability to offer what many in the region most desire: tariff cuts and other trade incentives that would facilitate deeper ties. With Trump-era protectionist sentiments still running high, Congress has little appetite for opening American market access.

Compared with China's one-party state, the politically polarized Washington has another disadvantage: The U.S. administration, and its policies, could change with each four-year election cycle.

"China is proposing cooperation for 2035 and 2050," said Enrique Dussel Peters, a professor at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico. "There is a very clear, long-term perspective."

"The U.S. used to be, a couple of decades ago, much more clear. You didn't have this political dispute that you have today," he told VOA.

With legislative proposals hamstrung by a polarized Congress, Biden is rallying American corporations to invest more in the region.

"When we combine the ability of government to direct economic activity towards specific challenges  to help mitigate risks, guard against unfair practices and create predictable demand  with the agility of the private sector, I believe we can deliver real improvement for people's lives," Biden said to business leaders during the summit.

While efforts to integrate the private sector are helpful, they face the same problem: the lack of a grand strategy, Dussel Peters said, noting that 80% of China's investment in Latin America has been made by public firms, including those owned by cities, provinces and other municipalities.

"China is very clearly working to integrate infrastructure, investments, trade, financing, et cetera. Their strategy is very clear, and not in the case of the United States."

Caribbean

As in its reaching out to small island nations in the Indo-Pacific region, where China has launched aggressive diplomatic overtures in recent years, Washington is wooing the countries and territories of the Caribbean.

"My intention is to intensify relationships with the Caribbean," Biden said in a meeting with Caribbean leaders on the sidelines of the summit. "You're critically important to us in every way, and I hope we're important to you."

The administration has proclaimed June as Caribbean American Heritage Month, highlighting Vice President Kamala Harris as the first Black American of Jamaican heritage to hold her office.

Harris announced a U.S.-Caribbean climate initiative that the administration says will bring "fresh commitments to  and integration of  climate adaptation and resilience and clean energy programs across the Caribbean region."

Beijing has long set its eyes on the Caribbean, bolstering trade, infrastructure investments and diplomatic engagement, wrote R. Evan Ellis, a professor of Latin American studies at the U.S. Army War College Strategic Studies Institute, in an October 2020 Wilson Center report.

The Caribbean provides important commercial access to the Atlantic coast for Chinese ships transiting the Panama Canal, and it shares characteristics with the islands of the South China Sea that Beijing wants to dominate. It is also an important voting bloc in the Organization of American States and other regional bodies, increasing its strategic value in multilateral diplomacy.

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 the nation's China policy, countering challenges ranging from maritime security to misinformation.

Nike Ching contributed to this report
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The first cases of Australian baby formula landed Thursday in the U.S. Yet the shortage persists, with women going to extreme measures to feed their babies, including buying breast milk from strangers on social media. Senior Washington Correspondent Carolyn Presutti reports. Camera: Saqib Ul Islam.
The Bangladeshi government canceled the registration of one of the country's top human rights organizations this week, triggering outrage across the international human rights community.



A June 5 order from the government canceled the registration, or operating license, of Bangladesh-based Odhikar. Founded in 1994, the organization is known for its regular documentation of human rights violations in the country, working closely with the United Nations, Human Rights Watch and other international rights groups.



The NGO Affairs Bureau, a wing of the Bangladeshi prime minister's office, issued the order, stating that "the activities of the organization are not satisfactory."



Odhikar "created various issues against Bangladesh by spreading propaganda against the state by publishing misleading information on its own website about various extrajudicial killings, including alleged disappearances and murders," the order said. It added that the organization has seriously tarnished the image of the state to the world."



Accusations of rights violations



The security agencies in Bangladesh have long been accused of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and other serious human rights violations.



In December 2021, the U.S. imposed sanctions on Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), an elite paramilitary force of Bangladesh, for its dismal human rights record. Odhikar regularly documented human rights violations by the RAB.



Since the beginning of this year, Odhikar has reported that the rights groups accusing RAB and other security agencies of rights violations were facing reprisals from the government.



For years, Odhikar has been facing persecution because of its work, Adilur Rahman Khan, the organization's secretary, told VOA.



"In 2014, we sought to renew the registration of Odhikar to receive foreign donations. But our application for renewal of the registration with the NGO Affairs Bureau has remained pending for eight years, critically hindering our ability to conduct human rights monitoring and reporting," said Khan, who has received several international human rights awards.



In 2019, Odhikar filed a writ petition to the High Court seeking renewal of its registration, and in May, the hearing on this matter resumed in the court, he said.



"Now, in the midst of the hearing, the NGO Affairs Bureau has arbitrarily canceled Odhikar's registration, bypassing the judicial process, in another attempt to stall our human rights work in the country."



Despite several attempts, VOA failed to get a comment from the NGO Affairs Bureau. The director of the bureau did not respond to queries from VOA.



Rights advocates see red flag



Rights advocates have condemned the action against Odhikar in strong terms.



Eleven human rights groups, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, said in a statement June 9 that Bangladeshi authorities should immediately reverse their decision to deregister Odhikar.



Nur Khan Liton, a well-known rights activist in Bangladesh, called the cancellation of Odhikar's registration an "autocratic action" by the government.



"By canceling the registration of Odhikar, the government has aimed to warn individuals and groups against raising their voices against human rights violations in the country," Liton told VOA.



The arbitrary deregistration of Odhikar is a serious red flag, said Matthew Smith, CEO of the rights group Fortify Rights.



"The authorities can't improve the country's human rights record by arbitrarily deregistering its leading human rights organization," Smith told VOA.



The reprisal against Odhikar is "an egregious and shameless act to silence and intimidate human rights defenders" in Bangladesh, said Saad Hammadi, South Asia campaigner for Amnesty International.



"Odhikar's deregistration is a clear demonstration of the government's anger about the credibility the human rights organization enjoys internationally," Hammadi said.



Deregistration outrageous, unacceptable



Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman, liaison officer of the Hong Kong-based Asian Legal Resource Centre, noted that Odhikar is the most prominent Bangladesh-based human rights organization, and its deregistration was a big blow to the human rights community as well as to the victims.



"The Sheikh Hasina regime, which accuses rights group Odhikar of 'tarnishing the country's image,' has adopted the policy of using enforced disappearances, extrajudicial executions, and systemic torture under arbitrary detention as tools against the dissidents and political opponents," Ashrafuzzaman told VOA. Sheikh Hasina had served as the prime minister of Bangladesh from 1996 to 2001, and she assumed office again in 2009.



Calling the decision to deny the registration "outrageous and unacceptable," Phil Robertson, deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Asia Division, said that the government's action was "nothing less than a full-frontal assault" on human rights defenders such as Odhikar who dare to speak truth to power about the government's systematic rights violations.



"Ever since Hasina returned as prime minister, the authorities have subjected Odhikar staff to intrusive surveillance and harassment and made politically motivated attacks on the organization's work and findings," Robertson told VOA.



"The NGO Affairs Bureau under the PM's Office exists not to regulate or support civil society groups but rather to exercise control, violate freedom of association, and bar access to foreign funds, and Odhikar has borne the brunt of all this discriminatory government treatment over the years," Robertson said.



Dhaka-based diplomats, U.N. agencies, and the wider international community should pressure the Bangladesh government to immediately and unconditionally restore Odhikar's license to operate, Robertson added.



"The Bangladesh government uses misleading information all the time, so this accusation against Odhikar  that the organization is tarnishing the country's image  is a clear example of the pot calling the kettle black," he said.



Reporting on human rights violations is "not anti-government or anti-state," Amnesty's Hammadi noted. He said the governments decision to deregister Odhikar is akin to shooting the messenger.
U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday presented his plan for nations in the Americas to tackle climate change while boosting clean energy production  a plan he's touting as an economic boost that will bring lucrative jobs to nations that struggle to retain skilled workers amid migration flows in the hemisphere.

The Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity "will tackle the climate crisis head on, with the same mentality we're bringing to the work in the United States, Biden said.

When I hear 'climate,' I think jobs  good-paying, high-quality jobs that will help speed our transition to a green economy of the future and unleash sustainable growth; jobs in developing and deploying clean energy; jobs in decarbonizing the economy; jobs in protecting biodiversity of our hemisphere; jobs that will provide dignity of being able to feed your family, give your children a better life and envision a future of possibilities, the president said.

Biden spoke in Los Angeles at the start of the Summit of the Americas, a gathering of 23 heads of state. The leaders of Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras boycotted the summit over objections that the United States did not invite Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela  countries that the U.S., as host, said didn't deserve to attend because they are not democratic.

The climate plan involves steps to promote trade and investment in clean energy and encourage regional collaboration in Latin America and the Caribbean, administration officials told reporters Wednesday. They also announced the expansion of a United Nations and Inter-American Development Bank initiative to boost renewable energy sources by 2030.

The administration said it had secured a commitment of up to $50 billion from four regional development banks over the next five years.

On Wednesday, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris announced a separate initiative, the U.S.-Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030. That plan focuses on reducing island nations' dependence on energy imports.

But when asked what level of investment the U.S. would provide there, a senior administration official said, "That's going to be a process, and we couldn't, at this point, put a dollar figure on it."

Meeting with Bolsonaro

On Thursday, Biden met with Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro  leader of the largest nation in South America and a noted climate skeptic  who reportedly demanded the bilateral meeting as a prerequisite for his attendance at the summit.

The meeting was overshadowed by Bolsonaro's admission in a TV interview earlier this week that he still harbors suspicions about Biden's election victory. In 2020, he voiced allegations of U.S. election fraud and was one of the last world leaders to recognize that Biden won.

Biden appeared to appease Bolsonaro, noting that the international community should help his country with financing to protect the "great carbon sink," the jungles of the Amazon.

Bolsonaro defended his government's often-criticized climate track record. "We stand as an example in the eyes of the world when it comes to the environmental agenda," he said through an interpreter.

Diego Abente Brun, director of the Latin American and Hemispheric Studies Program at George Washington University, said Biden's climate proposals would "run into a lot of problems and resistance from climate-change-skeptical people and countries," while other nations, such as Ecuador and Costa Rica, were likely to be more open.

"Having said this, the worst thing you can do is not bring this issue to the table just because you're not going to accomplish 100% of the goal," he told VOA. "So I value greatly this initiative, and I think it's important."

Luiza Duarte, a global fellow at the Brazil Institute at the Wilson Center, told VOA that perhaps the U.S. needs to look at Brazil  home to a vast rainforest and much of the Amazon River  from a different perspective.

"I think the U.S. needs a new policy for the region," she said. "And it needs to engage with Brazil in a different way, and may engage in the subnational level with regions, with cities, to try to move environmental policy forward."

All must invest

Countries in the region understand the need to fight climate change, said Enrique Dussel Peters, a professor at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico.

"The region has been changing. We are not only expecting that the U.S. gives us aid," he told VOA. "It is very clear that even the poorer countries have to invest with their own resources. If the U.S. supports us, fantastic; if the U.S. does not, we will have to deal with climate change, with or without U.S. support."

The U.S. proposal is still in its early stages, Duarte noted.

"We need to read the facts of the initiatives and see," she said. "I think those summits, as we know, involve a lot of announcements, and not always announcements that are translated in concrete policies and concrete developments for the region. So we need more time to see. It is a long way between an announcement and a policy to be implemented in all the region."
To cement their loyalty to one another in 1941, the founders of Myanmar's colonial-era independence movement  known as the Thirty Comrades  drank from a silver bowl filled with each member's blood.



The dramatic show of allegiance, borrowed from a centuries-old cultural tradition, is said to have inspired the name of a pro-junta militia in the city of Mandalay: the Thway Thauk, or Blood Comrades.



In threats shared by its supporters on Telegram and other platforms, the militia has warned it will kill journalists  and their families  over coverage deemed critical of the military.



The public threats  the most violent of which are removed from social media  add to an already fraught environment.



"It is really dangerous for my friends who are still inside of the country or also for those who are outside of the country but their family members remain inside," exiled freelance journalist Aung Naing Soe wrote in a message to VOA.



In late April, posts from pro-military Telegram accounts said the Blood Comrades were launching "Operation Red" against members of the National League for Democracy, or NLD party, and its supporters. The junta ousted the NLD, which headed the civilian government before the coup, and jailed its senior leaders, including Aung San Suu Kyi.



The Blood Comrades also claimed responsibility for killing at least eight people, in some cases leaving a badge with their insignia  a warrior holding two swords  as a calling card. The victims were members or supporters of the NLD, Radio Free Asia reported.



Targeting members and supporters of the National Unity Government (NUG) and the NLD is "a form of fear tactic," Htin Linn Aung, the NUG minister of communications, information and technology, told VOA.



The NUG is a parallel government formed by ousted elected officials and some ethnic leaders in opposition to the military.



Htin Linn Aung and analysts with whom VOA spoke said that Telegram posts attributed to the militia have called for journalists at outlets including The Irrawaddy, Mizzima and Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) to be killed. Their purported reason: content deemed "destructive of the state."



Splinter groups



The existence of pro-junta militias in Myanmar is not new, and dozens are believed to be operating across the country  some sanctioned by the military.



Analysts who spoke with VOA say they believe the Blood Comrades are almost certainly linked to the junta.



Military spokesperson General Zaw Min Tun denied that is the case, telling VOA the military has nothing to do with "the so-called Thway Thauk," which he described as "a fabrication."



In some regions, the military set up trained militias to assist in enforcing rule of law, he said, adding that locals have to request that help.



Zaw Min Tun blamed the opposition civilian militia People's Defense Forces, or PDFs, for some killings, saying the groups are "supported and funded" from abroad.



Some media and rights groups have reported on killings attributed to PDFs.



Oliver Spencer, an adviser at Free Expression Myanmar (FEM), believes the junta encourages the militia activities as a way to shield the military from accountability.



"The military is trying to basically distance itself from the most extreme forms of violence toward journalists, civil society, political activists, in some kind of long-term attempt to pretend like the military is trying to reestablish the rule of law and public order," Spencer said.



Threatening environment



Militias like the Blood Comrades add to a slate of threats against Myanmar's remaining reporters and instill fear.



Relatively few journalists still work in Myanmar, and those who do keep a low profile to avoid attracting the military's attention, said Spencer.



His nongovernmental organization was forced to close its Yangon office following the coup.



So far, the Blood Comrades have not attacked media workers. But journalists do not take the threats lightly.



"The group has already proved their capacity in killing activists and politicians and their family members," wrote Aung Naing Soe, who has friends still reporting in Myanmar. "It is really dangerous for the country and its press freedom situation."



A journalist still in Myanmar, who requested anonymity for reasons of safety, told VOA that local media "working in the country are not secure after this group emerged."



Phil Thornton, a Thailand-based journalist and adviser to the International Federation of Journalists, believes the militia's threats are part of efforts to block reporting.



"It's meant to terrorize people and make people fearful, and in the case of journalists, make them not want to report," Thornton told VOA.



Reporters have played an important role in Myanmar over the past 16 months, documenting violence that the U.N. Human Rights Office has said likely constitutes war crimes and crimes against humanity.



The military has killed more than 1,900 people and detained more than 10,900, according to the Thailand-based Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.



Another group, Reporting ASEAN, has documented more than 120 media arrests since February 1, 2021, and says 48 journalists are still in custody.



"Anyone against the Myanmar military  they are all enemies. Doesn't matter where you live, your ethnicity or anything like that. They don't see it anymore. They don't see children as children. They see them as enemies," a human rights researcher in Myanmar told VOA. She requested anonymity for safety reasons.



Despite the threat from the Blood Comrades, media outlets keep reporting.



"Their threat proved [to] us that what we are doing is so important for people in Burma," said Aye Chan Naing, executive director and founder of DVB. "We know the risk we are taking."



DVB, one of Myanmar's largest independent outlets, no longer has full-time reporters in the country.



But even reporters still on the ground say threats from militias or the military won't stop them.



The Blood Comrades "can't make me report differently," said the local reporter who asked to remain anonymous.



Any journalist covering the military "might be detained," the journalist added. "I don't know exactly the date and time, but they might come and knock [on] my door sometime."
Britains plan to fly asylum-seekers 6,000 kilometers to Rwanda faces a last-minute legal challenge.



The first flight is scheduled to leave June 14, carrying up to 100 migrants. However, a group of non-governmental organizations and refugee campaigners have launched a legal case at the High Court in London to seek an injunction blocking the flight. A decision is expected in coming days.



Among the plaintiffs is Clare Moseley, the founder of the charity Care4Calais. People come from Sudan, Syria, Iraq, Iran. They are all terrified. They have all fled their home countries due to absolutely terrible circumstances. A number of them have suffered extreme torture or trafficking, Moseley told Reuters.



Deadly journey



So far this year, more than 10,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel in small boats or inflatable dinghies to reach Britain. The route takes them across the busiest shipping lane in the world. Dozens of people have died attempting the crossing, including small children.



Britain says the flow has to stop. Earlier this year British Home Secretary Priti Patel signed a five-year deal, which would see up to 30,000 migrants forcefully deported to Rwanda, where they would be processed through Rwandas asylum system. Patel said it would act as a deterrent to migrants hoping to cross the channel.



Britain agreed to pay Rwanda an initial $149 million and cover the operational costs of the plan, estimated at between $25,000 to $35,000 per migrant.

Island country



Every country has a different approach to migration issues and challenges. We in the United Kingdom are very unique. We are an island country. We've also faced flows of literally over 20,000 people in the last calendar year, coming to our country through dangerous routes and dying in the channel, but also dying in the Mediterranean, Patel told reporters May 19.



We're a government along with our partners, the government of Rwanda, finding new, innovative solutions to global problems, Patel added.



The migrants would be housed in converted houses and hostels in Rwanda.



At some point once their status has been fixed, they will have to go and live with other Rwandans. But they will be free. They will not be prisoners, Rwandan government spokesperson Alain Mukurarinda told Associated Press May 19.



We have the experience of welcoming refugees and we Rwandans have also experienced this situation of being a refugee. So, if there is a way to solve this problem by saving lives, I don't think Rwanda could not accept, Mukurarinda added.



U.N. Criticism



However, the policy has been widely criticized, including by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. UNHCR understands the frustration of the UK government on that and is not in favor of channel crossing, of course. We think there's more effective ways and more humane ways to address this, Larry Bottinick, a senior legal officer at the UNHCR, told the Associated Press.



Critics say the policy breaches international refugee conventions, to which Britain is a signatory. However, that doesnt necessarily mean the judge will rule in the migrants favor, says immigration lawyer Colin Yeo, author of the book Welcome to Britain: Fixing Our Broken Immigration System.



States shouldn't breach treaties that they've signed up to in good faith, but if you're an individual who's relying on that treaty, it doesn't mean that you can just say, well it's a breach of international law, therefore you can't do it to me. There's got to be some domestic UK law that you rely on because those treaties don't automatically become part of British law, Yeo told VOA.



Fair hearing



Lawyers for the migrants argue they could be denied a fair hearing in the Rwandan asylum system. Separately, lawyers are also arguing that specific individuals scheduled to be on the flight should not be sent to Rwanda.



So it could be somebody who's been a victim of trafficking for example. It could be somebody who has been wrongly assessed as being an adult, and actually they say they're a child. It could be somebody who's got a serious illness, Yeo said.



Some of the migrants could also argue that they would face discrimination in Rwanda - for example, if they are from the LGBTQ+ community. Apparently there's no anti-discrimination laws, there are reports that some people have been denied access to the asylum system on that basis, Yeo added.
A U.S. congressional panel investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol building held its first public hearing late Thursday, with members pinning the blame for what they characterized as a coup attempt on former President Donald Trump.



The two-hour televised hearing, the first in a series scheduled this month, followed a wide-ranging probe into the assault carried out by Trump supporters after Trump lost the 2020 presidential election to President Joe Biden and waged a campaign to "stop the steal."



Saying the unprecedented attack was the "culmination of an attempted coup," the panel's chairman, Representative Bennie Thompson, said the violence resulted from a "sprawling, multistep conspiracy aimed at overturning the election" and Trump was at the center of the plot.



"And ultimately, Donald Trump, the president of the United States, spurred a mob of domestic enemies of the Constitution to march down to the Capitol and subvert American democracy," he said.

Claiming he had been cheated out of the election, Trump urged thousands of his supporters gathered near the White House to march on the Capitol and "fight like hell. And if you don't fight like hell, you're not going to have a country anymore."



As members of Congress gathered inside the Capitol to certify Biden's victory during a routine quadrennial ritual, more than 2,000 Trump supporters breached the building to stop the proceeding.



Then-Vice President Mike Pence, who was presiding over the session, and members of Congress were evacuated to safety before the rioters breached the chamber. The lawmakers returned to the chamber after the building was secured to certify Biden's win.



Seven people, including one police officer, died as a result of the attack, according to a bipartisan Senate report, and more than 150 police officers were injured.



The attack was unprecedented in American history.

Encouraged by Trump, the rioters sought to stop the peaceful transfer of power, "a precedent that had stood for 220 years," Thompson said.

The prime-time hearing began with opening statements by Thompson and Representative Liz Cheney, the committee's Republican vice chair, followed by clips of several former Trump aides and dramatic video of the attack led by the far-right group the Proud Boys.



Two witnesses  British documentary filmmaker Nick Quested who was embedded with the Proud Boys on January 6, and Capitol Police Officer Caroline Edwards, who was injured during the attack  testified during the second hour of the hearing.



Previewing the committee's findings, Cheney said each hearing would focus on a different aspect of the January 6 conspiracy. The next session, scheduled for Monday, will zero in on Trump's relentless attempt to hang on to power despite losing his re-election bid.



Cheney interspersed her remarks with video clips from several Trump aides, who said they did not believe the former president's fraud allegations.



Former attorney general Bill Barr recalled telling Trump after the election that he "did not see evidence of fraud" and that he thought his corruption allegation was "bullshit." Trump's daughter, Ivanka, said she respected Barr and accepted his assessment.



Nevertheless, Trump repeatedly tried to get the Justice Department to intervene, enlisting an official to draft a letter that "would have urged multiple state legislatures to withdraw their official and lawful vote for Biden," Cheney said.



The letter was blocked by Trump's then acting attorney general, Jeffrey Rosen. Trump's attempt to use the Justice Department for political gain will be the focus of the committee's third hearing, Cheney said.



The fourth hearing will center on Trump's unsuccessful effort to get Vice President Pence to return the electoral votes to the states Trump had lost instead of certifying them. Pence refused, angering Trump.



Told that his supporters were chanting "Hang Mike Pence" outside the Capitol, the former president responded by saying, "Maybe our supporters have the right idea. Mike Pence deserves it," Cheney quoted from testimony by a former official.



Cheney said the committee's investigation is ongoing and its work is not yet complete. A final report will be issued in the fall.



The nine-member panel has interviewed more than 1,000 witnesses, combed through more than 140,000 documents, and issued nearly 100 subpoenas for testimony and documents.



Many in Trump's orbit, including son Donald Trump Jr, daughter Ivanka Trump, and son-in-law Jared Kushner, testified before the committee.

Others, though, refused to answer questions, and at least two  former Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro and former White House strategist Stephen Bannon  have been charged with contempt of Congress for refusing to cooperate with investigators.



Republicans have repeatedly attacked the committee's investigation as a partisan witch hunt designed to undermine Trump's prospects as a presidential candidate in 2024.



House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy called the panel "the most political and least legitimate committee in American history."



The attack on the Capitol triggered a sprawling criminal investigation by the Justice Department.

The department estimates between 2,000 and 2,500 people entered the Capitol on January 6, and Attorney General Merrick Garland has vowed to hold everyone involved in the attack accountable.



To date, more than 840 people have been arrested in connection with the January 6 attack, with about 305 pleading guilty, mostly to misdemeanor charges, the Justice Department said on Wednesday.



Members of the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers, an anti-government militia, have been charged with seditious conspiracy for orchestrating and leading the assault on the Capitol.



In a statement, the Justice Department said its "resolve to hold accountable those who committed crimes on Jan. 6, 2021 has not and will not wane."



Jordan Strauss, a former Justice Department and White House official, called Thursday night's hearing "an opening statement in a complex and sprawling criminal conspiracy case."



"In terms of scale, the size and scope of this investigation is unprecedented," said Strauss, a fellow at the Kroll Institute. "The committee added color not seen before, and a timeline that was powerful and only possible with the benefit of hindsight and close study."



In addition to the criminal investigation of the rioters, the department has reportedly stepped up its probe of efforts by political operatives and state lawmakers to overturn the 2020 election results.



That has not stopped politicians on the left from taking the Justice Department to task for "failing" to launch a criminal investigation into Trump's role in the January 6 attack.



Garland has said prosecutors will "follow the facts wherever they lead."
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 Sheriff's 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.

Governor 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, Sheriff's Office Sergeant 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 facility, and yellow tape blew in the wind outside the business.

Messages left seeking comment with the company weren't immediately returned.

Smithsburg, a community of nearly 3,000 people, is just west of the Camp David presidential retreat and about 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.
Investigative news outlet FactWire became Hong Kong's latest media company to close Friday, in another blow to the city's once-vibrant press scene now subdued by a national security law imposed by Beijing to quell dissent.



The announcement came a month after Hong Kong recorded its worst-ever ranking in a press freedom index compiled by rights watchdog Reporters Without Borders, with authorities wielding the law to silence critical news outlets and jail journalists.



The company did not give a specific reason for the closure in a statement posted on Facebook, merely saying local media had confronted "great change" in recent years and it was "time to end our journey."



Last year Apple Daily and Stand News, two popular outlets critical of the government, closed after newsroom leaders were arrested and company assets were frozen under the security law.



A week after Stand News' closure, Citizen News, a similar online outlet founded by veteran reporters, also shut its operations, saying they "no longer feel safe to work."

One of FactWire's recent stories revealed the background and pro-establishment ties of the two sons of Hong Kong's next leader John Lee.



On May 4, FactWire apologized after hackers obtained the email addresses and user names of about 3,700 newsletter subscribers.



It is unclear if the company's closure was related to the hack.



FactWire said Friday it would cease operations immediately, dismiss all staff and suspend subscriptions.



"Despite having wrestled many times with the difficult decision as to whether to continue our journalistic work, we had always come to the same affirmative conclusion: to stand fast to our core values and beliefs, and to always report the facts," the statement said.



"But to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose. It has, at last, come time to end our journey."



The outlet was founded in 2015 by veteran journalist Ng Hiu-tung, who raised HK$4.7 million ($600,000) from 3,300 backers.



The company quickly gained a reputation for hard-hitting scoops, though it went through periods of financial hardship  at one point downsizing to only two employees.



Its investigation into a controversial police action during Hong Kong's 2019 democracy protests won an honorable mention at the Society for Publishers in Asia awards.



That same project was also recognized by the Human Rights Press Awards, the latest iteration of which was canceled in Hong Kong after organizers cited legal risks.



China in 2020 imposed a sweeping national security law on Hong Kong that has crushed dissent voices and seen dozens of democracy activists jailed as well as journalists.



Authorities have denied cracking down on press freedom, with leader Carrie Lam saying last month the media scene was "as vibrant as ever."



Hong Kong's next leader John Lee has said there is no particular need to uphold press freedom because it is something residents "already possess."
Ghana is aiming to plant 20 million trees Friday as part of an annual campaign to save forests that have been depleted by climate change and illegal mining. The U.N. says Ghana has one of the highest losses of rainforest in the world, with its forest cover only a fifth of what it was a century ago.

According to the forestry commission, between 2019 and 2021, the West African country lost over 300 square kilometers of primary forest, forcing timber processors in the country to import trees from neighboring countries.

Speaking at a public event on Friday to begin the national tree-planting event dubbed Green Ghana Day, President Nana Akufo-Addo said the economic impact of forest degradation is alarming.

"Here in Ghana, we've lost some 100,000 acres of natural forest in the last decade alone. Our timber industry, which generated jobs for thousands of people, is suffering," he said. "The odum, wawa, mahogany, sapele and several other wood species of the timber industry are also depleting at an alarming rate."

Lands and Natural Resources Minister Samuel Abu Jinapor told VOA the situation is worsening and called for immediate action.

"We've a serious crisis on our hands and that is why the president has brought up a two-pronged strategy to deal with this matter," he said. "The first strategy is to ensure that we halt deforestation, which is why we are not granting concession for the harvesting of timber species anymore. Then the second pillar is what we call the aggressive afforestation and re-forestation, which is culminated into this Green Ghana."

Across Ghana on Friday, the forestry commission handed out trees to schools, businesses, religious groups and other organizations to distribute to their members. The commission also gave seedlings to individuals and asked them to plant the seeds at home.

The inaugural Green Ghana Day was held last June, during which 7 million trees were planted. Jinapor said it was highly successful.

"Last year, we targeted 5 million seedlings and we ended up planting 7 million seedlings," he said. "The biggest issue to do with any afforestation or re-forestation scheme or effort has really not so much to do with planting, but the survival rate. I am very happy to report that the forestry commission is done a nationwide assessment and come with a firm conclusion, which is well grounded, that 80% of the seedlings we planted last year have survived."

Environmental activist Joann Ofori said that only a sustained, well-funded program can protect Ghana from the ravages of climate change.

"We've lost over 80% of our forest cover as a nation to greenhouse effect, climate change, global warming and they are real. And if for nothing at all let's look at the rainfall pattern over the years. So we've got to do something about it, otherwise we are doomed," Ofori said.

She said the Green Ghana initiative would be meaningless unless Ghanaians make it a part of their culture to care for trees all year.

"We have to have a mindset change and realize that trees are for life. When the last tree dies the last man dies," she said.

Planting 20 million trees in a single day may sound impossible, but lands minister Jinapor said Ghanaians should aim high, given the current health of the country's forests.


The rummage sale will be in the great hall of the church, 17 William St., Auburn, and the flea market will be in the church's parking lots. Spaces at the market are $10 and 10 by 10 feet; there is no electricity, but Wi-Fi is available. Bringing tables and/or tents and carrying out remaining items is required.
The U.S. 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.

It's the Democratic-controlled chamber's latest response to U.S. mass shootings and likely stands little chance of passage 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 Representative 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 semiautomatic 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 person's guns without that person having the ability to contest it beforehand.

"It would allow 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 Representative Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican.

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 implemented them.

Five Republican lawmakers voted for the bill: Representatives 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. Representative Jared Golden of Maine was the only Democrat to vote no.

The lead sponsors of the bill were Democratic Representatives Salud Carbajal of California and Lucy McBath of Georgia, whose son, Jordan Davis, was killed 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. 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.

Senator 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.

He voiced optimism that senators will be able to reach an agreement.
I used to have normal emotions and feelings, but (the government) locked me at home for two months and took away my happiness.

So said Coco, a Shanghai resident who asked that VOA Mandarin not use her name to let her discuss freely an issue of concern to many of the 26 million people in Chinas most populous city: their mental health, a subject often dismissed in China.

A building and construction materials seller, Coco said she remains constrained by pessimism and painful memories of more than 70 days in a draconian lockdown that local authorities imposed to comply with Chinas zero-COVID containment policy.

Days after most of Shanghai reopened on June 1, Coco told VOA Mandarin that even though most residents can leave their homes, she doesnt want to. Rather than adapting to life after reopening, Coco said shes more concerned about dealing with her feelings of despair, resentment and even suicide that plagued her during lockdown.

Ever since the first 76-day-long lockdown began in Wuhan, the Chinese city where the coronavirus was first detected in humans in late 2019, psychologists have studied the mental health impact of prolonged periods of mandated isolation.

Now, the sophisticated financial hub of Shanghai faces serious post-lockdown mental health concerns even as authorities announced they would be locking down several of the city's 16 districts on Saturday to conduct mass testing this weekend because new cases have emerged, Zhao Dandan, deputy head of the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission, said at a news conference Thursday, according to CNN.

Psychological worries

The city began accepting professional psychological counseling as an element of health care in the 1990s and was the first metropolis in China to provide psychological assistance via telephone hotlines, according to Sanlian Life Weekly.

Then, as Shanghai authorities began locking down the city on March 28, and quickly sealed off all of it, "The number of calls to our psychological hotline in April almost tripled from the 3,000 calls in a single month in the past, and 80% of them were related to the epidemic," said Qiu Jianlin, director of the psychological counseling and treatment outpatient department at the Shanghai Mental Health Center, speaking to the state-affiliated China News.

The first callers expressed worries about obtaining food and adapting to the sudden lockdown. But as April progressed, callers described more acute mental challenges. Consultants who staffed some 30 hotlines described the work as "battlefield hemostasis."

The situation is critical, the conditions are simple, and the situation is severe, according to Sanlian Life Weekly.

In a survey of 1,021 Shanghai residents conducted April 12 and 13 by Data Humanism, a Chinese blog, more than 40% of respondents experienced depression during the lockdown.

Nobody was unaffected, said George Hu, president of the Shanghai International Mental Health Association, told NBC News.

Hu, who is also chair of mental health at United Family Pudong Hospital, added that a lockdown of this scale is virtually unprecedented in the world.

No one knows what will happen next

For many middle-class Shanghai residents, Hu said the lockdown tore the rug out from under you, because a person learns to navigate the world from a secure base, believing the reality they know is trustworthy and reliable. The lockdown has caused some to question that now.

Residents struggled with feelings of hopelessness, anger and frustration while isolated, and for many, those feelings continue post-lockdown, in part because local authorities continue to require repeated nucleic acid tests. To enter public areas or board public transit, residents must hold a certificate of a negative test within the last 72 hours.

Victor, a financial professional in his 40s who lives in Shanghais Pudong District, told VOA Mandarin the testing regime reminds residents they are still not fully free from lockdown restrictions. He asked that his full name not be used so he could speak on a sensitive topic without fear of official reprisal.

"We have to do nucleic acid testing every 72 hours.  Basically, it takes the government half a day to get the nucleic acid report, so, we have to do nucleic acid testing every two-and-a-half days, Victor said.

Coupled with inconveniences such as shops that remain closed, Victor said hes constantly reminded that life has yet to return to normal. Because of these disruptions, he said, hes far from alone in being in a bad mood.

Most people Victor knows in Shanghai are feeling anxious about their future because the lockdown slammed the economy of Shanghai, where Volkswagen's joint venture with SAIC Motor and U.S. automaker Tesla have manufacturing sites. He said that his friends are leaving Mo Du, or the Magic City, as Shanghai is known.

Most of the people who choose to leave are young people around 30 years old and those just graduated.  Once these young people leave, Shanghais economy will collapse, and everyone will be worried, Victor said.

Ying Miao, a lecturer in the politics department of Aston University in Birmingham, England, said some middle-class Shanghai residents were preparing to flee.

She told VOA Mandarin, Shanghai is one of the most cutting-edge and open cities in China. At the beginning of this outbreak, many people thought this cannot happen in Shanghai,' but the reality has proved them too optimistic. Now, the new hot word on social media is run. The middle class in Shanghai chooses to vote with their feet.

Yet Miao also detailed another middle-class response in Shanghai, as some people seek more resources and more stable backers. For example, we recently saw there are more young people taking the civil service exams and trying to enter the civil service system than in previous years.

According to recent statistics, for the competitive Chinese national civil service exam, the number of applicants for the exam this year has exceeded 2.12 million, a record high. Only 1.4% of them obtain jobs.

"The biggest impact of Shanghai's lockdown is that the public realized that the governments confidence in its system with dealing with the pandemic in the past two years cant be trusted.  No one knows whats going to happen next. People just have to live in a different situation  the normalized abnormality, Miao said.

In addition to worrying about the economic prospects, some Shanghai residents are also uncomfortable with returning to normal life.

"I may (need) to relax for half a month, and I need a ladder to step back from the thoughts of worry, anxiety, anger and suicide and go to a calm, normal state. I still feel that I dont really want to talk, said Coco, the construction and building materials seller.

Miao said that as most people gradually adapt to their new lives, many may remain worried about the future, adding the lockdown was a huge collective mental trauma that will challenge the sense of security and wealth of the middle class in the city."

VOA's Adrianna Zhang contributed to this report.
Pacific Island leaders have agreed a deal that should prevent the region's main body from falling apart because of tensions between members. Australia - a key regional power - has said the Pacific Islands Forum is the architecture allowing the region to manage both internal and external issues.

The Pacific Islands Forum includes 18 members. It spans the three cultural and geographic groups of Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia, as well as Australia and New Zealand. Some states have diplomatic ties with Taiwan while others recognize China.

Founded in 1971, the forum was at risk of splintering over a leadership row that began last year, as both China and Australia intensify their diplomatic presence in the Pacific. Micronesia was angry that its candidate for the organizations secretary-generalship, Marshall Islands Ambassador to Washington and former Foreign Minister Gerald Zackios, was overlooked in favor of former Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna.

Those antagonisms appear to have been resolved following a meeting this week of officials from Fiji, Samoa, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau and Marshall Islands. They agreed to reforms that need to be ratified by all members of the forum at its next meeting.

On a recent trip to the region, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi failed to reach a sweeping trade and security pact with 10 Island nations because of concerns the process had been rushed. Some leaders called for the proposed accord to be debated by the Pacific Islands Forum.

Speaking to Radio New Zealand, Anna Powles, a senior lecturer in security studies at Massey University, said the diplomatic expertise of Pacific leaders should not be underestimated.

Minister Wangs visit really demonstrated both the depth of relationships that China has bilaterally, but also the overreach and over-confidence with respect to its efforts to engage at the multilateral level," said Powles. "This demonstrated the astuteness of Pacific statecraft, the way in which Pacific states are leveraging geopolitical interests in the region.

Wang did sign individual accords with several island nations in the region during his recent trip, including Kiribati and Samoa.

Earlier this year, Beijing signed a security agreement with Solomon Islands, northeast of Australia, to boost the response to natural disasters and to enhance internal law enforcement in a Melanesian archipelago with a history of violent unrest.

Australia and its allies are worried the accord will eventually allow China to establish a strategic military foothold in the region.

In response, the recently elected center-left government in Canberra immediately intensified its diplomatic efforts in the region after the May 21 vote, promising more action on climate change, security and aid.

Analysts believe that the feeling within the Pacific Islands Forum's 18 members is that the soothing of internal tensions will make the grouping stronger and more unified to carefully consider China's ambitions and Australia's promises of more action on climate change.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida unveiled a plan to enhance the countrys military capability and assist Southeast Asian countries with maritime security during his Friday keynote address in Singapore before the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asias premier security summit.



Ukraine may be East Asia tomorrow, he said, suggesting the Taiwan issue could pose an imminent threat to peace across East Asia. Kishida then made it clear that typically dovish Tokyo is planning to acquire counterstrike weapons to defend against potential attacks.



The Kishida Vision for Peace will strengthen Japans diplomacy and security, he said, reiterating a commitment Tokyo made earlier this week to drastically increase defense spending over the next five years, including aid packages earmarked for supplying Southeast Asian countries with patrol boats. Several of those countries have rival claims against China over parts of the South China Sea.



China's state-run Global Times news outlet criticized the Japanese initiative in an opinion piece published just hours before Kishidas speech. Japan uses the pretext of 'preventing a crisis like the Russia-Ukraine crisis from happening in Asia' to legitimize its move to collude with NATO and convince regional countries to serve its goal of targeting China, it said.



The Japanese leader also expressed concern over North Korea, which has carried out at least 18 rounds of weapons tests this year to showcase its evolving nuclear and missile arsenals. He also expressed disappointment that the U.N. Security Council had failed to act against Pyongyang because of the ability of members to veto resolutions.



There is a strong debate in Japan about allocating 2% of the national budget for military expenditure. Analysts see the move as an attempt by Tokyo to come out of the shadow of the U.S. after having kept away from military spending since the end of World War II.
The militaries of Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria have hailed the success of a joint security operation they say has freed 4,500 civilians and killed more than 800 militants since late March.

The Multinational Joint Task Force agreed to extend Operation Lake Sanity during a meeting Thursday in the Cameroonian town of Mora, on the border with Chad and Nigeria. The task force commander, Nigerian Major General Abdul Kalifa Ibrahim, declared Operation Lake Sanity a success.

Ibrahim said 3,000 troops from the participating nations launched the operation in late March to clear the Lake Chad basin of Islamist insurgents.

Speaking on Cameroons state broadcaster, CRTV, he said the task force had destroyed scores of houses and vehicles used by Boko Haram militants.

"We have cleared a lot of settlements" that Boko Haram had used before, including on islands in Lake Chad, "and so far over 800 of the Boko Haram criminals have been neutralized or killed in Operation Lake Sanity," Ibrahim said.

Ibrahim said the task force had freed 4,500 people held captive by the insurgents, who killed five task force troops and wounded 20. He said the joint forces also had seized large quantities of ammunition and weapons, but he did not elaborate.

At Thursday's meeting, the four militaries agreed to extend the operation for two more months.

Ibrahim said insurgents were hiding in communities around the Lake Chad basin, which stretches across the task force nations.

Plea for cooperation

"The population has been very good," he said. "We are there to protect them. They should continue to cooperate with us; if they have information, they should pass it to us. When they see people who are strange in their neighborhoods, they should report to the nearest security official."

Midjiyawa Bakari, governor of Cameroon's Far North region, which borders Chad and Nigeria, said through a messaging application from the capital, Maroua, that during the operation they have been urging villagers to help them flush out the militants.

Bakari said he had personally embarked on an awareness-raising campaign in border towns and villages. He said he had spoken with clerics, chiefs, and community leaders and elites who feared payback from Boko Haram. Bakari said he'd told them to immediately distance themselves from terrorist groups, who are responsible for disorder and conflict in their areas.

Nigerian Islamists Boko Haram began launching attacks at home in 2009 before spreading to Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. The Multinational Joint Task Force of the Lake Chad Basin Commission was created in 2014 to fight the militants and has about 11,000 troops and rescue workers.

The United Nations says the conflict has left more than 36,000 people dead, mainly in Nigeria, while 3 million have been forced to flee their homes.
Mexico's top diplomat said Friday that the Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles had "very positive" results  despite a boycott by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador over the invitation list.

"We have right now some results of the summit which are very positive in our view," Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard said as he met at the summit with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly.

Ebrard praised President Joe Biden's declaration of an economic partnership in the hemisphere as well as efforts on a "regional approach on migration."

He reiterated that Mexico planned to invite Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for a three-way summit later this year, saying it would likely take place in Mexico City.

Lopez Obrador refused to attend the summit in Los Angeles because Biden did not invite the leftist leaders of Cuba, Nicaragua and Panama on the grounds that they are autocrats.
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Independent media in Myanmar are facing new attempts to block access to information and free expression as they report on the aftermath of the military takeover. For VOA, Steve Sandford spoke to Myanmars media diaspora about the risks.
NASA is officially joining the hunt for UFOs.

The space agency on Thursday announced a new study that will recruit leading scientists to examine unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP)  a subject that has long fascinated the public and recently gained high-level attention from Congress.

The project will begin early this fall and last around nine months, focusing on identifying available data, how to gather more data in the future, and how NASA can analyze the findings to try to move the needle on scientific understanding.

"Over the decades, NASA has answered the call to tackle some of the most perplexing mysteries we know of, and this is no different," Daniel Evans, the NASA scientist responsible for coordinating the study, told reporters on a call.

While NASA probes and rovers scour the solar system for the fossils of ancient microbes, and its astronomers look for so-called "technosignatures" on distant planets for signs of intelligent civilizations, this is the first time the agency will investigate unexplained phenomena in Earth's skies.

With its access to a broad range of scientific tools, NASA is well placed not just to demystify UFOs and deepen scientific understanding, but also to find ways to mitigate the phenomena, a key part of its mission to ensure the safety of aircraft, said the agency's chief scientist, Thomas Zurbuchen.

The announcement comes as the field of UFO study, once a poorly-regarded research backwater, is gaining more mainstream traction.

Last month, Congress held a public hearing on UFOs, while a U.S. intelligence report last year cataloged 144 sightings that it said could not be explained. It did not rule out alien origin.

NASA's study will be independent of the Pentagon's Airborne Object Identification and Management Synchronization Group, but the space agency "has coordinated widely across the government regarding how to apply the tools of science," it said in a statement.

A paucity in the number of UFO observations make it difficult at present for the scientific community to draw conclusions.

Therefore, said astrophysicist David Spergel, who will lead the research, the first task of the group would be identifying the extent of data out there from sources including civilians, government, nonprofits and companies.

Another overarching goal of NASA is to deepen credibility in this field of study.

"There is a great deal of stigma associated with UAP among our naval aviators and aviation community," said Evans.

"One of the things we tangentially hope to do as part of this study, simply by talking about it in the open, is to help to remove some of the stigma associated with it, and that will yield obviously, increased access to data, more reports, more sightings."
Nigerian officials have blamed the terrorist group Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) for an attack on a church in the country's southwest that killed at least 40 people.

Sunday's shooting at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo was the first linked to ISWAP in Nigeria's southwest, raising fears that terrorism in the country is spreading.

Nigerian Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola spoke to journalists in Abuja on Thursday, soon after a National Security Council meeting. He said authorities had monitored the situation for days and that "from all indications, they're zeroing in on the Islamic State of West African Province.

Aregbesola warned Nigerians to be alert but said the attack had no ethnic-religious connections. He also raised concerns about recent killings over allegations of blasphemy in southwest Sokoto state and Abuja.

The church attack was the first time ISWAP, which has carried out many assaults in the northeast and northwest parts of the country, had been blamed for an attack in the southwest.

The region was not one of the areas authorities were worried about until last week. Now, there are concerns that terrorists are expanding their enclaves to new regions.

But Beacon security analyst Kabir Adamu said there were multiple reasons why ISWAP might have carried out the attack.

There are several factors," Adamu said. "Number one is terrorism, number two is political and then number three, it may be a message being sent to the governor," who has tried to clamp down on marijuana producers. "We were told that Owo is one of the key states where marijuana is produced. A neighboring state, that is Kogi state, has witnessed such attacks, and it's possible that those groups have crossed over into Ondo."

Ondo state authorities said the death toll had risen to at least 40 from Sundays attack, with 87 others injured. They said some survivors had been discharged from the hospital.

Armed men detonated explosives and opened fire at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo toward the end of the service. Five days later, the street in front of the church is quieter than normal. People hover around the church, chatting in small groups, hoping to get the latest information about the attack.

The resident priest declined to comment on the situation, saying it was affecting his mental health.

A youth leader in Owo, who identified himself as Comrade Olakposan, said local elders were trying to stop youths from carrying out reprisal attacks.

"We feel aggrieved," he said. "The sense of reprisal has been so high in the community since last Sunday, but given the fact that [King] Kabiyesi has been so diplomatic in all to appeal to the community, people, to be calm," there is confidence "that he will do what is just, politically, traditionally and culturally."

In a separate incident, authorities in Nigeria's northwestern Kaduna state said gunmen killed 32 people in an attack Wednesday and razed dozens of houses.

Nigeria is seeing a wave of terrorist attacks and kidnappings a year ahead of presidential elections, and crime is certain to be a major issue in the campaign. President Muhammadu Buhari, who vowed to focus on security when first elected in 2015, is constitutionally barred from seeking another term.
Afghanistans ruling Taliban have illegally detained and tortured residents in northern Panjshir province for their alleged links to armed opposition forces, Human Rights Watch said Friday.



The U.S.-based global rights monitoring group said fighting had escalated in Panjshir since mid-May, when fighters of the National Resistance Front (NFR) started attacks on Taliban units and checkpoints. The violence prompted the Taliban to deploy thousands of fighters to the province and conduct search operations.



Taliban forces in Panjshir province have quickly resorted to beating civilians in their response to fighting against the opposition National Resistance Front, said Patricia Gossma, the associate Asia director at Human Rights Watch.



The Talibans longstanding failure to punish those responsible for serious abuses in their ranks puts more civilians at risk, she added in the statement.



The Pashtun-based Islamist Taliban is reportedly struggling to effectively control Panjshir, a traditional NRF stronghold and one of the non-Pashtun Afghan provinces.



The report quoted former detainees alleging that Taliban forces detained about 80 residents in Panjshirs Khenj district and beat them to compel them to provide information about the NRF. Out of those, 10 suspects are still being held on charges that their relatives are members of the NRF.



Former detainees were quoted as saying the district jail held nearly 100 others who have alleged links to the NRF and that none had access to their families or lawyers.



Taliban forces in Panjshir have imposed collective punishment and disregarded protections to which detainees are entitled, Gossman said. This is just the latest example of Taliban abuses during fighting in the region 10 months after the Taliban took power.



Human Rights Watch stressed that denying detainees access to lawyers and relatives is prohibited and increases the risk of abuses. The punishment of individuals for alleged actions of others is a violation of the laws of war and a war crime, the report warned.



Taliban authorities have consistently rejected reports of fighting and accusations of abuses in Panjshir as baseless media propaganda, insisting their return to power has brought stability and ended years of war in Afghanistan.



In a statement issued Thursday in response to allegations of rights abuses against prisoners by members of the intelligence service, the Taliban claimed that criminals are being treated strictly in line with the principles of the sacred religion of Islam.



The NRF, headed by the self-exiled Ahmad Massoud, is the principal armed opposition group in Panjshir and neighboring northern Afghan provinces. It includes some fighters who had served in the former U.S.-trained national security forces of the Western-backed Afghan government overthrown by the Taliban nearly 10 months ago.
Greg Rejman, a third-generation dairy farmer, owns and operates Sunnyside Farms in Scipio Center with his brother, Neil. Recalling his grandfather's stories of hand-milking cows, Greg can attest to the rapid changes in the agricultural industry over the years.

From practices and technology to improve milk production to achievements in environmental stewardship and watershed management, the industry has progressed substantially.

Greg explains, that from a watershed perspective, While were not perfect, we have come leaps and bounds from when our grandparents were farming. The contrast is incredible.

While driving a tractor, planting corn, Greg talks through the operation's extensive efforts to protect the watershed by implementing best management practices. With cover cropping, buffer strips, reduced tillage, precision applications and advanced manure management practices, Sunnyside Farms is doing an excellent job reducing erosion potential and preventing sediment and nutrient loss.

Stewarding both the land and the watershed, while growing positive relationships with the community, is a priority for Greg.

It all boils down to good communication, he said.

Because of these values, Greg is part of several efforts to strengthen farmers abilities to implement best management practices and facilitate community outreach.

One such effort is the Our Owasco project, a farmer-led soil health improvement initiative to help protect Owasco Lake. Greg is one of eight farmers in the Owasco Lake watershed who sits on the project's farmer panel, providing contextualized knowledge of the challenges and opportunities available to farmers in the area. Central to the project design, is that farmers lead the initiative.

Farmers trust farmers more than anyone else, Greg said. To gain support among the agricultural community, centering Our Owasco around the voice of farmers is essential. Its also a platform to amplify farmers' knowledge of these issues.

Back in the day, it used to be that many people had some sort of connection to farms, be it through relatives, or that they themselves were from a farm, Greg said. But with the declining number of farmers, that connection is weakening, so farmers have to step up and play a more active role in sharing our story.

And Greg certainly has stepped up. In addition to his leadership in the Our Owasco project, Greg works closely with Partners for a Healthy Watershed, a coalition of farmers and farm groups that advocate for best management practice s to improve watershed outcomes.

To foster positive community relationships, Greg gives public tours of his farm.

Over the course of the years, weve had thousands of people come through our farm. Its schools, universities, churches, companies, and community groups that visit, he said.

While on the farm, visitors get to see some of the best management practices implemented at Sunnyside Dairy. This experience improves people's understanding of what it takes to make food, and how farms work to protect the surrounding environment.

All the best management practices carried out at Sunnyside Farms ultimately improve water quality outcomes. Tyler Knapp, a watershed conservation specialist with the Cayuga County Soil & Water Conservation District, said: Its because of farmers like Greg that Cayuga County is a host to some of the most forward-thinking farmers I have ever worked with. From best management implementation to adapting new technology, Cayuga County farmers continue to advance their positive contributions to the local community.

Looking toward the future, Greg will keep up his work to improve agricultural literacy among the general public and build open, transparent lines of communication. Leveraging the ability of different groups to work together toward common goals is key to growing environmental stewardship, he said.

The support we have at the local level is great, and we want to continue reaching out and getting new groups and individuals involved, he said.

If youd like to learn more about any of the farming practices mentioned here, the Our Owasco project, or what your local farmers are doing to protect the lakes and rivers, visit cayugaswcd.org or tompkinscountyny.gov/swcd.

Our Owasco is a project to work with farmers in Cayuga and Tompkins counties to recognize and accelerate their efforts to adopt farming practices that protect Owasco Lake. The project is funded by The Nature Conservancy in partnership with the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets, the Cayuga and Tompkins county soil and water conservation districts, Cornell University and American Farmland Trust.

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The U.N. childrens fund is appealing for $25 million to provide humanitarian aid to 1.7 million children in Sri Lanka, many of whom are at risk of dying from malnutrition-related causes.

Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis since it gained its independence in 1948. The United Nations estimates nearly 5.7 million people, half of them children, need humanitarian aid.

UNICEF says nearly one in two children in Sri Lanka requires some form of emergency assistance, including nutrition, health care, clean drinking water, education and mental health services.

Speaking from the capital, Colombo, UNICEF representative in Sri Lanka Christian Skoog says malnutrition seriously threatens to the lives and well-being of children.

Chronic wasting

He says Sri Lanka has the second-highest rate of acute malnutrition among children under 5 in South Asia and at least 17 percent of children are suffering from chronic wasting, a disease that carries the highest risk of death. He says UNICEF is in a race against time to make sure children most at risk receive the help they need.

The target is to treat 56,000 children for severe acute malnutrition up to six to seven months in our UNICEF plan," Skoog said. "Potentially they could all be at risk of dying. There is some support. So, with that we should be able to come in and avoid those deaths.

UNICEF reports the education of 4.8 million children hangs in the balance. It says boys and girls are likely to drop out of school because many school feeding programs have stopped. It says 25 essential medicines for children and pregnant women used in the treatment of life-threatening diseases are expected to run out in the next two months.

Skoog says the current crisis also is creating serious protection concerns for children.

There already are 10,000 children in institutional care in Sri Lanka, mainly as a result of poverty," he said. "Such institutions are not a good place for children to grow up in. And now, unfortunately, conditions are worsening, and yet more families are taking their children to these institutions because they simply cannot afford to feed them.

As part of its humanitarian plan, UNICEF will ensure 100,000 young children receive school meals, often the only source of nutritious food for impoverished children. Money from the appeal also will provide primary health care for 1.2 million people, safe drinking water for 1.5 million people and other lifesaving assistance.
A years-old piece of draft legislation that seeks to criminalize the spread of disinformation is moving toward a vote in the Turkish parliament. The bill is being met with deep concern by media rights groups across the country.

If passed, the so-called "disinformation" law put forward by ruling majority parliamentarians would carry a sentence of up to three years in prison for the spread of fake new or disinformation as defined by government officials.

Newly drafted proposals are laid out across 40 articles, including some that would target social media users and regulate digital media. If passed, the bill would consider digital media outlets as conventional media and subject them to the same rights and regulations as print and broadcast outlets, including the eligibility to apply for press cards and provisions around access to state advertising revenue.

Skeptics of the proposed law say the bill could be used to pressure digital media before the upcoming elections in Turkey. The next presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled for June 2023, but the opposition parties are calling for snap elections, which Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has rejected.

We are concerned that if this bill becomes law before the elections, it will be used as a tool of silencing, Faruk Eren, head of the press union of the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey, told VOA. There are vague terms such as 'fake news and false news' in the bill. The government already calls every news that disturbs it [a] 'lie' or 'unfounded.' Now they will try to silence the digital media by using this law.

The proposals signatories, however, say that the bill is needed to protect people from slander, insults, smears, defamation, hatred and discrimination. They also argue that such regulations on disinformation are enforced by Western countries, including the United States and European countries.

Similar regulations are being implemented in Europe, Mahir Unal, parliamentary group deputy chairman for Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), said in a nationally televised interview.

Turkey already has a poor record for media rights, ranking 149 out of 180 countries on the Reporters Without Borders's (RSF) World Press Freedom Index, where No. 1 is freest. In the report, Paris-based RSF describes Turkey as a country in which all possible means are used to undermine critics."

More press cards, more potential violations

Some observers call parts of the bill a step in the right direction for press freedoms in Turkey, such as granting digital reporters eligibility to apply for press cards, which have been a controversial issue in Turkey.

RSF and the U.S.-based Committee to Protect Journalists say the Turkish government has politicized the press card issuance process  which has been run by the presidential communications directorate since 2018  and discriminated against independent journalists.

One of the most important regulations in this proposal is considering digital media as conventional media and enabling them to apply for press cards," Mustafa Gokhan Teksen, an Ankara-based lawyer, told VOA. "This would provide the opportunity of job security for journalists in digital media.

On the other hand, Teksen said other articles in the bill propose new offenses in the Turkish penal code.

Yaman Akdeniz, a cyberlaw professor at Istanbul Bilgi University, thinks that subjecting digital and conventional media to the same guidelines looks good on paper but, in reality, it comes with specific punitive regulations.

Not only will decisions to block access and remove content be sent to news websites, but also there will be applications like rebuttal in the press law, Akdeniz told VOA.

Another section seen as troubling by media rights analysts is Article 29, which allows for jail sentences of up to three years for those who disseminate misleading information to the public that disturbs public order and creates fear and panic.

The proposed article includes language referring to Turkeys foreign and domestic security, along with issues of public order and health.

Akdeniz is concerned that Article 29 defines the violations too broadly, such that the language could be exploited against dissidents, media outlets and journalists if the bill becomes the law.

We are entering a period where we will see more self-censorship due to the expansion of a pre-existing environment of fear with vague definitions, Akdeniz said. We will see that investigation of crime will be opened against media outlets because of their coverage, and journalists will be prosecuted for disinformation crimes.

Social media

The bill also recommends restrictions and penalties for social media companies and individual users deemed to have spread disinformation, with expanded sentences for those who do so anonymously.

Under Article 34, social media companies will be required to appoint representatives holding Turkish citizenship and residing in the country. The representatives will be required to follow legally binding content removal requests and hand over personal data about users. Failure to do could result in "bans, fines and even prison sentences for international companies.

Akdeniz says that a separate social media law passed in 2020 paved the way for Article 34.

Back then, [critics of the law warned] social media platforms, 'Don't open offices in Turkey; if you give [the Turkish government] an inch, it will take a yard. Now, this looks like it is happening, Akdeniz said.

If the bill becomes the law, Akdeniz said, social media platforms that do not comply with these regulations would be punished" and possibly face state-backed bandwidth restrictions.

Article 22 covers access to state advertising revenue, including the Press Advertising Agencys powers to issue penalties and control the appeals process.

Critics say a proposal in Article 22 that allows advertising penalties to be issued without trial, regardless of the appeals process, is particularly threatening for opposition newspapers.

The proposed bill, which passed parliaments digital media commission with minor changes on June 2, is currently being examined by the justice commission.

The bill is expected to go up for a vote later this month.

This story originated in VOA's Turkish Service.
U.S. and Chinese military leaders held talks Friday for the first time since U.S. President Joe Biden took office.



U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chinese Minister of National Defense General Wei Fenghe met face-to-face on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier security meeting. The two leaders had spoken by phone in April.



A Pentagon statement said the two leaders discussed relations and regional security issues, including North Koreas weapons programs and Russias invasion of Ukraine.



The secretary underscored the importance of the Peoples Liberation Army engaging in substantive dialogue on improving crisis communications and reducing strategic risk, the statement said.



The Chinese defense ministry statement on Friday was not as restrained. It said the Chinese minister told Austin that his country would not hesitate to fight anyone who tries to separate Taiwan from China.



Speaking about the Ukraine issue, Wei said China always upholds the principle of objectivity and fairness and is making efforts to promote peace and talks. China will respond resolutely with countermeasures if anyone wants to make use of the Ukraine war to harm China's interests, the minister said.



The two sides have several areas of strong disagreement. The U.S. has taken exception to Beijing's claims to almost the entire South China Sea as well as its recent show of military strength regarding Taiwan.



China claims democratic, self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened to one day seize it, by force if necessary. The Biden administration has indicated it will support Taiwan militarily if China should act, though it has reiterated a long-held U.S. one China policy.



The secretary reiterated to General Wei that the United States remains committed to our longstanding one China policy, which is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the Three U.S.-China Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances, the Pentagon said in a statement following talks.



The secretary reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the Strait, opposition to unilateral changes to the status quo, and called on the PRC to refrain from further destabilizing actions toward Taiwan, it added.



Austin is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue, which runs through Sunday. It includes defense ministers and diplomats from 42 countries as well as security experts, business leaders and weapons firms.



It is the first time the event has been held since 2019 after twice being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chinas sharp characterization of the meeting with Austin is being seen as a signal to the Chinese public that Beijing would stand up to any effort to browbeat the country. The signal comes ahead of a meeting of the Communist Party conclave, which is due to approve a third term for President Xi Jinping later this year.



Reporting the contents of the meeting, Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesperson for Chinas Ministry of National Defense, said his minister had objected to the U.S. decision to make another arms sale to Taiwan. The move violated the one-China principle and the three different China-U.S. Joint Communiques, he said, adding that it has also harmed China's sovereignty and security interests, and badly damaged China-U.S. relations as well as peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits.



Wei said that countries in the region have the wisdom to deal with questions concerning the South China Sea. Interference by external forces is not necessary, he said. The U.S. should work for the stability of the South China Sea, instead of stirring up trouble, inciting disputes and hyping confrontation, Wu quoted Wei as saying.



The ministry spokesperson also said the Singapore meeting yielded one positive outcome: that U.S. and Chinese officials agreed to continue discussing issues of military communication and cooperation between through military and diplomatic channels.

Jeff Custer contributed to this report
U.S. officials say they are working with Ukraine to export at least three million tons of grain to combat the world's growing hunger crisis, especially in Africa. Before Russia's invasion, Ukraine was exporting six million tons of grain a month. But Russia's Black Sea naval blockade means grain that could feed 400 million people is stuck in Ukraine.

Ukraine is stuck with millions of tons of grains in the country, unable to export to the rest of the world, which is facing food shortages and high food prices due to Russias invasion of the country.



Jim OBrien, the head of the State Departments Office of Sanctions Coordination says there is enough food to feed millions, but Russias invasion makes it difficult to get it out of the country.

So, there are 20 million tons of grain sitting in Ukraine right now waiting to get out. And again, in a normal year, all of that would already be on the market, and its not, and theres one reason. Now, there are many reasons that there is a global trend that food security is weakened  But its 20 million tons, which could feed 200 to 400 million people. That's just waiting on Russias decision.

Russia and Ukraine are the grain basket of the world, and the two countries export a quarter of the world's grains.



Experts say grain shortages in other countries dependent on Ukraine grains are creating high food prices and supply chain problems.



On Thursday, Senegalese President and African Union Chairperson Macky Sall urged Ukraine to demine the Odesa port to help with grain exports.

Speaking with French media France 24 and RFI, Sall said if Africa does not get wheat from Ukraine, the continent will be in a famine that can create instability.

OBrien notes Russia is reducing Ukraines ability to produce its own food and food for the world.

Ukraine used to export 6 million or so tons of grain a month, mostly to the Global South. And now that has had to stop; in March and April, it was very small. With our European partners, were working very hard to get out as much grain as possible, but at best, it will probably be about half what it was before, and thats because Russia has occupied or destroyed 30-odd percent of Ukraines grain-producing capability. It is attacking grain storage and processing facilities.

The rise in food and fuel prices and a drought, which has not been seen in east Africa in 40 years, is making some 20 million people hungry.



West Africa and the Sahel region are also affected because the countries rely on wheat imports from the two countries.

U.S. Special Envoy for Global Food Security Dr. Cary Fowler says his country is supporting African countries to reduce hunger.

So, weve made great efforts to try to, in an emergency situation, to provide more humanitarian assistance, but weve also announced somewhat longer-term measures. I mentioned earlier that our... one of our flagship programs at the U.S. Agency for International Development is our Feed the Future program that involves quite a few countries around the world, but really focuses on  in a very intense way on about a dozen countries, I believe eight of which are in Africa. We expect that program to be expanded.

The U.S. accuses Russia of stealing Ukraines food and selling it to friendly countries.



Samuel Nyandemo teaches economics at the University of Nairobi. He says Africa will refuse to buy stolen grain from Russia but will look for other markets to beat the demand for food.

I dont think whether there is any African country willing to buy stolen grains from Ukraine sold by Russia. They will look for better alternatives, particularly from Argentina and other Latin American countries which are also producing those grains. The best solution here is that Russia should come to the table with Ukraine, and they solve this thing diplomatically.

U.S. officials say they are working with Ukraines neighbors and the European Union to get as much grain out of the country as possible and support the initiative to lift the blockade on the Odesa port.
Vietnam is protesting Chinas annual spring-into-summer fishing ban that Hanoi says partially violates its sovereignty.

In a statement issued prior to Chinas implementation of what it calls a fishing moratorium, Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said on April 29 that Hanoi has consistently and clearly expressed its objection to the ban that this year runs from May 1 to August 15.

The ban, first imposed in 1999, applies to all waters north of 12 degrees latitude. This includes most of the Gulf of Tonkin and the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea, which are occupied by China but also claimed by Vietnam.

Hang said that part of the scope of the fishing ban violates Vietnam's sovereignty over the Paracel Islands and Vietnam's sovereign rights and jurisdiction that are determined under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea [UNCLOS] [adopted] in 1982, the Agreement on the delimitation of the Gulf of Tonkin between Vietnam and China signed in 2000.

Vietnam asks China to respect Vietnam's sovereignty over the Paracel Islands, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its seas when taking measures to conserve biological resources in the East Sea [South China Sea], without complicating the situation, [and] to contribute to maintaining peace, stability and order in the East Sea region, she added.

According to the state-run China Daily, the ban is part of the country's efforts to promote sustainable marine fishery development and improve marine ecology.

In a response to a similar protest made by the Philippines over the ban this year, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said during the regular daily press briefing on June 1, The summer fishing moratorium in the South China Sea adopted by China is a normal measure of conserving marine biological resources in waters under Chinas jurisdiction, and a manifestation of fulfilling obligations under international law including UNCLOS by the Chinese side. Zhao was referring to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

He continued to say, China cannot accept the unwarranted accusation of the Philippine Foreign Ministry. We hope the Philippine side can view the measures objectively and correctly, and earnestly fulfill the obligations as a littoral state of the South China Sea to jointly promote sustainable development of fishery in the South China Sea.

Vietnam and the Philippines are among seven claimants for territorial sovereignty in the South China Sea. The other nations are Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and Taiwan. The United States is a nonclaimant in the South China Sea and has called on China to abide by international law.

Gregory Poling is director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies, or CSIS. He told VOA in 2020 that damage to sea life in the South China Sea is clearly worsening.

Fishing in the sea quickly expanded in the 1980s and early 1990s, when it reached about 10 million tons per year. Those numbers come from a 2017 study. The lead researchers of the study  Cui Liang of Chinas Xiamen University and Daniel Pauly from the University of British Columbia  said fishing activities leveled off after that expansion.

In recent years, boats have been fishing in deeper waters and catching smaller fish. Five years ago, fishing in the South China Sea accounted for 12% of the worldwide fish catch, CSIS estimates show.

Echoing the official lines of Vietnams government, Phan Huy Hoang, chairman of Quang Ngai Provincial Fisheries Association, said on June 1 that Chinas ban, is illegal and has no impact on Vietnamese fishermen.

He told VOA Vietnamese that he is urging fishermen to ignore Chinas ban, which he said is unreasonably imposed, and to venture out to the sea to fish as usual, which is similar to a position recently taken by the Philippines.

Asked if Vietnam should consider litigating against China over the ban, Hoang said diplomatic protest should continue as legal means have no effect on Beijing.

Litigation against China does not help. The Philippines sued China and the international court ruled that the nine-dash line has no value, no legal basis, and history, which China still ignores. Suing has no effect, Hoang said, referring to the 2016 verdict by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration in favor of Manila over Beijing. The nine-dash line is used by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to illustrate claims to the South China Sea. It encompasses approximately 90% of the more than 3 million-square-kilometer South China Sea.

In an effort to boost fishermens morale and assert Vietnams sovereignty over disputed areas, Vietnams fisheries surveillance force on April 20 launched a campaign called A million national flags for fishermen to maintain their presence at sea.

Nguyen Quang Hung, who heads the surveillance force, told VOA Vietnamese that fishermen were happy to receive the flags as those gifts empower them. Asked if Vietnams call for fishermen to defy Chinas ban would put them at risk, Hung declined to comment further.
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 continuing 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.

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 on the northeastern city. One hit a supermarket. Another hit a coke plant. No details were immediately available. Ukraines second-largest city lies to the north of the Donbas.

 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.

___
State security agents on Wednesday blocked Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Mudenda, from attending a top level meeting of the ruling Zanu PF party following a fallout over his remarks that Zimbabweans living in the diaspora should be allowed to vote in national elections.

According to the privately-owned NewsDay newspaper, Mudenda was barred from attending a Politburo meeting in Harare as some Zanu PF bigwigs claimed that his utterances for a diaspora vote tarnished the image of the party. Zanu PF strongly opposes the diaspora vote.

One of the sources quoted by the newspaper said, Mudenda was barred from attending the politburo meeting by some State security agents because people in the party are not happy with the diaspora vote which he called for recently.

The newspaper quoted Mudenda describing as nonsense suggestions that he was barred from the meeting.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, presidential spokesperson George Charamba and Zanu PF spokesperson have publicly attacked Mudenda for saying that Zimbabweans living in the diaspora should be allowed to vote through some constitutional amendments.

Mnangagwa said personal remarks made by Mudenda should not be associated with the ruling party while Mutsvangwa openly attacked him.

NewsDay quoted Mutsvangwa as saying,  Its unbecoming when some of our members express views in Parliament about certain issues. We have a caucus at the party. Why would somebody from the ruling party want to go and express things about the diaspora or express things about when the President should be electing a vice-president We should discuss them here. To go out and start talking out of turn is not the Zanu PF way. There is no problem in having variant views, but lets discuss them if you are a party member. As the spokesperson of the party, I appeal for discipline from our party members.

Some Zanu PF juniors have also been attacking Mudenda claiming that he is now a front for the West, which imposed targeted sanctions on senior ruling party officials.
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.
As Russias invasion of Ukraine enters its fourth month, Ukrainian officials are increasingly worried the West could soon suffer war fatigue.

They fear Russia could take advantage of that to pressure Ukraine into compromise, something Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has resisted, saying Ukraine would pursue its own terms for peace.

The fatigue is growing, people want some kind of outcome [that is beneficial] for themselves, and we want [another] outcome for ourselves, he said.

It is obvious that Russia is determined to wear down the West and is now building its strategy on the assumption that Western countries will get tired and gradually begin to change their militant rhetoric to a more accommodating one, said Volodymyr Fesenko, political analyst with the Penta Center think tank in an interview with The Associated Press.

Meanwhile, the grinding Ukrainian-Russian fight for control of Sievierodonetsk in eastern Ukraine continued Friday.

Ukrainian officials have upped their calls for more weaponry, including rocket systems and artillery, from the West.

"This is an artillery war now," Vadym Skibitsky, deputy head of Ukraines military intelligence, said in an interview with Britain's Guardian newspaper.

Everything now depends on what [the West] gives us, said Skibitsky. "Ukraine has one artillery piece to 10 to 15 Russian artillery pieces. Our Western partners have given us about 10% of what they have."

U.S. President Joe Biden said last week the U.S. would provide Ukraine with advanced rocket systems and munitions that will enable it to more precisely strike key Russian targets.

In a New York Times essay on May 31, Biden said, I will not pressure the Ukrainian government  in private or public  to make any territorial concessions.

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.

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.

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.

Ukraine is also trying to strengthen its hand through diplomatic efforts.

Zelenskyy is pushing the European Union to put Ukraine on track to membership, the Associated Press reported. In a video address on Friday to the Copenhagen Democracy Summit, he said the EU should act quickly to offer Ukraine the status of a candidate to join the 27-nation bloc.

He said that the "gray zone" Ukraine has been left in has encouraged Russian aggression. He urged the EU to show "that its words about the Ukrainian people being part of the European family arent a hollow sound."

The European Commission is set to back EU candidate status for Ukraine next week despite objections from Denmark and the Netherlands, Bloomberg reported on Friday, citing unnamed sources.

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.
South Africa: Presidency supports rebuilding of government institutions and law enforcement

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the Presidency is steadfast in lending its support to law enforcement agencies in South Africas war against corruption and is fully focused on rebuilding South Africas public institutions.

The President was addressing Parliament in reply to the houses debate on the Presidencys budget vote.

Accountability is the cornerstone of any transformative vision if it is to be realised. No more critical is this than in the fight against corruption. We willcontinue to lend the support and weight of the highest office in the land to the work of the multidisciplinary Fusion Centre, the Hawks, the SAPS (South African Police Service), the NPA (National Prosecuting Authority) Investigating Directorate, and all entities involved in the war against corruption, he said.

"To further strengthen the fight against corruption at the local government level, the President reported that the work undertaken by the SAPS Clean Audit Task Team is ongoing and has seen a number of arrests for fraud and corruption at local government level.

Institutional credibility

The President reported that the task government has undertaken to rebuild and restore credibility to state institutions like the NPA and the South African Revenue Service is bearing fruit.

It was this Presidency that instituted high-level commissions of enquiry into the workings of the South African Revenue Service and the NPA. Credibility has been restored to these institutions as they implemented the recommendations of the respective commissions.

By way of example, last financial year SARS collected record revenues of R1.564 trillion. Four years since I appointed a commission of inquiry into administration and governance at SARS, its turnaround has been spectacular. This revenue enables the state to fund social support, social infrastructure, and many other projects, he said.

He added that the Presidency is working to ensure that recommendations made by the Special Investigating Unit in respect of investigations into departments and state institutions are acted upon.

As The Presidency, another focus for us this year is supporting the respective departments to implement the recommendations of a number of high-level commissions appointed by the President.

As I indicateda number of the recommendations made by the expert panel into the 2021 July unrest, have already been implemented. Notably, restoring stability to the leadership of the State Security Agency, the South African Police Service, and SAPS Crime Intelligence, he said.

Turning to crime prevention and investigation, President Ramaphosa said government has its eye trained on improving policing in the country.

The Honourable Groenewald has called on government to focus on strengthening the criminal justice system to deal decisively with all forms of criminality that impacts peoples daily lives.

This begins, fundamentally, with improving policing. The re-establishment of CPFs (Community Policing Forums), the entry of new police recruits, and strengthening public order policing will further support our hardworking SAPS members whose job is difficult and an often thankless task, he said.  SANews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-06-10. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
The goal of the campaign is encouraging Auburnians to show their pride in residing in the chosen hometown of American hero Harriet Tubman, the office said in a news release. This year is the 200th anniversary of her birth. The office interviewed local citizens about why they're proud to live in her hometown, and videos are available on its social media platforms and website.
As from July 1, Poland will suspend the allocation of funds for the 2 million Ukrainian refugees on its soil. This measure will not apply to pregnant women, women with many children and the disabled.
Photo: Jeong Park/Searchlight

Home to underwear parties and the Meat Rack, the gay haven known as Fire Island is largely clothing optional. So it goes too for Fire Island, the new romantic comedy (streaming on Hulu now) written by and starring Joel Kim Booster. Fire Island follows a group of queer besties on their yearly trip of beach, boys, and tea. Its a modern interpretation of Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice but with poppers and OnlyFans references, directed by Andrew Ahn and co-starring Bowen Yang and Margaret Cho.

Just moments after their ferry sets course for the Pines, gaggles of gays pull off their shirts in preparation for the promised land. When dressing a movie about a place where many dont wear much in the summer, costume designer David Tabbert treated each characters wardrobe as an accent to the scenes and emotions, he told Vulture.

Tabbert himself has been going to Fire Island since his 20s. With the films script in hand, he thought about how he packs for his own getaways: swimsuits that double as shorts, layers that can be thrown on easily. Especially important was defining his approach to the films portrayals of class and delineating between our protagonists group of friends (budget queens who met working at a Williamsburg brunch spot) and the wealthy guys (a doctor, a lawyer, and a brand manager, the three rich gay jobs) they meet while going out, who are staying in a luxurious Ocean Walk house.

Tabbert also wanted to tout queer designers. The Fire Island crew was often dressed in R. Swiader, Double Scorpio, Telfar, Patrick Church, and more.

The Tuna Walk Crew

Illustration: Cassandra Hsieh

Joel Kim Booster as Noah

Confident and self-assured, Noah never backs down from a chance to stand up for his friends or deliver a searing retort. Hes built tough skin over time and may be comfortable putting his body on display, but he is still guarded when it comes to affairs of the heart. Muscle shirts, cutoff shorts, and solid-colored briefs and Speedos make up most of his getaway garments; vintage Adidas and Y,IWO (Yeah, I Work Out) tanks show off lots of skin, and all his swimwear is from R. Swiader. And of course his underwear-party look is a pristine white pair of Calvin Klein briefs.

Fire Island star and writer Joel Kim Booster (far right) in an R. Swiader swimmer. Photo: Hulu

We wanted to really consider the fact that Noah and his group of friends live in a way thats so familiar to so many young people in cities like New York and San Francisco, Tabbert said. They live paycheck to paycheck and arent by any means rich. Their rent is high, they live in small apartments, but they each have their own unique style. Also, importantly, Joel is hot. We wanted to make sure he looked sexy.

Tabbert knew hed hit the nail on the head when he saw basically the spitting image of Noah also wearing a Y,IWO tank, athleisure shorts, and crew socks walking into the R. Swiader store shortly after wrapping the movie. Now we finally know what Elizabeth Bennet would wear to the beach.

Bowen Yang as Howie

Photo: Jeong Park/Searchlight

Noahs friendship with Howie is one forged through working drunk brunch shifts together in their 20s and mutual solidarity as Asian men in the gay community. A hopeless romantic in the body of a freelance graphic designer living in San Francisco, Howie craves a love with grand gestures and kisses in the rain. The inverse to Noahs confidence, Howies insecurity is accented with an abundance of practical overshirts. Short-sleeve button-downs from Bonobos and Saturdays NYC work almost as a security blanket for him, frequently paired with Parke and Ronen shorts. Tabbert also used different necklines to show Howies changing levels of comfort: crew-neck shirts when hes feeling guarded and tank tops when hes more confident.

When the group prepares for the underwear party, Howie gets caked up in red-and-white underwear with a cut-out in the back. At the actual party, however, he shows up in far less revealing shorts. We wanted to show there was some hesitation there, Tabbert explained. It was very, very intentional. In the end, we wanted to show he played it safer.

Margaret Cho as Erin

Photo: Jeong Park/Searchlight

The mama bear, resident lesbian, and oh-so-wise mentor of the group, Erin hosts her litter of gay boys at a well-styled house on the Tuna Walk she bought with settlement money from being served glass at a franchise restaurant. (Secure the bag however you can!) Much of her wardrobe was sourced from vintage shops, and the costume team dyed her robes and halter tops themselves. The only constant in Erins wardrobe is a pair of incredible vintage Levi cutoffs that work with everything, Tabbert said, while her earrings and shoes change in almost every scene. Her clothes are a material reflection of her many colorful years on the island, Tabbert explained. We really wanted them to have a storied history.

Matt Rogers as Luke

Matt Rogers in Lukes signature ascot (left), Zane Phillips as Dex (center), and and Tomas Matos as Keegan (right). Photo: Searchlight Pictures

Lukes style is doing the most, saying the least. He and Keegan (Tomas Matos) are the pizzazz and jazz hands of the group, two besties who met in theater school. So it makes sense that he goes the extra mile, especially when it comes to his clothes: crochet shorts from Lord Von Schmitt, a singlet from Patrick Church, and a custom rhinestone whistle hung on a Lockwood 51 lanyard. His Pretty Snake swimsuit from an after-party scene even has fins on the side. Lukes looks are pinned together by a custom Kapital bandanna he wears around his neck as an ascot in pretty much every scene.

Tomas Matos as Keegan

Costume designer David Tabbert (left) and Tomas Matos (right) on the set of Fire Island. Photo: David Tabbert

Keegan and Luke are the campy, queer version of the Wonder Twins. Their combined energy is best illustrated during a round of Heads Up! when they flawlessly reenact Marisa Tomeis biological-clock monologue from My Cousin Vinny. Never without their Edgar Posa pearls and sissy nameplate necklace, Keegan manifests their unapologetic sense of freedom in their looks. Keegan also stunts when it comes to headwear, sporting pieces such as a Telfar durag and a crown from Jimaye. The character also has the honor of wearing one of Tabberts favorite costumes: Keegans ensemble for the underwear party. Tomas is from Staten Island, and as a little shout-out we turned a Staten Island bike-racing shirt into a crop top and put them in a harness singlet with a little bag the size of an Airpod case, Tabbert said.

Also very important: their high-heeled platform boots are Jessica Simpson.

Torian Miller as Max

Torian Miller (far right) in a Hawaiian-print polo and one of Maxs signature bucket hats. Photo: Searchlight Pictures

The much-needed voice of reason for the Tuna Walk boys, Max has a great head on his shoulders and is averse to mess. His softer and more grounded sensibilities are reflected in his practical choices: plenty of bucket hats and printed button-ups. We wanted dad vibes for him, Tabbert said. That meant polos, aloha shirts, and New Balance 993s.

The Ocean Walk Boys

James Scully as Charlie

Left to right: James Scully as Charlie, Nick Adams as Cooper, and Conrad Ricamora as Will. Photo: Jeong Park/Searchlight

If you close your eyes and think of someone whose family vacations (yes, vacations as a verb) on Marthas Vineyard, Charlie is right on the money. The New England money. A sweet but oblivious doctor and best friend to Will, hes more open to the Fire Island experience and immediately sparks a connection with Howie. Hes sort of like a rich, brunette golden retriever.

Charlie dresses in brands including Polo Ralph Lauren, Giorgio Armani, Vineyard Vines, Sperry Topsiders, and Rowing Blazers. With the Ocean Walk boys, we wanted to show constant changes of clothing where you never really saw the same outfit worn more than once, Tabbert explained.

Conrad Ricamora as Will

Visiting the island from the West Coast, uptight Will doesnt offer the warmest welcome when he first meets the Tuna Walk guys. Turns out his prickliness comes from feeling like he has to keep his guard up and protect his friends. He finally starts to soften a bit when he finds Noah reading Alice Munro, because who TF else reads a book while at the Pines? Outfitted in more expensive brands including Ron Dorff, Giorgio Armani, and Burberry, Will clearly has money but perhaps not a lot of style. Hes the sort of guy who spends a lot on his clothes because he thinks hes supposed to.

It was important he not be so flashy or intentionally stylish but instead the kind of guy who is so rich hell spend $400 on a Brunello Cucinelli T-shirt, but its just a plain gray T-shirt, Tabbert said. I dont know if we actually put Brunello in the movie, because it would be kind of a blow to the budget. On-camera, it doesnt have the same appreciation.

Nick Adams as Cooper

Rounding out the group of Ocean Walk guys, Cooper is more aggressively elitist and obnoxious both in how he interacts with other characters and how he dresses. Hes a brand manager, whatever that means. Cooper was the Caroline Bingley, ostentatious and over-the-top, Tabbert said. He wears a Christian Dior chain necklace throughout the movie. At tea, hes in head-to-toe Gucci. The day after tea, head-to-toe Versace. Last scene? Head-to-toe Balenciaga. Duh.

Zane Phillips as Dex

Zane Phillips as Dex in a cutoff tee at the Pantry. Photo: Jeong Park/Searchlight

Trouble takes the shape of a tall, muscled, mustached glass of water known as Dex, whom Tabbert dressed to showcase all the assets, he explained. When Noah first runs into Dex at the Pantry, hes wearing shorts with a handkerchief in the back pocket as a nod to hanky codes, which might not be much of a thing now, but play a part in queer history as community identifiers.

He was the only person in the movie who never changed his clothes, Tabbert said. Hes a little bit grungy, trashy. Were not sure how often he showers, and we dont care.
The state Thruway Authority has started a multi-year $84.2 million project that will upgrade a five-mile stretch of Interstate 90 in Onondaga County.

Harrison & Burrowes Bridge Constructors, of Glenmont, was awarded the contract for the extensive project that includes the reconstruction of the eastbound and westbound lanes of the Thruway between exits 37 (Syracuse/Liverpool/Electronics Parkway) and 39 (Syracuse/Fulton/Interstate 690).

Two bridges  the Onondaga Lake Outlet bridge and the Onondaga Parkway bridge  that pass over the Thruway will be rehabilitated. The CSX Railroad bridge over I-90 will be replaced.

Other improvements include the reconstruction of the exit 39 ramp, pavement repairs at exit 38, wider shoulders, new guiderails, new signage and reflective line striping. There will be drainage improvements and the installation of a "living snow fence."

The project will be completed in fall 2023.

"This infrastructure investment project on the Thruway in Onondaga County addresses aging infrastructure and further enhances the safety and reliability of our transportation system in New York state," Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement. "Investing in infrastructure projects is essential to maintaining a modern and efficient roadway that connects our communities and transportation networks across the state."

The project requires lane shifts, which have already taken effect. All traffic has been moved to the westbound side of the Thruway to allow for construction on the eastbound lanes. In the fall, traffic will return to the original configuration.

Next spring, the westbound lanes will be reconstructed. Traffic will move to the eastbound side of the Thruway.

Matthew Driscoll, the executive director of the Thruway Authority, highlighted the reinvestment of toll revenue to fund infrastructure projects like the upgrades along the Thruway in Onondaga County.

"With approximately 35,000 vehicles traveling on the section of Thruway daily, these improvements support New York's economy and keeps goods and services moving efficiently across the state," he said.

Politics reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.

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Italy looks back on anniversary of Vermicino tragedy whose doomed rescue attempts unfolded on live television.

On this day 41 years ago, a small boy fell deep into a well in a village near Frascati, about 20 km south-east of Rome.

Alfredo Rampi, known as Alfredino, was six years old.

On the evening of 10 June 1981, the boy asked his father if he could walk back across the field to the family's holiday house. It is a short walk and his father said yes.

When his father returns home later there is no sign of Alfredino. His alarmed parents begin looking for him and soon they are joined by a police search party.

Alfredino Rampi

The search party comes across a well in adjoining property but initially it is excluded it as it is covered with a sheet of metal weighed down with rocks.

Shortly afterwards, however, a fire fighter insists on checking the well and, sticking his head into the abyss, he makes out the moans of little Alfredino.

'Mamma,' came the faint voice from far below.

It transpires that the owner of the land had covered over the well, which was dug illegally, without realising that the little boy was trapped inside.

An emergency operation to save Alfredino begins.

The rescue is complicated from the outset: the mouth of the well is only 28 cm wide and the tunnel is 80 metres deep, with very irregular walls.

After rescuers lower a lamp inside it is revealed that the child is stuck at a depth of about 36 metres, blocked by a recess.

Alfredino's mother, Franca Rampi, with rescue officials and volunteers. Photo ANSA.

The first attempt to save Alfredino turns out to be a disaster: the rescuers lower a wooden board into the well, to allow the child to cling to it, but it gets stuck at a depth of 24 metres and the rope tied to it snaps.

The well is now blocked.

During the night, technicians from the state television broadcaster RAI arrive on site and, by lowering their equipment into the well, allow the rescuers to communicate with Alfredino.

Speleologists from the Alpine Rescue volunteer to lower themselves into the well in an attempt to remove the board blocking the rescue operation.

The attempts fail.

It is decided to start digging two tunnels, one vertical and one horizontal, in a bid to reach Alfredino who by now is asking for water.

However the digging is hampered from the start by the tough terrain, then granite, which makes it difficult to tunnel.

Alfredino, who suffers from congenital heart disease, drifts in and out of sleep.

Day break, 11 June. Later in the morning RAI begins broadcasting live from the rescue site in Vermicino. The intention is to film the lead-up to the rescue of Alfredino, expected imminently.

Tragically, this does not go according to plan.

As the day goes by millions of people tune in to watch the rescue attempts. Thousands of people have gathered around the site to watch.

Rescuers work unceasingly, their work impeded frequently by technical obstacles. The cameras keep rolling.

The non-stop television coverage is attracting up to 21 million viewers at peak times. The president of Italy, Sandro Pertini, visits the scene to offer comfort to Alfredino's parents.

President of Italy, Sandro Pertini, visits the Vermicino site. Photo ANSA.

A visibly distraught Pertini vows not to move until Alfredino is rescued.

Alfredino's condition begins to deteriorate.

Then, on the morning of 12 June (a day and a half after his fall) Alfredino stops responding to rescuers.

By that evening, the drilling of the tunnels is complete, with the horizontal tunnel reaching a depth of 34 metres.

Rescuers then make a terrible discovery.

Vibrations from the drilling have caused the little boy to slip an estimated 30 metres further down the well.

With the boy now not responding and trapped about 60 metres below ground, the only option is to lower someone into the remaining part of the well.

After multiple failed attempts by trained speleologists, rescuers began to choose the smallest, slightest men they could find, to fit into the narrow and increasingly deep abyss.

A volunteer steps forward. His name is Angelo Licheri.

He has travelled from Rome specifically to offer his services.

Liccheri strips to his underwater and is lowered into the shaft, upside down.

Angelo Licheri. Photo ANSA.

After descending for 60 metres, Licheri reaches Alfredino who is very weak but still responsive.

Licheri tries to lift the boy's spirits. He promises to buy him a new bicycle, that he will take him fishing.

All Licheri's attempts to place a harness on Alfredino fail, as do his sustained efforts to pull him upwards, out of the mud. Alfredino slips deeper.

After 45 minutes - far more than the maximum 25 minutes considered safe for an upside-down mission - a desperate Licheri blows Alfredino a kiss, says "Ciao piccolino" and makes the agonising call to be lifted up without the boy.

When Licheri resurfaces, he faints and would be hospitalised for a month from injuries sustained in his mission.

Subsequent attempts by others to save Alfredino fail too. The last miniature volunteer to reach the boy was Donato Caruso. It was dawn on 13 June.

"He's not breathing."

Caruso managed to secure Alfredino with handcuffs but his wrist slipped out and he fell further. Caruso could not budge his inert body from the mud.

After lowering a sonar probe, doctors could not detect a heart beat.

Alfredino Rampi was declared dead at 06.36 on Saturday 13 June. His death was announced live on air, through tears, by television presenter Massimo Valentini.

Alfredino's body would not be recovered until 11 July, a month after he fell.

Aftermath

Alfredino's death would lead to the creation of Italy's civil protection agency. The live broadcasting of the rescue attempt also triggered a major debate in Italy about media ethics and privacy. Photos ANSA.
U.S. Rep. John Katko has been a proponent of "red flag" laws to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous individuals, but on Thursday he voted against a House Democratic proposal that aims to prevent mass shootings.

The House passed legislation authored by U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, a Georgia Democrat, to establish federal extreme risk protection orders. According to the bill, a family member or law enforcement officer could petition a court if someone poses a risk to themselves or others. If the order is granted, the individual will be required to forfeit their firearms and ammunition.

The initial order would last 14 days, but it's possible that the petitioner could seek a long-term order. In that case, a hearing would be held to determine whether such an order should be granted.

The bill also seeks to encourage states to enact red flag laws by providing grant funding for the implementation of extreme risk protection orders.

The House passed the legislation by a 224-202 vote, with 219 Democrats and five Republicans supporting the measure. One Democrat and 201 Republicans opposed it.

"We voted to save the lives of our children, to protect our families, and to do what is right," said McBath, whose son was shot and killed in 2012.

Katko first introduced a red flag proposal in 2018 in the aftermath of the shooting in Parkland, Florida. That bill would've given states priority for federal police grants if they adopted red flag laws.

But Katko opposed the House Democrats' bill because, according to a spokesperson, the "evidentiary standards and due process protections under this legislation, as well as the establishment of a federal red flag statute, differ significantly from the Protecting Our Communities and Rights Act, legislation previously introduced and strongly advanced for by Rep. Katko."

"Due to these differences, Rep. Katko was unable to support this legislation on the House floor, however, he remains encouraged by the consideration of federal support for state red flag laws by the bipartisan Senate working group," the spokesperson added.

The passage of the red flag bill followed a series of gun safety votes on Wednesday. The House passed the Protecting Our Kids Act, a gun safety package that included provisions to raise the age to buy a semiautomatic rifle from 18 to 21 and crack down on gun trafficking.

Katko voted against the bill despite supporting most of its provisions.

Congress is hoping to pass a gun safety bill, but it's unlikely the House measures will advance in the Senate. A bipartisan group of senators is working to negotiate a gun safety measure.

Politics reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @robertharding.

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School is out! Parents have almost 14 consecutive weeks in front of them to manage their children.

School ends, along comes summer and the search for camps for children and teens, some 5 million of them, who will return to their desks at the start of the new school year, set for September 12-19 next year.

That's nearly 14 weeks parents must cover. An undertaking that comes at a high cost: according to the National Association for Consumer Defense and Guidance, the average weekly expense for a private camp is 170 euros, and only 25 percent of families can afford it.

The long summer break is also a time when students experience regression: according to the American Educational Research Association, more than 51 percent of children experience "summer learning loss," meaning they lose between 17 and 28 percent of knowledge in the humanities and between 25 and 34 percent in math.

According to the Eurydice network, the number of school days in fact varies, from 156 days in Albania and 200 days in Denmark and Italy.

Italy, however, not only has more school days, it also has the longest vacations: they range on average from a minimum of 6 to 8 consecutive weeks (France, Germany, UK, Norway, for example) to 10 to 12 weeks (Finland, Greece, Iceland, Portugal, Spain, Hungary), to 13 weeks in Italy and Latvia.

In Italy, the biggest break is in summer, while many countries break up the year with more frequent short breaks (in addition to Christmas and Easter, there is also an autumn and spring break).

But why does Italy, despite many proposals, continue with this school calendar with the longest break in Europe? It is a choice with roots more than a century old, when, in order to allow even farmers' children to be able to attend school, the calendar followed the wheat cycle, which is harvested in July.

Since the year 2000 several governments have tried to "shorten" the school summer vacation, without success.

In 2008, Francesco Rutelli and Giuseppe Fioroni, then minister of education, had timidly suggested aligning with other countries and going down to 12 weeks. But nothing was done about it.

In 2013, the Monti government tried to move from three to one month of vacation, but the school calendar reform was shelved.

In 2015, Labor Minister Giuliano Poletti proposed shortening the vacations and devoting a month to education- a proposal that fell on deaf ears.

Why? Skeptics usually repeat that it is a decision that takes into account the climate factor: going to school until the end of June, or from September 1, would especially penalize students in the South, who face higher temperatures than students in the North.

In 2021, current Prime Minister Mario Draghi had put forward the idea of a longer year to allow kids affected by the pandemic and distance learning to recover, and "summer schools" were activated, which will return this year.

Education Minister Patrizio Bianch explained, "The summer plan was a great success last year... This year there are about 290 million resources available... And we will make this experience structural. For many years there was talk about schools opening in the summer. We said we would open them, and we did."

However, as many parents point out, summer school has been dictated by the availability of individual schools, principals and teachers.

An integrated structural initiative would be needed to change the Italian school calendar. But, for now, all is silent.

To the parents of Italy, in bocca al lupo.

Photo credit: MZeta / Shutterstock.com
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When war is raging in Ukraine, talk of reconstruction may seem premature. How can the country rebuild anything given the constant threat of attack? And yet, its right that governments and multilateral fora, along with Ukraine itself, are focusing on rebuilding. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Although the first principle of help for Ukraine has to be military aid along with humanitarian support, it is not too early to plan some aspects of reconstructing the country. The emphasis here should be on planning. Although there is some emergency restoration work and other support needed now, the big disbursements will largely come later and will require Ukraine itself to pursue certain reforms. But setting up the structures and pathways is essential. It should also be led by Europe, not least because a dysfunctional or unstable Ukraine would have profound political, economic and security consequences for the continent.

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Its clear that degrading Ukraines economy is part of Russias plan, as rocket attacks on the huge grain silo of Mykolaiv and the theft of grain stocks demonstrate. Vladimir Putin has also refused humanitarian corridors, blocked grain exports and attacked factories, plants and social infrastructure, along with roads, ports and railways.

Ukraines gross domestic product is expected to contract by 45% this year, and 99% of companies in the country have reported losses. Roads, railways, grain elevators, telecommunications networks, real estate, schools and hospitals have been damaged, destroyed or seized by Russian forces. Maritime transport has been shut down. Millions have fled the country; millions more are internally displaced. A running tally by the Kyiv School of Economics puts key infrastructure loss at $105 billion.

And that will only be a small part of the total bill. The U.S. spent 5% of Europes GDP over a period of four years on the Marshall Plan after World War II  around $179 billion in todays money. Amounts five, six or 10 times that are being bandied about for the rebuilding of Ukraine. Some quarters are pushing to put frozen Russian assets to use for the purpose, though the legal basis for doing so is dubious.

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There is a large body of economic research on post-conflict reconstruction, with case studies ranging from Iraq to Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Haiti and others, and the upshot is that these efforts often flop.

That doesnt have to be the case in Ukraine. It may be Europes poorest economy, but at least it doesnt have the kind of baggage of countries trying to rebuild due to internal conflict. Its greatest strength is its democracy and civil society, and the war has magnified the importance of both.

Volodymyr Zelenskiys government also has received high marks since the start of the war for both competence and vision  and anyone who has followed Ukraines bumpy post-Soviet trajectory will know just how unusual that is. From the first day of Russias attack, it moved to safeguard financial stability and simplify taxation, making it easier for those displaced to access services.

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Still, there is no textbook for this, as European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Managing Director Matteo Patrone acknowledged in a Zoom call. How much money should be allocated to which rebuilding priorities? How much should be in the form of grants and how much loans? Who should oversee the disbursements, with what timing and what conditions? Should frozen Russian assets be repurposed for reconstruction?

There are different stages to any reconstruction project of this scale, but Patrone notes an immediate need to make repairs to vital infrastructure to enable exports to flow again, particularly those crucial to food security. Restoring some rail, roads and inland waterways will also help reestablish some normality in parts of the country.

To attract serious investment again, investors will obviously need to feel safe from Russian artillery attacks. But Ukraines government must also prepare the way with a range of institutional reforms. The agenda looks similar to what foreign donors, the European Union and EBRD wanted before the war, including judicial reform, corporate governance reform and privatizations in banking and other areas of the economy where the state remains dominant.

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Patrone says the Ukrainian officials he works with are wise to the challenge and know that, with so much public support, now is the time to tackle the really difficult reforms.

But change wont be easy, and not just because Ukraine is fighting; it also has to kick old habits and structures. The country came 122 out of 180 on Transparency Internationals corruption perceptions index in 2021, with 23% of public-service users saying they paid a bribe in the previous 12 months.

To be fair, the government has been trying harder. There is a round-the-clock hotline so that citizens can address corruption issues and an electronic register that allows the public to inspect the assets of public officials and civil servants. Innovations such as the open-source e-procurement system ProZorro (a play on the Ukrainian word for transparently, prozoro) put the UKs to shame.

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Still, Ukraine has a very long way to go. Talks about EU membership may be motivating, but theyre likely to be slow and contentious. The country will have to press on with reforms even without that carrot.

The big prize, if Ukraine can get it, is the third word in the build back better slogan. Ukraine wants its reconstruction program to be a catalyst for greener, more sustainable growth. Given the countrys educated workforce and strength in IT, thats not unrealistic. Diversifying away from fossil fuels is also a security imperative, though one that will take time. Ukraines supply of nuclear energy, which already accounts for 50% of the energy needs of the country, must be modernized and more renewable energy sources built.

The Marshall Plan was generous, but its genius was in creating the right environment for recovery and investment. It was also targeted, separating humanitarian aid from reconstruction support, and came with strict conditionality. The design of any reconstruction plan will have to be heavy with conditionality as well and encourage further political and institutional reforms.

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How funds are administered may be secondary to what Ukraine does with them, but the vehicle matters, too. The authors of a blueprint for Ukraines reconstruction, published by the Center for Economic Policy Research, proposed having an EU-authorized independent agency, similar to the Economic Cooperation Administration that administered the Marshall Plan. The European Commissions proposed RebuildUkraine Facility  to be led jointly by Ukraine and the European Commission, and to coordinate aid from EU member states, international financial institutions and multilateral groups such as the G7  seems to fit that bill, though its doubtful it will be free from political interference.

But Europes big talk on rebuilding belies the reality that successful reconstruction cant take place in the absence of security. For all the focus on money, US security guarantees were the critical complement to the postwar aid program, as Benn Steil, author of a book on the Marshall Plan, has argued. Ukraine is not likely to have that luxury, at least not for a very long while. It will have to spend a large share of its own budget on security.

Rebuilding Ukraine will be slow, expensive and fraught with risks. But the alternative is unthinkable. And the longer the war drags on, the higher the costs will be. While its important to prepare for reconstruction, the biggest downpayment the democratic world can make to Ukraines future stability is investing in the countrys defense now.

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More From Bloomberg Opinion:

 A Long War in Ukraine Could Bring Global Chaos: Hal Brands

 Merkel Will Enter History as the Neville Chamberlain of Our Time: Andreas Kluth

 Well Need Sanctions and Stamina to Defeat Putin: Clara Ferreira Marques

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Therese Raphael is a columnist for Bloomberg Opinion covering health care and British politics. Previously, she was editorial page editor of the Wall Street Journal Europe.

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Russian President Vladimir Putins attack on Ukraine has made the West  in this context, NATO and the European Union  more united than its been in a long time. Unfortunately, that cohesion is now at risk, as the Russian invasion turns into a grinding war of attrition. To deter Putin from escalating and to keep him from winning, Western leaders must focus on the two weakest links in their alliance: Turkey and Hungary.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the president of Turkey  a member of NATO but not the EU  says he will block the accession of Sweden and Finland to the transatlantic alliance unless hes given a series of unrelated concessions. If he actually follows through, he would not only leave both countries more vulnerable to Russian aggression, but also render NATO weaker than it should be in defending its Baltic members. Gratuitously, Erdogan is also increasing tensions with Greece, another NATO ally.

Then theres Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. For weeks, hes been holding up a sanctions package that would embargo Russian oil. EU leaders last week thought they had finally reached a compromise: Only Russian oil delivered by ship would be banned, whereas the sort arriving via pipelines would not. That would give landlocked Hungary, as well as the Czech Republic and Slovakia, more time to adjust their energy infrastructure.

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In a shocking breach of decorum, Orban then reneged on even that compromise. Bizarrely, he also insisted on keeping the Russian Orthodox Churchs Patriarch Kirill  a staunch backer of Putin and the war  off the new sanctions list. The EU gave in to this demand, too, to get the package passed.

The whole ordeal was an embarrassment, and a rare cause for Putin to be optimistic. In every way he can, Orban is signaling that hes not fully behind the Wests joint effort to support Ukraine and undermine Russia  in effect, that hes not a reliable ally.

So what can be done? A basic design flaw shared by both the EU and NATO is that neither has a mechanism to eject errant members. That means both will need to get creative in reining in rogue leaders.

In Erdogans case, acceding to blackmail shouldnt be an option. The US should announce that future arms sales to Turkey will be halted until it comes around on the new accessions. NATO should threaten to suspend Turkish involvement in military planning and exercises. If the situation escalates, revisiting the alliances rules to allow for expulsions should be on the table.

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As for Orban, the EU will need to adopt a similarly hard line. In 2018, the bloc triggered its treatys Article 7 against Hungary in a censure of its subversion of democratic institutions, launching a process that could in theory strip Budapest of its voting rights in Brussels. In practice, the measure has been toothless, because it requires unanimous support. Poland, whose populist government is also the target of an Article 7 proceeding, always had Hungarys back.

These days, however, Poland is among the member states that are most hawkishly anti-Putin. And Warsaw is horrified by Orbans obstructionism. Belatedly, the Poles have come to understand that a strong EU is in their national interest, not against it. They should therefore persuade Orban to join the effort to weaken Putins war machine and strengthen Ukraine. If he doesnt, the other 26 EU countries  including Poland  should strip Hungary of its votes.

Holding together the Western alliance has never been easy. Amid a worsening war on its doorstep, it has rarely seemed more necessary. The time for populist political games is over.

More From Other Writers at Bloomberg Opinion:



Hard Lessons From the War in Ukraine: Leonid Bershidsky



Europes New Era of Cooperation Might Not Last Long: Clive Crook

 Turkey and NATO Prove the Anna Karenina Principle of Alliances: Andreas Kluth

The Editors are members of the Bloomberg Opinion editorial board.

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During the early days of the pandemic, the narrative was that remote-working was a grind for younger workers stuck in cramped apartments and bliss for their seniors living it up in airy home offices. The juniors were missing out on in-person learning, while their superiors were more focused on how to spend the savings from fewer train tickets.

In fact, attitudes to remote working are far less polarized.

The majority of traditional office workers appears to value the chance to work from home at least one day a week. There is some variation according to age, but its not large or consistent enough to be significant.

A recent study by consultants McKinsey & Co. found that workers aged 18 to 34 were 59% more likely to leave than 55- to 64-year-olds if their employer didnt offer a hybrid work arrangement.

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The larger Survey of Working Arrangements and Attitudes (a collaboration between Chicago, ITAM, MIT and Stanford universities) presents more nuanced findings. Workers in their 20s were most likely to start looking for a new job if their employer denied them hybrid working. But over-50s were most likely to quit there and then. (Of course, younger workers may have itchier feet generally, and older workers may have an eye on retirement.)

A lot depends on how you ask the question. Invite workers to think of the option of WFH for two or three days in terms of a pay rise, and those in their 30s will give it the highest value. Ask what pay rise would be needed to work in their employers premises five days a week and its the over-50s who want the biggest bump.

The important point is that support for a hybrid arrangement is high across the board. The appeal of reduced commuting time  often the most cited benefit of remote working  clearly goes beyond older workers. Younger workers may feel the hit of transport costs on their disposable income more acutely; the more central parts of public-transport networks are often the most crowded. Meanwhile, millennials have had a couple years to get used to co-working and negotiating communal space with housemates.

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What does all this mean for employers? The tightness of the labor market and the need to attract up-and-coming talent will continue to force most large firms to offer the option of at least some remote working. The snag is that the long-term impact of this shift remains unknown.

Part of that early pandemic meme  the loss of on-the-job learning and in-person interaction  should remain a concern. Lower office occupancy means less knowledge transfer between generations and weaker internal relationships. These can be seen as sources of competitive advantage as much as the ability to attract talent. When things go wrong at companies, the explanation often comes down to culture.

Even if activity can be neatly divided into solo tasks best done remotely and collaborative tasks best done in the office, something inevitably gets lost in the divorce  learning by imitation and the ability to tap on a colleagues metaphorical open door, for example. These benefits dont disappear with hybrid working, but they risk being diminished.

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So expect employers to offer the hybrid option while encouraging use of the office. One thing that might help on this front is proposing more flexible working hours to dodge peak travel times and deal with non-work commitments. The second-biggest reason that WFH is attractive is the ability to manage domestic and social responsibilities, according to a survey of London workers by Kings College London. Commuting costs may become a more explicit part of salary negotiations.

Companies should also respond to what people consider the downsides of office work  often, the prevalence of distractions. For example, Alphabet Inc.s Google reportedly plans for future offices to give people more room. This reinforces the trend towards corporate tenants seeking higher-quality space in prime locations. Vacancy rates for top-grade offices were just 4% in central London against 8% overall at the end of 2021, according to property consultants Cushman & Wakefield. Developer British Land Co. recently pre-let a building in Londons financial district four years ahead of its scheduled completion.

But upgrading the offices of the worlds major cities for the post-pandemic era wont happen overnight. Unless attitudes radically change, or the balance of power between employers and employees shifts, the hybrid experiment is going to have plenty of time to show results.

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 Waiting for Mortgage Rates to Fall? Dont Hold Your Breath: Allison Schrager

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This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Chris Hughes is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering deals. Previously, he worked for Reuters Breakingviews, the Financial Times and the Independent newspaper.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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 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.

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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.

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At long last, the House Jan. 6 committee held its first hearing, and made it a pretty good one. Right at the top, Chairman Bennie Thompson gave us the right wording: Former President Donald Trumps actions and those of his associates were an effort to overthrow the government. Thats what this is all about. Thats why the investigation is so important; its why the public side of the committees responsibilities are so critical. If the committee is correct, then this was among the most heinous and disloyal actions by a president in the history of the US.In the two-hour, prime-time session, the committee members only outlined the case that theyre making  what Representative Liz Cheney, one of two Republicans on the panel, called a sophisticated seven-part plan by Trump to overturn the election. Thompson and Cheney were clear: While the violence of Jan. 6 was part of the plan, no one should think that the attack by itself was the central story line.The committee emphasized two further points.One was that everyone inside Trumps White House and his campaign knew that he had lost; that there was nothing to any of the wild stories of fraud; and that they all told Trump exactly that. This may be important for any legal case against the former president or his allies, since it shows that they knew what they were peddling was false. Its also useful in understanding the bigger picture. The truth is, there was nothing extraordinary about the 2020 election. It was close, but not especially so. If anything, it was unusually clean. The professionals on the campaign and Trumps legal team knew it, and told him so. Claims to the contrary not only amounted to a lie, but a lie in service of overturning the government.The second point was that Jan. 6 wasnt just the spontaneous action of a mob. It was an organized attack by extremist groups that had been egged on by Trump. Its still not clear whether Trump and his allies actively coordinated the mayhem, or just recklessly invited it. But Trump in particular certainly did invite it, and once the violence began he refused multiple entreaties to use either his official position or his influence with the mob to put an end to it.As for the presentation: Video of the attacks, live testimony from a Capitol police officer who had been brutally injured, and snippets from the depositions the committee has conducted made for compelling television. Of course, most voters werent watching. But it was never a realistic goal to entice a large audience to watch gavel-to-gavel coverage. What the committee members needed to do was to convince key elites  the non-aligned media, high-visibility Republicans who arent entirely comfortable defending Trump, and any skittish Democrats  that this is all extremely important. The more successful they are in doing so, the more the hearings will become a continuing event, with people being exposed to it in news coverage and social media and everywhere else. Its likely that the committee took a big step toward achieving that on Thursday.These hearings are unusual in that the minority party is represented only by two members (out of nine) who are defying their own partys boycott. That means the whole thing can be as scripted as the committee chooses, without interruptions from the minority or attempts to debunk or reframe whats happening. In that sense, the boycott has been a tremendous gift to the committee. There was no squabbling over rules or procedures, no objections, no complaints about etiquette  nothing that would make it easy to bash the whole thing as partisanship. Helping things further? Seven committee members, everyone but Thompson and Cheney, were willing to sit quietly throughout the session. Presumably everyone will get a turn to shine over the five remaining hearings, but very few politicians are willing to sacrifice an opportunity to be seen by a prime-time audience. And that in turn helped to emphasize the seriousness of the occasion.I hope that the committee plans quite a bit of live testimony in the daytime sessions; the clips from taped depositions can be effective, but theyre not nearly as gripping as watching full answers, especially by people who once appeared to be loyal to the former president but now are telling the truth about him. Well see what they have soon, with three daytime sessions next week beginning on Monday morning. And yes, I do think this would all have been more effective months ago, and with more time. We had several short clips Thursday night from rioters; I could easily imagine two weeks of testimony walking them through the entire thing.Perhaps the most effective moment of the hearing came from Cheney, who talked about the portrait in the Capitol rotunda of George Washington resigning his commission at the end of the revolution. Washingtons action made him world famous; he could have been king of the new nation, but he rushed, as the painting shows, to give up power as soon as it was safe to do so. Even more astonishingly, he managed to repeat the act by retiring from the presidency after two terms, setting an example that lasted for more than a century and was so powerful that when Franklin Roosevelt shattered the precedent the response was eventually to put the two-term limit into the Constitution. The contrast with Trump, who refused  still refuses  to accept the verdict of the people in a free and fair election, could not be stronger.For weekend reading, here are some of the best items from political scientists this week:
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The arrest of an armed man outside the home of Justice Brett Kavanaugh earlier this week marks a significant milestone in the history of the US Supreme Court. Now that the justices and their families need permanent, professional and close security, as they unquestionably do, there will be no going back. The court building at One First St. NE will continue its transformation into a garrisoned fortress, not the marble palace of the peoples justice it was built to be.

The individual and collective isolation of the justices will be deepened, distancing them further from the currents of ordinary life. Increasingly, they will lose their identities as normal people, disappearing into their symbolic roles. Their lives are changed irrevocably.

This now inevitable development isnt just bad for the justices. Its bad for democracy. And its terrible for the rule of law, which benefits when the justices can do their jobs with a minimum of spillover into their personal lives.

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For more than 200 years, the justices have mostly lived charmed lives, at least from the standpoint of high government officials. From John Marshall through Thurgood Marshall and up to the present day, there has been only one recorded attempt to kill a justice, in 1889 (Justice Stephen Johnson Fields bodyguard, a U.S. marshal, killed the assailant). Someone shot a bullet through a window into Justice Harry Blackmuns chambers in 1985, presumably because he authored Roe v. Wade; no one was injured.

Except for some exceptionally tumultuous periods, the justices names were hardly known: As recently as 2018, more than half of Americans couldnt name a single one of the nine members. Their faces were close to anonymous. In Washington DC in the late 1990s, I witnessed the greeter at the Capital Grille  a restaurant five minutes from the court  ask Justice David Souter if he was with the Souter party that had made a reservation (I suppose I am, he replied modestly and wryly).

Why has that changed now?

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One reason cant be ignored. The man outside Kavanaughs home who was charged with attempted murder was, among other things, reportedly incensed about the Supreme Courts impending reversal of Roe v. Wade and with it the federal right to abortion. Just as resistance to Roe engendered murderous attacks on abortion doctors and clinics over the decades, its reversal might inflame passions to an extent we cant yet anticipate and make some people crazy. We do know that the court hasnt rolled back basic individual liberties like this ever in its history. The crumbling of the institutional norms  exemplified by the leak of Justice Samuel Alitos draft majority opinion  flows directly from the radicalism of whats apparently coming.

Of course, the justices should be able to make decisions  even ones that are terribly wrong  without their lives being threatened. Liberals who believe in the rule of law will not play down those threats. The liberal justices are going to need protection just as much as the conservatives. Soon-to-be Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson will be as much in jeopardy as Justice Amy Coney Barrett.

Conservatives and liberals alike should be able to agree that the changes in the justices way of doing business is the proximate cause of the heightened rage at the court  even as they argue about who is to blame. Opponents of Roe bemoan the disrespect for the institution coming from liberals and, in the case of Justice Kavanaugh, point to the emotionally charged demonstrations that targeted him during his confirmation hearings.

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For their part, supporters of Roe accuse the conservative justices of breaking the courts norms as one of the triggers. They cite the storming of the US Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as a precedent for political violence that conservative politicians have soft-pedaled and condoned, and also note that radical anti-abortionists have been the ones to use weapons. Both sides have a point.

National craziness has consequences in a highly polarized country in which the Capitol can be stormed and would-be shooters cant be tracked, let alone disarmed, because of the limits of existing gun regulations.

In 2021, more than 4,500 threats and other inappropriate communications were directed at federal judges, according to the head of the U.S. Marshals Service. In 2020, a gunman with a grudge attacked the home of federal judge Esther Salas in New Jersey, killing her son and seriously injuring her husband. Just last week in Wisconsin, a gunman with several politicians on his target list killed a retired judge who had sentenced him years earlier.

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Gone are the days when Supreme Court justices avoided the negativity that most public officials must sometimes confront  when they could walk the streets alone or with their families without attracting attention, positive or negative.

That luxury  innocence, if you will  served the country. It lowered the temperature for even the courts high-profile rulings. Todays feverish atmosphere is unusual. But the consequences for how the justices live will be permanent.

More on the Supreme Court From Bloomberg Opinion:

 US Justices Are Looking More Like Politicians: Noah Feldman

 Supreme Court Has a Nasty Surprise in Store for Business: Noah Feldman

 Supreme Courts Leak Investigation Is Self-Destructive: Stephen L. Carter

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.

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In terms of a return on investment, its hard to imagine a worse outcome than the deal that American taxpayers got from Corinthian Colleges Inc., the for-profit college that closed and filed for bankruptcy in 2015. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight Last week, the government agreed to erase $5.8 billion in debt owed by more than 500,000 former students who had borrowed money to attend classes at Corinthians campuses. The hefty number represents all remaining debt racked up by students dating back to 1995, when the company was founded. Thats on top of another $171 million in debt relief for Corinthian students announced in 2016.

On the other side of the ledger, the Securities and Exchange Commission levied a total of $100,000 in fines in 2019 to Corinthians former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Jack Massimino, and its former Chief Financial Officer, Robert Owen, for a failure to disclose material risks related to the companys primary source of revenue. More specifically, Corinthian used questionable accounting to access federal education funds from the Department of Education that it wouldnt otherwise be allowed to obtain. Thats not exactly an even deal.

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While its clear that Corinthians aggressive business tactics, as first documented by then-California Attorney General Kamala Harris nearly a decade ago, left thousands of its former students holding the bag, its a bit of a mystery as to why the government hasnt gone after the companys former executives and directors for more money. It should, if for no other reason than to set an example. Sure, getting money out of executives and directors long after the fact may just prove to be too difficult and expensive. But refusing to try, even with a clearly stated law that provides for such an outcome seems like an open invitation for someone new to come along and replicate the problems that once plagued for-profit colleges such as Corinthian.

Virginia Democrat Bobby Scott, Chair of the US House Committee on Education and Labor, first asked that question last August in a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona. Scott, citing a law dating back to 1992, argued that the Department had the ability to go after former executives and directors, including those at Corinthian. But a spokesman for the Department of Education says the department disagrees with Scotts interpretation and has no plans to go after the companys former executives and directors.

This may seem like a lot of inside the Beltway wrangling, but whats clear is that Corinthian executives made lots of money while the company was luring thousands of students to its campuses with false promises of solid careers paid for by government loans. And now taxpayers are footing the bill to get these students out of debt.

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According to the companys last proxy statement filed in October 2013, Corinthian executives were very well paid. Massimino took in almost $3 million in cash compensation between 2011 and 2013 and received an additional $3 million in stock options. There were also generous perks, such as the $55,000 the company spent to cover Massiminos travel expenses between his home in Provo, Utah, and the companys offices in Santa Ana, California.

Back in the early 2000s, when Corinthians stock was trading above $50 a share, the officers and directors were actively trading shares in the companys stock. During the last five months of 2003, the corporate officers and directors sold $57 million in company stock, according to Insider Score, a data service that tracks insider trading disclosures. They sold another $280 million in stock in 2004. Sales tapered off substantially after that.

Since filing for bankruptcy in 2015, most of Corinthians officers and directors have largely disappeared, at least in terms of the internet. Several of their LinkedIn profiles continue to list them as current executives of Corinthian, seven years after the campuses closed. Others have moved on to new ventures. Massimino now has a real estate management company called Chopstyx Development located in Bend, Oregon. Calls to a cell phone that appeared to be Massiminos werent answered and the phone wasnt accepting messages.

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Stan Mortenson, the companys former general counsel, now works for an investment firm called Seidler Equities Partners in Marina del Rey, California. His experience at Corinthian does not appear in his online bio. Instead, it notes that he worked as in-house counsel for publicly traded companies, although the bulk of that time was spent working for Corinthian, which he joined in January 2000. Responding via email, Mortenson declined to comment, instead sending a link to a Wall Street Journal editorial describing last weeks settlement as the governments own fraud on taxpayers.

Hank Adler, who is an assistant professor of accounting at Chapman University and once served as chair of Corinthians audit committee, also declined to comment on the settlement.

While Corinthian didnt just implode on its own and no single executive or director bears the brunt of the blame, as a group they created an atmosphere where getting students in the door was more important than student outcomes. Many of these students were left with worthless or incomplete degrees and insurmountable debt, so asking them to bear that cost was simply unconscionable, even if taxpayers are stuck footing the bill. But given a clearly stated law, we shouldnt be.

This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners.

Michelle Leder is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist. Creator of Footnoted.com, a site devoted to SEC filings, she is author of Financial Fingerprint: Uncovering a Companys True Value.

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The worlds top trade ministers will soon determine the fate of a World Trade Organization proposal to water down intellectual property protections for makers of Covid-19 vaccines. The accord as proposed is supported by the European Union, though its other original backers are not quite on board with it. It has also met fierce opposition from both public interest groups and the pharmaceutical industry who are urging nations to reject it.

1. Whats the proposal?

In March 2022, the US, European Union, India and South Africa advanced a plan to temporarily waive enforcement of certain provisions of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights -- or Trips for short. The proposal would allow most developing nations to authorize the use of ingredients and processes needed to produce and supply vaccines without the consent of the right holder. The scope of the agreement is limited to Covid-19 vaccines and omits tests, therapeutics and other drugs. The agreement also sets an eligibility cap that excludes China.

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2. What would lifting the protections mean for Covid vaccines?

If agreed by the WTO membership, a waiver would provide an important signal that those in eligible nations who replicate Covid-19 vaccine recipes and manufacturing processes wont be subject to WTO-authorized sanctions. Proponents of the waiver say it would provide legal certainty for governments, companies and individuals to produce life-saving shots in places that currently lack significant access to them.

3. Who opposes the waiver?

The Chinese government objected to US demands to explicitly exclude China from the deal. The UK and Switzerland argue that the waiver would undermine investment and innovation in the pharmaceutical sector. Pfizer Inc. CEO Albert Bourla said its madness that such a deal is still under consideration at a time when supplies of vaccines are far outstripping demand. Public interest groups including Medecins Sans Frontieres argue that the proposal is insufficient. For one thing, they say, it fails to provide vaccine producers access to trade secrets. For another, it doesnt extend to Covid-19 treatments and diagnostics.

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4. Who supports it?

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has actively campaigned for nations to approve the deal and called the inequity of access to vaccines morally unacceptable. The European Union supports the deal, which it says is the best chance for an outcome in the nearly two-year debate. While President Joe Biden has advocated for a vaccine waiver, his administration has not yet endorsed the current text and is facing political backlash in Congress from Republican lawmakers who oppose it. The other two nations that helped produce the proposal -- India and South Africa -- have also refrained from endorsing the deal, saying they want to reach a consensus outcome.

5. What are the major areas of disagreement?

The Biden administration wants the agreement to clearly exclude China due to US fears that Beijing wont abide by its pledge to opt-out of the deals benefits. India, South Africa and other developing nations want to expand the scope of the agreement to cover Covid-19 therapeutics, diagnostics and other medicines. WTO members also disagree about how long the waiver should persist and whether eligible nations can export vaccines authorized under the deal.

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6. Are there other ways to expand vaccine access?

Yes. WTO members are working on a separate agreement that aims to ease the distribution of vaccines and critical medical goods across borders. The framework seeks to discourage unnecessary export restrictions and tariffs on vital medical products.

7. How will the WTO decide on the waiver?

The WTO is a consensus-driven organization, so all 164 members must be in agreement for a TRIPS waiver to be implemented. Thus, any one nation can kill the proposal for any reason. Trade ministers are expected to debate the proposal during the WTOs ministerial conference scheduled for June 12-15 in Geneva.

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A U.S. District Court judge has denied a motion by the operators of a Montezuma smoke shop to dismiss a lawsuit against them filed by the Cayuga Nation. However, the judge also declined to grant the nation a preliminary injunction against the smoke shop, saying the matter must first play out in the nation's civil court.
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UNITED NATIONS  The U.N. Security Council approved a resolution Friday extending the authorization for countries and regional organizations to inspect vessels on the high seas off the coast of Libya suspected of violating the U.N. arms embargo on the troubled north African nation. Wp Get the full experience. Choose your plan ArrowRight The vote on the French-sponsored resolution was 14-0, with Russia abstaining. The brief resolution extends the authorization for inspections for a year.

The monitoring effort has been carried out since March 2020 by a European Union mission called Operation Irini, the Greek word for peace. The EU said at the start that it would have as its core task the implementation of the U.N. arms embargo through the use of aerial, satellite and maritime assets.

Russias U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said Friday that when Irini started Russia hoped the inspections would contribute to reducing illegal arms trafficking and therefore promote the long-awaited political settlement of Libyas protracted conflict.

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However, this never happened, he said, explaining that Operation Irini and its predecessor, Operation Sophia, have not had any successful cases of interception of smuggled goods.

Nebenzia said Russia will monitor Irinis activities in the next 12 months and we will focus on whether the operation is efficient in curbing the illegal arms flows and complies with the Law of The Sea.

In its first two years of activity, Operation Irini said it investigated more than 6,200 ships, conducted almost 250 visits (also known as friendly approaches) onboard merchant vessels, and 22 inspections. One illegal cargo ship was seized, preventing an illegal export of jet fuel for military aircrafts to Libya, it said.

Irini said it regularly monitors transport activities at 16 Libyan ports and oil facilities and 25 airports and landing strips.

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Oil-rich Libya plunged into turmoil after a NATO-backed uprising in 2011 toppled dictator Moammar Gadhafi, who was later killed. It then became divided between rival governments  one in the east, backed by military commander Khalifa Hifter, and a U.N.-supported administration in the capital, Tripoli. Each side is supported by different militias and foreign powers.

In April 2019, Hifter and his forces, backed by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, launched an offensive to try and capture Tripoli. His campaign collapsed after Turkey stepped up its military support for the U.N.-supported government with hundreds of troops and thousands of Syrian mercenaries.

An October 2020 cease-fire deal led to an agreement on a transitional government in early February 2021 and elections were scheduled for last Dec. 24 aimed at unifying the country. But they were canceled and the country now has rival governments with two Libyans claiming to be prime minister.

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CAESAREA, Israel  Divers visiting the ancient seaport of Caesarea on Israels Mediterranean coast occasionally find treasure, but on Friday they searched for trash. Twenty six scuba-diving volunteers removed around 45 kilograms (100 pounds) of garbage from between the sunken pillars and submerged ruins of the historic site of Caesarea Maritima as part of a United Nations World Oceans Day initiative.

Dozens more at sites along Israels Mediterranean coast and on the Red Sea reefs in the Israeli resort of Eilat removed more than 150 kilograms (330 pounds) of trash. The cleanup included bottles and bags, ghost nets, fishing lines, aluminum cans, lost towels and other odd items, including a beach lounger, that were polluting coastal waters.

The events were organized by the Israeli Diving Federation with support from the Environmental Protection Ministry and Nature and Parks Authority, which manages the coastal areas, including Caesareas Roman-period port.

The U.N. marked World Oceans Day on Wednesday, but the scuba diving volunteers were taking to the water to clean the sites on Friday and Saturday, Israels weekend.

The U.N.s environment program says the equivalent of a garbage truck full of plastic is dumped into the ocean each minute. Plastic waste can take centuries to degrade, and causes extensive damage to marine ecosystems.

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MEXICO CITY  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. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russia's war in Ukraine. ArrowRight 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.

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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.

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This story, which originally moved on June 9, corrects the spelling of Nicaragua in the headline.

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VATICAN CITY  Pope Francis canceled a planned July trip to Africa on doctors orders because of knee problems, the Vatican said Friday, dashing hopes of the faithful there and raising further questions about the health and mobility of the 85-year-old pontiff. Are you on Telegram? Subscribe to our channel for the latest updates on Russia's war in Ukraine. ArrowRight The Vatican said the July 2-7 trip to Congo and South Sudan would be rescheduled to a later date to be determined. The visit had sought to promote peace in two African countries long wrestling with deadly violence.

At the request of his doctors, and in order not to jeopardize the results of the therapy that he is undergoing for his knee, the Holy Father has been forced to postpone, with regret, his Apostolic Journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo and to South Sudan, the Vatican said.

Francis has been using a wheelchair for a month due to strained ligaments in his right knee that have made walking and standing difficult and painful. He has refused so far to get surgery, and has instead received injections, kept the knee as immobile as possible and walked with a cane or the help of an aide.

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Questions had swirled for months about Francis ability to negotiate the Africa journey, which would have been taxing for the pope even without the knee problems. Yet as recently as this week, plans were still proceeding.

Francis also has a July 24-30 visit to Canada scheduled; the Vatican statement Friday said nothing about that trip. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni would only say that the popes other commitments were confirmed.

Francis had been due to visit South Sudan with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the head of the Church of Scotland to make a joint, ecumenical appeal for peace. Such a trip had been discussed as early as 2017, when South Sudan was still in the grip of civil war, but security concerns kept postponing it.

The Rev. John Gbemyoro, an official with the Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops Conference, said Fridays news dashed the expectations of Christians.

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We dont love to hear it, Gbemyoro told The Associated Press. But we are asking God to heal him quickly because we still need him to come to South Sudan.

The archbishop of Juba, Stephen Ameyu Martin, told reporters that South Sudan President Salva Kiir was a bit sad but understood: What can we do? Its a health problem. The archbishop reminded disappointed South Sudanese that it could happen to anyone.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and the moderator of the Church of Scotland, Rt. Rev. Iain Greenshields, said they were praying for Francis and regretted the trip would again be postponed.

I continue to pray for the people of South Sudan in their challenges and hopes for peace, and look forward to this historic visit at a later date, Welby tweeted.

The Congolese government said it wished Francis a prompt recovery and assured him that Congo still awaits him.

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In the eastern Congo city of Goma, where Francis had been due to spend July 4 despite a new wave of violence, thousands of posters with Francis image already had been put up to advertise the visit. The Hotel New Grand Lac had already booked rooms for people, manager Jacques Ndayango said.

We estimate a loss of around $5,000, he said, adding that he hoped the pope would come later this year.

Martha Mwavit, a member of the Saint-Esprit Parish choir, said the singers had spent two months rehearsing songs for the papal Mass in Goma. The Catholic faithful in Congo now can only pray for Francis to come.

I am 74 years old, and I dont know if I will have the chance to sing in a Mass given by the pope. I would like his health to recover so that I can have this chance before I die, she said.

The spokesman for the papal trip in Canada, Neil MacCarthy, said planning for the trip continued. The pontiff is scheduled to personally apologize to Indigenous peoples in Canada for abuses at residential schools.

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Great care is being taken to provide significant periods of rest for the Holy Father, and also to ensure his participation at events is for a limited period of time, MacCarthy told the AP. We continue to pray for the health of Pope Francis and that he will be able to join us in Canada next month.

A Canadian official familiar with the trip, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Canadian organizers were in Rome this week to plan for Francis visit and reported no signals about a possible cancellation.

The pope has told friends he doesnt want to undergo knee surgery, reportedly because of his reaction to anesthesia when he had 33 centimeters (13 inches) of his large intestine removed in July 2021.

Speculation has swirled about the future of Francis pontificate because of his health problems, his decision to create 16 new voting-age cardinals in August, and his plans to pay homage that month to a 13th century pope who resigned, Celestine V.

But Francis has given no indication he wants or plans to resign.

Vatican watchers say a papal resignation now would be unthinkable given that Francis 95-year-old predecessor, Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, is still alive.

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Deng Machol in Juba, South Sudan, Al-Hadji Kudra Maliro in Goma, Congo, Robert Gillies in Toronto and Alessandra Tarantino in Vatican City contributed.

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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 solar EV startup Lightyear has recently unveiled the world's-first production-spec, solar-powered car officially christened as Lightyear 0. The same car, in its concept avatar was previously known by the name Lightyear One and has been under development for six years. The company will open the preorder for the car later this year.

The Netherlands-based EV startup specialises in solar electric vehicles (SEVs). With the use of Lightyears patented solar panel technology, the Lightyear 0 will come equipped with five square meters of double-curved solar arrays. The use of these panels can provide an additional 70 km (approximately 44 miles) of additional range per day and up to 11,000 km (6,835 miles) per year. Inside the solar-powered electric car sits a 60 kWh battery pack that is known to deliver a single-charge WLTP range of 625 km (288 mi). Combines with solar power, the overall range goes up to 695 km (432 miles).

Lightyear, the Netherlands-based EV startup, specializes in solar electric vehicles (SEVs).

Lex Hoefsloot, Co-founder and CEO, explains: Electric cars are a step in the right direction, but they have a scaling problem. By 2030, we can expect 84 million electric vehicles (EVs) on roads in Europe alone."

Theres no hiding from it, access to charging stations will not keep up with the demand for electric cars. To minimise plug-charging and maximise range, the industrys strategy, so far, has been to add batteries. That increases the carbon footprint of production and, in turn, boosts weight and the need for high-power charging stations," he adds.

The company announced in the recent showcase event that the car gets a 60-kilowatt-hour battery pack which delivers power to four electric motors that propel the car. The combined output from these motors stands at just 174 horsepower, however, this power is backed up with a massive 1,269 lb-ft of torque. As per the official claims, the car is capable of hitting 0-100 kmph in 10 seconds and has a top speed of 160 kmph.

Our strategy flips that approach. Lightyear 0 delivers more range with less battery, reducing weight and CO emissions per vehicle," says Hoefsloot.

Customers will now be able to configure their own Lightyear 0 on the automakers website, starting at a price of 250,000 (approximately $265,000). The SEV maker is only planning to produce 946 units of the Lightyear 0.

First Published Date:
London: Prince William, second in line to the British throne, was spotted on the streets of London this week, selling copies of the Big Issue magazine, a title that is normally sold by the homeless.

Wearing the companys red cap and official vendor vest, William was seen on Rochester Row in Westminster, central London, on Wednesday (AEST) selling the magazine, which offers homeless individuals the opportunity to earn an income through its sale to the public.

A standard-issue badge bearing his photograph and the slogan A hand up not a hand out, can be seen in photos taken on the day.

In a LinkedIn post with a photograph of William, Matthew Gardner, a retired chief superintendent, said his brother-in-law had spotted Prince William, 39, and enjoyed a private moment with our future king who was humble and working quietly in the background, helping the most needy.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- In the fifth month of 2022, Changan Automobile saw its overall monthly sales volume recover from April, according to the companys report on June 9th.

In May, Changan Automobile sold 151,102 vehicles in total and produced 155,232 vehicles. Compared to the same month last year, the company saw a respective decline of 18.09% and 6.25%.

During the Jan.-May period, Changan Automobiles cumulative sales volume summed up to 918,334 vehicles, representing a 10.65% decrease year over year. With 740,897 units sold, Changan Automobiles China-branded vehicle sales accounted for 80.68% of the companys year-to-date sales, slipping down 11.24% from the year-ago period. In the meantime, Changan Automobiles wholly-owned passenger vehicle sales amounted to 510,872 vehicles in the past five months, notching down 10.72% compared to the previous year.

Lumin; photo credit: Changan Automobile

Among the wholly-owned vehicles sales in the Jan.-May period, 82,158 units were sold overseas, surging 57.07% year on year. At the same time, Changan Automobile achieved a 140.92% soar in its China-branded new energy vehicle sales from a year ago, with 66,690 units sold.

As to the companys joint venture brands, Changan Ford and Changan Mazda sold 13,168 vehicles and 8,713 vehicles respectively, dropping 32.4% and 9.63% compared to the earlier year.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- By the end of May 2022, there had been 3.581 million charging piles deployed across China, up 91.5% from the same period of last year, according to the China Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Promotion Alliance (EVCIPA).

For the first five months of 2022, around 963,000 charging piles (+409.5% YoY) were newly built in the country, including 272,000 public piles (+253.8% YoY) and 691,000 private ones (+516.5% YoY).

Photo credit: Star Charge

Last month, around 87,000 public charging piles were newly deployed in China, representing a 60.5% year-on-year leap.

As of May 2022, the volume of public charging piles in China had added up to 1.419 million units, including 613,000 DC piles, 806,000 AC piles, and 485 DC-AC integrated charging piles, the EVCIPA reported after summarizing the data provided by members of the alliance.

There were around 45,000 public charging piles built per month on average within the year ended May 2022.

In terms of the volume of charging stations by May 2022, the top 7 provinces or direct-administered municipalities remained the same as that of the previous month. Guangdong held a significant lead by building 17,164 stations across the province, while both Jiangsu and Zhejiang have over 7,000 charging constructed.

Compared to the rankings of April, Sichuan surpassed Tianjin to the eighth in May, while Henan entered the top 10 list as the replacement of Hubei.

Regarding the amount of charging stations by May 2022, the top seven operators were the same as that of the month-ago period. Notably, there was a fresh player, EVKing, appearing in the top 10 operator rankings.



As of May 2022, China had owned a total of 1,519 battery swap stations, 39 of which were newly built last month. By the volume of battery swap stations as of May, the top four provinces or direct-administered municipalities in China accounted for 74.1% of the country's total volume.
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.
LAS VEGASAdult performer Michael Swayze, who was a 2020 AVN Awards nominee for Best Male Newcomer, has been charged in Las Vegas with muliple felony counts including kidnapping and grand larceny after being arrested May 24 following an extended police chase when he allegedly stole a Yellow Cab Company vehicle with a passenger still inside.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported Thursday that Swayze jumped into the cab at around 11:15 a.m. the morning of the chase in the Bally's resort valet area when the driver stepped out to help the passenger unload her luggage. Swayze immediatley drove the cab off at a "high rate of speed," the news outlet said, but allowed her to exit the vehicle less than one mile away after hitting something in the road. According to what the passenger told police, she pleaded him to stop at that point, and he did, telling her to "get out of the vehicle and that it would be her only chance."

The cab had a GPS device inside tracking its moves, the Review-Journal noted, but Swayze was able to "destroy" it. Las Vegas police spotted the cab later and attempted to stop it, but he sped away once again, hitting multiple cars and leading to a roughly 60-mile chase by Metro helicopter up Interstate 15 into Logandale. Finally, the Arizona Highway Patrol stopped him close to the Arizona border by deploying spike strips, and he was arrested on charges of DUI, reckless endangerment and evading authorities, and sent to an Arizona jail. He posted bail there and is due for a hearing in Las Vegas Justice Court next month.

Swayze's attorney, Chris Rasmussen, issed a statement to the Review-Journal saying, "Our investigation has determined that this incident was the result of mental health issues. Michael did not possess the criminal intent requisite to violate the crimes alleged."

Photo of Michael Swayze from his Instagram page
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.
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TORONTOThe new poppers inhaler cap brand that launched last month under the name Tush Tush announces that it is officially relaunching this week as Yush Yush, with existing pre-orders scheduled for shipment starting June 15.

The Canadian brand plans to make its public debut at Toronto Pride the weekend of June 24-26, setting up an exhibit/vendor booth at the events StreetFair marketplace, where the accessory will be available for sale on-site.

In its announcement, the company explains that it decided upon the new name because "the word 'yush,' which is a slang for the word 'yes,' embodies the brands vision to embrace sex positivity, inclusivity, and prioritizing sexual wellness."



While poppers have been a euphoric mainstay for thrill-seeking gay men for more than 50 years, they have been steadily gaining popularity amongst a whole new generation of club kids, partygoers and influencers, said Yush Yush founder/CEO Willie Tsang, citing a recent New York Times article spotlighting the party favor. With the launch of our Yush Yush inhaler cap, we are so pleased and excited to introduce a quality product that enhances the user experience with alkyl nitrites by taking the heady rush to even greater heights.

The patent-pending Yush Yush poppers inhaler cap ($14.99 USD) ships with two disposable diffuser wicks (10-piece diffuser refills are sold separately), is guaranteed leak-proof and spill-proof, retrofits current poppers bottles and easily twists open and closed with one hand.
SAN FRANCISCOThe 2022 Grabby Awards that took place on Friday, May 27 at the Metro Theater in Chicago was attended by the industrys biggest models and most influential figures, with the help of longtime Grabby hosts JJ Knight, Skyy Knox, adult industry icon Chi Chi LaRue and Chicagos own Honey West.

This event shined a light on the years greatest achievements in gay porn, with Falcon|NakedSword taking home many of the nights top honors.

Best Duo went to Falcon LIVE: 4 The Fans, and exclusives Beau Butler, Max Konnor and Colton Reece won Best Threeway for the finale of Tales From the Locker Room 2, which also earned Best All-Sex Movie for the studio and saw LaRue collecting the award for Best Director - All Sex. Trenton Ducati and Jasun Mark received recognition for their directing efforts with a Best Director Movie/Web Series win for Hot Houses political comedy Capitol Affairs.

Raging Stallions rugged rugby feature Scrum snagged the win for Best Movie/Web Series and the studios Dirty 30 Bareback Birthday was honored with the Steamworks Fan Favorite award. Exclusive and lead Dirty 30 actor Butler continued Raging Stallions winnings by nabbing the award for Best Actor for his work in Bareback Birthday.

Butler further proved his star power as he tied with frequent co-star and fellow exclusive Reign for the Best Newcomer award. Other Falcon|NakedSword exclusive models to receive honors included Konnor winning for Hottest Cock and Cade Maddox winning Performer of the Yearan honor he shared with fan-favorite Raging Stallion actor Drew Sebastian.

Said Falcon|NakedSword creative director Sister Roma, "After a two-year hiatus it felt amazing to be back in person for the Grabbys! I was so proud of our directors and our world-class exclusives who swept their categories, delivering heartfelt and charming acceptance speeches. I was especially moved by Reign, who emphasized the importance of representation, but the surprise of the night was a jaw-dropping performance by Skyy Knox complete with choreography, backup dancers and the important message 'sex work is work. It was a great night!"

Earlier in the week, Falcon|NakedSword also made a big impression at the 21st Cybersocket Awards that took place on Tuesday, May 24 at Heart in West Hollywood. The ceremony saw Falcon Studios winning Studio of the Year as well as Maddox winning Performer of the Year and On-Screen Duo of the Year for his work with Luke Truong in Falcon LIVE: 4 The Fans. Hot House director Ducati was awarded Director of the Year along with Falcon Studios director LaRue, who was also gifted with a Cybersocket Legacy Award.

Said studio president and CEO Tim Valenti, "I couldnt be more proud of our entire team. Everyone at Falcon|NakedSword puts great effort into creating quality content that clearly resonates with fans. Ultimately these awards go to the models, especially our exclusives, who consistently deliver outstanding performances and smoking-hot action. We really are the worlds #1 brand!"

Falcon|NakedSword operates several media outlets focused on gay lifestyle and sex including TheSword.com, HUNTeZine.com, and Blog.FalconStudios.com.

For more information, contact Toby J Morris, VP of Marketing at (415) 321-6628 or email [email protected].
I grew up in a middle-class neighborhood in Chicago. We had crime, but I never saw real violence, let alone murder, until I joined the Chicago Police Department.

I took my oath of office as a police officer when I was 20 years old. Soon after, I was promoted to be one of the youngest homicide detectives in the history of the Chicago PD.

I covered at least two homicides every week. I cant begin to describe the things I saw, the things I still see when I close my eyes.

I was the person that went to a mothers door to tell her that her child had been killed or seriously injured, the person that stayed in touch with a family as I investigated what had happened. I worked hard to close cases, but I could not relieve the trauma victims and their loved ones endured.

I saw whole families torn apart. I carried their pain everywhere; it was my job.

But, rarely, if ever, was I called to respond to a massacre on the scale that we see today.

The unimaginable mass shootings weve seen just since I came to Congress in 2017  an elementary school in Uvalde, a grocery store in Buffalo, another in Boulder, a Walmart in El Paso, a high school in Parkland, a concert in Las Vegas, a church in Texas  and this is only a small corner of a very big picture, a much longer list.

This kind of violence tears the carefully woven fabric that holds families, friendships, and whole communities together.

Parents should not be scared to send their kids to school, to the movies, to the grocery store. They should not have to bury them. We have a responsibility to stop this.

In Congress, we have the power to address this violence in our society. This violence has become expected, a part of daily life, growing roots where it does not belong. We have the power to change this, and yet, so many choose to do nothing.

The unimaginable tragedy in Uvalde is about more than the loss of 19 children and two teachers. It has forever changed the lives of parents, school staff, doctors and first responders, an entire community. That kind of physical, mental, and emotional pain  both for the families of deceased and for those injured  is staggering, incomprehensible.

These wounds create profound trauma; Ive seen it myself. And that trauma spans beyond one person, beyond the four walls of one familys home, beyond the boundaries of one town; it digs its ugly claws into the earth and poisons an entire country.

There can be no true healing without action.

Thats why I voted to pass two commonsense bills to address gun violence, the Protecting our Kids Act and the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act, legislative actions that have broad support throughout our country. Both bills passed the House with a bipartisan vote.

And, before this, we voted to pass commonsense background check legislation out of the House of Representatives twice.

Now, the nation waits as the Senate deliberates. Uvalde parents wait to find out if their pain is enough to finally spur action.

I urge all Senators to be brave. I urge them to really consider the toll inaction on these commonsense measures has had, and would have. I urge them to look at photos of the carnage of these mass shootings  photos their own constituents may have to see if they are jurors at a future trial.

I make this request based on my close-up experiences with the aftermath of violence, too many experiences to count. I urge the Senate to pass the bills we passed in the House so healing can begin. So we can mend the fabric of our communities, so our children can go to school feeling safe, so parents can sleep more soundly.

I am tired of the politicking, the gladhanding in front of the press, the days and weeks and months and years and entire Congresses gone by with no action and no change.

My hope is that we can work within our great nation to stop this. The time is now.

Tom OHalleran is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing Arizonas 1st Congressional District.

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Mark Rylance has pulled out of two Jerusalem performances following the death of his brother.

The news was revealed this morning via social media, with Jerusalem cancelling shows on 11 and 12 June.

Rylance said in a statement: "I am so sorry to tell you that on the 28th of May my dear brother Jonathan Waters was knocked from his bicycle and tragically died of his injuries. In order to attend his funeral in California, I unfortunately have to miss three performances of Jerusalem over Saturday 11th - Sunday 12th June.

"As I have no understudy as Rooster Johnny Byron, sadly these performances have been cancelled. Sonia Friedman Productions, together with Nimax, are arranging additional performances at the end of the scheduled run to try and accommodate everyone who will be affected. I hope you understand my need to grieve my beloved brother, and thank you for your support at this time. I hope you will be able to attend another performance of Jerusalem."

Additional performances have been added on Tuesday 9 of August at 1.30pm and 7.30pm and on Wednesday 10 of August at 1.30pm. All affected customers will have exclusive access to exchange their tickets to these performances into equivalent seats on a first-come first-served basis. Ticket holders will be contacted.
Elliot Clay's hit song cycle Millennials will get a full run at The Other Palace this summer.

Playing in the downstairs studio space, producer Paul Taylor-Mills said: "I'm so proud to be presenting the world premiere of Millennials, a brand new British musical by first time writer Elliot Clay.

"The show started its life at MTFestUK and it is brilliant to see that the festival is providing the necessary platform to allow musicals to move into fully produced shows. This is one of four shows to be staged from the festival. Millennials sets the tone for the type of work we want to create at The Other Palace and I'm excited to start creating this brand new musical with an incredible team."

The show explores the "lives, the losses, and the frustrations of young people in the modern world", and has direction by Hannah Benson. Orchestration is by Auburn Jam and choreography by Tinovimbanashe Sibanda, with design and lighting design from Andrew Exeter. It is set to run from 8 July to 7 August 2022.

Clay added: "After four years of writing, I couldn't be more thrilled that Millennials is having its premiere at The Other Palace Studio this summer. Some of my favourite musicals growing up were song cycles, so it's been an exciting challenge putting my own twist on the form and exploring a generation of stories through this collection of pop songs."
The establishment of the Provincial Culinary Culture Association aims to preserve and honor the values of culinary culture of Hue in particular and of Vietnam in general.

The locals and tourists visit the space at the festival Hue  the capital of gastronomy

Enhancing the destination brand

When talking about Hue cuisine, people immediately think of the land that was once the capital of the country, where a great deal of culinary elites gathered. For this reason, out of more than 2,300 surveyed dishes, Hue owns up to 1,700, accounting for two-thirds of the whole countrys dishes.

Therefore, the promotion of the quintessence values of Hue culinary culture is crucial. It is not only the preservation of the ancestors heritage, but also an opportunity for the culture and tourism sectors to develop, promoting the development of the local economy.

Once Hue culinary culture develops and gains its position on the international stage, it will become the most effective communication and promotion channel, promoting the province's food consumption channels to the nationwide market and to many regions around the world.

Mr. Nguyen Quoc Thanh, Chairman of the Provincial Culinary Culture Association also said that the establishment of the association was a turning point, connecting artisans and experts in culinary culture, and enterprises specializing in the culinary sector. Accordingly, clear orientations and strategies in promoting and honoring Hue cuisine will be available.

Initially, we will connect and open training courses for culinary enthusiasts, preserving Hues traditional delicacies, said Mr. Thanh; and, he also shared that the trainers would be veteran culinary artisans of Hue.

When being asked about the associations establishment, Mr. Nguyen Van Phuc, Deputy Director in charge of the Provincial Department of Tourism, said that the association was considered a forum and a playground, which was more academic, professional, and standardized, for businessmen, enterprises, managers, and researchers relating to the culinary sector, as well as culinary artisans and professional chefs working in the province. According to Mr. Phuc, this contributes to enhancing the position of Hue cuisine in particular and of the Central region in general, which is worthy of the national position and promoting it to the world.

Culinary culture standards will be determined soon

Chairman of the Vietnam Culinary Culture Association Nguyen Quoc Ky affirmed that the responsibility of the Vietnam Culinary Culture Association and the Thua Thien Hue Provincial Culinary Culture Association was to unite all classes, gradually honor and develop the country's culinary cultural heritage. This work aims to promote the tourism development in Vietnam, and develop Vietnam's economy, especially the night economy. Particularly for Hue, where many favorable factors converge, the development of culinary culture is even more crucial and needs to be implemented.

Regarding the strategies to contribute to preserving and promoting the values of Hue culinary culture, Mr. Nguyen Van Phuc said that the association needed to realize several goals; among them, the association needs to focus on the coordination between functional agencies and units to organize research, survey, and collect activities of traditional culinary dishes, promote the values of culinary culture, exchange experiences in order to strengthen the protection and promotion of the values of culinary culture of the province.

At the same time, the consultation for authorities at all levels is needed to develop strategies for the development of local culinary culture, as well as standards and normative for businesses, production and food processing establishments.

The association needs to research and actively coordinate with functional agencies, departments and sectors to develop and issue regulations and determine standards of culinary culture, developing the province's culinary culture. It is necessary to coordinate with the tourism sector to foster the introduction and promotion of cuisine associated with domestic and international tourism via the association's events and domestic and international tourism fairs and events," said Mr. Phuc; and, he also believed that the association would be a "bridge" to bring the province's unique "delicious and healthy" dishes to international tourists and friends.

Story and photo: NHAT MINH
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.

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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.

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Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine.
Canada is poised to become the first country in the world to require that a warning be printed on every cigarette.

A smoker puts out a cigarette in a public ash tray in Ottawa on Tuesday, May 31, 2016. Canada is poised to become the first country in the world to require that a warning be printed on every cigarette. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Canada is poised to become the first country in the world to require that a warning be printed on every cigarette.

The move builds on Canada's mandate to include graphic photo warnings on tobacco products' packaging  a groundbreaking policy that started an international trend when it was introduced two decades ago.

"We need to address the concern that these messages may have lost their novelty, and to an extent we worry that they may have lost their impact as well," Addictions Minister Carolyn Bennett said at a news conference Friday.

"Adding health warnings on individual tobacco products will help ensure that these essential messages reach people, including the youth who often access cigarettes one at a time in social situations, sidestepping the information printed on a package."

An example of cigarette packaging with expanded warnings, including a warning printed on the cigarettes themselves, is shown on a screen after a news conference on expanded regulations for tobacco products, in Ottawa, on Friday, June 10, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

A consultation period for the proposed change is set to begin Saturday, and the government anticipates the changes coming into force in the latter half of 2023.

While the exact messaging printed on cigarettes could change, Bennett said the current proposal is: "Poison in every puff."

Bennett also revealed expanded warnings for cigarette packages that include a longer list of smoking's health effects, including stomach cancer, colorectal cancer, diabetes, and peripheral vascular disease.

Canada has required the photo warnings since the turn of the millennium, but the images haven't been updated in a decade.

Rob Cunningham, senior policy analyst with the Canadian Cancer Society, said he hopes the warnings printed directly on cigarettes become popular internationally, just like the package warnings did.

"This is going to set a world precedent," Cunningham said, adding no other country has implemented such regulations. He's hopeful that the warning will make a real difference.

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"It's a warning that you simply cannot ignore," Cunningham said. "It's going to reach every smoker, with every puff."

The move also drew praise from Geoffrey Fong, a professor at the University of Waterloo and principal investigator with the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project.

"This is a really potentially powerful intervention that's going to enhance the impact of health warnings," Fong said.

Smoking rates have been steadily falling over the years. The latest data from Statistics Canada, released last month, shows 10 per cent of Canadians reported smoking regularly. The government is seeking to cut that rate in half by 2035.

StatCan noted that roughly 11 per cent of Canadians 20 and older reported being current smokers, compared to just four per cent of people aged 15 to 19.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 10, 2022.
MONTREAL - Deficient safety practices at the ferris wheel in Montreal's Old Port led to the Christmas Day 2021 death of a worker at the tourist attraction, Quebec's workplace safety board said Thursday.

The ferris wheel is lit to the colours of the rainbow, in Montreal, on Monday, April 6, 2020. Quebec's workplace safety board says deficient safety practices at a ferris wheel in Montreal's Old Port led to the death of a worker on Christmas Day 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

MONTREAL - Deficient safety practices at the ferris wheel in Montreal's Old Port led to the Christmas Day 2021 death of a worker at the tourist attraction, Quebec's workplace safety board said Thursday.

Riley Jonathan Valcin, 22, became trapped in the drive wheels of the 60-metre-tall ferris wheel five minutes after he was asked to clear snow off the machinery while the massive structure was in motion, the safety board said in its report on the workplace death.

Valcin, a maintenance worker, should never have been on the elevated platform where the drive wheels are located, said the safety board, called the Commission des normes, de l'equite, de la sante et de la securite du travail.

"He wasn't trained because he worked in another department," board inspector Judy Major said Thursday. "It was not a task that he was supposed to do."

Major said Valcin's death was caused by two factors. The first, she said, was that the danger zone that was formed between the drive wheels and the drive plate was accessible to workers and shouldn't have been. The second issue, she said, is that the health and safety management at the site was deficient in a way that led workers to improvise a dangerous method of snow removal on the drive wheels.

The board found that workers at the ferris wheel site weren't properly trained for tasks they were asked to do, that the wheel's operating manual was not available to workers and that there were no formal procedures during weather conditions of snow or ice.

The only barrier preventing access to the drive wheels was a chain that Major said was regularly left unlocked.

"There were weaknesses that could lead to accidents and there was an accident," she said.

In total, six corrective notices were issued to the wheel's operators, Major said, adding that the board is satisfied the ferris wheel's operators have taken the necessary steps to fix safety issues.

The company that owns the ferris wheel  called La Grande Roue de Montreal  said it met all required health and safety standards at the time of the accident. The wheel is owned by Dutch businessman Henk Addink and is located on land owned by federal Crown corporation Canada Lands Company.

"Our operators were trained  they were properly trained  because we had certified trainers coming here regularly," said ferris wheel spokeswoman Lawrence Esso.

"Our site was checked and we received a permit, which was renewed annually. If there was any issue in the past, I guess we would have been closed at some point, which was never the case."

Esso said snow was never supposed to be removed manually from the ferris wheel.

"Everybody is still in shock about what happened," Esso said. "It's a tragic accident; he was sent there when he wasn't supposed to be there."

The name of the employee who sent Valcin to clean the snow off the drive wheels was redacted from the board's report.

Esso said the company has taken steps to limit access to dangerous areas and improve training for operators. The company has also partnered with an independent firm to improve its health and safety practices, she added.

Valcin's older brother, Joey Valcin, said it hurts to see that if the appropriate safety measures had been in place, his brother's death could have been prevented.

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"I hope that this tragic event will serve as a lesson for the employees to better inform themselves regarding their rights as employees in order to protect themselves from something like this and for the employer to put the necessary measures in place to better protect their employees," he said.

Valcin remembered his brother, a civil engineering student at Polytechnique Montreal, as funny and loving.

"He was highly competitive, driven, he never gave up. He had a bright future because of all those qualities."

Valcin, whose father died in a plane crash in April, said he and his mother "will dearly miss" Riley.

The board said it has not yet decided if any fines will be issued to the wheel's owner.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 9, 2022.
Casie Pierce doesn't usually work Fridays. But on the Friday after the draft Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade was leaked, Pierce, the development director for a Dallas-based abortion fund, which helps people pay for the procedure and associated logistics, had to be at her computer.

Abortion rights demonstrators attend a rally at the Texas Capitol, Saturday, May 14, 2022, in Austin, Texas. When a leaked draft decision signaled the end to federal protections for the right to an abortion in the U.S., donors clicked on donations buttons and mailed checks in a spasm of fury. The rage giving has given abortion funds a temporary financial boost. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

Casie Pierce doesn't usually work Fridays. But on the Friday after the draft Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade was leaked, Pierce, the development director for a Dallas-based abortion fund, which helps people pay for the procedure and associated logistics, had to be at her computer.

She was monitoring the rage giving.

Am I optimistic watching funds rolling in? Of course I am, she said. But whats unfortunate is it takes a tragedy to wake people up out of their slumber to start giving, because weve been here doing this all along.

In response to the May 2 leaked draft that signaled the likely withdrawal of the legal right to an abortion in the U.S., donors clicked on donations buttons and mailed checks in a fury.

An annual fundraiser organized by the National Network of Abortion Funds raised more than $2.4 million by the end of May to benefit some 90 abortion funds, more than in any previous year. In 2019, NNAF said those abortion funds aided 56,000 people  only about one in four of those who contacted them for help.

Abortion funds, unlike clinics or advocacy organizations, focus on providing people with money to pay for abortions as well as help with logistics like travel, childcare and support. As a result, they have smaller budgets than broader reproductive rights organizations like Planned Parenthood.

Kelly Nelson, who founded an abortion fund in Tampa, Florida, felt two ways about the rage donors, as she called them.

I love them," she said. Weve really benefited. But, you know, I dont think a lot of them well ever see again.

Given the magnitude of the need, she said, abortion funds need multiyear philanthropic grants.

We really want to make this a long-term thing where people recognize that the fight with the courts is over now and we lost, Nelson said. We have to help the people on the ground today and tomorrow. We need to get them to their appointments.

She added: This is the time for philanthropy to get creative and reach out to abortion funds, who have traditionally been underfunded in the reproductive health world."

One analysis of philanthropic donations done by the progressive group the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) found that between 2015 and 2019, of the $1.7 billion that foundations gave to reproductive rights issues, less than 3% was designated specifically for abortion funds while 21% was directed to other abortion-related work, for example, by advocates or clinics.

Groups that oppose abortion also saw a big boost in funding since the Supreme Court signaled openness to new restrictions on abortion in December. The anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America plans to spend more on political campaigns this election cycle than ever before  $78 million. They did not respond to a request for comment about their donors' response to the leaked draft opinion.

Since 2017, the Tampa Bay Abortion Fund has been run entirely by volunteers, including Nelson, and over that time has reduced its reliance on individual donors as a proportion of its budget. Still, Nelson said, the organization often has just a months worth of funds lined up at any time.

Before May 2, it had run out of money three times this year, forcing a shutdown of the the phone line that clients use to contact them.

Thats how paycheck-to-paycheck we are, Nelson said.

Even before some states acted in recent years to restrict the right to abortion, many people couldnt afford one.

When abortion funds have to close their doors on the 15th of the month, thats 15 days of callers who arent getting funding, said Brandi Collins-Calhoun of the NCRP. Those are people who arent going to have access to their abortions. And its not because of the lack of Roe. Its because of the lack of funding.

The unpredictability of rage giving, or fad funding, can hurt movements. "Its very harmful, Collins-Calhoun said. And its something that we urge funders not to lean into too much.

Collins-Calhoun argues that despite legal restrictions, philanthropic giving can still make a transformational difference if foundations and large donors were to increase their donations to abortion access organizations and sustain that giving over time.

Thats what a lack of investment means: It means that you have to keep revisiting the same thing every 50 years, said Paris Hatcher, executive director of Black Feminist Future, referring to the multigenerational struggle to secure access to abortion in the U.S.

She is making the case to other organizers whose focus isn't specifically reproductive justice that their work for racial or economic equality is intertwined with abortion access.

Another analysis by The Bridgespan Group, a philanthropic consultancy, and Shake the Table, a feminist philanthropic advisory group, found that less than 1% of total foundation giving in 2017 went to womens rights organizations around the world. It further concluded that feminist funds have the capacity to distribute 10 times the amount of philanthropic donations than they do now.

In the weeks since the leaked decision, Nelsons Tampa fund has received renewed donations from several foundations as well as a first-time grant for $50,000, the largest they've ever received.

Federal funds, through programs like Medicaid, cannot be used to pay for abortions, except when a pregnancy is the result of rape or incest or endangers the life of the patient.

Pierce, of the Texas Equal Access Fund in Dallas, said she hopes that might change in the long run. Until then, she urged donors to be bold.

I really would like to tell donors to not be shy and to not be afraid of the stigma around the word abortion, she said.

Still, Pierce suggests to those who don't want to be identified on the funds tax return to contribute through a donor advised fund, a kind of charitable investment account that does not require attaching names to donations.

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Pierce is seeking to raise $2.5 million to help fund travel and other support for half of their callers and hire a new staffer to organize those logistics. The fund's current annual budget is $800,000.

Both the Dallas and Tampa abortion funds promote monthly giving programs to individual donors as a preferred way to receive donations. And some have responded.

Before the May 2 Supreme Court leak, monthly donors gave the Tampa fund a total of $470 a month, which isnt a lot. Thats one procedure. But we knew that we could cover that one procedure, Nelson said.

After a month of rage giving, Nelson said, 111 monthly donors had signed up to give a total of nearly $4,000.

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Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of APs philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy.
BANGKOK (AP)  Thailands health minister kicked off a marijuana giveaway Friday, handing out the first 100 seedlings of a planned distribution of 1 million plants a day after the country legalized cultivation and possession of the drug.

Thailands Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, center, takes selfies with people holding their marijuana plants during the distribution of 1 million free marijuana seedlings in the northeastern province of Buriram, Thailand, Friday, June 10, 2022. The government distribution plan of the recently legalized crop is an efforts to jumpstart the countrys medical marijuana industry, expected to create an economic windfall. (Matichon Newspaper via AP)

BANGKOK (AP)  Thailands health minister kicked off a marijuana giveaway Friday, handing out the first 100 seedlings of a planned distribution of 1 million plants a day after the country legalized cultivation and possession of the drug.

Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, who has been the driving force behind legalization, presided over the giveaway at a fair and exhibition held in the northeastern province of Buriram, a stronghold of his Bhumjai Thai party.

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Anutin has touted growing marijuana, also called cannabis, as a way to increase farmers incomes.

His party draws heavily on the support of low-income farmers in the largely agricultural northeast. He was cheered by a crowd of thousands as he gave a speech taking credit for legalizing marijuana, which he said would bring financial benefits to individual growers, community farmers (and) entrepreneurs.

His party said more than 350,000 households have already registered as cannabis growers.

Officials said the 1 million plants will be distributed nationwide through the Agriculture Departments regional offices over the next six months to promote marijuana cultivation.

The government insists that officially, only medical marijuana has been legalized. Despite that, there are no plans for serious monitoring of small-scale cultivation and sales, so at least in the privacy of ones home there appears to be no reason to believe a person can get into trouble for recreational smoking.

Officials have warned, however, that smoking in public will be frowned upon and subject to possible fines. Regulations are expected to be issued for marijuana similar to those for cigarettes and alcohol, such as minimum age requirements for purchasing and restricting driving under the influence.
BAKHMUT, Ukraine (AP)  Ukraine and the West denounced a pro-Moscow court that sentenced two British citizens and a Moroccan to death for fighting for Ukraine, calling the proceedings a sham and a violation of the rules of war.

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)

BAKHMUT, Ukraine (AP)  Ukraine and the West denounced a pro-Moscow court that sentenced two British citizens and a Moroccan to death for fighting for Ukraine, calling the proceedings 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 on Thursday 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.

The 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.

Russian 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.

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 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, 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 on the northeastern city. One hit a supermarket. Another hit a coke plant. No details were 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.

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 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 response from Ukrainian authorities.

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Karmanau reported from Lviv, Ukraine.

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Follow APs coverage of the Ukraine war at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
In the wake of dozens of pedestrians and cyclists killed in Winnipeg crashes between 2012 and 2019, a new push to pinpoint the exact circumstances behind those deaths has emerged.

In the wake of dozens of pedestrians and cyclists killed in Winnipeg crashes between 2012 and 2019, a new push to pinpoint the exact circumstances behind those deaths has emerged.

The call to explore the grim details follows an analysis of the fatalities, shared during a presentation at city councils public works committee meeting Thursday.

Jairo Viafara, a professional transportation planner, noted his analysis of city and Manitoba Public Insurance data found an average of four pedestrians were killed per year between 2012 and 2016 in Winnipeg, which rose to 5.6 per year for 2015 to 2019.

During the same period, average collision deaths for cyclists fell to one from 2.2, while an average of 12.7 people within motor vehicles died due to crashes in each of those years.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES The motion notes city data shows at least 51 pedestrians and cyclists were killed in 2012-19 crashes, which Coun. Matt Allard said may not include all incidents, such as some matters recorded by MPI.

Viafara told the Free Press he believes active transportation safety efforts have focused heavily on cyclists in recent years. Protecting bike riders is a major priority but the City of Winnipeg must ensure that effort doesnt distract from work needed to keep pedestrians safe, he added.

"Our streets are not as safe (for pedestrians) as we are led to believe," said Viafara. "We are being lulled into a (false) sense of safety."

His report notes the increase in pedestrian fatalities seems to be occurring as roads generally become safer for others.

"In Manitoba, historically, traffic fatalities have been in steady decline over past decades. The significant increase in pedestrian fatalities seen within Winnipeg runs counter to the overall trend, and as such warrants significant attention," it states.

The planner was educated in Winnipeg and worked in his chosen field in the United States before returning to the Manitoba capital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reading about local pedestrian safety concerns, Viafara said he was inspired to analyze the numbers.

Our streets are not as safe (for pedestrians) as we are led to believe... We are being lulled into a (false) sense of safety.  Jairo Viafara

Multiple Free Press articles this year delved into several key safety concerns, as highlighted by traffic safety activist Christian Sweryda. For example, Sweryda noted hes lobbied the city for more than a decade to add more eye-level lights at pedestrian crosswalks, claiming these are more visible to drivers.

On Thursday, Viafara urged the city to take several steps to make travel safer for pedestrians, such as: evaluating alternative crossings at some intersections; identifying "unsafe pedestrian behaviours" to target with education; and considering adding pedestrian leading intervals to crosswalk signals (which would give pedestrians a head start of a few seconds to walk before a green light signals for vehicle traffic to begin travelling in the same direction).

"We need to afford people the opportunity to actually walk safely in the city from the point of origin to their destination, (including) school children, senior citizens or people going to work," said Viafara.

Coun. Matt. Allard, chairman of the public works committee, said he agrees the increase in pedestrian fatalities poses a major concern.

On Thursday, he shared a motion at public works committee that calls city staff to request monthly collision, death and injury data from MPI and the Winnipeg Police Service to share with councillors. It would also direct city staff to prepare two reports per year, along with monthly verbal reports, on detailed collision data.

SASHA SEFTER / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES We see pedestrian deaths on the rise in this third-party report, so thats concerning. And if you start adding up deaths and injuries, it becomes a much bigger issue, said Coun. Matt Allard.

For each collision, that would aim to include the location, roadway surface, weather, fatality number, traffic volume and signal types, among other details.

"We see pedestrian deaths on the rise in this third-party report, so thats concerning. And if you start adding up deaths and injuries, it becomes a much bigger issue. I think whats being asked for here is more information, more quickly and more granularity on what happened, when," said Allard.

The motion notes city data shows at least 51 pedestrians and cyclists were killed in 2012-19 crashes, which Allard said may not include all incidents, such as some matters recorded by MPI.

Allard said his goal is to get much more information on the circumstances surrounding collisions to support better informed decisions on how best to prevent them.

The committee opted to delay its vote on the motion until next month.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga

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New, state-of-the-art radiology equipment at Winnipegs largest hospital is expected to help reduce the surgical backlog brought on by the pandemic.

New, state-of-the-art radiology equipment at Winnipegs largest hospital is expected to help reduce the surgical backlog brought on by the pandemic.

On Thursday, the Health Sciences Centre Foundation unveiled its upgraded radiology suites, which have been operating since March 2020, thanks largely to a $5-million private donation.

The Health Sciences Centre can treat six additional patients a day at the expanded Paul Albrechtsen Interventional Radiology Suites  up to 16 from 10.

The new technology means physicians can do live X-ray procedures that frequently replace open surgery and free up hospital beds, said interventional radiologist Dr. Alessandra Cassano-Bailey.

Procedures that used to require surgery, such as feeding tube placements and removing bowel obstructions, blood clots and uterine fibroids, can be done in the radiology suites.

Even patients with emergency wounds such as stabbings can be diverted, Cassano-Bailey said.

Well take them from the emergency department, go in through the arteries, stop the bleeding, and that person can be discharged in four hours from the emergency department, without ever having to go in a hospital bed. Thats the kind of thing this technology (can do), and its advancing.

RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Premier Heather Stefanson chats with Charles Schroeder, a liver transplant patient, at the press conference for the official opening of the Paul Albrechtsen Interventional Radiology Suites at Canada Inns, Health Sciences Centre location, Thursday.

The suites also help medical teams treat stroke patients more efficiently, and radiologists have been performing challenging biopsies that would typically require surgery.

Getting biopsies done, it might not seem like the sexiest thing we do, but being able to get through that list is huge for people, and anybody that is awaiting a diagnosis can tell you that, Cassano-Bailey said.

The machines diagnostic imaging is particularly important as Manitobas diagnostic-test wait list grows. The number of patient scans conducted over the past two years has increased by 20 per cent. There were 5,443 scans done between March 2021 and February 2022.

The celebration of the $10.2-million radiology suites, which are located in the HSCs Diagnostic Centre of Excellence, included remarks by Premier Heather Stefanson, HSC Foundation President and CEO Jon Lyon, HSC CEO Dr. Shawn Young, and a patient who, in expressing his gratitude for staff and the suites, made several attendees emotional.

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Charles Schroeder, who has undergone three liver transplants out of province because of a rare congenital disorder, has been a patient at the upgraded radiology suites 10 times for followup care since March 2020.

Schroeder told the Free Press hes thankful to receive treatment at the upgraded, fully staffed facility.

The staff is the important bit. You could get new equipment, but if the staff dont know how to operate well, then you wont get as good treatment. So now we have both. We have outstanding staff and we have state-of-the-art equipment, and that is a really powerful combination and that gives me a lot of confidence as a patient, he said.

The late Albrechtsen, a transportation magnate and philanthropist, donated $5 million to the project, while the provincial government contributed $5.2 million.

Albrechtsen, who died in 2019, donated more than $20 million to Winnipeg hospitals.

katie.may@winnipegfreepress.com
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.

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A coalition of educators and anti-racist advocates are calling on the Stefanson government to commit to both creating a K-12 equity secretariat and supporting the development of satellite offices within local school divisions.

A coalition of educators and anti-racist advocates are calling on the Stefanson government to commit to both creating a K-12 equity secretariat and supporting the development of satellite offices within local school divisions.

Equity Matters, which represents upwards of 80 Indigenous, newcomer and inner-city community organizations, is hosting a news conference Friday to unveil its pledge initiative.

The group has asked every provincial political party  the Progressive Conservatives, New Democratic Party and Manitoba Liberals  to formally endorse the creation of new equity infrastructure in the public school system with an official signature.

"If were serious about making concrete changes and we want to address the inequities within (public schools), looking at the structural inequities that currently exist, then we dont just need the talk  we need to walk," said Suni Matthews, co-chairwoman of Equity Matters.

Ontario recently established a so-called education equity secretariat tasked with identifying and eliminating discriminatory practices, systemic barriers and bias in its schools.

Consultant will audit WSD The Winnipeg School Division has hired an equity consultant to grade its employment practices and interview staff members about their key concerns in city schools. A Toronto-based consultant is slated to examine operations in the division  the largest of its kind in Manitoba  at the start of the 2022-23 school year. click to read more The Winnipeg School Division has hired an equity consultant to grade its employment practices and interview staff members about their key concerns in city schools. A Toronto-based consultant is slated to examine operations in the division  the largest of its kind in Manitoba  at the start of the 2022-23 school year. (An equity audit) really sharpens an organizations lens and their focus on equity so theyre actually focusing on the key, underlying issues rather than guessing at what needs to change, said Tana Turner, founder of Turner Consulting Group Inc. For example, you may know that theres an underrepresentation of racialized teachers, but you dont know why. Is it because theyre not applying? Is it because when they apply, there are barriers in the hiring process? Maybe they apply, they get hired, but because the work environment is so hostile, they leave. An auditors findings can yield useful recommendations so organizations can introduce focused activities and strategies rather than using a dartboard approach, she said. Turner has done approximately 60 such audits. She is scheduled to discuss her experience, as well as the value of audits, with local teachers and education stakeholders in a June 14 webinar. Equity Matters and the Manitoba government are hosting the event. Metro school divisions including Pembina Trails, Louis Riel, Winnipeg, River East Transcona and St. James-Assiniboia are co-sponsoring it. Close

Matthews, a retired teacher, and her colleagues want Manitoba to follow suit.

The coalition has requested the province create a designated secretariat that will be responsible for undertaking equity-based research and policy development, creating inclusive curriculum guidelines and providing education workers with anti-racist training.

Accountability should be built into the office, Matthews said, adding community members want the province to measure and monitor systemic racism by collecting annual equity data from school divisions.

Signatories of the coalitions pledge will commit to enshrining the secretariat in legislation within the Public Schools Act and establishing an assistant deputy minister of education to lead the office.

The agreement requires the secretariat be launched no later than Sept. 1, 2023.

Equity Matters expects the office to publish an annual report card on its progress once it is up and running.

"Concrete and authentic change comes from addressing deeply embedded systemic issues of colonialism and racism; engaging in difficult conversations; and being transparent and accountable to the community," wrote Matthews and Crystal Laborero, co-leaders of the campaign, in individualized letters prepared for political leaders.

The duo has contacted Education Minister Wayne Ewasko, NDP Leader Wab Kinew and Dougald Lamont, leader of the Manitobas Liberal party.

In their letters, the authors noted the Winnipeg Indigenous Executive Circle and Newcomer Education Coalition findings in their respective 2022 State of Equity in Education reports.

The findings, released in March, highlight disparities between the number of students and teachers who identify as Indigenous or racialized in the Manitoba capital.

WIEC and NEC argue that increasing the number of First Nations, Metis, and Inuit educators, as well as racialized immigrant, refugee and newcomer teachers in the public school system, will boost outcomes among students who are members of those communities.

"A teacher doesnt go into a classroom saying, Im going to target these students," said Matthews, who has been involved in anti-racist education work since the 1980s.

However, ones biases, course content and language choices have lasting impacts on students, she said.

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In 2021, the four-year graduation rate in Manitoba was roughly 82 per cent overall, but only 51 per cent of Indigenous students in the province graduated "on time."

As far as Matthews is concerned, maintaining the status-quo is not an option. "This is an era of racial reckoning," she said.

Equity Matters wants all metro divisions to start developing local equity offices.

Late last year, the Winnipeg School Division board unanimously voted to establish the first such office before the 2022-23 school year gets underway.

maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @macintoshmaggie
The Mennonite Central Committee, referring to its wartime involvement with Nazism, says the MCCs humanitarian work before and during the Second World War did not always reflect its core values.

The Mennonite Central Committee, referring to its wartime involvement with Nazism, says the MCCs humanitarian work before and during the Second World War did not always reflect its core values.

The statement by Rick Cober Bauman, the executive director of MCC Canada, and Anne Graber Hershberger, the executive director of MCC U.S., was released Monday. The organization said it grieves and repents of the harm caused by MCCs actions and inactions during this period.

It went on to say that the MCC is committed to do a better telling of the story of the MCC during that historic period and will be taking reparative steps over the coming months and years.

This includes not glossing over how the MCC worked with pro-Nazi Mennonites in carrying out humanitarian efforts in the 1930s and 1940s, and how some MCC workers in wartime France were slow to take action to protect Jews under threat from pro-Nazi forces.

The statement was released as a follow-up to research conducted by scholars across North America about MCCs entanglement with Nazism in the 1930s and 40s. The findings of that research were presented in a journal published last year and at a conference at the University of Winnipeg this fall.

As part of its broader anti-racist commitment, the MCC said it will continue to provide financial support for ongoing historical research into its involvement with Nazism, review and update how it portrays its post-Second World War refugee resettlement efforts and renew its determination to act against antisemitism.

Bauman said the organization also solicited feedback from supporters.

The majority of the feedback was positive, he said, but there were some who felt the MCC should leave the past alone. That sentiment was mostly expressed by some Mennonites who traced their roots back to the flight from Ukraine after the Second World War. Some, he said, felt their familys history had been sullied by the research.

When it comes to telling the story of the MCC during that period, the organization wants to both understand and tell a more nuanced and fulsome story about its actions, Cober Bauman said.

Past narratives tended to paint the MCC as heroic and Mennonites as victims, he said.

We dont want to take away from the fact there was huge suffering, Cober Bauman said, adding it was appropriate for the MCC to come alongside people who needed help and a new start.

But, he said, We want to be transparent about the degree to which MCC had become entangled with National Socialism.

Training about antisemitism for MCC staff members will take into account how it has seeped into all parts of the Christian community, including MCC, Cober Bauman said, adding the organization intends to work hard against it.

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Belle Jarniewski, executive director of the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada, said the MCC is to be commended for the statement.

This is a positive and important step forward on the part of MCC, she said.

But, she said, as important as it is for MCC to recognize its history of antisemitism during and after the Holocaust, I would like to see MCC address contemporary antisemitism by adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism.

Dan Stone, a professor emeritus at the University of Winnipeg, said the MCC has taken an important and courageous step in confronting its own failure to follow its core values and identified positive actions to be taken.

He said he would like to see the organization examine the reasons for its past failure and look to see if these reasons persist up to the present day.

faith@freepress.mb.ca
Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson has promoted Riding Mountain MLA Greg Nesbitt to cabinet, following the recent resignation of Scott Fielding.

Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson has promoted Riding Mountain MLA Greg Nesbitt to cabinet, following the recent resignation of Scott Fielding.

On Thursday, Nesbitt was sworn in as minister of natural resources and northern development. The former newspaper publisher and business owner takes over the position from Fielding (Kirkfield Park), who tendered his resignation from cabinet Monday.

(Tyler Clarke/The Brandon Sun Files) Riding Mountain Progressive Conservative MLA Greg Nesbitt was sworn in as minister of natural resources and northern development Thursday.

Fielding also said he would be leaving public office to pursue opportunities in the private sector.

Minister Fielding made his announcement and his decision with his family, and I respect that, Stefanson said at an unrelated announcement Thursday afternoon. He had had many years, and successful years in politics, and I want to thank him for all that he did as a minister and as an MLA in our caucus, and I wish him well.

She also congratulated Nesbitt on his promotion from the back bench, saying the new Tory cabinet appointee understands the importance of rural economic development in building a strong province.

I am confident minister Nesbitt will play an important role as we continue with our efforts for economic recovery and growth and building hope and opportunity for all Manitobans, Stefanson said.

Nesbitt was first elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2019. He previously served as legislative assistant to the minister of health, seniors and active living.

Prior to public office, he owned and published newspapers in the Riding Mountain area and was a partner in the Russell Inn Hotel, which owns a majority of the Asessippi Ski Hill and Resort, according to an online biography.

He was a founding member of the Shoal Lake Regional Airport Authority and volunteer firefighter with the Shoal Lake Fire Department for 15 years.

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Meanwhile, ministerial responsibilities for Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corp. have been handed over to Sport and Culture Minister Andrew Smith.

The premier also commented on the cancelled departure of Families Minister Rochelle Squires from her government.

Squires had been considering a run for mayor of Winnipeg, but following a nearly 45-minute meeting with the premier Tuesday, announced she would not put her name on the 2022 ballot.

Many things have happened in both my personal and political lives this week that have caused me to pause and seriously reconsider if the timing is right for me to launch a bid to become mayor of Winnipeg, Squires posted to social media. I have decided to focus on my family and continue in my role helping Manitobans as the minister of families.

Stefanson said she did not convince, ask or urge Squires to give up her mayoral ambitions during the meeting.

I have a lot of time for minister Squires. Shes been an excellent minister of the Crown for us, and I look forward to continuing to work with her as part of our cabinet and our caucus, the premier said. She made a very personal decision, and I support her.
Winnipeg police rarely investigate the slaying of a child, but officers have to put aside emotion as they strive to find justice for the tiny victims.

Winnipeg police rarely investigate the slaying of a child, but officers have to put aside emotion as they strive to find justice for the tiny victims.

Over the last number of years, we unfortunately have one or two young victims a year  (but) its extremely rare in the entire scope of the amount of homicides we have every year, Winnipeg Police Service homicide unit boss Sgt. Wade McDonald told the Free Press Thursday.

This week, police charged a 31-year-old mother with killing her newborn daughter. Jeanene Rosa Moar has been charged with manslaughter after her newborn was found dead in a garbage bin in a North End lane on May 3.

Police believe Baby Moar was alive when she was put in the trash bin.

McDonald would not provide further details.

Its still early on  just because an arrest is made, the investigation continues on, he said.

Since 2018, Winnipeg police have investigated four homicides involving children who were three years old or younger.

McDonald said such investigations can take a toll.

Its more difficult The investigators have to put aside their emotions and focus on the task at hand, McDonald said.

ERIK PINDERA/WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES A child places a flower into the fence at the vigil in the alley behind Boyd Avenue for an unnamed baby that was found dead in a garbage bin last month. The babys mother is now charged with manslaughter.

Every homicide investigation is unique in their own right and the unfortunate thing is the age of the victim Investigators here have family and children as well, and any investigation involving a child is very emotional and tragic.

Depending on the circumstances of the case, the child abuse unit conducts the probe.

In August 2018, 22-month-old Drake Catcheway died of skull fractures after being hit repeatedly on the head.

Allen Beardy, the former boyfriend of the childs mother, was charged with second-degree murder, but died in a vehicle collision during his 2021 trial.

Hunter Straight-Smith, 3, was stabbed by his mothers former boyfriend Daniel Jensen while he slept in October 2019. He died days later after he was taken off life-support.

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Jensen was convicted of first-degree murder in 2021. He was sentenced to life with no chance of parole for 25 years.

In January 2020, emergency services personnel went to a home in Lord Roberts after an infant boy was reported as unconscious. The baby died of internal injuries four days later.

Mathieu Moreau, 29, was charged with manslaughter and aggravated assault. The case has not gone to trial.

Jemimah Bundalian, 3, was stabbed twice and died in July 2021. Her father, Frank Nausigimana, pleaded guilty in May.

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @erik_pindera
Winnipeg MP and cabinet minister Dan Vandal will announce investments in travel, tourism and recreation initiatives across Manitoba at a news conference at The Forks later this morning.

The panel investigating the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol says the assault was an  attempted coup  and a direct result of then-president Donald Trumps effort to overturn the 2020 election.

Ukraine and the West are denouncing a court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic that sentenced two British citizens and a Moroccan to death . Pro-Russia separatists argued the three are "mercenaries" not entitled to the protections prisoners of war are given.
In the late spring and summer of 1973, Americans (and many Canadians) were transfixed by a live event television broadcast the likes of which had never been seen. Most viewers did not fully understand the nature of the programming, but by the time the extensive gavel to gavel coverage concluded six months later, the Senate Watergate Committees hearings had become must-see TV in a way that shook the United States to its very core.

In the late spring and summer of 1973, Americans (and many Canadians) were transfixed by a live "event" television broadcast the likes of which had never been seen. Most viewers did not fully understand the nature of the programming, but by the time the extensive "gavel to gavel" coverage concluded six months later, the Senate Watergate Committees hearings had become must-see TV in a way that shook the United States to its very core.

In the era before the cable-TV explosion, long before the launch of 24-hour news networks and the much-later advent of streaming services and social media created a fragmented, polarized and distinctly bunkered audience, mainstream network television was the conduit by which an information-hungry population accessed the goings-on at the Watergate hearings.

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES John Dean was a central figure in the 1973 Watergate hearings.

The three main U.S. networks  ABC, CBS and NBC  rotated live coverage of the proceedings, while Americas public broadcaster, PBS, went all-in by carrying every in-session minute. Syndicated newspaper columnist Jack Anderson observed that "the Senate Watergate investigation is proving a television-viewing phenomenon," and A.C. Nielsens TV-viewing measurement showed fully 75 per cent of American homes tuned in to at least some part of the hearings.

What was revealed about a previously much-ignored 1972 break-in and attempted bugging at the Democratic Party headquarters would ultimately be the undoing of Richard M. Nixons presidency. Former White House counsel John Deans testimony about a White House coverup of the Watergate break-in and "a cancer growing on the presidency" was a body blow to the Nixon administration, and the subsequent revelation by a former White House aide that Mr. Nixon had been secretly recording Oval Office conversations set in motion the events that forced his resignation.

The Watergate hearings, and TV coverage thereof, literally changed the course of U.S. history.

The issues at stake in the public hearings of the House Select Committee to Investigate the Jan. 6 Attack on the United States Capitol, which begin today and continue next week, are arguably more grave and potentially damaging to U.S. democracy than was the Watergate scandal. But to expect them to produce an air-clearing and accountability on the level that was achieved in 1973 would be to invite deep disappointment.

JOHN MINCHILLO / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Donald Trump supporters storm the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Jan. 6, 2021.

Times have changed. The media landscape has changed. Politics has changed. And America has been transformed, and not in the "great again" direction envisaged by those of a Republican bent who methodically endeavour to thwart the Jan. 6 committees efforts at every turn.

The hearings will be highly revelatory  making public the findings of an investigation that has included more than 1,000 interviews and the examination of in excess of 100,000 documents  but the likelihood they will change many American minds with regard to the Jan. 6, 2021 attack and former president Donald Trumps role in fomenting the insurrection is rather slim indeed.

The hearings will tell a story  of the most heinous and dastardly political offence ever organized by a president and his followers and his entourage in the history of the United States.  Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland

"The hearings will tell a story  of the most heinous and dastardly political offence ever organized by a president and his followers and his entourage in the history of the United States," said Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland. Predictably, Republican Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio disagreed, accusing the Jan. 6 committee of "altering evidence and lying to the American people about it  and their goal is to stop President Trump from running in 2024."

The lines are drawn, in indelible ink. The hearings will be held in prime time and carried live on major U.S. broadcast networks and almost all cable-news outlets. Fox News, the informational echo-chamber refuge of most Trump-supporting Republicans, has opted not to carry the hearings.
Fifty years later, Billy Joe Green can still remember one of the biggest breaks of his career. It was 1971, and his band was asked to become the house band at the Brunswick, an old Main Street hotel and bar.

Fifty years later, Billy Joe Green can still remember one of the biggest breaks of his career. It was 1971, and his band was asked to become the house band at the Brunswick, an old Main Street hotel and bar.

People would line up around the block to see them, and for a while Green, who was barely out of his teens, could really feel as if hed made it.

"That was like the high-end place to play for our people," he says, with a nostalgic smile.

Oh, if the walls of the Main Street strip could talk, they would tell a million stories, and Green would be in a bunch of them. An Ojibwa man and member of Shoal Lake 40 First Nation, Green is one of Winnipegs most iconic blues guitarists; back then, he was jamming on the Main Street circuit, slinging out country and rock hits.

For decades that strip, stretching from Rupert to Higgins, was a bustling place, dotted by bars in well-worn hotels. They werent always pretty and the scene wasnt too gentle, but it was a popular social hub for Indigenous people; for musicians such as Green, who became the name-brand stars of the strips stages, it was home.

"When we played, thered be a chair flying by, but we didnt think nothing of it," he says, with a chuckle. "Wed keep playing, and of course we felt safe in that environment despite all the rambunctiousness that went on We attracted our own people to the clubs, and all the pretty girls used to come."

"When we played, thered be a chair flying by, but we didnt think nothing of it." Billy Joe Green

Partly, there werent many other places for them to go. The big downtown clubs wouldnt book musicians such as Green and his friends: "It was kind of an apartheid thing," he says. "(They) didnt want to attract the people that followed us around."

In other words, they didnt want their clubs filling up with Indigenous fans. So those musicians, and their audiences, created their own culture in the old bars, by the shadow of the railway tracks.

"It was pretty rough, but we had lots and lots of fun as well, and our people love to have fun, and they love live music," Green says, chatting in the gallery at the Edge Urban Art Centre, one door down from where he used to play. "Many of us stuck it out here because we couldnt play the main clubs downtown, but we were very welcome in here."

There was the old Occidental Hotel, at the corner of Main and Logan: "that was a rowdy place, oh my God," Green says. Not far from that was the Savoy, which was beside another hotel bar called the Manor, which had been fixed up into what Green recalls as a "really nice place." Across Main from there was another hotel, rougher, that Green played a few times.

As the years turned, some of the musicians who cut their teeth in those clubs became famous, people such as Shingoose and Tom Jackson. Most just kept slugging it out on the circuit. Over time, some of the life of the place began to ebb away as venues closed, streets lost buildings to decay, and the rest of the city treated the strip as a problem to be solved.

"It truly is a community... A lot of people in the suburbs, they dont see that. Richard Walls"

Today, theres a parking lot where the Brunswick used to be. Where Green once jammed at the Savoy and the Manor now sits the Youth for Christ centre. And the Occidental, well, that is a much longer story: it was transformed into the Red Road Lodge, a 47-room sober transitional housing facility with support services and an art-focused approach to healing.

But the people who played their hearts on the strip every night never forgot it. On Saturday, that creative spirit will be celebrated on the strip once again, as a coalition of community members comes together to host a new day-long festival of the areas cultural identity, both present and past.

It even has the perfect name: Main Streets Got Talent.

The event, which will take place in and around a parking lot between Red Road Lodge and the Edge Gallery at 611 Main St., will unite many forms of expression. Green will perform, along with a host of other top-notch Indigenous musicians. A teepee will be raised just after dawn, and the day will feature art displays, art-making and other activities.

Main Streets Got Talent will take place in and around a parking lot between Red Road Lodge and the Edge Gallery at 611 Main St.

The idea was spearheaded by Richard Walls, the founder of Red Road Lodge. From the time hed first bought the Occidental over 15 years ago, hed been intrigued by the history of the area, and the way it had long been a hub for Indigenous culture; he remembers seeing artists working at the old bar tables, before taking their work to sell on the street.

So when he transitioned the bar to become Red Road Lodge, he made art a big part of its mission. In recent months, as the community of businesses and non-profits around the strip has begun to work more closely together, he started thinking about how to take the talent he saw inside the Lodge, and the Edge hed founded next door, and take it outside.

This is a key part of changing misconceptions. Many of the folks who live in the community are unhoused; many live with addiction. Misconceptions of who they are, and what the strip must be like, keeps many Winnipeggers away; but if people never see the fullness of their lives, then they will never know the whole truth of the city.

"You gotta look at the human being, and start recognizing that so many of them have talent," Walls says. "They could be a guitarist or a fiddler. They could be a writer. Talent has to be recognized in all its forms, and we have to get to the public to recognize Main Street for the positive things that are here."

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Daniel Crump / Winnipeg Free Press Local blues icon Billy Joe Green

So a party it is, then, to celebrate the artistic brilliance that has never once left the strip. All day at Main Streets Got Talent artists will work on and sell their pieces. There will be community art projects, such as an invitation to make handprints in clay. They will paint a canoe, which will be hung from a nearby arch on display.

"Its all coming together to be a first-class event," Walls says.

It is, above all, a team effort. Some of Red Road Lodges 47 residents will contribute, either with their art or their time. There will be a morning prayer by elder Delores Kelly, a drum ceremony, fiddling and a dance performance by the Ivan Flett Memorial Dancers, a trio of Metis siblings who recently starred on Canadas Got Talent.

"It truly is a community," Walls says. "A lot of people in the suburbs, they dont see that."

melissa.martin@freepress.mb.ca
The father of a woman recently convicted of first-degree intentional homicide in Sauk County Circuit Court is being held at Richland County Jail after being charged with threatening to kill Sauk County District Attorney Michael Albrecht.

Mark J. Trefren, 59, was charged June 2 with felony threat to a prosecutor. The count carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison and three years of extended supervision.

According to the complaint filed in Richland County Circuit Court, Trefren, the father of recently convicted Amber M. Lundgren, sent a number of messages to Albrecht while Lundgren awaited trial and after she was initially arrested in October 2019.

Lundgren was arrested and convicted in the shooting death of Christopher Lytle, of Westfield, in September 2019, which Lundgren admitted to investigators. Her vehicle was caught on security footage from Ho-Chunk casino near Baraboo, where she picked up Lytle before driving to a turnaround area in Fairfield.

Lundgren claimed self-defense in shooting Lytle, but prosecutors and investigators said she lied as she was fed information from detectives and she instead lured Lytle out to the area he frequented in order to purposefully kill him.

According to the complaint, Trefren began sending emails in May 2020. The first was from Trefren through the email address of his wife, Ginger, and insisted Albrecht rethink the first-degree intentional homicide charge.

You should be ashamed of yourself!!!!!! the email concluded. Another, in June 2020, from Trefrens email address, began with hey pathetic loser, and asked whether the district attorney had tried to ruin any innocent lives within a week.

Your selfish and wicked ways will come back to bite you, read the email. And I will be there to watch you suffer

In another message referred to when Lundgren was arrested again in September for violating the conditions of her bail, Trefren wrote that he was not sure why you hate her so much and that Albrecht was tearing a family apart with this agenda. Trefren also wrote that boy referring to Lytle needed help and was progressin (sic) in violence.

Remember Jesus will forgive but a dad never forgets!!!!! Trefren wrote.

Trefren was not charged for those threats until after an altercation he had with Richland County Sheriffs deputies May 25.

Around 1 p.m., deputies were called to a residence on Honer Lane in Richland Center. A caller said Trefren was emotional andattempting to get control of some firearms there. Deputies found that family members were restraining Trefren in one room and thought he was potentially having a heart attack, but when the officers went to him, Trefren calmed down a little bit but said his chest hurt.

He clenched his fists and said he was angry, according to the complaint. He stood up, but a deputy asked him to sit down, which he ignored. Trefren flexed his arms and tried to leave the room, the deputy noted, which prompted the officer to tackle Trefren to the floor. They initially thought Trefren might be trying to take the firearms to harm himself.

At some point, deputies maneuvered Trefren to his stomach and detained him to ask questions, placing him in handcuffs while he laid on the floor. The deputy told Trefren to take deep breaths and his demeanor changed drastically. He apologized numerous times stating that he was very emotional because his daughter had just been found guilty of homicide.

During this, a deputy noted that someone told law enforcement Trefren was going to take the guns because he wanted to retaliate against Albrecht and that Trefren said an eye for an eye, while sitting with police. Once calm, a deputy noted that Trefren said he did not want to harm anyone.

That same day, after Richland County deputies contacted the Sauk County Sheriffs Office about the incident in which a safety plan was implemented but Trefren was not yet charged, Sauk County Lt. Steve Schram revealed comments made by Trefren during a phone call to Lundgren after she was convicted May 25.

In the conversation, Trefren told Lundgren he needed to retire and disappear and go off the grid because otherwise I will end up hurting somebody. He admitted to threatening to kill everybody and that all of his firearms were taken but he demanded they be brought back or he will go get them and that he was not going to kill anybody, Im not that type of person, but I want to.

Trefren made an appearance in court Wednesday, where his attorney, Eric Habich, requested that the $50,000 cash bail ordered in his case be changed to a signature bond instead. He also asked the conditions be modified to allow Trefren to travel outside of the state for work. Circuit Court Judge Michael Kirchman denied the request.

Conditions of the bond require that if released, Trefren not enter the city of Baraboo, not have any contact with Albrecht nor with the district attorneys office and not leave the state of Wisconsin. He is scheduled to next appear for an arraignment Tuesday.

Follow Bridget on Twitter @cookebridget or contact her at 608-745-3513.

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The former president of Indiana's Franklin College has been sentenced to six years in prison after pleading no contest to child enticement and other charges following his arrest in a Wisconsin sex crime sting.
The Wisconsin Elections Commission selected Republican attorney Don Millis as its new chair Friday as it prepares for the midterm elections while navigating lawsuits and GOP calls to disband the agency.

Five commissioners voted in favor of Millis becoming chair and one commissioner voted against him. Millis will replace Ann Jacobs, a Democrat. The position switches parties every two years under the commissions rules.

I think I have the skills and the temperament to do whats necessary to make sure changes in election law and administration are rational and will put the people of the state of Wisconsin first, Millis said Friday.

Millis is set to hold the position heading into the November election, with Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson on the ballot, as well as 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.

The commissioners Friday also rejected Republican Commissioner Robert Spindells bid for chair. Spindell faces a lawsuit for being one of 10 Republicans who attempted to cast Electoral College ballots for Donald Trump after the former president lost Wisconsin in 2020.

The commissioners chose Spindell to be their vice-chair. Spindell was the sole vote against Millis bid to become chair. Spindell nominated himself to be chair but the motion did not receive a second.

The bipartisan six-member commission includes three Republican appointees and three Democratic appointees.

The commission has been under fire from a growing number of Republicans for how the 2020 election was administered and unfounded claims of widespread fraud.

GOP gubernatorial candidates Tim Michels, Rebecca Kleefisch, Kevin Nicholson and state Rep. Timothy Ramthun, of Campbellsport, have all called for the agencys dismantling.

So has former state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman, though Gableman praised Millis appointment by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester. Vos, who hired Gableman to lead a 2020 election review, has been adamantly opposed to eliminating the commission.

Before the vote, Millis said the Elections Commission has been in the spotlight more than it should be and conceded he doesnt know what the commissions future looks like.

I have talked to folks on my side of the aisle and  theres a difference of opinion, he said, adding that he supports changing some election laws.

Gablemans praise for Millis came as the former justice and Vos face a lawsuit for trying to interview Wisconsin Elections Commission officials in private settings. Gableman, in turn, filed a lawsuit threatening to jail Jacobs and staff member Sarah Linske if they dont comply with a list of demands. He has also issued a subpoena to WEC administrator Meagan Wolfe.

Millis selection as chair came two days after he was appointed to replace Republican commissioner Dean Knudson, who unexpectedly resigned in late May following mounting pressure he faced from fellow conservatives angry with him because he said Trump lost to President Joe Biden in 2020.

A Sun Prairie tax attorney with Reinhart Law Firm, Millis previously served as one of the Wisconsin Elections Commissions first commissioners after being appointed by former Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald in 2016. He resigned from the agency the following year to focus on his law practice.

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.
WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP)  Five years after the state's initial investigation of GenX turning up in the Cape Fear River, Gov. Roy Cooper and his environmental chief unveiled a three-pronged strategy Tuesday to address further efforts to reduce and remedy a broad category of forever chemicals in water sources.

Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Elizabeth Biser, who also chronicled state government's efforts so far to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, said there remains more to do to protect human health and the environment.

Weve come a long way in the last few years in identifying these chemicals, stopping the polluters and charting a path forward, Cooper said at a news conference in Wilmington near where the Cape Fear and Northeast Cape Fear rivers merge. The challenge of PFAS is bigger than any one company or any one chemical.

A state investigation that began in June 2017 found that The Chemours Co. had discharged a type of PFAS called GenX from its Fayetteville Works plant in Bladen County into the air, water and groundwater for years. GenX is used in the manufacturing of nonstick coatings and for other purposes.

Chemours said in 2017 that it would stop discharging the chemical into the Cape Fear River, the drinking water sources for several hundred thousand people in southeastern North Carolina, including Wilmington. But groundwater seepage means high PFAS levels are still showing up downstream and in private drinking wells. Public utility systems are upgrading their infrastructure to remove those high levels.

Studies have linked PFAS exposure to increased cancer risk, developmental delays in children and damage to organs such as the liver and thyroid, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

We want to ensure that in the future, no community experiences what you have already been through, Biser said. We are all working toward a common goal -- protecting North Carolinians and their access to clean drinking water.

The states investigation led to a consent agreement finalized with Chemours in early 2019 that included a $12 million penalty, the sampling and replacement of drinking water supplies for private well users, and measures to reduce drastically air emissions and other PFAS pollution from leaving the plant.

The Department of Environmental Quality's PFAS action plan focuses on identifying people across the state who may face a health risk from PFAS; proposals for setting groundwater, surface water and drinking water standards to avoid unnecessary human exposure; and setting remediation goals for contaminated sites that leads to health-protective outcomes.

Biser said the plan builds on past work and is designed to complement or supplement action that is expected on PFAS from the federal government, particularly thorough the Environmental Protection Agency. Last fall, EPA chief Michael Regan  Bisers immediate predecessor at the Department of Environmental Quality  announced a road map to address PFAS nationwide, which also includes drinking water standards.

Biser and Cooper also both urged state lawmakers to pass proposed legislation debated last week that in part would require Chemours to pay for public water system improvements designed to remove the chemicals or reduce concentrations, not the ratepayers. Two Wilmington-area utilities have said they are spending roughly $150 million on aggregate improvements to address PFAS pollution.

Chemours said last week that the company has spent or committed to spend $400 million on improvements such as on-site emissions control technology at the plant and remediation. A 2020 lawsuit filed by Attorney General Josh Stein's office seeking monetary damages for the state from the GenX releases is pending.

The story has been corrected to delete a reference to GenX being used in making fire suppression foams.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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A Dane County judge held the office of former state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman in contempt Friday for not fully complying with a previous court order to provide public records related to Gablemans GOP-ordered review of the 2020 election.

Circuit Court Judge Frank Remington issued the contempt order after the conservative former justice refused to provide testimony in the case, brought by liberal watchdog group American Oversight. Gableman took the stand Friday ostensibly to answer questions seeking information on whether the Office of Special Counsel he heads had violated a court order to stop deleting requested documents, but instead lashed out at Remington, accusing the judge of being a partisan advocate.

Remington reminded Gableman that he was under oath to answer questions from American Oversight attorney Christa Westerberg, and not to make a speech, but Gableman refused.

You have a right to conduct and control your courtroom, judge, but you dont have a right to act as an advocate for one party over the other, Gableman said. I want a personal counsel if you are putting jail on the table. I want an attorney to represent me personally. I will not answer any more questions. I see you have a jail officer here. You want to put me in jail, Judge Remington  Im not going to be railroaded.

Gablemans heated comments came two days after Remington ordered the former justice to answer questions under oath about how his office handled requested documents related to the ongoing probe. Near the close of that Wednesday hearing, Remington cautioned Gableman and his staffer Zakory Niemierowicz to consider seeking independent legal counsel, noting that remedial sanctions for contempt could include jail time.

Niemierowicz did not attend Fridays hearing for fear of incarceration, Gablemans attorney Michael Dean said. Gablemans attorneys have described Niemierowicz as the sole legal custodian for the requested records. Niemierowicz was hired last September as an office administrator, but his title changed to chief of staff later last year, according to a transcript of Niemierowiczs Monday deposition with American Oversight filed with the court.

At no time did I suggest that that was a sanction that I intended to impose, Remington said Friday. Indeed, it was a question that was left for todays proceeding to be determined based on the evidence and the request from American Oversight.

The question of sanctions was left unanswered Friday. After finding Gablemans office in contempt for not fully and completely complying with the courts previous order to not delete requested records, Remington said he would issue a written order and sanctions at a later date.

Contempt of court is punishable by up to $2,000 in daily fines for each day the person refuses to abide by the courts order. Imprisonment is also a possible sanction and may extend as long as the person is committing the contempt or up to six months, whichever period is shorter.

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, which was launched last year by Republicans at a cost of $676,000 to taxpayers. Invoices have shown that ongoing court battles surrounding the review have pushed the cost to nearly $900,000.

Remington on Friday denied similar motions by American Oversight to hold Vos and the state Assembly in contempt.

American Oversight senior adviser Melanie Sloan said in a statement following the hearing that Gablemans outrageous and disrespectful conduct in court today removed any last shred of credibility from this partisan charade.

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  including those that may have been deleted  between Gableman and his staff, which American Oversight attorneys say constitute contractor records that are subject to the states open records law.

Both Remington and Dane County Circuit Judge Valerie Bailey-Rihn have previously ordered Gableman to stop deleting records that may be responsive to American Oversights 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 in October determined that deleting such records, even by a state contractor like Gableman, violates state law.

Records deleted

Speaking with reporters after Fridays hearing, Gableman said all requested documents have been provided to American Oversight but reaffirmed that his office has regularly deleted both physical and digital records.

Of course we followed the law, but the law does not mean that I have to keep every scrap of paper with some writing on it if there is no relevant open records request that was submitted at the time, Gableman said.

Westerberg told reporters on Friday some records still have not been produced, including contracts for Gablemans staffers Andrew Kloster, a former Trump administration official who has falsely claimed the election was stolen from the former president, and Carol Matheis, a California attorney who has worked with the Federalist Society.

Niemierowicz said in his deposition that he and several of those working in the Office of Special Counsel, including Gableman, also communicate using Signal, an app that allows for the immediate deletion of messages.

An October memo prepared by Legislative Council deputy director Dan Schmidt indicated that the states public records law generally applies to records created or maintained by Gablemans office.

State lawmakers are exempt from Wisconsins record retention law, allowing them to regularly delete records, though requested documents must be retained if they exist at the time of a formal request. Schmidt wrote in the memo that such an exemption does not apply to Gableman.

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 the lie that there was 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.
There were few contested primaries for the Montana Legislature in southcentral and Eastern Montana, but many of those races finalized selections for state House or Senate.

These are the final numbers for is where the region's contested legislative primaries.

In Billings, returns for the House District 50 Democratic primary show that James Reavis won with 452 votes to Erin Tates 421. The central Billings district is mostly sandwiched between Central and Broadwater avenues and terminates at to the west 28th Street West and to the east at South 32 Street.

Reavis will face Republican Mallerie Stromswold in November. Stromswold was unopposed in the primary.

In Laurel, returns for House District 55 show Lee Deming won with 1,428 votes to Curtis Schomers 548. The district includes Laurel and trails southward through the Cottonwood Creek Road area to Pryor Road. Democrats didnt field a candidate in HD 55. The winner of Tuesdays election advances to the Legislature.

The big Senate primary was Barry Usher, of Billings against Geraldine Custer, of Forsyth, in Senate District 20, which sprawls from Roundup to Colstrip and includes he Huntley Project area. Returns show Usher won with 3,398 votes to Custer's 2,164. For lack of a general election opponent, the winner of this Republican primary advances to the Legislature.

Also in southcentral Montana, returns in the four-way Republican race for House District 40, which includes Broadview, Melstone, Roundup, and Shepherd show Greg Oblander won with 1,096 votes. Oblander lives in Shepherd, while the other three candidates are from Roundup. For lack of a general election opponent, Oblander advances to the Legislature. Former Musselshell County Commissioner Bob Goffena received 597 votes, Bruce Hoiland received 364, John Nickelson received 600.

In Miles City, a three-way Republican primary for House District 38 show Greg Kmetz won with 1,200 votes, to Mike Willems 556, and Wyatt Winchester Englishs 85. This is one of the few districts in Eastern Montana mostly comprised of a single city. The winner will face Democrat Steve Muggli in the November election. Muggli was unopposed in the primary.

In central Montana, returns for the House District 30 Republican primary showed James Bergstrom, of Buffalo, won with 1,503 votes to Randyn Gregg's 1,311. Gregg is from White Sulphur Springs. House District 30 includes Denton, Lavina, Moore, and White Sulphur Springs. The winner faces Wendy Palmer, of Raynesford, who didn't have a primary opponent.

On the Hi-Line, Eastern Montana Democrat Frank Smith, of Poplar, won with 360 votes to challenger Kaci Wallettes 273, in the race for House District 31. Wallette is from Wolf Point. The district, sandwiched between the Milk River and Fort Peck Reservoir, includes Fort Peck, Wolf Point, Poplar and Brockton. The winner faces Republican Arlie Gordon in the November election. Gordon was unopposed in the primary.

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2021-22 Year in Review

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Dear William & Mary Community,

We launched our graduates in the Class of 2022 last month with due pomp and circumstance  concluding William & Marys 329th year and inaugurating our 330th. Special thanks to those who made that celebration joyful. And broad thanks to all for the grit and dedication that have defined this university during these past two years of pandemic.

Our 2021-22 Year-in-Review video captures what has become W&Ms new normal: adapting to advance what we value most about this extraordinary community of learning. Our collective ability to transform with creativity and purpose will be key to success over the next four years, as we look to the commitments outlined in Vision 2026.

As you reflect on the year past, please consider sending a note of appreciation to a colleague or friend for your efforts together. The most welcome thanks are those that arise from shared work well done.

With gratitude,

Katherine A. Rowe

President
Photo taken on Nov. 7, 2019 shows the Georgia pavilion during the second China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, east China. [Xinhua/Yin Gang]

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.

(Source: Xinhua)
Zhang Huamei is China's first licensed private business vendor. [People's 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.

China's economic miracle started with her: she was the nation's 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 world's 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 family's daily expenses.

Zhang's 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 China's 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 China's rapid economic development and progress over the course of 40 years.

"After all, we are all small buttons, but don't 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 men counterparts," she said.

In Zhang's hometown, where China's women commercial empowerment began, over 326,000 women 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. Women business leaders have also formed business alliances to assist young women in realizing their entrepreneurial dreams and pursue their desired careers.

"It's 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.

(Source: People's Daily Online)
ZORTMAN  A recent survey of bats at Azure Cave in Phillips County found a significant population reduction since last year, likely due to white-nose syndrome (WNS).

Biologists from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Montana Natural Heritage Program and Bureau of Land Management conducted their regular winter survey in May. Azure Cave is a critical hibernating location for bats, hosting approximately 1,700 to 1,900 bats in a typical year. The May survey found a 98% reduction in bat numbers, with about 40 bats hibernating in the cave. Half of the remaining bats showed visible fungal growth associated with white-nose syndrome.

WNS is a fungal disease that has killed more than 6 million bats in North America since 2006. A powdery white fungus grows on the skin of hibernating bats, often on the face, leading to irritation and dehydration. This causes bats to arouse early from hibernation and exhaust fat stores they need to survive the winter, often leading to death.

WNS has been confirmed in 38 states and seven Canadian provinces. It can wipe out entire colonies of bats and has caused dramatic population declines for several species of bats in North America. Only bats are known to be affected by WNS, which does not pose a risk to humans, pets, livestock or other wildlife.

This is the third year in which the fungus has been present within the cave, and the second year in which signs consistent with WNS were detected.

In the survey last year at Azure Cave, we saw that at least one third of the bats had visible fungus on their wings and face, said Kristina Smucker, FWP nongame wildlife bureau chief. We expected to see fewer bats this year, but were hoping the population decline wouldnt be as severe as we observed.

Found throughout Montana, bats are an important component of the ecosystem and economy of Montana. They also are part of the unique biological diversity of the state.

A little brown bat can eat 1,200 mosquitoes in an hour, Smucker said. Bats are really important for keeping insect populations in check  they help protect crops and timber from insect pests.

Azure Cave is located on BLM land in the Little Rocky Mountains and was the largest known hibernating winter colony used by several mouse-eared bat (Myotis) species in the western U.S. outside of New Mexico, and the largest known winter colony of the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus) in the West. The little brown bat is of particular concern as it has suffered severe declines in the eastern and central regions of North America.

Biologists have conducted annual bat surveys in Azure Cave since 1993. In a typical year, about 1,7001,900 bats, primarily little brown bats, hibernate in the cave.

This years decline in Azure is consistent with WNS-associated declines in little brown bats observed in other states at similar sites.

Surveys conducted in Azure are part of annual, statewide surveillance efforts to track the spread of WNS in Montana. FWP and partners are monitoring more than 35 sites across the state for presence of the fungus and/or bats with symptoms of WNS. FWP first found the fungus in Eastern Montana in 2020. Now, the fungus has been detected in eight counties in Eastern Montana, and WNS has been confirmed in bats in three of them, including at Azure Cave in Phillips County.

People should not handle bats. Anyone who sees a dead or sick bat, group of bats, or finds bats in unexpected places should call a local FWP office to report the finding.

Like other wildlife, bats may get sick or die for a variety of reasons, said Emily Almberg, disease ecologist for Montana FWP. We are particularly interested in investigating clusters of dead bats or bats that are found dead during the winter or early spring, as that may indicate WNS being the cause.

People can report these discoveries to the FWP Wildlife Health Lab in Bozeman at 406-577-7882, or they can contact a biologist at their local FWP office.

For more information on white-nose syndrome, visit https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/. For more information on Montanas bats visit https://fieldguide.mt.gov.

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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. &&
4m fuel voucher scheme announced to help most vulnerable in Wales with soaring energy bills

A 4 million fuel voucher scheme to help some of the most vulnerable households in Wales with soaring energy bills, has been announced.

The extra help will be targeted towards people with pre-payment meters and households not connected to mains gas.

It comes as figures show people on pre-payment meters in North Wales have been the hardest hit in the UK by rising standing charges, with costs increasing by 102 per cent.

Data released in April revealed that 38,000 households were estimated to be living in severe fuel poverty and a further 153,000 households  equivalent of 11 per cent of households  were at risk of fuel poverty.

The 4m of new funding will enable the Fuel Bank Foundation to introduce a national voucher scheme, providing direct support to eligible households on prepayment meters and those not connected to the mains gas network.

Households will be eligible for Fuel Bank support if they meet the following criteria, including:

They must be a pre-payment energy customer, or off the gas grid

They must also be in intense financial crisis, unable to fund the basic essentials for everyday living (including food, rent or mortgage, energy, water, council tax, and essential travel).

The consumer must be at immediate risk of self-disconnection, or indeed have already self-disconnected, or is making choices that may cause significant detriment to ensure that energy is funded.

Nearly 120,000 people on prepayment meters will be eligible for approximately 49,000 vouchers to support them during the cost-of-living crisis.

Vouchers will range from 30 in summer months to 49 in winter, with households receiving up to three vouchers over a six-month period.

The 4m will also include a Heat Fund, which will provide direct support to eligible households living off the gas grid, which are reliant on heating oil and liquid gas. This will help an estimated 2,000 households across Wales.

Speaking as she visited a foodbank in Wrexham today (10 June) to see the support available to people trying to balance rising energy costs with putting food on the table, Social Justice Minister Jane Hutt said: The cost-of-living crisis is having a devastating impact on people in Wales.

Today, nearly half of all households in Wales are at risk of falling into fuel poverty. This is deeply shocking.

We are investing an extra 4m in the Fuel Bank Foundation to roll-out a national scheme that covers the whole of Wales and supports people most in need.

This extra help is for people on pre-payment meters and for those who are not on mains gas or electricity  both ignored by the Chancellor in his latest package.

The extra funding and target support comes as households across Wales are struggling to pay higher energy bills, exacerbated by the increase in the domestic energy cap rise in April.

People with prepayment meters are the most susceptible to rising costs and increased standing charges.

Those on default tariffs paying by direct debit have seen a typical average household energy bill increase by 693 a year, while people on prepayment meters have been hardest hit, with increases of 708 a year.

Households not connected to the mains gas network are also suffering from rising fuel costs and being forced into fuel poverty, with approximately one in 10 households reliant on heating oil in Wales.

Many have reported the cost of heating oil has more than doubled over the past two months. A delivery of 500 litres normally costing approximately 340 can in some regions now cost upwards of 750.

A Senedd report released in May found that 45% of Welsh households are at risk of fuel poverty unless immediate action is taken.

The rise in the cost of living, paired with the energy price cap hike in April 2022, is expected to force more households into fuel poverty over the coming months.

Matthew Cole, head of Fuel Bank Foundation, said: We are extremely grateful for the support from the Welsh Government, particularly at a time when people are really struggling to cope financially with the cost-of-living crisis and soaring energy bills.

The funding will enable the Fuel Bank Foundation to continue providing vital services to the most vulnerable in society, to ensure they dont go cold or hungry this winter, when they cant afford to top up their prepayment gas and/or electricity meter. This support will also extend to households who live off the gas grid and rely on solid fuels such as oil, wood or coal to heat and power their homes.

Furthermore, it will enable us to expand our operations and capabilities across Wales, with a Fuel Bank centre in every local authority, which will be up and running in time for autumn, when the weather starts to turn colder.
Council Leaders ambition for Wrexham to be at the forefront for hydrogen infrastructure roll out into North Wales

The Leader of Wrexham Council has stated his ambition for Wrexham to be at the forefront of hydrogen in North Wales.

Citing work by the Mersey Dee Alliance, who have entered into an Memorandum of Understanding with HyNet a low carbon industry hub, Cllr Mark Pritchard spoke about hydrogen.

HyNet say from the mid-2020s, they will produce, store and distribute low carbon hydrogen as well as capture and lock up carbon dioxide emissions from industry. Using state-of-the-art technology to build new infrastructure, we will also upgrade and reuse existing infrastructure which is currently involved in the production of fossil fuel

Cllr Pritchard said, It is so important that we work with our regional partners to draw down money from Westminster with regards to hydrogen schemes. We all know that hydrogen is the future and we need a roadmap of hydrogen into North Wales.

My ambition is, as an individual and as leader of the council is that Wrexham is at the front of this energy source coming into North Wales. If it comes to North Wales it has to come to Wrexham, Flintshire, Denbighshire etc it has to be rolled out  and across Wales.

Hydrogen is an alternative energy source, a green energy source and we have to be at the forefront of bringing it into North Wales, or we will be left behind.

There is already conversations, lots of debates and discussions ongoing with the Mersey Dee Alliance, with regards to the corridors coming into North Wales. But, I can assure you as leader of the council, I will be in the front of the queue, pushing for Wrexham, along with the other North Wales authorities to be in front of the queue to deliver hydrogen, we need these hubs within North Wales, and we need them all across Wales.

It is clean energy, and its new, and we have to be at the forefront.

HyNet say they will provide the infrastructure to produce, transport and store low carbon hydrogen across the North West and North Wales. There will also be the infrastructure to capture, transport and lock away carbon dioxide emissions.

HyNet involves both the upgrade to existing infrastructure, as well as the developing new infrastructure including underground pipelines, hydrogen production plants and storage facilities.

Previously David Parkin, HyNet Project Director has said, HyNet is an opportunity for North Wales which we must grasp with both hands. Working with the Mersey Dee Alliance, we can accelerate investment in industrial decarbonisation and make the crossborder region a leading exemplar of decarbonised industrial production through the use of hydrogen and CCUS.

It is extremely important to us that what we achieve with HyNet is replicable across the UK, and the rest of the world to drive forward wide scale industrial decarbonisation.

The HyNet North West consortium includes Progressive Energy, Cadent, Essar, INOVYN, Eni, University of Chester, Vertex Hydrogen, CF Fertilisers, Viridor and Hanson.

Top pic: Hynets vision plan.
With data from more than 37,000 fire-scarred trees at more than 2,500 sites, the Joint Fire Science Program has built up a sizable database regarding forest fires across much of North America dating back centuries.

From this North American Tree-Ring Fire-Scar Network, its apparent that there used to be a lot more fires on the landscape, often ones that were of lower intensity, since they didnt kill the trees that were scarred.

One tree researchers found in New Mexico had endured 32 fires over 250 years, but showed no fires since 1880, according to Ellis Margolis, a research ecologist for the U.S. Geological Service in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

A fire every two to 20 years was not uncommon in some areas, the data revealed. In large trees like sequoias, fire histories may date back as far as the 1300s creating a window into the past, he said.

Webinar

Yet as good as scientists have become at reading these tree scars and figuring out what season of the year they occurred, theres still one catch.

The bottom line is that tree ring fire scars are a conservative record of the historical amount of fire, Margolis said.

Actually, most trees dont scar, especially ones like ponderosa pine that have evolved with thick bark for protection.

So fire scars are actually this anomaly that were thankful that a few trees do record, Margolis said during a Wednesday webinar.

A research paper he co-authored with fellow webinar speaker Christopher Guiterman, of the NOAA Paleoclimatology team, on the fire-scar network is due to be published soon in the journal Ecosphere. In the paper, the authors investigate the network in terms of geography, sample depth, vegetation, topography, climate and human land use.

The programs goal is to increase the availability and consideration of credible fire science information to those making land management decisions.

Prescribed fire

The webinar is relevant as forest thinning and prescribed burns, those set by firefighters, are touted as the best ways to reduce the number of large fires, such as those that have recently charred parts of New Mexico, California and Oregon.

In the western U.S., fire has been increasing in recent decades, Margolis said. The total area burned is significantly increasing since the mid-80s. Area burned at high severity, maybe more important, has been increasing. These trends are very well associated with increases in temperatures and decreases in precipitation.

What the fire-scar network shows, however, is that forests used to burn much more often, and often less severely, promoting the idea of a return to small, controlled fires as a way to reduce fuels that otherwise would feed bigger fires. A recent National Geographic article highlighted the return of such manmade fires on aboriginal lands in Australia, so its not an issue specific to North America.

Yet the tree data also comes from an era known as the Little Ice Age for its cooler temperatures. Prior to that period, which extended from around 1300 to 1900, was the Medieval Warming Period. Past sediment studies have shown huge wildland fires consumed parts of Idaho during the era, which ran from around 900 to 1300.

Westerners will continue to be plagued by increasing peril and costs of wildfires until we adopt a saner attitude about the role of fire in our forests, retired research forester Stephen Arno, of the Rocky Mountain Research Station, wrote more than a decade ago,

He also quoted California timberman George Hoxie as providing good advice. In 1910, Hoxie said, We had best adopt fire as our servant; otherwise it will be our master.

Arno was one of the early researchers to use fire scars as a tool for land-use planning and to provide insights to ecosystems. His work was conducted in the Bitterroot and Flathead national forests along with fellow scientist Kathy Sneck.

Local use

Margolis pointed to the large fires now burning in New Mexico  the 381,600-acre Hermits Peak and Calf Canyon fires and the 296,900-acre Black fire  as not only consuming an ecosystem but also destroying or threatening homes and creating a public health problem with reduced air quality. Even when out, the fires could lead to destructive flooding when moisture falls on burned-over forests, he said.

The two fires combined to create the largest in New Mexico's history. Both were blamed on a slash pile burn and prescribed Forest Service fire.

Near his Santa Fe home, Margolis noted the key water reservoir for the city is surrounded by a forest that hadnt burned in 150 years. Concerned residents voted to increase their water bills to help fund controlled burns near the reservoir to avoid a catastrophic fire that may have harmed the watershed.

Guiterman said one of his goals was to congregate the fire-scar data into a public online repository to put information about fire intervals and climate into an app searchable by region.

We can reconstruct the size of the fire, with high precision actually, quite well because we know where those trees were growing and where stumps are located, he said.

For communities looking to create a fire protection plan, Guiterman said the data is a good resource to wake residents up to the fact that they live in a fire-adapted ecosystem.

The outreach power of showing people evidence of fire in their backyards is great, he added.

To that end, the network continues to seek more information for blank spots on the map, especially in the boreal forests of Canada and in Mexico.

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Politicians call for restructure of North Wales health board saying its time for change and its time for new solutions

Politicians have called for Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to return special measures or undergo restructuring in a bid to address failings and improve provision across the region.

The North Wales health board was placed into special measures seven years ago due to serious and outstanding concerns about leadership, governance and progress after targeted intervention did not work.

In December 2020 the then Health Minister, Vaughan Gething, announced that the escalation status at the board would return to targeted intervention.

However despite being removed from special measures there have been repeated calls for action from the Welsh Government to improve the situation at Betsi Cadwaladr.

Earlier this week North Wales Members of the Senedd gave a damning verdict on the current position on the health board, with Darren Millar MS arguing that we need to kick the current leadership out that has been failing people for so long.

It came after Health Minister Eluned Morgan announced that targeted intervention measures had been extended to cover Ysbyty Glan Clwyd.

The decision followed a tripartite meeting as part of the NHS Wales Escalation Framework, follows ongoing concerns relating to the health board in a number of areas  with a particular focus on the vascular service and the emergency department.

Speaking during a Senedd debate on Betsi Cadwaladr on Wednesday (8 June) North Wales MS, Sam Rowlands, criticised the hospital and ambulance waiting times for people across the region.

Figures released last month revealed that the number of people waiting to start treatment in Wales reached record levels, increasing to 700,000 in March.

In North Wales there are 156,245 patients waiting to start treatment.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board also recorded the worst waiting time for those accessing the regions emergency departments.

Sam Rowlands MS said: With Welsh Labour failing to deliver adequate health services for the people of Wales, I propose its time to slap a health warning on this Government.

The side effects may include one in five people on waiting lists, 10,000 people waiting for more than 12 hours in A&E, over 70,000 people waiting more than two years for treatment, 42 per cent of cancer patients not starting treatment within two months, and a 50:50 chance of getting an ambulance in the time that you need it.

Its time for change, and its time for new solutions.

Darren Millar MS, who tabled Wednesdays debate, questioned how long it would take for the Welsh Government to wake up to the fact that Betsi is broken.

Plaid Cymru MS Rhun ap Iowerth called on the Welsh Government to commission an independent review to consider the possible benefits of replacing Betsi Cadwaladr with new structures to deliver healthcare in the north of Wales.

Health Minister Eluned Morgan has resisted calls for a restructure of the health board, saying that now is not the right time for such a discussion.

However Rhun ap Iowerth said we owe it to the people of the north of Wales to have that conversation on how we could bring healthcare back closer to the people.

He said: I hear regular concerns of patients and staff worried about the un-sustainability of services.

I was discussing a constituents case this morning. Her son had a fit, she couldnt get an ambulance, she couldnt praise staff enough as they treated her son in the corridor in the ED whilst 13 ambulances waited outside  I think it was 14 yesterday according to a physician.

Are these Betsi Cadwaladr problems or are they just wider NHS issues? You see, the problem we have is that we have a fundamental lack of confidence that this cumbersome health board is the best way of delivering healthcare in the north of Wales.

And it gets worse, that lack of confidence, with every report. At the end of the day, its about patient safety. Staff leave, recruiting is difficult, patients complain.

Jane Dodds MS echoed calls to explore restructuring the health board, adding: There is never a good time to reorganise. There are never the right situations or conditions for a massive review.

But, reluctantly, it feels to me like this is the only time, because, as has been said, when is the right time?

Ive heard that time after time here in this Chamber, and thats why Ive been reluctant to comment, but in representing the views and the experiences of the people that I represent and I know you do as well, health Minister, and others do, it feels like they cannot be ignored any more.

I do want to put on record my thanks as well to the staff at Betsi Cadwaladr, it is the staff and patients who are being let down right now.

Staff have been working hard in difficult circumstances and it is important that we have a frank and honest conversation about the failings and what must be done to provide confidence to the staff and the public we all represent.

However the health minister said neither a return to special measures or a restructure of the health board was on the cards.

She said: Special measures had a negative impact on the culture within the organisation, as they relied on others to make key decisions, rather than the health board developing their own solutions.

And while we and the health board recognise that there are significant and serious failings, it is important to build confidence and support the organisation to be more aspirational, to be more ambitious, and to look forward to a better future.

Its important that we support the health board to continue its improvement journey, and to promote an open culture, where problems are acknowledged and investigated, and we want to promote learning.

A special measures designation will not achieve that. But, of course, if we dont see improvement, then that is still on the table as an option.

Significant improvements have taken place across the health board over the past seven years and the institution is fundamentally different from the one that was placed under special measures.

The executive team has been renewed, including a new chief executive and medical director, among others.

The way that the health board engages with staff, partners and the public does demonstrate that there is greater maturity and increasing efficiency within the board.

That can now support their work in delivering the long-term strategy for clinical, integrated services and the service transformation related to that.

We must bear in mind that over 19,000 members of staff care for the population of north Wales every day and, for the majority, the care is good, be that in a GP surgery, in out-patient clinics, in the community or in hospital.

Although the institution is now under a higher level of targeted intervention, I would like to reassure the patients and communities served by the health board and the staff who work in that health board, that services and day-to-day activities will continue as usual.

However, there are significant areas of concern that must be carefully addressed by the board, and I will ensure that they are monitored.
Sheesh. Our Superintendent of Public Instruction is impossible to follow. The current hullaballoo over minimum school standards illustrates the ways.

First, Elsie Arntzen has trouble making sense. Consider her position on school counselors, for instance. The states current standard is one counselor for every 400 students. Its clearly not enough. The task force Arntzen convened to review the standards unanimously recommended a 1:300 ratiostill not enough, but better. Elsies response? Eliminate the ratio entirely.

Counselors are alarmed. With six school shooting incidents in America last month alone, hypervigilance is high. Montanas child suicide rates are twice the national average. And attending to students mental health is only a fraction of what counselors do! Hundreds of Montanans have pleaded with Arntzen not to worsen the situation by eliminating a minimum expectation for caseloads.

Arntzen expresses sympathy for all that counselors have on their paper plate. But eliminating the requirement, she insists, will free up schools to do more. Thats nonsensical. Schools are already free to do more and many do. Not to set a minimum expectation for access to counselors jeopardizes kids and denies some the equal educational opportunity our constitution guarantees.

Second, the superintendent prefers fanning flames  or inflaming fans  to addressing issues. Defending her recommendations, she bounces from wedge issue to wedge issue like a child at a trampoline park. Local control gives her the biggest bounce. The state has no business telling local schools what to do, she preaches. But by her deeds shall ye know her. When the issue is masks or overruling a school districts enrollment policy or adding graduation requirements, shes had no problem with the state trumping local druthers.

Another good bounce? Concerned parents. Youre being silenced, Arntzen continually tells parents, pointing to such weighty grievances as the 3-minute limitation on public comment imposed by this school board or that. But she knows full well that imposing time limits is typical at public meetings. She served without objection for 12 years on legislative committees that sometimes limit comment to merely introducing yourself and saying Me too. Just last month, her own Negotiated Rule-Making Committee accorded the public only 30 seconds to persuade them the superintendents recommendations would weaken important school programs.

Finally, the superintendent dis-serves the very people shes asked to serve her. Folks on her School Quality Task Force dedicated long hours to making the initial recommendations on minimum standards. Arntzen didnt even extend them the courtesy of prior review of her contrary recommendations. After the fact, she had the awkwardacity to assure them, plain facts notwithstanding, her recommendations were in alignment with theirs.

It gets worse. Her recommendations now go to her Negotiated Rule-Making Committee. Its members too, have expressed concern about the negative impacts eliminating minimum expectations for counselors, library media professionals, and middle school electives will have on quality and equality of opportunity in Montanas schools.

Unfortunately, as Elsie well knows, the committee operates on the consensus model. All members must agree on alternative recommendations or only her recommendations will go to the Board of Public Education. Elsie has placed two of her employees on the committee as voting members. Not surprisingly, their positions are not in alignment with the majority of other members. Sheesh.

The changes Arntzen is advancing are neither trivial nor temporary. These new rules will likely be in effect for at least a decade. Arntzen recommends eliminating any staffing ratio for school counselors and library/media specialists  one of each per district will suffice!  and eliminating the requirement for music, art, world languages and career/technical education as discrete electives at the middle school level.

The need for counselors is a no-brainer. In todays multi-media tsunami, so is the need for professionals trained to help kids access and evaluate information. And without professionally taught middle school programs in the arts, languages, and workforce disciplines, sparks that light life-changing passions never ignite.

I hate to be so critical of someone who could be living the dream and instead chose public service. But minimal expectations for Montanas public schools ensure that all Montana children have the basics they need to thrive. Being hard to follow is Elsies challenge. Staying afloat in her wake will be theirs.

Mary Sheehy Moe retired as Deputy Commissioner of Higher Education in 2010. Since then she has been a school board trustee, a state senator, and a city commissioner in Great Falls. She writes from Missoula.

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Workers across Europe have responded with industrial action and strike ballots to an onslaught on their jobs, wages and conditions by the airline industry.

Profit gouging by the aviation industry has led to a catastrophic situation of queues, delays and flight cancellations at airports across the continent, with hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded and with many losing thousands of euros and pounds.

People queue to enter Dublin airport [Photo by @twigthewonder/Twitter]

This week, ground crew and firefighters struck at Pariss Charles de Gaulle Airport and at several smaller airports in France. Italian air traffic controllers and workers at budget airlines have held four-hour stoppages. In the spring, airline workers struck in Poland and at Amsterdams Schiphol Airport, third-busiest in Europe.

More strikes are being prepared, including at Londons main Heathrow Airport and at Scandinavian carrier SAS AB across Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

The European airline crisis afflicting millions is entirely due to the rush by the ruling elite to recklessly end public health measures under conditions in which, to shore up their profits and stock market valuations, they had already decimated the infrastructure of the industry during the pandemic.

Under conditions in which airline traffic is back to 95 percent of what it was pre-COVID, many airlines and airports cannot function since the vast majority of almost 200,000 European aviation staff made redundant over the past two years have not been replaced. This is just the tip of a global iceberg. The Financial Times reported this week, According to research by consultancy Oxford Economics, compared with pre-Covid levels, there were 2.3mn fewer jobs in the aviation industry by September 2021. These figures include a 29 percent fall in contracted staff at airports, such as ground-handlers, where 1.7mn jobs were lost.

The Euronews website cited Aeroport de Paris Chief executive Augustin de Romanet who estimated that Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport and nearby Orly airport had a combined workforce shortage of 4,000 employees.

It is now common at the UKs main airports to see queues of people overflowing outside terminals. For many this is just the start of what they describe as an inhumane experience, producing distressing scenes. Many waiting to board what are in effect flying COVID-incubation tubes have been forced to sleep in terminals across the continent, with no support from the airlines. The BBC reported that one man, a diabetic who takes lifesaving medication related to a triple heart-bypass, was left abandoned in Amsterdam for three days. He said he had been thrown under a bus by EasyJet, with the airline cancelling two flights at short notice.

People queue for security checks at Copenhagen Airport. June 8, 2022. (Credit: Gareth Herincx/Twitter)

Nothing works at the airports, where staff shortages are acute including at security checks. Training and vetting new staff to replace those let go during the pandemic takes around three months.

Arriving at destinations, passengers have been forced to wait for hours to collect their luggage. Footage posted last week showed passengers at Manchester Airport climbing through a baggage carousel curtain in an attempt to retrieve stranded luggage.



The person filming the scenes told the Manchester Evening News, I do not think that anyone got their bags, but I dont know, and the police came armed. They were closing shutters and walking around making the point. People were just trying to get their own bags back.

A passenger told the newspaper, At first, when we landed, we had to wait for the steps to get off the flight because there was no people around to do that apparently. After getting through passport control, we went to the baggage reclaim hall. There were hundreds of people there and luggage everywhere on the floor. Some of it was dated from May 27it had been there for three days.

One of Manchester Airports main baggage handlers is Swissport, which operates at 285 airports globally. In a cost-cutting operation, it shed 20,000 of its 65,000 strong workforce during the pandemic. In June 2020, Swissport announced it would lay off 4,500 staff in Britain, 53 percent of its entire national workforce. Six months later, with the collaboration of the trade unions, it had pushed through almost 3,200 job cuts. Only now, well into the holiday season, the same firm declares its plan to recruit another 30,000 workers to deal with its self-created mess.

Airlines are responding to the crisis by demanding even more from their workforce. Jozsef Varadi, chief executive of Wizz Air, the Hungarian-based budget airline, responded to reports of his staffs crippling fatigue by insisting they get over it. This includes pilots who are responsible for the safety of thousands of people. The Financial Times reported that Varadi issued an internal video briefing on staff shortages forcing cancellations of Wizz flights in which he warned, We cannot run this business when every fifth person on a base reports sickness because the person is fatigued. We are all fatigued, but sometimes it is required to take the extra mile.

Airlines have massively overbooked flights to try to recoup profits lost during the first two years of the COVID pandemic. One can only imagine the horrors that could result from such a policy, as drained staff, who cannot cope as it is, fight a losing battle to deal with overwhelming numbers of passengers.

The situation will only worsen, with the inews site citing comments from the easyJet branch of the French SNPL pilots union warning the airline that without extra staff being recruited their mental health is at stake. SNPL declared, Literally hundreds of employees in distress have fed back how chaotic our operations have become recently, to unprecedented levels We are actually convinced that our disruption hasnt even peaked yet and frankly this is a frightening prospect.

According to the FT, during the peak months between July and September it [Wizz Air] would fly 40 percent more than in 2019. All that counts is the bottom line with Varadi salivating, Summer is going to be profitable, but we will [have to wait and] see how profitable it will be.

The chaotic and criminal herding together of millions of people at dysfunctional airports who have ditched every safety measureunder conditions in which not only is the pandemic not over, but even more virulent COVID strains are in circulationwill lead to yet more death and long-term illness. In Britain COVID rates have shot up as the summer holiday season has got underway. In the week ending June 2, according to the Office for National Statistics, around 990,000 people had COVID (1.5 percent of the population). This represents around one in 65 people, up from about one in 70 the week before. The surge is being driven by Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5.

Enough of this criminality and chaos! The crisis in the global airline industry cannot be solved based on what is in the interests of the capitalist class and on a national basis. It must be resolved by a common struggle of aviation workers globally against the capitalist corporations whose only concern is raking in profits.

This requires aviation workers taking up a new perspective in rebellion against the trade union bureaucracy which in all countries works to secure the revenues of airline operators at the expense of workers jobs and working conditions. Socialist measures, above all rational planning, must be implemented through the expropriation of airlines companies and their transformation into democratically controlled public institutions that serve the needs of society not shareholder profit.
The entire shopfloor at the Urals Compressor Factory (UKZ) in Yekaterinburg, Russia, walked off the job on Tuesday in protest against the failure of the companys owners to pay them several months worth of salary. The plants 316 employees, who make parts for medical and military equipment, are owed in total 13.4 million rublesabout $233,000in outstanding wages.

The strike is just the latest action taken by workers in the assembly, foundry, heat treatment, tool and mechanical sections at the enterprise, which since October 2021 has repeatedly failed to pay salaries. In March 2022, workers laid down their tools and then again in May 2022, resuming work only after UKZ promised to give them their pay, as ordered by the local prosecutor. They have gotten nothing, however, for two months, apart from 1,000 rubles last week out of 100,000 they were supposed to receive.

We dont have enough money to even get to work, one worker told the press. You cant even get on a bus for a ruble.

The plant, which has holes in the roof, is evidently falling apart. In a video posted on the Telegram social media channel Ural Mash, one can see piles of rubble on the factory floor. You get refreshing drops of rain on your head, one worker reported.

The company claims it is owed millions by customers and is saddled with massive debts, having failed to pay its taxes and for supplies. Workers report a steep fall in production, with daily output recently dropping to just two units a day from 60.

But UKZs insistence that it suddenly does not have the means to pay its employees just because of poor market conditions and government taxes is unconvincing. I worked there, wrote one person on Telegram. The suits looted it and this is the sad result. Let the epaulets [an ornamental decoration pinned to the uniform of a high-ranking person] dig into them. Then theyll find the salaries, the [money for] the utility bills and everything else, said another. Referring to the wholesale theft of publicly-owned industry by the newly-emerging rich in the 1990s, one worker declared, Its time to take back the plants and factories.

The strike in Yekaterinburg follows walkouts and slowdowns in April and May by sanitation workers in Novosibirsk, doctors, nurses, and emergency medical technicians in Bashkortostan, taxi and delivery drivers in Tver and Moscow, and poultry workers in Sakhalin.

In the former Soviet country Georgia, which borders Russia to the southwest, workers at a mineral water bottling company are also on strike. They too have not been paid for two months. The entire 800-person workforce at two Bojomi plants walked off the job on May 31, demanding payment of back wages, a 25 percent wage increase, a collective bargaining agreement, an end to what workers describe as blackmail and threats of layoff for those who criticize the company, and the reinstatement of 50 personnel previously laid off for protesting.

On Tuesday, laborers threw eggs at police cars that sought to bring strikebreakers into the plant. Workers say the company is offering their jobs to Georgians from other parts of the country, as well as Ukrainians and Russians, attempting to attract them with promises of a salary that is three to four times what they currently pay in order to break the strike.

The day before the conflict with police broke out at Bojomis factory gates, Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili announced that the government would be buying a majority stake in the concern, taking over ownership of the company from the Russian-based Alfa Group, whose head, Mikhail Fridman, is under anti-Russian sanctions, the immediate cause of the financial crisis at the company.

Georgias head of state insisted that it would ensure the end of the suffering and oppression at Bojomi, a dubious promise given that Georgias average monthly salary is $356 a month, more than 20 percent of its population lives in poverty, and its major industries, such as mining, are well known for being death traps.

In the countrys capital on Tuesday, medical workers protested against terrible working conditions and low wages. Senior emergency personnel make about $61 a shift, junior staff about $48, and drivers just $36. Doctors, nurses and ambulance teams are demanding a 100 percent wage increase and the reinstatement of a monthly bonus, about $180, that had been stripped from them because the government in Tbilisi recently declared the COVID-19 crisis to be over, terminated all public health measures, and ended all extra payments for health care employees. Workers insist, however, that the number of emergency calls has not decreased.

Refusing to increase wages, the Georgian Ministry of Health is instead proposing that emergency health care employees hours be changed such that they work 12-hour days, as opposed to 24-hour days spaced 3 days apartin other words, that they trade one misery for another.

Discontent among workers is widespread throughout the former Soviet sphere. Over the last seven months, thousands of health care employees, taxi drivers, railway, fertilizer plant, oil and agricultural workers have protested and gone on strike in countries such as Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.

Conditions are only worsening due to the US/NATO-Russia war in Ukraine. Whatever claims the governments of these states, particularly the Baltic countries, make about the willingness of their people to sacrifice to wage war against Moscow, millions of workers cannot and will not accept the ruin of their livelihoods so that Russia can be carved up like a Thanksgiving turkey and handed out to the rich.

Russia too is facing a growing jobs crisis, despite the Kremlins insistence that the unemployment rate is the lowest ever. The countrys Central Bank just acknowledged Wednesday that job vacancies have been declining for the past several months, with March showing 17 percent fewer available positions compared to the previous month. HeadHunter, a labor market analysis firm, reported the next day that one-third of Russias workers are fearful they will lose their jobs.

Layoffs continue to be announced at industrial enterprises across Russia. Volkswagen is trying to dismiss hundreds of employees at its plant in Nizhni Novgorod by offering them six wage payments if they voluntarily leave. In Tikhvin in Leningrad Oblast, a car plant and an IKEA facility employing 7000 people will close. The Barnaul Machine Tool Plant in Altai is going to let go 500 workers, more than previously planned. In Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Region, 1,200 workers at the residential construction company Sibpromstroi will lose their jobs.
The pediatric nutritionals giant Abbott Labs and the US government agency responsible for regulating the company were both informed of an employee complaint about dilapidated and unsafe manufacturing conditions at the firms Sturgis, Michigan, baby formula factory eight months earlier than they have previously acknowledged.

An aisle at a Target store in Chicago with sparsely stocked baby formula (WSWS Media)

The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, based on disclosures from an anonymous government official, that a formal complaint was filed by a former Abbott Labs employee in February 2021. The complaint raised product safety concerns under the guarantees of the U.S. Labor Departments Occupational Safety and Health Administrations (OSHA) whistleblower protection program

This was one year before products from the Sturgis plant were recalled from stores and the factory shut down by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), after an inspection of the facility showed the presence of deadly bacteria and other unsanitary conditions. The closure of the Abbott Labs plant, which produces approximately 20 percent of all baby formula in the US, dramatically contributed to the shortage that has now reached catastrophic proportions across the country.

The Journal reported that the employee complaint detailed failing equipment in need of repair and formula released without adequate evidence that it was safe for consumption. The report also said that the Labor Department provided the February 2021 complaint to Abbott as well as to the FDA that same month, according to the government official.

The same employee who filed the federal OSHA complaint, as well as a discrimination complaint with the Michigan OSHA, also submitted the 34-page whistleblower complaint to the FDA in October 2021 that was recently made public. The Journal report said the employee was fired in August 2020 and that Abbott Labs said, the employee was dismissed for violations of food-safety policies and didnt raise product-safety concerns with the companys office of ethics and compliance, while working for the company.

Neither the company nor the government has denied the Journal report. Continuing with its belligerent stonewalling and refusal to take responsibility for the baby food shortage or its role in releasing contaminated products to the public, Abbott Labs said, We investigated the federal OSHA complaint and have not been able to confirm the allegations.

For its part, the FDA refused to address its failure to disclose the existence of the OSHA complaint by claiming it was preoccupied with addressing the dire need for infant formula in the U.S. market and our teams are working day and night to make that happen and did not have time to respond to various questions about the timeline of events leading up to the FDAs warning and Abbotts recall of products manufactured at their Sturgis facility.

The revelations that worker concerns about conditions at the largest baby formula production facility in the US were swept under the rug for more than a year essentially exposes the congressional hearing on May 25 as part of an ongoing coverup of the origins and causes of the baby formula crisis. It demonstrates that the testimony of FDA Commissioner Robert Califf and Abbott Labs senior vice president of US nutrition Christopher Calamari, neither of whom mentioned the February 2021 OSHA complaint, cannot be trusted as providing a truthful picture of what has been going on at the facility.

Both the pediatric nutritionals giant and the US government regulator received the employee complaint and did nothing about it until reports began to emerge in September that infants who consumed the baby formula were hospitalized after being infected with cronobacter, which is known to cause life-threatening conditions including meningitis. Then only after two babies died from their infections did the FDA force the shutdown of the Sturgis factory.

Furthermore, even after it was clear by February 2022 that an already existing shortage crisis was going to be significantly exacerbated by the shutdown of the Sturgis factory, the Biden administration was too preoccupied with its preparations for a war with Russia in Ukraine to take note of it.

According to a report in Politico on Thursday, White House officials concluded that the Abbott Labs recall and plant shutdown did not warrant involvement by the president and top staff, who were consumed by the early stages of the war in Ukraine. An unnamed White House official said, There were a million crises going on and reported that the baby formula crisis was not being brought up in meetings held by Domestic Policy Council head Susan Rice for weeks after the recall. The official said the baby formula shortage just wasnt elevated to a top-level crisis.

Meanwhile, the shortage continues to have a devastating impact on families across the US with out-of-stock rates climbing to 74 percent on average nationwide and reaching as much as 90 percent in some states, according to Datasembly. Even though the Sturgis facility has restarted production as of last weekend, industry experts expect the crisis to continue for much of the summer.

CNN spoke with Jamie Lackey, founder and CEO of the nonprofit organization Helping Mamas in Norcross, Georgia, that provides services for low income families with babies. Lackey said, There is a lot of panic. We had a mom come through the distribution site the other dayshe had gone to 15 different stores with her child in the car and could not find a single can of formula. She added, We had another mom show up before the offices opened the other day. It is getting hard, and people are afraid.

Spectrum News 1 spoke with Ines Palacio of Walton, Kentucky, who said that she has been finding it increasingly difficult to locate formula for her baby who was born in February. Palacios mother traveled to Canada to buy some formula and brought it home, but her infant could not tolerate the product. Palacio said, It makes you wonder how one of the most modern nations in the world is dealing with this issue and isnt able to resolve it quickly. It is scary, because when were dealing with these recalls, youre giving your child something that could potentially be faulty.

On June 6, the New York Times published an interview with Cameron Stripling, who lives in Anchorage, Alaska and gave birth to twins in February. They were born 13 weeks before their due date. While the two daughters, who weighed just over one pound each when they were born, have so far avoided major health complications, the Stripling family is still preoccupied with finding baby formula.

Stripling and her husband have so far been able to locate a few cans of the Abbott Labs product NeuroPro EnfaCare, the high calorie formula the twins need to supplement breastfeeding. She said, Something is not right. There is no way that we should be having this problem.
Testimony was heard Wednesday before a Congress committee on the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and on the racist shooting at a grocery store in Buffalo, New York. The testimony provided heart-wrenching details from various witnesses of the massacre of 19 children and two teachers on May 24.

People gather at a memorial at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas Monday, May 30, 2022, to pay their respects to the victims killed in last week's school shooting. [AP Photo/Jae C. Hong]

An 11-year-old who survived the Uvalde massacre, in a pre-recorded video, detailed how she had to cover herself in her classmates blood and pretend to be dead in order to avoid being shot herself. A pediatrician who treated many of the victims described to lawmakers how he saw childrens bodies pulverized and decapitated by bullets fired from a semiautomatic AR-15 rifle.

While providing heart-wrenching testimony to the brutality of the attack, noticeably absent was anyone called by the committee to speak to the deeper social roots of the Uvalde and Buffalo shootings and the phenomenon of mass shootings in general.

Most of the rest of the hearing revolved around worn-out calls for gun regulation, with calls for a ban on assault rifle-style weapons and high-capacity magazines. The testimony was predictably used by the Democratic Party to call on the Republicans to support gun control. The Republicans, who a more than a year ago attempted to murder many of their Democratic colleagues in a coup detat, many of the leading ones having just attended a National Rifle Association (NRA) rally, unsurprisingly were unmoved by Democrats.

The bills on gun control proposed directly after the hearing, such as raising the age limit to 21 for the sale of semiautomatic rifles and banning magazines carrying more than 10 cartridges, were little more than a public-relations stunt for the Democratic Party which knew well beforehand that they would fail, with the New York Times writing, The bills are all but certain to go nowhere in the evenly divided Senate, where solid Republican opposition means that they cannot draw the 60 votes needed to break through a filibuster.

Translated, the Democrats have no intention to follow through with their own piecemeal gun control measures. The Democrats, with the presidency, House, and 50 percent of the Senate, can legally eliminate the filibuster, but refuse to as it would remove their tried-and-true excuse for inaction and moving further to the right. Additionally, some measures such as a section banning magazines carrying 15 cartridges or more, were met with opposition from within the Democratic Party itself with four Democrats opposing it while four Republicans supported it.

The Democrats themselves have candidates running who have been given the seal of approval by the NRA, making clear that their grandstanding over gun violence and calling for gun control measures are a farce and a political gimmick. Sitting US Representative Henry Cuellar, of Texas, has been given an A rating by the NRA and is being backed by the Democratic Party for re-election.

On Tuesday, one of the teachers who survived the shooting in Uvalde, Amulfo Reyes, relayed his terrifying experience to ABC News. Reyes called the police cowards for their inaction, saying he will never forgive them. Reyes is recovering from being shot twice by the gunman once through the arm and lung and another hitting him in the back. He was shot just as the gunman entered the room, having instructed his students to hide under their desks and pretend to be asleep.

The shooter at Robb Elementary, Salvador Ramos, entered classroom 112 at 11:33 a.m., then made his way into the connected classroom, 111, opening fire.

According to the police, seven officers were in the building by 11:35 a.m., but they retreated after taking gunfire. Reyes stated that a student cried out for officers to save her in room 112 saying Officer! Officer! We are in here! but her cries met were met with silence as the officers were already gone. Following this, the gunman got up from behind Reyess desk, walked to the room, and shot the student.

A child called 911 from room 112 at 12:03 p.m., at which point 19 police officers were inside the building, but no officers went in to confront the shooter, instead asking the gunman to talk, which he did not.

Following this, more 911 calls were made at 12:10, 12:13, and 12:16 p.m. from within classroom 112.

In a recording obtained by ABC News, a police dispatcher can be heard saying is anybody inside the building? Child is advising he is in the room full of victims. Full of victims at this moment.

More 911 calls were made, including from Reyess classroom, but police did not intervene until 12:50 p.m., an hour and 17 minutes after the gunman entered the classrooms. At this point, Border Patrol agents entered the classroom and killed the gunman.

Reyes told ABC News that he felt abandoned by the police and expressed anger. Referring to the police he said, choking back tears, you have a bulletproof vest, I had nothing. Youre supposed to protect and serve, and there is no excuse for their actions, and I will never forgive them. I will never forgive them.

All 11 students in Reyess classroom were killed. Reyes said that no training could have prepared the school for the shooting, even though the school had extensive protocols relating to school shooters.

Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has warned of a domestic violent extremist who praised the Uvalde shooting on online forums and called for at least one copycat attack, warning of a heightened threat environment in its National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin on Tuesday. According to the Anti-Defamation League, fascists had a similar response to the Buffalo attack.

It also warned of other extremists who seized on the event to attempt to spread disinformation and incite grievances, including claims it was a government-staged event meant to advance gun control measures. The false-flag claim is one that was spread most notably by fascist conspiracy theorist Alex Jones in response to the Sandy Hook shooting, which he later was forced to apologize for per a court order. Jones is deeply implicated in Trumps January 6 coup attempt, admitting to pleading the Fifth Amendment almost 100 times before the January 6 Committee.

The DHS bulletin also mentioned that Some domestic violent extremists have expressed grievances related to their perception that the US government is unwilling or unable to secure the USMexico border and have called for violence to stem the flow of undocumented migrants to the United States.

All of the aforementioned intentionally vague statements by the DHS no doubt refer to the far right, many of whom reside in the Republican Party or in its orbit (not to mention the DHS itself), who have a long history of praising shooters, including praising the shooters in the Columbine High School massacre. The 2018 Christchurch, New Zealand, terrorist attack, and more recent mass shooting in Buffalo, New York, were committed by fascists and were political crimes. Both were praised by fascists afterward.

These are the only such people whose politics calls for shootings, with many fascistic gunmen having committed mass murders in the United States as well as internationally. It is not clear as of this writing whether Ramos had any political motive.

The Democrats attempt at explaining away shootings because of guns being available is woefully inadequate to explain the phenomenon of mass shootings. The sorts of rifles used in the shootings are nothing new, with the AR-15 having predated the M16 rifle and being available for civilian purchase for well over half a century (not to mention various other semiautomatic firearms widely available to the American public). Despite this, mass shootings are a more recent feature of American society that have accelerated within the past three decades of continuous war during which millions were massacred abroad and greatly accelerating within the past few years corresponding with the COVID-19 pandemic, in which the American ruling class intentionally let more than 1 million people die. This is no coincidence.

Never-ending war, austerity, the destruction of the social safety net and jobs all contributed to a deep social crisis that produces such outburst of violence. To address the source of the shootings requires a fight against capitalism itself, which generates the social conditions that lead to such tragedies as were seen at the elementary school in Uvalde and the grocery store in Buffalo.
On Thursday, June 9, nurse Michelle Heughins loudly declared Innocent! at her arraignment in a North Carolina courtroom. Heughins has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of 56-year-old John Neville in December 2019.

Her statement came after the assistant district attorney explained the charges and asked her defense attorney, James Cooney III, for his clients plea. Cooney followed Heughins declaration with the formal plea, Not guilty.

Nurse Heughins is a former correctional facility nurse at Forsyth County jail in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where Mr. Neville died while in custody. She is the sole person charged in the mans death even though she was the only person who attempted to save Nevilles life.

Michelle Heughins checks the blood pressure of John Neville after he is detained by jail officers

A secret grand jury that was held on April 4 refused to indict the five correctional officers, who placed Neville in a prone position with hands cuffed behind him for 20 minutes as he repeatedly screamed in agony, I cant breathe, I cant breathe! However, the jury found there was probable cause to bring a charge of involuntary manslaughter against Michelle Heughins, who was employed as a health care worker by Wellpath, one of the countrys largest for-profit health care providers for prisoners.

Because the deliberations were held behind closed doors, the objective evidence or arguments presented as probable cause against her are not known. In North Carolina at least 12 of the 18 jury members must agree before charges are brought against a defendant. The process of obtaining an indictment, while formally decided by the grand jury, is largely determined by the prosecuting attorneys.

RN Adriane Carrier, a patient advocate, a previous correctional facility counselor and a nurse with 12 years of experience in acute care, was in Winston-Salem for Heughins hearing. She explained the pro-military and pro-police politics promoted in North Carolina. In fact, anyone entering the state is greeted with a large sign with Welcome to North Carolina, nations most military friendly state written across it.

Another nurse advocate, Nurse Liz, who has also worked as a nurse in North Carolina, reviewed the timeline of Nevilles death on a podcast published on YouTube on April 12, 2022 and made the same observation. North Carolina is a very pro-cop state  there is much more distrust of the health care system.

Carrier, who was present for the hearing, told the World Socialist Web Site that during the hearing that lasted less than 15 minutes, not one police officer or guard came down to the courthouse in support of Heughins. She has been left isolated and alone in her fight against the conviction that will have significant consequences regardless of the final verdict. Presently, her attorney has entered a motion for the judge to dismiss the case.

Sheila, a nurse with decades of experience in prison hospitals and maximum security corrections centers, was at the courthouse with Carrier and two other nurses in support of their nurse colleague. Previously, Sheila told the WSWS that corrections officers are there to simply respond to a prisoners behavior regardless of the underlying medical or mental health issues.

She said, The medical workers are there to respond to medical. But the two dont talk to each other, dont work together. [Mr. Neville] got behavioral response treatment for a medical issue. Carrier explained that a nurse working in a prison system doesnt have the same authority as they do in a hospital. The scope of practice becomes complex, and they are told that the officers are in control of everything.

In her interview with the WSWS, Sheila observed, In the videos you can hear the officers asking her [Heughins] to leave the room. How was he supposed to get medical attention? Everything the officers were doing was a behavioral response. She was not allowed to follow the standard of care. That is the main thing that bothers me. She noted that not much has changed in the past 20 years she had been doing such work.

RN Carrier said that Heughins was working alone and did not ever have any other clinical experiences to guide her actions. What were her options, really? And what were the end goals of these guards? she asked.

In discussing the videos of the prison guards clambering on top of Neville, she added, He was clearly air-hungry. You can see he [Neville] was post ictal, meaning that Nevilles disorientation and agitation were a byproduct of a possible seizure he may have had. Nevilles cell mate had sounded the alarm when Neville fell out of his bed.

What were they trying to achieve by putting him in prone [face down] position with his hands cuffed behind his back? After a significant delay in getting him any medical attention, Heughins was allowed to attempt CPR on Neville, who was then taken to a local treatment facility. He died on December 4, 2019, shortly after his heart stopped.

The autopsy report found Neville died from a brain injury due to lack of oxygen to his brain while asphyxiated during his restraint. Forsyth County Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough did not publicly acknowledge Nevilles death for six months.

No future trial date has been set, and when Heughins will appear in court again remains to be determined. According to the Winston-Salem Journal, Heughins attorneys filed a motion to delay some proceedings in the federal lawsuit, such as discovery, until there was more certainty about how her criminal case would progress. A US magistrate judge partially granted that request Wednesday.

Meanwhile, two weeks ago, Forsyth County reached a $3 million settlement in a federal wrongful death lawsuit with Nevilles son, Sean Neville, who filed the case in September 2021.

Winston-Salem Journal wrote, A hearing is scheduled for June 23 in US District Court in Greensboro so that a judge can consider approving the settlement. If the judge approves the settlement, which is expected, it will result in the complete dismissal of the claims against the corrections officers and Forsyth Sherriff Kimbrough Junior, as well as Forsyth County. Adding insult to injury, the remaining claims against Heughins and her employer, Wellpath, are scheduled for April 2023.

Carrier asked rhetorically how they arrived at such a settlement. The taxpayers will be the ones paying out. All it does is uphold the culture of brutality!
Death sentences handed down against two British nationals serving in the Ukrainian armed forces are being seized on by the press to deepen anti-Russia hysteria. The British government is using the incident to ramp up NATOs proxy-war against Russia in Ukraine.

Two British citizens Aiden Aslin, left, and Shaun Pinner, right, and Moroccan Saaudun Brahim, center, sit 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. (AP Photo)

On Thursday, the Supreme Court of the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR) found Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner guilty of being mercenaries, fighting for the violent seizure of power and training to carry out terrorist activities, according to Russian state media.

The charges are widely seen as an attempt to force a prisoner swap. Russian separatists are demanding the release of pro-Russian politician Victor Medvedchuk, reportedly a close friend of Putin, who was arrested by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) on April 12. The pair have one month to appeal the verdict.

Britains press was an orgy of jingoism today. Banner headlines included, BRITS FACE DEATH BY FIRING SQUAD: PUTINS PAWNS (Metro), NEW UKRAINE WAR HORROR: UK OUTRAGE AS TWO BRITS FACE FIRING SQUAD (Daily Mail), CAPTURED BRITS HORROR: SENTENCED TO DEATH BY PUTIN (Mirror). The broadsheets contributed with A Soviet-era show trial: Mariupol Britons sentenced to death (Guardian) and Donetsk Sham trial stirs outrage (Financial Times).

Aslin, 28, from Nottinghamshire, was captured by Russian forces in Mariupol on April 12. His unit surrendered after running out of ammunition. Shaun Pinner, 48, was also captured in Mariupol. The city in east Ukraine has seen intense fighting between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian military and far-right militias. It is the stronghold of the fascist Azov Battalion.

Aslin was a member of the 39th Battalion Ukrainian Marines, while Pinner fought in the 36th Brigade. British authorities, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson, have denied the pair are mercenaries. But any distinction between Ukraines armed forces and fascist and foreign mercenaries has long since been obliterated. The United States and Britain have poured billions of dollars in weapons and military and logistical support into Ukraine to defeat Russia in what amounts to a NATO proxy-war.

British guns-for-hire

After Russian television aired footage of Aslin when he was captured and charged last month, Johnson told parliament, His situation is very different to that of a mercenary. Johnson and Tory MP for Newark Robert Jenrick portrayed him as a regular Ukrainian army soldier, with Johnson emphasising, I understand hed been serving in the Ukrainian forces for some time.

Aslin is no ordinary soldier. On February 14, more than one month prior to the outbreak of war, the pro-Tory Telegraph featured an interview with him dressed in full battle fatigues, What we signed up for: British soldier returns to Ukrainian Army unit to prepare for Russian invasion. The newspapers sub-head explained, Aiden Aslin, also known as Johnny, is joining other British and foreign volunteers who will be in the firing lines if an attack begins.

Telegraph's promotion of Aiden Aslin, February 2022 (Credit: screenshot/Telegraph)

A similar piece appeared in the Times March 24, British fighter Aiden Aslin survives raids in Mariupol. Aslin was a poster-boy for British efforts to cast the Ukrainian military, allied with fascist militias, as freedom fighters against Russia. UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss even urged former British soldiers to travel to Ukraine, giving succour to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys call for a volunteer legion of international fighters.

Aslin was a foreign mercenary in Syria in 2015-16 and was placed on Britains terrorist watch-lista fact that todays saturation news coverage conceals. He fought ISIS with US-backed Kurdish militia group the YPG and was twice arrested and questioned by British police under the Terrorism Act. Charges against him were dropped and he travelled unimpeded to Ukraine in 2018, enlisting in its military, joining the marines, and serving frontline duty in Donbas in quick succession. His Ukrainian citizenship is based on his engagement to Diane Aslin, who taught English in Ukraines Navy but has left the country.

After he was captured, Aslin appeared on Russian TV wearing the Azov Battalions fascist insignia. Ukraines armed forces have absorbed the Azov Battalion and other far-right militias into its ranks. It works directly with foreign mercenary forces, armed and equipped by NATO.

British POW Aiden Aslan wearing the insignia of neo-Nazi Azov Battalion (Credit: screenshot taken from Russian state television Rossyia 1)

According to the Telegraphs profile in February, Aslins introduction to Ukraine came during his time as a mercenary in Syria, It was there he met a Ukrainian volunteer who had previously fought against Russian forces in the Donbas who persuaded him of the justice of the Ukrainian cause.

More than three decades of US and British-led wars across the Middle East and Europe since the dissolution of the USSR have created a network of guns-for-hire. This is true of Shaun Pinner, captured alongside Aslin in Mariupol. Pinner, from Watford, England, is a former member of Britains Royal Anglia Regiment who fought in Bosnia and Northern Ireland. He reportedly served as a mercenary in Iraq and Syria. According to Russian news agency TASS, after his arrival in Ukraine he initially worked as an instructor for the Azov Battalion.

Downing Street and the Geneva Convention

On April 14, photographs of Aslin and Pinner were aired on Russian television, showing cuts and bruises to their face. Aslin was later interviewed by pro-Russian filmmaker Graham Phillips, a former RT correspondent who works with Russian separatist forces in Ukraine. Phillips interview elicited statements from Aslin made under duress, denouncing the Ukrainian military and fascist Azov Battalion for committing war crimes.

In video appeals since their capture, Aslin and Pinner have urged Zelensky to make a prisoner swap with Victor Medvedchuk. Aslin stated on April 14, If Boris Johnson really does care like he says he does about British citizens then he would help pressure Zelensky to do the right thing and return Victor to his family and us to our families.

Russian separatists say their treatment of Aslin and Pinner, including Thursdays death sentence, is justified because the Geneva Convention does not apply to foreign mercenaries. The separatists actions, like the Russian invasion itself, are aimed at securing a deal with the imperialist powers. They only hand NATO a pretext to escalate military aggression.

Both Aslin and Pinner are entitled to the protections of the Geneva Convention, including the right to a fair trial and protection from prosecution as enemy combatants if there is no evidence of war crimes. Yet the screech of Tory and Labour politicians and media commentators invoking the Geneva Convention for British nationals plying NATO war aims in Ukraine is rank hypocrisy.

Downing Streets declarations that Russia must respect the Geneva Convention is a principle the British ruling class has systematically flouted during countless wars over more than three decades. Blair, Brown, Cameron, May, Starmer and Johnson have backed the use of torture and assassination as a legitimate tool of foreign policy, presided over the indiscriminate mass killing of civilians in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the routine torture of enemy combatants.

Yesterday, Jenrick declared that Aslin and Pinner had been subjected to a disgusting Soviet-era show trial. But when it comes to show trials, the British are long-standing experts. The Johnson government is currently set to rubberstamp the decade-long extra-judicial witch-hunt of WikiLeaks publisher Julian Assange, by ordering his extradition to the US. This vendetta, facilitated by the highest levels of the judiciary, included CIA plans to kidnap and assassinate Assange for exposing the war crimes of British and US imperialism.
The following is the main resolution adopted by the Third National Congress of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) in Sri Lanka, held online from May 1416, 2022. The resolution, which was adopted unanimously, will be published in three parts. This is Part One.

The SEP Congress also adopted an emergency resolution Popular uprising against the Rajapakse government and the tasks of the SEP.

1. The Third National Congress of the Socialist Equality Party (Sri Lanka) pledges to vigorously fight for the scientific strategy of COVID-19 elimination, for the mobilization of the global working class against imperialist war, and to build the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC) launched by the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI).

2. The ICFI correctly analysed the COVID-19 pandemic, which erupted in early 2020, as a trigger event in world history. It has deepened the crisis and contradictions of world capitalism and is unleashing the long-suppressed forces of social transformation, as the January 4, 2021 Perspective of the World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) titled, The political lessons of the pandemic and the fight for socialism in 2021, explained.

Mass protest in Brazil in July 2021 against the Bolsonaro government's homicidal pandemic policy. (Credit: Midia Ninja)

3. The analysis and program advanced by the ICFI and the WSWS since the eruption of the pandemic have been thoroughly vindicated. According to official figures, the global death toll has surpassed 5 million and infected cases have risen to over 245 million and continue to increase. As the Economist calculated last November, the real death toll would be a staggering 18.4 million if excess deaths were included. The deadly spread of the virus in the US, the centre of world capitalism, across Europe, Latin America, Africa, Asia and Australia, with the spinning off of dangerous new variants and an increasingly long list of potential long-term effects, underscores that there is no national solution to the pandemic.

4. The ICFI has compared the new coronavirus pandemic with the outbreak of World War I, which erupted after a series of retaliatory actions following the assassination of the Austrian Archduke Ferdinand and his wife on June 28, 1914. The war signified the explosion of the economic and geopolitical contradictions of world capitalism, accumulated over years and sharply expressed in the rivalry of European powers for resources and markets. As David North, chairperson of the International Editorial Board of the WSWS and the SEP-US, explained:

The war could not be ended, despite its horrors, because the geopolitical and economic interests of the ruling classes of the warring capitalist powers did not allow for a negotiated settlement. For the war to end, the direction of society had to be taken out of the hands of the capitalist rulers. That is, a force greater than the armies commanded by the governments of the day had to be mobilised. That was the working class of all the warring countries. Armed with a revolutionary socialist program, the international working class had to wage war on war. That was the perspective of Lenin and Trotsky (May Day 2021 and the global class struggle, WSWS, May 2, 2021) .

The working class in Russia intervened in the upheaval as an independent political force under the leadership of the Bolshevik Party led by Lenin and Trotsky, seized power in that country and began the task of the socialist transformation of the world. Today, the working classinternationalised as never before with the globalisation of productionin the imperialist centres as well as in the countries of belated capitalist development, such as India and Sri Lanka, joins struggles in a far more advanced systemic crisis of capitalism, and faces the same task of overthrowing capitalism and taking the path of the socialist transformation of the world.

5. In a global disaster, not seen since the Second World War, millions have lost their jobs and means of income and have been thrown into poverty, hunger and death. Even before the pandemic, global social inequality had deepened, with the richest 1 percent owning more than twice the wealth of the rest of the worlds 6.9 billion people. The combined wealth of the worlds billionaires has increased by 60 percent from $US8 trillion to $13.1 trillion. Oxfams report in January 2021 said the $540 billion in wealth hoarded by the 10 richest billionaires is more than enough to prevent anyone on Earth from falling into poverty because of the virus and to pay for a COVID-19 vaccine for all.

6. Mass deaths and ever-widening social inequality are the results of the homicidal policies pursued by the capitalist class in response to the pandemic. They have followed the policy of herd immunitywhich says that if the virus spreads unchecked it will eventually exhaust itself. The other strategy of the ruling class is mitigation of the pandemic through vaccination and masking. In practice this has proven to be only a modification of herd immunity, as attested by the successive waves of mass infection and death that have engulfed the world. Under these policies, regimes across the globe, including that of US President Joe Biden and the far-right government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India, have reopened economies and schools in unsafe conditions. The capitalist class policy of normalising death is determined by its prioritising of profits over human lives. As Marx put it, The restless never-ending process of profit-making alone is what he [the capitalist] aims at (Capital, Volume 1, Progress Publishers, p.151).

7. In contrast to the strategies of herd immunity and mitigation, the ICFI champions the scientific strategy of ending the pandemic through elimination and eradication. This strategy is based on policies advanced by the foremost epidemiologists, virologists and other scientists and entails the universally-coordinated deployment of every weapon in the arsenal of measures to combat COVID-19. The corporate enterprises that produced vaccinations are prioritising profits while the countries in which they are based pursue vaccine nationalism.

8. The international working class has begun to fight back against the disastrous social conditions created by the pandemic. The support gathered from teachers and other workers internationally for the October 1 and 15, 2021 international strikes initiated by UK parent Lisa Diaz against the reckless reopening of schools in that country marks a turning point in international class struggles. The protest movement that erupted internationally against the police murder of George Floyd in Minnesota; significant struggles by autoworkers at Volvo and Dana in the US, which drew international support; and teachers struggles in many countries, including the 250,000-strong educators strike in Sri Lanka, are among them. These struggles have developed outside or broken through the straitjacket imposed by the pro-capitalist trade unions, which at every point attempt to hold back and politically suppress the working class.

9. The development of international class struggles underscores the significance of the powerful call made by the ICFI for the building of the IWA-RFC. It will be a means through which workers throughout the world can share information and organise a united struggle to demand protection for workers, the shutdown of unsafe facilities and nonessential production, and other emergency measures that are necessary to stop the spread of the virus, declared the April 23, 2021 ICFI statement Forward to the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees!

The IWA-RFC will strive, continued the statement, to unify workers in a common worldwide struggle, opposing every effort by capitalist governments and the reactionary proponents of the innumerable forms of national, ethnic and racial chauvinism and identity politics to split up the working class into warring factions.

The fight against the pandemic, and against war, inequality, exploitation and dictatorship, is a fight against the entire capitalist social and economic order. Workers of all countries must be united in a common political offensive to take power, expropriate the oligarchs, and establish a socialist society based on the rational, scientific and democratic control of production for the purpose of serving social need, not private profit.

10. The response of the ruling class globally to the crisis and to the rising tide of working-class struggles is to turn to dictatorial forms of rule. This turn has been sharply expressed in the US, the cockpit of world capitalism. From the White House, former President Trump attempted a fascist coup on January 6, 2021, instigating a mob assault on the Capitol, as part of a conspiracy to overturn the 2020 presidential election results. This coup had the backing of his Republican Party, far-right forces and sections of the state apparatus. The coup plotters are now attempting to stage a comeback. This development is a culmination of the protracted crisis of American democracy, rooted in explosive social contradictions, which are above all expressed in the profound and ever-widening social inequality that characterises contemporary American capitalism. The US ruling class, terrified by mounting social opposition, seeks to crush the working class. Bipartisan class unity in this counter-revolutionary effort has been reflected in the actions the Democratic Party and the Biden administration have taken to whitewash the coup plot. The SEP in the US is the only party that exposed the coup attempt, providing a revolutionary program to mobilise the working class against the threat of fascism and presidential dictatorship. It is not a passing development or mere American phenomenon. It has encouraged the ruling classes in every country, including Sri Lanka, to move further to the right.

11. Mired in the pandemic crisis, the imperialist powers are seeking to advance their geopolitical interests. Washington, as part of its attempt to reassert the global dominance it has lost over decades, is targeting China as its main rival along with Russia. Two decades ago, it invaded Afghanistan under the false banner of the war on terror, as part of its drive for control of the resources and markets, including oil and gas, of the Middle East, and with the ultimate aim of dominating the Eurasian landmass. The collapse of the Washington-backed Kabul puppet regime last August was a historical debacle for US imperialism. It has not lessened but intensified Washingtons hegemonic drive, as shown by its provocations against China using the pro-US Taiwan. As Trump did, Biden is touting the bogus Wuhan Lab theory, blaming Beijing for the emergence and global spread of the coronavirus. In September, 2021 the US, along with the UK, initiated an agreement with Australia (AUKUS) to implicate the latter still more fully in its anti-China war drive, including through the provision of nuclear submarine technology. Washington is harnessing India as a frontline state in its drive against China, arming and aligning it with Australia and Japan in a quadrilateral military alliance (the Quad).

The nationalist Stalinist oligarchy in Beijing is seeking to counter the US by building its own strategic and economic prowess and, as part of this, developing the Belt and Road Initiative. Geopolitical tensions between the US and European powers are also rising amid Washingtons threats to impose economic and trade sanctions on those countries too. The signing of the AUKUS agreement, behind the back of the EU, has further deepened tensions across the Atlantic, particularly between France and the US. These developments underscore the unprecedented intensification of geopolitical rivalries and the threat of a catastrophic global nuclear war.

12. At the bottom of the world capitalist crisis and conflicts are the fundamental contradictions of the world capitalist systemthat is the contradictions between the globalised world economy and the nation-state system, and between socialised production and the private ownership of the means of production. The danger of a Third World War, the global pandemic and social disaster can be prevented only by mobilising the international working class, that is by building a socialist movement of the international working class along the lines advanced by the ICFI in its statement Socialism and the Fight Against War, issued on February 18, 2016.

The dissolution of the Soviet Union and its implications

13. Last December marked thirty years since the dissolution of the Soviet Union by the ruling Stalinist bureaucracy. The liquidation of the USSR has vast implications and lessons for the working class, now coming into decisive battles against capitalism internationally, without which it cannot achieve its historical task of socialist revolution.

The dissolution of the Soviet Union foreshadowed the profound developments which have now come to the surfacethe global crisis of capitalism, the imperialist drive toward Third World War and the upsurge of the international working class.

Lenin addressing a crowd of revolutionary workers in Petrograd in 1919. Trotsky is on the right.

14. The destruction of the first workers state, established by the socialist revolution of October 1917, was the outcome of the reactionary nationalist policies that the bureaucracy pursued based on Stalins theory of socialism in one country. It confirmed the warnings of the Trotskyist movement of the counterrevolutionary nature of Stalinism. The globalisation of capitalist production and associated technological developments undermined the autarchic Stalinist economies and the nationally-based programs and policies of all countries, political parties, and trade unions.

15. The Moscow Stalinist bureaucracy was the main prop of the post-Second World War equilibrium, established on the basis of the hegemony of American imperialism. The US saw the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 as an opportunity to reassert its unrivaled domination throughout the world. It was glorified by imperialist propagandists as the end of history, creating a unipolar moment in which the unchallengeable power of the United States would dictate a New World Order. The last three decades have seen how the US has engaged in continuous and ever-expanding warfare, under both Democratic and Republican administrations, and the re-emergence of bitter inter-imperialist rivalries.

Two years earlier in 1989, the Chinese Maoist bureaucracy, an offshoot of Stalinism, intensified the restoration of capitalism in China, which began in the late 1970s, with its police-state repression of working-class resistance and the opening up of more free trade zones in the country to transnational investments.

16. Only the Trotskyist movement, represented by the ICFI since 1953, fought against Stalinism, which led to the degeneration of the Soviet Union, and to defend the program of world socialist revolution. The ICFI was established in 1953, splitting from Pabloite revisionism, which adapted to Stalinism and the Stalinist bureaucracy, attributing to it a progressive role and abandoning the Trotskyist program. This struggle culminated in the 198586 split in the ICFI, in which the genuine Trotskyists broke from the national opportunists of the British Workers Revolutionary Party (WRP) and defended proletarian internationalism. In this struggle, the ICFI was able to develop the analysis and deepen the understanding of the underlining changes in the world economy, with its globalisation of production, which undermined all nationalist programs.

Through this struggle, only the ICFI was prepared for the crisis that emerged with the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Not only did the Stalinist parties around the world move sharply further right; the revisionist and radical organisations revolving around the Stalinist bureaucracy expressed shock and demoralisation and declared the end of socialism.

In contrast, on January 4, 1992, David North, national secretary of the Workers League (the predecessor of the Socialist Equality Party in US), delivered a report analysing the historical background and significance of the end of the USSR. He explained:

The breakup of the Soviet Union intensifies the world crisis, and this will provide the possibility for a fresh offensive of the working class. But its development and success depend upon the building of our movement. We base our work on an unshakeable confidence in the role of the Fourth International. To the extent that we are able to establish our authority in the working class, the confusion about Stalinism will be dissipated (The End of the USSR, republished on the WSWS on December 30, 2016).

South Asiahuman and social catastrophe and geopolitical tensions

17. South Asian countries are among the worst hit by the coronavirus pandemic. The ruling classes in these countries have exposed the poverty-stricken workers and toilers to the deadly virus, prioritising profit before human lives, like their counterparts around the world. By the end of October 2021, the total of South Asian COVID-19 cases had increased to over 38 million and the official death toll to over 543,000. In response to the mounting social opposition to their criminal policies, the ruling elites across South Asia, from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, to Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Maldives are rapidly shifting toward authoritarian forms of rule.

18. The global human catastrophe of the COVID-19 pandemic has tragically emerged in India. The official death toll on October 25 was 455,093 and the cases stood at 34,200,957. However, the real number of deaths by June, 2021 was between three and five million according to a study made by the US-based Center for Global Development. The study concluded: True deaths are likely to be in the several millions, not hundreds of thousands, making this arguably Indias worst human tragedy since partition and independence.

Funeral pyres for victims of India's catastrophic Delta-variant driven second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: Delhi, April 2021. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

The far-right government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi reluctantly locked down the country on March 24, 2020, but started reopening the economy after one month, heeding the call of the corporates. It thereby paved the way for a pandemic tsunami. From April to June 2021, at the peak of Indias second Delta-driven wave of the pandemic, India officially recorded around 4,000 daily deaths. Indicating the ruthless herd immunity policy of his regime, Modi infamously declared on April 20, 2021 in a televised address to the nation: In todays situation, we have to save the country from lockdown (Modi pledges to save India from lockdownnot infection and death, WSWS, May 10, 2021). It implied that for the capitalist oligarchy, the deaths of millions can be readily accepted.

19. New Delhis brutal class policy has been graphically demonstrated in its disregard for the masses and its steps to boost the profits of the corporate oligarchy. Its ill-prepared lockdown in 2020, with just four hours notice, plunged the multi-million working class, including 40 million migrant workers, into an untold crisis of job and income losses without proper social support for the poor. For big businesses, the government committed 20 trillion rupees, or 10 percent of GDP, in the guise of stimulating the economy. They were further rewarded with pro-investor reforms. These included new labour laws empowering big employers to dismiss workers and close down factories at will; expanding the contract labour system and making workers actions to defend their jobs and working conditions illegal; and three farm laws allowing international and domestic multinationals to dominate agriculture. The Modi regime announced more tax concessions for international investors and a privatisation program in this years budget, while further slashing the subsidy programs for the poor.

20. These policies have widened social inequality in India. Oxfams Inequality Virus report of January 2021 shows that Indias richest 1 percent now owns 15 times more wealth than the bottom 50 percent. Indias 100 top billionaires obscenely profiteered during the pandemic, amassing $178 billion more in wealth since the 2020 lockdown of the country. An unskilled worker would take 10,000 years to earn billionaire Mukesh Ambanis income during just one hour of the pandemic. Another study from 2020 shows that 230 million more people have been pushed below the poverty line during the pandemic.

Last year marked thirty years since the opening of India to capitalist globalisation after the collapse of the national autarchic, state-led development policies the Indian ruling class had pursued since 1947. The Indian National Congress (INC) government and the elite boasted that opening the country for the plunder of international capital would usher in a new era of development and prosperity for the masses. However, the past thirty years have shown this to be a lie international investors and their Indian counterparts have fattened their profits while intensifying the ruthless exploitation of Indias workers and toilers, creating mass inequality, poverty and malnutrition, which have only deepened during the pandemic.

21. The Modi regime is relentlessly pursuing the Indian elites right-wing socio-economic agenda along with its great power ambitions, integrating India into the US economic and strategic offensive against China. It has expanded a web of bilateral, trilateral and quadrilateral military-strategic ties, including the Quad, with the US and its principal Asia-Pacific allies, Japan and Australia. New Delhis attempt to develop a strategic foothold in Afghanistan has been jeopardised by the US Afghan debacle and because the rival Pakistan-backed Taliban seized power in Kabul. New Delhi is playing a reactionary role in the region to rope smaller countries, such as Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Maldives, behind Washingtons anti-China offensive. These actions have sharply escalated the tensions with China. The past two years saw the eruption of on-off border tensions between these two nuclear-armed countries, threatening to trigger a global conflagration. In turn, the Modi regime and the ruling class are using these tensions to divert the growing social anger in the country.

22. The multi-million Indian working class has begun to challenge the right-wing policies of the Hindu supremacist BJP-led regime and the capitalist class. This includes two nationwide general strikes on January 8 and November 26, 2020, and many militant actions in coal mining, the auto industry, public transport, health care, banks and insurance. Workers are bitterly resisting the Modi governments privatisation drive, austerity measures and other pro-investor policies. Worker unrest is rising in plants belonging to international corporations, such as Hyundai, Nissan, Renault, Maruti-Suzuki and Volvo, based in Chennai, Gurgaon and elsewhere. A year-long protest by hundreds of thousands of farmers against the BJP governments pro-agribusiness farm laws, despite the New Delhi regimes repressive actions, was a measure of the depth of the seething social anger in the country. These struggles by workers and toilers are a harbinger of an impending social explosion as part of the global resurgence of class struggles.

23. The SEP (Sri Lanka) and the WSWS intervened in these developing struggles in India, elaborating the Marxist-Trotskyist program. In a significant intervention, the SEP in Sri Lanka organised an online meeting with its sister parties of the ICFI in the US, Canada and France, under the theme of The COVID-19 pandemic in India and the need for a socialist strategy on May 30, 2021. It called for a science-based response to the pandemic in India against the herd immunity policies of the Modi government and ruling elite. Urging Indian workers to organisationally and politically break from the Stalinist parties and nationalist unions and form independent rank-and-file committees to fight for their rights, the meeting insisted: Indian workers must fight to unify their struggles with their class brothers and sisters across South Asia, including in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, and in the imperialist centres of North America and Europe. To this end, they should support the building of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees, which was established by the ICFI to provide workers with a new international socialist channel to coordinate and unify their struggles on a worldwide basis.

24. The Modi government is rapidly driving toward dictatorial rule to take on the growing class struggles. It is suppressing political and social opponents and human right activists, while curbing the internet and social media. The BJP-led government is stirring anti-Muslim hysteria by adopting draconian laws, such as the anti-Muslim Citizenship Amendment Act, and implementing authoritarian constitutional measures and military actions in Kashmir, while nurturing Hindutva fascist goons to unleash against the working class.

25. The Indian opposition parties have no fundamental differences with the Modi governments ruinous pandemic policy, authoritarian moves, ratcheting up of tensions with China and Pakistan, and burgeoning military-strategic relations with the US. The INC, the Stalinist Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) and the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the regional bourgeois parties that run many of Indias state governments are also responsible for the free run of the pandemic disaster.

26. In order to deflect and suppress the mounting social opposition, the Left Front led by the CPM is cementing its alliance with the INC. After contesting a series of state elections in alliance with the INC, the Left Front is preparing to broaden the front for the 2024 national elections. The Stalinist-led unions, lining up with other unions, are actively intervening to scuttle working-class struggles. When they are compelled to call strikes and protests these unions use their weight to contain and prevent them challenging the capitalist system. The Stalinists opposition to the independent mobilisation of working class, rallying the multi-million peasants and oppressed against the Modi regime and capitalism, has been graphically shown in the peasant agitation. Allying with the Congress, the Stalinist parties sought to keep the working class a passive bystander and stressed that the farmers protest must remain non political.

27. Maoist tendencies in India and other South Asian countries are also opposed to the mobilisation of the working class as an independent political force. Maoism, a variant of Stalinism, is represented in India mainly by the various off-shoots of the Communist Party of India-Marxist Leninist (CPI-ML) and the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist). Both preach the Stalinist two-stage theory of revolution. The first stage is bourgeois democratic revolution against the pro-imperialist comprador bourgeoisie and feudal landlords, in which the working class must form an alliance with the so-called progressive national bourgeoisie; meanwhile, the struggle for the second stage, socialist revolution, is postponed to the indefinite future. In effect, the struggle for socialism is off the agenda. The CPI-ML has joined the political establishment and like the CPM-led Left Front is acting mostly in alliance with the INC or regional bourgeois parties. The CPI-Maoist organises adventurist armed attacks on the same two-stage line. In Nepal, the Maoist Communist Party changed its battle fatigues to join the ruling elite. In Sri Lanka, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), which claimed allegiance to Maoism, has been transformed into an obedient tool of bourgeois rule.

28. The governments and the ruling class of the other countries of South Asia have similarly abandoned the masses to the pandemic. In Pakistan, the military-backed regime of Prime Minister Imran Khan was among the last to even lock down the country and among the first to reopen the economy. State violence was unleashed on workers who were demanding basic health and safety facilities like PPE (personal protective equipment). During the pandemic, ten million more Pakistanis have been added to the 50 million people already living in wrenching poverty. As social opposition mounted against his government, Khan increased the role of the militarywhich is notorious for its long record of coups and dictatorshipin the economy and the administration. In Bangladesh, the pandemic is wreaking havoc as deaths have risen to over 27,000. According to a recent World Bank report, 68 percent of workers in the capital Dhaka and the port city of Chittagong lost their jobs during the pandemic. Another estimate suggested that garment workers job losses might go over one million by last December. Prime Minister Sheik Hasina is strengthening autocratic rule while unleashing police violence to curb opposition against attacks on social and democratic rights.

29. The crisis intensified by the pandemic has once again proved the historical inviability of the states created in 19471948 in South Asia under so-called independence. This state system was set up as part of the post-war settlement between the imperialist powers and the Stalinist Soviet bureaucracy with the connivance of the national bourgeoisie. The Indian subcontinent was partitioned on communal lines into a Hindu-dominated India and an expressly Muslim Pakistan. Sri Lanka was established as a separate state. The only way out for the multi-million workers and poor in South Asia is to overthrow these reactionary states and the rule of the bourgeoisie and establish a Union of Socialist Republics of South Asia as part of a world socialist federation.

To be continued
On May 17, the World Socialist Web Site published an exposure of the International Socialist Leagues support for the US-NATO proxy war against Russia in Ukraine and its fascist shock troops, under the banner of a fight against Russian imperialism in defense of democracy in Ukraine.

The WSWS wrote:

The false conceptions of Russian imperialism and democratic Ukraine must be rejected by Marxists. The Russian and Ukrainian states have fundamentally common characteristics as the reactionary product of the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Both are ruled by bankrupt capitalist oligarchiesthe descendants of the Stalinist bureaucracy and inheritors of the stolen property of the Soviet statewhich are fundamentally unable to assert their independent interests from imperialism. The ISLs rotten orientation to the Ukrainian bourgeois state and NATO is not merely platonic. Their supporters in Ukraine sit at negotiation tables with imperialist agents, make commitments to far-right politicians and build their constituency among the fascistic paramilitary forces.

Unsurprisingly, the ISL has provided no response whatsoever to this exposure.

But subsequent developments have fully borne out this analysis. Over the past two weeks, Oleg Vernyk, the head of the Ukrainian group of the ISL and the Zakhyst Pratsi (Labor Defense) union, has made several posts on Facebook glorifying the fascist Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN) by Stepan Bandera.

On May 24, Vernyk shared a post of the 1948 pamphlet Who are the Banderites and what are they fighting for, along with a lengthy excerpt. The quote from the pamphlet, written in the vein of fascist national socialism, said that the Banderites were fighting For building a classless society, for the genuine destruction of the exploitation of man by man ... For democracy, against dictatorship and totalitarianism, for freedom of speech and assembly ... For ensuring that the national minorities of Ukraine have all rights.

Oleg Vernyk's Facebook post from May 24 of the 1948 pamphlet "Who are the Banderovites and what are they fighting for"

In line with the efforts of the imperialist powers to break up the Soviet Union along national lines and restore capitalism, the pamphlet called on the Enslaved peoples of the Soviet Union to join the liberation struggle against the Bolshevik oppressors.

On June 5, Vernyk shared another post with a passage from a book by Danylo Shumuk, a former member of the Communist Party in West Ukraine (KPZU), who, disoriented by the crimes of Stalinism, joined the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), the paramilitary wing of the OUN, in 1943. The post from Shumuks memoirs describes his transformation from a supporter of the CP to a member of the UPA, calling the latter a movement of democratic forces fighting on behalf of the common people. The post states: The KPZU and the OUN are us, these are our people of the [19]20s and 30s.

Oleg Vernyk's Facebook post from June 5 of a passage from Shumuk's memoirs

In yet another post, from May 26, Vernyk shared a comment glorifying a 1953 uprising in a Soviet labor camp (Gulag), which was led by Shumuk and other members of the OUN and UPA who had been imprisoned by Soviet authorities.

Oleg Vernyk's Facebook post from May 26, linking an article that glorifies the 1953 uprising in a Soviet labor camp that was led by OUN-UPA members.

Vernyk shared all of these posts on both his personal profile and the group of his trade union without any comments. They speak volumes about the ISLs right-wing political orientation.

The Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists, founded in Vienna in 1929, was an outright fascist, terrorist organization whose ideology was shaped above all by anti-communism, extreme nationalism, racism and anti-Semitism.

Most of its early members were former soldiers of the army of the Ukrainian Peoples Republic founded by Symon Petliura, which fought the Red Army after the October Revolution of 1917 and participated in some of the biggest pogroms of the civil war in 1917-1921. Overall, an estimated 200,000 people were murdered in pogroms during the civil war in Ukraine. It was the biggest mass murder of Jews before the Holocaust, and it was only ended through the victory of the Red Army against the imperialist powers and regional nationalist forces.

Throughout the 1930s, the OUN committed terrorist attacks against members of national minorities and political opponents in what was then Poland. In the words of Grzegorz Rossolinski-Liebe, the OUN regarded assassination as a means of propaganda, and it carried out 830 violent acts against Polish and Polish-Jewish citizens in 1937 alone. As they were carrying out these terrorist attacks, the OUNs members and publications received state-backing from Nazi Germany and the right-wing dictatorship of Antanos Smetona in Lithuania.

In 1940, the OUN split into two wings, one headed by Stepan Bandera (OUN-B), the other by Andrey Melnyk, both of whom had been long-time leaders of the OUN. Both of these wings collaborated intensely with the Nazis, who had invaded the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941 and occupied Soviet Ukraine until 1944, resulting in the deaths of at least 27 million Soviet citizens, between 5 and 7 million of them in Ukraine. The OUN carried out large-scale massacres of both Jews and Poles, murdering tens of thousands, and terrorized Ukrainian civilians who opposed the Nazi occupation.

A Jewish woman during the July 1, 1941, pogrom in Lviv. The pogrom, while encouraged by the Nazis, was principally carried out by Ukrainian nationalists, especially from the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN). (Wikimedia Commons)

When it became clear that German imperialism, upon which the Ukrainian fascists had pinned their hopes for the creation of their own, ethnically pure nation-state, was losing the war, the leaders of the OUN quickly established contact with representatives of US, British and Canadian imperialism. The Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), the paramilitary wing of the OUN, began receiving intelligence, logistics support and funding from the US and Canada, in particular, to wage a war against the Red Army and Soviet authorities in Soviet Ukraine that lasted well into the 1950s. According to historian Rossolinski-Liebe, the OUN-UPA killed some 20,000 Ukrainian civilians in this civil war, most of them workers at collective farms and peasants whom they suspected of supporting the Soviet authorities.

The 1948 pamphlet that Vernyk shared was printed as part of this imperialist-backed propaganda campaign aimed at presenting the mass-murdering Ukrainian fascists as a democratic liberation force fighting to free the Ukrainian people from communism.

Vernyks promotion of this material is not just a matter of disseminating and legitimizing the OUNwhose propaganda was, in fact, strikingly similar to the current NATO propaganda talking points over the waras supposedly left-wing. Like other pseudo-left organizations in Ukraine that support the NATO proxy war against Russia, the ISL and Vernyks trade union Zakhyst Pratsi (Labor Defense) are actively encouraging their members to join the Territorial Defense Forces of Ukraine, the official umbrella for hundreds of paramilitary detachments that are now playing a major role in fighting the Russian army on behalf of NATO and the Ukrainian state. Many of these battalions are run by far-right nationalists and outright fascists.

On its website, the ISL posted a video of one of its members, Kirill Medvedev, masked and in body armor, who is identified as a member of the UVO, a detachment of the Territorial Defense Forces. The group Sotsialnyi rukh (Social movement), which likewise supports the NATO war as a struggle against Russian imperialism, has also on its social media posted pictures of members who have joined these paramilitary forces.

A member of Vernyk's International Socialist League who joined the UVO detachment of the paramilitary Territorial Defense Forces. Screenshot from the ISL's website

In the Facebook group of Vernyks Zakhyst Pratsi union, another member posted a call for the dismemberment of Russia. This is the official line of the Ukrainian neo-fascist Svoboda Party, with which the ISL also maintains ties, and the objective logic of the imperialist intervention in the region and in Russian politics.

These ties and the apparent political and ideological identification of Vernyk with the fascist OUN reveal the class character and political orientation not just of the ISL but the pseudo-left internationally.

The ISL and Vernyk are closely connected to these various tendencies across the Americas and Europe. The ISL itself was co-founded by several petty-bourgeois nationalist tendencies in Turkey and Latin America, including the Turkish Sosyalist Emekciler Partisi (Socialist Laborers Party, SEP in Turkish acronyms), the Venezuelan Marea Socialista (Socialist Tide, MS) and the Argentine Movimiento Socialista de los Trabajadores (Socialist Workers Movement, MST).

The MST is one of the leading parties of the Argentinian pseudo-left electoral coalition FIT-U (Workers Left Front-Unity), which combines a number of Morenoite and Pabloite organizations, including the Partido Obrero (Workers Party, PO) and the Partido de los Trabajadores Socialista (Socialist Workers Party, PTS). Some of its members are giving full support to the US-NATO led war and are openly promoting the Ukrainian fascistic paramilitaries at its front.

That is the case of the Morenoite Partido de los Trabajadores Socialista Unificado (Unified Socialist Workers Party, PSTU), a member of the International Workers League-Fourth International (IWL-FI). As it sent representatives from Latin America to Ukraine to politically back up their military operations, the IWL-FI wrote a piece titled Ukraine and Russia: On Fascisms and Fascisms. In the article they faithfully reproduced the arguments of the defenders of Bandera in order to claim that Ukraine far-rights record is nothing but a myth. Downplaying, if not outright denying, Banderas collaboration with the Nazis, they state: Banderas figure was probably inflated by Stalin to justify the repression, as it is inflated today by Putin to justify the aggression against Ukraine.

While the PO and PTS seek to somehow distance themselves from the ISL and the IWL-FI, posing as opponents of US and NATO, neither one of them has answered the exposure made by the WSWS of their partners ominous connections to fascistic forces in Ukraine. In fact, the role being played by the PTS is to actively cover up the FIT-Us open support for NATO and the Ukrainian fascists, painting it as legitimate polemic within the Trotskyist left!

Vernyks Zakhyst Pratsi union is also listed as a member organization of the Progressive International which was co-founded by the Sanders Institute of Bernie Sanders in 2018. It includes, among others, outlets such as The Nation and Jacobin, the magazine affiliated with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), a faction of the Democratic Party. It also includes the Diem25 umbrella organization of the pseudo-left in Europe, which encompasses the Greek MeRA25 (a split-off from Syriza) and the Polish Lewica Razem. The DSA and Razem are explicitly supporting the arming of Ukraine with the money and weapons of US imperialism .

As the International Committee has warned for many years, these forces are not left, much less socialist or Trotskyist. Rather, they represent privileged and fundamentally nationalist sections of the petty bourgeoisie whose social interests tie them to the capitalist state apparatus and imperialism.

Amid the early stages of a new world conflagration, and in the face of a resurgence of the working class internationally, these layers are driven ever further to the right, up to and including an embrace of outright fascist forces. The imperialist proxy war in Ukraine exposes them for what they are: bitter enemies of the working class that are prepared to line up with fascists and take up arms to fight on behalf of the interests of imperialism.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has set out a class war offensive against millions of workers suffering an unprecedented decline in their living standards. The working class must respond to the Tory offensive by launching a counter-offensive, transforming a series of strikes and disputes already billed as a summer of discontent into a conscious political challenge to the Conservative government.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaking in Blackpool, UK. 9/06/2022. Blackpool, United Kingdom. [Photo by Andrew Parsons/No 10 Downing Street / CC BY 4.0

For more than six months, the Labour Party and the media have insisted that workers focus on the possible removal of Johnson as prime minister as a means of supposedly instituting a new period of responsible government. All the while, the trade unions have done all they can to suppress growing demands for industrial action in favour of similar appeals for leniency from the government.

This comes to a head on June 18, when the Trades Union Congress (TUC) holds a national We Demand Better demonstration. The TUC is calling for vague measures such as a real pay rise for every worker and a real living wage for all to be implemented by a government that listens and acts to support working people. This is meant to indicate the future prospect of a Labour government. But Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has made clear his unanimity with the Tories on all key issues, while confining himself to appeals to Tory backbenchers to show leadership and remove Johnson.

On June 6, a no confidence vote was finally moved against Johnson within the Conservative party, which Johnson narrowly won after 41 percent of Tory MPs voted against him. This was predictably met with a fresh wave of media speculation on whether Tory rules will be changed so a second no confidence vote can be put.

Meanwhile, Johnson continues to head a government of political psychopaths that want him to either step up his ongoing offensive against British workers and the UKs key role in the NATO-proxy war against Russia in Ukraine, or move aside for someone better equipped to do so.

Johnson is doing all he can to convince his MPs that he is still the man for the job. In a keynote speech June 9 at Blackpool, he threw red meat to the Tory wolves biting at his heels. His was a pledge to wage war in Ukraine at no matter what cost, and to take on and defeat the developing strike movement in the working class and realise the Thatcherite nirvana of a deregulated and brutally exploitative economy that Brexit was meant to deliver.

Lie was piled upon lie, as Johnson claimed that his let the bodies pile high in their thousands government had protected the British people and had got through the far greater challenge of COVID before progress was brutally interrupted on 24th of February, when Putin decided on his disastrous and unprovoked war in Ukraine.

He warned that high prices would continue for oil, gas, grain, feed and fertiliser. But no price was too high for winning a war against Russia. There must be no ceasefire, no bad peacewe must continue to support the Ukrainians for as long as it takes.

The price for war and recession must be paid by the working class: If wages continually chase the increase in prices, then we risk a wage-price spiral Instead, there must be tax cuts reversing the fiscal meteorite of COVID, combined with supply side reforms to cut government spending and costs for business. The era of phenomenal corporate welfare must be replaced by economic deregulation, including opening freeports around the country and measures to turbo-charge the City of London.

This slash and burn agenda, he stressed, demanded the sacking of 91,000 civil servants and ruthless attacks on railworkers, including the wholesale closure of fully manned ticket offices across the transport network.

Johnsons sole populist measure was an insane scheme to extend Thatchers right to buy policy for tenants of council houses and housing association properties to those on welfare, who could use Housing Support to pay mortgages and turn benefits to bricks. If implemented, this would eviscerate all that remains of social housing.

Lindsay Judge, research director at the Resolution Foundation, noted of this fantasy, More than four in five families on means-tested benefits have no savings at all and high cost of living pressures, and would be unable to take up any possible access to lower mortgage down payments.

Johnsons toxic stew of policies did not satisfy the venal appetites of his Tory critics. The next day, former Brexit minister Lord David Frost insisted in the DailyTelegraph that Johnsons salvaging his premiership depended on reversing tax increases, future cuts, announcing a Brexit Opportunities Bill that sunsets large swathes of EU legislation, eliminating most UK tariffs immediately and drawing up a 10-year Conservative plan to restore the viability of the British state, based on freedom and individual liberty not collectivism.

The struggle against Johnson and the Tory government cannot be waged through parliamentary manoeuvre, but only through class struggle. The main target of Tory hatred is the planned strike by more than 40,000 members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union on June 21, 23 and 25. The train drivers union ASLEF has sat on demands for national action by its members, this week urging them to abandon a long-running dispute with ScotRail in return for a miserly 5 percent pay rise. But it was forced to announce strikes on Greater Anglia trains June 23, Hull Trains June 26, and on Croydon Tramlink on June 28, 29, July 13 and 14. The white-collar rail union TSSA is to ballot for strike action at Avanti West Coast, while Unite has said 1,000 of its members will strike on the London Underground June 21.

In addition, 115,000 members of the Communication Workers Union working for Royal Mail will be balloted for industrial action June 15, together with 40,000 CWU members at BT. Post office staff employed at 114 UK state-owned Crown Post Offices struck on June 4 over pay. Hundreds of check-in and ground staff at Heathrow Airport are balloting to strike for the return of a 10 percent pandemic pay cut. Nurses are threatening to strike in Scotland. And in the autumn, 1.4 million local government workers could strike over poverty pay.

The accumulation of disputes testifies to the fact that workers stand on the edge of a social disaster. Millions cannot afford to heat their homes, fuel their cars or even feed their families.

That so many are struggling is the political responsibility of the Labour Party, which functions as a de facto coalition partner of the Tories, and of trade unions that have presided over the systematic undermining of workers living standards over decades.

Today, the TUC can only obliquely refer to the Labour Party because it knows that Labour will step forward ever more openly as the opponent of any fight against the government and the employers. This week, Lisa Nandy, the right-wing shadow levelling-up secretary, disingenuously expressed sympathy for rail workers really struggling to make ends meet. Even this was too much for Labour leader Starmer, whose spokesman reassured big business, Weve been clear that the strikes shouldnt go ahead. Nobody wants to see industrial action that is disruptive.

Workers must also understand that in the trade union bureaucracy they confront an industrial police force desperate to prevent the limited strikes they have finally been forced to call from taking place, and which will sell them out at the earliest opportunity at the smallest possible cost to the ruling class.

Should they not succeed, then ministers, train operating companies and Network Rail will launch a strike-breaking operation that must be fought and defeated. The government has reiterated its intention to introduce minimum service standards on the railways as soon as possible aimed at preventing any effective strike impacting on industries and services deemed essential to the functioning of the national economy.

Preparation for taking on the Tories must therefore proceed through the formation of rank-and-file committees independent of the pro-business trade unions that can unify and organise the emerging struggles of workers, and through the building of the Socialist Equality Party to replace the rotting political corpse of the Labour Party.
A relief fund set up for North Dakota ranchers in the wake of a string of severe April snowstorms during the heart of calving season is now accepting aid applications and nominations.

A three-day blizzard in mid-April dropped 2-3 feet of snow over a wide area, and an Easter Sunday storm that followed added several inches more, along with heavy rain in many other areas. A late-month blizzard dumped another 1 to 1  feet of snow in the west and also brought freezing rain to the region.

The counties of Ward, Mountrail, Golden Valley, Billings and Stark had estimated losses of more than 10% of their 2021 cattle inventory. Most other western counties had estimated losses of up to 5% of their cattle inventory, according to a North Dakota State University study.

Ranchers also suffered widespread damage to buildings and fences. And they'd been dealing with the effects of devastating drought for more than a year.

The North Dakota Stockmen's Association and its Foundation launched the Hope After Haley Disaster Relief Fund in late April with $40,000 in funding and invited donations. The fund's total has since nearly tripled. All of the money will go to ranchers in need.

"Our goal is to help our producers recoup and reclaim hope after a very challenging year, said McVille rancher Dan Rorvig, the Stockmen's Foundation president.

Ranchers can download application and nomination forms at http://www.ndstockmen.org/foundation/hopeafterhaley/. Nomination forms can be used to submit the names and information of producers who could use assistance but not apply for themselves.

Applications and nominations can be sent to the Hope After Haley Disaster Relief Fund, c/o North Dakota Stockmens Association and Foundation, 407 S. 2nd St., Bismarck, ND 58504. The deadline is Aug. 1.

Cattle-ranching families give their all to care for their livestock every day, and we want to do all we can to care for them in their time of need as well, said New Rockford rancher Jeff Schafer, the Stockmen's Association president.

For more information about the relief fund, go to the website or call 701-223-2522.

Drought update

Drought has become nearly nonexistent in North Dakota, thanks to the wet spring highlighted by the April storms.

Only 7% of the state -- a strip along the western border -- is considered abnormally dry this week, and there are no areas in moderate, severe, extreme or exceptional drought, according to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor map, released Thursday. A year ago all of the state was in some form of drought, with more than two-thirds of it in extreme or exceptional drought, the two worst categories.

The improvement is due to the ample precipitation in recent months. For example, Bismarck was in extreme drought at this time last year. But the city so far this year has received nearly 2  times more precipitation than it did over the same period in 2021, according to National Weather Service data.

The most recent crop report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service shows that the soggy spring continues to impact farmers, with the planting of all major crops still lagging behind the average pace.

Crop report

But farmers are making strides. About three-fourths of the state's staple spring wheat crop is seeded, up from about half planted last week.

And soil moisture is plentiful. The crop report rates topsoil moisture supplies statewide as 95% adequate or surplus, and subsoil moisture as 92% in those categories. A year ago, those percentages were 16% and 20%, respectively.

North Dakota pasture and range conditions also have improved dramatically, with 63% being rated good to excellent. Stockwater supplies are 92% in those categories. Last year at this time, the percentages were 8% and 26%, respectively.

The U.S. Drought Monitor is a partnership of the National Drought Mitigation Center, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Weekend forecast

The weekend forecast calls for warm temperatures but chances of showers and thunderstorms.

"Highs into the mid-80s will be likely for areas of western and central North Dakota Saturday and Sunday," the weather service said. "Greatest chances for showers and thunderstorms will be Sunday night and Monday, where strong or severe thunderstorms are possible."

The forecast for Bismarck-Mandan calls for highs in the mid-80s on Saturday and Sunday, with a low chance of rain and storms until late Sunday.

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Do you work for National Steel Car? We want to hear from you. Contact the WSWS here to discuss safety issues at the plant or fill out the form below for assistence in forming a rank-and-file safety committee.

A 51-year-old worker was killed in a horrific workplace accident at National Steel Cars plant in Hamilton, Ontario, at approximately 7:50 p.m. on Monday, June 6 sparking an outpouring of anger from his co-workers which has forced the company to cancel production this week.

Workers protesting outside National Steel Car in Hamilton, Ontario on Thursday, June 9 [Photo by Hamilton and District Labour Council ]

Details remain sparse, but initial reports indicate that Quoc Le was crushed by a railcar bulkhead. He leaves behind a spouse and one child. A GoFundMe has been started by his co-workers to raise funds for his bereaved widow and child.

Le is the third worker to die at the facility in less than two years. Collin Grayley, a 35-year-old painter, died on the job on April 23, 2021. Eight months prior to that on September 2, 2020, Fraser Cowan, a 51-year-old crane operator, lost his life. Grayley had been looking forward to spending time with his children Emma, Robert and Joseph during last springs COVID-19 shutdown. Cowan, an avid amateur musician and supporter of the local music charity the Hamilton Music Collective, is survived by his children, Ellison and Aimee and ex-wife Trudy.

Workers at the plant are outraged over Les death. More than 60 workers assembled at the gates of the plant on Thursday, chanting, No more deaths! Workers are livid at being treated like disposable commodities. One thing that is undeniably clear after the three deaths at National Steel Car in less than two yearsand after the two and a half years of the COVID-19 pandemiccorporations prioritize their profitability over workers health and lives.

Commenting on the deaths of the three workers, a worker at National Steel Car told the WSWS, The three people killed all have something in common  safety devices failing. In September of 20, Fraser Cowan was killed by a safety device coming off his hook because there was no safety latch to hold it on. The second, in April of 21 was killed on the last night before we all got sent home (because COVID infections were out of control). [Collin Grayley] was crushed when a manlift extended and pinned him against something. This used to be a two-person job and (allegedly) the safety lockout devices on the machine had been disabled.

National Steel Car is the largest manufacturer of railway rolling stock in Canada. Its customers include the largest and most profitable railway conglomerates in North America, such as Canadian National, Canadian Pacific and BNSF. Revenue in 2021 was estimated to be $543 million. The Hamilton factory employs 1,400 USW union members in addition to 600 non-unionized workers in an exploitative two-tier system.

The current CEO, Greg Aziz, purchased the company from Dofasco in 1994 and increased production from 3,500 to 12,000 rail cars per year, while slashing the workforce from 3,000 workers in 2000 and as many as 2,400 in 2006 to around 2,000 today.

The piecework and bonus payment systems in place at National Steel Car contribute to the dismal health and safety record, as they are designed to force workers to speed up production to dangerous levels.

Hoping to dissipate the anger among the workforce, the company initially cancelled workers shifts on Tuesday and Wednesday. Publicly available information suggests that they had every intention of resuming the usual gruelling work schedule on June 8. This scenario, however, was disrupted by Thursdays protest and the anger among the rank-and-file.

The outpouring of rage from workers so frightened the company bosses that they issued a public statement, in which they sought to justify extending the plants closurea transparent attempt to dissipate workers anger and stop them from discussing how to put an end to unsafe working conditionsas a health and safety measure!

Addressing its employees as valued team members, the company stated on its Facebook page, We have been made aware of a planned protest this afternoon at our main entrance that will impede the safe entry and exit of our facility. Our top priority remains the health and safety of our people, customers, suppliers and partners. Out of an abundance of caution, we have decided to temporarily suspend our manufacturing operations today and tomorrow. We are planning to resume operations next week.

The National Steel Car worker told the WSWS that the USW called for a protest in the parking lot today, Thursday, June 9, basically to blow off steam and talk about the Westray Mine law. The Westray Bill, passed in 2004, is named after the 1992 Westray Mine disaster in Nova Scotia, which claimed the lives of 26 miners. It makes it legally possible to hold management criminally responsible for workplace accidents that are the result of company negligence. No one has ever been convicted under it and the legislation is largely symbolic.

Reviews of the Hamilton plant online give an indication of managements complete disregard for the well-being and lives of workers. Several reviews on Google noted that training was unpaid and that the place felt like a sinking ship. Another reviewer said, Worked there as a welder, no previous experience welding, they hired me as a welder trainee. Put me through a 2 week in house training course (unpaid). As soon as I started I realized the training provided was not enough to meet expectations. I was put in turnover, one of the hardest jobs in the place fresh out of school. I had to weld the inside of train cars, everyone else doing my job had been there for 5+ years and had no patience to teach. I asked for an easier position to improve my welding but they told me I couldn't switch until I had 1 year seniority.

Another review on Indeed noted, Safety definitely isnt a priority at National Steel Car and you will be maliciously targeted if you try to come forward or refuse unsafe work. If you speak out about anything the head of HR will force your supervision to move you to a different position where you definitely cant make piece work, effectively making you lose hundreds of dollars every week.  If you value your life, time, and mental health I would avoid National Steel Car at all costs.

Frank Crowder, president of USW Local 7135, which has 1,400 members at the plant, told CBC News, Our members are not just angry, but theyre fearful.  Im receiving many calls from members who are looking for other employment because they believe its too dangerous. Their families, their wives, are asking them not to go back there, to please find other jobs and work somewhere else.

Underscoring the seething anger among workers at the plant, the USW has felt compelled to call for a criminal investigation into the company. This demand is aimed both at containing the workers outrage in official pro-employer channels and to cover up the unions complicity in enforcing dangerous working conditions at National Steel Car.

When workers launched a strike at the plant for improved health and safety conditions in 2009, the USW worked might and main to shut it down. After workers decisively rejected a sellout contract by 67 percent, the USW pushed through a similar deal that gutted seniority rights and embedded a two-tier wage system at the plant. Currently, hourly wages at the factory vary between $19 and $27, depending on the position, according to data from Indeed.

One review on Indeed sums up the relationship between the company and the union on the one hand and the workers on the other: Awful management and even worse Union. No one is behind you as an employee, you are just a number there. Hence all the deaths due to safety that they do nothing about.

National Steel Car has refused to comment directly on Les death. The company is currently facing charges over the deaths of Grayley and Cowan under the Ontario Occupation Health and Safety Act (OHSA). Underscoring the contempt with which the company views the lives of its workers, National Steel Car, via its lawyers, has said that it will vigorously defend itself against the charges and that the railcar factory has been and continues to be a safe workplace.

Quoc Le

The provincial Ministry of Labour, Training, and Skills Development (MLTSD) has reportedly begun an investigation into Les death. Under Ontarios business-friendly labour laws, the MLTSD is legally required to investigate workplace deaths. However, convictions are rare and the punishment is limited to a fine.

The plant has a history of safety violations resulting in tragic, but entirely preventable deaths, that long predates the events of the past two years. Just six months prior to the 2009 strike, the company was fined $250,000 for the death of one worker and, in a separate incident, the serious injury of another. The fines were issued to the company for failing to comply with the OHSA. Fines, however, are a part of doing business and they have done nothing to change National Steel Cars behaviour.

The issues at National Steel Car are part of a broader crisis affecting workers across Canada and around the world. On average, three workers in Canada die on the job every day for a total of roughly 1,000 workers every year. According to the UNs International Labour Organization, 6,000 workers die on the job every day and 2.3 million die every year.

The USW and the trade union bureaucracy as a whole have no intention of challenging these brutal conditions of exploitation. On top of their complicity in enforcing deadly work conditions across Canadas industrial and manufacturing sectors, the unions fully endorsed the Trudeau Liberal governments back-to-work/back-to-school campaign during the pandemic, which led to the sacrifice of tens of thousands of lives to protect corporate profits.

The defence of the right to life and a safe workplace are incompatible with the capitalist system. Workers must form rank-and-file committees, independent of the union apparatus, to put forward a programme that fights for placing human need, including the very protection of workers lives on the job, above private profit.
Anger is mounting among Sri Lankan port workers, particularly at Colombo Port, over their unions betrayals of a national general strike on May 1011 against the Rajapakse government, and their increasing collaboration with port management.

Colombo port workers protesting in April

Colombo Port, which currently employs about 9,000 workers, is the countrys principal harbour and, because of its location on key international trade routes, is among the top 25 busiest port facilities in the world.

Thousands of Colombo harbour workers, along with millions of other workers across the island, participated in one-day national general strikes on April 28 and May 6, to protest intolerable rising prices and shortages of essential items, and to call for President Rajapakse and his government to resign.

The port workers were key participants in another general strike, which began late on May 9, following a brutal attack on anti-government protesters in Colombo by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) goons. Angered over the violent attacks, Colombo port workers and Colombo National Hospital employees immediately walked out in protest and marched to Galle Face Green. Colombo postal workers also went on strike.

Confronted by these spontaneous walkouts and concerned that they could escalate out of their control, the trade unions were compelled to issue an official call for an indefinite national general strike, starting on May 10.

President Rajapakse reacted by using his emergency powers to deploy the military on to the streets, issuing the armed forces with shoot on sight orders against so-called rioters angry over the SLPP thug attacks.

Capitulating to Rajapakses state crackdown, the unions called off the general strike on May 11. In line with calls by the Sri Lankan Ports Authority and the shipping agents organisation, the port unions ended all industrial action and have deepened their collaboration with management.

These betrayals are not an accident. The trade unions in Sri Lankan were silent over the mass anti-government protests that began in early April and escalated throughout that month.

Confronted with the mass protests, the unions eventually called one-day general strikes on April 28 and May 6. These were aimed at trying to dissipate workers anger and divert it behind calls by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) for a capitalist interim regime and general election.

Since the betrayal of the May 11 industrial action, the Port Trade Unions Alliance, which called the previous walkouts, has been particularly receptive to demands by the government and international shippers for no further industrial action.

The Alliance includes the All Ceylon Port General Workers Union, the Samagi Employees Union, the Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya and the Sri Lanka Freedom Employees Union. They are affiliated to the JVP, the SJB, current Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghes United National Party, and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, respectively. Other unions covering port workers include an SLPP-controlled union, which kept working during the recent strikes, and the pro-business Independent Port Employees Union.

Shocked by the recent walkouts, Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents chairman Shehara De Silva wrote to the Sri Lankan Ports Authority chief declaring: This [strike] could lead to a loss of confidence as a transshipment hub and business shifting out of Colombo to competitor ports Such consequences will have a very far-reaching effect on the revenue of the Ports Authority and other companies running terminals.

The Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents called on the union alliance to order their members to resume work at Colombo harbour, describing it as a vital nerve centre of the country.

Like other unions in Sri Lanka, the Port Trade Unions Alliance were rattled by the general strikes powerful demonstration of the industrial and political strength of the working class and quickly moved to assure management of their ongoing collaboration. On May 18, the port union front issued a leaflet which stated: Allowing the new political and economic culture demanded by the struggle to go ahead, trade unions and management have formed a united committee. It will take action to establish the new culture in the harbour, eliminating fraud and corruption.

What is the real meaning of this new culture and the united committee with management? While no details have been provided about the makeup and operations of the united committee, its purpose will be to suppress strikes and maximise the exploitation of workers to maintain profits.

As the Socialist Equality Party has explained, port employees, like workers throughout the island, can only defend their jobs, wages, working conditions and basic democratic rights, by building action committees, independent of the unions, to take up this struggle. The port unions, like their counterparts across Sri Lanka, do not defend the working class but the capitalist profit system.

Port workers disgusted with increasing union collaboration with management and the betrayal of general strike action have begun discussing the formation of an independent action committee. We urge other port workers to deepen this discussion by reading the Socialist Equality Partys program of action and contacting the party for further discussion.

The following comments are from Colombo Port workers:

A worker at the Naval Engineering Division said: Workers came out on an indefinite strike, determined to chase away the government after it attacked the protesters. The workers know that when they strike, harbour and shipping is stopped and that it shows the strength of workers. We were opposed to the trade unions abandonment of the strike, at the very moment when the government feels uncertain.

Commenting on the Galle Face Green protest, he added: Their fight is legitimate. They wanted to chase away the government but they are silent on the question over who will take the political power after chasing away the government. They do not have a program.

Another Naval Engineering Division employee, said: Workers disregarded the unions and joined this fight. The trade unions were forced to call all workers to come on strike because of their mounting opposition.

He opposed the trade unions insistence that a continuation of the strike would affect public life and that it had to be called off. They made these claims in order to save the government, he said.

Stoppages in Colombo harbour directly affects mainly Indian and Bangladeshi transshipments. In their struggle, Sri Lankan workers have to get the support of our friends in the Indian and Bangladeshi ports. We cannot win the fight without establishing the unity of the Sri Lankan workers with the Indian workers, he said.

Referring to the Socialist Equality Party analysis and program, he added: I totally agree that such a unity can be created through an international socialist program.

In 1979, the Port Commission, which previously administered the harbour, merged with the Port (Cargo) Corporation and the Port Tally and Protective Services Corporation to become the Sri Lankan Ports Authority. While the Ports Authority initially employed about 22,000 workers in 1979, modernisation of facilities, new technology and increased exploitation saw the systematic destruction of thousands of port workers jobs.

Despite widespread opposition from port workers, two major private terminalsthe South Asia Gateway Terminal (SAGT) and Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT)now operate in the harbour. Today the port only employs about 9,000 workers.

A technical section worker who has worked at Colombo port for 17 years said: Since its establishment the Ports Authority workforce has been halved. The trade unions have collaborated in slashing jobs and our struggles for better wages have been scuttled. We now depend on overtime work to earn enough to cope with the rising cost of living.

He explained, the ports tug section did not have an adequate workforce and the naval engineering section had unfilled technical officer and work supervisor vacancies. This situation, he said, existed in many other sections. Workers were having difficulties properly doing their jobs but this did not concern the unions.

While the unions seek to divide workers on grade differences, we fight to unite workers. We need the unity of all workers to fight the job cuts that the government is preparing.
At around 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 4, Paris police shot nine rounds into a car with four passengers in central Paris after an attempted traffic stop. The front seat passenger, a 21-year-old woman named Rayana, was shot in the head and died in hospital on Sunday. The 38-year-old driver was hit in the chest but has since been released from hospital.

This is the second such police shooting in central Paris in recent months. On April 24, the night of the second round of the French presidential election, police shot at a car that did not stop for a vehicle control on Pont Neuf in central Paris. Both the driver and front-seat passenger were killed.

This Saturday, police fired after the driver refused to comply with a traffic stop. Authorities have charged the driver with attempted murder, alleging that officers had been forced to resort to gunfire to protect the lives of pedestrians in the immediate area. However, testimony from surviving passengers corroborated by other eyewitness accounts has exposed the authorities narrative and the polices attempt to cover up its responsibility by prosecuting the driver for crimes he did not commit.

In the police account of last Saturdays shooting, the officers fired only after the driver started to drive off. According to the Paris prosecutor, the driver started up again despite a new order to stop the vehicle, and police then shot at the vehicle to protect pedestrians in the area. The three officers who fired into the vehicle were released from custody on Tuesday and are now being investigated. On the same day, the driver was taken into custody after being indicted for attempted homicide of a person in authority and refusal to obey aggravated by endangering others.

On Wednesday, June 8, the passenger in the back seat of the vehicle, a friend of the deceased, spoke on the shooting to FranceInfo. She said, At Clignancourt, three policemen on bicycles knocked on the driver's window because he [the driver] was not wearing a seat belt. He did not want to lower his window. He accelerated and stopped 30, 40 meters further on because of the traffic. There was a bus in front of us.

We told him to stop, but he replied that he didn't have a license. He was a bit panicked, a bit stressed. Then, I saw two policemen standing at the front windows. Everything went very quickly. I didn't even hear Get out of the car or Hands up. The scene was very violent. The driver didn't even have time to take his hands off the wheel.

Contradicting the police account, she continued, It wasnt the case that the car left first and then they shot, it was at the same time. They must have fired about ten shots; it lasted a long time. FranceInfo itself reportedthat other witness statements, including by bystanders,contradict the account of the police forces, and stress that the driver did not start in a hurry.

After seeing their friends shot, the ordeal at the hands of the police was not over for Ines and the other passenger. She said, The police came up behind us. They pointed their guns at us and said, Hands up, hands on your headThey left us on a corner of the street, for more than three hours in the sun, in front of a crowd. They didn't let us see a doctor.

Speaking to RTL, the other passenger, a friend of the driver, corroborated this account, saying that one of the cops pointed [a gun] directly at them, and added: The driver acted as if he wasnt looking ... I shouted get down, then we heard the gunshots and the windows smash. Afterwards, my friend put the car in first gear and started to drive again after the shots were fired.

After the shots were fired, the vehicle collided with a white van a few meters further up the road at low speed.

Multiple eyewitness accounts show that the vehicle was trapped in traffic and at a standstill when multiple police officers began shooting indiscriminately at its four occupants. Contrary to the police account, there is not a shred of evidence that the vehicle was a threat to the public or the police officers involved. In appointing themselves judge, jury and executioner, these officers transformed a routine traffic offense into another deadly act of police violence.

In her interview with FranceInfo, Ines pledged to pursue the policemen responsible and pointed to the significance of the case: Its good that this case has taken a political turn. This story needs to be talked about. The most important thing is that there are people on our side who understand that it shouldnt have to come to this.

While immediate legal responsibility for the killing lies with police officers, broader political responsibility lies with the Macron government and its political allies. They have cultivated a fascistic culture of violence and impunity in the police, whom they used as a last line of defense against explosive social anger and mass protests and strikes in the working class.

Since the 2015 declaration of a state of emergency, the police have had carte blanche to violently suppress any opposition to the widely detested policies of the French state. From the Yellow Vests to high-school students, protesters found themselves surrounded by cops assaulting them with batons, tear gas canisters and rubber bullets.

The Macron government has given medals to police units guilty of particularly heinous crimes against the populationlike the killing in Marseille of 80-year-old Zineb Redouane, whose head was destroyed by a tear gas canister police shot into her apartment during a Yellow Vest protest. The purpose of this was manifestly to make clear to the police that they would be rewarded for egregious acts of violence insofar as they served to terrorize the public.

Emboldened by this treatment, police officers, broad layers of which sympathize with the far right, have taken to meting out deadly violence against working people.

The movement against police violence must be developed as a movement of the working class, in opposition to militarism and social austerity, and to the capitalist governments which the police forces serve to defend.
Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker announced at a press conference on Thursday afternoon that Grand Rapids, Michigan, police Officer Christopher Schurr has been charged with murder in the second degree for the killing of Patrick Lyoya on April 4. According to Becker, Schurr has already turned himself in to the Michigan State Police. While he could not give a specific time, Becker affirmed that Schurrs arraignment would take place on June 10.

A TV display shows video evidence of a Grand Rapids police officer pursuing Patrick Lyoya in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Lyoya, 26, was shot and killed about 8:10 a.m., on April 4, after what police said was a traffic stop. (Video released by Grand Rapids Police Department)

During the press conference, Becker outlined three elements that made up the second-degree murder charge. First, there was a death, a death done by the defendant. And then when the killing occurred, the defendant had one of these three states of mind: an intent to kill, an intent to do great bodily harm, or an intent to do an act that, the natural tendency of that act, would be to cause death or great bodily harm. And finally, that the death was not justified or excused.

If Schurr is convicted, the maximum penalty he could face is life in prison with the possibility of parole.

Becker also remarked on the absence of a felony firearm charge against Schurr. This lesser felony, punishable by up to two years in prison, is often charged in shooting deaths. However, Becker cited a 1991 Michigan Supreme Court decision in People v. Khoury, which he said ruled that a felony firearm cannot be charged against a police officer who used a gun in the performance of their duties.

Becker was asked about the difference between charging manslaughter versus charging murder. The prosecutor said that manslaughter is a lesser included charge, meaning a jury would have the choice to find Schurr guilty of either murder or manslaughter. He went on to say that manslaughter includes the heat of passion or some sort of provocation with heat of passion.

When he was asked if murder would be harder to prove in court than manslaughter, Becker replied, Obviously, I wouldnt charge it if I didnt think I could prove it.

The facts of what happened on April 4 are as follows: Officer Schurr pulled over the car Patrick Lyoya was driving for a license plate registration violation. Then a brief scuffle occurred between Schurr and Lyoya. After Schurr discharged his taser unsuccessfully twice, he pushed Lyoya to the ground, pressed his gun to the back of Lyoyas head and pulled the trigger. This was captured quite clearly on video on the cellphone of the passenger in Lyoyas car.

After Schurr was put on administrative leave, and nearly a month later, on April 28, the Michigan State Police submitted a partial investigation of the shooting to Beckers office. On May 18, under public pressure to give an update, Becker announced that he would soon receive the full investigative report. He also told the press that he would be reaching out for help from experts on use-of-force cases.

Becker clarified in the press conference that he did not receive the full MSP investigation until May 31. In an effort to explain the delay in arriving at a decision, he alleged difficulties in getting expert advice. He cited hesitancy at the possible conflict of interest in asking the MSP, which was investigating the incident, for advice to be used in the charging decision.

He did not elaborate on what other sources he consulted, citing legal limitations on what he could disclose before trial. Becker also claimed that a forensics report on Schurrs taser was the last piece of evidence to come in, which was a major factor in his final determination to charge the officer.

Becker himself admitted the amount of pressure that he was under to reach a decision. I think theres a huge amount of community pressure that thinks I should charge him, he said, responding to a question about how the people of Grand Rapids would react to his choice.

He also addressed demands by community groups that he recuse himself from making the charging decision. To the main argument, that his office worked too closely with the police, Becker claimed at the press conference, Everybody thinks, you know, the prosecutors are essentially an arm or just a branch of the police, and were not. We are our own entity, we have a duty to enforce the law, be it on police, or the public.

Before the footage of Lyoyas shooting was given in April, there were large-scale protests in the city demanding its release. In response to the protests, the Grand Rapids Police Department headquarters were fortified with barricades preceding the actual release of the video.

In the lead-up to Beckers announcement, Lyoya family attorneys Ben Crump and Ven Johnson expressed their concerns that Schurr would not be charged. Johnson told WOODTV, in the event Schurr was not charged, Were certainly going to reach out formally to Michigan Attorney General [Dana] Nessel and ask her and her office to take over.

Crump had already requested the involvement of the Department of Justice. According to Johnson, If the original prosecutor doesnt charge, its less likely that they will get involved. But in this day and age, what we think the clarity of what happened here on the video, we would certainly hope and encourage them and implore them to do that.

Just before the press conference, Becker presented his announcement to the Lyoya family. He wrote a letter, apparently explaining the charges against Schurr, which was then translated into the familys native language, Swahili. Peter Lyoya, father of Patrick, watched the press conference from the office of his attorney Ven Johnson in Detroit, Michigan. In a video statement published by News 3, Peter Lyoya thanked Becker, as well as his attorneys, Crump and Johnson.

Through his interpreter Israel Siku, Peter delivered a public statement: My heart was really broken these two months, because a lot of things were said. I was not quite sure with the truth in my hand. And I was thinking maybe theres no justice in America. Peter Lyoya continued, We are not done here. Lets go tilt to the hand and get the last justice for Patrick.

It should be recalled that police bodycam and dashcam video, as well as the smartphone video of Lyoyas passenger which shows very clearly the moment of the fatal gunshot, were initially withheld from the public and shown only to family members in an effort to sweep the incident under the rug. The videos, as well as the name of the officer, were only released after protests erupted in Grand Rapids demanding justice for the Lyoya family.

Since the day Schurr shot Lyoya execution-style, a campaign has been mounted to exonerate the officer and put forward a justification for the shooting of the 26-year-old unarmed Congolese immigrant. Much of this campaign was devoted to demonizing Lyoya for getting out of his car during a traffic stop and lionizing Schurr for enforcing the rule of law. These issues will no doubt be central to the case should Schurr plead not guilty and it goes to trial.
The Committee for Public Education (CFPE) invites educators, students and working people in Australia and internationally to participate in an online meeting on Sunday, June 19, at 1 p.m. (AEDT).

The event, titled The crisis of public education, the betrayal of the teacher unions, and the need for independent rank-and-file committees, will review the disaster that has developed in public schools and the responsibility the Australian Education Union bears for it. The discussion will also outline a political perspective, including the building of rank-and-file committees, to fight for decent wages and conditions for educators and for a properly resourced, universally accessible public education system. Register now: https://bit.ly/3Q2MEBi

Public school teachers and Education Support staff have recently passed through several important experiences with the teacher unions.

In Victoria, the Australian Education Union (AEU) last month only narrowly managed to ram through a regressive four-year industrial agreement. The deal struck between the union and the state Labor government involved a nominal annual wage rise of less than 2 percent, representing a substantial real wage cut. Union officials secured a majority vote in favour of the agreement by mounting a determined campaign of misinformation and social media censorship. Despite this, record opposition was registered in union delegates meetings and the final general ballot, with 38-39 percent voting no. This opposition, which will only intensify as the cost of living crisis escalates further in the next period, provides an important basis for building a political movement in defence of educators wages and conditions and for the public education system.

This movement has to be developed nationally and internationally. The Victorian school real wage cut will be used by the recently elected federal Labor government as a precedent. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his colleagues are determined to make the working class bear the burden of its drive to slash escalating debts and deficits through austerity measures.

The Victorian AEU sellout follows a similar process in South Australia two years ago, when an industrial agreement that involved real wage cuts and the maintenance of existing poor conditions was only narrowly ratified by 54 percent, with 46 percent of educators voting against.

Now in New South Wales, public school workers confront the threat of yet another union industrial agreement betrayal. This has been clearly foreshadowed by the NSW Teachers Federations decision to issue the state Liberal government of Premier Dominic Perrottet with a no strike pledge. This followed two 24-hour strikes, in May and December, the first such industrial actions in NSW for a decade. These limited actions were twice followed by no strike pledges, based on craven good faith appeals to the right-wing Perrottet government. In ruling out further industrial action, the NSW Teachers Federation bureaucracy was consciously isolating teachers, including from their Catholic sector colleagues who also recently took strike action, and blocking a united struggle of other public sector workers confronting similar attacks, including public servants, nurses and health workers, and railway workers.

The teacher unions collaboration with state government attacks on the public education system and on teachers wages and conditions is consistent with their critical role in enforcing the reopening of the schools at the beginning of the year, despite surging COVID-19 infections. The entire political establishment, Labor and Liberal alike, worked to sabotage Australias zero-COVID situation towards the end of 2021, heeding the demands of big business and finance capital for the junking of all public health measures that impinged on profits. Then Prime Minister Scott Morrison openly explained that the schools had to be reopened, regardless of infection rates, so that businesses could force workers back into their workplaces. The teacher unions heeded the call, preventing any opposition from emerging as schools became super spreading sites, threatening hundreds of thousands of children and school workers with Long COVID and other adverse health effects.

The CFPEs public meeting will analyse these developments and explain the basis for our call for the formation of rank-and-file committees. Not a single step forward can be taken within the confines of the teacher unions. Comprising a highly paid, upper-middle class layer, the union bureaucracys lucrative privileges derive from its collaboration with federal and state governments, against the interests of ordinary teachers and school workers. It is necessary to build a network of rank-and-file committees, independent of the trade unions, democratically organised and led by trusted educators and school workers, to take forward the necessary political and industrial struggle for the public education system.

The CFPE rejects the claims of governments, unions, the media and all those who defend capitalism that there is no money. There are resources, which are all produced by the working class, but they are in the hands of the corporate and financial elite. We call for the nationalisation of the banks, mining companies and major corporations under democratic workers control so as to meet the pressing social needs of the majority, not the profits of the wealthy few. This means a fight for a socialist perspective.

The CFPEs public meeting will provide a forum in which uncensored discussion, questions, and experiences from different schools and communities can be raised. The meeting will also feature a speaker from the United States, who will report on the crisis of public education there and the important industrial action recently taken by educators in different states to defend their interests and those of their students.

Register in advance and promote the meeting among educators, students, colleagues and friends!

Contact the CFPE:

Email: cfpe.aus@gmail.com

Facebook: facebook.com/groups/opposeaeusellout/

Facebook: facebook.com/commforpubliceducation

Twitter: @CFPE_Australia
WAUKESHA, Wis.  A jury has convicted a North Dakota man of shooting two Wisconsin police officers.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported 25-year-old Nathanael Benton, of Fargo, was found guilty Thursday of first-degree attempted homicide, reckless endangerment and being a felon in possession of a firearm after a three-day trial.

Body camera footage shows Benton shooting Delafield Officer Michael Henning and Hartland Officer Matthew Seeger at the Delafield Holiday Inn in November 2020. Both officers survived their wounds.

Benton testified during the trial that he had shot someone in Fargo a week earlier, fled to Indiana and was on his way back to North Dakota with a friend and another person when he stopped in Delafield. Officers responding to a hit-and-run in the area questioned his group as they were entering the hotel.

As Henning approached Benton to search him, Benton pulled out a handgun concealed in his waistband and fired 10 rounds. Benton testified that he wasn't trying to hurt the officers and was just trying to get away.

Benson's attorney, Jeffrey Jensen, argued that Benton fired quickly and wildly, showing that he never intended to kill the officers.

Benton is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 29. He faces up to 78  years behind bars.

North Dakota court documents show that an arrest warrant was issued out of Cass County for Benton in November 2020. He's facing an attempted murder charge in that case, in which he's accused of shooting another man in the back of the head on Halloween night that year. The man survived.

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A jury has convicted a North Dakota man of shooting two Wisconsin police officers. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports 25-year-old Nathanael Benton was found guilty Thursday of first-degree attempted homicide, reckless endangerment and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Body camera footage shows Benton shooting Delafield Officer Michael Henning and Hartland Officer Matthew Seeger at the Delafield Holiday Inn in November 2020. Benton testified he had shot someone in Fargo a week earlier, fled to Indiana and was on his way back to North Dakota when he stopped in Delafield. Officers responding to a hit-and-run in the area questioned him as he was entering the hotel and he fired because he was trying to get away.
On Thursday, the Jan. 6 committee made its televised primetime 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 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 writes for the Los Angeles Times.

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This is just the launching pad for what I hope to accomplish next. I am so proud to be a North Dakotan. I would have never become Miss America or a Harvard Law School graduate without the determination, courage, and character instilled in me by the incredible people of North Dakota."

-- Bismarck native and former Miss America Cara Mund, who graduated from Harvard Law School this spring.

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Mr. Groszhans is no longer in prison; however he is still in Ukraine. We continue to work with his family, our State Department and Ukrainian officials in regard to his fair treatment and safety.

-- U.S. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., updating the status of North Dakota farmer Kurt Groszhans, who had been jailed in war-torn Ukraine since last November.

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The trend of decreasing cases of avian influenza nationally is encouraging, but we continue to have wild bird infections detected across the state, and domestic poultry cases continue to pop up.

-- State Veterinarian Dr. Ethan Andress, on the national bird flu outbreak remaining a concern.

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"(It's) the only economic development tool that Bismarck has, and like it or not, we do compete with Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot, Jamestown and other cities for developments and projects."

-- Bismarck Renaissance Zone Authority Chairman Jim Christianson, speaking to the Burleigh County Commission, which rejected renewing the Renaissance Zone program.

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"Level the playing field. Let the capitalism that was invented in this country work, and it will."

-- Bismarck developer Ron Knutson, speaking against renewal of the Renaissance Zone program.

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Our airports did an incredible job in keeping up with snow removal operations to alleviate the impacts to the traveling public as best as possible. That being said, we look forward to improved weather conditions as we move into the summer months.

-- State Aeronautics Commissioner Kyle Wanner, on a series of snowstorms in April that cut into expected passenger traffic at North Dakota's eight commercial service airports.

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"Access to resources, like investment capital, professional networks, skilled employees and information technology is limited for Native American and minority populated entrepreneurs. If we don't make them more available, financial inequities will further exacerbate the economic, health, education and family disparities in North Dakota communities."

-- Lorraine Davis, CEO of the Native American Development Center in Bismarck, which is considering starting a business incubator for minority populations in the metro area.

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Bismarck has been advantageous, just its proximity to the energy industry there as well as the different tribal nations that theyre working with. And then Fargo has been appealing for the technology hub that it offers and some potential projects in the east.

-- Josh Teigen, director of the state Economic Development and Finance division, on the Bitzero cryptocurrency mining company considering Bismarck and Fargo for its headquarters.

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"I knew that she was a top-notch quality. She was a really great person."

-- North Dakota Supreme Court Justice Gerald VandeWalle, remembering Beryl Levine, the first woman to serve on the high court, who died Saturday at age 86.

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The paper enjoys a solid circulation and advertiser base, and we look forward to carrying on the tradition of great reporting and standards.

-- Diane Simmons, new owner of the Valley News & Views newspaper in Drayton, which had been set to close.

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Johannesburg  Shocked South Africans have taken to social media to voice their outrage that Ryanair is making some passengers take a test in Afrikaans in order to fly. Last week, the airline started asking passengers flying into the U.K. on South African passports to take the test to prove their nationality, in the language spoken by less than 20% of South Africa's population.

Zulu is the most widely spoken language in South Africa, at more than 20%, followed by Xhosa and then Afrikaans at 13%.

Ryanair defended the policy, saying in a statement that the test was put in place due to the "high prevalence of fraudulent South African passports."

But the relatively low prevalence of Afrikaans speakers in the country led many to wonder on social media why the airline had chosen to test people in the language imposed by South Africa's long-ousted, colonial white minority rulers during the days of Apartheid.

Seriously @Ryanair? This is bigoted rubbish. All South Africans speak Afrikaans? Verwoerd would be proud of you. Its one of 11 languages in the #RainbowNation#SouthAfrica #SA@flysaa @kulula @ukinsouthafrica  https://t.co/ghmWGeMf0n

 Andy Fenner (@andyfenner81) June 6, 2022

One Twitter user slammed the airline, writing: "Seriously @ryanair? This is bigoted rubbish. All South Africans speak Afrikaans?," and adding that Hendrik Verwoerd, the South African politician often dubbed the "architect" of the racist Apartheid regime, "would be proud of you."

"South Africa has 11 official languages," chided another user on the social network. "We are no longer in Apartheid, educate yourself."

@Ryanair South Africa has 11 Official Languages , Forcing South Africans to answer questions in Afrikaans to prove their citizenship Is not only disgusting its also Racist We are no longer in Apartheid, educate yourself.

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 neliswa (@neliswa_neli83s) June 6, 2022

Next week, on June 16, South Africa marks the national Youth Day holiday, which commemorates the 1976 student uprising when thousands of children took to the streets to protest Afrikaans being imposed as the singular, compulsory language of the country's education system.

Police met the protest with live ammunition and tear gas, killing more than 176 students.

South African officials have said they were taken aback by the airline's test in Afrikaans, calling it a "backward profiling system," according to the Reuters news agency. The country's Department of Home Affairs runs a 24-hour operations center that airlines can access to verify passports.

The 15 questions on the airline's nationality test include things like asking people to give the country's dialing code and naming its president, as well naming three of its official languages.

In its statement, Ryanair said if passengers "are unable to complete the questionnaire, they will be refused travel and issued with a full refund."

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Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Hunter Greene (21) delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Monday, June 6, 2022, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.

Cincinnati Reds rookie pitcher Hunter Greene made his first appearance Tuesday on MLB Network's "Intentional Talk," discussing a number of topics with co-hosts Stephen Nelson and Kevin Millar, including his excitement for the "MLB at Field of Dreams" game between the Reds and the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 11 in Dyersville, Iowa.

"It's gonna be a really special moment and game," Greene said on the show. "To be able to take it all in and to be there with my team. MLB did an amazing job last year putting it on with the Yankees and White Sox, and I watched the whole game live. It was just really, really cool. It brought back a lot of memories and the beautiful history of the game and the movie. So to be a part of the team going in and going against the Cubs is going to be a lot of fun. A lot of history there between us and these two teams. So really looking forward to coming through the cornfields. Just another really cool moment for me. I've been blessed for my first year to pitch in some pretty amazing ballparks. ... So just to be able to take it all in and enjoy Dyersville is gonna be pretty cool."

Greene added that he last watched "Field of Dreams" when he was in middle school.

"Unbelievable movie, and a lot of history with the game. I definitely want to watch it before going in just to kind of refresh my memory a little bit. Not get caught off guard and kind of have some references as I'm walking around throughout the field. Just a great movie, and it's going to be an awesome experience going out there."

Video via YouTube of Greene's entire "IT" interview:

Greene shared a photo on Instagram last month with the caption, "If you build it ... 8-11-22":

Last month, the Reds tweeted about Jonathan India's cornrows and the game in Iowa.

LOVE SPORTS? [ Subscribe now for unlimited access to Cincinnati.com ]

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Hunter Greene to rewatch 'Field of Dreams' before Reds-Cubs Iowa game
High maintenance costs and a lack of scalability have pushed many vendors away from traditional on-premise databases in recent years. Cloud storage has become an advantageous option and companies are looking for the best ways to migrate their data.

While cloud storage is a cost-effective option, it takes proper planning to execute a successful migration. Read this case study to understand the business challenges that you may face during your cloud migration journey and how Hexawares 3-Step methodology for migrating data on the AWS Public cloud can help you optimize your data solutions.
A new film has been pulled from cinemas after being accused of blasphemy.

The Lady of Heaven, directed by Eli King, tells the story of Fatima, the daughter of the prophet Muhammad. Its billed as the first ever film to do so.

Cineworld has now decided to pull the films release after it was met with protests. Executive producer Malik Shlibak claimed that he has received death threats.

Why is The Lady of Heaven so controversial?

The depiction of Islamic prophets in film has long been a controversial topic. While the Quran doesnt outright forbid images of Muhammad, some teachings believe visual depictions of Muslims to be blasphemous.

However, due to a split in the use of different schools of the religion, this has become an extremely divisive subject. Most Sunni Muslims believe these depictions should be prohibited, while Shia Islam typically accepts such depictions if they are done with respect.

The Lady of Heaven received much criticism ahead of its release, with Fars News Agency reporting that a number of renowned Islamic scholars have criticised the film for poor background research and inflammatory content.

Criticism of the film is largely focused on the depictions of several supporting characters, including the Prophet Muhammads companions, Abu Bakr As-Sadiq, Umar Ibn Al-Khattab and Uthman Ibn Affan.

UK Islamic Media organisation 5Pillars condemened these depictions as shocking and disgusting after it is suggested there are similarities between their actions and the actions of those of the Islamic State group in Iraq.

Poster for controversial new film The Lady of Heaven (Enlightened Kingdom)

The Iranian government banned The Lady of Heaven from being released, stating it was aimed at dividing Muslims. Ahead of the UK protests, eight Shia scholars in the country criticised the film, saying that it would heighten sectarian tensions between Muslims.

Protesters outside Cineworld claimed freedom of expression should not extend to the discussion of religion, with one saying: You have no right to tell us our history. We will not let this film go on further.

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Last weekend, hundreds of people turned out to protest the films release in Bradford, Bolton, Birmingham and Sheffield.

Those who have seen the film report that it begins with Isiss invasion of Iraq and features a graphic jihadist murder, before charting the life of Fatima during the seventh century. In the film, Fatimas face is never seen; instead, she is covered by a black veil.

Following the protests, a Cineworld spokesperson 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.

On the website of the films production company Enlightened Kingdom, a note reads: In accordance with Islamic tradition, during the making of this film, no individual represented a Holy Personality.

Cineworld has cancelled screenings of The Lady of Heaven after protests (Shutterstock / Chaz Bharj)

The performances of the Holy Personalities were achieved through a unique synthesis of actors, in-camera effects, lighting and visual effects.

In a statement on Sunday (5 June), the Muslim Council of Britain called the film "divisive", stating: "[We] support those scholars and leaders who are advocating for greater unity and for the common good. 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.

As of writing, the film is available to watch in Vue cinemas, with a representative stating: 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.

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.

Its statement came after a rep was forced to deny cancelling screenings of found footage horror film Dashcam for being too offensive.
Governor Kristi Noem has requested federal assistance to help local governments impacted by severe weather in mid-May, according to a press release from the governor's office.

A preliminary damage assessment indicated that more than $6.7 million in damage was done to public infrastructure in 20 counties and on two reservations on the night of a derecho and tornado in eastern South Dakota, according to the release. Minnehaha, McCook, Clay and Brookings are some of the counties requesting assistance along with the Flandreau Indian and Lake Traverse Reservations.

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Funding is not guaranteed, but in a letter to President Biden, Noem wrote that while South Dakotans are working together to recover, federal assistance is still needed, according to the release. She also wrote about the damage suffered in Castlewood due to the EF-2 tornado and damage elsewhere along the eastern side of the state.

There are currently six open Presidential disaster declarations for other events in South Dakota, and the state is working with FEMA on the recovery process for those disasters.

Follow Annie Todd on Twitter @AnnieTodd96. Reach out to her with tips, questions and other community news at atodd@argusleader.com or give her a call at 605-215-3757.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Gov. Noem requests federal assistance after mid-May South Dakota storms
Russian President Vladimir Putin. Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images

Putin on Thursday sounded bullish about the Russian economy despite Western sanctions over the Ukraine war.

"Our economy will be open  whoever isn't interested will be robbing themselves," Putin said.

"It's impossible to fence off a country like Russia," he added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin took a bullish tone on Thursday as he discussed the West's efforts to isolate Russia's economy amid the Ukraine war, suggesting that the countries refusing to do business with Moscow are only hurting themselves.

"Our economy will be open  whoever isn't interested will be robbing themselves," Putin said during a meeting with young Russian entrepreneurs, per the New York Times. "It's impossible to fence off a country like Russia, and we are not planning to put up a fence like that around us ourselves."

The US and its European allies, among others, have slapped a slew of unprecedented economic sanctions on Russia over its unprovoked war in Ukraine.

The measures have had a colossal impact on the Russian economy. Economists largely expect the country to plunge into a deep recession in the second quarter as the exodus of major companies and slowdown in trade slams activity. The country's central bank estimated the economy could shrink as much as 10% in 2022 alone, and the sanctions are practically guaranteed to crimp Russian growth well into the future.

The Kremlin, however, is acting like it's not feeling the heat. Despite shouldering more sanctions than any other country, the Russian government is still raking in billions of dollars in energy exports every month. The West's efforts to kneecap the Russian energy sector were somewhat half-baked, as the UK and Europe still rely heavily on the country's natural gas. The Kremlin continues to sell discounted oil and gas to India and China as well, further bolstering the government's energy revenue and maintaining a key source of funding for its invasion of Ukraine.

As Putin spoke with the entrepreneurs on Thursday, he compared himself to Peter the Great  the emperor who greatly expanded Russia's territory and helped morph it into a major power in Europe. In the process, Putin effectively justified the invasion of Ukraine as part of a historic effort to claim lands that he characterized as belonging to Russia.

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Putin said Peter the Great was "not taking away anything" via his conquests, but "returning and reinforcing, that is what he was doing."

In an apparent reference to Ukraine, he added, "Clearly, it fell to our lot to return and reinforce as well. And if we operate on the premise that these basic values constitute the basis of our existence, we will certainly succeed in achieving our goals."

By characterizing the war as part of an effort to expand Russian territory, Putin contradicted other justifications he's offered for ordering the invasion  including falsely claiming Ukraine is led by Nazis.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Mitchell High School students Paris Earl, Emma Higgs, Lisa Arthur pose with Safe Haven Baby Box founder Monica Kelsey and former MHS child development teacher Amy Redman in front of Mitchell's newly unveiled box.

MITCHEL  After a fundraising effort from Mitchell High School students, Lawrence County now has its second Safe Haven Baby Box, this one in Mitchell at the volunteer fire department, 105 Doc Hamilton Blvd.

The other Lawrence County box is located at the Bedford Fire Department headquarters, located at 1900 H St.

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This box is the 84th of its kind in Indiana. According to Safe Haven, Nineteen infants have been placed in a baby box since 2017. Nationwide, 119 surrenders have resulted from calling the National Safe Haven Baby Box hotline. So far this year there have been 5 surrenders via Safe Haven Baby Box.

The goal of the box is to provide mothers who can no longer care for their infants with a safe place to take them, opposed to abandoning them. The box is climate controlled and equipped with a sensor that will alert first responders, should a child be placed inside.

Safe Haven Baby Boxes was founded by Monica Kelsey, who was abandoned as an infant. Her experience inspired her to do what she could to help end infant abandonment.

The project was spearheaded by former MHS child development teacher Amy Redman and her students back in 2019. Redman was looking for project-based learning options for her class focused on postpartum depression, when they decided to set a goal of raising $10,000 to install a baby box in Mitchell.

What began as a classroom project to educate our community about postpartum depression turned into an extraordinary opportunity to learn about the mission of Safe Haven Baby Boxes, gain communication and marketing skills, and experience the giving heart of Mitchell. This is truly an unforgettable moment in our lives, Redman said in a media release about the event.

More: Guided tours of Whispers Estate highlight five things to do in and around Lawrence County.

The students were able to raise over $7,000 through a bake sale, as well as other community fundraising efforts. A donation from Mount Horeb Baptist Church of $5,000 would put them past their goal, making the project possible.

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Some of Redman's former students  Lisa Arthur, Paris Earl and Emma Higgs  were present to speak at the unveiling about the experience of the fundraising process, as well as to give their reactions to the project finally completing after over two years.

We owe it all to our teachers and Monica for making this happen to begin with and sharing her story to help others but here we are two and a half years later with something life changing, Arthur said during Thursdays event.

Honoring our veterans: Creative Arts for Vets coming to Bedford June 23.

While these boxes exist as a resource for struggling mothers, Kelsey envisions them ideally as a final option.

This is a last resort option and we push that. We don't want a woman to choose this first, we want her to choose this list, Kelsey said.

Each box shows the number of a support hotline that mothers in need of help can call, 1-866-99BABY1.

Noah Dalton is a reporter in Bedford, IN. He can be reached at ndalton@tmnews.com

This article originally appeared on The Times-Mail: Safe Haven Baby Box installed at Mitchell Volunteer Fire Department
Revelations of former President Donald Trump's involvement in the effort to overthrow the 2020 election and gripping testimony of a war-torn Capitol from a Capitol Police officer who survived the attack kicked off a series of hearings on Jan. 6, 2021.

The hearing, conducted by a special congressional panel that has for months investigated the Jan. 6 attack, aired Thursday during nearly all news networks' prime-time slots.

"It boils down to this," said Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss. "Jan. 6 was the culmination of an attempted coup."

Graphic video of the violent attack and recorded testimony from senior Trump officials drew murmurs from the crowd and sometimes tears, especially from officers who survived the attack and the widows of officers who did not.

In a series of hearings over the coming weeks, the panel will show never-before-seen documents and videos that will prove the former president "oversaw and coordinated a sophisticated seven-part plan" to subvert a democratic election and prevent the peaceful transfer of power, said Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo.

Here are highlights from the hearing:

Jan. 6 an 'attempted coup'

At the outset of the two-hour hearing, the panel's Democratic and Republican leaders used a methodical multimedia presentation to describe what they called a wide and deep plan to overturn the 2020 election results.

"Jan. 6 was the culmination of an attempted coup," said Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, the committee's chair.

He said the evidence compiled by the panel will show how Trump led and coordinated a "multistep conspiracy aimed at overturning the election."

Live updates: Jan. 6 committee says probe reveals Trump led and directed effort to overturn 2020 election

House Jan. 6 committee Chair Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and Vice Chair Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., during a panel meeting on Capitol Hill on March 28, 2022.

Cheney scorns GOP

Republican Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming, the committee's vice chair, went further, saying Trump "summoned" and "assembled" the mob.

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The daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, her comments were particularly pointed as one of just two GOP lawmakers on the committee.

Tonight I say this to my Republican colleagues who are defending the indefensible: There will come a day when Donald Trump is gone, but your dishonor will remain," she said.

Ex-Trump officials speak out

One of the most important moments during the committee's opening act was when it used the words of top Trump aides, such as former Vice President Mike Pence and former Attorney General William Barr, who called the claims about the 2020 election being stolen "bull****."

Immediately after the panel played parts of Barr's deposition, it showed testimony from Ivanka Trump, the former president's daughter, who worked as a special assistant in the White House.

She said she "accepted what" Barr "was saying."

Other clips showed Jason Miller, a longtime Trump spokesman, testifying on how data analysts had told the former president he was going to lose the election.

Who's on the committee? Meet the members of the January 6 House select committee ahead of first public hearing Thursday

'No there there' on voter fraud claims

In other previously unseen testimony, Alex Cannon, another Trump aide, described telling White House chief of staff Mark Meadows how they had found no evidence of voter fraud sufficient enough to change any election outcome in the battleground states.

So theres no there there, Meadows said, according to Cannon.

Proud Boys played a key role

At several points during the hearing, the committee highlighted how the far-right group known as the Proud Boys played a significant role in the riot.

The panel played footage from a documentary team showing Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio meeting with Stewart Rhodes, the leader of the Oathkeepers, on Jan. 5.

Documentary filmmaker Nick Quested, who was embedded with the group, said he watched how members turned from protestors to rioters to insurrectionists who helped overrun the police line.

In this Jan. 6, 2021, photo, insurrectionists loyal to President Donald Trump rally at the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

Trump and rioters' chants of 'Hang Mike Pence'

Thompson and Cheney both promised information uncovered by the panel will show the White House under Trump had intelligence that the protests could turn violent but did nothing.

One of the most startling claims by Cheney was reading testimony alleging how Trump, after learning about rioters chanting to hang Pence, replied how maybe they had the right idea.

Contributing: Ella Lee

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Revelations from the Jan. 6 committee primetime hearing
The Republic of Ireland and Scotland go head-to-head in Dublin on Saturday evening in the Nations League.

Ireland will run out having lost both their opening Group B1 fixtures against Armenia and Ukraine, while the Scots arrive at the Aviva Stadium on the back of Wednesday nights victory over the Armenians.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at some of the talking points surrounding the game.

Thirteenth time lucky?

Ireland take the field against Scotland having failed to record a single win in their 12 outings in the Nations League.

A return of five draws and seven defeats under Martin ONeill and current boss Stephen Kenny, who has won just two of the 17 competitive fixtures of which he has taken charge, does not tell the full story, but they have scored only two goals in the process and that is a damning statistic.

Defensive dilemma

Scotland manager Steve Clarke has decisions to make ahead of the game in Dublin (Andrew Milligan/PA)

After Scotland lost their World Cup play-off semi-final against Ukraine at Hampden Park last week, boss Steve Clarke made six changes for the visit of Armenia.

Only captain Andy Robertson kept his place among the five defenders, with Aaron Hickey, Scott McTominay, Grant Hanley and Liam Cooper dropping out and Anthony Ralston, John Souttar, Scott McKenna and Jack Hendry coming in for the 2-0 win.

Clarke will stick with his preferred five at the back system, but eyes will be on which permutation of players he uses in Dublin.

Shuffling the pack

Congratulations to Festy Ebosele for being named in his first senior international match-day squad  He has chosen to have his first name Festy on the back of his shirt  #COYBIG | #WeAreOne | #IRLUKR pic.twitter.com/I3638IfunG  FAIreland  (@FAIreland) June 8, 2022

Kenny has indicated he will make use of the depth of his squad to both cover injuries and seek fresh inspiration.

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Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu and skipper Seamus Coleman have already left the camp through injury and central defender John Egan is a major doubt with an ankle problem.

The likes of Dara OShea, the uncapped Festy Ebosele, James McClean, Jayson Molumby, Alan Browne and Michael Obafemi will hope their chance has come.

Attacking options

A dreich Hampden night, lit up by a dominant Scotland performance  Relive Wednesday night's win over Armenia with our #ScotlandHQ View highlights.#SCOARM pic.twitter.com/9Yy7TeNkTo  Scotland National Team (@ScotlandNT) June 10, 2022

Lyndon Dykes and Che Adams teamed up in attack for Scotland against Ukraine, but it simply did not work as planned.

Dykes withdrew from the squad with an injury after the defeat which meant that Adams was the main attacker against Armenia, supported by Stuart Armstrong and Ryan Christie, while Ross Stewart came on in the final stages to make his international debut and Jacob Brown also got a few minutes of game time.

But Clarke needs to come up with a plan to find the net in Dublin  it was defenders Ralston and McKenna who scored against Armenia.

Old foes

The sides last met during qualification for Euro 2016 and it was Scotland who held the upper hand, winning 1-0 at Celtic Park courtesy of Shaun Maloneys sweet strike and leaving Dublin with a 1-1 draw.

However, it was Ireland who had the last laugh when they beat world champions Germany to take advantage of the Scots 2-2 home draw with Poland to clinch third spot in the group and make it to the finals via a play-off victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
This article originally appeared on Backpacker

Bear encounters are a common part of hiking in summer, as bruins shake off their long sleep and head out to feed. But some North Carolina bears are becoming so bold in their foraging that the U.S. Forest Service has warned hikers to use caution around the bold bruins for the second year in a row.

"Forest visitors have reported bears tearing down bear bags from trees, carrying off backpacks, spending hours near campsites and being unaffected by efforts to scare them away, the USFS said in a report. At this time, no bear attacks have been reported in the area.

Over the course of Memorial Day weekend, rangers received numerous reports of bear activity across the two forests, primarily in the Pisgah, Appalachian, and Nantahala Ranger Districts. In Greensboro, visitors spotted a bear circling a campsite.Last month, a bear climbed through the window of a car in Gatlinburg to access unattended food. Similar reports last year resulted in a temporary camping closure on part of the Appalachian Trail

A lot of bears are getting very bold and approaching people trying to get their food, Greg Grieco, a wildlife management technician for the neighboring Great Smoky National Park, told 10 News.

What to do about problem bears is a sticky issue. Research seems to indicate that relocated bears have a much shorter lifespan than bears that are never removed from their homes. Many bears die within a few months of the move due to traffic, hunting, or continued conflict. As a result, wildlife officials are encouraging outdoor recreators to become "bear wise," to protect the animals.

While there could be a number of reasons why bear activity is becoming more aggressive each year, human carelessness may be one of the most significant causes.

A study published in 2011 showed that, contrary to common belief, 88% of fatal black bear attacks involved food instead of the protection of cubs; 92% of the bears responsible were male. Mother black bears often pound the ground, bluff charge, or herd their cubs up a tree in the face of danger instead.

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But the bears that tend to cause the most damage are those with the least fear of humans,. Some cubs have even been shown to adopt the behavior of their mothers, which means that rifling through the trash or hitting the landfill could become an intergenerational habit.

Experts also suggest that habitat fragmentation could be contributing to more bear encounters, as construction in the urban-wildland interface continues to infringe on local bears' living room

Finally, some research shows that unleashed pets could play a role in bear attacks. While the typical black bear is more likely to run away from conflict than to create it, many bear attacks begin as scuffles with dogs. When pet owners step in to prevent or stop an altercation, they can become targets of the agitated bear.

Biologists believe that about 1,900 bears live in and around Great Smoky National Park. North Carolina is home to about 20,000 bears. To reduce and prevent dangerous bear encounters, North Carolina Wildlife encourages residents to remove bird feeders from their yards, keep garbage secure, and to clean and store grills in a safe location.

For exclusive access to all of our fitness, gear, adventure, and travel stories, plus discounts on trips, events, and gear, sign up for Outside+ today.
Photo credit: Ford

A jury in a Kanawha County, West Virginia court found Ford Motor Co. at fault and ordered the automaker to pay out $7 million to the family of a victim who died in a crash involving her 2014 Mustang and a pickup truck in March 2016.

The victim, 19-year-old Breanna Bumgarner, became trapped inside her Mustang after a 1989 Toyota pickup driven by Anna Errickson, who was a minor at the time, veered over the centerline on U.S. 33 and struck the A-pillar area of the Ford at 59 mph, the lawsuit reportedly stated. The resulting impact entrapped Bumgarner and caused the Mustang to catch fire, which led to her being burned alive, according to the lawsuit in the Kanawha County Circuit Court.

The plaintiffs alleged the car's brake fluid reservoir was not sufficiently protected from the impact, and that it was what led to the fire happening in the first place. They also alleged the reservoir and dashboard would be pushed into the cabin after an impact. One of Ford's lawyers, James Feeney, refuted any wrongdoing by the manufacturer.

"The plaintiff's case is built entirely up on the performance of a Ford Mustang in what is called the small overlap rigid barrier test," Feeney said, according to the West Virginia Gazette. "That test is not this accident."

"This accident has nothing to do with that test," Feeney continued. "Why do I say that? Because the small overlap barrier test does not occur at 40 degrees into the side of a vehicle. It's not a vehicle-to-vehicle test. The barrier itself is the equivalent of a pole being struck b y a car right at the corner of a vehicle. That's not [this] accident."

The jury awarded $2 million to Bumgarner's family for her "conscious pain and suffering" at the time of the incident and another $5 million to Angel Tyler, the victim's mother, after over two weeks of testimony. The jury found Ford was 99 percent at fault for Bumgarner's death, with the other 1 percent of fault going to Errickson.

Ford intends to appeal the jury's decision.

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"While our sympathies go out to Ms. Bumgarner's family and we respect the jury's decision, we do not believe the verdict is supported by evidence," a company spokesperson told the WV Gazette. "We will review options for appeal."

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SMITHSBURG, Md.  Investigators said the West Virginia man who killed three people and injured two others at a manufacturing facility in northern Maryland on Thursday had shown up for a normal work shift, later opening fire on employees in a breakroom.

The gunman, a worker at the factory who was also injured, was in custody and charges were expected, said Washington County Sheriff Doug Mullendore. His identity was not released, nor was a motive.

A Maryland State Police trooper was among the injured after exchanging shots with the suspect, Mullendore said Thursday. Authorities said the trooper's injuries were not life-threatening and he was released from the hospital late Thursday.

Here's what we know.

What happened?

Deputies responded to a 911 call at about 2:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon. When they arrived at the Columbia Machine factory in Smithsburg, they found four employees had been shot, three of them fatally.

According to the Washington County Sheriff's Office, the suspect arrived at the manufacturing facility as usual for his work shift and "worked throughout the day." He then left the building to get a semi-automatic handgun out of his car and re-entered the building.

"The suspect proceeded to the area of the breakroom and begin to fire upon employees," the sheriff's office said in a release on Friday.

The suspect fled the factory in a car before deputies arrived, but a state trooper chased after him and they exchanged shots on the road.

Harleigh Routzahn, who said she saw the suspect flee in a car, told FOX 5 DC she heard authorities ordering the gunman to get out of his vehicle. Then gunfire erupted about "50-60 yards away" from her.

She said she "froze" and her head started racing.

"I was trying to get behind my car, where I knew that I would be safe and blocked away from the ricocheting of these bullets," Routzahn told the station.

WORKPLACE SHOOTING: At least 3 dead, 3 injured in mass shooting at Maryland manufacturing facility

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Who was the gunman?

The suspected gunman is a 23-year-old man who lives in West Virginia and was employed at the factory, Mullendore said.

A semi-automatic handgun was used in the shooting, but authorities havent detailed the caliber, make or model. Mullendore the gun was recovered after the shootout with the state trooper. According to the sheriff's office, more firearms were found in the suspect's home in West Virginia.

The suspect was in custody but still getting medical treatment as of Friday morning. Charges are pending against him, authorities said.

The sheriff's office said his identity and more information would be released after he is served with charging documents.

IN ALABAMA: 'Potential intruder' killed after he tried to forcibly enter elementary school

DEADLIEST WEEKEND IN U.S. FOR MASS SHOOTINGS: 3 days, many guns, 17 fatalities

Who are the victims?

The Washington County Sheriffs Office identified the victims late Thursday as Mark Alan Frey, 50; Charles Edward Minnick Jr., 31; and Joshua Robert Wallace, 30.

Brandon Michael, 42, was found injured. All were employees at Columbia Machine, Mullendore said.

The injured employee's father, Nelson Michael, said he was still in the hospital Friday but didn't have any information on his condition.

"Hes surviving, he said. Im glad hes alive, but its going to work on his nerves. I know that.

State police said the injured trooper was not being identified at this time. "He is a 25-year veteran of the department and is assigned to the Criminal Enforcement Division Western Region," a news release said.

A prayer vigil was scheduled 2 p.m. Sunday at Shiloh United Methodist Church for victims of the shooting and other recent mass shootings across the country.

"The fabric of our community as a whole is affected as well by the local loss, and fear and frustration that these tragedies occur weekly throughout our country," the Hagerstown Area Religious Council wrote in a news release.

Where did the shooting take place?

Columbia Machine is a manufacturing facility that provides concrete products equipment to customers in over 100 countries, according to its website. It is headquartered in Vancouver, Washington.

Its location in Smithsburg is about 75 miles northwest of Baltimore near the Pennsylvania border.

Rick Goode, the CEO of Columbia Machine, said in a statement that the company was "deeply saddened" over the tragedy.

"We are working closely with local authorities while the investigation continues. Our highest priority during this tragic event is the safety and wellbeing of our employees and their families," the statement reads.

David Creamer, a member of Smithburgs volunteer fire department who has lived in the town since 1988, said the last fatal shooting he could recall in the town was roughly a decade ago.

This stuff doesnt happen here, said Creamer, 69. Everybody pretty much knows everybody. Its a family atmosphere. We watch out for each other.

U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen lamented the deaths that happened so soon after other recent shootings 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.

Contributing: Sherry Greenfield, Tamela Baker, Julie E. Greene and Michael D. Garcia of the Hagerstown Herald-Mail, part of the USA TODAY Network; The Associated Press

'We're angry': Thousands to rally against gun violence Saturday in March for Our Lives protests

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Smithsburg, Maryland shooting: Suspect was Columbia Machine employee
WASHINGTON  In recognition of the history-making work of the late Rep. Patsy Mink, who 50 years ago fought against sexual discrimination in education and sports, House leaders will unveil a portrait of the Hawaii congresswoman later this month in the U.S. Capitol.

We have pushed for this so that everybody who walks down the halls of the Capitol can see that an Asian American woman was a prominent leader who influenced this country to be better, Rep. Judy Chu, chairwoman of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, told USA TODAY.

Mink was the first woman of color in Congress and the first Asian American woman elected to Congress. The Democrat who served for decades in the House championed Title IX, which bans sex discrimination in education, including sports, in federally funded programs. She is also credited with advocating for womens rights and social justice issues.

The unveiling of Mink's portrait spearheaded by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is scheduled for June 23.

It's just so important to showcase figures like her, said Jean Sinzdak, associate director of the Center for American Women and Politics, Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. It's important to showcase the Asian American leaders that have played a vital role in our country's culture and policymaking.

The 19th Amendment was ratified 100 years ago: These 10 women changed politics since

** RETRANSMISSION TO ADD DATELINE ** FILE ** Rep. Patsy Mink, D-Hawaii, meets reporters on Capitol Hill in this Nov. 5, 1997 file photo. Mink, who had been hospitalized for nearly a month with viral pneumonia, died Saturday, Sept. 28, 2002, at Straub Clinic and Hospital, in Honolulu, Hawaii her office said. She was 74. (AP Photo/Joe Marquette, File) ORG XMIT: NY129

Mink faced barriers

Mink broke barriers when she was elected to Congress in 1965. She was one of 12 women, including 10 in the House and two in the Senate.

She was one of 13 women in Congress when Title IX was passed in 1972. Today there are 145 women. Of those, 10 identify as Asian American Pacific Islander, according to the Center for American Women and Politics. (Upon the swearing in of Connie Conway, a Republican who won a special election Tuesday in California, the number of women in Congress will increase to a record 146.)

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Mink served from 1965 to 1977 and again from 1989 until she died in September of 2002.

Like other women in Congress, Mink brought her lived experiences, said Sinzdak. Many cited the value of their experiences as women when it came to policy-making, the centers research found.

Sinzdak noted that Mink faced discrimination when she applied to medical school and was rejected. She later turned to law. Mink must have faced major challenges in the white, male-dominated Congress, said Sinzdak.

She just is such a clear-cut example of why representation and diversity is really important because everyone brings their own distinct life experience to it, she said.

TITLE IX: Falling short at 50

One of Mink's signature works was Title IX, which she co-authored with Oregon Rep. Edith Green and Indiana Sen. Birch Bay. Among other things, Mink advocated for affordable child care, child development and bilingual education issues.

She also served as chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

Mink was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously in 2014 by President Barack Obama.

Every girl in Little League, every woman playing college sports and every parent, including Michelle and myself, who watches their daughter on a field or in the classroom, is forever grateful to the late Patsy Takemoto Mink, said Obama, who said Mink was his congresswoman for years.

Patsy Mink

Honoring lawmakers who made history

The Mink portrait is part of a series that recognizes members of Congress who made history.

A portrait of the late New York Rep. Shirley Chisholm hangs on a wall on the first floor of the Capitol. Chisholm was the first Black woman elected to Congress in 1968.

Chu said the idea for Minks portrait came from seeing the one of Chisholm.

Earlier this year, House Majority Whip Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., held a ceremony to celebrate the naming of The Joseph H. Rainey Room. Rainey, who was from South Carolina, was the first African American in the House in 1870.

Rep. Judy Chu is head of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

While its not clear yet where Mink's portrait will be displayed, Chu and Sinzdak said tourists should be able to walk by and see it.

It's inspirational. Its really important. Its necessary because in a lot of cases our history books are just full of older white men, said Sinzdak, adding that women's accomplishments arent always recognized. It's an important moment for so many reasons politically and culturally to highlight Asian American leaders and the impact that they've had and their accomplishments and in this era.

WILL PASSING LAWS HELP? Congress urged to address hate crimes, but 'hate is a hell of a motivator.'

The unveiling of Minks portrait comes when there has been a spike in anti-Asian hate incidents and crimes.

Chu said the portrait and a proposal to build a national museum of Asian Pacific American history and culture might help people better appreciate the contributions of Asian Americans. Pelosi held a bill signing ceremony for the museum Tuesday, sending the measure to President Joe Biden for approval.

Caucus members are also pushing to include more Asian American history in schools.

That's why are we pushing for all these things like the museum study, the curriculum, and this portrait of Patsy Mink,'' said Chu. "It's to change people's perceptions for the better."

The portrait can be impactful, said Sinzdak.

It's the visuals that really capture people and draw them into the story, she said. That's what's so important about having someone like Patsy Mink represented. Having her face literally on the hallway walls it's just so important and it will be important for generations to come to see her there.

Follow Deborah Berry on Twitter @dberrygannett.

THIS IS AMERICA NEWSLETTER: It's not just Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month anymore

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pasty Mink, first woman of color in Congress, honored at US Capitol
Ukraine keeps US in the dark on military operations  NYT

Jun. 8 , 2022

https://www.rt.com/news/556815-us-intelligence-ukraine-lacking/?

Kiev is refusing to share details of its operations with Washington, possibly manipulating info to maintain US arms flow

The US government has better information on Russian troops in Ukraine than on Ukrainian forces, The New York Times reported on Wednesday, citing US officials. Kiev is keeping its biggest military sponsor in the dark, possibly even misleading Washington to protect the generous flow of American military aid into the country, the newspaper claimed. According NYT sources, the Ukrainian government gives the US "few classified briefings or details about their operational plans" while the US intelligence community's capacity to collect data in Ukraine is limited, because its focus has long been on Russia. "When it came to the Ukrainians, the United States has worked on building up their intelligence service, not spying on their government," the report claimed. Intelligence-gathering has been complicated by cloudy weather in Ukraine, limiting the effectiveness of satellites for surveilling Ukrainian troops. "Ukraine's secrecy has forced US military and intelligence officials to try and learn what they can from other countries operating in Ukraine, training sessions with Ukrainians and [from Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelensky's public comments," the NYT cited its sources as saying.

Kiev's secrecy comes with the obvious caveat that any nation engaged in a military conflict is incentivized to project an image of strength regardless of the real situation on the ground. Ukrainian officials "do not want to present information that might encourage the United States and its other Western partners to slow the flow of arms," the newspaper said.

Beth Sanner, a former senior intelligence official, commented on the conundrum, saying that the US intelligence community was setting a potential trap for itself.

"We do not talk about whether Ukraine might be able to defeat [the Russians]. And to me, I feel that we are setting ourselves up for another intel failure by not talking about that publicly," she told the newspaper.

Russia attacked the neighboring state in late February, following Ukraine's failure to implement the terms of the Minsk agreements, first signed in 2014, and Moscow's eventual recognition of the Donbass republics of Donetsk and Lugansk. The German- and French-brokered protocols were designed to give the breakaway regions special status within the Ukrainian state.

The Kremlin has since demanded that Ukraine officially declare itself a neutral country that will never join the US-led NATO military bloc. Kiev insists the Russian offensive was completely unprovoked and has denied claims it was planning to retake the two republics by force.
(Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday that the two Britons and one Moroccan sentenced to death on Thursday in the Donetsk People's Republic had committed crimes on the territory of the self-proclaimed state trying to break away from Ukraine.

Lavrov said: "At the moment, the trials you mentioned are being held on the basis of the legislation of the Donetsk People's Republic, because the crimes in question were committed on the DPR's territory."

The DPR, where separatist forces began a military campaign to break away from Ukraine with Moscow's support in 2014, is internationally recognised as part of Ukraine.

Among United Nations member states, only Russia recognises the entire Ukrainian province of Donetsk, much of which remains under Ukrainian control, as the independent DPR.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
Schools. Workplaces. Churches. Bars. Supermarkets. Graduation parties.

Over the past few weeks, high-profile mass shootings have taken place all over the country, and it seems nowhere is immune from gun violence.

Thursday's latest mass shooting left six people shot, three fatally, after a mass shooting at a manufacturing company north of Smithsburg, Maryland. This incident ended after a male suspect and a trooper exchanged gunfire after the suspect fled the scene of the workplace shooting. He was taken into custody.

There have been many others.

A crowd gathers as police investigate after a shooting at a supermarket on Saturday, May 14, 2022, in Buffalo, N.Y.

Buffalo supermarket shooting

On May 14, 10 people were killed and three were injured in a racially motivated shooting at a Tops Friendly Market in a predominantly Black neighborhood in Buffalo.

A suspect was arrested and pled not guilty. He will return to court in July.

Uvalde grade school massacre

Less than two weeks later in Uvalde, Texas, a mass shooting at a grade school left 19 children and two teachers dead in one of the worst campus attacks in U.S. history. The massacre left the country praying to stop gun violence after the horrific stories from inside the school were told.

While it wasn't the biggest mass shooting in terms of victims, it was among the most devastating. It made everyone pause, but it didn't stop the shootings.

What we know: 'Multiple victims,' suspect in custody at Smithsburg mass shooting: What we know so far

3 killed: Smithsburg mass shooting live updates: 3 dead, Maryland trooper and suspect among 3 hurt

Last weekend, at least 17 people were killed n the deadliest weekend of mass shooting violence this year, according to a USA TODAY analysis.

Violent weekend in Philly, beyond

In Philadelphia; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Saginaw, Michigan; Omaha, Nebraska; and other towns and cities, there were at least 12 shootings that killed or injured four or more people, according to data compiled by the Gun Violence Archive and analyzed by USA TODAY. At least 82 people were wounded or killed.

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That surpassed May 13 to 15 when 14 people were killed in mass shootings, including 10 at the Buffalo grocery store, according to the analysis of Gun Violence Archive data.

Prior to that, 14 were killed in mass shootings during the weekend of Dec. 31, 2021, to Jan. 2.

Gun violence on the rise

As of Thursday, there were 254 mass shootings this year, according to the Gun Violence Archive, 13 mass murders. It also says the number of gun violence deaths this year is 19,095, including 158 children ages 0 to 11. Another 566 were teenagers.

Around the same time as Thursday's shooting in Maryland, Philadelphia police announced two men were charged with murder in the deaths of two bystanders in last weekends shooting on South Street.

Both men were arrested in Richmond late Thursday morning by federal marshals, Philadelphia officials said at a news conference. They will be extradited to face charges in Philadelphia and will not be given bail.

Three people died overall in the shooting on South Street, and several other people were injured.

It's been a violent year, but it's no different than recent history. There were 417 mass shootings in 2019. It increased to 610 in 2020, and went up again in 2021 to 692. All stats are from The Gun Violence Archive. There have been at least four mass shootings every week in 2022.

To a new era of American gun responsibility https://t.co/2RUAkn11p7 @WhiteHouse  Matthew McConaughey (@McConaughey) June 8, 2022

A mass shooting is defined when four people, not including the shooter, are injured.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Mass shootings, After Uvalde, Buffalo, Philly, shootings on the rise
The Uvalde, Texas, school shooting that killed 19 children and two adults has reignited the long-standing debate over the presence of police in schools.

Lawmakers and school leaders in Uvalde and across the country are talking about having more armed guards, also known as school resource officers, stationed on campus.

Uvalde school district Superintendent Hal Harrell said on Thursday that the district will hire more police officers in the fall.

Virginia plans to spend more than $27 million to fund police positions in schools. Kentucky passed a bill last week that requires all schools in the state to have school resource officers. A Somerset, Massachusetts, police chief asked to increase the number of school resource officers permanently.

We know from past experiences that the most effective tool for keeping kids safe is armed law enforcement on the campus, said U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, in an interview with MSNBC on May 24, right after the shooting.

But researchers have found that campus policing does not reduce gun violence.

Officers in schools 'do not prevent school shootings'

A 2021 JAMA Network Open study examined the presence of armed officers on the scene and the occurrence and severity of mass school shootings from 1980 to 2019. The data suggested no association between having an armed officer and deterrence of violence in these cases and no significant reduction in rates of injury.

Another 2021 study by RAND Corporation, a nonprofit think tank, and the University at Albany used national school-level data from 2014 to 2018 to evaluate the impact of school resource officers. It found officers reduce some forms of violence in schools, such as physical attacks and fights, but do not prevent school shootings or gun-related incidents.

Officers in schools intensify punishments for certain students

The RAND study also said school resource officers intensify the use of suspensions, expulsions, police referrals and arrests of students. And Black students, male students, and students with disabilities disproportionately bear the brunt of punishments.

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The Center for Public Integrity found last year that in every state, the rate at which students with disabilities were referred to law enforcement was higher than the rate for all students.

The issue has special resonance when very young children are involved. A USA TODAY analysis of FBI data this year found more than 2,600 kids age 5 to 9 were arrested in schools from 2000 to 2019. These children were disproportionately Black and male, and the offenses frequently were listed as assaults by very young children against adults.

Activists two years ago cited the potential harm posed to children of color as a reason for removing police from schools following the murder of George Floyd. Some districts such as Minneapolis and Denver have cut ties with police.

Police presence in schools has been increasing

School policing overall has been on the rise over the past two decades.

Data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows that 65% of public schools in the United States had at least one security staff person in 2019-20, up from 42% in 2005-06. A little more than half had sworn law enforcement officers who routinely carry firearms, up from 43% in 2015-16, the first school year with comparable statistics available.

Some students of color say police in schools, rather than making them feel safer, breeds greater unease.

We dont see police presence as part of the solution, high school senior Malika Mobley, co-chair of the Wake County Black Student Coalition in Raleigh, North Carolina, recently told the Associated Press.

'It was the wrong decision': For 79 minutes, police failed to act as children died at Uvalde school

Officer arrested 6-year-old at school

Kaia Rolle illustrates what can happen when police deal with very young students who misbehave on campus.

Three years ago, Kaia, then age 6, wore sunglasses to school and threw a tantrum when a teacher told her to remove them. A school resource officer arrested her at school in zip ties, and she was charged with battery.

"She should have never been arrested in the first place," Darryl Smith, Kaia's lawyer, told USA TODAY.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Uvalde shooting increases calls for school police, but do they help?
Editor's note: The headline for this story has been updated.

The Delaware House on Thursday passed the first bill of lawmakers sweeping gun reform package, which would ban the sale of assault weapons.

Though lawmakers have struggled to pass similar legislation in recent years, a renewed effort came following the onslaught of recent mass shootings in America, most notably in Uvalde, Texas, in which a gunman shot and killed 19 elementary schoolchildren and two teachers.

Democratic lawmakers announced last week a number of bills they plan to pass before the session ends this month. This includes limiting high-capacity magazines, increasing the purchasing age for most firearms, holding gun manufacturers and dealers liable for negligible actions that lead to gun violence and banning the use of devices that convert handguns into fully automatic weapons.

An AR-15 rifle. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images/TNS)

Though this package has the support of the Democratic lawmakers, as well as Gov. John Carney, hundreds of residents against these bills descended on Legislative Hall on Wednesday. Many attended the committee hearings for the bills related to the assault weapons ban and increase in purchasing age.

PUFF PUFF FAIL: House Democrats fail to override governors weed veto, killing chances of legalization

The committee hearing, held in the House chamber, was packed with those for and against these policies watching above the gallery. Republicans are vehemently against these bills, arguing the focus instead needs to be placed on increasing funding for school safety.

Everybody here will go home, the bill will go on the agenda tomorrow, and it will pass, said House Minority leader Daniel Short. Because the votes are there, Im a realist.

"After that, the lawsuit will come.

The assault weapons ban bill would make it illegal to make, sell, purchase or possess assault-style weapons, including AK-47s and AR-15s. These weapons specifically have been used in mass shootings.

The bill also grandfathers currently owned weapons and protects owners from being misidentified as those breaking the law. A person who owns an assault weapon before the passage of this bill could also legally transfer it to an immediate family member.

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It also grants certain exceptions for law enforcement and military members.

Brandywine High School students walk around the track during a walkout in protest of gun violence Thursday, June 2, 2022.

The states Department of Safety and Homeland Security would be required, under this bill, to develop a certificate showing lawful possession of an assault weapon, for those who qualify.

Four Democrats  Reps. Andria Bennett, Bill Bush, William Carson and Sean Matthews  voted against the bill, as did all of the Republican lawmakers. It now heads to the Senate, where it is expected to pass.

DELAWARE POLITICS: Gun reform is at a standstill in Delaware. Can lawmakers pass these bills by end of session?

Just after the passage of the bill, Rep. John Kowalko made a brief comment, imploring his colleagues to pass SB 3, a bill that has stalled in the House for more than a year. The legislation would require residents interested in buying a handgun to first acquire a permit and take safety courses.

House leadership has been criticized by other Delaware Democrats for not quickly passing this bill. It is not part of the gun reform package, and its unclear if it will even be considered in the House in its final weeks of the session.

House Speaker Pete Schwartzkopf urged the lawmaker to keep his comments limited to the bill that was just passed, following a colleague calling the remarks out of order.

Move forward on SB 3, Kowalko said. If this body has a conscience, theyd do it.

Contact Meredith Newman at (302) 256-2466 or at mnewman@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter at @MereNewman.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware House passes bill to ban assault weapons
CHEONGJU, South Korea, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The Cheongju Craft Biennale (referred to as the Biennale) published the competition guidelines for the '2023 Cheongju International Craft Competition (referred to as the Competition)' on Monday, June 10.

The competition is conducted in two areas: "Craft Competition" and "Craft City Lab Competition", where proposals are open for public offering. The application period is from March 31 to May 7, 2023. The first application for both fields is conducted only online on the Biennale's official website (www.okcj.org).

In the "Craft Competition" field, one person or one team can submit one piece at a time, regardless of genre or material. Only works produced between 2021 and 2023 can be submitted.

Only those selected in the first online screening will be submitted actual craft works, and the final results will be announced in August of next year.

The grand prize winner of the "Craft Competition" will be awarded a prize of about $47,000(USD, dollar).

In particular, four categories were newly established this time: Young Artist Award, Partner Award, Popularity Award, and Residency Award. This was prepared to provide motivation for creation to excellent domestic and foreign artists and to support more active activities.

In the "Craft City Lab Competition" field, ideas for a city where crafts and humans coexist under the theme of 'Craft and City' are contested.

One person or one team can apply for one project, and only applicants selected in the first screening will undergo the 2nd PT screening. The final winner will complete their research and manuscript writing by August 2023, and the writing period will be a total of two months.

In both fields, applicants from 18 years of age or older can apply regardless of nationality.

Detailed information such as the application guidelines can be found on the official website (www.okcj.org) and related inquiries can only be made via email cbcompetition2019@gmail.com.

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The Competition began in 1999 along with the Cheongju Craft Biennale, and has produced over 1,800 award-winning works by artists from 50 countries to date, leading the world craft trend.

The 2023 Biennale will be held for 45 days from September 1 to October 15 in 2023, Cheongju, South Korea.

SOURCE The Organizing Committee of the Cheongju Craft Biennale(South Korea)
Bond was denied Friday for a 17-year-old Greer juvenile in the shooting death of a Taylors man.

Caleb E. Pietras, 17, is charged with murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime and unlawful possession of a pistol in the shooting death of Nathaniel Xavier Johnson, 18. The incident happened early Thursday in Lyman.

Shooting death: 17-year-old from Greer charged with murder in shooting death of Greenville teen in Lyman

Although Pietras is a juvenile, he is being charged as an adult based on the seriousness of the charges, according to Spartanburg County deputies.

He is being held at the Spartanburg County Detention Center. A first court appearance is set for Aug. 25.

Zan Raymond, a victim advocate for the Sheriffs Office, said 15 family members and friends of the victim attended the arraignment.

Raymond and Tony Leibert of the 7th Circuit Solicitors Office asked that bond be denied.

Leibert said Pietras has no prior criminal record in South Carolina.

Johnson, a recent graduate of Greer High School, was pronounced dead at 12:42 a.m. Thursday at Spartanburg Medical Center.

Sheriff's deputies responded to the shooting shortly before midnight Wednesday at Wild Cherry Circle and S.C. Highway 357.

Deputies said they found a man later identified as Johnson in the road with an apparent gunshot wound. He was taken to the hospital, where he later died, deputies said.

Witnesses identified Pietras as a suspect, and he was located in Greenville County Thursday and arrested without incident, deputies said.

Contact Bob Montgomery at bob.montgomery@shj.com. Please support our coverage of Spartanburg County with a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Bond denied in shooting death of Taylors teen in Lyman
BEIJING (Reuters) - A Chinese air force fighter jet crashed in central China during a training exercise on Thursday, killing one person and injuring two while the pilot successfully ejected, state TV said.

The injured and the pilot were sent to hospital after the morning crash near an airport in the city of Xiangyang in Hubei province, which damaged homes, China Central Television reported.

Authorities are seeking to determine the cause of the accident and evaluating casualties, CCTV said.

The aircraft was a Chengdu F-7, the Chinese version of the Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21. First produced in the 1960s, it is one of the oldest types of fighter jets China has in service.

Crashes of fighter jets are not unusual globally, but reports of military crashes in China are rare.

China closed off a part of the South China Sea near Vietnam in March in a hunt for a crashed aircraft, Taiwan's intelligence agency said.

(Reporting by Stella Qiu in Beijing and Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Additional reporting by Gerry Doyle in Singapore; Editing by William Mallard)
Asheville Cotton Mill, opened by C.E. Graham in 1887, was one of the first industries in Asheville. The mill, on Riverside Drive near the Old Smith Bridge, was operated by Cone Mills of Greensboro until 1953. The hillside above the mill was known as Factory Hill.

ASHEVILLE - Its all about family at the new Cuban restaurant coming to River Arts District.

Guajiro Cuban Comfort Food is expected to open in late 2022 with a menu full of traditional Cuban plates and recipes passed down through generations.

Guajiro  pronounced gwah-hee-roh  will debut as a permanent food trailer parked outside of Asheville Cotton Mill Studios at 122 Riverside Drive. Ultimately, its to become a brick-and-mortar restaurant, according to owner Chris Barroso.

In the future  in the next one to two years  we plan on expanding into the Cotton Mill, he said.

Cotton Mill Studios in the River Arts District June 8, 2022.

The original mill site was where denim and flannel were manufactured, established in 1887, according to the studio's website. Now, it contains eight studio spaces occupied by local artists and businesses.

Asheville Cotton Mill is owned and operated by Barrosos parents, Jannette Montenegro and Richard Patino.

Together, the family is working to create additional, diverse dining options in the RAD while honoring history and culture.

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Menu in the making

Guajiros menu is in development, but Barroso envisions serving big plates traditionally seen in Cuba that are abundant in portions but affordable in costs.

Chris Barroso will have his food truck, Guajiro Cuban Comfort Food, at the Cotton Mill Studios in the River Arts District June 9, 2022.

Its a part of the culture  the big serving, Montenegro said. Its comfort food that were shooting for. Its family comfort food with a big serving of rice and beans and pork. Its really delicious food.

Customers may order pastries, full meals and soft drinks that are popular in Cuba and Florida  where Barroso lived before moving to Asheville.

Thats going to be more of our style, he said. Were going to do all the coffees and pastelitos, breaded chicken breasts with white rice, sweet plantains, and my grandmothers recipe for black beans.

Orders will be packed for carryout but there will be several small tables available for diners who want to stick around.

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Every Cuban restaurant has like a little window out front where they serve the coffee, pastelitos and sandwiches to go, Barroso said. Its kind of like a hangout spot in Miami. Im trying to bring that vibe over here.

Guajiro Cuban Comfort Food is tentatively opening in late-2022 at Asheville Cotton Mill Studios.

The hours are pending, but he aims to catch the early morning crowds by opening as early as 6 a.m. and staying open until early evening.

Local chef Terri Terrell is working with Barroso as the restaurant consultant to develop the menu and business concept. The kitchen will be headed by Barrosos cousins.

The team intends for the eatery to attract demographics ranging from people spending time on and along the French Broad River and greenways as well as workers, visitors and residents of the growing neighborhood.

Accessible, affordable and quality food is a need for the area, Montenegro said.

Inflation busters: weekly dining, drink specials at Asheville restaurants and bars

We think of artists taking a lunch break and being able to afford a nice Cuban sandwich, which is a hearty meal but its not killing their pocketbook, she said. I envision people grabbing stuff and going over to the river and jumping on a kayak or canoe. Theres just so many opportunities in that area now since all of the bike paths have been built and the greenway.

Chris Barroso will have his food truck, Guajiro Cuban Comfort Food, at the Cotton Mill Studios in the River Arts District June 9, 2022.

The food trailer addition may work to complement an existing studio tenant, the Great Wild Nowhere, an art gallery and bar owned by Andy Herod. It will permit diners to purchase an alcoholic beverage, such as beer, cider and wine, to go with their meal, she said.

Theres a lot of opportunity to be grab-and-go, but theres also a lot of opportunity to hang out and enjoy yourself, Terrell said. We want to encourage people to sit around and see the other galleries that are there and enjoy the space, as well.

From farm to family

The restaurant is an entry point into entrepreneurship for Barroso, who graduated from Florida State University with a bachelors degree in public administration and entrepreneurship.

However, his passion for food and desire to open a Cuban restaurant was motivated by his great grandfather, Serafin Morejon  whose photo has become a part of the restaurants brand  and his grandmother, Rosa Montenegro.

My grandma tells me stories about him so he kind of inspired me to do this, Barroso said.

Guajiro, which is Cuban slang for a farmer or agricultural worker, was chosen as the name of the restaurant to honor the familys legacy, he said.

Its based on my grandfather because he was a farmer, Montenegro said. If you think back to the days in Cuba before Castro, my grandfather had his own farm and he had 11 children. Everyone kind of lived in the farm vicinity. Even after my aunts and uncles would marry, they would move nearby. It was a big family working on the farm and there was a lot of cooking together.

Chris Barroso will have his food truck, Guajiro Cuban Comfort Food, at the Cotton Mill Studios in the River Arts District June 9, 2022.

Barroso grew up in the kitchen watching and learning from his grandmother, she said. He also worked in a Cuban restaurant in Miami while in high school.

Chris as a little boy was cooking with grandma in the kitchen his whole life, Montenegro said. Chris was a 7-year-old kid talking about he wanted to open a Cuban restaurant.

After managing at his parents law firm in Florida, Barroso said he is ready to set out to pursue his lifelong dream.

I really wanted to be my own business owner and Im passionate about food, so I thought it was a good idea to start a Cuban restaurant and share my familys recipes with everyone, he said.

Guajiro Cuban Comfort Food

Where: 122 Riverside Drive, at Asheville Cotton Mill Studios

When: Opening late 2022

Info: For updates, follow facebook.com/guajiroavl and on Instagram at @guajiroavl.

Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Email her at tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow her on Twitter/Instagram @PrincessOfPage. Please help support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Guajiro Cuban Comfort Food planned for Asheville's River Arts District
It's been interesting to see career politician Elise Stefanik morph from a plain old Republican into a rabid MAGA sycophant in a few short years. Stefanik, who chairs the House Republican Conference, has lately been giving a full-throated endorsement of Carl Paladino, a Republican House candidate from New York.

Why does she think Paladino would make for a good GOP rep? Is it because Paladino said last year that Hitler is "the kind of leader we need." Or maybe it's because he thinks former first lady Michelle Obama, should be "let loose in the outback of Zimbabwe."

Whatever the reason Paladino turns Stefanik's crank, it's the same reason her voters love her.

From Media Matters:
Anyone who has ever fallen in love with an animal knows, it's gonna break your heart because they don't live long.

In the early morning hours Friday, it did just that to Richard Margittay.

His well-known and beloved dog, Yukon, an unofficial mascot of the city of Dearborn, and his best friend, died.

Richard Margittay gets a kiss from his dog Yukon and Cheyenne in Dearborn on April 15, 2022.

"At 3:30 a.m., June 10, my handsome and loving best friend and confident, Yukon, went to the Rainbow Bridge," Margittay wrote in a Facebook post Friday.

The Rainbow Bridge is a poem that describes how beloved pets cross this bridge when they die, but one day, the person who loves them, will find them again and reunite.

Mr. Dearborn and his dogs

Margittay, 77, and his dogs, Cheyenne and Yukon, have been fixtures around town for a decade.

In a profile story the Free Press wrote about Margittay and his dogs in April, he was described by some as "Mr. Dearborn." He has driven his vintage, restored Jeeps in more than half a dozen Dearborn Memorial Day parades including the one last month. In that one, only Cheyenne joined him because Yukon's arthritis pain was too much for him to do it and, as an introvert, Yukon would have found the crowds to be too much, Margittay said.

A shopper stops to take a photo of Richard Margittay's dogs Yukon and Cheyenne as they sit in his 1949 Willys Civilian Jeep in Dearborn on April 15, 2022.

Margittay is in the Dearborn Parks and Recreation Sports Hall of Fame and he was a career police officer for the city who's still recognized as Officer Margittay by locals, even though he retired in 1994.

But it is his furry passengers in the back of his open-air 1949 Willys Civilian Jeep, who ride around town with him everywhere, that are the most celebrated fixtures. That was Yukon and his sister Cheyenne.

The pups, both nearly 85-pound Alaskan Malamute dogs, came to Margittay on Aug. 5, 2011, from a breeder in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They were 10 weeks old when the puppies crossed mighty Lake Michigan on a ferry that day. Margittay and his late wife, Donna, were at a dock in Ludington to greet them.

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Richard Margittay's dogs Yukon and Cheyenne receive treats in Dearborn on April 15, 2022.

Donna only lived a few months after getting Yukon and Cheyenne before she died from diabetes complications.

Taking care of each other

The death of his wife is always close to Margittay's thoughts because the dogs became his comfort and companionship when she was gone.

On Friday, just hours after Yukon passed, Margittay said Cheyenne sat near him. He didn't cry much at the vet when Yukon passed away, he told the Free Press, but he "cried like a baby" after he wrote Yukon's Facebook tribute later.

I think its going to be Cheyenne and me spending a lot of time together now  day and night," Margittay said, as he readied his Jeep to take Cheyenne for a ride Friday. "Shes thinking where is Yukon? But when shes with me in the Jeep and sitting with me, then shes good.

Or  might it be the other way around?

I am going to need her more so than shes gonna need me," Margittay later admitted. "That's what happened when my wife died in 2011. They knew her for two months and they took care of me for all those years and now its Cheyennes job to take care of me again.

'Thanks for not biting' Clinton

Yukon was the dog who regularly slept with Margittay each night. Cheyenne preferred a cool marble floor.

In fact, Margittay said he felt a closer kinship or connection to Yukon than he did to Cheyenne.

On Feb. 5, 2015, former President Bill Clinton was in Dearborn campaigning for his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as she ran for president. While at Westborn Market, Clinton spied Richard Margittay's dogs Cheyenne, left, and Yukon, and went over to greet them.

But Yukon had a reticent personality, slightly more nervous than his sister. In a memorable moment on Feb. 5, 2015, the dogs got a greeting with the 42nd president of the United States, Bill Clinton, at Dearborn's Westborn Market.

The former president, however, did not properly approach Yukon to let the dog sniff his hand. The apprehensive Yukon appeared startled, Margittay said.

"I looked at Yukons eyes and he was getting ready to growl at President Clinton and perhaps snap at him," Margittay said in a previous interview. "They were nearly nose to nose, if the president had gone another 6 inches, he would have had a fat lip.

In Margittay's Facebook tribute to Yukon on Friday, he posted the "Rainbow Bridge" poem and then after it, Margittay wrote: "PS: Thanks for not biting President Clinton."

A shoulder to cry on

Yukon's passing left Margittay shell shocked.

"I was watching him yesterday and I could tell he was not himself, he was lethargic," Margittay said. "The doctor gave me permission to stop giving him his medications because he wasnt eating for two days."

Yukon, who turned 11 on May 5, has long-endured arthritis and it was inflamed enough for Margittay to keep him out of the Jeep for several days.

But then came the really big shock. Yukon had a large cancer mass in his left hip, the emergency room veterinarian told Margittay when he arrived at midnight with a feverish Yukon. The prognosis was grim and Margittay opted for euthanasia.

Richard Margittay, 76, combs the fur of one of his dogs Yukon, at his home in Dearborn on April 15, 2022.

I laid on the floor with him for about an hour talking to him," Margittay said. "Then the doctor came in. Yukon never squawked and it was really peaceful."

Margittay said he took comfort in the thought that Yukon, "did have a great life."

Margittay always thought Cheyenne would go first, he said. She had surgery as a baby on her knee and she has kidney disease that he has treated for five years. Whereas Yukon didnt have any problems that were noticeable.

Richard Margittay, 76, drives with his dogs Yukon and Cheyenne in his 1949 Willys Civilian Jeep around Dearborn on April 15, 2022.

But early Friday morning Cheyenne ate her breakfast, alone, looking for her brother, Margittay said. She missed him, Margittay sensed.

He missed Yukon too. So the dog who preferred the marble floor got up from her bed and laid next to Margittay on his bed.

"And she put her head on me."

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Contact Jamie L. LaReau: jlareau@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @jlareauan. Read more on General Motors and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Famous Dearborn dog, often spotted in 1949 Jeep, dies
Believing that there was gold in them thar dunes, fortune hunters hightailed it to Lewes to search for doubloons that were supposedly littering the sands of Cape Henlopen.

On Aug. 27, 1936, the Smyrna Times reported, Rumors that some of the Spanish coins has been washed up during the storm Friday night, sent a number (of treasure hunters to the sand dunes between Lewes and Rehoboth Sunday to hunt for pieces of stray gold.

On May 25, 1798, the British brig De Braak, commanded by Capt. James Drew, was fresh from a successful voyage, during which Drew had captured a Spanish merchant ship, the Dom Francisco Xavier, that rode quietly on the low rolling waves off Cape Henlopen.

Shortly after the De Braak arrived, a squall that had been brewing over Rehoboth Bay slammed into the British warship. The sudden wind filled the sails and tipped the brig to one side, allowing the sea water to cascade across the deck, down the open hatches and into the hold. The warship quickly filled with water and sank.

Rumors about treasure from the sunken British warship, HMS De Braak, spawned a gold rush to Cape Henlopen in the 19th century.

After it had settled to the ocean floor, the sinking of the De Braak spawned stories that the vessel was laden with an incredible cargo of gold, silver and other treasure.

The tales of riches aboard the De Braak continued to grow during the 19th century, and in 1936, Charles N. Colstad led a group of New England salvagers to the waters off Cape Henlopen to search for the sunken ship.

A diver with the Colstad expedition spotted an old cannon on the sea floor, but could not locate the remains of the British brig, and the search was shut down for the year.

Before the era of social media, the news of the treasure hunt in the waters off Cape Henlopen spread slowly. It was the height of the Great Depression, and many people were desperate to pick up a few dollars of spending money.

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When Colstad was about to resume treasure hunting in 1937, rumors that gold coins had been found in the dunes of Cape Henlopen touched off a minor stampede to the cape.

According to the Smyrna Times, For many years past coins of gold, silver and copper, of both Spanish and British mint, have been discovered on the desolate beaches near the water grave of the ill-fated treasure vessel.

"Usually, they have been seen following a high wind and rain squall, but whether they have been washed ashore from the sloops money chests by the fury of the churning waves, or were uncovered by the wind from a cache hidden somewhere under the lonely sands of the huge yellow dunes.

Many of the people looking to find gold in the dunes of the cape were from out of state, and the Smyrna Times reported, Most of the cars journeying Sunday over the sand-swept road to the spot where the money was reported found bore Pennsylvania license tags, the native Delawareans having long since become chary (wary) of rumors of treasure trove.

A man goes parasailing past the lighthouse at Cape Henlopen State Park.

"The source of the present rumors could not be located, but carloads of persons stopped Lewes residents to inquire the way to the dunes.

Other than the first few coins that set off the gold rush, no other treasure was found.

A half century later, on Aug. 11, 1986, the weathered timbers of the De Braak were rudely plucked from the depths. Although a large number of important artifacts were recovered with the remains of the ship, no gold or silver treasure was found, and historians now believe that probably never existed.

More: Shrinking bathing suits shocked Rehoboth's staid old residents in '20s: History

More: And still they come: How widened roads kept traffic rolling into Rehoboth Beach

The lost treasure of the De Braak was a myth that was created by dreams of people who hoped to strike it rich on the sands of Cape Henlopen.

Principal sources:

Smyrna Times, Aug. 27, 1936.

Donald Shomette, The Hunt for HMS DE Braak, Legend and Legacy, Durham, NC: Carolina Academic Press, 1993, pp. 54-57, 109.

Delaware, A Guide to the First State, Federal Writers Project, New York: The Viking Press, 1938, p. 106.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: How treasure rumors spawned gold rush to Cape Henlopen: History
By Joe Brock

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Indonesia's head of the armed forces said on Friday that he is investigating a Reuters report that navy officers asked for a payment of $375,000 to release a fuel tanker detained last week on suspicion of anchoring illegally in its waters.

Navy officers at the Batam naval base, just south of Singapore, requested the unofficial payment to release the Nord Joy fuel tanker, two security sources involved in the negotiations told Reuters.

The incident comes after Reuters reported a dozen similar detentions last year. In those cases, the ship owners made unofficial payments of about $300,000 each and the vessels detained by the Indonesian navy east of Singapore were released.

The navy confirmed that it had detained the Panama-flagged Nord Joy on May 30 on suspicion of anchoring in its waters without a permit but denied that any payment had been requested.

General Andika Perkasa, Commander of the Indonesian National Armed Forces, told Reuters in Singapore that he had already started investigating the allegations.

"Its really embarrassing if its true," Andika said on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's top security summit.

"I promise Im going to make an inquiry and do an investigation," he said, adding that he would encourage anyone with more information to come forward.

Earlier on Friday, Rear Admiral Arsyad Abdullah, the Indonesian naval fleet commander for the region, told media that no payments had been requested and that the Nord Joy was still being detained under investigation.

"Regarding the reports in the media that a navy soldier asked for $375,000 ... this was not true," Arsyad said at a media briefing held onboard the Nord Joy.

The navy has presented legal papers relating to the Nord Joy's detention to the district attorney on Batam, an Indonesian island 20 miles south of Singapore, Arsyad said.

Introducing the man standing next to him as the captain of the Nord Joy, Arsyad asked him if he had been asked to pay money to have the vessel released. "No," he replied.

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Reuters has been unable to determine who owns Nord Joy. Synergy Group, the company based in Singapore that managesthe vessel, said in a statement on Friday that they were "not aware of any demands for money by the Indonesian Navy in relation to the release of the vessel".

On Thursday, Synergy Group did not respond to Reuters' questions about the alleged payment request.

(Reporting by Joe Brock; Editing by Jon Boyle)
I don't mean to sound like a radical in our age of staunch political side-taking, but I think an assassination plot against a U.S. Supreme Court justice is a mighty horrific thing that should outrage everyone.

It's the same way I think we should react universally to attack on the U.S. Capitol by a violent mob. Both are attacks on our democracy, and neither should be downplayed, glossed over or politicked away.

Lets not mince words in describing the early Wednesday arrest of the man, identified in court records as Nicholas John Roske of California, near the Maryland home of Justice Brett Kavanaugh. The United States Attorney for the District of Maryland said Roske faces charges of attempted murder of a Supreme Court justice. This was an assassination plot, targeting a member of one of the three branches of our federal government, reportedly over the possibility of Roe v. Wade being overturned.

It struck me as a significant and horrifying development in a country that continues to see examples of boiling-hot political rhetoric becoming acts, or potential acts, of political violence.

But the reaction to the arrest outside Kavanaughs home felt muted, particularly among my fellow liberals.

Bipartisan outrage at political violence

If were outraged about the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump  and we should be apoplectically outraged, and paying close attention to the House select committee hearings that started Thursday night  then the targeting of a Supreme Court justice should draw widespread shock as well.

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.

It should be the kind of thing where we all stand up and say: This is horrible. This should never happen. Not to anyone. Whether its a planned attack on the judiciary or a full-on domestic terrorist attack on the seat of our democracy, we have to have lines that, when crossed, generate a sense of unified disgust.

Instead, it seems we just have lines we stand behind.

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Health insurer delayed her MRI. Meanwhile, the cancer that would kill her was growing.

As U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell called for the House to pass a Senate-approved Supreme Court security bill, I saw people on social media express outrage that Republicans were pushing swift legislative action after the arrest of an armed man outside Kavanaughs home when they showed no such urgency following the horrific Uvalde elementary school shooting.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., says a nationwide abortion ban is possible.

Some tried to downplay the arrest because the man  the one carrying the gun and the zip ties and the knife, the one who traveled all the way from California  called 911 and reported himself rather than acting on what he claimed was his plan.

Anger can't lead us to excuse this

Im angry, beyond measure, at the way Republicans fight even the slightest gun-control initiative. But that doesnt mean their desire to protect Supreme Court justices is wrong. We can be mad at one thing without equating it to something else.

Too many guns = Too much gun violence. Why can't we draw a line between these two points?

If your response to that is, Well, thats what Republicans always do, Im sorry, but that reasoning takes us nowhere. I dont want liberals to mirror bad behavior. I want them to aggressively highlight bad behavior so the public can see it, then I want them to rise above it and knock it down with facts and reason and compassion.

In what universe is it right for any of us to downplay how terrifying it is that an armed man claiming he wanted to kill Kavanaugh got that close to the home of the justice and his family? Nothing happened, and thats very fortunate, but the absence of a violent act doesnt make the incident less serious.

Nikki Tran of Washington, holds up a sign with pictures of Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas, Brett Kavanaugh, Samuel Alito, Amy Coney Barrett, and Neil Gorsuch, as demonstrators protest outside of the U.S. Supreme Court, Tuesday, May 3, 2022, in Washington. Protesters have been demonstrating on some justices' front lawns in recent days.

Of course Republicans used news of the arrest to harangue Democrats and the media, saying a similar incident outside the home of one of the more liberal justices would have promoted ceaseless outrage from the left. But there was a similar incident, revealed last year, in which a federal judges son was killed by an assailant who had been planning to also go after Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

Columnist Ingrid Jacques: Former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos calls Trumps actions on Jan. 6 a line in the sand that led to resignation

This begs the question: Why should we care which justice it is?

The leak of Justice Samuel Alitos draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade has rightfully inflamed passions among those of us who support abortion rights. And many, myself included, don't think Kavanaugh, who is shown voting with Alito in the draft opinion on abortion, should ever have been confirmed in the first place.

Nobody should be made to feel unsafe

But none of that makes me think, even for a moment, that the arrest of Roske near the justices home is anything less than despicable. Again, based on the charges Roske is facing and the information police have provided, this was an assassination attempt on a U.S. Supreme Court justice. For the sake of our democracy, that had better feel like a big deal.

We can't let ourselves get to the point where certain acts of political violence or intimidation are OK, as long as they arent happening to people on our side of the fence. Were seeing that happen right now as Republicans try to downplay the Jan. 6 committee hearings and Fox News declines to even broadcast them. Its dangerous.

The truth might hurt. I guess that's why Fox News won't show the Jan. 6 hearing.

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.

Politicians, jurists, abortion providers, activists, journalists, protesters, police  nobody should be made to feel unsafe, and the very fact that some will get mad at me for suggesting such a thing proves we're in a dark space.

I dont care if people on my side of the fence get angry about what Im writing here. Believe me, Im fiery mad about the same things theyre mad about, I understand the issues at stake and I care about them deeply.

But wrong is wrong. Adjusting our morals to maintain some perceived advantage in a political divide blurs lines that should simply never be crossed.

Follow USA TODAY columnist Rex Huppke on Twitter @RexHuppke and Facebook: facebook.com/RexIsAJerk

You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kavanaugh house - Take assassination plot seriously
Lewis Hamilton has told the ruler of Formula Ones governing body that he will not be silenced  and encouraged his fellow drivers to be more outspoken.

Ahead of this weekends Azerbaijan Grand Prix, FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem questioned whether Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Lando Norris should express their views.

In an interview with GrandPrix247, Emirati Ben Sulayem was asked what Formula One should not become.

As a driver, I have always believed in sport as a catalyst of progress in society. That is why promoting sustainability, diversity and inclusion is a key priority of my mandate. In the same way, I value the commitment of all drivers and champions for a better future.  Mohammed Ben Sulayem (@Ben_Sulayem) June 9, 2022

He replied: Niki Lauda and Alain Prost only cared about driving.

Now, Vettel drives a rainbow bicycle, Lewis is passionate about human rights and Norris addresses mental health.

Everybody has the right to think. To me, it is about deciding whether we should impose our beliefs in something over the sport all the time.

I am from an Arabian culture. I am international and Muslim. I do not impose my beliefs on other people. No way. Never.

Former rally star Ben Sulayem later wrote on Twitter: As a driver, I have always believed in sport as a catalyst of progress in society.

That is why promoting sustainability, diversity and inclusion is a key priority of my mandate. In the same way, I value the commitment of all drivers and champions for a better future.

But seven-time world champion Hamilton, who has become a leading voice for improving diversity within the sport, said: I heard that he clarified things on social media which is positive. But it doesnt stop us from doing what we are doing.

Sebastian Vettel is a keen activist (Sergei Grits/AP)

The sport is continuously growing. We have a bigger audience than ever before. And it continues to be an important platform for us to use our voices, every single one of us, to do more and to speak out more on things and to spark more conversations.

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Creating a more inclusive environment is so important, as is focusing on better diversity within our own organisation.

But also it is so important in the sport because it is moving at a very slow pace and we need more people to utilise their platforms.

I encourage all the drivers to be more outspoken in the future and speak about things they care about.

Four-time world champion Vettel has demanded environmental change, and wore a T-shirt ahead of last months inaugural Miami Grand Prix which read: Miami 2060. First Grand Prix under water. Act now or swim later.

The 34-year-old German said: The topics that Lewis continues to raise, the issues Lando talks about, and the stuff I have mentioned, are topics which are very important and should be addressed.

They are bigger than us, bigger than the sport can ever be, and it is important to express and raise awareness that lots of things can be improved on.

Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel has campaigned for climate change (Sergei Grits/AP)

Away from the track, Hamilton confirmed he is working alongside Hollywood star Brad Pitt on an F1 film. Pitt is reported to portray a former driver who will come out of retirement to coach an up-and-coming talent.

Hamilton is not likely to feature in the movie, but is instead listed as a producer on the untitled project.

We are working on the script and spending good time with Brad is pretty epic, added Hamilton.

You cannot say all the racing movies in the past have been spectacular and that is something we want to change.

Its really about showing how great this sport is to people that have never watched it and also making sure that we keep the real heritage and the true racing spirit within the movie and within the script, so thats part of my role.

We dont want it to be crap which is probably why Im not going to be a part of it. We need some good actors.
Civilian outcry explodes across the United States as new legislation cracks down on sexual freedom and bodily autonomy. The Supreme Court is callously intruding into Americans bedrooms and medical appointments, yet justices such as Brett Kavanaugh cannot fathom that their own privacies are now being violated.

Even though anti-abortion legislation infringes upon non-Christian religious freedoms, endangers mothers with unviable pregnancies, forces victims to give birth to their rapists offspring even in cases of incest and categorizes women as second-class citizens, the Supreme Court is positioned to overurn Roe v. Wade.

Conservative states are confidently pushing inhumane bills in response. Always at the frontlines of pro-life politics, Tennessee serves as a frightening example of theological extremism.

Demonstrators take a moment of silence in respect for lives lost to unsafe abortions during a protest in response to the draft SCOTUS decision on Roe V. Wade at Walk of Fame Park in Nashville , Tenn., Sunday, May 8, 2022. Across the country, protests have taken place in response to the potential overturning of Roe V. Wade.

Tennessee already has one of the strictest abortion bans in the country, but lawmakers are further tightening control. Gov. Bill Lee recently signed a new law that penalizes individuals who mail abortion medication to Tennessee with a fine up to $50,000.

Hear more Tennessee Voices: Get the weekly opinion newsletter for insightful and thought provoking columns.

House Bill 2416 states, A manufacturer, supplier, pharmacy, physician, qualified physician, or other people may not provide an abortion-inducing drug via courier, delivery, or mail service.

Misinformation regarding HB 2416 is spreading rapidly across the state: Plan B is not an abortion medication, but rather a contraceptive, so it is not threatened by legislation at this time. However, it is only a matter of time before the GOP goes after birth control.

McKinley Heard

U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn has loudly voiced her opposition to Griswold vs. Connecticut, a Supreme Court ruling that grants married couples the right to use birth control. If Roe vs. Wade is overturned, Griswold vs. Connecticut will undoubtedly be targeted next.

Republicans' true intentions with ant-abortion laws

U.S. citizens are asking themselves, Why is this happening? Republicans will have you believe they are passing legislation that upholds the sanctity of life, but their purpose is more sinister than that. The U.S. cares nothing about the sanctity of life.

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While basically all other developed countries pregnancy-related fatalities have steadily decreased over time, while research proves that the U.S.' pregnancy-related fatalities are continually increasing. Government officials do not care about the lives of mothers any more than they care about the lives of babies after they exit the womb.

Hear from Tennessee's Black Voices: Get the weekly newsletter for powerful and critical thinking columns.

What they really care about is padding the working class, because the cost of living makes it nearly impossible to raise children, the U.S.' birth rate is lower than it has been in decades. If people are not having children of their own accord, the government will simply force individuals to contribute to the domestic supply of infants.

All under the guise of providing families with children to adopt, spitting in the faces of the thousands of children who age out of the system annually, never having been loved or cared for. Alito claims, A woman who puts her newborn up for adoption today has little reason to fear that the baby will not find a suitable home.

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This notion is astonishingly removed from reality.

Without command over our reproductive health, there is little separating women from livestock. The extreme conservative movement is rampaging through the states is and never has been about saving babies. It is deeply rooted in misogyny, and it undermines the integrity of the U.S. government.

McKinley Heard is a PhD student at the University of Memphis and a member of Tennessee Press Association.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: How Tennessee's anti-abortion laws are deeply rooted in misogyny
In the spring of 1997  a quarter-century ago  the Detroit Red Wings embarked on their quest to end a 42-year Stanley Cup drought.

The Free Press has commemorated that historic quest with a new book: Stanleytown 25 Years Later: The Inside Story of How the Stanley Cup Returned to the Motor City After 41 Frustrating Seasons.

Day 56: June 10, 2022

The backstory: About 12 hours after captain Steve Yzerman ended his emotional 14-minute soliloquy and was carried off the Joe Louis Arena stage on the shoulders of his teammates, the Stanley Cup, naturally  held aloft at this rally for season-ticket holders  the Red Wings reassembled in downtown Detroit for the mother of all victory parades, where anyone could attend, no ticket required, red-and-white dress preferred.

And nearly everyone did attend  roughly one-tenth of Michigans population. Plus, Channels 2, 4, 7 and 50 and PASS cable provided start-to-finish coverage, from the Fox Theatre, south on Woodward Avenue, ending with a rally at Hart Plaza. The parade and rally, held in 80-degree cloudless sunshine, led Yzerman to declare: It was the icing on the cake, and Ill never forget it.

At the rally for season-ticket holders at Joe Louis Arena, the Wings followed Kevin Hodsons lead and raised the roof. Associate coach Dave Lewis said he did it all during the championship parade, fans followed suit, but my arms are so sore now.

The previous night, he concluded his stirring speech by saying, Lets make this the greatest summer of our lives. Lets have fun. The next days events led Keith Gave to write in the Free Press: And so we are.

Million Fan March: Detroit police pegged the throng in downtown at 1 million fans, thousands and thousands of whom lined the streets hours before the scheduled 11:30 a.m. start. What an incredible lovefest this was, Gave wrote. A million smiling faces of every color, almost all of them wearing red and white and one of the most recognized emblems in sports, the Winged Wheel. The Free Press covered the festivities with a hockey team-sized crew of columnists, reporters and photographers. Heres how Steve Schrader and Bill McGraw tied it all together in Stanleytown 25 Years Later:

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After all these years, they finally got to play outdoors.

The Red Wings, Detroits boys of winter, left a small miracle on their way into summer Tuesday, one that ranks right up there with the championship they won Saturday night. Having already moved this city emotionally, they actually moved it physically, playing Pied Piper to a million  yes, a million  cheering fans, leading them down Woodward into a sea of humanity at Hart Plaza. 

By gathering a million people in peaceful celebration near the Detroit River, the Wings may have inadvertently done more for the city than many of their owners expensive investments. People all over Michigan saw a safe and happy gathering. People all over the world saw that Detroit can celebrate not one night, not two nights, but three days and nights  with a million people in a single place  without incident, without fire, without ugliness. 

If the rest of the nation is only interested in painting this town with one brush, well simply use another. And paint it red.

Take me to the river.

 Mitch Albom, writing in the Detroit Free Press

A gridlock of jubilant humanity gripped Detroits downtown streets. People painted their bodies red, wore miniature Stanley Cups and broke into cheers. Rock music blared from normally quiet storefronts.

The Stanley Cup afterglow shone for a third day as Detroit staged a spectacular victory parade down Woodward Avenue for its Red Wings.

Police estimated up to one million people swarmed the streets to salute the Wings  roughly a tenth of Michigans population. That dwarfed the estimates for the Bad Boys Pistons (125,000 in 1989, 200,000 in 1990) and the Tigers (500,000 in 1935, 600,000 in 1984). It rivaled the estimates of a 1931 parade of World War I veterans of the American Legion, a 1929 parade for President Herbert Hoover and the largest of the annual Thanksgiving parades (considered only 750,000 by some experts) and annual fireworks displays (if you count the American and Canadian sides of the Detroit River).

The front page of the Free Press blazed this headline: Thanks a million. The Sports front went with Hookytown.

WING TODAY: Meet new gigantic prospect Elmer Soderblom

WING TALK: 'Carlos & Shawn' Remembers Detroit's Stanley Cup win, 25 years later

Fans wore red and white, chanted and held signs offering everything from congratulations to proposals of marriage on a gorgeous 80-degree afternoon. They jammed into every square inch along the mile-long route from the Fox Theatre to Hart Plaza, pushing out along side streets far from the passage of players. They climbed trees, light poles, ladders and statues to get a better view.

Captain Steve Yzerman said the turnout stunned the players, who already had received 36 hours of nonstop praise from fans, media and city officials.

We expected a lot of people here; we didnt expect this, Yzerman told the masses during a rally at Hart Plaza, standing on a podium with the rest of the team. I thought nothing would top Saturday night, but coming down Woodward was the best of all.

And unlike previous celebrations in Detroit and other places for a couple of decades, the Wings fans did their city proud. Police reported no major incidents and a lone fighting arrest  a lack of violence that started with the postgame party.

The whole world is watching, and everyone has shown incredible class, Yzerman said. And you should be proud of yourselves.

Fans began lining Woodward before 6 a.m. Center Kris Draper was returning home with the Stanley Cup at 6:30 when he stopped for photos at the Spirit of Detroit statue and saw people arriving for the parade.

Unbelievable, he said.

By 9 a.m.  2 hours before the parade  the crowd was a dozen deep on both sides of the street.

This is a fabulous day, associate coach Dave Lewis said. This is a day that grandparents brought their kids who brought their children  thats what this day was all about. I dont think there was another square foot where somebody else could have been. This day was a celebration.

When the parade began, the crowd along Woodward near Michigan Avenue stood on the sidewalks. Within minutes, though, fans swarmed across the east lanes and onto the median. The four open lanes on southbound Woodward quickly became three. Then it was two, and finally just one lane was open.

Fans rushed the three dozen red or white Mustangs that carried the players, coaches, staff and alumni with spouses, children and friends, stealing a hand slap from their favorite players.

Organized by the Detroit-based Parade Company, which produced the Thanksgiving Day parades, the event was much more elaborate than those staged for the 1984 Tigers and 1989 and 1990 Pistons. It featured floats, marching bands, Zamboni ice-surfacing machines, a giant purple octopus and a Detroit Fire Department boat shooting graceful plumes of water high into the river. The Fred Hill Briefcase Drill Team, dressed in its customary dark suits and striped ties, traded its usual prop for short-handled brooms to symbolize the Wings sweep of the Philadelphia Flyers.

Goalie Mike Vernon, the playoff MVP, held daughter Amelia. Vernons wife, Jane, lofted a sign that read: Thank you, Hockeytown.

Center Sergei Fedorov raised eyebrows by riding with a rising Russian tennis star, Anna Kournikova, who at 16 was 11 years his junior. (During the summer, although denying they were a couple, he followed her around the tennis circuit. Years later, he claimed they were married briefly in the early 2000s, which her representatives said never happened.)

Yzerman, riding with his wife, Lisa, and their daughter, Isabella, videotaped the spectacle when he wasnt holding the Cup aloft.

As The Captain approached Hart Plaza, donning shades and hoisting the Cup, the crowds converged on his Mustang in a swirling mass of people, flags, brooms and signs. Police pushed through the wall of fans as the mighty Mustang inched toward the plaza. Yzermans car marked the end of the parade for thousands of fans who fell in behind. A float, two bands and several cars  including one carrying owners Mike and Marian Ilitch  were cut off, but they eventually reached Hart Plaza.

After the rally ended around 2 p.m., the Wings headed to The Joe for a meal with family and friends, to pose for a team picture, to clean out their lockers  and to wax a bit nostalgic.

Ill remember this day for the rest of my life, defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom said. It was overwhelming. I hope I can experience it again. But its a little bit sad. Its almost like a graduation in a way. 

It feels like youre leaving something here because you dont want it to end, but its been a great feeling. We dont know what is coming next; we just have to enjoy it and have a great summer.

Some players began to realize that a special moment had passed.

Its a little sad, left wing Brendan Shanahan said. Thats the last time well get to see the fans.  You kind of didnt want it to end. I know what Ive experienced and what Ive felt, the flood of emotions that have come over me the last couple of days, and Id like to hear what the other players have gone through as well before we all go our separate ways for the summer.

Ah, but the memories they would take with them.

Its like Joey Kocur said, no matter what we do, where we go, where we live, well always have something that will bond us together, grinder Darren McCarty said. This is something, and you cant take it away.

They said it: From Shanahan: I dont know if well have the energy to continue this all summer, but well try. From associate coach Barry Smith: When they were taking the team picture, I didnt look around to see who wouldnt be back. I was just happy everyone was there.

From Yzerman: This is the home of the Stanley Cup. Well keep it here. Well enjoy it. Weve waited a long time for this. From Mayor Dennis Archer: People remember 84, when the World Series was overshadowed by the silly stuff that went on. Now people take a look at the Stanley Cup celebration and how the city responded, and theyll think, Maybe I ought to open a business here. This has helped the image of the city. From Roberta McCarty, Darrens mother, who wore a Wings jersey with his name on the back but no number: It was the shirt he got drafted in. I dont think its been out of the closet since. From Ilitch daughter Denise Ilitch-Lites on Yzerman: I knew we drafted the right guy as soon as I saw him because he was wearing this bright red tie.

STANLEYTOWN DAY 55: Yzerman, Bowman send special thanks to Red Wings fans

DAY 54: After 42 years, it's finally time to party with the Stanley Cup!

DAY 53: Red Wings finish the job, sweep Flyers to win 1997 Stanley cup

From Bowman: We had no injuries all the way through. One player, Joey Kocur, missed one game. Thats amazing when you think about all the hockey Lidstrom, (Vladimir) Konstantinov and (Larry) Murphy played at their ages and never missed a shift. Thats when you say youre dodging some bullets, too. When that happens, yeah, you win. From Aaron Ward, stopped by police trying to reach the stage in Hart Plaza: I showed them my ID, but that didnt help me out any. Finally, somebody convinced them I play for the Wings. From Kirk Maltby: I almost got my arm ripped off a couple times. People just grabbed you.

From senior vice president Jimmy Devellano: Everybodys trying to enjoy this for a few days, but the realities will start to hit home next week when it becomes a business again. Im going to have to put sentimentality aside and start dealing with a payroll and a budget and trying to make it work and trying to retain the team.  When you win a Stanley Cup, youd like to keep your changes to a minimum, and we will attempt to do that. From Schrader in his Free Press Octometer: We only had a couple of complaints about Tuesdays party. 1) What were all those politicians doing in the parade? 2) Hart Plaza just wasnt big enough. Then again, we cant think of anyplace big enough to hold everybody who wanted to be there. Also from Bowman, after praising parade organizers: But they had 42 years to plan it.

Defenseman Vladimir Konstantinov sipped champagne from a giant silver cup during the Red Wings dressing room celebration in 1997.

Days of yore: Wings alumni were included in the days festivities. Johnny Wilson, who won four Cups with the team in the 1950s, reflected on the olden days of the Original Six and the modern NHL: Back then, we didnt get a parade. You just won the Cup, it was presented out on the ice, then you went to the dressing room and there was a little party, and that was it. Players didnt get to keep the Cup back then  you didnt see it again till the next time you won it. It was a nice gesture on the part of the Ilitches to have the alumni be a part of this. We contributed to the success of the Red Wings. We helped them build the organization years ago.

One bit of news: With his coaching contract up, Bowman said he would decided in a week to 10 days whether he wanted to continue behind the bench. No matter what, Bowman said, he would remain with the Wings in some capacity. I came here four years ago, he said, and that was one of the discussions I had with Mike Ilitch. I didnt know how long Id coach. I wanted to end up my career as a Red Wing. I made my decision four years ago, and nothing has changed.

Off the ice: Sportswriter Helene St. James asked a burning question: So what does a Stanley Cup champion do the day after winning the Cup? She uncovered the answer: He answers the phone. Again and again and again. Lidstrom revealed: People called me all day Sunday and Monday. I didnt really get a chance to call anyone. The phone never stopped ringing. Murphy, his defense partner, said: Its been ringing off the hook. All my friends have called. Konstantinov knew the feeling all too well: People call me all day long. Friends from Russia, friends from everywhere. I dont sleep yet. Lewis, who oversaw the defense as an associate coach, was bombarded like the players: I got home about 3:30 or so Sunday morning. The phone started ringing about a quarter to eight, and it just never stopped. I heard from people I havent heard from in years. A lot of hockey friends called. They sure didnt let me get much sleep.

Famous last words: How Mitch Albom ended his column about the victory parade:

After the parade and rally, the players gathered at Joe Louis Arena for the official championship team photo. And for the last time, they donned their uniforms and skates and stood proudly on the ice, in an empty arena, and posed for posterity. There were bloodshot eyes and some tired shoulders, but the facial hair was mostly gone and the boys looked like boys.

I think its all the smiling, forward Doug Brown said. We wake up smiling and we go to bed smiling.

Thats pretty much how the city has felt since Saturday, isnt it? The sun has never dropped from the daytime sky, and the moon seems extra bright. If there has been a happier, more unified, better-weathered three-day stretch in recent Detroit history, I cant think of it.

Now, a moment for perspective. None of the Wings has saved any lives here. And it is true, every day, in hospitals, schools, and fire and police departments, there are more true acts of heroism than anything that involves putting a puck in a net.

But pro sports dont exist to provide water, build roads or protect citizens. They exist because deep down, people want to be drawn together by something, they want to feel unified and territorial, they want to witness excellence and take pride in that excellence because they live here.

The Wings are ours because we live here. And if they cant cure urban ills, they can show us that the energy of a city united is a magnificent thing to behold. If we could do what we did Tuesday for a parade, just imagine what we could do if we harnessed that energy for other purposes.

That is the final gift of this hockey club. As the sun began to set Tuesday, Yzerman, who has been celebrated like a god these last few days, finished a late interview and said good-bye. He went to go back in the locker room, turned the door handle and found it locked. All his teammates had left.

I knew this would happen, he said.

He banged a few times, and a woman who works in catering shouted from behind the door.

Who is it?

Leslie, its Steve. Can you open the door, please?

OK.

And thanks to catering, the most celebrated man in the city was given entrance to his workplace.

Isnt that perfect? What a run. What a season. There will be good days and good years ahead, we hope, but it will be hard to top this happy stretch of 1997, when the boys of winter became the joys of spring, and Detroit just couldnt stop smiling.

The cover of the Free Press book, "Stanleytown, 25 Years Later."

Relive the glory: The Free Press has crafted a 208-page, full-color, hardcover collectors book with fresh insights and dynamic storytelling about the 1996-97 Wings. Its called Stanleytown 25 Years Later: The Inside Story on How the Stanley Cup Returned to the Motor City after 41 Frustrating Seasons. Its only $29.95 and its available at RedWings.PictorialBook.com. (Itll make a great Fathers Day gift for the Wings fanatic in your life!)

More to read: Another new Wings book arrived in April from Keith Gave, a longtime hockey writer for the Free Press in the 1980s and 1990s: Vlad The Impaler: More Epic Tales from Detroits 97 Stanley Cup Conquest. It is available through Amazon and other booksellers and a portion of the proceeds is earmarked for the Vladimir Konstantinov Special Needs Trust. (Plenty of Gaves prose also appears in Stanleytown 25 Years Later.)

Even more to read: Red Wings beat reporter Helene St. James, who helped cover the 1997 Stanley Cup run, recently wrote The Big 50: The Men and Moments That Made the Detroit Red Wings. Featuring numerous tales about the key figures from 1997, The Big 50 is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Triumph Books. (Plenty of St. James prose also appears in Stanleytown 25 Years Later.)

To access our most exclusive sports content, become a Free Press subscriber.

Follow the Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for more news. Tyler Davis can be contacted at tjdavis@freepress.com or on Twitter @TDavisFreep.

Your subscription makes work like this possible. Get exclusive subscriber content and more here.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 1 million help Detroit Red Wings celebrate 1997 Stanley Cup
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday easily passed a resolution pressing NATO to quickly admit Finland and Sweden, a sign of bipartisan agreement about pushing back on Russian aggression.

In a voice vote, the committee approved the measure supporting the two Nordic states entrance into the security alliance and urged other NATO members to do the same. There were no objections.

The committees passage of this resolution is a testament to the bipartisan support for Finland and Sweden joining NATO, and the urgency of strengthening the alliance amidst Russias unprovoked and brutal invasion of Ukraine, panel ranking member James Risch (R-Idaho) said in a statement after the vote.

Ive long said that Swedens and Finlands strong political and military traditions make them a perfect fit for the alliance. I hope the Senate will follow the committees lead and move quickly to pass this resolution.

NATO has sought to strengthen its alliance against Russia since the Kremlins unprovoked attack on Ukraine began on Feb. 24, a war that has also threatened nearby member countries.

The two Nordic countries have also experienced effects from the attack, with Russian jets violating both Swedish and Finnish airspace.

The 30-member organization now hopes to send a message of unity to Russian President Vladimir Putin with the entrance of Finland and Sweden, which up until now have worked alongside NATO but remained strategically separate.

The two new bids have garnered the full support of the Biden administration and are now set to easily receive the required two-thirds Senate approval.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
U.S. Capitol Police Officer Caroline Edwards said at first the crowd of Proud Boys and others facing off against her and a handful of officers on Jan. 6, 2021 were focused on Congress.

But then Volusia County Proud Boys leader Joseph Biggs aimed the words from his megaphone at police once some Arizona Proud Boys arrived.

And once they joined that group, Joseph Biggs rhetoric turned to the Capitol Police, Edwards said. He started asking us questions like, You didnt miss a paycheck during the pandemic, mentioning stuff about, our pay scale was mentioned, and started turning the tables on us.

And I've worked I can, you know, conservatively say probably hundreds of civil disturbance events, Edwards testified during the January 6 committee hearing on Thursday. I know when I'm being turned into a villain and that's when I turned to my sergeant and I stated the understatement of the century. I said, Sarge, I think we're going to need a few more people down here.

Volusia County Proud Boys leader Joseph Biggs in a screen shot from video evidence presented by committee.

Indeed, Biggs, 38, along with other Proud Boys would storm past outnumbered police gripping feeble bike racks to use as barricades as officers tried to hold back the hordes. Rioters invaded the Capitol, forcing a temporary halt to the certification of the electoral votes by a joint session of Congress.

Biggs was a resident of unincorporated Volusia County near Ormond Beach but is now in federal custody awaiting trial.

A grand jury this week indicted Biggs on two new additional charges: seditious conspiracy and conspiracy to prevent an officer from discharging any duties.

The seditious conspiracy charge carries a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison.

Biggs attorney, John Daniel Hull, could not be reached for comment.

Also indicted along with Biggs on the charges were Proud Boys leaders, Enrique Tarrio, 38, of Miami, the groups former national chairman; Ethan Nordean, 31, of Auburn, Washington; Zachary Rehl, 36, of Philadelphia and Dominic Pezzola, 44, of Philadelphia.

Story continues

Volusia County Proud Boys leader Joseph Biggs entering the Capitol in video evidence presented by committee.

New charges against Proud Boy: Volusia Proud Boys leader facing new federal charges: 'We've just taken the Capitol'

Volusia Proud Boy indicted: Volusia Proud Boys member Joseph Biggs indicted in US Capitol riot

Joe Biggs turns self in: Volusia Proud Boys leader turns himself in as ordered while he appeals detention ruling

D.C. officer describes attack over the bike racks

Biggs played a prominent role in the evidence presented on Thursday to the House Select Committee to Investigate the Jan. 6 Attack on the United States Capitol.

In chilling testimony, Officer Edwards said it was Biggs who led the rioters facing off against police at a bike rack at the Peace Circle near the northwest corner of the Capitol grounds.

She said that there was another bike rack at the Pennsylvania Avenue walkway right by the Peace Circle.

The crowd had kind of gathered there, Edwards said. It was the crowd led by Joseph Biggs and they were mostly in civilian clothes. There were some who had military fatigues on. We could see people with bulletproof vests on things, like that.

And Joseph Biggs started, he had a micro, a megaphone. And he started talking about, first it was things kind of related to Congress. And then the tables started turning once the  what is now that the  Arizona group is what you said  the crowd with orange hats  they came up chanting (expletive) Antifa and they joined that group, Edwards said.

But then the Arizona Proud Boys arrived and Biggs focused the attention on police, she said.

And then there was a pause, like the calm before the storm.

And so after that, you know, I think they started conferring, they went a little silent. They started conferring among each other, Edwards said. I saw the person now identified as Ryan Samsel. He put his arm around Joseph Biggs and they were talking and they started approaching the first barricade, they ripped the first barricade down and they approached our bike racks, you know, at that time, we started holding on grabbing the bike racks. You know, there weren't many of us, so I grabbed the middle between two different bike racks.

Several court documents reviewed by the News-Journal did not indicate that Samsel, who has also been indicted in the attack, was a member of the Proud Boys. A New York Times story stated he had no apparent connection to the Proud Boys.

Edwards said she knew that her small band of police could not stop them but she was hoping more law enforcement would arrive soon.

And, you know, I wasn't under any pretense that I could hold it for very long, but I just wanted to make sure that we could get more people down and get our CDU units time to answer the call, Edwards said.

We started grappling over the bike racks. I felt the bike rack come on top of my head, and I was pushed backwards and my foot caught the stair behind me. And I, my chin hit the handrail and then I, at that point, I blacked out but my back of my head clipped the concrete stairs behind me, Edwards said.

Representative Liz Cheney, Republican of Wyoming and vice chairwoman of the committee, asked Edwards about her experience that day.

And you were knocked unconscious. Is that right Officer Edwards?" Cheney asked.

Yes, ma'am, Edwards said.

But then when you regained consciousness, even with the injuries, you returned to duty, is that right? Cheney said.

Yes, ma'am. You know, at that time, adrenaline kicked in, Edwards said. I ran towards the west front and I tried to hold the line at the Senate steps at the Lower West terrace.

She said more people kept coming and started overpowering them until more police showed and pushed the crowd back and formed a very thin line between police and rioters.

She said she fell behind the lines and started decontaminating people who had been sprayed with chemical irritants and performing first aid.

She was holding the line on the lowest West Terrace and along with other officers grappling over bike racks.

All of the sudden I see movement to the left of me," Edwards said. "And I turned and it was (Capitol Police) officer Brian Sicknick with his head in his hands. And he was ghostly pale. Which I figured at that point that he had been sprayed, and I was concerned. My cop alarm bells went off because if you get sprayed with pepper spray, you're going to turn red. He turned just about as pale as this sheet of paper.

She said she turned to see what had happened.

And that's when I got sprayed in the eyes as well, she said.

Edwards said she was taken to be decontaminated by another officer but before that happened they were tear-gassed.

Sicknick suffered two strokes and died of natural causes on Jan. 7 according to the district medical examiner.

A look at the numbers: Jan. 6 Capitol riot arrests are still climbing

Hearing recap: Jan. 6 committee says probe shows Trump led and directed effort to overturn 2020 electio

Who were the witnesses at the Jan. 6 committee hearing: Here's who testified about the Capitol riot

'I was surprised at the size of the group, the anger and the profanity'

Nick Quested, who was filming the Proud Boys for a documentary of the right-wing extremist group, testified about the group's aggressive actions.

He said he and his colleagues filmed a large group of a couple of hundred Proud Boys marching toward the Capitol.

I documented the crowd turn from protesters to rioters to insurrectionists, Quested said.

Quested said he heard incredibly aggressive chanting.

I was surprised at the size of the group, the anger and the profanity, Quested stated.

Committee Chair Representative Bennie Thompson, a Democrat from Mississippi, said the committee had substantial evidence that a tweet from Trump calling followers to Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6 energized individuals from the Proud Boys and other extremist groups.

Edwards said that when she was behind a line she was able to look out over what police faced that day.

And I saw, I can just remember my breath catching in my throat, because I, what I saw was just a war scene. It was something like I'd seen out of the movies. I couldn't believe my eyes, Edwards said. There were officers on the ground. You know, they were bleeding. They were throwing up. They were, you know, they had I mean, I saw friends with blood all over their faces. I was slipping in people's blood. You know, I was catching people as they fell you know, I was, it was carnage. It was chaos.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Proud Boys leader Joe Biggs highlighted in attack in January 6 hearings
Jun. 10These Webb City High School students were named to the distinguished honor roll, meaning they earned a GPA of 3.66 or higher during the second semester of the 2021-22 school year.

SENIORS

Christian Alberts, Shelbee Aleshire, Ashlynn Atkins, Emily Baer, Courtney Balcom, Angel Banda-Antillon, Tristan Barroeta, Israel Bemo, Dustin Brockmiller, Charity Brower, Alanna Bundy, Gavin Burdette, Elliett Capron, Addison Coble, Gracie Cole, Lannie Cole, Houston Collard, Sophia Coulson, Kamryn Cox, Rachel Davison, Jordyn Dickey, Baylor Dickinson, Delaney Duke, Emily Eldred, Kyahn Ely, Shelby Ensminger, Silas Frank, Sydney French, Ella Gardner, Alivia Gatlin, Jayden Haggard, Peyton Hawkins, Riley Hawkins, Kayla Helms, Lauren Hicks, Joshua Howard, Ellie Howerton, Chloe Ingle, Atticus Johnson, Chelsie Juarez Gonzalez, Riley Kreighbaum, Emalee Lamar, Jeremiah Leaming, Lynnzie Maynard, Caitlyn Meador, Devora Miranda, Bailey Moore, Haylee Murray, Mica Oates, Connor Peterson, Jamie Ritter, Carter Rives, MacKenzie Robbins, Morgan Robinson, Elena Ross, Faithllyn Shank, Robert Shea, Elijah Smith, Kaylee Smith, Josie Spikereit, Zane Still, Zoe Still, Makenzie Storm, Lauren Stump, Kaeden Tebbets, Blake Vaughan, Taylor Ward, Emma Welch, Avery Westhoven, Aidan Wiggins, Paige Williams, Casey Williamson and Jessica Withenshaw

JUNIORS

Nehemias Alas, Ethan Baird, Kathryn Brownfield, Katelynn Burgess, Eve Cartwright, Piper Chapman, Benjamin Contreras-Cruz, Devean Cook, Jacie Crouch, Addison Cupp, Kaylor Darnell, Sherry-Ann Duley, Kylynn Eggerman, Gabriel Elder, Hunter England, Evan Garrison, Sarah Gilbert, Abigail Glaubitz, Madison Graves, Destiny Hampton, Nikki Hensley, Farryn Holcomb, Brynlee Hollingsworth, Olivia Honey, Kenley Hood, Landon Johnson, McKenzie Jones, MacKenna Kelly, Jonathan Kenlee, Genevieve Kramer, Brenda Lawrence, Maggie Lee, Christopher Lemmon, Erika Lown, Skylar Martin, Trenton Massoth, Brecklyn Matthews, Lily McCaw, Bella Meier, Katherine Moore, Thomas Mouser, Sierra Newkirk, Madysen Nieburg, Truman Oaks, Felipe Perez, Hally Philpot, Skylar Powell, Lexa Quesenberry, Margaret Renburg, Essence Robinson, Hannah Ross, Jordan Russell, Kyah Sanborn, Tieranie Schell, Lillian Shea, Chase Shirk, Christian Shofler, Landon Smith, Carson Stevens, Abigail Street, Bret Swearengen, Kollin Tallent, Liam Taylor, Jordan Thornburg, Cree Vaden, Makenzie White, Sophia Whitesell and Kamryn Worden.

Story continues

SOPHOMORES

Elizabeth Allen, Ally Ansley, Kara Bollin, Jadon Brisco, Brayden Brockmiller, Bethany Brumit, Shyla Chacon, Ella Clark, Katie Cook, Emily Countryman, Kaden Cox, Emily Crane, Sophia Crane, Grant Daggett, Jaden Dailey, Bryce Dickinson, Jordan Dickinson, Isabella Dodd, Elizabeth Dodson, Elizabeth Doman, Allie Eggleston, Kristian Eubanks, Cooper Forth, Addison Frazier, Luis Gallardo, Zakkery Gilbert, William Headrick, Ella Hensley, Addison Hicks, Kaitlyn Holly, Isabella Hubler, Tucker Hutson, Nathan Jacks, Mckinzie Johnson, Libby Karnes, Sierra Keatts, Steve Kenlee, Novely Lamont, Levi Lassiter, Declan Long, Isaac Lopez, Louie Azumi Leiz Marcelo, Makayla Mayes, Hayden McBroom, Braden McKee, Aubrey McKnight, Nathaniel Miller, Avery Mitchell, Luke Mitchell, Kaydence Musgrove, Andrew Neighbor, Eden Pagan, Karlie Patrick, Aiden Patterson, Trevor Peterson, Addison Phillips, Allison Price, Adeline Ragsdale, Eivin Reyes Zabala, Khloe Rhuems, Casey Russell, Jenna Shipley, Hunter Shull, Taylor Smith, Malorie Stanley, Evan Stevens, Sydney Strickland, Zachary Stump, Kathleen Takvam-Prior, Averey Terry, Liya Therrien, Anna Trueblood, Madison Tucker, Jayxon Tyndall, Grayce Vinicky, Connor Wald, Christopher Weeks, Samuel Weller and Anne Wright.

FRESHMEN

Olivia Adkins, David Alm, Alyson Bash, Luke Beverlin, Adrien Black, Emerson Boulware, Addison Brown, Kaitlyn Brown, Hudson Byrd, Tatum Carden, Esmeralda Castro Fontes, Ruby Channel, Emily Clark, Brayden Coots, Creed Cranford, Alix Davis, Fisher Derrick, Owen Dickson, Jackson Dodson, Brody Eggleston, Kora Forester, Mason Garrett, Alexis Gatlin, Brynn Gilchrist, Jonathan Heck, Evan Hendrick, Riley Hensley, Kaulden Hood, Emma Hudson, Alynna Humphrey, Ashland Ingle, Jeremiah Johnson, Connor Joines, Holton Keith, Spencer Kendall, Camryn Klosterman, Brailen Landreth, Claire Langston, Mia Lenker, Heath Logan, Kirra Long, Joshua McDaniel, Rylynn McFarland, Noah Meinershagen, Katelyn Miller, Rachel Miller, Madison Morehead, Kendall Murray, Nina Nguyen, Braydon Nichols, Eliott Pace, Taliah Porter, Garrett Powell, Lanie Ray, Brock Renfro, Karen Richardson, Jasmyn Sanchez-Travis, Kennah Scheurich, Broderick Shull, MaKenna Smith, Ava Spencer, Chase Stilley, Gabrielle Stodghill, Cameron Stone, Elcee Stotts, Lakelyn Stuart, Laney Taylor, Lydia Thieman, Cremzin Turley, Alexandra Tyndall, Anya Ware, Keyona Welch, Elyssa Wermuth, Aspen White, Shane Williamson, Andrew Woodmansee, Zoey Woods, Andrew Young and Clark Zahm

These Webb City High School students were named to the regular honor roll, meaning they earned a GPA of 3.0 to 3.65 or higher during the second semester of the 2021-22 school year.

SENIORS

Hannah Allen, Andrew Beard, Brice Blaylock, Allie Boyd, Corbin Boyd, Morgan Brannon, Aidan Brock, Colton Brown, Emily Burke, Brantley Carter, Isabella Castillo, Jeramiah Cloyd, Anna Cook, Madalyn Cox, Maggie Crossley, Isaac Crouch, Lillian Deadmond, Mia DeLaRosa, Christopher Denman, Skyler Denton, Sierra Drapeau, Kane Ely, Isaac Ervin, Eric Fitch, Angel Gallegos, Shelby Gardner, Kaylyn Gilbert, Carter Gillman, Bryce Goodwin, Lacy Haddock, Rosalyn Harrall, Madison Hewitt, Trista Hiatt, Walker Hoffman, Corbon Hoffstatter, Keegan Holloway, Ella Holt, Arieonna Hooker, Adysen Howerton, Braeden Jackson, Jenna Jensen, Jule Jones, Bryce Kreighbaum, Lauren Kuechler, Natalie Lewis, Mareus Mask, Jesse Masteller, Laya McAllister, Austin McGuirk, Jordan Meyer, Austyn Mickey, Stormi Miller, Myah Njoroge, Luke Parsons, Earendel Patrick, Cooper Patton, Hayden Quick, Bryce Ralston, Carson Ransom, David Rodas, Daniel Roy, Ripley Shanks, Ethan Shipley, Daunte Smiles, Jalynn Smith-Ward, Hannah Spaans, Hayden Sprague, Joyce Stapleton, Dixi Straw, Chloe Terry, Hannah Wells, Alyssa Wheeler, Luke Wilson, Parker Winn, Jordan Withenshaw, Zion Wood and Samuel Young.

JUNIORS

Joseph Adams, Aidan Alberty, Jonathan Aldridge, Katlynn Allee, Addison Bash, Allyson Belcher, Kameron Bennett, Dominic Boles, Bria Brattin, Gracie Braunschweig, Avery Brown, Mason Brown, Abigail Campbell, Braedan Christian, Lily Clark, Grace Clopton, Caleb Correa, Chloe Crandall, Cy Darnell, Taylor Divine, McQuade Eilenstein, Jadyn Fox, Allison Gallemore, Lyza Gutierrez, Ella Hansen, Aydan Hartman, Brea Haslip, William Hayes, Maslyn Headrick, Cody Herndon, Payton Hill, Jack Horner, Tryton Inskeep, Caily Jennings, Kylie Jennings, Kayleigh Joines, Paige Langford, Savannah Lauderdale, Cheyenne Lawson, Isabelle Lopez, Brigett Mackey, Tyler Marbut, Hannah McDonald, Riley Melton, Ava Mense, Ava Michael, Elijah Miller, Jace Miller, Jenna Noel, Lucas Ott, Ashlyn Porter, Elias Pruente, Logan Ragsdale, Emily Reeder, Judah Ritchie, Killian Rodriguez, Treyton Roets, Alexia Roybal, Jayden Schenck, Kaylyn Shuster, Kinzlea Smith, Makenzie Snodgrass, Allie Stapleton, Jack Stapleton, Maxwell Stovern, Walker Sweet, Nathan Thomas, Dalton Thurlo, Chord Underwood, Maria Upton, Laramy Wald, Trent Walrod, Addyson Wheeler, Ryan Wickenkamp, Nathan Woolverton, Morgan Wright and Noah Yeakey.

SOPHOMORES

Karly Aleshire, Jazmin Alvarado-Orozco, Bailey Artinger, Angela Baker, Aaron Ball, Mackenzie Ball, Brett Beecham, Aaron Bell, Sophia Booher, Kabian Branch, Christian Brock, Micah Brouwer, Jadyn Catterson, Bronson Collard, Bethanie Day, Dawsyn Decker, Trayse DeGraw, Anderson Diaz, Katelynne Dorn, Barron Duda, Malerie Eyer-Maberry, Wyatt Flack, Sophia Frank-Hague, Mirriam Garcia, Luke Gayman, Dakota Grove, Arjanit Haliti, Sophia Hall, Rilley Hanes, Jordis Hartman, Layla Haywood, Mason Hedger, Cooper Heilbrun, Avry Hodson, Shaun Hunt, Halle Hurd, Sabrina Jolly, Jace Jones, Haylee Koile, Aubree Lassiter, Tucker Liberatore, Atticus Luzadder, Tristan Lynch, Payton Marshall, Bianca Martinez, Austin Miles, Anthony Morris, Hayes Pearce, Breanna Pickard-Lucas, Jensyn Pickett, Noah Purcell, Claire Rives, Mia Robbins, Jacob Russell, Cassady Ryberg, Jay Sanchez, Sophia Sanchez, Jordyn Scott, Syrenity Shutters, Lacie Smith, Hope Spiva, Emilea Stettes, Kloe Stout, Kelli Tollefson, Enslie Vokolek, Drew Vonder Haar, Alyssa Walker, Joseph Wermuth, Kayla Weston, Zachary Whitehead, Jack Wilcox, Demi Wilson, Rylan Winters, Paige Wood, Jackson Wright and Sophia Yow.

FRESHMEN

Aleena Arias, Mia Barone, Kate Benitez Gonzalez, Broderick Brown, Ella Burningham, Alyson Byrd, Zane Caylor, Dagan Chacon, Abraham Cottingham, Emma Cox, Trinity Custenborder, Grace Dalrymple, Isabel Davis, Jadyn Davis, Joseph DeGraffenreid, Sophia Dimabuyu, Nathan Downey, Andrew Elwell, Elijah England, Cohen Epler, Landon Fletcher, Carter Forcum, Holyn Hardy, Camryn Harper, Jaxon Hart, Michael Higgins, Isaac Honey, Bryson Hunter, Lundyn Jackson, Jack Klor, Brylee Klotz, Sydney Lauderdale, Jackson Lucas, Christane Mahurin, Michael Mallory, Isabella Manes, Garrett Mathis, Ayla McDonald, Gabrielle McKinzie, Manuel Mejia Juarez, Olivia Mintert, Noah Moss, Kamdyn Myers, Cooper Nielson, Glenn Dexter Pascua, Mark Lester Pascua, Avery Pennock, Jackson Pickett, Aidan Pierce, Rece Ponce, Quenton Powers, Breanna Pugh, Kisa Rabel, Jenna Schulz, Carli Stevens, Ceanna Tilton, Brooke Vonder Haar, Lacey Welch, Kade Weston, Jackson White, Wyatt Wolfe, Breanna Woods and Evie Young.
AP reports that nonprofit org Global Witness bought 12 ads on Facebook that "used dehumanizing hate speech to call for the murder of people belonging to each of Ethiopia's three main ethnic groups  the Amhara, the Oromo and the Tigrayans." Facebook approved all 12 ads.

Global Witness didn't run the ads. "We set a publication date in the future and deleted the ads once Facebook had notified us whether the ads had been approved for publication or not," Global Witness said.

The hate speech examples we used are highly offensive and we are therefore deliberately not repeating all of the phrases used here [iv]. The sentences used included violent speech that directly calls for people to be killed, starved or 'cleansed' from an area and dehumanising speech that compares people to animals. Several of them amount to a call for genocide. None of the sentences were dog-whistles or in any way difficult to interpret.

When Global Witness told Facebook that it had accepted hate speed ads, Facebook acknowledges that the ads "shouldn't have been approved in the first place as they violate our policies."

"We submitted another two examples of real-life Amharic-language hate speech to them a week later," said Global Witness. "Both ads were, again, accepted by Facebook for publication within a matter of hours."

Rinse, cycle, repeat.
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Lewis "Louie" Selam missing since March 16

Lewis Selam, known by his family and friends as Louie, is 6 feet tall, weighs about 210 pounds and rarely goes anywhere without a hat.

Anyone who sees him or has information about him is asked to contact the Warm Springs Police Department at 541-553-1171.

The family also asks if anyone has any information about Louies whereabout to contact them at 541-325-3322.
A Pride flag hangs among the American flag, Washington state flag and POW/MIA flag over Yakima City Hall on Friday, June 12, 2020 in Yakima, Wash. The Yakima City Council also voted 4-3 to allow a Pride flag to fly near City Hall for the month of June, which the council had previously proclaimed Pride Month. Voting in favor were Council members Eliana Macias, Holly Cousens, Soneya Lund, and Kay Funk. Voting against were Jason White, Patricia Byers, and Brad Hill.
A woman cut into her green (as in free range) chicken bought at a Brisbane, Australia supermarket on Tuesday, only to find the meat was literally green on the inside.

"Picked up our fresh Lilydale Free Range Chicken from Coles to make some soup for dinner tonight, as I went to shred it for the soup I noticed it was GREEN," she posted on Facebook, according to Yahoo! News, along with an appetizing photo (see below). "Literally feel so sick."

"I wanted to vomit and I felt bad and shocked," she later told Yahoo!.

Coles tried to shrug it off, saying "It isn't harmful," and "We're really happy the customer received a refund." But the real kicker was their claim, "This isn't a Coles product, we have strict quality standards that our poultry partners work to [and] we will let our supplier know about this." Oh sure, just like they've been doing for the last four years.

From Australian blog Mamamia in 2018:

When NSW woman, Kylie Mason, began carving up the Coles chicken she'd roasted for dinner on Tuesday night, she spotted something that made her stomach turn. A large patch of the flesh inside was green. Vividly, unmistakably green. "I was in shock," the Lithgow woman told Mamamia. "I'm very [wary about] chicken to start with. If there's a tinge of pink I will not eat it, if there's the slightest smell I will not cook or eat it."

Apparently it's true that the green tint isn't "harmful," at least not physically. But the fact that it's caused by a "green muscle disease" that "relates specifically to the degeneration or necrosis of the deep pectoral muscle" is good enough reason to swear off chicken, and meat for that matter  as the Coles shopper says she did.
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Relations between Hungary and Turkey have never been as close and as peaceful as they are today, foreign ministry state secretary Levente Magyar said in Budapest, addressing a ceremony at Budapests Gul Baba Cultural Centre held on the occasion of the inauguration of a statue of 16th-century dervish Gul Baba in Istanbul.

Magyar said the Hungarian and Turkish people were bound together by their millennia-long kinship and centuries-long friendship.



Thousands of years ago, Hungarians and Turks came to Europe from the same area, he said, noting that when the Ottoman Empire set out to conquer Europe it was the Hungarians that stopped them. That battle was a matter of life and death for the Hungarians, the state secretary said.



However, after being liberated from Ottoman rule, Hungarian leaders fleeing Austrian oppression found refuge in Turkey, Magyar noted, adding that Turkey had then become the most important friend of the Hungarian national movement.



That showed that the earlier battles between the two peoples had only been a power struggle and not something that had stemmed from any deeper differences, he said. From then on, Hungarians and Turks were loyal friends, he added.



Hungary eventually made peace with the centuries-long struggles with the Turks and now relations between the two peoples are close in all areas of life, Magyar said.



History can no longer cause so bad a storm that will turn the two peoples against one another, he said. This is also symbolised by the statue to Gul Baba in Istanbul which represents the mutual respect between Hungarians and Turks, Magyar added.



The inauguration of the Gul Baba statue in Istanbul was broadcast live at the Budapest event. The statue is a replica of the bronze statue inaugurated at the entrance of Budapests Gul Baba Cultural Centre and Exhibition Hall in 1997.
The fresh newsletter for the International Community in Hungary - described by readers as a "Great read each week" - is now available for your interest and use via the link below.

You can see the new edition of the Xpat E-Magazine here:

https://xpatloop.com/newsletters/2022/9-june.html


HENDERSON -- Every year, the Henderson Mennonite Heritage Park holds a kids' event reenacting and telling the story of the immigrants journey from Russia to America and how they came to Henderson.

When the kids arrive at the park, they are directed to a few tubs of clothing that were worn during that period in time -- including dresses, hats, jackets and aprons. The kids are invited to wear the items throughout their reenacting journey.

The interactive trip in time begins at the church, which is a replica of one of the first houses of worship in Henderson, which was built by the Mennonites. There, a preacher reads a few passages from a German bible before talking about what was happening during this period of time.

The Mennonites moved to Russia from Germany to escape the growing conflicts there, but Russia wanted the Mennonites to conform to their church and language. And Russia wanted to enlist the men in the Russian Army. With these growing conflicts and fear of losing their fathers and sons as well as their religion and language, the Mennonites wanted to leave. So they sent two people to America, specifically to Kansas and Nebraska, to see if it was a better place to live.

Following the kids experience at the church, they made their way to the farm house. This structure was one of the first houses built in Henderson which was later moved to Heritage Park. There they packed up their things, were given some money for their trip, and reenacted saying good-bye to their grandparents who had to stay back in Russia.

With old suitcases stuffed with mostly extra dress-up clothes and hats, their paper passports and small cut-out paper money, the kids then made their way over to the red barn which was labeled, Russian border. There they had to present their passports and get them stamped before being able to board the train.

The kids made their way to a sign saying Germany, where they were told the story of Mr. Sterling, who passed away of illness on the train ride. The immigrants feared that if the German soldiers knew he had passed, none of them could continue on, so they hid that fact, spending two days on the train with Mr. Sterlings body before coming to their stop. At the stop, two German soldiers offered to bury Mr. Sterlings body without saying a word but for a price. And with that tad bit grim story, the kids then had to hand all their paper money over to the two volunteers who acted as the German soldiers before being able to make their way to the boat.

Walking up to a large trailer hooked up to the back of a pickup, all the kids boarded the boat and soon they were off. Sailing around the 8  acre lot, the kids were told of the things the Mennonites experienced and endured on their 17-day voyage to America. Those included dealing with the scare of a fire breaking out on the ship and witnessing the birth of a baby, as well as the confusion over whether the baby would be a Russian or American citizen.

When the truck stopped and the kids departed the boat, they headed to the replica general store which had been labeled as New York. There, they had health evaluations and waited for paperwork to officially enter America.

To reenact the trip from New York to Lincoln, Nebraska, the kids walked across an acre of land, to the replica train depot where they were met by two men. Each man tried to sway them to stay in a different state  Kansas or Nebraska. Hearing what each man had to say about each state, the Mennonites ended up choosing to stay in Nebraska. From Lincoln they took a train to Sutton. This was reenacted by the kids walking over to the back of the replica immigrant house. There the kids were told how the immigrants met a man named Mr. Grosshands. They were told how glad he was the immigrants had come to Sutton and how he led them on a 15-mile walk to the land which is now Henderson.

The children learned about the immigrants lives after settling in Henderson, about the Pawnee who lived on the land before their arrival, and how Peter and Anna Wolfe were the first couple to have a child in this community who was the first American citizen among them.

The youngsters were also broken into groups and given yard flags, which they used to mark off their own homesteads  just like their ancestors did in 1874.

This remarkable, educational event is sponsored each year by Henderson Heritage and Tourism.
A former 43North-winning housing startup has pledged to donate $19,000 to Black-led community organizations across the country.

In honor of Juneteenth, the online apartment reviews company Whose Your Landlord will give $1,000 each to 19 Black-led nonprofit organizations that "focus on cultivating community." Juneteenth, celebrated on June 19, commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States and is a celebration of African-American culture.

In celebration of Juneteenth, @WYLandlord is awarding $1000 grants to 19 Black-led community organizations across the country.Nominate an organization making a difference in your neighborhood by tagging them belowAll winners will be announced on June 20. Details: pic.twitter.com/OdvY9rv7R0  WYL (WhoseYourLandlord) (@wylandlord) June 9, 2022

It feels particularly important now to support community organizations, not just in Buffalo in the wake of the Tops Markets mass shooting where a self-proclaimed white supremacist is accused of killing 10 Black people and wounding three others, but across the country, as many people are in a "state of grief" as similar tragedies have unfolded, Whose Your Landlord founder Ofo Ezeugwu said.

43North company partners with Walmart on rent relief program Whose Your Landlord, a 43North portfolio company, is teaming up with Walmart and other partners on a rent relief program.

To nominate an organization, head to any of Whose Your Landlord's social media pages  @wylandlord on Twitter and Instagram, @whoseyourlandlord on Facebook and WYL (Whose Your Landlord) on LinkedIn  and tag the organization in the comments. If the organization is not on social media, leave a link to their website, Eweugwu said.

The deadline to nominate an organization is June 17, and Whose Your Landlord will announce the winners June 20.

The grants will be given through the company's nonprofit arm, BUILD, which supports leaders who build up their communities on a daily basis.

43North startup Whose Your Landlord finds support in WNY Whose Your Landlord is an online platform for apartment reviews. One part of the platform is for residents to rate landlords, property management companies and apartment units. The other part is for landlords to get feedback from residents to increase tenant satisfaction and retention.

Ezeugwu's mission with Whose Your Landlord is to bring more transparency to housing by empowering and informing the rental community.

In 2019, the company won $500,000 in Buffalo's 43North startup contest. Ezeugwu lives part-time in Buffalo and some of the company's biggest clients, such as Ciminelli Real Estate, are in Buffalo. Ezeugwu has plans to make Western New York a significant part of his company's future by building out Whose Your Landlord's tech workforce in Buffalo.

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 following questions were asked recently on the Wonderline:

Q: When will the Blackburn Bridge be replaced?

A: The engineering contract has been signed and the physical work to replace that bridge will take place this coming winter.

Q: I saw in the citys agenda last week that the public works director is now the street superintendent for the city. What does that mean?

A: Yorks public works director, James Paul, took the intensive 7-hour test to be a street superintendent and passed. York City Administrator Sue Crawford told the city council Paul passed the test on his first try  and only 5% of the people who take it pass it the first time.

Its great to have one of our own as the street superintendent, as its been a while, commented Mayor Barry Redfern.

Q: Is the city auditorium still a public storm shelter?

A: This question was asked a few months back when there was a bizarre December tornado warning.

As explained by Cheree Folts, director of parks and recreation, the city auditorium is no longer considered a community storm shelter. Years ago, the city auditorium was taken off the community storm shelter list because it could not be left unlocked without supervision due to security breaches. City and council officials are currently discussing ideas for addressing the need for a storm shelter in the downtown area that can be reliably available.

Q: How long do you have to stay stopped behind a school bus when it is stopped?

A: As long as the stop arm is extended from a school bus, drivers cannot proceed forward.

Q: I was out walking with my kids and noticed there are some areas in town where the sidewalks are really bad. My question is if a public sidewalk in front of a residence supposed to be maintained by the homeowner or by the city? If a sidewalk is uneven, if someone trips and falls due to that issue, who is liable?

A: Sidewalks in front of residences are the responsibility of that property owner. Whoever owns the residential property is responsible for the upkeep of the sidewalk. If a sidewalk is on public property, it is the responsibility of the government entity that owns it.

And the liability lies with the responsible party.

Q: Why was the asphalt work downtown postponed from this week?

A: It appears there was an issue on the contractors end that caused the delay.

When the new timeline is determined, it will be announced by the city offices with plenty of advance notice for property and business owners.

Q: Does the Red Cross bloodmobile not have a calling list any longer in York? It used to be that when they were coming to town, someone would call me on the phone to remind me to donate. But I havent been contacted in a while.

A: It might be an issue of not having enough volunteers to make those calls.

If someone is interested in donating blood, they can go to redcrossblood.org/give and by just entering their zip code, they can see a full listing of all the local bloodmobiles that are planned in the near future  as well as available appointment times.

Q: Since the county commissioners voted against giving county employees premium pay because it wouldnt be for everyone are they going to give the rest of their employees a $1.50 raise like they did for the county roads department so that its for everyone?

A: The preparation for the budget for the 2022-23 fiscal year has started and the county board members have been meeting with department heads and elected officials to talk about expenditures in the next fiscal year. One would assume that topic, if it comes up, will be discussed during the budget process this summer.

Q: Who invented the potato chip?

A: Food historians say George Crum, a cook at the Moons Lake House in New York, accidentally invented potato chips in 1853. After a guest at the restaurant kept returning potato fries, claiming they werent crisp enough, he sliced the potatoes extra thin and fried them in hot oil, finishing them with added salt.

In the 20th century, potato chips spread beyond chef-cooked restaurant fare and began to be mass-produced for home consumption. The Dayton, Ohio-based Mikesells Potato Chip Company, founded in 1910, identifies as the oldest potato chip company in the United States. And the New Hampshire-based Granite State Potato Chip Factory, founded in 1905 and in operation until 2007, was one of Americas first potato chip manufacturers.

Q: I notice a narrow strip of what appears to be asphalt has been laid down directly in the middle on the interstate median between Pleasant Dale and Milford. What is its purpose and why only that short stretch?

A: Jeni Campana, spokesperson for the Nebraska Department of Transportation, explains it is to support a high tensile strength, cable guardrail soon to be constructed. Strictly for safety, it is hoped the barrier will stop, deflect or at least slow cars before they can get into the opposing lanes of traffic. Campana said the method is used in other states, however this is the first installation for Nebraska. Were trying it on that one stretch (of highway) to start, she said. If proven effective chances are good it will be used elsewhere in the future.
Mahindra Scorpio-N is ready to be launched soon in the Indian market. Ahead of the launch, the test mules of the new SUV have been spotted several times out in the wild. Because of the spy shots and the leaks, a lot of the details of the SUV were made public before the official announcements. In the series of such revelations now, the interior details of the SUV have been revealed. The details were made public through a YouTube channel going by the name Jitendra Kumar AutoLine.

The latest spy video was shot in Chakan, near Pune. It is to be noted that the New Mahindra Scorpio-N will be produced from Mahindra's facility in Chakan. Moving on, the video shows that the second row of the SUV has captain seats instead of the bench seats. Speculations are that the Mahindra Scorpio-N will be offered with both the options of captain and bench seats.

In addition, the video reveals that the second row is equipped with AC vents and blower control. It also gets USB Type-C charging for mobile devices and seat pockets. Getting into details of the second-row seats, the Scorpio-N will have a one-touch fold and tumble function to give occupants access to the third row of seats.

Also read: Couple driving Toyota Fortuner SUV fined for dune-bashing in Ladakh, incident irks netizens

The video further shows the third row of the SUV, which has a bench seat. The third-row seats can be folded to create more space. This is a change considering the earlier versions of the Mahindra Scorpio had side-facing seats in the third row.

We can see from the photos that the Scorpio N and the XUV700 will share some bits. The steering wheel, wiper and headlight stalks, as well as the instrument cluster, are all from the MX model of the XUV700. A new touchscreen infotainment system featuring Android Auto and Apple CarPlay has been introduced.

Based on the looks, the chances are that the Mahindra Scorpio-N in the video is the top variant of the car, as the gear lever seems to be from the automatic variant of the SUV. Reports suggest that along with the 6-speed manual version, the Scorpio-N will also have the option of a 6-speed torque converter unit.
Ladakh is known for its beautiful valleys, and picturesque scenes and hence, gets tourists pouring in from all over the world. However, there are some sites in the region that need protection so that they are not ruined by continuous visits from tourists. Recently, Leh police posted pictures of a Toyota Fortuner SUV being driven in the sand dunes in Hunder of Nubra Valley despite directions from the local authorities not to do so. The tourist couple who drove the Toyota Fortuner on the sand had to give a bond of Rs 50,000 for breaking the rules of the local authority and harming the site.

Leh police captioned the photo saying, "One tourist vehicle was found violating the SDM Nubra's direction not to drive cars over dunes in Hunder. The couple from Jaipur were booked as per law, and a bond of Rs 50,000 was taken from them." Furthermore, the Leh Police re-stated the warning to not break the rules and harm the landscape.

In the post, they said, "District police Leh requests tourists NOT TO PLY VEHICLES ON SAND DUNES as you damage the natural landscape and violate the prohibitory orders." Following the post, Leh Police were praised by the netizens for taking action against the violators. Moreover, the tourists were criticised for showing no regard for the natural landscape and harming the site.

Also read: Hyundai Creta N-Line officially unveiled, gets updated styling

It is to be noted that the Shyok and Siachen rivers meet in Nubra Valley, which is a few hours north of Leh. Ladakh is separated from the Karakoram ranges and the Siachen glacier by this valley. The valley falls in a tehsil in the Leh District.

Moreover, this is not the first time tourists have been criticised on social media platforms for harming the picturesque sites in Ladakh. Earlier, a video went viral showing an Audi SUV racing in the Pangong Lake with the tourists yelling and hanging out of the car's sunroof. In addition, the video showed the area being polluted with bottles, packets and other garbage thrown in the lake.
NEW DELHI: Actors Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor will be seen first time together in a Luv Ranjan film. The stars are currently in Spain, shooting for the film and recently, a video of the duo filming a sequence in water has emerged on social media and is being widely shared.

Looking at the video, it seems that Ranbir and Shraddha are filming a romantic sequence for the Luv Ranjan's directorial. For the shoot, Shraddha stepped up in a bikini and let her hair loose whereas a shirtless Ranbir is seen flaunting his ripped body. The clip shows the two actors exchanging glances as he walks up to her in the water. The clip also shows a few other people dancing nearby. Several fan clubs of actors also shared the video on social media claiming that the duo is shooting a song sequence in Spain. "A shirtless Ranbir scene after sooo looong! He looks in great shape," comments a fan.

Take a look at the latest video of Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor from their upcoming film here:

Only recently, Ranbir and Shraddha were seen rehearsing a dance sequence on the film sets in Spain. A choreographer is seen teaching some dance moves to Ranbir and Shraddha, who is dressed in a sunshine yellow short dress. Ranbir Kapoor is wearing a tie-dye shirt paired with white pants. Fans couldn't keep calm over the clipping and it has been widely circulated on social media.

This Luv Ranjan directorial is reportedly a romantic-comedy, also starring Dimple Kapadia in a key role. Producer Boney Kapoor will be making his acting debut in this venture and will reportedly be seen playing Ranbir's father in the film. The untitled film is slated for release in 2023.

It has been reported that Ranbir and Shraddha have been shooting for the film for quite some time now. In fact, Ranbir was shooting for the film even at the time he was getting married to Alia Bhatt. The film was first announced in 2019.

On the work front, Ranbir Kapoor has Ayan Mukerji's directorial 'Brahmastra Part One: Shiva', co-starring now wife, Alia Bhatt. The fiction also stars Amitabh Bachchan, Nagarjuna Akkineni and Mouni Roy in pivotal roles. The film will hit the theatres on September 9, 2022. Apart from 'Brahmastra', he also has 'Shamshera' and 'Animal' in the pipeline.

Talking about Shraddha Kapoor, apart from Luv Ranjan's untitled next comedy-drama with Ranbir Kapoor, bankrolled by Luv Films and T-Series, she has a project with director Pankaj Parashar titled 'Chaalbaaz In London', which has high chances of releasing this very year.

Live TV
New Delhi: Shahi Imam of Delhis Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, on Friday distanced himself from the protests over suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharmas derogatory remarks on Prophet Muhammad. The Shahi Imam said, "No call for protest was given from Jama Masjid and nobody knows who the protesters are." He even demanded strict action against them.

"After namaz, around 40-50 people staged a protest shouting slogans of different kinds and showing posters. There was no announcement for a protest from Jama Masjid. Nobody knows who those people were because thousands had gathered for the Friday prayers," Bukhari was cited as saying by PTI.

There was no call for protest from the Masjid committee. In fact, yesterday when people were planning to protest we clearly said to them that there is no call for the protest from Jama Masjid (Committee): Shahi Imam, Jama Masjid, Delhi  ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2022

The cleric said that he was contacted by several people seeking clarity about protests and the shutting of shops in the area to condemn the remarks against the Prophet. "? but I advised them to desist from such action and maintain peace. Delhi Police can probe who the protesters were because there was no permission for the demonstration," he said.

#WATCH People in large numbers protest at Delhi's Jama Masjid over inflammatory remarks by suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma & expelled leader Naveen Jindal, earlier today



No call for protest given by Masjid, says Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid. pic.twitter.com/Kysiz4SdxH  ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2022

According to senior police officials, the protest was held peacefully on the stairs near Gate Number 1 of the mosque, and it lasted for around 15 to 20 minutes. The protesters were dispersed later.

The row over the remarks against Prophet Mohammad escalated on Sunday with countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and Iran marking their protests, prompting the BJP to take action against its functionaries and assert that it respects all religions.

As the row intensified domestically and abroad, the BJP on Sunday suspended Nupur Sharma and expelled Naveen Jindal, both of whom were the party's spokespersons. On the other hand, the Delhi Police has registered an FIR against 31 people, including AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand, and filed a separate case against Nupur Sharma for allegedly spreading hate and hurting religious sentiments.
The EV unit of the Anglian Omega Group, Omega Seiki Mobility, has announced the debut of the Stream, a passenger electric three-wheeler priced at Rs 3.40 lakh (ex-showroom New Delhi) after government subsidies. In the passenger electric three-wheeler market, the stream will compete with Piaggio's Ape E-City and Mahindra Treo's passenger electric three-wheelers. According to the corporation, it has invested between $12 and $15 million in the new product, which is designed to meet domestic and international market demand. The electric cargo three-wheeler category was the focus of the Faridabad-based firm.

The vehicle is powered by an advanced 8.5-kW capacity lithium-ion battery that can be charged through a 16 A socket using the offboard portable charger in four hours. OSM's maiden passenger e-three-wheeler offers a range of 110 km on a single charge, as per the company.

Stating that Stream redefines sustainable and eco-friendly last-mile mobility in the country, the company claimed its electric passenger three-wheeler will provide an improved earning potential of 20-25 per cent, ensuring good savings and profits.

Also read: Meet Kawasaki Elektrode: Company's first fully-electric bike with 3 power modes

"Today marks a significant day for Omega Seiki Mobility as we venture into the passenger segment. As the innovators of green mobility space, Omega Seiki Mobility is poised to be at the forefront of the EV revolution while leading the endeavour through its range of clean mobility solutions.

"Stream is one such product, which is an innovative green solution in the last mile transportation segment with the best in class earning potential for the drivers and owners," said Uday Narang, founder and Chairman of Omega Seiki Mobility.

Narang said that the company is eying to sell around 35,000-40,000 units of Stream passenger e-three wheeler next year, with 60 per cent of the total volumes expected to come from the domestic sales and the remaining 40 per cent from the overseas market.

"We plan to export this vehicle to Africa and ASEAN as well as Latin America," he added. The company said it has partnered with many banks and NBFCs to facilitate vehicle financing, which can also be availed through the group's in-house financing arm 'Anglian Finvest'.

With inputs from PTI
New Delhi: With the announcement of the election date for the next President of India on July 18 in which 4,809 electors comprising MPs and MLAs will vote to elect incumbent Ram Nath Kovind's successor, the absence of a legislative assembly in Jammu and Kashmir will have its impact as the value of the vote of a member of Parliament has gone down to 700 from 708 in the presidential poll. The value of an MP's vote in a presidential election is based on the number of elected members of Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha and those of the legislative assemblies of states and UTs 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 Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, the Union Territory of J&K will have a legislative assembly, while Ladakh will be governed directly by the Centre.

The Centre 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, wherein, 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 the first time that MLAs of a state assembly will be deprived of voting in the presidential elections. 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.

Jammu and Kashmir, however, will not go unrepresented in the presidential elections as members of Lok Sabha will be eligible to exercise their franchise to elect the First Citizen of the country.

It may be noted that 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, and later increased to 496 in the 1957 presidential election, followed by 493 (1962), 576 (1967 and 1969). The presidential elections were held in 1969 due to the death of President Zakir Hussain on May 3, 1969.

In the 1974 presidential election, the value of the vote of an MP was 723, and it has been fixed at 702 for the presidential elections from 1977 to 1992.

The value of the vote of each MLA varies in different states as the value of the vote of each MLA stands at 208 in Uttar Pradesh, followed by 176 in Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu, while it is 175 in Maharashtra. In Sikkim, the value of vote per MLA is seven, while it is nine in Nagaland and eight in Mizoram.

President Ram Nath Kovind completes his term on July 24, and his successor has to be elected before that. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar on Thursday, responded to a question on the value of the vote of each member of Parliament due to the absence of a legislative assembly in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir. He told the media that the value of the vote of each MP will be 700, adding "It was 708 (earlier). It has been changing. It was 702 (at one time)."

(With PTI Inputs)
Srinagar: As authorities are expecting a huge influx of pilgrims during the upcoming Amarnath Yatra this year, the Amarnath Shrine Board along with civil administration is working for an additional helicopter service for pilgrims directly from Srinagar to Panchtarni, which is the last destination of pilgrimage just 6 kilometres away from the holy Amarnath cave.

Currently, helicopter services are available for the pilgrims from Baltal and Pahalgam to Panchtarni, pilgrims either walk or hire a horse ride or a palanquin to reach the Amarnath shrine from this point. Both Baltal and Pahalgam are more than 100 kilometres from Srinagar.

This year, a new route is being added from Srinagar airport to Panchtarni, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir PK Pole said the step is being considered in view of the demand from the number of pilgrims who don't have much time to travel and want to take a helicopter from Srinagar to the holy cave directly.

PK Pole said, Majority of pilgrims want to go through helicopter from Baltal and Pahalgam, but there are some pilgrims who come by air and want to go by air from Srinagar to the cave and come back. The shrine board is working on that and it will be provided.

The chopper service from Srinagar airport to Panjtarni will also erase the terrorist threat to the pilgrims as they need not travel by road. The administration is also ensuring the full proof security of those pilgrims who will drive by road to the base camp of Baltal or Pahalgam.

Pole further said, This year a new thing is being introduced, all our service providers and pilgrims and all employees attached to the yatra will be provided with RFID tag. This will help in tracking everyones movement and even animals will get this tag. This will help us in the management of overcrowding and stampede like situations during the yatra.

IGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar said, For Amarnath Yatra security, we are working for the last one month and we have done many meetings. We will provide three tyre security, drone surveillance will be in place , CCTVs will be installed, RFID will be installed and we will ensure incident-free yatra.

Notably, the administration is strictly implementing the RFID (radio frequency identification tag) system for everyone participating in the yatra. Even animals will be tagged so that everyone can be on track to avert any untoward incident.

As per the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) framed on the directions of the Supreme Court of India, only 15,000 registered Shri Amarnath Yatra pilgrims are allowed beyond Pahalgam and Baltal in a day, including 7,500 each from Baltal and Pahalgam tracks. This excluded pilgrims who would travel by helicopter on either route to Panjtarni.

This year, the Amarnath Yatra would go on for 43 days starting June 30. Intelligence agencies have already alerted about the terror threat on the upcoming yatra. This includes the latest threat of targeting the pilgrims who came from little know terrorist group Kashmir Freedom Fighter, which according to security officials is an offshoot of Jaish-e-Mohammed.

J&K LG reviews preparations for Amarnath Yatra

Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Thursday reviewed the preparations for the annual Amarnath pilgrimage during a high-level meeting, which was attended by the Chief Secretary, Administrative secretaries of different departments, Principal Secretary to Lt Governor, Divisional Commissioners, and concerned Deputy Commissioners.

The Lt Governor stressed that all the work of yatra arrangements should be completed within the set timeline, calling upon the officials to ensure optimum use of technology to make the yatra safer and more convenient for the pilgrims.

Underlining the significance of the holy yatra, Sinha instructed all senior officials to periodically inspect the security and every aspect of world-class arrangements, including transport, lodging, sanitation, electricity, water, communication, health, convenience shops, food courts, vending zones etc for Amarnath Yatris.
Kolkata: Notwithstanding BJP national president J P Nadda's advice to party leaders to refrain from commenting on the division of West Bengal, its Kurseong MLA Bishnu Prasad Sharma Friday reiterated his demand for separation of Darjeeling hills from the state. Facing flak from the ruling TMC over repeated demands of the division of West Bengal by a section of BJP legislators, Nadda had Thursday urged party leaders to refrain from speaking on the issue.

"The place from where I come has been deprived since Independence. Hence, I want its separation from Bengal. Yesterday also, I had said the same thing, and I would continue to say it," Sharma said.

The BJP state leadership hastily distanced itself from Sharma's comments, asserting that the party is not in favour of West Bengal's division.

ALSO READ: Nupur Sharma controversy: Agitation turns violent in West Bengals Howrah, protestors torch vehicles, clash with police

"We don't want division of the state, but we feel there is need for development of the North Bengal region," BJP spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya said.

Sharma had on Thursday stoked the demand for bifurcation of West Bengal.

Last year, too, he had written to Nadda over the issue, asking the party leadership to honour its promise of a permanent political solution to the Gorkhaland statehood demand.

BJP's Alipurduar MP John Barla and legislators of Matigara-Naxalbari and Dabgram-Phulbari seats have also demanded that a union territory be carved out of the North Bengal district.

The Trinamool Congress, however, has accused the BJP of trying to fan separatism in the state.

"Our chief minister has clearly said there will be no division of West Bengal. We will never allow partition of the state," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee said.
New Delhi: A massive fire broke out in a carpet and crockery factory`s godown in Hamidpur area of the national capital on Thursday (June 9, 2022) evening. As many as 23 fire tenders were rushed to the spot to douse the fire. The officials said that no casualty has been reported from the spot.

"23 fire tenders are engaged in the dousing operation. It`s a godown of different things. They have not taken NOC from the fire department nor do they have any system to douse the fire. No casualties have been reported so far," Divisional Officer, Delhi Fire Service, SK Dua said.

23 fire tenders are engaged in the dousing operation. It's a godown of different things. They have not taken NOC from the fire department nor do they have any system to douse the fire. No casualties have been reported so far: SK Dua, Divisional Officer, Delhi Fire Service pic.twitter.com/kD7CacQWey  ANI (@ANI) June 9, 2022

This was not the only fire incident reported in the national capital yesterday. Earlier in the day, a fire broke out near Shah Masjid, Batla House in the Jamia Nagar area of the national capital on Thursday. According to Delhi Fire Service, more than seven fire tenders rushed to the spot to douse the blaze and a total of 20 people have been rescued so far.

On Wednesday, as many as four fire incidents were reported. 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 Delhi 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.

(With agency inputs)
The fund created to collect donations to victims of the mass shooting at the Tops Markets on Jefferson Avenue is preparing to release proposed eligibility guidelines for the money.

The Buffalo 5/14 Survivors Fund, established by Tops Markets and the National Compassion Fund, had received $2.86 million in donations from 12,400 contributors as of Friday afternoon. Donations continue to be collected.

A steering committee for the fund, composed of local decision makers, will publish its proposal  known as a draft protocol  early next week and call for public comment, said Jeffrey Dion, executive director of the National Compassion Fund.

The donated money will go to families of the 10 people killed in the attack, as well as to those injured and those present in the store. The draft protocol will be a list of rules spelling out who is eligible to receive funds in each of those categories, Dion said. It will also lay out the timeline for the process, including the date of a town hall meeting at the end of the public comment period.

The proposal won't suggest how much money should go to recipients in each of those categories. Those decisions will be made once the total amount of donations is known.

Erie County Legislature wants more permanent change after temporary assistance leaves East Side community In the wake of the May 14 mass killing at Tops, Erie County legislators want more accountability and more permanent mental health resources to remain when the current community spotlight and assistance fades away.

Based on public input, the steering committee will decide whether to make any changes before finalizing the rules, Dion said. Then the application window will open. Those applications will be thoroughly reviewed before the money is distributed, which could take months.

The full list of the Buffalo 5/14 fund's committee members will be released next week. Dion said the committee has more than 25 members, putting it at the larger end for funds administered by the National Compassion Fund.

Dion was in Buffalo on Friday for a meeting of the steering committee. Afterward, family members of victims of the attack received a briefing and were invited to ask questions.

Dion said the Buffalo 5/14 fund's steering committee is well rounded.

"They've got people that are really involved in the community," he said. "We've got reps from the NAACP and the Urban League. We've got people from the neighborhood. We've got psychological trauma experts. We've got at least three ministers, so we've got the faith community tied in."

As donations flow in after Tops shooting, the first grants are rolling out The donations add up to $3 million worth of commitments aimed at helping the community recover from the racially motivated mass shooting at a Tops supermarket. Now the Buffalo Together Community Response Fund is preparing to put some of that money into the hands of recipients, with $560,000 worth of grants going to 70 Black-led organizations.

Dion said the online tracker of the Buffalo 5/14 fund shows donations actually received, but more money is coming in the form of checks and pledges.

"We're very pleased," he said. "But also from talking to folks. There's a big need. There's a lot of hurt, so we want to hold that fund open for donations as long as we can, so that we can help people as much as possible," he said.

Matt Glynn

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What has happened in the country today has never happened before. In 14 states, thousands of people took to the streets at the same time after Friday prayers. And they did whatever they wanted for a few hours. They pelted stones, set vehicles on fire and even threw bombs at the police. Miscreants even hanged an effigy of suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma from an electric wire resembling a public execution near a mosque in Karnataka. A curfew has been imposed in several parts of Jharkhands Ranchi after some policemen, reportedly the SP as well, were injured while trying to control an irate mob near Hanuman Temple, situated on Ranchi's Main Road.

In today's DNA, Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary analysed the violent protests that took place across the country after Friday's namaz.

Famous writer Saadat Hasan Manto once said,. "When religion comes out of the heart, it becomes poison" and this is what is happening in our country right now. Today, there were protests at more than 90 places in 14 states. And there were 8 such protests in which there were incidents of violence and stone pelting. The protests were held simultaneously at more than 90 places in 14 states of the country and the biggest similarity among them is that all these protests took place after Friday prayers in mosques.

This cannot be a coincidence at all. There must have been some big conspiracy and plan behind this as the issue started with a TV debate on 26th May. And today, 15 days have passed since then. But today, suddenly a violent mob across the country came out on the streets and demanded the hanging of Nupur Sharma.

The maximum violence was seen in Prayagraj, where a violent mob pelted stones at the police and some vehicles were also set on fire.

Live TV
Bhopal: Amid huge protests over suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharmas controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad, Bhartiya Janata Party MP Sadhvi Pragya Thakur has now come out in support of the former saying "if telling the truth is rebellion, then I am also a rebel". The BJP MP took to Twitter and extended her support to Nupur Sharma, who is now at the centre of a political storm over her objectionable remarks on the Prophet.

"If telling the truth is rebellion, then by that coin, I am also a rebel," Sadhvi Thakur said on Twitter.

          

 ,  ...  Sadhvi Pragya singh thakur (@SadhviPragya_MP) June 9, 2022

Speaking to the media later, Thakur said that India belongs to the Hindus and that 'Sanatana Dharma' will stay here. When asked about her opinion on death threats to Nupur Sharma, she said, "These non-believers have always done so. Like Kamlesh Tiwari said something he was killed. Someone else (Nupur Sharma) said something and they also received a death threat. They distort our gods and goddess and make films about them. They have been doing this for years... That shows their mentality."

"This is Bharat (India). India belongs to Hindus and Sanatana Dharma will stay here. It is our responsibility and we shall do so," she added.

It may be mentioned that Kamlesh Tiwari was murdered at his residence in Lucknow`s Khursheed Bagh neighbourhood on October 18, 2019, with stabs and a gunshot. Tiwaris own outfit, the Hindu Samaj Party was a little-known organisation but he was an active functionary of the Hindu Mahasabha earlier.

BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma claimed she has been receiving death threats following her controversial religious remarks against Prophet. The Bharatiya Janata Party last week suspended its spokesperson Nupur Sharma from the party`s primary membership after her alleged inflammatory remarks against the Prophet and the minorities.

The BJP leader`s remark drew sharp reactions from Gulf countries. India has said that it had taken strong action against those who made controversial remarks against minorities.
NEW DELHI: Amid growing concerns over a sudden spike in Covid-19 cases, a top ICMR official has said that there is still no need to panic about the possible fourth wave of coronavirus hitting the country soon. It's wrong to say the 4th wave is coming, we need to examine district-level data. A high number of cases in a few districts can't be considered as a uniform increase in cases across the whole country, Samiran Panda, ADG, ICMR said, according to ANI.

It's wrong to say 4th wave is coming, we need to examine district-level data. High number of cases in few districts can't be considered as unifrom increase in cases across country. Not every variant is variant of concern: Samiran Panda, ADG, ICMR on slight uptick in Covid cases pic.twitter.com/5uvT7qChIx  ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2022

On a slight uptick in Covid cases, Panda added, Not every variant is a variant of concern. The clarification from the top ICMR official came a day after the Centre asked the states and UTs not to lower guard and implement Covid-19 measures, if required, to contain its spread. Observing an upsurge in Coronavirus infection in the past two weeks, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Thursday wrote to all the states and Union Territories to ensure that they bring the COVID-19 pandemic situation "under control".

Expressing his concern over the continuous surge in Covid-19 infections, the health secretary in his letter wrote, "Given the significance of adequate testing in early identification of cases and providing an accurate picture of the level of infection spread, it is required that States/UTs must ensure a high level of testing in all such areas that are reporting new cases/cluster of cases."

"State/UTs must also monitor average daily testing per million as well as the share of RT-PCR in total tests conducted...Stats/UTs must also enhance monitoring of Influenza-like Illness (ILI) and SARI cases in all health facilities on a regular basis for detecting early warning signals of the spread of infection," the letter read.

In the letter, he also emphasised the State/UTs to conduct Genome sequencing of prescribed samples of international passengers and said, "Collection of samples from Sentinal Sites (identified health facilities) and the local cluster of new Covid-19 cases is equally important."

He further advised them to continue implementation and monitoring of necessary measures for prompt and effective management of Covid-19 snd to ensure compliance with the advisories issued by the Health Ministry, while following a five-fold strategy of Test-Track-Treat-Vaccine and Covid Appropriate Behavior diligently.

India on Friday reported 7,584 fresh Covid cases in the last 24 hours, an increase against the 7,240 infections registered the previous day, the Union Health Ministry said. Also in the same period, there were 24 new Covid fatalities which increased the nationwide death toll to 5,24,747.

Meanwhile, the active caseload also rose to 36,267 cases, accounting for 0.08 per cent of the country`s total positive cases. The recovery of 3,791 patients in the last 24 hours took the cumulative tally to 4,26,44,092. Consequently, India`s recovery rate stands at 98.70 per cent.
New Delhi: A man was arrested on Friday (June 10) for throwing acid on his female coworker after she refused his marriage proposal in Karnatakas Bengaluru, the police said. As per IANS report, the woman is married and has a child, however, the attacker was pestering her to marry him. The Karnataka police arrested the accused, identified as Ahmad, a resident of Goripalya, within hours after he threw acid on the woman in the morning today. The Karnataka police informed that the attacker and the victim worked together in an incense sticks manufacturing factory. Harish Pandey, DCP (South), said the accused threw the acid as the victim rejected his advances. Further, he said that the acid attack survivor is out of danger. Her right eye was hurt in the attack, he said, adding that her vision has been restored 70 per cent and she is recovering.

The man had waylaid the victim while she was travelling from Kumaraswamy Layout towards J.P. Nagar and threw acid on her near Sarakki Junction and later managed to escape from the spot. The Bengaluru police reached the attack spot and shifted the victim to a hospital.

This was the third acid attack in the last 2 months in the Karnataka capital that triggered panic and a huge public outcry. Addressing the incident, state Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said he will consider banning the sale of acid and sought a report on the matter. "Action will be taken against the attacker. This is an inhuman act. I will get details and study legal provisions to impose a ban on acid sale in the state," he said, as per IANS.

(With agency inputs)

ALSO READ: Bengaluru acid attack: Accused, posing as religious man, arrested after 2 weeks
Miscreants on Friday hanged an effigy of suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma from an electric wire resembling a public execution near a mosque on Fort Road, police said. As the issue triggered a public outrage, police along with the city municipal corporation removed it quickly, they added. The police have registered a case against unknown miscreants for spreading enmity between communities and disturbing peace in the society.

The BJP on June 5 suspended Sharma and expelled its Delhi unit media head Naveen Kumar Jindal as the row over their alleged derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammad escalated with protests from some Muslim countries.

Delhi Police had provided security to Sharma and her family after an FIR was registered on a complaint that she was getting death threats over her controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad. She had requested the police to provide security citing harassment and threats she had been receiving.

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Kerala SSLC Result 2022: The Department of Higher Secondary Education (DHSE) Kerala will release the Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) 2022 results on June 15, 2022. Students who took the class 10 board exams will be able to view their results on the official website  results.kerala.nic.in or kerala.gov.in. Kerala held SSLC Exams 2022 for Class 10 board examinations in offline mode from March 31 to April 29, 2022, adhering to all Covid-19 precautions.

Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty stated at a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram that the class 10 results would be released by June 15. According to the Kerala Board's official data, a total of 4.26 lakh candidates took the Kerala SSLC Examination.

Kerala SSLC Result 2022: Official Websites to download marksheet

Kerala SSLC Result 2022: Here's how to check your result

Step 1: Visit official website- keralaresults.nic.in or keralapareekshabhavan.in.

Step 2: On the homepage, click on the link that reads, Kerala SSLC Result 2022

Step 3: Enter login details such as roll number and submit

Step 4: The Kerala SSLC Result 2022 will be displayed on the screen

Step 5: Download the Kerala SSLC Result 2022 marksheet and take a printout of it for future reference.

The Kerala government did not cancel or postpone the class 10 board examination last year. The SSLC was conducted offline while adhering to all safety protocols and guidelines.
The BJP is trying to do 'Cheer Haran' of democracy. Just like Goddess Sita' 'Cheer Haran'. While attacking the saffron camp, mistakenly referring to Draupadi's 'Cheer Haran', Sita's name was mentioned by the congress leader Randeep Surjewala.

Randeep Surjewala 'Cheer Haran' Controversy: What exactly did he say?

"The BJP has lost miserably in the previous elections. Truth, democracy, law, and morals will win. Wearing blanket of lies (BJP) like Goddess Sitas cheer-haran, they want to do Cheer-Haran of democracy. They will lose (Rajya Sabha elections) and their masks will fall off." Randeep Surjewala criticised all central agencies like ED, CBI, Income Tax Department. He claimed that the BJP is exploiting these agencies for its own benefit. He was holding a press conference just before the Rajya Sabha elections. And that's when he said it.

Randeep Surjewala 'Cheer Haran' Controversy: 'Cheer Haran' in Mahabharata

In Mahabharat, the 'Vastra Haran' or 'Cheer Haran' of Draupadi was attempted by Duryodhan and his brother Dushashan. This is one of the most important chapters of the great events of the Mahabharata. It is believed that after playing dice, the extreme phase of harassment of the Pandavas was created during the time of 'Cheer Haran'. Which later awakens the possibility of Kurukshetra. While raising the same issue, Randeep Surjewala mistakenly mentioned Sita's name. The BJP has criticised his remarks. They claim that the Congress is denying the existence of Ram.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla tweeted, "Even though I am a Muslim, I know that Draupadi's clothes, not Mother Sita, were taken away. But the Congress is trying to deny the existence of Sri Ram." Meanwhile, Randeep Surjewala also raised the issue of controversial farm laws while criticising the BJP. He claimed that the government has betrayed the farmers of the country.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth about Rs 3,050 crores in Gujarat on Friday (June 10, 2022). According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister`s Office, these projects will help in improving the water supply in the region, along with boosting connectivity and enhancing the ease of living. The prime minister participated in the `Gujarat Gaurav Abhiyan` in Navsari on Friday.

While speaking at the event, PM Modi higlighted that the state has shown unprecedented development in the last two decades. The rapid development in the state during the last two decades is the pride of Gujarat. In the last 8 years, following the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, our government has put utmost emphasis on the welfare of the people in the state, said PM Narendra Modi in Navsari.

The rapid development in the state during the last two decades is the pride of Gujarat. In the last 8 years, following the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, our government has put utmost emphasis on the welfare of the people in the state: PM Narendra Modi in Navsari, Gujarat pic.twitter.com/v91FwAtNvf  ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2022

At his arrival, PM Modi rerceived a traditional welcome by tribals in Gujarat's Chikhli. Take a look here:

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi gets a traditional welcome by tribals in Gujarat's Chikhli. pic.twitter.com/Q1e9RJ6e4O  ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also inaugurated AM Naik Healthcare Complex and Nirali Multi Speciality Hospital at Navsari in the afternoon. "During the last 8 years, we have emphasised on a holistic approach to improving the health sector of the country. We have tried to modernise the treatment facilities and also focussed on topics related to better nutrition, clean lifestyle & preventive health," said PM Modi.
New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday (June 10) issued a fresh summon to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi asking her to appear on June 23 in connection with a money laundering case pertaining to the National Herald-AJL deal, PTI reported. This comes after Gandhi tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of her questioning by the agency on June 8.

Congress had said on June 2 that Sonia Gandhi has tested positive for the coronavirus. Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala had said, "Congress president Sonia Gandhi tests positive for Covid-19. She has developed mild fever and some symptoms and has isolated herself and has been given requisite medical attention. As of today, her date of appearance before ED on June 8th stands as it is."

On Thursday, citing health reasons, Sonia Gandhi had sought a 3-week extension from the ED. Gandhi had approached the ED as she was still positive for the coronavirus, ANI reported. "She is improving but is still COVID positive and doctors have instructed her to take rest. The medical reports of June 2 and June 7 have also been sent to the ED and three-week time has been sought while the leader is yet to get a reply on it and to get a fresh date for the appearance," sources told the news agency.

Meanwhile, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi will appear for questioning before the ED on Monday (June 13). The Congress has cried foul over the summons issued to the Gandhis and the alleged that it is a "political vendetta". The grand old party has decided that all its top leaders and MPs would stage a "satyagraha" and take out a protest march to the ED headquarters in Delhi on the day when the Wayanad MP has to appear before the central agency.

The Gandhis have to appear before the ED for questioning into the alleged financial irregularities in the Congress-promoted Young Indian that owns the National Herald newspaper.

(With agency inputs)
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday (June 10) dismissed a batch of petitions seeking a special stray round of counselling to fill 1,456 seats in NEET-PG-21 which have remained vacant after the conduct of a stray round of counselling for All India Quota. A bench of Justices M R Shah and Aniruddha Bose said there cannot be any compromise with the quality of medical education which will affect public health. The top court said the decision of the government and the Medical Counselling Committee not to allow special stray round is in the interest of medical education and public health.

"When a conscious decision has been taken by the UOI and MCC for not conducting any special stray rounds of counselling, it cannot be considered arbitrary," the bench said.

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) had informed the top court on Wednesday that it has concluded four rounds of online counselling for NEET-PG-21 and it cannot fill 1,456 seats by conducting a special stray round of counselling as the software stands closed.

The petitions had been filed by doctors who appeared in NEET-PG 2021-22 examination and participated in Rounds 1 and 2 of the All India Quota (AIQ) Counselling and State Quota Counselling which was followed by All

India Mop-Up and State Mop-Up Rounds and concluded on May 7 by the MCC post the All India Stray Vacancy Round.

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Its 7 a.m., and Keith Gurgui makes sure hes awake so his home health aide can help bathe and clothe him, and then lift him out of bed and into his wheelchair before they have to leave for the day.

A diving accident in 2009 left Gurgui, 30, paralyzed from the shoulders down. He needs 24/7 assistance, but hell spend the next 12 hours without an aide, because he cant find anyone to fill the shift. This is a regular occurrence for Gurgui, as aides quit, call out sick or, as happened recently, are barred from working overtime by their agencies.

Right now, he's got about 20 open hours of care a week. He hopes to find another aide to cover those soon.

Theres no pool of people to pull from now, said Gurgui, who lives with his parents in his family home in Lake Katrine, outside Kingston. In recent years, Linda and Richard Gurgui, both nurses, either retired or went down to part-time work so they could help care for their son.

The situation is mirrored in families around New York and the nation as home care workers, who are often paid less than fast food workers and receive fewer benefits, leave the field because they cant pay their bills. Some residents with disabilities sleep in their wheelchairs at night instead of being transferred to a bed, because theyre unsure if theyll have an aide to get them up in the morning.

Meanwhile, spouses, parents or other family members are compelled to sacrifice college, child-rearing, careers, dreams and free time as they ensure their elderly or disabled loved ones receive high-quality care.

Because theres a shortage of home care workers and the ones who are around are underpaid, you have this drag on society where informal caregivers are retiring, or arent working, said Gurgui. Theyre tied down because the system isnt keeping up.

Covid-19 exacerbated these circumstances as shutdowns, quarantine periods and fear of illness kept many aides away from work. Institutional environments like group homes and nursing homes also saw a decline in direct professionals.

The staff is crying because they know that the residents are not getting the quality care that they deserve. It breaks your heart," said Julie Martinez, a licensed practical nurse at Dunkirk Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, who realized one day in March that she was one of the only nurses there for the center's 37 residents.

Two years after the start of the pandemic, those with lingering, debilitating Covid symptoms have also joined a growing cohort of New Yorkers who need long-term care solutions.

Nationally, the home care industry will need an additional 450,000 home health care aides by 2025 to keep up with the demand for services, as millions of baby boomers advance into their 70s and may require more assistance at home.

But the workforce trend is going in the opposite direction, said Rachel McCullough of the Caring Majority, a coalition that advocates for seniors, family and paid caregivers and people with disabilities.

New York has the one of the worst projected shortages of home health aides in the nation, followed closely by other mid-Atlantic and Midwest states like Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

In New York, 74% of seniors and people with disabilities were unable to retain home care staff in 2021, according to a report by the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Association of New York.

The state pays home care workers poverty wages, and theyre leaving the sector in droves, McCollough said.

The crisis has led to a broad, high-profile push to increase wages for home care workers in New York, and, in the process, elevate the visibility of an industry that allows millions of people to avoid nursing homes and age with dignity.

The fight for better wages

The home care sector is facing a more acute version of the worker shortage most industries experienced after the pandemics peak. As other industries increased wages to lure workers to understaffed restaurants, stores and call centers, the home care workforce suffered further losses.

The pandemic really took our sector to the breaking point, McCullough said.

As the pandemic revealed the gaps in nursing home safety and staffing, more families sought out home care for their older loved ones. At the same time, agencies were hemorrhaging aides, who were concerned about Covid infection in their work environments and saw better-paying opportunities elsewhere.

More than 45% of direct care workers, which includes home health aides, personal care aides and nursing assistants, live in or near poverty due to wages, according to a 2020 report from PHI, a direct care research group. About half rely on public assistance and lack affordable housing.

In most regions of the state, you can make more going to work at McDonalds or Amazon than you can caring for someone, McCullough said.

New York advocates touted what they saw as a legislative solution to this problem  the Fair Pay for Home Care Act, which would ensure that every home care workers are paid 150% of the minimum wage in their area.

Advocates argued that the proposal, which could be jump-started through American Rescue Plan funding, would have ultimately paid for itself by getting home care workers off public assistance and into higher paying jobs, creating further economic growth.

Gov. Kathy Hochul didnt include the legislation in her proposed budget in January and advocates pushed hard for it to be included in full in the states finalized budget, rallying in Albany multiple times a week and unfolding a 60-foot long wait list symbolizing the number of individuals waiting to get home care.

The states final budget, approved in early April, included $7 billion for a statewide raise for home care workers, amounting to about a $3-per-hour raise per worker. But advocates say thats not enough to turn the tide on the workforce issues the industry faces.

As New Yorks population ages and home care workers continue to flee the sector, we are clear that a significant pay increase  150% of minimum wage  is the only solution to stem the home care shortage, McCollough said in a statement as the budget was being finalized in early April.

Whats this like for home care workers?

The pay gap between home care and other industries is evident daily for Lolli Edinger, 51, who wouldnt be able to make ends meet for her family on her yearly salary.

If I was trying to live on this, I would have to go get another job, she said. She works 50 hours a week as it is, caring for two people in the Hudson Valley.

She makes $13.20 an hour at one job, and $14.75 at the other. She could make $15 to $17 an hour serving fast food, or $21 an hour driving a bus.

Edingers husband supports their main household expenses and provides family health insurance with his full-time job, which is how shes able to live out her passion to help people remain in familiar home settings, despite their age, illness or disability.

One of her clients is a man in his 30s who is quadriplegic; the other is a friends mom in her 80s who has Parkinsons Disease and dementia. In each case, Edinger helps them get outside on walks and rolls; drives them to work, doctor's appointments or advocacy events and keeps them company through her shifts.

Her work is key to allowing her male client to experience many facets of life and community, she said.

Im working with a man whos in the prime of his life who wants to be out and about, and not stuck in a nursing home, she said.

Meanwhile, he has been unable to find other home care workers to cover many of his shifts during the week, putting stress on Edinger and other aides as they work harder to ensure he has what he needs. Even so, there are times when hes home alone, with only family members to check on him, she said.

We havent been able to hire anyone  some people that would call up and be interested and find out the rate of pay, they get mad at him, Edinger said.

Families sacrifice to ensure care

This situation is what leaves many family members with the unenviable decision to either shoulder the caregiving duties for a loved one themselves, or find a suitable nursing home or other caring facility.

Sometimes Im tired enough that I think I cant do this anymore, said Karen Eichelberger, 65, a Chautauqua County resident and the primary caregiver for her husband, who suffers from Lewy Body dementia, which affects a persons thinking, memory and movement.

He qualified for 80 hours of care a week through Medicaid, but Eichelberger can only find aides to cover about a quarter of that.

Recently, Eichelberger's husband went to the hospital, and because of her struggles to find help at home, he'll have to go to a rehab facility for an unknown amount of time following his hospital stay, she said.

In recent months, she has resorted to putting ads for help on Facebook and Next Door, a neighborhood website, and even offering to pay $1 per hour more than what the state currently offers home care workers, paid out of her personal income, in order to attract aides, she said.

Im ready to even hire people who arent vaccinated because Im afraid of getting sick myself and then not being able to take care of my husband, she said. Im not sure if thats worse than me getting burned out and not being able to take care of him.

Maggie Ornsteins mom, Janet, gets about 40 hours of care per week from a home care worker in their Queens home.

Im embarrassed that its still not enough, Ornstein said, adding that its tough to watch workers care for her mother when she knows theyre getting paid such low wages.

Janet had a brain aneurysm 26 years ago, leaving her in a coma for five months. She spent subsequent years in hospitals and nursing homes before coming home, where she needs regular care from Ornstein or an aide because of her traumatic brain injury.

Ornstein was 17 when her mother fell ill. Now 44, she has set aside the prospect of having children or a full-time job. She is a part-time college professor, and spends the rest of her time caring for her mom and advocating in the home care policy space in New York and beyond. Her paychecks go entirely to health insurance payments.

Caring for ill or aging family members takes a heavy emotional and financial toll on the caregiver, even when home care workers are available, Ornstein said.

But raising the appeal of the home care field by increasing wages and benefits will send a message that New York supports both home care workers and family caregivers, and that home care is a viable option for aging New Yorkers or those with disabilities.

You cant expect people to treat the job like a priority," Ornstein said, "when we dont prioritize them.

This story was produced through the New York & Michigan Solutions Journalism Collaborative, a partnership of news organizations and universities dedicated to rigorous and compelling reporting about successful responses to social problems. The group is supported by the Solutions Journalism Network.

Sarah Taddeo is the New York State team editor for the USA Today Network.

Taking a deeper look at the home care worker shortage Health care facilities have long struggled to find workers and maintain staffing. The New York & Michigan Solutions Journalism Collaborati
A police constable deployed in Gautam Buddh Nagar has been dismissed from duty for violating the Uttar Pradesh government service rules as he remained absent from work without permission for nearly 200 days, officials said on Friday. The constable is also believed to have got married for the second time during this period even as his first wife was alive and not separated from him, they said.

Constable Chitrasen Kumar, aged around 30 years, was inducted into the service in 2012. During his appointment in the Gautam Buddh Nagar commissionerate, he remained absent from work from July 25, 2020 to February 3, 2021 -- 193 days -- without permission,? a police spokesperson said. The constable also got married for a second time even as his first wife was alive, he said.

Preliminary inquiry found his actions in violation of the provisions of Rule 29 of the Uttar Pradesh Government Servant Conduct Rules, 1956 in relation to marriage, the official said.

Departmental proceedings also found him guilty under Rule-14(1) of the UP Subordinate Category Police Officers (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1991, the spokesperson said.

According to procedures, a notice was issued to him, but despite a time of two months, he failed to give a written explanation for his actions after which the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Headquarters) passed an order to dismiss the constable from service, the official added. According to officials, Kumar is still not traceable, but legal proceedings would be carried out against him once he is found.
BJP leader Nupur Sharma has been suspended from the party for his controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad. Her primary membership has also been canceled. But in this situation, right-wing leader of the Netherlands, Geert Wilders was seen standing by her side. The senior leader tweeted in support of Nupur Sharma. His name also came up in this discussion in this debate. Now the question is, who is Geert Wilders.

Nupur Sharma Comment on Prophet: Who Is Geert Wilders

He contested the election in 2017. But he couldn't win. He has always been seen venting his anger towards Muslim countries. According to him, there is neither democracy nor rule of law in these countries. There is no freedom of any kind.

Nupur Sharma Comment on Prophet: Geert Wilders Political Party

Wilders was born in 1963. He is the founder of the Party of Freedom, the third largest political party in the Netherlands. From the very beginning, he was seen raising the issue of Muslim militant organizations while speaking about Islam. That's why Wilders has had to be given police protection since 2004. He has been a representative of the Dutch Parliament since 1998. In 2017, Wilders demanded that the Quran be banned. He was even seen comparing it to Adolf Hitler's 'Mein Kampf'. Then the debate escalated.

Also Read: 'Nupur Sharma gave the right information, India should stand in her support', THIS politician backs BJP leader

Nupur Sharma Comment on Prophet: Support for Nupur

There is nothing unusual in the support of the staunch anti-Islamic Wilders for Nupur. In support of Nupur, Wilders wrote on Twitter, "Trying to please everyone doesn't works, it always creates trouble. Therefore, my friends in India, you cannot be afraid of Islamic countries. Make an independent statement. Be proud of your leader and stand by her." Expressing anger at Islamic countries, Wilders wrote that Muslim countries are "hypocrites". He said, "There is no democracy, no legal rule, no freedom of citizens. Minorities in countries are persecuted. No one else violates human rights the way they do."

Nupur Sharma Comment on Prophet: Geert Wilders Love For India

He tweeted yesterday and said, "I  India. The only democracy in a region full off tyranny."
New Delhi: Protests erupted in several parts of the country on Friday (June 10) against the objectionable remarks of now-former BJP leaders against Prophet Mohammad. The protests in West Bengals Howrah turned violent after agitators allegedly torched police vehicles and booths, ANI reported. Hundreds of protestors blocked roads in different parts of the Howrah district and also clashed with the police, as per PTI. A skirmish broke out between the protestors and the police personnel at Dhulagarh, Panchla and Uluberia when the cops tried to remove the blockade on National Highway-6. As per the West Bengal police, they resorted to baton-charge to disperse the crowd at Dhulagarh and Panchla, while the demonstrators allegedly pelted stones in response.

Demanding the arrest of now-suspended BJP leaders Nupur Sharma and Naveen Kumar Jindal, one of the protestors said, The two saffron party leaders should be immediately arrested for their remarks that have hurt religious sentiments.

West Bengal | Fire tenders douse police vehicles & booths that were set on fire by protestors in Howrah amid the controversial remarks of suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma & expelled BJP leader Naveen Kumar Jindal. pic.twitter.com/MglQY2E9w1  ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2022

A South Eastern Railway official said that protestors obstructed railway tracks between Fuleswar and Chengail stations in the Howrah-Kharagpur section from 1.22 pm. The protests come after Bengal Imams Association president Md Yahia had called for demonstrations inside mosques across the state, demanding the arrest of the two BJP leaders. However, he had said that the administration can take action against those blocking roads and inconveniencing the public.

Protests against Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindals remarks across India

Delhi

Delhis Jama Masjid witnessed protests after Friday prayers with hundreds of people demanding the arrest of suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma. However, distancing himself from the agitation, Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, said that "nobody knows who the protesters were" and demanded action against them.

Several Jamia Millia Islamia students also staged a demonstration on the university campus against Sharmas controversial remarks.

Uttar Pradesh

Protests in several parts of Uttar Pradesh took a violent turn after people pelted stones at policemen in Prayagraj and Saharanpur. In Prayagraj, some motorcycles and carts were set ablaze and police vehicles were also tried to be torched. The UP Police used tear gas and lathis to disperse the crowd, while one policeman was hurt in Prayagraj, as per the officials.

Meanwhile, in Saharanpur, protesters demanded death sentence for Nupur Sharma over her remarks on the Prophet in a TV debate, which also triggered condemnation from Islamic countries.

Maharashtra

Several people from the Muslim community staged protests in various cities of Maharashtra demanding action against Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal.

(With agency inputs)

ALSO READ: Prophet remarks row: Delhi police suffering from balance-waad syndrome, says Asaduddin Owaisi on FIR against him
Nupur Sharma comment row: As protests erupt across India over controversial religious remarks by ex-BJP leader Nupur Sharma against Prophet Muhammad, an office of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was torched in West Bengals Uluberia on Friday. Uluberia falls in the Howrah district of the state where massive violence sparked at different places over Nupur Sharmas comment. Protestors are demanding the suspended BJP spokesperson's arrest for her statements. Video released by news agency ANI shows the Howrah unit of the BJP office badly vandalised and torched by the miscreants.

#WATCH | West Bengal: A BJP office vandalised and torched in Uluberia, Howrah district today. Protests erupted in the district earlier today against the controversial remarks of suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma. pic.twitter.com/LY9wWFeXi6  ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2022

Hundreds of protesters on Friday blocked roads and railway tracks in different parts of Howrah district in West Bengal over controversial remarks made by two now-suspended BJP leaders against Prophet Mohammad, police said.

The agitators clashed with police personnel at Dhulagarh, Panchla and Uluberia when they tried to lift the blockade on a national highway stretch, a police officer said.

Similar protests had taken place on Thursday, with agitators disrupting traffic at Ankurhati in Howrah district for around 11 hours, officials said.

Meanwhile, Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar has appealed for peace and sought an urgent update on the law and order situation from the state's chief secretary.

"While appealing for peace, WB Guv Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar has sought an urgent personal update from CS @chief_west by 10 pm today over worsening law & order situation in the state since yesterday," he tweeted.

Nupur Sharma comment

Former spokesperson of BJP Nupur Sharma made controversial remarks on Prophet Muhammad during a television news debate that led to violence in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur and later sparked a huge controversy across the globe with several Islamic countries calling India out for her remarks.

(with inputs from agencies)
New Delhi: The Nupur Sharma controversy continues, now with news of protests outside Delhi's Jama Masjid being reported. Protests erupted after the Friday prayers, with people demanding the arrest of suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma over her controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammed, police said. A large crowd of people gathered on the steps of the famous mosque, carrying placards and shouting slogans against Sharma and Naveen Jindal, former head of the Delhi BJP's media unit. There was heavy security deployment to manage the situation and avoid any untoward incident. According to senior police officials, the protest was held peacefully on the stairs near gate number one of the mosque, and it lasted for around 15 to 20 minutes. The protesters were dispersed from the area later. "The protest was held near gate number one of Jama Masjid. We demanded the arrested of Nupur Sharma for her remark on Prophet Mohammad. It was a peaceful protest, and people left the area after a while," said Akram Qureshi, a resident of the area.

"Nupur Sharma should be arrested. I will keep protesting until she is put behind the bars. How dare she disrespect our religion," questioned 57-year-old Baba Mastan, who was part of the protest.

Delhi Police has registered an FIR against 31 people, including AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand, and filed a separate case against former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma for allegedly spreading hate and hurting religious sentiments. The two FIRs were registered on Wednesday after a social media analysis, they had said. Former Delhi BJP media unit head Naveen Kumar Jindal, who was expelled from the party over his alleged remarks against Prophet Mohammed, and journalist Saba Naqvi have been named in the FIR.

Earlier, authorities imposed a curfew in the Doda and Kishtwar districts of Jammu and Kashmir and snapped Internet services in the Bhaderwah and Kishtwar towns on Friday to thwart attempts of creating communal tension in the area. Union minister and local MP Jitendra Singh appealed to the elders and heads of communities to sit together to sort out the issue and maintain harmony. According to officials, tension spread in the Bhaderwah area on Thursday evening after alleged inflammatory speeches were made during a protest against derogatory remarks made against Prophet Mohammad by now-suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma. "Curfew has been imposed in both districts of Doda and Kishtwar as a precautionary measure," Divisional Commissioner, Jammu region, Ramesh Kumar told PTI. Purported video clips of the inflammatory speeches went viral on social media. The police have registered a case and warned people against taking the law into their own hands.

(With PTI inputs)
Nupur Sharma controversy: A week after the Kanpur communal clashes, similar incidents of violence and slogan-shouting were reported from Uttar Pradeshs Prayagraj and Saharanpur after Friday prayers as people started protesting against the controversial remarks by former BJP leader and spokesperson Nupur Sharma on Prophet Muhammad, reported ANI. Video released by news agency ANI shows miscreants hurling stones at the police force as they try to take charge of the situation in Prayagrajs Atala. Meanwhile, in Saharanpur, protesters shouted slogans seeking action against the former BJP spokespersons. Similar scenes were reported in other cities of Uttar Pradesh including Moradabad and Lucknow. In some localities in other cities of the state, Muslims downed their shutters in protest against Sharma`s statement.

In some places, Muslims submitted memorandums to district officials listing their demands.

#WATCH | Stones hurled during clashes in Atala area of UP's Prayagaraj over controversial remarks of suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma and expelled BJP leader Naveen Kumar Jindal. pic.twitter.com/fZGmQYezs7  ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) June 10, 2022

Trouble began in Atala in Prayagraj after the prayers when protesters started shouting slogans. The police tried to prevent the protesters from moving in different directions. However, some of the protesters pelted stones at the police that retaliated with tear gas shells.

In Lucknow, thousands of protesters at the Tile Wali Masjid were prevented by the police from crossing the barricades.

Additional Director General (Law and order) Prashant Kumar said the situation adequate forces had been deployed to ensure peace.

He said that the situation was being closely monitored and authorities were keeping a close vigil on social media too.

Prayagraj ADG's vehicle damaged during protests

#WATCH Prayagraj ADG's vehicle damaged after a protest erupted in Atala area over controversial remarks of suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma & expelled BJP leader Naveen Kumar Jindal, earlier today



The ADG was on ground to control the law&order situation as a protest erupted pic.twitter.com/lCCYrTyBOq  ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) June 10, 2022

Prayagraj ADG's vehicle was damaged after a protest erupted in the Atala area over controversial remarks of suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma & expelled BJP leader Naveen Kumar Jindal on Friday. The ADG was on the ground to control the law and order situation as a protest erupted.

Yogi Adityanath to take strict actions against hooligans

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has directed to take strict actions against hooligans after incidents of stone-pelting broke out in various cities in the state. Officials like ACS Home Awanish Awasthi, acting DGP, ADG Law and Order, are monitoring the situation from police HQs.

(With inputs from IANS, ANI)
Jammu: Authorities imposed a curfew in the Doda and Kishtwar districts of Jammu and Kashmir and snapped Internet services in the Bhaderwah and Kishtwar towns on Friday to thwart attempts of creating communal tension in the area. Union minister and local MP Jitendra Singh appealed to the elders and heads of communities to sit together to sort out the issue and maintain harmony.

According to officials, tension spread in the Bhaderwah area on Thursday evening after alleged inflammatory speeches were made during a protest against derogatory remarks made against Prophet Mohammad by now-suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma.

Purported video clips of the inflammatory speeches went viral on social media. The police have registered a case and warned people against taking the law into their own hands.

"Curfew has been imposed in both districts of Doda and Kishtwar as a precautionary measure," Divisional Commissioner, Jammu region, Ramesh Kumar told PTI.

He said the situation was peaceful.

Officials said Internet services have been snapped in Bhaderwah and Kishtwar towns because of rumour-mongering.

ALSO READ | Nupur Sharmas communal remark: From FIRs to ongoing protests, read A to Z about the controversy

Earlier, curfew was clamped in Bhaderwah town on Thursday night as a precautionary measure in view of communal tension, they said.

Hate speeches against now-suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma were allegedly delivered from a mosque. In another incident, someone uploaded an objectionable post on social media triggering further tension.

Registering FIRs in both cases, the police have warned that anyone found violating law and order will not be spared.

"Action has been taken (over inflammatory speeches). A case has been registered under IPC sections 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) at Bhaderwah police station," a police official said.

"Anyone who takes the law into his own hands will not be spared," he said.

Union minister Jitendra Singh said he was deeply disturbed by the unpleasant situation in Bhaderwah.

"I humbly appeal to the elders and the heads of the two communities to sit together to maintain the traditional harmony for which the beautiful town of Bhaderwah has always been known for," he said.

"Meanwhile, I am in constant touch with DC Doda Vikas Sharma and Divisional Commissioner Jammu Sh Ramesh Kumar. DC Doda and SSP Doda are presently camping in Bhaderwah and personally monitoring the situation," Singh said.

Taking to Twitter, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said, "I hope cooler heads prevail. Jammu and Kashmir has enough problems without adding to them with communal tension spreading in and around Bhadarwah. I appeal to everyone to maintain calm and ask my party colleagues to help normalise the situation at the earliest."
NAVSARI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met his former school teacher from Vadodara in the Navsari district of Gujarat where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth about Rs 3,050 crores.

The picture of PM Modis emotional reunion with his former school teacher, Jagdeesh Bhai Naik, soon went viral on social media. In the picture, the Prime Minister can be seen welcoming his former teacher with folded hands and the latter attempting to hug him.

Naik was a school teacher in Vadnagar, Gujarat and taught PM Narendra Modi. He currently lives in the Vyara township in Gujarat.

Hailing PM Modi, Naik said, "Narendra, as one of my students, was always ready to spread light all over the world.''

Prime Minister Modi earlier in the day inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth about Rs 3,050 crores in Gujarat.

PM Modi participated in the `Gujarat Gaurav Abhiyan` in Navsari. According to the Prime Minister`s Office, these projects will help in improving the water supply in the region, along with boosting connectivity and enhancing the ease of living.

Later, he also inaugurated AM Naik Healthcare Complex and Nirali Multi Speciality Hospital in Navsari.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a one-day visit to Gujarat on Friday (June 10, 2022). During his visit, PM Modi will address a tribal gathering and launch a multi-speciality hospital in Navsari. The Prime Minister will also inaugurate the headquarters of Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) in Ahmedabad to promote privatisation 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.

According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister`s Office (PMO), PM Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple projects today in Gujarat.

Check PM Modis itinerary here:

- At around 10:15 AM, Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple development initiatives during `Gujarat Gaurav Abhiyan` in Navsari.

- At around 12:15 PM, he will inaugurate AM Naik Healthcare Complex and Nirali Multi Speciality Hospital in Navsari.

- Thereafter, at around 3:45 PM, he will inaugurate the headquarters of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) at Bopal, Ahmedabad. Prime Minister will participate in a programme named `Gujarat Gaurav Abhiyan`.

PM to inaugurate multiple development projects worth Rs 3050 cr

PM Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of development initiatives worth about Rs 3050 crores at Khudvel, a tribal region in Navsari. This includes the inauguration of 7 projects, foundation stone laying for 12 projects and Bhumi Pujan of 14 projects. These projects will help in improving the water supply in the region, along with boosting connectivity and enhancing the ease of living.

Prime Minister will perform the Bhumi Pujan for 13 water supply projects for residents of Tapi, Navsari and Surat districts, worth Rs 961 crores. He will also perform the Bhumi Pujan of a Medical College in Navsari district, to be built at the cost of about Rs 542 crores, which will help provide affordable and quality medical care to the people of the region.

Prime Minister will inaugurate Virpur Vyara substation, constructed at a cost of over Rs 85 crores, to provide electricity to residents of the Tapi district. A sewage treatment plant with a capacity of 14 MLD, worth Rs 20 crores, will also be inaugurated for Vapi city of Valsad district to facilitate wastewater treatment.

PM Modi will inaugurate government quarters built in Navsari at a cost of over Rs 21 crores. He will also inaugurate roads constructed from Piplaidevi - Juner - Chichvihir - Pipaldahad and school buildings constructed in Dang, at a cost of about Rs 12 crore each.

PM will lay the foundation stone of 8 water supply projects worth Rs549 crores, to provide clean drinking water to the residents of Surat, Navsari, Valsad and Tapi districts. The foundation stone of a wide road connecting Khergam and Pipalkhed, to be built at the cost of Rs 33 crores in the Navsari district, will also be laid.

PM Modi to inaugurate IN-SPACe HQ

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.

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."

"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

(With agency inputs)
Guwahati: The Congress on Friday lodged a police complaint against suspended BJP spokespersons Nupur Sharma and Navin Jindal in Guwahati for their controversial remarks against Prophet Mohammad. Police said they are looking into the matter and are yet to register a case on the basis of the complaint lodged at Bhangagarh police station. "We have received the complaint regarding the remarks made by the persons in question. We are yet to register a case and it is still in enquiry stage," a police officer said.

Sharma, who made an objectionable statement about the Prophet during a TV debate on the Gyanvapi controversy, and Jindal, who posted a derogatory remark on his Twitter handle, were suspended by the party.

Senior spokesperson of Assam Congress Romen Chandra Borthakur, who filed the complaint on behalf of his party, alleged that the image of India has been tarnished, and age-old unity and integrity have been affected due to the statements by Sharma and Jindal.

Talking to reporters, Borthakur maintained that India should not bow down to international pressure and apologise for the remarks made by the duo as their statements were not the country's official stance.

A complaint was also filed against the Sharma, Jindal and AIMIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi at the same police station in Guwahati on Tuesday by Dulu Ahmed, a leader of Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP).

Ahmed also demanded action against Owaisi, a Telangana MLA, for allegedly making "objectionable comments" against Hindus at a public meeting.

Police are yet to register a case in connection with Ahmed's complaint as well.
James Hogan II nearly faltered as the full-time caregiver to his wife and three children  all of whom suffer from varying long Covid-19 symptoms  during a recent grocery store run.

Instead of sticking to his short list, Hogan got confused and bought a weeks worth of food. He too faces lingering fatigue and brain fog 16 months after Covid-19 infected every member of his upstate New York household.

The severity of his mistake hit when he opened the cupboards at home, revealing a fully stocked pantry and fridge. The family could ill afford wasting the extra food after burning through its savings  close to $18,000  due to their collective pandemic nightmare.

Im constantly trying to find the right balance between where long Covid is drawing the line and getting my kids to school, said Hogan, who shoulders caregiver tasks despite being a 50-year-old disabled military veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic back pain.

That seemingly endless search for balance also plagues Desiree Chambers, a 52-year-old African American living alone in Troy, who is battling a lingering cough and serious breathing problems eight months after contracting Covid-19.

After 33 harrowing days in the hospital, Chambers is now making a painstakingly slow recovery at home, with her three adult children initially serving as her around-the-clock unpaid caregivers. She longs for the day when she can return to playing outside at parks with her six grandchildren.

They kind of understand that some things I cant do, so they dont really ask anymore, she said.

In many ways, the unknowns surrounding long Covid, including the dearth of treatments and barriers to accessing support programs, have left Hogan, Chambers and millions of Americans facing the illness trapped in limbo.

I feel like Im failing my kids in getting them all the help that they need because were all still trying to figure out what we do need, Hogan said.

NYC program supports long Covid survivors

USA TODAY Network interviewed caregivers, policymakers and advocates, who spoke of the patchwork of efforts aimed at connecting long Covid sufferers, and those who care for them, to health care and government programs.

One of the efforts is in New York City, which launched the Aftercare program in April 2021.

Initially, Aftercare used the city's formal Covid-19 contact-tracing program, called Test & Trace, to call and text people who reported lingering symptoms. It then grew into its own program, deploying a web of health outreach experts to walk people through their long-term bouts with Covid-19, and connect them with resources based on their specific health and social needs.

Aftercare's early successes also fueled mounting attention around the issue at the statewide and federal levels recently, despite the fact long Covid still lacks a formal definition. It is generally described as symptoms that linger more than one to three months after a Covid-19 infection.

The group includes people who had severe cases of disease and are still recovering months later, along with those who had milder infection but suffer paralyzing exhaustion, racing heartbeat, unending headaches, mood disorders, lingering loss of smell or other symptoms.

How is the program working?

The Aftercare program has contacted more than 110,000 Covid-19 cases, and referred more than 50,000 New Yorkers to long Covid treatment clinics and other aid.

Similar to the broad range of symptoms facing long Covid sufferers, Aftercare's website and navigators facilitate links to programs offering everything from mental health services and community support groups to disability claims, health insurance subsidies and paid sick leave for caregivers.

In other words: Aftercare served as a one-stop shop for those seeking government and community support related to long Covid.

In March of this year, Aftercare launched an inbound calling hotline, as the city and other levels of government statewide moved to reduce contact-tracing efforts, in part, due to the massive wave of omicron variant infections and increasing vaccination rates that limited the effectiveness of contact tracing.

NY's barriers to fighting long Covid

As Aftercare's transition away from contact tracing unfolded, the prospect of reductions in federal Covid-19 funding also threatened to hinder any long-term pandemic-related plans.

State and local health departments also faced challenges in replicating Aftercare's success so far due to the lack of long Covid treatment clinics in many communities, as well as historically underfunded public health agencies.

Outside of the massive health infrastructure in the New York City area, hospitals and health departments in many other communities lacked the financial resources and staffing to support the cutting-edge medical care and community outreach targeting long Covid.

Further, a range of state Office for Aging programs aimed at helping older New Yorkers access in-home caregiver support and related services also failed to efficiently allocate millions of dollars to local affiliates since 2019, despite growing wait lists for help, according to a state Comptroller's audit in January.

State health officials, however, held a long Covid forum in February, bringing together leaders from health care, social services and government, with the goal of shaping future policies to improve societys overall approach to the condition.

The event identified a range of potential government actions  including improving how Medicaid and other health care programs define and treat long Covid in a multifaceted way. But state officials have yet to announce and implement specific measures linked to the effort.

At the federal level, the Biden administration recently announced a major effort to help Americans with long Covid, including providing insurance coverage, expanding support for clinics and enhancing research into the condition. It builds upon $1.15 billion allocated nationally last year to an initiative called RECOVER, which aims to advance understanding of, treat and prevent long Covid.

Backlog of disability claims

Meanwhile, thousands of long Covid sufferers were among nearly 1 million Americans awaiting determinations on federal disability claims earlier this year, a 21% increase from the same time in 2021, according to federal data and advocates. The backlog stemmed in part from in-person services being closed for 17 months amid the pandemic.

What theyre waiting on is certainly money, which is important to anybody, but in many cases the disability determination can be the path to health care, said Stacy Cloyd, a policy expert with the National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives.

Yet for Hogan  whose 42-year-old wife, Rebekah, suffers from debilitating Covid-related brain fog comparable to early onset dementia  even getting started with filing for her federal disability benefits seems like an insurmountable task while he cares for his entire family in Latham, just outside Albany.

Basically, every day is just survival mode, he said.

Family caregivers filling support gaps

Chambers spent a harrowing 33 days in the hospital, narrowly avoiding being placed on a ventilator, before going home for a painstakingly slow recovery.

During the initial month back home, Chambers three adult children came from as far as North Carolina to take shifts serving as around-the-clock unpaid caregivers. Months later, they still spend countless hours helping her with various household chores and medical needs.

My kids were more so worried about me living rather than concerning themselves with having to miss work, Chambers said, adding her employer-provided health insurance and familys financial stability helped her focus on recovering.

Im quite sure that there are a lot of people that dont have that support or backup, she added.

Because Chambers works as a transition specialist helping people move from nursing homes to community-based care, she also had expertise navigating the complex health care system.

She obtained a wheelchair and walker through the state-run NY Connects program for long-term care services. But she has struggled to find help with the lingering psychological scars of long Covid, relying solely on an online therapy service.

In between coughing fits, she described how she longed for a return to playing outside at parks with her six grandchildren, holding the youngest ones tiny hands as they roller-skated. Yet her unclear path to reclaiming that physical capability cast a pall over the memory.

Its depressing because even though I lost 10 or 15 pounds in the hospital, I have since gained it back and more from not being able to move around, she said, recalling her heartbreaking talks with the toddlers about switching to low-contact playtime.

They kind of understand that some things I cant do, so they dont really ask anymore, she said, adding they instead paint, read and find other creative ways to spend time together.

Chambers story underscored how millions of Americans battling long Covid turned to unpaid family caregivers with limited government support, as advocates seek higher pay for home care workers and other reforms to reduce the waiting list for in-home care, which stood at more than 820,000 nationally.

In New York, lawmakers recently approved a $220 billion state budget that included $7.4 billion to be used to increase home care wages by $3, citing the need to recruit and retain more workers to the industry.

This story was produced through the New York & Michigan Solutions Journalism Collaborative, a partnership of news organizations and universities dedicated to rigorous and compelling reporting about successful responses to social problems. The group is supported by the Solutions Journalism Network.

David Robinson is the state health care reporter for the USA TODAY Network New York. He can be reached at drobinson@gannett.com and followed on Twitter: @DrobinsonLoHud
New Delhi: Amid huge protests across the country against suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma over her derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad, the Union Home Ministry on Friday asked the police heads of states and Union Territories to be prepared and alert as they will be on target. The Home Ministry issued a statement to police in all states and Union Territory after several incidents of violence were reported from different parts of the country over the controversial remarks of suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma and expelled leader Naveen Jindal against Prophet Muhammad.

News agency ANI cited a senior MHA official saying that the MHA sent alerts to all state and Union Territory police to remain vigilant as they can be targeted during the violence.

"We have asked the policemen deployed to maintain law and order situation to be in proper riot gear. There will be a deliberate attempt to disturb peace in the country. Police and, if required, the paramilitary will also need to be on alert mode to counter any untoward situation," the official said.

He added that several instructions have been issued to keep a watch on fringe elements posting provocative speeches. "We have asked state police to identify the influencers posting live videos of violence and provocative speeches. Take required action against such people," he added.

The MHA has asked all the states to take preventive actions, keep a check on borders and identified sensitive areas. The order has been issued after the violence broke out in Uttar Pradesh`s Prayagraj and protests were held at Moradabad, Saharanpur and Firozabad.

Meanwhile, several other states including Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Punjab, Hyderabad, and Gujarat also faced massive protests against the leader`s controversial remarks. Protests erupted against the controversial remarks on Prophet Mohammad by two now-suspended BJP functionaries leaving a few policemen injured in stone-pelting and forcing security forces to resort to lathi-charge, tear gas shelling and firing in the air at some places.

Authorities in Jammu clamped curfew in a few areas and parts of the Kashmir Valley observed a shutdown while prohibitory orders were imposed in parts of Ranchi as slogan-shouting protesters carrying placards demanded the arrest of Nupur Sharma, a former BJP spokesperson, and Naveen Jindal, a former head of the Delhi BJP's media unit.

Most of the protests including at the historic Jama Masjid in Delhi broke out after the Friday prayers and several arrests were also made by the police. Hundreds of protesters massed outside Jama Masjid and some of them gathered on the steps of the mosque. However, Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, distanced himself from the protests saying "nobody knows who the protesters were" and demanded action against such people.

In Uttar Pradesh, stones were pelted at policemen in Prayagraj and Saharanpur during the protests which were also witnessed in Bijnor, Moradabad, Rampur and Lucknow. In Prayagraj, some motorcycles and carts were set on fire and an attempt made to set ablaze a police vehicle, a police official said.

Prohibitory orders were imposed in parts of Jharkhand capital Ranchi after some policemen and others were injured while trying to control an irate mob near Hanuman temple on the city's Main Road.

Tension mounted in Jammu's Bhaderwah and some areas of Kishtwar prompting authorities to impose a curfew while parts of Kashmir observed a shutdown. Internet services were snapped in Bhaderwah and Kishtwar towns and Srinagar city as a precautionary measure. Mobile Internet was also suspended in parts of Kashmir, an official said.

Hundreds of protesters blocked roads in different parts of the Howrah district in West Bengal. Some agitators clashed with personnel at Dhulagarh, Panchla and Uluberia when they tried to lift the blockade on National Highway-6.

(With Agency Inputs)
New Delhi: A week after 41 candidates were elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha, polling for 16 seats in the Upper House is taking place today (June 10). The polling began from 9 am and will continue till 4 pm in the Assembly building. The counting will start from 5 pm. Elections are being held for 16 seats across four states - Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Haryana. Notably, all 41 candidates from Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Telangana were elected unopposed last week after the biennial elections to 57 Rajya Sabha seats were announced recently.

Here are some key updates from the Rajya Sabha elections:

1) Two union ministers are among Rajya Sabha candidates today - Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman from Karnataka and Piyush Goyal from Maharashtra.

2) The Election Commission of India (ECI) has said 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."

3) Of the 16 seats, polling will happen in six Rajya Sabha seats in Maharashtra. On Thursday (June 9), Devendra Fadnavis held a meeting in Mumbai with the MLAs of his party, where he advised them to ensure that their votes do not turn invalid due to some mistake.

4) After more than two decades, Maharashtra will witness a contest in the Rajya Sabha polls as there are seven candidates in the fray for six seats. Union minister Piyush Goyal, Anil Bonde, Dhananjay Mahadik (BJP), Praful Patel (NCP), Sanjay Raut and Sanjay Pawar (Shiv Sena) and Imran Pratapgarhi (Congress) are in the fray for the six seats of the Upper House of Parliament. The contest is for the sixth seat - between BJP's Mahadik and Sena's Pawar.

5) In the 90-member Haryana Assembly, the BJP has 40 MLAs, while the Congress has 31, JJP 10, Indian National Lok Dal and Haryana Lokhit Party one each and seven are Independents.

6) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Thursday exuded confidence that the Congress' candidate Ajay Maken will win the Rajya Sabha election from Haryana. "We are confident. We have the numbers with us. Our candidate Ajay Maken will definitely win," Baghel said.

7) The ruling BJP has fielded Krishan Lal Panwar for one of the two Rajya Sabha seats in Haryana. With the entry of a third candidate, Kartikeya Sharma, as an Independent, the contest has turned interesting. Given its strength in the Assembly, the BJP is set to win one seat.

8) In Rajasthan, fearing poaching of legislators, the state government on Thursday ordered the suspension of mobile 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. The Congress currently has 108 legislators in the 200-member state Assembly and needs 123 votes to win three seats.

9) In Karnataka, despite not having the adequate number of votes to win the fourth seat from the state Assembly, all the three political parties - BJP, Congress and JD(S) - have fielded candidates for the seat, forcing an election. The six candidates in the fray for Rajya Sabha polls are - Nirmala Sitharaman, actor-politician Jaggesh and outgoing MLC Lehar Singh Siroya from the BJP, former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh and state general secretary Mansoor Ali Khan from the Congress, and former MP D Kupendra Reddy from the JD(S).

10) A day ahead of the polling, former state chief minister and Janata Dal (Secular) leader HD Kumaraswamy urged the Congress to give its second preferential votes to JDS, if it really wanted to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party.
RBSE 10th Result 2022: The Board of Secondary Education (BSER), Ajmer is expected to release the RBSE 10th Result 2022 soon. According to the latest media reports Rajasthan Board will not be declaring the RBSE 10th Result 2022 today, June 10, 2022. The RBSE 10th results 2022 are expected to be released on June 13, 2022, however, BSER Ajmer Officials are yet to comment on a final. Latest media reports suggested that the Rajasthan Board Result 2022 for Class 10th can be released by the RBSE tomorrow (June 11) or on June 13, 2022, however, an official announcement for the RBSE 10th Result 2022 date and time by the Rajasthan Education Minister, BD Kalla is awaited.

Once the results are released, students who appeared for the RBSE 10th Board Exams 2022 will be able to check them on the official RBSE website  rajeduboard.rajasthan.gov.in.

RBSE 10th Result 2022: Here's how to check results

Step 1. Visit the official website of Rajasthan Board, rajresults.nic.in.

Step 2. Click on the class 10th Exam Result link, on the homepage

Step 3. Enter login details - roll number, DOB and submit

Your RBSE 10th Result 2022 result will appear on the screen

Step 4. Download and take a printout of the result for future references.

Live TV
New Delhi: After a picture of Delhi minister and AAP leader Satyendar Jain, who is currently in Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody, went viral, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Friday (June 10) that he was being taken to a hospital the previous day. In the picture that went viral on social media, Jain can be seen sitting inside a car. Kejriwal, however, refused to make any comment on his jailed minister. "He is in ED custody and I cannot say much since we have no direct contact. I am in no position to make any comment on this. He was taken to hospital yesterday. Whatever happened in the hospital... when he was a little better, he was taken back," IANS quoted the AAP convenor as saying.

AAP has been consistent in its support of its minister with the Delhi CM claiming earlier that the Centre has admitted in the court that Satyendar Jain is not an 'accused'.

Sharing Jains picture where he seems in a disheveled state, senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh tweeted, This is the person who gave the model of Mohalla Clinic to the country and saved Rs 300 crores of the Delhi people by building 5 flyovers. This picture of @SatyendarJain is a black stain on Modi and his Maina (ED). The country will never forgive you.

            5 Flyover        300   @SatyendarJain        (ED)    

         pic.twitter.com/ejO4KcLLFb  Sanjay Singh AAP (@SanjayAzadSln) June 10, 2022

Earlier on Thursday, after a Delhi court extended Jains custody till June 13, his lawyer claimed that the Delhi Health Minister was suffering from post-COVID sleep apnea, and had to be taken to a hospital as he was unwell. As per ANI, Advocate Rishikesh Kumar, lawyer of Satyendar Jain said, "Sleep apnea was one of the problems that he (Satyendar Jain) was facing since he recovered from COVID-19. When he came out of the court, he was not feeling well and was later sent to a hospital." In May, the ED had arrested Delhis Health Minister under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Following Jains arrest, Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia has been allocated additional charge of the ministers portfolios including Health, Home, Power, Water and Industries.

(With agency inputs)
New Delhi: The Delhi Jal Board informed that the water supply will remain affected in many parts of Delhi on Friday (June 10, 2022) due to Haryana releasing less water in the Yamuna. The utility said that the water level in the Wazirabad pond stood at 668.7 feet as against the normal of 674.5 feet. The water supply from Haryana through the Carrier Lined Canal (CLC) and the Delhi Sub Branch (DSB) is also fluctuating, the utility said on Thursday.

"Besides, there is unusual floating material in the two canals which has hit the water production at Haiderpur Phase I and II, Bawana, Nangloi, Dwarka WTPs," an official said.

The officials said that the operations at the Wazirabad, Chandrawal and Okhla WTPs are already hit. Water supply will remain affected till the situation improves.

According to PTI, the water supply will rermain affected in northeast Delhi, west Delhi, north Delhi, central Delhi, south Delhi, including Delhi Cantonment, and New Delhi Municipal Council areas. The DJB added that water will be available at low pressure in these areas.

Delhi requires around 1,200 MGD of water, while the DJB supplies around 950 MGD.

Haryana supplies a total of 610 million gallons of water a day to Delhi through two canals -- CLC (368 MGD) and DSB (177) -- and the Yamuna (65 MGD).

CLC and the DSB are supplied water from Hathni Kund via Munak canal and Bhakra Beas Management Board. Besides, Delhi receives 253 MGD from Uttar Pradesh through the Upper Ganga Canal, and 90 MGD is drawn from ranney wells and tube wells installed across the city.

(With PTI inputs)
WBCHSE HS 12th Result 2022: The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHE) on Friday (June 10, 2022) announced the WBCHSE HS 12th Result 2022. Students who appeared for the WB HC 12th board exams can check their results on the WBCHSE's official site- wbchse.nic.in or wbresults.nic.in. The results were announced in a press conference and were made available online from 12 PM onwards. he West Bengal higher secondary result marksheets and certificates will be distributed on June 20 through authorised representatives of the schools from 56 distribution centres.

WBCHSE HS 12th Result 2022: Toppers of the West Bengal HC 12th board exams

There are 272 candidates in the top 10 of the merit list of this year's West Bengal Higher Secondary Result. Adisha Devsharma, a student of Dinhata Sonidevi Jain High School in coochbehar secured the first rank in the West Bengal 12th board results 2022 scoring, 99.6%.

Sayandeep Samanta of Jalchak Nateswari Netaji Vidyayatan in West Medinipur stood at second position securing 99.4 per cent with just one mark less than the first ranker. First rank holder Adisha's got is 498 marks while Sayandeep got 497 marks.

WBCHSE HS 12th Result 2022: Boys outshine girls in West Bengal 12th result 2022

Of the 272 students in the top 10 of the merit list, 144 are male students and 128 are female students. Four students secured the third position in the West Bengal higher secondary result securing 496 marks each. Students who got Third position in the WB result 2022 are Soham Das of Hooghly Collegiate School, Abhik Das of Katwa Kashiram Das Institution, Parichoy Pari of West Medinipur and Rohin Sen of Kolkata Pathabhavan while 8 students secured the fourth place with 495 marks each.

West Bengal higher secondary result 2022: Here's how to check your scorecard

Step 1: Visit the official site of WBCHSE on wbchse.nic.in.

Step 2: On the home page, click on results link available

Step 3: Click on Class 12 result link in the new tab

Step 4: Enter the login details and press submit.

Step 5: Your result will be displayed on the screen.

Step 6: Check your result and download. Take a printout for future references.

The West Bengal 12th result 2022 was published within 44 days of the last board examination. The West Bengal higher secondary examinations commenced on April 2 and were concluded on April 27, 2022. The West Bengal higher secondary result marksheets and certificates will be distributed on June 20 through authorised representatives of the schools from 56 distribution centres.

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WBCHSE HS 12th Result 2022: The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHE) has declared the WBCHSE HS 12th Result 2022 today June 10, 2022. The West Bengal Class 12 board scorecards of individual students are expected soon on the official website of WBCHSE. Students who appeared for the WB HC 12th board exams can check their results on the WBCHSE's official site- wbchse.nic.in or wbresults.nic.in. The results were announced in a press conference and will be made available online from 12 PM onwards. The result press meet is being held at Rabindra Milan Mancha, Vidyasagar Bhavan on the Council.

WBCHSE HS 12th Result 2022: Websites to check WB 12th result 2022

wbchse.nic.in

www.wbresults.nic.in

WBCHSE HS 12th Result 2022: Here's how to check WBCHSE Uccha Madhyamik result

Step 1: Visit the official site of WBCHSE on wbchse.nic.in.

Step 2: On the home page, click on results link available

Step 3: Click on Class 12 result link in the new tab

Step 4: Enter the login details and press submit.

Step 5: Your result will be displayed on the screen.

Step 6: Check your result and download. Take a printout for future references.

WBCHSE HS 12th Result 2022: How to check results if websites not working

Check with SMS: To check WB 12th result via SMS, type WB12<space>Roll number and send the message to 56070 or 5676750.

Check with mobile app: Students can also check their WB Board 12th result via Mobile App named  WBCHSE Result 2022. Students need to go to the playstore, type the name and click on the install button.

In the academic year 2021-22, WBCHSE commenced the Class 12 board exams on April 2 and concluded on April 26, 2022 in the state. Around 8 lakh students appeared for Class 12 board exams which were held offline in the state.

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New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department on Thursday (June 9, 2022) said that the monsoon is progressing normally and will likely reach Maharashtra in the next two days. Senior IMD scientist R K Jenamani said monsoon touched the Kerala coast on May 29 and covered south and central Arabian Sea, Kerala, parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and the entire northeast between May 31 and June 7. "There is no delay in the progress of monsoon. It is likely to reach Maharashtra in the next two days and cover Mumbai in the subsequent two days," he said while 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.

Meanwhile, the Met Office has warned of isolated extremely heavy rainfall (more than 204.5 mm) in Arunachal Pradesh on June 10-11, and Assam and Meghalaya during the next five days.

IMD scientist also 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 weather office added that it is likely to reach Uttar Pradesh between June 16 and June 22, the IMD said in an extended range forecast.

No major relief from intense heat till June 15, says IMD

The maximum temperature in Delhi-NCR and other parts of northwest India will come down by a few notches over the weekend but no major relief is likely till June 15. Northwest and central India is reeling under a heatwave spell since June 2 due to an onslaught of hot and dry westerly winds.

"There is a heatwave warning for parts of northwest and central India on Thursday but a steep rise in the temperature is not predicted," senior IMD scientist R K Jenamani said. "The ongoing heatwave spell is less intense as compared to those recorded in April-end and May, but the area of impact is almost equal," he added.

The weather department said moisture-laden easterly winds will bring significant relief in the region from June 16 onwards.

Pre-monsoon activity from June 12

According to IMD, pre-monsoon activity is predicted over east Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha from June 12, but north Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and north MP will continue to see above normal temperatures till June 15.

"Parts of northwest India, including Delhi-NCR, may report a marginal relief on June 11-12. There will be cloudy weather over the weekend but rainfall is unlikely, he said. "The region may see thunderstorms and rainfall due to moisture-laden easterly winds June 16 onwards which is expected to bring a significant relief from the heat," he added.

(With PTI inputs)
10th June 2022: Sadhguru is a spiritual saint, but he has shown an unprecedented combination of environmental concern and spirituality, said Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister speaking at a Save Soil event with Sadhguru in Bhopal. The policy document which Sadhguru has handed to me, the Madhya Pradesh Government accepts it. We will study it further, added the Chief Minister. Emphasizing that the government will work with full sincerity to reach 3-6% organic content in the soil in the state he assured that, Madhya Pradesh will leave no stone unturned to follow it word to word.

Sadhguru also handed the Save Soil Revitalization Handbook to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan in presence of ten thousand people and urged the Chief Minister to separate the issue of soil from other ecological concerns.

We need to understand when it comes to soil ecology, our national borders and boundaries mean nothing, stressed Sadhguru. Reminding the audience of the calamity, he said, We are in that cusp of time, that if we act now decisively with the necessary policies we could be that generation we turned back from the brink of a disaster or we could be that generation that we slept through and went into the disaster.

Calling for the participation of everyone in this movement, he explained, the damage to the planet particularly to the soil has not happened because there is some evil force sitting somewhere wanting to destroy the planet. This has happened in pursuit of human happiness and wellbeing. That means every one of us knowingly or knowingly are partners in this destruction. The only way we can fix this is every one of us should become partner in the solution.

The Chief Minister also spoke on the importance of saving the environment and reminding the audience of the Vasudev Kutumbakam culture of the country that treated the entire world as one family. In his address, he also described the various environmental initiatives of the government. The Ankur campaign in the state is inspiring people to plant trees on birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions. The state is creating five thousand Amrit Sarovar (water body) under the Jalabhishek Abhiyan. He also shared the government pivoting to renewable energy sources to create electricity in the state. He expressed his happiness in sharing that the state is embracing organic farming with currently 7.5 lakh hectares of land where no chemical fertilizers are used.

Sadhguru who on March 21st 2022 embarked on a lone motorcycle journey across Europe, Central Asia and Middle East nations few days ago reached the Western port city of Jamnagar, Gujarat. Continuing his Indian leg of journey across 9 Indian states, he has passed through Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and New Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. At a Save Soil event in New Delhi, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined Sadhguru to express his wholehearted support and encouragement for the movement. Sadhguru also presented the Save Soil Policy Handbook to Prime Minister, which offers practical, scientific solutions that governments can put into action to revitalize the soil in their country.

Since he arrived in India, the Government of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh have signed an MoU to Save Soil in the state. The movement, till date, has touched 2.5 billion people while 74 countries have agreed to act to save their nations soils. To a topic absolutely absent in mas awareness, since the start of Sadhguru journey across 27 nations, over 2.5 billion people have spoken about Soil. Over 15 lakh children in India have written to the Prime Minister as well, requesting him to act to save the nations soil and their collective future. More than 65,000 students of from more than 300 schools in over 25 districts of UP have written letters to the Prime Minister.

The primary objective of the Save Soil Movement is to urge all nations of the world to mandate a minimum of 3-6% organic content in agricultural soils through urgent policy reforms. Without this minimum organic content, soil scientists have warned of the imminent death of soil, a phenomenon they are terming as soil extinction.

In India, nearly 30% of fertile soils in the country have already become barren and are incapable of yield. The United Nations has warned that at current rates of soil degradation, 90% of the earth could turn into desert by 2050- less than three decades from now. To avert this catastrophe, Sadhguru initiated the Save Soil movement in March this year, and travelled across 27 countries meeting leaders, politicians, scientists and citizens to galvanise support to Save Soil.

The Save Soil Movement is supported by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the UN World Food Programme, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

To watch the video of the event please visit here.

To view event pictures click here.

If you would like to know more about this, please call +91 94874 75346 or write to: mediarelations@ishafoundation.org

Conscious Planet: Save Soil, is a global movement to inspire a conscious approach to saving our soil and planet. This is, first and foremost, a peoples movement. The aim is to demonstrate the support of over 3.5 billion people (more than 60% of the worlds voting population) around the world and empower governments to initiate policy-driven action to revitalize soil and halt further degradation. World leaders, influencers, artists, experts, farmers, spiritual leaders, NGOs and citizens are vocally supporting the movement to re-establish Humanitys relationship with Soil.

For Pictures, Videos and Soil Facts please visit the Soil Dossier.

Website: savesoil.org
New Delhi: Staff Selection Commission (SSC) is seeking to hire for various selection posts. Interested candidates can apply on the official SSC website on ssc.nic.in before June 13, 2022. The SSC recruitment drive aims to fill a total of 797 vacancies.

SSC recruitment 2022: Application fees

Candidates have to pay application fees of Rs 100. Those from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Persons with Disabilities (PwD) and Ex-servicemen (ESM) eligible for reservation will not be required to pay the fees.

SSC recruitment 2022: Dates to remember

Last date for the submission of online applications: June 13

Last date for submission of online fee payment: June 15

Last date for generation of offline Challan: June 16

Dates of Window for Application Form Correction including online payment: June 27-29

Dates of Computer Based Examination: August 2022 (tentative)

SSC recruitment 2022: Selection process

Candidates will have to appear for a Computer Based Mode exam consisting of Objective Type Multiple Choice Questions. Physical Endurance Test (PET)/Physical Measurement Test (PMT) of the qualified candidates, wherever applicable, will be conducted by the Administration of UT of Ladakh, the official notification read.

Direct link to official SSC notification HERE.

Candidates must note that only residents of Ladakh and who possess a Resident Certificate as per format at Annexure-VII issued by a Competent Authority in accordance with the Union territory of Ladakh Grant of Resident Certificate (Procedure) Order, 2021 are eligible to apply, SSC said in its notice.

ALSO READ: AAI Recruitment 2022: Bumper Junior Executive vacancies announced on aai.aero, check details here
Recruiting caregivers like Deina Neff  let alone retaining them  is perhaps the largest challenge facing the health care industry, especially pandemic-battered nursing homes.

Some are offering signing bonuses. Most are raising wages. One Western New York nursing home even rolled out a red carpet for an on-the-spot hiring event in mid-March.

That might get a new employee in the door, but employers must work just as hard to keep them for the long term in what has become a high-turnover field. One way to do that: training programs that allow employees to advance their careers, provide better care and make more money.

For Neff, a paid training program took her from longtime certified nursing assistant to licensed practical nurse at Northgate Health Care Facility in North Tonawanda.

"I feel like I can do more for my residents to kind of advocate for them a little bit better as a nurse," said Neff, a 33-year-old Youngstown resident with a desire to keep advancing up the ladder.

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These kinds of career ladder programs could be a major key in chipping away at the long-term care staffing crisis. As it stands, it's been difficult for nursing homes to maintain adequate staffing due to unsupportive working conditions, a negative perception of the facilities and poor pay and benefits, according to a recent national study by the Committee on the Quality of Care in Nursing Homes. Further, the report notes, increasing nurse staffing has been a constant recommendation for improving the quality of care in nursing homes.

That's a primary driver behind controversial laws that went into effect April 1 at New York's more than 600 nursing homes, requiring the facilities to meet minimum staffing standards and investments.

Trade groups representing nursing homes are suing over the laws, while unions are cheering  seeing the mandates as crucial antidotes to address the chronic understaffing that has fueled labor unrest in recent months and pushed many workers to find employment elsewhere.

NY nursing home staffing mandate faces lawsuit from operators Long-awaited laws requiring minimum staffing standards and investments at New York's nursing homes went into effect April 1. Labor unions and consumer advocates breathed a sigh of relief. A trade group filed a lawsuit.

That's why these training programs, such as the one Neff completed, could be so important. They often represent a partnership involving an employer and a labor union, geared toward showing employees that there is advancement potential beyond a job that may only pay slightly above minimum wage.

Neff, whose surgical mask can't hide her welcoming smile as she walks around Northgate, is proof that the programs can work.

Staffing crunch

The pandemic exacerbated the staffing crunch at U.S. nursing and residential care facilities, with employment down by about 390,000 jobs, or nearly 12%, since February 2020, federal data show.

Finding nurses, especially licensed practical nurses, or LPNs, has been particularly difficult. And pandemic working conditions didn't help in what is an aging workforce: The median age of a LPN in 2020 was 53 years old, a year older than in 2017, according to a national survey.

Data from regional trade group Iroquois Healthcare Association, which regularly surveys its members, found a job vacancy rate of 37% for long-term care LPNs in the second quarter  the highest percentage out of all job titles and up from 32% in the first quarter.

It took an average of 85 days to fill a LPN opening in a nursing home during the first quarter  a long time, for sure, but significantly less than the category-leading 157 days to find a respiratory therapist.

The McGuire Group, which owns Northgate, opted to look within: working with its current employees in training programs "so that there's a thrust in career ladders and career development within our organization," said Aaron Polanski, administrator of health care services for the group.

Molding a solution

The LPN apprenticeship program that Neff participated in was the second of its kind in New York  a joint effort involving McGuire Group, labor union 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the 1199SEIU Training & Employment Funds and the Health Career Advancement Program, an organization that works with employers, unions and workers to deploy training opportunities.

The state Health Department, McGuire and others chipped in funds.

Planning began in summer 2019, with the group identifying a need for additional LPNs in the Buffalo area, said Don Fiorilli, regional director of 1199SEIU Training & Employment Funds. As those discussions began, classes for a LPN apprenticeship program that his group had developed with senior care nonprofit Loretto in Syracuse were just beginning. That gave the Buffalo group a blueprint to follow.

The next steps for the McGuire program came around October 2019, with student recruitment and academic assessment. Then in January 2020, Neff and nine other McGuire union certified nursing assistants started classes at Trocaire College  lessons that shifted to remote learning when the pandemic started.

Was it successful?

Of the 10 participants, eight completed the 14-month program and graduated  all are still employed with McGuire.

A key to the program's success: It allowed participants to work a reduced number of hours during their schooling but maintain their full income and benefits. Neff said she only had to pay for her books.

"A lot of people's restraint from going back to school is they can't afford it," she said. "So that definitely took out a lot of that stress."

Niagara Falls program aims to replenish supply of nursing assistants one class at a time A grant-funded program in Niagara Falls, which was created by the Niagara Falls Housing Authority in collaboration with Orleans/Niagara BOCES and Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, seeks to put a dent in the staffing pinch rocking the health care system and elevate employment prospects for low-income residents with limited access to training opportunities.

Aside from the strong graduation rate, Fiorilli said he considers the program a success because it removed barriers for students and helped participants advance their skills and earnings.

A typical LPN, for instance, made $23.11 per hour last year, compared with a median hourly wage of $14.56 for nursing assistants, according to federal data.

The same Iroquois Healthcare Association study found, among all job titles, certified nursing assistants, or CNAs, in long-term care settings had the highest turnover rate last year, at about 62%. That compared with about 32% for long-term care LPNs.

"Many CNAs can make similar wages working at Amazon or Walmart," said David Grabowski, a health care policy professor at Harvard Medical School. "A paid training LPN program is a difference-maker for both these staff and the nursing homes. Several nursing home companies and states have set up these career ladder programs but it would be great to see more widespread adoption with federal support."

Can it be replicated?

Fiorilli said Loretto and McGuire have expressed interest in doing the program again  and he believes other nursing homes also can develop successful career ladder programs.

"The program can certainly be replicated, and it can certainly be scaled," Fiorilli said. "But investments are required."

More programs are certainly popping up, such as a nursing assistant training initiative launched this year by the Niagara Falls Housing Authority, Orleans/Niagara BOCES and Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.

The program, supported by $226,000 from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York's Blue Fund, has graduated 25 students since February and more free six-week classes are being scheduled throughout the year.

While that program aims to get more nursing assistants into the market, organizers also hope to see graduates advance from CNA to beyond  just like Neff did at Northgate.

Neff is glad the LPN program came along when it did. She started at Northgate in 2013 and was a longtime CNA when the opportunity arose. The program gave her the chance to advance her career and do more for the residents she cares for.

She's getting her feet wet as a LPN now, but she's thinking about advancing further one day. At one point, she thought of rising to a nurse practitioner.

"Health care is a tough job, but it's extremely fulfilling," Neff said. "Wherever it is that you want to be in health care, you will be there  especially if you really want it."

This story was produced through the New York & Michigan Solutions Journalism Collaborative, a partnership of news organizations and universities dedicated to rigorous and compelling reporting about successful responses to social problems. The group is supported by the Solutions Journalism Network.

Jon Harris can be reached at 716-849-3482 or jharris@buffnews.com. Follow him on Twitter at @ByJonHarris.

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New Delhi: Controversial celebrity Poonam Pandey recently posed for shutterbugs in Mumbai wearing a backless white top and pastel pink trousers. But guess what? Soon after the photos were shared by celeb pap Viral Bhayani on Instagram, trolls had a field day commenting on Poonam for her outfit.

POONAM PANDEY MASSIVELY TROLLED

Poonam Pandey got massively trolled by haters for posing flaunting her svelte figure in a chic backless top and pink pants. Here's what the trolls wrote:

She was last seen in Kangana Ranaut's reality show Lock Upp season 1. While on the show also, she once mentioned facing domestic violence. Poonam had revealed that her estranged husband Sam Bombay once beat her so much that it caused her brain haemorrhage.

POONAM PANDEY'S PERSONAL LIFE

Poonam Pandey got married to her boyfriend Sam Bombay in a private ceremony in 2020. Soon after the wedding news, she filed a complaint against him saying that he has molested, threatened and assaulted her. The incident reportedly took place in Canacona village in south Goa where Pandey was shooting for a film and later Sam was arrested.

Sam who was born and brought up in United Arab Emirates Dubai is an ad filmmaker and a producer.
MUMBAI: Actress Pranitha Subhash and her husband, businessman Nitin Raju, have become parents to their first child, a baby girl. The 29-year-old actor, who tied the knot with Raju in May last year, shared the news of baby's arrival on Friday on her Instagram account.

"The last few days have been surreal... Ever since our baby girl was born," Subhash wrote. "I was really lucky to have a gynaecologist mom, but for her this was the hardest time emotionally. Thankfully we had Dr Sunil Ishwar and his team at Aster Rv that made sure my delivery was smooth," she added.

The actor, who was last seen in Priyadarshan's comedy feature film 'Hungama 2', also thanked her anaesthetist and his team who made sure the process was 'as less painful as possible'.

Subhash predominantly features in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Hindi films. Some of her popular movies are 'Porki', 'Baava', and 'Bheema Theeradalli'.
New Delhi: Actors Ranbir Kapoor and Shraddha Kapoor will be seen first time together in a Luv Ranjan film. The stars are currently in Spain, shooting for the film and recently, a dance sequence clipping from the sets has gone viral.

In the viral dance video, the choreographer can be seen teaching the moves to Ranbir and Shraddha, who is dressed in a sunshine yellow short dress. Ranbir Kapoor is wearing a tie-dye shirt paired with white pants. Fans couldn't keep calm over the clipping and it has been widely circulated on social media.

This Luv Ranjan movie is reportedly a romantic comedy, also starring Dimple Kapadia. Producer Boney Kapoor will be making his acting debut in this venture and it is slated to hit the screens next year.

On the work front, Ranbir Kapoor has Ayan Mukerji's directorial Brahmastra Part One: Shiva, co-starring now wife, Alia Bhatt. The fiction also stars Amitabh Bachchan, Nagarjuna Akkineni and Mouni Roy in pivotal roles. The film will hit the theatres on September 9, 2022. Apart from Brahmastra, he also has Shamshera and Animal in the pipeline.
New Delhi: Actress Kubbra Sait, who shot to fame after her role in Sacred Games, recently came up with her memoir titled, Open Book: Not quite a Memoir in which she has shared her life journey. In one particular part, she mentioned the horrific incident of facing sexual abuse as a teenager.

Kubbra Sait in the book revealed that she was abused by her uncle who her family thought was an angel. She wrote: "When Mumma sighed at the reprieve that cash provided, I sighed too. Just then, a hand slid to the back seat of the car where I was sitting and slid up my dress. X, who was no longer my uncle, smiled as he rubbed my thigh. I was numb in that moment He started frequenting our home, and Mumma would laugh with and cook for him. In front of her, he would kiss my cheek and say, Oh my Kubrati, youre my favourite little one. Although uncomfortable, I kept quiet."

She narrated in detail the incident of her first sexual assault, "This was not supposed to happen, but it was happening. I should have screamed, but I could not. I should have run for help, but I was shell-shocked. The kiss grew. He convinced me it was what I wanted, that it would make me feel better. He kept repeating it until I felt deafened, and then he unbuckled his trousers. I was unsure of what exactly was happening, but I remember thinking, I am losing my virginity. It was a big deal, but it was also my shameful secret."
CHENNAI: Superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who recently tested positive for COVID-19, is now all hail and hearty. On Thursday, he visited Mahabalipuram to attend his 'Jawan' co-star Nayanthara's wedding with Tamil film director-producer Vignesh Shivan. Taking to Instagram, Shah Rukh Khan's manager Pooja Dadlani dropped a few pictures in which the superstar is seen exuding his charm in a beige ensemble and a pair of sunglasses.

As per media reports, the superstar had mild symptoms and looked suave during his first public appearance post being diagnosed with the virus. However, netizens were not too pleased seeing him stepping out for big event within just a few days of his COVID recovery.

One user wrote, "2 din pehle hua aur recover bhi ho gya" while another Instagram user commented, "COVID hua tha kii acidity 2 din mai hii shi ho gya".

Questioning if the actor was indeed COVID positive, another internet user commented, "COVID nahi zukam tha".

Last week, Shah Rukh Khan and Atlee had unveiled the first look of their collaboration, which stars Nayanthara as the leading lady. Revealing the film's release date and title, Shah Rukh Khan posted a first look video and wrote, "An action-packed 2023!! Bringing #Jawan to you, an explosive entertainer in cinemas 2nd June 2023. In Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada."

Speaking about the film, SRK said in a statement, "Jawan is a universal story that goes beyond languages, geographies and is for all to enjoy. Credit goes to Atlee for creating this unique film, which has also been a fantastic experience for me as I love action films! The teaser is the just tip of the iceberg and gives a glimpse into whats to come."

Apart from this, Shah Rukh Khan will also be seen essaying the lead in 'Pathaan' and 'Dunki'.

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New Delhi: 7th Pay Commission Latest update-- As the reports on further DA hike is gaining momentum, media reports are saying that government might also decide on hiking 4 other allowances for the central government employees.

Lakhs of central government employees waiting for announcement on hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) have a brighter hope, thanks to the recent All-India CPI-IW data. The AICP Index, crucial factor in determining the DA, for the month of April points at the probability of increase in the DA of the central government. Government may bring in some more good news for the employees in the month of July. Now, if latest media reports are to be believed, there could be a five percent hike in DA in July. This means the total DA could reach upo 39 percent. The Dearness Allowance of central government employees is revised twice a year. The first is given from January to June, while the second comes from July to December. (Also read: From a humble childhood in India to heading Google, here's all about Sundar Pichai's journey)

Amidst the wide speculation on a probable hike in DA in the month of July, media reports are also rife that 4 other allowances that are decided based on the DA level, may also increase. Here's the list. (Also read: Gold price today: Check prices of yellow metal in Delhi, Patna, Lucknow, Kolkata, Kerala and other cities)

1. The DA is proportional to the base wage. As a result, a raise in DA will also raise central government employees' monthly provident fund (PF)

2. The gratuity amounts of the employees will also be increased due to the hike in DA.

3. The hike in dearness allowance has also cleared the path for hike in Travel/Transport Allowance and City Allowance of the employees.

4. There have also been speculations in the media that the government is contemplating a hike in the HRA as the DA has been hiked.

The All-India CPI-IW for April, 2022 increased by 1.7 points and stood at 127.7 (one hundred twenty seven point seven). On 1-month percentage change, it increased by 1.35 per cent with respect to previous month compared to an increase of 0.42 per cent recorded between corresponding months a year ago, showed a Ministry of Labour & Employment data. The April AICP Index has fuelled further speculation that DA could be hiked by upto 5 percent which means that the total DA could reach upo 39 percent.

It may be recalled that the Union Cabinet had on March 30 hiked Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) by 3 per cent to 34 per cent to compensate for the price rise, benefitting over 1.16 crore central government employees and pensioners.

The additional instalment is effective from January 1, 2022. The increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission.
New Delhi: The audience showered its love upon 777 Charlie, the Kannada adventure comedy-drama film directed by Kiranraj K. The movie features Rakshit Shetty, Sangeetha Sringeri, Raj B. Shetty, Danish Sait and Bobby Simha in lead roles. But the winner of this touching tale happens to be the four-legged furry friend.

777 CHARLIE MOVIE REVIEW BY FANS

777 Charlie is produced by Rakshit Shetty and GS Gupta under Paramvah Studios. It traces the journey of the lonely factory worker and a Labrador dog pet. The bond that the two share has managed to touch the hearts of many fans, who have expressed it on social media. Take a look here:

As much as I loved & enjoyed the big commercial action extravaganzas like #RRR, #KGF2 and #Vikram, I equally loved the emotional sweet man-dog tale #777Charlie. Like the other three films, wish #777Charlie also emerges a big blockbuster in its own right,range. It's deserving June 9, 2022

#777Charlie Astounded by the way the dog #Charlie acted & reacted; be it naughty fun moments or the emotional ones - just too goodKudos to all the dog trainers@rakshitshetty - no romance track, no mass masala elevations, just pure storydriven performance. Sandalwood gem  Kaushik LM (@LMKMovieManiac) June 9, 2022

KFI makers should take #RakshitShetty as an example.

- He didnt cry that producers arent giving him chances. He built his own team and made his own movies.



- Never blamed the audience for uLidavaru kanDante or ASN. He corrected himself & moved on. (1/2)#777Charlie  Rahul Kumar | (@rahulsamanya) June 9, 2022

Chennai welcomes #777Charlie with love Reactions from the Chennai premiere pic.twitter.com/KBSwaDFhcB  777 Charlie (@777CharlieMovie) June 8, 2022

Just watched #777Charlie in shankarnag .What to tell , everything that a cinema can provide as been given .Stupendous experience especially climax it was divine . Just what people to experience this in theaters. Thanks to @rakshitshetty @Kiranraj61 @sangeethaSring @RajbShettyOMK pic.twitter.com/EcKpqrmMuP June 9, 2022

777 CHARLIE FILM RELEASE

777 Charlie had a limited theatrical release on June 2, 2022, and is scheduled for a worldwide release in cinemas on June 10, 2022. In June last year, the director Kiranraj stated that the team had filmed for a total of 160 days, with visuals for end credits pending to be shot as per Wikipedia information. The makers wrapped up the shoot on October 25, 2021.
Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday ordered the state police to take strict action against hooligans after incidents of stone-pelting broke out in various cities over alleged controversial remarks made by suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma on Prophet Muhammad.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has directed the police to take strict actions against hooligans after incidents of stone-pelting broke out in various cities in the state. Officials like ACS Home Awanish Awasthi, acting DGP, ADG Law and Order, are monitoring the situation from police HQs, news agency ANI reported.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has directed to take strict actions against hooligans after incidents of stone-pelting broke out in various cities in the state. Officials like ACS Home Awanish Awasthi, acting DGP, ADG Law & Order, are monitoring the situation from police HQs. pic.twitter.com/yT6CATiawh  ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) June 10, 2022

The order came after protests broke out at several places in the state after the Friday prayers over now-suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma's controversial recent remarks on Prophet Mohammad recently.

A senior official at the Uttar Pradesh Police headquarters in Lucknow said sloganeering took place in Saharanpur, Moradabad, Rampur and Lucknow.

People raised slogans and pelted stones in the Atala area of Prayagraj after the Friday prayers ended. A heavy police force was deployed in the area to ensure law and order. Senior police and administrative officials have also reached the spot.

Additional Director General (Law and Order) Parashant Kumar said, "The reports of stone-pelting in Prayagraj are being looked into." He said Friday prayers were held peacefully in most places across the state.

This comes following clashes last week in Kanpur over the remarks on the Prophet at a TV debate some days earlier. A high alert was issued across the state after that, and a heavy police force was deployed to ensure that violence does not occur again.
New Delhi: Brazil on Thursday (June 9, 2022) confirmed the country`s first case of Monkeypox virus in the city of Sao Paulo. According to local health authorities, the virus was detected in a 41-year-old man who recently travelled to Spain and Portugal. The city`s health secretariat in a statement informed that the patient is currently in isolation at the Emilio Ribas Public Hospital, while his recent contacts are being monitored. Another suspected monkeypox case being investigated in Sao Paulo involves a 26-year-old woman, who is now hospitalized, the secretariat added.

Meanwhile, the global cases of the monkeypox virus have surpassed 1,000, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said and urged people to take extra precautions. CDC informed that as of June 6, 1,019 confirmed and suspected cases of monkeypox have been reported in 29 countries.

The UK has recorded the most cases, 302 suspected and confirmed infections, followed by Spain (198), Portugal (153) and Canada (80), as per CNBC reports.

German panel recommends vaccines after exposure to monkeypox

Additionally, Germany's independent vaccine advisory panel is recommending that shots against monkeypox be prioritised for people recently exposed to the virus that causes the disease. The panel said the smallpox vaccine Imvanex should be made available first to people who were exposed to the virus in the previous 14 days.

Two shots should be given at least 28 days apart to people not previously vaccinated against smallpox, while a single dose is enough for those who had received a smallpox shot before, the advisory panel said.

Risk of Monkeypox emergence in non-endemic countries 'real'

On Thursday, director-general of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged affected countries to identify all cases and contacts to control the outbreak in an address on Wednesday.

"Over 1,000 #monkeypox cases have been reported from 29 countries where the disease is not endemic, with no deaths reported so far in these countries. @WHO urges affected countries to identify all cases and contacts to control the outbreak and prevent onward spread," tweeted Tedros.

Tedros, while speaking about the vaccines said, "There are antivirals and vaccines approved for monkeypox but these are in limited supply," adding that WHO is working on developing a coordination mechanism based on public health needs and mass vaccination is necessary as the disease has spread to 29 countries.

(With agency inputs)
Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's family today said that the military ruler's condition is critical, his organs have failed and recovery is not possible. The family, posting a statement on Twitter, said that Musharraf is battling a longtime ailment. "Message from Family: He is not on the ventilator. Has been hospitalized for the last 3 weeks due to a complication of his ailment (Amyloidosis). Going through a difficult stage where recovery is not possible and organs are malfunctioning. Pray for ease in his daily living."

Earlier, some Pakistani media outlets earlier reported that Musharraf passed away in hospital, however, the reports were quashed later. Earlier today, Musharraf's close aide and former information minister Fawad Chaudhry said that he is critical and on a ventilator support at a hospital in the UAE. Gen Musharraf, 78, ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008.

Message from Family:



He is not on the ventilator. Has been hospitalized for the last 3 weeks due to a complication of his ailment (Amyloidosis). Going through a difficult stage where recovery is not possible and organs are malfunctioning. Pray for ease in his daily living. pic.twitter.com/xuFIdhFOnc  Pervez Musharraf (@P_Musharraf) June 10, 2022

"Musharraf is critical as he is on a ventilator," Chaudhry told PTI. Chaudhry, who was the information minister in the Imran Khan government, was once a media spokesperson for Musharraf. He said that he spoke to Musharraf's son who confirmed his illness. "I have just spoken to Gen Musharraf's son Bilal in Dubai who confirmed that he (Musharraf) is on ventilator," Chaudhry said.

Reacting to reports, Ifzaal Siddique, the President of the All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) Overseas -- founded by Musharraf -- said that the former president is little bit ill but fully alert. "General Pervez Musharraf is at home (a little) bit ill though, but fully alert as usual, please don't listen to fake news. Just pray for his good health, Ameen," Siddique said.

Musharraf has been declared a fugitive in former prime minister Benazir Bhutto murder case and Red Mosque cleric killing case. The former president, living in Dubai since 2016, was facing the treason case for suspending the Constitution in 2007. The former military ruler left for Dubai in March 2016 for medical treatment and has not returned since.
This meal was REALLY 'to go'

Ryan Yeates had a Chipotle craving Tuesday, so he ordered lunch for himself and two co-workers at Towne Mazda and, shortly before 1 p.m., headed over to the nearby Chipotle Mexican Grill on Milestrip Road in Hamburg.

When he got there, it wasn't ready. At first, he told us, he thought he was early. When an employee couldn't find the order, Yeates looked it up on his phone.

That's when he realized he'd ordered from a different Chipotle  on Broadway in Manhattan, about 370 miles away.

How did that happen? Yeates had visited New York City the previous weekend, had ordered food from that Chipotle, and never changed the location when he entered Tuesday's order online. (Yes, his first mistake was getting Chipotle in one of the world's great restaurant cities.)

Yeates feared he would owe another $40 for the replacement order, but the employees generously gave it to him for free.

"When I left I was like, well, that Chipotle's still going to be at the other store just sitting on the shelf," he said. "So I might as well throw it out there and see if somebody wants to go grab it."

Yeates, who has a large Twitter following, sent a tweet highlighting the free food and his embarrassing mistake.

if anyone in nyc wants $40 worth of chipotle, its sitting on the takeout shelf at the broadway location in chinatown. its paid for and under my name Ryan Y. didnt look at the location before ordering and just made an absolute fool of myself in the chipotle in buffalo  kelbin (@pissboymcgee) June 7, 2022

An acquaintance, Jared Weiss, saw it while riding the subway from Brooklyn into Manhattan. Within 15 minutes, he was there.

Weiss' retweet  "A lot of people arent ready when opportunity strikes. A lot of people arent me," featuring a photo of the bagged food  received 270,000 likes.

"Yeah, I had no idea it would get this big. That has been very funny for me," Weiss told us.

Yeates' tweet earned 129,000 likes itself, as well as a response from Chipotle. They sent him a message Wednesday with codes for four free meals.

He's already used one. And he got the location right.

 Stephen T. Watson

Woke up this mornin' ...

This merger announcement has been brought to you by ... HBO.

When the Empire State Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors announced its merger with the New York Construction Alliance, it was billed as a "major move that will resonate throughout New York State's entire construction industry," by uniting the state's two dominant non-union construction trade groups.

But that wasn't the most interesting part of the announcement. The statement from the chapter's board chairman was.

At ABC, jobsite safety has always been at the center of what we do, said ABC Empire State Chapter Board Chairman Tony Soprano.

Tony Soprano? Wait. What?

"Yes, Tony Soprano is a real person," confirmed Santino R. Thomas, spokesman for the combined Empire State Chapter, now bolstered with more members and additional leadership.

Soprano  formally Anthony  is vice president of pre-construction services for DiMarco Constructors in Rochester, and is responsible for managing the design phase of construction projects and overseeing a team of estimators. A graduate of Monroe Community College, he's been with DiMarco for 25 years.

"Tony's efforts ensure project objectives are met with respect to contracting, scheduling, budgeting, estimating and bidding," according to his bio on the company's website. "He manages and mitigates potential risk factors, and his work culminates with the seamless transition of the job to the project operations team."

And we're positive this is the first time anyone has said anything about the name he shares with a famous fictional organized crime figure.

 Jonathan D. Epstein

Just like it sounds

Look. We get it. We live in Western New York. We know the words we say all the time that outsiders have a hard time with, such as Scajaquada, Chiavetta's and No Goal.

But can professional broadcasters try just a little harder?

When the Canisius College softball team was playing in the NCAA tournament last month, the out-of-town announcers often came nowhere near the correct pronunciation of the Main Street institution. Maybe it's not so easy to get it right the first time you see it, but for the love of all things Jesuit, is it to much to suggest asking someone wearing blue and gold "How do you pronounce that?"

That's why we were delighted to see that Matthew Kochan, library access services coordinator at Canisius, shared a screenshot on Twitter of a fan holding a sign during the Griffs' game against Wisconsin that said "It's Can Knee Shh Us."

Kochan shared it with the words: "Not all heroes wear capes."

Not all heroes wear capes. pic.twitter.com/JBkHCUhwsI  Kazimierz Kochan (@hugginfool) May 22, 2022

That's true. Some work in libraries.

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Jonathan D. Epstein News Business Reporter I've been a business reporter at The Buffalo News since 2004, now covering residential and commercial real estate and development amid WNY's resurgence. I'm an upstate native, proud to call Buffalo my home, and committed to covering it thoroughly. Follow Jonathan D. Epstein 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
Vietnam: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh presented a one-million-dollar gift cheque to the Air Force Officers Training School in Nha Trang for the establishment of a language and information technology laboratory. Singh is in Vietnam for a three-day visit to boost bilateral ties, with a focus on defence cooperation. Handed over a gift cheque of USD 1 million for establishing a language and IT laboratory at the Air Force Officers Training School in Nha Trang. I am confident that the laboratory will substantially contribute to raising language & IT skills of Vietnams Air Force personnel, said Rajnath Singh.

Handed over a gift cheque of USD 1 million for establishing a language and IT laboratory at the Air Force Officers Training School in Nha Trang.



I am confident that the laboratory will substantially contribute to raising language & IT skills of Vietnams Air Force personnel. pic.twitter.com/5kP29qCQmi June 10, 2022

He reached the Air Force Officers Training School at Nha Trang in Vietnam today, which imparts English and pre-flying training to Vietnamese pilots. "I am pleased to visit the Air Force Officers Training School today." I am deeply impressed with the achievements of the school and its valuable contribution to training pilots of Vietnam People's Air Defence and Air Force," said Singh.

Earlier, Singh handed over 12 high-speed guard boats to Vietnam during his visit to Hong Ha Shipyard in Hai Phong.

Rajnath Singh also invited Vietnam to become a part of Indias defence industrial transformation through enhanced cooperation. He asserted that the Indian defence industry has substantially increased its capabilities under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision of the Prime Minister. He stressed that the objective is to build a domestic industry in order to make India a defence manufacturing hub that not only caters to domestic needs but also fulfils international requirements.

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.

Live TV
Washington: A Congressional hearing into the US Capitol attack by Donald Trump`s supporters trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat presented testimony on Thursday showing that close allies - even his daughter - rejected his false claims of election fraud. The House of Representatives select committee investigating Jan 6, 2021, assault also showed graphic footage of thousands of rioters attacking police and smashing their way into the Capitol during the first of its six hearings intended to show that Trump tried to subvert the US Constitution and unlawfully hold onto power.

The hearing presented a video of testimony or public statements from key Trump administration figures including his daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner, Vice President Mike Pence and his chief of staff, Attorney General William Barr and General Mark Milley.

It featured a clip of Trump`s incendiary speech before the riot in which he repeated his false claims of election fraud and directed his supporters` anger at Pence, who was at the Capitol overseeing the congressional certification of Joe Biden`s win.

"Aware of the rioters` chants, to `Hang Mike Pence,` the president responded with this sentiment: `Well, maybe our supporters have the right idea," said Representative Liz Cheney, one of the two Republicans on the nine-member panel and its vice-chair. Barr in video testimony called the election fraud claims "bullshit," an argument that convinced Trump`s daughter. "I respect Attorney General Barr. So I accepted what he was saying," Ivanka Trump said in videotaped testimony.

Democratic US Representative Bennie Thompson, the committee`s chairman, said Trump was at the center of a conspiracy to thwart American democracy. "Jan. 6 was the culmination of an attempted coup, a brazen attempt, as one writer put it shortly after Jan. 6, to overthrow the government," Thompson said "... The violence was no accident. It was Trump`s last stand."

Since leaving office last year, Trump has kept up his false claims that his 2020 election loss was the result of widespread fraud, an assertion that has been rejected by multiple courts, state election officials and members of his own administration. "We can`t live in a world where the incumbent administration stays in power based on its view, unsupported by specific evidence, that there was fraud in the election," Barr, who resigned before Trump left office, said in the video.

Trump, publicly flirting with another White House run in 2024, issued a statement before the hearing calling the committee "political Thugs." Kushner was shown on video dismissing threats by members of Trump`s Cabinet to resign after the riot, saying he considered their concerns as "whining."

The hearing also will feature two in-person witnesses, U.S. Capitol police officer Caroline Edwards, who sustained a traumatic brain injury in the attack, and Nick Quested, a filmmaker who captured footage of the far-right Proud Boys group, accused of planning the deadly attack.

Other Capitol Police officers who fought with rioters on Jan. 6 were present in the audience for the hearing including Officer Harry Dunn, who wore a T-shirt bearing the word "insurrection" and Officer Michael Fanone, who was beaten and electrocuted with a Taser during the attack. Some House Democrats who are not panel members also attended.

The hearings begin about five months before the Nov. 8 midterm elections that will determine which party controls both the House and the Senate for the following two years.

`SUMMONED THE MOB`

The pro-Trump mob failed to prevent Congress from certifying Biden`s victory, attacking police and causing millions of dollars in damage. Four people died the day of the attack, one fatally shot by police and the others of natural causes. More than 100 police officers were injured, and one died the next day. Four officers later died by suicide.

"Those who invaded our Capitol and battled law enforcement for hours were motivated by what President Trump had told them: That the election was stolen and that he was the rightful president," Cheney said. "President Trump summoned the mob, assembled the mob and lit the flame of this attack."

Biden on Thursday described the attack as "a clear, flagrant violation of the Constitution," telling reporters: "I think these guys and women broke the law, tried to turn around the result of an election."

A Reuters/Ipsos poll released on Thursday underscored the partisan lens through which many Americans view the assault. It found that among Republicans about 55% believed the false claim that left-wing protesters led the attack and 58% believed most of the protesters were law-abiding.

Two Republican Georgia state election officials who Trump tried to pressure to "find" votes that would overturn his election defeat will testify to the hearings later this month, a source familiar with the matter said.
Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has signed a decree imposing personal sanctions on his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, and a number of other high-ranking officials in Moscow.



The decree signed on Thursday came in approval of a decision taken by the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, reports Ukrayinska Pravda.

The sanctions list comprise a total of 35 Russian figures, and some of the important ones include Secretary of Russia`s Security Council Nikolai Patrushev, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Also read: Nawab Malik unable to cast his vote in Rajya Sabha election. This is WHY



Sanctions include bans on entry to Ukraine; revocation of visas and permits; revocation of state awards of Ukraine; revocation of all issued licences and permits; blocking of financial assets; and a ban on transportation of property belonging to the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine.



In addition, Zelensky also signed a decree imposing sanctions on Russian universities and their leaders.

The list includes, in particular, Moscow State University named after Mikhail Lomonosov, Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Saint Petersburg State University and National Research University Higher School of Economics.

Also Read: Nupur Sharma Comment Row: Politician who supported BJP leader, once compared Quran with Hitler's

In total, 236 Russian universities were included in the list, Ukrayinska Pravda reported.

Ukrainian educational, cultural and state institutions must sever all ties and agreements concluded with Russian universities listed by the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine.
Bringing banking to the unbanked

The "KeyBus" has rolled into the region for the month of June, offering financial education and opportunities to open KeyBank accounts.

Bank on Buffalo has opened a branch at Northland Central, serving students at the training center in the complex, as well as businesses and residents in the surrounding East Side neighborhood.

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In their own ways, the two banks are taking on a larger issue: increasing banking access in underserved communities.

The retrofitted transit bus, which Key is leasing, will make appearances in Western New York this month, including at festivals.

"We wanted to just bring banking to the underbanked and unbanked folks," said Chiwuike "Chi-Chi" Owunwanne, corporate responsibility officer and community relations manager for the bank's Buffalo, Rochester and Eastern Pennsylvania markets. "And oftentimes, you tend to find those folks in low- and moderate-income communities."

The bus, billed as a computer lab and classroom on wheels, is staffed by bank employees wherever it's parked. Visitors can also use the computer workstations on board to create free accounts with NextJob to search for jobs.

Owunwanne said he hopes visitors come away with more knowledge about saving, borrowing and building a budget. And he said it's important for branch managers to use the bus stops to build personal connections, "so that once the bus is no longer here, those people are comfortable to walk into any one of our branches."

The bus made appearances in Ohio in May, and will drive on to other Key territories after its stay in Western New York.

Meanwhile, Bank on Buffalo is aiming to make more inroads on the East Side with its new Northland branch. Martin Griffith, chief of community banking for Bank on Buffalo's parent, CNB Financial, called community banking "a responsibility."

But Griffith said he feels some banks have lost that connection to community.

"Their hiring practices don't necessarily emulate the communities they're in," he said. "Their locations may or may not emulate the community concept."

Bank branches are sparse in the city's East Side neighborhoods, which leads residents to turn to high-cost alternatives like pawn shops and payday lenders. Bank on Buffalo's new branch is among a few new locations opening on the East Side in recent years, along with Northwest and KeyBank branches.

Bank on Buffalo sees a growth opportunity with the new branch and will also offer financial literacy programs, both at the branch and in the community, said Michael Noah, the bank's president.

Helping workers cope with a crisis

Employers are sorting out how to help their employees cope with the aftermath of the racially motivated mass shooting at a Tops Markets that killed 10 people.

Employees may be feeling fearful, anxious or angry  or a combination of all those emotions. And employers may be unsure how to broach a sensitive subject with their workers.

In the wake of the shooting, the Buffalo Niagara Partnership hosted a virtual panel discussion by mental health experts, with ideas about how employers can respond to a crisis:

 Help employees feel safe. Employers should assess the physical safety of their buildings and review their emergency policies, said Anne Constantino, president and CEO of Horizon Health Services.

"In all of our buildings, we walked (our employees) back through all the safety devices and mechanics that we have," Constantino said.

The walk-throughs were voluntary, and many employees took advantage of them, she noted.

"A sense of safety is very important for people to know we're there for them," Constantino said.

 Show empathy for employees. Company leaders shouldn't be hesitant to speak up just because a situation feels uncomfortable to them, said Malene K. White, a program manager with Spectrum Health and Human Services.

"That is a great opportunity to be able to step out," White said. "That fear of not knowing what to say, that fear of not knowing what to do, that is the time to get uncomfortable and open your mouth and do something."

Constantino said leaders shouldn't "hide that tearfulness." She's had to speak with the entire company and struggled with the words at different times.

"I think that humanness and authenticity is way more important than the exact rightness of what you might be doing," she said.

 Build connections with employees. Supervisors should let employees know they can come forward for help, even if it's not right at that particular moment, White said.

"It's having a plan in place," she said. "Let's put a plan in place to support each other in our time of need," she said.

Constantino said some employers may not have built those kinds of relationships with their staff, but added it is not too late to try, so that when something bad happens, there is the knowledge of that genuine caring and support."

Support remote workers. Employers with remote workers should check in on them and offer opportunities to talk, either one-on-one or in group online discussions  just as employers would with employees in an office, said Elizabeth Woike-Ganga, CEO of BestSelf Behavioral Health.

 Make resources available. Mental health experts say it's important to remind employees about resources available to them to cope, like Employee Assistance Programs, or to suggest using personal time or taking a break at work, depending on what they need.

Want to know more? Three stories to catch you up:

Welcome to Buffalo Next. This newsletter from The Buffalo News will bring you the latest coverage on the changing Buffalo Niagara economy  from real estate to health care to startups. Read more at BuffaloNext.com.

THE LATEST

Catch up on news tied to Buffalo Niagara's economy

DRC Development of Lockport plans to construct a new 36,000-square-foot warehouse addition for Edwards Vacuum, to store and distribute its products.

Uniland Development Co. would like to construct a 150,000-square-foot industrial warehouse on Military Road in Niagara County, aimed at bringing in a Canadian firm whose U.S. operation would relocate from nearby Wheatfield.

A $12 million project that has already brought six storefronts and 18 apartments to 19 West Main St. in Lancaster, with much more to come as part of a three-phased development, is only part of a revitalization occurring in the Village of Lancaster's central business district.

To help upgrade its aging network of power lines and natural gas pipelines across portions of upstate, 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.

State officials say the $225 million  $185 million from the state, with $41 from philanthropies and $9 million from the City of Buffalo  will follow a planned, step-by-step approach that began several years ago for money to spent on the Buffalo's East Side.

Leaders of World Central Kitchen are trying to gauge what the community needs from their organization, including how long it should stay, weeks after first coming to Buffalo to assist following the mass shooting at Tops on Jefferson Avenue.

Four of the 22 large-scale renewable energy projects across the state will be in Western New York, according to Gov. Kathy Hochul, who announced plans for powering more than 620,000 homes for at least 20 years.

A Cheektowaga-based stainless steel pipe maker wants to expand its Walden Avenue warehouse in Lancaster as part of a $7.65 million project and is asking the town's industrial development agency for tax breaks to help pay for it.

Longtime president and CEO of the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County Michael Weiner will retire at the end of 2022, after 13 years in the post and a 48-year career in health and human services in Western New York.

After a series of recent mass shootings, including one at the Tops on Jefferson Avenue, a coalition of business groups in the state, including the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, is chiming in on the issue, calling for Congress to reinstate an assault weapons ban.

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.

The Seventh-Day Adventist Church at the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Genesee Street purchased three key parcels of land from the City of Buffalo for $100,000. The land is needed for the building of a sanctuary for the Emmanuel Temple Church.

Russell Salvatore Jr., the grandson of one of Buffalo's most prominent restaurateurs, wants to construct a two-story building with 11 apartments and 5,200 square feet of commercial space at the corner of Main Street and Winding Lane in Clarence, as well as a separate farmers market building.

ICYMI

Five reads from Buffalo Next

1. WNY health care providers grappling with another shortage. This one affects some CT scans: A shortage of image contrasting dye, which is used in some CT scans, is posing a challenge, but health care providers are coming up with alternatives.

2. Walden Galleria owner avoids loan default with three-year extension: Pyramid Management, the owner of the Cheektowaga mall, struck a deal with its lenders, as it was facing default on the $237 million loan.

3. Last of Shops at HarborCenter shuts down: The Healthy Scratch was the last of the shops and restaurants inside the complex.

4. Big Wheelbarrow CEO settles into Buffalo after 43North victory: Sam Eder's company was a prize winner in last year's startup competition, and he's now getting familiar with his new surroundings.

5. Rachel's Mediterranean grill expands beyond Buffalo home: Rachel's has made it big in Western New York, and the family-owned business is now trying to expand the concept down the Thruway in New York and in larger markets such as Fort Worth, Texas.

The Buffalo Next team gives you the big picture on the regions economic revitalization. Email tips to buffalonext@buffnews.com or reach Deputy Business Editor David Robinson at 716-849-4435.

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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.
After two years of cancellations due to Covid-19, the Allentown Art Festival is set to return this weekend, and festival president Rita Harrington-Lippman is as thrilled as she is relieved.

"We're delighted to be back," she said Friday. "It's been such a dark time. We're delighted to bring people back together, bring art back to the streets of Buffalo."

The street festival will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with about 300 vendors participating, the president said. Pre-pandemic, the festival ranged between 350 and 400 artists.

The layout for 2022 is slightly different due to a multi-phase overhaul of Allen Street; a stretch of Allen between Delaware and Elmwood has been torn up from construction and blocked off to traffic for months.

Festival exhibitors will set up on Delaware Avenue between West Tupper and North streets; a small stretch of newly paved Virginia Street between Delaware Avenue and Franklin Street; Franklin Street between Allen and Virginia streets; and Allen Street between Franklin Street and Delaware Avenue.

The section of Allen Street between Delaware and Elmwood typically represents the western leg of the Allentown Art Festival, connecting it to the smaller and unaffiliated Allen West Art Festival, which features only Western New York artists on Allen between Elmwood and Wadsworth.

Mike Finn and Nolan Skipper from Buffalo's Department of Public Works, Parks and Streets said Friday that pedestrians may use sidewalks on both sides of Allen in the construction zone, but the sidewalk passageway on the south side is wider and preferred. Businesses in the thick of the construction zone, including bar-restaurants Allen Burger Venture, Gabriel's Gate and Frizzy's, are listed at each end of the blocked-off area and will be open for the festival.

Harrington-Lippman said there was initial concern during festival planning that the three-year construction project would create more hurdles for the festival, but that has not transpired. "It really won't have a big effect," she said.

The president did mention that a fan-favorite, veteran exhibitor  sculptor Richard Kolb from Louisville, Ky.  would have to relocate his booth due to construction. He will now be stationed near the Allen and Franklin intersection.

"One of the joys is to be able to come and see an artist they've seen for many years," Harrington-Lippman said. "Many become friends when they see them year after year."

Harrington-Lippman said a new wave of exhibitors will take part this year, not surprising given the three years between festivals. The president said that while there's still a blend of ages, roughly 30 new artists  many of them younger  have been selected to take part in the festival, replacing a slew of now-retired artists.

The participants, organized by type of art at allentownartfestival.com, are mostly from the U.S. and Canada, with more than half from New York State. As usual, the festival is adjudicated, with 12 awards determined by a panel of judges. Harrington-Lippman believes this year marks the first time an artist from South Africa has taken part, with painter Freddy Tutu Ncube joining the fray.

In evaluating applicants' artwork, Harrington-Lippman was impressed by the quality of submissions across several mediums following the pandemic hiatus. In other words, time away from the festival path hasn't led to artistic stagnancy.

"There's an expression of what's been going on in the past two years," she said, "a tremendous amount of creativity in people."

Food and drink vendors will be scattered throughout the festival, and a new program of live jazz music will kick off outside the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site from 2 to 5 p.m. both days, with the Bobby Militello Quartet playing Saturday and Star People on Sunday.

For the Allen West Art Festival, which runs 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 119 artists and vendors will present side-by-side, with buskers comprising a violinist, clarinetist and accordion player creating a lively atmosphere. Jonathan White, organizer and co-founder of Allen West, also praised the city  particularly Skipper and project manager Alex Bullers  for its communication, completion of sewer work and paving of the festival stretch between Elmwood and Wadsworth in time for the festival to occur.

"It feels like two years of remarkable destruction of our societal norms by the pandemic has now subsided," White said. "We want to welcome people and make them feel like this is the way life was prior."

Ben Tsujimoto can be reached at btsujimoto@buffnews.com, at (716) 849-6927 or on Twitter at @Tsuj10.

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CHILDREN'S

The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton; Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, 416 pages ($16.99) Ages 9 to 12.

...

A 300-year-old magic school in the clouds is forced to admit 11-year-old Ella Durand, who hails from the Conjuror magic tradition of slave descendants in the Deep South, after her father files a lawsuit in this dazzling middle grade debut, the launch of a new series by acclaimed author Dhonielle Clayton.

While Ella is thrilled to be the first Conjuror pupil attending the Arcanum Training Institute for Marvelous and Uncanny Endeavors, she is shocked at the nasty whispers, ugly rumors and outright hostility she faces from her roommates, other classmates and staff.

She finds allies in her kindly mentor, Masterji Thakur, and in two classmates: Brigit, a white girl who has grown up in New York City outside the Marvellers tradition, and Jason, who has "thick locs and deep brown skin" and is the youngest of a legendary Marvellers family. When Masterji Thakur fails to return from a trip, Ella breaks all the rules to try to find him.

The Arcanum world is crafted with wonderful detail. Communication is by Starpost. Students travel to the Stardust Pier in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, with passage by sky ferry to the school. "The first sky-ferries sliced through the clouds, their brass noses radiating like suns... Engines blazed bright with stars spinning in their gilded spheres. Ella thought it was almost as if a pod of whales had taken flight after strapping enormous glass carriages to their stomachs."

The beautifully written narrative is rich in humor. "Her family couldn't go anywhere without being stopped, having to talk to so and so, or get hemmed up into having iced tea and pound cake on somebody's porch." Ella packs a pair of braid hands, a wax copy of her mother's hands with spells to braid her favorite styles. "I won't have my baby so far away with her head looking a mess." Her mother's animal soulmate is a 12-foot alligator named Gumbo.

The narrative shifts between the action at Arcanum and an archvillain's daring escape from prison inside a deck of cards suspended in the middle of time. There are also Arcanum official pronouncements (including the "Conjure edict," granting Conjure folk citizenship and ending the "conjure codes") and Starpost correspondence. Sprinkled throughout are homages to fellow children's authors including Laura Ruby and Anne Ursu.

Clayton, chief operating officer of We Need Diverse Books, offers marvelous world building, memorable characters and a thrilling plot involving a terrifying villain in this extraordinary fantasy strengthened by its realistic backdrop of racial oppression and discrimination.

In this haunting passage, Ella's godmother tries to calm her fears about an anonymous letter suggesting she has "bad light" inside her. "They try to label us. Try to make us ashamed. When we were enslaved, our talents and skill adapted under brutal torture and after freedom, there was more terror. Enduring that leaves a mark. Conjure is a bittersweet cross between rage and hope, but yet still full of love. ... A bruised fruit is still sweet, baby."

PICTURE BOOK

Hot Dog by Doug Salati; Alfred A. Knopf. Books for Young Readers ($17.99) Ages 4 to 8.

...

A dachsund drooping in the summer heat and crowded sidewalks of the big city forces his owner to find him relief in this utterly charming picture book celebrating life from gifted author-illustrator Doug Salati.

His colorful, droll, wonderfully detailed illustrations bring to life the city in summer as his well-chosen words document a dog's perspective: "city summer,/ steamy sidewalks,. concrete crumbles,/ sirens screech,/ so hot,/ can't sit or sniff/or wait/crowds close in/too close/too loud/too much!" (Particularly funny is the illustration of the dog coming to a dead stop in the middle of an intersection as traffic honks and its owner bargains with him.) The beach scenes capture pure joy. Also marvelous are a scene on the crowded subway returning home, a shared dinner in the apartment and a nighttime illustration of city dwellers cooling off after sunset.

Jean Westmoore

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When Meena Vivek of Amherst received a call just before 11 p.m. Thursday from a fire alarm company, she did not think much of it. The president of the Hindu Cultural Society of Western New York on North French Road in Amherst had gotten these kinds of calls before.

I thought maybe it was a false alarm," she said.

That is until 15 minutes later when she arrived at the society's building to see police officers creating a perimeter around the scene and firefighters breaking windows to ventilate the smoking structure.

A smoke detector on the second floor of the two-story building activated and alerted fire control at 10:52 p.m. Upon arrival, a Getzville fire department officer saw smoke coming from the second floor and called additional units to the scene.

As Vivek watched crews extinguish the fire and ventilate the building, she said she was devastated.

"It was hard. I saw the damage. It was intense," Vivek said.

Since December 1995, the society has opened its doors to the Getzville community as a place of worship and a gathering space. With more than 300 members, the building has been a staple in the community for events such as lunches, concerts, cultural programs and interfaith meetings.

"It's been a beautiful temple all these years. Everyone loves coming here. It keeps all the community together," Vivek said. "I know it's a small hall, but we do a lot of amazing things here."

The fire caused $750,000 in damages, officials estimated.

Although the fire was contained to the worship area on the second floor, heavy smoke and water caused damage in other parts of the building. While the investigation is ongoing, officials have ruled out arson as the cause of the fire. Vivek said she fears the fire may have started in an altar created in honor of the society's 26th anniversary, but she did not want to speculate beyond that.

She, along with Hindu Cultural Society General Secretary Neelam Chatrath, also say many of the group's members are sharing in the feelings of devastation.

"Everyone is so concerned and calling each other wondering what happened," Chatrath said.

Some members have come by to see the damage for themselves, but Vivek asks that they stay away for their safety and to allow the fire department to complete its investigation.

"The ceiling is kind of falling, and we don't want anyone to be injured," Vivek said. "Also, there is a lot of smoke. We don't want people to have smoke inhalation issues."

As the society looks to the future, there are no set plans for when repairs will begin, when officials hope to reopen to the public, or where services will be held. The organization's executive committee plans to meet soon to discuss a course of action.

Until then, Vivek asks and thanks the community for their prayers and support toward the Hindu Cultural Society.

"We're totally overwhelmed at this point. ... Hopefully, we can rebuild everything, and it will be up-and-running soon," Vivek said.

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For the first time since the pandemic began in 2020, Buffalo's annual Juneteenth Festival will be held in person.

That alone would be cause for extra celebration for Buffalo's Black community as it commemorates the emancipation of enslaved people following the Civil War.

But this year's festival is taking on extra meaning this year, politicians and organizers said Friday, as the city continues to mourn and heal from a terror attack that claimed the lives of 10 Black people May 14 at the Tops Markets on Jefferson Avenue.

"This was not just an attack on Black buffalo. This was an attack on Black America," Mayor Byron Brown said addressing a crowd of about 100 who gathered in Niagara Square to raise the red, black and green Black liberation flag. "And so this Juneteenth Festival takes on more significance than it ever has before. It takes on the significance of honoring those whose lives were snatched from them, of remembering the families who still grieve their beloved loved ones, remembering the survivors  those who were shot and survived. Those who were in the store and survived. Those that were in the neighborhood and survived."

The festival, now in its 47th year, is one of the largest celebrations of Juneteenth in the country, organizers said.

For the last two years, it was held virtually because of concerns over the spread of Covid-19. And then on May 11, the brick facade of the Juneteenth headquarters building crumbled.

This year's festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. June 18 and 19 at Martin Luther King Jr. Park.

Brown promised a strong police presence at the park to allay concerns about safety.

"We will ensure that every resident of the City of Buffalo, New York and across the nation and internationally that comes to Juneteenth in Buffalo has a safe time, has a happy time, a time of reflection and a time to respect and honor the rich traditions and the rich Black history that we have here in the City of Buffalo," Brown said.

Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes invited the national media who descended on Buffalo in the days after the May 14 massacre to return here for the occasion.

"You couldn't even see the parking lot (at Tops) there was so much media," she said. "You came when we were traumatized. Come while we celebrate."

Common Council President Darius Pridgen said he hoped that this Juneteenth in Buffalo will be "the most important Juneteenth ever to be held"  perhaps even the biggest Juneteenth celebration in the country.

He said some may question why Buffalo would want to go ahead with a large event after so much pain and trauma.

"Here's my question: Why not? Why would we allow a white supremacist who is sitting in jail to stop us from remembering that he was not the first one to massacre, he was not the first one to take the lives of Black people, Africans. He was not the first one. But we damn sure want to make sure that he is the last one," Pridgen said of the accused killer.

Pridgen had a suggestion on what else should happen next weekend.

"I hope wherever (the killer) is housed, that they put a TV when the Juneteenth parade is going on and let that person know you didn't stop anything," he said as the crowd clapped and cheered.

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A judge once told Mollie McCann Poblocki he was sure she would be in court again in the future for committing another crime.

His prediction came true.

McCann Poblocki of Orchard Park pleaded guilty Friday to one count of third-degree grand larceny, Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn said.

While working as an assistant property manager for an unnamed Buffalo-based company, she stole about $53,000 in rent payments intended for her employer between August 2019 and April 2021, investigators found.

Before McCann Poblocki's January hearing was postponed until June due to a judge recusing herself, Michael Lorigo, the owner of Pillar Real Estate of Lancaster, told The News that he was more interested in seeing her go to prison than receiving restitution.

In entering her guilty plea Friday to Acting State Supreme Court Justice Debra Givens, McCann Poblocki, 50, paid full restitution for the funds she admitted to stealing. She faces a maximum of three years in prison at her Sept. 12 sentencing.

Worker with history of stealing from employers accused again Over the years, Mollie McCann Poblocki has been convicted of nearly bankrupting a medical practice by writing unauthorized checks, stealing merchandise from a Hamburg jewelry store and taking a car dealerships credit card to make personal purchases.

The crime, a class D non-violent felony, is far from McCann Poblocki's first offense. She's been in court for at least three other instances over the last two decades.

Since 2003, she has been convicted of nearly bankrupting Aurora Medical Group by writing unauthorized checks; stealing merchandise from a Hamburg jewelry store; and using a car dealerships credit card for personal purchases. She has twice been sentenced to jail time, including an incarceration of 122 days, The News reported.

McCann Poblocki has been on the receiving end of harsh words from judges in the past.

Calling her a sociopath unable to live an honest life, then-State Supreme Court Justice Joseph S. Forma said in 2004: Im sure youre going to be back here. Im sure you just wont resist the opportunity to steal or to lie.

Ben Tsujimoto can be reached at btsujimoto@buffnews.com, at (716) 849-6927 or on Twitter at @Tsuj10.

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Arthur F. Werner is the retired teacher accused of molesting 35 boys, but it is Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda School District taxpayers who will pay the price for his alleged crimes.

The district agreed to pay $17.5 million to settle Child Victims Act lawsuits filed by 35 former students who claimed Werner abused them at Hoover Elementary School, The Buffalo News reported Thursday.

Werner, 89, retired in 1993 and never was criminally charged for sexual abuse.

Ken-Ton to pay $17.5 million to settle sexual abuse claims against retired teacher The Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda School District has agreed to pay $17.5 million to settle 35 Child Victims Act lawsuits filed by former students of a retired elementary school teacher. The lawsuits accused Arthur F. Werner, a longtime social studies teacher, of groping and molesting fifth-grade boys at Herbert Hoover Elementary School  sometimes in full view of other students.

And he was not named as a defendant in any of the lawsuits, so he isnt required to pay any part of the settlement  except as one of thousands of Ken-Ton residents who face higher school taxes to finance the settlement.

Unfortunately, today's taxpayers will be on the hook for Werner's actions so many years ago, said Kenmore resident Eric Nagel. We need to look for solutions to compensate Werner's victims without taking away from today's Ken-Ton students.

District officials say they dont yet know the precise impact of the settlement on the Ken-Ton budget and tax rate. Ken-Ton is expected to borrow the full amount through a bond that must be repaid within five years.

We arrived at a number that we thought minimized the risk to the district in a way that would least impact the community, Julia Hilliker, the lawyer who represented Ken-Ton , said of the settlement.

Attorney Chris OBrien, who represents 33 of the 35 Werner accusers, said his legal strategy targeted the school district that hired and supervised Werner.

My clients did not file these lawsuits to hurt students, or to hurt taxpayers, or to place blame on the current administrators of the district, OBrien said Thursday. Some clients struggled with the fact that Werner was not named as a defendant. ... But this was allowed to go on for a long period of time, when other administrators knew, or should have known, what was going on.

The lawsuits alleged that Werner began molesting students around 1965 and continued until the late 1980s.

OBrien said he hopes the settlement will cause the leaders of Ken-Ton and other school districts to better supervise employees and protect students .

Attorney Steve Boyd represented one plaintiff who sued the district after alleging that Werner molested him, and Boyd worked with OBrien in negotiating the settlement.

Im sure it is frustrating to taxpayers, but under the Child Victims Act, entities who protect predators have liability, Boyd said. If these cases had gone to trial, I believe we would have presented very strong evidence that the people who ran the district in the past had opportunity after opportunity to do the right thing, but they decided to protect Werner instead.

School officials said the teachers actions were reprehensible but denied administrators knew about the incidents or covered them up. The settlement does not address the merits of the allegations.

Boyd said another reason why Werner wasnt named as a defendant was the retired teacher wouldnt have much insurance coverage or assets to contribute to a settlement.

Ken-Ton didnt take steps to add Werner as a third party in the litigation for similar reasons, Hilliker said.

It's more likely than not that any claim the district were to pursue against Warner would cost more than anything they could recover, she said.

Court rules accused Ken-Ton teacher's testimony can be evidence in Child Victims Act cases Arthur Werner, 88, has been accused in Child Victims Act lawsuits against the district of molesting 39 boys, more children than any other person in the Buffalo region.

The district was confronted with the cost and uncertainty of taking 35 cases to trial, each with its own jury to consider a particular set of facts, Hilliker said.

The amount we arrived at is a solid business decision in light of potential verdicts for this type of conduct, as well as the costs associated with the trials, she said.

Under the state policy in effect at the time, Ken-Ton and other school districts only were required to retain records, including insurance paperwork, for six years.

Thats a main reason the district wasnt successful in digging up decades-old insurance coverage, Hilliker said, after the Child Victims Act extended the statute of limitations for certain abuse claims.

Boyd said that, to his knowledge, the $17.5 million agreement in the Werner cases is the largest CVA settlement in New York.

How will Ken-Ton pay?

To pay the settlement, the district will rely on a short-term borrowing mechanism known as bond anticipation notes, Hilliker said. Ken-Ton, under local finance law, must repay the money borrowed within five years, she said.

Shorter-term borrowing means the annual payments on the bond will be higher but the district will pay less in interest.

Hilliker said a bond counsel will work with the districts financial advisors on the terms of the borrowing. The school board could authorize the plan as soon as next month and administrators will have more specifics on the effect on district finances then.

I know your taxpayers would certainly want to know how it's going to affect them, said Jay Worona, general counsel for the New York State School Boards Association. But I don't even know if the district could give you that answer right now.

A lot of factors will go into the districts cost to borrow and pay back the settlement bond, said Richard Timbs, executive director of the Statewide School Finance Consortium. These include, he said, the districts bond rating, its debt load, the size of its budget and tax base and whether it can tap into reserves.

All of those things have to be taken into consideration, Timbs said.

Ken-Tons budget for the 2022-23 school year is $176.5 million, representing an increase of $4.1 million, or 2.36%, over the 2021-22 spending plan.

The tax levy, or the amount the district collected in property taxes, rose by $900,000, or 1%, leading to an increase in the tax rate of 1%. The owner of a home with a full-market value of $100,000 will pay an extra $18 this year in school taxes.

The district still faces nine other CVA lawsuits. Those lawsuits named four other teachers and a former student as abusers of children.

We have not had settlement discussions with Ken-Ton on the other cases, said Boyd, whose law firm has four of the pending cases.

Hilliker said the settlement reached in the Werner lawsuits doesnt affect how the district will handle the remaining claims.

When asked how the settlement will be split up among the plaintiffs, OBrien said there will be a two-step program.

Each plaintiff will receive a set, minimum amount of money, and an arbitrator  based on the extent of victimization and other factors  will decide how much additional money each plaintiff will get.

Legal fees for the plaintiffs attorneys will also come from the $17.5 million, which the district will pay in a lump sum soon after the bond is issued.

The Werner victims were 11- and 12-year-old boys, OBrien said.

According to court papers, Werner groped and fondled the boys, often on the pretense of disciplining them for some alleged misbehavior.

Some of these guys told me that many years later, they would run into Werner at an ice cream stand or a hardware store, the attorney said. Just seeing this guy again would cause panic attacks.

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Stephen T. Watson News Staff Reporter I report on development, government, crime and schools in the northern Erie County suburbs. I grew up in the Town of Tonawanda and worked at the Post-Standard in Syracuse before joining The News in 2001. Email: swatson@buffnews.com Follow Stephen T. Watson Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
They were chilling moments Wednesday as the mother of a shooting victim and the Buffalo Police commissioner testified to a House committee on the scourge of American gun violence, and not just because of the horror stories they came to tell. At least two Republicans on the House Oversight and Reform Committee were either bored or dismissive as these two Buffalonians described the bloody murders committed by a white racist last month and spoke of the action they hoped to see.

Zeneta Everhart and Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia did their part, and they did it well. That it wasnt enough to change some minds is hardly surprising, even if was disheartening.

The hard fact is that some Americans, disproportionately Republican, seem to believe nothing can ever justify any response, no matter how sensible, to horrific gun violence  no matter how many people are killed, no matter how often it happens, no matter how young the victims are. In particular, they wont even consider restricting access to high-capacity weapons that make it easy to kill by the dozen.

The good news is that the House, with its slender Democratic majority, did approve thoughtful new restrictions on guns Wednesday. It drew only five Republican supporters but, true to his word  a word that will cost him his seat in Congress  Rep. Chris Jacobs of Orchard Park was among them. The bill is unlikely to find sufficient support in the evenly divided Senate, subject as it is to the filibuster.

Everhart is the mother of a man severely wounded in the May 14 shooting at the Tops supermarket on Jefferson Avenue. Zaire Goodman was shot in the neck but miraculously survived the assault that authorities said was committed by an avowed racist. She wondered  with good reason  if the gunman grew into a racist because his schools didnt teach him enough about the history of race in America.

The apparent response of one Republican member was telling. News Washington Bureau Chief Jerry Zremski reported that Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga., appeared to say, under his breath, Oh my God. It wouldnt be a surprising response from some Republicans whose opposition to teaching children about the countrys racial history stems from a desire to, as Everhart put it, whitewash education. But the undeniable fact is that racism is deeply ingrained in our history  recent history included.

Gramaglias testimony, meanwhile, offered support for red flag laws, meant to take guns from people who show themselves to be a danger to others or themselves. Such laws have limits, require evidence and allow for appeals.

Nevertheless, Gramaglias testimony prompted Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., to theatrically toss his pen over his shoulder and criticize Gramaglia as a police commissioner willing, in Higgins view, to violate the constitution by seizing weapons under that eminently sensible standard. I see that as a problem, he said.

A lesser problem to him, evidently  if its one, at all  is allowing 18-year-olds to easily buy and then keep dangerous weapons and commit unspeakable crimes with them: Ten shot dead in Buffalo. Nineteen children and two teachers murdered in Texas. And red flag laws are the problem?

Among those voting against the House measures Wednesday was Rep. Claudia Tenney whose district, if she wins in November, will include part of Niagara County. She offered the usual Republican boilerplate about knee-jerk reactions. They arent. These ideas have been discussed and considered for years, but blocked by Republicans.

She had some worthy suggestions  on better background checks, for example  but the knee-jerk response was hers. A lot needs doing. Reducing access to military-style weapons is one of them.

  

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.
It was a cold, sunny day at Fort Dix in New Jersey in early February of 1964. I was in my first week of six months of Basic and Individual Training, which I was to endure as part of my commitment to the Army National Guard. I had graduated from Buffalo State College the month prior and decided to immediately plunge into a new existence. It was a challenging experience.

After morning police call, our company was marched to a large theater to join other companies for training. The instructor was a young Army captain, who told us that he was concerned about the condition of our teeth based on the mouths he had looked into at Fort Dix. He then showed us a series of photographic slides he had taken there. I joined the audience in watching with horror the parade of terribly neglected teeth and bleeding gums. Grossed out would be an understatement. All of my fellow trainees seemed to share my reaction.

The dentist saw many young men entering the Army with horrible teeth because they could not afford dental care, or, like myself, feared going to the dentist. I couldnt imagine going through daily life with one of the mouths I saw on that slide show.

The dentist explained that it was essential to brush our teeth as frequently as possible to keep harmful food particles from corroding our teeth. He said that we could carry a toothbrush in our pockets and take a moment after chow to brush with water. Toothpaste was not essential  good, but not vital.

My teeth were in bad shape, because I was afraid of the dentist. I had many cavities and a dead tooth that would require much attention. My first dental experience in the 50s was not positive. My mother took me to the nearest dentist office around the corner on the main street. This was back in the day when the drill/brush ran on a cable and pulley system. There was no gentle dental technician. Mom sent me by myself, saying they would only clean my teeth that day. She was wrong. I was frightened. There were several appointments for fillings. I didnt see another dentist until a quick exam at the Dix Reception Center.

Before the drill sergeant could yell on your feet! I resolved to carry a toothbrush in my pocket and brush as often as possible. I also decided, then and there, to see a dentist as soon as I returned to Buffalo. I marched out of that theater with a new attitude about dental care, and I was not alone. I often saw many of my buddies brushing right after eating.

Upon my return home in August, I got an appointment with my new friend, Dr. Pantera. I met his father soon after. The Pantera name was well-known at the UB Dental School. It was essential that I like Dr. Pantera because he spent a lot of time in my mouth. Many fillings went in and the dead tooth was refilled and saved for a number of years, before my first root canal.

While reading GI, a book about the American soldier in World War II, I learned that American dentistry got a huge boost from the war. After rejecting many men with bad teeth, the military resolved to draft them anyway and repair their teeth.
June 11-19  38th Annual Southtowns Walleye Associations annual walleye derby. You must be a member of the club. www.southtownswalleye.com.

June 12  Western NY Environmental Federation quarterly meeting at Hoaks Restaurant, Hamburg starting at 1 p.m.

June 12  Final Day, National Fishing and Boating Week. www.takemefishing.org

June 12- Final day, Invasive Species Awareness Week. Check out https://www.wnyprism.org/

June 14  Allied Sportsmen Outdoor 3D Archery League continues. Shooting on Tuesdays and Wednesdays starting at 5:30 p.m. Walk ons welcome. It is a 15-target course for 17 weeks. For more info contact John Floriano at 725-5822 or Kevin Ulrich at 430-1059.

June 14  Spring Trap and Skeet League continues at Evans Rod and Gun Club, 864 Cain Road, Angola. Tuesdays 6-9 p.m.; Thursdays 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Teams consist of 5 people. Contact Fred Lima at 479-4833.

June 14  Second Amendment forEver (SAfE) monthly meeting at the Newfane Community Center, 2737 Main Street, Newfane starting at 7 p.m. Panel discussion with Sen. Rob Ortt, Sheriff Mike Filicetti, County Clerk Joe Jastrzemski and others on the new gun laws.

June 15  Singles 12-week trap league begins at the Tonawanda Sportsmans Club, 5657 Killian Road, Pendleton from 6-9 p.m. Shooting will also take place Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more info call Jim Cagney at 481-6615. A doubles league will start on July 13.

June 15  Sunlife Marina Bass Open Tournament behind the Buffalo Harbor walls from 6-9 p.m. Cost is $40 per boat.

June 15  Opening day of the regular bass season in New York State.

June 15  Opening day of muskellunge season in the Great Lakes for New York.

June 17  Deadline to register for the New York Walleye Derby on Lake Erie set for June 25-August 7. Cost is $35. Register at www.newyorkwalleyederby.com.

June 18  Fly Fishing 101 Class at Buffalo Orvis, 4545 Transit Road, Williamsville starting at 9 a.m. Pre-register at www.orvis.com/buffalo or call 276-7200.

June 18  Gorgefest at Whirlpool State Park, Niagara Falls from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Geology and history hikes, animal meet and greets, native plant education and hands-on activities. Register at www.wnylc.org/gorgefest.

June 18  WNY Kayak Bass Fishing Tournament out of Buffalo Harbor/Lake Erie. https://www.nykbf.com/

June 20  Niagara County Fisheries Development Board monthly meeting starting at 6 p.m. at the Wilson Town Hall, 375 Lake Street, Wilson. For more info call 523-0013.

June 21  Erie County Fisheries Advisory Board monthly meeting at Bison City Rod and Gun Club, 511 Ohio Street, Buffalo starting at 7 p.m.

June 22  Sunlife Marina Bass Open Tournament behind the Buffalo Harbor walls from 6-9 p.m. Cost is $40 per boat. Best 3 fish.

June 25  Free Fishing Weekend in New York State.

June 25  Orchard Park Wesleyan Church Fishing Derby, 7295 Ellicott Road, Orchard Park from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. For kids ages 5 to 17. Pre-register at https://www.opwc.org/single-post/fishing-derby.

June 25  Wilson Conservation Club 37th Annual Kids Fishing Derby from 8 a.m. to noon in any Niagara County waters for ages 3 to 14. Measuring station at the Wilson Conservation Club, Route 425, Wilson. For more info call Gary Alt at 315-767-532

June 25  Town of Newfane Kids Fishing Derby at the Town of Newfane Marina, Olcott from 8 a.m. to noon. Free.

June 25  Teach-Me-To-Fish Clinic at Chestnut Ridge County Park Pond, Route 277, Orchard Park from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Pre-register online at www.ecfsc.org or by phone through DEC at 533-4070.

June 25  Boy Scouts of America Fishing Derby through the Greater Niagara Frontier Council from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Ellicott Creek Park, Tonawanda.

June 26  N-O Narcotics Anonymous Fishing Derby and Day of Sharing at Widewaters Marina, Lockport from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bring a dish to pass. For more info call 341-6563 or 984-6605.

Submit calendar items to billhiltsjr@gmail.com at least three weeks in advance.
New requirements for boats in Adirondacks

The timing was perfect for the Department of Environmental Conservation to announce new aquatic invasive species protection requirements for motorized boats in any Adirondack waters  in the middle of Invasive Species Awareness Week in New York. The effective date for these new measures was June 8. Under the new changes, which fall under Environmental Conservation Law, motorized boat users must obtain certification that they have inspected and removed potentially harmful aquatic invasive species before launching in Adirondack waters, and immediately adjacent to, the Adirondack Forest Preserve.

The new law requires all operators of motorized watercraft to obtain certification that they have cleaned, drained and dried boats and equipment each time they launch into a new waterbody in the Adirondack Park and within 10 miles of the Blue Line. When an aquatic invasive species inspection station adjacent to a public waterbody is open, watercraft operators can receive a watercraft inspection certificate from a boat steward by accepting a free boat inspection or decontamination.

Alternately, boaters may follow Clean, Drain, Dry steps on their own and fill out a self-issued certificate before launching at https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/selfissuedcertificate.pdf. To learn more about the New York State Watercraft Inspection Steward Program, the new certification requirements and where to find a boat steward, check out https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/107807.html.

New Walleye Derby deadline is June 17

The deadline is fast approaching if you want to sign up for the New York Walleye Derby, an inaugural contest slated for the New York waters of Lake Erie.

The deadline to register is June 17. The New York Walleye Derby will be held for six weeks, from June 25 through Aug. 7. Its just your old-school, old-fashioned fishing derby, said Capt. Jim Steel, one of the organizers of the contest. Entry fee will be $35.

Prizes will be based on the number of entries. There will be three weigh stations along the Lake Erie shoreline: Lake Effect Bait and Tackle, Tonawanda; Blizzard Bait and Tackle, Angola; and Westfield Bait and Tackle, Westfield. Derby boundaries will be the New York waters of the Upper Niagara River and Lake Erie. For more information, visit newyorkwalleyederby.com.

Gorgefest set for June 18

Get ready to gorge yourself on nature. On June 18, the Western New York Land Conservancy, New York State Parks, the Niagara River Greenway, the Niagara Falls Underground Railroad Heritage Center, the Buffalo Museum of Science and more than a dozen local environmental organizations will be hosting a one-day Gorgefest that focuses on the Niagara Gorge and Niagara River from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Activities will take place at Whirlpool State Park along the Niagara Scenic Parkway in Niagara Falls. Among the activities will be geology and history hikes, animal meet and greets, native plant education and hands-on activities. There will also be presentations on invasive species, gorge restoration and gorge geology, as well as amphibian life. Register at wnylc.org/gorgefest. It is free and open to the public. You do not have to sign up for any of the three hikes being offered.

Sunset Bay Shootout July 15-16 nearly full

The Sunset Bay Walleye Shootout, slated for July 15-16 on Lake Erie, is getting ready to close admission for the 2022 event, tournament organizer Capt. Don Ruppert of Angola said.

We still have a few spots available for teams wishing to fish, Ruppert said.

He said this years tournament has an opportunity to pay out more than $500,000 in cash and prizes. The contest pays out more than 20 places in the main event and top eight places for the largest walleye of the main event. Big Fish Friday pays the top 11 spots, with more than $75,000 in prizes given out after the Big Fish Friday weigh-in.

This is a big deal. Its the largest walleye shootout contest in the country. If you want to be part of the fun, contact Ruppert at 716-435-4137 or Scott Wind at 716-912-5180 as soon as possible. Top prize for the main event is $25,000. You must be registered in the main event to participate in Big Fish Friday. Entry fee for the main event is $500. Entry fee for Big Fish Friday is $100. Check out walleyeshootout.com for further details.
Due to the potentially material nature of the primary intercept, the news has been reported ahead of the assays of other visually significant intercepts within the drilling program

Mandalay Resources Corp has provided a special update on the early success of the Robinson drilling campaign at its Costerfield Operation in Australia, with highlights including an intercept of 1,780 grams per ton (g/t) gold over 0.17 metres (m) at hole RB007.

The Canada-based company noted that gold was seen in two other drill holes along trend, for which assays are pending, and within two additional intercepts along a parallel trend beneath the historic Cochran Mine.

In a statement, Dominic Duffy, president and CEO of Mandalay, said: "We are pleased to report the extraordinary result from the Robinson Prospect drilling campaign. These intercepts sit 2 km (kilometres) 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, he added.

Due to the potentially material nature of the primary intercept, the news has been reported ahead of the assay of other visually significant intercepts within the drilling program and a supplementary update will follow shortly, the company added.

Similar veining has been observed within holes RB005 and RB008 which are on-trend, suggesting a structural continuation over approximately 250m, the company said, adding that 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 company said.

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.

Mandalay said 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 200m 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.

Mandalay Resources is a natural resource company with producing assets in Australia (Costerfield gold-antimony mine) and Sweden (Bjorkdal gold mine).

Contact the author at jon.hopkins@proactiveinvestors.com
Photo credit: TIMOTHY A. CLARY - Getty Images

Abortion rights are under attack in the United States, and for the first time since the passing of Roe v. Wade in 1973, the Supreme Court is dangerously close to removing abortion as a constitutionally-protected right.

If that happens, state governments will have the ability to either ban or protect abortion rights for their residents. That puts people wishing to end an early pregnancy in a conservative state in a dangerous situationnot only because they could be criminalized for getting an abortion, but because they could end up resorting to getting an unsafe abortion if no established medical professionals in their state are able to help. Another possible outcome, if abortion is banned in conservative states, is that pregnant people from those states wishing to have an abortion will travel to liberal states to get onewhich could result in an impossibly high demand for established abortion clinics.

Enter telemedicine.

Companies such as Hey Janewhich exists solely online and operates in six statesprovide people wishing to end an early pregnancy with the FDA-approved abortion pill, mifepristone, which has been proven safe and effective. People wishing to have a medical abortion can go to Hey Jane's website and fill out a form. An abortion provider will then review the patients information, confirm eligibility, and fill their prescription within 24 hours. In one to five days, the patient will receive an unmarked package containing the abortion pill, along with a treatment guide and pain relievers.

BAZAAR.com spoke to Hey Jane CEO Kiki Freedman about the company's mission following the Supreme Court's vote on Roe v. Wade, what the threat on abortion rights means for women everywhere, and how telemedicine clinics can help.

Photo credit: The Washington Post - Getty Images





Why did you start Hey Jane?

I went to undergrad in St. Louis, Missouri, and at the time Missouri was one of six states to have only one abortion clinic left in the entire stateand the summer of 2019, it was nearly shut down. It would have been the first time since Roe v. Wade that a state in the U.S. would not have any access to abortion, which seemed dystopian to me at the time.

Story continues

Simultaneously, we were seeing digital health companies primarily focusing on stigmatized issues in mens health, such as hair loss or erectile dysfunction. I started thinking: Is that a model for safe, discreet, affordable abortion access?

Are you an all-women team?

Hey Janes co-foundersmyself, Dr. Kate Shaw (our Head of Medical), and Gaby Izarra (our Head of Growth and Marketing)are women, but the rest of our team reflects the diversity of our patients: Our team includes people who are men and nonbinary.

How does Hey Jane work?

At Hey Jane, an experienced abortion provider will review a patients information and confirm eligibility and fill their prescription within 24 hours. From there, the medications, along with our thorough treatment guide and comfort medications, are delivered in an unmarked package within one to five business days. Patients are able to reach out directly to our clinical care team via text, phone, or video on their own scheduleno appointments necessarythroughout the entire treatment.

Hey Janes model means we can cut down on wait times for patients (since you dont need to be near a clinic to get the care you need) and help take on patients from overburdened in-person clinics. Treatment with Hey Jane is half the average in-clinic price, and we partner with abortion funds to provide financial assistance if needed.

And Hey Janes Complete Care model addresses additional emotional burdens that some may feel from the extra barriers they will be facing post-Roe. Our clinical care team is available for not just medical support, but also emotional support. Plus all Hey Jane patients have access to our first-of-its-kind private peer-to-peer support forum, The Lounge, before, during and after their treatment.

If Roe v. Wade is overturned, do you run the risk of being shut down? Or could you continue operating because you are an online service?

Telemedicine abortion is safe, effective, and, post-Roe, likely to be the most viable form of access for most of the country. Hey Jane is here to help.

Even if Roe v. Wade is overturned, Hey Jane will continue to support patients in the six states were currently operating in (California, Colorado, Illinois, New Mexico, New York, and Washington)mifepristone has been FDA approved since 2000, mailing abortion pills has been FDA approved since 2021, and telemedicine abortion will continue to be legal in those six states (among others).

We see opportunities for telemedicine abortionand Hey Jane in particularto play an important role if the Supreme Court does indeed overturn Roe v. Wade, specifically when it comes to travel time, wait time, cost, and support.

Have you seen a rise in interest/demand since we learned of the Supreme Courts vote on Roe v. Wade?

The polling is clear: The majority of Americans identify as pro-choice, do not want to see Roe v. Wade overturned, and believe that every person should have the right to access abortion care.

In the past month, its been heartening to see people becoming more vocal about supporting abortion accessand about different options people may have in getting the care they need. A survey from 2020 found that only one in five adults have ever heard of mifepristone or a medication abortion, but since the Dobbs decision leak, we are seeing more people talking about medication abortion and sharing information about it. For example, the day after the leak, Hey Janes site traffic quintupled from our daily average.

We also have an open text line that anyone (not just our patients) can message with questions, and in the two weeks following the Dobbs decision leak we saw a 40% increase in messages. We take that as a sign that more people are learning about this safe, effective abortion optionwhich will be crucial in a post-Roe future.

Do you sense a fear among customers? Women in general?

The reality is that overturning Roe v. Wadeand the cruel bans that have already been in placewill be absolutely devastating to pregnant people, especially Black and brown people, low-income people, and young people. Generations will be worse off than they are today, and so many liberties are on the line.

In-clinic care is still important for many reasonspatient preference, specific health conditions, etc. But unlike 1972, in 2022 we have safe and effective pills that put the power back in peoples hands, and we have the technology to connect with people and give them medical and emotional support, no matter where they are.

Do you feel that abortion rights are being threatened now more than ever?

The unfortunate reality is that, for far too many people, their access to getting abortion care has been restricted even with Roe v. Wade. Existing laws have already created unnecessary barriers to care that have especially impacted Black and brown people, low-income people, and young people.

Do you also provide customers with education on abortion? There are so many myths that lead to people having children they dont want to raise or get unsafe abortions out of shame or lack of knowledge or resources.

At Hey Jane we go beyond just providing medical careand educating our patients is an important part of the work we do. Our website has a trove of resources, including facts about abortion and mental health (extensive research has shown that having an abortion does not increase a persons risk for depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorderbut pregnant people who are denied an abortion experience immediate high levels of anxiety, poor self-esteem, and lowered life satisfaction when compared to people who are able to obtain an abortion), advice on talking to people about your abortion, and more.

Every patient gets Hey Janes thorough Treatment Guide when they receive their abortion pills, to help them understand the process and address a lot of the questions we hear often. Our patients also always have Hey Janes clinical care team just a tap awayour team is available by text, phone, or video to answer questions.

And all Hey Jane patients have access to The Lounge, which is our private peer-to-peer forum, where they can connect, ask questions, and share their experiences with other Hey Jane patients who are going through the same thing.

What are some of the biggest myths being told about abortion today?

Medication abortion is extremely common (it accounts for more than half of all U.S abortions) and has been widely studied, so we know that its effective (up to 98% effective up to 11 weeks), its safe (in fact, it has a significant adverse reaction rate that is lower than Tylenol, Viagra, or other common drugs), does not cause depression, does not cause breast cancer, and will not affect your future ability to get pregnant when (and if) you decide the time is right. Furthermore, there are many negative consequence associated with denying an abortion to someone who wants one.

What is the general feeling at your company right now, amongst colleagues?

The overturning of Roe v. Wade would be an incredible attack on individual liberty and equitybut it has only increased Hey Janes drive to fight resolutely for high-quality abortion access for everyone. Hey Jane is prepared to meet the moment, accommodating significant increases in demand and supporting as many people as possible get the care they need.

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Lovely Professional University Engineering Entrance Examination (LPUNEST) 2022 https://career.webindia123.com/career/dates_and_events/entrance/eng/lovely-professional-university-national-eligibility-and-scholarship-test-lpunest.htm Details of Lovely Professional University Engineering Entrance Examination (LPUNEST) 2022 2022-2-2 2022-6-20 https://career.webindia123.com/career/images/exams.png India India Lovely Professional University Engineering Entrance Examination (LPUNEST) 2022 Engineering

Lovely Professional University Engineering Entrance Examination (LPUNEST) 2022 for admissions to B.Tech Programs

Lovely Professional University Engineering Entrance Examination (LPUNEST) 2022 Category : Engineering Admissions 2022 Published : On February 2, 2022 By Webindia123 Editor

Important Dates

Online Registration opens 26th May 2022 Last date to apply 20th June 2022 Entrance examination dates 6st - 25th June 2022 Slot booking for online examination 26th May 2022 onwards Result Within 24 working hours Last Date of Admission Within 7 days after declaration of result

Details of Online Counseling and Seat Allotment

Rounds of Counseling Filling Online Preference Result of Allotment Last date of Admission (subject to availability of seats) (scholarship subject to prevalence of scholarship scheme) Round 1 6th June to 9th June 2022 11th June 2022 11th May to 25th May 2022 Round 11 11th June to 15th June 2022 17th June 2022 26th May to 20th June 2022

Round - I and II will be conducted, only if seats remain vacant.

Lovely Professional University is conducting National Entrance and Scholarship Test (LPUNEST-2022) for B.Tech aspirants. Students studying in 12th class can apply for LPUNEST-2022. Since its inception in 2009, more than 50,000 students are appearing in this exam (LPUNEST) every year. The Test will be conducted in online mode (Pen and Paper Mode test is not allowed) as per the schedule.

This test will have twofold advantage as it will act as Entrance Test as well as Scholarship Test.

LPUNEST-2022 will provide a gateway to all engineering programmes in LPU and will act as Entrance test for admission in Engineering Programmes at LPU.

LPU envisages to usher an era of accessible and affordable quality higher education to the youth of our country, as on the basis of LPUNEST-2022 score, the university intends to award extensive Scholarship upto ` 7.5 Lac per student.

Eligibility Test: LPUNEST-2022 will provide a gateway to all engineering programs in LPU and will act as Eligibility test for admission in Engineering Programs at LPU

Extensive Scholarship/ Financial Aid: LPU envisages to usher an era of accessible and affordable quality higher education to the youth of our country, as on the basis of LPUNEST-2022 score, the university intends to award extensive Scholarship & Financial Aid upto Rs.7.5 lac per student

Courses Offered :

B.Tech (4 years Program)

B.Tech (Hons.)1 (4 years Programme)

Integrated B.Tech  M.Tech (5 Years Programme))2 (Saves 1 year)

Integrated B.Tech  MBA (5 Years Programme)2(Saves 1 year)

1 Hons Programmes: Hons. programes of LPU are premium programmes in which students have to meet the additional curriculum requirements. Innovative and creative courses are offered to increase the knowledge and hone the technical skills of the students. Honors students are given preference in students exchange / Foreign Scholarships / visits to the foreign universities whenever offered.

2 Integrated Programme: Earn your Masters Degree after 12th - under LPU Integrated Degree Programmes in five years saving one year of academic engagement without any dilution in course work or standard. Simultaneously you save fee of one year but continue availing scholarship / fee concession throughout the programme.

Streams offered in Engineering:

LPU is offering not only conventional engineering streams but also one of its kind trend setting streams transforming engineering education to leap into the next leg of technology upbeat. Examine the streams below to determine which engineering concentrations appeal to you:

Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE)^

Computer Science and Engineering (CSE)

Information Technology (IT)*#^

Mechanical Engineering (ME)

ME - Mechatronics*#^

Aerospace Engineering*#^

Automobile Engineering (AE)*#^

Civil Engineering (CE)*#^

Electrical Engineering (EE)*#^

Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE)#^

Electronics and Computer Engineering*#^

Biotechnology (BT)^

Food Technology*#^

Biomedical Engineering*#^

Chemical Engineering (CHE)*#^

CHE - Petroleum*#^

* Information Technology, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Food Technology, Automobile Engineering (AE), Biomedical Engineering, ME - Mechatronics, Aerospace Engineering, Electronics and Computer Engineering, Chemical Engineering (CHE), CHE - Petroleum streams are not offered in Honors programme.



# Information Technology, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Food Technology, Automobile Engineering (AE), Biomedical Engineering, ME - Mechatronics, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE), Electronics and Computer Engineering, Chemical Engineering (CHE), CHE - Petroleum streams are not offered in Integrated B.Tech.- M.Tech. programme.



^ Information Technology, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, ME - Mechatronics, Aerospace Engineering, Electronics & Computer Engineering, Biotechnology, Food Technology, Automobile Engineering (AE), Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering (CHE), CHE - Petroleum streams are not offered in Integrated B.Tech.- MBA programme.

Eligibility :

Only Indian Nationals are eligible to apply for LPUNEST-2022

Applicants appearing for LPUNEST-2022 should have either completed or shall be appearing in 2019, in final examination of 10+2 from Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE, New Delhi) or The Council for Indian School Certificate Examination (ICSE, New Delhi) or State Board or any other Council, Institution, college etc. declared recognised by Council of Boards of School Education (COBSE), New Delhi or any other concerned apex body as applicable.

Pass with 60% aggregate marks in 10+2 or equivalent (with Physics, Mathematics and English)* subject to qualifying LPUNEST-2022

* For B.Tech. Biotechnology (BT), B.Tech. (Food Technology), B.Tech. (Biomedical Engineering), B.Tech. Biotechnology (Hons.) and Integrated B.Tech. Biotechnology (BT) - M.Tech.

Subjects considered: Physics, Chemistry, English & either Maths or Biology or Biotechnology; other things remaining same as above.



* For B.Tech. Chemical Engineering (CHE) and B.Tech. (CHE - Petroleum)

Subjects considered: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and English; other things remaining same as above.

Admission Procedure :

Application form will be in a format that can be processed by Optical Mark Reader (OMR).

Cost of LPUNEST-2022 Kit (Application Form ) is

Through online - Rs. 700 (for boys) and Rs. 400 (for girls)

Through offline - Rs. 700 (for both boys and girls)

Application fee once paid will not be refunded.

Option-I: Without Purchasing LPUNEST-2022 Kit (Online)

Applicant can apply for LPUNEST-2022 without purchasing LPUNEST-2022 Kit.

Online Application : Apply through the University Website (Internet banking facility required).

Fill the application form at www.lpu.in

Pay Rs. 700 (for boys) and Rs. 400 (for girls) through online payment when prompted.

Note: For online application, Applicant should have Internet Banking facility through Net banking / Debit card / Credit card.

Printout of the computer generated application should be retained by the applicant for reference.

Option-II: After Purchasing LPUNEST-2022 Kit

Applicant may obtain LPUNEST-2022 Kit from University Campus/ Camp Offices or any other prescribed place by paying cash of Rs. 700 (for both boys and girls). Once the applicant has obtained the LPUNEST-2022 kit, form can be submitted by one of the following methods:

Manual:

a) Fill the full application form (OMR sheet) after reading all the instructions as specified in Instructions for filling Application Form (OMR sheet) in LPUNEST booklet.

Semi-Online Application: In case applicant does not want to send the hard copy of purchased application form:

a) Applicant should have

i) Fill the application form at www.lpu.in

ii) When asked, Click Yes if you have purchased the LPUNEST Kit. Fill the OMR sheet No. and Unique OMR code, in the given space.

iii) Submit and save the copy of completed application form for your reference

All our correspondence including centre booking and issue of e-hall ticket/ Appointment Letter/ Admit Card details will be through email only. Therefore, the applicants are requested to get ready with valid email id and mobile number for contact. No separate communication will be done for the same.

Incomplete Applications:

Incomplete application (For example: Declaration not signed, DD not enclosed, DD wrongly drawn, Photographs not affixed on the application etc.) will not be processed. LPU will not take responsibility to inform these applicants. Such applicants will not be able to access the Online Slot Management System

Applicants are hence advised to ensure that the application is duly filled and dispatched along with other enclosures complete in all respects

Test Centres :

Andaman & Nicobar

Andhra Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh

Assam

Bihar

Chandigarh

Chhattisgarh

Goa

Gujarat

Haryana

Himachal Pradesh

Jammu and Kashmir

Jharkhand

Karnataka

Kerala

Madhya Pradesh

Maharashtra

Manipur

Meghalaya

Mizoram

Nagaland

New Delhi

Orissa

Puducherry

Punjab

Rajasthan

Sikkim

Tamilnadu

Telangana

Tripura

Utter Pradesh

Uttarakhand

West Bengal

More Details can be available from the institute website.

Contact Details Address : Lovely Professional University, Jalandhar-Delhi, G.T. Road,

Phagwara, Punjab (INDIA) -144411. Phone : +91-1824-404404 Fax : Mobile : E-mail : - Website : nest.lpu.in

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The Wisconsin Elections Commission selected Republican attorney Don Millis as its new chair Friday as it prepares for the midterm elections while navigating lawsuits and GOP calls to disband the agency.

Five commissioners voted in favor of Millis becoming chair and one commissioner voted against him. Millis will replace Ann Jacobs, a Democrat. The position switches parties every two years under the commissions rules.

I think I have the skills and the temperament to do whats necessary to make sure changes in election law and administration are rational and will put the people of the state of Wisconsin first, Millis said Friday.

Millis is set to hold the position heading into the November election, with Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson on the ballot, as well as 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.

The commissioners Friday also rejected Republican Commissioner Robert Spindells bid for chair. Spindell faces a lawsuit for being one of 10 Republicans who attempted to cast Electoral College ballots for Donald Trump after the former president lost Wisconsin in 2020.

The commissioners chose Spindell to be their vice-chair. Spindell was the sole vote against Millis bid to become chair. Spindell nominated himself to be chair but the motion did not receive a second.

The bipartisan six-member commission includes three Republican appointees and three Democratic appointees.

The commission has been under fire from a growing number of Republicans for how the 2020 election was administered and unfounded claims of widespread fraud.

GOP gubernatorial candidates Tim Michels, Rebecca Kleefisch, Kevin Nicholson and state Rep. Timothy Ramthun, of Campbellsport, have all called for the agencys dismantling.

So has former state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman, though Gableman praised Millis appointment by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester. Vos, who hired Gableman to lead a 2020 election review, has been adamantly opposed to eliminating the commission.

Before the vote, Millis said the Elections Commission has been in the spotlight more than it should be and conceded he doesnt know what the commissions future looks like.

I have talked to folks on my side of the aisle and  theres a difference of opinion, he said, adding that he supports changing some election laws.

Gablemans praise for Millis came as the former justice and Vos face a lawsuit for trying to interview Wisconsin Elections Commission officials in private settings. Gableman, in turn, filed a lawsuit threatening to jail Jacobs and staff member Sarah Linske if they dont comply with a list of demands. He has also issued a subpoena to WEC administrator Meagan Wolfe.

Millis selection as chair came two days after he was appointed to replace Republican commissioner Dean Knudson, who unexpectedly resigned in late May following mounting pressure he faced from fellow conservatives angry with him because he said Trump lost to President Joe Biden in 2020.

A Sun Prairie tax attorney with Reinhart Law Firm, Millis previously served as one of the Wisconsin Elections Commissions first commissioners after being appointed by former Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald in 2016. He resigned from the agency the following year to focus on his law practice.

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.

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At the request of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, the Wisconsin Parole Commissions leader resigned Friday after mounting Republican criticism over the commissions plans to parole a man who served less than 25 years of an 80-year sentence for stabbing his wife to death  parole that was later rescinded.

Commission chair John Tate submitted his resignation effective end-of-business Friday, according to a resignation letter provided to the Wisconsin State Journal. Evers spokesperson Britt Cudaback confirmed the governor had asked for and received Tates resignation.

In my time as Chair-designee, I have given my best effort to be fair, just, and understanding, Tate said in his resignation letter. Fair, in working to ensure that everyone who has a voice in the parole process is equally heard. Just, in adhering to the statutory and administrative guidelines of parole, and using evidence-based practices; not being driven by politics or public perception. And understanding that everyone has a unique perspective and a personal experience that matters.

Several Republican gubernatorial candidates  including Rebecca Kleefisch, Kevin Nicholson and Tim Michels  have criticized the commissions initial plans to parole 54-year-old Douglas Balsewicz, who was set to be released from prison last month after serving less than 25 years of his 80-year sentence for the 1997 stabbing death of his wife, Johanna Balsewicz.

After meeting with Johanna Balsewiczs family in the state Capitol last month, Evers sent a letter to Tate asking him to reconsider the convicted murderers parole. Evers lacks the power to rescind a convicts parole on his own.

Tate had initially said it was extremely unlikely Balsewiczs parole would be revoked unless he did something to warrant it. Tate, who is president of the Racine City Council, said doing so would likely lead to a lawsuit that the state would lose.

However, Tate later said he understood the governors concerns about the lack of victim input and rescinded Balsewiczs parole.

Despite his change of course, some Republicans called on Evers to remove Tate from office. State Sen. Roger Roth, R-Appleton, circulated a petition seeking to bring the Legislature back into session to force a vote on whether Tate should keep his position as chair.

However, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, opposed the idea, noting in an interview with Wisconsin Right Now that the Senate will not bail Tony Evers out from his soft-on-crime record.

Balsewicz was first eligible for parole in 2017 and was denied. The Wisconsin Parole Commission said in a statement that he came before the panel for a fifth review on April 14.

Tate did not reference the specific incident in his resignation letter, but said, When I was first appointed to this position, I was told by many this was the most difficult job in the State.

The difficulty could not be understated, as no parole decision is easy and no decision can ever truly satisfy all interested parties, he added.

Former Lt. Gov. Kleefisch said in a statement Friday Tate deserved to be fired long ago.

It shouldnt take the pressure of an election year for Evers to finally make the right decision, Kleefisch said.

Tates gone as of this afternoon, Nicholson said in a tweet. One down, and now were coming for you (Evers).

Evers office had not commented on Tates resignation.

Republican candidates will meet in the Aug. 9 primary, with the winner going on to face Evers in the Nov. 8 election.

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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

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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

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Health officials nowadays would have a conniption over a fond memory of the Great Grangers Picnic Exhibition at William Grove in what is now Monroe Township.

The childhood experiences of Rolla F. Lehman Sr. were the focus of an August 1968 article by Martie Kunkel that was published in the Carlisle Shoppers Guide.

It was quite the gathering place, Lehman said. Most of the time you had to line up to get a drink. There was a bunch of tin dippers hanging from chains. When your turn came, youd just grab the dipper.

A Dillsburg man who grew up on a farm near Oakville, Cumberland County, Lehman started attending the annual picnic in 1908. One of his regular stops was a pagoda-like structure that sheltered a spring with cold refreshing water.

Lehman said everyone present drew water from the same tub. Once their thirst was slackened, they poured back what was left. There were even some people who wiped off the rim of the dipper with their shirt sleeve.

A funny thing though we didnt seem to catch any more viruses, bugs, than we do now. Not so many really, Lehman said.

In its heyday, the weeklong agricultural festival drew upward of 100,000 guests from more than 30 states to Williams Grove in Monroe Township mostly by way of the railroad or horse and buggy.

The exciting part for Lehman was being on a passenger car jammed with people inbound to the festival that operated from 1874 to 1916.

The origins of this summertime destination go back to 1873 when the Cumberland Valley Railroad leased a 28-acre grove of trees along the Yellow Breeches Creek from the Williams family, according to Warren Gates, a Dickinson College professor who wrote a paper on the Grangers picnic for a 1983 symposium on rural America.

The Pennsylvania State Grange also formed in 1873, with its first secretary being Col. Robert H. Thomas, a Mason with political connections and the publisher of the Mechanicsburg Farmers Friend and Grange Advocate and the Independent Journal in Mechanicsburg.

The summer saw the first gathering of Grangers at the grove. Back then, the outing took the form of a joint picnic of several local chapters. The second Grangers picnic in August 1874 saw the first appearance of vendors displaying their wares and offering special event pricing.

This trade show approach provided a base upon which Thomas, as the manager, developed the picnic into an annual opportunity for farmers to observe changes in farm equipment, witness field demonstrations and compare notes with their colleagues. The vendor fees not only covered the costs of running the event, but paid for special programming.

Very soon, crowds were drawn by the combination of free admission and the variety of exhibits. Gradually, the one-day event morphed into a three-day event and then a weeklong event attended by campers, hotel boarders and cottage renters. This rapid growth prompted the railroad to expand the infrastructure and develop the grove into a resort destination. Upgrades included enlarged railroad sidings and passenger shelters, additional recreation space, an enlarged amphitheater and the development of a tent and cottage area.

There was so much demand that the railroad had to lease additional engines and equipment from the Pennsylvania Railroad to provide for 25 or more special passengers trains in and out on peak days.

From the start, the picnic became a venue to showcase new farming methods and technology. The expansion to multiple days gave Thomas the flexibility to schedule notable speakers on a broad range of topics.

All this turned the Grangers Picnic into a forum for state and national figures to drum up support for their causes among rural Americans. Because the Grange conferred upon women the same membership rights as men, the speakers included leading advocates for womens suffrage and the temperance movement. Future President Woodrow Wilson spoke at the picnic in 1912 while he was on the campaign trail. But, by 1916, societal changes ended the picnic exhibition.

Distribution patterns for farm equipment changed to where manufacturers relied more on catalogs to process orders. Defense production related to World War I led manufacturers to roll back or eliminate exhibits. A polio outbreak decreased attendance and made exhibitors nervous about participating in a potential super spreader event.

Thomas died in 1908 leaving his son, Richard H. Thomas Jr., to take over running the event. But when the son died, there was no successor so the picnic ended and the Cumberland Valley Railroad surrendered its lease of the grove.

Joseph Cress is a reporter for The Sentinel covering education and history. You can reach him at jcress@cumberlink.com or by calling 717-218-0022.

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John Wardle is used to seeing the rows of seats in the pavilions outside the Penn Township Volunteer Fire Company empty.

For 362 days of the year, the space remains vacant except for the occasional event here or there, said Wardle, who serves as the fire companys president. However, for those other three days each year more than 5,000 people pack the stations grounds for its annual firemans fair.

Penn Township is one of several volunteer fire companies across western Cumberland County to host annual summer festivals that typically serve as the departments largest fundraisers of the year.

The COVID-19 pandemic, however, altered the past two years of fairs and, consequently, funds for those fire companies.

Return of firemans fairs

Alan Stambaugh, vice president of the West Pennsboro Volunteer Fire Company, said this year will be the departments first fair since the start of COVID-19 in 2020.

West Pennsboros festival is always the first of western Cumberland Countys four firemans fairs. A fair in 2020 was out of the question with pandemic restrictions in place, and the department was still a little iffy about holding one in 2021 due to the advance planning and the amount of resources needed for the event, Stambaugh said.

We werent comfortable doing one for 2021, but [in] 2022 we are back, he said.

West Pennsboro kicked off its carnival Thursday, with events beginning at 4 p.m. each day through Saturday.

Like most other firemans fairs in the area, West Pennsboros includes live music, activities for children and, of course, food: homemade chicken corn soup, to be specific.

West Pennsboros fair will be followed by the South Newton Volunteer Fire Companys fair later in June, the Upper Frankford Township Volunteer Company fair in July and Penn Townships fair in August.

Information regarding the activities and events at each fair can be found online at each fire companies Facebook pages.

Effects of cancellations, modifications

Stambaugh estimated that the fair brings in about two-thirds of the companys fundraising total each year, and the company has received grants over the past two years toward making it whole.

However, West Pennsboro still felt the effect of canceling its largest fundraiser in back-to-back to years, and its not alone.

Wardle said Penn Township cancelled its fair in 2020 and described the result of the decision as a tremendous financial loss.

It really set us back three to five years, he said. Well never make that up, well never get that money back. By not having the fair, we lost.

He said the financial loss makes affording and replacing equipment much harder.

We still provided the public service of being firefighters and medical people, Wardle said. That never stopped, we ran every call, but our funding just dramatically disappeared.

South Newton Volunteer Fire Company in Walnut Bottom uses money from the fair to pay the companys day-to-day bills.

South Newton Fire Chief Dan Burkett said the department fortunately doesnt have a lot of debt, but looks to replace an engine in the next two years at an estimated cost of $1 million.

The company is currently saving toward that, but Burkett said it has nowhere near the amount needed.

South Newton held a different spin its annual firemans fair event in 2020.

We were able to do a modified drive-thru food sale instead of actually having the whole carnival, which helped a little bit, he said. But we were still as far as individual fundraisers  thats the biggest event that we have throughout the year, so it was pretty significant.

The fair returned last year and Burkett said it looked pretty much the same way it did before COVID-19.

Penn Townships fair also returned last year with safety regulations in place.

We still needed to have the fair for the fundraising, so it was a tough decision to come back to have the fair because we didnt know what the risk was and you couldnt wait until the day before the fair to make that decision, Wardle said. We had to make the decision in May for an August fair.

Moving forward

He said this year, the company is working to get back to normal and build toward the future, and that all fire companies are in the same boat.

Its about people, its about being able to fund your needs and its about community and brotherhood, Wardle said. Those things are common themes that were all facing.

The local fire departments rely on each other to meet the common goal of saving lives and property.

This summer, the full return of firemans fairs will provide both funding for the companies and togetherness for fireman and township residents alike.

It brings the community together, Wardle said. You see friends, you support the fire company and youre working together.

Maddie Seiler is a news reporter for The Sentinel and cumberlink.com covering Carlisle and Newville. You can contact her at mseiler@cumberlink.com and follow her on Twitter at: @SeilerMadalyn

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Authorities have arrested one of four people wanted in the fatal shooting last month of a students grandmother outside a New Orleans high school graduation ceremony that was held at a local university. WVUE-TV reports 18-year-old Brandon Rock made his first court appearance Saturday. Jail records show he was arrested Friday on counts of manslaughter and illegally carrying a weapon on school property. It was not clear whether he has an attorney who could comment on his behalf. Rock is one of four suspects wanted in connection with the death of 80-year-old Augustine Greenwood. She was fatally shot as she walked toward her familys car following a grandchilds graduation ceremony May 31 at Xavier University.
PHILADELPHIA  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 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, Philadelphia District Attorney 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, 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 Philadelphia in the coming weeks and will not be eligible for bail, 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 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 adviser at Girard College, a boarding school for disadvantaged youths that 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 merchants, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

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Each year across the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), cohorts of senior military officers engage in joint professional military education at the departments senior-level colleges. Each military service runs a war college, and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is responsible for colleges under the National Defense University.

In Carlisle, the U.S. Army War College opens its academic year with the Introduction to Strategic Studies course. For its class of Academic Year 2022 (AY22), as in recent years, the focal case of the First Gulf War is used to set the hook for key topics of the year. The course objectives are straightforward and broad:

To comprehend themes across the School of Strategic Landpower core curriculum.

To understand key points to consider when analyzing war at the strategic level.

The Gulf War case study has special significance for me. After graduate school and a teaching assignment at West Point, I was a student at the Command and General Staff Officer Course at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

From our August arrival at Leavenworth in 1989, the class witnessed the crumbling of the Soviet Union along with the progressive disbanding of the Warsaw Pact. In December, the U.S. launched a successful invasion of Panama to remove its dictator Manuel Noriega. With the looming end of the Cold War and a celebrated U.S. victory of Operation Just Cause, we had time to study and reflect upon the lessons of the previous decades ... or so we thought.

Our Command and General Staff Officer Course classmates graduated at the end of May 1990. Like the rest of the world, we were caught off guard by the Aug. 2, 1990, Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. We watched and listened to our commander in chief, President George H.W. Bush, declare this naked aggression will not stand and we wondered what that really meant.

The obvious inference was that the nation and our Army would go to war. Our classmates would be at the forefront of combat operations as division, brigade and battalion staff officers, or at least in the generating force preparing Army units to deploy and fight. We watched in anticipation as division-ready forces of the 82nd Airborne Division flowed into Saudi Arabia four days after the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.

Three decades later for the Introduction to Strategic Studies course, AY22 War College students have the benefit of several resources to consider in assessing the outcome and consequences of Operation Desert Storm. For example, William Thomas Allisons book The Gulf War, 1990-91, autobiographies by Gens. Colin Powell and H. Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. provide insight into policy development, strategic design and senior leadership of political and military officials.

Additionally, there are myriad official and now-declassified documents that chronicle tactics, operations and logistics of the massive undertaking. Future Army War College Commandant Brig. Gen. Robert H. Scales Jr. labeled the war campaign as Certain Victory in the title of his first book. Most important, our students have the benefit of hindsight, as we know how the Gulf War ended.

For recent War College classes, AirLand Battle has been supplanted by debate between Multi-Domain Battle or Multi-Domain Operations with evolving doctrine. Today, DoD seeks to integrate joint operations across the traditional domains of land, sea and air, as well as space and cyberspace. Over the past months, AY22 War College students have examined the enduring nature and, as we contend, the changing character of war. Accordingly, they have developed strategic leadership competencies in preparation to be planners, advisers and leaders as they assume the mantel of stewardship for our profession of arms.

The year has also provided a series of case studies with national and global implications. The AY22 War College experience was preceded by nearly 18 months of the global COVID-19 pandemic with emergent Delta and Omicron variants. The school year saw adaptive and hybrid approaches to delivering professional military education (via Zoom and MS Teams).

On the domestic front, challenges of sustaining the American democracy emerged in an era of hyper-partisanship. Of particular concern was the potential politicization of our nations military.

Operationally, the U.S. military withdrew forces from Afghanistanan operation that is still under scrutinyand with the two decade-long war assessed as a strategic failure by the Chairmen of the Joint Chief of Staff GEN Mark Milley. Perhaps, the most important case study is of Russias special military operation in the Ukraine. What are the lessons to be drawn from both the Russian and Ukrainian forces, as well as from the collective security organizations such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the United Nations?

Like those who have come before them, the Army War College offered its AY22 resident and distance education program students an opportunity to study, learn and develop themselves for an uncertain future.

Who knows what case studies will be used 10 years from now? And what roles will our graduates play?

Col. Charles D. Allen, U.S. Army, Ret., is professor of leadership and cultural studies at the U.S. Army War College.

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Johannes Britz, who has served as provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs at UW-Milwaukee, is serving as interim senior vice chancellor for academic and student affairs for the UW System.

Interim University of Wisconsin System President Michael Falbo bypassed an open search process in the hiring of a high-level administrator and offered a far more generous contract than the previous person holding the post.

Falbo earlier this spring named UW-Milwaukee provost Johannes Britz as the UW System's interim senior vice president for academic and student affairs, one of four cabinet-level positions that report directly to the UW System president.

Britz started Wednesday and takes over for Anny Morrobel-Sosa, who retired Tuesday at a $270,504 salary. Britz will draw $333,835 annually in his new position, the same salary he earned at UWM.

"The UW System approached me about this position in an effort to stabilize this key role during its transition," Britz said in a statement. "I was willing to help and assist for up to three years, as long as I got paid what I got paid at UW-Milwaukee, where I currently hold a very personally fulfilling role. The offer was then made by UW System to accommodate such a transfer.

Britz's UWM salary exceeds the pay range allowed for UW System vice presidents. The UW System elevated his title to "senior vice president," bumping Britz to a higher salary range that allows him to continue earning his current salary.

Related: UW-Platteville Chancellor Dennis Shields to depart for new job, continuing turnover in UW System leadership

Related: UW System Board of Regents boosts chancellor pay, including some higher raises due to new salary ranges

Britz will also receive a $15,000 supplement each year of his appointment for what's described in the offer letter as "supplemental compensation given to defray costs associated with a new work location."

The new work location is in Madison, where UW System administration is housed. But the letter also describes Britz's work schedule as a hybrid arrangement of remote work and telecommuting that will be determined by Britz and new UW System President Jay Rothman, who also started Wednesday.

Story continues

Britz hasn't determined his personal living situation, but he is expected to spend much time in Madison, UW System spokesperson Mark Pitsch said. The supplement is intended to cover costs such as travel, relocation or temporary living arrangements in the Madison area.

Bypassing an open search is allowed for interim executive appointments as long as they last no more than three years, according to UW Board of Regents policy.

UW System documents show that staff asked search firms last year for estimates on conducting a national search to fill Morrobel-Sosa's position.

But Falbo justified waiving the search process because the candidate we have in mind would meet all criteria, noting Britzs extensive administrative experience, academic credentials and in-depth knowledge of UW System policies.

Pitsch said Britz is one of the most senior provosts within the UW System and he's worked at a research university.

While a search was considered, it was balanced against these considerations, he said.

Contact Kelly Meyerhofer at kmeyerhofer@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KellyMeyerhofer.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: UW System hires UW-Milwaukee provost Johannes Britz for cabinet job
A judge ruled this week to disqualify a candidate seeking election as the prosecuting attorney of Washington County after finding the candidate did not meet residency requirements for the elected position.

On Thursday, Associate Circuit Judge Daren L. Adkins of the 43rd Judicial Circuit determined that Republican candidate for prosecuting attorney John I. Jones IV be disqualified from the August primary election ballot, citing that Jones was not a bona fide resident of Washington County on Nov. 9, as required by state statute.

Per state statute, a candidate seeking election as a county's prosecuting attorney is required to have been a bona fide resident of the county for 12 months prior to the date of the general election. This year's general election for the Prosecuting Attorney's Office will be held on Nov. 8.

The civil trial was held after current Washington County Prosecuting Attorney Joshua Hedgecorth filed a petition in April contesting Jones' eligibility to appear on the primary ballot.

Hedgecorth and Jones each filed to run for the prosecutor's office on Feb. 22, ahead of the general election in November. Jones filed as a Republican. Hedgecorth is running as a Democrat.

The court heard the evidence presented at this week's civil trial, examined the exhibits, and heard statements from counsel before rendering a judgment.

Through evidence and testimony, the court learned that Jones, his wife, and his family established residence in Virginia, where they owned a house, and Jones had a solo law practice before coming to Missouri in January 2021.

When Jones and his family arrived in Missouri, they initially lived with his parents at their home in Blackwell, according to filings.

After approximately a week of living with his mother and father, Jones reportedly returned to Virginia to work on his house to prepare it for sale. The home sold in April 2021, the judgment states.

After two or three weeks of living with Jones' parents, his wife and children reportedly moved to a house in Jefferson County in February 2021 owned by Jones' grandmother. Jones returned to Missouri the following month and moved into the Jefferson County residence with his wife and children.

The judgment states that on May 4, 2021, Jones and his wife bought eight acres of land in Cadet. At about the same time, they purchased a double-wide mobile home to be delivered to the property in the future.

The mobile home was reportedly delivered to the property in late August, arriving in two separate halves. In September and October, the judgment notes Jones and his family "camped" out some weekends in one-half of the mobile home, which was covered on one side with plastic. At that time, the mobile home did not have running water, electricity, or toilet facilities, according to court records.

Both halves of the mobile home were set on a foundation at the Washington County property on Nov. 4. However, the house reportedly still did not have running water, electricity, or bathroom facilities.

The meter to provide electricity to the mobile home was installed on Dec. 10, and the septic tank was delivered at about the same time.

On Dec. 31, Jones and his family spent their first night in their home fully assembled with running water, electricity, and bathroom facilities, the court determined.

The court noted that until Dec. 31, 2021, Jones and his family, in all respects, resided at the Jefferson County property.

The court's judgment states that as of this week's trial, Jones and his wife had still not transferred the title to the mobile home into their names.

In its judgment, the court cited instances of Jones using the Jefferson County address for financial and legal documents.

In October, Jones reportedly completed an application for a Missouri driver's license and listed the Jefferson County residence as his address.

Before that, on June 1, 2021, Jones became employed as a paralegal at a Jefferson County law firm, reportedly using the address in Jefferson County on his W4 and employment documents.

The court learned that Jones had filed an application for reciprocity to obtain his Missouri law license with the Supreme Court and amended that application several times. The judgment stated the last amendment was on Aug. 2, and Jones had listed his address on the application in Jefferson County.

On Feb. 22, Jones executed his Candidate Declaration Form, announcing himself as a candidate for prosecuting attorney in the primary election set for August. That same day, Jones registered the title to his vehicle to Missouri using his Washington County address, registered as a Missouri voter, and changed his driver's license address from the Jefferson County address to Washington County, according to records.

The court's Conclusion of Law states in part, "The actions of [Jones] and his family demonstrate that when they returned to Missouri from Virginia they made [their Jefferson County address] their residence and intended it to be so until they moved into their new residence in December, 2021. In all important documents, including [Jones'] amended application to the Supreme Court of Missouri on August 2, 2021, [Jones] used [the Jefferson County residence] as his address."

Ultimately, the court found the evidence supported a finding that Jones' residence when he returned to Missouri and, through Dec. 30, was in Jefferson County. Thus, he was not a bona fide resident of Washington County on Nov. 9, 2021, as required of a candidate per statute.

Bobby Radford is a reporter for the Daily Journal. He can be reached at bradford@dailyjournalonline.com

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The Missouri Department of Transportation plans to improve Highway 21/72 in Iron County. Improvements will extend from Route E near Arcadia to Route 49 near Glover.

Five curves will be improved along the project limits. The project includes an overlay, adding edgeline rumble stripes, widening four horizontal curves and making improvements to the horizontal curve at Royal Gorge. Right of way acquisition will be required at the four curve widening locations and possibly at the Royal Gorge curve location.

The project is expected to be let in April 2023, with construction beginning as early as summer 2023. Flaggers will guide traffic through the work zone as the overlay is completed. Widening work will be completed adjacent to the existing roadway.

During work at Royal Gorge, a one-month road closure is possible. Completion is anticipated in spring 2024. Interested people may review the project in more detail and share their thoughts at https://www.modot.org/route21Iron.

Comments will be accepted through June 16. For more information, please contact Project Manager Pete Berry at 417-469-6242 or Area Engineer Chris Crocker at 573-380-1658.

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Walk, ride or drive, Linn-Benton Community College graduates were determined to celebrate their success Thursday, June 9, at the Albany campus.

Its the second year LBCC chose a pandemic-inspired drive-thru commencement. Vehicles decked out with painted windows, streamers, balloons and more paraded around campus, cheered on by college employees and supporters.

Graduating with an associate of general studies, Steven Pryor said its been quite an interesting time pursuing education. He was proud to have adapted and risen to the occasion. Hes considering moving to the Oregon Coast, hoping to find work with his degree, and to help people.

Id like to make an impact the same way others made one on me, Pryor said. They definitely gave me more confidence in a time where I needed it the most. I hope to spread that to others if I could.

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Studying heavy equipment and diesel technology, Francis Tice graduated under the applied industrial technology and transportation program. She learned to work on tractors, semis and other heavy vehicles. Shes already working at the college as an instructors assistant and aims to become an instructor by the end of next year.

Starting off at Portland Community College, Tice had to move when the pandemic hit. After comparing schools, she landed on LBCC, where she could get a hands-on education. She said that experience was priceless, although it was way more work than she expected.

But its what kept me stable during the pandemic, she said. It helped me hang on.  It got me where I needed to go.

Already working at HP Inc. for the past six years, Theodore Summers studied networking and systems administration under the science, engineering, math and computer science program. His work includes those areas as well as research and development. He and his employer both wanted him to get a degree.

Even though I didnt have the degree yet, I got a promotion this year, Summers said. Because I had committed, and done the work, and was in line to finish and get the degree, they promoted me.

Enjoying a snack at the after-party, Summers said he liked the different style of graduation. Without many friends and family to help make a memorable day, having so many people unexpectedly rooting for him was a pleasant surprise.

The commencement route included stops for photos, shaking hands with college officials, picking up diplomas, and a few surprises, such as cupcakes by the Culinary Arts program, commemorative license plate holders and roses given to grads.

The community college graduated 714 students in the Class of 2022, with a couple hundred expected to participate in the unique ceremony, according to Jennifer Boehmer, executive director of institutional advancement and the LBCC Foundation. Families were invited to an outdoor party in the courtyard held during the commencement.

It gives us a chance to really celebrate the individuality of every graduate, Boehmer said. In CARmencement, each grad gets to go through the line with their families with them.

Some students took advantage of the warm weather to stroll through. Unlike a typical commencement, some wore regalia, and some chose casual or fancy dress, adding to the personalization of the event.

It was back in January when LBCC officials chose a drive-thru ceremony to reduce the ongoing risk of COVID-19, as it did in 2021, Boehmer said, adding there will be a more traditional graduation next year. She said the feedback from last years event was great, giving the college confidence that this years would be just as meaningful.

Its an amazing achievement, Hathai Sangsupan said about the students graduating. The biology and science instructor was one of those cheering as graduates made the circuit around campus. She wanted to make them feel appreciated and recognize their success.

Teaching through the pandemic has been difficult not only for instructors but also for students, Sangsupan said, forcing everyone to do things they never expected. One key to success she noticed was the positivity among some students as they stepped out of their comfort zone and tried new things.

Having worked at LBCC for four years, Sangsupan said shes been impressed by the way community colleges focus on student success. With such a diverse student body, the instructors have seen pretty much everything and know how to accommodate or overcome challenges, she said.

Many of my students are parents, or single parents, or older and coming back after a first career  so many different situations, she said. A community college is a great place for that.

Cody Mann covers Benton County and the cities of Corvallis and Philomath. He can be contacted at 541-812-6113 or Cody.Mann@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter via @News_Mann_.

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Rep. Kurt Schrader, who represents Linn County in Congress, was one of only two Democrats to oppose U.S. House passage of one of two gun regulation bills in the aftermath of the mass shootings in Uvalde, Buffalo and elsewhere.

The bills passed largely along party lines and are expected to die in the evenly split Senate, where some Democrats and Republicans have been negotiating more modest changes.

Schrader and Maine's Jared Golden were the only Democrats to join 202 Republicans to oppose a bill (HR 7910) to raise the minimum age to 21 for purchase of a semi-automatic weapon  both shooters in Uvalde and Buffalo were 18 when they bought their military-style guns legally  plus other provisions, including:

Outlaw high-capacity magazines.

Require background checks for purchases of ghost guns that bear no registration numbers.

Strengthen requirements for safe storage of firearms.

Close a loophole for bump stocks, which are devices that allow for more rapid fire by semi-automatic weapons.

That bill passed the House on a 223-204 vote on Wednesday, June 8. Five Republicans joined 218 Democrats. Oregon Democrats Suzanne Bonamici of Beaverton, Earl Blumenauer of Portland and Peter DeFazio of Springfield voted yes; Oregon Republican Cliff Bentz of Ontario voted no.

A second bill (HR 2377) passed the House on a 224-202 vote on Thursday. It empowers federal judges to issue orders to keep firearms out of the hands of those at risk of harming themselves or others. Oregon is one of 19 states, plus Washington, D.C., with "red-flag laws."

The second vote was nearly identical, except that Schrader voted with the majority  Golden voted no  and two Republicans were absent.

The House passed two related bills back in March 2021, but both have stalled in the Senate.

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One bill (HR 8) would expand federal background checks on potential buyers to sales at gun shows and on the internet, not just those by licensed dealers. The other (HR 1446) would allow more time for federal law enforcement to conduct a check and close the so-called "Charleston loophole," under which the shooter in a 2015 massacre obtained firearms although the check had not been completed within the required three business days.

The mass shooting May 24 at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, claimed the lives of 19 children and two adults. Ten days earlier, a mass shooting at a supermarket in Buffalo, New York, killed 10 Black people.

Bonamici said in a statement after the two votes:

"We have seen too many tragedies like the horrific attack on children and teachers in Uvalde and the racist targeting and murder of grocery shoppers in Buffalo. The House has already passed bipartisan legislation to expand background checks and close loopholes.

"The Protecting Our Kids Act and Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act include many more common-sense, widely supported measures that will help keep our loved ones safe. We cannot bring back those who have been murdered, but we can enact meaningful laws that will prevent more senseless deaths. I call on the Senate to follow through on their responsibility to our children and our nation by taking up this legislation immediately."

The House votes were among those Schrader has cast since his May 17 primary loss to Jamie McLeod-Skinner of Terrebonne. Unofficial results put McLeod-Skinner at 55% and the seven-term Schrader at 45% in a 5th District redrawn to take in Linn and Deschutes counties. McLeod-Skinner won Deschutes and Multnomah counties, both by large margins; Schrader won Clackamas, Marion and Linn counties by narrower margins.

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SATURDAY

Willamette Valley Symphony concert, 7 p.m., performing arts center, West Albany High School, 2100 SW Elm St. The symphony will perform Brahms' 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

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.

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.

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.

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June 11

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 373 June 2022 Meeting will be held at 0930 June 11 at the Friends of Army Aviation Hangar in Ozark, 189 Heritage Way, Ozark, AL 36360, in the conference room. The meeting is open to members and future members. If you qualify as a veteran that served in the country or as a Vietnam-era veteran interested in veterans issues, we would like to invite you to attend and join our chapter. Please plan to attend and bring a new member.

The Coffee County Republican Club will meet this Saturday, June 11, 8:30 am, at the Enterprise Country Club, 3000 Ozark Highway, Enterprise. Republican Primary Senate Run-Off candidates Katie Britt and Mo Brooks have been invited to speak. So far, Congressman Mo Brooks has confirmed that he will participate. Ms. Britt is unable to attend due to a previous engagement. If other run-off candidates are present, they will be given time to speak as well.

June 12

A Walk Down Broadway, sponsored by the Republican Women of Coffee County, Roy Hoobler and the Masterworks Choir of Enterprise, will be June 12 from 24 p.m. at the Enterprise County Club. This musical event will feature selections from West Side Story, Into the Woods and other works. It is free and open to the public. Donations will collected for Caring for America, which which supports local outreach in our community.

June 15

The Republican Women of Coffee County will meet June 15 at the Enterprise Country Club, 3000 Ozark Highway. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. The luncheon will start at 10:45. You can make reservations by contact Shannon Smith @ 334-494-2753or rwccreservations@gmail.com. She will need to know how many in your party and whether you will be eating. The run off candidates for Senate, Public Service Commission Place 1 & 2, and State Auditor have been invited to speak.

June 18

Pastor Willie White, Jr. and members of Johns Chapel AME Church, 605 Geneva Highway in Enterprise, invite the public to join in as we host a Juneteenth Celebration Weekend on June 18 and 19 under the leadership of Nichole Nichols, Chairperson. The public is invited to join all events and services, including the historic 1st annual Juneteenth Parade in downtown Enterprise, starting at 12 p.m. There is no charge to enter. Absolutely free! An application to participate in the parade is provided at this link: https://www.facebook.com/2176600665919571/posts/3134599793452982/?sfnsn=mo Reverend Eddie Thomas, pastor of Mt Sinai Baptist Church in Newville, and Mary Magdalene Baptist Church in Abbeville will be the guest speaker at the service at Johns Chapel following the parade. Vendors, food trucks and bounce houses will be available. Sunday morning Juneteenth worship service will be held at 10:45 a.m. on June 19. For more information, please contact Nichole Nichole, chairperson at 334-375-5003 or Pastor White at 334-701-5853. For vendor information, please contact Nikki Mills at 334-389-6427.

June 16

Coffee County Conservation District will hold their monthly board meeting on June 16, 2022 at the Coffee County Extension Office, 1055 E. McKinnon Street, New Brockton, AL 36351. The meeting will start at 10:00 a.m. We are limited to the number of people that we can have in the room so if you plan to attend, please call 334-894-5581X3.

June 18

Military Appreciation Day, hosted by Main Street Enterprise, will be held in Downtown Enterprise on Saturday, June 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will begin with its newest addition: the Patriot Parade in which participants will decorate their bikes, strollers, wagons, scooters and trikes and proudly parade down College Street. The event will also have shopping specials, music, and activities for the whole family to enjoy. Various military and veterans service organizations will also be set up on College Street to share information about their organizations and provide activities and static displays.

June 20

Pastor Willie White, Jr. and members of Johns Chapel invite the public to Vacation Bible School 5 -7:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, June 20-24. The theme is Sowing Seeds for Christ with Luke 8:11 as scripture reference. Classes will be available for toddlers through adults. Please register soon via QR code at the churchs website johnschapelamec.org or the Johns Chapel AME Church Facebook page; or by using this link: https://forms.gle/jojSaRJjaeLwbwP57 For more information, please contact LauReen McDaniel, VBS director, at 334-470-1816 or Pastor White at 334-701-5853.

June 21

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System will be hosting a ServSafe training program on June 21-22 at the Coffee County Extension office in New Brockton. This is a required food safety course for food permit holders.

It is a 2 day in-person course with a written exam. The cost of the course is $140 and you must register online. This course may be needed for restaurant managers and cafeteria managers and food vendors. It is a nationally accredited program through the Restaurant Association. For more information, contact Food Safety Regional Extension Agent Bridgette Brannon at 334-714-1248

June 30

The German Coffee Club will meet on June 30 at the Landing on Fort Rucker at 9:30 a.m. We are having schnitzel for lunch. Please make your reservations by Monday, the 27th. We would like to thank our hostesses: Karin Ramirez, Brigitte Harper, Marianne Owens, Gudrun Ambrose and Caroline Gebhardt. Congratulations to Anita Ferry for being our 4 time Bingo winner. For information, call Chris at 475-6388 or Marianne at 389-1607.

Ongoing

COVID-19 tests will be given at the Coffee County Health Department on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. To schedule an appointment, call 334-347-9574.

The DAV van service for local veterans will make runs to Montgomery and Tuskegee on Mondays and Fridays. The van will leave from the Hardees restaurant on Rucker Boulevard in Enterprise at 5 a.m. and from the Dothan Civic Center at 5:30 a.m. Due to COVID restrictions, there is only space for four riders each trip. Veterans who need rides to VA hospitals in Montgomery or Tuskegee can call 334-308-2480 to reserve a seat on the Enterprise van or 334-446-0866 for the Dothan van.

The Enterprise YMCA will hold square dancing classes every Monday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the main building located on Highway 27 across from Hobby Lobby in Enterprise. Singles and couples are welcome, dancing experience not required! For more information, call 334-237-0466 or 334-347-4513.

Enterprise Parks and Recreation is hosting senior aerobics at the Civic Center Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Make new friends, enjoy fun music and get moving!

St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church will host a program for anyone interested in learning the teachings of the church Christ founded, the Catholic Church. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is held each Wednesday at 123 Heath Street in Enterprise. For more information, call 334-347-6751 or 334-464-1930.

To submit an announcement or event, email news@eprisenow.com

To submit an announcement or event, email news@eprisenow.com
The revived Luna cryptocurrency has dashed many investors hopes by falling to an all-time low.

Hoang Anh, a marketer in Hanoi, said he owns both the new and old versions of Terras cryptocurrency, Luna and Lunc, or Luna Classic.

He had viewed Lunc, whose market cap has fallen to less than a billion dollars from US$40 billion a couple months ago, as a gamble, but was hopeful about the new version.

Like many other amateur investors, he too bought Luna in early June at $8 a token after it had doubled to over $11 on May 31.

But it has since plummeted to $2-3 despite a rebound in most large-cap cryptocurrencies.

Prices of Luna and Luna Classic (Lunc) has been falling despite a rebound in most large-cap cryptocurrencies. Photo by VnExpress/Luu Quy

Anh said he had to sell to cut a portion losses, but kept the rest in the hope the price would recover following measures by the development team.

Another Hanoian investor, Duc Duyet, bought $1,000 worth of Luna on May 31 as a long-term investment and also bought some Lunc to try bottom-fishing.

But Luna has lost over 70 percent of its value since, while Lunc has fallen close to his cost price after making some gains.

"Perhaps I should delete the trading app so that I dont have to worry about it any more."

The Luna investor community in Vietnam is in pain. Some bought not only Luna and Lunc but also some other Terra-related cryptocurrencies like ANC and USTC. Overall, their values have fallen by at least 20 percent.

"Are we being scammed for a second time, everyone?" Ngoc Bach, an investor, posted in a cryptocurrency group.

Luna's all-time price chart. Photo courtesy of CoinMarketCap

In those groups, members are divided into two camps: some still have faith in the development team and are holding on to the tokens, waiting for prices to surge, but others have thrown in the towel and sold out.

Nguyen Tien Bac, an administrator of a group, said many Vietnamese investors are still looking to profit from Luna and Lunc.

They believe Lunc, once among the top 10 cryptocurrency by market cap, is "too big to fail" while the new Luna reached the billion-dollar mark immediately after listing.

But Bac warned that prices are unlikely to climb any since supply of tokens in the trillions now.

"Gains, if any, will possibly be because of manipulation."

A recent expose and the development teams silence have dragged Lunas price down, according to the blockchain-focused website CryptoSlate.

On June 6, a Twitter-based Terra community whistleblower known as "FatMan" revealed that Terraform Labs, developer of Luna, and its founder Do Kwon had other secret and shadow wallets holding at least 42 million LUNA tokens, worth over $200 million.

This went against their claim of only issuing to the community and not holding any Luna.

Terraform Labs has yet to respond to FatMans allegation.

Do Kwons Twitter account has also been silent about future plans recently, and even went private for some time, heightening investor fears over crypto rug pulling.

CoinDesk reporter Krisztian Sandor said investing in either Luna or Lunc was "highly risky at this point".

"It's like purchasing a house burned down to ashes or putting money upfront for plans that only exist on paper, respectively."

He called Luncs prospect "uncertain", as developers now have little incentive to build any project on top of it.

For the newer cryptocurrency, the challenge is how many of the numerous protocols and development teams that were building on old Terra would stick around to develop applications.

Therefore, activity and user numbers pertaining to the new blockchain "would ultimately determine how much Luna is worth and if it will succeed," he said.
A man in Thap Muoi District of Dong Thap Province gets Covid-19 vaccine in October 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Tai

Hundreds of thousands of vaccine doses remain unclaimed across Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam as people no longer fear Covid-19.

In Vinh Long Province, almost 779,000 people aged from 18, or 99.8 percent of the province's adult population, have been administered their second Covid-19 vaccine shot.

But by Thursday, only a little over 62 percent of this group had received the third shot and just 5.4 percent, the fourth.

Ho Thi Thu Hang, deputy director of the provincial Health Department, said in most cases people are less interested in vaccination now that the pandemic has been brought under control.

In several other cases, some are anxious about vaccine safety, while others have contracted the disease within the past three months, she said.

"The province has more than 200,000 doses available. We are working with local authorities to boost vaccination progress," she said.

Duong An Han, deputy head of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Dong Thap Province, said more than 99 percent of local adults had been vaccinated with two doses and 90 percent with three. For the fourth shot, only 1.4 percent have been inoculated.

Dong Thap was allocated 150,000 Pfizer doses early this month and in the coming time, would receive 52,000 Moderna doses to vaccinate children aged 5-12.

"The province has administered 2,000-3,000 doses each month on average and we have tried to encourage people to get the shot, but vaccination process remains slow since people have started neglecting Covid-19," Han said.

He added that the province now has 15,000 people who have yet to receive any shots.

The situation is similar in Bac Lieu Province. It has more than 572,000 adults that have had two doses, or 98 percent of the adult population. Rates for the third and fourth shots are 43 percent and 1.49 percent.

Bac Lieu now has a vaccine inventory of more than 250,000 doses.

Meanwhile, the inventory volume in An Giang Province currently exceeds 100,000 doses.

An Giang authorities said many people refused to get the third and fourth shots as they believe the pandemic is over.

The Health Ministry said in May that many people don't want to receive Covid-19 vaccine booster shots, and that vaccination speed was slowing as both citizens and officials were neglecting the threat of Covid-19, making it much harder to persuade people to get vaccinated with the third shot.

Until now, more than 77.74 million of the nations 98-million population have received two Covid-19 vaccine doses and 59.3 million, the third.
Vietnam was hit by 5,463 cyberattacks in the first five months of this year, according to the Ministry of Information and Communications.

The report by the ministrys Authority of Information Security says 930 were Phishing, the type of attack that attempts to steal money or identity, by getting a person to reveal personal information such as credit card numbers, bank information, or passwords on websites that pretend to be legitimate.

Deface, an attack on a website that changes the visual appearance of a website or a web page, accounted for 776 attacks.

The majority of attacks, 3,757, were Malware, which is software intentionally designed to cause disruption to a computer, server, client, or computer network, leak private information, gain unauthorized access to information or systems, deprive users access to information or which unknowingly interferes with the user's computer security and privacy.

In 2021, the ministry had recorded, warned, and instructed relevant agencies to handle more than 9,700 cyberattacks leading to problems with information systems in Vietnam, an increase of 42.4 percent against the previous year.

The damage caused by computer viruses to Vietnamese users was VND24.4 trillion ($1.06 billion) last year when 70.7 million computers were attacked, according to a report released in December by cybersecurity firm Bkav.

According to Bkav, many Vietnamese still have the habit of using non-copyrighted software which is not updated regularly.

"Only about 10 percent of computers in Vietnam are equipped with anti-virus software capable of automatically updating and support from the manufacturer," said Vu Ngoc Son, vice president in charge of Anti-Malware at Bkav.
Press Release

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $1.6 Million to Establish Business Incubator in Charleston, West Virginia

WASHINGTON  Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced that the Departments Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding a $1.6 million grant to the University of Charleston, Charleston, West Virginia, to establish the Downtown Innovation Hub, a local business incubator.

This project will assist small businesses to create new jobs and economic opportunities. This EDA grant will be matched with $397,500 in local funds, and is expected to help create 95 jobs, retain 195 jobs and generate $6.3 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

President Biden is committed to ensuring that our communities are provided with the resources they need to diversify and grow their economies, said Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo. The new Downtown Innovation Hub will provide a place for entrepreneurs to develop new industries and create new jobs for the people of West Virginia.

The Economic Development Administration plays an important role in supporting locally-developed strategies designed to stimulate entrepreneurial activity, said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. This project will bolster the diversification of Charlestons economy, leading to new, good-paying jobs.

The EDA continues to be a strong partner for West Virginia, and todays announcement is great news for the University of Charleston and the entire Kanawha County community. The new Downtown Innovation Hub will support sustainable economic growth throughout the region that will create good-paying jobs and spur economic opportunity, said Senator Joe Manchin. I look forward to seeing the positive impacts of this funding for the Charleston community, our small businesses and the entire Mountain State.

West Virginias small businesses are truly the backbone of our local economies, said Senator Shelley Moore Capito. Our small businesses deserve to operate in an environment that fosters and encourages growth, and the creation of the Downtown Innovation Hub in Charleston will help do just that. Through my leadership role on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, I have worked to increase EDAs involvement in our communities, bringing critical funding into our state that creates and retains jobs by attracting private investment. Todays announcement is welcome news, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have in Kanawha County.

The Downtown Innovation Hub will contribute to job creation and provide support to West Virginia small businesses, said Congressman Alex X. Mooney (WV-02). This will provide a great opportunity for Charlestons business community to enhance their skills and strengthen the local economy.

This project is funded under the Assistance to Coal Communities (ACC) initiative, through which EDA awards funds on a competitive basis to assist communities severely impacted by the declining use of coal. ACC projects support economic diversification, job creation, capital investment, workforce development, and re-employment opportunities.

About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)

The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation's regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.
The effects of political instability, economic crisis, poor harvests and global supply shocks are having a disastrous effect on Sudan. So said Volker Perthes, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNITAMS, a United Nations Mission to assist Sudans transition to democratic governance, support peace and protect human rights.



A military take-over in October 2021 stopped Sudans promising progress toward democracy and economic reforms. Massive protests soon followed, as did international pressure on the military to respect human rights and move towards a civilian-led democratic transition. Foreign investment and international trade have been negatively affected, and debt relief and credit from transnational organizations, have been paused. Sudans already wobbly economy is feeling the impact of the takeover.



In an effort to facilitate negotiations between Sudans military government and Sudans many political groups and factions, UNITAMS, the African Union, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, formed a Tripartite Mechanism. Its goal is to facilitate inclusive, Sudanese-led talks to find a way to restore a civilian led democratic transition that is acceptable to its people.



The United States fully supports the Tripartite Mechanisms efforts to facilitate a Sudanese-led process to transition to a fully civilian-led democracy, said Deputy U.S. Representative to the United Nations, Richard Mills.



We strongly encourage the Sudanese people  civilians and military personnel alike  to use this process to make rapid progress on the framework for a civilian-led transitional government.



We must make sure that women, youth, and members of other marginalized groups enjoy full, effective, and meaningful participation and inclusion throughout every stage of the process. That is the hallmark of a true democracy, Ambassador Mills said.



The transfer of power to a civilian-led government will enable the resumption of international financial support and development assistance  support that is desperately needed. To make sure that progress happens, and that the people of Sudan are well-served, we are prepared to levy consequences on those who impede or otherwise spoil Sudans transition to democracy.

While progress is made toward the election of a civilian-led government,  the United States will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the Sudanese people and support for civil society, said Ambassador Mills.



We stand with the Sudanese people in their pursuit of a democratic, human rights-respecting, and prosperous Sudan. We will continue to add our voice to bolster theirs and take action to help them create a peaceful, democratic Sudan.
Digital technologies have tremendous potential to advance peace and security, said U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield. At a recent UN Security Council meeting on the use of digital technologies in maintaining international peace, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield noted that new technologies are already playing a critical role in the UNs peacekeeping efforts, and it is essential that they are used in a constructive manner.



Social media tools and messaging applications can facilitate access to lifesaving information prior to and during conflict. Data from satellites can identify risks from climate change, provide critical information to peacekeepers, and improve emergency communications during conflict and natural disasters, said Ambassador Thomas Greenfield. We can identify and stop famines before they start. We can find homes and housing and jobs for refugees. We can better protect our peacekeepers and those they are mandated to serve.



It is therefore unfortunate that tools with so much potential to improve peoples lives are so frequently misused to restrict human rights and to fuel conflict. In the hands of state actors, and in some cases non-state actors, these technologies are being used to cut off access to information, suppress freedom of expression, and spread disinformation, thereby escalating conflict, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield.



These actions hamper the ability of civilians to access health services, delay documentation of atrocities and human rights abuses, disrupt financial services, and restrict family members from connecting virtually to loved ones.



The United States, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield, works with numerous partners in the Freedom Online Coalition to protect Internet freedom and ensure that digital ecosystems respect human rights. And we support the framework of responsible state behavior in cyberspace, through which all UN Member States have endorsed the applicability of international law to cyberspace, along with 11 voluntary norms to guide states cyber activities in peacetime.



We are also standing together with countries around the world to protect against and respond to malicious cyber activities, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield.



To effectively maintain peace and security in the 21st century, we need to respond to 21st century threats and deploy 21st century tools, she said.



All of us who are committed to addressing and preventing conflict worldwide must do our part to ensure technologies serve as a force for positive change, and not as a tool misused to perpetrate human rights abuses, fuel hatred, and exacerbate conflict.
Foundation for Innovation & Entrepreneurship Development (FIED), the incubation center of Indian Institute of Management Kashipur, is an initiative to nurture and strengthen the entrepreneurship ecosystem of India. With the help of the Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology, Uttarakhand Government and other supporting partners, FIED is set to incubate the most promising start-ups of India in the domains of Tourism and Hospitality, Agriculture, Art and Craft, and Education.The incubation centre is growing in leaps and bounds. Currently, 74 promising startups are incubated at IIM Kashipur FIED. FIED is firm in its resolve to help each and every person in the country who wishes to take up entrepreneurship as a career or play a role in the ecosystem of entrepreneurship.By participating in this program, the startup will have access to structured and curated material, real-life business case study-based facilitated sessions, access to experts and mentors, and one-year support.DRISHTI 3.0, a one-year incubation program for business mentoring in Tech-startups (supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India).It works in two phases. First phase: 2-month business mentoring. The selected innovators become a part of our cohort for 2- months training and mentoring with experts from various domains. The aim of this engagement is to build the capacity, expand business understanding, and encourage collaborations between the participating startups.Second phase: 1  year incubation programAfter the training and mentoring program, the startups are incubated at FIED, for a year wherein their progress is continuously assessed and supported.
We tend to compare plant height to the ubiquitous sagebrush. Grasses are typically seen under or between sagebrush. It is always a pleasure to come across basin wildrye, a native grass standing much taller than sagebrush, even as tall as myself.

Early explorers described this grass scraping the bellies of their horses as they waded through a stand, if not hiding the horse entirely. Basin wildrye (also known as giant wildrye) remains common today, where it is said to grow on one million acres of the Humboldt River Basin.

The grass forms a clump three feet across and can have grass heads 6-10 feet high. Leaf blades may be 15-25 inches in length and seed heads 6-10 inches long. Some people in Elko use it as decoration, rather like the exotic pampas grass. An NRCS website uses several adjectives to describe it: Basin wildrye is a large, coarse, robust, perennial bunchgrass, sometimes with short rhizomes. It is a long-lived cool-season native with an extensive, deep, coarse, fibrous root system.

Wildrye has always been a vital grass to man. The seeds were once an important food source for Native Americans. Today, it is an important food for wildlife such as mule deer, elk and jackrabbits. The large clumps provide good nesting cover for upland game birds and winter cover for small mammals.

Wildrye is an important cattle graze. However, it is easily damaged by grazing in spring and summer, which can stop the growth of wildrye for the year. All grasses have growth points on their stems. If a cow bites off a stem above a growth point, the plant can fairly easily replace the upper leaves (at least before seed production.) If the bite is below the growth point, the grass must replace the entire stem and growth point. This requires much more energy, and the plant may not recover during that growing season from such a bite.

The distance of growth points above the ground determines their defense against grazing. A grass with low growth points makes it difficult for a cow to bite off the stem below the growth point and that grass typically does alright when grazed. Most bites take place above the growth point and the grass recovers fairly easily. Wildrye has such tall stems, that its growth points are 10-12 inches above the ground. Spring grazing means bites often remove the growth points and stops that years growth.

Basin wildrye is best grazed in fall and winter. Its nutrient value remains high at maturity (7-8% protein) and it can then withstand heavy grazing and trampling. Its tall stature and stiff stems make this forage accessible in areas of deep snow. It is ideal for providing wind protection in winter calving pastures.

Wildrye has a good root system and is valuable as a soil stabilizer. The tall grass reduces wind erosion and traps blowing snow. It also tolerates drought, and its seeds germinate easily. All this makes its wildrye seed valuable. Commercial growers can get 400 pounds of seed per acre from irrigated fields. These seeds are often purchased to go into a mixture of other plant seeds and applied for mine and fire rehabilitation.

Much of this information was found on a valuable source of range articles, the University of Nevada Renos Cooperative Extension web site at http://www.unce.unr.edu. This wildrye article was written by Elkos Kent McAdoo and Winnemuccas Brad Schultz.

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ELKO  Hundreds of vendors filled the convention center and surrounding area this week for the 36th annual Elko Mining Expo.

Business owners and sales representatives networked at the event which hosted more than 300 booths.

Elden Lowe, business department manager for Andritz Digital Solutions, demonstrated some of the companys products.

We are changing the way that automation and digitalization is being used in mineral processing today, he said. Were optimizing from truck to tailings.

We have a very holistic approach to that. We look at asset management, we look at equipment, people, and the environment while doing the optimization at the plant.

Steve Antonini of Jentech Drilling talked about the drill bits the company produces, such as the drag bit.

What this is used for is in really hard clay and some sandy areas where its really hard  you can get down through this before you use your other bits.

Eric Fish manned the Water Solve Environmental Solutions booth.

We help miners with watering, and help them separate solids from water, he said.

The Michigan-based company sells a wide range of dewatering and environmental remediation products that can be scaled for any size.

Connor Manning of the Nevada Safety Consultation and Training Section explained the agencys services offered to mining and construction industries.

We really focus on educating employers and organizations on how they can improve their safety and work environment, he said.

Whats really cool about us is that when youre open to working with us, the enforcement side of OSHA will leave you alone for a while.

Finding employees has been a challenge in the industry.

Becky Collier of Geotemps in Elko said We do staffing and are here to help with any kind of industry if you need help getting some folks on board.

Rubicon Mechanical LLC was a hit with children who visited the Expo. They had a sandbox and lever-operated shovels that could be used to scoop up sand and place it in dump trucks.

This is a lot harder than it looks, right? the children were asked.

The Winnemucca-based company services and repairs heavy equipment.

Another popular spot was a cornhole game set up at the Outdoor Power Products booth. The set was being given away in a raffle.

The Mining Expo continues Friday until 3 p.m.

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BOISE, Idaho  Perpetua Resources Corp. has announced that IMCO Construction has been selected as a partner to begin water quality improvements in the historical Stibnite mining district in central Idaho. The cleanup will run from July to October 2022.

Based in Washington with a regional office in Boise, IMCO has technical expertise in industrial, hydro, transportation, water and wastewater construction projects. IMCO was selected by Perpetua after a competitive bidding process.

Water quality at the abandoned Stibnite site has been degraded by elevated levels of arsenic and antimony from millions of tons of unconstrained tailings and other mine waste left behind by previous operators over the last 100 years. Perpetua has been granted permission from the Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Department of Agriculture to conduct time-critical early action cleanup activities.

A press release from Perpetua said the company has been committed to site restoration as part of its vision and looks forward to taking meaningful steps to improve water quality.

Action to improve water quality at Stibnite has been needed for decades, said Laurel Sayer, CEO of Perpetua Resources. As we break ground on the first phase of early cleanup efforts this summer, IMCO brings a track record of successfully executing complex projects safely and a set of shared values. Isolating streams away from historically contaminated material is a first step in fulfilling our goal of leaving the area better than it is today and demonstrates that responsible partnerships with private industry can benefit the environment and people of Idaho.

IMCO Construction specializes in environmentally sensitive construction projects, working in remote locations for clients throughout Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and beyond.

Our team is thrilled to partner with Perpetua Resources to begin cleanup activities at Stibnite this summer, said Tyler Kimberley, president & CEO of IMCO. We understand the demands of working in sensitive backcountry environments. We look forward to bringing our commitment and technical expertise to protecting these critical environmental assets. We are proud to support Perpetuas vision of restoring a brownfields site.

In 2021, Perpetua Resources, the EPA and USDA signed an Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order on Consent giving Perpetua permission to voluntarily clean up key areas of the historical Stibnite mining district that would not otherwise be remedied by the additional legacy restoration proposed in the Stibnite Gold Project. Phase one of the agreement provides a four-year period to conduct time critical cleanup actions designed to improve water quality. The remaining phases in the agreement would allow for a more comprehensive remediation of the historical mining district should the Stibnite Gold Project receive permission to proceed upon conclusion of the National Environmental Policy Act review.

Perpetua, the EPA and the U.S. Forest Service have worked together to develop a detailed scope of work for phase one cleanup activities since signing the agreement in early 2021.

The stream diversion work this summer is expected to include:

Lining and improving the existing Hennessy Creek diversion channel around the Northwest Bradley Waste Rock Dumps to prevent leakage into the dumps and the resulting uptake of metals.

Removing the Defense Minerals Exploration Administration legacy waste rock dump from within and along a tributary to the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River and restoring the original streamflow course.

Creating a lined diversion for surface water that currently comes in contact with legacy contamination around Smelter Flats, the former mill and smelter site used by past operators.

The next time critical environmental improvements are expected to include the removal and relocation of at least 325,000 tons of historical tailings and mine waste away from the East Fork of the South Fork of the Salmon River.

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The Board of Regents for the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) voted 11-2 Thursday to approve the nomination of former state Superintendent Dale Erquiaga as acting chancellor, ending two months of uncertainty after the resignation of former Chancellor Melody Rose in April.

Among several other roles in the administration of former Gov. Brian Sandoval (now the president of UNR), Erquiaga served as the states K-12 education chief from 2013 to 2015, and was most recently appointed to lead the Guinn Center, a nonpartisan research think tank affiliated with UNR, late last year. It was not immediately clear what will happen to Erquiagas Guinn Center job while he serves as chancellor.

Only two regents, Lois Tarkanian and John T. Moran, voted against the nomination, and both did so not as an indictment of Erquiagas qualifications, they said, but as a protest against a process they criticized as lacking transparency.

The move comes more than two months after the resignation of former Chancellor Melody Rose after a monthslong dispute with top regents.

Erquiagas contract, effective July 1, will run through the end of 2023, and pay out $300,000 per fiscal year for a total contract value of roughly $450,000. Though it is among the higher-paid positions for public employees in Nevada, it still falls below Roses $437,000 base salary.

Regents approved that contract in a 10-2 vote, with Tarkanian and Regent Mark Doubrava voting against it.

Tarkanian did not specify her reasoning, but Doubrava took issue with the extended 18-month timeline of the deal, saying that regents did not need to wait for the legislative session next spring to finish before convening a search for a new permanent chancellor.

In remarks before the board, Erquiaga acknowledged some of the criticisms laid against him, including that he lacks a doctoral degree, telling faculty that: Its true, Im not from the academy. Im from Fallon.

So all of the faculty and staff have my promise to listen, he added.

He also acknowledged his relationship with Sandoval  the pair have known and worked with each other for decades  while addressing the presidents of the eight NSHE institutions in saying that were all aware that I know some of you better than others.

But you each have my commitment that we will work as a team, Erquiaga said. We should hold each other accountable, all of us the same. No favorites, no take-backs, no side deals. Just honesty and a joint effort to help you fulfill your mission.

In closing his remarks, Erquiaga also said pointedly that he chose to be acting chancellor, and that he had no desire to remain on in any permanent capacity.

To paraphrase Maria von Trapp in the Sound of Music: I am here only until arrangements can be made for a new chancellor, he said.

Regents also split on votes for new board leadership, electing current Chair Cathy McAdoo for another one-year term and Regent Amy Carvalho to replace outgoing Vice Chair Patrick Carter, both by 7-6 votes.

Carvalho was first elected to her Las Vegas-area seat on the board in 2018, and had briefly served as vice chair during the investigation into a hostile work environment complaint made by Rose.

McAdoo, who was at the center of that investigation, once again became the center of debate after she was re-nominated to the chair position, largely over the question of what to do once she leaves her seat at the end of her term this year  six months before the chairs term ends.

During deliberations, Regent Moran sought to delay the vote over the timing issue. However, such a situation is not unprecedented, and regents rejected a motion to postpone the vote by 12-1, with Moran the lone vote in support.

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President Biden has talked a lot about Made in Americaand creating 10 million clean energy jobs. However, hes just made a serious error for Americas solar manufacturing industry that poses grave consequences for the nations energy future, including a greater dependence on Chinese solar panels.

China accounts for roughly 70 percent of global solar panel production. Much of that stems from the massive subsidies Beijing provides to its state-owned manufacturers. China also dumps solar panels in the world market at below the cost of production  all to put U.S. solar companies out of business.

Beijings tactics have worked. Between 2010 and 2016, Americas solar industry almost disappeared under a flood of Chinese solar cells. It wasnt until the Trump administration imposed tariffs on Chinese solar products in 2018 that Americas solar industry began to regain its footing.

Since then, U.S. solar companies have invested in new production and new workers. Last year, American-made solar cells accounted for 18 percent of new U.S. installations  an all-time high.

Despite this, Americas solar companies are still struggling. In response, the Department of Commerce recently initiated an investigation into Chinese solar companies operating in Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia to illegally avoid U.S. tariffs.

Clearly, China is intent on dominating global solar production. But inexplicably, President Biden just issued a Solar Emergency Declaration that gives China a free pass to continue its illegal trade activities for two years. As NBC News reported, nobody will be punished  regardless of what Commerce finds.

It appears President Biden has been listening to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), a trade group that claims tariffs hinder U.S. solar installations. Thats nonsense, though, since the U.S. installed 23.6 Gigawatts of solar power last year  almost half of all new generating capacity.

Significantly, SEIA represents Chinese solar producers, including companies that use forced labor in Xinjiang, Western China. In fact, the American Prospect reports that some of SEIAs leading members are the same Chinese-owned companies that are implicated not only in the investigation of illegal tariff evasion, but in the use of slave labor to produce solar components.

President Biden has also authorized the Defense Production Act (DPA) to accelerate domestic solar production. However, until Congress explicitly appropriates additional funding, the Biden administration cant use the DPA for solar projects.

What President Biden has done is signal that China can ship more solar panels to the U.S. by any means necessary. And hes sabotaged the Commerce Departments investigation into Chinese solar manufacturers illegally circumventing U.S. tariffs. Regardless of what the Commerce Department determines, no Chinese company can be punished since the presidents declaration gives them a free pass for the next 24 months.

The COVID pandemic has already demonstrated the pitfalls of Americas over-reliance on Chinese imports. Allowing China to overtake Americas solar industry jeopardizes Americas energy security. President Biden should swiftly rescind his declaration  and hold Chinese companies accountable for willfully undercutting Americas solar manufacturers.

Michael Stumo is CEO of the Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA). Follow him @michael_stumo.

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The Uzbek version of late Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minhs collection of poems Nhat Ky Trong Tu (Prison Diary)(Photo: VNA)

Nhat Ky Trong Tu features more than 100 poems written in Chinese characters during the 12 months between 1942 and 1943 when Ho Chi Minh was imprisoned in China's Guangxi province.

In his remarks at the event, Ambassador Le Minh Khoi expressed his delight at and pride of the new publication, saying the collection has so far been translated into dozens of languages worldwide.

The diplomat considered the Uzbek edition a symbol of the Vietnam-Uzbekistan friendship which has been thriving over the past three decades.

Alishe Mukhamedov, Chairman of the Uzbekistan-Vietnam Friendship Association, affirmed that Ho Chi Minh's thought, morality and style are invaluable assets of the Vietnamese people and a guarantee of victory for national independence.

At the ceremony, six freshmen studying the Vietnamese language at TSUOS recited many poems in the collection in both Vietnamese and Uzbek.

TSUOS now offers Vietnamese language training to 15 students./.
Vietnam expects to export durian to China via official channel this year. (Photo:congthuong.vn)

The forum, organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), aimed to seek solutions for sustainable production and sale of the southern regions key fruits.

Le Thanh Tung, deputy director of the MARD's Department of Crop Production, said the output of key fruits in the southern region is expected to reach more than 7.3 million tonnes this year.

It is estimated that China spends 4.2 billion USD on importing durian per year, of which imports from Thailand account for 60 percent.

According to Le Van Thiet, deputy director of the Plant Protection Department, Vietnam exported dragon fruit, mango, lychee, longan, rambutan and star apple to the US. The export of grapefruit to the US is under final negotiation. It is expected that the US will open its door for Vietnamese grapefruit in the the next several months.

Vietnam has also exported dragon fruit, mango and lychee to Japan, Thiet said, adding that the country is negotiating with the Japanese agriculture ministry to ship longan to this market.

Meanwhile, China has licensed the import of Vietnamese passion fruit.

Vietnam invests over 815 million USD in hydropower, mining in Lao province

Vietnam has invested over 815 million USD in hydropower and mining projects in Laoss Attapeu province, the Vientiane Times reported on June 9.

Illustrative image (Photo: ThaiPBS)

According to Vietnam News Agency, Director of the provincial Energy and Mines Department Vithaya Phommachanh said that 691 million USD was invested in several power projects, including Xekaman 1, Xekaman Sanxay, Xekong Loum A and Xekong Loum B hydropower plants, which are expected to be completed in 2025.

The power projects also include a thermal, a solar and a biomass power plants, along with some transmission lines.

The remaining 30.8 million USD was invested in a transformer station.

Meanwhile, 93.3 million USD was poured in the mining sector.

The Vientiane Times also reported that Vietnam is currently running 417 projects worth 4.3 billion USD in Laos, ranking third among 54 nations and territories pouring capital into the country.

Last year, the Lao Government allowed Vietnamese businesses to invest in three projects, including two in the mining sector and one in the banking sector.

Two-way trade hit 1.37 billion USD in 2021, up 33.32 percent year-on-year.

Vietnam: ideal destination for global tech giants

Illustrative image. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam is again in the spotlight after Apples move to shift production activities to this Southeast Asian country, according to TRT World page of Turkish Radio and Television Corporation.

According to Vietnam News Agency, this move showed that Vietnam has emerged as a preferred manufacturing destination for global tech giants.

For the first time, Apple is moving part of its iPad manufacturing out of China, taking them to factories in Vietnam, Nikkei Asia reported on June 1.

The development comes as lockdowns in the Chinese city of Shanghai disrupted supply chains for various tech products, prompting the iPhone maker to find alternatives, it said, adding that an iPad assembler has already built assembly lines in Vietnam.

Apple is already sourcing its Airpod earpieces from the Southeast Asian economy, which has registered sustained economic growth in the past two decades.

Vietnam has placed itself as a favourite destination for outsourcing manufacturing since the country adopted economic reform in 1980s.

A number of garment and shoe makers have moved their production lines from China to Vietnam after 2007.

But where Vietnam has really made its presence felt in the past decade has been in its ability to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) in factories that are assembling and manufacturing tech products from smartphones to TV components.

The Republic of Korea (RoK) and Japan  home to some of the biggest technology names  accounted for 376 billion USD in total FDI poured into Vietnamese manufacturing sector between 2015 and 2020, according to one study.

Last year, the RoK electronics giant LG invested more than 1 billion USD to increase OLED display output at the port city of Hai Phong.

Even before the COVID-related supply chain disruptions, rising tension between US and China had prompted tech companies to shift production to other countries, notably to Vietnam.

According to an analysis of Nomura  a Japanese investment bank, Vietnams economy was boosted by almost 8 percent due to the shift in production during the trade war.

Vietnams manufacturing sector has grown in double digits before the pandemic caused disruptions globally. Samsung already accounts for a quarter of Vietnams exports while Intel has set up its biggest chip assembly plant there.

All of this has helped Vietnam, a country of 100 million people, become one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

There are predictions that Vietnams economy can overtake Singapore within a few years if it's able to maintain the current growth trajectory, TRT World reported.

Oxford Economics forecast that around 4 percent of global electronic exports will come from Vietnam by 2025.

Rubber exports continue to grow sharply in May

Vietnams rubber exports in May 2022 were estimated at 181 million USD, up 40.4% in volume and 27.9% in value compared to the previous month.

Photo for illustration

The Ministry of Industry and Trades Import-Export Department quoted data from the General Department of Customs as saying the average export price of rubber this month reached 1,645 USD per ton, down 8.9% compared to April 2022 and down 5% compared to May 2021.

In the first 5 months of 2022, the country exported 595,000 tons of rubber, worth 1.04 billion USD, up 8.1% in volume and 12% in value over the same period last year.

In general, in the first months of 2022, many types of rubber for exports increased sharply in both volume and value compared to the same period last year.

The Chinese market accounts for 99.7% of Vietnams total natural and synthetic rubber, with export increase in both volume and value in the first months of the year.

In May, the price of raw rubber latex across the country decreased slightly compared to the end of April. In Binh Phuoc, raw rubber latex is purchased by Phu Rieng Rubber Company at the price of 305-345 VND per TCS.

In Binh Duong, the purchase price of raw rubber latex of Phuoc Hoa Rubber Company fluctuates around 340 VND per TSC. Rubber latex in Gia Lai was purchased by Mang Yang Rubber Company at 305-315 VND per TSC, a slight decrease compared to the end of April 2022.

Three VN universities break into top 1000 of QS global rankings

Three Vietnamese universities have been named among the top 1000 in the latest World University Rankings 2023 released by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a British firm specialising in overseas education, reported VOV News.

Vietnam National University in Hanoi is named among the top 1000 in the latest World University Rankings 2023. (Photo: VOV)

Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh City along with its sister institution in Hanoi entered the 801 to 1000 band of the 2023 rankings, QS announced on June 9.

This year also witnessed the emergence of Duy Tan University in Da Nang in the 801 to 1000 group for the first time.

Elsewhere, both Ton Duc Thang University and Hanoi University and Science and Technology (HUST) made the ranking, entering the 1001 to 1200 and 1201 to 1400 groups, respectively.

The QS global rankings continued to expand the scale of global higher education institutions assessed, with 1,422 universities featuring on this years list, an increase of 122 universities compared to 2022.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, more commonly known globally as MIT, maintained its top position in the 2023 QS University World Rankings.

Criteria for evaluation includes academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty to student ratio, international student ratio, international research network, and employment outcomes./.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc and Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Manlio Di Stefano. (Photo: CPV)



Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc and Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Manlio Di Stefano reached the consensus on June 8 when co-chairing the 4th political consultation within the framework of the two nations strategic partnership.

In an atmosphere of trust, intimacy and mutual understanding, Deputy Minister Ngoc appreciated significant progress recorded in the relations over the past time, particularly in politics-diplomacy, economy, and science-technology. The two leaders agreed to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation in such new spheres as health, environment, climate change response, and renewable energy.

Deputy Minister Ngoc confirmed that Vietnam values and wants to beef up its strategic partnership with Italy, commending the sides sound collaboration in implementing their plan of action for the partnership for 2021-2023, which he said has created a driving force for bilateral relations to develop strongly in all fields.

Deputy Minister Manlio Di Stefano asserted that Italy considers Vietnam a top priority cooperation partner in the region and looks for more joint works in the fields of innovation, aerospace, hydrogen energy, and cybercrime prevention and control. He also praised the countries mutual support during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Vietnam presenting Italy over 300,000 face masks and Italy aiding Vietnam with nearly 3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

The two sides agreed to increase the exchange of high-level delegations, continue to implement cooperation mechanisms, and coordinate to build practical activities towards the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and 10 years of strategic partnership in 2023.

Noting the growth of two-way trade and the increasing presence of Italian businesses investing in Vietnam, Deputy Minister Ngoc and Deputy Minister Di Stefano expressed satisfaction at the positive impacts of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) on Vietnam-Italy economic, trade and investment relations. They agreed to achieve the goal of two-way trade turnover to USD6 billion this year and reach towards USD10 billion in the coming years.

On this occasion, Deputy Minister Ngoc suggested Italy soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and support the European Commission in removing its yellow card warning against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing for Vietnamese seafood.

During the consultation, they also emphasised the importance of ensuring the freedom of navigation, overflight, security and peace in the East Sea, and of respecting international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)./.
Uncle Ho memorial space inside Antica Trattoria della Pesa Restaurant (Photo: VNA)

Italian friends who love Vietnam, including members of the Italy-Vietnam Friendship Association in Lombardy, the Memorial Art Restoration (RAM) group, embellished Uncle Ho's relic at Antica Trattoria della Pesa (Ancient Scales) restaurant at 10 Pasubio Street, where President Ho Chi Minh lived and worked in the 1930s, when he went from Paris to Milan to meet Comintern comrades and Italian friends.

Speaking at the meeting on the occasion of the embellishment, Counselor of the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy Nguyen Thai Hoc emphasized that this was a very meaningful event, in order to preserve forever the image of President Ho Chi Minh, the great leader of Vietnam and world cultural celebrity, and at the same time expressing the love and respect for him of the Italian people in general and the city of Milan in particular.

According to Mr. Nguyen Thai Hoc, the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy highly appreciated and expressed gratitude to the Milan city government, the Italy-Vietnam Friendship Association in Lombardy, Antica Trattoria della Pesa Restaurant and the RAM group for participating in embellishing Uncle Ho's relic.

The stone sign, which was installed by the Milan city government outside Antica Trattoria della Pesa Restaurant in 1990, on the occasion of the 100th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh, clearly states: "This house is where President Ho Chi Minh often came on during his time abroad in the 1930s to protect the people's freedom". The sign has faded over time, and has been embellished by Italian friends, who love Uncle Ho.

Sharing with Vietnam News Agency correspondent to Italy, Ms. Ilaria Laise, a RAM member who directly participated in embellishment, said that since 2018, her group has participated in the embellishment of steles and signs commemorating those who lost their lives during the resistance throughout the city. "Together with the Anti-Fascist Memory Association, we have restored the memorial plaques of the new resistance fighters. When we saw that the memorial sign for President Ho Chi Minh had been degraded, the writing was blurred and unreadable; we sought to contact the Italy-Vietnam Friendship Association and repaired the sign as it in the current situation."

The bronze statue of President Ho Chi Minh, given to the city of Milan by the State of Vietnam and solemnly placed in Antica Trattoria della Pesa Restaurant since 2012, is being cared for and preserved by Ms. Francesca Sassi, owner of the restaurant. Ms. Sassi is very proud of the history of the house, as well as what belonged to President Ho Chi Minh during the time he lived and worked there.

She said that the house dates from 1880, and through many events, everything is still intact, from the name of the restaurant to the layout and all furniture inside, especially items related to President Ho Chi Minh. The corner of the table, the chair Uncle Ho usually sat to read the newspaper, met the Comintern comrades, the umbrella stand, the antique scale, the confetti in front of the house remain unchanged. People who come to the restaurant all love Vietnam, love President Ho Chi Minh and many of them are Communist Party members in Italy. They come there to share their love for Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh, although many of them have never set foot in Vietnam.

Antica Trattoria della Pesa Restaurant is the only place recognized by the Milan city government and known by the Italian public as the red address of Uncle Ho, which further spreads understanding and love of Italian people for Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh./.
OPEN LETTER FROM JPFO

12500 N.E. Tenth Place  Bellevue, WA 98005  JPFO.org  800-869-1884  info@jpfo.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  June 10, 2022  Contact: Floyd Neeland

--- An Open Letter to Gun-Control Supporters

Once again, psychotic murderous youngsters are motivating Democrats to attack guns, instead of attacking crime and psychosis. Why are children murdering each other? You don't know, don't want to know, and want to do what you've done beforethat everyone knows doesn't work.

1. Gun control is not related to crime control. Crime control is what's needed. People who commit crimes, without conscience or resistancethat's a problem. Crimes by psychopaths, that's a problem. Assault of every type is already totally illegal. That's done, enforce it, get results.

2. With 350 million guns already distributed, restricting more sales makes no sense. About half the nation, maybe more, qualifies as innocent gun owners. That's a good thing. They harm no one. Don't fail to grasp this. By aiming at them after mass murders, with repetitious laws, you anger a sleeping tiger. You defeat yourselves, and hurt us all.

3. By assaulting gun rights you merely aggravate the NRA and 100 million gun owners. This is not what you want, it's a battle you won't win, and it won't protect kidsjust like all the times before. You want to stop murderers and save lives, right? Do things that stop criminal behavior.

4. People bought 22 million guns last year (it's true!) because you're doing the wrong thing. People, even you, want to feel safe and have protection. Right now people feel unsafe, vulnerable and undefended. So they're doing the right thing by getting armed. Trying to stop them, because a tiny number of psychotics are acting out gets you nowhere. Surely deep down you must know that. You've been down this path before. If you don't change, then you are personally perpetuating the problem.

5. RememberAssault is a behavior, not hardware. Stop the behavior. Relying on this fabricated term "assault weapon" hides the fact that any weapon can be used in an assault. It is the crime, not the tools, that you must resolve. You are avoiding the problem, caused by people, so it just gets worse. You share responsibility for the bloodshed, along with the evil perpetrators, by adamantly repeating your past actions that you know don't work.

Work with the firearms community to stop hellacious murders. Or work with your fellow gun-controllers to illegally confiscate legal property. Only one will get the result you say you seek. Choose wisely.

Here is a compromise for youDisarm everyone, bad guys first. Disarming good people doesn't make bad people harmless.

#####
Minister Dao Ngoc Dung addresses the ILC110. (Photo: NDO)

Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung on June 8 attended and addressed the 110th International Labour Conference (ILC 110) in Switzerland, being held from May 27 to June 11, arousing the participation of over 4,000 delegates from Governmental agencies, labourers and labourer users coming from 187 countries and territories.

At the general discussion, Minister Dao Ngoc Dung expressed his high agreement with the theme of the conference, and supported the ILO's initiatives and actions to promote sustainable employment and a unified economy.

According to Minister Dao Ngoc Dung, these are also priorities that the Vietnamese Government is actively and diligently implementing. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-2021, along with measures to prevent and control the pandemic, the National Assembly and the Government have issued and organized the implementation of many social security policies. Thanks to that, the COVID-19 pandemic was controlled, Vietnam's economy recovered quickly, in the first quarter of 2022, GDP increased by 5.03%; while the labour market recovered, the unemployment rate in working age was only 2.46%.

Vietnam has a large-scale collective economic sector. "The collective economy in Vietnam has made good contributions to economic growth and restructuring, especially the agricultural economy; adaptation to climate change and moving towards green and sustainable development," Minister Dung said.

Contributing to the common effort towards satisfactory employment for all, the Prime Minister issued the implementation plan for Convention 98 and ILO Convention 105 on the abolition of forced labour for specific work groups to promote the implementation of these fundamental conventions. Vietnam is making efforts to conduct research towards ratification of Convention 87. The Government and relevant organizations are also studying and amending the Law on Social Insurance, the Law on Employment, the Law on Trade Unions and the Law on Cooperatives; develop guiding documents for the implementation of the Labour Code 2019, as well as implement activities to strengthen and apply international labour standards in Vietnam.

The consistent view of the Government of Vietnam is to develop comprehensively, inclusively and sustainably for people, putting people at the center, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, religion and social status./.




Vietnam's NAVET-ASFVAC vaccine (Photo: VNA)

In an article, it said when Vietnam first notified that it worked with US researchers to develop a vaccine against the disease, great hope was kindled in the animal husbandry sector in not only Vietnam but also the word.

On June 3, 2022, the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said the NAVET-ASFVAC vaccine produced by Vietnams Navetco National Veterinary JSC was the first in the world to have its commercial circulation authorised.

Five clinical trials were performed. Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien said that the vaccine is effective for six months. Its safety and effectiveness have also been confirmed by the US Department of Agricultures Agricultural Research Service.

An African swine fever outbreak was first detected in Vietnam in February 2019, and then spread nationwide, causing millions of pigs to be culled. The disease is harmless to humans, but leads to almost 100 percent mortality rate for infected pigs./.
Mykhailo Fedorov, Minister of Digital Transformation

A full-scale war in Ukraine has closed some doors for the Ministry of Digital Transformation projects but has suddenly opened others.

For example, our Diia.Business centres provide free consultations and assistance in starting your own business. Before the full-scale invasion, we opened 11 centres throughout Ukraine. We had a lot of projects and development plans. We have believed that digital tools could quickly turn Ukraine into a country of entrepreneurs. And we still believe in that.

However, the full-scale invasion has prompted us to make extraordinary decisions within Diia.Business. Namely, to open the first international centre in Warsaw. Initially we did not plan to expand abroad. Poland received the most significant number of Ukrainian IDPs. More than 3 million Ukrainians came here because of the Russian armed aggression.

Before the war, we came to other countries mostly as tourists. Therefore, we didn't need to know anything about registration, necessary documents or residence rules. Now people are in unfamiliar cities without understanding what the next step should be. We realised that they desperately needed our help.

Diia.Business in Warsaw is a temporary centre during the war. After that, we will decide whether the centre should continue to operate. It may be necessary to transform the centre into another institution that will better meet the needs of Ukrainians in a year.

We can already say that this idea has paid off. In three weeks, the centre provided more than 1,000 consultations. 85% of the meetings were related to starting a business in Poland, 10% regarded employment, and 5% were about staying in Poland and residence.

Key requests for consultation relate to legal details and stay issues. For example, entrepreneurs were most often consulted on exports from Ukraine to Poland, business registration and staffing. And Ukrainians who decided to stay in Poland were interested in getting a tax number, a Polish visa or how to get married.

Of course, not only Poland supports Ukrainians. Almost all European countries provide temporary protection to our people. In particular, this means that Ukrainians can also officially get a job or even start their own business. However, finding information on how to do this is not so easy. That's why we have launched an innovative hotline and chatbot format, where experts will tell you how to register, find a job or start your own business. If you have to move to the EU and need help with any questions, you can get it free in the virtual Diia.Business.

Since its launch, Ukrainians have already received more than 1,000 consultations. For example, a family from Mariupol with a dog is currently looking for housing and work in the EU. Or a team from Dnipro that makes hair care products. Their market in Ukraine has shrunk, so now they want to sell abroad.

Experts from the Diia.Business centres consult Ukrainians on living and working in Poland, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania, and Germany. We will gradually expand the list of countries.

Internally displaced Ukrainians can receive the same consultations. After the consultation, everyone will receive an individual road map with a list of useful materials, information about contact centres and other recommendations.

Any business cannot be fully prepared for the economic consequences of a full-scale war. Therefore, the state should provide all possible support for local companies to continue developing and entering new markets. We believe that doing business abroad will help Ukrainians survive the forced relocation times more efficiently and return to Ukraine with new knowledge and achievements to develop our country's economy.
Epicenter Agro, which is part of the Epicenter K group of companies, is considering the possibility of building and launching a packaging line for wheat and corn cereals, as packaged cereals will strengthen food security in Ukraine.

In general, Epicenter Agro is working on five projects in the field of crop processing, Svitlana Nikitiuk, the head of the holding's elevator business, said at the ProAgro Forum Elevator online conference "Strategies for the development of the grain storage industry amid war and in post-war period."

According to her, in addition to packing cereals, the agricultural holding continues to work on the issue of sunflower processing. However, she did not specify the details of the project.

The expert said that now Epicenter Agro is solving the issue of corn sales and is not planning projects for its processing in the near future due to the formed sales market.

"Today, every self-respecting businessman can afford a processing plant, including deep processing, at the same time, the market is formed and structured, and no one is waiting for us there. But we continue to study it and, as soon as we see the prospects for its implementation, we will move faster in this direction," Nikitiuk summed up.

Epicenter K was established in 2003, opened the first hypermarket in Kyiv in December of the same year. It has a network of eponymous shopping centers in Ukraine. It has also been developing the agricultural business since 2016. It processes over 160,000 hectares in Vinnytsia, Khmelnytsky, Ternopil, Zhytomyr, Cherkasy and Kyiv regions. The group includes 20 livestock farms and 15 elevator complexes with a total volume of simultaneous storage of 1.5 million tonnes.
Some foreign pharma companies decide not to cooperate with Ukraine, but majority submits proposals for procurement - MPU

Some foreign pharmaceutical companies decided not to cooperate with Ukraine during the war, but the majority nevertheless provided the State Enterprise Medical Procurement of Ukraine (MPU) with proposals for procurement, acting Director General of the state-owned enterprise Olena Zhuzha has said.

"We see great support from Ukrainian and foreign pharmaceutical companies. Most of them provided us with commercial offers as part of the procurement in 2022, we are contracting with them. However, some companies have decided not to cooperate with Ukraine in order to offset financial losses. But the majority of suppliers, both residents and nonresidents, continue to work with us," she said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

Zhuzha noted that in most cases Ukraine had the opportunity to replace drugs, the supply of which had become impossible in this way.

"Otherwise, we are discussing with these companies the option of providing humanitarian assistance with such drugs in order to cover the need," she said.

Zhuzha stressed that at present, the Ministry of Health is actively importing drugs purchased in 2021 and continues to purchase in 2022.
SOE Medical Procurement of Ukraine will resume the creation of a full-cycle procurement agency, Acting Director General of SOE Olena Zhuzha has said.

"The war confirmed our vision of the need to implement the concept of a full-cycle procurement agency. The process of joining warehouse and logistics capacities to us has been resumed as part of the reorganization of another state-owned enterprise under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine," she said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

Zhuzha said that with the beginning of the war, deliveries and distribution were stopped for the time being.

"Most of the logistics companies refused to transport goods to the places of active hostilities. They do not have an opportunity to reach the occupied territories. But we started to find a solution, and now we have active routes through those territories that are under control of the Ukrainian authorities and where there are no hostilities," she said.
South Africa: President Ramaphosa: 'I am committed to accountability'

President Cyril Ramaphosa says he and government are committed to accounting to the people of South Africa and addressing challenges that the country is facing.

He was speaking during a reply to the Presidency's budget vote in Parliament on Friday.

The President has been under some scrutiny amid revelations that there was a break in at his Phala Phala game farm where the alleged perpetrators were allegedly tortured, kidnapped and paid off to keep silent on the break in.

The President reiterated his earlier statement that the law must be allowed to take its course with the matter now in the hands of law enforcement agencies.

I want to reassure, and indeed remind this House that accountability is a responsibility I have never shirked or shied away from. When I was elected four years ago, I promised I would come to this House regularly and answer your questions, and I have done so faithfully.

The robbery that took place on my farm Phala Phala in 2020 is the subject of a criminal complaint, and the law must take its course. In other words, due process must be followed. I will therefore not be responding to speculation, conjecture, allegations, or so-called revelations. These must be ventilated in the proper and appropriate forums. I repeat, the law must take its course, he said.

The President reminded members of parliament that their  and his own  responsibility as MPs is to the people of South Africa.

Because we are a government elected by the people, for the people, and we are accountable to the South African people for all that we do. As I said [on Thursday], the people of South Africa must come first in all that we do.

As public representatives we were elected on the promise to improve their lives, and we are obliged to keep that promise. It is the reason for this government and this Parliaments existence, he said.

Working together

The President implored political party leaders in the house to work together with government in order to fulfil promises of a better life for the people of South Africa.

The recent meeting with the Presidency and political parties on the crime and security situation is an example of the way in which we can harness these synergies to address the most pressing problems our society faces. It is about cooperation, building trust and forging consensus. It is about building and nurturing spaces in which all voices and viewpoints are heard and considered, he said.

COVID-19 pandemic

The President highlighted that at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, political parties pulled together in order to make sure that the country is well lead in the fight against the virus.

That very first meeting, in March 2020 set the tone for the cooperation that would follow. The united front presented by political parties, and their rallying behind the national response, gave reassurance and confidence to a fearful and uncertain population at the time it was needed most.

In the ensuring months more engagements and consultations would follow around the lockdown and other measures.

These consultations were meaningful and effective. As much as some political parties had different perspectives from those of the government, we were however united in our determination to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic to save lives and protect livelihoods, he said.

President Ramaphosa said that collaboration is what social compacting is all about.

It doesnt only refer to government, business, and labour, but all of society. And as political parties you are elected representatives of the people of this country. You are here to speak for them and represent their interests, he said.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-06-10. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov discussed with German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht a package of military assistance to Ukraine from Germany.

"Had a productive VTC meeting with the Federal Minister of Defence of Germany Christine Lambrecht. We discussed the substance of the upcoming security assistance package from Germany to Ukraine. Eagerly awaiting the pledged support. Thanks for standing with Ukraine, " Reznikov said on Twitter Thursday night.
USA concerned over decision of so-called DPR court to sentence three foreigners serving in Ukrainian Armed Forces

The United States is concerned about reports of the so-called "DPR court" sentencing two Britons and a Moroccan serving in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and calls on the Russian Federation and its puppets to respect international humanitarian law, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

"We are gravely concerned by reports of a sham trial and its judgements against lawful combatants serving in Ukraines Armed Forces. We call on Russia and its proxies to respect international humanitarian law, including the rights and protections afforded prisoners of war, " Blinken said on Twitter.

As reported, the socalled court in Donetsk sentenced to death foreign volunteers who fought on the side of Ukraine - a Moroccan and two Britons.
The Kyivstar mobile operator received additional frequencies from the telecom regulator to use LTE 2300-TDD technology for the period of martial law in order to increase network capacity in cities with the highest concentration of data traffic.

Thanks to this, the company plans to increase the capacity of the mobile network in the border areas and in cities where a large number of residents from other regions of the country migrated during the war, Kyivstar said.

According to the operator's analytical data, after February 24, 2022, more than 4 million subscribers moved to the west of Ukraine.

A feature of the new mobile technology is that data is received and transmitted on the same frequencies, which allows the operator to more effectively manage network bandwidth.

The "peak" mobile data rate of LTE 2300-TDD at 40 MHz bandwidth can be up to 600 Mbps under ideal radio conditions.

For customers, the use of the new mobile technology means better mobile Internet services in places of high traffic concentration, high-quality video streaming, more opportunities for online financial transactions, faster launch of remote jobs, etc.

"Currently, we have turned on the first two out of three base stations LTE 2300 TDD in Ternopil. But we want to develop the new technology throughout Ukraine and plan to install 100 such base stations by the end of this year," Kyivstar President Oleksandr Komarov said.

The development of new mobile technologies in Ukraine became possible thanks to the assistance of government departments, namely the National Commission for the State Regulation of Electronic Communications, Radio Frequency Spectrum and the Provision of Postal Services of Ukraine and the National Center for Operational and Technical Management of Telecommunications Networks, the Ministry of Digital Transformation, the State Service of Special Communication and Information Protection. Also, foreign suppliers of radio network equipment - Ericsson, Huawei, Nokia, ZTE - are actively assisting in the implementation of this project.
The Government of Montenegro has decided to provide additional military assistance to Ukraine.

"In the coming period, the needs of cooperation with the Ukrainian side and partners will be considered to provide the necessary financial, humanitarian and military support," a statement posted on the website of the Government of Montenegro on Thursday reads.

It is emphasized that from the beginning of the war in Ukraine until today, Montenegro, as a full member of NATO and a candidate for EU membership, as well as a sincere friend of the Ukrainian people, condemns the unjustified and illegal invasion of the Russian Federation into a sovereign European state.

"The military and humanitarian assistance that Montenegro has provided so far is proof of the selfless support of the courageous Ukrainian people and the constant commitment to joint action against undemocratic principles," the Government of Montenegro said.
Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna has said that the three main EU countries have so far refused to grant Ukraine the status of a candidate for membership, despite the consent of the other seven, but did not name them, DW reports.

"In general, about seven EU countries - these are not Eastern European or Baltic countries, as you can imagine - have made proposals for some other format, offering extra-candidacy or conditional candidacy. There were a lot of different proposals, but in fact there are three main countries that do not want to give the green light for Ukraine today," Stefanishyna said during a visit to Brussels on Thursday, June 9.

However, the Deputy Prime Minister did not name these countries, adding: "If you do not want the decision to be made on June 24, then let me name them, and we will sit and discuss."

She noted that it is about a summit on June 23-24, at which a decision on the status of a candidate can be made. "I am sure that on June 24, none of the leaders of the European Union will be able to say no to Ukraine," Stefanishyna stressed.

During her trip to Brussels, she stressed that Ukraine had fulfilled 65-70% of its obligations under the Association Agreement and had created a system of anti-corruption bodies. In her opinion, any options other than the candidate status will "weaken the EU itself."

"We insist that the decision to grant Ukraine the status of a candidate is only the beginning of the process, and it is not necessary to spend all your political skepticism and capital on opposing this. This is the beginning of the process, this is a chance that Ukraine will either take advantage of or not take advantage of," Stefanishyna summed up.
Denmark is ready to provide strong support for the reconstruction and post-war reconstruction of Ukraine, Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod said after talks with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

"Just spoke with Ukrainian colleague & friend Dmytro Kuleba on how we can strengthen Danish-Ukrainian partnership even further and support Ukraine on its European path. Denmark ready to provide strong support to the reconstruction and post-war recovery of Ukraine, " Kofod said on Twitter Friday.

In turn, Kuleba thanked the Danish Foreign Minister for providing Harpoon missiles.

"Spoke with my Danish counterpart and friend Jeppe Kofod to thank Denmark for its support of Ukraine, including Harpoon missiles. We discussed the upcoming summit of the European Council where Ukraine expects to be granted the well-deserved EU candidate status, " the Ukrainian minister noted.
Ukraine has launched a pretrial investigation into the death sentence imposed by the so-called "DPR court" in Donetsk on two captive British citizens and a Moroccan citizen, Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova said.

"Ukraine has already launched a pretrial investigation into this fact and will take all necessary measures to ensure that all those involved in these illegal actions are held accountable for them," Venediktova wrote on Facebook.

She noted that in line with Geneva Conventions, Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner and Brahim Saadoun enjoy combatant immunity and as prisoners of war cannot be prosecuted for taking a direct part in hostilities. Their detention should only aim to prevent their further participation in the conflict. In addition, no prisoner of war may be convicted without having had an opportunity to present his defense and the assistance of a qualified advocate or counsel. This is the fundamental principle behind the right to a fair trial, which extends both in peace as well as war times.

Moreover, the prosecutor general stressed, in todays European space, death penalty is regarded as an unacceptable form of punishment, incompatible with the fundamental rights, the right to life and the right not to be subjected to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

"Therefore, phony sentencing of Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner and Brahim Saadoun is nothing else but a violation and mockery of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law obligations of Russia as an occupying power via proxies. Russia once again displays its alienation from the rules-based system and a blatant disregard of the very core of the rule of law, " Venediktova noted.

As reported, the socalled court in Donetsk sentenced to death foreign volunteers who fought on the side of Ukraine - a Moroccan and two Britons.
SOE Medical Procurement of Ukraine has purchased 35 artificial lung ventilators as part of the United24 fundraising initiative, Acting Director General of the state-owned enterprise Olena Zhuzha has said.

"SOE Medical Procurement of Ukraine has already purchased 35 artificial lung ventilators as part of the implementation of the UNITED24 program. The devices have already been delivered to the emergency medical care and disaster medicine centers in Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Sumy, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Cherkasy, Chernihiv and Poltava regions," she said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

Zhuzha said that the Ministry of Health is the recipient of funds raised under the initiative for the medical sector.

"SOE Medical Procurement of Ukraine is collecting commercial offers, holding an auction. The decision to make a purchase is made by the commission of the Ministry of Health. When this happens, the funds from the National Bank's account are transferred to ours, and we buy the goods," she said.
Ukraine is having a unique chance to hop on the EU train, Ambassador of Lithuania to Ukraine Valdemaras Sarapinas has said.

"Today we all see that Ukraine is experiencing big changes and an irreversible process has been launched. So, I believe that despite all these brutal losses, I mean thousands of deceased civilians and destroyed infrastructure of the country, Ukraine has a unique chance to hop on the EU train," the diplomat said in an interview with the Ukrainian Radio on Friday.

Sarapinas also said that Ukraine is making a sacrifice while defending freedom and security of Europe, as well as European values.

"I believe Ukraine's heroic resistance to Russia's invasion has made Ukraine's membership in the EU more realistic, although, before the war broke out, there had been a lot of skeptics saying that Ukraine was not a European country, that it was too poor and had a high level of corruption," he said.

The ambassador said that it was necessary to support Ukraine's commitment to pro-European development and grant it the status of EU candidate.

He also underlined that Lithuania supports Ukraine's membership in the EU.

"We never doubted that Ukraine is a part of the European family and it should become a member of the EU as soon as possible," Sarapinas said.
Joint International Criminal Investigation Team, which is investigating into the downing of MH17 flight over Ukraine on July 17, 2014, has reported the completion of the case trial.

"Today was the last day of the MH17 trial. The verdict is due in November or December 2022. The point of view of the prosecutors is read and seen here: https://strafdossiermh17.om.nl (English and Dutch)," the JIT said on Twitter on Friday.

As reported, the MH17 trial began on March 9, 2020.

In May 2022, presiding judge Hendrick Steinhaus announced that the public stage of the MH17 trial would be completed on June 10, after which the panel of judges would go to the closed stage to make a decision.

As reported, on July 17, 2014, the MH17 flight was shot down over Donbas, killing all 298 people on board. Two-thirds of passengers are citizens of the Netherlands. Citizens of Malaysia, Australia, Indonesia, the UK, Belgium, the United States, Germany, the Philippines, Canada and New Zealand were also onboard. The Joint Investigation Team (JIT), which includes law enforcement from Ukraine, the Netherlands, Belgium, Australia, and Malaysia, is probing the incident.

In September 2016, the Joint Investigation Group released its findings, according to which the airliner was shot down by a missile launched from a Buk air defense system, and a year ago it announced that the Buk belonged to the Russian 53rd anti-aircraft missile brigade stationed in Kursk.
Punishment for defense witness in actor Efremovs case upheld

 Moscow's Presnensky District Court

16:18 09/06/2022

MOSCOW, June 9 (RAPSI)  The Second Cassation Court of General Jurisdiction on Thursday upheld a 50,000-ruble fine (over $850 at the current exchange rate) given as a punishment Andrey Gayev, a defense witness in a case against actor Mikhail Efremov who had stated that the defendant had not driven his Jeep, RAPSI was told in the courts press service.

In April 2021, three defense witnesses in the case of Efremov were convicted and sentenced to community service for false testimony. In July, the Moscow City Court replaced community service passed upon Gayev with a fine of 50,000 rubles.

According to the case materials, Gayev and his friend Alexander Kobets were not present at the site at the time of the accident and could not be witnesses of the crash.

Altogether, three cases were initiated against persons claiming they were witnesses of the crush on suspicion of giving deliberately false testimony. Thus, Kobets and Gayev said they saw not Efremov, but someone else driving the car at the time of the accident. The third defendant, Tevan Badasyan, alleged that he detected another person being in the car alongside the actor.

In October 2020, the Moscow City Court reduced jail sentence of Efremov by 6 months, from 8 to 7.5 years. The actor was found guilty of driving under influence (DUI) resulting in vehicular homicide.

As established by the court, on the evening of June 8, Efremov driving his car crossed into the oncoming lane in central Moscow and collided with a delivery service vehicle. He was arrested on the scene. Alcohol and drugs were reportedly found in his blood. Victim Sergey Zakharov was taken to hospital where he died early in the morning of June 9.




On Thursday, June 16, at 11.00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency will host a press conference on the subject: "Cryopreservation of Genetic Material of Servicemen in Ukraine for Reproduction." At the initiative of private medical companies Ukraine is learning experience of the United States and Israel where military medicine provides services of preserving the fertility of the military. Participants include Chief of IVMED fertility clinic, obstetrician-gynecologist of high category, Doctor of Medicine, reproduction expert, member of the Ukrainian Association of Reproduction, European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, American Society for Reproductive Medicine Halyna Strelko, Director General of the Dila Medical Laboratory Oleksiy Babych; lawyer of the clinic IVMED Yevhenia Iskhakova (8/5a Reitarska Street). The broadcast of the press conference will be available on the Youtube channel of the Interfax-Ukraine agency. Admission requires press accreditation. Additional information by phone: (067) 502 3080 (Lina Beley, IVMED Clinic).
Tel Aviv University is introducing an additional 20 master's scholarships for students and researchers from Ukraine. This was stated during the meeting of the Ambassador of Ukraine to Israel Yevhen Korniychuk with the leadership of the university - President Prof. Ariel Porat and Vice President Prof. Milet Shamir, according to the Embassy's Facebook page.

During the meeting of the ambassador with prof. Porat was agreed to launch an additional twenty master's scholarships in the humanities for Ukrainians for the next academic year. Also, it was agreed to start cooperation between Tel Aviv University and Kharkiv National University. Karazin, whose premises were completely destroyed by russian troops, - the statement said.

The Ambassador also met with Ukrainian students and scholars currently studying at Tel Aviv University and discussed prospects for expanding university cooperation between Ukraine and Israel.

Since the beginning of russia's aggression in Ukraine, the university has supported our country in its quest to be a free and independent state. In particular, a special fund was created for Ukrainian students and scholars who were forced to leave their homeland due to russian hostilities. Currently, 17 students from Ukraine study at the university, - the Embassy notes.
The Egyptian Social Democratic Party announced Wednesday that it wants political reform to be the centerpiece of the national dialogue proposed by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi last April.

The National Academy for Training (NAT), which is tasked with organising the dialogue, announced Wednesday that it will kick off in the first week of July.

A delegation from the Egyptian Social Democratic Party led by party leader Farid Zahran and his deputy MP Maha Abdel-Nasser visited the academy on Wednesday and met with its executive director Rasha Ragheb.

"During the meeting, leading officials Zahran and Abdel-Nasser submitted a detailed paper on the party's proposals for the agenda of the dialogue and how it should be organised and participants," said the statement, indicating that "the secretariat-general of the dialogue should comprise members from loyalist and opposition forces in a balanced way."

"During the meeting, the Egyptian Social Democratic Party stressed that political reform should be the centerpiece of the proposed national dialogue because it is the locomotive that will lead to economic and social reform in Egypt," said the statement.

In response, the NAT's executive director Rasha Ragheb stressed that the academy's role will be confined to just organising the national dialogue and that it deal with all participants on equal footing.

For his part, Mahmoud Fawzi, the newly-appointed secretary-general of the national dialogue, said it will coordinate with all political forces to draw up a clear-cut agenda for the dialogue and that its council of trustees includes members from all forces.

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Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh condemned Thursday Israel's "execution" of a Palestinian youth in Hebron, and urged the US administration to intervene to stop the occupation authority's policy of field executions against the Palestinians.



The Israeli occupation forces kill for the sake of killing, Shtayyeh said.



Mahmoud Fayez Abu Ayhur, 27, a Palestinian from Halhul, to the north of Hebron in the southern part of the occupied West Bank, was shot dead by the Israeli occupation forces during confrontations in the town.

According to Palestinian news agency WAFA, the confrontations that took place in Halhul resulted in 4 injuries with live bullets, one of them in the chest, in addition to 3 injuries with rubber-coated metal bullets, one of them in the eye, which resulted in the death of the young man.

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Amr Nassar, Egypts trade and industry minister from 2018 to 2019, has passed away Friday aged 61.

His funeral was held after Friday prayers at El-Moushir Tantawy Mosque in New Cairo.

Nassar was chosen as part of Prime Minister Mostafa Madboulys cabinet that formed in June 2018, vowing to increase productivity and exports.

Minister of Trade and Industry Nevine Gamea extended condolences to Nassars family, hailing the deceaseds contributions to Egyptian industry.

Nassar obtained a university degree in engineering from Cairo University in 1985 and in law in 1990.

He authored a range of studies in the fields of marketing and administration.

Throughout his professional career, Nassar served as an executive consultant for the vehicle manufacturing leading MCV Group, and as a business development consultant at a number of international companies, including Sony, General Electric and ExxonMobil.

Nassar also served as as deputy head of the Egyptian trade ministrys advisory council for engineering goods export.

From 2008 to 2014, Nassar served as vice chairman of the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

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The Arab League (AL) stressed Thursday the importance of promoting Arab-African cooperation in various domains in the implementation of partnership agreements endorsed by the Arab-African summits held over the past years.

In his word before the closing session of a training program on protocol, crisis management, human rights, and development in Africa, Mohanad Salih Lajoozi, the AL Assistant Secretary-General and Arab Fund for Technical Assistance to African Countries (AFTAAC) Director-General, said the gathering is part of the Fund's annual activities to support African diplomats.

The five-day event was held at the Diplomatic Academy and organized by the AFTAAC and grouped 31 African diplomatic cadres

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In his first interview since taking office, UNDP Resident Representative in Egypt Alessandro Fracassetti explains to Al-Ahram Weekly the organisations efforts to support Egypt in its development projects, including on adapting to climate change and improving environmental protection.

Since he assumed office in November last year, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Egypt Alessandro Fracassetti has been busy with plans to help Egypt face up to climate change and the shift to a green economy.

Last weekend, and in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, he took part in launching the Scaling Up Climate Ambition on Land Use and Agriculture (SCALA) programme in Egypt, which over the next three years aims to support transformative climate action in land use and strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate change in 12 countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

A few days earlier, he joined the ministers of environment and tourism, Yasmine Fouad and Khaled El-Enany, in launching new guidelines to strengthen green development in Egypts tourism sector.

The launch of Egypts National Strategy for Climate Change 2050 last month was also hailed by Fracassetti as a way of planning long term to deal with climate change. This is a must, he said, which is why it is imperative to have a national strategy.

Nearly half the global population is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including rising sea levels, increased droughts, and more intense weather events, and climate change worldwide could drive an additional 100 million people into poverty. It is therefore essential that all nations have long-term strategies.

These can serve as a compass or direction for countries to commit to certain goals like decoupling economic growth from the use of fossil fuels, he said. In Egypt, the UNDP is proud to have supported the Ministry of Environment in drafting such a strategy, he added.

It is an important milestone to show Egypts commitment to climate action right before the COP27 meeting in November, Fracassetti said.

He pinpointed a couple of points about the strategy itself. First, it provides a guide for different sectors, important for mobilising resources from national and international partners for climate action. Any organisation Egypt approaches for funding in its efforts to face climate change will want to see the planning or directions in the related sector, he noted.

Second, it reflects the governments commitment to joining the global efforts to fight climate change and its adherence to the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) agreed on in the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change, part of an action plan to cut emissions and adapt to climate impacts.

Each of the Paris Agreements 192 signatories is required to establish NDCs and update the agreements secretariat every five years.

Asked about the role played by the UNDP in helping Egypt to counter the effects of climate change and facilitate access to sources of finance, especially in preparation for COP27, Fracassetti pointed to a number of projects that are currently being implemented with the government, on top of which is the installation of solar plants on rooftops.

We have installed solar plants on 129 buildings, including private and state-owned buildings, he said. The UNDP is working on this project in 15 governorates with a total capacity of 11 Megawatts (MW) and a total saving of electricity to 17.6 Gigawatts (GW)/year.

It is also giving a hand to government plans to strengthen the finance and management systems of 19 protected areas across the country, including two in Sharm El-Sheikh, where COP27 will be held, Al-Naqb and Ras Mohamed.

In preparations for COP27, he added, the UNDP is helping with a number of projects in Sharm El-Sheikh including two hotels in which solar panels have already been installed and another eight that have signed contracts to install electricity-generating solar panels.

There are 10 other hotels in the Red Sea resort that are waiting to sign similar contracts, in addition to installing solar power in Sharm El-Sheikhs airport and main hospital. By focusing on Sharm El-Sheikh, Fracassetti said, the city could become a model of the energy transition in Egypt and set a good example for other cities to follow.

We also support the Foreign Ministry with training, capacity building, best practices, and logistics to be able to be effective in preparation, negotiations and consultation during COP27, he added.

OTHER PROJECTS

Casting light on other longstanding projects in Egypt, Fracassetti pointed to the UNDP Nile Delta project. In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the UN body for assessing the science related to climate change, wrote that the Nile Delta is one of the most vulnerable areas when it comes to sea level rises and extreme weather conditions.

The region, Fracassetti said, accounts for more than half of Egypts economic activities through agriculture, industries, and fisheries, and it contributes 20 per cent of Egypts GDP. As a result, the government has worked with international partners to find solutions to protect the Deltas vulnerable areas and the people whose lives might be affected.

With the support of the UNs green climate fund, Egypt started the widest adaptive programme in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to establish 70 km of a low-dike system to protect the low-lying land in the Delta from coastal flooding. It provides a nature-based solution that works with natural elements and helps protect the lives and livelihoods of over 17 million people as well as increasing the values of property.

The UNDP also plays a role in helping the government to realise the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Fracassetti said that the SDGs require trillions of dollars to be implemented, so it is not possible for the government on its own to implement them and requires the support of the private sector.

The UNDP, he added, considers the SDGs as a whole, but it urges every government to set priorities according to its own needs. In Egypts case, the UNDP has focused on the area of fighting poverty in recent years.

In doing so, it prioritises inclusive growth, which looks at vulnerable groups or those that are more at risk of being left behind. It supports the government in areas like job creation, addressing inequalities, and trying to ensure that no one is forgotten.

One approach to creating jobs, Fracassetti explained, was made in partnership with the government and the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (MSMEDA) to provide financial and technical support for SMEs in Egypt. Through this partnership, the UNDP has managed to disburse LE2.9 million, which has helped 630,000 enterprises and created over 960 jobs. In 2019 alone, the partnership managed to create 260,000 jobs for some of the most vulnerable groups in society. The number is expected to reach 700,000 by the end of 2022.

Fracassetti also hailed Egypts Decent Life initiative as one of the most ambitious development programmes that we know of from any government to address poor villages.

Within the framework of the initiative, the UNDP is involved in two programmes. It has started an EU-funded programme with the Ministry of Local Development to pilot, modernise, and decentralise local administrative systems in four governorates, Fayoum, Beni Sweif, Luxor, and Aswan. The programme is worth seven million euros and covers a total of 33 districts. The first phase comprises nine districts that are included in the initiative. The majority of the remaining 24 districts will be included in the second and third phases.

The other programme is being implemented with the Ministry of Social Solidarity to support the gender and social-protection component of the Takaful and Karama (Solidarity and Dignity) programmes to support vulnerable groups, especially women and people with disabilities, to get better access to social-protection services. The programme, funded by the EU and UK, included 585 women rural leaders who play an influential role in their communities.

They were trained within the framework of the Waai (Awareness) programme for community development, launched in 2020, that aims to enhance awareness and knowledge on issues like child marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), abandonment, health and education issues, the rights of the persons with disabilities (PwDs), and the economic empowerment of the poorest marginalised families.

Another UNDP contribution is the long-standing programme that started in 2012 in collaboration with the Egyptian Network for Integrated Development (ENID), a NGO, and the ministry of international cooperation to develop viable and sustainable employment opportunities in Upper Egypt, especially for women.

In a follow-up field visit, Fracassetti went to the Qena governorate two weeks ago within the framework of the programme. The beneficiaries are mostly women, including those who work in garment factories and others who have opened their own small businesses. We help women start their businesses, train them, find funds for them, and connect them to the market, he said.

He also mentioned UNDP cooperation with the National Council for Women (NCW). Earlier this year, we produced together with UN Women and UNFPA the first report on women victims of violence in Egypt, he said, expressing the hope that this will be a reference work to policy-makers who cater for the needs of women and girls with disabilities.

CHALLENGES

Asked whether the UNDP found some SDGs more challenging than others, Fracassetti reiterated that his organisation looks at them as a whole. The UNDP formulates Country Programme Documents (CPDs), five-year plans that guide it through what is most needed and what the government and other partners are requesting.

In the current CPD, running from 2018 to 2022, the UNDP looked at a number of priorities including eradicating poverty, SDG1, accelerating structural transformation and building resilience to crises and shocks so as to leave no one behind. This also means adaptation to climate change or anything to do with disaster prevention and dealing with the whole issue of resilience, he said.

Fracassetti said that the results of the current CPD will be revealed soon. The UNDP is currently preparing the next CPD from 2023 to 2027.

With regard to strategic innovation and digital transformation, Fracassetti referred to UNDP administrator Achim Steiners words during the recent World Economic Forum in Davos. Our future is digital; if youre not part of it, youre out of it, Steiner said.

Thus, digitisation is not something that can be avoided, and it has an impact on all aspects of development. In Egypt, Fracassetti said, the UNDP has worked with the government on the process of digital transformation in the post office, serving millions of citizens. Some 5,000 branches that employ 50,000 staff were provided with internal audit functioning to improve risk and management systems.

The Yalla application was also launched to help people get access to their money online and perform other services. This project, he added, is very important in Egypt, given that nearly half the population does not have bank accounts.

In the area of digitisation, together with the Ministry of Communication, Fracassetti explained, the UNDP has encouraged social entrepreneurship that has helped create new jobs with 25,000 SMEs and social entrepreneurs as well as improving their digital skills. These projects have already reached 30 million people through a range of online and offline services.

The UNDP is the leading UN organisation fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Fracassetti, a national of Italy, started his post as UNDP resident representative in Egypt in November last year. Before that he was resident representative in Azerbaijan.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 9 June, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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Egyptian political forces preparing themselves for the national dialogue proposed by President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi on 26 April reject any participation by Islamists, particularly the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood.

The rejection followed a series of statements issued in recent days by a number of Islamists and Muslim Brotherhood officials living in Turkey and some European capitals.

The first statement came from Youssef Nada, a Muslim Brotherhood millionaire living in Switzerland. Nada said the door of the Muslim Brotherhood group is open for dialogue with the regime in Egypt We are ready for the possibility of dialogue with the Egyptian presidency and to forgive injustice without pre-conditions.

Nada is a loyalist to the Muslim Brotherhoods wing in London, led by the groups de-facto supreme leader Ibrahim Mounir. In October 2021, the Muslim Brotherhood leadership split into two factions, one based in London and led by Mounir, the second based in Istanbul and led by the groups secretary-general Mahmoud Hussein.

Political analyst Abdallah Al-Sennawi said in a recent TV interview that the Brotherhoods London-based factions approval of the national dialogue shows that its leaders recognised the group has lost enormous amounts of ground and sees the dialogue as a way of regaining the spotlight. He argued that Nadas statement was intended to test the waters and determined whether dialogue presents an opportunity for the Brotherhood to regain a toehold in Egypt political life.

Al-Sennawi concluded that any invitation to Brotherhood representatives to participate in the dialogue was at best improbable, and any hopes the Brotherhood has of reaching some kind of deal hopelessly misplaced.

Fattouh Heikal, a political consultant with the London-based Trend Centre for Research and Consultations, pointed out that this is not the first time the Brotherhoods London-based faction directs a message of reconciliation to the ruling regime in Egypt.

The Istanbul-based faction issued its own statement welcoming the dialogue as a good political tool while noting confidence-building measures are a pre-condition for the success of the dialogue.

Heikal views both factions responses as symptomatic of the severe crisis affecting the Brotherhood. Not only have they split into two warring factions, but they have been facing intense financial pressure over the last two years. Some of their leaders have been expelled from Turkey and their Istanbul-based TV channels have been closed, while Qatar, which used to be a safe haven for the Brotherhood in the past, has chosen to mend fences with Egypt, says Heikal.

A third statement, from the Islamist party Building and Development, the political arm of Al-Gamaa Al-Islamiya, saw the partys former chairman Tarek Al-Zomor say he welcomed participation in the proposed dialogue with the stipulation it should be serious and leads to tangible political reforms.

Al-Zomor was a member of Islamic Jihad which carried out the assassination of president Anwar Al-Sadat in October 1981. Al-Zomor and his brother Abboud were sentenced to life in prison following the assassination of president Sadat only to be released after the 2011 January Revolution. In July 2013, when millions took to the streets to protest against the Brotherhood rule of Mohamed Morsi, he fled to Qatar.

A fourth statement came from secular politician and manager of the Istanbul-based Al-Sharq TV channel Ayman Nour. The 58-year-old, who has been living in Istanbul since 2013, said all politicians should welcome the idea of a national dialogue but as chairman of the Union of Egyptian National Forces I should stipulate that pre-conditions are needed for the dialogue to be a success.

Al-Sennawi revealed in his interview that Ayman Nour has sent a secret message to officials in Egypt asking them to allow him to return from Turkey and participate in the dialogue and that Nour is a sympathiser and confidante of the Muslim Brotherhood and wants to act as the groups front man for them in the dialogue.

Nour dismissed any suggestion that he had engaged in secret contacts with Egyptian officials, though he added that he was a friend of the Muslim Brotherhood and the elected chairman of the Egyptian National Forces which includes the Brotherhood as a major member.

Groups across the political spectrum in Egypt have voiced their rejection of any participation in the dialogue by Islamist figures.

Farid Zahran, chairman of the Egyptian Socialist Democratic Party and an appointed senator, said that when President Al-Sisi issued his call for the national dialogue and said that political forces would attend he meant civilian and secular opposition forces based in Egypt which have never been involved in violence or have blood on their hands.

Tarek Radwan, chairman of parliaments Human Rights Committee, agrees that President Al-Sisis call for dialogue was directed to political forces representing the left, the right, and the centre, but not to groups which have been designated as terrorist or involved in violence.

When you call for dialogue, you are addressing forces which want to build the country, not those who want to disrupt it, he said.

Sayed Abdel-Aal, chairman of the Tagammu Party, told Al-Ahram Weekly that he had been taken aback by Muslim Brotherhood leaders living in Istanbul and London issuing statements. How can they square their descriptions of President Al-Sisis regime as dictatorial and the result of a military coup and at the same time welcome the dialogue, he asked.

Abdel-Aal also argued secular figures like Nour who have chosen to live outside the country and obtain money from hostile forces in return for attacking the regime should be excluded.

Mohamed Abul-Ela, chairman of the Arab Nasserist Party, told the Weekly that the call for national dialogue should be limited to civilian forces that participated in the anti-Muslim Brotherhood 30 June Revolution in 2013.

These forces revolted against political Islam in general and rejected any attempts to turn Egypt into a religious state, he said.

Khaled Okasha, head of the Egyptian Centre for Strategic Studies, told Abu Dhabi-based Al-Ain website that the Muslim Brotherhood has been heavily involved in terrorist activities via military offshoots like Hasm and Lewaa Al-Thawra, and is responsible for the murder of many soldiers and police personnel since 2013, a fact that precludes the opening of political channels to the outlawed group.

Okasha attributed the groups welcoming of the dialogue to internal crises and strife and the desire of its leaders to show Western media that it is a political force that rejects violence.

At an event held to mark Eid Al-Fitr on 2 May, President Al-Sisi said that the Muslim Brotherhood had repeatedly threatened to target the army and sow chaos across Egypt. He mentioned that the Brotherhoods deputy supreme guide Khairat Al-Shater had threatened him personally when the group ruled the country.

Al-Shater is currently in prison after having been found guilty in several cases, including on charges of spying for foreign parties.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 9 June, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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It has been almost six weeks since President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi promised a national dialogue to allow for a consensus to emerge over ways to tackle pressing political and economic issues.

Alongside the euphoria and scepticism articulated in political quarters, meetings and consultations with political parties, syndicates and state bodies have taken place with the aim of drawing up an agenda for the dialogue, a number of activists in administrative detention have been released and others who had received prison sentences have been freed after receiving presidential pardons.

Journalist and commentator Abdallah Al-Sennawi has been keeping a close eye on the developments. Speaking to Al-Ahram Weekly over the weekend, hours after a fresh round of activists were released, Al-Sennawi argued that events already reveal the intentions of the executive and the possible path of the political process.

There is a committee for the presidential pardons and it has clearly been working, Al-Sennawi said before adding he would like to see more and faster releases to allow us to turn a painful page.

Many activists, said Al-Sennawi, did not use violence or terror nor did they incite terror, meaning the charges against them can be qualified as being political in nature.

The whole issue, he suggested, could be resolved with a single decree, from either the office of the president or the prosecutor-general, the latter being the competent authority to order the release of people held in administrative detention.

According to the information I have, the committee compiled a list of 1,074 names eligible for release of which 250 [prisoners and detainees] are being released gradually. It is a process and some are on a priority list, he said.

According to Al-Sennawi, any judgement on the work of the Presidential Pardon Committee and the rate of the release of activists must take account of the context  the complex situation in the country and of the accumulations of recent years.

The release process has been met with aggressive resistance from some quarters and must therefore be managed prudently and carefully. The important thing is to keep the releases coming at a reasonable rate, he said. While it would have been better for all of the releases to have happened at the same time, given the constraints on the process one can only hope it continues as quickly as possible and without any hiccups.

Given the context, Al-Sennawi says there have been several positive signs, including the prompt release of Yehia Abdel-Hadi Hussein, founder and coordinator of the Civil Democratic Movement, who was arrested in 2019 and then released days after receiving a prison sentence of four years.

Al-Sennawi believes the sequence of releases has been gauged to pave the way to the dialogue because, for any political dialogue to be constructive and result in

productive state-building, people must believe that their freedom of expression is uncompromised.

An atmosphere of freedom is an essential requirement for any productive dialogue, he stressed, and we are waiting for more releases so that we can move from the phase of preparing for the dialogue to the actual process. It will, Al-Sennawi thinks, be around two months before the actual dialogue starts.

Meanwhile, consultations that involve the state, political parties, public figures, and others is ongoing. The Civil Democratic Movement is trying to reach a draft of [a paper] that reflects its views and its proposed agenda for the dialogue and to agree to its representatives to the dialogue, he added.

According to Al-Sennawi, the plan at the moment is that the opposition will have five seats on the technical committee that will oversee the national dialogue, with another five seats allocated to parties in alliance with the government, while the role of the National Training Academy (NTA), a body established in 2017 and affiliated to the office of the president, will be restricted to providing logistical support.

Al-Sennawi refutes suggestions the NTA will be in charge of the dialogue, insisting it will not interfere in the content or the path of the dialogue. Indeed, he argues that it is a positive sign that the body in charge of preparing for the dialogue is directly affiliated to the presidency.

Al-Sennawi is unsure whether state officials will be present in dialogue meetings or whether the government will be represented by political parties and public figures of choice.

It is far from easy to come up with the name of a political figure who could manage the dialogue. Such a figure will need to have the confidence of the state, especially of the president, and the respect of the opposition, and be capable of efficiently managing the process in a way that produces concrete, consensual conclusions.

Al-Sennawi argues that Hamdeen Sabbahi, the Nasserite political figure and a presidential candidate in 2012 and 2014, and other opposition figures involved in paving the way towards the dialogue have been doing a good job in conducting a reasonable, clear, and logical process of negotiations [with the state].

According to Al-Sennawi, a lot of ideas are being floated and it is important to realise there will be two types of dialogue  the social and the political. The first will have a wide-ranging mandate and address many problems that we face through meetings conducted by syndicates, parties, and so on and should produce concrete and consensual ideas.

The second, he argued, should have a fixed timeframe of between two to six months and will require tight structuring. Participants in this dialogue should not exceed 200 in order to ensure it is productive and not just an open-ended sharing of views and there must be clearly defined ceiling and criteria for both representation and the timeframe.

As for the expected conclusions of the dialogue, Al-Sennawi thinks it too early to make predictions given that political parties are still in the process of compiling their ideas and proposals.

The aims of the dialogue, however, are clear. It should result in a broad national accord that allows for the consolidation of ranks at a critical juncture when Egypt, faced with serious economic crises, cannot afford security disruptions.

The situation across the region is frail, though details of specific foreign policy issues, including the operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam which Ethiopia is constructing over the Blue Nile, the major source of Egypts share of Nile water, are unlikely to appear on the agenda of the national dialogue.

Al-Sennawi warned against turning the dialogue into a space for political point scoring.

This is not what we want to do. We need to address pressing risks and work out how to steer Egypt out of harms way. Only when the big crises are averted, he said, will it be time to revisit all policies of concern though even then the revisionism should not descend into provocation and squabbling.

While Al-Sennawi accepts that some political forces have questions on the process and possible conclusions of the dialogue, he insists that all political forces with any weight have shown interest in the dialogue with or without conditions.

It is only logical, Al-Sennawi said, for political entities to put forward their ideas about what makes a political dialogue productive and none of Egypts political forces are completely opposed to the proposed dialogue.

He argued that it will take time to take stock of recent political developments and for all parties to be reassured that this is a serious political process. Let us wait and see, he says. What really count are the measures being taken on the ground and how serious and meaningful they are.

According to Al-Sennawi, there is already an interest from the international press to learn about what is actually happening in Egypt and that such interest is quite positive. The proposed political dialogue is receiving more attention from the international press than the launch of the National Strategy for Human Rights in 2021 and will garner more attention on Egypts political ambitions than any PR campaign, no matter how costly, could deliver.

What Egypt needs is for things to be said and then to be done. This is how credibility is built, which is why the recent releases are so important. We can change the image of the country by implementing concrete and tangible measures on the ground.

To change Egypts image we need to have liberties, including freedom of the press. We want the media to have more space in which to operate. We want modern and democratic laws that allow for public elections to be conducted.

Al-Sennawi argued that many of the goals political forces want to attain via the national dialogue are already enshrined in the 2014 constitution, but in a situation where politics have all but dried up it will take time to build a modern constitutional state.

It would be wrong to assume that all the objectives can be secured at once. Nothing gets done overnight and the important thing is to put a process into motion and move steadily forward.

It is possible, Al-Sennawi argues, for the government to suspend some of its economic plans that have raised concerns, including its privatisation drive, pending a process of consultation that could produce innovative ideas to help boost the economy while keeping state assets as intact as possible.

While Al-Sennawi is fully aware of the reaction to recent jail sentences against former presidential candidate Abdel-Moneim Abul-Fotouh and the debate about the number of death sentences passed in Egypt in recent years, he does not want to see such issues derail the dialogue.

He said that recent sentences of 10 to 15 years handed down to Abul-Fotouh and other activists, including Mohamed Al-Kassas, a prominent figure in the now defunct Strong Egypt Party, were already scheduled.

Khaled Dawoud, former chair of the Dostour Party, proposed a [political] truce whereby nobody would be arrested for expressing their political views and I am hoping that soon this will happen.

Al-Sennawi is unwilling to speculate about whether decision-making circles have really changed their mind about the need for ultra-strict security measures.

Let us hold on to what we have now. Something positive is happening. We are seeing a certain willingness, which is still to be explored, to allow politics to come back to life.

The real test will be acts on the ground and the conclusions that emerge from the dialogue.

Amendments to the 2014 constitution, Al-Sennawi argued, are unlikely to be welcomed by the state despite speculation on the issue. Nor, he adds, would they help lead to a successful dialogue. Indeed, they will immediately undermine the dialogue. We should not tamper with the constitution.

In April 2019 several amendments to the 2014 constitution were passed. They extended presidential terms from four to six years each. Cumulatively, the amendments extended the presidents term until 2024 and allowed him to run for re-election that year.

Unwilling to dwell on the 2019 amendments, Al-Sennawi said underlining the [concept of] a constitutional republic should be the most important outcome of the dialogue.

We are now talking about a civil modern republic with social and economic rights.

Freedom of the press is the core of all public liberties. If freedom of the press is compromised then there is no point talking about public freedoms. The press is about public scrutiny and if it is compromised it means that people are not allowed to speak their mind, leading to political sclerosis.

The credibility of the press in Egypt has been undermined not just in relation to political context but also by a decline in professional standards. Today we need to move forward and open windows for liberties, though again, this is something that is going to take time.

In terms of the economic crisis  possibly one of the reasons behind the invitation to dialogue  Al-Sennawi believes there is a need to invite leading economists to pitch in their ideas. Some ideas are already being promoted, including a temporary suspension of mega projects and revision of priorities.

There is a need to underline the rule of law to allow investors and entrepreneurs to work with greater confidence and within clear guidelines without being subject to unexpected or unpleasant surprises.

And what of the ultimate goal of the dialogue?

By the end of 2022 Al-Sennawi is hopeful that concrete steps will be in place along a path that will lead to reclaiming the dream of a modern and civil state as articulated in the January 2011 and June 2013 revolutions.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 9 June, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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The small brown bird that frequently perches on my home windowsill suddenly captured my curiosity. I had just landed a copy of an (already sold out) first-of-its-kind guidebook on the birds of Egypt, which promises to help readers identify just about any bird in the country.

I wait for the bird when I am at home in the morning, hoping to observe the now study-worthy creature with new eyes, knowing that it is not just a bird.

Flipping through the compact guidebook, The Birds of Egypt and the Middle East, I stop at page 140. Spotted flycatcher seems to resemble my bird. But no, the book tells me, this one merely passes through Egypt during its migration and breeds in the Levant.

In a country known for its often-arid landscapes and hot weather, Egypt can sometimes evoke images of sepia-coloured deserts and sand dunes rather than of wildlife and nature. For this reason, a guidebook devoted to Egypts birds might seem like a distant subject, a luxury even. We are not, after all, a nation that is consciously aware of its birds. In fact, we know so little about the feathered creatures that the book even draws attention to it.

On the cover of the book there is a photograph of a Senegal thick-knee, long-beaked bird with yellow eyes, noticeably prominent knees, and disproportionally long legs that both looks and sounds foreign. Few people would know that this bird is none other than the iconic karawan, though under a different name, a bird often poetically referred to in Egyptian fiction, cinema, and song lyrics, but hardly ever visualised.

How many Egyptians do you know who have seen a karawan, Richard Hoath, a leading British naturalist and author of the book, asked me rhetorically last week. By choosing a karawan for his cover image, Hoath, who has been studying, writing about, and drawing these birds for 30 years, perfectly captures Egypts indifference to its avifauna. Not only have I never seen a karawan before, I was unaware of my own obliviousness until I read Hoaths book.

Egypt, according to the books introduction, has a staggering species list approaching 500 birds. This is comparable to Britains 626, a country in which bird-watching is a popular and inexpensive pastime, as it is in many other parts of the world. Even though it is not easy or advisable to be going around in a security-conscious state carrying binoculars and a camera, bird-watching is not exactly part of Egyptian culture. It is certainly an unusual hobby here, Hoath admits.

The 176-page book is published by the AUC Press in Egypt and also appears internationally as a field guide to the birds of the Middle East including Egypt, the Levant, and the Arabian Peninsula. Its compact size and inevitably tiny font, necessary to fit in all the 280 species of birds described, contains comprehensive lists and stunning photographs.

A brief 120-word description for each bird includes its size, sound, habitat and distribution with its English name in bold. This is because the English name is the most widely accepted name across the literature, the book explains, which generally follows the name used in the official Egyptian Ornithological Rarities Committee (EORC) checklist of Egyptian birds.

Hoath, who also authored and illustrated A Field Guide to the Mammals of Egypt in 2009 and has published many other books and articles on the regions wildlife, says he wrote the birds guidebook because there wasnt one available. It is designed to just throw in a knapsack when going out to the countryside or for a day out in the city.

It is a book for anyone familiar with natural history, Hoath said in a telephone interview. Its readers need not be professionals, just people interested in identifying birds to a species level. You flick through the photographs, which are the key to this, and see what comes closest to what your bird looks like. Then you will know if its a heron, an egret, a perching bird or a bird of prey, etc.

LANGUAGE OF THE BIRDS

However, The Birds of Egypt and the Middle East is still an English-language book selling in an Arabic-speaking country, and this being so its promise of identifying the countrys avifauna might appear to be a marketing misjudgement or a kind of glossy oxymoron.

Weve looked into this, Hoath says, but there are no specific Arabic names for species-level identification. For instance, the house sparrow is asfour, which is just a bird in Arabic. So, for most people it is more helpful to have the English name but also  and that transcends all languages  the birds scientific name.

The book is also aimed at the tourist market. Millions of tourists, particularly from Europe, flock to Egypt, and they bring their hobby of bird-watching with them, he says. People come over here, and theyll want to know what bird theyre seeing.

He also feels that the book could raise awareness of the wealth of Egypts birds. At LE300 ($16) the book is reasonably priced. I think anybody flicking through the book will look at some of those photographs and say, wow these are found in Egypt?

The bee-eater is here in the middle of the city, but you have got not just to keep your eyes, but also your ears, open, Hoath says. This devoted naturalist who lives in Cairos Garden City district on the eastern side of the Nile describes a likely scene in his bustling neighbourhood where the bird could be seen.

You hear kru kru kru and you look up, and there it is, flying around. Then you see how beautiful it is: chestnut above, turquoise below, yellow throat and black bandit mask.

The metropolis as a whole is not lacking in bird species. Herons and egrets are easily found down river, where they stay throughout the summer. South of Cairo, in the Maadi district, Wadi Degla is home to desert birds like the sand partridge, the black raven, and the lanner falcon. Hoath says he has recorded over 50 species of birds on the AUC campus in New Cairo, including 13 that breed in the gardens.

In Fayoum, 100 km southwest of Cairo, the diverse agriculture and desert environment is home to cattle egret, the little green bee-eater, and the hoopoe among others. Lake Fayoum at its western end is an open theatre for winter flocks of flamingos.

The introduction to the book explains that since Egypt has no natural borders, its birds are not exclusive to it, and nor do they recognise modern-state frontiers as they soar across the region. The twice-yearly spectacle of bird migration in spring and autumn, where Egypt, especially the Red Sea, is a key place of passage, remains one of the countrys greatest and possibly underrated attractions.

Hoath argues that Egypts uniqueness lies in the accurate portrayal of birds at species-level that has been taking place for millennia. Egypt has had this perspective over thousands of years that no other country has on their wild life. Even if youre not seeing the birds alive, youve seen them on the walls of tombs and temples, he says.

While many of these ancient birds are known to modern Egyptians, including the kestrel (the falcon-headed god Horus), other birds like the sacred ibis (venerated as the Thoth, the god of scribes) have become extinct in Egypt.

According to Hoath, this happened in the late-19th century due to habitat destruction.

The Nile Valley and the Delta is a largely artificial environment now. It is the result of a long series of the draining of swamps and the development of the valley for agriculture. The only area in modern Egypt featuring original Nilotic vegetation is a small group of protected islands, the Saluga and Ghazal, in Aswan.

Everything north of there is a largely man-made environment because of agriculture and now urbanisation. The papyrus swamps have completely disappeared. Everywhere south of there has been flooded by Lake Nasser behind the Aswan Dam.

Hoaths research on ancient wildlife inscriptions is the subject of another book project, a photographic guide to the animals of ancient Egypt. Because thousands of years ago the ancient Egyptians portrayed animals and birds in such detail on the walls of tombs and of the Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Hatshepsut temples, modern naturalists can identify them to species level.

In many ways, Egypt perhaps has the oldest history of bird-watching in the world, he says.

Flicking through the guides glossy pages, I failed to find the small bird perching at my window. But heeding Hoaths advice to open my senses, I successfully recognised the melodic sound of the bulbul at the break of dawn.

With the guides help, I recognised another windowsill visitor, which I had assumed was a pigeon, but learned is in fact a laughing dove. The description matched: a six-syllable call, doo doo doo doo doo doo.

The dove, which lives in a tiny public garden opposite my apartment, was determined to nest on  and damage  my new geraniums for weeks on end. The audacity of the birds indifference to my human presence and attempts to shoo it away was startling. Page 88 of the guide explains why.

In Egypt, very common resident throughout Delta and Valley Habitat and habits: farmland, orchards cities Very familiar even in large urban centres such as Cairo and Alexandria.

Yep  that would be my bird.

Richard Hoath, The Birds of Egypt and the Middle East, Cairo: AUC Press, 2021, pp176.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 9 June, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly.

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CCTV: President Alberto Fernandez of Argentina, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica, Prime Minister Johnny Briceno of Belize, among other leaders of Latin American and Caribbean countries, expressed criticisms in their remarks at the Ninth Summit of the Americas. They said that the US exclusion of Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua from the summit is unforgivable and incomprehensible, and that being the host country does not give it the right to decide the list of participation. They also urged the US to end its blockade and sanctions on the countries concerned. Do you have any comment?

Zhao Lijian: I have noted the relevant remarks of the summits participants from Latin American and Caribbean countries. I also noted that among those not attending the summit, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel described this Summit of the Americas as a neocolonial spectacle that serves the US domestic politics. Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said that countries should not remain silent about the hegemonic policies, and that the Americas should commence a new stage that rejects exclusionary policies. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said that the era is over in which the US sees Latin America as its backyard and believes it can dictate the actions of countries in this region.

What they said represents the legitimate concerns and just calls from the majority of regional countries. The US should not turn a deaf ear to them and needs to stop doing whatever it likes. The US needs to abandon its attachment to the outdated Monroe Doctrine and highhanded approach, stop bullying, coercion, blockade and sanctions, and develop its relations with other regional countries on the basis of mutual respect, equality and non-interference in others internal affairs.

Peoples Daily: Today marks the 23rd anniversary of the end of NATOs bombing of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. After an international legal team filed lawsuits against NATO on behalf of 3,000 victims over the horrific consequences of up to 15 tons of depleted uranium bombs NATO dropped in 1999, NATO responded by saying it has immunity from prosecution. Do you have any comment?

Zhao Lijian: Twenty-three years ago, US-led NATO blatantly bombarded the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia for 78 days without the approval of the UN Security Council. In total, NATO dropped nearly 420,000 bombs weighing 22,000 tons, including 15 tons of depleted uranium bombs. Over 2,500 people including 79 children were killed and more than one million people became refugees as a direct result of the bombings.

What is more heart-wrenching is that death and agony brought by the war lingered for generations till this day. As noted by experts, exposure to radiation emitted by depleted uranium bombs can show no symptom for years and depleted uranium bombs have long-term impact on the environment and human food-chain. In the 10 years after the bombing, about 30,000 people in Serbia developed cancer, among whom 10,000 died. According to the Institute of Public Health of Belgrade, by the end of 2019, the number of registered cancer patients in Serbia was as high as 97,000. A study of the Serbian emergency center shows that among children born in Serbia after 1999, many aged between one and five suffered from ectodermal tumors, many aged between five and nine contracted hematological malignancies, and there is a clear uptick in the morbidity rate of brain cancer among those aged between nine and 18. Besides, by May 2019, 366 Italian military personnel who participated in the NATO military operations have died of cancer, and 7,500 have fallen sick.

However, till this day, the US -- the country that sent military aircraft to drop depleted uranium bombs over Serbia and the inventor of this type of bombs as well as the only country that has ever used them -- continues to deny that depleted uranium bombs can directly cause Gulf War syndrome and Kosovo syndrome. During the Gulf War, the US dropped far more depleted uranium bombs over Iraq. NATO is also trying to get away with it by claiming immunity from prosecution. Such moves by the US-led NATO are shocking. Neither the Serbian people, nor people elsewhere in the world seeking justice, will ever agree to this. The US-led NATO should earnestly reflect on its war crimes, and provide a reasonable explanation and compensations to the victims of depleted uranium bombs as soon as possible. NATO must also seriously learn the lesson and stop creating new turmoil and division across the world.

Bloomberg: A group of advisers to the WHO have said in a report that more information and research are needed to investigate, first of all, the possibility that a laboratory incident in Wuhan was the source of the coronavirus strain that set off the global pandemic. In addition, theyre also saying that further study of the market in Wuhan that has been identified as another possible source is also necessary. Does the foreign ministry have any comment on this report by the group of advisers to the WHO?

Zhao Lijian: Chinas position on the study of the origins of SARS-CoV-2 is consistent and clear. We always support and participate in science-based global origins-tracing. At the same time, we firmly oppose all forms of political manipulation. Since COVID-19 broke out, the Chinese side has twice received WHO experts for origins-tracing cooperation, which produced a scientific and authoritative joint report and laid a solid foundation for global origins-tracing. After the WHO established the Scientific Advisory Group for the Origins on Novel Pathogens (SAGO), China recommended experts to join the group and organized events for Chinese experts to share research findings with the WHO Secretariat and SAGO.

China is the only country that has invited more than once WHO expert groups to come into the country to conduct joint SARS-CoV-2 origins study. It is also the only country that has provided multiple opportunities for its experts to share progress on origins-tracing with SAGO. China has shared more data and research findings on SARS-CoV-2 origins study than any other country. This fully demonstrates Chinas open, transparent and responsible attitude and its support for the work of the WHO and SAGO.

I would also like to stress the following points. First, origins study must be conducted on the basis of science and free from political interference. The lab leak theory is a false claim concocted by anti-China forces for political purposes. It has nothing to do with science. The Chinese side has invited WHO experts to visit the Wuhan lab, and the joint report reached the clear conclusion that a laboratory origin of the pandemic was considered to be extremely unlikely. Since the SAGO report has called for investigation into biological laboratories located worldwide where early COVID-19 cases have been retrospectively detected for the next phase of study, investigation should first target highly suspicious laboratories such as those at Fort Detrick and the University of North Carolina in the US.

Second, more and more clues from the international science community are pointing the origins of SARS-CoV-2 to sources around the world. The WHO and SAGO should take a close look at these clues, effectively cooperate with these relevant countries, and share research findings with all parties in a timely way.

Third, according to its mandate, SAGO should focus more on emerging pathogens with epidemic and pandemic potential in the future while conducting SARS-CoV-2 origins study. The recent outbreaks of hepatitis of unknown cause in children and monkeypox reported in the US, the UK, Canada and elsewhere have drawn much attention worldwide. The WHO and SAGO must take prompt action accordingly.

In a word, we hope the WHO Secretariat and SAGO will keep their position on this issue objective and just, and contribute their part to science-based global origins research and a united response to COVID-19.

China News Review: According to reports, at a hearing on the Jan 6 Capitol riot on June 9 local time, the US House committee said the assault was an attempted coup. Do you have any comment?

Zhao Lijian: The attack on the Capitol over a year ago shocked the world, and sparked wide concerns and strong questioning from the American public and the international community over the US-style democracy. An incident like this is called an attempted coup when it takes place in the US, but becomes a beautiful sight to behold or a democratic movement when it occurs elsewhere. This once again exposes the nature of the USs double standards when it comes to democracy and how the US uses it to engage in political manipulation.

I want to stress that no democracy should be considered as superior to others, and that to stereotype, politicize or weaponize the concept of democracy would only end up hurting others and hurting oneself. The US should earnestly reflect on its democracy deficit, and stop creating turmoil and division in the world in the name of democracy.

Shenzhen TV: According to sources cited by media reports, recently, the US forces illegally stationed in Syria have looted oil from the oil fields they occupy, smuggled and sold it abroad to make profits. Bassam Tomeh, Syrian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, condemned the US for acting just like pirates. Do you have any comment?

Zhao Lijian: I have also noticed relevant reports. They remind me of how the US brazenly seized the seven billion US dollars of Afghan peoples life-saving money 20 years after it invaded the country.

Today, more than a decade after the Syrian crisis broke out, there is no end in sight to US military and economic interference in Syria. According to statistics, the confirmed war-related civilian deaths from 2016 to 2019 amounted to 33,584 in Syria. In 2017, the US troops launched what they called the most precise air campaign in history in Raqqa, killing 1,600 civilians. A US raid in Idlib in February 2022 killed at least 13 people, including six children and four women.

Unfortunately, the US government, rather than reflecting upon its war-related crimes and responsibilities, has flagrantly plundered Syrias national resources, plunging the country into an unprecedented humanitarian disaster. According to the latest statistics, 90 percent of the Syrian population live below the poverty line, two thirds rely on humanitarian assistance, and 55 percent are food insecure. The Syrian peoples wealth is being plundered by the US in broad daylight. At the same time, US sanctions deprive the country of the opportunities for development. The Syrian people have decried the suffocating pirate-like behavior and economic blockade of the US.

Under US hegemony, it was not only George Floyd who could not breathe. People in Syria, Afghanistan and other countries that have fallen victim to US military intervention cannot breathe either. It is increasingly clear to the international community that inside the USs package of rules-based international order is in fact the ambition to perpetuate American interests-first global hegemony.

China News Service: The European Parliament adopted a resolution on June 9, claiming that there is a serious risk of genocide in Xinjiang. Do you have any comment?

Zhao Lijian: Spokespersons for Chinas Mission to the European Union and the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Peoples Congress have already made their response. The European Parliaments so-called resolution on Xinjiang has no basis in facts and lacks basic knowledge about relevant laws. The resolution deliberately smears China, grossly interferes in Chinas internal affairs, and blatantly violates international law and basic norms governing international relations. China deplores and firmly opposes this.

The issues related to Xinjiang are not about ethnicity, religion or human rights. They are about countering violent terrorism, radicalization and separatism and have everything to do with protecting Chinas sovereignty, territorial integrity and national security. Over the past 60 years and more, the Uyghur population grew from 2.2 million to about 12 million, and the average life expectancy increased from 30 years to 74.7 years. The so-called resolution of the European Parliament is purely based on the lie of the century concocted by extreme anti-China forces. This is just another preposterous show designed to smear and stigmatize China. Any lie and show like this will not change tranquility and unity in Xinjiang.

The European Parliament was lying through its teeth when it adopted the so-called resolution on Xinjiang. Certain members of the European Parliament should respect facts, stop using Xinjiang-related issues to engage in political manipulation and interfering in Chinas internal affairs, and stop stoking ideological confrontation in the name of human rights. China will continue to firmly defend its own sovereignty, security and development interests.

Bloomberg: Theres a Al Jazeera report that the Czech Republics parliament is mulling a decision on whether it will quit the 16+1 mechanism. And the move is seen as reflecting a broad level of dissatisfaction with 16+1 from a number of Central and Eastern European countries.Does the foreign ministry have any comment on the Czech Republics consideration of the 16+1?

Zhao Lijian: China-CEEC cooperation is a cross-regional platform jointly built by China and CEE countries including the Czech Republic, and has made positive contribution to win-win cooperation and common development of countries on both sides. China-CEEC cooperation, bilateral relations between China and regional countries and China-EU relations are the three major platforms for China-CEEC relations, and an integral part of and a positive complement to the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership.

Despite the impact of COVID-19, trade volume between China and the 16 CEE countries in 2021 rose to a historic high of $133.55 billion by 32 percent year-on-year, which was far higher than that between China and the EU during the same period. Facts speak louder than words. Such an outcome epitomizes the fruitful China-CEEC cooperation over the past decade. These statistics are gathered from public sources. Anyone without bias could tell that China-CEEC cooperation is practical and truly delivers.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the launch of China-CEEC cooperation. China is ready to work with CEE countries to take this historic juncture as a new starting point and further deepen this cooperation mechanism for more solid progress and greater benefits to the people of all countries.

China Review News: Foreign ministry spokespersons made comments on bio-military laboratories run by the US many times. The US has released a fact sheet which mentioned its WMD threat reduction efforts with Ukraine and other countries. Do you have any further comment? Do you think this is the US response to the questioning of the international community?

Zhao Lijian: I took note of the document released by the US Department of Defense. This fact sheet tells at length Ukraines compliance record but very little about how the US has done. It provided no answer to questions of biggest concern to the international community. For example, did the US conduct activities inconsistent with the Biological Weapons Convention through its cooperation with Ukraine? What exactly is the sensitive information that Ukraine is not allowed to make public according to the US-Ukraine cooperation agreement? How many biological samples did the US ship out of Ukraine according to bilateral agreement and for what purpose? Nothing is said about these questions in this fact sheet.

As I stressed time and again, the US conducts more bio-military activities than any other country in the world. Moreover, the US is the only country opposing the establishment of a verification mechanism for the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). The international community has long had concerns over this. Recently, Russia has further revealed the USs bio-military activities in Ukraine, and raised clearly that the US has violated the BWC. According to the stipulations of the BWC, the US is under an obligation to provide clarifications on Russias allegation so as to restore the international communitys confidence in the USs compliance.

We again urge the US to make full and detailed clarifications regarding not just Ukraines but the USs own compliance, which is the responsible thing to do. The US also needs to stop single-handedly opposing the establishment of a verification mechanism for the BWC.
The U.N. human rights office has voiced concern about the death sentences imposed by pro-Moscow rebels in Ukraine on three captured foreigners who were fighting on the Ukrainian side.

A court in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic found two Britons and one Moroccan guilty of seeking the violent overthrow of power. The men were also convicted of mercenary activities and terrorism.

U.N. rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani noted Friday that, according to the Ukrainian military, all three were part of Ukraine's armed forces. She said if that is the case they ``should not be considered as mercenaries''

Shamdasani said that, since 2015, the office has observed that the judiciary in rebel-run separatist areas ``has not complied with essential fair trial guarantees, such as public hearing, independence and impartiality of the court and the right not to be compelled to testify.''

She added that ``such trials against prisoners of war amount to a war crime.''

In other developments, the British government says Russia must take responsibility for the ``sham trial'' of two Britons who have been sentenced to death for fighting against Russian forces in Ukraine.

Aiden Aslin, 28, and Shaun Pinner, 48, were convicted along with a Moroccan man by a court run by Russia-backed rebels in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, which is not recognized internationally.

The two Britons were members of a Ukrainian military unit and were captured in the southern port of Mariupol.

Government minister Robin Walker said it was ``an illegal court in a sham government'' but that the U.K. would use ``all diplomatic channels to make the case that these are prisoners of war who should be treated accordingly.''

He said ``Russia needs to take responsibility, its responsibilities under the Geneva Convention, for the treatment of prisoners of war.''

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss is due to speak to her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba later Friday about the case. The U.K. has not announced any plans to speak to Russian officials.

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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 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 diseases 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.

WHOs 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 agencys continued public praise of the country despite Chinas refusal to share crucial data.

WHOs 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. Its 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. They said their understanding of how the coronavirus emerged was limited by several factors, including that not all research presented by Chinese scientists has been published.

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 WHOs 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.

WHOs 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-19s 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 WHOs team, the agencys director acknowledged that it was  premature  to rule out a lab leak and said he asked China to be more transparent in sharing information.

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 of that year.

WHOs 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, WHOs 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 pandemics origins, but that other countries should be the focus.

In a footnote to the report, WHOs 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 pandemics 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.

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Sileshi Bekele, the new Ethiopian ambassador to the US, who is a former chief negotiator in the GERD talks, made the remarks on Friday during a meeting between Ethiopias Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen and the recently-appointed US Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa Michael Hammer, according to a statement by the Ethiopian foreign ministry.

During the meeting, which discussed the latest developments in the Tigray conflict, Ethiopia requested the lifting of the US sanction on the country over the AGOA preferential trade agreement, "which is hurting the ordinary people and putting companies out of business," according to the statement.

Egypt and Sudan have repeatedly expressed readiness to resume the stalled AU-sponsored talks on GERD, but demanded Ethiopia sign a legally-binding agreement.

However, Ethiopia has repeatedly refused in years of talks to commit to signing any such deal.

The last round of AU-sponsored trilateral talks collapsed in Kinshasa in April 2021 due to Ethiopian intrasigence and refusal to sign any legally binding document.

In May, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry reiterated that Cairo is always ready for dialogue on the GERD issue, describing the file as existential and a matter of national security for Egypt and its people.

Egypt and Sudan have repeatedly warned against the impact of unilateral acts on GERD on their water rights and peoples interests unless a legally-binding deal on the filling and operation of the dam is reached.

The downstream countries have reaffirmed on multiple occasionas that they are not against development in Ethiopia but insisted that this development should not endanger their water rights.

Ethiopia unilaterally implemented the first two phases of filling GERD over the past two years, started the first phase in the production of energy from the GERD in February, and plans to implement the third phase of the dam filling in August and September.

Egypt and Sudan have called for involving international partners, including the US, in the AU-led negotiations process.

The US has affirmed readiness to provide political and technical support to the three countries by urging all parties to come to the table and resume dialogue with the help of observers from the US and the European Union.

However, a 2019 US effort during the Trump administration to mediate in negotiations between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia failed.

In February of that year, Ethiopia pulled out of a final meeting between the three sides that was sponsored by the US in Washington DC to resolve the dispute, refusing to sign any binding documents.

In May 2021, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed to President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi during a visit to Cairo the US commitment to exerting efforts to reach an agreement that preserves the water and development rights of all parties.
Seoul has snatched the title of best-paid city in Korea from the industrial port of Ulsan for the first time since 2006.

According to a survey on nationwide wages released Monday by the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the per-capita pre-tax wage of a company in Seoul employing more than five workers stood at W4.18 million (US$1=W1,173). Ulsan came second with W4.17 million.

The government announces the ranking once a year based on April data.

Ulsan overtook Seoul for the first time in 2007 and held the top rank since. But now the per-capita monthly wage in Ulsan has fallen 4.3 percent on-year, the biggest decline among major regions.

The main reason was the lackluster performance of the manufacturing industry, the backbone of Ulsan's economy.

Shipbuilders' overseas orders shrank drastically due to the coronavirus pandemic, and carmakers also suffered a sharp decline in worldwide demand, while petrochemical exports took a hit from low international oil prices and weak global economies.

As a result, the number of workers in Ulsan shrank 0.4 percent on-year in April and 2.9 percent more recently.
"It's such a critical place in the world, a tiny chain of 180 islands, but it is adjacent to a waterway where 40 percent of all the world's trade passes through, and 60 percent 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."

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.

"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."

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 one and a half years after the embassy was first announced, U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to soon nominate the first American ambassador to the Maldives.

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, China's 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 China's 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 China's 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 Department's 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.
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."

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.
Actress Han Ye-ri tied the knot earlier this year, her agency belatedly revealed on Thursday.

"Han decided to forgo a wedding ceremony in consideration of the coronavirus pandemic," the agency explained, while declining to give details about Han's husband, who is not in the public eye.

Han, who has built her acting career through several films and TV series, earned overnight global attention for her appearance in Korean-American director Lee Isaac Chung's film "Minari," which was nominated for six Oscars last year.


A prolonged drought is increasing worries among farmers. There has been some rain in parts of the country recently, but not nearly enough.

According to the Korea Meteorological Administration, cumulative precipitation stands at 166.8 mm so far this year, which is just half the average and the lowest since statistics began in 1973.

From March to May only 154.9 mm of rain fell, compared to 222.1 mm to 268.4 mm in normal years, and last month the amount of precipitation was just 6.1 percent of the average.
North Korea spent more than W800 billion so far this year to fire 33 long-range ballistic and other missiles (US$1=W1,255). That is enough money to buy coronavirus vaccines for its entire population or make up for most of the impoverished country's food shortfall this year. Yet Kim Jong-un has splurged it on his missiles. This is the true color of a tyrant.

"We achieved our goal of becoming a nuclear power and it is only a matter of time before we become an economic power," he claimed, and then harangued officials to "value every grain of rice, gram of cement and piece of timber" in their austerity campaign. North Korea faces an economic crisis not seen since the famine in the 1990s that killed millions of its people. Yet Kim always blames subordinates for his idiocy.

When the North saw a major coronavirus outbreak, Kim told people to drink willow leaf tea and recommended honey for coughs and keeping their windows open. That was as good as telling them to fend for themselves. When the international community offered to help in 2020, Kim threw a tantrum and responded by launching nine missiles in succession.

Yet the Moon Jae-in administration in South Korea continued to hail Kim as being a "leader who cares for his people" and an "enlightened monarch." Moon and his government were desperate to please Kim in order to arrange another summit, which they had convinced themselves would magically win them the next election. They followed Kim's wishes and drastically curtailed joint military exercises with the U.S. and even banned South Korean civic groups from sending propaganda leaflets across the border.

The North Korean leader is only interested in staying in power, and the North Korean people are his tools. North Korea is engaged in smuggling and cyber hacking to keep Kim's pockets lined with cash to spend on developing new missiles. This must be stopped. Stronger sanctions should be imposed to make it impossible for the North to funnel money that should be spent on vaccines and food into weapons of aggression, and finding humanitarian ways to help its people must be tightly controlled so the regime cannot steal even one grain of rice.


Speaking about the Ukraine issue, Wei said China always upholds the principle of objectivity and fairness and is making efforts to promote peace and talks. China will respond resolutely with countermeasures if anyone wants to make use of the Ukraine war to harm China's interests, the minister said.

The Chinese defense ministry statement on Friday was not as restrained. It said the Chinese minister told Austin that his country would not hesitate to fight anyone who tries to "separate" Taiwan from China.

A Pentagon statement said the two leaders discussed relations and regional security issues, including North Korea's weapons programs and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. "The secretary underscored the importance of the People's Liberation Army engaging in substantive dialogue on improving crisis communications and reducing strategic risk," the statement said.

U.S. and Chinese military leaders held talks Friday for the first time since U.S. President Joe Biden took office. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chinese Minister of National Defense General Wei Fenghe met face-to-face on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier security meeting. The two leaders had spoken by phone in April.

The two sides have several areas of strong disagreement. The U.S. has taken exception to Beijing's claims to almost the entire South China Sea as well as its recent show of military strength regarding Taiwan.

China claims democratic, self-ruled Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened to one day seize it, by force if necessary. The Biden administration has indicated it will support Taiwan militarily if China should act, though it has reiterated a long-held U.S. "one China" policy.

"The secretary reiterated to General Wei that the United States remains committed to our longstanding one China policy, which is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the Three U.S.-China Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances," the Pentagon said in a statement following talks. "The secretary reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the Strait, opposition to unilateral changes to the status quo, and called on the PRC to refrain from further destabilizing actions toward Taiwan," it added.

Austin is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue, which runs through Sunday. It includes defense ministers and diplomats from 42 countries as well as security experts, business leaders and weapons firms. It is the first time the event has been held since 2019 after twice being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

China's sharp characterization of the meeting with Austin is being seen as a signal to the Chinese public that Beijing would stand up to any effort to browbeat the country. The signal comes ahead of a meeting of the Communist Party conclave, which is due to approve a third term for President Xi Jinping later this year.

Reporting the contents of the meeting, Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, said his minister had objected to the U.S. decision to make another arms sale to Taiwan. The move violated the one-China principle and the three different China-U.S. Joint Communiques, he said, adding that it has also harmed China's sovereignty and security interests, and badly damaged China-U.S. relations as well as peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits.

Wei said that countries in the region have the wisdom to deal with questions concerning the South China Sea. Interference by external forces is not necessary, he said. The U.S. should work for the stability of the South China Sea, instead of stirring up trouble, inciting disputes and hyping confrontation, Wu quoted Wei as saying.

The ministry spokesperson also said the Singapore meeting yielded one positive outcome: that U.S. and Chinese officials agreed to continue discussing issues of military communication and cooperation between through military and diplomatic channels.
The maps a-d show depictions of the grassland management regime and respective land-use intensity based on satellite data in the district of Oberallgau (Bavaria) in 2018 on a 10km10km area. (a) Grazing classes (0-3; low to high grazing intensity). (b) Frequency of mowing (0-4). (c) Fertilisation (yes/no). (d) Land use intensity index (LUI): The values are grouped into five classes for Germany. Their colours range from green (extensive use) to magenta (intensive use). CREDIT UFZ

The Sentinel-2 space mission began with the launch of Earth observation satellite Sentinel-2A in June 2015, and Sentinel-2B was launched in March 2017.

Since then, these two satellites have been orbiting in space at an altitude of nearly 800 kilometres and, as part of the European Space Agency's (ESA) Copernicus programme, providing data for, e.g., climate protection and land monitoring. Every three to five days, they record images in the visible and infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which, with a very high resolution of up to 10 metres, provide a strong foundation for detecting features such as changes in vegetation. An interdisciplinary team of researchers from the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) have used this freely accessible data to study land-use intensity of German grasslands for the years 2017 and 2018.

According to the Federal Statistical Office, these grasslands cover an area of roughly 4.7 million hectares and hence nearly 30 percent of all agricultural land. "We need more information on land-use intensity of grasslands in order to better understand the stability and functioning of our ecosystems. The more intensively grassland is used, the greater the influence on primary production, nitrogen deposition and resilience to climate changes," says lead author Dr. Maximilian Lange. He is a scientist in the UFZ Department of Remote Sensing, which is embedded in the "Remote Sensing Centre for Earth System Research" jointly founded by the UFZ and the University of Leipzig.

A prerequisite for the long-term preservation of grassland is an underlying management, e.g. cutting or grazing. If left unused, the areas encounter shrub encroachment. But the intensity of grassland management is critical to their ability to provide ecosystem services. However, no Germany-wide data is publicly available on how farmers manage their grasslands. The UFZ scientist has now used the satellite data with a resolution of 20 metres to derive inferences about mowing frequency, grazing intensity of cattle, horses, sheep and goats, and fertilisation in Germany.

"The magnitude of these three types of management is critical to the intensity of use," says Lange. He defined mowing frequency classes from 0 (not mowed) to 5 (mowed five times per year) and calculated a grazing intensity from 0 to 3 (heavily grazed) from a mix of livestock numbers, species and age. For fertilisation, he distinguished between fertilised and not fertilised. He combined these three categories to derive an index that indicates the management intensity of a grassland area ranging from "extensive" to "intensive."

He used artificial intelligence (AI) to derive information on the three usage parameters based on the multi-dimensional data the researchers obtained from the satellite images. "AI can very efficiently derive information from data that are too complex for humans to comprehend. Reference data can be used to train machine learning algorithms to identify patterns in the satellite data that we can then evaluate and apply to infer conclusions for large areas," he says. Lange obtained the reference data from the field data of three Biodiversity Exploratories sponsored by the German Research Foundation (DFG) in Hainich, Schorfheide and the Schwabische Alb. Various experiments have been ongoing there since 2006 in long-term studies on grassland with different levels of land-use intensity. These experiments investigate topics such as how land-use affects biodiversity and the effects of changes in species composition on ecosystem processes.

Lange used two algorithms to evaluate how accurately machine learning recognises actual grassland-use from the satellite data: Random Forest, a standard remote sensing method for classifying land cover, and CNN (Convolutional Neural Networks), a deep learning method primarily used in image processing. The result: "Both methods do a good job of representing reality, and the CNN method is slightly better," he says. With the CNN method, the UFZ researcher was able to approximate the data from the DFG Biodiversity Exploratories, which ranged from 66 to 85 percent (grazing intensity 66 per cent, mowing regime 68 percent, fertilisation 85 percent) for the example of 2018. Random Forest based results were slightly lower for all three parameters.

This is a high classification accuracy for comparable ecological remote sensing studies, but it could be still further improved if more data on grassland-use were available. "The more data that can be used to train a deep learning method and the more accurate these data are, the more precise the results will be," says Lange. In a further step, he tested the results' plausibility in four example regions in Germany. Two of these regions (Oberallgau and Dithmarschen) are known for their intensive grassland-use, while one near the Rhon Biosphere Reserve sees only moderate use and the other, a nature reserve in Saxony-Anhalt, is only used extensively. This comparison also yielded a good match between the remote sensing based results and the actual data.

Overall, the UFZ team found that grassland was used less intensively in Germany in 2018 than in 2017. "This primarily due to the drought in 2018 and the associated loss of grassland productivity," says Dr. Daniel Doktor, last author of the publication and head of the UFZ Land Cover & Dynamics Working Group. For example, the calculations show that 64 percent of the grassland was not mown in 2018 while this value was only 36 percent in 2017. "The results also show the management differences across Germany. Management often is very intensive in regions such as Allgau or Schleswig-Holstein, while it is far more extensive in Brandenburg or parts of Saxony," he says. But this evaluation is only the beginning. More precise management data from further regions of Germany are needed to draw even more precise conclusions with the machine learning algorithms.

Further information:

The UFZ researchers have created a visual version of the results of the study in a web service. The map of Germany shows the number of mowing events, grazing intensity, the use of fertiliser and the degree of land-use for 2017 and 2018 at a resolution of 20 metres. https://www.ufz.de/land-use-intensity

Mapping land-use intensity of grasslands in Germany with machine learning and Sentinel-2 time series, Remote Sensing of Environment



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KYODO NEWS - Jun 10, 2022 - 23:51 | All, Japan

A House of Representatives member from a ruling party faction led by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida quit the party Friday over a magazine report that he went out for drinks with an 18-year-old girl and gave her 40,000 yen ($300), party sources said.

The drinking age in Japan is 20, and the latest revelation involving third-term lawmaker Takeru Yoshikawa comes at a delicate time for Kishida and the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito ahead of a House of Councillors election in July.

It marks the first time an LDP Diet member has resigned due to allegations of misconduct since the Kishida administration took office last October.

Toshimitsu Motegi, the secretary general of the ruling LDP, said Yoshikawa had apologized for causing trouble for the party when asking to resign.

The party accepted his resignation from the LDP on Friday night.

Before departing for Singapore to attend a security dialogue, Kishida had told reporters that he was aware of the report and that "it is important that (Yoshikawa) explain himself truthfully."

Motegi said he had received instructions from Kishida to confirm if the allegations were true.

Keiichi Ishii, the secretary general of Komeito, also called for an explanation from Yoshikawa. "If true, it is extremely regrettable."

A senior LDP member told reporters that quitting as a lawmaker would be the appropriate way for Yoshikawa to take responsibility for the misconduct if the report is accurate.

The weekly Post magazine said in its latest edition that Yoshikawa, 40, had dinner and alcoholic drinks with an 18-year-old female university student at a Japanese barbeque restaurant in Tokyo on the night of May 27.

The student allegedly told the magazine she received 40,000 yen from him.

A slew of scandals involving Cabinet ministers and politicians have rocked recent administrations.

Public support remains relatively high for Kishida after he prioritized the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and took a tough stance against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

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KYODO NEWS - Jun 10, 2022 - 18:26 | All, Japan

A startup in Nagoya has developed a tiny, portable toilet it has billed as one of the world's smallest and hopes will become an indispensable part of disaster kits across Japan.

Unlike disaster preparedness supplies such as emergency food, just 16.9 percent of households have some kind of emergency toilet ready, according to a 2018 survey by research group Japan Toilet Labo. Kokenawa Inc. aims to have the toilets, a kind of sturdy bag, change that.

The idea came to company head Yoshinori Kokenawa, 30, when he was volunteering in the central Japan city of Nagano in 2019, after Typhoon Hagibis caused the banks of the Chikuma River to burst.

There, he spotted a long line of people waiting to use a portable toilet. "Even though people were working as fast as they could to get the area back on its feet, they had to line up 30 minutes or more every time they used the bathroom. I wanted to do something about this," he said.

Toilets are among the concerns people cite when it comes to disaster evacuation facilities, and there are known cases of individuals falling ill after avoiding relieving themselves.

To raise the rate of emergency toilet ownership, the company aimed to create a lightweight, high-functioning product, and in December 2020, the Pocketoilet -- measuring 7 centimeters tall and 6.5 cm wide -- was devised. "They can fit even in a woman's makeup bag, so we hope people will carry them with ease," Kokenawa said.

To prepare the product, which is made with special fibers, users affix it to a toilet bowl or trash can and then fill it with a coagulant. Tests by the company have found that almost no odor emanates from one of the bags when left indoors with feces inside it for a week.

So far the company has sold about 50,000 Pocketoilets, and it also recently donated 6,000 of them to Ukraine amid the ongoing Russian invasion.

Recently the company has turned its attention to matching those in need of support with those willing to give it.

To bring them together, it is building a system to provide as much as is needed of certain support items, and has also set up a website for people to register in advance items they can donate to Ukrainians evacuating to Japan, among other initiatives.

"Support for people affected by disasters has never been systemized like this before. If we can get the preparations together, it will be of use in future disasters," Kokenawa said.

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KYODO NEWS - Jun 11, 2022 - 00:11 | All, Japan

Japan will unveil an action plan by next spring to advance a "free and open" Indo-Pacific, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Friday as he expressed his firm resolve to defend the rules-based international order amid China's growing clout and Russia's war on Ukraine.

In a keynote speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Kishida said he has a strong sense of alarm that "Ukraine today may be East Asia tomorrow," vowing that Japan will play an even more active role in countering any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force, without singling out China.

As the first Japanese leader to address the leading Asian security forum in eight years, Kishida pledged more than $2 billion over three years to help other countries in the region secure patrol vessels and improve infrastructure for maritime transport. He also said Japan will provide training programs on maritime security in over 20 countries.

"Japan will not lose its humility, flexibility in valuing diversity or tolerance that respects the individuality of others," Kishida said. "However, we will be more proactive than ever in tackling the challenges and crises that face Japan, Asia and the world."

After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the three-day in-person forum through Sunday for defense officials and experts is taking place at a time when Russia's invasion of Ukraine has heightened concerns about its implications in Asia, where China's military presence is increasingly being felt.

"Rules must be respected. Even if they become inconvenient, one cannot be allowed to act as if they did not exist, nor can one be allowed to change them unilaterally," Kishida said. "If one wants to change them, a new consensus must be made."

The prime minister reiterated that the peace and stability of the Taiwan Strait -- an area where tensions escalate with China -- is critical and stressed the importance of Southeast Asian and Pacific island countries as crucial partners in making the region "free and open."

Some ASEAN nations have been embroiled in disputes with Beijing in the South China Sea, while Chinese ships have been repeatedly spotted around uninhabited islands, administered by Japan but claimed by China, in the East China Sea.

As the security environment is becoming more severe, Kishida said Japan will "fundamentally" bolster its defense capabilities within the next five years while maintaining its pacifist credo.

He told the forum, organized by Britain's International Institute for Strategic Studies that Japan will secure a substantial increase in its defense spending and strengthen the deterrence and readiness of the Japan-U.S. alliance.

Japan is also deepening its security ties with like-minded nations such as Australia and India.

During a question and answer session, Kishida acknowledged that difficulties remain between Japan and China but "stable and constructive" ties are necessary. The premier, who has not held a face-to-face summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping since taking office last October, voiced hope for dialogue "at various levels."

Russia's threat to resort to nuclear weapons, North Korea's arms development and a "nontransparent" military buildup around Japan -- an apparent reference to China -- are making the road to a world free of nuclear weapons all the more difficult, Kishida said.

He also used the speech to highlight his push for reform of the U.N. Security Council, noting that permanent member Russia has undermined the global order with its atrocities in Ukraine. Japan is set to become a nonpermanent member next year.

"Will we return to the lawless world where rules are ignored and broken, where unilateral changes to the status quo by force are unchallenged and accepted, and where the strong coerce the weak militarily or economically?" Kishida said. "That is the choice we have to make today."

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KYODO NEWS - Jun 11, 2022 - 02:09 | All, Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Friday he will talk with the new South Korean government under President Yoon Suk Yeol toward improving the frayed bilateral relationship over a range of issues including wartime matters.

Speaking to reporters at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Kishida also said, "We need to develop the Japan-South Korea relations that have been built since the 1965 normalization. To that end, it is an urgent task to resolve concerns between the two countries."

He made the remarks when asked how he will approach the new South Korean government.

With the advent of conservative South Korean leadership in May, speculation is growing that the two Asian neighbors, both key U.S. allies, may work more closely as they both face the security threat of North Korea's missile and nuclear programs.

Bilateral relations plummeted to their lowest point in decades under the previous South Korean government of liberal President Moon Jae In, with the two countries clashing over compensation issues for wartime labor and the history of "comfort women" in military brothels, among other trade and defense issues.

But Kishida said no arrangements have been made for a potential meeting between the two leaders.

He is visiting Singapore for the security forum, which is being held through Sunday.
KYODO NEWS - Jun 10, 2022 - 15:13 | All, Japan

Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi on Friday expressed a sense of vigilance against a possible naval drill by Russia off Japan's Pacific coast, amid mounting tensions between the two nations over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Kishi told a press conference that the Defense Ministry confirmed that five Russian ships had been "active" east of the main island of Hokkaido on Thursday, apparently as part of a large-scale military exercise that Russia had said would start on June 3 with over 40 vessels and some 20 aircraft joining on the Pacific.

"We need to closely monitor if (Russian forces) would conduct a drill hereafter" off Japan's northeastern Pacific coast, Kishi said, adding that the move might be "aimed at boasting of its ability to engage in activity in the Far East while continuing its aggression against Ukraine."

Warnings have been issued related to the firing of missiles during the war game in waters ranging from those surrounding Kuril Islands to those off northeastern Japan, including part of the nation's exclusive economic zone, according to Kishi.

Russia has been intensifying its military activities around Japan, recently highlighted by a joint flight of Russian and Chinese bombers over the Sea of Japan on May 24, the day Prime Minister Fumio Kishida hosted a Quad summit with the leaders of the United States, Australia and India.

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KYODO NEWS - Jun 10, 2022 - 13:21 | All, Japan, Coronavirus

Japan on Friday resumed visa procedures to accept foreign tourists, taking the first step toward increasing inbound tourism to help turn around its economy as worries about the COVID-19 pandemic wane.

The government is initially limiting eligible tourist arrivals to guided tours from 98 countries and regions deemed as having the lowest risk of infection, including the United States, Britain, China, South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand.

Authorities expect full-scale arrival of tourists to start around late June at the earliest as it takes several days at least to complete necessary procedures such as entering applicants' information in a registration system.

The easing of entry restrictions follows a step by Japan on June 1 to double its cap on daily arrivals to 20,000 and allow most to forgo COVID-19 tests and quarantine periods. The guided tour participants will be included in the arrival quota.

Since March, Japan has been gradually easing the rules, giving priority to foreign residents, businesspeople, students and returning Japanese citizens among others, while barring the entry of tourists.

"We will make efforts to restore tourism demand by balancing anti-virus measures, and social and economic activities," transport and tourism minister Tetsuo Saito told a press conference Friday, adding the first group of tourists is expected to arrive next week at the earliest.

Still, it may take some time before Japan reopens its borders to individual tourists as the government remains wary of a potential resurgence of infections, particularly as the country prepares for a House of Councillors election expected next month.

Under guidelines compiled ahead of the resumption of travel for tourism, Japan asks foreign tourists to wear face masks and take out insurance to cover medical expenses in the event that they contract COVID-19.

Travel agencies will explain that they may not be able to take part in tours unless they follow the procedures.

Tourists need their travel agencies to enter their travel information such as names, passport numbers and their place of stay on the country's immigration registration website before applying for and obtaining visas, which is expected to take five days or longer.

Major travel agencies such as JTB Corp. expect the first overseas tourists to arrive sometime between late June and early July as it will take some time to train employees and prepare for tours in a way that meets the new guidelines.

The government recently said wearing face masks is not always necessary outside, and it recommends people remove masks when they are more than 2 meters from another person, given the heat and humidity of the coming months and the increased risk of heatstroke.

The agencies will keep records of the tours, including places visited and where tourists sat on public transportation, and participating tourists found infected with the novel coronavirus will be taken to medical institutions swiftly.

The guidelines were announced Tuesday after Japan conducted test tours for inbound travelers from the United States, Australia, Singapore and Thailand. The Thai group's tour was suspended after a participant tested positive for the virus.

At Haneda airport Friday, a 46-year-old Brazilian man who came to Japan on a business trip to buy car parts, said he welcome Japan's policy change.

"Japan's antivirus measures are thorough. I want to come back here for sightseeing with my family on vacation," he said.

An official at an airline company said, "The two years of headwinds may finally be over."

Before the pandemic, Japan had set a target for 40 million foreign visitors in 2020 when it was originally scheduled to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games, which were postponed for a year.

The estimated number of foreign visitors to Japan in April was down 95.2 percent from the same month in the pre-pandemic year of 2019 at 139,500 people, according to government data released in May.

Business leaders have called on the government to gradually reopen to inbound tourists to help revive the pandemic-hit economy, and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has given assurances that Japan will ease border controls "in stages" to bring them on par with other Group of Seven nations.

Naha and New Chitose airports, gateways to popular tourist spots in Okinawa and Hokkaido, will resume accepting international flights by the end of June. Currently, five airports, including Narita, Haneda and Kansai airports, can accept planes from abroad.

Photo taken on June 1, 2022, shows an arrival lobby for international flights at Narita airport in Chiba Prefecture, near Tokyo. (Kyodo)

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By Masahito Ono, KYODO NEWS - Jun 10, 2022 - 11:08 | All, Feature, Japan

Intense competition among Japanese companies trying to recruit new graduates has led some to engage in drastic and unprofessional tactics in a desperate attempt to lock in students who previously made informal commitments but have begun to waver.

Recruitment, which slowed during the COVID-19 pandemic, has seen a resurgence due to a pickup in demand for goods and services. Additionally, Japan's long-running demographic challenges are heightening competitiveness in the labor environment.

Interviews for job applicants from next spring's graduate class and others officially began on June 1, but many companies engaged prospective employees early in hopes of snapping them up before their competitors.

It is what comes next that is proving problematic, though, with the companies aggressively attempting to hold these recruits to legally nonbinding agreements and then haranguing them to the point of harassment if they indicate an intention to back out.

A 21-year-old student who is soon to graduate from a private university in Tokyo was recently pressed for answers by a recruitment officer at a major retailer after she declined to join the company.

Last December, she received an informal job offer and submitted a written pledge in March at the retailer's request that she would not seek employment at other companies.

But since then, she received an informal job offer from a company she prefers and she informed the retailer of her intention to decline its offer.

The recruitment officer questioned her for nearly half an hour over whether she had "lied" in committing to the company and if she understood what the pledge meant.

In a survey conducted by the Cabinet Office, 11.6 percent of graduates in March this year said they had gone through similar experiences with companies that offered them jobs, up 2.6 percentage points from the previous year.

The increase reflects the challenges facing companies that are competing to secure new employees but also indicates a sense of desperation given their willingness to pressure recruits into joining, potentially tainting their employer-employee relationship before it has even begun.

Employment information service company Disco Inc. said that 42.2 percent of companies in its survey were facing "difficulties" or "extreme difficulties" in recruiting new workers as of May, up 14.1 percent from a year earlier.

The total number of job offers to graduates in March 2023 marks the first increase in four years, according to another private-sector survey.

In short, companies are vying for recruitments of fresh college graduates from a limited pool.

The government has set June 1 as the date at which recruitment can officially begin, but as the date is nonbinding, 65.4 percent of next spring's graduates had already received informal job offers as of May 15, up 6.2 points from a year earlier, according to leading job information service firm Recruit Co.

The fact so many companies feel compelled to circumvent the rules demonstrates the dire recruitment situation.

Of students who have received informal job offers, meanwhile, 43.0 percent said they intend to continue job hunting, Recruit said.

A male student, 21, attending a private university in Tokyo, who has received tentative offers from four companies, said he will keep his options open as the companies he is serious about wanting to join began interviews this month.

Japan's legal system seemingly falls short when it comes to protecting recruits during the hiring process.

A law came into effect in June 2020 that obliges large companies to prevent harassment and promote women in the workforce. In April this year, the regulations were extended to small and midsize companies.

But it only protects employees. According to the national guidelines, even if there are complaints of harassment by students seeking employment after graduation, there is only an obligation to make efforts to "take appropriate countermeasures."

"As students have the free choice of employment, they should apply to companies they choose without fear of harassment," Masanao Tanide, an employment consultant, said. "If they experience trouble, options include seeking advice from career centers at their universities, among others."

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VIENNA, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Iran has told the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that it is removing 27 surveillance cameras from its nuclear facilities, the agency said Thursday, warning the move could deal "a fatal blow" to chances of reviving the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.

IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi told a press conference here that Tehran's latest decision "poses a serious challenge to our ability to continue working there."

Iran's move came a day after an IAEA board meeting on Wednesday passed a resolution to censure Iran for its nuclear safeguards issues.

The resolution had been proposed by the United States, Britain, France and Germany following recent IAEA reports that Iran has not provided "technically credible explanations" to uranium particles at three undeclared sites. However, Iranian officials rejected the reports and insisted the country did not carry out any clandestine and unrecorded nuclear activities.

Grossi said that more than 40 surveillance cameras would remain in operation in Iran after the country's latest move. He warned that if an agreement cannot be reached on restoring the cameras in three to four weeks, "this would be a fatal blow" to hopes of reviving the Iran nuclear deal.

Iran signed the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with the world powers in July 2015, agreeing to put some curbs on its nuclear program in return for the removal of the U.S.-led sanctions. However, former U.S. President Donald Trump pulled Washington out of the agreement in May 2018 and reimposed unilateral sanctions on Iran, prompting Tehran to reduce some of its nuclear commitments under the JCPOA.

Since April 2021, eight rounds of talks have been held in Vienna between Iran and the remaining JCPOA parties, including China, Britain, France, Russia and Germany, to revive the pact. However, the Vienna talks have stalled since mid-March due to reported major differences between Iran and the United States.

Wang Chang, deputy head of China's Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Vienna, said on Wednesday that putting pressure on Iran with the IAEA censure resolution "will not help solve problems, but intensity tensions."

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. 
People visit the China (Fuzhou) International Seafood & Fisheries Expo held in Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province, June 10, 2022. The China (Fuzhou) International Seafood & Fisheries Expo opened here on Friday. More than 300 enterprises and institutions from over 10 provinces and cities across China participated in the expo. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

Photo taken on June 10, 2022 shows products displayed during the China (Fuzhou) International Seafood & Fisheries Expo held in Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province. The China (Fuzhou) International Seafood & Fisheries Expo opened here on Friday. More than 300 enterprises and institutions from over 10 provinces and cities across China participated in the expo. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

Photo taken on June 10, 2022 shows products displayed during the China (Fuzhou) International Seafood & Fisheries Expo held in Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province. The China (Fuzhou) International Seafood & Fisheries Expo opened here on Friday. More than 300 enterprises and institutions from over 10 provinces and cities across China participated in the expo. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

Photo taken on June 10, 2022 shows a giant grouper, in length of 2.4 meters and weight of 150 kilograms, displayed during the China (Fuzhou) International Seafood & Fisheries Expo held in Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province. The China (Fuzhou) International Seafood & Fisheries Expo opened here on Friday. More than 300 enterprises and institutions from over 10 provinces and cities across China participated in the expo. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)
HONG KONG, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government said Friday that it will distribute around 200,000 sets of COVID-19 rapid antigen test (RAT) kits as part of a follow-up on the recent detection of the COVID-19 virus in sewage samples.

The test kits will be distributed to residents, cleaning workers and property management staff working in estates in Central and Western, Tuen Mun and Tai Po with positive sewage testing results showing relatively high viral loads, in order to help identify infected persons.

The HKSAR government also urged RAT kit users to report any positive results for COVID-19 via the government's online platform.

In an effort to combat COVID-19, the HKSAR government's Environmental Protection Department and the Drainage Services Department have strengthened the sampling of sewage in all districts of Hong Kong for COVID-19 virus testing.

On Friday, Hong Kong registered 291 new COVID-19 cases by nucleic acid tests, and 381 additional cases through self-reported RAT, official data showed. 
By Trend

Grain harvesting has started in Azerbaijan, Public Relations and Information Support Department of Azerbaijan Agriculture Ministry told Trend.

This year, grain sowing was carried out on 1.01 million hectares (606,338 hectares - for wheat, 413,596 hectares - for barley), ministry said.

The ministry noted that barley is being harvested in 38 regions of Azerbaijan. Wheat harvesting will begin in these areas in the second decade of June.
Cherries are displayed at a trade fair in Xamalbag in Mixa Township of Shache County, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, June 6, 2022. (Xinhua/Fang Junwei)

URUMQI, June 10 (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. 
A volunteer (R) harvests stem mustard for villagers at Dengjia Village in Fuling District, southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, Feb. 13, 2020. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

CHONGQING, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Washing, sorting and dehydrating -- several robotic arms are busy processing pickled mustard tubers at a workshop of Chongqing Fuling Zhacai Group Co., Ltd. in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality.

The history of pickle-making in Chongqing's Fuling, a major pickle production base, dates back more than 150 years. The district's traditional method of producing preserved mustard tubers was listed as a state-level intangible cultural heritage in 2008.

During these years, the region's unique pickled mustard tubers, which used to be a luxurious snack at the beginning of the 20th century, have been served on many Chinese people's dinner tables and even shipped to overseas markets.

Now, the pickles have been exported to over 60 countries, among which Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) are the big markets, according to Zhang Xiaoming, the foreign trade manager of Chongqing Fuling Zhacai Group Co., Ltd.

Zhang added that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, their export volume is still growing. In the first quarter of this year, the company generated an export value of over 18 million yuan (about 2.7 million U.S. dollars), up 28.5 percent from a year earlier.

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, the world's biggest free trade pact that took effect this year, has also given a boost to pickle export to Japan, ROK, and Southeast Asian countries.

Under the framework of RCEP, tariff of the company's pickled mustard tubers exported from China to Japan decreased by around 2 percent, Zhang said.

In the first four months of 2022, Chongqing Fuling Zhacai Group Co., Ltd. exported 7.73 million yuan worth of the pickled mustard tubers to other RCEP member states, up 26.8 percent from a year earlier.

Citywide, in the first quarter of this year, pickles valued at 29.9 million yuan were exported from Chongqing to other RCEP member states, an increase of 3.2 percent year on year, official data showed.

"The pickles were only favored by overseas Chinese in the past. Thanks to deepening exchanges, more foreigners are now falling in love with them. With the implementation of the RCEP and ensuing tariff reductions and trade facilitation, our pickles have seen stronger competitiveness in overseas markets," said Sun Xiao, foreign trade manager of Chongqing Fuling Luling Industrial Co., Ltd.

To facilitate the export of pickles, the local customs have launched a raft of measures ranging from simplifying administrative procedures and improving customs clearance efficiency to cracking down on fake products, said Meng Zhenguo, deputy director of Fuling customs.

The popularity of Fuling pickles has also benefited local farmers.

Wang Bangshu, a farmer in Dengjia Village, has planted mustard her whole life. Last year, her 1.3-hectare land yielded over 70 tonnes of mustard, raking in more than 60,000 yuan.

"I never imagined that our mustard could be exported to foreign countries," said Wang.

In 2021, the total output value of the pickle industry in the Fuling District hit 13 billion yuan. 
Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua attends the ceremony marking the opening of the Heihe-Blagoveshchensk cross-border highway bridge via video link, together with Yury Trutnev, Russian deputy prime minister and the presidential envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District of Russia, June 10, 2022. (Xinhua/Gao Jie)

BEIJING, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua on Friday said that China is willing to work with Russia to deepen cooperation in various fields to bring benefits to the two peoples.

Hu made the remarks while addressing the ceremony marking the opening of the Heihe-Blagoveshchensk cross-border highway bridge via video link.

China is ready to work with Russia to continuously advance connectivity cooperation, and provide better and more convenient customs clearance and logistics services for personnel and trade exchanges, Hu said.

He added that China stands ready to synergize the development strategy of the country's northeast with that of Russia's Far East, deepen practical cooperation in various fields and explore new areas of cooperation, so as to deliver more benefits to the two peoples.

With a length of 1,284 meters and a width of 14.5 meters, the cross-border highway bridge is a key part of a 19.9 km-long highway project that links the Jilin-Heilongjiang expressway in northeast China and a highway in Blagoveshchensk. 
Asma Tlich, the winner of the 21st "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for Tunisian college students, performs at the Confucius Institute at the University of Carthage in Tunis, Tunisia, on June 9, 2022. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua)

China's rise and growing global influence are luring more Tunisians to learn the Chinese language.

by Xinhua Writers Xu Supei, Huang Ling

TUNIS, June 10 (Xinhua) -- "I'm bullish on the prospects of China and aspiring to do business there. That's one of my motivations to learn Chinese diligently," Asma Tlich, the champion of the Chinese proficiency competition held in Tunisia, told Xinhua.

Tlich and either other students competed in the Tunisian final of the 21st "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition for Foreign College Students held on Thursday in the capital of Tunis.

Under the theme of "One World One Family," the competition was co-organized by the Chinese Embassy in Tunisia, the Confucius Institute at the University of Carthage, and the Higher Institute of Languages of Tunis. The final consisted of three parts: keynote speech, knowledge quiz, and talent show.

Asma Tlich, the winner of the 21st "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for Tunisian college students, shows her certificate at the Confucius Institute at the University of Carthage in Tunis, Tunisia, on June 9, 2022. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua)

Some participants told Xinhua that it is China's growing prosperity and global influence that drove them to learn the Chinese language hard and take part in the contest.

"China's rise in the past decades has lured more Tunisians to learn Chinese," Khaoula Louhichi, a student who wants to relate her future career to the Chinese language, told Xinhua.

Since its entry into the World Trade Organization in 2001, China has changed swiftly from what was called the world's low-cost factory to a country with growing global influence. At the same time, China became the primary trade and development partner for emerging economies across Asia, Africa and Latin America, making learning Chinese a necessity for many.

A contestant takes part in the 21st "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for Tunisian college students held in Tunis, Tunisia, on June 9, 2022. (Photo by Xu Supei/Xinhua)

Language creates communication, which promotes understanding. For Tlich, this year's champion, learning Chinese has helped her find many similarities between Tunisia and China.

"The two countries are geographically far apart and culturally different, but the people in both countries cherish family so much," Tlich said in her keynote speech.

Tlich confessed that it was not easy for her to learn Chinese at first, because "all the Chinese characters just slipped out of my mind easily."

A contestant takes part in the 21st "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for Tunisian college students held in Tunis, Tunisia, on June 9, 2022. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua)

"I searched for many online resources, including some popular smartphone apps, such as Little Red Book, Kuaishou, and many others for Chinese learning that have sprung up over the years," she said.

At the award ceremony, Chinese Ambassador to Tunisia Zhang Jianguo sent his congratulations via video to the winners and encouraged all participants to keep learning Chinese.

"The cooperation between China and Tunisia in various fields has deepened and yielded fruitful results since the establishment of diplomatic ties 58 years ago," the Chinese envoy said, adding that he hoped to see more Tunisians learning Chinese and contributing to enhancing the bilateral ties.

Ding Yang (L), the Chinese director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Carthage, presents award to a contestant in the 21st "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition for Tunisian college students held in Tunis, Tunisia, on June 9, 2022. (Photo by Adel Ezzine/Xinhua)

The Confucius Institute at the University of Carthage has trained a number of students who excel in the Chinese language, Houda Ben Hamadi, the Tunisian director of the institute and head of the Higher Institute of Languages of Tunis, said at the ceremony via video.

Ding Yang, the Chinese director of the Confucius Institute at the University of Carthage, said that as China and Tunisia are making joint efforts to support Chinese language education in the North African country, the China-Tunisia friendship will also be deepened. 
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 in Meishan, southwest China's Sichuan Province, June 8, 2022. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

* The country's dynamic zero-COVID approach must be unswervingly upheld, Xi said.

* 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.

* The CPC Central Committee has always attached great importance to the employment of university and college graduates, and has taken a series of policies and measures, Xi said.

* Xi urged courage to face the hardships, adding that only by striving together can great accomplishments be made.

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.





On Wednesday morning, Xi visited the village of Yongfeng in Meishan to inspect a high-standard rice cultivation base and expressed recognition to the staff for their efforts in helping ensure national food security. He called for vigorous and concrete work in grain production.

Inspecting an experimental rice field, Xi stressed the promotion and application of modern agricultural science and technology, and relevant training.

He also called for developing green, eco-friendly and high-efficiency agriculture.

While touring Yongfeng, Xi inspected a sewage treatment facility, the living environment of the villagers, as well as local efforts in COVID-19 prevention and control. He said medical issue is what rural residents are most concerned about after they have no worries about food and clothing.

The health system should be strengthened in rural areas to provide a sound guarantee of basic medical services, he said.

Xi noted that the CPC's pursuit in governance is to make life even better for the people.

President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits the village of Yongfeng in Meishan, southwest China's Sichuan Province, June 8, 2022. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

In urban Meishan, Xi visited 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).

Noting that the Chinese nation has more than 5,000 years of civilization, Xi said the Chinese people should respect fine traditional Chinese culture and build up cultural confidence.

Urging efforts to broadly draw on all cultural achievements in the world, Xi said rigidity and isolation must be averted.

However, no less efforts should be made to avert taking foreign experiences as the sole standard for everything, Xi added.

Party members and officials, especially leading officials, should be honest and upright. They should discipline themselves and their families as well, and foster sound family virtues, Xi said.

President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits 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), to learn about local efforts in protecting historical and cultural heritage, in Meishan, southwest China's Sichuan Province, June 8, 2022. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

On Wednesday afternoon, Xi inspected Yibin, where the rivers of Jinsha and Minjiang converge into the Yangtze River.

Xi noted that sound ecological conservation along the Yangtze River Basin is the precondition for advancing high-quality development in the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

In 2022, about 10.76 million Chinese students are expected to graduate from universities and colleges, hitting a new high. Their employment is an issue Xi is very concerned about.

In Yibin University, Xi went to a job fair and learned about the hiring needs of companies and the employment rate of students.

The CPC Central Committee has always attached great importance to the employment of university and college graduates, and has taken a series of policies and measures, Xi said.

Speaking to the students, Xi stressed that happy lives can only be earned through hard work. He told the students to remain practical when choosing their future jobs and careers, and realize personal development through diligent work.

Xi then visited XGIMI optoelectronic company to learn about its independent innovation, job generation and local efforts to support the private sector.

Leading technology enterprises should be nurtured to form industrial clusters for technological innovation, said Xi.

Noting there are risks and challenges on the journey toward national rejuvenation, Xi urged courage to face the hardships, adding that only by striving together can great accomplishments be made.

On Thursday morning, Xi also met with senior military officers stationed in the provincial capital of Chengdu. 
BEIJING, June 10 (Xinhua) -- More than 3.1 million police officers had been dispatched to secure the national college entrance exam for 2022 across the country, according to China's Ministry of Public Security.

The police personnel were tasked with maintaining order, securing the test centers and surrounding areas, cracking down on exam-related crimes, and offering any required assistance to the candidates.

Public security organs released more than 32,000 pieces of exam-related travel information, including traffic conditions and temporary traffic control measures around test centers.

More than 306,000 ID cards and more than 46,000 temporary ID cards have been expeditiously issued to candidates since May, according to the ministry.

The police are, meanwhile, also working with relevant departments to crack down on violations of laws and regulations such as sales of cheating equipment. 
Photo taken on June 9, 2022 shows a self-driving taxi in Gangnam of Seoul, South Korea. The Seoul Metropolitan Government together with South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport initiated a two-month test operation of ride-hailing service with self-driving vehicles in Gangnam Thursday. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang)

A staff member demonstrates in a self-driving taxi in Gangnam of Seoul, South Korea, June 9, 2022. The Seoul Metropolitan Government together with South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport initiated a two-month test operation of ride-hailing service with self-driving vehicles in Gangnam Thursday. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang)

Photo taken on June 9, 2022 shows a self-driving taxi running in Gangnam of Seoul, South Korea. The Seoul Metropolitan Government together with South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport initiated a two-month test operation of ride-hailing service with self-driving vehicles in Gangnam Thursday. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang)

A staff member demonstrates in a self-driving taxi in Gangnam of Seoul, South Korea, June 9, 2022. The Seoul Metropolitan Government together with South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport initiated a two-month test operation of ride-hailing service with self-driving vehicles in Gangnam Thursday. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang)

A staff member demonstrates in a self-driving taxi in Gangnam of Seoul, South Korea, June 9, 2022. The Seoul Metropolitan Government together with South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport initiated a two-month test operation of ride-hailing service with self-driving vehicles in Gangnam Thursday. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang)

Photo taken on June 9, 2022 shows the inside view of a self-driving taxi in Gangnam of Seoul, South Korea. The Seoul Metropolitan Government together with South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport initiated a two-month test operation of ride-hailing service with self-driving vehicles in Gangnam Thursday. (Xinhua/Wang Yiliang)
BEIJING, June 10 (Xinhua) -- In a vast cornfield in northeast China's Jilin Province, rows of corn seedlings mixed with shredded corn stalks push their way through the soil.

Meanwhile, rumbling farming machines also shuttle back and forth across the field, while simultaneously uploading land monitoring data.

China planted 940 million mu (about 63 million hectares) of grain this spring, and strenuous efforts are being made nationwide to guarantee the country's grain security.

In 2021, China's grain output reached nearly 683 billion kg, up 15.82 percent from 2012, marking a bumper harvest for the 18th year in a row.

"China's overall grain output continues to increase. With favorable policies and measures, the country can essentially ensure grain security," said Hu Bingchuan, a researcher with the Rural Development Institute of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

At an agricultural machinery warehouse in Chenjiadian Village of Nong'an County in Jilin, a high-horsepower tractor with tyres almost as tall as a full-grown adult stands out from the rest.

"This type of tractor with deeper ploughs can leave corn stalks in soil layers 40 cm underground, increasing soil organic matter and allowing the corn roots to dig deeper," said Chen Zhongguo, head of Zhongyi agricultural machinery cooperative, which owns the warehouse.

The efficient farming method can save more than 200 kg of fertilizer per hectare on average and increase grain production by more than five percent, Chen added.

The practice of "cultivating while conserving" in Chenjiadian also gives a glimpse into China's approaches to arable land management.

The fertile black soil, mainly found in China's northeastern provinces of Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning, produces over one-fifth of the country's total grain output, playing a significant role in ensuring grain security.

Over the past decade, China has taken a slew of measures to protect the black soil, also dubbed the "rice bowl field," which has lead to significant improvement in soil quality.

Moreover, advances in agricultural science and technology have also helped safeguard grain security, making grain storage smart and efficient and helping seeds sprout up in harsh conditions.

With the help of new seed breeding technology, the contribution rate of improved seeds to China's grain production growth exceeded 45 percent, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

China is stepping up the development of its seed industry, with the number of national seed breeding and production bases in the country increasing to 216. These hubs breed or produce seeds for grain, cotton, oil, and sugar, among others.

The country is also rolling out support measures such as agricultural supplies subsidies and grain procurement to keep grain-growers motivated.

Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the world's largest grain producer and third-largest grain exporter, China's grain security is also of global significance.

In the past ten years, Chinese hybrid rice varieties have been widely planted in dozens of countries and regions in Asia, Africa and America. Their average yield per hectare is about two tonnes higher than that of local premium varieties.

According to a recent report on China's agricultural outlook for 2022 to 2031, in the next decade, China's self-sufficiency rate for grains will increase to about 88 percent. 
BEIRUT, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The Lebanese labor minister on Friday called for international support for Lebanon in securing a quick and safe return of Syrian refugees inside the country to their homeland, the National News Agency (NNA) reported.

"Lebanon can no longer bear the burden of hosting Syrian refugees as the country has suffered heavy economic losses, not to mention its high unemployment and crime rates, as a consequence of hosting the largest number of displaced per capita," Mustafa Bayram was quoted by NNA as saying.

The Lebanese minister made the remarks during his virtual participation in the 110th session of the International Labor Conference held in Geneva.

"It is the right of Syria to take back its citizens for them to rebuild their country with international organizations giving them aid inside their country," Bayram noted.

He also urged international compensation for Lebanon's losses in having hosted Syrian refugees for more than a decade.

Last month, Lebanese Minister of Social Affairs Hector Hajjar told an international conference that Lebanon wants a compensation of 30 billion U.S. dollars for hosting Syrian displaced people.

Lebanon remains the country hosting the largest number of refugees per capita, with the government estimation of 1.5 million Syrian refugees. 
A student receives a dose of COVID-19 vaccine at a school in Yangon, Myanmar, June 10, 2022. Myanmar has been administering COVID-19 vaccines to children aged five to 12 years old at basic education schools across the country since June 2, the state-run television channel MRTV reported on Friday. (Xinhua/U Aung)

YANGON, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar has been administering COVID-19 vaccines to children aged five to 12 years old at basic education schools across the country since June 2, the state-run television channel MRTV reported on Friday.

In the capital city of Nay Pyi Taw, 109,682 school children aged 5 to 12 from 842 schools will be vaccinated against COVID-19, it said.

Myanmar has recorded 613,415 COVID-19 cases and 19,434 COVID-19 related deaths since the start of the pandemic.

According to official figures, the total number of patients who recovered from COVID-19 in the country has reached 592,394 on Thursday.

Myanmar detected its first COVID-19 cases in March 2020. 

A student receives a dose of COVID-19 vaccine at a school in Yangon, Myanmar, June 10, 2022. Myanmar has been administering COVID-19 vaccines to children aged five to 12 years old at basic education schools across the country since June 2, the state-run television channel MRTV reported on Friday. (Xinhua/U Aung)

Students rest after receiving COVID-19 vaccines at a school in Yangon, Myanmar, June 10, 2022. Myanmar has been administering COVID-19 vaccines to children aged five to 12 years old at basic education schools across the country since June 2, the state-run television channel MRTV reported on Friday. (Xinhua/U Aung)

A student receives a dose of COVID-19 vaccine at a school in Yangon, Myanmar, June 10, 2022. Myanmar has been administering COVID-19 vaccines to children aged five to 12 years old at basic education schools across the country since June 2, the state-run television channel MRTV reported on Friday. (Xinhua/U Aung)

A health worker prepares a shot of COVID-19 vaccine at a school in Yangon, Myanmar, June 10, 2022. Myanmar has been administering COVID-19 vaccines to children aged five to 12 years old at basic education schools across the country since June 2, the state-run television channel MRTV reported on Friday. (Xinhua/U Aung)

Students rest after receiving COVID-19 vaccines at a school in Yangon, Myanmar, June 10, 2022. Myanmar has been administering COVID-19 vaccines to children aged five to 12 years old at basic education schools across the country since June 2, the state-run television channel MRTV reported on Friday. (Xinhua/U Aung)
By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

Azerbaijan is planning to expand cooperation with Pakistan in the field of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), Azernews reports.

The discussion took place during the visit of the delegation, headed by Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Muhammad Shakeel Munir, to Azerbaijans Agency for Small and Medium-sized Business Development.

During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on cooperation and joint efforts in the SMBs sphere.

The chairman of the agency, Orkhan Mammadov, noted that studying the best practices of SMB support and expanding the geography of cooperation with relevant agencies is one of the main directions of the agencys activities. He added that the implementation of mutual business missions can be useful for business cooperation.

Pakistani Ambassador Bilal Hayee and Pakistan-Azerbaijan Economic Cooperation Chamber President Khurram Bhatti also attended the meeting.

Azerbaijan and Pakistan cooperate in various sectors of the economy. The relations between the two countries date back to 1991. Pakistan was among the first countries to recognize Azerbaijan's independence.

The trade turnover between the two countries totaled $11.7 million in 2021.
BEIJING, June 10 (Xinhua) -- In his latest inspection visit to southwest China's Sichuan Province this week, President Xi Jinping visited Yibin, where the Jinsha and Minjiang rivers converge into the Yangtze River.

He noted that sound ecological conservation along the Yangtze River basin is the precondition for advancing high-quality development in the Yangtze River Economic Belt.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, attaches great importance to the ecological protection of the 6,300-km-long Yangtze, China's longest river. Over the past few years, he has undertaken multiple inspection tours along the Yangtze.

He has also convened several symposiums to advance the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, which covers nine provinces and two municipalities and accounts for more than 40 percent of the country's population and economic aggregate.

The following are some highlights of his quotes:

-- The Yellow River and the Yangtze River are the mother rivers of the Chinese nation. The protection of the mother rivers is a crucial project concerning the great rejuvenation and sustainable development of the Chinese nation.

-- The cost of the fishing ban in the Yangtze River is not small, but it is worthwhile to protect the ecology of the whole basin.

-- The Yangtze River boasts a unique ecological system. Restoring its ecological environment will be an overwhelming task and no large-scale development will be allowed along the river at present and for a rather long period to come.

-- Promoting the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt is a major strategy concerning overall national development.

-- Efforts should be made to blaze a new trail of green development that gives priority to ecology, so as to provide powerful support for the high-quality and sustainable development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt. 
CHENGDU, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made an inspection tour of southwest China's Sichuan Province. Xi stressed resolute implementation of the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee, carrying forward the great founding spirit of the Party, and being firm in the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability. He required 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 COVID-19 response with economic and social development, to stabilize economic development, and to maintain overall social stability, so that the governance and development of Sichuan will be brought to a new level and a new chapter will be opened in Sichuan's development as a part of the new journey to building a modern socialist country in all respects, Xi noted. He called for concrete actions to set the stage for the success of the 20th National Congress of the CPC.

On June 8, Xi, accompanied by Wang Xiaohui, Party secretary of Sichuan Province and Huang Qiang, governor of the province, made a fact-finding trip to Meishan, Yibin, and other places. Xi went to a village, a cultural relic protection site, a university, and a company.

On June 1, a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Ya'an City, Sichuan Province. Xi immediately gave important instructions, requiring Sichuan provincial committee of the CPC and Sichuan provincial people's government to spare no effort in disaster rescue and relief, consoling the families of the earthquake victims. Medical care to the injured should be provided in a timely manner and arrangements made to help those affected by the earthquake, secondary disasters should be prevented, reconstruction be well planned and normal order of life and production be restored as soon as possible, Xi required.

The central departments concerned immediately activated the national level-3 earthquake emergency response and local authorities lost no time in coordinating disaster rescue and relief work. Efforts have been made to ensure all channels are open to save people's lives, the injured are well attended to, and those affected by the earthquake are relocated and resettled in a timely manner. Currently, most residents from earthquake-hit areas have returned to their homes. The province has de-activated the emergency response and shifted the focus to post-disaster recovery and reconstruction.

During his visit in Sichuan, Xi has been concerned with the treatment of those injured in the earthquake and how people lead their lives as well as how the production is in the earthquake-hit areas. He inquired about detailed information on the disaster relief work and urged local authorities time and again to ensure the injured are well attended to, to pay attention to people's psychological counseling, and make well-considered arrangements for the victims of the disaster and the consoling of the victims' family. The supply of daily necessities in the earthquake-hit areas should be guaranteed. Sound planning and solid work should be carried out to reconstruct the earthquake-hit areas so that people can resume normal life and production as soon as possible, Xi stressed.

On the morning of June 8, Xi paid a visit to Yongfeng Village of Taihe Town in Dongpo District, Meishan City, for an inspection tour. Relying on its paddy and rice industry and technological advantages, the village established the largest experimental base featuring new rice varieties and new technologies in the province. At a high standard paddy field base, Xi learned about the general development of the village and affirmed the village's continuous efforts in helping safeguard national food security by planting grains. Xi stressed that the Chengdu Plain has been lauded as a land of abundance since ancient times, that the area of farmland must be ensured and such a precious land for food production must be well protected. He also called for even greater efforts to bolster up grain production and build a higher-level "granary of heaven" in the new era.

Xi walked into the experimental field to take a closer look at the growth of the rice. Agricultural and technical staff members briefed the general secretary on the experimental paddy seed breeding and the promotion of planting. Xi pointed out that it was time consuming for cultivating improved varieties of rice as it required repeated experiments and selection, and all the country's scientific and technical workers in the agricultural sector have made arduous efforts. They have made invaluable contributions to safeguarding national food security and ensuring that the people enjoy ample supply of food and clothing. Xi added that advancing agricultural modernization requires efforts not only of experts but also those of all farmers, that the promotion and application of modern agricultural science and technologies and training of farmers must be strengthened, all big grain growers must be organized to actively develop green, ecological, and efficient agriculture. We have the confidence and determination to ensure the food supply for the Chinese people through our own efforts, Xi said.

Xi is very concerned about rural revitalization. He walked along the roads to take a look at the sewage treatment tanks in Yongfeng Village as well as its overall appearance. He also inspected a medical service center in the village to further learn about the improvement of villagers' living environment and the COVID-19 prevention and control work. Xi stressed that the villagers are concerned about health care the most after they have enough to eat and wear. The building of a rural health care system must be advanced to ensure that all the people in rural areas have access to basic medical services. He also called for efforts to build primary-level Party organizations well so that villagers can be united to further promote rural revitalization after bidding farewell to poverty.

Before waving goodbye to the villagers, Xi told them that as the country's ruling party, the CPC will further advance the building of socialism with Chinese characteristics step by step and spare no efforts to complete all the tasks related to people's well-being, so as to lead the people to a better life.

Located in downtown Meishan City, San Su Ci is the memorial temple and former residence of three literary masters, Su Xun and his two sons, Su Shi, who is also known as Su Dongpo, and Su Zhe. During his visit to the temple, Xi learned about the life experience, main literary achievements, and family precepts and traditions of the three masters, as well as the historical evolution of the temple and the research and inheritance of Dongpo culture.

Chinese civilization has a history of more than 5,000 years, and fine traditional Chinese culture should be honored and cultural confidence strengthened, Xi said. He highlighted that it is important to draw on ways of state governance from fine traditional Chinese culture and learn extensively from outstanding achievements of other civilizations.

China should neither keep to itself, nor regard all from foreign countries as criterion. It must adhere to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, Xi said.

Family traditions and education are the most precious wealth of a family and the best legacy for future generations. Xi called for more emphasis on family traditions and education and on cultivating a strong sentiment to love families and the motherland among future generations so that young people will strive to grow into talent who can contribute to the development of the country and the society. He urged that members of the CPC and officials, especially leading officials, must act in a clean manner, run their homes frugally, keep integrity, discipline themselves in performing their duties and their families, and develop fine family traditions of CPC members in the new era.

On the afternoon of June 8, Xi made an inspection tour of Yibin City. The Yangtze River, Jinsha River, and Minjiang River meet in the downtown area of Yibin, which presents a magnificent scene. Built on the riverside, Yibin is known as the first city on the Yangtze River. Years of efforts on environmental improvement have turned the banks of the three rivers into a beautiful waterfront park frequented by local people.

Looking far into the convergence of the three rivers at Sanjiangkou, Xi was briefed about the ecological restoration and protection of the Yangtze River basin and implementation of the fishing ban in the river.

Xi pointed out that protecting the ecological environment of the Yangtze River basin is key to driving high-quality development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt and preserving the region as the cradle of Chinese civilization. Since Sichuan is located in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, he called for the local government to increase their awareness of the overall picture, develop a strong sense about the protection of the upstream reaches, implement the policy of well-coordinated environmental protection instead of excessive development, and keep the river water clean through sound ecological conservation.

Xi paid close attention to the employment of college graduates as their total number is estimated to reach a record high of 10.76 million this year, up 1.67 million year on year. He chose Yibin University as a stop, watching the exhibition of creative works of excellent graduate students and learning about how the university helped graduates find jobs and start their businesses. At a job fair held on campus, Xi talked with the faculty, students, and employers to learn more about what kind of employees were wanted and how the graduates fared in landing a job. Xi stressed that the Party Central Committee has attached great importance to the employment of university graduates and adopted a set of policies and measures. Noting that now is a key time for college graduates to get employed, Xi emphasized efforts to tap employment resources and provide pragmatic and careful guidance and services. He urged colleges, employers, and related authorities to make sure more graduates sign employment contracts, particularly those from families that have just shaken off poverty, families receiving minimum living allowances, and families without a bread-earner, as well as those who have disabilities or did not get employed long after graduation. Telling the students that a happy life is the result of one's own hard work, Xi urged them to look at their own abilities and the needs of society in a down-to-earth and objective manner, choose a profession and a job based on actual conditions, be diligent and pragmatic, and improve themselves step by step through actual work. He encouraged the students to consciously practice core socialist values and strive to achieve all-round development in terms of moral grounding, intellectual ability, physical vigor, aesthetic sensibility, and work skills.

The next stop Xi visited was XGIMI Optoelectronic Co., Ltd. Touring the company's exhibition hall and factory, he was briefed about the company's efforts in independent innovation, product R&D and marketing, and job creation. He also learned about how the local government has made efforts to support private businesses and issue policies to help industries, micro, small and medium enterprises, and self-employed individuals hit hard by COVID-19 to overcome difficulties. Xi stressed that we should advance scientific and technological innovation and foster more top-notch enterprises in all sectors so that we will have more "hidden champions" and form clusters of scientific and technological innovators.

In the square outside the factory, Xi chatted with the company's employees. He stressed that as a major manufacturer, China should strive to improve its innovation capabilities and accelerate its transformation to a country strong in manufacturing. Noting that to become a country with improved composite strength means China should be strong in all fields and aspects, Xi said that to build a modern socialist country in all respects and realize national rejuvenation, the future is bright but the path leading to it can be tortuous. Facing dangerous rapids and shoals, we should be brave to meet risks and challenges. There is no such thing as a windfall, and progress will have to be achieved through our joint efforts. Most of you were born in the 1980s and 1990s, now is the right time for you to strive with aspiration, a sense of responsibility, and diligence, Xi said. By the middle of this century when a great modern socialist country in all respects is realized, we all will be proud of doing our bit in building a strong country and fulfilling the Chinese Dream.

On his inspection tour, Xi pointed out that all local governments and relevant departments must resolutely implement the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee. Xi required that, abiding by the principle of making progress while maintaining stability, they should do a good job in all areas of reform, development and stability, with a view to maintaining a stable and healthy economic environment, a peaceful social environment, and a clean and righteous political environment, and thus create a good atmosphere for the convening of the 20th National Congress of the CPC.

Xi called on all local governments and departments to do a good job in coordinating epidemic prevention and control with economic and social development, and resolutely overcome challenges currently in the way of economic development. He emphasized that efforts must be made to create jobs, guarantee social security, and provide aid for people living in difficulties. Work in all areas must be done well to make people feel reassured and therefore social stability is secured, Xi said.

Perseverance makes the difference, and the country's dynamic zero-COVID approach must be unswervingly continued, Xi said. He required that people must have confidence, clear up all obstructions, and never slacken vigilance to ensure key links are consolidated in the control and prevention work, and thus what the country has achieved in its response to the epidemic can be consolidated.

Speaking of recent floods and geological disasters that occurred in some parts of China, Xi called for early contingency preparations by all localities and relevant departments to preempt major floods and other natural disasters and get well prepared for disaster relief. All localities and departments are urged to strengthen disaster prevention capabilities in order to safeguard people's lives and property.

Overall planning and coordination must be strengthened to make sure that hidden dangers of natural disasters can be detected in advance through careful patrol and inspection, Xi stressed. Xi also called for the protection of important infrastructure works, improved early forecast and warning of rainfall, typhoons, mountain torrents, and debris flows, as well as redoubled efforts to guarantee smooth traffic flow, and meticulous and down-to-earth measures for flood control and disaster relief.

He required that swift rescue efforts must be made immediately after disasters to strictly prevent secondary disasters and reduce casualties and loss of property to the minimum. He called for efforts to resume production and people's normal life as soon as possible while doing a good job in rescue and disaster relief. He also called for a good job in providing support and aid to people affected by disasters, maintaining sanitation, and preventing epidemic from happening after natural disasters, so as to avert relapses into poverty as a result of disasters.

Ding Xuexiang, Liu He, Chen Xi, He Lifeng, and some other officials of the central authorities are also on the inspection tour.

On the morning of June 9, Xi met with the military officers above senior colonel level and major commanders of regiments in Chengdu. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the Central Military Commission, he extended sincere greetings to all the officers and troops stationed in Chengdu and had a group photo with them. Xu Qiliang was present at the meeting. 
SHANGHAI, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai reported four locally transmitted confirmed COVID-19 cases and two local asymptomatic carriers on Friday, the municipal health commission told a press conference on Friday afternoon.

All the six cases have been sent to designated hospitals for medical treatment and observation, the health commission said, adding that epidemiological investigations were carried out immediately.

As of 4 p.m. Friday, a total of 489 close contacts and 187 sub-close contacts of the cases have been traced for quarantine.

Five areas related to the infections have been classified as medium-risk for COVID-19, according to the municipal anti-epidemic headquarters. 
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits 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 10 (Xinhua) -- At a seed production base in Dazhu County, southwest China's Sichuan Province, rice farmer Fan Tiancheng is taking intensive care of his 140 mu (about 9.3 hectares) field of "golden rice seeds," as the seeds are expected to increase rice yield and farmers' income.

Seed farmers like Fan are entitled to special insurance premiums and agricultural subsidies, which have boosted farmers' enthusiasm to engage in cultivating hybrid seeds.

Rural cooperatives contract these farmers for the purchase of their yield. In every planting season, the cooperatives pay for the seeds, pesticides, fertilizers, and other agricultural materials in advance and provide free technical services for the farmers.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Wednesday visited the village of Yongfeng in the city of Meishan in Sichuan to inspect a high standard paddy field base.

Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, said that it was time consuming for cultivating improved varieties of rice as it required repeated experiments and selection, and all the country's scientific and technical workers in the agricultural sector have made arduous efforts.

Xi expressed recognition to the workers for their invaluable contributions to safeguarding national food security and ensuring that the people enjoy ample supply of food and clothing.

Xi said advancing agricultural modernization requires efforts not only of experts but also those of all farmers, that the promotion and application of modern agricultural science and technologies and training of farmers must be strengthened, all big grain growers must be organized to actively develop green, ecological, and efficient agriculture.

Sichuan is China's major seed industry base. The province received 240 million yuan (about 35.95 million U.S. dollars) of national funding in 2021 for boosting seed production. It invested 620 million yuan last year to develop high-standard farmland and support the building of 50,000 mu seed production bases.

Xi stressed that the Chengdu Plain has been lauded as a land of abundance since ancient times, that the area of farmland must be ensured and such a precious land for food production must be well protected. He also called for even greater efforts to bolster up grain production and build a higher-level "granary of heaven" in the new era.

As one of the demonstration models of high-standard farmland in Sichuan, Yongfeng boasts 4,700 mu of such farmland. It has taken the lead in realizing a complete mechanized production of rice, and established the largest experimental base featuring new rice varieties and new technologies in the province.

The village, with a population of 5,176, has seen farmers' per-capita annual net income reach 28,000 yuan.

China's "No. 1 central document" for 2022 released in February outlined key tasks to comprehensively push forward rural revitalization this year, aiming to develop 6.67 million hectares of high-standard farmland.

"We have the confidence and determination to ensure the food supply for the Chinese people through our own efforts," Xi said during the inspection. 
Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, addresses a seminar on the subject of studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in Jinggangshan, east China's Jiangxi Province, June 10, 2022. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)

NANCHANG, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Huang Kunming, a senior Communist Party of China (CPC) official, on Friday underscored the necessity of studying and implementing Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

Huang, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks while addressing a seminar on the subject held in Jinggangshan, east China's Jiangxi Province.

Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era has put forward a range of new ideas, viewpoints and affirmations based on China's actual situations, said Huang. It represents a new breakthrough in adapting Marxism to the context of China.

Under its guidance, historic achievements and changes were made in the cause of the Party and the country, said Huang. He called for solid efforts in studying, understanding and publicizing the thought. 
BEIJING, June 10 (Xinhua) -- BRICS economic and trade ministers have pledged to deepen cooperation in fields including digital economy, trade investment and sustainable development, supply chain and multilateral trade mechanisms, according to China's Ministry of Commerce.

The 12th meeting of BRICS economic and trade ministers, held Thursday via video link, approved a joint communique and agreed on several proposals and frameworks in these relevant fields to make preparations for the 14th BRICS summit.

Commerce Minister Wang Wentao presided over the meeting, which was attended by BRICS economic and trade ministers and representatives of relevant international organizations via video link.

BRICS is the acronym for an emerging-market bloc that groups Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. 
Ian Borg, Maltese minister for foreign and European affairs and trade, briefs reporters after Malta was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council at the UN Headquarters in New York on June 9, 2022. Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, and Switzerland were elected non-permanent members of the UN Security Council on Thursday for a two-year term. (Manuel Elias/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, and Switzerland were elected non-permanent members of the UN Security Council on Thursday for a two-year term.

The newly elected members will take up their new responsibilities on Jan. 1, 2023, and will serve till Dec. 31, 2024.

All five candidates were running unopposed on Thursday. They will replace the outgoing non-permanent members of India, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico and Norway.

A candidate must obtain the support of two-thirds of the UN member states present and voting at the General Assembly session in order to secure a non-permanent seat on the Security Council, regardless of whether the candidacy is contested or not. This means that a minimum of 129 positive votes are required to win a seat if all 193 member states are present and voting. Member states that abstain are considered not voting.

In Thursday's voting, Mozambique and Ecuador won the support of all member states that were present and voting, with 192 and 190 votes respectively. Switzerland won 187 votes, Malta won 185 votes, and Japan won 184 votes, according to results announced by Abdulla Shahid, the current General Assembly president, who presided over the voting process.

Among the five newly elected members, Mozambique and Switzerland have never served on the Security Council. With Thursday's election, Japan will set the record of 12 Security Council terms. Brazil is currently serving its 11th term.

The Security Council has 15 members, five of which are permanent ones: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States. The 10 non-permanent seats of the council are allocated by geographic region, with five replaced each year.

The five newly elected countries represent Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Western Europe and other states. The Eastern European group is not contesting any seats this year, as its one seat, held by Albania, comes up for election every other year.

The Security Council is considered the most powerful body of the United Nations. The council, which is tasked to maintain international peace and security, can make legally binding decisions and has the power to impose sanctions and authorize the use of force. 

Ignazio Cassis, president of the Swiss Confederation, briefs reporters after Switzerland was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council at the UN Headquarters in New York, on June 9, 2022. Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, and Switzerland were elected non-permanent members of the UN Security Council on Thursday for a two-year term. (Manuel Elias/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

Veronica Macamo, Mozambican Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, briefs reporters after Mozambique was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council at the UN headquarters in New York, on June 9, 2022. Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, and Switzerland were elected non-permanent members of the UN Security Council on Thursday for a two-year term. (Xinhua/Xie E)
CARACAS, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Workers marched on Thursday in downtown Caracas to reject Venezuela's exclusion from the ninth Summit of the Americas and in support of their government's policies.

"The empire was left alone and scorned at the Summit of the Americas," Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said to a large crowd.

The summit began on Monday and will go through Friday in the U.S. city of Los Angeles, amid the exclusion of Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua by the U.S. host, causing tensions among member states.

Rodriguez warned that Venezuela is facing a moment of "serious threats," that there are those who want to attack its economic progress, and that there is "financial persecution" against the country.

However, she said, "We have taken a first strategic and historic step to defeat the criminal blockade, which this republic has never experienced before."

Rodriguez called for unity amid the country's economic recovery, thanking Venezuelan workers for their continued support and struggle. 
VIENNA, June 9 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Thursday voiced concerns over the nuclear weapon material transfer involved in AUKUS, saying the United States, Britain and Australia must give an account to the international community.

Wang Qun, China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna, made the remarks when addressing a meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Board of Governors.

The meeting deliberated the issue of the "Transfer of nuclear materials in the context of AUKUS and its safeguards in all aspects under the NPT (Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons)."

In September 2021, the United States, Britain and Australia announced the establishment of AUKUS, under which the United States and Britain will assist Australia in its acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines.

Wang said the trilateral deal violates the NPT, the IAEA's comprehensive safeguards agreement, and the additional protocol signed between Australia and the IAEA.

"Whichever name the three countries assign to the deal and however they handle relevant nuclear weapon materials, they cannot deny that the deal involves the illegal transfer of nuclear weapon materials," he said.

Noting that AUKUS has a far-reaching negative impact on international security order, regional peace and global non-proliferation regime, Wang called for the IAEA to address the issue according to its mandate.

The Chinese envoy also noted that the United States and Britain have applied double standards on nuclear proliferation issues.

The two countries have imposed unilateral sanctions on civilian nuclear programs of some non-nuclear-weapon states, while at the same time blatantly transferring nuclear weapon material to Australia, he said.

Wang added that such double standards have "severely undermined the international non-proliferation regime and hindered the resolution of hotspot issues, including the Iran nuclear issue and the Korean Peninsula's nuclear issue."

Wang called on all relevant parties to continue intergovernmental negotiation to find the solution to the AUKUS issue and take concrete measures to safeguard the international non-proliferation regime, global peace and security. 
Video: The Summit of the Americas, currently underway in Los Angeles, has triggered controversies in the region as the United States excludes Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela from the event. (Xinhua)

"It is therefore inexcusable that all countries of the Americas are not here, and the power of the summit diminished by their absence," Belize's Prime Minister Johnny Briceno said in his speech.

LOS ANGELES, June 10 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday appeared to swipe at the press, saying they can go "swimming in the pond," as many international and local news outlets questioned the representation of the 9th Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles.

Biden made the remarks during his toast at the Summit of the Americas leaders dinner on Thursday, after shrugging off controversy around the gathering, saying he and some on the guest list had "disagreement on something" but "on the central issues that we talked about ... there is overwhelming agreement."

The Biden administration has faced sharp discontent from countries in the Americas over its decision to cut out Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua from the guest list. Leaders of Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador boycotted the meeting, Uruguay's president said he had contracted COVID-19, and Bolivia also declined to attend.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, a key Latin American leader on the summit's guest list, 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, of lack of respect for nations and their people."

These notable absences triggered outcries from the media, which described it as a disaster and embarrassment for U.S. diplomacy.

CNN said in a story published Wednesday that the absences of the leaders were 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."

A video screenshot shows a poster of the 9th Summit of the Americas at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California, the United States, June 9, 2022. (Xinhua)

"Eight 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 White House as director of global engagement, tweeted Wednesday.

In a story published by USA Today on Tuesday, Bruen said it was "embarrassing last minute and lackluster work" going into this week's Summit of the Americas that the country was hosting for the first time in nearly 30 years.

The heads of four countries refused to attend the meeting was "a blow to Mr. Biden at a moment when he sought to project unity and common purpose across the Western Hemisphere," The New York Times said Friday.

On Thursday's meeting, shortly after Biden's speech, Belize's Prime Minister Johnny Briceno criticized the exclusion of Cuba and Venezuela on the stage.

"The power of the Summit of the Americas is the space it provides for all the countries of the Americas to dialogue and agree on joint actions. The summit belongs to all of the Americas," Briceno said in his speech, when Biden sat only a few meters away. "It is therefore inexcusable that all countries of the Americas are not here, and the power of the summit diminished by their absence."

Briceno said the exclusionary summit was incomprehensible, especially when "Cuba has provided consistent, unmatched cooperation in health to almost two-thirds of the countries in this hemisphere" and "Venezuela has done so much toward energy security for the Caribbean region."

"The time has come, Mr. President, to lift the blockade and to build bonds of friendship with the people of Cuba. Similarly ... Venezuela's absence is unforgivable," Briceno noted.

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. (Photo by Zeng Hui/Xinhua)

"The principle of inclusivity must be the touchstone of all future summits. Geography, not politics, defines the Americas," he concluded.

Briceno was followed by Argentine 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.

After criticizing the U.S. sanctions against Cuba and Venezuela, the Argentine leader asked the Biden government to "open up in a fraternal way" following Donald Trump's "immensely harmful policy" for the region.

In a story published on Friday, The Washington Post said that since the White House, by excluding the three countries from the summit, "drew its line in the sand, other nations have been rebuking Biden and the United States for what they see as an unfair or even a hypocritical stance."

"The absences have cast doubt on the relevance of a summit that was meant to demonstrate cooperation among neighbors but has instead loudly broadcast rifts in a region that is increasingly willing to defy American leadership," The New York Times said Friday.



The report cited Martha Barcena, the former Mexican ambassador to the United States, as saying that the summit, held in the second largest city of the United States, showed a challenge to U.S. influence, "because U.S. influence has been diminishing in the continent." 
By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

In keeping with the World Bank estimates, Azerbaijan's GDP growth will reach 2.7 percent in 2022, Azernews reports, citing day.az.

"Higher global commodity prices and restrictions on energy supplies will affect economic activity. At the same time, Azerbaijan's oil sector is already operating at near full capacity," the bank said.

The bank added that the country's GDP growth is projected at 2.2 percent in 2023 and 2.3 percent in 2024. Meanwhile, Azerbaijan's GDP growth in 2021 was 5.6 percent.

Earlier it was reported that Azerbaijans GDP grew by 6.8 percent in the first quarter of the year, the positive balance of foreign trade turnover exceeded $5 billion and the foreign debt was reduced by more than $600 million. Such positive economic figures were mostly achieved by the effective policy of social and economic development pursued in the country.

Azerbaijan is entering a new stage of development, which will cover 2022-to 2030 years. The primary tasks set up are sustainable economic growth, financial stability of the national economy, and the restoration of liberated territories.

It should be noted that Azerbaijan joined the WB in 1992. Since then, the bank has financed over 50 projects with total commitments of $4.4 billion. It started economic cooperation in Azerbaijan to help increase the countrys institutional capacity and build efficient oil reserves management. The WB has always supported the large-scale reforms carried out in Azerbaijan.
Policemen carry out their duties for the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on June 10, 2022. (Photo by Then Chih Wey/Xinhua)

Chinese defense chief stressed that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and the one-China principle is the political foundation of China-U.S. relationship. The scheme to use Taiwan to contain China is doomed to fail, he said.

SINGAPORE, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin agreed on Friday to enhance strategic mutual trust and properly manage differences between the militaries of the two countries.

The two defense chiefs, who met here on the sidelines of the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, agreed that the two militaries should implement the important consensus reached by their heads of state, maintain high-level strategic communication, and should not turn differences into conflict and confrontation.

Wei said currently peace and development, the underlying trends of our times, are facing severe challenges. The Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping have charted the right course for humanity to overcome crises, and peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific demands the joint efforts of regional countries.

He said China hopes to build a major-country relationship with the United States featuring sound and stable development, which should be the direction of joint efforts by both countries.

The United States should view China's development and growth in a rational way, and refrain from attacking, smearing, containing and suppressing China. It must neither interfere in China's internal affairs nor harm China's interests, Wei said, noting that only in this way can the relations between China and the United States proceed toward positive outcomes.

Stable relations between the two militaries are crucial for the development of relations between the two countries, he said, adding that the two militaries should avoid conflict and confrontation.

Wei stressed that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, and the one-China principle is the political foundation of China-U.S. relationship.

The scheme to use Taiwan to contain China is doomed to fail, he said.

China firmly opposes and strongly condemns a recent announcement by the United States on arms sales to Taiwan, which seriously undermines China's sovereignty and security interests, Wei said, warning that the Chinese government and military will resolutely foil any attempt for "Taiwan independence" and safeguard national unification.

The two sides also exchanged views on issues related to the international and regional situation, the South China Sea and the Ukraine crisis. 
ADDIS ABABA, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has announced its plan to repatriate 900 Ethiopian migrants from conflict-torn Yemen's Marib province aboard "voluntary humanitarian flights."

In a press statement late Thursday, the IOM said the first 150 of the Ethiopian migrants were returned on Thursday.

Several more such flights are planned to return the remaining 750 Ethiopian migrants home, it said.

An estimated 4,500 migrants are now stranded in Marib province, unable to cross dangerous frontlines to reach their intended destinations, the IOM statement said, adding that a significant portion of the 4,500 migrants are being held against their will by human traffickers.

Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when Houthi militia seized control of several northern provinces and forced the government out of the capital, Sanaa.

The IOM said recently that it needs 7.5 million U.S. dollars to support thousands of stranded migrants to voluntarily return from Yemen to Ethiopia. 
CAPE TOWN, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Zandile Christmas Mafe, the suspect accused of setting fire to South Africa's parliament in January, intended to intimidate President Cyril Ramaphosa into resignation by his "terrorist activity," said an indictment released on Thursday.

The case was transferred to the high court in Cape Town for a pre-trial conference on Aug. 12, 2022, after a public prosecutor handed over the indictment to Mafe during his brief appearance in Cape Town Magistrate's Court.

The indictment charged the 49-year-old of housebreaking with intent to commit arson and arson, terrorism, and theft.

Mafe was also accused of intending to disrupt Ramaphosa's annual State of the Nation Address, which eventually took place in the historic City Hall of Cape Town, after the chamber of National Assembly, the lower house, was completely destroyed by the fire.

Mafe's move aimed to "advance the accused's individual political and/or ideological and/or philosophical motives, objectives, causes or undertakings," the indictment said.

The parliament fire starting on the morning of Jan. 2 lasted more than 70 hours, severely damaging the National Assembly building, causing extensive damage to the century-old Old Assembly building that houses the National Council of Provinces, the upper house.

According to the public prosecutor, Mafe sprinkled petrol over items like cardboard boxes, paper and office chairs and used them to set alight the Old Assembly, before lighting bits of paper by matches to set fire to the National Assembly. 
OUAGADOUGOU, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Eleven gendarmes were killed on Thursday evening in an attack in the Sahel region of Burkina Faso, the army said in a statement on Friday.

According to the statement, the Territorial Brigade of Gendarmerie of Seytenga in the province of Seno was attacked by a large number of unknown armed men on Thursday night.

The gendarmes on duty valiantly fought back, killing several attackers, said the army.

Security in Burkina Faso has worsened since 2015 as attacks have killed more than 1,000 people and displaced more than 1 million others in the West African nation. 
MOGADISHU, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations migration agency, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Friday appealed for 66 million U.S. dollars to reach more than 1.25 million people in Somalia with humanitarian assistance by February 2023.

The IOM said it needs immediate funding to continue essential life-saving programs and help communities adapt and withstand future shocks.

"The response by IOM and its partners is preventing the worst outcomes, but the needs are rising fast as the drought situation worsens," the IOM said in a statement issued in Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia.

According to the UN, more than 7.1 million people, nearly half of the total population, are facing historic levels of drought in Somalia.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) confirmed Friday it has received 260 million dollars for Somalia humanitarian relief responses in 2022, facilitating efforts to provide immediate and life-saving assistance to over 2.8 million people who have been affected by the ongoing devastating drought in the country.

The IOM said it is scaling up its response and has assisted more than 350,000 people affected by the drought - the worst seen in decades following the fourth consecutive failed rainy season.

"Nearly 800,000 people have been displaced due to drought since early 2021, at least half a million of them in the first four months of this year. Women and children make up 80 percent of the newly displaced population," it said.

Extreme dry conditions are deepening Somalia's decades-long humanitarian crisis caused by conflict, instability, recurrent weather shocks, and disease outbreaks.

The IOM said acute water shortages, the death of livestock - approximately 3 million - and rising food prices aggravate the needs of millions of people who urgently need support as the country faces a potential fifth failed rainy season later 2022 - a climatic event with potentially fatal consequences if urgent action is not taken.

"Somalia is on the front line of climate change with weather patterns becoming more unpredictable each year. The climate crisis is outpacing some of the efforts being taken to save lives and livelihoods in the country," the IOM said.

It said food, water, health care, and shelter remain the most immediate needs with 213,000 people experiencing extreme levels of hunger. 
TUNIS, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian Foreign Minister Othman Jerandi on Friday met with his Libyan and Algerian counterparts over strengthening ties and regional issues, according to a statement by his ministry.

During the meeting, the ministers expressed the willingness to develop relations and explore new horizons for cooperation between the three North African countries.

The meeting exchanged visions to coordinate positions on international and regional issues, said the statement.

"The consultations will focus on a number of issues of common concern, including integrated and solidarity development, combating terrorism, addressing organized crime, and issues of food, energy, and environmental security," it concluded. 
SYDNEY, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The government of the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) has announced a 10-year, 1.2-billion-Australian dollar (850-million-U.S. dollar) plan to create Renewable Energy Zones to replace existing power stations across the state.

NSW Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean said the initiative would fast-track the state's transition to clean energy and make energy supply cheaper and more reliable.

"Renewable Energy Zones are modern-day power stations, providing cheap and clean power for the homes and business of NSW," Kean said.

He said the facilities are expected to drive private investment, fully recouping the expenditure while creating 2,700 direct construction jobs in the state.

"Fast-tracking the construction of renewable energy is the best way to reduce our exposure to these risks and take advantage of cleaner, cheaper power sources."

The first project of the program is the Waratah Super Battery, which will be the largest standby network battery in the Southern Hemisphere and would store wind and solar energy for the state's largest cities.

Chris Gambian, chief executive of the Nature Conservation Council, the state's leading climate advocacy body, said the investment was a vital step in the state's transition to carbon neutrality by 2050.

"NSW has some of the best renewable energy resources anywhere in the world, but we need a pipeline to get that energy from renewable energy zones like the Central West and the Northern Tablelands to our cities."

He added that it would be important that the infrastructure and solar and wind plants had minimal impact on the environment and native wildlife.

"An infrastructure program this large could have a very significant environmental impact, especially on wildlife and bushland if new power mains are routed through natural areas," said Gambian. 
ULAN BATOR, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia's total imports and exports expanded year on year 21.9 percent to 7.2 billion U.S. dollars in the first five months of this year, official data released by the Mongolian Customs General Administration showed Friday.

The Asian country registered a foreign trade surplus of 946.5 million dollars, it said.

Mining products accounted for 83 percent of the mineral-rich country's total exports in the January-May period, it added.

During the period, China maintained its position as Mongolia's biggest trading partner, accounting for 81.4 percent of the latter's total exports and 34 percent of the total imports, according to the authority. 
SEOUL, June 10 (Xinhua) -- South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin planned to visit Washington this weekend for talks with his U.S. counterpart Antony Blinken, the South Korean foreign ministry said Friday.

At the invitation of Blinken, the South Korean foreign minister will make a four-day trip to Washington from Sunday to Wednesday, holding the foreign ministers' talks on Monday with the U.S. secretary of state.

The two diplomats planned to consult on cooperative ways over the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) policy as well as economic security issues and situations in the region and the world. 
LONDON, June 9 (Xinhua) -- It is vitally important for scientists from different countries to work together on major global issues, a leading British academic told Xinhua in an exclusive interview on Wednesday.

"I'm a scientist," said Professor Andy Schofield, vice chancellor of Lancaster University, "and I'm going to believe in the notion that talent and scientific achievement are not confined to the boundaries between nations, and that we tend to do better by bringing people together and combining and collaborating."

"For any global problem it's going to be necessary to do things in a global fashion," he noted.

"I do think the challenges we face, we will have to face together. I don't think any one country will produce the solution to a sustainable supply of energy, a sustainable food source that allows the population to thrive, and to do so in a way that doesn't cause disruption elsewhere on the planet. I'm optimistic that science can provide some of those answers. But it will not be easy," he said.

International cooperation is not only important, but necessary, he said, citing the COVID-19 pandemic as one example of global collaboration.

"We've seen a lot of benefits in countries working together: the development of vaccines at a speed that no vaccines had been developed before and supplying those vaccines to the rest of the world; the development and step changing genomic sequencing and being able to study variants and map them..."

"That has been a very strong point," said Schofield: "That's been a global effort."

"Some of the lessons of previous pandemics where, you know, we didn't have that same level of openness," he added, saying: "we are all learning lessons of this pandemic."

He also cited climate change as probably the greatest challenge being faced by the world.

"Climate change is an even bigger risk to us. It's a slower (risk), we don't see the same dangers and risks as we've done in the pandemic, when tragically, we've seen lives lost immediately, but the risks are if anything higher," he said, "The challenge of how we develop as a planet, and do so in a way that sustainable, is one that no one country can solve on its own."

Among the "great developments happening," he recalled Lancaster University's partnership with the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Guangzhou in south China's Guangdong province, which he described as another world-renowned institution.

Commenting on the prospects of academic collaboration between universities in Britain and China, Schofield said that he was optimistic.

"That's a great strength of scientific collaboration between the UK and China, that our strengths can be funneled together to try and tackle some of these particular challenges," he said.

Schofield, a theoretical physicist who works on experimental projects, told Xinhua that "I've had very positive engagement with Chinese colleagues. My first academic paper was co-written with a Chinese collaborator, who taught me a lot about theoretical physics and how to do it. "

"What we're doing in universities is about building bridges, not building walls," Schofield said, "It's about ensuring we're not afraid to ask difficult questions. And to do those difficult questions in a way of scientific inquiry and open inquiry to come up with the best answers for how we're going to progress as a planet." 
By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

An online webinar on Renewed Azerbaijan 2022: new business and investment opportunities was organized for Swiss companies by the Swiss Joint Chamber of Commerce and Azerbaijani Export and Investment Promotion Foundation, Azernews reports.

During the webinar presentations about the business and investment environment in Azerbaijan, the potential of the Alat Free Economic Zone and the activities of 4SIM were discussed.

Moreover, they discussed the potential of renewable energy in the country, as well as the projects implemented by Holcim Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijani Ambassador Fuad Isgandarov, Swiss Ambassador Muriel Peneveyre, Export and Investment Promotion Foundation representative Nigar Iskandarova, Swiss Joint Chamber of Commerce Director General Dorit Sallis, the Center for Analysis and Coordination of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4SIM) Executive Director Tamerlan Taghiyev and entrepreneurs from Switzerland participated in the webinar.

Azerbaijan and Switzerland are cooperating in various economic fields. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on January 21, 1992.

There is mutually beneficial cooperation between Baku and Bern in the non-oil sector. In addition, Baku will host a meeting of the Commission on Trade and Economic relations between Switzerland and Azerbaijan in 2022.

The trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $457.2 million in 2021, with exports accounting for $272.5 million and imports for $184.7 million.
BERLIN, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Germany's seven-day COVID-19 incidence rate has risen to 319 infections per 100,000 people due to the spread of the more contagious Omicron variants BA.4 and BA.5, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases said on Friday.

The shares of the two subvariants BA.5 and BA.4 have doubled within one week to 10 percent and 2.1 percent, respectively, according to the RKI's latest weekly report.

The spike driven by the latest subvariants could also lead to an "overall increase in infection numbers and renewed infection pressure on vulnerable groups as early as summer," the RKI warned.

Available data on BA.4 and BA.5, however, did not point towards a more severe disease progression or more deaths than those registered with previous Omicron subvariants, according to the authority.

"We are not experiencing an infection-free summer this year, but that is not threatening for now," said Berlin Charite virologist Christian Drosten.

The German government's COVID-19 expert council on Wednesday warned that there would be a renewed significant strain on the country's health care system in autumn and winter. The council is to present its analysis on the efficiency of the coronavirus measures at the end of June.

Minister of Health Karl Lauterbach said he wanted to wait for the report before considering a tightening of the measures again. The Infection Protection Act, which is expiring at the end of September, "must definitely be changed again and must also be extended above all else," he stressed.

Currently, only the so-called basic protection measures still apply in Germany. The wearing of face masks is only mandatory on public transport, in airplanes and healthcare institutions, such as hospitals and care facilities. 
HELSINKI, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Finland's newly amended Climate Change Act will enter into force on July 1, setting the target of carbon-neutrality by 2035 in law for the first time, the government said in a press release issued on Thursday.

"The act shows the world how we can build a carbon-neutral welfare state by 2035. It is also a strong signal for companies that in Finland clean solutions are well worth investing in," the release quoted Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Maria Ohisalo as saying.

The previous Climate Change Act, which entered into force in 2015, set an emission reduction target for 2050 only.

The newly amended act will include emission reduction targets for 2030 and 2040, and the target for 2050 will be updated. The emission reduction targets will be minus 60 percent by 2030, minus 80 percent by 2040, and at least minus 90 percent but aiming at minus 95 percent by 2050 compared to 1990 levels.

The scope of the act will also be extended to cover emissions from the land use sector, including forestry and agriculture, and it will for the first time include the objective to strengthen carbon sinks.

"Including land use in the Climate Change Act is a significant improvement," Ohisalo said. "We have a lot of opportunities to reduce emissions and strengthen carbon sinks in the sector." 
BEIJING, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The following are the latest developments in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday signed two separate decrees imposing sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin and more than 200 Russian officials, the presidential press service reported.

The restrictions targeting Putin banned him from carrying out trade operations such as exports and imports, transiting through Ukrainian territory and participating in the privatization of Ukraine's state property.

- - - -

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.

- - - -

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.

- - - -

Reduced exports of food commodities from Ukraine and Russia risk leaving between 11 million and 19 million more people with chronic hunger over the next year, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization said on Friday.

According to the food agency, Russia and Ukraine are the world's largest and fifth-largest wheat exporters, respectively. Together, they provide 19 percent of the world's barley supply, 14 percent of wheat and 4 percent of maize, making up more than one third of global cereal exports. 
Photo taken on June 9, 2022 shows the first public hearing of the U.S. House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., the United States. The U.S. House select committee investigating the Capital Hill insurrection on Jan. 6 of 2021 held its first public hearing on Thursday night. Two panel members delivered opening remarks while presenting the findings of its year-long investigation, including previously unseen material documenting the event. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua)

WASHINGTON, June 9 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. House select committee investigating the Capital Hill insurrection on Jan. 6 of 2021 held its first public hearing on Thursday night.

Two panel members delivered opening remarks while presenting the findings of its year-long investigation, including previously unseen material documenting the event.

The panel, which includes seven House Democrats and two Republicans, also called two witnesses, including a Capitol police officer who was injured that day.

It was one of a series of hearings set to be televised throughout the month to show the public what investigators have uncovered about the Capitol riot.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump's allies and supporters have charged the inquiry as a political "witch hunt" designed to tar Trump and the Republican Party.

On Jan. 6, 2021, thousands of individuals -- mostly Trump's supporters -- stormed the Capitol in Washington, D.C. and disrupted a joint session of Congress in the process of affirming the 2020 presidential election results.

Approximately 140 police officers were assaulted in the Capitol attack, including about 80 U.S. Capitol Police and 60 from the Metropolitan Police Department.

Authorities have linked five deaths to the mayhem. Four officers who responded to the attack reportedly committed suicide within the next several months.

The worst attack on Congress in more than 200 years, the siege led to Trump's second impeachment by the House shortly before his term officially ended. 

Photo taken on June 9, 2022 shows the first public hearing of the U.S. House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., the United States. The U.S. House select committee investigating the Capital Hill insurrection on Jan. 6 of 2021 held its first public hearing on Thursday night. Two panel members delivered opening remarks while presenting the findings of its year-long investigation, including previously unseen material documenting the event. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua)

U.S. Capitol Police Officer Caroline Edwards speaks during the first public hearing of the U.S. House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., the United States, June 9, 2022. The U.S. House select committee investigating the Capital Hill insurrection on Jan. 6 of 2021 held its first public hearing on Thursday night. Two panel members delivered opening remarks while presenting the findings of its year-long investigation, including previously unseen material documenting the event. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua)

Filmmaker Nick Quested (R) and U.S. Capitol Police Officer Caroline Edwards are sworn in during the first public hearing of the U.S. House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., the United States, June 9, 2022. The U.S. House select committee investigating the Capital Hill insurrection on Jan. 6 of 2021 held its first public hearing on Thursday night. Two panel members delivered opening remarks while presenting the findings of its year-long investigation, including previously unseen material documenting the event. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua)

Nick Quested, a filmmaker, speaks during the first public hearing of the U.S. House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., the United States, June 9, 2022. The U.S. House select committee investigating the Capital Hill insurrection on Jan. 6 of 2021 held its first public hearing on Thursday night. Two panel members delivered opening remarks while presenting the findings of its year-long investigation, including previously unseen material documenting the event. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua)

Photo taken on June 9, 2022 shows the first public hearing of the U.S. House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., the United States. The U.S. House select committee investigating the Capital Hill insurrection on Jan. 6 of 2021 held its first public hearing on Thursday night. Two panel members delivered opening remarks while presenting the findings of its year-long investigation, including previously unseen material documenting the event. (Photo by Aaron Schwartz/Xinhua)
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. 
Raipur: A Bangladeshi aircraft has been stationed at the Swami Vivekanand Airport in Chhattisgarh's capital Raipur for the past seven years. The airport authority carried out more than two dozen e-mails and correspondences carrying the aircraft from United Airways, but there was no response. Following pressure from the Ministry of External Affairs, the Bangladeshi airlines have now assured the Central and The Raipur Airport Authority that the airport parking fee will be paid by selling the aircraft. Global online tenders for the sale of foreign aircraft will be floated shortly.

Due to the departure from Dhaka to Muscat with 173 passengers, the engine of the MD-83 aircraft caught fire and it was landed at Raipur airport in case of an emergency. Since then, the aircraft has been stationed at Raipur airport. At Bemetara, about 90 km from Raipur, a portion of the engine had broken and fell into the field due to the fire, which was brought to Raipur by placing it in a truck with the help of villagers. In the last five years, the Raipur Airport Authority has written a letter and also sent emails to take the plane, but there was no response. No initiative was taken by the Bangladesh company to carry the aircraft. Due to this, 3 directors of Raipur airport have changed. An attempt was made to contact the Raipur Airport Authority over the phone for more information in this case, but they did not receive the phone.

The news of the sale of the aircraft on behalf of the company has been reported only after sending a legal notice to United Airways Company Bangladesh. The second charge, including parking, is estimated to rise to Rs 2.50 crore in 7 years. It is an MD-83 aircraft. The price of this new aircraft in the market is more than 180 crores. It is expected that due to the old aircraft, some airline companies will buy this aircraft for more than half the price. The aircraft's old engine has also been replaced. Now, only after the sale of the aircraft, there is talk of Raipur airport getting the parking fee.

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New Delhi: The news of the demise of former Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf is coming out. In fact, his condition was very critical, after which he was put on ventilator support. According to media reports, Pervez Musharraf was admitted to the hospital due to heart and other ailments, after which he was put on ventilator in Dubai. Pervez Musharraf passed away on Friday while battling the disease. The 78-year-old musharraf ruled Pakistan from 1999 to 2008. Musharraf has been living in Dubai since March 2016.

Born on August 11, 1943, Pervez Musharraf has been the president and army chief of Pakistan. He overthrew Nawaz Sharif's democratic government in 1999 and took over the reins of Pakistan and served as president of Pakistan from June 20, 2001 to August 18, 2008. Musharraf was born in Daryaganj in Delhi city. After the partition of India, his family moved to Karachi and settled down.

During the Kargil war between India and Pakistan from April to June 1999, Musharraf was the Army Chief of Pakistan. In October 1999, when Nawaz Sharif tried to remove Musharraf from his post, the generals loyal to Musharraf overthrew Sharif and captured the government. In May 2000, the Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered that elections be held in Pakistan. Musharraf ousted then President Rafiq Tarar in June 2001 and became the President himself.

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New Delhi: Iran has withdrawn the statement, in which it was claimed that India's National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval has assured to teach a lesson to those who despise Prophet Muhammad. Giving information, the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has told what happened with the Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Hussein Amir-Abdollahian (Dr. Hossein Amir Abdollahian). Let us inform that the Iranian Foreign Minister is on a three-day visit to India.

Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi has said that this visit will further strengthen the historical ties and partnership of the two countries. Along with this, he told that there were talks between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Iranian counterpart in Delhi on many issues, but during this there was no discussion on the alleged insult to Prophet Muhammad. Bagchi said that the comments and tweets of some people do not reflect the views of the Indian government. While talking to the media on 9 June 2022, Bagchi has said that, 'We have made it clear that the tweets and comments of some people are not the views of the Government of India. This has also been conveyed to our interlocutors and it is also a fact that action has already been taken against the commenters and tweeters made by the concerned people. The issue was not raised during this meeting.;

Bagchi was also questioned about the Iranian Foreign Ministry's tweet, which referred to the alleged talks between NSA Ajit Doval and Dr. Hussein Amir-Abdullahian in the Prophet Muhammad case. In response, Bagchi said, 'As far as discussions are concerned, there is a very good relationship between the NSA and the Iranian minister. I will not comment on that. But the social media post you are talking about, please check it once again, they have already removed the post.

In fact, Iran had claimed that NSA Doval had said during his meeting with the Iranian minister that he would give the harshest punishment to those who insulted the Prophet, from which others would also learn a lesson. A statement was also issued on behalf of Iran quoting Doval. But from this statement issued on the website of the Iranian Foreign Ministry, the lines related to this claim have also been removed later.

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Kolkata: Securitypersonnel of the Bangladeshi embassy in the Park Circus area of West Bengal's capital Kolkata on Thursday suddenly opened indiscriminate fire with their automatic rifle. During this time, a woman riding a scooty passing through the road was shot dead there. After this, the security personnel also shot himself. Police have not yet made the identities of the two public. It is also not clear why the security personnel opened fire. There is an atmosphere of panic in the area due to this sudden firing. The name of the deceased policeman in the incident is Chedup Lepcha. He was a resident of Darjeeling and was serving in the 5th Battalion of the Arms Police.

Eyewitnesses said that suddenly the security personnel started firing with his automatic rifle. There were at least 8-10 rounds of firing. In which the woman riding the scooty from nearby was seriously injured and died on the spot. The security personnel then shot themselves. At the moment nothing is clear as to why the incident took place. After receiving the information, a police team reached the spot and cordoned off the spot. CCTV footage is being viewed.

At the moment, no statement has been issued by the Bangladesh Embassy in this regard. In fact, the Muslim community across the country has been protesting over the alleged indecent remarks about the Prophet Muhammad, the originator of Islam. Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Embassy in Kolkata which is in the Muslim-dominated area of Park Circus. The indiscriminate firing of the security personnel there is also under question.

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MEXICO CITY, JUNE 10: As the ninth Summit of the Americas gets underway in Los Angeles, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador maintained his desire for a change in regional exclusion policies, despite the exclusion of Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.

"If we do nothing to reform this hegemonic approach that disregards people's sovereignty and country independence; if we keep silent, it will persist," President Obama said at a media briefing. "I believe it is an anachronistic, outdated, and unfair policy that must be abandoned, and a new stage in the relationship of all the fraternal peoples and governments of the American continent must be initiated," he said.

Despite the presence of Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard at the conference, Lopez Obrador stated that the Mexican government is "under protest" owing to the exclusions.

The Summit began on Wednesday and will conclude on Friday. Global themes such as measures to enhance economic growth, combat climate change, and the Covid-19 pandemic will be discussed.

It was, however, overshadowed, by the absence of a number of Latin American leaders, including those from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, who boycotted the summit, and those from Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua, who were excluded by Washington.

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By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

Azerbaijan and Switzerland have agreed on the need to further develop cooperation and elevate it to a qualitatively new level of partnership, Azernews reports.

The remarks were made during a meeting between Azerbaijani Ambassador to Switzerland Fuad Isgandarov and Secretary-General of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland Markus Seiler.

"Was glad to discuss state of play and perspectives of Azerbaijani-Swiss relations with Secretary-General of FDFA H. E. Markus Seiler. Agreed on excellent experience of 30 years old cooperation and necessity of its further development up to qualitatively new level of partnership," Isgandarov wrote on his official Twitter page.

Azerbaijan and Switzerland are cooperating in various economic fields. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on January 21, 1992.

There is mutually beneficial cooperation between Baku and Bern in the non-oil sector. In addition, Baku will host a meeting of the Commission on Trade and Economic relations between Switzerland and Azerbaijan in 2022.

The trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $457.2 million in 2021, with exports accounting for $272.5 million and imports for $184.7 million.
Bangalore: An effigy of suspended Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Nupur Sharma has been found hanging from the snare on the beach road in Belagavi, Karnataka. The incident took place at Fort Road in Belgaum, where the effigy of Nupur Sharma was hanged. In a building next to it, many mikes are seen installed and a green flag is also visible. The effigy was dressed in sarees and pictures of Nupur Sharma were also put on it.

Let us know that where this statue is found hanging, there is also a dargah named Bashiban. The incident took place on Friday (June 10, 2022). Police said the effigy was hung in the dark of the night. As soon as the incident came to the notice of the police, it was immediately removed from there. Since it is a communally sensitive area, the police have increased deployment of the force to maintain peace and order. At the same time, local corporator Shankar Patil informed the police about the incident. Local Hindus and Hindu organisations have demanded strict action in the matter. Shankar Patil, an independent member of the local municipal corporation, said that it is not Afghanistan, so the judiciary will decide whether Nupur Sharma is guilty or not.

He said that miscreants have done this to create unrest in the society. They have demanded strict action against the accused. Let us know that after being accused of commenting on Prophet Muhammad, Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal are constantly being given death threats by the fundamentalists. Both have also been suspended from the party by the BJP. At the same time, Dutch MP Geert Wilders, who supported Nupur Sharma, said Islam is intolerant and its ideology is a threat to the whole world. Wilders said that if countries that kill their minorities and put them in jail demand an apology from a democratic country governed by law, then this is the biggest hypocrisy.

Owaisi's entry in MP! Will be played on the basis of Muslim vote bank"

'Go to Delhi-UP and do this work...', Mamta Banerjee said to the religious crowd doing 'arson and violence' in Bengal.

Iran withdraws its statement on 'Prophet Mohammad', Indian Ministry of External Affairs gave information
HANOI: Defense Minster Shri Rajnath Singh paid a visit to Vietnam's training institutions as part of his three-day official tour to the Southeast Asian country. Shri Rajnath Singh, who is in Vietnam to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation, began his day with a visit to the Air Force Officers Training School in Nha Trang.

On behalf of the Government of India, he presented a one-million-dollar contribution to the School for the development of a language and information technology laboratory. In a speech to the officers at the school, he expressed his hope that the laboratory will help to improve the linguistic and IT skills of Vietnam's Air Defence and Air Force troops.

Shri Rajnath Singh then went to Nha Trang's Telecommunications University, where an Army Software Park is being built with a USD 5 million subsidy from the Indian government. The grant was announced in September 2016 during Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's visit to Vietnam.

During his visit to Vietnam, the Raksha Mantri met with General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense, and paid a courtesy call on President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

During his visit to the Hong Ha Shipyard in Hai Phong on June 9, 2022, Shri Rajnath Singh handed over 12 High Speed Guard Boats to Vietnam. The boats were built with funds from the Indian government's $US 100 million Defense Line of Credit to Vietnam.

Defense Minister hands over Vietnam with 12 high-speed patrol boats

Rajnath Singh approves enhancement of funding under TDF

Defense Minister Rajnath Singh to embark on 3-day visit to Vietnam
YEREVAN: Russia will help normalise relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

Lavrov stressed the importance of continuing to push ahead the process of normalising Armenia-Azerbaijan ties during a joint press conference with his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan after their meeting on Thursday as per reports.

"We all believe, in my opinion, that the process is moving forward. It's possible that a faster approach would be preferable "Russia would attempt to contribute to the process in every way possible, said the visiting Russian Foreign Minister. He praised the Armenia-Azerbaijan Line Commissions' efforts to demarcate the border, stating Russia is willing to provide consulting assistance in this regard.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov pledged that any agreement to improve economic and transportation communications in the South Caucasus will fully respect Armenia's sovereignty.

For his part, Mirzoyan praised Russia's contribution to sustaining peace in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. He said that Armenia is interested in reactivating the Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship of the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe).

Lavrov arrived in Armenia on Wednesday for a working visit.

Russian FM Lavrov called for the closure of airspace during his Serbia visit

Zelensky imposes sanctions on Putin and top Russian officials

Pak PM to import wheat from Russia amid US sanctions
SEOUL: South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol will attend a NATO summit in Spain later this month, making him the first head of state from Seoul to do so, A govt official announced on Friday.

According to report, the summit will be held in Madrid on June 29 and 30, and it will be Yoon's first overseas travel since taking office. "The President's participation in the NATO summit will be his first overseas trip since taking office, and it will be an important opportunity to strengthen cooperation with NATO allies and partners in order to maintain the values- and rules-based international order, as well as to expand our country's role as a global pivotal nation," the official told reporters.

Yoon will participate in a session with the 30 NATO members and partners, including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Finland, Ukraine, Georgia, and the European Union, during the summit. On the sidelines, he expects to hold multiple bilateral talks with leaders of "important European states," as per reports.

The official declined to comment on a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, which has been widely reported as a possibility, given the delicacy of ongoing conversations.

It would be the first meeting between the two countries in more than two years, following a protracted debate over historical issues arising from Tokyo's colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945.

Yoon pledges stern response to any N.Korean provocation

N.Korea appears to be carrying out operations at Yongbyon nuclear complex

N. Korea to face 'swift, forceful' response in nuke test: Wendy Sherman
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa of Sri Lanka has created two new ministries, one of which is an investment ministry, to deal with the island nation's greatest economic crisis.

The new ministry of 'Technology and Investment Promotion' will also be responsible for promoting foreign direct investment and private sector investment, while promoting economic potential in Sri Lanka.

Basil Rajapaksa, the former finance minister and the intellectual pillar of the Rajapaksa brothers, resigned from Parliament on Thursday, prompting the creation of the new ministry.

President Gotabaya also established a 'Ministry of Women, Child Affairs, and Social Empowerment' through a gazette notice. The Ministry of Women and Children's Affairs and Social Empowerment has 15 institutions, including the National Child Protection Authority and the Samurdhi Development Department.

Basil announced his resignation to allow someone from the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) to take his place. Dhammika Perera, a prominent businessman, is expected to succeed Basil as Minister of Technology and Investment Promotion.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister meets IMF official on economic instability

Sri Lankas 21st Amendment to Constitution being submitted for Cabinet nod

Sri Lanka Cabinet approves proposal to alter Acts to increase state revenue
Ukrainian military carried out a precision strike on Wagner base at stadium in Kadiivka, Luhansk governor says 10 June, 12:50 PM Ukrainian Armed Forces destroyed a base used by mercenaries from Russias Wagner private military company at Kadiyivka Stadium (formerly Stakhanov) (Photo:@samotniyskhid)

Ukraines army has destroyed a base used by mercenaries from Russias Wagner private military company in the Russian-occupied town of Kadiivka (formerly Stakhanov) in Luhansk Oblast, the regions governor said on June 10.

The Ukrainian safari continues: The Armed Forces of Ukraine have destroyed a base of the Wagner group in occupied Luhansk Oblast, Serhiy Hayday wrote in a post on his Facebook page.

He added that the Ukrainian military had carried out a precision strike on the base, which was located at the local stadium in the center of Kadiivka.

 

Yesterday our military struck a powerful blow in the center of Kadiivka, where the Wagner mercenaries were located, Hayday added later on national television.

According to our data, only one mercenary survived. The rest died under the rubble.

Earlier this week, Ukrainian journalist Roman Bochkala reported the destruction of the Wagner base in Kadiivka.



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Moscow is playing PR game over grain exports 8 June, 02:26 PM

Its painful watching the Turks trying to negotiate with Russia to create some kind of grain export corridor out of Ukrainian ports.

Moscow has little interest in allowing any such corridor unless:

a) By forcing Ukraine to de-mine its ports, like Odesa, gives Moscow the opportunity to launch new amphibious landings to take more of Ukraines coastline and complete its mission to make Ukraine landlocked.

b) It gets Western sanction moderation on its exports as the price of any deal - indeed, Turkish FM, Cavusoglu, seemed to suggest in talks today that that was a reasonable demand.

 

c) This could well just be a big PR game from Moscow. It knows a) and b) are just not going to happen but by pretending to negotiate with Turkey and to be seen as reasonable it can pin the blame on Ukraine for the no-deal and then the global food price crisis.

It is simply remarkable that Turkey thinks it can negotiate here without Ukraine at the table - it shows again a real naivety from the Turkish diplomatic stance that we also saw during the Istanbul and Antalya peace talks. They have shown zero understanding of the Ukrainian position.

Question why is Turkey adopting such an approach when they must understand the risks of bowing to the Russian bear given their own regional knowledge.

I sense here that what is driving this is Erdogans own precarious domestic political position - with low poll ratings, elections due in a year, and the economy in a desperately poor position.

Erdogan cannot afford, politically, this war to go on and keep energy and food import prices so high. He is desperate for a deal but unfortunately, I dont think the Ukrainians are willing to pay the price.

Now Turkey has provided support to Ukraine by the provision of the celebrated Bayraktar drones, but beyond that Ankara has proven less than supportive - appearing too eager to force Ukraine to concede to Russian demands, appearing to want to profit from Western sanctions by providing a conduit for Russian capital trying to exit, and not joining Western sanctions despite being a NATO member, blocking Sweden and Finlands NATO entry (albeit for understandable concerns over its own security and the Kurdish issue).

Turkey cannot have its cake and eat it. Its either supporting Ukraine, with its NATO partners, or it is not. At the moment it appears duplicitous in Moscows PR games and is providing a PR platform for Putin and Lavrov when in all seriousness there seems to be little chance of a deal over food and grain corridors.

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Home  Travel  Govts own panel says Nepals aviation safety is weak but blames airline companies for it

Kathmandu, June 10

A committee formed by the government to look into Nepals aviation safety status says the country is performing poorly in the sector. It has blamed airline companies for the status.

Further, the committee says airline companies operating helicopters are more negligent than those operating aeroplanes.

The Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation had formed a committee on September 29, 2021, in response to the complaints galore about the sector.

Meanwhile, the committee has also highlighted that the aviation sector does not have as many personnel as it needs in Nepal, and it is poorer in the helicopter companies.

Being unable to manage sufficient human resources but increasing the number of companies might mean the upcoming days after more challenging in terms of aviation safety management.

Here is the latest (2021) aviation safety rating of every airline company as made public by the panel:

Aeroplane operators

Himalaya Airlines: 87%

Summit Air: 81%

Yeti Air: 79%

Buddha Air: 74%

Saurya Airlines: 67%

Nepal Airlines: 64%

Guna Airlines: 64%

Shree Airlines: 64%

Tara Air: 64%

Sita Air: 43%

Helicopter operators
Home  Auto  NIU UQi GT in Nepal: Despite the minimalistic design, modern features might give this e-scooter a free ride

NIU UQi GT is the latest offering from the popular electric two-wheeler company NIU.

Eco Infinity, the authorised distributor of NIU scooters in Nepal, has added yet another new product to its offering. This electric scooter offers a different look than what most electric scooters usually provide these days. The minimalistic design of the scooter is backed by an abundance of modern features capable of giving the model advantage in the Nepali market.

Lets get into the details to know what features the scooter provides to the rider.

Specifications

Dimensions Length: 1,910 mm

Height: 1,128 mm

Width: 740 mm

Ground clearance: 180 mm

Seat height: 840 mm

Wheelbase: 1,300 mm Motor power 1200 W Rated power 1500 W Motor Bosch Battery type Lithium-ion (18,650 cell) Battery capacity 48V31 Ah Charging time 6 to 7 hours Range From 70km to 80 km Top speed Up to 45 kmph Braking type Combi Braking System Brakes Front: Disc

Rear: Disc Tyre size Front: 90/90-14, tubeless

Rear: 110/80-14, tubeless Instrument display Digital Speedometer Digital Rated max loading capacity 227 kg Weight 75 kg including battery Colours Red, blue, black Price Rs 255,000

Design

Photo: niu

NIU UQi GT flaunts a unique minimalistic design. It also shares the design with NIU UQim, which belongs to the same family as NIU UQi GT. A more innovative approach has been done for styling instead of just going for the traditional styling.

Photo: niu

NIU UQi GT incorporates NIUs 360-degree lighting system. At the front, the scooter features an automatic light-sensitive LED headlamp with a circular LED DRL. It also gets LED indicators with an auto-off feature. On the rear side, it gets a 270-degree semi-surrounding LED tail light.

Photo: niu

Moreover, the handlebars on the scooter are short with a smart LCD dashboard in the centre. The scooter gets split seats and the bigger portion has been provided to the rider. There is also a grab rail support for the pillion rider.

The scooter weighs 75 kg including the battery, making it extremely lightweight. Though being a lightweight scooter, it has a loading capacity of up to 227 kg. The scooter is currently available in red, blue and black colours.

Performance

Photo: niu

NIU UQi GT is powered by a 1200W Bosch motor and has a 48V31 Ah 4th Gen NIU lithium-ion battery. The scooter has a FOC vector controller equipped with the NIU self-adaptive motor, ensuring smoothness and power. With two riding modes, the scooter can achieve a top speed of only 45 kmph. The scooter can provide a range between 70-80 km. The charging time can take anywhere from six to seven hours and there is no mention of a fast-charging system. The scooter also offers cruise control mode.

Photo: niu

NIU UQi GT can also be connected to a smartphone via the NIU app. The app displays comprehensive vehicle services like remaining battery level and range estimate, GPS positioning, security alert, past routes and riding statistics. The app also offers vehicle management and personal and binding information management to the riders.

It further lets the rider have:

Multiple remote controls

Accurate reminders

Robust protection against theft

Tracking how much pollution the rider has prevented from entering the environment

Remotely starting and powering up your vehicle

Remote vehicle fortification

Remotely turning alarm on and off

Remotely locking your vehicle

Brakes, tyres and smart features

Photo: niu

NIU UQi GT features dual disc brakes with a combi braking system (CBS). The CBS will split braking force between the front and rear brake discs, reducing stopping distance and ensuring a safe brake at high speeds. Meanwhile, the scooter also uses an intelligent system of regenerative braking to recover battery energy, which extends the battery time and range.

The scooter is fitted with 14-inch tubeless tyres. The front measures 90/90-14 while the rear tyre measures 110/80-14. With 180mm ground clearance, going past different road conditions should not be a big problem for this scooter.

Photo: niu

There are also some smart features on this scooter. The scooter has a smarter alert system. The six-axis motion sensor measures the vehicles acceleration and GPS positioning which allows the rider to accurately identify any unauthorised movement of their vehicle. The alerts will be sent directly to the phone of the rider. The GPS / GLONASS satellite positioning also helps in viewing the vehicles location in real-time.

Notable features on NIU UQi GT include:

Lightweight design

4th Gen NIU Lithium-ion battery

NIU app

ECU controller

Robust anti-theft safeguards

Smarter alert system

Multiple remote controls

Powerful NIU self-adaptive motor

Cruise control

14- inch tubeless tyres

The price of the NIU UQi GT is Rs 255,000.

Do you think this is a value for money scooter or are there better alternatives in the market?
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.
By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

If Azerbaijan maintains the current level of exports to Europe throughout 2022, exports will increase by around 3 billion cubic meters year on year.

The remarks were made in the Global Gas Report 2022, published by the International Gas Union, Snam and Rystad Energy, Azernews reports.

The report recalled that the European Commission presented plans for increasing the imports of piped gas from non-Russian sources by 10 billion cubic meters before the end of 2022, with most of these incremental volumes expected to come from Norway, Algeria, and Azerbaijan. It was emphasized that there is sufficient spare pipeline capacity to meet this target, but the question remains around these countries' ability to increase output from their fields.

"The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate (NPD) published a revised production forecast in February 2022, implying a 5.15 billion cubic meters increase in 2022 output compared to 2021. There is available gas pipeline capacity between Algeria and Europe, but an increase in flows is subject to Algeria's ability to increase upstream production. In April 2022, Eni and Sonatrach signed an agreement to increase gas flows from Algeria to Italy by up to 9 billion cubic meters per year from 2023 to 2024. If Azerbaijan maintains the current level of exports to Europe throughout 2022, exports will increase by around 3 billion cubic meters year on year," the report says.

Moreover, the report noted that the pipeline exports from Azerbaijan rose by 16 percent year on year, driven by the ramp-up of volumes through the Trans Anatolian Gas Pipeline (TANAP).

To recall, with the completion of the TAP (Trans-Adriatic Pipeline) construction on December 31, 2020, Azerbaijan began commercial gas supplies to Europe via the Southern Gas Corridor. The European Commission's Southern Gas Corridor initiative aims to build a natural gas supply route from the Caspian and Middle Eastern regions to Europe. The route from Azerbaijan to Europe consists of the South Caucasus Pipeline, the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP), and TAP.

Last year, TAP transported 8.1 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe. By late 2022, Azerbaijan plans to increase gas supplies to Europe to 9.1 billion cubic meters, and in 2023, the volume of gas supplies is expected to reach 11 billion cubic meters.
AM Resources Corp.

MONTREAL, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AM Resources Corporation (AM or the Corporation) (TSXV: AMR) (Frankfurt: 76A) is providing an update to its previously disclosed management cease trade order (MCTO), initially announced on April 29, 2022, in respect of the audited annual financial statements and corresponding managements discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2021, including the CEO and CFO certifications, as well as the interim financial statements and corresponding managements discussion and analysis for the period ended March 31, 2022, including the CEO and CFO certifications (collectively, the Financial Documents) that were not filed by their respective filing deadlines of April 30, 2022 and May 30, 2022 (the Filing Deadlines).



As previously disclosed, the Financial Documents were not filed on or before the Filing Deadlines due to the delay in the completion of the audit of the Corporations financial statements before the Filing Deadlines. The Corporation is working closely with the auditor to finalize the audit and expects to file the Financial Documents no later than July 2, 2022. The Corporation will provide updates as further information relating to the Financial Documents becomes available.

The MCTO will be in effect until the Financial Documents are filed.

Until the Financial Documents are filed, the Corporation intends to issue bi-weekly default status reports in accordance with National Policy 12-203  Management Cease Trade Orders. The Corporation intends to satisfy the provisions of the Alternative Information Guidelines during the period it remains in default of the filing requirements. The Corporation confirms that there is no other material information relating to its affairs that has not been generally disclosed.

About AM Resources

AM Resources Corporation (TSXV: AMR) is a mining exploration company with interests in coal and natural bitumen projects in Colombia. AM is betting on Colombia's excellent mineral potential and favourable climate to pursue its Colombian venture.

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Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information:

David Grondin

AM Resources Corporation

President and Chief Executive Officer

1-514-360-0576

www.am-resources.com




ReportLinker

The ASEAN Electric Vehicle Market was valued at USD 498. 93 Million in 2021 and is expected to reach USD 2,665. 3 Million by 2027, registering a CAGR of 32. 73% during the forecast period (2022 - 2027).

New York, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "ASEAN Electric Vehicle Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecast (2022 - 2027)" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06249293/?utm_source=GNW



The COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the market as manufacturing activities were on halt for several months in the first half of the year 2020. Also, the disrupted supply chain and the shortage of chips in the year 2021 had a negative impact on the growth of the market studied. The ASEAN countries are along major sea trade routes and due to the lockdown and shutdown of countries, the sea trade has also come to a halt, stopping transport of vehicles across the world. However, the gradual opening of the market in the later stages of 2020 and 2021 has paved way for economic revival of the market.



Government policies to support the growth of electric vehicles and plans to enlarge the electric vehicle charging infrastructure are expected to remain prominent market drivers during the forecast period. Several governments across the ASEAN region have announced their plans to have a certain portion of their new vehicles sales to be electric in the upcoming few years.



Governments play a vital role in encouraging the expansion of electric vehicle charging infrastructure. As the ASEAN governments push for further vehicle electrification, there must be usage and purchase incentives that either lower the overall cost of ownership or make driving electric vehicles more convenient for customers. Although there are few incentives for purchasing electric vehicles or charging infrastructure are in the Philippines, the country holds 5% and 4% of worldwide nickel and cobalt reserves, respectively, and thus has enormous potential to participate more actively in the EV battery production value chain.



EVs are becoming more popular in Indonesia, owing to ride-hailing companies like Grab, which recently announced a cooperation with local power supplier PLN to expand its fleet charging infrastructure. In the coming years, public transportation operators such as Transjakarta want to increase their electric bus fleet to 10,000 units. Such instances are evident sign for the growth of electric vehicle market across the region.



Key Market Trends



Electric Vehicle Sharing Platform will propel the Market



Vehicle sharing services in the region are updating their vehicle fleet to electric as the new startups are getting huge funding from various EV manufacturers and tech companies. Governments are also drafting various policies to increase EV adoption in the region.



According to the National Automotive Policy (NAP) of Malaysia, their initial target was to manufacture 85% of vehicles produced locally to be EVs by 2020.



Whereas in January 2020, electric vehicle ride-hailing startup Grab and Hyundai collectively launched GrabCar Elektrik. GrabCar Elektrik Service will start with the fleet of 50 Hyundai Ioniq EVs, at Jakartas Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and in 2019, Grab announced that company has secured around USD 1.46 billion funds from the SoftBank Vision Fund. Apart from that Grab has already raised more than $4.5 billion with investments from various automakers such as Toyota and Hyundai Motor, along with other tech giants Microsoft.



Similarly, for an electric two-wheeler, GrabWheels has secured around USD 30 million funding from KYMCO a Taiwan based electric bikes manufacturer. Through this strategic partnership, both companies will develop new two-wheeler electric vehicle solutions for faster adoption of EVs in the region.



Singapore is Expected to play key role



Singapore has been at the forefront of EV charging infrastructure in ASEAN, with more than 1,800 public charging points available. In addition, the government of Singapore is planning to install 60,000 more charging points by 2030 end.



The Singapore government has set a new target worth USD 22 million between 2021-2025 to promote EV adoption among consumers and increase the number of chargers at private properties to robust the charging infrastructure. In tandem, Singapore has successfully established itself as the key R&D hotspot for its EV industry. This, in turn, has been done by facilitating investments projects from several multinationals and start-ups companies to build a strong local EV ecosystem in Singapore.



The governments of Singapore are providing support to increase electric mobility to minimize pollution. Moreover, an increase in electric mobility is expected to increase electric vehicle sales. For instance by 2040, Singapore has planned to phase out its all-internal combustion engines and replace all of them with cleaner energy vehicles. The newly founded National Electric Vehicle Centre (NEVC) is heading the campaign to promote wider EV adoption, in accordance with Singapores objective for all vehicles to run on greener energy by 2040. This enables Singapore to develop new EV-related technologies in a safe and innovative manner.



Competitive Landscape



The ASEAN electric vehicle market is moderately consolidated, has several active players, owing to the presence of new startups and major conventional ICE vehicles OEMs, As the market is witnessing the entry of various electric vehicle ride-hailing startups and automakers. Some of the major players in the market are Hyundai, Tesla Inc., BMW Group, MG Motors and Mitsubishi Motor Company amongst others. The local governments are preparing for scaling up the local electric vehicle production and various automotive and ride-hailing companies are forming strategic alliances with other players in the market. For instance,



In March 2022, Hyundai Motor Group, launched its new automotive plant in Indonesia that will produce first locally assembled electric vehicle, this initiative has been the part of President Joko Widodos goal for developing a full EV supply chain in Indonesia.

In 2021, the Asian Development Bank and Energy Absolute signed a USD 48 million green loan valuation to finance countrywide electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Thailand.

In 2020, Thailands government has announced a new roadmap to promote EV through various state agencies and has set an aggressive target to manufacture around 250,000 EVs, in which 3,000 are electric buses and 53,000 electric motorcycles by 2025.

In 2018, Grab and SP Group entered into a strategic partnership. In this partnership Grab will add 200 new fast-charging electric vehicles and it will utilize SP fast-charging network. This will deliver greater cost savings for driver-partners. SP has planning to add 500 publicly accessible DC (direct current) and AC (alternating current) charging points, by 2020.



Additional Benefits:



The market estimate (ME) sheet in Excel format

3 months of analyst support

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06249293/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



__________________________

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CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




Beijing has blasted the United States for supplying arms to Taiwan and demanded that it abandon a proposed US$120 million deal with the self-ruled island.

The US government on Wednesday announced the proposed sale of naval ship spare parts and related equipment as well as logistical support for Taiwan in the fourth such deal since President Joe Biden took office in January last year.

It comes ahead of US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin's first meeting with his Chinese counterpart General Wei Fenghe on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore this weekend.

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.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian on Thursday hit out at US arms sales to Taiwan, saying they "seriously violate the one-China principle and the stipulations of the three China-US joint communiques ... gravely undermine China's sovereignty and security interests, and severely harm China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait".

He urged Washington to abide by the one-China principle and the three joint communiques and to withdraw its proposed deal with Taiwan.

Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said US arms sales to Taiwan "gravely undermine China's sovereignty and security interests". Photo: AP alt=Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said US arms sales to Taiwan "gravely undermine China's sovereignty and security interests". Photo: AP>

According to a statement released by the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency on Wednesday, Taiwan had requested unclassified spare parts for ships and ship systems, logistical technical assistance, US government and contractor representative technical and logistical support, and other logistical and programme support.

"This proposed sale serves US national, economic and security interests by supporting the recipient's continuing efforts to maintain a credible defensive capability. 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," it said.

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The agency said the deal would help Taiwan maintain its surface vessel fleet, "enhancing its ability to meet current and future threats".

"The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region," it said.

Taiwan's presidential office, foreign and defence ministries on Thursday all expressed appreciation for the new US arms package, which will be sent to Congress for approval and signing by Biden in a month or so.

Presidential office spokesman Xavier Chang said Taiwan would "continue to resolutely demonstrate its determination to defend itself, maintain cross-strait and regional stability and strengthen the resilience of global democracy".

He noted it was the fourth arms deal from the Biden government, which he said showed that the US was taking Taiwan's defence needs seriously, as well as its rock-solid partnership with the island.

Biden approved the first deal - for 40 Paladin M109A6 self-propelled howitzers worth US$750 million - eight months into his presidency. A US$100 million package in February includes equipment and services to support participation in the Patriot International Engineering Services Programme and Field Surveillance Programme for five years. A third deal in April involves US$95 million of equipment and services to maintain Taiwan's US-made Patriot missile air defence system.

The deals have angered Beijing, which sees Taiwan as part of its territory and has repeatedly warned the US and other countries not to supply arms to or have official contact with the island. Beijing has not renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control and has in recent years stepped up a campaign of military intimidation and diplomatic pressure.

Chieh Chung, a senior researcher at the National Policy Foundation, a Taipei-based think tank affiliated with the opposition Kuomintang, said the arms deals under the Biden government were mostly related to spare parts, technical and logistical support.

"The only deal which could bolster our defences is the [first] one that includes 40 Paladin M109A6 self-propelled howitzers - but the Biden government has postponed that deal indefinitely," Chieh 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.
OTTAWA, ON, June 10, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable ("the Roundtable") welcomes the announcement made today by the American federal government to remove all testing requirements for travellers to the United States. Similarly, the Roundtable welcomes the step taken by the Canadian government to temporarily suspend mandatory arrivals testing for vaccinated travellers to assist with current congestion at airports, but continues to call on the Canadian Government to permanently remove all arrival testing and other remaining COVID-19 restrictions.

Canadian Travel & Tourism Roundtable logo (CNW Group/Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable)

Today's announcements mark an important milestone for the North American travel and tourism industry as it attempts to rebuild following more than two years of restrictions and shutdowns.

Notwithstanding today's announcements, there is still significant work to do to alleviate unnecessary pressures on the travel sector and passenger experience. This includes immediately lifting the outdated vaccine mandates for passengers and federally regulated aviation workers and removing the duplicative health checks at Canada's airports. While today's announcement in Canada will remove some testing, there will remain congestion issues as all passengers' vaccination status will continue to be determined at the border, with unvaccinated travellers still required to undergo a COVID-19 test upon arrival through June.

Canada's outdated rules are causing unacceptable delays at the country's major airports, keeping international visitors away and souring Canada's reputation on the world stage. Domestically, Canada's travel rules are hurting small businesses, unfairly impacting families looking to enjoy the summer travel season and forcing the cancellation of conferences and events that help power local economies.

"Unfairly targeting travel and tourism is a relic from the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical experts have been clear; Canada's current border policies are outdated and no longer helping keep COVID-19 out of Canada. While today's announcement marks an important step in the right direction, there is still work to do," said Perrin Beatty, President & CEO of Canada's Chamber of Commerce.

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To that end, the Roundtable calls on the federal government to immediately:

Remove vaccination mandates for passengers and federally regulated aviation workers;

Remove the Public Health Agency of Canada's (PHAC) duplicate health checks and questions through ArriveCAN at government checkpoints;

Remove manual selection processes for testing from CBSA and within airports;

Establish clear service standards for security and customs processing of passengers travelling through Canadian airports.

Canadians are ready to travel abroad, and international travellers are ready to travel to Canada. As demand for travel returns and other global economies re-open, Canada's border policies and resources must reflect the new reality.

About the Canadian Travel & Tourism Roundtable

The Canadian Tourism Roundtable is a cross-Canadian coalition of leaders in the tourism and travel sector  including representatives from airports, airlines, hotels, and chambers of commerce across the country  committed to working together to restart the sector smoothly and safely. Travel and Tourism is a $105 billion sector, employing millions of Canadians across the country and accounting for 2.1% of the country's gross domestic product. It advocates for a safe and prosperous tourism and travel sector across Canada.

SOURCE Canadian Travel and Tourism Roundtable

Cision

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2022/10/c0514.html
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Dublin, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Colombia Construction Equipment Market - Strategic Assessment & Forecast 2022-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Colombia construction equipment market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.72% during 2022-2028

The report considers the present scenario of the Colombia construction equipment market and market dynamics for the forecast period 2022-2028. It covers a detailed overview of several growth enablers, restraints, and trends in the market. The study includes the volume and value sales with a segment analysis of the Colombia construction equipment market.

In 2021, the earthmoving equipment segment had the largest share in Colombia construction equipment market. Colombian government investment in infrastructure development projects including improving water drainage, renewable energy projects are expected to drive the demand for excavators as compared to other earthmoving equipment over the forecast period. The earthmoving equipment segment in Colombia is estimated to grow at a CAGR of more than 7% by 2028.

KEY POINTS

The construction industry was adversely impacted in 2020 as major infrastructure projects were halted to curb COVID-19 outbreak. In Colombia, demand for new construction equipment declined by 15.2% in the same year.

Colombian government introduced 5G infrastructure development program in 2021. The government planned to invest in road infrastructure (~60 billion), airport expansion projects ($5.7 billion), railways infrastructure ($3.4 billion), and port Infrastructure ($433 million) in 2022. In 2022, Government makes the fresh set of investment of $955.7 million for construction of new highways between Sabana de Torres & Curumani, Puerto Salgar & Barrancabermeja and road improvement projects are planned between Buenaventura & Buga as well as Sabtuario & Cano Alegre.

Additionally, increasing minerals production & FDI inflow in the mining sector have positive impact on construction equipment's sales. Colombia's mining sector recovered by 15% in 2021 due to surge in production of coal, gold, and nickel in the country. FDI investment in the mining industry was $2.7 billion in 2021.

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The industry bounced after 26% decline in 2020 caused by lockdown and reduced FDI inflow in $902 million. The growth in mining industry due to rising FDI investment in mining sector and increasing production of gold, nickel, and copper in 2022 triggers the demand for large excavators, backhoe loader and crane in the Colombian market.

Surge in urban development & maintenance projects trigger the need for fuel efficient & flexible equipment. Government's focus on road maintenance projects, development of municipality and proper drainage system prompts the demand for flexible, low maintenance and fuel-efficient equipment in the market.

The major OEMs in the country are expected to follow the recent trends in the demand for construction equipment and focuses on delivering fuel efficient and low maintenance equipment such as backhoe loader, skid loaders, mini excavators in Colombia market.

VENDOR LANDSCAPE

Caterpillar, Komatsu and Volvo have the major share in the Colombia construction equipment market. The Chinese manufacturer such as SANY & XCMG are recently gaining popularity due to low price compared to that of other manufacturers.



Key Vendors

Caterpillar

Volvo Construction Equipment

Komatsu

SANY

JCB

Liebherr

Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group Co. Ltd. (XCMG)

Hyundai Construction Equipment

Other Prominent Vendors

Kobelco

Terex corporation

CASE Construction

Yanmar manufactures

LiuGong

Distributor Profiles

Newman Maquinaria Pesada

CENTRAL S.A.S

IMPORTADORA CASA Colombia S.A.S

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY THIS REPORT?

This report is among the few in the market that offers an outlook and opportunity analysis forecast in terms of:

Colombia Construction Equipment Market Size & Forecast Volume (Unit sales) 2019-2028

Earthmoving. Material handling and road construction

Excavators, Backhoe loaders, Cranes, forklifts

End Users (construction, mining, manufacturing and other industries)

Colombia Construction Equipment Market Size and Forecast Value (USD) 2019-2028

Earthmoving. Material handling and road construction

Excavators, Backhoe loaders, Cranes, forklifts

End Users (construction, mining, manufacturing and other industries)

Major current & upcoming projects & investments

Gain competitive intelligence about the economic scenario, advantages in Colombia's major projects and investments, dynamics, and market share.

Examples of the latest technologies.

Get presentation-ready format and easy-to-interpret data.

Enable decision-makers to make informed and profitable choices

Gain expert quantitative and qualitative analysis on value/volume incremental growth projections

Complete supply chain analysis

Get COVID-19 impact analysis of the market

Vendor capability matrix

Company Profile of vendors and distributors

Key Topics Covered:



Section 1 Introduction



Section 2 Market Overview

Economic Scenario, Foreign Direct Investment

Section 3 Market Landscape

Colombia Construction Equipment Market by Type (Volume & Value)

Earthmoving Equipment

Excavators

Backhoe Loaders

Motor Graders

Other Earthmoving Equipment (Other Loaders, Bulldozer, Trencher, Etc.)

Material Handling Equipment

Cranes

Forklift and Telescopic Handler

Aerial Platform (Articulated Boom Lifts, Telescopic Boom Lifts, Scissor Lifts, Etc)

Road Construction Equipment

Road Roller

Asphalt Paver

Colombia Construction Equipment Market by End-user (Volume & Value)

Construction

Manufacturing

Mining

Others (Power Generation, Utilities Municipal Corporations, Oil & Gas, Cargo Handling, Power Generation Plants, Waste Management, Etc.)

Section 4 Market Dynamics

Market Drivers, Restraints, Trends, Advantage Colombia, Key Economic Regions, Import/Export Trends, Supply Chain Analysis, Covid-19 Impact

Section 5 Technological Development

Advent of New Technology

Section 6 Competitive Landscape

Competitive Landscape Overview

Major Vendors (Caterpillar - Volvo Construction Equipment - Komatsu Colombia S.A.S - Sany Colombia S.A.S - Jcb - Liebherr Colombia - Terex Corporation Colombia - Hyundai Construction Equipment - Xcmg - Kobelco - Liugong - Yanmar - Case)

Other Prominent Vendors

Distributor Profiles

Section 7 Quantitative Summary

Quantitative Summary

Section 8 Report Summary

Key Insights

Abbreviations

List of Graphs

List of Tables

Section 9 Report Scope & Definition

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/yaf67z

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




U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio/The Daily Beast

A flight-attendant-turned-cupcake-entrepreneur hid her criminal past by stealing a dead infants identity and using it to obtain a job, a pilots license, a passport, admission to college, and, eventually, hundreds of thousands of dollars in COVID-19 bailout funds, federal investigators say.

The con went on for nearly two decades, until Brie Bourgeois slipped up last year while renewing her passport, according to a criminal complaint unsealed Friday.

Ava Virginia Misseldine, 49, was arrested Thursday by federal agents in Utah. Misseldine last year moved out west from Columbus, Ohio, where she ran a highly regarded organic bake shop. One of Misseldines businesses, the Koko Tea Salon & Bakery, was featured on the Food Networks The Best Thing I Ever Ate, for red velvet cupcakes made with beet juice rather than food coloring. In a 2014 interview with Columbus Monthly, Misseldine portrayed herself as a former cancer researcher who grew up in Hawaii, where, as she told The Columbus Dispatch a year earlier, her family ran a generations-old tea business. Misseldine said she moved to Ohio to study chemical engineering at Ohio State University, and that she got into baking in 2011 to honor her beloved grandmother.

But, a relative told The Daily Beast, most of that was news to him.

Reached by phone, Russell Misseldine, who lives in the Cleveland suburb of Mentor, said Ava did not grow up in Hawaii, that the family is not in the tea trade, and that he is not aware of her having ever worked as a cancer researcher.

Even stranger, Misseldine has allegedly been maintaining a completely separate life as Brie Bourgeois, a ruse she began in 2003, three years after getting out of prison for theft, forgery, and escape. The real Brie Bourgeois died in 1997, states an affidavit filed in Ohio federal court by a special agent with the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service. According to public records, a Brie Bourgeois did attend Ohio State, as did an Ava Misseldine, who is listed as having studied liberal arts.

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When Misseldine took on her new, fraudulent identity, she started by getting an official Ohio state ID card in Bourgeois name, which she then used to get a Social Security card and drivers license. Misseldine presented a copy of Bourgeois birth certificate and the names of the real Bourgeois parents, Jacques and Paula.

To account for having not applied for a Social Security number until the age of 31, Misseldine claimed to have been homeschooled her entire life with no job. [B]ut said she now needed a Social Security number for college. She then used Bourgeois identity to attend Ohio State.

Paula Bourgeois said she was never made aware that her daughters identity had been usurped, that she did not have any sort of relationship with Misseldine, and that she had not heard about the arrest until The Daily Beast called for comment on Friday.

Brie died so young, she had no Social Security number, Bourgeois said, expressing worry that she could somehow be held liable for any financial crimes committed in her childs name. She was only 4 1/2 months old when she passed away Im really flabbergasted. Jacques Bourgeois died in 2003, she said.

In 2006, Misseldine applied for and received an Ohio drivers license under her real name, in addition to the license she already had as Bourgeois. Although investigators would not connect the dots for nearly 20 years, this, the affidavit suggests, was Misseldines first mistake.

The following year, Misseldineas Brie Bourgeoisbegan working as a flight attendant for Columbus-based private charter service JetSelect, the affidavit against her states. That June, the Federal Aviation Administration issued Brie Bourgeois a student pilot certificate.

In November, Misseldine, again as Bourgeois, applied for a passport in Columbus.

Bourgeois said in her application that she planned to travel to Dubai, a trip that ultimately never took place, according to the affidavit. A section titled What other names have you used? was left blank. As an emergency contact, Bourgeois listed an individual with the initials F.F., which, the feds say also appeared on the docket in a civil case against Misseldine filed a decade earlier in Union County, Ohio. (An associate of Misseldines with those initials acknowledged that he knew her but declined to comment on her latest arrest when contacted by The Daily Beast on Friday.)

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio

Using her fake drivers license and a letter from JetSelect saying she would be working throughout Europe and the Middle East, she obtained a passport issued for Brie Bourgeois, listing the same home address as Misseldines, according to the affidavit.

Misseldine has been hauled into court under Bourgeois name numerous times, according to court records reviewed by The Daily Beast. On Dec. 17, 2007, Bourgeois pleaded guilty to theft charges in Franklin County, Ohio.

But again, the address listed for Bourgeois was the same home associated with Misseldines drivers license, the affidavit says. This would become a theme in Misseldines life, and eventually, would lead to her undoing.

In 2008, Misseldine registered a retail business in Ohio called Brie Bourgeois and transferred ownership of a vehicle from Brie Bourgeois to Ava Misseldine, the affidavit says. She was also sued by a creditor in civil court who referred to her as Ava Misseldine (aka Brie Bourgeois), states the affidavit.

Through it all, Misseldine even duped a federal judge overseeing a bankruptcy petition she filed in 2004, according to prosecutors.

In October 2014, Misseldine appeared in court for a hearing on her application. When asked if she had ever used the name Brie Bourgeois, Misseldine said she had only used that name for about two years, and she last used it about four years ago, the affidavit states. She claimed that she was adopted, Brie Bourgeois was her birth name, and she briefly used the name Brie Bourgeois until her adoptive family became upset about it. This was a lie: Brie Bourgeois was a real person who died as an infant, with a different date of birth and different birth parents than Ava Misseldine.

Still, Misseldine forged ahead as if nothing was amiss, getting a passport in her real name so she could travel to Honduras.

In April 2020, as COVID-19 turned into a full-blown pandemic, Misseldine began applying for Paycheck Protection Program funds using forged documents in both her own name and as Brie Bourgeois, say the feds. She listed various businesses, some of which were no longer open, including her former bakeries Sugar Inc. Cupcakes & Tea Salon, and Koko Tea Salon & Bakery. In one of the applications, Misseldine allegedly proved her identity with a copy of her Ohio State student ID under Bourgeois name.

In total, Misseldine received some $1.5 million in government loans that were later forgiven, according to the affidavit. None of the money went toward saving any jobs, the affidavit says, noting that Misseldine in fact spent the money on a $650,000 home adjacent to Zion National Park in Utah, as well as a $330,000 spread in Michigan.

Federal Aviation Administration

It wasnt until January 2021 that Misseldine finally caught the attention of investigators.

That month, Misseldine applied by mail for a new passport as Brie Bourgeois, according to the affidavit. She submitted a photograph of herself, listing Bourgeois birthdate as her own, and the Social Security number she obtained in 2003 in Bourgeois name.

And thats when authorities say Misseldine got caught up in the web of lies she had created.

On her passport application, Misseldine listed her email address as sugarinccupcakes@yahoo.com, which matches a URL, sugarinccupcakes.com, linked in Misseldines Twitter profile, the affidavit states.

Some of the information on this fraudulent passport application mirrors information that Misseldine provided in her 2015 passport application under her true identity, the filing continues. For example, the 2021 fraudulent application listed her occupation as baker, her emergency contact phone number as [Misseldines], and her intended destination as Honduras, all of which matches information that Misseldine provided on her 2015 passport application under her true identity.

The application was flagged for potential fraud, which led to the [present] investigation, the affidavit says.

Misseldine is now charged with passport fraud, Social Security number fraud, aggravated identity theft, and fraud in connection with major disaster or emergency benefits. If convicted, she faces up to 30 years in prison. Misseldine does not yet have a lawyer listed in court records, and could not be reached for comment.

Read more at The Daily Beast.

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FILE PHOTO: Denso Corp's robot arm "Denoute-san" plays Japanese chess, also known as Shogi, at a booth during Niconico Chokaigi 2015 in Makuhari

TOKYO (Reuters) - Denso Corp may consider spinning off its chip business, a top executive of the major Japanese maker of semiconductors used in automobiles and a main supplier to Toyota Motor Corp told Bloomberg News on Friday.

"We need to think about whether the time will come when we sell semiconductors, alone, externally," Bloomberg quoted Denso's chief technology officer, Yoshifumi Kato, as saying in an interview.

Nothing had been decided on a split and the company's focus for now was on meeting internal chip demand, Bloomberg cited Kato as saying.

Denso is not considering spinning off the semiconductor business at this moment, a company spokesperson said.

Kato said last week the company expected demand for auto chips to be about a third higher by 2025 than it was in 2020, as the key component was increasingly used in fossil-fuel cars, electric vehicles and autonomous drive technology.

A global chip shortage has plagued companies from smartphone makers to consumer electronics firms and car makers following a surge in demand after the COVID-19 pandemic eased in many places.

The shortage has forced companies, including Toyota, to repeatedly cut production.

(Writing by David Dolan; Editing by Chang-Ran Kim, Robert Birsel)
Exclusive-Russia's state-owned RNRC to reinsure Russian oil shipments, sources say FILE PHOTO: The logo of Russian state shipping company Sovcomflot is seen on the multifunctional icebreaking standby vessel "Yevgeny Primakov" moored in central St. Petersburg

By Jonathan Saul

LONDON (Reuters) - State-controlled Russian National Reinsurance Company (RNRC) is now the main reinsurer of Russian ships, including Sovcomflot's fleet, after Western insurance firms withdrew cover for Russian shipowners, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Insurance is essential for maritime transport, particularly oil cargoes that require the highest safety standards due to the risk of spills and shipping flammable material on the high seas.

Before Western sanctions were imposed on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow calls a "special military operation", insuring such cargoes relied on reinsurance from an international pool of companies offering broad coverage.

Western insurers withdrew cover from state-run Sovcomflot (SCF) when Russia's biggest shipping group was hit by sanctions, but Western insurance sources said the Russian replacement cover would likely be enough to keep Russian vessels sailing.

Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said this week that state guarantees would be offered as insurance for moving Russian goods, without giving details.

The sources, who declined to be identified due to the sensitivity of the issue, said Russian central bank-controlled RNRC was now the main company providing state guarantees to Russian insurance firms that offered cover such as Ingosstrakh, which insures Russian tankers, including SCF's fleet.

RNRC, Ingosstrakh and Sovcomflot did not respond to Reuters requests for comments.

Russia's central bank said in March it had raised RNRC's capitalisation to 300 billion roubles from 71 billion roubles and hiked its guaranteed capital to 750 billion roubles so the firm had adequate resources to provide reinsurance.

"The increase in RNRC authorised capital will give Russian insurers wider opportunities to reinsure risks inside Russia, build additional reinsurance capacities, and manage new sanctions risk," it said in a report.

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INSURANCE PROTECTION

Ships are commercially required to have protection and indemnity (P&I) insurance, which covers third-party liability claims including environmental damage and injury. Separate hull and machinery policies cover vessels against physical damage.

According to Ingosstrakh's website, the company offers P&I reinsurance of up to $1 billion.

An equal amount was guaranteed by Japan and India for Iranian shipments made in 2012, a period when Iran was under Western sanctions and shut out of the global insurance market.

Western reinsurers typically have higher capital allocations with allotments for different types of cover such as marine insurance, which provides the full range of protection for ships, Western insurance sources said.

"I imagine this capital (of RNRC) is not purely marine and so could be burned through really quickly," one Western insurance industry source said.

The reinsurance pooling programme of the International Group of P&I insurers, which cover P&I insurance for about 90% of ocean going ships, is capped at a maximum of $3.1 billion for each incident.

Two tanker market sources said RNRC's capitalisation would allow it to act as a reinsurer for Russian ships on the international market without involving Western companies.

One source said similar insurance guarantees were provided by the Iranian authorities when Western insurance companies were unable to insure tankers with Iranian oil amid sanctions.

Russian guarantees were likely to satisfy countries still buying Russian oil, another of the Western insurance industry sources said, after the United States banned Russian oil imports and the European Union agreed to gradually introduce a ban.

Most Russian oil exports, in particular those on Sovcomflot tankers, are bound for Asian ports, mainly India and China, neither of which have imposed a ban on working with Sovcomflot.

Indian authorities have already accredited Ingosstrakh as an insurance company for shipping oil, which means vessels the company insures can enter Indian ports.

(Reporting by Jonathan Saul and Reuters reporters; Additional reporting by Nidhi Verma; Editing by Veronica Brown and Edmund Blair)
A public memorial service for former Louisiana Congressman John Cooksey has been set next week at the historic United Methodist Church in Columbia under direction of Riser Funeral Home.

The memorial service for Cooksey, 80, who died Saturday, is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. June 17 at the church at foot of the Ouachita River bridge at 501 Church St.

A public visitation has been scheduled from 4-6 p.m. June 16 at Riser Funeral Home in Columbia.

Cooksey, a Republican, served as the 5th District Congressman with Monroe and Alexandria as the population hubs from 1997-2003.

Former Louisiana Congressman John Cooksey

He limited himself to three terms in the House before making a run for the U.S. Senate, a race Democratic U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu won.

Related: Former Louisiana Congressman John Cooksey dies

Read this: Louisiana native Matthew Horton commands USS Delaware, America's newest nuclear submarine

Current 5th District Congressman Julia Letlow, R-Start, honored her predecessor Tuesday with a speech on the House floor.

"(Cooksey) dedicated his life to serving his country and improving the lives of others," she told colleagues.

Letlow's late husband Luke Letlow, who was elected to Congress in 2020 but died from COVID before he could take office, worked for Cooksey as his driver while Letlow attended Louisiana Tech University.

"Ill always be grateful to John Cooksey for giving my late husband Luke his start in politics, instilling a love for the work of Congress in an eager young country boy from Start," Congresswoman Letlow said. "For me, he was more than a predecessor; he was a trusted mentor, confidant and friend.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Ann, his family, and his countless friends across Northeast Louisiana."

Gov. John Bel Edwards said he will order flags to fly at half staff the day of Cooksey's funeral.

Former Congressman John Cooksey leaves behind a long legacy of service to our state and nation that will not soon be forgotten," Edwards said. "He has helped and inspired countless young people and worked hard to improve life for others. He served his country and his community in every way he could, from the Air Force to Congress to his medical practice as an ophthalmologist. Donna and I offer prayers and condolences to his family and all those he touched.

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Cooksey, whose medical practice was based in Monroe, was born in Alexandria and graduated from LaSalle High School in Olla, where his father operated a sawmill, according to his biography.

The U.S. Capitol building is seen before sunrise on Capitol Hill in Washington on March 21, 2022.

He earned his ophthalmology degree from LSU Health Science Center in New Orleans and earned his MBA from the University of Texas.

Cooksey also served in the United States Air Force, where he was stationed in Texas and Thailand.

Cooksey also volunteered in the mission field in East Africa, where he provided healthcare for six years and helped found an eye clinic in Kenya.

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1

This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Former Congressman John Cooksey: Funeral arrangement information
Heritage Southeast Bancorporation, Inc.

JONESBORO, Ga., June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Heritage Southeast Bancorporation Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary Heritage Southeast Bank announced two executive changes today. Current President and Chief Operating Officer, Brian Smith, will retire effective July 1, 2022, and current First Executive Vice President, Brad Serff, has been appointed to President and Chief Banking Officer effective immediately.



Brian Smith has served the company and bank for more than 40 years and was President and CEO of The Heritage Bank at the time of the three-bank merger that created Heritage Southeast Bancorporation and Heritage Southeast Bank. Smith also currently serves on the board of both the holding company and bank. The Heritage Bank is one of three community banks including Heritage Bank and Providence Bank that merged in 2019 to create Heritage Southeast Bank. Over the years, Brian has been instrumental in guiding The Heritage Bank to be the leading financial institution in Southeast Georgia and North Florida. His name is synonymous with community banking as he has provided support for local communities throughout that part of the state, particularly Hinesville. We wish Brian all the best as he starts a new chapter in his life, said Leonard Moreland, CEO of Heritage Southeast Bank.

In addition, Brad Serff has been named President and Chief Banking Officer of Heritage Southeast Bank. In his new role, Serff will be responsible for overseeing all banking activities for Heritage Southeast Bank. In 2006, Brad established Providence Bank in Alpharetta and has guided the bank through the Heritage Southeast Bank merger. In late 2021, Brad assumed responsibility for all banking services in South Metro Atlanta and will now play an even greater role in the organization as he will oversee all banking services for the entire bank. Were excited to have Brad provide his vision for the bank as we move forward and grow toward the future, said Moreland.

Heritage Southeast Bancorporation, Inc. (OTCQX: HSBI) serves as the holding company for Heritage Southeast Bank, which is headquartered in Jonesboro, GA and operates under the names Heritage Bank, The Heritage Bank, and Providence Bank in its various markets. With approximately $1.7 billion in assets, the bank provides a well-rounded offering of commercial and consumer products through its 23 branches and 1 loan production office, stretching from Cumming, Georgia to Jacksonville, Florida. For additional information, visit the HSBI website.

Media Contact: Pat Check Latitude 34 PR pat@latitude34pr.com 770-789-6051




South Africa: SA to participate in agricultural negotiations in Geneva

Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister, Thoko Didiza, will be attending the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference on agricultural negotiations, scheduled to take place in Geneva, Switzerland, from 12 to 16 June 2022.

The negotiations are based on Article 20 of the Agreement on Agriculture, which provides for the continuation of the negotiations on issues relating to agricultural support and protection.

The last major decision relating to agricultural negotiations was taken at the Nairobi WTO Ministerial Conference held in December 2015, with the elimination of export subsidies.

The department noted that during the Ministerial Conference in Buenos Aires in December 2017, no joint declaration or work programme could be agreed upon by the WTO membership.

To date, progress has been limited with members mainly repeating known positions. The divide remains largely between developed and developing member states, the department said in a statement.

The department said that South Africas priority in agricultural negotiations is to achieve a substantial and real reduction of trade distorting domestic support and to ensure sufficient policy space to carry out developmental policies that seek to address poverty, inequality and low economic growth.

For South Africa, the department said, the negotiations need to follow a certain sequence with domestic support as a priority.

South Africas view is that market access negotiations should start once substantial progress has been made with domestic support. This is to ensure that historical imbalances are addressed and the playing field is levelled before engaging in further market access negotiations.

Approximately 70% of South Africas agricultural exports are already duty free, incorporating the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Trade Protocol, the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union, African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) with the United States of America and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (this agreement is not yet implemented), the department said.

South Africas major challenges regarding market access are in the sanitary and phytosanitary field, and those are not negotiated with the Agreement on Agriculture, the department added.  SAnews.gov.za

This story has been published on: 2022-06-10. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
By Trend

Awarding Chair of the Azerbaijan-France Chamber of Commerce Teyba Guliyeva with the Order of the Legion of Honor took place at the French Embassy in Baku, Trend reports.

The order was presented by the Ambassador of France to Azerbaijan Zacharie Gross.

The ambassador underscored the Chamber's considerable contribution to the development of relations between the two countries.

"To date, high revenues, as well as strong partnerships contribute to the prosperity of Azerbaijan's economy, and the Chamber of Commerce is actively promoting its further development," he said.

He appreciated the role of the Azerbaijan-France Chamber of Commerce in facilitating the business forum between Azerbaijan and the EU.

Furthermore, Guliyeva emphasized the significance of France's partnership with Azerbaijan and expressed hope for making a greater contribution to the improvement of Azerbaijan-France relations.
After more than a decade, Hugh Jackman has decided to bring down the curtain on his longtime New York City triplex.

The Australian actor, who recently returned to Broadway in a revival of The Music Man, bought the lavish West Village triplex with his wife Deborra-Lee Furness for $21 million back in 2008, according to records. Now, the two-time Tony Award winner has put the five-bedroom pad up for sale with the Corcoran Group for $38.9 million.

More from Robb Report

The A-listers 11,000-square-foot abode is located in a boutique tower, known as 176 Perry Street, which was designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Richard Meier. Its also the only apartment in the building to have interiors penned by the architect, according to listing agent Deborah Grubman.

You can expect spectacular New York City vistas. - Credit: The Corcoran Group

The Corcoran Group

This is a spectacular apartment where, quite simply, what you see is what you get, Grubman told Robb Report via email.

Starting on the eighth floor, there is a giant recreation room with a terrace overlooking the Hudson River, along with four ensuite bedrooms and a library that could be used as a fifth guest room.

At the heart of the ninth floor lies a double-height great room. With walls of windows, it provides western sunset views of the Hudson and New York Harbor. Elsewhere on this floor, youll have access to a gourmet kitchen, a dining room that doubles as a gallery and a home office. Theres also a gas fireplace to keep you cozy on those cold New York winters.

A spiral staircase connects all three floors. - Credit: The Corcoran Group

The Corcoran Group

The 10th floor is dedicated entirely to the lavish primary suite. It comprises a luxe bathroom with double sinks, a spa, sauna and dressing room. Theres also a studio and exercise area because, hey, Wolverine needs to work out somewhere.

Each of the three floors has an accompanying terrace, of course, and theyre all connected by a sculptural, spiral staircase.

Story continues

In terms of amenities, the full-service condo comes complete with a high-tech fitness center, a 24-hour doorman and a concierge. Jean-Georges Vongerichtens Perry Street Restaurant is also conveniently located inside the building. Plus, there are only 10 units in the tower in total, which means you have plenty of privacy. As for your neighbors, youll likely be in rare company. In addition to Jackman, celebrities such as Nicole Kidman and Ian Schrager have called 176 Perry Street home over the years.

Check out more photos:

Hugh Jackman's Triplex at 176 Perry Street, New York City

Hugh Jackman's Triplex at 176 Perry Street, New York City

Hugh Jackman's Triplex at 176 Perry Street, New York City

Hugh Jackman's Triplex at 176 Perry Street, New York City

Hugh Jackman's Triplex at 176 Perry Street, New York City

Hugh Jackman's Triplex at 176 Perry Street, New York City

Hugh Jackman's Triplex at 176 Perry Street, New York City

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Quantum World Congress

Connected DMV and MCI USA announce this first-of-its-kind event showcasing major trends in quantum solutions, policy, research, education, business and investment.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Washington, D.C., June 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via InvestorWire -- Today, Connected DMV and MCI USA announced the inaugural Quantum World Congress , a first-of-its-kind global quantum conference, exposition and networking series, will occur November 29December 1, 2022, in Washington, D.C. at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. The annual Quantum World Congress will establish Greater Washington as the go-to destination and meeting place for quantum technology visionaries, policymakers, researchers, business and investment leaders and students. The event will attract a cross-sector and multi-disciplinary audience and will showcase major trends in quantum solutions, research, education, workforce, thought leadership, policy, business and investment.

Quantum will soon deliver innovations that will transform how the world lives, works, and learns, said Stu Solomon, President and CEO, Connected DMV. With a rapidly expanding quantum ecosystem, world-renowned universities, company headquarters, industry and technology leaders and policymakers, theres no better place to assemble the worlds quantum leaders than in the nations capital. The Quantum World Congress represents another key milestone in our work to accelerate a quantum innovation growth cluster to drive equitable economic development in this region and beyond.

This announcement closely aligns with President Bidens May 4 announcement of two presidential directives advancing U.S. leadership in the promising field of quantum science and technology. Quantum breakthroughs are poised to generate entirely new industries, good-paying jobs, and economic opportunities for all Americans, as detailed in the Executive Order on Enhancing the National Quantum Initiative Advisory Committee and the National Security Memorandum on Promoting United States Leadership in Quantum Computing While Mitigating Risks to Vulnerable Cryptographic Systems . The latter calls for strengthening U.S. government partnerships with industry, academia and global allies and partners, a key aim of the Quantum World Congress.

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The Quantum World Congress will spotlight the transformational impact that quantum science and technology will have across global industry, government, and society. The event brings investors, industry, and technology together with the aim to develop a world-class business conference as quantum technologies and markets mature and clear solutions are deployed over time. Quantum World Congress will also showcase and leverage the growing quantum ecosystem in Greater Washingtonwith its proximity to the federal governmentto accelerate the value of the growing quantum industry globally and help establish this region as the premier global hub for the next generation of quantum talent and workforce, leadership, innovation, and economic development.

The Quantum World Congress will present forward-thinking programming across the following tracks:

Main Hall & Plenary : Visionary presentations on technology, business, policy, and societal implications

Science & Engineering : Deep research content and enterprise speakers across quantum computing, sensing, communications, and materials

Market Acceleration : Sessions on markets and innovation; startup ecosystems; industry and use cases; talent and workforce; funding and investment; ethics and society; policy, regulations, and standards; and international collaboration

Government & Security : Dedicated breakouts on federal government engagement, national security, and cybersecurity

Business Development : Expo Hall, show floor demonstrations and structured networking

Pre-Event Day-Training, Workshops, Site Visits: Student spotlighting, quantum awareness and deep learning sessions, digital credentialing, quantum network organization meetings and workshops, and off-site tours to quantum stakeholders in the District, Maryland, and Virginia

"The Quantum World Congress builds upon the University of Marylands efforts to establish our region as the Capital of Quantum . We aim to leverage the many global and U.S. partnerships we have developed over the last several decades and partner in new and exciting ways in producing the technical, policy and workforce developments required to deliver on the promise of the Second Quantum Revolution, says Dr. Darryll J. Pines, President, University of Maryland.

The Quantum World Congress is a perfect example of what we are trying to do as a destination marketing organization and economic development organization: attract influential international meetings and events that can benefit from the greater Washington regions robust industry resources, pipeline of talent and intellectual capital, says Elliott L. Ferguson, II, President and CEO of Destination DC. We look forward to working with Connected DMV and stakeholders on this initial event that will contribute to D.C.s recovery landscape next fall. From an economic standpoint, international meetings are crucial to the local economy as overseas travelers tend to stay longer and spend more, benefiting the region as whole.

To learn more and subscribe to updates, visit quantumworldcongress.com

Speaker and Topic Proposals: Currently evaluating submissions for speakers, panelists, workshop topics, and additional content formats (deadline: June 30). Visit quantumworldcongress.com for more information.

Sponsorships and Exhibits: To present products, services, and innovations at the Quantum World Congress and to explore sponsorship opportunities, visit quantumworldcongress.com/exhibitor-sponsor

Attendee registration for the Quantum World Congress opens August 29.

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About Connected DMV

Connected DMV is an initiatives-based, charitable 501(c)(3) organization that works with regional organizations across Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia  the DMV  to help drive ongoing improvements to social, digital, and physical infrastructure. Connected DMV focuses on initiatives that span local jurisdictions and require public-private-academia-community collaboration to best achieve the dual objectives of enduring economic health and social equity. Learn more: https://www.connecteddmv.org/

The Potomac Quantum Innovation Center is an initiative launched and staffed by Connected DMV. PQICs mission is to bring together Greater Washingtons quantum stakeholders across borders and sectors to drive innovation, talent development, economic growth, and positive social impact. To achieve maximum regional impact, PQIC collaborates with many public sector, academic, industry, and nonprofit collaborators through its focus on five pillars: education and workforce, research and development, market acceleration, policy and standards, and funding and marketing. PQIC partners with the UMDs Mid-Atlantic Quantum Alliance (MQA), the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C), and the Quantum Industry Coalition (QIC), among others, to prepare the DMV for the coming quantum transformation and prepare our regional for global leadership. Learn more: https://www.pqic.org/

About MCI USA

MCI USA is a global engagement and marketing agency that creates human-centric touchpoints that unleash the power of people to deliver innovation and growth. Firm believers in the power of building community since 1987, MCI helps brands, associations and not-for-profit organizations solve their key people challenges through our core expertise: live and virtual events, strategic and digital communications, and consulting and community solutions. MCI is an independently owned agency, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, with a global presence of 60 offices in 31 countries. MCIs US headquarters is in the Washington, DC area with offices in New York, Miami, Baltimore, Dallas, and Chicago. Learn more: https://www.wearemci.com/en-us

About Destination DC

Destination DC, the official destination marketing organization for the nations capital, is a private, non-profit membership organization of 1,000 businesses committed to marketing the area as a premier global convention, tourism and special events destination with a special emphasis on the arts, cultural and historic communities. Learn more: washington.org

About the University of Maryland (UMD)

UMD is Marylands flagship land grant university, one of the nation's preeminent public research universities, and a global leader in research, entrepreneurship and innovation, with more than 40,700 students, 14,000 faculty and staff, and nearly 400,000 alumni all dedicated to the pursuit of Fearless Ideas. UMD is a top five global quantum research and development university with 200+ quantum scientists, and eight interdisciplinary quantum centers and is the birthplace of IonQ, the first pureplay quantum computing company to go public in an IPO (in October 2021). Learn more: https://quantum.umd.edu/

About the Mid-Atlantic Quantum Alliance (MQA)

MQA was formally launched in January 2020 to accelerate quantum science and engineering to enhance the regions primacy in a field that promises to revolutionize society. This alliance, facilitated by the University of Maryland, brings together over 200 working group members across 14 universities, 5 U.S. Government research centers / labs, 6 Fortune 500 companies, and 5 startups with the mission to serve as an inclusive forum for its members to engage and collaborate with each other on education, global thought leadership, and building a vibrant and diverse ecosystem to support quantum innovation. MQA has collaborated closely with Connected DMV and its Potomac Quantum Innovation Center (PQIC) in joint ecosystem-building efforts around Greater Washington and the larger Mid-Atlantic region. Together, MQA and PQIC have created a shared vision and a framework for fostering cooperation across a wide range of stakeholders to ensure the region remains a world-leader in equitable quantum research, education, engineering, and application. MQA will lead the Quantum World Congress Science & Engineering track. Learn more: https://mqa.umd.edu/

About George Mason University (GMU)

George Mason University is Virginias largest, most diverse, and most innovative public research university, serving 39,000 students at its Virginia campuses in Fairfax, Arlington, and Manassas, as well as in South Korea. Mason prides itself on its mix of broadly inclusive enrollment and excellence in education, which result in graduation rates higher than most American universities with comparable rates of academic success across all demographics. Masons Arlington campus, recently renamed Mason Square, is undergoing a $250 million transformation over the next five years with the addition of Fuse, a public-private building that will combine research, instruction, business incubation, and public spaces. It will serve as the anchor of the Rosslyn-Ballston innovation corridor, the first-of-its kind in Virginia. Fuse at Mason Square will be Masons epicenter to advance quantum computing research and education, including the Institute of Digital Innovation and the Quantum Science and Engineering Center. Learn more: https://qsec.gmu.edu/

About Howard University

To date, Howard has awarded more than 120,000 degrees in the arts, the sciences, and the humanities, to more on-campus African American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. The National Science Foundation has ranked Howard as the top producer of African American undergraduates who later earn science and engineering doctoral degrees. Howard recently announced the IBM-HBCU Quantum Center to prepare and develop talent at HBCUs from all STEM disciplines for the quantum future. Learn more: https://howard.edu/

About The MITRE Corporation

MITRE is a private, non-for-profit working at the intersection of advanced technology and vital global concerns to provide engineering, technical guidance, and data driven policy recommendations for the federal government in the service of the public good. With a historic focus on complex Public-Private partnerships and integration to address emerging challenges, MITRE has significant research programs and facilities in the DMV. MITRE, through its Labs, federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), tech foundation, and data-driven policy center, is deeply engaged in the application of quantum research and development of applied sciences as an engine of innovation and economic development. Learn more: https://www.mitre.org/



About the National Quantum Literacy Network (NQLN)

NQLN is a 501(c)3 nonprofit social enterprise, based in the Washington DC region, representing a broad coalition of business, government, nonprofits, and academic organizations. Its mission is to help build new skills and increase quantum workforce opportunities through greater participation from historically underserved communities in the Second Quantum Revolution. NQLN is bringing together industry, education, and government to develop new skills building systems targeting the unique learning requirements of communities mostly excluded from our technology wealth. NQLN aims to fill a critical gap in the quantum workforce supply chain by engaging students from K-16 and beyond, from under-resourced and underrepresented communities. NQLN runs the National Quantum Literacy Week and focuses on solutions for quantum literacy. NQLN also aims to raise a dedicated development fund from government, philanthropy, and corporate workforce development partners to empower success for new learners and diverse communities and is poised to announce the five-year plan for Quantum Literacy through Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Workforce Development. NQLN seeks to develop a diverse, domestic quantum literate workforce for the United States, through the process of micro-credential certification and innovative training technologies to leverage the broad range of skills needed to effectively compete in the global quantum industries marketplace. NQLN received an NSF grant to work with the University of the District of Columbia Community College (UDC-CC) in working to develop the nation's first associate degree program in quantum literacy. Learn more: https://quantumliteracy.org/



About the Quantum Industry Coalition (QIC)

QIC is based in Washington, DC, and comprised of more than twenty leading quantum industry members. QIC seeks to enable the quantum industry to speak with one voice to promote its shared priorities for real-world quantum applications and US quantum industry commercial success and international competitiveness. Learn more: https://www.quantumindustrycoalition.com/

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VICTORIA, BC, June 10, 2022 /CNW/ - The Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, will make an announcement about the CCGS Sir Wilfred Grenfell as well as officially open "Coast Guard Day," a public open house celebration for the Canadian Coast Guard's 60th anniversary.

Date: Saturday, June 11, 2022 Time: 9:30 a.m. (local time) Location: CCGS Sir Wilfred Grenfell

Canadian Coast Guard base Victoria

25 Huron Street

Victoria, BC

Additional details: Please enter at the Canadian Coast Guard's Dallas Road gate (Dallas Road at Simcoe Street). Some street parking is available; paid parking is available at Ogden Point and Fisherman's Wharf. A tour of the CCGS Sir Wilfred Grenfell is available after the announcement (masks required inside the ship please). You are also invited to stay for Coast Guard Day demonstrations and activities; the base is open to members of the public starting at 10:00.

Stay Connected

Follow the Canadian Coast Guard on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Region

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ReportLinker

Global Mortgage & Loans Software Market to surpass USD 24. 6 billion by 2030 from USD 12. 1 Billion in 2020 at a CAGR of 13. 24% in the coming years, i. e. , 2021-30. Product Overview

New York, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Mortgage & Loans Software Market : Segmented by deployment ; By organization size ; and Region  Global Analysis of Market Size, Share & Trends for 20192020 and Forecasts to 2030" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06191970/?utm_source=GNW

Mortgage loan is a type of loan that is used by real estate buyers to raise cash to purchase real estate, or by current property owners to generate finances for any reason while establishing a lien on the property being mortgaged. Mortgage and loan software is a program that helps lenders handle the many stages of the loan servicing cycle, from application to disbursement. It is a digital solution that allows users to access all data, resources, and teams from a one location. The basic goal of loan origination software is to assist lenders in processing loans more quickly. Mortgage loan origination software is a type of LOS that caters to the mortgage sector.



Market Highlights

Global Mortgage & Loans Software Market is expected to project a notable CAGR of 13.24% in 2030.

The use of analytics in the lending business is predicted to increase, boosting the market growth. Other factors such as enhanced technology adoption, rising popularity of cloud-based loan servicing software, and increasing company digitization are likely to boost the loan servicing software market in the forecast years.



Global Mortgage & Loans Software Market: Segments

Cloud segment to grow with the highest CAGR during 2020-30

Global Mortgage & Loans Software Market is segmented by deployment Cloud and on-premise. In the year 2020, the cloud segment dominated the industry. This is due to an increasing preference for cloud-based deployment, which reduces maintenance and costs. Digital private clouds are being offered by prominent industry players to provide a stable portal and private on-premise access to cloud services.



Large Enterprises segment to grow with the highest CAGR during 2020-30

Global Mortgage & Loans Software Market is segmented by organization size into large enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises. The large enterprise segment is to register highest CAGR during the forecast period.



Market Dynamics

Drivers

Cost efficiency and simpler loan processing

Mortgage & Loans Software is cost-effective because it does not require any additional maintenance or installation. Furthermore, Mortgage & Loans Software eliminates the need for IT personnel to update the software. For businesses searching for a solid loan management application, Mortgage & Loans Software provides the most comprehensive collection of options. It lowers IT costs, saves time to market, increases revenues, and improves client satisfaction. The program makes it simple to handle loan processing activities. Its goal is to make business operations easier to manage by enhancing loan quality, thus increasing the market demand.



Wide range of loan servicing products and assistance in financial institutions

Furthermore, Mortgage & Loans Software aids in the discovery of a solution for all of a companys financial requirements. Because it offers a wide range of loan servicing products and lending categories, fully managed Mortgage & Loans Software is becoming more popular in the banking, financial, and insurance services sectors. Peer-to-peer lending, point-of-sale financing, small business lending, medical financing, payday loans, credit unions, retail lending, mortgage lending, and auto lending are just a few examples. Several financial organizations require more risk controls during the loan process in order to avoid losses and increase capital and lending capabilities in accordance with regulatory standards. The Mortgage & Loans Software assists mortgage lenders, banks, and credit unions in providing precise and real-time data analysis in connection with pricing fixing and examining potential clients credit histories. Mortgage & Loans Software also assists wholesale lenders, banks, specialty lenders, and commercial finance businesses in the management of various forms of notes, installment loans, mortgages, and contracts. Mortgage & Loans Software also helps to increase the speed of service and customer satisfaction by automating loan decisions. In the next years, these factors are projected to enhance the worldwide Mortgage & Loans Software market.



Restraint

Security breach and privacy issues

In the forecast period, rising data security and privacy issues, as well as the threat associated with open-source loan servicing software, are projected to stifle market expansion.



Global Mortgage & Loans Software Market: Key Players

QC Solutions



Company Overview, Business Strategy, Key Product Offerings, Financial Performance, Key Performance Indicators, Risk Analysis, Recent Development, Regional Presence, SWOT Analysis



Integrated Accounting Solutions

BNTouch

Magna Computer

Floify

Ellie Mae

Byte Software

Calyx Software

Mortgage Lens

Other Prominent Players



Global Mortgage & Loans Software Market: Regions

Global Mortgage & Loans Software Market is segmented based on regional analysis into five major regions. These include North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East, and Africa. Global Mortgage & Loans Software Market in APAC held the largest market share in the year 2020. Due to continued digitization and increasing financial institutions in the region, APAC is projected to expand significantly over the forecast period. Also, this is due to the constantly evolving IT industry, which necessitates improvements in the documentation of processes and financial transactions in the region.



Global Mortgage & Loans Software Market is further segmented by region into:

North America Market Size, Share, Trends, Opportunities, Y-o-Y Growth, CAGR  United States and Canada

Latin America Market Size, Share, Trends, Opportunities, Y-o-Y Growth, CAGR  Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and Rest of Latin America

Europe Market Size, Share, Trends, Opportunities, Y-o-Y Growth, CAGR  United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Hungary, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, NORDIC, Russia, Turkey, and Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific Market Size, Share, Trends, Opportunities, Y-o-Y Growth, CAGR  India, China, South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Australia, and Rest of APAC

Middle East and Africa Market Size, Share, Trends, Opportunities, Y-o-Y Growth, CAGR  North Africa, Israel, GCC, South Africa, and Rest of MENA

Global Mortgage & Loans Software Market report also contains analysis on:



Mortgage & Loans Software Segments:

By Organization size

large enterprises

Small and medium-sized enterprises

By Deployment:

Cloud

On-premise

Mortgage & Loans Software Dynamics

Mortgage & Loans Software Size

Supply & Demand

Current Trends/Issues/Challenges

Competition & Companies Involved in the Market

Value Chain of the Market

Market Drivers and Restraints

Mortgage & Loans Software Market Report Scope and Segmentation



Frequently Asked Questions

How big is the Mortgage & Loans Software market?

What is the Mortgage & Loans Software market growth?

Which segment accounted for the largest Mortgage & Loans Software market share?

Who are the key players in the Mortgage & Loans Software market?

What are the factors driving the Mortgage & Loans Software market?

Read the full report: https://www.reportlinker.com/p06191970/?utm_source=GNW



About Reportlinker

ReportLinker is an award-winning market research solution. Reportlinker finds and organizes the latest industry data so you get all the market research you need - instantly, in one place.



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CONTACT: Clare: clare@reportlinker.com US: (339)-368-6001 Intl: +1 339-368-6001




WASHINGTON, June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA is targeting Saturday, June 18, for the beginning of the next wet dress rehearsal test of the agency's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida with tanking operations on Monday, June 20.

NASA Logo. (PRNewsFoto/NASA) (PRNewsFoto/) (PRNewsfoto/NASA)

During the test, launch teams will rehearse operations to load propellant into the rocket's tanks, conduct a full launch countdown, demonstrate the ability to recycle the countdown clock, and drain the tanks to give them an opportunity to practice the timelines and procedures they will use for launch.

NASA will provide live coverage of the test on NASA Television media channel, as well as host media calls before and after the wet dress rehearsal test with audio streaming live on the agency's website.

Full coverage of the test and associated activities are as follows (all times Eastern):

Wednesday, June 15

11 a.m.  Media teleconference with the following participants:

Jim Free, associate administrator, Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters

Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis launch director, Exploration Ground Systems Program, NASA's Kennedy Space Center

To participate by telephone, media must RSVP no later than two hours prior to the start of the event to: ksc-newsroom@mail.nasa.gov.

Monday, June 20

7 a.m.  Live coverage of tanking operations with commentary begins

2:40 p.m.  Target test window

Coverage with live commentary throughout tanking operations will air on the media channel of NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency's website.

Tuesday, June 21

11 a.m.  Posttest media teleconference with the following participants:

Tom Whitmeyer, deputy associate administrator for Common Exploration Systems Development, NASA Headquarters

Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis launch director, Exploration Ground Systems Program, Kennedy

John Honeycutt, manager, Space Launch System Program, NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center

Howard Hu, manager, Orion Program, NASA's Johnson Space Center

Mike Sarafin, Artemis mission manager, NASA Headquarters

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To participate by telephone, media must RSVP no later than two hours prior to the start of the event to: ksc-newsroom@mail.nasa.gov.

NASA's Artemis I Moon rocket returned to the spaceport's launch pad 39B Monday, June 6, after an eight-hour journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building. Teams are working to secure the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft and connect the ground systems to the mobile launcher at the pad in preparation of the upcoming tanking test.

The rehearsal is the final test needed before launch and will begin at 5 p.m. EDT Saturday, June 18 with "call to stations," when members of the launch control team will arrive at their consoles to start the approximately two-day countdown. On Monday, June 20, the launch director and mission management team chair decide at approximately 7 a.m. if they are "go" or "no-go" to begin tanking the rocket. The team will count down to a targeted two-hour test window that opens at 2:40 p.m. During the test, the team may hold during the countdown as necessary to verify conditions before resuming the countdown, or extend beyond the test window, if needed and resources allow.

Through Artemis missions, NASA will land the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon, paving the way for a long-term lunar presence and serving as a steppingstone to send astronauts to Mars.

For updates, follow along on NASA's Artemis blog at:

https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis

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SOURCE NASA
Veronica and Brooklynn Williams Survive Simultaneous Life-threatening Cardiac Episode, Emergency C-section

EDGEWOOD, Ky., June 10, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Veronica and Sean Williams could not have imagined the events following a high heart rate alert from Veronica's health watch. After mom-to-be and her partner notified their obstetrics care team via MyChart, it was recommended that they visit the Emergency Room (ER) for what they assumed would be a quick checkup. Little did they know, Sean would later be forced to answer the unimaginable question, "If we can only save one of them, mom or baby, who do you want us to save?"

Sean and Veronica Williams leave the St. Elizabeth NICU with baby Brooklynn

After receiving an electrocardiogram (EKG) in the ER, Veronica found herself being prepared to undergo an emergency cesarean section in the unlikeliest of places: the Cardiac Catheterization Lab. Throughout the entire life-saving process, nearly 50 St. Elizabeth medical professionals squeezed into the Cath Lab and worked together as a unit, offering crucial interventions and support. As Veronica fought for her life, her heart completely stopping at times, more than six different St. Elizabeth teams acted swiftly to keep both mom and baby alive.

"When you hear the baby's heart rate drop down to the 70s, the most important question is, 'How are we going to get her out in the quickest and safest way?'" said Dr. Lisa Guyton, the delivering OB-GYN. "Thanks to Dr. Marleen Johnson, the emergency medicine physician working that day, the appropriate teams were notified and ready to provide any lifesaving measures necessary for mom and baby."

Just three hours after Sean and Veronica's arrival at the ER, baby Brooklynn was born.

"We've delivered babies in beds, toilets, cars and the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), but never would I have imagined delivering in the Cath Lab," said Jocelyn Laake, Assistant Nurse Manager in the Family Birth Place.

St. Elizabeth nurses noted this was the first-ever Cath Lab delivery in St. Elizabeth historyand hopefully, the last.

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Once baby Brooklynn was delivered safely and brought to the Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at St. Elizabeth, Veronica lay unresponsive, vital signs weak, awaiting transfer to a heart specialist at a neighboring hospital. Unsure if Veronica would ever have the chance to meet her baby, a touching decision was made by the St. Elizabeth teams. They would bring Brooklynn from the NICU to place her in her mother's arms. What happened next left the team speechless and without a dry eye in the room: both Brooklynn's and Veronica's heart function and vital signs improved upon skin-to-skin touch.

"We wanted baby and mom to meet because we knew they may not have another opportunity; we truly didn't know if mom was going to wake up. We knew it was the right thing to do,'' said Keri Hinson, NICU Nurse Manager. "But we had no idea the vital signs would be impacted. It was an amazing experience that none of us will soon forget."

While Veronica has little memory of the experience beyond what her partner and family have slowly shared with her, Sean will never forget the traumatic, life-changing event. At one point, he was told his wife only had a 25 percent chance of surviving. It was later determined that Veronica suffered from lymphocytic myocarditis, likely the result of a lingering cold.

"Never would you expect a C-section to be performed in the Cath Lab," said Melissa Canter, Cardiac Cath Lab Manager. "But we were faced with the question of 'Who do we save, mom or baby?' and we refused to answer with anything other than: 'Both.' It was just amazing to watch the various teams  many of which had never met before  work together to save their lives. The room was lined with people waiting to jump in to do their part."

The life-saving efforts from healthcare professionals reflected the multidisciplinary approach to care at St. Elizabeth, spanning across seven units including:

Midwifery

Emergency Room

Cardiac Catheterization Lab

Cardiac Intensive Care Unit

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Labor and Delivery

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

" Dr. George Christensen , and truly all of the St. Elizabeth associates involved were immaculate," said Sean. "Their support was overwhelmingin a good way," he recounted.

After overcoming what seemed to be an insurmountable medical emergency, the Williams family is home, safe and sound, recovering well. Brooklynn has already doubled her birth weight and mom is expected to make a rare, but full recovery in six months to a year, and will eventually return to work at St. Elizabeth where she supports human resources.

Veronica's biggest takeaway?

"Pay attention to your symptoms and reach out to your doctor, and then listen to their advice," she encouraged.

"It's so important to trust your body and trust your doctors," Sean added.

The St. Elizabeth physicians and associates involved in this incredible chain of events share the same advice and sentiment. "We're just so grateful the midwife team encouraged Veronica to go to the ER," said Dr. Guyton. "Had she delayed coming to the ER by even a few minutes, there could have been a very different result. It's a crucial reminder to not ignore signs and symptoms and listen to the advice of medical experts."

Remember to give yourself grace if you've been through traumatic experiences.

"There are days when it's extremely difficult," said Veronica. "But then I remind myself how happy I am to even be alive. I just take it one day at a time and appreciate every precious moment with my daughter and husband."

About St. Elizabeth Healthcare

St. Elizabeth Healthcare operates six facilities and more than 172 primary care and specialty practices throughout the Northern Kentucky, Southeastern Indiana and Greater Cincinnati region. Sponsored by the Diocese of Covington and a member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network, St. Elizabeth is a mission-based organization committed to improving the health of the communities it serves, providing more than $108 million in uncompensated care and benefit to the community each year.

CONTACT: Guy Karrick, guy.karrick@stelizabeth.com

Veronica and Sean Williams with baby Brooklynn

(PRNewsfoto/St. Elizabeth Healthcare)

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SOURCE St. Elizabeth Healthcare
TORONTO, June 10, 2022 /CNW/ - The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health, will make an important funding announcement supporting mental health promotion across Ontario.

There will be a media availability immediately following the announcement.

Date

June 13, 2022

Time

12:30 p.m. (EDT)

Location

The event will be held in-person at:

Central Toronto Youth Services

65 Wellesley Street East,

Suite 300

Toronto, ON M4Y 1G7

Screening questions to be asked upon arrival. Masks must be worn.

Media may also join by Zoom:

https://ca01web.zoom.us/j/64712508159

Passcode: 164219

Please indicate your name (first and last) and media outlet when joining the event.

SOURCE Health Canada

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View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/June2022/10/c5997.html
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."
NEW YORK & OSLO, Norway & LUXEMBOURG, June 10, 2022--(BUSINESS WIRE)--FREYR Battery ("FREYR" or the "Company"), a developer of clean, next-generation battery cell production capacity, has announced that German Cura, a member of the board of directors of the Company (the "Board") and the chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, has informed the Company today that he will be tendering his resignation as a director of the Company on June 16, 2022, which is expected to be effective not later than August 1, 2022. Mr. Cura will be resigning for personal reasons and did not advise the Company of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to its operations, policies or practices.

The Company's Chairman, Mr. Torstein Dale Sjtveit, said, "On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank German for the invaluable advice and experience he has brought to FREYR in the last year and wish him every success for the future."

About FREYR Battery

FREYR Battery aims to provide industrial scale clean battery solutions to reduce global emissions. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange, FREYR's mission is to produce green battery cells to accelerate the decarbonization of energy and transportation systems globally. FREYR has commenced building the first of its planned factories in Mo i Rana, Norway and announced potential development of industrial scale battery cell production in Vaasa, Finland and the United States. FREYR intends to deliver up to 43 GWh of battery cell capacity by 2025 and up to 83 GWh annual capacity by 2028. To learn more about FREYR, please visit www.freyrbattery.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220610005114/en/

Contacts

Investor contact:

Jeffrey Spittel

Vice President, Investor Relations

jeffrey.spittel@freyrbattery.com

Tel: (+1) 281-222-0161

Media contact:

Katrin Berntsen

Vice President, Communication and Public Affairs

katrin.berntsen@freyrbattery.com

Tel: (+47) 9920 54 570
ReportLinker

The Saudi Arabia C4ISR market was valued at USD 760. 75 million in 2021 and is estimated to register a CAGR of 1. 27% during the forecast period (2022 - 2027). Over the past decade, Saudi Arabia consistently ranked near the top of global rankings for the total amount of defense spending and the amount spent on importing armaments.

New York, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reportlinker.com announces the release of the report "Saudi Arabia C4ISR Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2022 - 2027)" - https://www.reportlinker.com/p06249230/?utm_source=GNW

However, even before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Saudi Arabia began reducing its defense expenditures. This can be attributed to various factors like the decrease in oil revenues and the increased focus of the government toward non-military sectors, such as healthcare and social development. The country is expected to further reduce its defense expenditure in the years to come. Saudi Arabia plans to spend 171 billion riyals (USD 46 billion) on its military in 2022, about a 10% decrease from the 2021 defense budget of 190 billion riyals (USD 51 billion), according to the official budget statement. The reduction in defense spending is expected to challenge the growth of the C4ISR market during the forecast period.



Nevertheless, the defense spending of the country is one of the highest in the world, which enables the country to focus on its objective of military capability modernization. The factors like growing threats from adversaries and increasing territorial tensions and growing risk from asymmetric warfare in the region are propelling the military to enhance its battlefield data-sharing capabilities.



There is a growing emphasis on increasing the investments towards the integration of advanced technologies like machine learning and artificial intelligence into C4ISR solutions to enhance the efficiency and situational awareness of the military personnel. Saudi Arabia made Data and Artificial Intelligence as key focal points of its Saudi Vision 2030, which is expected to propel the market growth in the coming years.



Key Market Trends



Saudi Vision 2030 is Expected to Drive the Market Growth



Despite the huge defense spending, Saudi Arabia has lagged in developing its local defense industry over the years. Between 2013 and 2017, 90% of Saudi Arabias military expenditure went to foreign companies. To address such outflows of military expenditure, as part of the Saudi Vision 2030 program the government aims to bolster the infrastructure and capabilities of the local defense industry, increasing its local purchases of military equipment to 50%. As part of Vision 2030, in February 2021, Saudi Arabia announced its plan to invest more than USD 20 billion in its domestic military industry over the decade as part of aggressive plans to boost the local defense industry. The country also plans to increase its military R&D spending from 0.2% to around 4% of its expenditure by 2030. The Saudi government facilitated the formation of the General Authority of Military Industries (GAMI) and Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) to develop the national military manufacturing capabilities. In 2021, SAMI completed the acquisition of Advanced Electronics Company (AEC) as part of the largest military industry deal in Saudi Arabia, making AEC a 100% Saudi-owned company. Advanced Electronics Company (AEC) has developed several new electronic warfares, C4ISR, electronics, and cybersecurity solutions in the last few years. It is currently aiming at increasing its defense capabilities over the next decade as part of the Saudi Vision 2030 program. Being a state-owned local defense contractor, SAMI is expected to hold a significant share in the countrys C4ISR market during the forecast period. Besides, local defense contractors are increasing efforts to establish joint ventures with foreign defense companies like Lockheed Martin Corporation, Raytheon Technologies Corporation and L3 Harris Technologies Inc. for the design, assembly, manufacture, and maintenance of military equipment. While this might help global players enter and strengthen their presence in the Saudi market in the short term, the partnerships will facilitate technology transfer and help the local players develop capabilities in the long term. On the other hand, the Saudi Data & AI Authoritys National Strategy for Data and Artificial Intelligence aims to make the country a global AI leader by 2030. This is expected to drive the integration of such emerging technologies into C4ISR systems in the country in the years to come.



Naval Modernisation Initiatives to Propel the Revenues of the Sea Segment



Over the years, Saudi Arabia started to focus on upgrading its relatively small and outdated naval arm. The country is currently working on a huge armed forces modernization project with a particular focus on the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF), which used to receive less attention as compared to the Air Force or Army. The program, called the Saudi Naval Expansion Programme (SNEP II) particularly focuses on modernizing the outdated East Naval fleet. The RSNF is procuring naval vessels, fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and UAVs, which will be equipped with advanced data sharing and situational awareness capabilities, as part of the program. The procurement of such platforms is expected to generate significant demand for related C4ISR systems in the coming future. On the other hand, the country has allocated USD 18 billion for the Royal Saudi Navys extensive planned C4I command and control and intelligence-sharing network. This project includes large-scale upgrades to facilities, hardware, and software that support naval forces, including the countrys small marine and naval special warfare contingents. Furthermore, the procurement of new naval vessels is expected to increase the demand for sea-based C4ISR systems. In December 2021, Navantia launched the fifth and the final corvette being built for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF), named Unayzah. The work on the corvette is expected to be completed by the end of 2023. The design of the corvettes is of the latest generation, maximizing the participation of Navantia by incorporating its own products, such as the CATIZ Combat System, the HERMESYS Integrated Communications System, the DORNA Firing Direction, the Integrated Platform Control System, and the MINERVA Integrated Bridge. The corvette is designed to conduct anti-surface warfare (ASuW), electronic warfare, maritime protection, intelligence gathering, search and rescue (SAR), humanitarian aid and marine pollution control, as well as combating smuggling, drug trafficking, and illegal immigration. Such procurements are expected to drive the growth of the Sea segment during the forecast period.



Competitive Landscape



Some of the prominent players in the Saudi Arabia C4ISR market are Saudi Arabian Military Industries, General Dynamics IS&T Arabia (General Dynamics Corporation), Lockheed Martin Corporation, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, and L3Harris Technologies Inc. With the growing focus on the localization of the defense industry, the country is expected to invest in the capability enhancement of the local players. This is expected to boost the growth of the local player, Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI). SAMI has enhanced its presence in the C4ISR market by acquiring Advanced Electronics Company in 2021, which is the largest military industry deal ever concluded in Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, foreign players are formulating new strategies to expand their presence in the country and capture new contracts from the armed forces. These players in the market are actively participating in forming JVs and partnerships with the local manufacturers to expand their presence in the country. In addition to such plans, investments into R&D for the development of C4ISR systems integrated with technologies like AI and quantum networking are also anticipated to help the companies increase their market share during the forecast period.



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By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

Azerbaijan has exported 4.5 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe during the period of January-May 2022, Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov wrote on his official Twitter page.

During the reported period, Azerbaijan exported a total of 9.4 billion cubic meters of gas. Out of these, 48 percent were exported to Europe, 3.6 billion cubic meters of gas or 38 percent were exported to Turkey, and 1.3 billion cubic meters of gas or 14 percent to Georgia.

The minister noted that the gas exports increased by 27 percent compared to the same period of last year. He added that a total of 19.6 billion cubic meters of gas were produced in the country in the first five months of the year.

Moreover, Shahbazov stated that 13.9 million tons of oil were extracted and 11.4 million tons of oil exported in Azerbaijan during the reporting period.

To recall, with the completion of the TAP (Trans-Adriatic Pipeline) construction on December 31, 2020, Azerbaijan began commercial gas supplies to Europe via the Southern Gas Corridor. The European Commission's Southern Gas Corridor initiative aims to build a natural gas supply route from the Caspian and Middle Eastern regions to Europe. The route from Azerbaijan to Europe consists of the South Caucasus Pipeline, the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP), and TAP.

Last year, TAP transported 8.1 billion cubic meters of gas to Europe. By late 2022, Azerbaijan plans to increase gas supplies to Europe to 9.1 billion cubic meters, and in 2023 the volume of gas supplies is expected to reach 11 billion cubic meters.

According to the forecast of the Azerbaijani government for oil and gas production in the country until 2026, about 48 billion cubic meters of gas will be produced in 2023, 49 billion cubic meters in 2024, and about 50 billion cubic meters in 2025.
(Bloomberg) -- Asian defense chiefs urged efforts to protect the borders of smaller nations in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine, while balking at joining in on the broader US-China tussle.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Ministers of smaller nations such as Fiji and Singapore warned against framing the crisis as part of an ideological contest between autocracies and democracies as the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue wrapped up in Singapore. Earlier Sunday, Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe hit back at the USs Indo-Pacific strategy, which he blamed for pushing the two sides toward confrontation.

Both the US and China are using Asias biggest annual security conference to drum up support for their competing visions for regional stability, even as Ukraine consumes Washingtons attention and Beijing struggles with economic pressures at home.

Key Developments

Chinese, Australian Defense Chiefs Break Ice With Frank Talks

China Warns of Risk of War Over Taiwan While Pledging Peace

US Sees Signs of Asian Nations Examining Future Of Russian Ties

Austin Urges United Front in Asia to Prevent Repeat of Ukraine

US, China Defense Chiefs Tout Progress Despite Taiwan Friction

Japans PM Kishida Pledges Expanded Security Role in Asia

(All times Singapore)

Australia, China Defense Chiefs Hold Frank Talks (2:23 p.m.)

Australia Defense Minister Richard Marles said he had a very frank and full exchange with his Chinese counterpart on Sunday, marking the highest-level meeting between the countries in more than two years amid a flare-up in tensions.

This was an important meeting, one in which the Australian government welcomes, he said. Australia also spoke of its abiding interest in the Pacific and our concern to ensure that the countries of the Pacific are not put in a position of increased militarization, Marles added.

Story continues

Fiji Seeks to Avoid Geopolitical Marriage (12:57 p.m.)

Questions about which side Fiji would take in the US-China struggle over the South Pacific have been so frequent, the nations defense minister joked that people kept asking him, When will you get married?

Weve met the Americans. We met the Japanese. We met the Chinese. We met the Australians. You name it, said Inia Batikoto Seruiratu, Fiji minister for defense, national security and policing. We all have the sovereign rights to make our own decisions. But at the same time, I will also see benefit from all these relationships that we have, including China.

Few in Asia Ready to Join Battle Royale (12:20 p.m.)

Singapores defense chief, Ng Eng Hen, said there would be few takers for a battle royale between democracy and autocracy in Asia. Still, he said smaller nations needed to work together to ensure that their sovereignty wasnt violated by larger powers.

For all Asian countries, we must ensure that our deeds match our words if we are to avoid a calamity like Ukraine, Ng said.

Chinas Behavior Concerning, Canada Says (12:19)

Canadas defense minister said Chinas behavior in a number of areas is concerning, Anita Anand said in an interview with Bloomberg News.

We have to stand back and examine Chinas behavior writ large: concerning behavior in diplomatic relations, concerning behavior in terms of theft of intellectual property, concerning behavior in cyberspace as well as in actual airspace, Anand told Haslinda Amin on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue on Saturday. These are all very worrisome and concerning behaviors.

Australia Must Respect Pacific Islands Needs, Marles Says (11:55 a.m.)

Australia must put Pacific islands nations and their development needs first to repair its relations in the region, Defense Minister Richard Marles said in an interview. Australia should be the natural partner of choice for the nations of the Pacific, Marles told Bloomberg Televisions Juliette Saly on Sunday.

But its not something we get by right, said Marles, who is also the deputy prime minister in the newly elected government. We need to earn it.

Netherlands Says US-China Dialog of Utmost Importance (10:32 a.m.)

Netherlands Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren said the speech by Chinas defense chief Wei Fenghe showed that dialog was more important.

She said US and China having talks is of the utmost importance, adding that the European Union valued discussions with Beijing.

World Divided on Basis of Who is Committed to Rules-Based Order, Sedwill Says (10:15 a.m.)

The dividing line for countries is not between democracies and autocracies but rather on those who share a commitment to rules-based global order and those who do not, said Mark Sedwill, a former UK cabinet secretary. He said the UK will increase its military presence in Asia.

South Korea Says Bilateral Issues With Japan Remain Unresolved (9:51 a.m.)

South Korea National Defense Minister Lee Jong-sup said bilateral issues with Japan remain unresolved. The country intends to engage in serious dialog with Japan.

Read more: Japan, South Korea Look to Repair Ties Ahead of Biden Visit

Lee said assessments show that North Korea has completed preparations for the nuclear test.

China Criticizes US Plans for Indo-Pacific Plans (8:45 a.m.)

Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe warned that the Biden administrations Indo-Pacific strategy was pushing the worlds two largest economies toward confrontation.

To us, the strategy is an attempt to build an exclusive small group in the name of a free and open Indo-Pacific, to hijack countries in our region and target one specific country, Wei said in a roughly 30-minute speech. It is a strategy to create conflict and confrontation to contain and encircle others.

US Navy Commander Blames China, Russia and North Korea for Global Instability (6:05 p.m.)

The USs top commander in the Pacific said he believed the world was experiencing potentially the most dangerous period since World War Two, and urged greater measures to prevent miscalculation and miscommunication. Admiral John Aquilino blamed Chinas destabilizing actions and failure to respect agreements in Hong Kong and disputes on the Indian border, alongside Russia and North Korea for contributing to global instability.

These aggressive behaviors are escalating tensions, the Indo-Pacific Command chief said. Theyre increasing the potential for miscalculation, and hence the topic of crisis communications is completely relevant based on that security environment.

Germany Says War in Ukraine Fueling Environmental Damage (5:40 p.m.)

The Russian war in Ukraine is threatening to cause environmental damage to the tune of billions of euros, said Tobias Lindner, Germanys Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office.

We have talked about the security risks of climate change, but there is also climate risk that comes from war, he said in a special session on climate security and green defense.

Lindner said some the risks from the war include near strikes on nuclear plants and toxic waste in the Sea of Azov.

Malaysia Wants Transparent Assessments on Myanmar (5:32 p.m.)

Malaysias Foreign Affairs Minister Saifuddin Abdullah, a vocal critic of Myanmars military regime, said there should be transparent assessments on situation in the country.

He also wanted to see more regional initiatives to protect civilians, especially the mostly-Muslim Rohingya people.

The situation in Myanmar remains a top priority for the Biden administration, Department of State Counselor Derek Chollet said. The US is seeking to support democracy and put pressure on military forces, he added.

Ukraine Leader Quotes Singapores Lee Kuan Yew in Russia Criticism (4:32 p.m.)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy addressed defense officials via video link, evoking the words of the late Singaporean leader Lee Kuan Yew while he criticized Russia for trying to dismantle the international order.

I want to remind you of the words of a person whom you know very well -- if there had been no international law, and the big fish ate the small fish and the small fish ate shrimps, we would not have existed, he said.

These are the wise words of Lee Kuan Yew, the leader who was perspicacious enough to see the clear reasons of many things and resources, and who knew exactly what is of value, he added.

Cambodia Wont Allow a Foreign Military Base (3:30 p.m.)

Deputy Prime Minister Tea Banh said Cambodia is constantly accused of having given exclusive rights to the foreigners to use Ream naval base, referring to recent reports that China will be building a secret military facility.

Its a problematic accusation and a complete insult to Cambodias authority, said Tea Banh, who is also the defense minister. The development of this space is not a threat to the security of any country or region whether near or far.

There should be no surprise that Cambodia cooperates with the Peoples Liberation Army, Tea Banh said. The Southeast Asian country reserves the right to receive foreign assistance in the form of military equipment, training of its armed force and other aid for self defense, he said.

US Official Sees Asian Countries Examining Ties with Russia (2:57 p.m.)

Southeast Asian nations with long-standing ties with Russia and who have hesitated to pick sides over Ukraine are increasingly questioning the value of that relationship as the war drags on, US State Department Counselor Derek Chollet said.

He said recent talks with Asian leaders have revealed new doubts among nations that officially maintain non-alignment in the war.

Australia Says Climate Change To Drive Key Policies (12:20 p.m.)

Australias Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said climate change will now factor in the countrys defense planning and diplomacy.

Peoples lives and livelihoods are increasingly at risk, said Marles, who is also the minister of defense. And this in turn, will give rise to new security challenges.

Marles said Australias approach to Beijing will be steady and consistent, looking for avenues of cooperation where they exist while recognizing Chinas growing power and the manner in which that is shaping the region.

It is reasonable to expect China make clear it does not support the invasion of a sovereign state in violation of the UN Charter to Chinas own long standing principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said.

Singapore Seeks Peaceful Resolution for Sea Territorial Disputes (11:45 a.m.)

Singapore hopes all parties will exercise restraint and maintain dialogue on situations in the East China Sea and South China Sea in order to preserve regional peace and stability, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said after a meeting with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida.

The issues are complex and unlikely to resolve soon, but they should continue to be managed peacefully in accordance with international law, he said.

Malaysia Flags Soaring Food Prices as a Security Threat (11:40 a.m.)

Malaysias Senior Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said current security threats facing the region are no longer confined to political factors, they descend to economic considerations.

The combination of unhappiness from two years of the pandemic and rising food prices have already seen a wave of political instability in countries like Sri Lanka and Pakistan, he said.

Food security is critical to peace and stability, Hishammuddin said, adding there was a window of opportunity now to strengthen regional groups,

France Defends Muted European Presence at Forum (10:43 a.m.)

French defense chief Sebastien Lecornu sought to allay concerns that Europe was too distracted with the war in Ukraine to pay attention to Asia-Pacific developments.

Sometimes people fear and say that the crisis in Europe and Ukraine might take us away from the Indo-Pacific or might that lead to the French Republic to cut back on some important commitments, even military commitments, Lecornu said. This will not be the case.

Ex-China Envoy to the US Grills Defense Chiefs at Dialogue (10:32 a.m.)

Chinas former ambassador to the US, Cui Tiankai, pushed back on what Beijing sees US-led containment strategy in Asia with a series of pointed questions to defense chiefs.

We certainly welcome our European friends to join us for regional stability and prosperity, Cui said. But are you ready to respect and appreciate the Asian way of solving problems? Is there any attempt to impose on us the NATO way or the European way?

Cui went on to put a question to Japan, asking whether the country still intended to dump nuclear waste water into the Pacific as this has caused a lot of concern.

Japan Says China-Russia Ties May Deepen Further (10:20 a.m.)

Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said ties between Moscow and Beijing may deepen further as Russia is under intense international sanctions. The joint military activities carried out by the two countries are also a cause for concern, he added.

Japan has been a peace loving nation since World War II and played by international laws, Kishi said, However, Japan is now surrounded by actors possessing nuclear weapons who are more open in their disregard for international rules.

Indonesia Says War in Ukraine Shows Security Cant Be Taken for Granted (9:51 a.m.)

Indonesia Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto said the situation in Ukraine has shown the Southeast Asian country cannot take its security and independence for granted, laying the case for strengthening defenses.

He said Indonesia is convinced the leaders of great powers realize they have a big responsibility on their shoulders.

We support a rules-based international order because we are the most affected by any order that just relies on big powers given the regions colonial past, he said.

LLoyd Austin Seeks an Asia Free of Bullying (8:47 a.m.)

The US Defense Chief said America stands for a world that respects territorial integrity and political independence, as well as human rights.

We feel the headwinds -- from threats and intimidation -- and the obsolete belief in a world carved up into spheres of influence, he said, according to remarks as prepared for delivery.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2022 Bloomberg L.P.
Power lines stretch between houses on Thursday, June 25, in the Whittier neighborhood in Sioux Falls.

It's possible Sioux Falls could see rolling blackouts this summer as warmer than normal temperatures across the Midwest increase the demand for electricity  but local power companies say they're hoping it doesn't come to that.

Much of South Dakota's power grid falls under the purview of two regional transmission organizations: Midcontinent Independent System Operator and the Southwest Power Pool.

The organizations are in charge of balancing the power generation and transmission across their service area, which isn't just within the state. MISO stretches as far east as Wisconsin and all the way down to Louisiana, while the SPP reaches into parts of Texas.

More: How South Dakota's inability to track soil erosion is putting farmers at risk

That has benefits, said Chris Studer, the public relations officer for East River Electric, which largely operates under the SPP. Extra power can be sold into the larger market, and power can be purchased if enough isn't being generated.

But, Studer said, being part of a larger system works both ways. If demand begins to outpace supply, "we all sort of share in the pain."

Some customers of Sioux Valley Energy discovered that firsthand last year, when a winter storm wreaked havoc across Texas and meant rolling blackouts of about an hour were needed throughout the SPP service area.

And while cutting off power to customers is a last resort, Studer said that not doing it can result in cascading effects that have "devastating impacts" on electrical infrastructure.

While the SPP is forecasting that generation will exceed peak demand this summer, it's a different story for MISO.

An April report from the organization projected that June's peak demand on the grid would match available capacity, while July and August's peak demand were forecast to exceed.

Tim Hansen, an associate professor at South Dakota State University's department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, said MISO had underestimated the increase in demand, and that it takes time to add new sources of generation to the system.

Story continues

More: Voters not interested in making it harder to raise taxes, reject Amendment C

"You can't just build a new plant by July," he said. And with the gap between supply and demand in July estimated at five gigawatts, it's a tall order  Hansen compared it to about a million homes blasting the air conditioning.

Think about all of Alaskas power being off," he said, "and thats still not enough."

But in terms of eastern South Dakota, where much of MISO's presence in the state lies, Hansen said he "wouldn't sound the alarm."

As a state that exports a considerable amount of power, South Dakota is better prepared to deal with a situation like this, he said.

Lacey Nygard with Xcel Energy said the company has "not had to resort to significant controlled outages in South Dakota the past," and in an emergency situation would first look at commercial and industrial customers who are on "interruptible rates," an agreement that a given company will cut usage if requested.

Still, Nygard said, as a member of MISO, "all members pull together to assist. This means our customers may experience controlled outages as we help reduce energy use on the larger regional grid."

While Hansen said it's possible that these issues could be addressed by next summer, as repairs on a major transmission line for MISO are nearing completion.

They have a chance now to try and make it up," he said. "There is time to prepare.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: South Dakota power companies hopeful rolling blackouts won't be needed
(Shows Maran Gas Hector, Al Mayeda are docked) June 9 (Reuters) - The following liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers are expected to arrive in Britain, Belgium and the Netherlands in the coming weeks. Estimated arrival dates, often revised by port authorities and AIS Live ship-tracking data on Refinitiv Eikon, are updated below. Some tankers heading for Belgium and Britain may be loading at the terminal. Those expected to load are indicated with an (L). Those likely to perform ship-to-ship transfers are indicated with (STS). Tankers that have docked are indicated with (A). For the Reuters LNG guide, click here: LNG TANKER CAPACITY in EXPECTED ARRIVAL FROM PORT cubic metres BRITAIN Al Mayeda 262,000 June 9 (A) Qatar South Hook Al Bahiya 206,000 June 11 Qatar South Hook Transgas Power 174,000 June 13 United States Isle of Grain Al Ghuwairiya 258,000 June 16 Qatar Milford Haven Lngs Al Shamal 213,000 June 18 Qatar Milford Haven Energy Liberty 165,000 June 21 United States Isle of Grain Methane Becki Anne 170,000 July 11 Peru Milford Haven BELGIUM Al Rekayyat 212,000 June 10 Qatar Zeebrugge Vladimir Voronin 172,000 June 11 Russia Zeebrugge Clean Vision 162,000 June 11 (L) N/A Zeebrugge Vladimir Vize 172,000 June 12 Russia Zeebrugge Rudolf Samoylovich 170,000 June 14 France Zeebrugge Al Khuwair 213,000 June 15 Qatar Zeebrugge Lena River 153,000 June 15 (L) Italy Zeebrugge Vladimir Rusanov 169,000 June 16 Russia Zeebrugge Corcovado Lng 158,000 June 27 United States Zeebrugge Golar Crystal 160,000 July 9 (L) France Zeebrugge NETHERLANDS Maran Gas Hector 172,000 June 9 (A) Trinidad & Tobago Gate Maran Gas Vergina 171,000 June 10 United States Gate Boris Vilkitsky 170,000 June 11 Russia Gate Aristidis I 174,000 June 14 Cameron Gate Sonangol Sambizanga 156,000 June 16 Angola Gate Lng Endeavour 174,000 June 21 United States Gate Lng Rosenrot 177,000 July 2 United States Gate Sources: Ports, AIS Live ship tracking, Refinitiv Eikon data. (^) Partial unload (*) Arrival date calculated using www.searates.com at an average speed of 13.5 knots (Reporting by Nora Buli)
Photo credit: HBO Max - HBO

The Janes documentary premiered on June 8 on HBO Max. Directed by Tia Lessin and Emma Pildes, the film reveals the stories of a group of women activists in Chicago who provided safe but illegal abortions until the passing of 1973s Roe v. Wade. Amid a pandemic, school shootings, possible recession, and civil unrest, The Janes reminds us of another issue our nation cannot forgeta quiet but vital battle against the return to a society where womens reproductive rights are invalidated and criminalized. Whether one considers themselves pro-choice or pro-life, this documentary aims to highlight one unavoidable reality: Legal or not, abortion has always happened and always will.

Read on to find out more about the real-life Janes, their impact on reproductive rights, and the current struggle to uphold their wins.

Who Are The Janes?

The Janes were a group of women activists in Chicago who provided safe but illegal abortions from the late 1960s until the passing of 1973s Roe v. Wade. At the time, the groups survival depended on being underground, and while members are now in their 70s, many were never public figures. Similar to all underground operations, the neighbors knew. There was an adPregnant? Call Janeposted wherever women were known to gather, and a number in the phone book matching the pseudonym. While members of the collective initially served as liaisons between clients and service providers, they were eventually trained to practice safe abortions and were able to provide services at a lower cost.

Four of the many women in the collective were Laura Kaplan, author of The Story of Jane: The Legendary Underground Feminist Abortion Service, civil rights activist Heather Booth, reproductive rights activist Abby Pariser, and Sheila Avruch, retired assistant director of the Government Accountability Office. All of these women were instrumental in performing around 11,000 safe abortions in the Chicago area and later served as womens health workers within the community and government. Ordinary women saving womens lives is how members of the Jane Collective saw themselves. New struggles for womens reproductive rights and the debut of their documentary The Janes, directed by Tia Lessin and Emma Pildes, have encouraged members to resurface.

Story continues

Photo credit: HBO





Abortion in the 1960s and 1970s

In the 1960s and 1970s, legal abortion wasnt an option for most women, even those with dire medical conditions. The Janes documentary exposed that oftentimes those who needed abortions were the mistresses, secretaries, and daughters of the men who defended laws against it (policemen, judges, and powerful men within the government). Because it was illegal, research scholars have never been able to pin down the exact number of pregnancies that ended in abortion at that time, but the estimation is 25 percent. To receive a legal abortion, one had to appeal to a hospitals board of directors, who sometimes, even in life or death situations, denied the request. Illegal abortions, while more accessible, were often extremely dangerous. Women would pay hundreds, and sometimes over a thousand dollars, only to find themselves on the beds of seedy hotels, undergoing unclean procedures in the middle of nowhere. The septic abortion ward was full every day, and the Jane Collective was one of the only services that could combat a growing epidemic.

What is Roe v. Wade?

Petitioned in 1969, Roe v. Wade refers to the lawsuit originally appealed by a 22-year-old pregnant woman named Norma McCorvey whosingle, unemployed, and pregnant with her third childused the pseudonym Jane Roe to sue Texas district attorney Henry Wade. At the time, Texas law prohibited abortion unless required to save a womans life. Roe argued that the law was unconstitutionally vague and a violation of personal privacy. At the time of the petition, abortion was legal in only four states and allowed under limited circumstances in 16 others. Upon its passing, Roe v. Wade established an absolute right to an abortion during the first trimester. But by the time the Supreme Court passed the law, it was 1973 and Norma had given birth to a little girl whom shed put up for adoption. While the law was debated, desperate women in states like Illinois (which didnt enact the law until 1975) were out of luck if they wanted legal pregnancy termination. This is where the Jane Collective came in, aiding womenwho had taken matters into their own handswith safe alternatives.

Abortion and the Supreme Court today

Today, there is a new case poised to undermine Roe v. Wade called Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization. It challenges Mississippis ban on abortion after 15 weeks. Similar to Planned Parenthood v. Casey, it is up to the Supreme Court to uphold the rights associated with Roe v. Wade, which already allows states to regulate but not ban abortion up until the point of fetal viability (24 weeks). If the court decides to uphold Mississippis ban, it will compromise both laws, resulting in a hodgepodge of abortion laws across the country, with some states protecting the right to termination and others immediately prohibiting it.

The Janes is now streaming on HBO Max.



Photo credit: HBO

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PEAK6

UniFi will build upon National Flood Services cutting-edge technology platform to accelerate NFS ability to support the needs of agencies and consumers.

CHICAGO, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PEAK6 InsurTech, an insurance operations subsidiary of PEAK6 Investments, announced today that UniFi Group has agreed to acquire a controlling interest in National Flood Services (NFS). PEAK6 will retain a minority stake in the new joint venture. NFS and UniFi expect to close the transaction in the third quarter of 2022.



Since the acquisition of NFS in 2018, we have been intently focused on developing the premier technology platform serving the flood insurance space, said Deb Franklin , Co-CEO of PEAK6 InsurTech. With our successful launch of Trident in 2020, we believe we have accomplished that. This transaction will take NFS to the next level of growth, with NFS benefiting from UniFis network and services.

UniFi has been building transformational technologies for the insurance industry for the past 14 years and specializes in BPO contact center operations. They understand the unique needs of insurance carriers and are passionate about bringing tech solutions into customers hands quickly and effectively. Under this new partnership, UniFi and NFS will combine strengths across both organizations to deliver improved technology and services that propel us forward as the premier flood insurance service provider. Having resources laser-focused on the core business strategy is fundamental to a successful future.

Dr. Kiran C. Patel, Chairman of UniFi Group, commented, UniFi focuses on building technology solutions that support the Flood and P&C Insurance markets. Our modular SaaS based system will allow client customizations that will provide NFS clients a competitive advantage.

For more than 36 years, NFS has worked with top insurance companies to help protect homeowners from the costly impacts of flooding. In close partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and WYOs, NFS supports over 85,000 active flood agents who oversee approximately $1.4 billion of National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) premiums annually and more than 1.5 million policies.

Story continues

About PEAK6 InsurTech

PEAK6 InsurTech began with the vision to bring innovative drive and technology to the insurance sector. These things, combined with the power of our subsidiaries We Insure and Team Focus Insurance Group, will enable us to deliver better value to customers and reach new heights, transforming insurance from what is, into what ought to be.

About PEAK6

PEAK6 uses technology to find a better way of doing things. The companys first tech-based solution was developed in 1997 to optimize options trading, and over the past two decades, the same formula has been used across a range of industries, asset classes, and business stages to consistently deliver superior results. Today, PEAK6 seeks transformational opportunities to provide capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs and forward-thinking businesses.

PEAK6s core brands include PEAK6 Capital Management, PEAK6 Strategic Capital, Apex Fintech Solutions, PEAK6 InsurTech, Zogo, Evil Geniuses and Poker Power.

About UniFi Group

UniFi Group is a privately held service organization with significant experience providing innovative technology solutions and value-added services, products, and benefits to the property and casualty industry. The groups organizational expertise and product offerings span various areas from insurance carriers, agencies, contact centers, repair networks, and IT services. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, UniFi also has international offices in Medellin, Colombia, and Mumbai, India.

Media contacts:

Clay Kuntz, Director of Client Success

clay@propllr.com

Stephanie Langguth, Sr. Communications Manager, PEAK6 InsurTech

Slangguth@peak6.com

Catherine Pollard, VP Flood Operations UniFi Group

catherinep@unifimanagement.com




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Dublin, June 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Pulse Oximeters Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2022-2027" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global pulse oximeters market reached a value of US$ 2.14 Billion in 2021. Looking forward, the publisher expects the market to reach US$ 3.25 Billion by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.1% during 2022-2027.

Keeping in mind the uncertainties of COVID-19, they are continuously tracking and evaluating the direct as well as the indirect influence of the pandemic on different end use sectors. These insights are included in the report as a major market contributor



A pulse oximeter refers to a medical device that is used to monitor the oxygen levels in the patient's blood. It is a small clip-like device that is externally attached to the individual's finger, toe or earlobe to detect the timing and levels when the oxygen drops below the adequate levels. It is commonly used for monitoring pulse during surgical procedures, emergencies, treatments and recovery in hospital wards. The device determines the percentage of oxygen in the red blood cells by using a cold light source that transmits light through the point of contact and analyzes the amount of light that can pass to reach the other end



The increasing prevalence of chronic medical ailments, along with the rising geriatric population across the globe, is one of the key factors driving the growth of the market. Furthermore, growing preference for non-invasive medical devices and procedures by both patients and healthcare providers is also providing a boost to the market growth. The widespread adoption of portable and wearable oximeter variants, especially among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients, is contributing to the product demand.

Additionally, various technological advancements, including the improvements in microprocessor technology, light-emitting diodes and photoelectric sensors for enhanced accuracy and reliability of pulse oximeters, are acting as another growth-inducing factor. Other factors, including rising healthcare expenditures, the integration of oximeters with artificial intelligence (AI) and the advent of variants that are compatible with Android and Apple operating systems for maintaining electronic medical records (EMR), are projected to drive the market further



Key Market Segmentation:

The publisher provides an analysis of the key trends in each sub-segment of the global pulse oximeters market, along with forecasts at the global, regional and country level from 2022-2027. Our report has categorized the market based on type, sensor type and end-use



Breakup by Type:

Fingertip Pulse Oximeters

Handheld Pulse Oximeters

Wrist-worn Pulse Oximeters

Others

Breakup by Sensor Type:

Reusable

Disposable

Breakup by End-Use:

Hospitals and Clinics

Ambulatory Surgery Centers

Home Healthcare

Others

Breakup by Region:

North America

United States

Canada

Asia Pacific

China

Japan

India

South Korea

Australia

Indonesia

Others

Europe

Germany

France

United Kingdom

Italy

Spain

Russia

Others

Latin America

Brazil

Mexico

Others

Middle East and Africa

Competitive Landscape:

The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined with some of the top pules oximeters companies being CAS Medical Systems Inc. (Edward Lifesciences), Contec Medical Systems Co. Ltd., Koninklijke Philips NV, Masimo, Medtronic Plc, Nonin Medical Inc., Opto Circuits, Smiths Medical, Inc., Spacelabs Healthcare (OSI Systems) and Welch Allyn (Hill-Rom), etc



Key Question Answered in this Report

1. What is the impact of COVID-19 on the global pulse oximeters market?

2. What will be the pulse oximeters market outlook during the forecast period (2022-2027)?

3. What are the global pulse oximeters market drivers?

4. What are the major trends in the global pulse oximeters market?

5. What is the global pulse oximeters market breakup by type?

6. What is the global pulse oximeters market breakup by sensor type?

7. What is the global pulse oximeters market breakup by end use?

8. What are the major regions in the global pulse oximeters market?

Key Topics Covered:



1 Preface



2 Scope and Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Introduction

4.1 Overview

4.2 Key Industry Trends



5 Global Pulse Oximeters 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 Fingertip Pulse Oximeters

6.1.1 Market Trends

6.1.2 Market Forecast

6.2 Handheld Pulse Oximeters

6.2.1 Market Trends

6.2.2 Market Forecast

6.3 Wrist-Worn Pulse Oximeters

6.3.1 Market Trends

6.3.2 Market Forecast

6.4 Others

6.4.1 Market Trends

6.4.2 Market Forecast



7 Market Breakup by Sensor Type

7.1 Reusable

7.1.1 Market Trends

7.1.2 Market Forecast

7.2 Disposable

7.2.1 Market Trends

7.2.2 Market Forecast



8 Market Breakup by End-Use

8.1 Hospitals and Clinics

8.1.1 Market Trends

8.1.2 Market Forecast

8.2 Ambulatory Surgery Centers

8.2.1 Market Trends

8.2.2 Market Forecast

8.3 Home Healthcare

8.3.1 Market Trends

8.3.2 Market Forecast

8.4 Others

8.4.1 Market Trends

8.4.2 Market Forecast



9 Market Breakup by Region



10 SWOT Analysis

11 Value Chain Analysis



12 Porters Five Forces Analysis



13 Price Indicators



14 Competitive Landscape

14.1 Market Structure

14.2 Key Players

14.3 Profiles of Key Players

14.3.1 CAS Medical Systems Inc. (Edward Lifesciences)

14.3.1.1 Company Overview

14.3.1.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.2 Contec Medical Systems Co. Ltd.

14.3.2.1 Company Overview

14.3.2.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.3 Koninklijke Philips NV

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 Masimo

14.3.4.1 Company Overview

14.3.4.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.4.3 SWOT Analysis

14.3.5 Medtronic Plc

14.3.5.1 Company Overview

14.3.5.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.6 Opto Circuits

14.3.6.1 Company Overview

14.3.6.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.6.3 Financials

14.3.7 Nonin Medical Inc.

14.3.7.1 Company Overview

14.3.7.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.8 Smiths Medical Inc.

14.3.8.1 Company Overview

14.3.8.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.8.3 SWOT Analysis

14.3.9 Spacelabs Healthcare (OSI Systems)

14.3.9.1 Company Overview

14.3.9.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.10 Welch Allyn (Hill-Rom)

14.3.10.1 Company Overview

14.3.10.2 Product Portfolio

14.3.10.3 SWOT Analysis

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/owqmt9

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




Kelowna, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 10, 2022) - Diamcor Mining Inc (TSXV: DMI) invites you to visit them at Booth #2316 at The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada Convention (PDAC) at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) on Monday June 13 to Wednesday June 15, 2022.

About Diamcor Mining Inc

Diamcor is in the final stages of development and ramping up processing volumes at its Krone-Endora Project (the "Project"). The Project is already cash flowing from large scale trial mining exercises and is directly related and co-located with De Beers flagship Venetia Diamond Mine in South Africa. The Company has a proven history of supplying rough diamonds to the world market and a strategic alliance with world famous luxury retailer Tiffany & Co. The Company is well positioned with a long-term ability to supply quality rough diamonds at a time when supplies are becoming constrained due to the age of existing diamond mines, lack of new discoveries, and the current geopolitical environment, all of which point to the potential for supply shortages in the future.

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 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:

Diamcor Mining Inc

Mark Smith

250-863-3828

marks@diamcor.com

www.diamcormining.com

Story continues

About the Tiffany & Co. Alliance

The Company has established a long-term strategic alliance and first right of refusal with Tiffany & Co. Canada, a subsidiary of world famous New York based Tiffany & Co., to purchase up to 100% of the future production of rough diamonds from the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project at then current prices to be determined by the parties on an ongoing basis. In conjunction with this first right of refusal, Tiffany & Co. Canada also provided the Company with financing to advance the Project. Tiffany & Co. is owned by Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE (LVMH), a publicly traded company which is listed on the Paris Stock Exchange (Euronext) under the symbol LVMH and on the OTC under the symbol LVMHF. For additional information on Tiffany & Co., please visit their website at www.tiffany.com.

About Krone-Endora at Venetia

In February 2011, Diamcor acquired the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project from De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited, consisting of the prospecting rights over the farms Krone 104 and Endora 66, which represent a combined surface area of approximately 5,888 hectares directly adjacent to De Beers' flagship Venetia Diamond Mine in South Africa. On September 11, 2014, the Company announced that the South African Department of Mineral Resources had granted a Mining Right for the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project encompassing 657.71 hectares of the Project's total area of 5,888 hectares. The Company has also submitted an application for a mining right over the remaining areas of the Project. The deposits which occur on the properties of Krone and Endora have been identified as a higher-grade "Alluvial" basal deposit which is covered by a lower-grade upper "Eluvial" deposit. The deposits are proposed to be the result of the direct-shift (in respect to the "Eluvial" deposit) and erosion (in respect to the "Alluvial" deposit) of material from the higher grounds of the adjacent Venetia Kimberlite areas. The deposits on Krone-Endora occur in two layers with a maximum total depth of approximately 15.0 metres from surface to bedrock, allowing for a very low-cost mining operation to be employed with the potential for near-term diamond production from a known high-quality source. Krone-Endora also benefits from the significant development of infrastructure and services already in place due to its location directly adjacent to the Venetia Mine.

Qualified Person Statement:

Mr. James P. Hawkins (B.Sc., P.Geo.), is Manager of Exploration & Special Projects for Diamcor Mining Inc., and the Qualified Person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 responsible for overseeing the execution of Diamcor's exploration programmes and a Member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta ("APEGA"). Mr. Hawkins has reviewed this press release and approved of its contents.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Mr. Dean H. Taylor

President & CEO

Diamcor Mining Inc.

www.diamcormining.com

For further information contact:

Mr. Dean H. Taylor

President & CEO

Diamcor Mining Inc.

www.diamcormining.com

For further information contact:

Mr. Rich Matthews

Integrous Communications

rmatthews@integcom.us

+1 (604) -757-7179

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. While these forward-looking statements represent our best current judgement, they are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict and which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Further, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

WE SEEK SAFE HARBOUR

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/127255
Stacker compiled a list of the localities with the highest unemployment rate in Virginia using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
WEVE ALL been there.

You want to throw a party or celebration for someone at the last minute.

Invitations go out a bit late, and people get incensed.

A quick apology, an explanation, and generally all is forgiven.

Thats not how things went down in Richmond on Wednesday.

What appears to have been a hastily put-together reception for a small group of LGBTQ+ advocates was greeted by some with a polite Thank you, but no.

Speaking with the Richmond TimesDispatch, the chair of the Virginia LGBTQ+ Advisory Board, Lisa A. Turner, said people didnt receive Gov. Glenn Youngkins invitation until Monday, just 48 hours before the event. She also said she asked that all LGBTQ+ members of the General Assembly be invited, but was told that wasnt going to happen, according to the paper.

Turners and others concerns go far beyond a late invitation, however.

I appreciate the governors invitation, wrote James Millner of Virginia Pride in a statement, but I think it is premature for this administration to celebrate LGBTQ+ equality when it has yet to take any meaningful steps to advance it.

They have good reason to be skeptical of Youngkins motivations here.

Last year on the campaign trail, Youngkin spoke to the Family Foundation, a Richmond-based nonprofit that is adamantly against LGBTQ+ individuals and advocates for conversion therapy, which has been thoroughly discredited.

Youngkin also backed Loudon County teacher Tanner Cross, who refused to use the pronouns that a student wished to be called by, claiming that doing so violated his religious freedom.

Then there is Youngkins stated support for a parents right to know about sexually explicit material in school libraries. Given that stance, some rightly worry that he could embrace some version of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Parental Rights in Education Act.

Critics refer to it as the Dont say gay bill.

True, there is no legislation currently in Virginia that would do this. With Democrats controlling the senate, such a bill would have no chance.

But should Republicans gain control in November, Youngkin may well push forward such anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.

The real question may be, how far would he go?

Gay marriage looks to be in Youngkins sights. In 2021 he refused to support same-sex marriage in an AP interview.

It may be in jeopardy nationally, as Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has already said the 2015 Obergefull v. Hodges decision establishing same-sex marriage should be overturned.

With the courts new conservative majority, it seems likely that a challenge to same-sex marriage is around the corner. SCOTUS apparent willingness to disregard precedent and reverse Roe v. Wade hints theyll have no issue reversing the 2015 decision.

Would Youngkin then ban same-sex marriage in Virginia?

Nationwide, there are troubling movements Youngkin could also borrow from. In Idaho and Alabama, for example, legislators want to prosecute parents and doctors who offer gender-affirming care. In Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott requires the states child-welfare agency to investigate reports of gender-affirming care by parents as child abuse.

One would think Abbott, a stated supporter of parents rights, would trust parents to raise their own children. Apparently, that doesnt apply when parents views disagree with his.

No one is asking Youngkin to personally endorse LGBTQ+ lifestyles. But as the states leader, we are asking him to respect LGBTQ+ citizens and protect their rights. Its the right thing to do, and its good for Virginia.

The recently released 2022 State LGBTQ+ Business Climate Index report, conducted by OutLeadership, ranks Virginia the 16th most LGBTQ+ friendly state in the nation for business. We are also the highest ranked state in the South, by a large margin.

Youngkin this week celebrated Raytheon moving its headquarters here.

Should Youngkin begin adopting anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, however, Virginia would quickly drop down the OutLeadership list. And that could make it far more difficult to attract companies to the commonwealth. Texas and Florida are already feeling the backlash for their uncivil moves.

Youngkin has repeatedly said he wants to be the governor for all Virginians. To do that, hes going to have to show considerably more grace and compassion toward the commonwealths LGBTQ+ community than he has to this point.

Hes got to walk his talk, said Turner, and its not there yet.

We couldnt have said it better.
PLATTSMOUTH  St. John the Baptist School students and teachers will have a new leader in the building when they begin classes next year.

St. John the Baptist officials have announced the appointment of Dr. Nina Beck as interim principal. Beck replaces former principal Linda Monahan, who served in that capacity at the Plattsmouth school since 2016. Monahan had spent multiple years as a resource teacher and speech technician at St. Johns before becoming principal.

St. John the Baptist spokeswoman Deb Walton said the interim appointment will allow school officials time to discuss future needs and assessments with community members. She felt Beck would help the school during the 2022-23 academic year.

Dr. Beck is a very skilled and seasoned educator, Walton said. She brings not only a great wealth of experience but perhaps more importantly, she brings great love: great love of education, great love for children, great love for her faculty, staff and families. And most of all, great love for Jesus Christ and His church.

Beck was raised in an Air Force family and attended 11 schools by the time she was in fourth grade. She chose to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln after her best childhood friend made the same decision.

Beck earned a double major in psychology and literature at UNL and later secured many other advanced degrees. She holds masters degrees in reading, elementary education, learning disabilities and special education and a doctorate in elementary education and school administration.

Beck said she has enjoyed being in school systems across the country. She has worked in elementary and secondary schools in San Antonio, Texas, and has been in Lincoln for multiple decades. She was principal of St. Marys School in Lincoln for 24 years and has also been with Lincoln Public Schools and Lincoln Diocesan Education Office.

I have been very blessed with the many people I have come in contact with during my involvement in education, Beck said.

Beck began the homeless education program for Lincoln Public Schools and has worked with the Reading Rainbow television show in Lincoln. She has earned numerous awards for her educational and community service projects.

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By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

Prime Minister Ali Asadov has chaired a meeting on the development of Azerbaijan's existing transit opportunities on June 9, Azernews reports, citing the Cabinet of Ministers.

During the meeting, the participants analyzed the current situation and forecasts in the field of international cargo transportation.

They also discussed legal, administrative, and technical issues on expanding the country's capacity for all categories of goods, as well as improving economic efficiency in the field of cargo transportation. In addition, specific instructions were given to the relevant structures.

The meeting was attended by persons responsible for various areas, heads of relevant ministries, and state-owned companies.

Transport routes through the South Caucasus are becoming increasingly popular as more countries seek ways to bypass Russia. In the current situation, Azerbaijan's role as a regional transportation hub is irreplaceable. As the most stable projects, transportation via the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and Azerbaijan's transit along the route of the New Silk Road are becoming increasingly popular. In terms of the North-South corridor, its significance for Russia is difficult to overestimate, especially in light of the sanctions.

Azerbaijan's modern and dependable transport and logistics infrastructure can withstand the heavy load and keep the region's economic processes and commodity flow moving.
Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell announced Friday that Matthew Rosener, 40, of Oakland, Nebraska, was sentenced on June 9 by United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher to 15 months imprisonment for failure to register as a sex offender. There is no parole in the federal system. Upon his release, Rosener will serve a five-year term of supervised release.

On June 22, 2009, Rosener was convicted of indecent contact with a child in Audubon County, Iowa. As a result of this conviction, Rosener was required to register pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act.

On June 15, 2020, Rosener registered as a sex offender in the state of Iowa and provided an address in Manning, Iowa, as his residence. On March 17, 2021, the Iowa Sex Offender Registry listed Roseners whereabouts as unconfirmed.

On May 26, 2021, Rosener was arrested by the Burt County Sheriffs Office on local charges. Rosener told the deputies that he had been living in Oakland since February 2021. Rosener never registered as a sex offender in the state of Nebraska and had traveled from Iowa to Nebraska.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by United States Attorneys Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service.

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For almost nine decades, St. Pauls Lutheran Church has marked a milestone in Christian education.

Area residents and guests celebrated the annual Confirmation Jubilee on June 12.

The event started with a worship service at 10:30 a.m. at St. Pauls, 1843 County Road E in rural Hooper. This was a combined worship service with the churchs sister congregation, Elim Lutheran.

The service was followed by a luncheon in the St. Pauls church parlors.

Guest preacher was the Rev. Juliet Focken, assistant to Bishop Brian Maas of the Nebraska Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

The Confirmation Jubilee is a time when members of honored classes are invited back to St. Pauls to reaffirm their baptismal vows and restate their confirmation vows along with the rest of the congregation.

Thats a very moving part of it  to realize that the vows that were first made for them in baptism by their parents and sponsors and that they made themselves at their confirmation, they will renew again, said the Rev. Judy Johnson, pastor of St. Pauls and Elim.

At the same time, honorees can become reacquainted with many people they havent seen in years.

The Rev. H.O. Rhode started the Confirmation Jubilee in 1934.

He thought it would be nice to have an annual event, inviting honored classes whod been confirmed at St. Pauls to come back for kind of a homecoming, Johnson said.

Since that time, the church has hosted the celebration almost every year.

There was one exception in 1944 when the event had to be postponed due to historic flooding that washed out bridges and roads.

When it was first started, it honored confirmands celebrating the 25th, 50th and 60th anniversaries of their confirmations.

So that meant people who were in their early 70s would return for the celebration.

Now, the church is honoring people who were confirmed 80 years ago. These people are in their early to mid-90s.

The event is a celebration and a reunion.

Its something that really does pull people back (to St. Pauls) and they have a very lovely time  just reminiscing, and they always talk about what confirmation class was like when they were growing up, Johnson said.

Such times are inspiring.

Its really very moving to hear their stories and to see how excited they are to see other people theyve not seen for 50 years, she said. Its a very special day.

Since many people couldnt attend, they were invited to send a note, bringing people up to date on their lives or sharing a special memory of attending services at St. Pauls or going to confirmation class.

Johnson points out one of the best parts of the event.

Its witnessing the long-lasting effect that ones earliest church home has on people, Johnson said. It brings everybody together and reminds us that were all one family.

Johnson said some attendees share memories besides those made in confirmation class.

They talk about Vacation Bible School at the church years ago. Some were able to climb up to the bell tower and ring the bell to bring VBS kids back in after recess.

That bell tower/steeple was blown down into the church parking lot during a storm in 2016. A new steeple was dedicated in 2018.

In 2021, the jubilee took place in conjunction with the congregations 150th anniversary in September.

Last year, people were so pleased to come back and see that the steeple has been rebuilt and that the church is stronger than ever, Johnson said.

Johnson noted that the appearance of the church building hasnt changed in more than 100 years.

The pastor said theres one living member of the class of teens who were confirmed 80 years ago. Thats Leonard Meyer of West Point.

In the meantime, Johnson looks forward to another chapter and memory-making opportunity for a church thats observed a meaningful, long-running tradition.

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The head of a U.S. government watchdog says he is concerned that money sent by the United Nations to Afghanistan for humanitarian and economic aid will end up in the hands of the Taliban government.



In a wide-ranging interview with RFE/RL's Radio Azadi, John Sopko, the U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), said his organization has concerns over the funds but since it has no presence inside the country, it will have to rely on the UN to ensure no money goes to the Taliban.



Afghanistan, one of the most aid-dependent countries in the world, faced an unprecedented humanitarian crisis and a collapsing economy after the Taliban seized power in August. Instead of resolving the unfolding problems, the Islamists focused on reestablishing hard-line governance by recreating their brutal regime that forced millions to flee Afghanistan in the 1990s.



This prompted the UN to embark on a new approach by directly injecting cash aid into the economy this year.



In late April, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres told journalists that the United Nations had flown $500 million in cash into Afghanistan.



That amount has since grown, with officials at the Da Afghanistan Bank, the country's central bank, saying last month that the international community had in total delivered $760 million in cash to help the struggling country.



The UN typically used to deliver some $32 million to the country on a weekly basis.



"We have been talking to the UN officials about how they are safeguarding [those] funds," he said in the interview.



"We have had discussions on best practices for protecting it...We are hoping it's protected but its more difficult to ensure that since we at SIGAR have no presence in Afghanistan," he added.



The United States and other foreign donors have continued to withhold most of their financial assistance to Afghanistan fearing that, if the Taliban were to receive those funds, it would reward and legitimize a regime that took power by force and has committed gross human rights violations.



"We recognize that humanitarian aid is not enough," Sopko said, adding that in the absence of a cash infusion, the collapse of the economy could have "devastating consequences for the people of Afghanistan."



Saber Momand, a spokesman for the central bank added that "this aid preserves the value of the afghani [currency]."



Speaking about the latest SIGAR report, Sopko said that its findings show that former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled with less than half a million dollars as he left the country in a helicopter fleet on August 15, dispelling rumors that he took as much as $169 million out of the country.



"The helicopters, the way they are configured, they couldn't have carried a bulk amount of cash," he said.



"You've to realize that 169 million dollars in one hundred dollar bills would be equal to about two tons," Sopko added.



In a previous interim report on the rapid collapse of the Afghan security forces last month, SIGAR blamed Washington's peace deal with the Taliban.



Sopko said the main reason behind the collapse was that President Joe Biden's administration implemented the initial peace agreement President Donald Trump signed with the Taliban in February 2020.



Under the agreement signed in the Qatari capital Doha, Washington agreed to withdraw all its troops in return for the Taliban counterterrorism guarantees and peace talks with the pro-Western government.



"That was basically the death knell to the ability or willingness of a lot of the soldiers and the police to continue fighting," he said.

With contributions from RFE/RL's Abubakar Siddique
Taste buds have never been so bamboozled.

Welcome to the age of sneaky cakes, where loaves of sourdough bread, pizzas and steaks, when sliced, reveal a sugary cake interior. The trend doesnt stop at food  how about that folded up pair of jeans or beach ball? Fooled you! Its a cake.

If youve been anywhere around TikTok, Instagram or YouTube in the past five or so years, you know the hyper-realistic trend bakers around the globe have glommed onto like syrup to waffles. Its become a race to cake-ify the most everyday object or food item, and bedazzle astonished people who cant believe at its heart is a moist, palatable center. And you know the movement has hit its stride when Netflix pushes out Is it Cake?, a new baking competition with a title that says it all.

Amber Willis is fully on board. She was busy baking birthday cakes for her six kids and taking orders from friends and other customers when the realistic cake train came chugging along. Many, many YouTube videos and practice cakes later, the self-taught baker is near genius level at crafting whatever outlandish request comes her way.

Theyre super fun to make, said Willis, owner and founder of Sweet Tooth Cakes. I like challenging things and seeing how close you can get to the real thing. Those are my favorite orders to get, especially the food ones.

Thats why youre not quite sure, upon walking into her best friends kitchen, where Willis often likes to bake, if the juicy-looking breakfast bagel sandwich sitting on the counter, with its perfectly peppery fried eggs, creamy cheddar cheese slices, ruffled slabs of bacon and lightly toasted top, is the real deal. Nope, totally fake.

Willis spent four and a half hours perfecting her forgery through the use of fondant  a mix of marshmallows, powdered sugar, corn syrup, either white or milk chocolate, and modeling chocolate, a mix of white and milk chocolate and corn syrup.

Theres actual cake, too  the bagel is red velvet slathered with a vanilla cream cheese frosting. But really, its almost too gorgeous to slice into.

An impressive array of baking tools lies on the kitchen island where she makes the magic happen, including a minitorch, which she uses to fry up the fondant egg and bacon concoctions, and an air brushing machine, which allows her to toast the bagel top.

The exciting part is when we get to torch everything, she said.

Shes exacting in her standards, deeming the color of an egg yolk made from dye not quite right on her first attempt, but a much better yellow orange color on her second go-around.

And sometimes shell even painstakingly craft fake sesame seeds from scratch using fondant.

Her list of confectionary achievements is long and impressive: watermelons, a bowl of hot wings, a bucket of Popeyes chicken, hamburgers and French fries, a whole turkey and a Subway sandwich that took two days.

Pricing varies widely, depending on how many details the cake requires, the size and special ingredients she needs to order. She once made an otter eating a sandwich cake for $500, but a pizza cake goes for about $150, depending on a thick or thin crust.

Customers regularly tell her to apply for season two of Is it Cake?

Baking is fine, but decorating is like painting, said Willis, while wearing a homemade T-shirt emblazoned with the words Cake it til you make it in green letters. It was a toss-up between this one and her I like big cakes and I cannot lie T-shirt.

Cakes in a castle

Across town, inside the Gothic, history-rich Miramont Castle, Leah Blake and Stephanie Anderson toil over a bogus Gazette cake in the castle kitchen. Fashioned to look like a stack of the daily newspaper, the finished product will be accompanied by a palette and brush cup made from chocolate and icing.

The women have a tight deadline  First Friday Downtown. The three-layer chocolate cake, with its raspberry filling and white chocolate and Champagne buttercream frosting, was commissioned to help Art 1eleven Gallery celebrate its Best of the Springs bronze award for commercial gallery.

Its the duos second cake for the gallery. The first, a painting of a nude woman, was a star at the gallerys February exhibit devoted to nudes.

I love peoples reactions to the things we do, said Blake, manager of Miramonts tea room. We always do something new we havent done before, because its a challenge in the beginning and exciting we made it happen at the end. It keeps our creativity flowing.

In the sunny, second-floor kitchen, Anderson, the castles head baker, has carefully pressed long slices of rice paper into the sides of the cake, aided by the faux glue of simple syrup, to create the effect of a stack of papers. And an edible printer has spit out a Photoshopped front page of The Gazette, with photos of the gallery and headlines celebrating its win.

The ladies, best friends since they were 7, began making regular cakes a decade ago for birthday parties and other random occasions.

Eventually, their talent turned toward the more complicated cakes, and studying the process through the free online vocational school known as YouTube. Their confection resume now includes a rendition of Han Solo from the Star Wars films, a replica of an Air Force uniform for an Air Force Academy Christmas party, a bass guitar and an Audi car.

The only thing I like to do is the creative stuff, Anderson said.

And while most realistic cake bakers rely on fondant to create designs, these two shy away from the substance, citing its non-flavor.

We want our food to taste good, Blake said. Thats our No. 1 priority, and however we can add art into that is our second priority.

Contact the writer: 636-0270
A Pueblo County judge should not have allowed jurors to hear about the racist comments a defendant made toward his friend hours before allegedly assaulting his godson, the state's Court of Appeals decided on Thursday.

Anthony Joseph Ianne's case had already proceeded through a three-judge panel of the appellate court, which upheld his conviction last November. But earlier this year, the Colorado Supreme Court handed down a key change in the law that caused the appellate panel to take another look at Ianne's trial. This time, it reversed Ianne's single assault with a deadly weapon conviction.

The morning that Ianne was packing his house and preparing to move, he received help from his godson and a friend of his, identified as J.M. in court documents. Ianne reportedly grew upset with how J.M. was handling his belongings and Ianne waved an axe handle  a stick with no blade  at him.

Ianne also called J.M. a "f---ing Mexican" and other related slurs. Eventually, Ianne left the house to calm down.

When he returned, there was a confrontation between Ianne and his godson. While Ianne testified the alleged victim grabbed him and Ianne reacted in self-defense, the godson said Ianne hit him with the axe handle. Jurors believed the prosecution's version of events and convicted Ianne in 2017.

One of Ianne's grounds for appeal centered on District Court Judge Thomas Flesher's decision to allow the jury to hear about Ianne's argument with J.M., including his racist language. The defense had argued it was improper "res gestae" evidence, meaning information about uncharged misconduct that would improperly lead jurors to focus on Ianne's poor character, rather than the charged offense.

Prosecutors argued the confrontation with J.M. was relevant to Ianne's later assault. It showed Ianne had previously been the aggressor, demonstrated his escalating anger, and would speak to Ianne's motive or intent.

For Ianne's first appeal, decided on Nov. 4, 2021, the panel of judges agreed with that rationale, noting how admissible res gestae evidence can provide a complete understanding of a crime's context if it is part of a "continuous transaction."

"Iannes break between arguments doesnt render the evidence less integral to understanding his continued escalation of anger and violence that day," wrote Judge Craig R. Welling. "Therefore, we conclude that the aggression towards J.M. was a part of the criminal episode."

Ianne appealed to the state Supreme Court. However, soon afterward the justices abolished the use of res gestae evidence, determining it was being used simply as a shortcut to introduce jurors to information about a defendant's bad character. The court returned the case to the appellate panel for another review.

In light of the Supreme Court action, Ianne argued to the panel that the prosecution had urged the jury to convict him based on "his character for racism and propensity for violence." The Colorado Attorney General's Office acknowledged the racial slurs were not intrinsic to the assault charge, but said they nonetheless allowed the jury to understand Ianne's state of mind.

The appellate panel now agreed with Ianne that jurors could have used the evidence involving J.M. improperly when deciding on Ianne's guilt.

"Indeed, there is a reasonable probability that admitting the evidence of Iannes argument with J.M., his use of racial slurs and obscenities, and his threatening behavior with the axe handle toward J.M. earlier in the day ... affected the fairness of the trial by allowing the jury to convict Ianne based on implied propensity  he was violent and racist earlier; therefore he was likely violent during the alleged assault," Welling wrote in the June 9 opinion.

The panel reversed the conviction and ordered a new trial.

The case is People v. Ianne.
A bill signed into law Wednesday will establish a task force to look into the use of facial recognition technology by law enforcement and government agencies in Colorado.
By Azernews

By Laman Ismayilova

President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva has met with Kazakh Ambassador to Sofia Temirtay Izbastin as part of her visit to Bulgaria, Azernews reports citing International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation.

The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between the Foundation and Kazakhstan, promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Turkic World at the international level.

Speaking at the event, Kazakh Ambassador Temirtay Izbastin praised the foundation's large-scale activities aimed at promoting the material and cultural values of the Turkic world.

During the visit to Bulgaria, President of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva and TURKPA Secretary-General Mehmet Sureyya Er met with Ambassador of Turkiye to Bulgaria Aylin Sekizkok.

The sides discussed the existence of close partnerships and the joint implementation of future projects related to the culture and heritage of the Turkic world.

Initiated in 2012, Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation focuses on the preservation of Turkic heritage in member countries as well as conducting projects in collaboration with partners in third countries.

The foundation provides assistance in the protection, study, and promotion of Turkic culture and heritage through supporting and funding various activities, projects, and programs. It carries out its activities in cooperation with TURKSOY and the Turkic Academy.

Cooperation Council of the Turkic Speaking States (CCTSS) is an intergovernmental organization, which aims at promoting comprehensive cooperation among the Turkic Speaking States.

The organization was established by the Nakhchivan Agreement, which was signed at the Turkic Summit in 2009.

In order to fulfill the objectives and tasks of the CCTSS, the organization has been divided into the following structures: Council of Heads of States; Council of Foreign Ministers, Senior Officials Committee, Council of Elders, Secretariat, Coordination Committee, Representation Office of the Turkic Council in Budapest.
FILE PHOTO: Chinese and U.S. flags flutter outside the building of an American company in Beijing, China January 21, 2021. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File Photo
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Daniel Encinias stands next to the ruins of his home destroyed by the Hermits Peak Calf Canyon fire in Tierra Monte, New Mexico, U.S., June 9, 2022. Picture taken June 9, 2022. REUTERS/Andrew Hay
By Azernews

By Laman Ismayilova

Azerbaijan has been represented for the first time at the 5th Revelations International Fine Craft and Creation Fair in France, Azernews reports citing Azertac.

Revelations are a major economic event for contemporary creation in France and abroad.

The prestigious biennial ensures creators the presence of key decision-makers and prescribes to enrich their network and generate new orders.

The large-scale event brought together over 500 participants from 33 countries in Paris.

At the biennial, the Azerbaijani stand has been organized with the support of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation.

Elvin Nabizadeh's phenomenal work "Day and Night" was demonstrated at the Azerbaijani stand.

President of the 5th Revelations International Fine Craft and Creation Fair and the French Federation of Craft Professionals (Ateliers d'Art de France) Aude Tahon praised Azerbaijan's participation in the art project.

She stressed that the main goals of the biennial are to identify and promote talents in the field of artistic creativity.

Aude Tahon also informed about other salons of decorative art organized by Ateliers d'Art de France and expressed her desire to see Azerbaijan represented in these salons as well.

"The creative professions are a good guide in this turbulent world. Being completely optimistic, sustainable, and creative spaces, these professions are the bearers of hope, imagination and joy," said Aude Tahon.

She stressed that such art salons serve as a space for international art dialogue.

Aude Tahon was impressed by Elvin Nabizadeh's artwork "Day and Night" after seeing its photo. So, the project organizers decided to display the artwork by Azerbaijani artists at the biennale in Paris.

"We were amazed when we first saw the photo of the "Day and Night" artwork exhibited at the biennial. We were very interested to see it live and find out what material it was made of. It's an honor for our salon to present it. I'm sure that thanks to this work, the visitors will become better familiarized with Azerbaijan," she added.

Aude Tahon expressed his confidence that visitors will discover Azerbaijan more deeply through this art piece.

Sculptor Elvin Nabizadeh said he was honored to participate in such a biennale.

"I express my deep gratitude to the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, and its leadership for their initiative and support which revived my creative spirit, and gave me the opportunity to take part in such a grandiose biennial, "Nabizadeh said.

Through his installation "Day and Night", the artist raises awareness about environmental issues, in particular, air pollution, and plastic waste problems, which are one of the important problems nowadays.

"The current issues and difficult events in the modern world, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, to some extent, weakened the creative spirit in talented people," he said.

The installation "Day and Night" has a dual character and is interactive.

So, the visitors, gathering around the installation, will be able to feel part of the work more deeply.
After an aggressive mother moose was shot and killed on June 8 by a Boulder County deputy following the animal's attack on two people and a dog, members of the public were left to wonder about the fate of her orphaned calf.
Gov. Jared Polis on Wednesday signed two bills that aim to crack down on crime in the state, targeting human trafficking operations and missing Indigenous people.

The first bill, House Bill 1300, seeks to address human trafficking in illicit massage parlors by giving counties the power to require special business licenses for massage parlors, something cities can already do. The license applications, scheduled to go into effect in August, will require owners to pass a criminal background check and provide contact information, as well as other conditions.

Illicit massage parlors that offer sexual services while disguised as legitimate massage businesses are often staffed by sex trafficking victims who are brought to the U.S. under promises of a different work. The mostly foreign-born women are forced to work illegal hours and often live inside the businesses, local law enforcement officials said.

This has always been a local government issue and a law enforcement issue that weve needed to address, said bill sponsor Sen. Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs. The illegitimate massage business has been in Colorado and certainly in Colorado Springs since the time I came here in the 1970s. Since that time, human trafficking through these illegitimate sex businesses has increased.

Several cities, such as Denver and Aurora, have already enacted special business license requirements for massage parlors, but counties couldnt do this. Gardner said when his city of Colorado Springs began regulating massage parlors, all of the illicit businesses moved to unincorporated El Paso County instead, sometimes only having to move a few hundred feet away to continue their illegal practices without regulation.

While there arent any official state estimates, at least 34 illicit massage parlors were reported to be operating in the Colorado Springs area in 2021. Nationwide, an estimated 9,000 illicit massage businesses generate $2.5 billion annually, according to a Polaris report.

The second bill, Senate Bill 150, creates the Office of Liaison for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives to facilitate investigations into missing Indigenous people and provide other supports. The bill will also create an emergency alert system to report active crimes and a community advisory board to help lead the office.

More than four in five Indigenous people in the U.S. have experienced violent crime, according to national data. Those are some of the highest rates of violence for any demographic, with Indigenous women nearly three times more likely to be murdered than white women.

Denver is rated seventh in the U.S. for most missing and murdered Indigenous women not included in law enforcement databases, according to the Urban Indian Health Institute. In 2016, the institute found that only 2% of 5,712 Indigenous women and girls who were missing were found in the Justice Departments federal missing-persons database.

Far too often, Native women and relatives are completely unseen and unheard, said bill sponsor Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver. Every single Indigenous family has been touched by this issue. They have gone missing, they have gone murdered and their families cries for help to solve the cases have gone unheard.

Under the bill, the new office will assist on investigations involving Indigenous victims, review cases and develop best practices, data collection and training for law enforcement agencies. The office will also assist families and tribes in how to navigate the criminal justice system and would coordinate between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies and organizations.

The bill also requires the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to publish a database on missing Indigenous people and notify tribes and media outlets when it gets a report of a missing or murdered Indigenous person.
By Azernews

By Orkhan Amashov

Boris Johnson has been through many apparent impossibilities and accomplished myriad seemingly insurmountable tasks throughout his extensive political life. From winning the London mayoral election in 2008 to backing the Brexit vote in 2016, and then delivering on the popular mandate after the biggest Conservative victory in the 2019 General Elections since the time of Margaret Thatcher, the incumbent British Prime Minister has consistently managed to be on the right side of history.

On a momentous evening on 6 June, aptly D-Day in 1944, he fought his detractors on the Omaha Beach of British politics and defied the stark odds again, surviving a dramatic vote of no confidence triggered by a rebellious segment of the Tory party. But the whole drama is not over yet.

It remains to be seen if the Blond Exocet, as he was referred to in his younger days, will manage to consolidate his position and lead with verve at this critical juncture both for the UK and the world at large.

Churchill and Thatcher

What Boris is currently undergoing is a quintessentially British affair. The nation that once ruled the waves and developed the most resilient parliamentary democracy in history has long cultivated its propensity for beastly irreverence towards its elected leaders. This is true both for nationwide politics and internal party dynamics.

The UK electorate sent shockwaves throughout the world when Britains greatest war-time leader, Winston Churchill, ignominiously lost the 1945 general election. Labours landslide victory was a sign of shifted emphasis in the age of peace. Churchill returned to power in 1951, but what he later recalled as a sharp stab of almost physical pain stayed with him forever, like a stiletto between the ribs.

The Tories are known for their egregious irreverence in the context of internal party civil wars, in particular. Sir Michael Heseltine led the revolt against Margaret Thatcher in 1990, which triggered a party leadership contest. The Iron Lady beat Heseltine by 204 votes to 152, but since the victory was not outright, she decided to step down, falling on her metaphorical sword.

Present alchemy

Let us refuse to dance to the tune of the media, said Boris Johnson to Tory MPs before the vote, slightly borrowing from the title of Anthony Powells 12-volume masterpiece. His powers of persuasion sufficed to achieve the bare minimum.

What was supremely critical that evening was the result. Johnson won by 211 to 148. To suggest that he survived by the skin of his teeth and it was a close shave would be an exaggeration. What is true is that the margin is not unequivocally convincing, but it was sufficient to prop up the PM for the time being.

The rebellion was much bigger than many expected and exposed the deeply riven divisions inside the Tories. Top-notch cabinet ministers have so far maintained the line that the result is tantamount to a fresh mandate.

Jacob Rees-Mogg, Minister of State for Brexit Opportunities and Government Efficiency, stated that BoJo won comfortably. Andrea Leadsom MP, once a candidate for the Conservative leadership, defined the victory as comprehensive. Home Secretary Said Javid also hailed the result.

But, of course, the same cannot be said about the backbenchers en masse. Those 148 Tory MPs who voted against Boris are unlikely to have experienced this change of heart overnight. It is doubtless that some are plotting and thinking of different ways to oust the prime minister. They must be tamed and the question is how.

Options

In theory, in line with 1922 Committee rules, Boris is safe for another year, but this is not set in stone. There was an attempt to amend the rules when Theresa May, the former PM, survived a vote of no confidence in December 2018, and the rebellious Eurosceptic fraction of the Conservatives were adamant to make her stand down amidst the then-ongoing Brexit deadlock and the proposed change of rules.

Nothing eventuated from that venture, but the lack of confidence within the upper crust of the party and the concerns over the then-PMs electability forced her to resign later in summer 2019.

The future of Johnson is hinging upon an array of circumstances. The results of by-elections for Wakefield and Tiverton seats, in which Tory prospects are gloomy, will be impactful. His handling of the cost of life crisis and the state of the economy will have their decisive say. The power he holds over the Tory grassroots is still considerable, but must be strengthened.

Ukrainian crisis and BoJo

At a time when the Collective West is facing a massive challenge in the face of the Ukrainian crisis, the consolidation at the top of British politics is of specific import. BoJo has, so far, proved himself as a most effective leader, indefatigable in his quest to stand against Russia.

It is not in the least surprising that the result of the vote was well-received in Kyiv. The world needs such leaders, the UK is a Great Friend of Ukraine and the British Crown is a shield of the democratic world, wrote Zelenskys top advisor on Twitter. The Ukrainian president stated that he was pleased his ally Boris Johnson was still PM.

PMQs

At a recent PMQs (Prime Minister Questions), Boris was superb. He neither crumpled nor slouched. With verve and aplomb, he stood his ground. It is another question as to whether his outward confidence was masking his inner anxieties. His enemies would say he was back to his bumptious self. Lloyd Evans, writing for the Spectator, observed that Johnsons "brush with death has sharpened his relish for the fight".

He was unmoved, reasonably exuberant, and seemingly defiant. Whilst dealing with the question posed by Labour MP Dame Angela Eagle, he resolutely declared nothing and no-one will stop me continuing as PM.

The opposition, in a manner befitting a force ready to snatch at a chance, went on a diatribe against the incumbent PM. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was in his usual mode, but relatively lacklustre. His performance was oddly flat and retained nothing worthy of recapitulation. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey opined that Johnsons reputation is in tatters and his authority is now totally shot".

The problem with them both is that they were preaching BoJos downfall before his ascendance to power, and these remarks do not augment anything favouring their collective cause.

The truth is the incumbent Prime Minister is a redoubtable fighter. No-one but Boris could have clung to power after the Partygate scandal. He is capable of surviving "where mere mortals would fail", said David Cameron, the former PM and Johnson's Etono-Oxonian fellow.

Johnsons eccentric and sui generis persona will capture the imagination of posterity. His ordeals will be enshrined in textbooks as those of a Hercules of British politics. He still has much to offer. If he survives the chain of ordeals, which is likely to last till the end of the year at least, he will be duly supported and primed to grind his detractors under his heels like Sir Winston Churchills defiantly smoked old cigar butts.
A Clarion automotive shop illegally moved hundreds of junk tires to an employees acreage after being told by state regulators to dispose of them, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Hanson and Sons Tire, which first registered with the state in 2009, was the subject of an anonymous complaint in 2014 that it was storing too many discarded tires. However, a subsequent DNR investigation found that the business had about the maximum number allowable  the equivalent of about 500 car tires, a DNR administrative order said. At the time, the DNR warned the business about that limit.

Then in 2019, after the business moved its main office to another property just down the street, someone complained about an excessive number of tires at the new site. Satellite images show large numbers of tires at the new and old sites.

Theyre a tire shop, and they take in so many and then just dont get rid of them, said Madelynn Nelson, an environmental specialist for the DNR who investigated the matter.

The business owner, Che Hanson, did not immediately respond to a request to comment for this article.

Piles of tires that sit outside collect rainwater that can be breeding grounds for mosquitoes and also can release toxic chemicals when they are baked by the sun, Nelson said. The DNR vigorously limits such stockpiles, in part to avoid expensive cleanups when the state is eventually forced to facilitate them.

The most-recent investigation into the tire shop began after a complaint in August 2019. At the time, Hanson told the DNR that about 250 of the tires he held were intended for resale as used tires, according to a DNR order. The state requires resale tires to be stacked, organized and inventoried for easy retrieval, but Hansons werent, according to the DNR.

Still, the DNR found that the other tires Hanson didnt plan to resell still exceeded the state limit.

Five months later, a DNR officer returned to the business and found a significant increase in the number of discarded tires on the site, and Hanson was told to dispose of them within 60 days. When the department followed up in March 2020, Hanson said the coronavirus pandemic was preventing his vendor from disposing of the tires despite his repeated requests, the DNR order said.

The department fielded a third complaint about Hansons tires in September 2021 and found that the stockpile had continued to grow. In January 2022, Hanson refused to allow a DNR officer onto his property to count the tires, but they appeared to have dwindled some, according to the DNR.

The officer learned that Hanson had taken about 200 farm tractor tires and 100 large truck tires to a rural acreage owned by one of his employees. Because of their size and weight, those tires were considered equivalent to more than 4,000 car tires, the DNR order said.

In a recent agreement with the DNR, Hanson will pay a $10,000 fine and will dispose of enough tires to reduce each stockpile to a maximum of 500 car tire equivalents within 60 days.

Nelson, the DNR officer, said Hanson plans to have the tires hauled away by the end of June.

Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com. Follow Iowa Capital Dispatch on Facebook and Twitter.

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The North Carolina House passed a bill Wednesday, just hours after it became public, that would take some power from the governor and give it to the legislature.

It is the latest move by the Republican-majority General Assembly to take power from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

The bill would take control from the governor  and give it to the House and Senates top elected officials  to appoint seats on a community college board, a move that has been done before. It is a local bill, meaning it cannot be vetoed by the governor.

Senate Bill 256 would take four Rockingham County Community College Board of Trustees seats now filled through appointments by the governor and have them filled by the president pro tempore of the Senate and the House speaker, after they consult with the representatives and senators who represent those districts.

Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger represents Rockingham County. A few years ago, the legislature passed a similar law for Cleveland Countys community college, which is in House Speaker Tim Moores district.

Rep. Reece Pyrtle Jr., a Rockingham County Republican, said that the bill mirrors what legislators did in Cleveland County.

Democrats oppose the bill

Democrats, some of whom hadnt even seen the bill until it came up for a vote, spoke against it.

Rep. Raymond Smith, a Wayne County Democrat, opposed the bill.

I think this is a stepping stone towards removing the governors authority, Smith said, noting there have been numerous related bills. He also asked Pyrtle if Cooper had been consulted about the potential change. Pyrtle said he was not.

Rep. Carla Cunningham, a Mecklenburg County Democrat, said that if the House wanted to make a change and take away the authority of the governor, at least we could speak to his office and collaborate.

The bill was fast-tracked through the House Rules Committee and to the House floor, where it passed entirely along party lines, with all Republicans voting yes and Democrats voting no. It passed the House 61-40 and now goes to the Senate, where it is very likely to pass. It is on the calendar for Tuesday.

Berger told reporters on Wednesday that he discussed the bill with Pyrtle and agrees with him that having more local input in terms of who the trustees for a community college are is a step in the right direction.

We noticed that a number of other local bills have done something similar in other communities over the past several years, and just felt like it was the right thing to do at this time, Berger said.

Asked about taking power from the governor, Berger noted that the bill shifts control of some appointments to the Rockingham board from the local school system to the county commissioners as well. The school boards appointments were reduced from four to two, with county commissioners getting more seats to appoint, from four to six. The board has at least 13 seats in all.

As far as any plans for other bills shifting control from the executive to the legislative branch, Berger said he would take it on a case by case basis. I dont have any others in mind at this time.

The 2021 state budget signed into law by Cooper included a policy provision taking control from the governor and giving it to the legislature and Council of State over the length of states of emergency. That provision was in response to Coopers handling of coronavirus pandemic restrictions and takes effect in 2023.

North Carolina is still under a state of emergency issued in March 2020 because of the pandemic. Moore said he doesnt think it makes sense, but there are no new plans to try to end it via legislative action.

No one person should have that much authority, Moore said. We dont have the votes right now to overcome a veto. Ive been there before, Ive got the T-shirt. Theres no reason to do that again. Instead, hes looking to the November election, when Republicans hope to retake a supermajority.

Berger, Moore will get to appoint trustees

Addressing why the next community college to change was in Bergers Rockingham County district, Moore said: Every now and then Sen. Berger has a good idea.

Both Berger and Moore said the legislature is best positioned to make the appointments.

The members of the legislature are closer to the people in the county and have a better sense of what the countys needs are and are just in a better position to select folks, Berger said.

Moore and subsequent House speakers will get to appoint two people to terms expiring in 2023 and 2025, and every four years from then on. Berger and future Senate leaders would do the same for terms expiring in 2022 and 2024, and every four years after that.

Rockingham Community College Board of Trustees Chair Scott Barham told The News & Observer in an emailed statement Wednesday evening that they were aware of the bill and will support the ultimate decision that is made.

The RCC Board of Trustees historically has benefited from proficient local trustees who have made solid decisions in the best interest of the College and the community, and we expect that to continue, Barham said.

Cooper spokesperson Jordan Monaghan said in a statement emailed to The N&O that Cooper has made strong trustee appointments to this Board and other community colleges across the state.

To rip away this connection and input from the Governors Office will hurt Rockingham Community College in the long run, regardless of who the Governor or the Senator representing Rockingham County may be, Monaghan said.

Berger and Moore both said they dont know who they would appoint to the schools Board of Trustees.

There are so many good quality folks to pick from, its really very tough, Moore said.
GREENSBORO  The much-debated footage of a police officer shooting an unarmed man was released late Wednesday, reopening, for some, the divide between law enforcement and those who think not enough is being done to serve and protect.

Footage from Matthew Hamiltons body camera shows the police officer repeatedly commanding 29-year-old Joseph Lopez to come out of the shed where he was found hiding following a 911 call in November 2021.

A resident of the home earlier told a dispatcher Lopez was wanted on charges and she could see him in a vehicle backing up in the driveway.

According to the footage, Hamilton asked Lopez at least four times to come out before sending in his police dog.

Seconds later, Hamilton follows his K-9 inside the shed and fires a single, fatal shot at Lopez, according to the footage.

The sound and calls of shots fired, simultaneously draw other officers already on the scene inside the shed, where they climb over furniture and other items in the cramped building to find Lopez bleeding from the face. Hamilton, the first to reach him, tells them he saw something black in Lopezs hand.

The graphic video was made available days after the mans father filed a federal civil rights lawsuit, calling the police response excessive and unjustified.

Hamilton, a 15-year veteran, was also indicted on a charge of manslaughter and fired by the department on Monday, the same day the lawsuit was filed. The K-9 officer met agents from the State Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday and was released under an unsecured bail.

Late Wednesday night, the city released a 19-minute compilation of footage from the cameras worn by officers on the scene, along with individual videos from all 10 responding officers, and posted them on its YouTube channel.

A written narrative covering the first few frames of the video calls the release a factual overview and transparency for the community while also sharing details of an interaction a few days earlier  on Nov. 15, 2021  between law enforcement and Lopez connected to the same address.

Authorities allege that during a traffic stop by Guilford County Sheriffs deputies, Lopez drove away, leaving a woman on the side of the road. The woman led police to an address on Cloverdale Drive, where she lived and the car was found parked, and gave permission for police to search the home. There, they found an armed Lopez in a bedroom closet covered by a blanket. He peacefully surrendered after talking to a negotiator but was arrested on charges of possession of a firearm by a felon and assault with a deadly weapon from an unrelated incident.

According to the video, officers arrived at the same Cloverdale Drive residence days later  on Nov. 19  and can be seen holding flashlights in the backyard.

The crunch of leaves under their feet can be heard.

Officers checking out a shed hear a noise. One officer says that a K-9 is on the way.

At the 3:09 mark of the compilation video, Hamilton, backed by officers shining a spotlight onto the building, appeared to cautiously push open the door of the shed as he held back his canine partner, who was still on a leash.

From the video, Lopezs location inside the shed is unclear, but the lawsuit filed on behalf of his estate says he was sitting on a chair behind two couches and within 15 feet of the door.

Greensboro police! Hamilton can be heard yelling on the video. If youre in there, make yourself known!

Lopez can be heard responding: Yes, Im here.

Come on out or Im going to send my dog in there, Hamilton continues. Hell bite you!

Hamilton yells again: Come on out with your hands up!

Lopez replied that he would come out when it was safe.

Listen to me, Hamilton continued. Come on out. Im getting ready to put the dog in there.

As Hamilton continued his appeal to Lopez, one officer is heard saying to another officer: You get ready for an arrest when he comes out.

The footage shows Hamilton releasing the dog.

Dammit, can be heard from inside the shed.

The footage is dark and grainy at that point. Hamiltons shadow against the door appeared to show his hand on his holster. According to Hamiltons attorney, the dog had not gotten to Lopez.

You can see the flash when Hamiltons gun goes off roughly at the 4:32 mark of the 19-minute compilation video.

Officers can be heard yelling, Gunfire!

Oh (expletive)! Hamilton yells. Oh (another expletive)!

As he and other officers rush to get to Lopez, Hamilton can be saying: I saw something in his hand! I saw something in his hand!

Flint Taylor, the Lopez familys attorney, says thats the start of a coverup, because a gun was never found.

According to Amiel Rossabi, who represents Hamilton, the veteran officer said those words because he was upset about taking a life.

Officers begin moving items out of the shed to make it easier for Lopez to receive medical attention. Hamilton is seen gaining control of his K-9.

Paramedics arrive just as they get Lopez outside and begin working on him.

He is pronounced dead at the scene.

Contact Nancy McLaughlin at 336-373-7049 and follow @nmclaughlinNR on Twitter.
By Azernews

By Sabina Mammadli

The US is interested in increasing opportunities for its own companies in Karabakh, Azernews reports, citing Ambassador to Azerbaijan Earle Litzenberger.

He made the remarks during a briefing on June 9.

According to the ambassador, currently, several US companies are working in Karabakh.

We would like to see more opportunities for our companies. The US companies have the best technologies, including in the sphere of renewable energy sources (RES). They can offer advanced technologies at the best prices," Litzenberger said.

Talking about the recent announcement of the US that it is providing humanitarian demining assistance in Karabakh, the ambassador expressed hope that the country will be able to continue to do more because the need is so great.

"Until the area is cleared of mines, I dont think we are going to be able to see IDPs returning in large numbers, which is ultimately the goal to create conditions for the people to return to their homes," he said.

Moreover, Litzenberger noted that although section 907 is still in effect, it has not deterred or in any way impeded US's ability to provide critical security assistance to Azerbaijan.

The assistance weve provided has been focused on helping Azerbaijan secure its southern border. Weve provided scanners, and training to enable Azerbaijani customs and border officials to stop the flow of illegal narcotics or any other items that might be smuggled. Weve seen significant seizures of narcotics, weve seen those seizures go up as we have provided equipment and training to Azerbaijani customs and border officials, he noted.

Normalization of relations

Further, Litzenberger stated that the US is in dialogue with Azerbaijan and Armenia to support the peace process.

He expressed his belief that direct contacts are of great importance, mentioning that the US can play an important role in this process.

The EU is doing a very successful job in this direction, and we support it. Contacts are maintained at the level of leaders, at the level of foreign ministers. A working group on border delimitation has been set up. Opening communications is of great importance, the ambassador added.

Moreover, the ambassador stated that the US supports the efforts of each country to establish peace in the region, noting that Turkiye is one of such countries.

He further added that the country welcomes the normalization of relations between Turkiye and Armenia.

We would like to see such progress between Azerbaijan and Armenia. I am very optimistic about the opportunity that Armenia and Azerbaijan have to reach a lasting peace. We are making progress," Litzenberger said.

Economy

Talking about US aid to Azerbaijan, the ambassador noted that the country has also provided assistance to help Azerbaijan increase its maritime awareness in the Caspian Sea and be able to monitor whats happening in its part of the Caspian to prevent illegal activities and to protect the critical energy infrastructure that exists offshore, the oil wells, the gas wells, pipelines that are bringing Azerbaijani oil and gas to western markets.

"Right now through the Southern Gas Corridor, Azerbaijani gas is going to Italy helping to diversify Europes energy sources," he noted.

Additionally, he said that there are various ways to increase supplies of energy from Azerbaijan to Europe.

The Trans-Caspian Pipeline project is one way to increase gas supply, and discussions on technical and policy issues are underway. Azerbaijan can play a significant role in supplying more gas to Europe. At the moment, European demand for gas is high, and it will remain high as Europe seeks to diversify supply sources, Litzenberger said.

Moreover, he noted that Azerbaijan also has great potential for wind and solar energy.

US-Azerbaijan ties

During the same event, the ambassador noted that the bilateral relations between the US and Azerbaijan have intensified.

"Relations are increasingly developing. Recently, visits and phone conversations have become more frequent," Litzenberger noted.

Later, Litzenberger informed that his time in Azerbaijan will be coming to a close this summer, expressing hope that the US-Azerbaijan relationship will be in good hands in the future as well.

"I am deeply honored that Ive had the chance to serve as the US ambassador to Azerbaijan here in Baku. It has been an incredible time, weve witnessed a number of historic events and changes in the region. I know that the relationship will be in good hands in the future. This year we continue to mark the 30th anniversary of Azerbaijans diplomatic relations with the US, he added.

According to him, there is no greater supporter of independence and democracy in the South Caucasus than the US.

Thinking about the next 30 years, I am very optimistic. I want to reiterate that the US stands ready to help find peace and construct the economic transportation and people-to-people connections to help the entire region prosper. As Secretary Blinken said, we deeply value Azerbaijans contribution to the global fight against terrorism and illicit trade networks. Were committed to promoting a peaceful, democratic and prosperous future for Azerbaijan and the South Caucasus region. We stand ready to help be engaged bilaterally. Ive seen a lot of bilateral engagement recently," he said.
A Helena-area business reported a bomb threat Thursday evening, but law enforcement did not find anything dangerous during a search of the building.

Undersheriff Brent Colbert said the Lewis and Clark County Sheriffs Office responded to a report of a bomb threat at Broadwater Hot Springs and Fitness on Highway 12 west of Helena a little after 10 p.m. Thursday.

The business reported that a note written on a napkin that was found in a locker stated there was a bomb somewhere in the building, he said.

Colbert said law enforcement did not find anything suspicious in the building, and no suspects have been identified.

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Ryan Zinke, former Interior secretary and past Montana congressman, has emerged the winner of a tight Republican primary for Montanas new western congressional seat.

Zinke held a 1,608-vote lead districtwide over former state Sen. Al Olszewski of Kalispell following a hand-count in Lincoln County that did not wrap up until late Thursday afternoon. That put Zinke at 42% to Olszewski's 40% in unofficial totals.

Lincoln County was the last in the district to report results.

The five-way primary also featured Kalispell church leader Mary Todd with 10%, Missoula school teacher Matt Jette with 6% and Whitefish home builder Mitch Heuer with 2%.

Zinke will face Democrat Monica Tranel and Libertarian John Lamb in Novembers general election.

For the first time in 30 years, Montana will send two representatives to Congress after gaining an additional seat in reapportionment. In the new western congressional district, Zinke was widely considered the favorite with high name recognition, a significant fundraising lead and the backing of prominent Republicans including former President Donald Trump.

Thank you western Montana for your confidence that America can be fixed and for ignoring the political BS," Zinke said in a statement emailed out by his campaign Wednesday evening.  ... We have a great team and dedicated volunteers who believe in American values. I look forward to working with (Republican) Congressman (Matt) Rosendale on solving the hard issues that face America and the great state of Montana. One state. Two U.S. representatives, one fight for freedom.

In a statement Wednesday evening, Olszewski said he conceded the race to Zinke in a phone call.

Im honored by the over 30,000 voters who supported me in this election. We started as big underdog and ran a race based on the conservative principles of our Republican Party," Olszewski said. "However its clear that we will not be victorious in this race. This evening I called Mr. Zinke to concede the race. I want to thank all my supporters and team for their help. Together we accomplished so much and I want to thank my family who was with me throughout it all.

Once the polls closed Tuesday and numbers started posting, Zinke and Olszewski were running largely neck-and-neck. Zinke received stronger support in populous counties such as Missoula and Gallatin, and also won Mineral, Glacier, Pondera, Ravalli, Granite, Madison, Deer Lodge and Silver Bow in unofficial results. Olszewski meanwhile easily won the other populous county, Flathead, which both candidates call home, and other northwestern counties such as Lake and Sanders. He also won Beaverhead County by 7 points.

By Wednesday, Zinke held a slim 1,200-vote advantage out of more than 80,000 votes cast as all eyes turned to Lincoln County. A quarter-inch error by the printer supplying absentee ballots caused them to be incompatible with tabulation machines. Officials there elected to count votes by hand.

Zinke ended up winning Lincoln County with 46% of the vote there to Olszewski's 37%.

Zinke cited concern over the divide in the country in his decision to run and touted his experience with energy and public lands both in Congress and in the Trump administration. He has also spoken out about the need to address Montanas affordable housing crisis and called for changes at the U.S.-Mexico border to reduce immigrants entering the country illegally.

Olszewski had run twice statewide, losing in GOP primaries for governor and U.S. Senate, and aligned himself with the conservative wing of the Republican Party in this run for the U.S. House. He was an outspoken Zinke critic, attacking the former congressman on multiple issues from policy to the amount of time he spends out of state. Opponents have focused on Zinkes departure from the Trump administration, resigning after two years amid multiple ethics investigations.

Zinke has pushed back on the attacks, running a late ad affirming his Montana residency  his wife owns property in California she identifies as her primary residence while the couple own a home and other properties in Whitefish.

Tom Kuglin is the deputy editor for the Lee Newspapers State Bureau. His coverage focuses on outdoors, recreation and natural resources.

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The U.S. Department of Justice Inspector General's Office has opened an investigation into Thomson Federal Prison amid ongoing allegations of abuse, the overuse of solitary confinement and the deaths of seven inmates over a two-year period.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., announced the investigation Thursday and called for the immediate replacement of Bureau of Prisons Director Michael Carvajal. Despite Cavajal's announcement in January that he would resign, he remains in charge of the BOP.

"Its no secret that the Federal Bureau of Prisons has been plagued by misconduct," Durbin said in statement. "One investigation after another has revealed a culture of abuse, mismanagement, corruption, torture and death that reaches all the way to the top."

Durbin, U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., and U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Moline, requested a federal investigation by the Department of Justice following publication of a report May 31 by The Marshall Project and NPR that describes serious abuse of inmates by correctional officers.

The lawmakers sent a joint letter June 1 to U.S. Inspector General Michael Horowitz demanding immediate action.

"The opening of U.S. Penitentiary Thomson was supposed to improve safety within the Bureau of Prisons, but the reality sadly has been the exact opposite," Durbin said. "According to this report, seven inmates at U.S. Penitentiary Thomson have died in just two years. Five of them were reportedly murdered by other inmates, two died by suicide. And those deaths are just a snapshot of the grim reality of this facility, the deadly grim reality."

The Marshall Project report describes correctional officers intentionally pairing inmates together who are known to attack each other; staff encouraging assaults against sex offenders and informants; abusive shackling that leaves scars known as the "Thomson tattoo," often in a room known as the "torture room," where men would lie shackled to a bed for hours in their own urine and feces without food or water; the highest rate of pepper-spray usage in the Bureau of Prisons (BOP); and an incident in which staff allegedly laughed and joked at the expense of a Jewish man they were guarding as he lay dying in a hospital following an assault that occurred after staff placed him in a recreation cage with known white supremacists.

The federal prison in Thomson, Ill., currently houses 918 inmates: 789 in the maximum security facility and 129 at the adjacent minimum security camp.

AFGE Local 4070 President Jonathan Zumkehr said Thursday that he welcomed an investigation.

"We fully support the investigation, and we have invited Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth to visit USP Thomson," Zumkehr said. "We want full transparency."

Durbin, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, called USP Thomson a "house of horrors" and said a hearing would be held in the upcoming weeks on the Bureau of Prisons and allegations of abuse and death at USP Thomson.

"The continued overuse of restricted housing and the alleged abuses at Thomson are among the many instances of misconduct, mismanagement that have occurred under the failed leadership of Bureau of Prisons Director Michael Carvajal," Durbin said.

"We need to act before another inmate dies in the custody and care of this federal government."

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FILE PHOTO: James Sellers, left, president of the New Braunfels Professional Fire Fighters Association, and Capt. Roman Leal of the Salvation Army of Comal County unload box fans for residents in need during the NBPFFA's fan drive held Thursday, June 22, 2017.
With every new development announced in New Braunfels the question inevitably asked is where the water for it will come from. New Braunfels Utilities will be answering that question and more on Tuesday. File photo
New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. High 99F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds. Low 74F. Winds SSE at 15 to 25 mph.
New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

Cloudy. Gusty winds this evening. Low 77F. SSE winds at 20 to 30 mph, decreasing to 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy. Gusty winds this evening. Low 77F. SSE winds at 20 to 30 mph, decreasing to 10 to 15 mph.
New COVID-19 cases continued rising steadily across Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia  up 26% compared to last week  with nearly 1,300 people diagnosed.

Cases rose 16% across 10 Northeast Tennessee counties with 757 new cases from May 29-June 4, the most recent data available from the Tennessee Department of Health. For comparison, that is more than double the number of cases reported in the first week of May.

Across the state line in Southwest Virginia, the rise was an even sharper 43%, with 525 new cases during the period from June 2-9, compared to 366 between May 26 and June 1, according to the Virginia Department of Health. This weeks total was nearly three times the number of new cases reported during the second week of May.

While this represents an increase, case totals remain well below surge levels experienced last fall and winter.

Testing positivity continues to climb as well, with some counties over 20%, meaning 1 in 5 people tested will be positive for the novel coronavirus.

The regions highest seven-day average positivity rate was in Washington County, Tennessee, with 21.8%, based on an average of 117 tests per day, according to TDH. The county has generated nearly 30 new cases per day over the past 14 days, compared to 18 cases per day during the prior two weeks.

The state of Tennessees seven-day average is 20.8%, which ranks ninth highest nationally, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Research Center.

Cases continue mounting in Sullivan County, which reported 233 cases last week, compared to 182 the week prior. Sullivans seven-day positivity rate was 17.2%, based on 164 tests per day over the previous seven days, the third highest average of all the states metropolitan health departments. Only Memphis/ Shelby County and Nashville/Davidson County were higher.

Sullivan reported nearly 30 new cases per day during the past 14 days, compared to 18 new cases per day during the prior two weeks, according to the state health department.

The combined Northeast rural departments had the third highest average number of new cases statewide.

Most of this regions positivity rates ranged from 12.1% in Greene County to 21.7% in Unicoi, with Washington the high mark at 21.8%. Sparsely populated Hancock County reported one new case during the previous week and a positivity rate of 4.5%.

In Virginia, the city of Bristol reported 26 new COVID cases over the past week compared to 17 the week prior. Week over week increases were reported in eight other localities, with the biggest new case jumps in Wise County with 104, compared to 48; Washington County with 88, compared to 64 the week prior; and Smyth County with 55 new cases, up from 32.

The state of Virginias seven-day positivity rate is 18.7%, which ranks 15th highest nationally.

The Cumberland Plateau Health Districts four counties are close behind at a combined 17.8%, while Mount Rogers is at 17.2% and LENOWISCO is at 14.6%, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

Twenty-five of 35 Virginia health districts are in growth trajectories, including 21 districts in surge trajectories, according to a University of Virginia model.

Wise County is classified as having high community levels of COVID-19, with 104 new cases in the past week. Dickenson and Lee counties are classified as having medium levels, and all other nearby localities are classified as low.

Twelve counties in Virginia are experiencing high community levels of COVID-19. Masking in public indoor places is still recommended for those who live in these counties. Additionally 65 districts are at medium community levels. The CDC recommends persons at high risk continue to mask at these levels, according to the universitys model.

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BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn.  At a Sullivan County Commission work session on Thursday night, commissioners discussed a proposed resolution, which would  if passed  set up a pay-to-stay program of $35 per day at the Sullivan County Jail.

Before answering questions from his fellow commissioners about the resolution, Commissioner Herschel Glover, who co-sponsored the resolution alongside Commissioner Dwight King, explained that the aim of the pay-to-stay program, which they can pay through community service or through minimum wage work, would be to ease the burden on taxpayers.

I mean, weve got folks thats trying to put your kids through college, weve got folks are trying to pay their bills, and we just need to do something to keep the burden off of the taxpayers, and I think is a step in the right direction, Glover said. Weve got companies in this area that are willing to work these inmates.

The money collected through the proposed pay-to-stay program would go to the Sullivan County general fund, with 90% of it going to the jail obligation fund. The other 10% would be assigned to Sullivan County Jail employee raises and maintenance.

When asked by Commissioner Darlene Dalton if the judicial system or Sheriff Jeff Cassidy have been consulted regarding the pay-to-stay program, Glover stated that he has reached out and has so far only received a response from Sheriff Cassidy.

I sent an email to Mr. Thomas office, and I have no reply. Ive talked to the sheriff about it, and his reply to me was, There is no way it will work, Glover said.

Commissioner Mark Vance shared his concerns regarding the logistics behind the proposed pay-to-stay program.

Who is going to actually bill these inmates, and whos going to be responsible for collecting this from the inmates? And if an inmate is in there, and they dont go out to work, and they accumulate a lot of money owed to the county, how far of the process [are you] gonna go to collect it? Vance asked. I just think its going to be very hard to enforce.

Vance highlighted the financial stress that inmates and their families are already under due to everything from deposits in commissary accounts to $40-per-month probation fees once they have been released.

I just dont know how youre gonna click $35 a day out of these people, Vance said. Its kind of like theyre accumulating a bill with no way to pay that bill.

Glover emphasized that in order to make sure that the $35 a day is paid, either through work or payment, he believes that it should be written into the terms of their release.

I think when theyre sentenced to be incarcerated, that I think their release should be on the grounds that they pay this money before theyre released, Glover said. They can put it on the credit card. They can put it on a check or anything.

Dan Street, the Sullivan County Attorney, pointed out that it is unconstitutional to base confinement on an individuals inability to pay.

You cant do that. You cant base confinement on the ability to pay that is very, very clearly unconstitutional, Street said. We dont have debtors prison in America. You cant go to jail just because you cant pay something.

The Sullivan County Commission is expected to send their pay-to-stay resolution to Sullivan County judicial officials for review at their next regular session meeting on June 16.

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By Azernews

By Fuad Muxtar-Aqbabali

When the Russian state-funded RIA Novosti news agency carried a bogus interview with a self-styled Karabakh state minister, Azerbaijani relevant state agencies could not stand it any longer and a compelled countermove was finally made.

The Azerbaijani Ministry of Digital Development immediately moved in and the access to the RIA Novosti news agency was restricted across the country. Frankly speaking, the move was not long in coming as the aggressive political and military separatism cannot any longer be endured by the Azerbaijani public and government.

Prior to the move, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Leyla Abdullayeva termed the publication of the interview as damaging to the Baku-Moscow relations, violating Azerbaijan's territorial integrity by discrediting Russia's role as a mediator in the Baku-Yerevan peace process in the wake of the 2020 Karabakh war.

Well, this was actually not the first attempt by the RIA Novosti as well as others to spread reports against Azerbaijan's territorial integrity. Since the early years of Azerbaijans independence, the public has seen and read thousands of libelous, unfounded, and one-sided reports about the nearly 30-year-long Karabakh conflict.

However, the current realities state different approaches to interstate relations. The reason behind my argument is that the triumphant Azerbaijani army under the leadership of Supreme Commander-in-Chief President Ilham Aliyev has succeeded in restoring the nations territorial integrity in just 44 days, eliminating the self-styled, illegal entity in Karabakh.

On the other hand, the Russian media outlets, strictly observing their own media watchdogs taboo on reporting about the Kremlin war in Ukraine, do their best to instigate separatism in the part of Karabakh where the Russian peacekeepers are in charge temporarily.

No way, Jose! By sticking fingers in your ears, you cannot hide the truth and it needs to be told and served. The move was justified in response to the Russian Roskomnadzors bans on several Azerbaijani media outlets for carrying balanced reports on the war in Ukraine.

As a maxim goes, people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. Time is on our side and the protection of our national interest is a mission sacred among millions of others.
BRISTOL, Tenn.  A Bristol, Tennessee water provider is looking for citizens to serve on its board after two commissioners resigned amid an investigation into the district.

So far, just one person has been nominated to fill a vacant seat on the South Fork Utility District Board of Commissioners. The district is seeking three nominees to certify, from which Sullivan County Mayor Richard Venable will make a selection.

Theres somewhat of a lengthy process to fill those vacancies, said Eric Reecher, attorney for the district. The first thing they have to do is publish notice to the customers that they are going to be certifying names to the mayor, and give customers an opportunity to present names themselves.

Another notice will be published next week, and names are expected to be certified at the districts July board meeting in order for Venable to make a call later next month.

Keith Lunsford, a South Fork customer who started a petition in April to remove four of the then-five commissioners, is the lone nominee. Lunsford said Thursday he would accept, if selected.

Since April, the district has been picking up the pieces after a Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury investigation exposed potential shortcomings in the district.

The report published April 7 by the Comptrollers Division of Investigations mostly highlighted potential conflict-of-interest violations. The investigation found South Fork Utility District and its two previous entities made questionable payments of more than $1.6 million to its district manager, Garry Smith, or businesses in which he had ownership interest, from May 2018 to June 2021.

The report also detailed internal control and compliance deficiencies, such as a lack of purchasing and personnel policies.

In late April, the Tennessee Utility Management Review Board ordered the district to voluntarily merge with another entity or conduct a feasibility study into potential mergers with the city of Bristol, the Blountville Utility District or the Bristol-Bluff City Utility District.

South Fork commissioners agreed to sign an engagement letter for a feasibility study at its monthly meeting Thursday. Other actions taken by the board included adopting an internal control manual and bylaws and approving an employee handbook.

The review board is set to hold a contested case hearing on July 14 to seek the potential removal of the remaining South Fork commissioners. Staff members have said they are not confident that the utility district continuing as a sole utility is in the best interest of its roughly 3,400 customers.

Several concerned customers addressed the South Fork board on Thursday, one of whom questioned the intent of the remaining commissioners.

Commissioner Tim Leonard said he is still on the board to look out for the best interest of the customers.

We have been through a trial of trying to right the ship from the community, Leonard said. Honestly, thats the only reason Im still here.  I do not want to see this water district merge with another district.

Commissioner Barry Jessee also said he was there for the community but added that once the district makes it through troubled waters, he will step down.

Personally, I dont think we did anything wrong, Jessee said. Did we make some bad decisions, maybe? Probably. But doesnt everybody?
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack has opened the door to federal order modernization in response to industry interest in looking at a variety of changes. Thats one of the many reasons I appreciate the thoughtful discussion found in the Hoards Dairyman Intel, Could a cheese price fix improve milk checks?

One proposal that warrants some further thought concerns dropping cheese barrels from the final determination of the Class III milk price value.

Without a doubt, the reason why this is being discussed is to enhance producer value. Overall, there have been a rare number of occasions when barrel prices have been higher than blocks. So, a blocks-only calculation means a higher Class III price, with other things being equal.

A concern relates to buyer equity. Can a barrel maker of cheese afford to pay a price for milk based on block values; or what would they do if that change was forced upon them? A fair concern. Two points warrant mentioning.

Most dairy products included in Class III are products other than 40-pound block Cheddar and dry whey. The issue of what those other manufacturers can afford has been part of the equation all along.



Class III plants are not obliged by the Order to pay the Class III price. On pooled milk, the theory is that they will receive an equalization payment (pool draw) from the total pool value that, when combined with the Class III price, will allow them to pay the blend price to all their suppliers. In point of that fact, those Class III manufacturers are not actually required to pay that blend price, although a cooperative supplier may negotiate that. Cooperative manufacturers of cheese or suppliers to cheese plants are not held to the blend price. Of course, if a cheesemaker is outside the pool altogether, with Idaho being the obvious example, then none of this applies anyway.

The theory has been that block (and barrel) cheese and dried whey represent a base, and generally low, value among the galaxy of Class III products  this includes every kind of hard cheese and all the variations of whey powder such as whey protein concentrate (WPC) and whey protein isolate (WPI). Class III also includes a few unique, seldom discussed products: plastic cream, butter oil, and anhydrous milkfat.

If one looks at whey product values, it is often the case the dry whey is the lowest priced but . . . No 1, this is not always the case, and No. 2, it still begs the question whether the added cost of producing concentrates and isolates is fully compensated by their final selling price.

Likewise, other cheeses, such as Mozzarella, other pizza cheeses, Swiss, and so on, may or may not be sold at a higher value. Some cheeses are routinely sold at a discount against the block price. However, this still begs whether Class III price plus their actual cost is less than or equal to that wholesale price.

The point is that the system of using one average wholesale cheese price, a dried whey price, and one estimate of what it costs to convert farm milk into commodity Cheddar does not actually guarantee any operator that their processing costs will be covered in any given month or over time.

In a world that involves farm premiums, these variations can come off the top and still result in farms getting the blend price or higher. When premiums are too small or non-existent, then we are in the world of reblending and farmers getting paid less than the blend. Obviously, thats not what we want, but thats what can happen when there is not enough revenue from sales to pay a blend price.

Overall, I dont think removing barrels from the wholesale cheese price calculation means that barrel makers would shrink production because they couldnt afford the new Class III price. I believe it means that they would end up paying less for milk. The same economics is, and has been, at play for every other manufacturer whose cheese price and actual cost of conversion is not equal to the values used in each month to set the Class III price.

To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com.

(c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2022

June 9, 2022
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Scholz opposes lifting sanctions against Belarus in exchange for transit of grain from Ukraine

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz rejects a possibility of lifting sanctions against Minsk in exchange for the transit of grain from Ukraine through Belarus.

"This in no way means that we should abandon the sanctions that we imposed on Lukashenko," Scholz said in Vilnius on Tuesday at a joint press conference with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, Latvian and Estonian Prime Ministers Krisjanis Karins and Kaja Kallas.

According to the chancellor, Western countries are looking for ways to safely export these agricultural products from Ukraine in order to avoid food shortages in the world.

"It is Russia's responsibility that grain cannot be taken out of Ukraine... We will try to find a solution, the UN is also trying to find a solution," Scholz said.

He also noted that when unblocking the port of Odesa, it is necessary to ensure that "Russia does not abuse such decisions."

The possibility of exporting Ukrainian grain through Belarus was previously rejected by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
MATTOON  One year ago this week, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois moved its Mattoon service center out of the Broadway Avenue building that it had occupied since 1985. The approximately 15,000-square-foot building did not sit vacant long.

First Mid Bank & Trust, headquartered in Mattoon, moved its operations and credit departments in February from multiple levels in two separate facilities downtown into the pre-existing single level, open floor plan workspace at this building, 1100 Broadway Ave.

"It's definitely nice to consolidate and get everyone under one roof who is part of those teams," said Lee Harms, director of real estate and property management for First Mid. "I think the open floor plan is very beneficial. It's very conducive to communications and collaboration across the different departments we have here."

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield service center's move to its newly constructed two-story, 50,000-square-foot facility at 201 Coles Centre Parkway occurred at a time of growth for First Mid. It has a network of locations throughout Illinois and eastern Missouri and a loan production office in the Indianapolis area.

Consequently, Harms said First Mid purchased the building at 1100 Broadway Ave. not long after hearing that it was available. First Mid, which has a Mattoon Cross County banking center along Broadway Avenue East, has named its new building Broadway West.

Harms said the more than 50 operations and credit staff members who have moved into Broadway West previously worked in the Mattoon Main banking center at 1515 Charleston Ave., and the former Masonic Building that First Mid owns a block to the east along Charleston.

Many of those employees from the Masonic Building had been parking along side streets or at a First Mid-owned lot across busy Charleston/Illinois Route 16, so Harms said they have appreciated the new building's sizable parking lot. The building had been home to an Eisner Food Store before Blue Cross and Blue Shield.

"They love parking in a lot that is right next to their building," Harms said, noting that the move has helped with the overall parking situation for First Mid. "We have a lot of staff members working in the downtown area, so that freed up a lot of parking spaces for our other buildings."

Harms said First Mid was able to move its operations into the former Blue Cross and Blue Shield building with a minimal amount of renovations, which included creating a few new private offices and group meeting spaces, installing energy efficient LED lighting and an acoustic ceiling, and painting. He said they were able to make use of pre-existing amenities, including the break room and patio.

"We are proud of the fact we are repurposing a building in the downtown Mattoon area," Harms said.

The former Blue Cross and Blue Shield building sits just a few feet west of Liberty Life Church, 1101 Prairie Ave. Senior pastor Lonnie Stewart said after their longtime neighbor relocated, the church was wondering who would move into this facility.

Since First Mid purchased the building, Stewart said he has found the employees he has talked to outside to be friendly and has been pleased to see the company do landscaping work and make other exterior updates there.

"They have been doing a good job," Stewart said. "They have made some improvements. They are good neighbors."

Contact Rob Stroud at (217) 238-6861. Follow him on Twitter: @TheRobStroud

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SULLIVAN  Illinois State Police are investigating a shooting that left one person injured early Friday morning in Sullivan.

A State Police news release said the victim was taken to an area hospital for treatment and that three individuals have been detained for questioning. The shooting occurred at approximately 3 a.m. at a residence in the 200 block of South Madison Street.

The release said the Sullivan Police Department and Moultrie County Sheriffs Office requested assistance from the State Police with the ongoing investigation.

Anyone with information regarding the incident should contact the State Police at 217-867-2050. Callers can remain anonymous.

Contact Corryn Brock at 217-238-6858. Follow her on Twitter at @corryn_brock.

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A 34-year-old Winston-Salem entrepreneur is trying his hand at something new: the burrito business.

Adrian Smith has run his own landscaping business and, more recently, has worked to help others start their own businesses at such places as the Center for Creative Economy, Mixxer Makerspace and Flywheel.

On June 8, he dove into the food business with the launch of El Burrito Bueno, inspired by an old mobile hot-dog scooter that his grandfather operated many years ago.

My grandpa had a farm in Cherryville, and I used to drive the scooter around when I was a kid, he said.

His grandfather, Robert Rust, has been gone 20 years now, and the 1946 Cushman Package Kar with a steam table on one end had been sitting in a shed at Smiths mothers house.

Smith, who has an MBA with a focus on entrepreneurial finance, had just wrapped up a stint as executive director of the Flywheel Foundation, which promotes entrepreneurship through research, education and other avenues.

He still co-owns Village Fabric Shop in Reynolda Village with his wife and another partner, but he was looking for other opportunities.

In December, I decided I wanted to do something different, he said. I said, Well, we have this scooter thats just sitting here. It didnt run, but I started to tinker with it.

He eventually learned that this old scooter had a bit of a reputation among vintage scooter buffs. Theres this cool group of Cushman aficionados across the U.S., and theyre mostly guys in their 60s, 70s and 80s, Smith said.

Between taking apart the transmission and gears himself and sending the clutch to California and the generator to Ohio to be rebuilt, Smith eventually got the scooter running again.

As a kid, it seemed really fast, but it probably goes 15 miles an hour, he said with a laugh.

Still, he has a motorcycle registration for it. He also has a health department permit through the shared-use commercially inspected kitchen at the Enterprise Center to make burritos for sale.

Burritos, he said, seemed more versatile than hot dogs and, besides, he said, he loves Mexican food. Burritos, theyre kind of like a food platform. You can do a lot with them, he said.

After researching recipes, Smith came up with three burritos. One consists of grilled chicken, brown rice, black beans, queso asadero, cabbage slaw and salsa macha ($7.25). A second is vegetarian with nopales (cactus), bell peppers, brown rice, black beans, corn, carrots, tomatoes, queso asadero, cabbage slaw and salsa macha ($7). A third is simply refried beans and queso and Oaxaca ($3.45). Smith said the chicken and nopales burritos are larger, 8 to 9 ounces. The bean burrito is a bit smaller, at about 6 ounces.

Once he makes the burritos at the Enterprise Center, he fills the scooters steam table with boiling water and adds the already hot burritos to the top pan. After he transports the scooter to its destination, he can use a propane tank to keep the steam table and burritos hot.

Though he can drive the scooter, hes loading it on a trailer to take it to gigs, simply for practical reasons. He launched El Burrito Bueno at Fair Witness on June 8, and he sold out of more than 100 burritos in about two hours.

Smith said hes currently looking at other pop-up venues. At this point, hes not sure whether this might turn into a full-time gig. Hes just testing the waters. I think there are a lot of places downtown where this would work. My main thing right now is I want to build something cool, he said.

I think if you teach entrepreneurship, you have to do it. But also, as someone living in Winston-Salem, I want to have cool things here. We have some cool restaurants and food businesses in Winston-Salem, but Id just like more of them.

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Carter High School held its graduation ceremony Thursday, kicking off a week of graduations for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. Carter is the countys school for special needs students and celebrated the largest graduating class Principal Shaunne Hall has seen during her time working at the school.

Thursdays event was not only a celebration of these students life achievements, but of life itself, as Kentrell Gibbs, father of graduating student Kenasha Gibbs-Potter, said.

The Carter family, as many referred to it, remembered two students, Christian Glaspie and Justin Wall, who died before they could graduate. The school honored them with a moment of silence and said their names among those receiving graduation certificates.

Glaspies mom, brother, and aunt were in attendance, receiving his certificate for him.

Student Speaker Sarah Bellamy read her speech through a computer. She explained how people often cannot see beyond her wheelchair, but at Carter, she was treated differently.

At Carter, we are valued, we all matter, she said. To all of my fellow graduates, my wish for all of you is to show the world how amazing you are.

Superintendent of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Tricia McManus said, By being here today it shows that you have chosen to believe in yourself rather than those that cast doubt on (you.)

She described how her daughter, who has Down syndrome, taught her to prefer the word exceptionality over disability.

Our children are unbelievable, she said. Megan has taught my family more than we could have ever taught her.

The school awarded Elijah Gist as the valedictorian.

When Zion Lowery went up to receive the L. James McDaniel Vocational Award, his father Jeff Vail came up with him, exclaiming to the audience of families and students how proud he was of his son and the other graduates.

Gloria Flores was the only student to receive two awards, the Harold J. Pope Transition Award and the C. Douglas Carter Award.

With every graduation, just excitement would be my first emotion, said Hall. So many students and parents are told you cant and you wont and here at Carter, we tell them you can and you will.

But, she explained that sadness would be her second emotion. The majority of students are at Carter for eight years, and they become a family before they leave. Watching students graduate is like watching a family member leave, she said.

When giving Flores the C. Douglas Carter Award, Hall expressed how she saw Flores walk through the doors as an assistant principal, and now watches her leave as principal.

After Carter staff passed out the certificates, the students came together to perform Best Day of My Life by American Authors as the projector rolled the lyrics for them to sing along to and some students played on drums.

Families cheered and praised their graduates as a slideshow played pictures of them in childhood, growing up, and then posing for their senior photos with their caps and gowns.

After the students ceremoniously switched their caps tassel from the right to left side, they celebrated outside with family and friends.

Glaspies family released balloons in memory of him. They all wore shirts with a photo of him saying, I did it Mom!

Veronica Glaspie, Christian Glaspies mom, said she was thankful for the community and entire Carter family. She explained her plans to work with the disabled community so she could help them have the advantages that she was able to provide for her son.

She and Christian Glaspies brother, Maurice Glaspie Jr., expressed how thankful they were for the Carter community.

From many families, there was overwhelming praise.

I wish the (outside) community was as understanding, accepting, and adapting as we are, Hall said, stressing how adaptive the school is.

She explained how hard they work to respond to student needs. Carter adapts to their needs and helps them learn in the best way possible for them.

Gibbs explained how great it was to know his daughter Kenasha had a sense of family and home at Carter.

Before leaving, he said, Its a great, beautiful day today.

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Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has condoled Iranian President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi over a train crash.

"We were deeply saddened by the news of the loss of lives and injuries as a passenger train derailed on the Mashad-Yazd railroad track. Due to this tragedy, on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I offer my deep condolences to you, the families, and loved ones of those who died, and all the people of Iran, and wish the injured swiftest possible recovery. May Allah rest the souls of the dead in peace!"
The former finance director at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church was charged Friday for fraudulently obtaining $27,930.03 from the church while she worked there between 2018 and 2020, Winston-Salem police said.

Marilyn Bertelsen has been arrested on three felony counts of obtaining property under false pretense. The warrants claim she obtained the money for tuition  and, on one count, materials  as a reimbursement for college courses she never took.

She took money on three occasions: the first on Feb. 15, 2018, when she obtained $4,568, then from Aug. 20 to Dec. 13, 2019, when she obtained $19,800.27, and the third time on March 17, 2020 when she obtained $3,561.76, according to warrants.

In a letter to parishioners sent Friday, Father Christopher Gober said the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte found the discrepancies in claimed reimbursements paid to Bertelsen in their routine financial audit of August 2020. He elaborated that insurance fully reimbursed the parish, so they faced no financial impact.

He assured the parishioners that no other former or current staff were involved.

Bertelsen resigned in November 2020, according to Liz Chandler, the director of communications at the diocese.

According to police, in January 2021, the church, located on Springdale Avenue, and the diocese came to police to request an investigation into Bertelsen. The police said their fraud unit determined from this investigation that she had fraudulently obtained this money.

She was given a $7,500 bond and will appear in court Monday, the police said.

Bertelsen did not answer when called for comment. It is unclear whether she has an attorney at this point.

While I am grateful this situation has been resolved, I am mindful of its impact on peoples lives, Gober said, asking his parishioners to pray for those affected.

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A challenging school year marked by debate about masks, shifting COVID-19 protocols, staffing shortages and a fatal school shooting came to a close on Thursday for about 53,000 students in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.

At Jefferson Elementary School, the last day of school was celebrated in the most innocent and timeless of ways, with water-soaked kids chasing each other, playing tug of war, twirling hula hoops and hugging their teachers goodbye.

Bittersweet was the vocabulary word of the day at Jefferson, where several beloved staff members are ending their careers in education and a new principal was announced.

Debbie McIntyre, the schools principal since 2015 is retiring, closing out a 34-year career with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools. When McIntyre announced that assistant principal Katie McGregor would be the new principal to hundreds of students gathered outside for field day, they responded with cheers that turned into a chant: Ms. McGregor. Ms. McGregor.

Waves of students hugged her, including fifth-grader William Johnson, who asked McGregor if he should now refer to her as Queen of the School.

Shes absolutely amazing, William said of McGregor, who was a teacher at Lewisville Elementary and an instructional facilitator at Diggs-Latham Elementary before coming to Jefferson.

I feel like a proud mama, yall, McIntyre said of McGregor.

The announcement capped a joy-filled morning of fun and games, lots of water and thoughts of summer.

Fourth-grader Bryson Pender said he is excited for a summer that he predicts will be very fun.

He listed some reasons why.

No math. No science. No reading. No social studies.

A trip to Myrtle Beach also has him excited.

Brysons first year at Jefferson was a good one.

Its been fun and stuff and making new friends and stuff, he said as water trickled down his forehead.

Jeffersons field day is usually in May, but when that date rained out, McIntyre decided it would be a fun way to close out the year, which she acknowledged has been a hard one.

To her staff, she frequently stressed the need to be resilient.

I used that word a lot this year, McIntyre said.

The school district has been a part of McIntyres life since she was a child attending Easton Elementary School. She started her teaching career in 1987 at what is now Speas Global Elementary School. She was named the school districts Principal of the Year in 2020.

Many staff members wore T-shirts Thursday that read Best Principal Ever, in honor of McIntyre.

McIntyre waffled back and forth on whether to retire before making a final decision.

You kind of know in your heart and mind and soul that its time, said McIntyre, who has trips to Montana and Alaska on the horizon.

A similar sentiment is leading kindergarten teacher Vicky White to retire. She considered leaving last year but said she felt doing so would leave her colleagues in a bind.

Ive always heard that youll know when you know, said White, who plans to spend some of her retirement traveling with her husband.

She said with a laugh that she expects she will have to fight the urge to buy crayons and other school supplies during sales at Target this summer.

It truly is like a family wherever you go, White said about teaching. Teachers are a different breed.

White is among a large group of local teachers who plan to leave education this year. According to results from a recent survey, about 7.5% of teachers in the school district plan to leave education entirely at the end of the school year. Thats up from 4.2% in 2020.

The results are part of the N.C. Department of Public Instructions biennial Teacher Working Conditions Survey.

Carmen Menzel, a fourth-grade teacher at Jefferson is another teacher leaving the profession.

A 21-year teaching veteran, Menzel plans to volunteer at Jefferson next year.

Im very excited, but its bittersweet, she said as she prepared to guide her students to another field day station. Right now, Im just trying to get to the end of the day.

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UNC School of the Arts launched on Thursday the long-awaited renovation of the Stevens Center by announcing the design team for the multiphase project.

Little Diversified Architectural Consulting of Charlotte and Steinberg Hart of Los Angeles have been hired to handle Phase One of the renovation of the downtown Winston-Salem theater. The university owns the 77,500-square-foot facility.

The Forsyth County legislative delegation was able to secure $29.8 million for the project in the 2021-22 state budget. UNCSA is requesting another $12.4 million in future state funding.

UNCSA said it does not yet have renderings of what the renovated facility would look like.

Phase One will likely take about three years. It will include roof and building envelope repairs, as well as interior improvements.

Advance planning and design is under way and are expected to take between 12 and 18 months to complete.

Once those steps are done, UNCSA expects the entire building will be closed for about two years, meaning the renovated Stevens Center could open between summer 2025 and early 2026.

The facility will remain open for rehearsals and performances at least through the 2022-23 season.

Information about alternate venues for the UNCSA performance season, community programs and partner organizations during the time that the Stevens Center is dark will be announced at a later date, UNCSA said.

Were overjoyed to be taking the first real steps toward making our long-awaited and long-overdue dream of renovating the Stevens Center a reality, UNCSA Chancellor Brian Cole said.

A vibrant Stevens Center will stimulate our downtown economy and enhance our contribution to The City of Arts and Innovation.

The 1,366-seat facility debuted in 1929 as a silent movie theater. The neoclassical building was restored and reopened in 1983 with a redesigned stage and backstage that was able to house Broadway-scale live performances of music, theater, dance and opera.

Efforts will be made to retain the buildings original character, UNCSA said.

Other renovation phases will involve improving the experience for show attendees and students.

UNCSA said it has not settled on an overall capital investment for the renovation, which will include public and private funding for each phase.

Cole said that chief among Little and Steinberg Harts services will be to determine cost and phasing strategies.

The groups have teamed to design and construct more than 80 art centers that serve academic institutions and their surrounding communities, including several in North and South Carolina.

UNCSA said Thursday it continues to pursue an additional $12.4 million from the state for a total request of $42.2 million, as well as private funding.

I am grateful that state legislative leaders and the governor, as well as our Forsyth County delegation, share our vision and recognize the importance of and potential for the landmark theater, and we are hopeful for their ongoing support as we move through this multiphase process, Cole said.

Melanie Reddrick, executive principal-in-charge of Little, said the team recognizes that the Stevens Center is a significant historic treasure, and it holds great meaning for UNCSA and the region.

We will work closely with university and community stakeholders to give this remarkable theater a new lease on life.

Those stakeholders include the Winston-Salem Symphony, Piedmont Opera and the National Black Theatre Festival.

When we are finished, our hope is that the Stevens Center brings joy to Winston-Salem for another 100 years, Reddrick said.

UNCSA will continue to seek input from the Winston-Salem community for the project, as well as partner organizations such as the Winston-Salem Symphony, Piedmont Opera and the National Black Theatre Festival, among others, who utilize the Stevens Center.

Cole said the renovation projects will give UNCSA opportunities to consider more community outreach with certain performances, as well as utilize on-campus venues.

Project background

In September 2017, the UNCSA board of trustees approved a concept master renovation plan.

Then-UNCSA Chancellor Lindsay Bierman said in September 2017 that the concept master plan provides a detailed analysis of existing conditions, reflects the must-haves of most campus and community stakeholders, and outlines realistic cost estimates to bring the facility up to current industry standards and building codes.

Construction and other items, including furnishings, new rigging systems, lighting and audio/visual equipment were projected at that time to cost $35.2 million.

UNCSA said Thursday that Little and Steinberg Hart will be developing new design plans, though will refer to the 2017 concept plan.

Rep. Donny Lambeth, R-Forsyth, said that even though it took years to get funding for the renovation into the state budget, the inclusion represented a recognition of that the Stevens Center has served our community well and is a shining example of our commitment to the arts and educational programs.

However, it is in need of repairs and updating, Lambeth said.

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Bob Gibson was in the second wave of troops storming Normandys beaches on D-Day. Now 100 and wheelchair bound, NBC Nightly News filmed his return 78 years later. Bob reminisced about the estimated 4,400 Americans who died on June 6, 1944.

The television interviewer asked his reactions upon returning. I done this for you people, he emphatically responded. Dont screw it up!

Are we? For more than 50 years I have been observing, reporting on, writing about and moderating TV talk shows on public policy issues. What I am seeing currently is a disillusioned, disgusted, discouraged, distrustful, disbelieving and disunited people. It is disturbing to see.

How bad is it? A University of Maryland/Washington Post poll reported in January of this year that 1 in 3 adults say violence against government can be justified. Thirty years ago, some 90% said violence against government was never justified; now its just 62%. Repeated testimony and evidence regarding the Jan. 6 attack confirms the polls accuracy.

I dont care what party you belong to, what philosophy you espouse, the color of your skin or your net worth, there is no other way to describe Jan. 6 than to say it was an act of sedition to overthrow our government. What amazes me is that far too many political, business, religious and civic leaders have sat quietly without expressing outrage at what happened, those who conceived it and the people who did it. Far too many of us have seemingly accepted that this is just how things are.

Is that what Bob Gibson risked his life on the beaches of Normandy for? Our acquiescence?

How did we get from a people who believed in our system, trusted our leaders and (even with political differences) were willing to unite to continue our way of life?

Issues like guns, abortion, voting rights, gender, race, education and a host of others divide us. Where once we were willing to participate in reasonable conversations and come up with compromise solutions, whoever disagrees with us now is an enemy, not just on that one position but on all. The political culture is so toxic that most just withdraw entirely instead of engaging and sticking with it until solutions are found.

Demagogues who have personal agendas for power sow seeds of distrust and vitriol toward our government, the media, health care, education and our election process. They know, from examples like Hitler, Putin and other autocrats that if you repeat claims frequently and with conviction, you can whip up fears and win increasing numbers into your cult.

Allow me to pause here. Some have taken offense in my calling Donald Trump the leader of a cult. The Oxford dictionary defines a cult: a misplaced or excessive admiration for a particular person or thing. Satisfied? The so-called silent majority has implied acceptance to bullying, lies, distrust and our unity.

Presidential historian Michael Beschloss said that 2022 could be the year that we lose democracy. Things we assumed were permanent in America are falling apart, he said. Americans are resilient, but only resilient when Americans roll into action.

I was encouraged and inspired by comments from actor Matthew McConaughey, following the Robb Elementary School shooting in his hometown of Uvalde, Texas. He said, We are not as divided as we are being told we are, adding that we need to return to the common table that represents the American people. He continued we need to reclaim the middle ground, where most of us Americans live anyway. As he stood at the White House briefing room podium, he implored us to re-brand ourselves on what we truly value. Weve got to find some real courage to honor our moral obligation instead of our party affiliation.

McConaughey concluded, lets start giving us  all of us  good reason to believe that the American dream is not an illusion.

I like to believe he is right. That there is a majority who still believe in our country, our government and are willing to do our patriotic duty to support and defend it. There are plenty willing to sacrifice to support the common good, to trust leaders and each other until they prove we cant. But weve got to stop fighting with each other and start fighting for each other.

Thats exactly what men and women who wore the uniform in World War II and in the years following fought for. Lets not allow this generation to be the ones who screw it up.

Tom Campbell (tomcamp@carolinabroadcasting.com) is a Hall of Fame North Carolina broadcaster and columnist who has covered North Carolina public policy issues since 1965. He recently retired from writing, producing and moderating the statewide half-hour TV program NC SPIN that aired 22 years.
A series of recent stories has us thinking about how pleasing it is to live in Winston-Salem.

The city has been growing moderately  about 4%  but our population topped 250,000 in 2021, the Journals Wesley Young reported last week. The official U.S. Census count went from 249,545 on April 2, 2020, to 250,320 on July 1, 2021.

The round number of 250,000 may seem largely symbolic, but it allows us to be included in rankings of other cities with populations more than 250,000, Keith Debbage, a professor of geography at UNCG, told the Journal.

There, well likely shine. With our rich amenities, friendly people and lack of the kind of traffic congestion found in cities like Charlotte and Raleigh, the City of Arts and Innovation has many advantages for entrepreneurs, small business owners and young families.

Certainly, I think that it is something that is not magical, but it is significant to be able to say that you are at 250,000, Mayor Allen Joines told the Journal. I think it is helpful to us as we market the city in a number of ways.

Other cities in Forsyth County grew as well  Kernersvilles population reached 26,793 in 2021, Clemmons 21,517 and Lewisville 13,602.

But as fond as we are of those nearby communities, weve got the National Black Theatre Festival. Weve got Salem Lake and The Ramkat.

One list on which were happy to appear is the latest Forbes magazine Top 25 places to retire, as the Journals Richard Craver reported last month. There, were in the company of cities like Athens, Ga., Knoxville, Tenn., and Roanoke and Virginia Beach.

Forbes described Winston-Salem as the cultured city of 252,000 in the Piedmont area of North Carolina, benefiting from having Salem College, UNC School of the Arts, Wake Forest University and Winston-Salem State University within its community.

Winston-Salem also had the lowest median home price of the 25 cities on the list  $219,000, which Forbes said is 42% below the national median. And Forbes touted Winston-Salems cost of living, determined to be 19% below the national average.

Forbes praised our high ratio of physicians per capita; comfortable climate; good air quality; good economy; lack of state estate tax or income tax on Social Security; and relatively moderate risk of natural hazards.

One neednt retire to enjoy most of those benefits in our very livable city.

But Forbes also pointed to some of the citys deficits, including a crime rate above the national average and our underdeveloped infrastructure for bicycle travel. Forbes also noted that only 33% of our population has been fully vaccinated with boosters against COVID-19, which is considerably below the national average.

Those are legitimate points; they require our attention and action from the citys leaders. But when it comes to being vaccinated  nine COVID-19 related deaths were reported in Forsyth County last week  our leaders can only do so much. It falls on individuals to practice responsible behavior.

If not for personal safety, maybe for the cause of civic pride?

Residents will be enjoying some of our citys perks this weekend, especially our parks, like Winston Lake Park, which reopened last weekend after extensive improvements. Bicyclers will be glad to learn that the city recently received significant federal funds to help remedy the low-lying stretch of the Salem Creek Greenway that often floods. The designers will have to do their part before construction is put up for bids, but there is some light at the end of the puddle, as a pundit put it on the city of Winston-Salems Facebook page.

Downtown, Murphys Lunch, a local institution, is back in business and Camino Bakery just completed monthslong renovations. And any kid or kid at heart who enjoys watching construction can get their fill at the site of the new Kaleideum museum on Third Street, where crews are hard at work. On Saturday, a food truck event will be held at Robinhood Plaza on the corner of Robinhood and Peace Haven roads to celebrate the completion of a mural by local artist Laura Lashley.

Its a promising weekend.

The world is full of turmoil, as are many lives from time to time. In the midst of it, were blessed to have a hometown with a unique character, with warm neighbors, where for the most part we can feel comfortable and safe. As if we belong.

We like calling Winston-Salem home.
Ashley Kobza authored a Facebook post this week asking her friends to spend 75 minutes with her to talk about joy and grief.

It was to be a rehearsal for "Every Brilliant Thing," which opens on Friday at the Lincoln Community Playhouse and will continue through this weekend and next weekend.

Kobza stars in the one-woman play, but the co-star of the show is the audience, which will be asked questions, called to the stage and visited every now and again by Kobza.

Every show is different, and that makes rehearsal a bit of a challenge.

"It's hard to rehearse for it," said Playhouse executive director Morrie Enders, who has turned over the directing for this show to Judy Hart.

Written by English playwright Duncan Macmillan, it tells the story of a 6-year-old whose mother is in the hospital and is finding it hard to be happy.

So she makes a list of everything that is brilliant about the world  everything that's worth living for. The list includes ice cream, kung fu movies, burning things, laughing so hard you shoot milk out of your nose, construction cranes and herself.

Soon the list takes on a life of its own.

At times it's funny and at other times it's poignant and painful.

"The fact that were doing it now is extremely relevant," Kobza said. "We need what this plays message is, which is hope in the face of utter darkness."

It's a life-affirming romp that celebrates the human experience while addressing issues like depression, suicide and the importance of the face-to-face interaction.

"It is about community," Enders said. "It Is about human interaction and human connection."

The last two years have taken away much of that interaction, Enders said. The original plan was to do this play in 2020, but the COVID-19 shutdown pushed it back to last spring.

Again it was postponed  this time until the start of the calendar year. But when cases ticked up, it was pushed back to now  and the timing couldn't be better.

"We need this show," Enders said. " COVID separated us. Now were slowly coming back to being able to sit in a room together and share a story together. Doing it in the round, gives it a primal feel, like sitting around a campfire."

The stage will be in the round, meaning Kobza will be surrounded by audience members on all sides, and will take time to call on some members, bringing some on stage, while she visits with others at their seats.

There will be moments of emotion, moments of heartfelt joy and  at times  sadness, but the end result is cathartic and inspiring.

"We live in a culture that does not want to confront pain," she said. "We want to push our pain off at all costs. The only way out of our pain is (going) through it, recognizing that pain is not to be avoided, it is to be addressed (and) experienced."

Reach the writer at 402-473-7391 or psangimino@journalstar.com. On Twitter @psangimino

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A 46-year-old man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison on drug and gun charges after an abandoned 911 call sent police to his north Lincoln home in 2020.

Roger Vaughn was convicted of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of pure methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana after a prior conviction for a serious felony drug offense and of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

On Nov. 1 at about 5:10 a.m., Lincoln Police officers went to check out the 911 hang-up call, which traced to a home on North 48th Street near Gladstone Street. Police didn't find an emergency but saw drug paraphernalia and smelled marijuana, so they got a search warrant.

Acting United States Attorney Steven Russell said the search turned up over 5 ounces of pure methamphetamine, just under an ounce of cocaine and 4 pounds of marijuana. They also found four shotguns, two rifles and three pistols.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7237 or lpilger@journalstar.com. On Twitter @LJSpilger

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An inmate at the Community Corrections Center-Lincoln assaulted two staff members Wednesday.

The staff members were preparing the inmate for transfer to another facility when he allegedly punched each of them in the face and continued to physically resist, a release said.

A third staff member used pepper spray, which allowed staff to get the inmate to the ground and put him in restraints.

The staff members who were hit went to the hospital. One of them suffered a broken bone; the other is being treated for serious injuries.

The incident is being investigated.

Reach the writer at 402-473-7228 or emejia@journalstar.com

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A 22-year-old Minnesota man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after being caught last year near Lincoln with more than a pound of fentanyl pills.

Ismael Toovi, of South Cambridge, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl mixture. U.S. District Judge John Gerrard sentenced him Wednesday.

His co-defendant, Payton Sausen pleaded guilty to the same charge and is set for sentencing next month.

In a news release, acting United States Attorney Steven Russell said on June 18, 2021, Toovi was riding in an SUV driven by Sausen, who sideswiped a semi on I-80. Lancaster County Sheriffs deputies suspected she was under the influence of drugs. She denied consent to search but agreed to a police dog sniff that indicated drugs.

A search turned up a box in the backseat with more than 4,600 pills with markings consistent with oxycodone and more scattered inside the SUV. Testing showed they contained fentanyl.

Phone records indicated they had traveled to California to pick up the pills, which Toovi intended to sell in Minnesota.

The case was investigated by the Lancaster County Sheriffs Department and the DEA.

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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

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By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

Different units of the Azerbaijani army are conducting live-fire tactical drills, Azernews report, citing the Defense Ministry.

The drills are being held at the armys combined-arms training grounds with the participation of the military leadership, the report added.

The drills are aimed at increasing the units combat readiness, the military personnels professionalism and practical skills, as well as improving the interoperability between the command and control bodies of the troops, the ministry said.

The execution of new tactical actions based on experience (gained during the 44-day war with Armenia, as well as other contemporary wars), such as more effective destruction of an imaginary enemy with the widespread use of early warning radar systems, is a distinguishing feature of the exercises conducted with the participation of units from the Land Forces, Air Force, Naval Forces, and Special Forces.

The progress of the exercises is reported by commanders and staff officers, and the status of the adversary and the peculiarities of the terrain are evaluated using intelligence data. Interoperability between units is organized via the employment of modern equipment and technical facilities that have recently been integrated into weaponry.

According to the scenario, numerous aircraft, motorized rifle, artillery, and tank units work together to eliminate the discovered targets of the fictional adversary.

In a similar vein, tactical-special exercises were undertaken with military men from Operations Commando military units in accordance with the Land Forces' combat training plan, the ministry stated in a separate report.

Based on intelligence data, the region of a prospective provocation by a sabotage group of an imaginary adversary was selected.

After successfully advancing into the operative area, the commandos completed the duties of enclosing temporary shelters and neutralizing the fictitious adversary.

The major goals of the exercises are to develop military personnel's tactical abilities in hilly terrain, as well as to strengthen the fighting capacity of Operations Commando forces.
Nebraska's representatives stayed with their fellow Republicans and voted against two gun control bills that passed the U.S. House of Representatives this week.

Republican Reps. Don Bacon and Adrian Smith both voted against H.R. 7910, which 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 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 news 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 believes 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 believes 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 news 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 it's too early to provide specific details but confirmed mental health would likely be addressed in some way.

Smith echoed Bacon's 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 state's 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 Fortenberry's term.

A campaign spokesperson for Pansing Brooks, a Democrat, said she supports red-flag legislation but didn't 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.

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Things are looking pretty quiet across Nebraska for Friday. A few showers are lingering across the eastern half of the state along with some light fog early this morning. Both will be gone by the late morning hours. The rest of the day will feature partly to mostly sunny skies with highs in the low 80s for most. In the far western part of the state though, high temperatures could reach the low 90s with gusty winds around 30 mph. A few showers and storms can't be ruled out in the Panhandle during the afternoon hours, but the rain chance is low. The evening hours are looking dry across the state with lows in the lower 60s to upper 50s.

Isolated showers and storms will be around on Saturday, but the chance of one of these working over you is low. A slightly higher chance in eastern Nebraska versus the central and western parts of the state. This will keep temperatures a little lower here, but everyone is in for a warmer day on Saturday. Highs in the upper 80s in eastern Nebraska, but reaching as high as the upper 90s in the Panhandle. A breezy day for many.

The best chance of rain for eastern Nebraska looks like Saturday night, especially after midnight. There will still be gaps in the activity, but it looks like a better opportunity at seeing showers and storms. If the storms arrive early enough, a few could produce up to 50 mph wind gusts and penny size hail. Whether you see rain or not, it's looking like a warm night, with many in the central and eastern part of the state only cooling down to around 70 degrees.

Sunday will bring the best chance for showers and storms to the central and western part of the state during the afternoon and evening hours, but activity is expected to remain isolated. Quite a few could still miss out. The problem is that the storms that do pop up will likely be strong and capable of producing 60 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail. While this will need to be monitored, the bigger story Sunday will likely be the heat. High temperatures will reach the low 90s across the state, but because of the humid conditions, feels like temperatures will likely reach the upper 90s in many locations.

If you'll be staying indoors trying to beat the heat this weekend, give the latest episode of our "Across the Sky" weather podcast a listen! It's a fun topic this week as we dive into the Bible to find the stories where weather played a key role.

Friday's Forecast

Omaha/Lincoln

Few showers and patchy fog in the morning

Partly cloudy

High temperature: 82

Grand Island/Kearney

Patchy fog in the morning, then mostly sunny

High temperature: 82

Scottsbluff

Few showers and storms in the afternoon

Partly cloudy and windy, gusts around 30 mph

High temperature: 92

Friday Night's Forecast

Omaha/Lincoln

Partly cloudy

Low temperature: 62

Grand Island/Kearney

Few showers late

Partly cloudy

Low temperature: 63

Scottsbluff

Mostly clear

Low temperature: 58

Saturday's Forecast

Omaha/Lincoln

Isolated showers and storms

Partly cloudy and breezy, gusts around 20 mph

High temperature: 88

Grand Island/Kearney

Few showers and storms

Partly cloudy

High temperature: 94

Scottsbluff

Few showers and storms in the afternoon

Partly cloudy and windy, gusts around 35 mph

High temperature: 98

Saturday Night's Forecast

Omaha/Lincoln

Isolated showers and storms, especially late

Partly cloudy

Low temperature: 70

Grand Island/Kearney

Few showers

Partly cloudy

Low temperature: 70

Scottsbluff

Few showers and storms early

Partly cloudy, breezy early, gusts around 25 mph

Low temperature: 60

Sunday's Forecast

Omaha/Lincoln

Isolated showers and storms, especially in the morning

Partly cloudy

High temperature: 92

Grand Island/Kearney

Few showers and storms, especially in the afternoon

Partly cloudy

High temperature: 93

Scottsbluff

Isolated showers and storms in the afternoon

Partly cloudy and breezy, gusts around 25 mph

High temperature: 92

Matt Holiner covers weather and climate across the Midwest. Matt has eight years of professional meteorology experience and has forecast every type of weather for cities across the country. He holds the National Weather Association's Seal of Approval.

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RACINE  About 100 family and friends of DaShontay King, as well as other community members and at least four elected officials, marched from the Racine Police Department to the Racine County Courthouse on Thursday to demand the release of the body camera footage of Kings death.

King was killed by a Racine Police officer on May 20.

According to initial statements from the RPD and the state agency that investigates officer-involved deaths, King fled from a traffic stop; was armed with a firearm, which he did not drop when ordered to do so; and then was shot. He was wanted for being a felon in possession of a firearm, law enforcement agencies have said.

Natasha Mullens, Kings sister, said she had attended rallies for other people but did not think she would be attending one for her own family.

We are his voice now, she said.

Speakers Thursday called for increased transparency from law enforcement.

Mullens said the body camera footage is necessary to allow the family to heal; police have said that there is footage of the shooting.

Mullens pointed out taxpayers have spent significant sums on equipment, which was intended to be used to increase transparency and trust.

Yall got your dollars, but where is our transparency? she asked.

The marchers included Mullens; another sister, Ishay Epps; his brothers Geoffrey and Jordan Cummings; and many other family members.

I love him and miss him, Jordan Cummings said of his big brother.

Geoffrey described his brother as someone who loved his family and community.

Shooting

Kings family were still a bit shaken from the shooting that occurred during his burial June 2. Two women were shot, although both survived.

Latrice Tiller, who is the mother of one of Kings four children, told The Journal Times her son, who is 9, has become overprotective of his mother since the death of his father  so much so that he did not want her to attend Thursdays march or even leave the house.

Two other mothers of Kings children, in addition to Tiller, marched Thursday.

Tiller said her son had been interested in becoming a police officer, but appears to have changed his mind since. The police kill people, he told her.

She has been talking with her son to change his mind. Not everyones out to get us, she said.

Tiller said she counsels him to avoid the police by staying out of trouble.

She also called for the release of the body cam footage, saying We deserve answers, and the boys deserve answers.

Tiller encouraged those in attendance to make calls and send emails to public officials calling for the release of the footage.

Body cam

There are a number of municipalities across the country that have updated their policies concerning the release of body cam footage so that it is released in a set amount of time.

The San Antonio Police Department was one of the agencies who established a timeframe for releasing bodycam footage after a critical incident. The current policy requires at least some audio and video footage be released within 60 days.

According to the National Conference of State Legislators, Colorado requires footage to be released to the public within 21 days after a complaint is received, but that can be increased to 45 days if footage could compromise an investigation.

There are no such mandates in Racine County or statewide.

Racine County District Attorney Patricia Hanson said at a recent press conference she would advise against releasing body camera footage before the investigation was complete. Such investigations could go on for months.

Hanson said she was critical of the release of partial body cam footage by Sheriff Christopher Schmaling in a different case last year, in which a man  Malcolm James  in custody stopped breathing while resisting officers in the Racine County Jail.

In that case, the body camera footage was not released to James family for half a year.

Kelly Scroggins-Powell, who is Kings aunt and also executive director of Racine Women for Racial Justice, was critical of Hansons policy on releasing body cam footage. She held onto footage that could have helped his family, Scroggins-Powell said of James case.

Transparency

County Supervisor Marlo Harmon said she attended the demonstration to support the family of DaShontay King and their request for the release of the bodycam footage.

It helps make sure that what was said was done was actually done, she said, adding it was also important to make sure what is done is seen.

Another county supervisor, Nick Demske, said there has been a lot of talk lately about violence prevention, which should be occurring on all sides, not just among private citizens but also within law enforcement agencies.

In reference to the calls for changes to policy that would allow body cam footage to be released sooner, he said that would take people showing up to the board meetings where those policies are discussed.

He remembered the protest following the murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020. There were a thousand people here all chanting for justice, he said. But in fall of that year, when the Board of Supervisors met to talk about a $1.8 million increase to the sheriffs budget, no one showed up.

For policy change to occur, he said, it is just as important to show up to municipal meetings as it is to show up to the protests.

Also among the marchers Thursday was Supervisor Jessica Malacara and City of Racine Alderman CJ Rouse.

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BURLINGTON  State regulators have approved Burlingtons application for a $1 million grant to help fund improvements at the citys beleaguered Echo Lake.

Whether the state money will be applied toward preserving the lake or draining the lake remains to be decided by the Burlington City Council. City officials had previously expressed confidence that the state grant would be approved either way.

Officials at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources said they had $11 million available and were able to fund all 24 applications they received under the states Municipal Dam Grant program.

Echo Lake ranked fifth-highest out of the 24 projects seeking assistance statewide.

DNR officials notified Burlington City Administrator Carina Walters of the grant award in a letter dated May 18, which was released by the state to The Journal Times.

I am pleased to inform you that your grant application is grant eligible, Wendy Soleska, DNR grant manager, wrote to Walters.

The grant will ease the burden on Burlington taxpayers for an Echo Lake project that could exceed $5 million in costs.

Faced with a state determination that a city-owned dam at Echo Lake no longer meets safety standards, the city must either invest in rebuilding the dam or remove the dam. Despite the popularity of the lake with residents, its water quality also has suffered from years of neglect and pollution. Removing the dam would mean that the manmade lake would empty permanently and would drain back into a restored White River, which would resume flowing naturally through the community. City engineers have calculated that saving Echo Lake would cost more than $5 million, while removing the dam would cost between $1.1 million and $2 million. Borrowing $5 million for the project would cost the average homeowner an estimated $68 a year in higher property taxes, or about $1,368 over 20 years.

The states Municipal Dam Grant program allows the city to receive up to $1 million, although the actual payout could differ depending on what the city council decides.

If the city removes the dam at Echo Lake, the state will pay 100% of the cost up to $1 million. If the city wants to rebuild the dam, the state will pay 50% of the first $1 million spent, followed by another 25% of the next million and 25% of the following million.

In its grant application, the city listed dam repair as a placeholder project, with the understanding that the project could be changed later to dam removal, if that is what the city council decides to do.

State officials have verified that the grant can be applied toward either type of major change to Echo Lake.

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CALEDONIA  When the Caledonia Village Hall was built in 2017, the goal was to eventually place a public safety building on the site. Now, that goal may finally be soon achieved.

The Caledonia Village Board at its meeting Monday approved a conditional use permit and a building, site and operations plan for a new public safety building on the current Village Hall grounds, 5043 Chester Lane.

The building is to be approximately 56,600 square feet and is to house a fire and police station.

It will be in the central portion of the property directly east of Village Hall. The two buildings will share a parking lot. Construction is expected to begin in fall 2022 be complete by late 2023.

There is synergy for village locations to have proximity to one another as Village Hall employees and public safety personnel interact on a daily basis, Village Administrator Kathy Kasper said in an email. We have planned this building to accommodate the current departments needs with an eye towards planning for future growth in the village. The buildings amenities closely align with other newer public safety buildings in the area.

The police and fire departments housed at the existing public safety facility at 6900 Nicholson Road as well as Fire Station No. 12 located at 6040 Douglas Ave. are to move to the new Chester Lane facility.

The existing Nicholson Road building is extremely inefficient for modern policing, fire and EMS (emergency medical services), Kasper said. There are also various structural, maintenance and functional issues with the Police Department portion.

A need for new

The existing Nicholson Road building was finished in 1962, with a police facility addition built in 1981. Both portions have reached the end of their useful lives, village officials said. The villages Public Safety Committee first started discussing the topic of a new facility in August 2020 after the lower level of the police facility flooded.

As a result of the flooding, basement foundation and water intrusion issues were discovered that would be extremely costly to repair, said Police Chief Christopher Botsch.

Much of the lower level is still unusable to this date, and the officers have been without functional locker rooms since May of 2020, Botsch said in an email.

Botsch said the current Nicholson Road facility no longer adequately accommodates the Caledonia Police Departments staff or operations and doesnt meet the needs of modern professional law enforcement.

Other expensive maintenance issues due to the age of the facility and unrelated to the flood still need to be addressed.

After the new public safety building is complete, the Fire Department will still occupy its portion of the existing Nicholson Road building, maintaining a station there, but the police addition is to be demolished at some point.

Fire Station No. 12s property is to be sold.

Botsch said the new facility will provide a safe and professional environment for staff and will reduce risk and liability in many areas.

Our staff is extremely excited about this project, Botsch said. This project will help to ensure we can provide the very best police services. A modern police facility that meets current industry standards and best practices will assist us in providing progressive law enforcement services to our community  A new facility will also project a positive and professional image for the Police Department and the Village of Caledonia.

Fire Department features

Fire Chief Jeffrey Henningfeld noted the existing Nicholson Road building was built before modern technology, paramedicine and co-ed personnel were commonplace to the Caledonia Fire Department. He said the new public safety building should serve the community well into the future.

The pandemic emphasized the departments need to offer separation for personnel and this station will provide private sleeping quarters and individual gender-neutral bathrooms, Henningfeld said. The new building will offer adequate space for training, equipment and medical supply storage, and administrative functions along with additional living space to meet the needs of increased staffing.

It will also be built within one half-mile of a location identified as ideal for a new fire station in a 2020 study conducted by the International Association of Fire Fighters.

Department response times to the areas of highest demand should decrease because the new building offers an increase to the number of historical call locations that can be reached within four minutes.

The Fire Department also strives to improve outreach to our citizens and the placement of this building in proximity to the park increases our community accessibility, Henningfeld said in an email.

Various other features

FGM Architects designed the building and Riley Construction is acting as project manager to oversee construction.

The existing Village Hall parking lot consists of 40 stalls; the development will expand the lot by 28 stalls.

Emergency vehicles will use the driveway access located along Four Mile Road.

The main entrance is to face west and consists primarily of glass windows with metal accents. The entrance will be the common area between the police and fire departments. It will be accessible to the public.

Within the entrance will be a training and conference area that can be utilized by both departments. In front of the entrance will be a small plaza with strategically placed sitting walls to harden the entrance from potential threats.

The Fire Department will be on the southern portion of the facility. The Police Department will be located within the northern section. The sally port will be located on the northern portion as well.

On the eastern elevation of the building will be the police garage. Police squads and Fire Department vehicles will use the same access point along Four Mile Road.

The east or rear portion of the building will be gated with chain-link fencing. This area will be utilized for staff parking, providing an outdoor seating area and a secure area for police operations.

Landscaping on the site incorporates a combination of deciduous and evergreen vegetation along with perennials and ornamental grasses.

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A national meatpacking company with a facility in Green Bay has agreed to pay about $15,000 to settle allegations of unsafe practices during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic sickened and killed Wisconsin workers.
By Azernews

By Sabina Mammadli

Azerbaijan is a staunch supporter of multilateral diplomacy, the country's top presidential aide Hikmat Hajiyev said on his Twitter page.

Hajiyev made the remarks commenting on his meeting with President of the UN General Assembly Abdulla Shahid.

"Pleased to meet with Abdulla Shahid President of the UN General Assembly and underlined that Azerbaijan is a staunch supporter of multilateral diplomacy and further synchronisation of UNGA and Non-Alignment Movement agenda, as currently Azerbaijan chairs NAM," he wrote.

Azerbaijan joined the NAM in 2011. With the unanimous decision of the NAM leaders of 2016, Azerbaijan was elected as the chair of the NAM for the period of 2019-2022.

This year, NAM member states unanimously decided to extend Azerbaijans chairmanship for one more year until late 2023.

On March 2, 1992, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on Azerbaijans admission as a member state to the organization at its 46th session, following Azerbaijan's application for membership. The resolution, which was proposed by 111 states, was voted unanimously by all UN members. The admission of Azerbaijan to the UN has become one of the key milestones in the country's history.

Multilateral cooperation within the UN enabled Azerbaijan to strengthen its position in the international arena in a relatively short period of time to establish close ties with both member states and the organization itself.

Azerbaijans permanent mission to the United Nations was established on March 6, 1992, providing the country with a perfect chance to develop relations with this institution. The UN permanent mission to Azerbaijan was established in November of the same year.

The permanent mission of Azerbaijan to the UN developed collaboration with the organization and its specialized agencies in the political, economic, scientific, technological, cultural, and humanitarian domains in a short period of time.

On October 24, 2011, Azerbaijan saw a momentous and historic event in its history. Azerbaijan was elected a member of the UN Security Council at the elections. Azerbaijan's nomination was backed by 155 nations in contentious and multi-round voting, and the country was elected a member of this organization.
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

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KEARNEY  Marsha Yeagley started teaching when she was 10 years old.

Well, not really, but thats what she likes to tell people.

That way I dont sound quite as old as I really am, she said with a smile.

In reality, the senior lecturer has spent an impressive 48 years in the University of Nebraska at Kearney College of Business and Technology, not including her time as an undergraduate student.

A Lyons native, Yeagley attended UNK from 1969-73, earning a bachelors degree in business administration. After a brief stint in Chicago, where she worked for United Airlines, Yeagley returned to Kearney and never left.

Ive loved it, she said of her career in education. I couldnt imagine doing anything else.

Yeagley started her first job at UNK in January 1974, when she was still a graduate student pursuing a masters degree in education/marketing. As assistant director of the Center for Small Business, she assisted business owners across central Nebraska through workshops and other outreach activities.

A full-time faculty member since 1978, Yeagley has worn a lot of different hats over the years. Shes served as an assistant department chair, associate dean and marketing and communications coordinator in the College of Business and Technology and was an event coordinator for the Alumni Association and Foundation.

When different opportunities arose, I was there to take advantage of them, and Im grateful that I was given opportunities to do a lot of different things, said Yeagley, a senior lecturer since 2000.

The one constant throughout her time at UNK has been teaching.

I have absolutely loved working with the students, she said. That has been my passion.

What I think is the most gratifying is to look at graduates  and, of course, Ive experienced a lot of them  and see where they are today. Its wonderful to talk to people who have been your students and see how successful they are and what theyre doing.

Yeagley has taught a variety of classes at UNK, from introduction to business and principles of marketing to retail management and professional selling. She also led the professional sales certification program, which has seen significant growth since it was created a few years ago.

Because sales positions exist in nearly every industry, that program benefits people both inside and outside the College of Business and Technology. This includes high school graduates ready to start their first full-time job, college students seeking a four-year degree and working professionals hoping to advance in their careers.

These certification programs are really important for students to take a look at because it will make them more marketable, Yeagley said.

In addition to her academic work, Yeagley provides consulting and conducts focus groups for nonprofits, including an ongoing rural public transportation project with the Nebraska Safety Center.

Its really important to practice marketing so you can take that back into the classroom when youre teaching it, she said.

That work will continue, even though she retired from full-time teaching following the spring semester.

Im not done working, she said. Ill never be done working. Id go crazy.

The transition does allow her to spend more time with her three adult children and focus more attention on her yoga business, MYOGA. Yeagley has a studio at her home and she teaches classes at Kearney Family YMCA and the CHI Health Wellness Center.

This fall, shell begin working with people in the hospitals cardiac rehabilitation area, using yoga to improve heart health.

Not bad for someone who turns 71 this summer, depending on how you do the math.
KEARNEY  Taylor Gage, the executive director of the Nebraska Republican Party, will speak next week to members of the Buffalo County Republican Party.

Gage will focus on the upcoming Republican State Convention being held July 9 in Kearney. All registered Republicans are encouraged to attend.

Gages presentation will be on the agenda for the county GOPs meeting at 7 p.m. Monday in the Kearney Public Library. All are welcome to attend.

Also next week, Buffalo County Sheriff Neil Miller will be the featured speaker for Tuesdays meeting of the Buffalo County Republican Women.

Miller will discuss the new communication system that recently was implemented. All registered Republicans are welcome to attend the meeting thats scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Kearney library.
A 35-year-old Holmen man has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison for dealing methamphetamine and illegally possessing firearms.

Benjamin T. Devine pleaded guilty March 8 to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and a felon in possession of a firearm. He was sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court by Judge William M. Conley, who also ordered the prison term be followed by four years of supervised release.

According to federal prosecutors, La Crosse Police Department investigators purchased 53.6 grams of methamphetamine from Devine Aug. 5, 2021, through a confidential informant in Onalaska.

Eleven days later, La Crosse police arranged the purchase of an ounce of methamphetamine and a .22 caliber handgun from Devine. When the informant met with Devine, he did not have the handgun. Instead, Devine sold a larger quantity of methamphetamine instead.

Later that day, officers executed multiple search warrants connected to Devine. His vehicle was pulled over and searched. Police reportedly found $2,105 in Devines pocket, which included money from the controlled buy earlier that day. In Devines vehicle, officers reportedly found 397.7 grams of methamphetamine and $5,152 in cash.

At Devines residence in Holmen, officers reportedly found a Phoenix Arms .22 caliber handgun, a drug ledger and a small quantity of methamphetamine. At a storage locker maintained by Devine, police reportedly found two boxes of ammunition. Devines DNA was identified on the Phoenix Arms handgun.

Devine was interviewed by La Crosse police later that day. Prosecutors say Devine admitted to selling methamphetamine for years, usually pounds at a time. He also admitted knowing he was a convicted felon and couldnt legally possess a firearm.

At the time of his arrest, Devine was on state supervision for methamphetamine trafficking and being a felon in possession of a firearm. His state supervision was revoked, and he is serving a sentence of 18 months in state prison. Conley ordered this federal sentence to run concurrent with the remainder of Devines state prison sentence.

La Crosse Tribune reporter Steve Rundio can be reached at steve.rundio@lee.net.

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La Crosses Dementia Friendly Community Coalition will host the citys annual Dementia Friendly Week starting June 13, designed to raise awareness and offer support.

Over 2,300 La Crosse County residents have Alzheimers disease or another form of dementia, a number expected to nearly double in the next eight years, per the National Council on Aging.

Nationwide, 80% of those with dementia are receiving care in their home, the CDC says, and Americans provide more than 17 billion hours of unpaid care. According to Kelsey Flock, dementia care specialist with the La Crosse County Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), 60% of family caregivers also have full-time jobs.

People living with dementia and their caregivers are all around us, but too often we dont see them, says Flock. They are our neighbors, friends, colleagues, customers and family members, so this is really an issue that touches all of us.

Dementia Friendly Week events will run June 13-17 and are open to the public. Those with dementia and their caregivers may experience isolation and be unaware of resources and support available for them, Flock notes, and she hopes next weeks events will highlight some of the great work thats already happening and increase understanding of dementia in La Crosse County.

Dementia Friendly Week events include:

Presentation on Advanced Directives and Essential Estate Planning, 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Monday, Black River Beach Neighborhood Center

Cognition change checks, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday, La Crosse Community Connections Center

Memory Cafe, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Holmen Community Center

Become a Dementia Friend, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Altra Federal Credit Union Operations Center, Onalaska

SPARK! Cultural Program, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Clearwater Farm, Onalaska

Performance by the Coulee Region Giving Hearts Dementia Choir, 1:30 p.m. Thursday, First Free Church, Onalaska

Discover OASIS Dementia Day Respite Program, 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., First Free Church, Onalaska

Screening of The Notebook, 9 p.m., Friday, Riverside Park

Paint the Park Purple: Alzheimers Association Awareness Night at the La Crosse Loggers, 6:05 p.m. Saturday

For more information on how to register for the presentations and a full list of events, visit www.lacrossecounty.org/adrc or call 608-785-5700.

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It will now be unlawful to perform conversion therapy on minors in the city of La Crosse after the city council adopted an ordinance Thursday night that bans the practice.

The ordinance bans any type of conversion therapy, which is a practice that affects the LGBTQ+ community by attempting to change a persons sexual orientation or gender identity, to be practiced in La Crosse on anyone under the age of 18.

The ban narrowly passed the La Crosse Common Council on a vote of 6-4, and makes La Crosse the 14th Wisconsin city to ban conversion therapy.

It feels great to be able to show that the city is truly behind this community, said council member Mac Kiel, who sponsored the legislation. Its exciting to pass something like this for our youth, and not just to protect them but to give them a voice.

Conversion therapy, which is often referred to as reparative therapy or another type of counseling, is a widely discredited practice that aims to change a persons sexual orientation or gender identity. It has been discredited and opposed by most major medical and psychological groups around the world.

A large number of studies and evidence shows that conversion therapy doesnt work because it operates under the falsehood that a persons sexual orientation or gender identity is a medical condition that can be cured or changed. Instead, conversion therapy has been proven and anecdotally reported to do more harm than good.

One study from the UCLA School of Law Williams Institute finds that lesbian, gay or bisexual individuals that have undergone conversion therapy are almost twice as likely to attempt suicide.

Other statistics shared by the Human Rights Campaign indicate that conversion therapy can be especially harmful to LGBTQ+ youth  a group of people who are already at a higher risk for mental health conditions and suicide attempts  and that when they are highly rejected by parents and caregivers they are eight times as likely to have attempted suicide and six times as likely to report high levels of depression.

A study published earlier this spring in the medical journal JAMA Pediatrics also reaffirmed that LGBTQ+ youth who underwent some type of conversion therapy experienced severe consequences compared to their peers, including serious psychological distress, depression, substance abuse and suicide.

The ban gained a lot of attention in recent days, and the council chambers were filled on Thursday with about 60 people in the audience, some of them wearing masks or shirts with the pride flag on them.

Despite the large turnout, none of the members of the public were able to speak, though comments and some cheers were heard from the crowd at times. Public hearings arent typically held at city council meetings but can be allowed with a majority vote. A motion by council member Chris Woodard to open a public hearing failed because no one seconded it.

Three council members, including Scott Neumeister who expressed his support for the ban last week, were not in attendance for the meeting, tightening the margin for votes.

Woodard joined council president Barb Janssen, and council members Doug Happel and Andrea Richmond in opposing the ban.

Both Janssen and Happel expressed that while they didnt support the practice of conversion therapy, they thought it wasnt within the citys scope to ban it.

I dont believe the city council has the authority to be managing such a thing, Janssen said.

Others disagreed, saying it was an important step for the city to take.

We can put out all of these awesome action statements and say that it might be a statewide issue. With all due respect, I feel that we have the power to protect our youth in this city, Kiel said.

Council member Chris Kahlow said, If it does nothing but help those people who are impacted and may be impacted, then we need to do that.

Some officials and community members also expressed concern over whether the ban was necessary because they werent aware that conversion therapy was being practiced in the community.

But letters from religious leaders and counselors that were submitted to the city, and conversations the Tribune has had in recent days indicates that conversion therapy is being practiced in the community, though not always labeled that way outright.

In a letter of opposition, Dave Konkol, the justice and outreach pastor at First Free Church in Onalaska, said that he would be in violation of the ban for the counseling he offers.

These ordinances infringe on freedom and take away the opportunity for people who want a path out of homosexuality, wrote Jacob Wallace, the senior pastor at River of Life Church in Onalaska, saying men and women in his parish who are attracted to the same sex often seek out help and counsel.

Pastor Andy LeFebre of Rivers Harvest Church in Onalaska wrote in his letter, I am in the conversion business as a pastor. Ive seen people with these struggles completely change.

The Tribune also spoke with one community member familiar with a La Crosse counseling practice that offers services that fall under the citys definition of conversion therapy.

Kiel noted during the meeting that conversion therapy is also likely to happen outside of a medical environment, or not with a licensed psychologist, and therefore not advertised, and that the city may become more aware of practices because of the ban.

In the days leading up to the council meeting, a wave of opposition to the ban began to mount. Since Tuesday, about 60 letters of opposition were submitted to the city, a swarm of voices that was not there the week prior. Almost half of those letters were submitted just hours before the meeting.

In the letters, many argued that banning conversion therapy infringed on religious freedoms and parental rights, though advocates pushed back on that, saying it was only meant to protect kids against abuse.

Others argued the definition of conversion therapy was too broad, saying they were worried it would ban a parents ability to seek counseling or help for their kids.

But the citys ordinance is explicit in saying it is only banning efforts to change a persons sexual orientation or gender identity.

The city specifically defines conversion therapy as any practices or treatments that seek to change a persons sexual orientation or gender identity, including psychological counseling. It also includes efforts to change a persons behavior or gender expression, or reduce attraction or feelings towards someone of the same sex.

It does not include counseling that provides support, acceptance and understanding of a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

That means an individual is still allowed to seek guidance or counseling from a religious leader, for instance, about their sexuality or gender identity, so long as there isnt an attempt to change how that person is identifying.

We are not banning the ability to have conversations, what we are banning is the very act of conversion therapy, which is very different, council member Mackenzie Mindel said.

Kiel said that placing this ban on conversion therapy may even increase the conversations.

The big reason behind this is to give them the opportunity to feel comfortable coming forward and having the conversations about that, she said.

About 50 letters of support were issued for the ban, including from the School District of La Crosse, the YWCA of La Crosse, Cia Siab, Inc. The Center: 7 Rivers LGBTQ Connection, and a number of medical and psychology professionals, in addition to other community members.

Council members on both side of the issue said that they felt the weight of the voices from the community, but said it didnt sway them either way.

The idea to ban conversion therapy in the city was first introduced by students at UW-La Crosse, who then worked with Kiel to draft the resolution.

The ban will be enforced by local law enforcement and the municipal court system, and the citys attorney Stephen Matty said that the punishment for violating the new law would range between $50 and $1,000.

Going forward, Kiel said it will be important to let the community know this practice is no longer allowed, and to educate the public  especially parents and youth  on what exactly conversion therapy is.

If you hear of something like this, then question it, look into it. The police department is here to help and see if its against this ordinance, Kiel said.

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By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

Azerbaijani and German military delegations have discussed future military cooperation, as well as regional and international security issues, Azernews reports, citing the Defense Ministry.

The discussion was held as a part of the 10th staff talks between the Defense Ministries of both countries in line with the program of bilateral military cooperation for 2022.

The meeting discussed regional and international security issues, as well as the current state and prospects for cooperation, the ministry said.

Germany recognized Azerbaijans independence on January 12, 1992, and diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on February 20, 1992. Azerbaijan opened its first embassy in western Europe, in Germany on September 2, 1992.

The countries have signed various agreements that cover different spheres of bilateral relations. The defense ministries of the two countries signed a document on military cooperation on March 9, 2006.

The trade turnover between Azerbaijan and Germany amounted to $1.2 billion in 2021. In addition, trade turnover between the two countries amounted to $145.6 million in January-February 2022.

The German-Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce (AHK Azerbaijan), as the official representative of the German economy in Azerbaijan, provides information services and supports companies in their market and business research since 2012. The AHK Azerbaijan emerged from the German-Azerbaijan Business Association (DAWF) founded in 1999. With more than 140 member companies (as of April 2020), the AHK Azerbaijan is the most powerful European economic association in Azerbaijan.
Officials will rework a new policy framework that was intended to guide the city of La Crosse in its future fossil fuel usage, after the current draft sparked concerns the language was too political.

Under the resolution, the expansion of fossil fuels in La Crosse would be limited or prevented, and instead the city would accelerate clean energy production. The La Crosse Common Council narrowly voted on Thursday to refer the decision for 30 days.

Right now, I believe that some of the wording actually creates division. And its our job to be the role models to our community to bring people along, council president Barb Janssen said.

Janssen said it should go back to committee to eliminate buzz words and words that create division, but wouldnt specify what those words were at the council meeting. She said she could provide specifics before the next council cycle started.

The legislation would not be a the final nail in the coffin for fossil fuels in La Crosse. Its instead being described as a guide for policymakers as they evaluate the use of fossil fuels for future developments such as housing and transportation.

Its specifically meant to accompany a climate action plan that will soon be coming from the citys Climate Action Plan Steering Committee, which will present actual policies on climate initiatives.

Additionally, the legislation is meant to be a renewing of the citys commitment to being carbon neutral by 2050, something opponents found unnecessary.

Im not speaking against protecting against climate change, Im speaking that we dont need this, said council member Doug Happel, who added that he felt there wasnt an immediate climate emergency because the weather looks fairly good.

Happel agreed that the language was currently too political. He said that when creating the citys original resolution for carbon neutrality in 2019, it was redrafted to remove language about the Paris Climate Accords, which made it divisive, saying similar revisions should happen with this latest legislation.

Happel also argued that limiting fossil fuels in the future could create a rise in gas prices, similar to what the country is currently experiencing.

Currently, high gas prices are due to a combination of oil producers cutting back on production because of the pandemic and new focuses on clean energy. And while prices were on the rise before Russia  the worlds largest oil producer and exporter  invaded Ukraine, the war only exacerbated the issue.

I would go so far as to say a vote in favor of this resolution technically is a vote in favor of high gas prices, Happel said.

Council member Mark Neumann, who has put climate initiatives at the front of his platform both on the city council and through his campaign for Wisconsins 3rd Congressional District, said the referral would be helpful.

It really is important that we bring the whole community forward in addressing this issue thats of such importance, Neumann said, saying bringing everyone on board will make it more effective.

The resolution will head back to the Climate Action Plan Steering Committee for a revision and eventually back to the full city council in July for another vote.

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A merger between the La Crosse and Holmen Area Fire Departments will continue through the end of the year while officials continue negotiations on whats next.

The La Crosse Common Council approved the extended contract Thursday night, which largely only shifts management between the two fire departments, and doesnt affect services.

The fire agreement will now expire on Dec. 31, connecting the fire service that is brought to the city of La Crosse, village of Holmen, and the towns of Onalaska and Holland.

Negotiations on a future, long-term joint service agreement are ongoing, officials said.

Meanwhile, the village of Holmen and town of Holland are likely to head to a referendum in the fall to decide if more money should be spent on public safety, including both police and fire.

That referendum wont determine the outcome of whether or not the merger between the LFD and HAFD continues, but it could be a factor. And the increased funding that would be approved through a referendum would help pay for whatever fire service was decided on, including a continued merger.

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The House panel investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol has firmly laid blame on Donald Trump. In Thursday's prime-time hearing, lawmakers said the siege was no accident but an attempted coup and a direct result of the defeated presidents effort to overturn the 2020 election.

Rep. Bennie Thompson, the Democrat from Mississippi, said the attack put Americas constitutional democracy at risk. Thursday's hearing showed new video and other evidence from the deadly Capitol assault.

The panel also detailed the chilling backstory as defeated President Donald Trump tried to overturn Joe Bidens 2020 election victory. Live testimony included a police officer who was pummeled in the riot and a documentary filmmaker tracking extremist Proud Boys leading the melee.

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.

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.

The House has approved a red flag bill that would allow families, police and others to ask federal courts to order the removal of firearms from people believed to be at extreme risk of harming themselves or others.

Its the Democratic-controlled chamber's latest response to U.S. mass shootings, and likely stands little chance in the Senate. Republicans criticized the bill as giving the federal government the ability to take a law-abiding persons guns without them having the ability to contest it beforehand.

Authorities say an employee opened fire at a manufacturing business in western Maryland, leaving three coworkers dead and one other critically injured before the suspect and a state trooper were wounded in a shootout.

The Washington County sheriff said the victims of Thursday's shooting and the suspect all worked at Columbia Machine Inc. in Smithsburg. Authorities say the 42-year-old suspect fled after the shooting in a vehicle and he was tracked down by Maryland State Police.

The sheriffs office says the suspect and a trooper were wounded in an exchange of gunfire. Both were being treated for their wounds.

GasBuddy reports prices have topped $5 a gallon nationally.

Benchmark U.S. crude oil for July delivery fell 60 cents to $121.51 a barrel Thursday. Brent crude for August delivery fell 51 cents to $123.07 a barrel.

President Joe Biden is trying to present a unifying vision for the Western Hemisphere as he hosts the Summit of Americas in Los Angeles. But the gathering has been wracked by divisions and absences that make it hard to bring North and South America together around shared goals on migration, the economy and climate.

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 the other coronavirus vaccines for religious reasons.

Military officials say many troops who refuse the shots cite certain COVID-19 vaccines remote connection to abortions.

Average long-term U.S. mortgage rates jumped back up ahead of next weeks Federal Reserve meeting where its expected to announce another increase to its main borrowing rate.

Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported Thursday that the 30-year rate jumped to 5.23% this week from 5.09% last week.

The brisk jump in rates, along with a sharp increase in home prices, has been pushing potential homebuyers out of the market.

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. The album contains covers of The Velvet Undergrounds Venus In Furs, the Everly Brothers ballad Let It Be Me and Marvin Gayes soul classic Whats Going On.

The Recording Academy has created a social change song award and five new categories including songwriter of the year, giving the Grammys an avenue to honor musics best composer.

The academy announced Thursday that the new non-classical songwriter category will recognize one individual who was the most prolific non-performing and non-producing songwriters for their body of new work during an eligibility year.

The four other categories include best spoken word poetry album, alternative music performance, Americana music performance and score soundtrack for video games and other interactive media. The academy created a special merit award that determines best song for social change.

The Associated Press

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A federal judge in Madison has sentenced a California man to five years in prison for his role in a money laundering scheme that cost businesses about $300,000.

U.S. District Judge William Conley sentenced Sinval De Oliveira, 49, of Torrance, on Wednesday. He pleaded guilty on March 4.

According to prosecutors, De Oliveira was part of a group that persuaded businesses to turn over their cash-on-hand to fake money couriers. De Oliveira in 2020 flew to Milwaukee where he picked up nearly $242,980 in fraudulent proceeds from co-defendants Moises Amezcua-Cardenas and Mario Amezcua-Cardenas and deposited them into a funnel account through multiple ATM deposits. The money was eventually transferred overseas.

De Oliveira, who was already on probation for another criminal offense in California at the time of this offense, received a commission for the money he laundered, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said that Conley determined the Wisconsin transactions were part of De Oliveira's larger pattern of nationwide money laundering activity, finding that he laundered more than $5.1 million in the five months surrounding the Wisconsin transactions.

The judge said it was likely that De Oliveira would be deported back to his home country of Brazil following his imprisonment.

Mario Amezcua-Cardenas was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison on May 18, and Moises Amezcua-Cardenas is scheduled for sentencing on June 17. Mario Amezcua-Cardenas and Moises Amezcua-Cardenas are brothers.

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A Dane County judge held the office of former state Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman in contempt Friday for not fully complying with a previous court order to provide public records related to Gablemans GOP-ordered review of the 2020 election.

Circuit Court Judge Frank Remington issued the contempt order after the conservative former justice refused to provide testimony in the case, brought by liberal watchdog group American Oversight. Gableman took the stand Friday ostensibly to answer questions seeking information on whether the Office of Special Counsel he heads had violated a court order to stop deleting requested documents, but instead lashed out at Remington, accusing the judge of being a partisan advocate.

Remington reminded Gableman that he was under oath to answer questions from American Oversight attorney Christa Westerberg, and not to make a speech, but Gableman refused.

You have a right to conduct and control your courtroom, judge, but you dont have a right to act as an advocate for one party over the other, Gableman said. I want a personal counsel if you are putting jail on the table. I want an attorney to represent me personally. I will not answer any more questions. I see you have a jail officer here. You want to put me in jail, Judge Remington  Im not going to be railroaded.

Gablemans heated comments came two days after Remington ordered the former justice to answer questions under oath about how his office handled requested documents related to the ongoing probe. Near the close of that Wednesday hearing, Remington cautioned Gableman and his staffer Zakory Niemierowicz to consider seeking independent legal counsel, noting that remedial sanctions for contempt could include jail time.

Niemierowicz did not attend Fridays hearing for fear of incarceration, Gablemans attorney Michael Dean said. Gablemans attorneys have described Niemierowicz as the sole legal custodian for the requested records. Niemierowicz was hired last September as an office administrator, but his title changed to chief of staff later last year, according to a transcript of Niemierowiczs Monday deposition with American Oversight filed with the court.

At no time did I suggest that that was a sanction that I intended to impose, Remington said Friday. Indeed, it was a question that was left for todays proceeding to be determined based on the evidence and the request from American Oversight.

The question of sanctions was left unanswered Friday. After finding Gablemans office in contempt for not fully and completely complying with the courts previous order to not delete requested records, Remington said he would issue a written order and sanctions at a later date.

Contempt of court is punishable by up to $2,000 in daily fines for each day the person refuses to abide by the courts order. Imprisonment is also a possible sanction and may extend as long as the person is committing the contempt or up to six months, whichever period is shorter.

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, which was launched last year by Republicans at a cost of $676,000 to taxpayers. Invoices have shown that ongoing court battles surrounding the review have pushed the cost to nearly $900,000.

Remington on Friday denied similar motions by American Oversight to hold Vos and the state Assembly in contempt.

American Oversight senior adviser Melanie Sloan said in a statement following the hearing that Gablemans outrageous and disrespectful conduct in court today removed any last shred of credibility from this partisan charade.

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  including those that may have been deleted  between Gableman and his staff, which American Oversight attorneys say constitute contractor records that are subject to the states open records law.

Both Remington and Dane County Circuit Judge Valerie Bailey-Rihn have previously ordered Gableman to stop deleting records that may be responsive to American Oversights 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 in October determined that deleting such records, even by a state contractor like Gableman, violates state law.

Records deleted

Speaking with reporters after Fridays hearing, Gableman said all requested documents have been provided to American Oversight but reaffirmed that his office has regularly deleted both physical and digital records.

Of course we followed the law, but the law does not mean that I have to keep every scrap of paper with some writing on it if there is no relevant open records request that was submitted at the time, Gableman said.

Westerberg told reporters on Friday some records still have not been produced, including contracts for Gablemans staffers Andrew Kloster, a former Trump administration official who has falsely claimed the election was stolen from the former president, and Carol Matheis, a California attorney who has worked with the Federalist Society.

Niemierowicz said in his deposition that he and several of those working in the Office of Special Counsel, including Gableman, also communicate using Signal, an app that allows for the immediate deletion of messages.

An October memo prepared by Legislative Council deputy director Dan Schmidt indicated that the states public records law generally applies to records created or maintained by Gablemans office.

State lawmakers are exempt from Wisconsins record retention law, allowing them to regularly delete records, though requested documents must be retained if they exist at the time of a formal request. Schmidt wrote in the memo that such an exemption does not apply to Gableman.

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 the lie that there was 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.

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By Trend

A civilian of Armenian origin, having crossed into the territory controlled by the Azerbaijani military was handed over to the Armenian side, Coordinator of the Information Center for Azerbaijani Captives and Hostages Ahmad Shahidov told Trend.

According to him, the 69-year-old man was repatriated at around 12:00 (GMT+4) on June 9, 2022.
By Azernews

By Vugar Khalilov

Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Khalaf Khalafov and his Tajikistani counterpart Sodik Imomi have discussed cooperation in political, socio-economic, humanitarian areas, as well as economic relations, Azernews reports, citing the ministry.

The discussion took place as part of the political consultations marking the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the report elaborated.

The sides addressed the present status of relations, opportunities for expanding cooperation in political, socio-economic, humanitarian, and other areas of mutual interest, and shared opinions on the current development and future prospects of trade and economic relations.

In this regard, the importance of the activities of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission between Azerbaijan and Tajikistan in terms of developing economic relations was highlighted.

Khalafov briefed the guest on the new regional realities that emerged following the 44-day war in 2020, as well as the restoration and reconstruction work carried out in Azerbaijan's regions liberated from Armenian control. He spoke on the country's efforts to guarantee the dignified return of IDPs to their homes while ensuring long-term peace and security in the region.

The deputy minister underlined that work is underway to unblock transport and communication lines, and the Zangazur corridor, as a reality of the post-conflict period, has created new opportunities for Central Asian countries, including Tajikistan.

In turn, Imomi emphasized that positive dynamics have been observed in bilateral relations based on centuries-old sincere friendship and brotherhood between the two countries. He noted that over the past 30 years significant progress has been made in advancing relations in various fields of cooperation and Tajikistan has always supported Azerbaijan's territorial integrity during this period.

Imomi stated that Tajikistan is interested in learning about Azerbaijan's best practices, particularly in the oil industry sector and technology parks. Commending Azerbaijans support for educating young professionals, he recalled that Tajik citizens study in Azerbaijan on the basis of quotas in various educational institutions.

The sides exchanged views on cooperation between Azerbaijan and Tajikistan within international organizations, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The two men stressed the importance of the mechanism of political consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries, as well as the continuation of mutual visits and meetings.
American farmers are having crop production problems at a time when many countries are facing a food crisis.

The United States is the world's fourth-largest wheat exporter.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February stopped shipments of nearly a third of the world's wheat exports. Little has gone right for wheat supplies since then.

Concerns about food supplies have increased because of worsening harvest possibilities in China and parts of Europe. In addition to that, major producer India has banned wheat exports because of a bad spring harvest there.

The United Nations has warned the effect of the war on grains, oils, fuel and fertilizer could result in hunger for millions of people.

Drought in some areas; wet conditions in others

The U.S. government has been calling on American farmers to plant more winter wheat this autumn. The government said it also would permit planting on some environmentally sensitive land beginning this autumn. But a drought and costly farm materials could limit production gains, grain experts say.

There are two wheat crops in the United States: spring wheat and winter wheat. Both are in trouble.

In the southern U.S. Plains, winter wheat farmers have received very little rain and are concerned about the size of their harvest.

Kansas farmers may not harvest thousands of hectares of wheat in fields this year because of drought damage.

Extremely wet spring weather in the northern U.S. Plains will also likely reduce crop production this year.

In North Dakota, a big April storm left the state's large fields under more than 1 meter of snow in some areas, causing floods as the snow melted.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says farmers have only planted 49 percent of planned spring wheat as of May 22.

North Dakota produces about half of the U.S. spring wheat. There, growers have planted just 27 percent of their crop, the second lowest amount in around 40 years.

"Some farmers have not turned a wheel yet," said North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring. He added that if farmers are not able to plant a lot of crops quickly, the effects on the world market could be bad.

Giving up on the harvest?

A private group visiting wheat fields in Kansas in mid-May predicted more fields than normal might go unharvested because of drought damage.

About six percent of the state's planted hectares would be abandoned, the latest USDA estimates suggest. But given the drought damage, Kansas State University wheat expert Romulo Lollato thinks the abandonment rate could be higher.

In neighboring Colorado, abandonment could top 30 percent, Colorado Wheat Executive Director Brad Erker told tour participants.

"Wheat yields are affected by weather in May, and we've had a really dry May," said Kansas farmer Vance Ehmke.

Corn and soybeans

U.S. wheat production has been decreasing because farmers have been planting more corn and soybeans. These crops can produce more profit. Seed science also has increased yields by 30 percent or more since 2000. Wheats yield has increased only six percent.

As the planting period in the northern Plains narrows, North Dakota farmers are considering other plans. These include changing to soybeans, which can be planted later in the spring. Another possibility is to fill out documents for crop insurance claims to limit farm losses.

"It's pretty tempting to file those claims," North Dakota farmer Dwight Grotberg said. "Once you get into June, you might be lucky to get half a crop. And with costs as high as they are, that's hard to stomach."

Im John Russell.

Karl Plume reported on this story for Reuters. John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English.

____________________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

fertilizer  n. a substance (such as manure or a special chemical) that is added to soil to help the growth of plants

drought  n. a long period of time during which there is very little or no rain

abandon  v. to stop doing or having (something) : to give up (something) completely; to leave and never return to (someone who needs protection or help)

yield  n. the amount of something that is produced by a plant, farm

insurance n. an agreement in which a person makes regular payments to a company (sometimes a government) and the company promises to pay money if the person experiences a business loss, such as the loss of crops

tempting adj. having a desire to do something

hard to stomach  expression difficult to accept or do something
Authorities have released the name of a motorcyclist killed in a crash on Highway 20 near Burnt Woods late last month.
Editors Note: This is the last of a multi-part series about Don Magnusons service as an airman in World War II and the letters he wrote home, now compiled into a book by his sons.

Homecoming

Don Magnuson had completed 50 bombing missions with the 459th Bombing Group.

In doing so he had been a part of multiple missions to dangerous targets such as Odertal, Germany or Ploiesti, Romania, helped get an aircraft down safely after being shot full of 20 mm cannon holes and survived a plane crash into the Adriatic Sea that left one of his crew dead.

He completed his 50th mission on Sept. 13, 1944. During his time, he had earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, Soldiers Medal, Air Medal, Purple Heart and European Theater Operations medal.

I wish I could give you some idea as to when we might leave here for home, but I havent any idea, Don wrote to his parents on Sept. 19, So far I havent had to fly once since I finished up, even though they scheduled me a few times. The missions were called off, or the schedule got changed.

Don seemed to be dreaming of getting his hands on food better than what he had been eating for the past several months. I should get home about in time to get a little pheasant hunting done. Oh, meat on the table.

On September 23, Dons mother, Margaret, wrote to her son, I was so glad to get your letter telling us that you had completed your missions. It made us a happy family for we were rejoicing right along with you. I think some of my tension let down right then.

She continued, I will be very glad to have you home on furlough, but just so you are safe wherever you are is what I wish most. The thought of the missions seems more dangerous than anything else.

Don recalled two weeks after completing his last mission he was transferred to a holding area for servicemen who would be waiting to head home. He said their holding area was Italian dictator Benito Mussolinis former race track in the town of Naples.

Instead of having to take a boat home, Don was selected to be able to fly back to the states, a special recognition for him due to his achievements during his service time.

Don boarded a C-54 transport aircraft and was flown from Naples to Oran, Algeria; he then traveled by land to Casablanca in Morocco. The next leg of the trip was to the Azores Islands and then the long hop across the Atlantic Ocean to the Bermuda islands.

Finally, he landed in Miami, just over five months after Crew 77 took off in their B-24, bound for the air war.

Don was ordered to Fort Levenworth, Kan. and then was able to travel back to Lexington for a two week furlough. He then had to report to the Santa Monica Redistribution Station for reassignment back to duty.

Following five months of war and 50 air missions, Don said most of the returning airman had lost weight and had other health issues. Don noted his blood pressure was high and he was sent to Santa Anna Air Base Hospital to recuperate. He noted this place was one hundred percent the opposite of how we lived in Italy.

On Dec. 4, Dons mother wrote to him, Im really glad they havent assigned you to something already and Im glad they are sending you to a rest camp. Id say you need a rest too. People seem to think youve done enough already and shouldnt go into anything hard anymore.

The war in Europe ended on May 7, 1945 after German dictator Adolf Hitlers suicide and Red Army troops conquering and occupying Berlin.

Don was honorably discharged from the Army Air Corp on July 21, 1945.

Eight days after his discharge, Don married his high school sweetheart, Gail McKee, on July 29, 1945 at Buffalo Grove Presbyterian Church.

Dons later career was in hybrid seed sales and sales management spanning 40 years, and included Cornhusker Hybrids, DeKalb and Agripro seed companies.

Don was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

At the age of 97, Don died on Aug. 5, 2018, only 15 days after Gail died on July 21.

The book, Letters Home: An American Airmans World War II Memoirs  1943-1945, that was put together by Don and Gails sons, Paul and Jim, was made available to the Lexington Public Library, the Dawson County Historical Museum and several copies were delivered to the Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles, which are free after a donation of $5.
LEXINGTON  Governor Pete Ricketts touted the tax breaks made during the recent Legislative session during a town hall meeting in Lexington on Wednesday, June 8.

The event was hosted at the Lexington Public Library.

Ricketts started by offering the context by which the Nebraska Legislature was operating in this session, stating that Nebraska has been dealing with the after effects of the 2019 historic flooding and the COVID-19 that impacted the area in 2020.

He said during this time, Nebraskans did what they have always done, they helped each other.

At the state level, Ricketts said they took a balanced approach to the COVID-19 pandemic, by slowing the spread of the virus, kept children in classrooms, kept the mortality rate down and kept people at work.

We came through the pandemic in a very strong way, he said.

Ricketts cited a study by Politico that gave Nebraska high marks in pandemic response considering health, economy, well-being and education.

The study noted, Overall, rural states tended to fare better than more urbanized states on economic and educational outcomes. Many rural states, despite being less densely populated, ranked poorly in health outcomes, however.

If every category were given equal weight  which assumes each priority was of equivalent importance, a policy choice in itself  the top scorer overall would be Nebraska, with an average of 73 out of 100, despite scoring below the national average in the social well-being category, according to the Politico article.

Ricketts moved on to speaking about the most recent legislative session.

Ricketts said that he feels this past Legislative session will, go down in history as the finest, if not the finest in the Unicameral history, because of the amount of things that got accomplished.

There were four efforts that Ricketts highlighted; the first was tax relief, which he called, truly historic. He said LB 873 included property tax relief, tax relief for seniors and income tax relief. He said this package is 12 times bigger than any tax relief package than passed in any previous administration.

Some have questioned who exactly will benefit from this tax relief.

Rebecca Firestone, executive director of the Open Sky Policy Institute , non-partisan organization that advocates for Nebraska clear fiscal research and analysis wrote, The tax bill itself contains a series of provisions including personal and corporate income tax cuts that will primarily benefit the wealthy and out-of-state corporations. The measure also included tax cuts to property owners but not to renters and a Social Security tax cut that will primarily go to wealthy retirees.

However, Senator Dan Hughes who represents District 44, of which Dawson and Gosper County are a part of after redistricting, disagreed with this assessment.

You hear a lot in the papers that is just tax cuts for the rich, Hughes said, that is absolutely, patently not true; it is tax relief for every Nebraskan who pays income tax and property tax.

The other area Ricketts highlighted was public safety and law enforcement, he said money was set aside for the Nebraska State Penitentiary, appropriates were made for the Grand Island law enforcement training center so capacity could be expanded and $16 million was made available at the Nebraska State Patrol crime lab and LB 1241 allowed for out of state law officers to come and work in Nebraska.

I cannot think of another time that the legislature has invested more in public safety and law enforcement, Ricketts said.

The third effort Ricketts spoke about was water resources.

One of these efforts was a Perkins County canal, a priority bill by Senator Hughes. This will allow the state to build a canal from the South Platte River in Colorado to a reservoir system in Nebraska.

Ricketts cited the compact signed between Nebraska and Colorado in 1923, which states that Colorado has to deliver 120 cubic feet per second of water during the irrigation season, April through October.

To get the water during the non-irrigation season, Ricketts said that the canal project is necessary because Nebraska has no legal right to the water during the off season.

Ricketts said Colorado has passed laws that will give Nebraska no more water than they are legally entitled to. He noted Colorado is making these moves because of the population of the Rocky Mountain Front Range is growing so fast.

He said the canal system wont get Nebraska more water, but says it will protect that water we are already receiving.

Ricketts also noted the STARWARS project; this is investments in water resources in Nebraska that will create more amenities. This includes the proposal to build a 36,000 acre lake between Omaha and Lincoln.

The last thing Ricketts highlighted was what was done with the American Rescue Plan Act funds, (ARPA.) The stimulus funds given to Nebraska were appropriated by the legislature for a variety of projects including monies for community colleges, state colleges, tuition reimbursement for nurses and those in behavior health, meat processors, housing, workforce development, etc.

Ricketts said any one of the major actions of the legislature would have been historic by themselves, he said that the fact that all four that he highlighted were passed in a short 60 day session. He again characterized it as, truly remarkable and truly historic.
COZAD  In honor of the 175th anniversary the Mormons set out for Utah, a group is following in their ancestors footsteps, or perhaps, more accurately, their wagon tracks. They passed through Dawson County on June 7 and 8.

Joe and Marcyne Blythe, a Utah couple, are riding in a covered wagon from Illinois to Utah, following the path that the Mormon settlers took on their way to Utah.

Their wagon, named The Trail Dreamer, is fashioned after the prairie schooners used by the pioneers. Their wagon is pulled by two mules, Doc and Roxy. Their friend, Bret Durrant, serves as outrider.

Riding behind them in a support vehicle were Collin and Lilli Homer. Like Durrant, the Homers live near Boise, Idaho.

The Blythes, who live in Genola, Utah, decided five years ago they were going to travel the Mormon Trail. All five people making the trip are Mormons.

They began their journey last September in Nauvoo, Ill. It was the 175th anniversary of the Mormons leaving Nauvoo, Blythe said. They rode their wagon from Sept. 6 through Sept. 22, ending at the Mormons winter quarters in the Florence neighborhood in Omaha, according to the Grand Island Independent.

Blythe has about eight ancestors buried at the winter quarters in Florence.

This year is the 175th anniversary of the Mormons arrival in Utah. So on May 23, they started up again in Florence.

The group covers 22 to 25 miles a day. They chose mules over horses because mules are sturdy and handle the heat better, Blythe said.

Theyll arrive in Salt Lake City on July 24, which is celebrated as Pioneer Day in Utah. Thats when the Mormons entered the valley, Blythe said.

Marcyne is documenting their trip on Facebook. On Day 15 of their trip they traveled 24.5 miles along Highway 30 and left Kearney on Monday and were able to stay at the Brennan farm near Elm Creek on Tuesday. They had to endure the severe weather that passed through the area.

Winds were rocking the horse trailer. Rain was coming down so hard it sounded like hail. I was worried about the animals, she said.

On Day 16, Wednesday, they crossed into Dawson County.

There were many people taking pictures and video along the way. I'm starting to think The Trail Dreamer is the most photographed wagon in the world, she wrote.

Found a place called Busy Bone Butcher in Darr. We're treating ourselves to ribeye steaks tonight, Marcyne said.

The Mormon Trail is a 1,300 mile long route from Illinois to Utah that the Mormons traveled for three months.

Under the leadership of Joseph Smith, the founder of Mormonism and the Latter Day Saint movement, they had established several communities throughout the eastern United States, most notably Nauvoo, Ill.

However, conflict with other settlers led the Mormons to be driven out of their communities. This included the actions of Missouri Governor Lilburn Boggs, who issued Missouri Executive Order 44, which called for the "extermination" of all Mormons in Missouri. Mormons were finally forced to abandon Nauvoo in 1846.

After Smiths death at the hands of a mob in 1844, his successor, Brigham Young, took around 14,000 Mormon citizens to find a new home in the West, where they eventually settled in the Salt Lake Valley in Utah.
OVERTON  A lone rider gallops away on a fresh horse, saddle bags securely fitted as both set off toward the west. It could just as easily be a scene from 1860, but in 2022, it was the scene of the Pony Express Re-Ride passing through Dawson and the surrounding counties as they commemorate those who rode in 1860.

The Pony Express was a private mail service which used horse mounted riders to transport messages, newspapers and mail in a dramatic attempt to capture a federal mail contract, according to the National Pony Express Association, NPEA.

Operated by the Central Overland California and Pikes Peak Express Company, the Pony Express was in service from April 1860 to October 1861. Riders relayed message between St. Joseph, Mo. and Sacramento, Calif.

While it was operating, the Pony Express managed to reduce the travel time from the Atlantic Coast to the Pacific Coast in about 10 days and was considered the most direct means of east-west communication for a time.

This was accomplished by 40 riders in the saddle at a time in each direction, 190 stations located along the route were maintained by 400 station keepers.

Riders were paid $25 a week, no small sum of money in 1860. They rode 10 to 15 miles before changing horses and 75 miles before being relieved, according to the NPEA.

Ironically, for all the fame surrounding the Pony Express, the mail service only lasted 18 months, with the introduction of the transcontinental telegraph, the need for the service dried up almost immediately.

Despite this the Pony Express has endured as a lasting symbol of the American West and has become romanticized over the years.

Famous advertisements allegedly read, Wanted: Young, skinny, wiry fellows not over 18. Must be expert riders, willing to risk death daily. Orphans preferred, have added to the luster surrounding this short lived mail service.

What seems to be the most enduring aspect of the Pony Express is its symbolism of rugged American individualism during frontier times and what the lengths people would go to find a solution to a problem.

Today there is a group dedicated to keeping this spirit alive, the NPEA is an all-volunteer historical organization whose purpose is to identify, re-establish and mark the original Pony Express trail from St. Joseph Missouri through Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and into California.

In the mid-1960s, a group of California horse and trail enthusiasts came together to do re-enactments of the Pony Express and in 1977 the NPEA was founded. Each year they did rides which extended farther east and by 1980, they were riding and carrying mail the entire 2,000 miles of the trail.

The annual re-ride takes place each June, on even numbered years, they travel east, and on odd numbered years they go west. The re-ride this year is a 10 day event, which started on June 6 in St. Joseph, Mo., and will end on June 16 in Sacramento, Calif.

Over 750 riders participate in the event and carry the mail day and night, 24 hours a day, until the mail reaches the destination, according to the NPEA.

The re-ride this year stopped at the intersection of Road 444 and 748, south of Overton, to switch riders.

The mail was passed off to Natasha Emil who set off on her four-year-old mare, who would travel for several miles heading west. It then would be passed off to Stephanie Wolf and her daughter, Caty, who rode her 17-year-old mare, Janet.

The re-ride would continue on to Cozad at the city park, then onto 96 Ranch southeast of Gothenburg.
By Trend

There are many areas in which Turkiye and Venezuela can increase collaboration, including trade, energy, mining, construction, health and tourism, the Turkish President said Wednesday, Trend reports citing Daily Sabah.

Addressing a joint press conference after talks with his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro in the capital Ankara, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: Our trade volume with Venezuela was about $150 million in 2019. We doubled it by 2020 and took it up to $850 million (TL 14.5 billion) in 2021. He added that Turkiye's aim is to boost the figure to $3 billion in the near future.

Ankara will keep making efforts to enhance bilateral relations with Caracas, the president asserted.

He said that Turkiye has "always supported Venezuela and will continue to do so in the future."

Both sides, he said, have the will to take bilateral relations to "the next level."

As part of continuing efforts to improve bilateral ties, Erdogan said a Turkish government delegation will be heading to Venezuela next month.

Maduro, meanwhile, lauded Turkiye's growing global influence, saying the country plays a "very important" geopolitical role in the world.

The two leaders also oversaw the signing of three tourism, agriculture and economic agreements before the joint press conference.




By Trend

Space X launched a Falcon 9 carrier rocket to deliver the Egyptian Nilesat 301 communications satellite to the orbit on Wednesday, according to a live broadcast on the US companys website, Trend reports citing TASS.

The carrier rocket blasted off a launch site at Cape Canaveral in Florida at 05:04 p.m. EDT (00:04 on Thursday Moscow time) to place the Egyptian satellite weighing roughly 4.1 tonnes into geostationary orbit, which lies about 35,800 kilometers above Earth.

The Falcon 9's first stage came back to Earth, touching down on the SpaceX droneship Just Read the Instructions in the Atlantic Ocean. This first stage was previously used in six launches.
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.
A Dane County company that is the largest supplier of smoked Gouda in the country has been sold.

Borgman Capital, a Milwaukee-based private equity firm, has announced it has purchased Dairyfood USA and will merge the Blue Mounds company with Gilman Cheese Corp. The move will allow Gilman Cheese, located in Taylor County in northwestern Wisconsin and with 184 employees, to offer an expanded product mix and production capacity to its customers around the world, Borgman officials said.

Dairyfood USA, its roots established in 1953 and with 149 employees, produces private label products including smoked links and loaves, snack wedges, portion-control cups, dips and spreads, cut bars, and non-dairy products. Products are also sold under house brand names such as Glacier Ridge Farms, Queso de Casa and Sonoma Jacks. The companys customers include retail, food service, airlines and gift pack suppliers.

Throughout the selling process, it became distinctly obvious that Borgman Capital was the right choice to lead Dairyfood USA in its next chapter. The professionalism, honesty and genuine respect for our team and culture is what set them apart from other buyers, Daniel Culligan, president and CEO of Dairyfood USA said in a statement. I am confident that the future is extremely bright for Dairyfood USA and Gilman Cheese.

Borgman Capital acquired Gilman Cheese Corp. in February 2019. Following Culligans planned retirement, Gilman president David Delgado will oversee integration of the organization alongside Dairyfood USA and Gilman management teams, said Sequoya Borgman, founder and managing director of Borgman Capital.

Based in downtown Milwaukee, Borgman Capital is focused on lower-middle market companies in the Midwest. Its portfolio includes Lift Products Inc., a manufacturer of ergonomic industrial equipment; Solution Dynamics, a national distributor of warehouse, storage and industrial equipment; AscendTek, a parent company for the regional operations that provide project management to maintain, service and construct telecommunications infrastructure; and Southeastern Meats, which specializes in frozen meats, vegetables, sandwiches and bakery products.

Dairyfood USA has European roots. It started as Stauffer Cheese in 1953 after Alex Stauffer, who owned a processed cheese company in Hungary, escaped from the Soviet-occupied country and settled in Blue Mounds. It was purchased by a large Austrian dairy co-op in 1982 and was renamed Lactoprot USA in 1995.

After the Artax group purchased it in 1998, it changed its name to Dairyfood USA in 2007 to better reflect the companys expanding focus on consumer products. Culligan, who joined the company at about the same time Artax bought it, previously worked for a sausage company as vice president in charge of sales and marketing.

There is no doubt that Wisconsin is blessed with a large number of artisanal cheese producers. Fortunately, there will always be a demand for extended-life cheese products, due to concerns of handling issues for natural products, increased merchandising and marketing opportunities, Culligan told the Wisconsin State Journal in 2017. Dairyfoods goal is to produce cheese products that replicate the flavor and texture of natural cheese, but require less concern of handling, improved melting functionality and the extra margin of safety associated with the methodology we employ in production.

That year, Culligan said his company processed about 10 million pounds of smoked Gouda annually. The company doesnt make its own cheese but instead buys it in bulk from producers in the Upper Midwest and processes it into its products, most of which are sold under other companies brands.

The addition of Dairyfood USA further diversifies Borgmans portfolio and further bolsters Gilman Cheese.

We are excited about the synergies and growth opportunities ahead, Borgman said. We are proud to bring together two leading cheese processors in our home state and continue to support the communities of Blue Mounds and Gilman.

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Two chefs well known in Madison to those who love Mediterranean food opened a restaurant June 6 in Middleton.

Mohammad Hinnawi, who had the Nile restaurant on Odana Road for nine years, and Sabi Atteyih, who owned the former Casbah Restaurant and Lounge on East Main St., off the Capitol Square, from 1999 until 2007, opened Taza, at 1900 Cayuga St.

Taza, which means "fresh" in Arabic, is in what used to be Compadres Mexican restaurant.

It was Atteyih who brought Hinnawi to Madison from Chicago 30 years ago to work for his mother at Lulu's on Old University Avenue. Hinnawi was a chef and manager there for 20 years until the property got redeveloped.

Hinnawi said that Taza has the same menu as the Nile, which he sold in June 2020 because of COVID-19. New owners ran it as the Nile at first and then changed the name to Petra Bakery & Restaurant.

"No people wanted to work and I couldn't handle it by myself," said Hinnawi, who also had knee surgery then which made it so he couldn't be on his feet for six months.

Taza is open seven days a week with Atteyih, 58, covering for Hinnawi, 57, on his days off.

Hinnawi said Taza is not much different from the Nile. "Just the location is. There's nothing really different."

He said he didn't use the Nile name because although it's no longer in use, he sold it with the former restaurant.

Both Hinnawi and Atteyih are Palestinian. Hinnawi, who was born in Jerusalem, came as a refugee from Aman, Jordan, to Chicago in December 1989. He came to Madison in 1992 after Atteyih took out a newspaper ad in Chicago looking for a chef. Hinnawi had been a baker. "We're partners now," Hinnawi said.

"Mo and I are brothers from different mothers basically because of the long time that we worked at Lulu's," said Atteyih, adding that he was recruiting chefs in Chicago when he found Hinnawi.

Atteyih said he worked with others he found in Chicago with mixed results. "Some lasted a month, some lasted a year, but he lasted a couple of decades... We couldn't get rid of him. And I know we didn't want to get rid of him."

Lulu's opened in 1984 and Atteyih's mother, Khayreia Ashkar, took it over upon her business partner's death, Atteyih said. "In 1992, when I met Mo, we were basically learning as we went. None of us was culinarily educated... We learned some cooking from mom and were able to transform Lulu's at the time to what became a new genre of food."

Before Lulu's, he said, there was no Mediterranean or Middle Eastern food in Madison. "We take pride in being the pioneers, bringing food such as Lulu's did in 1984."

After closing the Casbah, Atteyih worked as a distribution manager for the Wisconsin Union and in the Union's commissary kitchen. He was also the chef for Saffron, a Mediterranean street food restaurant the Union used to run in the Wisconsin Institutes for Discovery.

Taza is open Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The telephone number is 608-203-8282. Atteyih said they should have a website with online ordering soon.

Atteyih said they're talking with a recent Iraqi immigrant to do deliveries so they don't have to contract with a third-party delivery service.

Read more restaurant news at: go.madison.com/restaurants

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By Azernews

By Laman Ismayilova

Australian F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo is looking forward to the 2022 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Speaking to McLaren's media team in their weekend preview piece, Daniel Ricciardo praised Baku Circuit, Azernews reports per Racingnews365.

"I'm a big fan of the Baku Circuit, it has some exciting features and it's always a fun battle heading into Turn 1, where you often end up with three cars running side by side. There's a couple of different ways we can play it strategy-wise this weekend but track position for lights out on Sunday will be important, even with the overtaking opportunities the longest straight on the calendar offers," said Daniel Ricciardo.

"There's always an element of unpredictability at street circuits so Im ready to take advantage of any opportunities that come my way. Whilst Monaco wasn't quite what I wanted it to be, I'm feeling confident that we can keep pushing ahead and make the most of this weekend. Well done Baku!", he added.

Notably, the 2022 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix will take place at the Baku City Circuit on June 10-12.

There will also be certain changes in the timing of the races within the 2022 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. F1 racing will be held in Azerbaijan until 2024.
THURSDAY, June 9, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- The omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 are spreading rapidly in the United States, but it is not yet clear if they will trigger a new wave of infections or a surge in hospitalizations and deaths, experts say.

The subvariants now account for 13 percent of new coronavirus cases nationwide compared with 7.5 percent a week ago and 1 percent in early May, according to new estimates released Tuesday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That suggests that BA.4 and BA.5 could outcompete two other omicron subvariants, BA.2 and BA.2.12.1, which together account for the most cases at the moment, Denis Nash, Ph.D., of the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy in New York City, told The New York Times.

The subvariants have become common in parts of the Southern United States. In the region composed of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas, BA.4 and BA.5 account for more than one in five infections, The Times reported.

Despite widespread immunity to the coronavirus, South Africa experienced a surge of cases in April and May that were fueled by BA.4 and BA.5. However, that wave was not as large as previous ones and deaths did not increase as steeply, Jeffrey Shaman, Ph.D., an infectious disease epidemiologist at Columbia University in New York City, told The Times.

But if the United States echoes South Africa's surge -- which is not certain -- the wave might be more modest than previous ones and cause smaller increases in hospitalizations and deaths, Nash suggested.

Originally published on consumer.healthday.com, part of the TownNews Content Exchange.
CROWN POINT  Two teenagers in their caps and gowns returned fire Sunday after a man in dark clothing began shooting at them, leaving two people wounded as a result of the shootout and causing others to duck for cover behind vehicles, court records state.

Joshua J. Hughes, 17, was charged Thursday as an adult in the shooting Sunday outside the U.S. Steel Yard following a graduation ceremony for more than 200 West Side Leadership Academy students.

Two Lake County sheriff's officers working security at the graduation spotted Hughes and another teen, identified in court records as Calob Hughes, 16, at the southeast side of the stadium and ordered them to lie facedown because they had guns, Lake Criminal Court records state.

A Glock 19 with a 30-round magazine, which still had six live rounds inside, was found on Joshua Hughes, according to court documents.

A Glock 19 with a 31-round magazine, which still had 10 live rounds inside. was recovered from Calob Hughes, records state.

Joshua Hughes, who will turn 18 this week, previously was adjudicated in December 2021 in Lake Criminal Court as a delinquent child for dangerous possession of a firearm, according to court records.

He had not yet made an initial appearance before a Lake Criminal Court magistrate on charges of dangerous possession of a firearm and criminal recklessness, both level 5 felonies.

His bond was set at $50,000 surety or $5,000 cash. If convicted of a level 5 felony, Hughes could face a possible sentence of one to six years.

Another teen, identified as a 16-year-old by the Lake County prosecutor's office, remained charged in Lake Juvenile Court with dangerous possession of a firearm and criminal recklessness.

Gary police were still searching for the man in dark clothing who was shooting at the teens, Cmdr. Jack Hamady said.

The man, who was wearing black pants and a black hoodie, fled south on Maryland Street from East Fifth Avenue after the shooting. Police are asking anyone with photos or video of the shooting to come forward.

Another man, a 20-year-old from Hammond, was arrested the night of the shooting but released earlier this week without being charged, police said.

A 19-year-old Gary man was shot in the chest, and a 19-year-old Gary woman suffered a graze wound to her lower right leg.

There was no indication in court records that the two victims were involved in the altercation between Hughes and the man in dark clothing.

Police could be seen collecting multiple spent shell casings from the sidewalk and parking lot on the southeast side of the stadium, where the two were arrested, and on the south side of East Fifth Avenue in the intersection with Maryland Street.

Police were analyzing ballistics evidence in the case, Hamady said.

The night of the shooting, Gary Mayor Jerome Prince vowed to use all available law enforcement resources to bring whomever was responsible to justice.

"It's infuriating to me to hear of violence and injuries on a special night for our young people and their families," Prince said. "I pray for a full and speedy recovery for anyone who was injured."

Gary Community School Corp. manager Paige McNulty said in a statement released Monday the disruptions of a few overshadowed a special moment for all of the graduates, most of whom conducted themselves "in an excellent manner."

"A day that was meant for celebration has now been marked by tragedy through senseless acts of gun violence," McNulty said. "Our prayers are with those injured, and we continue to extend our congratulations to WSLA graduates. They deserve it."

Times staff writer Annie Mattea contributed to this report.
A near-fatal shooting last year at a city homeless shelter for men may have been the product of upset and frustration, a Dane County judge said, but it was indescribably awful and out of line, and deserved a 10-year prison sentence.

Circuit Judge Mario White said its clear that Ronald E. Stephens, 24, of Madison, who never had a criminal conviction until the attempted homicide, was denied all of the treatment opportunities he should have had as a child and young adult, for mental illness and a life spent in the foster-care system, where he was victimized.

But when he shot Ronnie Ballard three times at close range on March 22, 2021, inside the temporary shelter in the former city Fleet Services Building, 200 N. First St., White said, it was more than someone getting upset and lashing out.

A criminal complaint states the shooting, captured on video, was prompted by Ballard taunting Stephens about carrying a gun.

This was not proportional, White said. It was out of line. This could have been a homicide. But for mere centimeters in one direction or another, this would be a homicide.

And because police were already on the scene dealing with an intoxicated person, White told Stephens you put yourself in grave danger. You could have been shot.

Both Assistant District Attorney Dan Hess and Stephens attorney, Reed Cornia, agreed to seek the 10-year prison sentence that White ultimately handed down. Cornia asked for slightly less than the 10 years of extended supervision sought by Hess and ultimately imposed by White.

In security videos of the incident played in court Friday, a commotion could be heard off camera. A short flight of wooden stairs leads up to the back of an open box truck inside the garage where the shelter is set up. Stephens could be seen coming down the stairs, followed seconds later by Ballard. Stephens then turned and fired the gun at Ballard, who fell, and Stephens then fired again at Ballard as he lay on the floor.

Hess said that after being shot, Ballard was trying to play dead so that Stephens wouldnt shoot him again.

Afterward, the video shows, Stephens went toward the area where the police were located and said loudly that he wasnt going to shoot anyone else. As he dropped the gun, a shot could be heard fired by an officer. Stephens turned and ran in the other direction, and ultimately went to Milwaukee where, with his brother, he surrendered to police, Cornia said.

Cornia said Stephens has struggled with mental health, was not taking his medication and was using drugs and alcohol before the shooting. He was bullied at the shelter, Cornia said, and went after Ballard.

I think he just snapped based on that, Cornia said. He said hes hoping that once Stephens is evaluated at Dodge Correctional Institution, the first stop for male inmates in Wisconsin, he will be housed at the Wisconsin Resource Center in Winnebago, which provides mental health treatment services to state prison inmates.

Stephens told White the incident never would have happened if he hadnt been using drugs and alcohol.

I regret what I did, he said. I feel remorse.

He said hes had nightmares about the shooting.

I didnt have no control, he said. I was not in the right mindset when that happened.

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A man was arrested after attacking people at two West Side businesses on Thursday night, Madison police reported.

Shortly before 8:45 p.m. Thursday, police were sent to Walgreens, 606 S. Whitney Way, on a report of a disturbance involving two people, Lt. Jennifer Hannah said in a statement.

Officers learned that it was a random attack and then another caller reported that the assailant took off running across Whitney Way from the Walgreens toward Hy-Vee, 675 S. Whitney Way, Hannah said.

A short time later, a caller at Hy-Vee reported that the assailant was physically attacking random people in that store, Hannah said.

Officers went to Hy-Vee and arrested the unidentified assailant on tentative charges of at least one count of substantial battery, four counts of simple battery, and damage to property, Hannah said.

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WAUKESHA  A jury has convicted a North Dakota man of shooting two Wisconsin police officers at a Delafield hotel in November 2020.

Nathanael Benton, 25, was found guilty Thursday of first-degree attempted homicide, reckless endangerment and being a felon in possession of a firearm after a three-day trial, The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

Body camera footage shows Benton shooting Delafield Officer Michael Henning and Hartland Officer Matthew Seeger at the Delafield Holiday Inn in November 2020. Both officers survived their wounds.

Benton testified during the trial that he had shot someone in Fargo a week earlier, fled to Indiana and was on his way back to North Dakota with a friend and another person when he stopped in Delafield. Officers responding to a hit-and-run in the area questioned his group as they were entering the hotel.

As Henning approached Benton to search him Benton pulled out a handgun concealed in his waistband and fired 10 rounds. Benton testified that he wasnt trying to hurt the officers and was just trying to get away.

Bensons attorney, Jeffrey Jensen, argued that Benton fired quickly and wildly, showing that he never intended to kill the officers.

Benton is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 29. He faces up to 78 years behind bars.
Police are searching for a van in connection with what appears to be a hit-and-run death in southern Dane County.

A truck driver found a body in a ditch near Highway MM and Highway A in the town of Oregon Wednesday afternoon, according to the Dane County Sheriffs Office.

Sheriffs detectives are looking for a Chevrolet Express van made between 1996 and 2002 that may have been in the area Tuesday evening. The van may have front-end, passenger-side and windshield damage, according to the Sheriffs Office.

Anyone with information regarding the owner, driver or location of a similar vehicle is asked to call the Sheriffs Office at 608-255-2345 or the tip line, 608-284-6900. Callers can remain anonymous.

The name of the victim had not been released. The Dane County Medical Examiner is conducting an autopsy.

[Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the day the body was found, the description of the van and the day the van might have been in the area where the body was found.]

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A Sun Prairie man who had a gun in a business in Avoca on Thursday night was arrested after barricading himself in a residence, Iowa County authorities reported.

Police from Avoca and Muscoda and Iowa County deputies were sent to the unidentified Avoca business shortly before 8:30 p.m. Thursday as the man fled and barricaded himself inside a nearby residence, the Iowa County Sheriffs Office said in a statement.

After a brief period, officers were able to safely arrest Roderick E. Conley, 30, and take him to the Iowa County Jail where he was booked on tentative charges of first-degree recklessly endangering safety, go armed with firearm while intoxicated, and disorderly conduct, the Sheriffs Office said.

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Prosecutors on Friday dismissed homicide and attempted homicide charges against two men who had been charged with their alleged involvement in a shootout in 2020 on Madisons Far West Side that left one man dead.

Jeffrey D. Briggs Jr., 27, of Madison, and his brother, Javion D. Briggs, 19, of Sun Prairie, had been set for a trial next week on charges of first-degree intentional homicide and attempted first-degree intentional homicide, among other charges, for an Oct. 31, 2020, shooting that left 30-year-old Jason I. Eggleston dead. A jury was to have been chosen Friday.

Assistant District Attorney Dan Hess told Dane County Circuit Judge Ellen Berz that after speaking on Wednesday with another man who is awaiting sentencing for his role in the shootout and was to be a key witness at the Briggs brothers trial, prosecutors could no longer prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the Briggs brothers were not acting in self-defense, as they have contended. Hess asked that the homicide and attempted homicide charges against the Briggs brothers be dropped.

Javion Briggs pleaded guilty Friday to the remaining counts against him  four counts of felony bail jumping and one count of misdemeanor bail jumping  for possessing a dangerous weapon while he was free on bail for several other cases that were pending against him at the time of the shootout. Sentencing will be at a later date.

The lone remaining charge against Jeffrey Briggs is possession of a firearm by a felon. The plan at first was to hold a trial next week on that single charge, but the trial was postponed altogether.

The dismissal of the homicide and attempted homicide charges, particularly against Jeffrey Briggs, barely passed muster with Berz, who said it was a close call. While she agreed with the reasons for dropping the charges, she took Hess to task for the timing, waiting until the day of jury selection to seek dismissal. Typically, Berz said, at this point in her courtroom there are only three options  a plea to all charges, dismissal of all charges or a trial on all charges.

At issue was testimony that was to be given by Kimeionta Stanley, 26, currently at Fox Lake Correctional Institution, who pleaded guilty in January to possession of a firearm by a felon. Stanley had given a statement to police, Hess said, which paired with the physical evidence to support the states case. But Stanleys subsequent statement, Hess said, did not.

Berz wondered why prosecutors could not have gotten that information earlier, given that it has been six months since Stanley pleaded guilty to the firearm possession charge. Hess responded that despite reaching out to Stanley, he would not speak to investigators again until Wednesday, when his revised statement called into question the prosecutions ability to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Adam Welch, representing Jeffrey Briggs, also called into question the timing and said the decision not to take the case to trial could have been made earlier.

A trial for the Briggs brothers was started in January, when Hess and Welch gave opening statements to a jury. Javion Briggs attorney, William Ginsberg, had elected to give his opening statement later in the trial. Welch called the events before the shootout an ambush and said Jeffrey Briggs was acting in self-defense when he shot Eggleston.

But before testimony could even begin, two of the prosecutions necessary witnesses tested positive for COVID-19 and were not able to testify. Berz declared a mistrial, and the trial was rescheduled.

A criminal complaint states Stanley picked up the Briggs brothers in his car just before the shooting began. Stanleys cousin, Kairen Stanley, 18, of Houston, Texas, who was shot in the chest during the shootout, is charged with first-degree reckless injury for allegedly shooting Javion Briggs in the face during the incident. A trial for Kairen Stanley is scheduled for August.

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The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents elected Karen Walsh to serve as its president on Friday, filling the role after its former holder declined to run for the seat again earlier this year.

Walsh comes to the position after serving as vice president for the past year after being appointed to the board in 2019. The former assistant dean for external relations in the College of Engineering at UW-Madison, Walsh is director of the BerbeeWalsh Foundation, a family foundation dedicated to human and animal health and welfare.

Im humbled to lead such a talented, cohesive group of colleagues, Walsh said in a statement. Their passion for public higher education and the Wisconsin Idea is matched only by the dedication and creativity of our faculty, staff and students.

Ed Manydeeds declined to run again for board president, though most who hold the position typically serve for two years. Manydeeds, who backed Walsh for the role, praised her work for the university system, which has included the search to name the next chancellor of UW-Madison. The board selected Jennifer Mnookin, the former law school dean at UCLA, to take over as chancellor in May.

Regent President Walsh has already had a lasting and influential impact on our great university system, Manydeeds said.

Also on Friday, the board elected Amy Blumenfeld Bogost to the role of vice president. Bogost works as a federal Title IX lawyer and joined the board in May 2020.

Earlier this week, Regent Tracey Klein resigned from her post a year before her term expired.

Klein, who was appointed to the board in 2016 by Republican Gov. Scott Walker, didnt elaborate in her resignation letter why she was stepping down a year early. But Klein named the appointment of Mnookin and UW System President Jay Rothman as her most important contribution in her time in the post.

We are only as good as the leaders we recruit and the team we assemble, and please be assured that we have recruited an excellent team, Klein said.

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At the request of Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, the Wisconsin Parole Commissions leader resigned Friday after mounting Republican criticism over the commissions plans to parole a man who served less than 25 years of an 80-year sentence for stabbing his wife to death  parole that was later rescinded.

Commission chair John Tate submitted his resignation effective end-of-business Friday, according to a resignation letter provided to the Wisconsin State Journal. Evers spokesperson Britt Cudaback confirmed the governor had asked for and received Tates resignation.

In my time as Chair-designee, I have given my best effort to be fair, just, and understanding, Tate said in his resignation letter. Fair, in working to ensure that everyone who has a voice in the parole process is equally heard. Just, in adhering to the statutory and administrative guidelines of parole, and using evidence-based practices; not being driven by politics or public perception. And understanding that everyone has a unique perspective and a personal experience that matters.

Several Republican gubernatorial candidates  including Rebecca Kleefisch, Kevin Nicholson and Tim Michels  have criticized the commissions initial plans to parole 54-year-old Douglas Balsewicz, who was set to be released from prison last month after serving less than 25 years of his 80-year sentence for the 1997 stabbing death of his wife, Johanna Balsewicz.

After meeting with Johanna Balsewiczs family in the state Capitol last month, Evers sent a letter to Tate asking him to reconsider the convicted murderers parole. Evers lacks the power to rescind a convicts parole on his own.

Tate had initially said it was extremely unlikely Balsewiczs parole would be revoked unless he did something to warrant it. Tate, who is president of the Racine City Council, said doing so would likely lead to a lawsuit that the state would lose.

However, Tate later said he understood the governors concerns about the lack of victim input and rescinded Balsewiczs parole.

Despite his change of course, some Republicans called on Evers to remove Tate from office. State Sen. Roger Roth, R-Appleton, circulated a petition seeking to bring the Legislature back into session to force a vote on whether Tate should keep his position as chair.

However, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, opposed the idea, noting in an interview with Wisconsin Right Now that the Senate will not bail Tony Evers out from his soft-on-crime record.

Balsewicz was first eligible for parole in 2017 and was denied. The Wisconsin Parole Commission said in a statement that he came before the panel for a fifth review on April 14.

Tate did not reference the specific incident in his resignation letter, but said, When I was first appointed to this position, I was told by many this was the most difficult job in the State.

The difficulty could not be understated, as no parole decision is easy and no decision can ever truly satisfy all interested parties, he added.

Former Lt. Gov. Kleefisch said in a statement Friday Tate deserved to be fired long ago.

It shouldnt take the pressure of an election year for Evers to finally make the right decision, Kleefisch said.

Tates gone as of this afternoon, Nicholson said in a tweet. One down, and now were coming for you (Evers).

Evers office had not commented on Tates resignation.

Republican candidates will meet in the Aug. 9 primary, with the winner going on to face Evers in the Nov. 8 election.

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By Trend

Portugals parliament has tried to introduce a new law allowing euthanasia for the third time in just over a year, Trend reports citing Euronews.

The country's Constitutional Court and the president have blocked two previous bills passed by lawmakers due to unclear wording.

Four rewritten bills that would permit euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide in Portugal were put to a vote in the 230-seat chamber on Thursday.

The proposals were all introduced by left-wing parties, including the ruling Socialist Party of Prime Minister Antonio Costa.

The bills will allow a doctor to directly administer fatal drugs to a patient or a patient to administer the lethal drug themselves under medical supervision.

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa is likely to block the legislation once again or send it to the Constitutional Court for vetting.

In March 2021, Portugal's top court said the wording of a proposed bill legalising euthanasia was too imprecise.

Rebelo de Sousa then vetoed a second parliament-sanctioned bill last November.

The President said further clarification was needed about whether the proposed law would apply only to incurable illnesses or whether it could be extended to any fatal or serious illness.

None of the four new bills in parliament addresses Rebelo de Sousa's specific concerns and instead refers to a situation of intolerable suffering, with a definitive injury of extreme seriousness or a serious and incurable disease.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  President Joe Biden and other Western Hemisphere leaders on Friday announced what is being billed as a roadmap for countries to host large numbers of migrants and refugees.

The Los Angeles Declaration is perhaps the biggest achievement of the Summit of the Americas, which was undercut by differences over Bidens invitation list. Leaders of Mexico and several Central American countries sent top diplomats instead after the U.S. excluded Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela.

A set of principles announced on the summit's final day includes legal pathways to enter countries, aid to communities most affected by migration, humane border management and coordinated emergency responses.

Each of us is signing up to commitments that recognize the challenges that we all share, Biden said on a podium with flags for the 20 countries that joined the accord extending from Chile in the south to Canada in the north.

This is just a start, Biden said, expressing hope that more countries join. "Much more work remains, to state the obvious.

The White House highlighted measures that were recently announced and some new commitments. Costa Rica will extend protections for Cubans, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans who arrived before March 2020. Mexico will add temporary worker visas for up to 20,000 Guatemalans a year.

The United States is committing $314 million to assist countries hosting refugees and migrants, and is resuming or expanding efforts to reunite Haitian and Cuban families. Belize will regularize Central American and Caribbean migrants in the country.

It is a blueprint already being followed to a large extent by Colombia and Ecuador, whose right-leaning leaders were saluted at the summit for giving temporary legal status to many of the 6 million people who have left Venezuela in recent years.

President Guillermo Lasso of Ecuador last week announced temporary status for Venezuelans in his country, estimated to be around 500,000. He said at a panel discussion Tuesday that his country was paying back the generosity of Spain and the United States for welcoming large numbers of Ecuadoreans who fled more than two decades ago.

Lasso was the only other leader to speak at a brief ceremony Friday. President Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil arrived late.

I would like to highlight that migration is a significant phenomenon and it demands joint actions under the principle of shared responsibility and differentiated between countries of the region, Lasso said.

President Ivan Duque of Colombia, who stood next to Biden at the ceremony, got standing ovations at an appearance Thursday for describing how his government has granted temporary status to 1 million Venezuelans in the last 14 months and is processing another 800,000 applications.

We did it out of conviction, Duque told The Associated Press, saying he couldn't be indifferent to Venezuelans who lost their homes and livelihoods and was prepared to suffer in approval ratings.

They were invisible (in Colombia), he said. "They couldn't open bank accounts, they couldn't work, they couldn't get health care. They were practically a community with no future."

While the measures are not universally popular  Duque's vice president, Marta Lucia Ramirez, has said Colombia has reached its limit and Ecuadoreans notice when a Venezuelan commits a high-profile crime  Venezuelans have generally assimilated without major backlash.

The two most dangerous phenomena are xenophobia and indifference, and I believe we have managed to conquer both (in Colombia), Duque said.

The United States has been the most popular destination for asylum-seekers since 2017, posing a challenge that has stumped Biden and his immediate predecessors, Donald Trump and Barack Obama.

But the U.S. is far from alone. Colombia and neighboring South American countries host millions of people who have fled Venezuela. Mexico fielded more than 130,000 asylum applications last year, many of them Haitians, which was triple from 2020. Many Nicaraguans escape to Costa Rica, while displaced Venezuelans account for about one-sixth the population of tiny Aruba.

Key countries that send or receive migrants, or serve as transit corridors joined the agreement: Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Peru and the United States. Also participating are Argentina, Barbados, Belize, Jamaica, Paraguay and Uruguay.

The absence of the presidents of Mexico, northern Central America and other counties deprived Biden of symbolic heft.

What are those countries expected to do to contribute to shared responsibility? said Adam Isacson of the human rights advocacy group Washington Office on Latin America.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said Thursday that the summit declaration acknowledged migration's regional dimensions. He and other U.S. officials applauded efforts of Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica and Panama, among others, for accepting migrants and refugees, and noted that the U.S. has granted refuge from natural disasters and civil strife to hundreds of thousands of Salvadorans, Haitians, Venezuelans and others under what is known as Temporary Protected Status.

Its a hemispheric challenge, Mayorkas said.

The responses of Colombia and Ecuador cannot be replicated, said Jose Samaniego, the U.N. refugee agency's regional director for the Americas. Each country is different, and migration from Central America is more complicated than Venezuela.

You don't want to copy and paste," he said, but there are good practices.

Ronal Rodriguez, a researcher at University of Rosario in Colombia, said some Venezuelans have faced problems with bank or commercial transactions despite having legal status and that much will depend on who voters select in June 19 elections to succeed Duque, who is limited to a single term.

Associated Press writers Astrid Suarez in Bogota, Colombia, and Gonzalo Solano in Quito, Ecuador, contributed.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
SEATTLE (AP)  A persons race and ethnicity must be taken into account when deciding whether they were free to leave an encounter with police, the Washington Supreme Court said Thursday in its latest decision seeking to counteract bias in the justice system.

The unanimous ruling concerned Palla Sum, a man identified in court records as Asian Pacific Islander. When a Pierce County sheriff's deputy found him sleeping in his car in Tacoma in 2019, Sum gave a false name and birth date, drove off as the deputy was checking for warrants, and crashed in someone's front yard.

Whether Sum was free to leave when he did was a key point in his case.

At his trial, he sought to suppress evidence of his false statements, saying they were made only after the officer detained him by implying that he was under investigation for car theft. In reality, the car was not stolen, and the officer had no reason to detain him until after he sped off, the justices said, meaning the initial detention was unlawful and a lower court judge should not have allowed evidence of the false statements at trial.

While the court might have reached the same conclusion in the case of a white defendant, it used the case to emphasize that people of color have different experiences with law enforcement, as borne out by data showing that police have long disproportionately arrested and used force against Black people and other minority groups.

Because of those experiences, they might have different perspectives regarding whether they are free to leave an encounter with officers. This makes minority status one factor in determining whether a person has been seized by law enforcement, the court said.

Today, we formally recognize what has always been true: in interactions with law enforcement, race and ethnicity matter, Justice Mary Yu wrote. Therefore, courts must consider the race and ethnicity of the allegedly seized person as part of the totality of the circumstances when deciding whether there was a seizure.

Some other courts have recognized that race and ethnicity are among the factors that can determine whether a police interaction rises to the level of a seizure. The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, has held that race is not irrelevant in such determinations, and the New Hampshire Supreme Court in 2020 ruled that race is an appropriate circumstance to consider.

The decision Thursday did not affect Sum's convictions for attempting to flee police and unlawful possession of a firearm, which he did not challenge. While the states attorneys agreed that race and ethnicity can be considered in determining whether someone is free to leave a police encounter, they said race wasnt relevant in Sums case and that an officer asking for his identification did not amount to a detention.

Unfortunately, this decision will likely further confuse law enforcement officers about their interactions with the public," Pierce County Prosecutor Mary Robnett said in an emailed statement. "Police officers and trial court judges, especially, are facing some confusing and uncertain times ahead as they try to correctly apply the courts ruling.

The ruling was the latest in a series of actions by Washington's justices to counteract implicit and sometimes explicit bias in the justice system. The court previously singled out racially biased prosecutorial misconduct for heightened scrutiny on appeal, struck down the death penalty in the state because it had been applied in an arbitrary and racially disproportionate manner, and adopted a first-in-the-nation rule aimed at improving the racial diversity of juries.

That rule forbids prospective jurors from being dismissed without cause if an objective observer"  one aware of the effects of institutional or implicit bias, in addition to purposeful racism  "could view race or ethnicity as a factor in the dismissal.

The state Supreme Court adopted similar language in its decision Thursday, saying that whether someone's interaction with law enforcement escalates from a conversation to a seizure is based on what a similar objective observer would think.

Civil rights and public defense organizations praised the ruling. The King County Department of Public Defense, American Civil Liberties Union of Washington and the Korematsu Center for Law and Equality at Seattle University School of Law filed a friend-of-the-court brief urging the justices to side with Sum.

Ruling for Sum recognizes that people of color have long faced excessive policing in the U.S. and sometimes find it necessary to over-comply with law enforcement as a survival strategy  and not feel free to leave in a situation where a white person might, the groups argued.

We are pleased that the court has recognized the lived experiences of our clients and the significant harms they face due to racialized policing," Anita Khandelwal, director of the King County Department of Public Defense, said in an emailed statement. Its not often that our clients have their truths lifted up in this way.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP)  Thousands of people marched in Bangladesh's capital and in parts of India on Friday to urge Muslim-majority nations to cut ties with India and boycott its products unless it punishes two governing party officials for comments deemed derogatory to Islam's Prophet Muhammad.

Two protesters died of gunshot injuries sustained during clashes with police in the eastern Indian city of Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand state, said Prabhat Kumar, a senior doctor at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, on Saturday. Another 10 people were being treated for various injuries at the hospital.

Authorities imposed a curfew on Friday night in parts of Ranchi after clashes between protesters and police left six officers injured, police said.

The protesters in Dhaka also criticized their country's government for not publicly condemning the comments made last week by the two officials in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governing Bharatiya Janata Party.

One official has been suspended and the other expelled after the BJP denounced insults of religious figures, but protesters in Bangladesh and India said the actions were not enough.

In Bangladesh, they marched after Friday prayers through streets near the main Baitul Mukarram Mosque in downtown Dhaka. Many chanted slogans against Modi.

The global Muslim community has been united. We ask the whole world to boycott Indian products, said Moulana Imtiaz Alam, leader of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, a grouping of Islamist parties that support the introduction of Islamic law in the country.

Alam called for the two Indian officials to be arrested and punished.

In India, thousands of Muslims took to the streets after Friday prayers and hurled rocks at police in several towns and cities.

Police used wooden batons and tear gas to disperse protesters in Hyderabad, Saharanpur, Prayagraj, Moradabad and Kanpur. Some demonstrators hurled rocks at security forces from rooftops, TV images showed.

In Prayagraj in northern Uttar Pradesh state, the protesters set several motorcycles and pushcarts on fire and damaged a police vehicle on Friday. Police used batons and tear gas to disperse them.

One police officer was injured when he was hit in the face with a rock thrown by protesters, said police officer Ajay Kumar.

Prashant Kumar, the states top police officer, said 136 protesters were arrested in six districts for rioting.

Mohammed Salim Qureshi, a protester outside New Delhis main Jama Masjid Mosque, also demanded the arrest of the two BJP officials.

Ahmed Bukhari, the imam of Jama Masjid, said the protest was spontaneous.

A paper effigy of BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma was burned in Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh state.

In the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir, authorities locked down two towns and cut mobile internet service in several towns and in Srinagar, the regions main city, fearing anger against the comments could turn into larger anti-India protests.

Scores of Muslim residents protested against the two BJP officials in Srinagar, where shops and businesses shut spontaneously Friday. Authorities did not allow Friday prayers in Srinagar's main mosque or in the remote, mountainous towns of Bhaderwah and Kishtwar.

Protests nevertheless erupted for a second day in Bhaderwah, leading to clashes with government forces. No injuries were reported.

On Thursday, thousands protested in the town after a Hindu man posted a representation of the Prophet Muhammad and his wife on social media. Police have brought a case against the suspect.

Police also were investigating two Muslim men accused of delivering speeches against Hindus during Thursday's protest.

Tensions have been high in the divided Muslim-majority Himalayan region, also claimed by Pakistan, since 2019, when New Delhi ended its semi-autonomy and took direct control of the portion it administers.

At least five Arab nations have lodged official protests against India, and Pakistan and Afghanistan also reacted strongly this week to the comments made by the two BJP officials. They follow increasing violence targeting Indias Muslim minority by Hindu nationalists who have been emboldened by Modis silence about such attacks since he was elected in 2014.

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has maintained a warm relationship with India for more than a decade despite growing anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh, India's neighbor and a major trading partner.

Associated Press journalists Aijaz Hussain in Srinagar, India, Ashok Sharma in New Delhi and Al-emrun Garjon in Dhaka, Bangladesh contributed to this report.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (AP)  Officials in the eastern Idaho city of Idaho Falls have agreed to pay $11.7 million to a man who spent about two decades in prison after being wrongfully convicted.

The Idaho Falls City Council voted Thursday to accept the settlement agreement with Christopher Tapp.

Tapp was convicted of rape and murder following the 1996 death of 18-year-old Angie Dodge. He was released in 2017, and DNA evidence cleared him in 2019.

Brian Leigh Dripps was arrested on DNA evidence in 2019 and pleaded guilty to rape and first-degree murder in Dodges death. He was sentenced to life in prison last year.

No dollar amount could ever make up for the over 20 years of my life I spent in prison for crimes I did not commit," Tapp said in a statement. "However, the settlement will help me move forward with my life.

Tapp sued the city of Idaho Falls and the Idaho Falls Police Department in October 2020, the East Idaho News reported. The city asked that the lawsuit be dismissed, but opted to settle the lawsuit Thursday.

Please accept this sincere apology to you and to your mother, Mrs. Tapp, for the citys role in your wrongful conviction and subsequent incarceration, as well the harm and damages that you and your family have endured over these many years, Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper wrote in a letter to Tapp. We at the city of Idaho Falls hope that the resolution of your civil case and this sincere expression of an apology help bring healing and closure to both Mrs. Tapp and to you."

Casper also wrote that the city will review its policies and procedures to prevent another wrongful conviction.

Lawmakers last year passed the Idaho Wrongful Conviction Act, which cleared the House and Senate unanimously and was signed into law by Republican Gov. Brad Little.

In June of last year, Little and three other statewide-elected members of the Idaho Board of Examiners approved a payment to Tapp of $1.2 million.

According to that law, if Tapp received a monetary award from the Idaho Falls lawsuit, he would have to reimburse the state the $1.2 million.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
RENO, Nev. (AP)  A former Nevada state public education secretary will oversee public universities and colleges in the state on an interim basis.

The Nevada Board of Regents voted Thursday to appoint Dale Erquiaga as chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education for 18 months while it searches for a permanent chancellor. He starts in the role on July 1 with a base annual salary of $300,000.

Erquiaga, who heads a state research and policy think tank, served as Nevada's state superintendent of public instruction from 2013 to 2015. He also served as the chief strategy officer for former Gov. Brian Sandoval, who now leads the University of Nevada, Reno.

Erquiaga will replace Melody Rose, who resigned this spring less than two years into her four-year contract. The regents voted to pay Rose $610,000 in severance following controversy over a 2021 complaint in which she accused the board and its vice chair of gender discrimination, intimidation and retaliation.

Investigators found insufficient evidence to support Roses legal claims but said the board had engaged in unprofessional behavior, was politically factionalized and had possibly committed ethical violations.

Erquiaga told the Board of Regents he has no interest in serving as higher education chancellor permanently.

Some groups had urged the board to postpone the vote on his appointment and release the full list of names that were submitted for consideration. In a letter to the regents sent Thursday, leaders from the Clark County Education Association, four Las Vegas-area chambers of commerce, the Nevada AFL-CIO and Council for a Better Nevada wrote that the process lacked transparency.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
An energy grid operator for the first time is warning power companies in Wisconsin of the possibility of rolling blackouts this summer. Midwest Independent System Operator power grid issued the alert to the states electricity providers. Wisconsin Public Service is assuring their customers they are prepared as they take on the warmer months. WPS spokesman Matt Cullen says steps would be taken in the event of an emergency, but its unlikely to happen in the Badger State. He says it's never come to the point where MISO has ordered the utility to reduce the amount of electricity that it was delivering.
Police arrested five men breaking into the Watergate complex 50 years ago on June 17 in Washington. The burglars were operatives of President Richard Nixons reelection campaign. Their mission: to tap phones and steal documents from the Democratic National Committee, which had its headquarters in the Watergate.

The operation was planned and supervised by G. Gordon Liddy, a former FBI agent who was the general counsel of the presidents campaign. He financed the caper with campaign funds. Liddy and the burglars were criminally charged and convicted. Others who participated in the subsequent cover-up orchestrated by the White House included John Ehrlichman, Nixons adviser for domestic affairs.

The investigation of the attempted Watergate break-in by a select committee chaired by Sen. Sam Ervin of North Carolina eventually led to the White House audiotapes, the infamous 18-minute gap and House Judiciary Committee approval of three articles of impeachment. Nixon resigned August 8, 1974, to avoid a vote by the House and a potential impeachment trial in the Senate.

A month later, President Gerald Ford pardoned Nixon, saying his action was intended to end a long national nightmare and a disruptive scandal that had polarized the public. He feared that potential litigation against the former president would arouse ugly passions and challenge the credibility of our free institutions of government  at home and abroad.

So have things gotten better since then? Liddy and his fellow coconspirators were driven by political objectives  to find out everything they could about what the Democratic Party was doing and to get information that they could use to sabotage George McGoverns presidential campaign. But they got caught because of their ineptness.

Compare that to what we now know happened in the 2016 presidential campaign. The Hillary Clinton presidential campaign  using campaign lawyers, an opposition research firm and allies in the press  orchestrated a smear campaign against Donald Trump. The concocted hoax about his supposed collusion with the Russian government continued well into his presidency.

The Clinton campaign didnt have to engage bumbling burglars for a risky wiretapping scheme. Instead, as the special counsel, the Justice Departments inspector general and the John Durham investigation have revealed, they created a salacious dossier rife with phony claims. They also enlisted the help of a technology executive and university researchers with government cybersecurity contracts to secretly scoop up internet communications data from Trump both during the campaign and from the White House itself after he became president.

The sophistication of this conspiracy makes Gordon Liddy look like an amateur.

Even the FBI got entangled in this dirty political trick, leading the nations most powerful law enforcement agency to abuse its authority under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to spy on people connected to the opposition presidential campaign. This, in turn, led to the expensive, unjustified two-year investigation by Special Counsel Bob Mueller that baselessly hampered Trump (and his advisers) in carrying out his presidential duties.

In 1972, Nixons dirty trick failed, and Liddy and his coconspirators all went to prison. The Clinton campaigns dirty trick failed to win the election. Still, it succeeded in hobbling the Trump presidency and corrupting the Justice Department. Yet no one has gone to prison as a result of what happened in 2016. The cover-up was so successful we didnt even know about the illegal spying and the politicization of the Justice Department until well after it occurred -- and the dirty deed was done.

So what have we learned in the 50 years since Watergate? Dirty tricksters in politics have become more adept at hiding what they are doing, abusing advances in technology to further their dishonest ends, weaponizing federal law enforcement agencies against their political opponents, and using their friends in the media to ensure they are successful.

Americans deserve better. And unfortunately, the dirty tricks in presidential campaigns have done precisely what Gerald Ford feared: raised ugly passions, polarized the electorate and damaged the credibility of our free institutions of government  at home and abroad.

Hans von Spakovsky is a senior legal fellow at The Heritage Foundation. He wrote this for InsideSources.com.
The ugly truth about Alzheimers is that we havent found a cure. The disease is complex and among the leading causes of death in the United States. As anyone whose life has been impacted by it will tell you, Alzheimers changes everything for you and your loved ones.

About 120,000 people aged 65 and older live with this debilitating illness in Wisconsin. These people depend on effective Alzheimers medications and treatments developed through diligent research and testing. Luckily, biopharma companies have continued to discover more effective tools to combat the disease  due in large part to increased funding and resources.

Alzheimers research funding at the National Institutes of Health in 2019 increased by $350 million. This jump successfully accelerated the approval of a medication called Aducanumab, the first FDA-approved therapy to treat Alzheimers disease.

Several other medications are in the review pipeline, and people with Alzheimers depend on the prompt approval of these drugs. This efficient and essential regulatory framework wouldnt be possible without a little-known regulation called the Prescription Drug and User Fee Act.

This law was first introduced to strengthen the FDAs drug approval process in 1992. Since then, it has fostered research and development and contributed immensely to medical advancement thorough research and clinical trials.

A renewal of this program takes place every five years, and the expiration of the sixth iteration is approaching. To continue the programs rapid drug development and to retain patients access to lifesaving medications, Congress must renew the Prescription Drug and User Fee Act in September.

Doing so will set an international example of patient-focused drug development. The FDAs drug review program is the global gold standard for regulatory review and approval. Over the last five years, the U.S. has approved about 75% of novel drugs before any other country. Extending this law has the potential to advance the drug review and approval process even further.

This law gives biopharmaceutical companies access to the proper resources for drug development, establishing the regulatory framework for efficient innovation. By promoting research and development, companies increase the number and complexity of innovative drugs entering the review pipeline.

The law also allows the FDA to keep up with rapid drug development by streamlining the agencys quality assurance and safety review. It eliminates bureaucratic bloat while maintaining the FDAs commitment to protecting patient health. Advancing the publics wellbeing is a central mission of the FDA, and this program is crucial to fulfilling that goal.

The Prescription Drug and User Fee Act is an essential component of Wisconsins health care system  it helps protect the lives of our most vulnerable. This program is the steppingstone that grants enhanced medical innovation, accelerated drug approval and hope for Alzheimers patients.

Congress should renew this law by September. Cognitive decline doesnt wait for medical innovation to catch up, and we cant afford to wait either.

Gundermann is the president and CEO of the Coalition of Wisconsin Aging and Health Groups: gundermann@cwag.org.
Its often pointed out that, under the tutelage of former President Donald Trump, the Republican Party abandoned long-held conservative orthodoxies and interests  think lowering the debt and deficit and anti-protectionism  in favor of whatever Trump just said. For the four years Trump was in office, the GOP busied itself with the projects he ordained important, and little else.

Now, with Trump relegated to Mar-a-Lago and his floundering social media endeavor, the GOPs been left to its own devices. Lest you think lawmakers have been sitting on their hands, theyve actually been dizzyingly busy introducing hundreds of pieces of legislation all over the country.

Indeed, Republican state lawmakers across America have introduced more than 500 anti-abortion laws  just this year, which is only half done.

Since 2021, Republican state legislators have introduced more than 200 bills to combat critical race theory.

Driven by the same GOP outrage machine, 1,586 books have been banned in schools between August 2021 and April 2022, most of which targeted LGBTQ people and people of color.

According to the Brennan Center for Justice, Republicans introduced a staggering 440 bills with provisions that would restrict voting access in 2021. So far in 2022, theyre at 393.

Busy, busy, busy.

By the sheer volume of new laws, it almost feels like the GOP is solving actual problems. Except when it comes to those, Republicans have become the Do Nothing Party.

After a slew of horrific mass shootings, including in Uvalde, Texas, where 19 children were senselessly slaughtered, the vast majority of elected Republicans have offered zero changes to our current gun laws.

Even things that are popular  including among Republican voters  like universal background checks and boosting the age minimum to purchase an assault rifle, have been met with total opposition from lawmakers.

Where Republicans have offered solutions, as BuzzFeed laid out, theyve not explicitly addressed guns, but instead inane things like locking doors, more fencing, window coverings, bulletproof backpacks and prayer in school.

A shocking new poll from CBS News/YouGov shows just how uninterested Republicans are in doing something about these tragic incidents.

While 85% of Democrats and 73% of independents say mass shootings can be stopped, nearly half of Republicans said mass shootings should be accepted as part of a free society.

Its hard to wrap your mind around that alarming apathy, the capitulation that we must just live with the mass murder of innocent people in bunches, and the perplexing irony in asserting that a society in which grocery stores, movie theaters, churches, synagogues, malls, businesses, news outlets, concerts, hospitals, sporting events and schools are no longer safe is still somehow free.

But its not just mass shootings. Republicans have decided we just have to accept a whole host of very real problems.

After dismissing COVID-19 as nothing more than a cold, then promising it would be gone within a few months, then blaming Democrats for inventing new variants, many Republicans insisted we just have to live with it, and fought commonsense precautions, like masking, social distancing, vaccines and boosters. All of this occurred while COVID-19 ravaged red states. More than a million Americans have died from COVID-19  and yet a majority of Republicans believe the government spent too much money combating the deadly virus.

Republicans also think theres little to be done about the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol, a deadly event meant to overturn a democratic election. The chair of the Republican National Committee said the investigation into that dark day amounts to the persecution of ordinary citizens engaged in legitimate political discourse. Trump has said that if he were reelected in 2024, hed consider pardoning anyone convicted in that attack. Will he also consider pardoning others who assault and kill police officers on the streets of our cities? The question answers itself.

Similarly, Republicans dont seem at all concerned about the very real rise in domestic terrorism incidents from white supremacists and anti-government extremists on the far right. Fox Newss Tucker Carlson said bluntly that right-wing domestic terrorism doesnt exist. (It does, and it is up.) And every Republican lawmaker in the House, save one, voted against a bill to expand resources to investigate and respond to domestic terrorism.

Guess well just have to live with that, too.

Same goes for climate change, the war in Ukraine, and infrastructure issues, about which most Republican lawmakers want to do little or nothing.

These arent liberal problems. Theyre American problems, and theyre real and urgent. If it werent so intent on inventing wedge issues and waging culture wars, the GOP could offer conservative ideas to help solve them.

Instead, the Do Nothings keep doing nothing. After all, its so much easier to slay imaginary dragons.

Cupp writes for Tribune Content Agency and is host of S.E. Cupp Unfiltered on CNN: secuppdailynews@yahoo.com.
Editors note: This opinion piece was written Thursday.

At 6 p.m. Mountain Time tonight, the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6 Attack on the U.S. Capitol will begin public hearings to present the findings of its yearlong investigation.

Our congressional delegation should attend to it closely. Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, and Reps. Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher have an obligation to the nation they swore to preserve and defend  an obligation they have not so far met.

They need to speak out and denounce the Big Lie. The committees hearing gives them yet another occasion to do so.

They must also state clearly that the illegal actions of Jan. 6 were not legitimate political discourse and not some peaceful protest. The attack on the Capitol was an unprecedented attempt to undermine our government and its peaceful transfer of power, and a congressional investigation into such actions is not some witch hunt  its a necessary review of what happened, what led to it and what could and should have been done in a nation that, prior to Donald Trumps takeover of the Republican Party, prided itself on its recognition of free and fair elections.

The committee, composed of seven Democrats and two Republicans, is signaling that it has important evidence that the public has not yet seen. Our delegation should carefully consider that evidence.

But no matter what the committee reveals, an effort to set aside the legitimate outcome of the 2020 presidential election took place in plain public view. This includes both the physical violence from which our delegation had to flee to shelter, and efforts to manipulate government processes to change the outcome.

Those efforts failed this time, but they could be easily repeated. And if they ever succeed, democracy ends.

It is long past time for Crapo, Risch, Simpson and Fulcher to denounce these actions.

There were repeated, public calls for former Vice President Mike Pence to set aside the results of the election. Pence, honorably, rejected all such notions. Former law professor John Eastman disgraced himself by producing a series of memos arguing that such an action  a coup detat, to be clear  would be legal. He currently faces a legal ethics investigation from the California state bar.

Fulcher participated in this broader coup attempt by objecting to the certification of the election results. In doing so, he betrayed his country.

Former President Donald Trumps responsibility for sparking and failing to halt the violence on Jan. 6 is known to our congressional delegation. Text messages to then-House Speaker Mark Meadows on the day of the attempted insurrection, recently published by CNN, make it clear that even those more closely aligned with Trump knew who was responsible at the time.

My friend  I weep for our country today, wrote Raul Labrador, Republican candidate for Idaho attorney general. Somebody needs to come out and calm this down. I believed in Trump and I would probably object to the certification today. You guys need to get Trump to say something to calm down the people, a tweet is not enough. This is crazy. I pray that people of goodwill can act to bring the tensions down. Praying for you and our nation.

Mark I was just told there is an active shooter on the first floor of the Capitol, wrote Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Please tell the President to calm people This isnt the way to solve anything

So our delegation should watch the hearings for new revelations. But more than that, they should fulfill the obligation they have so far failed to meet.

Stop lending silent toleration to the lie that Trump won the 2020 election. State clearly that the Big Lie is a lie.

Historians will certainly mark the year they failed to do so and call it cowardice. But there remains an opportunity for our delegation to redeem themselves, at least in part, by telling the truth they already know.

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By Trend

As a part of its new package of anti-Russian sanctions, Japan will prohibit exports of trucks, dump trucks and bulldozers to Russia, Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Koichi Hagiuda told reporters on Friday, Trend reports citing TASS.

"In accordance with the cabinet of ministers June 7 decision to prohibit exporting to Russia goods that contribute to the development of industrial infrastructure, a ban on deliveries of heavy-duty vehicles, dump trucks, bulldozers and other heavy equipment will be in place from June 17," he said.
The explosion of four bombs in the City of Coeur dAlene on September 15, 1986, was somewhat of a turning point in the effort to rid Idaho of the malignant influence of the Aryan Nations white supremacist group. The gang had established a foothold in the Idaho Panhandle and was intent on making it a national bastion for supremacists. During the night, members of the group exploded a pipe bomb at the home of human rights icon, Father Bill Wassmuth, and set off three other bombs around town.

The bombings finally awakened the entire State to the serious threat the Aryans posed to the safety of those in the area and to the image of the Gem State as a whole. Out of concern for the economic impact on commerce, the Idaho business community rose up in opposition to the group and its poisonous agenda. That spurred a political response from the Republican political establishment, which had largely sat on the sidelines.

In response to concerned citizens and business leaders across the State, the Legislature got engaged in the effort to stop extremist intimidation and violence. As Attorney General, I proposed tough legislation in 1987, which failed in the House due to opposition from the National Rifle Association. I worked with the NRA and we were able to fashion the Terrorist Control Act (the Act), which remains on our law books today.

The ironic thing is that the NRA proposed the incorporation of provisions from the federal Ku Klux Klan Act, which significantly strengthened the legislation. An NRA willing to act reasonably is certainly a relic of the distant past, but it was helpful in 1987.

Among other things, the Act prohibits two or more people from conspiring to threaten or intimidate any citizen from enjoying any constitutional right by the use of violence. A violation is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a fine up to $50,000.

The Act came back to mind when I was reading about a meeting hosted by extremist legislator Heather Scott in Sandpoint on April 28. An attendee sporting the nametag DeadDog appeared to mouth all of the elements necessary to constitute a crime under the Act. DeadDog is a member of the Panhandle Patriots Riding Club (the PP Riders), which apparently consists of gun-toting extremists.

DeadDog referred to the Pride in the Park (Pride) event scheduled for the Coeur dAlene City Park on June 11, saying his group intended to go head-to-head with these people.We say, Damn the repercussions, Stand up, take it to the head. Go to the fight. He mentioned that his group was holding a competing event called Gun dAlene.

Flyers for Gun dAlene encouraged people to come armed, saying if the Pride participants want to have a war, let it begin here.

Comparing this rhetoric with the elements of the Act, DeadDog said he was planning, with others, to intimidate Pride participants from enjoying their constitutional rights to assembly, speech and demonstration by threats of violence. If violence is visited on any of the Pride folks at their event, DeadDog and other of the PP Riders could be facing serious time in an Idaho correctional facility. Other members of his group have tried to downplay or disassociate themselves from his remarks, but that may not be enough to save them if things get ugly at the event.

Idaho was able to rid itself of dangerous extremists in the last two decades of the 20th century, but we now find ourselves in much the same situation today. Idahoans need to once again rise up and make it clear that extremism does not define us: That we are better than the Heather Scotts, PP Riders and other Panhandle extremists would lead the rest of the country to believe. The Terrorist Control Act can play an instrumental part in that essential work, as other events of intimidation and threatened violence will assuredly arise in our State, given the highly charged political atmosphere.

Jim Jones is a Vietnam combat veteran who served eight years as Idaho attorney general (1983-1991) and 12 years as justice of the Idaho Supreme Court (2005-2017). He is currently a regular contributor to The Hill online news. He blogs at JJCommonTater.

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Thirty people have been arrested in Cote dIvoire since the seizure in mid-April of more than two tons of cocaine in the port cities of Abidjan and San Pedro, the public prosecutor Richard Adou said Thursday.

There have been about thirty arrests, Adou said, explaining that a press conference will be held when the procedure has progressed. It is an international investigation, involving South America, Africa and Europe, he added.

In recent days, the Ivorian press has mentioned the involvement of several businessmen of various nationalities. On Tuesday, in a press release, Richard Adou threatened to prosecute those who violate the secrecy of the investigation.

On April 15 and 21, police seized a record 2.059 tons of cocaine in the cities of Abidjan and San Pedro (southwest), with an estimated street value of 41 billion CFA francs (nearly 62 million euros). The origin and destination of the merchandise was not specified, but Cote dIvoire has become in recent years one of the preferred countries for the transit of cocaine between Latin America and Europe.

In 2021, the gendarmes had seized 1.56 tons of cocaine from Latin America. A year earlier, more than 400 kg of cocaine were seized in Ivorian territorial waters, on board a merchant ship, coming from Brazil.
Five Chinese workers at a gold mine in South Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), who were kidnapped at the end of November were released on Monday, local authorities said on Thursday.

They are free since Aime Kawaya Mutipula, administrator of Fizi territory.

They are in good health, we did what we could at our level, we had been negotiating with the kidnappers since their abduction, said Kakozi Kyakubuta, president of the new civil society of Baraka, a town located 24 km from the site of the kidnapping, without giving further details on the conditions of their release.

The five men, working for Beyond Mining, a company that operates a gold mine in partnership with a local cooperative, were abducted by armed men in Mukera, Fizi territory, on the night of November 20-21. One policeman was killed and another injured.

According to Mr. Kyakubuta, they were kidnapped for not respecting the commitments made to the inhabitants who had ceded their land for gold mining. According to him, it was a question of rehabilitating a road and compensating at least 80 families.
Bats are a common spreader of zoonotic diseases, which experts warn could increase due to a range of human-induced upheavals to the animal world.

With the spread of monkeypox across the world coming hot on the heels of COVID-19, there are fears that increasing outbreaks of diseases that jump from animals to humans could spark another pandemic.

While such diseasescalled zoonoseshave been around for millennia, they have become more common in recent decades due to deforestation, mass livestock cultivation, climate change and other human-induced upheavals of the animal world, experts say.

Other diseases to leap from animals to humans include HIV, Ebola, Zika, SARS, MERS, bird flu and the bubonic plague.

The World Health Organization said on Thursday that it is still investigating the origins of COVID, but the "strongest evidence is still around zoonotic transmission".

And with more than 1,000 monkeypox cases recorded globally over the last month, the UN agency has warned there is a "real" risk the disease could become established in dozens of countries.

The WHO's emergencies director Michael Ryan said last week that "it's not just in monkeypox"the way that humans and animals interact has become "unstable".

"The number of times that these diseases cross into humans is increasing and then our ability to amplify that disease and move it on within our communities is increasing," he said.

Monkeypox.

Monkeypox did not recently leap over to humansthe first human case was identified in DR Congo in 1970 and it has since been confined to areas in Central and Western Africa.

Despite its name, "the latest monkeypox outbreak has nothing to do with monkeys," said Olivier Restif, epidemiologist at the University of Cambridge.

While it was first discovered in macaques, "zoonotic transmission is most often from rodents, and outbreaks spread by person-to-person contact," he told AFP.

Worse yet to come?

Around 60 percent of all known human infections are zoonotic, as are 75 percent of all new and emerging infectious diseases, according to the UN Environment Program.

Restif said the number of zoonotic pathogens and outbreaks have increased in the past few decades due to "population growth, livestock growth and encroachment into wildlife habitats".

"Wild animals have drastically changed their behaviors in response to human activities, migrating from their depleted habitats," he said.

WHO has warned there is a "real" risk that monkeypox could become established in nations where it has recently spread.

"Animals with weakened immune systems hanging around near people and domestic animals is a sure way of getting more pathogen transmission."

Benjamin Roche, a specialist in zoonoses at France's Institute of Research for Development, said that deforestation has had a major effect.

"Deforestation reduces biodiversity: we lose animals that naturally regulate viruses, which allows them to spread more easily," he told AFP.

And worse may be to come, with a major study published earlier this year warning that climate change is ramping the risk of another pandemic.

As animals flee their warming natural habitats they will meet other species for the first timepotentially infecting them with some of the 10,000 zoonotic viruses believed to be "circulating silently" among wild mammals, mostly in tropical forests, the study said.

Greg Albery, a disease ecologist at Georgetown University who co-authored the study, told AFP that "the host-pathogen network is about to change substantially".

Hidden threat: 10,000 viruses that could infect humans are 'circulating silently' among wild mammals in tropical forests.

'We have to be ready'

"We need improved surveillance both in urban and wild animals so that we can identify when a pathogen has jumped from one species to anotherand if the receiving host is urban or in close proximity to humans, we should get particularly concerned," he said.

Eric Fevre, a specialist in infectious diseases at Britain's University of Liverpool and the International Livestock Research Institute in Kenya, said that "a whole range of new, potentially dangerous diseases could emergewe have to be ready".

This includes "focusing the public health of populations" in remote environments and "better studying the ecology of these natural areas to understand how different species interact".

Restif said that there is "no silver bulletour best bet is to act at all levels to reduce the risk".

"We need huge investment in frontline healthcare provision and testing capacity for deprived communities around the world, so that outbreaks can be detected, identified and controlled without delays," he said.

On Thursday, a WHO scientific advisory group released a preliminary report outlining what needs to be done when a new zoonotic pathogen emerges.

It lists a range of early investigations into how and where the pathogen jumped to humans, determining the potential risk, as well as longer-term environmental impacts.

Explore further Expert explains monkeypox outbreak

 2022 AFP
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Brazil has confirmed its first case of monkeypox in a 41-year-old man who had traveled to Europe, the health ministry announced Thursday.

Monkeypox is a rare disease generally confined to western and central Africa. It is related to but less severe than smallpox, causing a rash that spreads, fever, chills, and aches, among other symptoms.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has already registered nearly 1,000 cases of the illness in 29 countries where it is not endemic. Most of them have been detected in Britain, Canada, Germany, Portugal and Spain.

The first Brazilian person infected had traveled to both Spain and Portugal, the health ministry said in a statement. He was hospitalized for treatment and was in "good condition," it said, adding that his close contacts were under observation.

Brazil is the third Latin American country to register monkeypox cases after Argentina and Mexico.

So far, the WHO says no deaths have been reported in countries where monkeypox is not endemic.

Explore further Mexico confirms its first monkeypox case

 2022 AFP
A requirement for all international travelers flying to the United States to take a COVID-19 test within a day of departure will be lifted on Sunday, a senior Biden administration official said Friday.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined the regulation is no longer necessary, but will reevaluate the need for a COVID-19 testing requirement every 90 days, the official told the Associated Press on condition of anonymity in advance of the formal announcement.

Testing requirements for fully vaccinated and boosted travelers have already been lifted in many other countries in a bid to boost tourism.

If a troubling new coronavirus variant emerges in the future, the testing rule could be reinstated, the official said.

The CDC will continue to recommend COVID-19 testing prior to air travel of any kind as a safety precaution, according to the official.

The lifting of the testing requirement comes six weeks after a federal judge ended the CDC's mask mandate for public transportation, including trains, planes, buses and transit hubs, saying the agency exceeded its authority. The Biden administration is appealing that ruling, saying it aims to protect the CDC's ability to respond to future emergencies.

The testing rule for international air travelers was implemented last year by the White House as the highly transmissible Omicron variant spread worldwide. It is one of the last remaining federal mandates aimed at reducing the spread of the coronavirus, according to the AP.

Airline and tourism groups have been asking the Biden administration for months to do away with the rule.

"I'm glad CDC suspended the burdensome coronavirus testing requirement for international travelers, and I'll continue to do all I can to support the strong recovery of our hospitality industry," Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., said in a statement.

Explore further US judge strikes down mask mandate for public transport

More information: Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more on Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more on traveling and COVID

 2022 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
A pile of cocaine hydrochloride. Credit: DEA Drug Enforcement Agency, public domain

Beginning in January 2023, the B.C. government will remove criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of illicit drugs including heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine.

Dr. Eugenia Oviedo-Joekes (she/her), an addictions expert at UBC's School of Population and Public Health, answers some key questions about the decriminalization of illegal drugsand how it could help save lives in B.C.

More than 2,200 British Columbians died due to illicit drug use in 2021. How will this decriminalization plan help address the overdose crisis in B.C.?

If we treat addiction as a health issue rather than a criminal issue, we have a better chance of helping people who use drugs to seek treatment and improve their overall health. These types of decriminalization policies, which have been successfully employed around the world, also help reduce the stigma associated with drug use and promote dialogue among friends and family about an issue that's often hidden or ignored.

The exemption applies to small amounts of drugs (2.5 grams or less). Are there any potential problems with this threshold?

While this policy is a step in the right direction, it does not adequately recognize that people who live outside larger citiesfor example, rural communitiesoften buy larger quantities of drugs for personal use because the drugs may not be as available in remote communities on a day-to-day basis. Going forward, we must listen to people in these communities to avoid any unintended consequences and make sure everyone receives the same level of care and compassion.

How have other harm reduction policies improved health outcomes for drug users?

Science-based programs including safe injection sites have helped reduce overdose rates and other mental and physical health emergencies by providing instant medical support from health-care workers at the sites. They also increase engagement with the health-care system and connect people with social services.

What are some other ways government can increase the safety of drug users?

We can make drug use a social or health issue, not a criminal one. We can also limit the harmful effects of drug use by increasing access to a regulated supply of currently illegal drugs, which would help limit the toxic drugs in circulation and prevent overdoses.

How can family and friends recognize the signs of drug use? And what steps can they take to address the problem?

It's always hard to see people we love go through difficult times. Communication is key. Talk to your loved ones. Approach them with kindness and compassion. Listen and pay attention, particularly now as so many people were isolated during the pandemic. You can also access good information about mental health and addiction through your doctor, local health-care clinic or local social services.
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The recent explosion of monkeypox cases in countries where the infection had not previously spread, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, has underscored the rising threat of emerging viruses in the 21st century.

An infectious disease is described as emerging when it is new on the global scene, when its infection agent has changed to become more transmissible or more dangerous or when it is rapidly spreading through new regions.

COVID-19

COVID is caused by a new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which emerged in late 2019 in China before spreading across the globe, killing more than 6.2 million people according to a tally to the end of May by the US Johns Hopkins University.

The pandemic led to a worldwide mobilisation which brought the swift provision of several largely effective vaccines. But even so, the World Health Organization says there have been 14.9 million total global excess deaths associated directly or indirectly with COVID.

The WHO said on Thursday that it is still investigating COVID's origins, but the "strongest evidence is still around zoonotic transmission"which is when a virus jumps from animals to humans.

MERS

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) was detected for the first time in 2012 in Saudi Arabia. It is a viral respiratory disease caused by a new coronavirus transmitted via camels.

Although it has a low transmission rate between humans, it causes death in a third of cases. The WHO's last official count published in September 2019 said that more than 850 people have died from MERS.

SARS

Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), also a coronavirus, emerged in southern China in late 2002. It is believed to have been transmitted from bats to humans via a civeta mammal whose meat is sold in Chinese markets.

SARS causes acute forms of pneumonia and has a mortality rate of 9.5 percent. The outbreak two decades ago spread to around 30 countries, killing 774 people, the bulk of them in China.

Ebola

First identified in 1976 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (then Zaire) the virus, whose natural host is the bat, has since set off series of epidemics in Africa, killing around 15,000 people.

The worst epidemic in West Africa between 2013 and 2016 killed more than 11,300 alone. DR Congo has had more than a dozen epidemics, the deadliest killing 2,280 people in 2020.

Marburg

First identified in 1967 in Germany and the former Yugoslavia after research on imported African green monkeys, the Marburg virus is from the same family as Ebola and leads to the death of around one in two of those infected. The worst outbreak killed 329 people in Angola in 2005.

Zika, chikungunya, dengue

These three viruses produce similar, flu-like symptoms and are transmitted through mosquito bites. Cases exploded in the early 2000s in parallel with a spike in the population of tiger mosquitos.

The zika virus, first discovered in 1947 in a monkey in Uganda, caused its first epidemic in Micronesia in 2007 before exploding in Latin America in 2015, notably in Brazil.

A large danger of the virus is serious deformities in the babies of mothers infected during pregnancy.

Chikungunya spread in Africa from 2004 and reached the Indian Ocean as well as Asia before reaching the Caribbean from 2013 prior to a 2015 outbreak in Latin America. It causes fever and joint pain which generally subside after a few days or sometimes weeks.

Dengue, which primarily occurs in tropical and sub-tropical regions, is often mild, but can be fatal in rare cases.

Cases notified to the WHO rose tenfold between 2000 and 2020 and the disease has become endemic in more than 100 countries in Africa, Latin America, the Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

Explore further COVID-19 compared with other deadly viruses

 2022 AFP
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

As the vast majority of the world's population continues to encounter SARS-CoV-2 virus and become infected, one question looms ever larger: What will be the long-term physiological repercussions of having had COVID?

Experts from the Harvard Medical School-led Massachusetts Consortium on Pathogen Readiness discuss the emerging science, latest knowledge, and critical unknowns of the novel syndrome known as long COVID:

Nahid Bhadelia, founding director, Boston University Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases Policy and Research; associate professor of infectious diseases, Boston University School of Medicine; visiting fellow, the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy; long COVID research group co-lead for MassCPR

Bruce Levy, HMS Parker B. Francis Professor of Medicine and division chief of pulmonary and critical care medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital; long COVID research group co-lead for MassCPR

Linda Sprague Martinez, associate professor, Boston University School of Social Work; co-director, Community Engagement Program, BU Clinical & Translational Science Institute; long COVID research group health disparities lead for MassCPR

Jake Lemieux, instructor in medicine, Harvard Medical School, infectious disease specialist at Mass General; viral variants program co-lead for MassCPR

Harvard Medicine News: Set the stage for us and give us the big-picture view on long COVID.

Bhadelia: First, it is important to keep in mind that aside from long COVID, there are many other post-acute infectious syndromes, so the notion that infections can cause long-term post-acute symptoms is not new.

Some of these syndromes develop after viral infections like Ebola, Epstein-Barr, polio, dengue, H1N1 flu, and others, while others develop after infection with a bacterial pathogen. We do not understand many of these syndromes, and their scope is not well defined. For many of these, our understanding is limited by research capacity and clinical infrastructure and our ability to capture good, quality data in order to understand the biological phenomena that underpin them.

Levy: Long COVID is such a novel entity that even its definitions vary. The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention define it slightly differently, but, broadly speaking, long COVID involves a constellation of symptoms that develop in the aftermath of acute infectionhence the term post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection, or PASC. The WHO says long COVID starts three months from the onset of COVID with symptoms, that these symptoms last at least two months and are not explained by alternative diagnoses. The CDC starts the clock earlier, at four weeks after original infection. Important to note, as of July 1, 2o21, post-COVID conditions can be considered a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

HMNews: What is the current profile of long COVID in terms of prevalence and symptoms?

Levy: Keeping in mind that our knowledge is evolving, and this is a moving target, here's what we know so far. Overall, the current CDC estimate is that one in five adults over the age of 18 may have a condition related to COVID, but the estimate is uncertain. According to the CDC, 13 percent of people diagnosed with COVID meet the definition of long COVID one month after infection, and this number drops to 2.5 percent three months after infection.

Among those hospitalized with COVID, more than 30 percent have symptoms suggestive of long COVID six months after infection. Hospitalization does appear to drive risk for long COVID. It appears the condition is more common in women, with at least 60 percent of long COVID diagnoses occurring among women, but this could also be a factor of who is more likely to seek care.

Fatigue is the most prevalent symptom, with two-thirds of patients reporting it as part of their symptom constellation. Yet, there is a very wide variety of symptoms associated with this conditionneurologic, neurocognitive, respiratory, sleep disturbances, mental health, cardiovascular, rheumatologic, digestive, and more. The long-term effect of long COVID remains to be seen over time. Long-term, will long COVID lead to more vascular illness, atherosclerosis, heart failure? These are all questions that remain to be answered.

HMNews: How much do we know about what drives the development of long COVID? What is known and unknown about its pathophysiology?

Bhadelia: One of the overarching questions in this unfolding mystery is whether these symptoms and conditions are truly caused by COVID itself or are being picked up more just because patients are coming to seek care who weren't before their SARS-CoV-2 diagnoses, and their preexisting conditions are coming to attention. It's very difficult to tease apart. If we don't know biological mechanisms are causing people to be sick, then it's hard to tease apart what's attributable to the virus itself versus other factors.

Another challenge in gleaning answers is the heterogenous nature of studies of long COVID, how differently they are designed, which makes it tricky to compare patient populations across studies. Another complicating factor is that there are many different phenotypes of long COVID, meaning that some people will develop more neurocognitive symptoms, while others more pulmonary symptoms. Underpinning these phenotypes are potential clues, none of which are slam dunk, but just different angles through which researchers are approaching figuring out the pathophysiology of long COVID.

Some of the hypotheses about what drives long COVID include the presence of persistent reservoirs of SARS-CoV-2 in the bodywe've seen this in other infections: reactivation of other dormant viruses such as Epstein-Barr; the presence of predisposing conditions such as diabetes and obesity; the development of a maladaptive autoimmune response against the body's own tissues; chronic inflammation that fails to go away after the infection; blood vessel inflammation and damage; and direct organ injury from the initial severe disease.

In terms of who's at risk: So far, according to CDC data, it looks like the highest risk groups for developing long COVID include those who are not vaccinated, people with medical comorbidities, those with severe initial infections, those who developed multi-system inflammatory syndrome, either adult or pediatric. Ultimately, we want to know enough to create a uniform understanding of what long COVID is by taking away all the confounding factors. But it is important to note that regardless of the cause, there are many people who are suffering and need care, and we need to address that as a health care system.

HMNews: In addition to the science and the research that are so fundamental to understanding long COVID, what are some of the broader health care, policy, and societal implications of long COVID?

Sprague Martinez: Health inequities were pervasive pre-COVID and amplified with the pandemic. Some of the highest infection rates in Massachusetts occurred among immigrant communities, working class residents, and families of color.

As in COVID, health equity in long COVID is of paramount concern. People of color will likely be disproportionately impacted by long COVID. Long COVID has the potential to further widen existing gaps in health and getting ahead of it is critical.

The MassCPR long COVID research group includes a health equity core of investigators that span disciplines and are embedded at hospitals that conduct clinical trials as part of the NIH Recover Initiative. Our goal is to define the impact of long COVID on diverse communities in Massachusetts and to identify barriers to proper diagnosis and care of long COVID for those communities. We want to increase both awareness of and access to long COVID treatment both among those communities and the primary care providers serving them.

We are also interested in influencing relevant policies at the local, state, and national levels. Right now, we are focused on Black and Latinx communities, but plan to expand and engage other people of color and other marginalized groups in the state. Some of the key elements in advancing health equity will involve direct community engagement to increase diversity and representation in clinical trials that study long COVID and support of community health centers and community health workers. Other elements include engaging the primary care providers to ensure they are getting the latest research and engaging their patients in meaningful conversations that go beyond symptoms to understand the social factors impacting their health and referrals to job retraining programs for patients who cannot continue to do their work because of long COVID symptoms.

Also important will be policies related to eviction moratoriums, many of which have sunset, rental assistance, unemployment insurance, and more. Factors that lead and sustain inequities are caused by racialized policies that create inequitable living conditions. Tackling inequity will require an understanding of the structural determinants of health.

HMNews: Where are we on the treatment front for long COVID?

Lemieux: First a word on prevention and minimizing risk: Early data suggest that whatever we can do to limit the severity of acute disease will pay dividends on the other side in limiting the incidence of long COVID. That still needs to be explored further, and some therapies will be better than others. We have seen from just about every angle that vaccination limits the severity of disease, and since the risk of long COVID is linked to the severity of acute infection, we believe that vaccination will be partly, but not completely, protective.

Once a patient develops long COVID, that's a very different story. Right now, we are in a situation of having to treat and manage a complicated clinical syndrome that affects multiple systems in different ways. Every patient is different, every patient's symptoms will be different, and potentially the treatment of every patient will be different. That's hard on so many levelsit's hard to establish which treatments are best for which patients and, of course, it's hard for patients.

We are going to be in a periodan unenviable position, franklyof having to feel our way, of having to treat patients symptomatically and having to conduct clinical trials and investigations to get at therapies that are safe and effective and reverse the mechanisms of disease to the extent that this is possible, while recognizing we don't yet know the mechanisms of disease for many manifestations of long COVID.

Sprague Martinez: That question of diagnosis and treatment is even more complicated among marginalized communities. For many people it's a privilege to take the day off from work and to seek care and treatment, especially in the context of employment instability which continues to impact industries such as service, which was very hard hit during the pandemic.

Then there's the question of awareness. Have people heard of Paxlovid? Are they aware it's out there? I can say that many people are not aware. How do we get the word out about it? Then there's testing. Access to at-home testing is not equitable. Many people may not even know they have COVID. We can't assume access to health information or care.

HMNews: Where does the pandemic stand in Massachusetts?

Lemieux: Things are getting better, but transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is still quite high if you look at both at the percentage of positivity and at the absolute case counts. The wastewater RNA levels are high. Although we are probably past the peak of the BA.2.12.1 wave, we are starting to see BA.4 and BA.5 variants starting to show up in a few percentage points of our sequenced cases here in the region. They are more transmissible and likely to cause some surge in cases. So, while we are dealing with the effects of post-acute COVID, we are also likely going to be seeing a lot of ongoing acute COVID into the summer, and there may be a resurgence in the fall.
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Most people have at least one extended family member who has had cancer. But does that put you at a higher risk for developing cancer? Baylor College of Medicine genetic counselor Tanya Eble explains the risk factors for hereditary cancer, how genetic counseling can help make sense of your family medical history and why family gatherings this summer can be a good opportunity to learn more about your health.

According to Eble, there can be red flags for hereditary cancer in an individual's personal or family history:

Cancer diagnosed at an early agefor example, breast cancer diagnosed before menopause

Rare cancers like ovarian or pancreatic cancer and cancers in a less commonly affected genderfor example, breast cancer in men

Multiple primary cancers in a single family member

Multiple generations of family members impacted by the same type of cancer or specific constellations of cancer

If you have a concern about hereditary cancer, Eble advises seeing a genetic counselor or medical geneticist to better understand your risk and find out whether genetic testing might be right for you or your family. Eble asks her patients for a four-generation family history to draw a pedigree and illustrate cancer risk.

"It's helpful to come prepared to answer questions about the types of cancers and ages of diagnosis in your family," said Eble, associate professor of molecular and human genetics at Baylor. "Bring a family member's genetic test report if you have it. When a variant was identified, it's helpful to know the exact change in the gene and whether it is a known pathogenic variant or an unknown variant. We may want to test specifically for that variant."

Eble says some patients are surprised to learn that information about healthy individuals can be helpful too.

"If you come because your paternal grandmother had breast cancer and your father has six sisters, I might be reassured about a hereditary cancer syndrome if all those sisters are now in their 80s with no cancer," Eble said. "If the sisters are young, I might still be concerned because they might still develop cancer."

Do your medical history homework with your family

She encourages patients to speak with family members ahead of an appointment with a genetic counselor to get a full understanding of the family medical history. Online tools like My Family Health Portrait, developed by the U.S. Surgeon General and the National Human Genome Research Institute, can help build a family tree of medical history that can be shared with your physician or a genetic counselor.

"Family gatherings can be a good time to start the conversation about family history," Eble said. "There's usually someone in the family who has that information and can share. But remember that different people have different levels of comfort when talking about their family history."

If family history indicates a need for genetic testing, patients can provide a genetic sample either through a blood draw or mouth swab. A genetics provider will review the results of the test with you and discuss what it means for your health. It's important to follow up with your physician about the results of your test to discuss what management and screening plan is right for you.

Before getting genetic testing, Eble recommends that patients review the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, which protects people from discrimination in health insurance and employment due to their genetics, to learn how their information can and cannot be used by others.

Explore further Q&A: Family health history information
By Azernews

By Ayya Lmahamad

Azerbaijani State Employment Agency Board Chairman Mustafa Abbasbayli has said that the work is underway on preparing a Job Platform for Karabakh project.

He made the remarks during a press conference on the employment of veterans of the 2020 Second Karabakh War and the social support provided to them, Azernews reports.

The issue of employment in the liberated territories is being considered. Special attention will be paid to the employment of veterans, he said.

Moreover, he also added that the employment record requirement for Azerbaijani employers will be abolished after their full digitalization.

Underlining the complexity of the digitalization of labor books, Abbasbayli noted that it is scheduled to fully develop the subsystem of labor relations and employment until the end of 2022.

The subsystem improvement doesn't mean the liquidation of employment records. Once the upgrade is done, data up to 2006 will also be digitalized. The process may be totally completed by the end of 2022 or early next year, he said.

It should be noted that the Labor and Social Security Ministry takes consistent measures to provide social support to vulnerable groups of the population, including martyrs families, war veterans, and civilians affected by the war.

Social support measures taken by the ministry covered more than 30,000 citizens, including members of martyrs families, war veterans, and civilians affected by the Armenian aggression since the end of the 44-day war with Armenia in November 2020.
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Conversations about the impact of menstrual health on women's lives are in the headlines with calls for menstrual health leave for working women, and it's not just working women being impacted

Appearing in Curriculum Studies in Health and Physical Education, a recent study of young women between the ages of 1325 has shown that although menstrual health literacy is part of the Australian curriculum, many young women in Australia are looking to the internet for answers due to the inadequacy and lack of timely information available in schools.

Previous research has found that period pain (dysmenorrhea), typically associated with abdominal cramping, back pain, nausea, fatigue and emotional changes, affects just under three quarters of young women worldwide.

Although menstrual health literacy is part of the Australian curriculum, research has found many young women in Australia are looking to the internet for answers due to the inadequacy and lack of timely information available in schools.

Lead author Dr. Christina Curry from Western Sydney University's School of Education said: "Period pain can have a negative impact on everyday tasks, including education. When untreated, it can interfere with educational performance and engagement and lead to absence from educational, sporting, extra-curricular and workplace activities."

Research to be published in a peer-reviewed article today reports on the findings of a survey of 5,007 young Australian women aged 1325 on their experiences of menstruation, dysmenorrhea and education.

The article entitled, Menstrual Health Education in Australian Schools by Western Sydney University researchers, Dr. Christina Curry, Associate Professor Tania Ferfolja, Professor Kathryn Holmes, Dr. Kelly Parry, Sherry, and Dr. Mike Armour, builds on their team's previous research suggesting young women may be disadvantaged in school and, by extension, in terms of life opportunity due to the impact of period pain and other menstrual symptoms.

According to Dr. Curry, "Although educational content related to menstruation is indirectly incorporated in the Australian Health and Physical Education curriculum it does not directly mandate to teach menstrual health, therefore it may not be specifically taught and, if it is, the knowledge by the teacher may be limited."

"When asked 'What was the most useful information about menstruation received in HPE [Health and Physical Education classes] class?' 187 (6.9%) reported that either 'no information' about menstruation was provided to them during their schooling or they were 'unsure' about whether any information was provided at all. It is this combination of factors that challenge curriculum implementation of menstrual health education."

Associate Professor Ferfolja explains, "Many teachers lack training and confidence to facilitate contemporary relationships and sexuality education. The complexities and discomfort around the topic appear to have an influence on the topic not being taught at all, with some teachers avoiding it altogether. This is the result of not having a good understanding of the topic beyond the biological"

A leading researcher in menstrual health, Dr. Armour from Western Sydney University's NICM Health Research Institute, pointed out that "In Australia, around 90% of those under 25 report regular period pain but less than half of those seek medical assistance. This reluctance to access medical assistance is frequently due to an underlying culture positioning period-related pain as a 'normal' part of the menstrual cycle and as something to be toleratedthis seems to be common across geographical and cultural boundaries."

According to respondents, "Nothing was really helpful due to the fact of learning the information too late. Learning about growth and development should happen in primary school, not year 8/9." (15 years of age, School student, Year 10, South Australia)

"There was no practical information focused on pain management related to menstrual management, such as relieving symptoms and the use of sanitary items, only the biological effect on the body such as how hormones come into play. Personally, that was not useful and I can't remember much about it." (16 years of age, Year 11, Victoria)

"We did not learn about hormones, possible complications (dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, etc.), what the baseline of a normal period was like. I assumed the pain, vomiting, and general unpleasantness caused by my endometriosis was normal." (24 years of age, University student, Queensland)

Menstrual health education is required to be taught as part of the HPE curriculum and, according to the researchers, the topic needs to be taught and teachers need the support to teach it effectively and in a way that meets students' needs.. The findings highlight the need for an effective professional development program for inservice teachers and for targeted education of preservice teachers.

As Professor Holmes pointed out: "To ensure the translation to curriculum practice, further advocacy is required so young people have the knowledge and skills to support their menstrual health and teachers feel well-equipped and confident to teach menstrual health education."

"A national education curriculum that provides quality health education is vital to ensure young people have the knowledge and health literacy skills to make informed decisions about their health and well-being."

Explore further Insufficient menstrual cycle education provided in UK schools, study finds

More information: Christina Curry et al, Menstrual Health in Australian Schools. Curriculum Studies in Health and Physical Education (2022). https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/25742981.2022.2060119?src=
When Megumi Ota needed the morning-after pill in Japan, she couldn't get a prescription in time under a policy activists call an attempt to "control" women's reproductive rights.

"I wanted to take it but couldn't over a weekend," when most clinics are closed, she told AFP.

Unable to arrange an appointment in the 72 hours after sex when the drug is most effective, "I just had to leave it to chance, and got pregnant."

Emergency contraception cannot be bought without a doctor's approval in Japan and is not covered by public health insurance, so can cost up to $150.

It's also the only medicine that must be taken in front of a pharmacist to stop it being sold on the black market.

Abortion rights are just as restrictive, campaigners say, with consent required from a male partner, and a surgical procedure the only option because abortion pills are not yet legal.

A government panel was formed in October to study if the morning-after pill should be sold over the counter, like in North America, most of the EU and some Asian countries.

But gynaecologists have raised concerns, including that it could increase the spread of diseases by encouraging casual, unprotected sex.

Ota decided to terminate her pregnancy after her partner, who had refused to use condoms, reacted coldly to the news.

"I just felt helpless," said the 43-year-old, who was 36 at the time and now runs a sexual trauma support group.

Japan has world-class medical care, but is ranked 120th of 156 countries in the World Economic Forum's gender gap index, which measures health among other categories.

"In Japan's system, there's a perception that women may abuse what they have and do something wrong," said reproductive rights advocate Asuka Someya.

"There's a strong paternalistic tendency in the medical world. They want to keep women under their control."

Limited choices

The debate comes with reproductive rights in the global spotlight.

In the United States, the Supreme Court appears poised to overturn a 1973 ruling guaranteeing abortion access nationwide, while Poland enacted a near-total ban on terminations less than two years ago.

There are an estimated 610,000 unplanned pregnancies each year in Japan, according to a 2019 survey by Bayer and Tokyo University.

Abortion has been legal since 1948, and is available up until 22 weeks, but consent is required from a spouse or partner. Exceptions are granted only in cases of rape or domestic abuse, or if the partner is dead or missing.

A British pharmaceutical firm last year applied to Japanese health authorities for approval of its abortion pill, which can be used in early pregnancy.

But until a decision is made, those seeking a termination must undergo an operation to remove tissue from the womb with a metal or plastic instrument.

The procedure costs around 100,000 to 200,000 yen ($800 to $1,500), with late-stage abortions sometimes even more expensive.

Someya, who had an abortion as a student, said she was "terrified" and wishes she had been able to "choose more comfortably between different options".

"I was informed of the risk that the operation could leave me sterile, but I thought I would be to blame," said the 36-year-old, who now views abortion as medical care women deserve access to.

Birth control choices are also limited in Japan, where condoms are by far the preferred method and alternatives are rarely openly discussed.

Contraceptive pills were approved in 1999, after decades of deliberation by the governmentcompared to just six months for Viagra.

Nowadays they are used by just 2.9 percent of women of reproductive age, compared to a third in France and nearly 20 percent in Thailand, according to a 2019 UN report.

Meanwhile IUDs, which sit inside the womb to prevent pregnancy, are used by 0.4 percent while implants and injections are not available at all.

'We must change'

Gynaecologist Sakiko Enmi, a leading member of the campaign for better access to the morning-after pill, said the government must not drag its feet.

Levonorgestrel, a drug used in emergency contraception to delay or prevent ovulation, has been legal in Japan for more than a decade.

But "it does not reach those who really need it, due to poor accessibility and the price," Enmi said.

Women can consult a doctor online, but still must take the morning-after pill in front of a pharmacistJapan's only medicine that has this requirement as standard, the Tokyo Pharmaceutical Association says.

A previous government panel rejected making emergency contraception available over the counter in 2017, and many medics remain opposed to the change.

In October, a Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists survey found 40 percent of its members were against the proposal.

Overall, 92 percent said they had concerns, with the report stating that "this country needs to improve sex education before considering whether to make the emergency contraceptive pill available over the counter".

Enmi, however, is adamant about what needs to happen.

"We must change," she said. "Women should be allowed to make decisions for themselves."

oh/kaf/lto

Explore further US abortion trends have changed since landmark 1973 ruling

 2022 AFP
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Globally, preterm birth complications are the leading cause of death for children under the age of 5. Not everyone faces the same risk, though: In the United States, roughly 10% of pregnancies lead to preterm birth, but for Black women, that likelihood is 14%. Recent studies suggest that the vaginal microbiome, which plays an important role in a woman's reproductive health, may influence those outcomes.

Findings published in mSystems, an open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology, support that idea. After analyzing data from a large study on pregnant women in North Carolina, researchers found that participants with a high abundance of Lactobacillus crispatus were less likely to have a preterm birth. The researchers also stratified their findings by race and found evidence for the protective effect of L. crispatus in both White and Black populations.

Lactobacillus bacteria are common in the vaginal microbiome, but the specific species that dominate may affect outcomes, said microbiologist and lead author Shan Sun, Ph.D., a researcher at the University of North Carolina Charlotte (UNCC).

"Some species are more or less protective," Sun said, "but when the vaginal microbiome was dominated by species of L. crispatus, preterm birth was 40% less likely." Sun and her colleagues also higher alpha-diversity, lower abundance of L. crispatus, and higher abundance of L. iners in the vaginal microbiome of Black women.

In the gut microbiome, greater diversity is often associated with better health. But the opposite seems to be true in the vaginal microbiome, said bioinformatics scientist Anthony Fodor, Ph.D., at UNCC. "If you have one dominant microbe, ok, that's what you want." Higher diversity may dampen the protective effects of L. crispatus in Black women, said Sun, but further evidence is needed to probe that hypothesis. Sun is a postdoctoral researcher in Fodor's lab.

Previous studies have investigated connections between the vaginal microbiome and preterm births, Sun said, but have largely been limited by low numbers of participants. The new findings are based on data on 464 White women and 360 Black women enrolled in the Pregnancy, Infection, and Nutrition (PIN) Study, based at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Between 1995 and 2000, the study enrolled more than 3,000 women and compiled data on a wide range of health, environmental, and social factors.

"We can pull in microbiome data to help us describe how all these determinants of health work together to produce outcomes," said epidemiologist Stephanie Engel, Ph.D., at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. "We can get at the entire picture of a woman's experience of pregnancy." Engel is the current principal investigator of the PIN study. She and Fodor are senior authors of the new study.

What remains unclear, said Engel, is whether L. crispatus is itself protective or is a consequence of some other factor that lowers the risk for preterm birth. "We don't know if having a specific vaginal microbiome creates a susceptibility for some other agent that's actually the causal agent," she said.

Engel said she also hopes researchers will use PIN data to probe the racial disparities in preterm outcomes. "Are we asking the right questions? Is it really race, or racism?" she asked. "There's still quite a bit to be done to describe the nature of the microbiome during pregnancy and what influences outcomes."

Explore further New findings in the vaginal microbiome

More information: Shan Sun et al, Race, the Vaginal Microbiome, and Spontaneous Preterm Birth, mSystems (2022). Shan Sun et al, Race, the Vaginal Microbiome, and Spontaneous Preterm Birth,(2022). DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00017-22
Estimates of sex chromosome intensity and dosage by array genotyping or exome sequencing in UK Biobank men. A. Median array genotype intensity on the X chromosome (mLRR-X) and Y chromosome (mLRR-Y) for each of n = 207,067 men, including 213 with 47,XXY (Klinefelter syndrome), 143 with 47,XYY, and 2 with 48,XXYY. B. X dosage estimated from exome sequencing plotted against mLRR-X (n = 83,104). C. Y dosage estimated from exome sequencing plotted against mLRR-Y (n = 83,104). Credit: Genetics in Medicine (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.gim.2022.05.011

Around one in 500 men could be carrying an extra X or Y chromosomemost of them unawareputting them at increased risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis and thrombosis, say researchers at the universities of Cambridge and Exeter.

In a study published in Genetics in Medicine, researchers analyzed genetic data collected from more than 200,000 U.K. men aged 4070 from U.K. Biobank, a biomedical database and research resource containing anonymized genetic, lifestyle and health information from half a million U.K. participants. They found 356 men who carried either an extra X chromosome or an extra Y chromosome.

Sex chromosomes determine our biological sex. Men typically have one X and one Y chromosome, while women have two Xs. However, some men also have an extra X or Y chromosomeXXY or XYY.

Without a genetic test, it may not be immediately obvious. Men with extra X chromosomes are sometimes identified during investigations of delayed puberty and infertility; however, most are unaware that they have this condition. Men with an extra Y chromosome tend to be taller as boys and adults, but otherwise they have no distinctive physical features.

In their study, the researchers identified 213 men with an extra X chromosome and 143 men with an extra Y chromosome. As the participants in U.K. Biobank tend to be "healthier" than the general population, this suggests that around one in 500 men may carry an extra X or Y chromosome.

Only a small minority of these men had a diagnosis of sex chromosome abnormality on their medical records or by self-report: fewer than one in four (23%) men with XXY and only one of the 143 XYY men (0.7%) had a known diagnosis.

By linking genetic data to routine health records, the team found that men with XXY have much higher chances of reproductive problems, including a three-fold higher risk of delayed puberty and a four-fold higher risk of being childless. These men also had significantly lower blood concentrations of testosterone, the natural male hormone. Men with XYY appeared to have a normal reproductive function.

Men with either XXY or XYY had higher risks of several other health conditions. They were three times more likely to have type 2 diabetes, six times more likely to develop venous thrombosis, three times as likely to experience pulmonary embolism, and four times more likely to suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The researchers say that it isn't clear why an extra chromosome should increase the risk or why the risks were so similar irrespective of which sex chromosome was duplicated.

Yajie Zhao, a Ph.D. student at the Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge, the study's first author, said: "Even though a significant number of men carry an extra sex chromosome, very few of them are likely to be aware of this. This extra chromosome means that they have substantially higher risks of a number of common metabolic, vascular, and respiratory diseasesdiseases that may be preventable."

Professor Ken Ong, also from the MRC Epidemiology Unit at Cambridge and joint senior author, added: "Genetic testing can detect chromosomal abnormalities fairly easily, so it might be helpful if XXY and XYY were more widely tested for in men who present to their doctor with a relevant health concern.

"We'd need more research to assess whether there is additional value in wider screening for unusual chromosomes in the general population, but this could potentially lead to early interventions to help them avoid the related diseases."

Professor Anna Murray, at the University of Exeter, said: "Our study is important because it starts from the genetics and tells us about the potential health impacts of having an extra sex chromosome in an older population, without being biased by only testing men with certain features as has often been done in the past."

Previous studies have found that around one in 1,000 females have an additional X chromosome, which can result in delayed language development and accelerated growth until puberty, as well as lower IQ levels compared to their peers.

Explore further Studying the active role of the maize B chromosome in the modulation of gene expression

More information: Yajie Zhao et al, Detection and characterization of male sex chromosome abnormalities in the UK Biobank study, Genetics in Medicine (2022). Journal information: Genetics in Medicine Yajie Zhao et al, Detection and characterization of male sex chromosome abnormalities in the UK Biobank study,(2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.gim.2022.05.011
Michael D'Agostino demonstrates the aerosol delivery method, which in this study was done on animal models. Credit: McMaster University

McMaster University scientists who compared respiratory vaccine delivery systems have confirmed that inhaled aerosol vaccines provide far better protection and stronger immunity than nasal sprays.

While nasal sprays reach primarily the nose and throat, inhaled aerosols bypass the nasal passage and deliver vaccine droplets deep in the airway, where they can induce a broad protective immune response, the researchers report.

For the study, published online in the journal Frontiers in Immunology, the researchers used a tuberculosis vaccine to compare delivery methods by measuring the distribution of droplets, immune responses and potency in animals.

When the vaccine was delivered directly into the lungs, it stimulated stronger immune responses, providing much better protection from TB.

"Infections in the upper respiratory tract tend to be non-severe. In the context of infections caused by viruses like influenza or SARS-CoV-2, it tends to be when the virus gets deep into the lung that it makes you really sick," explains Matthew Miller, a co-author of the study who holds the Canada Research Chair in Viral Pandemics at McMaster University.

"The immune response you generate when you deliver the vaccine deep into the lung is much stronger than when you only deposit that material in the nose and throat because of the anatomy and nature of the tissue, and the immune cells that are available to respond are very different," says Miller, who is also an investigator with Canada's Global Nexus for Pandemics & Biological Threats, which is based at McMaster.

Zhou Xing is co-investigator of the study and a professor at the McMaster Immunology Research Centre and Department of Medicine. Credit: McMaster University

"This study for the first time provides strong preclinical evidence to support the development of inhaled aerosol delivery over nasal spray for human vaccination against respiratory infections including TB, COVID-19 and influenza," says Zhou Xing, co-investigator of the study and a professor at the McMaster Immunology Research Centre and Department of Medicine.

More than 6.3 million have people died during the COVID-19 pandemic, and respiratory infections remain a significant cause of illness and death throughout the world, driving an urgent and renewed worldwide effort to develop vaccines that can be delivered directly to the mucous lining of the respiratory tract.

Scientists at McMaster, who have developed a unique inhaled form of COVID vaccine, believe this deep-delivery method offers the best defense against the current and future pandemics.

A Phase 1 clinical trial is currently under way to evaluate the inhaled aerosol vaccine in healthy adults who had previously received two or three doses of an injected COVID mRNA vaccine.

Nasal mist flu vaccines have been shown to be highly effective in children, but much less effective in adults, leaving injectable flu vaccines as the most popular choice for seasonal flu vaccinations.

Previous research by the McMaster team has shown that in addition to being needle-free and painless, an inhaled vaccine is so efficient at targeting the lungs and upper airways that it can achieve maximum protection with a much smaller dose than injected vaccines.

Explore further Newly developed inhaled vaccine delivers broad protection against SARS-CoV-2, variants
FRIDAY, June 10, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- You can add more risk of broken bones to the long list of health harms that smoking poses to men.

Along with cancer and respiratory diseases, men who smoke have a significantly increased risk of osteoporosis, fractures and early death, a new study finds.

Previous research has shown that men are more likely to smoke and to have a higher risk of smoking-related health problems than women.

In this new paper, researchers from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas conducted a meta-analysis of 27 studies that included data on nearly 30,000 cases of broken bones over the past three decades and concluded that smoking increases a man's risk of breaking a bone by as much as 37%.

"Smoking is a major risk factor for osteoporosis and risk of fracture," said study author Dr. Qing Wu, an associate professor in UNLV's School of Public Health and the Nevada Institute of Personalized Medicine.

"Men tend to smoke more than women, increasing their risk for osteoporosis, which has traditionally been thought of as a women's disease," he said in an UNLV news release.

These findings suggest that quitting smoking would significantly reduce the risk of fractures in all smokers, particularly in men, Wu and his colleagues pointed out.

They also said that the findings bolster data from previous studies showing that between 21% and 37% of males with broken bones die within a year of suffering their fracture.

It's believed that smoking increases the risk of fractures because chemicals in cigarettes impair tissue repair and fracture healing, and also reduce the bodys ability to absorb vitamin D and calcium, nutrients that are critical for strong bone mineral density.

Osteoporosis-related fractures are a major health issue and cause of disability in older people and often lead to premature death, the researchers noted.

The findings were published June 3 in the journal Scientific Reports.

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease, disability and death in the United States. There are about 34.2 million adult smokers in this country, including 16.7% of men and 13.6% of women, according to the study.

More information

SOURCE: University of Nevada, Las Vegas, news release, June 8, 2022

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FRIDAY, June 10, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Heart failure patients who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 have a three times higher risk of death if they get the disease than those who are fully vaccinated and have received one booster, new research shows.

The findings are crucial because many heart failure patients are reluctant to get COVID-19 shots due to concerns about the possibility of inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis).

While myocarditis is a rare side effect of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, it is a more common complication of COVID-19, the study authors noted.

For the study, the researchers analyzed data from more than 7,000 heart failure patients (not including those with a heart transplant or a left ventricular assist device) who had office visits, emergency department visits or hospitalizations at the Mount Sinai Health System in New York City between Jan. 1, 2021, and Jan. 24, 2022.

Of those patients, 31% were fully vaccinated with two doses, nearly 15% were fully vaccinated and had also received one booster (recommended at that time), 9% were partially vaccinated with only one dose, and 45% were unvaccinated  about double the rate of unvaccinated adults in the general New York City population.

Compared to fully vaccinated/boosted patients, unvaccinated and partially vaccinated patients were 15% more likely to be hospitalized if infected with the coronavirus, nearly two times more likely to end up in intensive care and nearly three times more likely to die.

The study was published online June 9 in the Journal of Cardiac Failure.

"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," said study author Dr. Anuradha Lala, director of heart failure research at the Icahn School of Medicine, in New York City.

"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," Lala added.

"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 hospitalization  even after accounting for factors that might be related to an individual's decision to become vaccinated  is helpful," Lala explained in a Mount Sinai news release.

"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," she concluded.

More information

For more on COVID-19 and the heart, go to the U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

SOURCE: Mount Sinai Health System, news release, June 9, 2022

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Here's some business news in the Missoula area:

The Missoula Downtown Association's two ongoing free summer events are back on full-swing.

Out to Lunch is back for its 36th season on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and Downtown ToNight is back for its 21st season on Thursday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and both events run through August in Caras Park in downtown Missoula.

"Its going to be an epic summer in Downtown thanks to Out to Lunch and Downtown ToNight, said Missoula Downtown Association board president Josh Eder. These two events are part of what makes summer in Missoula so special. I cant imagine a June, July, or August without heading down to Caras Park to enjoy the live music, food, and fun that both programs provide our community."

There's food trucks and live music at both events every week. For those driving a personal vehicle, the first hour of parking is free in the Central Park Garage (128 W. Main), the Park Place Garage (201 E. Front), and the ROAM Garage (305 E. Front), all of which are a 5-minute or less walk from Caras Park. Parking is free evenings and weekends in public parking spaces in downtown (which includes leased spaces).

"Out to Lunch is perfect for Downtown employees to get out of the office and Downtown ToNight is perfect for meeting with coworkers, friends, and family after a long day in the office," Eder said. "We encourage everyone to put these two traditions on their calendar ASAP!

It looks like there's a new tenant in the old Taco John's building at 623 W. Broadway in Missoula. A sign says it will be the site of Dr. Khanna's Returning Youth Initiative. According to their website, the organization is a nonprofit charity organization that provides post-incarcerated young adults with a pathway to be reintegrated into society.

Montana has the second-slowest Internet download speed of any state in the United States, according to a new report from HighSpeedInternet.com. The company analyzed data from 1.4 million speed tests and came up with the average speed in each state. With an average download speed of 63.4 megabits per second, Montana was behind every state except West Virginia. Wyoming had the third-slowest speed. The states with the fastest speeds were Delaware and New Jersey.

A University of Montana director recently received a prestigious award from a national association of regional economic research centers.

Patrick Barkey, director of UMs Bureau of Business and Economic Research, received the Thayne Robson Award from the Association for University Business and Economic Research.

The award is the association's highest honor that goes to an individual for longtime commitment and service to the organization. Award winners must be economic and public policy leaders in their state.

Barkey is the past president of AUBER, has served as secretary-treasurer for more than a decade and has been a member of the organizations board of directors. The award was presented at AUBERs annual conference held earlier this year in Boulder, Colorado.

"I am humbled to receive this honor, especially considering the outstanding AUBER leaders who have preceded me, Barkey said.

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The citys Public Safety, Health and Operations Committee authorized spending $834,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to establish veterans transitional housing at the Clark Fork Inn motel during a meeting Wednesday.

The move will elevate the Poverello Center's ability to help veterans thrive and heal as they transition from homelessness to stable housing, said Tracy Pohndorf, a grants administrator with the city.

The committee voted unanimously to authorize the ARPA expenditure.

The city originally approved the allocation last August as part of its annual budget, and the Pov got a bridge loan last December to buy the motel.

Now, the contract is ready to move forward with the purchase. The Poverello Center expects to move its veterans transitional housing program out of the shelter and into the motel by the end of 2024.

The Housing Montana Heroes program has operated onsite at the Poverello Center for the past eight years. Moving the program to a separate space is intended to reduce stress and provide private rooms for veterans in the program.

Moving the program, which utilizes 20 beds in the shelter, will also expand the Poverello Centers capacity.

About 17 current residents of the Clark Fork Inn will be displaced by the transitional housing, but the Poverello Center will provide them with assistance in their relocation.

City Council Ward 6 Member Sandra Vasecka questioned whether the transitional housing would be an allowable use for ARPA funds. Pohndorf said the expense was allowed because homelessness is a negative impact that was exacerbated by the pandemic.

I think were making some really exciting strides in our community for our unhoused community members, said Ward 1 Council Member Heidi West.

Another stride the committee made in its Wednesday meeting pertained to the Trinity Navigation Center, a supportive services provider going into the future Trinity Apartments complex on Mullan Road.

The committee unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding between the city of Missoula and All Nations Health Center for a partnership in designing a services and staffing model for the navigation center.

The planning process for the partnership started in 2020.

All Nations Health Center is a behavioral health provider that serves over 2,000 Indigenous and non-Indigenous clients in Missoula and Ravalli counties, according to the organizations executive director, Skye McGinty.

Knowing that Trinity will likely serve a disproportionate amount of Native people, I think that its important that they receive care from Native people, from a Native lens, McGinty pointed out.

All Nations Health Center plans to staff Trinity Navigation Center with a behavioral health clinician, a behavioral health intern, a peer support specialist and a community health worker.

Public commenter Karissa Trujillo with housing nonprofit Homeword said she is really excited how the navigation center will be well-rounded out for these wraparound services that weve all been working towards together for Trinity Navigation Center and Trinity in general.

West asked the presenters during the meeting Wednesday to explain the relationship between All Nations Health Center and Partnership Health, which also maintains a memorandum of understanding to provide services at the Trinity facility.

Missoula Housing Programs Manager Rikki Henderson explained the two health providers would operate separately at the navigation center. Same space, separate entities, she said.

Funding for the Trinity Navigation Center operations has yet to be established.

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After more than 40 years, the Missoula County Commissioners on Thursday adopted their final resolution to update the countys zoning code.

The update includes changes to make development easier and increase environmental protections.

This is a big deal, said Commissioner Dave Strohmaier. Folks oftentimes ask us, Whats Missoula County doing about housing, affordable housing? Well, this is part of the package right here. This is not insignificant.

Board Chair Juanita Vero agreed, calling the decision monumental.

The commissioners first voted to approve a code overhaul on May 5. The previous code went into place in 1976.

The code applies to county land outside Missoula city limits, including Bonner, East Missoula and the Wye.

County staff took no new public comment after more than 20 people weighed in at the May 5 meeting.

I think everybody who has something to say has said it, Commissioner Josh Slotnick said Thursday.

The commissioners voted unanimously to approve the zoning update.

Health Department

The commissioners were also unanimous in their support for a new interlocal agreement for the Missoula City-County Health Department.

New state legislation  House Bills 121 and 257  sparked the need for a change to the Health Boards operations. Specifically, the new rules required the board to operate under a governing body separate from the board of health.

Missoula decided to use the county and the city governments as its governing board, rather than forming a separate governing entity like some counties opted to do. Along with the operational change, the funding split for building costs between the two governments also changed.

Instead of the county footing 100% of building costs as it did previously, those costs will now be divided, with the city paying 60% and the county paying 40%.

The city will start by paying 20% and increase its share by 10% every year for five years.

The county commissioners approved the agreement Thursday, and the citys Public Safety, Health and Operations Committee on Wednesday forwarded its recommendation on to the City Council for approval of the interlocal agreement.

This is an elegant solution making use of tools we already have, not spending a bunch of money and retaining autonomy with groups who appreciate that, said Slotnick.

Building fees

In addition to the changes to the Health Department, the commissioners authorized changes to the Building Division at the meeting Thursday.

The county increased building fees, established various other fees, added definitions and abandoned two existing building provisions.

The new fees go into effect in September.

Building permit fees went up 25%, and the county implemented a new valuation system that uses current valuation data instead of the previously used data from 2009.

The Building Division proposed these and numerous other changes because of the rapid rate of building in the area and the increasing complexity of many building projects.

The Building Division needs to raise fees in order to remain solvent, and begin to rebuild prudent reserves of one years expenses as permitted by state statute, said Dave Larkin, Missoula Countys building official. In addition, the increases will provide funds for training, certifying, adjusting the pay rates for inspection staff due to adoption of new codes such as energy, accessibility, urban and wildfire interface, green construction and solar.

The Building Division does not rely on taxes, but instead only utilizes fees for its funding.

A full list of the Building Division changes is available at: missoulacountyvoice.com/increase-to-building-permit-rates.

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BJP leaders in the state have demanded that no Rohingya or Bangladeshi infiltrators be included in the census and are pressing hard for a law on population control in the state.

Sami Ahmad | TwoCircles.net

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BIHAR  After being pushed to the back foot in Bihar over the caste census announced by chief minister Nitish Kumar, his alliance partner Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is trying hard to counter it by targeting Muslims of the state, especially in the Muslim majority Seemanchal region, by talking about infiltration and population issues.

BJP leaders like state chief Sanjay Jayaswal, central minister Giriraj Singh and former minister Ravi Shankar Prasad have demanded that no Rohingya or Bangladeshi infiltrators be included in the census. The party is also pressing hard for a law on population control in the state.

Nikhil Anand, BJP OBC Morchas national general secretary told the media that they (BJP) were not strictly opposed to the caste census but the time frame, complications and preparation was also important.

Although there is no official figure on the number of Rohingya and Bangladeshi Muslims in the state, it was discussed in July 2021 during a hearing of three trafficked Bangladeshi women in Patna High Court.

Both these demands are considered to be part of the partys Hindutva agenda. Many believe that BJP is trying to compensate for its loss of face on caste census by pushing its Hindutva agenda and trying to prepare the ground for dumping Nitish Kumar and his party in the future and catering to its core voters.

Janata Dal Uniteds (JDU) MLC Ghulam Rasool Balyavi told TwoCircles.net that BJP knew very well the stand of the chief minister on these two issues. And if the BJP wants to part ways, who can stop them?

Instead of providing solid evidence, they are just making allegations. It does not work that way, Balyavi said.

BJP is also trying to undermine the exercise by insisting that it should be described as a headcount of all caste persons rather than a caste census. BJP is also concerned with the fact that more Muslims may be included in the OBC category after the census.

It was after much reluctance that the BJP gave its nod to the caste-based census in the state. The state government approved it on June 2 calling for the involvement of all religions and communities. The caste census is to be completed by February 2023 at the cost of Rs 500 crores. Bihar has a population of around 14 crores and it is estimated that 16-17 % of them constitute the minorities.

The caste census is expected to have a great impact on policy decisions and the power politics of the state. This decision may encourage other states to follow suit, which the BJP and its ideologues wouldnt like to happen. They term it as divisive and apprehend caste strife while the supporters of the caste census say that it is necessary for ensuring jiski jitni sankhya bhari, uski utni hissedari (share in all spheres of life should be proportionate to their numbers).

The decision to conduct the caste census was long-awaited even after getting approved by the Bihar Legislative Assembly in February 2020. Last year in August, an all-party delegation met prime minister Narendra Modi to push for the caste-based census in the state.

Census will ensure proportionate power sharing

Former member of Rajya Sabha and a prominent leader of Pasmanda politics Ali Anwar terms it a positive step for minorities, especially Muslims. Talking to TwoCircles.net he expressed hope that the caste census will help in countering the religious polarization policy of Hindutva forces to a considerable extent.

Former director of Xavier Institute of Social Research at Patna, Dr Jose Kalapura, said the new caste census was important as the last caste census was conducted in 1931 during the British rule to uplift the downtrodden sections according to their numerical strength. It will help in understanding the categories of people in different layers of a hierarchical society and ensure proportionate power-sharing, Dr Kalapura told TwoCircles.net.

With the new caste census, Arshad Ajmal, who is COO at Sahulat Microfinance Society, said that he was hoping members of different castes of the Muslim community will assert their representation in different sectors.

For Dr Kalapura, the demand for resetting the reservation percentage would come to the fore after this exercise.

Why has Nitish Kumar been pushing for a caste census?

Nitish Kumar wants to revive his political capital among the backward castes as his ally BJP is eating into it with its aggressive Hindutva politics. He is also wary of the fact that Lalu Prasads son Tejashwi Yadav was taking a lead on this issue. Therefore, Nitish found it important to announce the caste census.

Under pressure from the BJP, Nitish, who only has only 45 MLAs compared to BJP has 76, is counting on Lalu Prasad Yadavs Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD). With RJD supporting Nitish on the issue of caste census, the BJP fears that Nitish might part ways with itforcing it to accept the decision.

Will it help Muslims of the state?

All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) state president Akhtarul Iman, who was part of the all-party meeting on June 1, told TwoCircles.net that the census will help more Muslims to bring in the fold of caste and category-based government facilities.

It will also help Muslim artisans, masons and other skilled Biradaris, he said

BJPs claim of infiltrators is just a political tool. Why havent they been able to do anything after being in power since 2005? asked Imam, who is an MLA from Seemanchals Amaur seat.

Seemanchal is the most deprived area of the state and it is so unfortunate that they are targeting this area, he added.

Sami Ahmad is a journalist based in Patna, Bihar. He tweets at @samipkb
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.

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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.

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Ryan Zinke, former Interior secretary and past Montana congressman, has emerged the winner of a tight Republican primary for Montanas new western congressional seat.

Zinke held a 1,608-vote lead districtwide over former state Sen. Al Olszewski of Kalispell following a hand-count in Lincoln County that did not wrap up until late Thursday afternoon. That put Zinke at 42% to Olszewski's 40% in unofficial totals.

Lincoln County was the last in the district to report results.

The five-way primary also featured Kalispell church leader Mary Todd with 10%, Missoula school teacher Matt Jette with 6% and Whitefish home builder Mitch Heuer with 2%.

Zinke will face Democrat Monica Tranel and Libertarian John Lamb in Novembers general election.

For the first time in 30 years, Montana will send two representatives to Congress after gaining an additional seat in reapportionment. In the new western congressional district, Zinke was widely considered the favorite with high name recognition, a significant fundraising lead and the backing of prominent Republicans including former President Donald Trump.

Thank you western Montana for your confidence that America can be fixed and for ignoring the political BS," Zinke said in a statement emailed out by his campaign Wednesday evening.  ... We have a great team and dedicated volunteers who believe in American values. I look forward to working with (Republican) Congressman (Matt) Rosendale on solving the hard issues that face America and the great state of Montana. One state. Two U.S. representatives, one fight for freedom.

In a statement Wednesday evening, Olszewski said he conceded the race to Zinke in a phone call.

Im honored by the over 30,000 voters who supported me in this election. We started as big underdog and ran a race based on the conservative principles of our Republican Party," Olszewski said. "However its clear that we will not be victorious in this race. This evening I called Mr. Zinke to concede the race. I want to thank all my supporters and team for their help. Together we accomplished so much and I want to thank my family who was with me throughout it all.

Once the polls closed Tuesday and numbers started posting, Zinke and Olszewski were running largely neck-and-neck. Zinke received stronger support in populous counties such as Missoula and Gallatin, and also won Mineral, Glacier, Pondera, Ravalli, Granite, Madison, Deer Lodge and Silver Bow in unofficial results. Olszewski meanwhile easily won the other populous county, Flathead, which both candidates call home, and other northwestern counties such as Lake and Sanders. He also won Beaverhead County by 7 points.

By Wednesday, Zinke held a slim 1,200-vote advantage out of more than 80,000 votes cast as all eyes turned to Lincoln County. A quarter-inch error by the printer supplying absentee ballots caused them to be incompatible with tabulation machines. Officials there elected to count votes by hand.

Zinke ended up winning Lincoln County with 46% of the vote there to Olszewski's 37%.

Zinke cited concern over the divide in the country in his decision to run and touted his experience with energy and public lands both in Congress and in the Trump administration. He has also spoken out about the need to address Montanas affordable housing crisis and called for changes at the U.S.-Mexico border to reduce immigrants entering the country illegally.

Olszewski had run twice statewide, losing in GOP primaries for governor and U.S. Senate, and aligned himself with the conservative wing of the Republican Party in this run for the U.S. House. He was an outspoken Zinke critic, attacking the former congressman on multiple issues from policy to the amount of time he spends out of state. Opponents have focused on Zinkes departure from the Trump administration, resigning after two years amid multiple ethics investigations.

Zinke has pushed back on the attacks, running a late ad affirming his Montana residency  his wife owns property in California she identifies as her primary residence while the couple own a home and other properties in Whitefish.

Tom Kuglin is the deputy editor for the Lee Newspapers State Bureau. His coverage focuses on outdoors, recreation and natural resources.

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These days, the refrain has echoed to the groaning point of cliche: Newspapers are dying.

And sure, the assertion contains some grudging truth. Sadly for us nostalgic sorts, the traditional print newspaper seems destined for the dustbin of history alongside the likes of Blockbuster Video, Royal typewriters and fast-food joints paying less than $20 an hour.

Thats unfathomable for a newspaper junkie who 50 years ago collected flags from around the world. I still get a surge of adrenalin watching the first fresh papers flow off a conveyor belt at midnight.

Ink-stained gloom and doom aside, I write with a message of optimism: More of you than ever are reading your morning paper while nursing a cup of coffee over your laptop, iPhone or iPad, surging past print readership.

To paraphrase noted newspaper philosopher Mark Twain, rumors of our demise are greatly exaggerated.

Thats certainly true of our five Lee Enterprises newspapers here in Montana.

Id be sugar-coating if I didnt acknowledge the past 15 years or so have been fraught with pain. Ive said good-bye to so many laid-off friends and colleagues across the country that Ive lost count. Three newspaper buildings I've called home have been sold or demolished; another, The Billings Gazette, is on the market.

Its been gut-wrenching.

At the same time, after trying to both mitigate and exploit the diverse realities of the Internet age, we are at last experiencing a digital pendulum swing back in our favor.

The primary reason why: In an age of hyperbole, disinformation and outright lies, polls consistently show the local newspaper  print or digital  is still easily among the most trusted sources of news and information, no matter how often your conservative neighbor insists were a liberal rag or your liberal neighbor labels us a conservative rag.

Lees resurgence begins with an emphatic commitment to local people-centric journalism unlike any Ive witnessed since our industrys headiest days began ebbing in the late 1980s.

Our mantra going forward is Your Story Lives Here, a tagline that serves as a reminder that local news is a pillar of a communitys cultural fabric. And that we as editors, reporters and photographers are neighbors deeply embedded in these places we call home, some for a lifetime.

The first big step came in February, when Lee named a new vice president of local news in Jason Adrians and separated our 77 newspapers across 26 states into three regions. Included is a West Region led by Pulitzer Prize finalist David McCumber, who formerly managed our five papers  the Standard, Billings Gazette, Missoulian, Helena Independent Record and Ravalli Republic  and who remains entrenched in Butte because he could never fathom living more than a long Spey cast away from the Big Hole River, where his story lives.

After more than five years overseeing our fledgling 406mtsports.com adventure, I was handed the news reins of our papers to expand my editors quiver.

The message from Jason and David from the get-go: Lets Go!

So we have.

Along with filling local newsroom vacancies, we have added new statewide positions in recognition that while the five communities remain our anchors, Montana truly is a small town with long streets.

As such, an immediate priority was securing an indigenous affairs reporter covering all eight reservations and 12 tribes, and were thrilled to announce that Nora Mabie, widely respected for similar work at the Great Falls Tribune, started with us June 6. Between Noras stories and a new partnership with Indian Country Today, well be able to cover Native issues with breadth, depth and context that have been absent for far too long.

Also joining us soon is Antonio Ibarra Olivares, a talented and decorated recent University of Montana journalism school graduate who will focus on visual story telling statewide.

These journalists along with our four-person Montana State News Bureau in Helena  rumors of our Capitol coverages demise were greatly exaggerated, too  enable us to provide The First Best Coverage of The Last Best Place.

Theres more.

In perhaps our boldest move, Lee is creating a 12-member national public-affairs/investigative reporting team to assist local reporters in diving deep into issues that matter most to local readers. Four reporters will be based in the West.

Topics of urgency include the housing crunch, climate crisis, missing and murdered indigenous people, infrastructure, energy, our political divide, and more.

The unrelenting message is that local journalism is the cornerstone of a successful business model going forward. That narrative was reinforced recently when many on our editorial staffs received pay increases, reflecting Lees desire to retain accomplished journalists while acknowledging the skyrocketing cost of living in Montana.

Does pain remain? Sure. Restructuring, especially on the advertising side, has meant more lost jobs as what was once the revenue backbone of our industry wanes and we seek new sources to support producing objective, compelling, essential local journalism.

And in our volatile world, who knows what tomorrow will bring?

Yes, we are leaner than we were 20 years ago, but to quote Twain again, Its not the size of the dog in the fight, its the size of the fight in the dog.

Our commitment to meaningful local journalism is more resolute than ever as it becomes even clearer how vital we are to informed communities and a flourishing democracy.

As Thomas Jefferson once said, The only security of all is in a free press.

In short, while newspapers might one day vanish, trusted local news gathering  and the need for it  never will.

Lee Montana executive editor Jeff Welsch can be reached at jeff.welsch@lee.net or 406-670-3849. Follow him on Twitter at @406welsch.

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We are witnessing an all-out war on wolves in Montana as Governor Gianforte continues to grant the wishes of his most radical supporters. His actions make it clear he cares more about the views of his wealthy donors than the common-sense values of everyday Montanans.

Since wolves in the Northern Rocky Mountains were removed from the endangered species list in 2020, Gianforte has furiously changed Montanas laws to maximize the number of wolves killed by any means necessary. He signed laws allowing an extended hunting season, hunting at night, and tactics including the use of strangle-hold neck snaring, baiting, and thermal imaging technology.

In addition to these inhumane methods, Gianforte has called for hunters to kill as many wolves as possible by increasing the kill limit to 20 per hunter and allowing the use of private money for wolf bounties (presumably from similar donors who put Gianforte into office). As Gianforte proclaimed this past year, make no mistake, the effort to stop trapping in Montana is an attack on our heritage.

The implicit heritage hes referring to is one of unlimited wolf slaughter, and Helenas rabid rush toward eradication hearkens back to a darker period in our states history. Montanas past is marked by the mass-killing of wolves achieved through hunting bounties and poisoning that unraveled entire ecosystems. While Gianforte has already brought bounties back, wolf hunters like Bill Hoppe, a proud descendant of Yellowstone wolf bounty hunters, has publicly encouraged wolf poisoning in the face of increased federal protections. These threats from anti-wolf radicals are not just hollow words, as eight wolves were found poisoned to death just a few months earlier in Oregon.

None of this brazen behavior should be a surprise. Gianforte encourages reckless actions alongside the wolf-hating special interest groups who fund his campaigns. Just this last year Gianforte failed to follow his own laws when he killed a Yellowstone wolf without proper certification. This happened on the private ranch of Robert Smith, a major Republican donor, 10 miles from Yellowstone Park. Gianforte later described the kill as, a tremendous honor. Nearby hunters have followed the governors example and now one-third of Yellowstone's wolves are dead.

Montanas radical laws go far beyond what reasonable hunters and conservationists support. A letter from Montanans with nearly 1,500 years of combined experience in wildlife management, including three former Montana Fish and Wildlife Commissioners, called Gianfortes wolf hunting laws, anti-predator, anti-hunter access, and anti-habitat preservation, and completely contrary to the accepted principles of fair chase hunting and hunter ethics. The letter goes on to affirm Gianfortes laws are aligned with an extremist minority of landowners and wolf haters with insider access in Helena.

We need state laws to be based on scientific evidence, not the views of the political donor class or fear-mongering from extremist groups. For example, while anti-wolf advocates claim wolves are wiping out ranchers herds, government data shows wolves are responsible for just 1% of livestock deaths in Northern Rocky states like Montana.

Montanas natural ecosystem is our greatest asset, and the vast majority of Montanans want to see it protected. We can not afford to let Gianforte sacrifice our resources at the bidding of wealthy landowners and extremists like hes currently doing with wolves. Montanans, both those alive today and future generations, deserve better.

Marc Cooke is president of Wolves of the Rockies, and writes from Stevensville.

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More than 180 teenagers and adult volunteers from more than 15 churches around Burke County banded together for the week to minister to local residents.

The Catawba River Baptist Association (CRBA), a network of 66 Burke County churches, organized the second annual Burke Changers missions camp June 6-8. The local camp started in 2021 to fill the void left when World Changers, a national faith-based missions camp, folded in 2020, in part due to economic hardships surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. World Changers had hosted mission camps in Burke County from 2016-19, bringing nearly 300 students from across the southeast to the area each summer.

To fill this void, CRBA leaders scrambled to hold a similar event in 2021 which drew 115 students. According to Robby Smith, director of missions for the association, the event this year has grown to include more churches, more students and two extra service projects.

To help organize the work, the association has once again enlisted the help of Foothills Service Project. Started in 1997, by the late R.L Icard, Foothills Service Project builds approximately 200 access ramps a year for Burke County residents over the age of 60, according to Executive Director Scotty Donnelly.

Donnelly and Project Coordinator Andrew Whisenant worked all last week contacting homeowners, measuring and organizing supplies to get ready for the groups.

Weve already picked out the projects and (Andrew) makes a rough drawing of it so we can make a materials list, said Donnelly. Then we go through and make detailed drawings of each project so the crew chiefs know exactly what theyre building.

In addition to building access ramps, Smith said the groups also helped with yard work and painting and they spent time walking through neighborhoods praying for and offering to pray with residents.

Were praying for the people behind those doors, Smith said. We still believe prayer is one of the most powerful tools we have to help people.

Smith said the goal for the week was to be a blessing to as many people as possible.

Were trying to be the best churches for the community, Smith said. We want to be a group of churches that want to help make our community better. Thats why were out, not only sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ, but putting hands to those prayers. Were trying to meet needs.

Each evening, the missions camp concluded with a special event for students and community members. On Monday, the students enjoyed a night of skating and pizza. On Tuesday, students hosted five community block parties in different location throughout the county. According to Smith, the block parties were open to everyone in the community and featured inflatables, live music, free canvas tote bags and two bicycle giveaways at each of the following locations:

Mount Home Baptist Church, 2272 Mount Home Road, Morganton.

Fisher Mobile Home Park, 5125 Crawley Dale St., Morganton; hosted by Burkemont Baptist.

Walker Road Baptist Church, 100 Walker Road, Morganton.

Valdese Housing Authority, 1402 Lydia Ave., Valdese; hosted by East Valdese Baptist Church.

The Historic Courthouse Square in Morganton; hosted by Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church.

On Wednesday, El Bethel Baptist Church hosted a barbecue dinner and closing worship service giving the students and adult volunteers an opportunity to look back over the three days of ministry. Eddy Bunton, student ministries pastor for Burkemont Baptist Church and one of the events organizers, said people who received help and their neighbors were invited to join them on Wednesday.

Were celebrating something we call Wow moments, Bunton said. Every day, on their sites, students are going to be looking for what we call a wow moment which is where weve watched God do something through our crew, in our neighborhood or on our project. Its anything noteworthy we can give God credit for.

This highlights one of the major reasons event organizers and participating churches said they wanted to stay in Burke County instead of taking mission trips to other communities.

The whole idea is to get tools in students hands so they can learn how to serve and hopefully grow with that through their lives, and also give them an eye to not just go away to serve somewhere, but to realize that there are people in our own neighborhoods, Bunton said.

He said a ministry like this also gives leaders an opportunity to include every student who is interested.

When you do something locally, youre not having to worry about housing or how youre going to feed everyone, he said. Because its not a travel trip and its not a huge expense, it lowers that baseline so theres no one excluded.

Whisenant hopes the projects helped the students see that everyone has something they can offer.

Sometimes students dont know that they have a talent until somebody gives them a drill or a hammer to do something with it, Whisenant said. And they say, wow, this is actually fun, I can do something to help.
MUSCATINE  Pizza Ranch, in partnership with Coca-Cola, awards 10 $2,000 Service from the Heart scholarships every year to team members who are currently attending or planning to attend a post-secondary educational institution.

Among those selected from the 211 Pizza Ranch locations across the Midwest is Aidan See, the first Service from the Heart Scholarship winner from Muscatine. See has worked at Pizza Ranch for two years, balancing life between work and attending Muscatine High School.

I was really thrilled when I heard that I won the scholarship, See said. Pizza Ranch was my first job, and its just been a great experience altogether. Finding out I won the scholarship just made all the hard work that Ive done worth it.

One of the Muscatine Pizza Ranchs managers, Josh Marshall, shared in the excitement.

Shes the first winner that weve had from our store, Marshall said. It was really cool to get that phone call about it; it almost brought us to tears. (See) is a great employee, and its just nice to see somebody from Muscatine get recognized.

Everyone was really supportive, See said. Were all just a big work family.

See plans on attending Muscatine Community College to earn her associate degree while taking part in the colleges two-year health care program. From there, she hopes to become a Certified Nursing Assistant and possibly attend post-graduate school for optometry.

In order to qualify for the scholarship, besides being a student who plans on pursuing a post-secondary degree, the winners must also exemplify excellence in the classroom, be active in their community and be someone who strives to live out the Pizza Ranch mission and vision every day. That vision is to give every guest a legendary experience.

Winners also had to write an essay focused on her job at Pizza Ranch and what shes learned through it, alongside an overview of the care, service and experience that shes been able to provide both in the restaurant and to the community. One of the things See said she enjoyed the most about working at Pizza Ranch was how it allowed her to invest in her community, such as through donating unsold pizza to local food pantries or through hosting community events such as food drives and fundraisers.

I just wrote about how this was not only a job to make money, but I got to connect with a bunch of people in our community as well, she said.

In a public statement, Pizza Ranch founder and President Adrie Groeneweg explained the purpose of the scholarship.

Our core values are built on supporting and improving the local communities we serve to help make the world a better place," Groeneweg said. "This scholarship program is one of the many ways that we strive to give back to our hard-working employees. Were excited to fund a talented group of students that serve Pizza Ranchs restaurants and communities while continuing to achieve their educational dreams.

Since the start of the scholarship program, Pizza Ranch and Coca-Cola have been able to give out over $180,000 in grants to over 100 employees.

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MUSCATINE  As election auditors for Muscatine County hand counted a precincts ballots to ensure election integrity Friday morning, Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate visited Muscatine County to observe the count.

Pate said that, after having to do a recount during the 2020 presidential election, the post-election audit of the June 7 primary is a way to assure voters in the integrity of the election process. During the audit a precinct was selected at random and a board of four election officials, with members of both political parties, hand counted the votes. During the audit, Moscow Township and its 50 ballots were chosen for the audit.

This is done now for all elections, Pate said of the audit. Previously it had been done for only general elections. This is open to the public. My office sent down a precinct and that is the one they will do, and certify it. In the past when we did it for general elections, we always had a 100 percent match.

It was no different Friday, as the numbers all came back exactly the way they had been reported on election night. After the certification, the numbers will be sent to the state.

During the primary election in Muscatine, 2,923 ballots were cast, with 994 being Democratic and 1,929 being Republican. There are 22,915 registered voters in Muscatine County.

Muscatine County Auditor Tibe Vander Linden said Friday afternoon that the Muscatine County Supervisors will canvass the results during a special meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday. She explained on Monday uniformed military ballots can still be returned in the mail and accepted. She said there are no outstanding ballots, but when she set the canvass, she wanted to give time for that.

Since the election, four ballots have been received in the mail with postmarks prior to the election. She explained they would not count after a change in election law. She also said that none of the unofficial winners of the election had won by four votes or fewer, so she did not believe the ballots would have changed any contest. She said letters have been sent to the voters explaining why their votes would not count.

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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.

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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.

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DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP)  Thousands of people marched in Bangladesh's capital and in parts of India on Friday to urge Muslim-majority nations to cut ties with India and boycott its products unless it punishes two governing party officials for comments deemed derogatory to Islam's Prophet Muhammad.

Two protesters died of gunshot injuries sustained during clashes with police in the eastern Indian city of Ranchi, the capital of Jharkhand state, said Prabhat Kumar, a senior doctor at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, on Saturday. Another 10 people were being treated for various injuries at the hospital.

Authorities imposed a curfew on Friday night in parts of Ranchi after clashes between protesters and police left six officers injured, police said.

The protesters in Dhaka also criticized their country's government for not publicly condemning the comments made last week by the two officials in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governing Bharatiya Janata Party.

One official has been suspended and the other expelled after the BJP denounced insults of religious figures, but protesters in Bangladesh and India said the actions were not enough.

In Bangladesh, they marched after Friday prayers through streets near the main Baitul Mukarram Mosque in downtown Dhaka. Many chanted slogans against Modi.

The global Muslim community has been united. We ask the whole world to boycott Indian products, said Moulana Imtiaz Alam, leader of Islami Andolan Bangladesh, a grouping of Islamist parties that support the introduction of Islamic law in the country.

Alam called for the two Indian officials to be arrested and punished.

In India, thousands of Muslims took to the streets after Friday prayers and hurled rocks at police in several towns and cities.

Police used wooden batons and tear gas to disperse protesters in Hyderabad, Saharanpur, Prayagraj, Moradabad and Kanpur. Some demonstrators hurled rocks at security forces from rooftops, TV images showed.

In Prayagraj in northern Uttar Pradesh state, the protesters set several motorcycles and pushcarts on fire and damaged a police vehicle on Friday. Police used batons and tear gas to disperse them.

One police officer was injured when he was hit in the face with a rock thrown by protesters, said police officer Ajay Kumar.

Prashant Kumar, the states top police officer, said 136 protesters were arrested in six districts for rioting.

Mohammed Salim Qureshi, a protester outside New Delhis main Jama Masjid Mosque, also demanded the arrest of the two BJP officials.

Ahmed Bukhari, the imam of Jama Masjid, said the protest was spontaneous.

A paper effigy of BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma was burned in Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh state.

In the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir, authorities locked down two towns and cut mobile internet service in several towns and in Srinagar, the regions main city, fearing anger against the comments could turn into larger anti-India protests.

Scores of Muslim residents protested against the two BJP officials in Srinagar, where shops and businesses shut spontaneously Friday. Authorities did not allow Friday prayers in Srinagar's main mosque or in the remote, mountainous towns of Bhaderwah and Kishtwar.

Protests nevertheless erupted for a second day in Bhaderwah, leading to clashes with government forces. No injuries were reported.

On Thursday, thousands protested in the town after a Hindu man posted a representation of the Prophet Muhammad and his wife on social media. Police have brought a case against the suspect.

Police also were investigating two Muslim men accused of delivering speeches against Hindus during Thursday's protest.

Tensions have been high in the divided Muslim-majority Himalayan region, also claimed by Pakistan, since 2019, when New Delhi ended its semi-autonomy and took direct control of the portion it administers.

At least five Arab nations have lodged official protests against India, and Pakistan and Afghanistan also reacted strongly this week to the comments made by the two BJP officials. They follow increasing violence targeting Indias Muslim minority by Hindu nationalists who have been emboldened by Modis silence about such attacks since he was elected in 2014.

Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has maintained a warm relationship with India for more than a decade despite growing anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh, India's neighbor and a major trading partner.

Associated Press journalists Aijaz Hussain in Srinagar, India, Ashok Sharma in New Delhi and Al-emrun Garjon in Dhaka, Bangladesh contributed to this report.

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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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.

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

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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A 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.

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Nigerian Exchange Ltd. plans to start a blockchain-enabled exchange platform next year to deepen trade and lure young investors to the market.

The move follows the introduction of regulations to guide trade in digital assets by the Nigerian Securities and Exchange Commission, and the growing interest to adopt the distributed-ledger technology by businesses and policy makers across the continent including in Kenya and South Africa.

The exchange looks to deploy the blockchain technology in settlement of capital market transactions, Temi Popoola, the chief executive of Nigeria Exchange Ltd., said in an interview.

For a lot of young and upcoming Nigerians, that is the kind of technology they adopt and we want to see how we can deploy it to grow our market, Temi said.

The plan is unfolding in the wake of a rout in cryptocurrency markets following the collapse of the Terra blockchain in May. Bitcoin has plunged more than 50% since reaching a record high last November.

While young Nigerians account for the largest volume of cryptocurrency transactions outside the US, according to Paxful, a Bitcoin marketplace, they have largely ignored the local bourse.

Nigerians traded $185 million of Bitcoins on the platform in the first three months of the year, accounting for a quarter of transactions in the period on Paxful.

The Nigerian bourse will partner with a technology firm and get the approval of regulators before the launch in 2023, according to Popoola.

Blockchain technology can facilitate different parts of the capital market, whether around creation of products or facilitation of the Exchange to trade financial assets, he added.

Digitizing transactions will help attract young buyers looking for diversified products as well as fast and easy access to the market, Popoola said.

The bourses first complete electronic share offering, issued by MTN Group Ltd.s Nigeria unit last year, was 1.2 times oversubscribed, with 85% of the investors under 40 years.

Its almost impossible to think of blockchain without including cryptocurrency, so if the adoption is not in agreement with central banks position, there may be skepticism from investors, Gbemisola Alonge, a tech policy analyst at Stears in Lagos, said by telephone.

Besides blockchain, the listed companies should be able to deliver returns to attract the target investors, she said.

Last year, the central bank ordered commercial lenders to stop transactions or operations in cryptocurrencies, citing a threat to the financial system. Nigerias SEC said at the time it would seek to protect investors and make the market more transparent.

Blockchain technology is catching on across the continent.

South African authorities are engaging with the fintech industry to enable the incorporation of the distributed-ledger technology in the financial markets.

In Kenya, lenders are seeking approval to deploy the technology in payments to reduce the incidence of bad loans.

Nigeria introduced the eNaira, a digital currency last year, in a bid to boost financial inclusion in Africas most populous nation where a third of population have no access to financial services.

Now read: Reserve bank wants engagement on cryptocurrency regulation
The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) says there were no excuses for motorists not to renew their driving licence cards, apparently not even when the Natis system is down.

Speaking during the launch of the Drivers Licence Testing Centre (DLTC) at the Gautrain Midrand station on Thursday, RTMC CEO Makhosini Msibi said they had addressed the backlog of licence cards that had expired between 26 March 2020 and 31 August 2021.

We find pride in having dealt with [the] over 1.5 million backlog in driving licence card renewals, Msibi stated.

A tweet from the RTMC accompanying Msibis message stated that it was time for motorists to understand that they had no excuses for not renewing their driving licence cards.

It made the post while Driver Licence Testing Centres (DLTCs) across the country were experiencing problems with connectivity to the eNatis system, preventing people trying to renew their licence cards from doing so.

While the RTMC initially said that the system was online and merely slow, several Twitter users at various DLTCs made different claims.

In Roodepoort, its not even slow, its offline. Many places say the system is offline. Please report accurately before you waste peoples time and money, said one Twitter user.

I drove all the way from Queenswood to Temba to be told [to] leave your booking receipt, we will call you, another said.

But I cant renew mine since your system is offline, so frustrating, a third stated.

Twitter user Corne Venter said the system had also been offline the day before the RTMCs message, while a person whose Twitter profile said they were a worker at the Elundini municipalitys DLTC said they were unable to do learners licence tests.

Shortly after noon on Thursday, the RTMC tweeted that it was working to resolve the technical glitches motorists reported.

The problem has been identified and we reservedly [sic] apologise to members of the public for the inconvenience caused, the RTMC said.

More than 19 hours after that tweet, it had still not sent out an update on the systems status.

The RTMCs warning about licence card renewals comes after similar remarks made by transport minister Fikile Mbalula.

Mbalula threatened that law enforcement would step up efforts to penalise motorists who continued to drive with expired licence cards.

Organisations like Outa, the Automobile Association of South Africa, and Afriforum have criticised the hard-handed approach, and have called for reform of the renewal regime.

Outas accountability division executive director Stefanie Fick previously told MyBroadband that there was no legal basis for the persecution of motorists in circumstances where the renewal of a drivers licence card is made impossible by the very department that must provide the service.

We agree with the principle that motorists should abide by the law. However, we are of the opinion that the department should make it possible for motorists to abide by the law, Fick said, referring to the flood of complaints of downtime of the Natis system.

True backlog unknown

The 1.5-million figure mentioned by Msibi was initially provided by the RTMC back in August 2021, and does not take into account the additional licence cards that expired from 1 September 2021.

The countrys only licence card printing machine broke down in early November 2021 and was only returned to service in late January 2022, adding more renewals to the backlog.

However, the department showed no mercy to motorists affected by this and instead encouraged them to get a temporary licence at their own cost.

MyBroadband contacted the RTMC for comment on the number of renewals which remained outstanding, but did not receive feedback by the time of publication.

Now read: Vigilante mob murders Bolt driver
South Africa is bracing for a repeat of last seasons locust swarms, the worst in decades, and is banking on a tracking technology backed by the institute of Microsoft Corp.s late co-founder, Paul Allen, to tackle the infestation.

Agri Eastern Cape, which represents farmers in the coastal province, started using the Allen Institute for AIs EarthRanger system in April to pinpoint where swarms will erupt in September and October, according to Jason Kumm, manager of rural safety and communications, at the organization.

Things are quietening down but these locusts have laid eggs, he said in an interview. EarthRanger has allowed ueas to understand where this has taken place. When conditions are right and these eggs hatch, we will have the resources in place.

Swarms that spread across the Eastern Cape and neighboring provinces in the summer growing season were as big as 10,000 hectares (24,711 acres) in some cases and the infestation rivaled those seen in 1935 and 1983.

The locusts razed pastures used to feed livestock across large parts of the region, including in areas that were recovering from eight-year droughts.

The heaviest rains since records began in 1921 in many districts allowed the insects to multiply rapidly. While citrus-growing areas were infested, the locusts didnt cause significant damage to fruit trees.

The area is also home to dairy farms and sheep and angora goats, whose hair is used in mohair garments.

This is one of the biggest we have experienced in history, said Gunther Pretorius, manager for economics and natural resources at Agri Eastern Cape.

EarthRanger allows farmers to call in reports of swarms, and whether the locusts are at a juvenile hopping stage or already airborne.

Those are then logged and tracked on the system, allowing for more efficient allocation of pesticides and resources.

They can also decide whether ground teams or aircraft are needed to tackle the insects.

Offered as a free service, the tracking system was developed in 2015 as part of the Great Elephant Census, a program to measure the size of Africas savanna elephant population by assessing data from aerial surveys. It was first used primarily to help protect elephant populations.

Waves of locusts often plague the Horn of Africa and Kenya, razing crops and pastures as recently as last year.

Now read: Microsoft wants to put an end to mechanical hard drives in PCs
South Africa will ban the importation and distribution of 2G devices by end-February 2023, communications minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has announced.

Speaking at the 2022 World Telecommunication Development Conference in Kigali, Rwanda, Ntshavheni said the ban would help South Africa shut down its 2G and 3G networks by 2025.

This is to enable a robust programme to modernise South Africas networks, Ntshavheni stated.

She said South Africas mobile network operators would fully deploy 4G and 5G networks by 2025.

The minister explained that these moves complement SA Connect, South Africas broadband connectivity drive.

The goal of SA Connect is to ensure that all South Africans have access to the internet by 2024, said Ntshavheni, adding that the programme is driven through four initiatives.

Among these is satellite communication, with Ntshavheni announcing that South Africa is ready to launch its own satellite.

The satellite will address both media and broadband connectivity objectives and will entrench our technology and data sovereignty, she said.

SA Connects other three initiatives all centre around connectivity at publicly-owned facilities.

First, South Africa has imposed social obligations on mobile network operators to connect all public schools, health facilities, public libraries, government service centres, and traditional authorities by end-June 2025.

These obligations are attached to spectrum licences that the operators bid on in the March spectrum auction, which raised close to R14.5 billion for South Africas national fiscus.

Second, SA Connect aims to connect all remaining government sites by end-March 2024.

This target is critical for our programme to digitalise government, Ntshavheni stated.

The digitalisation programme aims to have 80% of our citizen-facing services to be online by 2025, with government planning to go paperless by end March 2023.

Thirdly, the government aims to roll out 33,000 community Wi-Fi hotspots to provide Internet connectivity to over 5.8 million households.

With the rapid growth of Wi-Fi in complementing and offloading mobile data traffic from fixed broadband, there is a growing need for the ITU to consider more protection of spectrum use for Wi-Fi services, including possible licensing of Wi-Fi spectrum, Ntshavheni said.

The World Telecommunication Development Conference is held by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

The broadband connectivity programme will be implemented through emerging and Small and Medium Enterprises such as Internet service providers, wireless access providers, and mobile virtual network operators, said Ntshavheni.

Our intention is to create a new technology industry. For this programme, the South African government will invest over R2.5 billion over a 36 months period.

Switching off 2G and 3G no small task

MTN has said that it will likely switch off its 3G network before it can decommission 2G. Its 2G network remains in wide use for machine-to-machine applications.

Vodacom previously announced plans to turn off its 2G network by 2024.

However, Cell C has said the prices of 4G and 5G-compatible devices were a significant barrier to switching off older network technologies.

In 2021, Vodacom called for regulatory intervention to stop the sale of cheap 2G-only cellphones in South Africa.

These devices are sold through independent retail chains such as PEP, Ackermans, and Mr Price.

This week, Mr Price announced that its telecoms segment revenue exceeded a billion rand for the first time  growing 34% year-on-year to R1.2 billion.

Governments crackdown on 2G devices in South Africa could significantly impact the performance of these successful independent cellular retailers.

Now read: Shutting down 2G and 3G in South Africa
The City Council has selected Anil Comelo as St. Helena's next city manager.

The council is scheduled on Tuesday to approve a three-year contract with Comelo, who's currently deputy city manager in Richmond, California. Comelo would start work on July 26.

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I am thrilled to be joining the St. Helena team and am looking forward to methodically tackling long-range projects, and ensuring progress on Council priorities, while working to preserve the lifestyle enjoyed by residents, Comelo said in a press release issued Thursday by the city of St. Helena.

The press release calls Comelo "a seasoned veteran in Bay Area municipal services, with significant hands-on experience in budgeting and financial management, organizational development and strategic planning."

"He also brings a strong foundation in Human Resources management and community engagement and communications," according to the press release. "Over the course of his 25 year career in public service, Comelo has worked with agencies including the Cities of Beverly Hills, Oakland and San Rafael."

Comelo will replace Mark Prestwich, who resigned in February to become city manager in Palos Verdes Estates. Jim McCann has been serving as interim city manager since Prestwich departed.

Mr. Comelo was the City Council's unanimous choice and brings both a broad administrative skill set and community sensitivity that will complement and further the work done under the Council, Mark Prestwich and Jim McCann to strengthen the City's administrative infrastructure and enhance responsiveness in local governance," said Mayor Geoff Ellsworth.

Vice Mayor Paul Dohring calls Comelo "a results-oriented leader with the right combination of vision, enthusiasm and experience to help us advance a very ambitious work plan.

Dohring also said McCann "has served our city admirably and gained the respect of many."

Comelo has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and a Masters of Public Administration in Public Policy and Organizational Change from California State University, East Bay, according to the press release. He lives in Orinda and expects to move to Napa County.
The Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong meets with the visiting Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe at the Istana on June 10, 2022. (Photo by Li Xiaowei)

SINGAPORE, June 10 -- The Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong met with the visiting Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe at the Istana on the afternoon of June 10, 2022.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the unique positioning of the all-round cooperative partnership progressing with the times between Singapore and China reflects the particularity and high level of Singapore-China relationship. Both sides should continue to strengthen practical cooperation on anti-pandemic efforts and economy and trade, and maintain the sound momentum of continuous development of bilateral ties.

He pointed out that at present, the international situation and the Asian-Pacific region are undergoing new changes, and Singapore hopes that all countries in this region can advance communication and enhance mutual trust, and jointly add more positive factors to regional peace and stability.

Chinese Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe said that under the strategic leadership of President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, China-Singapore relationship has developed steadily, and played a leading and exemplary role in the region. In face of the changes unseen in a century and the global pandemic, China and Singapore should constantly deepen strategic mutual trust, expand the integration of common interests, strengthen mutual support on issues concerning each others core interests and major concerns, so as to inject positive energy into regional peace and stability.

He also said that in recent years, the relationship of two militaries has seen stable development, and both sides should continue to enhance high-level exchanges and pragmatic cooperation, in a bid to push forward the mil-to-mil relations.

General Wei Fenghe also held talks with Singapore's Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen on the afternoon of June 9. Both sides exchanged views on the international and regional situations, the South China Sea issue and the Ukraine crisis.

It is learnt that General Wei Fenghe arrived in Singapore on June 8 for an official good-will visit at the invitation of his Singapore counterpart Ng Eng Hen.

The Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe holds talks with Singapore's Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen during his visit to Singapore on June 10, 2022. (Photo by Li Xiaowei)
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

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In a new film called "The Walking Ghost," a bratty sister who bullies others wakes up from a nap to find herself haunted by a spirit. Will the bully remain caught in her nightmare, or can she overcome her mean-girl ways?

It sounds as if it could be one of Hollywoods latest horror blockbusters. But this movie was written and produced by fifth-graders at Napas Snow Elementary School.

The students recently participated in a nonprofit program called the Youth Cinema Project, which brings professional filmmakers into the classroom to teach kids how a movie is made.

Founded by the actor, director, producer and humanitarian Edward James Olmos, this program brings a fresh, fun and fully unique approach to learning, according to the nonprofit's website.

Working directly with filmmaker mentors, fifth-graders learned the entire process of making a film  from idea generation to script writing to pre-production, filming and editing.

After students worked on their films over the past school year with their mentors, the Snow school on Tuesday night held its first annual Film Festival. It featured the The Walking Ghost and seven other films, each between four and five minutes long.

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The film titles alone certainly are headline-worthy. Besides The Walking Ghost, other shorts included Night of the Buddha, Haunted School, Ghost Girl and Camping Trip.

Students from teachers Arthur Howsons and Jackie Griegos fifth-grade classes split into groups of seven or eight filmmaker units.

Fifth-grader Jaliyah Garcia wrote and acted in Ghost Girl, a film about a boy who cant stop lying and the ghost girl who helps him learn how to be honest.

It was fun because we got to do a lot of silly stuff but also we had to be serious sometimes, she said. Jaliyah wrote about a ghost because I like scary movies, she said.

How did she know what to write? I didnt really know at first, Jaliyah said. Then the YCP helped me.

Natalie Cortez played a key role in her film Living with Luci. She not only wrote the film, she was the producer, assistant director, actor and editor.

Her film revolves around Luci, a girl who never really paid attention to her younger brother until a serious accident made her appreciate her sibling.

It was very cool to see my imagination come to life on film, said Natalie.

Shaila Montanez wrote a script called Sunny & the Sick Mom.

This fantastical tale features a girl, Sunny, who helps her mother recover from a mysterious ailment using special flowers and leaves gathered from an invisible forest, said Shaila.

Napa school districts to receive millions in state funding for community schools Napa's school districts will be receiving several million dollars from California for funding community schools, which try to serve the health and learning needs of students to improve outcomes.

The most interesting part of the project was writing about magical things, the student said. When she needed help or had questions, Miss Dawn and Miss Ana helped me fix stuff, she said.

She was referring to Dawn Spinella and Anabel Ontiveros, the two filmmaker mentors who worked with the students on the year-long project.

Kevin Cab acted in the short film Camping Trip, and also worked as a producer on Living with Luci.

Which job did he enjoy the most?

Acting, said Kevin: I liked it because it was a new experience I never tried before. I liked being on camera, pretending things were real.

Being a producer is harder work because you have to keep everyone on track, Kevin noted. He learned to get a little more firm with people than I usually am. And it worked, he said.

Principal Olivia McCormick-Pippert congratulated the young filmmakers on their accomplishment.

The students worked together from the very beginning, she said. From writing the script to designing the sets, to filming  everything. Its made this group a lot more collaborative. They get along really well, which is not always true for fifth-graders.

2022 Snow School Film Festival productions: Haunted School Ghost Girl Night of the Buddha The Walking Ghost Camping Trip Living with Luci Baby Bird Sunny & the Sick Mom

Fifth-grader Sophia Rodriguez said she might want to work in the film industry when she gets older, because its really fun and I also love acting, and how you can be someone else that youre not.

The new filmmakers had advice for the incoming Snow fifth-graders who will participate in the Youth Cinema Project:

Stay on task.

Learn your lines.

Pay attention.

Dont mess around.

And Get your work done on time.

That would be the end of the story, except for one additional detail.

The day after the Snow school film festival, McCormick-Pippert had more good news for the filmmakers. "The Walking Ghost" tied for first place for Best Elementary Films at the Los Angeles Latino Film Festival. The award comes with a small cash prize, said the principal. Details of the prize have yet to be announced.

You can reach reporter Jennifer Huffman at 707-256-2218 or jhuffman@napanews.com

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Pacific Gas & Electric Co.s new enhanced system designed to automatically shut off distribution power lines struck by an object before sparking wildfires is sparking concerns in Napa County.

Napa County Supervisor Diane Dillons concern is that the system will cause an increase in unexpected power outages. She wants PG&E to share more information so people have an idea of what could be in store.

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The worst thing short of fire is for people not to be aware this might happen, not understand how often it might happen, she said. There are businesses, there are people who are on medical devices.

PG&E officials on Tuesday presented initial information to the county Board of Supervisors. The utility will return at a future date with more details.

The new program is called enhanced powerline safety settings, or EPSS. The safety settings automatically shut off a power line within a tenth of a second or less if something touches the line, such as a tree branch, PG&E officials said.

Ive seen bobcats touch an electric lineweve had reports of turkeys or other birds fly into the lines, said Mark van Gorder of the utility.

The Napa Valley Register asked PG&E if local cities are likely to experience EPSS outages, or if the outages will be mostly in rural areas.

Its unlikely downtown and the city of Napa would be impacted by EPSS enabled settings, responded utility spokesperson Deanna Contreras. Same with American Canyon. However, customers who live in outlying areas with a Napa or American Canyon address could be impacted.

Most of St. Helenas downtown is fed by circuits that do have these settings, she said. The same is true of portions of downtown Yountville. All circuits in downtown Calistoga have EPSS settings.

The EPSS program is not to be confused with public safety power shutoffs that Napa County has periodically experienced.

A public safety power shutoff occurs when PG&E de-energizes lines in fire-prone areas during hot, windy weather. The shutoffs are planned ahead of time and customers are supposed to be alerted in advance.

An EPSS shutoff, in contrast, is not planned ahead of time and no advance notice can be given. Also, the safety settings might be used on lines in fire-prone areas even on days without red-flag warnings.

They have already been enabled a few times in May, van Gorder said. They will be enabled more frequently now that were in June.

Just because the system is enabled doesnt mean there will be an outage, said David Meier of PG&E. An incident has to occur along the line.

PG&E launched the program as a pilot last year. The result was an 80% reduction in ignitions that must be reported to the California Public Utilities Commission, van Gorder said.

That 2021 pilot program was on 45% of the distribution lines in high fire-risk parts of PG&Es service area. Dillon said that caused 16 shutoffs in Napa County in two months.

I know from last summer, you had (the sensitivity) set so high  and you were learning as well, its just we hadnt been informed you were learning  thats why it went off as many as 16 times, Dillon told PG&E officials.

This year, the program has expanded to 100% of power lines in high fire-risk areas, which include much of Napa County.

Napa County last week experienced the Old Fire, which broke out May 31 and burned 570 acres near Old Soda Springs Road northeast of the city of Napa and prompted evacuations. Cal Fire subsequently asked PG&E for data on lines within that vicinity.

PG&E filed an incident report with the state saying the Pueblo line close to the fire location had a fault within minutes of Cal Fires reported fire start time. However, the utility was unaware of any downed lines.

This line was not EPSS-enabled at the time, because conditions did not meet EPSS criteria, the incident report said. Our investigation is ongoing.

In related news, PG&E plans to underground 6 miles of power lines in the Aetna Springs-Pope Valley area. This is being done in phases this year and in 2023, according to information presented to Napa County by the utility.

The Fulton-Calistoga line that runs across Napa, Sonoma and Lake counties is being reinforced and will include structures that can withstand 60 mph winds. That project could reduce public safety power shutoffs by 25%, PG&E reported.

You can reach Barry Eberling at 707-256-2253 or beberling@napanews.com

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The city of Vallejo is moving forward on a plan to build a four-story, 48-unit permanent supportive housing project just south of the American Canyon dog park, despite opposition from the city of American Canyon and area residents.

Thats possible through a $12 million grant Vallejo was recently awarded as part of Californias Project Homekey initiative  a statewide effort to expand housing for people experiencing homelessness and those at risk of homelessness.

The Vallejo City Council on Tuesday voted 5-1 to accept the state funds for the purpose of building the project, which is designed to house chronically homeless people. Using modular housing, the developers involved in building the project are planning to have it fully up and running by March 2023. Some further review by Vallejo is still needed, however, before the project is fully approved.

Just before the meeting, the city of American Canyon sent a letter to Vallejo signed by city attorney William Ross that outlined several concerns about the project. For one, the letter claims Vallejo violated the Brown Act, Californias public meeting transparency law, because the city didnt properly specify what business was being discussed in its meeting agenda.

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Here, the Agenda references the acceptance of a grant, but nothing on a large-scale transitional housing project for homeless individuals, Ross wrote. The location of the Project is not set forth in the Agenda, but rather a City financial action with respect to a grant.

Nearby American Canyon residents also didnt receive notice about the project, according to the letter. Vallejo chief assistant city attorney Randy Risner said at the meeting that the item doesnt require that type of notice at all.

Whats on the agenda tonight is to authorize the city manager to accept the grant award and sign the grant agreement and also to provide notice of amending the budget, Risner said. Thats all thats on the agenda. The project is not on the agenda this evening.

The American Canyon letter goes on to dispute a Vallejo claim that the project is exempt from review under the California Environmental Quality Act because its unclear how the city meets the qualifications for exemption under Project Homekey. Assistant city manager Gillian Hayes said at the meeting that the state is pushing the CEQA exemption to help speed up the building process.

Roughly 20 public speakers at the Vallejo meeting, many of them from American Canyon, expressed opposition to the project, and general concerns about homelessness. Some Vallejo councilmembers pushed back on those concerns.

Councilmember Rozzana Verder-Aliga said she believes strongly in a housing-first approach  which emphasizes bringing homeless people into permanent housing  because housing gives unhoused people the stability they need to seek treatment and become productive citizens.

Im a mental health professional so Im very familiar working with this population. And I take offense to those folks who stereotype homeless people as mentally ill and criminals. That is just not true, Verder-Aliga said. These people need help, and we, as a community, and we, as human beings, need to be compassionate.

Asked whether American Canyon would pursue litigation against Vallejo in an interview Thursday, Ross said he had no comment. He said the city hopes Vallejo will see portions of the letter as a call for collaboration when it comes to building housing opportunities for homeless people, given that homelessness is a regional issue.

American Canyon Councilmember Mark Joseph said in an email that the issue was difficult to wrestle with. On the one hand, hes concerned whenever American Canyon residents are concerned.

Here, they weren't given any official notice, but heard about a homeless shelter located literally on our southern border, Joseph wrote.

But, Joseph said in the email, the city supports efforts to provide affordable housing. As evidence, he cited the citys success at meeting housing mandates from the state, which include allocations of affordable housing, and the Valley View senior apartments.

I understand the project will have on-site case managers and will provide supportive services and is nothing like the homeless camps people see, Joseph said. But I also understand that when you call a special meeting, your agenda topic only notes you're accepting a $12 million grant, and your staff report says the project is exempt from both competitive bidding and environmental review, you should also expect a lot of angry people.

Joseph added that, speaking only for himself, his biggest concern in this matter is the lack of outreach and transparency from Vallejo.

If I could make a suggestion, it would be for Vallejo to take some time and explain what the project is  and isn't  and meet with the neighbors, Joseph said. People won't always agree with the outcome, but they can appreciate the time and effort you put in, listening to their concerns and doing what you can to address them.

American Canyon Councilmember Pierre Washington said in an email that the biggest concern of American Canyon residents in the area is that they werent given prior notice or consideration.

Had Vallejo done a better job communicating their intent earlier the neighbors probably still would have balked at the idea, however they would have felt like they had input, Washington wrote.

Vallejo spokesperson Christina Lee said in a statement that the city's "always willing" to hear from and engage in discussion with city residents and residents from other jurisdictions about proposed developments within the city.

"Vallejo has been working on strategies to meet state, regional and City goals relating to affordable housing, homelessness and meeting the needs of our most vulnerable populations and in this regard we are looking forward to taking all the additional steps relating to this project," Lee wrote.

You can reach Edward Booth at 707-256-2213.

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In the race for California controller, the Tuesday primary was, in many ways, the main event.

Based on voter registration, it was widely expected that Lanhee Chen, the sole Republican in the race, would land one of two spots to advance to the general election. And as of Thursday night, Chen had 37.2% of the vote  one of the stronger showings recently for a Republican in a statewide top-two primary.

But the bigger question was which of the four Democrats would advance  and based on simple math, grab a head start to win in November.

While ballots are still being tallied, Malia Cohen, chairperson of the state Board of Equalization, has a substantial lead for second place. And while the results arent official, she has already claimed a spot in the top two.

As of Thursday night, Cohen had earned 21.4% of the vote  with Yvonne Yiu, a city council member from Monterey Park in Southern California, trailing at 15.9% despite spending nearly $6 million of her own money.

Yiu is doing better, however, than state Sen. Steve Glazer (just 11.5% of the vote) and Ron Galperin, the only candidate with controller next to their name on the ballot as city controller from Los Angeles (10.5%).

Why Chen and Cohen?

Chen had the full support of the Republican Party. His primary message that California needs an independent financial watchdog outside the Democratic power structure appealed to several major newspaper editorial boards, and to voters.

Cohen had the big advantages of the official California Democratic Partys blessing, plus endorsements from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, seven statewide constitutional officers and numerous members of Congress and the Legislature. She also had the backing of, and more than $1.3 million from, influential labor groups, including nurses and teachers.

The coalition of support is what got us here, Cohen told CalMatters Thursday. Youre judged by the company you keep, and what distinguished our campaign is our base was broad and wide, and it continues to grow.

Consultant Garry South said that while party endorsements dont always make a difference, they can be impactful in a competitive down-ballot race such as controller, especially when the candidates are not well-known statewide.

It can be effective in cases in primaries where you have multiple Democrats running, he said.

Its also helpful financially: Having the partys seal of approval gives a candidate access to donors and other resources.

The coalition of support is what got us here.

Thats more helpful in the general election, Cohen said.

But Cohen was smart about how she spent her money, campaign strategist Dana Williamson said at a Sacramento Press Club post-primary discussion Thursday. That included buying television time and spending cash early in the Bay Area, where she has name recognition from eight years on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

Whats ahead for the fall

According to Cohen, the challenge is getting voters excited about the election.

She plans to focus her campaign on equity, especially when it comes to helping women and working families, and transparency  not just talking about transparency but living that and sharing that message, she said.

Cohen has criticized Chen for not disclosing whether he voted for former president Donald Trump, or his stance on abortion.

Chen, a longtime policy advisor widely hailed as a rising star within the GOP, has said that he believes Joe Biden was legitimately elected to the presidency.

But his positions, or lack thereof, arent the only challenges he faces. Its math: To compete in November, he must draw significant support from registered Democrats and no-party preference voters. Republicans make up only 24% of Californias registered voters, while 47% are registered as Democrats.

In a statement Tuesday night, Chen acknowledged his uphill battle: To win in November will require an effort that hasnt been seen in our state in a long time.

Hes trying to break a 16-year losing streak for Republicans for statewide offices. Their last victory was in 2006, when Republican Steve Poizner was elected insurance commissioner and Arnold Schwarzenegger was reelected governor.

My biggest challenge is that I'm not a career politician who will benefit from the help of special interests with deep pockets to help communicate my message across this enormous state, Chen said Thursday in a statement to CalMatters.

Though the state Republican Party plans to focus its resources on toss-up congressional races to help the GOP retake control of the U.S. House, theyre enthusiastic about Chen.

From the beginning, Lanhee Chen has emphasized his desire to bring oversight and efficiency to the state, something California Democrat offices lack, Republican National Committee spokesperson Hallie Balch said in an email. The state party and the Republican National Committee are excited to get boots on the ground and keep reaching out to voters to elect Republicans up and down the ballot.

To win in November will require an effort that hasnt been seen in our state in a long time.

But longtime political observers warn about too much enthusiasm for Chen.

South pointed to the lesson of Ashley Swearengin, then the mayor of Fresno, who ran as a Republican for controller in 2014. She led with 25% in the primary against three Democrats and another Republican. But one-on-one in the general election lost to current Controller Betty Yee by 54% to 46%.

Mike Madrid, a longtime GOP consultant, said while he believes Chen is brilliant, its difficult to overcome Californias huge Democratic majority. And it doesnt help that Chen wont say whether he voted for Trump, in apparent fear of angering the Republican base.

A lot of these rising stars who think they could have it both ways have made a massive strategic tactical blunder, Madrid said. They stayed silent during an extraordinarily dangerous time in our nation's history and that poor judgment will define their capacity to be elected.

We are in an era of hyper-politicization, he added. Theres no evidence to suggest that is going to change.
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Ukraine is likely to receive initial EU support on its path to membership. The European Commission is expected next week to recommend granting Ukraine candidate status, a key step on the long road to EU membership, Bloomberg reported, citing sources.

The recommendation, which is to be discussed and adopted by the College of European Commissioners, will be accompanied by conditions related to the rule of law and anti-corruption legislation.

There is no fast track to accelerating the lengthy membership process, and Ukraine still needs to overcome the objections of key states that oppose bloc expansion.

The final opinion of the European Commission, even if it is positive, will require the approval of member states before Ukraine can be formally granted status. EU leaders are set to discuss the issue in Brussels on June 23-24, and several countries have said they oppose the move, saying Ukraine cannot be given preference over existing candidates. The membership process involves a complex set of steps and conditions that can typically take more than ten years to complete.

The conclusion of the European Commission will be reportedly issued on June 17.

An EC spokesman said that work is ongoing to provide a voice ahead of the next EU summit.

Some member states, including the Netherlands, have so far opposed support for Kyiv's bid, while the majority, including Italy, support it.

Countries including Poland, Lithuania and Ireland said at a meeting of EU ambassadors on Wednesday that they want EU leaders to decide on a clear outcome and grant candidate status, according to officials familiar with the talks. Estonia stressed the need to give hope to Ukraine.

Germany said the result could be conditional status for the candidate, officials said.

In a diplomatic note seen by Bloomberg, Denmark said that Ukraine does not sufficiently meet the criteria related to the stability of institutions that guarantee democracy, the rule of law, human rights, respect and protection of minorities. Kyiv will need to fundamentally improve its legislative and institutional framework to make progress on all these fronts, the note said.

Copenhagen believes that Ukraine is generally at a very early stage in its readiness to commit itself to EU membership and create a functioning market economy or become competitive in the single market.

Candidate status, if granted, officially launches the EU membership procedure. Croatia was the last country to join the EU and the process took 10 years before it was formally admitted in 2013.
The Summit of the Americas failed to demonstrate an example of international cooperation. Even if the region were a top priority for President Joe Biden (which it isn't), it doesn't have many natural partners to work with.

This week the focus was on who did not come to Los Angeles for the first regional summit since 2018 and the first in the US since 1994.

The leaders of Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela were not invited, leading to a boycott by Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador and other leaders from Bolivia and Honduras.

Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei and El Salvadoran President Naib Bukele were also absent. Both disagree with the Biden administration over corruption, and Bukele declined a call from Secretary of State Tony Blinken ahead of the summit, according to the NYT.

The absence of all three Northern Triangle leaders undermines the Biden administration's focus on Vice President Kammala Harris' work on the root causes of migration.

Juan Guaido, the leader of the Venezuelan opposition, recognized by Washington as the country's legitimate interim president, was also not invited to Los Angeles, although Biden called him.

The Biden administration attempted to downplay the boycotts and stressed that inviting "dictators" would undermine "past regional commitments to democracy."

However, these snubs are an open challenge to the authority of the regional hegemon. Biden still doesn't have many ideological allies among those who have arrived in Los Angeles other than Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

U.S.-friendly Colombian President Ivan Duque sat next to Biden, but he is already on his way out, and the race for his post is reduced to far-left and right-wing populist candidates.

Biden had to offer Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro a meeting to get him to come.

South American politics are shifting to the left, and the presidents of Argentina, Chile, and Peru have spoken out against "neoliberalism," a symbol of US ideological influence in the region. There are a handful of leaders who want a deeper relationship with the US but feel they are not getting it.

Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso announced his desire for a free trade agreement with the United States in a speech at a business event on the sidelines of the summit. He is unlikely to get it from Biden, who rejects any such agreements. Instead, Lasso is currently negotiating with Beijing.

However, there are major common concerns across the region on issues such as economic recovery, climate and migration, and the White House has prepared a series of announcements to be released these days.

One of these is the American Partnership for Economic Prosperity, a framework still under development to expand cooperation in areas such as supply chains and clean energy.

A senior administration official told reporters that "our most congenial economic partners" would be invited to participate. The official did not name specific countries.

In his speech, Biden said he would put forward proposals that are "a far cry" from what Donald Trump offered to the region. These include the regional migration plan, which will be presented on Friday.
Sweden will look to make constructive progress in talks with Turkey on Ankara's objections over the Nordic country's application to join the NATO defensive alliance, Foreign Minister Ann Linde said on Friday, Reuters reported.

Finland and Sweden applied to join NATO last month but face opposition from Turkey, which accuses them of supporting and harboring Kurdish rebels and other groups it considers terrorists. Those objections caught the Finns, Swedes and many NATO officials off guard and clouded prospects for a fast-paced membership bid ahead of a NATO summit in Madrid later this month.

"Our application has received broad support among NATO members," she said in a foreign policy declaration in the Swedish parliament. "Our ambition is to, in a constructive spirit, make progress on the questions that Turkey has raised."

Linde added that there should be no doubt that Sweden stood together with allies against terrorism.

The Swedish government survived a vote of no confidence Tuesday with the help of an MP whose demands for support for the Kurds in northern Syria could complicate attempts to join NATO.

Ankara also lashed out at Swedish authorities for stopping arms exports to Turkey in 2019 when the country invaded northern Syria.
The official launch of Digital Julfa Network  an initiative bringing together the Pan-Armenian intellectual, technological, commercial and cultural potential is planned to be announced during Orion Summit 2022.

Mark Chenian, a veteran of investment banking, and a member of the board of directors of the Armenian Society of Fellows, is the keynote speaker at the Orion Summit 2022 which will address the final panel discussion on Standing up Digital Julfa Network of the 21st Century. Mark Chenian is a veteran of over 50 years in Investment Banking, primarily in Asset & Wealth Management.

The panel will bring together BAJ Accelerator and Orion Worldwide Innovations Founding Partner Emma Arakelyan, Director of the Matenadaran Vahan Ter-Ghevondian, BAJ Accelerator Co-Founding Partner Dr. Armen Kherlopian, and Souren Israelian, head of Law Office of Souren A. Israelyan.

Digital Julfa networks cultural significance will be presented during the panel. The summit will be followed by the reception during which classical pianist and composer, author of Jazzical Komitas-Passion of Fire CD Joel A. Martin will perform the works of Komitas with jazz interpretation. An art exhibition of contemporary art works will also be held during the summit.

Orion Summit 2022 will take place on June 22, 2022, in Yerevan, Matenadaran. The event will bring together world-class founders, investors, advisors, and professionals in technology, finance, business, and other fields.
The demand for the CSTO as a security donor will gradually increase. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, stated this at Fridays extended meetingin Yerevanof the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

Reflecting on the CSTO and the history of its creation, the FM stated that this organization is gradually becoming a more significant player in the regionand in Eurasia, in general.

At the same time, the minister noted that each region has its own peculiarities, local needs, requirements, and priorities.

"The demand for the CSTO as a security donor will gradually increase and go beyond the pre-defined framework of the Eurasian region," Mirzoyan said.

He informed that regional security and its impact on the security of the CSTO member states were discussed during the narrow-format meeting. The participants exchanged views on the situation in the world and in the region, heard information on the improvement of CSTO crisis management mechanisms and work being done on documents not yet agreed up, and the implementation of the decisions of the CSTO Collective Security Council.

The participants then signed three pre-agreed documents: the Council of CSTO Foreign Ministers package of decisions on the 2022 foreign policy, defense and security consultations plan, the draft protocol decision on the date and venue of the next meeting, and the draft Council of CSTO Foreign Ministers statement on international security issues.

The next meeting of the Council of CSTO Foreign Ministers will also take place in Yerevan in the second half of the yearand on the eve of the meeting of the CSTO Collective Security Council.
The participants of the meeting of the CSTO Council of Ministers held in Yerevan paid great attention to the international and regional security situation. The situation is not easy in all three of our regions of collective security. Secretary General Stanislav Zas of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) stated this following the meetingin Yerevanof the Council of CSTO Foreign Ministers.

"As for the Eastern European region, it is getting worse there," Zas said. According to him, the CSTO FMs statement on the situation with regard to international security expresses deep concern over the ongoing degradation of the international security system.

He noted that a position was voiced on the strict observance of the principle of equal and indivisible security, and the inadmissibility of strengthening of some states at the expense of others.

Zas noted that assistance was also provided to strengthen the role of the UN Security Council in maintaining international peace and security.

The second matter was the discussion of the work aimed at improving the CSTO crisis response.

"This is a priority of the Armenian side. The first practical experience was gained during the operation in Kazakhstan. It provided a good basis for improvement," Zas said.

He noted that he had informed the CSTO foreign ministers about the work being done in this regard.

"It is about correcting the legal field, improving the system of training of governing bodies and troopsincluding the CSTO working bodies. We are resolving a number of issues," said Zas.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, visits XGIMI optoelectronic company to learn about its independent innovation in Yibin, southwest China's Sichuan Province, June 8, 2022. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

CHENGDU, June 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made an inspection tour of southwest China's Sichuan Province. Xi stressed resolute implementation of the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee, carrying forward the great founding spirit of the Party, and being firm in the general principle of pursuing progress while ensuring stability. He required 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 COVID-19 response with economic and social development, to stabilize economic development, and to maintain overall social stability, so that the governance and development of Sichuan will be brought to a new level and a new chapter will be opened in Sichuan's development as a part of the new journey to building a modern socialist country in all respects, Xi noted. He called for concrete actions to set the stage for the success of the 20th National Congress of the CPC.

On June 8, Xi, accompanied by Wang Xiaohui, Party secretary of Sichuan Province and Huang Qiang, governor of the province, made a fact-finding trip to Meishan, Yibin, and other places. Xi went to a village, a cultural relic protection site, a university, and a company.

On June 1, a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Ya'an City, Sichuan Province. Xi immediately gave important instructions, requiring Sichuan provincial committee of the CPC and Sichuan provincial people's government to spare no effort in disaster rescue and relief, consoling the families of the earthquake victims. Medical care to the injured should be provided in a timely manner and arrangements made to help those affected by the earthquake, secondary disasters should be prevented, reconstruction be well planned and normal order of life and production be restored as soon as possible, Xi required.

The central departments concerned immediately activated the national level-3 earthquake emergency response and local authorities lost no time in coordinating disaster rescue and relief work. Efforts have been made to ensure all channels are open to save people's lives, the injured are well attended to, and those affected by the earthquake are relocated and resettled in a timely manner. Currently, most residents from earthquake-hit areas have returned to their homes. The province has de-activated the emergency response and shifted the focus to post-disaster recovery and reconstruction.

During his visit in Sichuan, Xi has been concerned with the treatment of those injured in the earthquake and how people lead their lives as well as how the production is in the earthquake-hit areas. He inquired about detailed information on the disaster relief work and urged local authorities time and again to ensure the injured are well attended to, to pay attention to people's psychological counseling, and make well-considered arrangements for the victims of the disaster and the consoling of the victims' family. The supply of daily necessities in the earthquake-hit areas should be guaranteed. Sound planning and solid work should be carried out to reconstruct the earthquake-hit areas so that people can resume normal life and production as soon as possible, Xi stressed.

On the morning of June 8, Xi paid a visit to Yongfeng Village of Taihe Town in Dongpo District, Meishan City, for an inspection tour. Relying on its paddy and rice industry and technological advantages, the village established the largest experimental base featuring new rice varieties and new technologies in the province. At a high standard paddy field base, Xi learned about the general development of the village and affirmed the village's continuous efforts in helping safeguard national food security by planting grains. Xi stressed that the Chengdu Plain has been lauded as a land of abundance since ancient times, that the area of farmland must be ensured and such a precious land for food production must be well protected. He also called for even greater efforts to bolster up grain production and build a higher-level "granary of heaven" in the new era.

Xi walked into the experimental field to take a closer look at the growth of the rice. Agricultural and technical staff members briefed the general secretary on the experimental paddy seed breeding and the promotion of planting. Xi pointed out that it was time consuming for cultivating improved varieties of rice as it required repeated experiments and selection, and all the country's scientific and technical workers in the agricultural sector have made arduous efforts. They have made invaluable contributions to safeguarding national food security and ensuring that the people enjoy ample supply of food and clothing. Xi added that advancing agricultural modernization requires efforts not only of experts but also those of all farmers, that the promotion and application of modern agricultural science and technologies and training of farmers must be strengthened, all big grain growers must be organized to actively develop green, ecological, and efficient agriculture. We have the confidence and determination to ensure the food supply for the Chinese people through our own efforts, Xi said.

Xi is very concerned about rural revitalization. He walked along the roads to take a look at the sewage treatment tanks in Yongfeng Village as well as its overall appearance. He also inspected a medical service center in the village to further learn about the improvement of villagers' living environment and the COVID-19 prevention and control work. Xi stressed that the villagers are concerned about health care the most after they have enough to eat and wear. The building of a rural health care system must be advanced to ensure that all the people in rural areas have access to basic medical services. He also called for efforts to build primary-level Party organizations well so that villagers can be united to further promote rural revitalization after bidding farewell to poverty.

Before waving goodbye to the villagers, Xi told them that as the country's ruling party, the CPC will further advance the building of socialism with Chinese characteristics step by step and spare no efforts to complete all the tasks related to people's well-being, so as to lead the people to a better life.

Located in downtown Meishan City, San Su Ci is the memorial temple and former residence of three literary masters, Su Xun and his two sons, Su Shi, who is also known as Su Dongpo, and Su Zhe. During his visit to the temple, Xi learned about the life experience, main literary achievements, and family precepts and traditions of the three masters, as well as the historical evolution of the temple and the research and inheritance of Dongpo culture.

Chinese civilization has a history of more than 5,000 years, and fine traditional Chinese culture should be honored and cultural confidence strengthened, Xi said. He highlighted that it is important to draw on ways of state governance from fine traditional Chinese culture and learn extensively from outstanding achievements of other civilizations.

China should neither keep to itself, nor regard all from foreign countries as criterion. It must adhere to the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, Xi said.

Family traditions and education are the most precious wealth of a family and the best legacy for future generations. Xi called for more emphasis on family traditions and education and on cultivating a strong sentiment to love families and the motherland among future generations so that young people will strive to grow into talent who can contribute to the development of the country and the society. He urged that members of the CPC and officials, especially leading officials, must act in a clean manner, run their homes frugally, keep integrity, discipline themselves in performing their duties and their families, and develop fine family traditions of CPC members in the new era.

On the afternoon of June 8, Xi made an inspection tour of Yibin City. The Yangtze River, Jinsha River, and Minjiang River meet in the downtown area of Yibin, which presents a magnificent scene. Built on the riverside, Yibin is known as the first city on the Yangtze River. Years of efforts on environmental improvement have turned the banks of the three rivers into a beautiful waterfront park frequented by local people.

Looking far into the convergence of the three rivers at Sanjiangkou, Xi was briefed about the ecological restoration and protection of the Yangtze River basin and implementation of the fishing ban in the river.

Xi pointed out that protecting the ecological environment of the Yangtze River basin is key to driving high-quality development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt and preserving the region as the cradle of Chinese civilization. Since Sichuan is located in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, he called for the local government to increase their awareness of the overall picture, develop a strong sense about the protection of the upstream reaches, implement the policy of well-coordinated environmental protection instead of excessive development, and keep the river water clean through sound ecological conservation.

Xi paid close attention to the employment of college graduates as their total number is estimated to reach a record high of 10.76 million this year, up 1.67 million year on year. He chose Yibin University as a stop, watching the exhibition of creative works of excellent graduate students and learning about how the university helped graduates find jobs and start their businesses. At a job fair held on campus, Xi talked with the faculty, students, and employers to learn more about what kind of employees were wanted and how the graduates fared in landing a job. Xi stressed that the Party Central Committee has attached great importance to the employment of university graduates and adopted a set of policies and measures. Noting that now is a key time for college graduates to get employed, Xi emphasized efforts to tap employment resources and provide pragmatic and careful guidance and services. He urged colleges, employers, and related authorities to make sure more graduates sign employment contracts, particularly those from families that have just shaken off poverty, families receiving minimum living allowances, and families without a bread-earner, as well as those who have disabilities or did not get employed long after graduation. Telling the students that a happy life is the result of one's own hard work, Xi urged them to look at their own abilities and the needs of society in a down-to-earth and objective manner, choose a profession and a job based on actual conditions, be diligent and pragmatic, and improve themselves step by step through actual work. He encouraged the students to consciously practice core socialist values and strive to achieve all-round development in terms of moral grounding, intellectual ability, physical vigor, aesthetic sensibility, and work skills.

The next stop Xi visited was XGIMI Optoelectronic Co., Ltd. Touring the company's exhibition hall and factory, he was briefed about the company's efforts in independent innovation, product R&D and marketing, and job creation. He also learned about how the local government has made efforts to support private businesses and issue policies to help industries, micro, small and medium enterprises, and self-employed individuals hit hard by COVID-19 to overcome difficulties. Xi stressed that we should advance scientific and technological innovation and foster more top-notch enterprises in all sectors so that we will have more "hidden champions" and form clusters of scientific and technological innovators.

In the square outside the factory, Xi chatted with the company's employees. He stressed that as a major manufacturer, China should strive to improve its innovation capabilities and accelerate its transformation to a country strong in manufacturing. Noting that to become a country with improved composite strength means China should be strong in all fields and aspects, Xi said that to build a modern socialist country in all respects and realize national rejuvenation, the future is bright but the path leading to it can be tortuous. Facing dangerous rapids and shoals, we should be brave to meet risks and challenges. There is no such thing as a windfall, and progress will have to be achieved through our joint efforts. Most of you were born in the 1980s and 1990s, now is the right time for you to strive with aspiration, a sense of responsibility, and diligence, Xi said. By the middle of this century when a great modern socialist country in all respects is realized, we all will be proud of doing our bit in building a strong country and fulfilling the Chinese Dream.

On his inspection tour, Xi pointed out that all local governments and relevant departments must resolutely implement the decisions and arrangements of the CPC Central Committee. Xi required that, abiding by the principle of making progress while maintaining stability, they should do a good job in all areas of reform, development and stability, with a view to maintaining a stable and healthy economic environment, a peaceful social environment, and a clean and righteous political environment, and thus create a good atmosphere for the convening of the 20th National Congress of the CPC.

Xi called on all local governments and departments to do a good job in coordinating epidemic prevention and control with economic and social development, and resolutely overcome challenges currently in the way of economic development. He emphasized that efforts must be made to create jobs, guarantee social security, and provide aid for people living in difficulties. Work in all areas must be done well to make people feel reassured and therefore social stability is secured, Xi said.

Perseverance makes the difference, and the country's dynamic zero-COVID approach must be unswervingly continued, Xi said. He required that people must have confidence, clear up all obstructions, and never slacken vigilance to ensure key links are consolidated in the control and prevention work, and thus what the country has achieved in its response to the epidemic can be consolidated.

Speaking of recent floods and geological disasters that occurred in some parts of China, Xi called for early contingency preparations by all localities and relevant departments to preempt major floods and other natural disasters and get well prepared for disaster relief. All localities and departments are urged to strengthen disaster prevention capabilities in order to safeguard people's lives and property.

Overall planning and coordination must be strengthened to make sure that hidden dangers of natural disasters can be detected in advance through careful patrol and inspection, Xi stressed. Xi also called for the protection of important infrastructure works, improved early forecast and warning of rainfall, typhoons, mountain torrents, and debris flows, as well as redoubled efforts to guarantee smooth traffic flow, and meticulous and down-to-earth measures for flood control and disaster relief.

He required that swift rescue efforts must be made immediately after disasters to strictly prevent secondary disasters and reduce casualties and loss of property to the minimum. He called for efforts to resume production and people's normal life as soon as possible while doing a good job in rescue and disaster relief. He also called for a good job in providing support and aid to people affected by disasters, maintaining sanitation, and preventing epidemic from happening after natural disasters, so as to avert relapses into poverty as a result of disasters.

Ding Xuexiang, Liu He, Chen Xi, He Lifeng, and some other officials of the central authorities are also on the inspection tour.

On the morning of June 9, Xi met with the military officers above senior colonel level and major commanders of regiments in Chengdu. On behalf of the CPC Central Committee and the Central Military Commission, he extended sincere greetings to all the officers and troops stationed in Chengdu and had a group photo with them. Xu Qiliang was present at the meeting.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is on a two-day visit to the countries of the Western Balkans to help revive their long-delayed campaign for European Union membership, ease regional tensions and repel the influence of powers such as Russia, Reuters reported.

Scholz's visit followed a visit by European Council President Charles Michel and ahead of a summit of EU and Western Balkan leaders on 23 June.

The prospect of EU membership had for years been a major driver of reform and increased cooperation in the region after a decade of wars and turmoil in the 1990s, until EU enlargement came to a halt, generating frustration.

The fact it hasnt happened is a real problem and the growing influence of other countries like Russia and China is a result of this process not developing, said Florian Bieber, a Balkan expert at Austrias University of Graz.

The Scholz government, which came to power in December, has made entry of the Western Balkans into the EU a foreign policy priority.

We will not surrender this region in the heart of Europe to Moscows influence, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock had said when she paid a visit to the Western Balkans in March.

The question is whether Scholzs government, which took office in December, is able to come up with a real strategy to push the process forward or whether it will simply muddle along like former Chancellor Angela Merkel, who professed her support for the region but did little to change the dynamics, said Bieber.

Scholz will visit first Kosovo and then Serbia. Later, the German chancellor will travel to Thessaloniki in Greece for dinner with representatives of the Southeast European Cooperation Process, a Balkan regional organization of 12 countries.

On Saturday, he travels to North Macedonia and Bulgaria, which have been deadlocked over a dispute preventing talks on North Macedonia's EU accession from starting.
The European Union should propose the integration of all six countries of the Western Balkans into the EU by 2033, said Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, calling it a bold but necessary step.

In an article published in Politico ahead of the Southeast Europe Cooperation Process summit in Greece, Mitsotakis noted that the EU must prove that when it sets out a vision, it has the intention and the ability to realize it.

The region's vision of EU accession has become blurred in the eyes of frustrated and frustrated citizens as EU enlargement has stalled in recent years due to security, governance and migration issues, he said.

The EU-Western Balkans summit is scheduled for June 23.

The Mitsotakis initiative highlighted how Greece is trying to increase its role in the Balkans.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who is starting a two-day tour of the Western Balkans on Friday, is also scheduled to visit Thessaloniki for a dinner with 13 SEECP members. They will be joined by European Council President Charles Michel.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has asked Kosovo and Serbia for a clear commitment to reaching a political solution to their long-standing dispute over Kosovos independence, AP reported.

European Union-facilitated normalization talks began 11 years ago but have yielded few results, and tensions between the former adversaries persist.

Scholz, who came to Kosovo as part of a tour of the Western Balkans, said the war in Ukraine has made stability in the region even more important. In times like this, the value of peace and security is made clear anew to us, and a further very weighty reason for Kosovo and Serbia to find a political solution with a comprehensive, sustainable solution that also contributes to regional stability, Scholz told a news conference in Pristina.

The chancellor asked the governments of Serbia and Kosovo to show a clear commitment to EU-facilitated dialogue. It is clear that an agreement must ultimately also clear up the question of the recognition of Kosovo, because it is not conceivable that two countries that dont recognize each other become members of the EU, Scholz said.

The six Western Balkan countries are at different stages in their quest for EU membership. Serbia and Montenegro have begun full-fledged negotiations, while Albania and North Macedonia have faced delays in starting EU negotiations.

Kosovo and Bosnia are in the early stages of membership.

Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti said the country would apply for EU candidacy status, which Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia have done. Kurti described joining the EU as the only future.

Scholz praised Kosovo for supporting EU sanctions against Russia, calling the government in Pristina "a reliable partner.

Scholz also plans to visit Serbia, Greece, Northern Macedonia and Bulgaria.
YEREVAN.  President Alen Simonyan of the Republic of Armenia National Assembly (RA NA), who is in Strasbourg, France, on a working visit, on Friday met with Secretary General Marija Pejcinovic Buric of the Council of Europe (CoE). The sides talked about the procedure of solving some issues voiced at the previous meeting. In particular, the implementation of the RA-CoE Action Plan for Armenia 2019-2022 was in the core of discussion.

The RA NA President has documented that it is successfully carried out, reminding with satisfaction that the CoE Secretariat also gave this assessment at the Steering Committee Meeting of the CoE Action Plan held in Yerevan on March 2, the NA informs Armenian News-NEWS.am. The parties talked about the necessary continuity of the Action Plan. Simonyan singled out the joint agenda priorities regarding the protection of human rights and the fight against corruption, highly appreciating the key support of the Council of Europe with its institutes and monitoring mechanisms. They related to PACE resolution on activities of democratic institutes in Armenia, by which the Assembly highly assessed the progress of Armenia in the democratic development process.

One of the agenda items has been the unsolved humanitarian problems existing until now because of aggression against Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) in 2020, including the item of the return of Armenian prisoners of war and other held persons. Alen Simonyan recorded that since the previous meeting with Pejcinovic Buric the progress had not been great in the issue of return of prisoners of war and the reports by the international specialized structures on the inhuman conditions of holding prisoners of war and on gross violation of other peoples fundamental rights are disturbing. He thanked the CoE Secretary General for repeatedly referring to these problems, emphasizing her support in the mediatory efforts of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs.

Marija Pejcinovic Buric stressed the significance and importance of the Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict settlement process.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attended the event dedicated to the launch of the Armenian national airline Fly Arna at Yerevan's Zvartnots Airport, the press service of Armenia PM reported.

The ceremony started with the arrival of the first Airbus A320 airplane of Fly Arna from Sharjah International Airport to Armenia, bringing with it the delegation of Air Arabia Group. The airplane was welcomed at Zvartnots International Airport with a water salute.

The event was attended by Tatevik Revazyan, Chairperson of the Civil Aviation Committee, Tigran Avinyan, Chairman of the Board of the State Interest Fund of Armenia (ANIF), David Papazyan, Executive Director of ANIF, Adel Abdullah Ali , CEO of Air Arabia and other officials.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan welcomed those present and said, "Sometimes it is very difficult to regulate the mind, what to focus on. more on what we have or what we do not have? And this is a really important question because what we have inspires us, and what we do not have, can sometimes discourage us in the sense that having so much in Armenia, at the same time we do not have so much that sometimes it seems impossible to fill the gap, accomplish the mission, accomplish the task that fits into the vast space of what we do not have.

And in this sense, we have decided not to be afraid to face all the challenges. And we have decided that we should have more and more and to give up the logic of patching. If we are doing something, we must do everything we can to do it as properly as possible, at the highest possible level.

And our political commitment has been that during the years we are in office, significant changes must take place in the field of aviation, the colors of our state flag must appear on more and more planes. I am glad that we have this opportunity today, I congratulate all of us because with the participation of our partners from Air Arabia from the United Arab Emirates and the Armenian National Interests Fund, we are establishing this kind of an airline."

According to Nikol Pashinyan, this has multi-sided significance, because one of the most important achievements of the pre-Covid period was that the Government was able to create an opportunity for citizens to travel at affordable prices. "And this is not just a matter of movement, this is also a political, civilizational issue, because when as wide sections of our society as possible have the opportunity to travel, to communicate with other countries, it is an opportunity for us to get to know ourselves better, better assess ourselves, have more energy, have a better idea of what to do next," the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister hoped that "Fly Arna" airline would bring more people to Armenia and take more people from Armenia. "In this sense, our country will also become a crossroads, from where people go traveling, where they return, where people go for rest, acquaintance, tourism, and those people keep a part of Armenia in their hearts, they take some positive attitude towards Armenia with them. Congratulations again to all of us on doing a step forward on the path of the development of this direction. We know more negative than positive stories about Armenia's aviation sector, it's time to break that chain. I hope that together with our partners we will be able to overcome the weighty package of negative news or the impression left by it with positive news, new developments, new planes, new passengers, new directions," Prime Minister Pashinyan said.

Afterwards, the Prime Minister, accompanied by the CEO of Air Arabia Adel Abdullah Ali, toured the first Fly Arna aircraft to get acquainted with the conditions created for the passengers.

During the official launch ceremony, Fly Arna announced the date of its first commercial flight. The first flight G6501 will be operated from Zvartnots International Airport to Hurghada International Airport on July 3, 2022. Fly Arnas initial destinations will also include direct flights connecting Armenia with Sharm El Sheikh and Beirut, the statement reads.
Editor's Note

An end to this terrible war based on dialogue must be the international communitys highest priority. Support to the people of Ukraine must be matched by efforts to advance Russian/Ukrainian negotiations, European security dialogue, and wider risk-reduction measures to prevent nuclear escalation. - The Elders, May 25, 2022

The war in Ukraine, and above all its continued mutual escalation as a proxy war between the United States and Russia, is a painful reminder that wars in Europe are still a threat to the entire planet. This is not only because of their direct economic consequences. It is also this war, featuring white people as the major protagonists and visible victims, has diverted media and political attention from existential issues for Africa and the entire world.

Among the most critical of these is the steadily approaching climate apocalypse, as this years global summit on climate, to be held in Egypt in early November is approaching while the world is hardly paying attention. Listen to Kenyan activist Elizabeth Wahuti at last years COP26 in Glasgow.

This AfricaFocus Bulletin contains (1) an essay by Donna Katzin and me, published in Foreign Policy in Focus, on the continued urgency of action on climate, (2) an essay by me, published by Responsible Statecraft, on the war in Ukraine through an African lens, and (3) a short report by Graca Machel of the Elders on their latest meeting.

Because it is critical that attention on this war does not crowd out other wars and other issues, I also include just below a short set of links to recent articles focused on African and global issues.

Read and Recommended

https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news/2022/06/02/Ethiopian-border-town-left-in-ruins-as-ceasefire-takes-hold

The main thing we need is to return home, she added. But we don't know if we can. Everything there is destroyed.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/6/1/worlds-most-neglected-refugee-crises-all-in-africa-ngo

The world is paying too little attention to a slew of mass displacements of people across Africa, risking starvation deaths and prolonging conflicts, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has warned.

https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/coronavirus-excess-deaths-tracker

In many parts of the world, official death tolls undercount the total number of fatalities

https://prospect.org/coronavirus/saving-lives-globally-vs-defending-pharma-profits/

More than a year after Joe Biden announced his support for a waiver of intellectual-property rules to supply cheap vaccines to most of the worlds people, the process remains blocked. The European Union is still siding with the drug companies, and the U.S. has not followed through on Bidens pledge. The issue comes to a head next week in Geneva.

https://theconversation.com/should-we-protect-nature-for-its-own-sake-for-its-economic-value-because-it-makes-us-happy-yes-180302

As spring phases into summer in North America, with trees flowering and birds migrating, nature seems abundant. In fact, however, the Earth is losing animals, birds, reptiles and other living things so fast that some scientists believe the planet is entering the sixth mass extinction in its history.

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-01525-1

Covering 10% of the worlds hydropower reservoirs with floatovoltaics would install as much electrical capacity as is currently available for fossil-fuel power plants. But the environmental and social impacts must be assessed.

Additional links with climate change updates

Currently up-to-date through today

https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/trend-lines/30584/africa-politics-and-humanitarian-woes-may-require-homegrown-solutions

The twin dilemmas of humanitarian and political crises have been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic and Russias invasion of Ukraine, both of which have of course had far-reaching effects globally, and continue to take a toll in African countries.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2022/06/07/sanctions-russia-came-quickly-revealing-an-american-double-standard/ (PDF available here)

The United States and Western Europe have been quick to deploy strong sanctions against Russia. Yet historically, they have rejected or delayed enacting economic penalties against regimes whose atrocities were committed against Black populations.

++++++++++++++++++++++end editor's note+++++++++++++++++

Open Your Hearts: The Movements Taking Climate Action Where Leaders and Media Wont

The world's most existential crisis has all but fallen off Washington's agenda. But campaigners are finding success in more immediate targets.

By Donna Katzin and William Minter June 7, 2022

https://fpif.org/open-your-hearts-the-movements-taking-climate-action-where-leaders-and-media-wont/

Media, politicians, and policymakers tend to focus on the most visible issues.

The attention the war in Ukraine has received in the first half of 2022, for example, is unrivaled in the United States at least since the shock of 9/11 in 2001. The war has been highly visible because of the capacity to obtain compelling photographs and videos, which can be shared quickly through social media  and also, perhaps, because the featured protagonists, victims, and voices in this European war are white, in contrast to past and present wars in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America.

The gut-wrenching suffering in Ukraine deserves coverage, context, and resolution. But meanwhile, other global issues  pandemics, rising economic inequality, the climate crisis, and more  have faded into the background.

The backsliding on climate action is a clear example of the damage done.

Big Oil Profits While Washington Stays on Autopilot

By this spring, fossil fuel companies were celebrating massive increases in profits, while Congress was approving $47 billion in new spending for Ukraine, the largest U.S. aid package to a single country in decades. Political will in Washington to stop production of fossil fuels and invest in renewable energy, already weak, had evaporated as time to avoid a climate apocalypse continued to run out.

Meanwhile, the rise in fuel and food prices caused by the war is being felt most intensely in developing regions such as Africa. This has come on top of preexisting shocks from the continents own wars (fueled by outside actors including the United States, France, Russia, and others), from illicit financial flows draining the continent of its wealth, and from the deadly toll of climate-caused disasters already taking lives and destroying livelihoods.

As of late May, both the Biden administration and Congress seem to be committed to winning the war in Europe instead of encouraging negotiated solutions. As the November election approaches, on the eve of the next climate summit scheduled for Egypt, funding global climate commitments to Africa and the world for recovery from climate damages and investment in a sustainable future can hardly compete with eagerness to fund a wider war.

The obstacles to action were already formidable.

Lobbyists from fossil fuel industries could count on strategically placed Senator Joe Manchin, the coal industry oligarch unapologetic about his own conflicts of interest. Highly publicized pledges for net-zero goals from giant corporations and other institutions, including fossil-fuel companies themselves, were most often filled with enough loopholes to make them virtually meaningless. Demands for rich countries to provide compensatory funding for climate damage to the most vulnerable countries won lip service but not funding at global conferences.

On April 4. 2022, the final Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Synthesis Report was released, concluding that In the scenarios we assessed, limiting warming to around 1.5C (2.7F) requires global greenhouse gas emissions to peak before 2025 at the latest, and be reduced by 43% by 2030. However, it gained relatively little media attention. Obstruction by the fossil fuel industry was a central theme of the report. But it was excluded at the last minute from the Summary for Policymakers.

Soon after, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres slammed the fossil fuel industry for trying to use Russias war on Ukraine to boost polluters profits at the expense of the global climate and all life on Earth.

Fossil fuel interests are now cynically using the war in Ukraine to try to lock in a high carbon future, Guterres tweeted. A shift to renewables is crucial to mending our broken global energy mix and offering hope to millions suffering climate impacts today.

Meanwhile, solar energy companies have been paralyzed by a Commerce Department ban on imports of solar modules from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam, to investigate whether the imports contained too high a percentage of components from China. The Commerce Department investigation is due to be completed in August, but in the meantime it is likely that as much as 64 percent of U.S. solar projects could be canceled because of fear of retroactive tariffs. In June, the administration announced a pause on new solar tariffs, but for existing projects the damage may already be done.

In May, the World Meteorological Organization predicted that there is a 50:50 chance of the annual average global temperature temporarily reaching 1.5 C above the pre-industrial level for at least one of the years from 2022 to 2026. Yet few national governments, apart from the small island states that can easily envision their entire countries being sunk beneath the oceans, have adequate incentives to act with the urgency demanded by the scientific facts.

And a new expose in The Guardian revealed that the dozen biggest oil companies are on track to spend $103 million a day for the rest of the decade exploiting new fields of oil and gas that cannot be burned if global heating is to be limited to well under 2C.

Meanwhile, at a climate conference in Florida, House of Representative Speaker Nancy Pelosi shrugged her shoulders when asked about the prospects for passing climate legislation this year.

Where Climate Campaigners Are on the Offense

Fortunately, many climate activists are recognizing that, as in a host of other crises, it is both necessary and possible to focus on more immediate targets  from state and local governments to fossil-fuel giants that can be confronted with disinvestment as well as physical blockages of pipelines and other climate-destroying projects. Such actions, if multiplied around the world, have the potential for their own cumulative impact as well as for catalyzing action by national governments.

Examples of such initiatives abound even though they may not be featured in global headlines.

In Oregon, a lawsuit filed by 21 young plaintiffs in 2015 to establish a federal, constitutional right to a livable planet is still making its way through appeal courts, despite opposition first by the Trump administration and then by the Biden administration. If the case is successful, any federal policies that enable more fossil fuel development could be challenged as unconstitutional.

At the state policy level, California has long taken the lead on climate, although the fossil-fuel industry has won legislative battles delaying the most ambitious plans. Still, in April the state mandated that 35 percent of new passenger vehicles sold there by 2026 be powered by batteries or hydrogen, up from the current level of 12.4 percent. Since California state standards set the context for the U.S. auto industry in general, the effect will be multiplied nationwide.

In Latin America, Chile is well on its way to following Ecuador in establishing rights of nature in its proposed new constitution to be voted on in September.

And in South Africa, a Climate Change Bill introduced in February has opened a door to begin to reduce the countrys dependence on coal. While it still has loopholes, it is likely to be strengthened in the wake of the catastrophic floods that swept the countrys KwaZulu-Natal province in April, officially claiming more than 435 lives and discrediting the energy ministers defense of continued reliance on coal.

People Power Is Whats Going to Make the Real and Huge Difference.

On a parallel track, key corporate campaigns are gaining momentum. One such campaign demanded that six of the largest U.S. banks, which have pumped more than $1 trillion into the industry from 2016-2020, stop financing the development of fossil fuels. Despite comments from industry spokespeople minimizing the votes in favor, the results have already dwarfed early anti-apartheid proxy votes that grew into broad campaigns culminating in financial sanctions against the apartheid regime.

Elsewhere, a campaign by South African traditional communities and environmentalists to halt fossil fuel exploration off the Eastern Capes Wild Coast won an indictment against Shell Oil. Moreover, a host of practical and creative energy-saving solutions are coming from architects, visual artists, and textile designers.

In Uganda, Fridays for the Future, led by 22-year-old Hilda Nakabuye, has mobilized over 25,000 activists. Although campaigners in East Africa, such as her fellow Ugandan Vanessa Nakate, have gained the greatest international visibility, her counterparts are mobilizing in both cities and villages in almost every country on the continent. They are implementing the call eloquently presented by Kenyan activist Elizabeth Wahuti to COP26 in Glasgow to please open your hearts.

The delegates there, including representatives of governments and fossil-fuel companies themselves, clapped politely. But the future, noted Wahuti, the founder of a local tree-planting organization, would depend on those who themselves felt the impact of climate-caused drought on their communities.

People power is what is going to make the real and huge difference in the world today, she told the delegates. It must if there is to be a tomorrow.

The war in Ukraine through an African lens

From the with us or against us frame to the disproportionate fallout of the commodities crisis, these countries are non-aligned for a reason.

By William Minter

Responsible Statecraft, June 6, 2022

https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2022/06/06/the-war-in-ukraine-through-an-african-lens/

African policymakers and civil society opinion makers, like their counterparts around the world, share no consensus on the war in Ukraine.

Its impact is undeniable, as the economic fallout for Africa has been profound, not least in the shortages of wheat and fertilizer from the region.

The head of the African Union, Senegalese President Macky Sall, is meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, June 3, to discuss the war and how to resolve these issues for the African continent. This involves wheat exports from Ukraine, which must pass through Russian-controlled ports or the port of Odessa on the Black Sea. Russia has also limited grain exports except to its top customers. Less noted but also vital for Africa are fertilizer exports from Belarus, blocked by closure of the export route through Lithuania.

Africans are also not insensitive to the highly visible suffering of Ukrainian civilians caught up in the war.

But the reluctance of African governments to vote for Western resolutions at the United Nations, or take sides with Washington and its policy of military escalation, should not be seen as support for the Russian invasion or for Vladimir Putin.

Yet both the Biden administration and Congress continue to demand that African leaders take sides. On April 27, for example, the House of Representatives passed the Countering Malign Russian Activities in Africa Act by a margin of 415 to 9. The bill essentially mandates a new Cold War in Africa, including action against African governments that facilitate the evasion of United States sanctions against Russia.

The debate about causes and responsibility for the war in Ukraine will undoubtedly continue. Some in Africa, as elsewhere around the world, may resist Washingtons demands to take sides because they approve of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Governments in a few African countries, notably Mali and the Central African Republic, may do so because of Russian military support they have been receiving since the Wagner Group joined the host of French, U.S., and international agencies providing training and advice to African security forces.

But many, if not most, give more substantive reasons.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, called on both Russia and Ukraine to prioritize negotiation, citing South Africas own difficult history of negotiations to end apartheid, in which he played a central role. A South African columnist in the Nairobi-based newspaper The Elephant called for rebooting the non-aligned movement. A Ugandan columnist in the same paper denounced the war as a return to the European norm after the decades of peace since World War II. And a Nigerian intelligence analyst argued that it was not in Nigerias interest to get involved in this geopolitical conflict.

Such concerns are consistent with wisdom gained from African experience with other wars. They should not be taken lightly. Here are a few such lessons gleaned from African history.

As President Julius Nyerere of Tanzania commented in the late 1990s, wars waged by big powers, hot or cold, have not been good for Africans.

In a short interview with an Indian journalist, which came as the Clinton administration appeared to be ramping up a new post-Soviet Cold War, Nyerere repeated his oft-cited adage that when elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. This applies to wars driven by European powers and white settlers on both sides of the Atlantic, from the wars of conquest in the 19th century to two World Wars and the first Cold War. Leaders such as Nyerere, and Mozambiques Eduardo Mondlane and Samora Machel were resolute in defending non-alignment and the right to choose their own friends, whether the demand for allegiance came from Washington, Moscow, or Beijing.

Peacemaking is essential. Wars must eventually end, and negotiation is essential even with those who have committed atrocities.

As Africans know, the causes of war and who was the aggressor or who committed the worst atrocities can be debated endlessly among historians, active participants, and innocent civilians and victims and their descendants for generations.

But Africans also know from experience, the vast majority of those involved in wars want peace and the freedom to go about their lives. Peacemaking is not an exact science, to say the least. But the reality is that it can only happen by de-escalation and dialogue, not by adding fuel to the flames by outsiders pouring in weapons and urging the combatants to fight it out until one wins.

The global leaders known as The Elders, founded by Nelson Mandela and currently co-chaired by Graca Machel, just issued an urgent call for diplomacy to end this terrible war. And, as Elizabeth Schmidt argues in her widely praised book, foreign military intervention in Africa most often did more harm than good, prolonging conflicts or making them more lethal. That observation applies just as well to conflicts in Europe, including Ukraine.

Who is involved in a war is not always visible from photographs or eyewitness reports of the battles.

In 1968, I was in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, working as one of the non-Mozambican teachers in the secondary school of the Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO), the movement then fighting a guerrilla war for independence from Portugal with the support of Tanzania and other African countries. Western expatriates I met elsewhere in the city were saying they knew on good authority which foreign countries were behind turmoil within the movement that preceded the assassination of that liberation movements founding president Eduardo Mondlane in February 1969.

In an emergency meeting, movement security chief Joaquim Chissano (later President of Mozambique) advised the small group of foreign teachers at the school, including volunteers from the United States and Sweden as well as others seconded by the governments of India, Czechoslovakia, and the German Democratic Republic, to never believe rumors.

That caution is even more critical in the age of social media as both information and disinformation propagate around the world at Internet speed. This is particularly true of Ukraine, in which the disinformation wars have been well rehearsed by all parties since the first Cold War ended in the early 1990s.

For Africans, the war in Ukraine is a painful reminder that Western foreign policy priorities, in part as reflected by mainstream Western media outlets, are still shaped primarily by racial bias and geopolitical rivalries rather than the urgent global issues that face Africa and the world.

For Africans, as well as others who have lived in Africa or worked on African issues, the disproportionate attention given to this war featuring white people, compared to more deadly ongoing wars in Africa, is a sad repeat of biases that were pervasive during the first Cold War.

Although news attention to Ukraine dropped significantly in April and May, it was still much more prominent in news in the United States than comparable conflicts in Africa or elsewhere in the Global South, according to Google Trends. Statistics on civilian casualties are hard to verify in any war. But the human toll of each of the wars in Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the West African Sahel almost certainly matches or exceeds the toll in the more closely watched war in Ukraine.

Whether then or now, the issue is not only Western failures on Africa-specific topics, such as the refusal to welcome refugees from wars in Africa in contrast to the way in the way Ukrainian refugees have been treated. Africans also correctly see themselves as leading defenders of global multinational institutions and advocates for collective action in addressing global threats from which their continent is the first to feel the pain.

As TransAfrica Forum noted in 2009 in a policy paper directed to the incoming Obama administration, on virtually every global issue, Africa and people of African descent endure a horrendously disproportionate share of the damage. In 2022, with vaccine apartheid,heightened global economic inequality, and the climate apocalypse, that observation reinforces African determination to lead on global issues and oppose efforts by any power to initiate a new Cold War that could divert attention and resources from these kinds of challenges.

Africans focused on world affairs, less blinded by the Washington-insider tilt towards the Biden administrations hawkish foreign policy than pundits in the West, should be emulated rather than scorned for their critical analysis of yet another white peoples war in Europe. As Hippolyte Fofack, director of the Africa Export-Import Bank, warned in a blog post last month, African development depends on regional ownership of its security, rather than being drawn into a new Cold War.

**************************************************************

Graca Machel reflects on The Elders' May board meeting in South Africa, The Elders' meeting with South Africa's President Ramaphosa, the urgent need for a just transition to address the climate crisis, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

https://theelders.org/news/mandela-brought-elders-together-15-years-ago-they-are-needed-now-more-ever

Adapted from The Elders' monthly newsletter. Sign up for regular email updates from The Elders.

Dear friends,

We are at a critical juncture in human history. How our leaders act now will determine the state of our shared world for generations to come.

One man who understood such responsibility was our founder and my late husband, Nelson Mandela. When he brought the Elders together in 2007 he tasked us, a small group of global leaders, to use our experience and collective voice to champion peace, justice, and human rights worldwide. Last month, we returned to our spiritual home of South Africa to mark our fifteenth year, celebrate the life of our dearly missed first chair Desmond Tutu, and conduct our bi-annual Elders Board Meeting.

The challenges we discussed were grave: the climate crisis, the inequality of the pandemic recovery and the risks of future pandemics, conflict and atrocity in Ukraine and elsewhere. But we also recalled the strength of our dear friend Arch, whose great wisdom, moral clarity, and ability to remind us of our common humanity is deeply missed but continues to guide us.

I went on to meetings with South Africas President Ramaphosain Pretoria alongside my fellow Elders, Mary Robinson and Gro Harlem Brundtland. Our productive discussions with the President reiterated the need for finance from the Global North, promised at COP26 in Glasgow, to fund a just energy transition in South Africa. We also discussed the ongoing inequity of COVID-19 vaccine supply in the developing world and the importance of South Africas National Health Insurance reforms.

Ahead of the meeting we had the opportunity to spend time with members of the Presidential Climate Commission, a group of inspiring civil society leaders who are fighting for a fair society and climate justice. Their commitment to a just transition to renewables in South Africa - one that that does not abandon fossil fuel workers and their affected communities - reminds us of the passion and commitment of ordinary people for change, and the desire to get it right.

Such strength of purpose must also be shown by rich-world partner countries who promised South Africa $8.5 billion to fund such initiatives at COP26. This money is needed now, and in full: no dilution, no equivocation.

This need for a people-centred approach to the climate crisis was also emphasised by Mary Robinson and Ban Ki-moon at the Sustainable Energy for All Forum in Kigali, Rwanda, ahead of The Elders gathering in Cape Town, and in subsequent media interviews by Mary Robinson the following week.

During our board discussions and at our meeting with President Ramaphosa, we also spoke at length about the conflict in Ukraine. As well as the devastation endured by the Ukrainian people directly, across the world over 260 million people unconnected to the conflict are facing extreme hunger and poverty due to the impact of war on global food and energy prices. This is compounding existing inequalities and the COVID-19 crisis.

We are all impacted by this war and world leaders cannot sit on the fence: Russias aggression must be condemned. The war must be brought to an end and peace restored. The Elders reaffirmed this in a Cape Town Statement: all efforts must be made by global leaders to ensure accountability and justice and to bring peace, not escalation, to this terrible conflict.

In the face of persistent injustice and violence across the world, it can be easy to fall into despair. But looking away is not in the spirit of Madiba, or Arch, or the people fighting for change in their communities and countries right now. We can all help to forge a better world if we raise our voices and demand action. Many of the problems we face today are human-made, but humans can be the solution too. The power is with us.

Thank you for your continued support,

Graca Machel

AfricaFocus Bulletin is an independent electronic publication providing reposted commentary and analysis on African issues, with a particular focus on U.S. and international policies. AfricaFocus Bulletin is edited by William Minter. For an archive of previous Bulletins, see http://www.africafocus.org,

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Smartphone manufacturers will abandon the form factor that is familiar today with the advent of 6G networks. About this, with reference to the words of the head of Nokia Pekka Lundmark, RIA Novosti reported.

Lundmark believes that this will happen by 2030.

Making a loud statement, Nokia is based on the experience of the past years. So, according to Lundmark, in the 2000s, with the advent of 3G, the mobile communications industry was already undergoing radical changes. Although RIA does not specify what exactly is meant by this, it may suggest a period in which smartphones with touch screens began to supplant push-button devices. The same radical changes, the newspaper writes, await the industry with the advent of 5G, and after - 6G.

3G in the 2000s made possible the smartphone itself, which over the decade canceled many segments of electronics that seemed to be extremely successful and in demand on the market.

The publication notes that, most likely, with the advent of 6G, smartphones will finally give way to AR and VR accessories, and then to cyber technologies. In the latter case, we mean implants like NFC chips, which are already being implanted under the skin of people today.
Ozzy Wagner was filling ever-present notebooks with short stories and turning them into skits with other kids in their Seattle neighborhood in grade school. But it was not until an introductory playwriting course in Emory College of Arts and Sciences that Wagner considered a theater career that could marry their creative and collaborative passions.

I figured I would see what jobs I could do in theater, since that would also let me write. I cant imagine existing without writing, says Wagner, a playwriting major who will graduate with highest honors in May. Whether or not it pays the bills, I am going to be writing forever.

That writing most recently included a full-length honors thesis play, which Wagner wrote about the life of Irish Pirate Queen Grace OMalley at the same time as they came out as nonbinary. The resulting staged production earned highest honors, tackling questions of colonialism, history, gender, feminism and power.

Wagners leadership and application of extraordinary intellectual and creative gifts has led to their selection as the 2022 recipient of the Lucius Lamar McMullan Award. Made possible by a generous gift from Emory alumnus William Matheson 47G, the McMullan Award singles out one Emory College graduate each year who is expected to do extraordinary things on a community, national and global scale.

The award also comes with $30,000 to be used in any way Wagner chooses.

Obviously Ozzy is an incredible writer, but theyve also developed these incredible producing skills, says Kimberly Belflower, the 2019-2022 Fellow in Playwriting in Emorys Creative Writing Program and Department of Theater and Dance who was among those nominating Wagner for the award.

I can see Ozzy as a major player who is not only going to be able to write exceptional new work but also understand all of the pieces that go into making it a reality on stage, she adds.

Caitlin J. Hargraves, the director of undergraduate studies and lecturer in the Department of Theater and Dance, had similar praise in her nomination letter of Wagner for the McMullan Award. Hargraves, the executive producer of the SheATL theater festival, hired Wagner as a production assistant for the festival last summer after having them in class.

The American theater is at a crossroads, and I have no doubt that Ozzy Wagner will be part of the next generation of theater makers to lead the way, Hargraves wrote.

An introduction to playwriting

Wagner grew up immersed in the arts. Father Brian Wagner was a guitarist and songwriter for an indie rock band, while mother Rosemary Dai Ross is a portrait photographer focused on commercial and fine art.

Arriving at Emory as a QuestBridge Scholar, the national program that links highly qualified students from low-income backgrounds to top universities, was culture shock. Wagner mulled over many classmates casual approach to wealth while jumping into the coursework for a creative writing major.

That first year, they joined Theater Emory as a production assistant, wanting experience for a potential backup job. Wagner also worked as a feature writer for the Emory Wheel student newspaper and began a four-year stint with The Gathering a capella group.

Wagners epiphany came sophomore year when, in Belflowers playwriting course, they began thinking of a way to write about blackberries, an invasive and ubiquitous plant across Washington state.

The decision to comment on capitalism came as they wrote Blood & Blackberries. The one-act play tells the story of a starving child forced to repay a debt for eating blackberries on a womans property by helping her make and sell fruit pies.

At one point, the woman-witch archetype serves slices of pie to some audience members  making them complicit in the cruelty. Two young men who received the treat in the plays first production, though, reacted by devouring the pie rather than appearing uncomfortable.

Blackberries became an allegory of capitalism, so in some ways their reaction is kind of perfect, Wagner says. Whats the point of a play if not to take advantage of all these people in a room together and do things you cant do in books or film?

Going beyond theater writing

Having decided on playwriting, Wagner continued to explore the world of theater beyond writing. Spending time with Theater Emory helped lay out the hierarchy of theater work, as did an initially volunteer role as producer with Lenaia, the all-undergraduate playwriting festival.

During the pandemic shut-down, their commitment to Lenaia led them to expand what had been a one-night festival in person to three days of full-length and one-act new works online. Wagners leadership included directing others work last year while building a community of theater/playwriting majors who helped them build the festival into a two-day, sold-out event that showcased more than a dozen writers this year.

Wagner also worked alongside alumna Lauren Gunderson 03C  a theater heavyweight who was Americas most produced living playwright in both 2017 and 2019  for the Viral Plays project, a yearlong process of developing plays for Zoom. They also served as a digital playmaking intern with Kenny Leons True Colors Theatre Company in Atlanta.

That work, as well as stints at Horizon Theaters Young Playwrights Festival in Atlanta and Seattles Village Theatre, mostly occurred online due to the pandemic. Thats also why Wagner was living at home, where they first heard about Grace OMalley in a brothers book on pirates.

Wagner originally conceived Everyone Calls Her Grace as a conventional biography but found a personal connection by seeing how someone who looked like them approached a traditionally masculine role as a leader.

I learned more about my identity while writing about her, Wagner says.

With OMalleys approach to gender and power in mind, and with very little official record of OMalleys experiences, the play became a meta-theatrical piece. The final play, advised by Belflower, features a play-within-a-play of three actors playing OMalley as a male director tries to shape his vision of the pirate.

I was blown away by the enfolding of a personal narrative of one persons life, an imagined and constructed life, with broader exploration of culture and identity, says Kevin Karnes, Emory College associate dean for the arts who served on Wagners thesis committee.

Ozzys achievement is a testament to the fact that some of the most talented, driven, visionary Emory students are students who pursue the arts, Karnes added. Ozzy is the real deal. Theyre an artist, full stop. It will be amazing to see to see where their work will evolve and go from here.

After a lifetime of creating stories, Wagner is considering pursuing an MFA eventually. First, though, they are interviewing for apprenticeships at different theaters and also considering an AmeriCorps position to implement a community arts program in New Jersey.

They plan to save most of the McMullan funding while further developing their writing. Long-term, they can imagine starting a playwriting festival or theater company that further explores the different ways theater can happen.

Im grateful that Emory has people really willing to empower students to go on their own path, people who instilled this idea that you can go out and be a writer, Wagner says. I dont feel like a fully grown person yet, so I want to keep working and writing and observing. I take it seriously.
Chinese, US defence chiefs meet in Singapore

China's Defence Minister Wei Fenghe, left, attends the opening of the Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore. Photo: AFP

China's defence chief on Friday told his US counterpart that Taiwan is part of China during face-to-face talks in Singapore.



The Minister of National Defence General Wei Fenghe and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin met at the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit for nearly an hour, double the time initially allotted for the meeting.



It was the first face-to-face meeting between the pair since US President Joe Biden took office last year, although they spoke by phone in April.



Wei said the talks "went smoothly". A Chinese defence ministry spokesman later said Wei reiterated Beijing's firm stance that Taiwan is part of China.



Austin called on China to "refrain from further destabilising actions" on Taiwan, a US statement issued after the talks said. (Reuters)
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], June 10 (ANI/NewsVoir): According to the press release from Dr Kamakshi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Pallikaranai, Chennai, Dr Maria Susan Abraham, student of DNB Family Medicine 2020 Batch from Dr Kamakshi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research has been declared a Gold Medalist among the list of Gold Medalists released for the 21st Convocation of National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences, New Delhi. Says their spokesperson "Maria Susan Abraham, daughter of Abraham N Mathew was a bright student amongst the students pursuing DNB Family Medicine at Dr Kamakshi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (KIMSR) Pallikaranai Chennai which is a premier institute committed to academic excellence. KIMSR was established in the year 2010 by Dr TG Govindarajan, Chairman of Dr Kamakshi Memorial Hospitals with a vision of generating qualified human resources for the healthcare industry." As per the institute's website www.kmhinstitute.com and the sources within the institute, KIMSR is affiliated with The Tamil Nadu Dr M. G. R Medical University under the Allied Health Sciences stream. The courses offered range from B.Sc Radiography and Imaging Technology (RIT), B.Sc Radiotherapy technology (RTT) and B.Sc Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT). The RIT and RTT courses are duly approved by Atomic Energy Regulatory Board, Govt. of India, which enables students to be accepted for work across India. The institute also offers Diploma in National board courses (DNB, 2011) on Radiodiagnosis and Family medicine, besides implant training, short-term and long-term training programs for Biomedical Engineering, Nursing, Medical physics students of various other institutions and colleges in and around Chennai. Recently, KIMSR started M.Sc., Radiology and Imaging Technology course under The Tamil Nadu Dr M.G.R Medical University, and many more such courses are in the pipeline. Similarly, few more DNB courses are planned shortly on rare specialities. According to Dr TG Govindarajan, "The institute has the unique distinction of placing its students in the Health Care sector both in India and Abroad. The institute is an additional facility of Dr Kamakshi Memorial Hospital Pvt. Ltd., founded in 2005 as a centre for excellence in Health Care. The hospital is a 300 bedded Multi Super Specialty facility at Pallikaranai, situated in the southern part of Chennai, spread over 60 grounds land and 75000 square ft. building area with world-class facilities and state of art equipment that provide hands-on experience to students of KIMSR who come out well equipped for jobs in the burgeoning Health Care Sector across the world." For more details, visit: www.kmhinstitute.com and www.drkmh.com. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], June 10 (ANI/PRNewswire): May 26, 2022, was a day of much anticipation in the Manipal's American University of Antigua, College of Medicine (AUA) as they celebrated the Commencement Day for the class of 2022. This was the first in-person celebration since 2019 due to the pandemic. When the students entered this medical school, none of them predicted these last two years. The medical school journey is not an easy one. It is replete with challenges. The global pandemic accentuated the challenges. Along with the class of 2022, this commencement day saw a few graduates from 2020 as well as 2021 join the ceremony with gusto. This uniqueness added to the mood of the big celebration. This year's valedictorian Megan Brooker said, "We overcame the incredible challenge of the global pandemic in the middle of our clinical studies. Congratulations to the class of 2022 as well as those who are here from the class of 2020 and 2021. Our futures are bright!" Neal Simon, AUA President congratulated the graduates and said, "You have worked very hard during very difficult times to obtain your Doctor of Medicine. AUA's staff, faculty and its Deans are extremely proud of you as you should be proud of yourselves." AUA was created with the mission to provide superior medical education to the students committed to the highest standards of learning and catering to the projected global shortage of physicians. The institution is committed to grooming their medical graduates into skilled, ethical and caring physicians; and breaking down barriers that have prevented the underrepresented minorities from obtaining a medical education. A study projects that the global physician workforce lacks sufficient diversity and inclusion. The pandemic has brought to the fore, the enormous extent of inequitable access to care at a time when the need for health care has been acutely high. The projections indicate little growth in the supply of surgeons across many surgical specialities. The projected shortage of physicians is pointing out to bring in more diverse and inclusive physician workforce. The auditorium reverberated with thundering applause from an emotionally overwhelmed audience that consisted of AUA faculty, deans, alumni, families and graduates of 2022 along with those of 2020 and 2021. As over 200 graduates enter the global physician workforce as a strong resource of trained physicians and healthcare professionals, Manipal's American University of Antigua takes pride in contributing to combating the projected shortage of physicians. AUA was founded in 2004 and has been a part of Manipal Education & Medical Group. AUA College of Medicine awards the Doctor of Medicine degree after students complete a two-year pre-clinical curriculum on the island of Antigua in the Caribbean, followed by clinical rotations in the United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada or India at affiliated teaching hospitals. AUA is accredited by the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions (CAAM-HP). AUA is approved by the U.S. Department of Education to participate in federal student aid programs, approved by the New York State Education Department (NYSED), licensed by the Florida Department of Education (DOE), and recognized by the Medical Board of California (MBC). Visit www.auamed.org to learn more. This story is provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PRNewswire)
New Delhi [India], June 10 (ANI/PRNewswire): Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME)-focused fintech start-up HostBooks today announced that it has raised USD3 Million in a Series-A funding round led by Razorpay, one of India's Leading Full-Stack Financial Services Company. HostBooks plans to utilize the fund to not only add new features to its existing product suite but also to develop innovative products including a deep learning-based Business Intelligence System and an AI-based Posting and Recommendation System. Hostbooks intends to utilize the Series-A funding to further scale its operations and enhance its existing product suite with the launch of new products supporting order management, neo-banking, advanced inventory & production management and AI-based business decision-making tools to better support its wide customer base in the country. With this, HostBooks will be a step closer to becoming a one-stop-shop for all Business and Finance Operations needs of MSMEs in India. Commenting on the announcement, Kapil Rana, Founder, HostBooks said "We are simplifying and automating the entire business process by focusing on the sources of the transactions, banking, accounting, and tax compliances with an integrated end-to-end business management solution. With the growth in the economy combined with tax norms, the process of accounting and statutory compliance has become more complex. HostBooks, with its large range of services like billing, accounting, inventory management, payroll, compliance management, banking, and advanced business reporting, envisages making the whole process automated, easy to understand, hassle-free, and efficient." "We share a common vision with Razorpay, which is to build the financial backbone for businesses in India and enable them to thrive. This funding is a major step forward in that direction. Through Razorpay's support and expertise, we would not only be able to make business processes simpler for entrepreneurs but also give them the tools they need to fast track the growth of their business," added Biswajit Mishra, Co-founder, HostBooks. HostBooks has transformed tedious backend business processes including accounting and compliance for MSME/SME through a single sign-on collaborative platform. With over 250,000 businesses on its platform, HostBooks has been able to reduce costs of business operations by up to 70 per cent. Along with many features, HostBooks also offers an in-built e-Document Management System with free cloud storage. Commenting on this funding Harshil Mathur, CEO & Co-founder, Razorpay said, "Small businesses are a major driver of the Indian economy and we, at Razorpay have been on a mission to enable them in every step of their growth journey. It is promising to see that companies like HostBooks are playing a critical role in creating a thriving growth environment for small businesses. It gives me immense pleasure for Razorpay to be a part of HostBooks' growth journey. With our shared vision of fostering growth for businesses with our unified financial management solutions, we would work together towards building a stronger, frictionless business operations SaaS and banking ecosystem for millions of MSMEs in India." HostBooks was founded by Kapil Rana in 2017 and was joined at an early stage by Biswajit Mishra. HostBooks is an innovative cloud-based financial platform that offers end-to-end solutions that cater to the complete value chain of businesses and enable them to automate their business processes. The platform caters to the complete value chain of business functions - be it handling F&A, Tax, GST, e-Way Bills, e-Invoicing, Banking, Inventory Management, Order Management, Billing & Invoicing, Cash & Bank Management, Business Intelligence, BP Portal, Procurement & Payroll. Gurgaon-based Fintech start-up, HostBooks offers end-to-end, all-in-one automated business solutions empowering small and medium enterprises to manage their accounting, tax, GST, TDS, e-way bill, E-invoicing, Income Tax, payroll, and point-of-sale (POS/m-POS). It offers statutory record maintenance, a single-click easy-to-use filing solution, customizable and intelligent business reporting as well as hassle-free compliances. These features help businesses save significant costs and time, thus enabling smart decision-making and helping MSME/SMEs' to focus on their core business. HostBooks help in streamlining and reducing business leakages by building intelligence into the routine business processes from sourcing/purchasing to invoicing and accounting and cash flow tracking as it has direct interfaces with financial/banking providers. It allows seamless integration with external systems and is hosted on Cloud thus making it a fully secure and state-of-the-art offering. The robust compliance frameworks and automation reduce the risk of non-compliance as well as its cost significantly. The founding and the leadership team, come with a considerable amount of first-hand experience in accounting and tax as well as company law compliances. The company was co-founded by Kapil Rana and Biswajit Mishra, both professionally qualified Chartered Accountants. For more information, please visit www.hostbooks.com/in/ This story is provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/PRNewswire)
New Delhi [India], June 10 (ANI/NewsVoir): Cabinet Minister (Finance), Nirmala Sitharaman and Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Rajnikant Patel appreciated the NSIC initiatives while being briefed about NSIC strategic importance for the growth of MSME sector by P Udayakumar, Director (P&M), NSIC during their visit on June 9, 2022 to the Exhibition Nation Building and CPSEs at Gandhinagar (Gujarat). During the deliberations and interactions with various stakeholders, DPM emphasized the relevance of NSIC in creating a robust ecosystem for the MSMEs in the country. NSIC has taken strategic initiatives for creating futuristic verticals for MSME sector, Technology and digital adoption for the MSMEs through aggregation models for the growth of MSMEs so that they can meet the 25 per cent mandatory procurement set for the PSUs. The Fund of Funds by name SRI fund which is being implemented by NSIC on behalf of the Ministry of MSME as growth equity fund will be a game-changer for the growth-oriented MSMEs and same will be launched formally soon. Basic Operations have commenced already. National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC), is an ISO 9001-2015 certified Government of India Enterprise under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME). NSIC has been working to promote, aid and foster the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises in the country. NSIC operates through a countrywide network of offices and Technical Centres in the Country. In addition, NSIC has set up Training cum Incubation Centre managed by professional manpower. NSIC facilitates Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises with a set of specially tailored scheme to enhance their competitiveness. NSIC provides integrated support services under Marketing, Technology, Finance and other Support Services. For more information, please visit www.nsic.co.in. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
New Delhi [India], June 10 (ANI/NewsVoir): Gagan Arora, the Founder of Vertex Group, has been appointed as the Trade Commissioner of India-Africa Trade Council Incharge of Nigeria Division at the India-Nigeria Trade Conference held in Delhi a few days ago. Marking a significant step forward in the in the bilateral trade relations between India and Nigeria. Gagan Arora extends his gratitude to the Industry known top dignitaries present during this prestigious event; H.E. Ahmed Sule - High Commissioner of Nigeria to India, Asif Iqbal - President of the Indian Economic Trade Organization, Debmalya Banerjee - Regional Director of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and many more. The Ambassador H.E. Ahmed Sule, expressed great interest in supporting the trade relations between the two countries and invited the trade community to explore all the available choices for investors. As the Trade Commissioner of India-Africa Trade Council, Arora is responsible for promoting international trade agreements and export trade programmes, aiding exporters in acquiring more value from partner markets, and increasing the implementation of sustainable development obligations. He has been recently recognized as the Changemaker in the Industry by a leading International Publication. He is the Chairman of the Foreign Investors Council's Delhi Chapter, serves as Director of Global Education for the Asian Arab Chamber of Commerce, operates as the Senator for the World Business Angel Investment Forum, and also serves as the Delegate of the Global Chamber of Business Leaders - India. He has developed a global presence of Vertex Group in 7 countries in just 5 years, which has been acknowledged by the industry and earned him many accolades including 'World's Greatest Leaders Award 2021-22' by Asia One in collaboration with CNBC, Asia's Greatest Leaders Award 2020-21, Best CEO of the year seven times in a row and he has topped the GMI and Forbes list of the Top 100 Influencers in India two times in a row. "I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as IATC Trade Commissioner for Nigeria. We already have a strong relationship with the region, and I'm looking forward to building on it. My key focus in my new position will be on increasing job opportunities in the Nigerian region by providing online education through Vertex Digital Academy and establishing local BPO's that will create extended job opportunities for the localities aiding in recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic. I want to connect firms for business in Nigeria, as well as uncover other chances for the country's infrastructure needs in the field of setting up business execution. As the trade commissioner, my goal is to strengthen bilateral ties and help India and Nigeria reach new heights," stated Gagan Arora. "Such collaborations will put these two countries closer together than they have ever been before, bolstering bilateral business ties. Nigeria is already a 480-billion-dollar market that is considered to be one of the most promising markets to invest in. The Nigerian government has also laid out different programs for foreign companies looking to grow their operations in the country. The Indian delegation will search for opportunities for partnership in the manufacturing, education, medical, and mining sectors, as well as other methods to improve the infrastructure required for ease of doing business," said Asif Iqbal. The first initiative Arora is taking towards Nigeria's evolution, is organising the much-anticipated exhibitions and conferences in Nigeria. Vertex Next, a Vertex Group flagship, will host 'The Power and Water Nigeria Event', which will be held in association with the 'IoT West Africa Conference & Exhibition', to answer the demands that IoT firms have developed for Energy and Utilities. The co-location will take use of an open analytics solution for energy and utility businesses, which covers a wide range of capabilities to fulfil providers' current and future needs. The transition to clean energy is expected to generate 10.3 Million net new jobs globally by 2030. Most of the anticipated job gains are likely to be in electrical efficiency, power generation and the automotive sector. Vertex Group would act as a catalyst in supporting this energy transition with Arora's vision to create up to 840,000 jobs in Nigeria within this sector itself while the technology is now in full deployment in states like Lagos, which is fully covered with IoT networks, Ogun, Rivers, and the FCT. Gagan Arora; Founder - Vertex Group (Vertex Global Services, Vertex Digital Academy, Vertex Next & Vertex Cosmos (VCOSMOS)) IATC Trade Commissioner for Nigeria Delegate for India - Global Chamber of Business Leaders Chairman - Foreign Investors Council, Delhi Director - Global Education, Asian Arab Chambers of Commerce Gagan Arora, the seven times winner of Best CEO award, is a first-generation tech entrepreneur, a tenacious leader, and a tech evangelist, has successfully established himself as a well-known brand name in the industry. Vertex Group Founder and President, Gagan Arora, has led the growth of Vertex Group into 7 countries in just 5 years, which has been acknowledged by the industry and earned him many accolades including 40 UNDER 40 & Asia's Youngest Entrepreneur by Asia One featured on CNBC & ET Now. Gagan is also recognized by GMI and Forbes amongst Top 100 Influencers in India two times in a row. Gagan Arora, began his entrepreneurial journey as a torchbearer, then as an entrepreneur, and eventually as a leader. Because of his instinctive and razor-sharp intellect, Arora has a propensity for spotting opportunities and staying ahead of the trend. Arora says, "I always operate in a way that is more diverse and stimulates more opportunities." He started Vertex out from a small garage in Florida, and in less than five years, he has grown the company across the globe, including United States, United Kingdom, India, Philippines, Nepal, Middle East, and Africa. This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is scheduled to inaugurate the national museum of customs and GST and address the closing event of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Iconic Week celebration in Goa on Saturday. The national museum that showcases the journey of the making of Goods and Services Tax (GST) and depicts custom procedures among others, is named 'Dharohar'. It is housed in Panaji's famous Blue Building on the banks of the Mandovi River. The two-storey building, which was earlier known as Alfandega, during the period of Portuguese rule in Goa, has been standing at this place for more than 400 years, according to an official statement released by the Union Ministry of Finance on Friday. Dharohar is one of its kind museum in the country that showcases not only the artefacts seized by Indian Customs across the country but also depicts basic customs procedures for the knowledge of the general public. Notable among its displays are the handwritten manuscript of Ain-i-Akbari, a replica of Amin pillars, seized metal and stone artefacts, ivory items and wildlife items. The recent addition comes in the form of the GST gallery that showcases journey of making of Goods and Services Tax, the historical indirect tax reform. Finance Minister is also scheduled to address the closing event of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Iconic Week celebration. The programme will include a number of events being showcased by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Departments of Revenue, Economic Affairs and Financial Services. In a bid to create awareness and spread tax literacy among people as well as children, the Central Board of Direct Taxes has developed some interesting 'learn by play' products. Finance Minister will launch a set of Board Games, 3D Puzzles and Comic Books under this series. A customized 'Snakes & Ladders" game aims to educate young children about taxes. Similarly, a 3D Puzzle 'India Gate' also aims to introduce children and young adults to the concept of paying taxes in an interesting manner. A series of Digital Comic Books to spread awareness about income and taxes will also be released, the finance ministry said. (ANI)
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], June 10 (ANI/BusinessWire India): To dial-up awareness around online scams, Amazon India today announced a one-of-its-kind consumer awareness initiative '#FightTheFraud', in collaboration with the CyberPeace Foundation and Rashtriya Raksha University, an Institute of National Importance under the aegis of Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India as a knowledge partner. The initiative intends to develop a collective response against the growing cybercrime and online scams in India through a range of activities such as webinars, social media awareness campaigns, capacity-building workshops, and others. All relevant stakeholders including consumers, small businesses, industry associations, civil society organizations, and government bodies are expected to participate in these activities. Combating online fraud and scams has been a top priority of Amazon; it has implemented industry-leading processes to create a secure and safe online marketplace for all relevant stakeholders. These processes include stringent seller verification, using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) tools, to help identify and address potential scams and other fraud prevention measures based on a set of weighted performance criteria determined from feedback reviews and other parameters. The #FightTheFraud initiative will supplement the measures taken by e-commerce entities, civil societies and government agencies. Lt Gen (Dr.) Rajesh Pant (Retd), PVSM, AVSM, VSM, National Cyber Security Coordinator (NCSC) at the Prime Minister's Office, Government of India launched the event in the presence of Col Nidhish Bhatnagar, Rashtriya Raksha University, Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt of India, Major Vineet Kumar, Founder and Global President, The CyberPeace Foundation and Chetan Krishnaswamy, Vice President, Public Policy, Amazon India. Speaking on the power and impact of a collaborative approach to fighting issues of online scams, Sumit Sahay, Director, Seller Partner Services, Amazon India, said, "There is growing uncertainty around cybercrime, and it remains a significant issue plaguing oblivious consumers across industries. We believe that through efficacious collaboration between the stakeholders, which includes industry leaders, policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and consumers, will we be able to resolve this complex issue and derive key learnings. #FightTheFraud initiative is a valuable first step toward bringing together the stakeholders and will serve as a vantage point for collective action." Lt General (Dr.) Rajesh Pant (Retd.), National Cyber Security Coordinator (NCSC), Government of India said, "The World Economic Forum (WEF) has termed cybercrime as the biggest man-made risk to the economic progress of nations and it is said that in a few years of time the total losses, globally are going to touch $10 trillion dollars. Per a report titled Cyber Prabhaav published by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the first quarter of 2022 saw a rise of 31% in reported complaints, on the government portal cybercrime.gov.in, as compared to the last quarter of 2021." Lt General (Dr.) Pant added, "#FightTheFraud initiative is both timely and important given the rising incidence of online scams over the last few years." Major Vineet Kumar, Founder and Global President, CyberPeace Foundation said, "I feel this is a very good time to launch the campaign and a very relevant time because post pandemic, post covid, we have seen a surge in the number of cyber frauds and cybercrimes happening that are taking place with people, the netizens all across. It's not justcities, it's also going to the villages and smaller towns. We all need to come together and create a safe space online for sellers, consumers and brands." Individual addresses from dignitaries were followed by a panel discussion on the theme of "Enhancing Customer Trust through Collaborations". The discussion highlighted risks faced by consumers, small businesses and brands from online scams and the range of measures adopted by stakeholders to mitigate these risks. Amazon.in 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 10 (ANI/NewsVoir): Pancham Dham Trust; reviving the glory of Sanatana Dharma. During the historic event, Indresh Kumar, RSS Veteran and Dr Sailesh Lachu Hiranandani visited the King Monk; blessed for start developing Sanatan Buddha University in Cambodia. The high-level meeting with the king monk was held in connection with the prestigious 5th Pancham Dham Yatra. During the meeting, the King Monk was ecstatic about the movement and committed his blessings and never-ending support for initiating the Sanatan Buddha University. "Pancham Dham is on a mission - reviving the glory of Sanatana Dharma". Pancham Dham at Siem Reap, Cambodia is India's gift to the world as Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. The tone for the future of Sanatana Dharma seems to be forming with followers from all across the globe and who are part of the Yatra being organized at Siem Reap, Cambodia. The event has been witnessing giant strides with people from all walks of life including Saints, Rishis, Gurus, Politicians, Bureaucrats, Diplomats, and people from all religions and faith. The 5-day long event at Siem Reap, Cambodia saw a large number of followers flying from all over the world to be a part of Pancham Dham and to witness the laying of the foundation stone of the coveted "Sanatan Sanskar Meditation Center" at Siem Reap. The construction and overall development of Pancham Dham Nyas Dhyan Kendra will be taking place under the guidance and leadership of Sailesh Vats. More than 100 people from India also made it to 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. The trust has been instrumental in pulling together the East Asian countries through the Fifth Dham initiative by fostering the thought process viz. Sanatana Dharma. The 5 day long program was 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. During the COVID pandemic, the movement could not see people joining together, However, post COVID, the movement/meet is gaining the right momentum and has been able to continue on 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. "One has to follow the 'dharma' prescribed for him and it is hazardous to tread on what is ordained for another is stressed in the Gita in two places." This story is provided by NewsVoir. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/NewsVoir)
New Delhi [India], June 10 (ANI/TPT): One of the renowned blockchain-based platforms 'Meta Whale World' has recently organized a grand success meet on 3rd June 2022. The event was held at the luxurious Orchid Hotel Balewadi, Pune. The event witnessed some of the distinguished personalities from the field of politics who were a part of the event. Some prominent personalities who graced the event with their august presence included Honorable Ramdasji Athawale (Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India), and Honourable Rajuseth Oswal. The event was a great success, with the overwhelming response of more than 300 Metawhale family members. Moreover, Rajubhau Barate and other renowned chief guests gave their best wishes to the entire 'Meta Whale World team.' During the occasion, several team members were rewarded for their excellent efforts and contributions to making the company reach newer heights. Rahul Kaushik, the company's Founder, went into great depth and discussed Meta Whale in detail. On the other side, Gunjan Shekhawat, the Director of the company shared the vision and explained the fundamentals of the Meta Whale world. Furthermore, Ullas Sardesai, the Chief Finance Strategist (CFS) came forward and explained the vision as well as the innovation that will take the firm forward. Regarding the event's grand success, Rahul Kaushik stated, "I feel extremely grateful to come a long way ahead. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Deepak Londhe, Prashant Mandekar, Vishal Raj and Amol Dande who made it to the event. Nothing makes me more proud than living my dream. To celebrate the auspicious occasion of getting this far and launching my own blockchain-based platforms, I am glad that we have come a long way but I promise, there is more to come in the upcoming months." Rahul Kaushik (Founder) and Rahul Pebby (Co-founder) have recently launched 'Meta Whale World,' a new blockchain-based platform. Earlier, on April 28, 2022, they organised a grand event introducing their platform and the event was held in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation. The event was held on a large scale at the Sahara Star, a luxurious 5-star hotel in India's financial capital. They take care of everything, from preparing the event to ensuring everything goes according to plan. Several renowned figures from various disciplines greeted the previous occasion with their attendance were Shambhaji Raje (Member of Rajya Sabha), Gulshan Grover (Bollywood Actor), Ameesha Patel (Bollywood Actress), and Vaishali Samant were among those honored (Indian Music Composer). Meta Whale World, a virtual platform, was recently incepted with an aim to provide its users ultimate sovereignty over their work, including everything from 3D art to game materials. The recently launched robust platform is simple to use and has a large user base, indicating that the network is reliable. All brands can use the platform for marketing their services and products. This story is provided by TPT. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (ANI/TPT)
The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) deputy governors, M Rajeshwar Rao and M K Jain on Friday met with managing directors (MDs) and chief executive officers (CEOs) of small finance banks to discuss governance and regulatory issues. M K Jain and M Rajeshwar Rao, Deputy Governors, Reserve Bank of India, held discussions with Managing Directors (MDs) and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of small finance banks (SFBs) on June 10, 2022. Executive Directors of Supervision and Regulation and other senior officials of the Reserve Bank also attended the meeting, the Reserve Bank of India said in a statement. "In the meeting held today, the emphasis on according due importance to these themes for sustainable growth of SFBs, particularly their business model and governance, was reiterated after taking stock of the developments in the sector," the RBI said. Small finance banks were advised to continue to evolve in tune with the differentiated banking license given to them with proportionate growth in their capital base. Among other matters, asset quality concerns including viable portfolio mix and further strengthening of customer service and grievance redressal framework with commensurate IT resilience were also discussed. The Reserve Bank took note of the suggestions and inputs from the participants. Earlier in the meeting with heads of SFBs held on August 27, 2021, the evolution of their business model and the need for enhancing Board oversight and professionalism, improving assurance functions and augmenting IT infrastructure, taking into account the stress build-up due to COVID-19 along with requisite mitigation measures, were discussed. (ANI)
Actors Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan have finished shooting for 'Vikram Vedha', which is a Hindi remake of the Tamil neo-noir action thriller original (same title) that was released in 2017. On Friday, Hrithik took to Instagram and announced the film's wrap. He penned a long note about the journey of filming the movie. "Beginning the journey of Vikram Vedha came with its own set of external challenges, with the pandemic and uncertainties... but looking back, it all contributed to our prep and performance. For me this journey has been as frightful and as delightful as a skydive. Using Vedha as an opportunity of letting go, aligning with what is, finding joy in being less than, and being wrong, has felt refreshingly new for me. It's been a journey of remoulding, rewiring and trusting. Time and my audience will tell if my instincts were in the right place or not," he wrote. Hrithik also praised his directors Gayathri and Pushkar. "But regardless of victory or failure, I am so so full of gratitude for the clarity & vision of my directors Gayatri and Pushkar. The passion they possess for the story and the sparkle in their eyes every day that we were on set, was a silent motivation for me to give it my best as Vedha," he added. He also talked about how his co-stars Saif, Rohit Saraf, Radhika Apte and Yogita Bihani gave him "impetus as a performer." "For me, becoming Vedha, good or bad, wouldn't have been possible without the powerful presence of Saif Ali Khan as Vikram, in addition to all my co-actors esp Rohit Saraf, Radhika apte & Yogita Bihani who gave me an impetus as a performer.As we called it a wrap on set, my mind is flooded with all the happy memories, testing times, action, thrill and hardwork we all have put into Vikram Vedha. Doing a little excited-nervous dance in my head today.. As we inch closer to our release date.Nuff said.See you at the cinemas," Hrithik concluded. Alongside the post, he dropped a few pictures from the set. In one of the images, Hrithik is seen posing with Saif, Gayathri and Pushkar. Kareena Kapoor also reacted to the picture and said she can't wait for the film. Sharing it on her Instagram Stories, she wrote, "Uff...cannot wait," adding heart-eyes emoji. 'Vikram Vedha' will be released on September 30 this year. (ANI)
South Korean boy band BTS has released their hotly-anticipated anthology album Proof on Friday via BigHit Music. According to Billboard, the three-disc set serves as a celebratory look back on the K-pop idols' last near-decade as a band, with tracks personally selected and curated by RM, Jimin, Jin, Jungkook, V, Suga and J-Hope as a gift to ARMY and also features brand-new single 'Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)'. While the first two discs are available on streaming and digital retailers, the majority of 'Proof's' third disc is CD-only and filled with demos, deep cuts and solo a capella tracks like Jungkook's 'Still With You', Jin's 'Epiphany' and group demos of 'Boy In Luv', 'Boyz with Fun', 'Seesaw' and more, the outlet shared. The accompanying music video for 'Yet to Come (The Most Beautiful Moment)' was released on Friday alongside the anthology album, in which the septet promises to their devoted fanbase that "the best moment is yet to come" with a heartfelt, celebratory chorus. Ahead of the album's release, each of the seven bandmates, in a series of intimate videos posted to the official BTS YouTube channel shared their reasons and inspirations behind the tracks they selected for 'Proof'. As per Billboard, the release of the compilation also coincides with the launch of the group's #MyBTStory YouTube challenge, which invites ARMY to create YouTube Shorts about their favourite memories with the band through July 9. (ANI)
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. --IANS ms/vd ( 690 Words) 2022-06-09-20:10:02 (IANS)
Iran has taken down an earlier press statement which mentioned that India has assured of taking action against those responsible for making derogatory remarks 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. --IANS miz/arm ( 384 Words) 2022-06-09-21:00:03 (IANS)
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. --IANS aal/vd ( 303 Words) 2022-06-09-21:16:01 (IANS)
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. --IANS niv/vd ( 278 Words) 2022-06-09-22:00:05 (IANS)
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. --IANS ms/arm ( 463 Words) 2022-06-09-22:18:03 (IANS)
The officials of the union and state government explained the proposed programmes that the Prime Minister is scheduled to inaugurate during his visit to the state.

Bommai, who addressed the state government officials after the video conference, instructed them to take precautions to ensure that there is no scope for any lapses in the programmes to be attended by the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister is set to participate in the International Yoga Day celebrations on June 21 in Mysuru. The Chief Minister instructed the officials on preparations for the mega event.

Chief Secretary Vandita Sharma, CM's Principal Secretary N Manjunath Prasad and other senior officials were present.

Earlier on Tuesday, Bommai reviewed the preparations for International Yoga Day celebrations in Mysuru to be held on June 21.

Bommai wanted the officials to make arrangements for transport, snacks, drinking water and other facilities for the participants in perfect coordination with the Union government.

"Extend all the cooperation to the Union AYUSH ministry, which is keen to organise an exhibition on Yoga on the occasion," Bommai instructed.

The State government has constituted 14 committees including a Core Committee headed by the District in-charge minister for the smooth and successful conduct of the event.

Bommai instructed the Police officials to ensure fool-proof security during the PM's visit.

The International Yoga Day celebrations are being held in a big way at 75 prominent Heritage spots of the country. In Karnataka it has been organised at Mysuru, Halebeedu, Hampi, Pattadakal and Vijayapura(Golgumbaz). Prime Minister Modi would inaugurate the event in Mysuru, while union minister of state for Agriculture Shobha Karandlaje would participate in the event at Halebeedu. (ANI)
The Delhi police have constituted a team to nab the culprits and a probe into the matter is underway.

"My wife was en route to home from her office in the evening. She parked her Audi car near Rohini Sector 7 or 8 for shopping. But when she returned after some time, the window of the car was broken and the laptop bag was stolen. The laptop bag contained a laptop, some documents and over Rs 1 lakh in cash," the archer said.

"The police was informed after which the CCTV was checked. Nearly seven people were seen deboarding an e-rickshaw who broke the windowpane and stole the bag and fled away," Verma added.

According to the Delhi police, The incident took place at around 7.30 pm when the archer's wife stopped in Rohini Sector 7-8 for shopping.

"We have seen the CCTV footage in which an e-rickshaw is seen approaching the car. We have sent a team to nab the accused. A probe into the matter is underway," said a police official. (ANI)
Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday called upon the students and faculty of a government engineering college to emerge as the pioneer institution in utilising the new Research and Development (R&D) policy. The Chief Minister was addressing the students and the faculty of University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering after inaugurating the renovated buildings and laying the foundation stone for the new Mechanical Engineering block. "The state government is upgrading seven government engineering colleges to the standards of IITs to showcase to the nation that Karnataka is the state that provides the most skilful youth to the nation," Bommai said. Calling it a knowledge era, the Chief Minister said that "Karnataka is proud to be the home for the highest number of Startups and Unicorns". "The 105-year-old UVCE has played a major role in the progress of Karnataka state," he said. The Chief Minister exhorted the students to soar high with the power of knowledge like a swan, the vehicle of Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge. "You are the future of Karnataka and the country. Be the achievers to lead the world," Bommai said. Earlier on Monday, the Chief Minister said that the Karnataka government is formulating a new Research and Development (R&D) policy whose announcement would be made within a month. The Chief Minister was speaking after inaugurating a Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Lab and release of Dr H Narasimhaiah's autobiography (Translated English edition) 'Path of Struggle' as part of the 102nd birth anniversary of renowned academician and Padmabhushan awardee Dr H Narasimhaiah at the National College. "The proposed policy would identify and give a boost for research and innovations happening at Garage level to major institutions. Even individuals with innovative ideas and a passion for research would be encouraged. The policy would immensely benefit National Educational Institutions," Bommai said while assuring support for National College in its science and research endeavours. He exhorted the students to ask questions as it would help in developing logical thinking."Children have the right to ask questions, their curiosity is the trigger for research," he said. (ANI)
A plea has been mentioned before the Supreme Court on Friday seeking a stay on the declaration of the Rajya Sabha elections result, in view of six Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLAs who had defected to the Congress Party. A vacation bench of Justices MR Shah and Aniruddha Bose said it would hear the plea only after a response from the Chief Justice of India is received for the listing of the plea. "We enquired from the Registry. The files were placed before CJI. There has been no communication from there. We cannot hear the case unless it is assigned to us. Please wait," the bench told the counsel of the petitioner. Recently, Rajasthan BSP had issued a whip asking six MLAs who had won as party candidates but later merged with the Congress to vote for only Independent Subhash Chandra who is in the fray for the June 10 Rajya Sabha elections. The appeal in the Supreme Court has been filed against an order passed by the Rajasthan High Court on Thursday dismissing a plea which sought a stay on the declaration of result of the Rajya Sabha Elections, underway now. The appeal filed in the apex court demanded a stay on the declaration of result and to keep the votes cast by the six MLAs separately (in sealed cover). The six MLAs were originally elected as members of the Bahujan Samaj Party and were later declared by the Speaker of Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha as members Indian National Congress (INC). 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 yesterday dismissed an application which sought an interim stay on the declaration of result of the Rajya Sabha Elections till the disposal of writ petitions pertaining to the disqualification of the six Rajasthan MLAs. 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 are pending adjudication. (ANI)
Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) working president KT Rama Rao wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the unemployment issue. In his letter to Prime Minister Modi, the Telangana Minister said the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government has failed miserably in creating jobs for the youth of the nation. KTR demanded that the Centre fill up the 16 lakh government jobs which are vacant at present. He added that demonetization and lockdown during the COVID pandemic majorly impacted the jobs and livelihood of people in the country. "There are only 'pakoda' employment opportunities in the country today, all thanks to the inefficient policies of the union government," stated KTR. KTR stated that due to the indecisiveness of the central government, the country today is witnessing the highest unemployment rate in the Centre was selling government companies. The TRS leader asked the central government when it will fill 16 lakh job vacancies and what actions have been taken to create 2 crore jobs per year. "How many of the promised 2 crore jobs per year were created or will be created for the youth of Telangana? What answers do you have for the loss of employment opportunities caused due to selling of government assets to private entities?" he asked. KTR said by the privatization of government properties, the reservation policy in jobs will be removed. "How are you going to recognise and reward the Telangana Govt which is giving major support to the country's economy? Do you have an answer to the demand we have been making on behalf of Telangana youth for 8 years to revive the Hyderabad ITIR project or give another special package as an alternative?" asked the TRS leader. "On one hand, you make statements like sabka saat, sabka vikas. But on the other hand, your party leaders believe and act more on the lines of 'sabko satyanash karo'. This attitude of yours is becoming a threat to the Indians not only in the country but outside the country as well. Due to this, the country is going backwards in development. As a result, crores of people are losing their jobs," added KTR. He also said that the Centre has miserably failed in attracting global investments to the country which could create employment opportunities for the youth. "Your inefficient decisions and ineffective economic policies led to loss of jobs, instead of creating new employment opportunities in the country," KTR said. He alleged that the Centre has no commitment to the welfare of agriculture and the textile sectors as these are the two major sectors people depend on for jobs. He added that the small countries in the neighbourhood have more employees in this sector than those in India. (ANI)
In a bizarre incident in Assam's Barpeta district, three years after a hospital switched her newborn, a woman was finally able to unite with her son following a court directive. Three years back, two pregnant women were admitted to a government-run hospital in Assam's Barpeta district where they gave birth to two babies, but one of the infants was stillborn. In a mix-up, the hospital handed over the living baby to another woman instead of the actual mother due to the similarity in their names. Following the court's directive, as per the DNA report, the original mother has been able to get her baby after three years. According to the reports, on May 3, 2019, Nazma Khanam, a pregnant woman from Barpeta, gave birth to a son at the government-run hospital. The woman was admitted to the ICU after the birth of the baby, the infant was admitted to the child care room and a few hours later the hospital staff handed over a dead body of an infant to Nazma Khanam's family members. Advocate Abdul Mannan said that the family members of Nazma Khanam's claimed that she gave birth to a healthy baby and the baby couldn't die. "After three days, the family members checked the list of pregnant women who gave birth to babies at the hospital and they found that two women to the similarity of their names - Nazma Khanam and Nazma Khatun had given birth to two babies and one among the two babies had died," Abdul Mannan said. The Advocate further said that the family members of Nazma Khanam had lodged a complaint at Barpeta police station and urged police to investigate the matter. "A case was registered at Barpeta police station under section 120 (B) (criminal conspiracy), 363 (Punishment for kidnapping) of the Indian Penal Code. The investigating officer of the case had filed a prayer petition before the court, Barpeta for a DNA test on October 8, 2020, and the court granted the prayer. The DNA test report was come positive. Following the directive of the court, the baby was handed over to the original mother," Abdul Mannan said. During a police investigation, it was found that due to the similarity of their names, the living child was handed over to another woman named Nazma Khatun of the Gossaigaon area instead of Nazma Khanam. (ANI)
The Bombay High Court on Friday refused to hear the amended petition filed by Maharashtra Minister Nawab Malik seeking permission to cast his vote in the Rajya Sabha elections. Earlier in the day, the bench of Justice Bharati Dangare denied immediate relief to jailed Malik. The court said that this petition is wrong and asked him to approach with an amended application before an appropriate bench. NCP leaders Malik and Deshmukh approached the Bombay High Court for temporary release to cast their vote, yesterday after the Special PMLA court dismissed their applications. Former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh on Thursday moved the Bombay High Court against the order of a special PMLA court rejecting his plea for a day's bail to cast his vote for the Rajya Sabha elections to be held on Friday, said Deshmukh's lawyer Aniket Nikam. A special PMLA court in Mumbai rejected the pleas filed by Maharashtra Minister Nawab Malik and former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh seeking a day's bail to vote in the Rajya Sabha elections. The lawyer of Deshmukh had requested a certified copy of the order as soon as possible so as to enable them to approach the High Court today. Deshmukh and Malik are currently lodged in jail in connection with different money laundering cases being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Deshmukh was arrested on November 1, 2021, in connection with extortion and money laundering allegations levelled against him by the former Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh. ED had arrested Minorities Development Minister Malik on February 23 over a property deal allegedly linked to the aides of gangster Dawood Ibrahim. In the Rajya Sabha polls for six seats from Maharashtra, every vote is crucial for the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), of which the NCP is a constituent. After more than two decades, the state will witness a contest in the Rajya Sabha polls as there are seven candidates in the fray for the six seats. The ruling Shiv Sena has fielded two candidates, its MVA allies NCP and Congress have nominated one candidate each, while the opposition BJP has put up three candidates. (ANI)
Besides, the Home Minister will launch various development projects and inaugurate of ex- INS Khukri as a museum during his day-long visit in Diu.

The Home Minister will also hold meetings with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office bearers and 'karyakartas' (party workers).

Around 11 AM tomorrow, Shah will be chairing the meeting of the Western Zonal Council comprising Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu, to be held in Diu.

The zonal council is expected to discuss a broad range of issues, including subjects related to the boundary, security, and infrastructure-related matters like road, transport, industries, water, and power.

The Chief Ministers of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, and the administrator of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu are likely to attend the meeting.

On Sunday at 10.45 AM, Shah will be addressing the 46th convocation ceremony of the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA), and inaugurate/ lay the foundation stone of a number of development projects of the Gandhinagar Municipal corporation in Gujarat.

Here, he will also inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of various development projects of Gandhinagar Municipal corporation in the afternoon.

Later in the evening, the Home Minister will lay the foundation for the renovation of Shaila Lakelet in Gujarat's Sanand. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inspected the headquarters of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) after inaugurating it in Ahmedabad. Earlier, he met his school teacher from Vadnagar in Gujarat's Navsari. PM Modi also inaugurated AM Naik Healthcare Complex and Nirali multi-speciality hospital in Navsari. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister said that the Central government has emphasised a holistic approach to improving the health sector of the country and has tried to modernise facilities in the last eight years. "During the last eight years, we have emphasised a holistic approach to improving the health sector of the country. We have tried to modernise the treatment facilities and also focus on topics related to better nutrition, a clean lifestyle and preventive health," he said. PM Modi also participated in the 'Gujarat Gaurav Abhiyan' in Navsari. He highlighted the development in Gujarat, saying that the "pride" of Gujarat is the rapid development of the state in the last two decades. Before taking over as the Prime Minister in 2014, PM Modi has the distinction of being the longest-serving Chief Minister of Gujarat with his term spanning from October 2001 to May 2014. According to PM Modi, the government, in the last eight years has given importance to the upliftment of the poor. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth about Rs 3,050 crores in Gujarat. According to the Prime Minister's Office, these projects will help in improving the water supply in the region, along with boosting connectivity and enhancing the ease of living. Later in the day, he will inaugurate AM Naik Healthcare Complex and Nirali Multi Speciality Hospital in Navsari. (ANI)
Jharkhand government on Friday filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court challenging the state High Court's order on the maintainability of PIL in connection with shell companies allegedly related to state Chief Minister Hemant Soren and his associates. The state High Court on June 3 held two PILs against the Chief Minister and rejected the arguments made by senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Mukul Rohatgi (questioning the maintainability of the two PILs filed against CM and his associates) in its 79-page judgement. In its order, the HC had stated that the respondent lawyers have objected to the PILs on the grounds - first, they argued that PILs have not been filed in accordance with the rules framed by the Jharkhand High Court. Second, petitioner Shiv Shankar Sharma has not furnished the credentials as required under Jharkhand High Court Rules. Third, the writ petitions have been filed with mala fide intention since the father of the writ petitioner was the witness in a criminal case instituted against the father of the CM, Shibu Soren, in which he was convicted by the trial court. Fourth, the writ petitioner has directly rushed to the high court without exhausting the remedy available under the Code of Criminal Procedure. And last, since the lease has been surrendered already by the Chief Minister, there is no occasion for the continuation of this proceeding. Rejecting the objections point-by-point, the Court had said that because some of the requirements as per Rule 4, 4-B and 5 of the Jharkhand High Court (Public Interest Litigation) Rules, 2010 have not been followed and the instant writ petitions cannot be held to be not maintainable. "This Court, after considering the aforesaid aspect of the matter and taking into consideration the fact that the issue which is the subject matter of writ petition since it involves the issue of siphoning off huge public money, having the public interest at large, therefore, this Court deems it fit and proper not to throw the writ petition on that ground," stated the order copy. In its conclusion, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Dr Ravi Ranjan and Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad said "This Court, after having answered the issue, as framed by this Court, and on the basis of discussions made hereinabove, is summing up its view and is of the considered opinion that the writ petitions cannot be thrown away on the ground of maintainability." The Jharkhand High Court had been hearing various petitions pertaining to shell companies, the mining lease of Chief Minister Soren and the MGNREGA scam. (ANI)
The New Delhi District Police on Thursday arrested 30 AIMIM activists in connection with the demonstration.

According to the police, they were neither allowed to protest at Jantar Mantar nor at the police station. All of a sudden these people came to the police station and started protesting.

Later an FIR was registered under sections 186, 188, 353, 332, 147, 149 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

The members of the Muslim community staged protests over inflammatory remarks by suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma and expelled leader Naveen Jindal against Prophet Muhammad.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police registered two FIRs-- one against former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and the other against 31 people, including AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand - for allegedly spreading hate and hurting religious sentiments, officials said on Thursday.

This comes as the row over the comments on the Prophet by suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma has blown up, leading to global outrage.

Over the last few days, several countries such as Malaysia, Kuwait and Pakistan condemned recent remarks made by a few BJP leaders. While Nupur Sharma made comments during a TV debate, another leader Naveen Jindal posted a controversial remark on Twitter.

The BJP suspended spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled media in-charge, Naveen Jindal, over the remarks. The party issued a statement emphasising its intolerance for disrespect of any religious personality. (ANI)
On Friday, protests erupted outside the Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad over the controversial statements by the suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma. Later, the protesters were dispersed from the spot after the intervention of the police. The Police force and CRPF have been deployed in the area now. Protests were also held outside Aziziya Masjid at Mehdipatnam junction, Hyderabad today. Around 200 people staged a protest raising slogans against Nupur Sharma. Protesters were seen protesting with placards at Mehdipatnam. Security has been beefed up with the deployment of police and CRPF to prevent any untoward incidents. Speaking to reporters, D.S Chauhan, Additional Commissioner of Police said, "The protests were held peacefully. Police have handled it well. No untoward incident took place. People have protested and left the place no case has been registered." Meanwhile, other parts of the country also witnessed several incidents of violence over the inflammatory remarks of the suspended BJP leader. A massive protest took place at Delhi's Jama Masjid. Delhi Police said they removed the protestors and the situation is under control now. "No call for protest given by Masjid. We don't know who are the ones protesting, I think they belong to AIMIM or are Owaisi's people. We made it clear that if they want to protest, they can, but we will not support them," Shahi Imam, Jama Masjid told media persons. On Thursday, locals in West Bengal's Howrah also protested against the controversial statements of suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma. The protests took place near Ankurhati on NH 116, disrupting traffic for quite some time. A few protesters who were present on the site shouted slogans that Nupur should be given the harshest punishment. The controversy erupted after Nupur Sharma's remarks against the minorities. Some Gulf countries have lodged their protest. However, 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. 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." Meanwhile, Delhi Police registered two FIRs-- one against former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and the other against 31 people, including AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand - for allegedly spreading hate and hurting religious sentiments, officials said on Thursday. (ANI)
Head of Missions from 13 countries will participate in an interaction with BJP National President Jagat Prakash Nadda at 4 pm on Saturday.

This interaction is a part of the series of programmes "Know BJP" initiative launched by the party's National President on BJP's foundation day on April 6.

The party presents detailed information on its historical journey, ideology, structure and ongoing activities.

Nadda also has been elaborating on the history, struggles, successes, ideology and contribution of the party and BJP governments in nation-building.

Envoys have been divided into groups including African, East Asian, Gulf, CIS and North American nations. The next events of this series are scheduled for June 13 and June 15.

During tomorrow's event BJP National Spokespersons Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, Guru Prakash Paswan, Vijay Chauthaiwale, the party's in-charge of the Foreign Affairs Department and a few other distinguished BJP leaders will also join JP Nadda.

The Foreign Affairs Department, in its newest avatar, was launched by the then BJP President Amit Shah in November 2014 with Chauthaiwala as its Chairman. (ANI)
Various parts of Punjab witnessed protests over the inflammatory remarks of the suspended Bharatiya Janata Party leader Nupur Sharma and expelled party leader Naveen Jindal. "After the protest call by Ludhiana Jama Masjid, protests were held across Punjab demanding the arrest of those who disrespected the Prophet," said Shahi Imaam of Ludhiana Jama Masjid. Meanwhile, protests against Sharma and Jindal have been reported from various parts of the country, including Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh. As per the reports, a massive protest broke out at Delhi's Jama Masjid which have been later brought under control after the police removed protestors from the protest site. "No call for protest given by Masjid. We don't know who are the ones protesting, I think they belong to AIMIM or are Owaisi's people. We made it clear that if they want to protest, they can, but we will not support them," Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid told media persons. Several incidents of violence including sloganeering and stone-pelting were also reported from several parts of Uttar Pradesh after Friday prayers when people began protesting against the inflammatory statements of former BJP leaders Sharma and Jindal. Notably, a controversy erupted after Nupur Sharma's remarks against the minorities. Some Gulf countries have also lodged their protest. However, 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 comment. However, Delhi Police had registered two FIRs on Wednesday-- one against former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and the other against 31 people, including All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi and controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand - for allegedly spreading hate and hurting religious sentiments, officials said on Thursday. Former Delhi BJP media unit head Naveen Kumar Jindal, who was expelled from the party over alleged remarks against Prophet Mohammad, and journalist Saba Naqvi, are among the people named in the second FIR. (ANI)
Amid the series of outrageous protests against the inflammatory statements against minorities, a huge crowd on Friday gathered at Howrah in West Bengal to protest against the controversial remarks of suspended Bharatiya Janata Party leader Nupur Sharma and expelled party leader Naveen Jindal. Earlier in the day, a massive crowd also gathered to protest at Park Circus in Kolkata adding to the resentment against the sacked leaders. While appealing for peace, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar sought an urgent personal update from the Chief Secretary of the state over the worsening law and order situation in the State since Thursday. "Expect CM Mamata Banerjee to sternly warn law violators- they will not be spared," Dhankar tweeted. Meanwhile, in Punjab, a massive protest demanding the arrest of sacked leaders has also taken place in various regions. Outrage against Sharma and Jindal were also been reported from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. As per the reports, a massive protest broke out at Delhi's Jama Masjid which have been later brought under control after the police removed protestors from the protest site. "No call for protest given by Masjid. We don't know who are the ones protesting, I think they belong to AIMIM or are Owaisi's people. We made it clear that if they want to protest, they can, but we will not support them," Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid told media persons. Several incidents of violence including sloganeering and stone-pelting were also reported from several parts of Uttar Pradesh after Friday prayers when people began protesting against the inflammatory statements of former BJP leaders Sharma and Jindal. Notably, a controversy erupted after Nupur Sharma's remarks against the minorities. Some Gulf countries have also lodged their protest. However, 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 comment. Delhi Police had registered two FIRs on Wednesday-- one against former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and the other against 31 people, including All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi and controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand - for allegedly spreading hate and hurting religious sentiments, officials said on Thursday. Former Delhi BJP media unit head Naveen Kumar Jindal, who was expelled from the party over alleged remarks against Prophet Mohammad, and journalist Saba Naqvi, are among the people named in the second FIR. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday termed the launch of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) as a 'watch this space' moment for the Indian space industry as it is a precursor to many development and opportunities. He further stated that it will create an opportunity for youths to showcase their talent and for the best minds to come together to propel this sector. Addressing the inauguration ceremony of IN-SPACe headquarters in Bopal, Ahmedabad, the Prime Minister said, "Today a glorious chapter has been added in the development journey of modern India of the 21st century. Many congratulations to all the countrymen, and scientific community for the headquarters of the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center i.e. IN-SPACe." He said that IN-SPACe has the potential to revolutionize India's space industry. "IN-SPACe will give an opportunity to the youth of India to showcase their talent and for the best minds to come together to propel this sector. Whether they are working in the government or in the private sector, IN-SPACe will create great opportunities for all," said PM Modi. The Prime Minister said that by bringing reforms in the space sector through INSPACe, the country is starting the movement to produce winners. "Today through IN-SPACe we are working on making winners from India in the space sector. When the ability of the Government sector and the passion of the private sector will come together, even the sky won't be the limit," he said. Hailing the youths for their innovation, creativity and energy, which is essential for the Space Sector, he said that IN-SPACe will bridge this gap between Government-led projects and the ideas of the youth. "We are working towards improving Ease of Doing Business for the private sector so that it can contribute to the Ease of Living for the citizens in the country," said PM Modi. He said space technology has formed a strong pillar of growth for the country. From the monitoring of infra projects to the mapping of agricultural land to defence, space-tech is helping India grow, transform and prosper. "ISRO has been instrumental in making unprecedented strides in India's space sector, including the launch of IN-SPACe to promote innovation and growth in the sector. When ISRO launches a rocket, the entire nation stands together to pray for the success of the mission. Every citizen in India has celebrated the achievements of our scientists. India's space initiatives have been a great example of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Now when the private sector will join these initiatives, the Shakti of the space sector will come unparalleled," said the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister further said that it is also being ensured that the private sector utilizes the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) resources and works in tandem with it. He said that the private industries are working with great speed in areas such as launch vehicles, satellites and space applications. "Today, I am happy to announce that we have more than 60 private companies in the space sector. I am proud that the private industry is working with great speed in areas such as launch vehicles, satellites and space applications," he said. He said that Space tech is also helping transform the education sector in India by using satellites to disseminate information across the remotest parts of the country. Emphasizing the need of increasing India's contribution to the space industry, PM Modi said, "The global space industry currently accounts for USD 400 Billion, and will move towards a USD 1Trillion sector. India's contribution to this needs to be increased, and IN-SPACe will play a role in that." He further added that the process of reforms in the space sector will continue to make sure India is a leading player in the global space sector. "We have made a View Gallery where over 10,000 citizens can view a satellite launch. This is a paradigm shift from the previous years when only a few leaders would view such a momentous occasion. Now any citizen can be part of it," he said. He further urged schools and colleges to include space-related topics in their curriculum. "The same will be done even in Atal Tinkering Labs, to encourage curiosity in the sector," he added. (ANI)
Japanese company Nippon Steel produces a number of automotive parts.

Mitsuru Egami from Nippon Steel said: "As a steel manufacturer, we are working on two themes: "carbon neutral" in "monodzukuri" aims at zero carbon in steel production, and "carbon neutral" in society."

"The "NSafe-Auto Concept XEV", which is shown in the back, uses lightweight materials to lighten the body of a car to a curved surface. And electromagnetic steel plates for EV motors, and how to make batteries with iron more light. We had a long deal with automakers, where we cultivated them. We have the know-how of iron manufacturing in various manufacturing fields and also the know-how to make parts." Egami said.

"We hope to realize the "NSafe-Auto concept" that we are proposing to provide high strength materials, structures, construction method, and evaluation of finished parts to customers in the future," Egami added.

Nissan has declared "Nissan Ambition 2030" to depict the future image of mobility, introducing initiatives in electric vehicles, the latest electric motor and driving support technology.

Masahiro Egami further said that the electric vehicle can enjoy environmental benefits and very high-quality driving.

"We introduce our unique system e-power technology, which allows driver to experience quiet, smooth, and powerful motor running in gasoline-powered vehicles. The e-power is very surprising for many customers, and once you get on the it, many customers say they can't go back to their original gasoline car," Masahiro Egami said.

Japan is famous for its automobile technology.

The technology of Japanese automakers and parts manufacturers will contribute to the world's automotive society with clean environment. (ANI)
The district administration on Friday imposed a curfew in violence-hit areas of Ranchi after a protest erupted against the controversial remarks of suspended Bharatiya Janata Party leader Nupur Sharma and expelled party leader Naveen Jindal. "District Administration has imposed a curfew across Ranchi. We appeal to the people to stay at home," the administration announced. The protest had turned violent after the incidents of stone-pelting and torching of several vehicles and vandalisation were reported. Many people have sustained injuries in the violent protests. Earlier in the day, Deputy Inspector General of Ranchi Police (DIG) Anish Gupta had said that the situation was "under control" despite being a "little tense". The DIG had also assured the deployment of heavy security and the presence of senior officials at the protest site. After various gulf nations expressed outrage against the controversial remarks against the Prophet, the country has been witnessing protests in various states including Punjab, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh. In Punjab, the protestors have demanded the arrest of sacked leaders, whereas the instances of stone-pelting and sloganeering were witnessed after the Friday prayers in Uttar Pradesh. As per the reports, a massive protest broke out at Delhi's Jama Masjid which was later brought under control after the police removed protestors from the protest site. "No call for protest given by Masjid. We don't know who are the ones protesting, I think they belong to AIMIM or are Owaisi's people. We made it clear that if they want to protest, they can, but we will not support them," Shahi Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid told media persons. Notably, a controversy erupted after Nupur Sharma's remarks against the minorities. Some Gulf countries have also lodged their protest. However, 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 comment. Delhi Police had registered two FIRs on Wednesday-- one against former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and the other against 31 people, including All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi and controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand - for allegedly spreading hate and hurting religious sentiments, officials said on Thursday. Former Delhi BJP media unit head Naveen Kumar Jindal, who was expelled from the party over alleged remarks against Prophet Mohammad, and journalist Saba Naqvi, are among the people named in the second FIR. (ANI)
Delhi police on Friday said that they have identified some 'miscreants' behind the Jama Masjid protest. The police added that legal action would be taken against those behind the protest. Earlier on Friday, a massive protest took place at Delhi's Jama Masjid over inflammatory remarks of suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma and expelled leader Naveen Jindal Delhi Police had said they removed the protesters and assured that the situation is under control now. "No call for protest given by Masjid. We don't know who are the ones protesting, I think they belong to AIMIM or are Owaisi's people. We made it clear that if they want to protest, they can, but we will not support them," Shahi Imam, Jama Masjid had told media persons. Protests and incidents of violence were also witnessed in several other parts of the country including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Gujarat, and Bihar. The controversy erupted after Nupur Sharma's remarks against the minorities. Some Gulf countries also lodged their protest. However, India on Thursday had 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. 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." Meanwhile, Delhi Police had registered two FIRs-- one against former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and the other against 31 people, including AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand - for allegedly spreading hate and hurting religious sentiments, officials had said on Thursday. Former Delhi BJP media unit head Naveen Kumar Jindal, who was expelled from the party over alleged remarks against Prophet Mohammad, and journalist Saba Naqvi, are among the people named in the second FIR. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed India's space mission and called it the biggest recognition of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Addressing the inauguration of IN-SPACe at Bopal, Ahmedabad, PM Modi said, "When this campaign will get the power of India's private sector, imagine how much its power will increase. Whether one is a scientist or a farmer-labourer, understands the techniques of science or does not understand, transcending all that, our space mission becomes the mission of all the people of the country. We saw this emotional solidarity of India during Mission Chandrayaan." He expressed happiness that more than 60 private companies are leading in the country's space sectors with advanced preparation. He singled out the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for bringing out this momentous change in the space sector of the country. He reiterated the importance of the step of opening up the space sector and credited the expertise and determination of ISRO for this initiative. "India's space programme has been the biggest identity of Aatmnirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. Space-tech is about to become the basis of a major revolution in the 21st century. Space-tech is now going to become a technology not only of distant space but of our personal space", the Prime Minister pointed out. He said that IN-SPACe needs to work continuously for making the gains of space technology accessible to the people of the country. "The data collected by the private space companies are going to give them huge power in future. He said that the global space industry is valued at 400 billion US dollars and has the potential to become a 1 trillion dollar industry by 2040," PM Modi said. He emphasized that India needs to increase its share in the global space industry and the private sector will play a big role in that. The Prime Minister also saw a strong role for India in the fields of space tourism and space diplomacy. He stressed that there are infinite possibilities in our country but infinite possibilities can never be realized with limited efforts. "I assure you that this process of reforms in the space sector will continue uninterruptedly. The private sector must be heard and understood and business possibilities should be analyzed properly. A strong mechanism has been put in place. IN-SPACe will act as a single-window, independent nodal agency to take care of all the needs of the private sector," he said. PM Modi said that India is working on a New Indian Space Policy for coordinating between government companies, space industries, startups and institutions. "We are soon going to bring a policy to improve ease of doing business in the space sector," the Prime Minister informed. The Prime Minister termed the launch of IN-SPACe as a 'watch this space' moment for the Indian space industry as it is a precursor to many development and opportunities. "IN-SPACe will give an opportunity to the youth of India to showcase their talent to the best minds of India. Whether they are working in the government or in the private sector, IN-SPACe will create great opportunities for all," he added. (ANI)
Several parts of the country witnessed massive protests against inflammatory remarks on Prophet Muhammad made by suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma and expelled party leader Naveen Kumar Jindal. A massive protest took place at Delhi's Jama Masjid after Friday prayers when people began protesting against the inflammatory statements. Delhi police on Friday said that they have identified some miscreants behind the Jama Masjid protest. The police added that legal action would be taken against those behind the protest. Several incidents of violence including sloganeering and stone-pelting were reported during protests in different parts of Uttar Pradesh. A clash erupted in Prayagaraj between police and protesters. Stones were also hurled during clashes in the Atala area of Uttar Pradesh's Prayagaraj. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed to take strict action against hooligans after incidents of stone-pelting broke out in various parts of the state. Meanwhile, in Jharkhand's capital Ranchi, the protest over the controversial remarks by suspended BJP leader Sharma turned violent. Vehicles were torched and vandalised and incidents of stone-pelting were also reported from several places. Injuries were reported in the capital city. Speaking to ANI, Anish Gupta, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Ranchi said, "The situation is a little tense but under control. We are making all efforts from our end. Heavy security deployment is done. Senior officials are also present at the spot. We are making all efforts to see that the crowd is dispersed from here." Ranchi District Administration has imposed a curfew in violence-hit areas of the city. "District Administration has imposed a curfew across Ranchi. We appeal to the people to stay home," announcements are being made in Ranchi, Jharkhand following a protest against the controversial remark by suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma. The protest had turned violent. Similar protests were held in West Bengal. A huge crowd gathered at Howrah to protest against Sharma and expelled BJP leader Naveen Kumar Jindal over their controversial remarks. Various parts of Punjab also witnessed protests over the inflammatory remarks. "After the protest call by Ludhiana Jama Masjid, protests were held across Punjab demanding the arrest of those who disrespected the Prophet," said Shahi Imaam of Ludhiana Jama Masjid. In Maharashtra, women held a protest march against the controversial remark by Sharma in Navi Mumbai. A large number of people were also seen holding a protest march in Solapur. Muslims also staged a protest against Nupur Sharma after Friday prayers at Aziziya Masjid at Mehdipatnam junction in Hyderabad. Around 200 people staged protest, raising slogans against Nupur Sharma. Protesters were seen with placards during the protest at Mehdipatnam. Security has been beefed up to prevent any untoward incidents. Members of a Mumbai-based Islamic organisation, Raza Academy, staged a demonstration at Muslim Chowk in Kalaburagi against the controversial remarks of suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma. People in several parts of Gujarat also held protests against Sharma's remarks. In several parts of Bihar, people were seen protesting against the inflammatory statements against Prophet Muhammad. This comes as the row over the comments on the Prophet by suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma has blown up, leading to global outrage. Over the last few days, several countries such as Malaysia, Kuwait and Pakistan condemned recent remarks made by a few BJP leaders. While Nupur Sharma made comments during a TV debate, another leader Naveen Jindal posted a controversial remark on Twitter. The BJP suspended spokesperson Nupur Sharma and expelled media in-charge, Naveen Jindal, over the remarks. The party issued a statement emphasising its intolerance for disrespect of any religious personality. (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a meeting with top officials on the protests and violence that broke out in several parts of the state on Friday. The protests occurred against the controversial remarks of suspended Bharatiya Janata Party leader Nupur Sharma and expelled party leader Naveen Jindal. According to an official announcement, CM Yogi has given liberty and clear instructions to the officials to take stringent action against anti-social elements. "The CM has given liberty and clear instructions to the officials to take stringent action against anti-social elements. Those who take the law into their hands will be taught strict lessons," said the UP CMO. According to the Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), as many as 109 people were arrested till 7.30 PM today in connection with the protest. Notably, the state witnessed several incidents of violence, sloganeering and stone-pelting after Friday prayers, when the people began protesting against the inflammatory statements. A clash erupted in Prayagaraj between police and protesters. Stones were also hurled during clashes in the Atala area of Uttar Pradesh's Prayagaraj. When the Prayagraj's Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) was on the ground to control the law and order situation, his vehicle was also damaged after the protest erupted in Atala. A huge protest was also witnessed in Saharanpur over the inflammatory remarks. A huge crowd in Moradabad also protested against the suspended BJP leader demanding her arrest over her inflammatory remarks. All this came as the row over the comments on the Prophet Muhammad by suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma blew up and led to global outrage. Over the last few days, several countries such as Malaysia, Kuwait and Pakistan condemned recent remarks made by a few BJP leaders. While Nupur Sharma made comments during a TV debate, another leader Naveen Jindal posted a controversial remark on Twitter. The BJP suspended spokesperson and expelled media in-charge, Naveen Jindal, over the remarks. The party issued a statement emphasising its intolerance for disrespect of any religious personality. (ANI)
The Ministry of Textiles, in partnership with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) on Friday, organized the 5th National Conclave on Standards for Technical Textiles, Building Standards for India@2047 here. The conclave was inaugurated by U P Singh, Secretary, and Ministry of Textiles. It encompassed a wide array of sessions and discussions on standards and regulations covering different areas of Technical Textiles including ProTech and Specialty Fibres, AgroTech & MediTech, GeoTech and BuidTech, MobilTech, Composites and InduTech. Around 300 representatives including Officials and Representatives from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Line Ministries and Departments of the Central Government, State Governments, and Eminent Industrialists from India attended through hybrid mode (Physical and Virtual). Speaking at the inaugural session of the conclave, U P Singh, Secretary Ministry of Textiles highlighted that the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM) and PLI in Textiles to support the penetration and exports of technical textiles in India. He added, "standards provide a facilitating framework for technical textiles' manufacturers in India. Continuous adoption and upgradation of the standards for each product category and segment will have a positive impact on the consumption of technical textile products in India, he further emphasized". He emphasized that the development and adoption of Indian standards for high-end Technical Textiles is the need of the hour. Need to examine the possibility of Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for some of the Technical Textiles from safety, health and environment standpoint. A collaborative approach between the Ministry of Textiles, Bureau of Indian Standards, Research Organizations, Industry and Academia to work together closely in the identification of gaps and work towards harmonization of Indian technical textile standards with the global standards. The government will endeavour to provide all the needed support to promote Indian technical textiles sector across the world, added U P Singh. During the Keynote address, Lt. Gen. Rajeev Chaudhry, VSM, Director General, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) emphasized the active role of BRO in driving the wide usage of Geotextiles products including Geogrid, Geocells, Geofabrics and Geodrains across different road construction projects at borders, mountains and rain infested areas of India. He further added that the BRO has collaborated with industry and academia for the development of new material & technology solutions. Thus, standardization of these products plays an important role in further increasing their usage, going forward. Rajeev Sharma, Deputy Director General (Standardization) BIS highlighted that over 500 standards have already been formulated for technical textile products by BIS in India since 2011 and further 40+ standards are being developed in close coordination with the Ministry of Textiles, Industries and other Line Ministries and Departments. BIS has undertaken several initiatives to fast-track the formulation and harmonization of standards for technical textiles including the Formation of a specialized committee for Technical Textiles, Pre-membership in the ISO Technical Committee, Digitization of standardization activity, Action-Research based approach, Free of Cost Indigenous Standards information and MoUs with eminent institutes have been the focused initiatives undertaken by BIS towards building technical textiles standards in India, he further added. Rajinder Gupta, Chair, FICCI Textiles Committee & Chairman, Trident Ltd said that Technology is changing rapidly and technical textiles with their wide applications can play a crucial role in the country's transformation in the next twenty-five years. (ANI)
A large number of people were seen participating in a protest march in Maharashtra's Solapur against suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma and expelled leader Naveen Jindal over their controversial remarks against Prophet Muhammad. Meanwhile, in Navi Mumbai, a number of women carried out a march, protesting over the controversial religious statements against the Prophet. Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil confirmed that the situation across the state is under control. "I would like to tell people of the state that situation across Maharashtra is under control & peaceful. Everyone, from all religious backgrounds, must try & continue that peace. Police were prepared. Only peaceful protests were seen in the state," said Maharashtra HM Dilip Walse-Patil. Further protests were also seen across the country on Friday. A huge protest had erupted outside the Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad over the controversial statements by suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma. Protests were also held outside Aziziya Masjid at Mehdipatnam junction, Hyderabad today. Around 200 people staged a protest raising slogans against Nupur Sharma. Protesters were seen protesting with placards at Mehdipatnam. Security has been beefed up with the deployment of police and CRPF to prevent any untoward incidents. Speaking to reporters, D.S Chauhan, Additional Commissioner of Police said, "The protests were held peacefully. Police have handled it well. No untoward incident took place. People have protested and left the place no case has been registered." A massive protest also took place at Delhi's Jama Masjid over the inflammatory remarks against Prophet. "No call for protest given by Masjid. We don't know who are the ones protesting, I think they belong to AIMIM or are Owaisi's people. We made it clear that if they want to protest, they can, but we will not support them," Shahi Imam, Jama Masjid told media persons. The controversy erupted after Nupur Sharma's remarks against the minorities. Some Gulf countries have lodged their protest. However, 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. 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." Meanwhile, Delhi Police registered two FIRs-- one against former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and the other against 31 people, including AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and controversial priest Yati Narsinghanand - for allegedly spreading hate and hurting religious sentiments, officials said on Thursday. (ANI)
A total of 109 arrests were made so far in connection with the protest which broke out in several parts of Uttar Pradesh after Friday prayers when people began protesting against the controversial statements of suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma and expelled party leader Naveen Kumar Jindal, informed Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Law and order on Friday. Several incidents of violence including sloganeering and stone-pelting were reported during protests in different parts of Uttar Pradesh. Of the total arrest made, 38 people were arrested in Saharanpur, 15 in Prayagraj, 24 in Hathras, seven arrests were made in Moradabad, two in Ferozabad and 23 were arrested in Ambedkarnagar. A clash erupted in Prayagaraj between police and protesters. Stones were also hurled during clashes in the Atala area of Uttar Pradesh's Prayagaraj. Prayagraj's Additional Director General of Police's (ADGP) vehicle was damaged after a protest erupted in the Atala area. The ADG was on the ground to control the law and order situation as a protest erupted. A huge protest was witnessed in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur over the controversial statements of the above-mentioned BJP leaders. Similarly, a huge crowd in Moradabad also protested against suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma demanding her arrest over her controversial remarks. "Friday prayers concluded peacefully in the district today. Those who raised slogans were dispersed later. I appeal to all to help maintain law and order in the district," said Moradabad District Magistrate. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed to take strict action against hooligans after incidents of stone-pelting broke out in various parts of the state. ACS Home Awanish Awasthi, acting Director General of Police (DGP), ADG Law and Order, are monitoring the situation from police headquarters. Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Home Awanish Awasthi has also asked for reports explaining the situation in the districts. Earlier on June 3, a violent clash broke out between two groups belonging to different communities allegedly over a market shutdown in Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh. Apart from Uttar Pradesh, several other states also witnessed massive protests against controversial remarks. A massive protest took place at Delhi's Jama Masjid after Friday prayers when people began protesting against the controversial statements. Meanwhile, in Jharkhand's capital Ranchi, the protest over the controversial remarks by suspended BJP leader Sharma turned violent. Vehicles were torched and vandalised and incidents of stone-pelting were also reported from several places. Injuries were reported in the capital city. (ANI)
Congress won all three Rajya Sabha seats it contested in party-ruled Rajasthan with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also winning a seat in the state. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot congratulated party leaders Randeep Singh Surjewala, Pramod Tiwari and Mukul Wasnik for their victory in the biennial polls to the upper house of parliament and said BJP had tried to indulge in "horse-trading by fielding an independent candidate". BJP candidate Ghanshyam Tiwari won but party-backed independent candidate Subhash Chandra lost the polls. Gehlot said that party MLAs and its allies have shown unity and given a befitting reply to BJP. He said that the BJP will face a similar defeat in the assembly polls next year. He expressed confidence that the newly-elected party MPs will firmly raise the issues of state. "Congress' victory in three Rajya Sabha seats in Rajasthan is a victory for democracy. I congratulate all three newly-elected MPs - Pramod Tiwari, Mukul Wasnik and Randeep Surjewala. I am sure that all the three MPs will be able to firmly champion the rights of Rajasthan in Delhi," Gehlot said in a tweet. "It was clear from the beginning that the Congress had the required majority for all three seats. But BJP tried to indulge in horse-trading by fielding an independent. The solidarity of our MLAs has given a befitting reply. The BJP will face a similar defeat in the 2023 assembly elections as well," he added. Congress leader Sachin Pilot also congratulated the newly-elected MPs from the state. "I extend my heartiest congratulations and best wishes to all the three candidates of the Congress party - Mukul Wasnik, Randeep Surjewala, and Pramod Tiwari - for winning the Rajya Sabha elections from the state," he said. Polling was necessitated as there were five candidates for four seats in the state in the biennial polls. (ANI)